Evening, I must apologize for not having taken the time of late to prepare any submittals. I have been extremely busy what with computer problems and working on Brethren almanacs of which I have been able to process somewhere shy of ten almanacs in the last month. To further fill my plate I have been blessed to be included in an ongoing project to update information pertaining to Brethren history which for a short time shall be kept under wraps. To somewhat make amends I have prepared this offering in two sections because of the size. It is most of everything submitted, sans marriage notices and obituaries, from the July 31, 1888 issue of the Gospel Messenger. This would be the issue: Vol. 26, No. 30. And that last little bit is something that I normally do not submit in my offerings. And, because of the size, there may be some not interested in reading such a lengthy submittal. My recommendation in that case is to delete it from your inbox. Cordially, Wayne Webb Bro. S. Z. Sharp, at last reports, was in Missouri, preaching, and looking after the interests of McPherson College. Bro. John Wise expects to go to Farwell, Hansford Co., Texas, about Sept. 1st, to engage in mission work at that place. Bro. Henry Brubaker is becoming so well pleased with Texas that he is thinking of buying himself a home in the Lone Star State. Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri ought to unite in the Old Folks' Home project. It would insure the success of the enterprise. In union there is strength. On Sunday, Aug. 5, Bro. J. G. Royer expects to meet with the Brethren at Wawaka, Noble Co., Ind., at their harvest meeting. He will spend some time in Northern Indiana. Bro. D. M. Miller has just returned home from the Wisconsin Mission field. His labors were blessed by the Lord, and nine were added to the church. The prospects for the future are good. Inadvertently the name of Bro. J. H. Moore was omitted in his article in last week's paper on "Mission Prospects in the South." It was a printer's slip and we ask Bro. John's pardon. Some of our Brethren have got the idea that in some way or other the Minutes of Annual Meeting were to be sent out free. The Annual Meeting provided that individual members were to receive them free, but that State Districts should pay cost of publication for as many copies as were ordered for their Districts. We have been requested to publish in pamphlet form the writings of Alexander Mack, the first minister among our brethren in Germany. We should be glad to hear from those who are interested in regard to an enterprise of this kind. What do you say? Shall the writings of Mack be issued in a cheap form so that they may be generally read ? Bro. Jas. H. Larkins writes from Grundy Center, Iowa, that the Lord has blessed Iowa with fine crops of grain this year. Not only in Iowa but from all over the country we hear the same report of good crops. We are wondering how many people will recognize the hand of God in this season of prosperity, and will give the Lord's portion without being reminded of their duty in this direction? Bro. Moses Frame says he is heartily in accord with the editorial in the Messenger on Sunday-schools, and suggests that our schools be held strictly in accordance with the gospel order. He also asks if we should or should not kneel in prayer during the funeral services of our relatives. For our part, if there is any time when we feel like bowing down upon our knees before the Lord, it is when our heart is heavy with the loss of a loved one, and we think our brethren and sisters feel much the same way. It is the general custom here among our members to kneel in prayer on such occasions, and we believe this is right and proper. On Sunday night, the 22nd inst., we witnessed the total eclipse of the moon. The night was bright and clear, and the moon shone with unusual brightness. About 10 o'clock the shadow came in contact with the eastern edge of the satellite. At 11 o'clock the bright surface of the moon was totally eclipsed. Owing to the pure and cloudless atmosphere, the eclipsed orb presented a red, coppery color, after it was entirely covered with the earth's shadow. The period of totality was about one hour and forty minutes. It was one of the most beautiful eclipses we ever witnessed. As we watched the dark shadow gradually creeping over the face of the moon, we experienced a peculiar feeling. We do not wonder at the superstitious fear that falls upon barbarous people who do not understand the cause of the eclipse. Bro. S. Bock, Secretary of the Brethren's Book and Tract work, requests us to say that Bro. James H. Larkins, of Lanark, Ill., is authorized to receive donations for the Tract Work, either in money or endowment notes, and distribute tracts, etc., in his travels over the Brotherhood. Notes from our Correspondents. -A card from Bro. E. J. Zern, of St. Paul, Minn., informs us that he greatly misses the religious associations enjoyed while at Mt. Morris, but that he finds the Messenger an excellent substitute while in his isolated condition. -The following notice is sent us by Bro. I. J. Rosenberger, of Covington, Ohio: "As our Mission Board contemplates holding a love-feast with the dear members in Canada, this fall, I desire the address of all our members, brethren and sisters, residing in the States, who were raised in Canada." -From the Fairview congregation, Ind., sister Mary Yost writes: "This church is still moving along, and with a brighter prospect for the future. There seems to be more spirit and energy in the Master's cause. We have preaching every two weeks, and a Sunday-school every Sunday, with growing interest and a goodly number in attendance. Our Superintendent is Bro. J. B. Shively; he is assisted by Bro. Samuel Ulery. A few weeks ago we rejoiced by enrolling another young soldier into Christ's army. May we all strive to lay up treasures in heaven, and work more for the good of souls, and at last get home to heaven where we can praise the Lord in full." -Bro. Samuel Weybright, of Double Pipe Creek, Carroll Co., Md., writes: "After enjoying the pleasant associations at our Annual Meeting and visiting several churches in Ohio, we returned home in safety. We had our love-feast in the Rocky Ridge meeting-house June 16 and 17, and it was truly an enjoyable occasion. Seventeen ministering brethren from adjoining congregations were present. Bro. Jacob Oller officiated. Bro. Beahm gave us some very good instructions on self-examination, showing that we should not judge ourselves by comparison with others as fallible as ourselves, but by following that Perfect Pattern, Christ the Crucified." -Sister Bernice Ashmore, of Mansfield, Piatt Co., Ill., writes: "We have commenced the second quarter of our Sunday-school with much interest. Both old and young are taking part. Our last quarter's attendance averaged 68." -From Solomon's Creek church, Ind., sister Candace Warstler writes : "Our love-feast occurred June 15. Ministering brethren from a distance were John Metzger, of Edna Mills, Ind.; Isaac Neff, of Illinois; Geo. Shively, Levi Weaver, Daniel Wysong, and others from adjoining churches were present. It was indeed a feast to the soul. Bro. Metzger officiated. He admonished us all to be faithful until death, and meet in glory with all the redeemed. June 24 one was received into church relationship by the rite of Christian baptism." -From the Massissinewa church, Ind., Bro. Geo. L. Studebaker writes: "On Sunday, July 1, Bro. Joseph Spitzer led two souls into the liquid stream, and on July 8, Bro. Jacob Rarick baptized two more. July 15 the writer had the pleasure of leading one more soul into the Massissinewa River and burying him in baptism. May they all prove faithful in the Lord's vineyard. July 17 the writer was called to Poneto, Wells Co., to preach the funeral of friend Joseph McCalister, aged eighty-seven years, four months and seventeen days. Considerable sickness prevails in our neighborhood at present, mostly among children. Some of the brethren are inquiring why I am not in the field. It is on account of sickness in the family. My wife has been under the doctor's care for five months, but is better at present. I would like to be out in the field, working for the Master, were it not that family duties detain me at home." [Note from Wayne: This is a reference to the Mississinewa congregation of Indiana. Quite a few of the early members of this congregation originally hail from the Morrison's Cove region of Bedford and Blair counties in Pennsylvania.] -Bro. Henry Frantz, of New Carlisle, O., writes: "A few weeks ago we made a drive of thirty mites, preached two sermons, and had the pleasure of baptizing three dear sisters. I trust they may be valiant soldiers for Christ. Next Sunday, the Lord willing, we go thirty-seven miles south-east, to preach at 10: 30, at 3, and at 8 o'clock, where there are already several members. We hope many more may come soon. I made a short trip to Kansas June 3, and was as far west and south as Kiowa, Barber county. I stopped at Lawrence, Kan., and preached three sermons in the Pleasant Grove district, one at Newton, Harvey county, and one in Olathe church, near Bro. Samuel Frantz's. I arrived home June 21, found all well. I expect, the Lord willing, to go to Colorado about Aug. 1, and return to Newton, Kans., by the morning of Aug. 15, to meet the party of Brethren going to the Panhandle of Texas at that time. On account of the western climate agreeing so much batter with me, it may be possible that I may locate somewhere in the West at some time in the future; whether it will be Kansas, Texas, or Colorado, I am not now able to say. Perhaps it might be neither one, but let us be where we may, the most important matter must not be forgotten,-Where can I do the most good for the cause of Christ?" -In the obituary column of No. 27, page 430, last column, 38th line, read "84 years" instead of "74 years." [Note from Wayne: This is a reference to the obituary of Henry Bashor of Andrew county, Missouri.] -Bro. John Van Horn, of Ashland, Jackson Co., Oregon, writes: "Our little flock here is in love and union, for which we feel thankful to the Giver of all good. Three dear souls were added to the church by baptism, July 15. May they be faithful! -Some notes of travel are sent us by Bro. A. Shepler and wife, of Peabody, Kan. We glean: "May 17 we left for Annual Meeting. Stopped at Peru, Ind., and attended meetings at the old Pipe Creek church, where we met with many dear brethren, sisters, and neighbors. It was a happy meeting and made us think of the one beyond this vale of tears. We also visited in the Mexico church where we were kindly received, and rejoiced in meeting once more many whom we knew in days of yore. June 20 we arrived at home again, thanking God for his divine care over us." -The duty of private members is set forth by Bro. Louis Macey. He says: "Since Bro. D. E. Price has so pointedly shown us the duty of ministers, I think that something ought to be said for the lay-members. Some seem to think that attendance at meetings is about all that is required, but that is only a small part. There should be private prayer, Matt. 5: 44; Mark 13: 33; Luke 18: 1; Mark 6: 6; 26: 41; fasting, Matt. 9: 15; Mark 2: 20; love, Gal. 5: 13; Heb. 13: 1; Matt. 19: 19; John 3: 9, 11, 18, 21; meekness, Matt. 5: 5; 1 Pet. 3: 4; Eph. 4: 2; Col. 3: 12; Tit. 3: 2; the fruits of the Spirit, 2 Pet. 1: 5-7." -"Many of our brethren," says Bro. J. Wagoner, "do not realize the danger of following the vain fashions of the world, even if only in the little things that might pass by unnoticed. The soul that is fully consecrated to God will not crave after the vain and foolish fashions of this world, because its mind is changed. Nothing will give us such solid comfort and peace of mind, as when we keep close to the bleeding side of the Crucified. Some say that wolves some-times appear in sheep's clothing. While that is true, the fact still remains that a wolf cannot cut off his feet and put on the sheep's feet; his tracks will betray him every time." -Members in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, will please read the following in regard to Annual Meeting Minutes, furnished by Bro. S. R. Zug, of Mastersonville, Pa.: "As Clerk of last District Meeting of Pennsylvania, I hereby give notice that each housekeeper had better send to Eld. J. G. Royer direct, and order the number required, telling him to what State District to charge, and hereafter let delegates at District Meeting be prepared to give the requisite number to the Clerk, where it can be done with little trouble. Only two elders wrote to me, and a few others talked of it, out of about twenty-seven churches; and to do the work as it ought to be done, would take more time and labor than I can at present spare or am willing to give, so that the above is the only way out of it for this year and the future." -"July 18," says Bro. John E. Young, of Beatrice, Nebraska, "one was received by baptism into the kingdom. There seem to be others not far from it. We hope they will not always stay almost persuaded. We have four places of regular preaching and two live Sunday-schools in our territory." -Bro. Horace Whissler, of Entrican, Mich., writes: "The essays in the Messenger are a source of much satisfaction to me, as I live somewhat isolated from the church. We have meeting here only every six weeks. I had the privilege of attending the love-feast in the New Haven church, June 16; it was a very enjoyable occasion. Though I have only been a member of the church for about a year, yet, the more I meet with the members, the more I feel like thanking the Giver of all good for enabling me to unite with his people."