—The Presbyterian Church of Hempstead, R. I., celebrated its 250th anniversary with a three-days jubilee beginning October 23.
—President Cleveland has appointed Thursday, the 29th inst., "as a day of thanksgiving and prayer, to be kept and observed by all the people of the land."
—Bishop Marty, of South Dakota diocese, has sent out letters to the priests of the State urging them to use their influence for the reëlection of Senator Pettigrew.
—Rev. J. Herndon Garnett, of San Jose, Cal., who created quite a sensation some time ago by renouncing the Baptist ministry for that of Unitarianism, has returned to the old fold. The pretext for his former defection was that he wanted greater freedom than he could exercise in the Baptist Church.
—A recent number of the Outlook, New York, contained the following advertisement: "WANTED—A minister for a progressive country parish. Must be young and married, a Republican, and interested in social and club work. Salary, $1,200 and parsonage. An overgraduate preferred. Address Supply Committee, Hartford, Vermont."
—Mr. Vivekananda, the high priest from India, who made a sensation at the World's Parliament of Religions, and who has since remained in this country to expound Brahminism, has found a new pretext for denouncing American Christianity. In the city of Baltimore, recently, he was denied admittance to several hotels on account of his dusky color.
—In defending the American Protective Association, the Pacific Christian says: "Many have been informed that the business of the association is to make war on the Catholic religion. There never was a greater mistake. The order stands for religious liberty." But in any representative A. P. A. organ we can find emphasized the slogan that no Roman Catholic is to be elected to any office. If the fact that a man is a Catholic is alone to exclude him from office, what is it but war on the Catholic religion. We personally know a man, an American, in full harmony with the order, who was refused membership because his wife is a nominal Catholic, although she too is an American and never attends the church. Such "religious liberty" is of the very kind that Catholics advocate in countries where they have full sway. The claim of opposing Catholic political methods and not the Catholic religion is the veriest delusion, for Catholic politics is Catholic religion, and intrigue for political prestige is the main shaft in the machinery for propagating the Catholic religion.
SECULAR.
—It is said that the insurrection in Peru has completely paralyzed business.
—The little Central American republic of Salvador has decided to exclude Chinese immigrants.
—At a tenement house fire in New York on the 30th ult. seven people were smothered to death.
—A snowshed on the Union Pacific Railroad, at Sherman, Wyo., 800 feet long, was burned on the 31st ult.
—Some miners from the Yukon country in Alaska, recently arrived at Tacoma, Wash., with 100 pounds of gold dust.
—The burning of warehouses and 4,000 bales of cotton in New Orleans, on the 4th inst., caused a loss of $150,000.
—Fourteen Whitecaps were recently arrested in Sevier County, Tenn., on account of a fight in which three men were killed.
—The Oakland Iron Works, this city, were destroyed by fire on the night of the 31st ult. Loss estimated at about $50,000.
—The American Board of Foreign Missions has a late dispatch stating that a fire in Radjin, in Galicia, Turkey, left 2,000 people homeless.
—A Gibraltar dispatch says that an Italian vessel was recently boarded by pirates off the African coast, and robbed of 1,000 cases of petroleum.
—On the night of October 29 a fire in the trimming goods establishment of Porter & Co., Pittsburg, caused a loss on building and stock of $350,000.
—It is reported that the San Francisco and Hongkong steamer Gaelic has been seized by the Japanese at Yokohama on a charge of carrying contraband articles.
—The steamer Toremes struck Crow Rock, near Milford Haven, Wales, on the 31st ult., and twenty-one men, including all the officers, were drowned. Only seven men were saved.
—The bright hopes that have been entertained for the use of the bicycle by army postmen have been blasted by exhaustive experiments in Germany, France, and Austria.
—The recent fall in the price of wheat may be hard on the farmers, but it is causing the people of some Eastern cities to rejoice because of the corresponding fall in the price of bread.
—A fire on Pine Street, San Francisco, on the 4th inst., destroyed property to the value of $270,000. The principal loss fell upon the grocery establishment of Goldburg, Bowen & Lebenbaum.
—The Polish papers announce the arrest of an Austrian general on the charge of selling to Russia plans of Austrian fortifications. The paper says that Russia paid the officer 1,000,000 florins for the plans.
—The editor of the People's Advocate, of Ripley, Tenn., has been fined $1,000 for in a sensational manner calling a mass meeting and threatening bloodshed on election day. He was charged with sedition.
—The Chinese Six Companies have issued a notice warning Chinamen throughout California not to give evidence for government in cases involving the exclusion or deportation of Chinese. Otherwise they will be boycotted.
—Workmen of Pullman, Ill., are starting a coöperative car manufacturing company at Hiawatha, Kan., on capital furnished by capitalists of that place and vicinity. Thirty-four families left Pullman for Hiawatha on the 4th inst.
—A severe earthquake shock was experienced in the City of Mexico on the 2d inst. Many houses were damaged, and men and horses fell in the street. The damage to property within the radius of the shock is estimated at $250,000.
—Anarchists are again reported at work in London. A bomb was exploded in front of the residence of Lord Brett on the night of the 4th inst., the threshold being blown to pieces, and a large concrete slab carried across the street.
—Governor West, of Utah, says that the dumping of the California "industrial army" in that Territory last summer entailed an expense of $3,000, and unless the Southern Pacific Company reimburses the Territory, suit will be brought to recover that amount.
—The uncertainty of wills is illustrated in the fact that Thaddeus Stevens, an eminent lawyer, made provision in his will for an industrial home for boys in Lancaster, Pa., but the matter has passed through twenty-six years of litigation and the home is not yet built.
—A British fleet of over twenty war ships is being mobilized at Shanghai, and a Russian fleet of twelve vessels is gathered at Che-Foo. It is said that Great Britain has secretly asked the king of Korea to cede Fort Hamilton, on condition of reciprocal assistance.
—M. Zola, the noted French author, who has greatly offended the Catholics by his book purporting to give the truth about the famous shrine at Lourdes, recently visited Rome. He was accorded a grand reception by members of the press, but was denied an interview with the pope.
—A press dispatch from Buenos Ayres states that the Argentine Congress has voted $1,000,000 for the sufferers by the earthquake in the provinces of San Juan and La Rioja. Slight shocks continue to be felt in both provinces. Large quantities of food are being sent for the relief of the sufferers.
—Fifty-seven American-born Chinese have registered in San Francisco, and will vote at the State election. It is said that there are 2,000 in the State that may vote two years hence. As they all vote at the dictation of their bosses, they may become a dangerous factor in politics, especially in the city of San Francisco.
—Ten tons of lead are at Tacoma, Wash., awaiting shipment to Japan, but the collector wants advices from Washington before allowing the freight to be shipped. Both China and Japan have declared lead contraband of war, but it is claimed that this particular lot was contracted for and engaged in freight before the war was declared.
—A recent dispatch from Shanghai states that the empress of China has committed suicide by taking poison. The reason is said to have been a rebuke by her husband, and that he slapped her face. The emperor never loved his wife, whom he was urged by the empress dowager to marry, when he came to the throne, at the age of 18. Thus ended five years of unhappy wedded life amid the splendors of an oriental capital.
—A stage driver named Arthur Meyer was shot and killed by a footpad on the road near Nevada City, Cal., on the 30th ult., for refusing to come down from his seat on demand. The only passenger jumped from the stage and ran away, several shots being fired after him without effect. The robber then ran away also, without disturbing the treasure box. The passenger procured assistance and returned to the stage, when it was driven on to Nevada City.
—President Cleveland is to arbitrate certain differences between Italy and Brazil. The Italian Government claims for certain citizens indemnity for losses to a line of steamers and stoppage of railroad contracts during the late rebellion in Brazil. It is also alleged that Italians were forced to serve in the Brazilian army during the rebellion.
—A Mr. Allen, of Melbourne, Australia, is credited with the invention of a new electric submarine torpedo boat, which can be submerged in the water and run as fast as a surface boat. Naval officers have expressed the opinion that it will in a measure revolutionize naval warfare. It is claimed that the boat may be kept submerged for three days.
—The steamer Wairapa, from Sydney, N. S. W., for Auckland, N. Z., was wrecked on the rocks of Great Barrier Island, October 31, and 58 passengers, the captain, and 20 of the crew were drowned while attempting to get ashore. The survivors, 81 passengers and 40 of the crew, report terrible scenes of suffering, both during the wreck and after gaining the shore.
—The czar of Russia, Alexander III., died at Lividia, on the 1st inst. His son, who is now Nicholas II., has been proclaimed czar. The celebration of this event was attended to prior to the public mourning for the dead czar. Nicholas II. is just 27 years old, and has just married Princess Alix, granddaughter of Queen Victoria. Of course all Europe will feel uneasy until the young ruler's disposition and policy shall have been developed.
—The Japanese seem to be still marching on to victory. China is making preparations—borrowing money and raising armies—for a prolonged war. The fact that English capital is being loaned to China will no doubt at some time become a pretext for Great Britain to take a hand in the contest, for the protection of the interests of her citizens. As was foreshadowed at the outset, Japan's ultimate success depends upon prompt action, and the little island government is apparently aware of this fact.
THE RESTORATION
From Eden to Eden
In the twenty chapters into which this book is divided, the author discusses the unity of the divine plan and the continuity of God's purpose through all the ages, showing that in all dispensations the truths constantly impressed upon the minds of the people have tended to one end,—the elucidation of one central idea,
THE RESTORATION
of the dominion which was lost in Adam.
CHAPTER I is a brief discussion of the Creation of the World; Man's Dominion and How He Lost It; the Origin and Authorship of Sin, with the divine remedy for its consequences.
CHAPTER II treats of the "Promise of God to the Fathers," with all that it implied in heaven and on earth. In other chapters are discussed such subjects as "The Abrahamic Covenant;" "Righteousness through Faith;" "The Covenant with Israel," the reasons for it, and the universality of its application; "The Return of the Jews;" "The World's History in a Dream;" "The Setting Up of the Everlasting Kingdom;" "The Hour of Judgment;" "The Fall of Babylon;" "The Seal and the Mark;" "Signs of the Second Coming of Christ," and the responsibility of man in recognizing them; "The Resurrection of the Dead," and what the doctrine involves.
THE LAST CHAPTER is a GRAND COMPILATION of the Promises of God in regard to the "Restoration of the First Dominion," with a vivid portrayal of the earth's appearance and condition when clothed in the garb of Edenic purity and loveliness.
THE BOOK is substantially bound, and handsomely embossed with floral designs; gold title on side and back; heavy, cream-tinted, sized and super-calendered paper; size, 5 1/2 in. x 9 in.; price, postpaid, $1.00; gilt edge, with side design embossed in gold, $1.50.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., or 43 Bond St., New York.
HERE AND HEREAFTER.
An exhaustive treatise on the "State of the Dead" and the "Destiny of the Wicked." Has man a conscious existence in death? This is a question of the deepest interest, especially in these days when Spiritualism, in its varied forms, is spreading its deception everywhere. The subject is treated in
THIRTY-SEVEN CHAPTERS.
All the important texts bearing on man's nature and his condition in death are taken up and critically examined; as are also those which relate to soul and spirit.
THE CLAIMS OF PHILOSOPHY,
in which the immortality of the soul is discussed from a philosophical standpoint.
A chapter is devoted to a HISTORICAL VIEW of the subject, in which the history of the doctrine of the immortality of the soul is traced from the earliest ages down to the present time. The work closes with a chapter on the
INFLUENCE OF THE DOCTRINE,
in which it is shown that many have been driven into infidelity by the doctrine of Eternal Torment, a doctrine which is inconsistent with the character of God and contrary to the teachings of the Scriptures.
The book contains 443 pages, is bound in extra fine English cloth, and is embossed in black and gold.
Price, postpaid, $1.00.
Address, Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal., or 43 Bond St., New York City.
MAN'S NATURE AND DESTINY.—Assorted tract package No. 5. Six subjects or chapters in one; price, 10 cents. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
Question Corner.
By Editor
"If ye will inquire, inquire ye." "But avoid foolish questions."
There is no inharmony expressed in the texts. In fact, God's word is all harmony. We may not be able to see it always, but it is there. Simply because the ear of the student cannot discern the harmony in the most difficult piece of music, he does not reject it and say there is nothing whatever in music. He appreciates the harmony which he can discern, and labors more zealously to train his faculties to discern the higher harmonies. So it is with God's word. We may not be able to discern the harmony between certain classes of texts, but there are many others in which we do see and appreciate the harmony which exists. We should not be discouraged because of the lack of seeming harmony in others, but seek God for more of his Spirit, until our spiritual nature becomes so attuned with the divine that we may be able to see harmony in all his word and work.
However, we will endeavor to show our correspondent that there is no inharmony existing between these texts of Scripture referred to. Certainly there is none between the statement in Luke 24:1 and that in Mark 16:1, 2. Mark says that when the Sabbath was past the women came very early in the morning of the first day of the week to anoint Jesus. The last verse of Luke 23 and the first verse of Luke 24 state practically the same thing. After keeping "the Sabbath day according to the commandment," on the first day they came to the sepulcher to anoint Jesus. Matthew says, "In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher." It is thought that this refers to a previous instance to that recorded in Mark and Luke, the women going to the sepulcher on the Sabbath day, or at its close, answering to our Saturday night. But if this were the case, the visit occurred before the resurrection of our Lord; for Mark 16:9 expressly says that Jesus rose on the first day of the week. The Syriac version, by Murdock, reads: "And in the morning of the first day of the week He arose, and appeared first to Mary Magdalene." This would seem to make the expression, "In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week," equivalent to that used by Mark, "After the Sabbath was past." So in the Syriac translation Matt. 28:1 reads, "And in the close [or, literally, "evening"] of the Sabbath, as the first of the week began to dawn," etc. That is, the evening after the Sabbath closed. Evidently the expression means just before the dawn of the light part of the first day. The Emphatic Diaglott renders it, "Now after the Sabbath, as it was dawning to the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary went to see the tomb." The expression is a little different from that used by the other evangelists but the idea is the same. Jesus arose early in the morning of the first day of the week, as stated by Mark.
The text reads as follows: "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by force." Revised Version. Rotherham translates: "But from the days of John the immerser until even now, the kingdom of the heavens is being invaded and invaders are seizing upon it." The text seems to have reference to the enthusiasm and earnestness with which the people rejoiced to hear John. As we read in Matt. 3:5, "Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan." In fact, such a real earnest purpose took hold of the people as induced them to seek so eagerly the teachings of John that it could be likened to an invading army seizing upon a city or kingdom, and those who were earnest were the ones who obtained it. As Luke expresses it, "The law and the prophets were until John; since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it." That is, they were anxious to identify themselves with the great movement.
The Standard Dictionary
By Editor
WE have received notice that the printing of the second volume of the STANDARD DICTIONARY is now completed. Five years of labor, with two hundred and forty-seven editors, and the expenditure of nearly a million dollars, has been put upon this stupendous work, and it will in all probability be ready for delivery in November. Of course it will take some time to bind the work before it is sent out. As we stated when reviewing the first volume, this dictionary stands at the head and front of all English dictionaries, and is bound to be the Standard throughout the world, and all those who have received the first volume will be only too glad to get the second. The two volumes are also bound in one, and the single-volume edition will be ready at the same time the second volume is. Funk & Wagnalls, publishers, 30 La Fayette Place, New York City. Sold by subscription.
The Sanctuary
By Editor
The article on the Sanctuary in this number considers briefly the priesthood of both dispensations.
The Fall of Babylon
By Editor
The series of articles by Elder Covert on Babylon, concludes with this issue. "The Fall of Babylon" appears in this number. Read it.
What Has Become of the Jesuits?
By Editor
We commend to our readers the article entitled "What Has Become of the Jesuits?" It is particularly instructive and timely just now.
A Perpetual Memorial
By Editor
"A PERPETUAL MEMORIAL," the article by Mrs. E. G. White, presents strong Biblical meat on the Sabbath question. Read carefully this part, that you may connect with it the latter part, which will be given next week.
Sabbath Uniformity
By Editor
The article on "Sabbath Uniformity" concludes in this number. The argument is most conclusive that God himself must have appointed a definite day, in the very nature of the case. All the confusion on the Sabbath question among Jews, Gentiles, and Christians comes from man not God.
Missionary Work in Alaska
By Editor
NEXT week we give in our Mission Fields department the first installment of a most interesting paper on missionary work in Alaska. The writer, Mrs. Emma H. Adams, learned her facts on the field itself, and has written them up in her own interesting way. We bespeak for them a careful reading by those of our readers interested in missions.
"ODD PEOPLE OF THE MOUNTAIN."
By Editor
WE notice in the San Francisco Examiner of October 24 a two-column article entitled "Odd People of the Mountain. A Queer Utopian Community in a Quiet Vale near St. Helena Who Care Not for the World. Dance with a Swinging Motion. Men and Women Who Are Like Good Children—without Avarice, Enmity, or Ambition, Yet Prosperous." The article purports to be an interview with Mrs. E. P. Buckingham, of Vacaville, known as the queen of California fruit growers, by a reporter of the Examiner, and the institution referred to is the St. Helena Medical and Surgical Sanitarium, known as the Rural Health Retreat, and also as Crystal Springs.
In some respects the description is true to life, especially as regards the kindliness, faithfulness, and absolute equality manifested among the managers and employes of the institution, for they are Christians; but the article contains many expressions which convey altogether wrong ideas, and which we fear may do injustice to the sanitarium. We have been there ourself, and we are acquainted with the management of the institution. The community is not Altrurian in the sense in which the word is generally understood. The institution is carried on by a stock company formed for the purpose of treating the sick and furnishing a home for those who desire such rest and treatment as the sanitarium has shown itself thoroughly capable of giving. All the physicians, managers, and employes receive regular wages according to their labor and merits. The treatment is thoroughly first class and according to the most advanced and best established ideas in medical science. Much use is made of various kinds of baths, Swedish movements, electrical movements, and a liberal hygienic diet.
In the surgical line it has had a remarkable record; among the many cases which have been operated upon during the last two years we believe there has not been a single death, and there have been many difficult cases.
While there is a true Altrurianism, founded on the principles of the gospel of Christ, it certainly is not found in the dreams of Howells or Bellamy.
"The dance with the swinging motion" is simply the gymnastic exercises, which are taken for health on the part of students and such patients as need them, and which are found in all of the best established schools of the land.
Taken on the whole, the article will provoke inquiry, but we felt, as a friend to the institution, that it was our duty to correct, so far as our influence goes, some of the wrong ideas that are given in the article in question.