During the past six months the various Conferences have sent in subscriptions to the SIGNS—including State clubs—in the following ratio: New York heads the list with a State Agent's club of 1,800 copies; Michigan second, New England third, followed by California, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ohio, Colorado, Iowa, North Pacific, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, etc.
RECEIPTS.
By Editor
NOTICE.—The change of figures on the address labels will be in all cases a sufficient receipt for money sent for the paper. If these changes do not appear in due time, and if books ordered by mail are not received, please notify us. All other business is acknowledged below.
CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE FUND.—St Helena Church (tithe), per H W Hackney $152.60, Ferndale, per Mrs E W Hurlbutt $96.30, Fresno, per Wanchope $68.70, Vacaville, per Wm Butcher $64.00, Woodland, per G C Martin $54.30, Rocklin, per D M Prosser $50.00, Woodland, per W Saunders $40.18, Napa, per Joseph Eggleston $30.25, Grangeville, per E Gerowe $29.95, Norwalk, per John King $25.80, Davisville, per Mrs S E McClellan $14.80, C W Wagner (tithe) $4.00, Pleasant Grove, per Wm Banta $3.75, M T Burke (tithe) 50c, Mrs Gobin $1.50, W T Eddy (tithe) $5.00.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.—Julia Scott $10.00.
SHARES IN PACIFIC S D A PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION.—Mrs H S Foster $10.00.
SIGNS DONATIONS.—Mary Belle Wagner $33.00.
CALIFORNIA T AND M SOCIETY.—D M Prosser $13.75, Seamen's Mission, per Charles A Robbins $12.70, Charles A Robbins $2.00, Jasper G Smith $15.00, J Q Allison $1.75, Edna Roberts 75c, C O Russell $1.50, A Friend $5.00, James S Berry 25c, Mrs A J Hutchings 25c.
ORDERS FORWARDED.
By Editor
BOOKS SENT BY FREIGHT.—S C Bice.
BOOKS SENT BY EXPRESS.—Eld J O Corliss, N C Wheeler.
BOOKS SENT BY MAIL.—Mrs P J Striplin, John Judson, Abel Striplin, Ellen Simons, Flora Wing, Mrs C Roberts, S E Saunders, Edna Viers, T P Southworth, Mrs H Miller, J Nowdesha, Seamens' Mission, B E Wilder, Mrs N A Jones, Mrs R Cross, T R Angove, C Maynard, Mrs Judge Wagner, C O Russell, Wm A Miller, Ira A Wheeler, E N Hatt, Mrs M W Powell, Wm Wicking, Wm Weatherell, Frank D Burmester, James S Berry, Review and Herald, John Hubbard, Charles Mallory, Mrs Jamison, R D Gleason, J W Moore, C M Kinny, Mrs E E Light, S C Bice.
Appointments.
OAKLAND.—House of worship, northeast corner of Clay and Thirteenth Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:30 A. M. Preaching at 11 A. M. Prayer and missionary meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:45. Seats free. Invitations to all.
SAN FRANCISCO.—House of worship, Laguna Street, between McAllister and Tyler Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:45. Preaching at 11 A. M. Prayer and missionary meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:45. Mission Reading-rooms at 316 Fremont Street.
I WILL meet with the church in Salinas on Sabbath, Aug. 2, at 11 o'clock A. M., and 3 o'clock P. M. Would like to have all the brethren and sisters present.
News and Notes.
By Editor
RELIGIOUS.
—The Moody converts in London are estimated at 34,000.
—According to a Boston writer, the old Channing Unitarian Church makes the humiliating confession that it has not had an accession to its communicants in thirteen years.
—In an article in the Independent, Dr. T. T. Munger advises young college graduates to adopt the ministry as their profession, in preference to practicing medicine, on the ground that the latter profession is overcrowded to such a degree that it no longer promises a support to those who enter it, while in the former there is abundance of room, taking the whole country into consideration, and the minister earns a living from the first.
—Commenting on the fact that at the recent meeting of the alumni of Andover Seminary, the two essayists placed Christianity before the Bible in the order of history and in point of actual importance, the Churchman says: "It gives the keynote of much that is going on in the world of religious thought." "Once it was the Bible, and the Bible only; now it is beginning to be Christianity before the Bible. The question arises how soon it will be the church as the conservator of Christianity, and the witness to the integrity of the Scriptures and to the understanding of their contents."
—This is what the Christian says about it. We cannot testify as to the "large proportion," but we have seen the original of the picture in more than one school: "In a large proportion of the Sunday-schools one will find the teachers and scholars each sitting with a 'Lesson Paper' or 'Quarterly' in their hands. From it they first read the lesson, then the teacher looks on his paper and reads a question, and the pupil looks on his paper and reads an answer to it; and this goes around the class until the lesson is finished. And both class and teacher frequently give evidence that they knew little about the lesson before they commenced, and they probably know but little more when they are through with it."
—The Christian Herald quotes our words concerning the oft-repeated command to keep the Sabbath, and our statement that we should do so, until we should find better authority than the ten commandments, and says: "Yes, we further find a very explicit command, often repeated, for shedding the blood of bulls and goats, and offering them [?] on the altar [sic] of burnt offering, shall we also obey it? If not, why not?" Will the Herald please tell us which one of the ten commandments it is that entails any such practice? Stick to the text brother. We fear that the Herald took up theology too early. It should have received a little more discipline in the study of the grammar and the spelling book.
—The Texas Advocate says: "Very few professors of religion systematically read their Bibles. About all they know about religion is gained from the preacher, and when they hear a sermon only once or twice a month, their souls have to live on short rations. If each pastor could persuade his members to read their Bibles regularly, he could more easily induce them to erect family altars and attend prayer and class-meetings. The want of the church is a membership in vital and intelligent sympathy with the religion they profess. In theory they say the Bible is a message to men from their heavenly Father, but they treat that book with far less respect than they pay their county paper, and study its pages with less interest than they display over the columns of the weekly prices current."
Bible Study as a Whole
The Chicago ministers who called attention to the dangers of studying the Bible by piece-meal, struck a large principle and deserve thanks. It is a poor church that is built on a few chapters taken here and there from the catholic whole, and it is a poor and dangerous kind of Christian opinion and of Christian character which is built on odd passages or books, selected, it may be, at random, or, worse yet, to suit a compiler. The word must be its own interpreter, and it is only in the broad and free comparison of its parts, the interpretation of one passage by another, the weighing of one against another, and the bringing of the less illuminated portions into the strong light of Christ and his apostles, that we escape the danger of using the word of God "deceitfully." Every child should have his whole Bible and study it as a whole. There is a solid realism and hard-headed good sense, for example, in the Old Testament, which, in combination with the idealistic tone of some portions of the New Testament, bring out exactly the right result. In this broad view of the whole, things appear in the right proportion and come to the right equation.
To Their Power.
THE apostle Paul, when bearing witness to the great liberality of the Macedonian churches, declares that "to their power, yea, and beyond their power" they were willing to give of their substance to relieve the necessities of the saints.
Of how many Christians can it be said to-day that "to their power" they are willing to devote their time, and strength, and means, to the advancement of God's cause and the welfare of his people? "To their power" means something more than the devoting of the odds and ends of our time, and crumbs, and scrimpings of our means, to sacred purposes; it means more than giving old clothes and cold victuals, or putting pence into the contribution box and sinking thousands in luxury, and show, and speculation; it means the utter devotion of our all to the Lord; the consecration of our lives to his service; the dedication of time and strength and everything to God and his work.
What have we done? What might we have done if to our power we had devoted ourselves to the service of the heavenly Master? What are we doing? And what might we be doing, if to our power we were willing to enter upon the work of the Lord to-day?
Let us consider the past; let us search and try our ways, and turn unto the Lord with purpose of heart, assured that when to our power we are ready to devote ourselves to the Lord's service, we shall find that his power shall aid us in our labors, his strength shall be made perfect in our weakness, and his blessing shall crown our efforts and reward our toils.—Sel.
How Not to Stamp a Newspaper.
"Do you wish that sent to the dead letter office?" said a clerk at a stamp window in the post-office recently, as he noticed a gentleman affixing a stamp to a newspaper.
"I can't say that I do," was the reply.
"Why?"
"Because you are evidently unaware that a sealed package is not carried by the United States mails for one cent."
"This is not a sealed package."
"Excuse me, sir, but it is. The stamp is partly on the wrapper and partly on the newspaper, and the Post-office Department has very properly decided that that makes it a sealed package. Packages of that kind may get through to their destination occasionally, but it is in violation of the rule. It is very convenient to fasten a newspaper in its wrapper in that way, but it should not be done."
International Tract and Missionary Society.
By Stephen Nelson Haskell
The International Tract and Missionary Society was organized Aug. 13, 1874. It has furnished health and religious publications to co-operative missions and individuals in every State and Territory in the United States, and to every civilized nation on the globe. During 1883-84 it placed in free public libraries in this country over 10,000 volumes of standard religious books, at a cost of over $10,000, two-thirds of which was donated by other funds and the publishers. It has also placed valuable books in many libraries in England, Australia, the United States, and supplied reading-rooms with health and religious periodicals.
Free reading and lecture-room, 316 Fremont Street, San Francisco, Cal., from which place all ships are visited which enter that harbor. Andrew Brorsen and H. C. Palmer, city missionaries.
Free reading-room on L Street, near corner of Fifth, East Portland, Oregon.
It has a free reading and lecture-room, 744 Broadway, New York City, where it will keep constantly on hand Health and Temperance publications to furnish co-operating missions and branch offices on the Atlantic Coast and in Europe. Ships visiting this harbor are supplied with reading matter. William J. Boynton, manager and city missionary.
Free reading and lecture-room, 21 Boylston Place, Boston, Mass. J. R. Israel and A. T. Robinson, city missionaries. Ship missionary, C. W. Priest, 191 Atlantic Avenue.
Free reading and lecture-rooms at 13 West Huron Street, Buffalo, N. Y., open from 2:30 to 9 P. M. Alex. Gleason, Superintendent.
Free reading-room and depot for stationery and Sabbath-school supplies, at Howard City, Dakota.
Free reading-room at 219 West Madison Street, Chicago; Room 2, second floor. Eld. Geo. B. Starr and James Sawyer, managers.
Mission and free reading-room at 2339 Chestnut Street, St. Louis, Mo., N. W. Allen, Superintendent.
Free reading-room and book depository, 15 Indiana Avenue, Indianapolis, Ind. W. A. Young, Superintendent.
The ship work at Liverpool, England, is under the charge of Geo. R. Drew, 16 Rodney Street, Birkenhead, Cheshire; J. H. Durland, Southampton. Tract and book depository, 72 Heneage Street, Great Grimsby, Eng., in charge of Miss Jennie Thayer.
At the above-mentioned places the public are cordially invited. The society is sustained by the liberalities of friends of missions. Donations by draft or otherwise will be thankfully received and gratefully acknowledged by any of the above-mentioned agents, or Miss M. L. Huntley, Secretary, South Lancaster, Mass., U. S. A.
S. N. HASKELL, President
Obituary.
By Wm. S. Durbon
BEATTIE.—Died at Darien Center, N. Y., July 7, 1884, our dear brother, David Beattie, aged 68 years. He was born in County Antrim, Ireland, of Scotch parents. He came to this country many years ago, uniting with the Presbyterian Church. In the fall of 1881, Elders Ballou and Brown pitched their tent in this place, and under their faithful ministry, Bro. Beattie and his wife both left the M. E. Church, of which they were members, and joined the little company of Sabbath-keepers who worship from Sabbath to Sabbath. He leaves an estimable wife and three daughters. Funeral services conducted by L. E. Rockwell (Methodist).
WM. S. DURBON.
A MINE OF INFORMATION.
By John Nevins Andrews
HISTORY OF THE SABBATH AND FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK.
By Eld. J. N. Andrews.
The Bible record of the Sabbath, the secular history concerning it; the successive steps by which the change to the first day was made, and the work of restoration, are given in detail.
Every text of Scripture concerning the Sabbath is commented on at length; and the COMPLETE TESTIMONY OF THE FATHERS in regard to the Sabbath and first day is given. The comparative merits of the seventh and the first-day Sabbaths are fully shown. A copious index enables the reader to find any text, or the statement of any historian.
Should be read by everybody. 528 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THOUGHTS ON DANIEL, CRITICAL AND PRACTICAL.
By Uriah Smith
By Eld. U. Smith.
EXPOSITION OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL, VERSE BY VERSE.
We are now living in times plainly pointed out in this prophecy, and it is important to understand it; for Daniel himself says that in the time of the end, the wise shall understand; while, if we fail, we are equally guilty with the Jews, who knew not the time of their visitation (Luke 19: 42-44), and shall meet a similar fate.
416 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THOUGHTS ON REVELATION, CRITICAL AND PRACTICAL.
By Uriah Smith
By Eld. U. Smith
This work presents every verse in the book of Revelation, with such remarks as serve to illustrate or explain the meaning of the text. It is a new and harmonious exposition of that important book, and is designed to create an interest in its study.
416 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE SPIRIT OF GOD: ITS OFFICES AND MANIFESTATIONS TO THE END OF THE CHRISTIAN AGE.
By J. H. Waggoner
By Eld. J. H. Waggoner.
This is a brief but comprehensive argument on the solemn and important subject of the Spirit of God. Its chapters embrace the following heads: The Holy Spirit of Promise; The Power from on High; Circumcision of the Heart; The Unity of the Faith; The Law and the Testimony; Try the Spirits; The Great Commission; Gifts in the Reformation; In the Present Century; Spirit of Prophecy Restored. These are subjects of vital importance to all, and especially to those who are looking for the return of their Lord.
144 pp. Price, 15 cents. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE NATURE AND TENDENCY OF MODERN SPIRITUALISM.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.
THIS is a thorough expose of the system of Spiritualism. The author has carefully studied the subject, and has given such copious extracts from a large library of Spiritualist publications, as to fully condemn them in their teachings and in their practices, by their own testimony.
It is also shown from the prophetic scriptures that Spiritualism is one of the most impressive signs of the times.
184 pp. Price, 20 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
MATTER AND SPIRIT;
By Dudley Marvin Canright
OR,
THE PROBLEM OF HUMAN THOUGHT.
BY ELD. D. M. CANRIGHT.
A philosophical argument on an important theme, indicated by its title. 66 pp. Price, 10 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE HOME OF THE SAVED.
By John Norton Loughborough
By Eld. J. N. Loughborough.
Gives the Bible evidence upon the interesting topic of the earth made new, as the inheritance of the saints. 82 pp. Price, 10 cents. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Our Own Work.
A story is told of a king who went into his garden one morning and found everything withering and dying. He asked an oak that stood near the gate what the trouble was. He found that it was sick of life and determined to die because it was not tall and beautiful like the pine. The pine was out of all heart because it could not bear grapes like the vine. The vine was going to throw its life away because it could not stand erect and have as fine fruit as the pomegranate; and so on throughout the garden. Coming to a heart's-ease, he found its bright face lifted, as full of cheerfulness as ever. Said the king:—
"Well, heart's-ease, I am glad to find one brave little flower in this general discouragement and dying. You don't seem one bit disheartened."
"No, your Majesty. I know I am of small account, but I concluded you wanted a heart's-ease when you planted me. If you had wanted an oak or a pine or a vine or a pomegranate, you would have set one out. So I am bound to be the best heart's-ease that ever I can."
To be such a "heart's-ease" is a blessed thing for the Christian, and a saving power in the world.
To be my best is the great mission of life!—Whispers of Peace.
Ecclesiastical Claret.
AN occurrence a little over two weeks ago that was not noticed at the time in our news column, was the fire in the old Catholic mission, in the village known as "Mission San Jose," near San Jose city, Cal. The fire itself was not worthy of note, except as imperiling a relic of early times—one of the oldest churches in the State. But one thing about it was noteworthy, and that is, that in the scarcity of water the fire was extinguished by twelve casks of fine old claret, the property of Rt. Rev. Bishop Alemany. Good Catholics will doubtless want the bishop canonized for his great sacrifice, but heretics will inquire whether the wine was for his own use, or whether he was saving it against a possible emergency of that kind. Some people will take this case as an argument in favor of wine, but there are those irreverent enough to claim that even in such a case its effect is only deleterious.
The Coming of the Lord Delayed
By Editor
The article in the series, The Coming of the Lord, is laid over this week, on account of press of other matter.
Oakland Tent-Meeting.
By Editor
THIS meeting is progressing with prospects favorable. Both the attendance and the interest are good. We attribute its success, thus far, very much to the efficiency of the missionary work done in this city, principally since the beginning of this meeting. We have no doubt that the present work will tell favorably on the camp-meeting in this city in September. It is expected to continue meetings in the tent, either in the place where it is now pitched or partly in another place, up to the time of the camp-meeting. We have waited and hoped a long time for meetings of this nature in Oakland, and now greatly rejoice that our earnest desires are gratified. "O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity." Ps. 118:25.
Our College.
By Editor
SPECIAL attention is called to the notice of the College, by Professor Brownsberger, which may be found on this page. This is our last opportunity before the opening of the school for the coming school year. We hope to be present at the opening, and hope to see there a large number of students from all parts of the coast country.
Seventh-day Adventist Year Book.
By Editor
ALTHOUGH the year is more than half gone, the Year Book for 1884 is by no means out of date. The proceedings of the last General Conference, International Tract and Missionary Society, Publishing Associations, etc., will always be valuable for reference. Indeed, for these records, the Year Book is the more valuable the farther those meetings are in the past, as the papers containing them are rarely saved. All who wish to be intelligent in regard to the work, should keep these records, so as to compare them from year to year. The "Summary of Missionary Labor," which it contains, enables one at a glance not only to tell the whole amount of work done, but the comparative standing of different States. Price, post-paid, 25 cents.
Chance for a School.
By Editor
If any of our people wish to establish a school in their midst, they will do well to apply to Mrs. M. F. Gould, Healdsburg, Cal. Sister Gould has been attending the College, where she has been teacher in different departments, and is highly recommended by Prof. Brownsberger. She has also a first-grade certificate from the County Board of Education.
We give this notice because we are interested in the cause of education among us, and because we think there are some churches which need a school and are able and willing to support one.
College Notes.
By Sidney Brownsberger
OPENING OF THE NEW YEAR.
THE new college year will begin Monday, Aug. 4. The first day will be devoted to the classification of those who enter the school for the first time. All should make an effort to be present at the opening. Those who come early, have many important advantages over those who are late, not only in respect to their studies, but also in regard to the selection of rooms, etc.
There are two trains to Healdsburg daily. The boat leaves the Market Street wharf at San Francisco at 7:40 A. M. and at 5 P. M., and the trains connecting with this boat arrive in Healdsburg at 10:45 A. M. and 7:55 P. M., same day. Students announcing their coming in advance, will be met at the depot upon their arrival at Healdsburg. The fare after Aug. 1 between San Francisco and Healdsburg is $2.50.
The new year comes with increased responsibility for teachers and students. Before entering upon their work, they should consider well their mutual obligation, for such obligations do exist. A very narrow and selfish idea upon this point exists in the minds of many students in the popular schools. They recognize no obligation on their part to any one except as it contributes directly to their own profit, ease, or pleasure. The idea of doing something directly for the good of the school, the teachers, or their fellows, is not entertained with any degree of favor. Such consider the teachers the only responsible party in the success or failure of the student.
Suffice it to say that the Healdsburg College is not that kind of a school, and that such sentiments are very unpopular among our students. They are inspired with the thought that to acquire the habit of doing good to others, and of making themselves generally useful, will insure their success in the practical affairs of the world, secure the greatest good to the greatest number, and thus accomplish the object for which the college was established.
We cordially welcome all to these halls who want to make this the active principle of their lives. The student must take a broad view of his relation to the teacher and his work. While the teacher's instruction is designed to shape the life and mould the character of the student, the latter is made the medium of good to the world. The teacher and learner must not be antagonized, for the latter is then counteracting the influence of the teacher over himself and his fellows instead of exalting it and insuring the efficiency and success of the school.
S. BROWNSBERGER.
Nevada Camp-Meeting.
By G. D. Ballou
THIS most important meeting for the cause in Nevada will be held in Reno, August 29 to September 8. The brethren and sisters are few in number and quite scattered, and many of them have never enjoyed such a privilege as this. There is much to be done for the unconverted in this State, and our experience thus far this summer demonstrates that there are souls here that are hungering for the truth. What the interests of the cause in this State most demand is a thorough awakening among the brethren and sisters here so that all will continually experience a burning desire for the spread of the Third Angel's Message. If we would see the cause prosper by the conversion of our neighbors and friends, there must be concert of action—a union of hearts in praying and laboring for the cause.
Our camp-meeting has been appointed to accomplish these ends. What we most desire is to have all who love the truth come to the meeting and bring their families. After resolving to do this, earnestly invite every one of your neighbors to come and camp with you on the ground. Tents will be furnished, also provision and hay or pasture for horses at low rates. The committee will endeavor to have everything in the best possible order from the commencement of the meeting. The tents will be pitched and in readiness Thursday, August 28. The provisions will be furnished on the ground, also several good cooking-stoves with wood so that all can be accommodated. We shall expect to see all on the ground on Thursday prepared to stay till the close so that the spiritual interest of the meeting may not be interrupted.
Come praying the Lord to meet with his people and abundantly bless his work in this new field. Come to consecrate yourself and your all to the work of the Lord. Come to help in the work by your earnest efforts in all possible ways, and come prepared to camp on the ground.
It is expected that the following ministers will attend our camp-meeting: Eld. Loughborough, the editor of the SIGNS, and Eld. St. John if his health will permit.
G. D. BALLOU.
Reno, Nevada.
Tents for the Nevada Meeting.
By Editor
THOSE wishing to purchase or rent tents for the Nevada camp-meeting should correspond with us at once, that there may be time to have them shipped from Oakland. A new tent, of common striped awning cloth, 12x16 feet, three feet walls, can be delivered on the camp-ground for $30.00. White cloth, same size, cheaper.
The prices for rental will be from five to eight dollars, according to size and quality. Second-hand tents will be sold at reduced prices.
Apply at once to ELD. G. D. BALLOU, Reno, Nevada.
Notice.
By George C. Tenney
I HAVE located my home at Fargo, Dakota. My address will be there instead of Casselton.