—Reverdy Johnson, who is in his eighty-first year, astonished the Baltimore bar a few days ago, by standing and arguing a case in court for a whole day without apparent fatigue.
—The Turkish government has issued a proclamation, offering general amnesty to the insurgents of Herzegovina, and their submissions are continually being received by the Turks.
LONDON, August 6.—Eighteen additional cotton mills are involved in the Oldham strike. They have closed their doors, and the number of operatives idle is increased to twenty thousand.
LONDON, August 7.—According to accounts from Damascus, dated July 22; the cholera was then raging there. Four hundred cases were reported daily, but the real number was concealed. The Christian quarters were deserted. Sudden deaths were occurring in the streets. There are no physicians nor medicines to supply the patients.
The disease is also bad at Antioch, Deerhems, Hamah, Homan, and Salijah, and among the Druses. The Mission Schools are closed and the children dispersed.
THE FLOODS.
—Alternating with earthquakes and great fires, come the accounts of great floods in different parts of Europe and our own country. A few weeks ago the overflow of the Garonne reduced twenty thousand French citizens from comfort to beggary.
—In Calcutta disastrous floods are reported. Many dwellings have been destroyed and it is feared that serious loss of life has occurred.
—England is suffering from heavy rains, and extensive inundations. A great deal of grazing land is flooded, and large numbers of cattle are deprived of pasturage.
August 5.—A water-spout burst over Kirm, in Rhenish Prussia, to-day, inundating that place and doing a great amount of damage. A bridge and several houses were swept away, and thirteen persons drowned.
—The inundations in Silesia, in Lower Prussia, caused by excessive rains, have been serious and alarming. Bridges have been swept away and roads rendered impassable, and the inhabitants have been compelled to seek the upper stories of their dwellings for shelter. Crops suffered greatly.
—Dispatches from various parts of Missouri report immense damage to crops. In the Spring River bottom lands, the damage is estimated at $1,500,000. Streams are overflowing, causing great destruction. Railroads are seriously damaged, and trains are delayed.
ST. LOUIS, August 2.—The damage by the rainstorm was very severe in Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois. The railroads east are considerably damaged by floods, and trains cannot run on time. The roads in other directions are also greatly damaged. The rivers in this section are rising rapidly. The heavy rains have been very disastrous to crops.
MEMPHIS, Aug. 6.—The river here is rising steadily at the rate of two inches in 24 hours. The weather is cloudy and threatening. The levees below here, as far down as Friar's Point, are still reported good, the only break being at the cut in the old town levee, through which the water is pouring, threatening the plantations below from the rear. At St. Francis, Almadson, Arkansas, the river had risen four feet at midnight last night, and was rising rapidly.
TERRE HAUTE (Ind.), Aug. 2.—A disastrous flood is raging in the vicinity of this city and various other localities throughout the State. The river opposite the city is fully three miles wide, and is still rising. Millions of bushels of wheat in stacks and shocks have floated past; a large quantity of hay has also gone down. There is little driftwood afloat, or the bridges could not possibly remain. Over 6,000,000 bushels of corn is reported drowned out. There is very little corn and no wheat left in the township of Sugar Creek. Every house in Bloomington is inundated. The Markles Dam, five miles west, has broken away, and seven houses at Reelsville, together with three miles of embankment, have been washed away. Not a train on any of the railroads has left the city, except to Vincennes, and returned with no communication. The rivers are yet rising.
—The trial of John D. Lee for participating in the Mountain Meadow Massacre, has proved a failure. Eighteen years ago a company of one hundred and thirty emigrants were refused the privilege of buying food at Salt Lake City and other Mormon towns, but were directed by a Mormon leader to Mountain Meadow as a place where they might rest, even that privilege being denied them at the Mormon towns. They camped there, and on the third day were suddenly fired upon by a band of Indians (Mormon Allies). They repulsed the Indians. Soon Lee, a Leader of the Mormon troops, appeared with a flag of truce. He agreed to lead them out in safety if they would give up their arms in order to pacify the Indians. The Mormon troops formed two lines and the unarmed and unsuspecting emigrants were led between them, expecting only protection. When fairly in the trap the order was given to shoot and in a few moments every one of the company was a murdered corpse. While the Mormons shot the men, the Indians killed the women and children.
And while the strongest evidence of these facts was brought before the court, the result of the trial is “no verdict”; because there were Mormons on the jury, and every Mormon is pledged to do the “Prophet’s” will, and in this case it was of course, for the advantage of the Mormon Church that Lee should not be convicted.
Hard Work on Vegetable Food.
WHAT would an American laborer think of going without animal food for a whole year? It is regarded as necessary here, not only every day, but for almost every meal. Yet we are told that in Italy men work hard who subsist mainly on beans, peas, and the like, and do not taste animal food. A recent writer on the condition of that country says:—
“No man is considered to be thriving who does not lay in his winter supply of hard beans, or haricots, or lentils, or some of the numerous pulses known here as cicerchie, or cece, or peas. From day to day, in rotation, they are the constant food of the laborer or the operative, who never touches meat from one end of the year to the other, and who will work from sunrise to sunset.”
The "Christian Union."
By J. E. W.
IN the San Francisco Chronicle, Aug. 9, is a statement that J. B. Ford & Co., publishers of the Christian Union, have failed, "which will undoubtedly carry with it the Beecherian enterprise of the Christian Union." Beside the Union, Ford & Co. had invested heavily in the books written by the Beecher family. "The revelations of the internal management of the Christian Union will serve to instruct the outside world as to the peculiar manner in which theological journalism is carried on. The actual capital of the Union consists of Henry Ward Beecher's name, and a press seemingly not paid for, worth $50,000 cash, contributed by Henry W. Sage. The nominal paid up capital is returned as $159,000, divided into shares of $1000 each. Of these shares Beecher holds fifty, Ford & Co. twenty-seven, and the balance is scattered among press builders, paper makers, and other newspaper dependents."
The enterprise promised to be profitable, as the paper had an edition of 120,000; but during the week that the Plymouth pastor was on the witness stand the press was secretly watched, and it was discovered that the circulation was reduced to 40,000 copies. Since that time it has gradually decreased. This, with the fact that Beecher's writings no longer sell, is a "significant comment upon public opinion."
J. E. W.
California Conference.
By J. N. Loughborough, John Judson, J. W. Bond
The next yearly session of the California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will be held in connection with the camp-meeting at Fairfax, Sept. 23-30, at such time as may be announced by the President after the opening of the camp-meeting.
We hope to see a full representation, by delegates from every company of Sabbath-keepers in the State. Each church of twenty members or less is entitled to one delegate, and to one additional delegate for every additional fifteen members over the first twenty. Each company which has organized Systematic Benevolence, and has a leader appointed, is entitled to delegates, and should choose them according to their respective numbers.
Churches that have completed their organization since the last conference was held should come prepared to unite with the conference.
The secretary of the conference will furnish to each church blanks for delegates, credentials, and reports of standing and finances. Let all church books and s. b. books be brought to the conference.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH,
JOHN JUDSON,
J. W. BOND.
} Cal. Conf. Com.
Last week we made a pleasant and very successful business trip to New York. Our California Printing House will be furnished with first-class material in a few weeks. And we shall give our people a chance to pass in their free-will offerings at our camp-meetings to meet the expenses of this noble enterprise.
James White.
Eld. D. M. Canright starts for the East, Wednesday morning, August 11, where he has been called to attend the Eastern Camp-meetings. Bro. White now expects to be at the California Camp-meeting.
California Camp-Meeting.
THE California Camp-meeting will be held at Fairfax station, Marin Co., from Sept. 23, at 9 A. M., to Sept. 30, 6 A. M. We hope to see all our brethren and sisters in the State at this meeting, and as many of your friends as you can induce to come. Opportunity for pitching tents, or space for rooms in the building, will be granted to any interested parties who wish to enjoy the meeting. Food for man and beast will be furnished upon the ground at reasonable prices. All coming should provide themselves with bedding unless they have made special arrangements with some tent company to provide them beds. We can accommodate men who bring blankets and have no tent, in our large tent.
It is desired by the committee that, as far as consistent, tents, and cloth for rooms in the building, be shipped to the camp-ground, Sept. 15. No tents should arrive later than the morning of Sept. 22. All our tents should be up, and our campers be upon the grounds by Sept. 22, so that the opening of the meeting, on the morning of the 23d, shall not be disturbed by erecting and preparing tents.
The fare for the round trip, from San Francisco to Fairfax and return, from Sept. 22 to Oct. 1 inclusive, is $1.00. In buying your tickets to Fairfax, at S. F., state that you are going to the camp-meeting, and you will get your ticket for Fairfax, and a return ticket to San Francisco for the $1.00. Your return ticket is good until Oct. 1, the day after the meeting closes. Particulars about the time of trains from S. F., and the place of taking trains, will be given hereafter.
G. D. HAGER,
D. B. RICKEY,
WM. HARMON.
Camp-Meeting Com.
State Missionary Meeting.
By J. N. Loughborough
The next yearly gathering of the California State T. and M. Society will be held in connection with the camp-meeting at Fairfax, Sept. 23 to 30, at such time as may be announced by the President of the society after the opening of the camp-meeting.
All who have paid one dollar into our State missionary funds for membership, are permanent members of the society, and are entitled to vote in all the meetings of the society. Those who have not yet become members of the society, will do well to come prepared to pay their $1.00 and become members.
We request the directors, district secretaries, business agents, and librarians of our churches, to bring all their account and record books of the society to the meeting.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, Pres.
LUCIE BUSH, Sec.
Wanted.
By Editor
The provision stand, restaurant, and stock-yard on the camp-ground, we wish to let to responsible parties. Those wishing either of these should make their applications in writing to G. D. Hager (chairman of the Camp-meeting Committee), Santa Rosa, Cal.
Question.
By John Norton Loughborough
The question comes in whether the rooms in the building on the camp-ground are simply lodging rooms, or whether it is expected that those who occupy them can also live in the building.
These rooms are to be placed in two rows through the building with a twelve-foot alley in front of them, the whole length of the building. There is a space 12 feet wide back of each row of rooms for tables and living arrangements. The rooms will be constructed with a doorway front and back. If these rooms are all 10x12 we have space for 28 of them in the building. We have already received definite orders for thirteen of them.
Let those who wish room in the building send in their orders soon.
J. N. L.
Systematic Benevolence.
By Editor
We were pleased at our last yearly conference to see the promptness manifested in paying s. B. pledges. The account, in about every instance, standing square on the s. B. books. We hope to see the accounts all square again this year. Shall we be disappointed in this? Now is the easiest season of the year to obtain means, and it seems especially appropriate, in coming to our yearly feast, to come up paying our vows to God. See Mal. 3 : 10.
It is a part of the work of our missionary directors, in the respective districts, "to see that each comes up on Systematic Benevolence." We suggest that they interest themselves to see that each and every member of our different churches has an opportunity to pledge on s. B., and that all s. B. accounts are paid over by the time of our next district quarterly meeting, in season for the means to be brought to the State conference treasurer at the time of conference.
At the time of our State conference a committee of six laymen will be chosen, to act, with the Executive Committee of three, in auditing and settling with ministers in the direct employ of the conference. Let all dues to the conference in the shape of s. B. pledges be paid, that this committee may be enabled to do their work, and the conference devise liberal things relative to the future.
Cal. Conf. Committee.
Business Department.
By Editor
"Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully," (margin, negligently). Jer. 48:10.
Received for the Signs.
$2 EACH. M A P Wheelock 3-1, Wm Lynch 2-40, James Campbell 2-35, C A Cary 3-1, John C Lea 2-1, H C Blake 3-7.
$1 EACH. R A Rumple Esq 2-15, Thos Duncan 2-15, Gen Theological Library 2-40, T B Cary 2-4, A Oliver 1-25, E Griggs 1-25, J H Piepmeier 1-25, E K Gierd 1-25, D Walls 1-25.
MISCELLANEOUS. Matison Taylor 20c, Chas Roberts 20c, T G Adams 60c, Mrs Gold 60c, A T Jones $2.50 3-12, J N Mills 20c, C Littlefield 25c, A V Dyberg $2.50 3-1.
Donations to the Signs.
F Kundert $1.32, Alice Johnson $2.55.
California Publishing Fund.
E J Church $60, M A Anderson $50, A V Dyberg $21.50, Justus Baker $100.
California Tent Fund.
B Robb $10.
Cal. T. and M. Society.
Received from District No. 8. $11.90.
Quarterly Meetings.
By John Norton Loughborough
Our next State quarterly meeting will be held during the camp-meeting at Fairfax, in connection with our yearly State missionary meeting, at such time as may be announced by the President of the society after the opening of the camp-meeting.
Our district quarterly meetings will all be held at one time, Sabbath and First-day, September 11 and 12, as follows:—
District No. 1, at Petaluma, Bro. T. M. Chapman, director, presiding.
District No. 2, at Santa Rosa, Bro. Wm. Harmon, director, presiding.
District No. 3, at Napa, the vice president, J. W. Bond, director, presiding.
District No. 4, at Vallejo, the director, J. S. Howard, presiding, and Bro. Charles Jones preaching Sabbath, and officiating in the ordinances.
District No. 5, at Woodland, Bro. G. C. Martin, presiding.
District No. 6, at Red Banks, Tehama Co., Bro. J. H. Disher, director, presiding.
District No. 7, at Oakland, Bro. D. B. Rickey, director, presiding.
District No. 8, at San Jose, Bro. H. H. Stevenson, director, presiding, and J. H. Waggoner preaching and officiating in the ordinances.
District No. 9, at San Francisco, the President of the State Society, and the director in charge.
All dues to the Missionary Society should be paid to the respective directors at these quarterly meetings, furnishing an account of the same, so that they may be prepared to balance all their accounts with the society at the yearly State missionary meeting.
J. N. Loughborough, Pres.
Lucie Bush, Sec.
Appointments.
OAKLAND.—Regular services are conducted by the Seventh-day Adventists in their hall, corner of Twelfth and Broadway, every Sabbath (Saturday) at 11:30 A. M., and each Sunday evening.
SAN FRANCISCO.—Seventh-day Adventist services each Sabbath (Saturday) at the A. P. A. Hall, Mission street near Third, at 11 A. M., and every Sunday evening.
APPOINTMENTS WITHDRAWN.—Circumstances demanding that I should join Bro. Waggoner in tent labor at Hollister, I hereby withdraw my appointments at Healdsburg and Santa Rosa.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
The Fruit of Labor and Thought
By Editor
Alexander Hamilton once said to an intimate friend: "Men give me some credit for genius. All the genius I have lies just in this: When I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly. Day and night it is before me. I explore it in all its bearings. My mind becomes pervaded with it. Then the effort which I make the people are pleased to call the fruit of genius. It is the fruit of labor and thought."
All money sent by mail to the Signs Office should be in drafts or postal orders, payable to the Signs of the Times, if the sum exceeds $2.00. Sums less than $2.00 can be in currency or postage stamps.
Books, Pamphlets, Tracts, etc., etc.
By Editor
For Sale at this Office.
OUR BOOK LIST.—Any persons on the Pacific Coast wishing any of the publications named in our book list can obtain them by mail or express by writing to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, California, enclosing the published price of the same. When sent by mail, books will be post paid; when by express, at the expense of the one ordering the books; but in this case a liberal discount will be made when ten dollars worth or more are paid for with any one order.
PUBLICATIONS.
By Editor
Prices in Coin.
Cruden's Complete Concordance. In this any passage in the Scriptures can readily be found. $1.50 per copy, post. paid.
Bible Dictionary of Bible names, customs and countries, and maps of Bible lands. $1.50 per copy, post. paid.
The History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week, by J. N. Andrews. 528 pp. $1.25.
Thoughts on Daniel. By U. Smith. $1.00. Condensed paper edition, 35 cts.
Thoughts on the Revelation. By U. Smith. $1.00.
Life of Wm. Miller, with likeness. $1.00.
The Nature and Destiny of Man. By U. Smith. 384 pp. $1.00. Paper, 40 cts.
The Constitutional Amendment; or The Sunday, the Sabbath, The Change, and The Restitution. A discussion between W. H. Littlejohn and the Editor of the "Christian Statesman." Bound, $1.00. Paper, 40 cts. First part, 10 cts.
The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. I. By Ellen G. White; 416 pp. $1.00.
Autobiography of Eld. Jos. Bates. 318 pp. $1.
Hygienic Family Physician. $1.00.
The Game of Life (illustrated). Satan playing with man for his soul. In board, 50 cts.; in paper, 30 cts.
Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Camp Meetings and other Religious Gatherings. Compiled by Elder James White. 196 pp. Bound 50 cts. Paper 25.
The United States in Prophecy. By U. Smith. Bound, 40 cts. Paper, 20 cts.
The Advent Keepsake. Muslin, 25 cts. Gilt, 40 cts.
Sermons on the Sabbath and Law, embracing an outline of the Biblical and Secular History of the Sabbath for 6,000 years. By J. N. Andrews, 25 cts.
Facts for the Times, revised and enlarged, 25c.
History of the Doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul. By D. M. Canright, 25 cts.
The State of the Dead. By U. Smith. 224 pp. 25 cts.
Our Faith and Hope. Sermons on the Millennium. Second Advent. the Kingdom. the Judgment, the Time, the Sanctuary and Saving Faith. 20 cts
Refutation of the Age to Come. By J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.
The Atonement. By J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.
The Nature and Tendency of Modern Spiritualism. By J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.
The Bible from Heaven; a Dissertation. 20 cts.
Miraculous Powers. Evidences, Scriptural and historical of the perpetuity of Spiritual Gifts. 20c.
The Complete Testimony of the Fathers concerning the Sabbath and First Day. By J. N. Andrews. 15 cts.
The Ministration of Angels: and the Origin, History, and Destiny of Satan. By D. M. Canright. 20 cts.
The Three Messages of Rev. 14, and the Two-Horned Beast. By J. N. Andrews. 15 cts.
The Resurrection of the Unjust; a Vindication of the Doctrine. By J. H. Waggoner. 15 cts.
Redemption, or the Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness (Life of Christ, No. 2). By Mrs E. G. White. 15 cts.
The Saint's Inheritance, or the Earth made New. By J. N. Loughborough. 10 cts.
The Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days. By J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
Sunday Seventh-day. A Refutation of Mede, Jennings, Akers and Fuller. By J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
The Truth Found; The Sabbath. By J. H. Waggoner. 10 cts.
Brown's Review of Gilfillan on the Sabbath. 10 cts.
Vindication of the True Sabbath. Morton 10 cts.
The Date of the Seventy Weeks of Dan. 9, established. By J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
Position and Work of the True People of God under the Third Angel's Message. Littlejohn. 10 cts.
The Hope of the Gospel: What it is, and when it will be consummated. By J. N. Loughborough, 80 pp. 10 cts.
An Appeal to the Baptists, from the Seventh-day Baptists, for the restoration of the Bible Sabbath 10 cts.
Four-cent Tracts: The Second Advent.—The Seventh Part of Time—Celestial Railroad—Samuel and the Witch of Endor—The Ten Commandments not Abolished—Address to the Baptists—The Present Truth—The Sufferings of Christ.
Three-cent Tracts: Much in Little—The Lost Time Question—Spiritualism a satanic Delusion—Infidel Cavils Considered—The End of the Wicked—Scripture References—Who Changed the Sabbath?
Two-cent Tracts: Definite Seventh Day—Seven Reasons for Sunday-Keeping Examined—Sabbath by Elihu—The Rich Man and Lazarus—Argument on Sabbatton—The Millennium—Departing and Being with Christ—Fundamental Principles of S. D. Adventists.
One-cent Tracts: Appeal on Immortality—Thoughts for the Candid—Sign of the Day of God—The Two Laws—The Perfection of the Ten Commandments—Coming of the Lord—Without Excuse—Which Day, and God's Answers.