IN California our Sabbath-school year begins with April, and as one year's work is drawing to a close, it is well to plan for the next. First of all we should begin at once to secure a more general attendance. The rains of winter are now over, and the roads are improving, and this is the time to hunt up absent members and add new ones, that all may become so interested before the hurry of harvest time, that a little heat or weariness will not keep them away from the school. We are glad to learn that the idea of changing officers every quarter is a thing of the past. An officer who does his duty, will improve by experience.
CLASSIFICATION AND LESSONS.
Be sure that you have an ample supply of lesson papers and blanks for the scholars you have, for all you are likely to have, and some extra papers for visitors. As the lessons for youth and adults are furnished in the Instructor, and are each a continuous series, but few changes are necessary in these two divisions, except that wherever there has been a mistake in classifying and the scholars cannot understand what they study, this mistake should be corrected, and all begin the year's work aright.
In the children's classes more work is necessary. Those who have mastered the lessons in "Progressive Bible Lessons No. 1," should take up number two, and those scholars that have a good understanding of the subjects treated in numbers one and two, should enter upon the study of number three. This is a superb little lesson book of 132 pages, illustrated with three maps, and covering the Bible history from the death of Moses to the conspiracy of Absalom. Price, twenty-five cents.
In no case should the scholars skip from the study of the first book to the third, or from the second to the Instructor. Each scholar should be examined, and only those promoted who understand the subject passed over. New classes should be formed for new scholars and for those who need to review.
We advise the schools, as far as possible, to order papers and books through your local tract society librarian. Be sure to order in time.
W. C. WHITE.
NEANDER ON SUNDAY.
By James White
WE recommend the article in this number on the New York Evangelist vs. Andrew's History of the Sabbath to the careful consideration of the reader. Several have been finding fault with this history, on this point, and we are happy to have an article from Bro. Andrews, in regard to it. The evidence for the Sunday is so exceedingly scarce, we do not wonder that Sunday advocates are ready to make the most of what they seem to suppose is a point in their favor. Will any of them have the candor to give Bro. Andrews' reply to their strictures? We hope they will.
J. H. W.
BE BAPTIZED.
By Editor
A LADY in Kansas says she has been sprinkled, and wishes to know if it will be right for her to be immersed, after being sprinkled.
We unhesitatingly answer, Yes; it will be right. We do not believe that sprinkling is baptism, and therefore in being sprinkled the commandment to be baptized is not obeyed. We have a pamphlet on this subject for sale at this office which we recommend inquirers to read. In it the point of this question is fully discussed.
CHURCH QUARTERLY MEETINGS.
By Editor
THESE meetings are drawing near, and it is important that every church member shall be prompt to send in a report if they cannot be present at the meetings. Do not forget this. But where it is possible to do so every one should attend.
"PLATONISM VERSUS CHRISTIANITY"
By Editor
WE have received from the office of the Bible Banner, Philadelphia, a pamphlet of 97 pages with the above title, written by J. H. Pettingell, A. M. Prof. Pettingell promises to become a prominent author on the subject of immortality through Christ. The publisher's note accompanying the pamphlet says:—
"This small volume, entitled Platonism vs. Christianity, is the first chapter of a larger volume in the course of preparation, to be entitled THE LIFE EVERLASTING: What is it? Whence is it? Whose is it?
"It is a monograph, complete in itself, of about 100 pages, and devoted to the history of the question of Conditional Immortality, under four sections: 1. Heathen speculations; 2. Belief of the Ancient Hebrews; 3. Doctrine of the Primitive Church; 4. Modern Belief.
"To this sketch there is annexed an essay on the UNITY OF MAN, in which the author combats the notion of the dual or triple nature of man, and contends that he is an indivisible integer in life, in death, and in the resurrection, and in the Life Everlasting."
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
By Editor
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE
MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS
A twelve-page Religious Family Paper, devoted to a discussion of the Prophecies, Signs of the Times, Second Coming of Christ, Harmony of the Law and Gospel, with Departments devoted to Temperance, The Home Circle, The Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-School.
PRICE PER YEAR, - - - - - - $2.00
In clubs of five or more copies to one address, to be used for Missionary work, each - - - - - 1.50
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
— OR —
REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
MISS ELIZA THAYER, Secretary N. E. Tract Society, So Lancaster, Mass.
ELDER J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, Ravenswood, Shirley Road, Southampton, England.
MRS. A. P. VAN HORN, Beaverton, Or.
Business Department.
By Editor
RECEIPTS.
RESERVE FUND. Jos. Eggleston $25.00, Mrs. M. Manor 20.00, Luella Hail 5.00, John Judson 50.00.
Revivalism and Spiritual Decline
REV. DR. VAN DYKE, pastor of the Clinton avenue Presbyterian church, Brooklyn, denies in the Christian at Work the claim of certain men who "suppose they have a special calling to promote and conduct revivals," and declares that "this claim is the root of all the evils connected with our present system. There is no such office in the church of Christ, and no room for such an office as what is now generally understood by the work of an 'evangelist' or 'revivalist.' . . . Growing out of this assumption of an office which does not exist in the church, is the fact that our revivals, especially in our great cities, are generally conducted in such a way as to educate the people away from the house of God. Why is it when the note of revival is sounded there is such a disposition to forsake our churches with their sacred associations and rush into a theatre, or public hall, or some place extemporized for the purpose? . . . This education of the people away from the house and ordinances of God, teaching them to look for saving influences to men who are here to-day and gone to-morrow, and to means which appeal to the love of novelty, and are necessarily of short duration, is carried on in many ways which there is not the time to mention, and the whole system, as embodied in these methods, carries in it the seeds of spiritual death. This explains, in part, the lamentable fact that a revival is so often the precursor of spiritual death and indifference. It goes very far to solve the problem why, in less than five years after what was regarded by many as the greatest of all revivals, when so many of our churches were emptied into the hippodrome and so many of our ministers sat silent, while one man, who is not a minister, did the work of an Evangelist, there is to-day, a universal complaint of spiritual deadness."
AN APPROPRIATE HEADING.
Every reader must have noticed that the daily papers of late make great efforts to get up strange and alliterative headings to their articles. The Chicago Times made a decided hit. In view of the prevalence of trachina, it recently headed an article on the pork trade, "The Diet of Worms!"
CHURCH ENTERTAINMENT
By Editor
THE following card was placed in our hands a few days since. We omit the date, as we do not wish to become a party to the transaction. Compare this with 2 Tim. 3:1-5, and see if it does not fit:-
"Entertainment at College Hall, corner of Twelfth and Harrison streets, Oakland, Thursday evening, by the Ladies of St. John's (Episcopal) church. Dancing to commence at nine o'clock. Admission one dollar."
RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS,
By Editor
Published and for sale at this Office, and by "Review and Herald," Battle Creek, Mich.
History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week for the period of 6,000 years. By Eld. J. N. Andrews. 528 pp. $1.00
The Sanctuary and the 2300 Days of Dan. 8:14. By Elder U. Smith. This work explains the past Advent movement, and makes plain the present position of those who wait for the Lord. 352 pp. $1.00
Thoughts on Daniel, critical and practical. By Elder U. Smith. An exposition of the book of Daniel, verse by verse. 384 pp. $1.00
Thoughts on Revelation. By Elder 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. 352 pp. $1.00
Life of Wm. Miller, with portrait. This book gives interesting sketches of the Christian life and public labors of this pioneer in the Advent movement in this country. 416 pp. $1.00
Life of Elder Joseph Bates, relating his experience of twenty-five years on ship-board, with incidents of his rise from cabin-boy to master and owner. The closing chapters relate to his labors in the ministry and in the cause of temperance and other moral reforms. Fine tint paper, 352 pp. $1.00
Life Sketches of Elder James and Mrs. E. G. White. The early lives and Christian experiences of both are given in this volume. Their subsequent history is so connected with the cause, that this book gives an outline of the rise and progress of our people and our cause. $1.00
With fine steel portraits of both. $1.25
Thrilling Incidents in the political Life of Francesco Urgos, while a soldier with Garibaldi, including his perilous escape from the tyrants of Rome, and his subsequent travels in Africa and Syria. 328 pp. $1.00
The Biblical Institute. This work contains a synopsis of the lectures given at the Battle Creek College by Elder U. Smith, and at Biblical Institutes. 352 pp. $1.00
The Nature and Destiny of Man. By Elder U. Smith. This work treats on the great questions of the condition of man in death, and his destiny beyond the resurrection. 356 pp. $1.00
The Spirit of Prophecy: or, the Great Controversy between Christ and his angels, and Satan and his angels, in four volumes. By Mrs. E. G. White. These volumes cover the time from the fall of Satan to the destruction of sin and sinners at the close of the one thousand years of Rev. 20. Each, 400 pp. $1.00
Vol. I. Old Testament Facts to Christ. $1.00
Vol. II. Life and Ministry of Christ. $1.00
Vol. III. The Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Christ, with the Lives of his Apostles. $1.00
Vol. IV. (In preparation.) $1.00
The Constitutional Amendment: A discussion between Elder W. H. Littlejohn and the editor of the Christian Statesman, on the Sabbath. 384 pp. $1.00
Spiritual Songs. A book of hymns and tunes. 537 hymns, 147 tunes, 416 pp. $1.00
Morocco, gilt. $1.50
The Song Anchor. A popular collection of songs for the Sabbath-school and praise service. 164 pp. 35 cts.
Bound in muslin. 50 cts.
The Bible from Heaven. By Elder D. M. Canright. An argument to show that the Bible is not the work of men, but in deed and in truth the work of God. 300 pp. 80 cts.
The Soul and the Resurrection, showing the Harmony of Science and the Bible on the Nature of the Soul and the Doctrine of the Resurrection. By J. H. Kellogg, M. D. 75 cts.
The United States in the Light of Prophecy: or, an exposition of Rev. 13:11-17. By Elder U. Smith. Dealing with our own land and applying to our time. Of surpassing interest to every American reader. 200 pp. 40 cts.
Thoughts on Baptism. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. The subject viewed in the light of the Bible and History. 186 pp. 35 cts.
Bound in flexible cloth. 25 cts.
Paper covers.
A Word for the Sabbath; or false theories exposed. A poem, by Elder U. Smith. 60 pp. 30 cts.
Glazed paper covers. 15 cts.
Bible Lessons for Little Ones, No. 2. Flexible cloth. 15 cts.
Bound Volumes of Review and Herald. Each $3.00.
The Youth's Instructor for 1879. Firmly bound. $1.00.
Bible Lessons for Little Ones. A Sabbath-school book designed for the use of beginners, and prepared with special regard for the wants of very young children.
In flexible cloth, 84 pp. 15 cts.
In paper covers, 84 pp. 10 cts.
Gems of Song. A vest-pocket song book containing hymns only. A choice collection. 96 pp., 119 hymns, bound in flexible cloth. 15 cts.
In paper covers. 10 cts.
TEMPERANCE TRACTS.
By Editor
TEN CENTS will secure a select package of stirring Temperance Tracts, containing one hundred pages of facts, figures and pointed arguments against intemperance in all its forms. The following constitute the package:—
Alcohol, What is it?—True Temperance.—Tobacco-Poisoning.—Tobacco-Using a Cause of Disease.—Tobacco-Using a Relic of Barbarism.—Evil Effects of Tea and Coffee.—Ten Arguments for Tea and Coffee Answered.—The Cause and Cure of Intemperance.—The Drunkard's Arguments Answered.—Alcoholic Medication.—Principles of Health Reform.
TWENTY-FIVE CENT PACKAGE.
A larger package, costing 25 cents, contains 243 pages in eighteen tracts. In addition to the above eleven, it has the following Health and Temperance Tracts, which are larger:—
Wine and the Bible.—Alcoholic Poison.—Moral and Social Effects of Alcohol.—Pork; the Dangers of its Use.—Tea and Coffee.—Healthful Clothing.—Dyspepsia.
ONE DOLLAR PACKAGE.—HEALTH BOOKS.
In addition to the above, we will send the following valuable Health Books for one dollar:—
Diphtheria (new edition illustrated), price 30 cents.—Healthful Cookery, 25 cents.—Proper Diet for Man, 15 cents.