—The Japanese Government is making copper coins out of old copper cannon.
—A new process of making steel, called the Basic Process, has been invented.
—A cyclone struck Aden in Arabia, June 3, and destroyed property valued at £30,000.
—The capstone on the Washington monument has been slightly damaged by lightning.
—London produces 50,000 tons of soot per annum, which is worth $200,000, used as a fertilizer.
—The present indications are that the wheat crop in Oregon will be much larger than ever before.
—The Mahdi has issued a proclamation to the faithful that he proposes to invade both Egypt and Arabia.
—After an absence of seventeen years, swarms of locusts again appear in the vicinity of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
—An artesian well on a desert section of Kern County, Cal., produces 1,575,000 gallons of water in twenty-four hours.
—At last New York has obtained control of the grounds on the United States' side of the Niagara Falls, for a public park.
—At New York City, about 400 new recruits to the Mormon church arrived recently; most of the party were from England.
—Grasshoppers in large swarms are doing much damage to gardens, grain-fields, and orchards near Santa Rosa and St. Helena, Cal.
—Consul Beckford Mackey, of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, has been acquitted by a jury, of the charges against him for shooting the editor of a paper there.
—The rivers of Alaska Territory are said to abound in salmon, while the waters of Behring Sea, off the coast of Alaska, are swarming with codfish.
—A fearful storm passed over Iowa, June 12, killing a number of persons, injuring many more, carrying freight cars from the track, and doing much damage generally.
—Gladstone was defeated in the House of Commons, June 8, by twelve votes. He resigned, and the queen has summoned the Marquis of Salisbury to form another cabinet.
—A wild mob vented itself at Springvale, Maine, by breaking windows, and shooting into the buildings of those who had been instrumental in enforcing the prohibitory laws.
—Miss Brackett, who has been testifying in ex-senator Sharon's case, says she was induced to testify to a falsehood by the offer of $10,000 and a trunk full of new dresses.
—The Apaches, recently in Guadalupe Cañon, Arizona Territory, surprised a party of seven soldiers left in charge of provision wagons, scalped four, and helped themselves to provisions.
—General Kelton, of the presidio, near San Francisco, says of the Apaches: "The Indians have all crossed over into Mexico, and are now virtually out of the reach of our military interference."
—About twenty persons, living in and near Branchville, South Carolina, were badly poisoned by eating wild honey impregnated with poison from yellow jasmine. Four of the unfortunates died.
—Joseph Speakman, who now lies in St. Luke's Hospital, San Francisco, receives food through a rubber tube inserted into a hole cut into his stomach—he being unable to take food in any other way.
—A disastrous water-spout burst near Lagos, Mexico, on the 6th inst., destroying much property and drowning over 200 persons. At Pueblo Quarantas, the water rose in a few minutes to the height of twenty-five feet.
—The Catholic Standard, published at Philadelphia, says that O'Connell, when about to die, "sent his heart to Rome, his body to Ireland, and his soul to God." We wonder what O'Connell did with himself.
—On May 10, a keel, bound from Grimsby to Leeds, England, was driven against a sand-bank and capsized. As a steam-tug was passing, a noise of thumping on the cabin end of the keel was heard, and the tug concluded some one must be in there. A hole was made, and the captain's wife, Mrs. Snowden, and one of her children were rescued alive, after an imprisonment of nearly seventeen hours.
—Some peculiar relics of the cave dwellers were lately found in a cave in San Martin Mountains, Los Angeles County, Cal. They consisted of baskets, some kind of a peculiar musical instrument, wedges of horn, and some implements of war.
—James Bee, whom we reported a week ago as having been arrested for incendiarism at and near San Jose, Cal., has confessed to having set fire to the various ware-houses, mills, houses, and the depot, that were fired on the nights of May 31 and June 1.
—A balloon for military use has been constructed, and it has been recommended by the Ordnance Board of the U. S. Army, which is intended to sail over an opposing army, or squadron, and drop huge bombs filled with dynamite. "Destruction upon destruction is cried."
—A colored camp-meeting held near Yorkville, South Carolina, ended in a murderous row between town and country people, in which razors, pistols, and like instruments were used, resulting in one man killed, two mortally wounded, and twenty more or less seriously injured.
—At a banquet of the National Club held in Montreal lately, the toast for the evening was: "The Independence of Canada," to which the mayor of Montreal responded with enthusiasm. Six mayors of the cities in the province were present, and took part in the response.
—Cashmere, a small kingdom situated in a fold of the Himalayas in the northern part of India, has recently experienced another earthquake, diminishing its already declining population. A century ago its population numbered 1,500,000 of people while now it has but about half that number.
—At Theirs, a town in France, as a large crowd were leaving the Court House, the staircase fell, its immense mass of masonry came crashing down upon the struggling people, grinding and mangling them in a fearful manner. The number injured was 163, of whom twenty were taken out dead, and a number have died since.
—Commissioner Sparks of the General Land Office has recently submitted to Secretary Lamar a report of the official proceedings leading to the famous Maxwell land grant in New Mexico and Arizona, whereby nearly 2,000,000 acres of land were given to this one man despite the many actual settlers, Indians, and others, whom it would ruin.
—In Ohio, the Bell Telephone Company has about 12,000 complete sets of instruments in use, the total cost being about $40,000. Yet the company receives over $250,000 a year just for the rent, really receiving $200,000 yearly interest on the investment of $40,000. A committee of the Legislature has recommended that the company be restricted by legislation.
—At the Wine-growers' Convention held in San Jose, Cal., last month, it was claimed that there is no danger of overproduction of wine in California, and France was cited as an example in proof. It was said "that the consumption of wine increases with its production." We do not doubt this last assertion in the least, but we doubt the propriety of following France.
—A lunatic by the name of Louis Reaume, en route from Denver, Colorado, to Detroit, Michigan, took possession of the train, and with a revolver and plenty of ammunition successfully resisted all attempts at capture until he reached Chicago, where, after a desperate struggle in which he shot and killed one policeman, and received two shots in his own body, he was overpowered.
—The French free-thinkers showed their animosity to the cross in preparing the Pantheon for the reception of Victor Hugo's body. By order of the Government the arms of the cross which surmounted the main entrance were sawed off. The San Francisco Chronicle rightly says: "Americans, whatever their opinions may be, will view this operation with contempt. . . . What is the good of following the example of barbarous ages?"
—Postmaster Isaac Hibbs, of Lewiston, Idaho, who left that section of the country last May, has been practicing a rather novel system of robbery. As Lewiston is a mail distributing point, Hibbs took advantage of this to draw money-orders for a fictitious name, payable to a bank selected; he would then mail the order to the banker with the request for the money to be kept on deposit pending his arrival, following this with a second letter, directing that a check for the amount be sent by registered letter to the fictitious name used in the transaction, always giving the address of some office whose mail was distributed there. On the arrival of the registered letter, he took possession of it.
Home-Made Filters.
THERE are various forms of house filters, some of which are cheap and valuable. Flannel tied on the faucet of the water pipe will greatly improve the appearance of drinking water, and will strain out much organic matter. A tube or box with sponge in it will also be satisfactory in clarifying turbid water, and it is easily and quickly washed and replaced. A sheet of filtering paper as used by druggists, and a glass or tin funnel, furnishes a good means of filtering water on a small scale. A fresh sheet of filtering paper will be generally needed each day. Granulated animal charcoal, in boxes or vessels where the water can filter slowly through it, improves its appearance and quality. The chief idea of a filter is well illustrated thus:—
Take any common vessel perforated below, such as a flowerpot, and put a small, clean piece of sponge over the hole. Fill the lower portion with gravel stones, over which place a layer of fine gravel and on these a layer of clean, coarse sand, the proportion of each being about the same.
On the top of this place a lid of unglazed clay, either very porous or perforated with small holes, and on this a stratum three or four inches thick of well-burned, pounded animal charcoal. A filter thus formed will last for a long time, is easily cleaned, and will be found to act both by mechanical and chemical purification.
Another form of filtering, as suggested in the last report of the State geologist, is as follows:—
“The most practical form of filter for household use, and one that will easily filter a pitcher full of water in a short space of time, can be made out of a bottle. The best form is the long kind in which sweet oil is sold, although almost any kind of glass or earthenware bottle will answer. The bottom of the bottle is cracked off, and the sharp edge removed by rasping with a file. The cracking can be done by taking a thin, soft string, soaked in turpentine, around the place where it is intended to crack, leaving as small a knot as possible, then setting fire to the turpentine, holding the bottom up. After allowing the oil to burn for an instant, the end of the bottle is placed quickly in cold water, when, if the operation has been rightly conducted, an even crack will be produced, and the bottom of the bottle will come off easily.
“A layer of cotton is now placed in the bottle. The cotton must be worked in water, preferably warm water, in order to remove the adhering air, and to wet it well. A wad of the wet cotton is dropped into the bottle and covers the mouth of the neck. Other pieces are dropped in, care being taken to build the layer up evenly, and to add the cotton in rather small pieces. After dropping them in, they should be pressed down and arranged by means of a rod. In this way a layer is made that should be from two to three inches thick. It should not be pressed down too tightly, else it may filter too slowly; neither should it be too light, or water may form channels through it. After a little use the plug generally adapts itself. Particular care should be taken to be sure that the cotton is snug against both sides, since the water is liable to escape there. The plugs, however, are easy to make, and a few attempts will soon teach one all the necessary manipulations.
“This bottle can be suspended or supported in any convenient way. Perhaps the simplest support is a block of wood having an auger hole bored through the center, and the edges of the hole reamed out. In this hole the bottle sits securely, and the bevel of the hole catches the shoulder of the bottle, thus holding it upright.”—Sel.
Ventilated Bedrooms Prevent Morning Headaches
WELL ventilated bedrooms will prevent morning headaches and lassitude.
Obituary.
By J. D. Rice
CRUEY.—Died in St. Helena, Cal., May 31, 1885, of consumption, Libbie May Cruey, aged 17 years, 3 months, and 26 days.
Sister May had always been a member of the St. Helena Sabbath-school, to which she was much attached. She was baptized at the Oakland camp-meeting last September, and united with the Seventh-day Adventist Church at St. Helena. She has led a devoted and exemplary life since. The bereaved parents and church have to cheer them the clear evidence that all is well with her. Words of counsel and hope were spoken by the writer, to an overflowing house. Text, Matt. 9:24. J. D. RICE.
Appointments.
By Editor
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 7:00. Seats free.
SAN FRANCISCO.—House of worship, 912 Laguna Street, between McAllister and Tyler Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:45 A. M. Preaching at 11 A. M. Prayer and missionary meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:45. Preaching every Sunday evening at 7:30. Mission Reading-rooms at the church.
Canada Camp-Meeting.
By R. S. Owen
THE Canada camp-meeting will be held at Lenoxville, P. Q., June 25–30. A desirable location has been secured for this annual gathering—a pleasant grove near the village. Lenoxville is a railroad center, an enterprising village, and only three miles from the city of Sherbrooke. A large attendance is anticipated. It is earnestly desired that every Sabbath-keeper in the Province of Quebec shall attend this meeting. Brethren from Vermont are cordially invited. R. S. OWEN.
North Pacific Conference.
By Editor
CAMP-MEETING.
THE North Pacific Camp-meeting will be held June 24 to July 1, between B and G Streets, and just west of Twenty-first Street, Portland, Or. This is in close connection with the terminus of the Washington and Third Street car lines, which with their branches, reach nearly all parts of the city.
Brethren, bring your neighbors and your children. Get ready now, and come in season.
CONFERENCE.
The next annual session of the North Pacific Conference will be held at Portland, Or., in connection with the camp-meeting June 24 to July 1.
Let each church elect delegates and furnish them with credentials, and a full report of the church. Will the elders assist the clerk in this matter? Appropriate blanks will be sent to each church clerk.
SABBATH-SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.
The annual session of this association will be held on the camp-ground at Portland, Or., June 24 to July 1. Special instruction will be given to Sabbath-school officers. Appropriate essays will be expected.
TRACT AND MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
The ninth annual session of the North Pacific T. and M. Society will be held on the camp-ground at Portland, Or., June 24 to July 1. Matters of vital interest will come before this society. We would be glad to see every lover of present truth at these meetings.
We hope to have all business connected with these societies finished up at an early date, that the last of our meetings may be devoted wholly to religious exercises. This will necessitate the presence of every delegate. Every one who loves, and is willing to assist in, the holy work committed to our trust, is particularly urged to be present at the very beginning of this annual convocation.
CAMP-MEETING COMMITTEE.
The following brethren are appointed to act as a camp-meeting committee: Wm. Potter, John Cole, H. A. Baxter, Chas. Kline, and Z. T. Warren.
CHAS. L. BOYD,
J. E. GRAHAM,
J. C. HALL,
Conference Committee.
Northern Maine Camp-Meeting.
By A. O. Burrill
THE Seventh-day Adventists of Aroostook Co., Maine, will hold their spring camp-meeting at Houlton, beginning Thursday, June 25, 7:30 P. M., and continuing over two Sabbaths, closing Tuesday morning, July 7. Competent help has been secured. All are invited. A. O. BURRILL.
Special Notice for Kansas.
By J. H. Cook
I AM very anxious to know the whereabouts of all the scattered Sabbath-keepers in the State of Kansas, especially in the western part. That part of the State is rapidly settling up, and Sabbath-keepers are moving in from other States. I wish all such to correspond with me at once. I contemplate making a brief tour in search of the scattered Sabbath-keepers, hence I wish to know where you are. Please give me the number of Sabbath-keepers in your vicinity, and the prospects for holding meeting; whether you have school-houses in which meeting could be held, etc. Address me at Ft. Scott, Kansas, box 69. J. H. Cook.
Minnesota Camp-Meeting.
This meeting will be held on Sibley Mound, Mankato, Minn., July 1 to 7. The meeting will be located on the grounds of the Southwestern Minnesota Fair and Live Stock Association, and is the most beautiful site for a gathering of this nature to be found in the State. Sibley Mound furnishes an elegant amphitheater, and the Blue Earth River, running along the south side of the grounds, makes it a most enticing place. Ample provision will be made for all who come. A well supplied provision stand will be on the ground; lodging tents in abundance; hay and grain for horses, etc., and all at reasonable prices. No pains will be spared to meet the wants of all who come.
Reduced rates have been secured on the Chicago & Northwestern, Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha, and Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroads.
The public is cordially invited to attend.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
Publishers' Department.
By Editor
WE send no papers from this office without pay in advance, unless by special arrangement. When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the SIGNS are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon for pay. Please read the papers and hand them to your friends to read.
OUR GENERAL AGENTS.
By Editor
Michigan—Miss Hattie House, care Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich.
New England—Mrs. E. T. Palmer, N. E. Tract Repository, South Lancaster, Mass.
North Pacific—Mrs. C. L. Boyd, East Portland, Oregon.
England—The Present Truth, 72 Heneage Street, Great Grimsby, Eng.
Norway—Eld. J. G. Matteson, Akersveren No. 2, Christiania, Norway.
Switzerland—Addie S. Bowen, Belchenstrasse 20, Bale, Suisse.
Hawaiian Islands—L. A. Scott, Honolulu, H. I.
June and July.
By Editor
Subscribers whose time expires in June or July will please renew their subscription at once. Only $2.00 per year for the best paper published in the United States.
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.—Healdsburg church $202.55, Napa $5.
AUSTRALIAN MISSION.—Fannie J Keller $10.
HEALDSBURG COLLEGE.—C. H. Ward $25.
CASH RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.—Kansas T and M Society $153.25, W A Young $5.70.
ORDERS FORWARDED.
By Editor
BOOKS SENT BY FREIGHT.—C Maynard.
BOOKS SENT BY EXPRESS.—F H Butcher, Mrs E T Palmer, C A Carey, Gilbert C Jenkins, Mrs A J Hutchins, Frank Butcher.
THE SABBATH QUESTION.
Assorted Package No. 1. Price, 10c.
Which Day Do You Keep, and Why—Who Changed the Sabbath—The Sabbath in the New Testament—Elihu on the Sabbath—God's Memorial—Sunday Not the Sabbath—Why Not Found Out Before—One Hundred Bible Facts about the Sabbath.
Assorted Package No. 2. Price, 25c.
This package contains all the tracts in package No. 1, and the following in addition:—
Seven Reasons for Sunday-keeping Examined—The Ten Commandments Not Abolished—The Seventh Part of Time—The Definite Seventh Day—Perfection of the Ten Commandments—Address to the Baptists—The Sunday Law.
OTHER WORKS ON THE SABBATH.
By Editor
The Truth Found.—A comprehensive exposition of the nature and obligation of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. 64 pp..........................................10c
Sunday Seventh-day Examined.—A critical examination of the claim that Sunday is the true seventh day of the fourth commandment. 88 pp..........10c
Brown's Review of Gilfillan on the Sabbath Question. 64 pp..........................................10c
Appeal to the Baptists.—An address from the Seventh-day Baptists to their first-day Baptist brethren, urging a restoration of the Bible Sabbath from the stand-point of Baptist principles of argument and interpretation. 48 pp..........................................10c
Vindication of the True Sabbath.—By a former missionary of the Presbyterian Church..........................................10c
Morality of the Sabbath.—Showing that the Sabbath commandment, being found in the midst of the nine acknowledged moral precepts, is, like the others, moral in its nature. 96 pp..........................................15c
Testimony of the Fathers of the first three centuries concerning the Sabbath and First-day. A candid examination of both sides of the question. 112 pp..........................................15c
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE SECOND ADVENT
Assorted Package No. 3. Price, 10c.
The Coming of the Lord—Is the End Near—Can We Know—The Signs of the Times—The Judgment—The Second Advent.
Assorted Package No. 4. Price, 25c.
Containing package No. 3, and the following in addition:—
The Millennium—The Present Truth—The Third Angel's Message—Exposition of Matthew Twenty-four.
OTHER WORKS ON THE SECOND ADVENT.
By Editor
Our Faith and Hope.—A series of ten sermons on the coming and kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. 198 pp........................................................25c
Second Coming of Christ.—An exposition of Matthew 24th chapter. 64 pp........................................................10c
Three Messages of Rev. 14.—Showing the nature and character of the warning messages designed to prepare the world for the last great Judgment. 96 pp........................................................10c
The Saints' Inheritance, or the Earth Made New. 82 pp........................................................10c
The Seven Trumpets. An exposition of the symbols of Rev. 8 and 9. 96 pp........................................................10c
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
MAN'S NATURE AND DESTINY
Assorted Package No. 5. Price, 10c.
Is Man Immortal—Thoughts for the Candid—End of the Wicked—The Rich Man and Lazarus—Departing and Being with Christ—Milton on the State of the Dead.
OTHER WORKS ON MAN'S NATURE.
The Hope of the Gospel.—What is it, and when will it be consummated? 80 pp..........................10c
Matter and Spirit.—An argument on the relation of matter and spirit, and the dependence of thought upon organization. 66 pp..........................10c
History of the Doctrine of the Soul.—The belief in its immortality traced among all races and peoples to the present time. 186 pp., cloth..........................75c
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
MISCELLANEOUS TRACTS.
By Editor
Assorted Package No. 6. Price, 25c.
The Plan of Redemption—The Sufferings of Christ—The Sanctuary of the Bible—Scripture References—The Spirit of Prophecy—Spiritualism a Satanic Delusion—Samuel and the Witch of Endor—The End of the Wicked—The Two Thrones.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Country Sabbath-Schools.
By Editor
THERE is no doubt that a large Sabbath-school has some advantages over a small one. It has more material from which to select officers and teachers; it has better opportunities for profitable teachers’ meetings; and it has the benefit of consultations of a greater number of experienced workers. But, in our visits to other schools, we have become strongly impressed that the smaller schools are not doing themselves justice; they are not generally doing as well as they might do. They should,
1. Select for superintendent one whose heart is in the Sabbath-school work.
2. It should be known that he will study the lessons, so that he may be familiar with the work of the classes.
3. The teachers should take some time to confer together, to talk over their lessons and their work, even if they cannot hold regular teachers’ meetings. If they would at first have meetings of the teachers and officers at the time of their quarterly meetings they would prove of great benefit, and lead to greater efforts in this direction.
4. The officers and teachers should all read, yes study, the Sabbath-School Worker. It will prove a great help to them.
5. If the school be arranged in "divisions," each division should have its review, or "general exercise." These are often of more real profit than the class exercises.
We have suggested to our school in Oakland that we might do something to aid the weaker schools by visiting them, and helping them to raise the standard of their work. If any school desires such help, and will send a request, we will try to have an experienced worker visit them. And some of the brethren laboring in the field are Sabbath-school workers; they ought to consider it a material part of their mission to instruct the people in this branch of the work.
Seventh-Day Adventists.
By Editor
THE following we clip from the San Francisco Chronicle, being an extract from a letter in that paper from its correspondent, noticing various points in Russian River Valley.
"Healdsburg—which should have been named Sotoyome—is perhaps the only town on the coast where two Sundays, or rest days, are observed. Perhaps one-fifth of the population is of what is known as Seventh-day Adventists. These people observe Saturday, or rather from sundown Friday to sunset Saturday. During this time they abstain from all secular pursuits and attend church in their college building. This building and the boarding-house and dormitory are the most conspicuous buildings in town. The grounds are spacious and well laid out, and the college is well attended. Old gray-haired and bearded men, youths, and children may be seen every day, with books in hand, wending their way to the college building. The school is not exclusive, but open to all creeds and sexes. As these people do not observe the Sunday of the Christians, one's ears are greeted on that day with the sound of the hammer and saw, farmers plowing, women washing and decorating clothes lines. One would think a bitter feeling would exist between the different creeds, but such is not the case. One soon becomes accustomed to seeing no day observed exclusively, and accepts it as a matter of course. As a class the Adventists are good citizens, but somewhat against the interests of the section in which they reside, being opposed to raising grapes for wine purposes. In a country adapted to the growth of the vine, this appears somewhat anomalous. They never attend balls, parties, theaters, or church festivals of other denominations, hold none in their own, and are perhaps just a little too exclusive for this world. G. M."
We find no fault at all with this notice. Our people are willing to stand accused of being "somewhat against the interests of the section in which they reside" as far as the wine interest is concerned. But we do not believe it is to the interest of any country to make wine; we do believe that the industry of the people may be turned into a channel which will better, far better, meet the wants of the human kind. And as for exclusiveness, there is nothing from which they exclude themselves that ought to be considered of any value to Christians. It is enough for us if we are found at last in fellowship with those of all ages who "confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."
Camp-Meetings in 1885.
CANADA, Lenoxville, P. Q., .......................June 25-30
DAKOTA, Sioux Falls, ............................. “ 25-30
NORTH PACIFIC, Portland, .....................June 24-July 1
NORTHERN MAINE, Houlton, ................. “ 25- “ 7
MINNESOTA, Mankato, .............................July 1-7
TEXAS, ——— , .............................July 24 to Aug. 4