THE best recipe we know, if you want to be miserable, is to think about yourself, how much you have lost, how much you have not made, and the poor prospect for the future. A brave man, with a soul in him, gets out of such pitiful ruts and laughs at discouragements, rolls up his sleeves, whistles and sings, and makes the best of life. This earth was never intended for a paradise, and a man who rises above his discouragements and keeps his manhood will only be the stronger and better for his adversities. Many a noble ship has been saved by throwing overboard its most valuable cargo, and many a man is better and more humane after he has lost his gold.
Killing Themselves with Work.
MANY a husband has said, "Don't ask my wife to do anything for the church, or missionary society, or temperance cause, she has enough to do at home—she is killing herself with work as it is;" and he tells the truth.
But if the husband would look a little closer into matters, he would find that his wife was killing herself over work that was ruining his children, cursing the world and blighting the church; that she was sacrificing her all to fashion and show.
Month after month and year after year the worldly women of the church toil on for the personal adornment of themselves and their children till heart and flesh fail, and an untimely grave covers them out of our sight. "Martyrs to fashion," would be the most truthful and fitting epitaph that could be put upon their tombstones.
Many a professedly Christian mother has wrapped her enfeebled infant in embroidered muslin and flannels, into which her child's life-blood had been stitched.
In many a professedly Christian home the first lesson a child learns is how to dress in the prevailing style. It leaves its cradle admiring its fine clothes, and suffers hours of torture with curling papers and crimping pins, before it has learned to say, "Now I lay me down to sleep." It is not surprising that the tender twig bent world-ward from the very first, should turn from the church to the opera, the theatre and the ball-room.
When we look about we are grieved to find that so few of the young men and women reared in the church are loving, working Christians. But it is not surprising. If from infancy they are taught to feel that the world and its favors are better than the church and its privileges—more to be desired than spiritual riches, we ought not to expect anything else than a lack of interest and confidence on their part. If you want your child to be a Christian, make the beauty and power of your Christianity felt at home in the daily life. Those who are killing themselves in their scramble after the world and its follies, are indeed killing themselves for time and eternity.—Christian Women.
Secular News.
—By a strike of the shop tailors, in Cincinnati, 1000 men are thrown out of employment.
—The custom-house and store adjoining, in Trenton, Ont., have been damaged $30,000 by fire.
—A damaging frost is reported in Central Wisconsin to have occurred the night of June 6.
—Reports from 21 counties, give a favorable outlook for an abundant harvest throughout California.
—A heavy frost is reported in Vermont and New Hampshire June 7, doing much damage to crops.
—Official reports say that it is impossible to exaggerate the distress which the famine is causing in Cashmere.
—There is a lull in the eruption of Mt. Etna, but it is feared this is only temporary, as loud rumblings are heard.
—The number of lawsuits commenced in San Francisco for the month of May is four hundred and eighty-four.
—Minister White has arrived in Berlin; the German press welcome him as an appropriate successor to the late Bayard Taylor.
—During the space of forty-eight hours last week, the officers arrested as many as 56 persons in San Francisco, for drunkenness.
—England and France have decided to not directly interfere in matters in Egypt, but to hold the Khedive responsible for his doings.
—There has been an extensive strike of workmen in the timber trade at Sundswall, Sweden, by which 10,000 men were idle at last accounts.
—Owing to a rise in cotton, Druid duck mills, (Baltimore,) have stopped work, from 300 to 400 hands are thrown out of employment.
—William Lloyd Garrison, the great antislavery agitator died, May 25th, aged seventy-five; his remains were taken to Roxbury, Mass., for interment.
—Information received by the Indian Bureau reports that 800 lodges of Sitting Bull's Indians are south of the British line. No act of hostility is yet reported.
—The Mississippi planters have issued a circular to business men and benevolent societies of the North, begging them to desist from helping the negro exodus.
—The news from Hindostan indicates continued trouble. Robbers are in armed gangs, and make requisitions on the government. They threaten the life of the governor of Bombay.
—W. Matthews, LL. D., wrote a book entitled "How to Get On in the World." The book is popular, and Mr. Matthews is reported to have gone into bankruptcy. Theory vs. Practice.
—There are said to be seven thousand retail liquor dealers and eight thousand manufacturers of tobacco in the San Francisco district, who pay special taxes yearly to the amount of $215,000.
—The Isthmus Canal Congress in Paris, are discussing the various routes recommended. Much praise is given the American engineers for the clearness and impartiality of their statements.
—It is said that Germany has informed England and France that she leaves to them the political part of the Egyptian question, and desires only to defend the financial interests of German subjects.
—Destructive floods are now reported in Lombardy. Thousands of acres of vines and grain are ruined. At Malara below Mantua, the Po has formed a lake, and the inhabitants of flooded districts are encamped on embankments.
—It is stated that the Ultramontanes will refuse to vote the duties on tobacco, beer and spirits unless they receive tangible concessions in ecclesiastical matters. If Bismarck refuses these concessions the dissolution of the Reichstag is probable.
—In excavating for the foundations of the Union block, at the intersection of Market and California streets, S. F., the workmen, fifteen feet below the surface, came upon the remains of a wharf constructed twenty-five years ago. The timbers were in an excellent state of preservation.
—The annual report of the Directors of the Pacific Mail Company which met in New York last week, shows the earnings for the year ending April 30th to be $4,054,560 73, and the expenditures $3,652,745 66, leaving a net profit of $401,815 07. The liabilities of the company April 30th were $2,577,555 71, and the assets $1,026,977 20, leaving the amount of liabilities over assets $1,550,578 51. The decrease of liabilities for the year is stated at $498,375, 67.
—An Episcopalian clergyman of San Francisco has visited Arizona. In a lecture on that Territory he said:—"If I were in the Cabinet I should advise that the Governor turn the Territory over to the Indians and the coyotes. The former are fat and thrifty and the latter don't slink away, and haven't the sneaking side-long look they wear in other places. I think men and animals who have lived in a country like Arizona for a dozen generations and are still fat and vigorous ought to be left to enjoy it in peace."
Religious News and Notes.
By Editor
—Rev. Dr. Talmage has sailed for Europe.
—The one hundredth Presbyterian church in Nebraska has recently been organized.
—June 7, two hundred Mormons en route for Utah, passed through Council Bluffs, Iowa.
—A union church has been organized at Hammondsville, N. Y., representing six denominations.
—Dr. Burchard has been pastor of the Thirteenth St. Presbyterian Church in New York, forty years.
—The Moravian denomination originated in Bohemia and was expelled thence years ago. It is now prospering there.
—The Gospel temperance work in Chicago has been steadily prosecuted for five years, and is more prosperous now than ever.
—The recent gift of $136,000 to the Rochester Theological Seminary has been increased by donations from persons in New York City to $150,000.
—The Methodist church South asks, its ministers the question—"Are you under any burden of debt that is embarrassing?" This is a good idea.
—The 28th ult., being the Jewish feast of the Pentecost, the sacred rights of Confirmation were administered in all the leading Synagogues in San Francisco.
—It is believed that there are but few colored Catholics outside Louisiana. In that State they are very numerous. In one ward in New Orleans there are 11,000 of them.
—Two Fall River ministers condemned the sale of newspapers on Sunday in recent sermons, and the City Marshal thereupon issued orders prohibiting their sale the following Sunday.
—A small church of Catholics was formed in Newark, N. J., in 1824. Now there are eleven churches with over 30,000 members, besides many other institutions, with property valued at $1,200,000.
—Late advices from China are to the effect that an anti-missionary riot has occurred in the province of Foochow, and that fresh outrages have been perpetrated on the native Christians and English preachers in Yik-kan.
—The Rev. James F. Merriam, whose examination, to become pastor of the church at Indian Orchard, Mass., nearly two years ago, led to so much discussion on eternal punishment, has resigned on account of feeble health.
—The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions has been badly embarrassed, but lately received donations amounting to $1,000,000. President Hopkins said it had been tried by adversity, "but no test as severe as this has been applied to it."
—The Yo Semite Chapel was dedicated Sunday, June 8. Joseph Cook made the prayer, and Dr. Guard of Oakland preached the sermon. The chapel is barely enclosed. The National S. S. services were held in a cotton-covered framework near by.
—Active steps are taking for the formation of a Female Missionary Association to be connected with the English Presbyterian church, having for its object the Christian education of the women of China. The Regent Square congregation, London, have been the first to form a branch society.
—Rev. J. C. Simmons in the Pacific Methodist appeals to ministers and church-members to abstain from tobacco, unless indeed they love tobacco more than they love Christ, and says, "I know members of the church who spend from $20 to $40 per year for tobacco, who are not able to give $5 to the support of the Gospel nor one dollar to the Missionary cause, and yet these men love Christ. But do they love him more than tobacco?" Bro. Simmons makes the statement that a large majority of boys over seven years of age smoke, and many both smoke and chew. Talk to a boy about it and he will point you to his minister and often to a Bishop and say, "If it is wrong, why do these good men use it?"
—The Fifth Avenue Catholic Cathedral, of New York, was dedicated May 25. It has been 21 years in building, is an example of the decorated and geometric style of Gothic architecture which prevailed in Europe from 1275 to 1400, and of which the cathedrals of Rheims, Amiens, and Cologne on the Continent of Europe, and the naves of Yorkminster, Exeter, and Westminister, are among the most advanced examples. The dimensions of the building, are as follows:—Extreme length of the exterior 332 feet, extreme breadth of 174, general breadth 132, towers at base 32, height of tower 330, central door 30 feet wide, 51 high, width of front between towers 105. The interior in length is 306 feet, breadth of nave and choir, including chapels 120, length of transept 140, central aisle 48 feet wide, 112 chapels 18 feet wide, 14 feet high. It is adorned by the most magnificent memorial windows to be seen on this continent. They were manufactured mainly in France at an aggregate cost of more than $100,000, and presented by parishes and individuals in various parts of the country. Of the the seventy windows in the cathedral, thirty-seven are figured, representing scenes from the Scriptures and the lives of the saints; twenty are filled with cathedral-stained glass, with geometrical figures, and the remainder, which are required for lighting the building, are filled with white glass.
To Church Elders.
By D. M. Canright
DEAR BRETHREN: Whether you have been ordained to the eldership of the church, or simply chosen to lead in the meetings, the spiritual welfare of that company is committed to your oversight. The elder or leader of a church has a large influence in giving tone and spirit to the entire society. You should realize the solemn and holy office which you hold. God will hold you accountable for the sheep under your care.
Let me suggest that you pray much to God for wisdom and grace to fill your place acceptably. Simply to lead the meeting is but a small part of your duty. You should personally visit all the Sabbath-keepers in your section, whether they belong to the church or not. And right here let me say that we find everywhere a large number of Sabbath-keepers who do not attend meeting. They live some miles from the place of meeting, or they have no way to come, or they have lost their interest. Now it may be that they have done wrong in some things, that they have neglected their duty. We are all liable to discouragements and to sin. A precious soul should not be cast off too readily. I am satisfied that a large number of these persons might be saved to the cause of Christ if they were properly visited.
In almost every case where I have visited these persons who do not attend meeting, and particularly those who are regarded as being on the back-ground, the very first thing they say is, "The brethren and sisters do not care for me. Nobody comes to my house, nobody looks after me, and the church is cold and careless of me." And thus they go on stating their grievances. On inquiry, I find that these persons have not been visited for months by any one, not even by the elder himself. In some cases, not a Sabbath-keeper has been in their house for a year.
Now, my brother, if you are neglecting your duty in this respect, you are sinning against God. You go to the house of God every Sabbath, and you pray for the Spirit of God to come upon you; you pray for the missionary work, and for the cause of Christ; then you go home, and there it ends. There are precious souls all around you who already love the truth and believe it, but they have discouragements that you know nothing about.
If you want to be a man of God, and fill your place, one of your first duties is to look up these scattered sheep, and bring them to the fold. Visit them; pray with them; dine with them, and show that you have an interest for them. Let me recommend something further. Get up a load or two of brethren and go around among these discouraged ones. Have a little prayer-meeting with them. If you want to work for Christ in a missionary field, here is just the place to begin.
I therefore request that the elder or leader of each church immediately propose to the members of that church to hold a meeting on one evening with some family that has not attended the meetings regularly, and the next evening with some other one; if only a few can go, get up one load and go to these disheartened ones. Talk courage and hope and love to them and you will see the cause of God revive in your church as never before. What a splendid missionary field this is! If they are six or eight miles from the church, go and stay with them all night, or at least spend an evening, invite in their neighbors and have a little prayer-meeting. Then do missionary work.
Come, my brethren, in the name of our Saviour, let us be men of God, and wake up to the opportunities that lie before us to do something for Christ. How can you give account for these souls in the day of Judgment? Perhaps you have no confidence in them; but cannot sinners repent and reform? But I have found that in a large number of cases the trouble lies with the elder himself. He is so cold and formal that he has no heart in the work. We appeal to you, brethren, to take hold of this matter, and begin now. We shall inquire, when we come to see you, whether you do this or not. May the blessed Jesus let his spirit rest upon you.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Italian Bibles in Oakland
By Editor
WE have no Italian Bibles in Oakland—will ascertain if they can be obtained in S. F.
Sonthern Cal. Camp-Meeting.
By Editor
The Committee has decided that this meeting shall be held three miles east of Fresno City, on the place known as the Eastaby Ranch.
Publications in England.
By Editor
ALL the publications in our Catalogue may be obtained of Elder J. N. Loughborough, Stanley Cottage, Stanley street, Freemantle, Southampton, England. Catalogues with prices in English money will be furnished free on application.
Death of Elder J. N. Ayers.
By Editor
A TRUE soldier has fallen at his post. The following obituary we copy from the Review and Herald; it was reported by Bro. Santee. Bro. Ayres was a true man, an earnest Christian, and an efficient officer in the Conference, by which he will be greatly missed.
"Died, on the camp-ground at Emporia, Kan., May 26, our beloved brother, Eld J. N. Ayers. When the truth found him, years ago, he was prostrate on a supposed bed of death; but through the blessing of the health reform he was restored, and though feeble, for years he has borne heavy burdens as the President of the Kansas Conference, laboring often beyond his strength. He was worn out with suffering, and now he rests. During the last hours of his life, he repeatedly said, 'Thank God for the Christian's hope.' He took affectionate leave of each of the ministers, especially of Bro. White, who ordained him three years before. A few minutes before his death he requested those present to sing. They complied, and one verse of the sweet melody, 'Jesus, lover of my soul,' was sung by trembling voices. Although almost fainting, his voice rose full and clear during the first two lines, when it failed, though his lips still repeated every word that was sung. As the last line, 'Oh, receive my soul at last,' died away, it seemed the dying prayer of one who had been tossed by the billows of life, and who had given his life for the truth. As his breath was failing, his only living son came forward, and kneeling by his father's bedside promised to seek God with all his heart. The glazing eyes lighted up with joy as they looked lovingly on the weeping son who had made this solemn promise. Brief and touching remarks were made by Bro. and Sister White to a weeping congregation. Bro. White's deep voice pronounced the benediction, and the peace of God seemed to brood over the scene as the body of our brother was borne away. May the God of the widow and the fatherless comfort and sustain his family."
Important Question.
By Editor
A BROTHER asks us this question:—"Is it right to fellowship one who will not pay his just debts, nor correspond with the person to whom he is indebted?"
There may be difficulties in the way of obeying any precept. A person may be so situated that he cannot pay, though he is strictly honest, and desires to pay. But in such a case he will certainly be willing to correspond with his creditor, and to give every assurance of his willingness to do him justice.
The commandment, "Owe no man anything," we consider imperative, as much as any other commandment. To contract debts without a reasonable prospect of being able to pay them, is not honest, because it is an act of injustice to our fellow-men. And in this it will not do to presume upon prospects, for there are always contingencies liable to arise which must be taken into account.
On this subject there is altogether too much looseness. Many are ready to buy "on time" that which they would not think of buying if pay down was required. It is a bad habit. It destroys confidence. We have known more than one individual to go to ruin under the influence of this pernicious practice. We dislike to give a positive answer to our brother, for there is such a difference of circumstances. But a refusal to correspond looks too much like a disregard of obligation, and should certainly subject the person to discipline.
Death of Gen. Shields.
Gen. James Shields died suddenly in Ottumwa, Iowa, on the evening of June 1. He was well known to the American public, having occupied important stations in civil as well as military life. His home was Carrollton, Mo.
Departure for Europe.
By John Nevins Andrews
SINCE the close of the special session of the General Conference, I have been engaged as actively as my strength would admit, in making preparations for my departure for Europe, and in perfecting such arrangements as I could make for the advancement of our work there. These matters are now accomplished, so that I expect to embark at eleven o'clock to-day in the steamer Virginia, of the State Line Steamship Co. I have selected this line because it is cheaper than most other lines. I have secured first cabin passage to London for $55.
My stay in this country has been protracted much beyond the time I anticipated when I left Europe; but the condition of my health, and other circumstances, have made it impossible for me to go at any earlier date. I have regretted this very much, as I have felt a deep anxiety to return and engage in the work there.
The brethren are aware that after the death of my daughter I found myself suffering from extreme prostration, and that since then for much of the time I have been quite unfit for mental labor. And even now, when so nearly ready to leave, I am still in feeble health, and my strength is far from adequate to the great task I have before me. I greatly feel the need of the special blessing of God to fit me for this work. I believe that he is willing to help as he has done in times past. And I desire to request of our brethren and sisters everywhere that they will make my case a special subject of prayer, that the Lord will restore me to health and strength again, if it is according to his will. I also ask the prayers of the brethren for the success of the work in Europe.
I am of good courage in the Lord, and feel to renew my consecration to him, and will try to devote my life unreservedly to him for the time to come. I shall also continue to pray for the prosperity of the work in America.
New York, May 29. J. N. ANDREWS.
A Thought and a Word
By Editor
ONLY a thought, but the work it wrought,
Could never by tongue or pen be taught.
For it ran, through a life like a thread of gold,
And the life bore fruit—a hundred-fold.
Only a word, but 'twas spoken in love,
With a whispered prayer to the Lord above,
And the angels in Heaven rejoiced when they heard,
That a soul repented because of that word.
We have a few copies of Bibles for the center table, beautifully bound, Minion type. Prices from $4.00 to $7.50.
Appointments.
By Editor
Camp-Meetings For 1879.
Minnesota, Lake Calhoun, June 18-24.
" " Indianola, - - " 19-24.
" " Dunlap, - - " 26 to July 1.
Salem, Oregon, June 25-July 1.
California, near Fresno City, Aug. 13-19.
" Healdsburg, " 21-27.
Elder Waggoner will meet with the San Francisco church on Sabbath, June 14, and speak in Oakland Sunday evening, June 15.
Oakland—Services at the Seventh-day Adventist church, corner of Thirteenth and Clay streets, every Sabbath (Saturday) at 11 A. M., and Sunday evening at 7:30. Prayer-meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:30. Sabbath-school at 9:30 o'clock Sabbath morning.
San Francisco—Services at the Seventh-day Adventist church, on Laguna street, between Tyler and McAllister, every Sabbath (Saturday), at 11 A. M., and Sunday evening at 7:30. Prayer-meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:30. The Hayes Valley cars of Market street and the Lone Mountain cars of the Central railroad, cross Laguna street near the church.
Business Department.
By Editor
$2.00 EACH. F H Chapman 6-22, Emily Light 6-22, John Morrison 6-20, John Collie (10 copies) 5-34, J Fargo 6-17, Mrs A Porter 6-22, Lucy Beach 6-20.
$1.50 EACH. Irving Awbrey 6-22, E Dudley 6-22, Lucy Merang 6-22, Jane B Shannon 6-22, Jennie Shannon 6-22, T B Shannon 6-22, Mrs W B Farrell 6-22, Asel Allen 6-22, C Soaper 6-22, Stephen Davis 6-22, J W Willis 6-22, Joseph Husman 6-22, J J Bickle 6-22, V B Cobb 6-22, Mrs L Curran 6-17, Chas H Beach 6-20, B Graham 6-22.
MISCELLANEOUS. Mrs J F Obrock 50c 5-38, Geo Lunz 1.00, 5-48, Mrs Geo Fulton 1.00, 5-17, Lewis Martin 1.00 6-1, H B Hayward 1.00, 5-45, Almon D Farrer 1.00, 6-1, J B Stilwell 1.00, 5-42, W V Findley 1.00, 6-6, J W Burton (10 copies) 6.00, 5-46, Geo Johnson (10 copies) 12.00, 6-20, A Cleveland 1.00, 5-38, Will Thompson 75c 5-46, Miss Emma Alexander 50c 5-34, Mrs H Hallows 75c 5-46, Mrs Ellen Baxter 75c 5-46, Jane Bliss 60c 5-47, E E Mc Fadden 1.00, 6-6, S Wilkinson 2.50, 6-20, Thos Parker 80c 6-6, Harmon Yarrington 80c 6-6. Walter Hill 1.20. 6-22, Geo Rockwell 75, 5-46, C W Gibson (15 copies) 18.00, 6.22, E P Warren (5 copies) 6.00, 6-22, R Parker 1.00, 5-46, Mrs Harriet Jones 1.00, 5-30, R C Ashley (2 copies) 2.40, 6-20, Mrs M E Cook (2 copies) 2.40, 6-22, Mrs Betsey L Crowell 1.00, 5-47.
RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.
Kentucky and Tennessee T and M Society 17.30, Colorado T and M Society 3.60, Cal T and M Society 5.00.
CAL. PUBLISHING FUND.
George Church 25.00.
OAKLAND CHURCH.
John Babcock 10.00, Mrs H R Babcock 5.00,