—The new Lord Mayor of London is a Roman Catholic.
—The Hygienic Congress opened in Vienna September 26.
—Two cases of cholera have occurred on board ships recently in New York.
—Several severe earthquakes have occurred recently at Valparaiso and other parts of Chili.
—The British steamer Matthew was wrecked off Cape Finisterre, Spain, Sept. 28. Ten persons were drowned.
—The public debt was reduced $14,247,696 in the month of September. The national debt is now $1,255,526,670.
—Three men and two boys were suffocated and thirteen others overcome by gas, October 1, in the Bost Colliery, Ashland, Pa.
—It is said that the United States has now considerably more than 100,000,000 silver dollars stowed away in subterranean vaults.
—A French fishing boat was sunk by a collision, September 26, in the British Channel. Eighteen of the persons on board were drowned.
—A passenger train was hurled from a trestle near Jackson, Tenn., September 27. Nobody was killed, but about thirty were injured.
—Great damage has been done in Ontario and Quebec by the protracted drought, and bush fires. Many families have been burned out.
—Great destruction has been done in Mexico by the overflowing of the Rio Grande. It is reported that about 250 houses have been wrecked.
—Great excitement has been caused in France by the shooting by German sentries of two Frenchmen who happened to approach too near the German frontier.
—The Nizam of Hyderabad has offered to give to England £400,000 for the purpose of strengthening English resources along the line of defenses of the Northwest frontier.
—The death-rate of the world is computed about 67 a minute, 97,700 a day, and 35,639,835 a year; while the birth-rate is 79 a minute, 100,500 a day, and 36,792,000 a year.
—Mr. Powderly has refused to grant a charter for an Iron Workers' National District, and twenty thousand Knights of Labor threaten to leave the Order if he persists in his refusal.
—Smoke from the brush fires, and the fog combined are doing terrible injury to trade in and around Montreal. It is said to be costing the owners of vessels and shippers $12,000 a day.
—On September 27, a Chinese transport was wrecked on one of the Pescadores Islands, Peru. Three hundred soldiers and the captain and crew, with the exception of one man, were drowned.
—Here is an advertisement from an English paper: "To LET.—St. Katharine's, Verulam Road. One of the prettiest residences in Hitchin. Nine rooms, cellars, large garden. £50.—Dissenters not eligible."
—The anarchists are again growing defiant in Chicago. They tried to hold a meeting October 1, in favor of the condemned anarchists; the meeting was forbidden but they tried to hold it anyhow. The riot act had to be read, but, even with that, they were with difficulty restrained.
—Last week the boss mechanic on a Puget Sound saw-mill was caught by the machinery and drawn through a hole eight inches square, and escaped with only bruises and a crushed ankle, though his ankle was crushed before he reached the hole.
—The cholera is still raging fiercely in Sicily; about 100 deaths are said to occur daily. In addition to this the poorer classes are all being fed at public expense, as many as 13,000 persons being supplied with food from the Government kitchens.
—A man in California had a dispute with his hired men about a balance in wages amounting to $2.37. He went to law with them about it, lost his case, and with it costs to the amount of $100. This is a fair illustration of the gains of lawing. It is a gain to the lawyers and that is about all.
—General Crook has made his official report on the Ute "outbreak" under Chief Colorow, in Colorado. He says: "The Indians were pursued incessantly, and in every case the whites were the aggressors. Colorow had no desire to fight and made use of his weapons in self-defense only." And such is the cause of nine-tenths of all the Indian outbreaks and troubles that there have been of late years.
—The cholera is raging in Italy, it has broken out at Rome, and one fatal case has occurred in the Vatican itself. The Pope and his court are in a good deal of a fret, not so much on account of the cholera in itself, but because it is likely to interfere very materially with the Jubilee celebration. As the cholera increases and continues, the Pope sees fading from the prospect many rich gifts and much wealth from the offerings of devout pilgrims.
—Professor Huxley has set to work "to carefully investigate Spiritualism," and the fact is reported as "a good sign." Yes, it is a good sign of the progress of Spiritualism. But as far as knowing what it is, the world was just as wise before Professor Huxley began, as it will be when he shall have concluded his investigations, even though his decision be in favor of the reality of Spiritualistic phenomena; and that such it will be is altogether probable.
—The English correspondent to the San Francisco Chronicle speaking on the new war ship, the Trafalgar, says: "Fast cruisers and torpedo-boats are all the fashion in naval circles at present, and it is melancholy to look back upon the fearful sums which, partly in regular annual expenditure and partly squandered in heaps by the panic-stricken Government, have been wasted during the past thirty years in obsolete and useless types of heavily-armored vessels. Someone always had a bigger ship than we had, and we were always trying to outbuild her."
Obituary.
By H. A. Whittaker
WHITTAKER.—Died, of consumption, at 614 East Ninth Street, Pueblo, Colorado, Aug. 10, 1887, Alice A. Whittaker, aged 20 years and 4 months. Alice was a sufferer fourteen years, and at times her sufferings were very severe. During the last six years she filled the place of mother, sister, and daughter. She possessed care and forethought beyond her years, and her gentle ways, and readiness to help others when in need or distress, won the love of all. She always was a firm believer in all points of our faith. She was baptized a number of years ago by Elder Boyd, in Nebraska, and during a recent trip to Los Angeles, Cal., united with the church. As she neared the gates of death her faith grew strong and she rejoiced in the blessed hope, and was willing to rest the "little while" till Jesus comes. Services by Elders Packard, Wilcox, and Nutter.
H. A. WHITTAKER.
Appointments.
By Editor
LOS ANGELES CAMP-MEETING.
THE camp-meeting for Southern California will be held in Los Angeles City, commencing Wednesday evening, October 26, and closing Monday morning, November 7. We hope to see a full attendance of all our people from this Southern field at this meeting. Come bringing your friends with you; come praying for the blessing of God upon the meeting; and come expecting the Lord to verify his promise and meet with us.
Those who wish to rent tents for this meeting can obtain them at the same rates as last year: 10x12, $4.00; 12x16, $6.00. Those who have tents of their own to pitch will have room to do so free. Let all who wish to rent tents, or who have tents to pitch, report at once to J. N. Loughborough, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal. CAL. CONF. COMMITTEE.
ARROYO GRANDE CAMP-MEETING.
By California Conference Committee
THE camp-meeting for the Sabbath-keepers of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties will be held at Arroyo Grande, commencing Thursday evening, November 10, and closing Wednesday morning, November 16. We trust that all our people in the above-named counties will make it a special point to be at this meeting. It is a time when the hurrying season will be past, and why may we not see a full attendance of those specially interested in the work, and their friends also? We trust that an effort will be made to gather together for this annual feast. It will do much to strengthen the work in these two counties, if our people can come together bringing their friends with them.
Tents can be rented for this meeting at the same rates as usual: 10x12 tents, $4.00; 12x16, $6.00. Please write at once to Elder J. N. Loughborough, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal., stating the size of the tent you wish to rent, or the size of your own tent that you may wish to pitch.
CAL. CONF. COMMITTEE.
Churches and Meeting Times
OAKLAND.—House of worship, southeast corner of Jefferson and Thirteenth Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:30 A. M. Preaching at 11. Prayer and missionary meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:15. Seats free.
EAST PORTLAND (Or.)—House of worship on G Street, between Tenth and Eleventh. Sabbath-school every Sabbath (Saturday), followed by services. Preaching or Bible-reading Sunday evening. Prayer-meeting Wednesday evening. The public cordially invited.
SAN FRANCISCO.—House of worship, 914 Laguna Street, between McAllister and Tyler. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:45, and preaching at 11 A. M.; also preaching every Sunday evening at 7:30. Sabbath-school classes in the English, German, and Scandinavian languages. Prayer and missionary meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:15.
NEW HISTORICAL ATLAS
By Robert H. Labberton
AND GENERAL HISTORY.
BY ROBERT H. LABBERTON.
AS A CLASS TEXT-BOOK it is superior to any other in Unity, Brevity, Clearness, Logical Arrangement, and Suggestiveness.
AS A REFERENCE BOOK it should be in the Library of every school-room in the country; every Student of History should possess a copy.
In your Reading Circle or at home when you wish to consult an Atlas you need a map for a particular date. Your modern Atlas will not give it. This is the only Atlas which has a map for every period.
A MAP for any particular date can instantly be found by anyone, each map having over it in figures, the year or period it covers.
It is the only Atlas in which each nationality has, and always retains, its own distinctive color; hence every period has a map, and they are progressive, forming in themselves a panorama of events effective in the highest degree.
NEW MAPS OF ANCIENT EMPIRES.
It contains, now made for the first time, maps of the Chaldean, Elamitic, Egyptian, Kossean, Armenian, Hittite, and Assyrian Empires.
The text is brief, suggestive, fascinating, but gives in an attractive form the leading events in the history of the world (not a bundle of particular histories), free from unnecessary details. It has an index.
Labberton's New Historical Atlas and General History is indispensable to Libraries, Reading Circles, School Officers, Teachers, Students, etc. It contains 198 Maps, printed in colors, 30 Genealogical Charts, and is complete in one volume, 4to. Cloth, 312 pages. Sent by Mail or Express, prepaid, for $2.50.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
News and Notes.
By Editor
RELIGIOUS.
—There are five French Protestant Churches in New England.
—London has a population of 2,600,000, and has church room for not over 600,000.
—The South Sea islanders at their last missionary meeting raised $1,531 for a new yacht to carry the gospel to New Guinea.
—A seminary for the education of missionaries among the Jews has been established at Leipzig, Germany; the second of its kind in the world.
—The Supreme Council of the Catholic Knights of America issued a circular last week requesting all members to celebrate the Pope's jubilee on Sunday, October 2.
—The revision of the Kaffir Bible has at length been brought to completion. For nearly twenty years the Board of Revisers has faithfully carried on this great work.
—Baltimore has 300 churches, chapels, and synagogues. As to communicants, the Roman Catholic Church stands first, the Methodist second, the Lutheran third, the Baptist fourth, the Presbyterian fifth, and the Jewish sixth.
—The Roman Catholic Church has in Great Britain 1,600 chapels, 224 monasteries, 415 convents, 29 colleges, and 2,599 priests. The gains since 1870 have been as follows: chapels, 256; monasteries, 155; convents, 182; colleges, 9, and priests, 872.
—Melbourne, Australia, with a population of 350,000, has church accommodation for 107,620. The total attendance on public worship, Sunday morning and evening, is 113,107. The Church of England leads, Presbyterians follow, Wesleyans are third, and Roman Catholics are fourth.
—Within the last twenty-five years over 100,000 copies of the Bible have been circulated in Greece, besides thousands among the Greek residents in Turkey. The Government permits the free dissemination of the Scriptures, and protects colporters against the opposition of the Greek Church.
LABBERTON'S "HISTORICAL ATLAS."
EVERY family will find Labberton's "Historical Atlas" as useful a work of reference as the dictionary, cyclopedia, or modern atlas. It contains what none of these have and supplements all.
"It is what I have been wanting for years. I know of no book in my library which will give me, with quicker reply or more appropriate facts, the answers to questions I am constantly asking. . . . This book has something to say that every educated man wants to know."—Rev. Charles S. Robinson.
"An excellent book of reference for the general reader as well as student. It ought to be in every family in the land."—Alfred Holbrook, National Normal University.
"It should be always at hand in every intelligent family for consultation."—George F. Holmes, Prof. of History, University of Virginia.
"It deserves to be in every school and every family in the land."—Edward Brooks, Ph. D.
This excellent work contains 198 colored maps and is durably bound in muslin. Sent, post-paid, for $2.50 by the Pacific Press Publishing House, Oakland, Cal.
NEW SABBATH-SCHOOL SONG BOOK, JOYFUL GREETING.
By Editor
THIS book contains 216 pages, or over 40 pages more than the ordinary Sabbath-school song book. It is
The Largest Book Ever Sold for the Money.
The book is neatly gotten up, printed on good paper, and substantially bound.
Notwithstanding the fact that this book is so much larger than other popular Sabbath-school song books, it will be furnished at the usual prices—35 cents per copy, post-paid; $3.60 per dozen, by freight or express. If to be sent by mail at dozen rates add five cents per copy for postage.
Address all orders west of the Rocky Mountains to
PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
General Agents for Pacific States and Territories.
Publishers' Department.
By Editor
OUR GENERAL AGENTS.
Alabama and Mississippi—Elder C. W. Olds, 520 Sixteenth Street North, Birmingham, Ala.
Australia—Echo Publishing House, North Fitzroy, Victoria.
British Guiana—George H. Amsterdam, 238 Murray Street, Georgetown, British Guiana, S. A.
Canada Tract Society—R. S. Owen, South Stukely, P. Q.
Colorado Tract Society—George W. Green, Sec., 812 Nineteenth Ave., Denver, Col.
Dakota Tract Society—A. H. Beaumont, Sec., Vilas, Miner Co., Dakota.
Delaware and Maryland—D. C. Babcock, Frederica, Del.
District of Columbia—International Tract Society, 1831 Vermont Avenue, N. W., Washington, D. C.
England—The Present Truth, 451 Holloway Road, London, N.
Florida—Lysle Reynolds, Box 232, Jacksonville, Fla.
Georgia—Charles F. Curtis, 229 South Pryor St., Atlanta, Ga.
Hawaiian Islands—International Tract So., Honolulu, H. I.
Illinois Tract Society—2 and 4 College Place, Chicago, Ill.
Indiana Tract Society—32 Cherry St., Indianapolis, Ind.
Iowa Tract Society—603 East Twelfth St., Des Moines, Iowa.
Kansas Tract Society—L. Dyo Chambers, Sec., No. 813 West Fifth St., Topeka, Kan.
Kentucky—Elder J. H. Cook, Nolin, Hardin Co., Ky.
Louisiana—Elder Thomas H. Gibbs, 1231 Magazine St., New Orleans, La.
Maine Tract Society—M. Russell, Sec., No. 1 Johnson St., Bangor, Me.
Michigan Tract Society—Hattie House, Sec., Review and Herald Office, Battle Creek, Mich.
Minnesota Tract Society—H. P. Holser, Sec., 336 Lake St. E., Minneapolis, Minn.
Missouri Tract Society—2339 Chestnut St., St. Louis, Mo.
Nebraska Tract Society—1505 E St., Lincoln, Neb.
New England—N. E. Tract Society, South Lancaster, Mass.
New York State—J. V. Willson, Sec., N. Y. Tract Society, 317 West Bloomfield St., Rome, N. Y.
New York City and Brooklyn, L. I.—International Tract Society, 264 President St., Brooklyn, N. Y.
New Zealand—International Tract Society, Turner St., off Upper Queen St., Auckland, N. Z.
North Pacific—N. P. Tract Society, Box 18, East Portland, Or.
Norway—Sundhedsbladet, Christiania, Norway.
Nova Scotia—Elder I. E. Kimball, Claremont Cottage, Gottengen St., Halifax, N. S.
Ohio Tract Society—L. T. Dysert, Sec., 178 Warren St., Toledo.
Pennsylvania Tract Society—L. C. Chadwick, Sec., 125 Main St., Wellsville, N. Y.
South Africa—D. A. Robinson, Cape Town, Cape Colony.
Switzerland—Imprimerie Polyglotte, 48 Weiherweg, Basel.
Tennessee—J. H. Dortch, Springville, Henry Co., Tenn., and Elder J. M. Reese, Springfield, Robertson Co., Tenn.
Texas Tract Society—Mrs. Lee Gregory, Sec., Denton, Texas.
Upper Columbia—U. C. Tract Society, Mrs. L. A. Fero, Sec., Walla Walla, W. T.
Vancouver Island—Bernard Robb, Victoria, B. C.
Vermont—Lizzie A. Stone, South Lancaster, Mass.
Virginia—Amy A. Neff, Quicksburgh, Va.
Wisconsin Tract Society—1029 Jenifer St., Madison, Wis.
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.
RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.—Colorado T and M Society $250, North Pacific T and M Society $500.
CALIFORNIA T. AND M. SOCIETY.—Dist No 3, Oakland $4, Stockton $5.25, Rivulet Society $9.45, Dist No 4 San Francisco $61.55, San Jose $7.15, Dist No 6 Norwalk $12.24.
CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE FUND.—Isaac Amy $20.35, Mrs A C Bainbridge $15, Pleasant Grove $138.80, L A Scott $5.40, Mrs M Scott $3.10, Mrs M Richey $6, H C Hizerman $8.85.
"IN THE HEART OF THE SIERRAS"
Has been out but a short time, but it has already attained a large sale, and has come to the front as the finest book for agents to handle which has ever been published on this coast. It is a book which sells to all classes of readers. As a work of art it surpasses anything of the kind which has ever before been attempted. The beautiful full-page "artotypes" present the Yo Semite in all its grandeur, and bring out the scenery in a more life-like manner than it could be produced in any other way. The Yo Semite Valley is now the leading attraction for tourists, and it is visited every year by thousands. It is one of the wonders of the world, and this work written by a man who has lived so long amidst these scenes is one which all will be eager to possess.
IN THE HEART OF THE SIERRAS.
By J. M. Hutchings
BY J. M. HUTCHINGS.
THIS new work is a complete historical and descriptive summary of the wonderful Yo Semite Valley and Big Tree Groves. The author, Mr. Hutchings, is an old pioneer, and has for more than 20 years resided in the Valley. He took the first sketches of it that were ever taken, and was the first to make its
MARVELOUS GRANDEUR KNOWN TO THE WORLD.
The work is complete in one volume of nearly 600 pages, and is illustrated with over 150 illustrations, 28 of which are
BEAUTIFUL FULL-PAGE ARTOTYPES.
These artotypes are the most charmingly characteristic of any illustrations ever produced, and are perfectly true to life, having been photographed from nature.
Sold only by subscription. Agents wanted everywhere. For prices and terms,
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
THE AMERICAN SENTINEL,
By Editor
AN EIGHT-PAGE MONTHLY JOURNAL,
DEVOTED TO THE DEFENSE OF AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS, THE PRESERVATION OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AS IT IS, SO FAR AS REGARDS RELIGION OR RELIGIOUS TESTS, AND THE MAINTENANCE OF CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS RIGHTS.
It Will ever be Uncompromisingly Opposed to Anything Tending Toward a
## UNION OF CHURCH AND STATE,
Either in Name or in Fact.
IT IS well known that there is a large and influential association in the United States bearing the name of the "National Reform Association," which is endeavoring to secure such a
## RELIGIOUS AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION
OF the United States as will "place all Christian laws, institutions, and usages on an undeniable legal basis in the fundamental law of the land."
While there are many persons in this country who are opposed to, or look with suspicion upon, this movement, there are few, outside of the party, who realize what the influence of this Amendment would be. The object of the American Sentinel will be to
## VINDICATE THE RIGHTS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS,
Which, we believe, are threatened by this association. It will appeal to the very fundamental principles of our Government, and point out the consequences which would be sure to follow should they secure the desired Amendment to the Constitution.
Every position taken will be carefully guarded and fortified by sound argument. Due respect will always be paid to the opinions of others, but
The Rights of Conscience will be Fearlessly Maintained.
TERMS.
By Editor
Single Copy, per year, - - - - - - - 50 cents.
To foreign countries, single subscription, post-paid, 2s.
Specimen Copies Free.
Address, AMERICAN SENTINEL, Oakland, Cal.
MODERN SPIRITUALISM
By Eld. J. H. Waggoner
ITS NATURE AND TENDENCY.
BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.
THIS is a thorough exposé 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, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
TESTIMONIES FOR THE CHURCH.
By Editor
NUMBERS ONE TO THIRTY.
BOUND IN FOUR VOLUMES OF ABOUT 700 PAGES EACH
EACH VOLUME CONTAINS A COMPLETE INDEX OF SUBJECTS.
Volume One.—This volume contains a brief sketch of the early life and Christian experience of the writer of the Testimonies, Mrs. E. G. White, together with Testimonies numbers 1 to 14. 724 pages. Bound in Muslin, $1.50; Sheep, $2.00; Half Morocco, $2.25.
Volume Two.—Contains Testimonies numbers 15 to 20. 712 pages. Bound in Muslin, $1.50; Sheep, $2.00; Half Morocco, $2.25.
Volume Three.—Contains Testimonies numbers 21 to 25. About 600 pages. Bound in Muslin, $1.50; Sheep, $2.00; Half Morocco, $2.25.
Volume Four.—Contains Testimonies numbers 26 to 30. About 675 pages. Bound in Muslin, $1.50; Sheep, $2.00; Half Morocco, $2.25.
Price of the Complete Set of Four Volumes, bound in Cloth, $6.00; Sheep, $8.00; Half Morocco, $9.00.
Testimony for the Church No. 31.—Contains 244 pages of most interesting and important matter. Neatly bound in Muslin. Price, 50 cents.
Testimony for the Church No. 32.—Contains 240 pages, and is full of warnings, counsels, and reproofs, very important to all Seventh-day Adventists. Bound in Muslin (uniform with No. 31). Price, 50 cents.
Sent post-paid to any address, at the above prices.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.,
REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
Or any State T. and M. Society.
GOLDEN GRAINS,
A SERIES OF
TEN BOOKS FOR CHILDREN.
EACH LITTLE BOOK, OR PAMPHLET, CONTAINS THIRTY-TWO PAGES OF CAREFULLY SELECTED STORIES.
THE following are the titles: Robin's Judgment Book, Annie's Savings-Box, Always the Bible, The Sister's Lesson, The Hard Way, The Schoolboy's Dinner, Seven Times, The Wicket Gate, The Sensitive Plant, The Two Gardens. The whole set of ten books, over 300 pages, will be sent post-paid for 50 cents.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
National Reform Association Meeting
By Editor
A MEETING of the Executive Committee of the National Reform Association was held in Pittsburg, September 15. The Pittsburg Times of the 16th gives the following notice of the meeting:—
"The Executive Committee of the National Reform Association held a meeting in the afternoon and evening yesterday at the Y. M. C. A. rooms. Several reports were read and accepted, and arrangements made to continue not less than seven district secretaries in the field. It was also decided to employ a secretary to instill into the foreign population a due regard for Sunday observance. Professor McAllister, who will visit Europe next year, was empowered to use his efforts to bring about an International Congress of the friends of Christian civil government. Arrangements were also made to hold a National Reform Training School at Lakeside next summer, under the direction of Dr. McAllister."
We have no doubt that Professor McAllister will meet with a cordial reception from the officials of the national churches of Europe. But the most cordial of all receptions received there we expect will be that which will be given him by the Pope; especially as he goes carrying the commission of Dr. Herrick Johnson, Joseph Cook, and their confreres of the Saratoga Conference, to bring to the attention of Roman Catholic authorities the matter of using the Catholic Bible in the public schools of the United States, wherever the Catholics are in the majority, and to secure "such a basis of agreement if possible." Of course, as they are to bring this to the attention of the "Roman Catholic authorities," the proper thing to do is to go to the Pope at once. For isn't he the sole Catholic authority? Dr. McAllister may possibly get the Pope to send a legate to preside at the proposed International Congress.
The Growing Evil of Divorce
By Editor
The following dispatch from Chicago, dated September 24, tells the story as well as may be:—
"This city has to-day, it is asserted, broken the record in divorce cases. From morning until evening five judges were at work, and over one hundred cases were disposed of. Over two hundred persons, martyrs to wedlock, wanted their matrimonial existence judicially murdered, and four hundred or five hundred sympathizing friends were on hand to witness the executions. It was the biggest day's work the divorce mills have had in a long time. Marriage knots were shattered with more than the usual celerity of the Chicago divorce courts, and for every possible reason. One of the gray-haired judges, after the adjournment of court, shook his head and said that something was surely wrong these days. He didn't know what the world was coming to."
Well might the judge ask what the world is coming to. We think it is fast coming to the state recently desired by the correspondent of an Eastern Spiritualist paper, when the way out of marriage should be as easy as the way in. And that will be a repetition of the times just before the flood, when "they took them wives of all which they chose."
Right in this line was a case which the dispatches relate as recently occurring in Paris. A boy scarcely fifteen years of age, stole 500 francs from his employer, and eloped with a girl of fourteen, with whom he began living in another city. Soon, however, a former lover of the girl, aged thirteen, appeared on the scene, when the fifteen-year-old Lothario, thinking that his mistress was unfaithful to him, stabbed her three times, probably fatally. Isn't it time to ask, "What is the world coming to?"
Why Am I a Heathen?
By Editor
Wong Chin Foo has contributed an article to the North American Review, entitled, "Why Am I a Heathen?" The article is very long, but we have read it through, and are sure that it could all have been answered in one sentence, namely, "Because I don't know any better."
The Sabbath and Sunday Laws
By Editor
Doesn't it seem strange that almost the first thing a man does when he sets out to prove that the first day of the week is the Sabbath, is to argue that there isn't any Sabbath at all, and that it doesn't make any difference what day a person keeps, or whether he keeps any at all makes no difference whatever, provided he is only fully persuaded in his own mind? Can anybody wonder that Sunday is losing its hold, and that the ministers are loudly clamoring for a State or national law to compel people to keep that day?
Orthodox Charity in California
By Editor
ONE Mrs. J. B. Rideout has been riding out and around, the past summer, in California; and through the columns of the Occident is telling about it. Of the size of the towns, she gives exceptionally definite information: as for instance, Cloverdale is a "thrifty little village," and "Healdsburg is considerable larger than Cloverdale." Of the people her estimation is equally definite, and as charitable as it is definite. Writing of Healdsburg she say:—
"Here the Seventh-day Adventists have their stronghold. Disregarding the sanctities of the glorious Lord's-day, they, like the Jews—who do not believe in the divinity of Christ—keep Saturday instead of Sunday."
How beautifully the grace of charity shines through some people, especially if they be "orthodox!"
How Ministers Are Treated
By Editor
ONE of the most disgusting things we have read lately is the Christian at Work's article on "How Do You Treat the Minister," in which it roundly scolds those particular people who object to having the minister smoke in the house. It would have people invite the minister to smoke even in the guest chamber or the parlor, because the poor man needs all the solace he can get after his arduous labors! The next request will probably be for entertainers to complete the bar-room arrangements, by freely furnishing beer for the tired minister to sip between his whiffs.
Tobacco Use and Church Leadership
By Editor
By the way, we notice in the proceedings of the California M. E. Conference, a resolution asking the General Conference to declare that one who uses tobacco shall not be eligible to the office of bishop. That seems to imply that a smoker may now occupy any position in the M. E. Church. We are glad to see that there is a growing sentiment in that church against the use of tobacco by ministers, but why is it tolerated at all? And if it is desired that bishops shall not use tobacco, why should the use of it by anyone be allowed? Ought a bishop to be better than an ordinary minister?
The Pope Is a King
The Pope is a king. He says so himself. And doesn't that prove it? for isn't he infallible? In view of his approaching jubilee Leo XIII. has had struck a number of medals bearing the inscription: "Pope Leo XIII., Pontifex et rex." Now rex is Latin for king, and that inscription means Pope Leo XIII., Pontiff and king. The Roman police found some of these medals on sale in a shop in the city and promptly confiscated them. At this the Vatican makes a decided protest, and argues that the "law of guaranties" recognizes the Pope's right to the title of sovereign; and supports this argument with the fact that Bismarck in his letter to the Pope about two years ago plainly addressed him as "sire." Now in the language of courts, "sire" means "sovereign"; and as a king is a sovereign, and as Bismarck called the Pope "sire," therefore the Pope is king. Don't you see? But in the argument there is vastly more of spiritual pride, religious despotism, and political arrogance, than there is of logic.
Protestant Blood and Cardinal Gibbons
By Editor
At the celebration of the centennial of the adoption of the Constitution, at Philadelphia last month, the service was opened with a prayer by Bishop Potter, of the Episcopal Church, and closed by a prayer and the benediction by Cardinal Gibbons. Because Cardinal Gibbons was invited to, and did, perform this part of the ceremony the Presbyterian Journal says that its "Protestant blood boils." But if Cardinal Gibbons had not been chosen at all, and Bishop Potter had both opened and closed the ceremonies, then it is altogether likely that the "Protestant blood" of the Presbyterian Journal would not have been increased in temperature to any perceptible degree. While if a Presbyterian preacher had only been chosen in the place of Cardinal Gibbons it is safe to say that the "Protestant blood" of the Journal would have been so perfectly cool that we might fairly conclude that it was actually reduced below the normal temperature. But the Commission had just as much right to choose Cardinal Gibbons as it had to choose Bishop Potter, or anybody else, to pray. This was a celebration of the adoption of the Constitution. The Constitution recognizes no one profession of religion above another, therefore the Commission had perfect right to choose whom they pleased, or to choose nobody, to pray, and nobody has any business to object. The boiling of the Protestant blood of our Presbyterian contemporary is only a tempest in a teapot. But even this small tempest shows the excellent wisdom of the makers of our Constitution, in forbidding forever the application of any religious test by the nation to its employes, and in forbidding the National Legislature to make any "law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." It is a happy thing for the nation that there is no constitutional channel through which the Protestant blood of the Presbyterian Journal may pour its boiling zeal. And it will be a woful day whenever such a channel shall be created.