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Signs of the Times, Vol. 1, No. 32.

The Sermon
Earlier text: The Sermon

Away Then.

By O. E. McCord

THE Russian General, Prince Mentchikoff, who defended Sebastopol, during the Crimean war, had occasion during the siege of that city to send an important message to the Czar at St. Petersburg, and ordered a faithful officer to be his messenger, giving him directions not to halt or to delay until he stood before the Czar, and above all not to lose sight of the precious message which he bore. Away went the messenger in a sleigh belonging to the Czar's couriers. At the end of each twenty miles he found fresh horses awaiting him; these were quickly harnessed to his sleigh, in place of the weary animals, and the servants and stable-men would cry out: "Your excellency, the horses are ready," "Away then!" the messenger would say to the driver; and off he would go again at the most rapid rate at which the horses were capable.
Riding in this way for several days and nights, suffering with cold, and pursued by wolves in the forest, the messenger, weary with watching his dispatches day and night, at length reached the palace of the Czar, and was immediately ushered into his presence. He had no sooner handed the Emperor the letter of the General than he sank into a chair and fell fast asleep. After reading the dispatch, the Czar wishing to ask the officer a question, the attendants endeavored to arouse him, but in vain, until the Czar stooping down cried in his ears, "Your excellency, the horses are ready." The faithful messenger instantly sprang to his feet and cried: "Away then!" and instead of being reproved for resting when his work was done, was rewarded for his faithfulness.
Who can but admire the faithfulness of this messenger of an earthly prince, and should not they who are commissioned by the Prince of Salvation prove themselves as worthy of confidence in the fulfillment of duties assigned them? The world lies asleep in chains of carnal security and delights, mindful only of its own pleasures, unmindful of the fast approaching day of terror to those who forget God and his just requirements. The Prince of Life sends his followers not to a monarch but to all, with a warning message that they may be left without excuse when that day of terror, to those that love not his appearing, shall suddenly come. Ears have they, but they hear not the call to righteousness; eyes have they, but they behold no beauty in holiness; feet have they, but they find no delight in walking in the paths of peace. The actions of the multitudes plainly assure us that they love darkness rather than light.
And shall they who are commissioned by the Prince whom they delight to honor, and whom they soon expect to come as conqueror over sin and Satan, become listless, easily tempted to slack in their Master's service or feel inclined to turn away from the rugged path of duty to the present enjoyment of worldly pleasures? When weary and discouraged, tempest-tossed, ridiculed, misunderstood by those whom they seek to benefit, obstacles that seem to human eyes insurmountable, arise to impede further progress, and foes within and without seem determined on our spiritual destruction, may we ever hear the solemn warning: "Why stand ye here all the day idle?" "Away then!" should be our watchword, and drowsy inattention be thrown off, while we work for Jesus, who will deliver all who trust in him. O. E. McCord.

Why not Found out Before?

Why have not our learned men found out these things if they are so?
From the time of the Reformation under Martin Luther until now, every advance step in reform has been opposed by those who were under the influence of fables and traditions of men. The famous Roman Catholic, Dr. Eck spoke against Luther as follows:
"I am surprised at the humility and modesty with which the reverend doctor undertakes to oppose, alone, so many illustrious fathers, and pretends to know more than the sovereign pontiff, the councils, the doctors, and the universities! It would be surprising, no doubt, if God had hidden the truth from so many saints and martyrs until the advent of the reverend father!"—D'Aubigne's Hist. Ref., Vol. II, p. 59.
Sebastian Meyer gives the following refutation of the above:—
"To have been a thousand years wrong, will not make us right for one single hour! or else the pagans should have kept to their creed."—Id., Vol. II, p. 427.
The Roman Pagan Emperor Diocletian, in a law against Christians, A. D. 296, said:—
"The immortal gods have, by their providence, ordained and established that which is true and good. Many wise and good men are united in the opinion that this must be maintained without alteration. These we dare not oppose, and no new religion ought to venture to blame the old; for it is an enormous crime to pull down that which our forefathers established and which has dominion in the State."—Rose's Neander, Vol. I, p. 84.
John Lock, the great Christian philosopher, says:—
"An error is not better for being common, nor the truth, for having lain neglected; and, if it were put to vote anywhere in the world, I doubt, as things are managed, whether truth would have the majority, at least while the authority of men and not the examination of things, must be its measure."—Essay on human Understanding, Book IV, Chap. 3, Sect. 6, Note.

He Left a Large Property.

This is the closing sentence of a recent obituary, and it suggests some reflections.
What a pity he was obliged to leave it! He had taken great delight in accumulating it. As he added field to field, and farm to farm, he had looked with pride upon his extended domain, conscious that he was the largest land-holder in his district. His cattle, if not wandering upon a thousand hills, ranged over more than that number of acres of rich pasturage. Stocks, notes, bonds, and mortgages crowded his safe. And it was all the fruit of his own industry, energy, and good judgment. The rust of usury and the canker of extortion had not scarred any of his gold. It was well and fairly earned, and he loved it all the more because it was so. It grieved him to leave this large property, to depart from the world as poor as he came into it, and to enter the other world utterly destitute of the wealth he so much loved in this. But he had to leave it, every farthing of it.
He might have taken it with him. Rather let me say, he might have sent it forward in advance of him. As the capitalist, who contemplates removing to a foreign country, converts his property into drafts, and remits from time to time to the land of his future residence, he might have made remittances to that undiscovered country, so that on his arrival there he would find abundant treasures laid up in Heaven for him. Every pound which he had given (consecrating it with true prayer) to assist in carrying the glad tidings of salvation to the ends of the earth; every contribution in aid of the many Christian enterprises for the glory of God and the good of man; every cup of cold water given to a disciple in the name of a disciple; every tear of pious sympathy for the suffering; every gift of kindly charity to the needy, would have added to the store of his "durable riches." He might have been rich towards God, and a joint heir with Jesus Christ, to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. If it was sad for him to leave that large property, how much sadder that he sent none of it before him.
It is much more pleasant to go to, than to leave, a large property. The man who, poor in this world's goods, but rich in faith, closes his eyes upon this life, goes to take possession of a large property. He owned not a foot of land on earth, but for him "sweet fields beyond the swelling flood stand dressed in living green." His food here was coarse, perhaps scanty; but there he will eat freely from the tree of life, which yields twelve manner of fruits. His garments here were plain and poor; but there he shall be clothed in white robes, washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. He associated here with those who are despised and rejected of men; but there his companions will be an innumerable company of angels, and the general assembly and church of the first born. Who would not rather go to a large property than to leave it?—Southern Cross.

Our Creed—The Bible.

With all confidence we appeal to the Book of books as true and inspired authority.
  1. It is the oldest book in existence.
  2. It gives the only rational account of the creation of our world.
  3. It contains the best code of laws.
  4. It foretells events to come with a certainty that should silence all caviling.
  5. There is general harmony in all its parts.
We propose, therefore, to test all religious opinions by this divine standard.
Says the apostle Paul, "Prove all things."
Says Dr. Adam Clarke, "The doctrine which cannot stand the test of rational investigation, cannot be true."
Says Bishop Watson, "Whoever is afraid of submitting any question, civil or religious, to the test of free discussion, seems to me to be more in love with his own opinions than with truth."

Passion

PASSION is a storm and spares nothing.

WHAT I HAVE SEEN.

I have seen a young man sell a good farm, turn merchant, and die in an insane asylum.
I have seen a farmer travel about so much that there was nothing at home worth looking after.
I have seen a man spend more money in folly than would support his family in comfort and independence.
I have seen a young girl marry a young man of dissolute habits, and repent it as long as she lived.
I have seen a man depart from truth when candor and veracity would have served him to a much better purpose.
I have seen extravagance and folly of children bring their parents to poverty and want, and themselves to disgrace.
I have seen a prudent and industrious wife retrieve the fortunes of a family, when her husband pulled at the other end of the rope.
I have seen a young man who despised the counsel of the wise and the advice of the good, and his career was in poverty and wretchedness.

Prayers Need Not Be Fine

By Charles Haddon Spurgeon

PRAYERS need not be fine. I believe God abhors fine prayers. If a person asks charity of you in elegant sentences, he is not likely to get it. Finery in dress or language is out of place in beggars. I heard a man in the street one day begging aloud by means of a very magnificent oration. He used grand language in very pompous style, and I dare say he thought he was sure of getting piles of coppers by his borrowed speech; but I, for one, gave him nothing, but felt inclined to laugh at his bombast. Is it not likely that many great prayers are as useless? Many prayer-meeting prayers are a great deal too fine. Keep your figures and metaphors and parabolic expressions for your fellow-creatures, use them to those who want to be instructed, but do not parade them before God. When we pray, the simpler our prayers the better; the plainest, humblest language which expresses our meaning is the best.—Spurgeon.

History of the Apple.

The apple which is valued above all other fruits of Northern climates, is the descendent of the wild crab-tree, which is found very generally in the temperate zone of both hemispheres. It is mentioned in the Bible, by Herodotus, and by Pliny, the latter of whom enumerates twenty varieties that were cultivated in his time. It was in extensive use by the Romans, and was probably introduced by them into England. After the establishment of Christianity we find that the monks planted large orchards, rendering the fruit common throughout the island. It was brought to New England by the early settlers, and the Indians in all the original States. The apple is now one of the most widely diffused of fruit-trees, but it succeeds best in cooler parts of the temperate zone. It occurs in Arabia, Persia, and the West Indies; but in these countries the fruit is small and inferior. It reaches its greatest perfection in the United States where more than a million of acres are occupied with this kind of orchards. The value of the crop in 1870 was over $47,000,000. Large quantities of apples are exported from this country to England, China, and the East Indies.

Doing Duty Without Fuss

If a man has any religion worth having, he will do his duty and not make a fuss about it. It is the empty kettle that rattles.

Old Timber.

Probably the oldest timber in the world which has been used by man is that found in the ancient temples of Egypt in connection with the stone work, which is known to be at least four thousand years old. This, the only wood used in the construction of the temple, is in the form of ties, holding the end of one stone to another to its upper surface. When two blocks were laid in place, an excavation about an inch deep was made in each block, into which a tie shaped like an hourglass was driven. It is therefore very difficult to force from its position. The ties appear to have been of the tamarisk or shittim wood of which the ark was constructed, a sacred tree in ancient Egypt, and now very rarely found in the valley of the Nile. The dovetailed ties are just as sound now as on the day of their insertion. Although fuel is extremely scarce in the country, these bits of wood are not large enough to make it an object with the Arabs to heave off layer after layer of heavy stone to obtain them. Had they been of bronze, half of the old temples would have been destroyed years ago, so precious would they have been for various purposes.

Religious Graduates.

By John Harvey Kellogg

ONE of the greatest evils of the age is the prevailing idea that the work, the great work of our life, is accomplished when we have made a profession of religion and united with a church. There is a proneness to point to the hour of conversion, to some past experience, as the evidence of our standing, of our present acceptance with God. The following remarks from the Christian Union are timely, but we fear few will heed them :—
"In every revival, especially, there are persons who, having, as they believe, entered on the Christian life, think that they are out of all difficulty, and that for them the essential thing is already done. Now, that is as if a child that had just entered a primary school should suppose that it had got an education. It is as if a boy, just bound apprentice to a mechanic should think he had obtained a livelihood for all his days. Beginning a Christian life is only beginning. There needs daily, hourly work to follow it, clear to the end of life.
"There is some religious teaching that is liable to mislead men about this. We read of Mr. Moody using this illustration : When in the old days a slave ran away he was in deadly peril so long as he was on American soil, but the very instant he stepped across the Canada line, he was absolutely safe. So, said Mr. Moody, you may step in a moment from the kingdom of sin to the kingdom of Christ and be secure. Now, this illustration seems to us likely to mislead. Practically no man escapes from the bondage of sin in a moment, or in a day, or in a year. He may set out to escape, he may turn squarely around and begin to forsake his evil habits, and from the very first he may have a joyful sense that God is his helper. But he is somewhat like the slave when he first set his face toward the North Star, with a thousand miles of travel before him, with difficulties and dangers enough to tax his every resource. In the New Testament the Christian life is continually likened to the soldier's life. Its word is, 'Be sober, be vigilant!' 'Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.' 'Watch!' There is courage and joy in every tone of the gospel, but it is the courage of the resolute and faithful soldier; it is the joy of a pressing on and always on, into noble attainment. If ever a man had a conversion that was sudden and complete, it was Paul. But there is not the least hint in Paul's words that he looked back to find in that experience his assurance or his hope. He said that he forgot those things that are behind, and reached forth unto those things which are before. He had such a sense of the glorious ideal revealed in Christ, the splendid possibilities of divine manhood, that his whole soul went out in the aspiration to rise higher and higher into that life of closest union with God. And our salvation from ignoble and slothful content lies in getting some such sense of what God calls us to."
The feeling struck against in the above remarks, are, with many, the great barrier to reaching them with the present truth. They cannot be persuaded that they need anything. With them the work is done. To move forward, to grow in grace, is, in their estimation, a denial of the genuineness of their past experience. And thus they dwarf down to formalists, self-deceived.
And we regret to say that the great modern revivals tend to just this state of things. Those held recently in California developed and strengthened this feeling. Two questions were asked, "Are you a Christian? Do you belong to a church?" If these were answered in the affirmative, they were invited to join in working for others without any assurance that they had any present experience of the love of God in the heart or whether their lives were such as to recommend their religion to those for whom they labored. "Patient continuance in well-doing," is the standard. "Go on unto perfection," is the requirement.
J. H. W.

J. W

By James White

The prospects of that conference in bringing men and women to the truth are good. We hope our young preachers there will not be induced to enter into discussions with men whose success depends upon their ability to deceive, abuse, and discourage the people of God. The Missouri and Kansas Conference can have a camp-meeting July 22-27. We now expect the publishing building at Oakland will be pushed forward, and the house of worship in San Francisco will be built, so that, according to promise, we shall be obliged to attend the California camp-meeting, assist in a strong effort with the tent in San Francisco immediately following the camp-meeting, to adjourn from the tent to the new church the last of November or the first of December.
To return to Missouri: We found Bro. J. N. Ayers a thorough Christian gentleman, and a complete business man. Money sent to him has been laid out for provisions at the best wholesale rates, and distributions have been made by Express and rail-road free of charge. Though a cripple, one knee stiff, and increased to enormous size by white swelling, and discharging at several places, he has done his duty as distributing agent with vigilence as well as ability, having been out at all stages of the weather. This he has cheerfully done without pay, though himself in the destitute region. We became individually responsible for the sum of $200, to supply our people with seed to replant their fields if thought best, and to give them immediate bread. It was thought possible that the hoppers would leave soon, and that corn (by replanting) and buckwheat could be raised the present season. Should the people not be able to do this, those who can leave with their families should leave for parts where the grasshopper scourge is not, and others should leave their women and little children where they are, and go immediately where they can earn means to send back to their families.
Bro. Ayers is a thorough health reformer, and says he has had a "blowing up" several times for refusing to supply families who use tea, coffee, and tobacco. We handed this dear brother two silver half dollars for his own use which we took from California, and would have given him more if we had not been short of ready cash. We now call on the wealthy among us to help the sufferers in Kansas, and do not forget the crippled agent, Bro. J. N. Ayres, especially in your prayers. Such noble men are few. Donations may be sent immediately to Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich., or to SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

J. W

The Second Advent.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Editor of the Advocate: Thinking that it may be of interest to your readers, I herewith give a brief statement of our faith, touching the second advent of Christ, upon which we are now preaching in the tent.
1. The second advent of Christ to this earth will be as literal and as personal as his first advent. It will not be a spiritual, symbolic or mystical event, such as a conversion, the influence of the spirit, death bed scenes, etc. If this was the coming of Christ, he would have to come, not only the second time, but millions of times since his first advent. Our faith is clearly expressed in the following text: "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1 : 11. He went up personally and bodily, and just so will he return.
2. No one can tell the definite time, day, month, or year when he will come. We regard as fanatics all those who set a definite day for that event. We believe Christ's words. Matt. 24 : 36.
3. But the righteous may know when it is near, even at the doors. They may know when the last generation has come. Jesus says that "there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth," etc., to indicate when it is near. Then he says, "When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21 : 25-32. Then we should study the prophecies, watch the signs, and discern the tokens of the end.
4. We believe that there will be a warning given to the world to prepare for that event just as before the flood, before the fall of Sodom, by John before the first advent, and on all similar occasions. For proof of this see Matt. 24 : 37; Rev. 14 : 6-16. This is reasonable and in accordance with God's dealings with men.
5. When Jesus comes the righteous dead will be raised immortal, and all the living saints will be changed to immortality and taken up to heaven with Jesus. See 1 Thess. 4 : 16-18; 1 Cor. 15 : 51-55.
6. All the wicked who are alive will be destroyed and their carcasses scattered over the face of the earth. See 2 Thess. 2 : 8; Rev. 19 : 11-21; Jer. 25 : 31-33.
7. Then the earth will be entirely desolate of inhabitants for one thousand years, at the end of which the wicked will be raised and cast into the lake of fire. Jer. 4 : 23-27; Rev. 20 : 1-15.
8. Then this earth will be purified from the curse, Eden will be restored, and the saints inhabit the new earth forever. Matt. 5 : 5; Rev. 21 : 1-5.
9. The fulfillment of the prophecies, the signs of the times, and the condition of the world generally, clearly show that the end of all things is nigh at hand.
10. In connection with these, for the last thirty years a message of warning concerning the coming of the Lord has been given to the world, though, like Noah's message; it has not been generally heeded. Still about one thousand ministers are now preaching it in all parts of the world; more than a score of papers are published to advocate it; and about one hundred thousand souls are waiting for the immediate coming of Christ, the same as Simeon, Anna, and others were waiting for the first advent.
We feel sure that we have the truth upon this important question to which we earnestly invite the attention of the people.—D. M. CANRIGHT, in the Gilroy Advocate.

Duty of Parents to Children.

[The following words from the pen of an able writer, addressed to parents, are worthy of careful consideration.]
"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Prov. 22:6. Much is said in the Bible, respecting the duty of parents to their children. But it would seem, by the manner in which this duty is neglected by most of parents, that they do not understand what the Bible teaches on this subject.
I have often been pained to see how this important duty is neglected, even by those who profess to be keeping all the commandments of God. I have earnestly desired of late, that something might be said, or written on this subject; something that would stir up parents to look at these things, and to feel the responsibility that rests upon them, to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6:4. I fear but few parents (even among Sabbath-keepers), realize how far they have departed from the word of God in this respect. Perhaps but few are aware how much is said in the Bible on this subject. I will here quote a few passages of Scripture which are to the point.
"He that spareth his rod, hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes." Prov. 13:24. "Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying." Prov. 19:18. "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." Prov. 22:15. "Withhold not correction from the child; for if thou beat him with the rod he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell." Prov. 23:13, 14. "The rod and reproof giveth wisdom; but a child left to himself, bringeth his mother to shame. Correct thy son and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul." Prov. 29:15, 17.
It seems to me, that in the passages I have quoted, the duty of parents to their children, is clearly and plainly pointed out. It seems from the word of God, that the rod is to be used (and that not sparingly) in the government, and correction of children, in bringing them into perfect subjection to their parents. But how seldom is the rod seen and much more seldom used by the professed people of God at this day. Many seem to think that they are serving God, doing those things that are pleasing in his sight, while in a measure, if not wholly, they are neglecting to govern their children, and bring them to yield that obedience to their parents, that the word of God requires. But this is a mistaken idea and a snare of Satan into which the whole world, with few exceptions, have fallen in these "perilous times." But my prayer is, that God would deliver his people out of this snare, and give them to see and understand their whole duty to their children.
I understand the subject like this: that parents stand in the place of God to their children, until they become old enough to know and serve God for themselves. And that parents are required to see that their children yield the same obedience and submission to their will, that parents yield to God. And if this duty is performed by parents, then they can claim in faith and confidence the blessing of God upon their children. But if this duty is neglected by parents, it seems to me certain that God will hold them responsible, and the blood of their children will be required at their hands. It is the height of folly in parents to suppose that their children can be saved while living in willful disobedience to their parents, and being possessed of a spirit and temper that is ungovernable, wicked, and devilish. As well might parents expect to be saved while possessing the spirit of Satan, and living in disobedience to the commandments of God. But this is not so. No one with an understanding of the Bible can expect to be saved without yielding perfect obedience to God, and partaking of his Holy Spirit. For this cause our Heavenly Father has to chasten and scourge us (and many times sorely), and bring us under strict discipline, in order to humble us and subdue our stubborn wills and unholy tempers, and bring us where we can yield a sweet and humble submission to his holy will. This is the way that God deals with his children, and that too, because he loves them, and that they may be partakers of his holiness."
Many parents in these days (and I am sorry to say that it is even so among Sabbath-keepers), instead of causing their children to submit unto their will and judgment, submit to the will of their children, and in many instances become complete slaves to them. This is not right. It is reversing God's order. And if continued, will certainly ruin their children, if not parents also. It is mockery for parents to pray for God to bless and save their children, while they themselves are neglecting their duty to them.
I feel an interest in the welfare of the children, and for them to be really benefited, I think "the axe must be laid at the root of the tree;" that is, the work must begin at home. Parents must do their duty, before God can consistently work for their children.
Dear brethren and sisters, you that are parents, I beg of you, as you love your children, and desire their salvation, that you wake up to this important duty of governing your children, and subdue their wills and unholy tempers, and bring them where God can work for them. Unless you do, you will see your children cut down in the time of trouble. Oh! what anguish it will cause parents, to witness the "plagues" poured out upon their children, and realize that it is because they have neglected their duty to them.

In the Field.

We had decided to visit as extensively as possible the American field, embracing all our camp-meetings, in company with Mrs. W., the present season. We left California the last of April, and reached Battle Creek, Mich., May 5. In consequence of the retirement of the other members of the General Conference Committee, Elder Butler to labor in Missouri, and Eld. Haskell from ill health, we were left alone with the camp-meetings and our institutions located at Battle Creek, upon our hands, besides the usual amount of preaching at that point and in other places.
The first Sabbath after our return to Michigan, Mrs W. spoke to the large congregation in Battle Creek, and we spoke at the quarterly meeting at Potterville. Mrs. W. joined us on First-day, and spoke to the people with freedom and power. Here we met several of our brethren in the ministry, besides many old friends in the truth. The meeting was an excellent one.
Sabbath, May 15, we both spoke to the church at Battle Creek. The 22d we were with the church at Bowling Green, Ohio, where we felt greatly encouraged of the Lord in encouraging the brethren. We suggested that Bro. and sister Lane might labor in Ohio with a tent the present season, and that if the Ohio Camp-meeting could be held from July 29 to August 3, we could attend it. Bro. and sister Lane, however, on account of health chose the climate of New England where they have gone to labor. The matter of the Ohio Camp-meeting is not in the least affected by this decision, and we hope it may be held at the time above suggested.
May 29 and 30 we were with the brethren in Missouri. Of our visit and labors there The North Missourian published at Gallatin, Daviess Co., says:—
“Last Friday morning Elder James White and wife, of Battle Creek, Michigan, arrived here. They expected to go to Jefferson township, but as it was raining so, they announced that they would speak at the Christian Church in the evening. After it had stopped raining Mrs. White went out to the tent and preached in the evening.
The trustees of the Christian Church cheerfully threw open the doors of their church, and Elder White explained to a crowded house many of the leading doctrines held by the Adventists. At the close of his discourse he announced that Mrs. W. would preach at some hour on Sunday which would not interfere with the services at the other churches.
“Elder Shiek, pastor of the Christian Church at this place, stated that there was a positive command in the Bible against women teaching, she could not have the use of their church. He also announced that on the next evening he would review Elder White’s discourse. We did not hear Elder Shiek’s review.
“On Sunday afternoon Mrs. White addressed a large audience in the Court House. The Court Room was crowded. She delivered a very interesting and instructive discourse concerning the duties of parents in the proper training of their children, both physically and morally. No one could object to the sentiment she proclaimed, and we doubt not many will be benefited by having heard her. She is a pleasant, forcible speaker, and the audience after having listened attentively an hour were not weary.
“In the evening the Court Room was again crowded, and Elder White reviewed Elder Shiek’s sermon. The main question of difference between them was in regard to the Sabbath. Elder Shiek claims that the ten commandments were repealed by the advent of Christ, while Elder White claims that they are still binding and the seventh day should be kept sacred.”
We reached Gallatin, Friday, the 28th, and left for the Illinois meeting, Monday, the 31st. During our short stay in Missouri, we spoke twice at Gallatin and three times at the tent ten miles distant, besides traveling forty miles by private conveyance. We also conferred several hours with the Conference Committee relative to the cause and future labors in the Missouri and Kansas Conference, and with Bro. J. N. Ayers on the subject of the wants and future

California as a Missionary Field.

By James White

The report of the late anniversary of the American Baptist Home Mission Association, contains the following:—
"Rev. T. Edwin Brown, of Rochester, N. Y., spoke on 'The Work of the Society in California.' The State is said to have a population of 600,000, and of these only 30,000 are communicants, only 4,150 are Baptist communicants. The Baptists are outnumbered by the Northern Methodists and the Presbyterians; they outnumber the Episcopalians and the Congregationalists. In San Francisco, out of a population of 200,000, less than 900 are Baptist members. California is the hardest field of missionary labor on the continent. The people are so intensely materialistic, worldly, covetous, the population is so mixed the irreligious spirit can almost be felt in the air. The strongest religious organization is that of Romanism. An intensely worldly people desire an indulgent form of religion; hence, with such a religion of forms or one of rationalistic laxity is popular. In such a field spiritual religion advances with difficulty—Baptist doctrines with especially great difficulty. This has been aggravated by bad leadership. Some excellent ministers have gone there, but the flood of migration takes light ministerial as well as other flood-wood. A new country anywhere, California especially, is no place to recover a damaged reputation."
Without being able to endorse all the above we believe it is worthy of consideration. The per centage of church membership and church attendance according to population is very small in California; and the country is too new to be free from the spirit of recklessness which generally pervades new countries, and especially mining countries. Having been in possession of a Catholic State, it is to be expected that Romanism should largely prevail.
But admitting it to be a hard field, it is beyond all doubt an important one. The very fact that its "population is so mixed" makes it an interesting field. The nations of the earth are here represented. And Mr. Eddy took this view of it in his speech, wherein he said:—
"It would be true economy to secure strong men, at any necessary cost, and place them in good locations, and keep them there."
Our brethren will remember the words of both Brother and Sister White, in which the opinion of Mr. Eddy has been anticipated. They have been in favor of "broad plans of operation," and of risking an outlay to secure important posts and important objects. This is a wise and judicious plan, and we are happy to know that, as a general thing, the friends of the cause in California endorse their suggestions.
Some, who have had no experience in this work, think it is a denial of our faith to make large calculations, to build a large church, or to erect a commodious publishing house! But if we are correct in our views of prophecy; if the work is as vast as there represented; and if time is short and the coming of the Lord is near, it is a sad denial of our faith to lay up earthly treasures and let this cause go lagging for want of efficient means to send it to the world. Do all we can, we cannot do too much. It is a matter of rejoicing, and gives us great confidence in this work, that the Lord has raised up those who can take comprehensive views and devise plans of operation accordingly. Whenever there has been faith enough among the people to risk an outlay, the blessing of the Lord has attended it. If the Lord works through instrumentalities we ought to lay our plans and devise our means to correspond to the magnitude of the work to be done.
J. H. W.

And still Another.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

HERE is another item showing from which way the wind is blowing and what the storm is to be:—
“A Methodist clergyman proposes the formation of an “American League,” embracing three objects: “First, Universal Education; second, the Preservation of the Sabbath; third, Prohibition of the Traffic in Intoxicating Drinks.”
Yes, this Sabbath question comes out in the front of all the late plans of reform. The different religious sects are falling into line. They are beginning to blow the trumpet and beat up for volunteers. Let the conflict come, the sooner the better.
The Rev. Dr. Joseph Cummings, President of the Wesleyan University at Middletown, Conn., is reported in the Boston Transcript as saying at the recent Convention there to secure the religious amendment of the United States Constitution:—
“The essential law of nations is not founded upon conceded rights but upon God’s law. Some infidels, relying upon the negative character of the Constitution of this country, have set up a claim to the right of protection in their belief. He emphatically denied this. No man has any right to be an infidel, and no infidel has a right to any protection in the expression of his sentiments. If he attempted to propagate any ideas tending to subvert society—that is, Christian society—he ought to be crushed like a viper! We must recognize God in the spirit of our laws or else they will not stand, and he saw no objection to recognizing him in their letter.”
The real spirit of religious bigotry and persecution is very prominent in the above. It shows what that party will do when it obtains the power.
D. M. C.
Continue reading: Influence of the Sabbath upon true Religion