Earlier text: HINTS TO COLPORTERSA YEAR'S PROGRESS.
By Editor
During the twelve months now drawn to a close there have quietly happened not a few events which in times of slower progress, when great projects and great achievements were less a matter of daily occurrence, could scarcely have failed to make a grand stir in the world. There can, indeed, be no stronger proof of the exceptionable character of the present time than our proneness to accept such things as a matter of course. It is only when era-making events become common, that they cease to be remarkable. The regular readers of the Scientific American do not need to be told at this late day what important, if not memorable, occurrences in the world of progress—commercial, industrial, and scientific—have characterized the past year. Having followed from week to week this record of the world's most effective thought and action, they are already possessed of the grand results of the year's activities. It may not be unprofitable, however, before closing the history of the year, to recall some of the more significant of its events, some of the more notable movements of progress it has developed. It is safe to assume that the progress which has added most to our individual enjoyment, as well as to our national well-being, has been connected with the wonderful improvement in industrial and commercial affairs which the year has shown. The country was never more generally and earnestly at work than to-day, and was never working to better advantage. And, although in certain quarters an over-eager speculative spirit forebodes disaster to many, there is every reason to hope that the solid industries of the land will not be seriously infected, or seriously injured by the natural and inevitable consequences of speculative “booms.” Of purely scientific events it is hard to say which of the many important ones stand out most prominently; and the work of discriminating is made all the harder by the circumstance that the achievements first made known this year have, as usual, been largely the final outcomes of long series of patient labors; while the larger part of the year's work of our scientific men, in the field and in the laboratory, remains unreported. Three or four new metals have been discovered, but that sort of thing has ceased to excite general interest. While one class of chemists has thus been adding to the list of elements, another class has been working with no slight promise of success, to show that several, if not all, of the elements are but variant forms of one matter stuff. Meantime Mr. Crookes has been carrying forward his researches in connection with the ultra-gaseous state of matter, though apparently without making any discoveries of a radical character. Mr. Edison has made some valuable observations with regard to the behavior of highly heated metals in vacuo, and has materially improved the means of converting power into electricity. His electro-chemical telephone has been rapidly developed and practically applied; the sonometer has grown out of his induction balance, and the micro-telephone has been the basis of not a few more or less useful instruments of physical or physiological investigation. Mr. Edison's call for platinum for his long-promised electric lamp has resulted in the discovery of many deposits of the metal in the West and elsewhere. A late dispatch from Colorado reports the discovery of the rare metal uranium in the Sacramento mining district. The ore is said to run 60 per cent; but the probable quantity of ore in the deposit is not mentioned. The development of the mines of gold and silver in the West during the year has been very rapid; and close at home we have the discovery in Westchester Co., New York, of what promises to be of greater utility than any mine of gold or silver, namely, vast deposits of excellent emery. Another matter of local interest has been the addition made by the State surveyors to the accurate knowledge of the geography and topography of the central parts of New York. The work of geological and geographical exploration in the West has been pushed forward not a little during the past season; and the Canadian geological survey has done much good work. Further north, the expedition in search of the remains of Sir John Franklin, have made valuable corrections in the map of the region north of Hudson's Bay. On the opposite side of the continent the Jeannette has made a bold and promising push into the unexplored regions within the Arctic circle, north of Behring's Strait. The safe passage of Nordenskjold through the Siberian seas is the most notable event in northern exploration. Prejvalski and other Russian explorers have been doing good work in high Asia. Major Pinto has crossed the African continent; and a large number of exploring parties have pushed in various directions into the little known interior. The last report of importance mentions the discovery of the head springs of the Niger, by a couple of Frenchmen. In Australia, Forrest has made a bold and successful passage across regions hitherto unexplored, discovering vast tracts of farming and grazing lands where all was supposed to be desert. In the field of engineering, a large number of important undertakings have been brought to successful issue, particularly in the construction of long and lofty railway bridges and great tunnels. Among the latter is the famous Sutro tunnel, and we are almost able to add the St. Gothard, which is rapidly approaching completion. The great work of improvement in the harbor of Genoa has been largely advanced; considerable good work has been done in the Hell Gate channel of New York harbor, and on the proposed tunnel under the Hudson. Several extensive ocean piers have been constructed at Long Branch and Coney Island. The mouth of the Mississippi has seen the practical completion of the opening of its channel to deep-draught shipping. A new Atlantic cable has been laid, and other works of the same character have been carried out in the Indian Ocean and elsewhere. These are but a few of the topics of more than temporary interest which the readers of the Scientific American will recall. To speak of the important projects proposed, discussed, or actually begun, during the year—like the proposed ship railway across the Isthmus of Panama, for example—would swell this article, already too long, beyond all reasonable limits. Besides, our readers do not need to be specially reminded of them. Enough appears at the hastiest glance to show that progressive men have not been asleep during the year, and that those who have cared to read about the world's real work, have not lacked material for engaging their attention.—Scientific American. TIME, by moments, steals away,
First the hour and then the day!
Small the daily loss appears,
Yet it soon amounts to years;
Thus another year is flown,
And is now no more our own
(Though it brought or promised good)
Than the years before the flood. But each year, let none forget,
Finds and leaves us deep in debt;
Favors from the Lord received,
Sins that have the Spirit grieved,
Marked by God's unerring hand,
In his book recorded stand;
Who can tell the vast amount
Placed to each in our account? We have nothing, Lord, to pay,
Take, O take our guilt away!
Self-condemned, on thee we call;
Freely, Lord, forgive us all.
While we have another year,
May we spend it in thy fear,
All its days devote to thee,
Living for eternity. Speaking Kindly of Those Who Have Fallen
By John Todd
—LET us take care how we speak of those who have fallen on life's field. Help them up, not heap scorn upon them. We did not see the conflict; we do not know the scars.—John Todd. Consecration Beyond Joy and Sorrow
By Phillips Brooks
—ALL truly consecrated men learn, little by little, that what they are consecrated to is not joy or sorrow, but a divine idea and a profound obedience, which can find their full outward expression, not in joy and not in sorrow, but in the mysterious, inseparable mingling of the two.—Phillips Brooks. —THE Anglican church costs England $58,000,000 a year. —THIS winter Italy has had her first snow-storm since 1871. —IN the Mono District, Belgium, 10,000 miners are on a strike. —GREAT floods occurred on the Canary Islands on the 21st of December. —LAND costs $700,000 an acre in an eligible part of New York City. —A NEW French cabinet has been formed, with De Freycinet as president. —THE public debt of Great Britain is £709,430,593, or $3,547,152,965. —DURING the past year the Italian courts sentenced 41,555 persons of whom 3,546 were women. —THE value of church property in the State of New York is nearly $140,000,000. —THE number of persons lost in the Tay-bridge disaster is now supposed to be not more than 90. —IN the Madras presidency, 5,000 persons have abandoned the worship of idols during the year. —THE New York banks are making war on the standard silver dollar, and seem determined to crowd it out of circulation. —A LATE paper says that unless the destitute people of Roumelia receive prompt help, thousands must perish from cold and starvation. —DEC. 30, an attempt was made to assassinate the King and Queen of Spain. The dastardly act excited general indignation in Madrid. —THE native helpers in the Baptist missions in India have agreed to give up the use of tobacco and beetroot, and devote the money spent for them to the Lord. —THE Cape of Good Hope has been brought into telegraphic communication with the rest of the world by means of a cable to Zanzibar and Aden. —DURING the first 9 months of 1879, there were 2,900 murders or attempts at murder in Italy, or over 10 a day; there were also 1,900 cases of highway robbery. —THE recent severe storms in Great Britain and on the adjacent waters are resulting in many shipping casualties, and it is feared that an immense number of wrecks have occurred along the coast. —ON Sunday night, Dec. 28, there was another great fire in Boston. The large and well-known publishing house of Houghton, Osgood & Co. was destroyed. The loss is estimated at $1,500,000. —DISPATCHES dated Jan. 2 say that unless the people of Northern Persia receive aid from England and America, large numbers must perish, as the food-supply is only sufficient for two months, and it is seven months to harvest-time. —DAVID MEISENTHALER, of Whitestone, Kan., was recently struck by an aerolite and instantly killed. The stone is described as about the size of a water-bucket, and it was formed of iron pyrites. The man was fearfully mutilated. —THERE has been a partial surrender by the Utes; a number of the prisoners demanded by the government have been given up. But General Hatch refused to move until all of them had been surrendered, and Ouray is to make another attempt. —FRANCE and Austria are threatened with floods. The Seine in France and the Rhine and Main in Germany are swollen in consequence of the ice blocking their currents. Paris and Vienna are in great danger, also many other towns of less note. —IN addition to her other troubles, Russia is suffering from famine. The country between the rivers Volga and Don is famine-stricken, and many have already perished. Famine and typhus fever have appeared at Taganrog, and the people have asked relief of the government. —A case of swine fever has occurred on the premises of Mr. George Davies, a laborer employed on the Doddington estate, England, and who lives at the Doddington farm-yard. The animal died before the veterinary surgeon was called in. The case having been reported to the police, steps have been taken by the local authority to declare the place infected. —A FRENCH nobleman has recently had the oldest of his hounds blessed with holy water by a priest at the altar. Trumpets were sounded as the ceremony proceeded. These consecrated hounds and 300 guests then hunted a poor stag till it was dead. “Idolatry and superstition, in all its forms,” comments the Christian at Work, “has more of cruelty in it than of religion.” —THE illumination at Menlo Park, N. J., on New Year’s eve, was a brilliant affair, and demonstrated the complete success of Edison’s electric light. The electric light introduced into the British Museum showed itself during a recent London fog. As has been the usual custom at such a time, the readers were about leaving, when the electric light was turned on and illumined the room so perfectly that there was general applause. —THE extent to which Nihilism is undermining the empire in Russia, and the terror which its secret operations inspire, is disclosed by St. Petersburg dispatches of Jan. 2, announcing that it is proposed to decree especial penalties for the punishment of those who propagate Nihilist doctrines in the army. But the severity of punishments decreed never yet operated to arrest political conspiracies, and it must fail to do so in this instance.—Inter-Ocean. —THE case of the Mohammedan priest who was arrested, tried, and condemned to death, for assisting a German, Protestant minister to translate religious works into the Turkish language, has excited considerable interest. Minister Layard, the British Ambassador to Constantinople, demanded his release, and informed the Porte that unless his demand were acceded to, he should suspend diplomatic relations with the Turkish government. At his last interview with the Sultan, it was understood that the priest was to be liberated, and the Protestant minister was to receive back his papers, which had been seized. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.” Rev. 14:13. HOLMES.—Died of heart disease, Dec. 2, 1879, at the residence of Bro. H. L. Warner in Canaan Valley, Conn., Sister Polly Holmes, in the seventy-second year of her age. She suffered much during the last two weeks of her life, but was tenderly cared for. The truth to her was precious, and she died with a full expectation of immortal life. Words of comfort at her request, from Ps. 23:4, by Bro. H. Mansfield. BLAIR.—Died of scarlet fever, at Elivon, McPherson Co., Kan., Nov. 8, 1879, Adaline, aged 3 years, 7 months, and 16 days; Nov. 18, 1879, Matilda, aged 1 year and 2 months, children of Bro. John B. and Sr. Ozilda Blair. CARIFEL.—Also of the same disease, at the same place, Oct. 27, 1879, Harley Carifel, son of Bro. Victor and Sr. Jennie Carifel, aged 2 years, 11 months, and 11 days. Funeral services by the writer, evening of Nov. 27; text, 1 Cor. 15:26. ALBEE.—Died in Troy, Vt., Nov. 29, 1879, of typhoid pneumonia, Sister Maria Albee, aged 56 years. Sister A. embraced the Sabbath of the fourth commandment last spring, at the time Bro. C. W. Stone held meetings here. Her sickness was brief and her death sudden. The husband and children of the deceased deeply mourn her loss. May they prepare to meet her where “there shall be no more death.” The brethren and sisters in Troy feel that one of their best members is removed, and that they shall miss her greatly in their little meetings and Sabbath-school. She was punctual in attending meetings and faithful in the discharge of duty, and as a teacher in the Sabbath-school her services were much prized. Funeral sermon by the writer, from Job 14:14. SPENCER.—Died at Adams Center, N. Y., Edward G. Spencer, and his wife, Thirza A. Spencer. Bro. Spencer died of typhoid fever, Nov. 3, 1879, aged 57 years, 9 months, and 4 days. Sr. Spencer died of putrid erysipelas, Dec. 5, 1879, aged 49 years, 9 months, and 17 days. Although she had been in feeble health for years, and her last sickness was protracted and painful, she bore her sufferings with Christian fortitude, while her faith and interest in the cause of present truth were steadfast to the end. They both embraced the third angel’s message under the labors of Brn. Andrews and Cornell, in 1862. Previous to that time, they were S. D. Baptists. Their house and hearts were always open to shelter and befriend the homeless and unfortunate, and to welcome those of like precious faith to meeting or their hospitable board. The Christian’s hope cheered them in the trying hour. Remarks were made by the writer from 1 Thess. 4:13–18, at the funeral of the former, and from Rev. 19:9, at the funeral of the latter. Eld. A. B. Prentice, S. D. Baptist, very kindly assisted in the service on both occasions. MONROE.—Died in Belfast, Me., Oct. 16, 1879, Calvin Monroe, aged 85 years and 10 months. Bro. Monroe was formerly a Baptist minister, but under the labors of Wm. Miller he embraced the doctrine of the near coming of the Saviour, and about the year 1851 commenced the observance of the Sabbath as connected with the proclamation of the third message of Rev. 14. In this faith he lived and rejoiced till the time of his death. He was a man of large religious experience; and the following testimony to the uprightness of his life and character is borne by one who knew him best: “He maintained a close walk with God for many years, was humble and wholly consecrated, had a deep sense of sin, and was not ignorant of the devices of Satan.” Although so advanced in years he met with a brave and joyful heart the approach of the last enemy. Thus full of days, and with a character well ripened for immortal life in the world to come, he has closed his earthly pilgrimage. He leaves a wife and six children, two of whom profess the same faith with himself. He was a venerable citizen and highly respected in the community where he lived. The P. O. address of Eld. J. B. Goodrich, whom he wished to attend his funeral, not being known, the Congregationalist minister of the place officiated. The article entitled “Exactly Right,” which we publish in another column, was received from Bro. Monroe but a short time previous to the notice of his death. It will be read with interest by many. ETCHING; AN ILLUSTRATION.
By Mrs. Blatchford
You take a polished plate of copper, and, having coated it with a thin film of wax, you draw upon its surface with a metallic pencil the picture you wish to produce, the graceful flower, the beautiful head, or the landscape,—your outlines must be clear, and your shading distinct. But when your drawing is all complete, is there a finished picture? No. A long process is still before you; an acid solution is prepared, and into this your plate is plunged, but it must not remain too long. You withdraw it, and, finding that the more delicate lines of your picture have been sufficiently deepened, you coat them with the film of wax, and submit the plate once more to the corrosion of the acid. In this way the plate is treated again and again until the required gradation of light and shadow is secured. Now you may remove the wax, and see your completed sketch, but the work is not yet finished; you have only the instrument which is to give you upon soft tinted paper, by careful manipulation, the beautiful etching, and not one only, but many, shall reward your skill and patience. Fit emblem, as I thought, in observing the processes of the art this summer, of the time, and thought, and skill, which are expended upon those who are to make enduring impressions upon human souls. And just this is being accomplished through the years in our schools and seminaries in many lands under the loving guidance of our missionary teaching,—this work first of polishing the plate,—that the lines of character may be clearly drawn, then the long, slow process, requiring such infinite patience and skill, of deepening and strengthening those lines, throwing in the light and shadow, until balance and harmony are secured, and all this not with the beauty or perfection of the individual life alone as the ultimate end, but that from her these impressions of character may be made upon other lives—multiplied a thousand-fold. Were our divine Lord present with us to-day, and were we seeking a gift worthy his acceptance, what better could we find than such a plate, prepared to make these ineffaceable impressions upon human souls? But you say, “Ah! it is not ours to give these sentient plates; the surrender to God must be their own act.” True; but what if I tell you that they have already given themselves, and now look to you for this costly preparation? The means of training and culture and spiritual development are furnished in our mission homes and seminaries; the call comes to-day to all who are “willing-hearted” among us to bestow with free hands the gifts necessary to sustain the pupils from year to year during the long period required for their education.—Mrs. Blatchford, on Higher Standards of Giving. “Understandest thou what thou readest?” Acts 8: 30. “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8: 8. READING has hardly occupied the place it ought to have had in our systems of education, and for this reason many of our older brethren are sadly deficient in this art. With the better facilities now afforded by our College, we trust the future reader will be more emphatic and clear. The art of reading well is comparatively unknown. We ought to have a universally recognized standard of pronunciation. Nervousness is one cause which impedes good reading, and another is ignorance of the subject. The latter of these causes applies especially to the reading of the Holy Scriptures. A well-read chapter is indeed a sermon in itself. The simplest explanation of the phenomenon that good reading is the exception rather than the rule is, that people do not seem to think it worth their while to aim at excellence in this respect. It is very essential that the Scriptures be read in an earnest and impressive manner; our public reading of them must be improved. The art of reading should be cultivated at home (read carefully what Eld. White says on this subject in a recent number of the REVIEW), and endeavors should be made to get rid of a gabbling and sing-song style. Not so our blessed Lord read. Luke 4: 16-20. The Revelator says: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand.” Rev. 1: 3. Let us pay more attention to reading. TESTIMONY NO. 29, FOR IOWA.
By GEO. L. BUTLER
As this valuable number of these most valuable works is now ready for circulation, we call the attention of all our brethren and sisters in Iowa to it, and earnestly request them to provide themselves with a copy. To bring this pamphlet within the reach of all our people, we have ordered a supply to our tract depository at Davenport, Iowa, where they will be kept on hand for general distribution through the tract society. A large number will be taken to the general quarterly meeting at State Center the last week in January. We hope to meet very many of the officers of the tract society here, and they can thus obtain a quantity for use in their districts without express charges. Others can send for them directly to our State secretary, Lizzie Hornby. They should be in every T. and M. library in the State. GEO. L. BUTLER, Pres. Iowa T. and M. S. Publishers' Department.
By Editor
History of Romanism, by John Dowling, D. D. This large work of 940 pages, may now be had at this Office at the reduced price of $4.00, postpaid. It deals with an important subject and goes to the foundation of it. It not only refutes the errors and superstitions of Romanism, but tells the story of their origin, exhibits the workings of the iniquitous system, reviews historically its domination over kings and princes, its oppression of the consciences, and torture of the bodies, of men, and the efforts of different ones at different times to relieve Christendom of its terrible thralldom. The papacy occupies so prominent a position in the prophetic field, that any information pertaining to it is of special interest to the student of prophecy. All who are able should have a copy of this book. CRUDEN'S CONCORDANCE, COMPLETE.
A man rarely becomes so familiar with the Bible, that he has no occasion at times to use a Concordance in looking for particular passages. A book of this kind has therefore come to be considered an indispensable aid in the study of the Scriptures. And it is a laudable ambition to seek for the best. This, in the line of Concordances we are now prepared to furnish in Cruden's Concordance, Unabridged, which can be sent from this Office postpaid at a price which brings it within the reach of all. The condensed edition we have never sold for less than $1.50. This complete edition is but 25 cents more, and leaves nothing further to be desired in this line. Price, postpaid, only $1.75. This paper enters upon the new year under a new name, in a new and improved form and a new dress. It is now called Advent Harolden (the Advent Herald) instead of Svensk Advent Harold (Swedish Advent Herald). The size of the page has been enlarged to 6½ by 9 inches. Sixteen pages to the number, issued monthly. It is provided with a new illustrated heading, and printed on nice tinted paper, making a very handsome appearance. These improvements will be appreciated by the friends of the work among the Swedes, and we expect the Harolden will enter at once upon an enlarged field of usefulness. Terms to subscribers in America, $0.75 With the “Way of Life” picture as premium, $1.00 To subscribers in Europe, without the premium, $0.90 In clubs of 5 to 10 copies, when sent to one address to be used for missionary distribution, 50 cents a copy. Ten or more copies, 40 cents each. Beginning with the January number, the Harolden will be sent on trial for six months, when paid for by friends, for 25 cents. Our German paper will hereafter be published monthly. This important change was made at the earnest solicitation of our German brethren, and by the advice of Elds. Decker and Grant, and others who have had much experience in introducing it among the German people of their States. The field to be occupied by this paper is so broad, and its reception has been so hearty, that we look for great good to result from a wide circulation of it. The Stimme der Wahrheit (Voice of Truth) is an eight-page illustrated German monthly, the same size page as the Review, and is a bold exponent of the same truths advocated in the Review and Signs of the Times. It is intended as a pioneer paper for the announcement of the third angel's message to the German-speaking people of Europe and America. Terms to subscribers in America, 50 cents. With “Way of Life,” to new subscribers, 75 cents. To European subscribers, without premium, 70 cents. In clubs of five to ten copies, when sent to one address, to be used exclusively for missionary purposes, 40 cts. a copy. Ten or more copies, 35 cents each. Any one who will send us four full-paying subscribers will receive a fifth copy free. Persons who will make the work of canvassing for the Stimme a regular business, may retain a cash commission of 10 cents on each subscriber. The permanent P. O. address of Eld. R. J. Lawrence is Rochester, Oakland Co., Mich. The address of O. A. Johnson will be Kickapoo Center, Vernon Co., Wis., till Jan. 8, 1880; after that it will be Liberty Pole, Vernon Co., Wis. A young man and his wife, who have lately accepted the Sabbath through reading, would be glad to find work among Sabbath-keepers. Address, J. B. Hendricks, Cerro Gordo, Piatt Co., Ill. Full members of the Wisconsin H. and T. Society will please notice that now is the time to pay annual dues, ten cents for each member. Let them be remitted at once to the State Secretary, Mrs. Mary F. Stillman, Madison, Wis. The funds are needed to pay the expense of distributing the certificates, which are now ready. Notice of expiration of subscription will be given by special stamp on the margin of the paper. We should be pleased to receive your renewal at once. D M Canright $6.90, David Kinger 2.00, E H Pratt 4.25, S N Haskell 82.13, E Higley 28.84, Sarah Taliferro 9.52. Devere Wilber, thank-offering 1.00, Mrs A C Penfield 2.00, Albine Nelson tithe 1.00, Andrew Nelson 5.00, Geo. Clark 2.00, Mrs E Perkins 75c, Valeria Hodges and daughter 4.00, Mrs H E Richardson 3.40. Allegan S L Rhodes 5.00, Monterey per A Carpenter 20.00, Convis per S Sellers 22.41, Bronson per M B Miller 6.03, Thetford Center per Nettie Johnson 8.50, Wright per C Buck 30.00, Hastings M Randall 1.50, Thetford Center Nettie Johnson 1.92, Fowlerville W H Kennedy 1.70, Olivet per A N Van Horn 6.08, Jane A Crofoot 1.00, Tuscola 1.00, Charlotte per V A Merriam 40.00, St Charles per J M Wilkinson 60.00. Dist. 4 A Carpenter $36.00, Dist. 15 added ⅞ M Randall 50c, Dist. 14 Ida Zenor 75c, Dist. 8 C & J Byington 9.00. Donation to Pub. Association.
Pa Conf Fund Mrs J E Potter (s B) $3.62, Geo A King 20.00, T J Sutherland 2.25, Geo C Tenney 15.15, Christian Black 3.00, James Sawyer per R Sawyer Sen 8.00, Wm Beebe 10.00, J D Pegg 5.00, Am H & T Association per F E Myers Neb 1.25. Harriet Evans 60c, C S Coon $1.00. J C Jorgensen $5.00, H E Hanson 15.00, Gallatin Mo Church 4.00, Carl Larzen 5.00, Niels Hanson 5.00, S M Lowell 1.00, Henry Hanson 5.00, Karen Hanson 2.00, Morton Rasmussen 5.00, Lars Hanson 4.00, Sine Hanson 2.00, Hanne Mortensen 1.00, Paul N Aggergaard 4.00, A Poulsen 10.00, Andrew P Peterson 10.00, Hans Maason 3.00, A Nelson 5.00, Mary Lorenson 5.00, Albine Nelson 3.00, Peter Johnson 15.00, Wm A Johnson 5.00, REVIEW ON TRIAL.
By James White
30,000 NAMES AND ADDRESSES WANTED.
Eight Numbers for 25 cts.
We appeal to ministers, T. and M. workers, and friends of the cause generally, to co-operate with us in placing the REVIEW, in its enlarged and improved form, in the hands of thousands of new readers at once. To further this object, we make the liberal offer of the paper for two months on trial for twenty-five cents, when sent to new subscribers. Let the names come in early, that the important articles commencing with the volume may be in the hands of the new readers, and that their interest thus awakened in the great truths for this time. We are preparing a work on the Signs of the Times, and shall be glad to receive books, papers, or extracts containing facts which may be regarded as fulfillments of prophetic descriptions of the last days. We are in want of a Tract, entitled, “Our Specific Work,” published about fifteen years since by J. V. Himes, Boston. Address REVIEW AND HERALD. Eastern Affairs: Armed Europe and the Sick Man
The Advance, in a review of the past year, to describe the situation in the eastern world, quotes the saying of Lord Beaconsfield, that “Europe is covered with armed millions of men,” and speaks of the “sick” man, Turkey, as now “more ‘sick’ than ever,” as all its promised reforms have turned to the emptiest mockeries of truth and justice. Manchester Sunday Exhibition Sparks Religious Controversy
Everywhere the religious world is significantly in trouble over the Sunday question. In Manchester, Eng., the Council of the Royal Institution have thrown open their exhibition of painting and statuary to the public free, for several hours on each Sunday afternoon; and the Presbyterian ministers of that city have adopted a resolution condemnatory of the conduct of the Council as “a violation of the divine sanctity” of the Lord’s day. We learn these facts from the Manchester (Eng.) Weekly Times of Nov. 15, 1879, a copy of which has just been shown us. A long letter in that issue of the paper discusses the subject and handles the Sunday institution with ungloved hands. Although it unfortunately takes no-Sabbath ground, it nevertheless reminds its readers of a fact which the world is fast learning (and this is what troubles the churchmen so), that the idea of a change of the Sabbath to the first day of the week finds no support whatever in the Bible; that there is no divine command for Sunday observance; and that, in the language of the writer, “Our Sunday in its ecclesiastical character, is a church institution, the offspring of tradition.” Talmage's Public Feud with Presbyterian Synod Critics
The state of affairs described in the following item, which we clip from the Detroit Evening News of Dec. 13, must furnish a very edifying spectacle to the skeptic and the non-religious world in general. And yet some are unwilling to admit that there is anything radically wrong with the popular Christianity of to-day. “Talmage, on last Sunday, from his pulpit, supposed to be dedicated to the preaching of the gospel of peace, boasted that he knew things about the members of the Presbyterian synod which, should he reveal them, would make the community’s hair stand on end, and make the members in question quickly hide their diminished heads in shame. This threat does not seem to have had the terrifying effect intended, as the twenty-two complainants to the synod publicly united in a card yesterday denouncing Talmage as a slanderer, and his statement as a tissue of falsehoods. If this be the fruit of popular pulpit Christianity, and it is certainly the principal fruit of Talmage’s share in it, the less we have of it the better.” IOWA STATE QUARTERLY MEETING.
By George I. Butler
This meeting is appointed at State Center, Iowa, Jan. 24, 25. We want to make it a meeting of great importance to the cause in this State. We need a great reviving in Iowa. If we were all awake and in dead earnest, as we should be, we might accomplish ten times as much as we are now doing. Depressing influences have been at work in the past, which have decreased our spirituality. Wrong tendencies have had their influence to injure the work. We must realize our danger, and arouse to a sense of the importance of these precious closing moments of probation. We want to see a very large turnout at this meeting. We want all our directors and T. and M. officers and workers to be present if possible. Business matters of importance require attention; and we want a spiritual reviving in our Conference. We would like to see all our ministers present who can consistently leave their fields of labor. Our condition and the wants of the cause demand that this meeting be one of special interest; and this it cannot be unless many of our people attend, with an earnest desire to take hold anew and press forward in the work. We must humble our hearts and seek the Lord in earnest, or the cause in our State will be in a deplorable condition. Shall we not at this meeting have a large rally of our people to seek the Lord for a general revival of religion in our State? GEO. I. BUTLER, Pres. Iowa T. and M. Society. State Meeting at Wellsville, N. Y.
By B. L. Whitney
We are exceedingly anxious for a general representation of the brethren of the Pennsylvania Conference at this meeting to be held Jan. 10, 11, and 12, as from the circumstances of the case this will be the most important meeting of the winter for this Conference. There has never been a time of greater importance in the tract and missionary work than the present; and it seems exceedingly fortunate that this general meeting has been appointed so near the commencement of the year, as there are so many important moves which need immediate attention. Surely we have no time to lose in getting under way in our efforts to carry out the plans that have been proposed for the advancement of the cause among us. We hope that special efforts to attend this meeting will be made by all those who can do so. Reduction of fare will be granted on the Erie R. R. to those who attend, if there shall be twenty-five coming over the road. Without doubt, there will be more than that number. The reduction will be granted on return fare. Arrangements will be made to accommodate all who can come. Bring plenty of bedding and provisions, and let us have a general rally. We hope that Eld. S. N. Haskell will be able to attend.