THIS meeting was held in Jackson, which is the fourth city in population in the State. It contains about 20,000 inhabitants. The meeting commenced Thursday, September 18, and continued until Tuesday morning, the 30th. It was the largest camp-meeting ever held by Seventh-day Adventists. Probably it was the largest number of seventh-day observers that has ever assembled at any one place since the days of the apostles, unless it was by the Waldenses, centuries in the past. There were 1,850 persons camped on the ground. Many living in the surrounding country attended during the day. The city and the entire county had been previously canvassed by students from the college, and nearly every family visited. The result of this move was seen in the immense crowds of people attending the meeting. On the first Sunday 10,000 were present, and a good congregation each day and evening. About 200 tents were on the ground including three 50-ft. tents, one 50x70, one 30x50, one 20x40, one 28x50. The preaching pavilion was 80x120. The tent room was not sufficient to accommodate those who wished to camp on the ground. Nearly 50 procured rooms in the city. It was decided to raise a tent fund of $2,500 and have a tent for public services next year 100x150 feet. This will be needed. Besides this they will have on hand a sufficient number of smaller tents to rent to the friends who may wish to attend.
A good degree of spiritual interest was manifest, although all did not seem to realize the importance of the present time, as has been the case in some other places. The testimony of Sister White was never more appreciated, especially by those not of our faith. The second Sunday of the meeting was a rainy day, and showers prevented the speaker from being heard at times, so that she was obliged to cease speaking, yet at an early hour the tent was literally packed with many of the first citizens of the city waiting to hear Sister White. She spoke on temperance to as interested an audience as ever listened to any speaker.
An opportunity was given several times during the ten days of the meeting for those who wished to give their hearts to God for the first time to come forward. This was responded to each time with an increasing interest. On the last Monday morning over 500 made a move. Fifty-five were baptized. Nearly 300 students, helpers at the Sanitarium, and workers at the Review office came to the meeting on Friday and returned Monday night. Instruction in canvassing, Bible-reading, and various other branches of the work was given during the meeting. Occasionally the early morning meeting was devoted to practical health talks from Doctor Kellogg, who would come in the night from Battle Creek and return after the morning meeting. These were highly instructive and imparted information which could not fail to benefit all. His long connection with the largest and most completely equipped sanitarium in the country, at Battle Creek, Mich., has amply qualified him for this work.
The Michigan Conference is the largest Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in the world. There is an enrollment of about 4,000 members, over one-quarter of whom are members of the Battle Creek church. The publishing house, sanitarium, and college naturally make this an important center. The college students, nearly 300 in number, 100 helpers and workers at the sanitarium, and over 100 employees at the office of publication, help build up a large church here; and the influence of these institutions gives this State advantages, in many respects, over others east of the Rocky Mountains.
The financial condition of the cause was considered, and it was voted that this Conference should raise the sum of $75,000, to be appropriated as follows: $25,000 for the college, to be used in the erection of suitable buildings for boarding the students, for work shops, etc.; $10,000 for the central European mission; $7,500 for the English mission; $5,000 for the Scandinavian mission in Europe; $5,000 for the International Missionary Society; $15,000 for the city missions and general missionary work in Michigan; $2,500 for a tent fund; and $5,000 for an educational fund. The figures handed me as pledged upon the ground were $28,463. Adding this to over $22,000 previously pledged would make over $50,000 pledged towards the $75,000. This was doing no better in proportion to the numbers present and money represented than the other Conferences we have visited this year have done. Our people begin to realize that the Lord is soon coming, and that $1,000 to be used this present year in the work of God will tell more towards the advancement of the cause than ten times that amount in a little while from now.
It should ever be remembered that the raising of these large sums of money is not merely to support the cause in its present state, but that the openings before us which lead to missionary effort in planting the truth into regions beyond, creates the demand for these large sums of money. During the past nine months there has been actually pledged, east of the Rocky Mountains, to meet openings before us, about $300,000. Were every cent of this money immediately paid, all of it could be appropriated within three months' time, and the present openings before us would not be met. Souls are hungering for the truths of the Bible. The Macedonian cry comes from every part of Europe, from Asia, Africa, and the islands of the sea. The cloud is rising before us. This camp-meeting, like many others this present season, which were held in the cities, resulted in many embracing the truth, and leaving an impression for good on the minds of the citizens of the place. Our brethren returned home much encouraged.
S. N. HASKELL.
The Prospect in the N. P. Conference.
By Charles L. Boyd
1. Our ship, train, and city mission work is in a prosperous condition. Brother Reed, who has charge, is of good courage. He makes daily sales on the trains, and distributes SIGNS and tracts gratuitously. He is usually treated with kindness and respect.
Fifteen steamers, which ply the tranquil waters of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, have on each of them two distributors, which were presented by the International Tract Society. These are kept supplied with the choicest reading matter which comes from the pens of those looking for that blessed hope.
The palace steamers on the line between Portland and San Francisco, are kept supplied at this end by our society, and at the other end by the California society. All the leading hotels in both East and West Portland are furnished with SIGNS' holders, and these are kept supplied with the weekly issue of this invaluable paper; 640 of the SIGNS, 500 Sentinels, 25 Stemme, 25 Tidende, 10 Harolden, and a supply of Good Health copies, are regularly placed before the reading public. Many of the men thus reached are from distant parts of our own land, and from the different nations of the world, and are fit representatives of their respective lands.
This is the divinely arranged plan, and perchance the only means which some of these souls will ever have to become acquainted with the Third Angel's Message.
If we were seeking only to build up our own Conference, we would work more directly for those within our borders; but, in the providence of God, we are placed where we can reach, with the printed page, hundreds and thousands of those who will never hear the living message of God.
"And who knoweth whether" we are come to this place "for such a time as this?"
2. The missionary spirit is reviving among us; the different churches are drinking in of the spirit of the work; the librarians are sending in encouraging reports. One thing which looks particularly favorable is that they now see much to be done which they can do.
3. The Lord is blessing the labors of our colporters, and earnest calls are being received for a minister to come and follow up the interest through them awakened. With a feeling of sadness, we realize the scarcity of laborers. It is a solemn fact that for all this vast Conference we have but one minister, and two or three colporters in the field. But, by the grace of God, we expect that in the near future others will be with us in the field, helping to swell the notes of alarm, and to sound the glad story of a soon-coming Saviour.
4. Last but not least, the hearts of God's people are being drawn together, and united in love. Courage, brother and sister; be faithful; press forward, and soon we will hear the "Well done good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
CHAS. L. BOYD.
Grand Isle, Vermont.
By A. O. Burrill, I. E. Kimball
At the close of the State camp-meeting we came to this place, an island in Lake Champlain. The message is new here. The people are a kind, intelligent class, and very hospitable. The Congregational society grant us the free use of their church, and come out to hear what we have to say.
Through the day we visit considerably, always taking a copy of the SIGNS, and so far have been very successful in obtaining subscriptions. Altogether, it is seemingly a promising field of labor. There are many favorable omens for good throughout this Conference.
A. O. BURRILL, I. E. KIMBALL.
October 2, 1884.
[Missionary Department continued on page 625.]
Doing Good Without Money
WHEN Peter and John were asked by the poor cripple for alms, they had no money, but they gave him something better. Some people imagine that if they only had money they would do many good works; yet most of them could do more without money than they would do with it. Money is not the only help to good deeds, "if there be first a willing mind."
Mother's Wardrobe.
By Susan Coolidge
It was a tall wardrobe, made of deep-red polished mahogany. The corners were fluted pillars, on to which the doors turned back when they were opened. Inside were two divisions—one a closet with hooks for hanging dresses, the other filled with shelves, set in at irregular intervals, in the middle of which was a small drawer with two brass handles.
The Allen children were always glad when their mother unlocked this wardrobe. They were very curious about it, partly because they were not often permitted to peep inside. Mrs. Allen used to say that the children might overrun all the rest of the house, but one place she must keep for herself, and that place was her wardrobe. There the Christmas and birthday presents were stored away, sometimes weeks beforehand. The little ones would catch glimpses of the paper parcels, and guess in whispers what they were. They longed to touch them—a finger can make discoveries which a pair of eyes cannot make—but they were never allowed to go near enough to touch.
All sorts of delightful looking things lived upon those shelves. There was an Indian basket of birch-bark, embroidered with quills and beads, which some one had given to Mrs. Allen. She never used or allowed any one else to use it; but year after year it stood there, and the children invented stories about it. In it lay a green velvet needle-book shaped like a grape-leaf; the veins were imitated in stitches of floss-silk—it had even a little stem. Beside it was a pin-cushion made of white velvet, and painted with flowers, by the nuns in Montreal; the children thought those the most beautiful objects in the world. There was another basket of fine white splints, lined with blue; and a third, small and brownish, which often held a paper of lemon-drops; also a little box with a picture on the lid, where Mrs. Allen kept bright pennies and small change. The silver tea-set lived in the wardrobe too. In short, there was no end to the treasures which it contained, and all fairy-land could hardly have been more exciting to the imaginations of the Allen children.
Elsie's idea of perfect bliss was to be allowed to take the key, open the door herself, and rummage, rummage, rummage to her heart's content, and till not a secret or a lemon-drop should be left. But the reason why she and the others cared so much about the wardrobe was because they were not allowed to rummage. Children love mysteries, and where there are no real ones, they invent them to satisfy this desire.
Of all the Allen children, Elsie best loved the old wardrobe. She was quick to hear the jarring sound which the heavy doors made when opened, and instantly her bright eyes would be at mamma's elbow, peering, prying, seeing all they could while the brief chance lasted. "O mamma, what is that? O mamma, mayn't I just look at that lovely thing?" And the little head would bob to and fro, trying to see. And mamma in her hurry would bump it with her elbow. In vain she ordered, "Run away, dear, there's nothing here you would care about;" no entreaties or authority could send Elsie away until the doors again grated on their hinges, and the click of the lock showed that there was no farther hope of seeing anything more of the contents of the wardrobe that day.
Mrs. Allen was justified in her objections to having Elsie get too near her possessions; for the little girl was a born meddler. She really could not keep her fingers out of things. You could trace her about the house by the work-baskets overturned, tangled spools, and raveled knitting. Once, when she was almost a baby, a whole batch of pumpkin-pies had been found, dented all over with small holes, made by little finger-tips; and when accused, Elsie had burst into tears, and said, "I only just felt of them." She had gone on ever since "feeling" of things; and as her meddling almost always resulted in mischief, it is not strange that Mrs. Allen should have been so particular about turning her key.
"Such a trifling fault," some one may say, "and so natural; we can hardly blame a child for it." Yes, but trifling faults sometimes bring about serious results. It is part of the rightful discipline of character to learn to overcome them. And while we would not be too hard on childish errors, they are more easily cured than if they are allowed to grow. Pull up the weeds while they are little; that is a good rule for parents as well as for gardeners.
Mrs. Allen was standing at her wardrobe one day, counting out some teaspoons, when a sudden call from downstairs startled her. Little Jimmy Underhill, a neighbor's son, had been kicked by a horse. He was a good deal hurt, and what between soothing his mother, sending for the doctor, and getting the poor boy comfortably settled in bed, it was quite an hour before Mrs. Allen came back to her interrupted work.
Satan finds mischief for idle hands to do, Dr. Watts assures us. Elsie had been very idle all that morning. Time hung heavy on her hands, as it usually does with idle people, and she was just wishing for some pleasant new thing to amuse herself with, when, passing the door of mamma's room, she spied the open wardrobe. Here was a chance, indeed.
Stealthily and on tiptoe she went across the room, looking over her shoulder every moment to see if mamma were coming. But pretty soon she forgot all about mamma, so interesting was it to be able to touch the objects which till now she had only seen. She lifted down the big tea-pot, but it was too heavy for her hand, and she was glad to set it on the floor. She balanced the spoons and forks on her finger—what a nice click and rattle they made! After that, she counted the pennies and ten-cent pieces in the little box, wishing that she might have a few of them to spend as she liked, and she pulled and pinched the folds of her mother's best gown, and tried on her Sunday bonnet.
There were two bundles pinned up in towels which much excited her curiosity. With eager fingers she pulled out the pins. One of the bundles held a white silk shawl, yellow with age. It had belonged to Elsie's grandmother. She wrapped it round her shoulders, and laughed with pleasure, for it was soft and pleasant to the touch, and had a sweet smell of vanilla beans. The other towel held a fine old scarf of India muslin with embroidered ends. This, Elsie knotted round her waist like a sash. Mamma's bonnet was still on her head, and, presently, coming upon a pair of long jet earrings, she hung them over her small ears. She then pinned a large Mosaic brooch in the front of her white apron, and, walking deliberately across the room, climbed a chair in order to see the effect of these adornments in the looking-glass. It was a beautiful moment!
She was still smirking and smiling at her own reflection in the mirror, when a voice behind her remarked, "Why, Elsie, how funny 'ou do look!"
Elsie gave a guilty jump, and got down from the chair. But it was only Willy, the youngest baby but one.
"What are oo doing?" he went on. "I want to see too." And he marched straight to the wardrobe and seized the tea-pot.
"Oh no, Willy! you mus'n't touch mamma's things," said Elsie, trying to take it out of his hand.
"'Es I shall. Oo touched 'em," replied Willy, defiantly. He held fast to the handle of the tea-pot, and in the midst of the scuffle which ensued, a long rip was heard. Willy had trodden on the end of the muslin scarf; it was badly torn.
"O you bad baby; see what you have done!" cried Elsie. With trembling fingers, she snatched off the sash, and began to hurriedly fold it up. As she was thus busied, Willy reached up to the shelf, and got hold of something else,—a paper parcel, full of small crystals, white and glittering.
"Tandy! tandy!" he cried with delight; and before Elsie could snatch the paper away from him, he had crammed a handful of the crystals into his mouth.
But it was not candy. It was something bitter and sharply acid, which Willy did not like at all. He began to splutter, and to spit the crystals out of his mouth, and wherever they fell they made a yellow stain. Alas for the silk gown, the best bonnet, and alas for Willy! for with all his splutterings he had swallowed some.
At that moment Mrs. Allen hurried in. "Children," she began, and then stopped short in dismay. Her eyes fastened on the paper in Elsie's hand.
"O Elsie, you haven't let him eat that!" she exclaimed. "It's oxalic acid! It's poisonous."
Willy began to cry, but Elsie cried harder still. "I didn't mean to," she kept protesting, while her mother washed out Willy's mouth, and hastily sent for the doctor. Fortunately, only a very little of the acid had found its way down Willy's throat. And though it made him ill and uncomfortable for a while, it did no lasting harm.
Not till the alarm was over did Mrs. Allen find time to miss Elsie, who had fled from the room as the doctor entered. She found her curled up under the nursery-bed, her hair all in a tumble, and her cheeks glazed with crying. "Is Willy dead, mamma?" she asked in an awe-struck voice when Mrs. Allen came in.
"No; he is better," her mother replied. She had meant to punish Elsie, but the little girl looked so ill and miserable that, instead, she took her on her knee, washed the tear-stained face, and brushed out the tangled curls. Elsie was tired and worn out, and very glad to be allowed to rest her aching head against mamma's shoulder.
"How kind you are, mamma!" she whispered. "How can you be so kind when I am so naughty?"
"That's what mammas are for," said Mrs. Allen, "to love their children even when they are naughty, and forgive them when they are sorry."
Later, she talked to Elsie very gently and gravely about her fault.621"Beside it's being wrong to disobey me," she said, "it is dishonorable to meddle and interfere with other people's things. Everybody has a right to private places of their own; it is mean to pry into them. I know you want to be an honest, honorable child. You didn't think of this, did you, Elsie?"
No. Elsie had never thought of that, and it made a great impression on her mind. With many tears she promised mamma, never, never to do so again; and she kept her promise so well that a year later mamma gave her the painted velvet pin-cushion to be her very own, and remind her of the day when Willy ate the oxalic acid; and she made a good resolution—and kept it.
The Home Circle.
By Mrs. Clara Doty Bates
THE HYACINTH BULB.
BEHOLD my bulb, just putting forth a sheaf
Of tender green from out its rusty bud!
Would the old Greeks have found upon its leaf
"Ai, ai," and in its flower the young god's blood?
I find a sweeter message written there—
No cry of woe, no hint of god-hood slain;
But early promise of sun-flooded air,
Warm, steaming earth and wind-blown, fragrant rain.
Stored in this humble bit of clod there lies
Such color as will glad all eyes, I know.
If bees love blue, then every bee that flies
Will hasten to it when it comes to blow.
My heart, oft prone to question and to doubt,
Says of this curious sphere, so brown, so dull,
"Soon spikes of blossoms will come bursting out;"
Says readily, "They will be beautiful."
Ah! since such easy task has Faith to trace
The future of this bulb from leaf to bloom,
Why should Hope flood with anguished tears her face
Above our loved ones slumbering in the tomb?
As from this germ a hyacinth will grow,
Sure as the spring-time—Sure as sun and rain,
Out of their blessed depths of sleep I know
In God's full season they will rise again.
—Mrs. Clara Doty Bates.
Queer Conveyances.
SOME birds are known to fly long distances carrying their young on their backs. Small birds take passage across the Mediterranean Sea on the backs of larger and stronger ones. They could not fly so far. Their strength would give out and they would drop in the water. Along the northern shore of the sea, in autumn, these little birds assemble to wait the coming of the cranes from the north, as people wait for the train at a railroad station. With the first cold blast the cranes arrive, flock after flock. They utter a peculiar cry, as of warning or calling. It answers the same purpose as the ringing of the bell when the train is about to start. The small birds understand it. They get excited. They hasten aboard, scrambling for places. The first to come get the best seats. If the passengers are too many, some will have to flit back to the hedges till the next train. How they chatter good-byes—those who go and those who stay. No tickets have they, but all the same they are conveyed safely.
Doubtless the great birds like this warm covering for their backs. In this way the small birds pay their fare. And it is these last who must be out in the wet if it storms. The little passengers are of different species, like Americans, Irish, Germans, and Chinese traveling together in cars or steam-ships. Their journey takes them through the air, high above the wide sweep of waters. They are close companions on the way. By and by they reach the beautiful south country. There they build nests and sing sweetly, as they build here and sing for us in our happy summer-time. Indeed, God cares for the sparrows.—Sel.
A Deep Chasm.
A WONDERFUL chasm has been recently discovered in San Luis Obispo County, and the San Luis Republic gives the following account of an attempt to explore its depths:—
"Saturday night the Alpine Club held a meeting at their club-room and resolved as a Committee of the Whole to visit the lately discovered chasm. The club's stock of ropes and candles was overhauled, and 1,000 feet more rope ordered. Sunday morning at 5:30 the caravan started. The captain took the lead, followed by the quartermaster, leading a loaded mule. On arriving at the foot of Bishop's Peak, the mule was unpacked and pegged out, and his load divided amongst the members of the club. They mounted the hill with their usual rapidity, keeping well to the right, and reached the opening at 8 o'clock. A piece of timber was thrown across the gulf, and the boatswain's chair swung into position.
"Here the question as to who was to make the descent was brought up. To decide this a ballot was taken, and the captain, having received a majority, was declared the winner. He took his place in the chair, stuffed his boot-legs with candles, hung a lighted lantern above his head, stuffed his pockets full of oiled paper, and, making sure that his revolver was in working order, took a lighted candle and gave the order to lower away. One thousand feet of rope was paid out; another followed, and a third was almost gone before a signal was received to slow up. The walls, all this depth, preserved a uniform distance apart, and were dripping with moisture.
"At 3,800 feet the walls suddenly separated, and the captain found himself swinging in mid-air with nothing but intense blackness surrounding him. Lighting a piece of oiled paper, he held it aloft, and the grandest sight of his life was revealed to his wondering eyes. The cavern had widened out about thirty feet above his head and was most beautifully arched. Cream-colored stalactites hung from the ceiling. The sides of the arches were lost in impenetrable darkness. He lighted another piece of paper and dropped it. Down it went, but faintly lighting the immense cavity, until finally it burned out in the mysterious depths. He then tried the echo. A shot was fired from his revolver. The effect was magical. The one report was quickly followed by a perfect volley of musketry; a roar as of one-hundred-ton guns followed this, and then came the more distant reports, re-echoing from unknown distances. Shot after shot was fired in the hopes of being able to count the echo and so form some idea of the size of the cavern, but all were unavailing. So rapid was the return of the echo and so long and so continued the sound that all attempt at a tally was useless.
"Finally, with his paper all consumed and his revolver empty, he reluctantly gave the signal to haul up. At the opening of the well hole he stopped and detached one of the smaller stalactites, which he carried up with him, and it may now be seen in their club-room. He had been nearly 4,000 feet into the bowels of the earth, and the time consumed was something over four hours. The club returned to town with the determination to explore the marvel if it takes all the rope in the country and a donkey engine to raise and lower it."
THE YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR.
By Editor
AN ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY PAPER FOR YOUTH AND CHILDREN, DEVOTED TO MORAL, MENTAL, AND RELIGIOUS CULTURE.
THIS paper is not devoted to insipid stories and religious fiction, but is filled with a great variety of that kind of reading which tends to the healthful development of the youthful mind. Its pages are made bright by the choicest illustrative pictures, and its columns are always full of useful information.
As a Sabbath-school and Lesson paper, it is suited to the wants of scholars and teachers, and is calculated to increase the interest of all who read it, in thorough Bible study.
TERMS, ALWAYS IN ADVANCE.—Single copy, 75 cents a year; Five copies to one address, 60 cents each; Ten or more copies to one address, 50 cents each.
SPECIAL PREMIUM OFFER—THE SUNSHINE SERIES.
For every new subscription, accompanied with 85 cents, we will give "The Sunshine Series," consisting of a package of ten beautiful pamphlets of 32 pages each. These comprise a choice collection of sketches, stories, poems, etc., adapted to the wants of children, and contain more reading matter than can be found in many dollar books. Remember, the whole series, 320 pages, and the INSTRUCTOR for a year, for 85 cents.
THESE are some of the few really good books. For twenty years Mrs. White has been selecting choice, interesting, and instructive stories, the best of which are presented in these four volumes of 400 pages each. It would be difficult to find a better collection. The selections have been carefully made, and none need fear to place them in the hands of the young. They are not, however, designed exclusively for the young, but are adapted for general home reading. All the members of the family circle will find something in them to entertain and instruct. They are just the thing for holiday or birthday gifts. Price per set, neatly put up in box, $2.40.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
LIFE SKETCHES.
THE EARLY LIFE, CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE, AND EXTENSIVE LABORS OF
ELDER JAMES WHITE,
AND HIS WIFE,
MRS. ELLEN G. WHITE.
THE production of this book was the last literary labor performed by Elder White. As nearly the whole of his active labor was performed in connection with the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, which he was largely instrumental in founding, the work is necessarily quite a complete history of that people.
The book abounds in interesting incidents, personal sketches, and religious experiences, some of which are quite remarkable, and altogether it forms a volume at once instructive and interesting.
416 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
LIFE OF WILLIAM MILLER,
WITH PORTRAIT.
THIS book contains sketches of the Christian experience and public labors of this remarkable man. No other man in this century has been more widely spoken of, and more generally misunderstood. These sketches were prepared by those who were his co-laborers, and are a true presentation of the leading events of his life and labors. In addition to the life and character of the man, the character of the Great Advent Movement, in which he acted so prominent a part, is clearly set forth. It is shown that Mr. Miller was no mere enthusiast, but a man of calm judgment, and his interpretation of the prophecies was mainly correct, his only mistake being in regard to the nature of the event to take place at the close of the 2300 days, in 1844. No one can consider himself well versed in the history of the advent movement in this country who has not read this book.
408 pp. Price, $1.00.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
EXPERIENCE AND VIEWS.
By MRS. E. G. WHITE.
THIS volume contains the earliest writings of Mrs. White, first printed in 1851. It contains an account of her early religious experience, and a brief account of the wonderful dealings of God with him. Apart from its intrinsic value, it will be of interest as showing the harmony between the earliest writings of the Seventh-day Adventists and those published at a later date. Its publication is very timely. In paper covers, with Supplement, 25 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Complaining Women.
By N. Y. Evening Post
If an observing person were to make a broad generalization of the mental attitude of the majority of American women, he would say that it is characterized by a strong disposition toward complaint. If he were an old man, or one whose vigor of life was spent in the last generation, he would say that in this respect women have degenerated sadly. The causes of the tone of melancholy dissatisfaction may be in part attributed to a lack of physical strength; to the flavor of the air about us in this transition period in politics or religion. If he were less charitable in his judgments of people, he would say that it is caused more frequently by self-indulgence than anything else, and would argue that it is a disease susceptible of cure.
We do complain too much. It has certainly come to this, that one of the rarest characters in society is that of the woman who "takes things as they come," and labors to make the best of them. Our children catch the inspiration of our discontent, and are injured by it. A visitor to a kindergarten remarked the other day that almost every child in the room pouted if a wrong stitch were taken, or a wrong stroke of the pen given. It is usual to attribute the ills spoken of here to a strain upon the nerves, but in how few cases is there any justifiable strain? It is rarely a strain for food or for clothing, or for the schooling of the children, that knits the brow of the mother of to-day. Let any woman who reads these words look into her own heart and answer with honesty the question, "What is it that gives me the greatest anxiety every day? Why is my brow clouded and my spirit not serene?"
SECULAR.
—Silver mines have been discovered in Murray County, Georgia.
—The fur-seal catch of British Columbia for the season, amounts to 60,000.
—A Bombay merchant has lately given 15,000 rupees toward the founding of a girls' school.
—Colonel Stewart and his party of fifty men, en route to Dongola, were murdered by treacherous Arabs.
—There are 140 orphans in a temporary asylum in Naples, Italy. They lost all their relatives by the cholera.
—It is estimated by the Railway Age that 2,533 miles of track have been laid in the United States since Jan. 1.
—Mr. Joseph Livesey, who recently died, was the leader of the band of seven who fifty-two years ago drew up the first temperance pledge for England.
—The Philadelphia Clinical Record says that three women and one man have visited Dr. Pancoast for the purpose of having their great toes cut off, in order to make their feet smaller.
—The largest photographs in the world have just been shipped from Washington to the New Orleans Exhibition. They are five feet wide and seven feet long.
—A London dispatch states that the steamship Miramar, from Yokohama for Hongkong, foundered at sea. All on board were lost with the exception of two Chinese.
—The University at Kieff, Russia, has been closed by the authorities. One hundred and sixty-eight students have been arrested for alleged complicity with nihilists.
—A strong decoction of the leaves and stems of tomato plants is said to be deadly to caterpillars, lice, and other enemies of vegetation, without being injurious to the plants.
—Intelligence has been received of a cyclone at Catania, on the island of Sicily. Trees were uprooted and houses destroyed. Twenty persons were killed and fifty injured.
—A married couple in Allegheny City, Penn., have separated on account of differences growing out of the Presidential nominations. The husband was for Blaine and the wife for Cleveland.
—A storm on Lake Michigan, on the 8th inst., blew away a small shanty which was built on piles about a mile out from Chicago; ten laborers, who were employed in the inlet to the lake tunnel, were drowned.
—A bonded warehouse in Uniontown, Ky., in which were 2,000 barrels of whisky, was burned on the 11th. The value of the whisky is placed at $150,000. The loss of the building, which was worth $25,000, is to be regretted.
—England has ordered the construction of an iron-clad war-ship of 10,000 tons burden, which is to have engines of nearly 1,000 horse-power. She will carry the largest guns. The cost of the vessel will be about $3,000,000.
—Bismarck has prepared a project to be laid before the Reichstag the coming session for the purchase by the empire of all railways now owned by the different Federal Governments, and centralizing the administration thereof in Berlin.
—The Conference report of the Zion Co-operative Mercantile Association shows revenues of $2,000,000; $1,250,000 worth of merchandise on hand; notes and accounts on hand, $500,000, and nearly $250,000 in real estate in Salt Lake and other places.
—An attempt was made to ditch and rob the Santa Fe passenger train near Emporia, Kan., Sunday night, Oct. 5. The rails were unspiked but not removed, and the train ran over safely, but a freight train which followed was ditched, and the fireman and engineer killed. A volley was fired into the passenger train by the robbers when they saw their scheme had failed.
Appointments.
By John Norton Loughborough, M. C. Israel, William Ings
OAKLAND.—House of worship, northeast corner of Clay and Thirteenth Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:30 A. M. Preaching at 11 A. M. Prayer and missionary meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:45. Seats free. Invitations to all.
SAN FRANCISCO.—House of worship, 912 Laguna Street, between McAllister and Tyler Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:45 A. M. Preaching at 11 A. M. Prayer and missionary meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:45. Mission Reading-rooms at the church.
General Meetings for Southern California.
WE appoint to hold general meetings, as follows: San Pasqual, San Diego County, Oct. 25 to Nov. 1. Norwalk, Los Angeles County, Nov. 6-16. Fresno and Tulare Counties, Nov. 21-30.
These meetings will be of great importance to our people, and it is expected that all our brethren and sisters within reach will attend. There will be not only preaching and Bible-readings, but also important instruction in the missionary work, and other branches of the cause. Let the brethren and sisters begin at once to plan for these meetings in each of their respective localities. Come, with your children and friends, to receive the benefit of these seasons. Come at the commencement of the meetings, and come prepared to remain to the close. Come praying that the Lord may meet with us by his spirit.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH,
M. C. ISRAEL,
WILLIAM INGS.
News and Notes.
By Editor
RELIGIOUS.
—Sweden is said to have but three Roman Catholic Churches.
—At a recent meeting of "Christian workers" in a three days' convention, in New York, Rev. A. B. Simpson argued that with implicit faith in God, and earnest prayer to him, diseases might be cured without the aid of a physician.
—Ingersoll refused to discuss with Elder W. A. Jarrell, giving as a reason that he would not debate with a tramp minister. Mr. Jarrell is well accredited as a Baptist minister. But, query: Has a tramp minister no rights which a tramp infidel is bound to respect?
—Rev. Dr. Sankey, of Rochester, N. Y., who has just returned from the Pan-Presbyterian Council in Belfast, makes this statement: "I believe the Presbyterian Churches of England, Scotland, and Ireland are tending toward ritualism very rapidly. This is especially so in the Scottish churches, surprising as it may seem."
—A missionary of the American Sunday-school Union found a church thirty years old, in Missouri, meeting in a good house of worship, well appointed as to comforts, with a large congregation, but which had never had a Sunday-school. While there was preaching to parents and adults, the children were hunting, fishing, etc.
—Rev. Mr. Ross, a Presbyterian missionary in China, has been successful in translating the four Gospels into the Corean language. Corea is one of the youngest of the mission fields. Until recently it was an inaccessible country. The Gospels are eagerly read by the people, who are loud in their praises of the wonderful Book.
—Dr. Davis, writing from Kioto, Japan, says: "One of the largest Buddhist temples in the city has a school of several hundred young priests connected with it; and the priests have recently bought one hundred and twenty copies of the New Testament and some commentaries, and have put the school at work studying the Bible every day. What will come of it I do not know, but the priest who bought the books told the bookseller that they were bound to see what Christianity was, and if it was better than Buddhism, they were going to adopt it."
—Dr. C. A. Bartol is the Baptist clergyman of Boston, who said that Emerson never sinned, and that to speak against him was to sin against the Holy Ghost. From the Boston Traveler's report of his first sermon after vacation, we extract the following: "Basing his discourse upon the narrative of Elijah in his cave in the wilderness, the preacher discussed the proper aims and results of the vacation season. The true man does not rest for the sake of rest, or for love of vacation more than of ordinary duty, but only as a means of gaining strength for renewed effort. Everybody ought to have his cave where he goes often alone, where he can have no associate but God, where he can render his account. For the Judgment day is not away off. It is when we honestly render an account with our conscience." And that is called a religious discourse! People who are fed on such stuff are to be pitied.