—Spanish atrocities in the Philippines are said to be much worse than reported, and scores of pacificos are being shot without even the semblance of a trial.
—On March 21 a disastrous explosion occurred in a New South Wales colliery at Dudley, ten miles from Newcastle, in which fifteen men lost their lives.
—The French naval squadron has been ordered to cruise in the waters of the West Indies during the continuance of the war between the United States and Spain.
—A despatch from Peru states that representatives of the governments of Chile and Peru have signed a protocol which puts an end to the disputes between the two republics.
—During the week General Blanco has issued several decrees, in one of which he declared the island of Cuba again under martial law, and proclaimed the island in a state of war.
—It is reported that President Simon Sam, of Haiti, and President Heureaux, of Santo Domingo, have agreed to submit to the pope the entire boundary dispute between the two countries.
—The Spanish Government has issued a decree stating that she will consider the crews of privateers acting against her interests as pirates, and treat them as such, and their vessels as piratical craft.
—A battle is reported to have taken place between the troops of Nicaragua and Costa Rica at Liberia. The Nicaraguans seem to have been victorious, and have made prisoners of a number of Costa Rican officers.
—The emissaries of Generals Pando and Blanco who were sent to General Gomez with peace proposals and valuable presents, have been ordered to return on pain of death, the old general burning the presents before their eyes.
—About 20,000 members of the Republican party of Spain have offered their services to Señor Castellar in the event that he should declare a republic; but it is believed that from motives of patriotism he will be restrained from taking such a step.
—A Rome correspondent of the London Standard says: “The queen of Spain asked the blessing of the pope on Spanish arms. His holiness replied that he sent it from his heart, and hoped to see a vindication of Spain’s rights, which had been trampled upon.”
—It is reported that the entire Italian press, with one exception, expresses sympathy for the United States in the position which she has taken in the present difficulty with Spain, while the government has taken a position identical with that of England.
—A despatch from St. Thomas states that advices from Porto Rico are meager but alarming, and indicate that a food outbreak may occur at any time. The laborers in the interior have no work, and consequently no money to pay the high prices demanded for provisions.
—It is reported that the Spanish troops have abandoned the trocha constructed by General Weyler across the province of Principe from ocean to ocean. The Spanish soldiers who had been guarding this trocha presented a pitiable spectacle, with their gaunt forms and ragged uniforms.
—The Government of Spain has issued a decree defining its course during the present war with the United States, and stating that it reserves the right to grant letters of marque to privateering vessels, but confining itself for the present to fitting out auxiliary cruisers from vessels of the merchant marine.
—Portugal has notified the Spanish fleet to leave the Cape Verde Islands. This action was taken after representations by the United States Government that if Portugal continued to allow the Spanish fleet to make Cape Verde Islands a base of operations, she would be considered an ally of Spain and an enemy of the United States.
—During the week a rumor has been circulated to the effect that Spain would transfer her sovereignty in Cuba to the empire of Austria-Hungary, thus seriously complicating the present situation, as the United States Government would not acquiesce in such a transfer, having already declared itself in the recent joint resolution upon the Cuban question.
—The Spanish minister who recently withdrew from Washington, is still in Canada with his suite, and it is expected that he will remain there for some time. The State Department at Washington is said to be investigating the rumor that these officials are perfecting plots against the American Government. If the rumor proves true, the Canadian Government will be requested to take action in the matter.
DOMESTIC.
—The first American belligerent to land in Cuba was Lieut. John C. Fremont, son of the famous pathfinder.
—A joint resolution was passed by Congress on April 21, authorizing the President at his discretion to prohibit the exportation of coal and all other war material.
—A large consignment of mules designed for the Spanish army in Cuba was seized by United States officers at New Orleans on April 21, and will be held as contraband of war.
—Secretary of State Sherman’s resignation was presented to the President on April 26 and accepted. Judge Day, the former Assistant Secretary, was chosen to fill the place.
—The United States Consul in Honolulu has purchased for this government all the available coal in that port, for the use of United States war ships, about 15,000 tons in all.
—A report from Alaska states that two Swedish loggers have discovered an island in the Yukon River which is exceptionally rich in gold, the gravel running $9.00 to the pan.
—Senator Edward C. Walthall, of Mississippi, died at Washington on April 21. The remains were accompanied by a congressional committee to the senator’s home at Holly Springs, Miss.
—The last information from Alaska in regard to the Chilcoot Pass avalanche is to the effect that fifty-five bodies have thus far been recovered, and it is believed that sixteen others are still under the snow.
—On April 23 President McKinley issued a proclamation calling for 125,000 volunteers, who are to serve for two years unless sooner discharged. The greater part of these will be enlisted from the ranks of the National Guard.
—It is reported to be the intention of the State Department to send to the Cuban patriots at once large supplies of clothing, arms, ammunition, and medicines, which will enable them to equip an army of from 35,000 to 40,000 men.
—United States Minister Woodford received his passports from the Spanish Government on April 21, shortly after the reception by that government of the ultimatum presented by the United States. Minister Woodford is now in France.
—The American fleet which has been for some time at Hongkong has sailed for the Philippine Islands with the intention of destroying the Spanish fleet at that place and co-operating with the insurgents for the capture of the islands.
—The three bandits concerned in the hold-up of the overland train at Oro Grande, California, on April 20, have been captured, and are awaiting trial. The one who was shot by the express messenger is believed to have been mortally wounded.
—On April 26 a series of explosions occurred at the California Powder Works near Santa Cruz, wrecking a number of the buildings in which smokeless powder was being manufactured for the government. Ten of the employees were killed outright, and one stranger, whose presence in the vicinity could not be explained. There are many rumors afloat to the effect that the explosion was the result of a plot on the part of Spanish agents to cripple the forces of the United States.
—Since the blockade of the ports of Cuba the following vessels have been captured by the American squadron and brought into Key West: Buena Ventura, $50,000; Pedro, $140,000; Mathilde, $30,000; Miguel Joves, $284,000; Candidia, $40,000; Altonia, $15,000; Catalina, $500,000; Saturnina, Ambrosio Bolivar, Canelita, Paquet, Pirento, Antonio, and Panama, the last a very valuable prize. So far only one American vessel has fallen into the hands of the Spaniards, which was captured near the Philippines.
—The United States coast defense monitor Monadnock arrived at Neah Bay, Washington, on April 6, direct from San Francisco; the newly purchased dynamite cruiser Nichteroy is on her way from Brazil with a Brazilian escort; the battle-ship Oregon is reported well up the South American coast on her way to join Admiral Sampson’s fleet. The cruiser New Orleans, recently purchased in England, is on her way across the Atlantic to join the North Atlantic squadron; and the cruisers Minneapolis and Columbia are on patrol duty along the New England coast.
—On the afternoon of April 27 Admiral Sampson’s flag-ship New York, with the monitor Puritan and the cruiser Cincinnati, shelled the fortifications at Matanzas, Cuba, and reduced them after about twenty minutes’ firing. Not a shot from the fortifications on shore touched the vessels engaged in bombarding the forts, but the firing from the vessels is reported to have been exceedingly accurate, and accompanied with considerable loss of life. No one was hurt on any of the vessels. The Spanish fleet is reported to have sailed from the Cape Verde Islands, but its destination is not known. There has been considerable anxiety to know the position which would be taken by the powers of Europe in regard to the war, and not all of them have yet declared their position. However, Russia, England, France, Italy, Belgium, and Switzerland have declared their intention to maintain absolute neutrality. Germany reserves her decision, while Austria and Portugal have not yet declared themselves. Nearly the entire force of the regular army is now mobilized at Tampa, Chickamauga, and New Orleans, and the work of preparing the army of 125,000 volunteers for which the President has called, is going forward rapidly.
—On April 26, President McKinley issued a proclamation in regard to the course of America during the present war with relation to the vessels of foreign nations carrying the enemy’s goods and the goods of neutral nations under the enemy’s flag. The rules which the President lays down in this matter are the rules adopted by the great powers of Europe (with the single exception of Spain), and known as the Declaration of Paris, altho neither Spain nor the United States were signers of that declaration. By these rules a neutral flag protects the enemy’s goods, except contraband of war, and neutral goods, not contraband of war, are not liable to seizure under the enemy’s flag. Spanish ships in ports of the United States are given thirty days in which to leave without molestation.
A GOOD TRACT FOR USE.
By Clarence Santee
“The Great Threefold Message” is just out as No. 47 of Apples of Gold Library series. It ought to be read by every Seventh-day Adventist, put in every reading-rack, and in the hands of every person who will read. Sometimes I fear that we are passing by the great foundation-stones of the message in our haste after something new. This tract is presented in such a way that people will read. Let the tract societies send in large orders for this tract and follow other publications that have been put out, with this tract, that you will find second to none. It has three illustrations, and contains sixteen pages. Price, one cent. Thousands of these ought to be used in Iowa before the evenings become short. Send them by letter, and in every way. I think the first general effort for 1898 may well be made with this tract. —Clarence Santee, in Workers’ Bulletin.
Our Premium Bible.
By Editor
Here is one of many expressions of praise which we receive for our premium Bible:—
“Denver, Colo., April 14, 1898.
“Signs of the Times—Dear Sirs: I received the premium Bible, and I am very much pleased with it. I have gained more general information in perusing it than from any other book I ever read. I would not be without it. Please pardon my delay in acknowledging its receipt. Respectfully,
“Mrs. Bettie O’Rear.”
We desire to please others by making them possessors of one of these Bibles. Read our combination offer in another column.
How to See the Point and Place It.
Punctuation without Rules of Grammar.
A book of forty pages which teaches punctuating rapidly by example. Many people who have studied English, Latin, and Greek Grammar are very careless and slovenly punctuators. This book is indispensable to all writers. Memorizing rules and exceptions wastes time and they are soon forgotten. By mail, 20 cents. Cloth, 40 cents.
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Healthful Delicious Nut Foods
EASILY and cheaply made in any household by the use of our complete equipment for grinding and emulsifying nuts. The production of our mills is unsurpassed. Full directions and a booklet containing many valuable nut food recipes, free with each mill.
NUTS
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THE MISSIONARY MAGAZINE
Organ of the Seventh-day Adventist Foreign Mission Board, a journal alive with missionary information, especially with that which pertains to the work and movements of the missionaries of the denomination.
Published monthly at 25 cents per year, 50 cents to foreign countries.
Send subscriptions to the publishers, 1730 North Fifteenth Street, Philadelphia, Pa., or to your tract societies.
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TO CONTRIBUTORS.
By Editor
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES is a purely missionary enterprise. For this reason it has felt free to ask for contributions from its friends. It pays nothing for contributions, either prose or poetry, unless solicited by the editor, and then the fact is stated when the articles are asked for. This is a plan rarely followed, but sometimes deemed expedient.
Articles Desired.—Those which set forth in the Spirit of Christ the great saving truths of God, short and to the point. It is better to treat one important truth clearly, in a short article, than many points vaguely in a long one. We desire no caustic, critical productions, which might minister to personal pride or pleasure, but can not save souls.
How Prepared.—Write plainly, with typewriter or ink, with wide space between the lines, to freely admit of editing, writing of subheads, etc. Write on one side of the sheet only. Sign the name to the manuscript, as it becomes oftentimes separated from accompanying letter. Anonymous contributions are not used, whatever their merit. If the writer does not wish his name to appear, let him furnish a pseudonym for the public. But we wish the name.
Manuscript Returned.—We will return all unused manuscript desired if stamp and directions are inclosed. We are forced sometimes to return good manuscript mainly for three reasons: (a) Sometimes the articles are too long; (b) sometimes we have a number on the same subject; (c) sometimes our plans are such that an article can not be used till it is out of date. We therefore hope that no offense will be taken by those who have freely contributed their best thought if their productions are returned. When we receive so much matter, we can not use all.
A CARD.
To ALL interested in carrying the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the inhabitants of other lands, and who desire to assist in supporting missionaries already there and others who may engage in the work, the opportunity is given to make an offering to the Foreign Mission Board of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. Such donations should be sent to W. H. Edwards, the Treasurer of the Board, 1730 North Fifteenth Street, Philadelphia, Penn.
FACTS FOR THE TIMES.
Containing historical extract, tracts, candid admissions from authors, ancient and modern. A Book for the Times. Revised 1893. A compilation of facts that are astounding, by students of biblical and historical research. 340 pages, wine-colored cloth binding. Price, 75 cts., postpaid. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, California.
Watch These Two Columns
Next week they will show you a page from that beautiful book THE STORY OF REDEMPTION
Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal
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THE above figures denote the number of Alarm of War already printed. We expect the demand for this tract will now be doubled, and are prepared to run day and night if necessary, to fill orders. Don't forget the subscription edition, Arming of the Nations. It is for agents. Price, 10 cents each, or $5.00 per 100.
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WORDS OF TRUTH, No. 10.
THE above title is true in more senses than one. This tract will be a great help to those laboring for unbelievers, infidels, or atheists. It must carry conviction to the doubting and strength to the weak.
The author, Mrs. S. M. I. Henry, writes in a most impressive and powerful manner of her own experience, and has produced a tract that should be used in every neighborhood. Its title is, First a Willing Mind, Then All. Price, 1 cent.
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KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD.
(Ready May 4.)
IN this tract we are shown, in verse and scripture, how, when, where, why, and from what, we are “kept by the power of God.” Judging from the depth of thought and earnestness expressed, the author evidently wrote from experience gained by a living faith. The reader will find in this tract much that will inspire him to a life of faith. Apples of Gold, No. 49. Price, ¼ cent.
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WAR IN THE 19th CENTURY.
BURSTING of a shell.
A modern naval engagement.
Firing the disappearing gun.
Loading the disappearing gun.
The Indiana of the U. S. N.
Firing the 120-ton gun.
Diagram showing the effect of a shot from a 110-ton gun.
A big cannon being transported.
The Elswick quick-fire marine gun.
The Monitor.
The Merrimac.
Pushing the torpedo in the tube, preparatory to shooting it from the man-of-war.
Battle between torpedo-boats and an iron-clad.
Submarine torpedo-boat.
Submarine torpedo-boat discharging her torpedo at an iron-clad.
The above is a list of illustrations to be found in the “Alarm of War.” Price, $2.00 per hundred.
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ARMING OF THE NATIONS
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The Great Threefold Message
The Great Threefold Message is an illustrated sixteen-page tract. Its price is $1.00 per 100, and it is now in its 25th thousand. It considers the subject of “God’s remedy for the ills of Christendom.” All the world knows that Christendom is indeed ill; and many would gladly know the remedy. The subject is so treated in this tract that this class will read, and to read is to know that remedy for themselves.
PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO., Oakland, Cal. New York, N. Y. Kansas City, Mo.
THE TALENTS.
By M. C. Wilcox
By M. C. Wilcox. A brief essay on “The Parable of the Talents,” showing that the talents represent the various gifts of the Spirit which God bestows as he will upon those who are consecrated to him, with the duties and blessed privileges involved therein. Bible Students’ Library, No. 77; 16 pp., price 2 cents.
The Foundation of the Transmigration Theory.—
Miss Guinness writes in the Missionary Review (April) of the horrible features of belief in Transmigration of Souls. After giving a description of the fakirs, or holy men, among them, she says:—
“This is the highest life one can lead. To their minds existence is an evil; emancipation from it in this life, and in countless future lives, is the one hope. Detach yourself from earth—go without clothes; have no home, no friends, no people; do no work; take no interest in anything at all; enjoy nothing, feel nothing, hope for nothing. Detach yourself—to do this, suffer pain; sleep on spikes; starve yourself, or eat carrion and nameless abominations; hold your arms up till they wither and the nails grow through the hand; do anything and everything to get rid of your supreme curse—conscious existence.”
But the foundation of this fearful outcome lies back of the transmigration theory. It is an offshoot of Satan’s falsehood, “Ye shall not surely die.” The immortal-soul theory, with all its evil brood of false theories based upon it, such as transmigration of soul, Spiritualism, etc., root in that old falsehood. In sin is death, death to the whole sinner. In Jesus Christ and His resurrection alone is life. By the way that He lived will His children live. Apart from Him men die, soul and body.
ITEMS FROM OUR STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING.
The stockholders of the Pacific Press Publishing Company held their twenty-third annual meeting April 25, 26, 1898, at the office in Oakland, Cal. A few items may be of more interest to our readers than a long, full-detailed report. Some of these items are taken from the president’s address, and some from the actual proceedings.
Improvement in the Plant.—This has consisted mainly in putting in a web-perfecting press, built to order by the C. B. Cottrell & Sons Company, of New York. The paper is fed from a continuous roll, and the press is capable of printing on both sides, folding, pasting, and cutting, at the rate of from 5,000 to 10,000 per hour, the grade of work determining the speed. The SIGNS is at present printed from this press; but, the press being new, an apprentice, so to speak, it has not got to doing its best work. When experiments are finished in paper, ink, and adjustment, we hope to give our readers as good a paper in presswork and illustrations as at the beginning of the year. This press will print and fold tracts and pamphlets at the rate of 40,000 16-page signatures per hour. A cut of this press was given in the SIGNS of April 7. There has also been added to the plant a Mergenthaler typesetting machine, in which solid lines of type are cast from brass matrices. The machine is operated from a keyboard by a single person, doing the work automatically. It seems in operation to be gifted with instinct. Another important addition is a new Corliss engine of 75 horse-power of the latest pattern, which is doing most excellent work.
Periodical Department.—The regular religious periodicals printed here are the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, weekly; Our Little Friend, weekly; the Sabbath School Worker, monthly; the Bible Students’ Library, quarterly, and the Apples of Gold Library, monthly. There has been added to our editorial force Elder A. O. Tait, formerly of Michigan, whose pen speaks for itself from week to week. We have attempted to greatly improve the paper the present year by original and better illustrations, and by better articles from a larger circle of contributors. Mr. L. A. Phippeny has been added to our staff as art director. For the year ending March 31, 1898, there were printed 2,061,550 copies of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES; for the year ending March 31, 1897, 1,360,100; and for the corresponding year, 1895, 422,000 copies. Since 1895 the increase has been 365 per cent.; but we hope for still greater in the year to come. Last year the average weekly circulation was 27,182 copies; this year it has been 41,231, an increase of over 14,000 copies weekly. Notwithstanding our increased list, there has been a loss on the paper, as there must be unless the list is greatly increased, and the loss is partly met by securing approved advertising. Thousands of dollars worth of advertising has been refused by the publishers, because, according to their principles, they could not recommend the articles to their readers. The average weekly circulation of Our Little Friend the past year has been 16,030 copies, a weekly increase of 240. The Sabbath School Worker has had an average monthly circulation of 6,104 copies. In the circulation of our Libraries there have been sold 10,500,000 pages of tracts alone, besides a good sale of pamphlets. The aggregate gain in pages is over 1,500,000. The paper used in printing them is about eight tons.
Financial.—The year financially has not been an easy one. Notwithstanding political promises, times have been hard, and money close. While in some departments there has been slight loss, others have kept the balance good. The total net gain is $6,217.98.
Missionary Work.—Besides assuming the financial responsibility of the Helping Hand and Medical Mission, of San Francisco, of which full account has been given from time to time, and of the home for the homeless and betrayed girls, in a suburb of this city, the institution has donated in literature and otherwise $527.47.
New Board of Directors.—The board of directors chosen to serve for the coming year is composed of the following: C. H. Jones, E. A. Chapman, S. C. Stickney, W. N. Glenn, M. H. Brown, Wm. Saunders, S. N. Curtiss.
The present outlook is auspicious. Looked at from a financial view point, it is not encouraging. Looked at in the light of prophecy, a grander and more awful time never opened its portals to mortal man. We stand at the dawning of the eternal day, whose sun shall know no setting, at the very gateway which shall soon swing wide to the coming of the King of kings. It is the golden, grandest hour of opportunity earth has ever known. May this publishing house and all its coworkers in Christ meet the issue.
“This day we fashion Destiny, our web of fate we spin;
This day for all hereafter choose we holiness or sin;
Even now from starry Gerizim or Ebal’s cloudy crown,
We call the dews of blessing or the bolts of cursing down.”
Unordered Copies of the Signs
By Editor
☞ We send no papers from this office to individuals without pay in advance.
☞ When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the “Signs” are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon to pay for them. Please read the papers you may receive, and hand them to your friends to read.
What Scripture Says About War
By Editor
We begin next week a series of articles on what the Scriptures say about war. These will be well illustrated by cuts of modern war implements.
God Saves Each Believer
Let it be forever remembered, God does not save men or women or children by nations. There will be “the nations of them that are saved,” but they are those “taken out” from the nations, “redeemed out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” Those “which believe” compose “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.” But these are recognized only by God as a nation here. Among the nations of earth they are counted as “wanderers,” “pilgrims and strangers.” God saves all that He saves by saving each. The message comes to “thee” and “me.”
