Earlier text: SUNDAY ARGUMENTSThe Case for National Prohibition
In 1834 the members of Congress formed a temperance society, pledging its members to moderation. Wines and beer, and even brandy and water could be moderately used. After nine years the pledge was found to be only a feeder to intemperance, and was changed to total abstinence. The old society, as one of its members said, "died of intemperance, holding the pledge in one hand, and the champagne bottle in the other." For twenty-five years it has been a teetotal society, and it has accomplished an immense amount of good. It has need to add another plank to its platform now, and that is national prohibition. AN INCIDENT OF REAL LIFE.
By Adel Macdonald
SOME seven or eight years ago, while the temperance movement was raging throughout the land, the writer visited a friend in a small town on the line of the C. & P., and nowhere, perhaps, were citizens more earnestly engaged in the work than here. The time of departure having arrived, by accident I met a friend who was traveling in my own direction. We took our seats in the passenger coach, although the train would not leave for a quarter of an hour yet, and our conversation naturally drifted to the engrossing subject of the day. While we were talking, my companion recognized an acquaintance outside. "Surely that is Mr. M—," he said. The young man thus designated, at once entered the car. As he approached, I could not but notice his gentlemanly bearing. The pale, intellectual features, composed, certainly, a very prepossessing face. Altogether, the manner, voice, and pleasant smile combined, were such as could not fail to produce a winning effect. He lifted his hat to acknowledge the introduction, and thus revealed the broad, white forehead, half concealed beneath it. We were as yet the only occupants of the train, and the two gentlemen were soon engaged in the conversation of old-time friendships, while I busied myself with studying the glimpses of life obtained from my dusty car-window; and, in the talk, the young man confidently informed his friend of his recent marriage to a young lady whom I knew only by reputation as belonging to the best circles of society. From the drift of their remarks, which I could not but hear, I gathered that the marriage had been a secret one because of the unwillingness of the lady’s father. "This is her picture," he said, with a flush of pardonable pride. I saw a bright young face, beaming with health, hope, and happiness. The dark, earnest eyes, were full of youthful ambition, while the sensitive mouth was curved with just the faintest touch of hauteur, indicative of her position as the one idolized child of a proud, wealthy family; but, withal, it was a singularly sweet, pure face. Surely hers was a nature capable of intense feeling. Such, then, was she who had resolutely given her future into this young man’s keeping, in opposition to her parents’ wishes. The coaches filled, the whistle sounded. Young M— sprang out, and, with a parting wave, disappeared in the crowd. "There is a model young man!" said my companion, with emphasis. Then, perceiving my interest, he related:— "His father keeps a large hotel here. M— has been forced to stand behind his father’s counter from childhood; he is accustomed to drawing, mixing, and selling intoxicating beverages of every variety (though he is trying to get out of the business), yet he has never drank a drop in his life!" "And you have no fears that he ever will do so?" "Oh, none, I assure you; he is the pure stuff; and I repeat, a model young man—very remarkable; for you must admit that not one in a thousand could occupy his place, and escape its usual consequences." I agreed with him that he possessed more than the usual stamina allotted to mankind. "You see, this is why the lady’s parents were averse to the union; they did not wish their daughter to unite with the son of a bar-keeper, for they are strong on temperance. Ordinarily, I should commend their course, but in this case I must consider their refusal groundless and obstinate. The lady is estimable, but he is worthy of her." It was only recently that I heard the following colloquy between two ladies with whom I was visiting:— "Dreadful about little Johnnie M—, was it not?" "Yes and hard for his mother, too." I learned the story. A child, a little more than six years old, was playing in his father’s shop, and, coming in the latter’s way, was roughly pushed aside into the very jaws of the machinery, which quickly caught him up. As if in extenuation, they added, "But the man was drunk." It will be readily conjectured that it was he whom I had briefly met a few years ago, and who stood so far above the shadow of reproach in public estimation. I said as much to my narrator. "Well, it was not known then; but it is the old story. He began tippling a little in secret, till it was found, when he left home, that the habit was irretrievably formed." "And his wife?" I asked, breathlessly. "A sad-faced, heart-broken woman, she seems to have lost all energy." In that short sentence I could read the history of a gifted woman’s wrecked life—the awakening, the disappointed hopes, the submission to despair. I saw in fancy the sweet face that once looked into mine from the mute card-board, but no more with its eager, expectant flush; the expressive mouth, no longer curved with conscious pride; those beautiful dark eyes, not gazing steadily upward with untroubled light, but weary, listless, and downcast. Friends, one word of admonition, When you are looking for "model young men," do not hope to find them in the dram-shop, no matter what their verbal expressions or external appearances may indicate.—Adel Macdonald, in Christian Standard. Tom's sister Nell was pretty, and being a year older than Tom, wanted to show her authority over him. Tom was rough and awkward, and just at the age when a boy resents all meddling with his "rights." He would put his hands in his pockets, his chair on Nell's dress, and his feet on the window-sill. Of course they often quarreled. "For pity's sake, Tom, do take your hands out of your pockets!" Nell would say in her most vexing manner. "What are pockets for, I'd like to know, if not to put one's hands in?" and Tom would whistle and march off. "Tom, I don't believe you've combed your hair for a week!" "Well, what's the use? it would be all roughed up again in less than an hour." "I do wish you would take your great boots off the window-sill!" "O, don't bother me, I'm reading," Tom would say, and the boots refused to stir an inch, which, of course, was very naughty. And so it would go from morning till night. But little sister Bess had a different way with somewhat stubborn Tom. Bess seemed to understand that coaxing was better than driving; and sometimes when he sat with both hands plunged in his pockets, Bess, with a book or a picture would nestle down beside him, and almost before he knew it one hand would be patting her curls, while the other turned the leaves or held the pictures. If she chanced to see his feet on the window-sill, she would say;— "Just try my ottoman, Tom, dear, and see how comfortable it is to the feet;" and though Tom occasionally growled in a good-natured way about its being too low, the boots always came down to its level. Whenever his hair looked very rough, she would steal behind him and smooth it out in a way Tom liked so well that it was a temptation to let it go rough just for the pleasure of having her comb it. Yet, for the next three days at least, he would take special pains to keep every hair in its place, simply to please little Bess. As they grew older, Bess, in the same quiet, loving way, helped him to grow wise and manly. If she had an interesting book, she always wanted Tom to enjoy it with her; if she were going to call on any of her young friends, Tom was always invited to go with her. "I can't understand," said lady Nell, "why you should want that boy forever at your elbow! He's rough and awkward as a bear." "Some bears are as gentle as kittens," said Bess, slipping her arm through his, with a loving hug, while "the bear" felt a great warm glow at his heart, as he walked away with Bess, and determined to be "gentle as a kitten," for her sake. A LITTLE elbow leans upon your knee—
Your tired knee that has so much to bear;
A child's dear eyes are looking lovingly
From underneath a thatch of tangled hair.
Perhaps you do not heed the velvet touch
Of warm, moist fingers holding yours so tight!
You do not prize the blessing overmuch—
You almost are too tired to pray to-night. But it is blessedness! A year ago
I did not see it as I do to-day—
We are so dull and thankless, and too slow
To catch the sunshine till it slips away.
And now it seems surpassing strange to me
That while I wore the badge of motherhood,
I did not kiss more oft and tenderly
The little child that taught me only good. And if, some night, when you sit down to rest,
You miss the elbow from your tired knee;
This restless curly head from off your breast;
This lisping tongue that clatters constantly;
If from your own the dimpled hands had slipped,
And ne'er would nestle in your palm again;
If the white feet into the grave had tripped—
I could not blame you for your heart-ache then. I wonder so that mothers ever fret
At little children clinging to their gown;
Or that the footprints, when the days are wet,
Are ever black enough to make them frown.
If I could find a little muddy boot,
Or cap, or jacket, on my chamber floor—
If I could kiss a rosy, restless foot,
And hear it patter in my house once more; If I could mend a broken cart to-day,
To-morrow make a kite to reach the sky—
There is no woman in God's world could say
She was more blissfully content than I!
But, ah, the dainty pillow next mine own
Is never rumpled by a shining head:
My singing birdling from its nest has flown—
The little boy I used to kiss—is dead. SOME one who has noticed the influence of wives in promoting the good or evil fortunes of their husbands said: “A man must ask his wife’s leave to be rich.” We doubt not that a similar observation of the influence of mothers upon their sons would justify the remark: “A man must ask his mother’s leave to be great.” Years ago a family of four—a father, a mother, and two sons—dwelt in a small house, situated in the roughest locality of the rocky town of Ashford, Connecticut. The family was very poor. A few acres of stony land, a dozen sheep and one cow, supported them. The sheep clothed them, and the cow gave milk, and did the work of a horse in ploughing and harrowing. Corn-bread, milk, and bean-porridge was their fare. The father being laid aside by ill-health, the burden of supporting the family rested on the mother. She did her work in the house and helped the boys do theirs on the farm. Once, in the dead of the winter, one of the boys required a new suit of clothes. There was neither money nor wool on hand. The mother sheared the half-grown fleece from the sheep, and in one week the suit was on the boy. The shorn sheep was protected from the cold by a garment made of braided straw. The family lived four miles from the “meeting-house.” Yet every Sabbath the mother and her two sons walked to church. One of these sons became pastor of the church in Franklin, Connecticut, to whom he preached sixteen years. Two generations went from that church to make the world better. The other son also became a minister, and then one of the most successful of college presidents. Hundreds of young men were moulded by him. That heroic Christian woman’s name was Deborah Nott. She was the mother of Rev. Samuel Nott, D. D., and of Eliphalet Nott, D. D., LL. D., President of Union College. “Honor and shame from no condition rise;
Act well your part—there all the honor lies.” But then a man who has and accepts his mother’s aid is more likely to “act well” his part, than one who has it not, or having, refuses to accept it.—Messiah’s Herald. "How is it you never go with bad boys, or get into any scrapes?" asked a little fellow of his playmate. "Oh!" said the other, "that is because I don't say 'no' easy." We thank the boy for his secret. It is worth a great deal more than a bag of money. I have no doubt, saying "no" as if you did not mean it, has ruined many a boy and girl. When any one tries to coax you to do a wrong thing, say "no" as if you meant "NO," and nothing but "no," and no mistake. When Satan whispers for you to serve him and do wrong, and makes you great promises, as he did to the Lord Jesus in the wilderness, do not say "no" easy, but answer him as Jesus did, "Get thee behind me, Satan." That is a "no" he can understand. — Moody and Sankey have commenced revival meetings in Newcastle, England. — The thermometer in northern Minnesota last week indicated eight degrees below zero. — There are now 40,000 applications for reduction of rents before the Irish Land Commission. — In a single year, diamonds to the value of $17,400,900 have passed through Cape Town post-office. — The St. Gothard tunnel through the Alps, which has lately been completed, is nine and one-third miles long. — Last year Ireland was having a famine; this year they are sending cabbages and potatoes to the United States. — Two hundred and twenty-one towns and cities of Germany are now connected by the subterranean telegraph system. — The Jews who have fled from the persecutions in Russia and Germany, are coming in large numbers to the United States. — The gross earnings of all the railroads during the past year were in the aggregate $615,401,931, against $529,012,999 in 1879. — The wheat crop of the United States for 1881 is estimated at about 369,000,000 bushels, and the corn crop at 1,194,000,000 bushels. — The revenue from internal taxes for the past fiscal year reached $135,229,902, making a grand total for the last five years of $602,310,787. — The Imbecile Asylum at Columbus, Ohio, was destroyed by fire Nov. 18. Over 700 persons were in the building, but all escaped. — Professor Swift of Rochester University has discovered another comet. This is the seventh that has been discovered since January. — The small-pox hospital at Snake Hill, N. J., is so overcrowded that the authorities are using tents for the overflow, and new cases are arriving daily. — All the registered letters in the Hatton Garden, London, post-office were stolen recently. They contained valuables to the amount of about £100,000. — A dispatch from Constantinople, Nov. 16, says: Five hundred persons are dying daily in Mecca from cholera. The steamers at Djidda refuse to embark returning pilgrims. — The tunnel under the British Channel is likely to be constructed. The earth has been penetrated about a mile on each side, and indications are favorable for the work. — Fifteen passengers were injured by the falling of a train through a trestle bridge, near Springfield, Ohio, Nov. 18. The supports of the bridge had been weakened by rains. — Dr. Cunningham Geikie, author of the “Life and Words of Christ,” has resigned the charge which he has long held in Paris, and will assume charge of an Episcopal church in New York. — Quite heavy rains fell last week throughout the State, doing a great amount of good. In some places the grass has started, and the ground has generally been rendered fit for ploughing. — The complete annihilation of the village of Elm, Canton of Glarus, Switzerland, appears to be only a question of time and bad weather. The summit of the peak nearest the village is moving. — The emperor of Japan has decided to create a Parliament, for the purpose of giving his people a constitutional form of government. The Japanese are surpassing the Russians in civilization. — Dr. Benjamin Franklin Bache, a great grandson of Benjamin Franklin, died at Brooklyn, N. Y., recently, at the age of eighty-four years. He had been an officer in the United States Navy for sixty years. — The British ship Edith Lorne foundered as she was crossing the bar at the mouth of the Columbia river, Nov. 17, and had to be abandoned. The ship was valued at $70,000, and the cargo of wheat, at $44,000. — Suit has been commenced against seven Bowdoin College students, by the father of a student whom they had injured by hazing. Ten thousand dollars damages are asked in each case. Hazing will soon become unpopular. — To guard against another scarcity of water in New York, the papers of that city are advocating the use of sea water for sprinkling the streets, flushing sewers, etc. The Croton water will then be used merely for household purposes. — A serious land-slide occurred at Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 14. The soil of a hill on the south side slid into the valley on Walworth Run, damming the stream, and entailing a loss of $50,000, with a probability of an increase of damage. — The truce between the Pacific Roads, and the Pacific Mail Steamship line has been broken by the roads, who propose to put an opposition line on the ocean. If by this means the old mail line is destroyed, the public will not be benefited. — On the Second Avenue Elevated Railroad in New York, a trial of a compressed air locomotive was recently made, with entire satisfaction. The locomotive is capable of a higher rate of speed, and is free from the objectionable odor, smoke, and noise. — November 20, two freight-trains collided on the bridge over the Kankakee river at Wilmington Ill., when a thirty-foot span gave way precipitating a engine and twelve cars into the stream. The damage to both train and bridge was quite heavy. — At the late exposition in Atlanta, Georgia, a remarkable feat was accomplished. At seven o'clock in the evening, the Governors of Georgia, and Connecticut each wore suits of clothes that were made from cotton that was growing in the field at seven the same morning. — The District Attorney of Monterey County, Cal., has issued a circular notifying all business men in the county that they will be prosecuted if they violate the Sunday law. Two saloon keepers in Salinas have been fined $10 each for keeping their saloons open on Sunday. — November 16, an explosion, supposed to have been of dynamite, on the steamer Severn, bound from Bristol to Glasgow, carried away a portion of the decks, killed nine persons and severely wounded forty-three others. Four were taken to a hospital. These last were in a dying condition. — Another accident recently occurred on the Seventh-street railroad in Oakland. As the train was passing Webster street, a ship carpenter, named Turner jumped from the train, and fell under it. Both of his legs were cut off. And yet people will not take warning. Who'll be the next? — A party of disguised and armed men a few days ago entered the house of a farmer at Castle Island, County Kerry, Ireland, and asked him if he had paid his rent. Upon his answering in the affirmative, they began shooting at him, lodging three bullets in his thigh, and then beat him severely with their guns. — According to the recent census, British India has a population of 252,541,210. The area of the provinces under British rule is 1,472,854 square miles, making the density of population 171 to the square mile. India's foreign commerce amounts to $577,000,000 a year in gold, and she has 14,000 miles of telegraph line. — The International Trades Union Congress, met in Pittsburg last week. Over 400 delegates were present from different parts of the United States and Canada. The object of the meeting is to unite labor unions of all kinds, and also to ask Congress to pass an Act allowing a charter to be granted to a National Trades Union. — An immense gun has recently been cast at the Scott Iron Works, Reading, Pa. It is twenty-five feet long, and is warranted to throw a shot twelve miles, and force it through a solid mass of wrought iron two feet thick. Those who look for a temporal millennium, doubtless think such instruments as this are designed for playthings. — Several cases of typhoid fever in New York have been traced to a tomato-canning factory. The workmen are described as sleeping “fifty in one room, over a stable, on unchanged straw on the floor,” and as eating the worst kind of food. The factory is on Staten Island, in a marsh, and all the foul refuse collects in a black, stagnant pool near the stable. — The fishing boat Pirate, from San Francisco, embarked with a crew of five on the 16th for a fishing trip to the Farallone islands. Nothing has been heard of her since, but a spar, an oar, and some other articles that have been picked up, have been identified as belonging to her. It is thought that she was swamped in crossing the bar of the Golden Gate. — Jesse Baldwin, an Ohio farmer, had $17,000 in U. S. bonds, for which he insisted on receiving gold. When the money was paid to him at the Treasury Department, he put it in a satchel, carried it home, and put it in an old-fashioned safe. As a natural consequence, he was lately robbed of the whole amount, the thieves taking his horses and carriage to assist them in their flight. — A dispatch from Portland, Oregon, Nov. 15, says: Small-pox is increasing at such a rate in Dayton, Washington Territory, that the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company issued orders this morning stopping trains from running into the place. Passengers and mails will go no further than Walla Walla. More than 100 cases are now in Dayton, and deaths occur at the rate of two per day. — The authorities of Basle, Switzerland, recently shipped to this country a confirmed criminal and pauper, as a short way to get rid of him. The American Consul protested that the United States does not desire such immigrants, and telegraphed the facts to the proper authorities. The probability is that those who sent the thief here, will have the pleasure of paying his passage back to Switzerland. — It has been proved that alcohol is shipped every week from the Chicago market to various places in France and Italy where it serves as a basis of wines and brandies, which are exported to the United States under brands which have long been supposed to cover nothing that is not honest in trade. Statistics of the French wine-growing trade show that the United States alone consumes very much more of many brands of wine than is ever produced in the countries from which this wine pretends to come, and the records of our own Custom Houses prove that a very small percentage of these importations are concocted in this country. HOLIDAY BOOKS FOR OLD AND YOUNG!
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Land of the Pharaohs.......... 4.00 | Earth and its Treasures........ 1.50
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History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week
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In regard to the Sabbath and first day is given. The comparative merits of the seventh and the first day Sabbaths are fully shown. A copious index enables the reader to find the comments on any text, or the statement of any historian. Should be read by everybody. 528 pp. Price, $1.25. Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal. The Religious Amendment to the Constitution:
OR
THE SABBATH, THE SUNDAY, THE CHANGE
AND THE RESTITUTION. THE object of the proposed Constitutional Amendment, together with the authority for it, is fully canvassed.
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Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal. YOUNG'S ANALYTICAL CONCORDANCE
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Than Cruden's Unabridged Concordance. It gives every English word, also the Hebrew and Greek original words, with their pronounciation and literal meaning. The Greek and Hebrew words are transliterated so that they are intelligible to any English reader. A complete index of the original words is added, referring them to the English words under which they are found. Price, postpaid, $3.25.
Address, PACIFICPRESS, Oakland, Cal. TRACTS.—4 cents each. Redemption—The Second Advent—The Sufferings of Christ—The Present Truth—Origin and Progress of S. D. Adventists—Ten Commandments not Abolished—The Two Covenants—Address to the Baptists—The Two Thrones—Spiritualism a Satanic Delusion—Samuel and the Witch of Endor—The Third Message of Rev. 14—Who Changed the Sabbath?—The Spirit of Prophecy—The Millennium—Signs of the Times—Scripture References—Constitution of the T. and M. Society—Tithes and Offerings—Sabbaton. The Life and Words of Christ
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# THE LIFE AND WORDS OF CHRIST,
BY CUNNINGHAM GEIKIE, D. D.
This edition of Geikie's "Life of Christ" contains all the copious notes of the author, and an index. It brings Dr. Geikie's famous work within the reach of every Christian family in the land. "A work of gigantic industry, and, what is the chief point, it breathes the spirit of true faith in Christ. I have read enough of it to rejoice at such a magnificent creation, and especially to wonder at the extent of reading it shows."
—Dr. Delitzsch, (The eminent German Commentator). "We have here a work which is of value not merely to the theological student or the student of history, but to the family. It furnishes information which every one should possess, and which thoughtful people will be glad to gain from so agreeable a teacher."
—J. W. Beckwith, D. D., Bishop of Georgia. "This is a work of profound learning, and I am not surprised at the great success which it has already attained. I would not willingly be without it."
—The Archbishop of York. "Dr. Geikie's 'Life and Words of Christ' will last when we have all passed away. I have had occasion to refer to the three recent 'Lives' at the same time, and I can bear witness that Dr. Geikie's is by far the best. It shows more research, more sympathy with the subject, and more understanding of it, than either of the others. I would not depreciate any of the three 'Lives of Christ,' but Dr. Geikie's is equal to the others combined. This is my verdict, and, though tastes differ, I believe it will be the verdict of the future."
—The Rev. C. H. Spurgeon. "A great and noble work, rich in information, eloquent and scholarly in style, earnestly devout in feeling."
—London Literary World. "As a picture of the civilization of Christ's time and country, Dr. Geikie's book is admirable. He has made himself thoroughly familiar with all those phases and aspects of truth which study can make available in interpreting the wonderful life and teachings, and yet more wonderful character, of the Founder of Christianity. He is thoroughly familiar with Greek and Roman civilization. He has read the teachings of Christ in the light thrown upon them by contemporaneous Rabbinical teachings. His archaic knowledge is not the product of a special cramming for this book. It is digested knowledge; it appears less in learned foot-notes than in the coloring of the entire narrative. What Conybeare and Howson have done for the life of St. Paul, Dr. Geikie has done for the life of St. Paul's Lord. The learning is not less full nor less luminous; while in some respects it is more thoroughly harmonized with, and incorporated into, the life itself."
—Harper's Magazine. This fascinating work has been hailed by scholars, divines, and the literary press everywhere, with great approbation. It has met with remarkable success, both in England and in this country, some twenty-five editions having already been distributed. I can hardly be too strong in my expressions of commendation of Geikie's "Life of Christ" as a help to the study of the life of our Lord. It is far superior to anything of the kind we have ever had. Some object to our circulating it because of its endorsement of the Sunday Sabbath, but that is to be expected, and must be allowed for. It certainly shows that it is not a work gotten up in the interest of our special work.
S. B. WHITNEY,
Pres. of Dakota S. D. A. Conference. By the knowledge received from Geikie's History and "Life of Christ," I am enabled better to understand, and more highly to appreciate, the wonderful wisdom of God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Book He has given us.
I would bid this book God-speed as it seeks to find its way into every family library in our land.
C. L. BOYD,
Pres. of Nebraska S. D. A. Conference. I regard it as a volume worthy of a place in every library and in every family. It gives the greatest amount of information concerning the customs of the times when Jesus lived, the traditions of the Jewish people which hindered the progress of the gospel, the influences connected with the Roman government, and the character of the reigning family of Herod, and his posterity and their cruel work, and many other important matters necessary to a correct understanding of many things in the gospels, than any book I have met. I consider it far superior in point of the information it contains, to any of the popular "Lives" of Christ I have ever seen.
Of course I do not think the book perfect, nor endorse everything in it. The author evidently believed some of those doctrines which I consider to be erroneous, and here and there the book endorses some of those at least inferentially. But such passages are not numerous.
In this book the reader will find much valuable information concerning the country of Palestine, its cities, villages, mountains, valleys and plains, which will help to make clear the narrative of the gospels, and give a plain view of the work of our blessed Lord.
GEO. I. BUTLER,
Pres. S. D. A. General Conference. The "Life of Christ" by Dr. Geikie, I have read with deep interest and profit, and I can say that I regard it as the best work of its character that I have ever seen. Its pen pictures of the Holy Land; its vivid description of the character, customs, and traditions of the Jews, and its studious account of Christ's miracles and work, compel the reader to feel in his imagination that he is on the ground, beholding the events described. It ought to be perused by every Christian. To Sabbath-school teachers it is invaluable, and were they to secure and study it they would be much better qualified for their work than they are at present.
I am glad to know that it is still to be offered as a premium with the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
D. A. ROBINSON,
Pres, New England S. S. Association. THE SIGNS FOR 1882.
By Editor
THE efforts of our ministers and missionary workers to give the SIGNS OF THE TIMES a wide circulation, with the assistance of other friends and patrons during the past year, increased our list of subscribers to over ten thousand. This, when compared with previous efforts, was a grand success. Our liberal offer to furnish Geikie's "Life of Christ" as a premium to new subscribers, met a very hearty response; and although the offer was made late in the season, several thousand availed themselves of this rare opportunity to get an earnest and live religious weekly paper and Dr. Geikie's famous book for the price of one. The enthusiasm with which this offer was received, has led the publishers to renew the To each new subscriber to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, we will give a copy of the "Life and Words of Christ," by Cunningham Geikie, D. D., a work of profound learning and extensive research, clearly written and intensely interesting. It is a volume of over eight hundred pages. The charge for postage and wrapping will be ten cents extra, making the cost of both book and paper only $2.10. To each one of our old patrons who will renew his subscription before January 1882, and send us three new subscribers, we will also send free, by mail, a copy of the premium book. THERE are no better Holiday Gifts than good books; and there are no better books for Holiday Gifts than can be found at the SIGNS office, corner of Castro and 12th streets, Oakland, Cal. See book advertisements on the preceding page. THANKSGIVING DAY.
By Editor
PRESIDENT ARTHUR, and after him, Governor Perkins, has set apart Thursday, November 24, as a day of public thanksgiving. If ever such an action was appropriate it is peculiarly so at the present time. By an oversight the notice was omitted from our paper last week. We trust it will be observed generally by our churches; not in feasting and "riotous living," but in meeting together to render thanksgiving to Him who is the giver of every good gift. As a people and a nation we are highly favored. It is impossible to reckon up the blessings which are constantly showered upon us. As this paper will reach most of its readers in this State before that day, we think fitting to call attention to that subject.