A CORRESPONDENT of the Christian at Work writes concerning a new party based on moral ideas, which he thinks is soon to be constructed. It will advocate prohibition, woman suffrage, compulsory education, etc. Of the Sunday plank in the new platform, the writer says: "A third plank will be a recognition of the legal sanctity of the Sabbath which is now in danger." This sentence as it stands expresses more than the writer intended; but we would not have him correct the punctuation; it conveys the correct idea now. There are two Sabbaths which claim recognition from the people: a true and a false Sabbath. The "sabbath which is now in danger," and which, being merely a human institution, must needs be propped up by civil enactment, is the Sunday, the counterfeit sabbath. It is being used more and more as a secular day, and is in danger of being lost. There is nothing that can save it except the law of the land. A prominent first-day paper truly said, "We cannot sustain it before the people if we claim its sanctity as a religious institution." Its friends, seeing its danger, are loudly calling for help.
But the true Sabbath—"the Sabbath of the Lord"—the seventh day, does not ask for the support of human laws, for the Creator of the universe has set his seal upon it. It was given by the Almighty, one who has power to punish the transgressor, and vindicate his truth. This Sabbath will endure while the world stands. It is not in danger. We cannot say as much, however, for those who are trampling upon it. May they see their danger before it is too late.
Floods in the East.
The weather in the East may well be called phenomenal. The most intense cold has prevailed, and still prevails in many places, and the latest news is to the effect that large portions of country are being devastated by floods. Bridges have been carried away by the score, and many railroad accidents, with loss of life, have happened in consequence. On many lines travel is entirely suspended. The following brief dispatches will show the condition of things:—
BRADFORD (Pa.), February 4.—Bradford was visited on Saturday night by a disastrous flood which inundated about 500 homes. The lower part of the city was submerged in some cases to a depth of ten feet. The flood was caused by the rain of Friday and Saturday and the melting of the snow on the mountains. Five bridges were swept away, and several houses along the bank of the creek badly damaged or totally destroyed. Eighty-five families on the flats, living in one-story houses, had to flee for their lives when the ice-gorge broke, leaving all their effects. Many of the houses were swept away.
OHIO.
COLUMBUS, February 5.—Reports from all parts of central Ohio show the highest water by from six to twenty inches ever known. The Scioto in this city was fourteen feet higher than ever before, and the damage here is enormous, mostly by inundation. On the west side over one hundred families had to quit their houses.
AKRON, February 5.—Fuller information increases previous estimates of flood losses. The bridge on the Cleveland and Akron and Columbus Railroad broke just as a crowded express train had passed over it. At Canton a hundred houses are under water.
ORRVILLE, February 5.—Mill Creek is higher than ever before known. Houses are flooded and live stock drowned.
YOUNGSTOWN, February 5.—The river is still rising. People living on the flats escaped from second-story windows on rafts and boats. Many families were saved in boats from upper parts of houses. Extensive damage has been done. An ice-gorge is forming in the river and several bridges are threatened.
INDIANA.
INDIANAPOLIS, February 5.—The greatest floods ever known here prevail—farms are flooded, fences, outhouses, and lumber are washed away. Travel in the country is suspended, the pikes being under water. A portion of Shelbyville is several feet under water.
CONNORSVILLE, February 5.—The river is the highest ever known.
RICHMOND, February 5.—The river is the highest in fifteen years. Bridges are swept away.
At last accounts the floods were abating, but much suffering was experienced on account of the cold.
Rural Health Retreat.
By G. D. Ballou
It was my privilege recently to spend a few days at this institution near St. Helena. To say that I was gratified with the facilities offered for the entertainment of those who come merely as guests, and the ample provisions for the comfort of invalids who may attend for medical treatment, does not half express my feelings. Beautiful scenery; abundance of soft spring water, pure and cold; quiet, homelike surroundings; a generous bill of fare; the most approved methods for the treatment of the sick; and the gentlemanly, Christian deportment of the physician, manager and helpers, make this the most desirable institution of the kind that I have ever visited.
I cannot but think that as soon as the Health Retreat becomes thoroughly known to the public, it will be continually thronged. Everything is so neat and pleasant, and prices are so moderate that no one can help being pleased. I am satisfied that those who need the benefits of rest and recreation, or medical treatment, can find no better place in California.
G. D. BALLOU.
MAGNIFICENT PREMIUM OFFER WITH THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES FOR 1883.
By Editor
THE Publishers desire to add several thousand new subscribers to their lists during the next six months, and to that end, make the following LIBERAL OFFER.
To each New Subscriber we will furnish THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES one year with a copy of Conybeare and Howson's LIFE AND EPISTLES OF ST. PAUL, FOR $2.25.
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We have been largely influenced in our decision to use the Life of St. Paul as a premium for 1883, by the fact that the Sabbath-school lessons for the comming year will be principally upon the subjects treated so ably in this work. Thus making it a most useful book for every Sabbath-school scholar and teacher.
On account of the value and expense of this book, this is the best premium offer we have ever made.
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A MINE OF INFORMATION.
By John Nevins Andrews
HISTORY OF THE SABBATH AND FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK.
By Eld. J. N. Andrews.
The Bible record of the Sabbath; the secular history concerning it; the successive steps by which the change to the first day was made, and the work of restoration, are given in detail.
EVERY TEXT OF SCRIPTURE concerning the Sabbath is commented on at length; and the COMPLETE TESTIMONY OF THE FATHERS 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 any text, or the statement of any historian.
Should be read by everybody. 528 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
WHO CHANGED THE SABBATH?
By Editor
This question very naturally arises when the evidence is presented that Sunday is not the original Sabbath of the Lord; and a complete and satisfactory answer to it is given in the tract with the above title. The following is the plan of the argument: 1. Scripture evidence is introduced to show that God regards his law as unchangeable. 2. The prophecy is quoted which clearly points out the Papacy as the power that should make the change. 3. Standard Catholic books are quoted from to show that the prophecy has been fulfilled. Every one who desires to know the truth in regard to the Sabbath should read this tract.
16 pp. Price, postpaid, 3 cents; $2.25 per hundred.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
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