WHAT the Independent terms "a curious case of conscientiousness" has just developed in Dubuque, Iowa. The facts, as given, are these:—
"The ladies connected with the management of the Iowa Home of the Friendless have been in the habit of having a great ball every year, to raise money for their institution. This year, owing to a series of revival meetings in the city, the date of the ball was postponed until it was expected that the meetings would be concluded. As the meetings, however, were to continue, and the excitement of the coming ball was distracting the attention of the young people, several of the clergymen offered to canvass for money for the Home, if the ball should be given up, and expressed the opinion that a larger amount would thus be raised. No notice was taken of this offer. Then a number of ladies, some of them interested in the Home, offered to give it a thousand dollars on the same condition, this being a considerably larger sum than the ball usually netted."
The ladies gave this generous offer "earnest and prayerful deliberation," and then respectfully declined it, and the following is a part of their reason therefor:—
"As a band of Christian women, working for a charitable institution, we cannot consistently, or in justice to ourselves, admit or assume for any consideration that this innocent amusement that we have for years provided as a means to help us in support of our charitable work, can be in any way inconsistent or detrimental to a Christian life or character. . . . We earnestly recommend these young converts and those that may feel that this or any other amusement or recreation will be a blemish on that higher and better life to which all these things must be subservient, to lean not on any human arm for counsel or support, but as individuals to search their own consciences in the sight of their heavenly Father, and he will give them strength to follow its dictates fearlessly and cheerfully. And it was further resolved that it is now too late to abandon the proposed ball, preparations having already proceeded too far in that direction, and in justice to those who have labored hard and given much valuable time in order to make it a financial success, we cannot further consider the proposition of the committee."
The Independent, with fine sarcasm, says that "the sensitiveness of these ladies for the rights of those of their number who have labored to make the ball a success, is something touching." But it seems as though a little conscientious fear of endangering the salvation of souls, would have given better evidence of the true spirit of Christianity. In this affair we have an instance of how people may delude themselves into thinking that they are conscientiously serving God, when their every act proclaims them "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God."
Notice Concerning Paper Subscriptions
By Editor
We send no papers from this office without pay in advance unless by special arrangement. 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 for pay. Please read the papers and hand them to your friends to read.
Churches Reject Post-Mortem Probation
The New York Observer has sent letters to 501 Congregational Churches in New England, asking how they stand concerning the doctrine of probation after death. Of the replies received, 459 express emphatic disapproval of the theory, and the Observer's conclusion is that "not more than four to five per cent. of the churches of New England tolerate the hypothesis of post-mortem probation."
Adventist Literature in Dutch
By Editor
WE have received from the publishing house in Battle Creek, Mich., a pamphlet of fifty-two pages, entitled, "Prophetic History of the World," containing what we conceive to be an exposition of the seventh and eighth chapters of Daniel, in the Dutch language, and also an assortment of tracts in the same language. The tracts are the following: The Law and the Gospel—The Sabbath of the Bible—The Sanctuary of the Bible—The Sabbath Made for Man—Seven Reasons for Sunday-keeping Examined—Which Day Do You Keep, and Why?—Is Man Immortal?—The Millennium—Who Changed the Sabbath?—The Sufferings of Christ—and two temperance tracts: The Curse of Our Nation, and Alcoholic Poison. We are glad that the Hollanders may now read the truth in their own language. People who are acquainted with any of that nationality should make a note of this.
The Sunday Question and Catholic Alliance
By Editor
THE subject of a discourse by Dr. Barrows, pastor of the First Congregationalist Church, San Francisco, a few Sundays ago, was, "The Sunday Question—the Present Needs and Hopes Concerning It." In this discourse he is reported to have said:—
"Catholicity is needed to obtain a true solution of this question. All we can expect is a civil moral law. If the Catholics, the Protestants, and the Jews all ask for it, where is the Legislature that would refuse? A breadth of view is necessary which will drop out of sight all our minor, individual views, and will unite us for the one common cause. This question is of supreme importance in this country at the present time, and we know of no other which equals it, except the temperance question."
We will not at present comment on the anomaly of "a civil moral law," but will ask special note to be made of the fact that Protestants are seriously proposing an alliance with Catholicism in order to influence legislation in favor of Sunday. Leaving aside all question as to whether or not Sunday should be observed as the Sabbath, is it not evident that somebody's rights are going to be infringed when Protestants and Catholics unite to influence legislation? When did Rome ever combine with any power, except to her own advantage? Is it not time for somebody to be aroused?
ALDEN'S MANIFOLD CYCLOPEDIA OF KNOWLEDGE AND LANGUAGE.
By Editor
To those who wish a cheap cyclopedia, and yet one which is sufficiently comprehensive for all practical purposes, we can heartily recommend this work, the first volume of which is before us. It is more than a mere cyclopedia, as the following extract from the Publisher's Notice will show:
"The 'Manifold Cyclopedia' undertakes to present a survey of the entire circle of knowledge, whether of words or of things, thus combining the characteristics of a cyclopedia and a dictionary, including in its vocabulary every word which has any claim to a place in the English language. It does not especially attempt originality of treatment, but aims rather to give the generally accepted views of the most eminent scholars of the world, upon all the topics discussed."
An excellent feature of the work is that the pronunciation of every name is indicated. The first volume contains 630 pages, and covers the ground from A to America. From this some idea can be gained as to the comprehensiveness of the work. The book is four inches by seven in size, single column, well illustrated. The price, 50 cents in cloth, and 65 cents in half morocco binding, with 10 cents additional for postage, places it within the reach of everybody. The volumes will be issued at intervals of about one month, and a specimen copy may be ordered and returned if not wanted. John B. Alden, publisher, 393 Pearl Street, New York.
PROGRESS.
By C. H. Jones
EXTENSIVE improvements have been made in our office of publication during the past season. A new building 70x100 feet has been erected—increasing the manufacturing departments to fully double what they were. New presses and new machinery have been added, until now we have the largest and most complete printing and publishing house west of the Rocky Mountains. We hope very soon to give our readers a detailed description of this establishment.
The office now has in its employ one hundred and forty-two persons, and the weekly pay-roll amounts to over $1,300. Twelve steam-power presses are kept in constant operation. Paper and all other stock are ordered direct from the manufacturers in the East. Last week an order for over ninety tons, or nine car loads, of paper was given, amounting to over $13,000.
This will give our readers some idea of the magnitude of our work, and how rapidly it is increasing. Every department of our office is crowded to its utmost capacity, and notwithstanding our increased facilities, we still find it difficult to keep up with the orders. It has been found necessary to run several of the departments night and day. We are glad to see this, and desire to thank our friends who are laboring so energetically to increase the circulation of our books and periodicals. We hope that by united effort we may see the work move forward still more rapidly during the coming year.
C. H. JONES.
TO THE NORTH PACIFIC CONFERENCE.
By John Fulton
As I am to change my field of labor, all communication of an official nature should be addressed to Elder Samuel Fulton, Box 18, East Portland, Or. My future address will be Rural Health Retreat, St. Helena, Cal. J. FULTON.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
By Editor
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE
International Tract and Missionary Society.
A sixteen-page Religious Family Paper, devoted to a discussion of the Prophecies, Signs of the Times, Second Coming of Christ, Harmony of the Law and Gospel; with Departments devoted to Health and Temperance, The Home Circle, the Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-school.
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