p. 12 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 14. (2/6/1893)

Earlier text: A COMPLETE EXHIBIT OF RELIGIONS

MISSION WORK IN THE NEW HEBRIDES.

REV. DR. JOHN G. PATON, the venerable missionary to the islands of the New Hebrides, relates how he had once been driven off one of the islands by the cannibals. He had been obliged to flee to the top of a rocky cliff overhanging the sea. If he trusted to jumping over the cliff it might mean death, and, on the other hand, he was liable to fall into the hands of the infuriated savages.

"The night was very dark," said Dr. Paton, "and the place was one which it would be difficult to escape from by daylight. I threw stones over the cliff to see if I could ascertain anything about the locality. Finally I grasped the limb of a tree, swung out over the cliff, and, with a prayer to God, let go my hold. I fell into the sea below, but, by the providence of God, I was enabled to reach footing and escaped for the time.

"At another time I was making my way along one of the islands when a savage warrior stepped from behind a tree and raised his tomahawk to strike me. I stepped forward and cried: 'I dare you to strike. If you do, the Lord God omnipotent, who guards me, will punish you for the murder.' The savage turned and fled in terror."—Selected.

CONSECRATION HYMN.

By Frances Ridley Havergal

TAKE my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to thee. Take my moments and my days; Let them flow in ceaseless praise. Take my hands, and let them move At the impulse of thy love. Take my feet, and let them be Swift and "beautiful" for thee. Take my voice, and let me sing Always, only, for my King. Take my lips, and let them be Filled with messages from thee. Take my silver and my gold; Not a mite would I withhold. Take my intellect and use Every power as thou shalt choose. Take my will, and make it thine; It shall be no longer mine. Take my heart, it is thine own; It shall be thy royal throne. Take my love; my Lord, I pour At thy feet its treasure store. Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for thee. —Frances Ridley Havergal.

Breathe Thy Pure Breath

By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps

BREATHE thy pure breath, watching Father, On this marred day of thine, This wandering day of mine. Be patient with its blur and blot, Wash it white of stain and spot; Reproachful eyes, remember not That I have grieved thee On this day of thine. —Elizabeth Stuart Phelps.

A POOR SLAVE WOMAN'S DREAM.

A POOR woman was caught by a slave raiding band in the interior of Africa. In a moment she was snatched, with a few of her friends, from home, from children, from hope, and found herself on the march to the coast, in the dreadful slave gang. Day after day, foot-sore and heart-sore, she wended her weary way, until one night in her sleep a vision came to her. She dreamed she was in a larger room than she had ever seen; and at one end of it there was a man with a white face, whose words gave her comfort. She rose the next morning with heart relieved, a pilgrim to a blessed destiny. She did not know what it was to be; she knew she was a pilgrim to the sunrise. She reached the coast, there was sold, and embarked on board a slaver. The slaver was captured and a large part of the slave cargo, herself included, was landed at Fernando Po. A little while after she was taken to a little Christian chapel at Clarence, in West Africa. It was the room of her dream. There was the man of her dream and his message brought the light of immortality to her heart, which never left it.—African News.

FIELD NOTES.

By Editor

EIGHT accessions to the faith are the visible result of meetings held near Eddyville, Iowa, by Brother H. V. Adams.

BROTHER EDWIN R. PALMER has been appointed State canvassing agent for Vermont. His address is Essex Junction.

WE are glad to notice in the Review the statement that Elder R. A. Underwood is able to visit Battle Creek after his long illness.

CLEAN copies of the Signs and American Sentinel are wanted for missionary work by Permelia J. Campbell, Rocklin, Placer County, California. Send postpaid.

ELDER GEORGE E. FIFIELD, of New England Conference, has been called to Battle Creek College to assist in the work of giving instruction in the Bible Course.

ELDER H. F. PHELPS has succeeded in getting a liberal use of Finnish papers in Minnesota in presenting articles upon our faith to the people of that nationality.

A GOOD spiritual interest is reported at Healdsburg, Cal. On the 20th inst. twenty-five persons presented themselves for baptism, most of whom were young people connected with the college.

AT Farmington, Wash., our brethren have started a German school which has twenty-nine students. It is called a German school, but is partly conducted in English in order to come within the requirements of the law.

ELDER W. A. McCUTCHEON reports encouragingly of the work in the vicinity of Douglasville, Georgia, although the stringent Sunday law of that State is a hindrance to the freedom of those who would keep all the commandments of God.

THE new post office at College Place, Wash., is now a money order office, which is a great convenience to our college brethren there. Those who have dealings with the college will please take notice. There is no need of directing any mail to Walla Walla which is destined for College Place.

THE Reaper, published at College Place, Wash., has this item in its issue of the 19th inst.: "Elder G. F. Haffner has been holding meetings near here the past two weeks. He baptized ten last Sunday, and says that there are others who will take hold of the truth. The Walla Walla German church now numbers thirty-eight members."

THE missionary work heretofore conducted by Brother Frank Jeffers at Fresno, Cal., has been turned over to Sister E. P. Naylor by the Fresno Tract Society. She requests further donations of denominational papers, but is particular in her request that they shall be clean and in presentable shape, as many that have been received are unfit for use. She also wishes none earlier than 1890.

ELDER FRANCIS HOPE writes from Liverpool January 11, as follows: "I have just been holding a week's mission with the church at Hull. They are of good courage. Also visited Ulceby and Grimsby. To-day a large party sail on the Majestic for General Conference: Four from South Africa; Elder Johnson, from Scandinavia; Elders Chadwick and D. A. Robinson, and Brother Gibson."

BECAUSE the Baptists have a good record as champions of religious liberty, the National Religious Liberty Association will send Elder A. T. Jones' pamphlet, "Due Process of Law," to the 1,242 Baptist ministers of Missouri. That is, the society will do the work of procuring the addresses and mailing the pamphlets, provided the Missouri brethren will bear the expense of paying for them.

BROTHER F. W. SPIES writes from Altoona, Pennsylvania, January 12, as follows: "Elder A. T. Jones visited our State the first ten days of this month, and spoke three times in Pittsburg, twice in Washington, and three times in Harrisburg on religious liberty, to very attentive audiences, and since the lectures we have made an effort with 'Two Republics' in Pittsburg, with fair success thus far. We would say to our brethren, Study this book, for we believe the time has come to push it."

A CANVASSER for "Two Republics" in Kansas had a bit of encouraging experience while laboring under disadvantage. While taking orders he took dinner at a farmhouse. The man could not be induced to subscribe for the book, but took a copy of the pamphlet "Civil Government and Religion," as pay for the canvasser's dinner. Afterward the canvasser was out delivering his orders on a very stormy day, carrying his books on his back. There were no teams on the road, but a young horseman overtook him, and, recognizing him, said: "Well, I am glad I have found you. Father has been nearly sick since you were at our house, because he didn't buy that book. He has read 'Civil Government' through several times, and wants the large book."

ELDER R. C. PORTER, writing to the Union Record in regard to the Sunday-closing hearing before the Congressional Committee on the Quadro-centennial Exposition, says: "We were invited to participate in the discussion and a liberal share of time was offered to us. Elder A. T. Jones was the first speaker on our side of the question, and began by making an argument on the unconstitutionality of all religious legislation. He had not proceeded far before the chairman informed him that they would hear no more on the principle of the question. Congress had already decided that it was proper to legislate on religious questions, and the only question now was the policy of opening the Fair on Sunday. This ruled us out from further discussion of the matter, and it also showed that the United States Congress acknowledges a union of Church and State. The die is cast; the union is formed; the work before us is brief but of thrilling interest. A faithful warning must be borne, unmasking the deceptions of Satan for this time. The destiny of souls depends upon our faithfulness."

AN INTERESTING LETTER.

By Editor

THE following letter by a boy fifteen years old, now in attendance at one of our schools, written to his father on his conversion will speak for itself. The same good work has been going on in Battle Creek College, Healdsburg College, and we doubt not in our other colleges and schools also. This is as it should be; the study of the word of God ought to be followed by the cleansing of souls. Says Jesus: "Now are ye clean through the word which I have spoken unto you." We praise God that so many of our young brethren and sisters are hearing his word; and now may they "abide in him." Here is the letter:—

Father, I have given my heart to the Lord. He has died for me, and for all these years I have not given him anything in return. But I made up my mind that I would give my heart to him, and be a Christian. I knew that in myself there was nothing worthy, but that he, in his unbounding love, had promised to forgive and accept all, and I by faith believed that he did forgive and accept me, and he does. Oh, how thankful I am!

Last Sabbath [December 10] several, including myself, stayed after meeting, and we gave ourselves up completely, and last Sunday we were baptized, and admitted into the Graysville [Tennessee] S. D. A. Church. Oh, how it makes me rejoice to know that I am connected with the living church of Christ! I know, by faith, that my sins are forgiven.

The Lord has greatly blessed me during my stay here in Graysville. I am so thankful that I was permitted to come to this school, and to enjoy the privileges of religious surroundings. I know that God had a hand in it. He sent me here. Oh, how grateful I am! At the same time (Sabbath) six others gave their hearts to their Creator. . . . Oh, how the Lord has led us all out into the light since coming to school and attending the meetings!

We were baptized by Elder J. W. Scoles, as Elder Colcord is not very strong. I want to lead a Christian and prayerful life henceforth. Pray for me, that I may be a true follower of Christ. My faith is developing, and I am very thankful that I heard the lectures in Terra Ceia and De Leon Springs on this subject. I know the Spirit of God worked with power last Sabbath.

The latter rain is here, and we have had some of it in Graysville. Of course you have heard of the wonderful outpouring of the Spirit of God upon the college students at Battle Creek, and of the wonderful meetings held there.

We have excellent meetings here in the academy chapel on Sabbath evenings. These have led me and the others out in a marked degree. We have had a precious season every time we have met. How much greater one will we have next Sabbath evening, when we assemble together! Oh, how glad I am that I am situated where I can enjoy these meetings! It is no use of living for this world, and I have no desire to. I want to meet my Redeemer in the clouds. I do want to meet you there. I want to prepare myself for the trial just before the people of God.

Since I have been broken on the Rock, and have crucified self, and laid away the "old man" (sin) I can claim the promises of God's word so much more. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Oh, I want to search the Scriptures; I am searching them! I want to grow in grace. God helping me I can learn his word, and understand it, far more than before. In our Bible class all are members of this church now. I know that we can have better lessons, and learn faster of his word, for there are none there now to drive the Spirit away. Father, pray for me, that I may grow in strength. Write me a letter too. I have had a hard heart, naturally, but I have prayed to God that it might be broken, and praise his name, he answered my prayer. To him be all the praise.

PACIFIC HEALTH JOURNAL

By Editor

AND TEMPERANCE ADVOCATE.

A THIRTY-TWO PAGE MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted to the dissemination of true temperance principles, and instruction in the art of preserving health. It is emphatically

A JOURNAL FOR THE PEOPLE,

Containing what everybody wants to know, and is thoroughly practical. Its range of subjects is unlimited, embracing everything that in any way affects the health. Its articles being short and pointed, it is especially adapted to farmers, mechanics, and housekeepers, who have but little leisure for reading. It is just the journal that every family needs, and may be read with profit by all. Price, $1.00 per year. Sample copy free.

Address, PACIFIC HEALTH JOURNAL, St. Helena, Cal.

OVERLAND EXCURSIONS.

If you are going East, you will find it to your advantage to correspond with the undersigned and obtain full particulars of the "Weekly Overland Excursions," which leave every Wednesday. Experienced managers in charge, whose duties are to look out for the comfort of the passengers, especially ladies and children traveling without an escort. This is the most popular manner of making an overland trip, and no other line offers advantages equal to the "Great Santa Fe Route," the favorite winter route. It is the only line running Pullman palace and tourist sleeping cars through to Chicago every day on the same train. Baggage checked through to destination. Union depot connections in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Chicago. Steamship tickets sold to and from all European points. For full information address W. A. Bissel, G. P. A., 650 Market Street, Chronicle Building, San Francisco, Cal., or J. J. Warner, agent, 972 Broadway, Oakland, Cal.

International S. S. Lessons.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8

LESSON VIII.—SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1893.

REBUILDING THE WALL.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

Lesson Scripture—Neh. 4: 9-23.

9. But we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

10. And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.

11. And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come into the midst of them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.

12. And it came to pass that, when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times from all places, Ye must return unto us.

13. Therefore set I in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in the open places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.

14. And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them; remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your houses.

15. And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to naught, that we returned all of us to the wall, everyone unto his work.

16. And it came to pass from that time forth, that half of my servants wrought in the work, and half of them held the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the coats of mail; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.

17. They that builded the wall and they that bare burdens laded themselves, everyone with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other held his weapon;

18. And the builders, everyone had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.

19. And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another;

20. In what place soever ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us; our God shall fight for us.

21. So we wrought in the work; and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.

22. Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let everyone with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and may labor in the day.

23. So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, everyone went with his weapon to the water.

Golden Text.—"We made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them." Neh. 4: 9.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

1. WHAT was the subject of our last lesson?

2. How long a time did Nehemiah pray? Note 1.

3. What was the result of his prayer? Note 2.

4. What did Nehemiah first do on arriving at Jerusalem? Note 3.

5. What effect did this work of building have on their enemies? and what resulted? Note 4.

6. What did Nehemiah do to meet this conspiracy? Verse 9.

7. How did the Jews without feel? Verse 10.

8. How did the enemies of the Jews boast? Verse 11.

9. What did those Jews who lived near these enemies say to weaken the hands of Nehemiah? Verse 12.

10. What did all this cause Nehemiah to do? Verse 13.

11. How did he encourage the people? Verse 14.

12. What resulted from this? Verse 15.

13. How did he arrange and guard his workmen and work? Verses 16-18.

14. What instruction did he give the leaders? Verses 18, 19.

15. How did he show his faith? Verse 20, last clause.

16. How did he divide the watching and working? Verse 21.

17. What instructions did he give to all? Verse 22.

18. How indefatigable were they in their work? Verse 23.

19. What lessons may we not draw from this? Note 5.

20. What lessons of profit may we draw from this narrative? Note 6.

NOTES.

1. Nehemiah seemed to have been seeking God for about four months, from Chislev to Nisan. Compare Nehemiah 1:7 with 2:1. Nehemiah's earnest and anxious face was noticed by the king, in whose presence everyone was expected to smile.

2. The result of Nehemiah's prayer is given in the second and third chapters of his book, especially in the first eleven verses of the second chapter. There we are told how the king noticed his sadness and inquired its cause, how fearful Nehemiah was, how the heart of the godly man was then lifted to the One who knows every thought, how God heard, how gracious the king was, and how he not only consented that Nehemiah should go to Jerusalem, but that the king fitted him out with all he needed to make his journey in safety and pursue his work successfully.

3. Nehemiah's first work, like the prudent man that he was, was to look over the work to be done. Chapter 2:12 to 3:32 tells us how he looked over the ruined wall in the night, how he called the rulers together and laid the matter before them, how Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem laughed him to scorn, how Nehemiah answered, showing his faith in God, and how he disposed of his forces in building.

4. The building of the wall brought out the enmity of the men spoken of in the previous note. First they ridiculed the work as amounting to nothing; even a fox in passing over the wall would break it down, they said. To meet it Nehemiah rolled the reproach off upon the Lord. The building went on, and the enemies of the Jews, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, together with the Arabians, Ammonites, and Ashdodites, conspired together against them to stop the building of the wall.

5. We may not draw from Nehemiah's use of the sword a model for gospel work. Nehemiah lived in the days of a theocracy, when God ruled his people. Nehemiah went to Jerusalem to do a material work for a material city, to build up a material kingdom. Not so the Christian. His work ought or should be to gather out souls, to win souls, to watch against sin, to build up the spiritual house of God. When the Christian presumes to execute God's judgments, he usurps the place of God and becomes a transgressor.

6. We may learn many useful lessons from this narrative: 1. God always hears the prayers of those who seek him for his glory, unselfishly. So Nehemiah sought God. 2. In building character we should examine our work, as did Nehemiah, and learn what is to be done. 3. We should clear away the rubbish. 4. We should use that instrument which is both trowel for building and sword for defense or aggressive warfare, namely, God's word, the sword of the Spirit. 5. We should be earnest, zealous, self-sacrificing. 6. Let us build at home, get ourselves right, and then we may labor for others. 7. The women, the families, joined in the work. God has work for all now. 8. Opposition may be expected, but labor on, watch and pray, our God will fight for us, and give us eternal victory.

LESSON VIII.—SABBATH, FEBRUARY 18, 1893.

By Editor

OPERATIONS OF THE SPIRIT.

[For any modification in these lessons, and for the notes, the editor is responsible. For other notes and suggestions the student is referred to the lesson pamphlet, and to the S. S. Worker.]

Lesson Scriptures and Suggestive Questions.

1. John 16: 7-14: "Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you. And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to the Father, and ye behold me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world hath been judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot hear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth; for he shall not speak from himself; but what things soever he shall hear, these shall he speak; and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall take of mine, and shall declare it unto you."

What did Christ promise to send?
Of what things would the Comforter convict the world?
Why of sin?
Why of righteousness?
Why of judgment?
What prevented Christ from saying many things to his disciples?
What did he say the Spirit would do?
Of what would the Comforter speak?
What things would the Comforter declare?
Who would be glorified?
What would be declared?

II. 1 Cor. 2:9-14: "But as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, and which entered not into the heart of man, whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him. But unto us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God. But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us by God. Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged."

Can the human mind imagine what God is preparing for his children?
How does God reveal them?
Why can the Spirit do this?
How can the things of man be known?
How can the things of God be known?
What spirit had Paul received?
Why was it given?
How did he speak?
What are the things of God to the natural man?
Why can he not know them?

III. 1 Cor. 12: 7-13: "But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal. For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; to another, divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues; but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit."

For what general purpose is the Spirit given to every man?
What nine gifts of the Spirit are mentioned?
What worketh all these gifts?
How are these gifts divided?
What illustration of unity is used?
How are all baptized?
Of what have all been made to drink?

NOTE.

SOME of the operations of the Spirit are brought out in this lesson. God's Spirit dwells in his word (compare John 3:5 with James 1:18 and 1 Peter 1:25), and it is through this agency that it reproves the world. The Spirit is an instructor (Neh. 9:20), to teach all things (John 14:26), according to the promise (John 6:45), and to testify of Christ (John 15:26). It is the agent in inspiration (2 Peter 1:21), testified in the prophets (1 Peter 1:11), and is to speak in those who are persecuted (Matt. 10:19, 20). Through the word it witnesses that we are the children of God (Rom. 8:16) and lifts up a standard against the enemy (Isa. 59:19). The Spirit strives with men (Gen. 6:3), helps in prayer (Rom. 8:26; Jude 20; Eph. 6:18), and guides them in the right way (Isa. 30:21). It renews (Titus 3:5), quickens (1 Peter 3:18), and sanctifies (2 Thess. 2:13). The practical importance of receiving the Spirit is apparent, as we see the part which it acts in God's purpose concerning man.

"The Holy Spirit exalts and glorifies the Saviour. It is his office to present Christ, the purity of his righteousness, and the great salvation that we have through him. Jesus says, 'He shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.' The Spirit of truth is the only effectual teacher of divine truth. How must God esteem the human race, since he gave his Son to die for them, and appoints his Spirit to be man's teacher and continual guide."—Steps to Christ, page 105.

SECULAR.

—An explosion of fire damp in a mine at Dux, Bohemia, on the 24th inst., caused the death of 130 men.

—The rainstorm which prevailed in California for several days last week was quite general throughout the State.

—Prof. Martin Kellogg, for the past two years acting president of the University of California, has been elected president.

—Justice L. Q. C. Lamar, of the U. S. Supreme Court, died at Macon, Georgia, on the 23d inst., aged 67 years and 4 months.

—The Alabama Assembly has refused, by a vote of 17 to 15, to grant a pension of $500 a year to the widow of Jefferson Davis.

—It is announced that the crown prince of Japan, the mikado's eldest son, will represent that empire at the Chicago World's Fair.

—The steamer Flintshire arrived in Victoria, B. C., from Yokohama, on the 27th inst., flying the yellow flag. There was one case of smallpox aboard.

—Wisconsin has elected Col. John I. Mitchell (Democrat) to the U. S. Senate. Kansas has also chosen a Democratic senator in the person of Judge Martin.

—Yellow fever has broken out in Guayaquil, Ecuador. All ships from Guayaquil for Panama have been quarantined, and have not been allowed to unload their mails or cargo.

—It has recently been discovered that $50,000 in coupons is missing from the State treasury of Arkansas. When and by whom the funds have been abstracted is as yet a mystery.

—A Berne dispatch of the 25th inst. reports that heavy snows had interrupted railway traffic throughout Switzerland, and that the St. Gothard Tunnel had been blocked by an avalanche.

—Hon. James G. Blaine, after a lingering illness, which he survived much longer than was expected, died at Washington, D. C., on the 27th inst. Had he lived four days more, he would have been 63 years old.

—A passenger train on the railway between Wilna and Minsk, Russia, on the 25th inst., ran into a freight train which had been stalled in a snow bank, and the result was fifteen persons killed and thirty seriously wounded.

—Bishop Phillips Brooks, the noted Boston minister, died on the 23d inst. He had been sick only a week, his malady being diphtheria. After a sudden fit of coughing, his heart ceased to beat. He was not quite 58 years old.

—Eight of the leaders of the Mexican marauders along the Rio Grande have been captured by a Texas sheriff and his deputies. The Mexican Government asks that one of them, Gonzales, be extradited to that country for trial.

—The great strike of cotton mill operatives in Lancashire is still unsettled. It is stated that representatives of the employes and proprietors held extensive conferences, but failed to come to an agreement, as neither party will yield.

—A resolution has been introduced in the U. S. Senate requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to secure a bond from the World's Columbian Exposition Corporation before delivering the souvenir coins provided for by act of Congress.

—Extensive drifts of snow on the large World's Fair buildings at Chicago have necessitated the employment of large gangs of men to shovel off the snow. The chief constructor was fearful that the great extra weight would cause collapse.

—Captains of half a dozen steam schooners held an important meeting on the wharf at San Francisco recently and unanimously decided not to ship any more union sailors. This will throw quite a number of union men out of employment, and trouble is expected.

—A recent dispatch from Anaconda, Montana, says the labor organizations in that State have inaugurated a system of boycotting against employing or patronizing Chinamen, and it is being so well seconded by the people as to greatly reduce the Chinese population.

—An extensive fire is reported in the famous Conception Silver Mine in San Luis Potosi. The fire broke out in the main shaft, causing heavy loss of life. On the 25th inst. thirteen dead bodies had been recovered. The financial loss will not be less than $1,000,000.

—An explosion occurred in a coal mine at Tokod, Hungary, on the 27th inst., and at latest reports fire was raging, with the prospect that all of the 150 workmen in the mine were dead. Nineteen dead bodies were picked up at the bottom of the main shaft, and the rescuers could go no further.

—The khedive of Egypt made some changes in his cabinet council without asking permission of England, and the latter has shown her hold upon Egyptian affairs by promptly objecting, whereupon the newly appointed premier was asked to resign. The French Government intimates that England is assuming too much in Egypt, and a diplomatic discussion is the result. A French paper declares that “Europe will not allow the khedive to become a blind vassal of England.”

—There is considerable excitement in Gilroy, Cal., over the discovery of fourteen cases alleged to be a serious form of cholera, one of which proved fatal. Dr. H. R. Chesboro attended all the sufferers, but refused to say definitely what the disease was, although he acknowledged its resemblance to cholera.

—A Washington dispatch of the 24th inst. says: “The House Committee on the World's Columbian Exposition wrestled for two hours this morning with the Sunday-opening proposition, and when it adjourned for a week neither the Sunday openers nor the Sunday closers had secured a decided advantage.”

—A druggist of this city has been acquitted by the police court of selling liquors without a license. The verdict virtually permits druggists to dispense liquors according to their own discretion. Another feature is that the closing of saloons on election day does not affect the liquor department of the druggists' business.

—The captain of the steamer Alsatia, which arrived in New York last week, reports having passed the Norwegian bark Star of India, dismantled, with no signs of life on board. She had evidently passed through a hurricane, and must have been wrecked early in December. She had a crew of thirty-seven men, and all are supposed to have been lost.

—A Parkersburg, West Virginia, dispatch of the 28th inst. says: “The bodies of John Michaels, wife, and three little children were discovered frozen to death last night in a hovel in Putnam County, near the Lincoln County line. The fourth child, an infant, heavily wrapped, was found to be alive. The family lived a gypsy life, and have been in the habit of going South every winter. They failed to get away in time this year.”

—A few weeks ago we mentioned the fact that several squatters on land claimed by the commune at Caltavutaro, Sicily, had been killed while resisting the soldiers who were sent to displace them. Later advices state that the affair was a military massacre, as the soldiers, after charging the crowd with bayonets, were ordered by the military authorities not to stop firing until their supply of cartridges was exhausted. As a result twelve civilians were killed, and fifteen seriously wounded, while many sustained slight injuries. Several children were victims of this indiscriminate slaughter, one of whom was wounded several times by bayonet thrusts.

—The queen and ministry of the Hawaiian Islands have been deposed, and a provisional government substituted pending an appeal to the United States for annexation. The complaint of the revolutionists is that the queen has for some time endeavored to bring about such a change in the Constitution as would greatly concentrate the powers of government in her own hands, to the detriment of the property interests, and especially hostile to the interests of the white population. The culmination of opposition, however, came when she signed a bill authorizing the establishment of a lottery scheme, on condition of the payment of $50,000 a year. A deputation representing the new government arrived in San Francisco last week, en route to Washington, to present the matter of annexation.

RELIGIOUS.

By Editor

—Montevideo advices state that the pope has appointed a Catholic Convention for South America, and named Bishop Soler as presiding officer.

—Minot J. Savage, the noted Unitarian preacher of Boston, issues this challenge, which it is safe to pass along: “I challenge the scholarship of the world to show any biblical or divine authority for the transfer of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week.”

—The discussion as to the Hon. James G. Blaine's religious persuasion will probably be set at rest now, by the holding of his burial service in a Presbyterian Church. Like that of General Sherman, his religious conviction, if he had any, has long been a matter of dispute, and he has always seemed content to let it be so.

—In the National Conference of Christian Prohibitionists held in Philadelphia last week, there was a lively discussion in regard to the duty of Christians toward the liquor traffic. Mr. Lindley, of New York, criticised the attitude of the Methodist Church of California toward prohibition, and Rev. Dr. Swindells, rising to defend the denomination, was not permitted to speak fully, and thereupon declared that he would remain simply as a spectator.

—This item from the Union Signal is quite significant: “It is said that the pope is moving toward throwing the influence of the Roman Catholic Church in favor of peace among all Christian nations, and has offered to preside at a congress held for that purpose. This is one of the best tokens of progress toward human brotherhood that we have seen in many a day.” By some hook or crook the pope is bound to pose before the nations as indispensable in the settlement of their affairs. Occasionally his chances get an apparent setback, but it is only to loom up again in a more advantageous position.

—A letter from Sacramento states that petitions in favor of a Sunday law are being presented to the Legislature. This effort was being offset by the distribution of some adverse literature. The San Francisco Examiner expresses the opinion that neither of the large parties will father such a measure in view of a previous disaster to the Republicans on such an issue. But politicians are coming to be somewhat fearful of church antagonism, as was shown by the last Congress in the act of passing the Sunday-closing Act under the whip of a few ministers who claimed to carry all the church vote of the country in their pockets.

—That leading Catholics sought to defeat President Harrison at the recent election for religious purposes is thus acknowledged by the Catholic News: “We have no reason to regret the part we took in securing the removal of so improper a person from so important an office. The only way to get rid of Morgan was to get rid of Harrison, who, knowing the bigotry and unfairness practiced by his subordinate, permitted him to continue his shameful work. Harrison was responsible for Morgan's actions and he seemed satisfied to face the consequences. He has done so and both will go home.” With Protestants also striving for prestige in the government, even resorting to fraud and gross deception to further their ends, who can contend that we are not menaced with the evil of Church and State Union?

—The Occident speaks thus in regard to the Briggs' case: “We give elsewhere a résumé of opinion in the Briggs case as it now stands. This is due our readers. It is also due them that we express our own judgment. After this we shall be glad if the subject can have pause for a time, if possible until the assembly shall have spoken once more.” Keeping still “until the assembly shall have spoken once more,” carries the idea that that body's judgment should settle the orthodoxy of any doctrine. That is the way the Papacy was formed. Her councils have settled many things, some that the Occident would pronounce absurd. Yet these were the councils of the popular church, called to settle disputed points of doctrine. One of them, that of Laodicea, A.D. 364, finally settled the Sunday question, making it heresy punishable by excommunication to observe the seventh day as the Sabbath. Another one, that of Rome, 1870, finally settled the infallibility of the pope. When we look up to any human authority as the one to settle doctrine—whether it be a “pope,” a “propaganda,” a “council,” or an “assembly”—we virtually credit that authority with infallibility. And who is to judge which, if either, is infallible?

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