—John A. Kasson, of Iowa, has been appointed minister to Germany, and Judge Taft, minister to Russia.
—It is reported that General Gordon has been murdered by his soldiers, and that El Mahdi has occupied Khartoum.
—The New York Times says that over 60,000 working people attended the first Sunday concert in Central Park, on the 6th inst.
—The Fitz John Porter bill was vetoed by the President. The House passed it over the veto, but the Senate sustained the President's action.
—A virulent epidemic is raging near Kerbela, Asiatic Turkey. The Russian Government is adopting precautions against the spread of the disease.
—No fewer than 150 persons were poisoned by ice-cream in Brooklyn, N. Y., on the 4th inst. The ice-cream all came from one place, and the proprietor's wife was one of the victims.
—The Democratic National Convention nominated Governor Cleveland, of New York, for president, on the second ballot; and Thos. A. Hendricks, of Indiana, for vice-president.
—Sixteen polygamous marriages are just reported from Cache County, Utah, and the statement is made from there that the new temple has been thronged by seekers after exaltation ever since the dedication in May.
—As a result of the fight between the two factions of the narrow-gauge railroad from Ogden to Denver, all traffic of the Denver and Rio Grande was suspended last week. At the San Francisco office it was stated that it was impossible to tell when business would be resumed, and that the agency in that city is to be closed.
—The Central Pacific Railroad has been forced to surrender the Mojave division of the Southern Pacific, thus breaking its monopoly of the railroad traffic on the Pacific Coast. The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe, and Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroads have not only the right to enter San Francisco, but do so over the lines of the Central Pacific.
—Cholera is spreading in France, and the prospect is somewhat alarming. There is almost a panic at Marseilles and Toulon, and people are leaving in large numbers. This migration, it is feared, will spread the disease. Eighteen hundred persons left Marseilles in one day last week. It is said that New York physicians are now admitting the possibility and danger that cholera may be brought from France to this country. There will no doubt be a rigid quarantine after the disease gets a fair start in the United States.
Obituary.
HALL.—Died, in Woodland, Cal., July 4, 1884, Sister L. M. Hall, aged 72 years, 1 month, and 19 days.
Sister Hall was born in Madison County, N. Y. She came to California in 1853, and settled in Woodland in 1864. She formerly belonged to the M. E. Church, but embraced the Sabbath truth in 1872, since which time she was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Woodland.
She suffered much in her last sickness, and fell asleep in hope of a better resurrection.
A large gathering of friends and neighbors attended the funeral, who listened with interest to a discourse on 1 Cor. 15:53. EDITOR.
BROWN.—Died, June 22, by drowning in Bushard's Bay, near Santa Ana, Los Angeles Co., Cal., John and James Brown, sons of Bro. Daniel Brown.
John was aged 24 years, 8 months, and 7 days, and had been married but a few months. James was aged 13 years, 2 months, and 22 days.
The mother, the wife of the elder brother, and other members of the family, witnessed the scene from the shore, but were unable to render any assistance. The family were on a fishing excursion, and the boy was swimming in the bay.
He called for help, and his brother waded out some distance and handed him a pole, which he grasped and by some unknown means both were drawn under the water. The bodies were not secured until several days after the occurrence. Funeral services were conducted by Bro. R. A. Morton, of Orange. NELLIE A. BROWN.
[Review and Herald please copy.]
Canada Camp-Meeting.
By A. O. Burrill
This meeting was held at Waterloo, which is rather a thriving place of about 2,500 or more inhabitants. The grounds were good and well shaded. The Camp-meeting Committee had made ample preparations, and everything was in good order. The attendance was fair. One good feature was that all were present at first and remained to the close.
The attendance from without was not large, yet on Sunday the 60-ft. tent was well filled by very attentive listeners. I have never seen unbelievers give more heed to the words spoken. Several embraced the Sabbath, and others were almost persuaded. This is a field where the Crisis had considerable influence, but it is crumbling as it is destined to before the third message.
On Monday several of their leading men were present when the wants of the cause were presented and pledges called for. We thought we could discover that they did not expect much would be donated, but before the meeting closed, $3,412 was pledged to forward the work. Six thousand was the amount called for, to be divided as follows: $3,000, for the Tract Repository; $2,000, for an Educational Fund; and $1,000, for a Reserve Fund. We all felt that a good beginning was made. I was told by a lay member of the First-day Adventists that he was astonished. "Why," said he, "we had a meeting as large as this, and did much more talking than was done here, and got only six dollars." But this is the power of the third message upon men. I do have some appreciation of the truth; there is a power in it to move the heart that cannot be found in error.
Elder Owen was elected president of the Conference and T. and M. Society. A goodly number received colporter's licenses. Several probably will attend the South Lancaster Academy the coming year. Our social meetings were quite interesting. On Sabbath about twenty came forward, some of whom were starting for the first time. The children's meeting was an interesting feature of the services. The preaching brethren from abroad were Elders Haskell, Hutchins, Robinson, Whitney, and Bro. M. E. Kellogg.
The canvass for the Signs before the meeting had made a favorable impression upon the public mind. The local papers had contained several favorable articles relative to the meetings and our work.
The parting meeting on Tuesday morning was a good season. Tuesday, July 1, was what is known as "Dominion Day," and to the Canadian is about the same as July 4 is in the States. The Canadian Temperance Society had the tents, and a large crowd was addressed, by two members of Parliament and other prominent men. Elder Owen and myself had the privilege of representing our position on this question. The day passed off well and a good work was accomplished for our cause even at this temperance meeting. On the whole, we left the ground feeling that the meeting had been very profitable, and that the coming year will see much good accomplished for the cause in this province.
A. O. BURRILL.
Minnesota Camp-Meeting.
By I. D. Van Horn
THIS meeting began on time, June 25, and closed the morning of July 1. The president of the Conference, with quite a number of the brethren and sisters, had been camped on the ground for a week before, to make preparations for the meeting. This gave time to counsel together and plan, that the meeting might start off under the most favorable circumstances.
The great majority of our people arrived on Wednesday, and were ready to attend the first meeting. They were not only prompt to come, but nearly all remained to the close. This was the largest, and all were unanimous in saying it was the best camp-meeting ever held in this Conference. A census of the camp taken Monday morning showed that full 900 had camped on the ground. The outside attendance was not large till Sunday, when there were upwards of 2,000 in attendance besides our own people. The best of order was maintained, and that without any special effort, throughout the entire meeting. All listened with deep interest to the points of truth which were set before them.
From the very first the devotional meetings took a serious turn. The preaching was mostly practical, showing the present phase of the work. Elder Butler, just returned from Europe, showed in a very clear manner the wants of the cause in our missions there. Many hearts were melted to tenderness as he spoke of the millions of people still in darkness who must be warned. The frequent mention of the present rapid rise of the message, and of its accumulating power, brought moisture to the eyes of every lover of present truth.
The time was well filled up with good, heartfelt testimonies in all our social meetings. The Spirit of the Lord was present all through the camp on the Sabbath-day in a very marked manner. In the afternoon, after Brother Butler had given a very feeling discourse from the text, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him," Ps. 126: 5, 6, a call was made for sinners and back-sliders who wished to seek the Lord, to come forward. Many responded to the call. No one was urged, but still they came till one hundred and seventy-five filled the front seats. It was a sight that melted the hardest heart to tenderness. All were solemnly impressed that the angels of God were all through the camp, casting their hallowed influence around us.
Another good feature of this meeting, like the one in Wisconsin, was the interest taken by the children and youth in the meetings held for them. Special instruction was given them on the plan of salvation, the evil and deceptive work of Satan as compared with the benevolence, kindness, and holy character of Christ, the evidences of acceptance with God, and Christian duties, such as baptism, etc. When the Sabbath came, they were all ready to move forward understandingly. Just before the close of the Sabbath, a children's social meeting was held, in which one hundred and thirty-eight testimonies were borne in about one hour. It was a very free meeting.
Another opportunity was offered on Monday forenoon for those who were seeking the Lord, and above one hundred came forward. A deep feeling, even deeper than on the Sabbath, was manifested. The broken heart and contrite spirit showed evident signs of the blessing of the Lord. In the afternoon a short discourse on baptism was given, and opportunity offered for those who wished to go forward in this ordinance to manifest it, when sixty-nine gave in their names. We all repaired to the water, where three administrators performed the solemn rite, and all the candidates were buried with their Lord in the clear waters of the Minnesota. Most of these were Sabbath-school scholars, and were moving out for the first time.
The business of the Conference was done with the same unanimity and thoroughness that generally characterizes all our work. The brethren and sisters have the same spirit here as in other Conferences. When the demands of the cause were laid before them, they responded nobly. It was voted to raise the sum of $25,000—$10,000 for the reserve fund and State depository, $5,000 for city missions, $5,000 for the Battle Creek College, $3,000 for the Scandinavian Mission, and $2,000 for the central European Mission; $17,700 of this sum was pledged on the ground; this, with what had been previously pledged, would make the amount about $20,000.
Thus closed another successful camp-meeting this season. Another great victory has been gained for the cause, and we have another proof that God is moving on the hearts of his people everywhere. This is shown, not only in the giving of means, but also in men and women consecrating and giving themselves to the work. Several in this Conference go out from this meeting to engage as laborers in the cause in one branch or another. May the rich blessing of God go with his faithful servants and bless their labors. I. D. VAN HORN.
Appointments.
By John Norton Loughborough
OAKLAND.—House of worship, northeast corner of Clay and Thirteenth Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:30 A. M. Preaching at 11 A. M. Prayer and missionary meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:45. Seats free. Invitations to all.
SAN FRANCISCO.—House of worship, Laguna Street; between McAllister and Tyler Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:45. Preaching at 11 A. M. Prayer and missionary meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:45. Mission Reading-rooms at 316 Fremont Street.
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will hold meetings as follows:—
Oregon—Milton, a general meeting for the churches of Milton and Walla Walla, July 25-27. Echo, Aug. 1-3.
Washington Territory—Dayton, Aug 8-10. Colfax, Aug. 13. Farmington, Aug. 15-17.
THE California Camp-meeting will probably be held this year in Oakland. This is the decision, but the ground has not yet been obtained. We have no doubt it will be here. It is a good selection in every respect.
A TENT-MEETING will be in progress in Oakland by the time this paper reaches its readers. It will be held on the corner of Tenth and Poplar Streets, near the “Cole School.” It will be principally carried on by Eld. J. O. Corliss, assisted by others as circumstances may permit.
OUR Missionary Department is overflowing this week; but there is not a paragraph which we could spare. It is necessary that we give quite fully the proceedings of the Coast Conferences. This condition of our paper will not again exist; the omission of a paper last week made it unavoidable just now.
ARRANGEMENTS are being made to have regular preaching in San Francisco, both on Sabbath and on Sunday evenings. Our health once broke down under efforts to keep up regular appointments there in addition to other arduous labors. We are very glad that circumstances are making it possible to have such an arrangement.
THE excessive labor of the northern Camp-meetings prevented our doing as much for the SIGNS the last two months as we expected to do. Soon after our return we were called away to a funeral, so that we have hardly yet got “in position” for work. We are making arrangements to increase our working force on the paper. We are happy to make this announcement.
“WILL it pay?” Yes; many fold. We learn by letter from New York that it is expected that the Conference will be to an expense of $500 for the Syracuse camp-meeting. We are very much in favor of the most rigid economy in handling means belonging to the Lord’s treasury; but a wise outlay of means is the best economy. We believe that our New York brethren by thus doing will cast bread upon the waters which will return after not many days. Let our important camp-meetings be pushed to success.
A CONTEMPORARY, which occupies the same ground as does the SIGNS on the subject of the state of the dead and the coming of the Lord, publishes an article which it admits contains nothing but vagaries. The reason it gives for so doing is sympathy for an aged brother who has done good work in the past, and to illustrate its principle of independency in journalism. In such a case we would manifest our sympathy by trying to set the erring brother on the right track, and our independence by putting the article into the waste basket. It requires more independence to publish only truth than to publish everything.
Healdsburg College.
By Editor
THE third Annual Announcement of this institution is now before us, from which we extract the following items:—
The next term opens Monday, August 4. The Biblical course will begin immediately after the camp-meeting vacation. At that time a beginners’ class in Greek will be started, for the special purpose of studying the original of the New Testament.
The prospects for the coming school year are very encouraging. The attendance will doubtless be very much increased. Washington and Oregon will send a large number of students. We know of no better recommendation for the College than that all who have been there want to return. Those who design to attend should, as far as possible, plan to be present at the opening.
Our Sabbath-School Lessons.
By William Clarence White
Now that our study of the New Testament history is brought to a close, it has been thought best to devote a few months to the study of Bible doctrines. There never was a time when our schools were so well prepared as now to take up the study of these subjects. It is not possible to estimate the value of the lessons we have learned in the three or four years that we have been studying the Gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles. Those who have studied diligently and entered the most into the spirit of the subject, realize most fully the necessity and the blessing of making the life of our Lord the subject of daily meditation. The study of the lives and labors of the apostles as brought out in the Acts has given us broader, nobler views of Christian duty and attainments.
What we have learned by the study of these subjects is a very essential preparation to a critical study of the teachings of our Lord and his apostles. Some of these teachings we have studied briefly in connection with the history, but now we desire to take up such subjects as the Lord’s Second Coming, the Resurrection, Immortality through Christ, and the Sabbath in the New Testament, and examine the texts bearing directly upon each subject.
There was never a time when a thorough knowledge of these subjects was so much needed as it is now. False doctrines are multiplying and gaining in popularity, and our only safety is to have a definite knowledge of what is taught in the word of God. Peter says, “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” This we understand to be the duty of every one; and to so prepare ourselves as to be “ready always” will require daily diligent study.
We believe the time has come for a revival of the spirit of daily Bible study. It is this that we need more than anything else, for with many the love for the study of God’s word is almost extinct. We are starving our souls, while the word of life is almost constantly within our reach. The Bible-readings have done a good work; they are a most valuable help to the study of the Scriptures, but they are studied by a comparatively small number. It is our hope that the new lessons which are framed on the same plan as the Bible-readings, but which differ from them in being made shorter, and in calling for some of the texts to be committed to memory, will arouse in every school, and in every member of every school, an earnestness for Scripture study which we have never seen before.
W. C. WHITE.
Church Fairs and Fundraising
THE Christian Union reports general dissatisfaction among the members of the Shiloh Presbyterian Church, at Twenty-sixth Street, N. Y., because the present pastor will not allow church fairs, sociables, etc., and insists that all church money shall be raised directly from the members.
Bible-Readings.
By Editor
BIBLE READINGS, Nos. 1 and 2, have just been published at this office. Those recently published were the readings of the ten days’ meeting at Healdsburg, while these now published are founded upon the “Bible Course” at Healdsburg College last winter. They who attended that course were desirous of having the substance of their lessons in the form of readings, whereby they might not only keep in mind the important instructions which they had received, but be better able to instruct others in the truth.
There are also a few other important readings in these numbers, some of which were prepared by special request for the meeting held last spring in Oakland. A judicious use of such readings as are here given cannot fail to prove of great benefit in any community. They are all got up with great care by those who are accustomed to presenting the truth to their fellow-men. We recommend them to all, both to workers and students. Price, 25 cents each number.
Camp-Meeting Supplements.
By Editor
THE tent and camp-meeting supplements are proving a valuable aid in bringing out people to attend these important meetings. The camp-meeting supplements have been used with the best of satisfaction in the following Conferences this year: Kansas, Canada, North Pacific, Upper Columbia, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Vermont has just ordered a supply for their camp-meeting. Oregon used 2,000 SIGNS with supplements; Texas orders 3,000 SIGNS and supplements; New York, 5,000 SIGNS and 20,000 supplements for their camp-meeting. The tent supplements have been used in Texas, Nevada, California, Colorado, etc. Terms were given in the four-page SIGNS supplement of May 8.
Texas Tract Society.
THE Texas Tract and Missionary Society has the State Agency for “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,” “Sunshine at Home,” “Sketches from the Life of Paul,” and other works on the Signs of the Times, Coming of the Lord, the Bible Sabbath, the Judgment, the Origin of Satan, the Destiny of the Wicked, the Soul, the Resurrection, Bible Sanctification, Salvation through Christ, Sufferings of Christ, Is the End Near? etc.
Address, TEXAS TRACT SOCIETY, Denton, Texas.
Colorado.
By E. R. Jones; William Ostrander
WE have commenced a series of meetings in our tent at the corner of California and Twenty-third Streets, Denver, and will continue them daily at 8 P. M. until further notice. A large assortment of books on all Bible subjects may be obtained at the tent.
E. R. JONES,
WM. OSTRANDER.
Meeting and Address Notices
By Editor
Elder Reese is holding a tent-meeting at Monticello, Ind. Sister Nordyke writes: “We are having a good meeting and interest increasing. Ten have signed the covenant.”
The address of Eld. Wm. Ings will be East Portland, Oregon, until Aug. 5; after that date it will be Walla Walla, W. T., until Sept. 5.
The present address of Brother Drew is: Geo. R. Drew, 32 Grange Road, Birkenhead, Cheshire, England.
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 Temperance, The Home Circle, the Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-school.
Price Per Year, . . . . . . . $2.00
In Clubs of five or more copies to one address, to be used in Missionary Work, . . . . . . . 1.50