—There are two chaplains in the Minnesota State prison, one Protestant, and one Catholic. They hold services on alternate Sundays.
—Dr. Burtsell, of New York, who has been on a visit to Rome, is said to have received a commission from the pope to collect labor statistics in this country.
—In recognition of his services in behalf of poor Italians, the queen of Italy has sent to Priest Tonello, of Galesburg, Ill., a set of candlesticks of artistic workmanship, and a bas-relief of Raphael's Madonna in silver and bronze.
—Rev. J. Merton Smith, who recently went from this city to take charge of the First Presbyterian Church of San Diego, was stricken with paralysis while sitting in his pulpit on the 1st inst., and his recovery is not thought probable.
—The Salvation Army has purchased a lot in New York City for $200,000, on which to erect a building in memory of Mrs. Catherine Booth, the "Mother of the Army." The building is to cost $150,000. The corner stone was laid with great display August 14.
—A Rome dispatch of the 2d inst. says: "Sixty Canadian pilgrims attended mass this morning in the hall of the Consistory. The pope acted as celebrant. After the service his holiness permitted the pilgrims to kiss his toe, and expressed a few pleasant words to each of them."
—A new society has been formed in Rome for the purpose of propagating the doctrines of the encyclical Novarum Rerum. The new society is under the presidency of Cardinal Parocchi, "Vicar of his Holiness," and desires to be put in correspondence with every workingman's society in the world.
—Rev. Alexander Blackburn, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Charlestown, Mass., has purchased a gospel wagon, which will be used regularly under the direction of the church. He proposes to make street preaching as much a department of church work as the Sunday morning service.
—The New York Christian Advocate, in complimenting Bishop Taylor's Illustrated Africa, says: "It contains much valuable and interesting matter, but if Anthony Comstock should happen to fall in with the number for August, he would have just cause seriously to consider whether consistency to his profession would not require him to suppress it."
—After a very brief experience, Evangelist B. Fay Mills gives up the pro tem pastorate of the Talmage congregation in Brooklyn, N. Y. The work of an evangelist and that of a pastor are somewhat different, as indicated by the fact that the Scriptures recognize both offices (Eph. 4:11). Both Mr. Moody and Mr. Mills have great reputation as successful evangelists, but both have conspicuously failed in attempts to do pastoral duty.
—Bishop Scannel (Catholic), of Omaha, is under arrest for contempt of court in refusing to open the doors of St. Paul's Church on an order of the District Court. The bishop's opponents held services on the 1st inst., under protection of the police. A court officer was about to break open the doors, but the sexton found duplicate keys. The bishop's friends were also out in considerable numbers, and only the presence of the police prevented a riot.
—The Catholic Columbian, published at Columbus, Ohio, and supposed to be Bishop Watterson's organ, has this to say of the bishop's much-lauded temperance decision: "Bishop Watterson has pronounced no condemnation of the liquor business. That fact was distinctly stated by him in his March letter. . . . All that Bishop Watterson has decided is that, for their own honor and dignity, as well as for their influence and usefulness, our diocesan Catholic societies shall have no affiliation in any way with the saloon; and the only liquor traffic that comes in for any direct condemnation in his letter is that which is conducted in a forbidden and disedifying manner, to the persons engaged in which sort of business priests are directed to refuse the sacraments."
—The attempt to forbid, in the forthcoming New York constitution, all State aid to denominational charities seems to have failed. It was a contest between the Catholics and the National League for the Protection of American Institutions. But it is said that the Committees on Education and Charities have agreed to prevent the appropriation of public money to aid sectarian schools, but to aid denominational charitable institutions as an economical measure, deeming it cheaper than to support entirely the persons carried by these institutions. There is, however, a loophole in the educational prohibition; for the sectarian charitable institutions may receive public aid, though they may exercise educational functions. If the reports of these committees should be finally adopted by the convention, it will be a decided Catholic victory.
—The Disciples of the Pacific Coast have made still another change in their denominational organ. This time it is from the Harbinger to the Pacific Christian, with considerable reduction in size of page. D. T. Stanley is no longer editor, that position being filled by Joseph B. Johnson and Wm. A. Gardner. The Harbinger was a decided improvement upon the Truth, and, judging from the initial number, the Christian is an improvement upon the Harbinger.
—The recent Christian Endeavor Convention at Cleveland, Ohio, passed a resolution which will do to hand around: "Resolved, That the raising of money for Christian purposes by the giving of socials, suppers, fairs, etc., should be discouraged among Christian Endeavorers; but, rather, an appeal should be made to the hearts of the people on the higher ground of its being a privilege to give directly to the work of the Lord without any compensation."
—Some reports as to the probability of Satolli's return to Rome induced a reporter to inquire at headquarters concerning the matter, and he received the following reply from the secretary of the apostolic delegate: "Whether Mgr. Satolli will be recalled or not, someone will be maintained here in the office he occupies. This is now a permanent legation, which represents Pope Leo in church affairs, the same as the Embassy of Italy here represents the political government in diplomatic matters."
—It is currently reported that a native African king declares his intention to move somewhere with his people where the liquor traders cannot reach them. But where will he go? He will hardly find such a habitable place on this old earth. It would seem that the only hope for him and his people is to seek refuge in the "Rock, Christ Jesus." Thus they may be kept by the power of God from the evil effects of the liquor demon in this life, and finally find a home in the new earth, wherein will be "nothing that can hurt or destroy."
SECULAR.
—The rebellious Kaffirs in the Transvaal, S. Africa, have been defeated by the Boers, and have sued for peace.
—Hon. Samuel J. Kirkwood, who was governor of Iowa during the rebellion, died at Iowa City on the 1st inst.
—The emperor of China orders native banks to loan money to the government with which to prosecute the war with Japan.
—The cattle men of Southwestern Texas are fearful of an influx of Mexican cattle because of the reduction of the tariff duty.
—In the province of New South Wales, Australia, protective duties have been repealed and replaced by income and land taxes.
—Belgium has ordered all cattle from America subjected to forty-five days' quarantine on account of sickness, alleged to be pleuro-pneumonia.
—The police of Milan, Italy, have arrested an Anarchist who had on his person papers detailing plans of a conspiracy to stab the king of Greece.
—It is reported that hailstones have done great damage throughout Austria, and at Kowno, Poland, three children were killed by hailstones on the 29th ult.
—A cyclone struck a suburb of Louisville, Ky., on the 2d inst. The property damage was not very heavy, but the people, it is said, were terribly frightened.
—It is reported that prominent Chinese residents of Omaha are plotting against their home government, and have in hand a scheme to overthrow the reigning dynasty.
—The murder of the French customs collector at Tonquin, together with his wife and children, is likely to be made a cause of war upon China unless there be ample reparation.
—The Government of Peru, although still conscripting men, claims that the rebellion is about at an end, and offers a reward for the capture of Flores, the rebel leader, dead or alive.
—A lot of Chilcat (Alaska) Indians recently obtained whisky from Canadian traders, and the result was a faction fight in which six Indians were killed and many others were wounded.
—Baron Unger Steinberg, charged with being implicated in dynamite outrages at Liege, Belgium, has been arrested at St. Petersburg. He is also accused of being the chief of an international band of Anarchists.
—Just before adjournment of Congress the bill making Labor day (September 3) a national holiday was passed, and signed by the President. We have now three national holidays—February 22, July 4, and September 3.
—General Wade Hampton, of South Carolina, famous as a confederate leader, was in San Francisco last week, on a tour of inspection of the government subsidized railroads, in the capacity of inspector for the Department of the Interior. He is now 77 years of age.
—A Hongkong dispatch of August 30 says: "There has been a disastrous fire among the vessels anchored along the Canton River. Hundreds of flour boats were destroyed, and 1,000 natives perished by burning and drowning."
—The Count of Paris, the heir apparent to the French throne in case of royalty's restoration (which is not a seeming probability), is said to be dying at Stowe House, near London, and the French royalists are having prayers said in his behalf.
—A call has been made for a combined political effort of all churches and religious societies in the State of Indiana "in opposition to the Liquor League and lawlessness." The call has the indorsement also of the Good Citizens' League of Indianapolis.
—At Laval, France, on the 30th ult., Abbe Bruneau was executed for the murder of Abbe Tricot, a brother priest, last January. The rejoicing of the populace was boisterous and even brutal, and the crowd in the vicinity was said to number at least 8,000.
—Forty-six weavers, employed in the Brown & Ackryods' Mills, at Lawrence, Mass., struck on the 31st ult. against a reduction of wages. On the same day, at Woonsocket, R. I., 100 employees of the Ives Spinning Mills struck for the same reason, and the mills were closed.
—Labor Commissioner Wright, chairman of the U. S. Commission to examine into the causes of the late strike of railroad employees, admits somewhat boastfully that he has an annual pass entitling him to ride at will on any Pullman car at any time. He further states that Mr. Pullman is a personal friend of his.
—Six negroes, accused of being members of a gang of incendiaries, were taken from officers who had arrested them, and were shot to death in their shackles by a mob near Millington, Tenn., on the 31st ult. Warrants were issued for the arrest of forty men in the neighborhood, supposed to have had a hand in the murder, and also for the two detectives who had charge of the prisoners.
—The reports of the war between China and Japan are very conflicting. The Japs are said to be aiming at the destruction of Port Arthur, in order to close a rendezvous for the repair of Chinese vessels. The plan was to attack the place by land and by sea. There is also a report of the defeat of Japanese troops in northwestern Corea, by an overwhelming force of Chinese. The Japs were endeavoring to cut off supplies for Chinese troops in Corea.
—Press dispatches report disastrous forest fires in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Not only are there immense losses of timber, railroad bridges, lumber, and other country property, but several villages have been destroyed, and it is supposed that at least 500 persons have perished through burning or suffocation. The towns of Hinckley, Sandstone, Pokegama, Sandstone Junction, Skunk Lake, and Mission Creek are reported to have been completely destroyed.
—The Nicaraguan Government, in quelling a rebellion in the Mosquito Territory, has arrested eight citizens of the United States alleged to have been implicated in the affair. They were to have been expelled from the country without trial, but U. S. Minister Baker protested against such expulsion without trial. There is said to be considerable animosity toward Americans in Nicaragua because of the attitude of these prisoners in connection with the rebellion. There were also some British subjects arrested, including the vice consul.
—Great political excitement is reported in Salvador, and the clerical party is said to be taking a hand against the Liberals on account of their notable cruelty to their enemies. There is great anxiety on the part of the newly established government for the return of General Ezeta, the deposed vice president, who is now under arrest at San Francisco and undergoing examination on application for his extradition. The court martial has already been appointed to try him immediately on his arrival, if extradicted, and is composed of his bitterest enemies.
—A destructive flood occurred in Uvalde and Medina Counties, Texas, along the Leona River, last week. The cause is said to have been an earthquake shock which opened up a large body of artesian water. There was an immense destruction of property, and three families are said to have been drowned. The loss of the Southern Pacific Company in the destruction of track and bridges, and the delay of business, is very heavy. There was a call for aid from the town of Uvalde, about half of which was washed away. The place contains about 2,500 inhabitants.
—The principal article of commerce between Corea and the United States is postage stamps. The million or more of otherwise sane people who are afflicted with the stamp collecting mania, are attracted by the curiosities called Corean stamps, and in this way add quite an item to the income of the "Hermit Kingdom." It is said that the postal system of Corea is so imperfect and uncertain that every foreign consul is obliged to run a post office department of his own. Ninety per cent of the commerce of the country is with Japan, nine per cent with China, and the rest is divided.
Easily Satisfied—Why?
By Editor
A person writes us: "God's word alone has shown me that the first day of the week is the sabbath and should be observed as such as the memorial of the most important event in the history of the world, the resurrection of Christ when he finished the work of redemption, commissioned the disciples to preach the gospel, gave them the Holy Ghost, ascended on the day which was regularly observed by the disciples for assembling themselves together and for the administering of the sacrament, and further the blessed day of the Pentecost when the Holy Ghost was poured out."
We do not wish to misrepresent, and so print as received, punctuation and all. It was Mark Twain, we believe, who thought that those who built the "Church of the Holy Sepulcher," in Jerusalem, wrought a wonderful miracle in getting so many sacred spots, so widely removed, under one roof. The same ingenuity is shown in the above grouping of events on the first day of the week. It might be well to inquire how it may be proved from the Scriptures, inferentially even, that the work of redemption was finished, the disciples commissioned to preach, or the Saviour ascended on the first day of the week. What proof have we that it was "regularly observed" as the Sabbath by the disciples? What similarity is there between the life and action of a resurrection which took place in the early morning and the holy rest of the Sabbath? To those who like that kind of proof that is about the kind of proof they like. Why will men reject the wheat of God's word for the chaff of human imagination and traditions? Why?
The Law in the Heart.
By Editor
One of our first-day contemporaries, anxious to be rid of the Sabbath, gravely informs us that the Decalogue is not the law that God writes in the hearts of his people under the new covenant, but it is just such laws as we find in the New Testament. Of course the writer does not see what this leads to. Opponents of the Sabbath rarely consult logic, consistency, or Scripture. But if only such laws as are written in the book called the New Testament are obligatory, what is there to prevent the marriage of brother and sister, of aunt and nephew, or other marriages equally abhorrent? Where are our New Testament marriage laws? What is there to prevent the manufacture of graven images for the purpose of worship, or the worship of such images? What is there to prevent the taking of God's name in vain? Again, the law written in Christ's heart (Ps. 40:7, 8) was the law he obeyed, and that was the law comprehended in the Decalogue, Sabbath and all. Does he write a different law in the hearts of his people than was in his own heart? Once more, in Jer. 31:31-34 the Lord promises the confirmation of the new covenant, and promises to write his law, as existing six hundred years before Christ, in the hearts of his people. Has God fulfilled this promise? The Decalogue was his law when he made that promise. To say that the great moral law of God, the Decalogue, is not written in the heart, is to deny that God will do what he promised to do. There are many other things which show the inconsistencies of anti-Sabbath argument; the above are sufficient for the nonce. The fact is that the new covenant was in existence in the beginning, assured to Abraham with an oath, but was not confirmed till the death of Christ. It is called "new" not because latest made but because latest confirmed, but it was operative all the way through.
CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.
By Editor
Editorial.—The Mission of the Church—The Message for This Time—Is it Because of, or in Spite of?..689-691, 704
General Articles.—I'll Follow Thee (verse)—Parents and Children to Be Agents for God—Evolution and Women's Suffrage—A Wonderful Discovery—Prohibition in Iowa—The Great Struggle—“We Have a Law”—Subtlety of Satan—Free Thought versus Orthodoxy in Germany—Something Wrong..............691-696
Home and Health.—Brave Hans (verse)—A Fair Athlete (verse)—A Story with Two Sides—Nellie's Watchword—The Story of a Song—Work of a Spider—A Wholesome Lesson—Wide Tires on Farm Wagons—Four All Bad................................697, 698
Mission Fields.—Growing of a Soul (verse)—The Opium Curse in China—Example before Speech—The Mela at Allahabad....................................................699
Our Work and Workers.—Isaiah 60:1, 2 (verse)—Consistent Faith—Field Notes................................700, 701
International S. S. Lessons.—Total Abstinence (Lesson 13, Sunday; September 23, 1894)—A Son of Abraham (Lesson 12, Sabbath, September 22, 1894)..701, 702
News and Notes.—Religious—Secular.......................................703
LATE NUMBERS OF OUR LIBRARIES.
By Editor
"BIBLE STUDENTS' LIBRARY."
No. 122. Perfection of the Law. This tract of 24 pages is the reprint of five articles which appeared in the SIGNS from the pen of Elder T. H. Starbuck. They are worthy of a most careful reading. They present many precious thoughts on the exceeding breadth of God's law, and suggest many more. He who will read it with a candid mind will not be disappointed. Price, 3 cents.
No. 123. Manner of Christ's Coming. The object of this tract is to show from the testimony of the Scriptures what the manner of Christ's second coming will be. It is a good tract to hand to those who are troubled with erroneous ideas about a "secret rapture," or a secret coming for the bride. Price, 2 cents.
No. 125. Privilege of Prayer. This is a 16-page tract by Mrs. E. G. White, which presents the blessed privileges given of God to all who would approach the throne of grace, and hold communion with Him in whom is all wisdom, power, and love. Price, 2 cents.
No. 126. S. S. Lessons on Luke for Fourth Quarter of 1894. Price, 5 cents.
"APPLES OF GOLD LIBRARY."
No. 14. Choose Ye This Day. By W. N. Glenn. This little tract of 8 pages is a strong, earnest, forcible appeal to choose God and eternal life. Good to hand to the unconverted. Price, 50 cents per 100.
No. 15. The Cross of Christ. By E. J. Waggoner. An excellent little tract of 8 pages, showing us the one true cross, what it should be to us, and how we may make it a blessing. Price, 50 cents per 100.
No. 16. The New Birth. (In printers' hands.) By J. H. Durland. What it is, and by what means accomplished. It gives the Bible testimony concerning this important change, which must take place in every son and daughter of earth if they would have a home in the kingdom of God. Price, 50 cents per hundred.
No. 17. What Shall I Do to Be Saved? (In printer's hands.) This little tract answers the question so often asked by man, What shall I do? It shows just how man must do his part, must coöperate with God. It should be read by everyone. Price, 50 cents per 100.
"SENTINEL LIBRARY."
No. 60. The Great Strike a Fulfillment of Prophecy. A setting forth of the prophecies of God's word concerning the social troubles of our time, and showing their fulfillment. Price, 1 cent.
No. 61. Labor Troubles and the Sabbath. (In press.) This tract of 8 pages presents the testimony of prominent men in different denominations, alleging that the labor troubles are judgments of God because of "Sabbath [Sunday] desecration." These men are taken on the principles which they themselves have laid down, and shown to be, unwittingly perhaps, those who countenance violations of law, human and divine. An unanswerable argument on the day of the Sabbath. Price, 1 cent.
The above may be obtained of our tract societies, or from Pacific Press, 18 West Fifth Street, Kansas City, Mo.; 43 Bond Street, New York; or Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
Music and the Work of God
By Editor
We begin next week a series of articles on music, and its relation to the work and plan of God. These will be of interest to all who love music.
Parents and Children
By Editor
READ the article by Mrs. White, on "Parents and Children." There is food in it for fathers, mothers, and guardians. It will be followed by another under the same title.
Sunday in the First Three Centuries
By Editor
THROUGH a not necessarily explainable reason, Brother Kimball's last article on the early church history was overlooked this week till too late to remedy. It will appear next week. The subject is "Sunday in the First Three Centuries."
Protestant Defense of Persecution
By Editor
The world is witnessing now among Protestants what it has so long condemned in Roman Catholicism, a justification of those who persecuted in the past. Roman Catholics either justify the deeds of the persecutors, or belie or repudiate the history concerning them. We noted last week that President Blanchard is doing the same thing as regards the Puritans. He condemns some of the history which reflects upon them, and justifies the deeds concerning which there can be no doubt. The Advance, of Chicago, seems to approve Mr. Blanchard's arguments. Well, it is upon just such arguments, principles, and precedents that Sunday laws are based, to which "Protestants" as a general thing are committed. They will need Rome's methods and sophistries to do her work.
The Mirror
The Mirror is the title of a bright weekly journal edited and published by inmates of the Minnesota State Prison at Stillwater. In editorial ability, typographical appearance, and moral tone it is considerably above the average of newspapers. After eight years of existence it announces a good paying business, having a circulation in every State and Territory in the United States, and also in some foreign countries. From an editorial on the subject of "Self-Dependence" we clip the following paragraph:—
"The most unfortunate day in the life of any man is the one on which he fancies he is able to get a living without working for it, or there is some easier method of obtaining money than by lawfully earning it. This is the first step toward crime, for when a man allows himself to become possessed of this idea he is ready to adopt any means to prove that he is right. He neglects his work and takes to loafing at the grocery or saloon, where he finds others who think as he does, and so goes on in the path that leads to ruin."
This Week’s Paper
By Editor
This Week’s Paper.—We begin this week a series of three articles which discuss in a most dispassionate and reasonable manner the history and failure and causes thereof of prohibition in Iowa. They are worth reading. Elder S. B. Horton, of Maryland, one who has had personal and intimate knowledge of the Sunday persecutions in that State, gives a brief history of the two recent arrests. We have two most important articles from Sister White, entitled "Parents and Children to Be Agents for God." The first appears this week. We also begin next week a series of articles which will be of interest to lovers of music and those who have even a minimum understanding of its principles. The general scope of the series will be music and its relation to the work of God. The author is Elder E. W. Whitney, of Colorado.