WHAT is excess? I suppose some people will sneer at the reply I give, but according to our definition of excess it is the simple inability of the man to stand it. If he stands it, he is not drunk; but if he don't, he is. You cannot judge of a man's drunkenness by the quantity he drinks, nor the quality he drinks; but by its effect on the brain and nervous system.
Why, there have been men disciplined in the army when the officer drank more than they did. The officers could stand it; they could not. Members of the church have been disciplined for drunkenness when the deacons and the minister himself drank more than they did. The deacons could stand it; they could not. So you punish a man because he can't stand it. I remember one man in the very church I attended, as long ago as 1857. He became converted. I knew his antecedents, and I said to him: "Stowell, I want you to sign the temperance pledge." Said he, "I would, Mr. Gough, if I was not a Christian." I said, "Why should that hinder you?" "Because the grace of God is able to keep me now, and I don't want any temperance pledge or temperance societies. I want to show my young friends that the grace of God is able to keep me without any other agency whatever." Very good idea, but the province of the grace of God is not to prevent drink from affecting a man's brain and nervous system, if he drinks. You can poison a Christian to death just as quick as you can a Hottentot; and if a man brimming over with the grace of God, and a man who doesn't believe in the grace of God, take prussic acid together, they will go down together. It is folly to talk of the grace of God preventing physical effects from physical causes.
That man kept a little general store, and drove into the city to get a load of goods. When he got in—it was a drizzling afternoon—he took a glass of brandy and water, to keep out the cold. When he got his goods loaded up, he took another—only two. When he came out to the square in the village, he got off from the wagon and backed himself against the thills, and there he stood. Some one said, "You are drunk." So he was.
There were young men there that did not like church members; there were young men there that sneered at the revival. It was "nuts" to them; they gathered around him. "That is one of them! That's a new convert—converted in the revival! Made a speech in the prayer-meetin' last Thursday night! Set him up! Old fellow, now give us some talk!"
That man disgraced the church, so they said. So they disciplined him, and it broke his heart. He came to me after giving up that little store, and said: "Give me some work on your farm," and I did, and he worked for me eighteen months. "I have given up all business, all hope; they have disgraced me." Why? Because he could not stand two glasses of brandy and water. If he had stood it, they would not have touched him, not one of them. He might have drank twenty glasses, and stood it, and the church would have taken no action, whatever, in the matter. Now I know men in that church who drink more than two glasses every day in their lives. I would like to see the church undertake to touch them. Oh, wouldn't there be a row! Touch me! Anybody ever see me drunk? Don't touch me! He could not stand it, that is all. There are some men who can stand it, and some men who cannot stand it. You say it is because they are weak-minded. I say the mind has very little to do with it. If a man is weak-minded because he yields to temptation, and acquires this awful appetite, what do you say of the man who breaks it? Ah, it requires some nerve, some vim, some force, some decision of character, something of the iron will, to break a bad habit.—John B. Gough.
Maine Free from Intemperance
A RECENT resident of Chicago, after an extensive tour in Maine, said: "I kept a constant watch night and day for such noises as can invariably be heard in the streets of cities where license now prevails. But I listened in vain. I saw only two men who were under the influence of liquor in the State, and saw no other signs of its use."—Temperance Educator.
Mrs. Archer's Mission.
"OH, dear!" sighed Mrs. Archer dolefully, over her dainty crocheting.
"What now?" asked brother Jack, looking up from his evening paper.
"Why, nothing—only Miss Damon has been here. She is going away out West on a sort of mission, you know, and she is so full of work and plans that it makes me feel so insignificant, so utterly useless; and I don't want to be useless, Jack. I used to think I would like to go as a missionary. It would make life worth living if one could be the means of saving even one poor soul. But there was Philip and the children. And now they're gone, there's you left. I do not see how I can go."
Brother Jack furtively brushed away two big tear-drops that would come in spite of him, muttered something about having caught a sudden cold, and then, a moment or two after, dropped his paper, exclaiming briskly: "Why not kill two birds with one stone—do your missionary work, and take care of me to?"
"But Jack, you would not want to go?"
"Oh, no; bless your heart, no; I'm satisfied where I am. But it's my opinion that if you are in earnest you can find enough genuine missionary work on this side of the globe as well as on the other."
Mrs. Archer dropped her work, and drew her low chair close beside her brother's. "Please tell me what you mean, Jack," she said wistfully. "I am in earnest, I think."
"Well, I was thinking of one thing, at the store yesterday. There's young Graham, one of the under clerks, just in from the country. If I'm not very much mistaken, he's going down hill. Cheap boarding-houses are not very pleasant places to spend long evenings in, and so he is drifting into bad company—and ways, too; he's no friends in the city, you see. Denholm is in the same situation. In fact, there's half a dozen at least, just in our store, Nell, and I presume each one of them knows another half dozen like himself that is drifting down hill because no one stretches out a kind, helpful hand, and lends them a bit of a happy home fireside to keep them pure and true."
"Would they come here, do you suppose? Could I make it pleasant and home-like for them, and so keep them away from those places? O Jack, do you think I could?"
"Well, well, little woman!" laughed Jack, half at the deluge of questions, and more than half in delight at the look of eager interest on his sister's wan, sad face. "Yes; first, I think all they need is an invitation; secondly, I know you would make it pleasant and homelike; and thirdly, I've no doubt it would save them, for they are not bad yet; only drifting that way, because it's the easiest way to drift, and they do not see the danger."
Florence at Home.
It was Sabbath morning, and she was standing before the glass, tying the ends of her lovely new sash; and Carrie leaned on her elbow and watched her for a minute, then looked at nothing, and wished she was a little more like Florence. She was pretty, and bright, and everybody admired her. This very morning she was going to do something so nice! In the next square was a new family, just moved in; Florence had already become acquainted with the fifteen-year-old son, and invited him to attend Sabbath-school, and he had laughed, and declared that he didn't go to Sunday-school very often; but at last had agreed to call, and be shown to the church by Florence.
"I don't believe they are people who go to church much," Florence had said, as she drew on her long mits with a pleased air; "but I shouldn't be surprised if I could get him in the habit of going." And then Carrie had sighed, and wished that she could do anything; here she had to stay poked in the house this beautiful day, because she had a sore throat; one was always getting sore throats. "That is all I can do," she told herself drearily, "get a sore throat, and a swelled nose, and red eyes, and stay in the house." Just then the door bell rang, and Master Weston's voice was heard in the hall. Then was Florence in a flutter. "Dear me! there he is, and it is time we were off. Where is my handkerchief? Carrie, haven't you seen my handkerchief? You certainly must have taken it; I laid it right here. I do wish you could let things alone! Mamma, have you seen my Quarterly? I thought it was on the table; where can it be! Oh, dear me, mamma, I should think you might help me find it. I hate to be late. Oh, never mind my money, I can take it next Sunday; mamma, please don't keep me waiting to get it; I shan't go at all if I have to wait much longer. Carrie Marshall, I know you tucked my handkerchief somewhere. Mamma, won't you please let me go this minute? You seem to just want to make me late. I don't care if my hair is too low down; it is just the way all girls wear it. I wouldn't have it flying around my face in the wild way that Carrie does, for anything. Carrie, hand me that book, quick! I shall go distracted!" Then she went out of the room, tripped down the stairs and was off.
Her invalid mother drew a relieved sigh. "I wish Florence were not such an excitable girl," she said, as she moved about picking up many things that the young miss, in her hurry, had sent flying hither and thither. "If she was a little more like you, dear, in some things, I should be glad."
Meantime, Florence was tripping along beside her new friend, as bright as the morning itself. Very anxious she was to be a help to him. She was a Christian girl, and wanted to do good. It was not by any means "make believe." She told him about their nice Sunday-school, what a pleasant superintendent they had, what a "perfectly splendid teacher;" she told him about the young people's prayer-meeting, and asked him to attend; and, with great sweetness and skill, brought her question around until she fairly asked him if he were a Christian. And said, earnestly, "I am sorry," when he told her "No."
Then she said a few sweet, earnest words, that ought to have done him good, and she wondered in her heart why it was that he was simply polite in return, showing not the slightest interest in the subject. If she could have looked into his heart, she would have found just this: "I wonder what this dainty little miss, in her pretty hat and her frizzes, would say if she knew I waited for her in the hall, while she left her room door open, and talked to her mother and 'Carrie'—whoever she is. The talk I heard then and the talk I'm hearing now, don't seem to match. How am I going to know which she means?"
Poor Florence! Her thoughtless, disrespectful words at home that morning, had spoiled the influence of her work abroad. And the worst of it was, she was so used to being careless in this matter that she didn't suspect it.—The Pansy.
The Home Circle.
OUR DAILY BREAD.
THESE words in careless mood I read,
In careless mood I turned away;
But still in every thought and deed,
Through every moment of the day,
There rang these words that I had read;
"Give us this day our daily bread."
Give us, O Father! we are poor;
Our strongest efforts naught avail;
We know by sad and weary toil
That Thy strength only can prevail.
We bring no gold, but cry instead,
"Give us this day our daily bread."
Not food for others, Lord, we ask,
To-day our thoughts are bent within;
We hungry are, and at thy throne
Repentant for each bitter sin.
Behold we pray as thou hast said,
"Give us this day our daily bread."
Our yesterdays or sad or bright
Are passed forevermore away,
To-morrow in thy hand we leave;
But with an aching heart we pray,
Because we hunger to be fed,
"Give us this day our daily bread."
We cannot live on future food,
The bread of yesterday is passed;
We need new strength each hour we live,
And so to thee we come at last;
And ask that we this day be fed
With helpful, needful daily bread.
The way is rough, our strength doth fail;
We need thy food to make us strong;
For bread of heaven to hungry hearts
We earnestly desire and long.
Thy children guide as thou hast said,
And give us, Lord, our daily bread.
Lending a Hand Up
By Kate S. Yates
There was a little stir the next day when Mrs. Archer in her deep mourning robes, came into the store. Somehow, no one quite knew how, but very easily and naturally, she obtained an introduction to Graham. Just as easily and naturally she found, in the five minutes' conversation at his desk that he was a stranger in the city.
"Lonely?" "Yes, he was," he frankly admitted. "Boarding-houses weren't homes, by any means."
"Would he not come up and see her some evening—say this very night—and tell her about his home? She used to live in just such a pleasant little village. And would not Mr. Denholm like to see Jack's new Western views? He had some fine ones."
It was not much,—perhaps hardly any one would think of calling it missionary work. Just a fine pleasant evening by a home fireside, and yet the two invited guests, who received at the close of the evening a cordial invitation to come freely and bring any friends they pleased, as to their own homes, these two went forth with a strong sense of purification, and better fitted to meet life's temptations. There had been nothing said, but the purity of the home fireside had given them an unconquerable aversion to the haunts they had frequented of late. And Helen Archer had found her mission, without going to China or Japan.
"I'm lending a hand up," she thought.
"It's just as noble and grand here as it would be there," thought Jack, looking on.—Kate S. Yates, in Intelligencer.
Love of Home.
That woman is wise who chooses for her partner in life a man who desires to find his home a place of rest. It is the man with many interests, with engrossing occupations, with plenty of people to fight, with a struggle to maintain against the world, who is really the domestic man, in the wife's sense; who enjoys home, who is tempted to make a friend of his wife, who relishes prattle, who feels in the home circle, where nobody is above him and nobody unsympathetic with him, as if he were in a haven of ease and reparation.
The drawback of home-life, its contained possibilities of insipidity, sameness, and consequent weariness, is never present to such a man. He no more tires of his wife than of his own happier moods. He is no more plagued with his children than with his own lighter thoughts. All the monotony and weariness of life he encounters outside. It is the pleasure-loving man, the merry companion, who requires constant excitement, that finds home-life unendurable. He soon grows weary of it, and considers everything so very tame, and so like flat beer, that it is impossible for him, not only to be happy, but to feel that he is less unhappy there than elsewhere. We do not mean that the domestic man, in the wife's sense, will be always at home. The man always at home has not half the chance of the man whose duty is outside it, for he must sometimes be in the way. The point for the wife is, that he should like home when he is there; and that liking, we contend, belongs, first of all, to the active and strong, and deeply-engaged, and not to the lounger, or even easy-minded man.—Saturday Review.
"Halloo."
Referring to unladylike manners and modes of address, a gentleman writes that, passing two pretty, well-dressed, stylish-looking young ladies in the public streets, he was surprised to hear one greet the other with, "Halloo, Sid!" and the other respond, "Halloo, Tude!" to her friend's greeting, and he remarked it was just what two lounging young men might have said, or stable boys for that matter. It might not have been so much out of the way for the latter, but I confess it sounded very odd and offensive, in what I supposed to be two well-bred young ladies; as much so as if I had heard two beautiful, gay, rose-colored parrots begin to make use of slang.
It was so unnatural and out of place. It may be the "style" for young girls or ladies to greet each other with a "Halloo," but I can't like it or get used to it. These things may seem but a trifle, but they make all the difference between nice things and very common things. - Sel.
News and Notes.
By Editor
-When one of the heavy fogs prevails in London, it costs that city $60,000 extra for gas.
-It is reported that the fishermen on the coast of Labrador are in a starving condition.
-A school for the training of horses to be used in the Fire Department, has been opened in New York.
-By the bursting of a sewer in St. Louis, the 23d, property was damaged to the amount of $200,000.
-A steam whaler, one of the largest and most complete ever built, and the first one built in San Francisco, was launched last week.
-Much of the business portion of Lake City, Minn., was destroyed by fire, the morning of the 22d inst. The loss is estimated at $400,000.
-The Mayor of Brownsville, Mo., states that the loss to the town, by the recent cyclone, is $250,000, and that many people are homeless and destitute.
-There has been an extensive robbery from the Paris Post-office. One hundred and eighty registered letters, containing one million francs, have been stolen.
-It is said that fifty of the one hundred Chinese students who were called home from this country by the Chinese Government will return and finish their education.
-The Bible that has been in use in the United States Senate for fifty-three years, and upon which all the Senators during that time have been sworn, was stolen from the Senate Chamber recently.
-The town of Brookhaven, La., was visited by a tornado, the 23d inst. Only three houses were left standing. Out of a population of 150, very few escaped some injury. Ten persons were killed instantly.
-The use of horseflesh as an article of food is rapidly increasing in Paris. In 1875 the butchers disposed of 7,000 horses; in 1880, of 9,000; and in 1881 of 9,300. To this number was added a large number of mules.
-The Russian Ambassador at Constantinople recently announced that he intended to go on a furlough of several weeks. This is generally considered as a warning to the Porte that Russian patience is nearly exhausted by the indemnity negotiations.
-It is stated that in America 100,000 cords of wood are annually converted into shoe-pegs; 300,000,000 cubic feet of the best pine are made into matches; 500,000 cords of birch, beech, and maple are used for shoe lasts; and the same amount is used for handles for tools.
-Professor Charles Darwin, the noted scientist, died at his home in London, of heart disease, on the 20th inst., at the age of seventy-three years. Although he made many valuable contributions to scientific knowledge, he was best known as the virtual author of the evolutionary theory.
-The Mississippi River is rising again, and farmers are making preparations to flee. At Red Wing, Minnesota, the water last week was reported as being forty feet above low water mark, and still rising. The drawbridge at Emerson, worth $70,000, was swept away by the flood.
-The Indians in Arizona Territory are again on the war-path. A band of about 200 Apaches started on a raid last week, killing ranchers and plundering the stock. Over twenty persons are known to have been murdered. As usual, the military is entirely inadequate to check them.
-The persecution of the Jews in Southern Russia still goes on. Whole villages have been destroyed, and 17,000 Jews are rendered homeless. In consequence of recent reports of the Minister of Justice, the Emperor has ordered the trials of all persons accused of outrages against the Jews to be treated as urgent, and to be taken up without regard to their order on the list.
-The Czar of Russia has just given another evidence of despotism. He has issued an order prohibiting military men from publicly delivering political speeches or expressing political opinions. The War Department officials are prohibited from publishing, without the sanction of their superiors, documents referring to the internal and external affairs of foreign countries.
-Cannon, the Mormon delegate to Congress, has been, by unanimous vote, refused admission to that body, on account of his polygamy. As Campbell did not receive a majority of votes, he, of votes, he, of votes, he, was not admitted, and consequently Utah is now without any representative in Congress. Better so, than that the whole nation should be insulted by the presence of a shameless polygamist in its chief legislative assembly.
-A new cable has been laid, between Valentia, Ireland, and Emden, Germany, so that there is now direct telegraphic communication between Germany and the United States. The first dispatch was sent on the 21st inst, being a congratulatory note from the Emperor of Germany, to the President of the United States. Its transmission occupied nine minutes, and the reply, a fraction over ten minutes.
-Some of the heirs of the late Senator Baker, of San Jose, were dissatisfied with his will, and attempted to break it on the ground that he was unsound in mind when he made his will. Although at the time the Senator made his will he was considered one of the keenest men in the California Legislature, and was in the active discharge of his duties, the will was broken on the ground of inability to make a will. The feats that can be performed by some "Courts of Justice" are truly remarkable.
-Mountain forest fires have been raging in Pennsylvania. A very large territory has been burned over, and hundreds of valuable oak, hickory, walnut, pine, maple, ash, spruce, cedar, basswood, and birch trees, have been consumed by the flames. The destruction to sugar-maple trees has been large-so great, in fact, that the sugar-making business in Luzerue, Wayne, and Pike districts, is forever ruined. It is estimated that 15,000,000 feet of timber have been destroyed. Several rows of loggers' huts have been swept away, while a number of portable saw-mills have gone in the general ruin.
-Recent Arctic exploring expeditions, like all their predecessors, have ended disastrously. It is now considered beyond doubt that Lieutenant De Long, of the Jeannette, has perished. The Rodgers, that sailed last summer from San Francisco in search of the Jeannette, took fire and sunk on the coast of Siberia, and now another steamer is to be sent to the relief of her officers and crew. Only one thing of been learned by these expeditions, and that is that any effort to find the North Pole is useless, and results only in the loss of life and property. Whether the lesson will be heeded remains to be seen.
-Hurricanes seem to be the order, (or more properly disorder) of the day in the East. Following immediately after those in Michigan, Kansas, and Texas, we have accounts of a terrible cyclone in Missouri, April 18. The entire business portion of Brownsville was destroyed, seven persons killed, and between twenty and thirty injured. Brick houses were picked up like straws, and twisted into shapeless ruins. At Montrose, twenty dwellings and four churches were demolished. Everything in the track of the storm, which was about 150 yards wide was leveled to the ground. Other towns than those mentioned above were injured to the extent of a few houses being blown down. A cyclone is also reported from Bloomfield, Iowa, which blew down many farm buildings. In Fayette County, Pennsylvania, also, a hurricane destroyed very much property, and killed several persons.
-The saloon-keepers and brewers of Cincinnati, Ohio, have raised a fund to be used in fighting in the Courts a bill to close the saloons on Sunday. It is reported that in Columbus and Toledo the saloons will close on Sundays. The following dispatch from Toledo, of Sunday. April 23, is of interest: "The saloons were all closed, back doors and front, promptly at midnight Saturday, and have remained so. This was the first Sunday on which the Smith law closing saloons was enforced. An attempt had been made, generally regarded as in a spirit of retaliation on the part of the Liquor Dealers' Protective Association, to secure the enforcement of an old law, passed fifty years ago, against common labor on Sunday. This Association had notified the Police Board that they would suspend business, and requested the police authorities to enforce all other Sunday laws. The Board instructed the Chief of Police to this effect, and every one accustomed to do any labor on Sunday, was notified to cease all work. This notice extended to saloons, street-car lines, barber shops, grocers, milk-men, livery stables, butcher shops, and Sunday newspapers, etc. The instructions were to make no arrests to-day, but to take the names of all who should violate the law, and report them to the Police Court on Monday, when warrants will be issued for their arrest."
Religious Notes.
By Editor
—A periodical, called the Anti-Christian, has recently been started in Calcutta.
—The British Ambassador recently laid the cornerstone of a new English church, in the Via Barberino, Rome.
—Rev. Thomas Harrison, the evangelist, has broken down from the constant strain on his nervous system, and has been obliged to return to his home in Boston.
—There are 269 churches in Brooklyn, and 224 in Boston. Brooklyn can no longer be called the "city of churches," as there are now several cities in the United States, where the number of churches to the ratio of population exceeds that of Brooklyn.
—The ninety-second annual session of the New York Conference of the M. E. Church, was recently held at Sing Sing, New York. At that, and also at the New York East Conference, at Waterbury, Conn., Bishop Simpson presiding, resolutions were passed, tendering thanks to President Arthur for vetoing the Chinese Bill.
—Rev. Dr. Morgan, rector of the American Episcopal Church in Paris, has just collected $400,000 in this country, toward the construction of a church in that city. Owing to a failure to bind the contractor to suspend work on Sundays, the work is carried on on Sundays the same as on other days, much to the chagrin of the church people.
—The first conviction under the Sunday Law in San Francisco, was secured last week. The case was that of a hatter, who was fined ten dollars. It is claimed that the law is simply in the interest of temperance; but what selling hats has to do with temperance, is something that our Sunday-Law friends will have to explain. In all the other cases in San Francisco, the juries have rendered verdicts of "Not guilty," or have disagreed.
—The beauties of a State religion are exhibited in a recent controversy in Vienna, between the parents of a child, and the Roman Catholic Church. The parents seceded from the Roman Church and joined the Baptists. Now the Roman Catholic authorities insist upon their right to baptize a child since born to them, and, on arriving at the age of seven years, to be taught by the priest. The authorities decided in favor of the Bishop, and the child has been baptized, contrary to the wishes of the parents.
The Christian at Work shows that the Roman Catholic Protectory in New York, has received from the Legislature, in the last eleven years, grants to the amount of $2,639,296, and is still asking for more. The C. at W. very properly protests against any more money being given. It claims that the State would be better off without the Protectory, as the children are not allowed to be put out into good families, where an opportunity would be given them to become good citizens, unless they can be put in Roman Catholic families. The objection raised is that the Catholics wish Protestants to be taxed, for the purpose of educating children in the Roman Catholic faith.
Obituary.
By John Norton Loughborough
WILKINSON.—Died at Gedney, Lincolnshire, England, March 19, 1882, after a long and painful illness, our dear brother, Samuel Wilkinson, aged eighty years. The deceased and his companion embraced the truth from reading, and for nearly eight years have observed the Sabbath of the Lord. They and Sr. Arnold, the mother of Sr. Lizzie Arnold Roberts of Oakland, Cal., were the only Sabbath-keepers in their vicinity, and had never seen any other person of this belief until I visited them a few weeks before the death of Bro. Wilkinson. I found him very feeble, but rejoicing in the Lord, and much pleased to see some one of like precious faith.
The testimony is that he continued to trust in God till the time of his death, no murmur escaping his lips even in the hours of greatest suffering. When unable to articulate a word, he would clasp his hands upon his breast, and pour out his soul in supplication to his Maker.
Though already familiar with the Bible, he this year commenced reading it through according to the plan suggested by Eld. Haskell, and maintained his daily reading, thus in his weak state setting a worthy example to others.
His bereaved companion has our sympathy and prayers. Having cared for her husband night and day for about seven months, and being much reduced thereby, she yet bears her affliction with Christian resignation, looking forward to a reunion in that land where "the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick," and where no loved one will be torn away by the hand of death.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Margaret E. Cooksey
By J. D. Rice
Cooksey.—Died of pneumonia, at Arbuckle, Cal., Thursday, April 6, 1882, Sr. Margaret E. Cooksey, aged 61 years, 11 months, and 3 days.
Sr. Cooksey early united with the Christian Church, in which she endeavored to live a consistent Christian life. Three years ago when the present truth was first preached in Colusa county, she was among the first to embrace it, and enter into solemn covenant to keep "all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." When the church was fully organized, a little more than one year ago, she at once entered the organization. She has been a faithful attendant at meeting and Sabbath-school, and has done what she could to sustain the cause of God.
She will be greatly missed by the church and school at Arbuckle. We mourn her loss, but sorrow not as others who have not the "blessed hope." For we believe the Lifegiver will soon return to awake those who sleep in Jesus, and take them to those mansions prepared above for the saints of God, and that our sister will be with them. A few remarks were made at the grave by the writer, to a large company of friends who followed to the place of burial. J. D. Rice.
OUR COUNTRY'S FUTURE FORETOLD.
By Uriah Smith
THE UNITED STATES IN PROPHECY.
BY ELD. U. SMITH.
THIS is a full exposition of a portion of prophecy which applies to our own Government, showing the position the United States holds in prophecy, and the part it has to act in the closing scenes of time.
THE SUNDAY MOVEMENT,
Which is now attracting such general attention, is thoroughly canvassed; and abundant testimony is given to prove that in a few years this wil be the
ALL-IMPORTANT QUESTION
In this country. Facts and statistics are largely presented, showing in the most conclusive manner that this government is the one pointed out in the prophecy quoted. 200 pages. Bound, 40 cents. Paper covers, 20 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Tracts
TRACTS.—4 cents each. Redemption—The Second Advent—The Sufferings of Christ—The Present Truth—Origin and Progress of S. D. Adventists—Ten Commandments not Abolished—The Two Covenants—Address to the Baptists—The Two Thrones—Spiritualism a Satanic Delusion—Samuel and the Witch of Endor—The Third Message of Rev. 14—Who Changed the Sabbath?—The Spirit of Prophecy—The Millennium—Signs of the Times—Scripture References—Constitution of the T. and M. Society—Tithes and Offerings—Sabbaton.
Last Sabbath in Oakland.
THE meeting last Sabbath in this city was of more than usual interest. A number were over from San Francisco. Sister White gave a very searching discourse from John 7:37. In the social meeting which followed the words were sung:—
“ E’er since by faith I saw the stream
Those bleeding wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be, till I die.”
Never can be forgotten by those who were present the impressiveness of the occasion as Sister White arose, and, with tears in her eyes, repeated the question: “Has it? has it? has it?” following with earnest words of exhortation. We presume many felt and realized, as they never did before, the sad fact that other and meaner themes had largely crowded out that wonderful and glorious theme of redeeming love. Oh, how faithful should we be, who know that redeeming love will soon accomplish its last crowning work, “the redemption of our body,” by translating us into the kingdom “when Jesus comes.”
Camp-Meeting at Hanford.
The Southern California Camp-meeting will commence next Thursday, May 4. It will be held in Wason Grove, less than two miles south of Hanford, Tulare County. Every facility has been afforded to the friends of the cause in Tulare and Fresno Counties, to give thorough notice of this meeting. A sufficient number of workers will be present to insure proper attention to every interest of the meeting, while the amount of business to be attended to will be so small, that an excellent opportunity will be afforded to all classes to receive and be benefited by instruction and religious privileges. In this, our last chance to speak to the friends before the meeting, we again exhort them to come to the meeting, come to stay to its close, and bring your friends with you. Sister White, who had some doubts of the practicability of her going, has consented to attend.
Meeting of the Publishing Association.
THIS meeting, held the 24th inst., was the best that has ever been held. The entire business was transacted at one session. The proceedings in full will be given next week, together with addresses read from Elder Haskell, President of the Association, and Elder Butler, President of the General Conference.
The Directors elected were as follows: S. N. Haskell, W. C. White, M. C. Israel, John Morrison, and C. H. Jones. The utmost unanimity prevailed throughout. We never saw a meeting on this coast where there seemed to be a better feeling, or more confidence manifested in the present state and prospective success of the work.
Important Books—An Important Work.
IT will be seen by a resolution found in the proceedings of the State Quarterly T. and M. Society, that the better circulation of our standard books is engaging the attention of our working brethren at the present time. The subject was also considered in the meeting of the Publishing Association, with especial reference to the work of canvassing. This has proved to be the most efficient method to insure a wide circulation of books. With a view to aid canvassers, the Association has prepared a volume, containing Thoughts on Daniel and Thoughts on the Revelation; the two works in one volume. It is got up in an attractive style, and is such a work as any one must be pleased to add to his library. It is finished in three styles, as follows: Fine cloth binding, jet and gold; Full sheep, library style; Half Morocco, gilt edges.
A canvassing book with complete "outfit" has been prepared, and is now ready. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
The testimonials, which form a part of the outfit, are of the most flattering character, and will prove of great service to the agent. We hope to learn soon that many are engaged in circulating this truly valuable book.
BIBLE SANCTIFICATION:
A CONTRAST OF TRUE AND FALSE THEORIES.
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
THIS is a pamphlet of only 84 pages, but its value is not to be judged by its size. It is just what its title indicates: a faithful presentation of Bible truth on this important subject, and an exposure of the false theories prevailing in regard to it. Every believer in Bible truth should read it. Buy it, read it, and lend it to your neighbor. Price 10 cts
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
Southern California Camp-meeting.
This meeting will be held in Wason Grove, one and one-half miles south of Hanford, Tulare County, commencing May 4, 1882. Further particulars as to the locality and other arrangements will be given as soon as made. It is expected that Elders Waggoner and Van Horn and Mrs. E. G. White will be there.
S. N. HASKELL,
M. C. ISRAEL,
JOHN MORRISON. } Conf. Com.
Upper Columbia Camp-Meeting.
THIS meeting will be held, D. V., in the City Park, Dayton, W. T., May 31 to June 6, 1882. First service, Wednesday evening at 7½ o'clock. It is expected that Eld. J. H. Waggoner, Editor of the SIGNS, of Oakland, Cal., and other speakers, will be with us. Our four Conference organizations will hold their annual sessions in connection with the religious exercises of the encampment. Let each organization elect delegates, prepare reports, and make an early and thorough preparation to attend.
Do you wish to rent a tent? Order of the undersigned without delay.
G. W. COLCORD,
Box 37, Walla Walla, W. T. for Conf. Com.
The Editor’s Visit to San Francisco
By Editor
The Editor of the SIGNS expects to spend next Sabbath with the church in San Francisco.
San Francisco Church
San Francisco.—Church on Laguna Street, between McAllister and Tyler Streets. Meeting every Sabbath (Saturday) at 11 A. M. Prayer-meeting Wednesday evening. M. C. Israel, Elder. No regular preaching. Sabbath-school at 9:45 A. M. E. A. Stockton, Superintendent. Street-cars of the Hayes Valley Line, and Central and Lone Mountain Line, pass close to the meeting-house.
Appointments.
Oakland and San Francisco.
OAKLAND.—Church N. E. corner Clay and 13th Streets. Meeting every Sabbath (Saturday) at 11 A. M. Preaching every second and fourth Sunday evening of each month. Prayer-meeting every Tuesday evening. Eld. J. H. Waggoner, Pastor. Sabbath-school at 9:30 A. M. Dr. E. J. Waggoner, Superintendent. Seats always free.
Progressive Bible Lessons.
By Editor
Number four of this series, by Prof. G. H. Bell, is just out. To those who have been studying this series, it is only necessary to say that this one is gotten up on the same plan as the others, and with the same care.
Everybody recognizes the fact that a systematic study of any subject, is more profitable than random study. It is on account of a lack of such study that so few people have even a good general idea of the history contained in the Bible. Professor Bell has endeavored to supply this want in these lesson books, and has succeeded admirably. The lessons are "progressive." Commencing in a style suited to the comprehension of very young children, they lead the mind along so gradually that each succeeding book is easily comprehended.
Number one covers the whole book of Genesis. "The lessons taken without the questions form a continuous story, commencing at creation and extending to the time of Moses, thus constituting a child's Bible history." Number two reviews the preceding lessons, and covers the life of Moses, including the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, and their wanderings in the wilderness until they reached the promised land. Number three is a study of the history of the Jews, from their entrance into the land of Canaan until the time of Solomon. Number four commences with the reign of Solomon and ends with the re-building of the temple after the Babylonish captivity.
A careful study of these books will give a child a knowledge of Bible history that will be of inestimable value; and an interest in the Bible will be awakened where none existed before. For the Sabbath-school or for family study they are unequalled. With a little assistance from parents, children who have not the privilege of attending Sabbath-school, can easily master these lessons. Although they are specially adapted to children, there are few adults who could not study the lessons with profit. Price, bound in flexible covers, 164 pp., twenty-five cents.