Earlier text: SABBATONTHE CAUSE IN CANADA.
By A. C. Bourdeau
ED. S. N. HASKELL'S recent visit to Canada of nearly three weeks' duration was timely and was much appreciated by the friends of the truth in this field. In our labors since January, 1878, we had aimed to make this mission self-sustaining. Several of our new friends were doing something to support the work, and we felt that the time had come when all should have an opportunity to adopt the plan of systematic benevolence, and thus help, by their means, in the best of causes. Bro. Haskell's meetings were a success in this direction; and, the Lord helping, the work can be pushed forward in a manner to make this mission self-sustaining hereafter. Also we can soon have a Conference organized and camp-meetings held in Canada. In my interviews with Bro. Haskell I enjoyed very precious seasons, which were calculated to gladden my heart, and to renew my courage in the Lord. I feel to rejoice in God. My heart is fixed. His people are my people, and their God is my God. We are well able to go up and possess the goodly land. [Abridged from the Signs of the Times.] The meetings here are still prospering. Eld. Healey is now presenting the subject of the Sabbath. Some have decided to obey, and many are deeply interested. Sunday, July 7, twelve were baptized. July 14, there was to be another baptism. The tent meetings held here by Bro. J. L. Wood closed June 30. Seven or eight were keeping the Sabbath in the vicinity of Lemoore when the meetings commenced; now there is a church of over thirty. As soon as arrangements can be made, a meeting-house is to be built on a beautiful lot donated by the railroad company. Bro. B. A. Stephens commenced meetings here July 5. The average attendance is about one hundred. Tracts and papers are freely taken. Bro. H. T. Brown, of Lafayette, will assist in canvassing the town with books and periodicals. This is the first preaching of present truth in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas. There seems to be an interest to hear. A CLERGYMAN once preached a very awakening sermon. A young man in the congregation was much impressed, and finding that the clergyman was to walk some distance home, joined him, in the hope of having some conversation as to how to be saved. The clergyman was walking with several others, and instead of conversation turning on religious matters, it was light, and even indecorous. Some years afterward, the clergyman was called to see a dying man in an inn. As he entered the room, the dying man started. “Sir,” he said, “I have heard you preach.” “Thank God for that!” “But, sir,” continued the man, “I have heard you talk, and your talking has ruined my soul. Sir, do you remember the day I heard you preach? That sermon brought conviction to my heart. But I sought conversation with you, and I walked home with you, hoping to hear something about my soul’s peace; but you trifled—trifled—trifled! Yes, you did; and I went home believing that you knew all the solemn things you said in the morning were lies. For years I was an infidel; but now—now I am dying—I am one no longer. But I am not saved! I will meet and accuse you before the bar of God!” And so the man died.—Selected. A Spider's Instinct and Reason
Dr. J. Lawrence Hamilton writes to the London Times that he saw a boy remove a small spider and place it in the center of a big spider's web which was hung among foliage, and distant some four feet from the ground. The larger animal soon rushed from its hiding place under a leaf to attack the intruder, who ran up one of the ascending lines by which the web was secured. The big insect gained rapidly upon its prey, the smaller creature, (spiders are cannibals, notably the larger females, who are given to devouring their smaller male lovers.) When the little spider was barely an inch in advance of its pursuer, it cut with one of its posterior legs the line behind itself, so that the stronger insect fell to the ground, thus affording time and opportunity for the diminutive spider to escape along the ascending rope of the web. This is not the only fact which seems to indicate that a spider's instinct may also equal reason. God’s Triumph Over Infidelity
Gibbon, Voltaire, and Chesterfield, distinguished infidels, labored earnestly to overthrow the cause of Christ. How has God in his providence thwarted all their plans! Gibbon’s house at Lake Leman is now a hotel in which there is a room for the sale of Bibles; Voltaire’s printing press, from which he scattered widely his infidel tracts, has been appropriated to printing the word of God, which he sought to destroy; and Chesterfield’s parlor, wherein an infidel club used to meet and rail at religion, is now a vestry where the groans and prayers of the penitent go up to God. Thus God makes the wrath of man to praise him, and the remainder he restrains. The Fullness of a Mother's Love
Oh, the fullness of a mother's love! Time nor change, distance, disease, wrong, unkindness, cannot exhaust it. It lives a fountain of undying waters, where the outcast, the wanderer, may return, and the same hand that wiped away the tears of childhood will be put forth to cool the fevered brow and the parched lips of the world's rejected victim. LESSONS FOR BIBLE CLASSES.
By G H. BELL
LESSON VII.—THE PAPAL PERSECUTION.
1. When was the decree issued that made the bishop of Rome head of all the churches? 2. By whom was this decree issued? 3. Did the decree take effect as soon as it was issued? 5. Which one of these kingdoms was subdued last? 6. When were they driven from Rome? 7. When was the papacy fully established? 8. How did it become fully established? 9. What statement is made in Dan. 7:25, in regard to the continuance of the papal rule? 10. What statement is made in Rev. 13:5, in regard to the same thing? 11. How many years would that be? 12. How many days would this make, reckoning thirty days to the month, and twelve months to the year? 13. Was this the Jewish method of reckoning time? 14. What verses in Rev. 12 mention the same time? 15. How is the time given in verse fourteen of that chapter? 18. Then how long was the church of Rome to have power to persecute the people of God? 19. When did this period commence? 20. When did it terminate? 21. What hostile army entered Rome in A. D. 1798? 22. What form of government was proclaimed? 23. What was done with the pope? 24. What scripture was fulfilled by this? 25. When was another pope chosen? 26. What power had the popes exercised before that time that they have not been able to exercise since? The decree that constituted the bishop of Rome head of all the churches was issued by the emperor Justinian in A. D. 533, but the decree could not take effect at that time, for the Vandals, the Heruli, and the Ostrogoths opposed it. Of these, the Ostrogoths were the last to be subdued. They were driven from Rome A. D. 538. The pope of Rome then became the head of all the churches, and the papacy was fully established. In the last part of Dan. 7:25, we learn that this papal supremacy was to continue for a time, times, and the dividing of time. Rev. 13:5, referring to the same thing, says that power was given him to continue forty-two months, which would be just three years and a half. Three years and a half, reckoning thirty days to the month and twelve months to the year, according to the Jewish custom, would make 1260 days. In Rev. 12 the same period is referred to, and is given in the fourteenth verse as a time, times, and half a time, and in the sixth verse as 1260 days. So we see that according to the prophecy the church of Rome was to have power to persecute the people of God 1260 years; and since this period commenced in A. D. 538, it must have terminated in A. D. 1798. On the tenth of February, 1798, Berthier, a French general, entered Rome, proclaimed a republican form of government, took the pope prisoner, and for a time the papal rule was suspended. This is regarded as a fulfilment of Rev. 13:10; for he who had made captives of so many innocent Christians was himself taken into captivity; and he who had so many times used the sword [the military power] to persecute and destroy God's people, was now subdued by the sword [the French army]. Two years later another pope was chosen; but since 1798 no pope has had the power to depose kings, or to persecute the saints, as the popes had done before that time. G H. BELL. THE DIME TABERNACLE.
By James White
Probably no enterprise has ever been taken hold of by our people with greater zeal than the building of a house for the Lord at Battle Creek, Michigan. The growth of the cause at that point has demanded larger houses of worship from time to time. The first, 18x22, was built in 1854. This was soon too small to convene the church, to say nothing of our General Conferences. The second house, 28x42, was built in 1858; but this was soon insufficient to convene General Conferences, and the third, 40x65, was built in 1866. In this house the Battle Creek church has worshiped until the present time, and until the past year it would hold the congregation by filling the gallery, and by supplying extra seats. But the house thus packed is always uncomfortable, so much so that feeble persons from the Sanitarium seldom attend worship, and the citizens of Battle Creek do not attend, even on funeral occasions, from the fact that they know that there are no seats for them. During the past winter some of the College students were literally driven from the house after Sabbath-school to give room for the resident congregation. The reader will not, therefore, wonder that the work of building a house of worship of sufficient capacity to take in the crowd is taken hold of with a good degree of enthusiasm. The plan by which means are to be raised to build this house, and the name of it, may seem somewhat novel to our people; but we think they will be convinced that a good plan has been adopted. The building is to be substantial and warm, with one thickness of brick, like the Sanitarium. This, not being a solid wall, is usually called brick veneering. The house will be of sufficient size to convene three thousand persons. It will be of respectable height with plain belfry in which our good bell will be placed. The inside will be finished in a plain, neat style, and the ceiling above will be in height to compare with the seating capacity of the house. This place will be of sufficient size to convene the entire Sabbath-school, which had to be divided last winter for want of room, and take in the crowd on special occasions. This house will be one-third larger than any house of worship in Michigan, as we are credibly informed that the largest in the State will seat only two thousand persons. The Dime Tabernacle takes its name from the plan of raising the means to build the Lord’s house, which is as follows:— 1. All persons, inside or outside of the churches of S. D. Adventists, wherever they may be in the four quarters of the globe, saints or sinners, rich or poor, white or colored, high or low, and of all nationalities who will of a willing heart and a ready mind give the sum of ten cents each month for the period of one year, are invited so to do, payments to be made monthly, commencing with July. Those persons who choose to do so, and we hope most of the friends will, can pay the sum of $1.20 in advance. This will enable the building committee to prosecute the work rapidly and have the house ready to dedicate the first of December. As circulars will be sent out everywhere, more fully illustrating the manner of raising and forwarding the dimes, we will pass to notice:— 2. That there are not less than twenty-five thousand persons, including men, women and children, in the ranks of S. D. Adventists; and should all of these give a dime each month the sum of $30,000 would be raised. Probably not more than $20,000 will be needed. In this case, however, there would be the handsome sum of $10,000 to put into the treasury of the European Missions. Will $30,000 be raised? Certainly it will be. For a moment let us see how much must be saved in each of the secular days in the year by each one in order for twenty-five thousand persons to raise the $30,000. This can be ascertained by dividing the sum for each person to raise by 312, the number of secular days in the year, and the result is, three mills and eleven-thirteenths of a mill on each laboring day in the year! Only three mills and eleven-thirteenths of a mill on each of the laboring days of the year! Will the $30,000 be raised? Will it? Certainly it will. And when the Dime Tabernacle shall be completed, all the cheerful donors will be invited to the dedication. Then they can see the house they have built for the Lord, and enjoy at least one service in it. And then a full report of the history of the building of the house, with a complete statement of the cost, will be given. And the donors’ names and addresses will be given in pamphlet form in connection with the above-mentioned statement and mailed to the donors. Will the Dime Tabernacle go up at once? It will! It will!! Already the old building is removed, and masons and carpenters are on the very site at work, where God has been worshiped by the Battle Creek church during the past twelve years. We again urge promptness, by all who wish to help build the Dime Tabernacle, that the builders be not hindered in the work for want of ready cash. GENERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE. Rollinsville, Col., July 16, 1878. THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.
By James White
We visited the Rocky Mountains two successive summers, six and seven years ago, in company with Mrs. White, Mrs. Hall, and our son W. C. White. Here we were made more than welcome by Mr. W. B. Walling, who married Mrs. W.'s sister's daughter. Mr. Walling did all in his power to make us comfortable and happy. And having received great benefit from our sojourn here in the past, we felt that the pure, cool atmosphere of the Rocky Mountains would greatly relieve and benefit us during the warm summer months of the present season, covering the months of July, August and September. In company with Elder Canright, and our daughter, wife of W. C. W., we left Battle Creek the evening of July 4. The weather was excessively hot during the entire journey to Denver, Col., yet we stood the journey well, and already realize a great improvement. We reached the city of Denver, Sunday, the seventh, at two in the afternoon; hired a team and rode in that clean, beautiful city until eight in the evening, when we took the train for Golden City. Here we slept as people sleep in the Rocky Mountains. In the morning we were much refreshed. After taking breakfast from our lunch baskets, replenished by peaches and pears, we took the train up the winding, narrow-gauge railroad to the city of Black Hawk, where we were happy to meet our old friend, W. B. Walling. We were weary of railroad life. Our persons and clothing needed an application of water and soap. Mr. Walling soon found teams for us and our baggage, and we were on our way up, up, the mountains. Here the water runs pure and the atmosphere is delightful. When we reached the place where we had spent much of the time for about six months the second summer we were here, we found every window broken, door broken down, and the house in that condition the reader can imagine, used by stragglers. All that seemed inviting was the cooling spring. Here we took our second meal. The best sauce is that appetite which the pure atmosphere gives the traveler here. After taking our meal we went up the mountain-side, where we have been with Mrs. W., and had a season of prayer. Soon a visitor appeared. We recognized in him Bro. Smithheart, who had heard us pray and had come to greet us again. He was first attracted to us by hearing us pray, as his log shanty was in hearing distance. This man once preached the gospel. He is a man of a good spirit and of good information. He stated that he had kept the Sabbath ever since he became acquainted with us, and was hungry for more good reading. He is a good example of the power of prayer, and of our publications. There are hundreds in this new State all ready to read, hear, and obey. We hope to do something by our books and prayers while here. We have come for rest and health, and although Elder Canright and the writer may not preach a sermon, we are not the men to be wholly idle. At present we are not keeping house. We have spent three nights at the hotel of J. Q. A. Rollins, formerly from New Hampshire, and shall locate in this vicinity. Our post-office address will be Rollinsville, Colorado. Here are good water, pleasant scenery, and pure air. We have purchased a camper's stove, and fishing tackle, and shall secure a tent. We have this morning started out on a fishing tour, and while we are writing in the carriage Elder Canright and our daughter are preparing poles and making ready generally. We expect Mr. Walling this afternoon, who comes from Boulder City with our good carriage we left here six years since, and with cook stove, furniture, provisions, and a general outfit for transient house-keeping. We find the season very late here. Strawberries are just forming or but in the blow. Gooseberries are abundant, and in about a month there will be an unlimited supply of the red raspberry. These of course are all wild. They are on the mountain-sides just across the rapid creek that is hurrying by where we are writing. We design remaining in the mountains until about the twentieth of September, when, the Lord willing, we shall attend the General Conference. We are daily improving. The difficulty in our feet, which was declared to be dropsy, is fast disappearing, and we are able to walk without difficulty. We have walked one mile this morning, and expect to make out two more to-day. We shall increase at least one mile each day, until we can go up these mountains, as we stated by letter to Mrs. White to-day, like a deer. We sent to Healdsburg for a saddle and bridle, and our heavy, partly worn clothing which we need to "rough it" in here. This we find is no place for linen clothes and white vests, as these impose too heavy a tax upon those who wash for us. Here, with the blessing of God, we expect to do much on our books which we have long had in contemplation; such as Life Sketches, a volume containing the reasons of our Faith and Hope, a pamphlet on the Signs of the Times, and a volume containing Bible Hygiene, sketches of leading health reformers, and a history of the rise and progress of the health reformation. And while we are here we do not forget fellow-laborers in Europe or America, and those institutions at Oakland, Cal., and at Battle Creek, Mich., so dear to us, and where we have spent the best of our strength. Many times each day the voice of prayer echoes in these mountains, and we plead God's blessing upon ourselves and these. We still ask the prayers of dear brethren, that the blessing of Heaven may rest upon us during our sojourn here, and that we may return to the General Conference rested and strengthened to join our brethren in the work. Rollinsville, Col., July 10, 1878. THE SABBATH.
By James White
HOW WE ENJOYED IT IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.
We have no house of worship here, only our own hired rooms, neither have we a church, only the one composed of three members, the writer, our daughter, and Elder Canright. But the God we worship is not confined to the large assembly within walls. Said the Master, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst.” Once the places of worship were at Jerusalem or at the rival sanctuary in Samaria. Jesus said to the woman at the well, “Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.” “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” John 4:21, 23. In the sanctuary of the first covenant God placed his name, manifested his glory, and there held converse with the high priest relative to the welfare of Israel. Daniel prayed with his windows open toward Jerusalem. But in the present dispensation, while the sanctuary and the priesthood are in Heaven, the Lord promises to be a little sanctuary to his people wherever they shall be scattered. The Divine Presence goes with the people of God where they go, and remains with them wherever they are, whether scattered over the mountains or in the valleys. Guardian angels watch over them, ready to bear their petitions to Heaven with the velocity of thought. When Daniel was praying for his people, Gabriel came to him and said, “At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth.” Dan. 9:23. The commandment that came forth was to Gabriel from Him who hears prayers, to go down and instruct the prophet. Here is evidence that as soon as the man of God who was greatly beloved was on his knees, and had opened his mouth in prayer, the angel was by his side. Here in these mountains we have time to reflect and pray to Daniel’s God; and how glorious the thought that we may here unite our prayers with those of our brethren from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and in the Old World, and as quick as thought they center at the throne of God, and angels are sent from the prayer-hearing Father to return the answers. The God we worship is by no means confined to earthly courts. In the language of Whittier, we worship him
“For whom the heavens are small.” On sixth-day, July 12, which was the day to prepare for the Sabbath, we went to the city of Black Hawk to purchase supplies. When entering the city, we encountered one of the most terrific thunder and hail storms that we have ever witnessed in Colorado. The water, black with dirt, came rushing down the mountain sides in a hundred rapid streams between the houses, into the main street, and down into the creek below. This reminded us of the necessity of winter clothing, gum coats and blankets, and umbrellas. But as we had a covered carriage we suffered only from the storm that came in at the open sides of the carriage. We reached our home at Rollinsville just as the king of day was dropping behind the mountains. Although chilled by the cold rain, Elder Canright and the writer walked up and around the mountain one mile to a beautiful lake. There, where all nature seemed hushed excepting the distressed scream of a disturbed robin and the coarse notes of a night hawk flying above us, we bowed in prayer upon the bare hard rocks. The heavens above us were now clear. A beautiful Colorado sunset was fading, and it seemed to us that the Master who called us into the gospel field in youth, was looking down upon us in love and approbation. Angels seemed very near to us as the distant mountains echoed our prayers as they went up to Heaven. God heard our prayers for Jesus’ sake, and gave us his rich blessing. We then returned, having had a walk of two miles, and after our regular family prayers, we lay down to rest at half past nine, and slept sweetly until half past six this morning, making nine hours of uninterrupted sleep. One of the pleasant dreams that we enjoyed was that we were walking out with Mrs. Walling, and she was very happy. We felt a great desire to be as happy in the love of God as she was, and decided to be more frequent and earnest in prayer. We arose this Sabbath morning greatly refreshed, and before breakfast walked one mile. On our return, we learned that Mr. Walling had brought our carriage. We then gathered around the table with one more added to our number, and enjoyed the first meal of the day. Then came family prayers. Although Rollinsville is a very quiet place, and the house is now quiet on account of the severe sickness of Mrs. Rollins, who is lying at the point of death, yet we chose to ride out to the Boulder Park with Mr. Walling, there to rest and pray, and take our second meal. And after spending the day in harmony with the divine precept, we returned to Rollinsville. As the sun was sinking behind the mountains, we again walked out to the lake where we enjoyed a season of prayer at the commencement of the Sabbath, and there our prayers were offered to God with thanksgiving for the blessing of the Sabbath which was then taking its departure. By the time we reached home, the Sabbath was past, and we felt at liberty to make plans with Mr. Walling relative to our sojourn here. Thus has passed a good Sabbath in the Rocky Mountains. J. W. Rollinsville, Colorado, July 13, 1878. BOULDER CITY.
By James White
AFTER a good night's rest, we arose Sunday morning greatly refreshed, and by invitation, after breakfast we had our morning worship in Mrs. Rollins' room. This woman fears God, and loves the hour of prayer. She is evidently better this morning, and will probably be about in a few days. In a few moments Elder Canright and the writer take the carriage for Boulder City, where several S. D. Adventists reside; among them, Sister Dart, formerly of Baraboo, Wisconsin. We think that Boulder would be a good place for labor with the tent. The one furnished by the General Conference probably is at Denver, with a good supply of our publications. The old friends of the cause will be gratified to learn that Elder Cornell, after a season of bitter repentance, has so far gained the confidence of his brethren that they forgive the past, and give him license to improve his gift. Providence opens the way. If the brethren gain still stronger confidence, his case will be favorably considered by the General Conference which will be held the first of October. The road to Boulder is down the canyon, close to Boulder stream, past the grandest scenery in all Colorado. We will not here attempt a description of the mountains, on both sides towering37 from one to three hundred feet above the stream, which winds first to the right, then to the left, around the base of these grand old mountains. We reached Boulder at five in the afternoon, and while our horses were resting and being fed, Bro. Canright found the house of Sister Dart, and there obtained that dear old friend, the REVIEW AND HERALD, with which we have had an intimate acquaintance for twenty-eight years. We then rode round the city until dark, when we went to the good home of Sister Dart and rested for the night. Boulder is a city of three or four thousand inhabitants situated on the plain at the foot of the mountains. There are many vacant lots in the city, besides the public square, where the tent could doubtless be pitched. And as there are eight or ten believers here, who have a good influence, we think this the place to commence tent labor. Besides, these friends, though poor, would furnish a good home for the laborers while the tent should remain at Boulder. And when the work shall be fully commenced, Bro. Canright and the writer will doubtless visit the tent occasionally and help in the work. After another good night's rest we arose at six in the morning, took breakfast, had prayers, and then took leave of the family, and Bro. Green. Mr. Dart, though not a S. D. Adventist, received us kindly, and treated us hospitably. At the post-office we found many letters which had been forwarded from Battle Creek. Among them were excellent letters from Mrs. White, written at the time of the Oregon camp-meeting, giving an account of that good meeting, and also certain excellent advice and instruction on other matters. These letters with the REVIEW furnished reading of the deepest interest while slowly moving up the canyon to our headquarters at Rollinsville. We reached this place at five in the afternoon, feeling that our journey to Boulder had been both pleasant and profitable. We ask the prayers of the brethren that God may prosper the mission in this new field. Rollinsville, Colorado, July 16, 1878. THE SABBATH.
By James White
ITS PROPER OBSERVANCE. HOW TO COMMENCE AND CLOSE IT.
The Lord, in the fourth precept of the moral code, has commanded that we should remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. He then commands that in it we and our households shall do no work. He also commands that the stranger within our gates shall rest. We understand the expression “within thy gates” to mean on or around the premises where those who wish to properly keep the Sabbath might be interrupted in its sacred observance. If unbelieving relatives and friends visit us on the Sabbath, or if unbelieving laborers or boarders do unnecessary work on the premises, we become as responsible and as verily Sabbath-breakers as though we ourselves worked on that day. True, we may be charged with religious bigotry, and feeling unwilling to displease our friends, we may be tempted to yield the point, easing our consciences with the thought that we can throw the responsibility of Sabbath-breaking upon them. But after one point is yielded, we begin to lose that lively sense which we should have of the importance of the proper observance of the Sabbath, and as opportunities of gain by co-partnership with Sunday-keepers are presented, the Lord’s Sabbath is bartered away for gain. There are among the S. D. Baptists such co-partnerships in manufactories and merchandise where shops and stores are open on all days of the week. We are glad to know, however, that the more active of that body are waking up to the sinfulness of this course. God grant that the like may never be practiced by S. D. Adventists. As a publisher, we have sometimes felt that we should be justified in getting our mail from the post-office on the Sabbath, as we have frequently received letters which demanded an answer immediately after the Sabbath. But, as this course was calculated to have a bad influence, not only upon ourselves but upon others, we ceased to take our own mail from the post-office upon the Sabbath, and advise our brethren to do the same. Again, there is a growing practice among our brethren of talking over their worldly business on the Sabbath, and even planning and figuring relative to it. This is done under the plea that it is closely connected with the work of God, and that they are unable to do all they wish to do for God on the six days of the week. But the Lord of the Sabbath accepts no such service. And while his blessing will rest upon those who sacrifice worldly gain for the proper observance of the Sabbath, his withering curse will be upon those who sin against God in making such a lame, God-forbidden offering. The sixth day of the week is preparation day; and a sufficient amount of time before the Sabbath should be taken to make ready for it. We recommend that a bath be taken, and clean clothing put on, so as to appear before the Lord rested and clean, waiting for the Sabbath, ready to welcome it as you would a dear friend. Some labor so hard during the six days that they are drowsy in meeting, and spend much of the day in sleep. If fasting be a Christian duty upon any day, it should be practiced on the Sabbath. A limited amount of food is sufficient for the demands of nature while enjoying physical rest. A partial fast would uncloud the mental powers so that the sacred worship of God upon his Sabbath could be better appreciated and enjoyed. Again, the beginning and the close of the Sabbath should be especially guarded. We protest against working on the sixth day until dark, making it necessary to do chores and make preparations around the premises and on the person in the first hours of the Sabbath, as is the custom with some. God has given us six days, and has reserved one to himself. And those who thus mar the first end of the Sabbath, rob God of holy time. In our opinion, the Sabbath does not commence when the sun sinks from our sight, but at dark. As there may be differences of opinion as to how dark it should be when the Sabbath commences in the valleys or on the hills, we would give the Lord’s Sabbath the benefit of all the disputed time. We therefore earnestly recommend that complete readiness be made for the Sabbath on sixth-day afternoon, and that while the sun is still shining, the family be gathered for prayer, and a chapter of the Bible be read by the light of day. Then all bow in prayer, welcoming with thanksgiving the new Sabbath. The Lord of the Sabbath will draw very near to such, angels will gather around, and the spirit of the Sabbath will come over that praying circle. Then, as the close of the Sabbath is drawing on, while it is yet light, let the family circle be gathered again, the good word of God be read, and the entire family be on their knees in prayer as the Sabbath takes its departure. The best idea of the family pray. In this case the prayers should be brief, the parents setting the example, being family prayer is realized when all the members of instructed by the Lord’s prayer, which does not occupy more than a minute. We do not say that each member of the family should not pray more than one minute, but let them pray, as Jude says, in the Holy Ghost, and if the Spirit lead them out to pray several minutes, there is plenty of time for each to pray during the hour of prayer. J. W. Such is the heading which the Advance attaches to a short editorial in its issue of July 18, 1878. The late treaty of Berlin having guaranteed religious toleration throughout Turkish territory, the Advance takes occasion to utter a shout of “peace and safety,” and to make a thrust at Adventists, as unjust as it is bitter. It says:— “The full text of the Berlin treaty has been published and telegraphed to the world. If Second Adventists choose to insist that the world is ‘growing worse and worse,’ they must be allowed to cherish their private interpretation, and, if it relieves the outlook in their private view, they can name it the ‘blessed hope;’ but he possesses a different vision from most intelligent Christians, who can read the terms of this continental compact with its five or six times repeated and most explicit affirmations of the principles of complete religious toleration, and not see that the world is moving toward better things.” It strikes us as nothing very remarkable that Christian nations, having at their mercy the semi-barbaric Turkish power, should compel it to grant toleration to its Christian subjects. And he who can see in this enough to overbalance the fearful increase of crime in the most enlightened nations of the earth, the epidemic of debauchery, thefts, robberies, defalcations, and murders, the labor troubles, the tramp evils, the threatening aspect of socialism and communism, the wholesale famines in different parts of the world, in company with which must be found suffering and crime and ruin, the breaking down of all the moral safeguards of society, etc., etc., must indeed have a “different vision” and a different kind of “intelligence” from that which the world is wont to honor under that name. This is the foolish part of the statement made by the Advance; the wicked part is that in which it takes up the Christian’s “blessed hope,” smirches it with falsehood, and then holds it up to ridicule. The world is growing better or worse accordingly as the moral condition and moral actions of its inhabitants, or the controlling portions thereof, are improving or declining. And the Advance well knows that no Adventist makes the predicted “abounding of iniquity” which we now behold, Matt. 24:12, or the “growing worse and worse of evil men and seducers” now everywhere visible, 2 Tim. 3:13, to be the “blessed hope.” Why, then, does it so represent it? But the Advance does not half whistle itself into a belief of its own assertions on this point. In regard to the ultimate beneficial results to be derived from the doings of the Congress, it is as undecided as a loose sail flapping in the wind. In the very same paper from which we make the foregoing quotation, it speaks in different articles about the lion’s share which has fallen to England being a little “tough for digestion,” and more than intimates that the “end” sought by England does not “justify the means” by which she has sought it, and that a “most dangerous element” lurks in her foreign policy which has culminated in the occupation of Cyprus and the protectorate of Asiatic Turkey. Nevertheless the Advance regards it as such a glorious evidence that the world is “moving toward better things,” and that the “blessed hope” of the Adventists is not soon to be realized, that it hails it with joy.