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Signs of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 25.

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RISE AND PROGRESS

By John Norton Loughborough

—OF—

Seventh-Day Adventists.

Tokens of God's Hand in the Movement, and Brief Sketch of the Advent Cause from 1831 to 1844.
By J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
This new book, fresh from the pen of one of the oldest ministers in the advent movement, cannot but be of great interest to all, and especially to those who have become Seventh-Day Adventists in recent years and know but little of the early history of the cause and its leaders.
The following are some of the chapter headings: Extent of the Advent Proclamation; The Tarrying Time; The Midnight Cry; The Disappointment; Fresh Tokens of Divine Guidance; Perils, Reproaches, Victories; New Features in the Work; Providence of God in the Publishing Work; Organization; Rapid Advancement; Though Workers Faint, God's Work Advances; Truth Advanced Even by Opposition.
The book contains nearly 400 pages, with 50 illustrations, several of them full page, and is neatly bound in cloth, and furnished in two styles.
Cloth, plain edges . . . . . $1 25 Cloth, gilt edges . . . . . 1 50
Books sent postpaid on receipt of price.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO., OAKLAND, CAL. Or 43 Bond St., New York.

THE LAW OF GOD

By Editor

As Changed by the Papacy.

HERE we have arranged the papal assumptions and admissions side by side with the law of God. These selections are all taken from works of acknowledged authority among the Catholics, and are therefore valuable for reference. Price of cloth, $1.00; paper, 5½x8 in., per 100, 50c. Address Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal., or 43 Bond St., New York City, or 18 West 5th St., Kansas City, Mo.

HOW TO LEAD GOSPEL SERVICES.

MEETINGS are largely what the leader makes them, under God.
There are thousands of dead and dying services which need the voice and grip and soul power of a leader that can lead.
It's not everyone that can do it; all men are not leaders.
Select those who have some fitness; they will develop both the services and themselves.
The following "hints" may serve to mark out the path for those who may be called to the responsible position of conducting a gospel service, to the glory of God, the good of others, and the winning of souls:— Come filled to the brim with your subject. Be tremendously in earnest. Be on time in opening and closing. Be perfectly natural. See that the air, light, and seats are in good condition. Keep out of old ruts. Speak so all can hear. Don't take others' time. Have something to say as leader, and say it. Don't sing funeral hymns at a praise service. Have plenty of scripture and give its meaning. Don't mind critics. Don't wear squeaky shoes. Adapt yourself to circumstances. Be guided by the Holy Spirit. Always give the best you have. Select both hymns and scripture beforehand. Keep your voice right to the size of the room. Sit out where the people can see you. Be wise in giving the invitation to the unsaved. Use your Bible and get others to use theirs. Don't let organist or pianist give a concert. Urge brevity and brightness. Help the weak and timid ones to take part. Make the stranger welcome. Don't imagine you are the meeting—you are only leader. Pray much before you come, while there, and after. Depend upon God for help. Don't be afraid of mistakes. Let your face and manner be blessed to the people's good. Have faith in God. Have an aim, or object, in every service you lead. Don't sing too slow or too fast. Get the people's mind off you and on Christ. Services that don't honor God and help people to live better and brighter had better never be held. The way to learn how to lead meetings is to lead them. Don't try for what can't be had in a service.
— Condensed from Christian at Work.

FIELD NOTES.

By Editor

WORK is progressing on our Scandinavian College at Frederikshavn, Denmark.
THE brethren at Cedar Run, Michigan, are taking steps to build a house of worship.
THE winter term of the Australasian Bible School at Melbourne was opened on the 4th inst.
ELDER JOHN F. JONES gives encouraging reports of the church work in Baltimore, Md., and Wilmington, Del.
AT Clarksburg, Sacramento County, Cal., a company of fourteen members was recently organized by Elder Wm. Ings.
THE first regular course of meetings ever held in South Carolina by our people was inaugurated by Elder Webster, assisted by Brother and Sister J. O. Johnston.
THE brethren scattered around in the vicinity of Parkersburg, W. Va., have decided to perfect a church organization.
ELDER F. J. HUTCHINS, missionary to Honduras, reports a kindly reception at Utilla, where he decided to hold a series of tent meetings.
ELDER A. O. BURRILL reports the baptism of five candidates at Willis, Mich., at the close of the recent institute held with that church.
OF the work in Jamaica Island, Elder A. J. Haysmer reports the baptism of twenty persons and the organization of a church of thirty-seven members.
THE Illinois Conference Committee have rented an eleven-room house for a permanent mission house in the South Side, Chicago. The location is 438 Sixty-second Street, Woodlawn.
AT Alden, N. Y., recently, Elder S. H. Lane delivered a lecture on temperance to a large audience in the Presbyterian Church. The pastor of the church had made special effort to have the meeting a success.
ON the 9th inst. Brother George O. Wellman and wife, accompanied by Sister Lillian White, of Hillsdale, Mich., left Battle Creek, Mich., on a mission to the island of Raiatea. They will go out on the next voyage of the Pitcairn.
A LETTER from Brother E. C. Chapman, by the last mail from Tahiti, states that Elder Read and wife had gone to Raiatea Island for a time, to assist Brother and Sister Cady in their school work. The work at Tahiti, he said, was prospering.
ELDER JOHN W. COVERT reports encouragingly of the cause in Olivet, Indiana. During the month of February fourteen new members were added to the church, and during meetings held from March 28 to April 1, seven more were added.
ELDER H. G. THURSTON held six services in connection with the quarterly meeting occasion at Newburg, N. Y. Brethren were also present from Matteowan, Cold Springs, and Poughkeepsie. Brother Thurston says "there is an awakening at Newburg."
AT the last quarterly meeting held at Syracuse, N. Y., four members were added to the church, and five other names were presented for membership after baptism. Within six months eighteen have embraced the truth through the Bible work in that city, says Elder P. Z. Kinne, in the Indicator.
A SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST Church has been organized in Constantinople. Of the members, six are Greeks and fourteen Armenians. Others who keep the Sabbath but have not yet been baptized swell the number of the company to thirty. The organization was effected by Elder H. P. Holser, of Basel, Switzerland.
OUR brethren in Switzerland have found that, with all the boasted freedom of that little republic, freedom of conscience has only a nominal existence for those whose consciences do not indorse the dogmas of the State church. In other words, Switzerland is a standing illustration that freedom of conscience cannot exist where the State assumes to direct in religious matters, or where the church assumes a control of the State. Our publishing house in Basel has fines standing against it for Sunday labor amounting to some 300 francs. These fines will not be paid voluntarily, and cannot consistently with truth and justice; either they will be collected by attachment, or the penalty will be enforced by the imprisonment of the manager. But in some way God will bring good for his people out of the evil.
THE American Sentinel of the 5th inst. has this item of news: "The third Monday of this month another Seventh-day Adventist will be called to stand trial for his faith, in Kent County, Maryland. A month later two men of the same faith will answer before a Georgia court for exercising their God-given right to work on the first day of the week, as required by their faith. Another case is pending in the Supreme Court of Tennessee, and will be decided in a few days."

THE POWER IN THE WORD.

By Lilla Warren

BY LILLA WARREN.
THE Lord spake our world into being, 'Twas covered with darkness of night, And to the great darkness about it The Saviour said, "Let there be light."
Then out from the thick murky darkness There shone forth a marvelous light. He spake, and the day stood divided Forever apart from the night.
He said to the seas, "Come to this place, And here be thy proud waters stayed. Thus far shalt thou go, and no further;" That instant his word was obeyed.
He scatters the hoarfrost like ashes; He giveth the white snow like wool; By his word he established all nature; With his power the whole earth is full.
That word that called light out of darkness, And said to the waves, "Be thou still," Will shine in our hearts with its brightness If we will but say, "Not my will."
The word says to whom we are yielded That Master we all shall obey; If each day we yield to the Saviour, We never shall fall by the way.
Can anyone keep back the morning, Or hinder the darkness of night? So surely God says he will keep us, And lead us from night unto light.
Once I found (for I had left Jesus), An idol so dear to my heart It almost seemed death would be better Than that I e'er from it should part.
I knew in my heart I loved Jesus And wanted to do what he said, But I could not make myself willing, And I almost wished I were dead.
I prayed to the Father, "Oh, lead me, That I may thy pleasure fulfill!" There came a sweet voice to me, saying, "'Tis God that works in you to will."
Amen, Father; now make me willing To give up this idol to thee. It was so, for God's word had said it, And I through his goodness was free.
Oh, then trust the dear, loving Father! His word is the same to each one; To show that his promise is certain, 'Tis sealed with the blood of his Son.

FAITHFULNESS IN LITTLE THINGS.

It pays to do well that which should be done, and little duties unperformed are liable at times to result in great damage. A letter carrier in one of our large cities, a few months ago, found on reaching the post office, after a long round of delivery, a letter in his bag that he had overlooked. The letter was an ordinary, unimportant looking missive, and he kept it for the first round next day. What consequence followed?—For want of that letter a great firm had failed to meet their engagements, their notes had gone to protest, and a mill closed, and hundreds of workmen were thrown out of employment. The letter carrier himself was discharged, and his family suffered during the winter for many of the necessaries of life; but his loss was of small account compared to the misery caused by his single failure in duty.—Selected.

CHURCH SERVICES.

By Editor

All of our churches, especially on this coast, who desire their regular weekly services announced in this column, may have it done by reporting through the proper officers.
Oakland.—Church at corner of Twelfth and Brush Streets. Regular preaching services or Bible study, Sunday at 7:30 P.M., Friday at 7 P.M., and Sabbath at 11 A.M. Sabbath school at 9:30 A.M. Sabbath. Prayer and missionary meeting Wednesday at 7:30 P.M. All are cordially invited.
San Francisco.—Church at 914 Laguna Street. Regular preaching services at 7:30 P.M. Sunday and 11 A.M. Sabbath. Sabbath school at 9:45 A.M. Prayer meeting Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Missionary meeting Thursday 7:30 P.M. Seats free.
Los Angeles.—Church at 143 Carr Street. Preaching service Sunday evening 7:30. Missionary meeting Wednesday evening 7:30. Sabbath school on Sabbath at 9:45, and preaching service at 11 A.M. All are welcome.
East Portland, Oregon.—Church, No. 507 East Ankeny St. Services every Sabbath 11:30 A.M. Sabbath school 10 A.M. Missionary meeting evening after Sabbath 7 P.M. Prayer meeting every Wednesday evening 7 o'clock. All welcome. Seats free.
Chicago, Illinois.—Church on Forty-sixth Street, corner of Champlain Avenue. Regular preaching service at 11 A.M. Sabbath school at 9:30 A.M. every Sabbath. Prayer meeting, Monday evening at 7:30 P.M. The above services are held in the Forestville Congregationalist Church building until our own church will be completed, when proper notice will be given. All are cordially invited.
Washington, D. C.—Church on Eighth Street between F and G Streets, N. E. Regular preaching service at 11 A. M. Sabbaths. Sabbath school 9:45 A. M. Sunday, 7:30 P. M., Bible study. Prayer meeting Friday at 7:30 P. M. All are welcome.
H. W. HERRELL, Clerk.
Sacramento.—Church on G Street between Eighteenth and Nineteenth Streets. Regular services: Sabbath school at 10 A.M., preaching service at 11 A.M., Sunday at 7:30 P.M. Prayer and missionary meeting Wednesday evening at 7:30. Seats free. All are cordially invited.
Pasadena.—Church at corner of Summit Ave. and Mountain Street. Sabbath services every Sabbath at 11:30 A.M. Sabbath school 10 A.M. Prayer meeting every Sunday evening 7:30. Missionary meeting Tuesday 7:30 P.M. All are cordially invited.
Box 261. O. S. SMYTH, Clerk.

International S. S. Lessons.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."—Neh. 8:8
LESSON VI.—SUNDAY, MAY 6, 1894.

JOSEPH'S LAST DAYS.

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

Lesson Scripture, Gen. 50:14-26.

  1. And Joseph returned into Egypt, he, and his brethren, and all that went up with him to bury his father, after he had buried his father.
  2. And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully requite us all the evil which we did unto him.
  3. And they sent a message unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,
  4. So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the transgression of thy brethren, and their sin, for that they did unto thee evil; and now, we pray thee, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.
  5. And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.
  6. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not; for am I in the place of God?
  7. And as for you, ye meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
  8. Now therefore fear ye not; I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
  9. And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father's house: and Joseph lived an hundred and ten years.
  10. And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation; the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were born upon Joseph's knees.
  11. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die; but God will surely visit you, and bring you up out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
  12. And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.
  13. So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.
Golden Text: "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Prov. 4:18.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

  1. Give an account of the events which intervene between this and our last lesson. Note 1.
  2. After Joseph and his brethren buried their father, what did they do? Verse 14.
  3. How did Joseph's brethren feel after their father was dead? Verse 15.
  4. What did they conclude to do? Verse 16.
  5. What was the message which they sent? Verse 17, first part.
  6. What petition did they themselves ask?
  7. How did Joseph regard their humble petition? Verse 17, last part.
  8. How did they still further show their contrition? Verse 18. Note 2.
  9. What answer did Joseph make to their prayer? Verse 19. Note 3.
  10. How did Joseph gently reprove them? Verse 20, first part.
  11. How did he say that God overruled it? Verse 20, last part.
  12. How did he comfort their hearts? Verse 21.
  13. Till what age did Joseph live in Egypt? Verse 22.
  14. How many generations of his children did he see?
  15. How did he in his last days show his faith in God's promises? Verse 24.
  16. What did he make his brothers promise under oath? Verse 25.
  17. How did the children of Israel fulfill his request?
"And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him; for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you." Ex. 13:19. See also Judges 24:32.
  1. What is said of his death? Verse 26. Note 4.
  2. What was exemplified in the life of Joseph from the beginning to the end? Golden text.

NOTES.

1. Our last lesson closed with Jacob and his family preparing to go down to Egypt. Chapter 46 tells us that the Lord assured Jacob that he would be with him, that he should not fear to go to Egypt, that he should there meet Joseph; the names of Jacob's sons are given, and his meeting with Joseph. Chapter 47 tells how Joseph told Pharaoh that his father and brethren had come, and how Pharaoh gave them the land of Goshen in which to dwell; how the famine prevailed, and, after all the money of the Egyptians was taken, Joseph took their land; and that after this transaction the land belonged to the kingdom, and those who tilled the land gave one-fifth of the crop to the government. The last part of the chapter gives an account of the death of Jacob at 147 years of age, and the promise which he exacted of Joseph to bury him in the land of Canaan. Chapter 48 is taken up with the account of how Jacob blessed Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, giving Ephraim the preference over Manasseh, the first born, and adopting them as his sons. Chapter 49 is a record of the prophecy which Jacob gave concerning his sons, the great spiritual blessings of which center in Judah, and in Christ, who should come through Judah. Verses 1-14 of chapter 50 tell us of Jacob's death, the embalming of his body, the mourning for him threescore and ten days, and how Joseph and his brethren went up out of Egypt to Canaan, and buried him in the field of Machpelah, which Abraham bought of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre. This brings us to our lesson of to-day. The intervening history is very full of remarkable incidents and great practical, spiritual lessons.
2. They said, Behold we are thy servants.—The conscience of Joseph's brethren had again become quickened. It was about forty years before that Joseph had told them his dreams. They then said in the pride and stubbornness of their hearts, 'Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us?' In about twenty years after this they themselves bowed down before Joseph, not knowing that it was he, supposing him to be the king of Egypt. In that they fulfilled the dream unconsciously, but now they come to Joseph and fall down voluntarily, knowing that it is Joseph, and say, 'Behold, we are thy servants.' How their hearts must have been pained as they thought of the time forty-one years before when the one before whom they were bowing, a mere lad, stood with them, and cried and plead with them not to take his life or sell him as a slave! and how much more must their hearts have been touched when Joseph wept with them and again freely granted them his forgiveness!
3. Am I in the place of God?—That is, he would have his brothers understand that God had overruled it all, and that it was not for him to judge the instruments whom God had used. It was truly the Spirit of Christ which Joseph possessed. Like Christ he committed his cause to Him that judges righteously, knowing that God would make all things work together for good to them that love him.
4. And they embalmed him.—T. Smith says: 'According to the usual custom, Joseph's body [after it was embalmed by means of spices and drugs of various kinds] was put into a coffin. This coffin, or mummy case, was probably made of wood, and on the lid of it there was probably a representation of the deceased, whilst the whole of it would be decorated with various colors.' This coffin was probably kept in the house of Ephraim, his principal son. These coffins, fragrant with the odor of spices, were often kept for centuries in the halls of entertainment in the family mansion.
LESSON XVIII.—SABBATH, MAY 5, 1894.

SPEAKING PEACE.

Lesson Scripture, Luke 8: 22-40.

  1. And it came to pass on one of those days, that he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples; and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake; and they launched forth.
  2. But as they sailed he fell asleep; and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.
  3. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. And he awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water; and they ceased, and there was a calm.
  4. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And being afraid they marveled, saying one to another, Who then is this, that he commandeth even the winds and the water, and they obey him?
  5. And they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is over against Galilee.
  6. And when he was come forth upon the land, there met him a certain man out of the city, who had devils; and for a long time he had worn no clothes, and abode not in any house, but in the tombs.
  7. And when he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? I beseech thee, torment me not.
  8. For he commanded the unclean spirit to come out from the man. For oftentimes it had seized him; and he was kept under guard, and bound with chains and fetters; and breaking the bands asunder, he was driven of the devil into the deserts.
  9. And Jesus asked him, What is thy name? And he said, Legion; for many devils were entered into him.
  10. And they entreated him that he would not command them to depart into the abyss.
  11. Now there was there a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain; and they entreated him that he would give them leave to enter into them. And he gave them leave.
  12. And the devils came out from the man, and entered into the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep into the lake, and were choked.
  13. And when they that fed them saw what had come to pass, they fled, and told it in the city and in the country.
  14. And they went out to see what had come to pass; and they came to Jesus, and found the man, from whom the devils were gone out, sitting, clothed and in his right mind, at the feet of Jesus; and they were afraid.
  15. And they that saw it told them how he that was possessed with devils was made whole.
  16. And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes round about asked him to depart from them; for they were holden with great fear; and he entered into a boat, and returned.
  17. But the man from whom the devils were gone out prayed him that he might be with him; but he sent him away, saying,
  18. Return to thy house, and declare how great things God hath done for thee. And he went his way, publishing throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done for him.
  19. And as Jesus returned, the multitude welcomed him; for they were all waiting for him.
VERSES 22-25 give the account of the stilling of the tempest. The remainder of the lesson (verses 26-40) tells about the expulsion of the legion of devils from the Gadarene, the destruction of the swine into which the demons entered, and the effect which the whole affair had on the people. The entire lesson may be summarized thus: Stilling the tempest; freeing the demonic. Connecting the preceding lesson with this one, we may have a mental picture of the first forty verses of this chapter, under these heads: Parable of the Sower; Stilling the Tempest; Healing the Demonic. Be sure, however, that you do not get this outline by simply memorizing the synopsis here given. Get it direct from the Bible, by reading the verses so carefully and so often that the subjects stand out in bold relief.
  1. What came to pass on a certain day?
  2. Where did Jesus propose that they should go?
  3. What did Jesus do as they sailed?
  4. While he slept, what took place?
  5. What was their condition? Compare Matt. 8: 25; Mark 4: 37.
  6. What did the disciples do and say?
  7. What did Jesus immediately do?
  8. What was the result?
  9. Having stilled the sea, what did Jesus say to the disciples?
  10. How did this miracle affect them?
  11. In what country did they land?
  12. Who met them as they landed?
  13. What did the demonic say to Jesus?
  14. What had Jesus said to the unclean spirit?
  15. How had the devils treated the man?
  16. How many of them had possession of him?
  17. What request did they make to Jesus?
  18. Into what did Jesus suffer them to enter?
  19. What then happened to the swine?
  20. What effect did this have on the keepers and on the people of that country?
  21. When the people saw the man who had been possessed of devils, clothed and in his right mind, what did they request Jesus to do?
  22. Did Jesus comply with their request?
  23. What did the man who had been healed desire of Jesus?
  24. What did Jesus tell him to do instead?
  25. How faithfully did he fulfill this commission?
  26. How was Jesus received on his return?

NOTES.

1. MARK gives us the words that Jesus used in stilling the tempest: 'And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.' Mark 3: 9. This is one of the miracles that is recorded that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, we might have life through his name. John 20: 31. A few texts will indicate the lesson that we may learn from it: 'The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.' Isa. 57: 20. 'I will hear what God the Lord will speak; for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints; but let them not turn again to folly.' Ps. 85: 8. 'For he is our peace,' and he came preaching peace. Eph. 2: 14, 17. 'Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' Rom. 5: 1. Just as the word of Christ quieted the sea, so his word to us, if we receive it as his word, will give peace to the soul. 'Great peace have they which love thy law; and nothing shall offend them,' or cause them to stumble. Ps. 119: 165. 'O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.' Isa. 48: 18. So when God speaks peace to us, it is by speaking righteousness; and we have that righteousness if we hear his word with meekness. 'Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live.' Isa. 55: 3.
2. THE account in Mark, like the one in Luke, mentions only one man possessed with devils; but in Matthew it is stated that there were two men. All that it is necessary to bear in mind in order to see that there is no contradiction, is that neither Mark nor Luke says that there was only one man. One of them was doubtless more prominent than the other, and special attention is directed to him by Mark and Luke, who give more of the details than Matthew does.
3. IN this lesson we have an example of Christ's triumph over a legion of devils. Satan, the chief of the devils, is Apollyon, the destroyer. Rev. 9: 11. Christ is 'the Prince of peace.' Isa. 9: 6. The devils, true to their nature, were tormenting the poor man,—driving him to and fro like the waves of the sea by the winds. Christ, true to his nature, spoke peace, and the troubled soul had rest. What a perfect parallel this miracle was to that which preceded it! Let this word ever be the joy of the tempted one, 'Christ is more powerful than Satan; he has spoiled principalities and powers.' 'These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.' John 16: 33.
4. ALL the blessings that Christ had come to bestow upon the Gadarenes, and of which they had such ample and striking evidence, were nothing to them compared with the loss of their swine. Of course their trouble was on account of the loss of the money value of the hogs, so that their case is precisely that of thousands who choose this present world instead of Christ. Bunyan has aptly illustrated this by the man intent on selecting from the garbage with a muck rake, and oblivious of the crown of glory above his head. We may well pray, 'Deliver us from the muck rake.'
5. THE man out of whom the devils were cast wanted to be with Jesus. That was a most natural desire; but Jesus said to him, 'Return to thine own house, and show how great things God hath done unto thee.' God saves men for service. 'Ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellences of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.' 1 Peter 2: 9, Revised Version. But, although the Lord sends us out to service, instead of allowing us now to dwell in his personal presence, beholding his face, he does not leave us alone, for he says, 'Lo, I am with you alway.' Matt. 28: 20.
6. NOTE also that, although the people refused to have Jesus with them, he did not utterly forsake them. They would not have him among them, so he left a representative. 'Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord.' Isa. 43: 10. 'And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world.' 'And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.' John 17: 11, 22, 23.

CALIFORNIA GENERAL CAMP MEETING.

By N. C. McClure

THE California general camp meeting and annual conference will be held at Bushrod Park, Oakland, beginning May 10, and ending the 20th. This camp meeting proper will be preceded by a workers' meeting, beginning May 3d, and ending when the camp meeting begins, the night of the 10th. This meeting will be one of the most important meetings ever held in the Conference, and all of the brethren, sisters, and friends who can possibly attend should be at both the workers' and general meeting. From the first there will be important revival services held, Bible instruction that is most appropriate for the times in which we live, also instruction in the Christian Help work for the churches, and a hygienic cooking class for all, conducted by experienced workers from Battle Creek. The Auditing Committee will meet on the camp ground May 3, to do their work, so that it may not interfere with the general meeting. All who have been in Conference employ during the past year should see that their report of labor and expenses is handed in at least one week before that time, else their account may not be audited in time for settlement. All accounts must be made out up to date, and the remainder of time and expenses after that handed in immediately on arrival on the camp ground. All accounts must be sent to E. A. Chapman, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal. If you have not received your blank for reporting, apply to him at once.
N. C. MCCLURE, Vice President Cal. Conference.

RURAL HEALTH RETREAT ASSOCIATION.

THE annual meeting of the Rural Health Retreat Association (a corporation) will be held at the Rural Health Retreat, near St. Helena, Napa County, Cal., Thursday, April 26, 1894, at 1 P.M., for the purpose of electing a board of seven directors for the ensuing year, and to transact such other business as may come before the meeting.
S. N. HASKELL, President.
J. A. BURDEN, Secretary.

CALIFORNIA TRACT SOCIETY.

By N. C. McClure

THE twenty-fourth annual meeting of the California Tract Society will be held in Oakland in connection with the State camp meeting, May 10 to 21, for the election of officers, and the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting. N. C. MCCLURE, Vice President.

LITERARY NOTICES.

By Editor

[The SIGNS OF THE TIMES holds itself under no obligation to notice any publications sent it by publishers. Those considered worthy of notice, or which are deemed profitable to its subscribers, will receive such notice as time, space, and value will permit.]
Astronomy and Astro-Physics for April contains the following prominent articles, among others: Electric Controls and Governors for Astronomical Instruments (illustrated), by F. L. O. Wadsworth; On the Forms of the Disc of the Satellites of Jupiter as Seen with the 36-inch Equatorial of the Lick Observatory (illustrated), by E. E. Barnard (the foregoing article is a reply to an article on the same subject by Prof. W. H. Pickering); Mechanical Causes of the Formation, Motion, and Periodicity of Sun Spots, by J. M. Schaeberle. There are also articles from H. C. Wilson, W. H. Pickering, H. F. Newhall, W. W. Campbell, and others. Lick Observatory is well represented in this able journal this month. Price, $4.00. Carleton College, Northfield, Minn.
Popular Astronomy is the name of a comparatively new journal in the line indicated by its name. It bids fair to become very popular. It will aim to be a real help to the student and young astronomer. Its editors are Prof. W. W. Payne and Charlotte Willard, of Goodsell Observatory, of Carleton College, Northfield, Minn., at which place the journal is published. The April number of the above journal contains interesting articles by Prof. E. E. Barnard, S. W. Burnham, W. F. Denning, J. A. Parkhurst, Winslow Upton, Lewis Swift, and others. Some of these writers we know appreciate what a real student needs, and are qualified by knowledge and experience to help them. This number contains also a map of the constellations visible on April 15. Price of this excellent magazine, $2.50 a year, of ten numbers.
Worthington's Illustrated Magazine for March is an excellent number. Among its contributors are Prof. G. Frederic Wright, Mary A. Livermore, James Wier, Jr., M.D., Helen Everson Smith, Charlotte Perkins Stetson, and others of no less note; and among the good articles are: In the Snake River Valley (illustrated), Effect of Musical Sounds on the Lower Animals, Peasant Life in Picardy, Fate of Aaron's Burr's Daughter, A New Basis for the Servant Question, In the Sick Room, and the usual amount of lighter reading. A. D. Worthington & Co., Hartford, Conn. Price, $2.50 a year.
"Living by Faith." (Spanish.) A translation of Bible Students' Library No. 75; 16 pp.; price, 2 cents. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING Co., Oakland, Cal.
"This Rock, or the Foundation of the Church." (Spanish.) Showing that the Rock of Matt. 16:18 is Christ, and not Peter; 4 pp.; 50 cents per 100. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING Co., Oakland, Cal.
PORK: or the Dangers of Pork Eating Exposed, is the title of a 16-page illustrated tract that is deserving of a large circulation. Get it, read it, and send it to your friends. Price, two cents per copy. Address PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
STEPS TO CHRIST. The Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal., have received an entirely new stock of the latest edition of that excellent book entitled "Steps to Christ," by Mrs. E. G. White. The price, postpaid, is only 75 cents. Address as above.
"Angels of God." (Spanish.) A collection of five Bible readings on the following subjects: 1. The Angels of God. 2. Satan and His Work. 3. Christ the Resurrection and the Life. 4. The Second Chapter of Daniel. 5. Signs of the Coming of Christ. Two illustrations; paper; price, 6 cents. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING Co., Oakland, Cal.
THE NATIONAL SUNDAY LAW.—A pamphlet of 190 pages, price, 25 cents. It is the argument of Alonzo T. Jones before the United States Senate Committee on Education and Labor, together with the text of the Blair Sunday Bill introduced in the U. S. Senate. Address orders to your State Tract Society secretary or to Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal.
"The Saints' Inheritance." (Spanish.) Contents: 1. The Inheritance of the Saints. 2. The Millennium, or the Reign of a Thousand Years. 3. The End of the Wicked. 4. Immortality through Christ. 5. The Importance of the Prophecies. 6. The Hope of the Christian. 7. The Judgment. Paper; price, 6 cents. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING Co., Oakland, Cal.

THE ATONEMENT.

By Eld. J. H. Waggoner

AN EXAMINATION OF A REMEDIAL SYSTEM, IN THE LIGHT OF NATURE AND OF REVELATION.
BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.
THIRD EDITION, REVISED AND GREATLY ENLARGED.
THIS WORK is a critical and exhaustive treatise on the plan of salvation as revealed in the Scriptures, showing its harmony with the principles of justice and mercy, its consistency with reason, and its final results as affecting the destiny of the human race. 368 pp.; cloth, $1.00.
Address. PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
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