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Signs of the Times, Vol. 8, No. 21.

General Articles
Earlier text: The First Day of the Week

From the Field.

Elder J. Bartlett, writing from Jordan Creek, Iowa, under date of April 25, says that seven; all heads of families, have commenced to keep the Sabbath in that place, and several more are on the point of deciding for the truth.
Elder Starr, of Nebraska, gives a report that is encouraging to missionary workers. Last fall plans were laid to thoroughly canvass the town of Oakdale, through personal and vigilant missionary labor. There was then but one Seventh-day Adventist in the place. Now, on visiting the place, he finds four new Sabbath-keepers, all of whom have embraced the truth simply by reading, without the labors of a minister, and others are interested. These were baptized, and a Sabbath-school was organized.
Elder L. Johnson makes the following report of labor in Byron, Minnesota:—
“Brethren Nelson, Jacobson, and Jorgenson have labored there some, and the Lord has blessed their efforts. I stayed there a week, and held meetings once or more every day. Four persons were baptized, and a church of nine members organized. They are all Danish. There are three more keeping the Sabbath, one of whom commenced while I was there. An elder was chosen and ordained, and a secretary and treasurer appointed. We organized a Tract and Missionary Society of eight members. They also have a Sabbath-school. They decided to meet for worship on the Sabbath, and to hold a prayer-meeting once a week, and a missionary meeting once in two weeks.”

Give Yourself to Prayer.

Learn to intwine with your prayers the small cares, the trifling sorrows, the little wants of daily life. Whatever affects you—be it a changed look, an altered tone, a demand you cannot meet, a change you cannot notice, a sorrow you cannot disclose—turn it into prayer, and send it up to God. Disclosures you may not make to man you can make to the Lord. Man may be too little for your great matters; God is not too great for your small ones. Only give yourself to prayer, whatever be the occasion that calls for it.—Winslow.

The Dignity of a Sermon

"NEVER tolerate any idea of the dignity of a sermon," says Rev. Phillips Brooks, "which will keep you from saying anything in it which you ought to say, or which your people ought to hear. It is the same folly as making your chair so fine that you dare not sit down in it."

Temperance.

The Power of Strong Drink.

IN the Michigan City prison there is a sorrowful old man—a life man. "Poor old Mose," said one of the officers to me, "there is a life blighted by drink." He once had a beautiful family and a thriving farm, and until he became the slave of drink was the kindest of men in the world. But it was the old story. He "never intended to become a drunkard," but like hundreds of men that to-day, moth-like, flutter in the light of this dangerous flame, fondly imagining they shall escape its scorching breath, he drank socially, and finally sank lower, and lower, until his property was fast becoming dissipated. Then death came into the home, and the mother and wife—
"Laid down life's weary load."
Over the dead form the gray head of Old Mose bowed in silent agony. At last he stole out of the little cottage, knelt under a spreading oak, whose tall form towered toward the stars, and lifting his face heavenward, as the night breezes fanned his fevered cheek, he promised God that, "while that tree stood he would never drink again. That to the motherless children he would be a true father." The death of the patient, trusting wife left a feeling of tenderness and awe in his soul, as if God had come out of the great shadow of this affliction to rescue him from his evil course.
Four years rolled away, and the home was a happy one, because father was always sober, and always kind. But one day the demon of desire again possessed him. He dared not break that solemn vow made to God under the stars, but he took his ax and felled the mighty oak to the ground, and then went to the saloon and bought drink, and all day drank heavily, and at night, wild and infuriated, with the same ax with which he had deliberately chopped down the monument of that vow, he murdered his boy in cold blood. Poor, silent, sorrowful old man! There is always before him that fair young face, with its pleading look upon it. He has suffered a thousand deaths in the weary days of his incarceration. How often that sad old face, furrowed with tears, rises before me as men coldly say, "That temperance movement has no interest to me."
You think, my drinking friend, that it would be impossible for you to commit so horrid a crime as this; but I say to you solemnly, it is only the mercy of God that has kept your hands from being stained with blood. You have been wild with drink. There have been long periods of unconsciousness when you could not recollect what you did or said. Self-control was lost, the better nature lay in a death-like swoon, while all the evil in your being was thrice alive. No man who drinks, needs to boast of being better than poor old Mose, for it was not in his heart to do anybody wrong. Every man who drowns himself in drink takes tremendous chances, and no human being has any right to thus tamper with his eternal happiness.—Morning and Day of Reform.

Sleep

Sleep.
THERE is no danger of wearing this subject threadbare, for people are beginning to wake up to the fact that plenty of sleep is requisite to the health, particularly in the case of brain-workers. The more sleep the brain gets the better does the brain work. All great brain-workers have been great sleepers. Sir Walter Scott could never do with less than ten hours. A fool will want eight hours, as George III. said, but a philosopher wants nine. The men who have been the greatest generals are the men who could sleep at will. Thus it was with both Wellington and Napoleon. The greatest speakers in the House of Commons have been the men who could go to sleep there as much as they like. This explained the juvenility of the aged Palmerston. Sleep is in many cases the best of medicines. A friend told me that he treated himself for a fever. He went to bed with a large pitcher of lemonade by his side. He drank and slept, slept and drank, and slept himself well again. It is safe to say of any man that if he sleeps well he will do well.—Ex.

EATING.

When the system begins to need nutriment, it sends a fluid from every portion of the body toward the stomach, where it accumulates in little reservoirs, the distension of which causes the sensation of hunger; the fuller they become, the more hungry are we. This fluid not only gives notice that food is needed, but it has the power of dissolving it, as water dissolves sugar, and thus prepares it for yielding its nutriment to the system. If, therefore, a person eats without an appetite, without being hungry, there being none of this dissolving fluid in the stomach, the food is not dissolved, does not undergo any healthy change; on the contrary, being kept up to the stomach heat of about a hundred degrees, it soon begins to ferment, to decay, to rot; if meat, it literally becomes carrion; if vegetable, it sours; in either case, generating gas and wind, causing unseemly belchings and noisome eructations; or, these gases being confined, distend the stomach, causing pressure against the nerves, originating various pains and discomforts, more or less distressing, to last sometimes for hours, or half a night, preventing refreshing sleep, to be followed by a day of general discomfort, and unfitness for business. Sometimes the stomach becomes so distended with wind, that it crowds up against the lungs, preventing them from receiving their proper amount of air, and there follows a distressing feeling of impending suffocation. These same effects follow when too much food is eaten, more than there is fluid in the stomach to dissolve.—Hall's Journal of Health.

Hatred of Alcohol

CALL me what you will, I hate alcohol, and I pray God to give me an everlastingly-increasing capacity to hate with burning hatred any agency under heaven that can enslave, imbrute, and take away the best part of a man's life, and give him nothing but an awful, black, and fearful recollection to pay for it.—Gough.

The Danger of Moderate Drinking

Total abstinence positively is safe, while moderate drinking is unsafe. Were all the drunkards removed from the world, and moderate drinking still permitted, in a short time the sots would be as abundant as now. The habit of moderate drinking is a seed-bed of a new and heavy harvest of drunkards.

Two Boys' Bravery.

Fred Mills, Jim Macy, and George and Tom Hall were going to have a splendid time last vacation. They were going to camp out on the summit of a high mountain, where there was a stream to fish in and plenty of game to shoot. They were not little boys any more; Fred was 15, Jim 16, George 17, and Tom 15. Quite able to take care of themselves, they were sure. So they started off with their tent and everything else they could need packed in an old grocery wagon, drawn by one of Fred's father's old horses. They were going to stay two weeks, and four happier, more important young men could not have been met with. Packed away in Fred's private bag was his Bible. He did not know it, however; for his mother had packed the bag, and put it in with a loving little note, telling him not to be ashamed to confess Jesus before these boys, and she had prayed that his strength fail not. Every day since Fred could read he had read a chapter in the Holy Book; but he had always been at home in his own private room, with no temptation to be ashamed of doing it. So, unconscious of the prayers that followed him, and of the little Bible in his valise, he traveled merrily on, taking his turn at walking and driving.
It was an old horse and a heavy load, so but one boy rode at a time, while the others walked by the wagon. It was a slow journey, but the boys were so full of plans, and had so much to discuss that they scarcely heeded it, and had no thought of being tired. After all they were only going ten miles, and what stout boy can't walk that in a day? They lunched several times by the wayside, however, and as they made a hearty meal each time they decided at length that their provisions would be gone before they shot the birds and caught the fish. So they fasted after that until they came to the camp ground; but then, to prepare themselves for the work of erecting the tent, they had what they called a "square meal."
They were tired that night, and decided to go to bed early. As the darkness gathered around, and the shadows of the wood settled down, they sat outside the tent door, talking about what they were not afraid of.
"You couldn't frighten me," Fred boasted. "I'm not afraid of anything or to do anything."
"I could put you in a place where your hair would stand on end," cried Tom Hall. "I don't believe you'd dare to walk through those woods alone at night."
"Try me."
"Go do it now," said George.
"I would if I wasn't so tired," said Fred.
"You're trying to get out of it," said Tom.
"Am I?" Fred cried. "Here goes," and he started off on a brisk run and was soon lost sight of, though they heard his steps on the underwood of the forest.
"I didn't believe he would do it," said Tom.
"I wouldn't like to unless it was necessary," said Jim.
"Nothing to be frightened at," said George, boastfully, with no intention of doing it.
Fred came running back, quite elated with his own bravery.
"Dare me again," he said.
"'Tisn't every one who would do that," said Jim, admiringly.
"I'm not afraid of anything I tell you," cried Fred. "You go now, George."
"It's too late," rising. "Let's turn in," and as they were all tired they "turned in," without urging the adventure upon George.
"Let's get a light and see what's in our valises," said Tom. "Mother packed ours."
"Mother packed mine," said Fred.
Jim said nothing; he was motherless, and had packed his own.
The contents of the Hall valises were soon on the floor; there was no Bible there.
"Hurrah! a letter!" cried Fred, joyously, and eagerly began to read it. But somehow the light faded from his face as he read; how could he bring out the Bible before all these fellows; they would make fun of it no doubt, and would be "casting pearls before swine." His mother should have thought of that; she surely wouldn't want the Bible made fun of; she would never have written what she did if she knew boys as he did. He would read alone by himself to-morrow, which would be much more devotional, he said to himself, while he knew he meant cowardly, and that he was ashamed to confess Christ before men. He put the note into his pocket, making up his mind to say his prayers when the light was out.
The Hall boys had begun to disrobe, but Jim, who had been quietly unpacking his valise, took a book from it and sat down by the light. And Fred saw it was a Bible, and saw the Hall boys did not make fun of it.
"That ain't a bad idea," cried Tom. "We'll need a Bible out here, if we're to be taken care of."
"I don't see why mother didn't put one in for us," said George. "I say, Jim, couldn't you read a bit aloud? That is, if Fred don't mind."
Fred managed to say hoarsely that he would not, but he never felt so bad in all his life before; instead of confessing Christ these boys surely thought he was very far from being one of His disciples. He scarcely heard one word Jim read. Afterwards Jim knelt to pray in silence, and to Fred's astonishment the Hall boys did too.
"Promised my mother once I would," George said as if to apologize, when he got up, "and I'm going to keep my promise; but if it hadn't been for Jim starting the thing, I'm mighty afraid I should have backed, or did it in the dark for fear you'd laugh at me. Jim you saved the camp."
Fred still said nothing; he had boasted before that there was nothing he was afraid to do, and he had been afraid to confess Christ.
"I don't know how you dared to go into those woods last night," Jim said the next morning when they were alone.
"I don't know how you dared to bring out your Bible and read it when you didn't know what the boys would do. I have one in my valise and I didn't dare to." After that confession he felt better, and he had prayed to be forgiven, and intended to bring out the Book that night.
But whose bravery was the best, Jim's or Fred's? —Irene Widdemer.

The Longest Day of the Year.

Don't know what the almanac man said about it, but Dan said it was the longest, and Dan was certainly the one who understood the matter best.
It began pretty much like other days, only that there was a heavy fog, and Dan knew that it was bad weather for haying, and tip-top for fishing. He made up his mind to go fishing. Perhaps if his mind had not been already made up, he would not have minded it so much when his father said at the breakfast table:—
"We must get the scythes in good order, so's to take a fair start at the lower meadow to-morrow. Don't let me have to waste time hunting after you, Daniel, when I am ready to go at it."
Daniel's appetite was gone at once. How he hated to turn that heavy, creaking, old grindstone! and how sure his father was to find a dozen things to do first, and keep him waiting all the morning! He went around by the sink drain, and dug his bait; he examined his fishing-pole; he put up his lunch; he even tried a worm on the hook; and then he wandered disconsolately around, wishing grindstones had never been invented.
He went to the end of the garden, and leaned sulkily over the low stone wall, eating the half-ripe harvest apples, and throwing the cores spitefully away. Down the road a few rods lay the mill-pond, and in the middle of the road near by stood Deacon Skinner's horse and chaise.
Old Whitey had his nose down, and one leg crooked in a meditative fashion. The deacon was over in the field, making a bargain with Solomon Murray for some young cattle. What fun it would be to start the old horse up, and set him trotting home! Dan could almost hit him with an apple core. He tried two or three just to see, and then he picked a smooth round stone from the wall, and sent it singing through the air.
Old Whitey brought up his nose with a jerk, straightened his fore-leg, and started off on a brisk trot, the chaise-top tilting and pitching back and forth.
Dan laughed—at least the laugh began to grow, when he caught one glimpse of a frightened little face at the chaise window, and knew that Nanny Dane, the deacon's little lame grandchild, was in the chaise.
It was only a glimpse, and then the bank of gray fog swallowed Whitey and the chaise, and it seemed to Dan that they had gone straight into the mill-pond.
"Daniel! Daniel! Come on now, and be spry about it!" called his father, as he moved toward the grindstone, and Dan obeyed, though he felt as if his feet had all at once turned to lead.
Round and round and round; his tough little hands were blistered on the handle, but he did not know it; his mouth and throat were as dry as the stone, but he did not think of it. "Crrr-crrr-crrr," rang the rough, wearisome noise, until his ears were so deafened he did not even hear it. For he was perfectly sure he had killed little Nanny Dane. What would people say? What would they do to him? Hang him, of course; and Dan felt in his heart that he deserved it. "There," said his father at last, "I reckon that'll do, Daniel. You've been faithful and stiddy at your work, and now you may go fishing."
Dan never knew how he got to Long Pond, or how he passed the slow hours of that dismal day. The misery seemed intolerable, and before evening he had made up his mind that he could bear it no longer. He would go home and tell his father, he would tell everybody. They might hang him, they might do anything they pleased.
Tramping desperately home with his empty basket in his hand, he heard the sound of wheels behind him, dragging slowly through the deep sand. Perhaps that was the sheriff coming to arrest him. Dan's heart beat harder, but he did not look around. The wheels came nearer; they stopped, and some one said:—
"Hul'o, Daniel! been fishin'? Fisherman's luck, hey? Well, jump in here, and I'll give ye a lift."
Before Dan knew it, he was over the wheel and sitting beside Deacon Skinner in the old chaise, with Whitey switching his tail right and left as he plodded along.
"Git up, Whitey," urged the deacon; "its getting along toward chore-time. Whitey ain't so spry as he used to be, but he's amazin' smart. This morning I left little Nanny in the shay while I was making a dicker with Solomon Murray, and a keerless thing it was to do, but I'd as soon expect the meetin'-house to run away as Whitey. I reckon something must have scart him; but he just trotted off home as stiddy as if I'd been driving, and waited at the door for mother to come and get Nanny before he went to the barn."
"Oh, Deacon Skinner," burst out Dan, "it was me; I scart Whitey."
"Did ye now, sonny? Well, there wuzn't any harm done, and I know ye didn't mean to."
"I did, I did," said Dan, sobbing violently from the long strain of excitement. "I didn't know Nanny was in the chaise, and I threw a stone at him."
"Well, well," said the deacon, rubbing his stubby chin, and looking curiously at Dan. "Beats all what freaks boys will take, but I know ye won't do it again."
"I never will," said Dan solemnly. "This has been the awfulest, longest day that ever was in the world."—Harper's Young People.

The Home Circle.

LITTLE ROGER'S PRAYER.

We gathered for morning worship, Little Roger stood by my knee, As I read how the Saviour calmed the storm On the waters of Galilee.
At evening the clouds grew heavy, The lightning vividly flashed, The winds rose high, and over our heads The thunder rolled and crashed.
Little Roger was building a block-house, Showing no signs of fear, And we, who were watching him, gave no heed To the storm that was drawing near,
Till a sudden glare illumined the room, Striking terror to every heart; While the thunder that followed with deafening crash Seemed rending the heavens apart.
We said not a word, but the baby saw That our faces were pale with fear; And he rose from his play, and crossing the floor To a sofa standing near,
Knelt down, and raising his eyes and hands, While wonder our hearts did fill, Said, with baby accents, sweet and clear, "Please, Jesus, say 'Peace, be still!'"
And the little prayer went up I know, To the throne by the "Jasper Sea," To the same kind ear that heard the cry Of the tremblers in Galilee.
The baby went back with a happy face To his play on the parlor floor; The cloud had passed, the lightning ceased, And we heard the thunder no more.
And I thought when storms of temptation and care Are ruffling the spirit, I will Pray, just as the baby did that day, "Dear Jesus, say, 'Peace, be still!'"

Mrs. Psalmody

Mrs. Psalmody was a conscientious Christian. There could be no doubt of this, for she frequently remarked to that effect herself. Therefore Mrs. Psalmody was very strict in her observance of the sanctity of the Sabbath. In order to avoid performing labor on the holy day, she invariably dined with Aunt Betsy on Sunday. Aunt Betsy was a superior cook, and Mrs. Psalmody was kindly appreciative of Aunt Betsy’s excellence in this regard; but Mrs. Psalmody never neglected her duty towards the culinary Aunt Betsy, by reminding the latter, after the dinner had been disposed of, that it was very sinful in her to remain away from the morning service. “I always let my cooking go,” said Mrs. Psalmody, “that I may attend church”—which was strictly true, as well as highly commendable.—Boston Transcript.

Religious Notes.

  • The London Spectator thinks that religious sensationalism succeeds better in England than any form of purely spiritual teaching.
  • It is reported that a revival in the Greek Church at Beirut has resulted from the translated sermons of Mr. Moody, issued by the local press.
  • The Connecticut Bible Society has in the course of the last year supplied 1,517 destitute Protestant families with the Scriptures. It has sold over 19,000 volumes, and given away over 5,000.
  • We learn that the leading pastors and influential Christians of New Orleans have organized a "Lord's Day League," for the education of the people in the better observance of Sunday.
  • The United Presbyterian Assembly, at Monmouth, Ill., discussed and finally tabled the question of instrumental music in the churches. The vote was a close one, and may be reconsidered.
  • One of the beauties of church and State was lately made known in England. A dissipated young earl who died at the age of twenty-six from the effects of vicious life, had thirty-nine church livings in his gift.
  • The Pacific says that a creed, meaning a written symbol of doctrine, is "vital in a Congregational Church." That is where a Congregational Church differs from the apostolic churches.—Independent.
  • A Chicago clergyman lately said in public that if children in that city can be saved from drunkenness till they are fourteen, they are almost certain of future safety. What a comment on the condition of the young!
  • There are twenty churches connected with the Harport Mission of the American Board in Asiatic Turkey. During the past year they paid $8,541 for pastor's salaries and benevolent objects. This was an average of $12 for each member. Here is a lesson.
  • The Freeman's Journal, a strong Catholic organ, says: "New England theology will go on conceding until nothing is left to concede. There is very little now. It is difficult to tell where Congregationalism ends and Rationalism begins, in the minds of these 'conceders.'"
  • The Christian Union says: "The first chapter of Genesis is poetry. It is to be classed with the Psalms of David, not with the book of Chronicles or Kings. It is the language of worship and of imagination, not of observation." We believe Bob Ingersoll holds the same view.
  • The British and Foreign Bible Society has, at a cost of $20,000, produced a Bible in the Basuto language. This is the ninth completed Bible in the native languages of Africa. It is the first Bible the society has published, the text of which is divided into paragraphs, instead of into chapters and verses.
  • The American Presbyterians have just had a remarkable response to the constant demand for men to go into the missionary field. Twenty-nine candidates from the theological seminaries of the denomination have applied to the Missionary Board to be sent out as missionaries during the coming summer and fall.
  • A clergyman of Portland, Me., has been making some inquiries as to why more people do not attend church, and arrives at the conclusion that it is because church-going is not made obligatory upon children. In the Sunday-schools of the Congregational Churches, out of a membership of 2,100, only 248 attended church. By making inquiries among the representative Christian men of Portland, he learns that of those who became particularly eminent and useful in the church in mature life, nearly ninety-eight per cent. went to church regularly as boys, that ninety-four per cent. of them were required to go, and that ninety-six per cent. were not repelled from church, even for a little while, by such requirement. The most of them replied that they never thought of staying away from church; it was expected that they would go as a matter of course. It is not so nowadays.

News and Notes.

-Heavy forest fires are reported from Northern Michigan.
-A fire in Tombstone, A. T., May 26, destroyed upward of $350,000 worth of property.
-David Davis says he shall enforce the rule against selling liquors in the Senate Restaurant.
-The editor of a socialist paper in Vienna has been sentenced to twelve years' imprisonment at hard labor for treasonable utterances.
-The Chicago Tribune warns the Apaches not to go too far in their outrages, lest the country should suspect they are Princeton students in disguise.
-A heavy frost seriously damaged the corn, and killed most of the small fruit in northern Iowa, May 23. In several places there was also a heavy snowstorm at the same time.
-It is reported that $24,000,000 were spent in Philadelphia last year for spirituous liquors. This would be over $25 for every man, woman, and child. If this is true, there must be some enormous drinkers there.
-The large engine built by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, for use on the heavy grade in the Tehachapi Mountains will draw fourteen loaded freight-cars, whereas the ordinary engine will take only six.
-A Frenchman has recently designed a plan for establishing mid-ocean telegraph stations, by means of which vessels crossing the Atlantic can communicate directly with the main land. If practicable, it will be of great value.
-The Republique Francaise, Gambetta's paper, not only condemns Turkish intervention in Egypt as a blow at the French in Africa, but even points to the possibility of England, under a future Cabinet, swallowing Egypt as she did Cyprus.
-The Sultan has refused permission to the Russian and Roumanian Jews who are flying from persecution, to emigrate to Palestine, or to form permanent colonies there. Two hundred families are detained in Constantinople, and are in a starving condition.
-The Supreme Court of Missouri has declared the law making gambling a felony to be constitutional, and has issued a writ of mandamus to the criminal court, to try the gamblers indicted by the Grand Jury. There are already over 800 cases on the docket, against gamblers and lotteries.
-The Legislature of New York recently passed a bill giving to the defense the closing argument in all capital cases. Governor Cornell has vetoed it. He thinks that it increases the chances that the guilty will escape conviction, and that, for this reason, it is a step in the wrong direction.
-A short time ago, as the passengers who had smallpox were being removed from the Altonower to the hospital in San Francisco, one of the boats capsized, and twenty or thirty sick Chinamen were dumped into the bay, where they remained several minutes before they could be rescued. And now the papers are wondering because those who were treated to the bath are getting well faster than any of the rest.
-In the course of a trial in San Francisco, it appeared that a Chinaman had rented a single room, in a house which he leased, to seventeen other Chinamen, who occupied it nightly, at an expense of only twenty-five cents a month, each. The room, according to the Cubic Air ordinance was capable of accommodating only five persons. This is a sample of the reasons that enable this people to labor so much cheaper than white men.
-Gladstone has proposed an "Arrears of Rent" bill, which provides for the gift of one year's rent to every tenant whose rent is valued at and under £30, and who is in arrears, in consideration of the payment of a year's rent, and allows him to start in clear of debt. The whole amount thus to be given to the tenants would be about $50,000,000, and will favorably affect about 3,500,000 persons. And yet Parnell, who was instrumental in bringing this about, has been most bitterly denounced and deserted by most of his followers. The members of the Land League seem to love agitation merely for the sake of it, and at the expense of comfort.
-The Egyptian trouble is not yet settled, and the situation is considered alarming. Arabi Bey, the Minister of War, together with the rest of the Ministry, has resigned. He is determined to depose the Khedive, and his influence among the army is constantly increasing. The British and French consuls have notified him that they will hold him personally responsible for the maintenance of public security. On the 27th ult., the Khedive summoned the dignitaries, the Chief of the Deputies, and other Arabic nobility, also the officers of the army, and addressed them in energetic terms on the subject of the existing political situation. He explained the object of the English and French naval expedition, and announced that he has assumed the supreme command of the army, and resolved to maintain strict discipline. The officers present replied in insolent language, and declared that they would never accept the ultimatum of England or France, nor recognize the right of interference by any foreign power except Turkey. They then abruptly left the Khedive's presence. The Khedive afterward received a telegram from the military commanders at Alexandria, in which they declared that they would not recognize anybody but Arabi Bey, and demanded his immediate reinstatement.

STANDARD BOOKS

Issued by the S. D. A. Publishing Association, and for Sale at this Office.
History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week for the period of 6,000 years. By Eld. J. N. Andrews. 528 pp. $1.25
The Sanctuary and the 2300 Days of Dan. 8:14. By Eld. U. Smith. This work explains the past Advent movement, and makes plain the present position of those who wait for the Lord. 352 pp. $1.00
Thoughts on Daniel, critical and practical. By Eld. U. Smith. An exposition of the book of Daniel, verse by verse. 416 pp. $1.25
Thoughts on Revelation. By Eld. U. Smith. This work presents every verse in the book of Revelation with such remarks as serve to illustrate or explain the meaning of the text. 420 pp. $1.25
Life of Wm. Miller, with portrait. This book gives interesting sketches of the Christian life and public labors of this pioneer in the Advent movement in this country. 416 pp. $1.00
Life of Elder Joseph Bates, relating his experience of twenty-five years on ship-board, with incidents of his rise from cabin-boy up to master and owner. The closing chapters relate to his labors in the ministry and in the cause of temperance and other moral reforms. Fine tint paper, 352 pp. $1.00
Life Sketches of Elder James, and Mrs. E. G. White. The early lives and Christian experiences of both are given in this volume. Their subsequent history is so connected with the cause, that this book gives an outline of the rise and progress of our people and our cause. With fine steel portraits of both. $1.25
Thrilling Incidents in the political life of Francesco Urgos, while a soldier with Garibaldi, including his perilous escape from the tyrants of Rome, and his subsequent travels in Africa and Syria. 328 pp. $1.00
The Biblical Institute. This work contains a synopsis of the lectures given at the Battle Creek College by Eld. U. Smith, and at Biblical Institutes. 352 pp. $1.00
The Nature and Destiny of Man. By Eld. U. Smith. This work treats on the great questions of the condition of man in death, and his destiny beyond the resurrection. 356 pp. $1.00
The Spirit of Prophecy : or, the Great Controversy between Christ and his angels, and Satan and his angels, in four volumes. By Mrs. E. G. White. These volumes cover the time from the fall of Satan to the destruction of sin and sinners at the close of the one thousand years of Rev. 20. Each, 400 pp. Vol. I. Old Testament Facts to Christ. $1.00; Vol. II. Life and Ministry of Christ. 1.00; Vol. III. The Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Christ, with the Lives of his Apostles. 1.00; Vol. IV. (In preparation.) 1.00
The Constitutional Amendment : A discussion between Eld. W. H. Littlejohn and the editor of the Christian Statesman, on the Sabbath. 384 pp. $1.00
Spiritual Songs. A book of hymns and tunes. 537 hymns, 147 tunes, 416 pp. $1.00; Morocco, gilt, $1.50
The Song Anchor. A popular collection of songs for the Sabbath-school and praise service. 164 pp. 35 cts. Bound in muslin, 50 cts.
The Bible from Heaven. By Eld. D. M. Canright. An argument to show that the Bible is not the work of men, but is in deed and in truth, the work of God. 300 pp. 80 cts.
The Soul and the Resurrection, showing the Harmony of Science and the Bible on the Nature of the Soul and the Doctrine of the Resurrection. By J. H. Kellogg, M. D. 75 cts.
The United States in the Light of Prophecy : or, an exposition of Rev. 13:11-17. By Eld. U. Smith. Dealing with our own land and applying to our time. Of surpassing interest to every American reader. 200 pp. 40 cts.
Thoughts on Baptism. By Eld. J. H. Waggoner. The subject viewed in the light of the Bible and History. 186 pp. Bound in flexible cloth, 35 cts. Paper covers, 25 cts.
A Word for the Sabbath ; or false theories exposed. A poem, by Eld. U. Smith. 60 pp. 30 cts. Glazed paper covers. 15 cts.
The Game of Life. Three lithographic illustrations with explanations. These scenes represent Satan playing a game with man for his soul. Neatly bound in board. 50 cts.
The Advent Keepsake. A collection of Bible texts for each day in the year, on the subjects of the Second Advent, the Resurrection, etc. Muslin, 136 pp. 25 cts.
Bible Lessons for Little Ones, No. 2. Flexible cloth. 15 cts. Bound Volumes of Review and Herald. Each, $2.50. The Youth's Instructor for 1879-'80. Firmly bound. $1.00
Bible Lessons for Little Ones. A Sabbath-school book designed for the use of beginners, and prepared with special regard for the wants of very young children. In flexible cloth, 84 pp. 15 cts.
Gems of Song. A vest-pocket song book containing hymns only. A choice collection. 96 pp., 119 hymns, bound in flexible cloth. 15 cts.
Address SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

Our Publications in England.

ANY of the books, pamphlets, and tracts issued at this Office may be obtained of Eld. J. N. Loughborough, Ravenswood, Shirley Road, Southampton, England, who will furnish Catalogues, and give prices in English money. He will also receive subscriptions for our periodicals.

The Mystery Solved.

If any have wondered at the reckless criminality of Jesse James, at the utter want of humanity and conscientiousness manifested in his career, they must cease to wonder when they read the following from the Louisville Courier-Journal.
"Jesse James' mother was of the Lady Macbeth type of woman. She is a large, handsome woman, six feet high, with a massive frame, and had no other ambition than to nurture in her sons a reckless, brave, murderous, lawless disposition. They detested school, and the little good influence that was exerted over them by their father, who was a clergyman, was soon ended. Not being able to endure her treatment of him, he abandoned her."
What else could be expected of boys reared by such a mother? And what better can be expected of those boys who daily read the "dime novel" trash which is everywhere placed within their reach, and which, in many cases, is furnished by the parents themselves?
Children will have associates, and most of them will read. How important that parents watch over them in these matters, and furnish to them, and take pains to interest them in, the very best reading which can be procured. Are there any families in our churches, having children, who have not procured the four volumes of "Sabbath Readings"? These cannot fail to interest, and they cannot fail to exert an excellent influence. See to it in time, before your children form a taste for vicious reading which will mar their whole lives.
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