—The king of Italy gets nearly $3,000,000 a year and wants more.
—Paris is to have a net-work of underground railways like those of London.
—Nearly 2,000 people are fed daily at the Washington and Fulton Market soup house in New York.
—Queen Victoria gave away 812 gifts, valued at $15,000, to the poor of Windsor on New Year's day.
—Grand Duke Alexis and suite arrived in New York on Saturday, the 20th.
—During the month of January, fifty-three American vessels were wrecked, with heavy loss of life and property.
—A Calcutta dispatch reports fifty persons killed at Ahmedabad by a gunpowder explosion, and 1,000 wounded.
—A man in New York acknowledges that he and his partner make $15,000 per annum in re-coloring old and musty teas.
—There are about 70,000 bee-keepers in the United States, and these send to market about 15,000,000 pounds of honey and wax yearly.
—Gortschakoff, the Russian prime minister, is seventy-eight years old, and has seen fifty-seven years of unremitting service for his government.
—A boy recently died in England who weighed 350 pounds. He was twelve years and four months old, was five feet high, and measured nearly six feet around the waist. So says a usually reliable exchange.
—Statistical returns of the product of vines in France for the year 1876 show that the vintage has fallen off exactly one-half from that of 1875. This reduction was caused by the ravages of the phylloxera.
—In San Francisco during the year 1876, there were 481 deaths from diphtheria. Salem, Oregon, goes far ahead of San Francisco in this respect, there having been in that city, during the last two months, 700 cases of diphtheria.
—The pineapple is cultivated extensively in the East Indies, where the leaves are converted into a kind of wadding, used for upholstering purposes, instead of hair, and into a sort of flannel, of which substantial shirts and coats are made.
—The London School Board, by a majority of two to one, have advised the establishment of a school for truants, to which, with the parents' consent, habitual truants may be committed for a period varying from six days to one month. The plan has been in successful operation in Hamburg, and, it is said, has been introduced.
—Six tons of gold in $20 gold pieces, the whole being worth $3,000,000, arrived in New York, a few weeks since, from San Francisco, and was deposited in the New York Sub-Treasury. The gold was contained in fourteen iron safes, and was guarded by Captain George F. Prince, of the Fifth Cavalry, and eight selected men, besides eighteen clerks of the Treasury Department. Why not have some of this in circulation?
—The Commercial Advertiser, speaking of the small-pox epidemic in London, calls attention to the fact that the number of deaths from small-pox in the Jewish community in London has been but two during the last three months. And adds, “The same exemption from epidemic diseases has always been noticed among the Jews in all countries, and it is attributed to their clean habits and judicious mode of living, which has preserved some of the traditional customs proved sound by experience.”
—The building of the great railway from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico was a colossal feat in constructive engineering. It is 267½ miles long, has eighteen lengthy tunnels, and many fine iron bridges. It cost the sum of 40,000,000 Mexican dollars, and is said to be the finest constructed railway on the American continent. It crosses three distinct ranges of mountains, the grades being 400 feet per mile. As the ordinary American locomotive finds great difficulty in crossing unencumbered, the company use an English engine—known as the Farley patent, which carries ten loaded cars with ease.
“The Inspectors of the Pennsylvania Western District Penitentiary,” says the Christian at Work, “now propose a forward step in reform by not merely increasing the accommodations of the prison, but by providing an ‘Annex’ at a distance from it, which admits a classification of the prisoners, which is now impossible. They propose to separate old and hardened offenders from novices in crime, and those committed for the first time, and those who have been led into crime by bad associations and circumstances they were not strong enough to resist. It is also proposed to admit prisoners to the ‘Annex’ for good behavior, while the fear of being sent back to the old prison will be a constant restraint. The inmates of the ‘Annex’ will be regarded as improvable, and special efforts will be made to effect their entire reformation. This plan has been tried with success in Ireland, Belgium, and Denmark.”
Did Jephthah Really Offer Up His Daughter.
We believe that Jephthah did not take away the life of his daughter. From the narrative we are led to regard the vow as implying that the object designated was to be offered to God in such a manner as circumstances would permit; had it been an animal not prohibited, then, in fulfilment of the vow, it would have been presented. As human sacrifices were in the highest degree offensive to God, Jephthah's daughter, who was the destined offering, was set apart for religious duties in her unmarried state, and as such she passed the remainder of her days unaffianced; and as by this seclusion her hope of establishing a household and ranking among the mothers of Israel, and also of being among the progenitors of the promised Messiah, was destroyed, her companions were accustomed yearly to visit her, to express we may presume their sympathy with her seclusion, and their esteem of her filial obedience.
We must not allow this inquiry to terminate without some remarks on the obligation incurred by vows. Men are not at liberty to perform unlawful acts in consequence of having bound themselves by oaths or by vows. They are prohibited by the fact that they were under a prior obligation, which precludes the right of making unlawful vows, or taking such oath. The sin, therefore consists in making unlawful vows, and not in breaking them. Men may deem it their duty to fulfill an unrighteous vow, but they ought to know that God will accept no action that comes into his presence charged with the murder of other duties.
God's Way and Man's Way.
God says: Seek ye first the kingdom of Heaven and its righteousness, and all these (earthly things) shall be added unto you.
Man says: Seek first worldly wealth and fame and power; religion you can get on a dying bed.
God says: Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
Man says: let prayer go, and work for what you want.
God says: Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together and running over, shall men give unto your bosoms.
Man says: Charity begins at home. Why give to others that for which you have toiled so hard? Your own family may want it.
God says: Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.
Man says: Each man for himself. Look out for number one.
God says: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven.
Man says: make sure your worldly treasures. Heaven is a long way off.
God says: Whosoever hath this world's goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
Man says: What guarantee have I, if I give my earnings to the poor, that I shall not come to want myself?
God says: there is that that scattereth, and yet increaseth.
Man says: It is only by saving and hoarding what you have that it will increase.
Reader, what says your conscience? Is not God's way better than man's?—Christian Standard.
Watch and Pray
A man whom Dr. Chalmers engaged to manage a disorderly Sunday-school, kept his eyes wide open during prayer, and when one boy thrust a pin into another, he marched up the aisle, still praying, and cuffed that boy's ears, and went back again, praying all the way. After that he was master of the situation, for the boys thought that a man who could watch and pray like that could not be put down.
Change of Appointment
Appointments.
SAN FRANCISCO—Services at the house of worship, on Laguna street, between Tyler and McAllister, every Sabbath (Saturday), at 11 A. M., and First-day evening at 7:30. Prayer-meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:30. The Hayes Valley cars of Market street and the Lone Mountain cars of the Central R. R. cross Laguna street near the church.
OAKLAND—Services at the new church, on the corner of Clay and Thirteenth streets, every Sabbath (Saturday) at 10:30 A. M., and Sunday evening at 7:30. Prayer-meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:30. Sabbath-school at 9 o’clock Sabbath morning.
Change of Appointment.
THE appointment for San Jose is changed from March 10 and 11, to March 17 and 18.
J. N. L.
I now expect to attend the quarterly meetings at Santa Rosa, Napa, San Jose, and Oakland. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
I WILL speak at the Udell school-house, Solano Co., as Bro. Rambo shall arrange, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, March 14 and 15, and at the quarterly meeting at Woodland, March 17 and 18. I shall be in Woodland Sabbath evening. J. H. WAGGONER.
State Quarterly Meeting.
THE second Cal. State Quarterly Meeting for this fiscal year will be held at Oakland, March 31, and April 1 and 2. We hope to see a full attendance both of directors and members.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Quarterly Meetings in California.
THE quarterly meetings in the respective missionary districts of California, for the present quarter, will be held as follows:
DISTRICT No. 1, at Santa Rosa, March 3 and 4.
DISTRICT No. 2, at Fairview, March 17 and 18.
DISTRICT No. 3, at Napa, March 10 and 11.
DISTRICT No. 4, at San Pasqual, March 17 and 18.
DISTRICT No. 5, at Lane’s Ranch, Tehama Co., as Bro. Disher may arrange, March 17 and 18.
DISTRICT No. 7, at Oakland, March 24 and 25.
DISTRICT No. 8, at San Jose, March 10 and 11.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Business Department.
“Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully,” (margin, negligently). Jer. 48:10.
Received for the Signs.
$2.00 EACH. Hiram Hunter 4-1, C B Wakeman 4-9, Mrs E Wilkinson 4-5, Alice Gibson 4-1, Geo A King 3-11, E T Wales 4-1, Mrs N A Goodwin 3-8, Wm McCurdy 4-7, Mrs S Terrill 4-9, Mattie Hussey 3-25, Andrew Lindsay 4-9, Alex Patton 4-9, W B Ward 3-30, Mrs Diggens 4-1, J G Grant 3-22, O Wilson 4-1, N N Lunt 4-9, R D Day 3-18, Hannah Sheapley 4-1, Dr J J Peret 4-9, Orley Brown 4-14, J D Heald 4-7, H D Banks 3-18, Simeon Woods 4-9.
$1.50 EACH. C B Lindsey 4-1. S R Barron 3-37, Francis Young 4-9, Samuel Kellogg 4-9, Mrs Oscar Stevens 4-9, Susan Church 4-7, Horace Church 4-7, M C Chapman 4-9, Orvil Mocomber 4-9, Philip C Hoffman 4-9, D P Strong 4-9, Andrew Covel 4-9, A S French 4-9, I M Orentt 4-9, R R Kinner 4-9, Charles Allen 4-9, Henry Winter 4-9, M B Ashley 4-1, Mrs Prudence Briggs 4-9, Fred Spencer 4-1, Mrs M McPeak 4-9, Jerry Shyer 4-9, Robert Currie 4-9, Wm Currie 4-9, Joseph Currie 4-9, Sarah Ayres 4-9, F Eggleston 4-9, A McPherson 4-5, M G Kellogg M D 3-25, M G Kellogg M D 3-30, Simeon Hatch 4-9, Wm Youngs 4-9, J Prim 4-9, Theron Teal 4-9, Jessie Walker 4-9, John Weaver 4-9, George Ordish 4-9, O Brotherton 4-9, Eldridge Smith 4-9, C W Hathaway 4-9, Joseph Clough 4-9, O Burnett 4-9, E M Edmonds 4-9, H G Holland 4-9, Oliver Stillwell 4-1, Franklin Morgan 4-1, James Wilemar 4-1, George Bickle 4-1, Geo Fuller 4-1, I E Daggett 4-1, James Knight 4-1, Mary L Grow 4-1, C Wescott 4-1, P S Edwards 4-1, Catharine Innes 4-1, Mrs S Tonnan 4-1, Mrs P V Salisbury 4-9, Adelia Balch 4-9, R Babcock 4-9, Asa McCumber 4-9, B Snow 4-9.
MISCELLANEOUS. Vigilant M S $28.50 (19 copies) 4-7; B L Whitney 24.00 (16 copies) 4-9, Thomas Orchard 50c 3-21, Mrs E Cable 50c 3-21, Nancy A Fields 75c 3-33, Christian Bortelson 12.00 (8 copies) 4-9, Bernhard Mattern 1.00 4-9, C H Potter 12.00 (8 copies) 4-9, R B Simmons 10.50 (7 copies) 4-9, Mrs H M Marshall 2.25 4-7, Wm G Gibson 1.00 3-33, Mrs I Frank 55c 3-26, Mrs B Hall 75c 3-30, John B Gaynor 75c 3-33, H C Mitchell 5.00 3-16, Advent Society 12.00 (8 copies) 4-9, Mrs W Smith 1.00 3-33, R H Hubbard 50c 3-25, Wm Maxwell 50c 3-25, T W White 50c 3-25, John F McMillan 75c 3-33, E J Stroupe 75c 3-33, J Richmond 10.00 (8 copies) 4-1, N V Waggoner 2.50 5-2, Mrs R M Pierce 12.00 (8 copies) 4-1, Marvin Blaine 25c 3-13, Mrs G Wilson 25c 3-13, Mrs D A Ray 25c 3-13, Catharine E Pierce 25c 3-13, Mrs Williams 25c 3-13, L A & P P Crammer 25c 3-13, C H Nichols 25c 3-13, Mrs M Ingersol 25c 3-13, Joseph E Hool 1.00 3-41.
Cash Received on Account.
Mich. T and M Society per Mrs M F Mullen $5.25; Wis. T and M Society, 25.00; Cal. T and M Society, Dist. No. 9, $2.25; Mich. T and M Society, 114.00; Vermont T and M Society, 20.00.
California Conference Fund.
Henry Youngs $1.00.
Biblical Institute
By James White
As noticed in our issue of the 15th, the series of Biblical Lectures will be held at Oakland, Cal., commencing March 22, at 2 P. M., and continuing two or three weeks.
We are happy to state that we have secured the assistance of Elders Loughborough and Waggoner during the entire course, so that three lectures can be given each day. These are men of experience and strength, who can adapt themselves to any position. The lecturers will be thoroughly prepared for the work of the occasion, and students will have all they can do, early and late, without taking time to visit. Plain living, and hard study, will be necessary to success on the part of students who shall take this course.
From our experience in the work, we calculate on complete success. The first was held at Battle Creek, December, 1874. Eld. Smith gave most of the lectures. On account of other business, and sickness in our family, we gave but few of the lectures, and could be present at only a part of the course. We shall give our entire time to proper arrangements, and to giving a portion of the lectures.
With able assistance, and the experience of the past, we feel confident of greater success than at any previous course. The house of worship will be ready, and all will be done to reduce expenses of students from abroad that can consistently be done. We look for a large attendance. If students will bring bedding, and can live on bread and fruit, the floors of the church basement, Office, and some other rooms, will be free to them. Or, outside rooms can be obtained for clubs. Let there be a general rally of those who can bear their own expenses in this cheap style, study hard, and make a good use of what they learn.
Address, Elder James White, care SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
J. W.
Quarterly Meeting Payments
By John Norton Loughborough
quarter, ending April 1, will be paid at the respective quarterly meetings.
While paying S. B. pledges remember to pay to the librarians in each church the pledges to T. and M. funds. J. N. L.
San Francisco.
By John Norton Loughborough
After my return from Fresno Co., I was sick some four weeks as the result of a severe cold and over work. The last three weeks I have held meetings each Sabbath and Sunday in San Francisco. The quarterly meeting for district No. 9 was held there last Sabbath and First-day. There was good interest in the meeting. Another family have taken their stand for the truth. The report of T. and M. work was good, and in some respects in advance of previous meetings. J. N. L.
Mendocino County, Cal.
By W. M. Healey
I LEFT Solano Co., Feb. 19, and after spending one night with the brethren in Oakland, went to our home at Healdsburg, and spent one night. The next day went to Cloverdale, and there took the stage for Christine, Mendocino Co., and of all the experience we have ever had, or read of, in staging we think this day's ride was the most disagreeable. After riding over forty miles through mud and rain, we managed, by walking up the hills, to reach our destination a little before sunset.
We were kindly welcomed by Bro. La Rue, who informed us that our appointment was out for meeting that night and we must make haste or we would be late. His team was harnessed, and after a ride of a little over two miles we reached the school-house. We did not feel much like preaching, as we were very tired, but there was no time to rest. We did not even get the mud from our clothing as the people began to come together, and soon numbered about forty. The Lord blessed us and gave us strength and freedom to speak his word. We were well pleased with our audience considering the roads and weather, and hope to see much good done here before we leave.
Pray the Lord to bless his cause in this place and give us strength to perform the duties assigned us. I am writing this after meeting, and it is raining hard which of course will interfere with our meetings, but we will leave that with the Lord. W. M. HEALEY.
Christine, Mendocino Co., Cal., Feb. 22.
Like Frogs
By Dudley Marvin Canright
THE Bible in speaking of the working of the spirits which is to be manifest just before the advent of Christ, compares them to frogs. See Rev. 16:13.
This prophecy is fulfilled in modern Spiritualism. Now when the Bible uses a similitude we may always be sure that there is some force in it. What, then, is the meaning of this? It may have more than one meaning, but evidently the chief import is this: There is no agreement among the spirits, no two of them talk alike. Their revelations from the other world do not agree. One says one thing, another, another thing. They advance just as many different theories as there are spirits, and more too, because the same spirit is seldom in harmony with itself. No two speakers, or writers, or mediums, agree, and neither one will receive as authority what the other says. Each one sings a different tune.
Now go to a frog pond and listen to what you can hear. All the way from a dozen to a hundred tones; from the bass-like sound of the old big bull frog down to the smallest piper. Who ever heard frogs croak in harmony? Who ever observed any chord in their piping? No one. Every one has a tune of his own. Every one croaks independently. You can have any kind of noise you want, but no two alike. So among these miracle-working, piping, croaking frog spirits from the infernal worlds. Their communications are just like that of the frogs. There is no agreement among them.
D. M. CANRIGHT.
Roosevelt, N. Y.
“I'm too Busy.”
A MERCHANT sat at his office desk. Various letters were spread before him. His whole being was absorbed in the intricacies of his business.
A zealous friend of religion entered the office.
“I want to interest you a little in a new effort for the cause of Christ,” said the good man.
“Sir, you must excuse me,” replied the merchant, “I am too busy to attend to that subject now.”
“But, sir, iniquity is on the increase among us, and we ought to do something to prevent it.”
“When shall I call again, sir?”
“I cannot tell. I'm very busy. I'm busy every day. Excuse me, sir; I wish you good morning.”
Then, bowing the intruder out of the office, he resumed the study of his papers.
The merchant had frequently repulsed the friends of humanity in this manner. No matter what the object, he was always too busy to listen to their claims. He had even told his minister that he was too busy for anything but to make money.
But one morning, a disagreeable stranger stepped very softly to his side, laying a cold, moist hand upon his brow, and saying: “Go home with me!”
The merchant laid down his pen; his head grew dizzy; his stomach felt faint and sick; he left the counting room, went home, and retired to his bed-chamber.
His unwelcome visitor had followed him, and now took his place by the bedside, whispering, ever and anon: “You must go with me.”
A cold chill settled on the merchant’s heart; spectres of ships, notes, houses, and lands, flitted before his excited mind. Still his pulse beat slower, his heart heaved heavily, thick films gathered over his eyes, his tongue refused to speak. Then the merchant knew that the name of his visitor was Death!
Humanity, mercy, and religion, had alike begged his influence, means and attention, in vain; but when death came, the excuse was powerless; he was compelled to have leisure to die.
Let us beware how we make ourselves too busy to secure life's great end. When the excuse rises to our lips, and we are about to say we are too busy to do good, let us remember we cannot be too busy to die.—Christian at Work.
A Quaker’s Advice on Keeping Warm
A Quaker gentleman, riding in a carriage with a fashionable lady decked with a profusion of jewelry, heard her complain of the cold. Shivering in her lace bonnet and shawl as light as a cobweb, she exclaimed:— “What shall I do to get warm?” “I really don’t know,” replied the Quaker solemnly, “unless thee should put on another breastpin.”
The Value of Constant Employment
A LIFE of full and constant employment is the only safe and happy one.
Evidence of a Changed Life
“What have you to show for your religion, as you call it?” said a man not long ago of a Monday morning to a recent convert.
“I have this to show,” was the reply, and he took from his pocket his last week’s wages.
It was a new experience, for Saturday night and Sunday had previously seen every penny go the way of dissipation.”—Ex.