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Signs of the Times, Vol. 9, No. 46.

Nehemiah Secures the Co-operation of the People
Earlier text: Sectarianism

The Sisters.

"I'm sorry; but one of you will have to stay at home," said the mother. "Hannah's father is sick and I promised her that she should go to see him; and I cannot take the care of Eddy all day."
Of course, she could not. You had only to look into her pale face, and on her thin, weak body, to know that.
Her two little girls, Fanny and Alice, were standing before her when she said this. She saw their countenances fall.
"I wish it were not so," the mother added, feebly; "but I would be in bed, sick, before the day was half over, if I were left alone with Eddy. Some one has to be after him all the time."
Fanny pouted and scowled, I am sorry to say, Alice looked sober and disappointed. They went from their mother's room without speaking. When so far away that her voice could not be heard, Fanny said, in a sharp, resolute tone, from which all kind feeling had died out:—
"I'm not going to stay at home, Miss Alice! You can make your mind up to that."
Alice did not reply, but sat down quietly. Her disappointment was keen, for some little girls in the neighborhood had made up a small picnic party, and were going to have a pleasant day in the woods.
"It will be as mother says," she spoke out, after thinking for awhile.
"I'm the oldest and have the best right to go," answered Fanny, selfishly. "And what's more, I'm going;" and she commenced putting on her things.
A few tears crept into the eyes of Alice. It would fall upon her to stay at home; she saw that. Fanny was selfish and strong-willed, and unless positively ordered by her mother to remain at home and let her sister go, would grasp as her own, the pleasure to which Alice had an equal right with herself. If the decision was referred to her mother, a contention would spring up, and then Fanny would speak and act in a way to cause her distress of mind.
"If mother were to make Fanny stay at home," Alice said, in her thought, "she would pout, and fling, and act so ugly, that there'd be no comfort with her; and mother isn't strong enough to bear it."
The tender love that Alice held in her heart for both her mother and dear little two-year-old Eddy, was all-prevailing, and soon turned her thought away from the picnic and its promised delights, to the pleasures and loving duties of home.
"I'm going to stay," she said, coming back into her mother's room, with a bright face and cheerful voice.
"Are you, dear?" It was all she said; but in her tone and looks there was a precious heart-reward for Alice.
"He's been so sweet all day!" said Alice, coming into where her mother sat by a window, with the cool air of the late afternoon fanning her wasted cheeks. She had a weary look.
"And you have been sweet, too, my darling!" answered the mother, in a very tender voice, as she laid her hand on Alice's head. "I don't know what I should have done without you. It has been one of my weak days. But you look tired, dear," she added. "Sit down in that easy-chair and rest yourself. Come, Eddy."
And she held out her hands for the child; but he clambered into Alice's lap and laid his cunning little head against her bosom. Both were tired—loving sister and sweet pet brother. It seemed hardly a minute before they were asleep; and as the mother, with eyes that were fast growing dim, looked at their tranquil faces and quiet forms, she thanked the good Father in heaven for a gift so precious and beautiful.
Bang! went the door, startling the mother from peaceful thoughts and arousing Alice from the light slumber into which she had fallen. In came Fanny, all in disorder, and threw herself into a chair, looking the picture of unhappiness.
"Have you had a pleasant time?" asked the mother, speaking with a kind interest in her voice.
"I've had a horrid time!" answered Fanny, flinging out the words angrily. "I never saw such a mean set of girls in my life. They wouldn't do anything I wanted to do, nor go anywhere I wanted to go."
"That was bad," said the mother. "And I suppose you wouldn't do anything they wanted to do, nor go anywhere they wanted to go."
Fanny did not reply.
"How was it, my child?" urged the mother.
"Hadn't I as much right to have my way about things as any of them?" demanded Fanny. "There was that Kate Lewis—I can't bear her! If she said 'Let us do this,' or 'Let us do that,' every one agreed in a minute."
"You with the rest," said the mother.
"Indeed, then, and I didn't!" replied Fanny, impatiently. "Kate Lewis can't lead me about by the nose, as she does other girls. I have a mind of my own."
"Perhaps," answered the mother, seriously, "you would have come nearer to the truth, my child, if you had said a self-will of your own. I find, from your account of things, that you wanted everything your own way, and because the rest wouldn't give up to you, made yourself disagreeable and unhappy, and so lost all the pleasure of the day. I'm afraid you were not in just the best state of mind for enjoyment, when you left this morning."
This was too much for Fanny, already feeling so miserable; and she broke out into a fit of sobbing and crying.
In what different states of mind were the two girls at the close of the day! Alice, awakened from a brief, but refreshing sleep by the entrance of Fanny, sat, with tranquil heart and peaceful face, looking at her unhappy sister, who had selfishly claimed the day of pleasure, not caring how wearily it might pass for her, and pitied her miserable condition, while Fanny cried from very shame and wretchedness.
Dear little readers, need I ask any of you, even the youngest, what made all this difference? Already you have come to know, through some painful as well as pleasant experiences, that happiness waits not on any selfish demand, but creeps lovingly into every heart which, forgetful of its own ease, or comfort, or pleasure, seeks the comfort and blessing of others.
Do not forget this, dear children. Keep it always in mind, and it will not only save you many unhappy hours, but put warm floods of sunshine and joy into your hearts.—Arthur's Home Magazine.

The Little Slate.

"THERE, I did mean to sew these buttons on Fred's jacket before night. I have thought of it just in time, for he must have it early in the morning. I do forget so many things I have to do," said Lucia Warren to good Aunt Patience, who was visiting her for a day or two. "You can wait a few moments for me, can't you, aunty? I will not be long;" and Lucia went to get her work, taking off her gloves, and throwing back her veil. It was troublesome to stop just as she was going out, but the work must be done. Indeed, it was nothing so very unusual, as Lucia seemed always forgetting things, as she said.
"I will tell you an excellent plan I have followed for years," said Aunt Patience. "It is that of keeping a little slate with pencil attached, hung up in a convenient place, and noting down on it all the things I wish to do. If you like, we will buy such a slate while we are out, and I will get you started in the same system."
Lucia entered into the scheme with great enthusiasm, and that night saw one side of her little slate well covered with items she wished to remember. She did not attempt to classify them, but noted them down in just the order she happened to think of them. Aunt Patience did not wish her to undertake too much at once. The other side of the slate had been reserved for tomorrow's duties. A regular plan was not laid down for the whole day, with the hours set to them; for aunty knew that no house-mother could bring all the rest of her household to time in such matters, even if she could herself. By undertaking too much, young housekeepers are often discouraged, and give up all efforts at systematizing. It was only the ground-plan of her work which was laid down, but it helped her wonderfully all through the day. It was such a satisfaction to draw a line through anything which had been completed; and then by glancing her eye down the list, she was sure not to forget just the thing she ought most to remember.
In time, the little slate came to be regarded as one of the most useful articles of furniture about the house. It saved hours of time and dollars of waste, besides adding fully a third to the family comfort and convenience. If you are skeptical, hang up one in your own house, and consult it as Lucia did, and I do not doubt but you will arrive at a similar conclusion.—Selected.

The Home Circle.

"I'LL DO WHAT I CAN."

"I'll do what I can," said a bright-eyed girl, And she gathered a fresh bouquet Of the sweetest buds and flowers, and placed In the room where her sick mother lay; And at night when the angel of sleep came around, He tucked under May's head a pillow of down.
"I'll do what I can," said a thoughtful boy, And brought out the rake and hoe; Cleaned out the potatoes, the beans and peas, And the onions, row by row. And the shower came on, and the warm bright sun, And finished the work which the boy had begun.
So they did what they could, each one in its way, And the world was the happier by it. And if any of you little children doubt What I say, I ask you to try it; And you'll find that through life 'tis an excellent plan, In every condition to do what you can.

Miss Todd's Plain Talk.

The Rev. Septimus Clark, a fine young clergyman from New York, who was traveling through Vermont, and, stopping at D— one Sabbath, preached for Mr. Fry, will never till his dying day forget his encounter with Miss Miny Todd. He had preached what Mrs. Deacon Norton pronounced, "a most be-a-utiful discourse," as full of flowers as a green-house, liberally sprinkled with sentiment, here and there a little natural religion put in, like cloves in a baked ham, more for ornament than use. It was a sermon a pagan or a Brahmin would have admired as much as did Mrs. Deacon Norton, but it stirred the depths of Miss Miny's soul; her great, honest, gray eyes darkened, flashed, and at last dimmed with tears, as she fixed them on the elegant youth supposed to be preaching the gospel; and when he ceased to discourse, and pronouncing a graceful benediction, came down from the pulpit, he was surprised to see a short, dark, resolute-looking woman, with a pair of reproachful eyes fixed on him, draw nearer and nearer, and at last plant herself in the middle aisle just in his way.
He stopped courteously, to let her move aside; but she never stirred, only looked straight at him and said, "Do you believe the Bible?"
Mr. Clark was still more surprised, but answered civilly, "Certainly, I do."
"You believe," she went on, "that all these folks you have been preaching to will be lost eternally if they don't believe on the Lord Jesus Christ?"
The Reverend Septimus stared blankly, yet her "glittering eye" compelled response.
"Why, yes, madam; I am orthodox."
"And knowin' that, knowin' they will never see you again, 'tisn't likely, and you havn't had but one chance to talk to 'em and tell what responsible bein's they are, you've been and talked all this stuff about roses, and clouds, and brooks, and things, to dying souls! You poor, deluded man, what is the Lord goin' to say to you in that day?"
The Reverend Mr. Clark choked; he fairly became faint for a moment; for under his elegance and florality he had a conscience, and a somewhat dormant, but living, Christian faith; but he was not man enough to say, "Thank you;" he only pushed by Miss Miny, and asked Mr. Fry, who was waiting for him at the door, who the woman was who had stopped him.
"Oh, that is old Miss Todd," said Mr. Fry, in such a matter-of-course way that Mr. Clark did not feel it necessary to mention her rebuke. But Miss Miny "builded better than she knew;" the youth never uttered such idle words again; he recognized the situation, and accepted it, which is the key of all true life, and became one of the most fervid and spiritual preachers.—Selected.

The Kitten at Meeting

A LITTLE boy of three years, whose mother played the organ in church, and who was obliged to be left to the care of others, was asked one Sunday morning what his kitten was crying so piteously for. "I don't know," said he, "but I 'spect the old cat has gone to meeting."

News and Notes.

By Editor

—Three hundred miners from Hungary are on the way to Pennsylvania.
—Underground telephone cables have proved successful in Washington City.
—The sale of flash illustrated papers has been prohibited at Indianapolis, Ind.
—The German Emperor is confident that the peace of Europe will be maintained.
—King Alfonso of Spain says he hopes to see the Comte de Paris king of France.
—The bones of 100 deceased Mongolians were shipped from Stockton for China last week.
—The receipts on the New York and Brooklyn bridge, for one day last week were $2,150.
—El Mahdi, the “false prophet,” is said to be gaining adherents in Tunis and Algeria.
—Two men were found murdered on American River, ten miles from Auburn, last Friday.
—A careful estimate places the financial damage by the Ischia earthquake at $1,000,000.
—At Baltimore, last week, a Mrs. Riall killed her two children and then committed suicide.
—An explosion in the basement of a drug house in Kansas City, Nov. 28, caused a $200,000 fire.
—There is much excitement over the discovery of a gold and silver mine near Ellenville, N. Y.
—The possibility of war between China and France is said to be paralyzing business in Hongkong.
—The Sultan of Turkey has made a present to the Emperor of Austria of a palace valued at $500,000.
—The latest freight cuts between the Missouri River and Salt Lake has been to twenty-five cents a hundred.
—Professor Nordenskjold, the Swedish Arctic explorer, is planning an expedition to the South Pole, for 1885.
—The captain of the steamer Dora, just returned from Alaska, reports a new volcanic island near Ounalaska.
—Windsor Theater, New York, and several adjoining buildings, were burned on the night of Nov. 30. Loss, $500,000.
—After occupying Bacninh and Sontay, the French will ask the mediation of England in the difficulty with China.
—On the 30th ult., two colored men were hanged for murder,—one at Shreveport, La., and the other at Macon, Ga.
—Gen. Rosecrans, one of California's Congressmen, proposes an anti-polygamy amendment to the Federal Constitution.
—A bill is now before the South Carolina Senate for the repeal of the Civil Rights Law passed by the Legislature in 1870.
It is believed that El Mahdi means to march his army to Mecca, and proclaim himself the head of the Musselman Church.
—In Matthews County, Va., the militia has been called out to stop the illegal dredging of oyster beds in Rappahannock River.
—A family of four persons were poisoned at Cleveland, recently, by eating cabbage on which Paris green had been used to kill worms.
—Owing to its alleged irreverence, the Thanksgiving proclamation of Governor Butler was not read in the Protestant churches of Boston.
—A Portland, Me., woman, whose will has just been offered to probate, left her property to the United States toward paying the national debt.
—An eye-witness of the defeat of Hicks Pasha says the Egyptians fought three days and were beaten because their ammunition gave out.
—An effort is being made to establish an international monetary standard, fixing a uniformity of values of gold and silver all over the world.
—The ship William A. Campbell, just arrived at San Francisco from New York, reports a seventy days' storm off Cape Horn. She is badly used up.
—Los Angeles justice has done a good business the past year; it has sent fifty-four criminals to the State prisons. There are yet thirty-four on hand.
—Counterfeit standard dollars have come into circulation in San Francisco. The noticeable difference between them and the genuine is in the weight.
—Nov. 30, four men robbed a safe at New Washington, O., and being pursued, they shot the Marshal, whose posse killed two of them and captured one.
—The American Bishops are preparing an address thanking the Pope for summoning them to Rome and expressing unchangeable devotion to the Holy See.
—Major-General Pope has taken command of the Department of the Pacific, and General Schofield goes to Chicago as commander of the Department of the West.
—A recent gale destroyed thousands of acres of timber in New Hampshire and Maine. The homes of wood-choppers were destroyed, entailing considerable suffering.
—Seventy-five thousand cotton operatives in Northeast Lancashire, Eng., are determined to resist a proposal to reduce their wages five per cent. A great strike is feared.
—Jewell, the San Jose murderer, was hanged last Friday. On the day previous, Dr. Bentley, of the M. E. Church, administered communion to the culprit, and sprinkled him.
—The Emperor of Japan has taken the initiative in the cause of temperance in his empire by appointing a commission to devise methods for the suppression of the liquor traffic.
—Pere Hyacinthe says: “I mean to visit Utah and learn, if I can, the source of the strange power that has reared up an imperialism under the shadow of the Rocky Mountains.”
—The telegraph informs us that the Northern Pacific Railroad Co. has been bought off from California business by a percentage on the through business of competing Pacific lines.
—A fire in St. Paris, O., on the 28th ult., destroyed thirty-five houses. Engines from Urbana, seven miles distant, began throwing water twenty-seven minutes after receiving the telegram.
—About 80,000 acres of land in Gilmour and Bracken Counties, West Virginia, have recently been sold to Boston and Baltimore parties for half a million dollars. It is believed to be rich in petroleum.
—Hon. J. G. Blaine proposes, as a means of reducing the surplus revenue of the Government, that the tax on spirits be distributed among the States. Last year it would have amounted $1.70 per capita.
—Surgeon Van Sant's report to Surgeon-General Hamilton charges that the health authorities of San Francisco have not exercised due care in the matter of yellow fever patients arriving from Mexico.
—The Porte has addressed a note to the powers informing them that Turkey offered to send troops to suppress the rising in Soudan, but England refused the offer. Egypt now asks England's assistance.
—A wealthy man named Nathan Morris, living near Montezuma, Ind., went crazy over the loss of some money invested in Chicago ventures, and driving his wife away from home, burned up his house and store.
—O'Donnell, the slayer of Carey, the Irish informer, has been convicted and sentenced to death. His American counsel took no part in the trial, as the other counsel thought it would prejudice an English jury against the defendant.
—Governor Murray of Utah advocates a new Organic Act for that Territory, vesting the Government in three commissioners, similar to the Government of the District of Columbia, except that the U. S. army shall be used to serve processes.
—A Chihuahua, Mexico, dispatch says: “Four hundred frontiersmen, with two Arizona scouts, have started north in the Sierra Madre Mountains, armed to the teeth, to war on the Apaches without mercy, and for $250 each for all male scalps.”
The Supreme Court of Georgia has decided that cotton “future” notes are utterly void; that dealing in futures is as much gambling as betting on faro. Then how about our California grain futures, which constitute a large part of the “business” of the Produce Exchange?
—At a recent seance of Dr. J. Matthew Shea, a materializing medium, in New York, a materialized spirit walked boldly out into the room, and was pounced upon by some policemen. The “spirit” proved to be the “doctor” himself, and his cabinet was found to be full of wigs, costumes, and other devices of the trade.
—Sojourner Truth is dead at last. She was born a slave in New York, and was liberated by the Act of 1817 emancipating all slaves over 40 years of age. This is all that is known concerning her age. She has resided in Battle Creek, Mich., for the last quarter century, and retained her faculties in a remarkable degree.
—On Sunday, Nov. 25, Archbishop Alemany (R. C.) confirmed 13 boys, 28 girls, and 90 adults at Haywards, this county; and then went on to San Leandro, where he confirmed 33 boys, 36 girls, and 57 adults. He was accompanied by several church dignitaries. For two country towns, but a few miles apart, the addition of 257 members to “the church,” at one sacrament, is a pretty good increase.

Obituary.

LEA.—Died in the town of Verona, N. Y., Oct. 22, 1883, Mrs. Emily B. Lea, wife of Charles Lea, aged 64 years and 6 months. Sister Lea was born in England, and came to this country over thirty years ago. After embracing the Sabbath of Jehovah, she was baptized by Eld. C. M. Lewis, and united with the First Verona Seventh-day Baptist Church. She subsequently united with the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Rome, of which she was a worthy member at the time of her death. A devoted woman, one who feared God and kept his commandments, she was respected and loved by those who knew her character. Her sufferings have been long and severe, but amid it all she trusted in God and many times experienced his especial blessing and relief from pain in answer to prayer. She leaves a husband, son, and daughter, all Christians, and looking forward in hope, to the great day of meeting when there will be no more partings. Eld. H. D. Clark of Verona assisted the writer in the funeral services. Discourse from Ps. 39:4. E. W. WHITNEY.
WILLARD.—Died of croup, Oct. 24, Eva Blanch Willard, daughter of Julian and Lovina Willard, aged 5 years, 3 months, and 19 days. Her suffering was very severe, but only lasted one night. The parents sorrow not as those who have no hope, for they feel assured that if faithful they will meet their loved one again. Mrs. CYNTHA HUTCHINGS. Burrough Valley, Nov. 15, 1883.

HOLIDAY BOOKS FOR OLD AND YOUNG.

Price.
The Mountains $5 00
The Bird World 5 00
Sunbeam Stories (3 vols.) 5 00
Sabbath Readings (4 vols.) 2 50
Pillar of Fire 2 00
Leonore's Trials 1 75
Without a Home 1 50
Nanny Davenport 1 50
Vivians of Woodford 1 50
Tom Bently 1 50
Pen Portraits 1 50
Harry Maitland 1 25
Ellen Dacre 1 25
Gutta-Percha Willie 1 25
The Hard Problem 1 25
Paul Venner 1 25
Jessie Bower 1 25
Sequel to Tim 1 25
Temperance Tracts 1 25
Best Fellow in the World 1 25
No Danger 1 25
Witnessing for Jesus 1 25
Studies of Neglected Texts 1 25
David Livingston 1 25
Within Sea Walls 1 25
The Old Red House 1 25
Saved 1 25
The Prince of Good Fellows 1 25
Ten Cents 1 25
From Father to Son 1 25
How Could He Escape 1 25
His Honor the Mayor 1 25
Penny Rust Christmas 1 15
Still Waters, or Dreams of Rest 1 00
Frances Morton 1 00
Glen Elder 1 00
Two New Year's Days 1 00
Prohibitionist's Text-Book 1 00
Barford Mills 1 00
White Hands and White Hearts 1 00
Coals of Fire 1 00
Norman Brill's Life Work 1 00
Home Making 1 00
Week-day Religion 1 00
Schönberg Cotta Family 1 00
The Pledge and the Cross 1 00
Palestine for the Young 1 00
The Lost Estate 1 00
Our Coffee Room 1 00
Water-Spouts 1 00
The Old Brown Pitcher 1 00
Ten Lectures on Alcohol 1 00
Paul Brewster and Son 1 00
A More Excellent Way 1 00
Caught and Fettered 1 00
Story of the Bible 1 00
Juno and Georgie 90
Mary Osborne 90
Juno on a Journey 90
Hubert 90
Jessie's Work 90
Fred's Fresh Start 90
Alcohol—Its Nature and Effects 90
The Red Bridge 90
Rachel Noble's Experience 90
The Hard Master 85
Echo Bank 85
Sybil Gray 80
Tiptoe 80
Secret of Victory 75
Rosa Leighton 75
Drops of Water 75
Over the Way 75
Little Blue Jacket 75
Bertie's Present 70
Songs for Little Ones 70
The Brother's Choice 60
Jonas Clare 60
Fanny Lightman's Choice 60
May Covely 60
Talks on Temperance 60
The Model Landlord 60
The Temperance Speaker 50
Dialogue on Drink 50
A Piece of Silver 50
Bible Rule of Temperance 50
Frank Spencer's Rule of Life 50
The Pitcher of Cool Water 50
Sunshine Series (10 books) 50
Golden Grains (10 books) 50
Circled by Fire 40
The Emerald Spray 40
The Curse and the Cup 40
Come Home, Mother 40
The Vow at the Bars 40
To any one ordering $5.00 worth of the above we will give a discount of 10 per cent.
A choice line of Sabbath-school Teachers' Text-books, and a full line of Temperance Text-books constantly on hand.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

Bible Study.

By Editor

SPECIAL attention is called to the articles in this paper, "Bible Study," and "Bible Study in Healdsburg College." We are nearing eventful times. The determination of those who are seeking to change the form of Government so as to enforce a sabbath of tradition, will not admit of much longer delay. Stirring events may be expected soon. For the conflict we have an armor prepared of Heaven, and the only implement of aggressive warfare is "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." With this the people to whom is entrusted the present truth must be thoroughly acquainted. There is a power in the word of God's truth; and we all need to understand how to use it right. Our College furnishes the best facilities for receiving thorough Bible instruction, and scores and hundreds ought to avail themselves of its advantages.

Various Matters.

By Editor

MINNESOTA was the first State to send any considerable order for the tract, "Justification by Faith."
Two more numbers end the present volume of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. We usually omit a number in December so as to publish the last number of the volume near the close of the year. But this year we expect to issue Dec. 13 and 20, as we need all the time we can have to make the changes contemplated at the end of the volume. Everything will be done that is possible to do to improve the paper, and make it acceptable to its patrons.
As a specimen of a rare combination of ignorance and prejudice, we refer to an article on the Seventh-day Adventists in the Baptist Flag, published in St. Louis. We were aware that the Flag did not stand very high in the estimation of some of its contemporaries of the Baptist press, but we were not aware that it was for such good reason. Its misrepresentations of us as a people are inexcusable.
From about Nov. 24 for more than a week the sky at the horizon has been of an unusually red hue, both before sunrise and after sunset. Some of the citizens of Oakland, when they first discovered it, thought San Francisco was burning up. We never saw the like before. The same appearance is reported as far east as Salt Lake. Several explanations have been offered for this, but they all seem to be open to objections.
The colored people have been much exercised over the recent decision of the Supreme Court, in regard to the Civil Rights Law, and are very fearful of the results. But most of the papers think no danger is to be apprehended, and that the decision was unavoidable. Whichever side may be technically correct, we think Justice Harlan took a rational view of the matter. It looks to us as if the colored people have reason for their fears; it is a step backward, and the end is not yet seen.
In the Life of Dr. Judson, by Dr. Wayland, is a description of Buddhism, the religion of Burmah, in which occur the following words: "The peculiarity of their belief is, that this life is not considered the state, but only a state of probation." This tenet of Buddhism is fast being incorporated into the theology of many "eminent divines" in the churches of the United States. The professed Christian churches have so long deferred to heathen philosophy, and false science, that it will not be a very wide departure to incorporate into their theology the peculiarity of Buddhism. But what a Christianity!

Important Meetings.

By Editor

An Institute meeting will be held in Rome, N. Y., Dec. 11-17. This will be an important meeting for that State.
A general meeting for Missouri will commence Dec. 13, at Sedalia. This, too, will present the main features of an Institute. All who expect to labor in any capacity should attend these meetings.
A meeting similar to the above will be held in Hutchinson, Minn., beginning Dec. 8.
The meeting for Pennsylvania commenced Dec. 5, to hold till the 10th. This was expected to be a meeting of unusual interest and importance. Sister White and Brn. Haskell and White were announced to attend.

"Sixteenth of Exodus."

By Editor

EDITOR SIGNS OF THE TIMES: I wish to express my sympathy with those who have "gone up into the gaps," to make up the "hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord." I have a deep interest in the work, and am thankful to God for the watchmen that give the trumpet a certain sound. The assertion of Mr. Woodward that Seventh-day Sabbath teachers pass by Ex. 16 in silence unless compelled to notice it, called to mind an article published in the Advent Review and Sabbath Herald of Sept. 19, 1854, p. 45, under the above heading. I thought of proposing it for re-publication, when I began this writing, but on reflection I doubt it being of sufficient value to occupy the space in the SIGNS. Therefore I send this as a congratulatory word to one with whom I have been associated so long in the work of publishing the truth for the times. As I look over past volumes of the Review and Herald, it is a solemn thought that three out of five of the "corresponding editors" have fallen; but it is a consolation that they have fallen at their posts, and rest under the blessing of the Lord. Should you and I fall, may this be our lot. I have often thanked God for the labors of those who have laid off the armor; and I thank him that one is still left to press the battle to the gate. May God give you wisdom to do it in a manner acceptable to him.
In love, yours, R. F. COTTRELL.
WE are always pleased to receive a word from Bro. Cottrell. In regard to Ex. 16, no one can accuse us of trying to evade it unless he is ignorant of our writings, or willing to misrepresent us. We believe Mr. Woodward is both! When the Methodists of the Pacific Coast will come forward and try to make a defense of Armstrong's misrepresentations of Ex. 16, it will be time enough for them to boast. We have twice published our exposure of him, and expect to do so again. On which side is the evasion? The people may judge.

An Answer Promised?

By Editor

Not exactly. We clip the following from the Herald of Truth:—
"Rev. J. B. Tombes, D. D., pastor of the Baptist Church in Downey City, has recently, by request, delivered a discourse upon 'The Sabbath Question,' making the following three points: First, The Patriarchal Sabbath. Second, The Mosaic Sabbath, and its relations to the Moral Law, and its generic use in the Jewish service. Third, The Sabbath as it was observed and altered by Christ and his apostles. Dr. Tombes, writing to us, says: 'I am quite disposed to the belief that Christ restored the patriarchal Sabbath, by its change to the first day.' We expect an article from him on this point. When our contributors on this point have all been heard from, we shall be ready to be questioned by the Signs of the Times as to the accepted convictions of Baptists in the United States."
When its contributors have all been heard from—which may be in this generation, or the next, if it ever comes, then, what? the Herald will be ready to answer our question? It does not say so: it will "be ready to be questioned." If the Herald will read Rev. 14:12 it will learn why we are patient in this as in all other matters.
When Dr. Tombes speaks we are given to understand that we shall learn that when Moses wrote that God sanctified the seventh day he did not mean the seventh day at all; or, otherwise, when the evangelists said "the first day of the week," they did not mean the first day of the week at all, but some other day of the week. When the Baptists resort to such devices we know not why they should not admit that when the same evangelists wrote "baptize" they did not mean baptize at all, but sprinkle. Where shall we look for consistent Bible faith?

A County Without Bibles

A BIBLE agent in Weakly County, Tenn., has found 750 families without the Bible. That county is well named.

$25,000 Wanted.

WE, the undersigned, hereby give the sums set to our names, to raise the sum of $25,000 to be placed under the control of trustees chosen at the annual session of the California Conference. Said sum to be loaned to some of our Institutions at 5 per cent., the proceeds of which shall be used to assist those who are seeking an education at the Healdsburg College, to fill positions in the cause of God. Said individuals must be recommended by the Conference Committee, and the College Faculty.
William Butcher........................................$5,000 Joseph Leininger....................................... 5,000 John Morrison..........................................1,000 F. H. Adams............................................500 Mrs. Mary Scott........................................500 A Friend to the Cause..................................300 "Who'll be the next?"

BIBLES FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

By Editor

TEACHERS' BIBLES.

PEARL 24mo. (Size 4x5 1/2x1 1/8.)

No. 500. French Morocco, stiff cover...........................$1 50 " 513. Imitation Levant, divinity circuit, silk sewed............2 90 " 510. Turkey Morocco, stiff cover..............................2 75 " 515. Levant Morocco, divinity circuit, kid lined, silk sewed...5 00 " 514x. Imitation Levant, divinity circuit, leather lined, silk sewed, round corners. The smallest Teacher's Bible in the world.......................................................3 75

RUBY 16mo. (Size 4 1/2x6 1/2x1 1/8.)

No. 550. French Morocco, stiff cover...........................$2 30 " 563. Imitation Levant, divinity circuit, silk sewed............4 00 " 564. Same as No. 563, with round corners......................4 30 " 560. Turkey Morocco, stiff cover..............................3 15 " 561. " " limp.................................................3 15

NONPAREIL 8vo. (Size 4 3/4x7x1 3/8.)

No. 660. Turkey Morocco, stiff covers..........................$4 50 " 661. " " limp "..............................................4 50 " 662. " " circuit.............................................5 50 " 665 1/2. Levant " divinity circuit, silk sewed, round corners....7 10

MINION 8vo. (Size 5x7 3/8x1 1/2.)

No. 705. Persian Morocco, limp cover...........................$4 60 " 710. Turkey " stiff "..........................................5 50 " 711. " " limp "...............................................5 50 " 715 1/2. Levant " divinity circuit, kid lined, silk sewed, and round corners............................................8 30

MINION SMALL, 4to. (Size 7x9 3/8x1 1/2.)

No. 905: Persian Morocco, limp cover, with wide margin for MSS. notes.......................................................$9 00 Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

FAMILY BIBLES.

No. 2. Arabesque, gilt edges................................$4 50 Contains Old and New Testaments, Concordance, Psalms in Metre, History of the Bible, Family Record, Marriage Certificate and full-page illustrations. " 3. Same as above, with 600 illustrations, and Smith's Dictionary added, marbled edges.......................................4 75 " 4. Same as No. 3, with gilt edges............................5 50 " 10. Cheapest Family Bible in the world; Pictorial, with Revised New Testament.............................................5 00 " 21. Family Edition, gilt edges, pica type, marg. ref., Revised New Testament, with Bible Dictionary, and complete Bible Teacher's Text-book..........................................7 00 " 23. French Morocco, new design, and same as No. 21..........8 00 " 43c. Turkey Morocco, Oxford style, fine heavy paper, Revised New Testament.............................................15 00 " 70*. Fine Pulpit Bible.....................................22 50 " 123. Arabesque, paneled, gilt title, making a very complete and desirable style............................................4 50 Also many other styles which space will only allow us to give Nos. and price: No. 129, $5.50; No. 653, elegant, $11.00; No. 765, $9.50; No. 384, very fine, $14.00. When ordering Bibles by letter please give numbers. Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
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