THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES WEEKLY—ALREADY $28,000 SUBSCRIBED FOR A PUBLISHING HOUSE TO BE LOCATED AT OAKLAND, CAL.—IT IS TO BE MANAGED BY AN ASSOCIATION TO BE INCORPORATED FOR THAT PURPOSE.
The first number of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES was dated at Oakland, June 4, 1874, in expectation that the paper would be issued weekly, as stated at the head of the first column of the first page. But in consequence of being unexpectedly called East, where it seemed very necessary that we should remain during a period of six months, it was thought best to issue the SIGNS only occasionally, and give more time to make up a good list of subscribers before advancing far with the first volume. Hence only sixteen numbers have appeared in nearly nine months.
But during this period, plans have been matured, and sufficient means have been pledged to purchase a good site for a publishing house, to put up a suitable building, and to furnish it with types, presses, and material complete. Probably no enterprise has been taken hold of with more spirit by our people than the permanent establishment of the Press upon the Pacific Coast.
We are happy here to state that it was unanimously voted at the late extra session of the California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists that the SIGNS OF THE TIMES should be published at Oakland weekly. From this time onward our readers may expect its weekly visits.
The report of the proceedings of the Conference, given on another page, shows that the selection and purchase of the site, the erection of a building, and the proper steps for the incorporation of a Publishing Association, were left to a committee of five. This committee has found two brethren who were willing to purchase and hold real estate favorably situated in this city. And these have already taken the first steps to purchase a site, one hundred feet square, on Castro street, between Eleventh and Twelfth, a central and desirable point. As soon as a body corporate can be formed, this real estate will be conveyed to it at first cost by the two brethren who will hold it until that time. The sooner such an organization can be effected the better.
The committee have decided to immediately put up a building that will cost not far from $10,000. It will be furnished by the liberalities of eastern friends of the cause who have already subscribed sums nearly sufficient to purchase types, presses, engine, and the material complete. It is hoped that this very desirable object may be accomplished, and the celebrated Cottrell & Babcock Cylinder Press be successfully moving in the anticipated new building before the writer shall leave to attend Eastern Camp-meetings the last of May.
Temptation of Christ.
By Ellen G. White
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.
AND why should not men do these things if the law forbidding them is abolished? No message from earth or Heaven can forcibly impress the intemperate and the licentious who are deluded with the theory that the law of ten commandments is abolished. Many professed ministers of Christ exhort the people to holiness of life, while they themselves yield to the power of appetite, and the defilement of tobacco. These teachers, who are leading the people to despise physical and moral law, will have a fearful record to meet by-and-by.
Health, truth, and happiness, can never be advanced without an intelligent knowledge of, and full obedience to, the law of God, and perfect faith in Jesus Christ. The Lord uses no other medium through which to reach the human heart. Many professed Christians acknowledge that in the use of tobacco they are indulging a filthy, expensive, and hurtful practice. But they excuse themselves by saying that the habit is formed and they cannot overcome it. In this acknowledgement they yield homage to Satan, saying, by their actions, if not in words, that, "Although God is powerful, Satan has greater power." By profession they say, "We are the servants of Jesus Christ," while their works say that they yield subjection to Satan's sway because it costs them the least inconvenience. Is this overcoming as Christ overcame? Or is it being overcome by temptation? And the above apology is urged by men in the ministry, who profess to be Christ's ambassadors.
Many are the temptations and besetments on every side to ruin the prospects of young men, both for this world and the next. But the only path of safety is for young and old to live in strict conformity to the principles of physical and moral law. The path of obedience is the only path that leads to Heaven. Alcohol and tobacco inebriates would, at times, give any amount of money if they could by so doing overcome their appetite for these body and soul-destroying indulgences. And they who will not subject the appetites and passions to the control of reason, will indulge them at the expense of physical and moral obligations.
The victims of a depraved appetite, goaded on by Satan's continual temptations, will seek indulgence at the expense of health and even life, and will go to the bar of God as self-murderers. Many have so long allowed habit to master them that they have become slaves to appetite. They have not the moral courage to persevere in self-denial, and to endure suffering for a time through restraint and denial of the taste, in order to master the vice. This class refuse to overcome as did their Redeemer. Did not Christ endure physical suffering and mental anguish on man's account in the wilderness?
Many have so long allowed appetite and taste to control reason that they have not moral power to persevere in self-denial, and endure suffering for a time, until abused nature can take up her work, and healthy action be established in the system. Very many with perverted tastes, shrink at the thought of restricting their diet, and they continue their unhealthful indulgences. They are not willing to overcome as did their Redeemer.
What a scene of unexampled suffering was that fast of nearly six weeks, while Jesus was assailed with the fiercest temptations! How few can understand the love of God for the fallen race in that he withheld not his divine Son from taking upon him the humiliation of humanity. He gave up his dearly beloved to shame and agony, that he might bring many sons and daughters to glory.
When sinful man can discern the inexpressible love of God in giving his Son to die upon the cross, we shall better understand that it is infinite gain to overcome as Christ overcame. And we shall understand that it is eternal loss if we gain the whole world, with all its pleasure and glory, and yet lose the soul. Heaven is cheap enough at any cost.
On Jordan's banks the voice from Heaven, attended by the manifestation from the excellent glory, proclaimed Christ to be the Son of the Eternal. Satan was to personally encounter the Head of the kingdom which he came to overthrow. If he failed, he knew that he was lost. Therefore the power of his temptations was in accordance with the greatness of the object which he would lose or gain. For four thousand years, ever since the declaration was made to Adam that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head, he had been planning his manner of attack.
He put forth his strongest efforts to overcome Christ on the point of appetite, who endured the keenest pangs of hunger. The victory gained was designed, not only to set an example to those who have fallen under the power of appetite, but to qualify the Redeemer for his special work of reaching to the very depths of human woe. By experiencing in himself the strength of Satan's temptation, and of human sufferings and infirmities, he would know how to succor those who should put forth efforts to help themselves.
No amount of money can buy a single victory over the temptations of Satan. But that which money is valueless to obtain, which is integrity, determined effort, and moral power, will, through the name of Christ, obtain noble victories upon the point of appetite. What if the conflict should cost man even his life? What if the slaves to these vices do really die in the struggle to free themselves from the controlling power of appetite? They die in a good cause. And if the victory be gained at the cost of human life, it is not too dearly earned if the victor can come up in the first resurrection, and have the overcomer's reward.
Everything, then, is gained. But life will not be sacrificed in the struggle to overcome depraved appetites. And it is a certainty that unless we do overcome as Christ overcame we cannot have a seat with him upon his throne. Those who in the face of light and truth destroy mental, moral, and physical health by indulgence of any kind, will lose Heaven. They sacrifice their God-given powers to idols. God deserves and claims our first and highest thoughts, and our holiest affections.
At an infinite cost, Christ our Redeemer has purchased every faculty and our very existence, and all our blessings in life have been purchased for us with the price of his blood. Shall we accept the blessings, and forget the claims of the Giver? Can any of us consent to follow our inclination, indulge appetites and passions, and live without God? Shall we eat and drink like the beast, and no more associate the thought of God with every good we enjoy than the dumb animals?
Those who make determined efforts in the name of the conquerer to overcome every unnatural craving of appetite will not die in the conflict. In their efforts to control appetite, they are placing themselves in right relations to life, so that they may enjoy health and the favor of God, and have a right hold on the immortal life.
Thousands are continually selling physical, mental, and moral vigor for the pleasure of taste. Each of the faculties has its distinctive office, and yet they all have a mutual dependence upon each other. And if the balance is carefully preserved, they will be kept in harmonious action. Not one of these faculties can be valued by dollars and cents. And yet, for a good dinner, for alcohol, or tobacco, they are sold. And while paralyzed by the indulgence of appetite, Satan controls the mind, and leads to every species of crime and wickedness. God has enjoined upon us to preserve every faculty in healthful vigor, that we may have a clear sense of his requirements, and that we may perfect holiness in his fear.
Sabbath Items.
By Editor
ELD. W. M. JONES, of London, in his paper, The Sabbath Memorial, has an article entitled, "Progress of the Work," from which we quote the following paragraphs :—
"THE UNITED KINGDOM.
"In Scotland and in Ireland there have been found, quite recently, persons who embraced the Sabbath ten and twenty years since, without the knowledge of the existence of any of like faith, and others whose experience is of a later date. Besides the churches of Natton and Mill Yard, there is now a Sabbath meeting established in Glasgow, the result of the Sabbath Conference held there on the 8th of October last. There are others in various parts of the country who are seeking the truth on this great question.
"AMERICA.
"The Seventh-day Baptists have added many to their churches during the past year. There is increased activity in the Sabbath-school department, and earnest work continues to be done in the academies and colleges. The Pennsylvania Sunday laws being of an oppressive character, renewed efforts are to be made for such alteration of them as will relieve conscientious Sabbath-keepers from fines (from which they are exempt in many of the States), for pursuing secular business on the first day of the week. Besides its large weekly (the Sabbath Recorder), the Tract Society publishes more than thirty tracts and books on the Sabbath question, and has on its list nearly a dozen new ones. The Woman's Tract Society promises to be an important aid. What is needed is the personal work of TO-DAY, in giving, sacrificing, and doing in behalf of the Lord's despised Sabbath.
"SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS.
"The Seventh-day Adventists appear in the field in strong force. The number of publications in English, Swedish, Danish, French, and German, which they send forth is something wonderful; and then their threescore preachers seem to have one very necessary qualification for this our common pioneer work, and that is, grit. They take hold of a place and hold on till something is done for the Lord and his Sabbath. Preaching every day, arguing against all sorts of whims and dodges, enduring hardness, and filling their cotten tents with eager, solemn listeners,—such is the order of business. Success, though hard earned, does attend them.
"SWITZERLAND.
"The Sabbath Convention recently held at Locle, Switzerland, was a decided success. Eld. Andrews had so far mastered the French language as to be able to give three addresses at the meetings. 'The urgent necessity for publications was considered, and it was voted to raise 2000 francs to commence the work,' and 1800 francs were paid down. A printer who has quite a large business at Basle, is interested in the Sabbath, and will, probably, be an important aid to the brethren. The Lord favors them, and happily they possess the courage to do all in their power. A small monthly, or rather, a weekly, paper is just what these brethren need to help forward the cause of the Bible Sabbath. Their self-sacrifice and energy will doubtless prove to be equal to the demands of the hour. The Lord grant 'that with all boldness they may speak his word.'"
In addition to the above which we copy from the Review, Eld. Jones, in a letter to the SIGNS, says:—
"Three Sabbath keepers, not knowing of any others of like belief, have written each a tract on the Sabbath. They all came to light by my advertising within the last year. They are John Villiers of Belfast, Ireland; Donald Mackenzie of Urray, Ross shire; and James Scott of Elgin, Scotland. A lady in Belfast, keeping the Sabbath for five years, has just written to me."
Absurdities of Doctrine.
By I. D. Van Horn
The doctrine of the immortality of the soul requires us to believe that spiritual death was all or a part of the penalty for Adam's transgression. By spiritual death is meant the soul's alienation from God and the losing of all desire to do good. This is absurd, for it subverts the Bible doctrine of a vicarious sacrifice. By vicarious sacrifice is meant that Christ dies as a substitute for man and suffers the penalty for his transgression. Now if spiritual death is the penalty, Christ must die a spiritual death to redeem man from it, which would make him a sinner. This we know is false, and therefore cannot arise from a heavenly source, but from him who said to Eve in Eden, "Ye shall not surely die."
The doctrine of the immortality of the soul exalts death, as a friend, which robs Christ of his glory. The oft-repeated expressions heard on funeral occasions are very much in harmony with the sentiment of a well-known hymn—
> "Death is the gate to endless joy,
> And yet we dread to enter there."
Now if this sentiment be true, then death is a friend to the human family; which is directly in conflict with the scripture which says, "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." 1 Cor. 15:26. And it also robs Christ of his glory, for the Scriptures everywhere set forth the fact that Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the one that will destroy death, and give his people endless joy.
The doctrine of the immortality of the soul subverts the Bible doctrine of the Judgment; for it requires us to believe that both the righteous and the wicked enter their reward at death, and hence their judgment either wholly or in part must take place at that time. According to this view the judgment began nearly 6,000 years ago when Abel died. This is in direct conflict with the Bible which invariably points us forward to the last day as the time of judgment. Acts 17:31.
The doctrine of the immortality of the soul makes the resurrection of the dead unnecessary, which again is in direct conflict with the Bible. According to this belief, if the resurrection never did take place it would be no matter to either the righteous or the wicked, as the one class would be rejoicing in glory and the other suffering the torments of hell. But Paul says, "If the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised." "Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished." 1 Cor. 15:16, 18.
The doctrine of the immortality of the soul forever sets aside the idea that the universe will ever be free from sin and sinners, which again is in conflict with the word of God. See Rev. 5:13. And, according to the interpretation given by immaterialists, of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Heaven and Hell are in speaking distance of each other, therefore the songs of the redeemed saints must be constantly and eternally interrupted by the curses and wailings of the wicked. Such a condition of things would be revolting to our nature, and how much more so to a just and holy God.
"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23.
I. D. Van Horn.
Armageddon at Hand.
A CAREFUL survey of the existing European situation seems almost sufficient to justify a belief in the prediction of the enthusiasts who declare that the true interpretation of John's Apocalyptic vision shows that "the battle of the great day of God Almighty at Armageddon" is actually at hand. All Europe is at present like one vast camp. The nations are arming from the British Channel to the Ural Mountains; from the Mediterranean to the Baltic, as if with a prophetic understanding that a terrible and portentous crisis is at hand. According to the Paris République Française a German "camp of manœuvres for 150,000 men is about to be formed near Treves, under the immediate command of the Emperor. According to the Kölnische Zeitung (Cologne Journal) the French are about establishing a similar great camp for drill and military manœuvres near the German frontiers. The nations are becoming armies; the general masses of the people are being turned into soldiers. Russia has a greedy eye on India and the Sick Man. Austria has long coveted a portion of the territory of Turkey. France is said to be still cherishing feelings of bitterness, and revolving schemes of revenge. There are also those who predict a great Ultramontane combination for the restoration of Rome and the temporal power to the Supreme Pontiff. Rumors of schemes of conquest, of plots, conspiracies, and new alliances fill the circumambient air, as motes people a sunbeam. The arsenals are busy shaping more deadly implements of destruction than were ever before known. The foundries are casting colossal cannon, compared with which those heretofore used in warfare are but children's toys. The powder with which these mighty engines were to be charged was not thought to have sufficient power, and the world is now given to understand by the Baltic Gazette that the German Government has discovered or secured the secret of a new "prismatic powder" for its heavy guns, which is immensely superior to any used or known elsewhere in Europe. When we contemplate the present attitude of the Continental Powers; when we estimate the vast numbers of their standing armies; when we consider the amount of interruption to the arts of peace, and the crushing burdens upon the people, which they entail; when we see Germany and France arming to the teeth, and by their vast preparations compelling their neighbors to strain every nerve and tax every resource for the same purpose, in order to be ready for the fearful crisis which all seem to anticipate—when we see these things we may well feel thankful that our happy position, with no powerful nations upon our border, exempts us from such necessities; that with a feeble navy, and a standing army inferior to that of any fourth-rate Power of the old world, we still draw peaceful breath, and sleep untroubled by dreams of danger from any external foe.
—S. F. Chronicle, Jan. 30.
D. M. C
By Dudley Marvin Canright
By Their Fruits.
GREAT revivals and large additions are reported in many churches. Now look at one item showing what fruit they bear. The reports of the Methodist conferences for 1874 show an increase of 99,494 members. But "Contributions to the Missionary Society have been $611,954, a decrease of $60,996, and every other benevolent department shows a decrease except the Women's Foreign Society, where the increase is $818, and the Freedman's Aid Society, which has advanced by $7,812."
An increase of 99,000 in membership, and a decrease of $60,000 in contributions! Evidently this kind of religion does not affect the pocket very much.
D. M. C
Conference Proceedings.
In response to a call issued by the California Conference Committee, for the purpose of determining upon a permanent location for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, making arrangements for the erection of building, etc., a special session of the California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held in Oakland, Feb. 12th and 14th.
Conference opened at 9 A. M., with prayer by Eld. Jas. White.
The churches of the Conference were represented as follows: Napa, Joseph Eggleston; Healdsburg, John Cook, Joseph Dimmick; Santa Rosa, John Morrison; Oakland, Eld. J. N. Loughborough, G. A. Baker, W. J. Cronkrite; Vallejo, J. S. Howard; San Francisco, Wesley Diggins, E. A. Stockton; San Jose, H. H. Stevenson; St. Helena, John Mavity; Santa Clara, W. O. Swinnerton; Woodland, N. Grayson, Alfred Mason, Wm. Saunders; Green Valley, —— Ross; Petaluma, E. Moore.
Elds. White, Waggoner, and Canright, and all brethren in good standing were invited by vote of the Conference to take part in its deliberations.
Elder Loughborough, President of the Conference, made some introductory remarks, and was followed by Elder White, who reviewed his previous visit to this coast, his connection with the SIGNS, and said he had come again in the name of the Lord to help the work forward; expected to make his headquarters on this coast, but should make visits East as the necessities of the cause demanded. The brethren East have subscribed $6,000 to $8,000 for the purpose of fitting out a complete printing office for this coast—presses, steam engine, type, and all necessary material for a first-class printing establishment. Besides this, he had arranged for a full corps of hands to assist in the office, if it should be entrusted to his management.
Elder Waggoner remarked that he was a stranger in the State and could not advise; but desired to express his interest in the cause, and had determined to go wherever duty called. He felt that Bro Loughborough ought to be relieved from his connection with the SIGNS office, and also that Bro. White should be left free to attend Conferences and Camp-meetings, and to exercise a general supervision of the work everywhere.
After remarks by several brethren, the reading of the preamble and resolutions upon which the California Conference voted to assume control of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES was called for, and after they were read and freely discussed,
Bro. Stevenson moved that the vote by which the office of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES was received from Bro. White, and the publication of the paper assumed by the California Conference, be rescinded, and that the office revert to Bro White as before. After some discussion the question was called, and carried by a unanimous vote.
Bro. Saunders moved that a committee of three be chosen by the Conference to inquire into the matter of the publishing interest, and report to a future meeting of this Conference.
Brn. Loughborough, Diggins, and Morrison were elected as such committee.
Adjourned to meet at 3 P. M.
SECOND SESSION.
Opened with singing, and prayer by Bro. Waggoner.
After remarks by the President, in which the hope was expressed that the publishing interest would be promptly attended to, the report of the committee on the publishing interest was read, and drew forth remarks from the delegates, nearly all having some inducements to offer in behalf of their several localities. Sr. White, upon motion of Bro. Canright, was invited to give her views as to location, etc., which she did, stating that her mind was in favor of either San Francisco or Oakland, from the fact that they were situated on the great highway of travel and commerce.
Adjourned to meet at the call of the President.
THIRD SESSION.
Sunday, Feb. 14, 9 A. M.
Meeting opened with prayer by Bro. Loughborough.
The President stated that an informal session had been held the previous evening; that no action had been taken, but that the expression of the delegates showed that there was a general agreement that Oakland was the best point at which to establish permanently our printing office for this coast.
Bro. Saunders then moved that Oakland be selected by this Conference as the point of location for the printing establishment, which being put to vote, was carried, unanimously.
Bro. Howard moved that the State Conference Committee, in conjunction with Bro. Diggins of San Francisco and Bro. Tay of Oakland—making a committee of five, be empowered to select and purchase a suitable site and erect the necessary buildings; and that this committee be instructed to take the necessary steps to effect the organization and incorporation of a Publishing Association as soon as practicable. Carried unanimously.
The President stated that the General Conference had tendered back the five hundred dollars voted to the General Conference last autumn, and requested its acceptance by this Conference. The liberality of the General Conference was accepted with many expressions of thanks on the part of the members of this Conference.
Eld. Loughborough brought up the matter of field labor the coming season, and the necessity of having one or more tents for that work.
A motion was made and carried that the Conference Committee be empowered and instructed to purchase such tents for the coming summer's field labor as may in their judgment be necessary.
Adjourned to 2 P. M.
SIXTH SESSION.
Sunday, 2 P. M.
Meeting opened with prayer by the Secretary.
The time of quarterly meetings, appointments for preaching in different localities, etc., were left with the Committee for determination.
There being no further business to transact, the Conference adjourned sine die.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, President.
WM. SAUNDERS, Secretary.
Letter from Wm. M. Healey.
By Wm. M. Healey
AFTER the quarterly meeting held in Oakland Jan. 2d and 3d, we went to Healdsburg, and gave a few lectures in our church at that place.
Some of the ministers, at Healdsburg, took up some of the subjects upon which we spoke, and shed, what they called, light upon them. One of these, when speaking of Matt. 24th chap., said that the idea of the darkening of the sun, which took place in A. D. 1780, being a sign of the end, and supernaturally caused, was all folly. He said that the cause was the bursting of a volcano in some of the planets, and the smoke and ashes from it obscured the light of the sun!
Suppose this to have been the cause, it would not prevent its being a sign of the end. But we read, from what we always supposed was good authority, such, for instance, as Noah Webster's dictionary, that the true cause of this phenomenon is unknown. But in Healdsburg we have a new light, which Webster never saw.
I left Healdsburg, for Lake county, Jan. 28th. Have been at Lower Lake about a week, lecturing each evening to an audience, ranging from 20 to 50 persons, some of whom manifest considerable interest in hearing the truth.
Lake County, Cal., Feb. 10, 1875.
Voltaire Dying.
ON the twenty-fifth of February, 1758, Voltaire penned the following blasphemy: "Twenty years more and God will be in a pretty plight." Let us see what was taking place at precisely the time indicated. On the twenty-fifth of February, 1778, Voltaire was lying, as was thought, on his bed of death. Racked and tortured by remorse for past misdeeds, he was anxious to propitiate the God whom he had insulted, and the church which he and his band had sworn to destroy; and hence he resolved on addressing a minister of religion in order to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. On the twenty-sixth he wrote the following to the Abbe Gaultier: "You promised me, sir, to come and hear me. I entreat you to take the trouble to call as soon as possible." The Abbe went at once.
A few days later, in the presence of the same Abbe Gaultier, the Abbe Mignot, and the Marquis de Villeveille, the dying man made the following declaration: "I, the undersigned, declare that, for these four days past, having been afflicted with a vomiting of blood, at the age of eighty-four, and, not being able to drag myself to church, the reverend rector of St. Sulpice, having been pleased to add to his other good works that of sending to me the Abbe Gaultier, a priest, I confessed to him, and, if it pleases God to dispose of me, I die in the Holy Catholic Church, in which I was born, hoping that the divine mercy will pardon all my faults. If ever I have scandalized the church, I ask the pardon of God and of the church. March 1, 1778.—Voltaire." This document was deposited with Mons. Momet, notary of Paris. It was also, with the permission of Voltaire, carried to the rector of Sulpice and to the Archbishop of Paris, in order that they might say whether or not the declaration was sufficiently explicit and satisfactory.
Twice before, when dangerously ill, the wretched man had made abject retractions. But these he had not only rejected when restored to health, but, passing from bad to worse, he poured out fuller vials of his wrath against God and Christianity. It was then of necessity to receive the most solemn and full abjuration of past infidelities.
When Gaultier returned with the archiepiscopal answer, he was refused admission to the dying man. The arch-conspirators trembled at the apostasy of their hero; and, dreading the ridicule which would fall upon themselves, it was determined not to allow any minister of religion thenceforth to visit him. Finding himself thus cut off from the consolations of religion, Voltaire became infuriated; no reproach, no curse being deemed bad127enough for the D'Alemberts and Diderots who guarded him. "Be gone," he said; "it is you who have brought me to my present state. Be gone! I could have done without you all; but you could not have existed without me; and what a wretched glory you procured me!" And then praying, and next blaspheming, now saying, "O Christ," and next, "I am abandoned by God and man," he wasted away his life, ceasing to curse and blaspheme and live, on the thirtieth of May, 1778. These facts were made public by Mons. Tronchin, a Protestant physician from Geneva, who attended him almost to the last. Horrified at what he had to witness, he declared that to see all the furies of Orestes, one only had to be present at the death of Voltaire. "Such a spectacle," he adds, "would benefit the young who are in danger of losing the precious helps of religion." The Marshal de Richelieu was so terrified at what he saw that he left the bedside of Voltaire, declaring that the "sight was too horrifying for endurance."—London Popular Journal.
Tribulation Worketh Patience.
As the harp-strings only render
All their treasures of sweet sound,
All their music, glad or tender,
Firmly struck or tightly bound;
So the hearts of Christians owe
Each its deepest, sweetest strain,
To the pressure firm of woe,
And the tension tight of pain.
Spices crushed their pungence yield,
Trodden scents their sweets respire;
Would you have its strength revealed,
Cast the incense in the fire.
Thus the crushed and broken frame
Oft doth sweetest graces yield;
And through suffering, toil, and shame,
From the martyr's keenest flame,
Heavenly incense is distilled!
The Voice of Christian Life in Song.
Labor in Two School Districts
By I. D. Van Horn
From Brother Van Horn.
______
Since New Years' I have been laboring in two school districts, and although the weather has been very cold some of the time and the snow so deep that but few could get out to meeting, there has been some fruit as the result. Four families have embraced the truth, and among them is Bro. Maxon's only son and his wife. This has made us all to rejoice. In the place where I am now laboring there is a good attendance and the interest is good. I think it is the best interest I have had since our tent meeting last summer in Walla Walla.
But the great drawback to the work here is the want of money to carry it on. If it was one-fourth as plenty as it is with you we should feel of good cheer. We cannot sell many books on account of this. The poor have no money, nor cannot get it. Our people here are of good courage and are lifting with all their might to establish the work here and make it permanent. We hope for the best.
I. D. VAN HORN.
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Firmness in Doctrinal Truth
SEEK for an established judgment in the doctrinal truths of God. Some persons are so unsettled that every wind blows them down, like loose tiles from the house-top. Blind zeal is put to a shameful retreat; while holy resolution, built on firm principles, lifts up its head like a rock in the midst of the waves.
Tenderly.
By Union in Christ
THE gospel is love, and must be preached from the heart. We are sent to the sick, to heal, to help the weak, lead the blind, save the lost, and that can only be done by a tender, sympathizing ministry. The same truth is not the same when uttered in a combative spirit. The love of God, the tears of Jesus, become hard and repulsive when the preacher is in a combative frame; and wrath becomes subduing, drawing, when poured out of a soul inspired by love. We have heard hell portrayed in a style that made men angry with God, caused the feeling that he delighted in torment, gloated over the horrors of the lost, took profound satisfaction in the darkness and miseries of perdition; and we have heard it presented so regretfully, so much as Christ spoke of it, with such deep sorrow and concern as to make the impression that it is an infinite hardship and grief to God to banish a soul to the regions of woe.
We are unfit to preach any truth of the gospel unless deeply moved by love and sympathy, and ought never to touch upon the awful fate of the lost when our hearts are cold, or our combativeness excited. It is a terrible thing to be lost, and a cruel thing to have the danger forced upon one's attention in a flippant style, with the impertinence of a casuist, or the indifference of a stoic. Only under the highest inspiration of love should one venture upon this solemn and awful theme.—Union in Christ.
Woful Ignorance.
By William C. Gage
It is not so much a matter of surprise that the people betray ignorance of the doctrines of the Scriptures when they have so little knowledge of Bible facts. If we tell a congregation of people, who are hearing for the first time on the doctrine of immortality alone through Christ, that the phrase "immortal soul" is not to be found in all the Bible, the chances are that some one will openly dispute the statement, while all will receive it with great surprise.
The prevailing ignorance on this and kindred subjects is not so much to be wondered at when we consider that their spiritual guides are in many cases no better off. I once knew a minister, the pastor of a flourishing city church, who boldly declared that the New Testament asserts that we must "keep God's holy Sunday!" And that man, so ignorant of the plainest facts in the Bible, was a teacher in Israel.
A recent illustration of the clerical ignorance concerning Scripture facts has just come to my notice, the occasion being the funeral of an influential citizen of this town. The minister cited the case of Moses and Elias, and their appearing at the transfiguration, as an evidence that the man, whose funeral they were attending, was still conscious. Said he, in substance, Here we have the case of two men who died and were buried by their friends, with the funeral ceremonies incident to such occasions, just as we to-day are about to bury our brother who lies before us; and yet these two men, who were thus buried, came and talked, and were seen by the disciples, &c.
Now, every Sabbath-school scholar ought to know that Elias (the New Testament name for Elijah) went to Heaven without tasting death, and hence he was not buried with "funeral ceremonies incident to such occasions," while even the most casual reader of the Scriptures might be supposed to know that Moses had no such ceremonies, for the Bible distinctly declares that God buried him, and even the place of his sepulcher was unknown.
In view of these facts, what shall be said of a professed minister of the gospel who can make such declarations in a public congregation? Verily, the "people perish for lack of knowledge."
Wm. C. Gage.
The Secret of Prayer.
By A. P. Lawton
No one can have any just claim to being a Christian who does not practice secret prayer. Many may, and probably do, practice what is termed secret prayer, who are not Christians; not because they love it, or feel their need, but to ease their conscience. The secret of prayer is to feel our need, our lost condition without help; to break our hearts before Him who has said by the psalmist, "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
We are to claim the merits of Him alone through whom we may have access to the Father. "Come, now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; and though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." He loves to have us believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
If we do not get an answer to our prayer at once, leave it on the altar. Perhaps there is something in the way—confessions to make, broken vows to be performed, or a brother to be reconciled. It may be neither of the above. God may be testing us. Sometimes we have need of patience after we have done the will of God, that we may receive the promise.
Do not be content, dear reader, in simply saying your prayers. Does God hear the ravens when they cry? and will he not hear us whom he has made in his own image? It is cheering to know that the great and terrible One, who holds our destiny in his hands, will condescend to hear us notwithstanding our errors, wanderings, and unbelief. This is not human, but like God. The poor sinner who has opened the door of his heart, and bidden Jesus an unreserved welcome, has become heir to an incorruptible crown; heir with Jesus, the Son of God. What honor that we may be called the sons of God. May we, dear reader, be of the happy number who love to pray, and who will finally enter into the city of God.