—The cathedral of St. Peter, at Rome, can contain 54,000; that at Milan, 37,000; St. Paul's, London, 25,000.
—The Methodists are spending about $1,000 a month for missionary work in Calcutta. They have recently rented a large building at $2,400 a year, for sailors' meetings.
—There is perhaps no preacher in the world whose sermons are more widely read than Dr. Talmage's. About 250,000 copies of them are printed every week in England.
—During the past year 270 special religious Sunday services were held in London theatres and public halls, with an aggregate attendance of 219,000 persons. The meetings are regarded as a success.
—The Catholics have bought 7000 acres of land in Mecklenburg, Va., on which they are going to establish an industrial farm for educating freedmen. The Benedictine Fathers will have charge of the farm.
—The Bible Christian church, Philadelphia, founded in that city in 1817, by the Rev. Dr. Metcalfe, who came with a small band of pilgrims of the Bible Christian church from England, celebrated last week its sixtieth anniversary.
—The steamship Nevada, which arrived at New York June 5, had 341 Mormons aboard, who spent the night in Castle Garden. They are accompanied by two Elders, who have spent two years in Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany, securing converts. Six hundred Mormons will soon arrive, mostly from Sweden.
—Nine Roman Catholic churches in Philadelphia have been entered within a month by burglars, who carried off silver altar vessels, the contents of poor boxes, and other portable things worth taking. In one instance they fired the edifice, but the flame was quickly discovered and extinguished. They also wantonly destroyed vestments.
—The news has come from the Bible Society's agent at Buenos Ayres that Mongiardino, the ablest and most enterprising Bible colporteur in South America, who had not been heard from in months, was assassinated in Bolivia nearly a year ago, having fallen a victim to the determined hatred of the Book which he commended and sold. His assassins were suffered to escape. Like the first Christian martyr, he was stoned to death.—Christian Weekly.
Shall the Dead Rise?
Few thoughts are more terrible to the ungodly than that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. Nowhere but in God's word are men taught so to live that they may meet that day in joy and peace. Mr. Moffat, the missionary, once went to pay a visit to an African chief, several hundred miles inland from the missionary station at Talacoo, in South Africa. The name of the chief was Macaba. He was a mighty warrior, and was the terror of his savage foes.
In one of his conversations with this man of war and strife, who was surrounded by fifty or sixty of his head men and "rain-makers," Mr. Moffat spoke of the resurrection of the dead.
"What!" said the chief, starting with surprise, "what are those words about the dead? The dead—the dead rise?"
"Yes," said the missionary; "all the dead shall rise."
"Will my father rise?"
"Yes," answered the missionary.
"Will all the slain in battle rise?"
"Yes," answered the missionary.
"Will all that have been killed and eaten by lions, tigers, and crocodiles rise?"
"Yes, and come to judgment."
"Hark!" shouted the chief, turning to the warriors, "ye wise men; did your ears ever hear such strange and unheard-of news? Did you ever hear such news as this?" turning to an old man, the "wise man" of his tribe.
"Never," answered the old man. "I thought I had all the knowledge of the ancients, but I am astonished by these words. He must have lived long before we were born."
The chief then turned to the missionary, and, laying his hand upon his breast, said, "Father, I love you much. Your visit has made my heart white as milk. The words of your mouth are sweet like honey; but the words of the resurrection are too great for me. I do not wish to hear about the dead rising again. The dead cannot rise; the dead shall not rise!"
"Tell me, my friend," said the missionary, "why must I not speak of the resurrection?"
Lifting his powerful arm, which had been so often reddened in the slaughter of his foes, and shaking his hand, as if grasping a spear, the chief said, "I have slain thousands; shall they rise?" The thought greatly troubled him.
Alas, for the men of sin and blood! "The dead, small and great," shall rise, and stand before "the great white throne." The warrior shall meet the multitudes of those whom he has helped to kill; and every guilty, godless man must behold those he has injured, neglected, or destroyed before the judgment throne.
But good people shall "awake and sing." In the "great day of his wrath" they shall hide themselves "until the indignation be overpast." But woe to the unholy; "for, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain."
Isa. 26: 19-21.—Sel.
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. Mrs M H Dickson 5-25, E F Terrill 5-13, Sperry Dye 5-24, J J Cushman 5-25, S H Turman 5-25, J B Furgeson 5-28, Joseph Hoffman 5-25, Maria Knickerbocker 5-25, Mrs John Ertle 5-25, J I Davis 5-25, H A Weston 5-15, Mrs E Fairbanks 5-25, Resolve Worden 5-16, S M Cobb 5-16.
$1.50 EACH. J H Dortch 5-25, John N Perry 5-16, F M Stevenson 5-25, Even Pennington 5-25, Miss Jennie Stenger 5-25, Mollie Miller 5-25, Samuel Martin 5-27, R F Wilson 5-25, Mrs Sarah F Cady 5-25, M F Benton 5-25, Amanda Leighton 5-25, E G Bolter 5-25, W H Bolter 5-25, Rachel Paro 5-25, J W Burton 5-25, John Toakum 5-25, Mrs E Hamlet 5-25, T B Cady 5-25.
MISCELLANEOUS. Charles Osborne (2 copies) $1.00 4-41, Theo F Kendall 1.00 5-1, A W Burnnell 1.00 5-1, Mrs M A Crofoot 1.00 5-2, Mrs Mercy L Day 1.00 5-9, Lucy Follett 1.00 5.25, J R H Nickle (4 copies) 6.00 5-25, Alvin E Devereux (8 copies) 6.00 4-43, Mrs J A Hardiman (2 copies) 3.00 5-25, R M Dickson 75c 5-1, Joseph Montgomery 75c 5-1, Wm A Robinson 75c 5-2, R Youngman 75c 5-2, J H Waggoner (20 copies) 30.00 5-25, Hattie Bolander (4 copies) 6.00 5-25, N C T W Free Reading Room 50c 4-37, Chas Blood 50c 4-37.
Received on Account.
Illinois T and M Society $18.30, Cal T and M Society 15.00.
Books, Pamphlets, Tracts, Etc.
CRUDEN’S Concordance. $1.75, post-paid.
Dictionary of Bible. $1.75, post-paid.
Hymn and Tune Book; 537 hymns, 147 tunes. $1.
Progressive Bible Lessons. 50 cts.
“ “ “ for Children. 35 cts.
The Way of Life; a beautiful engraving 19x24 inches, with key of explanations. $1.00.
The Game of Life (illustrated). Satan playing with man for his soul. In Board, 50 cts; in paper 30 cts.
The History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week. J. N. Andrews. 528 pp. $1.00.
Thrilling Life Sketches. Incidents in the life of an Italian of noble birth. By Francesco Urgos. $1.25, post-paid.
Thoughts on Daniel. U. Smith. $1.00. Condensed paper edition, 35 cts.
Thoughts on the Revelation. U. Smith. $1.00.
Life of William Miller, with likeness. $1.00.
The Sanctuary and its Cleansing. U. Smith. $1.00. Condensed edition in paper, 30 cts.
Life of Joseph Bates, with Likeness. Revised. Edited by James White. Tint, $1.00; plain, $1.25.
The Nature and Destiny of Man. U. Smith. 384 pp. $1.00.
The Constitutional Amendment. A discussion between W. H. Littlejohn and the Editor of the “Christian Statesman.” Bound, $1.00. Paper, 40 cts. First part, 10 cts.
Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. I. Mrs E. G. White. 416 pp. $1.00.
Life of Christ, in seven Pamphlets, by Mrs. Ellen G. White:—
No. 1. His First Advent and Ministry - - - 10 cts
No. 2. His Temptation in the Wilderness - - - 10 cts
No. 3. His Teachings and Parables - - - 15 cts
No. 4. His Mighty Miracles - - - 15 cts
No. 5. His Sufferings and Crucifixion - - - 10 cts
No. 6. His Resurrection and Ascension - - - 10 cts
No. 7. The Apostles of Christ - - - 10 cts
Sabbath Readings for the Home Circle. In two volumes. 75 cts. each.
The State of the Dead and Destiny of the Wicked. U. Smith. 40 cts.
The United States in Prophecy. U. Smith. Bound, 40 cts. Paper, 25 cts.
A Word for the Sabbath, or False Theories Exposed. (POEM.) U. Smith. Muslin, 30 cts.; paper, 15 cts.
Advent Keepsake. Muslin, 25 cts.
Sermons on the Sabbath and Law, embracing an outline of the Biblical and Secular history of the Sabbath for 6,000 years. J. N. A. 25 cts.
Facts for the Times. 25 cts.
The Nature and tendency of Modern Spiritualism. J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.
Our Faith and Hope. Sermons on the Millennium, Second Advent, the Kingdom, the Judgment, the Time, the Sanctuary, and Saving Faith. 20 cts.
The Ministration of Angels, and the Origin, History, and Destiny of Satan. D. M. C. 20 cts.
The Atonement. J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.
The Spirit of God. J. H. W. 15 cts.
Miraculous Powers. 15 cts.
The Complete Testimony of the Fathers concerning the Sabbath and First Day. J. N. Andrews. 15 cts.
The Three Messages of Rev. 14, and the Two-horned Beast. J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
The Morality of the Sabbath. D. M. C. 15 cts.
The Resurrection of the Unjust; a Vindication of the Doctrine. J. H. Waggoner. 15 cts.
Christ in the Old Testament and the Sabbath in the New. James White. 10 cts.
The Saints’ Inheritance, or the Earth made New. J. N. Loughborough. 10 cts.
Sunday Seventh-day. A Refutation of Mede, Jennings, Akers and Fuller. J. N. A. 10 cts.
The Truth Found. J. H. W. 10 cts.
The Two Covenants. J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
The Hope of the Gospel: What it is, and when it will be consummated. J. N. L. 10 cts.
Review of Gilfillan on the Sabbath. 10 cts.
Vindication of the Sabbath. Morton. 10 cts.
The Date of the Seventy Weeks of Dan. 9, established. J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
Matthew Twenty-four. James White. 10 cts.
Review of Baird’s Two Sermons on the Sabbath and Law. J. H. W.
The Ancient Sabbath. Forty-four Objections Considered. 10 cts.
Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. II. Mrs. E. G. White. 400 pp. $1.00.
Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. III. Mrs. E. G. White. 400 pp. $1.00.
Milton on the State the Dead. 5 cts
Four-cent Tracts: The Second Advent—The Seventh Part of Time—Celestial Railroad—Samuel and the Witch of Endor—The Ten Commandments not Abolished—Address to the Baptists—Present Truth—The Sufferings of Christ—The Two Thrones—The Third Message of Rev. 14—Spiritualism a Satanic Delusion—Redemption—Systematic Benevolence—The Two Covenants—Origin and Progress of Seventh-day Adventists.
Three-cent Tracts: Much in Little—The Lost-Time Question—Argument on Sabbaton—Infidel Cavils Considered—The End of the Wicked—Scripture Reference—Who Changed the Sabbath?—The First Message of Rev. 14—The Second Message of Rev. 14.
Two-cent Tracts: Christ in the Old Testament—The Sabbath in the New Testament—The Old Moral Code of Ten Commandments not Revised—Definite Seventh Day—Seven Reasons for Sunday Keeping Examined—Elihu on the Sabbath—The Rich Man and Lazarus—The Sanctuary of the Bible—The Millennium—Departing and Being with Christ—Fundamental Principles of S. D. Adventists—The Judgment; or the Waymarks of Daniel to the Holy City—The Two Laws—Spirit of Prophecy—One Hundred Bible Facts—The Law and the Gospel—God’s Memorial—The Sabbath, the Day.
One-cent Tracts: Appeal on Immortality—Thoughts for the Candid—Nahum’s Chariots—The perfection of the Ten Commandments—Coming of the Lord—Without Excuse—Which Day do you Keep and Why?—Geology and the Bible—The Sleep of the Dead—The Sinner’s Fate—Can we Know?—Is the End Near?—A Dialogue—Brief Thoughts on Immortality—Is the End Near?—Can We Know?
—Address, THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES, OAKLAND, CAL.
Rocklin, Cal.
By B. A. Stephens
TWENTY-SEVEN lectures have been given here. There was none of that bitter opposition, usually manifested where present truth and duty are presented. Nine have signed the covenant, and pledged $105.80 systematic benevolence. A Sabbath-school was organized, and will have about twenty members. Three or four await baptism. Some will attend camp-meeting. Tent No. 3 will be pitched in Placerville, El Dorado Co., this week, and meetings commenced immediately after Independence Day.
“Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified.”
July 1, 1878. B. A. STEPHENS.
Present and Future.
By James White
At the present we are happily situated with our son and daughter at Battle Creek, Mich., and are taking treatment every day at the Sanitarium, where we receive special attention from two helpers; but, notwithstanding this treatment and restricted diet, we have gained four pounds since we arrived.
We are now preparing a volume containing the reasons of our faith and hope. In about ten days we design to go to Colorado and spend the months of July and August, where we hope to meet Mrs. White and return with her to the General Conference.
We here wish to express our grateful thanks to our brethren for their kindness and their prayers to God in whom we have trusted from our youth.
J. W.
Oakland.
By W. M. Healey
THE interest in our tent has been growing deeper, as we proceed in the explanation of God's holy word. The attendance for the past week has averaged not far from three hundred. We have some invitations to visit, and frequent calls are made at our tent, in the daytime, by those interested. Brother S. M. Meeker is with me and giving good assistance in the missionary work. We sell but few books, but contributions come in quite liberally, amounting in the past week to $29. God is helping. Pray on.
W. M. HEALEY.
Meetings in Salem.
By John Norton Loughborough
WE arrived safely at Salem, Oregon, on the morning of June 14, found Elder Van Horn at the depot waiting to convey us to his home.
Sabbath morning I spoke to the church from 1 Cor. 15. The Lord gave freedom as I endeavored to show that the success which is attending efforts for the spread of the truth in all its various departments can indeed lead us to say, “ We know our labor is not in vain in the Lord,” and we, like the apostles, while contemplating the evidences of our faith, and opportunity to advance the truth, have reason to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” On Sunday evening I spoke again to a good sized audience on the coming of Christ.
As our sea voyage to Oregon was somewhat rough, and produced sea sickness with all our company, and as Sister White was much weakened physically thereby, it was her privilege to rest over one Sabbath; but she spoke yesterday to a full house in Salem. This forenoon she is to speak to the prisoners in the chapel of the State prison, and to-night she is to give a Temperance lecture in the Methodist church, the largest church building in Salem.
Preparations for the camp-meeting are going off well. The ground is beautiful, being a grove of about thirty fir trees of 150 feet in hight, interspersed) with those of a smaller growth. These with their dark green foliage, contrast nicely with the white tents and yellow carpet of straw placed upon the ground.
The brethren have taken hold with a will to prepare for this, their first, camp-meeting, and we expect to see the signal blessing of God in our meeting. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Salem, Oregon, June 23, 1878.
Broader Plans.
By James Edson White
MUCH has been said about broader plans in the different departments of the cause of present truth. During the last three months we have been forced to acknowledge that the Pacific Press Office is one year behind the demand in room and facilities in every department.
To meet the demand for more room, a building 30x84 feet, two stories high, is in process of construction, to cost $3,500.
In the press room, the large press running day and night could not keep up with the work. A small Hoe cylinder which cost $1,400 was accordingly ordered, and is now running.
Our stereotyping has been a great drawback. Previously this has been done in San Francisco, which was a great source of expense and delay, thus cutting us off from work which would otherwise be a source of profit. Just in the time when most needed a stereotyper, owning a foundry in San Francisco, embraced the truth from reading and attending tent lectures. His foundry was bought at a low figure, and as Brother McLaren has served his time in Edinburg, Scotland, as a type founder, we have added type making to the foundry, thus giving us a type, stereotype and electrotype foundry at a cost of $1,500.
In the bindery there are portions of the work which it is impossible to do without greater facilities. Heretofore we have had the work done in San Francisco; but it is now impossible to get it done in good style, in time, or at reasonable prices. And it is necessary that we immediately purchase $1,000 worth of binding machinery.
Our paper trade is becoming an important branch of business. To meet this demand, and keep our own stock good, requires not less than $5,000 invested. This stock is imported from the East at a very low price.
Before Elder White started for the East he saw that this Office would require more room, and sold to the Association property adjoining the present grounds worth $8,000 for $6,000 taking the Association's notes at one, two and three years. Upon a portion of this ground the new building is now being erected. The balance of this lot is occupied by a double tenement house, bringing a rental of $70 a month, which pays the interest on the investment, and the taxes.
Every step forward has been taken with caution, with the advice of Elders White and Loughborough, who are both members of the board of directors, and only entered upon when necessity demanded.
Of the $18,400 above mentioned, not half is available at the present time.
But the various T. and M. societies owe nearly $6,000. Most of this is already past due. But owing to the liberal support received from them in the past, and to make available this money so much needed, we offer to deduct 5 per cent from all bills if paid immediately by these societies. This will allow them to hire the money they may lack to square their account to date, without loss to themselves. This offer is made where the whole account is settled at once; but not on small payments made from time to time.
If all T. and M. societies could take the steps already taken by the California society, it would be a great help to the Offices of publication. Although not behind any State in the Union, of the same numerical strength, in amount of work accomplished, yet it has a fund deposited and kept good at this Office varying from $500 to $1000.
About $5,000 in pledges to the capital stock of the Association are already due or will be this fall. It is hoped that all who can pay up, will do so immediately, and that others will pay up as soon as possible.
The cause of God is onward, and is ever calling for broader plans. And as the publishing house on the Pacific coast endeavors to keep pace with the general advance, it is confidently expected that the brethren of ability will second the efforts with their prayers and aid it from their means.
J. E. W.
Wanted.
By Editor
WE wish the name and address of every Sabbath-school and Sunday-school superintendent in the United States.
Will some one in each place be kind enough to forward such information to us, stating the denomination to which they belong.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
Oakland, Cal.
APPOINTMENTS.
Quarterly Meetings.
THE California State Quarterly Meeting will be held in Oakland, Sabbath and First Day, July 20 and 21. All directors are requested to attend, and as many members as can do so. The business meeting will be held Saturday evening.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
THE district Quarterly Meeting of the eight districts of California will all be held at the same date, July 13 and 14 as follows:—
No. 1, at Healdsburg.
No. 2, at Lone Oak church, Tulare county.
No. 3, at St. Helena.
No. 4, at San Pasqual, San Diego county.
No. 5, at Woodland.
No. 6, at Red Bluff.
No. 7, at Oakland.
No. 8, at San Francisco.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
ELDER M. G. Kellogg will attend the quarterly meeting at Vacaville, Sabbath and first-day, July 6, and 7, and preach at such hours as the brethren may appoint.
"Religious."
By Roswell F. Cottrell
Under this heading the New York Weekly Herald gives from week to week a variety of short paragraphs, many of which it would puzzle most readers to discover what bearing they have on the subject of religion. The following ironical hit upon modern scientists however conveys a religious moral. R. F. C.
"Science manages to get us into a terrible muddle. Darwin tells us that we have been gradually and with great difficulty evolved from that greatest boon of mankind known as the baboon. Mr. Haeckel informs us that this baboon is the result of spontaneous generation, or fermentation or something of that sort. And when we ask whence came the original seeds or spores which fermented and produced Darwin, Thomson asserts that they came to the earth in the tail of some comet, or hidden in the heart of an aerolite, like a frog in granite, and that thus the machinery of life got its start. It is perfectly easy to believe all this, because it is so reasonable; and besides that, it is the result of the exact sciences. We had just made up our new creed, 'In the beginning there was an animalcule, and after that Huxley and Tyndall,' and had just got our lips ready to pooh! pooh! at Jonah and Moses, when another man of research comes along, and after holding several interviews with a favorite ourang outang declares positively that if that quadrumane was ever 'on the route to make a man of himself he somehow got switched off the track long ago.' Now, then, what are we to do? We feel like the babes in the woods when night comes on. One scientist says, 'May be we did;' and another answers, 'May be we didn't.' Well there's nothing like being scientific if you want to be perfectly sure of things."
European Mission.
By James White
We are informed by W. C. White that our European mission fund is one thousand dollars in debt; that is, the Review and Herald has advanced one thousand dollars more than what has been received up to this date.
The present wants of the cause in Italy, and labors of Brother Ribton demand immediate assistance, as he is starting a monthly paper in the Italian language, and is publishing our tracts in the same.
We have called for a fund of ten thousand dollars for the immediate relief of the European mission to be paid during the year of 1878. The sum is none too large. A portion of it is pledged and several hundred paid. We urge pledges and payments to be forwarded to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal., as early as possible.
Sums will be accepted all the way from ten cents to one thousand dollars. No American Seventh-day Adventist will excuse himself or herself from bearing a part in this work. We pledge for Mrs. White and self, five hundred dollars.