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Signs of the Times, Vol. 7, No. 13.

General Articles
Earlier text: PARLEYING WITH TEMPTATION

MRS. RAYNOR'S SYSTEM.

MRS. RAYNOR'S neatness was a proverb in the neighborhood in which she lived; her brother called her "painfully neat," and sometimes thought, when driven almost desperate by her "system," that he would buy a farm for himself, and never again take any of his brother-in-law's land on shares. But once when he spoke about it while haying in the field, Aaron seemed to feel so bad, that he promised not to make the change for some time, anyhow.
"Poor Aaron," thought Jack, when he saw how troubled was his brother-in-law's face, "he is worried at the bare idea that I might go off and leave him to that rigorous system of Emma's. For his sake I'll wait awhile; and I owe him some consideration, for if it hadn't been for me, he would never have met Emma."
Aaron Raynor was a very quiet man, but never had much to say on any subject; it was seldom, indeed, that he gave vent to his views on anything save the farm work, but he thought a great deal, and if Emma had only been able to read his thoughts, she would have been saddened, perhaps, by their desponding and regretful tendency. He was, however, a faithful, kind husband, who did all in his power to lighten his wife's burdens, and had he not lived in an atmosphere of fault-finding, would have been both genial and affectionate.
The unhappiness and regret which pervaded the atmosphere of the Raynor home had its rise in the system, that terrible system which was the one law which governed Emma's life. She ate, drank, and slept by it, and never guessed that she made the lives of her husband and brother unhappy by her strict adherence to it.
Every Monday morning the washing was done, rain or shine, and frequently on a rainy day, Jack and Aaron coming into the big kitchen wet and tired, and longing for seats by the fire, found the stove surrounded by chairs, all filled with damp clothes from which a steam rose slowly, while across the room were stretched ropes on which hung the "small pieces." It wasn't very cheerful, certainly, but Aaron never complained, for it wasn't his way to complain about anything, and Emma never took any notice when Jack found fault.
On Tuesday the ironing was done, and well done, too. Every towel, no matter how old and worn, was faithfully smoothed, and folded evenly; the shirts were ironed on both sides, and the neighbors often remarked that the linen worn by Jack and Aaron would have done credit to a Chinese laundry.
On Wednesday the baking and churning were done; on Thursday the house was thoroughly swept and cleaned from garret to cellar; on Friday the mending and little jobs were scrupulously attended to, and Saturday was devoted to baking and cleaning generally. Delicious bread, cakes and pies came forth from the capacious oven to be stored away on the pantry shelves, and the kitchen and hall floors were made marvelously white and clean by the vigorous use of soap and sand.
No matter what happened, the system went on as usual—nothing was allowed to interrupt that.
Aaron never thought of such a thing as coming into the house without first removing his boots in the little entry by the kitchen door, and putting on his slippers, which were always in readiness in a neat bag; and he submitted to his wife's rule of retiring precisely at nine P. M., without a word of rebellion.
If Jack, in his careless indifference, sometimes crossed the white kitchen floor in his muddy boots, his sister, much to his annoyance, followed close behind him with a cloth in her hand, and carefully wiped up his tracks, with an expression on her face which spoke volumes, and distressed him more than a good round scolding would have done.
Emma was unaware that her system was rapidly destroying her good looks. She had been a pretty, pleasant girl in the days when Aaron had courted her; a little prim and precise, perhaps, but not given to lectures on neatness and order. She lived with two maiden aunts, who had taken pains with her bringing up, and thoroughly imbued with their system of housekeeping.
Mrs. Raynor would not have a servant, for servants were so "slack and disorderly," and she preferred to see after her household affairs herself, unconscious that her voice was from much fault-finding becoming a fretful, querulous whine; that lines were marring the beauty of her white forehead, and crow's feet gathering around her eyes; that her elasticity and energy were less with every day, and that she was deteriorating both physically and intellectually.
"If I ever marry," said Jack, one evening, suddenly dropping on the floor the newspaper he had been reading by the center table, "I shall insist upon my wife's keeping a stout girl to help her. You don't seem to be aware of it, Emma, but you are working yourself into your grave."
Mrs. Raynor rose from her seat to pick up the newspaper, folded it neatly and laid it on the table. Then she took up her mending again, saying as she seated herself:—
"I could not endure a hired girl in the house, Jack. They are all so slovenly and neglectful. Mary never could remember to rub off the kettle in the morning when she filled it; Bridget always forgot to hang up the broom, and Hannah used to spill things over the stove. I tried all three thoroughly, and decided never to have another girl."
"Well, those are only minor evils compared to your becoming a fretful invalid, or dying of overwork. Brooms are cheap, and what it matter if the kettle was dusty occasionally."
"Jack!" Emma's tone was one of horrified disapproval. "It is the principle of the thing more than all else. I never could, if I tried fifty years, find a girl with any system about her."
Jack only smiled grimly in reply.
"And I will say this in my own praise," pursued Emma, "nobody could gather a teaspoonfull of dust in my house after I have swept it, if they searched from garret to cellar."
"True," said Jack. "It would be a waste of time to try."
"If you ever do marry," said Emma, paying no attention to her brother's sarcastic tone, "I hope your wife will be orderly and neat. You have no system about you, and if she is no better, I pity the house you live in—it will always be at sixes and sevens."
"I would rather it would look like a pig-sty than you do in keeping it clean and neat. Aaron, you really ought to put a stop to Emma's perpetual trifling with her health and strength."
Jack had expected only a smile and a sigh from his brother-in-law in answer, but to his surprise Aaron spoke:—
"I've talked to her about it often," he said, "but it will be necessary for her to have a severe lesson before she will learn common sense. I made up my mind a year ago that I would say no more to her on the subject."
"Common sense!" said Emma, "I don't understand you. Would you have me sit with my hands in my lap and see the dirt rot the floors through, and the stove go to pieces with rust?"
"No," said Aaron, "but I would have you rest whenever you are tired. I would not have you polish the stove every Wednesday and Saturday, no matter how much else there is to attend to; and mop the kitchen and hall floors at regular intervals, even if suffering under a severe cold, which is liable to be increased by any imprudence."
"I never had a severe illness, Aaron."
"That is no surety that you never will have one," said her husband.
"No; but I am well enough always. I've often felt under the weather, of course, but have always worked it off. There isn't a lazy bone in my body."
"If you were taken sick, the house would be handed over to the tender mercies of a servant. That fact, if no other, ought to make you prudent, and careful of your health," said Jack.
"And another thing; when we come in at night, you are completely tired out, and consequently depressed and often fretful. Now, if you husbanded your strength, you would feel bright and cheerful every evening. Women who work as you do, wear out before they reach middle age, or else go insane. Farmers' wives help largely to keep the insane asylums full. And it makes such a difference to a man whether his wife is glum and cross, or—"
"It seems to me," interrupted Emma, "that Jack has a great deal to say lately about wives. I hope he won't bring home one of those Hopson girls and ask me to welcome her."
"And why not?" asked Jack with a sudden flush.
"Your eyes ought to tell you why not," answered Emma, "their house is forever littered up with all sorts of trash. Books, newspapers, birds and plants scattered all around the best parlor, and no attempt to systematize the work of the house."
"The family is very large," said Jack, "and of course the girls can't keep things in such apple-pie order as you do. But they are all amiable and full of fun—it's a treat to go there."
"Less fun and more work would be better for the house," said Emma. "I don't mean to say that I ever saw soiled curtains there, or rusty knives, but there seems to be no system about the work. Now I should have each girl perform certain duties on certain days—"
"In short, make herself into a patent machine to go by regular winding," interrupted Jack. "Well, Emma, perhaps it is as well to tell you now as any time that I am engaged to Fanny Hopson, and we are to be married in May."
"Jack!"
It was all Emma could say, so shocked was she at this piece of news.
"Of course you pity me from the bottom of your heart," said Jack, "but no machine woman for me! I've had enough of systems, and I should hate Fanny if she followed me around to wipe up the tracks I made on the kitchen floor, or made a point of washing the windows at a certain hour on certain days of the week."
And with this parting shot Jack walked out of the room.
The first thing Emma did when the door closed, was to set Jack's chair in its own particular place against the wall, next to remark to her husband that she hoped Providence would interpose to save Jack from the certain misery which would be the result of a marriage with a girl who had no system about her.
One Monday morning Aaron rose as usual at day-break, and went out to attend to the chores. He left his wife asleep as he supposed, and was glad that she should have the rest, for she had complained of a severe headache the night before. He expected, however, to find her at work in the kitchen when he came in with the milk; but she was not there, and no preparation had been made for breakfast. Surprised and alarmed, he went upstairs to the bedroom.
"Are you sick, Emma?" he asked, going to the side of the bed.
She turned restlessly on her pillow, an anxious expression on her face.
"Don't throw away those soap suds," she said, "I want them to mop the floor when I get these clothes out."
Even in her delirium she knew the day of the week and washed as usual.
But the washings were done without her for many weeks to come. It was Fanny Hopson who took charge of the house, claiming it as her privilege to do so, and Jack and Aaron were only too glad to have her instead of an ignorant domestic. It is to be feared that the stove was not polished quite so often as it had been under Emma's reign, and the kitchen floor was not quite so white, but Jack and Aaron were made thoroughly comfortable in every way.
At last Mrs. Raynor was pronounced out of danger; but it was long before she was well. There were months of weary convalescence more trying than her dangerous illness had been; days when she could not hear a door closed without pain, and hour upon hour when she wept over the slightest jar to her quiet and calm. She had ample time to review her past, and recall to mind its many mistakes and follies; more time than she needed to become convinced that she had acted without wisdom or discretion; time to think of the wreck she had become through carrying out the system she had so thoroughly believed in; time to learn to loathe that system, and to resolve to be a different woman and a better wife should she ever regain her health.
She learned to love Fanny, who, in May, had quietly married Jack, and continued her duties as if nothing had occurred, and had long talks with her young sister-in-law to whom she confided her most sacred thoughts and desires.
In midsummer Jack and Fanny moved to a home of their own, and again Emma took in her hands the reigns of household government. But she had learned a lesson. Her long and expensive illness had taught her that she could not trifle with her health as she had done, and much thought during her convalescence had convinced her that she had no right to trifle with her husband's happiness either. Many things were now neglected, the performance of which had once been considered a sacred duty, and the servant whom Aaron had hired to help in the house was not dismissed for allowing the dust to gather occasionally on the kitchen mantel, or scolded roundly for inattention to the rainmarks on the window panes.
In short, the house on the old farm became truly a home to Aaron, and happiness reigned where once discontent had been king. No further lectures were needed from Jack; for Mrs. Raynor's system had taken wings to itself, and flown away forever.—The Household.

The Home Circle.

ROWING AGAINST THE TIDE.

It is easy to glide with the ripples Adown the stream of time, To flow with the course of the river, Like music to some old rhyme; But ah! it takes courage and patience Against its current to ride; And we must have strength from Heaven When rowing against the tide.
We may float on the river's surface While our oars scarce touch the stream, And visions of early glory On our dazzling sight may gleam; We forget that on before us The dashing torrents roar, And, while we are idly dreaming, Its waters will carry us o'er.
But a few—ah, would there were many!— Row up the "stream of life;" They struggle against its surges, And mind neither toil nor strife, Though weary and faint with labor, Singing triumphant, they ride; For Christ is the hero's Captain When rowing against the tide.
Far on through the hazy distance, Like a mist on a distant shore, They see the walls of a city, With its banner floating o'er. Seen through a glass so darkly They almost mistake their way; But faith throws light on their harbor, When darkness shuts out their day.
And shall we be one of that number Who mind no toil nor pain? Shall we mourn the loss of earthly joys When we have a crown to gain? Or shall we glide on with the river, With death at the end of our ride, While our brother, with Heaven before him, Is rowing against the tide?

ITEMS OF NEWS.

  • John Hopkins University has conferred the degree of LL.D. on President Hayes.
  • The N. Y. World says that Beecher has announced that he will complete his "Life of Christ."
  • Beecher is trying to get up a revival in Plymouth church, but with little prospect of success.
  • A telegram from Geneva says that if Sophie Pieoffski is condemned and executed, the Czar will perish.
  • The plague has appeared at Kufa, ninety miles south of Bagdad. The mortality in Wedjib is increasing.
  • It is estimated that $600,000 of specie were purchased in open market for America, March 23, in London.
  • We have the usual wail in the papers of impending war in Europe, but none of this is news. But it will come.
  • The emigration from Germany to America is so large that the steamship companies have to charter extra steamers.
  • The Sultan has sent a communication to his Egyptian agent, asking a contingent of Egyptian troops in event of war.
  • Russian proposals for arranging international measures for the extirpation of the Nihilists are favorably received in Berlin.
  • Gen. Grant has resigned the presidency of the World's Fair in New York. Other interests demand all his time and attention.
  • A Berlin correspondent of the London Times says that whole villages of Germany are preparing to emigrate to Illinois and Nebraska.
  • The Canadian Pacific Railroad, so far as completed, has cost $45,526,827, and during the last three years it was operated at a loss of almost $2,000,000.
  • Blaine has been printer, editor, and school-teacher. Postmaster-General James was once a printer. The type-case is fairly represented in the Cabinet.
  • Judge Treat, of the United States Court, has decided that the Singer sewing machine patents having expired, anybody can manufacture the machines.
  • The Thomas Corwin is now being fitted out for another Arctic cruise. She will leave about May 1st, with instructions to search for the Jeannette and the missing whalers.
  • An extensive forest fire is reported along the line of the Lehigh and Susquehannah Railroad to Pennsylvania, and between Attleboro and Mansfield, Mass.
  • A lady obtained a private audience with the Pope, and warned him that the day and hour were fixed for the murder of himself and Cardinal Peccie.
  • The farmers in Carson valley fear their crops will be destroyed the coming season by grasshoppers, as the land in that valley is covered with grasshopper eggs.
  • Track-laying has been commenced on the Oregon side of the Columbia River, above the Lower Cascades, on the O. R. & N. Co.'s line between Portland and The Dalles.
  • A railroad man of prominence estimates that at least eight thousand miles of new track will be laid in the United States and Mexico within the next twelve months.
  • Oscar de la Fayette, a grandson of Gen. La Fayette, one of the French representatives to the celebration at Yorktown, has been dangerously ill, and is now reported to be dead.
  • By a law recently passed, opium smoking is a misdemeanor in California, and three young men have been fined in Marysville $100 each, or 100 days in prison for the offense.
  • Virginia City, Nev., seems to be on the "down grade." There is a fissure reported "all along the side of Mt. Davidson, from Bullion ravine to Carson street," which has severed the water main and is increasing in size.
  • The Boers have accepted the British terms, including the cessation of war and the appointment of a Royal Commission. Peace is regarded as certain. England seems to have been guided by a spirit of justice in this case.
  • The latest news up to our going to press from the Union Pacific railroad is that the floods have not yet abated, the destruction is great, and the telegraph down where it cannot be reached, so that news from the flooded district is not full.
  • A report from Nice says: The Italian Opera House was burned March 22. The fire broke out at the beginning of the performance. The bodies of nearly one hundred persons who were suffocated were taken out, and it is known that over one hundred men and women perished in the flames.
  • An abolitionist banquet was held in Madrid, March 23, at which several Senators and Deputies, also Democrats and Radicals, and West Indian members were present, speeches were made insisting upon the urgent necessity of abolishing the species of slavery which is still continued in Cuba under another name.
  • Thomas M. Halpin, aged 58, and widely known as an Irish leader, died in Chicago, March 27. The deceased was Secretary of the Irish Confederation movement in 1843, and was associated with D'Arcy McGee in the publication of the New York Nation. He was a member of the Illinois Legislature from 1872 to 1876.
  • The feeling of disaffection grows in British Columbia. The resolutions of the Government concerning the Island Railway and providing for an appeal to the Queen, came before the House at Victoria, March 23. The Attorney-General made a speech in favor of the resolutions, and said the only recourse left the province was to appeal to the Queen.
  • The last steamer from Japan brought news of a great fire in Tokio on the 11th of February. It appears that there were consumed, in the short space of nine hours, or forty-four streets, 7416 houses, warehouses, etc. The destructions of these fearful conflagrations is very great. The fire of January 25th consumed about 10,000 houses, so that one-tenth of the city has been destroyed in two fires.
  • The spirit of lawlessness and murder is loose in the world. A correspondent says the petards in the recent explosion in Madrid were sprung at ten at night, when the streets were much crowded. One explosion near Alcala street, caused indescribable confusion, the people running away frantically. Arrests made, have led to the discovery of a large petard full of powder and glycerine, near the church of San Justo.
  • In Paris the editor of the Citoyen, has been sentenced to six months imprisonment and 2000 francs fine, and the manager of that journal to three months and 2000 francs fine; the editor of the Jouvenil to six months and 2000 francs, and the manager of the Revolution Sociale to same, and Rochefort and Del Pere, editor and manager of the Intransigeant, to 1000 francs each for articles applauding the assassination of the Czar.
  • The opening of the Arizona route to the East promises to give an impetus to business all along the line. A Kansas City special says: The first train from San Francisco over the Banana line arrived here this morning, in charge of Conductor Hallet. The train consisted of twelve cars. The coaches were all crowded and seventy-five through passengers were aboard. The run was the most remarkable on record, the train having left San Francisco on time, was on time at every station on the long line, 2300 miles, and arrived here on time. A large party of Chicago capitalists arrived here by the Chicago and Alton Road this morning, en route to New Mexico and Arizona, to invest in mines, and left this evening for the West on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Road.

RELIGIOUS PUBLICATIONS,

Published and for sale at this Office, and by "Review and Herald," Battle Creek, Mich.
History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week 101 the period of 6,000 years. By Eld. J. N. Andrews. 528 pp. $1.00
The Sanctuary and the 2300 Days of Dan. 8:14. By Elder U. Smith. This work explains the past Advent movement, and makes plain the present position of those who wait for the Lord. 352 pp. $1.00
Thoughts on Daniel, critical and practical. By Elder U. Smith. 384 pp. $1.00
Thoughts on Revelation. By Elder U. Smith. This work presents every verse in the book of Revelation with such remarks as serve to illustrate or explain the meaning of the text. 352 pp. $1.00
Life of Wm. Miller, with portrait. This book gives interesting sketches of the Christian life and public labors of this pioneer in the Advent movement in this country. 416 pp. $1.00
Life of Elder Joseph Bates, relating his experience of twenty-five years on ship-board, with incidents of his rise from cabin-boy to master and owner. The closing chapters relate to his labors in the ministry and in the cause of temperance and other moral reforms. Fine tint paper, 352 pp. $1.00
Life Sketches of Elder James and Mrs. E. G. White. The early lives and Christian experiences of both are given in this volume. Their subsequent history is so connected with the cause, that this book gives an outline of the rise and progress of our people and our cause. $1.00 With fine steel portraits of both. $1.25
Thrilling Incidents in the political Life of Francesco Urgos, while a soldier with Garibaldi, including his perilous escape from the tyrants of Rome, and his subsequent travels in Africa and Syria. 328 pp. $1.00
The Biblical Institute. This work contains a synopsis of the lectures given at the Battle Creek College by Elder U. Smith, and at Biblical Institutes. 352 pp. $1.00
The Nature and Destiny of Man. By Elder U. Smith. This work treats on the great questions of the condition of man in death, and his destiny beyond the resurrection. 356 pp. $1.00
The Spirit of Prophecy: or, the Great Controversy between Christ and his angels, and Satan and his angels, in four volumes. By Mrs. E. G. White. These volumes cover the time from the fall of Satan to the destruction of sin and sinners at the close of the one thousand years of Rev. 20. Each, 400 pp. $1.00 Vol. I. Old Testament Facts to Christ. $1.00 Vol. II. Life and Ministry of Christ. $1.00 Vol. III. The Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Christ, with the Lives of his Apostles. $1.00 Vol. IV. (In preparation.) $1.00
The Constitutional Amendment: A discussion between Elder W. H. Littlejohn and the editor of the Christian Statesman, on the Sabbath. 384 pp. $1.00
Spiritual Songs. A book of hymns and tunes. 537 hymns, 147 tunes, 416 pp. $1.00 Morocco, gilt. $1.50
The Song Anchor. A popular collection of songs for the Sabbath-school and praise service. 164 pp. 35 cts. Bound in muslin. 50 cts.
The Bible from Heaven. By Elder D. M. Canright. An argument to show that the Bible is not the work of men, but is in deed and in truth the work of God. 300 pp. 80 cts.
The Soul and the Resurrection, showing the Harmony of Science and the Bible on the Nature of the Soul and the Doctrine of the Resurrection. By J. H. Kellogg, M. D. 75 cts.
The United States in the Light of Prophecy: or, an exposition of Rev. 13: 11-17. By Elder U. Smith. Dealing with our own land and applying to our time. Of surpassing interest to every American reader. 200 pp. 40 cts.
Thoughts on Baptism. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. The subject viewed in the light of the Bible and History. 186 pp. Bound in flexible cloth. 35 cts. Paper covers. 25 cts.
A Word for the Sabbath; or false theories exposed. A poem, by Elder U. Smith. 60 pp. 30 cts. Glazed paper covers. 15 cts.
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TRACTS.—32 pages, 4 cents each. Redemption—The Second Advent—The Sufferings of Christ—The Present Truth—Origin and Progress of S. D. Adventists—The Celestial Railroad—The Seventh Part of Time—Ten Commandments not Abolished—The Two Covenants—Address to the Baptists—The Two Thrones—Spiritualism a Satanic Delusion—Samuel and the Witch of Endor—The Third Message of Rev. 14.
TRACTS.—24 pages, 3 cents each. The Second Message of Rev. 14—Who Changed the Sabbath?—The Lost-Time Question—Scripture References—The End of the Wicked—Indel Cavils Considered—The Pocasset Tragedy—Sabbath.
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AN ERROR CORRECTED.

A FRIEND in Edinburgh, as well as one in Maldon, England, calls attention to an item in the SIGNS published some time ago, copied from another paper, the item commencing thus: "An exchange says," etc., giving statistics of various matters. Among other things it says the salary of the Bishop of London is £50,000, whereas in fact it is only £10,000. The question is then asked, "Where is the authority?"
Our reply is, We do not know. We do not know to what "exchange" the paper referred from which we copied. In such cases we do as editors generally do,—copy items from other papers which, if correct in some respects, and containing nothing apparently improbable, we do not stop to verify in every particular. But we are always pleased to be corrected, and shall make speedy acknowledgement when corrected.
We can easily imagine how the error was made; £10,000 is nearly $50,000. The pound mark has been substituted for the sign of the dollar by somebody—by whom we do not know.
Our friendly correspondent says:—
"Your exchange, on England, gives figures as to crime in London, which are apparently equally correct. But even supposing them to be substantially true, they do not prove that the 'Modern Babylon' is a whit worse than any of the large towns of the old or new world. A poor consolation, I allow."
So we think. But the largest cities always appear at disadvantage in these statistical records. Still, for an enlightened nation, claimed to be first in the list as a Christian nation, the condition of London is anything but gratifying. Our friend adds:—
"Perhaps you could kindly let your readers know the statistics of crime in New York, and the salary of Dr. H. W. Beecher."
We do not feel flattered by comparing the state of morals in New York, or in San Francisco, with that of any other part of the world. It was not to make any such comparison that the item was published. We understand that the salary of H. W. Beecher is about half as much as that of the Bishop of London, and about five times as much as he would receive if he taught a theology more scriptural and less pleasing to the popular "liberal" sentiment of this degenerate age.

MEETINGS IN CALIFORNIA.

SINCE the arrival of Eld. Corliss a series of meetings has been, and is still being, held in Oakland, with good results. There is a marked increase of religious interest in the church and in the Sabbath-school. The school has grown the present quarter so that its membership is over two hundred. Some very interesting cases of conversion have greatly encouraged us all.
Last Sabbath the "resident editor" attended meeting in San Francisco. The meeting was good, and in some respects of special interest to us. More than one were ready to testify that "God is good to Israel."
Eld. Healey and others are advertised to commence tent meetings in Los Angeles, April 1.
Elders Haskell and Rice are in Tulare county.
We must express our gratification with the condition of things as we find them at the office of the SIGNS on our return from the East.

OUR WEEKLIES.

WE wish to say a word to all lovers of present truth in behalf of the Review and Herald. It is the church paper of the denomination, and should be in the house of every Seventh-day Adventist. It contains information which no one can afford to dispense with. It should not be superseded by the Signs in any household, as the object and place of the two papers are quite different. Not different in respect to publishing and advocating the great doctrine of the Lord's coming according to Rev. 14, for both do this. But the Signs is not specially a church paper, but a pioneer paper, published under the auspices of the Tract and Missionary Society. Between these papers there can never be any rivalry; the providence and Spirit of God has clearly assigned to each its place in this great work, and they who wish to work in the cause, and keep pace with its progress, want both the Signs and Review. We hope our ministers and tract workers will not cease their efforts until the Review is in every family where the faith is professed.
We are not speaking this specially for the Pacific coast, though we do mean this. We are informed by the ministers that there are many families of believers in the Eastern States where the Review is not taken. We remember years in the past when this was not so. Every one who loved the truth, loved and read our church paper. Would that we might speedily see that time again.

A GOOD ONE.

The Christian at Work hits the nail squarely in the following short paragraph:—
"If, as the Advance says, no one of the Ten Commandments has ever been modified, how comes it that the Christian church to-day observes the first instead of 'the seventh day . . . the Sabbath of the Lord thy God'? Or is the Advance a seventh-day journal?"
The light is spreading so fast, and attention is being called to the truth so extensively, that this slip-shod method of sliding round the fourth commandment cannot escape notice. Has one of the ten commandments been modified? If so, by whom? If one, why not all? If not, are not the churches of the age occupying a very unenviable position? Where are they that keep the commandments of God? Rev. 14:12.

READ AND REPORT.

TO CHURCH OFFICERS.

I SEND you this week your regular quarterly blanks, with some important additions. Let them be carefully filled out within the week following the quarterly meeting, or as soon thereafter as consistent. We hope to hear from every church and company of Sabbath-keepers at the specified time. Report as fully as possible. If any fail to get their blanks in season, drop me a line, and I will immediately forward them.

THE NORTH PACIFIC CAMP-MEETING FOR 1881.

It has been fully decided by the Executive Committee of this Conference to hold our camp-meeting this year the last week in the month of June. It will commence on the evening of the 22d and close the morning of the 28th. The place of the meeting will be at Cornelius, Washington county. There is a fine grove at this place, and it will take but a small amount of work to make the location every way pleasant for our yearly convocation. We hope that all our brethren and sisters will make a special effort to attend. More particulars will be given soon. I. D. VAN HORN.

MUSICAL MESSENGER

The second number of the Musical Messenger has come to our table. It is enlarged to a 12-page journal, and contains more music than the first number. It is published in Battle Creek, Mich., by J. E. White, the publisher of the Song Anchor, with which many of our readers are so well acquainted. Price only 50 cents a year.

KALLOCH ACQUITTED.

AFTER an unusually long trial in a San Francisco court, the jury pronounced I. M. Kalloch not guilty of the murder of Charles de Young. Not satisfied with this travesty of justice, the friends of Kalloch took the horses from the hack in which he was riding to his home, and attaching a long rope, drew the hack themselves, with acclamations of triumph. The papers of the country, east and west, speak of the transaction in terms of the deepest condemnation, and as a disgrace to San Francisco. It is a triumph of the same element by the aid of which Denis Kearney held the city in dread for so many months. There was not the shadow of an excuse for this shooting on the ground of avenging the assault made on the elder Kalloch, as De Young's trial for that was set for the week following his death.
We think the present jury system is utterly at fault, by which people who have intelligence sufficient to read the papers are rejected from service. An upright, intelligent citizen, who has carefully read every word which has been published in the newspapers, may be the best prepared to analyze the evidence, and give a verdict according to the facts presented in court.
But words are idle now. The deed is done, and its influence upon society in its estimate of the value of human life it is impossible to stay. We have been able to maintain a calm complacency over the whole transaction by reading the 37th Psalm.

TO MEMBERS.

It is expected that you will bring your tithes with you to the quarterly meeting on Sunday, and hand to your S. B. Treasurer. Those who have conscientiously laid aside the "tithe and offerings" of that with which "God hath prospered" them, every first day of the week, as instructed in Matt. 23:23; 1 Cor. 16:1-3, will be ready to pay it in to the general treasury of the Conference. Says the Apostle, "None of us liveth to himself." On you, my brethren, depends in a great measure the faithfulness of your officers to report at the proper time. In order to make out their report they need yours. "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much."
J. D. RICE, Sec. Cal. Conf.
P.S. My address is, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
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