p. 36 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 9, No. 3. (1/18/1883)

A Prize Fight in a Church

By Editor

AN event occurred last week in San Francisco, the like of which probably was never seen before in the United States. It was nothing less than a prize fighting exhibition in the Metropolitan Temple, the largest church in the city. The house was crowded with all classes of persons who were able and willing to pay two dollars apiece to witness the “manly” sport. The contestants occupied the minister’s platform, over the baptistry, and the regular organist enlivened the intervals by playing jigs upon the organ devoted to church music. Meanwhile the members of the church, part of them at least, were engaged in prayer-meeting in one of the rooms below. We are happy to state to the honor of the Baptists of California that this church and pastor are not indorsed by the body.

Appointments.

By Charles L. Boyd

The next quarterly meeting of the N. P. T. and M. Society will be held at Beaverton, Oregon, Feb. 2-4. Officers and all interested workers are invited to attend. Instruction in this important work will be given. Let us all seek a special fitting up by an unction from on high. Charles L. Boyd.

A Letter.

By Roswell Fenner Cottrell

DEAR SIGNS: I congratulate you on the providence of God that has so controlled events that for the present, at least, you can pursue your work of warning the world, and gathering into the truth a people made ready for the glorious coming of our blessed Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

I was refreshed by the presence of your representatives at the late General Conference, at Rome, N. Y. It was cheering to see the veterans in the work, and hear their voices in counsel, and to hear them express their courage and steadfastness in the cause. I thank God that he has servants in this cause that have no other intention than to fight the good fight till the war is ended. I too desire a humble share in this work while life shall last, or till the Lord shall return.

Thus far the Lord has led us, and I have no intention to desert from this service, but am selfish enough to desire that when you receive the victor's crown, to have also the enduring crown of endless life. The apostle tells us it is not alone for him, but for all them also that love the appearing of Christ. Courage then in the Lord! A little while longer to toil, a few more struggles, a short and sharp persecution, and then it is everlasting glory—a life enduring, and free from sin and woe.

This is the object of my hope; and to the end that God may be glorified in our salvation, and men may be saved as the result of our efforts, my highest ambition is to have a part in this work till the time of resting shall come. Yours truly, R. F. COTTRELL.

California Sunday Law.

THE treatment which this law will receive at the hands of the Legislature, may be inferred from the following paragraph from Governor Stoneman's first message to that body:—

"For many years Sections 299, 300 and 301 of the Penal Code, commonly called the "Sunday Law," have been on our statute books. Under slightly varying forms this law has been in existence in this State during the major portion of the past quarter of a century. Now and then spasmodic efforts have been made to enforce it, but without success. In every contest before the courts the condition of public opinion has been shown by the fact that the law has been practically placed on trial, and not the particular defendant at the bar. In cases where the testimony adduced has been conclusive that the alleged offense has been committed juries have almost uniformly refused to convict—a state of facts never before observed with reference to any other portion of our criminal jurisprudence. Such is the condition of the sections above cited. It is unwise to cumber the statute books with an enactment which experience has proven cannot be enforced. The result at the late election, by an emphatic indorsement of the attitude of the now dominant party on this important subject, makes our duty in the premises perfectly clear. We all concede that those sections of our codes which provide for certain holidays and non-judicial days are essential to happiness and health. The repeal of the Sunday Law will in nowise interfere with the permanency or effect of our civil legislation in the matter of a day of rest, nor is there any disposition to disturb those penal enactments which are intended to protect religious assemblages from all unseemly interference."

Several petitions have already been sent in against the repeal of the Sunday Law.

The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, for 1883.

By Editor

THIS paper entered upon its sixtieth volume with the new year, and under auspices the most favorable for a continued career of usefulness. The various departments which have given the paper a position among the best in the land in the past will be maintained, with several additions which will still further increase its value and usefulness. The paper will contain, from week to week, the best thoughts of the best writers, on subjects of thrilling interest and importance. Its publishers, editors, and contributors, being profoundly impressed that the paper has a specific field to occupy, and a special message to give to the world, will devote to the topics upon which they treat, the study and thought to which their importance entitles them. The events almost daily transpiring in the civil and ecclesiastical world are big with momentous importance as bearing upon the interests of the people of God in the immediate future. The Review and Herald will undertake not only to faithfully chronicle such events as they occur, but will seek to discover their significance in their relation to the present and future, as indicated in the prophetic Scriptures. In response to the oft-repeated query, "Watchman, what of the night?" it will endeavor to give the trumpet no uncertain sound, but will seek to "discern the signs of the times," and discriminate between light and darkness. In short, it is the purpose of the publishers to make it just such a paper as every thoughtful, candid person will delight to read. To further extend its already large circulation, they make the following liberal

PREMIUM OFFER:

For $2.50, the Review and Herald for one year, and a copy of the valuable work, "Biblical Institute."

The subscription price of the paper being two dollars, the inducement offered the subscriber is a splendid dollar book for 50 cents.

The "Biblical Institute" is a volume of 325 pages. It contains the substance of Eld. Smith's Biblical lectures in Battle Creek College before the class of theological students, constituting a brief but complete bird's-eye view of the principal points of faith cherished by S. D. Adventists, and the Scriptural reasons on which they are based. The subjects are clearly presented, in a way to make them plain to the investigating mind, with ample citations of texts for study in case the reader wishes to pursue his inquiries.

CHOICE OF BOOKS.

Should the subscriber prefer, he may receive on the same terms, a copy of "Conybeare and Howson's Life and Epistles of St. Paul," a valuable work, retailed at the same price.

Sample copy of the paper sent free on application.

Address, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich., or, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

MAGNIFICENT PREMIUM OFFER WITH THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES FOR 1883.

By Editor

The Publishers desire to add several thousand new subscribers to their lists during the next six months, and to that end, make the following LIBERAL OFFER.

To each New Subscriber we will furnish THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES one year with a copy of Conybeare and Howson's LIFE AND EPISTLES OF ST. PAUL, FOR $2.25.

This magnificent book offered as a premium is widely known as a work of profound learning and extensive research. It is clearly written and intensely interesting.

Ours is a new and popular edition printed from new plates upon tinted paper. It is substantially and elegantly bound, and sells for One Dollar.

We have been largely influenced in our decision to use the Life of St. Paul as a premium for 1883, by the fact that the Sabbath-school lessons for the coming year will be principally upon the subjects treated so ably in this work. Thus making it a most useful book for every Sabbath-school scholar and teacher.

On account of the value and expense of this book, this is the best premium offer we have ever made.

TO OUR OLD SUBSCRIBERS.

To each one of our old patrons who will renew his subscription before March 1, 1883, and send us four new subscribers, we will also send free, by mail, a copy of the premium book.

CHOICE OF PREMIUMS.

If any one prefers a copy of "Geikie's Life of Christ" or "The revised New Testament" (Harper's Brevier Edition), instead of the Life and Epistles of St. Paul, we will furnish them at the same rates whenever it is requested.

Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

FOR regular Signs prospectus, see preceding page.