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Signs of the Times, Vol. 6, No. 17.

General Articles
Earlier text: THE SIN OF WITCHCRAFT. (Continued.)

KASOTA, MINNESOTA.

By William B. Hill

AFTER the Medford Institute, I spent about one week with the brethren here. All were steadfast in the truth. Two more signed the covenant. Last Sabbath we completed the organization of the Sabbath-school, which now numbers thirty-three members. If the brethren are faithful to their high calling, God will add others to their number. W. B. Hill.

LABORERS WANTED.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

OUR Christianity is manifested by works. Those embracing it have before them two distinct objects. These objects blend in one harmonious action. It should be a distinct object of the Christian to be Christ-like in character. Our spirit should be molded by the truth of God accompanied by His Spirit. And, in proportion as we are partakers of Christ's Spirit, we become anxious to carry forward the work of Christ on the earth. Therefore the do-nothing system is no part of the Christian religion.
God had a definite object in committing the gospel to mankind, and there should be a united action on the part of the Christians to carry out this object. Every man, woman, and child, should take hold of the work. There is now opportunity to do something. The way is all open. Subscribers should be obtained for our periodicals. Our pioneer sheet should be placed in the hands of those who wish to read. If we do not do this work it is simply because the will is lacking on our part, and if the will is lacking what does it show but that we are not converted?
The first impulse and the abiding principle of a converted soul is to help his fellows, and tell what the Lord has done for him. In this way the gospel began. After Jesus, the great shepherd, had come down to give his life a ransom for the world. John pointed him out to two of his disciples as the Lamb of God. They followed him. One of these was Andrew, and he first went to his brother, Simon Peter, and brought him to Jesus. The next day Jesus found Phillip and enlisted him in his service. And the first work of Phillip was to hunt up Nathanael and bring him in.
So it has been and so it must be. Those who have been recipients of the truth must make it known to others. He who sits idly by and sees his fellow men going down to ruin, without an effort to save them, is not cultivating the Spirit of Christ, and is not preparing to enter the joy of the Lord.
"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as stars forever and ever."
Shall we let the present opportunities pass, and the stars we might secure fade from our crowns of rejoicing, and the crowns themselves recede from our reach, and life and all its joys be lost forever? You answer, No; but the answer to be effectual must be not in words only, but in works also.
"O God, my inmost soul convert, And deeply on my thoughtful heart, Eternal things impress, Cause me to feel their solemn weight, And tremble on the brink of fate, And wake to righteousness." S. N. HASKELL.

God All in All

We should give God the same place in our hearts, that he holds in the universe. We must make him all in all.

BENNIE.

No one thought of calling it "The Elms," or "The Oaks," or "The willows," although the little stream running through the farm was fringed with willows, while elms of a century's growth adorned the meadows, and the adjacent hills were crowned with gigantic oaks. It was just the old homestead, dear to the heart of every child born to share of its possessions.
Eight sons and daughters had been here nurtured and educated, to go forth and play their part in the great drama of life. Of these, one remained at home to care for father and mother, and till the broad acres which constituted their whole material wealth.
People said it was strange there should be such a diversity of gifts in the same family; but there was not one characteristic which the parents did not trace back to some ancestor personally or traditionally known.
The fairest face was like to that of an old portrait treasured as a precious heirloom. The oldest son, winning fame and more substantial rewards for eloquent appeals and powerful argument, had a double claim to the name of one of the old colonial lawyers. There was "the doctor," whose dower of medical and surgical skill might have been transmitted from one of the first physicians of the old time. The merchant emulated the example of another merchant whose East India ventures had brought him immense profits. There was also a sweet singer and player upon instruments, especially delighting in the legendary history of a kins-woman who had enchanted all who heard her by the melody of her voice and the witchery of her fingers.
But, alas! there was a taint in the blood, manifesting itself from time to time in the recklessness and dissipation of some members of the family. Their names were spoken with bated breath and the hearts they had broken gave few signs of the agony endured, yet they were never forgotten. They were the brightest and bravest of all, but they had fallen before an enemy as insidious as it is deadly.
"We have five boys. Pray God the curse may pass them by," said the noble mother to her husband when these boys were all resting securely in their home.
"Amen," was responded fervently.
"We must pray, and labor, and trust. I have no fear of Richard, or Daniel, or Thomas, or William. They are true and firm whatever principle is at stake."
"Bennie is tenderest of them all," the mother hastened to say, as if reassuring herself. "He is a dear, handsome boy, and if he does wrong he is quick to confess it and ask forgiveness."
"Yes, wife, he has a tender heart, and we can trust him in God's keeping. If he would be contented to settle down with us here, he wouldn't have so many temptations; but he'll be sure to want to go to the city. He can make his way there, too, and make friends, if—"
"Don't speak it, husband. I can't bear to doubt one of my boys. I don't suppose I love my boys better than other mothers love theirs, but I can't feel for others as I do for myself. They must bide their time, and I must bide mine, but may God save Bennie!"
Forty years went by. The husband and father died, but the mother still lived, with faculties unimpaired and mother-love undimmed. The moth of roses would witness her eightieth birthday. Children and grandchildren were summoned to celebrate the occasion, and their hearty responses testified to the warmth of affection she had inspired. When the long-looked-for day arrived she was like a queen receiving the homage of loyal and loving subjects.
But there was one missing. Bennie, the tenderest of them all and the first to acknowledge a fault, had died many years before, leaving a wife and son, the latter then too young to realize the loss which had fallen upon them. He had not seen much of his grandmother. They had met only during brief visits, when the novelty of country life had absorbed his whole attention. But he was now fast growing to manhood, and naturally thought more of his father and his father's home.
His mother, who had remained a widow, and whom recent losses of property had compelled to think seriously of the future of herself and son, was glad to leave the surroundings of fashion and gayety to which she had been all her life accustomed. So she came and sat at the feet of one who both counselled and consoled her.
"It is better for Amos to depend on himself than to have a fortune put in his hands," said the old lady tenderly. "I don't know but you'll think hard of me for it, but I was ready to thank the Lord when I knew the bank had failed that you had so much money in. Richard says there's enough for you, and Amos don't need it; he don't, dear;" and a wrinkled hand was laid lovingly upon the up-turned brow of her daughter-in-law.
"But I don't think of myself, mother; it is for Amos I wish to do so much. He is the only link between me and my husband, and it seems to me that never another woman loved her husband as I loved mine."
"I know you loved my Bennie, dear, and he loved you; and your boy is like what mine was at his age, only mine was brought up to work on a farm, and yours was brought up in the city without work."
"It was not necessary for Amos to work. There was enough for us both and my father was glad to provide for us."
"Yes, dear, but your boy needs the discipline of work. I don't want to hurt your feelings, but my Bennie had one failing. It troubled you, dear, as it did me, and I've worried for fear Amos would be like his father about liquor. As far back as we can go in my husband's family, there's always been one hard drinker in every generation. Sometimes there's been more, but always one, and it seems strange it should be—it's been them that might done the best if it hadn't been for drinking. I never told you of this before, but I thought the right time had come to put you on your guard."
"I knew my husband's weakness and I thought about it; it troubled me a little sometimes," said the younger woman hesitatingly; "but I never feared that he would dishonor himself or neglect me. I know he never would have abused me."
"I am thankful he never did, dear. He was generous and loving."
"And so is Amos, mother. He has been my comfort all these years."
"And I hope he will be your comfort as long as he lives. But I tremble for you both sometimes. He don't know what 'tis to deny himself much that he wants."
"No, mother, he don't; it has been a pleasure to me to gratify his wishes. I never thought he needed to be taught self-denial. I have trusted his father, and I have trusted him. Perhaps I have indulged him too much. His Uncle Richard might have done better for him than I have, but I intended to do right. Please talk to him, mother; he reverences you, and you can have great influence over him."
Amos was the favorite nephew and cousin, strikingly like his father, and proud of the resemblance; yet Richard Stanwood knew of grave irregularities committed by his father when under the influence of intoxicating drinks. There were business deficits, also, which had been concealed from the public, while brothers and sisters had contributed of their means to replace the funds squandered by his extravagance. They had done this without the knowledge of their mother, but she knew enough of this son's career to cause her much sorrow.
So far as possible his wife had been spared all loss of confidence in her husband, but she was now plainly warned of the danger which seemed imminent.
"What shall I do for Amos to make sure that he will continue temperate?" asked Mrs. Benjamin Stanwood after a long silence, in which she reviewed many events now invested with a new significance. "Some of his young friends have taken a pledge never to taste even a drop of wine, or ale, or beer; but when my father was alive he ridiculed such pledges as foolish and unmanly. It dosen't seem to me possible that Amos needs to be bound by any promises in regard to the use of wine."
"I think he does need it, dear; I should feel safer about him. My Bennie needed to take such a pledge, but when he was young, folks didn't understand about it as well as they do now, and wine wa'n't reckoned with rum and brandy. Such a pledge would have saved my boy. If he'd put his name to it, he'd kept it; he wouldn't break his word."
"No more would Amos; he says his word shall be as good as his bond. He is a truthful boy."
"I'm glad of it. Then if he'd sign the total abstinence pledge he'd be safe. I wish every one of my children and grandchildren would sign it."
"Tell them so, mother; now is the very time. No one will refuse to grant you the favor."
"Then write the pledge, dear, and I will do what I can."
When this was presented a murmur of surprise passed from lip to lip, and there were several not quite prepared to bind themselves to such abstinence; but it was mother's birthday, and she had a right to expect compliance with her requests. One after another affixed their names, cheerfully or reluctantly, yet all with an earnest purpose.
Amos kept himself in the back-ground, thus revealing his unwillingness to sign the pledge, and at the same time betraying his need of so doing. His was the very last signature, and, having written it in bold characters, he said with sharp emphasis, while tears filled his eyes:—
"Grandmother, that was the hardest of anything you could have asked me to do; but now I have taken the pledge, I will keep it, and may God help me!"—M. D. Chellis in Nat. Temp. Adv.

The Home Circle.

GEMS.

EARTH hath its gems around! Creatures through ether winging, Flowers in glory springing, Dew-drops upon the ground; Sparks of the waterfall, insect's wings— Ay! and a million of beautiful things!
Sea hath its gems below! In grottos, to man forbidden, Marvelous treasures are hidden— Pearls and coralines grow; Deep and dark in the tombs of the wave, Jewels are hung in the palace and cave!
Heaven hath its gems above! Look! for its arch exalted With planets and stars is vaulted, Oh, what spirits may rove— Gems of the soul—through scenes like these, Learning eternity's mysteries!

BUSINESS MAXIMS.

PAY as you go. Cash makes many friends.
What is worth doing at all is worth doing well.
Make yourself master of your calling, whatever it may be.
Think nothing too small to claim your attention and nothing too great for your endeavor, which in any way concerns your success.
Know at all times the exact state of your affairs. You can only do so by keeping accurate account.
Cultivate good manners and always treat the poor as well as the rich, courteously.
Don't wait for business to come to you—it must be sought.
Of two investments choose the safest, rather than the one which promises large dividends.
Interest is a moth with a very capacious stomach.

Serve God in Common Actions

By Spurgeon

I HAVE no faith in that woman who talks grace and glory abroad and uses no soap at home. Let the buttons be on the shirt, let the children's socks be mended, let the roast beef be done to a turn, let the house be as clean as a new pin, let the home be as happy as can be, and there will be room for those little deeds of love and faith which, in my Master's name, I seek for you who love His appearing. Serve God by doing common actions in a heavenly spirit, and then, if your daily calling only leaves you cracks and crevices of time, fill these up with holy service. To use the Apostle's words: "As we have an opportunity let us do good unto all men."—Spurgeon.

Four Kinds of Readers

Four Kinds of Readers. — Coleridge says that there are four kinds of readers. The first is like the hour-glass; and their reading being as the sand, it runs in and runs out, and leaves not a vestige behind. A second is like the sponge, which imbibes everything, and returns it in nearly the same state, only a little dirtier. A third is like a jelly-bag, allowing all that is pure to pass away, and retaining only the refuse and dregs. And the fourth is like the slaves in the diamond mines of Golconda, who, casting aside all that is worthless, retains only pure gems. Make it a rule to read a little every day, even if it be but a single sentence.

BATTLE CREEK SANITARIUM.

By John Harvey Kellogg

Institution Founded 1866......4000 Patients Successfully Treated.
THIS INSTITUTION, for completeness of appointment, and extent of facilities, is unrivalled in this country. Its splendid arrangements for HEATING AND VENTILATION, together with special appliances for regulating the humidity of the atmosphere, makes this Institution UNEQUALED AS A WINTER RESORT FOR CHRONIC INVALIDS.
Even persons suffering with pulmonary difficulties do much better here than in Florida.
All known useful remedies for disease are employed, including Turkish, Russian, Vapor, Electro-Thermal, Electro-Vapor, all kinds of Water Baths, Sun Baths, Swedish Movements, Electricity, etc., etc.
Terms very reasonable. J. H. KELLOGG, M. D., Medical Superintendent.
Address for Circulars:—SANITARIUM, Battle Creek, Mich.

BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, AND TRACTS

ISSUED BY THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION, AND FOR SALE AT THIS OFFICE.

The Sanctuary and the 2300 Days of Daniel 8:14. By Elder U. Smith. This question has developed the people known as Seventh-day Adventists, and is the pivotal doctrine upon which their applications of prophecy largely depend. 352 pp. $1.00
Thoughts on Daniel, critical and practical. By Elder U. Smith. An exposition of the book of Daniel, verse by verse. 384 pp. 1.00
Thoughts on Revelation. By Elder U. Smith. With notes or remarks on every verse in the book of Revelation. 352 pp. 1.00
Life of Wm. Miller, with portrait. Interesting sketches of the life and public labors of this pioneer in the Advent movement in this country. 416 pp. 1.00
The Biblical Institute. A synopsis of the lectures given at the Institute held at Oakland, Cal., April, 1877, covering the main points of our faith. 352 pp. 1.00
History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week, for the period of 6,000 years. By Elder J. N. Andrews. This is a work of unusual interest, prepared with great care, and is full of historical and Scriptural facts. 528 pp. 1.00
The Nature and Destiny of Man. By Elder U. Smith. This work treats on the conditions of man in death, and his final destiny. 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 Revelation 20. Each 400 pp.—
Vol. I. Old Testament facts to Christ. Vol. II. Life and Ministry of Christ. Vol. III. The Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Christ, with the Lives of His Apostles. Vol. IV. (In preparation). Each, 1.00
Life of Elder Joseph Bates, with portrait. 352 pp. 1.00
The Bible from Heaven. By Elder D. M. Canright. An argument to show that the Bible is not the work of men, but is of God. 300 pp. 80 cts. Revised edition (in preparation). 1.00
The Constitutional Amendment. A Discussion between Elder W. H. Littlejohn and the editor of the Christian Statesman, on the Sabbath. 1.00
Spiritual Songs. A choice collection of hymns and tunes. 416 pp. 1.00
Song Anchor, for Sabbath-school and Praise Service. By J. E. White. A new book, with excellent new words and music. 164 pp. Per hundred, $30.00. Single copies, 35 cts
The Two Laws, as set forth in both Testaments. By Elder D. M. Canright. 104 pp. 15 cts
The Sunday Seventh-day Examined. A refutation of the teachings of Mede, Jennings, Akers and Fuller. By Elder J. N. Andrews. 88 pp. 10 cts
The Seven Trumpets. An exposition of the subject as set forth in the 8th and 9th chapters of the Revelation. 96 pp. 10 cts
Refutation of the Age to Come. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. A most decisive refutation of the view that men may find pardon after the Saviour has closed his work in the Sanctuary above. 168 pp. 20 cts
The Morality of the Sabbath. By Elder D. M. Canright. A complete refutation of a common objection against the Sabbath. 96 pp. 15 cts
The Resurrection of the Unjust. A vindication of the doctrine. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 100 pp. 15 cts
A Word for the Sabbath, or False Theories Exposed. A poem. By Elder U Smith. 60 pp. 15 cts
The Ministration of Angels, and the Origin, History and Destiny of Satan. By Elder D. M. Canright. 144 pp. 20 ct
Sermon on the Two Covenants. By Elder J. N. Andrews. An able argument on an important subject. 48 pp. 10 cts
Vindication of the True Sabbath. By Elder J. W. Morton, formerly missionary of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, to Hayti. 68 pp. 10 cts
Redeemer and Redeemed. By Elder James White. This work sets forth the plan of redemption in its three stages. 40 pp. 10 cts
The Second Advent. Manner, object, and nearness of the event. 32 pp. 4 cts
The Sufferings of Christ. A most graphic and touching description of what the world's Redeemer has suffered for us; calculated to incite every one to new devotion and consecration to the cause of Christ. 32 pp. 4 cts
The Present Truth. Showing that every age has a truth applicable to it alone, and what is the present truth of this generation. 32 pp. 4 cts
The Seventh-day Adventists. A sketch of their origin, progress, principles, etc. 32 pp 4 cts
The United States in the Light of Prophecy. An exposition of Revelation 13: 11-17. By Elder U. Smith. Applying to our own land and time, this prophecy possesses surpassing interest for every American reader. 200 pp. 50 cts. Paper covers, 25 cts
Thoughts on Baptism. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. A careful examination of the subject of Christian baptism in the light of history and the Bible. It presents strong arguments against the notion of trine immersion. 186 pp. Bound in flexible cloth, 35 cts. Paper covers, 25 cts
The Spirit of God, its Gifts and Manifestations to the end of the Christian age. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 144 pp. 15 cts
The Three Messages of Revelation 14: 6-12; particularly the third angel's message and the two-horned beast. By Elder J. N. Andrews. 144 pp. 15 cts
Systematic Benevolence. Setting forth the Bible plan of giving for the support of the ministry. 64 pp. 10 cts
The Nature and Tendency of Modern Spiritualism. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. A thorough exposure of Spiritualism; application of the Scriptures, and copious extracts from a library of Spiritualist publications. 184 pp. 20 cts
Matthew Twenty-four. A clear and forcible exposition of our Lord's discourse upon the Mount of Olives. By Elder James White. 64 pp. 10 cts
The Truth Found. The nature and obligation of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 64 pp. 10 cts
Christ and the Sabbath: or, Christ in the Old Testament and the Sabbath in the New. By Elder James White. 56 pp. 10 cts
The Atonement. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. An examination of a remedial system in the light of nature and revelation. 168 pp. 20 cts
Our Faith and Hope. Sermons on the Coming and Kingdom of Christ. By Elder James White. 182 pp. 25 cts
Redemption. The fall and its results, and the methods by which we are brought back to the favor of God and to immortality. 32 pp. 4 cts

ITEMS OF NEWS.

-A fire at Jacksonville, Ill., April 30, destroyed two entire blocks.
-Postmaster General Key, has been appointed to a Judgeship.
-A piercing cold wind, and blinding snow storm prevailed in Ottawa, Ontario, April 30.
-A dispatch of May 2, says: "Two large hotels at Battle Creek, Mich., were burned yesterday."
-Memorial Hall at the Dayton, Ohio, Soldier's Home, was burned May 2. It will be rebuilt.
-The English training ship, Atalanta, is given up for lost. She carried 11 officers, and 300 young men.
-Politics are mixed. An unusual amount of bickering over rival candidates is going on in the two parties.
-Bismarck's physicians have at last compelled his retirement from business on account of his failing health.
-Accounts from Afghanistan are considered very favorable to the English, but they are not altogether consistent.
-The town of Keytesville, Mo., was consumed by fire April 19. A fierce gale spread the fire in every direction.
-Grace Methodist Episcopal church of New York was burned May 2. The fire is supposed to have been incendiary.
-Two boilers exploded at the Tod furnace on Briar Hill, near Youngstown, Ohio, April 30, killing two men, and wounding five.
-The supreme court of Illinois decides favorably to the board of education directing the reading of the Bible in the public schools.
-The German South Sea Trading Company are taking steps to wind up their affairs, because the government refuses to grant a subsidy.
-Seventy houses were recently burned at Rodoanyal, Russia, and one hundred and thirty at Nemeroff; more than 200 families are homeless.
-A Catholic paper in writing about the Catholics and the Ritualists of the English church, heads the the article "Papacy and Apacy."
-The coal mines at Belleville, Ill., have been closed in consequence of the dictatorial conduct of the miners. The Governor has sent the sheriff to preserve order.
-A Paris dispatch of April 30, to the London Daily News says: Wheat has declined considerably, and the position of the American and French Corn Syndicate is considered precarious.
-President McCosh says only four graduates of the one thousand during his connection with the Princeton College were skeptics, and three of them have now become preachers of the Gospel.
-An emphatic denial is given to the story that foreign Jews are being expelled from Russia. On the contrary, the regulations against the residence of Jews in several provincial towns have been suspended.
-Gladstone has been made Premier of England in spite of the Queen's well-known coolness toward him. So strong is the expression of the popular will in the kingdom. His cabinet is considered a very strong one.
-The leading grain circular of Liverpool, April 30, says: "The grain trade during the past week has been dull and lifeless, with an almost entire cessation of demand. The improving tendency recorded last week has entirely disappeared."
-The New York daily Witness, the only daily religious paper in the world, has suspended, died, for want of patronage. The Independent says it was a paper having only piety and not brains. This is a cruel criticism from a co-religious paper which has often been suspected of having only brains and no piety!
-California storm notes of April 21: Healdsburg, 9.73 inches in 48 hours; Grass Valley, 4.50 inches in 18 hours; Georgetown, El Dorado Co., April 21, raining one inch in three hours,-8 inches to 24 hours; Placerville, several houses blown down by wind, with heavy rain; bridges carried away, and railroad wash outs in many parts of the State, with much injury to the crops; Nevada, (Nevada Co.,) 5.20 inches in 24 hours, with 22.98 inches in April, six times more than usual in the month; a camp of Indians have lived for several years on an Island in Alameda creek; their houses floated away, and they escaped into sycamore trees.

OBITUARY.

DIED, April 3, in Lind, Waupaca Co., Wis., at the residence of his son-in-law, Wm. D. Van Ostran, Joel S. Rice, aged 96 years and 6 months. For three and a half weeks he suffered intensely, but never uttered an impatient or unkind word. His health had been poor all winter, and he seemed to know that his time was short; he would sometimes say he was “only waiting.” We mourn the loss of a kind father, but we mourn not as those without hope. Funeral discourse from Job 14:14, 15, by Eld. D. Burnham, First-day Adventist.
MRS. WM. D. VAN OSTRAN.
DIED, in San Francisco, April 27, George A. Humphrey, aged one year, three months, and twenty-two days. May the bereaved parents be upheld in this affliction by the gracious promises of God so kindly offered to mourners.
J. H. WAGGONER.

GOOD HEALTH,

By Editor

FOR 1880.

THIS POPULAR JOURNAL enters upon its fifteenth volume with the most flattering prospects not only of a continuance of the prosperity which has attended it in the past, but also of a great increase of patronage, although it already enjoys # THE LARGEST CIRCULATION OF ANY HEALTH JOURNAL IN AMERICA.
The interest of the journal for 1880 will be greatly increased by a series of practical articles from the well-known pens of # ELDER AND MRS. WHITE. Whose contributions in the past have done so much to increase the popularity and the usefulness of the journal.

A SPLENDID PREMIUM BOOK

Is offered to new subscribers. Address, for specimen copy:— GOOD HEALTH PUBLISHING CO., Battle Creek, Mich. Or:—SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
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