Those who wish a large quantity of any number of the SIGNS, should send their order so that it will reach us not later than Tuesday; if we receive the order later, we cannot furnish the extra quantity that week. Appointments should not reach us later than Sunday of the week they are designed to appear.
Elder Loughborough reports to the Review, that Bro. Drew's sales on shipboard at Hull, Eng., amounted to $38.00 in nine days; besides this a large number of publications were distributed free. Arrangements are being made to open a ship mission in Liverpool. The most favorable place that can be found will be selected for this work. Bro. Drew has had a good experience in ship missionary work, and we doubt not that an immense amount of good will be done, as the light goes forth from this center of commerce to every part of the world. May God speed the good work.
During the month of April, one canvasser in the North sold 260 copies of "Thoughts on Daniel and Revelation." Although but very few have been at work with this book, our stock is running so low that another edition will have to be printed soon, in order to supply the demand. This is a good work to engage in; we wish there were scores of persons canvassing for this book. All could find remunerative employment, and, what is more, do an incalculable amount of good. Where are the reapers?
Last week we made mention of the fact that Nebraska is doing active service in the missionary line, and stated that the State Society expected to increase their club of SIGNS to 1,000 copies. The order came soon after, but too late for last week's paper. Before that order could be placed on the list, an order came for 200 additional copies; and we have this day received an order to increase their club to 1,500. We have also received an order from the Battle Creek Society to increase their club to 1,200. We like to obey orders of this kind; they stimulate us to a desire to redouble our efforts to make the paper such that our friends can work for it with enthusiasm. May God bless the earnest missionary workers in the East.
We hope that the success attending the efforts of the workers in some parts of the East, will provoke the laborers in other parts of the country to similar good works. There is no place or State where similar or even greater results may not be obtained. A mind to work, a sincere love for the truth and the people, together with the aid of the Spirit, will accomplish wonders.
We think that there are thousands who have the first two qualifications, and we know that everybody may have the last for the asking. Our brethren in California have not yet systematically taken hold of the canvassing work, but as a sample of what may be done, one brother sends in thirty-six names as the result of a few hours' canvass. He is a laboring man, and canvassed only after work hours. Are there not hundreds who could do as well? "Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to the harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal."
Luther Monument in Brooklyn
Nearly $1,000 has been subscribed in Brooklyn, N. Y., towards the proposed monument to Martin Luther; and it has been decided to organize a permanent Lutheran Society in that city.
A New Power in Politics.
By Editor
FROM the Los Angeles Mirror we clip the following item:—
"In Chicago, the clergymen, without regard to sect, have taken their coats off, and have entered the campaign in favor of law, order, and decency. The Times says it begins to look as if the minister might be an actual force in politics."
So it does. We have seen indications of it here in California, and we look to see more. It may seem all right to others, but to us it looks as though such an action on the part of ministers of the gospel, is a confession of weakness. Paul says that "the servant of God must not strive; but be gentle to all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves." And again he says: "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God."
Now what must we conclude when we see ministers of the gospel "taking off their coats," and entering vigorously into politics? We must conclude that they have lost the use of spiritual weapons—that in their hands the gospel is not the power of God unto salvation. They may make themselves a power in politics, but to that same degree will they lose their power in the pulpit. We believe in the rigid enforcement of the laws against crime, and ministers must of necessity cast an influence in favor of law and order, but they are not to make or enforce laws themselves. Ministers should be "ambassadors for Christ;" but Christ's kingdom is not of this world. Peter once thought that it was, and he was ready to fight for it; but he learned better after he was converted. Many modern ministers seem inclined to follow his example. Would that, like him, they would become truly converted!
Divorce and Marriage.
By Editor
The Napa Register says:—
“The clergymen of Los Angeles, including Rev. A. J. Wells, late pastor of the M. E. Church, Napa, have announced through the press of that city that they will not perform the marriage service for divorced persons, except the divorce be obtained on Scriptural grounds, and then for the innocent party only.”
This is the course we marked out for ourselves, as the readers of the SIGNS know; the course which we have always acted upon. And we cannot imagine how a minister of the gospel can conscientiously pursue any other. Our laws of divorce are too loose, and no sanction should be given to their looseness by those who take upon themselves the office of expounding the words of Christ to the world. The welfare and protection of society demand a wise and just national law governing divorces and marriages. Had this existed, the problem of “the Mormon abomination” might have been readily solved.
Teachers Having Itching Ears
By Editor
AN amusing instance of carelessness in reading the Bible appears in the Gospel Banner. Speaking of a certain paper, it says that its editor is evidently none of those “teachers having itching ears.” It is a matter of observation that people having itching ears, i. e., ears that itch to hear something pleasant, will multiply to themselves teachers, in the hope of being satisfied; as the Syriac has it, they will “multiply to themselves teachers, in the itching of their hearing.” But how the teachers could be spoken of as having itching ears, we cannot imagine, unless they itch for applause. And that would not be so far from the truth, after all, though it is not what the text means.
Appointments.
Upper Columbia Camp-Meeting.
This meeting will be held in Milton, Oregon, commencing June 6, and continuing to June 12. The Upper Columbia Conference and the other organizations will hold their annual meeting in connection with this camp-meeting. Delegates should be elected, and all necessary reports be made out in good season. Elder Haskell of the General Conference, and Elder Boyd of the North Pacific Conference, will attend. We urge all the friends of the cause in Upper Columbia to come to this important meeting.
G. W. COLCORD,
AMBROSE JOHNSON,
T. L. RAGSDALE,
Committee.
North Pacific Camp-Meeting.
By Chas. L. Boyd, T. H. Starbuck, Wm. L. Raymond
It is decided to hold our camp-meeting at Beaverton, Oregon, June 20-26. The grounds are directly on the railroad, twelve miles west of Portland; by wagon road seven miles. There will be a book-stand with all our publications for sale. To save expense, the secretaries should be prepared to replenish their libraries at this time. There will also be a stand from which such provisions can be obtained as will be needed on the ground. An extra large tent will be pitched, a part of which can be used for a home by those destitute of small tents.
Chas. L. Boyd,
T. H. Starbuck,
Wm. L. Raymond,
Camp-meeting Committee.
North Pacific Tract Society Annual Meeting
By CHAS. L. BOYD
The next annual meeting of the North Pacific Tract and Missionary Society will be held at Beaverton, Oregon, June 20-26. The first meeting will be held Thursday morning at an early hour. All interested in the spread of the present truth should be on the ground at this time, as Elder Haskell, President of the International Tract and Missionary Society, will give an address at the first meeting, which none can afford to lose.
CHAS. L. BOYD, Pres.
North Pacific Conference Annual Meeting
By Editor
The next annual meeting of the North Pacific Conference will be held in connection with the camp-meeting at Beaverton, Oregon, June 20-26. The first session will be held the morning of the 21st. Every delegate, with proper credentials, should be on the ground Wednesday, as matters of vital interest to every lover of the cause will be considered in the first meetings. Blanks and yearly church reports will be sent to each church clerk, which should be filled out and returned to Eld. Chas. L. Boyd, Salem, Oregon.
Conference Committee.
North Pacific Sabbath-School Association Meeting
By Charles L. Boyd
THE next annual meeting of the North Pacific Sabbath-school Association will be held at Beaverton, Oregon, June 20-26. Let every Sabbath-school elect its delegates in due time. Instructive essays from Sabbath-school workers may be expected. CHAS. L. BOYD, Pres.
EXPERIENCE AND VIEWS.
By Mrs. E. G. WHITE.
This volume contains the earliest writings of Mrs. White, first printed in 1851. It contains an account of her early religious experience, and a brief account of the wonderful dealings of God with her. Apart from its intrinsic value, it will be of interest as showing the harmony between the earliest writings of the Seventh-day Adventists and those published at a later date. Its publication is very timely.
In paper covers, with Supplement, 25 cents.
Address SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Oakland, Cal.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
By Editor
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE
Missionary Society of Seventh-day Adventists.
A twelve-page Religious Family Paper, devoted to a discussion of the Prophecies, Signs of the Times, Second Coming of Christ, Harmony of the Law and Gospel, with Departments devoted to Temperance, The Home Circle, the Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-school.
Price Per Year, . . . . . . . . $2.00
In Clubs of five or more copies to one address, to be used in Missionary Work, . . . . . . 1.50
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
—OR—
REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Michigan.
MRS. ELIZA PALMER, Sec. N. E. Tract Society, South Lancaster, Mass.
S. E. WHITEIS, Sec. Nebraska T. & M. Society, Fremont, Nebraska.
ELD. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, Ravenswood, Shirley Road, Southampton, England.
MRS. C. L. BOYD, Salem, Oregon.
Time of Camp-Meetings
PENNSYLVANIA, Olean, N. Y., May 31 to June 5
UPPER COLUMBIA, Milton, Or., June 6-12
IOWA, Des Moines, June 7-12
WISCONSIN, Portage, “ 14-19
NORTH PACIFIC, Beaverton, “ 20-26
MINNESOTA, Minneapolis, “ 21-26
DAKOTA, Parker, Turner Co., June 27 to July 2
TEXAS, Waxahachie, July 13-23
VIRGINIA, Aug. 2-7
OHIO, Galion, Crawford Co., “ 15-21
MASSACHUSETTS, “ 23-28
VERMONT, Aug. 30 to Sept. 4
MAINE, Sept. 6-11
ILLINOIS, “ 11-18
NEBRASKA, “ 19-25