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Signs of the Times, Vol. 2, No. 1.

Is Man Immortal?
Earlier text: Prominent and Important

The Indiana Camp-Meeting.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

(Copied from the Review and Herald.)
Bro. Smith and myself arrived upon the camp-ground Thursday morning before breakfast. It had been raining hard several days, and the weather was quite cold. The prospect looked very dreary. Many remained away on this account, and others came late Friday. The weather continued bad during the whole meeting, and the last day it snowed, and ice froze upon the water, so that stoves and fires were in good demand.
We found Bro. Lane and Kenyon both unwell. It appears to be unusually sickly this fall on account of the continued wet weather. However, this was the largest meeting we ever had in Indiana. Twenty-one tents were pitched upon the ground, and there were about two hundred persons present besides the outside attendance, which was good considering the weather. Evidently there would have been a very large turnout under favorable circumstances.
We were glad to find the friends of the cause all of good courage, alive to its interests and devoted to the work. Our social meetings were most excellent. The time was well improved on each occasion. Many were affected to tears as they related their conversion to the truth and their love for it, and told what God had wrought for them. A large share of those present had embraced the truth within the last year or two. Four new churches were added to the conference this year and several last, so that the conference has doubled its numbers in two years.
This is very encouraging, and the prospect is better now for success than ever before. There are promising and urgent openings everywhere. Numerous meeting-houses are freely opened for lectures. We hope the preachers will push the work here vigorously the coming year.
Several young men received licenses to preach. We hope that they will have energy and devotion enough to make a good mark for the cause in this State the coming year. If Bro. Lane and Kenyon will remain here to follow up the work now begun, we shall expect to see the numbers here again doubled in a short time.
There are several quite wealthy men in this State who are well able to help the young and needy cause if they will only consecrate their means to God. It is, however, a sad fact that wealthy men are generally the least liberal of all men. We have often found it so among our people. But this is not always the case, and we pray that it may not be so here.
The Lord gave us good freedom in speaking the word. We dwelt largely upon the great pillars of our faith, the signs of the times, the messages, the Sabbath, etc. Our people need such discourses as these to renew their faith in the work, as many of them hear little or no preaching the year round. Then there are always quite a number present who are interested and are investigating the truth. This is a good opportunity to fully decide them for the truth. This was so here. Monday morning we invited all to arise who had here decided to begin the observance of the Sabbath. Ten persons arose and bore their testimony and took their stand with us. Among these were a young man who is an intelligent school teacher, a baptist deacon, and others who will be a help to the cause. Two others will keep the Sabbath who were not at that meeting, making one dozen as the fruit of this camp-meeting. Besides these, a good number came forward for prayers and for baptism. These were examined and taken into the different churches. Nearly every church received from one to half a dozen additions.
Monday afternoon we all went one mile to a river where Bro. Kenyon baptized twenty-three. This was the largest baptism our people have ever had in this State. As many had to leave for their homes in the night, Monday, and early Tuesday morning we had our closing meeting in the evening. Bro. Smith spoke a while and then we enjoyed a good social meeting. All expressed themselves as abundantly paid for their trouble in coming to the meeting. Many said it was the best camp-meeting they ever attended. All resolved to live nearer to God for the coming year, to do more for the cause, and to sacrifice more to advance the truth. Union and harmony among themselves and full confidence in the general management of the cause, prevail throughout the State. This is all as it should be.
So closes the camp-meetings for this year. Bro. Smith promises to give a summary of them all, which will show how important a part of the work these camp-meetings are coming to be. We are both in good health and good spirits.
D. M. CANRIGHT.

The Lord's Prayer.

By Jos. Clarke

OUR Lord has given us a model prayer; brief, comprehensive, and devotional. Every word and clause is full of meaning.
“Our Father.” This reminds us that God loves us as a parent loves his children, and that we should regard him in the light of a kind parent, who will (if we obey him) guide our footsteps aright.
“Who art.” This clause asserts the existence of God. It sets infidelity at naught and erects in the mind a monument of faith in the existence of Jehovah. It takes away the shadowy mist of unbelief and places in its stead the clear bright rays of heavenly faith and light.
“In Heaven.” This locates the dwelling-place of God. It is not in the dim everywhere, with no particular locality; no, but it is in the heaven above; as though God had a home to which we should direct our attention and our prayers.
“Hallowed be thy name.” This teaches reverence, adoration, worship, and love. It is a caution against the sin of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and suggests the importance of separating the holy from the common things of life.
“Thy kingdom come.” Here is a prayer for the setting up of the kingdom of God in the earth, the fifth universal kingdom.
“Thy will be done.” This is the prayer of the angels and of glorified beings above. Why should not we join in this sublime petition! God's will, so perfect, so pure, so good, and full of mercy. Oh, that it had always been done, everywhere; then had Satan never fallen, nor Adam ever sinned.
“On Earth.” This points to the time when earth will be renewed and restored to its Eden beauty, and the lost race of Adam will regain their favor with God, as at the first estate.
“As it is done in Heaven.” This is the perfection of beauty, the highest standard of excellence and glory. Could we ask for more? and here, too, upon the very earth we now inhabit.
“Give us this day our daily bread.” All our treasures of this life are gifts from God, this we should not forget. The petition is not give me but give us this day. Here is no selfish, cramped, narrow-souled petition, but a petition for all our fellow-men, and only for this day.
“And forgive us our debts.” Yes; if we owe to God debts we cannot pay, we wish him to cancel them; and who would not be bankrupt, if God were as hard a collector as our Girards and Astors and Rothschilds.
“As we forgive our debtors.” Think of this, ye men of the world. If you would have God do the noble thing you ask, go ye and cancel the poor man's claim, and throw off a part or the whole of the weary, sick, crippled one's debt, and let him go as free as you do, when God says to you, “thy debts to Heaven are paid.”
“And lead us not into temptation:” lest we may fall.
“But deliver us from evil:” From all evil, temporal and spiritual; from sin and sorrow, and misfortune.
“For Thine is the kingdom:” Jehovah is the rightful Lord of all. Even Jesus Christ looks up to God, and he would have us as devoutly pray as did he,
“For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”
Jos. CLARKE*

Lost Opportunities.

By O. E. McCORD

To earnest and wide-awake Christians there are many avenues of good, and the means and opportunity of doing it, are treasured as of the greatest importance to themselves as well as others. Their consciences are never at rest if they have the evidence of neglected duty to menace their present or future happiness. They appreciate the value of a word in season, or an offered tract to finish what the conversation has begun.
Lost, lost! I will, I fear, be the record of many whose names might have been written in letters of living light, had they been careful to improve the precious, and perhaps never recurring opportunities presented to them, of directing the minds of those with whom they are in daily converse to the blessed hope that illumines their own pathway, but may, if duty be carelessly neglected, be withdrawn from them. This subject is one of fearful import to those who profess to set the world an example of right.
Not long since I witnessed a scene that pathetically illustrated this subject, and might furnish food for reflection to humble inquirers after duty.
A little child between two and three years of age, whose father, toward whom she was extremely affectionate, was about to start on a journey. She wished to accompany him, but being told that it was impossible, became silent and morose.
When the moment came that he must leave her, he wished her to bid him good bye and kiss him. She sullenly refused, so he was compelled to leave her in that mood; but when she became fully aware that he was gone, she aroused and began calling, “papa, come back, I want to kiss you; papa, come back and I will kiss you,” while her grief seemed almost overwhelming. This continued until the repentant little one had become thoroughly exhausted, when the deep long drawn sighs attested the profoundness of her grief.
My tenderest sympathies were aroused, as I beheld the depth of this exhibition of genuine anguish occasioned by a willful omission of duty. Ah! thought I, what a lesson does this convey to us, who are after all only children of larger growth, quite as incapable as this little child, to act with perfect wisdom and unerring discretion in matters that pertain to our eternal welfare, without the aid and direction of the Holy Spirit.
Can we, who profess to love the Lord Jesus, hope to meet his approval if we carelessly allow opportunity after opportunity to pass, wherein we may warn those who may listen to his call, that they may prepare for the momentous event just before us? If we, like that little child, carelessly or willfully neglect continually recurring opportunities, preferring to yield to our own feelings instead of conscious duty, is there not danger of our repenting when it is too late to be heard, when the friends of our Lord are gathered in and the door to us is shut? The partisans of the world, those who love the present life more than that which is to come; those who are too busy gathering the riches of this world to make any effort to ensure treasures for the next; those who, for the pleasures which endure but for a moment, are willing to risk those pleasures that are eternal and unfading; those who willfully prefer the light of this world, which
is as darkness when compared with the weight of glory promised to those who are willing to trust Him who has promised and will perform: all these are ever active in inducing their friends to follow the allurements of sin, which, regardless of expense, is made as attractive as possible, so that none who venture within their influence, may by any possibility fail to be ensnared by its false brilliancy.
Shall we not, then, since time is precious, redouble our diligence, working with energy and zeal in the cause of the Lord who has bought us with his precious blood, thereby securing the attention of some of those who are now careless or ignorant of that which is for their eternal welfare? or shall we, indifferent to our Master's admonition, seek our own ease and selfish interests, thus losing the hope of the future life for ourselves, and seeing those lost whom we might, in the hands of God, have been the instruments of saving?
The Saviour taught his disciples that faith and works go together, and gives that as a token of true discipleship. He says: “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” John 15: 8. Solomon says, “Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth,” Prov. 27: 1; and James affirms of this life that, “It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” Jas. 3: 14. Every incident connected with our surroundings conclusively confirms this testimony. And should we not arouse to a full realization of our duty to carefully improve our time, that we may not at last be left to unavailing repentance because of neglected opportunities?
O. E. McCORD.

Whom the Son Makes Free is Free Indeed.

By A. P. Lawton

God designs that his people should be free—not free to do anything they choose; not free to rebel and find fault with the order of God; but free in the Lord. It is our unbelief, self-will, sloth, pride, covetousness, hatred, envy, jealousy, and intemperance, that binds and casts us into prison. While we hug our chains, no wonder we cry our leanness, for darkness and death are the fruit of these indulgences.
Seeing we are looking for so glorious an event as the coming of the Son of man, how careful we should be to depart from all iniquity. We should be honest, open, and frank; no concealment, shrinking or dodging, or desire for it. Our hearts should be cheerfully laid open for the inspection of Him with whom we have to do. We are too near the Judgment to act a deceptive or double part. I see a fullness in Christ. His arms are extended with the invitation, Come unto me. Who will come? The invitation is to all. It is true we have to give all to buy the genuine gold. This we can afford to do. What is all that poor mortal man can have, in comparison with eternal life? We may well afford to give up our dross for such pure gold.
The name of Jesus is more lovely to me than all else. No music short of Heaven can so attract. We need not stay packed away in our prison cells. There is a large place for God's people. We owe to the world the light God has given us. Will we let it shine? Now is our time. He demands it. If all who possess these truths stood out in the clear light, what a power they would be in the earth. God help us to press toward the light, and no longer sit in darkness, covering our light with cares of this life. I long to be free. When will all our fetters be broken? When shall we be a city on a hill whose light cannot be hid? May we so live that our light may spring forth speedily. The king's business requires haste.
A. P. LAWTON.
West Winfield, N. Y.

W. V. HARDY

By W. V. Hardy

Stimulants.

“NATURE kindly guards us from harm by diminishing the enjoyment as we approach excess. Thus food, which at first is palatable, becomes tasteless; exercise, which at first gives pleasure, becomes wearisome; wakefulness is succeeded by desire for sleep; and everywhere this law protects us from harm until flattering stimulants step in and give appetite for the otherwise unpalatable food, goad on the energy of the weary, and banish the desire for sleep, giving unrestricted license for excess in every department of our nature. If no other evil resulted from their use, this alone is sufficient reason why they should be condemned.”
Can we afford to cast aside the guarding and guiding hand of our Creator so wisely given to us to lead us into physical as well as moral rectitude? All of God's laws are not written out by inspiration. Why is it not sin to efface the inspiration of nature as well as to add to, or detract from, the sacred pages?
Doubtless many would be willing to condemn stimulants in general, but would make an exception in favor of their particular stimulant. The well-known Dr. Hall says, “There is no such thing as a good stimulant, so there can be no best stimulant. Stimulants are all bad. What is a stimulant? It is a poison. To stimulate means to goad; to excite. Alcohol is a stimulant, and when it is taken into the system, the vital powers recognize it as a poison, and resist it with sufficient force to expel it from the vital domain, and this action is stimulation. It is really poisoning, and nothing else; therefore, if there is no best poison, there can be no best stimulant.”
Still the use of stimulants like tea, spices, etc., is common among many of those who advocate the strictest temperance with regard to alcohol. The excuse may be made that tea may be nutritious; but people do not pay one dollar a pound or more for tea when flour can be had for five cents, on account of any nutritive quality existing in the dried leaves. They buy it because it contains that which makes it good, viz.: its stimulating quality.
The belief is almost universal that a stimulant of some kind is necessary to health and vigor, and hygienists who live without them are regarded by such as fanatics. When people come to believe that the human system is sustained by simple food and drink alone, then we can teach temperance in the world of stimulants and narcotics like alcohol, tobacco and opium, without the seed falling on barren and stony ground, or by the wayside.
It would fill a volume to trace out the different ways in which stimulants encourage every vice, and lay the foundation for every crime known among men, and in whatever light we view their effects, we must consider them an unmitigated curse to mankind.

W. V. HARDY

Work for Jesus.

Go, gather in the harvest, The gospel trumpet calls, Before the shades of evening In gloomy shadows fall.
The harvest is abundant, And laborers are few; There's work for every willing hand, There's work for me and you.
Come, labor for the Master, Come, lend a helping hand: Do not delay, but come away, No longer idly stand.
Each sheaf you save for Heaven, In glory bright will shine; Yea, as the stars forever, With radiance sublime.
Then work with willing fingers, Be faithful, zealous, true; Deny thyself, but ever keep The cause of Christ in view.
So, when your life is ended, From Christ your blessed Lord, You will receive in honor A great and rich reward.
—Sabbath Recorder.

Things Which I Do Not Like to See.—

A good cause in the hands of bad men, and good men supporting a bad cause.
I do not like to see religion advocated by selfish and angry people, nor the cause of temperance pleaded by ill-natured and anti-christian men.
Nor do I like to see the use of intoxicating drinks—the most dangerous and mischievous custom prevailing in society—encouraged by the example of intelligent and religious people.
I do not like to see men take snuff or smoke tobacco, and at the same time profess to be doing as much good as they are able, and to be making the best use of their money in their power.

Experience

EXPERIENCE is the most eloquent of preachers, but she never has a large congregation.

The Sentence of Death Pronounced upon the Redeemer.

The following from the New York Tablet of Sept. 25, claims to be a correct translation of the sentence of our Saviour, as left upon plates by Pontius Pilate:—
Sentence pronounced by Pontius Pilate, Intendant of the Lower Province of Galilee, that Jesus of Nazareth shall suffer death by the cross. In the seventeenth year of the reign of the Emperor Tiberius, and on the 24th day of the month of March, in the most holy city of Jerusalem, during the pontificate of Annas and Caiphas, Pontius Pilate, Intendant of the Province of Lower Galilee, sitting to judgment in the presidential seat of the Praetor, sentences Jesus of Nazareth to death on a cross, between robbers, as the numerous and notorious testimonies of the people prove:
  1. Jesus is a misleader.
  2. He has excited the people to sedition.
  3. He is an enemy to the laws.
  4. He calls himself the Son of God.
  5. He calls himself falsely the King of Israel.
  6. He went into the temple followed by a multitude carrying palms in their hands.
Orders from the first centurion, Quirrilius Cornelius, to bring him to the place of execution, forbids all persons, rich or poor, to prevent the execution of Jesus.
The witnesses who have signed the execution of Jesus are,
  1. Daniel Robani, Pharisee.
  2. John Zorababel.
  3. Raphael Robani.
  4. Capet.
Jesus to be taken out of Jerusalem through the gates of Tournes.
This sentence is engraved on a plate of brass in the Hebrew language, and on its side are the following words: “A similar plate has been sent to each tribe.”
It was discovered in the year 1280 in the kingdom of Naples, in a search for Roman antiquities, and remained there until it was found by the Commission of Arts in the French Army in Italy. Up to the time of the campaign in Italy, it was preserved in the sacristy of the Carthusians, near Naples, where it was kept in a box of ebony. Since then the relic has been in the chapel of Caserta. The Carthusians obtained by their petitions permission to keep the plate, which was an acknowledgment of the sacrifices which they made for the French army. The French translation was made literally by the members of the Commission of Arts. Demon had a fac-simile of the plate engraved, which was bought by Lord Howard, on the sale of his cabinet, for 2,800f. There seems to be no historical doubts as to the authenticity of this. The reasons of the sentence correspond exactly with those in the Gospel.

Manifestations of True Love.

By E. C. W.

TRUE love is not a strong, fiery, impetuous passion. It is, on the contrary, an element calm and deep. It looks beyond mere externals, and is attracted by qualities alone. It is wise and discriminating, and its devotion is real and abiding.
God tests and proves us by the common occurrences of life. It is the little things which reveal the chapters of the heart. It is the little attentions, the numerous small incidents and simple courtesies of life that make up the sum of life's happiness; and it is the neglect of kindly, encouraging, affectionate words, and the little courtesies of life, which help compose the sum of life's wretchedness. The self-denials for the good and happiness of those around us will be found to constitute a large share of the life record in Heaven.
Mildness, gentleness, forbearance, long-suffering, being not easily provoked, forbearing all things, hoping all things, enduring all things, is the fruit growing upon the precious tree which is of heavenly birth—Love. This tree, if it is nourished, will prove to be an evergreen. Its branches will not decay, its leaves will not wither. It is immortal, eternal, watered continually by the dews of Heaven.
E. C. W.

Teach Boys the Use of Tools

It is to be regretted that there are not schools to teach boys the initial principles of working hand tools, since this knowledge is essential to the proper understanding of how to use them. Simplicity in the form of an implement by no means implies facility in its use; indeed, it may be said that the more simple the tool, the greater is the skill required to use it properly and with maximum effect. Not every operator excels with pocket knife, axe, or saw; and, with the use of every tool, there is involved the demonstration of a definite principle.

The Wine Cup.

“Oh, that men should put such an enemy into their mouths to steal away their brains.”—Shakespeare.
You are falling, brother, falling— When you taste the muddy wine; 'Tis but Satan's bait for catching Fish that are almost divine.
Dare not touch it lest he catch you— Dare to answer firmly, No; When in guise of friend he comes, “Shake him” as you ought to do.
Gaze around you for a moment; Think of friends that you have known On the downward road to ruin— Some still linger, some are gone. Would you like to join them, brother, In that vale of tears and woe? If you keep on tasting, brother, You'll be there before you know.
It may be you're just commencing— Only take a “social cup” Now and then, “with jolly comrades, Just to keep your spirits up— Have not felt the gnawing, craving, Which is sure to come with time; Yet beware retrace your footsteps— Haste thee, lest you mire in slime.
When once mired, God have mercy— Once a drunkard, who can save? None but He, “who rules the thunder, Claims the wind and stills the wave.” Dare not take the chances, brother? Think it over, ponder well; Then don't let the “sparkling tempter,” Drag you down to death and hell.

Faith in Labor

Next to faith in God is faith in labor.

Religious Miscellany.

—Thirty-one young men of much promise are attending the Methodist Theological Seminary in India.
—Two hundred Mormons have formed a congregation at London P. O., Canada, and are building a church.
—The Universalists are calling for a revival, and are going to work for it in New York by holding a protracted meeting. Why?
—Cardinal McCloskey is on his way home. He will visit Paris, then Cardinal Manning at London, and Cardinal Cullen in Ireland.
—A German nun died recently in Paris, who is said to have spent a large part of her life in doing penance for Martin Luther, from whom she was descended.
—“The Sabbath Question” and “The Reunion of Christendom” are among the first subjects at the meeting of the Evangelical Alliance to begin at Pittsburg on the 26th inst.
COSTLY MUSIC.—The appropriation for music at Trinity church, N. Y., is not far from $15,000, while Miss Thursby receives $1,500 a year for singing in Dr. Chapin’s church.
—Five years ago a Baptist religious meeting was prohibited in Rome. Now there is a church established, with a membership of ninety-two, and the nephew of a Cardinal, once a Catholic priest, will soon be baptized.
—The Spanish government politely bluffs the papal nuncio’s demand for the enforcement of the old concordat. The pope is reminded that the concordat was established under a different regime, and that religious toleration must be maintained.
—Ecclesiastical costumes in the streets being now illegal in the canton of Geneva, Mgr. Mermillod exhorts the priests to avoid variety, vanity, and negligence, and advises them to take as their models the English and American priests, who wear the short cassock and white Roman collar.
—A series of religious meetings in charge of the Executive Committee of the Young Men’s Christian Association, has been begun in the Pennsylvania Railroad freight depot of Jersey City. About two hundred and fifty men gathered around the speakers’ stand, and their interest was most encouraging to the leaders of the meeting. It is thought that much interest may be aroused among the railroad employees.
—The New York Tablet is agitating the subject of a Catholic university. Of their great lack in this direction it says: It is a disgrace to American Catholics that, with the exception of one institution, Georgetown College, which, by the bye, is owed at the present day over two hundred thousand dollars from those whom she has fed mentally and bodily during her illustrious career, we have nothing approaching to a University.
—The death of George A. Smith, the predestined successor of Brigham Young, if he had lived, has taken from the Mormon church one of its principal pillars. He crossed the plains with his chief nearly thirty years ago, and has been his very serviceable lieutenant in building up that singular hierarchy. The steady advances of civilization have encroached more and more upon the last retreat of these unsavory saints, and they have been driven to their wits to find some means of saving their system, which depends now on the lives of a dozen or more shrewd, rich, and unscrupulous men.
—The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions held their sixty-third annual meeting last week. About 2,000 delegates were present. The Board closed its year with a debt of $14,000. The total expenditures for the year amounted to $450,238.00. The number of mission stations is 376; number of missionary laborers in the field, 1,432. The number of pupils taught during the year in the schools was 22,523. The additions to the membership of the mission churches for the year was 1,504. Their general statistics show that the Board is accomplishing a vast work. These 22,000 children being educated in pagan lands are worth the whole expenditure of the Board. They will, most of them, become centers of Christian influence.
—The following from the Interior exhibits great zeal for Sunday. We wish it might be exercised in the cause of the true Sabbath:
“Shall the Sabbath be desecrated in the daily management of the Centennial Exposition next year? Shall the display go on without regard to the Sabbath? We have scarcely regarded it possible that so gross an offense to the American people is seriously contemplated. If it is, and the earnest protests which are rising on all sides are disregarded, then we say let a National Sabbath League be organized, and a straight battle be fought on that issue in Philadelphia next year. Let us test the question whether or not the laws of the State of Pennsylvania can be trampled upon with impunity in the face of an on-looking world. The friends of our free institutions cannot afford to stand by and see our nation disgraced in that manner, and more, they will not. There will be no lack of money to support a defense of the right, by resort to every means of legal redress that the law and the courts afford. One of the chief things that good citizens mean shall be on exhibition in Philadelphia, is a well-observed Christian Sabbath.”

Torpedoes and Iron-clads.

WHILE the European powers were expending millions in the construction of iron-clad war vessels, the Yankees have been quietly inventing destructive machines which render the iron-clads worthless; as will be seen in the descriptions which we find in the New York Tribune, of experiments recently made at Newport.

THE LAY TORPEDO.

In the “Lay torpedo” the climax of inventive genius seems to have been reached. This weapon out of water presents the appearance of a long cigar, having at the ends a screw propeller and rudder, as the only external means of distinguishing the bow from the stern. She is built of boiler iron, and is about thirty feet long by four feet greatest breadth of beam. In the water the top of her back is barely visible, and in experimenting the only way by which her motions may be followed is by means of tiny flags hoisted at either end. If Mr. Lay were questioned as to what her internal arrangements were, he would, in all probability, tell the inquirer that she could carry 500 pounds of explosive material, that she held an engine for working the propeller and rudder, a number of cases containing carbolic acid gas bottled up under high pressure, to run the engine with, and a reel of electrical wire. Beyond this all must be conjecture, and one could but look with amazement at the working of the little craft. She lay like a swamped boat along side the wharf, held by a single rope, ready to be let go at a moment’s warning. The operator on shore touched a key, and she started off at full speed, unreeling the wire, and laying it down on the bottom as she went, so that it in no way hindered her movements. Making a long turn, she headed for the target, under as perfect control as if a man’s hand were at the tiller, turning to starboard or port, stopping or going ahead, by the touch of a key from the operator at his lookout station ashore. Let any one who doubts man’s control of lightning but see this piece of work, and he will be convinced. There is only a single wire communicating with the boat, and along this go the orders, ahead, stop, starboard or port, and the boat obeys as readily as if a thinking mind were at the helm. Striking her target she exploded a small torpedo fixed to her bow, blowing away the obstruction, and then, unharmed herself, turned about and ran back, stopping obediently alongside the boat which took her in tow and moored her safely, all ready for another trial. This boat is kept under cover at a suitable point, and her fittings may be examined up to the last moment before use. On the approach of the enemy the little craft is launched, and waits quietly until her opponent is within range. Once started on her errand there is no avoiding her. She can strike but a single blow, but the ship has not yet been built that can withstand the shock of explosion of five hundred pounds of dynamite.

News and Miscellany.

—There are about three hundred and twenty-three American colleges.
—The recent rains have swollen the English rivers and streams, and caused disastrous inundations in Leicestershire and Warwickshire. The destruction of property is very heavy, and some lives are reported lost.
—Instead of using machinery in the vinting of wine, many of the Los Angeles manufacturers employ (so the papers say) clean-limbed, strong-muscled Indians to tramp out the purple fluid from the luscious fruit.
London, October 14.—The European powers interested in the Turkish bonds have been in communication with a view to some action respecting the edict of the Turkish Government announcing its inability to redeem the bonds, and proposing to compromise by their payment, half in cash and half in new five per cent. bonds. It is now announced that the powers interested refuse to make any concessions to Turkey regarding its financial position.
—The Observer says: “If we have spoken rashly of the danger of college students giving too much times to boats and ball playing, let us make amends by saying it is stated in one of our monthly magazines, that a graduate of one of the first colleges in the land, of the class of 1875, already has secured a position of trust at a salary of $3,000 a year. It is as pitcher of a professional base-ball club. What a splendid career of usefulness and honor must await this aspiring young man!”
Mr. Southworth in his new work, Egypt and its Future, gives us a sight at some of the horrible features of the slave trade. He estimates that 25,000 slaves are captured annually in the country lying between the Red Sea and the Sahara Desert. To obtain these 25,000 slaves and sell them in market, more than 15,000 are annually killed, and often the mortality reaches the terrible figure of 50,000. He says it is a fair estimate to say that 50,000 children are stolen from their parents every year.
—In answer to certain criticisms made that the number of high schools established for freedmen in the South under the auspices of the American Missionary Association is larger than necessary, the Missionary promptly states that the reverse is true, as every one at all conversant with the Southern situation must know it to be. As to the attendance at the higher institutions, like Fisk University, it is estimated that there is but one colored person out of every 40,000 in college at present, and that for years to come a large majority of the freedmen must depend entirely upon the whites for their education.
—Another report of the probable recovery of the long lost Charley Ross, is read with almost as much interest as if we had not been disappointed a score of times. A dispatch dated Philadelphia, Oct. 23, says: A man named Baker has received from Nelson Booth a letter stating that he assisted to abduct Charley Ross, and indicating that he is in the hands of a man known as Guste, whose real name is Sam Hurlburt, and who is now in England. Booth says he gave the boy to Hurlburt as his own son, pretending that he had separated from his wife and wanted the child out of the way. Baker has obtained Booth’s order on Hurlburt for the child, and starts for England to-day, by aid of his friends, to see if he can find Charley. While there is no certainty but this is another hoax, there is some hope Baker will succeed.
—The Boston Traveler, of October 5, says: The mammoth guns with which England is experimenting are not inappropriately termed “peace-makers,” since it is difficult to see how nation will contend with nation when either is possessed of so terrible weapons. A series of experiments recently made with the 81-ton gun proved the terrible character of the “Woolwich Infant.” With 170 pounds of powder the gun drove a shot weighing, with the gas-check, 1,273 pounds, 45 feet into a sand bank 200 feet distant. This gun is intended for the Inflexible, which is to carry four of these weapons, the second of which is now constructing. A prominent engineer has said that before long England will possess a 160-ton gun firing a one-ton shot, which at one mile range can tear the strongest ironclad all to pieces.”

What Ladies Can Do.

Three years ago two young ladies, one a teacher in the Kindergarten school, the other a student in the Senior class of the University, removed to Los Angeles for their health. They there conceived the idea of becoming independent bee farmers, but had no capital. Both were excellent teachers, so they entered the schools, earned enough money to buy 200 stands, got possession of some of the bee pastures, and then bid good-bye to the schools and took possession of their bee farm. They do their own work, even to making their own hives, and last week one of the firm came up by steamer with 2,500 pounds of white sage honey for the San Francisco market. If one-half of those who are harping upon a “higher sphere for women” would pitch into some such useful employment, it might be with great profit to themselves and to the intense relief of others.

“Just Three Minutes.”

WILL we Americans ever learn to eat slowly enough?
While we were sitting in a restaurant last Saturday, a full-grown live American took a seat at our table.
“Waiter—”
“Yes, sir.”
“Pork and beans—quick!”
The pork and beans were brought.
Before taking the first mouthful the gentleman again proceeded:
“And waiter—any mince pie?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Bring me a piece—and have it here in just three minutes.”
The man “came to time” within two minutes—he began on the mince pie just five minutes after he had begun on the pork and beans, and within about nine minutes from the time he sat down, he had paid his bill and passed out of the restaurant.
Here is an instance exactly as we saw it last Saturday noon. It is by no means an exceptional case, save that most American business men take about twenty minutes, instead of ten minutes, to do the same thing.
There is dyspepsia in every minute less than half an hour that is occupied by the daily lunch.—N. Y. Mail.

Healthful Beds.

GERMANY excels any other country with which I am familiar in the cleanliness of its beds. It seems as much a part of yearly house-cleaning with them to have the hair removed from the mattresses, to have it well beaten and sunned, and the cover washed, as it is with us to have carpets whipped and freed from their disease-begetting dust. I grant that it would be a difficult and expensive undertaking for an American housekeeper, for skilled laborers are rare, and when found must be well paid, as they should be. Knowing the obstacle, then, in the way of a thorough renovation of our beds, we should take all the more care to protect and air them. Every bed should have especially made for it, the size of a tick, a white, tacked comforter, not too thick, so as to be unmanageable in washing; over this the sheet is spread. Every bed in daily use should be subjected to the purifying rays of the sun at least once a week, and should be left open for the reception of air and light some time before being made up. Beds not frequently used are often found very musty and disagreeable to guests. The parlor beds that swallow their own contents by a magic touch, are fair without, but in time, for the lack of proper airing, they become foul within.—Science of Health.
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