Earlier text: Standing AloneJOSHUA THE HIGH PRIEST AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF CHRIST THE BRANCH.
IN this vision the prophet was directed to take three men, Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who had recently come from Babylon, and to go the same day into the house of Josiah the son of Zephaniah. Then he was to take silver and gold and make crowns and set them upon the head of Joshua the high priest. It is probable that these three men who were thus chosen had come from Babylon for the express purpose of bringing silver and gold as an offering to the Lord for his temple. It is also probable that Josiah, in whose house the crowns were made, was a skillful workman in gold and silver. The crowns were to be placed upon the head of Joshua that he might represent Christ the Branch. Zechariah was then to address Joshua explaining the office of the work of Christ. When this solemn service should be finished the crowns were to be placed in the temple in memory of the three who contributed the silver and the gold, and of him whose skill was shown in making the crowns. Two of these four men had two names each. Verses 10, 14. The vision ends with an assurance that the temple would be successfully rebuilt if the Jews would diligently obey the Lord. We have seen in our study of Zech. 3:7, 8 that Joshua and his companions were to be signs or representatives of Christ if they would be faithful to God. See verse 8, margin. In the present vision this promise is renewed to Joshua in the most impressive manner. Thus when Joshua stood with the crowns upon his head he represented the kingly office of Christ, even as he represented the priestly office of the Saviour when he stood with the mitre upon his head. Zech. 3:5; 6:11, 12. Zechariah said when he placed the crowns upon the head of Joshua: "Behold the man whose name is the Branch." Joshua was not the Branch, but he was his sign or representative. The Branch is Christ our Lord. Jer. 23:5, 6; 33:15, 16. Joshua was the high priest, and his office was represented by the linen mitre, but when crowns were placed upon his head it was designed to make him a sign of Christ our high priest after the order of Melchisedec, who was both king and priest. Heb. 7:1, 2. Moreover when Christ comes in his glory he will have upon his head many crowns (Rev. 19:11, 12), a fact represented by the crowns placed upon the head of Joshua. Joshua as high priest during the building of the temple represents Christ as our high priest under whom the temple of the Lord is built, composed of Jews and Gentiles, redeemed by his blood. Eph. 2:19-22. The glory of building this spiritual temple belongs alone to Christ the Redeemer. Compare Zech. 6:13; 1 Pet. 2:3-6. Christ as a priest after the order of Melchisedec was to sit down on the throne of God, indicating by this act that he was to share the dominion of the universe with his Father. Heb. 7:1, 2; 8:1; Ps. 110:1. Zechariah predicts these things by saying: "He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne [the throne of the Lord]; and he shall be a priest upon his throne [the throne of his Father]; and the counsel of peace [concerning the salvation of man] shall be259 tween them both [the Father and the Son]." Verse 13. Finally the prophet announces that those who were far off would come and build in the temple of the Lord. Verse 15. This signified that some who were not yet returned from the dispersion would aid in the work of building the temple. As the prophet makes Joshua and his work to represent Christ and the work under him, this action under Joshua prefigures the union of those that are far off with those that are near in the spiritual temple built under the priesthood of Christ. Eph. 2:17-23. The assistance which Joshua was to receive from those afar off was to be a sign that Zechariah was a true prophet; but this was only to come to pass on condition that the Jews and their rulers should obey God. We must not forget that the blessings promised by the prophets to nations and to individuals have always the condition of obedience expressed or implied. If, therefore, those to whom great blessings have been promised dare to rebel against God and to continue in that rebellion, those blessings will never be bestowed. This is an important fact on which we shall have much to say hereafter. Jer. 18:7-10; Jonah 3. J. N. A. The Bible Displaced by Tradition.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
IN an editorial in the Christian at Work, a few weeks ago, there were some admissions in regard to the Sabbath that are too good to be passed by unnoticed. The article contrasts the former times with the present, claiming that precepts and customs that were good for people three thousand years ago are entirely out of place in this enlightened age. It deprecates the basing of moral duties to-day upon commands that were given when the world was in its infancy. Among other illustrations it uses the following:— "Even our higher moralists have made failures in this direction. Thus some plant the observance of the Sabbath [Sunday] squarely on the fourth commandment, which was an explicit injunction to observe Saturday, and no other day, as 'a holy day unto the Lord.'" Very good; that is what we have stoutly maintained, notwithstanding the fact that many religious teachers have labored hard to prove that the fourth commandment enjoins the observance of Sunday, or of any day which convenience may suggest. We are glad to have this frank expression of opinion from so able and influential a journal as the Christian at Work. Not that it adds anything to our faith, or tends to confirm us in our belief. That is unwavering. When the Bible speaks as plainly on any point as it does on the observance of the seventh day of the week, we do not need anything additional. But the statement just quoted is good to place against the assertions of those who claim to keep Sunday in obedience to the fourth commandment. A house divided against itself cannot stand; and when Sunday-keepers take such diametrically opposite positions in support of their pet institution, it is a pretty good indication that the foundations of that institution are very shaky. We leave those who believe in keeping Sunday, and at the same time believe that the whole of the moral law is binding upon all men, to settle this question with the Christian at Work, while we pass on to another point, which clashes with the teachings of another class of professors. Some professed Christians claim that God has yielded to the wishes of wicked men so as to abolish his holy law, and that none of it is binding. They care not what the commandment prescribes, since they do not believe that it is in force. They claim to follow the apostles. Here is something that will be of interest to such persons:— "So some have tried to build the observance of Sunday upon apostolic command, whereas the apostles gave no command on the matter at all." Good again; we could not tell it any straighter ourself. We are glad also of this frank admission; it always does us good to find something in religious journals with which we can agree. But right here it may occur to some that the Sunday seems to be left out entirely. If not commanded in either the Old Testament or the New, where shall we find authority for its observance? The Christian at Work is equal to the occasion, and continues:— "In the meantime, the fact that Sunday observance rests upon the custom of the early church, handed down through all the centuries—and which ought to be sufficient for every Christian—is lost sight of." Where else, to be sure, should we look for authority for Sunday observance but to tradition, since the Bible is silent concerning it? We admire the honesty of those who do not attempt to make the Bible responsible for that which it condemns, but we are not satisfied with the reasons offered; for, 1. How do we know that it was the custom of the early church to observe Sunday, since the Bible is silent concerning it? There was no church before the one which was the result of the apostles' preaching; but the Bible gives us an account of that, and says nothing about Sunday observance, as the C. at W. admits; so, according to its own admission, the earliest church did not keep Sunday. 2. And further, Allowing that the early Christians did keep Sunday, where did they get their authority? Not from the commandment of God, nor from that of the apostles. They must have devised it in their own heart. But why must we follow their example? Where do we learn that they were set as examples for us? If they could do as they pleased, why may not we? Why should we follow the example of the early Christians who kept Sunday, any more than that of the earliest Christians, who kept the Sabbath of the Lord? 3. And, once more, If we are not to follow the plain teaching of the fourth commandment, why need we be so strict about obeying any of the other nine? Why may we not interpret any of them in as liberal a manner, or ignore them altogether, and do as we please in everything. If a minister of the gospel should blaspheme, or a deacon should systematically steal money from the church treasury, or a whole church should be guilty of violation of the seventh commandment, the Christian at Work would be one of the first to denounce such acts as sinful in the extreme; yet it will openly advise its readers to ignore the fourth commandment entirely. What is the reason? Why is not the fourth commandment as sacred as the third, the seventh, or the eighth? Let those answer who can. But we must notice one more admission. Here it is:—
"The truth is, so soon as we appeal to the litera scripta of the Bible, the Sabbatarians have the best of the argument." We would like to have our good Presbyterian and Methodist and Baptist friends read that sentence several times, and then ask themselves the question, Shall we accept the Bible as our rule of faith and practice, or not? The Protestant rule is, "The Bible, and the Bible alone." Shall we change this, or shall we cease to call ourselves Protestants? If we retain only so much of the Bible as suits our ideas, why keep any of it? Are the lives of mortal men to be taken as a standard by which to test the Bible, or is the Bible the rule by which men's actions are to be measured? If the latter, then it would seem absolutely necessary for us to follow the literal reading of the Scriptures. The Christian at Work is professedly a Christian paper. Its proprietors and editors profess to be Christian men. It is run in the interest of a Christian denomination. Now where do they get their Christianity? Is it from the Koran, the book of Mormon, or the daily newspaper? No, from the Bible. The Bible is the only place where Christianity is defined. Then what kind of Christianity will we have if we swing loose from that book? No Christianity at all. If we are not to take the litera scripta of the Bible in regard to the Sabbath, why should we take it in regard to the death and resurrection of Christ? May it not be that the passages that speak of those events do not mean what they say, or if they mean what they say, are of no consequence? But to claim that would be infidelity, says one. Ah! would it? Then pray tell what it is to say that the commandments of God may be set aside at pleasure? But we believe the Bible, and propose to take it just as it reads. Even the Christian at Work will hardly say that it is not safe to follow Bible teachings strictly. The Bible will not lead us astray. As long as we stick to the Bible we are on the safe side. But when we leave it, we are adrift. We do not know where to go. We do not know of any man who is not liable to sin, so we dare not follow the example of men. We dare not follow the impulses of our own heart, for "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." And besides, we read that God will bring into Judgment, those who walk in the ways of their own heart, and in the sight of their own eyes. Eccl. 11:9. And so we say again that we shall stick to the Bible, fully believing that man shall live by "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
E. J. W. Close of the Healdsburg College Year.
By S. N. HASKELL
TUESDAY, May 29, the third term of the Healdsburg school closed. During this first year there have been enrolled nearly two hundred students. The first term there were about thirty in attendance, but the number gradually increased, and the last term there were over one hundred and thirty enrolled. The blessing of God has attended the school enterprise in California. It was in the providence of God that a lot and school building were purchased for less than $4,000, while it would have cost not less than $10,000 to purchase a lot and erect a building of equal size and quality. Since then a boarding-house has been erected, on a site of five acres, which will accommodate seventy-five or eighty students. This building, 38x100, is plain and substantial in all respects. It is neat in appearance, but no means has been expended for style or show. It is thoroughly built from cellar to attic. In the basement kitchen there are arrangements for a bakery and for cooking, so that those who attend may be instructed in the culinary art. There are also rooms for some mechanical employment. On the first floor are the spacious dining-room, wash-rooms, office, and two large parlors opening together by sliding doors. These will be used for morning and evening worship, instructions in sewing, etc. The second and third floors are sleeping-rooms. The boys will occupy the third floor and the girls the second. The attic is one large room suitable for such work as quilting, making mattresses and that class of work requiring much room. Those attending the school will perform a sufficient amount of useful labor to give a healthy tone of mind and body. The object of this school is not only to give instruction in the sciences, but to care for the students morally, physically, and mentally, and maintain such discipline as will fit men and women for usefulness in society and especially in the cause of God. The Spirit of God has seemed to second every effort which has been made in this direction in connection with the school. As yet no manual labor has been connected with it, but steps have been taken toward making the necessary preparation for this branch, and these arrangements will be completed before the beginning of the next school year in July. The missionary spirit exists throughout the school. Even some of the small children manifested a desire to be, in some way, connected with the cause of God. Such a cheerful, hopeful spirit as was manifested by teachers and students in view of directly connecting the school interests with the cause of God was sufficient to encourage every person who has any interest in the Third Angel's Message. Could our brethren and sisters on the Pacific Coast once become acquainted with the real object of the school and the relation which it sustains to the closing work of the gospel, there would be scores of young men and women who are now engaged in other employments that would turn their attention to making a preparation to engage in the cause of our divine Lord and Master. Tuesday, 11 A. M., was the hour appointed for the closing exercises. It consisted in remarks upon the nature and object of the school, and what we might expect of the Lord, if each acted well his part. The students are mostly young. There are but a few young men and women in comparison to the number which attended; and yet of this number there were thirteen who go out during this present vacation to engage in the work of God. They are anxious to be gaining a practical experience in the work, while obtaining theoretical knowledge. During the last three weeks Eld. Waggoner has had charge of the Bible Class, which has contributed much to the interests of the school. During the vacation the professors go out to visit the churches, and we hope that each of the churches may receive a visit from some one of these who have been connected with the school as teachers. They will form an acquaintance with our brethren and be enabled to set before them the true nature and object of the school with its needs. Thus our people will become acquainted with the school and its workings as it will be presented by the professors themselves. Our brethren will be glad to see them, and if there are those who have any thought of attending the school they will have the privilege of consulting the proper persons concerning it. This will be a source of encouragement for our brethren and sisters. The object of the school is not only to raise up laborers for the California Conference, but to prepare men and women to labor in the cause of God wherever260 his providence may direct. We expect students from Nevada and the North Pacific Conferences as well as California. Already we have heard of a number who expect to attend the next term. We invite Oregon and Washington Territory, the two Conferences north, to co-operate with us in the enterprise. The islands of the Pacific Ocean, Australia, and other places west of California must have laborers at no distant day and it becomes us to lay our plans accordingly. Already the Macedonian cry comes from across the waters, "Come over and help us." To aid in answering this cry has been one object the founders of the school have had in contemplation. We have a great work to perform, and if we had many years in which to accomplish it, we would not be in so great haste. We must remember that time is short; and what is done in preparing men and women to connect themselves with the work of God, must be done speedily. Seventh-day Adventists have before them a definite object. It is not to give an education in sciences to connect our people with worldly enterprises; but it is to forward the message adapted to this time; and while obtaining this education, to also obtain an experience in labor, so when those who are attending school have acquired some knowledge of the sciences they will also have a practical experience in the work which they have in view. All are invited to come who wish to avail themselves of its advantages. It belongs to the people who have the interests of the cause of God, at heart, and when our brethren become better acquainted with its character, and know that it is already sending forth laborers into the field, their interest in the school will increase. If such results can be seen when the school has been in operation only one year, and many of these came to the school without that object in view, it certainly will be an encouraging feature to all. The school enterprise is of God. It should be patronized and have the sympathy and prayers of God's people everywhere. The Pope and England
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
The pope has abandoned, for the present, the hope of establishing diplomatic relations with England. The Power of Will in Forming Faith.
By R. F. Cottrell
THE submission of the will to God is the great point in conversion to God and Christian experience. Our faith is more dependent upon the will than is generally conceded. Unbelief is stubborn. It will set aside as worthless any amount of evidence. As an illustration of this, I will relate a part of a recent conversation with a minister, on the time of the commencement of the Sabbath. I referred him to Gen. 1, to prove that each day begins with the evening; and then to Lev. 23: 32—"From even unto even shall ye celebrate your Sabbath." But he objected that we have no means of knowing when the evening begins. That was the question he wished to have decided. I stated the well-known fact that God's ancient people began the day with the going down of the sun; and then read to him the following scriptures: Josh. 8: 29: "And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide; and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcass down from the tree." Chap. 10: 26, 27: "And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees; and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening. And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees." Matt. 8: 16: "When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed of devils; and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick." Luke 4: 40: "Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them." Mark 1: 32: "And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils." And what was the minister's reply? It was that he saw no evidence in these passages that the evening commenced with the setting of the sun. Now I submit that had he been really desirous to learn from the Scriptures when one day ends and another begins, the evidence would have been entirely satisfactory. And so it is on all the main points of Scripture doctrines. Did men devoutly desire to know the duties enjoined in the ten commandments, they could find all the evidence they could desire. If they wished to understand the signs of the times, and to learn concerning the advent of Christ, whether it is near or remote, they would find abundant proof that his coming is near even at the doors. And so of other points of doctrine. Those who wish to correct their errors in doctrine by the Bible can do so. But if they are strongly inclined to retain the errors of their education, the plainest declarations of the Scriptures will fail to convince. Infidelity in professors of faith in the Scriptures, is very much like the same thing when found outside of the church. And I will close this writing with some quotations from eminent authors on the evidences of the Christian religion. "Infidelity is a rank weed; it is nurtured by our vices, and it cannot be plucked up as easily as it may be planted."—Watson. "It is not in the power of any person but yourselves to clear up your doubts."—Id. "The most insurmountable as well as the most usual obstacles to our belief arise from our passions, appetites, and interests; for faith being an act of the will as much as of the understanding, we oftener disbelieve for want of inclination than want of evidence."—Jenyns. Do not these writers speak the truth in these quotations? If they do, let doubters and cavilers professing faith take warning. R. F. COTTRELL. Missionary Work in Oregon and Washington Territory.
By Eld. S. N. Haskell
Evidences are multiplying which show that the providence of God has gone out before us, and is preparing hearts to receive the truth in almost every place. Notwithstanding this, there are some portions of the country where the people are more susceptible of the truth than in others, and where labor can be put forth with far greater success. Newly settled territory always presents excellent fields for missionary work. Where the country has been longer settled, the people become more settled in their ideas, more fixed in their habits, more established in their religious faith, and it requires greater efforts to get them out of their old ruts. To them, new ideas seem like heresy. The opinions of their friends, especially of their fathers and grandfathers, have great weight with them and hence come directly in the way of their embracing the truth; but when they have left former associations, broken up family ties, and have moved to a country where there is but little reading matter of any kind to be had, their minds are more capable of admitting new ideas; in short they want something to supply a deficiency which they now realize. Such a field the North Pacific Coast presents at the present time. Thousands of people are emigrating to this country, and are settling in Oregon and Washington Territory. Villages grow up in a short space of time. Reading matter is scarce; and in many places their school-and church privileges are nothing in comparison to what they were in the country which they left. Oftentimes entire neighborhoods have no preaching; and they receive no religious reading, unless it be sent them by their friends in the East. The prospect of interesting these individuals in the truth is far greater than when they lived with their friends. There are scores of such fields which should be entered at once by colporteurs; and the work of canvassing for our publications pushed forward with great zeal. These are golden moments, and the time is precious, for it presents opportunities which will not last long. The book, "Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation" sells more readily in this part of the country than any other. The people are anxious to purchase something to read. Nebraska is a new territory in many respects, and they have great success in canvassing for the SIGNS, receiving monthly subscriptions, and then re-canvassing for yearly subscriptions, and selling publications. It is a great mistake to wait until these people have their meeting houses, and become confirmed in their religious faith, before entering these fields. Not a stone should be left unturned that will press forward the work at the present time. The time has arrived that the cloud has arisen, and the voice of Providence says, Go forward! Shall we not obey by entering these fields and placing our publications before the thousands of these new settlers? Shall we not at once move forward and place in all these villages the reading matter which has been made ready at our hands? Shall not our pioneer sheet find its way to the homes of many who have recently moved to this distant land? If we are wise we shall improve the opportunity. Men go to these places to make money, yet they are not all destitute of the Spirit of God and a heart to fear him. We want a score of men and women in each of these Northern Conferences, to visit from house to house, and obtain subscribers for the SIGNS, and then visit each family weekly to learn of their interest in the truth, and carry to them such publications as they may wish to purchase. The paper will be prized more highly and read with more interest, if those who receive it are required to pay something for it; and they will also be more ready to purchase other reading matter than if the first had cost them nothing. Our preachers are few, and while they are few we should avail ourselves of every talent that we can make use of to advance the cause of present truth. Consecrated men and women are wanted everywhere. While the cause is rising in other parts of the field, and this field presents advantages which some of the other portions do not, it should inspire the brethren in these Conferences with such life and zeal that during this present season they will be second to no other Conference in the missionary work. Every city and village should be canvassed. People will pay their money more freely when they have become accustomed to paying it; and this they have learned to do in meeting their expenses in settling this new country. This, with their desire to obtain reading matter, is an urgent reason why special efforts should be immediately put forth in this section of the country, and why this is an excellent field of labor. There is a harvest that lies just before our brethren in this portion of the country, if they will avail themselves of it. North Pacific Conference.
By Chas. L. Boyd
Lynden, W. T.—I am glad to be able to report a company of Seventh-day Adventists here in this remote corner of the United States. While here last winter, we organized a Tract society, and a Sabbath-school, and now a church organization is partly completed. One of the brethren is about erecting a building, and proposes to make a room suitable for meeting purposes. This will be of great advantage to this society. Such a room will be more inviting to outsiders than a private residence. I want to say to the brethren in this Conference: We have great reason to thank God and take courage. While those who have been working in the vineyard of the Master are but few in number, God has blessed their efforts, and souls are coming to Christ in his appointed way. We have now four churches waiting to be received into the Conference at its next session. Now, brethren, what are you doing to advance the cause you have espoused, and to save precious261 souls from "the wrath to come"? I know some of you are doing well in paying tithes, and thus are purchasing seed for the minister to sow; but without slacking your efforts here, can you not take some seed in your own hand, and go forth scattering it with weeping, and be cheered and encouraged with the hope of coming again bringing your sheaves with you? See Ps. 126: 6. You will see that the going forth is attended with weeping; but listen, the sower is returning with rejoicing, bringing the precious fruit of his labors. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES, from whose pages the hallowed light of present truth is so clearly reflected, should be in every family in the land. Are you willing to come up to the Judgment as matters now stand, with no more of your neighbors saved? I hope a special move will soon be made in this direction, the plans for which may be made at our soon-coming camp-meeting. Let every one who loves the truth seek to be present, and to help with prayers and counsel, and be helped in return by others. CHAS. L. BOYD. Finish thy work, the time is short;
The sun is in the west;
The night is coming down—till then
Think not of rest. Yes, finish all thy work, then rest;
Till then, rest never;
The rest prepared for thee by God,
Is rest forever. Finish thy work, then wipe thy brow;
Ungird thee from thy toil,
Take breath, and from each weary limb
Shake off the soil. Finish thy work, then sit thee down
On some celestial hill,
And of its strength-reviving air,
Take thou thy fill. Finish thy work, then go in peace;
Life's battle fought and won,
Hear from the throne the Master's voice,
“Well done! well done!” Finish thy work, then take thy harp,
Give praise to God above;
Sing a new song of mighty joy
And endless love. Give thanks to Him who held thee up
In all thy path below,
Who made thee faithful unto death,
And crowns thee now! Can Prohibitory Law Be Enforced?
MANY who are friendly to prohibition hesitate to put their opinions into active practice, honestly doubting if the time has come when prohibitory measures can be enforced. This is the standard argument used against prohibition, and it is used by friends and enemies alike. It was this that led a majority of Chicago ministers, men who honestly wanted to do the right thing and the best thing, to make a stupendous mistake in demanding high license legislation, and it is this that has led ardent temperance men to fall into the high license pit everywhere. We have often asserted and still maintain that laws of a prohibitory nature are the only ones that are even fairly enforced, and we denounce as cowardly and wrong the assertion that they cannot be fully enforced anywhere. That a just law against crime cannot be enforced is a statement un-American. A. Goodwin, of Indianapolis, has researched a book entitled, "Seventy-six with the Traffic," which, with other interesting matter, gives a history of prohibition in Indiana in 1855, and shows that the law was modeled after that supreme law of Maine. Mr. Goodwin says:— "The law was to take effect June 12, and it took effect! On the morning of the 13th every saloon in Indiana was closed and crape was hung on many doors in token of bereavement, and not a saloon was opened for public business from that day to the eighth day of the following November. Speaking of the workings of the law in Indianapolis, the Indianapolis Sentinel of June 15 says: “The temperance law, so far, has been universally and faithfully observed. We hear of no disposition to violate its provisions.” Recurring to the subject again on the 20th it said: “That the people of Indiana desire, and will have, a reasonable and constitutional law for the suppression of the evils of intemperance, none are blind enough to deny.” Recurring again to the same subject on June 28, it said: “During the past fifteen days there has not been a single commitment to the county jail for the violation of city ordinances, and in the way of arrests by the police there is little or nothing doing.”" "The Indianapolis Locomotive of June 23 said: “There has not been a single arrest or commitment to prison since June 12. The mayor sits quietly in his official chair, and the night-watch doze on the store-boxes!” Such was the peace and order which followed, that on the 12th of July, just one month after the taking effect of the law, the Indianapolis council reduced the night-watch one-half. Referring to this fact, the Locomotive of July 21 said: “The temperance law has nearly abolished rioting, drunkenness, and rowdyism, and the tax-payers are reducing their expenses.” The Journal, referring to this reduction, in its issue of July 24 said: “The reduction of the night-watch was on account of the diminution of disturbances and drunkenness from the enforcement of the prohibitory law.” The Indianapolis Evening Republican of June 29 said: “Rummies no longer perambulate the streets, making night hideous, and the watchmen have little to do.” The Journal of August 20 said: “The law diminished crime, reduced drunkenness, saved money, and emptied jails until the supreme court took hold of it.” It was the same everywhere. The Sentinel’s New Albany correspondent of June 24 said: “The liquor law is generally and faithfully observed in this section of the State;” and the New Albany Tribune of the 27th said: “The sixty or seventy saloons of this city have been closed for two weeks.” The Lafayette Journal of July 2 said: “Since June 12 the mayor’s court of this city has been almost deserted. Our jail is now cleared of all the corporation prisoners, and the good effects of the law have been felt at many firesides.” The Madison correspondent of the Indianapolis Republican of July 3 said: “The liquor law works like a charm. Sorrow and sighing have fled away. Liquor cannot be purchased illegally in this city.” The Lafayette Courier of July 2 said: “What words can express the heartfelt gratitude of those whose happiness has been promoted by the enforcement of the prohibitory law;” and the Bloomingdale Times of July 3 said: “We have not seen a drunken man in town, nor heard of a single fight or quarrel, since June 12.” Such was the testimony everywhere." Here we have testimony of the most positive character, from men and papers of all parties, to the complete success of prohibitory law and to the joy and gladness it brought to many homes. The importance of this testimony in the present stage of the temperance work is inestimable, and it should convince every one that prohibition is not only practicable, but the only practicable method of dealing with the liquor traffic. —Lever and Liberator. "Respectable Saloons."
By Editor
UNDER this head the National American makes a strong point against high license, or any other kind of license, in the following ironical style:— Why should a person sign a saloon petition who would be ashamed to keep a saloon himself? Why should a Christian ask the State to license a man to keep a saloon when he belongs to a church which would expel the man for keeping the saloon? Is there a church member in St. Louis who would consent that his pastor should take out a saloon license and become a silent partner in a saloon? Why not? It would be perfectly proper for a minister to have an interest in any "respectable" business which would not interfere with his duties as a pastor. If we have a right understanding of the high license theory, we are surprised that its Christian advocates do not try to get their pastors into the business. It pays well, can easily be run by proxy, and if it needs to be made "respectable," as we are told it does, by putting it into the hands of respectable, sober men, a sprinkling of ministers in the business would materially aid in gaining this object. We know that there are Christians in St. Louis who prefer high license to prohibition, and who do not want liquor sold on Sunday or to drunkards. There is no other class of people who would be so likely to observe these provisions of the high license law as the ministers. Another plan which has occurred to us is this: Let every church in this city take out a saloon license and run the saloons on Christian principles. In England a number of coffee houses have been established by the churches. Why should not the churches go into the saloon business? What is there in the business to hinder the ladies of a church from running a few saloons? Nobody wants any but "respectable saloons." The object of high license is to make them "respectable." If high license does make them respectable we see no impropriety in ministers, churches, or women going into the saloon business. If one saloon to every church should not "accommodate the bibulously inclined," let two, three, or more be opened by each church. There can be no more objection to four "respectable saloons," or to 1,800, than to one. What we want is to have them "respectable." Let our logical high license friends think of this. Decalogue or Penal Code.
By Editor
LAST week we called attention to the fact that there were a number of Sabbath-keepers in Wellsville, N. Y. Commenting on this statement, the Wellsville Reporter says:— "By 'Sabbath-keepers' the good brother probably means seventh-day keepers. It would be a cruel indictment to say that out of our five thousand inhabitants, only eight or ten have any respect for the decalogue and the penal code." Yes, that is what we meant. Sabbath-keepers are seventh-day keepers, according to that precept of the decalogue which commands "Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy; six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." We had no idea that any one would think we had reference to those who were trying to observe the requirements of the penal code, which makes Sunday, the first day of the week, only a legal holiday. This raises a query: What relation to each other have respect for the decalogue, and respect for the penal code, that they should be thus closely joined together in the same sentence?—Sabbath Recorder.