Australia—International Tract Society, Bible Echo Office, Rae and Scotchmer Sts., North Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.
British Guiana.—Joseph R. Brathwaite, 152 Church St., Georgetown, Demerara, British Guiana, S. A.
California Tract Society—1067 Castro St., Oakland, Cal.
Canada Tract Society—South Stukely, P. Q.
Colorado Tract Society—831 California St., Denver, Colo.
Dakota Tract Society—Vilas, Miner Co., Dak.
District of Columbia.—International Tract Society, 1831 Vermont Avenue, N. W., Washington, D. C.
England—The Present Truth, 72 Heneage St., Grimsby, Eng.
Florida Tract Society—Miss Lysle Reynolds, Secretary, Box 232, Jacksonville, Fla.
Hawaiian Islands—International Tract Society, Honolulu, H. I.
Idaho—Elder D. T. Fero, Boise City, Idaho.
Illinois Tract Society—3652 Vincennes Ave., Chicago, Ill.
Indiana Tract Society—No. 32 Cherry St., Indianapolis, Ind.
Iowa Tract Society—1315 E. Sycamore St., Des Moines, Iowa.
Kansas Tract Society—Box 160, Ottawa, Franklin Co., Kan.
Kentucky Tract Society—West Clifty, Grayson Co., Ky.
Louisiana—International Tract Society, 732 Magazine Street, New Orleans, La.
Maine Tract Society—113 Pearl St., Portland, Me.
Michigan Tract Society—Battle Creek, Mich.
Minnesota Tract Society—2820 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, Minn.
Missouri Tract Society—321 Lamine Ave., Sedalia, Mo.
Nebraska Tract Society—Fremont, Dodge Co., Neb.
New England—N. E. Tract Society, South Lancaster, Mass.
New Mexico—John McMurchy, White Oaks, Lincoln County, N. M.
New York Tract Society—Box 113, Rome, N. Y.
New Zealand—Edward Hare, Upper Queen Street (Turner Street), Auckland, N. Z.
North Pacific—N. P. Tract Society, Box 18, East Portland, Oregon.
Norway—Sundhedsbladet, Christiania, Norway.
Ohio Tract Society—259 Adams St., Toledo, Ohio.
Pennsylvania Tract Society—No. 5 Madison St., Wellsville, N. Y.
Switzerland—Elder W. C. White, 48 Weiherweg, Basel, Switzerland.
Tennessee Tract Society—Springville, Henry Co., Tenn.
Texas Tract Society—Mrs. Lee Gregory, Secretary, Denton, Tex.
Upper Columbia—U. C. Tract Society, Walla Walla, W. T.
Vancouver Island—Bernard Robs, Victoria, B. C.
Vermont—Lizzie A. Stone, South Lancaster, Mass.
Virginia Tract Society—New Market, Shenandoah Co., Va.
Wisconsin Tract Society—901 E. Gorham St., Madison, Wis.
Wyoming—J. T. Trees, Tie Siding, Albany Co., Wyo.
ALL of the above Agencies are authorized to receive subscriptions to the Signs of the Times, American Sentinel, and Pacific Health Journal & Temperance Advocate. Catalogues of our books, pamphlets, and tracts, in English and the various foreign languages, can be obtained from them. Write to the agency nearest you.
Testimonials
FOR "THOUGHTS ON DANIEL AND THE REVELATION."
FROM Kendall Brooks, D. D., president Baptist College, Kalamazoo, Mich.:—
"I am free to express my conviction that the study of books designed to expound the Bible, and verify its prophecies, and show God's hand alike in the sacred writings and in human history, is of the greatest advantage to every thoughtful man; and such a book, I think, is 'Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,' by Prof. U. Smith."
From Rev. R. S. Belleville, pastor of Presbyterian Church, Princeville, Ill.:—
"I have never before seen so readable a book as 'Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation.' I certainly recommend it to all Bible readers."
From D. Webster Cox, D. D., rector of St. Paul Church, Fremont, Ohio:—
"I have read through with care and study Prof. U. Smith's 'Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,' and am not only highly pleased with but very much instructed by it. I think, take it all in all, it is the best commentary on the prophecies I ever read. I most heartily commend it to the thoughtful consideration of every one. I consider it the most valuable in my library."
From H. R. Hancock, attorney-at-law, West Union, Iowa:—
"I can cheerfully recommend this work to the general reader. To the student of profane history, chapter eleven of the first book is alone worth the price."
This work can also be had in the German language.
For full particulars write to PACIFIC PRESS, General Agents for the Pacific Coast, Oakland, Cal.
RECEIPTS.
By Editor
NOTICE.—The change of figures on the address labels will be in all cases a sufficient receipt for money sent for the paper. If these changes do not appear in due time, and if books ordered by mail are not received, please notify us. All other business is acknowledged below.
CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE FUND.—Los Angeles $131.40, Mrs Sheckler 60c., San Francisco $120, Vacaville $33.25, St Clair $60.00, Reno $40.75, Woodland $114.85, San Jose $21.00, Mrs M F Brown $2.00.
AUSTRALIAN MISSION.—Mrs M F Brown $10.00.
RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.—N P T and M Society, per J C Bunch $2.15.
CALIFORNIA T and M SOCIETY.—Dist No 4, San Jose $5.75, Dist No 6, Los Angeles $35.54, Santa Ana $10.00, Oakland Rivulet Society $10.20.
THE ADVENT REVIEW
By Editor
AND SABBATH HERALD,
A RELIGIOUS FAMILY JOURNAL,
PUBLISHED WEEKLY AT BATTLE CREEK, MICH., BY THE S. D. A. PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION.
Sixteen large, closely printed pages of choice reading matter, treating upon all the Prophetic themes of the Bible, the Signs of the Times, Second Coming of Christ at Hand, Closing Reforms in the Church, the Gospel of Christ, Conversion, Practical Godliness, etc. etc.
This is the organ of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, the oldest journal of this people. It is now in its sixty-third volume. Contains full reports from the ministers and the doings of the different organizations of this denomination. No one should fail to take the REVIEW AND HERALD.
Price, in advance, $2.00 per year. Address,
REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
THE SABBATH QUESTION IS THE
LEADING SUBJECT OF THE DAY.
THE GREAT DEMAND OF THE HOUR,
From the Pulpit and the Press, in Social Circles and in Legislative Halls, is, that the Sabbath be more strictly observed. To assist the intelligent-minded of our land to have correct views of this important question, a book has been prepared which thoroughly discusses the Sabbatic institution in every conceivable phase. Such is the
"HISTORY OF THE SABBATH AND THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK,"
BY JOHN NEVINS ANDREWS.
This great and exhaustive work is the result of ten years' hard labor and historical research. The book contains 528 12mo pages, and is printed in clear type, on good paper, and is well bound. Price, $1.25, post-paid.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
THE COMING CONFLICT;
By W. H. Littlejohn
—OR—
THE GREAT ISSUE NOW PENDING IN THIS COUNTRY.
By W. H. Littlejohn.
This book contains a complete history of the rise and progress of the National Reform Party, together with an exegesis of the last portion of the thirteenth chapter of the book of Revelation, assigning to the United States its proper place in prophecy.
EMPHATICALLY A BOOK FOR THE TIMES.
434 pages, in muslin covers, and will be mailed to any address post-paid, for $1.00.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
SABBATH READINGS
FOR THE HOME CIRCLE.
COMPLIED BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
THESE are some of the few really good books. For twenty years Mrs. White has been selecting choice, interesting, and instructive stories, the best of which are presented in these four volumes of 400 pages each. It would be difficult to find a better collection. The selections have been carefully made, and none need fear to place them in the hands of the young. They are not, however, designed exclusively for the young, but are adapted for general home reading. All the members of the family circle will find something in them to entertain and instruct. They are just the thing for holiday or birthday gifts. Price per set, neatly put up in box, with premium, illustrated Lord's Prayer, or the "Bird's Eye View of the Holy Land, $2.50.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
THE AMERICAN SENTINEL.
By Editor
AN EIGHT-PAGE MONTHLY JOURNAL,
DEVOTED TO
The defense of American Institutions, the preservation of the United States Constitution as it is, so far as regards religion or religious tests, and the maintenance of human rights, both civil and religious.
It will ever be uncompromisingly opposed to anything tending toward a union of Church and State, either in name or in fact.
TERMS.
SINGLE Copy, per year, - - - - - 50 cents.
To foreign countries, single subscriptions, post-paid - - - - - 2s.
Address, AMERICAN SENTINEL,
1059 Castro Street, Oakland, Cal.
THE HOME OF THE SAVED.
By John Norton Loughborough
By Eld. J. N. Loughborough.
Gives the Bible evidence upon the interesting topic of the earth made new, as the inheritance of the saints. 82 pp. Price, 10 cents.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
"He Is Guilty of All."
THE apostle James says: "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." How can this be? Thus: There are ten commandments in the moral law. That law rests solely on the authority of God. Here is a man who professes the most perfect submission to nine of those commandments, never willfully violating any of them. But concerning the remaining one he says: "I don't care for that one; I never did keep it, and I never intend to." Now that commandment rests on the same foundation as do the others, namely, the authority of God. Therefore, when the man defies that one precept, he defies God himself, and so defies the authority on which all the law rests. By his willfulness he shows that he keeps the nine commandments, not because he has any respect for the authority of the One who gave them, but because it chances to suit his convenience. In willfully breaking one commandment, he shows contempt for the Lawgiver, and thus is guilty of violating the whole law. God does not allow men the privilege of keeping just so much of his law as suits their convenience.
Didn't Feel Like It.
By Editor
WE once conversed with a lady who acknowledged all the truth concerning the Sabbath, admitting that there was no Bible authority for the observance of Sunday, and that the fourth commandment requires the observance of the seventh day of the week. She acknowledged that people ought to keep it, yet she excused herself from the duty by saying that she didn't feel as though it was necessary for her to keep it. In short, she knew what duty was, but didn't feel like doing it. Does the Lord say that we must obey him if we feel like it? Do parents require obedience from their children only when the children feel like obeying? We read that when Christ comes, he will reward every man according to his works, not according to his feelings. A man's feeling has nothing to do with his service to God.
A Lame Argument.
We sometimes see an argument like this: "It is certain that the fate of the wicked will be just the opposite of the reward of the righteous; the righteous are promised everlasting happiness; therefore the wicked will suffer everlasting misery." But this is not a just conclusion, because the minor premise is not correct. It is life, eternal life, that is promised to the righteous. Those who believe in Christ are promised everlasting life. John 3:16. Paul was a servant of God, "in hope of eternal life." Titus 1:1, 2. Christ says: "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10. Eternal life with Christ will certainly be a happy condition, but the happiness is secondary to the life, and dependent upon it. Life is the promised reward, and without it there would be no possibility of happiness. With the minor premise thus corrected, we find that the conclusion to the above syllogism is that the wicked are to receive everlasting death. And this is exactly in harmony with the Bible. See Rom. 6:23; 2 Thess. 1:7-9.
Our Daily Bread.
"GIVE us this day our daily bread." That is, Give us to-day the bread sufficient for to-day. Nothing less than divine wisdom could have framed so simple and so reasonable a petition. Human greed would ask for enough for all future time; but if that were granted, the person could use no more of it to-day than he could if he had just enough for his needs. Besides, suppose a man were to-day given as much as he could use in a life-time, what assurance would he have that it would not be gone to-morrow, and he be left destitute? Indeed, this would most probably be the case; for, having enough for all time, the man would have no need for further asking; and by thus neglecting the source of supply, he would also shut himself off from the only power that could preserve. But the promise is, "Ask, and ye shall receive;" and the man who asks every day with the assurance that every day he will receive sufficient for that day is better off than the man who is given at once enough for all time, because he has not the worry of trying to take care of it. In one case the man is his own banker and watchman; in the other case God is the custodian of the treasure.
A New Paper.
By Editor
WE have received from the printing house in Basel, Switzerland, the first number of Educateur Missionaire et Journal de L'école du Sabbat, "Missionary Educator and Sabbath-School Journal," a 16-page quarterly, under the editorial supervision of Elders B. L. Whitney, W. C. White, and D. T. Bourdeau. The first number, however, is a double number, and is filled full of the most interesting and instructive matter. Following is a schedule of the contents:—
"Missionary Educator and Sabbath-School Journal—The Spread of the Work—Individual Responsibilities—Do We Allow Ourselves to Become Discouraged?—The Missionary Workers—Missionary Correspondence—The Papers—Why Are Reports Necessary?—What Can We Do?—Missionary Work in Our Homes—Missionary Visits—Quarterly Reports—Replies to Missionary Letters—Scope of the Sabbath-School—Duties of Those in Charge of the Sabbath-School—Family Sabbath-Schools—Questions and Answers."
This schedule will give the reader an idea of the design of this journal. It is especially to instruct our French brethren and sisters in missionary and Sabbath-school work. The Sabbath-school portion of the journal will occupy much the same field that is filled by our Sabbath-School Worker. Our French brethren in this country should not fail to take the Journal; it will be an invaluable aid to them in getting the truth before their fellow-countrymen. And if those who do not speak French would give the Journal their financial support, we are sure it would be appreciated.
Violent Dealing Returned.
A MISSIONARY writes as follows to Our Banner, a missionary journal published in New York:—
"The prolonged abuses endured by the Chinese have so prejudiced their minds against the religion of Americans, as well as against Americans themselves, that it is almost impossible for us to reach them with the gospel. They care not to hear it; they shun our missions. And there is great danger that the evils complained of will carry their influence to the other side of the Pacific. So many Chinese return to their own land to tell of the abuses endured among and by Christians, the message of the missionaries in China may be rejected. Rev. Mr. Masters, a recently returned missionary, told me that when he was walking on the street in the city of Sinuwi a brickbat was hurled at his head. Turning to see the one who threw the missile, and to inquire why it was thrown, one said to him, 'That's the way your people stoned me when I was in California.'"
A Worse Than Bad Man
By Editor
ONE of those creatures who by a great stretch of courtesy are sometimes called men, has telegraphed to this country that he is anxious to fight slogger Sullivan, unless America has a better man. Well, we are glad to say that America has a great many better men; it is doubtful, however, if she has a worse one. The adjective "good" cannot consistently be applied to such creatures. If one wishes to note comparison in the ascending scale among them, he must begin with the superlative of the opposite of good. Thus: worst, worse, bad.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
By Editor
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE
International Tract and Missionary Society.
A sixteen-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 Health and Temperance, the Home Circle, the Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-school.
Price Per Year, post-paid, . . . . . $2.00
In clubs of five or more copies to one name and address, to be used in Missionary work, each, . . . . . 1.50
To foreign countries, single subscriptions, post-paid, . . . . . 10s
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Twelfth and Castro Streets, OAKLAND, CAL., U. S. A.
The Signs of the Times.
By Editor
OAKLAND, CAL., FIFTH-DAY, APRIL 22, 1886.
Notice About Paper Subscriptions
By Editor
We send no papers from this office without pay in advance, unless by special arrangement. When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the SIGNS are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon for pay. Please read the papers and hand them to your friends to read.
No Paper Next Week
By Editor
NEXT week being the week of the annual meeting of our Publishing Association, there will be no paper. Number 17 of the SIGNS will bear date of May 6.
Elder Haskell Returns From Australasia
By Editor
ELDER HASKELL arrived on the Alameda, Sunday afternoon, April 18, after a pleasant voyage of nineteen days from Auckland. He is in good health, and brings a good report of the work in Australia and New Zealand. There were, when he left, over one hundred Sabbath-keepers in Australia, and about fifty in New Zealand. Sunday, April 4, he preached on board the steamer, and the greater part of the 11th he was with the friends in Honolulu. He also had the privilege of holding Bible-readings every day during the latter portion of the passage. In the next number we shall have a full report from him.
Our Father and Church Fellowship
"AFTER this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in Heaven." Why are we commanded to say our Father, instead of my Father? Manifestly because it is not God's design that any man should make a selfish petition. It shows that God designs his people to be united, and not that each individual should be independent. "No man liveth to himself." When we pray to God, we are to identify ourselves with the whole body of his people; we are to indicate that we are members of the body, and are to remember them in our petitions. The man who ignores church fellowship, and thinks that he can be as good a Christian outside the church as in it, cannot use the Lord's prayer. It was not intended for him.
Law, Force, and Anarchy
By Editor
A DAILY paper says: "It is a pretty safe rule that when it takes deputy sheriffs and Winchesters to execute a law, that law must be bad." Well, hardly. We should say that it may indicate that the people who are violating the law are pretty bad. It has often been the case that the laws against burglary, highway robbery, and murder could not be enforced except by armed officers of the law; yet no one thought of reviling those laws. It was the desperadoes who were bad. Might we not say that when a cause has to be advanced by a mob armed with Winchesters, it is evidence that the cause is a bad one? Such statements as the one quoted tend to throw contempt on law and order, and put a premium on nihilism and anarchy. No wrong was ever righted by the commission of another wrong.