—Another earthquake occurred at Granada, Spain, on Feb. 22.
—The Prince and Princess of Wales propose to make a tour of Ireland soon.
—Five hundred families of Lutherans are to found a colony in Shasta County, Cal.
—A large portion of the business part of Vassar, Michigan, was burned last week.
—President Cleveland decidedly favors the suspension of the coinage of silver dollars.
—Four ocean steamships were lost in the hurricane of Jan. 27-29, with passengers and crews.
—During February up to the 19th there had been an average of eight fires a day in New York City.
—A man, woman, and eight-year-old boy were frozen to death last week near Toronto, Canada.
—America is furnishing pumps with which to supply water to the British troops in the Soudan desert.
—There is great activity among socialists and dynamiters in Pittsburg, New York, Chicago, and Baltimore.
—Mrs. Lowell, wife of the American Minister to England, died at the American Legation in London last week.
—General Grant is pronounced by one of his physicians as a very sick man, with little or no hopes of his recovery.
—Justus Schwab, the notorious socialist, has been held for trial in $2,500 bail, on two charges,—inciting riot, and resisting an officer.
—A bill has been introduced in the Michigan Legislature, “to prevent children from acquiring the habit of using tobacco.”
—The New York Tribune says: “What with El Mahdi in Egypt, and El Pahdi in Ireland, England has about all she can attend to.”
—Paper is used for many purposes. Its latest and most delicate employment is that by Swiss watchmakers, as the wheels for watches.
—The Swedish steamer Norden, was run into and sunk by the English steamer Cumberland Feb. 27. Twenty-one persons were drowned.
—An Act repealing the pre-emption land law has passed the Senate and is now before the House, with probabilities in favor of its passage.
—Experts who have examined elevated railway structures in New York City, pronounce them in better condition to-day than ever before.
—Terrific gales prevailed in Scotland and Ireland from Feb. 19 to the 22d. Great damage was done along the coast, and inland, and many lives lost.
—In the House of Lords Feb. 26 the Marquis of Salisbury moved a vote of censure on the Egyptian policy of the Government. The motion was greeted with loud applause.
—By the recent court-martial Judge Advocate General Swain was sentenced to twelve years suspension from rank and duty, and the loss of half his pay for the same length of time.
—The Pacific Mail Steamship Zealandia arrived at San Francisco Feb. 21, from Sydney, Australia, making the passage in twenty-two days and nineteen hours, the fastest time on record.
—In the Soudan, England has already lost General Gordon, General Earle, General Stewart, Colonel Burnaby, Lieut. Colonel Eyre, and Major Coveny, besides a good many men, and all for what?
—Holland has recently passed a law closing about 12,000 saloons. Statistics show that in one year two and one-half per cent. of her population have been convicted of drunkenness, and $18,000,000 a year spent for liquor.
—The Oregon Legislature adjourned last week without electing a U. S. Senator, and the Governor is in considerable perplexity whether to re-convene the Legislature in extra session for the purpose, or to appoint one himself.
—A committee of iron manufacturers from Cleveland, Chicago, and Youngstown, have visited the iron mines of Alabama, and they report the quality of the iron as being fully up to the Northern standard, and the mines as easily worked and inexhaustible.
—A bill recently introduced in the New York Legislature provides that any person “who shall send to a convicted felon, or to a person held for trial on a charge of murder, a bouquet of flowers or other sympathetic token,” shall be subject to fine and imprisonment.
OUR GENERAL AGENTS.
Michigan—Miss Hattie House, care Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich.
New England—Mrs. E. T. Palmer, N. E. Tract Repository, South Lancaster, Mass.
North Pacific—Mrs. C. L. Boyd, East Portland, Oregon.
England—The Present Truth, 72 Heneage Street, Great Grimsby, Eng.
Norway—Eld. J. G. Matteson, Akersveien No. 2, Christiania, Norway.
Switzerland—B. L. Whitney, care Les Signes des Temps, Bâle, Suisse.
Hawaiian Islands—L. A. Scott, Honolulu, H. I.
Postage Stamps Not Accepted Above Thirty Cents
By Editor
WE cannot receive postage stamps for amounts exceeding thirty cents. The stamps frequently stick together and are useless by the time they reach us.
Faith and Fanaticism.
By Dr. James Hamilton
FAITH listens to God’s voice, and follows where Scripture leads it by the hand. Fanaticism has inward lights and mystic voices and revelations, and scorns the sober ways, the good old paths, of the written record. Faith compares scripture with scripture, and with docile patience gathers from its sundry places the entire mind of the Spirit. Fanaticism, when it deigns to consult the word at all, is proud and precipitate, and, pouncing on the text which serves its turn, has no tolerance for any other which would restrict or expand its meaning.
Faith has a creed of many articles, and its decalogue of ten commands. Fanaticism resolves morality into a solitary virtue, and its orthodoxy is summed up in a single tenet. Such a fanatic, had he heard on the temple roof a whisper in his ear, “Cast thyself down hence,” would scarcely have waited to ascertain whether the voice came from a good spirit or a demon; or had he paused for a moment, and then been reminded of the promise, “For he shall give his angels charge concerning thee,” he would find it a crime to hesitate. But he that believeth will not make such haste; and after hearing both the suggestion and the Scripture proof, that great Believer to whom it was addressed held up to the proposal the torch of truth, and declared it presumptuous and Heaven-provoking.
Reader, try the spirits. Error is often plausible, and the most ensnaring errors are those which have an obvious resemblance to truth.
Even though the outside coating is not brass, but real gold, the leaden coin is none the less counterfeit; and, like the devil’s temptation, wrapped up in a Scripture saying, many false doctrines come nowadays with a sacred or spiritual glamour round them, quoting texts and uttering Bible phrases. But the question is not, Who has got a text on his side? but, Who has got the Bible?—not, Who can produce certain sentences, torn from their connection and reft of the purport which that connection gives them? but looking at Scripture in its integrity, having regard to its general drift, as well as to the bearing of these special passages, Who is it that makes the fairest appeal to the statute-book of Heaven?—Dr. James Hamilton.
News Briefs: Congo, Diphtheria, Cholera, and Explosions
—The House Committee on Foreign Relations has prepared a resolution censuring Secretary Frelinghuysen for sending representatives from this country to the Congo Conference.
—Diphtheria is making fearful ravages in the towns of Eastern Connecticut and Western Rhode Island. In Norwich, New London, and Westerly two days of last week deaths were so numerous that hearses had to be hired from neighboring towns with which to bury the dead.
—In Georgia, dealers in revolvers and pistols, or in cartridges for such fire-arms, have to pay a license of $100 for the privilege, and it is estimated that nine-tenths of the traders have dropped that feature of their business. We wish every State would tax the traffic out of existence.
—The Quarantine Commissioners of New York harbor have sent a communication to the State Legislature, stating that in all human probability the approaching summer will find cholera in their midst, and asking an appropriation of $24,000, with which to make needful preparations for the protection of the city and harbor.
—A fearful explosion occurred on Feb. 26 at the royal school of gunnery, Shoeburyness, England, while a number of artillery officers and scientists were testing a new patent fuse. Three men were killed and several fatally wounded. Among the latter were some of the most prominent Government officials of Woolwich Laboratory.
—The New York Legislature is about to abolish imprisonment for debt in that State. It is surprising that this heritage from barbarism should at this day be found among the statutes of any civilized people. Yet it was only recently that a man was released from Ludlow Street Jail, after an imprisonment of five years for a debt of eighty dollars.
—The District Commissioners have decided that no freight trains shall enter Washington until March 6, on account of the inauguration ceremonies, and in consequence there threatens to be great scarcity of food in the city, as it depends upon the daily freights for its supplies. It is hoped, however, that the courts will interfere. If they do not, board will be extremely costly there during the inaugural festivities.
—A congress of dynamiters was held in Paris, Feb. 23, at which resolutions were passed advising the vigorous prosecution of the dynamite war on an extended scale; to cause explosions in all the towns and villages in England; to send two members of their faction to the camp of El Mahdi in the Soudan, to instruct him in the art of war; and condemning an informer to death. Several delegates plead in favor of innocent women and children, but without avail.
Appointments.
OAKLAND.—House of worship, northeast corner of Clay and Thirteenth Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:30 A. M. Preaching at 11 A. M. Prayer and missionary meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:00. Seats free. Preaching every Sunday evening at 7:30.
SAN FRANCISCO.—House of worship, 912 Laguna Street, between McAllister and Tyler Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:45 A. M. Preaching at 11 A. M. Prayer and missionary meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:45. Preaching every Sunday evening at 7:30. Mission Reading-rooms at the church.
Obituaries: Orange Craw and Samuel Oscar Cozad
Obituary.
CRAW.—Died, Jan. 6, 1885, at Bowling Green, O., Orange, son of Hiram and Ann Craw, aged about 23 years. He had been for a number of years afflicted with epilepsy, which, on Sunday morning, Jan. 4, took the form of violent insanity, followed by convulsions, which ended in death as stated. He made a profession of religion when about eleven years of age, under the labors of Elder E. B. Lane. He was baptized and united with the church, and lived a Christian for several years, always taking part in family worship. Funeral services were held at the M. E. Church, conducted by Rev. Holmes (Baptist), from Eccl. 8:8. H. AND A. CRAW.
COZAD.—Died, of lung fever, at Santa Rosa, Cal., Feb. 13, 1885, Samuel Oscar, infant son of P. D. and M. E. Cozad, aged eight months.
BOOKS IN PAPER COVERS.
Our Country's Future: The United States in the Light of Prophecy. An exposition of Rev. 13:11-17. By Elder U. Smith. Dealing with our own land, and applying to our own time. Of surpassing interest to every American reader. New edition. 186 pp. 25 cts.
Our Faith and Hope. Sermons on the coming and kingdom of Christ. By Elder James White. 182 pp. 25 cts.
Facts for the Times. A volume of valuable historical extracts. 25 cts.
Testimonies. Nos. 20-30, each 25 cts.
S. D. A. Year Book for the years 1883 and 1884, each 25 cts.
Thoughts on Baptism; Its Action, Subjects, and Relations. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 190 pp. 25 cts.
The Nature and Tendency of Modern Spiritualism. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. A thorough expose of this fascinating delusion. Should be widely circulated. 184 pp. 20 cts.
The Ministration of Angels, and the Origin, History, and Destiny of Satan. A work of great interest upon a subject seldom written upon. 144 pp. 20 cts.
Refutation of the Age to Come. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. This little treatise completely demolishes the vagaries of the future-age theorists. 168 pp. 20 cts.
The Visions. Objections answered. By U. Smith. 20 cts.
The Spirit of God, Its Gifts and Manifestations to the end of the Christian Age. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 144 pp. 15 cts.
The Three Messages of Rev. 14:6-12. Particularly the Third Angel's Message and the two-horned beast. By Elder J. N. Andrews. 144 pp. 15 cts.
The Morality of the Sabbath. An argument showing that the Sabbath commandment, like the other nine, is in its nature moral. 96 pp. 15 cts.
Miraculous Powers. The Scripture testimony on the Perpetuity of Spiritual Gifts. 128 pp. 15 cts.
The Complete Testimony of the Fathers of the first Three Centuries concerning the Sabbath and the First Day of the Week. By Elder J. N. Andrews. 112 pp. 15 cts.
Matthew Twenty-Four. A clear and forcible exposition of our Lord's discourse upon the Mount of Olives. By Elder James White. 64 pp. 10 cts.
Matter and Spirit. A philosophical argument on an interesting theme. 10 cts.
Bible Sanctification. By Mrs. E. G. White. A contrast of the true and false theories. 10 cts.
The Seven Trumpets. An exposition of the subject, as set forth in the book of Revelation, chaps. 8 and 9. 96 pp. 10 cts.
The Truth Found. The Nature and Obligation of the Sabbath. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 64 pp. 10 cts.
Vindication of the True Sabbath. By Elder J. W. Morton, formerly Missionary of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, to Hayti. 68 pp. 10 cts.
Hope of the Gospel. By Elder J. N. Loughborough. What it is, and when it will be consummated. 80 pp. 10 cts.
Christ and the Sabbath; or, Christ in the Old Testament, and the Sabbath in the New. By Elder James White. 56 pp. 10 cts.
Redeemer and Redeemed. By Elder James White. This work sets forth the plan of Redemption in its three stages. 40 pp. 10 cts.
Review of Gilfillan; or, Thoughts Suggested by the Perusal of Gilfillan and Other Authors on the Sabbath. 64 pp. 10 cts.
Appeal to the Baptists for the Restoration of the Bible Sabbath. 46 pp. 10 cts.
Review of Baird. A review of two sermons against the Sabbath and Seventh-day Adventists. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 64 pp. 10 cts.
The Rejected Ordinance. A carefully prepared paper on our Saviour's Act of Humility in John 13. By Elder W. H. Littlejohn. 10 cts.
The Position and Work of the True People of God under the Third Angel's Message. By Elder W. H. Littlejohn. 10 cts.
Life of Christ and His Apostles. 8 books. 90 cts.
The Home of the Saved; or, The Saints' Inheritance to be in the Earth Made New. By Elder J. N. Loughborough. 10 cts.
The Ancient Sabbath. Forty-four objections considered. By Elder D. T. Bourdeau. 88 pp. 10 cts.
Honor Due to God. By Elder E. J. Waggoner. An extended argument on the Tithing Question. Second edition. 64 pp. 10 cts.
California Year Book. It contains a brief history of the rise and progress of the S. D. Adventist work in California, and of each of the institutions connected therewith. 80 pp. 10 cts.
Any book in this list sent post-paid on receipt of price.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.;
Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
BIBLE SANCTIFICATION: A CONTRAST OF TRUE AND FALSE THEORIES.
By Mrs. E. G. White.
This is a pamphlet of only 84 pages, but its value is not to be judged by its size. It is just what its title indicates: a faithful presentation of Bible truth on this important subject, and an exposure of the false theories prevailing in regard to it. Every believer in Bible truth should read it. Buy it, read it, and lend it to your neighbor. Price, 10 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
A Shrewd Device.
By Sel.
THE Greboes, near Cape Palmas, on the west coast of Africa, have a queer way of settling difficulties. When one man strikes another, he does not strike back, no matter how large and strong he may be, but runs to the town, hallooing at the top of his voice, and killing every eatable animal he may meet, until his feelings are satisfied. He is followed by all the people near, who gather up his victims, and carry them to the “Palava” house, where they prepare a grand feast for all the inhabitants, and have a grand time. After the feast, the parties whose animals have been killed present their claims for damages; and the person who struck the first blow is compelled to satisfy them. If he is poor, his next of kin is compelled to help him; and then the next, until the claims are all paid, or the relatives of the offender all bankrupt. By this shrewd device, order is maintained; and the relatives of every person are made to keep a close watch over his conduct, for which they are responsible. These people are the sailors and carriers of West Africa, known generally as “Kroos;” and they are usually industrious, peaceable, and honest. Without them the commerce of the West African coast would be carried on with great difficulty.—Sel.
Be Content With the Work Given Us
WE had better be content with the work given us, which we are able to do, and perform it faithfully, than to vainly wish for something beyond our reach, which we would not be able perhaps properly to perform.—Sel.
The Earth and Its Fullness Are the Lord's
THE earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.
Sensational Religion.
By Editor
THE following account of an occurrence in Ohio we take from the San Francisco Evening Bulletin: “The late incident of religious mania occurring in Ohio, is but a repetition of what has been recorded from time immemorial. The subject of conversion in this case is a rich German infidel, named Dongel. The excitement on the occasion of his ‘finding grace at the mourner’s bench’ was most intense, owing, perhaps, to his previously pronounced antagonism to religion in all its forms. Women were thrown into convulsions, and strong men were so excited that ‘benches were pulled up, men picked up chairs and smashed them against the walls, while crowds marched up and down the aisles, singing and shouting in their mad joy.’ The new found Christianity of the convert would seem to have been of the muscular character, inasmuch as ‘he sprang up suddenly, knocking the minister violently against the pulpit, cutting his head and face severely.’ Becoming possessed of the idea that he should provide for the object of his belligerency, he not only took all his own available funds, but also scooped in by force that of his neighbors, and carried it to the manse. As a dramatic close to his conversion, he appeared at the evening meeting with a rude crown of thorns on his head, and, ascending the pulpit, announced that he was Christ come to judge the world. Not until after illustrating his idea of punishment on several of the congregation, who essayed to restrain him, was he secured and confined. As things stand, it may be an open question whether Dongel is now a better or more useful member of society than he was in his unregenerate state.”
Mere sensationalism in religion, a following of feelings and impressions instead of being guided by the truth of the sacred word, is the curse of the church and the world; yet it is fast becoming the religion of the age,—the only form of religion which is supposed to be attended with genuine “power.” Of this sort is the work of the “salvation army,” of the “perfectionists,” or “holiness bands.” Invariably when we have tried to move this class by an appeal to the Scriptures they have turned away from it and referred to their “internal evidence,” or “inner consciousness” as their cousins, the Spiritualists, term it, and boasted that God spoke to them right in their soul; that they learned their duty, not in a written word, but in answer to prayer, by the direct leading of the Spirit. Their feelings or impressions are, to them, the revelations of God’s will, more satisfactory than anything to be learned from the Bible. Of course they do not profess to ignore the Bible; but we have always found that they did ignore the teachings of the word when put to the test; when the words of the Scriptures conflicted with their feelings.
This sort of religion we say is becoming popular. It readily takes with the self-conceited, and with all those who want an easy religion—one which does not require the patient searching of the Scriptures. That is a religion which allows every one to “go as you please,” for there is no limit to the “Christian liberty” (falsely so called) which allows each heart to choose its own path,—to follow in the way of its own suggestions and devisings.
But many are responsible for this state of things who would be ashamed to be found amid such scenes as those described in this extract. All those who teach that keeping the commandments of God is not requisite in Christian life; that in Christ we are released from the precepts of God’s “ten words;” that we are not bound by the strict construction of the law of the Sabbath, and other precepts; all these are kindling the fire which bursts out in such freaks of fanatical frenzy as those here noticed. Doubtless the poor man might have been saved from insanity if there had been a particle of wisdom from above in the congregation; if they had known the Scripture truth that “God is not the author of confusion,” and listened to the divine injunction to “let all things be done decently and in order.” But losing sight of the divine word, they acted as they “felt,” and the result is seen.
We do not expect that they who preach to staid and fashionable congregations will be brought to consider their way, even with such examples before them. They must have “liberty” to choose or reject the precepts of Jehovah, to walk in the counsel of the world and of their own hearts, and they cannot afford to inquire into the relation of their preaching to such wild fanaticism as is fast taking possession of the religious world. May the Lord help his “little flock” in these days of fables to “hold fast the form of sound words.”
H. W.—For an exposition of Mark 9:44, see “Man’s Nature and Destiny,” chapter 31.
Sabbath Sentinel.
By Editor
THE following card we publish in answer to questions sent to that office:—
“Back numbers of the Sentinel can be furnished from the first number.
“If wanted for missionary purposes we will furnish them at 12 cents a year in considerable quantities. For the same purpose separately addressed, 15 cents. Address, Sabbath Sentinel, Battle Creek, Mich.”
General Meetings.
By Editor
WE early give notice of our general meetings because of their very great importance, and to give our people an opportunity to make full preparation to attend them.
HEALDSBURG, Thursday, April 16. To hold one week.
OAKLAND, Friday, April 24. Holding one week.
Annual meeting of the College, Friday, May 1.
The annual meeting of the Publishing Association will be held in connection with the general meeting in Oakland. It is urged and expected that the churches throughout the State will be well represented in this meeting, as the condition and interests of the office will be fully considered, and also arrangements for labor for the coming season will then be made. “The field is the world,” and all who love the truth have an interest in these matters.
The reason for holding the general meeting in Healdsburg before the annual College meeting is this: The College term closes April 24. Elder Haskell will be here, and he wishes (and in this wish we all join) to attend a meeting there before the scholars leave. This is an important point. The experience of Elder Haskell with our schools in the East makes it very desirable that he shall be present at and before the close of the school year.
Preparations for the business meetings of the College can be made while the brethren are together in the general meeting. The subject of our Health Retreat will also be considered at the same time. Do not fail to come!
Prohibition and Politics.
By Editor
The following item we clip from the daily Chronicle:—
“Lansing (Mich.), Feb. 27.—In the Senate tonight a joint resolution submitting the prohibition amendment to the people failed to pass—ayes 18, noes 13, which was not the required two-thirds. The vote was strictly partisan, the Republicans voting aye and the Democrats no. It was then reconsidered and tabled, to be brought up again after the spring election.”
We can only repeat the regret which we have before expressed, that prohibition is anywhere made a political question. And we have not changed our mind in regard to the mistake made by the prohibitionists last year in forcing it in the field of politics. If time does not prove that the effort to create a third party was an injury to the cause, we shall have to confess our mistake. There are friends of temperance in both parties who will vote for prohibition if they can do it without sacrificing all their party preferences for that one issue. We are pleased to see that so soon after the strife of a general election the cause of prohibition received so large a vote in Michigan as it did.
Intercommunion With Churches That Do Not Keep the Commandments
By Editor
Intercommunion.
WE have been asked to decide between the members of a church who are divided in opinion as to whether it is allowable to partake of the communion with other churches, which do not keep the commandments. We feel compelled to answer in the negative, and that most decidedly. Let all be treated with kindness and Christian courtesy. No doubt there are good honest souls among them, and we should seek to reach them with the present truth and to teach them the way of God more perfectly. But we should have no hope to help them by communing with them. It is not the way to convince them that we have important truth which they need. It rather tends to make them satisfied with their present position. We must not forget our obligation to the message of warning which God has committed to us for the whole world. Read all of Rev. 14:6-12.
Change of Price.
By Publishers
AFTER April 1, 1885, the price of the fourth volume of “The Great Controversy,” will be $1.25. This volume is much larger than the other volumes, and much larger than was contemplated when the price was placed at $1.00; it is far too expensive to be furnished at less than $1.25.
Let all our agents take notice that after April 1, the price of “The Great Controversy,” Vol. IV, will be $1.25. PUBLISHERS.
Joshua V. Himes Donates William Miller's Travel Trunk
JOSHUA V. HIMES writes an interesting letter to Messiah’s Herald, Boston, donating to that office the trunk which William Miller used in his travels during his ministry, containing many valuable papers. We trust some of these may be found to be of sufficient interest to all classes of Adventists to warrant their publication. The memory of this devoted servant of God is precious to those who are looking for the coming of the Saviour, and unpublished papers from his hand would be hailed with pleasure by thousands at this day.