According to arrangements made by the leading brethren, I have spent five weeks among the churches in this Conference, namely, Echo, Walla Walla, Milton, Dayton, Pataha, and Farmington. I have aimed to visit all the friends accessible. Have held forty meetings in all, and obtained 167 yearly subscriptions for the SIGNS to be used for missionary work in Idaho. According to the plan introduced by the president, these SIGNS are to be sent out by the assistant secretary, Sister Halleck. The brethren have shown a commendable zeal in giving of their means for this work. I hope, however, they will not consider their duty done, but will not only keep up their club of SIGNS but increase it, and engage in missionary work themselves.
Many more SIGNS than are now taken could be used to good account in that Conference. Hundreds of people are settling up that vast Territory, which gives an excellent chance to circulate our reading matter, and thus bring the light before the people. Five hundred copies of the SIGNS could be used in Idaho the coming winter; thus that unexplored field might be prepared for active labor in the spring. The times demand activity, and the spirituality of a Conference can be measured by the amount of missionary work done. Inactivity brings spiritual death and its sad results. The example of the Head of the church should be followed more closely than it is. His labors were unceasing and their fruits we are privileged to enjoy. Thus we are placed under great obligation to Him who has said, Go, labor in my vineyard.
Some of the churches visited have newly come to the faith, and need to be educated in the duties that devolve upon the Christian. I was gratified to see their readiness in taking hold as fast as duties were presented. Others have been very negligent, either through a lack of knowledge or lack of consecration, in carrying out the requirements of the fourth commandment. God has given us great light, and we shall be held responsible for this light. If we desecrate his holy day by speaking our own words (Isa. 58: 13), or doing our own work (Ex. 20: 10), we cannot expect the smiles of Heaven. Exodus 16: 23 should be read each day until the duties enjoined therein are fully impressed upon the mind. Then all work would be done upon the preparation day, and there would be a readiness for the holy Sabbath of the Lord. I tried, in the fear of God, to set before these churches practical duties. Confessions were made, and a willingness was manifested to take advance steps in the Christian life. I have reason to hope that the resolutions formed will be carried into effect.
If the health reform were more regarded, there would be increased spiritual discernment and a clearer perception of Christian duties. The Spirit of prophecy teaches us that the health reform is as closely connected with the message as is the arm with the body. Brethren, we cannot afford to be indulging in tea, coffee, tobacco, and swine's flesh, when our soul's salvation is at stake. The counsel that Paul gave to the Romans should be heeded by us who are expecting soon to be ushered into the presence of a just and holy God. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Rom. 12: 1.
I had the pleasure of spending two days with Brethren Colcord and Bartlett at the tent at Garfield. They have a few interested hearers, who seem to be anxious to know what the Bible says. The harvesting and threshing season, and the scattered condition of the inhabitants, are against the work, but our brethren labor on in hope. May God bless their labors abundantly.
WM. INGS.
On the ocean, Sept. 15, 1884.
France.
By D. T. Bourdeau
THIRTEEN persons have signed the covenant at Brauges. These believers, though in very straitened circumstances, will do something to sustain the cause in France. More than one-half of them signed a pledge to pay the tithe, and nearly all of the remainder said they would do what they could. I regard this as a good start in the matter of giving, when I consider the shortness of the effort, the strong prejudice in France against the tithing system, because of its abuse by the Catholic clergy, and also the fact that these brethren are farmers owning only from one to three acres of land, and generally in debt at that, having had three poor seasons in succession. Some are overcoming tobacco, and baptism will be administered when I return.
I came to this city six days ago after an absence of seven years. I found that since my first effort here some of the believers had died, and others had apostatized; and the rest had been like sheep without a shepherd, and were in great need of help. I have held eight meetings, baptized two persons, organized a small Sabbath-school, and a church of seven members paying tithes.
On my way to Valence, I visited a dear family at St. Didier, who had kept the Sabbath alone ever since I defended the Sabbath and the near coming of Christ, in a discussion in that place, seven years ago. It was a precious season. They sent a request to unite with the company at Brauges, and promised to pay their tithes.
The cholera is still raging in France, and in several cities in Italy. In a small village of only five hundred inhabitants, not far from this city, as many as forty persons have died of this dreadful and dreaded disease in two days. Some are dying of the plague even in this city, but the matter is hushed, that the people may not run away in a panic, as they have done in other cities.
Brethren, should not these judgments lead us to think seriously of the soon-coming plagues of Jehovah's wrath, from which none of the wicked, whether in Zion or out of Zion, can escape? Should we not be up and doing, in warning our fellow-men, and preparing for the day of wrath?
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Valence, Aug. 27, 1884.
Northern Wisconsin Camp-Meeting.
By E. E. Olive
THIS meeting was held at Duck Creek, four miles west of Green Bay, Sept. 4-8, in a beautiful grove of pines. Sabbath-keepers were present from all parts of northern Wisconsin. About 120 camped on the ground. Elders Decker and Sanborn did most of the preaching. This was the first meeting of the kind that many of the campers had ever attended, and all seemed to appreciate the privilege. A very interesting Sabbath-school was held, in which nearly 100 took part.
There was quite a heavy rain on Sunday, which prevented the people in the city from attending, but it gave an opportunity to continue the good work begun on Sabbath, and the plain, practical truths presented, with the blessing of God did much good. About twenty made a start to serve the Lord, and ten were baptized.
Two men traveling westward came near the camp-ground at the beginning of the meeting, and stopped for a few minutes under the shade of the trees, to rest their horses. Becoming interested in the preaching, they asked the privilege of pitching their tent in the camp, which was granted. They stayed till the close of the meeting, and both accepted the truth, and one pledged $50.00 to the cause. On Monday they went on their way rejoicing in the truth of the Third Angel's Message.
The brethren in this part of the State are quite poor, but when the wants of the cause were presented before them, $488 was soon pledged.
The meeting closed Monday morning, and the brethren separated with a determination to strive more zealously for a home in the kingdom of God.
This meeting will no doubt prove a great blessing to the cause in this part of the State, as it has been to all who attended.
E. E. OLIVE.
St. Howard, Wis., Sept. 16, 1884.
A Neglected Spiritual Force.
By A. J. Gordon
WHAT we have most reason to fear is that subtle materialism which is creeping into our church life and methods. How much we are coming to lean on mere human agencies! upon art and architecture, upon music and rhetoric and social attractions! If we would draw the people to church that we may win them to Christ, the first question with scores of Christians nowadays is, What new turn can be given to the kaleidoscope of entertainment? What new stop can we insert in our organ, and what richer and more exquisite strain can we reach by our quartette? What fresh novelty in the way of social attraction can we introduce; or, what new coruscation can be let off from the pulpit to dazzle and captivate the people? Oh, for a faith to abandon utterly these devices of naturalism, and to throw the church, without reserve, upon the power of the supernatural! Is there not some higher degree in the Holy Spirit's tuition into which we can graduate our young ministers, instead of sending them to a German university for their last touches of theology culture? Is there not yet some reserved power treasured up in the church which is the body of Christ, some unknown or neglected spiritual force which we can lay hold of, and so get courage to fling away forever these frivolous expedients on which we have so much relied for carrying on the Lord's work?—Dr. A. J. Gordon.
Strange and Sad
STRANGE AND SAD.—There was a very strange sight in the town of Berryville last Sunday. A full-blooded Seminole Indian, born and raised till a boy of eleven in the everglades of Florida, stood up in the Berryville Baptist pulpit and preached the gospel of Christ to a house crowded with people of the Caucasian race—the boasted superior race of mankind. The sad part of it was to hear his pathetic appeals to a people whose opportunities were far superior to his, to accept Christ as a Saviour, and to take care lest in them should be fulfilled the scripture which says the children of the kingdom shall be thrust out and strangers shall take their places.
The Doctrines of Grace
By Charles Hodge
The doctrines of grace humble a man without degrading him, and exalt him without inflating him.—Charles Hodge.
Home and Choice of a Wife.
By Mrs. Helen H. S. Thompson
"Home—the dearest spot on earth."
"A man is always nearest to good at home, and farthest from it when away."—Holland.
"If thou art to have a wife of thy youth, she is now living on the earth; therefore think of her, and pray for her, though thou hast not seen her!"
"Seek a good wife of thy God, for she is the best gift of his Providence.
"Suffer not trifles to win thy love, for a wife is thine unto death."—Tupper.
I HAD been reading Dr. Holland's inimitable chapter on Home to some of my young friends, and one very earnest, thoughtful face was turned toward mine, as I closed the book. "Do you know," said he, "that I believe we have the best home and mother in the world? I wonder—"
"What, Charley?"
"If I shall ever have as good a wife?"
"It is not impossible, Charley," I replied, "but such wives and mothers are rare. You must do your best to deserve them, and prepare for such a home and wife. They will come in time if you do your part well."
"I believe we boys have always felt home to be the best place, thanks to the taste, thoughtful love, and consideration for our feelings, that father and mother have always shown us; but I never realized it fully, until I went home with a college friend. Such a home! The house is large enough, and has more furniture in it than ours, but it seems a place merely to eat and sleep in after all. My friend's room was bare of a comfort or a pretty thing. Mother thinks boys are so rough and horrid, that it doesn't pay to fix up our berth. Boys aren't good for much anyhow. It takes the girls to get the nice fixin's," he explained to me.
"It doesn't at our house. We fare as well as our sisters every time. I tell you what," continued Charley, "Mother has always treated us as though we were gentlemen, since we were knee high, and it's going to make gentlemen of us. Why we wouldn't disappoint her for the world!"
How much there is in that! thought I. If parents would only treat their children with as much courtesy as they show their guests, there would be far less occasion to reprove for vulgarity, rudeness, and disorder. Give a boy a room with as many comforts and tasteful arrangements as you can possibly muster, and he will be a strange boy indeed, if he does not reward you fourfold. If there is anything in this world that serves as a beacon-light, compass, and rudder, across the dangerous sea of life, it is the memory of a good and gentle mother—a well-regulated and happy home. Its influence will gird a young man with moral safety as a bulwark, and for the want of these precious home associations, many a young man has made a wreck of his manhood.
Surely, then, a young man's highest ambition should be the establishment and maintenance of such a home, which shall be the reservoir of his best life, and a perennial fountain of joy.
But let me say to the young man whose eyes shall glance over this page, your home will depend largely upon what you are yourself. You have no right to expect your home to be better and happier than you are. If you are good, generous, and genial, your home will partake largely of yourself; so, likewise, if you are selfish, crabbed, and disagreeable.
The structure and choosing of the home that is to be, is the most momentous step a man is ever called to take. You should carry with you into it every influence that has been ennobling and delightful in your childhood's home, and improve upon it all you can besides. Of course you cannot make this home alone, and she who is to help you rear the temple, should not be chosen for trifles, since she is to be prime mover and keeper thereof. See, then, that there is adaptation and fitness, a sweet temper and fervent love. Then consecrate your life to her and home. Bring into this vestibule of love a deep unselfishness, and a purity like crystal. A young man ought to scorn to bring to his wife a heart that has flirted with a dozen girls, or a body impure from evil thoughts and practices. Think not lightly of these things. There is a solemn grandeur in the path before you. The soil is rich in possibilities; but as you sow you will reap—rarest flowers or pestilential weeds.
Novel as the idea may seem, believe me you will best attain a manhood fit to offer a pure-souled woman, by cherishing in your breast, through all the years of youth, an ideal wife. "I know all about that 'child wife'—my ideal wife," said Charley, in response to this spoken thought. "She has grown up beside me. I shall never marry till I find her, but I am sure she lives, as perfect as my dream. For her I have studied, worked, and planned, and daily prayed for her weal. By her, I have guided my habits and principles, and if ever tempted into anything wicked, vulgar, or impure, have blushed lest she should see or feel it! You cannot think what a safeguard it has been, Auntie," said he with real emotion.
"God bless you, Charley, and help you to find her," I replied, with an overflowing heart.
"I'm sure he will," was answered, reverently.
What do you think of that, boys? Somewhere upon the earth his wife to be is living. Would not you, too, do well to think much of her, plan and labor for her, and mould your lives into purity and excellence for her sake? Might not you, too, find it a safeguard against temptation, and a powerful stimulus to attain all that is worthy and complete in a perfect manhood?
Remember that the influence of a noble woman is heavenly, and can draw you heavenward; and home as it should be is only a faint type of that celestial land where every pure affection is cemented for eternity.—Mrs. Helen H. S. Thompson.
An Every-Day Heroine.
By William Aikman
"And so they fell by thousands—those unnamed demigods!" exclaimed Kossuth in one of his impassioned orations made in this country over thirty years ago. He was speaking of the unselfish patriotism of his countrymen as they laid down their lives in battle. It was the enthusiastic estimate of a man who saw the extremity of devotion in men who never had a thought that they would be heralded or even known, but who, with sublime self-sacrifice, did their duty only.
There are unnamed heroes everywhere. They need not be looked for on battle-fields; they can easily be found in obscure places, where few eyes see them, and no one thinks of celebrating or heralding them. More often they are heroines, gentle women who meet the battle-shock of life and bear it bravely and with smiles.
In a country place, removed from the noise of the city, we have been observing one of these unnamed heroines. The old house in which she has her home has stood for more than eighty years where it is. Once a large family filled it. It was the home of plenty, and its mistress was a Lady Bountiful, and its master one whom men praised and children clung to. But times have changed and have dispeopled it, and now many of its rooms are vacant. Father and brothers have gone, the one to the grave, the others to make homes elsewhere on earth. Only the daughter is left with the widowed mother. There is still the place, not now prosperous as in the olden time—it is gone much to decay—to be cared for; the garden, the cow, the home; and some one must give the care.
It would be easy for this girl to despond and to have started back from the responsibility and the work; to have said, "I cannot do it; it is not a woman's task." But so she has not done. She has taken up the burden, and she bears it cheerily from day to day. She evidently does not think it a burden. Her face is bright, and I hear her quiet singing as she goes on her way round the house. She directs everything, provides for everything, but with a sunshine of good nature. I hear no fretful word when annoyances press upon her—and that is almost every day; I hear no whisper of complaint, nor the semblance of an expression of weariness or dissatisfaction. She does not seem to think that she is doing anything out of the usual line of things. She is not old; she is young enough to enjoy the pleasant things of life, and she does enjoy them. She does not seem to feel cut off by the multiplicity of her cares, from company or amusements. Somehow she contrives to mingle them in with the routine of her life, and to get more out of them than others without a tithe of her occupations.
Now, there is nothing extraordinary in all this. There are all over the land thousands of just such girls. They are found in every city and hamlet, and this girl is in no way superior to any one of them. They have widowed mothers to care for, little brothers and sisters to look after, a scanty income to make up by skillful contrivances; they have a hundred worries and heavy responsibilities; but they go singing on their way, bravely and sweetly doing all that the hours are demanding, all that the days are bringing. No murmur escapes their lips, and no murmur seems to be in their hearts. They are simply true-hearted women.
Yet they are heroines, more of heroines, when one comes to measure it all, than if on some battle-field they helped the wounded, or by some river risked life to save a drowning child. Battle-fields are not found every day nor even every year. These great occasions come only once in a great while, and to the most of people never. They can never display courage or unselfish devotion if these are only589fields for them. But the ordinary days, as they come and go, make opportunities for almost every one to display these high qualities. Life is made up of small moments and small things, but great qualities can be shown in them. The steady pressure of care, the everlasting round of humdrum duties, the small worries and frets of life, make them. In these few the most of us fail. We do not see just where the great opportunities open. We do not see them great, or our opportunities at all.
But what is more noble than to meet them courageously and cheerfully, to take up their burden with a song and a smile? The cheery silence or the quiet song of this girl, the patience and the steady endeavor that make up the history of every day, seem in this light heroic.
Perhaps these lines may fall under the eye of some one more than half weary with the cares that do not cease to come with every day, with work and duty whose tread is a perpetual round, till you are tempted to grow sad and to feel that life has but small meaning in it. Do not yield to the thought. There is heroism in your daily bearing and doing; there is a nobility in your life when, with smiles and rippling songs, you do the work that lies just in front of you. There are unseen eyes that watch, angelic presences that help, and—more than all—One whose tenderness wearies not, and who will by and by say, "Well done!" It was said to one who had been faithful in a very little.—Rev. William Aikman, D. D.
The Home Circle.
CHILD'S HYMN.
God, make my life a little light
Within the world to glow—
A little flame that burneth bright
Wherever I may go.
God, make my life a little flower
That giveth joy to all,
Content to bloom in native bower,
Although its place be small.
God, make my life a little song
That comforteth the sad,
That helpeth others to be strong,
And makes the sinner glad.
God, make my life a little staff,
Whereon the weak may rest,
That so, what health and strength I have
May serve my neighbors best.
God, make my life a little hymn
Of tenderness and praise,
Of faith that never waxes dim
In all his wondrous ways.
—Good Words.
A CURIOUS BOOK.
Perhaps the most singular curiosity in the book world is a volume that belongs to the family of the Prince de Ligne, and is now in France. It is entitled, "The Passion of Christ." It is neither printed nor written; every letter of the text is cut in the leaves, and being interleaved with blue paper, it is as easily read as the best print. The labor and patience bestowed on it must have been excessive, especially when the precision and minuteness of the letters are considered. The general execution of the volume is of the most costly and delicate kind. In 1640, 11,000 ducats was offered for it and refused. It bears the royal arms of England, but no one knows when it was in that country, or by whom owned.—Sel.
New Zealand.
THE colony of New Zealand is situated in the South Pacific Ocean, and consists of three islands, the Northern, Middle, and Stewart's Islands. Portions of them were explored by Tasman, under the direction of the Dutch East India Company, in 1642, and visited at various times during the eighteenth century by Captain Cook. The first settlement of Europeans was made in 1814, but no colonization took place until 1839. In 1841 New Zealand was created a separate colony, distinct from New South Wales. The entire area is about 106,260 square miles, being 4,440 miles smaller than the State of Nevada.
The population of New Zealand in March, 1881, was 489,993. The native population, or Maories, was estimated at 44,097, in addition, chiefly in the Northern Island. In 1840 a treaty was concluded at Waitangi, with the native chiefs, whereby the sovereignty of the islands was ceded to Great Britain, while the chiefs were guaranteed the possession of their lands, forests, etc., on condition that they retained them. If they proposed to sell them, Great Britain was to have the right of pre-emption. Thus New Zealand became a regular colony, and the seat of government was fixed at Auckland, but it was removed to Wellington in 1865. The government is vested in a governor appointed by the queen of England, a Legislative Council, also appointed by the queen, and a House of Representatives, consisting of ninety-five members, elected by the people for three years, four of whom are Maories, elected by the natives.
The Wesleyans deserve much credit for their persevering missionary labor amongst this once barbarous people. The following device by a Christian chieftain for making peace deserves to be recorded: He went to the neighborhood of his enemies' pah (village), and concealed himself near it, so that he could see every one who went in and came out, without being seen himself. At last he saw a young man, one of the head chiefs of the place, go out and advance to a spot where he might obtain an extended view and see whether any enemies might be approaching; there he sat down, quite unaware of the vicinity of his foe, who lay concealed close to him. This one, watching his opportunity, stole upon him so quietly that he reached him without being heard, then sprang suddenly upon him like a tiger, and overpowered him before he had time to resist; he then pinioned his arms behind him and led him off as a prisoner. But not to death. When they had gone some distance, quite out of sight of the pah, he suddenly stopped, unbound his prisoner's arms, and bid him bind his instead! The other obeyed, marvelling what it all meant, and now took his captor, thus fettered, back to the inclosure. Once inside, all rushed upon him, eager to dispatch him instantly, but the young chief bade them pause while he related how he had obtained his captive. Surrounded by them all, the prisoner in the midst, he now gave an exact account of all that had taken place, and demanded whether he ought to be killed? Such courage and generosity combined struck the impulsive warriors with admiration. With one acclaim they voted his deliverance; the prisoner was immediately unbound, peace made between the two tribes, and, after celebrating a feast in his honor, he returned to his own place with some of his new-made friends.—Sel.
Habits of the Bedouins.
IN his description of his experiences in the Soudan, Rev. R. E. Colston gives the following account of how the Arabs subsist in the desert:—
"In the 'Waterless Land,' water is the paramount question. If it be asked how a large body of Bedouins, like the 10,000 who nearly destroyed the British squares at Tamai, manage to subsist, the reason is plain. In the first place, they do not need the enormous trains required for a European army. They are the most abstemious of men. Each man carries a skin of water and a small bag of grain, procured by purchase or barter from caravans. Their camels and goats move with them, supplying them with milk and meat, and subsisting upon the scanty herbage and foliage of the thorny mimosa, growing in secluded wadies. These people could live upon the increase of their flocks alone, which they exchange readily for other commodities; but being the exclusive carriers and guides for all the travel and commerce that cross their desert, they realize yearly large amounts of money. As to water, they know every nook and hollow in the mountains, away from the trails, where a few barrels of water collect in some shaded ravine, and they can scatter, every man for himself, to fill their water-skins. On my first expedition, near the close of the three years' drought, I reached some wells on which I was depending, and found them entirely dry. It was several days to the next wells. But my Bedouin guide knew some natural reservoirs in the hills about six miles off. So they took the water-camels at nightfall, and came back before daylight with the water-skins filled. An invading army would find it hard to obtain guides, and even if they did, they must keep together, and could not leave the line of march to look for water. Besides, the Bedouins, accustomed from infancy to regard water as most precious and rare, use it with wonderful economy. Neither men nor animals drink more than once in forty-eight hours. As to washing, they never indulge in such wasteful nonsense. When Bedouins came to my camp, water was always offered them. Their answer would frequently be, 'No, thanks; I drank yesterday.' They knew too well the importance of keeping up the habit of abstemiousness. No wonder they can subsist where invaders would quickly perish."
Sorrow’s Richness and Tenderness
By Selected
TAKE all sorrow out of life, and you take away all richness and tenderness. Sorrow is the furnace that melts selfish hearts together in love.—Sel.
A MINE OF INFORMATION.
By John Nevins Andrews
HISTORY OF THE SABBATH AND FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK.
By Eld. J. N. Andrews.
The Bible record of the Sabbath; the secular history concerning it; the successive steps by which the change to the first day was made, and the work of restoration, are given in detail.
EVERY TEXT OF SCRIPTURE concerning the Sabbath is commented on at length; and the COMPLETE TESTIMONY OF THE FATHERS in regard to the Sabbath and first day is given. The comparative merits of the seventh and the first-day Sabbaths are fully shown. A copious index enables the reader to find any text, or the statement of any historian.
Should be read by everybody. 528 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THOUGHTS ON DANIEL, CRITICAL AND PRACTICAL.
By Editor
By Eld. U. Smith.
AN EXPOSITION OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL, VERSE BY VERSE.
We are now living in times plainly pointed out in this prophecy, and it is important to understand it; for Daniel himself says that in the time of the end, the wise shall understand; while, if we fail, we are equally guilty with the Jews, who knew not the time of their visitation (Luke 19:42-44), and shall meet a similar fate.
416 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THOUGHTS ON REVELATION, CRITICAL AND PRACTICAL.
By Uriah Smith
BY ELD. U. SMITH.
This work presents every verse in the book of Revelation, with such remarks as serve to illustrate or explain the meaning of the text. It is a new and harmonious exposition of that important book, and is designed to create an interest in its study.
416 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE TRUTH FOUND.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
THE NATURE AND OBLIGATION OF THE SABBATH OF THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.
By Eld. J. H. Waggoner.
The title of this little book sufficiently explains its character. It contains more Scriptural information in regard to the Sabbath than any other book of twice the size, and yet it is so simplified as to be easily comprehended. The author quotes the opinions of many learned men concerning the Sabbath, and their conflicting theories are strongly contrasted with the clear, straightforward teaching of the Bible. 64 pp. Price, 10 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, 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.
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.
News and Notes.
By Editor
RELIGIOUS.
—It is reported that "General" Booth is coming to this country to look after the interests of the Salvation Army.
—A midnight mission has been started in Chicago in order to reach the class of people who are to be seen on the streets only after respectable people have gone to bed.
—The Tennessee Baptist says that there are 381 ordained Baptist preachers in that State who are without pastorates, because they are disqualified by lack of education to be acceptable to churches.
—The Rev. Dr. Pressense, of Paris, does not hesitate to ascribe the wild panic that seized upon the people of Toulon at the outbreak of the cholera, to the recent progress of materialism and the decay of faith in God.
—In the "prelude" to his discourse on a recent Sunday evening, Dr. McLean, of this city, said: "There are a few stores in our city which insist in doing business on Sunday. I believe that all such stores should be noted and avoided."
—So respectable a journal as the North American Review prints such stuff as this from the pen of Elizabeth Cady Stanton: "It was at a Jewish polygamous wedding that Jesus performed his first miracle, and polygamy was practiced by Christians for centuries."
—For the last thirty-four years, the Bible Societies of England and America have printed over 10,000 copies of the Bible for each business day. At an outlay of about $65,000,000, over 145,000,000 copies of the Scriptures have been published by these two societies since their formation in 1804 and 1816.
—We are pleased to see in a brief Chronicle report of the recent Methodist Conference in California the following item: "One man was refused admittance to the conference because it was not certain that he had abandoned the use of tobacco." If now they would go a step farther and refuse to admit a man into the church unless he abandoned tobacco, their record on that score would be about perfect.
—In the course of an answer to the question, "When and by whose authority was obedience to the fourth commandment changed from the seventh to the first day of the week?" the Christian Union of Sept. 11 says: "The day was not changed by any ecclesiastical authority from the seventh to the first; the change was a gradual one. In the early church for a time the seventh day was observed as the Sabbath, and the first day as the celebration of the resurrection."
—A telegram from London, concerning the cholera plague, says: "There has been an enormous revival of religious sentiment in Naples, and the shrines which were walled up by Garibaldi in 1860 have all been opened, and the whitewash scraped off the holy pictures. Crowds, wild with joy, watch the work and hail with shouts each restoration. The processions are continued in the poorer streets chiefly by women. The churches are thronged, and street altars are being erected. The police do not dare to interfere with the altars. The most extravagant stories of miracles worked are received with credulity by the populace."
—The following from the Holiness Evangelist sounds as though it was written to rebuke some of its own patrons, who claim that they have received a special revelation from the Lord, telling them that they need not keep his law: "If God intended to give a revelation to each individual soul directly, he would not have given us a Bible; and there would have been no way of telling what was truth, and what error, for each one would claim to have his ideas from God. But since God has given us all one revelation of infallible truth in his word, we can all test any special revelations God may give relating to things not made clear, and see if they accord with the Bible."
—Archbishop Gibbons denies the charge that Catholics neglect the Bible, and says that the students of the seminary in which he studied were "so familiar" with the Bible that "many of them, on listening to a few verses, could tell from what portion of the Scriptures you were reading." This he seems to regard as a great achievement, even for those who were studying for the priesthood. We will undertake to find hundreds of lay members of Protestant churches who can do that; and the archbishop would have a task to find a Catholic who would know anything of the Bible, except what his catechism contains. If the priests understood the Bible, then their guilt for neglecting to teach it is increased tenfold.
—"Rev." Dr. Jackson, of San Francisco, preached a sermon a few Sundays ago on "Atheism." On the text, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God," he said, "The world has known but few staunch atheists, and they were not fools. I allude to such illustrious characters as John Tyndall, John Stuart Mill, and Harriet Martineau, who are world-renowned for their learning and intelligence." Of course, according to the "Rev. Dr.," if they are "world-renowned," for wisdom, God would not dare to reverse the decision. We have yet to learn, however, that God will go to the pages of history, when he makes up his estimate of characters however great. Concerning the atheist, the preacher said, "We may say that he is in error, and pity him, but man is none the worse morally for being an atheist." Of course a man who does not believe in God, will not be bound by any of his laws, and, therefore, according to the above teaching, a man is none the worse morally whatever sin he may commit. This is in perfect harmony with Spiritualist doctrine, to which a large portion of the professedly religious world is fast drifting.