p. 335 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 21. (5/29/1884)

SECULAR.

—The trial of 160 nihilists is soon to begin in St. Petersburg.

—The Spanish king, Alfonso, promises great reforms in taxation, pay of soldiers, etc.

—Ten train-wreckers on the Mexican National Railroad have been shot by the soldiers.

—The Grand Lodge of A. O. U. W. of Utah have resolved to exclude polygamists from the order.

—It is said that nearly a score of suicides have resulted from the failure of the Oriental Bank of London.

—Excitement increases regarding the rich developments of tin in the mines of Dakota, in the vicinity of Custer.

—The first patent refrigerator car of Oregon salmon arrived in New York last week in good condition, after a journey of nine days.

—Last year the oil wells of California produced 5,000,000 gallons of oil, and the prospect is said to be good for double that amount the present year.

—A French brig was sunk off the coast of New Brunswick, on the 23d inst., and, together with her fifty-three passengers and crew of nine, was a total loss.

—The paying teller of the West Side Bank, New York, has absconded with $96,000. He has held the position fifteen years, and was regarded as a man of rigid integrity.

—Dr. Samuel D. Gross, the eminent surgeon, died at Philadelphia on the 6th inst., at the age of seventy-nine. He was the author of several well-known professional works.

—Extremely warm weather in Oregon is causing the Willamette and Columbia Rivers to rise quite rapidly. Should the hot weather continue, very high water is anticipated.

—On account of the late riotous conduct at the hanging of two criminals at Ashland, Ohio, there is a move to have a State executioner appointed, and to have all executions take place in the penitentiary.

—At Bei-Bazar, a city of Asia Minor, on the 19th inst., 950 dwellings, 544 warehouses and shops, 11 mosques, 15 schools, 9 khans, and 146 other buildings, were burned. Eleven persons lost their lives.

—By the use of a preparation to darken her eyelashes a well-known young married lady has become nearly blind, and now she sits all day long in a darkened room wondering why she was so foolish.—New York Paper.

—It is reported that a new railroad line—the Nebraska Central—is to be constructed from the Missouri River, through the State of Nebraska toward Ogden by way of Denver. The money, it is said, is to be provided by English capitalists.

—A youth of nineteen years of age passed through Palmyra, Mo., recently en route to New York to join his parents, claiming to be the long-lost Charley Ross. He stated that he had been the captive of a band of Gypsies, from whom he had just escaped.

—Specials to the Galveston News from all parts of the State indicate that the recent rains were the heaviest known in Texas. It is thought that 150 miles of the Houston and Texas Central track is under water of an average depth of nearly two feet.

—John F. Slater, who is best known throughout the United States for his large donations to various religious and educational institutions, died at his residence in Norwich, Conn., on the 17th inst. His largest gift was $1,000,000 for the education of the South.

—Mr. Carlisle presents this phase of the tariff situation: "Since the war, the tariff on the vice and luxuries of the people have been greatly reduced; while the tax upon the necessaries of life, tools, and implements of labor, have been retained, and in some instances increased."

—The "boom" in the Cour d'Alene country, W. T., that ran so high all winter when no work could be done to test the value of the mines, has entirely collapsed, and the parties who headed the swindle have judiciously left. A great many sorry victims were left in a manner destitute.

—Two woman, named Orr and Cavanaugh, were arrested last week, in squalid apartments in Naudain Street, Philadelphia, for drunkenness and neglect of their children. When the officers entered the house a pitiful sight met their eyes. Upon the floor lay a pretty boy, not more than seven years of age, so drunk as to be insensible, his feet curled around a large bottle, and one tiny hand grasping a battered tin cup into which the liquor had been poured—

Christian at Work.

—Charles Taylor, a colored brakeman on the Texas Central Railroad, who has been conspicuous in the movement to secure negroes admission to first-class coaches, was shot and instantly killed on the 18th inst., by an unknown person, who fired through the window of a car, striking him in the middle of the forehead.

—Reports of Indian troubles in the Winnipeg country are published, to the effect that Chief Piapot has called a big sun-dance with all the tribes, and will demand to be given land where he can get fresh meat, to counteract the effects of the bacon, which has spread scurvy throughout the camps, causing fifty of his people to die in three months.

—The residence of Geo. Peters, at Shariboo Lake, Ont., was burned on the 19th inst., and with it six persons were burned to death. Peters and some workman were dissipating until a late hour, when he started upstairs with a lamp which fell from his hand and was broken. The burning oil spread the flames rapidly, with the result here mentioned.

—There is a strong move being made by citizens of Shasta County, Cal., to have Amos P. Gibson pardoned out of the penitentiary, where he has been for the past four years, on a charge of murdering John Schroder. On the confession of the real murderer, J. Q. A. Hildebrandt, it turned out that Gibson is entirely innocent of the crime. His brother, Thomas Gibson, was pardoned one year ago, after it having been discovered in some way that he was innocent.

—A San Francisco paper says: “Heretofore the number of Chinese females leaving here for their homes averaged from two to three by each steamer, and the departure of twelve females recently on the City of Peking for China seemed somewhat surprising, considering the value of such human chattels for immoral purposes. On a reporter’s inquiry, a custom-house official explained that though the influx of new-comers is restricted by the law, the old women who return to their homes send back on their certificates young sisters of iniquity to take their places here.”

—In the testimony before the Swaim Court of Inquiry, at Washington, the other day, Paymaster-General Rochester, in his testimony, said that he had found, after coming to Washington, that a great many officers were drawing on their pay accounts twice, and that when called upon for an explanation they would send the money to meet the second account as an answer. In civil life performance of that sort is not always accepted as a sufficient explanation of dishonest dealing. The very fact that a great many officers were in the habit of duplicating their pay accounts for the same period indicates the prevalence of strange ideas as to what is honorable conduct in matters of money.—Alameda Encinal.

—Quite recently the police of Los Angeles, Cal., arrested a gang of young robbers who had been committing depredations in that city for some time. The oldest of the gang was fifteen, and the youngest but eight. They were organized after the most approved dime-novel style, calling themselves the “Red-handed Robbers.” They had their “cave,” in which were found cigarettes, wine, and various other articles of stolen property. Their last act was to plunder the missionary box of the Methodist Church. Each member of the gang slept with a string attached to his person, one end of which hung outside the window. When the leader wished to engage in a midnight raid, he would pull the string, and awaken the sleeping bandit. These boys were all the children of respectable parents, who, no doubt, like hundreds of others, were too busy to bother themselves about what their boys were reading.

—Majors, the villain who planned and helped to perform the double murder near San Jose, a year ago, was hanged in Oakland, Friday, May 23. He was a man of considerable education, and of some repute in the place where he lived, but was a most hardened villain. Of course he made the customary profession of faith, and claimed to be ready for a blessed immortality. But when, after the execution, Dr. Ackerley, of the Episcopal Church, who attended the culprit in his last hours, was asked if he thought Majors’ repentance was genuine, he replied that the eleventh hour was a poor time for repentance, and that Majors’ profession could not be received as being of much value. We are glad to record this as a rare instance of good sense on the part of a condemned man’s spiritual adviser. The Dr. did not go to the scaffold with the prisoner, but performed the last offices in the cell, and there was no maudlin exhibition at the close to bring religion into disrepute.

Publishers' Department.

By Editor

NOTICE.—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 them are not indebted to the Office.

Money orders, drafts, etc., should be made to "Pacific Press," NEVER to individuals, as they may be absent, and business thereby be delayed.

Remittances.

By Editor

IN remitting money to this office for the SIGNS, or books, P. O. money orders are preferable, and it is the safest way. If you cannot obtain money orders, postal notes are cheaper than to register a letter containing silver.

Magnificent Premium Offer.

By Editor

To each new subscriber we will furnish the SIGNS OF THE TIMES one year, with a copy of either of the following useful and instructive books, for $2.25: Geikie's "Life of Christ," "Sketches from the Life of Paul," by Mrs. E. G. White, or "The Life and Epistles of St. Paul," by Conybeare and Howson.

Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

OUR GENERAL AGENTS.

By Editor

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, Akersveren No. 2, Christiana, Norway. Switzerland—B. L. Whitney, care Les Signes des Temps, Bale, Suisse.

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.—Healdsburg Church (tithe) $73.70, Vacaville Church $16.00, R J Christianson $12.00.

SIGNS DONATIONS.—Martha Coates $1.75.

INTERNATIONAL T. AND M. SOCIETY.—Clara Pindall $3.10.

CALIFORNIA S. S. ASSOCIATION.—Per E J Waggoner $6.20.

CASH RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.—Missouri T. and M. Society $65.25, Indiana T. and M. Society, per Review, $50.00, B Robb $6.30, A C Bainbridge $5.00, M Beglinger $3.75.

ORDERS FORWARDED.

By Editor

BOOKS SENT BY FREIGHT.—Eld G D Ballou, D S Church.

BOOKS SENT BY EXPRESS.—Seaman's Mission, S F.

BOOKS SENT BY MAIL.—Thomas Webb, Catherine King, M Beglinger, Mrs Hurlbutt, Mrs Martha Coates, A C Bainbridge, Wm Frank, Eld J M Stetler, Mrs J Wightman, Miss Adell Hagaman, Mrs E Swift, J F Hardiman, G F Lewis, B Robb, Miss Francis V Dyche, Mrs Ida Gates, M C Israel.

Sunshine at Home.

By Editor

THE work of its preparation has been carefully performed, every page having been submitted to the most exacting scrutiny, and with special reference to the end in view. Its reading matter is from the pens of some of the ablest writers, and is not only entertaining and attractive, but instructive and profitable. It comprises choice poetical selections, descriptive sketches accompanying the engravings, interesting geographical descriptions, entertaining articles on natural history, zoology, etc., short illustrated stories, designed for both old and young, together with biographical and historical sketches, pungent paragraphs, and lessons of wisdom.

THE ENGRAVINGS ARE GEMS

Worthy of the literary setting with which they are exhibited. As works of art, many of them will take high rank, being the product of the combined skill of designers and engravers at the head of their professions. Embracing, as they do, such a large variety of subjects, they present a pleasing contrast in style, adapted to the tastes of all, and containing lessons for every class of readers. Many of these engravings were procured expressly for this work, at large expense, and a portion of them are full-page in size. Including the illustrated initials, the pictures number one hundred and seventy, every one of which is a study, and hence the pictures alone will afford a fund of almost endless entertainment in any household. When we add to this the large collection of instructive and entertaining reading matter, the amount of "sunshine" which the work will furnish seems almost unlimited. It readily commends itself to all who see it, and once brought to the attention of a family, its possession is earnestly desired. Retail price, $1.50.

If there is no agent in your vicinity, write to the general agents, and they will see that you are supplied.

PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

General agents for Pacific Coast States and Territories.

Or REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.

N. E. TRACT DEPOSITORY, South Lancaster, Mass.

An American Fable.

A HORSE whose every rib could be counted from afar off, and who was not able to travel faster than a walk, one day met a fat ox, who asked of him:—

“Which way, my friend?”

“I am on my way to attend a great political discussion.”

“Indeed! What is the subject to be discussed?”

“It is whether the owner of lean horses like myself shall raise their own hay or buy it abroad.”

“Exactly—I see, but as you seem to get none of the hay, no matter which theory of the case prevails, I’d advise you to spend your time grazing on the commons.”

“Moral—The workman who runs after political parties will starve between them.”

International Tract and Missionary Society.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

THE International Tract and Missionary Society was organized Aug. 13, 1874. It has furnished health and religious publications to co-operative missions and individuals in every State and Territory in the United States, and to every civilized nation on the globe. During 1883 it placed in free public libraries in this country over 6,000 volumes of standard religious books, at a cost of over $6,000, two-thirds of which was donated by other funds and the publishers. It has also placed valuable books in many libraries in England, and supplied reading-rooms with health and religious periodicals.

It has a free reading-room, No. 13 St. Marks Place, New York City, where it will keep constantly on hand Health and Temperance publications to furnish co-operating missions and branch offices on the Atlantic Coast and in Europe. William J. Boynton, manager and city missionary.

Free reading and lecture-room, 316 Fremont Street, San Francisco, Cal., from which place all ships are visited which enter that harbor. Andrew Brorsen and H. C. Palmer, city missionaries.

Free reading-room on L Street, near corner of Fifth, East Portland, Oregon.

Boston, Mass., J. R. Israel, residence Rowley, Mass. New Bedford Mass., Mrs. Anna H. Bradford, residence, Acushnet, Mass.

The ship work at Liverpool, England, is under the charge of Geo. R. Drew, 16 Rodney Street, Birkenhead, Cheshire, Eng. Eld. A. A. John, 72 Heneage Street, Great Grimsby, Eng.

Free reading and lecture-rooms at 13 West Huron Street, Buffalo, N. Y., open from 2:30 to 9 P. M. Alex. Gleason, Superintendent.

Free reading-room at 219 West Madison Street, Chicago; Room 2, second floor. James Sawyer, Superintendent.

Mission and free reading-room at 2339 Chestnut Street, St. Louis, Mo., N. W. Allen, Superintendent.

At the above-mentioned places the public are cordially invited.

The society is sustained by the liberalities of friends of missions. Donations by draft or otherwise will be thankfully received and gratefully acknowledged by any of the above-mentioned agents, or Miss M. L. Huntley, Secretary, South Lancaster, Mass., U. S. A.

S. N. HASKELL. President.

THE SABBATH QUESTION.

Assorted Package No. 1. Price, 10c. Which Day Do You Keep, and Why—Who Changed the Sabbath—The Sabbath in the New Testament—Elihu on the Sabbath—God's Memorial—Sunday Not the Sabbath—Why Not Found Out Before—One Hundred Bible Facts about the Sabbath.

Assorted Package No. 2. Price, 25c. This package contains all the tracts in package No. 1, and the following in addition:— Seven Reasons for Sunday-keeping Examined—The Ten Commandments Not Abolished—The Seventh Part of Time—The Definite Seventh Day—Perfection of the Ten Commandments—Address to the Baptists—The Sunday Law.

OTHER WORKS ON THE SABBATH.

The Truth Found.—A comprehensive exposition of the nature and obligation of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. 64 pp.............................10c

Sunday Seventh-day Examined.—A critical examination of the claim that Sunday is the true seventh day of the fourth commandment. 88 pp.............................10c

Brown's Review of Gilfillan on the Sabbath Question. 64 pp..........................................10c

Appeal to the Baptists.—An address from the Seventh-day Baptists to their first-day Baptist brethren, urging a restoration of the Bible Sabbath from the stand-point of Baptist principles of argument and interpretation. 48 pp.............................................10c

Eleven Sermons on the Sabbath and Law. 228 pp. 25c

Vindication of the True Sabbath.—By a former missionary of the Presbyterian Church.............................10c

Morality of the Sabbath.—Showing that the Sabbath commandment, being found in the midst of the nine acknowledged moral precepts, is, like the others, moral in its nature. 96 pp.............................................15c

Testimony of the Fathers of the first three centuries concerning the Sabbath and First-day. A candid examination of both sides of the question. 112 pp.............................................15c

THE SECOND ADVENT.

By Editor

Assorted Package No. 3. Price, 10c. The Coming of the Lord—Is the End Near—Can We Know—The Signs of the Times—The Judgment—Without Excuse—The Second Advent.

Assorted Package No. 4. Price, 25c. Containing package No. 3, and the following in addition:— The Millennium—The Present Truth—The Third Angel’s Message—Exposition of Matthew Twenty-four.

OTHER WORKS ON THE SECOND ADVENT.

Our Faith and Hope.—A series of ten sermons on the coming and kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. 198 pp.........................25c

Second Coming of Christ.—An exposition of Matthew 24th chapter. 64 pp.......................10c

Three Messages of Rev. 14.—Showing the nature and character of the warning messages designed to prepare the world for the last great Judgment. 96 pp........................10c

The Saints’ Inheritance, or the Earth Made New. 82 pp........................10c

The Seven Trumpets. An exposition of the symbols of Rev. 8 and 9. 96 pp......................10c

Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

MAN’S NATURE AND DESTINY

Assorted Package No. 5. Price, 10c. Is Man Immortal—Thoughts for the Candid—End of the Wicked—The Rich Man and Lazarus—Departing and Being with Christ—Milton on the State of the Dead.

OTHER WORKS ON MAN’S NATURE.

The Hope of the Gospel.—What is it, and when will it be consummated? 80 pp...................10c

Matter and Spirit.—An argument on the relation of matter and spirit, and the dependence of thought upon organization. 66 pp..................10c

History of the Doctrine of the Soul.—The belief in its immortality traced among all races and peoples to the present time. 186 pp., cloth................75c

Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

MISCELLANEOUS TRACTS.

Assorted Package No. 6. Price, 25c.

The Plan of Redemption—The Sufferings of Christ—The Sanctuary of the Bible—Scripture References—The Spirit of Prophecy—Spiritualism a Satanic Delusion—Samuel and the Witch of Endor—The End of the Wicked—The Two Thrones.

Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

Oriental Fire Worshipers

ORIENTAL FIRE WORSHIPERS.—There are not many Parsees now, the largest Parsee community being at Bombay, where reside 150,000 worshipers of the sacred fire. They hold there much the same position as the Jews do in London. They are respected for their integrity, their thrift, their care for their own poor, and the generosity of the wealthier members toward objects of public interest.

The Cost of Public Debt Interest

In the last twenty years the Government has paid for interest on the public debt, the enormous sum of $2,089,000,000, a sum which would defray all the expenses of the Government, except interest on the public debt, for nearly nine years to come, at the present rate of expenditure; and for nearly thirty-five years if expenses could be limited to what they were in 1860.—Chicago Times.

Against the Sin of Swearing

LET him who swears remember that his language is both sinful and ungentlemanly. It is offensive to God and it is offensive to good men. If a man is an atheist even, he should not swear in the hearing of others unless he does it in a foreign tongue. If one must swear on our streets, common politeness or ordinary decency should induce him to do in the Chaldee or Arabic, that he may not offend those who have a reverence for God and a regard for sacred things.—Sel.

Current Notices and Comments

By Editor

JOHN B. GOUGH is engaged to lecture in this city in June, but, singularly enough, those who have direction of his lectures do not let him speak on temperance. Wherefore?

WE have just received a new lot of books, comprising many valuable helps to Bible study. More extended notice of these will be given hereafter; but we are preparing a new catalogue, which will be sent free to any address, on application. Send for one.

THE Nineteenth Industrial Exhibition of the Mechanics' Institute, of San Francisco, will be held August 5 to September 6, 1884. These exhibitions of the resources of the State are a matter of interest to both producers and users, and this Institute is one of which San Francisco may justly be proud.

WE frequently see notices in the papers that in such and such places the number of saloons has been greatly reduced by a "high license." That information does not much interest us. Will some of these papers now please inform us how much the amount of liquor drank has been reduced by high license? We do not care if the number of saloons has been reduced five hundred per cent., if the remainder sell as much liquor as they all together did before. Our opinion is that the high license is a profitable dodge for the saloons that remain. Where has high license so reduced the supply that the demand for liquor could not be met? We anxiously wait for an answer.

IT has been remarked, and is somewhat remarkable, that Majors, who was hanged in this city May 23, for murder committed in Santa Clara County, was not the recipient of flowers, as is usual in such cases, nor did the women crowd around the jail with expressions of sympathy. We state this to the credit of Oakland, though it has been suggested that it was owing to the fact that he did not kill his wife: as wife-murderers have shared largely in the kind care of "silly women" on this coast.

AN article in the Banner of Light, by a well-known Spiritualist, says of Spiritualism: "It has nothing to do with the Bible, nothing to do with Christianity, nothing to do with theology." This is solid truth; but, unfortunately, many Spiritualists and many professed Christians are showing a strong disposition to "pool their issues," by which the truth will be reproached.

THERE is a certain party of professed Adventists and Sabbath-keepers—repudiating, however, the name and faith of Seventh-day Adventists—who have built their hopes high on certain correspondents or friends in California, who took great delight in circulating their papers, tracts, and calumnies. Of the three principal ones now in our mind, two lost their interest in religious matters some time ago. And now comes forward the last of the three and publicly renounces the seventh-day Sabbath.

There is something peculiarly interesting in the case of this one. As the others, he manifested a strong hatred of Sister White, and when she predicted that he would give up the Sabbath, he declared that he was going to prove that it was a false prophecy! But he has grown weary of proving it, and joined with those who bitterly oppose the law of God. Another interesting feature of this case is, that he has found true gospel liberty (?) since he renounced the fourth commandment. He walked in the bondage and darkness of the law nine years, he said, but now has emerged into the light amongst the sanctified ones! We were aware all the time that he was in bondage, because he kept only the letter of the law. It takes more than a nominal observance of the Sabbath to give freedom to such a spirit as he possessed. But his present liberty is not that of Ps. 119: 45, and Jas. 1: 25; 2: 9-12.

Camp-Meetings for 1884.

By Editor

KANSAS, Lawrence	May 21-27
MISSOURI, SOUTHERN, Nevada	May 29 to June 3
" NORTHERN, Chillicothe,	June 5-10
NEBRASKA, Beatrice	" 4-10
UPPER COLUMBIA, Walla Walla	" 5-16
PENNSYLVANIA, Emporium	" 11-17
WISCONSIN, Baraboo	" 17-23
MINNESOTA, Mankato	" 19-24
NORTH PACIFIC, East Portland, (Sellwood)	" 19-30
DAKOTA, Madison	June 25 to July 1
CANADA, Waterloo	" 26 to " 1
NEW YORK, —	Aug. 14-26
NEW ENGLAND, —	Aug. 20 to Sept. 2
VERMONT, —	" 29 to " 8
MAINE, —	Sept. 4-15

GENERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

Another Interesting Letter.

By Editor

THE following is an extract from a private letter, but as we give neither name nor place, the publication can injure nobody. The writer bears the title of "Elder" in an eastern State. In sending for a renewal of the SIGNS, he says:—

"While I do not agree with you on the Sabbath question, I find many good things in the SIGNS. The last one, May 1, has an article from Sister E. G. White—"Dangers and Duties of the Young;" it is the most splendid article I have ever read on that subject,—just what is needed in our times, but so much neglected. The Lord bless her for that. I have read some of her works on practical religion, and I have never read any better. I have never seen the lady, but I have read a good deal about her from Miles Grant and others; but I have greatly changed my opinion of her. If Bro. Grant could write half as well, I think it would be more to the glory of God."

There is no part of our paper which is doing a better work than the continuous articles of Sister White. Testimonials of the tenor of the above frequently reach us. We are glad to receive them, for, though Sister W. does not need the commendation of man to sustain her, it is cheering to know that souls are benefited by her labors. They who revile her will have that to settle with Him who called her to her work.

Camp-Meeting Supplement.

By Editor

OUR new sheet for advertising camp-meetings is giving the best of satisfaction wherever it has been used. We quote the following from a card just received from Lawrence, Kansas: "We received the supplements for advertising our camp-meeting all right. They are nice. I wish we had ordered four or five thousand instead of one. They are so nice to pass on the trains and in waiting rooms."

Others have made the same mistake that was made in Kansas, of not ordering enough supplements, and have ordered an additional lot by telegraph. The Supplements are not expensive, and will attract general attention, since they contain interesting reading matter besides the camp-meeting advertisement. Take this into consideration when you order, and be sure to have enough so that every one, at least in the vicinity of the camp-meeting, can be supplied.

That Dominican Cloister.

By Editor

CHRISTIANS, Americans, carefully read the description of the Dominican cloister in Newark, N. J., which will be found in this week's SIGNS. We extend our thanks to Pastor Dekins for furnishing it to us. The "Reformed Catholics" are doing a good work in exposing the evils of Romanism in its teachings and practices. Why is it that such prisons are tolerated in this land without any supervision by the State? We believe that every school in the State ought at all times to be open to the inspection of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Some shameful abuses might be corrected by proper action of the Government in these matters.

Southern California Camp-Meeting.

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

THERE is not much concerning this meeting, to be added to our report of last week. The time was fully occupied with meetings, as is customary at our camp-meetings. The days were devoted to Bible-readings and instruction concerning our important work. Each evening there was a sermon, which was listened to by a large number not of our faith. The interest was good until the close. As an immediate result of this meeting, twenty-two signed the covenant to keep all the "commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus," and eleven presented themselves as candidates for baptism.

The little company at Los Angeles were much encouraged, and feel determined to take hold of the work with new energy. As proof of this, an old debt which had hung over their missionary society was lifted, and their club of SIGNS was increased from ten to fifty copies, and the money all pledged. When our people all learn the power of little sums when combined, and adopt the Bible plan of systematically laying aside certain sums, as God has prospered them, we shall see the work increase beyond all our expectations.

Elders Healey, Israel, and Briggs, together with a large corps of canvassers and colporters, remain in Los Angeles to carry forward the work, and take advantage of the good impression that has already been made. May the Lord prosper them in all their efforts. E. J. W.

The Present Truth.

By Editor

THE first number of this paper, published at Great Grimsby, England, is received. It is a monthly of 16 pages, nearly the size of the SIGNS. It is neatly printed, on clear white paper; the general make-up is good; and, what is more important, the contents are excellent. M. C. Wilcox is managing editor, and B. L. Whitney, associate, with three corresponding editors. The Present Truth cannot fail to exert a good and wide influence, and we wish it abundant success. Price 2s. 6d. a year (62½ cts.), post-paid. We invite our friends this side of the Atlantic to patronize it. They will be benefited thereby.

Good Words in Congress.

By Editor

WHILE the "Whisky Bill" was pending in Congress, one of the opposers of the bill used the following strong language, which we clipped from a report in a daily paper:—

"Alluding to the statement made by the friends of the bill that whisky had paid into the treasury and maintained the armies of the United States in time of war, Governor Long said such talk was sham. Whisky had never paid a dollar into the treasury, but the people had paid it, and had paid it in blood, in crime, in broken hearts, and in indescribable sufferings. If $100,000,000 had gone into the treasury on this account, it had gone in over the whisky bridge, the product of an article which he could only term the dynamite of civilization. At the close of his speech, Long was freely cheered, and scores of members offered him their congratulations."

This nation was founded upon the idea that Governments are instituted for the good of the people—for the preservation of human rights. When a Government speculates upon the sufferings of its subjects, and draws its revenue from the groans and tears of the helpless and oppressed poor, it has lost sight of its legitimate object.

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 Temperance, The Home Circle, the Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-school.

Price Per Year, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.00 In Clubs of five or more copies to one address, to be used in Missionary Work, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.50 Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.