Earlier text: Restitution of All ThingsBooks for Bible Students.
By George D. Ballou
ON page 349 we present a list of valuable books for all who have any interest in Bible study, both in and out of the Sabbath-school. There is a dearth of this class of books even among professing Christians. There are very few who have even a partial supply of such helps as are found in this list. Very often we find a family, even in very moderate circumstances, who have been flattered or coaxed by some book agent into buying some expensive volume or set of volumes, which lie useless on their book-shelves, the reading of which would prove not only a loss of time but a curse to the family. Such will excuse themselves from buying substantial literature on the plea of poverty, or want of time to read. There ought to be a reform among the people everywhere in the matter of buying books. We do not keep the company of worthless men, nor should we buy worthless books. There is pressing need of helps to Bible study. I know of but one or two Sabbath-schools that are not suffering spiritual loss every week for want of them. The superintendents and teachers should take this matter in hand, and raise a fund for the purchase of a good library of books for their schools. The weeks, months, and years are rolling by, and our youth and middle-aged scholars are not making the advancement they should, simply for want of books to read in connection with the study of the Bible. The youth and children will read something and that will be the books that are nearest at hand. Get these books and put them where the children can have access to them, and set them a good example by reading them instead of poring over several columns of newspaper trash every week. To individuals and families we say, You need the books mentioned in this list for yourselves and your friends. No agent will come and press you to buy them. While your thought is called to the matter, sit down and look the list over, and order at once those you would like. If you wish to make a present of a book to a friend, here is an excellent list from which to select, and nothing but good can come to any who read them. To the friend of Christianity we say, Reform in the matter of buying books, and henceforth purchase such as will give information on matters of eternal consequence. To the young we would say, Lay by a few dimes each month, and then order such books as you may need, as fast as you get the money. Every good book you read is so much treasure laid up with which to develop character. Youth is the time to sow seed, and let it be good seed, for you will surely have to reap the harvest. And to the Sabbath-school officers and teachers we say, Wake up, wake up, and purchase libraries for your schools. Do not try to get all the books you want at once, but get a good supply now, and then get more as you can. Raise a fund by subscription if necessary, and order the books at once. Nothing will encourage the youth and children more than to supply them with books. We are suffering great loss by not having proper reading matter in connection with our study of the Bible. Do not wait till next month or next year, but turn over a new leaf by ordering at once such as you most need. G. D. BALLOU,
Pres. Cal. S. S. Association. THE Sabbath-school is fast growing in importance as a medium of missionary work, and its efficacy is acknowledged upon every side. The Word of the Lord Challenges Scrutiny
THE word of the Lord challenges scrutiny. Spirit of the Mormon Hierarchy.
A LATE number of the Independent contains a series of articles from leading men in Utah in answer to certain questions concerning Mormonism, asked by Joseph Cook. The following, an extract from the letter of Dr. McNiece, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Salt Lake City, will show that Mormonism is not simply vile, but that it is exceedingly cruel:— "The only protection to the life and property of Americans here, which they can rely on, grows out of the fact that the governor, the secretary of Utah, and the higher court judges are Americans, and represent the American ideas of government. These officers are now appointed by the American people through the president and Congress; and the governor is armed with absolute veto power. That is, the Mormon legislature can pass no law over the governor's veto. Now, let Utah become a State, and let the governor, judges, and all other officers be the representatives of the priesthood, as they inevitably would be; every intelligent American here knows and feels that the sooner he got out of Utah the better. I have heard this view expressed again and again by the most intelligent and courageous men here. And from what I have seen of the bitter, anti-American and diabolical spirit of the priesthood, during the nearly seven years of my residence in Utah, I believe that opinion is altogether too well grounded. If Utah were to become a State, I believe the life of no Christian teacher or minister would be safe in Utah outside of this city and Ogden, where the Americans are mainly concentrated. With a brave and efficient governor, and with American courts, we have not been able in the rural towns to prevent the midnight stoning of the windows in the houses occupied by our teachers and ministers. Life has been thus endangered again and again. Our school houses and churches have been repeatedly injured and set on fire. What would we do if the governor and the judges were Mormons, under control of the priesthood, as they would be if Utah were a State?" "Know That He Is Near."
By Editor
THE view that the image is not yet smitten, that "the stone" has not yet appeared in history as it appeared in the prophecy, is confirmed by an examination of chapter 7. First, however, we notice that many expositors have seemed to entirely overlook the result of the smiting. They represent the stone as having smitten the image by the proclamation of the gospel in the first century, and the result to be the conversion of the world; the subduing of the nations to the truth. But the prophecy says the image was smitten on the feet, later than A. D. 483, and the result was the destruction of the nations; they were "broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them." Dan. 2:35. This accords with the second Psalm, where the Father says to the Son: "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Ps. 2:8, 9. How anybody can distort this language into a conversion of the world, even of all the heathen, is more than we can imagine. See Ps. 110:1, 2; Jer. 25:15-38; Heb. 10:12, 13; 2 Thess. 1:7-10. In Dan. 7 there is a very important historical fact presented which is not found in Dan. 2. When the image was complete, and the toes developed, nothing further was noticed until the stone appeared—until the kingdom of God was set up. But in Dan. 7 it is different. After the ten horns, which are the ten kingdoms, appeared upon the fourth beast, "another little horn" arose among them; another power appeared upon the scene. Its appearance and actions were peculiar. It was a little horn; it was small when it was first seen. Its look was more stout than its fellows; it became stronger than they were. It had eyes like the eyes of a man, not like the eyes of a beast; it was cunning and far-seeing. It had a mouth speaking great things, even great words against the Most High; it was arrogant and blasphemous. Three of the first horns were plucked up before it. None of the other horns had any description given of them or of their work. More interest and importance seemed to be attached to this than to the others. The question may be asked: Why was not this noticed in chapter 2, seeing it is one of the most interesting objects in this series of symbols? The anwer is found in the fact before noticed, that each subsequent vision of this series of events contains something additional to that which preceded it. And here is shown the necessity of locating the ten kingdoms, and the appropriateness of Dr. Scott's naming them "the ten primary kingdoms." These ten kingdoms, as they first came up, appeared by the year A. D. 483. At that time the Roman bishops were assuming power by virtue of their position in the chief city of the empire, and this power was gradually guaranteed to them by the civil authority. Thus, in the council of Nice, A. D. 325, it was decreed that the primacy belonged to the bishop of Rome. Constantine conferred the power of a magistrate of the chief rank upon the bishop of Rome. He also transferred his court to Constantinople, which opened the way for the Roman bishop to exercise authority in full in "old Rome;" and the sure foundation for this was laid by a decree of Justinian, issued in 535, which was carried into effect in 538. It was indeed small at the first; its head was a Christian bishop,—a professed representative of the Son of God, who said, "My kingdom is not of this world." It was diverse from the others; it was an ecclesiastical power. Its look was more stout than its fellows; when it assumed control of civil affairs it ruled over the strongest kingdoms, and there was not a king on earth who dared to resist its will or to provoke its wrath. It spoke great words against the Most High; it was the only power which ever acknowledged the true God, Jehovah of the Bible, and at the same time assumed the titles and prerogatives of the true God, and legislated upon the Bible, the word of God. It wore out the saints of the Most High; the Roman apostate church literally fulfilled this; it was not content with a distressing persecution of a few years at a time, as pagan Rome had been before it, but it carried on a persistent and relentless warfare against the followers of the Lamb of God, who cling to the Bible, century after century, until many millions were slain. Truly it wore them out. And it thought to change times and laws. It set aside the second commandment altogether, and changed the Sabbath of the Lord into the festival of the day of the sun. And three kingdoms were subdued before it in the establishing of its supremacy. It stands alone before the world, as having fulfilled the prophecy in all these particulars. And how long was it said this power should continue? Until "the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom." We know by the words of Jesus exactly when the saints shall possess the kingdom. It is "when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him." Matt. 25:31-34. And Paul, speaking of this same power, says it shall be destroyed by the brightness of the Lord's coming. 2 Thess. 2:1-8. And with his destruction is linked the destruction of all the kings of the earth. Comp. Rev. 19:11-21. There is one more point to be noticed in Dan. 7. It is that of time. We have seen that the image completed, of chap. 2, comes down to A. D. 483; and that the foundation for the exercise of civil power by the bishop of Rome was fully laid by Justinian in A. D. 538. In Dan. 7:25 the saints are said to be given into the hand (power) of this little horn "until a time and times and the dividing of time." Of this period Dr. Scott says:— "Thus matters would be left in his hands till a time, and times, and the dividing of time, that is, for three years and a half, or forty-two months, which, reckoning thirty days to a month (and this was the general computation), make just one thousand two hundred and sixty days; and these prophetic days signify one thousand two hundred and sixty years, a number which we shall repeatedly meet with in the Revelation of St. John." It is easy to prove that Dr. Scott is correct in this computation. And any doubt about the correctness of locating the beginning of that period with the decree of Justinian is dispelled by the fulfillment of the time; for Pope Pius VI. was made a prisoner of State in 1798, just one thousand two hundred and sixty years after Justinian's decree took effect. Such a harmony of the prophecy with a fulfilling event places the matter beyond question. Though the papacy was not destroyed, and the prophecy shows that it would not be destroyed at that time, the power to wear out the saints was then lost, and has never been restored. Thus, while Dan. 2 brings us down to 483, and then looks forward to the setting up of the kingdom, Dan. 7 brings us down to 1798, and then looks forward to the same event—the setting up of the kingdom and giving it to the saints of the Most High. This is the ultimate, and in the language of the Scriptures, "the effect of every vision." By an unmistakable series of events we are now brought from the days of Nebuchadnezzar to the very beginning of the present century. But this line of prophecy is not exhausted. In our next number we will trace this subject farther, and show that the prophecy reaches to our own day, and enables us to understandingly answer the question, "Watchman, what of the night?"
(To be continued.) RECENT events in London, New York, Pittsburg, and some minor places, are well calculated to cause monied men to reflect on the uncertainties of earthly treasures. Life itself is so uncertain that any great amount of money hoarded up is practically worthless. Well did the Saviour put the question to the rich man, when his life was to be taken away: "Then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?" What millionaire can imagine what will become of his wealth in the event of his death? There are several cases now in law in California in which fortunes are being expended; the profits of lives of toil are going into the hands of the lawyers, even while the owners of the money or property are yet living. We know men who possess tens and almost hundreds of thousands, which, if they should die, would pass into other hands, and in some instances we may safely say there would be no reasonable probability of their lawful heirs getting enough to supply their wants. In such cases every one would at once decide that there is miscalculation; that safe calculators would put it in such a shape that to their heirs would be secured a comfortable living. But that is not so easily done as many imagine. The family of the man of small means is better assured of a comfortable living in the event of his death, than is the family of the man of great wealth. The estate which promises rich returns to the lawyers will be most likely to be attacked. No will can be framed so as to stand the test of litigation; if it cannot be broken directly, it can be kept in court till the property is exhausted. We have known cases where the testator was declared to have been insane when he made his will, when no one ever suspected such a thing while he was living. To some people there seems to be a charm in the idea of having large possessions. We have known men who held on to their many acres, as though their last hope was centered in possessing them, while the mortgages were so heavy and the interest so high that every dollar they could raise passed into the hands of money lenders. They were not only poor men, but they were working without wages for money lenders, without the least prospect that anything could be saved to their families if they should die. "This also is vanity and vexation of spirit." Worst of all, we have known some professed Adventists in this very condition. But we started out to speak of some recent events. We refer to failures of banks and brokers. Frequently the papers record the failure of some "heavy" firm, some old and "very reliable" bank which reckoned its assets by millions. Depositors who placed their money in their hands considered it safe—safer than if they always held it in their own hands. But in these times of speculation we can have no assurance that any bank is safe. Men who have money to deposit or to invest do well to consider carefully before placing it. We speak now especially to our own people; to those who profess to believe that we are in the last days—that "the end of all things is at hand." We have not a word to say against being "diligent in business." But we do insist that with this we should also be "fervent in Spirit serving the Lord." So great diligence in business as to exhaust all our time, talent, and strength in the service of the world is the highway to ruin. The god of this world blinds345 the minds of the multitude, not entirely excepting those who profess to be seeking for an "eternal weight of glory." 2 Cor. 4. Some retain more money or property in their hands than is profitable to themselves; more than a just regard for the claims of God, whose stewards they are, will allow. And some risk their money, and suffer loss, who ought to place it where it will serve the cause of God, but instead they place it where it promises a larger per cent. interest. We have known individuals, who professed our faith, to lose money in speculative enterprises when the cause greatly needed the means, and offered reasonably large interest. And we have known two reasons to be offered for such a proceeding: 1. That they were promised higher interest than our institutions would offer. 2. That "church property" is not considered as safe a risk as other property! Now while "solid" banks are breaking; while "heavy" firms are failing; while mortgages are often proving unprofitable and unsafe investments, we can point with pleasure to the fact that our institutions have always paid a reasonable interest on loans, and no one has ever lost a dollar by loaning to any branch of the work which is being carried on by the Seventh-day Adventists. And we are very confident that no one ever will lose by placing means in this work. Our publishing houses, colleges, sanitariums, and even our churches are the very safest places in the world for loans. This work is increasing in facilities, in extent, and in strength; it must succeed, and it will always be a safe place for money, talent, or labor. This question of deposits is one which will increase in interest as time wears away. By and by the cause of God will not need all the means which will be seeking a place of safety. It will become more and more apparent that merely worldly institutions are unsafe places to deposit money. And they to whom God intrusts his work are conscientious in regard to receiving and using means given or loaned to this cause and work. Toward the close of the "first message" men urged money on to the publishing houses, which was refused. So will it be in this message. Many will be brought to confess that they acted unwisely in handling their means; in depositing it in unsafe hands, or in investing it for money profit merely, when it might have been doing good service in the cause of truth, and making a fair return also to its owners. We headed this article, "Impressive Lesson from Isa. 10:3." The recent losses to depositors in Europe and America have led us to call the attention of those who have means in their hands to an exposition of this Scripture. The verse reads thus:—
"And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?"
Worldly help, worldly glory and honor, will be a poor refuge "in the day of visitation, and in the day of desolation" which is coming. They who have carefully studied chapter 8 of this prophecy will have no difficulty in locating the expressions of this verse in this chapter. But we have not time to speak on that point now. We wish to call attention to the words of both the lexicons and commentaries bearing on this scripture. Gesenius gives several definitions to the verbal root of the word "glory;" we give here the first two as follows: "1. To be heavy. 2. In the sense of abundance, to be great, abundant, to be rich in anything." Of the substantive itself his first definition is: "1. Abundance, substance, riches, wealth. Nah. 2:10 [Eng. 9]; Ps. 49:17; Isa. 10:3; Gen. 31:1." Scott gives as the sense of the passage: "To whose keeping would they commit their ill-gotten riches, in which they gloried, and with which they then lived in splendor and luxury." Barnes is very clear on this point, and his comment is striking: "By the word glory here . . . he probably means their riches, wealth, magnificence. Thus Ps. 49:17: 'For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him.' The word leave here is used in the sense of deposit, or commit for safe keeping. In the time of the invasion that shall come up like a tempest on the land, where will you deposit your property so that it shall be safe?" When the day of visitation and the desolation shall come; when men shall be looking in every direction for a safe place of deposit for the means to which they have so tenaciously and unwisely clung, they cannot plead that the trouble has come upon them without warning. God has foreseen the perplexity into which they will be brought, and given them sufficient warning. But they let it pass unheeded. They trusted that their money would deliver them in every trial; that it would serve them in every emergency. How great will be their disappointment when they discover that it is itself the means of their greatest perplexity and trial. Treasures may be laid up in Heaven, but they must pass through certain channels; they must be made to serve the cause of God and his truth. In order to this, they must be used when the cause of truth has need of them. The time is coming in this message when believers in the present truth can neither buy nor sell. The man of large possessions, who has trusted in "uncertain riches," will be poor—miserably poor—in that day. The man who has used his means to serve the cause of God and humanity will be rich. His treasure will be in Heaven—just where he is going. Prudent man! he sent his means ahead, that he might find them safe at the end of his journey. We invite the careful and prayerful attention of men of means, of depositors, to the impressive lesson of Isa. 10:3. Where will you deposit your wealth in the day of visitation? What will you do with your "cash on hand" when you can neither buy nor sell without renouncing your faith? "Lord increase our faith," and teach us the danger of delays. Our Sabbath-School Department.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
IT has been our aim to make this department of our paper one of general interest. From the very nature of our work the Sabbath-school department of the Signs must be different from that of any other paper. The Signs is a missionary paper, devoted to an exposition of the great truths of the Bible, especially those for the last days, and as such it goes to all parts of the world, and is read by all classes of people. Its circulation is not confined to our own people, but thousands not of our faith, and many with no well-defined belief in Christianity, read it with interest. Of the thousands of readers of the Signs, comparatively few study the Sabbath-school lessons upon which it comments, the great majority using the international series; and those who study the lessons published in the Youth’s Instructor, are so widely scattered that many do not get the Signs in time to make the notes of immediate use in preparing their lesson. All these things have been taken into account in preparing our Sabbath-school department, and we have endeavored to make the notes and comments of such a nature as would interest the general reader. The mission of the Signs is such that we cannot afford to have any part of it of merely local interest. We have evidence from Sabbath-school teachers and scholars that this department has been useful to them in their work; and we know that it has not been unappreciated by the larger class whom we have had in mind. But there are many who study the International lessons, who would derive more direct benefit if the Signs contained notes on that series also, and we have decided to meet this want. As all doubtless know, the International lessons are necessarily non-sectarian, being simply portions of the Bible selected by the lesson committee. While all the Sunday-schools in the country study the same portion of Scripture at the same time, each denomination or journal may publish its own notes and comments. Since the Signs is a Bible expositor, to comment on these lessons will be directly in the line of our work. We therefore begin this week to add these to our own lesson notes. To those unacquainted with this series, we will say now for all time, that there are only twelve lessons in each quarter; each school can use whatever it desires for the thirteenth lesson. There will therefore be no notes next week. As in the past, we will endeavor to make these notes of interest and profit to all; but we shall also get them out in time so that those who desire may use them in preparing their lessons. We believe that this move will be appreciated by all our present readers, and by thousands yet to come. E. J. W. The Publishing Association.
By C. H. Jones
WE know our friends will be anxious to learn how the work is prospering at this office, and what has been done with reference to the recommendation of our brethren and the vote of the Directors to purchase the adjoining property and prepare to enlarge our business during the coming year. First. In regard to our work, we would say that our experience since the annual meeting has demonstrated the fact that action in this matter was taken none too soon. Every department of the office is crowded to overflowing. Our presses are running night and day and are still far behind. We have never seen so much work in the office and so much ahead as at the present time. Through the efforts of our friends the SIGNS is fast increasing its circulation, and we trust that before the summer is ended we can report the circulation doubled. Very encouraging reports come to us almost every day, from different parts of the field, in regard to the good work that is being done by this paper, but the Judgment alone will reveal what has really been accomplished. The copy for “Great Controversy,” Vol. 4, is in the hands of the printers and rapidly approaching completion. We hope to have this book ready for most of the Eastern camp-meetings. We bespeak for it an extensive circulation. This volume will be handled by the Tract and Missionary Societies as a subscription book, and every family visited as far as possible. Already large orders have been received and placed on file, to be filled as soon as the book is completed. From what we have seen of the manuscript, we feel to say it is just what our people need at the present time. Its sale will not be confined to our people alone, as it contains articles of thrilling interest to all. The amount of job work done by this office is only limited by our capacity. We could get much more to do if we only had the facilities to handle it. As it is, we only choose the largest and best firms and turn away the rest. We are determined that our denominational work shall stand first. But in order to do our own work to advantage we need two more cylinder presses. We have been corresponding with parties in the East in regard to this, and find that two presses such as we need will cost, landed here, not less than five thousand dollars. Second. In regard to the property, we are happy to state that the lot on Twelfth Street has been bought and paid for. The one on Eleventh Street is only waiting until we can satisfy ourselves in regard to the title. This will be decided within a week, and then we are all ready to bore a well, and put up a tank-house and stable. That you may see about what the improvements contemplated will cost, we submit the following346 statement, which is only approximate on the last two items:— | Lot on 12th street, 50x100 feet... |
$3,000 |
|---|
| Lot on 11th street, 50x100 feet... |
3,000 |
| Stable, tank-house, and well... |
3,000 |
| Two new cylinder presses ... |
5,000 |
| Total ... |
$14,000 |
There are two houses on these lots that must be moved off. They can be sold for from twelve to fifteen hundred dollars. Then we would be glad to sell a portion of the lot on Twelfth Street—say 30x75 feet front, to some of our brethren who would put up a lodging-house where those laboring in the office could find good lodging-rooms, at reasonable rates, close to the office and boarding-house—something which they are not able to do now. Rents are very high here in Oakland, and it is almost impossible to get rooms. Our present boarding-house is not large enough to accommodate one-half of the persons that board there, with rooms. This would be a good investment for some of our brethren, and a real help to the cause, as well. If we can sell a portion of this lot and the two houses above referred to, it will reduce the outlay to about ten thousand dollars. At the last annual meeting, the brethren in council over this matter decided that it was best to purchase this property and make these improvements. Now the question arises, How shall the money be raised to pay for them? We hope we shall not be obliged to go to persons who have no interest in our work for a loan. We prefer to keep it all within our own ranks. The call has been made and some have already responded. One brother places a thousand dollars here without interest, to be used in this work. Another has loaned us five thousand dollars at a low rate of interest. As we have to pay cash for the lots and presses, and shall not be able to sell the houses for some time, we still need from six to eight thousand dollars to carry forward the work. If any of our brethren or sisters have money at their command, we would be glad to correspond with them with reference to placing it here. Remember, we do not ask you to give it, unless you wish to take stock. Another way in which we might find considerable relief is for those who are in debt to the office to make a special effort to square up their accounts now. The last annual report showed that we had about eighteen thousand dollars in outlying bills. This is mostly among our own people, and we know it is sure to come sometime, but what a help it would be if we had it now. We are not branching out in this way simply to accommodate outside patronage, but to carry forward our own legitimate work—the spread of the Third Angel's Message. This is a missionary enterprise. God's hand is in it. He is leading us out to take broader views of the work, and thus be prepared for what is before us. If we are only faithful to the trust that God has committed to us, the work will increase rapidly from this time on. Our work will not be confined to the Pacific Coast alone, but other fields will demand our attention. Already the islands of the Pacific are calling for help, and a vast field is opened before us in Australia and New Zealand. The SIGNS office will be the great distributing point for all our printed matter for these new countries, and we hope that not only the truth will be printed and published here, but that workers will be raised up, qualified to enter these new fields and carry on the work. The time has come for earnest, energetic action. Let us show our faith by our works.
C. H. JONES. The Missionary.
By William Ings
The Work in San Francisco.
SINCE our good meeting in Oakland, San Francisco has been the headquarters of a training class preparatory to usefulness in the great harvest-field. Bros. L. A. Scott and A. La Rue have been members of this class, and if Providence permit, they will soon leave this port for the Sandwich Islands, to enter upon the work assigned them. Bro. Robbing, who has long followed the seas, has been preparing himself to engage in the ship missionary work in this city. Bro. Rieck was with us, but has now gone to his field of labor in Nevada. Bro. Owen, who is intending to devote his time to the cause of God, is also getting instructions in regard to his duties as city colporter. In the preparation of these brethren for their various duties, the spiritual interest has not been neglected. Lessons on prophecy have been given, and I trust profitably to all concerned. The work of this class has not wholly been to study, but to put in practice the lessons taught. In consequence, hundreds of families have been visited, and their attention called to the leading points of our faith. Books and tracts have been sold, and thousands of pages loaned, and we hope to see some fruit from this labor. The church in this city has been greatly encouraged by the presence of these brethren, and has caught the missionary spirit, and is taking hold of the work with a will, and the good effects are seen in our meetings. The prayer and missionary meeting has nearly doubled in numbers, and our Sabbath meetings are excellent. Last Sabbath was a day that will be long remembered on account of the presence of God by his Spirit. Hearts were made tender, confessions were made, and all felt that it was good to be there. This church is increasing in numbers, strangers are constantly in attendance, and what they need is a good, earnest laborer who could devote his whole time to the interest of the work in this city. "Where are the reapers?" The ship work is increasing in interest and importance. Nineteen steamers leaving here for various ports and countries are supplied with files of the SIGNS placed in holders. Many of the officers of these ships are taking an interest in distributing our publications. There has been a longing demand for something that would more especially call the attention of the traveling public to our work, and we trust the case is met in a model piece of furniture now manufactured by Bro. Stockton, of this city. This case is one foot five inches long, ten and one-half inches wide, and four inches thick at the base. It has eight pockets long enough to take in a tract, eight inches deep, and three-fourths of an inch wide. These distributors are used for free distributions and loaning libraries. On the base-board of the loaning library, in gilt letters, are the following words: "Read and Return. This free loaning library is furnished by the International Missionary Society, 1059 Castro Street, Oakland, Cal. Correspondence Solicited." In this case is placed the seven pamphlets of the "Life of Christ," etc., by Mrs. E. G. White; "Matthew Twenty-four," "Truth Found," "Saints' Inheritance," and the seven pamphlets containing a miscellany of our tracts. This case is designed for the social hall or reading-rooms on steamers. Another case is designed for the second cabins, restaurants, hotels, factories, depots, post-offices, and, in fact, all public places where there are readers. On this is the following inscription, "Choice Reading Free." The reading matter in this case is furnished for free distribution by the International Missionary Society, 1059 Castro Street, Oakland, Cal. Correspondence Solicited." This case is designed to distribute tracts, SIGNS, Instructors, Good Health, Review, and Sabbath Sentinel. This case is an ornament, and will grace any reading-room, and is received with favor. The cost of the distributer is trifling, about $1.50. This will be a new feature in our work, and will give work to many to keep the cases supplied. The friends in this city are taking hold of the enterprise with a will, and already many places have been found for them. I expect that, not far in the future, these cases or something better will be found in all prominent places, offering their contents to thousands of souls. In addition to our present facilities for doing ship work, we are having a small sail-boat built, in which we can visit the ships anchored in the bay, and those at different points near San Francisco. On this boat, there will be an arrangement to hold an assortment of our publications, and then we shall be enabled to fill any order desired. All ships leaving this port take with them supplies of reading matter. Sales of our publications are made, and some items of an encouraging nature are gathered from interested readers. In closing this report, I will add, that while engaged here with my brethren in learning how to better prepare ourselves for usefulness in the Master's cause, we have had some of the sweet Spirit of God with us; nothing has occurred to mar our peace, and to God be all the praise. Sunday Baseball in Indianapolis
THE people of Indianapolis intend to make a test case of the playing of base-ball there on Sunday by the Cincinnati Club. Much excitement was caused, as this was the first game ever played in that city on Sunday, and the players were arrested the same night. Missionaries of the Moravian Church
Of the Moravian Church, one in every fifty-eight of the members is a missionary. The consequence is that their converts number more than four times the brotherhood. THERE are, in round numbers, 300,000 idol temples in China, estimated to have cost $1,000,000,000. The money spent upon them annually, in repairs alone, is enormous. In Soochow one man has recently given $70,000 for repairing one of the temples, thus expecting great merit. The Canada Camp-Meeting.
By R. S. Owen
THIS meeting will be held in the public park, in the pleasant village of Waterloo, P. Q., June 26 to July 1. In connection with the camp-meeting there will be held the annual session of the Canada Conference, and meetings of the Tract Society, and Sabbath-school Association. We have been greatly favored in securing a good location convenient to railroad. No better season of the year could be selected for farmers to leave their work. We expect to see a general attendance of all our brethren at this meeting. All need the benefit of our annual gathering. God's servants will come a great distance to speak to us; they will have important messages, and just what we all need. Are you living near to God and enjoying his blessing from day to day? Then you are needed at the camp-meeting. Bring the blessing of God with you. Let your light shine, and help to lighten up others who may be in darkness. Bring your unconverted friends. You may thus help them to find the Saviour. Here is a golden opportunity for you to do missionary work. Are you backslidden from God, and an idler in his vineyard? I would that I might say something that would arouse you to see the importance of coming to this meeting. You cannot afford to lose this opportunity. We want to make this the best camp-meeting ever held in Canada. The villages and country all around the vicinity of the camp-meeting are being thoroughly canvassed for the SIGNS. Thousands of pages of other reading matter have been circulated, and, as a result, many have become interested in the truth. We extend a cordial invitation to our brethren in northern Vermont to attend. Free return checks will be given over the railroads, and the steam-boat on Lake Magog.
R. S. OWEN.
South Stukely, P. Q., May 23, 1884.