Earlier text: GOD'S SIGN OF POWERTRAINING FOR ANARCHY.
By Editor
IN some of the States of the Union at the present time certain constitutional amendments are being strongly urged; and according to statements that are appearing in the editorial columns of some of the leading newspapers in those sections, it is determined that these constitutional amendments shall not apply to certain classes of individuals. It is openly stated that they will use all of their influence to see that certain ones who have more influence than others shall be allowed to override these constitutional amendments in case they shall be adopted, while they will be rigidly enforced upon others. We purposely leave out the details in regard to the matter, because it is not our desire to discuss these. We simply wish to call attention to the fact that such things are going on. Where is the individual who can not see that such a course as this, followed for a little time, will result in the worst forms of anarchy? There is a great deal being said against anarchism at the present time; and, truly, anarchy is to be deplored above almost anything else that could be thought of in this world. However, anarchism is not confined to those who make an open claim to the doctrine of anarchy; but individuals who are teaching that it will be proper for certain ones to override law, and constitutional law at that, little realize what they are doing, else they would not dream of doing it. Then, again, the mobs that are being stirred up in the various parts of the country to execute vengeance in their own way, regardless of law, are teaching lessons in anarchy and lawlessness that will soon react in the most terrible way. The Word of God tells us plainly that "as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man." The Word says that the earth was "filled with violence," and we know by these unmistakable, clear predictions of the Word of God that the closing years of this world's history will be filled with violence that will cause men's hearts to quake, and to fail them for fear. Every one who has his reason left to him should see the trend of events that are moving so strongly in that direction, and in the name of everything he holds dear he should keep out of the dangerous current. God will provide a protection for every one who lives true to the principles of the peaceable Gospel that the Lord Jesus Christ has given us; but those who seek to stir up strife, together with those who encourage individuals to override and disregard laws, because, as they say, they were not framed for them, will soon find that they are making for themselves the most distressing troubles that the world has ever seen. May the Lord help us to see as men should see in these times; and the one thing that will enable us to do this is the strong, clear Word of God. T. CONCERNING CHINA.
By Editor
No DEFINITE plan of procedure has been determined upon by the powers in China. Russia’s proposed withdrawal from Peking has not taken place, and it now seems probable that Russian troops will remain in Peking as long as do those of the other powers. Germany still stands by her proposition to demand the surrender of the anti-foreign leaders before entering upon negotiations, and in this she seems to have the moral support of England. Both these powers are regretting the stand taken by the United States in showing a willingness to enter upon peace negotiations before punishment has been visited upon the Boxer leaders. The American administration is planning to withdraw its troops from China, with the exception of enough to guard the American legation, but the other powers are planning to strengthen their military representation there. Russian troops are still going forward, as are also those of the kaiser. A force of about 8,000 Russians, Germans, Austrians, and French attacked and captured the Peitang and Lu Tai forts on September 20. The attacking forces lost 300 in killed and wounded. An Anglo-American force, under General Wilson, stormed and captured the Chinese arsenal at San Hai Tien. The Moscow correspondent of the London Standard says that authentic accounts have been received at Moscow of a terrible massacre of Chinese by the Russians at Blagovestichensk. The entire Chinese population of the latter town, amounting to about 5,000 persons, was escorted out of town to a spot five miles up the Amour River, and then, being led in batches of a few hundred to the river bank, was ordered to cross over to the Chinese side. No boats were provided, and, as the river is a mile wide, to carry out the order was to drown. The Chinese were flung into the river, and those who attempted to get back to shore were shot or clubbed to death. The report adds that the river bank for miles was strewn with corpses. It is also reported that the Germans at the battle of Tianghsiang stood up 150 of their prisoners and shot them. Li Hung Chang has posted a proclamation through Chi-li Province, ordering the people and soldiers to exterminate all Boxers, and a Shanghai despatch of September 24 states that the troops were obeying his orders, and that over a thousand of the Boxers in that province had been killed. Twelve of their prominent leaders were decapitated. Prince Tuan, who is regarded as the chief leader of the Boxers, has been appointed grand secretary to the emperor, a position enabling him to control all communications to and from the throne. This would seem to be an open defiance of Germany’s demand for the surrender of the Boxer leaders. The emperor and empress, it is reported, will in no case return to Peking, as they consider the imperial palaces desecrated by the foreigners. An imperial decree commands the governor of the province of Shian Si to raise funds for the erection of a palace at Hsian Fu, which will be the new capital. Advices from Canton report that serious disturbances have occurred near that city. Several villages have been destroyed and others are besieged. THERE has been considerable activity among the Filipinos during the last week, and the casualties to the Americans, including killed and wounded, amount to about 100. From several of the provinces come accounts of Filipino operations and American precautionary measures. A burial corps has been ordered to proceed to Manila for the purpose of disinterring and bringing back to the United States the bodies of Americans who have been buried in the Philippines. CATHOLIC work in the little kingdoms of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark is reported to be gaining in force quite rapidly. Catholic congregations, according to this report, are gaining considerably in numbers. For many years the Catholic workers in these countries were under the control of foreign bishops. The work is now considered of sufficient importance to warrant the appointment of bishops to reside in the countries named. In Austria, also, vigorous work is being done by the Catholic clergy in a determined attempt to withstand the inroads of Protestantism. Both sides are claiming accessions to their numbers as a result of the work that is being done. Catholic women have been formed into societies for the purpose of influencing backslidden husbands to return to the fold. In fact, Catholicism throughout all Europe is manifesting great zeal at the present time, notably in France. In America, while aggressive work is being done by such societies as the Paulist Fathers, the greatest interest seems to center in the federation of Catholic societies for the purpose of influencing legislation. This work is being pushed with much zeal by press and clergy, and is one of the most important developments of the times. The drowsy Christian should ask himself if there is anything significant in these things. THE great strike of the anthracite coal miners in the East has entered upon the second week of its duration. So far there has been but little molestation of non-union men, or disorder of any kind. One case of shooting has occurred, but in all the vicinities affected comparative quiet reigns. Troops have been ordered to different mines in anticipation of trouble, but have found no occasion for interference. While the mine owners claim that the strike will soon be broken, the miners themselves are claiming continual accessions to their ranks. Notwithstanding the protection of the troops, but few miners are working. At Scranton, Penn., on September 22, a parade was organized of the children who work in or about the mines or breakers. The parade consisted of 2,000 children, many of whom were only nine or ten years of age. THE British nation now regards the Transvaal War as practically ended. The British troops have traversed the country as far as the Portuguese border, and the burghers who have crossed into Portuguese territory have been disarmed by the Portuguese authorities. The railroad to Lourenzo Marquez is now completely in the hands of the British, altho it is expected that marauding parties may interfere with its operation to some extent. A considerable company of the Boers is still in the field, and it is believed that President Stein, of the Free State, and Secretary Reitz are with them. The Holland Dutch are preparing to welcome President Kruger, but his departure from Lourenzo Marquez is being delayed by legal proceedings. A war ship of the Netherlands has been placed at his service to convey him to Europe. By a recent order of the English Post-office Department, all post-office clerks must use the word "Esq." in addresses to all male correspondents, unless the latter are laborers, personal servants, or tradesmen, or depositors in postal savings banks. The necessity for such an order is not apparent, but there is no doubt that such distinctions serve to foster the growth of anarchistic tendencies among the common people, and consequently to increase the perils of the times and hasten the time of trouble. THREE hundred miners and day laborers are on a strike at Coal Creek, Tenn., for an increase in the wages of the latter. The miners are said to be satisfied with their scale, but are striking for the benefit of the day laborers. About 650 cigar makers are on strike at Hanover, McSherrystown, and Mt. Rock, Penn. About three-fourths of the 1,200 men employed by the American Iron and Steel Company, who struck on August 1, resumed work on September 19, at the rate which the company offered for work. THE British Admiralty is introducing a new weapon into the navy. It is a modification of the Hotchkiss gun, the breech mechanism of which is self-feeding and automatic. This gun throws a three-pound shell at the rate of 400 rounds per minute. Thus 1,200 pounds of explosive steel are driven with fearful velocity from the muzzle of this gun every minute that it is in action. The destruction which such a weapon, accurately aimed, could accomplish can not even be imagined. THE Kurutu and the Tabui Islands were formally annexed to France by the governor of Tahiti on August 21, at the request of the natives. On September 21 the premier of New Zealand announced the annexation of the Cook Islands, with the consent of the Basatonga chief. This step is a counter movement to meet the annexations of the French. A DESPATCH from Calcutta reports an extraordinary rainfall throughout North India. The storm continued for four days. Half of the site of the city of Calcutta is submerged, some of the streets being flooded to a depth of three feet. It is estimated that thirty-five inches of rain fell in Calcutta during the storm. A CABLE to the London Times from China states that four American missionaries and their families at Fen Chau Fu have been murdered by the Boxers. A cable to the New York Sun states that the entire company of missionaries at Tatungu and Seping Fu, west of Peking, were killed while attempting to reach Kalga. NOME, Alaska, has been again ravaged by a terrible storm, which drove many vessels on shore, and crushed down the buildings nearest to the waterfront. The damage to ruined property has been placed as high as $750,000. Several persons lost their lives, but the number of victims has not been given. An agreement has been reached between the Amalgamated Iron and Steel Workers and the steel manufacturers by whom they have been employed, settling the wage scale of the men. This agreement permits some 60,000 iron and steel workers to resume work who have been idle since August 1. FOREST and field fires have been numerous in California during the week, owing to several days of exceptionally hot weather. The damage from fire in Sonoma County alone is estimated at over a million dollars. Thousands of acres have been burned over in various parts of the State. THE State of Texas has been the scene of another serious calamity; this time it came in the form of a cloudburst in the Nueces River district, which, according to report, has resulted in a terrible flood and much loss of life. The cloudburst occurred on September 23. IN the island of Tutuila, that island which was apportioned to the United States in the division of the Samoan Islands, a national guard of natives has been organized, armed with the regulation Lee rifle and carrying the regulation cartridge belt. ON September 22 the president of France gave a grand banquet to 20,000 mayors of the cities of France. The banquet was given in honor of the exposition, and is declared to be the largest ever held. A RUSSIAN inventor has discovered a certain kind of salt, which, when subjected to heat, throws off a powerful gas. This he utilizes in driving a new type of automobile. A few pounds of this composition are sufficient to drive the automobile a long distance. THE British torpedo-boat destroyer Cobra is now the fastest vessel in the world, having broken the record made by her sister ship, the Viper. The Viper’s record was 43 miles an hour, and the Cobra’s record stands at 43.5 miles an hour. OWING to the recent severe storm which visited the fishing banks of Newfoundland, forty vessels have been driven ashore, and according to latest reports fifty-five others are missing, most of which, it is expected, have gone down. THE U. S. transport Grant arrived in San Francisco harbor on September 22, carrying 350 sick and disabled soldiers, besides the bodies of 37 who had died in the Philippines, and 13 who died on the way home. ON September 20 the president of France conducted a grand review of the French army near Chartres, France. The whole body of troops numbered 97,000 men, with 22,000 horses. A REPORT from Halifax, N. S., states that the ship Lily, of the North, which left Halifax last summer with supplies for the Peary polar expedition, is a wreck. The crew are reported safe. THE Egyptian mail steamer Charkiah ran aground on the island of Andros, in the Mediterranean, on September 20, and forty of her crew and passengers were drowned. A TORNADO struck the town of Morristown, Minnesota, on September 24, wrecking several houses, killing eight persons, and injuring six. The United States war ship Oregon has arrived at Wu Sung, the man-of-war anchorage at Shanghai. ‘THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID.’
By Editor
THIS quotation is from the ninety-first psalm. The pronoun “thou” refers to the individual who has made God his refuge and trust in the time of trouble that is coming upon the earth. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” The “terror,” the “pestilence,” the “plague,” and the “destruction” are already at work; so the comforting message to those who see in these things the fulfilment of the Word of God, “Thou shalt not be afraid,” is especially timely just now; for here and there throughout the earth are being manifested examples of such “perilous times” as will ere long be general. Continual reference is being made in the press to the wars, the strikes, the famines, the epidemics of disease, the disastrous fires on sea and land, storms, floods, earthquakes, etc. We give in this connection an extract from a private letter to friends in this city, from one of our laborers who was in Honolulu during the recent visitation of bubonic plague upon that city. From this we get but a faint idea of the condition of things when the final plagues are poured upon the earth. But it ought to be enough to set men to thinking upon the prophecies of the Scriptures, of which we are even now having a forecast. It would be hard for one not with us to realize the revolution made in the affairs of the little Hawaiian metropolis by the introduction of the plague. In the district which a few months ago was called home by one-third of the population of the city, and where an equal proportion of the local business was transacted, can now be seen nothing but the ashes of as many blasted hopes. The whole of the Chinese and Japanese quarters, together with quite a large portion of the native section, including the Kamakapili Church (one of the largest and finest in the city) were burned, leaving nothing by which to even locate the former business centers except the narrow depressions in the blackness once called streets, and at the same time leaving over ten thousand people homeless. It demanded the laying aside of both business and pleasure and the concentration of every energy to provide shelter for this great multitude of people. The rapidity with which a new city for this purpose was constructed, surprised and demanded the admiration of every one, and the way all responded to assist the unfortunates was inspiring. Yet, despite everything that could be done to relieve the sufferers, there were many circumstances that would touch the heart of the most unsympathetic. The very fact that ten thousand people with nothing but the little clothing upon their person should be thrown into quarantine, while everything that was prized by them was consigned to the flames, is startling, but some of the individual cases were pathetic. One poor Chinese, after having been released from quarantine, wandered about until, weakened from lack of food, he fainted upon the street. The frightened bystanders, thinking it was a case of plague, fled, but when a physician was called and an examination made, it was ascertained that his condition was due simply to hunger and exhaustion. The morning after the first fire the morning paper spoke a little carelessly of the “Celestials” fingering nervously the little trinkets and trumpery they must leave behind as the guards hurried them off to the quarantine station; but I could not help wondering if some of the rest of us would not finger a little nervously some of our trinkets (which, altho valueless to others, revive as many memories in us) if we were being hurried off that some one might touch a match to them. But those who witnessed the big fire of January 20, when the fire became unmanageable and over five thousand people were made homeless in a single hour, felt in no mood to jest. Picture to yourself a fire started in some specially infected buildings getting beyond control, and, impelled by a strong wind, spreading rapidly over that section of the condemned district still occupied by five thousand people. Hemmed in like rats in a trap by guards and frightened citizens armed with guns, clubs, sticks, and pick handles, lest they should escape and carry infection throughout the city, their homes were burned down almost before arrangements could be made to draw them off into a clean space where they might still be guarded. The roar of the flames mingled with the natives’ wailing for their church, the shrieks of frightened women and children, the hoarse yells of guards as some attempted to escape across the line, and finally the desperate men inside forming themselves into a little army to force their way out, while all the time the more thoughtful were kept busy carrying the old, the sick, and the infirm from the burning buildings, made most gruesome sights and hideous sounds. One member of the family is stricken with the plague. He is at once taken to the pest-house, and, if death occurs, is cremated. The remainder of the family are hurried off into quarantine, while the home and all it contains are burned. This all seems necessary, yet how awful! I shall never forget one poor Chinese mother with four little ones clinging to her as she was brought weeping from the death-bed of her husband to the quarantine station the last day I was there. It would be hard to imagine the feelings of this poor woman, who had scarcely been outside her own home, as she was thus thrown among a great crowd of strangers upon the occasion of her husband’s death. That night I was asked to nurse in the pest-house, or plague hospital, just then being opened, and among our first patients was a poor Hawaiian woman, and with her a little five-year-old girl. During the first night the mother died, and the sleeping child was removed to another room. The awakening among strangers was a touching incident, and we did all in our power to divert her attention and make the little thing feel at home. That afternoon I carried her to the quarantine station, and if you could have seen the little thing cling to me (a friend of only a few hours) when she saw all those strangers, you could better appreciate what plague means. Yet this is but a slight foreshadowing of the time when “a thousand shall fall at thy side and ten thousand at thy right hand.” O, that we might be prepared for that time! Are we doing all we might to fit others for those terrible scenes? IS ENGLAND A CHRISTIAN NATION?
THE following from the Examiner may throw some doubt on the popular claim, even from the popular standpoint:— “Few people know that the queen of England has in her Indian Empire more Moslem subjects than are ruled by the sultan of Turkey. These Mohammedans are, as everywhere else, a hard people to reach. The college of the Mosque of Al Azhar at Cairo (so well described by Dr. H. M. Field), that of the Mosque of Palms at Tunis, and that of Kairouan in the holy city of Fez, are well known. There is a fourth great college, that of Deoband, India,11 the Madrassa Ilm i Arbi, as the Arabic college is called. It has magnificent buildings, a large faculty, and sends out all the moulvies and hafizes, as the Moslem preachers and teachers are called, for India. These men are the most bitterly prejudiced against the ‘Christian infidels’ the world can find anywhere. They have their sects and their rivalries, but in one thing they are united, and that is their opposition to Christianity. Yet some of those very teachers are converted. For instance, there was the celebrated Rev. Imad-ud-Din, D.D., one of the greatest Christian preachers of all the world.” TO FOLLOW CHRIST.
By Emma A. Cranmer
It means so much to follow Christ,
To walk the path the Master trod,
To have no other mind than His,
To bend beneath the chastening rod; To nail earth's hopes upon the cross,
To feel the spear and drink the gall,
To suffer, die, and rise again,
Ascending to the Lord of all. To follow Christ we follow love,
Leaving the dross of worldly strife,
Purging the soul of selfishness,
Learning that "love alone is life." Each hardship is a lift toward heaven;
Each enemy, a royal friend;
Each sorrow is a joy unseen;
Each sacrifice doth incense lend. To follow Christ we leave behind
All baggage that would weigh us down.
Earth weights are heavy; take them not
If you would wear the victor's crown. To follow Christ and Him alone
Is what is meant by the new birth,
How love illuminates the way,
And heaven afar comes down to earth. All is God and all is love.
Let every selfish struggle cease;
Our life is hid with Christ in God;
Love reigns supreme, and all is peace.
—Emma A. Cranmer. THE FATAL OMISSION.
By The Friend
IT is aggressive covetousness of others, backed up by arms, that has forced the Chinese to read war between the lines of such Gospel as was preached unto them. And yet the missionaries had the opportunity, had the Christendom that sent them believed in the doctrine, to have made their learners read peace and not war; to have assured them that the undivided interest of the Christian missionary is the kingdom of One whose teaching was, "My kingdom is not of this world; if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight." While the covetous encroachment of nations has naturally, to the Chinese mind, made missions mean war, and while some missions may have taught the same thing by appealing to the military arm to sustain their foothold within the empire, yet it is not because too much of Christianity was taught that war found entrance, but rather because not enough of it was taught. If the part that is usually omitted had been consistently taught, it would have disarmed suspicion against the missionaries, at least. To this extent only,—the error of omission rather than of commission,—may we hold missionaries, along with their churches at home that taught them, responsible. Had modern Christianity faithfully represented that of the disciples of the first two centuries, whose brave answer was, "I am a Christian; therefore I can not fight," Christians need not have been understood in China, as the pioneers of gunboats and bombshells. We do not say that Christians before savage men would invariably escape massacre by abstaining from carnal weapons and appealing to the protection of the Prince of Peace alone. Yet, as a rule, marvelous has been the protection of such as have done so. The blood of some martyrs of peace may be expected to fall to the ground as the seed of the church of the Prince of Peace. The testimony of some missionaries of such a Gospel may be blessed and confirmed by being sealed with their lives. But how soon would the carnal sword drop from hands unnerved by the sword of love in the spirit of those whom they were slaughtering! Such passive bravery for Christ's sake is courage with its eyes open. Enmity could not stand before it. But let every breath of blame be hushed toward those volunteers for Christ who willingly took their lives in their hands to labor among a benighted people. We arraign not them but the Christendom which kept back a part from their outfit for the work—the peace-making part of the whole counsel of Christ. Was not His warning enough, when one tried to defend His cause by the sword, that a Christianity that takes the sword shall perish with the sword? Never will the free triumph of the Christian faith among the nations appear till the weapons of their warfare are not carnal.—The Friend. WHY NOT COME THIS YEAR?
By C. L. Taylor
HEALDSBURG COLLEGE, with which many of the SIGNS readers are acquainted, begins with this date its nineteenth year's work. Last year the attendance and general character of work done were most encouraging, and to-day the college occupies a larger place in the hearts of its patrons than at any time perhaps in the history of the institution. Great things are expected from the experiences of the current school year by those in charge. It is the purpose, therefore, to hold the standard high, higher if possible than ever before, that in every department only right principles may obtain. Success can be had only by following strictly the plans which God has marked out. The work of revival, it is hoped, will begin with the first week, thus anticipating the work of the enemy. The college faculty are united in the thought that each and every student must be the subject of faithful prayer and earnest, persevering effort, and when converted, to be enlisted in active labor for those around him. This is an important time for the young, and the writer asks every one who needs an education in the truths of God to consider whether this may not be the time when he or she should enter the college and enjoy its benefits. If you can not see an open door, let the college know, and everything possible will be done to help you. Plan to come, plan by faith, and God will help you in your extremity. Send for calendar; write the president concerning your situation, and you may find that, even tho late in applying, you may be with us in the work of this year. Address your communication to Prof. M. E. Cady, Healdsburg, Cal. Hoping that the college may yet hear from many as suggested, I am yours in the work,
C. L. TAYLOR. GRAND BUT AWFUL.
By C. H. Castle
LONG, long ago the poet wrote:—
“We are living, we are dwelling,
In a grand and awful time.” True as may have been these words when they were written, their truth is much more noticeable at the present time. Surely we are living in an awful time, and grand it is also. To see the force of the words, divide the world into two classes as they really exist to-day, namely, those who are Christians and those who are not. And now let us consider what is taking place in the world. Think of the African war, which has been engaging the attention of England for so long, drawing from her realm men and money to sustain the bloody fray, bringing death and distress untold; the slaughter now going on in China, where human life is considered of less value than the life of a dog. Nor should we forget the direful aspect of the poor of India, who are starving to death in Bombay, and, in fact, the greater part of the territory, where, according to accredited reports, famine and the dread plague of cholera are carrying off their victims at the rate of a death every minute. Here are the figures: 10,277 deaths were recorded for one week in Bombay. Think of it. And these people, or those of them who survive, are to hear the message of the third angel. And what of those who have died without having heard the Gospel? We have long talked about the time of trouble, when war, famine, and pestilence would be abroad in the land. To the Christian all these things are omens of the dawning of the morning. Are they not also signals for greater activity, greater sacrifice for the cause we love? The Lord's work will be done; for He has so declared in Isa. 55: 11. It is a grand thing to work for God, to be a co-laborer with Christ. Sheridan, Ill. C. H. CASTLE. POWER FOR Service
By A. F. Ballenger
"The disciples were baptized on the day of Pentecost with power, and the accompanying manifestations of power were not to convince them that they were baptized, but to qualify them for the work of that very hour. They did not spend the day in feeling; they spent the day in working." "This is written to show that the baptism of the Holy Ghost is for practical service, and not for physical sensation. Whatever there be of the manifestation of tongues of fire or shining faces, these are not so much for the benefit of the shining saint as for the shining multitude." "There has been much noisy demonstration among a class who seem to think that the baptism of the Holy Ghost is primarily for the benefit of the receiver, to be enjoyed amid noisy demonstrations of feeling. But the threshing-machine is not run to make the threshing-machine feel good, but to thresh out the grain. When a farmer boy I noticed that the threshing-machine running empty made more noise than when filled. I noticed that when the “feeder” ran out of grain, the driver hastened to halt the horses. The power was for threshing the wheat, not for shaking the machine. I noticed when the machine was at work, the deafening rattle of empty machinery softened into a subdued song of service." "The trouble with some of the teaching and practise on this important theme is that its advocates seem to think that the power was intended more for the machine than for the grain; consequently there has been much of what might be termed running empty. Power is never applied to threshing-machines except for threshing purposes, and in like manner power for service is never applied by the great Master-builder to His servants except when they are ready to serve and there is some one to serve. Don’t ask the Lord to turn on the power and rattle the machinery to prove to you that the Lord will do what He has promised." The above is an extract from the new book on the Holy Spirit, by A. F. Ballenger, entitled OVER 200 PAGES CLOTH BOUND PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO. 39 Bond Street New York City 18 W. 5th Street Kansas City, Mo. J. R. REID, 1018 South O Street, Tacoma, Wash., desires any of our denominational literature for missionary work. Please send post-paid. OUR WORK AND WORKERS.
By Editor
FOUR candidates were baptized at St. Paul, Minn., September 15, in connection with meetings held by Brethren A. J. Stone and J. Anderson. AT the recent camp-meeting held at Dayton, Ohio, seventeen candidates were baptized, and several others deferred the ordinance until after their return to their home churches. BEGINNING with the November number, the Missionary Magazine will publish a series of articles on Church History. These will continue for a year or more, bringing out many points of interest to the church at the present time, and will add interest to this already valuable periodical. Now is a good time to subscribe. Monthly; 50 cents a year. 150 Nassau Street, New York City. THE church in this city was doubly blessed on Sabbath, September 22. Brother George A. Irwin, president of the General Conference, spoke to the people in the morning, and Sister E. G. White in the afternoon. The latter service was altogether unexpected, because Sister White had just landed late the night before after her long voyage from Australia. Her being able to talk to the people for an hour so soon after landing will also be a surprise to the friends left in Australia, one of whom wrote by the same boat: "For a time it seemed impossible in her state of health to undertake such a journey, and that she might not live to reach America if she started." The same writer says: "If our people could only realize what it costs her at her age to leave her quiet home, and the friends here, they could better sense her unselfish labors in their behalf." One of her traveling companions says, "She suffered little from seasickness, and during most of the time enjoyed an unusually good degree of health." BROTHER P. R. ALBRECHT, having gone to Arizona to labor, writes from Flagstaff to the Wisconsin Reporter:— "This country is wild in most places. For the greater part it has been well named—arid line. Still some parts of it, I am told, are excellent. Around Phœnix is the garden of the land. I expect to work down that way and we locate there. Flagstaff is about 7,000 feet above the sea level, and directly north of the city the San Francisco Peaks reach an elevation of about 13,000 feet. Snow may be found there all summer. Flagstaff is a town of about 1,500 people. The chief and about only industry is a large sawmill, which employs hundreds of hands. They run day and night. Wages are good here but eatables are high. Rent is high also. City water for just household use costs $2.00 per month, or where they have meters $1.00 per thousand gallons. Clothing and dry goods are but little more expensive than in the East. Horses and wood are very cheap. A first-class Western horse (not bronco, you can get them at $5.00) can be bought at $20 or $25. Railroad fare is high. From five to eight cents per mile is the regular charge. I am told that at Phœnix everything is very cheap. They raise fruit and vegetables in abundance there, whereas everything that people eat has to be shipped in to this place. We have a church building in this town, and a small but growing congregation." A LETTER from Brother W. J. Tanner, in the Atlantic Chesapeake News, gives an interesting account of his trip to, and initial work in, Jamaica. He was advised to labor in the mountain region until somewhat acclimated. From Kingston he sailed to Alligator Pond, whence he was taken in a carriage twelve miles, to Southfield. Of this place he says:— "Southfield is the name of an estate, and not a town or even a village, but simply a mountain community. Here we have a nice church of fifty or more members, besides a number who have not yet united with the church. The Lord has been permitted to do a good work for the people here, and the work seems to be going on; for there is still a good outside interest, in spite of opposition from the Church of England and Plymouth Brethren companies here. I find that the people here are interested in the same subjects that interest us at home. They will listen to a talk on the prophecies with equal interest to an ordinary congregation in America. The main point in speaking to these people is to observe simplicity. We are now keeping house. Our home is 1,550 feet above the sea, and as I am writing I can look out of our front door and across the sea, about two miles away. At times the clouds come down and envelop us, but thus far the atmosphere has been very clear. The temperature is all that could be desired. August is the warmest month of the year, and to-day is as warm as any, yet at midday the thermometer only registered eighty-two in the warmest part of our house."