Earlier text: THE BRAZEN SERPENT[From Les Signes des Temps.] The forgiveness of sin is set forth in the Bible as the act of God in his mercy toward man. It lies at the foundation of our hope of eternal life. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Rom. 3:22. All need pardon. This pardon is offered freely in the gospel of Christ. The humblest and most exalted are offered pardon on the same conditions. In this respect all mankind are equal in the sight of God. He extends the offer to each, and the conditions are the same to all. His infinite wisdom, grace, and love, are all concerned in the pardon of sin. It is not a small matter to forgive transgression and to remove guilt from the conscience. God alone can do this. The rich cannot buy pardon with gold, and the poor are never hindered from obtaining it by reason of their poverty. It is the free gift of God. The gospel is preached that the offer of pardon may be made known to all mankind. God even beseeches sinners to accept the pardon of their sins. He has, without any request on the part of man, and without any assistance from him, opened for man the fountain of salvation in the blood of Christ. This fountain is free to all. There is no hindrance except in the sinner. God invites him to come, and to do it to-day. Whoever fails to be pardoned and cleansed, fails because he loves sin better than he loves the favor of God. But let us not deceive ourselves. There are some difficulties in the way of obtaining pardon, though they are all found in the evil disposition of man. Thus God will not pardon self-righteous people. The case of the Pharisee and the publican shows this very clearly Luke 18:9–14. The publican obtained pardon because he felt the need of it. The Pharisee did not even desire pardon for he was already righteous in his own estimation. God will not pardon people who do not repent. Why should he? If they do not acknowledge the need of pardon it would be derogatory to the government of God to confer pardon. Men must acknowledge their guilt before God can pardon that guilt. But they cannot acknowledge their guilt till they have been instructed on the subject out of the word of God. The gospel offers pardon to those who have sinned against God. But this is not the first message that God addresses187 to sinners. Many are self-righteous and wish no pardon. A still larger number feel that they are sinners against God, but they have no very definite idea of what sin really is. Yet before God forgives sin, men should understand the nature and extent of their transgression against him. What is sin? “Sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4. How do we know what sin is? “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 3:20. Does the work of the law in convincing men that they are sinners precede the work of the gospel in pardoning sin? It is thus unless we can believe that God pardons men of their sins and then shows them afterward why they needed to be pardoned. But the experience of Paul is given to show the manner in which God acts in forgiving sin. Before Paul received the pardon of his sins it was necessary that his self-righteousness should be changed to a sense of guilt, and that he should see that he was justly condemned as a sinner. How was this accomplished? He says: “I had not known sin but by the law; for I had not known lust except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” Rom. 7:7. We know then that the law precedes the gospel in the work of conversion. Paul’s first lesson was to teach him that he was not righteous but sinful, and that he was under the just condemnation of the law of God. He was made to see that the law is holy, spiritual, just and good. Rom. 7:12, 14. And as he compared himself with that holy law, he saw that he was carnal, sold under sin. Rom. 7:14. When he had learned this lesson he was not far from the kingdom of God. He saw himself a sinner justly condemned by the holy law of God. He felt the need of pardon and he sought it with brokenness of heart. Then Christ was presented before him as the great sacrifice for sin. He saw that though the law of God justly demanded the death of the sinner, Christ had died in the place of the sinner, and thus he could be pardoned without dishonoring the law of God. It was then his privilege, as a penitent sinner, to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for the pardon of his sins. When he has done this there is no more condemnation, for God forgives his sins and he is at peace with him. It is a great evil to invite sinners to believe without first teaching them the necessity of repentance. But often men that are self-righteous are invited to believe that Christ saves them now. And men that are dishonest are invited in the same manner. But what is said to them about change of conduct? What about the dishonest gain in their hands? Nothing. Are they humbled by a sense of their wickedness? Do they see that the law of God was just in their condemnation? By no means. They lay all the blame upon the law of God. They have nothing to do, as they think, but to believe that Christ saves them. Have they been pardoned? No, for they have never repented. What they call pardon is but license to commit sin if they only profess to believe in Christ. Those that are pardoned by the gospel, must first see and acknowledge that they have been justly condemned by the law of God. Such persons will make commandment-keeping Christians. Matt. 5:19; James 2:10–12; Rev. 14:12; 22:14; 1 John 3:4–6. They may not perfectly understand the law of God, but they will obey as far as they understand. The Spirit of God writes his law in the hearts of such Christians. Jer. 31:33; Heb. 8:10. And those who have the law of God in their hearts, can never speak against it with their lips. Matt. 12:34, 35. They understand that the law of God, which they have broken, is so sacred that the gospel can offer them pardon only in view of the fact that Christ has died in their place, and they never for a moment suppose that the gospel gives them permission to break the commandments of God. Bale, Switzerland. J. N. A. LOVING MERCY, GOD'S REQUIREMENT.
By Eld. Geo. I. Butler
"WHAT doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Micah 6:8. We are required by the God of Heaven to "love mercy," in order to be saved in his kingdom and meet his acceptance. As mercy is one of God's own attributes, those who are to dwell forever in his presence must possess it and appreciate it. This is eminently reasonable. To go to Heaven we must possess the heavenly character. To dwell with God we must be like him. Satan and his adherents were cast out of Heaven because they ceased to be in harmony with the principles which reign there. It would be folly to suppose that God would take those there who were lower in nature than those who were cast out, unless the principles of Heaven were incorporated into their character beforehand. What is mercy? Webster defines it as follows: "A disposition to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; to forgive obligation out of compassion for the offender. An act of favor, pity, compassion or tenderness." We are required then, by the God of Heaven, to have a disposition to overlook injuries. We are required to treat men even better than they deserve out of compassion for them. We are required to be tender, kind, pitiful and forgiving. So says the Lord. Why should we not all have such a disposition? We can see it is beautiful in others, when they exercise it. Hatred is not lovely. Revenge is not admirable. It is noble to rise above the personal feeling of resentment and to forgive personal wrong. Our great Pattern set us the example. When hanging on the cross, after being spit upon, beaten, insulted, and nailed upon the tree, and suffering in agony, he looks upon his persecutors and cries, "Father forgive them; they know not what they do." He looked forward to the time when Divine justice would unsheathe her sword and these guilty souls would wail in anguish. His great heart of love pitied them in view of that terrible hour. He looked above the plane of personal feeling. No personal resentment was in his heart. Such an example of mercy was never shown before. We admire it because it was so noble. Will it not be noble in us to cherish the same spirit and put away the unworthy resentments which lodge so easily in our hearts when we fancy ourselves slighted or mistreated? He is a Christian who really follows Christ. He is not really one who does not. Without the spirit of Christ we are none of his. "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me." "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" And what does he say? "If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Matt. 6:15. "When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive you." Mark 11:25. It is strange how some people dare to pray the Lord's prayer, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us," when they themselves have no thought of exercising feelings of forgiveness towards those who have offended them. Such virtually pray the Lord never to forgive their sins. "Forgive us as we forgive." It would be a dangerous prayer for such to pray. What is it to forgive? "To cease to feel resentment against." (Webster.) It is to get that bad feeling out of the heart, which we have when we think of those who may have wronged us. We sometimes hear people say, "I can forgive but I never can forget." A very foolish remark, for evidently they do not forgive at all, but are determined to hold that miserable feeling of resentment in the heart as long as they live. To forgive is to have that feeling give place to feelings of kindness. We are not required to think those who do wrong, have done right; we may not see anything in their course to admire or imitate; we may know they are selfish, wicked, and on the road to ruin. But feelings of personal resentment in the heart which will not allow feelings and acts of kindness are not tolerated by our holy religion. Christ's parable in Matt.18, is good evidence on this point. He presents before us the case of a king who called one of his servants to account who owed him many millions of dollars. This servant begged for mercy as he had not wherewith to pay. His lord forgave him. But he went out and found a fellow-servant of his which owed him about 15 dollars. He took him by the throat and required immediate payment, and because he did not pay him he shut him up in prison. When the lord heard of this act he delivered him to the tormentors till he should pay the immense debt due him. Had he shown a merciful spirit himself this would not have been required of him. Says Christ in conclusion, "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." It is not enough to say, "I can forgive but shall never forget." We must forgive "from the heart.” The difficulty with many who seem so loth to forgive, is that they seem to regard it as a sort of luxury to cherish feelings of resentment. Like Peter, whose cause called out the above parable, they feel it is a great strain upon their nature to forgive. He said to Christ, "How oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? till seven times?" Jesus said, "I say not unto thee till seven times, but until seventy times seven"—490 times. That is we should always cherish feelings of forgiveness and tenderness, even to those who abuse us personally, leaving them to the judgment of God, who will know how to deal with them. "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." That attribute belongs to him. We would not know how to use it; we would make great mistakes and often deal unjustly. It would not be safe for him to intrust it to finite man. Hence he has reserved it to himself. We must give "place" to the wrath of God. If we could always realize how much happier we shall be to cherish feelings of love and kindness in our hearts, than if we cherish resentment and hatred, we could better understand the Saviour's remarks to Peter. Love is better than hatred. Peace is better than war. Kindness is better than resentment. Forgiveness is better than revenge. The mind of Christ is better than the malice of Satan and of a corrupt heart. Therefore if angry, unkind feelings kindle up because of wrong done us, let us get them out of our hearts as quickly as possible. Never let the sun go down and our wrath remain burning. It is not a good companion to sleep with. Oh, that a spirit of forgiveness and love might ever characterize the followers of Christ. It will, all those who really follow him, for he never showed any other spirit. Mercy is also an active principle. It prompts to acts of pity, love, and tenderness. The good Samaritan had it. It caused Christ to come to earth to save a lost race. Howard, the philanthropist, possessed it. All true benefactors of mankind have had it. All who are ever saved must perform deeds of kindness and love without hope of reward in this life. We must do it because it is noble, because it is right and because our Lord has set us an example. This is an age of selfishness and covetousness. How few there are who are really trying to do good. How few who are willing to consecrate their lives to works of benevolence such as Christ performed for the purpose of saving others. Many who are forced by the sense of duty to do something for the benefit of others and the salvation of their fellows, feel that it is a great hardship, and want to do just as little as they can and not feel condemned. For fear of the future they will do a little, and wish they could find some way to escape from it which would satisfy their own minds. Such do not "love mercy;" they dislike it very much when expected of them. It is a bitter cup to them. As Christians we should rise above the stress of duty to the high plane of loving to do good for its own sake. We should love to work for that which is noble and god-like; our characters will be most worthy and we shall better answer the end of our creation. When the love of doing right for its own sake and for Christ's sake takes possession of the heart, we shall not go to work "like the quarry slave driven to his task" under the whip of stern duty, but we shall delight our souls in the Lord, and his service will be precious to us; better by far than the service of the world, and the devil. Then our souls will be sustained with trust in God and cheerfulness and happiness will be ours. The peace of God which passeth all understanding will rule and reign in our hearts. We like to labor for that which we love. This is a great lesson to "love mercy" for its own sake and for Christ's sake. May God help us all to learn it. PROPHECY.
By Joseph Clarke
PROPHECY is like a scroll of parchment, upon which is inscribed the future history of our race. As fast as this scroll unwinds, by the march of time, it is no more prophecy, but a history of the past. Thus the prophecies of the coming of Messiah as a humble prophet, are now a history of past events, but the second coming of our Lord is yet a subject of prophecy. With what interest do we look for that event. Why should these prophecies be ignored and slighted as being of no importance ? "Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand," says the angel to John (Rev. 22:10) ; but to Daniel some centuries before he had said, "Go thy way, Daniel ; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." Dan. 12:9. The scroll of prophecy, as given to Daniel, was sealed till the time of the end ; but to John the words of the prophecy were not sealed, but left open for the inspection of all who would choose to study them. Here is a plain intimation that God would have his people look for the fulfillment of those prophecies which he had given to John, and that some of them would even in John's day begin to appear as history to such as understood them ; and he confers a blessing upon such as do study and observe them. See Rev. 1:3. Prophecy past is history. Can we discern in any way what of the prophecies are now history ? Certainly we can. Works upon prophecy, published at this office, such as Thoughts on Daniel and Revelations, The Sanctuary and 2300 Days, Signs of the Times, Matthew Twenty-four, the Three Messages, etc., show to us that we are now in the time of the end, that the first, second, and third messages of Revelation 14:6-14, are now history, also that the events of the sixth seal, up to the 14th verse of the 6th chapter of Revelations are in the past. The next event there described, is the departure of the heavens as a scroll when it is rolled together. Do we not live in solemn times ? Who will be prepared ? Who will stand when he appears to call forth his chosen people ? Can those stand who put darkness for light, and light for darkness ? Can those stand who themselves are ignorant and try to keep others in the same cloud and mist in which they are enveloped ? In the past good men studied the prophecies with care. See how the good and honored prophet Daniel studied the seventy years of captivity, as given in the prophecies of Jeremiah. (See Daniel 9:2-19.) Also we find our Saviour rebuking his followers for their dullness in understanding the prophecies concerning himself. (See Luke 24:26, 27.) But, say some, were you not disappointed in the fulfillment of prophecy in 1844 ? We were. But Seventh-day Adventists do not set the time for the Lord's return ; but can we not have a little charity for those who do set times, as much at least as for those who wholly ignore the subject, and call it fanaticism ? Time and prophecy move hand in hand. As well might you stay the march of time, as hinder the unfolding of prophecy. In 1844, the Advent cause met with a great disappointment. The 10th chapter of Revelations contains a prophecy of this, and plainly marks this disappointment, and gives a clear description of it. The angel who proclaims the close of (prophetic) time, in the 6th verse, is clothed with a cloud, in verse 1 ; and this time-message from the little book (Daniel), open (understood) when received by the church, is sweet at first, but afterward bitter ; see verses 8-10 ; and the reason of this disappointment (bitterness) is that this same little book (of Daniel) has a further prophecy to unfold, while men are on probation. (See verse 11.) The cloud about the angel shows that the prophecy will not be fully understood when time (prophetic) closes ; but the time of the end (see Daniel 12:4) will close with Revelations 10:11, which is the same as the third message of Revelations 14:9-14. That a disappointment was in order was proved by the fact that this disappointment shook off from the Advent cause the barnacles who clung to the sides of the Advent ship, and who went immediately into infidelity. That others have been disappointed before, is evident from the disappointment of the disciples at the crucifixion of Christ. On their way to Emmaus they were sad. "We trusted," said they, "that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel." Instead of their trust appearing to be well placed, he was crucified and buried. And their hopes were only partially revived by the report of his resurrection. If they had expected that he should be crucified, they would not have rejoiced as he entered Jerusalem, and sang hosannas to the son of David. But how, then, would the prophecy of Zechariah be fulfilled ? A disappointment was indispensable to fulfill the prophecy. Hence we see that it is not right to mock the hopes of the disciples of Jesus because they suffer disappointment. Let us rather discard all prejudice and examine with candor the evidences of his second coming, notwithstanding the disappointment, which fulfills the prophecy and only makes it more sure, even as we are to examine the evidences of his messiahship, notwithstanding his crucifixion and burial. If the second advent doctrine is the truth of the Bible, it cannot remain buried out of sight any more than Jesus, the author of the truth, could be held in the tomb. "If I go away, I will come again," were his own words of promise. His word will not be broken ; it cannot fail. He will come without sin unto salvation to them that look for him. Heb. 9:28. We shall not look in vain, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Rev. 22:21. The Missionary.
By S. N. Haskell
THE Reformation made greater and more permanent progress in England in the time of John Knox than in Scotland, although it was not so radical. In England, the Crown favored the Protestants, while the mass of the people were sunken in ignorance and superstition. The country was burdened by a large number of monks who, having been driven from the monasteries, were both unwilling and unable to aid in the work of instructing the people. To remedy this, and to provide for a future supply of useful preachers, the universities of Oxford and Cambridge were furnished with learned Protestant professors from Germany. As an immediate remedy, efficient ministers were employed. These labored where the people were the most superstitious. This gave permanency to the throne of England, and established the Reformation on a basis not easily subverted. During his captivity, John Knox had experienced that mental support which the truth always gives its adherents, and his love for it had greatly increased, as well as his zeal against popery. His late sufferings, together with his former reputation while at St. Andrews, recommended him to Archbishop Cranmer and the Council, and soon after his arrival in England he was sent to preach in Berwick. Here he spared neither time nor bodily strength in his efforts to instruct and reform the people. Regarding the worship of the popish church as grossly idolatrous, and its doctrines as damnable, he attacked both with great fervor, "exerting himself," says his biographer, "with as much eagerness to turn his hearers away from them as he would have done from a devouring flame or flood." Seeming to have a presentiment that the time for labor in England would be short, he was almost indefatigable in his labors and studies, preaching regularly on week days, frequently every day in the week. The beneficial results of his labors reached even the soldiers of the garrison, who had formerly been noted for their immorality. His success and popularity were very galling to the clergy in that quarter who were bigoted Papists. Finally a charge was made against him to the bishop of the diocese, to the effect that he taught that the sacrifice of the mass was idolatrous, and a day was appointed for him to publicly assign his reasons for this opinion. Accordingly, on the 4th of April, 1550, a great assembly convened at Newcastle, among which were many learned and distinguished men, together with many from the illiterate classes. "Spare no arrows," was John Knox's motto, and upon this occasion he fully carried it into effect. The authority of the Scriptures, the force of reasoning, grave reproof, and pointed irony were all in their turn employed by him while he boldly assailed this fabric of idolatry, the mass, declaring that "in its most high degree and most honest garments, it was an idol, struck from the inventive brain of superstition, which had supplanted the sacrament, and engrossed the honors due to Jesus Christ. He proposed his arguments in the syllogistic form, according to the practice of the schools, but illustrated them with a plainness which could be comprehended by the meanest capacity among his hearers. This defense had the effect of extending the influence of Knox, and silencing his enemies. Not long after this, he removed to Newcastle and was appointed one of King Edward's six chaplains, of whom four were to labor in different parts of the kingdom, and two were to remain with the king, each receiving a salary of forty pounds per year. About this time several prominent and lucrative positions were offered Knox, among others, a bishopric. Although through his influence the English church had rejected some of the papal forms and ceremonies which it had retained, still too many remained for Knox to thus connect himself with it. Even at this period, agencies were at work which effectually checked the Reformation in England, so that at the present time, of all the papal daughters, this church most resembles its parent, the Roman Catholic church. The death of Edward VI., in 1553, brought unspeakable grief to all the lovers of learning, virtue, and the Protestant faith. Knox having been personally acquainted with this prince, speaks of him in the highest terms. The papal element, however, was prominent in the English court, and on the accession of Mary to the throne, Protestantism was suppressed. During the persecution which followed, in which Latimer, Cranmer, and other distinguished men suffered, Knox, at the solicitation of his friends, retired into France. EFFECT OF MISSIONARY WORK.
By Eld. R. F. Cottrell
A MEMBER of my family has been engaged for some time past in sending off the SIGNS OF THE TIMES and tracts. For her encouragement, some fruit has appeared. A lady in Barton county, Missouri, has embraced the Sabbath and sent her subscription for the SIGNS. There seems to be no other Sabbath-keeper in her vicinity. It may be inferred from her letters, though she has not said so plainly, that her husband keeps the Sabbath also. She says: “We are convinced that we have been keeping the wrong day for the Sabbath. We believe in God, in Christ, in the Bible, in immersion for baptism, and in the necessity of Christians living strictly moral and religious lives. We do not have any opportunity of attending church on the Sabbath. The churches hold their meetings on Sunday, the day we once supposed to be the Sabbath. I try to be careful how I employ the hours of the Sabbath (Saturday, as we used to call it). I have talked with a number of people on the Advent faith, and lent a few SIGNS OF THE TIMES. My parents are reading and investigating. We thank you for your kindness in first sending the paper. We like the paper, and will gladly accept the doctrine, if we can understand and believe.” Perhaps it may be interesting and encouraging to others in like circumstances with this sister, to publish a line that I have just written to her:— “Dear Sister,—As my daughter-in-law has been enjoying a very interesting correspondence with you, I take the liberty to write a word to be sent in her next. I will say for your comfort and encouragement that you are not the only one that has embraced the present message of truth, and turned from the precept of men to the Sabbath of the Lord, as you have done. Scores, and I think I might safely say hundreds, have like you embraced the truth by reading, alone, and are striving for a preparation to meet our soon coming Lord. There are scattered in almost every nation those who have the light of the revealed truth of God. If you are lonely, you are not the only one in your condition. New cases are constantly coming to light through our missionary work with publications. “It seems strange, after so long a time in which it has been taken for granted that the first day of the week is the Sabbath by divine authority, that there should be such agitation on the subject at this time. But prophecy foretold the great apostasy which should think to change the law of God (Dan. 7:25), and it was also predicted that the final message of probation would develop the people prepared for the second coming of Christ, whose distinguishing characteristics are the keeping of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev. 14:9–12. “It is evident that the reason for the present movement is that the time has come for this message of the ‘third angel’ to be fulfilled; and the Lord is moving among his people in its fulfillment. ‘This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.’ “At the same time, popular religionists are preparing the way to enforce the tradition of men—the worship of the beast—by law. See Rev. 13:11–18. The ‘religious amendment’ of our national Constitution, when obtained, will open the way and give power to enforce this tradition by law, a tradition that makes void the commandment of God. See Matt. 15:1–9. This will bring the last persecution, from which the people of God will be delivered by the coming of Christ, and they will be caught up to stand with him upon Mt. Zion. Rev. 14:1–5. Let us strive to so give our whole heart and life to the Lord, that we may be of that number.189 “My best wishes to your husband; hope he is interested in these things, and that he, with you, will pursue the way of truth, which ends in eternal life. Would be glad of a line from him.” "THE CURSED LIQUOR STORES!"
When the poor heart-broken wife of the murdered Anton, who had been stabbed to the heart by the drunken brute Murphy, a few days before, heard the news of her husband's death, she exclaimed, "Oh! the liquor stores, the cursed liquor stores!" If we only reflect on the feelings of the wretched woman as she contemplated her butchered husband, brought to a bloody grave by rum, we should shrink back in horror from the evils and misfortunes produced by liquor. Rum is the most powerful agent the devil has on earth, and to it may be traced mostly all the crimes, murders, and debaucheries which disgrace society, and convert this beautiful world of ours into a veritable hell. Like the devil himself, it is the father of all evils, and more souls have been lost through its agency than from all other causes combined. We ask, is it not rum that has filled our prisons with criminals, our poor-houses with paupers, our streets with fallen women, and our asylums with lunatics? As soon as rum enters a household the devil goes with it, and there is neither peace, happiness, nor prosperity in that family again. Its inmates become wretched, vile drunkards, going about in rags, hunger, and nakedness, until they wind up in prison or the poor-house, while the rum-seller who supplies them with the fatal poison, keeps his fast horses, and most likely his—we won't write the word. What a fearful responsibility rests upon those who sell whisky, for is it not written, "Woe be to him by whom scandal cometh?" The Lord God has emphatically declared that neither the drunkard nor the fornicator shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. How this terrible sentence should make drunkards tremble. Are they willing to burn in the flames of hell in order to gratify a beastly passion for a few years on earth? If so, let them drink and be merry; if not, let them dash from their lips the wretched cup so brimful of tears, crime, and perdition. Remember the cry of poor Mrs. Anton: "Oh, the liquor stores, the cursed liquor stores!"—New York Tablet. GLEANINGS FROM THE EASTERN FIELD.
KANSAS, Topeka.—Eld. Smith Sharp, over date of March 30, reports from this place as follows: “I closed my meetings here last Sunday evening, having given thirty-two discourses. Sixteen signed the covenant, and three were baptized. The Baptists kindly granted us the use of their baptistry last Sunday. I expect others will soon follow in this ordinance. Sold over $10.00 worth of books. A Sabbath-school was organized, and a package of Instructors ordered. Received six new subscriptions for our periodicals, and the renewal of two old ones. They have rented a meeting-house on Topeka Avenue, between Fifth and Sixth streets, where Sabbath-school and meetings will be held regularly each Sabbath.” KENTUCKY, Edmonton.—Eld. S. Osborn, speaking of a meeting held near this place March 13 and 14, says: “Had a good outside attendance and interest. As the result of three discourses, and the labors of Bro. Stephen in circulating tracts and other reading matter on present truth, five came out on the Sabbath. I return in two weeks, if the Lord will, to finish up the work here.” ARKANSAS, Locksburg.—Eld. R. M. Kilgore, who for several years has been laboring in Texas, while returning to that State from a brief visit in the North, spent two weeks in this place. Of his stay here he says: “I labored here about two weeks, amid some prejudice, but no public opposition. A number of the ministers attended, and assisted in the opening exercises, treating me courteously on every occasion. It being court week, quite a number from different parts of the county had the privilege of hearing, and manifested much interest. The interest on the part of the citizens was better at the close, and some expressed regret that they had heard no more. Bro. W. L. Braden was the only one in the place who professed to keep the Sabbath. Others said they would unite with him in the work. After the subject of temperance had been presented, seventeen signed the teetotal, and five the anti-rum and tobacco pledge. With but one exception, these were all using coffee, and nearly all were using tobacco in some form or other. Certainly a wide field opens before the lecturer who treats the subject of temperance from a consistent standpoint; and a crying need is felt in this direction when we see children from six to ten, and boys and girls in their teens, after signing the teetotal pledge, affected with symptoms similar to those of a whisky inebriate in recovering from a state of intoxication.” Missionary Publications Sent to Africa
By S. N. Haskell
THE Missionary Herald says that twenty-nine commercial and exploring expeditions are now moving towards the interior of Africa, without including missionary parties. New lines of business are being opened, new steamship companies formed, and with the progress of trade, civilization and the gospel should keep pace. A supply of our publications have been sent by the general Tract and Missionary Society from New York to Africa. It is supposed they have gone with this movement towards the interior, as they were sent in reference to it.
S. N. HASKELL. T. AND M. WORK.
By James Sawyer
In the summer of 1880, I loaned a few SIGNS to a lady. She became interested and subscribed for the year. Yesterday I called to see how she liked the paper. This was her reply: “Whenever the paper comes I cannot stop till I read it all through. I cannot do without it. I think it teaches the truth. When the storms keep the mails behind, I read the old ones over.” ST. HELENA, CAL.
By S. N. Haskell
SABBATH and Sunday, April 10 and 11, I spent with the friends at St. Helena. There were not as many of our friends present on the Sabbath as on Sunday, as it was quite rainy. The missionary spirit is quite largely infused into this church, and, as a natural result, they are not troubled with bickerings and heart-burnings towards each other which result in serious church trials, as is frequently the case where no special interest is taken to impart to others the light God has given us. The spirit of Christ is disinterested benevolence. It shows itself in sacrificing personal ease and interest for the salvation of others. Happy is that church that possesses much of this spirit. Nearly every family here takes the Review and Signs for their own use, besides many copies of the SIGNS and our other periodicals for missionary work. On Sunday night a temperance meeting was held, and I spoke on Bible temperance with a degree of freedom. In this branch of God's cause a commendable zeal is manifested. All the members of this church, and nearly all their children have signed the teetotal pledge and become full members, and at each temperance meeting there is a continued increase of membership of those outside their church. On Sunday a district quarterly meeting was held which could but show, in a church and district like this, a good share of missionary labor performed. It was unanimously voted that if a tent could be pitched for a series of meetings somewhere in their district this season, they would pay for all the SIGNS OF THE TIMES which might be necessary to supply each family in that section with one copy for one month. If they continue humble, and faithful to the cause of God and the temperance work here, they will truly be a light in that wine growing community. Temperance.
By Oriana Leslie
ONCE I held him in fond embrace,
His bright curls drifting o'er neck and face;
No earthly music so sweet to me,
As that merry laughter, that childish glee.
In his life, his hopes, were my only joy,
Oh! my passionate love for that fair-haired boy;
Now a dungeon echoes my darling's moan,
Had I but known! Oh, had I but known! I gave him wine, I never thought
With what poison and madness the draught was fraught;
They told me, but calm in my pride I smiled
And said as I gave the cup to my child,
"Only false, weak natures have need to fear,
None loving and true like my darling here."
But the fiend I admitted no mercy has shown,
Had I but known! Oh, had I but known! I loved my darling with a worshipful pride;
He was my all since his father died.
So true, so ready to do and dare—
His eye so clear, and his brow so fair;
Now on that stands the sweat of pain,
Now those hands bear the murderer's stain.
In a darkened world I stand alone,
Had I but known! Oh, had I but known! Dr. Willard Parker says: "The average life of temperance people is sixty-four years and two months, while the average life of intemperate people is thirty-five years and six months. Thus the average life of a drinker is but little more than half that of the non-drinker; and yet we are asked to believe that brandy, whisky, gin and beer are wonderful promoters of health, strength and life!" CHILDREN POISONED WITH TOBACCO.
IN one of the schools of Brooklyn a boy thirteen years old, naturally very quick and bright, was found to be growing dull and fitful. His face was pale, and he had nervous twitchings. He was obliged to quit school. Inquiry showed that he had become a confirmed smoker of cigarettes. When asked why he did not give it up he shed tears and said that he had often tried, but could not. The growth of this habit is insidious and its effects, ruinous. The eyes, the brain, the nervous system, the memory, the power of application, are all impaired by it. "It's nothing but a cigarette," is really, "It is nothing but poison." German and French physicians have recently protested against it, and a convention of Sunday and secular teachers was recently held in England to check it. It was presided over by an eminent surgeon of a Royal Eye Infirmary, who stated that many diseases of the eye were directly caused by it. Parents, save your children from this vice if possible! Do not allow them to deceive you. In future years they will rise up and bless you for restraining them.—Christian Advocate.