Earlier text: SOLID CERTAINTIES IN CHRISTCATHOLIC INFLUENCE IN ROME.
REV. M. M. FISHER, D. D., now in Rome, has a letter in the Interior of July 25, in which he gives some interesting though alarming facts relative to the power of Catholicism in the city of the Cæsars. He expresses the opinion that upon the whole "the Papacy is losing ground in Italy," but the facts which he states certainly do not warrant the conclusion. Dr. Fisher says:— "Catholics are far from acknowledging that their glory and influence in Rome are things of the past. Every attempt is made to show that the hearts of the masses are still in sympathy with the church, and that the supremacy of King Humbert is only in appearance and will soon vanish. In support of their claims and policy, three things have been effected, with an energy and success worthy of a better cause. "(1) The increase of seminaries for training priests. Up to the year 1870 there were only five of these seminaries in the city of Rome; now there are forty-one; fifteen Italian, two French, three American, one Armenian, one Bohemian, one German, one Greek, two English, one Irish, two Scotch, one Polish, one Asiatic, one Oriental, one Belgian, one Illyrian, two Teutonic, and five Jesuit. From this large number of seminaries, and from the large number of priests that go forth from their walls, the stranger might be led to infer that the Eternal City is yet the capital of the Catholic world. A personal acquaintance with many of the young men in these schools justifies the statement that among them are some of the most gifted intellects of the age. Unquestionably, some of the most brilliant talent is found in the ranks of the Catholic priesthood. "(2) The great increase in monastic orders. In 1877 there were, for both sexes, in Rome, only twenty-two monastic houses; now there are 128; eleven of the regulars, twenty-four of the congregationalists, twenty-eight ecclesiastical corporations, and sixty-five of the mendicants. Here is an increase of 102 monastic houses within the brief space of twelve years in one city. "(3) Increase of schools. Nineteen years ago there were in Rome only nine clerical schools. Now there are 117 entirely under the control of priests, friars, and nuns. In this connection, too, it should be remembered that the national schools are free and splendidly managed. Last December the population of Rome was 405,336. Of this number 45,555 were children in school—26,428 in the communal schools; 18,743 in Catholic schools, and 384 in evangelical and Jewish schools. No comment is necessary here. These figures tell eloquently489 that the Catholic Church is basing its future on the training of the rising generation." Mr. Fisher thinks there is ground for hope in the education of the masses even in these papal schools, but the fact remains that those who are educated in papal schools are Papists and not Protestants; and so it would seem that instead of losing ground in Rome the papal church is really gaining, and that rapidly. And this is just what the word of God teaches us to expect, for just before the end "all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him [the Papacy], whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Rev. 13:8. THE UNIVERSAL SUNDAY MOVEMENT.
By Editor
THE following from the Interior of July 25, shows how widespread is the movement for the more strict observance of the Sunday-sabbath:— "Sabbath observance is undeniably gaining ground, and is showing itself in some very practical results, both in America and abroad. It has been announced that on various railroads in this land Sunday freight trains will for the future be discontinued. This is really a great move, as it is far easier for platform advocates of Sabbath observance to talk about it, than for a complicated railroad system to put it into operation. But even at the risk of disobliging some of their connections, the roads have determined on this much-needed reform. Even in France, with its notorious "Continental Sunday," a movement in the same direction is noticed. At a recent meeting of the shareholders of the Paris-Lyons Railway, one of the most powerful French corporations, some very strong speaking in favor of doing away with Sunday trains took place. The manager of the railway was especially disposed to favor the reform, and said that the company would grudge no expense it might entail. Another good sign is that there is a movement to get the foreign exhibitors at the great exhibition to close their sections on Sunday, and so, as the circular that requests this co-operation puts it, "teach our French brethren one good lesson." It is much to be hoped that this proposal will meet with general support, as its adoption would be a sign of respect for the Lord's day which even Parisians could not ignore. All these indications point to a growing sense of the need of the day of rest being made what its name implies." This widespread agitation is most wonderful, especially when we consider the fact that this so-called Sabbath is without a vestige of divine authority. This general movement in behalf of Sunday is, however, just what the Scriptures lead us to expect in the last days, and thus it is a sign of the soon-coming end. The Sabbath-School.
By John W. Scoles
Notes on the International Lesson.
SAUL REJECTED BY THE LORD.
(August 18, 1 Sam. 15: 10-23.)
THE events of the present lesson are separated from those of the last by quite an interval of time, during which Saul was gradually developing the character which caused him to be finally rejected as king over Israel. On at least one occasion previous to the present instance, Saul had directly transgressed the will of the Lord in presumptuously offering sacrifices for the people. 1 Sam. 13: 8-14. Because of this the Lord told him, through Samuel, that his kingdom, or rule, should not continue, and his subsequent departures from the paths of rectitude, culminating in the disobedience and rebellion described in our lesson to-day, show us that Saul was no longer worthy of the position which he occupied. THE commission given to Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites came directly from God himself, and was in direct harmony with his will. The cup of their iniquity was at last filled up and mercy could no longer be extended to them. It was therefore just that, since they had abused his compassion, their punishment should fall upon them in full force. And inasmuch as Saul had been commanded to slay them utterly, there was no excuse whatever for his failure to comply with God's wishes. AT the first thought, it might seem a matter of wonder, that such a wrong motive could have possessed Saul as to lead him to save any of the spoil; but we must remember that the Lord required sacrifices at the hands of his people, and they doubtless reasoned that if they could preserve the herds and flocks of the Amalekites from destruction, these animals would take the place of their own for purposes of sacrifice, and thus their property could remain in their own possession. ONE object of the offerings which God required of his people was that they might show their loyalty to him by willingly making a sacrifice of a portion of their possessions. So that, even if the Lord had said nothing whatever about the disposition of the property of the Amalekites, it would not have been an acceptable sacrifice to the Lord in behalf of the children of Israel. But, under the circumstances, the thing was doubly wrong. The whole proceeding shows covetousness, selfishness, and disobedience in the highest degree, on the part of both king and people. REBELLION may be said to be "as the sin of witchcraft" not only on account of its heinousness, but because it is so deceptive in its influence over us. It makes us think that we are walking in the counsel of God, when, in reality, we are only following our own course. Although directly transgressing the requirements of God by taking the course he did, Saul may have thought in his own mind that he was carrying out the spirit of the command which had been given him. But his so-called obedience was nothing but disobedience and rebellion against the Lord after all. HOW many there are to-day who are imitating Saul's example. It is so much easier to do the things which are convenient, so much nicer to follow their own plans, than to walk in the paths of God's choosing, that thousands are turning to their own devices, and walking in their own counsel, persuading themselves perhaps, like Saul, that they are doing the will of the Lord, only to find490 in the terrible future that they have deceived themselves, have been rejected of God, and are lost forever. IT is neither right nor expedient to walk contrary to God's express commands. Disobedience of his requirements to-day is just as much sin as it was three thousand years ago. His divine law, the ten commandments, is the basis of his government as much as it ever was; and, although we may think it makes no difference what God's law says, just so we do what we think it means, let us remember that this is the very point where Saul made his mistake. All such worship as this is will-worship; that is, it is following our own will instead of the word of the Lord. If the Lord says, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," he does not mean that we shall let our position or our possessions be exalted above him or his will in our minds. If he says, "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work," etc., he does not mean that we shall do our hardest labor on that day, and then worship him upon some other day which he has never commanded. And so on, all the way through. God means what he says. "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." IF we are trampling any part of God's law beneath our feet, either willingly or unknowingly, may we have our minds turned to behold the "wonderful things" therein; may we be enabled, by God's grace, to so repent of our transgressions and turn away from them, that we may take hold upon the precious promises of the blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In his strength we may march onward to certain victory over sin, with the blessed assurance that a crown of rejoicing lies at the end of the race, and that in our Father's house where the "many mansions" are, we shall behold his face in righteousness, and be satisfied in his presence forever. "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates, into the city." Rev. 22:14. J. W. SCOLES. MISSION OF FLOWERS.
By C. P. B.
THE following extract from the Christian at Work of July 25, concerning the Avery Flower Mission, is most pathetic:— "A charity which is prolific in dispensing happiness is that of distributing flowers among the sick and poor. Poor children enjoy flowers when they can get them. Rev. J. F. Avery, pastor of the Mariners' Temple, 1 Henry Street, which is in the midst of a large tenement-house district, speaks of one little boy who asked him, 'Please give me a flower, I never had a flower of my own, sir.' A good many children could truthfully say the same; they have never had a flower of their own. Mr. Avery continues: 'I said, Come along, and it was a study to note the patter of the bare, grimy feet. He grasped his flowers and made a rush for the door, followed by some thirty or more other little ones, to whom we gave the ferns, ox-eyed daisies, and other flowers. It is hard to say they are all gone, and to see them grab up the remaining stalks and refuse. Some may say, but to what practical benefit, if they do not come to your school, etc.? Where's the gain? As Carey, the wonderful missionary, said, 'It is as sure as the promises of God can make it.'" It is difficult for those who live in the country, and indeed, for those who live in the cities in California, to realize that some children never have a flower of their own, but it is undoubtedly true not only of New York but of other Eastern cities; and while the idea of supporting a mission for the purpose of distributing flowers may appear trivial, it is certainly a worthy object. We can only wish that every child in New York who would appreciate such a gift, might have flowers of his own not simply once a year, but many times each year. INCREASE OF CRIME.
By C. P. B.
THE New York Observer publishes the statement that the number of murders committed in the United States during the first half of 1887 was 867; of 1888, 941; of 1889, 1547. During the first week in July in this year, ninety people were stricken down by murderous hands. The Observer remarks:— "This is an awful record for a Christian country, and it is due in great measure to the fact that the legal punishment due to murderers is so long delayed and so frequently remitted entirely." It is not a little strange that in the face of such a record there are many who insist that the world is steadily growing better, in fact, that we have almost reached the fabled millennium. It must be that such forget the words of the apostle:— "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away." "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." 2 Tim. 3: 1-5, 13. The Scriptures certainly do not teach that the time will ever come when the world will be any better than it is now, but rather that it will grow worse until the end. CONTINENTAL SUNDAY.
By M. C. W.
MUCH is said by National Reformers, and others who are eager for strict Sunday laws, about "the Continental Sunday." English churches are fearful that their Sunday will become "Continental" in character, and American religionists are fearful that "the American Sunday" will become "Continental" in character. And we ask, Why not? The original Sunday, so far as being a church day, is "Continental." It originated in the apostate church, which based her injunctions on expediency and the Sunday law made by the pagan Constantine in 321 A. D., who made his law in honor of the sun. Sunday is a child of pagan birth, adopted and brought up by the pago-papal church. It attained its full typical growth in the halcyon days of its foster-mother, in the Dark Ages. But during that period Sunday permitted all sorts of pleasure, sports, and games, and even in the churchyards in "Merrie England," markets were held in the afternoon. All these things were preceded by attendance at church or mass in the morning, in order it may be supposed, to sanctify the sports of the afternoon. All these things were permitted in the faithful down to the time of Charles I. in England. But the friends of the now aged child of the sun think that he ought to be reformed in his old age. There is no reason to hope that he will of himself reform; for the bad blood of his antecedents, his long association with immorality, the theft of the sacred habiliments of the Sabbath of Jehovah,—the commands of God,—the falsehoods still maintained, that they are his, though these falsehoods are transparent to all right-minded people, render all hopes of his reform futile. Therefore he must be compelled to become a saint in his old age, and the people must be compelled to respect his saintship. But all this will not change his character. Man may clothe him in the gaudy garments of human glory, and place underneath him the basis of human law, but in a little from this he will be covered with eternal and universal infamy, and his end will be destruction. M. C. W. (Lesson 8, August 24, 1889.) "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver." 2 Cor. 9:7. 2. What is necessary on our part in order that God may accept the gift we make?
"For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." 2 Cor. 8:12. 3. How will liberality affect the soul?
"There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is he that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." Prov. 11:24, 25. 4. Upon what principle should man always give?
"As God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." 1 Cor. 16:2, last clause. 5. How much of a man's possession does God sometimes require?
"Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest; go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven; and come, take up the cross and follow me." Mark 10:21. 6. Does the Saviour notice the smallest gift in the Lord's treasury?
"And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all." Luke 21:1-3. 7. Upon what principle did this widow give more than all the rich?
"For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God; but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had." Verse 4. 8. What encouragement is here given to those who do all they can?
9. What church contributed to the apostles while in Thessalonica?
"Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity." Phil. 4:15, 16. 10. Why did the apostles encourage them to give?
"Not because I desired a gift; but I desire fruit that may abound to your account." Verse 17. 11. To what extent was their liberality?
"For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves." 2 Cor. 8:3. 12. How did God regard such sacrifices?
"But I have all, and abound; I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:18, 19. 13. In what manner can we lend to the Lord with the assurance that he will repay?
"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again." Prov. 19:17. 14. What special promise does the Lord make to those who consider the poor?
"Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth; and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing; thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness." Ps. 41:1-3. 15. To whom should we not give?
"He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want." Prov. 22:16. 16. What words of Christ did the apostle's life exemplify?
"Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:34, 35. 17. What is the effect of the love of money?
"For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 1 Tim. 6:10. 18. Is it a desirable thing to be rich?
"But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions." "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." Matt. 19:22, 24. 19. To what are riches compared?
"Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven." Prov. 23:5. 20. In view of these things, what is true wisdom for the child of God?
"And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content." 1 Tim. 6:8.
"Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me; lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain." Prov. 30:8, 9. THE Lord does not wish a forced obedience or service; for such is not true service. It is prompted by selfish motives. If we attempt to serve God through fear of punishment, our motive is selfish; for we simply do one thing unpleasant to save ourselves from something more unpleasant. If we attempt to serve God thinking that we shall be thereby prospered, the motive is wholly selfish; for we do that which is irksome in some respects for the purpose of getting gain. Such service is not acceptable to God. It is just as truly selfish as is the life of him who makes no profession, whose entire existence is spent in the service of self. "GOD loveth a cheerful giver." A cheerful giver will possess "a willing mind," or a ready mind. The mind will not need urging, or coaxing, or compelling; it is ever ready; and an ever-ready mind makes a cheerful, glad, or joyous giver. He gives not because others do, but he gives because he loves to give. He considers it a privilege so to do. Such a mind actuated the poor widow who cast in all her living. But such a mind is not natural to man; how can it be obtained? "WE love him," says the apostle "because he first loved us." All love springs from God. God so loved a sinful world that he gave his only begotten Son; and that Son so loved the world that he "gave himself." Through that gift came all the blessings which men enjoy. In him, dwelleth all fullness. Had it not been for that, evil and evil only would have reigned. But God showed his hatred of sin and love for man by giving his Son to die. This goodness of God is designed to bring men to repentance by revealing to them God's holy character and wonderful compassion, and in contrast with this their own imperfect natures, made so by sin. THOSE who long for the pure and the good, will seek God for it in God's own way, and those who desire and will thus to seek God, will find his wisdom, sustaining grace, and mighty power manifested at every step. Sin will be revealed till the heart left to itself would despair, faith will be confirmed by answers to prayer, strength will be given to put away sin, and the hard, selfish heart of stone will be taken away and a yielding, teachable heart of flesh will be given; the sins will be pardoned, and the love of God shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit. Rom. 5:1-5. All these blessings wrought by his Spirit can be had for the asking. God is more willing to give them than an earthly parent is to give good gifts to his children. Luke 11:9-13. But we must not ask in words alone, but in heart, and he who seeks God with all the heart will not be disappointed. THUS he becomes a child of God. He loves God supremely. His highest object of pursuit will be the success of God's cause. He will do for it, not grudgingly, or of necessity, but with a cheerful heart, counting it a privilege to do. He knows by faith in God's promises that every investment in the work of God is sure. Faith and love and love and faith are the main-spring of his actions. Faith will not be feeling; it will be exercised, and will shine brightest when feeling is absent and circumstances are forbidding. Love will not be an evanescent, intermittent emotion, but an abiding, active principle. LIBERALITY freely and constantly exercised toward worthy objects helps to crucify self and develop unselfishness or love. In fact, love is active unselfishness, while all sin, the opposite of love, has its root in selfishness. The selfish are never happy. Pride, envy, hatred, strife, and all the foul491 brood of sin, exist within their hearts. There is no peace to the wicked, or selfish. Supreme happiness results from supreme unselfishness. Nothing brings so much real enjoyment as entire forgetfulness of self and kind carefulness for others' welfare. This explains why it is more blessed to give than to receive. It makes us more unselfish, more like Christ, and consequently brings us greater returns in peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. But the giving must be unselfish; and true gratitude to God for his unspeakable gift to us will make it so. We will love him because he first loved us. EARTHLY riches are but a bubble. Even though they could be possessed throughout man's earthly life, they soon pass away forever; and in their possession for their own sake, they are always more of a burden than a blessing. The true pilgrim and stranger will not seek them for themselves. He will show by his life, by the expenditure of the means which God places in his hands, by his liberality, by his sacrifices, that he is seeking a better country, that is a heavenly. IN a little while from this the last message of mercy (Rev. 14:6-11) will close. Oppressive and apostate powers will issue decrees of confiscation of goods, imprisonment, and death, against the faithful, as traitors to human governments, because they dare serve God. Those who cling to their riches, and by any means hold their integrity, will see the riches swept away by inexorable law. Those who fear God and believe his promises will transfer all earthly wealth to the Bank of Heaven by yielding all to God now, to be used as he may by his providence indicate. But those who so love their riches as to retain them to the last, will so love them then that they will yield the truth; for if they cannot trust God now, how will they trust him when the day of trouble comes upon them? The Missionary.
By William M. Healey
SHALL I go to the camp-meeting? This question, I presume, some of our people are considering at this time. During the next three months, as may be seen by the notice on last page of the Signs of the Times, we expect to have four camp-meetings in California. Every consistent effort ought to be made to attend these meetings. There are but few of our people so situated that they cannot attend at least one of them. Do not say, "It is inconvenient, and the Lord can bless me just as well at home." It is the Lord, not ourselves, that makes the terms and defines the conditions upon which we may receive blessings. Anciently the people were required to make frequent journeys to Jerusalem to worship the Lord and receive his blessing. During the feast of tabernacles they were to go out of their houses, repair to the woods, gather boughs, and construct booths and dwell in them. Suppose some one had said, "If the Lord has a blessing for me he can give it to me in my house just as well as in a booth, and I will not go to so much trouble." It may be the Lord could have done that if he had chosen to, but all must see that the Lord chose the way, and the man refusing to comply would not receive a blessing. When the Saviour anointed the eyes of the blind man and sent him to the pool to wash, he returned seeing. It is not for us to say that Jesus could not have opened his eyes without sending him to wash, but he chose that way, and if the man had not gone he doubtless would have remained blind. All through the history of the race God has appointed special times and places for blessing his people. In the days of Job they assembled "to present themselves before the Lord." Job 1:6. The Lord requires this under the new covenant, as well as under the old. Hebrews 10: 25 says: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more as ye see the day approaching." From this we learn that, as we get nearer the end, we ought to assemble together, and exhort one another, more than formerly; and the manner of some will be to neglect this. Brethren, can you afford to neglect to go where God will be pleased to come and meet with you? Those people who went up to Jerusalem did not go merely out of curiosity to see the people and the city, they went to worship, and to meet the Lord of Hosts. At these camp-meetings there will be chances for receiving light, and learning more of the way of life. When our cases come up in the Judgment, there will be a record of our works (Rev. 20: 12), our words (Matt. 12: 36), our thoughts (Malachi 3: 16), and then will be considered our opportunities (Deut. 30: 19). If we can attend these meetings and do not, we certainly will be the ones to lose by neglect. I wish to say a few words especially to our people in Southern California, some of whom have never attended a camp-meeting of our people. I am confident that every Sabbath-keeper in that part of the State is in need of the very light and blessing that may be had at the San Diego camp-meeting. The neglect of one opportunity may be the means of losing eternal life. The strength that could be obtained there, some will fail to get, and in some hour of trial will come that much short and fail. Come, bring your family, bring your friends, and ask the Lord to go up with you, and let us seek the Lord together, and he will be found of us.
W. M. HEALEY. UPPER COLUMBIA TRACT SOCIETY.
THE ninth annual session of the Upper Columbia Tract and Missionary Society was held in connection with the camp-meeting at Colfax, Wash., May 22-29. The first meeting was called by the President, Elder H. W. Decker, May 23, at 2:30 P. M. Elder Fero offered prayer. The minutes of the last yearly meeting were read and approved. The President named for committees, the following: On Nominations—J. Bartlett, Wm. Jones, J. O. Beard; on Resolutions—F. S. Hafford, E. L. Stewart, G. W. Colcord. Voted, that E. L. Stewart audit the Secretary's accounts. Adjourned to call of chair. The Auditor reported that he found the Secretary's books correctly and nicely kept, and his report was accepted. The Committee on Resolutions presented the following:— Resolved, That we express our gratitude to God for the privilege of laboring through another year; for increase of work, and prosperity in many ways. WHEREAS, The Bible requires Christians to be ready to intelligently answer all who ask for the reason of their hope; and, WHEREAS, The "Spirit of Prophecy" plainly declares that we are soon to witness a continued struggle which will involve the risk of imprisonment, loss of property, and even life; that worldly policy will urge an outward compliance with the laws of the land; that misapplications of scripture will be made for the same purpose; therefore, Resolved, That we express our thankfulness to the Lord for light, arguments, and directions in reference to said struggle as furnished in "Testimony No. 33," "Civil Government and Religion," and other works lately published; and, Resolved, That we recognize our duty to faithfully study these publications, and earnestly endeavor to disseminate the light contained therein among our own people and the world at large. Resolved, That we push forward the work of securing names to the petitions which oppose the enactment of a National Sunday law. WHEREAS, We believe our Conference ought to hold an institute for training laborers in canvassing and other departments of the work; therefore, Resolved, That we recommend that such an institute be held sometime the coming year, at such time and place as the Conference Committee may determine. The resolutions were considered separately, and called out remarks from Elders Loughborough, Decker, Colcord, Rogers, and others, and all seemed to feel the necessity of pushing forward the work as never before. A comparison sheet was read, showing the increase in the work accomplished by the Society this year above that of last year. The resolutions were unanimously adopted. On motion, a committee consisting of G. W. Colcord, Wm. Jones, and D. T. Fero, was appointed to re-district the Society. The Committee on Nominations being called, recommended for President, Elder H. W. Decker; Vice-President, Elder G. W. Colcord, and that the Conference Committee appoint a Secretary. Directors: District No. 1—W. V. Davis, Moscow, Idaho; No. 2—T. L. Ragsdale, Milton, Or.; No. 3—Wm. Russell, Heppner, Or.; No. 4—L. D. Cargill, Boise City, Idaho. The recommendation was accepted, and each elected to the office designated. The report of labor was read, as follows:—
| No. of members, | 214 |
| " " added, | 16 |
| " " dismissed, | 6 |
| " missionary visits, | 2,955 |
| " letters written, | 830 |
| " pages tracts distributed and sold, | 266,226 |
| " subscriptions obtained, | 225 |
| " periodicals distributed, | 14,220 |
| " " in clubs, | 243 |
| " Bible-readings reported, | 921 | | Cash on hand April 1, 1888, | $ 855 16 |
| " received during the year, | 5,108 54 |
| Total, | $5,963 70 |
| Cash paid out during the year, | 5,403 31 |
| Cash on hand April 1, 1889, | $ 560 39 | | Due from various sources, | $1,238 04 |
| Value of stock, etc., | 913 14 |
| Cash on hand, | 560 39 |
| Total, | $2,711 57 |
| Liabilities, | 897 90 |
| Balance in favor of Society, | $1,813 07 | H. W. DECKER, Pres.
MRS. L. A. FERO, Sec. WHERE Christ brings his cross, he brings his presence.—E. B. Browning.