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Signs of the Times, Vol. 5, No. 31.

General Articles
Earlier text: Late News from Alexandria

A Rum-Ruined Home.

JOHN B. GOUGH tells the following:—
"A minister of the gospel told me one of the most thrilling incidents I have heard in my life. A member of his congregation came home for the first time in his life intoxicated, and his boy met him upon the door-step, clapping his hands and exclaiming, 'Papa has come home!' He seized the boy by the shoulder, swung him around, staggered, and fell in the hall. That minister said to me, 'I spent the night in that house. I went out, bared my brow, that the night air might fall upon it and cool it. I walked up and down the hill. There was his child, dead! there was his wife in strong convulsions, and he asleep.' A man about thirty years of age, asleep, with a dead child in the house, having a blue mark upon the temple where the corner of the marble steps had come in contact with the head as he swung him round, and a wife upon the brink of the grave! 'Mr. Gough,' said my friend, 'I cursed the drink.' He told me that I must remain until he awoke, and I did. When he awoke he passed his hand over his face and exclaimed, 'What is the matter? where am I? where is my boy?' 'You cannot see him.' 'Stand out of my way. I will see my boy.' To prevent confusion, I took him to the child's bed, and as I turned down the sheet and showed him the corpse, he uttered a wild shriek, 'Ah, my child!' That minister said further to me, 'One year after that he was brought from a lunatic asylum to lay side by side with his wife in one grave, and I attended his funeral.' The minister that told me that fact is to-day a drunken hostler in a stable in Boston. Now tell me what rum will not do? It will debase, degrade, imbrute, and damn everything that is noble, bright, glorious, and godlike in a human being. There is nothing drink will not do that is vile, dastardly, cowardly, sneaking, or hellish."
—The Morning.

Burn Kerosene the Right Way.

A correspondent of the New York Sun, calls attention of all consumers of kerosene oil to the pernicious and unhealthy practice of using lamps filled with that article with the wicks turned down. The gas which should be consumed by the flames is by this means left heavily in the air, while the cost of the oil thus saved at present prices would scarce be one dollar a year for the lamps of a household. His attention was called particularly to this custom by boarding in the country where kerosene was the only available light. A large family of children living in the same house were taken ill one night, and on going to the nursery the mother found the room nearly suffocating, with a lamp turned down, whereupon the physician forbade the use of a lamp at night, unless turned at full head. He says he could quote many cases, one of a young girl subject to fits of faintness, which if not induced, were greatly increased by sleeping in a room with the lamp almost turned out. Besides the damage to health, it spoils the paper and curtains, soils the mirrors and windows, and gives the whole house an untidy air and an unwholesome odor.

Sunshine and Sleep.

SLEEPLESS persons should court the sun. The very worst soporific is laudanum, and the very best, sunshine. Therefore it is very plain that poor sleepers should pass as many hours as possible in the sunshine, and as few as possible in the shade. Many women are martyrs, and yet they do not know it. They shut the sunshine out of their houses and their hearts, they wear veils, they carry parasols, they do all that is possible to keep off the most potent influence which is intended to give them strength, and beauty, and cheerfulness. Is it not time to change all this, and so get color and roses in our pale cheeks, strength in our weak backs, and courage in our timid souls? The women of America are pale and delicate, but with the aid of sunlight they may be blooming and strong.—Home and Health.

The Spirit of Christ Calms the Soul

The Spirit of Christ sweetly calms the soul of a suffering believer.

Religious News and Notes.

By Editor

—Mr. Ira D. Sankey has returned from England to New York.
—The Fiji Mission is reported to be under remarkably encouraging circumstances.
—W. H. H. Murray, the sporting preacher of Boston, and editor of the Golden Rule, has failed.
—A new synagogue was dedicated in San Francisco, Aug. 8. Dr. Lilienthal of Cincinnati was present.
—Pope Leo XIII. is doing one commendable work; he is simplifying church music, and restoring the Gregorian chants.
—Dr. John Hall, of New York, is at Belfast, "resting and preaching." A good way for a minister to spend a summer vacation.
—A church in North Carolina withdrew fellowship from a member on a charge of "general worthlessness." A good and sufficient reason.
—No less a person than Dr. Newman Hall, the Congregational pulpit orator, is now the subject of a clerical sensation of an unpleasant order.
—Steps are being taken to found another Methodist college, in Los Angeles. Sorry to hear it. Few in number and better in quality is a good motto for colleges.
—Dr. Sage of Hartford says that some of the churches and pastors of that city refuse to administer baptism by immersion when it is required by the conscience of the candidate.
—The first prize for canoe-rowing on Lake George, was taken by a Methodist minister. To his credit it is said he did not "enter" for a prize, but only took the oar by invitation.
A "most remarkable convert" is announced for Mr. Moody in Baltimore, Prof. Reider, a Jewish Rabbi. We shall be pleased to hear favorable news from him after next Christmas.
—A remarkable report comes from Russia, that the government has granted entire liberty of worship to the dissenters from the Greek Church, who number 12,000,000 of its subjects.
—"Sunday literary clubs" in Baltimore have prospered greatly, to the delight of the Sunday-loving people, until they were closely investigated and found to be beer-drinking parties.
—According to a recent and eminent Roman Catholic authority, that church is now the richest religious body in this country. The ratio of increase in its pecuniary resources from 1860 to 1870 was 128 per cent.
—Religious freedom does not thrive in Spain. A Protestant meeting at Ganguella was broken up by the police; the minister was arrested, women driven out, and the names of all present recorded on police books.
—The Methodists in Lincoln, Del., are zealous and enterprising. For the relief of the parsonage fund they announce an entertainment to include a balloon ascension and a horse race. Will the parson ascend or ride?
—Four thousand Germans in Newark, N. J., in mass meeting, recently protested against the enforcement of obsolete Sunday laws, which are chiefly directed against Germans, and are at war with the spirit of liberty and humanity.
—The British Wesleyans express surprise, as well they may; 40,000 new members were reported last year, yet the decrease in actual membership for the year was 3,308. Probably it was partly owing to emigration, increased by depression in trade.
—The Baptist Banner contains the following: "J. R. Graves, in The Baptist, says he has no doubt people will be converted this year who will never taste death. He thinks Jesus will come and translate them as was Enoch. 'Even so. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen!'"
—The colored Baptists of Alabama have sustained at Selma, during the past year, a theological and normal school with 252 students, and they not only kept out of debt for current expenses, but have paid $1,000 besides on the purchase price of the buildings and grounds.
—The University of Vienna is a strong Catholic institution, and Prof. Brucke, a Protestant, has just been chosen rector—a thing without precedent in its history of more than 600 years. And more strange still, Prof. Grunhut, a Hebrew, has been elected Dean of the Jurist Faculty.
—At an Episcopal church in Montrose, Scotland, after morning service, the incumbent gave a hymn and announced that, as he had forgotten his manuscript, there would be no sermon that forenoon." The "incumbent," in such mockery as this, more properly would be called an imcumbrance. Did Paul read a manuscript on Mars' Hill?
—In a proclamation the queen of Madagascar says:-"I thank God very much because the gospel of Jesus Christ has entered my land and my kingdom." As Japan sends her young nobles abroad to learn the science of government, so it would be well to send some American youths to Madagascar to fit them to fill the offices to which they are aspiring.
—In Rome, since it became the capital of United Italy, twelve Protestant churches have been built. Three of them are Episcopal, two are Methodist, one is Baptist, one Presbyterian, one other the American Union Church, while the four remaining are the Liberal Church, the Waldensian Church, the Evangelical Military Church, and the Apostolic Church of Rome.

Secular News.

By Editor

  • The Siberian plague has appeared in Moscow.
  • France reports about a half crop of grapes this year.
  • The wheat crop of Michigan is reported to be much larger than last year.
  • There has been a great falling off in Russian exports, especially of wheat.
  • The contest over Brigham Young's estate is causing great excitement in Utah.
  • The yellow fever was declared epidemic by the Board of Health of Memphis, August 9.
  • "Bush fires" are doing great damage to crops and other property in the Province of Ontario.
  • A socialist funeral in Berlin was attended by 20,000 persons. Their strength cannot be concealed.
  • Nobody will be surprised to learn that formidable preparations are going on for a revolution in Mexico.
  • A fire in Oneida, N. Y., July 21, destroyed the gas house, important manufacturing works, and many dwellings.
  • Volcano, a village of 2,000 inhabitants, in Wood Co., W. Va., was almost entirely destroyed by fire, Aug. 4.
  • The revolution in Hayti seems to be suppressed for the present, but there are great fears of another outbreak.
  • The New York Sun, which strongly favored Tilden for President, is now putting forward Justice Field of California.
  • The force of the late storm in Boston may be judged somewhat from the fact that one firm sold 16,000 panes of glass at retail the day after.
  • News from Paris says, —Chatevois, near Strasburg, was half burned Aug. 6. Two thousand peasants are homeless. Loss, 1,000,000 marks.
  • Dissatisfaction is expressed with Sir Garnet Wolseley in the management of the Zulu war. Correspondents from Africa fear the war will be resumed.
  • For the first time since the settlement of Charleston, S. C., the thermometer went up to 104 in July last. Fifteen persons were sun-struck in one day.
  • The yellow fever was supposed to be of a mild type when it appeared in Memphis; but it was early, and it is making steady advances through the country.
  • A Texas correspondent of an Illinois paper gives a gloomy account of crop and grass prospects in Texas, and advises immigrants not to go there this year.
  • The New Orleans Democrat says the rice crop this year will be greatly reduced. Gangs of Chinese are working on some plantations, and their work is satisfactory.
  • The Florida legislature is to be called together to consider the charter for a ship canal across that State, which will greatly shorten the route from New York to New Orleans.
  • American fishermen in the Gulf of St. Lawrence ask for a Government vessel to visit those waters. They declare that the abuses are greater than before the award was paid.
  • A trial of Krupp's heavy guns has recently been made at Meppero, Germany, before the representatives of many nations. Heavy guns most interest the "many nations" in these days.
  • A turtle was recently caught in Florida with the following inscription: "Caught in 1700 by Hermanda Gomez, in the St. Sebastian." He was dated 179 years later and set adrift.
  • The crop prospects in Germany are as gloomy as in England. A letter from eastern Germany says: It looks as if America would be called upon to feed Germany as well as England and France next winter.
  • The Mark Lane Express says favorable weather is bringing out the crops somewhat after the recent disastrous storm, but grain is too far gone to hope for even a tolerable crop, either in England or Scotland.
  • We saw a newspaper estimate that 50,000 small farms in California will have mortgages foreclosed on them within a year. The farms in this State are largely under mortgage, and "land monopoly" will soon be a huge fact.
  • The Isthmus Canal is like to be settled by the State of Nicaragua, which has a canal nearly completed up the San Juan river, for light vessels, from the gulf to Lake Nicaragua. From the lake to the Pacific is only thirteen miles.
  • A most important State paper is being prepared in Washington. It is a protest to European nations against their permitting converts to Mormonism to emigrate to the United States. As polygamy has been declared a crime, all such converts are counted as criminals, or coming here with criminal intent, and therefore a dangerous class, whose immigration is not to be allowed.
  • Dispatch from Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, Aug. 8: "A fire broke out in the Latin quarter of this city, and the whole section is now burning. The fire threatens to assume terrible proportions. At this hour, 10 P. M., the fire is still raging. The fire was caused by an explosion. The Catholic, Servian, and Jewish districts and the commercial quarters have been destroyed. Thousands of buildings have been burned, including the Catholic and Servian churches. Twenty thousand persons are made homeless. The loss is enormous."

Meetings at Vacaville.

By James Edson White

According to appointment, Bro. Stephens spoke Friday evening on the binding nature of the Law of God. Nearly all of the Sabbath was devoted to the Sabbath-school work. A thorough re-organization was effected, all expressing a determination to make it a success.
In the afternoon, a teachers' meeting was held, in which plans for the future were considered.
One favorable feature of this school is the punctual attendance of all its members. Although some live from two to nine miles distant, yet a member is seldom absent. The teachers' meeting was adopted, and the class contribution boxes and the maps were taken.
In the evening, I spoke on the importance of the doctrine of the second coming of Christ, showing that the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew does not apply entirely to the destruction of Jerusalem, as some of the ministers in that vicinity are teaching.
All are looking forward with deep interest to Bro. Haskell's meeting with them. We promise for him a good attendance and interest.
J. E. WHITE.

Note From Elder Andrews.

By John Nevins Andrews

My strength is slowly returning. I can sit up half an hour each forenoon and afternoon, but am not yet able to resume my journey to Bale.
I have greatly regretted the necessity of keeping my bed, when the work before me is so very urgent. I have had much time for self-examination and prayer; I have also reflected much upon our experience in Europe, and upon the work that must be done to give the people warning of the Judgment, and the necessary preparation for that event. If it should please God to restore my strength, I hope to use it wisely to his glory.
When I left Battle Creek, I was mistaken with respect to my state of health. Had I known my real situation, I should not have thought it prudent to set out for Europe. But my duties in America seemed to be accomplished, and I had an intense desire to return to my former field of labor. It seemed to me that my health was considerably improved, so I ventured to start. But the duties I attempted to perform on my way to New York City, completely exhausted my strength; and then, when it was too late to change the arrangements, I found that my strength was not adequate for the journey before me.
I see God's great mercy in sparing me till I reached this place, and I hope when I leave here, to be better fitted for his work than I have ever been before. J. N. Andrews.
Southampton, July 17, 1879.

Southern California Camp-Meeting

THIS meeting will be held three miles east of Fresno City, on the Estaby Ranch. Those coming by Railroad will stop at Fresno City. Teams will be at this station on the arrival of all trains to carry all who wish to go to the camp.
There is good shade for small tents, with plenty of water. Provisions will be furnished on the ground.
Hay and wood will be furnished free, and stable room for those who come from a distance with teams.
If any wish to obtain tents, they can write to M. J. Church, Fresno City.
Eld. Haskell and other preachers will be present. Due attention will be given to the interests of the Tract and Missionary Societies, and the Sabbath-school. All officers and teachers should be sure to attend throughout the whole meeting. Bring all the Sabbath-school scholars.
Every Sabbath keeper in that part of the State should attend this meeting. It is not for mere recreation, but this is a meeting which you all need. Remember, that the last of such meetings is always the best. Come early, and stay till the close.

Question Answered.

By Editor

Does Rom. 14 : 5, 6, “He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord,” justify any one in observing Sunday as the Sabbath? INQUIRER.
We cannot imagine how this can be so construed as to justify the observance of Sunday, or the neglect of the seventh day. If it refers to the weekly Sabbath at all, it cannot then be referred to a day not mentioned in the Scriptures as the Sabbath. We should be pleased to know on what principle it can be made to justify Sunday keeping; we have never yet known such a claim to be made on this text.
It is sometimes claimed that the text proves that the keeping of the Sabbath is a matter of indifference. But we think this is by a misapprehension. There is certainly some limitation in the case of “all things” which a man may eat. It cannot go beyond the things which are eatable. Evidently this refers to observances which had been considered binding, but were so no longer. So there is a limitation to the term “every day.” By referring to Ex. 16:4 we learn that “every day,” when applied to secular purposes does not include the Sabbath of the Lord. It must be proved that the Lord’s holy day, enjoined in the moral law, was ever included in secular things, or things indifferent, before anything can be inferred against it from Rom. 14.

Remarkable Sea Voyage.

The ship Templar, Capt. Armstrong, has just been released from quarantine at San Francisco. Her trip from New York was remarkable. The captain's wife died of yellow fever after leaving Rio, with many of the crew; he was disabled of the same disease, and his daughter, also sick, sailed the vessel, taking observations when she could hardly rise from the bed. It was her first sea voyage, but the instruction she had received from her father was so well improved upon that she proved to be an efficient "master." The disease was so severe on board that all the furniture, etc., was burned in Saucelito Bay, near San Francisco. Miss Armstrong will probably be rewarded by the Underwriters for her heroism and skill in bringing the vessel to her destination. She was eleven months in the passage.

Meetings at Woodland.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

Our meetings commenced Friday evening, as usual, with a good attendance. The Sabbath-school interest was made quite prominent, and a strong desire was manifested to take advantage of every suggestion which would improve their school.
Brother J. E. White being present, it was decided that the school be reorganized, in order that they might avail themselves of the best method of organizing and conducting a Sabbath school. The school was reorganized, class contribution boxes adopted, teachers' meetings arranged, and maps purchased.
Bro. White illustrated the utility of maps in a Sabbath-school in a forcible manner. He also held a teacher's meeting of one hour with the Sabbath-school officers.
They have quite an interesting Vigilant Society, taking over one hundred copies of the SIGNS. There were fifty copies of the German paper taken.
Monday morning we had a temperance meeting, and nearly all signed the teetotal pledge.
One encouraging feature in most of our meetings thus far has been a disposition to reform,—to put away habits which were not only evil to those who indulged them, but presented a bad example to others. God will have a pure people, who will glorify him in their bodies and spirits, which are his. A successful meeting does not wholly depend upon speaking and praying, but in reforming, in putting away sin, and walking in the light.
We became much attached to the friends of the cause here, upon our short acquaintance, in witnessing a willingness to come up and get nearer to God. Only one drawback—a number who came from a distance were obliged to leave, so they were not at our temperance meeting on Monday.
On Sunday, Bro. Stephens baptized eight, who had previously taken their stand for the truth. S. N. HASKELL.

North Pacific T. and M. Society.

By William Leavitt

REPORT for the quarter ending July 1, 1879.

DISTRICTS 1 2 3 Total
No. of Members 80 61 141
" that Reported 9 30 39
" Families Visited 55 75 130
" Letters Written 22 43 65
" New Subscribers for Signs 7
" " " " Instructor 15
" " " " Review 7
" " " " Good Health 16 45
" Periodicals Distributed
" " " Signs 140 416 556
" " " Review 58 34 92
" " " Instructor 47 26 73
" " " Good Health 15 16 31
" Pages Pamphlets Loaned 3,000 8,806 11,806
" Pages Tracts and Pamphlets Dist 4,000 19,925 23,925
MONEY RECEIVED. | Received by Membership | | | $1.25 | | " " Donations | | | 10.70 | | " " Book Sales | | | .25 | | " " New Subscribers | | | | | " " Periodicals | | | | | Total | | 12.20 | $12.20 |
WM. LEAVITT, Sec.

Appointments.

By Editor

Camp-Meetings For 1879.

Canada, (Magog, P. Q.) Aug. 21-26. Illinois, Bloomington, Aug. 27-Sept. 2. Mass., Ballard Vale, Aug. 27 to Sept. 2. California, Fresno City, Aug. 28 to Sept. 2. " Healdsburg, Sept. 18-23. Maine, Sept. 4-9. Michigan, Vassar, Sept. 4-8. Nebraska, Seward, " " Vermont, " 11-16.

St. Helena and Vacaville.

In St. Helena, commencing Thursday evening, Aug. 14, and each evening, and over Sabbath and first-day.
No providence preventing, I will meet with the friends at Vacaville Sabbath and first-day, August 23 and 24. Meetings commence Friday evening, quarter before eight, P. M., and close Monday forenoon. On Sabbath and Sunday, meetings commence at 9, A. M. Elder Stephens will be with me. S. N. HASKELL.

Sabbath-school Appointments.

It has been thought best to have the schools in the southern part of the State visited before the coming camp-meeting. As the time is short it will be necessary to crowd in the appointments as rapidly as possible, or some will be passed by. We hope each church at which an appointment is given will make a special effort to give a full attendance and be promptly on time. The appointments will be as follows:—
Mendocino settlement, Thursday, Aug. 21. Sabbath-school at 2 P. M., preaching at 7:30 P.M.
Church's Colony, Friday, Aug. 22, Sabbath-school at 2 P. M., preaching 7:30 P. M.
Fairview, Sabbath, Aug. 23. Sabbath-school and meeting at usual hour, preaching at 7:30 P. M.
Grangeville, preaching 7:30 Sunday eve, Aug. 24. Sabbath-school Monday at 9 A. M.
Lemoore, preaching Monday eve, Aug. 25. Sabbath-school Tuesday at 9 A. M.
Any other company wishing to be visited may appoint for the evening of Aug. 26.
Will Bro. Church meet me at Fresno Wednesday eve, Aug. 26, on arrival of train. J. E. WHITE.
Oakland, first and third Sabbath, and second and fourth Sunday night, each month. San Francisco, first and third Sunday night, and second and fourth Sabbath, each month. J. H. WAGGONER.
OAKLAND—Services at the Seventh-day Adventist church, corner of Thirteenth and Clay streets, every Sabbath (Saturday) at 11 A. M., and Sunday evening at 7:30. Prayer-meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:30. Sabbath-school at 9:30 o'clock Sabbath morning.
SAN FRANCISCO—Services at the Seventh-day Adventist church, on Laguna street, between Tyler and McAllister, every Sabbath (Saturday), at 11 A. M., and Sunday evening at 7:30. Prayer-meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:30. The Hayes Valley cars of Market street and the Lone Mountain cars of the Central railroad, cross Laguna street near the church.

Business Department.

By Editor

$2.00 EACH. Sperry Dye 6-24, R G Lockwood 6-25, Susan P Robinson 6-30, Mary A Remley 6-30, Mrs M McFeely 6-30, Mrs O Sargent 6-30.
MISCELLANEOUS. Mrs J J Getty 1.00, 6-6, E C Cipman 1.25, 6-22. Joseph Leach 1.00, 5-48, W Saurin Tyster 2.20, 6-30, E H Rice 1.50, 6-30, R Byrkett 1.50, 6-30, Wm Armstrong 1.20, 6-27, Mrs H E Aldrich 1.20, 6-27, H Hapman 1.20, 6-27, Sarah Thomson 1.20, 6-27, J R Eastman 1.20, 6-27, James Prince 1.20, 6-15, H P Ritchey (10 copies) 12.00, 6-30, Wm Erb 1.20, 6-30, Wm Merchant 30c 5-42, George Anderson (2 copies) 2.40, 6-30, J B Neblett (2 copies) 2.40, 6-30, C Bradley 1.50, 6-30, Aaron H Osborn (2 copies) 3.00, 6-30.
RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT. Cal T and M Society 40.00, Iowa T and M Society 151.34, North Pacific T and M Society 45.00.
OAKLAND CHURCH. Woodhull Penn 2.00.
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