Once we attended service in a Catholic chapel where the priest preached in English, and he several times reminded his hearers that in baptism they had "renounced the world and all its pomps." At the same time his pompous dress and style, and sleek, portly appearance contrasted strongly with the squalid appearance of his flock, which was composed of the poorest laborers in the community. "Father O'Conner," in his "Letters to Cardinal McCloskey," speaks on this subject as follows:—
On Fifth Avenue in this city, covering the square between Fiftieth and Fifty-first Streets, is a large white marble building known as, "The Cathedral." That building cost more than $5,000,000. A great part of this sum was made up by the sale of whisky, wine, and beer in the building at the great fair and bazaar held there a few years ago. You and your priests dispensed the liquor to the Irish people who freely drank it and paid double price for it, as they were told that the money was for the glory of God in building his house. The more they drank at that fair the more pleased their God was supposed to be. A Christian man in your place would say, "The more Satan was pleased." But with you and your church the end always and everywhere justifies the means. I leave it to any honest man to judge whether Christ or Satan reaped the fruit of that fair. In the day when the eternal books are balanced we shall know how many young maidens and young men were sent on the road to destruction by that great "fair and bazaar." If I add that the city was cheated out of the land on which your cathedral is built, as Dexter A. Hawkins, Esq., an eminent lawyer of this city, proves in his pamphlet, it may well be asked, how can you have the effrontery to call it the house of God? If the Saviour of the world were to come on earth again, would he enter there and set his seal upon the building as his temple?
I passed by your cathedral the other day and observed that you are building a magnificent residence—a palace you call it, on the east side of the square fronting on Madison Avenue. It is not quite as fine a mansion as that of A. T. Stewart or William H. Vanderbilt, but it will be one of the notable buildings in New York when completed in a style commensurate with the elegance in which you live. Whatever may be said of the pretensions of your church to possess the keys of the kingdom of Heaven, no one will deny that you possess the keys of the treasures of the earth and the enjoyment of the good things of this world. When I was a youth in Ireland, I heard my esteemed parish priest and relative, Rev. T. Enright of Causeway, County Kerry, say that it was generally believed, though it was not an article of faith, that popes, cardinals, bishops, and priests, would occupy higher places in Heaven than the laity. The good, pious man and his congregation firmly believed it, as I did also, until I had been a member of the priesthood some years; but as I mingled with the bishops and clergy in this country, and observed their manner of life, my faith in their claim to a high place in Heaven was somewhat shaken. I saw, however, that you were bound to have as good a time on earth as grand palaces, costly furniture, fine carriages, and goodly raiment can afford.
The people are told that all this is necessary to uphold your state and to preserve the dignity of your high calling as men of God and ministers of Christ. You do not pretend that you derive any authority for the use of these luxuries from the sacred Scriptures, however strained, or that you were taught how to enjoy them when you sat at the feet of your teachers in the seminary. But being in the world you tell the people that you have to be all things to all men that you may gain as many followers as possible. This you learned from your master in Rome, and your promotion from priest to bishop and cardinal has followed your compliance with his teaching. Though the people, the poor working people of every land, have to pay for these luxuries, it is not to please them that you indulge in them. Apart from the personal gratification you derive from them, you use them as decoys to attract the worldly-minded and the wealthy by displaying your power and grandeur as princes and rulers of the people.
During a visit to Northfield, Mass., I met a Christian man, an ex-Judge of the Circuit Court of one of the districts in Illinois, who years ago had been a very active politician and a leader in the councils of the Democratic party. In conversation with him I learned many things concerning the intimate relations of your church with political parties and the powers of this world. He told me candidly that he was first attracted to an alliance with the Roman Catholic Church by the display of power and permanency that she was everywhere making in America. There was something solid in the fine churches and institutions that were springing up in every city and town of the Union, which were owned by the bishops alone. Protestant churches were being planted, too, but they were owned by the Christian citizens of each town, who could convert them into any use they pleased. But the people in the Roman Catholic Church had no control over the property they paid for. If not obedient to priest and bishop in all things, they could be excluded from the buildings they had erected. Where such power existed and was enforced, there must be strength and stability. So this politician and man of the world at that time judged, and with this knowledge he went into the councils of his party, and advised them, in all cases where they sought an alliance with Roman Catholic voters, to deal directly with the rulers of that church. For many years he was the principal man in the secret committee appointed to treat with the bishop and priests in the great city where he dwells. The people were ignorant of this wire-pulling, but they obeyed their bishop and local pastors in what was commanded them, because they knew that though their votes would benefit a certain political party, their church would be exalted and her power increased, and that in some way or other they would be partakers of its grandeur.
The Night of Failure—The Morning of Faith.
By Rev. T. L. Cuyler
MANY of the personal incidents in the lives of our Lord and his disciples light up, like transparencies, with vivid spiritual instruction. One of these is in that most suggestive experience of Peter and Andrew and the two sons of Zebedee, when they "toiled all the night" with their nets and drew in nothing. That long night's work—and probably hard work too—meant failure. Peter's sad words, "Master, we have toiled all the night and taken nothing," might be written under the history of more than one human undertaking.
Pastors sometimes write this epitaph over their sermons, or over a period of labor that ends in empty nets. Reformers—looking at the largeness of outlay and expectations, and the smallness of visible results—have often thrown away their nets in sheer despair.
Say what we may, the fact remains that good men and women who toil hard in a noble undertaking do not always win immediate success; and none certainly that is visible to their own eyes. God is a sovereign. And that signifies that God always means to have his own way—and not ours. We may man our prayer services, or our mission enterprises, or any other Christian undertakings, with a boat-load of capable workers, and just as sure as we begin to count our fish before we have caught them, we may come to shore at last with an empty net. "Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." Even Paul's arm may swing the seed-bag and Apollos may guide the irrigating water with his foot, but God alone can give the increase. This is the lesson which we have to be taught again and again; for our heavenly Father always vetoes every claim of human independence.
But let us turn over the leaf and see how the night of failure was followed by the morning of faith. When the sun had lighted up the blue waves of Galilee, and a whole navy of fishing-boats are lying by the strand, Jesus appears. He delivers a discourse to the multitude on the beach, and then he bethinks him of his poor, disappointed disciples. He always feels for us in our disappointments. Knowing what a tedious and fruitless night the four fishermen had spent, and seeing that their nets were washed and mended, He gave the order, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught!" Peter had a vast deal of human nature in him; so he frankly says, "Master, we have toiled all the night and taken nothing." Had he stopped there, he would have deserved a sharp rebuke.
He was despondent, but he was not despairing. So out bolts from his eager tongue that noble answer, "Nevertheless, Lord, at thy word I will let down the net!" Here is a motto for faith to nail to its masts. Faith is more than willing to try another venture—yes! a score of them—provided that it has the "word" of Jesus for going ahead. Christ offered to go with them himself. Christ gives the word of command, "Launch out into the deep!" Faith has nothing to do but obey orders and bend to the oar. Down goes the net. And lo! a mighty swarm of fish is pouring into the net, so that the meshes are breaking with the strain!
As busy as fervent Christians are in the most glorious revival, are Peter and Andrew in the hauling in that overloaded net. Ah! faith has brought FULLNESS now. It always does. Peter makes signal to John and James to bring their two smacks alongside and to help harvest the multitude of fish. Both boats are so overloaded that they are in danger of sinking. And Peter is so overwhelmed with the miraculous power of Jesus of Nazareth that he throws himself down at Jesus' knees, and cries out, "Oh! Lord, I am a sinful man." So grand does Jesus seem to him, and so mean does he seem to himself, that he does not feel fit to remain in his Lord's presence. Sweet indeed was Christ's reply to the awe-struck disciple—fear not, Peter, henceforth thou shalt fish for souls—henceforth thou shalt catch men.
I have often thought that the experience of that night of failure and that forenoon of success must have been a capital lesson in the school of those apostles. Just such a lesson we need now. We need to be taught that success does not depend on strong arms or strong nets or well-manned boats. It depends on Christ's presence with us in the boats, and our obeying his divine directions.
Methinks that we hear his heavenly voice of love saying to all of us, brothers and sisters—"launch out into the deep!" Leave the shallow places. Seek for deep experience—deep study of God's precious truth—and deeper draughts of the Spirit of Christ. Then we cannot utterly fail; for faith overcometh, and all things are possible to him that believeth. At the end of every night spent without Christ (however hard we toil) you may write "failure." At the close of every day spent with Christ, and under his oversight, you will joyfully write—"fullness of blessings."—By Rev. T. L. Cuyler, in Divine Life.
Take the Rags Off.
The Texas Christian Advocate says that “one of the funny things going the round of the papers is the proposal of the nervous old lady, who is having some carpentry work done on her house, to tie some rags around the heads of the workmen’s hammers so they will make less noise, and nobody will be disturbed. She thought she was making things pleasant, but the workmen were of the opinion that they could do more and better work with the rags off, and then the noise began again, to the old lady’s great annoyance.
Many people are afraid of the racket that sometimes attends faithful preaching, either from the pulpit or the press. An earnest preacher often makes the hearts of the people quake as he denounces sin and warns the sinner. The faithful minister often points out the popular vices of the day, and there is a racket in the gambling hell, and no small stir in the drinking saloon. The man of God must smite hard if the nails of truth are driven home and firmly clinched. Some people will not like it, and timid people will be alarmed lest complaint will be heard against the church, and hard things will be said about the pulpit or religious press. But they must get used to it. The gospel was not designed to sooth people to sleep, but to wake them up. The preacher is not sent to please the world, but to point out its peril. God’s word is a fire and a hammer, and this hammer needs no cushioning or padding; it is designed to strike hard blows, and to break in pieces the flinty rock. Hearts are hard and must be broken. Let every earnest workman take off the rags from his hammer-head, and strike mighty blows for God and for his truth.— Selected.
Charity Balls and the Poor
The New Orleans Picayune says: "It would do the inmates of the poor-house good to attend a charity ball, and see the diamonds and good clothes that are worn by others for their benefit."
Dangers Surrounding the Young.
By Ellen G. White
The young generally conduct themselves as though the precious hours of probation, while mercy lingers, were one grand holiday, and they were placed in this world merely for their own amusement, to be gratified with a continued round of excitement. Satan has been making special efforts to lead them to find happiness in worldly amusements, and to justify themselves by endeavoring to show that these amusements are harmless, innocent, and even important for health. The impression has been given by some physicians that spirituality and devotion to God are detrimental to health. This suits the adversary of souls. There are persons with diseased imaginations who do not rightly represent the religion of Christ; such have not the pure religion of the Bible. Some are scourging themselves all through life because of their sins; all they can see is an offended God of justice. Christ and his redeeming power through the merits of his blood, they fail to see. Such have not faith. This class is generally composed of those who have not well-balanced minds. Through disease transmitted to them from their parents, and an erroneous education in youth, they have contracted wrong habits, which injure the constitution and the brain, causing the moral organs to become diseased, and making it impossible for them to think and act rationally upon all points. They have not well-balanced minds. Godliness and righteousness are not destructive to health, but are health to the body and strength to the soul. Says Peter: "He that will love life, and see good days, let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it; for the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye; and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled."
The consciousness of right-doing is the best medicine for diseased bodies and minds. The special blessing of God resting upon the receiver is health and strength. A person whose mind is quiet and satisfied in God is in the pathway to health. To have a consciousness that the eyes of the Lord are upon us, and his ears open to our prayers, is a satisfaction indeed. To know that we have a never-failing Friend in whom we can confide all the secrets of the soul, is a privilege which words can never express. Those whose moral faculties are beclouded by disease are not the ones to rightly represent the Christian life or the beauties of holiness. They are too often in the fire of fanaticism or the water of cold indifference or stolid gloom. The words of Christ are of more worth than the opinions of all the physicians in the universe. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." This is the first great object,—the kingdom of Heaven, the righteousness of Christ. Other objects to be attained should be secondary to these.
Satan will present the path of holiness as difficult, while the paths of worldly pleasure are strewn with flowers. In false and flattering colors will the tempter array the world with its pleasures before you. Vanity is one of the strongest traits of our depraved natures, and he knows that he can appeal to it successfully. He will flatter you through his agents. You may receive praise which will gratify your vanity, and foster in you pride and self-esteem, and you may think that with such advantages and attractions it really is a great pity for you to come out from the world and be separate, and become a Christian, to forsake your companions, and be alike dead to their praise or censure. Satan tells you that with the advantages which you possess, you could to a high degree enjoy the pleasures of the world. But consider that the pleasures of earth will have an end, and that which you sow you must also reap. Are personal attractions, ability, or talents too valuable to devote to God, the author of your being, he who watches over you every moment? Are your qualifications too precious to devote to God?
The young urge that they need something to enliven and divert the mind. The Christian's hope is just what is needed. Religion will prove to the believer a comforter, a sure guide to the Fountain of true happiness. The young should study the word of God, and give themselves to meditation and prayer, and they will find that their spare moments cannot be better employed. Young friends, you should take time to prove your own selves, whether you are in the love of God. Be diligent to make your calling and election sure. It depends upon your own course of action, whether you secure to yourselves the better life.
"Wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." The future abode of the righteous, and their everlasting reward are high and ennobling themes for the young to contemplate. Dwell upon the marvelous plan of salvation, the great sacrifice made by the King of glory that you might be elevated through the merits of his blood, and by obedience finally be exalted to the throne of Christ. This subject should engage the noblest contemplation of the mind. To be brought into favor with God,—what a privilege! To commune with him,—what can more elevate, refine, and exalt us above the frivolous pleasures of earth? To have our corrupt natures renovated by grace, our lustful appetites and animal propensities in subjection, to stand forth with noble, moral independence, achieving victories every day, will give peace of conscience which can arise alone from right-doing.
Young friends, with such employment and diversion, you might be happy. But the reason why you are restless is, you do not seek to the only true source for happiness. You are ever trying to find out of Christ that enjoyment which is found only in him. In him are no disappointed hopes. Prayer,—oh, how is this precious privilege neglected! The reading of the word of God prepares the mind for prayer. One of the greatest reasons why many have so little disposition to draw nearer to God by prayer is, they have unfitted themselves for this sacred work by reading fascinating stories, which have excited the imagination and aroused unholy passions. The word of God becomes distasteful, the hour of prayer is forgotten. Prayer is the strength of the Christian. When alone, he is not alone; he feels the presence of One who has said, "Lo, I am with you alway."
Christ is our pattern; his life was an example of good works. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He wept over Jerusalem, because they would not be saved by accepting the redemption which he offered them. They would not come to him that they might have life. Compare your course of life with that of your Master, who made so great a sacrifice that you might be saved. He frequently spent the entire night upon the damp ground in agonizing prayer. You are seeking your own pleasure. Listen to the vain, frivolous conversation, hear the laugh, the jesting, the joking. Is this imitating the pattern? Still listen,—is Jesus mentioned? Is the truth the cost of conversation? Are the speakers glorying in the cross of Christ? It is this fashion, that bonnet, that dress, what that young man said, or that young lady said, or the amusements they are planning. What glee! Are angels attracted and pressing close around them to ward off the darkness which Satan is pressing upon and around them? Oh, no. See, they turn away in sorrow. I see tears upon the faces of these angels. Can it be that angels of God are made to weep? It is even so.
The apostle Paul exhorts Timothy "by the commandment of God our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ:" "I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array, but, which becometh women professing godliness, with good works."
Peter writes to the church: "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance; but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
The inspired Paul directs Titus to give special instructions to the church of Christ, "that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." He says: "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
Mrs. E. G. White.
Building Without a Foundation.
By Charles Spurgeon
The temptation to build without a good foundation has this advantage to back it up, it enables a man to run up a religion very quickly. He makes splendid progress. While the anxious heart is searching after truth in the inward parts, and begging to be renewed by grace, his exulting friend is as happy as he can be in a peace which he has suddenly obtained without question or examination. This rapid grower never asks, "Has my religion changed my conduct? Is my faith attended by a new nature? Does the spirit of God dwell in me? Am I really what I profess to be, or am I but a bastard professor after all?" No, he puts aside all inquiry as a temptation of the devil. He takes every good thing for granted, and votes that all is gold which glitters. See how fast he goes! The fog is dense, but he steams through it, heedless of danger! He has joined the church; he has commenced work for God; he is boasting of his own attainments; he hints that he is perfect. But is this mushroom building safe? Will it pass muster in the last great survey? Will it stand should a tempest happen? The chimney-shaft is tall, but is it safe? Ay, there's the rub. This is the question which makes an end of much of the boasting which is all around us. It is better to tremble at God's word than boldly to presume. It is better to be fearful, lest after all we may be castaways, than to harden one's forehead with vain confidence. When a man travels upon a wrong road, the faster he runs the further he will go astray. Remember the advice to hasten slowly, and the old proverb which saith, "The more haste the less speed." If you build quickly because you build without a foundation, your time and toil are thrown away.
Spurgeon.
EARLY WRITINGS OF MRS. WHITE.
Comprising "Experience and Views" and "Spiritual Gifts Volume One," bound in one volume. This makes a neat and attractive book of nearly 200 pages, and should be read by old and young. The matter and the style in which it is presented are so interesting that no one who has read one chapter will forego the pleasure and profit of reading the remainder. Price, 75 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE SPIRIT OF GOD: ITS OFFICES AND MANIFESTATIONS TO THE END OF THE CHRISTIAN AGE
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
By ELDER J. H. WAGGONER.
THIS is a brief but comprehensive argument on the solemn and important subject of the Spirit of God. Its chapters embrace the following heads: The Holy Spirit of Promise; The Power from on High; Circumcision of the Heart; The Unity of the Faith; The Law and the Testimony; Try the Spirits; The Great Commission; Gifts in the Reformation; In the Present Century; Spirit of Prophecy Restored. These are subjects of vital importance to all, and especially to those who are looking for the return of their Lord. 144 pp. Price, 15 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY; OR THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BETWEEN CHRIST AND SATAN.
By Mrs. E. G. WHITE.
This is a series of four volumes, covering the entire period from the creation and fall of man to his final redemption. Volume One is devoted to Old Testament history. It is not merely a narrative of the leading events in the lives of the patriarchs and prophets; but moral lessons are drawn therefrom, in such a way as to make the book practically useful to the men and women of to-day. Volume Two commences with the life and mission of John the Baptist, and considers the first advent of Christ, his life and mission, as manifested by his miracles and teachings, and the nature and necessity of his life-work. It closes with Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Volume Three takes up the subject at this point, and brings to view the most thrillingly interesting portion of Christ's earthly career—his betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. It closes with a brief history of the early church, including the missionary labors of Peter and Paul. Volume Four (in press) contains a history of the church from that time to the end, closing with the coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the establishment of the everlasting kingdom of Christ on earth.
These books are not argumentative, but they throw a vast flood of light upon the sacred page. They are written in a clear, simple style, and are of absorbing interest to both young and old. They offer special encouragement and instruction to Christians; and there is nothing better to place in the hands of skeptics, to convince them of the truth of the Bible. 400 pp. Price per volume $1.25
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Education.—Study and Work.
MANY parents entirely misapprehend the wants and capacities of the human system, and often make sad mistakes in educating their children. A farmer will use good judgment in the management of his team, and reverse that judgment in the management of his sons. He knows that it will do to use whip and spur on a slow, plodding horse; and that he would kill his fiery, high-spirited animal if he used him in the same manner. He would laugh at the folly of a man who would put two such horses in a team together, and "tie back" the slow one and whip up the high-spirited one. And yet he will pursue this very course with his children. And this erroneous practice is almost all-prevailing. We will give a few instances, and everybody will recognize the picture; it may be seen anywhere.
We were once seated in a car, going from Boston to Portland, beside a gentleman who, when he learned that our home was in Michigan, remarked that we probably thought Zack Chandler one of our ablest men. To this we readily assented. Said he, "I went to school with Zack. There were three brothers; two were bright, apt scholars; the third, Zack, was considered by his father rather dull. He did not think he would be greatly benefited by an education, or acquire it if sent to school. He sent him to an academy for a while, but the others he sent to college. They graduated with honor, and died early; while Zack lived to stand high in the nation."
If the two sprightly boys had spent half the term of their college life at farm work, and the other half only at school, they, too, might have lived and risen to eminence; while the temperament of "Zack" would have stood the strain of college training.
We knew a family in a town in Rhode Island in which was a very bright boy, who was considered precocious. Always at the head of his classes, his mother looked upon him as one who could stand the head anywhere, and in her fond ambition determined to give him a chance. He was kept in school continually and when he came home a room was always ready for him in which to study. Fires were made when needed, and nothing was permitted to interrupt him. He was not permitted to do a chore of work, nor encouraged to join in the sports of other boys. Every moment spent away from his books was, in her estimation, wasted. After a while, under this constant pressure, his mind gave way suddenly. He returned to his childhood, a helpless, selfish, fretful boy. Everything that was possible had been done to develop his selfishness; now it was the ruling power of his life. He had never been taught to help himself, or to take any manual exercise while it could have been done easily; now nothing could arouse him to make an effort. A musical instrument in the house could no longer be used, and no amusement or recreation could be indulged in by the other members of the household; because it annoyed him to see others enjoy themselves while he was deprived of his means of enjoyment. And thus the years dragged on. Had his study been confined to school hours, and he had his allotted tasks of labor, or other means of physical exercise, he might have lived to be a blessing to himself and others, and perhaps met the fond expectations of his parents.
We knew a lad whose mind was inclined to early maturity, but he was of deficient physical development. He was put into a "select school" which had a good reputation. His guardian visited the school, and noticed that his studies were undermining his health. When the attention of the principal was directed to this, he seemed averse to noticing it; he praised the ability of the boy, and predicted that he would make a good scholar if he was "put through." The guardian very prudently took him from the school and put him on a farm with a judicious, conscientious man, who kept him much in the fresh air and sunshine, and gave him daily, but not difficult, tasks to perform. He grew strong, and lived to learn a trade and is as able to support himself as the average of young men. Had he been kept close to his studies he would no doubt have made splendid progress in them, and the minister at his funeral would have spoken of his death as a "mysterious providence," and many would have wondered why God removed so promising a youth from the fields of usefulness.
We could multiply instances, but why particularize when they are on every hand? Parents and teachers largely pursue the same unwise course. If there is a bright, sprightly child, of a nervous and sanguine temperament, he is pushed forward in his studies and stimulated with praise; while the plodder, with a phlegmatic temperament, is kept from his books with slight excuses, and discouraged as much as possible by being often reminded that he is a dolt, a blockhead, or perhaps a fool, to whom a book is a useless thing. It is the same folly, of tying back the slow horse and spurring the fast one.
Alternate seasons of study and work are better for any child—any person, whether child or adult—than continuous study. Constant study wears out and consumes the bright and sprightly, while it becomes painfully tedious and distasteful to the dull. A proper amount of exercise is necessary to the development of both brain and muscle. Exercise of the muscle without exercise of the brain develops an animal, but not an intelligent one. Exercise of the brain without exercise of the muscle develops a feeble worker; he may for a time be an active thinker, but will never have executive ability to accomplish much.
What is the best manner of alternating these seasons of work and study? We find in every part of the country young people who go to school in the winter and work in the summer. Many of them are expected to only work through the summer, and let their books lie unused till the season of school. And when they go to school again it is found that they have forgotten very much of that which they had learned the winter before. This is a waste of time and strength; the result is far from satisfactory. The true method is to work some during the season of study, and study some during the season of work. Then all the powers, both mental and physical, are developed and strengthened together, and become helps to each other. What is learned in the school season is not lost but improved upon in the season devoted especially to labor. And the strength acquired in labor is not frittered away in school time; but in keeping it up by suitable labor the health of the scholar is preserved, and he enters upon the season specially devoted to work in good working condition.
So little are some parents aware of these facts that they are strongly opposed to having their children do any work at school. Says a father: "I do not send my children to school to work; I send them to study, and am willing to pay their bills." And when he takes them home it is to work, and not to study, and thus in the minds of the children, work and study are entirely separated, and they scarcely think it possible to engage in business and improve their minds also.
We look upon it as one of the desirable features of the Healdsburg College that provision will be made for the students to labor; the young men in agriculture, fruit-raising, or mechanics; the young women in sewing or house-keeping. And they who are abundantly able to pay their bills will do their children an irreparable injury if they do or say anything to prevent them spending some of their time at school in manual labor. We are thankful that the principal of the College is a practical man, who believes in educating the whole person, and building up the students to a high standard, physically, mentally, and morally.
There are other considerations urging the same point, which we will notice hereafter.
Brother White gives an interesting account in this paper of the school in South Lancaster, Mass. The foundation of this school was carefully laid, and the result of connecting labor with study is highly satisfactory.
Claims of an Authorized Servant
By Editor
WE have received a pamphlet in which the author makes the most extravagant assertions about the coming of Christ, asserting that he knows the exact time of the advent. He styles himself the "Authorized Servant of Jesus Christ," and professes to speak by special authority. He also deals in the testimony of the pyramids, which seems quite appropriate for a crank of his cast. By reason of such the way of truth is evil spoken of. But his lunacy ought to be harmless, for no person with a well-balanced mind can possibly be affected by such rantings.
Claims of an Authorized Servant
By Editor
WE have received a pamphlet in which the author makes the most extravagant assertions about the coming of Christ, asserting that he knows the exact time of the advent. He styles himself the "Authorized Servant of Jesus Christ," and professes to speak by special authority. He also deals in the testimony of the pyramids, which seems quite appropriate for a crank of his cast. By reason of such the way of truth is evil spoken of. But his lunacy ought to be harmless, for no person with a well-balanced mind can possibly be affected by such rantings.