Since our last report it has been a very busy time with us. About two weeks ago Brother Rice was taken sick, and now, though some better, is unable to be around. But the meetings have been kept up, and the interest has been good. A strong effort has been made to prejudice the people against us, and keep them away from the meetings. But the Lord has been with us, and the truth has had its effect upon the minds of some. Up to date forty-four discourses have been given, thirteen have signed the covenant, and about as many more are keeping the Sabbath. We attend to the ordinance of baptism to-morrow.
J. L. Wood.
June 14, 1878.
Texas.
By R. M. Kilgore
RAIN and storms have very much interrupted our meetings. The storms of Texas move rapidly; and we have learned by experience that it is not safe to risk the tent standing, even though there be but a slight cloud. In the midst of two discourses the past week, we were compelled to dismiss the congregation on account of approaching storms. On Sabbath and Sunday we held six meetings. These were of peculiar interest. Twenty new converts bore testimony to the truth, and as many more rose to their feet asking the prayers of the servants of God. The Spirit of God was in our midst; tears flowed freely. Our Sabbath meeting was truly a refreshing season. On Sunday night, after a solemn discourse on the seven last plagues, all who were seeking God and desired us to pray for them were invited to occupy the front seats. After these were filled, we asked all such persons present to stand upon their feet, when about one hundred arose. We are not able to tell definitely how many have decided to obey.
We are challenged for discussion by one of the leading Disciple ministers in the State. I do not know whether or not we shall be detained here longer than our usual time on this account. The people have voted for a debate, and if the questions can be decided and the arrangement made in the presence of the audience, which I propose to have done, we are in for a debate, but on no other consideration. This will give the people a chance to see whether the object of the contending forces is to gain a victory or to elicit truth. It is our opinion that much public discussion can be avoided in this way. Warriors generally want their schemes, tricks, and quibbles kept hid from the public gaze. R. M. KILGORE.
Terrell, June 3.
Sabbath-Schools.
By John Norton Loughborough
IN Signs, No. 22, we promised to say more relative to our State Sabbath-school organization. Our preparations for the visit to Oregon, with other duties has so fully occupied the time of the committee, we have only time to state now, that when our State Sabbath-school organization was formed, we did what we thought would best promote the interests of the schools here, designing to adapt our organization to that which might be recommended by the General Conference.
We shall take time before the next session of our State quarterly meeting to compare these two constitutions, and probably at the time of the quarterly meeting, so arrange matters as to be in harmony with our brethren elsewhere. In the mean time, we hope our brethren and sisters will do all in their power to promote interest in the Sabbath-school and Bible-class in their respective churches. We want to be missionaries, to do good, to lead souls to the Lord and his truth, what an opening is Sabbath-school work.
Take hold of it every one. Parents and guardians, learn the lessons yourselves; aid the youth and children to learn the lessons; encourage the school by your presence, and by your example of promptness in the lessons. Hold up the Sabbath-school by your prayers. May the Lord bless the Sabbath-school army.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Quarterly Meeting.
By John Norton Loughborough
Our churches in California will bear in mind that the first Sabbath and Sunday in July is the quarterly meeting of each individual church when it is expected every member of the church will report to their respective church their standing and pay their systematic benevolence pledges and make missionary one-third donations. Systematic benevolence treasurers will receive their notifications to collect, and should give each member immediately a statement of their church dues. The tract and missionary reports of each missionary member should be made at this meeting so that each church will be prepared to report at the district quarterly meeting the second Sabbath and Sunday in July, and then our State quarterly meeting the third Sabbath and Sunday in July may have a full report. Brethren and sisters let us all be in season for once and see if we cannot have a "missionary looking glass" this quarter which will reflect something for all our districts.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Michigan Camp-Meeting.
It is expected that the first Michigan camp-meeting will be held at Lansing, on the old ground, about August 21-26, 1878. It is suggested by the General Conference Committee that one or two more camp-meetings be held in different parts of the State.
APPOINTMENTS.
By Editor
ELDER HEALEY will speak Sabbath at 10:30, June 29, in the Seventh-day Adventist church, corner of Thirteenth and Clay streets.
THE next quarterly meeting of the Lone Oak church, will be held at the Lakeside school-house, July 6 and 7. We hope all members of this church will come prepared to settle up their systematic benevolence as far as possible.
J. L. WOOD.
BUSINESS DEPARTMENT.
“Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully,” (margin, negligently.) Jer. 48:10.
Received for the Signs.
$2.00 EACH. Mrs Lizzie Farber 5-27, Archie Craig 5-20, J J Hannan 5-25, Mrs E A White 5-24, Alonzo Vancourt 5-2.
$1.50 EACH. Geo Hannan 5-24, Mrs Benton Scott 5-24, W J Kirk 5-24, Mrs C Jensen 5-24, Wm H Austin 5-24, S Tilden 5-24, W T Eddy 5-24, Mrs Jesse Frost 5-18, D E Lindsay 5-24, A B Philips 5-24, Nathan Cary 5-24, Daniel Ferguson 5-24, Dr J H Ralston 5-24, Mrs Ann Harrison 5-24, Henry Taylor 5-24, Mrs Geo Hanks 5-24, M Munsen 5-24, Mr Dutcher 5-24, Mrs Luther Miles 5-24, Walter Graves 5-24.
MISCELLANEOUS. Lottie King $1.00 5-12, Philip Ploss 1.00 5-10, Wm Fenner 1.00 4-39, Elizabeth Locke 1.00 5-8, Wealthy McNitt 1.00 5-1, Lucy A Boynton 1.00 5-2, W T Henton (8 copies) 12.00 5-24, H Patch (10 copies) 15.00 5-24, Laura P King (6 copies) 9.00 5-24, Edgar Hutchins (20 copies) 15.00 5-1, J W Hardy (5 copies) 3.75 5-11, F D Snyder (8 copies) 6.00 5-1, Mrs Adrice Ten Yeck 75c 5-1 Michael Deaver 37c 4-37, Mrs J G Finch 38c 4-37, Miss Annie Newcomer 50c 4-40, Millie Stevens 50c 4-40, Peter Newcomb 75c 4-48, Mrs J M Eberts 75c 4-48, John Mc-Ray 75c 4-48, J L Ramsey 38c 4-36, E B Lane 40c 4-24, D N Taylor 50c 4-48, M E Fisher 38c 4-36, Mrs John Hughes 75c 4-48, Rose Meir 50c 4-40.
Received on Account.
Cal T and M Society $6.00, New York T and M Society 5.25.
California Conference Fund.
San Francisco pr F Brown $4.00.
Books, Pamphlets, Tracts, Etc.
CRUDEN'S CONCORDANCE. $1.75, post-paid.
Dictionary of Bible. $1.75, post-paid.
Hymn and Tune Book; 537 hymns, 147 tunes. $1.
Progressive Bible Lessons. 50 cts.
“ “ “ for Children. 35 cts.
The Way of Life; a beautiful engraving 19x24 inches, with key of explanations. $1.00.
The Game of Life (illustrated). Satan playing with man for his soul. In Board, 50 cts; in paper 30 cts.
The History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week. J. N. Andrews. 528 pp, $1.00.
Thrilling Life Sketches. Incidents in the life of an Italian of noble birth. By Francesco Urgos. $1.25, post-paid.
Thoughts on Daniel. U. Smith. $1.00. Condensed paper edition, 35 cts.
Thoughts on the Revelation. U. Smith. $1.00.
Life of William Miller, with likeness. $1.00.
The Sanctuary and its Cleansing. U. Smith. $1.00. Condensed edition in paper, 30 cts.
Life of Joseph Bates, with Likeness. Revised. Edited by James White. Tint, $1.00; plain, $1.25.
The Nature and Destiny of Man. U. Smith. 384 pp. $1.00.
The Constitutional Amendment. A discussion between W. H. Littlejohn and the Editor of the “Christian Statesman.” Bound, $1.00. Paper, 40 cts. First part, 10 cts.
Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. I. Mrs. E. G. White. 416 pp. $1.00.
Life of Christ, in seven Pamphlets, by Mrs. Ellen G. White:—
No. 1. His First Advent and Ministry . . . 10 cts.
No. 2. His Temptation in the Wilderness . . . 10 cts.
No. 3. His Teachings and Parables . . . 15 cts.
No. 4. His Mighty Miracles . . . 15 cts.
No. 5. His Sufferings and Crucifixion . . . 10 cts.
No. 6. His Resurrection and Ascension . . . 10 cts.
No. 7. The Apostles of Christ . . . 10 cts.
Sabbath Readings for the Home Circle. In two volumes. 75 cts. each.
The State of the Dead and Destiny of the Wicked. U. Smith. 40 cts.
The United States in Prophecy. U. Smith. Bound, 40 cts. Paper, 25 cts.
A Word for the Sabbath, or False Theories Exposed. (POEM.) U. Smith. Muslin, 30 cts.; paper, 15 cts.
Advent Keepsake. Muslin, 25 cts.
Sermons on the Sabbath and Law, embracing an outline of the Biblical and Secular history of the Sabbath for 6,000 years. J. N. A. 25 cts.
Facts for the Times. 25 cts.
The Nature and tendency of Modern Spiritualism. J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.
Our Faith and Hope. Sermons on the Millennium, Second Advent, the Kingdom, the Judgment, the Time, the Sanctuary, and Saving Faith. 20 cts.
The Ministration of Angels, and the Origin, History, and Destiny of Satan. D. M. C. 20 cts.
The Atonement. J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.
The Spirit of God. J. H. W. 15 cts.
Miraculous Powers. 15 cts.
The Complete Testimony of the Fathers concerning the Sabbath and First Day. J. N. Andrews. 15 cts.
The Three Messages of Rev. 14, and the Two-horned Beast. J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
The Morality of the Sabbath. D. M. C. 15 cts.
The Resurrection of the Unjust; a Vindication of the Doctrine. J. H. Waggoner. 15 cts.
Christ in the Old Testament and the Sabbath in the New. James White. 10 cts.
The Saints' Inheritance, or the Earth made New. J. N. Loughborough. 10 cts.
Sunday Seventh-day. A Refutation of Mede, Jennings, Akers and Fuller. J. N. A. 10 cts.
The Truth Found. J. H. W. 10 cts.
The Two Covenants. J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
The Hope of the Gospel: What it is, and when it will be consummated. J. N. L. 10 cts.
Review of Gilfillan on the Sabbath. 10 cts.
Vindication of the Sabbath. Morton. 10 cts.
The Date of the Seventy Weeks of Dan. 9, established. J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
Matthew Twenty-four. James White. 10 cts.
Review of Baird's Two Sermons on the Sabbath and Law. J. H. W.
The Ancient Sabbath. Forty-four Objections Considered. 10 cts.
Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. II. Mrs. E. G. White. 400 pp. $1.00.
Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. III. Mrs. E. G. White. 400 pp. $1.00
Milton on the State the Dead. 5 cts
Four-cent Tracts: The Second Advent—The Seventh Part of Time—Celestial Railroad—Samuel and the Witch of Endor—The Ten Commandments not Abolished—Address to the Baptists—Present Truth—The Sufferings of Christ—The Two Thrones—The Third Message of Rev. 14—Spiritualism a Satanic Delusion—Redemption—Systematic Benevolence—The Two Covenants—Origin and Progress of Seventh-day Adventists.
Three-cent Tracts: Much in Little—The Lost-Time Question—Argument on Sabbaton—Infidel Cavils Considered—The End of the Wicked—Scripture Reference—Who Changed the Sabbath?—The First Message of Rev. 14—The Second Message of Rev. 14.
Two-cent Tracts: Christ in the Old Testament—The Sabbath in the New Testament—The Old Moral Code of Ten Commandments not Revised—Definite Seventh Day—Seven Reasons for Sunday Keeping Examined—Elihu on the Sabbath—The Rich Man and Lazarus—The Sanctuary of the Bible—The Millennium—Departing and Being with Christ—Fundamental Principles of S. D. Adventists—The Judgment; or the Waymarks of Daniel to the Holy City—The Two Laws—Spirit of Prophecy—One Hundred Bible Facts—The Law and the Gospel—God's Memorial—The Sabbath, the Day.
One-cent Tracts: Appeal on Immortality—Thoughts for the Candid—Nahum's Chariots—The perfection of the Ten Commandments—Coming of the Lord—Without Excuse—Which Day do you Keep and Why?—Geology and the Bible—The Sleep of the Dead—The Sinner's Fate—Can we Know?—Is the End Near?—A Dialogue—Brief Thoughts on Immortality—Is the End Near?—Can we Know?
—Address, THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES, OAKLAND, CAL.
San Francisco and Oakland.
By W. M. Healey
THE cause in these cities is moving forward. Our tent-meeting in San Francisco closed with the best meeting of the series, and we learn that the Sabbath meetings there have since been well attended and are growing in interest. Sunday afternoon, June 16, we visited the church there for a baptism season, and Brother Israel buried four willing souls in a watery grave.
We have been one week, with the tent, on the corner of Peralta and Eight streets near Center station, West Oakland. Our tent is very nicely arranged having a floor with coarse carpet or matting in the aisles. Our seats nearly all have good backs to them, we also have one hundred chairs, which were in our church hall and kindly furnished us, these are neatly arranged in front of the stand, back of which in connection with our charts and a clock, we have a large wall lamp with porcelain globe which is easily fastened to the chart frame, and we find it very useful as it throws the light from behind the speaker over his shoulder, and so induces him to stand erect while reading, which is much better than having to stoop over to read by a lamp on the stand. Try it. Our tent is furnished with a stove, also double wooden doors at the entrance which enables us to make it very comfortable even in cold evenings.
We have an organ which with the singing are in the charge of Brother J. E. White, and this also adds a feature of attraction to our meeting. Of course we cannot recommend under all circumstances the same arrangement of tent that we have here, but we do endorse better light and more of it, especially the lamp back of the stand, and again keep the tent neat and clean; we have our trunks, bed, tool-chest, etc., all neatly arranged in the back part of our tent. The people seem to appreciate our efforts and appear willing to help us.
Our contribution box has received $10, and we have spoken of it but once. But the best feature of all is that the Lord is with us, and the people nearly fill the tent, our attendance being from two hundred and fifty to five hundred and the attention is always good. We think we have never had a tent meeting upon this coast with such favorable prospects at the close of its first week. Do pray for the cause here, and especially for us that God will give wisdom for the work assigned us.