On our return from Washington and Oregon we find so many matters pressing for attention that it is impossible to notice them before this paper is printed. No paper will be published next week, July 6.
Ohio Tract and Missionary Society Address
By Editor
The address of the Secretary of the Ohio T. and M. Society is: Mrs. Ida Gates, Pioneer, Williams Co., Ohio.
Request for Prayer.
By Editor
A NOTE from Eld. G. W. Colcord, Walla Walla, W. T., inclosed in the report of labor found in another column, says: "I am threatened with fever. Mrs. C. is bedfast. Pray for us." We feel sure that all our brethren and sisters will remember this request of these faithful laborers in the cause.
A later note informs us that Sister Colcord has been slowly gaining in strength since we left Walla Walla.
European Missions.
By Editor
WE have considerable news this week from our brethren across the Atlantic, and all of it interesting. As some of it came to hand rather late, we have had to delay the paper a little, not willing to let it lie over, especially as no paper will be issued from this office next week, July 6.
The brethren speak very highly of the Monarch Line, not only as a first class line of travel, but for the kindness and courtesy extended to passengers. And more than this, it offers to our missionaries unusual facilities for sending our publications to various quarters of the globe. Thus is Providence further opening the way before us to proclaim the message to all peoples and nations.
The Point Seen.
By Editor
The San Francisco Post, referring to the position of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES on the Sabbath question, and especially to an article showing that the fourth commandment names a definite day as a day of rest, says:—
"The editor shows very conclusively that the fourth commandment requires the observance, not as Dr. Benson would represent, of one day in seven, simply, but of a particular day in the week—the seventh, our Saturday—and absolutely requires labor on the first day and all the other days of the week."
We claim no credit for making a self-evident proposition so plain that it may be clearly seen, but the Post deserves credit for frankly acknowledging a fact which most papers are deterred from acknowledging through fear of unpopularity.
Pearly Portals.
By Editor
We find on our table a copy of "Pearly Portals," a book of 160 pages of words and music for Sabbath-schools. By D. S. Hakes. Published by Geo. D. Russell, 126 Tremont Street, Boston, and Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
The words and music in this book are mostly new, and of a high order. The opening piece, "Paradise," is a gem, and the same may be said of many other pieces. We believe that much of the music in this work will not only become popular in the Sabbath-schools, but the pieces will retain their popularity, having the "wear" in them.
The arrangement is complete, as follows:—
Miscellaneous, pages, 3-76.
Opening pieces, 76-92.
Closing " 92-102.
Infant Class, 102-118.
Invitation, 118-130.
Anniversaries, { Christmas, 130-142.
New Years, 142-148.
Thanksgiving, 148-151.
Easter, 151-155.
Temperance, 155-158.
Price, 35 cts.; $3.60 a dozen. Cloth, 50 cts.; $5.00 a dozen. We intend to give a few specimen pieces in the SIGNS before long.
Arizona Needs Graves
By Editor
Dr. Crary, editor of the California Christian Advocate “went west” and got acquainted with the country. He has given his opinion of the trouble in Arizona, from which we take the following:—
“Arizona needs graves more than anything else. She has a large population that must be permanently settled before peace and security can be felt and seen. The Indian policy there is working in all its glory. There is no game but white men, women, and children.”
The doctor is evidently a “peace man” after the style of H. W. Beecher, but not a disciple of Dr. Lyman Beecher.
Christian Cheerfulness
Christ said to his disciples: "In the world ye shall have tribulation," and Paul said that "we are appointed thereunto;" but neither of them meant that we should seek for it, or that it would be a sin to seek true happiness and be cheerful. The tribulation that comes through any fault of our own, is not the tribulation that "worketh patience." Love, joy, peace, are fruits of the Spirit; and the "joy," is to be manifested even in the midst of infirmities. If, then, we are to rejoice in the midst of trials, how much more should we rejoice when trials are absent, or light? "Rejoice in the Lord alway;" "Rejoice evermore;" these are Christian duties. The tribulation will come soon enough without being sought; but the constant rejoicing in the Lord is the best preparation for it, and is that which, when tribulation comes, makes it appear as "our light affliction which is but for a moment."
A Bible Needed at Assembly
It is stated that when three hundred Presbyterian preachers, at the recent General Assembly at Springfield, Ill., assembled for social worship, the discovery was made that there was not a Bible in the house, and one had to be sent for. A soldier should keep his weapons with him.