—The Church of England has nine mission stations along the Panama Canal.
—Last year the Congregational Church made a net gain in membership of 17,015.
—The net increase in the membership of the Methodist Episcopal Church last year was 61,910.
—The Episcopal Sunday-schools in Utah contain over five hundred children of Mormon parentage.
—The London Methodist Times says: “There is no subject on which the Methodist pulpit is so incoherent and helpless as baptism.”
—A Spiritualist journal, in a tirade against preachers, says: “Man knows instinctively right from wrong, and hence is a better preceptor for himself than any other man of any calling.” And yet the man who wrote that goes right on publishing a paper professing to give instruction to the people.
—At a recent meeting of the Tremont Temple Bible Class, Dr. Meredith said: “A man will sit on the fence all Saturday afternoon to watch a base ball game, and then complain if the sermon the next day is more than thirty minutes long. Now I maintain that an hour and a half is the shortest possible time in which a dignified, reverential service can be conducted on a Sabbath morning.” Perhaps the very state of mind which enables a man to sit on a fence to watch a game is the reason why he cannot sit and listen to a sermon.
—In the winter of 1881–82, there were 1,314 theological students in the universities of Prussia. This winter there are 2,221, an increase of about seventy per cent. What a pity it is that German theology is so destitute of the spiritual truth of the Bible. If these theological students were drinking in the sincere milk of the word, as were those in the time of Luther and Melancthon, what a blessing they might be to the world. As it is, too many of them will be only bearers of darkness.
—In the last number of the Old Testament Student, Dr. Harper says: “In some institutions of sacred learning (the statement is made guardedly) Bible study is a farce; in too many it is sadly neglected. In very few does the work performed at all correspond to the vital relation which, it is generally believed, a true conception of the Bible events and precepts sustains to the efficient accomplishment of the minister’s work. . . . The ignorance of the Bible which characterizes the average seminary graduate is amazing. Nor does he realize it until he stands in the very midst of the conflict for which a proper knowledge of the Book would have armed him.” And then, too often, he seeks to make up for the deficiency by German philosophy and “science falsely so-called.”
—The Christian at Work says: “The Christian world seems year by year to regard with growing favor the setting apart of seasons for special religious observance. The week of prayer and the period given every winter to extra services, and known as ‘the revival season,’ as well as the increasingly large number of summer assemblies and conventions for spiritual uses, are instances of this growing tendency. The joyous Easter festival is being more generally accepted each year by churches of nearly all the denominations. As is natural, an increased interest is felt in Lent. The Lenten fast, which precedes the Easter feast, is seen more and more to have its uses for all, and to supply in some phases a fitting preparation for the observance of a true Easter.” While the Saviour says: “But in vain do ye worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
—At a late ministers’ meeting in Chicago, the subject was “How to Use the Bible in Dealing with Inquirers,” when some good points were made. “Mr. Emrich suggested that we should be saturated with the word; that the minister should be thoroughly familiar with his Bible, and so familiar as not only to turn readily to a chapter or verse, but also to quote what he would read, without hesitation. Col. Geo. Clarke spoke out of his experience derived from the Pacific Garden Mission work which he has in charge. Meetings are held at this mission largely for drunkards, afternoons and evenings. Large numbers profess conversion. Col. Clarke remarked that his method in dealing with infidels is to quote Scripture even to those who deny its authority. Dr. Goodwin emphasized the reading of the passage you want an inquirer to get, and setting before him not an argument but God’s word.”
The Dangers of Flattery
If we do not flatter ourselves, the flattery of others will not be able to injure us.—Sel.
An English Language Mix-Up
The English language is a very noble one, but it is full of pitfalls. Who can wonder that the foreigner occasionally fails to "compr'end" its idiomatic expressions?
French Visitor—I call to see monsieur—
Maid—You can't see him, sir. He's not up yet.
Visitor—Vat you tell? I com' yester', and you say, "Can't see heem, because he is not down. Now you say, Can't see heem, because he is not oop. Ven vill he be in ze middle? I no compr'end not at all, mademoiselle!"
SABBATH-SCHOOL HELPS.
By Editor
Bible Lessons for Little Ones, No. 1. Flexible cover.........15 cts.
Bible Lessons for Little Ones, No. 2. Flexible cloth...........20 cts.
Bible Lessons for Children, No. 3..............................25 cts.
Bible Lessons, No. 4, with map.................................25 cts.
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Bible Lessons, No. 6...........................................25 cts.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Annual Meeting
By Benajah R. Nordyke
THE regular annual meeting of the society of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Oakland, will be held at the house of worship, on Wednesday, April 7, 1886, at 7:30 o'clock P. M., for the purpose of electing a board of five trustees, and transacting such other business as may come before the meeting. A general attendance will be necessary, in order that the proceedings may be in accordance with the law. By order of the president,
BENAJAH R. NORDYKE, Secretary
THE AGE TO COME:
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
A REFUTATION OF THE DOCTRINE.
BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.
Embracing a critical examination of the Temporal Millennium—The Return of the Jews—Time and Manner of the Establishment of the Kingdom of God—The Day of the Lord, and the Promises to Israel. Second edition revised. 168 pages; price, post-paid, 20 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.; Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
RECEIPTS.
By Editor
CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE FUND.—Ferndale $2.50, Arcata $19.10.
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HEALDSBURG COLLEGE.—A C Bartlett $5.
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BOOKS SENT BY FREIGHT.—L S Campbell, Review and Herald, Isaac Morrison.
BOOKS SENT BY EXPRESS.—Mrs M J McCullough, Effie M Rankin, Jennie Hensley, F T Lamb, J C Leer, Frank Lamb, Mrs L A Fero, Mrs A E Mouthrope, Philip Kent, A T Webster, Eld Wm Ings, Geo W Voris, Mrs Ida Gates, E T Palmer.
North Pacific Camp-Meeting.
THE time fixed upon for this meeting is May 18-25. This is earlier than usual for camp-meetings in this Conference, but it is necessary to hold it thus early that we may secure the services of Elder George I. Butler, who will, no preventing providence, be at this meeting.
We expect this will be the largest gathering of Sabbath-keepers ever convened in Oregon; therefore, let there be a general attendance of all the scattered Sabbath-keepers. We want those who have been longer in the way to become acquainted with those who have more recently started. This is the first opportunity that Oregon and Washington have had to meet Elder Butler, and we desire that none, except those kept away by actual duty, shall sacrifice the blessings which we expect at this general convocation.
Let those who wish either to rent or purchase tents correspond with Wm. Potter, East Portland, Oregon, box 18. We expect usual reduction of railroad rates.
Remember the time, May 18-25. The place is at or near Portland. Do not fail to be in season.
NORTH PACIFIC CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
Thoughts on the Books of Daniel and the Revelation.
By Uriah Smith
By Uriah Smith,
PROFESSOR OF BIBLE EXEGESIS IN BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE.
AN INTERESTING AND INSTRUCTIVE BOOK, WHICH SCIENTISTS, HISTORIANS, SCRIPTURISTS, AND ALL LOVERS OF GOOD LITERATURE EVERYWHERE, CAN READ WITH INTEREST AND PROFIT.
It is generally conceded that the books of Daniel and the Revelation are the most wonderful books in the Bible. What reader of the Scriptures, as he has scanned the marvelous landscape of those prophetic fields, has not felt an intense desire to understand the striking images that appear, and find the key that unlocks the meaning of the mazy movements of the different agents in the panorama, as their long evolutions unfold, and kingdoms arise and disappear, and the thunderbolts of God's indignation at length smite from his path all the organized host of his incorrigible enemies.
THE TRUE PRINCIPLE OF INTERPRETATION.
The author gives us in this work the mature conclusions of nearly thirty years of study. Speculations and fanciful theories are not indulged in; but by means of these principles of interpretation by which such men as Tyndale, Luther, Melancthon, Zwingli, and their co-laborers, brought out the truth which they gave to the world, a flood of light is thrown upon these books unequaled by that of any other work, ancient or modern. This is believed to be the only attempt to explain these books, or at least the Revelation, according to those rational principles of exegesis which have been the basis of all the reforms of the past five hundred years, and the result is indeed marvelous.
A SAFEGUARD AGAINST SKEPTICISM.
We recommend this work as one of the most effectual antidotes for infidelity. Whenever a writing is found to have predicted events to occur from five to forty centuries from the time it was written, and those events have been fulfilled to the very letter, such facts place upon that writing a stamp of divinity which it is hard for prejudice to ignore or sophistry to efface. And such is the case with the prophetic portions of the Holy Scriptures. Hundreds have been rescued from skepticism by these lines of argument. The prophetic Scriptures are too little studied. It is these which especially constitute the Bible a lamp to our feet and light to our path. Ps. 119:105; 2 Pet. 1:19.
HISTORICAL VALUE.
Historically, the book is of great value. The main currents of history are explored, and the leading events of the greatest national developments of the earth are so grouped together, and presented in such a light, as to make a deep impression upon the mind, and take a lasting hold upon the memory. Abundance of testimony is drawn from historical works, both ancient and modern, and the most reliable authorities, making clear the meaning of these important books of the Bible, and conveying an amount of information not to be found elsewhere in so concise a form.
THE GREAT CHAIN OF HISTORY.
The rise and fall of the four leading kingdoms of the past are uniquely presented at one view by Daniel's great image of gold, silver, brass, and iron. But we are taken from the days of the old Chaldean Empire, down through Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. The introduction, development, and final triumph of the gospel of Christ is shown. The divisions of Rome, from which have sprung the modern nations of Europe, are clearly set forth. We are then taken down through the Dark Ages, during which the Romish Church and the false religion of Mohammed divided the civilized world between them. The terrible French Revolution of 1793 to 1798, in which, for the purpose of teaching mankind a lasting lesson, the principles of infidelity and merely human philosophy were suffered to come to maturity and bear their baleful fruits, is not passed by. This is followed by a wonderful age of knowledge, in which such advancement is made in the arts and sciences as was never before dreamed of, and the discovery of new elements in chemistry, new principles of philosophy, and marvelous inventions, continually astonish the world.
SOLD BY SUBSCRIPTION ONLY. AGENTS WANTED.
We can give profitable employment to 1000 energetic, live, wide-awake agents, either men or women. Send for circulars and terms to agents, etc.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING HOUSE, Twelfth and Castro Streets, Oakland, Cal., U. S. A., General Agents for the Pacific Coast States and Territories, the Sandwich Islands, New Zealand, and Australia.
Marvel of Nations.
"OUR COUNTRY, the Marvel of Nations; Its Past, Present, and Future, and What the Scriptures Say of It," is the title of a new and popular work, on a subject of the deepest interest to all American citizens, by U. Smith, author of "Smith's Parliamentary Rules," and other popular works. It takes a brief but comprehensive view of our Government from a historical, political, and religious standpoint.
It also shows that the United States is a subject of prophecy; that an outline of its history was written nearly two thousand years ago. It calls the attention of the reader to a chain of prophecy of which our Government is an important link, and shows that the location, the time of its rise, the nature of its Constitution, and its wonderful growth and subsequent influence, as well as its rather attitude, were all clearly foreseen and pointed out by the prophet of God, hundreds of years ago.
The "Marvel of Nations" is a work of 282 pages. It contains a steel plate of the author, and over forty illustrations. Price, postpaid, $1.00.
Address,
PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
Prohibition and the Liquor Traffic.
It is reported that one feature of Gladstone's reported plan for home-rule in Ireland, is to be a provision proportioning Ireland's representation to her contribution to the revenue of the empire. Commenting on this, the S. F. Chronicle says:—
“This would lead to some curious results. One of the chief sources of imperial revenue in Ireland is the excise duty on whisky. If parliamentary representation is to be regulated by revenue, and not by population, then it will be the whisky that will vote, and not the men. Such a plan would work curiously in this country. If congressional representation were regulated by the amount of money contributed by each State to the Federal Treasury, California, which pays $2,600,000 for internal revenue, should have fifty times as many members as Maine, which only pays $50,000. This would probably lead to the repeal of the Maine law.”
It would be a queer law which would make the amount of liquor produced and consumed the basis of representation, and we hope that no country will ever place such a premium on the liquor business. As it is now, whisky largely controls this country. But what does the Chronicle mean when it says that the introduction of such a plan into this country would lead to the repeal of the Maine law? Hasn't it, in common with nearly all secular papers, told us again and again that the Maine law had no effect on the liquor traffic? Haven't all the drunkard-makers in the country bitterly opposed prohibition, because prohibition is so ineffective a measure against the liquor traffic? The truth will occasionally appear, and the truth in this case is that everybody knows that it is a fact that prohibition and free whisky cannot exist in the same State.
Sunday and First Day.
IN his last lecture Joseph Cook said: “It is not true that a Monday journal requires a large amount of work on Sunday. There is very little work on a Monday journal of average size that cannot be done after sunset on Sunday, especially in the winter nights. Practical journalists know very well that by a brisk use of the hours from sunset Sunday to sunrise Monday, a journal can be issued on Monday morning.” But would not this be quite a break into the Sunday? Or does Mr. Cook think that it is no sin to work on Sunday provided one works in the dark? It should be well understood by all that Sunday begins at midnight and ends at midnight. Not so the first day of the week. That begins at sunset and ends at sunset; because the Sabbath, which immediately precedes the first day of the week, begins at sunset and ends with the sunset following. If Mr. Cook is going to throw Romanism overboard to the extent of adopting the Bible computation of time, he ought, in all consistency, to let go the pope’s Sabbath and adopt the Sabbath of the Bible.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE
International Tract and Missionary Society.
A sixteen-page Religious Family Paper, devoted to a discussion of the Prophecies, Signs of the Times, Second Coming of Christ, Harmony of the Law and Gospel; with Departments devoted to Health and Temperance, the Home Circle, the Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-school.
Price Per Year, post-paid, - - - - - - $2.00
In clubs of five or more copies to one name and address, to be used in Missionary work, each, - - - - - - 1.50
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Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
Twelfth and Castro Streets, OAKLAND, CAL., U. S. A.
State Quarterly Meeting.
By Wm. Ings
THE State Quarterly Meeting will be held in connection with the general meeting at Oakland, which will commence April 22. We hope to see a general rally of our working force. We are to be favored with the labors of Elders Butler and Haskell, who are prepared to impart just the instruction pertaining to the work that is needed. These faithful men have had long experience in the message, and we need their counsel. Plans will be considered for a more vigorous prosecution of the work throughout the Conference. Cities must be entered, and missions established at all of the railroad centers, where our publications can be placed in the hands of the people.
Ways must be devised by which a canvass can be made for our periodicals throughout our Conference. The sale of our publications must be pushed. Colporters must visit from house to house and introduce Bible-readings. The work of our ship mission needs considering, and in order to accomplish this, we must have the counsel and the co-operation of the brethren.
Elder McClure, who is now at the Chicago Mission, will be prepared to give general instruction to the workers. The State Secretary will impart instruction to librarians and district secretaries. We also expect those present who have had experience in canvassing, and who will give instruction in that branch of the work. Thus it will be a school of instruction.
Then the best of all, we expect to have the Spirit of God with us to prepare us for the duties before us.
Do not let anything stand in your way to keep you from this meeting. Begin to get ready at once, and come prepared to stay till its close.
WM. INGS.
THERE is truth in the following words from the Independent: “The trade union managers, who claim the right to regulate arbitrarily almost everything else relating to workingmen, simply claim the right to exercise the power of an unmitigated and abominable despotism, alike over employers and employes. The working men will, in the end, find this out; and then they will assert their own rights against these labor ‘bosses.’”
AN exchange says that in Michigan no one but a total abstainer is allowed to be employed as engineer, train-dispatcher, fireman, brakeman, or other railroad servant. Any railroad violating this law is liable to a fine of $500 for each offense.
OAKLAND, CAL., FIFTH-DAY, MARCH 25, 1886
By Editor
The Sabbath for Man.
“CAN people in every part of the world keep the seventh day?” Yes; if they have a mind to. Notice the following facts: 1. God “made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.” Acts 17:26. 2. “In six days the Lord made heaven and earth.” Ex. 20:11. Since God made the earth, he knew that it is round. Therefore he designed that men should live on all the face of a round world. 3. “The Sabbath was made for man.” Mark 2:27. “Man” is a comprehensive term, embracing the whole human race. Therefore the Lord designed that the Sabbath should be kept on every part of the globe. 4. “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” Ex. 20:10. Therefore the Lord designed that the seventh day should be kept by all men in all parts of the world. Unless there is a man bold enough to say that the Lord made a mistake in his calculations, the above facts settle the question. Add to the above the fact that nobody ever found any trouble in keeping the Sabbath in any part of the world, and there is no ground left for a doubt in regard to the matter.