Earlier text: Methods of LaborGood News from Southampton, England.
By Editor
THE following from Brother Durland is copied from a postal sent by him to Brother Butler. It is dated April 2:— "I am still holding meetings here. I had the largest congregation last night that I have had since I have been here. Our Sabbath-keepers were obliged to give most of the room to those from without, and stay out on the stairway. Two have begun to keep the Sabbath, and four or five more are just on the turning point. I cannot see how I can close yet. I feel that a few more meetings may help these souls to decide. I baptized four yesterday. We had a nice place at the Baths. The place was about thirty feet wide and eighty feet long, made of stone and cement. We can have the water any desired depth. Everything passed off quietly. "There were two more who we expected would go forward, but they were not quite ready; I think we can have another baptism by the time you come back; if I am not disappointed we shall have five or six at that time. "You can imagine how we are crowded when I tell you that we have less than forty chairs, and have about forty-six to forty-eight in our Sabbath-school. I have tried to get a larger room, but have not found anything yet that we can reach. "I am anxious to get into a new field soon. Brother Sargent is anxious for me to go over to the Isle of Wight. He and his family are the only Sabbath-keepers on the island. I think I shall go over there and try it as soon as I can leave here. My courage is good. I feel that the Lord is good." [No one should be very anxious to go to another place while having so good a prospect of good results where he is as Brother D. here presents.] Since the above, we have received the following note from Brother John, concerning the work in England:— "We are now working early and late to get out the first number of The Present Truth. We of course will use it as our mission paper. I think I can retain most of my regular subscribers for the SIGNS. I will do my best for it. Many times has it cheered us in our work, and we hope to so live that it may do so still. "From the way things are shaping here, it seems evident that the work must rapidly advance in the near future. Three more have lately commenced to observe the Sabbath. We are of good courage. "When we remember the pleasant meetings of the past with our friends in America, we long for the grand meeting at the marriage supper of the Lamb. *May the Lord help us all to be faithful until Jesus appears." An Acknowledgement.
By Editor
IN a letter containing a subscription order, from a lady in Union County, Oregon, are the following appreciative and encouraging words: "I came in possession of the SIGNS about two years ago, through the kindness of a friend, for which I tender my sincere thanks. It has been a great comfort to me; and it will probably never be revealed in this world how much comfort and consolation your instructive communications have been to many who have been laboring under a life-long mistake. But may God be praised that he has put his will into the hearts of men to point so plainly and accurately his plans and precepts. "I believe the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord, and am trying to keep it; and I solicit the prayers of your people that I may be more faithful, for it appears that my efforts are so feeble that there seems to be no good in them. There are no Adventists here, no Sabbath-keepers, and I feel as one standing alone; yet I know that Jesus stands with those who desire to serve him in the right way. I hope to be able to attend the camp-meeting in Portland. "I want to do something for Jesus, and what can it be? Though I am sorely afflicted, and have been for several years, yet I know there is some place for me in my Master's vineyard. You have my earnest prayers for abundant success, and may the blessing of God rest upon his faithful workers." Directors' Meeting.
By W. K. Vickery
At a meeting of the Directors of the Pacific S. D. A. Publishing Association held on the evening of April 28, 1884, Eld. S. N. Haskell was duly elected President; C. H. Jones, Vice-President, W. K. Vickery, Secretary; B. R. Nordyke, Treasurer, and W. N. Glenn, Auditor, for the ensuing year. Report of N. P. T. and M. Society,
By Mrs. C. L. Boyd
FOR QUARTER ENDING APRIL 30, 1884. No. of members............................ 150
" " reports returned ...................... 74
" " members added ......................... 13
" " " dismissed.......................... 7
" " letters written........................ 395
" " visits made............................ 369
" " pp. of tracts given away...............30,564
" " " " and pamphlets loaned....30,548
" " " " " sold......10,305
" " periodicals distributed................ 4,545
" " SIGNS taken in clubs................... 175 New subscribers obtained—for Review, 12; SIGNS, 42; SIGNS (trial), 19; Instructor, 23; Harolden, 6; Stimme, 1; Tidende, 1. Received on memberships and donations, $176.17; on sales, $60.59; on periodicals, $124.25; on other funds; $82.00. No of ships visited, 32. MRS. C. L. BOYD, Sec. The Power of Personal Influence
A MISSIONARY tells of a poor Christian woman in India who said to him: "I have no money for missions, but I can speak to my neighbors and urge them to come to the Saviour I have so joyfully found." She had learned what was better and richer than gold and silver, the power of personal influence through an earnest zeal for Christ. And so, in her humble way, she had led eleven persons to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world. Many a whole church, the past year, has come short of such success. Blind Watchmen
By London Christian
It is a terrible calamity for a country when Isaiah's words concerning Israel's prophets can be applied to it: "His watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant (of the condition of things around them); they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping (margin—dreaming, talking in their sleep), lying down, loving to slumber." Is not a great deal of our pulpit oratory, when compared with the terrible facts of life, like that of men dreaming and talking in their sleep? "THERE goes Miss Benton in her carriage; how pretty she is! I do not believe there is a girl in this town who is as free from care and as happy as she," said Amy Norton, turning from the window with a tired, weary look on her face. There was just the least bit of petulance in her voice, and a lady who had been sitting near, busily writing, raised her eyes from the page, as the tone, not the words, made an impression on her ear. "What is the matter, dear?" she asked, for the girl sighed as she lifted the ruffles of dark cloth she had been hemming, and began to sew again, putting her needle swiftly in, as if from the very expending of her energy there came relief. She did not answer the question for a moment, and it was repeated, as Mrs. Lacy put down her writing and crossed to her side. Lifting the girl's downcast face, she looked into the eyes, which were full of unshed tears, and gently said:— "You are tired, Amy, dear; let us have a little talk; lay your sewing by for a time. Now tell me what it is that has made you unhappy?" There was no resisting Aunt Fanny's loving voice and words, and Amy half ashamedly put aside her work, as she said:— "I am not exactly unhappy, aunty, but I could not help thinking how differently some people are placed in this world, and how unequally riches and other privileges are distributed. Here I am, the daughter of a poor clergyman, the eldest in a family of six children. Mother would be overworked if I did not help her in mending, dressmaking, and housework. I am fond of my books; you know how I enjoy music, how I would love to continue my lessons, and have the opportunity of hearing good music oftener, and yet all is so different from what I want it to be. I am not often discontented, but I am so tired this afternoon, and the day is too glorious to be indoors, and I felt if this dress had not to be finished for Bertie to wear to church to-morrow, I would gladly escape to the woods, and take a long rest. And while I was wishing to be free as a bird, I saw Miss Benton drive by in her lovely carriage, and I could not but contrast our lives. She was beautifully dressed, as usual, and she never seems to have anything harder to do than to enjoy herself, and she is just my age, and—and—and," here poor Amy broke down utterly, and sobbed out a few incoherent words. Mrs. Lacy soothed her for a little in silence, then began tenderly: "As you truly say, Amy, you are not often discontented. Your patient, cheerful doing of the tasks which lie before you, even though they are distasteful oftentimes, is very pleasant for me to see. You are relieving your dear mother, and giving her the leisure she could not otherwise obtain, and her sweet face, where anxieties and past cares have left their traces, is growing young again. Your father, too, is happy in his work, feeling that all the burdens and privations of a poor clergyman's lot are not borne alone by his loved wife, but are shared by a loving daughter, who is constantly striving to aid those about her. You see, dear, you are doing a good work; this is your mission, for a time at least, while your little brothers and sisters need care. Sometimes it may seem dull and monotonous, these daily tasks, but a contented spirit, which God gives to his sincere followers, will help you along wonderfully. Contentment is a great blessing, and we are all told to cultivate it ourselves. We may have our trials and privations, but we have besides much for which to give thanks daily. Our health, our kind friends, and hosts of other mercies are ours. We must try and remember, too, that we are in far better circumstances than many others." "I know all that, aunty," interrupted Amy, "but I am sure rich people have far less to annoy them than poor people have. I do not believe Miss Benton knows what it is to 'count the cost.' She has every single thing that money can buy." "Yes, everything," repeated Aunt Fanny, slowly, "everything but health." "Oh, I forgot!" cried the girl, a blush dyeing her cheeks. "It never seems as if she were sick; she is always so bright, and is able to drive about. I did not remember that she could walk only a very little, poor girl. How I should feel if I were prevented from walking when and where I wished." "You see, dear, there is alloy in all that seems at first pure and precious; I do not mean to say that poverty brings happiness, and riches drive it away. Far from it; but I do mean to say, throwing aside the question of money, when other things are equal, that those whom we often envy have many hidden trials which we do not suspect, and which, perhaps, we could not bear as easily if we had them as we do our own. People do not always parade their griefs. Poverty is sometimes endured with more fortitude because of the very sympathy we know others have for us; but those discomforts which worry and wear upon us in secret, and which we hide with smiling face from the world, are the burdens which carry more people to the grave with broken hearts than ever poverty and its trials do." "I never thought of that before, aunty. When I am tired and vexed I am selfish, I know, and apt to think I have more than other people to bear." "It is a natural feeling to others as well as yourself, darling, and we must all strive to overcome such a spirit. The older you grow, and the more you see of the world, the more readily will you appreciate the truth that 'every heart knoweth its own bitterness.' You will learn the wisdom of being contented with your own lot, doing the best you can with God's help, and above all, never envying those who may seem richer and more fortunate than yourself."
Amy was smiling now. Ashamed of her repinings, she was ready to take up her work with loving light in her eyes, then she said:—
"I will tell you the quaint story I once read in some old book, which gave the origin of the popular saying, 'There is a skeleton in every house,' or 'closet,' some have it. Perhaps it will help you a little, when you are tempted to envy others. I never find myself wishing I were in the place of one whom I think to be perfectly happy, but the old story, teaching its truth so plainly, comes to my mind, and I take up my burden, heavy though it may be, and try to go on cheerfully, treading the road God's providence has marked out for me. The story goes, that living many, many years ago in the city of Naples, was a wealthy widow, the Countess Corsini. Her one idol was her son, her only child. He was worthy of her great love, and grew up admired and respected by all who knew him. He was educated in the University of Bologna, and by his diligence he soon became celebrated as a great scholar. Every vacation he returned to his mother's villa, and those days were dearly prized by the widow, who lived with no thought but for her son and his happiness. Her only dread was the 'Gorgon thought' which came at times, what if she should lose him? At last, just before he was to return for his holidays, he was taken very ill, and the physicians assured him he must die. He had no fear for himself, but he dreaded the effect of the news upon his mother, knowing her great love for him. He, therefore, sent word that he was very ill, but that a fancy had seized him that he should recover if he was to have a shirt made for his wearing by the woman in Naples who would confess herself to be 'perfectly happy.' The poor mother thought it a strange request, though one easily granted. Surely in the great city were many happy women. All those, however, about whom she made special inquiries, were found to have some sorrow which secretly was clouding their lives. At last she heard of one rich lady, whom the great world pronounced 'perfectly happy,' and to her home she went. A cheerful, middle-aged woman greeted the countess pleasantly, and asked in what way she might aid her. It took but a few moments to tell the story, but as she spoke, the countess noticed her hostess grew very sad, and silently she led the way into a lonely room, from the ceiling to the floor of which hung a curtain; this she drew aside, and there in all its hideousness was a skeleton. It was that of the lady's lover whom she had forsaken to marry her husband. The wicked husband had killed him, and then hanging his body from this ceiling, compelled his wife, night and morning, to look upon the ghastly sight. The countess was much affected by the story, and when the news of her son's death reached her, she perceived the wisdom of his request, and while she mourned his loss most deeply, she felt that others, too, had their griefs, and that she was not alone walking in the dark road of sorrow, but that by her side were many weary and stricken as herself, even though they wore the mask of joy for the world to look upon. One more word, dear," said Aunt Fanny, as she finished the story; "I will close my little sermon by giving you a precious verse, which helps me out of the despondency which often comes, even after I know that I am not the only one with the grim skeleton of sorrow and trouble hanging before me. It is this," and with these words on her lips, Aunt Fanny kissed Amy's sweet face and went back to her writing:—
"The little worries which we meet each day,
May lie as stumbling-blocks across our way;
Or, we may make them stepping-stones to be,
Of grace, O Christ, to Thee." The Home Circle.
By San Francisco Call
KEEP NOTHING FROM MOTHER.
THEY sat at the spinning together,
And they spun the fine white thread;
One face was old and the other young—
A golden and silver head. At times the young voice broke in song,
That was wonderfully sweet;
And the mother's heart beat deep and calm,
For her joy was most complete. There was many a holy lesson,
Interwoven with silent prayer,
Taught to her gentle, listening child,
As the two sat spinning there. “And of all that I speak, my darling,
From my older head and heart,
God giveth me one last thing to say,
And with it thou shalt not part. “Thou wilt listen to many voices,
And ah! woe that this must be!
The voice of praise, and the voice of love,
And the voice of flattery. “But listen to me, my little one,
There’s one thing that thou shalt fear—
Let never a word to my love be said
Which her mother may not hear. “No matter how true, my darling one,
The words may seem to thee,
They are not fit for my child to hear
If they cannot be told to me. “If thou'lt ever keep thy young heart pure,
And thy mother's heart from fear,
Bring all that is said to thee by day,
At night to thy mother's ear.” Quietness Better Than Strife
SOLOMON was a man of experience as well as of wisdom, and he could say, "Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife." THIS is the nickname Helen's mates all gave her, and I'm sorry to say it was appropriate. She was interesting in many ways, but cross from morning till night, and though not in her teens, "crows feet" already disfigured her brows. A voice originally sweet was fast becoming shrill and discordant, and rosy lips, from a habit of pouting, protruded far too much for beauty. She wondered why other girls were greater favorites than herself; why her mother's most intimate friends soon become weary and indifferent towards her. Some of these ugly facts stared her in the face every day. Still she never stopped to reflect on the cause of such disagreeable effects, but fretted, fumed, and scolded because everybody was having nicer times than herself. She had a darling blue-eyed sister, golden-haired, sunny-faced, with a nature so genial, and a disposition so lovable, her friends, young and old, called her "Sunbeam." A regular duty of these two sisters was to wash up the breakfast and tea things each day, to relieve their mother, who was burdened with many cares, but deprived herself of their assistance at other times that they might attend school. One March morning a heavy sleet covered the ground. After breakfast, as Eva was feeding the poultry, Helen looked out of the window and noticed her sister's happy countenance as she stood with her flock of white Leghorns and Chillagongs around her; some of the tamest were eating crumbs from her hand. Although a pretty sight, it roused Helen's envy, and her cross spirit vented itself in scolding. "You lazy girl! Out there playing with the chickens! Come right in to your work!" Eva made no reply—only continued to smile and scrape the dish she held in her hand. This was too much for "Cross Patch;" so she crept up behind Eva, and jerking her by the arm, exclaimed, "You naughty girl! Why don't you come in when I call you?" The plate was shivered to atoms—a small matter compared with the accident which befell poor Eva, for she slipped on the ice in such a manner as to dislocate her hip, and was carried into the house shrieking with pain. A surgeon was summoned, and all that love and skill could devise was done for her relief, but for hours her suffering was intense. This deplorable accident finally ended in a disease of the hip, by which poor Eva was rendered a cripple for life! You may rest assured that Helen was cured of her scolding; a terrible cure certainly, but a sure one. No one ever heard a cross word escape from her lips again; but tears often filled her eyes, and her perfect devotion to her injured sister was attested by many loving and delicate attentions. Helen hunted the woods for the earliest wild flowers; gathered baskets of tiny rocks, shells, lovely mosses, ferns and lichens; read and sang to Eva; caressed her tenderly as if trying (ah! so vainly!) to make amends for past unkindness. Helen could never be happy again. She wore a sad face, and her heart was sadder still, aching with bitter remorse and unavailing regrets. The neighbors and school children clubbed together and purchased a comfortable invalid's chair for their little favorite Eva, and during the pleasant spring days Helen took a mournful pleasure in wheeling her sister around the yard under the lilacs, the rose bushes, the cherry and apple trees. Grateful smiles were her sweet reward, for Eva's was a forgiving heart, and though a daily sufferer during the few years she lived, the little invalid was ever patient and uncomplaining. Persons often remarked, "What a pity her bright young life should be thus overshadowed!" They could not see the darker, invisible cloud which brooded over Helen's spirit, Helen's home, Helen's life, and all the sad result of a needless display of ill-temper. Dear children, never scold! Never ill-treat a brother or sister. You know not the sorrow it may cause. Be "sunbeams" like Eva, if you would be loved, lovely and happy. "Let children love one another."—Canada Presbyterian. It is generally considered when speaking of people remarkable for flesh, that Daniel Lambert leads the list. He was an Englishman by birth, born in 1770. Up to the age of 19 he was merely a muscular fellow, able to lift great weights and carry 500 pounds with ease. He succeeded his father as keeper of a prison, led an easy and sedentary life, which soon told upon his bulk. In 1793 he walked from Woolwich to London to reduce himself. He weighed at the time 448 pounds. He grew so fat that he could no longer attend to the duties of his office, and the magistrate retired him on a pension of £200 a year. Fat as he was, he was an excellent swimmer, and opened a swimming school, where he gave lessons with great success. So great was his bulk that he could swim with two men on his back. Retiring, he determined to exhibit himself, and, being unable to travel in an ordinary vehicle, had one made for him. In London he was quite the center of attraction, from the king down. In June, 1809, he weighed, and tipped the beam at 737 pounds. His measure around the waist was three yards four inches, and he was one yard four inches around the leg. Each suit of clothes cost him $100, and were, of course, made to order. Seven ordinary men could be buttoned under his coat at a time. He died June 20, 1809, and his coffin was six feet four inches wide, two feet four inches deep, and required 112 superficial feet of plank to make it. It was built on two axletrees and four wheels. Twenty men worked half an hour to get this monster into the grave, and at last slid the coffin down an inclined plane. THE EARLY LIFE, CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE, AND EXTENSIVE LABORS OF
THE production of this book was the last literary labor performed by Elder White. As nearly the whole of his active labor was performed in connection with the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, which he was largely instrumental in founding, the work is necessarily quite a complete history of that people. The book abounds in interesting incidents, personal sketches, and religious experiences, some of which are quite remarkable, and altogether it forms a volume at once instructive and interesting. 416 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address
SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. LIFE OF WILLIAM MILLER,
By Editor
This book contains sketches of the Christian experience and public labors of this remarkable man. No other man in this century has been more widely spoken of, and more generally misunderstood. These sketches were prepared by those who were his co-laborers, and are a true presentation of the leading events of his life and labors. In addition to the life and character of the man, the character of the Great Advent Movement, in which he acted so prominent a part, is clearly set forth. It is shown that Mr. Miller was no mere enthusiast, but a man of calm judgment, and his interpretation of the prophecies was mainly correct, his only mistake being in regard to the nature of the event to take place at the close of the 2300 days, in 1844. No one can consider himself well versed in the history of the advent movement in this country who has not read this book. 408 pp. Price, $1.00.
Address,
SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. SMITH'S COMPREHENSIVE
By Editor
NEW EDITION, octavo size, 1,200 pages, with many important additions and improvements from the works of the most eminent scholars, commentators, and travelers. It is designed to be In regard to the pronunciation and signification of Scriptural names; the solution of difficulties respecting the interpretation, authority, and harmony of the Old and New Testaments; the history and description of Biblical customs, events, places, persons, animals, plants, etc. In this book it is designed to make everything intelligible to those who understand only the English language, and to place them as nearly as possible on a level with the scholars who are familiar with the original languages of the Scriptures. All the words in the vocabulary are pronounced and divided into syllables, and words or parts of words are respelled whenever this is necessary to indicate the pronunciation. The book contains numerous maps, and is abundantly supplied with superior engravings, which are of real utility to the student. No one who desires to study the Scriptures intelligently will be without a copy of this most excellent book. Price, in cloth, $5.00; in library binding, $6.00. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. SABBATH READINGS
By Editor
COMPILED BY MRS. E. G. WHITE. THESE are some of the few really good books. For twenty years Mrs. White has been selecting choice, interesting, and instructive stories, the best of which are presented in these four volumes of 400 pages each. It would be difficult to find a better collection. The selections have been carefully made, and none need fear to place them in the hands of the young. They are not, however, designed exclusively for the young, but are adapted for general home reading. All the members of the family circle will find something in them to entertain and instruct. They are just the thing for holiday or birthday gifts. Price per set, neatly put up in box, $2.25. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. A CONTRAST OF TRUE AND FALSE THEORIES.
THIS is a pamphlet of only 84 pages, but its value is not to be judged by its size. It is just what its title indicates: a faithful presentation of Bible truth on this important subject, and an exposure of the false theories prevailing in regard to it. Every believer in Bible truth should read it. Buy it, read it, and lend it to your neighbor. Price, 10 cents. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. ALL of God's people, the rich and poor, are under the same law. The possessor of sufficient provision for one day is as much a steward of God as the millionaire. THE following rather curious piece of composition was recently placed upon the blackboard at a teachers' institute, and a prize of a Webster's Dictionary offered to any person who could read it and pronounce every word correctly. The book was not carried off, however, as twelve was the lowest number of mistakes in pronunciation made:— "A sacrilegious son of Belial, who suffered from bronchitis, having exhausted his finances, in order to make good the deficit, resolved to ally himself to a comely, lenient, and docile young lady of the Malay or Caucasian race. He accordingly purchased a calliope and coral necklace of a chameleon hue, and, securing a suite of rooms at a principal hotel, he engaged the head waiter as his coadjutor. He then dispatched a letter of the most unexceptional calligraphy extant, inviting the young lady to a matinee. She revolted at the idea, refused to consider herself sacrificable to his desires, and sent a polite note of refusal, on receiving which he procured a carbine and a bowie-knife, said that he would not now forge fetters hymenæal with the queen, went to an isolated spot, severed his jugular vein and discharged the contents of the carbine into his abdomen. The debris was removed by the coroner." The mistakes in pronunciation were made on the following words: Sacrilegious, Belial, bronchitis, exhausted, finances, deficit, comely, lenient, docile, Malay, calliope, chameleon, suite, coadjutor, calligraphy, matinee, sacrificable, carbine, hymenæal, isolated, jugular, and debris.—Pacific Printer. —A prominent Jew expresses the opinion that if Christians would exemplify what they claim as Christian teaching, the Jews might soon be converted. —The Christian Intelligencer remarks that the real work of every denomination is performed by a minority, and it will be found that of this minority nearly every family reads the denominational paper. —The African M. E. General Conference, now in session at New York, has deposed Bishop Hilliary of California, on charges of financial dishonesty, drunkenness, and other immoral conduct, preferred by his own church in San Francisco. —There is a Bible still preserved, written on palm leaves, in the University of Goettingen, containing 5,376 leaves. Another Bible, of the same material, is at Copenhagen. There were also, in Sir Hans Sloan's collection, more than twenty manuscripts, in various languages, on the same material. —In the Methodist General Conference the Committee on Itinerancy have reported a resolution that direct negotiations between the pastor and churches in advance of making appointments by the bishops, are contrary to the spirit of itinerancy. The committee found it inexpedient to take action as to licensing women to preach or ordaining them. —The Protestant churches are represented to be making rapid headway with religious work in Mexico. The Presbyterians have fifty-six missionaries, over 7,000 communicants, and 400 children in their mission schools. The Episcopalians report forty-five places of worship, 1,500 communicants, and 400 scholars in their mission schools. The Methodists have eighty-six missionaries and teachers, and a large number of members in their churches. Other denominations are meeting with equal success. —The Mormon missionaries are said to be making great headway among the lower classes in Calhoun and other counties in Mississippi. A Chattanooga, Tenn., special of the 17th inst., says: 'To-day Elder Roberts left for Mississippi to attend the first conference ever held in the South. He states that at this conference it will be decided whether annual State conventions will be held. He favors them, saying that the church is growing with such marvelous rapidity in the South that such conferences have become necessary.' —A prominent part of the business of the Methodist General Conference at Philadelphia was the election of four bishops. A motion to fix the time to proceed with the election brought out a lively discussion. The Bible Banner says: "Rev. Dr. R. M. Hatfield, of Rock River Conference, got the floor, and spoke decidedly, directly charging that unchristian and improper methods had been and were being resorted to in order to bring about the election of certain persons to the episcopacy. A dead silence prevailed as he proceeded. 'I am deeply impressed,' he said, 'when I consider how seriously the reputation of the church is assailed by what is done in the election of bishops. Time was when the delegates spent two or three hours in prayer and then cast an informal vote for bishops. Alas! those days are no more.' The speaker protested against 'caucus-ing, log-rolling, and wire-pulling.' Bishop Andrews, who was presiding, looked amazed, and there were cries of 'order' on every side, but the Dr., turning and facing the conference, continued: 'My brethren, the eyes of hundreds of thousands of Methodists in the United States are turned to this body, and there is nothing that will so interest all Methodists as this very subject of electing bishops. Proceed to it, therefore, in a manner that will not shame all persons who love the church. Let us take up the election at the earliest day, so that there shall be no opportunity to prolong these outrageous methods.' Cries of 'shame' and 'order' rose on every side; but the Dr., raising his voice, exclaimed: 'It is an outrage, I say, that a man can hardly get out of a car here before he is button-holed by scheming delegates and all kinds of combinations suggested.' Here was a storm, a fourth of the conference on their feet crying 'order.' When Dr. Baldwin had spoken to the question of order, the bishop quietly declared: 'The speaker is not out of order.'" The following were subsequently chosen as bishops: Rev. Dr. Ninde, of the Detroit Conference; Rev. Dr. Walden, of the Western Book Concern, Cincinnati; Rev. Dr. Mallalien, and Rev. C. H. Fowler, D. D. —Congress has appropriated $1,000,000 to the New Orleans Exposition. —During a recent revolt in Yemen, Arabia, over 300 Turks were massacred. —A Louisville woman advertises to furnish "essays" and valedictories for graduates." —Bismarck's resignation of the presidency of the Prussian Cabinet has been accepted. —Fifteen men were killed by a railroad collision, near Connellsville, Pa., on the 14th inst. —The U. S. Senate has passed the bill placing General Grant on the retired list of the army. —A bill establishing free trade with the United States has passed the St. Domingo Congress. —Chas. O'Conor, the eminent New York lawyer, died at Nantucket on the 12th inst., aged 89 years. —Grizzly bears are said to be killing cattle at a discouraging rate in Sprague River Valley, Oregon. —The prospect of a large wheat surplus in South Australia is unusually good, on account of late rains. —Four men were killed, on the 17th inst., by a cave in Forest Spring Mine, near Grass Valley, Cal. —Two witnesses in the famous Hill-Sharon divorce case, San Francisco, have been committed for perjury. —In Leavenworth, Kansas, three men were convicted of murder on the 14th inst., and sentenced to be hanged. —British seamen are beginning to complain that Chinamen are being employed as firemen on English steamships. —The Anti-monopoly Convention, which met at Chicago on the 14th inst., nominated General Butler for President. —Another batch of Mormon "missionaries" have been sent to Arizona to "take in" converts and "take up" land. —Three vessels, the Bear, Thetis, and Alert, have started for the Arctic regions in search of the Greeley exploring party. —It is said that the existence of a society having for its object the freedom of Poland, has been discovered in Paris. —Cyrus H. McCormick, head of the great harvester manufacturing company, died at Chicago on the 13th inst., aged 75 years. —On the 16th inst., two murderers were hanged at Ashland, Ohio; three (colored) at Greenville, S. C., and one at Morrison, Ill. —The Society of California Pioneers is using its influence to secure for General Fremont a place on the retired list of the army. —The Massachusetts Legislature has enacted a law to prevent insurance companies from discriminating against colored people. —There are reports of rain in this State on the 14th inst., from as far north as Yreka, in Siskiyou County, and south to Los Angeles. —During a thunder-storm in the northern part of Colusa County, Cal., on the 17th inst., a large, new grain warehouse was completely destroyed. —The Gatling Gun Company, at Hartford, has twenty guns nearly finished, ten of them for the Chinese, and the rest supposed to be for Egypt. —W. B. Cash, the notorious South Carolina outlaw, who has been evading and defying the officers for several months, has been killed by his pursuers. —It is proposed in Congress to appoint a committee of experts to examine the coal-fields recently discovered on the White Mountain Reservation in Arizona. —A servant girl in the house of Harry Bowring, at Salt Lake, gave a baby a box of morphine pills to play with. It swallowed some of the pills and soon died. —Wall Street, New York, has had a panic, and several heavy speculating firms and some banks have failed; but it is claimed that the solid business of the country is not affected. —A San Francisco boatman fell from a wharf last week, and through the shock bit off half his tongue. A surgeon at the receiving hospital sewed on the piece, and it is thought it will recover. —By the burning of a malt manufacturing establishment in San Francisco, on the night of the 15th inst., two men lost their lives. They slept in the building and were surrounded by fire before they were aware of the danger, and were suffocated before they could escape.319 —Laying the corner-stone of the new Odd Fellows building in San Francisco, was the great event of last week. Nearly every county in the State was represented, and the procession numbered over 6,000 men. —A bar of bullion estimated to be worth $1,200 was found recently in the tailings pile of the Justice Somers claim at Stillwater, Esmeralda County, Nev., by the creditors of the mill, who were working the tailings. —The Papachoag Mill, Worcester, Mass., was burned on the 15th inst. It was used for the manufacture of woolen yarn. Loss, about $150,000. Many girls, it is said, were injured by jumping from windows. —Germany declines to recognize Portugal's claim to sovereignty over the Congo country. That extensive and fertile region promises to be a subject either of contention or compromise among the powers of Europe. —A movement has been started by the New England Tobacco Grower's Association, in which they anticipate co-operation from all parts of the country, looking to a removal of all internal revenue taxes on that article. —Earl Granville has instructed the English Embassy at Peking to inquire into the report concerning the terms of the Franco-Chinese treaty. England will demand equal rights with France to trade with the Chinese in the southern provinces. —Miss Charlotte Stephens, while visiting a friend in this city last week, assisted her in cleaning up the house and yard. Then, in setting fire to the trash, the flame caught her dress and she was burned and strangled to death before she could be rescued. —It is generally conceded that General Grant is an innocent victim in the failure of the firm of Grant & Ward, New York. He knew little about the business, which was entrusted entirely to his partners; and great advantage was taken of the use of his prominent and reputable name. —Judah P. Benjamin died in Paris on the 7th inst., aged 73 years. Before the Rebellion, he was a leading U. S. Senator, representing the State of Louisiana; during the war he was the leading mind in the Cabinet of the Confederacy; after the defeat of the Confederacy, he went to England, where he has since been a prominent member of the Bar. —The Grand Army of the Republic commander of this State has issued a circular deploring the fact that eight churches of San Francisco have arranged for a union picnic on Memorial Day. He considers this an "innovation," and "disrespectful to the memory of those who fought and died for the preservation of the Union." Lincoln Post, G. A. R., has also expressed "surprise and regret" in a series of resolutions. —A Gypsy woman attempted to steal a little child one evening last week, in San Francisco. She was sitting down in a vacant lot, when discovered, with the child covered in her shawl, and had a chloroformed handkerchief to its mouth. The almost frantic nurse girl had a hard struggle to get the child away from her, but finally succeeded, the thief threatening to take her life if she did not leave her alone. —Lloyd L. Majors, the double murderer, now confined in this city, and who is to be hanged tomorrow, made a desperate attempt to escape last Friday night. He knocked down the jailer and watchman with a slat from his bed, seized the keys, and got out. He ran several blocks, when he was recaptured and returned to jail with a broken arm. He struggled hard, and begged his captors to shoot him. He had that day received news of the death of his child.