p. 376 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 1, No. 47. (10/7/1875)

News and Miscellany.

—The north wing of the new Insane Asylum at Napa is completed, and will receive inmates next month.

—The cost of mail service in the United States in the year ending July, was $14,845,-250.15. To meet this, Congress appropriated $17,548,000, which leaves $2,702,749.85 to meet any additional requirements.

—Out of the more than twenty-five thousand votes cast in San Francisco, the temperance candidate for Governor, an unexceptional man, in every respect qualified for the position, gets seventy-one votes.

—Thirty more Chinese students from the province of Shanghai are expected here soon to be assigned by Yung Wing, of Hartford, to various educational institutions in that vicinity.

—Latest official advices from Herzegovina are satisfactory. The insurgents now appear willing to negotiate with the Consuls. There have been no offensive movements for several days. The latest encounters terminated in favor of the Turks. The migrating families are beginning to return.

—Russia has her domestic troubles with a secret organization of fanatical socialists, who are rapidly spreading their ideas throughout the empire, and preparing for a revolt at the first favorable opportunity. The fanaticism has taken root in the upper classes. The government deals harshly with them—recently arrested 612 men and women—but they thrive on “persecution.”

—The vote in New Jersey on the proposed amendments to the State Constitution resulted in a large majority in favor of the amendments as a whole. Although some of these amendments were aimed directly at the supposed desire of the Catholics for sectarian appropriations and for a division of the school fund, and although the Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Newark issued a letter against these amendments, the vote upon them was not materially reduced.

—The papal circular, just issued in Spain, forbids the exercise of any non-Catholic creed, requires the transfer of the superintendence over education to the clergy, and pledges the co-operation of the secular power in suppressing heretical teaching and literature. This has been followed by a statement that the failure of the government to accede to his demands will imperil the relations now existing between the King and Holy See. The result is great surprise and agitation among the Alfonsists. The re-establishment of the Inquisition, which is thus demanded would very quickly bring Spain into conflict with the Protestant powers.

—In England and our Eastern cities there is a mourners’ reform in progress—not exactly an organized Society of Reformed Mourners, but a public sentiment which aims to relieve families and persons who have lost friends, near or remote, from the burdens and expenses of sable goods, and white, and other fashionable inconveniences which are intended to express grief. This reform was adopted by many sensible and independent families in the West, years ago. They said if the love they manifested to the dead while they were living, by acts of kindness, respect, and helpfulness, were not sufficient to indicate real grief at the parting, the arts of the milliner and stationer would be poor substitutes.

STORM IN TEXAS.—Immense damage and very great loss of life have been sustained by the recent storms and floods in Texas. A fearful cyclone, followed by an unparalleled rise and overflow of the tide along the coast and up the bays, caused wide-spread ruin. A report from Galveston says that the town of Indianola is almost entirely demolished. The light-house, wharves, business houses, and dwellings are broken in pieces or swept away. There are only three houses remaining which are not deluged. The telegraph lines are down for miles. Railroads are washed away, and houses, fences and trees, are piled up in broken masses in the streets. Reports of the loss of life are conflicting. All agree that there were from one hundred to one hundred and fifty lives lost. Citizens are organizing for relief and will send food and clothing.

Ominous Words from Gen. Grant.

By J. H. Waggoner

PRESIDENT GRANT is not a talkative man; indeed, it has been denied that he can make a speech. But nobody denies that he can think for himself, and act when occasion requires. And his lack of talk gives his words all the more importance.

But lately he has disappointed everybody — he has made a speech at Des Moines, Iowa, which has attracted much attention and elicited much comment from the press. The following brief article from the San Francisco Chronicle of Oct. 1, gives a good idea of the speech, and shows what is thought of it :—

"WHAT CAN THE PRESIDENT MEAN?

"On the 29th of September there was a military 'reunion' at Des Moines, Iowa, on which occasion President Grant was present. Of course he was importuned to make a speech. Speech-making is an invariable and indispensable feature of American 'reunions.' The President, abandoning his usual and characteristic policy of reticence, responded to the call, and made the longest speech recorded against him in all his public career. He commenced by informing his audience that he was going to disappoint those who had called upon him 'in the expectation of getting a short speech.' This is not only the longest, but it also the most sparkling effort in the oratorical line that the President has ever made. 'If we are to have another contest in the near future,' he said, 'for our national existence, I predict that the dividing line will not be Mason and Dixon's but it will be between patriotism and intelligence on one side, and ambition, superstition and ignorance on the other.' The President then proceeded as follows :—

"'In this centennial year the work of strengthening the foundation of the structure begun by our forefathers one hundred years ago at Lexington should be begun. Let us all labor for more security of free thought, free speech, a free press, and pure morals, unfettered religious sentiments, and equal rights and privileges of all men, irrespective of nationality, color or religion. Encourage free schools and resolve that not one dollar appropriated to them shall be applied to the support of any sectarian school. Resolve that neither State nor nation shall support institutions save those where every child in the land may get a common school education, unmixed with atheist, pagan, or sectarian teachings. Leave the matter of religion to the family, and keep Church and State forever separate. With these safeguards I believe that the battles which created the army of Tennessee will not have been fought in vain.'

"Is this a prediction of a religious war? The whole tenor of the President's remarks seem to indicate that such was his meaning. He declares that the conflict which he foreshadows is not to be a sectional one. It is not to be between the North and the South. It is to be between 'patriotism and intelligence on the one side, and ambition, superstition and ignorance on the other.' How is this language to be interpreted except as a prediction of a religious war?"

President Grant is by no means a "sensational" man, and he would never have uttered these words if he did not see indications which warrant them. Evidently the subject of a "religious war" will soon attract the attention of our statesmen.

J. H. WAGGONER.

The Flint Camp-Meeting.

By D. M. Canright

I ARRIVED upon the camp-ground Friday morning. The weather was rather wet and cold, and it continued so during most of the meeting. Probably this prevented some from attending. The outside attendance was not very large; yet perhaps about a hundred attended all the meetings. On Sunday several hundred came, though it rained much of the day.

A good work has been done in Flint the past summer by Brethren Jones and Lamson. About seventy-five have come out on the truth. This meeting has strengthened them much. They took an active part in our meetings, several were baptized, and a number decided to keep the Sabbath who had not before committed themselves. Among them were Bro. and sister Betts, the first couple I married, which ceremony I performed some ten years ago in Tuscola County. The seed of truth was not lost, though it has been a long time coming up.

Bro. Smith came Sunday morning with a good report from Battle Creek. Brn. Jones and Burrill also assisted in preaching. The Lord gave good freedom in presenting the truth. The social meetings were all good and encouraging. A large number remarked that this was the first camp-meeting they had attended; some, that they had never heard an Adventist sermon before; and many stated that they had but recently embraced the truth. This shows that the truth is spreading in this section.

Sabbath afternoon two or three tent companies joined in prayer and social meetings. All reported most excellent seasons. One or more was converted in most of the meetings. About sixty of the brethren and sisters from Tuscola and Gratiot Counties met in the Vassar tent. Nearly all of these embraced the truth under the labors of myself and Bro. Van Horn when we first began to preach ten and eleven years ago. Those were very happy years in my experience, and these friends have always seemed dearer to me than any others; hence this meeting was a precious privilege to me. I rejoiced to see so many still faithful to God. But many have gone down to the silent grave to rest from their toils. But the saddest of all is that some have fallen under the power of the enemy. As we recalled the memories of the past on this occasion, the tears would come thick and fast. For two hours we talked and wept together like children. Every soul was deeply moved. I believe no one present will ever forget that meeting.

Monday morning we came together at nine. Our meeting continued over three hours, so that we had no sermon. To me at least this was by far the best meeting I have attended for many a month. After earnest and touching remarks had been made by several preachers, a call was made for those to come forward who would break away from sin and go with God's people. It was a most solemn place. The Spirit of God seemed to be moving upon the entire audience. Nearly every one was in tears. One after another came forward with the deepest emotion and weeping. Many of them were young men and women between fifteen and twenty-five years of age, the sons and daughters of Sabbath-keepers. The joy of their parents was inexpressible. Besides these, a large number of men and women came forward to take their stand for Christ and for the Sabbath for the first time. In all, there were about one hundred who thus came to seek God. As near as I could learn, not less than a dozen here took their stand for the first time to keep the Lord's Sabbath. This alone was worth all the labor of our meetings.

Besides these, fifty or more here started in the service of God for the first time. The others were those who had become more or less backslidden, but who now returned to God and to their place and duty in the work. Brother Fisher made a most touching confession, and an appeal to sinners which melted the stoutest hearts. An hour or two was spent in listening to the testimonies of these persons who had come forward. In the afternoon about thirty gave in their names for baptism. Nineteen of these were examined and taken into the different churches, and then they were baptized by Bro. Jones. The others will be baptized in a few days, as it was more convenient for them to wait.

Tuesday morning, at our parting meeting, Bro. A. O. Burrill was ordained to the work of the ministry. Thus closes another good camp-meeting. We feel sure that fruits of it will appear in the kingdom. It has greatly encouraged me to labor on, tired or not, with much or little apparent success, trusting in God for fruit by and by.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

California Mission Tent

By Editor

THE California Mission Tent, 96 by 60, is now pitched on McAllister street, between Gough and Octavia. There will be Preaching in the Tent each Evening, and Saturdays and Sundays at 11 A. M.

The Public cordially invited. Seats Free. COMMITTEE.

Kansas and Missouri Camp-Meeting.

Our annual gathering for 1875 is now in the past. In point of numbers, interest, and good results, this far surpassed any preceding meeting; although almost every circumstance appeared to be against us. The time of our appointment was twice changed. Then the time of the final notice was so very short that many found it necessary to start as soon as they knew where to go. Besides it was in the very busy season of haying and seeding. But this is not all, for having arrived on the camp-ground we learned that our beloved brother and sister White were not to be with us.

Disappointment was depicted on every face. So deeply did the brethren and sisters feel over the matter, that for the first day it appeared that the meeting would be a failure. Bro. Canright, however, began to work like a hero; but the darkness seemed to crowd upon him, and no marvel, when it was reflected from three hundred cloudy countenances.

On the second day the brethren began to realize the situation, and to look to the Lord for light and courage. Soon the cloud lifted and God's glorious light shone into our hearts. The disappointment was gone. The meetings grew in interest to the very close. The preaching was close and practical, the Spirit of the Lord was present to carry it to the hearts of the people, and the fruits were manifest in our social meetings. One feature I must mention, and that is, the spirit of confession, tenderness, and love between parents and their children, which seemed little short of the fulfillment of the prediction of Mal. 4:5, 6.

Sabbath especially was a good day with us. In the afternoon a call was made for those who desired to seek the Lord with full purpose of heart, also for backsliders who wished to return to their God, to come forward for the prayers of his people, and seventy-five willing souls responded by immediately taking the front seats. A good number of them were youths, ranging in age from twelve to twenty years. May the good Lord help them to ever keep their faces Zionward. The following notice is from the Western Enterprise, published at Mound City, Kan.:—

"THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS.

"The Missouri and Kansas Camp-meeting of this denomination has just closed. It was in point of numbers and interest a great success.

There were twenty tents on the encampment, twenty-eight family wagons, and three hundred members. Ten elders, led by Eld. D. M. Canright of Battle Creek, Mich., conducted the exercises. Eld. C. is a very earnest and forcible speaker. Seventy-five persons came forward for prayers, and fourteen were baptized. We could not help noticing the intelligent and intellectual character of the entire congregation, male and female.

"This denomination is rapidly increasing in numbers. Four years ago they had no church organizations in these States and but one or two elders; now they have over six hundred souls, and have thirty or thirty-five churches. Elder Cook of Mound City was ordained the last evening of the meeting."

J. LAMONT.

Business Department.

By Editor

"Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully," (margin, negligently). Jer. 48:10.

Received for the Signs.

$2.00 EACH. M J Church 3-1, E J Church 3-1, A B Atwood 3-1, Thos Crabtree 2-37, Oscar Tibbets 2-40, Mrs M H Wallace 2-25, W M Ayers 3-1, Mrs Jane Coolidge 3-1, Mrs A G Clark 3-1, E Hammond 2-25, John Pelling 2-45, C H Clark 3-1, R A Morton 3-1, James Creamer 3-1. F J Otis, Wm Semple Jr 3-16, Isabella Moore 3-1, F C Wait 2-25, J G Krieschbaum 3-1, W T Ross 3-1 Mary R Stem 3-13, John Morrison 3-1, Jas S Houseman 2-1, James J Fisher 2-47, J Barry Patterson 2-47, Jackson Ferguson 3-1 Wm Harmon 3-1, Mrs N Snook 3-1, Betsey Healey 3-1, G W Mills 3-1, Fannie Dimmick 4-1, J W Bond 3-1, John Cook 3-36, A B Griggs 3-1, H C Mc Dearmon 2-1, Alden Green 2-47, Mrs T A Greenwood 2-47.

$1.00 EACH. J F Flory 3-1, Mrs M Tilton 2-1, Richard Cox 2-3, Ellery C Waggoner 2-24, Ruby C Canright 2-23 Eld J H Waggoner 2-25, Ransom Owen 2-47, Mrs H D Warner 2-33, Wm Fowler 2-1.

MISCELLANEOUS. C C Stanley 1.15 2-23, Mrs Eva A Lee 1.50 2-19, B T Densmore 50c 2-11, I B Watts 50c 2-11 C H Didericksen 3.00 2-47, J L Ross 1.10 1-40, James Monroe 25c, Miss Bella Osgood 25c, Richard Fuerst 2.50 2-37, D A Warren 10c, I L Maby 10c, Wm H Weatherman 20c, L Wells 25c, David L Jaycox 50c 2-11.

California Publishing Fund.

By Editor

A La Rue $150, R C Cruey $20, Wm Saunders $50, J M Church $80, A M Anderson $20, J W Bond $90, S C Bond $100, Sarah Mills $10, G W Mills $10, W T Ross $100, Wm Legget $50, Wm Harmon & wife $130, S— $50, Minnie L Semple $10, Wm Semple Jr & wife $20, B S Freeman $74, M C Baily $20, Edwin Moore $200, W E Wood $5, M H Wallace $25, J G Krieschbaum $50, Fanny Dimmick $15, A F Howard $5, E J Church $20, H Cochran $50, R W Forbes $16.38, Mrs T Mc Farland $10.

California Tent Fund.

H W Hackney $10, A B Atwood $25, B F Harris $25, Sarah Mills $2.50, J M Church $10, A F Howard $5, W T Ross $5, B G St John $10, B S Freeman $5, Mrs H C Yerbey $15, Mrs Hagar $15, J L James $25, Sarah Judson $28, Hester Ferguson $2, J W Palmer $2.50, F Kundert $1, H C Ferguson $1, R W Forbes $5.

Donations to the Signs.

Annette S Bartlett $5, Theodocia Terry 50c, Wm Semple Jr 45c.

Books, Pamphlets, Tracts, etc., etc.

By Editor

For Sale at this Office.

Our Book List.—Any persons on the Pacific Coast wishing any of the publications named in our book list can obtain them by mail or express by writing to the Signs of the Times, Oakland, California, enclosing the published price of the same. When sent by mail, books will be post paid; when by express, at the expense of the one ordering the books; but in this case a liberal discount will be made when ten dollars worth or more are paid for with any one order.

PUBLICATIONS.

By Editor

Prices in Coin.

Cruden's Complete Concordance. In this any passage in the Scriptures can readily be found. $1.50 per copy, post. paid.

Bible Dictionary of Bible names, customs and countries, and maps of Bible lands. $1.50 per copy, post. paid.

The History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week, by J. N. Andrews. 528 pp. $1 25.

Thoughts on Daniel. By U. Smith. $1.00. Condensed paper edition, 35 cts.

Thoughts on the Revelation. By U. Smith. $1.00.

Life of Wm. Miller, with likeness. $1.00.

The Nature and Destiny of Man. By U. Smith. 384 pp. $1.00. Paper, 40 cts.

The Constitutional Amendment : or The Sunday, the Sabbath, The Change, and The Restitution. A discussion between W. H. Littlejohn and the Editor of the "Christian Statesman." Bound, $1.00. Paper, 40 cts. First part, 10 cts.

The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. I. By Ellen G. White; 416 pp. $1.00.

Autobiography of Eld. Jos. Bates. 318 pp. $1.

Hygienic Family Physician. $1.00.

The Game of Life (illustrated). Satan playing with man for his soul. In board, 50 cts.; in paper, 30 cts.

Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Camp Meetings and other Religious Gatherings. Compiled by Elder James White. 196 pp. Bound 50 cts. Paper 25.

The United States in Prophecy. By U. Smith. Bound, 40 cts. Paper, 20 cts.

The Advent Keepsake. Muslin, 25 cts. Gilt, 40 cts.

Sermons on the Sabbath and Law, embracing an outline of the Biblical and Secular History of the Sabbath for 6,000 years. By J. N. Andrews, 25 cts.

Facts for the Times, revised and enlarged, 25c.

History of the Doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul. By D. M. Canright, 25 cts.

The State of the Dead. By U. Smith. 224 pp. 25 cts.

Our Faith and Hope. Sermons on the Millennium, Second Advent, the Kingdom, the Judgment, the Time, the Sanctuary and Saving Faith. 20 cts.

Refutation of the Age to Come. By J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.

The Atonement. By J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.

The Nature and Tendency of Modern Spiritualism. By J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.

The Bible from Heaven; a Dissertation. 20 cts.

Miraculous Powers. Evidences, Scriptural and historical of the perpetuity of Spiritual Gifts. 20c.

The Complete Testimony of the Fathers concerning the Sabbath and First Day. By J. N. Andrews. 15 cts.

The Ministration of Angels: and the Origin, History, and Destiny of Satan. By D. M. Canright. 20 cts.

The Three Messages of Rev. 14, and the Two-Horned Beast. By J. N. Andrews. 15 cts.

The Resurrection of the Unjust; a Vindication of the Doctrine. By J. H. Waggoner. 15 cts.

Redemption, or the Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness (Life of Christ, No. 2). By Mrs E. G. White. 15 cts.

The Saint's Inheritance, or the Earth made New. By J. N. Loughborough. 10 cts.

The Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days. By J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.

Sunday Seventh-day. A Refutation of Mede, Jennings, Akers and Fuller. By J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.

The Truth Found; the Sabbath. By J. H. Waggoner. 10 cts.

Brown's Review of Gilfillan on the Sabbath. 10 cts.

Vindication of the True Sabbath. Morton 10 cts.

The Date of the Seventy Weeks of Dan. 9, established. By J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.

The Seven Trumpets of Rev. 8 and 9. 10 cts.

Matthew Twenty-four. By James White. 10c.

Position and Work of the True People of God under the Third Angel's Message. Littlejohn. 10 cts.

The Hope of the Gospel: What it is, and when it will be consummated. By J. N. Loughborough, 80 pp. 10 cts.

An Appeal to the Baptists, from the Seventh-Day Baptists, for the restoration of the Bible Sabbath 10 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—The Present Truth—The Sufferings of Christ.

Three-cent Tracts: Much in Little—The Lost Time Question—Spiritualism a Satanic Delusion—Infidel Cavils Considered—The End of the Wicked—Scripture References—Who Changed the Sabbath?

Two-cent Tracts: Definite Seventh Day—Seven Reasons for Sunday-Keeping Examined—Sabbath by Elihu—The Rich Man and Lazarus—Argument on Sabbaton—The Millennium—Departing and Being with Christ—Fundamental Principles of S. D. Adventists.

One-cent Tracts: Appeal on Immortality—Thoughts for the Candid—Sign of the Day of God—The Two Laws—The Perfection of the Ten Commandments—Coming of the Lord—Without Excuse—Which Day, and God's Answers.

* Address, Signs of the Times. OAKLAND, CAL