The Moravian Messenger gives the following item of news respecting the Moravian Mission on the Mosquito Coast in Central America: "A cloud looms over our Nicaraguan work, and the present government seems determined to squeeze our mission out of Bluefields. It has levied a rate of $53 a month on our people for town-lighting purposes, and has fined one of our missionaries $20 for not keeping the church premises in proper order. Roman Catholic priests have come to the capital, and are working hard to bring the natives to their way of thinking."
CHURCH SERVICES EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
Baltimore, Md.—Harlem Hall, North Stricker St. Public services: Sabbath 11 A. M., Sunday 7:30 P. M. S. E. de Bruyn, Clerk.
Birmingham, Ala.—Odd Fellows' Hall, Fox Building. Public services: 2:30 and 3:30 P. M. every Sabbath, Sunday 7:30 P. M. R. D. Hottel, Pastor, 1005 N. 20th St.
Boston, Mass.—694 Washington St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M. George B. Wheeler, Pastor.
Bradford, Pa.—Ladies' Club Room No. 1 Chautauqua Place. Public services: Sabbath 2 P. M. H. T. Morian, Clerk.
Brooklyn, N. Y.—Wurzler's Hall, 315 Washington St. near city post-office. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M.
Chicago, Ill.—On 46th St. bet. Michigan and Wabash Ave. Public services: Sabbath 9:30 and 11 A. M. and 12:30 P. M., Sunday 7:15 P. M., Tuesday 7 P. M., and Thursday 7:30 P. M.
Cleveland, Ohio.—249 Cedar Ave., bet. Sterling and Hayward. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M. (sun time), Sunday 7:30 P. M., Wednesday 7:30 P. M. Willard H. Saxby, Pastor.
Detroit, Mich.—424 Trumbull Ave., bet. Perry and Bagg Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 A. M., Sunday 7:30 P. M., Wednesday 7:30 P. M. A. O. Burrill, Pastor.
Duluth, Minn.—123 First Ave., East. Public services: Sabbath 2 and 3 P. M. John Clark, Elder.
Hartford, Conn.—Room 6, 254 Main St. Sabbath-school at 2, and preaching at 3:15 P.M. O. M. Hatch, Clerk.
Jersey City, N. J.—Public services: At church, 27 Oak St., Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M.; at hall, 242 Hancock Ave., Sabbath 2:30 and 3:30, Sunday 7:45 P. M. both places. Amos Mitchell, Elder.
Louisville Ky.—Second S. D. A. Church (white) mission rooms 2431 W. Broadway. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Sunday and Wednesday 7:30 P. M. J. W. Collie, Pastor.
First S. D. A. Church, Broadway, bet. 8th and 9th Sts. Sabbath-school at 9:30 and preaching at 10:30 A. M. J. R. Buster, Pastor.
Lynn, Mass.—Lee Hall. Public services: Sabbath 1:30 and 3 P. M., Tuesday and Friday 7:30 P. M. A. B. Jernegan, Elder. A. B. Felton, Clerk, 35 Union St.
Nashville, Tenn.—Hall 415 Woodland St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Sunday and Wednesday 7 P. M. Minnie M. Hoyt, Lib., 56 Ramsey St.
New Bedford, Mass.—Church at Willow St., west of Cedar. Public services: Sabbath 10:30 A. M. and 12 M. J. B. Hall, Clerk, Box 72, Acushnet, Mass.
New Orleans, La.—Jefferson Hall, cor. Magazine and Philip Sts. Public services: Every Sabbath at 10 and 11:15 A. M. J. E. Evans, Pastor, 6325 Patton St.
Philadelphia, Penn.—Public services at 1724 N. 15th St.; Sabbath 10 (Sabbath-school 11:15) A. M., Sunday 7:45 P. M. E. A. Merrell, Pastor, 1724 N. 15th St.
Pittsburg, Pa.—Hall of Bank Building, cor. 5th Ave. and Stevenson St., entrance on Stevenson. Public services: Sunday 3:30 P. M., Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M. J. G. Excell, Pastor, 211 Dinwiddie St.
Portland, Me.—Williams' Hall, Congress St., Sabbath-school 2 P. M., social meeting 3:15 P. M. H. C. Basney, Elder, North Deering.
Providence, R. I.—Olney St. Congregational (Unitarian) Church. Public services: Sabbath 2 and 3 P. M., Friday 7:30 P. M. Wm. H. Warfield, Clerk, 27 Susan St., Providence.
Richmond, Va.—Meetings at 501 North 25th St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M. J. P. Neff, Pastor.
Washington, D. C.—On 8th bet. F. and G. Sts., N. E. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:15 A. M., Sunday 7:30 P. M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. V. H. Lucas, Pastor, 209 8th Street, N. E.
Wilmington, Del.—Red Men's Hall, 515 Shipley St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Sunday 2:30 P. M. Edwin F. Eckel, Clerk.
Worcester, Mass.—118 Austin St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:15 A. M., Wednesday 7:30 P. M. F. C. Bee, Clerk, No. 6 Furnace St.
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CHURCH SERVICES WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
By Editor
This column of church services, especially in our larger towns and cities, will be printed from time to time as we have room, for the benefit of strangers who may read the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, or brethren passing through. We have found it necessary to condense in the smallest possible space. The word "Sabbath" always refers to the seventh day of the week. These services consist of Sabbath-school, preaching, Bible study, missionary, and prayer-meetings. The first Sabbath service is, with but few exceptions, Sabbath-school. The first address is that of the church, or place of meeting; the second, if given, that of pastor or clerk.
Alameda.—Foresters' Hall, cor. Santa Clara Ave. and Park St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M. and 2:45 P. M. W. C. Chamberlain, Elder.
Atchison, Kan.—Cor. 9th and Santa Fe Sts., German M. E. Church. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Tuesday 7:45 P. M. City Mission, 1124 Atchison St. I. A. Crane, Elder.
Colorado Springs.—311 Boulder Ave. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., and 3 P. M. Prayer-meeting Tuesday 7:45 P.M. D. H. Soggs, Elder.
Denver, Colo.—Cor. W. 11th Ave. and S. 11th St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Wednesday and Friday 7:45 P. M. Ira A. Haskins, Elder.
East Portland, Or.—North Pacific Tract Society, No. 508 East Everett St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:30 A. M. and 7 P. M., Wednesday 7 P. M.
Garden Grove, Cal.—Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Sunday 3 P. M. Harriet A. Rainsey, Clerk.
Helena, Mont.—307 N. Warren St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Sunday and Wednesday 7:30 P. M. W. T. Henton, Elder.
Kansas City, Mo.—Cor. 12th and Woodland Ave. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Tuesday 7:45 P. M.
Los Angeles.—145 Carr St., bet. Main and Hill Sts. Public services: Sabbath 9:45 and 11 A. M., Tuesday and Thursday 7:30 P. M. Belle F. Baker, Clerk, 926 Hill St.
Oakland.—Cor. 12th and Brush Sts. Public services: Sunday at 7:30 P. M., Sabbath 9:30 and 11 A. M., Wednesday 7:30 P. M.
Omaha, Neb.—Near cor. N. 25th and Indiana Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Sunday 6 and 7:30 P. M., Tuesday and Wednesday evenings 7:30 P. M. Also at South Omaha Sabbath at 3 P. M. A. J. Howard Pastor, 941 N. 25th St.
Pasadena.—Cor. of Summit Ave. and Mountain St. Public services: Sunday 7:30 P. M., Sabbath 10 and 11:30 A. M. Mrs. H. A. Chapman, Clerk, Station 1, Pasadena, Cal.
Phoenix, Ariz.—Cor. 4th Ave. and Washington St., upstairs. Public services: Sabbath 9:30 and 10:45 A. M.; Wednesday 7:30 P. M. (Elder, C. D. M. Williams, absent.) Leader, Eugene A. Browne, 306 N. 2d St.
Sacramento.—G St. bet. 18th and 19th Sts. Public services: Sunday 7:30 P. M., Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Wednesday 7:30 P. M.
Salt Lake City, Utah.—Room No. 30 East 4th S. St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Sunday 7:45 P M., Wednesday and Saturday 7:45 P. M. J. M. Willoughby, Pastor, 1227 Emerson Ave.
San Diego.—Cor. 18th and G Sts. Public services: Sunday 7 P. M., Sabbath 9:45 and 11 A. M., Wednesday 7:30 P. M. Mary J. Dimock, Clerk, National City, Box 136.
San Francisco.—914 Laguna St. Public services: Sunday 7:30 P. M., Sabbath 9:45 and 11 A. M., Thursday 7:30 P. M.
San Jose, Cal.—Church, San Salvador St., near Delmas Ave. Sabbath school 10, Bible study 11 A. M.; missionary meeting, Sunday 7 P. M.; prayer-meeting Wednesday 7 P. M.
St. Joseph, Mo.—Cor. 15th and Locust Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Wednesday 7:30 P. M. Mrs. Harriet W. Talbert, Clerk.
St. Louis, Mo.—2955 Sheridan Ave. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:30 A. M., Wednesday 7:45 P. M. Mary S. Yener, Clerk.
St. Paul, Minn.—On Wacouta bet. 8th and 9th. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Sunday 7:30 P. M. H. F. Phelps, Pastor, 1634 Carrol St.
Stockton.—Cor. Miner Ave. and Stanislaus St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Wednesday 2:30 P. M. M. C. Israel, Elder.
Tacoma, Wash.—Cor. South 16th and K Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A. M., Sunday 6 and 7:45 P. M.. Wednesday 7:30 P.M. F. H. Smith, Elder, 1507 South I St.
Magnificent hotels, toning and life-giving salt sea air, surf-bathing, boating, fishing, driving, wheeling, shell-gathering, and all sorts of pastimes.
The season for this sort of thought and action is upon us. All the world, and particularly that portion of it described by California, takes an outing once a year,—if it doesn't, it ought to.
While making up your mind where you will go, and concocting your itinerary, keep as many as possible of these places before your mind's eye:
Up Shasta Way—Tavern of Castle Crags, Sweet Brier Camp, Upper Soda Springs, Shasta Retreat, Shasta Springs, Sissons, Mt. Shasta Camp, Klamath Hot Springs.
Lake County and Vicinity—Geysers, Ætna Springs, Harbin, Anderson, Adams, Howard, Siegler, Highland and Bartlett Springs, Glenbrook, and Soda Bay.
On Sierra Summits—Lake Tahoe, Independence, Webber and Donner Lakes, Tallac, Deer Park Inn, Sunnyside, McKinney's, Rubicon Springs, Campbell Hot Springs, and a score more.
Yosemite and the Big Trees—
Santa Cruz Mountains—Los Gatos, Pacific Congress Springs, Glenwood, Felton, Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek.
Southward—Gilroy, Paraiso, Paso Robles, and Santa Ysabel Hot Springs.
Along the Shore—Santa Cruz, Capitola, Del Monte, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Long Beach, San Diego.
There will be REDUCED RATES to many of these places. If you haven't all needed information to complete that itinerary, call on the nearest Southern Pacific Company agent, or send to T. H. GOODMAN for resort folders.
2 "THEN Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple garment; and they come unto him, and said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they struck him with their hands. And Pilate went out again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him out to you, that ye may know that I find no crime in him. Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold, the man! When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take him yourselves, and crucify him; for I find no crime in him. The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by that law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. When Pilate therefore heard this saying, he was the more afraid; and he entered into the palace again, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore saith unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to release thee, and have power to crucify thee? Jesus answered him, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above; therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. Upon this Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou release this man, thou art not Cæsar's friend; every one that maketh himself a king speaketh against Cæsar. When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment-seat at a place called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. Now it was the Preparation of the Passover; it was about the sixth hour. And he saith unto the Jews, Behold, your King! They therefore cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Cæsar. Then therefore he delivered him unto them to be crucified."
QUESTIONS.
What did Pilate now do to Jesus?
What did the soldiers make? Where did they put it? With what did they clothe him?
How did they salute him? What did they do to him?
Where did Pilate then go? What did he say?
Who next came out? How was he arrayed? How was he introduced to the mob?
What effect did the sight of Jesus have upon the leaders of the people?
How did Pilate respond to their demand?
What did the Jews say the punishment of Jesus ought to be? Why?
What effect did this statement have upon Pilate? Where did he go? What did he ask? How did Jesus treat the question?
With what inquiries did Pilate press Jesus for an answer?
How did Jesus meet this assertion of power over him? Where did he place the larger measure of responsibility?
What effect did this have upon Pilate?
What pressure did the Jews then bring to bear upon him to secure the condemnation of Jesus?
How far did they succeed?
What day was it? What time of the day? How did Pilate again present Jesus to the Jews?
What response was made to him?
What question did Pilate then ask? How was it answered?
How did he then yield to their demands?
What did they do with Jesus?
NOTES.
1. WHEN Pilate asked Jesus the question, "Whence art thou?" Jesus gave him no answer. Verse 9. "Pilate was vexed at the silence of Jesus, and haughtily addressed him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above; therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin." Jesus here laid the heaviest burden of guilt upon the Jewish judges, who had received unmistakable evidence of the divinity of him whom they had condemned to death, both from the prophecies and his own teachings and miracles. What a scene was this to hand down to the world through all time? The pitying Saviour, in the midst of his intense suffering and grief, excuses as far as possible the act of Pilate, who might have released him from the power of his enemies."
The Saviour's answer shows that no power can be exercised against the cause or people of God, except what the Lord permits, and the Lord will permit that only which will be for the good of those who love him. This should be a source of great comfort to the tempted, buffeted, persecuted child of God as he battles with Satan and the powers of darkness.
2. THE statement made in verse 14, that it was about the sixth hour when the trial closed and the decision was made to crucify Jesus, presents a chronological difficulty when compared with the statements made in the other Gospels. Various theories or ideas have been advanced for the purpose of removing the difficulty. The one most generally adopted is that there was an error in transcribing the numeral in verse 14. This would not be a strange mistake, because it has been proven that it was common at that time to use letters to indicate numbers, instead of writing them out in words, and that the letters which were used to represent the numbers three and six might easily be mistaken for each other. Therefore the conclusion is reached that the numeral letter in John 19:14 should have been transcribed third instead of sixth, and thus it would harmonize with the statements in the other Gospels.
3. THE great lengths to which people will go in wickedness and oppression when they reject light and close their minds and hearts against the evidences of truth, is illustrated in the cases of Pilate and the chief priests. "Pilate had taken step after step in the violation of his conscience, and in excusing himself from judging with equity and fairness, as his position demanded he should do, until now he found himself almost helpless in the hands of the Jews." "His wavering and indecision proved his irredeemable ruin. How many, like Pilate, sacrifice principle and integrity, in order to shun disagreeable consequences! Conscience and duty point one way, and self-interest points another; and the current, setting strongly in the wrong direction, sweeps away into the thick darkness of guilt him who compromises with evil."
But, as before shown, Jesus laid the heaviest burden of guilt upon the Jewish judges, because they had greater light, both from the prophecies and Christ's teachings and miracles.
Suggestions for Further Study.
What relation did the crown of thorns which Jesus wore bear to the curse mentioned in Gen. 3:17, 18?
Pilate said, "Behold the man;" John the Baptist cried, "Behold the Lamb of God;" what think ye of Christ?
Read John 11:47-50. They started out to save the nation by crucifying Christ. What were they finally willing to do to compass his death? (See John 19:15.)
The Sunday School
By Editor
International Series.
LESSON IX.—SUNDAY, MAY 30, 1897.
CHRISTIAN FAITH LEADS TO GOOD WORKS.
NOTE.—James, the author of this epistle, was the brother or half-brother of our Lord, not James the brother of John and son of Zebedee, nor James the son of Alpheus. He was also known as James the Just. According to Josephus he was stoned to death in the year 62 A.D., at the age of sixty-three or sixty-four. Another historian places his martyrdom in the year 69 A.D., and states that he was thrown from the pinnacle of a temple by the Pharisees, and was then killed with a club while praying for his enemies. The object of the epistle seems to be to set forth the perfection of Christian character, and a rising above the petty jealousies, envying, display of wealth, idolatry of riches, hollow profession of religion, empty show, and the sins of evil speaking, which were prevalent at that time. Commit verses 14-17.
14 “What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and in lack of daily food, 16 and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself. 18 Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works; show me thy faith apart from thy works, and I by my works will show thee my faith. 19 Thou believest that God is one; thou doest well; the devils also believe, and shudder. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect; 23 and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.”
Golden Text.—“I will show thee my faith by my works.” James 2:18.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What question does James ask in regard to faith and works? Verse 14. Note . (2) What instance does he show where faith may prove its genuineness? Verse 15. (3) What message would the faith without works dictate in this instance? (4) What would it withhold? Verse 16. (5) Of what practical benefit were the good wishes to the destitute? (6) What is the condition of faith which shows no fruit? Verse 17. Note . (7) What assertion will some make? (8) What comparison does James invite? Verse 18. Note . (9) In what belief do they do well? (10) Who also believe the same thing? (11) What effect only does it have upon them? Verse 19. Note . (12) What truth does he especially desire that men should know? Verse 20. (13) By what act of faith on the part of Abraham did he receive justification? Verse 21. Note . (14) What wrought with his works? (15) What effect had the works on the faith in this instance? Verse 22. (16) What scripture was thus fulfilled? (17) What title did Abraham's course win for him? Verse 23.
NOTES.
1. What doth it profit?—Of what use is it in salvation from sin? He who has faith in the Messiah will leave nothing undone which the law of God requires. To trust supinely in faith while refusing to bear or attempt to bear the fruit of the Spirit, shows that faith to be a counterfeit and not the genuine. The answer to the apostle's question is obvious. Such faith is not saving faith, and he who trusts in it is building his hopes on a foundation of sand. The faith which saves is the “faith that worketh by love.”
2. Faith, if it hath not works, is dead.—The branch might say to the tree, “I am secure; I belong to the tree, it is not necessary that I should bear fruit.” Such a branch would soon be severed from the living tree. Likewise the fruitless Christian will not always be suffered to “cumber the ground,” and his faith will not be “counted unto him for righteousness.” And yet it is not the works which justify. Faith justifies, but not the faith which is without works. Robertson puts it aptly: “Faith alone justifies, but not the faith which is alone.”
3. Show me thy faith.—This is an impossibility with him who discards works in his faith. He may say he has faith, but he can not prove it. “By their fruits ye shall know them.” On the other hand, he who has genuine faith does not need to tell you so. It is seen in the works he does. James is willing that his claim to the possession of faith should be judged by the life he lived; and yet he does not place his hope of salvation in the works which he did.
4. The devils also believe.—The introduction of this comparison seems to be to show the hollowness of mere belief, either in the absence of works, or when accompanied by works which are not in accord with God's holy law, the Ten Commandments.
5. Justified by works.—This verse should be taken in connection with the two following, lest a wrong meaning be given it. It was a work of faith through and through. The faith alone would not suffice. It required the works to make it perfect. “Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness.”
APPLES OF GOLD LIBRARY.
By Editor
Late Numbers.
No. 37, January. "Letter and Spirit." By E. J. Waggoner. Showing the nature of God's law, and what its letter and spirit are.
No. 38, February. "Who Are the Saints? Their Character." By M. C. Wilcox. A study of what the word "saint" means, and to whom it is properly applied.
No. 39, March. "The Seventh or One Seventh." By E. J. Waggoner. A brief but telling consideration of the day of the Sabbath, with notes.
No. 40, April. "The Coming of Our Lord," in two parts: "We Would See Jesus," by A. T. Jones, and "Why Speak of His Coming?" by M. C. W. These articles will commend themselves to every Christian who loves our Lord.
The price of Apples of Gold Library is 10 cents a year, monthly, post-paid. Above numbers each 1 cent. Address Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal., or order of any of our tract societies.
ILLUSTRATED SPRING CATALOG.
By Editor
1897.
OUR new 60-page catalog of publications is now ready, and will be sent free to our readers on receipt of a postal card request. Send at once and secure our latest catalog while it is fresh and new.
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.,
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News and Notes
By Editor
FOREIGN.
—Great Britain's drink bill for 1896 was $740,000,000, or $20 per capita for her entire population.
—A petition has been presented to the Australian Commonwealth, asking that God, as the Supreme Ruler, be recognized in the Constitution.
—It is reported that an ordinance has been promulgated in Japan urging the people to eat more meat, in order to increase the height of succeeding generations.
—The Italian Geographical Society has received news confirming the report that the Botego expedition, which had been sent into Abyssinia, had been massacred.
—The revolution in Honduras is said to be gaining ground. It is reported that the majority desire De Sota for president. Many Americans are aiding and participating in the revolution. The commander of the army is an American.
—A law has been enacted in Norway which makes young ladies ineligible for matrimony until they are proficient in knitting, baking, and spinning. Certificates must be procured covering these accomplishments before a girl can marry.
—Advices from the Gold Coast Colony, in West Africa, state that the entire party of Lieutenant Henderson, who was visiting the chiefs of the Hinterland for the purpose of making treaties with them, has been captured by Samory, a powerful West African chief.
—Trouble is now anticipated between Nicaragua and Costa Rica over the boundary between the two countries. Nicaragua is hurrying troops to the frontier to prevent any attempt of the Costa Ricans to invade her territory, and is recruiting men from all over the republic to reenforce her army.
—Advices from Ecuador indicate that the revolution there is gaining new impetus. Mountaineers in all parts of the state are said to be joining the insurgents in large numbers, and are raiding towns and villages, seizing food, stores, and ammunition. The government forces so far have been wholly inadequate to meet the emergency.
—Reports from Jamaica state that a disastrous earthquake visited the entire group of the Leeward Islands on the morning of April 29, causing great damage to property and much loss of life, and the trembling of the earth's surface was almost continuous from Friday night till the following Monday morning, the most disastrous disturbance occurring on Sunday.
—The Transvaal Government is still making active preparations for defense against the expected military attack of Great Britain. The continental powers, Germany, Austria, France, and Russia, are preparing a remonstrance to the course of England in South Africa, and representatives of these powers claim that England will not be permitted to annex the Transvaal nor to destroy its independence.
—The terms of peace which Turkey has offered Greece are: The restoration of the boundary as fixed by the treaty of 1831, which gives to Turkey all of Thessaly; the evacuation by Greece of all points which she now holds in Epirus; the withdrawal of the Greeks from Crete; the acceptance of the Porte's plan of autonomy for Crete; and the payment of a war indemnity large enough to cover the expense of mobilizing the Turkish forces.
—The condition of affairs in Cuba remains unchanged in general, altho frequent encounters are reported between the insurgents and the troops. The port of Banes, which the Cubans had seized, was evacuated April 30 after a combined land and naval attack. A few days since a Spanish column discovered a quantity of dynamite which the Cubans had concealed. The discovery was made by the explosion of a part of the dynamite, which resulted in the death of 100 of the Spaniards. The remainder of the explosive was destroyed by the troops, who set on fire all combustible material in the vicinity of the first explosion. The belief is general among the pacificos that the purpose of the government is to exterminate them by starvation, and there is said to be daily evidence to support the belief.
—One of the most terrible disasters of modern times occurred in the city of Paris on the afternoon of May 4. The flower of French aristocracy was assembled together, for the purpose of charity, in a bazaar or fancy fair, which was held in a wooden building constructed to represent a street in old Paris. Duchesses, countesses, and other ladies of note were acting as salesladies in the various booths, and fully 1,500 people had crowded into the doomed structure. The exits were few, and, at the cry of fire, a panic ensued, and men, women, and children were trampled and burned to death. In twelve minutes from the breaking out of the fire the roof collapsed, burying hundreds who were still struggling to escape. The prefecture of police estimates that fully 250 perished in the conflagration, while over 200 are more or less seriously injured. The dead include several members of royal families.
—On May 5 a desperate battle was fought between the Greeks and Turks in front of the Grecian line of defenses stretching from Volo and Velestino to Pharsalos. An entire division of the Turkish army was repulsed before Velestino in the morning, after several attacks. Great loss of life is reported from both sides at this place. In the afternoon the engagement was begun in front of the Grecian position at Pharsalos, and was likewise unsuccessful. The Turkish defeat at this place was attended with great slaughter. There was no lack of bravery on either side, and the battle was probably the most sanguinary of the war. There are frequent rumors of intervention by the powers, but as yet no definite action has been taken by them. M. Ralli, the successor of M. Delyannis, expects to continue the war, unless further examination of the Greek preparations and defenses convinces him that it would be inconsistent to do so. The situation in Epirus seems now to be rather more favorable to the Turkish arms, and in many instances the Greeks have abandoned their positions and retreated without waiting for an engagement.
