We hope that the resolution which was adopted at the late session of the California Conference, to make Wednesday of each week a day of special prayer for missions and missionary workers, both home and foreign, will not be forgotten by any of our brethren. It is not expected that the whole day should be devoted to prayer, to the exclusion of business, nor that public meetings for prayer will be held unless it is convenient, but that the burden of all the prayers, both secret, and in the family, and in public, shall be for those who are actively engaged in any part of the work of the Third Angel's Message, even mentioning them by name as far as possible. These united prayers, offered in humble faith, cannot fail to strengthen the workers, and at the same time the minds of the petitioners will be enlarged as they contemplate the vastness of the work. And let none forget the injunction: “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.” In this connection, the following paragraph from “Testimony No. 31” is pertinent:—
“Brethren and sisters, have you forgotten that your prayers should go out, like sharp sickles, with the laborers in the great harvest field? As young men go forth to preach the truth, you should have seasons of prayer for them. Pray that God will connect them with himself, and give them wisdom, grace, and knowledge. Pray that they may be guarded from the snares of Satan, and kept pure in thought and holy in heart. I entreat you who fear the Lord to waste no time in unprofitable talk or in needless labor to gratify pride or to indulge the appetite. Let the time thus gained be spent in wrestling with God for your ministers. Hold up their hands as did Aaron and Hur the hands of Moses.”
There was much disappointment at the camp-meeting because we were deprived of the labors of Elder Butler. His illness prevented him from coming. It is hoped that by another camp-meeting, at least, we may be favored with his presence. Elder Haskell was feeling quite poorly when he arrived, but hard labor seemed to revive him, and by the close of the meeting he was in good spirits. He tried every means in his power to be released from office, but the brethren in California appreciate his labors and counsel too highly to listen for a moment to any such reasoning.
The report on another page gives some of the main facts of the meeting, but the spirit of the meeting cannot be expressed in words. It is our prayer that none who were present will rest satisfied with the blessing they received, or allow Satan to deprive them of it. God blesses us that we may be a blessing to others.
A MEMBER of a Seventh-day Adventist Sabbath-school asks: “Is it as great a sin to break the Sabbath as to murder?”
The first thought that comes to our mind is, What difference does it make which is the greater sin? Does the questioner design to commit one or the other of the sins, if he can ascertain which is the lesser? We don’t believe that he does. Both Sabbath-breaking and murder are sins, and are both to be avoided. “All unrighteousness is sin,” and “the wages of sin is death.” Therefore since we are to avoid even the appearance of evil, all we have to do is to ascertain by the word of God what sin is. No matter if a sin is very small; the one who commits it will as surely be punished as though it were a very large one.
But to answer the question directly. We don’t know; and we don’t know of anybody on earth who does know. If we could tell, then we should be judges of the law. But God alone is judge, and all we are called to do is to obey. Even Christ, when he was called upon to say which is the greatest commandment in the law, would not specify any one, but quoted the two great commandments which comprehend the whole. It should be sufficient for us to know that the commandments are “holy, and just, and good,” and that implicit obedience is to be rendered to every one of them.
Romish Temperance.
A GOOD deal of capital for the Catholic Church has been made of the action of the Baltimore Plenary Council on the subject of temperance. But the perfect hollowness of that action is shown by the following from the Catholic Mirror of Baltimore. The Mirror publishes, regularly, liquor advertisements, and some Protestant papers have been complaining of it; whereupon the Mirror defends itself thus:—
“Several Protestant exchanges have discovered that the Mirror is guilty of an habitual mortal sin because it publishes some liquor advertisements. What is there inconsistent with just temperance views in this? Certainly there are many who should never touch liquor in any shape. Nearly the whole young generation of Americans are in this condition. Our feverish habits of life and the climate forbid it. But there are others, especially the old men of the present day, to whom liquor, judiciously taken, is beneficial and almost a necessity. What they need to guard against is the vile adulterations of the day. But, should any of our Protestant brethren feel in need of a pure article, which, being pious men, they will use in moderation, we can cheerfully recommend them to purchase of the reliable and well established firms who advertise in the Mirror.”
This can be the better appreciated when it is understood that the Mirror is the official organ of Cardinal Gibbons, and is published with the special approval, and the “apostolic benediction” of the Pope himself. And that is just how much Rome really favors temperance.
The New Hymn Book.
By Stephen Nelson Haskell
IT is with pleasure that we say a word in reference to the new hymn book. At first among our people, we had a small book of choice hymns, which took the place of a larger one; and different editions of this were published, containing selections of hymns and tunes adapted to the use of those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. As it seemed necessary to get each edition out in great haste, there was not that time and care devoted to the work that was necessary to bring out a book which would meet the wants of the cause of God. In this case, time has been taken to secure the desired results. A large committee was first appointed to consider the matter, and then a working committee was selected, comprising the best musical talent in our ranks; and an earnest effort was made to secure a book which would please all, and not need to be replaced by another. We think the desired object has been realized. The book contains 1,413 hymns, the choicest selections from 275 different authors. These include leading reformers in different ages, commencing back with Zinzendorf, and embracing those who held positions as kings, counts, countesses, and people of every rank and station in life. There are 225 hymns whose authorship is unknown. One hundred and fifty of the hymns were composed by our own people, many of them especially for this book. Among the 460 tunes, many were arranged expressly for this book. We fail to see how any one can but be pleased with the book. Nearly all of the hymns were written under the inspiration of circumstances, and many of them by those who have been called upon to sacrifice their lives, at the stake and in different ways, for the truth's sake. Those becoming familiar with the hymns will be impressed with the fact that there is a hymn and tune adapted to all circumstances, and to any subject of truth which may be spoken upon. The book containing the tunes is only six by eight inches in size, one inch in thickness, and contains 640 pages. The paper is made of pure linen; the book is silk sewed, and thoroughly bound. There is another edition of the book, containing the same number of hymns, but without the music. The hymns are arranged by subjects under 32 different divisions. We bespeak for the book a large and extensive sale, not only among our people, but among all lovers of good music.
S. N. H.
Payment Required for Papers
By Editor
We send no papers from this office without pay in advance, unless by special arrangement. When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the SIGNS are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon for pay. Please read the papers and hand them to your friends to read.
Matter Crowded Out
By Editor
DURING the camp-meeting vacation, a large amount of interesting matter, missionary reports, etc., accumulated, much of which is necessarily crowded out of this issue. It will all appear in due time.
Missing Paper Numbers
SOME may think that they have lost a paper, because they received none two weeks ago. By examining your file, you will see that no number has been omitted. Look at the number of the paper, not at the date.
Delegates to General Conference
At a meeting of the California Conference Committee, delegates to the General Conference were appointed as follows: S. N. Haskell, W. C. White, E. J. Waggoner, and C. H. Jones, with N. C. McClure as alternate.
The Unholy Union of Church and State
The Catholic Church in this country has now begun to talk of the union of Church and State as an “unholy union.” So it seems that Satan has not forgotten his trick of transforming himself into an angel of light.
Pacific Coast Conference of Charities
A COMMITTEE, representing the charities of California, has been appointed to inaugurate a "Pacific Coast Annual Conference of Charities," to be composed of persons throughout the Pacific Coast, who are interested in charities and reforms. The conference will be held in San Francisco, at Union Square Hall, 421 Post Street, beginning Tuesday evening, December 7, and continuing through the 8th, 9th, and 10th.
Elder Daniells Sails for New Zealand
LAST Sunday, Oct. 24, Elder A. G. Daniells and wife sailed on the steamer Alameda for New Zealand, where they go to engage in the missionary work. As they arrived during the camp-meeting, many of the brethren and sisters in California had the opportunity of forming a very pleasant acquaintance with them. Californians feel an especial interest in Australia and New Zealand, and we are confident that many prayers will follow these workers to their new field of labor.