A 24-page bi-monthly devoted to the dissemination of true temperance principles and instruction in the art of preserving health. It is emphatically a journal for the people, containing what everybody wants to know, and is thoroughly practical. Its range of subjects is unlimited, embracing everything that in any way affects the health. Its articles being short and pointed, it is specially adapted to farmers, mechanics, and housekeepers, who have but little leisure for reading. It is just the journal that every family needs, and may be read with profit by every member. Price, 50 cents per year.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
A Valuable Work.
SMITH'S "Diagram of Parliamentary Rules" is a marvel of conciseness, perspicuity, and convenience. By a most ingenious arrangement, the author has condensed the whole code of Parliamentary laws into a space so small that the whole can be taken in at a glance. With one of these Diagrams before him, a presiding officer can instantly determine the correct ruling on a doubtful point without a moment's hesitation. For a person not well versed in Parliamentary law, it is indispensable. Even a novice, with Smith's "Diagram" before him, may undertake to decide the most knotty problem in "ruling" without fear of going astray. The "Key" is of itself a complete compend of "Rules of Order," and with the "Diagram" is worth ten times the price to any presiding officer, or member of an organized body. The neat appearance and convenient form of the work is not the least of its numerous merits. — Woodland Daily Democrat.
The above-mentioned book sent, post-paid, for 50 cents. Address PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal., General Agents for the Pacific Coast.
RECEIPTS.
California Conference Fund.—E Davis $27.25, Petaluma church $43.05, Turlock church $100, Mrs Richey $1.25, Jas A Dye $1.50, Isaac Rhodes $5, Rosalie Sheckler $1.32, Eureka church $43.70.
Stock in Healdsburg College.—M J Howard $50, Anna Horning $10, Elmira Davis $10.
Stock in Pacific S D A Publishing Association.—Mrs E M Neirhoff $10.
European Mission.—Isaac Rhodes $2.
Australian Mission.—Isaac Rhodes $2.
Cash Received on Account.—Ill. T and M Society $100.
California T and M Society.—Rivulet Society per Estella Glenn $18.65, Mrs A C Bainbridge $8.40, W S Swayze $25, C H Peach $5.
California City Missions.—J G Smith $10, J F Bahler $10, Eureka S S per Eld N C McClure $4.30, Laura Foster $1.
ORDERS FORWARDED.
By Editor
Books Sent by Freight.—Review and Herald, Kansas Tract Society, Eld S N Haskell, Mrs E T Palmer, Neb Tract Society.
Books Sent by Express.—Lizzie A Stone, F H Butcher, Horace Munn, C H Jones, Geo H Derrick, H A Pickney, Robt S Tripp, L H West Jr (2), Eld Geo I Butler, Mrs H P Gray (2), W M Beadle, Mrs M Lynam, H Munn, W B White, Andrew and Tom Olsen Rice, Mrs Mary Small, S D A Church S F, Frank Colver, L H Alberts, Mrs M K Rushing, N C McClure, W Harper, Eld Wm Ostrander, W S Swayze (2), Mrs L M McElhaney, Rosalie Blower.
Our Historical Series.
By Editor
ONE of the most important series of articles which we have ever published is that of historical quotations on the various kingdoms and nations noted in the prophecies. If our ministers will study and preserve these articles, they will have a complete digest of the history which they need to use in their series of sermons. We fear the articles have not been appreciated as their value deserves. The author is thoroughly prepared for his task, having a familiar acquaintance with the histories quoted, and concerning ancient countries and cities his evidences will keep fully up to the latest researches and explorations.
The thought has been expressed that all our ministers ought to read and study all these histories for themselves. But that is simply out of the question; with many it is impossible. We know there are a few who make everything bend to a system of reading which they have adopted, and we also know that either their system or their pressing duties has sometimes to be neglected. Were our ministers located, as are those of other denominations, then it would be different. But a minister who travels constantly, or who holds tent-meetings and must spend much time in visiting or lose the effect of his preaching, cannot study all the histories and other works of reference which bear upon the present truth. True, there should be a daily reading and study of the Scriptures and of other books; but if we expect or require too much, the failure will be all the more apparent. This has been the error of most past efforts to systematize the reading and study of our ministers. It was expected of them to adopt a course which is only suitable to persons quite differently situated. The result has been discouragement and failure.
But while some find it impossible to become familiar with all the books to which they wish to refer, the opposite extreme should be conscientiously avoided. It is not enough to tell a congregation that such a historian says so and so without being able to give his language or to tell where the statement may be found. To remedy the difficulty under which many labor in this respect is the object of the historical articles which have been, and will yet be, published in the SIGNS. They give the statements of historians on the very points required, and the extracts are so full and complete, and the references always reliable, that they furnish the expounder of the prophecies all that he actually needs to be fortified in his positions. And such a digest, or compend, of needed historical evidences cannot be found anywhere else. If there is a minister amongst us who has not carefully read these articles, he has lost much; and we speak for a studious reading of all those which may yet be given in the present volume of the SIGNS.
There is another series of articles, of equal importance, which will be commenced as soon as the state of our columns will justify. It will be of equal importance, and yet more interesting to the general reader. It will consist of an inquiry into the views and teachings of the early Fathers of the church, both before and after their conversion to Christianity, and will show how far their theological opinions were colored by their philosophy. It is a field which has never been as fully explored as it may be; or, rather, the influence of their philosophy upon their systems of Christian belief has never been appreciated as it should be; has never been understood by those who give so ready assent to their religious teachings. To all those who trust alone in "the law and the testimony" for their light, this series will prove invaluable. These articles are now in course of preparation.
Battle Creek, Mich.
Study to Show Thyself Approved
"STUDY to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed."
Publishers' Department.
By Editor
AGENTS AND BOOK DEPOSITORIES.
Australia—International Tract Society, “Burnam House,” corner Rae and Scotchmer Sts., North Fitzroy, Victoria.
California Tract Society—1067 Castro St., Oakland, Cal.
Canada Tract Society—South Stukely, P. Q.
Colorado Tract Society—831 California St., Denver, Colo.
Dakota Tract Society—Vilas, Miner Co., Dak.
England—The Present Truth, 72 Heneage St., Grimsby, Eng.
Florida Tract Society—Moultrie, St. John's Co., Fla.
Hawaiian Islands—L. A. Scott, Honolulu, H. I.
Idaho—Carrie E. Mills, Walla Walla, W. T.
Illinois Tract Society—No. 95 Thirty-fifth St., Chicago, Ill.
Indiana Tract Society—No. 32 Cherry St., Indianapolis, Ind.
Iowa Tract Society—1315 E. Sycamore St., Des Moines, Iowa.
Kansas Tract Society—Ottawa, Franklin Co., Kan.
Kentucky Tract Society—Nolin, Hardin Co., Ky.
Louisiana—International Tract Society, 732 Magazine Street, New Orleans, La.
Maine Tract Society—113 Pearl St., Portland, Me.
Michigan Tract Society—Battle Creek, Mich.
Minnesota Tract Society—2820 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, Minn.
Missouri Tract Society—321 Lamine St., Sedalia, Mo.
Nebraska Tract Society—Fremont, Dodge Co., Neb.
New England—N. E. Tract Society, South Lancaster, Mass.
New York Tract Society—Rome, N. Y.
New Zealand—Edward Hare, Upper Queen Street (Turner Street), Auckland, N. Z.
North Pacific—N. P. Tract Society, East Portland, Oregon.
Norway—Tidernes Tegn, Christiania, Norway.
Ohio Tract Society—near Citizens' Savings Bank, Columbus, Ohio.
Pennsylvania Tract Society—No. 5 Madison St., Wellsville, N. Y.
South America—Joseph R. Brathwaite, Stanleytown, Berbice Co., British Guiana, S. A.
Switzerland—Elder W. C. White, 48 Weiherweg, Bale, Suisse.
Tennessee Tract Society—Springville, Henry Co., Tenn.
Texas Tract Society—Denton, Tex.
Upper Columbia—U. C. Tract Society, Walla Walla, W. T.
Vancouver Island—Bernard Robb, Victoria, B. C.
Vermont—Lizzie A. Stone, South Lancaster, Mass.
Virginia Tract Society—Quicksburgh, Shenandoah Co., Va.
Wisconsin Tract Society—901 E. Gorham St., Madison, Wis.
Wyoming—J. T. Trees, Tie Siding, Albany Co., Wyo.
ALL of the above Agencies are authorized to receive subscriptions to the Signs of the Times, American Sentinel, and Pacific Health Journal & Temperance Advocate. Catalogues of our books, pamphlets, and tracts, in English and the various foreign languages, can be obtained from them.
The Mission of the "Signs of the Times."
By Editor
Of all the publications, of every nature, whether book or periodical, issued by our denomination, no other has so important a mission to fulfill, and no other has exerted such a powerful influence in favor of the truth, as the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. It has literally gone into all the world and preached the gospel to every nation, and everywhere has been hailed with joy as a messenger of good tidings. The article of Brother Haskell on this subject from Auckland, New Zealand, in the SIGNS of December 10, is highly interesting, showing how widely it is known and how deeply people are interested in it.
An educated editor of a secular paper said it is the ablest and most interesting religious paper he ever saw. A gentleman who is well known in business and political circles said it is full of life and energy, comparing favorably with any other religious paper; in fact, he said it was, in this respect, rather in contrast with all other religious papers which he had seen. A minister said he frequently found individuals converted to the truth, keeping the Sabbath of the Lord, who had received all their knowledge of the truth from the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and he always found them both sound and firm in the faith. In this respect, we say, it has exerted an influence for good which has been exerted by no other of our publications. And its work is not ended by any means; it has a large place yet to fill in our missionary work.
We would not under-estimate our books and other periodicals. We have important books, which have been given a wide circulation, and many have been enlightened by the truths which they contain, and have become deeply interested in the present truth by their means. But none of these have been instrumental in converting people to the whole truth as has the SIGNS. The wide range of its contents, the care with which its articles are all prepared, have served to interest all readers, and to convince all that our system of truth is consistent and sound. It was in the direct providence of God that our missionary paper was established on the Pacific Coast, and we pray that the providence of God may still direct in its publication and its circulation.
Battle Creek, Mich.
The Signs of the Times.
By Editor
OAKLAND, CAL., FIFTH-DAY, JANUARY 7, 1886.
AN article intended for this page was crowded out, and will be found in the last column of page 15.
THE present volume of the SIGNS will consist of 50 numbers, instead of 48 as in the preceding volumes.
WE are happy to announce that Mrs. E. G. White will continue to be a regular correspondent of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES during the current volume.
Sabbath-Schools, Please Notice.
By Editor
At the last session of the General S. S. Association it was decided to make the lessons uniform as to time, throughout the Union; that is, have no Pacific Coast lesson as such. As the lessons for the Pacific Coast were two weeks later than were those for the East, the adoption of uniformity throughout the country demands a change of the order of lessons as published in the SIGNS. Accordingly, this week we have to leave out the lesson for the first Sabbath in January, and insert the lessons for both the second and the third Sabbath. This now puts the lesson in the SIGNS on the same day as that in the Instructor. And so it will be in the future.
Return to Oakland.
By Editor
AFTER an absence of ten weeks we returned to our work in Oakland, arriving January 3. Of our many trips across the continent, we consider this one the most enjoyable. We do not wish to institute comparisons between the different railroads; all have treated us with courtesy, several kindly offering us the benefits of clergymen's and editors' rates. Of course we chose to go the route which our company had selected, and all the company will hold the "Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific" road in kind remembrance for their excellent accommodations and favors. Our entire route was via the Michigan Central, Rock Island, Union Pacific, and Central Pacific. We could not ask better treatment than we received throughout. We left Battle Creek, Mich., Tuesday, December 29, and arrived in Oakland within five days of travel. The weather also was good; but of course we find the best in Oakland. Every trip East convinces us more and more that the climate here is unequaled. California has been having some cold weather of late—quite severe frosts in some places. But the calla lilies are in full bloom in the gardens in Oakland, which is sufficient proof that what Californians call cold weather does not bear much resemblance to the cold weather of the Eastern States.
While there is general good health at the office, we are very sorry to find our efficient assistant, "E. J. W.," prostrated with brain fever. He has overworked in our absence, and was taken down the day we left Battle Creek, and is not yet able to sit up. As "A. T. J." must soon return to the College, we find an unusual amount of labor awaiting us. We intend that the American Sentinel shall be published on time, the first of next month. The Health Journal will be published February 15, or the middle of the month.
We return to our work with good courage and with the deepest gratitude for divine favor and protection in our journeying and our work in the East. We know no one who has greater reason to thank God for his mercies than ourself. We do not regret that we find much that we must do—we greatly rejoice that God so graciously favors us with health and strength to do so much. We ask the prayers of all friends and well-wishers of the work, that these mercies may be continued to us, that in this time of need the work be not hindered.
The Signs of the Times, Vol. 12.
By Editor
OUR readers will see that we have made some changes in the "make-up" of the paper. This seemed to be necessary to carry out the plans which we have laid for the coming volume, and we are satisfied that our patrons will be pleased with the changes as they see our plans developed.
We commenced the publication of notes on the International S. S. Lessons at the earnest request of the T. and M. Society workers. In these notes, as well as in the comments on the Sabbath-school Lessons, have been interwoven a vast amount of "present truth," in an interesting and instructive style. They have proved to be so beneficial that they cannot be dispensed with. But in a paper with so many departments, and with such a wide variety of matter as the SIGNS contains, there must be a limit as to space, and hereafter these notes will be somewhat abridged. As occasion offers, some of the space heretofore used may be appropriated to articles, original or selected, kindred to the subjects of the lessons, or by Sabbath-school workers.
One feature of the paper, we are happy to say, will be retained in this volume. We refer to the articles of Mrs. E. G. White, on the first page of each paper. And we know that our readers will unite with us in this expression of happiness, for we have received many words of appreciation of these articles.
We are glad to learn that there is a growing interest in the articles on History as related to the fulfillment of prophecy. See notice of them elsewhere. Volume 12 will contain much valuable information on such subjects.
We deeply regretted that we could not be in Oakland while preparations were being made for the commencement of this volume. Our plans had to be laid by correspondence; and we cannot but express pleasure with the manner in which the work has been done. We shall do our utmost to still make improvements. We also regret that circumstances prevented our preparing the third article on the "Coming of a Literal Christ." This series will contain many points which all Bible students will do well to consider.
From Australia.
By Editor
WE have received advices from our Australian missionaries as late as December 3, 1885, but too late for more than a short notice in this issue. They say:—
“We have to-day leased a new, two-story building of nine rooms, and an additional brick building where we can set our new printing-press, ‘Wharf-dale.’ Twenty-three have signed the covenant. There are now thirty adult Sabbath-keepers here besides those of us who came from America, and quite a number more are studying deeply, and are arranging their business affairs so that they can keep the commandments of God.”
We rejoice at the bright tokens of prosperity that the Lord is giving to the work in this new field. We look for great things in a short time in Australia. Now that this mission has changed location, notice particularly that the address is,—
Burnam House, Corner of Rae and Scotchmer Streets, North Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Address all letters accordingly.
Encouraging Work in Honolulu
By Editor
BROTHER LARUE writes a very encouraging letter from Honolulu. He says: "I have sold in all since I have been here $217 worth of books. I have attended to all the distributors and the SIGNS binders, on sea and land, so that I know they have done a good work. I have obtained 139 yearly subscriptions for our periodicals, without premiums." We like the way that reads. It speaks for itself. We know that much good must result from the seed thus sown. He writes that, from the first of September to the middle of December, he sold $50 worth of books. God will give the increase.
January Renewals.
By Editor
A LARGE number of subscriptions expire during this month. The little yellow tab on your paper shows the exact date to which your time is paid. Our terms are cash in advance, and we hope that you will not allow your name to be dropped from the SIGNS list. We would be pleased to have you renew for six months ($1.00) or a year ($2.00), or we will send the SIGNS three years for $5.00.
Notice to Subscribers
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.