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Signs of the Times, Vol. 4, No. 8.

THE BARREN FIG TREE
Earlier text: THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

Thoughts on the Book of Daniel.

By Uriah Smith

CHAPTER XI—CONTINUED.

VERSE 18. After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many; but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him.
War with Pharnaces, king of the Cimmerian Bosphorus, at length drew him away from Egypt. “On his arrival where the enemy was,” says Prideaux, “he, without giving any respite either to himself or them, immediately fell on, and gained an absolute victory over them; an account whereof he wrote to a friend of his in these three words: Veni, vidi, vici, I came, I saw, I conquered.” The latter part of this verse is involved in some obscurity, and there is a difference of opinion in regard to its application. Some apply it farther back in Cæsar’s life, and think they find a fulfillment in his quarrel with Pompey. But we think that preceding and subsequent events, clearly defined in the prophecy, compel us to look for the fulfillment of this part of the prediction between the victory over Pharnaces, and Cæsar’s death at Rome as brought to view in the following verse. A more full history of this period might bring to view events which would render the application of this passage unembarrassed.
Verse 19. Then he shall turn his face toward the fort of his own land; but he shall stumble and fall, and not be found.
After this conquest, Cæsar defeated the last remaining fragments of Pompey’s party, Cato and Scipio in Africa, and Labienus and Varus in Spain. Returning to Rome, the “fort of his own land,” he was made perpetual dictator; and such other powers and honors were granted him, as rendered him in fact absolute sovereign of the whole empire. But the prophet had said that he should stumble and fall. The language implies that his overthrow would be sudden and unexpected, like a person accidentally stumbling in his walk. And so this man who had fought and won five hundred battles, taken one thousand cities, and slain one million one hundred and ninety-two thousand men, fell, not in the din of battle and the hour of strife, but when he thought his pathway was smooth and strewn with flowers, and when danger was supposed to be far away; for taking his seat in the senate chamber, upon his throne of gold, to receive at the hands of that body the title of king, the dagger of treachery suddenly struck him to the heart. Cassius, Brutus, and other conspirators, rushed upon him, and he fell, pierced with twenty-three wounds. Thus he suddenly stumbled and fell, and was not found, B. C. 44.
Verse 20. Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom; but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.
Augustus Cæsar succeeded his uncle Julius, by whom he had been adopted as his successor. Being in a distant province engaged in the study of rhetoric and eloquence, when he heard of his uncle’s tragical death, he displayed marked ability in returning to Rome, placing himself at the head of the army, and establishing himself the successor to Julius, according to his design. He publicly announced his adoption by his uncle, and took his name, to which he added that of Octavianus. Combining with Mark Antony and Lepidus, to avenge the death of Cæsar, they formed what is called the Triumvirate form of government. Having subsequently firmly established himself in the empire, the senate conferred upon him the title of Augustus, the other members of the Triumvirate being now dead, and he being supreme ruler.
He was emphatically a raiser of taxes. Luke, in speaking of the events that transpired at the time when Christ was born, says: “And it came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.” Luke 2 : 1. That taxing which embraced all the world was an event worthy of notice; and the person who enforced it has certainly a claim to the title of “a raiser of taxes,” above every other competitor.
And he stood up in the glory of the kingdom. Rome stood in her days at the pinnacle of its greatness and power. The “Augustan Age” is an expression everywhere used to denote the golden age of Roman history. Rome never saw a brighter hour. Peace was promoted, justice maintained, luxury curbed, discipline established, and learning encouraged. In his reign, the temple of Janus was for the third time shut, since the foundation of Rome, signifying that all the world was at peace; and at this auspicious hour, our Lord was born in Bethlehem of Judea. After a reign of forty-four years, long according to human computation, yet seeming but a few days to the distant gaze of the prophet, Augustus died, not in anger nor in battle, but peacefully in his bed, at Nola, whither he had gone to seek repose and health, A. D. 14, in the 76th year of his age. U. S.
(To be continued.)

Recognition in Heaven.

By John Norton Loughborough

“Have you Scripture proof that the saints shall know, and recognize each other in heaven?” “B. A. S.”
I think we may safely answer, Yes, to the above question. A recognition of those we have known and associated with on earth, it seems to me, would greatly enhance the enjoyment in the heavenly world, and if there was no recognition of former friends it would seem to detract from the joys of God’s people. The question, however, is not what we think but what can be proved. The disciples knew Christ after his resurrection, and when even the doubting Thomas saw the marks in the hands and side of Christ he cried out, “My Lord and my God.” True, Christ kept himself from their recognition by “holding their eyes,” and acting as though he were a stranger, but how soon they recognized him when he engaged in the familiar act of blessing and breaking the bread. Our vile bodies are to be fashioned like Christ’s glorious body. With him the identity of the body was so preserved that they knew him notwithstanding he was immortal. So with the saints; they will be changed to immortality and yet preserve the identity of their bodies. Their identity will be so exact that even the wicked can recognize them; and surely they should recognize each other.
Christ said to the wicked Jews: “There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and ye yourselves thrust out.” Luke 13 : 28. This, we understand, is when the wicked “come around the camp of the saints and the beloved city and fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours them.” Rev. 20. If there was not some distinguishing feature by which Abraham and others could be identified, how would they know whether they had seen Abraham or some one else? If the wicked thus recognize the saints, surely the saints will know each other.
Paul, in writing to the Corinthians, contrasting the present with the future says: “Then shall I know even as also I am known.” 1 Cor. 13 : 12.
But one of the most impressive testimonies in the case is in the Psalms of David, which shows that in the planting of God’s people in the kingdom there will not only be a recognition of the persons, but that it will also be taken into account where this and that man was born. We read: “Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me; behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there. And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her; and the highest himself shall establish her. The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.” Ps. 87 : 3–6. J. N. Loughborough.

Reports from the Field.

(Condensed from Review and Herald.)

Missouri.

HOLDEN, INDEX, ROCKVILLE, AND NEVADA IN THE CITY.—Elder Butler writes: “Since my last report have held meetings in these places. Have labored mostly to help the Sabbath-keepers, giving instruction on practical subjects, and especially concerning the T. and M. work. Our meetings have been profitable, and the preaching well received. Clubs for the Signs are being formed in every church we have visited, to be paid for mostly on the monthly installment plan. Quite a number have promised to lay aside tobacco, tea, and coffee, and the sentiment in favor of health reform is strengthening. And best of all, many are feeling more the importance of seeking God and being alive in his work. I feel certain there is a healthy change taking place in the spiritual atmosphere where I have been, which I trust may continue till there is a radical change for the better. The work is laborious, and not so encouraging as I could wish; still I feel of good hope. Our business is to sow the seed. It is the Lord’s work to make it grow. It is for us to sow in faith, labor in courage and hope, and trust him always. I expect to see better days in Missouri. There is a disposition kindling up here to go to work for the Lord. We hope to see it continue till the cloud is lifted.”

Alabama.

BLADEN SPRINGS.—Elder Burrill writes, February 4: “During the past week several have decided to obey the truth. The interest is increasing. People come from a greater distance, and express a lively interest in the doctrines advocated. To-day we commence erecting a church, in the place of the one burned down two months ago. Have a Sabbath-school of forty members. Nineteen have received the ordinance of baptism.”

Georgia.

REYNOLDS.—Elder C. O. Taylor writes: “The Lord is moving upon hearts, and causing his truth to spread in this southern clime. Something over four months since I formed an acquaintance with an Adventist minister. In a recent letter from him he says, ‘I am convinced of the truth on the Sabbath, and have begun the new year keeping all of God’s commandments.’ This brother has been very decided in defending what truth he had, especially the plain Bible doctrine of immortality only through Jesus. I trust that he will be as faithful in defending the down-trodden Sabbath of the Lord.”

Pennsylvania.

SCOTT CENTER.—Brother E. W. Whitney writes: “Have now been here nearly seven weeks, and have spoken twenty-eight times. Have sold about five dollars’ worth of books, and obtained ten subscriptions on our different periodicals. Six have commenced to keep the Sabbath making eight who are now keeping it, and there are others for whom we hope.”

Illinois.

RUTLAND.—Brethren G. W. Colcord and C. H. Bliss report, February 4: “We commenced labor here January 25. To date we have spoken fourteen times, besides attending seven prayer-meetings and one business session. Yesterday we organized a church of nine members. Three or four have embraced the Sabbath since we came here, and we hope for several others.”

Kansas.

LIMESTONE.—Brother Santee writes: “We have held meetings at this place about two weeks. As the result, eight more are observing the Sabbath. The interest is deep, and those taking hold are substantial.”

Nebraska.

TAYLOR VALLEY.—Elder Nettleton writes: “The series of meetings commenced at this place January 5, closed last evening. They have been well attended. Had some opposition from a Congregationalist minister of the place, on the subject, of the kingdom, who, when I was absent, spoke on the subject, and advocating the theory that the kingdom was set up at the first advent of our Lord. When I returned, I had good liberty in reviewing his position, to a crowded house. At the close of the meetings, over twenty voted in favor of the Sabbath. Twelve signed the covenant to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, five of whom had never before made a profession of religion. There are several others who are deeply interested, and who will, I think, yet take a stand for the truth.”

Maine.

WOODLAND.—Brother J. Sawyer writes: “We labored here nearly three weeks, speaking mostly on the prophecies, and distributing tracts. Spoke four times in Swedish. The hearers were many of them Union Covenanters, a people who hold views on the prophecies very much like those of the Seventh-day Adventists. They have a conference, and hold quarterly and monthly meetings. There are six ministers belonging to this body, three of whom believe in the Lord’s Sabbath, yet do not preach it. Some of this body have accepted the Sabbath, and are anxious to receive more light.”

Scripture Sprinkling Not Baptism.

By W. N. C.

Some learned “doctors of divinity,” claiming that sprinkling is baptism, maintain that this “mode” is in fulfillment of prophecy, and quote Eze. 36 : 25 : “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean.” The word “then” specifies the time when this act is to be performed, and is predicated upon something that has been said before. The preceding verse reads: “For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you unto your own land.” And it is when this is accomplished that the sprinkling of clean water is to take place. This promise was made to the house of Israel. Will the advocates of sprinkling for baptism please tell us at what time during the Christian era either literal or spiritual Israel have been gathered out of all countries unto their own land? We have no record that literal Israel have been so gathered; hence the sprinkling of them during this period, wherever they may be found, to fulfill Ezekiel’s prophecy, is out of date. Or, if it be claimed that spiritual Israelites go immediately to heaven when they die, and are thus gathered from all countries into their own land, then the sprinkling of them before death is premature, for according to the prophecy the sprinkling comes after the gathering.
Another serious objection to applying this prophecy to baptism is, that the sprinkling of clean water, whatever it may mean, is an act that the Lord God is to do himself. So of Isaiah 52 : 15, which is also claimed as authority for sprinkling: “So shall he sprinkle many nations,” &c. The prophet undoubtedly refers to Jesus, and the sprinkling is something that Jesus is to do; but, according to John 4 : 2, “Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples.”
W. N. C.

Bible Prophecy.

The Bible contains many lines of prophecy, that is history of events before they transpire. Jeremiah, in the 25 chapter of his book, prophesies of the overthrow of Jerusalem, by the king of Babylon, and the captivity of her people for seventy years, all of which was fulfilled. Nebuchadnezzar taking them prisoners B. C. 606, and king Cyrus proclaimed their freedom, to a great extent, by allowing them to return to Jerusalem at the end of the 70 years B. C. 536, see Ezra 1 : 1. Again, the prophecy in regard to the scattering of the Jews made nearly 1500 years B. C., Leviticus 26 : 21–29, has been completely fulfilled, and the Jews to-day are scattered in all parts of the earth, and in them is fulfilled that which was predicted of them in Deut. 28 : 37 : “And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a by-word, among all nations whither the Lord shall lead thee.” Who has not heard the proverb of “Jewing,” or the by-word of “Stingy as a Jew?” Reader, did you ever think that all this, and much more, was prophesied of this people over three thousand years ago, and is now being fulfilled?

The Judge's Rebuke.

By Sel.

SEATED in the elegant library at Wellington Hall, Mrs. Sycopantia Greenfield scanned every object, and could not well restrain a smile of self-satisfaction as her eye rested upon its evident completeness. A gentle knock at the door, and her principal assistant, Miss Philips, entered.
“I have sent for you, Miss Philips, to know if you can assist me to arrange the premiums; and also to have you give me a list of the most deserving in your class.”
“With pleasure, Mrs. Greenfield. I have four entitled to distinction. There is Mary Harris—”
A frown passed over Mrs. Greenfield’s face.
“Catherine Stanton—”
“Pshaw! poor orphan,” escaped Madam’s lips.
“Helen Mason—”
“Humph!” in a contemptuous tone.
“Agnes Tiner—”
“You astonish me, Miss Philips. Do you mean to draw the scorn of respectable society upon my academy by bestowing the highest honors upon beggars? I really expected better of you.”
“If in the performance of duty, I have given merit to the deserving, I feel justified.”
“That may be, Miss Philips; but policy demands that we favor children of influential parents. It matters little if we lose the patronage of the young ladies named, as they occupy no position in society. Now, there is Miss Perry, daughter of the distinguished banker; we will substitute her name for that of Miss Harris—”
“Miss Perry! the greatest dunce in the academy. What an outrage!” The mild eye of Miss Philips flashed with indignation.
“In place of Miss Stanton we will say Miss Cullen—”
“Surely, you must be jesting, Mrs. Greenfield. Miss Cullen least of all deserves any consideration. She has talents but will not improve them.”
“No matter, her family is one of the oldest in the State and must not be overlooked. We can afford to be indulgent to Miss Mason; her father is a rising man; but as for that pauper, Agnes Tiner, I positively declare she shall not triumph over dear Miss Perry.”
“Miss Tiner is a lady,” said Miss Philips, with spirit. “She has few equals. I am very sorry to find my high opinion of you lowered, and as I know you too well to think my reasoning will affect your decision in favor of my pupils, I wish you good morning.”
And with scornful face and bitter heart she left the library.
Mrs. Greenfield’s dreams that night were full of reproach, and when morning dawned she determined to act independently; but the old feeling came back, and for the sake of policy she sacrificed truth and honor.
The lecture room was crowded on Distribution morning. Everything seemed bright and happy, and no one who looked at dignified Mrs. Greenfield could for a moment suppose that low born sycophancy was in her heart.
After music and recitation, came the presentation, and many an idle girl wished she had been more diligent.
“But what was the use of trying?” whispered Julia Green to her nearest neighbor; premiums are never given fairly.”
Mrs. S. Greenfield arose, and in persuasive tones announced that the first honor was awarded to Miss Lucretia Perry.
Miss Perry received the costly books, and with a low courtesy retired to her seat.
“Miss Cullen is the next deserving.”
Miss Cullen looked astonished, but never moved.
“Miss Cullen!” repeated Mrs. Greenfield.
“Indeed I cannot take the premium, Mrs. Greenfield,” said the young lady addressed, in tones distinct enough to be heard by the principal, “I would die with shame were I to advance one step. Miss Stanton is alone deserving, and I will not rob her of her rights.”
Mrs. Greenfield bit her lips with vexation. But policy demanded that she should keep a smiling face; and fearful of exciting the inquiry of the audience, she proceeded with the next honor.
The haughty, purse-proud Mrs. Perry was in ecstacy; she always knew her daughter was so superior.
When Judge Cullen and his noble wife embraced their child, he laughingly asked to see her prizes.
“I could not take them, papa. I have not been deserving.”
“I am sorry to hear that,” said the judge, gravely. “It is well that you are conscious of your deficiency.”
Mrs. Greenfield came forward to greet the aristocratic judge, but his manner was far less cordial than she had expected.
“Your daughter’s generosity,” she began.
But the judge interrupted her. “When I placed my child with you, madam, I hoped you would correct her faults, particularly her indolence; but I perceive you encouraged her. Hence I will be obliged to remove her to the care of more impartial teachers.” And with a stately bow to the crest-fallen sycophant, he ushered his family into their carriage.
It was a sad blow to Mrs. Greenfield’s pride to lose the patronage of one of the first families in the State.
But it taught her this lesson: That the ignorant alone feel pleasure in the fulsome flattery of teachers for undeserving children; but they honor, respect and revere the one who has courage to act with justice and impartiality.—Sel.

Jests upon Scripture.

It is very common with some persons to raise a laugh by means of some ludicrous story connected with a text of Scripture. Sometimes it is a play on words, or a pun; at other times a blunder; and not seldom a downright impiety. Whatever be its form, even when lightest, it is no venial offense, leading as it does to profane contempt of God's word. Those who practice this have never been celebrated for genuine wit. The laughter which they call forth is provoked solely by the unexpected contrast between the solemn words of Scripture and droll idea. There is no real wit in the case, and the dullest persons in society are most remarkable for these attempts.
The evils arising from this practice are greater than they first appear. It leads in general to irreverence for Scripture. No man would jest with the dying words of his father or mother, yet the words of God are quite as solemn. When we have heard a comic, vulgar tale connected with a text of Scripture, such is the power of association that we never hear the text afterwards without thinking of the jest. The effect of this is obvious. He who is much engaged in this kind of false wit, will come at length to have a large portion of Holy Scripture spotted over by his unclean fancy. “The pure in heart shall see God.”—Sel.

Memory of the Just.

As mid the ever rolling sea, The Eternal Isles established be, ’Gainst which the billows of the main Fret, rage, and break themselves in vain;
As in the Heavens, the urns divine Of golden light forever shine; Though clouds may darken, storms may rage, They still shine on from age to age.
So, through the ocean tide of years, The memory of the just appears; So, through the tempest and the gloom, The good man’s virtues light the tomb.

The Temperance Cause.

By Editor

We are earnestly committed to the temperance cause. Nor do we merely hold to it nominally. For a quarter of a century our people have been taking strong ground upon Christian temperance, and our ministers have lectured and written in favor of it. All our ministers make it a part of their duty to preach upon it frequently. We have a monthly Journal, entitled The Health Reformer, devoted to physical, mental and moral culture, which takes high ground upon the subject of temperance. We bid a hearty God speed to those engaged in this noble cause.
We call the attention of the reader to the following startling figures setting forth the enormity of the liquor traffic in the United States, from the Christian Statesman of 1871.
“Those who would measure the enormity of the liquor traffic by the money which it absorbs, will be impressed by some figures presented by Mr. Edward S. Young, Chief of the U. S. Statistical Bureau, at a meeting of the Congressional Temperance Society, in Washington, last Sunday evening. Mr. Young stated the annual product of whisky in this country to be, according to the returns made to the government, 62,500,000 gallons, representing a money value of $375,000,000; fermented liquors, 6,300,000 barrels, worth $126,000,000; imported liquors, $100,000,000. There are in the United States 150,000 licensed liquor stores, whose average annual sales are $4,000 each, making a total of $600,000,000; and this exhibit he thought was probably $100,000 below the facts. Mr. Young used the following comparisons, to enforce his statistics:—”
“An expert could not count more than $20,000 in one-dollar notes in one day. Working twenty-five days in a month, it would take one man one hundred years to count the money. If spread upon the ground in notes of the same denomination, it would cover an area of 20,446 acres. If paid in gold, a ton of which is worth $574,000, and loaded on wagons, each carrying one ton, and occupying a space of seven yards, it would require 1,045 wagons, which would form a procession six miles long. In silver, worth $31,200, it would require 19,230 wagons, which would form a line of seventy-nine miles in length. To complete the picture, let the wives and children of drunkards, and the widows and orphans of those who have died drunkards during the past year, follow these wagons in melancholy procession, their cries of anguish ascending to Heaven, and the line would extend thousands of miles.”
“And all this, not only taken from the productive capital and labor of the country, but used in such a way as to weaken its productive power, and increase crime and misery of every form. And yet society tolerates this horrid traffic, and government legalizes and protects it, for the filthy pittance which it drops into the treasury.” W. M. H.

Thought Before Action

THOUGHT and theory must precede all action that moves to salutary purposes. Yet action is nobler in itself than either thought or theory.

Patience After Doing God’s Will

AFTER all these we need patience, even after we have done the will of God, if we hope to receive the promise.

R. R. Cars Described B. C. 713.

What, a description of steam cars more than twenty-five hundred years before they were invented? Impossible! No, my friend, not impossible. Please open your Bible to the book of Nahum, chapter 2, verse 3, and read: “The chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his (God’s) preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken. The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways; they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.”
Now we have a good description of the appearance of our modern chariots, or railroad cars. Then follows a description of the conductor passing through the cars stumbling in his walk and recounting his worthies (or passengers).
But this has only existed in the earth for a few years. And when does the prophet say it will be so? In the day of his (God’s) preparation. Then we are living in that day; a day of special preparation. There was a day of preparation in Noah’s time, when they were to prepare for the flood. But what is the preparation that is required now? It is not against a flood, for God has said he will not again drown the earth. But we read that before the Lord comes a people should be prepared to meet him.
This is the preparation for this time. When you see another railroad train please think of Nahum’s description, and remember it was to be in the day of God’s preparation.
Then let us prepare for the most solemn event the world has ever witnessed, which is at hand. Who will be able to stand?—Notes of Warning.

The Dangers of Prosperity

THINK what danger you escape when you escape great prosperity. Gold is often a hardener of the heart. Promotion often dazzles the brain. Wealth has made millions poor for eternity. “Ah, David,” said Dr. Johnson to Garrick, when he showed him his superb drawing-room, “Ah! David, these are the things that make death beds terrible.”

Slander Kills Threefold

Slander kills threefold,—him that utters, him that is attacked, and him that hearkens.

God Accepts What We Have

God accepts what we have.

Our Home.

By W. M. HEALEY

Where will be the future home of the people of God?
When the Lord made man he did not put him in heaven where the angels are, but on the earth, and gave him dominion over it, and all upon it. Gen. 1:26. This dominion he could hold as long as he lived and obeyed God. But when man ceased to obey God he lost his dominion and his life. Gen. 3:19. God formed the earth to be inhabited. Isa. 45:18. Adam and Eve proved themselves unworthy of their trust, and put themselves with all the dominion they had into the hands of the enemy. But God had provided means by which the dominion could be regained, if the first man allowed it to be lost. God never gave man power to control the motions of the earth, or the change of seasons. Man's power was more of a political than physical nature, and not absolute in any particular.
Christ comes, the last Adam, 1 Cor. 15:45, to redeem and restore that which was lost. And when he has gained a right to the dominion of the earth by being faithful to every trust, and also gains the right to redeem man from death by himself dying on the cross, will he now take those whom he has redeemed away from the earth forever, and thus abandon the dominion? I think not. I find that God promised Abraham that he and his seed should have the land. Gen. 13:14–16. This promise Paul says, Rom. 4:13, embraced the world; and it could not have embraced less, for his seed were to be like the dust of the ground for number. Stephen says God did not give Abraham so much as to set his foot on. Acts 7:2–6. Paul declares the same in Hebrews 11, but says Abraham and his children died believing they would have the land. When could they expect it? Certainly not in this life, for they died believing in the promise. Of course it could only be fulfilled to them after the resurrection.
Paul says, Heb. 11:10, that Abraham looked for a city that was made by God. Then he speaks of his dying in this faith, and in verse 16 says God hath prepared for them a city. John in Rev. 21:2, says he saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven. Verse 1 says this was on the new earth. Peter, in second epistle, third chapter, verses 10–13, says the elements shall melt with fervent heat the earth, also, and the works therein shall be burned up. Notice, the earth is not burned up but melted and the works are burned up. Then he says we look for new heavens and a new earth. Isaiah says God will create new heavens and a new earth, Isa. 65, and he says Jerusalem will be there, and God's people will rejoice in her. The heaven here spoken of is the same as it is said God created in the beginning. Gen. 1:1. Simply that heaven which belongs to this earth, or the atmosphere that surrounds it, and not the third heavens, or the dwelling place of God. It is in the earth when thus freed from the curse that Abraham and his seed come into their possessions; and if we are Christ's then are we Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. Gal. 3:29. Reader, you may have a part in that beautiful land, where no curse infests the ground. Christ, in wearing the crown of thorns, redeemed the earth from that part of the curse.
There will be no more sorrow. All tears are wiped away. Rev. 21:4. Then will be fulfilled Christ's words, Matt. 5:5: “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” There, also, will be the reward for keeping the fifth commandment of the decalogue: “Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”
This is our final home if we are Christ's, and we are his if we keep his words; and he says the words are not his but the Father's that sent him. John 14:24.
That beautiful city, New Jerusalem, is now in heaven, ready at the appointed time to come down upon the earth. Christ has now gone there to prepare mansions for his people, and after the preparation is all made he will come for them and take them there, John 13:36, and 14:2–3, where they will be till the city descends, and then they come with it to be “recompensed in the earth.” Shall we be there?
W. M. HEALEY.

SECULAR NEWS.

—There is no free-school system in Utah.
—No more trade dollars will be coined except for export.
—The work on the Darien Canal Expedition is still being prosecuted.
—The New York police are working with renewed energy against the excise sellers.
—The oldest house in New England is said to be in Guilford, Conn. It was built in 1639.
—A strong tidal wave recently swept the coast of Peru. The Callao moles were severely damaged.
—The yield of gold and silver in the States and Territories during the year 1877 was $95,500,000.
—The king of Spain thinks of sending thirty boys, the sons of nobles, to this country to be educated.
—The public debt statement for January shows a decrease in the debt for the month of $1,668,076.53.
—The internal revenue returns of New York show a decrease in the manufacture of liquor and cigars.
—Although the new king of Italy is the fourth Humbert, he assumes the title of King Humbert the first.
—At Belfast, Ireland, about ten grain firms have recently failed. Their total liabilities are estimated at $1,000,000.
—The museum of Yale College has recently received from the Rocky mountains the nearly complete skeleton of a gigantic reptile. It is thirty feet long, and was found firmly imbedded in rock.
—An asylum for women and children, in China, was recently burned, and two thousand persons perished in the flames.
—North Carolina contains 1,025 distilleries, the largest of any State in the Union. Kentucky comes next with 754 distilleries.
—The continent of Africa contains over eleven million square miles—being three million more than the whole of North America.
—Five tons of rocks containing impressions of bird and insect tracks have been taken from Wethersfield, Conn., to Mount Holyoke Seminary.
—Monday morning, at six o’clock the Sacramento river was the highest ever known; it marking twenty-four feet and nine inches.
—Smallpox is raging in epidemic form at Fremont, Texas. Nine-tenths of the inhabitants have left the place, and the business houses are all closed.
—A farmer at Knights Landing, California, the last dry year took off 46,666 bushels of wheat from two thousand acres of land—over twenty-three bushels to the acre.
—In 1850, Minnesota contained but 5,000 souls, and had but 1,900 acres under cultivation. In 1877 it contained 759,000 souls, and nearly 3,000,000 acres under cultivation, of which nearly 2,000,000 were in wheat.
—It is estimated that England uses about 150,000,000 pounds of tea per annum—nearly all black. France uses but very little. America uses about 50,000,000 pounds per year, or about one-third as much as England.
—Six teachers, three ladies and three gentlemen, have left New York to become instructors in two national colleges for men and women in Honduras. Others are to be engaged from time to time, and the English language and the American system of education are to be used.
—During the past year the consumption of cotton reached the highest point ever attained in this country, while the value of our cotton fabrics exported has, despite low prices, increased $7,000,000 within two years, or from $3,090,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1875 to $10,080,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1877.
—The number of horses in Norway in 1875 was 151,903. There are consequently but 84 horses to every thousand inhabitants as against 227 in the United States, 225 in Russia, 176 in Denmark, 103 in Sweden, 98 in Austro-Hungary, 85 in Great Britain and Ireland, 82 in Germany, and 76 in France. The countries on the Mediterranean are still lower on the list, owing to the general employment of mules, asses, and oxen.
—An exchange says: “Russia leather is made in Connecticut, Bordeaux wine is manufactured in California, French lace is woven in New York, Italian marble is dug in Kentucky, Marseilles linen is produced in Massachusetts, English cassimere is made in New Hampshire, Parisian art work comes from a shop in Boston, Spanish mackerel are caught on the New Jersey coast, and Havana cigars are rolled up by the millions in Chicago.”
—It is stated that the most industrious and profitable manufacturing country in the world in proportion to its size is the platform over St. Anthony’s Falls at Minneapolis, Minn. It has sixteen flouring mills, one woolen mill, one iron works, one cotton mill, one railroad machine shop, two planing mills, one sash and door factory, one paper mill, one grain elevator with a capacity of 300,000 bushels, two machine shops, one mill furnishing shop, one carding mill, eight saw mills, having a capacity for sawing 1,000,000 feet per day, and the city water works, together with numerous offices and other buildings pertaining directly and indirectly to these various institutions.
—It is stated that the deepest artesian well in the world is now in progress at Pesth, and has already reached a depth of 951 metres (3,118 feet). The well at Paris, which is 547 metres in depth, has hitherto held the first place in such achievements. The work is carried on at the expense of the city, which has granted a sum equal to £40,000 for the purpose, with the intention of obtaining an unlimited supply of warm water for the municipal establishment and the public baths. The water at present issuing has a temperature of 161 degrees Fahrenheit, and the operations will be continued until that of 178 degrees is obtained. About 175,000 gallons of the water pour out daily, and rise to the hight of 35 feet.
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