There are various reasons why some persons have a poor memory.
First, they may have over-worked their brain, and exhausted the energies of the nervous system. A majority of the people tax their minds to the utmost, and instead of reinvigorating themselves after exhaustion, continue their labors till their systems are deranged by excessive mental application, and the brain loses the power of receiving or retaining the impressions made upon it. Many have disqualified themselves for labor by overcharging their brain with more than it can do. It requires great presence of mind, much firmness and decision of character for an ardent, enthusiastic person to take rest when work presses upon him and opportunities for labor multiply; and he frequently continues in business till sickness entirely disables him from pursuing his calling.
Inactivity of mind is another fruitful source of a poor memory. However strong and vigorous the mind may be, originally, unless exercised, it is like gold and silver laid away in a napkin, which became tarnished, though, if used daily, they would be bright for years.
Irregularity of life is another reason for a poor memory. If persons are subject to extremes, sometimes getting up early and sometimes late in the morning; if they indulge in excesses of any kind, or trifle with their organization so as to impair its power, they cannot expect to have clear ideas on any subject—especially a good memory. It is important to live systematically and methodically if we would preserve the brain in a good condition.
Dissipation destroys the memory. When the nervous system is over-stimulated by alcohol, tobacco, opium, or by anything that excites the brain, the result is unfortunate. It may increase the brilliancy for a time, but soon the constitution becomes affected by the over-stimulation, and the mind will be subsequently more dull and obtuse than ever.
Sickness is a great drawback to the memory. Mental impressions are like the daguerreotyping process. If all the chemicals, solutions, and mixtures necessary for the plate are in the laboratory, and properly applied, and the sky is clear, there will be a distinct picture of the object on the plate. If any of the chemicals employed in the process are wanting there will not be a satisfactory result, but a dull, brown, indistinct picture. So with the individual who is sickly and debilitated, whose stock of vitality is feeble; the mind is obscure, and the pictures made upon it are not clear and vivid. A person in health will have a better memory than one who is constantly complaining of illness. There is no profit in being sick, save to the doctor. How common it is for persons to say that they had a first-rate memory till they were ill at a certain time.
When sickness comes, if, instead of drugging, you should recover by attention to the laws of life, obeying those which you had broken, you might regain the tone of your mind, and memory would be restored; but some people think that they must take medicine when well to prevent their being ill, and certainly when ill to recover health. When there is imperfect digestion or bad circulation of the blood, you should not displace the disease by sending the difficulty to another part of the system, or by inducing a secondary disease; you should strive to restore every part to its normal condition. We rarely find physicians at the present day who believe that medicine cures; they say that it helps nature. If you can get along without it, you will have a better memory. Physicians often give medicine because the people ask for it, but they should teach them a better doctrine—to obey the laws of life and health. Then, the advice of one who has made a great expenditure of time and money to obtain the knowledge necessary to give information, will be appreciated and remunerated. It is the young doctor that administers the largest doses; the young parent who whips the child most severely; while the old physician gives hygienic advice, and the old father counsels his child.
Indulgence in light and frivolous reading will induce a poor memory. Many individuals spend most of their time in reading novels that they do not wish to remember, but they read them for mental dissipation. This has a great tendency to blunt the memory. The desire of the reader is not to learn the moral teachings of the work, but to find out the plot of the story, with no idea of remembering what he or she reads. The consequence is, that when they endeavor to tax the mind in earnest, it is impossible to do so, for bad habits of thought, attention and memory are not easily remedied.
A Recipe for Happiness.
It is simply when you rise in the morning to form the resolution to make the day a happy one to a fellow creature. It is easily done; a left-off garment to the man who needs it; a kind word to the sorrowful; an encouraging expression to the striving—trifles in themselves as light as air—will do it, at least for twenty-four hours; and if you are young, depend upon it that it will tell when you are old, rest assured it will send you gently and happily down the stream of time to eternity. Look at the result. You send one person—only one—happily through the day; that is three hundred and sixty-five in the course of a year; and suppose you live forty years only after you commence this course, you have made fourteen thousand six hundred human beings happy, at least for a time. Now, worthy reader, is not this simple? We do not often indulge in a moral dose, but this is so small a pill, that no one needs currant jelly to disguise its flavor, and requires to be taken but once a day, that we feel warranted in prescribing it. It is most excellent for digestion, and a promoter of pleasant slumber.— Exchange.
A Strong Case.
At a recent temperance meeting, an old officer of Napoleon, who had been twenty-three years a soldier gave his experience. He rose before the audience tall, erect, and vigorous, with a glow of health upon his cheek, and said: “You see before you a man seventy years old. I have fought two hundred battles, have had fourteen wounds upon my body, have lived thirty days on horse-flesh, with the bark of trees for my bread, snow and ice for my drink, the canopy of heaven for my covering; without shoes or stockings on my feet, and with only a few rags for my clothing. In the desert of Egypt I have marched for days with a burning sun on my uncovered head, feet blistering in the scorching sands, with eyes, nostrils, and mouth, filled with dust, and with a thirst so tormenting that I have opened the veins of my arms and sucked my own blood. Do you ask how I survived all these horrors? I answer, that under the providence of God I owe my preservation, my health, my vigor, to this fact, that I have never drank a drop of spirituous liquor in my life.” And continued he, “Baron Laray, of the medical staff chief of the French army, has stated it as a fact that the six thousand survivors who safely returned from Egypt were all of them men who abstained from the use of ardent spirits.”—Sel.
Danger of Moderate Drinking,
A so-called moderate drinker once became very angry with a friend who claimed that safety is alone in totally abstaining from the use of ardent spirits, and who allowed his fantastical notions to insinuate that the moderate drinker himself might then be beyond self-control. “To make plain the question, who is wrong,” said the temperance man, “will you just quit one month, not touching a drop in that time?” Said the other, “To satisfy your mind, sir, I will with pleasure, though I know myself, I will do as you ask to cure overwrought ideas.” He kept the promise, but at the end of the month he came to his friend with tears in his eyes, and thanked him for saving him from a drunkard’s grave. Said he, “I never knew before that I was in a sense a slave to drink, but the past month has been the fiercest battle of my life. I see now I was almost beyond hope, and had the test come many months later, it would have been too late for me. But I have kept the pledge, and by God’s help I will keep it for life.”
Moderate drinkers, just try it one year, and see how near you come to the rapids beyond which there is no returning.—Western Weekly.
The Best Relics.
A Popish preacher in the Strand was bewailing some time ago the barrenness of the country in religious privileges. “Some countries,” he said, “have the bone of one saint, some the relic of another, but here there is nothing, no vestige of the blessed saints!”
“Ah,” thought a passer by, “but we have, though! we have the best relic of the saints we could have! we have the first promise that cheered the heart of man, if we have no relic of the first man to whom it was given. If we have not a fragment of the harp of David we have the sweet sounds that David’s harp gave forth. If we have not a portion of the thorn which tried St. Paul, we have the comfort he received, ‘My grace is sufficient to thee,’ etc.; we have the arrow that first pierced him, ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me;’ and the balm which healed him, ‘I am Jesus.’”
RELIGIOUS NEWS.
—A Christian has been appointed governor of Crete.
—Four times the value of all the church property in the nation is annually spent for liquor.
—By a recent death, the number of old Catholic priests in Austria has been reduced to four.
—Dr. Milburn, the blind preacher, is lecturing and preaching in Ireland to large audiences.
—It is reported that the American Tract Societies, Boston and New York, are about to be consolidated.
—In 1850 the Catholic bishops in the United States held $9,000,000 worth of property; they now hold $110,000,000.
—Messrs. Moody and Sankey re-opened the Boston Tabernacle on Sunday, February 3, for a series of services to continue six weeks.
—A Catholic priest in Kentucky has forbidden his members to aid the Murphy, temperance movement, as it may lead them away from the church.
—American missionaries in Japan have translated eleven books of the New Testament, which has been published, largely at the expense of the American Bible Society, in 33 separate octavo volumes, retailing at from 3 to 25 cents.
—The American Board has expended in all over a million of dollars on its missions to the American Indians. Its efforts have been devoted to eighteen different tribes among which fifty churches have been established. The Board’s present annual expenditure for its Indian Missions is $15,000.
—The Woman’s Board of Foreign Missions, auxiliary to the American Board, held its tenth anniversary in Boston lately. The total receipts for 1877, including the balance on hand at the beginning of the year, were $106,338. The Board maintains missionaries, Bible-readers, schools, and homes in Asia, and among the North American Indians.
—The American Bible Revision Committee recently held its monthly meeting at the Bible House. The president reports that the Old Testament revisers have nearly finished the first revision of Jeremiah, and will next take up Ezekiel. The Pentateuch, the Psalms and Isaiah, had been revised previously. The New Testament revisers have reached the eleventh chapter of the Second Epistle to the Corinthians in the first revision. The Gospels, the Acts, and two-thirds of the Epistles have been revised so far, but will require a second revision. The American committee is only a little behind the revisers in England.
BUSINESS DEPARTMENT.
“Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully,” (margin, negligently), Jer. 48:10.
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Three-cent Tracts: Much in Little—The Lost-Time Question—Argument on Sabbath—Infidel Cavils Considered—The End of the Wicked—Scripture Reference—Who Changed the Sabbath?—The First Message of Rev. 14—The Second Message of Rev. 14—Origin and Progress of Seventh-day Adventists—Much in Little.
Two-cent Tracts: Christ in the Old Testament—The Sabbath in the New Testament—The Old Moral Code of Ten Commandments not Revised—The Abolishment Day—Seven Reasons for Sunday Keeping Examined—Elijah on the Sabbath—The Rich Man and Lazarus—The Sanctuary of the Bible—The Millennium—Departing and Being with Christ—Fundamental Principles of S. D. Adventists—The Judgment; or the Waymarks of Daniel to the Holy City—The Two Laws—Spirit of Prophecy—One Hundred Bible Facts—The Law and the Gospel—God’s Memorial.
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Address, THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
OAKLAND, CAL.
Jetsmark, Denmark.
By John G. Matteson
We had a prayer-meeting Sabbath afternoon in the meeting-house at Alstrup. It seems difficult for those who have just begun to serve the Lord to begin to pray with one another, but our little meeting was, nevertheless, encouraging. In the afternoon I spoke on the subject of Baptism to an audience of more than one hundred persons. There are twenty-five here who have commenced to observe the Sabbath and to serve the Lord; and many others are convinced of the truth.
Sunday, I held two meetings at Kaas, in the parish of Jetsmark, about nine miles from this place. We visited the church first. The service began there about an hour after the appointed time. There was to be a funeral service. The minister came out of the church clad in his ministerial robes and smoking a cigar; and he continued to smoke at the grave, even while the deacon sang several hymns. At last he was obliged to take the cigar out of his mouth while he spoke a few words at the grave. His sermon in the church lasted eighteen minutes, and consisted mainly in praises of the benefits and pleasures of married life.
There were at least one hundred and fifty present at my lectures in Kaas. The rooms were so crowded that I was obliged to stand on a stool, in order to get my head above the others. My head thus reached the ceiling, and I had to lean against those around me, as they crowded me on all sides. The truths spoken about the second coming of Christ were thankfully received by many. To-day I go to Sulsted, the Lord willing.
We need a faithful helper here in Vendsyssel. I can labor best by staying in this vicinity. There is work enough here for several years. It is easiest to labor where the people have a desire to hear; but there are other places farther away that should be visited also. Who is able and willing to help us?
January 21, 1878.JOHN G. MATTESON.
Meetings at Oakland.
By James White
ELDER HEALY’S lectures are well attended. Sunday evening, the 17th, the house was crowded. The following evening, Monday, is the poorest of the week to get a congregation, and it was very dark and rainy, yet there was a good congregation out.
The result of these meetings is yet to be seen; but judging from the congregations, and the close attention given to the word, good will be accomplished. It is gratifying to see the same persons, not a few, in their seats each evening. The seed is being sown, and may God water it with the dews of heaven. J. W.
The Temperance Movement.
By James White
PATTERNING very much after the eastern Reform Clubs for the suppression of intemperance, the friends of the reform in this city and San Francisco have been doing a good work the present winter. The pledge has been taken rapidly for several months until the numbers have reached many hundreds.
By invitation of Mr. Jewell, pastor of the M. E. church, Mission street, San Francisco, Mrs. White spoke to a crowded house Sunday evening, February 17. The large house and extensive galleries and aisles were literally packed. Mrs. White handled the subject of Christian Temperance in her accustomed sharp and interesting manner. It is hoped that much good will result from the effort. J. W.
Spirit of Prophecy.
By James White
We were highly pleased last evening to see volume three of this work among our mail, dressed in a paper cover. The bindery at Battle Creek has doubtless before this gotten out hundreds of copies in the accustomed muslin dress. A quantity will be shipped at once to this Office. The book contains four hundred pages of reading matter, and every page is full of light and instruction. Price, postage paid, $1.00. J. W.
Wanted.
By James White
The Signs Office is in great want of means at this time. There are several reasons for this want.
1. We have been getting a heavy stock of paper for the Signs and for books, and paper makers must be paid promptly.
2. We are issuing about ten thousand copies of this paper, and a large share is sent to clubs and to tract societies who expect time. These should pay in advance if possible.
3. Several brethren who had money deposited at this Office have unexpectedly drawn it out.
These causes combined have produced a scarcity of funds which threatens to cripple the work. Now what is wanted is summed up in the following:—
1. Those who are in arrears for the Signs or for books should pay up. It may be but a little sum which each owes, but put the littles all together and the sum is large.
2. Those who have cash which they can command will confer a favor to let it to this Office, and take the Association’s note, with or without interest. The secretary informs us that the sum of $5,000 is needed at this time in order to do business properly and save the credit of the Office.
We do not wish to give the impression that the Pacific Press is failing to accomplish what has been hoped and represented. No, the work moves on successfully. But those unacquainted with the business can form no just ideas of the amount invested in stock, and books. We are doing what we can to make the work a success, and urgently invite the friends of the cause to stand by us as we labor in this glorious cause. JAMES WHITE.
Nevada.
By John Norton Loughborough
The meetings still continue at St. Clair, Nevada, with full attendance and good interest. I have now given ten discourses in the last nine days, and expect to continue two weeks more. Brother Ferguson has had meetings here more or less for the last year, and some have embraced the truth who wish baptism. We expect to administer this ordinance next Sunday. We labor on, both in public and from house to house, hoping that our efforts will accomplish some good. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Beaverton, Oregon.
By Alonzo T. Jones
I WAS in Beaverton when Brother Loughborough started to California. I stayed until December 3, when I went about six miles from there to the Butte school-house. I remained until January 10, and gave thirty-seven discourses, and as a result eleven took their stand on the side of present truth. As I had to leave at that time to attend the District Quarterly meeting of the T. and M. Society. Brother R. D. Benham kindly consented to meet with them until my return. He is a faithful man in the truth and an excellent leader. On January 15, I went to Jefferson, Marion county, and stayed till the 28th and gave thirteen discourses. This is where I held meetings a year ago, there were thirteen who signed the covenant. Several of these have moved away, and three have gone back. We could do nothing toward perfecting an organization. Yet as an interest has been awakened where those have gone who have moved away, we hope for much good as the result of labor performed in Jefferson. My address is Salem, Marion county, Oregon.
Alonzo T. Jones.
Sacramento and Lodi, Cal.
By B. A. Stephens
FEBRUARY 1–3, I met with the church in Sacramento, and preached four times. There was a good attendance and a good interest in all the meetings. At a business meeting first-day afternoon all expressed a desire to move in harmony with the body, and it was determined to adopt the question book for the Bible class, to take a club of the SIGNS, and to make a forward move in the missionary work. They have a good field and if judicious labor is put forth, and if they will improve their privileges of grace, they will certainly rejoice in seeing numbers added to the church of such as shall be saved. Sunday evening over forty were present to listen to a sermon upon the question of “eternal punishment.”
I am now laboring in Lodi, San Joaquin county. This town is situated on the C. P. R. R. fourteen miles north of Stockton, and has about five hundred inhabitants. I came here Feb. 4, and obtained the public school-house in which to preach. After giving two sermons the trustees closed it against me on account of the opposition manifested. A merchant gave me the free use of an old dwelling-house, which, with some volunteer help, was fitted up quite comfortably for meetings. I have spoken seven times to interested audiences. The average attendance has thus far been seventy. I find a comfortable home here with Brother D. S. Dye and family, who embraced present truth under the tent labors in Sacramento last summer.
B. A. Stephens.
Appointments.
Providence favoring I will hold meetings on my way home as follows:—
RED BLUFF and vicinity, March 1-3.
SACRAMENTO, Sabbath evenings of March 6 and 7.
VACAVILLE, Sabbath and first-day, March 9 and 10, at 11 A. M. and evening of each day.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
J. W. HEATH:—We should be happy to continue your paper if we only knew your Postoffice address.
Scripture References.
SPIRIT IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.
The word spirit is translated from pneuma, which occurs 385 times, and is rendered ghost, spirit, wind, and life, as follows:—
Spirit. The word spirit in the New Testament is from the word pneuma, in every instance; so we need not give the 291 instances of its occurrence, as the reader will know whenever he meets this word that it is from this original.
“It may be worth remarking,” says Parkhurst in his Greek Lexicon, “that the leading sense of the old English word ghost is breath; that ghost is evidently of the same root with gust of wind; and that both these words are plain derivatives from the Hebrew, to move with violence; whence also gush, etc.”
Pneuma is defined by Robinson to mean, “1. A breathing, breath, breath of air, air in motion. 2. The spirit of man, i. e., the vital spirit, life, soul, the principle of life residing in the breath breathed into man from God, and again returning to God.” So also Liddell & Scott, Parkhurst, and Greenfield.
Farmersville, Cal.
By J. D. Rice
We are still holding meetings in this place. Have given up to date, eighteen discourses. Are now canvassing the Sabbath question. We have quite a regular attendance, and good interest. But just how many will take their stand on the side of truth is yet to be determined. Pray for the work in this place.