PREJUDICE against a truth has power to blind the mind against the plainest and most positive testimony. On the other hand it renders the perceptive faculties so acute that evidence in favor of what we would choose to have true can be discerned where there is none.
As an illustration of this take the following from the Evangelical Messenger:—
“‘One man esteemeth one day above another; another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth [observeth] the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day to the Lord, he doeth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.’ Rom. 14:5, 6. In our judgment the apostle is here speaking of the controversy about which of the two days was to be observed, and leaves the matter to be decided by each man’s conscience, as he does the matter about the Jewish rule about meats. We understand the utterance thus: One man esteemeth one of these two days above the other; another esteemeth them alike sacred. He that regardeth, or observeth, the seventh, regardeth it unto the Lord, and he that observeth it not, does it conscientiously, worshiping God on the first.”
This is drawing large conclusions from very small material in the text. It is like pressing cider out of a sack of cotton—you must put it in, before you press it out. No reader of the text, having no foregone conclusion to sustain, would ever have inferred from these words of the apostle that there was any controversy in his days concerning which of two days was to be observed. The weekly Sabbath is not mentioned in the chapter, and there is no reason to believe that it is alluded to. The apostle evidently alludes to the observance of those days upon which the Jews were restricted in their eating; certain kinds of food, as unleavened bread and bitter herbs, being prescribed. As it was in the time of the change of dispensations, the church making a new departure in the right direction, and as some pious minds are slow to leave customs which they know were instituted of God, the apostle decided that all should be left free to regard these things, or disregard them. These were subjects of a ceremonial, and not of a moral nature; therefore some latitude could be allowed. But to suppose that people could be allowed to keep or transgress the Sabbath commandment of the moral law at pleasure, is preposterous.
There is no mention, nor the slightest allusion in the New Testament, of any controversy existing in those days respecting the observance of two different days as the Sabbath of the Lord. This is the next thing to positive assertion that no such controversy existed. And the fact that no such controversy existed, makes it certain that no new day was being introduced.
The Jews accused Jesus and his disciples of breaking the Sabbath; but he vindicated himself and then, claiming that what they did was “lawful,” that is, according to the Sabbath law. But in all the persecutions of the disciples by the Jews, after the death and resurrection of Christ, no complaint was ever made of their violation or subversion of the Sabbath. This is unaccountable on the supposition that the church were introducing the observance of the first day instead of the seventh, the day that they held, and do yet hold, that the commandment requires to be kept holy. It was left to the acuteness of the discoverers of the nineteenth century to speak of the controversy in apostolic times “about which of the two days was to be observed.”
R. F. COTTRELL.
Letter from Europe.
By John Nevins Andrews
[WE take the liberty to give to the readers of the SIGNS a portion of a private letter from Brother Andrews. J. E. W.]
Your letter with draft is received. We are extremely grateful for this money raised for the European mission. We shall use this money sacredly for the cause of God, and none of it for our own personal advantage. Through the mercy of God I can now leave the paper in the hands of others and do my part of the work while out in the field. I expect to continue this from this time forward. We have been sowing the truth over Europe by means of the Les Signs. des Temps. Sabbath-keepers are springing up in various places from the reading of the paper, in France, Switzerland, Italy and Egypt. Think of that! At Alexandria there is a considerable company of religious people who understand French. We have been sending them our paper and every person of this company have received the doctrine of Christ's near advent, and five of them have begun to keep the Sabbath. If I had money I would tell Dr. Ribton to take the steamer and go and help these people. At Bari, on the east coast of Italy, is a Baptist minister by the name of Volpi who has been converted by reading our paper. He has a great desire to see Dr. Ribton. The expenses of such a journey would not be great, and I think Brother R. must go there immediately.
Then on the Island of Sicily is a small Baptist church which has just been deserted by an unfaithful pastor, and the way seems to be perfectly opened before us to step in and gather those Baptist friends into the truth. I think I must take the responsibility to send means to Dr. R., that he may either go there himself or send Brother Biglia, one of his most valuable helpers at Naples.
I am at work in behalf of the Swiss churches. This is my first important duty in getting out from the Office at Bâle. God is helping me, but there is very much labor to be done. I hope much from the coming of Willie. I will do the best I can to prepare for his coming.
I have confidence that your father and mother will yet come to Europe.
My courage in the Lord is good. My burden is heavy, but not insupportable. God is good.
Is the Millennium Approaching?
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
So WE are told by the clergy of the day. They write beautiful essays, and call them sermons, on the coming condition of the world when the heathen shall be given to Christ, and he shall possess the uttermost parts of the earth. True, they forget to read that he will "rule them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Their fine sense of harmony will not allow them to notice that point, as it would mar the beauty of the picture of their own creation, and it might disturb some one in his dream of "peace and safety." There are well toward a thousand millions of Pagans yet to be heard from on the great question of the conversion of the world; but we are constantly assured that the work is progressing rapidly; the world is growing better; the church is rising higher in piety and zeal; everything betokens the speedy evangelization of the nations.
But sometimes they are forced to take a different view of the state of things. At a meeting in Cleveland recently held, the following statement was made:—
"Rev. Dr. Coleman deprecated the lack of attendance at the meeting. We have fallen upon evil times. Let it be known that a missionary meeting is to be held, and some excuse will be offered for attending. There never was a more favorable opportunity for missionary work, and many often spend their money for unworthy objects when it might do much good if devoted to missions. It might be urged that the times are hard, but the hearts of many are harder. It is necessary to Christianize those outside of Christian influence as there is danger of the dechristianization of those within the pale of the church."
It is just so, and every one can see it. Not the conversion of the outside world, but the "dechristianization of those within the pale of the church," is evidently fast progressing. The superficial conversions under certain superficial men is exactly calculated to amalgamate the church and the world. They who have the form of godliness are destitute of the power thereof, and are lovers of their own selves, and of pleasures, more than lovers of God. 2 Tim. 3:1-5.
Why will people be so blinded as to shut their eyes to the plainest declarations of the inspired word, and to the facts everywhere occurring, and cry "Peace and safety," when "sudden destruction" is impending?
J. H. WAGGONER.
Reports from the Field.
(Condensed from Review and Herald.)
Iowa.
BENTONSPORT.—Elder L. McCoy writes, May 23: "Have now given thirty discourses at this place, and still have an excellent interest. Fifteen have covenanted to keep the Sabbath, and we hope for some other good souls who admit we have the truth. I gladly accepted an invitation to lecture before the temperance society of this place, and spoke freely on the subject of Christian temperance. The lecture was well received, the entire congregation extending thanks. A gentleman from Vernon, just across the Des Moines river, arose and expressed himself well pleased, and invited me to repeat the lecture before their society, promising a good hearing. I lecture there to-night. We have many invitations to present these last-day truths in villages around us, but cannot fill a tithe of the calls coming in. We shall remain here one week longer. The people are kind and anxious to hear. How much of the grace of God the minister who proclaims this solemn message needs. Last evening the Lord helped much in speaking on the subject of the Mark of the Beast."
BELVIDERE.—Elder Bartlett writes: "Those who were convinced of the truth when I was at this place last winter are now keeping the Sabbath. Six were baptized on the 12th of May, three brothers in Christ and their wives. It was a beautiful day, and there was a large concourse of people gathered on the bank of the lake to witness the baptism. Some of the most reliable men and women in the county have commenced to keep the Sabbath."
Ohio.
MENDON AND GILBOA.—Elder St. John was with the Mendon church from May 9-12. The outside attendance was good, and much interest was manifested, especially in the last two meetings. The church seemed edified, but all were not present. For a long time they have had no Sabbath-school, and meeting but once in two weeks. Henceforth, it is expected they will meet every Sabbath, and no longer neglect the study of the Holy Scriptures in the capacity of a Sabbath-school. At Gilboa he spent May 14 and 15. Spoke each evening to the public. There is an ear to hear in that section, and the brethren are anxious for a course of lectures. Meetings for the church were held each day, to great profit. A Sabbath-school was organized, and systematic benevolence arranged for 1878, amounting to something over one hundred dollars.
Michigan.
RANSOM CENTER AND HILLSDALE.—Brethren Littlejohn and Burnham report labor among the churches as follows: "On the morning of May 2, we left home to visit the chruch of Ransom Center. The brethren are few in numbers, and for a long time have struggled on under circumstances very discouraging in their nature. While among them we tried to preach the word in all plainness and sincerity. Our labors, though arduous, were not lost. Leaving Ransom Center on the morning of the 9th, Providence seemed to direct our steps to the church in Hillsdale. There we remained for three days, giving ourselves to the preaching of the word and to visiting and counseling the brethren who stood in great need of help. Our efforts seemed to be appreciated, and we trust may result in the permanent good of those for whom they were put forth. While among them, one person commenced to keep the Sabbath whose mind had been prepared for this step by the reading of the publications."
Kansas.
LIMESTONE AND MORTON.—Brother Cook reports meetings at Limestone very encouraging. First, all that reasonably could, attended the meetings. Second, they came with a mind to work, and to learn. Sixteen were fully organized into a church. Seven were baptized. Several subscribers for the Review and Signs were obtained. At Morton, evident progress has been made since Brother C.'s previous visit there. All that signed the covenant have put away their tobacco. "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself as he is pure."
Illinois.
CARBONDALE.—Brethren Colcord and Bliss began tent-meetings at this place May 10, and up to May 22, had held fifteen meetings. Sunday evening had an audience of four hundred and fifty.
The Lord’s Story
his body did not see, that is, might and not to be lost, is the story of the Lord
Vigilant Missionary Society.
By Mrs. H. Tay
OCTOBER 18, 1877, a meeting was called by the sisters of the Oakland church, for the purpose of organizing a Vigilant Missionary Society, when thirteen joined. At present it has a membership of twenty-four. We started with twenty copies of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and have increased our club from time to time, till now we are using one hundred and fifty copies each week. Since our Society was first organized quite a number of very interesting letters have been received by different members. The following are a few extracts from some of them:—
A lady from Maine writes: "Yours just received; am very much interested in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, but am too poor to take it; my husband was sick two years and a half, and died one year and a half ago, and I am struggling along with my two children the best I can. May the Lord bless and prosper you, and if we never meet here we will hope to meet on the new earth, where its inhabitants will never say, I am sick."
The following is from a gentleman in Iowa, who has just commenced to keep the Sabbath: "A sister sent me some copies of the Review and Herald and I enjoy reading them exceedingly. I feel quite sure you are right on the Sabbath question, and though alone have commenced to keep the fourth commandment. Some of your doctrines are full of comfort. I am seeking to know the truth and hope for divine assistance. A lady living a few miles away, recently expressed an earnest desire to know the truth in regard to the change in the Sabbath. I have been informed that this lady and her husband have not joined any church since coming west on account of the pride in the churches, and are consequently trying to live religion alone. I wish you would send her some reading matter to throw light upon the Sabbath question. I am and have long been a member of the Methodist church, yet your doctrine I find very consoling if true. I hope God will bless you with success. Allow me to express a strong sympathy for you in your labor in God's cause."
The following is from a lady in Carson City, Nevada, who attended a few lectures while Elder Healey was here: "I received your kind letter. I cannot tell you how glad I was to receive the papers, and then to get a letter made me feel almost happy for a time. I am in a store working under many difficulties, but with them all I have a love for this strange and to me new doctrine. About a year ago a lady came to Carson and preached a few times on the prophecies; but I think I believed this doctrine before that, and when I went to Oakland and found my way into your church I felt that I had found my people. Oh, I cannot tell you how I long to be with you, for I believe you are the people of God. I feel that the people of Carson have not had the gospel preached to them, but I am poor in this world's goods, and it seems to me I am powerless to help them. If you can suggest any way to sound the warning to them I will gladly do all I can. Please find enclosed one dollar for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES six months, and if it is not asking too much, write to me again and pray for me often."
Another writes: "I acknowledge the receipt of your letter. I am sorry to inform you that I never received the papers you sent to my address. I always have felt interested in your paper. A friend kindly loaned me several of them to read. If you can conveniently send me a copy you will confer a favor on a friend of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and a searcher for Bible truth."
The following is from a minister in New York: "Your very kind letter was forwarded to me to-day. I am now here preaching to a feeble church once on the Sabbath only. I am sixty-seven years of age and in poor health, with very limited means. I received one or two papers from your Office. I endorse the sentiments and teachings of your paper in the main, and you have my prayers and best wishes. I would have the paper continued if my means would permit."
A gentleman in West Virginia writes: "Dear sister in Christ and benefactor to many of our very poor white, and colored families: May God bless you a hundred fold for your great kindness to our destitute people. Any tracts, religious papers, cards or little books will be very thankfully received for distribution among our poor."
A lady from British Columbia writes: "Dear friend: We received your letter and the SIGNS OF THE TIMES which we like very much. We are lending them to our neighbors. We enclose you a dollar's worth of American stamps for six months' subscription."
Other extracts equally interesting might be given, but these are sufficient to show the workings of our society. We hope others will be encouraged to engage in the same great and good work.
MRS. H. TAY, Secretary.
"I Am Not Eloquent."
This self-deceiving apology is heard, substantially, from the mouths of many Christians as an excuse for neglecting to bring the saving truth, in which they believe, into the consciences of their fellow-men. The following narrative sets this matter in its true light:—
Two friends, one of them a pious man, often met, and spent hours in trivial conversation, but the subject of religion was scarcely ever touched. The Christian man was troubled in his conscience by the thought that he could not say anything impressive enough to awaken the other to the care of his soul. But one evening when they were together again, and the latter was full of talk on all kinds of subjects, the former was silent and thoughtful. At last he turned an anxious look and a weeping eye upon his gay friend, and said to him in a gentle, impressive, and serious tone, "Oh! how I wish I could do something for your soul!" In an instant his merriment was changed into a look of surprise and distress, and in a short time he left the room. God made this simple, earnest word an arrow in the young man's heart. His convictions grew more and more deep and painful, till in a few days he found peace in believing; and he became a preacher of the gospel.
The real meaning of the above excuse is, "I have not enough interest in the salvation of others—it is not a want of capacity—to undertake anything for them." A single word, moistened by a tear, may, with God's help, lead to the conversion of a soul.
God has use for even the simplest and humblest of us. He helps us to make use of such means as are within our power and not to sit down idly to regret the powers we do not possess. Perhaps it would be dangerous for us to possess the abilities we may covet; it is always safer to consecrate those we have. And it should be our greatest care to find out what the Lord would have us do, and then do it with all our might, mind, and strength.
Mother.
No earthly name so dear as mother; and yet how few of the young learn to love and reverence their best earthly friend until separated from her, or her departure draws near. How many look back upon their childhood with tears and regrets for their heedlessness and disregard of a mother's counsel.
A promising young minister of the gospel speaks with touching pathos of the influence of a mother's prayers in turning his feet unto the testimonies of the Lord. He states that late one evening, in the city of B., he returned from the theatre to his home. In going to his room he had to pass his mother's chamber. Her door was open, and looking in as he passed, he saw her kneeling in prayer. On entering his room, which was next to her chamber, he sat quietly for a few moments, when he heard her utter softly and tenderly the words, "My boy! Oh my boy! Save him!"
The idea that his mother was agonizing in prayer for her wayward boy, near the midnight hour, deeply affected him. As he listened to her tender pleadings for him, he firmly resolved before he slept that night that he would never go to the theatre again; that he would not, like a foolish son, be a heaviness unto his mother, but that he would try to comfort and bless her. From that night he kept his promise. Soon after, that mother wept with joy in witnessing his reception as a sincere penitent into the church of Christ; and a few weeks ago, wasted by disease and very feeble, she was carried to the same church, where she witnessed his ordination as a minister of the blessed gospel.
Some parent who may read these lines may have a prodigal child for whom he has been praying a long time. Faint not, child of God. Those prayers have not been in vain. They are ringing in heaven, and an answer, though long delayed, may come very soon. Some son may read this sketch who has a pious mother pleading in prayer for him daily. I beseech you, no longer consent to be a heaviness to your precious mother.
One of America's popular writers once said: "Oh, that I could call back, just for one day, my mother from the grave, that I might bow at her feet and ask pardon for the cruel wrongs I inflicted by my waywardness on her loving heart!" It may be, reader, that your dear mother is bending with the weight of years or infirmities to the grave. Deny her not, before she leaves you, the joy and consolation of seeing her prodigal child repenting and coming to Jesus.
Our mother walks with our infancy, our youth and mature age, ever sheltering us with her blessed prayers. It is her hand that directs in childhood. Through her patient, persevering efforts, are instilled in our minds lessons that follow in after years. Cuvier, it is said, attributed to his mother all the pleasure of his studies and glory of his discoveries. "I used to draw under her superintendence, and read7aloud books of history and general literature. It is thus that she developed in me that love of reading and that curiosity for all things which were the spring of my life." Lamertine, over whose cradle was shed the light of a tender mother's love, under her tuition developed that genius (a spark of which is said to be implanted in every soul) until it resembles incense, the perfumes of which are diffused over the earth but which burns only for heaven.
It has been said, "Good teachers make good scholars, but it is only mothers that form men." Rather should it be said: It is only mothers (or women with mother-hearts) who possess the power of inspiring that love of virtue and knowledge which, when once established in the soul, enables a man to "mold his own material, quairy his own nature, and make his own character" what it should be; for this is a work that no one can do for him.
Rational Belief.
By Moody
ONCE there were a couple of men arranging a balloon ascension. They thought they had two ropes fastened to the car, but one of them only was fastened, and they unfastened that one rope, and the balloon started to go up. One of the men seized hold of the car, and the other seized hold of the rope. Up went the balloon, and the man who seized hold of the car went up with it, and was lost. The man who laid hold of the rope was just as sincere as the man who laid hold of the car. There was just as much reason to say that the man who laid hold of that would be saved because he was sincere as the man who believed in a lie because he is sincere in his belief. I like a man to be able to give a reason for the faith that is in him. Once I asked a man what he believed, and he said he believed what his church believed. I asked him what his church believed, and he said he supposed his church believed what he did, and that was all I could get out of him. And so men believe what other people believe and what their church believes, without really knowing what their church and other people do believe.—Moody.
The Prospect.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
Dear Signs: It is more than a quarter of a century since I became connected with those who believe from prophecy and its fulfillment that the second coming of Christ is at hand, and that some of the present generation will remain alive to see the event.
During these years, prophecy and its fulfillment have been my principal study. The present fulfillments of prophecy constitute the signs of our times. I often review these things, and every review of them only strengthens my faith that the time is come for the last warning, that of Rev. 14:9-12, to be given to mankind, and that it is even now, being preached to the nations of the earth. Things which from prophecy, we have been expecting are being done in our own country, and more than we dared hope for in other nations, in the proclamation of the message, is being accomplished. Consequently we are shut up to the position to which we have been led. There is no way of retreat, but in a denial of God's word and providence.
How solemn and important is the present time! The decisions of the judgment for all the living of the earth will soon be past. There is but little time to work in the cause of the salvation of men. Shall we labor together with God? or shall we sleep to these things, and be drunken with the cares of this world, and so have the day of the Lord come upon us as a snare?
For one I am determined to go onward till I see the end of the race and the open gates of the golden city of our God. Onward, my friends, to victory! The Lord has a work yet to be done; and we may as individuals, have a part in it. It is my constant prayer, Give me a part in the work of the Lord!
R. F. Cottrell.
THE HOUSEHOLD.
By Ellen G. White
Parents as Counselors.
PARENTS should encourage their children to confide in them and unburden to them their heart griefs, their daily little annoyances and trials. If they do this, the parents can learn to sympathize with their children, and pray for them and with them, that God would shield and guide them. They should point them to their never-failing Friend and Counselor, who will be touched with the feelings of their infirmities. He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin.
Satan tempts children to be reserved to their parents, and choose their young and inexperienced companions as their confidants; such as cannot help them, or give them good advice. They indulge in unprofitable conversation upon the acts and doings of others, which wither noble, devotional thoughts and feelings, and drive good and holy desires from the heart, and leave it cold and destitute of true love for God.
Children would be saved from many evils if they would be more familiar with their parents. Parents should encourage in their children a disposition to be open and frank with them, to come to them with their difficulties, and when they are perplexed as to what course is right, to lay the matter just as they view it before their parents, and ask advice of them. Who are so well calculated to see and point out their dangers as godly parents? Who can understand the peculiar temperaments of their children as well as they? The mother who has watched every turn of the mind from infancy, and is acquainted with the natural disposition, is best prepared to counsel her children. Who can tell as well what traits of character to check and restrain, as the mother, aided by the father?
Children who are Christians will prefer the love and approbation of their God-fearing parents above every earthly blessing. They will love and honor their parents. This should be one of the principal studies of their lives, How can I make my parents happy? Children who have not been disciplined and received right instruction, have but little sense of their obligations to their parents. It is often the case that the more their parents do for them the more ungrateful they are, and the less they respect them. Children that have been petted and waited upon, always expect it; and if their expectations are not met, they are disappointed and discouraged. This same disposition will be seen through their whole lives, and they will be helpless, leaning upon others for aid, expecting others to favor them and yield to them. And if they are opposed, even after grown to manhood and womanhood, they think themselves abused; and thus they worry their way through the world, hardly able to bear their own weight, often murmuring and fretting because everything does not suit them.
Much sin results from idleness. Active hands and minds do not find time to heed every temptation the enemy suggests; but idle hands and brains are all ready for Satan to control, and parents should teach their children that idleness is sin.
Many parents think that if they gratify the wishes of their children, and let them follow their own inclinations, they will gain their love. What a mistaken idea! What an error! Children thus disciplined, grow up unrestrained in their desires, unyielding in their dispositions, selfish, exacting, and overbearing, and are a curse to themselves and everybody around them. Parents, to a great extent, hold the future happiness of their children in their own hands. Upon them rests the important work of forming their children's character. The instructions they give them in childhood will follow them all through their lives. Parents can sow the seed which will spring up and bear fruit either for good or evil.
E. G. W.
Mother's Growing Old.
HER step is slow and weary;
Her hand's unsteady now,
And paler still and deeper
The lines upon her brow;
Her meek, blue eye has faded;
Her hair has lost its gold;
Her once firm voice now falters—
My mother's growing old.
My thoughts flow back to childhood,
When fondled on her knee,
I poured out all my sorrows,
Or lisped my songs of glee;
But now upon me leaning
So wearily and cold,
With trembling lips she murmurs,
"Dear child, I'm growing old."
I think of all her counsels,
So precious to my youth;
How sacredly she taught me
God's precious word of truth;
How tenderly she led me,
To Jesus' blessed fold—
Her deeds like heavenly roses,
Still bloom, though she is old.
Alas! those hands so skillful,
Which told with loving grace
To make me blessed with comforts,
And home a happy place;
Those dear hands pale and wrinkled
Are now by time controlled;
They rest in prayerful quiet—
Dear mother's growing old.
O mother fond and faithful,
Thou truest earthly friend,
May I be near to soothe thee
Till all thy struggles end;
And while, with sad heart yearning,
Thy form my arms enfold,
I pray in peace to meet thee
Where saints no more grow old.
The Signs of the Times
174 THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Vol. 4, No. 22.
GOOD HEALTH.
Proper Diet for Man.
MOVEMENTS OF MASTICATION.
ONE very remarkable distinction between herbivorous and carnivorous animals is the difference in the movements of their jaws in the mastication of food. In herbivorous animals there are two distinct movements—a vertical, or hinge-like movement, and a lateral movement. Both of these motions are essential for the purpose of grinding the coarse herbage upon which some of them feed. The lateral movement, however, is unnecessary in the carnivora, as the flesh upon which they feed needs only to be cut into small bits to make it susceptible of digestion. This being the case, the muscles employed in this process are proportionally large and powerful in the herbivora, while they are quite weak or partially wanting in carnivorous animals. It may also be well remarked that in the herbivora the salivary glands are very large and the flow of saliva very copious, while they are small in the other class and the flow scanty. It is interesting to note which of these two classes man most resembles in these particulars. Upon careful comparison we find that the likeness is decidedly strong between man and the herbivora. He has the same lateral motion of the lower jaw, and also quite strong muscles of mastication; but still the similarity is by no means strong enough to warrant us in claiming grass to be the natural food of man, the salivary glands being comparatively small, though they are quite active. All that is established by this comparison is the fact that in his dietetic character man approaches more nearly to vegetable-eating than to flesh-eating animals.
ALIMENTARY CANAL.
Another particular in which the several classes of animals seem to differ quite widely is in the proportionate length of the alimentary canal when compared with that of the body. Naturalists have laid it down as a general rule that the alimentary canal of herbivorous animals is much longer than in carnivorous animals. Thus, in the carnivora this canal is usually from one to eight times the length of the body. In herbivorous animals it is from eight to twenty-eight times that length. In obtaining all these measurements the length is invariably taken from the snout to the end of the backbone. Astonishing as it may appear, this rule is entirely ignored in obtaining the measurement for man, by those who argue in favor of a flesh diet, the length being taken from the top of the head to the bottom of the heel. In this way man has been associated with carnivorous animals. If the true measurement is taken, the comparative length in man is found to be from ten to twelve, which is evidently correct. As will be seen at once, this places man among animals which subsist entirely upon vegetable food. Any one can test these statements for himself, simply remembering that the usual length of the alimentary canal in man is thirty feet. It is an evident sign of weakness when men resort to such manifestly unfair means to establish their theories.
MAN NOT OMNIVOROUS.
But since we have established the fact that anatomy, at least, does not show man to be carnivorous in his nature, perhaps some one may say, as many claim, that man is an omnivorous animal, and so should use both vegetable and animal food. We will consider this objection somewhat carefully. If man is omnivorous in dietetic character, we ought to find a strict correspondence between his alimentary organs and those of omnivorous animals, if we can find such a class. The hog and bear furnish the best examples of this class, although even these animals show a decided preference for vegetable food when in a state of nature. Upon examining the teeth of the hog, which is admitted to be omnivorous, we find no resemblance whatever in either the front or side teeth to those of man. Nothing could be more unlike the cuspids of the human species than are the ugly, protruding tusks of the hog; and the projecting incisors show no greater similarity. The back teeth of the hog are such as indicate a frugi-vorous character, and these bear such a strong resemblance to those of man that they might easily be mistaken for them, but are the only ones which show any similarity whatever, as already shown. All the evidence we can obtain, then, from this source, is in favor of a vegetable diet as the most natural for human beings. We find the same true when we examine the teeth of the bear.
But we have yet found nothing very satisfactory or conclusive in our investigation, having examined no class of animals which presented correspondence sufficiently striking to identify the human species as members of the class. Now unless we find some such class of animals, this problem must still remain unsolved. We are not yet left to abandon the subject, however; for there is still a class of animals which we have not considered.
RELIGIOUS NEWS AND NOTES:
—Long pastorates are found to be most numerous in New England.
—The exact deficiency of the Presbyterian Foreign Mission Board, for the year just closed, is $47,929.
—Mayor Howell of Brooklyn recently reviewed a Sunday-school army of 40,000 children in procession.
—The church of Scotland has sent five young men to China to inaugurate its mission work in that country.
—There are one hundred and eighteen Congregational ministers in Connecticut who are without pastoral charge.
—The Miami Conference of the United Brethren church has resolved not to receive any minister who uses tobacco.
—Total population of the earth, 1,396,752,000; under Christian governments, 685,450,411; under non-Christian governments, 711,383,589; total area of the earth in square miles, 52,062,470; area of Christian governments, 32,419,915; area of non-Christian lands, 19,642,555.
—The Baptist Missionary Union closes its financial year with a deficit of $26,000. Its total receipts were $218,307. The recent death of Rev. Jacob Vonbrunn among the Bassus in Liberia leaves the Union without a representative in Africa.
—Rev. P. B. Morgan, for many years rector of St. John's Episcopal church, Cincinnati, the most flourishing Episcopal church of that city, has announced his resignation, and his purpose to give in his adhesion to the Reformed Episcopal church.
—In the Reformed Episcopal Council at Newark, N. J., a few days since, the Committee on Popular Amusements reported against theatrical amusements, games, and dancing, as not among the amusements sanctioned by the church, and discouraging frivolous and worldly modes of raising funds, and also requesting communicants to abstain from such entertainments.
—The Northern Methodist Episcopal church in the South embraces 14 Conferences of white ministers and members, containing 206,204 members; 14 colored Conferences, having 189,803 preachers and members; making a total of nearly 400,000. In the Conferences of whites the value of church property is set down at $6,864,123, and in the colored Conferences at not quite $1,000,000.
—At a meeting of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, Boston, May 30, the report of the secretary was read, showing 18 missions, 82 stations, 534 out stations among nations speaking twenty-six different languages, with a population of 100,000,000. Total working force from America, 355; total native laborers, 1,102; churches, 262; church members, 14,500; total number under instruction, 25,910.
—The late Charlotte Harrison, of Orange, N. J., among other benevolent bequests, made the following: Orange Orphan Asylum, $2,000; Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal church, $5,000; New York Bible and Common Prayer-Book Society, $1,000; American church Missionary Society, $6,000; besides $15,000 to be equally divided between the Convention of the Protestant church of New Jersey and Domestic Committee of the P. E. Missionary Society.
—The Greek church embraces 80,000,000 worshipers in Russia, Greece, Austria, and Turkey, most of whom are furious fanatics, hating all other forms of Christianity and all other religions than their own. Their most active resentments are against Mohammedans and Roman Catholics. This church differs little from the Latin form of Christianity, but enough to exasperate the schism into one of furious animosity. On the doctrines of purgatory, and the union of the divine and human natures of Christ, the celibacy of the clergy, and some minor points, the difference is maintained with the keenest controversy. The czar is the head of the church, and claims the vicarage and vicegerency of God as boldly and sternly as the Roman Pontiff.