DEACON GRAY was assisted carefully into his chair, then his wife mounted beside him. Things were reversed since his long illness—she took the driver's seat and then the reins. As for Dobbin, the faithful old family horse, he was a slow-going beast at the best, such a horse as old ladies like to drive, and the Deacon's wife was verging on sixty.
"Mother's hair was really beginning to turn now," Jane, the eldest daughter, said (Jane had gray hairs herself), and so it was; but mother, blessed good woman, don't care. She had lived a spotless life, and the peace of her soul had given to her face a sweetness of expression that was far better than beauty.
"Deacon, are you warm enough?" Mrs. Gray always called her husband "Deacon," but now there was a peculiar intonation of tenderness in her voice, never very musical.
"O, yes, I'm comfortable. Dear, dear, how sweet the clover smells. I did n't know as the scent would ever come to me again, when I lay in the south chamber, choking for breath."
"Never mind, Deacon, we won't talk of the past now. See Uncle Biah's medder; don't it look splendid? And the corn over there, why, its growed a sight since yesterday. La! do see Dr. Baird's apple trees; don't they look beautiful?"
"Everything looks beautiful, Marthy," said the deacon, a light breaking over his rugged and somewhat hard face.
"So it does," and the good woman's eyes were lifted to the sky, across which the softest, whitest clouds were floating with a motion so airy that they seemed like spirits of the upper ether taking forms of grace and beauty.
"Don't care about stopping anywhere, do you, father?" asked the Deacon's wife, as the old horse jogged along.
"Well, yes, guess we might as well get out at the lane."
"Old Joe!" exclaimed Mrs. Gray aghast, "are n't you afraid he'll worry you, now you're so weak, deacon?"
"Well, no, I guess not; Marthy, he's a poor critter, and—and you know I feel different now about such things. Forty years of health goes nigh to harden a man's heart, Marthy," and he sighed as he spoke.
So Dobbin was reined in at the head of the lane, and Mrs. Gray, making herself a crutch for the Deacon, went toward the homely little house, over whose door, poor and lowly though it was, the honeysuckle wandered, full of sweets.
"If I ever did! Here's Deacon Gray a coming!" cried Joe's maiden sister, smoothing his hair.
"I don't want to see him," said Joe, moving uneasily on his bed.
"Good morning, how are you all?" It was Marthy's cheerful voice, and Joe could n't choose but turn; and when once his faded eyes caught sight of the Deacon's altered face, they staid there, fastened by the expression of pallor—of tenderness that rested on those weatherbeaten features.
"Joe, I did n't know as we should ever meet again," said the Deacon, holding out his hand. "I have thought of you every day since I was laid on my sick bed. How hard it must be for you to stay there month after month!"
Joe's lips trembled a little. These words coming from a man who had more than once reproached him with shiftlessness and shamming, touched his heart.
"Well, yes, it's sort of hard," he answered, "but I s'pose I'll have to bear it. There's them that's wuss off, I guess."
"What can I do for you, Joe," asked the Deacon, his voice still soft with that strange tenderness. "Is there anything you'd like? Is the bed soft enough? Perhaps you could use my sick chair, it wheels about, and you might go to the door, or even outside in it. You're welcome to it, Joe, only say the word. And anything in the way of jellies, or delicate things that you fancy to eat, and books or papers if you want them. Don't make a stranger of me, Joe; send to me as you would to a brother."
"But you know I ain't a brother—I ain't one of your kind—Deacon, I—"
"Never mind," said Deacon Gray, as sedulously avoiding the argument now as he had before plunged into one; "never mind what your opinions are just now; the Lord sees, and may be he'll bring you round to my way of thinking yet. What I am after now is to make the body comfortable. And I just want to ask your pardon for all my hard ways and ungenerous speeches. I know I've done wrong, the Lord forgive me. I could n't tell what a difference sickness makes in body and mind then, but I do now."
"Come, Marthy, we'll be going, and Joe, I'll take it hard if you don't tax me for something. God bless you, Joe. Good morning."
The two had vanished, but it seemed, some way, as if the sunshine streamed more genially over the place they had left.
"Well, I never," exclaimed Joe's sister. Joe himself was silent for some time.
"What ailed the Deacon?" he asked at last, as his sister came back to his bedside.
"Diptheria, they said."
"Putty sick wa n't he?"
"Thought he would die; folks said so."
"Well, it's done him more good than all—no matter—," and Joe ended his sentence abruptly.
"To think how he used to fret and fume!" muttered Joe's sister. "And what a blessing that chair will be, and how you've wished you could get one, and he coming and offering it himself. Well I'll never say Deacon Gray ain't a Christian again, never."
Meantime the Deacon's wife was lifting the attenuated frame of her husband into the carriage again, her vigorous shoulders his main support. There were tears in her eyes, but she bustled about, looking this way and that, tucking the big shawl over the Deacon's knees, and pressing him snugly back, as if she feared a gust of the strong spring wind would blow him away. Oh! but in her heart it seemed as if she had never felt such wealth of tenderness. The one thing that this good, but severe, man had lacked, had now, almost by a miracle it seemed, been wrought into being, and taken its lodging in his heart. In his face a new, a holier benignity shone, even on the strongly seamed forehead, and in the deep lines that toil and thought had worn in his cheeks. The eyes, the gray eyes, that only on extra occasions had lighted up with a human beauty, seemed now to have gained an almost unearthly softness.
"Marthy, Christ knew, did n't he?" he asked, in a tender voice.
"Knew what, dear?" The good woman started at her own tenderness—at the unusual term of affection.
"Through suffering,"—and he turned to his wife.
"How to pity us. Oh, yes! and he took it all on himself."
"It was put on me, thank God! I would n't have it; no, no! Humanity shrinks from the offering, from the cross. Forty years of health, Marthy, is a fearful test. I don't know, looking at the past as I do now, feeling what I have lost and what I have gained—I do n't know as I had grace enough to save me, Marthy. It did n't seem to me once as if anybody need to be sick. Many a time I thought folks give up because they were weak and lazy. But you see God knew what I needed. Stop Dobbin, Marthy; there's poor Stephen's little lame boy. I wonder if something can't be done for him."
So Dobbin was stopped, and the poor child gladdened with a kind word and a handful of coppers that set his face shining. What with delight and surprise, tears came again to the good wife's eyes, for children had rather avoided the Deacon, sterling man though he was.
"I'll see if that boy can't be helped," the Deacon went on. "I've heard that if his father could only afford it, there's a place where he might be cured. He's a fine little fellow, and it is a shame to let him go stumping through life."
"Shan't we turn round now, Deacon!" asked his wife.
"I think I would like to go to Tom Blake's—he's another cripple, and more likely to be worse than better."
"But, Deacon, you had n't heard, I suppose. The truth is, he was taken to the poor-house."
"Marthy, is that so?" cried the Deacon, the old sternness coming back to his face.
"It is so. He grew so bad that they could n't find any one willing to be burdened with him, so they just put him there."
"I've heard him say, many's the time, he'd rather die than go there. Poor Tom!"
"Yes, it was very hard."
"We'll drive there, Marthy."
There was another refolding of the shawl, after the good woman had turned Dobbin's dull head in the direction of the poor-house. The Deacon went in, leaning on the arm of his wife, and led directly to the room of the old man, Tom Blake.
Tom looked askance at the Deacon, from whom he had taken many a long sermon—for Tom was as near an infidel as that other godless man, Joe—then at the sight of his pale, mild countenance, the old man faltered, he put up his thin hand, turned aside his face, and burst into tears.
"Tom, I'm sorry to see you here," said the Deacon, placing his withered hand on the old man's shoulder.
"I'd rather you'd seen me in the grave, Deacon Gray," sobbed the old man. "But I won't die here,"—a look of defiance crossed his features—"it shan't be said that Tom Blake died a pauper. No, sir. I'll crawl on my hands and knees at the last grasp, and I'll find strength to do it too, out of this pauper place."
"Tom, you sha'n't stay here," said the Deacon, resolutely.
The old man looked up. His face was pitiful to see, all dabbled with tears.
"No, Tom, I know how you feel. When I was choked with that awful sickness, I thought I'd give worlds for one easy breath."
"Yes, and I'm choking in here; every mouthfull I eat chokes me."
"You shall come out, Tom; be patient, and bear it as well as you can, you shall come out. If nobody else'll take you, I'll take you myself."
"Oh! God bless you, Deacon Gray! God bless you for a true Christian," cried the grateful man, tears of joy falling from his dim eyes. "I used to say hard things about you, Deacon Gray, because you tried to make me a better man. But the seed you sowed is there, Deacon, and if it takes root and ripens, it will be because I see your faith and your works go together. You've made an entirely new man of me. God bless you, Deacon Gray."
Old Dobbin took a quicker step on his way home—oats in prospect. As for mother Gray, the way she patted and tucked that old shawl, looking up every now and then into the Deacon's gray eyes with a love that made her old face look angelic, was quite a treat to see.
And as for the Deacon, he thought to himself that he had always held religion as one would an ear of corn, ignorant of its use; but now, Christ had taught him how to strip off the harsh outside husks, and find within the life-giving kernels.—Christian Monitor.
Israel.
By T. D. Clark
WE find that the Israelites are to "keep the sabbath forever, for a perpetual covenant." Ex. 31 : 13-17. "Who are Israelites, to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all God blessed forever. Amen. Not as though the word of God has taken none effect, for they are not all Israel which are of Israel, neither because they are the seed of Abraham they all children, but in Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted for the seed." Rom. 9 : 4-8. They are Abraham's children. Rom. 11 : 1; 2 Cor. 11 : 22.
We are Abraham's children by faith. Rom. 4 : 11, 13, 16; Gal. 3 : 6, 7; and thus all the true followers of Christ are Abraham's seed or children. Gal. 3 : 29. Before we were converted to Christ we were strangers from the commonwealth of Israel. Eph. 2 : 11, 12. But being converted we are brought nigh, Eph. 2 : 13, and are adopted into the family of God. Rom. 8 : 14-17. And then we are no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God. Eph. 2 : 18-20.
The adoption of the Gentiles is brought to view by the figure of grafting. Israel is called a green olive tree. Jer. 11 : 16. Through unbelief the branches were broken off and by faith the Gentiles are grafted in and become true Israel. Rom. 11 : 17-23. And thus they become Israelites indeed and Jews inwardly, circumcised in heart and spirit. Rom. 2 : 28, 29. If we are Abraham's children we will do the works of Abraham. John 8 : 39. Abraham not only had faith but he kept God's commandments and laws. Gen. 26 : 5. And thus are those brought to view by the third angel, Rev. 14 : 9-12, Abraham's children in the fullest sense, for they keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev. 14 : 12 and 12 : 17. These are Israelites as we learn from Rev. 7, where the same works are brought to view by an angel with the seal or sabbath of the living God to seal his servants in their "foreheads, and he sealed 144,000 of all the tribes of the children of Israel." Wherefore Israel shall keep the sabbath.
T. D. CLARK.
News and Miscellany.
By Editor
“MEN’S hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” Luke 21:26.
FIRES.
JAN. 24, at Hartford, Ct.; loss $75,000. At Hunters’ Point, N. Y.; loss $70,000. Jan. 29, at Jersey City; loss $150,000. Jan. 31, at Stratford, Canada, destruction by fire of the principal business part of the town; loss $250,000. At Elmira, N. Y.; loss $40,000. Feb. 5, at Racine, Wis.; loss $60,000.
EARTHQUAKES.
Jan. 24, two distinct shocks of earthquake were felt at Marysville, Cal. Three distinct shocks were felt at Chico, and one quite strong shock at the same time at Sacramento, lasting at the latter place ten seconds. As earthquakes are usually accompanied with volcanic eruptions, so now, latest advices from the Sandwich Islands state that the crater of the Mauna Loa is again emitting flames and smoke, nightly illuminating the heavens.
GALES.
Jan. 26, the Pacific coast was visited with a gale of almost unprecedented violence, lasting eight hours. It is stated that at its greatest hight the wind attained a speed of 36 miles an hour. Several vessels were blown ashore at San Francisco. Many other vessels were torn from their moorings, and tossed about like playthings. The damage to shipping in this port aggregates many thousands of dollars. It is said to be the heaviest gale experienced here in fifteen years.
Chicago dispatches report the storm of Feb. 3, through the whole north-west the most terrible for years.
PERPLEXITIES.
In our own nation the Louisiana difficulty is still agitating Congress. The Senate’s committee on elections voted, Jan. 28, to recognize the Kellogg administration. There are rumors that the United States is about to recognize the insurgent government of Cuba which Spain has been unable to suppress in a three years’ trial. If this is done it will increase the difficulties between our own nation and Spain.
MODOC WAR.
According to a statement made by the Secretary of war the Modoc war of California cost the United States $411,000.
TURKEY.
A telegram from Vienna, Jan. 31, states that “the Hospador of Montenegro has withdrawn all demands on Turkey.” The Czar of Russia has sent a note to the prince of Montenegro, congratulating him upon the peaceable solution of the difficulty between his government and Turkey.
SPAIN.
In 1872, Spanish authorities admitted that they had put to death 43,500 Cuban rebels. During the war more than 80,000 men have been sent from Spain to Cuba to put down the rebellion; but the feat is not yet accomplished. So says the San Francisco Chronicle of Jan. 27.
ENGLAND.
LONDON, Jan. 31.—The coal miners’ lockout in South Wales has begun. One hundred and twenty thousand men are idle. Six thousand shipwrights at Newcastle-on-Tyne have struck.
CRIMES.
To glance at the records of appalling crimes one must certainly be reminded that we are coming upon times like Noah’s, when “the earth was filled with violence.” The N. Y. Times of Jan. 30, tells of a robbery a few days before in that city, amounting to nearly half a million. The express office at Utica was robbed Jan. 30, of over $40,000. The same day at Richmond, Staten Island, two safes were blown open and robbed of over $10,000.
A Special Session of the California Conference.
By Editor
A SPECIAL session of the California Conference will be held at Oakland, Cal., February 12, at 9 A. M. The objects of this extra session are to decide the location of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, the purchase of a proper site, the construction of the Office building, and to consider other matters which may come before the meeting. Brother and sister White arrived in Oakland the evening of the 2nd, and are fully prepared to co-operate with the Conference in establishing the press on a proper basis.
CONF. COMMITTEE.
Weekly Paper.
By Editor
With our addition of experienced helpers from the East, we shall have ample aid to carry on the publishing work here. Over three tons of paper are on the way to Oakland. After one more issue we expect the Signs will make its regular weekly visits to its readers. Let all take hold now to increase our list of subscribers.
Cal. Conf. Committee.
Arrival.
By John Norton Loughborough
On the evening of Feb. 2, we were permitted to grasp again the hands of our dear brother and sister White in Oakland. After several months of wearing labor at Eastern Camp-meetings, and in connection with our institutions at Battle Creek, and after the important Biblical Institute, they return to us in good health and with their usual zeal, to act their part in the work here. God has wonderfully sustained Bro. White. His health and strength have evidently improved, notwithstanding his arduous labors East for the past six months.
Our State committee most gladly welcome these pioneers in this cause, and are happy to share their counsel and help at this time when important measures are under consideration.
They were accompanied by Eld. J. H. Waggoner of Michigan, who comes to labor on this coast as the providence of God may indicate. This brother we had not seen for about seven years, and it is a pleasure for us to meet him here. As we converse with these fellow laborers of the past and present, on the changes for the better that have taken place in seven years, and of the great advance made in that time in every department of the work of advancing the cause of present truth, our souls are refreshed; and as we look out and view the opening fields already white for the harvester’s sickle, our zeal is fired and we buckle on the armor anew and resolve in the name of Israel’s God to go forward. J. N. L.
San Francisco.
By John Norton Loughborough
THE work is still moving on in San Francisco. The interest in the meetings, in the Sabbath School, and Bible Class, and in present truth generally, is steadily increasing. Bro. and sister White each gave a discourse on Sabbath last and on first-day evening, to a full hall in San Francisco. Deep interest was manifest in the timely words spoken upon the great theme of redemption through Christ from the transgression of God's law.
It is very evident that our hall in San Francisco, which once gave ample room, must soon be changed for larger quarters, so that the many who desire to hear can have the opportunity. The outlook is cheering on this coast. Let us all work earnestly while we may. J. N. L.
Oakland.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
THE evening after their arrival here, Bro. and sister White spoke in our hall. It was well filled and all seemed deeply interested and much pleased. We thank God for the return of these worn servants in so good health and spirits. We know that all our people rejoice at their coming.
Bro. Waggoner has now spoken in our hall four times to good audiences. On the Sabbath we had eighty-five out,—all Sabbath-keepers but five. Several new converts were out, which encouraged us much.
I shall now rest for a few days till our plans for future labor are more matured.
Feb. 8, 1875. D. M. CANRIGHT.
ALL letters on business for the SIGNS should be addressed "SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal."
The Glorious Proclamation.
Arranged.
1. Hear the glorious proclamation, The glad tidings of salvation, Hear the glorious proclamation, Of the Saviour near. While the heavenly choir &c.
2. Hark! the tidings onward rolling.
Jesus comes, the world controling!
Hark! the tidings onward rolling,
Jesus comes to reign.
CHO.—While the choir, &c.
3. See the sign in heaven appearing,
And the blazing chariot nearing,
See the sign in heaven appearing,
And the Saviour there.
CHO.—While the choir, &c.
4. See the earth in terror shaking,
And the dead to life awaking,
See the earth in terror shaking,
And the saints arise.
CHO.—While the choir, &c.
5. Now on wings of light ascending,
With a shining host attending,
Now on wings of light ascending,
See them mount the skies.
CHO.—While the choir, &c.
6. See, the banner waves in glory,
While ten thousand tell the story,
See, the banner waves in glory,
And the saints are there,
CHO.—While the choir, &c.
7. They are saved from death forever,
Praise to Him who did deliver,
They are saved from death forever,
And to die no more.
CHO.—While the choir, &c.
New Subscribers.
By John Norton Loughborough
SINCE No. 14 was issued we have received new subscribers from our T. & M. workers as follows : Paid subscribers, District No. 1, one ; No. 2, one ; No. 5, one ; No. 6, four ; No. 7, seven ; No. 9, one ; total, fifteen. Trial subscribers, No. 2, five ; No. 3, nine ; No. 6, seven ; No. 7, two ; No. 9, two ; total, twenty-five. J. N. L.
Postage.
By John Norton Loughborough
Commencing with January 1, 1875, new regulations were made by the P. O. department relative to newspaper postage. The postage on the papers of all regular subscribers must be paid, by the publishers, at the office where they mail the papers. Many of our trial subscribers have said in ordering the paper that they would "pay the postage." There is no way they can do it now but to remit us a sum equivalent to the postage, as it must be paid here. Some are doing this, as you will notice by the receipts of small sums in this number. Others may do the same, if they choose to do so. J. N. L.
Instructions for Sending Money
By Editor
ALL money sent by mail to the SIGNS’ office should be in drafts or postal orders, payable to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, if the sum exceeds $2 00. Sums less than $2 00 can be in currency or postage stamps.
Carmine
CARMINE; the most brilliant of red colors, is obtained from an insect found in Mexico on the nopal cactus or prickly pear. It takes 70,000 of the dried cochineals to weigh a pound.
Silence About Yourself
One of the most important rules of the science of manners is an almost absolute silence in regard to yourself.
Jewish Migration to Palestine
A LARGE migration of Jews is taking place to Palestine. Many of them are wealthy, and they are building a new suburb to Jerusalem, outside the gate on the Jaffa road.
The Cost of It
The Cost of It.—The cost to France of the late war with Germany has been at length ascertained definitely. In cash it was 371,000,000 pounds sterling; and £173,000,000 as the value of ceded territory. Total, $2,720,000,000.
English Bibles.
By Editor
We will send any of the following English Reference Bibles, by mail, post. paid, at their respective prices:
In ordering, designate the number of the Bible, in the left hand column of this list that you want. Please send in your orders.
Business Department.
By Editor
"Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully," (margin, negligently). Jer. 48:10.
California Publishing Fund.
$25 EACH. Wm Saunders.
$20 EACH. J B E Young and wife.
$10 EACH. Chas Chittenden, C E Comstock, G A Baker, A B Griggs, a sister in Colorado.
$5 EACH. A V Dyberg.
$4 EACH. Mrs L E Wilkins.
$1 EACH. Susan Semple.
California Tent Fund.
$5 EACH. Eliza Young.
$1 EACH. Wm Semple sen.
Received for the Signs.
$2 EACH. Geo Manuel, J Eggleston, A J Drulard, T W Fairman, R T Ward, Jonathan Chase, D Hoag, C C Farnsworth, J B Clark, John Judson, L Judson, Mrs Marian Judson, Mr G T Smith, Thomas Forbes, J B Montrose.
$1 EACH. J Isaacs, E Hammond, S H Lingle, J B Ferguson, Eliza M Miller, James Hannan.
MISCELLANEOUS. Smith Puffer 10c, John Gibbon 10c, Alvira Hakes 10c, Lucy Scripture 10c, George Jones 10c, Martha Shave 10c, Darwin Rosebrooks 10c, Wealthy Mc Nitt 10c, Silas Winans 10c, Maria Strong 10c, John Sanderdock 24c, John Bunch 24c, Michael Geaney 50c, Amy E Dartt 20c, M G Gracey 50c, Mrs G L Reynolds 50c, G W Dam 50c, Mrs J Williams 50c, J Eggleston 10c, John Pellen $1.25, H V Barrett 10c, Mrs A Lewis 25c, Mrs Green 15c, Wm Hammond 50c, Mr Patterson 10c, Mrs G W Towle 25c, Mrs C E Comstock 50c, Chas Martin 50c, Mrs H Weatheswas 50c, Mrs J Turner 50c, J Countryman 20c, R H Semple 25c, Mrs E Wical 25c, E Starbuck $2.24, Harvey Massey 25c, I M Fordyce 25c, D S Himstreet 25c, August Lapkay 25c, I Woody 25c, W McCoy 25c, M Cavanagh 17c, John C Card 17c, E B Maple 17c, F McNatt 17c, S McCarger 17c, J W Maple 17c, Sarah Snyder 18c, Mrs J Douglas 25c, Mrs Mattie Moore 25c, Paulina M' Niell 25c, Mrs Marion Roberson 25c, Mrs Ann Green 20c, Mrs Ann Wood 25c, Mrs Lottie Mulford 25c, Mrs A H Bixby 30c.
NOTE. The $2 receipted for SIGNS in No. 13 to Geo. Drew should have been Kate Drew, Ireland.