THE Helping Hand and Medical Mission has proved a rich blessing to the homeless and friendless of San Francisco. Nor is its beneficence circumscribed to the needy of this city. There are daily and nightly arrivals at our Commercial Street home from almost every part of the world. The queen of Great Britain and Ireland and empress of India has the wants of many of her subjects attended to in this charitable haven; the same may be said of Kaiser William’s emigrants; of French, Russian, Spanish, and Austrian poor, and at present one of our boarders and lodgers acknowledges as his liege (terrestrial) lord, Abdul Hamid, sultan of Turkey. This turbaned visitor declares there is nothing along the Bosporus to equal the Christian consideration shown in the San Francisco Helping Hand.
Since God in His infinite mercy used the mission to save me from a reckless life of sin and degradation, I have, thru the kindness of Superintendent Dolson, made the mission my home, and am only too glad to place my humble services in the hands of my Saviour. Blessed be God, I can be of earthly service now to my fellow-man, as well as a factor in the salvation of others who, like myself, had been “a drag upon the wheels of time.”
Our meetings are crowded every evening, and we have devoted preachers to give the message and extend the invitation, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” And, O, there are so many who need the rest promised by the Lord Jesus Christ,—poor fellows sodden in the caldron of sinful habit, with almost every vestige of manhood eliminated by the drinking of cheap Chinese whisky, hands stained by crimes of theft and personal violence, lips polluted with fiendish profanity, and ears contaminated by language most foul!
What is the one thing lacking? Where does Satan get in his persuasive powers to shut out God’s Spirit from souls hungering and thirsting for that peace which passeth all understanding? It is the stifling of faith in the hearts of seeking sinners. O, for one spark of this great virtue to light up the troubled paths of those thousands seeking rest but finding none!
“Master,” said Peter, “behold, the fig tree which Thou cursedst is withered away. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.” O, for a faith purified of every semblance of doubt! O, for a desire accompanied by the belief that we have received it, and we should nightly see a mass of forlorn humanity transformed into living souls of Christ, souls ennobled by the merciful grace of divinity! No longer would they be outward forms tottering to decay, but bodies cleansed and souls purified by the wonderful gift of God’s love.
“The Lord is far from the wicked; but He heareth the prayer of the righteous.” Prov. 15: 29. Dear readers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES whom God has blessed with His favor, we ask your prayers in particular for the discouraged and withering souls that come nightly to our Helping Hand Mission, but who do not grasp “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
J. POWER.
OUR WORK AND WORKERS.
Pastor Roberts recently baptized nine at Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The brethren at Connie, Oregon, have erected a neat meeting-house, and expect to dedicate it soon.
Brother J. B. Scott reports good meetings at Beldenville, Wis., in which ten souls gave their hearts to the Lord.
Brother W. H. White says that an organization of eighteen is the result of the meetings he has been holding in McCook, Neb.
Brother O. E. Jones reports two whole families who have recently given themselves to the service of the Lord in Sterling, Neb.
Brother P. S. Quinn says there is a good interest in the work at Billings, Montana, where he has recently organized a Sabbath-school of eighteen members.
Brother J. C. Foster has held a successful series of meetings in Red Lodge, Montana, during the past year; a new church building has been erected, and a church will be organized soon.
The permanent address of the Southern Missionary Society, as well as of Pastor J. E. White, president of the same, and also Brother John H. Niehaus, is changed to 1908 Grand Avenue, Nashville, Tenn.
Pastor W. B. White, president of Montana Conference, who has been dangerously ill with typhoid fever, is making a good recovery, and is beginning to take up his labor again in his conference.
Pastor A. T. Robinson reports a splendid missionary interest in the Avondale School, Cooranbong, N. S. W. He also reports commendable progress for the Avondale Press, the name given to the publishing plant connected with the same school. Among the enterprises that the Press is projecting is a paper, to be called the Joyful Tidings, for gratuitous distribution in localities where ministers seldom or never call. They expect to issue the first number of it in a very short time.13
The annual donation to foreign missions of our church at Battle Creek, Mich., is nearly $1,300. The money is not all in yet, and Pastor Saxby thinks it will go beyond the $1,300 mark.
Our academy at South Lancaster, Mass., at its seventeenth annual meeting elected the following trustees for the ensuing year: W. L. Payne, R. A. Underwood, G. B. Thompson, A. E. Place, H. C. Basney, J. W. Watt, O. O. Farnsworth, D. B. Parmelee, and S. A. Farnsworth.
The Battle Creek, Mich., Sanitarium is enjoying a most prosperous season. The patronage is heavier than ever in its history. Notwithstanding the fact that the institution is so large that 600 physicians, nurses, and other helpers are necessarily employed, the institution is crowded to its greatest capacity.
The church school at Moon, Wis., is in a flourishing condition. It began its fall term with thirty-eight pupils in attendance, and now the enrolment is forty-five. The school at Milwaukee is also prospering. The pupils at this latter place have taken quite an interest in circulating the Outlook Number of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
A private letter from Australia tells of a good revival in progress in North Fitzroy, a suburb of Melbourne. Pastor G. B. Starr is conducting the meetings. Seven were baptized on November 12, and 25 more were to be baptized on November 19. The letter was written before the 19th, and stated that the prospect was good that even more than 25 would be ready for baptism.
Pastor G. C. Tenney, writing to the Union Record, Cooranbong, N. S. W., says: “I have been at Bundaberg, Queensland, two days, and have baptized twelve, and organized a church of twenty-four members. There is a deep interest here, and we hope for still other accessions to the church.” Brother Tenney also tells of the success that attends the work at Rockhampton. Five or six have recently begun the observance of the Lord’s Sabbath at that place.
The demand for our denominational literature was never greater than at the present time. This office has been rushed with work for several months past; in fact, it has been obliged to work overtime in many of its departments. Our sister publishing house in Battle Creek, Mich., with its 340 employees, has also been rushed so heavily that it has had to work overtime. One of the jobs has been to print 60,000 copies of the new book “Christ’s Object Lessons,” since October 1, when the first edition was put on the press. The whole of the profits from the sale of this book go to the relief of the indebtedness on our schools, and we are glad to see it selling so rapidly.
THE END IS NEAR.
By D. C. Carlton
A MESSAGE to the human race
Is coming from the East.
The hand of God is on the wall,
As at Belshazzar’s feast.
The Lion and the Unicorn
Have loosed the dogs of war.
In China’s fury-fettered land
We hear the cannon’s roar.
The slumb’ring Asiatic hosts
Have waked as from the dead,
And spirit born of prophecy
Re-echoes in their tread.
By minarets of far Cathay,
By banners tipped with gold,
By voices from the mighty past,
The end of earth is told.
An angel’s hand is o’er the sea;
Aloft the vial is born.
We stand within the mystic light
That ushers in the morn.
Behind us lie the silent years,
Some lit with deeds sublime,
Some lost to us forever on
The distant shores of time.
God grant that men may read between
The lines we read to-day,
And that the light of love divine
May guide them on their way.
God help the living souls on earth,
And keep the spirit fed.
To-morrow may be called to life
The cities of the dead.
Oroville, Cal.
D. C. CARLTON.
A REVIEW
The following review appeared in a recent number of The Enterprise, published in Omaha, Nebraska:—
“The Desire of Ages,” by Mrs. E. G. White, published by the Pacific Press Publishing Company, Oakland, California. Say the publishers in their preface: “In the hearts of all mankind, of whatever race or station in life, there are inexpressible longings for something they do not now possess. This longing is implanted in the very constitution of man by a merciful God, that man may not be satisfied with his present conditions or attainments, whether bad, or good, or better. God desires that the human shall seek the best, and find it to the eternal blessing of his soul.
“Satan, by wily scheme and craft, has perverted these longings of the human heart. He makes men believe that this desire may be satisfied by pleasure, by wealth, by ease, by fame, by power; but those who have been thus deceived by him (and they number myriads) find all these things pall upon the sense, leaving the soul as barren and unsatisfied as before.”
This great book shows that the “Desire of All Ages” lies in the fact that all men need, if they do not want, Christ with them, the Spirit of God in their hearts to comfort in times of distress and to help them bear the hard, cruel weight of responsibilities. Surely such a work, being so beautifully illustrated, and carrying with it so profound and convincing a motive throughout its 865 pages—pages that glow with brilliancy and beauty, will not want for enthusiastic readers. The book is a gem of perfection, its contents as good as anything now on the market, and the reader is richly rewarded for the pleasant task of perusing such a book. The sentiment, profoundly religious, is so pure and so beautiful that no one can read without appreciating the deep earnestness and absolute sincerity of the author, whose entire life has been devoted to the one grand object of pointing men and women to the way and means by which they may fulfil and satisfy the desire of ages.
As a constant reader of contemporaneous literature, and as one who would point out to his readers the richest fruits of the best minds, the writer of this notice would recommend this book, “The Desire of Ages,” as one calculated to help, inspire, encourage and keep in the correct path every one who will heed its contents. It is minus of nothing that is pure, and sweet, and beautiful, in the way of wholesome, religious advice.
PERIODICALS WANTED.
The following-named persons would like clean copies of the Signs, Review, Sentinel, Youth’s Instructor, and Little Friend to circulate free in their several localities. All matter sent to them should be post-paid.
W. B. Jenkins, Blythewood, S. C.; Flora Tillotson, Alma, Neb.; J. W. Norwood, Columbus, Kansas; T. D. Waller, 801 Locust St., Joplin, Mo.; Mrs. O. C. Reberger, Box 685, Victor, Colorado; Mrs. Mary C. Ray, Alma, Marion County, Illinois.
Brethren Jenkins and Waller, of the above list, would also like tracts and pamphlets, and a few of our denominational books to loan.
A GOOD TESTIMONY FOR THE INFLUENCE OF THE “SIGNS OF THE TIMES.”
BROTHER L. TROWBRIDGE, thru the columns of the Nebraska Reporter, tells of one of his experiences with the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, as follows:—
“Three years ago last summer, while canvassing in South Omaha, I found an old harness maker. The dirt and general disorder rendered the appearance of his shop rather uninviting. To my surprise, I readily secured his order. Before leaving, he wished me to drink beer with him, but I kindly refused him then, as well as several offers during the next two or three months.
“Some two or three months later, as I came around, another gentleman came in at the same time, calling on him. Almost the first words he spoke to the gentleman was an appeal for him to subscribe for the paper. Said he: ‘That paper was worth a dollar to me last Sunday. Two men wanted me to go to the saloon, play cards, and drink beer with them. I said, “No, I shall stay at home and read my paper.” Those men got drunk, and blacked each others’ eyes. And I was saved all that by having this paper.’ The man subscribed and I have received several subscriptions thru this old man. While he is rather slow in receiving all the light, yet the Lord is doing a work for him. I called on him last week, and he asked me to pray with him.
Worthy of Note
LORD ROBERTS was welcomed at London on January 3, amid great demonstrations. At the same time other companies of Boers were crossing into Cape Colony, and British war vessels at Cape Town were preparing to land guns to protect the city. The residents of Cape Town have formed a home guard to assist in the work, and are calling upon England to send more troops for their protection. Many of the Dutch in Cape Colony consider the Cape Colony militia as a challenge to them, and manifest a disposition to join the invaders when opportunity offers. The greater portion of the British Army is employed in guarding the mines, railway, and lines of communication. The situation bids fair to become more serious than for a long time. The Boers declare that the present raids into Cape Colony are simply preliminary scoutings preparatory to a general movement of De Wett’s forces in that direction. On the other hand, prominent Boers who have given up the conflict are negotiating with General Kitchener for a cessation of hostilities and the securing of favorable terms for the burghers.
THE attempt at a settlement of affairs in China drags along with little variation, and so far as one is able to discern, little progress has been made. The emperor’s order to the peace envoys to sign the joint note of the powers was countermanded by the dowager empress. The envoys have replied that it is impossible for them now to refuse to sign the agreement, but up to the present time they have not done so. The dowager has ordered a home prepared for her in another province, and declares she will not return to Peking. Count von Waldersee has notified his staff to cease hostilities, but states that expeditions will continue to be sent out wherever disturbances occur. On January 1 the man who killed the German minister was beheaded in the principal street of Peking, in the presence of German officers, but the man who ordered the deed to be done has not been punished.
IN digging a well recently at Easton, Md., a live lobster imbedded in clay was brought to the surface from a depth of 112 feet. Scientists at once declared that the lobster had been buried for more than 100,000 years. Were this true, and were the theory of evolution true, we should expect to see a very great difference between this lobster and that of the present day. In fact, they should be utterly dissimilar. This phenomenon and many others which are continually coming to the attention of the world, are but evidences of the work of the flood when the “fountains of the great deep were broken up” and the surface of the earth was transformed. A simple belief in God’s Word would save men from making such extravagant statements concerning the physical history of the world.
THE great trade war between Havemeyer and Arbuckle, the coffee and sugar kings, has been brought to an end by a compromise on the part of the two corporations. The Havemeyer trust will now handle only sugar, and the Arbuckle trust will handle only coffee. By thus eliminating competition, these great trusts will be able to control the market more thoroughly, and force smaller concerns out of business. The capital stock of the sugar trust now amounts to $75,000,000.
BY a unanimous vote in the Senate on January 3, the Ship Subsidy Bill was compelled to give way to the Army Reorganization Bill, the former losing its place as unfinished business, and being forced back upon the calendar to wait its turn. Since that date the bill for the reorganization of the army has had the attention of the Senate. There seems to be a strong feeling in the Senate against the creation of a large standing army.
IN view of the continual increase which the salt trust is making in the price of salt, the great meat-packing concern of Armour & Co. has begun to import salt from Portugal, even tho at a considerable advance over the price asked by the trust. By the manipulations of the salt trust the price of table salt has been advanced from $1.38 a sack of 140 lbs. to $2.43.
THE close of the nineteenth century witnesses a railroad mileage of 195,155 miles in the United States. Europe’s total mileage, as given last year, was 163,216. South America has 28,000 miles of railway; Asia, 31,000; Africa, 9,978; Australasia, 14,384; Canada, 16,791; Mexico, 7,431; and Newfoundland, 569 miles.
DURING the year 1900, the donations to public institutions and charities reached the sum of $62,461,304. This sum does not include any donations or bequests of less than $1,000. Of the amount named, educational institutions received $34,932,644, the remainder going to charities, churches, art galleries, and libraries.
THE National Geological Survey is arranging for the completion of the exploration of the great American desert, including Southern Nevada, Southeastern California, and Southwestern Arizona. The famous Death Valley and the Yuma and Mohave Deserts are included in the work laid out for the explorers.
TWO INVENTORS of Boston have constructed delicate instruments with which signals can be transmitted for several miles under the sea. With this instrument it is claimed that the workings of a submarine torpedo-boat can be heard or detected thru the water, when the vessel is yet several miles away.
THE yearly coinage statement of the Director of the Mint shows that the total coinage of the mints of the United States during the year was $137,599,401, of which $99,277,942 was in gold and the rest silver and minor coins. The decrease of the national debt for the month of December amounted to $1,935,565.
REPORTS from Mexico indicate that the financial condition is not improving, and the scarcity of silver increases the alarm daily. Interest is advancing to 4 per cent. a month, and many of the banks are refusing to pay out any silver or to loan gold or paper which could be redeemed in silver.
ON January 5 the Senate passed the bill authorizing the purchase of the Calaveras (California) Big Tree Grove, to be set apart as a national park. The threatened destruction of the Sequoia gigantea by lumbermen, was the cause of this action by the Senate.
THE next total eclipse of the sun will occur on May 17 of this year, and the path of totality will pass thru Sumatra, Borneo, and the Celebes, then out into the Pacific Ocean. The duration of totality will be longer than that of any available eclipse for many years.
SOME idea of the extent of the postage-stamp collecting fad may be obtained from the fact that out of the $97,600 worth of stamps sold in Borneo and Labuan, during 1899, only $3,904 worth was used for the transmission of letters thru the mail.
THE 35,000 Cherokee Indians of Oklahoma, dissatisfied with their present conditions, are arranging to emigrate to Mexico, and their agent is now negotiating with the governor of Sonora, Mexico, for the necessary amount of land.
THE gross amount of gold in the United States Treasury at the present time, according to the report of the Treasurer, is $480,709,005, the largest amount ever held in the treasury at one time.
SHOE manufacturers are planning the establishment of a national shoe company which will control the distribution of shoes to the retailers, thus eliminating the profits of the middlemen.
SO MANY of the station agents of the Chicago Elevated Railroad have been robbed within the past week that special policemen have had to be installed at many of the stations.
THE British Admiralty has decided to build two battle-ships which will be the largest vessels of the kind in the world. Each of these vessels will have a displacement of 18,000 tons.
GENERAL McARTHUR’S death-list from Manila under date of January 2, includes the names of 20 men who had been killed or died of disease during the preceding ten days.
A FINANCIAL panic is feared in Mexico, owing to the continued exportation of Mexican silver dollars to foreign countries. Mexican bankers consider the situation as very critical.
A DESPATCH from Warsaw, Russia, states that 32 persons have been arrested there and sent to Siberia for alleged complicity in the poisoning of the governor of Poland.
THE U. S. transport Sherman arrived in San Francisco harbor from Manila, January 6, bringing 432 sick and disabled soldiers, 6 insane, and 42 prisoners.
THE Rochester Orphan Asylum, at Rochester, N. Y., was burned on the morning of January 8, and 26 children and 2 attendants lost their lives in the flames.
TEN German soldiers were killed and 9 wounded at Tien-Tsin, China, on January 1, by the bursting of a defective cartridge used in firing a New Year’s salute.
ON January 1 the Earl of Hopetoun was inaugurated at Sydney, Australia, as the first governor-general of the federated Australian colonies.
MR. PHILIP D. ARMOUR, the millionaire meat packer of Chicago, died January 6, leaving an estate valued at from $30,000,000 to $50,000,000.
THE report of the Immigration Bureau shows that 541,343 persons from European ports, landed at the port of New York, during the year 1900.
IT is reported that work has been begun on a new line of railway which is to cross Canada north of the Canadian Pacific road.
THE viceroy of India has officially expressed to the United States the thanks of India for contributions to the famine fund.
THE 800 employees of the Mount Pleasant Colliery in Pennsylvania are on strike for the third time within a year.
EIGHT men lost their lives in the burning of a lodging-house in Minneapolis, on the morning of January 6.
A HEAVY earthquake shock was felt in Kansas and Missouri on January 4.
50 YEARS' EXPERIENCE
PATENTS
TRADE MARKS DESIGNS COPYRIGHTS &C.
Anyone sending a sketch and description may quickly ascertain our opinion free whether an invention is probably patentable. Communications strictly confidential. Handbook on Patents sent free. Oldest agency for securing patents. Patents taken through Munn & Co. receive special notice, without charge, in the Scientific American.
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MUNN & CO. 361 Broadway, New York
Branch Office, 625 F St., Washington, D. C.
C. H. Tyrrell
By C. H. Tyrrell
Barred Plymouth Rocks, Black Langshans, Fancy White Wyandottes—three best breeds, Poultry Extra Quality. Prices reasonable, satisfaction guaranteed, circular free.
C. H. Tyrrell
SIOUX RAPIDS, IOWA
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When you write, please mention the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
The Winning of Margaret
How Margaret and her skeptical friend Ralph were converted. A well-told story.
Price, $1.00 per 100.
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
New York City Oakland, Cal. Kansas City, Mo.
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Santa Fe Route
Only line with its own tracks from San Francisco to Chicago. Through Pullman Palace and Tourist Cars leave every morning at nine o’clock.
PERSONALLY CONDUCTED Tourist Excursions every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, in Vestibuled Tourist Cars.
The service on these Personally Conducted Excursions, in all that counts for comfort and convenience, is equal to the Palace Cars, and for elegance in finish and interior furnishings they are very pleasing. The wood-work is finished in imitation of mahogany, the seats are upholstered with clean, cool rattan with extension backs, as in the Palace Cars. A porter is in charge of each car to attend the wants of passengers. Clean linen and bedding, the proper lavatory and toilet accommodations are provided. These cars are built on the same plan as the Palace Cars and in the day the beds become comfortable seats. The aisles are carpeted and the windows double, to keep out the dust, and wide to allow an unobstructed view of the scenery en route.
Full information regarding the Santa Fe Route, with handsome folder and correct map of the section through which it runs, may be had at the Company’s offices.
Call or write
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The Pedigo Patent Galvanized Iron Washing Machine
Lately Improved. Up to Date. Diplomas won by its merits at every Exposition in this State
The Pedigo keeps everybody good-natured on wash day.
If directions are followed we guarantee that the Pedigo will wash clean five garments in five minutes. Any lady can do all the washing for a large family in half the time and with less than half the labor that it takes with other machines.
Thousands are in use giving perfect satisfaction. Over two thousand sold in one county alone. It does away with hand rubbing entirely if the directions are followed. It is absolutely without a rival; washing one garment at a time is not in it with our washer, its capacity is two sheets at a time, six to eight pillow-cases, ten to fifteen towels, two to four shirts, one double blanket, quilt, or comforter, etc., or as small a quantity as one pocket handkerchief. Each of the above rubbings done in three to five minutes. We can conscientiously recommend our washer in every respect. First—its simplicity of construction. Second—its durability; many of the washers having been in regular use for five years without giving out in any part. Third—the manner of its work; having a tub of Galvanized Iron, the finest grade of iron manufactured, corrugated. An exact imitation of the rub board on which the garments are rubbed by lever power, thus washing the dirtiest clothing perfectly clean without hand rubbing. Fourth—ease of operation; the rub being attached by swinging hinges, moves so lightly that a child of twelve years can wash on it. Also the operator stands perfectly straight, thus avoiding the back-breaking motion of the old rub board. Fifth—the lightness of the machine; it weighing only twenty-five pounds, a lady is enabled to carry it from one room to another with perfect ease. No complicated machinery to get out of fix. Any tinner can repair them. Price $6.00; we pay the freight to all points on the Pacific Coast. Send postal for references and testimonials. Address C. J. CLARK, Manufacturer, 1188 E. 14th St., Cor. 24th Ave., East Oakland, Cal. Phone Vale 103. All Kinds of Wringers and Washers Repaired.
We recommend this machine above any other on the market.—Editors
