—The Rev. Mr. Wylie, Presbyterian missionary to China, recently died from injuries received at the hands of the Chinese soldiers at Liao Yang.
—The telegraph reports a very exciting time in connection with a series of Holiness meetings at Hammondville, Ohio. It is stated that seven women had left their husbands because the latter would not join the church.
—Priest Murphy, of Paterson, N. J., who was deposed a year ago for refusing to vacate the parsonage of St. Joseph's Church when ordered to do so by Bishop Wigger, has been restored to his priestly functions by Satolli, the papal delegate.
—The Wesleyan Methodist Society reports a large deficit the past year. Dr. Jenkins, in commenting on the situation, says that it is not altogether on account of the depressed times, as "money was never spent with such profligacy for merely selfish pleasure, and this not only outside but inside the church."
—Within two years the First Spiritual Society of San Diego, Cal., chartered under State law, has ordained four ministers of the gospel of Spiritualism; and in addition to these, two other citizens of that place were ordained by the San Francisco society. Thus San Diego has given to the world six ordained ministers of the Satanic delusion promulgated in Eden,—"Thou shalt not surely die."
—The College of Cardinals now numbers 61 members. There should be 70, making 9 vacancies now existing. Of the present number 32 are Italians, 7 are French, 5 are German, 5 are Austrian, 4 are Spanish, 2 are Portuguese, and there is one each of the following countries: England, Belgium, Ireland, Australia, United States, and Canada. Two of the cardinals are older than the pope.
—The Interior, Chicago, takes Christian Work to task for publishing poetry in which are petitions addressed to "angels nestling near the throne of God," and says: "The brother who wrote this must have been brought up in a church which believes in the invocation of saints; and yet in some of our Presbyterian Churches the choir will occasionally bring a cold sweat out on the pastor by unexpectedly launching out in a prayer to the 'angels, ever bright and fair,' to exercise those functions which neither angels nor man can perform, except under the express direction of the Almighty."
SECULAR.
—Late reports state that the cholera is rapidly spreading in Bessarabia.
—Greece was shaken by another earthquake shock August 26, terribly frightening the people.
—Seven persons were killed by a dynamite explosion in the mines near Zacatecas, Mex., August 26.
—On account of a rate war persons can travel from Houston, Texas, to New Orleans, a distance of 362 miles, for 25 cents.
—A World's Food Fair is to be held in Boston during October, under the auspices of the New England Grocers' Association.
—A great popular demonstration of 70,000 persons against the House of Lords was a prominent feature at Hyde Park, London, August 26.
—The noted Apache Chief Sanchez, somewhat famous as a warrior and marauder, was killed recently in a fight with other Indians.
—The situation among the Choctaw Indians is reported serious. Every man is armed, and outrages on the whites have already been committed.
—The Emperor of Germany has manifested in no uncertain way his disapproval of petty tyranny in the army, exercised by certain officers over men of lower rank.
—At Atlantic City, the 26th ult., a bather was instantly killed by lightning while disporting himself in the surf. The fiery bolt struck him in the sight of a multitude of people.
—In the Franklin mine, town of Franklin, near Seattle, Wash., August 24, 37 miners were suffocated by gases. The fire is supposed to have been caused by spontaneous combustion.
—At Clayton, Ala., on the 20th inst., lightning struck the house of James Houston while the family were at breakfast, killing three children and fatally injuring Mrs. Houston.
—Absolute power seems to be sometimes beneficial. Hawaii has a large Chinese and Japanese population. The Consuls of the two nations, after a friendly conference, absolutely forbade their respective nationalities to discuss the questions over which the two nations are at war. How this may operate away from home is yet to be seen.
—Late advices from Honolulu state that trouble was anticipated between the Chinese and Japanese residents on account of the war over Corea between their respective home governments.
—An attempt to destroy the life of President Crespo, of Venezuela, with a dynamite bomb is reported to the New York World. The effort was a failure, and the bomb thrower is under arrest.
—A cyclone which swept over Southern Russia is said to have destroyed fully one thousand lives. Two parties of American tourists are supposed to have been lost. Whole towns have been blotted out.
—All the cotton mills of New Bedford, Mass., were stopped last week by a strike of employes. The number of idle workmen is said to be about 11,000. A few who went to work in one mill were attacked by a mob.
—Five fishermen near the Golden Gate, after an exciting battle, caught, on August 23, an octopus, or devilfish, with arms, or tentacles, over thirty feet long. It was sold to the Chinese, who greatly esteem its arms for food.
—Spain, Italy, and Great Britain are sending war ships to Masagne, Morocco, where the Sultan's troops retreated after their defeat by the Kaylede rebels, and where they were besieged when the last report was sent out.
—The cases of all the parties charged with tarring and feathering General Tarsney, at Colorado City, Colo., have been dismissed on motion of the prosecuting attorney, for the reason that the grand jury had ignored the charges.
—It is said that the Coxey Commonweal will be reorganized for a demonstration in Washington City when Congress meets in December next. A prison-stripe uniform has been adopted, as also a constitution and by-laws.
—The Memphis (Tenn.) grand jury has returned 24 indictments against some of the most prominent cotton firms, which are charged with failure to pay taxes, and doing business without license, thus defrauding the State out of about $2,000,000. Wickedness in high places.
—At Ebensburg, Pa., Judge Barker has decided that the Catholic sisters may be employed as teachers in the public schools, may be attired in the garb of their orders, and may be addressed by their religious names by the pupils, but that the Catholic catechism may not be taught.
—The condition of ex-strikers' families at Pullman, Ill., is said to be pitiable. Many are on the verge of starvation, and children are crying for bread. The condition in the western part of this city (Oakland) is not much better. Many must have immediate help or suffer.
—A fire in a railroad freight office at Cincinnati, on the 22d inst., caused a loss of property valued at $300,000. On the same day six business houses in Reveille, Texas, were damaged to the extent of $100,000; and in Bowling Green, Ky., a number of houses were burned, aggregating a loss of $100,000.
—Consular advices from Canton, China, say that cholera is epidemic there. The plague is still raging among the natives, and does not seem to yield to medical treatment, the mortality being ninety per cent. of the cases. Forty thousand deaths have occurred from the disease in Canton since the 1st of March.
—Sir William Harcourt has announced in the British House of Commons that the government would introduce at the next session of Parliament a bill for the payment of salaries to members of Parliament. The members have never received compensation for their services as members of Parliament or as committee men.
—The grand jury at Memphis, Tenn., has unearthed an extensive system of fraud which has caused losses to the county aggregating $2,000,000. It turns out that hundreds of saloons and establishments embracing nearly every branch have not been compelled to pay any taxes or licenses for eight years, and over 700 indictments have been returned.
—Among the effects of fourteen Anarchists arrested in Berlin on the 18th inst. were documents showing that they were in constant communication with others of their class in Barcelona, Paris, London, and Chicago, and were receiving aid from all these places. At the Imperial palace letters threatening the life of Emperor William are frequently received.
—Late news from Fiji Islands reports a rebellion of some 200 hill natives on the island of Vanua Levu, who have been led by "devil priests" to some old heathen practices which are forbidden by law. Some native officers were sent to put a stop to the ceremonies and were attacked by the people. Two of them were badly wounded and carried to the village, where they were finally murdered and partially eaten. The other officers escaped, and afterward the governor, with reinforcements, returned and broke up the stronghold, taking a number of prisoners. This is the first return to cannibalism that has been known on the islands for over twenty years.
—It is said that the strike at Pullman is finally and officially to be declared "off." Some people will not help the poor at Pullman unless the strike is declared off, and the chairman of the strike committee says he will recommend that that which everybody knew was dead months ago be officially so declared. This illustrates the beauties of the whole strike system.
—August 25 the fire fiend was busy in California. The business portion of Guerneville, Sonoma County, was almost totally destroyed. Estimated loss, $100,000. Four lives are said to have been lost. The business part of Fort Jones, Siskiyou County, was largely burned up. Loss, about $15,000. The $15,000 opera house at Los Gatos totally burned. Fires are reported from Paso Robles and Woodland.
—The North German Lloyd and Hamburg-American Steamship lines are constructing thoroughly equipped buildings on the Russian frontier of Germany for the rigid inspection of steerage passengers from Russia to the United States. Stations for this purpose will be located at five points, where emigrants intending to come here by these lines will be carefully examined, and those who are excluded under our laws will be refused transportation.
—Twenty-four years ago the German army defeated the French at Sedan and made Napoleon III. a prisoner. His empire ended with his defeat, and he soon afterward died. The ex-empress still survives, and on the 14th inst. the present emperor of Germany, grandson of the conqueror of the French, paid her a friendly visit at Farnsborough, England, and took tea with her. Eugenie has resided in England most of the time since the downfall of the empire.
—The new treaty with China prohibits the coming of Chinese laborers to the United States for the next ten years, but the restriction does not apply to the return of such laborers as have lawful wives, children, or parents in this country, or who have property here to the value of $1,000, or debts equal to that amount due them. As an offset to the requirement that Chinese residents here be registered, it is understood that American residents in China shall be likewise registered.
—The hot wave in California has developed some severe electric storms. At Los Angeles, August 25, a trolley car was struck, disabling its machinery, but injuring none of those in it at the time. Electric light masts and telegraph poles were broken, and wires disarranged. The temperature was 94° at 5 P.M., and some rain fell, amounting at Pasadena to .25 of an inch. It is the only storm of the kind at Los Angeles since 1893. April 26 a thunderstorm and drenching occurred at San Diego. August 26 was reported from all parts of the State as "the hottest day of the season," the temperature ranging all the way from 82° to 114° in the shade. At Oakland the highest ranged from 95 in the shade to 111 in the sun.
—The recent Democratic Convention of this State nominated the following as their standard bearers in the coming campaign: For Governor, James H. Budd; Lieutenant Governor, William Jeter; Secretary of State, Ben Maddox; Attorney General, A. B. Parris; Treasurer, Jose Castro; Controller, Michael Meagher; Surveyor General, D. M. Angier; Superintendent of Schools, C. S. Smyth; Clerk of the Supreme Court, P. W. McGlade; State Printer, John J. Curry. Justices of Supreme Court—Long term, Jackson Temple, of Santa Rosa; long term, James E. Murphy, of Del Norte; short term, E. A. Bridgford, of Colusa. Congressmen—First District, Thomas J. Geary; Second District, A. Caminetti; Third District, W. D. English; Fourth District, James G. Maguire; Fifth District, Jos. P. Kelly; Sixth District, Geo. S. Patton; Seventh District, W. B. Alford. Railroad Commissioners—First District, H. M. La Rue; Second District, James I. Stanton; Third District, W. W. Phillips. Board of Equalization: First District, James C. Nealon; Second District, Thomas Wells; Third District, R. H. Beamer; Fourth District, F. M. Nickell.
The Second Advent
Cleveland Bicycles,
STODDARD & LEE,
306 McAllister St., San Francisco, Cal.
THE SECOND ADVENT.—Assorted Tract Package No. 3, contains 96 pages; price, 10 cents. Subjects considered—The Coming of the Lord, Is the End Near? Can We Know? The Signs of the Times, The Judgment, and The Second Advent of Our Lord. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
Product of a Sabbath-breaking System
"Product of a Sabbath-breaking System."—It is thus that a writer of the Advance (Congregationalist), "Deacon Pugh," discourses:—
"I do not see that we need to be surprised at riot, and bloodshed, and destruction of property from railroad men. Are they not what we have made them? And is not the crime of those who patronize the Sunday train greater than theirs by as much as souls are more valuable than bodies or property? That station agent who exhaled profanity with every breath, and who swore with a great oath that he 'wished every man could be hung that ordered out a train on Sunday,' was a natural product of a Sabbath-breaking system."
Yes, he was a product of that "Sabbath-breaking system" which has placed the Paga-Papal Sunday in the place of the Sabbath of the Lord. A true Sabbath keeper would have no part in Sabbath work. Why do Sunday keepers? Are they slaves—compelled to work? The fact is that there is no Bible, and very little conviction, back of Sunday keeping, or Sunday labor. The station agent wanted Sunday, not to glorify God, but to please himself.
LATE NUMBERS OF OUR LIBRARIES.
By Editor
"BIBLE STUDENTS' LIBRARY."
No. 122. Perfection of the Law. This tract of 16 pages is the reprint of five articles which appeared in the Signs from the pen of Elder T. H. Starbuck. They are worthy of a most careful reading. They present many precious thoughts on the exceeding breadth of God's law, and suggest many more. He who will read it with a candid mind will not be disappointed. Price, 2 cents.
No. 123. Manner of Christ's Coming. The object of this tract is to show from the testimony of the Scriptures what the manner of Christ's second coming will be. It is a good tract to hand to those who are troubled with erroneous ideas about a "secret rapture," or a secret coming for the bride. Price, 2 cents.
No. 125. Privilege of Prayer. This is a 16-page tract by Mrs. E. G. White, which presents the blessed privileges given of God to all who would approach the throne of grace, and hold communion with Him in whom is all wisdom, power, and love. Price, 2 cents.
No. 126. S. S. Lessons on Luke for Fourth Quarter of 1894. Price, 5 cents.
"APPLES OF GOLD LIBRARY."
No. 15. The Cross of Christ. By E. J. Waggoner. An excellent little tract of 8 pages, showing us the one true cross, what it should be to us, and how we may make it a blessing. Price, 50 cents per 100.
No. 16. The New Birth. (In printers' hands.) By J. H. Durland. What it is, and by what means accomplished. It gives the Bible testimony concerning this important change, which must take place in every son and daughter of earth if they would have a home in the kingdom of God. Price, 50 cents per hundred.
No. 17. What Shall I Do to Be Saved? (In printer's hands.) This little tract answers the question so often asked by man, What shall I do? It shows just how man must do his part, must coöperate with God. It should be read by everyone. Price, 50 cents per 100.
"SENTINEL LIBRARY."
No. 59. In the Stocks for Conscience' Sake. A story of the arrest and prosecution of Sabbath keepers in Australia, for exercising, in the most inoffensive way, their God-given rights. Price, 1 cent.
No. 60. The Great Strike a Fulfillment of Prophecy. A setting forth of the prophecies of God's word concerning the social troubles of our time, and showing their fulfillment. Price, 8 cents.
No. 61. The Great Strike and the Sabbath. (In press.) This tract of 8 pages presents the testimony of prominent men in different denominations, alleging that the labor troubles are judgments of God because of "Sabbath [Sunday] desecration." These men are taken on the principles which they themselves have laid down, and shown to be, unwittingly perhaps, those who countenance violations of law, human and divine. An unanswerable argument on the day of the Sabbath. Price, 1 cent.
The above may be obtained of our tract societies, or from Pacific Press, 18 West Fifth Street, Kansas City, Mo.; 43 Bond Street, New York; or Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
Rome and Temperance
By Editor
We now learn from Prof. Joseph Schroeder, of the Catholic University, Washington, that Ablegate Satolli's decision on the liquor question was, in the language of the Advance, “that his famous order was not a universal ban upon liquor dealers; it was not a pronouncement upon the liquor question at all; it was merely written to sustain and strengthen episcopal authority.” Delegate Satolli “simply declined to nullify a regulation prescribed by the Bishop of Columbus for that bishop's own diocese.” Moreover, the professor goes out of his way to add, the pope's viceregent, so far from condemning the use of liquor, is accustomed to take ‘a little somethin’ himself, on the principle of Paul's well-known advice to Timothy. Furthermore he has never decreed ‘that Catholic saloon keepers, because of their business, should be excluded from Catholic societies.’” Our “Protestant” friends are disappointed, but it cannot be helped. Rome is not, never has been, nor never will be, a temperance church. It is not politic. She admits the good principles, but she knows that they are not practicable in the world which she wishes to use.
The Beginning of the End.
By Editor
We call attention to an article from the Catholic Mirror, on page 677, "Is It The Beginning of the End?" The Mirror shows the probability of a mighty revolution which will sweep over Europe. It shows that the condition of things is similar to the revolution of 1848. The condition is similar to the French revolution of the latter part of the eighteenth century. The Mirror truly says that "what was, may be again." There are those who understand the prophecy of Rev. 17: 8-13 to indicate just the sort of thing which the Mirror by a study of history has outlined. We will find in that time, though, that the Papacy will have its part to act. The remedy that Catholicism has to offer is the restoration and independence of the pope, and the blind world, according to the prophecy, will accept it. These are interesting times, pregnant with the near cataclysms and revolutions of the future which shall usher in the day of God? It is the beginning of the end.
Defending Religious Persecution
President Charles A. Blanchard, of Wheaton College, in an article in the Advance of August 2, defends the Puritans in driving out Roger Williams, on the ground that "he was sent out of Massachusetts because he was not, and would not, become a law-abiding citizen." In speaking of the whipping of Holmes, President Blanchard says that "it could have been entirely avoided had Holmes remained out of Massachusetts, where, since 1644, it had been unlawful for him to hold Baptist meetings." On the same ground the persecution of Daniel by Medo-Persia, and the apostles by the Jews, may be justified. Daniel disobeyed the law; but he need not have prayed with his windows open. The disciples disobeyed the law; but they need not have preached in the temple. They could have remained out of Jerusalem. By such arguments can the religious persecution of all past ages be justified.
The Sabbath in the First Three Centuries
IN the article on "The Sabbath in the First Three Centuries" will be found valuable testimony as to how the apostasy crushed out the Sabbath of the Lord.
The Need of a Reformation in the Church of Christ
By Editor
An attentive perusal is asked of the article beginning on the first page of this issue, entitled “The Need of a Reformation in the Church of Christ.” It will be followed by others.
The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ
By Editor
IN another column will be found a few facts concerning that supposed "Unknown Life of Jesus Christ," about which so much is said just at present. We commend it to our readers.
Reformers Who Do Not Reform Themselves
In speaking of the course of Governor Pennoyer, of Oregon, who condemns railway passes and yet uses them, justifying their use by their existence, the Enquirer of this city aptly says: "This is specious, but the world is not likely to be led very much by those reformers who do not propose to reform themselves until there is a law compelling everybody to be good."
Christian Science and the Gospel
"Christian Science" would do very well if theories, not conditions, confronted us; but, in the apt language of President Cleveland, "it is a condition that confronts us, not a theory." It is a condition that confronts the race, a condition of sin and death, and it is only the blessed gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, as given in the good old Book, which will meet our needs; but it, praise God, meets them all.
