AFTER a prosperous journey across the continent, we arrived in Oakland, Cal., at about midnight, Aug 24.
We find the agitation over the proposed legislation on the Sunday question running higher than can well be realized by anyone not on the ground to witness it for himself. It is evidently the opportune moment for our position to be set before the people of this State, in its true light, while their attention can be secured to this subject. Nay, more, something is urgently demanded in this direction. But Eld. Waggoner, upon whom rests the burden of the SIGNS, is unable, in his present worn condition, to take upon himself additional labor; and the hands of other workers in the State are more than full with their own particular duties. There is, therefore, a place for whatever assistance we may be able to render.
We are happy to greet many friends with whom we formed a pleasant acquaintance on the occasion of our visit to this State five years ago, and to find them still rejoicing in the truth, and trying to keep themselves alive in the work. And we shall be happy to help what we can, at a time when help is so much needed.
The cause is one whether east or west; and the crisis through which it is passing here must soon be met in other sections as well. The seemingly long-delayed, but now rapidly-approaching fulfillment of prophecy should thrill every heart, and gird every arm with new strength for more vigorous efforts in the good cause. U. S.
St. Helena Health Retreat.
By Editor
Dr. Chase has arrived in California and gone to St. Helena to locate as resident physician at the Health Retreat. The services of a competent lady assistant have been secured, and thus the institution is opening for the reception of patients with every prospect of success before it.
Articles of Interest.
By Editor
THE report from Holland will be read with interest by all. Another article from Eld. Haskell on the missionary work we have the pleasure of publishing this week. We do not know yet at what time our brethren will return from Europe. Eld. Haskell has been so very busy that more full reports could not be expected at present, but we have no doubt he will return full of interesting facts, which he knows how to use for the benefit of the cause.
We also call attention to the experience of Eld. Barnes as given in this paper. We are pleased to give this to the readers of the SIGNS, as an encouragement to missionary workers, and because we have formed a very pleasant acquaintance with Bro. B. He will at some time give an account of his fully receiving the truth.
"The California Sabbath."
By Editor
THIS is the title given to Sunday by a man who very inappropriately puts "Rev." before his name. One of his statements is the following:—
"Adam was created, was evoluted on Saturday in the afternoon. The first day he ever saw was Sunday, the first Sunday of the world."
We are firmly convinced that whatever other qualification is needed to bear the title of "Rev." in California, the possession of a conscience is not one. A man who will so willfully pervert the truth of the Bible deserves only the scorn of men. Again he says:—
"No citizen has a right to exercise a conscience that is at war with the civil institutions under which he lives."
The "three Hebrew children," and Daniel were all offenders against right. The apostles well deserved the punishment they received, and the martyrs were verily guilty, for in obedience to a perverted conscience they stood up against the civil laws under which they lived! If the inquisition is ever erected in California we recommend "Rev. A. J. Nelson" as Inquisitor-General.
Does Ingersoll Know?
By Editor
THE committee who had charge of R. G. Ingersoll's lecturing tour in 1878-79 announced that his lecture on the "Mistakes of Moses," contained "the best results of modern scholarship." We have no "railing accusation" to bring against Mr. Ingersoll. We will notice a small item in that lecture, for sometimes the evidence for or against a point may be turned by a very small matter. In that lecture we find the following remark concerning the Pentateuch:-
"The Bible was originally written in the Hebrew language, and the Hebrew language at that time had no vowels in writing. It was written entirely with consonants, and without being divided into chapters or into verses, and there was no system of punctuation whatever. After you go home to-night write an English sentence or two with only consonants close together, and you will find it will take twice as much inspiration to read it as it did to write it."
Now if Mr. Ingersoll, or any other, thinks he has stated a difficult problem he can easily be undeceived if facts are what he wants. We will undertake to produce Hebrew books innumerable in the United States written with only consonants—not a vowel point in them. And then we will engage to find Hebrew youths—mere boys—who will read a page in those books as readily as Mr. Ingersoll can read a page of common English print. This is no conjecture with us, for we have seen it done many times. In Hebrew the vowel sounds are indicated by points and not by letters; the form of the word is the same without the vowels that it is with the vowels; and any one well versed in the Hebrew grammar, or raised to the use of these books, readily recognizes the form so as to understand the construction at sight. To any one who knows these facts it will not appear that any inspiration is needed to read unpointed Hebrew. But if Mr. Ingersoll does not know these simple facts which are within the reach of every one, and are known to thousands in every part of the country, how can we give him credit for scholarship? And where are his qualifications to criticise the Pentateuch? It takes no culture to ridicule, and this is Mr. Ingersoll's forte.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
By Editor
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE
Missionary Society of Seventh-day Adventists.
A twelve-page Religious Family Paper, devoted to a discussion of the Prophecies, Signs of the Times, Second Coming of Christ, Harmony of the Law and Gospel, with Departments devoted to Temperance, The Home Circle, The Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-school.
Price Per Year, . . . . . . . . . . $2.00
In Clubs of five or more copies to one address, to be used in Missionary Work, . . . . . . . . . . 1.50
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
—OR—
REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Michigan.
ELD. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, Ravenswood, Shirley Road, Southampton, England.
MISS ELIZA THAYER, Sec. N. E. Tract Society, South Lancaster, Mass.
W. L. RAYMOND, Gaston, Oregon.
Our Publications in England.
ANY of the books, pamphlets, and tracts issued at this Office may be obtained of Eld. J. N. Loughborough, Ravenswood, Shirley Road, Southampton, England, who will furnish Catalogues, and give prices in English money. He will also receive subscriptions for our periodicals.