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Signs of the Times, Vol. 8, No. 11.

General Articles
Earlier text: The Sanctification of the First Day of the Week

He Knew All About It.

By Richard Newton, D. D.

SOME time ago a gentleman was going from Boston to Albany, and on his journey got into conversation with a young man, a divinity student, who was traveling the same way. Something was said about drinking, when the divinity student said:—
“I am only twenty-five years of age, but you can’t tell me anything about that. I know all there is to know about drinking.”
“When I was eighteen I went to Boston to take charge of the books in a mercantile house. In the boarding-house where I boarded were four young men. We became companions. They all drank and invited me to join them. I declined. I said, ‘I am eighteen and have never drank, and it would not be just to my Christian home and my family to do so now.’ I resisted for a time; but they resorted to ridicule, and that I could not stand. I drank, and in two years delirium tremens overtook me. All terrible things were present to me and pursuing me. I suffered agonies. I trembled and realized my danger, and in my alarm sought refuge in my Saviour’s strength, and now I expect soon to preach the gospel.”
“And will you tell me,” said the gentleman, “what has become of your boarding-house friends ?”
“Three of them,” said the young man, “are in drunkards’ graves, and the fourth is in prison.”
What an injurious sting this sting of strong drink is!—Richard Newton, D. D.

Sue's Cup of Cold Water.

By Pansy

"Five and five is ten, and ten is twenty, and three is twenty-three, and two is twenty-five. Three and two is five, and five is ten, and five is fifteen, and ten is twenty-five—." There was no use. You could not make one cent more of it; and Sue gave it up finally with a little sigh. "If I were only rich like Lena Rivers I would do lots of good," she said, as she put back the money into her purse.
To-morrow was the Sabbath-school picnic that Sue had been looking forward to ever since the snow went off. Was she not going to have a whole long holiday out of the hot, noisy mill, and going on the boat to the nice cool woods—how she had looked forward to it! There was one drawback, however, to Sue's happiness. All the rest of the girls in her class were to have new pretty dresses, and she had nothing but her old white one that she had almost outgrown, and besides, it was darned—well, I do not dare to say how many times. The brightness all faded out of Sue's face when she thought of that, but then she could not have another possibly; and perhaps with fresh ribbons it would not look so very bad. So she had been saving up her pennies. Slow, tedious work it was; but at last there was a quarter, enough for two yards and a half. To-morrow was the picnic, and to-night she was going down street to buy the ribbon. She felt so happy that she almost ran, on the way home from the mill, until she came to Mrs. Mellen's.
Mrs. Mellen went out working by the day anywhere she could get work. And, Jimmy, her little crippled boy, was sitting in the door watching for her to come home. He had been very sick a long time, and was just getting about again. He looked so sad and pitiful that Sue stopped to speak with him.
"Isn't it nice out of doors Jimmy?" she said.
"I guess it would be if I could get out where there is some grass and trees; but it's so hot and dusty here."
"I know it," replied Sue, looking up and down the narrow, dingy street. "How I wish you could go to our picnic! We are going on the river, and then to the grove. There'll be music, and good things to eat; and swings, and I don't know what else."
"I wish I could," said Jimmy, with a queer little quiver in his voice, and something like tears in his eyes—only boys never cry, you know. "But mother couldn't spare the money for my ticket, for I've cost a lot lately."
"Oh," exclaimed Sue, with an odd little start, "I must be going. Good night."
There were two things that popped into Sue's mind all at once. One was the verse that Miss Benton gave her only last Sabbath; "And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily, I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward"—and added:—
"There's a chance for every one, isn't there, Sue? for the dear Saviour promises to reward even a cup of cold water, and anyone can give that much."
The second thought was of her treasured quarter at home—the tickets were just a quarter. The conclusion she arrived at instantly was: Is not this an opportunity for me to give a cup of cold water to Jimmy Mellen? But then—there was her ribbon. What would become of it? O dear, what should she do?
There was no more running. Instead, she walked very slowly; and, once home, she went directly to her own room. To be sure, she knew exactly how much she had, and yet perhaps there was a little more. But not a cent more could she make of it; and now the question was, What should she do? Go without her ribbon and give Jimmy a day of pleasure, or—O dear, how could she give up the ribbon!
Seven, eight, the clock struck. And still Sue sat by the window, her treasure in hand, pondering. A bit of a song flitted through her mind:
"I gave myself for thee— What hast thou given for me?"
She sprang up quickly. "I won't be so awfully selfish. I will give this little bit," she cried aloud. And then she went flying down stairs, out of the yard, toward Mrs. Mellen's.
"O Jimmy!" she cried, almost out of breath, "you can go after all. Here's a quarter for your ticket, and we'll have lots of fun!"
You should have seen Jimmy! He tried to say "Thank you;" but he could not—do his very best. And, boy as he was, he buried his face in the pillows and sobbed as though his heart would break. "Oh, Sue, I wanted to go so bad—you don't know."
As for Sue's ribbon—well, perhaps you won't believe me, but she never thought of it all day long. They had such a splendid time, you see, and everybody was so good to her and Jimmy.
"It isn't so much what folks have, after all, it, mother," she said that night, "as it is the way they feel inside? I was so glad I let Jimmy go that I had every bit as good a time as Lena Rivers, I know, if my dress was old and hers new."
—Pansy.

Unconscious Influences.

MANY a minister of the gospel is discouraged through seeming failure of the desired results of his labors when, if the truth were known, his heart would rejoice. Far more frequently than is generally supposed, arrows darted from the pulpit strike, though secretly, the very points at which they were aimed. We are not to judge in this matter by immediate and acknowledged effects. As Mr. Jay well observed, "We cannot tell what is in the net while it is yet in the water."
More than thirty years ago, a lad, who was a Freshman in Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., returning from an evening visit of business through the town, passed the first Presbyterian church, of which the Rev. Dr. George Duffield was pastor. Light in the window indicated that public worship was being held. From curiosity, or a wish to while away an idle hour, rather than from any higher and worthier motive, the youth joined the audience. The preacher was a stranger, in middle age, and of very impressive appearance, tone, and manner. To look at and listen to him was to be reminded of the grand description of one holding this high office given by Cowper:—
"There stands the messenger of Truth! There stands The legate of the skies! His theme divine His office sacred, his credentials clear; By him the violated law speaks out Its thunders; and by him in strains as sweet As angels use, the gospel whispers peace."
The student, though coming in after the text was announced, soon discovered that it was "The way of transgressors is hard." Nor could he doubt for a moment, that the preacher's object was not to magnify himself, but to save souls. Everything attested his earnest devotion to the great end of his calling. In most forcible terms he exhibited the difficulties sinners have to encounter in rebelling against God. Thus, closing the Bible, leaning over the pulpit as if to gain nearer and more effective access to his hearers, and modulating his voice to a tone at once most terrific and pathetic, after remarking, "But the end of that way is infinitely harder," he proceeded, in a most solemn awful manner, to unfold and enforce this tremendous truth.
Though reared in a Christian family, that youth received that evening his first really serious impression of his relation to the divine government and the coming world. Not long afterward he became a professor of religion, in the course of time entered the ministry, and has since occupied positions of great usefulness in the church. Happening to be in New York a few years since, a venerable and beloved minister, whose acquaintance he had formed by a casual meeting though he had long known him by reputation, urged him to be his guest at his residence near the city. The invitation was accepted, and led to a precious intimacy of friendship, which never ceased or even abated. In relating to each other incidents of personal experiences, one afternoon, the facts here recorded were stated. The godly man's eye brightened with interest as the narrative advanced. On closer inquiry by him as to the year, the season, the evening, and the theme, it was soon developed that the host was the instrument, in God's hands, of giving the first upward direction to the thoughts of the recipient of his generous hospitality. The Rev. Richard W. Dickinson, D.D., who, at the time referred to, was in charge of the church in Lancaster, was called to assist his brother Duffield in a "protracted meeting," and now, under his own roof, was led to know at least one good effect that his ministrations had produced. The joy which he manifested at this discovery was not only eminently creditable to his piety, but made an impression on the visitor's heart which can never be erased.
May it not be that the happiness of Heaven will arise, in part, from a comparison of experiences in this world of lights and shadows, and from the acquired knowledge of good which we had on earth unconsciously accomplished? At all events, the assurance is full of comfort, "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."—The Presbyterian.

The Home Circle.

By Pansy

WATCH YOUR WORDS.

KEEP a watch on your words, my darling, For words are wonderful things; They are sweet, like the bees' fresh honey— Like the bees, they have terrible stings; They can bless, like the warm, glad sunshine, And brighten a lonely life; They can cut in the strife of anger, Like an open two-edged knife.
Let them pass through your lips unchallenged, If their errand is true and kind— If they come to support the weary, To comfort and help the blind; If a bitter, revengeful spirit Prompt the words, let them be unsaid; They may flash through a brain like lightning, Or fall on a heart like lead.
Keep them back, if they are cold and cruel, Under bar and lock and seal; The wounds they make, my darlings, Are always slow to heal May peace guard your lives, and ever, From the time of your early youth, May the words that you daily utter Be the words of beautiful truth. —Pansy.

Take Care of your Thoughts.

SIN begins in the heart. If you keep your thoughts pure, your life will be blameless. The indulgence of sinful thought and desires produces sinful actions. When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin. The pleasurable contemplation of a sinful deed is usually followed by its commission. Never allow yourself to pause and consider the pleasures or profits you might derive from this sin. Close your mind against the suggestion at once, as you would lock and bolt your doors against a robber. If Eve had not stood parleying with the devil, and admiring the beautiful fruit, the earth might have yet been a Paradise. No one becomes a thief, a fornicator, or a murderer at once. The mind must be corrupted.
The wicked suggestion must be indulged and revolved in the thoughts, until it loses its hideous deformity, and the anticipated gain or pleasure comes to outweigh the evils of the transgression.
Your imagination is apt to paint forbidden pleasure in gay and dazzling colors. It is the serpent's charm. Gaze not upon the picture. Suffer not the intruder to get a lodgment. Meet the enemy at the threshold, and drive it from your heart. As a rule, the more familiar you become with sin, the less hateful it appears; so that the more completely you preserve your mind from unholy and wicked thoughts, the better. Avoid the society where obscenity or blasphemy is heard. Cultivate the society of the virtuous.
Read nothing which is unchaste or immoral. Make a covenant with your eyes. Familiarize not your mind with the loathsome details of crime. Never harbor malicious or envious thoughts. Direct your thoughts towards pure and holy subjects. Contemplate the character of the spotless and perfect Son of God. Keep your spirit untainted, your thoughts uncontaminated, so shall your life be virtuous. As a man thinketh, so is he. Take care of the thoughts—the actions will take care of themselves.

THE STRAIGHT PATH.

"The Bible is so strict and old-fashioned," said a young man to a gray-haired friend, who was advising him to study God's Word if he would learn how to live. "There are plenty of books written nowadays that are moral enough in their teaching, and do not bind one down as the Bible does."
The old merchant turned to his desk and took out two rulers, one of which was slightly bent. With each of these he ruled a line, and silently handed the ruled paper to his companion.
"Well," said the lad, "what do you mean?"
"One line is not straight and true, is it?" When you mark out your path in life, do not take a crooked ruler!

Religious Notes.

By Editor

--At a Christmas Eve service in Uvarre, Spain, a pack of wolves entered the church and killed three and seriously wounded five of the congregation.
-A Scotch Baptist Church has been organized in Patagonia. There are Chinese Baptist Churches in Guiana, and a French one in the Argentine Republic.
-Chicago has the largest Hebrew population of any other city of equal numbers in the world. There are fifteen synagogues in the city, which have an average attendance of 1,300 each.
-A letter from Salt Lake, addressed to Speaker Keifer, states that under the decision of the Courts marriage is a civil contract, persons in that city are forming polygamous relations by a simple written agreement.
-Mrs. Cooper, who was ousted from her position as teacher of a Bible class in Calvary Church, San Francisco, for heresy (though she had the sympathy of Dr. Hemphill, the pastor), is now leading a large class in the First Congregational church.
-Eighty-two cents per member is the average yearly contribution of a certain church in Michigan, and this is spoken of, by the Advance, as a "hopeful symptom." Some folks interpret the statement, "Salvation's free," in an extremely literal manner.
-The Hartford Theological Seminary has sent out 24 per cent. of its graduates as missionaries, standing in this respect at the head of the list of theological schools in the country. Oberlin comes next with 19 per cent., and no other exceeds 10 per cent.
-The Mormons are said to be openly boasting that they have captured Congress and there will be no anti-Mormon legislation. It is estimated that the Mormons have spent over a million dollars in their fight this winter, and the money has been placed where it would do good service.
-News comes to us of a correspondence between the Catholic officials of Quebec and the Pope, with a view to his removal to that city. It is stated that the Pope has replied that the time has come for his removal, but the place has not been determined. We anxiously wait for a confirmation of this news before publishing the full report.
-A complete file of the Banner of Light, the Spiritualist journal, was some time ago advertised for sale by ex-Judge Peter P. Good of New Jersey, who now informs the editor that the purchaser was an agent of the late Czar of Russia, and that the volumes are now in the royal library in St. Petersburg. The collection of Spiritualist books and periodicals left by the Czar is said to be the largest in the world.
-The S. F. Alta is sometimes caustic. It says: It is reported that "the boy preacher," Rev. Thomas Harrison, is having such success in meetings among Methodists of Cincinnati that he is likely to remain in that city through the month of March. Thomas has cause to congratulate himself. He had, however, better remain in Cincinnati, for circus competition is growing more severe and it is best to let San Francisco alone for a little while, until the season becomes livelier and the public can better tolerate poor shows.
-Dr. Herrick Johnson, pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, is doing good work in showing the demoralizing influence of the theater. In his "Plain Talk about the Theater," he makes, among others, the following good point: "There are good as well as bad plays; clean as well as dirty players. Of course there are. But what of it! The same institution mounts the good and the bad plays. The same management pockets the profits. The same theater board welcomes alike the clean and the dirty players. If a witness lies half the time and tells the truth the other half, his truth telling makes him none the less a liar. Yet the same theatrical management is heard saying, 'Come now, good Christians, come to my theater. This is the moral drama.'"
-The San Francisco Chronicle says: "At a meeting of the ministerial union Rev. Dr. Williams and others spoke of the dissatisfaction felt on the part of many with the centralization of the revival meetings under Messrs. Whittle and McGranahan, and a motion was made that the committee of the Union on Evangelical Work, which had had direction of the matter, be instructed to withdraw and give over the matter in future to the exclusive charge of the Young Men's Christian Association. Rev. Otis Gibson said the Methodist brethren had never been in favor of inviting evangelists from abroad, and had refused to unite with Dr. Jewell in inviting Mr. Harrison. Rev. Dr. Briggs confirmed this statement, and said his own feeling had been and was that, in the final result, the attendant evils would outweigh the benefits resulting from importing evangelists. The decision of the matter was referred to a future meeting."
-The San Francisco Pacific Methodist is of the opinion that the old proverb, "Speak nothing but good of the dead" is carried altogether too far by our clergy, and that they have a "serious fault of preaching funeral sermons for persons of respectability, as to worldly circumstances, moral character, and attendance on public worship," but who have never "exhibited any of the more decided and satisfactory evidences of a change of heart," in such terms of eulogy and commendation as to leave the impression that what is called "a good life" is sufficient without being "possessed of vital religion." "To make the utmost of what was praiseworthy in such persons, and to pass encomiums on their virtue and piety, is calculated to do immense mischief, by lowering the standard of religion ; and it would seem to make it appear that very little sanctity is sufficient to constitute a safe state to carry a man to Heaven. * As a consequence it is not surprising that those who have incorrect ideas of what real religion is, are confirmed in their estimate of it ; whilst some, far enough from a state of grace, bless themselves as to their own condition ; and those who are disposed to skepticism, are fortified in their dangerous errors."
-The San Francisco Chronicle of Monday, March 13, says: "The Sunday law was openly violated yesterday, notwithstanding the decision of the Supreme Court. No arrests were made, and no attempt was made to enforce it. Dr. R. H. McDonald, the president and prime mover in the Home Protection Society, intimated that the Ministerial Union will assemble early this week, and the subject will be brought up for special consideration. The association hoped to join with it and other religious and law-abiding organizations in carrying out some plan, not yet fully developed, to enforce the law. The first movement, however, would be to call upon the Mayor and the Police Department and demand the enforcement of the now fully established Sunday law." "He and his adherents were aware that the League of Freedom and its supporters could clog the administration of justice in the two Police Courts by demanding jury trials. If they did he could not foretell the result. He had no doubt that the Sunday law will become an important, if not the most important, factor in the next political canvass, and before the Legislature. Therefore, and in view of the determined opposition of the League of Freedom, he and his co-laborers counted upon the law and order abiding citizens to drop all political, religious, and minor differences, and unite in one common effort to sustain the law, or make others in order to have it carried out." As a political question the Sunday law is likely to overshadow all others.

News and Notes.

By Editor

--Bradlaugh has again been refused a seat in Parliament.
--Brady has been held in $20,000 bail in the Star-route cases.
--A bid of $2,900,000 has been made for the Sprague estate at Providence.
--The "Chinese Bill" has passed the Senate and bids fair to pass the House also.
--Chicago boasts that its cable roads are an improvement on those of San Francisco.
--The Chicago clergy are moving unitedly to stop the Sunday theatrical performances.
--In a late daily we noticed accounts of four murders of women in a half column of news.
--McLean, the Queen's assailant, has been committed for trial on a charge of high treason.
--The U. S. Commissioner at New York refused to allow naturalization papers to a Chinaman.
--The entire city detective force of Philadelphia has been disbanded on account of charges against its character.
--The floods on the lower Mississippi are disastrous beyond any precedent. The suffering can hardly be estimated or realized.
--The Lake Superior Powder Company's packing house at Marquette, Mich., was recently blown up, and four men were killed.
--A report from Cincinnati says the steamer Sidney burst her steam pipe March 10. Two persons were killed and fifteen wounded.
--A. N. Towne, Superintendent of the Central Pacific Railroad, has been reported dangerously sick. He was at Indianapolis when taken down.
--Two Indians were hanged in Lake Co., Cal., March 10, for an unprovoked murder committed in 1881. Both were drunk when the crime was committed.
--Farmers in some parts of California are having their wheat entirely destroyed by wild geese, which are so numerous that they cannot be kept off the fields.
--Considerable rain has fallen lately in California, though not enough to spoil the reputation of this, as a "dry winter." There have been no heavy rains or floods.
--Ex-Senator Conkling has declined the Associate Justiceship of the Supreme Court of the United States. Senator Edmonds of Vermont also declined, but later reports say that he will accept.
--A meddlesome "masher," in San Francisco, who tried to ruin a lady's reputation because he could not succeed in ruining her character, was severely chastised by the lady, in a Fourth Street Restaurant, whereat good citizens rejoice.
--The House Committee on Commerce has instructed White to report the bill appropriating 25,000 to enable the Secretary of the Navy to transmit to maritime cities and all cities of over 15,000 inhabitants desiring it—the standard Washington time daily at meridian.
--Sergeant Mason has been sentenced to eight years' confinement at hard labor in the penitentiary at Albany for shooting at Guiteau. However just the sentence may be, many will sympathize with him. Mason received the news of his sentence with apparent indifference.
--Strikers and Trades Union men have been so violent in their actions at Omaha that the military have been called out to protect the laborers. Trades Unions might perhaps exist without making nuisances of themselves, but they do not seem to achieve great success in that way.
--The captain of the Cunard steamer Catalonia, which arrived at Liverpool from New York March 10, reports that when off Point Linas on the outward passage, his vessel came in collision with an unknown barkentine during a dense fog and he believes the latter sunk with all on board.
--England sent $18,000,000 worth of merchandise into Japan last year and imported from the same country $3,400,000. The United States sent $1,742,000, and took away $12,338,000. It is prophesied that in twenty years Japan herself will have a larger merchant marine than the United States.
--A World letter from Panama, dated February 28th says that work on the canal is almost suspended, that the shareholders are becoming dissatisfied. The death-rate among officers of the canal company has slightly increased. The number of deaths up to February 23d was eighty-one.
--The Times' Constantinople special says: It is feared in official circles that war between Russia and Austria is inevitable. The question of calling out the reserves is being seriously discussed. It has at least been decided that some preparatory measures should be taken. The exaggerated apprehensions of the Palace party caused them to look favorably on an alliance with Austria.
--Specials say that nothing has been heard from Deputy Marshal Healy, who is a prisoner among the half-breeds at Milk River, since the 20th ult., and his friends are anxious for his safety. He sent word of his condition by smuggling a dispatch through the half-breeds with the aid of an old friend who was in company with them. He is a man not likely to call for help if he had any chance to help himself.
--A terrible storm visited the city of Mexico March 6, causing great consternation among a crowd at a circus. Within five minutes tons of hail fell and tore down the canvas, and with it the poles, extinguishing all the lights. The scene was frightful, women were screaming and fainting, and the panic-stricken people scrambled for the exits, rushing ankle deep through the water. Fortunately the casualties were slight.
--The manufacturing towns at the East have grown rapidly in population. Jersey City increased from 82,000 in 1870 to 120,000 in 1880; Newark from 105,000 to 186,000, and Pittsburg from 86,000 to 153,000. No Western cities of like population in the most rapidly advancing States show such growth as this. Pittsburg, a purely manufacturing town, heads the entire list of cities of the country in growth during the last decade.
--When "Colonel Fremont" was in California he purchased Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, for the United States, but the Government officials repudiated the purchase. Afterward the Government took possession and has spent about $8,000,000 on it, making it the chief defence of the harbor. General Fremont now sues for possession, with good prospects of success. He paid $5,000 for it, and the right seems to rest in him as the Government would not accept the purchase.

Obituary.

By Benj. Holmes

SWAIN.—Died at her home in Colden, N. Y., Feb. 14, 1882, Mrs. Julia A. Swain, aged seventy-two years and seven months. Sister Swain united with the Baptist Church in 1832, In 1874 she embraced present truth under the labors of Eld. Chas. B. Reynolds, and she subsequently lived up to the light received. A husband and two sons mourn her loss. Funeral discourse by the writer, in the Free Methodist Church, to a large and attentive congregation. Text, Isa. 38:2.
BENJ. HOLMES.

OUR COUNTRY'S FUTURE FORETOLD.

By Uriah Smith

THE UNITED STATES IN PROPHECY.

BY ELD. U. SMITH.
THIS is a full exposition of a portion of prophecy which applies to our own Government, showing the position the United States holds in prophecy, and the part it has to act in the closing scenes of time.

THE SUNDAY MOVEMENT,

Which is now attracting such general attention, is thoroughly canvassed; and abundant testimony is given to prove that in a few years this will be the

ALL-IMPORTANT QUESTION

In this country. Facts and statistics are largely presented, showing in the most conclusive manner that this government is the one pointed out in the prophecy quoted. 200 pages. Bound, 40 cents. Paper covers, 20 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

COMPANION TO THE REVISED NEW TESTAMENT.

Explaining the Reasons for the Changes made in the Revised Edition, with

Explanations to the Appendix of the Revised New Testament,

Which contains the Changes Suggested by the American Committee but were not assented to by the English Committee.
Paper covers, 8vo., 25 cents. Cloth. 16mo., 75 cents.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal

The Sunday Law and Equal Rights

By Editor

The California Christian Advocate says this of the Sunday Law:—
"This law is not unjust to the Jew nor the Seventh-day Adventist. Surely they would not be so unreasonable as to demand that no day of rest should be guaranteed to men, because they differ from others concerning the Sabbath."
We are sorry to find such remarks in any paper professing to uphold the spirit of Christianity. We have never desired to throw any obstacle in the way of any guarantee of a day of rest to men; nor have we ever thought of calling upon our law-makers to compel them to rest on a day of our choosing. We only ask equal religious rights with others, and think that we ought to have guaranteed to us the God-given privilege to keep His own commandment without molestation or hindrance.
If the law of California were so changed as to compel men to keep the seventh day, and left as it now is in every other respect, the editor of the Advocate would cry out as loudly as anybody against the manifest injustice of the law. The law is unjust to the Seventh-day Adventist, and the decision of no earthly court can change its nature in this respect. The enforcement of this law is really an effort to make us, against our conscientious convictions, exalt the civil law above the moral law of God. The advocates of the Sunday law of the State virtually confess that it is not a matter of conscience with them, by making it a mere "police regulation" and withdrawing it from the domain of Scripture.
"Why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?" (1 Cor. 10 : 29), especially in a matter where his conscience is too weak to be discerned.
In the discussion of this subject, and in meeting the opposition of those who would enforce their religion upon us, and that without any Bible sanction, we feel that it is blessed to have the plain word of the Lord to stand upon. "The foundation of God standeth sure." 2 Tim. 2 : 19.

Writer’s Sickness Delays Continuation

By Editor

In last week's paper was promised a continuation of a certain subject, but the severe sickness of the writer, "E. J. W.," has prevented. As he is our assistant in the work of the office we are compelled to offer his sickness as a reason for our inability to meet the requirements of the paper in all respects this week.

Lecture on Darwinism

By Editor

WE commend the extract given in this paper from Mr. Zach. Montgomery's lecture on Darwinism. It is worthy of a careful reading.

Remarkable Sunday Law Case.

By Editor

Under this head the Alta has the following dispatch:—
"Santa Cruz, March 9th.—The first Sunday Law case actually tried here, and which occupied the Court two weeks, resulted yesterday in a verdict of acquittal. A strong fight was made by the temperance people on one side, represented by the District Attorney, and the Traders' Association on the other side. Ten days were occupied in empanelling a jury, and the township was exhausted. This will probably end the prosecutions for the present."
It is certainly to be regretted that the temperance people cripple their efforts by making it a Sunday issue instead of a temperance issue. Let each question stand on its own merits, and we believe that the cause of temperance would greatly gain thereby.

Sunday Liquor Traffic

By Editor

In a communication to the Oakland Times somebody says:—
“We do intend to withhold our votes from candidates who are not decidedly and fearlessly opposed to the liquor traffic on Sunday.”
We dislike such evasive dealing with this subject. Why single out the liquor traffic, when the law no more prohibits it than it does any honorable and necessary business? Is it right and just to so present the case to the public? Are our Sunday friends afraid to meet the issue on its real merits?

Enforcing the Sunday Law

By Editor

Strenuous efforts are now to be put forth in San Francisco to enforce the Sunday Law. The Chief of Police has issued the following order:—
"Captains Douglass and Short: Instruct your officers to enforce the Sunday law. Arrests will be made of persons who may violate this law next Sunday. P. CROWLEY, Chief of Police."
On this the Chronicle says:—
"Should the order be carried out to the letter, the city prison will not be large enough to hold one-half of the prisoners, and a dozen Police Courts will not have time to try them from week to week."
The same paper contains the following item:—
"The Sunday law was made the chief issue in the local election at Salinas yesterday, with the result that the opponents of the measure scored a sweeping victory."
To all of which we can say in the words of the old song:—
"The cry is up, the strife's begun."

Earthquake in Costa Rica.

NEW YORK, March 13th.—Advices from Panama say: Intelligence has just reached here of an appalling earthquake in Costa Rica. Advices thus far received state that four towns have been destroyed. These are Alajuela, San Ramon, Greca, and Heredia. In Alajuela alone several thousand lives were lost. Those left alive are homeless and in sad need.
LATER.—Further Costa Rica advices say the loss of life has been something fearful. Thousands of inhabitants have been swallowed up, and the destruction of property is widespread. The Costa Rica Consul of New York says that he has received no intelligence regarding the earthquake and loss of life in his country, but he would not be surprised if the report was true, as the location mentioned was a nest of volcanoes.

A Level-Headed Governor

Missouri has a level-headed Governor. A wife-murderer recently pleaded to have his death sentence commuted, and the Governor said: "I have not one particle of sympathy for the murderers of women, who after the cowardly deed, shrink behind the coward's plea of insanity and plead for mercy. They should remember that the law is not made for mercy, but punishment, and that, having had no mercy toward their victims, they have no right to ask such from the executors of the law." Come West, Governor, come West.—Alta.

Oakland Election Results

At the city election in Oakland on the 13th inst., the full Republican ticket was elected.

Appointments.

By Editor

Oakland and San Francisco.

OAKLAND.—Church N. E. corner Clay and 13th Streets. Meeting every Sabbath (Saturday) at 11 A. M. Preaching every second and fourth Sunday evening of each month. Prayer-meeting every Tuesday evening. Eld. J. H. Waggoner, Pastor. Sabbath-school at 9:30 A. M. W. C. White, Superintendent. Seats always free.
SAN FRANCISCO.—Church on Laguna Street, between McAllister and Tyler Streets. Meeting every Sabbath (Saturday) at 11 A. M. Prayer-meeting Wednesday evening. M. C. Israel, Elder. No regular preaching. Sabbath-school at 9:45 A. M. E. A. Stockton, Superintendent. Street-cars of the Hayes Valley Line, and Central and Lone Mountain Line, pass close to the meeting-house.
The editor of the SIGNS expects to speak in San Francisco next Sabbath.

Quarterly Meeting.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

The quarterly meeting of the Red Bluff District will be held at Vina, April 1 and 2. Bro. Briggs will be with us. Vina is the most accessible point for all our members. D. S. HEMSTREET.
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