p. 13 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 5. (1/29/1902)

Earlier text: THE INTERNATIONAL PROPHETIC CONFERENCE

ALWAYS INJURIOUS.

By R. Beverly Cole

[Dr. R. Beverly Cole, Professor in the Medical Department of the University of California, in S. F. Examiner.]

THERE is no time when a man is benefited by smoking a cigar or cigaret. Sometimes a cigar smoked after a meal will aid digestion so materially that one is tempted to call it a positive good; but the certain period of depression which follows the exhalation of the smoke more than makes up for the smoke, and leaves one worse than before. It is like the drinking of whisky in that respect, for the depression which follows the use of tobacco is as sure as that after drinking whisky.

And notwithstanding the great harm done to one's digestion by a cigar, that which comes from a cigaret is much greater. There are several reasons for this, and the first is always the seductiveness of the cigaret. With a cigaret-smoker life is one round of reaching after the unobtainable. So it is that after one smokes a cigaret a short time, as a general rule one turns to the inhalation of the smoke in an effort to secure the desired effect. And then down into the lungs is drawn the smoke of the little paper and tobacco cylinders.

Some good physicians prescribe a smoke after dinner just as others tell a patient to take a glass of brandy and water to stimulate the secretions. But there can be no real benefit to any man through the taking into his system of the narcotic nicotine, and no amount of argument can convince one of it.

Yes, there are men who have used tobacco all through long and active lives, but what does that prove?—Only that they were more robust of constitution and less susceptible to the many dangers to which the taking into their system of so much poison makes them liable. It is not that the tobacco has lengthened their lives, but that they have been able to throw off the effects of it. No man was ever helped by smoking a cigar, no matter how grateful it was at the time, and many men have suffered severely from the habit.

TAKING HIM AT HIS WORD.

By D. Nash

[D. Nash, in Zion's Herald.]

The session of a certain church had convened for the reception of members. The venerable elders sat around in a circle, the young pastor in the midst. One candidate after another passed the usual examinations until all had been received and withdrawn. A boy of ten years of age had been sitting thoughtfully near the door. It was supposed that he was waiting for some of those who were in conference with the session, but when they were all gone, and he remained, the pastor approached him and learned that he, too, wished to be admitted to the communion of the church. He was seated, therefore, and the examination began. It progressed satisfactorily until most of the usual ground had been gone over, the boy clearly and calmly narrating the circumstances under which he had been awakened to a sense of his guilt, and to feel the need of Christ as a Saviour.

Then came the question, “What did you do when you felt yourself to be a great sinner?”

The eyes of the examiners brightened as he answered, “I just went to Jesus and told Him how sinful I was, and how sorry I was, and asked Him to forgive me.”

But the next answer brought the shadow again to their faces; for, as the pastor asked, “And do you hope that Jesus heard you, and forgave your sins?” he answered promptly, “I don't only hope so, sir, I know He did.”

There was a confidence in the tone with which the word “know” was uttered that startled the hearers. The oldest of them raised his glasses and peered into the face of the little candidate, and said,—

“You say you know that Jesus forgave you your sins?”

“Yes, sir,” was the prompt and unhesitating answer.

There was an ominous pause in the examination. Such positiveness, it was feared, could be only the offspring of presumption. The boy must be resting on some false foundation.

“You mean, my son, that you hope Jesus has pardoned your sins?”

“I hope He has, and I know it, too,” with a bright smile on his manly face.

“How do you know it, my son?” every one being intent on the little fellow's reply.

“He said He would,” said the boy, with a look of astonishment, as if any one should doubt it.

“He said He would do what?”

“He said that if I would confess my sins, He was faithful and just, and would forgive them; and I did confess them to Him, and I know He forgave them, because He said He would.”

The elder took off his glasses to wipe them, for the moisture from his eyes had made them dull, and he turned to the pastor and said,—

“He's got hold of the right end of it, sir. Flesh and blood have not revealed it to him. I move the examination be closed.”

Thank God for salvation, and the knowledge of it!

THE RIGHT KIND OF BOY.

The other morning we were in the midst of a three-days' rain. The fire smoked, the dining-room was chilly; and when we assembled for breakfast, papa looked rather grim, and mama tired, for the baby had been restless all night. Polly was plainly inclined to fretfulness, and Bridget was undeniably cross when Jack came in with the breakfast rolls from the baker's. He had taken off his rubber coat and boots in the entry, and he came in rosy and smiling.

“Here's the paper, sir,” said he to his father with such a cheerful tone that his father's brow relaxed, and he said, “Ah, Jack, thank you,” quite pleasantly.

His mother looked up at him smiling, and he just touched her cheek gently as he passed.

“Top of the morning to you, Pollywog,” he said to his little sister, and delivered the rolls to Bridget with a “Here you are, Bridget. Aren't you sorry you didn't go yourself this beautiful day?”

He gave the fire a poke and opened a damper. The smoke ceased, and presently the coals began to glow; and five minutes after Jack came in we gathered around the table, and were eating our oatmeal as cheerily as possible. This seems very simple in the telling, and Jack never knew he had done anything at all; but he had, in fact, changed the whole moral atmosphere of the room, and had started a gloomy day pleasantly for five people.

“He is always so,” said his mother when I spoke to her about it afterward, “just so sunny and kind and ready all the time. I suppose there are more brilliant boys in the world than mine, but none with a kinder heart or a sweeter temper, I am sure of that.”—Our Dumb Animals.

FROM OLD TO NEW.

By Anonymous

ONLY a night from old to new! Only a night, and so much wrought! The Old Year's heart all weary grew, But said, “The New Year rest has brought.” The Old Year's heart its hopes laid down As in a grave, but, trusting, said, “The blossoms of the New Year's crown Bloom from the ashes of the dead.” The Old Year's heart was full of greed; With selfishness it longed and ached, And cried: “I have not half I need, My thirst is bitter and unslaked. But to the New Year's generous hand All gifts in plenty shall return; True loving it shall understand; By all my failures it shall learn.”

Always a night from old to new! Night and the healing balm of sleep! Each morn is New Year's morn come true, Morn of a festival to keep. All nights are sacred nights to make Confession and resolve and prayer; All days are sacred days to wake New gladness in the sunny air. Only a night from old to new; Only a sleep from night to morn. The new is but the old come true; Each sunrise sees a new year born. —Anonymous.

“THE QUEEN OF HOME.”

HONOR that dear old mother. Time has scattered snowflakes on her brow, plowed deep furrows on her cheeks, but is she not sweet and beautiful now? The lips are thin and shrunken; but those are the lips which have kissed a hot tear from the childish cheeks, and they are the sweetest lips in the world. The eye is dim, yet it glows with the soft radiance that can never fade. Ah, yes, she is a dear old mother. The sands of life are nearly run-out; but, feeble as she is, she will go further and reach down lower for you than any other person upon earth. You can not enter a prison whose bars will keep her out. You can never mount a scaffold too high for her to reach, that she may kiss and bless you in evidence of her deathless love. When the world shall despise and forsake you, when it leaves you by the wayside to die unnoticed, the dear old mother will gather you in her feeble arms, and carry you home, and tell you all your virtues until you almost forget your soul is disfigured by vices. Love her tenderly and cheer her declining years with holy devotion.—Anon.

SOME DANGERS FROM WEALTH.

A NOTED German philosopher said that every fine dinner his friends had invited him to had injured his digestion and consumed an amount of vital energy that would have been sufficient for the production of an entire page of good writing. Each of these dinners, he said, had blunted his brain and incapacitated him for high thinking and good literary work. One cluster of grapes, one slice of bread, and a glass of milk twice a day afforded him all the nourishment he desired. This was a remarkable example of plain living and high thinking.

In choosing an occupation it is of the greatest importance to choose that which will leave one free to develop his higher nature, to live as full and complete a life as possible.

Considered from the standpoint of the welfare of the race, or from that of nature itself, scarcely anything could be more unkind or cruel than to place a youth, with all his budding possibilities depending for their development upon the stimulus which the consciousness of necessity gives, in the midst of great wealth and luxury.

Few things are so paralyzing to the average ambition, so detrimental to the cultivation of the faculties, as a consciousness of being placed beyond the need of struggle.

On the other hand nothing else so develops the powers of youth, so stimulates the unfolding of possibilities, as the consciousness of being entirely dependent upon one's own exertions.

Many a man lives in a palace surrounded by all that luxurious wealth can purchase, while his soul grovels in the mire.

Many a millionaire frescoes the ceilings of his sumptuous home with the richest figures that the masters can devise, but the ceiling of his mind is frescoed with hideous and demoralizing pictures. His home is filled with beauty, but his heart is black and murky with the images of a diseased imagination.

—Success.

A Good Education in a Good College

Something to be desired by all

Send for booklet telling how it may be obtained ABSOLUTELY FREE OF CHARGE.

Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

SOME FACTS ABOUT BRAZIL.

By W. H. Thurston

[From Mission Board Correspondence.]

IN all South America Brazil has no rival in size, population, prosperity, and social relations. It lies almost entirely within the tropics, a comparatively small portion reaching southward into the temperate zone.

Its immense territory embraces a great diversity of climate and scenery. In parts it is overgrown with virgin forests, in other parts spread out in grassy plains. Forest and plain abound with many species of animals, and the woods ring with the songs of beautiful birds.

Many streams pour down the mountains, and wind their way to the great deep. Through the northern part of Brazil rolls the mighty Amazon, forcing its fresh waters five hundred miles out into the salt sea. Marked improvements have been made in the last twenty years in the means of travel up and down this river. So far as I know, there is but one mission station on the Amazon, and that is located about a thousand miles from the mouth. The climate in the Amazon Valley is unhealthy. This section of Brazil is not very thickly populated, however, being rather low, swampy, and largely covered with forest.

Two-thirds of the country is to a great extent mountainous, or at least much elevated and broken. There are some hot lowlands bordering the ocean, and many highlands, partly prairie, three thousand feet above the sea-level, with a good climate.

Brazil is often called the land of fruit and flowers, and properly so too. Oranges, bananas, pineapples, figs, grapes, breadfruit, mangoes, guavas, cajans, and abacatas grow there, with many other fruits too numerous to mention; and flowers and plants of all descriptions are found in traveling from place to place.

In northern and central Brazil it is warm, yes hot, from October to April; but the remainder of the year the climate is delightful. Southern Brazil and the table-lands are more or less agreeable the whole year. It does not get extremely warm in the summer, and in June and July—the winter months—white frosts are often seen.

The foliage is always green, and some kinds of produce grow the year round, altho seed-time and harvest come regularly. Vegetables of all kinds do well, and are always on the market. Corn, beans, rice, sugar-cane, sweet potatoes, and manioc (from which tapioca is made, and which is much used in place of potatoes) do well everywhere.

Facilities for traveling are not as numerous and rapid as in some countries; but mules are plentiful, and they are faithful beasts of burden. Brazil has the American railroad system; but only three or four states out of the twenty are connected by rail. Railroads are being extended farther into the interior every year, and the country is being settled by different nationalities. German colonists are taking up large tracts of land in different states, and are making themselves good homes. The sanitary condition of the cities is being improved from year to year, and immigration is increasing.

In some respects there is a brightening future before Brazil, with her vast resources capable of development. The religious conditions, however, have not been favorable to healthy growth among its people, and their condition calls loudly for the evangelization of this great country.

W. H. THURSTON.

HOW TO KNOW WHERE GOD WANTS US.

“If I only knew, just where God wanted me to be, I shouldn’t have any of this perplexing doubt about what is my duty.”

That is the way a young Christian stated his case to an older Christian, at an important crisis, when he was deciding as to his life course.

“Haven’t you asked God’s guidance, step by step, in your planning with reference to the present and the future, at this crisis?”

“Of course, I have. And I’m wishing God would make His will clear to me. But I’m so afraid that I’ve made some mistake in my decisions, or that I shall be misled.”

“Have you, at any point, consciously refused to be guided by God’s apparent leading because your inclinations, or the seeming personal advantage of another course, tempted you away?”

“No; I’m sure I’ve been willing to follow God’s lead, so far as I could know it. But I’m not sure that I’ve made no mistake in learning God’s will.”

“Then, on that point, you have no right to doubt. God is pledged to give you guidance at such a time, and in just such an emergency, as this. It is as wrong to doubt God’s leading as it would be to doubt God Himself. You should rest absolutely on His decision as to your duty and as to your place and work. No promise of God is more positive or explicit than His promise to one like yourself at such a time as this. ‘If any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God; who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.’ What could be clearer than that? Yet there is another word in connection with that promise that you have a duty to heed: ‘But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting; for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.’”

“Well, that is a new way of looking at it. Then you think I’ve no right to doubt as to my being led of God to my decision in this crisis?”

“Of course you haven’t. Trust is an essential phase of duty-doing in all seeking guidance from God.”

It was in this way that a young Christian was counseled by a more experienced Christian as to seeking the Lord’s guidance, and trusting the Lord for guidance, in choosing one’s way through life. The older Christian had been led in that way for more than a half-century, and his confidence in the correctness of this course had grown with his experience in all the passing years. That young Christian is now ready to rest on God’s promise for guidance, because it is God’s promise.

This is how a young man can know what God wants him to know, where God wants him to be. There is no other safe way for him to depend on. No young man has a right to choose his own way in life. Every young man ought to have his way in life chosen for him. If a young man chooses his own way, he is likely to make a mistake,—it may be a fatal mistake. If a young man will trust God to choose his way for him, he need have no doubt as to his life course. God never makes a mistake. Which is the better course, to be led in the right way, or to go by one’s self in the wrong way? Do you want to know the right way in life for yourself? Do you want to know your safest course in life? Do you want to know the one way in life that can be taken by you without making a mistake? “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” That is a good thing for every young man to think about.—Sunday School Times.

BROTHERHOOD

By T. R. Williamson

THE Arabs have a phrase which well expresses The high, pure honor of that manly mind, That, whether fortune smile or fate depresses, Can help and shield all weaker of his kind.

Brother of girls, they call him whose firm shoulders Sustain such wealth of friendship, sure and strong; And while in manhood’s breast one pure spark smolders, True brothers be to women old and young.

Brothers to all mankind whose weakness needs us, Without inquiring of their class or clime; So shall we follow where the glory leads us, So shall come back again earth’s golden prime.

Seraphs that lead in strength sped down when Daniel Called from the dreadful den for brother aid, Sent from the throne-side by the Lord Immanuel, Lest their poor human kin should be afraid.

And in the conflict all our lives with evil, Whether we fight with foes without, within, Whether where zephyrs waft or tempests revel, We strive with all our might the goal to win;

The angels own us brothers, and surround us With hearts of love and shields of heavenly steel; So may we give to hungry souls around us The brother help that we are made to feel.

He who at God’s right hand as Prince is reigning, Has made Himself a brother to us here; Let’s keep this kinship white, nor think of staining The link that welds us to that Brother dear.

So this soft net that clings about us ever Ties us to God, to angels, and to men; And its kind mesh includes, o’er plain and river, Our brothers of the air, the field, the fen.

Then rave and sing of happy days before us, When men shall brothers be the wide world o’er; When sweet “Our Father,” in earth’s full-voiced chorus, Shall fill our heaven with music evermore.

Then all the universe in diapason, The brother worlds, a hearty hymn shall raise, And thunder-bass in glad reverberation Blend true with cricket chirp in notes of praise.

The river’s murmur, and the mountain’s rumble, The bobolink’s satin trill, the eagle’s scream, Majestic harmonies and carols humble, Bless God that Brotherhood’s no more a dream.

T. R. WILLIAMSON.

Giving as a Privilege

“Do you give to God's cause because you have to, to keep clear before Him, or do you do it because you love Him, and esteem it a privilege to help?”

Cast Thy Bread, Not Crumbs

“OBSERVE,” said a preacher, “it is not said, Cast thy crumbs, but thy bread, thy substance, the whole loaf.”

OUR DUTY TO THE ERRING.

By Lela May King

In that wonderful prayer that Jesus offered just before His betrayal, He said, in speaking of His followers, “As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” That is, He has commissioned His followers to do the same kind of work in the world that He did when here among men. It is always safe to take Him as our example in all things.

He says, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” His work was not among the “higher class” of society; but wherever sorrow or suffering reigned, His gentle presence was seen and felt.

When Nicodemus, a proud and wealthy ruler, came to Jesus, and with flattering words desired a conference with Him, Jesus met him with the cutting truth that unless he should be born again, he could not see the kingdom of God. But how different was his manner upon another occasion. There was brought to Him a fallen woman; one from whom the self-righteous Pharisees turned in holy horror, drawing their ample skirts around them, that they might not come in contact with her polluting presence. But He who could read all hearts looked beneath the exterior, and saw in her heart sorrow, repentance, and deep contrition for her sin. In a manner that awed her accusers, He commanded, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” In the presence of those searching eyes not one dared to remain; but, “convicted by their own conscience,” they went out one by one, leaving the sinner in the presence of her Creator. Then was shown the wonderful tenderness and compassion of the Saviour, as he softly said, “Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more.”

O, if we could catch more of that spirit,—more of the love, pity, and compassion of Him who gave His life to redeem even us from the power of sin!

We must remember that we are to be in the world as He was in the world. He has commissioned us to seek and to find the lost.

We do not know the circumstances which have led to the degradation of these unfortunate ones. We have great reason to thank God that He has surrounded us with Christian influences, and given us a home, with parents and friends to shield us from the temptations which come to those who are thrown out upon the world to battle alone for their daily bread.

Many a young girl, with a heart as pure as that of a little child, has gone out from her home to seek employment, that she might assist in bearing the family expenses, and thus relieve the over-burdened parents. Her only chance for work may be among coarse and unrefined people; and although her sensitive nature shrinks from such associations, she has no choice. She must work where work is to be obtained, or see her loved ones suffer for the help that she can give. She feels that she must accept the situation, with all its baneful influences.

Day after day this young girl, separated from all home influences and restraint, breathes in this polluted atmosphere. Again and again she hears coarse remarks and vulgar jests. “By beholding we become changed.” Is it any wonder that so many girls by degrees lose the horror which they at first felt at the approach of vulgarity and vice, and step down from womanhood’s high estate?

One wrong step brings upon a girl the cold frown of a self-righteous world. She is made to feel that she is forever shut out from the society of respectable people. Instead of encouraging and helping her back to virtue’s path, she is driven to the depths of misery and shame.

O, how many aching and despairing hearts, how many longings after a better life, are hidden under a defiant and reckless manner! How many are left to wander in sin, just because there is no one to reach out a helping hand, and, with patience and love, make them feel that there is still hope for them. How do we know what we might have been if we had been placed in their circumstances?

Let us be learners in the school of Christ, how to deal with these needy ones. We can not help them if we approach them in the Pharisaical spirit that plainly says, “I am holier than thou.” We must come in the spirit of Christ, making them feel that we love them and truly desire to help them.

Let us look beyond the exterior, and see in them a soul for whom Jesus shed His precious blood. Let us think, “What if she were my sister?” She is somebody’s sister or daughter, and some mother’s heart has ached for her. Let us work for her as we would wish some one to work for our sister, if she were in the same place. Let us follow the example of our divine Pattern, and say, “Neither do I condemn thee.” LELA MAY KING.

Santa Rosa, Cal.

OUR WORK AND WORKERS.

The company at Escondido, Cal., is to be organized into a church on the second Sabbath of February.

Recent meetings held in Richmond, as noted in the Messenger, have resulted in eleven adherents to the faith.

With the beginning of the new year, a conference intermediate school and a local church-school were started at Hazel, Ky.

The brethren constituting the church at Roseau, Minn., have decided to erect a church-schoolhouse four miles from town.

Brother J. N. Loughborough is conducting a course of studies at Healdsburg (Cal.) College, on the rise and progress of our work.

On Sabbath, December 28, seventeen persons were baptized at College View, Neb. Fifteen became members of the church at Lincoln.

Two families and one unmarried man have accepted the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus at Stoddard, Neb., where Brother O. C. Jones has been laboring.

Three converts at meetings held in a schoolhouse near Henderson, Neb., are reported by Brother P. P. Gaede, who is laboring in the interest of the Germans of that State.

Brother B. R. Nordyke, manager of our Kansas City branch office, is on a short vacation, visiting the mother institution, where he labored for several years, and also visiting his son in this city.

The spring term of Healdsburg (Cal.) College will begin February 5. There is no vacation; but at this time several new classes will be formed, and new students can take up regular school work to good advantage.

The Advocate of Christian Education is nearer to comprehending the idea expressed in its title, now that the Sabbath-school Department is being added. The January issue—Volume IV, Number 1—is an all-round educational number. The Advocate is published monthly; thirty-two pages, 50 cents a year. Address, Berrien Springs, Mich.

Reporting to the Messenger, Brother G. W. Lewis gives notes of a preaching tour in Virginia. He says that at one place where he preached a large hall was secured for him which would hold about three hundred people. When he left, the trustees told him that whenever he came that way again, he could have the keys, and hold a series of meetings if he wished.

Chicago has more people, more degradation, and more wickedness than many of the States. The Life Boat is the exponent of our various missionary enterprises in that great city, and contains many interesting experiences, and much that is encouraging to missionary work. Published monthly, at 25 cents a year. Address, 28, 33d Place, Chicago, Ill.

A new church building at Eldorado Springs, Mo., was dedicated on the 11th inst. Brother J. M. Rees, president of the conference, was present. This is one of the three new churches admitted to the conference at the recent session. The other two were Cotton and Mountain View. During the past year seven churches and three school buildings were erected in the conference.

A sister in Patchogue, L. I., writes to tell us how much she appreciates the SIGNS. She had learned some of the truth from one of our laborers, but he had been called away before she fully understood the message. Speaking of this brother and of her own experience, she says: “He was sent from here last June, and I did not understand the whole teaching of the truth as he taught it; but through your wonderful paper I have been able to learn many beautiful lessons.” She now desires to assist in circulating our publications.

Prof. I. C. Colcord, principal of the Anglo-Chinese Academy at Honolulu, writes to the Recorder that the management of the culinary department has been transferred from the Chinese directors to the faculty of the school. The boarding boys are now eating English foods, prepared and served in English style. They also use knives, forks, spoons, and modern dishes. An anti-tobacco society has been formed. The students are pleased with the Anglo foods. Fruits, grains, vegetables, and occasionally fish, compose the present diet.

The first number of the Gospel Herald as a weekly journal is before us. It is dated January 8, and is up to its title as an exponent of the Gospel. It contains eight pages weekly, and is issued at the low price of fifty cents a year. The purpose of this journal is to give a publication especially adapted to the southern field. It is expected to wield a greater influence, because of its being published within the field, than the papers coming from abroad. We wish it abundant success. Those who feel disposed to help this new enterprise will address Southern Publishing Association, 1025 Jefferson Street, Nashville, Tenn.

SECURITY

By Mrs. J. B. Goldsborough

[By the late Mrs. J. B. Goldsborough.]

Be with me, Saviour, the way is long and drear, 'Twill ne'er be lone and sad if Thou art near; Earth's heavy burdens do so press and goad, Give me Thine aid, or I fall beside the road; Thy Holy Spirit give to comfort and to cheer, Inspire with courage that casts out troubled fear; Then I have strength to kneel and hope to rise, For truth brings glory to earth's darkest skies.

Be ever with me, Lord, till my journey's close; Pray temper every wind that rudely blows; Lest in weakness I am overborne by wrong, Unite me to Thy strength; then I'll be strong. Too zealous I am of earth to seek and grasp, Things high and sacred do oft elude my clasp. Give Thou me the clear-eyed vision to discern, And teach the things that Thou wouldst have me learn.

Dear Lord, come in my heart and there abide, And all the problems of my life decide. I scan the paths Thy saints have trodden long; Help me to walk that way with cheering song; Spare Thou my life, 'twill ever be Thine own; Without Thy counsel I shall fail—alone. So give me faith to walk; O, let light sweep away The veil that now obscures the perfect day.

Minneapolis, Minn.

PERIODICALS WANTED.

CLEAN copies Signs and Sentinel for missionary work. Address, post-paid, Mrs. D. A. Briggs, Morganhill, Cal.

LATE clean copies of any of our denominational publications, for missionary work. Address, post-paid, E. J. Harvey, San Diego, Cal.

CLEAN late copies of our denominational periodicals, also tracts, for missionary work. Address, post-paid, Mrs. Anna M. King, Patchogue, Long Island, N. Y. Box 76.

THE PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE.

By W. T. Knox; J. J. Ireland

THE first annual meeting of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is called to assemble in the Seventh-day Adventist church at Portland, Oregon, on the 27th day of February, 1902, at the hour of ten A.M., for the purpose of selecting the officers that are to serve during the ensuing biennial term, and of transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

Each local conference will be entitled to one delegate in the session of this Conference without regard to numbers, and an additional delegate for every three hundred church-members in the conference.

W. T. KNOX, President.

J. J. IRELAND, Secretary.

WANTED

A HOME, for a girl ten years of age, in a good Christian family of Seventh-day Adventists who have no children. Her parents are both dead. Please address Elder C. Santee, 143 Carr St., Los Angeles, Cal.

CHRIST AND THE SABBATH:

Or Christ in the Old Testament and the Sabbath in the New, by Elder James White. Paper covers, fifty-six pages, sent post-paid for ten cents.

Address.

PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

Continue reading: LESSON 5.—FEBRUARY 2.—THE FIRST PERSECUTION