A SAILOR seldom fears a storm so long as he treads sound planks and has steady command over the steering apparatus. Given these two things, the storm may speed him on his way rather than endanger him; and if, on the other hand, he has to battle slowly through and against the storm, each resisted shock, each mounted wave, gives him a new confidence and joy in his vessel. It is vain to wish that in our life-voyage we may not have to encounter the storm. Times of peril and stress will come, times when every foot of progress must be battled for inch by inch; but all our present duty with regard to these storms to come, is to keep the planks of our life-ship sound, and to maintain a firm control over the steering apparatus. Every false principle adopted into our life means an unsound plank in our ship; every time when the controlling will gives up the place of command to evil passion or to evil purpose, means lost power over the steering apparatus. It is God’s part to rule the storm, and to say what tempests we shall meet; it is ours to guard the soundness of our planks, and to keep a firm hand and a watchful eye at the helm.—S. S. Times.
Tennessee Camp-Meeting.
By I. D. Van Horn
ON Wednesday morning, Oct. 15, in company with Elder Lane, I arrived at Martin, the place of the Tennessee camp-meeting. The opening service had been held the previous evening. The five churches in the Conference were quite well represented. There were seven family tents, and about sixty of our people on the ground. The meetings were held in a new 40-ft. tent, which was pitched in a fine grove, and some seats were made outside the wall, so that all were well accommodated.
The outside attendance was good every evening, and on Sunday quite large. The interest to hear increased to the close of the meeting. A good impression was left on the minds of the people of the town.
Our brethren and sisters were greatly benefited spiritually, as was clearly seen by the tender, melting testimonies borne. Their interest to spread abroad the message and warn the people of the State of Tennessee was shown by their willingness to sacrifice. Means were needed to carry on the work, both in the Conference and the T. and M. Society. A resolution was passed to raise the sum of $1,000,—$500 for T. and M. Reserve Fund, and $500 for Tent Fund. Pledges were taken to the amount of $1,005 on the ground. The most of this will be paid within a year.
Elder S. Fulton was again elected president of the Conference. He is the only ordained minister in the State, and they have only one licentiate. Elder John Sisley is on his way to Tennessee to make that his field of labor the coming year.
Their T. and M. Society is in quite good condition financially. All went home with a determination to do more in this branch of the work than ever before. If all will be careful and put all the tithe into the store-house, redeem their pledges, and carry out the resolutions passed, we shall see many souls for whom Christ died, brought into the truth.
I. D. VAN HORN.
Oct. 24, 1884.
Kentucky Camp-Meeting.
By Isaac D. Van Horn
AFTER leaving the good Indiana camp-meeting, we arrived at Glasgow, the place of the Kentucky camp-meeting, on Tuesday evening, Oct. 7. We found the meeting in progress, with a good degree of interest. Elder S. H. Lane arrived the next day.
There had been a tent-meeting held in this place the past summer. About thirty embraced the truth, and a church of twenty-five members had been organized. They have a meeting-house 26x40 ft. erected and inclosed. There were eleven family tents, and one large tent 50x80 ft., on the ground, and about seventy-five campers.
The weather was fine, and everything favorable for a good meeting. The discourses given were calculated to help our brethren and sisters spiritually, and instruct them concerning the wants and progress of the cause. The meeting rose in interest to the close.
The business meetings were conducted with the best of feeling and harmony. Efforts were made to increase the finances of the Conference, and with a good degree of success. On Sunday morning a resolution was passed to raise the sum of $2,500; $1,500 for T. and M. Reserve Fund, $500 for Tent Fund, and $500 to make up to the ministers what the tithe fell short. There was a unanimous vote in favor of the resolution, and in half an hour $2,100 were pledged. It was thought that the remainder could be easily made up by those who were not at the meeting.
Elder G. G. Rupert was elected president of the Conference and T. and M. Society. This was agreeable to all, giving entire satisfaction. Brother Willard Saxby was ordained to the gospel ministry. There are now four ordained ministers and one licentiate in the Conference. If all will faithfully pay the tithe and the pledges they have made, they will be able to maintain all these men in the field and come out all right at the end of the year.
On the whole this was a good camp-meeting, the largest ever held by our people in the State.
All went to their homes with their spiritual strength renewed, and prepared to do better work in the cause than in the past. We shall expect to see the rich blessing of God attend the labors put forth, because of the sacrifices made. I. D. VAN HORN. Oct. 15, 1884.
Mendocino County, Cal.
By J. O. Corliss
I CAME to Little River Friday, Oct. 10, accompanied by Brother Delmer Loughborough. Commenced meetings the following Sunday, and continued them two weeks. As the result, seven signed the covenant to keep all of God's commandments. These, with Brother Stickney's family, make a company of thirteen Sabbath-keepers. Arrangements are now being made to establish a Sabbath-school, which will consist of twenty members or more.
Sunday, Oct. 19, Brother J. G. Smith commenced a series of meetings at Casper, a small lumber settlement about eight miles north of this place. He is assisted by Brother Loughborough. Their meetings have been very well attended thus far, and the interest seems excellent. To-morrow night I commence meetings in Mendocino, a village of about three hundred inhabitants.
J. O. CORLISS.
Little River, Oct. 28, 1884.
THE CURSE OF EMPTY HANDS.
By E. E. Rexford
At dawn the call was heard,
And busy reapers stirred
Along the highway leading to the wheat.
"Wilt reap with us?" they said.
I smiled, and shook my head;
"Disturb me not," said I; "my dreams are sweet."
I sat with folded hands,
And saw, across the lands,
The waiting harvest shining on the hill;
I heard the reapers sing,
Their songs of harvesting,
And thought to go, but dreamed and waited still!
The day at last was done,
And homeward, one by one,
The reapers went, well laden as they passed;
Theirs was no misspent day,
No long hours dreamed away
In sloth, that turns to sting the soul at last.
A reaper lingered near;
"What!" cried he, "idle here?
Where are the sheaves your hands have bound to-day?"
"Alas!" I made reply,
"I let the day pass by
Until too late to work; I dreamed the hours away."
"Oh, foolish one!" he said,
And sadly shook his head—
"The dreaming soul is in the way of death."
The harvest soon is o'er;
Rouse up and dream no more!
Act! for the summer fadeth like a breath.
"What if the Master come
To-night and call your name,
Asking how many sheaves your hands have made?
If, at the Lord's command,
You showed but empty hands,
Condemned, your dreaming soul would stand dismayed."
Filled with strange terror then,
Lest chance come not again,
I sought the wheat-fields while the others slept.
"Perhaps, ere break of day,
The Lord will come this way,"
A voice kept saying, till with fear I wept.
Through all the long, still night,
Among the wheat-fields white,
I reaped and bound the sheaves of yellow grain.
I dared not pause to rest,
Such fear possessed my breast;
So for my dreams I paid the price in pain.
But when the morning broke,
And rested reapers woke,
My heart leaped up as sunrise kissed the lands;
For come he soon or late,
The Lord of the estate
Would find me bearing not the curse of empty hands.
—E. E. Rexford, in Christian Union.
Church Amusements.
By St. Louis Christian Advocate
It is a serious and very pernicious mistake for the church, on the line of worldly amusements, to afford entertainment for either young or old. It perverts the church from her aim, and misrepresents her character and design. Her purpose is to seek and to save the lost, and to that purpose she must devote her energies. The work is not finished when they are gathered into the fold, but it is to nurture them in holiness and perfect them for Heaven. Entertainments and worldly diversions have neither part nor place in this heavenly work, but divide and hinder. It is a great mistake to think that young people cannot be kept in the church without these attachments. Young people are held to Christ by the same ligaments which bind older ones. Time and experience will strengthen the ties, but, in every essential feature, they are the same. It is true that if young people are gotten into the church by every hook and crook of social, worldly, personal influence, without taste of godly sorrow, no experience of the bitterness of repentance, no vital union with Christ—then all manner of device, stratagem, and legerdemain are necessary to hold them. But if thoroughly turned to God, striving against sin, and seeking Heaven, they lose relish for these things, and the church that nurtures these beginnings of piety, faithfully, tenderly, will find their young people drawn to them, and knit by sinews of steel.
Let the church turn away from the barren fields of the world, and feed her little ones on the rich herbage which grows on the hills of Zion. Let her manifest her faith in God in this way, and her young people will find their purest joys and greatest delight in her seasons of praise and prayer, worship and devotion. It is the world coming into the church which raises this clamor. It is the lack of faith which allows her to yield to this demand. It is the church forsaking the divine channel and means, and flowing out into the worldly channels, and using worldly means. The names are on the church rolls, but where are their hearts? How desolate Christ, when his church holds the name, and the world holds the heart?—St. Louis Christian Advocate.
The Old Pastor.
By Interior
"YES, things in the church are dull—all at a standstill, so to speak. Parson Miles ought to spur up a little."
John and I were sitting on the front porch Sabbath afternoon. He was looking over the papers, sometimes reading a bit to me, which almost always puts me half asleep, as is natural enough when there's nothing to do to keep one awake. But I always get wide awake when he begins to talk, so when he said that, I said to him:—
"Well, I must say I'm getting tired of the same thing. Now, when I was over to Spencerville, where they've just got a new minister, there was so much going on and everything so lively. There were all the ladies fixing up the parsonage and everybody calling there, and presents, and then the house-warming, dear me!—it all seemed to make so much good feeling—"
"That's it," said John. "There's no feeling at all here. Parson Miles is a good enough man, but he's slow—yes, rather slow. It sometimes comes over me, Maria [and then John spoke lower, though whether it was in fear of being heard by the leaves that whispered in the apple-tree that shades the porch, or by the birds building their nests there, or by old Carlo that lay on the mat, is more than I can say, but there wasn't anything else to hear] that perhaps we need a change, though I wouldn't be the one to start the idea."
"No, indeed," said I, "but still, he's been here a long time."
"Yes, and getting a little old. A younger man, now, would liven things up. We could pay him a better salary, and give him a good setting out. The church is well able to do it."
"There's no fault to be found with Brother Miles, though!" said I, for I couldn't find it in my heart to hear him run down.
"Not a bit. It's only that—well—only that, p'raps—his usefulness here is at an end. What do you say, Maria, to us driving over to hear Parson Tuttle this evening just for a variety? He's more my style—beats and whacks away and wakes folks up."
"What!" said I, "clear over to Radnor!" It was ten miles and more.
"Yes," said he, "I'll hitch up Prancer, and we can make it in an hour."
I saw he was a little restless, and rather liked the idea of a ride after the colt, so I made no objection. As we got near Radnor, there were lots of folks on the way to church.
"Great many out for evening worship," said I. "Our folks don't turn out this well."
"Parson Tuttle's a man that draws," said John. "Keeps up the interest, you see!"
There was quite a crowd in the entry, and, as we were waiting for some one to show us to a seat, we overheard a man say:—
"You'll hear something worth hearing to-night. Mr. [I couldn't get hold of the name, though I tried] is going to preach."
I was afraid John had set his heart on hearing Mr. Tuttle, but, as far as I was concerned, I didn't mind hearing a stranger, 'specially if he was like they said, for they kept right on:—
"He's a strong speaker, yes, strong—that's just the word. We're always glad when we get him on an exchange. Wonder is, a man like him's let stay so long in a country living. None of your hop-and-jump sort—don't waste any force hammering out sparks, but goes at it and drives in the truth square and solid, and then he clinches it—yes, sir, he just clinches it!—that's the very word."
I could see the folks were expecting something a little more than common by the way they looked as they settled into their seats. I was looking about a little, trying to see if anybody I knew was there, for I know a few of the Radnor folks (though, what with running to Eliza Jane's or to Susan's, now they're married, and something or other always ailing with one or the other of the children, and the work at home, it's a wonder I ever keep track of anything else) and didn't look towards the pulpit at all till I heard the minister's voice, and then I almost jumped from my seat as I stared at him. Then I turned and stared at John and he stared at me. It was Parson Miles as sure as you live!
If it hadn't been in church I should have laughed right out to see John's blank look. But I sobered down, and then I couldn't help seeing how those people listened. It was very plain they considered Parson Miles no such small doings. And it set me to noticing him myself a good deal sharper than I'd been doing of late. I tried to look at him and to listen to him as if I'd been somebody else besides myself. I couldn't feel to say he was a very handsome man, but I made up my mind you don't often see a more earnest, scholarly face than his.
Then I noticed the sprinkling of gray in his hair and beard, and somehow the tears would come into my eyes as I began to thinking over the long years he'd been among us. I couldn't think of a time of trouble or of joy when his face hadn't been good to see. I couldn't remember a time of sickness when he hadn't brought strength and comfort, and I could almost hear again how often his voice had seemed to bring down a beam of hope and faith as we stood by an open grave.
When he came to his text, John gave me a little poke, for if you'd believe me, it was the same we'd had in the morning. But I had to confess to myself, I hadn't listened much, for I'd got into a way of thinking Brother Miles' sermons didn't edify me any longer. I thought to myself, though, if I hadn't listened then, I would now. And when I saw the man we'd heard in the entry give a little nod to the other man, once in a while as much as to say, "Didn't I tell you so? That's one of his clinchers!" I actually began to feel a little bit scared, wondering whether some of these Radnor folks mightn't take a notion to give our pastor a call.
I think John, as well as I, was proud to have folks know he was our minister when the handshaking came when meeting was out. And when some one congratulated him, at hearing such preaching all the time, he took it just exactly as if he'd always considered Mr. Miles the greatest preacher going.
We didn't speak a word for more than half the way home, and then John said:—
"I say, Maria, there's such a thing as going further and faring worse."
"Well," said I, "if that's what you mean we've been doing to-night, I think we've been faring just about the same."
"No," said he, "that isn't what I mean." And after a while he said:—
"Maria, how much bigger salary ought we to raise for a preacher?"
"I was right up and down discouraged to hear him go back to that, for I'd been all the time hoping he'd been thinking pretty much as I had. But I didn't say anything, for I've seen it's no use to oppose John when he's worked up over a thing, but to try a quiet word or two afterwards. He went on:—"
"Yes, it ought to be done. Things need stirring up, and I'm going to stir 'em." He jerked the lines so Prancer gave a jump. "The old parsonage wants lots of repairing. I'll talk to the men about it, and then couldn't some of you women folks see about new carpets and papering and things?"
I says yes, although there was a choking in my throat as I thought of doing it for folks I didn't care for, and it came right face to face before me the idea of our pastor going out to seek a home among strangers. I had a longing in my heart to do better by him and his than ever I had done yet, and a feeling that he could do more for us now he was getting older than when he was a young man. But I didn't say anything, and, indeed, John didn't give me any chance, for he kept right on speaking louder and more excited:—
"Yes, Maria, we'll set things humming—I'm blessed if we don't. We won't stop till we have done the thing up right, and then we'll wind up with a rousing house-warming—but it shall be for the old parson, Maria—and we'll let him know before we get through that he's worth ten times more to us than all the young ones that ever lived. Get up, Prancer!"—Interior.
The Home Circle.
By American Israelite
WHILE WE MAY.
THE hands are such dear hands—
They are so full; they turn at our demands
So often; they reach out,
With trifles scarcely thought about,
So many times; they do so many things for me, for you—
If their fond wills mistake, we may well bend, not break.
They are such fond, frail lips
That speak to us;
Pray if love strips
Them of discretion many times,
Or if they speak too slow or quick, such crimes
We may pass by; for we may see
Days not far off when these small words may be
Held not as slow, or quick, or out of place, but dear
Because the lips are no more here.
They are such dear, familiar feet that go
Along the path with ours—feet fast or slow,
And trying to keep pace—mistake
Or tread upon some flower that we would take
Upon our breast, or bruise some seed,
Or crush poor Hope until it bleed,
We may be mute,
Not turning quickly to impute
Grave faults; for they and we
Have such a little way to go—can be
Together such a little while along the way,
We will be patient while we may.
So many little faults we find;
We see them, for not blind
Is love,
We see them; but if you and I
Perhaps remember them some by and by,
They will not be
Faults then—grave faults—to you and me,
But just odd ways—mistakes, or even less.
Days change so many things—yes hours,
We see so differently in suns and showers.
Mistaken words to-night,
May be so cherished by to-morrow's light;
We may be patient, for we know
There's such a little way to go.
—American Israelite.
Paper Wheels for Watches
The Germans have long been famous for their proficiency in the use of paper; but it will probably surprise many of our readers to learn that now even the finest and most delicate wheels of watches are made from paper-pulp.
A Large Family.
"The yellow Italian bees are gentler than the brown wild bees; and it is said that the Italian bee has a longer proboscis, and so can get honey from the red clover, which is so abundant hereabout. I thought they were better; for, when I was a very poor man, I bought an Italian queen bee in the big city of New York, and paid twenty dollars for her, and I have never yet repented of my extravagance. I have now sixty-nine hives of pure Italian bees, and they are all the descendants of my pretty queen. Allowing forty thousand bees to a swarm, which is a moderate number, it is not a bad showing for her majesty. Let me see, forty thousand by sixty-nine makes—well, at least two and a half millions of living descendants, besides dozens of queens I have given away, with all their descendants; these, added to the multitudes that have lived and died in the meantime, must make, altogether, not far from two hundred millions in twelve years."—St. Nicholas.
Water Telescopes.
To ANY one who is fond of observing living fish, and other forms of subaqueous animal life in their wild state, one of the daily papers commends the use of the water telescope. This efficacious and cheaply-made instrument is not used so much in this country as its merits deserve. The Norwegian fishermen are constantly in the habit of employing it in their herring and cod fisheries, and often thereby discover shoals of fish that would otherwise escape their nets. On the surface of the water in the sea, and also most rivers, there is generally a ripple, which prevents the bottom being seen; it is to get rid of this ripple that the water glass is so useful. There are three forms of water glass—namely, an ordinary bucket or barrel with the bottom knocked out; secondly, a piece of tin of a funnel shape, about three feet long and nine inches in diameter at the broad (or bottom) end, and large enough at the top to accommodate the observer's eyes; into the broad end should be inserted a plate of strong glass and some lead to weigh it down; thirdly, the simplest way is to get a tin or zinc tube like a map-case. This should be about three feet long and three inches in diameter. The bottom of this also should have glass and be weighted. When the water is clear, this instrument will enable the observer to see from three to twenty fathoms on calm, bright days. Of course, when the water is thick, the glass is useless.
To the naturalist they will be invaluable, as by means of them the actions of the fishes and other inhabitants of the ocean can be observed better than in any aquaria. The beauties and luxurious growth of the submarine forests of sea plants will also to many be a most novel and interesting spectacle. This glass would be most useful for fishing parties. When a deep place in the river has been baited up for the afternoon and evening fishing, the ground may be viewed with the water telescope.—Mastery.
"Father Knew Best, It Seems."
By Pansy
"Oh, dear!" said Emma, and she looked disgusted. "I think as much," said Laura, and she pouted. It was all because in a lovely wood they had come miles to find, there was a great picnic party, filling the boats on the little river, filling the swings, using the croquet grounds, using all the nice, cosy sitting places under spreading trees, using the tables and benches, swarming everywhere. Now, the fact was that Emma and Laura wanted that grove for their picnic, and the people who were to attend it were mother and father, and baby Joe, and their two selves.
It was quite an event to the Lawrence family; for father rarely had a day to spare.
"Never mind," said the mother, trying to smile away the frown on her daughters' faces. "Our party is so small, we can find a pleasant place elsewhere."
But the girls didn't believe it, and they spoiled two miles of that ride in fretting. They found a lovely old tree and smaller ones near it, and a stream of clear water trickling down from somewhere.
"Oh, oh!" they both said. "Father, do please stop here! Mamma, only see what a lovely place!"
"It would'nt be safe, girls. There is a heavy storm coming this way, I think. We must drive on and reach a place of shelter. It wouldn't be well for little Joe to get a wetting."
Then you should have heard Emma and Laura, they grew so wise! They were sure it wasn't going to rain a drop to-day; and when their arguments failed to convince their father, and when he further said that they must try to reach the village, and eat at the hotel, the misery of these unhappy girls was great. "The idea," they said, "of waiting all summer to have a picnic, and then eating our dinner out of a basket in a miserable little country hotel! We are not going to do it." Then I regret to tell you they sulked and refused to do more than to glance stiffly at certain pretty sights which mother pointed out on the way. Arrived at the hotel, they wanted no dinner, not they; and they tossed their heads and looked injured.
They would go for a walk; and it was by their father's command that they took an umbrella. However, it was just a dash of rain lasting just long enough to wet the girls.
"If we had been under the big tree where we wanted to stop," they said, "there couldn't a drop have touched us."
Much more of this kind they said; and when the horse was rested, they started homeward; father, sorry for his daughters' disappointment, remarked that if the woods were not too wet, they would stop awhile.
"Too wet!" said Emma. "Why it hasn't rained twenty drops."
"No, indeed," said Laura. But as they rode along, the way grew muddier and muddier, and it was evident that in this direction the shower had been heavy.
At last they came again to the great old tree; but what do you think had happened? Why, the lightning had been there, and torn the branches, and uprooted part of the heavy trunk, and ruined the beautiful tree.
"That would have been certain death to any one under its branches," said the father; while the girls looked at each other, and said not a word.
That evening while they were making ready for the night, Emma said: "Father knew best, it seems."
"Yes, indeed," said Laura.
What a pity that they spoiled much of their day by not remembering that before!—Pansy.
Costly Woods.
THE finest and most costly of the veneer woods, says the Lumber World, is French walnut—a wood that does not come from France, but from Persia and Asia Minor. The tree is crooked and dwarfed, and is solely valuable for the burls that can be obtained from it. These are large, tough excrescences, growing upon the trunk. In this the grain is twisted into the most singular and complicated figures. The intricacy of these figures, combined with their symmetry, is one of the elements that determine the values of the burl. Color and soundness are other elements of value, which vary very widely. Burls worth from $500 to $1,000 each are not rare, and at the Paris Exposition for 1878 one burl weighing 2,200 pounds was sold for $5,000, or upwards of $2.00 a pound.
In buying burls much care is necessary to guard against fraud. Often decay and malformation result in leaving hollows in the very center, which of course greatly lessen the value. These hollow places are sometimes filled by fraudulent dealers with substances resembling the wood, and the whole is sold at a very much higher price than it is worth. Compressed manure is one of the materials used for this purpose. An even worse fraud than this is that of placing stones in the hollows to increase the weight, and thereby enhance the value of the burl. This not only cheats the buyer, but is liable to ruin the valuable knives used in cutting the veneers. There are rosewood and mahogany burls, but, unlike those of the French walnut, they are of little or no value. In those woods it is the trunk of the tree that is prized; the knots are discarded.
Next to French walnut, ebony is probably the most valuable of the cabinet woods. Occasionally a fine piece is found that brings even a better price than the French walnut. For a particularly large piece, even five dollars a pound might be paid. In ebony the main thing is size. It is difficult to get large pieces that can be used without cutting.
Rosewood and mahogany are always in demand. The best mahogany is that of San Domingo. Next come the mahoganies of Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, and Africa. There is much less difference in value between different mahoganies and rosewoods than between different specimens of ebony and French walnut. Fair rosewood will sell in the log for five and a half to seven cents per pound.—Presbyterian Banner.
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.
IN FOUR VOLUMES.
By Mrs. E. G. White.
THESE volumes describe the great conflict between Christ and Satan, as illustrated in the history of man, his temptations, conflicts, victories and defeats, and the final triumph of right and truth with a crowning immortality.
Volume one treats of the rebellion of Satan, the fall of man, and the lives of the patriarchs to the time of Solomon.
Volumes two and three are devoted to the Life of Christ and the Ministry of his Apostles.
Volume four contains sketches of the history of the Church from the destruction of Jerusalem to the close of time.
These books are not argumentative, yet they throw much light on the sacred page. They afford especial encouragement to the Christian, and are excellent to place in the hands of skeptics to convince them of Bible truth.
The four volumes contain over 1,500 pages, and are furnished to the subscriber for $4.00 per set.
Either volume may be furnished separately for $1.00, post-paid.
PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
THE YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR.
By Editor
AN ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY PAPER FOR YOUTH AND CHILDREN, DEVOTED TO MORAL, MENTAL, AND RELIGIOUS CULTURE.
THIS paper is not devoted to insipid stories and religious fiction, but is filled with a great variety of that kind of reading which tends to the healthful development of the youthful mind. Its pages are made bright by the choicest illustrative pictures, and its columns are always full of useful information.
As a Sabbath-school and Lesson paper, it is suited to the wants of scholars and teachers, and is calculated to increase the interest of all who read it, in thorough Bible study.
TERMS, ALWAYS IN ADVANCE.—Single copy, 75 cents a year; Five copies to one address, 60 cents each; Ten or more copies to one address, 50 cents each.
SPECIAL PREMIUM OFFER—THE SUNSHINE SERIES.
For every new subscription, accompanied with 85 cents, we will give "The Sunshine Series," consisting of a package of ten beautiful pamphlets of 32 pages each. These comprise a choice collection of sketches, stories, poems, etc., adapted to the wants of children, and contain more reading matter than can be found in many dollar books. Remember, the whole series, 320 pages, and the INSTRUCTOR for a year, for 85 cents.
This school is located in the village of South Lancaster, Mass., on the Worcester and Nashua Railroad, about sixteen miles from Worcester and thirty from Boston.
It is conducted upon the most approved method of teaching, the aim of the managers being to combine the practical with the theoretical in such a manner that each student in going to the school shall be prepared for some position of usefulness.
Successful preachers, colporters, teachers, and canvassers have already entered the field from this school and, at the present time, are laboring in at least eight of the Eastern States.
Students are instructed in four useful trades, and preparation are making to connect still other industries with the school.
Those wishing to attend this school or to place their children here, can depend upon their physical, mental, and spiritual interests being well cared for.
A specialty is made of the Bible, Language, and missionary work; the instruction in these branches being adapted to men and women of mature years.
Eld. S. N. Haskell, President,
Eld. D. A. Robinson, Secretary.
Persons desiring to attend the school will please address,
SOUTH LANCASTER ACADEMY.
Patience of Trust
Patience of trust is more valuable than impulse of bravery.
RECEIPTS.
By Editor
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CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE FUND.—San Francisco per E A Stockton $86, Norwalk, per Wm Haddock $22.
CASH RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.—Tennessee T and M Society $30, Illinois T and M Society $184, Iowa T and M Society $500, Virginia T and M Society $11.38.
CALIFORNIA T AND M SOCIETY.—Dist No 3 per A L Ingels $51.60, Mrs L E Carlton 75c, W A Pratt $1.50, B R Nordyke $1.50, Wm Hutchinson $2.90, C A Carey $3, T R Angrove $3, Nancy Browning $3.50, Mrs A C Walden $1.50.
ORDERS FORWARDED.
BOOKS SENT BY FREIGHT.—H W Decker, Mrs L H Farnsworth, N E Tract Society, W C Sisley, Mrs C L Boyd, Mrs G W Colcord.
BOOKS SENT BY EXPRESS.—Seaman's Mission, Wm Thomsen, Wm Wesley Smith, James A Dye.
BOOKS SENT BY MAIL.—J T Trees, James Oswell, Elisha Dankel, A O Burrill, T H Purdon, Jasper G Smith, Mrs R Stickney, S B Dannells, R D Hicks, W C Butler, N H Kresky, Harmon Ogden, Wm Banta M. D., Miss Mary Ford, Mrs Carrie Schaffer, Mrs L A Stewart, Mrs Tillie Burns, Mrs C A Mowry, Mrs C F Dockham, J L Turner, J J Cushman, N J Bowers, Alex Carpenter, Thos Coverdale, G K Owen, J H Houseman, R W Croskney, Joseph Merry, H F Phelps, Eld J D Rice, Miss Rosa Ransom, Mary Goodlin, Mrs Wm Hall, F Hines, J Jensen, T R Angrove, Wm Brockman, Mrs A C Walden.
News and Notes.
By Editor
RELIGIOUS.
—It is said that in London over 1,000,000 of its 4,000,000 never attend church. In Glasgow, 200,000 out of 700,000 neglect public worship.
—There are twenty-four woman's missionary societies in the Presbyterian Churches of the world. They contributed last year upward of $280,000.
—The students of Union Theological Seminary, New York, are summoned to recitations by a large gong which once did service in a Buddhist temple.
—A new mission to the Jews is about to be established in Tiberias by the Free Church of Scotland, to be called 'The Sea of Galilee Medical Mission.'
—The translation of the New Testament into the language of the Valley of Cashmere has been completed by Rev. T. R. Wade, missionary of the English Church Missionary Society.
—A letter from a missionary in India states that Rev. W. D. Boggs, of the American Baptist Mission, has baptized 616 persons since January 1, making a total of 944 in eighteen months.
—Dr. Greene, missionary to Constantinople, said in the recent meeting of the American Board in Columbus, O., that the gifts of the native Christians in Turkey, in support of their churches, averaged last year an equivalent of from ten to twenty days' labor for male and female.
—An English Presbyterian journal laments that while there is a strong sentiment among the churches of that denomination in favor of sending missionaries to China in increasing numbers, attempts to promote mission work among the teeming population of London meets with a 'cold shoulder.'
—At the recent conference of the Evangelical Alliance, at Copenhagen, Dr. Christlieb presented the following picture of the religious, or rather irreligious, condition of Germany: In Berlin, with a population of 1,000,000, only 20,000 or 2 per cent. attend public worship. In Hamburg, with nearly 400,000 people, only 5,000 attend. In certain districts of North Germany there are suicides at the rate of thirty to forty a week. The study of infidel books he represented as very common.
—A remarkable instance is afforded by the case of the new saint, who, it appears, is about to be added to the Wesleyan calendar. The Wesleyans at Wirksworth are going to remove from their old chapel where Elizabeth Evans, the prototype of 'Dinah Morris' in 'Adam Bede,' preached for many years. The new chapel, which is to be called Bede Memorial Chapel, is 'to be erected to the glory of God and in memory of Elizabeth Evans, immortalized as 'Dinah Morris' by George Eliot in her novel of 'Adam Bede.'' The privilege of canonization has passed from the church to the novelists.—Bulletin.
—The New York Observer utters the following plain but truthful words: 'The very last people in the world to oppose secret societies ought to be Roman Catholics. They have the 'Order of Jesuits,' the most secret, unscrupulous, and wicked conspiracy of bad men the world ever saw. Kings have expelled them en masse from their kingdoms. They are enemies of society, in league with ignorance, superstition, and crime, and their offenses form part of the most awful chapters of the history of the human race. There is no secrecy more profound, no obedience to masters more slavish, no wickedness more cheerfully perpetrated, no morality more profligate and infernal, than the Order of Jesuits illustrates in its past career. Yet it is the bulwark of the Romish Church; it puts down one and sets up another at its own sweet will. And Roman Catholics oppose secret societies! Out upon such hypocrisy.'