Signs of the Times, Vol. 14, No. 36.

THE COUNCIL AT GIBEAH
Earlier text: THE COUNCIL AT GIBEAH

A STORY FOR MODERATE DRINKERS.

AN old friend of the late Judge Fletcher, of Boston, related to the writer many years ago the following characteristic anecdote: Mr. Fletcher, when a young man, boarded in the old Exchange Coffee House. Without much consideration, he had fallen in with the drinking fashion of the day, so far as to have a glass of spirits and water brought to his room every night, to be taken on going to bed as a "night-cap." One night an unusual press of company prevented the barkeeper from carrying up Mr. Fletcher's night dram. The squire didn't regard it as quite the thing for him to go to the bar and get his grog, and so he went to bed without his "night-cap." But sleep he could not. All night he tumbled about for lack of his accustomed drink. And as he did so, his active and discriminating mind worked diligently. Next morning, on getting up, weary and worn by his restless night, Mr. Fletcher went directly to the barkeeper: "Mr. ——, you didn't bring up my brandy and water last night, and, as a consequence, I have slept little or none all night."
The bartender was very sorry. This neglect should not occur again. "Not so," rejoined Mr. Fletcher. "Never bring me another drop of liquor unless I order it. If it has come to this, that I can't sleep without the help of a tumbler of toddy, it is high time that I stopped, and broke up the dangerous habit."
From that day Mr. Fletcher became a thorough-going temperance man.—Canada Casket.

Why Food Should Be Cooked

THE object of cooking the food is to dissolve the adhesive substance which holds the fibers of food together, so that the digestive fluids can the more readily act upon every part of the food. 'The starch granules of corn, wheat, rye, and other grains, with those of the potato, turnip, and other vegetables, are very difficult of digestion in a raw state. The digestive fluids act upon them slowly and only with great difficulty, owing to their insolubility. When subjected to heat, these granules swell very greatly in size, and rupture, when they become easily soluble. This effect of heat is familiarly illustrated in the parching of corn, the effect upon the whole kernel being due to a similar effect upon each individual granule. The indigestibility of raw fruits is due to unruptured starch granules which they contain; hence they are improved by cooking.'—Pacific Journal of Health.

News of the Week

—September 6 over 12,000 spinners struck at Bolton, England.
—On the night of September 6 the post-office at Cutler, Ind., was blown up with dynamite.
—It is reported that 1,000 children have died of measles in Santiago, Chili, in the last two months.
—Snow-sheds to the amount of 3,000 feet have recently been burned on the Central Pacific Railroad.
—Nine persons were killed and thirteen seriously injured by a railroad accident in France on the 4th inst.
—De Lesseps has again assured the public that the ten locks on the Panama Canal will be completed by 1890.
—A bill has passed both Houses of Congress for the total exclusion of all Chinese laborers from the United States.
—Seventy new cases of yellow fever were reported in Jacksonville, Fla., for the twenty-four hours ending at 6 P. M. September 7.
—Wet weather and high water have damaged the cotton and corn crops to the amount of about a million dollars in South Carolina.
—The State of Texas, through its commissioners, has refused to accept the new State House, claiming that it is not built according to contract.
—On the night of September 5 a heavy frost did immense damage to crops in portions of New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island and New York.
—Several vessels were wrecked at Havana, Cuba, on the 5th inst., by a cyclone. Two sailors were drowned and quite a number of persons were injured.
—It is said that King Leopold, through Cardinal Schiefino, has offered the Pope a residence in Belgium in the event of the necessity arising for him to leave Rome.
—The Pope, assisted by Abbot Pessuts as editor, is writing a history of Rome in the Middle Ages. Particular attention is to be paid to the period of Gregory the Great.
—An Iowa judge has given the prohibition law of that State a stab in the back, by deciding that under it a man cannot lawfully manufacture cider for use in his own family.
—Several fatal accidents have already occurred this fall at political gatherings. The last one reported was the bursting of a cannon at Tulare, Cal., which instantly killed one of the by-standers.
—The recent Catholic Congress at Freiburg, Germany, unanimously adopted resolutions in favor of the temporal power of the Pope, and condemning the Italian penal laws affecting the clergy.
—By the explosion of a steam thresher at Seymour, Ind., on the 6th inst., one man was instantly killed, two others were fatally injured, and some four or five were scalded more or less seriously.
—A royal decree has been published in Spain, providing for energetic action against the spread of phylloxera. It advises the importation of hardier American vines, and the study of the growth of vines.
—Advices from Sag Harbor, L. I., under date of September 5, state that Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe is dying at the residence of Rev. Charles E. Stowe, near that place. Mrs. Stowe is seventy-seven years of age.
—September 4 the American workmen in the rolling mill at Coshocton, Pa., began a crusade against the Italians and Hungarians, sending a notice to them to leave. Several collisions occurred, and a number of Italians left.
—The statement is made that the Pope has recently had several audiences with the Russian envoy now in Rome, and is completing a concordat with the Czar, giving a large share of religious liberty to the Polish and Russian Catholics.
—A dispatch from Jacksonville, Fla., under date of September 5, says: "The official bulletin for the twenty-four hours ending at 6 P. M. is as follows: New cases, 51; deaths, 5; total number of cases to date, 388; total number of deaths, 42."
—The first death from hydrophobia in Santa Fe, N. M., occurred in that city on the 2d inst. The victim was a seven-year-old boy. He was bitten by a pet dog thirty days before his death, and was apparently healthy till five days before his death.
—September 6 two freight trains collided on the Council Bluffs and Kansas City Railway in Iowa. Both were running at a high speed, and both crews jumped. The trains were loaded with merchandise, and nearly the entire cargo was lost. The damage is about $100,000.
—English schools are not, as yet, absolutely free to all; but the advocates of free education demand that schools shall not only be absolutely free, with books furnished gratis to those too poor to pay for them, but that luncheon shall also be provided without cost to the poor scholars.
—Another Nihilist plot has been unearthed in St. Petersburg. The conspirators, who had their headquarters near the imperial palace, were raided by the police, who captured twelve men and three women. The police also secured a number of bombs. Several arrests were subsequently made.
—August 20 about 500 dervishes attacked an Egyptian fort near Wady Halfa, and captured a portion of it. The Egyptians received re-inforcements from Wady Halfa, and finally succeeded in driving out the dervishes, killing more than 100 of them. The Egyptian loss was 16 killed and 27 wounded.
—September 3 Frank E. McGurrin, of Salt Lake, gave an exhibition of his skill on the type-writer in Chicago. He wrote from dictation at the rate of one hundred and eight and three-fifths words per minute, beating all previous records. When blindfolded he wrote one hundred and seven words per minute.
—It is now proposed to entirely depopulate Jacksonville, Fla., in order to stamp out the yellow fever. It is feared, however, that the disease cannot be confined to that city, but that it will spread to other places. Dr. Gray, of Palaka, Fla., is of the opinion that it is only a question of a few days when the fever will reach St. Augustine. No cessation of the plague can be hoped for till frost comes in November.
—During the first six months of 1888 the business of the Southern Pacific system of railroads was over thirty-seven per cent. greater than for the corresponding period in 1887. The increase on through tonnage was sixty-three per cent., local tonnage, twenty-six per cent.; through passengers, forty-eight per cent., and local passengers, twenty-three per cent. The increase in earnings was forty-two per cent., or $21,300,000 as against $16,370,000 for the first six months of 1887.
—A late London dispatch states that the African lakes expedition, under command of Captain Lugard, had a fight with Arab slave dealers in Nymasi district, June 16. Several black allies were killed, and Captain Lugard was wounded. The Arab losses are unknown. It is believed that the Arabs retained their position.
—Early on the morning of September 2, several warehouses in the city of Baltimore were destroyed by fire, and seven firemen perished in the flames. The unfortunate men were imprisoned by falling brick and iron, and were literally roasted alive, groans being heard to issue from the ruins more than an hour after the walls fell.
—September 6, on the occasion of the trial, at Arthurstown, of one of the Redmond Brothers, a member of Parliament, for violation of the Crimes Act, the police charged the crowd of people assembled outside the court. The police clubbed the people with their rifles, and dispersed them violently. Many were seriously injured.
—General Boulanger, the irrepressible Frenchman who has for a long time been keeping himself and not a few of his countrymen in hot water, is said to have the support of the monarchists and of the Catholic Church. Boulanger is said to have pledged himself to maintain the vested rights of the church. That would of course endear him to the heart of every papist.
—Serious race troubles, have broken out in Fort Bend County, Texas. Five hundred negroes were ordered to leave the county, which they declined to do, and at last accounts forty white men, armed with Winchester rifles, were on their way to enforce the demand. The negroes are charged with being bad characters. Governor Ross has ordered out the militia.
—A vessel which arrived at Gloucester, Mass., from Iceland on the 8th inst. brought the intelligence that in a single storm last April 6 French fishing vessels and 137 men were lost on the coast of that island. Three hundred men were left destitute on the island for months, until a steamer arrived and took them away. They suffered much because of insufficient food.
—A St. Petersburg dispatch of September 6 says that the northern Afghans have revolted and proclaimed Ishak Khan Ameer. A battle had taken place, the result of which was not known. A civil war is probable, which will complicate Abdurrahman Khan's relations with his neighbors unless he be promptly suppressed, and there are doubts if this can be accomplished.
—An improved method of oiling the waters has been patented in Germany. A rocket, to which is attached a cylinder filled with oil, can be fired with accuracy from the ship, and when it explodes the oil is scattered just where it is wanted. By the explosion of five rockets at a distance of from 1,200 to 1,500 feet from a ship a space of 1,500 to 2,000 square feet of water was covered with oil, and the waves were at once smoothed.
—Quite a sensation was occasioned in Washington a few days since by the report that an English officer had secured complete plans of our coast defenses and copies of our submerged torpedo charts. Later, however, it transpired that the officer had visited Washington for that purpose but had failed to get any information not in possession of the public generally. It is stated, however, that in view of the attempt, and the strained relations with Canada, the torpedo charts will be at once overhauled and re-arranged.
—The price for which Miss Kate Field has sold her influence to the California Viticultural Association is $2,500. It is stated that the president of the commission which employed her to preach the "gospel of the grape" is overjoyed at his good bargain, and says that "her work will be worth nearer $25,000 than the sum she will receive." Perhaps possibly the fact that Miss Field is simply the paid drummer of California liquor manufacturers and dealers, may not add much to her influence; it is but right, however, that the public should understand the matter.

Religious News

—The London Jewish Chronicle thinks that a Pan-Judian Conference should be held at an early day. There has not been such an assembly for more than three centuries.
—It is stated that Berlin has a population of one million, only 2 per cent of which go to public worship. With nearly four hundred thousand people in Hamburg, only five thousand attend worship.
—It is said that the religious condition of Germany is more hopeful than it was twenty years ago. Utter skepticism is less common, and Christian faith is more active. It should, however, be remembered in this connection, that the standard of Christian faith is not now what it was even twenty years ago; and that the church has become so very liberal that it is no longer necessary for one to believe much if any of the Bible in order to be called a Christian.
—According to figures presented at the Pan-Presbyterian Council in London, the various bodies of Presbyterians in the world number 1,392 presbyteries, 25,689 pastoral charges, 27,996 separate congregations, 3,448,225 communicants, and 2,879,721 Sunday-school scholars. It is claimed that these figures come short of the truth, and that the whole number of Presbyterian communicants in the world is not less than 4,000,000, representing five times that number of adherents.
—It is stated that the priest in charge of St. Mary's Church at Millhausen, Ind., who returned recently from Rome, where he had an audience with the Pope, says that the Pope may leave Rome at any time. He will probably go to Spain, where he is invited, and is sure of a cordial reception. The headquarters of the Catholic Church will then be located at Madrid. Even now preparations are being made for the departure, which, it is said, is liable to take place at any moment.
—The Pope is making strenuous efforts to secure an alliance with England. A recent London dispatch says: "Monsignor Persico's mission to Ireland is finally closed. The Vatican has countermanded the order for his return to Ireland, and directed him to remain in London and negotiate the resumption of diplomatic relations with Great Britain. All the Irish Catholic prelates and a section of those in England, headed by Cardinal Manning, have vainly brought pressure upon the Vatican with a view to the recall of Persico. The Vatican's policy of a closer alliance with the English Government keeps Persico here as a special envoy. He has had two private interviews with the queen."

Obituary.

MORRISON.—Died, at Nevada City, Cal., Aug. 17, 1888, Brother S. M. Morrison, aged 84 years, 11 months, and 14 days. For forty years of his life Brother Morrison was a consistent member of the M. E. Church. About eight years ago he heard and accepted the Third Angel's Message, and from that time till his death he was an earnest advocate of present truth. When I last saw him, some four days before his death, though his body was racked with pain, his mind was clear, and he was rejoicing in the hope of a glorious immortality when Jesus comes.
T. R. ANGOVE.

THE PAPACY AND THE CIVIL POWER

PROTESTANT theocratical ideas, or ideas favoring the union of religion and the State, are gaining ground in this nation with dangerous rapidity. The bold encroachments of the Catholic Church, and the hardly less bold encroachments of the Protestant churches, upon the civil power in this country, are both movements which deserve the most careful watching. Books which throw light upon these questions make most important reading just now. It is therefore with pleasure that we call special attention to three books which should be diligently studied by all. The first is,

"THE PAPACY AND THE CIVIL POWER."

This is a book written by Hon. R. W. Thompson, Secretary of the Navy under President Hayes's administration. It consists of twenty-three chapters, on the claims, the teachings, and the history of the Papacy in its relation to the civil power; with an appendix containing "The Bishop's Oath," "The Third Article of the Pastoral Letter of the Second National Council of Baltimore," "The Encyclical Letter of Pope Pius IX.," and "The Syllabus of Pope Pius IX. We have not space now for extracts; we can only say here that it is a perfect mine of invaluable information in regard to the meddling of the Papacy with the civil power, from the time of Constantine to this day, both in Europe and our own country. It has 750 well-printed pages, and is sold for $3.00, post-paid. Not a family in the land should be without it. Send for a copy, and read it, and you will say so too.
The next is,

"THE EMANCIPATION OF MASSACHUSETTS."

This is a sketch of the establishment and working of the Puritan theocracy in Massachusetts, and her emancipation from it. It gives some—enough certainly—of the naked facts in regard to the cruel oppressions practiced by those who, to use Doctor Schaff's expression, "came from Europe to seek freedom for themselves, and then inconsistently denied it to others, from fear of losing the monopoly." Here, from original documents, is set down the record of some of the hideous enormities inflicted upon the Baptists, the Quakers, the witches, and other dissenters from the established religion, by the ruling preachers, to whom, says Bancroft, "in their self-righteousness, it never occurred that vanity and love of power had blinded their judgment." From two or three statements it would seem that the author of the book is a skeptic, but that does not lessen the value of the facts which he sets forth. And just now, when the National Reform Association, aided by the Prohibition party and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, is about to restore such a rule and make it national; and while a Constitutional amendment to that effect is pending in the national Legislature; the important lesson to be derived from these facts should be fastened upon the mind of every person in the nation—the lesson that no ecclesiastics can ever safely be intrusted with the control of the civil power. The book has 382 pages, and will be sent post-paid for $1.50.
The third of these books is,

"CHURCH AND STATE IN THE UNITED STATES."

This book is an enlargement of the inaugural address delivered by Philip Schaff at his induction into the professorship of church history in Union Theological Seminary, New York City. It states sound principles in regard to religious liberty, and the rights of conscience. It gives much valuable information upon the subject of the national and the State constitutions, and upon religious liberty in the countries of modern Europe. In discussing "The Nation and Christianity," and "The Connecting Links between Church and State," the author is inconsistent with the genuine principles which he lays down in the beginning of the book. Here he inculcates the idea that there is already in this nation a union of Church and State, while the object of the book at the beginning is to maintain the propriety of a separation between the Church and the State. The doctor, like thousands of others, is led into this inconsistency by the demand for Sunday laws.—Anybody who studies the first parts of the book will have no difficulty in detecting the inconsistency of this part, nor will he find any difficulty in relegating it to that "limbo large and broad" to which it belongs. Yet even this part, inconsistent as it is, is not wholly without value, for it, with the judicial decisions accompanying it, serves most admirably to display the miserable sophistry under which even State Supreme Courts are willing to cloak Church and State ideas, and give Papal principles the sanction of the final judicial decisions in the highest courts of States, particularly New York and Pennsylvania. The book has 161 large pages, and will be sent post-paid for $1.50.
All these books are for sale by Pacific Press, Oakland, California. Address accordingly.

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CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE FUND.—Eureka $85, C A Newbie $4.40, Ferndale $20.50, J M McBrown $6.15.
CALIFORNIA T. AND M. SOCIETY.—District No 7 Virginia City $3, Dist No 1 Healdsburg $42.80, Dist No. 5 $8.55.
RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.—Texas T and M Society $200, Kansas T and M Society $300, Iowa T and M Society $200.

AN ELEMENTARY GEOGRAPHY.

We have received a copy of "Potter's New Elementary Geography," by Miss Eliza H. Morton; and, from a careful examination of the general plan and some of the details of the work, we believe it to be an excellent thing. Miss Morton has the reputation of being a superior teacher in the science of geography; and the methods which she has used with so much success in the school-room are incorporated in this book. There is a special edition for teachers, which gives complete general outline of oral instruction, also a model oral lesson, and hints for the teaching of each lesson in the book. The teacher is not only advised to use material objects, pictures, etc., for illustrating the subject, but is told just what to employ in connection with each lesson. It seems as though with the aid of this book anyone who has any gift whatever for teaching, could take young children and get them deeply interested in geography. What is best of all is that the subject is so naturally presented that the children would not be unduly taxed, yet would be sure to remember what they learned. The book is well illustrated with really good cuts, but unfortunately the printer has ruined the effect of many of them by poor workmanship. The appearance of the book, as a whole, however, is very neat and attractive.

PACIFIC HEALTH JOURNAL

AND TEMPERANCE ADVOCATE.
A THIRTY-TWO PAGE MONTHLY MAGAZINE, devoted to the dissemination of true temperance principles, and instruction in the art of preserving health. It is emphatically

A JOURNAL FOR THE PEOPLE,

Containing what everybody wants to know, and is thoroughly practical. Its range of subjects is unlimited, embracing everything that in any way affects the health. Its articles being short and pointed, it is specially adapted to farmers, mechanics, and housekeepers, who have but little leisure for reading. It is just the journal that every family needs, and may be read with profit by all. Price, $1.00 per year, or with the 300-page premium book—"Practical Manual of Hygiene and Temperance," containing household and cooking recipes—post-paid for $1.40.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Publishers, Oakland, Cal.

THE GREAT CONTROVERSY

BETWEEN CHRIST AND SATAN

DURING THE CHRISTIAN DISPENSATION.
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
Author of "The Life of Christ," "Sketches from the Life of Paul," "Bible Sanctification," and Other Popular Works.
THIS volume presents the most wonderful and intensely interesting history that has ever been written of the great conflict between Christianity and the Powers of Darkness, as illustrated in the lives of Christian martyrs and reformers on the one hand, and wicked men and persecuting powers on the other. Beginning with our Lord's great prophecy given while viewing Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, this book outlines the history of the whole dispensation down to the time when "Sin and sinners are no more; God's entire universe is clean; and the great controversy is forever ended."
Below we give a brief synopsis of the subjects considered—Destruction of Jerusalem; Persecutions in the First Centuries; The Roman Church; The Waldenses; Early Reformers; Luther's Separation from Rome; Luther before the Diet; Progress of the Reformation; Protest of the Princes; Later Reformers; The Two Witnesses; God Honors the Humble; William Miller and His Work; The First, Second, and Third Angels' Messages; The Tarrying Time; The Midnight Cry; The Sanctuary and 2300 Days; An Open and a Shut Door; Modern Revivals; The Investigative Judgment; Origin of Evil; Enmity between Man and Satan; Agency of Evil Spirits; The Snares of Satan; The First Great Deception; Ancient and Modern Spiritualism; Character and Aims of the Papacy; The Coming Conflict; The Scriptures a Safeguard; The Loud Cry of Rev. 18; The Time of Trouble; God's People Delivered; Desolation of the Earth; The Controversy Ended.
The period of history covered by this volume, is one of the deepest interest to all classes of readers. The style of the author is clear, forcible, and often sublime, and, although simple enough in its statements to be understood and appreciated by a child, its eloquence calls forth the admiration of all.
The demand for this popular book is so great that we have had to print ten editions of it, and as we have hundreds of agents in the field canvassing we expect to sell many thousand copies of this valuable book during the next few months. If there is no agent in your town please send us your address and we will send you descriptive circulars or have an agent call upon you.
The "Great Controversy" contains over 500 pages; 21 full-page illustrations and Steel Portrait of the Author; printed and bound in the very best style.
Active Agents Wanted in Every Town and County in the United States.
For Terms and Territory, Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Publishers, 12th and Castro Streets, Oakland, Cal.

VIEWS OF NATIONAL REFORM.

PACKAGE NO. 1, 184 PAGES, 20 CENTS.

THIS package contains thirteen tracts treating upon the various phases of the National Reform movement, as follows:—
NO. PAGES.
1. Religious Legislation, 8
2. Religious Liberty, 8
3. National Reform and the Rights of Conscience, 16
4. The American Papacy, 16
5. Bold and Base Avowal, 16
6. National Reform is Church and State, 16
7. Purity of National Religion, 8
8. The Salem Witchcraft, 8
9. What Think Ye of Christ? 8
10. National Reformed Constitution and the American Hierarchy, 24
11. The Republic of Israel, 8
12. National Reformed Presbyterianism, 32
13. The National Reform Movement an Absurdity, 16
The above package will be sent post-paid to any address for twenty cents.
Address, AMERICAN SENTINEL, Oakland, Cal.

THE HONOR DUE TO GOD.

BY ELD. E. J. WAGGONER.
This is a candid examination of the question as to what the Lord expects from his children as an acceptable manifestation of gratitude for his gifts and care. It treats the important subject of tithes and offerings in a new and interesting way. Its arguments are clear and concise. It is a plain and faithful presentation of the truth of God's word on this subject. It ought to be in every house, and carefully studied by all who love the Lord and his appearing.
A pamphlet of 64 pages. Price, 10 cents.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

MISCELLANEOUS TRACTS.

ASSORTED PACKAGE NO. 6. PRICE, 25c.

THE Plan of Redemption—The Sufferings of Christ—The Sanctuary of the Bible—Scripture References—The Spirit of Prophecy—Spiritualism a Satanic Delusion—Samuel and the Witch of Endor—The End of the Wicked—The Two Thrones.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

The Salvation Army Meetings

A SUBSCRIBER wishes to know if the SIGNS approves of Adventists being in common attendance on the meetings of the Salvation Army, of their speaking in their meetings, and partaking with them of ice-cream suppers.
We consider the methods of the Salvation Army to be the worst sort of a caricature on religion, and we cannot understand the condition of mind which will enable a well-instructed Christian man to find any pleasure in them. That there are conscientious and respectable people among them, is nothing to the point; the fact remains that their proceedings have more in common with the circus or the minstrel show than with Christianity. We are not prepared to admit that they do any good. Their preaching is all emotional and destitute of practical Christian instruction, for the reason that few if any of their speakers have any Christian experience. We cannot believe that men who have just come from the bar-room and the gambling-table, and who have been "converted" by a big noise, are capable of leading people to Christ.
Besides this, the language used by the speakers of the army is irreverent, and sometimes as shocking to the sensibilities as intentional swearing. We have never seen anything entertaining or instructive either on the streets or in the few barrack meetings that we have attended; and we would most earnestly protest against anybody's attending their meetings out of curiosity, since no one can afford to hear sacred names and subjects handled in so flippant a manner. The War Cry is the organ of the Army, and here is an utterance clipped from the issue of February 10:—
"Right here, I want to say that I believe the word 'faith' is the most unfortunate one to be found between the leaves of the New Testament. I can't believe in a God like the God of Moses. I can't believe in a God who would come down in anger and swear, and call for vengeance, and who had to be reminded by a man like Moses of his promise to save a certain people."
This language, which was part of a speech, was "heartily commended" by another speaker. That it is downright infidelity no one need be told. Our opinion, in short, is that the Army tends to beget irreverence and immodesty on the part of its members, and contempt for religion on the part of onlookers.

CAMP-MEETINGS FOR 1888.

KANSAS, Neodesha, Wilson Co., Sept. 13-23 COLORADO, Denver, " 18-25 CALIFORNIA, Oakland, Sept. 20 to Oct. 2 MICHIGAN, Grand Rapids, " 25 " 2 KANSAS (German), Aiken, Oct. 3-8 MISSOURI, Kansas City, " 2-9 TENNESSEE, Guthrie, Ky., " 2-9

Prophetic Lights

"PROPHETIC LIGHTS" is the name of one of the neatest books that has ever been issued by the Pacific Press Publishing Company. It contains one-hundred and eighty pages, 4½x7 inches in size, with five full-page engravings, and numerous smaller ones. The book is devoted, as the name indicates, to a consideration of some of the lights that shine from the Bible for the instruction of men during the night of time. Each chapter is complete in itself, yet there is a general connection. Beginning with some of the prophecies concerning the first advent of Christ, and their fulfillment, it takes up some of the prophecies concerning nations, that have been fulfilled.

Camp-Meeting Preparations

At the time of writing this item, Sunday, September 9, work on the camp-ground is progressing finely. The large preaching pavilion, 100x150 feet in size, is up and carpeted. Besides this, there are the sixty-foot book tent, the restaurant tent, the store, and a dozen family tents ready for occupancy, and indeed some of them are already occupied. A good company of men are working faithfully, and we are sure that as far as depends on the committee, no item of necessary preparation for a successful camp-meeting will remain unfinished by the 20th of the month, when the meeting begins. We hope that at that time the people will have done everything on their part, and will be there in large numbers.

Healdsburg College Rules

The Rescue mentions the rule of the Napa College, prohibiting "the use of tobacco in all forms, and of all intoxicating liquors," and says: "If it be true that this is the only institution where these are made an issue, it clearly indicates where our children should be sent for education, without fear of contamination, or initiation into evil habits." But it is not true, for Healdsburg College has from the beginning strictly prohibited the use of tobacco and liquor. Neither one has ever been used about the institution, and no one who used either would be received. A place of any kind where there is a more lively, healthful moral influence than at Healdsburg College would be hard to find.

A Sensational Sermon Topic

"How to Treat Your Brother-in-law," was announced as the subject of the discourse at one of the Oakland churches last Sunday evening. No doubt the preacher who selected that sensational topic would say that his discourse was a "practical" one; but we cannot imagine what connection it has with the gospel. Many ministers act as though their hearers were all converted, and sure of Heaven, and that all they have to do is to amuse them on the passage.

Tobacco and the Smoking Boy

To the question, "Is there anything on the tobacco question that would be useful to place in the hands of a boy of eight or ten who is learning to smoke?" the Youth's Companion gives the following apt reply: "Probably not. There is something, however, that might be useful to place in the hand of his father by way of a deterrent." We have heard of such a thing being used with good effect.

A Book of Bible Prophecy

filled in a remarkable manner, and then presents other predictions from the same word, which, from a knowledge of the past, we are sure must also be fulfilled to the letter. No theories are advanced, but every prophecy noted is explained by the plain declarations of the Bible itself, and history. The illustrations are all new, and were designed especially for this book. Each one is a study in itself, and aids much in making the Scripture narrative or prediction more vivid. Everyone who has seen the book is delighted with it. It is in two styles of binding, paper and cloth. The paper edition is intended solely for circulation with the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Price in cloth binding, with original design in cover, embossed in gold and jet, $1.25.

Good Templars and Christian Temperance

ONE of the State deputies of the order of Good Templars reports that the night selected for the institution of a lodge was "prayer-meeting night," but that the two churches in the community adjourned their meetings, and "came in and helped us, both ministers becoming charter members;" which the Rescue declares to be "a fact on which both the ministers and the order are to be congratulated." Perhaps the order may be congratulated, but the cause of temperance cannot be. When any professedly temperance work becomes a rival of the church, its usefulness as a temperance concern is gone, for there cannot be any real temperance that is not Christian temperance. We have in this another proof of the fact, which we have known for a long time, that the success of the order of Good Templars bears no relation to the success of the cause of temperance. Temperance has nothing whatever to do with secrecy.

Fathers of the Catholic Church

A NEW book just issued by the Pacific Press Publishing Company, and one which should have a wide circulation, is "Fathers of the Catholic Church," a brief examination of the "falling away" of the church in the first three centuries, and of the causes which led to the great apostasy. People who have listened to learned discourses about the Fathers as staunch supporters of orthodoxy, should get this book and find out just what kind of men they were. Ample quotations are made from the writings of some of the most prominent of them; and valuable information is given concerning many customs of the church. Following is the table of contents:—
The Heathen World; Heathen Philosophy; The Apostolic Church; The Fathers; The "Epistle of Barnabas;" Hermas and Clement; The "Epistles of Ignatius;" The "Teaching of the Apostles;" Irenæus; Justin Martyr; Clement of Alexandria; Tertullian; Origen; The Great Apostasy—Heathen and Catholic Mysteries; Perversion of the Ordinance of Baptism; Sign of the Cross and Images; Purgatory and Prayers for the Dead; "Pious" Frauds; Immorality in the Church; Relic and Martyr-Worship; Sunday and Christmas; Sun-worship and Sunday; Growth of Papal Assumption; Appendices.
A copious index enables the reader to find at a moment's notice any statement by any author that is quoted in the book. Contains nearly 400 pages, bound in cloth, gold title on side. Price, $1.00.

The Sanitarium Catalogue

THE finest thing that has come to our table for a long time is the new catalogue descriptive of the Medical and Surgical Sanitarium, Battle Creek, Mich. Although we are quite familiar with the institution and its workings, we read the description from beginning to end, and enjoyed it. Whoever sees and reads it, will second our statement that to see such an institution is almost worth making a trip to Michigan. And the best of it is, the description is not in the least exaggerated. The managers announce that they are willing to be held to a rigid account for every statement or representation made. The illustrations are from photographs, so that they are exact copies of what they claim to represent; and they are gems. Whoever is so fortunate as to get one will be sure to preserve it, for it is worth keeping.

Correction About Tramelan Camp-Meeting

WE are not above making mistakes, nor above correcting them when we have made them. Last week we said that the camp-meeting at Tramelan, Switzerland, would be in session at the time of the California camp-meeting. We were just one month out of the way. The Tramelan camp-meeting was held August 22-26.

BAGGAGE FOR THE OAKLAND CAMP-GROUND.

BAGGAGE will be brought from San Francisco to the camp-ground for twenty-five cents a piece. People who come in on the train can take their checks to the express company's office, 28 Market Street, about a block from the ferry, leaving directions, and their baggage will follow them over as soon as possible. Do not give your checks to agents on the train, unless you wish to pay fifty cents or a dollar for having a trunk brought across the bay.
Parties landing at Sixteenth Street or First and Market, Oakland, may hand their checks to an agent from the camp-ground, who will be so designated. Trunks will be carried to the ground from either of the last-named stations for fifteen cents apiece. Read these directions carefully, and don't forget them.

You have reached the end of this edition.

Signs of the Times · Sep 14, 1888