p. 592 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 37. (7/24/1893)

Earlier text: HABITS AND BELIEFS OF THE ESKIMOS

News and Notes.

By Editor

FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 17.

RELIGIOUS.

—Rev. Henry A. Adams, formerly rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Buffalo, and later of the Church of the Redeemer of New York, has joined the Roman Catholic Church.

—The pope has notified the Moniteur de Roma that it must refrain from further discussion of the school question. The prohibition, it seems, was called forth by a too free use of papal utterances on the subject.

—Rev. S. H. Smith, a colored minister from Texas, is conducting revival services in this city for the benefit of his race. But his main object in coming to California, he says, is to locate some five or six hundred colored people from Texas who propose to come here at an early date.

—A company of Mormon missionaries are at work in the neighborhood of Beaver Dam Station, Hanover County, Virginia. They have, it is said, converted thirty-three persons in and around the little station of Beaver Dam. Most of these are young women who, it is said, expect to emigrate to Utah in the fall.

—Here is some more Church and State, and a good illustration of Catholic missionary work. The new Catholic Church at Whittier, Cal., was dedicated by Bishop Mora last Sunday. A train from Los Angeles carried 600 Catholics to attend the services. The boys from the State Reform School were present in a body.

—The Advance says: "The Presbyterian World's Fair Committee, acting by order of the General Assembly, upon learning of Chief Justice Fuller's Sunday opening decision, immediately requested permission to withdraw their exhibit. This was refused, and the exhibit is therefore allowed to stay unpacked in the boxes."

—The Baptist ministers of San Francisco have voted to set apart Monday, July 24, as a day of special fasting and prayer, in view of the present state of things in San Francisco and vicinity. Among the evils deprecated are "increasing religious unrest and unbelief, sabbath desecration more prevalent than ever, worldliness and mammonism in the churches spreading to an alarming extent, and faithful ministers driven into secular employment to win their bread."

—Both the Christian Endeavor Society and the Epworth League have asked to withdraw their exhibits from the World's Fair. Of this action the Advance says, "The rising generation is acting with spirit on the Sunday-opening question." What "spirit" is it that resorts to retaliation upon the world because it insists upon conducting its attractions in a worldly manner? Professedly Christian institutions have no legitimate business to have an incorporate connection with the world under any circumstances. Of his disciples the Saviour says, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."

—Speaking of the present pope as an "astute potentate," and of his ambition to restore the ancient prestige of the church, the California Christian Advocate says: "The American people need to keep diligent watch on the Roman hierarchy, which has always been the foe of republican institutions." The fact is, the Papacy is only the foe of republican institutions where such institutions cannot be used to further the ends of the papal church. The apostolic delegate is now playing in a very liberal role in the United States, and there are few means now being used with greater efficiency in the restoration of the papal precedents than the republican institutions of this country and of France. And there can hardly be found a more potent factor in the upbuilding of papal influence in the United States than the action of the nominally Protestant churches in advocating Sunday laws and other religious legislation.

—A Shanghai dispatch of July 10 says it was reported that a fanatical mob in the province of Shan Tung had severely maltreated an American missionary a few days ago. It is also stated that the Mandarins in Hankow and Sung Pu now are known to have connived at the recent murders of Swedish missionaries. The natives, after having mutilated the bodies of the missionaries, hid them and refused to surrender them.

—Two years ago Bishop Matse of Denver issued an order that no children be received for the first communion and confirmation who had not for at least two years previously been attending the parish school or some other Catholic school. The bishop was a bitter opponent of Archbishop Ireland's policy. Satolli, the papal delegate, has now issued instructions characterizing Matse's decree as a harsh and injurious measure which must be ignored, and further, that greater care and charity are to be exercised in giving religious instruction and administering the sacrament to children who do not attend the parochial schools.

—A St. Petersburg dispatch says that at Yalta, on the Crimea, the Jews were recently ordered to retire to their houses for several days. They refused to obey the order, and the clergy exhorted the population to rise and expel them. Last week an anti-Jewish mob took possession of the streets, broke into the houses occupied by Jews, and tried to drive the occupants from the town. The Jews fought back. Dozens were dragged into the streets and beaten, and many were killed. Houses owned by the Jews were plundered and wrecked. Troops were called to restore order. None of the rioters were killed and but a few were injured.

SECULAR.

—The State of California is now caring for 3,400 insane persons in its public asylums.

—Another revolution has been started in Nicaragua, and the president and general of the army have been taken as prisoners.

—The Grand Army of the Republic posts of Pittsburg, Pa., will test in the courts the right of the Pension Bureau to cut off the allowance of 125 pensioners in that district.

—A large cold-storage warehouse connected with the World's Fair at Chicago was destroyed by fire last week, and twenty persons were burned to death, most of whom were firemen.

—Last year corn was so scarce in Mexico that it was admitted from the United States free of duty in order to avert famine. This year it is said the crop is the most abundant known for years.

—The citizens of Santa Fé, N. M., experienced three lively earthquake shocks on the 12th inst. The shaking of everything movable and the frightening of the people were the worst results.

—The Belgium Chamber of Deputies has voted for such a revision of the constitution as will enable the government to acquire colonies. The annexation of the Kongo Free State is in contemplation.

—The railroad village of Maxwell, Colusa County, this State, was the scene of a destructive incendiary fire on the 12th inst. Thirteen buildings were burned, and the loss is said to foot up nearly $100,000.

—Of the three Anarchists recently pardoned out of the Illinois penitentiary, one is already married, the bride being a prominent Chicago saloon keeper. This will no doubt add to his efficiency as a machine politician.

—During a storm in Kalamazoo, Mich., on the 13th inst., lightning struck in ten places in the city, including the First Presbyterian Church. Great damage to property not only in the city but also in the country is reported.

—Four native Guatemala musicians, in charge of Gustavo E. Guzman, passed through San Francisco last week en route to the World's Fair. They had with them their national instrument, the marimba, on which they all play at once, using hammers as on a xylophone.

—A destructive fire occurred at Princeton, Ind., on the 12th inst. The Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, a large hotel, a bank building, and several other business houses were destroyed, entailing a loss of about $300,000. A number of persons were seriously injured.

—The latest report from the cholera districts of Russia is dated the 12th inst., and is as follows: Polonia, 310 new cases, 100 deaths; Khazexon, 18 new cases, 9 deaths; Tonia, 8 new cases, 3 deaths. At Alexandria, Egypt, same date, the report was 85 new cases, and 40 deaths.

—It is a significant fact that of the numerous cases of bank failures in the country, many have fallen as a result of official dishonesty rather than of any stringency in business. The bank failures through the dishonesty and incompetency of bank officials have caused much of the strain in other business operations.

—The medical delegate sent to Mecca by the Egyptian Boards of Quarantine states that the number of deaths of pilgrims from cholera is double that reported officially, and that, it being impossible to bury the dead, the roads are strewn with decomposing corpses, and unless these are interred speedily another deadly epidemic will soon make its appearance.

—Labor strikers have before them another object lesson. At Leavenworth, Kansas, a dispatch of the 11th inst. says: "The coal miners' strike here, which has been on six weeks, in sympathy with the strike in Southeastern Kansas, is declared off. It is believed that the same result will be reached throughout the State soon. The men return to work at the wages offered before the strike."

—The fruit-canning industry in California is materially crippled by the stringency of the money market. In years past the banks were anxious to loan money to the canners on warehouse receipts, but this year they cannot procure money in that way, and of course cannot purchase fruit very extensively. It is a hard blow to the thousands of women, boys, and girls who depend upon the canneries for a few months' work every season.

—Chief Jones, of the Choctaw Nation, wants to execute nine of his tribe who have been condemned to death by the laws of the nation. A strong faction is opposed to the execution, and the U. S. Government has interfered and proposes to investigate. Chief Jones yields to an investigation because he is powerless to help himself, but he asserts in strong terms that the government has no right to interfere with the internal affairs of the Choctaw Nation after guaranteeing absolute self-government.

—Rev. J. H. Ingham, a missionary, who has been six years in China, arrived in San Francisco last week, on the way to his old home at Cape May. Mr. Ingham has been stationed at Peking, and he says there is no flurry there or elsewhere in China, so far as he knows, in regard to the Geary law. "The great body of the Chinese," he said, "know nothing of it. The knowledge is mostly confined to officials and those who read, but the millions are in ignorance of the whole matter. I do not anticipate there will be any trouble."

—The recent misunderstanding between the French and the government of Siam resulted in an attempt on the part of five French gunboats to run a blockade of war ships and forts at the mouth of the Nenani River in order to reach Bangkok, the Siamese capital. A lively but short brush resulted in two of the French boats getting by, but a dispatch boat accompanying them was sunk. Fifteen Siamese were killed and thirty wounded, while the French loss was but three killed and two wounded. It is said that the difficulties are now to be amicably settled.

—The German emperor has succeeded in getting his Army Bill passed by a very small majority. It provides for an immediate increase of 50,000 men to the peace footing of the army, and a gradual increase of 70,000. He will have a war footing army of 4,500,000 drilled men. The object is to stamp out socialism in the empire, but the leaders of the Social Democrats openly boast that Socialism permeates the masses from which the soldiers are drawn. Herr Babel stated in the Reichstag that the government could only get rid of the Socialists by killing them.

"EVERYBODY'S LAW BOOK"

Is the title of the new 768 page work prepared by J. Alexander Koones, LL.B., member of the New York Bar.

It enables every man and woman to be their own lawyer. It teaches what are your rights and how to maintain them, when to begin a lawsuit and when to shun one. It contains the useful information every business man needs in every State in the Union. It contains business forms of every variety useful to the lawyer as well as to all who have legal business to transact.

Inclose two dollars for a copy, or inclose two-cent postage stamp for a table of contents and terms to agents. Address BENJ. W. HITCHCOCK, Publisher, 385 Sixth Avenue, New York.

TO THE WORLD'S FAIR.

Weekly Excursions.

ARE you going? If so, it will be to your interest to call on, or write to, the undersigned before arranging for your trip.

The "Santa Fe Route" being the only line under one management from California to Chicago, we can offer you advantages, for a safe and pleasant journey, unsurpassed by other lines.

It is the only line running Pullman Palace and Tourist sleeping cars through to Chicago, every day, without change, on the same train.

Select Overland Excursions leave every Tuesday, with manager in charge through to Boston. Baggage checked to destination. Steamship tickets sold to and from all European points, via all the popular steamship lines. J. J. Warner, Agent, 972 Broadway, Oakland, Cal., or W. A. Bissell, G. P. A. 650 Market Street, Chronicle Building, San Francisco, Cal.

A Boy Unjustly Sent to Prison

By Editor

The St. Albans (Vt.) Weekly Messenger of July 6 gives an account of a boy of nine years who had been found in the penitentiary, clothed in convicts' garb, the daily associate of abandoned criminals, and yet there was no charge of crime against him. It appears that his unnatural mother had taken a dislike to him, had "neglected and shamefully abused him," while caring for her two others, and, on the plea of inability, had him committed to the poor-house. From the wretched asylum the boy escaped three times to get back to his brother and sister, to be sent back each time by a heartless judge. He finally escaped again, and this same judge consigned him, because of his love for his wretched home, the penitentiary. Had the boy been in reality a criminal, he would doubtless have been sent to some reform school and taught a useful trade, "but," says the Messenger, "as he has been guilty of nothing worse than running away from a place where there was not the least justification of sending him," "a prison was decided to be the proper place. He had done absolutely nothing to warrant the least punishment; was only a poor, ill-treated, homesick little fellow." The spirit of this judge well illustrates what may be expected in many places when this nation is more fully rigged out in the matter of religious laws. This mother, this judge, deserve—well, we leave it with God. It is just such things as these which make us glad that God lives and reigns, and that he will sometime execute judgment and justice.

Christian Endeavor and Its Pledge

By Editor

A WRITER in the Christian Standard of some time since does not believe in the Christian Endeavor Society as now organized. His principal criticism is against the pledge, against which he presents to our mind some excellent arguments. He says that "the pledge is based on a mistaken conception of Christianity. It assumes that Christianity is a doing where in fact it is a being. This is a very common though none the less false conception of Christianity. Doing is merely the result of being, and is dependent entirely upon it." The pledge naturally leads the Endeavorer to trust in the pledge instead of Christ, and is thereby "a carnal bestowal of our trust." Inducing others to sign it "is a stooping to unworthy means." It "is entirely too narrow a conception of Christianity," and being so will demand additions and additions without end. In its use "the pledge is little better than a creed." And all this is true. We ask again, as we have before asked, "What more is needed for Christian work than the church founded by our Lord Jesus Christ, upon which he has bestowed every gift for the successful and complete carrying forward of his work?"

Faith in God’s Promises

MANY journals make the mistake of saying that a silver dollar is worth fifty-two or fifty-six or fifty-eight cents, according to the fluctuations of silver bullion. In fact a silver dollar is worth a dollar; the amount of silver in a dollar is worth as bullion just what silver bullion or uncoined silver is worth. But when it is coined it is worth a dollar within the jurisdiction of the government. The government's stamp is a pledge that it stands for a dollar, just as the stamp on a piece of paper makes a greenback or treasury note worth its face value. As long as the government's credit is at par, its coin or its paper is worth just what it calls for or represents. Just so with God's word; as long as his power to control the universe holds good, the promises of his word are assured to the letter. Their practical value to us, however, is just equal to the measure of our faith in them.

California and Sunday Laws

By Editor

Now that the Puritan Sunday has won at Chicago, the next great battle will be over the midwinter Exposition in San Francisco. California as a whole has stood on the right side of this Sunday question for many years, and the reproaches which have been showered upon her by the Sundarians are in truth testimonials to her honor. It is true that recently some counties have, under pretense of "temperance laws," adopted Sunday closing, but Dr. Thompson, of the Sabbath Union, calls them just what they are,—so many victories for the Sunday sabbath. He said recently in this city that California in the matter of Sunday laws was breaking out in spots like the measles, and soon, like the measles, the spots would all run together and cover the State. The disease is worse than measles; it is better compared to virulent smallpox, or fretting leprosy. Woe be to the commonwealth of the Golden State when she succumbs to religious domination! It behooves the friends of true liberty to lift a warning voice.

Preparing for the Sabbath

"Baronald," in the Advance of June 15, in his "Monday Musings," says:—

If it were of any use I would like to make an appeal for the keeping of Saturday, and especially of Saturday evening, as a means of preparing for the best keeping of the sabbath. Formerly, as we all recall, some of our fathers and mothers began the Sabbath on Saturday at sun fall, and as carefully kept the evening as they did the following day.

And this is an admission of the Bible truth. The day begins at sundown and ends at sundown; this is Bible truth. The Sabbath is the seventh day and not the first; this is also Bible truth. The proper way to observe the Bible Sabbath is the Bible way, namely, all the week to "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." Then when the hours of the Sabbath come, Friday evening at sundown, the Christian Sabbath keeper is ready to greet it as a friend and receive of its blessings. Why not be wholly biblical?

THE PURITAN HAS WON.

By Editor

THE contention for open gates at the World's Fair on Sundays has not been based upon the real principle of the thing. That was shut out during the discussion of the matter in Congress by Mr. Duborrow, who had charge of the bill containing the Sunday-closing proviso. The only true principle on which the entire question should have been decided was that of religious liberty and constitutional guarantee. But the friends of Sunday opening, and the directors especially, who were longing for the fifty-cent admission fees, refused to adopt these principles; or if adopted, they refused to advocate them. They have tried to make it appear that it was more religious to allow the Fair to remain open than to close it. The whole fight has really been between the Puritan Sunday and the Roman Catholic Sunday, so far as religion is concerned. The directors really, it appears, have been controlled by a desire to make money. They yielded to the Puritan side first on the promise of the souvenir half dollars. They broke their agreement when they had obtained a part of the money, believing it would pay better so to do. They have on account of reduced Sunday receipts succumbed to the Sunday boycott and decided by a vote of twenty-four to four to close on Sunday after July 16. The Puritan, through the greed of the directors, has won. Upon this we will have more to say next week.

A Falsehood in the Literary Digest

By Editor

WE have esteemed the Literary Digest as a journal of truth. We had supposed that it meant to state facts. But in its issue of July 8, p. 22, it states, unintentionally, perhaps, an unequivocal falsehood. After saying, "The Seventh-day Adventists have been holding a great camp meeting in Minnesota," it makes the following statement:—

"They have selected this year as the time when the world will come to an end."

Seventh-day Adventists have never, through any of their publications, or by any of their accredited representatives, set the hour or day or year of Christ's coming, or the world to come to an end. Their very interpretations of the prophecies absolutely forbid the setting of times. They believe that the coming of Christ is near, even as Christ declared that it was the duty of his people to know (Matt. 24: 33), but further than this they do not pretend to know. Will the editor of the Literary Digest correct his statement?

The Church in Politics and Boycotts

By Editor

The Advance of July 6, in speaking of the World's Fair Sunday opening, says that the directors "have offended the religious element of the country. They have turned the pulpit and the religious press against them, and let them say what they will, the pulpit and the press of the great denominations are tremendous advertisers. No great project ever has succeeded without their coöperation, and is not likely to succeed in the future." This is true, and sad it is 'tis true. It is the church in politics and boycotts. But what right have Christians to be offended? It is hardly the Spirit of the Master which is seen in this. See Matt. 5: 43-45.

Protest Against a Bicycle Tax

Albert A. Pope, of the Pope Manufacturing Company, of Boston, Mass., makes a strong protest against placing a tax on bicycles, because of the very nature of the machine; the advantage of the wheel to the working man, who can thus live farther from his work; the impossibility of taxing equitably machines of such varied value; and the great influence of bicycles in the betterment of our public roads. Mr. Pope's protest is well taken.

A Fourth of July Oration

By Editor

WE print in our Miscellaneous department an oration delivered on the 4th of July by Elder M. H. Brown. It is longer than articles usually admitted to our columns, but we did not wish to break it; and we believe that the half-hour spent in its perusal will be to our readers both interesting and profitable.

God's Willingness to Give His Spirit

By Editor

READ the article by Elder J. O. Corliss on "God's Willingness to Give His Spirit," and profit thereby. This article, though independent of what has gone before, is still intimately connected with them. We hope all will be read.

The Coming of the Lord

By Editor

Another article is presented in this number on "The Coming of the Lord." It shows the only "secret coming" of Christ there is.

Christ's Example in Prayer

By Editor

READ "Christ's Example in Prayer" in another column. If He so needed to pray, how much more we!

Communication Deferred

By Editor

An interesting communication from Brother E. C. Chapman has been deferred till our next issue.