Earlier text: They Shall See GodTHERE are words, deeds, and actions, engraved in letters of living fire on that panorama which is now passing before our minds. There are lost opportunities, broken promises, and crushed hopes all the way down the pathway of life. Good intentions and noble resolutions lie torn at our feet. Heart-aches, heart struggles, and sorrow, lie buried deep down in the heart, there to await the final resurrection. The book of life contains many things we would blot from its pages if it were possible. This will be the experience of many as they retrospect the past. But amid all this there are bright sides to the picture, sunny spots, fresh in memory, we would not forego. They are the kind acts, kind words, and pleasant smiles we have scattered by the wayside, that have taken root and sprung up, and become pearls in memory's casket. We would not erase from memory's tablet childhood's happy hours. The little prayer our infant lips were taught to utter, "Now I lay me down to sleep," old familiar scenes and dearly-cherished faces, the mother's prayers and a father's blessings, Sabbath schools and their beautiful lessons,—these are joys that cluster around those associations, that can never be forgotten. They have left an echo, an image within that can never fade away. They ever go to make up jewels, and are more precious than are gold or silver to the miser. Life is made up of bitter and sweet, joy and sorrow. Changes have come to some; the heart-joy has been dipped in sadness. The little white dress that was so carefully laid away has been brought and unfolded, and the little form is enrobed for the last time on earth ready for its little casket. "Baby's gone to sleep." A vacant spot and a little mound in the graveyard are all that remain to mark these bruises on the human heart. Some hearts have been made glad, and in their joy have almost forgotten the sorrow of others. Life is like a tree. It starts from the ground, its slender roots scarcely discernible; but ere long, by the aid of the beautiful sun, warm rains, and cooling dews, it emerges into a fine sapling, later developing into a hardy tree, capable of withstanding the fiercest of winds and storms, standing a giant of the forest for years. So it is with you, dear boys and girls, as you emerge, step by step, from infancy to manhood and womanhood. As you are a boy, so you will be a man. As you are a girl, so you will be a woman. "As the twig is bent, so the tree's inclined." The lessons you now learn and the early impressions you receive will tell on you in after-life. You are now cultivating and forming principles that will cling to you and influence your future steps in life. Life is yours until the great Redeemer calls; and it behooves you to improve each golden moment while it is passing, ever grasping after beautiful truths as they present themselves one by one. Then be honest and upright, noble and true in your youth for the future peace and reward it will bring. The pathway to honor is narrow but it leads to a blissful abode. Life is indeed a reality made up of fearful responsibilities, the discharge of which will alone qualify us for the great hereafter. Everything around us and all that is with us demands earnestness on our part. Happiness, glory, and eternal life are at stake. Fellowship with loved ones in the "sweet by and by" is in the balance; and if we fail we shall lose all. Lives of great men all tell us we can make our lives sublime. Then let us fashion our lives after those who have lived before us and have left "foot-prints on the sands of time;" and above all let us ever endeavor to imitate and follow the example of the purest of all, that great teacher, Jesus Christ, who laid down his life that we might inherit eternal life. Let us sympathize with the sorrowful, lift up the fallen, and speak kind words to the erring ones. God only knows what made them so. Words are but little things; but what joy they often bring. Life is fast fleeing away. We have all launched our frail bark and are floating down the stream of time, drifting along with the tide, little dreaming that every hour, every day brings us one day nearer the great unknown. Soon our life-work and all its burdens will be laid down. The last good by and the last God bless you will be said, and we shall stand before the judgment, there to render a strict account of our stewardship here on earth. The great ledger will be opened, and the balance-sheet will be either for or against us. There will be windows to our hearts then, and we shall see each other as God now sees us, shall know each other as we are known. All will be uncovered. Then let us fulfill our mission here below, and do with all our might what our hands find to do, that our lives may not be weighed in the balance and found wanting, but that we may receive the welcome plaudit, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."—Sel. Depend on Yourself.—Most young men consider it a great misfortune to be born poor, or not to have capital enough to establish themselves at the outset in life in a great business. This is a mistaken notion. So far from poverty being a misfortune to them if we may judge from what we every day behold, it is really a blessing; the chances are more than ten to one against him who starts with plenty of money. Let any one look back twenty years, and see who began business at that time with abundant means, and trace them down to the present day; how many of these now boast of wealth and stand351ing. On the contrary, how many have become poor, lost their places in society, and are passed by their boon companions with a look which plainly says, I know you not. It was a mournful watch she kept,
In the soundless winter night,
While all her world around her slept
And the pitiless stars shone bright;
For she saw the years in long review,
The years she had trifled past,
The years when life was bright and new,
And what had they left at last?
And she cried as she thought of her drooping
flowers,
Her baffled hopes and her failing powers—
“Oh, my lost hours!” What a harvest might have been garnered in,
When the golden grain was wasted!
What a nectar of life it was hers to win,
When the draught was barely tasted!
What happy memories might have shone,
Had folly never stained them!
What noble hights to rest upon,
If a steadier foot had gained them!
And she cried, as she sat ’mid her faded flowers—
“Rashness and weakness bring fatal dowers;
Oh, my lost hours!” Too late for battle, too late for fame,
Comes the vision of better life—
With eyes that are burning with tears of shame.
She looks on the world’s keen strife;
The patient love cannot pardon now,
Of the fond believing cheer,
Where the white cross stands and the violets blow,
Lies the love that made life so dear.
Kind nature renews her perished flowers,
But death recks nothing of sun or showers;
Ah, for lost hours!
--Sel. PAY your way. Wherever you go, pay it in kindnesses, in courtesies, in pleasant chat, and by contributing of your store to the enjoyment of others. Do not be churlish. Do not hug yourself for some pitiful bit of affectation which you have christened diffidence or modesty. This sort of paying one's way may come in and be balm and soothing to some sturdily independent natures, which in God's providence are placed where they must temporarily depend. Is it worth while, under such circumstances, to grow morbid, despairing and unthankful, making every one wretched because of your grievance? There are times in life when it is quite as clearly your duty to depend as to be independent. When God puts you where you cannot help yourself, take the help he sends and do not fret. It is right to help yourself with both hands as long as you can, and with one hand when you cannot use both; but if God bids both lie folded and still, accept his decision and remember, "They also serve who only stand and wait." Do not think that because there comes to you no great opportunity of performing a wonderful work, you will let the thousand little ones pass you unimproved. It is no small thing to be the joy of the domestic circle, the one whose soft touch and whose gentle, fitly spoken word averts disturbance and disagreement, conciliates the offended, and makes alien natures understand each other. It is no small thing to possess the happy tact which makes people pleased with themselves, and which insensibly urges people to appear at their best. The young woman who is gifted with this grace of touch, this swiftness of sympathy, and this beautiful unselfishness, may not have a fair face, nor a trim figure, but she will be endowed with a dignity more winning than either. THE influence of dress upon the health, especially of women and children, has now come to be universally acknowledged as a matter of serious importance. To such an extent have extravagant and murderous fashions prevailed during the past few years that even the most reckless are beginning to view with alarm the devastating work of such fashionable follies as tight lacing, thinly-clad feet and limbs, and like violations of nature's laws. The dress should always be adapted to the season and the occupation. It should also be suited to the body of the wearer, so as to give perfect comfort and unrestrained freedom for the action of every muscle. Especial attention must be given to the extremities, as they are the most liable to suffer from insufficient clothing on account of being so far removed from the vital centers of the body. The bare necks and arms of children, especially small girls, are among the most frequent causes which lay the foundation for early derangement of the digestive organs. Tight-lacing is not to be tolerated for a moment as a custom worthy of perpetuation by civilized nations. It would appear less censurable among those nations which make a virtue of distorting the body to the greatest extent endurable by outraged nature. Incalculable injury is every year suffered by the race as the result of corset-wearing. Not only the wearers themselves suffer the most appalling ills, but the children of these wasp-waisted mothers inherit feeble vital powers and constitutional disease, which is manifested in impaired digestion more frequently than in any other manner. The clothing should never be suspended from the waist, as is the usual custom with ladies. The hips are not adapted to the purpose of sustaining any weight; and when the whole weight of several heavy skirts rests upon them, great injury must result. Especially injurious is this custom when coupled with tight-lacing, as the heavy weight upon the tightened corset displaces the internal organs of the abdomen, and gives rise to that large class of painful and obstinate diseases peculiar to females. The whole weight of the clothing should be sustained by the shoulders by means of suspenders or skirt supporters, of which there are several excellent styles now offered for sale. For sometime in the past the subject of female dress has received a considerable amount of attention in Boston, Mass. Several public meetings have been held, which were attended by the first ladies of the city and addressed by a number of able speakers. At a recent meeting, a wealthy lady, who has for many years been well known as one of the most fashionable milliners of the city, exhibited a number of large dolls dressed in neat and elegant costumes which were devised in accordance with the demands of health. All of the clothing was suspended from the shoulders, and the circumference of the dress waist exceeded that of the body by several inches. The lady stated that she herself had worn this style of dress exclusively for several years. Sedentary persons, and those employed indoors, are much the most frequent subjects of dyspepsia. Sufficient physical exercise to maintain vigorous and uniform circulation is most essential to the maintenance of healthy digestion. But this alone is not sufficient. For mental workers, especially, mental recreation is of still greater importance. A half hour's cheerful conversation upon some pleasing topic will do more to establish an equilibrium of the forces which have become unbalanced by excessive mental labor than an hour or two of physical exertion without the mental relaxation. The best of all is agreeable physical exercise accompanied by pleasant mental recreation. Recreation is equally necessary to both the mental and physical laborer, but it must be sought in opposite directions. The person who is engaged in manual labor requires to turn his attention to some literary pursuit or mental labor as really as does the habitual brain worker require to recreate in a contrary manner. Too much importance cannot be attached to this subject, and too much care to secure it cannot well be exercised. From the lungs of every living animal is constantly poured a stream of poisoned air. It enters the lungs pure; it leaves them laden with carbon dioxide, a fatally poisonous gas either when retained in the body or when inhaled. Besides this, the exhaled air contains a large quantity of organic impurities of still more poisonous character. This is one source of the atmospheric impurities which make ventilation an imperative necessity. Our stoves, candles, lamps, and gaslights, are other sources of the same poisonous gas, carbon dioxide, which is the chief product of combustion. How to get rid of these health-destroying agents is one of the great problems of the age. One eminent man recommends ceiling ventilation, which is strongly condemned by another of equal eminence who advocates basement ventilation. The great secret seems to consist in securing agitation and frequent change, no matter by what method. Never sleep in a room which does not afford communication with the outside air by at least two apertures, one near the ceiling, and the other near the floor. Never remain in a close room which contains a fire burning in an air-tight stove with closed draft. When the draft is open, very passable ventilation is secured; but when it is closed, the air quickly becomes impregnated with carbon dioxide, the ordinary product of burning, and carbonous oxide, an exceedingly poisonous gas which results from imperfect combustion. Do not be afraid of ventilation in the winter season. Let the cold, invigorating air come in, but dress warmly enough so that no chilling effects will be felt. Thoroughly ventilate sleeping rooms, and use abundance of bed-clothes. None but the very poor need be deprived of pure air in the midst of winter. Abundance of sound sleep is one of the most imperative demands of nature. Brain workers, especially, require a sufficiency of this great restorer. As a general rule, physical laborers obtain more sleep than mental workers; but they require less, as is equally true with reference to food. Early rising is an excellent thing in most climates if preceded by early retirement; otherwise, it is a very pernicious habit, notwithstanding the old adage to the contrary. It is also generally true that the more rest obtained before midnight, the better. For those whose occupation is exclusively physical, or nearly so, early retirement is advantageous. Such sink immediately into sound, refreshing sleep. But this is not the case with the mental worker who leaves his labor at the same hour with the manual laborer. He needs preparation for sleep by pleasant social intercourse or other equally efficient means for quieting and soothing his excited nervous system. His sleep will be much more beneficial if delayed an hour or two after the farmer or bricklayer has sunk into the arms of Morpheus. In such a case it would be cruelty to require both to rise at the same hour in the morning. From seven to nine hours' sleep must be obtained. If this cannot be secured before five o'clock in the morning, defer rising until a later hour. Cleanliness, correct habits of labor, proper social relations, healthful and cheerful surroundings, and a general compliance with all the laws of health, and attention to all sanitary measures, will prevent not only dyspepsia, but every other preventable disease. NEVER shut God's glorious sunshine from your homes. If you must have a portion of your homes too fine ever to admit his presence, in the name of pale, sickly, and withered humanity, have at least one room set apart, from which his life-giving rays are never excluded, and where you can daily resort, to bask and bathe in his healthful and curative influence; for sunshine, and plenty of it, is essential to the full and healthy development of body and mind. And when we break nature's laws, and fall ill in consequence, a simple sunlight bath would do more toward restoring to health than many of the nauseous medicines that doctors prescribe in Latinized formulas, with such an air of importance and profundity as often to awe poor ailing mortals into the belief that they have but to swallow the stuff, and be healed. Sunlight baths may be had without money and without price. If too weak to go into the open air and take one as nature dictates, or if out-door walks in the sun are not in accordance with your ideas of respectability and refinement, and you cannot get over them by indulging in a little common sense, why, in the name of health, good looks, and sweet temper, draw your cushioned chair up to the window, and sink as gracefully and as languidly as you please into it, and remain there until the revivifying sun sends the blood bounding and leaping through your veins with its vitalizing agency. There are few persons, and physicians among the number, who have been honest enough to prescribe sunlight as a remedial agent; but it is evident that were all ailments cured by such simple and cheap remedies as sunlight, air, water, exercise, and diet, there would be no need of drugstores or physicians; they would be blotted out of existence, and the followers of those professions would be called to a new field to obtain a livelihood. We want the people to become enlightened and seek for the promotion of health and prevention of disease by the simple but efficacious remedies which Nature mixes and offers with her own hand free of charge to all who will partake thereof; and which remedies only require the sanction and recommendation of physicians to have them substituted for the nauseous constitution-breaking, and life-destroying drugs that are constantly being consumed by invalids, through ignorance of their nature and effect upon the system.—Sel. RELIGIOUS NEWS AND NOTES.
—The old John street church, the oldest Methodist church in America, celebrated its 112th anniversary in the church building, the 27th ult. —Three protestants at Alcoy, Spain, have been imprisoned for saying that Mary was married, and had other sons besides Jesus Christ. In Mahon, the sub-governor entered the church during services, and stopped them “because the singing was heard outside.” The same was done in Cadiz. —It is the old story. The Congregational church at Saratoga Springs, appraised in prosperous times at $70,000, now has a debt of $46,000—just about what the whole church is worth, and now they must have aid or they will go down, and Congregationalists won’t find a “church of their own order” there. —The Bible Society of Geneva, Switzerland, which has undertaken to send a copy of the New Testament to each school teacher in France, has already sent 27,000; 80,000 being the full number required. Each copy costs about sixty cents. Among the many letters of thanks received, is one from a Roman Catholic nun. —The American Bible Society have procured a new stop-cylinder press, upon which alone, a whole Bible can be printed every minute! This is the briefest and most significant commentary possible on the achievements of modern invention in the dissemination of the ever-living Divine Word. What a preacher the modern printing press has become! —The Brooklyn Eagle says that if Mr. Beecher had said a few years ago what he did last Sunday about the Bible, his church would have been quickly emptied, and he would have been expelled from every orthodox communion. The remark especially referred to by the Eagle was this: “The theory of the literal inspiration of the Scriptures is the theory of the devil, and would lead a man to infidelity.” —The Bishop of Chichester, in his recent triennial charge, referring to the perversions to Rome of several of his Brighton clergy, said: “Craft, subtlety, and secrecy were the characteristics of the Roman propaganda, and in this instance they had been unsparingly employed. No man could say how far the poison had extended. Such defections betrayed inward unsoundness and unsettlement, and they asked with fear, ‘Who shall be the next to forsake our communion?’” —The revision of the New Testament is almost completed, and will probably be presented to convocation in England next year. Already it is nearly all printed, the two universities having given £20,000 for the privilege of printing it, of which they pay £2,000 yearly. Bishop Ellicott, the chairman of the revisers, who has presided for six hours daily for four days every three weeks, is said never to have once lost his temper or failed to carry his colleagues with him. The revision of the Old Testament will require about three years longer. —An effort is being made in the Reformed Episcopal Church to do away with the observance of Lent as a church fast. At a recent conference of clergymen in Philadelphia, it was decided to recommend the policy of abandoning the services to the general standing committee, on the ground that the indulgence in worldly pleasures before and after Lent is increased by way of compensation for enforced abstention during the season of fasting, and upon the further ground that uniform moderation of life is the church’s great need, and that this may be better secured without Lenten observances than with them. The change, if it shall be made, will be a radical one, and will work a wider breach than ever between the two Episcopalian churches in this country. —The death of Jefferson Davis, Jr., leaves the ex-President of the Southern Confederacy without a relative by the name of Davis. —Thursday afternoon and evening, Nov. 14, rain fell in various parts of California; in the Santa Clara, Napa, and Sonoma valleys, and reported also at Colusa, Stockton, and Merced. —The managers of the failing bank of Glasgow, Scotland, have been denied the privilege of bail. Swindling will probably not be as popular in Scotland as it is in the United States. —United States officers are placing under arrest, in various parts of the South, officers of the late election for corrupt practices in preventing a free vote. There will be many seats contested, and it is expected that much fraud will be exposed. —A revolt, accompanied by a terrible massacre by the natives, has occurred on the island of New Caledonia, in Australasia. Men, women and children, were alike murdered in the most barbarous manner. The revolt was not yet suppressed at the latest intelligence from the island. —The opening of the Suez canal has proved the ruin of the overland trade by caravans to Bagdad and the Persian Gulf, which formerly supported ancient Damascus. Many of its houses and shops are now empty, and its streets are filled with beggars, where they were formerly a rarity. —Trade between this country and Japan began in 1859, and during the first year amounted to but $250. From that small amount it has increased to $17,000,000 per annum. The balance of trade is in favor of Japan. Their exports are principally teas, while ours are petroleum and lamps. —Frosts in the south have caused a great decline in the mortality from yellow fever. In New Orleans it has entirely abated. Those who predicted famines and pestilences on the position of the planets are growing confident in their theory. The present decade has been notable in this respect. —The detectives are "shadowing" a number of people supposed to have been guilty of the robbery of the grave of A. T. Stewart, some of whom have borne good reputations hitherto, and it is expected that all concerned in the crime will be arrested. Robbing of graves has been unusually prevalent of late and many prosecutions are now pending for this offense. —The loss of the Georgia, a steamship belonging to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, is ascribed to the drunkenness of the captain. Several passengers give positive testimony that the captain was drunk at the time of the disaster. This company has lost several vessels, and the papers do not hesitate to lay the blame on the habits of the captains. It is only murder to place a ship with passengers under command of a drinking officer. —A terrible railroad disaster occurred near Florenceville, New Brunswick, on the night of November 14. Several cars ran off the track. A passenger car containing twenty passengers, took fire. The flames spread rapidly from seat to seat, after the car had rolled down a heavy embankment. One boy was burned to death, one man was killed, and fifteen persons severely injured. The same day the mail train on the Portland and Ogdensburg road, in Vermont, was thrown off the track by a broken rail. One man was killed, and a woman seriously injured. —As Humbert, king of Italy, was entering the city of Naples, November 17, accompanied by the queen and Signor Cairoli, one Giovanni Passauante, a cook by occupation, and who was at the time parading with the trade associations of the city, made a bold attempt to assassinate the king. The design of the assassin was only frustrated by the great coolness and presence of mind of the king, who struck the man upon the head with his sword, when he was promptly secured, and taken to the guard house. The assassin claimed that he belonged to no society, but being poor, nourished a hatred toward the king. This is the fourth attempt that has been made upon the lives of the rulers of Europe within the past few months. It is supposed to be the outgrowth of socialism, which has, within the past few years, grown to alarming proportions throughout the various nations of the Old World. The Youth's Instructor Weekly.
By Editor
According to the request of the Sabbath-school Associations, and by recommendation of the General Conference Committee, we have decided to publish a weekly edition of the Youth's Instructor for 1879. The monthly Instructor will be continued in its present form and size, while the weekly Instructor will be a four-page sheet the same size of page, and style, as the monthly edition. The weekly, although half as large as the monthly, will during the year contain twice the matter that the present edition does. This matter will be made up of the same entertaining and instructive articles that are used in the monthly, with the addition of a larger Children's Department, and a large Sabbath-school Department. The latter will contain Sabbath-school lessons for each Sabbath in the year, with instruction to scholars, teachers and officers—how to study, how to teach, and how to conduct a Sabbath-school; reports of different Sabbath-schools, of quarterly and yearly meetings, and of Sabbath-school conventions will also be given. The weekly Instructor will be just the thing to arouse an interest in new schools, and to keep up the interest in old schools. It should be taken by the schools and given to every member. The first number will be ready by the middle of December. Send stamp for sample copy. Prices in advance, post-paid:—
Single copy; per year, 75cts.
10 copies to one address, per copy, 60cts.
25 copies to one address, per copy, 50cts.
YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR.
Battle Creek, Mich. Oakland and San Francisco.
By Editor
It was our pleasure to meet with the church in Oakland last Sabbath, Nov. 16. A good sized congregation was present, and we trust the occasion was not only one of pleasure but of profit to all. Sunday evening we spoke in San Francisco. Besides a goodly number of familiar faces we saw quite a number whom we never saw before. The difficulty of keeping up a congregation in a city where the people are so constantly changing their residences, may be judged from the fact that thirty-two of their number have moved away during the year 1878. But this does not hinder the work as these carry the truth with them to other parts. Our meeting was a cheering one. Our own heart was warmed as we presented the infinite value of the Saviour’s sacrifice and work for us. The conference of nations at Berlin was intended to settle the “Eastern Question,” and to give permanent peace to Europe. At the very time of the conference Lord Beaconsfield, the English Premier, concluded a private treaty with Turkey in favor of the interests of England. On his return to London he was hailed with acclamations by the people for his unparalleled success in diplomacy. But Russia is now making her own terms with Turkey, and pleads that England has set the example of private treaties with Turkey, without regard to the terms agreed to by the conference. Thus by duplicity and treachery England has overreached herself, and the action of the conference is practically null and void. The only effect which can be counted on as a certainty from the session of the conference, is the partial dismemberment of Turkey. And the “Eastern Question” is still waiting settlement, and will soon be more troublesome than ever to the crowned heads of Europe. Meanwhile the European people are becoming very unwilling to continue to be made tools to serve the ambition of their rulers. And what shall be the end of these things? The nations felt relief over the action of the conference, merely because they expected to be relieved. They must soon feel the anguish of disappointment, and a renewal of their troubles. HITHERTO we have transferred copies of the Signs from clubs to individuals at the request of any one who might write. This has resulted in much confusion and absolute loss to this office, as it has often been done by some members of the club without the knowledge of others who could not understand why their club was cut down. After consultation with Elder Haskell we have concluded to adopt the rule that all clubs sent through the tract and missionary society will not be transferred to individuals only by order from State secretary. The Christian at Work, under the head, Burial Scandals, gives the following account of an occurrence at Akenham, England :— A child of Baptist parents having died at the age of two years, the vicar was requested to read the burial service, but declined, and peremptorily refused to allow the child to be buried in the churchyard, it not having been baptized. A Baptist minister was secured, the child’s grave was dug in an adjoining meadow, and the coffin was carried to the front of the church by hand, the use even of a bier being refused. Standing in the path where the coffin was laid, the Baptist clergyman commenced to read selections from the Bible when the vicar appeared upon the scene and interrupted the service. "What has humanity to do with it?" he asked, when rebuked by the friends of the sorrowing parents for his cruel words, and wound up by informing the assemblage—"this child has not been baptized, and is therefore not a Christian! I object to its being buried as such" (even in the meadow). Thanksgiving Proclamation.
By Rutherford B. Hayes
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
A RECURRENCE of that season at which it is the habit of our people to make devout and public confession of their constant dependence upon Divine favor, for all the good gifts of life and happiness, and of public peace and prosperity, the exhibits in the record of the year show abundant reasons for our gratitude and thanksgiving. Exuberant harvests, productive mines, ample crops of staples, of trade and manufactures, have enriched the country. The resources thus furnished to our reviving industry and expanding commerce, are hastening the day when discords and distresses through the length and breadth of the land, will, under continued favor of Providence, have given way to confidence and energy, and assured prosperity. Peace with all nations remains unbroken. Domestic tranquillity has prevailed and institutions of liberty and justice, which the wisdom and virtue of our fathers established, remain the glory and defense of their children. The general prevalence of the blessings of health through our wide land, has made more conspicuous the sufferings and sorrows which the dark shadow of pestilence has cast upon a portion of our people. This heavy affliction, even the Divine Ruler has tempered to the suffering communities, in the universal aid and succor which have flowed to their relief, and the whole nation may rejoice in the unity of spirit in our people, by which they cheerfully share one another's burdens. Now, therefore, I, Rutherford B. Hayes, President of the United States, do appoint Thursday, the 28th day of November next, as a day of national thanksgiving and prayer; and I earnestly recommend that, withdrawing themselves from their secular cares and labors, the people of the United States do meet together on that day in their respective places of worship there to give thanks and praise to the Almighty God, for his mercies, and to devoutly beseech their continuance. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this 30th day of October, in the year of Our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and seventy-eight, and of the independence of the United States the one hundred and third. By the President :
WM. M. EVARTS, Secretary of State. God Knows Best.
By Raymond F. Cottrell
In our darkness we may not be able to see that the way of God's choice is the best way that could be devised. How often has our Creator been reproved for suffering sin to enter into the world. If he knew that man, left to choose for himself, would take the course of sin and misery, it is thought it had been better not to have made him; or that he should have placed him in such circumstances as to preclude the possibility of his falling into sin. We in our ignorance may not be able to comprehend the reasons why God should think it best to create man, and place him in such circumstances that he may take a course of obedience, or of sin. It is generally admitted that God foreknew the result. Whether in giving man a free choice, God chose not to know the result, which seems a thing possible to a Being having all power, I do not propose to argue; but admitting that he knew that man would sin and bring misery and death upon himself and the whole race, yet there may be reasons which he knows, though we may not see them, which make it the best thing for man to have a trial of his fidelity which would result in failure and woe, and from which he may be redeemed, and by a second probation a portion be gathered out who shall see the ways of God vindicated, and all see and know that the way of God is the best that could be devised to prepare man for immortality and make his bliss complete. Doubtless all the saved, and all the angels that have not sinned, will realize in the coming eternity that the trial of sin and wrath divine, and the redemption and salvation of those who would return to their allegiance to God, and the destruction of Satan and sin, were the things best calculated to enhance the glories and the blessedness of those who have not sinned, and those who have been reclaimed. The throne of God will be stainless, his righteous judgment vindicated, and future obedience and consequent eternal blessedness made sure. A beautiful song book, entitled "The Song Anchor," for Sabbath-schools and praise service, by J. E. White, has been published by the Pacific Press Publishing House, Oakland. It is the finest production of selected and original music in the United States. Among the authors of new music who make Oakland their residence, are D. S. Hakes, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Morgan, J. E. White, and W. J. Bostwick. F. E. Belden writes some very creditable words. We predict for this work a very large sale. It contains 160 pages. Price 50 cents; $40 per 100.—Golden Gate Sentinel. This is a new publication—a Sunday School music book of 150 pages—the first work of the kind ever published on the coast. It is published by J. E. White, at the Pacific Press Publishing House, in this city. Its contents and typographical appearance are equal, if not superior, to any musical publication ever issued from any of the large publishing houses at the East. A large minority of the choice contents of this Sunday-school Song Book are original—words and music having been contributed by Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Morgan, W. J. Bostwick, J. E. White, D. S. Hakes and F. E. Belden, all of Oakland. The selected pieces are old favorites, culled from the various music books extant. Every Oaklander, and every one of our Sunday Schools, should encourage this home enterprise by substituting the "Song Anchor" for the foreign works now in use.—Mirror, Oakland. Appointment.
By J. L. Wood
PROVIDENCE permitting, I will meet with the church at Lafayette, Sabbath, November 23, and 24, at 11 o'clock of each day, and December 7, with the church at Lemoore, Tulare county. I hope to see as many of the friends of the truth from Lone Oak, and Lakeside as can make it convenient to come. J. L. Wood.