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Signs of the Times, Vol. 5, No. 25.

General Articles
Earlier text: Sunday Not the True Seventh Day

The Home Circle.

THE WEB OF YEARS

FROM out of the loom of Time the years Unroll a fabric all must wear; The woof of joy and warp of tears Are spun by moving hopes and fears, And pressed by weighty-rolling Care.
What measure into each is given? A span may gauge the greatest parts; And yet the least from earth to Heaven Do reach, as in the quiet even Short prayers sent up from children's hearts.
The web too quickly for us all Is wove, while pass the shuttles fleet; And when the threads have ceased to fall, Death throws it o'er us as our pall, Or round us as our winding sheet.

Work in Southampton

By J. N. Loughborough

Southampton, England.
WE held our first service in the tent Sunday, May 18, at 3:30 P. M., with an audience of about six hundred. We have now had ten discourses. Notwithstanding it has been raining and cold most of the time, our meetings have been well attended, and the best of attention is given to the word spoken.
The people show their appreciation of what they hear by contributing toward the expense of the meeting. They have already placed in our contribution boxes about $9.00. At the close of our service last Sunday evening we held a prayer meeting. About forty remained and a goodly number took part with us. We hope for good results from this effort. For this we labor and pray daily.
In connection with our preaching we are pushing on the missionary work from house to house, and sending out the SIGNS by post. We have received several favorable responses during the last week—two from parties to whom Brother Geo. R. Drew, of America, has been sending papers and letters. In one of these is a statement that a whole neighborhood is reading the paper with interest. "Let us not be weary in well doing." Eternity alone can tell the result of our seed-sowing. The word is ever timely to God's people, "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand, for thou canst not tell which shall prosper this or that, or whether both shall be alike good."
Pray for our work here that the Lord may water the seed sown, give the increase, and an abundant harvest in the end. May 30. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Reports from the Field.

By W. M. Healey

Woodland, Cal.

We have had the sixty foot tent at this place for five weeks. The attendance has been good. The preaching fell upon me. Bro. Grainger labored in visiting, and Bro. Hurley had charge of the music and as we have some superior voices among our people at Woodland this feature added largely to the interest. Eighteen persons—seventeen of them adults—have signed the covenant. Five have been baptised. Several others are keeping the commandments.
My labor was more than my strength could endure, and for two weeks I suffered very much from a pain in my lungs and a severe cough which reduced my strength rapidly and I was forced to stop preaching until I recovered. Am now at my home in Healdsburg and able to be up and walk about but have no strength for hard work of any kind, but trust that with rest and the blessing of God I will soon be able to enter the field again.
Brother Stephens is now at Woodland and will continue meetings a few evenings, presenting some subjects upon which I did not have time to dwell, and give a little more time and opportunity to the many who are convinced, and admit the truth; may they come before the door of mercy closes.
Healdsburg, June 21. W. M. HEALEY.

Northern Europe.

By John Gottlieb Matteson

The meetings are progressing here in Christiana as usual, with the exception that we meet only on Sabbath and Sunday, on account of painting and preparations for our new meeting-hall. It takes longer time and more means than we had expected, to get it ready. A week from Sabbath, the Lord willing, we shall be ready to begin meetings. Bro. Olsen, from Soderhamn, Sweden, is now here to attend the lectures, and become better fitted to help spread the precious truth.
A Lutheran preacher in Storfors, Sweden, has become interested through reading, and is advocating the truth. We have sent him a good supply of books. He can read English, and has most of our small English tracts.
Bro. K. Brorson is having some success in Denmark. A brother and his wife were baptized in Asaa. They have struggled hard to become settled in the truth, and are now happy in the Lord. The friends in Dronninglund Sogn now meet on the Sabbath, and Bro. Kristensen leads the meetings. Many doors are open for the truth. They are anxious to have me come over and help them.
J. G. MATTESON. May 20, 1879.

Apple River, Ill.

By John F. Ballenger

Visited the friends in the vicinity of Hudson Mound, May 16, where Bro. Hammond and myself labored two years ago. At that time three sisters commenced keeping the Sabbath. As a result of their faithful example and the reading of the SIGNS, we found others ready to accept the truth. Eight were baptized. Eleven are keeping the Sabbath. One sister commenced keeping the Sabbath from reading tracts procured by her husband at the tent while Bro. Hammond and Colcord were at Scales Mound, she never having heard a sermon on the subject. This shows us that we should not be discouraged in sowing the seed, though we do not immediately see the fruit.
J. F. BALLENGER.

Shannon Creek, Texas.

By J. S. Kilgore

WE closed our meetings at this place June 5, having labored here two months. Sixteen have taken a decided stand for the truth; among them is one young man who was raised in the Catholic faith. These friends meet at Denison every Sabbath, with the company just brought out by Eld. R. M. Kilgore. Others are deeply interested, and we believe they will soon obey. To the Lord be all the praise. J. S. KILGORE. A. G. DANIELS.

Little Falls, Wis.

By T. B. Snow

CAME to this place May 30, and held meetings Sabbath and first-day. Found the brethren all firm in the truth. Organized a church of eleven members. A leader was chosen, also a secretary and treasurer. It was unanimously voted to adopt the tithing system. Besides these, there are eight others keeping the Sabbath, several of whom will unite with the church before long. The Sabbath-school was conducted with good order, and considerable interest was manifested.
T. B. SNOW.

Tekama, Neb.

By A. J. Cudney

I HAVE closed my labors in Burt county for the present. Since my last report, nine have signed the covenant. Thirty-two in this county have commenced to keep the Sabbath since last fall. I have sold books and periodicals to the amount of $75.00, and have received $12.00 in donations. May God continue to bless these dear souls. June 1. A. J. Cudney.

CHAS. L. BOYD

By Chas. L. Boyd

Burt Co., Neb.
I CAME here to assist Bro. Cudney in completing the work which he had faithfully carried on for some time. At Tekama Creek three were baptized, and united with the York Creek church. Last Sabbath and first day we held meetings six miles south-west from Golden Spring. Thirteen were baptized, and united with the Decatur church.
June 4.

CHAS. L. BOYD

Springville, Tenn.

By G. K. Owen

We have been here about two months, and have held meetings in three different buildings. Sixteen have signed the covenant, five of whom were keeping the Sabbath when we came here. Opposition has been bitter and determined, but the Lord has verified 1 Cor. 1:27–29. June 5. G. K. OWEN.

Religious News and Notes.

By Editor

  • Mr. Spurgeon has been settled over his church in London twenty-five years.
  • The Seventh General Council of the Reformed Episcopal Church met in Chicago May 28.
  • A "Life" of Dr. Livingstone is to be published under the supervision of his family, having especial reference to his missionary labors.
  • Mr. Talmage has received a very enthusiastic reception in London. A minister less sensational in his nature would be better satisfied with a reception less demonstrative.
  • The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has discontinued the practice of inspecting the public schools. This has been the practice, but the people were averse to it.
  • Dr. I. L. Kalloch, the well-known Baptist preacher, is nominated for Mayor of San Francisco by Denis Kearney's party. The eastern papers are hard on his former record on points of morality.
  • The Christian Register says it has "no sympathy with those who bring a railing accusation against their evangelical neighbors, as if they were all accomplices in the recent tragedy at Pocasset."
  • A Hampton teacher told his students there are stars so distant that their light has not yet reached our earth; to which a pupil replied:-"If Heaven is beyond them, Adam has not got there yet!"
  • The Religious Tract Society of London recently celebrated its eightieth anniversary. During the past year it circulated, at home and abroad, nearly 70,000,000 tracts; and since its formation, about 1,850,000,000.
  • The Jews in Jerusalem are very poor, receiving donations from other countries of $300,000 a year. It is proposed to the "International Commission" for their relief, to try to induce them to return to the countries from which they emigrated.
  • A religious paper complains of the demoralizing influence of boys fishing on Sunday, whereon a secular paper retorts that one Talmage trial is more damaging to the religious interests of the country than all the fishing that is done on Sundays.
  • The N. Y. Independent says the Bassein (Burmah) Karen Christians are raising ten dollars a member for the endowment of their academy; and the Baptists of the... failed in an effort to raise one dollar per member for an educational institution.
  • Col. Ingersoll in an oration over his deceased brother, said: "Life is a narrow vale; we strive in vain to look beyond the hights; we cry aloud, and the only answer is the echo of our wailing cry." And for this view he wishes to destroy the hopes of Christians.
  • A recent convert to Christianity did not wish to give up the theatre, but went only once after her conversion, declaring the whole so changed that she found no enjoyment there. And when professed Christians do find enjoyment there, we have a right to doubt the genuineness of their conversion.
  • A prominent Episcopalian of Philadelphia deposits $300 to be awarded to the students in either of the Episcopal divinity schools of Cambridge, Philadelphia, Alexandria, Genesee, or Sewanee, who shall be thought by a committee, to be "the most correct, intelligent, and impressive reader of the Bible and Prayer Book."
  • It having been reported that no new heathen temples were being built in North-western India, a Presbyterian missionary writes that the people "are still on their idols; almost every house has them; new temples are constantly being built, in honor of these idols, and the religious bathing places and assembly grounds are crowded."
  • The Synod of the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland, recently suspended Rev. Mr. Macrae for asserting that the punishment of a lost soul with eternal torments is not reconcilable with the character of God. The indignation of the people of Gourock, where he had been settled, was so strong against the action of the Synod, that his successor had difficulty in finding lodgings in the place.
  • This is passing with the secular papers as a good joke; but it contains a deal of truth, and will apply to many congregations not "colored":-"What shall I preach about," said a minister to the pastor of a colored flock which he was to address. "Well most any subject will be 'ceptable," was the reply; "only I'd like to gib you one word of caution." "Ah! what is that?" "Well, ef I was you, I'd tech very light on de Ten Commandments." "Indeed! and why?" "Oh, cos I hab notice dat dey mos' always had a damp'nin' effect on de congregation."
  • The Presbyterian Assembly had a happy faculty of indecision in dealing with popular evils, of which the Presbyterian Weekly says:-"Be advised, all members of 'the Presbyterian church in the United States,' and of 'the Presbyterian church in America,' in good and regular standing, that these two branches of-solemnly declare that it is wrong and injurious to their children in piety and holy living for professing Christians to attend theatre or indulge in dancing; but be it known that if you indulge in such unchristianlike practices, we cannot punish you, for such wrong-doing." Oh, timid, trembling creatures we are?

Secular News

By Editor

—The floods on the Po and other streams are on the increase.
—The number of murders and high crimes recorded in the daily papers, is appalling.
—The St. John Collier Company, of Wakefield, England, has failed—liabilities $335,000.
—Heavy floods are reported in Poland. Seven bridges of one railroad were carried away.
—A bank embezzler in Wilmington, Del., was sentenced to five years imprisonment.
—At a riot in Chicago, Sunday, June 22, many shots were fired, and a large number of persons wounded.
—Prince Louis Napoleon has been killed by the Zulus in Africa. This pretty nearly ends the hopes of Bonapartists.
—The Colusa Sun estimates that that county will have a surplus of 4,000,000 of bushels of wheat to market this fall.
—The Chinese are ravaging Kuldja, and Russia has a large expedition on the way to meet them. War is expected.
—The schooner Florence P. Hall arrived in New York June 17, having lost her captain and two seamen by yellow fever.
—The Receiver's Office in Cherson, Southern Russia, was recently undermined and robbed of 1,500,000 rubles—about $1,000,000.
—United States Minister Christiancy reports that the guano and nitrate trade has been destroyed by the war between Chili and Peru.
—James Gordon Bennett is on his way from Liverpool to San Francisco to be present at the departure of the Jeannette—for the north pole.
—Continued shocks of earthquake, attributed to the action of Mount Etna, have done considerable damage in villages in Calabria, Italy.
—Things are in an unsettled state in the Turkish capital. A ministerial crisis seems impending, and the Sultan appears to fear the result.
—Judge Bellinger, in Portland, Oregon, has decided against employing Chinese on public streets. It will probably go to the Supreme Court.
—The passage of the silver bill by Congress, introduced by Booth of California, will cause most of the small money brokers to go out of business.
—Senator Carpenter, of Wisconsin says the Syracuse Herald, is suffering from the effects of smoking twenty Havana cigars a day. Glad to hear it.
—The tunnel under Detroit river for the Canada Southern Railroad, fourteen miles below Detroit city, is to be completed within two years.
—Gen. Crook reports that unless the abuse of stealing the ponies of the Indians is stopped there will be trouble with the Sioux and other tribes.
—Lionel Nathan Rothschild, oldest son of Nathan Meyer Rothschild, head of the present house, has lately died. His estate is valued at $25,000,000.
—A countryman has been prospecting the stock market to learn what is meant by "the puts and calls." He knows. They say they call for your money, and put it into their pockets.
—A Mr. Bennett has been sentenced in New York to thirteen months imprisonment and to pay a fine of $300, for sending obscene literature through the mails. And all good people rejoice.
—The Supervising Inspector has re-instated Capt. Carroll of the Great Republic, reversing the decisions of the Local Inspectors at Portland. He decides that the whole responsibility of the wreck rests on the pilot.
—The representatives of England and France have demanded the abdication of the Khedive of Egypt. He replied that he will abdicate when his creditors are paid. That would place his action far in the future.
—Debates in Congress read just as they did in 1860. Lamar, Dem., of Mississippi, and Conkling, Rep., of New York, called each other liars, &c., on the 19th inst. It is rarely that Conkling is aroused to passionate words.
—The Russian Nihilists are the most ultra Communists. In a recent publication they announce that "the institution of the family is to be destroyed, the right of property abolished, religion ignored, and even liberty disregarded as an empty question." These ideas are to be carried out by "a war of plunder, incendiarism, and assassination."
—A company has been incorporated in New York having for its object the laying of the telegraph wires in the city under ground. Copper wires are to be drawn through iron tubes, well insulated; as many as three hundred may be carried in one tube an inch and a quarter in diameter. It is thought possible to do away with poles and elevated wires in the whole city.
—The S. F. Post says: "When Francis Murphy talks about putting out all the distillery fires in the country, sensible men know it is the veriest claptrap. He does not mean it, for Murphy is no fool; but it seems to be a part of the temperance campaign to use exaggerated language." Mankind must be essentially different from what it is now to stop all the distilleries by "moral suasion."

Camp-Meeting at Walla Walla, W. T.

By I. D. Van Horn

THIS good meeting is now in the past. It being the first of the kind ever held by our people in the Walla Walla Valley, the meeting was something of an experiment, yet it proved to be a success in every particular.

THE CAMP GROUND

Was well located and was a beautiful place. The meeting began Wednesday evening June 4. A small stream of water ran around one side of the ground nearly in the form of a half-circle, which, with a large spring close to the ground, furnished the camp with an abundant supply of the best of water.

THE MEETING.

The brethren and sisters came in good time to the meeting so that within twenty-four hours from the time it began there were thirty camping tents on the ground, besides a half dozen covered wagons, which furnished a lodging place for two hundred and twenty-nine souls who remained through the meeting. This was much larger than was expected. All were pleased to see and welcome Elder S. N. Haskell, one of the Gen. Conf. Committee, whose presence and labor among us was greatly blessed to the good of the meeting and to the cause in this part of the field. Especially was this the case concerning the T. and M. work, the branch of the cause on which we needed the most instruction. Bro. Haskell came among us a stranger to nearly all, but his faithful ministration, for he did most of the preaching, won the hearts of all, which made them the more ready to heed his counsel.

THE RESULT.

The effect of the plain testimony was such as to touch the hearts of all, and many of the backslidden and unconverted were moved upon by the Spirit of God so that between forty and fifty came forward, thus expressing their determination to serve the Lord. A reviving influence ran through the meetings on the Sabbath that gave evidence that many were drawing nearer to the Lord, and the Lord came very near to us.
The people came on Sunday, about 1500 in number, and manifested much interest. We think a favorable impression for good was made upon all, and every one seemed pleased with the neatness and order of the ground.
The confession of all is that this was the largest, best arranged, and most orderly camp-meeting ever held in this country.
On Monday we again began labor for those who, on the Sabbath, had come forward, and many responded to the call. Among those who came forward fifteen requested baptism, all of whom, with five others, joined the church.
The business sessions of the Conference were harmonious and the result favorable to the progress of the cause. Heretofore the financial standing of the Conference has not been equal to the demand, but steps were taken here which if lived up to, will place this part of the work in good condition.
Quite a number of our people were opposed to camp-meetings having been prejudiced against them by the way many of these meetings were conducted by other denominations; but at our good closing meeting the morning of the 10th, many confessed that they were now fully converted to the system of Camp-meetings as conducted by S. D. Adventists. A unanimous vote was taken for a camp-meeting next year. I. D. VAN HORN.

North Pacific Conference.

THE Third Annual Meeting of the North Pacific Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held at the camp-ground near Walla Walla, W. T., June 4-10, 1879.
FIRST SESSION; JUNE 5.
The Conference was opened with prayer by Eld. Wm. L. Raymond.
The following delegates were present: Walla Walla—J. F. Wood, George Savage; Milton—Aaron Miller; Dayton—C. F. Phar; Beaverton—A. T. Jones; Pataha—Ambrose Johnson; Basket Mountain—Bro. Amy; Eugene City and Damascus were represented by letter.
Eld. S. N. Haskell was welcomed as delegate from the General Conference.
All members in the Conference in good standing were invited to participate in the deliberations of the Conference.
Committees were appointed as follows:—
On Nominations—Wm. L. Raymond, A. T. Jones, Wm. Russell; Resolutions—A. T. Jones, S. Maxson, J. F. Wood; Auditing—J. F. Wood, Aaron Miller, Wm. Russell, C. F. Phar, Wm. Goodwin, Wm. Nichols; Credentials and Licenses—S. Maxson, Wm. L. Raymond, Geo. Savage.
Letters were read from the churches at Eugene City, Damascus, and Beaverton, Oregon.
The church at Eugene City, Oregon, fourteen members, Damascus, Oregon, eleven members, and Pataha, W. T., ten members, were received into the Conference.
The unorganized company of ten at Basket Mountain were taken under the watchcare of the Conference.
SECOND SESSION, JUNE 8.
Prayer by Eld. Haskell.
Committee on nominations reported, for President—Elder I. D. Van Horn. Secretary—Elder Alonzo T. Jones. Treasurer—John Donaldson. Executive Committee—T. H. Starbuck and S. Maxson, all of whom were elected.
Committee on Resolutions submitted the following:—
1. That we tender our grateful thanks to the General Conference, for the help, and good counsel and instruction, they have furnished us in the person and labors of Elder S. N. Haskell. Adopted.
2. That we consider the subject of the Gift of Prophecy of great importance to all; that it should be more thoroughly understood by all of our brethren and sisters, and that the reading of the "Testimonies" and the "Spirit of Prophecy" is one of the best means of removing the prejudice that exists against this phase of our faith, we therefore, deem it duty for all of our churches to possess a circulating library of these works. Adopted.
3. That we deem essential a preparation in body, as well as in spirit to meet the Son of man at his coming, and that we will practice daily, a more thorough application of the principles of hygiene, or in other words, the Health Reform. Adopted.
Licenses having been granted to persons in this Conference the past year, none of which have been used and which sets us in a false light before the General Conference in that it represents a strength that we by no means possess, therefore it was resolved
4. That henceforth no licenses shall be granted except to persons who will use them, and not to these until they shall signify their purpose, to give themselves to the work, for at the least a portion of the time. This was referred to the Committee on Credentials and Licenses.
5. That we are grateful to God that Eld. I. D. Van Horn has been permitted to labor amongst us for so long a time, that we appreciate his work, as being earnest, faithful, and true under all circumstances, and that we desire he shall remain in this Conference.
A resolution was offered asking the privilege of dividing the Conference by the Cascade Range, making all east of the Cascades the Walla Walla Conference. Not adopted.
THIRD SESSION, JUNE 9.
Prayer by Elder Raymond.
Committee on Credentials and Licenses, recommended the renewal of the Credentials of Elders I. D. Van Horn, Wm. L. Raymond and Alonzo T. Jones. Adopted.
For Licenses, Brethren J. C. Bunch, S. Maxson, Wm. Russell, T. H. Starbuck, J. F. Wood, J. N. Bunch, J. A. Smith, and S. S. Caston. Adopted.
The names of Brethren S. A. De Vaney, Wm. Leavitt, and A. G. Roberts were refered to the Conference Committee.
It was voted that this Conference adopt the tithing system, and that we pay a tithe of its tithes to the General Conference.
It was also voted to have a camp-meeting in the Walla Walla Valley next year. Adjourned.
I. D. VAN HORN. President. ALONZO T. JONES, Secretary.

The Signs of the Times.

By Editor

OAKLAND, CAL., FIFTH-DAY, JUNE 26, 1879.
WE are pleased to learn from Bro. J. L. Wood that his health is much improved, and he is having a good interest in Santa Ana, Los Angeles Co.

Wisconsin Camp-meeting

By Editor

WE have received copies of the Madison, Wis., Daily Democrat giving reports of the first days of the camp-meeting at that place. It reports a favorable opening, and good interest among the people.

Change of Appointment.

By Editor

NOTICE the change of Bro. Haskell's appointment. He wrote that he would have a spare week, and for us to appoint as we thought best. We therefore change Napa to July 26-28, and Woodland to August 1-4, giving him a chance to attend the State Quarterly meeting in Oakland July 19, 20.

Seventh-day Baptist Tent.

By Editor

WE learn by the Sabbath Recorder that Eld. L. C. Rogers will hold tent meetings in the State of New York this summer. The editor of the Recorder has an excellent article on the subject of his work and of tent meetings. Bro. Rogers has our best wishes for his success.

Faith and Charity in Judgment

LET me ask the most timorous woman whether there be not a great difference between the sight of a drawn sword in the hand of a bloody ruffian, and of the same sword in the hand of her husband? As great a difference as there is between looking upon creatures by an eye of sense, and looking on them, as in the hand of your God, by an eye of faith.
NEVER find fault until it is perfectly certain that a wrong has been committed.
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