p. 575 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 36. (9/17/1885)

Earlier text: Preliminaries to the Massacre of St. Bartholomew's

SECULAR.

—A Healdsburg winery is offering $7.00 a ton for common grapes.

—The American honey product for 1885 is estimated at one hundred million pounds.

—Of 629 bills introduced into the Wisconsin Assembly, only four have passed both houses.

—Washington, the county seat of Fayette County, Ohio, was made a wreck by a terrible cyclone that swept over it on the evening of September 8. Five lives were lost, 600 persons were hurt, and about $1,000,000 in property destroyed.

—In a local option election in Milan County, Tex., the Prohibitionists prevailed by a majority of 86.

—The schooner Guardian Angel was capsized near St. John's, Sept. 9, and all hands but one were lost.

—The public indebtedness of the Government, less cash on hand, on the last of August, was $1,473,692,307.52.

—Small-pox is still doing deadly work in Montreal, Canada. Twenty-three deaths from it were reported, September 8.

—A tradesman giving short weight in Madagascar and detected, is fined five oxen and $5.00, or to hard labor in chains for one year.

—The German Government has forbidden the circulation in Berlin of the American journal Turn Zeitung, an organ of the free-thinkers.

—It is said that a Philadelphian pays a board bill of $70 per day at a Long Branch hotel, where the expenses for the season are $400,000.

—Floods have destroyed the crops in Bengal. The Calcutta district is submerged. Several land-slides have occurred, causing much damage to railways.

—The English express surprise and regret, because Hendricks, vice-president of the United States, expressed sympathy for Parnell in his issue with England.

—The House of Representatives of New Zealand has passed a resolution extending the subsidy for a mail service to San Francisco from the date of its expiration on the first of November next.

—A cotton picker is reported at Chattanooga as the invention of Mr. G. Seers, which it is expected will do the work of thirty-five men, and will cost but $500. It will revolutionize the production of cotton and greatly cheapen it.

—A new journal published in England, and called the Linguist, is printed in five languages—English, French, Spanish, German and Italian; and, if necessary, a supplement will contain articles in Modern Greek, Russian, Portuguese, Arabic, and Hindustani.

—It is stated that among the professors at German universities, there are no fewer than 157 who are between the ages of seventy and ninety, of whom 122 still deliver lectures, seven of these being between eighty-five and eighty-nine years of age.

—As a gang of fourteen miners were coming out of the Alto colliery at Branch Dale, Pa., on the morning of the 9th, a tremendous explosion occurred. John Linn, aged 17, was instantly killed and 13 others were more or less burned and mangled, some fatally.

—The lenses for the Lick telescope are now ready for shipment from Paris. They are thirty-nine inches in diameter, and were ordered over four years ago. The telescope, when completed, will be fifty-five feet long, the largest refracting telescope in the world.

—A mob visited the Pike County jail at Murfreesboro, Ark., and made an attempt to shoot the Polk boys who had murdered a man last year and had had several trials, and as they were unable to shoot them, they piled wood around the cell and literally roasted the murderers alive.

—In a little blacksmith shop on Dupont Street, San Francisco, is to be seen a man wearing a steel hand. He lost his hand and arm to the elbow by the premature explosion of a cannon, and the deficiency is partly supplied by this steel hand, with which he drives nails or uses a file or knife.

—A cotton mill has just commenced operations in this city, employing at present 120 hands. The hands are mostly apprentices, and therefore the work turned off is small compared with what is contemplated. For this mill, 600 bales of cotton grown in San Joaquin Valley, Cal., have been purchased.

—The New York World says that certain districts of that city present the anomaly of a perpetual guerilla warfare carried on between the police and organized outlaws, which internecine strife gives the outlying precincts something of the romance and a great deal of the animation of the Western border.

—The expulsion of foreigners from Germany and Austria continues. Hundreds of the destitute Poles expelled from Silicia are flocking into Warsaw and Cracow. According to Austrian papers over thirty-five thousand more Poles will shortly be ejected by the Prussian authorities, among them twenty thousand Austrian subjects and thousands of French origin.

Christ's Mission.

CHRIST came into the world to give life to men. "I am come," said he, "that they might have life." Life is his gift, not only the life which all men have, but spiritual and eternal life. When Christ said to the sisters of Bethany, "I am the resurrection and the life," the words touched every aching and quivering nerve, and made the very air about these sisters of sorrow musical with hopefulness and with life. Having placed in the sepulcher the loved remains of a dear brother, and seen the great stone rolled to the opening which led to his place of rest, their hearts were in tune to welcome the sweet harmony which the Lord breathed forth in their hearing. The effect was deepened and intensified by the peculiar personal grief of these sisters, by the deep waters of bereavement through which their feet had been guided by the providence of God. If ever the expression of human thought startled and thrilled an intelligent hearer; if ever the individual, and social, and national life of any people clothed with additional and ringing emphasis a new and radical utterance, it was when the prophet of Nazareth announced to the world of nineteen centuries ago that he had come that men might have life.—Sel.

The Mound Builders.

MAJOR J. W. POWELL, director of the United States Geological Survey, in a recent communication to Science, comes to the defense of the opinion that the mound builders were no other than the Indian tribes found in this country in post-Columbian times and their ancestry. He affirms that there has never been presented one item of evidence that the mound builders were a people of culture superior to that of the tribes that inhabited the valley of the Mississippi a hundred years ago. The evidence is complete that these tribes have built mounds within the historic period; and no mounds or earth-works have been discovered superior in structure or contents to those known to have been built in historic times. The theory that this country was inhabited by a people highly organized as nations, and having arts of a higher grade than those belonging to tribal society, according to this distinguished student of American archæology, is wild and baseless; and the fruit of that theory is nothing but exaggeration and false statement.—New York Observer.

Duties Never Conflict

"THEN shall the heart of this people turn." It was clearly the duty of the Israelites to go up to Jerusalem for worship. God had commanded that. Yet Jeroboam was afraid that if his people were in this thing faithful to their God, they would in consequence be less faithful to their king. What a mistake! "Duties never conflict." Doing one duty always helps towards doing another. No person is led astray in a lesser matter through obeying God in a greater one. A boy or a girl is more prompt and hearty in obedience to parents through being in the service of Jesus. An earnest Christian man is the more patriotic citizen. It is always safe, always best, for the members of our family, of our business firm, of our political party, of our community, to do right. We never need fear the consequences of such a course.—Sel.

Christlike Endurance Under Reviling

“WHEN he was reviled, he reviled not again.” This was never said of any man but Christ, and it cannot be said of any one unless he is inspired with the Spirit of Christ. It is not an easy matter to endure reviling; and to face our reviler without showing our resentment is one of the highest attainments of Christian life. What a blessed state of things would exist in this world, if all Christians would banish from their hearts all feelings of resentment, and would bear reviling without retaliation. Let us pray that we may have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us.—Sel.

News and Notes.

By Editor

RELIGIOUS.

—Of the 365 churches in Rome, seven are Protestant.

—The whole number of Congregationalist Churches in the British Empire is 5,172.

—Says the Chicago Mail: "We are pleased to see that religious subjects are once more becoming popular with Chicago ministers."

—Miss Adele Fielde, the well-known Baptist missionary to China, is about to return to that country. She sails from San Francisco on the 19th.

—In the California Methodist Conference, Bishop Fowler stated that Hon. C. Maclay had offered to donate buildings and endow a theological seminary with $100,000, to be located at San Fernando, Cal.

—A man in Nebraska claims that he had demonstrated that the soul can be seen—he has seen one himself. A secular journal makes unfeeling comments on the fact that he had to make use of a microscope in order to see it.

—The Salvation Army in Boston is threatened with prosecution for blasphemy because it gives "three cheers for Jesus." Is it not profanity? We have been shocked by the irreverence and profanity of a Salvation Army orator, or a "holiness" preacher, as much as by that of any gamin in the street.

—According to the minutes of the Southern Baptist Convention, just published, the white Baptists have 570 associations, 14,102 churches, and 997,509 members; the colored Baptists have 7,480 churches with 871,043 members. Total Baptists in the South, 1,868,552. Baptisms for the year were 64,301 whites, and 38,538 colored.

—Cardinal Manning, probably the ablest and most distinguished Catholic divine among English-speaking nations, announces that a Catholic Congress will be held in London, probably in June, 1886. It will be constituted of clerical and lay delegates from English-speaking countries, and will be held by the authority of the pope, who has examined and approved Cardinal Manning's plans.

—The editor of the California Christian Advocate visited the cemetery in Salem, Or., in which Bishop Haven was buried. Writing to his paper, he said: "We were very much pleased and impressed by the scene. The good bishop's resting-place is as delightful as any one could wish." It is strange that the Doctor did not tell how the bishop likes his resting-place, since in the beginning of the paragraph he said that he went there to hold communion with the dead.

—A fashionable New York lady, when asked to contribute to a worthy object, replied: "I cannot, I did all I could afford to do for charity during the winter. I went to the charity hall and attended a number of theatrical entertainments given for charitable purposes." That is a specimen of very much of the charity of these days. And the churches are fostering just such a false and absurd idea, by teaching the people that if they fill their maw with rich viands, at fifty cents apiece, they are engaged in a work of charity.

—Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of St. Paul's, wrote: "A church should not be so filled with pews but that the poor may have room enough to stand and sit in the alleys, for to them equally is the gospel preached." Hardly "equally," under such circumstances. Why not let the poor sit down in the pews? "And if ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here, in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool; are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?" Jas. 2:3, 4.

Appointments.

OAKLAND.—House of worship, northeast corner of Clay and Thirteenth Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:30 A. M. Preaching at 11 A. M. Prayer and missionary meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:30. Seats free.

SAN FRANCISCO.—House of worship, 914 Laguna Street, between McAllister and Tyler. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:45 A. M. Classes in the English, German, and Scandinavian languages. Preaching at 11 A. M. Prayer and missionary meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:45. Preaching every Sunday evening at 7:30. Mission Reading-rooms at the church.

EAST PORTLAND (Or.)—House of worship on G Street between Tenth and Eleventh. Sabbath-school every Sabbath (Saturday), followed by services. Preaching or Bible-reading Sunday evening. Prayer-meeting Wednesday evening. The public is cordially invited. Free public reading-room, corner of L and Fifth Streets.

Nebraska Camp-Meeting.

By A. J. Cudney

THE time for this very important meeting is drawing near. Oct. 14-20 is the time, and Lincoln, the capital of our State, is the place, where the meeting will be held. Lincoln, though not the largest, is the most important city in Nebraska for our work, and we have long been looking forward to the time when meetings could be held under the most favorable circumstances. We think the time has now fully come. There has been a great deal of missionary work done in the city, and as a result a few have been led to embrace the truth. We expect to pitch a large tent in the city about three weeks before the camp-meeting commences, for the purpose of holding a short series of advance meetings.

During the time the advance meetings are being held, there will be a great deal of work to be done in addition to the preaching, and we would like about ten or twelve persons to volunteer to assist us. Those who can come should write me at once. This will be an excellent opportunity to help directly in the work and at the same time attend the meetings, take notes, and receive instruction. The time for one week before the camp-meeting commences will be wholly devoted to instruction in Bible study, canvassing, and missionary work. We expect instruction from the Chicago Mission. There will be a sufficient number of small tents pitched to accommodate all who will be present during the three weeks of advance meetings.

Don't let any one stay away from the meeting on account of it being late in the season. Bring a good supply of clothing, and come warmly clad, so you will be comfortable in case the weather should be a little chilly. I have noticed that in this State, for several years, the month of October has been pleasanter than the month of September. September has usually been a stormy month, while October, though sometimes cool, is free from storms.

This meeting will evidently be the largest we have ever held in the State, hence all should bring tents who can, and those who cannot should order them at once. Address all orders for tents to Nebraska Tract Society, Fremont, Nebraska. Tents complete will be sold at the following low prices: eight ounce wall tents 10x12, $9.00; 12x14, $10.25; 14x16, $13.00. These tents have been pitched a few times, but are in good repair. They can be rented for $2.00, $2.50, and $3.00 each. Lumber for floor from $1.00 to $1.50 extra. In ordering, state whether you wish to buy or rent, and what size you want.

A. J. CUDNEY, Pres.

SABBATH-SCHOOL HELPS.

By Editor

Bible Lessons for Little Ones, No. 1. Flexible cover...............15 cts. Bible Lessons for Little Ones, No. 2. Flexible cloth...............20 cts. Bible Lessons for Children, No. 3...................................................25 cts. Bible Lessons, No. 4, with map.......................................................25 cts. Bible Lessons, No. 5........................................................................25 cts. Bible Lessons, No. 6........................................................................25 cts. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.; OR, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.

EARLY WRITINGS OF MRS. WHITE.

By Editor

Comprising "Experience and Views" and "Spiritual Gifts, Volume One," bound in one volume. This makes a neat and attractive book of nearly 200 pages, and should be read by old and young. The matter and the style in which it is presented are so interesting that no one who has read one chapter will forego the pleasure and profit of reading the remainder. Price, 75 cents.

Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.

Publishers' Department.

By Editor

WE send no papers from this office without pay in advance, unless by special arrangement. When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the Signs are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon for pay. Please read the papers and hand them to your friends to read.

OUR GENERAL AGENTS.

By Editor

Australia—Elder S. N. Haskell, Sumarlide, Highett Street, Richmond, Victoria, Australia. England—The Present Truth, 72 Heneage Street, Great Grimsby, Eng. Hawaiian Islands—L. A. Scott, Honolulu, H. I. Michigan—Miss Hattie House, care Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich. New England—Mrs. E. T. Palmer, N. E. Tract Repository, South Lancaster, Mass. North Pacific—Mrs. C. L. Boyd, East Portland, Oregon. Switzerland—W. C. White, Belchenstrasse 20, Bâle, Suisse.

Valuable Premium Offer.

By Editor

THE new illustrated edition of "The Great Controversy between Christ and Satan," from the destruction of Jerusalem to the end of time, by Mrs. E. G. White, is now offered as a premium with the SIGNS. This book is handsomely bound in cloth, and contains over five hundred pages of choice reading matter, and is illustrated by twenty-one full page cuts of the most striking events, besides a portrait of the author. We will send the SIGNS OF THE TIMES to new subscribers for one year, and give to each a copy of the "Great Controversy," for $3.00; or the SIGNS six months, and a copy of the book, for $2.25. Address the State secretary of the T. and M. Society, and our agent will call on you, or you can remit direct to the office of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

Pacific Health Journal.

By Editor

REASONS WHY YOU WANT IT.

1. IT gives exactly the information needed by common people, in everyday life.

2. IT is free from technicalities; it uses only plain terms which are understood by all classes.

3. IT has a wide range of subjects,—health, temperance, food, drinks, cooking, housekeeping in general, and right living in all things.

4. IT presents the subject of health from a Bible standpoint, showing that to be healthy is a duty resting on a moral basis.

5. IT advocates temperance—not merely as abstinence from ardent spirits, but as a Christian grace, which concerns the habits of the entire life.

6. IT will contain valuable and reliable recipes, and directions for doing the right thing in the right manner.

7. IT will give directions for caring for the sick. As nursing is the best part of "doctoring," such directions are valuable, and needed by all.

8. ITS miscellaneous matter will be useful, as well as entertaining.

9. IT is elevated in tone, and will always be entirely free from light, trashy reading.

10. IT will contain no serials; though articles in different numbers may be related as to subjects, each will be complete in itself, not requiring another to explain it.

Price, 50 cents per year. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.

RECEIPTS.

CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE FUND.—R and A T Stickney $30, Woodland $22.

RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.—Iowa T and M Society $350, Ohio T and M Society $208.48.

CALIFORNIA T AND M SOCIETY.—H C Palmer $12.50.

CITY MISSION.—M Snook $5, F Pearson $1, Mrs L V Wood 50 cents.

ORDERS FORWARDED.

By Editor

BOOKS SENT BY FREIGHT.—Eld S N Haskell, N H Druillard, F R Dunlap, J G Knight, Australian Mission.

BOOKS SENT BY EXPRESS.—G W Green, Eld J N Loughborough.

THOUGHTS ON BAPTISM.

By J. H. Waggoner

By Eld. J. H. Waggoner.

AN EXAMINATION OF THE ACTION, SUBJECTS, AND RELATIONS OF THE ORDINANCE OF BAPTISM.

Also, a Brief Refutation of the

HISTORICAL CLAIMS FOR TRINE IMMERSION.

SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED.

Prices, post-paid,—In flexible cloth, 35 cents; paper covers, 25 cents.

Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

TESTIMONIES FOR THE CHURCH.

By Editor

NUMBERS ONE TO THIRTY.

BOUND IN FOUR VOLUMES OF ABOUT 700 PAGES EACH.

EACH VOLUME CONTAINS ## A COMPLETE INDEX OF SUBJECTS.

Volume One.—This volume contains a brief sketch of the early life and Christian experience of the writer of the Testimonies, Mrs. E. G. White, together with Testimonies numbers 1 to 14. 724 pages. Bound in Muslin, $1.50; Sheep, $2.00; Half Morocco, $2.25.

Volume Two.—Contains Testimonies numbers 15 to 20. 712 pages. Bound in Muslin, $1.50; Sheep, $2.00; Half Morocco, $2.25.

Volume Three.—Contains Testimonies numbers 21 to 25. About 600 pages. Bound in Muslin, $1.50; Sheep, $2.00; Half Morocco, $2.25.

Volume Four.—Contains Testimonies numbers 26 to 30. About 675 pages. Bound in Muslin, $1.50; Sheep, $2.00; Half Morocco, $2.25.

Price of the Complete Set of Four Volumes, bound in Cloth, $6.00; Sheep, $8.00; Half Morocco, $9.00.

Testimony for the Church No. 31.—Contains 244 pages of most interesting and important matter. Neatly bound in Muslin. Price, 50 cents.

Testimony for the Church No. 32.—Contains 240 pages, and is full of warnings, counsels, and reproofs, very important to all Seventh-day Adventists. Bound in Muslin (uniform with No. 31). Price, 50 cents.

Sent post-paid to any address, at the above prices.

Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal., REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich., Or any State T. and M. Society.

THE HOME OF THE SAVED.

By John Norton Loughborough

By Eld. J. N. Loughborough.

Gives the Bible evidence upon the interesting topic of the earth made new, as the inheritance of the saints. 82 pp. Price, 10 cents.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan

NEW ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF # THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BETWEEN # CHRIST AND SATAN FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM TO THE END OF TIME.

By MRS. E. G. WHITE, Author of "The Life of Christ," "Sketches from the Life of Paul," "Bible Sanctification," and other popular works.

PRINTED AND BOUND IN THE VERY BEST STYLE. OVER TEN THOUSAND SOLD IN SIX MONTHS.

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 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, in which he outlines the history of the whole dispensation, it sketches the fulfillment. It pictures the siege and overthrow of Jerusalem, and the destruction of the Temple. It calls our attention to the bitter persecutions of the Christians in the first centuries, and notes the rise and growth of the Papacy. It gives a clear conception of the character and influence of the Waldenses, who, through centuries of persecution, maintained the purity of their faith, and by their missionary efforts prepared the nations of Europe for the Reformation.

Brief and lifelike sketches are given of the works, the successes, and the persecutions of Wycliffe, Luther, Tyndale, Huss, Jerome, Knox, and other reformers and martyrs.

Considerable space is given to the life, work, and influence of later reformers and great religious leaders, such as George Whitefield, the Wesleys, and William Miller, and this is followed by chapters treating upon The Origin of Evil, The Agency of Evil Spirits, The Snares of Satan, and the Judgment.

The closing chapters give a vivid picture of the warfare of the church, her final redemption, and vividly describe the triumph of the people of God, the destruction of Satan and all his followers, and the renewing of the earth, which ends the awful controversy between the Son of God and the Powers of Darkness.

Earnest Christians of all classes and creeds will find in it encouragement and instruction in the delineation of the struggle maintained by men raised up of God in each successive age to preserve the pure and true religion, and they will see that the world has been led to accept one after another of Satan's devices, until her teachers are corrupted with false doctrines and with infidelity.

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.

Over 500 pages; 22 full-page cuts. Price, - - - - $1.50 Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

The American Sentinel.

By Editor

IT is but justice to our readers that we offer a few words of explanation in regard to the proposed paper of the above name. The announcement of its publication was based upon the following preamble and resolution passed by the Stockholders of the Publishing Association at the annual meeting held in Oakland in April last:—

WHEREAS, At the last General Conference it was decided to suspend the publication of the Sabbath Sentinel, and it was also recommended that a monthly shall be published at the office of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, the name and contents to be determined by the Pacific Publishing Association, therefore.

Resolved, That we hereby instruct our Board of Directors to act upon the said recommendation, and, as soon as practicable, commence the publication of a monthly to meet the requirements of the cause, to counteract as far as possible the efforts which are now being made to change the form of our Government by a religious amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

This resolution was, as its preamble states, based upon action taken at the General Conference in 1884. Two of the members of the General Conference Committee were present at the passage of the above resolution; both of them were members of the Board of Directors, but only one was present when the Directors took action upon the resolution of the Stockholders. It was decided to call the paper the American Sentinel, and to make it the aim to meet the arguments of the "Religious Amendment Party," and to defend the rights of conscience against the demands of those who are seeking to unite Church and State in America. This was in strict harmony with the action taken both in the General Conference and by the committee to whom the matter was referred for final decision.

Accordingly it was announced that an 8-page paper would be issued monthly, the first number to be dated July, 1885. But another paper having been started in June, and camp-meetings in North Pacific and California demanding the attendance of some of our editorial force, it was unavoidably delayed. After the Eureka camp-meeting, matter was prepared for the first number of the Sentinel, which, it was then hoped, might be issued in September. But the California State camp-meeting coming in September, and the General Conference soon to follow, seemed to present obstacles in our way. Consultation being had, it was decided: (1) To date the first number January, 1886; (2) To print it in time to present sample copies at the General Conference; (3) To put it in circulation for the holidays, so that it may be fully before the public by Jan. 1, 1886. By that time our delegates will return from the General Conference, and our arrangements will be fully perfected for the uninterrupted publication of the Sentinel, monthly, thenceforward.

We make this extended explanation because we think it due to our readers, among whom the expectation was raised that the monthly would be started the present season. The past year has been a busy year with us. We do not regret it—we rejoice in it—because it indicates progress in the work, and prosperity in the cause, in which our hearts are so deeply interested, and for which it is our chief happiness to labor.

Our heart-felt thanks are rendered to Divine Providence for the prosperity which is attending our work on this coast. The College year has opened auspiciously, and all are working there in good courage. The Health Retreat is prospering even beyond our expectations, and the prospect is favorable for a fair patronage the entire year. The Pacific Health Journal and Temperance Advocate meets with a favorable reception wherever it goes, and we have faith to anticipate the same for the Sentinel as soon as it shall be presented to the public. We praise the Lord for both strength and courage, and for the blessed opportunity to labor in such a cause as this.

Without Any Sabbath.

By Editor

THE Methodists of California have just held their annual Conference. Among the resolutions adopted, we find the following in a brief report to a secular paper:—

"The Committee on Sabbath Observance severely condemn that infamous legislation which, in depriving this commonwealth of the Christian Sabbath, renders it a dishonorable exception among the States of the Union. They will use both social and political influence to restore to the State the Sunday law. They recommend people to abstain from unnecessary traveling, visiting, and semi-recreation on Sunday."

We cannot sympathize with them, but we can pity them. We think they deserve it. The Sunday, they say, is "the foundation of their holy religion," and the Legislature of California has repealed the Sunday law; so they not only have no Sabbath, but really no religion. For nearly three years they have been without any Sabbath. They will petition the Legislature to enact another Sunday law, so that they may have their Sabbath again. They need not wait the dilatory motions of California Legislators. We can tell them a better way. Let them join us in the observance of the seventh day, and they will find themselves in possession of a Sabbath that cannot be affected by State legislation, for it rests on the authority of the great Jehovah.

The Signs of the Times.

By Editor

OAKLAND, CAL., FIFTH-DAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1885.

Camp-Meetings in 1885.

By Editor

IOWA, Elgin, Fayette Co., .....................Sept. 23-28 INDIANA, Logansport, .....................Sept. 24 to Oct. 6 KANSAS, Cherry Vale, Montg'y Co. " 24 " " 6 MINNESOTA, Sauk Center, ................. " 30 " " 6 COLORADO, Denver, ......................... " 30 " " 6 OHIO, Springfield, .............................Oct. 1-13 MISSOURI, Pleasant Hill, Cass Co., ....... " 1-13 IOWA, Mt. Pleasant, Henry Co., .......... " 7-12 ILLINOIS, Marshall, ............................ " 8-13 NORTHERN MICHIGAN, Traverse City,.... " 8-14 NEBRASKA (State Meeting), Lincoln, .... " 14-20 KENTUCKY, Litchfield, Grayson Co., .... " 14-20 KANSAS, Newton, Harvey Co., ............. " 15-25 CALIFORNIA—Southern, Santa Ana, ..... " 15-26 TENNESSEE, — , ............................. " 21-27

WE much regret that the report of the camp-meeting in Nevada was not sent in season to appear in this paper. As no paper will be printed next week it lies over to Oct. 1.

WE were so pleased with the words, "Awake and Watch," that we had them set to music, which we produce on this page. Our readers will doubtless appreciate it as we do.

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES,

By Editor

PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE

International Tract and Missionary Society.

A sixteen-page Religious Family Paper, devoted to a discussion of the Prophecies, Signs of the Times, Second Coming of Christ, Harmony of the Law and Gospel: with Departments devoted to Temperance, The Home Circle, the Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-school.

Price Per Year, . . . . . . . . . . $2.00

In Clubs of five or more copies to one address, to be used in Missionary Work, . . . . . . . . 1.50

Address SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Twelfth and Castro Streets, OAKLAND, CAL.

Lives of Christ in Germany

By Editor

DURING the last ninety years over twenty-nine "Lives of Christ" have been published in Germany. The New York Observer pithily says: "In none of them, it is safe to say, has there been any improvement on the story as told in the four Gospels." We concur.

Ministers in Politics.

By Editor

IN the North Methodist Episcopal Conference, at Berea, Ohio, a resolution declaring that no Methodist preacher occupying pastoral relations has a right to become a candidate for political office, was defeated by a vote of 57 to 53. Bishop Merrill, of Chicago, declared that no Methodist minister has a right to mingle in politics. A resolution declaring that the Conference was not responsible for the individual or political alliances of any minister or layman was then adopted. It looks as though a large number of the ministers have political aspirations. This is no doubt owing to the State in which they reside.