—There are one hundred Mormon missionaries laboring in the Southern States.
—The Canada branch of the Salvation Army will send a brigade among the Indians of the Northwest.
—Including the wives of the missionaries, there are now 857 foreign laborers connected with the missions in China.
—The American Bible Society expends $150,000 a year in translating, publishing, and distributing the Bible in foreign lands.
—Canon Farrar is quoted as saying that Ritualism is on the increase in England, “with a strong leaning toward the church of Rome.”
—The Law and Order League of Cincinnati, Ohio, is determined to compel the theaters to stop Sunday performances. Two proprietors have already been fined.
—The king of Belgium has decided to open a department in the University of Leyden to prepare young men for missionary work in new districts of Africa.
—It is said that there is not a single evangelical missionary residing in the valley of the Amazon, and that a gospel sermon has never been preached in all that territory.
—There are about three hundred Protestant churches and mission stations in Italy, and it is estimated that ten thousand of the members have been converted from Roman Catholicism.
—Boston is to have a building devoted to the interests of the “mind-cure” craze. It is to be erected by a congregation of “Christian scientists,” is to cost from $60,000 to $100,000, and is to be styled a church.
—Siam has entered the Universal Postal Union. Uniformed letter-carriers deliver the mails daily in Bangkok, excepting on Sunday, when the post offices are closed. The use of the mails for obscene literature is prohibited.
—It is said that the rector of St. Helens, England, lives in Bath, and since his appointment has never performed any of the duties of his office. Yet he receives from the parish more than ten thousand dollars a year. Such cases are by no means rare in England.
—The Presbyterians are making earnest efforts to establish churches in the university towns of Oxford and Cambridge, England. The church of Rome, fully awake to the importance of such points, proposes to spend $250,000 in the erection of a spacious church in Cambridge.
—There is point to this item from the Congregationalist: “Those numerous individuals who have so much to say about the lack of business capacity in ministers will do well to study the revelations made during the trial of Mr. Ferdinand Ward, and see what they think of the capacity and sagacity of certain ‘prominent New York business men.’”
—It is said that the encyclical letter just issued by Pope Leo XIII. is quite important, and its publication will be one of the most memorable events in his pontificate. One part is doctrinal; it defines the rights of the church in all existing governments, and gives the pope’s ideas on the relations of Church and State. The second part is devoted to the evils of modern society. The letter will be translated into English, French, German, and Italian.
—The platform adopted by the Hebrew Rabbinical Convention held in Pittsburg, Pa., November 17, 18, rejects “those portions of the Mosaic legislation which do not sanctify the lives of the people, and are not adapted to the views and habits of modern civilization.” It also asserts that the Hebrews are no longer a nation, but a religious community, and therefore do not expect to return to Palestine or to resume sacrificial worship under the sons of Aaron. But the most important action taken was in regard to the Sabbath. After much discussion, a resolution was unanimously adopted declaring that there is nothing in the spirit of Judaism or its laws to prevent the introduction of Sunday services in localities where the necessity of such services is felt. In the preamble, however, the importance of maintaining the historical Sabbath as a bond with the past, and as a symbol of the unity of Judaism the world over, is recognized.
—In this country the Catholic Church is loud in its protestations of love for religious liberty, and never fails to demand “protection” in all its “rights.” Sometimes the church is not so modest in her demands as she is persistent and insolent in urging them, as the Empire State has ample reason to know. But then the United States is a Protestant country. Religious liberty in Catholic countries is quite another thing. An illustrative case is just now occurring on Spanish territory. The authorities of the island of Fernando Po have for some time harassed the Protestant missionaries, “interrupting their educational work, interfering with their religious services, persecuting the native Christian converts, and at last imprisoning the missionary, Rev. W. Welford.” A petition has been made to the English Government to secure Mr. Welford’s release, and also religious liberty on the island. But the appeal must be made to Madrid, and its success is not assured.
Kindness.
By Dr. Holland
THE world is full of kindness that never was spoken, and that was not much better than no kindness at all. The fuel in the stove makes the room warm; but there are great piles of fallen trees lying on the rocks and on tops of hills where nobody can get them; these do not make anybody warm. You might freeze to death for want of wood in plain sight of these fallen trees, if you had no means of getting the wood home and making a fire of it. Just so in a family; love is what makes the parents and children, the brothers and sisters, happy. But if they take care never to say a word about it; if they keep it a profound secret as if it were a crime, they will not be much happier than if there were not any love among them; the house will seem cool even in summer, and if you live there, you will envy the dog when anybody calls him poor fellow.—Dr. Holland.
African Sunlight and the Welsh Language
STANLEY says that African sunlight, with all its great heat, appeared to him as a superior moonlight, judging from its effects on scenery. He attributes the apparent solemnity of the “solemn-looking hills,” of which he so often speaks, to this peculiar sunshine. “It deepens the shadows and darkens the dark green foliage of the forest, while it imparts a wan appearance or a cold reflection of light to naked slopes and woodless top hills. Its effect is a chill austerity, an indescribable solemnity, a repelling unsociability.”
It being asserted that the Welsh will be a dead language within twenty-five years, the Macon (Ga.) Messenger is led to remark that “it will then be placed in the curriculum of American colleges.”
Obituary.
By W. M. Healey
HUTCHINSON.—Died of malarial fever, November 13, 1885, at Petaluma, California, Joseph Hutchinson, aged 32 years. Brother Hutchinson was born at Market Hill, Armagh County, Ireland. About eighteen months ago he came to America. At Eureka, about a year ago, he accepted the truths of the Third Angel's Message, and we trust has fallen asleep in Jesus to have a part in the first resurrection. Two sorrowing brothers of the deceased, and a number of sympathizing friends, assembled in the parlors of the Revere House, to listen to the only true words of comfort and hope, presented by the writer, from the word of God. W. M. HEALEY.
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. Prayer and missionary meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:45. 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.
THOUGHTS ON DANIEL, CRITICAL AND PRACTICAL.
By Uriah Smith
BY ELD. U. SMITH.
AN EXPOSITION OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL, VERSE BY VERSE.
We are now living in times plainly pointed out in this prophecy, and it is important to understand it; for Daniel himself says that in the time of the end, the wise shall understand; while, if we fail we are equally guilty with the Jews, who knew not the time of their visitation (Luke 19:42-44), and shall meet a similar fate.
416 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Publishers' Department.
By Editor
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By Editor
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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.
By Editor
CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE.—B R S $20.84, A J Morton $12, L A Scott $9.75.
CASH RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.—Ia T and M Society $148.07, Dak T and M Society $101.90, Ill T and M Society $100.
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ORDERS FORWARDED.
By Editor
BOOKS SENT BY FREIGHT.—L A Scott, Australian Mission, Hawaiian Mission, Eld A T Jones.
BOOKS SENT BY EXPRESS.—Horace Munn, Mrs E A Turner, Mrs Belle Baker, C H Jones, Chas D Reaser, Miss Jennie George, E P Daniels, Mrs Ida Gates, Wm Potter.
THE AGE TO COME: A REFUTATION OF THE DOCTRINE.
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.
Embracing a critical examination of the Temporal Millennium—The Return of the Jews—Time and Manner of the Establishment of the Kingdom of God—The Day of the Lord, and the Promises to Israel. Second edition revised. 168 pages; price, post-paid, 20 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.; Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
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.
Also giving an exposition of the origin, history, and destiny of Satan. 144 pp. Price, 20 cents.
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THE SEVENTH PART OF TIME.
By W. H. Littlejohn
By W. H. Littlejohn.
This is a refutation of the theory that God sanctified simply a seventh part of time as the Sabbath, without fixing that time to any definite day. The necessity or a
UNIFORM DAY OF REST,
is admitted by nearly all, and is advocated in this book. The author also shows that the Creator understood and anticipated this necessity, and proves by five different processes of reasoning that the seventh or last day of the week, and no other, was in the beginning, and is now, the Sabbath of the Lord.
32 pp. Price, 4 cents; liberal discount by the hundred.
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BIBLE SANCTIFICATION:
A CONTRAST OF
TRUE AND FALSE THEORIES.
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
This is a pamphlet of only 84 pages, but its value is not to be judged by its size. It is just what its title indicates: a faithful presentation of Bible truth on this important subject, and an exposure of the false theories prevailing in regard to it. Every believer in Bible truth should read it. Buy it, read it, and lend it to your neighbor. Price, 10 cents.
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SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
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 European Broil.
By Editor
A WAR in Europe is usually a most incomprehensible affair, and the present one is no exception to the rule. The slightest thing will cause the various petty nations to fly at one another's throats, and no one can ever form a reasonable conjecture as to what the result will be. The present one between Servia and Bulgaria has been so far carried on vigorously; but why these two countries should fight each other, instead of making common cause against Turkey, is what puzzles people on this side of the water. There is one contingency, however, that is always expected, and that is that whatever the results to the parties engaged in any war in Eastern Europe, the Sultan will be the loser. We copy a few telegraphic dispatches, and a few statements from various papers, to show how any war in the vicinity of Turkey is regarded. The London Standard, commenting on the outbreak of hostilities between Servia and Bulgaria, says:—
"War has been kindled in the Balkans. We see the beginning; but no human intelligence can pretend to set limits to the area or the intensity of the fire."
A newspaper correspondent in St. Petersburg writes:—
"Russian newspapers, both official and unofficial, unite in condemning fratricidal Servo-Bulgarian wars, and declare that Russia will be unable to sit quietly by while Bulgaria and Servia tear each other to pieces."
A dispatch of November 15, from Constantinople, says:—
"Believing that the final struggle of the Turkish Empire for existence is approaching, Lord Salisbury has telegraphed to Mr. White, the British representative at Constantinople, instructions to assure the Porte that England will do her utmost to preserve the integrity of Turkey."
The Berlin Post says:—
"If Turkey interferes, Mr. Gladstone will raise the cry of Turkish atrocities, and upset the Conservative Government, and thus the confusion of Europe will be complete."
The Frankfort Gazette says:—
"It will be a miracle if Austria and Russia are not drawn into the struggle."
The Cologne Gazette says that it is convinced that the Turk will be driven from Europe.
The Christian Union, in an editorial on this subject, says that it presents "a complication such as diplomats probably never had to deal with before in the history of the world."
In an editorial in the Youth's Companion, which presents a wonderfully clear statement of the present trouble, we find the following:—
"In the rivalries and unrest of these three races [Greeks, Servians, and Bulgarians], taken in connection with the interests and ambitions of the great European powers, there is constant peril of a warlike conflagration in Europe; a peril which will not disappear until the whole question as to the destiny of the Turkish Empire in Europe is finally settled."
Truly here is distress of nations, "with perplexity." Contrary to expectation, however, as expressed in the last quotation, the decision of the question as to the existence of the Turkish Empire in Europe, instead of allaying the peril, will be but the prelude to a "warlike conflagration," beside which all previous wars will seem insignificant. The present difficulty may be temporarily adjusted; but from the "sure word of prophecy," the Bible student knows, what the student of Statecraft alone can never foresee,—that these warlike demonstrations are only the precursors of "the battle of that great day of God Almighty," which will soon overwhelm the world.
Whose Servants?
By Editor
IN connection with the article published last week, on "Popular Amusements," it will be of interest to read a little statement made by the San Francisco correspondent of the Mendocino (Cal.) Beacon. After speaking of the new game, "progressive euchre," which he says "has broken out everywhere," and to which he has fallen a victim, he speaks of the passion for gambling, which seems almost inherent in the human breast, and says:—
"Church members are quite as much interested in the new game as any one else, if not a little more so. I was present not long since at a party given by the niece of a prominent orthodox minister of this city, where the first prize was won by the minister's daughter."
This statement, made by one who is not a scoffer, and in no carping spirit, is very suggestive. It cannot be denied that card-playing is indulged in to a very great extent by church members. Some one will say, as a church member of our acquaintance recently did, "Well, what of it? There is no harm in a quiet game of cards." There was a time when card-playing, dancing, and theater-going were looked upon as ungodly acts not to be tolerated among church members; and the fact that they are now looked upon as innocent amusements, or, at the most, as only venial offenses, shows the great degeneration that has taken place in the moral sensibilities of professed Christians. For church members to say that the prevalence of card-playing is no evidence of a demoralized church, simply shows that their standard is but little, if any, removed from that of the world.
THERE is one easy way to determine whether or not card-playing is a thing that may be indulged in by Christians. That is to ask, Does it do any good? Is there anything about it that is refining or elevating? Can one who plays cards be a better Christian than one who does not? Is it a thing in which every pastor should urge young disciples to indulge, in order that they may grow in grace? Every one, no matter how deeply infatuated he may be, must answer every one of these questions in the negative. What are its associations? Of the very lowest kind. It is the game of bar-rooms and low dives. This association clings to the cards themselves, and cannot be shaken off. Nobody ever saw any one take a pack of cards in his hands and begin a serious conversation. It is almost impossible to conceive of such a thing being done. Slang phrases are inseparably connected with cards. And this is so true that even in parlors, where vulgar slang would not be tolerated, the talk of the card party does not rise above what might well be termed silly.
ANOTHER indictment, and perhaps a reason for the silly talk mentioned above, is the fact that conversation cannot be carried on while playing cards and similar games. Whatever is said is simply talk, and that of a low grade. If it be the case that no talk whatever is carried on, it is simply because the mind is too much absorbed in the excitement of the game. An unhealthy excitement is fostered by all such games, and herein lies the danger of bringing them into the home and social circle. The excitement over a game of cards in the parlor is just the same as the excitement over a game in a bar-room.
And since in this excitement lies all the fascination, the one who has once tasted it will not stop long to question the surroundings, if only the enjoyment may be had. It is the enjoyment—the excitement—that the player is after, and since that may be obtained in the dive as well as in the parlor, he will erelong be led to find it in the dive, where it may always be found. Cards, dancing, etc., are the devil's means of enticing people to ruin; and when Christians adopt the devil's allurements, thinking that thereby they will get up an attraction that will draw people away from him, they are only saving him trouble by doing his work for him. And if professed Christians are engaged in doing the devil's work, whose servants are they?
California Rainfall and Missionary Giving
MORE rain has fallen in California during the present month than during any preceding November for thirty years. The rainfall has been from five to eight times as great as it was during the corresponding season last year.
IN a recent address in Boston, at the Missionary Conference, Bishop Foster said: "We boast that we are going to conquer the world, and we come from our palaces and princely farms, and subscribe fifty cents a head for the undertaking."
Meeting in Lemoore.
By John Norton Loughborough
THIS meeting was appointed to be held from November 12-15, but the interest was so great that we were requested to continue two days longer. The meetings continued until the evening of the 17th. There was a full attendance by our people at this meeting from first to last. In all, there were eighteen meetings. Of these there were ten sermons, four sessions of Biblical Institute, two sessions of a Sabbath-school Convention, one business meeting of the church, one tract and missionary meeting, and one Sabbath-school. On Sabbath, we had, in addition to the above, a social meeting, in which forty-seven took part.
This general meeting was full of interest to our people, and they expressed themselves as greatly encouraged by this opportunity for counsel and association together. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Pledges for a Healdsburg House of Worship
By Editor
THOSE who have made pledges toward building a house of worship in Healdsburg, are requested to send the amount to Geo. W. Mills, Healdsburg, Sonoma Co., Cal.
The Study of History
By Editor
WE are glad to see an increasing interest in the study of history. If it is true that "history repeats itself," then a knowledge of the past should enable us, with proper guidance, to forecast the future. This "proper guidance" is the prophetic word, which cannot possibly be understood without a knowledge of history. A person may read much history to no profit; but if he studies it as it should be studied, in connection with the Bible, and from the Bible standpoint, it cannot fail to make him wise. Much history is being given in our Sabbath-school lessons, and in the historical articles in the SIGNS; but this should only serve to stimulate the student to search the authorities for himself. To those who wish to verify quotations, and to go into the details, we are able to offer the following exceptionally low rates:—
These figures should serve as an inducement for people to read. There is certainly no excuse for ignorance of the leading facts in the world's history, when standard books may be purchased for so little money. We shall give equally good rates on other books from time to time.