p. 381 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 24. (4/17/1893)

EARLY MARRIAGES IN INDIA.

In view of the agitation now rife in India over the question of abolishing early marriages, an Indian paper lately said: "To give them up is to give up the zenana system. To give up the zenana system is to introduce the system of courtship. And the introduction of courtship means the destruction of our caste; for if a Brahmin girl takes a fancy for a 'kyasta' and marries him, the former will surely lose caste, and the latter will find no place in society. The destruction of the system of caste means the total destruction of the Hindu religion."

"Thus the Hindus cannot give up the system of early marriage without destroying their society." In token of the waning power of caste in India, it may also be noted that a Bombay paper has just referred to the fact that recently forty-two Brahmin gentlemen took tea together at a social gathering in St. Mary's Convent, Poona, an act which was in violation of caste rules, and which years ago would have led to their speedy excommunication. Though the fact of this gathering was well known, as yet no definite steps have been taken for their discipline. Some of the priests have, indeed, talked of excommunication, but it is said to be so difficult to find any who have not, in secret at least, broken caste that there is little hope of enforcing the rules.

It will be remembered that a certain Dr. Bhandarker not long since gave his daughter, who was a widow, in marriage, an act which is abhorrent to most Hindus. But when the Shenvi Brahmins met together to discuss the question of excommunicating the doctor, his friends came in such numbers that no one dared to propose a resolution for excommunicating him, though challenged to do so.—Christian Union.

CHRIST IN THE GOSPELS,

By James P. Cadman

-OR-

The Life of our Lord in the Words of the Evangelists,

BY JAMES P. CADMAN, A. M.

Is, as its Name Indicates, a Compilation in which the four Narratives of

THE LIFE OF CHRIST

ARE WOVEN INTO ONE CONNECTED STORY, MAKING A COMPLETE HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS IN THE EXACT LANGUAGE OF THE SCRIPTURES.

THE text is that of the Revised Version, and while every word in the four Gospels appears, the work is so arranged that the reader can tell at a glance the words used in each Gospel. Those who have tried to gather all the facts concerning some miracle, or other event, and at the same time properly locate and credit the various parts of the narrative, will appreciate this book, which is the very best of its kind and gives evidence of an immense amount of careful and painstaking labor.

The book is fully indexed so that any text or subject can be readily found; and the maps, notes, and diagrams which it contains are alone well worth the price of the volume. The following partial (less than half) TABLE OF CONTENTS will give an idea of the scope of the work:—

Index to chapter and verses; Life of Our Lord (333 pages); Index of persons, places, and subjects, with dictionary of proper names; Explanation of maps and diagrams; Map of the pathway of Jesus; Diagrams illustrating the principal events of crucifixion week.

This work is invaluable, and all who love the Bible should have a copy. It contains 394 pages, is well printed on good paper, and is neatly and substantially bound in cloth.

Price, post-paid, - - - - - - - - - $1.50 With gilt edges, - - - - - - - - - 2.00 Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE

AND

—BIBLE HYGIENE—

This Book

treats the subjects of Tem-perance and Hygiene from a BIBLE STANDPOINT.

A good idea of the scope of the work can be formed by a glance at a few of the chapter headings: "Effects of Stimulants," "Extremes in Diet," "Home Education," "Relation of Diet to Health and Morals," "Parental Responsibility," "Dress," "Consulting Spiritualistic Physicians," "Social Purity," "Hope for the Tempted," "Diet and Cleanliness of the Hebrews," "The Gospel of Health," etc., etc.

The book contains 268 large pages, is printed on heavy paper, bound in cloth, embossed, with gold title on back and front cover. It is a book that all should have in their homes. Price, marbled edges, $1.25; gilt edges, $1.50.

Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., OAKLAND, CAL. 43 Bond Street, NEW YORK.

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 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.

Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

FIELD NOTES.

By Editor

SOUTH DAKOTA has fifty-five students at Union College, College View, Nebraska.

ELDER J. W. BAGBY, of Illinois, has removed with his family to College Place, Wash., where he has purchased property.

SISTER S. L. WALRATH, of Warm Springs, Cal., desires us to say that she has all the papers she can use at present.

ELDER F. I. RICHARDSON began meetings at Covert, Mich., March 10, and in two weeks twenty-five had decided to obey the message presented.

A CANVASERS' institute will be held in Walla Walla College, College Place, Wash., commencing the 20th inst. and continuing two weeks.

ELDER W. B. HILL reports encouraging results and prospects from labor in North Dakota the past winter, although the weather was unusually severe.

AT a meeting at Verndale, Minnesota, April 14 to 16, the new house of worship was dedicated. Elder N. W. Allee, president of the Conference, was present.

ELDER C. W. FLAIZE, president of the Minnesota Sabbath School Association, has been designated by the General Conference to open up the work in Manitoba.

AS A result of meetings held in a Bremer County, Iowa, schoolhouse, by Brother L. F. Starr, ten persons are keeping "the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."

ELDER J. F. HANSEN, whose labors are for the most part in behalf of Scandinavians, has left Brooklyn, New York, and gone to Chicago in accordance with the recommendation of the General Conference.

WE always look with interest for news from Ford's Store and Rock Hall, Maryland. Those companies were raised up under bitter opposition, and have attracted considerable attention. So long as their enemies continue to oppose them, we know they are all right, for under such circumstances they will lean hard on the Lord. When the opposition stops, their real danger sets in. There are so few, comparatively, who can grow in grace under the allurements of an outwardly favorable situation. A report of Elder E. E. Franke in the Union Record states that the Methodist ministers at those two places are extending their opposition to our work at Millington, where there is a good interest.

A MOST encouraging forecast of labor in Minnesota is presented by the canvassers' institute at St. Cloud, where ninety-seven attendants were enrolled on the 1st inst. Elder J. H. Durland and Professor Loughhead, of Union College, were present to aid in the institute work.

THE Minnesota Worker says: "Brother J. F. Pogue has returned from the Bermuda Islands, where he and his brother Mark have been for several months. During this time they have canvassed all the islands and have taken about 800 orders for 'Bible Readings.' They report success in delivering."

BROTHER N. F. BURGESS, of Honolulu, in writing to this office on business, adds these interesting items: "No doubt you have heard of the troubles in the government here; but while there is turmoil and dissatisfaction in the breasts of the politicians, everything outwardly is quiet. We see the advance of the enemy and his forces, preparing for the final scenes of this world's ending. There has been one Sabbath keeper added to our numbers since we last wrote. This is a young Norwegian from a ship that came into this port. He had experienced religion in the colonies last December, and there became a member of the Baptist Church. He is a bright young man, and is hungering and thirsting after righteousness. His desire is to labor for Christ. He began right away to pay the tithe, with no lesson on that subject excepting the reading of the invitation and reproof in Malachi. I trust it may be a profitable lesson for us here to see one so willing and humble. Should the way open for him to prepare himself to labor for the Lord, he hopes to do so. He believes the Lord sent him here to do so. We have taken him to our own home and made him as one of our family, which he truly is if we are God's children."

A WORKER'S PRAYER.

Lord, speak to me, that I may speak In living echoes of thy tone; As thou hast sought, so let me seek Thy erring children, lost and lone. Oh, lead me, Lord, that I may lead The wandering and the wavering feet! Oh, feed me, Lord, that I may feed Thy hungering ones with manna sweet! Oh, strengthen me, that while I stand Firm on the rock and strong in thee, I may stretch out a loving hand To wrestle with the troubled sea! Oh, teach me, Lord, that I may teach The precious things thou dost impart, And wing my words that they may reach The hidden depths of many a heart! Oh, give thine own sweet rest to me, That I may speak with soothing power A word in season as from thee, To weary ones in needful hour! Oh, fill me with thy fullness, Lord, Until my very heart o'erflow In kindling thought and glowing word Thy love to tell, thy praise to show! Oh, use me, Lord—use even me, Just as thou wilt, and when, and where, Until thy blessed face I see, Thy rest, thy joy, thy glory share! —Christian Advocate.

PREPARING DISCOURSES.

SOME ministers make a mistake in the preparation of their discourses. They arrange every minutia with such exactness that they give the Lord no room to lead and impress their minds. Every point is fixed, stereotyped as it were, and they cannot depart from the plan marked out. This course if continued will cause them to become narrow-minded, circumscribed in their views, and will soon leave them as destitute of life and energy as were the hills of Gilboa of dew and rain. They must throw the soul open, and let the Holy Spirit take possession to impress the mind. When everything is laid out beforehand, and they feel that they cannot vary from these set discourses, the effect is little better than that produced by reading a sermon.

God would have his ministers wholly dependent upon him, but at the same time they should be thoroughly furnished unto every good work. No subject can be treated before all congregations in the same manner. The Spirit of God, if allowed to do its work, will impress the mind with ideas adapted to meet the cases of those who need help. But the tame, formal discourses of many who enter the desk have very little of the vitalizing power of the Holy Spirit in them. The habit of preaching such discourses will effectually destroy a minister's usefulness and ability. . . .

God's watchmen must not study how they shall please the people, nor listen to their own words and utter them; but they must listen to hear what saith the Lord, what is his word for the people. If they rely upon discourses prepared years before, they may fail to meet the necessities of the occasion. Their hearts should be laid open, so that the Lord may impress their minds, and then they will be able to give the people the precious truth warm from heaven.—Gospel Workers.

FROM OUR ISLAND MISSIONARIES.

By M. G. Kellogg

PITCAIRN ISLAND, Feb. 24, 1893.

We arrived here safe and sound on the morning of February 19, having been thirty-two days on our voyage from San Francisco to this island. We found Elder Gates somewhat improved in health, but he is in no condition to make a long voyage. The Pitcairn sailed this afternoon for the isle of Mangareva, distant 300 miles, taking along Elders Gates and Cady, Brother McCoy and wife, and Brother Edward Young, a native of Pitcairn Island. Brother Young goes out as a missionary to labor in Mangareva, and Brother Gates goes along to see him located. Two other young men go along to engage awhile in pearl fishing. The other missionaries and myself remain here to conduct a series of meetings until the return of the brig. Sister Gates is well.

Yours in the work, M. G. KELLOGG.

STOCKHOLDERS' MEETING.

Rural Health Retreat Association.

The annual meeting of the Rural Health Retreat Association (a corporation) will be held at the Rural Health Retreat, near St. Helena, Napa Co., California, Thursday, April 27, 1893, at 2:30 P. M., for the purpose of electing seven directors for the ensuing year, and to transact such other business as may be proper to come before the meeting.

S. N. HASKELL, President.

J. H. MORRISON, Secretary.

NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS.

THE annual meeting of the shareholders of Healdsburg College Corporation will be held at the South College Building in Healdsburg, California, Monday, April 17, 1893, at 11 o'clock A. M., for the election of seven trustees to serve one year next ensuing, and for the transaction of such other business as may be brought before said meeting.

R. S. OWEN, President.

W. C. GRAINGER, Secretary.

CAMP MEETING TENTS.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

The California general camp meeting will be held in Oakland, May 11-21. All who wish to rent tents will make application at once to E. A. Chapman, Pacific Press, Oakland. The prices of tents will be as usual: 10x12, $4.00; 12x16, $6.00; 14x19, $7.00.

S. N. HASKELL.

Religious Coercion and Prohibition

THE PROHIBITION PARTY AND FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE. Showing how a political party, on a specially moral pretext, really advocates the religious enslavement of the people. 8 pp.; $1.00 per hundred. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal.

Sunday Legislation Across the States

By Editor

SUNDAY LAWS OF THE STATES AND TERRITORIES. A comprehensive collection of laws and decisions regarding Sunday observance, especially useful as a compendium of information. Paper covers, 25 cents. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal.

Questions About Human Nature

By Alonzo T. Jones

BIBLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS CONCERNING MAN. By Alonzo T. Jones. Bible Students' Library, No. 76 Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. 16 pp.; 2 cents.

LESSON V.—SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 1893.

WISDOM'S WARNING.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

Lesson Scripture, Prov. 1: 20-33.

Wisdom crieth aloud in the street; she uttereth her voice in the broad places;
She crieth in the chief place of concourse; at the entering in of the gates, in the city, she uttereth her words;
How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and scorners delight them in scorning, and fools hate knowledge;
Turn you at my reproof; behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you;
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
But ye have set at naught all my counsel, and would none of my reproof;
I also will laugh in the day of your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
When your fear cometh as a storm, and your calamity cometh on as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish come upon you,
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me diligently, but they shall not find me;
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord;
They would none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof;
Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell securely, and shall be quiet without fear of evil.

Golden Text.—"See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not, when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape, who turn away from him that warneth from heaven." Heb. 12: 25.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

What is wisdom? Job. 28: 28.
Who does David say has a good understanding? Ps. 111: 10, second clause.
Where does wisdom cry? Lesson verses 20, 21.
What questions does she ask? Verse 22. See note 2.
What admonition does she give? Verse 23, first clause.
What precious promise is given? Verse 23, last clause. See note 5.
Why are the "simple ones" reproved? Verse 24; Isa. 65: 12; 66: 4.
What have they set at naught? Verse 25.
What will be the result of such a course? Verses 26, 27; Rom. 2: 8, 9.
When brought face to face with their impending doom, what will the deluded victims at last do, and what will they gain? Verse 28; Micah 3: 4. See note 7.
What had they hated and rejected? Verses 29, 30.
In whose counsel does one walk who rejects the counsel of God? Ps. 1: 1, first clause.
What is the disposition of the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly? Verse 2.
Then where do we find the counsel of God?
What shall be the reward of those who reject the counsel of God? Lesson verse 31; Ps. 1: 6, last clause.
What of those who hearken to the counsel of God? Verse 33.

NOTES.

1. THE book of Proverbs, excepting the last two chapters, was written by Solomon. Of this fact Dr. Clarke says, "There has scarcely been any dispute concerning either the author or divine authority of this book, either in the Jewish or Christian church."

2. IN this lesson wisdom is personified. It is the voice of God pleading with a wicked world that has been deceived by the adversary. "How long ye simple ones?"—ye who have been seduced or deceived. The knowledge of the true God is everywhere. God has manifested himself unto all the world in his works. "The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made." But to those who will hear the instruction of his word he becomes more and more manifest. The voice of wisdom is the voice of God, whether heard in nature or in his revealed word.

3. "THE fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do his commandments." Ps. 111: 10. Obedience, then, is essential to a full understanding of God's will. The acme of wisdom is to have the Spirit of God working in us, "both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Phil. 2: 13; Heb. 13: 21.

4. GOD is continually stretching out his hands toward a deluded world, and imploring them to return unto him. As Paul says: "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Cor. 5: 20.

5. "I WILL pour out my Spirit unto you." God not only beseeches the deceived victims of rebellion, but he offers them the power of his Spirit to walk in his way. "I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." Eze. 36: 27. This is the promise of the new covenant, a special manifestation of which was witnessed on the day of Pentecost. That was the "early rain," and it is our privilege to enjoy the "latter rain" by the same Spirit.

6. THE counsel of God is just the opposite of the counsel of the ungodly, and the Psalmist says, "Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly." Ps. 1: 1. Of such an one it is said, "His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." Verse 2. It is said of Christ, "I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart." Ps. 40: 8. Then to reject the counsel of God is to reject his law. The law of God is also a reproof, for "by the law is the knowledge of sin" (Rom. 3: 20), and to point out sin is to reprove it.

7. THE Spirit of God will not always strive with man. That was manifest in the flood (Gen. 6: 3), and in other judgments that have been executed upon the wicked. And the time will come when, too late, they will see their mistake and endeavor, in the midst of desolation and distress, to find that which they have rejected. "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it." Amos 8: 11, 12.

LESSON V.—SABBATH, APRIL 29, 1893

THE COMING OF CHRIST WILL BE PERSONAL AND LITERAL.

Suggestive Questions and Lesson Scriptures.

1. Review questions:— (a) When will the restoration of all things take place? (b) How many prophets have spoken of this time? (c) Name three prophets that have written on the subject, and repeat a text from each on that subject.

2. What does Paul say of the manner of Christ's coming? "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night." 1 Thess. 5:2.

3. To whom will he come as a thief? "When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape." 1 Thess. 5:3.

4. What is said of the brethren? "But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." 1 Thess. 5:4.

5. How many will see him when he comes? "Behold, he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they which pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn over him. Even so, Amen." Rev. 1:7.

6. What is said of the ascension of Jesus? "And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." Acts 1:9.

7. Who appeared to the disciples as they were looking after him? "And while they were looking up steadfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel." Acts 1:10.

8. What did they say of the manner of his return? "Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, which was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven." Acts 1:11.

9. What was the last thing seen when he ascended? "And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." Acts 1:9.

10. What will be the first thing that will be seen when he returns? "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." Matt. 24:30.

11. Will the righteous know him when he appears? "And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us; this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." Isa. 25:9. See note 1.

12. Will the wicked know him? "And the heaven was removed as a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the princes, and the chief captains, and the rich, and the strong, and every bondman and freeman, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains; and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath is come; and who is able to stand?" Rev. 6:14-17.

13. What will be heard at that time? "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first." 1 Thess. 4:16.

14. What will that voice say to the righteous? "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee; hide thyself for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh forth out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain." Isa. 26:20, 21.

15. How will the wicked feel, and what will they do at that time? "Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, from before the terror of the Lord, and from the glory of his majesty." "And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols shall utterly pass away. And men shall go into the caves of the rocks, and into the holes of the earth, from before the terror of the Lord, and from the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake mightily the earth. In that day a man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made for him to worship, to the moles and to the bats." Isa. 2:10, 17-20.

16. Could all these scriptures be fulfilled if Christ should appear in secret, so that all of the wicked and a portion of the righteous know nothing about it?

17. What is he to bring with him? "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is." Rev. 22:12.

18. Will the reward be literal? See note 2.

19. What will be the appearance of the Lord when he comes? "And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." Luke 21:27. See note 3.

NOTES.

SHOULD SABBATH OBSERVANCE BE ENFORCED BY CIVIL LAW?

An able negative argument delivered at the annual contest of the Philomath and Adelphic Literary Societies of Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pa., June 1891. 24 pp.; 3 cents.

News and Notes.

By Editor

FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 10.

RELIGIOUS.

-In 1849 there were only twelve medical missionaries in all the non-Christian world; now there are four hundred, and every year sees an addition to the number.

-Right Rev. William Ingraham Kip, S. T. D., LL.D., bishop of the Episcopal Church of California for the last forty years, died in San Francisco on the 7th inst., aged 81 years and 6 months.

-According to the last census there are in the United States, in round numbers, 140,000 churches, with an aggregate value of $980,000,000. The various church educational institutions are valued at $150,000,000.

-And now we have the time fixed for the millennium. Rev. M. A. Gault, of National Reform repute, calculates that "the world's crisis will be reached about 1896, and will be followed by a reconstruction period of fifty years, when the probability is the millennium will be fully inaugurated."

-The Ram's Horn, a religious paper which has become somewhat noted by the popularity of its pithy paragraphs, has been removed to Chicago. It will hereafter be sold on the street by uniformed newsboys. Two young graduates of the Advance office have been added to the editorial corps.

-At the dedication ceremonies of the great Mormon temple at Salt Lake City, which have been in progress since the 6th inst., there are many bombastic speeches. Amongst other boastful remarks, Brigham Young Jr. is reported to have said that politics is as important to the Latter-day Saints as religion. He predicted that the Mormons are destined to become powerful politicians as well as saints, and become the rulers of the universal world.

-At one of the churches in San Francisco, not long since, as the minister was about to commence his sermon, he was noticed anxiously hunting through various pockets, but evidently without success. He then apologized to the audience, stating that through an unfortunate accident no sermon would be delivered, as he had forgotten to bring his notes with him. Imagine, if you can, Paul, or Silas, or Timothy, or Peter, in such a predicament.

SECULAR.

—Vessels were loading at Hull, England, last week with non-union hands under protection of troops.

—Late reports from Chile say that another revolution is on, and the ministry was out of harmony.

—An extensive fire on Reservoir Mountain, in Pennsylvania, has destroyed much farm property.

—A Paris dispatch of the 4th inst. reports seventy deaths from cholera at L'Orient, near Brest, within two weeks.

—It is reported that a revolution is in progress in Argentine Republic, and that the insurgents have won several victories.

—Four thousand men have been thrown out of employment by the closing of collieries in Rhodda Valley, South Wales.

—The explosion of a kerosene lamp caused a great fire in Florence, South Carolina, on the 3d inst., the loss being estimated at $250,000.

—Tickets are out for the World's Fair. They are handsomely printed on bond paper of double thickness, and 4 1/2 by 2 1/4 inches in size.

—There was a great demonstration of Orangemen at Belfast, Ireland, on the 4th inst., in opposition to Mr. Gladstone's Home Rule proposition.

—The joint protectorate of the United States, Great Britain, and Germany over the Samoan Islands is again declared a farce, and Chief Justice Cedercranz has resigned.

—There are grave suspicions that a filibustering party is being fitted out at Key West, Florida, for operations in Cuba, and the authorities are keeping a sharp lookout.

—New York City had a two-hours snowstorm on the 7th inst. Troy and Syracuse report three inches of snow the same day, and Boston had four inches the day previous.

—A Lima, Peru, dispatch reports an attack by a mob on a Masonic Lodge, and incidentally the American Consulate was invaded and the consular agent shot in the foot.

—A dispatch from Deadwood, South Dakota, of the 7th inst., reports a two days' wind and storm, which caused much damage to property and a stoppage of railroad trains.

—U. S. Commissioner Blount arrived safely in Honolulu, and was royally welcomed by the people, all of whom seem anxious for some kind of a settlement of the muddled political affairs.

—An attempt was made to fire and blow up with dynamite the Emanuel Baptist Church at Little Rock, Arkansas, on the night of the 5th inst., while a number of people were congregated within.

—A Vienna dispatch says that leading Nihilists are arranging a secret meeting in Russia, near the Austrian frontier, to enable refugees from Austria, Poland, Hungary, and Roumania to participate.

—The little Esquimau colony at Chicago is afflicted with measles. The doctor has difficulty in making them keep warm, as they complained of heat even in the winter, when other people were being frost-bitten.

—The latest report from the revolution in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, is that the revolutionary army had taken San Juan and two other towns. Colonel Holgade had deserted the government and joined the revolutionists.

—Justice Brewer, of the U. S. Supreme Court, has expressed the opinion (before a church club, not in court) that the Chinese Exclusion Law is an injustice. His voice may therefore be counted as against the measure when the matter shall have been brought before the court.

—The President is said to have decided to withdraw the discriminating duties on coffee and sugar from Venezuela, Colombia, and Haiti, these being the only Spanish American States which refused to enter into satisfactory reciprocity arrangements under the McKinley law.

—College Hill Sanitarium, Cincinnati, was damaged by fire to the extent of over $100,000, on the 6th inst. There were 200 patients in the building, but all were safely removed. The fire was started by the hot soldering iron of a tin roofer, who carelessly laid it down where it ignited the wood.

—As an indication of the Nihilists' daring activity, the czar recently found in one of the Imperial albums a portrait of the Nihilist who was executed for complicity in the assassination of his father. The strictest inquiry in the household failed to solve the mystery of its appearance there.

—A short but furious wind and hail storm struck a portion of Chicago on the 7th inst., which came so suddenly that many people were caught in the streets, and some were prostrated to the ground. There was considerable damage to property, especially in the breaking of windows and signs.

—The Spanish Government has discovered another Anarchist conspiracy at Heres. It was supposed that the execution of the four Anarchists convicted last year at that place had intimidated the remainder; but another rendezvous was discovered last week, and the conspirators captured, together with arms and documents.

—A flimsy three-story World's Fair hotel was blown down on the 6th inst., when the contractors were about to turn it over to the owners. There are said to be a number of these temporary structures that are decidedly unsafe. But they will all be crowded during the fair. One of them was burned a few days before the catastrophe above mentioned.

—All the machinists, boiler makers, and blacksmiths of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad at Raton, N. M., and La Junta, Colo., went out on strike on the 8th inst. At Topeka, Kansas, 1,100 men of the same classes stopped work, and at Fort Madison, Iowa, 100 men walked out. The cause is a refusal on the part of the company to increase wages.

—The International Printers' Protective Fraternity has sent a memorial to President Cleveland asking the appointment as Public Printer of a citizen not allied with any printers' organization. The fraternity say the Government Printing Office has long been under the domination of the International Typographical Union, and aliens have been employed because they were members of the union.

—The Khan of Kelat, Beloochistan, recently had five of his wives put to death on suspicion of infidelity. He has agreed to deliver to the British Indian government the surviving prisoners whom he was reported as torturing. As a punishment for his cruel conduct, the British agent withholds 40,000 of the 100,000 rupees allowed him as a subsidy, and will devote it to the benefit of the families of those whom he unjustly executed.

—The United States Government has taken vigorous action in regard to outrages on American citizens at Marzovan, in the Turkish dominions of Asia Minor, and for violation of the mails of the United States legation. In February the girls' seminary of the American educational institution at Marzovan was burned, it is alleged with the full knowledge, if not the direct order, of the Turkish officials. The pretext was alleged seditious movements on the part of students.

—A committee of the W. C. T. U. of Rolla, North Dakota, started out recently to make a circuit of the saloons in order to get positive evidence on which to base legal prosecution. They were followed, says a dispatch, by two-thirds of the female population of the town. They entered only one saloon, however, because when they got through with that one "several of them were bleeding from blows, and all were somewhat disfigured." They brought suit for assault against the saloon men, but the prosecuting attorney had it dismissed.

—A Raleigh, North Carolina, dispatch of the 5th inst. says: "One of the greatest forest fires ever known there is raging in the heart of the pine district. Thousands of trees just bored have been destroyed, and many people owning turpentine orchards are ruined. One man lost 2,000 acres of trees. The town of West End was nearly wiped out. Three large stores and contents, the post office, and several dwellings, were burned. At least twelve turpentine distilleries and scores of dwellings scattered in the woods are burned, with great quantities of resin."

—At Ironton, Ohio, on the 7th inst., fire destroyed the Yellow Poplar Lumber Company's plant and thirty dwellings; also, seventeen railroad cars and a lot of trestlework. An invalid woman was burned to death. The property loss was about half a million dollars. On the same day, at Houston, Texas, a large wholesale grocery was burned, causing a loss of $165,000. On the same day, at Owenburg, Kentucky, a distillery warehouse and cottages were burned. About 10,000 barrels of whisky were destroyed. The aggregate loss is placed at $350,000.

—The recent burning of the new Scotch ship King James, in the Pacific Ocean, has a sequel more terrible than the loss of half a million dollars. The captain's lifeboat, in which sixteen men had taken refuge, was upset by a heavy sea, and they were in the water six hours before it could be righted. Their provisions, oars, and rudder were lost, and some of them became crazed from hunger, thirst, and exposure. When picked up by the steamer Los Angeles, all had died but the captain and three men, and they were in a very weak condition. The mate's boat and crew escaped the terrible fate of their companions.

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