p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 28. (5/14/1894)

News and Notes.

By Editor

FOR THE WEEK ENDING MAY 7.

RELIGIOUS.

—The Los Angeles, Cal., Union Ministerial Alliance has recommended "a uniform change of weekly prayer meeting to Wednesday evening."

—The Occident of the 3d inst. says: "Sixteen Mormon missionaries—fourteen men and two women—are in San Francisco, en route to Hawaii, New Zealand, Samoa, and New South Wales."

—The Ministerial Union of Lexington, Ky., have passed resolutions condemning Congressman Breckenridge, and declaring that "his canvass for renomination and election is an open defiance of all personal chastity, domestic purity, and religious integrity."

—In the House of Representatives on the 31st ult. there were introduced protests from the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Decatur, Ind., and the evangelical Lutheran Churches of Gibson and Whitley Counties, same State, against the proposed religious amendment to the Constitution.

—April 26, petitions were received in Congress from the Lutheran Churches in Ashford, N. Y., Mankato, Minn., and Pigeon Falls, Wis., against the adoption of the proposed religious amendment to the national Constitution. A general remonstrance was also introduced by Mr. Somers, of Wisconsin.

—Venuillot, a celebrated Catholic editor, is credited with this significant utterance: "When Protestants are in the ascendancy, we demand religious liberty, because that is their doctrine; but when Catholicism is in the ascendancy, we deny religious liberty because that is our doctrine."

—The pope, through his "delegate apostolic," assumes to influence the public school policy of the United States; yet in Italy, where the people have been directly under the shadow of his wing for centuries, four-fifths of the populace can neither read nor write. Do we want such an influence here?

—The pope's confessor is dead! Rev. Father Daniele di Bassano, of the Franciscan Order, is dead. It is not surprising that a monk should die, but it does seem rather mysterious that the "infallible" head of the church should need a confessor. But then that whole system is a "mystery—of iniquity."

—People who are wedded to Sunday observance are imbued with the kindred delusion that wickedness is worse on Sunday than on any other day. For instance, a religious exchange says: "Someone has said the best way to read bad books is to burn them. The advice would have been complete if the bad papers, especially Sunday papers, had been included." The idea that "bad papers" are "especially bad" on Sunday is virtually an apology for them on other days.

—The tendency of the modern church is thus indicated by an item in the "official organ" of the Y. M. C. A. of Stockton, Cal.: "What is the matter with our chess and checker players? The columns of this paper are open to all our members, and we would be pleased to record the games and by whom. This king of games should not be allowed to die a natural death in our rooms. This is the kind of royalty we should encourage. Send in an account of your interesting games."

—The Sunday question is still being agitated in Australia. In Ballarat, the Fine Art Public Gallery Association recently took a vote without discussion on the question of opening the gallery on Sunday, and the vote was favorable to the opening. But on petition of the minority, it was decided to hold a future meeting of subscribers and have the subject fully discussed. The Trades and Labor Council adopted a resolution declaring that "to open the galleries is against the best interests of the workers."

—The evangelical ministers of Stockton, Cal., have taken the initiative in the organization of a non-partisan municipal league. The object is to secure the closing of the saloons after 11 or 12 o'clock at night and altogether on Sundays; also to enforce the removal of immoral houses from a certain street, and to secure a more economical administration of the municipal government. Reform, moral and political, is good; but the idea that crime is worse at one time than it is at another, or that immorality is worse on one street than on another, is characteristic of political religion.

—When Evangelist B. Fay Mills was in this city, a commodious "tabernacle" was built for his meetings by the united action of the leading evangelical churches. After his meetings were closed, the tabernacle was held as a kind of sacred edifice that must not be used for common purposes, especially for such purposes as would in any way divert from attendance at the churches to which it belongs. Even Francis Murphy was denied the privilege of holding a union temperance meeting in it on a prayer meeting evening. But lo! a change has come. It is announced that a dog show will be held in the tabernacle May 30 to June 2 inclusive, taking in the principal prayer meeting evenings of the week.

—The title of the Northwestern Congregationalist, published at Minneapolis, Minn., has been changed to The Kingdom. In its explanation of the reasons for the change there occurs this significant expression: "Every generation emphasizes in its own way some particular phase of religious truth. The emphasis of to-day is unquestionably upon the kingdom of Jesus Christ—not as including merely the future state of the redeemed, but as relating predominantly to this present world." This is the "particular phase of religious truth" to which The Kingdom will hereafter be devoted. It is true that the tendency of the religious sentiment of to-day is for a so-called kingdom of Christ in "this present world," regardless of the express declaration of Christ that his kingdom "is not of this world."

SECULAR.

—The town of Nanaimo, B. C., suffered a loss of $100,000 by fire on the 6th inst.

—The Southern Pacific Railroad Company has completed its coast line to San Luis Obispo, Cal.

—Secretary of the Navy Herbert is now on a tour of inspection of the naval stations and vessels of the Pacific Coast.

—Thirteen Anarchists have been arrested at Leige, France, for connection with an explosion from which four men were injured.

—At the recent election in Nova Scotia it is stated that every county in the province gave a majority in favor of prohibition of the liquor traffic.

—A dispatch from Athens says it is learned that during the earthquake shocks of the 27th ult. some villages on the islands of Euboea were destroyed.

—Two Anarchists, Guiseppi Perard and Francisco Polti, have been sentenced, the first to twenty and the second to ten years' imprisonment, by a London Court.

—A Baltimore woman has been stricken blind by a flash of electricity from the trolley wire of a street car line, which she was watching from her window as a car was passing.

—Lieutenant Maney, U. S. A., who has been acquitted by a Chicago court of the charge of murdering Captain Hedberg, will now be tried by a military court at Fort Snelling.

—The Canadian Pacific Railroad Company, whose dependence for trade is largely based upon American traffic, evidently does not deem the outlook good, as it has laid off 1,000 employees.

—A Dallas, Texas, dispatch says: "The Court of Appeals has decided that the laws against prize fighting are null and void. The only penalty is a small fine for assault and battery."

—It is said that nearly all the Chinese in Southern California have registered. The few who have not done so desire to return to China, and by refusing to register they will be sent at government expense.

—Striking brick moulders undertook to drive away non-union workmen from the yards at Blue Island, Chicago, on the 4th inst., but they were turned back by the deputy sheriffs, who were armed with rifles.

—Mrs. Etta Roberts, a materializing medium, was thoroughly exposed while trying to play spirit at Watertown, N. Y., on the night of the 2d inst. She then acknowledged that she had been practicing the fraud for nine years.

—The estimated cost of the proposed Southern Pacific Railroad Company's new steel bridge across the Mississippi River at New Orleans is $50,000,000. It will be about 10,000 feet long, with double track, and the largest steel railroad bridge in the world.

—The uncertainty of jury trials was lately illustrated in Los Angeles, Cal. Two Chinamen, says a press dispatch, were tried before the same jury for the same offense, with precisely the same evidence against both, and one was convicted while the other was acquitted.

—A dynamite bomb was exploded on the 4th inst., near Valenciennes, France, which shook the entire village, and broke many windows. It is said that one woman died of fright, and another was thought to be fatally shocked. The editor of a Socialist paper was arrested on suspicion.

—The keeping of a faro bank is illegal in California, and the "business" has a heavy penalty attached to it. Yet at a recent political meeting in San Francisco it was noted that a Supreme Court justice shook hands very cordially with a well-known faro bank operator.

—The advance of the great "industrial army" made its début in Washington last week, and complaint is made that the police unnecessarily made heroes of the leaders by arresting them; that if let alone the affair would have proved a ridiculous farce. Be this as it may, the concentration of capital in the hands of a few will yet bring serious conflict with the defrauded masses. But the coming uprising, of which the present bands are but the forerunners, will yet be an "army" indeed, divested of all peaceful emblems or pretensions.

—On the 6th inst., at Cleveland, Ohio, about 2,000 idle men attacked the Standard Foundry, where non-union men are employed. Guards inside fired about 100 shots at the mob, which was finally dispersed by the police. No one was killed, and it could not be found that any were injured.

—The great strike on the Great Northern Railroad is at an end, and it is set down as a victory for the strikers. But it is safe to say it was quite an expensive one; and the worst of it is, many other strikes will be encouraged by this success which will prove ruinous to those who participate.

—An international bimetallic conference is now in session in London. Although not an official body, it is an aggregation of representative business men from the leading countries, whose object is to devise means to overcome the present financial stringency, and also to provide against like crises in the future.

—April 22 the German ship Cleopatra, bound for New York from Bremen, took fire and had to be abandoned by the crew. They had barely reached a distance of safety when the eighty cases of dynamite on board the burning ship exploded. The crew were picked up by a vessel whose watch had sighted the fire.

—The Yaqui Indians, of Sonora, Mexico, are again making trouble, and government troops recently sent out to chastise them were waylaid in a narrow canyon, where great bowlders were rolled upon them from the steep cliffs. It is reported that 200 soldiers and a large number of horses were either killed or badly wounded.

—Another revolution is in blast in Central America. This time it is in San Salvador, and it is thought that Dictator Ezeta's position is decidedly precarious, as his rule has been very tyrannical toward opponents of his measures. It is also asserted that he secured the presidency by having the former president, who was his benefactor, put to death.

—The workmen at two mines in Tazewell County, Ill., were compelled to quit work on the 4th inst., by a force of 800 strikers. In the district of Brazil, Ind., it is said that not a single block coal mine is in operation. The members of the United Mine Workers' organization say that every miner in the country must join them. In some places men have refused to work even where a large advance in wages was offered.

—In Cleveland, Ohio, threatening disorders on May day culminated in open rioting the day following. There were three desperate conflicts with the police. The windows of the Variety Iron Works were broken, and the workmen were driven off. The workmen were also driven away from the United States Salt Works. The police dispersed the mob in every instance of conflict, and many men were severely clubbed.

—The grand jury of San Francisco has indicted R. H. McDonald, Jr., on various charges connected with his criminal mismanagement of the two banks which have been built up under the McDonald name. His brother Frank is also under indictment, and it is expected that others connected with the management will also be indicted. The two banks have been utterly looted, and there appears to be little hope that depositors will get more than a very small percentage of their deposits. All the assets that may be found will most likely be absorbed by the lawyers and courts.

—Postmaster General Bissell has declared that liquor dealers are disqualified to act as postmasters, and gives the explanation: "It is not a temperance question, nor a moral question; it is a business question particularly, and the Post Office Department is a business institution. From my observation and experience I am convinced that any man directly or indirectly interested in the liquor business is in a measure unfitted by his occupation, and that his interest in that business necessarily interferes with a full discharge of such official duties in any branch of the postal service."

—The strike of coal miners in the various prominent coal regions of the country has become so general as to seriously affect the supply, and large manufacturing establishments are being embarrassed by the scarcity. About 1,500 Finnish miners on the Masaba Range, Minn., broke into a magazine on the 2d inst., and seized fourteen kegs of powder. The strike ordered by the miners' convention at Ottumwa, Iowa, last week, affects about 9,000 men. The Fort Hill, Pa., coke works were assaulted on the 3d inst., and the workmen forced to flee. Mobs of men and women are said to be marching through the country.

Those Tent Meetings

By Editor

THOSE TENT MEETINGS.—We have a few more copies of “Those Tent Meetings,” a rhyming recital, by M. B. Duffie. Price, 25 cents, postpaid. Address this office.

The Second Advent

By Editor

THE SECOND ADVENT.—Assorted Tract Package No. 3, contains 96 pages; price, 10 cents. Subjects considered—The Coming of the Lord, Is the End Near? Can We Know? The Signs of the Times, The Judgment, and The Second Advent of Our Lord. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.

WE AGREE AND DISAGREE.

By Editor

The American Statesman states the national situation in this way:—

"And whatever may be the immediate cause of our national troubles, the real cause, that which lies back of all others, is the reckless disregard of God, his law, and the institution of the sabbath, which to-day has become characteristic of both the government and the people of this land."

We like to agree with others when it is possible, and we agree that this is a fair statement of the case. From the same source comes this question:—

"Is not this nation setting itself in open and bold rebellion against God and his law?"

Yes, it certainly is doing that very thing. We are agreed again; and the Statesman is (perhaps unwittingly, but none the less certainly) one of the principal agents employed in the rebellion. Again it asks:—

"And is not the recent refusal even to consider the bill for a Christian amendment to the Constitution, in the same direction?"

No, it is not. Here we do not agree. That refusal was a very proper check on the unChristian movement to stamp out a prominent safeguard of the religious liberty of the people at large. But the introduction of that bill in Congress was in the direction of the "rebellion" specifically mentioned in the Statesman's complaint.

Notes on This Issue

By Editor

It will be noticed that two of the Sabbath school lessons are given in this issue. We do this as there will be no paper next week. In our next issue will be printed two Sunday school lessons.

This paper contains the last of the series of articles to parents on the training of children and the home life, by Mrs. E. G. White. If the instruction is followed, these articles are of infinite worth even in this life. We hope they may be read and cherished.

In accordance with our usual custom we omit a number of the Signs of the Times at the time of the annual camp meeting of this State and the yearly meeting of our publishing house. There will be no Signs of date of May 21. No. 29 will bear date of May 28.

The Encyclopedia Britannica is quoted as saying, "The ethics of socialism are identical with the ethics of Christianity." That depends on the kind of socialism. There is only one thing the ethics of which is identical with the ethics of Christianity, and that is the Decalogue. But Christianity is simply the Decalogue worked out.

We learn by the last Review that Elder Uriah Smith, editor of the Review and Herald, will accompany Elder S. N. Haskell to Europe. Together they will visit our various camp meetings and mission fields in the European countries. May the Lord go with them. Elder G. C. Tenney, formerly editor of the Bible Echo, Australia, is now one of the editors of the Review. In the absence of Elder Smith the paper will be managed by Brethren Tenney and M. E. Kellogg.

We have received a copy of "Protestantism, True and False," by A. F. Ballenger, the same as was printed in Signs No. 18, with a page additional of valuable testimony from the Roman Catholics. This tract considers the Protestantism of the Reformation, the principles of Christianity, the decline of Protestantism, with the position of Protestantism of to-day as set forth by the testimony of acknowledged authorities in the various Protestant churches. It is a strong document, and one that every Protestant should read. Price, 4 cents. Address Religious Liberty Library, 271 West Main Street, Battle Creek, Mich., or any of our State tract societies.

A COMBINATION OFFER FOR ALL.

By Editor

PROPHETIC LIGHTS. By E. J. WAGGONER. Prophecies of the Old and New Testament explained by the Bible and History. Finely Illustrated. Paper bound, 180 pages, 50c.

STEPS TO CHRIST. By MRS. E. G. WHITE. A wonderfully helpful book to the sinner who would find his Saviour, as well as to young and old in Christian experience who would know Christ better. Neatly bound in Cloth, 158 pages, 75c.

The Signs of the Times, one year, with PROPHETIC LIGHTS (post free) - - - - - $1.75 The Signs of the Times, one year, with STEPS TO CHRIST (post free) - - - - - 2.00

Address—Signs of the Times, 12th and Castro Streets, Oakland, Cal.

"BIBLE STUDENTS' LIBRARY."

By Editor

(Continued.)

READ the following and see if there is not some publication in the following list which you wish to read yourself, or which may be of eternal benefit to some friend. The numbers omitted are not now published.

No. 77. The Talents. Our Responsibilities and Privileges. A tract of 16 pages, by M. C. Wilcox, showing what the talents of Matthew 25 are, when, by whom, by what agency, and to whom given, and for what purpose. A message for all. Price, 2 cents.

No. 79. Baptism. Its Significance. A 16-page tract, by E. J. Waggoner, showing the importance of baptism, its significance, its place in the gospel scheme, and incidentally the "mode." Price, 2 cents.

No. 80. Sunday; The Origin of Its Observance in the Christian Church. A pamphlet of over 100 pages, by E. J. Waggoner, which sets forth by the testimony of acknowledged authorities among Protestants the true origin of Sunday as a holy day. It discusses the Antiquity and Nature of Sun Worship, Apostasy from the Worship of the True God to Sun Worship, Sun Worship Always Accompanied by Sabbath Desecration, Heathen Influences in the Church, The Electric Philosophy, Neo-Platonism, Results of the Philosophical Handling of the Bible, Pagan Response to the Church's Advances, Constantine, the Church, and Sunday. A most valuable treatise to hand to the intelligent who will read. Price, 15 cents.

No. 81. God's Message for To-day. An 8-page tract, by M. C. Wilcox, showing that the Lord has a message for to-day, prior to his second advent, even as he had special messages in the past. Price, 1 cent.

No. 83. Angels; Their Nature and Ministry. Revised by J. H. Waggoner. This pamphlet of nearly 150 pages discusses, from the testimony of the Bible, angels, their nature, their work in connection with the plan of salvation, ministration to the children of God, etc. Part 2 is a discussion of the origin, character, work, and destiny of Satan. Price, 20 cents.

The above will be sent post free on receipt of price. Order by number. Address Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.

CALIFORNIA CAMP MEETING.

By Editor

As we close this paper the California camp meeting is about to begin. The workers' meeting is now in session, and is reported as one of the best in spiritual interest, if not the best, ever held. The camp is in splendid order, the ground in excellent condition, some of our best workers will be in attendance, and God always meets with his people. If the people have a mind to seek him, this camp meeting will be the best which California has ever known. Besides our California brethren there will be present, the Lord willing, Elders O. A. Olsen, A. T. Jones, A. J. Breed, J. H. Morrison, and W. W. Prescott.

SIGNS NO. 18.

By Editor

We have several hundred copies left of SIGNS No. 18, the Protestant number. It contains the article by Elder Ballenger on "Protestantism, True and False," besides several other articles of worth. No more will be printed after these are sold. The matter is as valuable now as ever. Price at the rate of only $1.50 per hundred. Address SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

The Present Sunday Bill.

By Editor

The present "Bill for Sunday Rest" (H. R. 6592) introduced (by request) by Hon. Martin N. Johnson, representative from North Dakota, is practically the Blair Sunday Rest bill with the exception of section 6. In the old bill there was a sort of an exemption clause which declared:—

Nor shall the provisions of this act be construed to prohibit or sanction labor on Sunday by individuals who conscientiously believe in and observe any other day than Sunday as the Sabbath or a day of religious worship, provided such labor be not done to the disturbance of others.

The present bill, after speaking of certain kinds of labor which "shall not be deemed violations of his act," declares that—

the same shall be construed, so far as possible, to secure to the whole people rest from toil during the first day of the week, their mental and moral culture, and the religious observance of the Sabbath day.

For a complete analysis of this bill see the following numbers of the Sentinel Library, published at this office: No. 7, "The Blair Sunday Rest Bill," price 7 cents; No. 27, "The National Sunday Law," price 25 cents. These arguments on the Blair bill are as applicable now on the present Sunday bill. Let them be circulated.