Earlier text: The Church. No. 2.Missionary Incidents.
By Stephen Nelson Haskell
IN one of our Eastern cities, a few months since, a circumstance occurred which may be of interest to the readers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. It illustrates how God's providence is over his work, and how he co-operates with those who are trying to do his will. The Lord always works with his people when they sustain the right relation to him. Angels are ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who are heirs of salvation. The world is full of the special providences of God, which we might recognize as such did we but stop to consider. A gentleman engaged in the missionary work in Boston, had felt for some time the necessity of taking steps to make deeper impressions on the people with whom he labored. His preaching and teaching did not seem to have the effect that he thought they should have. He was therefore led to arrange certain texts of Scripture and have them printed in connection with appropriate questions. Having learned of our method of holding Bible-readings, he came to our reading-room to make inquiry and learn what he could do as to the best method of teaching the Scripture. This resulted in his asking for a Bible-reading to examine. He wished one on the subject of the Sabbath in the New Testament. Reluctantly, our brother at the mission let him have one, fearing that he might not fully comprehend it. In a few days he returned, bringing it back with him. "I did not know that there was such scripture in the Bible," he said. He had fully made up his mind to henceforth observe the Sabbath of the Bible, and immediately commenced to labor in its behalf. Word comes from Elder Kilgore, who is at the World's Exposition at New Orleans, that he has formed some very interesting acquaintances since going to that place; one in particular of a missionary who was distributing Bible leaves. Elder Kilgore called his attention to the Bible testimony on the Sabbath and other subjects that he had not before thought of in particular. The result is that this man has also commenced to observe the Sabbath of the Lord, and to labor in its behalf; also others have been found in the city who are observers of the Sabbath of the Bible. These individuals will co-operate and continue to do so during the coming winter. Is it a marvel that God should raise up laborers in his cause? He does not require a six months' probation of laborers before they engage in his work. He has committed to his people the work of warning the world of the coming Judgment. If they fail to appreciate the importance of this commission and the opportunities offered them for executing it, God's resources are not limited; he will select others to do this work. In the days of Elijah he had seven thousand who had not bowed the knee to Baal, so to-day God has faithful men and women whom he can and will use to accomplish his work. He will cut his work short in righteousness, for a short work will be made on the earth. Minneapolis Meeting.
By George C. Tenney
A STATE meeting for Minnesota was held at Minneapolis, Dec. 11-17. The meeting was conducted by Elders G. I. Butler, D. M. Canright, and O. A. Olsen. The preaching was nearly all by the two former. An invitation was given to all the laborers in the Conference, the most of whom responded by their presence. Some brethren and sisters came from other churches, and these, with those living in the city, formed quite a large congregation. The objects of the meeting were the consideration of the wants of the cause, and to bring about a more perfect relation of the laborers to the work and to each other. There was an evident desire to make the best use of the time to secure these objects. It was a privilege which all appreciated, to have the labors of Brother Butler, who stands at the head of the work, and Brother Canright, who has labored prominently in the past in building up the cause in Minnesota. The preaching was of an earnest and impressive nature, leading to close self-examination. Humility and contrition, those offerings acceptable to God, were manifested upon the part of many, and brought the blessing of God very near. Sabbath and first-day the time was occupied by devotional meetings. The solemn truths for our time were placed before us by the servants of God. The social meetings were marked by an earnest spirit of seeking God. Some clouds have for a time overhung the cause in this Conference and impeded its progress. It was a great joy to see light breaking in and difficulties all removed. A feeling of love and union was brought about, and courage was infused into the hearts of all present, and it is not too much to expect that this happy condition will abide, and extend to every quarter of the State. On each evening of the last three days of the meeting there was preaching, and the rest of the time was devoted to instruction in the various branches of the work. Elder Butler spoke on the subject of tithing, and Elder Canright related his views and experience in regard to the Testimonies, as connected with the cause of present truth. Colporter and canvassing work received considerable attention. Several enlisted in this service and went out from the meeting to scatter the light of truth. Over 3,000 copies of "Sunshine at Home" have been sold in Minnesota during the past year, and it is expected that a larger work will be done. There are important interests centering in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Brother F. L. Mead, from Battle Creek, is engaged in missionary work in these cities. A mission is to be opened there and a force of laborers is already engaged in canvassing for "Sunshine" and the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. A Tract and Missionary district was formed, composed of the above-named cities, of which Brother Mead was appointed director. Those who attended the meeting were benefited in more than one respect. They go forth to labor in better courage and with a better knowledge of the work than ever before. There is a spirit to rise and advance with the message. Grand opportunities are presented in that noble State, and it is confidently expected that this meeting will mark an era in the history of the cause. If this people are faithful to their trusts, there will be found many honest hearts, who, in the great conflict before us, will respond to the call of our great Leader to separate themselves from the evils of this generation, and take their places with the people who keep the "commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."
G. C. TENNEY. How to Help Children in Their Reading.
By Rev. Charles H. Richards
BUNYAN tells us that when the devil sets out to capture Mansoul, Eyegate is one of his favorite points of attack. This is important to remember in the training of children—and especially with reference to their reading. The children of our day read prodigiously. Books and periodicals open up to them another world from that of their every-day experiences. Through the imagination the printed page introduces them to other scenes and companions as though they led a double life; and these often color and mould character and conduct as powerfully as the scenes and associates of the active hours. This throws a heavy responsibility upon their parents, teachers, and friends. For if there is anything in which a child needs guidance, restraint, encouragement, and help, it is in this matter of determining what and how to read. He should not be left to himself to devour indiscriminately whatever comes in his way any more than he should be turned loose into a room where foods and poisons stand invitingly side by side. It is as dangerous for a child to grow up in the book-world alone, with no one to put him on his guard against the contaminations and perils that lurk there, as to let him grow up unfriended amid the temptations and dangers of a great city. Father, mother, day school teacher, Sunday-school teacher, librarian, and all wise friends, have it as a sacred and urgent duty to look carefully after the children's reading, to know what they are reading and how they read it; and by wise counsel and assistance to put them on the track of such reading as will strengthen, enrich, and ennoble their lives. When we ask how the elders can help the younger readers in this matter, the first answer that suggests itself is that they should guard them with utmost vigilance from bad books and papers. These include not only the indecent and salacious productions, which are read for the most part on the sly, being passed stealthily, and under pledge of secrecy, from hand to hand on their corrupting work. Children should be warned against these, and taught to loathe them as reptiles carrying the venom of hell, so that as soon as the serpent's head appears they will put the heel of indignant rejection instantly upon it and crunch it into the dust. But books containing copious descriptions of crime and criminals are also dangerous. Detailed biographies of vicious characters, the thrilling exploits of daring rascals, the presentation of crime in a jocular and airy manner, as though sin were funny instead of hateful, is very fascinating to some boys; it opens up to their excited imaginations a side of life that is novel and full of surprising episodes. But association with scoundrels breeds the scoundrel spirit, and the criminal classes are being constantly recruited by means of this incendiary stuff. Other bad reading may be found in the sensational and vulgarizing stories of 'dime' and 'nickel libraries;' and much of the so-called 'religious reading' for children is also mere weak sentimentalism and literary drivel, that ought not to be allowed to go into a child's hands without thorough sifting. Guard them against anything that will vitiate, dissipate, or weaken the mind or moral nature. Then keep them well supplied with the best reading. Do not cater to mere love of excitement, else you will make them literary inebriates, rushing feverishly from book to book, as the drunkard goes from glass to glass, to satisfy a diseased craving. Give them that which will awaken a healthy relish for good literature, and which will tend to make them wise, strong, upright, and noble-hearted. Some will object that their children have no taste for the best things. The good books selected for them they throw aside as dull and spiritless; they prefer spicy stories, exciting adventure, and fun with a dash of slang in it. The parents conclude that the taste must mature before it will readily turn to better things, and that it is well enough to let them read what they please till they outgrow their present fancy for trash. No greater mistake could be made. The literary taste gets its direction fixed in childhood as a rule. If a child manifests a perverted or depraved taste, you cannot begin too soon to reform it, unless you wish him through life to prefer light and worthless reading. Reconstruct his literary appetite. If he does not like the best, let your ingenuity and patient training teach him to like it. If parents and teachers are willing to give self-denial and painstaking care enough to it, they will be surprised, and so will the children, to see how they presently turn with repugnance from things beneath them, and with eager relish to books that both interest and help them. All who mean to help children in this matter should themselves have a high standard of reading. The general sentiment of the household goes far to determine the child's ideas. The book that the teacher talks about, or that the librarian recommends, will attract attention and interest. Contempt for trash, and enthusiasm for the best reading should be so vital an element in the family atmosphere that it should be breathed in by the child, as the instinct for good behavior ought to be. Charles Dudley Warner says the reason why children read trash 'is because their parents, or older persons about them, either have not the habit of reading, or they also read trash. . . . I suspect that the vast majority of people care little for reading, except as it furnishes them a smattering of news or gives them a temporary excitement.' Children will be quick to catch the tone of such persons, and will care only for the newspaper, the novel, and the picture paper. It is a great help for the parent or older friend to read with the child. The companionship in letters helps the younger one over the hard places, and tends to interest him in what might otherwise grow dull. Mothers have carried their boys of twelve through Plutarch's Lives, and D'Aubigné's Reformation, and Prescott's and Motley's histories, and the poems of Scott, and Milton, and Whittier, and Longfellow, to the growing delight of the boys, and the profit of both parties. A special advantage of this method is the relish it awakens in the child for things that interest maturer minds. It is a great point gained when a boy feels that it is a little beneath him to be interested in children's literature chiefly. 'We have little liking,' says Miss C. M. Yonge, 'for 'books for boys.' If boys have healthy, intelligent minds, they would be doing much better if they were reading books for men.' It helps create a relish for this higher class of reading to read with the children. Another help is to give the children illustrated editions of the best books; the picture tells the story even more vividly than the words. Better yet is the custom, practiced in some schools, of letting them make their own illustrated editions of history, travel, or biography, with pictorial papers, scissors, and scrap-book. Another method of illustrated readings is to connect the children's reading with their studies; as, in studying geography, to read 'poems of places' in connection with localities described; in studying history, to read stories that illustrate a particular epoch, with the account of the illustrious men and the great writers of the period; in studying mechanics, to read the stories of inventors and inventions. Good reading thus gains a practical value to the child's mind from the association, and so gains attractiveness.—Rev. Charles H. Richards, in Congregationalist. My Hat—Twenty-Seven Years Old!
By Helen Bruce
FASHION is a great tyrant, but she cannot rule you without your own consent. I declared my independence of her long ago, and I do not see but I live quite as well as I did when I was her subject, and I live much more comfortably. Finding that I must spend all I could earn, if not more, in order to dress "in style," I said, "See here, Helen Bruce, what is your object in life? Is it to dress handsomely?" Helen rather reluctantly—for she feared what was coming—replied, "No." "For what were you made, miss?" "To glorify God and enjoy him forever." "Well, can you do that by spending your money for new clothes when your old ones are plenty good enough, or by spending half your time in making up new, or in making over old clothes?" "Now what do you propose to do in the matter? You must choose between spending and being spent, to try to make yourself look nice and stylish (very likely you can do it), or spending and being spent for the good of those dear to you. It is impossible that you should do both. Say which is your choice!" With some very womanish sighs and regretful looks back at fashionable suits and hats of other seasons, Helen at last spoke up with tolerable decision: "I choose to serve God by denying self, and serving those whom he has given me power to thus serve." "It is the first step that costs;" and Helen—that is, I—found that courage and resolution grew with the exercise of them. She really began to take pleasure in wearing garments to which she had become used. Then not needing to go shopping much, gave her more time for study and useful work. She came to care little for her dress, farther than to have it whole and clean. It was wonderful how her clothes lasted. And the thing that lasted best of all was a brown straw hat. She bought it in 1857—the summer when the Ohio Trust Company burst and shattered business terribly—and she has worn it ever since in summer time. It is a good hat yet, and Helen loves it like a sister. Nobody could get it away from her. The praise and the abuse that that one hat has received are enough for a dozen; but it seems very little affected by either. It is a hat of too much character to be moved by trifles. Every few years it is in fashion, and then people cry, "What a handsome hat! why, what ails you to be so much in the fashion? Where29 did you buy that hat? It is better and prettier than mine." Then in a year or two more I am accosted with, "For pity's sake, where did that shed top come from? Why will you wear such a thing? You might have got married by this time had you only dressed up like other folks." We let them talk—my hat and I—and we go our quiet ways unheeding. Not that I—Helen I mean—do not know how much dress has to do with looks and impressions. Why, even a horse in shining harness is more attractive than the same one in an old, rope-tied rig-out—yes, a hundredfold more. But she knows it is useless for her to try that way to gain favor. She cannot afford it; the loss would be far more than the gain, even though the gain should be "a husband." When she really needs new garments, she tries to have them as near to prevailing styles as she can, without cutting up the material too much. Then she wears them till they are so worn as to need mending, when sometimes she alters them. This is all that she can do, without neglecting interests which are greatly more important than any demand of fashion. And this is true of the greater number of women. Sisters, come over to my hat and me. We will do you good. Adopt for yourselves and for your children the simple, the seldom changing style, and "taste and see" that there is in it refreshment of both body and soul. The time is now long past in which I would have returned, if I had been able, to the "fuss and feathers" of fashion. I sometimes read a column of "Fashion Hints," but I do not even know the meaning of the terms used there; nor do I wish to know. I drop the paper with a feeling of freedom, and of gratitude for that freedom. Clothing was given us for a covering—never to be of more account than the body, never to be made an injury to the body, nor an injury, through vanity, to the soul. In too many cases the servant has become the master. Sisters, arouse yourselves. Ye have one rightful Master, even Christ. His services demand your chief attention and all your powers, and you "cannot serve two masters." Which will you choose—the Lord Fashion? Cast off the evil yoke. Ye are called to freedom.—Helen Bruce, in New York Evangelist. The Home Circle.
By Standard
METHINKS of all the sins that pierce the heart of Christ anew, And once again in bitterness bring Calvary to view, That in those hands and feet again the nail-prints deep impress, The blackest is the loveless sin of dark unthankfulness. A grudging soul that counts its sorrows, weighing, one by one, The pains it bears, the tears it sheds, the work that it hath done; That thanks its God, perchance, because it has a patient mind, And for its crowning grace desires a spirit well resigned. Resigned! that Christ has died for thee upon the shameful tree; Resigned! that still he lives and pleads in Heaven's high court for thee; Resigned! that he hath willed to thee his nature to impart, And that for thee undying love burns in his human heart! Oh, sin against the love of Christ, of all the sins that are, Methinks that this in Heaven must move the greatest sorrow far; Must make the soul of Christ to grieve, and angels' eyes grow dim At sight of all he does for us, and the naught we do for him. —Standard. Personalities.
By John Hall, D. D.
KEEP clear of personalities in general conversation. Talk of things, objects, thoughts. The smallest minds occupy themselves with personalities. Personalities must sometimes be talked, because we have to learn and find out men's characteristics for legitimate objects; but it is to be with confidential persons. Do not needlessly report ill of others. There are times when we are compelled to say, "I do not think Bouncer is a true and honest man." But when there is no need to express an opinion, let poor Bouncer swagger away. Others will take his measure, no doubt, and save you the trouble of analyzing him and instructing them. And, as far as possible, dwell on the good side of human beings. There are family boards where a constant process of deprecating, assigning motives, and cutting up character goes forward. They are not pleasant places. One who is healthy does not wish to dine at a dissecting table. There is evil enough in man, God knows! But it is not the mission of every young man and woman to detail and report it all. Keep the atmosphere as pure as possible, and fragrant with gentleness and charity.—John Hall, D. D. The Dangers of Overused Authority
Nothing impairs authority more than a too frequent or indiscreet use of it. If thunder itself was to be continued, it would excite no more terror than the noise of a mill. Kindly Affectionate One to Another
BE kindly affectionate one to another.—Bible. Not Trustworthy.
By Frank H. Stauffer
ONE afternoon a gentleman was shown into Mr. Lamar's library. "Mr. Lamar," asked the visitor, "do you know a lad by the name of Gregory Bassett?" "I guess so," replied Mr. Lamar, with a smile. "That is the young man," he added, nodding toward Gregory. The latter was a boy aged about fourteen. He was drawing a map at the wide table near the window. "A bright boy, I should judge," commented the visitor, looking over the top of his glasses. "He applied for a clerkship in my mill, and referred me to you. His letter of application shows that he is a good penman. How is he at figures?" "Rapid and correct," was the reply. "That's good! Honest, is he?" "Oh, yes," answered Mr. Lamar. "The work is not hard, and he will be rapidly promoted, should he deserve it. Oh! one question more, Mr. Lamar; is the boy trustworthy?" "I regret to say that he is not," was the grave reply. "Oh!" cried the visitor. "Then I don't want him." That ended the interview. "O uncle!" cried Gregory, bursting into tears. He had set his heart upon obtaining the situation, and was very much disappointed over the result. "Gregory, I could not deceive the gentleman," Mr. Lamar said, in a low tone, more regretful than stern. "You are not trustworthy, and it is a serious failing; nay, a fault, rather. Three instances occurred within as many weeks which sorely tried my patience, and cost me loss of time and money." Mr. Lamar's tone changed into one of reproach, and his face was dark with displeasure. "I gave you some money to deposit in bank," he resumed. "You loitered until the bank was closed, and my note went to protest. One evening I told you to close the gate at the barn. You neglected to do so. The colt got out in the night, fell into a quarry, and broke its leg. I had to shoot the pretty little thing, to put an end to its suffering." Gregory lifted his hand in a humiliated way. "Next, I gave you a letter to mail. You loitered to watch a man with a tame bear. The nine o'clock mail will do, you thought. But it didn't, being a way mail, and not a through mail. On the following day I went fifty miles to keep the appointment I had made. The gentleman was not there to meet me, because he had not received my letter. I lost my time, and missed all the benefit of what would have been to me a very profitable transaction. It is not too late for you to reform; and unless you do reform, your life will prove a failure." The lesson was not lost upon Gregory. He succeeded in getting rid of his heedless ways, and became prompt, precise, trustworthy.—Frank H. Stauffer, in S. S. Times. Sacred Animals at Buddhist Temples
Connected with many of the Buddhist temples in China and Japan are a number of domestic animals, birds, or fishes which are treated as if they were sacred, being tended by the priests with the greatest care, and given burial like that of human beings when they die. The priests teach the people that it is a highly meritorious act for them to buy food from them with which to feed the animals, and few visit the temples without doing this. It is one great source of the income of the priests.—Sel. Counterfeit Notes Saved by Fire
The album of the Bank of England in which specimens of counterfeits are preserved has three notes which passed through the Chicago fire. Though they are burnt to a crisp, black ash, the paper is scarcely broken, and the engraving is as clear as new. BIBLE-READINGS.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
EMBRACING A PORTION OF THE
BIBLE COURSE AT HEALDSBURG COLLEGE.
(Including also the readings given at the State Meeting in Oakland.)
By Eld. E. J. Waggoner. These Readings differ in two respects from other series of readings that have been published. They were prepared especially for the use of colporters and those who intend to conduct Bible-readings in missionary fields, and they present a connected chain of argument upon the fundamental doctrines of Present Truth. NUMBER ONE contains 57 pages, embracing sixteen readings, as follows:— NUMBER TWO contains 46 pages, embracing twenty-two readings, as follows:— PRICE FOR THE TWO, 50 CENTS. A small edition has been printed on very thin paper for the use of those who wish to paste them between the leaves of their Bibles. Price for the two, 50 cents. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland Cal. TEMPERANCE BOOKS.
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The Divine Law as to Wines......................................... $ 1 25
His Honor the Mayor.................................................... 1 25
Saved; a Tale of To-day................................................. 1 25
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The Old Brown Pitcher ................................................. 1 00
Traps for the Young.................................................... 1 00
Prohibitionists' Text-book............................................. 1 00
Ten Lectures on Alcohol................................................ 1 00
Alcohol, Its Nature and Effects........................................ 85
Caught and Fettered.................................................... 85
Norman Brill's Life-work............................................... 85
Paul Brewster & Son.................................................... 85
The Lost Estate ....................................................... 85
The Old Worcester Jug.................................................. 75
Rosa Leighton.......................................................... 75
Across the Water....................................................... 75
Bible Wines............................................................ 60
Juvenile Temperance Manual............................................. 60
Talks on Temperance.................................................... 60
Communion Wine......................................................... 50
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Alcohol as a Food and a Medicine....................................... 50
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A Piece of Silver...................................................... 50
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By Editor
We have put up in packages three different assortments of our health and temperance works which we will furnish, post-paid, at the prices named. The smallest package contains 100 pages in thirteen tracts, as follows:— True Temperance—Alcohol, What is it?—Our Nation's Curse—Cause and Cure of Intemperance—Effects of Intemperance—The Drunkard's Arguments Answered—Alcoholic Medication—Alcoholic Poison—Tobacco Poisoning—Tobacco-Using a Cause of Disease—Tobacco-Using a Relic of Barbarism—Evil Effects of Tea and Coffee—Ten Arguments on Tea and Coffee. The second package, costing forty cents, post-paid, contains the above list and the following in addition:— Pork, the Dangers of its Use—Diphtheria, its Causes, Prevention, and Proper Treatment. By J. H. Kellogg, M. D. This book should be in every household. Its instructions, if faithfully carried out, will save many a precious life. The third package, costing $1.00, post-paid, contains in addition to the above:— Proper Diet for Man, price 15c—The Uses of Water, price 25c—Dyspepsia, Its Cause and Cure, price 25c. The object in arranging these packages is to get them in a convenient form for sale and for selection. Address SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. —Earthquakes have caused considerable loss of property in various parts of Europe lately. —The roof of a theater in Cholet, France, fell the night of Dec. 30, wounding 150 persons. —A portion of the United States of Columbia, S. A., has been declared in a state of rebellion. —There are 674 divorce cases pending in the Chicago courts, and 718 applications are on the dockets of the courts in Philadelphia. —Articles of incorporation of an electric railroad to run from Far Rockaway to the Long Island Railroad have been filed; capital, $200,000. —The tug Admiral exploded her boiler, Jan. 1, at Chicago, completely demolishing the boat. Five men were on board, all of whom were killed. —In all the military barracks in Paris which were recently searched large numbers of socialistic pamphlets were found in the outfits of the soldiers. —The House Committee on Indian Affairs has decided to report adversely the joint resolution providing for the improvement of the Indians by giving them citizenship. —An attachment for the inside of a watch has been invented, which it is said does away with the necessity of either keys or stem-winders. It winds the watch automatically. —Another twelve-inch rifle gun of fifty-four tons' weight has just been cast in South Boston, for Government use. —The republic of Mexico maintains an agricultural college at its capital, the appropriations for which last year were $339,348. —The Alabama Legislature has a bill pending providing that persons carrying concealed weapons shall wear a badge with the words, "I am armed." —London is afflicted with small-pox. On Dec. 8, 1,000 cases were reported in the hospitals and ships. Late dispatches report the malady increasing. —Forty-eight persons were buried alive last week by a land-slide in the mountains near Periana, Spain. Eighteen of the unfortunates were rescued alive. —Judge Sage, of the United States District Court, Cincinnati, sentenced seven prisoners Dec. 30, convicted of violating the election laws at the late election. —The unfinished State Capitol at Albany, N. Y., has already cost about $16,400,000. The expense of completing the vast structure is variously estimated at from $3,000,000 to $10,000,000. —Three tons of candy colored with poisonous substances, were seized and destroyed in New York, recently. The coloring material used was aniline, Prussian blue, chrome-red, and chromate of lead. —The bark Clyde was wrecked near Akaroa Heads, New Zealand, on November 5, and eighteen lives were lost, including Captain Culmer, his wife, and two children. The only person saved was a cabin boy. —There is a proposition to build a line of railway from London to Bombay, a distance of 5,000 miles. This will be the longest line in the world, the only break in the road being at the straits of Gibraltar and Dover. —An almost unprecedented cold wave swept over the northern Territories last week, the thermometer ranging from thirty-five to fifty degrees below zero at different points. A large per cent. of the cattle are said to have died from exposure. —There is trouble in Utah over the school-tax question. The Mormons have been appropriating the public money to teach the doctrines of their church, and the Gentiles have entered a protest against it. The matter is now before the courts. —The natural curiosity near the Geysers in California, widely known as "Turk's Head," was recently undermined by the severe rains, and fell to the valley with a terrible crash. The jar was so heavy that it shook a building hundreds of yards away. —The Flint and Pere Marquette steamer, which plies between Milwaukee and Ludington, Mich., went ashore in a storm near the latter place last week. The fireman was killed, and two of the crew badly injured. The passengers and the remainder of the crew were rescued by the life-saving company. —A new application of the electric light has been made. It has been successfully placed in a baker's oven, where the temperature ranges from 400 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. By having a sheet of plate glass in the oven door, the baker is enabled to observe the progress of baking in ovens hitherto dark. —A concerted movement is in progress in Massachusetts, looking to an agreement between manufacturers not to employ any persons who are not known or believed to be total abstainers from intoxicating liquors; also to discharge all employees as soon as evidence is obtained of their indulgence in stimulants. —Sir John A. McDonald, the Premier of Canada, has incorporated a Woman Suffrage Bill in the pending Canadian Franchise Bill. To a committee of ladies who called to thank him for this act, he said that this clause had been received with growing favor in Canada, and he had no doubt of its ultimate passage. He had found, he said, a growing sentiment in favor of woman suffrage in England. —One of the severest earthquakes of the century occurred in Spain, Dec. 25. The shock was felt over a large area of territory. At Vilez Malaga, a city of 13,000 people, many houses were utterly destroyed, and the people abandoned the city. A thousand houses in Alhama are in ruins. Many were killed in Camillas. The town of Albuquero is entirely destroyed. In other places there was much loss of life and property. It is estimated that 2,000 persons have been killed since Christmas, and still the shocks continue at intervals. Many of the terror-stricken inhabitants of the country are camped in huts in the fields, or in carts and carriages. Contributions are being made for the sufferers. THESE volumes describe the great conflict between Christ and Satan, as illustrated in the history of man, his temptations, conflicts, victories and defeats, and the final triumph of right and truth with a crowning immortality. Volume one treats of the rebellion of Satan, the fall of man, and the lives of the patriarchs to the time of Solomon. Volumes two and three are devoted to the Life of Christ and the Ministry of his Apostles. Volume four contains sketches of the history of the Church from the destruction of Jerusalem to the close of time. These books are not argumentative, yet they throw much light on the sacred page. They afford especial encouragement to the Christian, and are excellent to place in the hands of skeptics to convince them of Bible truth. 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By Uriah Smith
This work shows the nature of the mistake made in expecting the Lord to come in 1844, which was not an error of time computation, but in the nature of the event to take place, namely, the cleansing of the Sanctuary. The work sheds a flood of light on the Scriptures, especially on the subject of the Atonement. 352 pp. Price, cloth, $1.00. Address,
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