—Over 1,300 acres of watermelons have been planted near Lodi, San Joaquin County, Cal.
—A fire at Fairview, Erie County, Pa., May 3, destroyed property to the amount of $100,000.
—It is stated that Mormons from the Territories are settling in the northern part of Chihuahua, Mexico.
—An iron tower, 984 feet high, is to be erected on the grounds of the coming Paris International Exhibition.
—A New York banker and broker estimates that American citizens will this year spend $70,000,000 in pleasuring in Europe.
—May 1 a feud of long standing in the African M. E. Church of Columbia, S. C., resulted in bloodshed. Several men were shot; one fatally.
—May 6, a cyclone swept over a part of McHenry County, Ill. Three persons were killed, and several seriously injured. Much property was destroyed.
—It is officially announced that the cholera has appeared in Venice and Vicenza, Italy. Several cases and some deaths are reported in these places daily.
—Since his recent capture and escape, Geronimo and his band have killed nineteen persons and taken captive one young girl, whose fate is worse than death.
—May 3 an explosion of nitro-glycerine, at Pinole, Cal., killed one white man and two Chinamen, besides destroying about five thousand dollars' worth of property.
—A fire in Honolulu, H. I., April 18, burned the entire Chinese quarter of the city, destroying property to the amount of $1,500,000. The burned area is about sixty acres.
—The oldest merchantman afloat is supposed to be the bark True Love. This vessel was built in London, England, in 1764—122 years ago—and is still in active service.
—Joseph D. Weeks, expert and special agent of the Census Bureau, estimates that the laboring people of the United States lost $13,003,866 through strikes and lockouts, during 1885.
—It is stated that a band of Mexican soldiers crossed into Texas on the 1st inst., 200 miles below El Paso, and drove back into Mexico 275 head of cattle belonging to the ranch of J. C. McComb, of Presidio County, Texas.
—The strike on the Gould system has been declared at an end, and all the men who could obtain employment have returned to work. The new men employed during the strike are not to be discharged to make room for the ex-strikers.
—The official journal of the Greek ministry says: "As long as the pressure of the ultimatum of the Powers is allowed to remain, Greece will not dismiss a single soldier from the army now mobilized." France excepted, the Powers have withdrawn their ministers from Athens, and have ordered a blockade of all Grecian ports. War seems probable.
—Dr. Casanova, a Corsican archæologist, has discovered archives which show that Christopher Columbus was born in the town of Calvi, in Corsica, and emigrated to Genoa. President Grevy has examined the evidence and is satisfied of its authority. May 23, commemorative inscriptions will be placed on the house in which Columbus was born.
—The amount of coal in the Pittsburg region is estimated by Professor Lesley, of Pennsylvania Geological Survey, at 30,000,000,000 tons. About 11,000,000 tons are now taken annually from this bed, of which two-thirds are bituminous coal, and one-third anthracite. Professor Lesley believes that the oil and gas supply will practically cease ten or twenty years hence.
—Parts of Kansas and Missouri were visited May 6 by a terrible rain-storm. Fifty-four panes of glass were broken in the windows of an express train by hail near Florence, Kan. Some of the stones measured four inches in diameter. At Nevada, Mo., the damage to streets, culverts, and buildings is estimated at $10,000. Much damage was done at other points in both States.
—The rebellion in Burmah seems to be gathering strength. A recent dispatch states that the insurgents have got possession of Mandalay and destroyed by fire no less than 4,000 houses. Lord Dufferin has been asked for reinforcements, but dare not reduce the force at his disposal for fear of an uprising in India. Preparations are being made in England to dispatch large reinforcements to India.287—Mormon Cannon, who has fled from Salt Lake City to escape imprisonment for bigamy, is said to be hiding in Arizona.
—Herr Most says of New York Anarchists: "We are not behind our friends in Chicago. We have our bombs and revolvers as well as they, and you will see them fly and go off in the streets of New York before long, perhaps; but anyhow at any time when the police give us provocation."
—Telegrams from St. Petersburg and Odessa give startling accounts of the progress made by the Nihilists. Wholesale arrests have been made within a week at Alushta, Nopo-Tcherkask, and Odessa. So grave are police reports that the Czar has been advised not to delay his return to St. Petersburg.
—Bradstreet's estimates that 325,000 men have taken part in the short-hour movement. About 175,000 have struck; 15,000 have received concessions without striking, and some 45,000 have gained their ends by striking. The report adds: "The outlook for an early or general clearing up of the industrial disturbances is not bright."
—Labor difficulties still continue throughout the East, and in all the large cities there is more or less agitation. Employés are generally demanding fewer hours and in many cases an increase in wages In some instances their demands have been complied with, and they have continued or resumed work; in other cases new hands have been employed, and the strikers are now idle; such is the fact in the Brooklyn sugar refineries. In some few instances manufacturers have anticipated strikes by closing their works. This was done May 4 by all the furniture factories in Baltimore with but one exception. On the 3d and 4th inst. the weavers and other employés in the silk industry at Jersey City and Hoboken struck for more pay and fewer hours; about four thousand persons are out of employment. Ten thousand men are also out at Cincinnati, their demand being for only eight hours.
—From May 3 to 5 Chicago and Milwaukee were the scenes of serious rioting. On the 3d a party of Socialists attempted to take possession of the McCormick Reaper Works, at Chicago, but the mob was repulsed by the police. One officer was shot in the hand, and several of the rioters were injured in the conflict. On the 4th 200 officers attempted to put an end to a boisterous Socialist meeting, when they were fiercely attacked by the mob, and two dynamite bombs were thrown between the first two ranks of officers and immediately exploded, killing one and fatally wounding others. The officers at once drew their revolvers and fired several volleys into the mob, which dispersed in every direction. About twenty wounded Socialists were immediately arrested. Forty-four wounded officers are in the hospitals. On the 5th the mob raided a drug store and also a liquor store, drinking and carrying away the liquor. Milwaukee was also the scene of riot on the 5th, and several collisions between the rioters and the civil authorities supported by the State militia took place. In one or two instances the militia were compelled to fire upon the mob and seven persons were killed. Numerous arrests have been made and quiet has been restored in both of these cities.
News and Notes.
By Editor
RELIGIOUS.
—There are now thirty-one women in the Universalist ministry. Six of these have churches in Illinois.
—The church at Bryan Station, Ky., has had but two pastors, a father and son, in the 100 years of its existence.
—The latest Year-book of the National Church of Italy, the Waldensian, shows that the church numbers 15,000 communicants.
—It is stated that forty students of Cambridge University, England, and a large number from Oxford, are planning to go out as foreign missionaries.
—Two thousand children, nearly all of Hindoo and Mohammedan parentage, marched, not long since, in the annual Sunday-school procession at Lucknow, India.
—The very effort that is made to-day by the church for more civil recognition, is to us prima facie evidence that she needs herself to be reformed worse than the State.—Rev. Wm. Ballentine.
—At the celebration of the thirty-eighth anniversary of modern Spiritualism, in San Diego, Cal., among the floral decorations was the "Gates Ajar," made of smilax and marguerites, the gift of a "Methodist lady."
—During the past year there have been nine new periodicals started in foreign countries, in the interest of modern Spiritualism. The total number of Spiritualist journals now published in foreign lands is ninety-one.
—Monsignor Capel says that "the American people do not know the meaning of the word reverence." "You revere nothing," he says; "you are inclined to turn to ridicule the most solemn traditions and most sacred observances." Altogether too true. The third commandment is thus almost universally violated.
—The General Baptist Association of California, at its annual session held last week in San Francisco, adopted the following by unanimous vote: "We commend to our churches a hearty sympathy and support of the Chinese missionary work; we deprecate the unchristian spirit toward our Chinese population manifested by so many of the people of this State; the existence of this spirit should all the more prompt us to the exercise of the Spirit of Christ in seeking the salvation of the souls of the heathen among us."
—At the last regular weekly meeting of the Methodist ministers of San Francisco, Dr. Buchanan said: "We Methodists are just closing our year of jubilee. We have rejoiced greatly in our millions of members and our wealth. We have been greatly elated with our selfish material gains. But are the foundations so sure as we supposed? Is it so sure that the scarlet thread of pride and selfishness may not be weaving itself noiselessly into our very being? that an enemy may not be sowing tares in our church's life? Who knows?"
—Mr. Osborne, the Episcopal "missioner," speaking in Trinity Church, New York, said that the bottom of the present labor difficulties is selfishness. Selfishness, he insisted, is to-day the canker of society, and of individual life in all its ramifications. It has, he said, its manifestations in cruel indifference to the well-being of one's fellows. This is in harmony with the words of the apostle Paul: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come, for men shall be lovers of their own selves." The present labor troubles, serious as they are, are but the prelude to greater troubles that are coming on the earth in consequence of the selfishness of mankind.
—In a pamphlet published in 1874, in opposition to the assumptions of the so-called "National Reform" Party, Rev. Wm. Ballentine wrote the following true words: "We take it as a fundamental principle laid down in the Scriptures, and corroborated by history in all ages, that the church of Jesus Christ, in a state of reformation, receiving the smiles of his approbation, has never sought for civil establishment. It is only when pride, ambition, and an inordinate love of popularity, have become predominant in the hearts of her leaders; or when latitudinarianism and indifference to the truth of God prevail, that the church, becoming as useless as the vine that has fallen from its trellis and become unfruitful, seeks to be sustained by the secular arm, and fondled on the knee of civil power."
Character Carried Beyond Life
ONLY what we have wrought into our character during life can we take away with us.—Sel.
Salvation by Grace
WHAT but the power of God can bring a sinner—destitute of all desire to please God—into that condition where it is his meat and his drink—his only great desire—to do the will of God? Is not this what Christ means when he says: "No man can come unto me except the Father which sent me draw him?" Being "carnal" (natural), "at enmity against God, not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be," what part of the work in his conversion and salvation does the sinner perform? If he repents, by what means is it done? If he believes, whence the power to do so, seeing he, in his natural condition of mind, is at enmity against God? Saving repentance and faith spring not up spontaneously in the natural heart. They are sown there by the Holy Spirit, and by it brought forth as means in the salvation of the sinner. So it is emphatically true that "by grace ye are saved"—"by grace I am what I am." Wonderful work of God! Wonderful salvation!—World's Crisis.
Obituary.
FUGETT.—Mrs. Nancy Fugett, aged 80 years and 6 months, died at Sacramento, Cal., April 11, 1886, of paralysis of the brain. She was an observer of the Sabbath, and the Signs was one of her most welcome friends. JOHN F. COOPER.
MCCLELLAN.—Died in San Francisco, April 30, Brother Samuel Elwood McClellan, aged 35 years, 3 months. Brother McClellan was born in the State of Delaware, in 1851. With his parents he removed to California eleven years ago. He became interested in the truth during the tent-meetings held by Elder Healey in Sacramento, but did not fully embrace the doctrine until after the Sacramento camp-meeting; he began to keep the Sabbath at that time. At the camp-meeting in Oakland in 1884 he was baptized, and soon afterward joined the San Francisco church. Since that time he has led an exemplary Christian life. The testimony of his father's family is, that "the Bible was his constant companion, and the truth his theme of conversation."
He died in full faith of a blessed immortality at the coming of our Lord. Words of consolation were spoken from Rev. 14:13 by the writer. N. C. MCCLURE.
Publishers' Department.
By Editor
AGENTS AND BOOK DEPOSITORIES.
Australia—International Tract Society, Bible Echo Office, Rae and Scotchmer Sts., North Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.
British Guiana.—Joseph R. Brathwaite, 152 Church St., Georgetown, Demerara, British Guiana, S. A.
California Tract Society—1067 Castro St., Oakland, Cal.
Canada Tract Society—South Stukely, P. Q.
Colorado Tract Society—Cor. 31st and Champa Streets Denver, Colo.
Dakota Tract Society—Vilas, Miner Co., Dak.
District of Columbia.—International Tract Society, 1831 Vermont Avenue, N. W., Washington, D. C.
England—The Present Truth, 72 Heneage St., Grimsby, Eng.
Florida Tract Society—Miss Lysle Reynolds, Secretary, Box 232, Jacksonville, Fla.
Hawaiian Islands—International Tract Society, Honolulu, H. I.
Idaho—Elder D. T. Fero, Boise City, Idaho.
Illinois Tract Society—3652 Vincennes Ave., Chicago, Ill.
Indiana Tract Society—No. 32 Cherry St., Indianapolis, Ind.
Iowa Tract Society—1315 E. Sycamore St., Des Moines, Iowa.
Kansas Tract Society—Box 160, Ottawa, Franklin Co., Kan.
Kentucky Tract Society—West Clifty, Grayson Co., Ky.
Louisiana—International Tract Society, 732 Magazine Street, New Orleans, La.
Maine Tract Society—113 Pearl St., Portland, Me.
Michigan Tract Society—Battle Creek, Mich.
Minnesota Tract Society—2820 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, Minn.
Missouri Tract Society—321 Lamine Ave., Sedalia, Mo.
Montana—Walter Harper, Butte City, Mont.
Nebraska Tract Society—Fremont, Dodge Co., Neb.
New England—N. E. Tract Society, South Lancaster, Mass.
New Mexico—John McMurchy, White Oaks, Lincoln County, N. M.
New York Tract Society—Box 113, Rome, N. Y.
New Zealand—Edward Hare, Upper Queen Street (Turner Street), Auckland, N. Z.
North Pacific—N. P. Tract Society, Box 18, East Portland, Oregon.
Norway—Sundhedsbladet, Christiania, Norway.
Ohio Tract Society—259 Adams St., Toledo, Ohio.
Pennsylvania Tract Society—No. 5 Madison St., Wellsville, N. Y.
Switzerland—Elder W. C. White, 48 Weiherweg, Basel, Switzerland.
Tennessee Tract Society—Springville, Henry Co., Tenn.
Texas Tract Society—Mrs. Lee Gregory, Secretary, Denton, Tex.
Upper Columbia—U. C. Tract Society, Walla Walla, W. T.
Vancouver Island—Bernard Robu, Victoria, B. C.
Vermont—Lizzie A. Stone, South Lancaster, Mass.
Virginia Tract Society—New Market, Shenandoah Co., Va.
Wisconsin Tract Society—901 E. Gorham St., Madison, Wis.
Wyoming—J. T. Trees, Tie Siding, Albany Co., Wyo.
ALL of the above Agencies are authorized to receive subscriptions to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, American Sentinel, and Pacific Health Journal & Temperance Advocate. Catalogues of our books, pamphlets, and tracts, in English and the various foreign languages, can be obtained from them. Write to the agency nearest you.
Active Agents Wanted.
In Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and westward to the Pacific Ocean, for fast-selling subscription books. Liberal commissions paid. Send stamp for circulars and confidential terms to Agents. Write now if you desire to secure choice territory and the agency for the best selling books in the field. Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Publishers, Oakland, Cal.
Special Notice to Agents.
By Editor
WHEN sending orders to this office for Signs, Pacific Health Journal, American Sentinel, and books, please make the orders for the different periodicals on separate slips of paper, as separate books are kept for each periodical. Place the orders for Signs on one slip of paper; those for the Health Journal on another; those for the Sentinel on still another, etc. By so doing you will greatly accommodate the clerks in the office, and facilitate business.
Geikie's Life of Christ.
The Life and Words of Christ, by Cunningham Geikie, Acme Edition, extra cloth, 800 pages, 50 cents; postage, 10 cents.
The best of all the lives of Christ—a marvel of cheapness.—Portland Christian Mirror.
A great and noble work, rich in information, elegant and scholarly in style, earnestly devout in feeling.—London Literary World.
It is a work of profound learning.—Archbishop of York.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
The Great Controversy.
THE new (1886) illustrated edition of "The Great Controversy between Christ and Satan during the Christian Dispensation," by Mrs. E. G. White, contains over 500 pages, a portrait of the author, and is illustrated by twenty-one full-page cuts. The book is printed and bound in the very best style; olive green muslin with jet and gold stamp. Over ten thousand have been sold in six months.
This volume presents the most wonderful and intensely interesting history that has ever been written of the great conflict between Christianity and the powers of darkness, as illustrated in the lives of Christian martyrs and reformers on one hand, and wicked men and persecuting powers on the other.
The closing chapters give a vivid picture of the warfare of the church, her final redemption, and vividly describe the triumph of the people of God, the destruction of Satan and all his followers, and the renewing of the earth, which ends the awful controversy between the Son of God and the powers of darkness.
Earnest Christians of all classes and creeds will find in it encouragement and instruction. The style of the author is clear, forcible, and often sublime, and, although simple enough in its statements to be understood and appreciated by a child, its eloquence calls forth the admiration of all.
Sent post-paid to any address in America for $1.50, or to foreign countries 8s., post free.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal., U. S. A
Marvel of Nations.
By Editor
"OUR COUNTRY, the Marvel of Nations; Its Past, Present, and Future, and What the Scriptures Say of It," is the title of a new and popular work, on a subject of the deepest interest to all American citizens, by U. Smith, author of "Smith's Parliamentary Rules," and other popular works. It takes a brief but comprehensive view of our Government from a historical, political, and religious standpoint.
It also shows that the United States is a subject of prophecy; that an outline of its history was written nearly two thousand years ago. It calls the attention of the reader to a chain of prophecy of which our Government is an important link, and shows that the location, the time of its rise, the nature of its Constitution, and its wonderful growth and subsequent influence, as well as its future attitude, were all clearly foreseen and pointed out by the prophet of God, hundreds of years ago.
The "Marvel of Nations" is a work of 282 pages. It contains a steel plate of the author, and over forty illustrations. Price, postpaid, $1.00.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
Combination Offer.
By Editor
THE "MARVEL OF NATIONS" WITH THE AMERICAN SENTINEL, ONE YEAR, POST-PAID, FOR $1.25.
The publishers of the AMERICAN SENTINEL, being desirous of securing a large subscription list at once, have made arrangements with the publishers of the "Marvel of Nations," whereby they are enabled to furnish this interesting and popular book, together with the American Sentinel, for one year, for $1.25. We trust that many of our readers will avail themselves of this privilege of securing both the book and the paper for so small a sum. Order at once, so as to secure all the numbers of the SENTINEL.
Address, AMERICAN SENTINEL,
1059 Castro Street, Oakland, Cal.
RECEIPTS.
By Editor
NOTICE.—The change of figures on the address labels will be in all cases a sufficient receipt for money sent for the paper. If these changes do not appear in due time, and if books ordered by mail are not received, please notify us. All other business is acknowledged below.
CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE.—G H Heald $20, Gilroy $3.70, Ella Striplin $1.50, Vacaville $3, Ferndale $38.90, Mrs R Hickman $1.35, G H Whittemore $6.60, Petaluma $16.80.
HEALTH RETREAT.—George Manuel $20.
AUSTRALIAN MISSION.—A friend $2, Another friend $5, L Good $.50.
EUROPEAN MISSION.—A friend $2, Cal S S Ass'n $78.81, B Robb $10.
HEALDSBURG COLLEGE.—A Wilson $10, A friend $5.
RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.—U C T and M Society $150, Dakota T and M Society $146.38.
CALIFORNIA T AND M SOCIETY.—From Niles $5, J V Woolford $5, E Spath $1.
Appointments.
By H. W. Decker
Upper Columbia Camp-Meeting.
THIS meeting will be held at Walla Walla, May 26 to June 1. Tents will be pitched on the ground for all who wish to rent. It is thought best to have no restaurant on the ground. We hope to see a general turn-out at this meeting. Elder Butler, President of the General Conference, will be present to assist in the meeting. Important steps will be taken for the advancement of the cause the coming year. We trust our brethren will make strong efforts to break away from home cares, overcome difficulties that may be in the way, and attend this means of grace.
Since the last camp-meeting, some substantial advancement has been made. Our financial condition is better; and about fifty have accepted the truth. While this is a matter of encouragement, we feel that much more can be done the coming year.
If you have decided not to come, we entreat you to reconsider the matter and begin to make preparation immediately to attend. Bring your unconverted children and friends as far as possible. Come to stay till the close of the meeting, which will be Tuesday morning, June 1. Leave your home cares, and come with an earnest prayer for the blessing of God on the meeting. H. W. DECKER.
Upper Columbia Conference.
By H. W. Decker
THE next annual session of the Upper Columbia Conference, for the transaction of conference business, will be held in connection with the camp-meeting at Walla Walla, May 26 to June 1, 1886.
Let all churches see that delegates are appointed and furnished with credentials, and that the necessary reports are made out, and sent to the Conference secretary, E. G. Winkler, Rock Creek, Spokane Co., W. T.
H. W. DECKER, President.
Righteousness Beyond the Pharisees
“FOR I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of Heaven.” Matt. 5:20. The Pharisees were great sticklers for the law. The word “Pharisee” means “one separated.” The idea was that those who formed that sect were separated from the rest of the world, because of their superior piety in adhering so strictly to the law. But their piety was only outward. They kept the form, or letter, of the law, but not the spirit or real intent of it. Now the Saviour did not condemn them for keeping the letter of the law, but for not keeping the spirit also. He says that our righteousness must exceed theirs. To exceed is to do the same amount and a great deal more. We could not exceed them in righteousness without keeping the letter of the law as strictly as they did. Then if while strictly obeying the letter, we serve in spirit also, we have the promise of eternal life.
Two BILLS have been introduced into the New York Legislature, declaring boycotting not to be a conspiracy or misdemeanor under the law. All lovers of justice and good order will hope that these bills may never become laws.
Man's Body and Soul
By Editor
IN the old catechisms we used to read that man is a dual being, composed of body and soul. This statement of the case is very common. Very well, we will accept the statement, and place this beside it: “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground” (Gen. 2:7.); and also this: “If He set His heart upon man, if He gather unto Himself his spirit and his breath; all flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.” Job 34:14, 15. Now it makes no difference of how many parts it is said man is composed, we know that the whole is composed of all its parts, and, therefore, since man himself is formed of dust and returns to dust, all the parts of which he is composed must also be formed of dust and must return to dust.
ON the 7th of April, the State of Rhode Island rolled up a large majority vote for Constitutional prohibition. Of course the liquor dealers will contest the vote; but the fact that a majority of the voters of Providence, which has 120,000 inhabitants, were in favor of the amendment, is a good assurance that the result will not be overturned. It is worthy of note that in every State where prohibition prevails, the result was brought about by Constitutional amendment, and not by any party. We believe this to be the best and most direct method of securing prohibition.
Praying in Public.
By Editor
WE shouldn’t wonder if Sam Jones struck pretty nearly the truth of the matter when he made the following remarks:—
“That old brother out there says, ‘I don’t pray in public.’ I ask him why. He says because he is timid. It is because you are mean; that is the secret of the whole thing. A fellow doesn’t like to pray before the public when he hasn’t lived right before the public. I heard of a fellow once, and a preacher called on him to pray, and he prayed a little, and directly he said, ‘O Lord, give us soul-saving religion,’ and one of his creditors who was present hollered out, ‘and debt-paying religion,’ and to that the fellow had to say, Amen, and quit. He had him there. And a man that don’t live right before the public don’t like to pray before the public.”
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
By Editor
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE
International Tract and Missionary Society.
A sixteen-page Religious Family Paper, devoted to a discussion of the Prophecies, Signs of the Times, Second Coming of Christ, Harmony of the Law and Gospel; with Departments devoted to Health and Temperance, the Home Circle, the Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-school.
Price Per Year, post-paid, - - - - - $2.00
In clubs of five or more copies to one name and address, to be used in Missionary work, each, - - - - - 1.50
To foreign countries, single subscriptions, post-paid, - - 10s
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
Twelfth and Castro Streets, OAKLAND, CAL., U. S. A.
Camp-Meetings for 1886.
NORTH PACIFIC, East Portland, ......... May 19-25
KANSAS, Topeka, ..................... “ 19-25
UPPER COLUMBIA, Walla Walla, May 26 to June 1
PENNSYLVANIA, Olean, N. Y............. June 2-8
COLORADO, Denver, .................... “ 2-9
IOWA, ................................ “ 9-15
WISCONSIN, ........................... “ 16-22
MINNESOTA, ........................... “ 23-29
MAINE, Houlton, ............... June 29 to July 6
DAKOTA, ....................... June 30 to July 6
CANADA, P. Q. ...................... July 1-6
TEXAS, ............................. Aug. 6-18
Rule for Crediting Articles
By Editor
THE following rule will hereafter be observed in crediting articles that appear in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES: Articles written by the editors will have simply the initial of their surnames, thus: “W.” and “J.” Articles by the corresponding editors will be signed with their full initials. Articles from other correspondents will be signed with the full names of the writers. Proper credit will be given in every instance to selected matter. Short articles without credit, in whatever part of the paper they are found, may be known to be original editorial matter.
German Missionary Educator Journal
By Editor
A FEW weeks ago, we noticed the new French paper entitled Missionary Educator and Sabbath-School Journal. A German edition now makes its appearance. All that we said about the value of the French edition will of course apply to this. We hope that these journals may have a wide circulation among the French and German residents of this country.
Noyes and the Abrogated Commandments
IN connection with the death of John Humphrey Noyes, the founder of the Oneida Community, it is worthy of note, that, but a few years before he began to pose as a reformer, he was excommunicated for teaching, among other things, that the ten commandments are abrogated. His subsequent career was but the legitimate result of such teaching.
Receiving Members by Letter
By Editor
G. M.—There is no “recognized rule” among S. D. A. churches as to the reception of members by letter. Some churches act upon the name immediately on presentation of the letter, while others lay the case over one week, as in applications for baptism. There ought to be no objection to taking action at once; but cases have been known where churches have, through carelessness, granted letters to persons who were not in “good and regular standing.”
Only the Living Give
By Editor
The Christian at Work says:—
“A wealthy gentleman of West Virginia recently willed one-half his large estate to various church organizations; and these bequests have all been set aside by the courts and pronounced null. The old lesson comes up here—give while you live. In fact, only the living give, anyway. The dead only relinquish; and the giving by bequest is often a forced gift made at the expense of sorrowing relatives, and herein it lacks the chief essential of benevolence.”
The words “only the living give” are worthy of serious thought. We doubt if a man is entitled to any credit for bequeathing money for charitable purposes. The grace and glory of giving is in the self-denial which it necessitates; and there certainly cannot be much self-denial in giving away that for which one has no further use.
Fashionable Religion
By Editor
The Albany Argus says: "The theaters were shut on Good Friday night for the first time in the history of New York. That shows how it has become suddenly fashionable to be religious during Lent. Whether there is an increase of piety is another question." It may be set down as a fact that the amount of piety in "fashionable religion" is nothing. Another thing may be noted, and that is, no part of "religion" ever becomes fashionable, except that part which has no Scriptural foundation. Whenever any religious ceremony becomes fashionable, you may know that the ceremony is one that originated this side of Bible times, or else in ancient heathendom.
The Spirit and Letter of the Law
By Editor
SAYS a friend: “Christ lays great stress upon ‘spirit’ in interpreting Pharisaic conscience. And yet the latter was a strict law abider.” Our friend seems to imagine that we do not believe in spiritual observance of the law. The fact is we do not believe in anything else. We do indeed plead for the observance of the letter of the law, but not without the spirit. Spiritual observance of the law, however, presupposes literal observance. To yield spiritual obedience to the law is impossible to some who disregard the letter. So the Pharisee was not a law abider. And when it is said that Christ laid great stress on the spirit of the law, it is equivalent to saying that he laid stress on the whole law, both letter and spirit.
Civilized Barbarity
THE savage Indian goes about with the scalps of his victims hanging to his belt. The civilized white goes about with the scalps of her victims “adorn-ing” her dress. The victims of the former are men, and those of the latter are birds; but considering the difference in station and educational advantages, can we say that the Indian is the more heartless of the two? Civilized barbarity is to our minds the worst form possible; and there is a good deal of the savage still remaining among civilized people.
Adventist Position on Divorce
By Editor
A CORRESPONDENT says: “'Advent' colporters advocate free divorce in the South. Do those southern colporters voice the whole church organization?” We answer, No; nor any part of it. No Seventh-day Adventist in the world ever advocated any such thing. There is one proper ground for divorce, and only one. Christ said: “Whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery.” Matt. 5:32. We dare not go beyond the word of the Lord, to do less or more than it enjoins; therefore that is the sum of the belief of Seventh-day Adventists on the subject of divorce.
The Sabbath-School Worker
By Editor
THE second number of Vol. 2 of the Sabbath-School Worker is on our table, and a perusal of its contents leads us to wish that its circulation might be increased tenfold. For variety of matter that is of practical value to Sabbath-school workers, we do not know where the Worker has its equal. While it is designed especially for our Sabbath-schools, the instruction which it contains is just as well adapted for Sunday-schools of all denominations. We have thought that it ought to be required of every teacher, as an indispensable qualification for his duties, that he subscribe for the Worker. It is certain that those who read it carefully will be far better prepared for their duties than those who do not. And the price, only 25 cents a year, places it within the reach of the poorest. Address Sabbath-School Worker, Battle Creek, Mich.
Payment for Papers
By Editor
We send no papers from this office without pay in advance, unless by special arrangement. When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the SIGNS are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon for pay. Please read the papers and hand them to your friends to read.