Earlier text: The Day of the SabbathThe Missionary.
By S. N. Haskell
Reasons for Engaging in Missionary Work.
1. God, Christ, angels, and all nature are at work for the happiness of man and the glory of God. Man was so constituted, that, had he never sinned, labor would have been a source of happiness to him; hence God placed him in the garden to dress and to keep it. In the creation of this earth, God designed to secure the happiness of man; and he is ever at work in the great plan of salvation, by his providence and his Spirit, to save the human family from that state of sin and misery in which man finds himself in consequence of his own disobedience. “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work,” are the words of the Saviour. His entire life was one of self-denial, labor, and suffering. The work which the Father gave him to finish was the work which he performed. Angels also work. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Angels who watch over the humble Christian always behold the face of God. They encamp about the saints of God, and deliver them. They impress minds to do the will of God, and are constantly ascending and descending, to and from Heaven, performing the will of God in answer to the prayers of his people. See Heb. 1:14; Luke 15:7, 10; Matt. 18:10; Ps. 34:7; 91:11, 12; Dan. 10:12, 13; 12:1; Gen. 28:12. The established laws of nature, which cause the earth to bring forth and bud, are ordained to give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater. Isa. 55:10; Ps. 104:14, 15. In the universe, which is governed by fixed laws, everything works; and shall man, the noblest work of God, be found in idleness? The apostle commanded and exhorted the Thessalonians that with quietness they work; “That if any would not work, neither should he eat.” 2 Thess. 3:10–12. That which does not manifest life is decayed matter; and stagnant pools breed disease, pestilence, and death. To speak of a Christian who does not work, is to use contradictory terms. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:10. The church becomes established by good works; we are exhorted to “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” Heb. 10:24. The work of enlightening mankind and saving117 precious souls for whom Christ died, is the work of God. In engaging in this work, therefore, we connect ourselves with God, Christ, and holy angels; and when this life shall fail we shall be received into everlasting habitations. 2. Works are the basis of our reward. We are rewarded according to our works. “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Faith will enable us to work acceptably, but it is our works that will be examined from the record book above. Good works are therefore recommended; and we are assured that our “righteousness remaineth forever.” 2 Cor. 9:9, 10. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Heb 6:10. “God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.” Eccl. 12:14. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Cor. 5:10. Yes; “every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of Judgment.” My brother, when your selfish interests come in between you and the work of God, do you stop to think that you are not only depriving yourself of the crown of life, but are sowing seed which will yield you a harvest of sorrow in the final day of reckoning? My sister, when that impatient word escaped your lips, did you realize that it was recorded by an angel, and that unless repented of, you would one day see it again in living characters? For God “will render to every man according to his deeds.” 3. The joy of the Christian will consist in seeing those for whom he has labored saved with an everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.” 1 Thess. 2:19, 20. To meet in glory those for whom we have labored and prayed, but whom we have never seen in this life, will cause mutual joy in Heaven. Paul, in writing to the Corinthians, says, “We are your rejoicing even as ye also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.” 2 Cor. 1:14. To the Philippians, the apostle writes: “My brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy, and crown.” The crown of glory, bedecked with stars representing souls saved by the apostle’s self-denying life, was the crown of righteousness, right-doing, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, would give him at that day, and not to him only, but to all that love his appearing. 2 Tim. 4:8. Every one that enters the portals of glory will wear such a crown; and none will enter there who have not in this life possessed a self-denying, self-sacrificing spirit of labor for the salvation of others. It is necessary therefore that we labor in harmony with the plan of God, that we may gather with Christ. “Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.” Ps. 128:1, 2. 4. The reward is certain. There is no danger of a failure here, for the reward is of such a nature that the dissolution of this earth cannot affect it. A gentleman of wealth asked a banker of my acquaintance: “Where is the safest place to invest a few thousands?” “In Heaven,” was the banker’s reply. We recommend this to all as a safe place of deposit. “He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal; that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.” The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. All are bidden to enter the field, and gather golden sheaves to be enjoyed in eternity. My brother, my sister, do not wait until everything on your part has been so arranged that there will be no cross to bear. “He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.” Has God intrusted to you this world’s goods? do not wait until the shouts of victory are heard by the redeemed hosts, and the fruit is borne to glory by the angels of God; now is the time to make investments, and enter the harvest field. From every nationality the cry is heard, “Come over and help us.” There never was a greater need of means in the cause of God than now; there never will be a greater need. Means now invested in the cause of God will place a “treasure in Heaven,” and bring speedy returns. There is no doubt of this. The result of this matter is settled in Heaven. “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Ps. 126:5, 6. It is the blessing of God that gives success to the word spoken, to the seed sown. We should labor with courage, faith, and hope. “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” Eccl. 11:6. Much labor will be expended without seeing great results, but ultimate success is certain. We cannot tell whose hearts God has prepared to receive the truth, but we know that they are all around us; we are directed to “give a portion to seven, also to eight.” We should be like the clouds full of rain, that empty themselves upon the earth. “Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters.” Isa. 32:20. “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isa. 55:10, 11. There never was a time when the words of our Saviour were more emphatically true than now: “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” There never was a time when eternal fruit was so soon to be given as now. Who among those who have not hitherto taken an active part in the missionary work will immediately enter the ranks of laborers? REV. JUSTIN EDWARDS, D. D., for seven years the secretary of the American Temperance Society, gave the following cases in his fourth annual report in 1831: “In one case a father adopted the plan of using a little ardent spirit every day. He was never intoxicated, and never thought to be in the least intemperate. He only took a little, a very little, because he thought it did him good. For the same reason his children took a little daily, and so did their children. And now no less than forty of his descendants are drunkards or in drunkards' graves. Another man adopted a different plan. He would not use ardent spirits; he would not purchase it, nor would he suffer it to enter his house. He taught his children to treat it as a poison, a mortal poison; and they so taught their children. And now there is not a drunkard among them, nor has one of his descendants ever come to a drunkard's grave.” For several years there has been in operation in London, under the care of an eminent physician (Dr. Edmunds), a medical institution known as the Temperance Hospital, all patients being treated there without alcohol in any form. Of the many thousands who have received treatment at this hospital during the six years of its existence, not one has been allowed to make use of wine, beer, brandy, or any other alcoholic beverage or liquid. According to the annual reports of the workings of the hospital, the experiment has thus far been a very gratifying success. This would also seem to be indicated by the fact that measures have recently been taken for the enlargement and permanent establishment of the institution. It is not impossible that it may soon be demonstrated that alcohol is altogether useless as a medicine. It is certain, at any rate, that preparations of alcohol are prescribed by physicians much more frequently than necessity demands, and to the immediate as well as remote detriment of their patients. The prohibitory law now in force in Massachusetts was drafted by Gen. (now Governor-elect) Butler. For a liberal fee he gave to the perfecting of the measure his eminent ability and the skill acquired in his long practice in criminal law. According to The Watchman, he did his work so well, that in a protracted litigation it ran the gauntlet of all the courts up to the highest, and its constitutionality was affirmed by the Supreme Court of the United States. When he was a candidate in 1879, he declared that if elected, he would enforce the prohibitory law—meaning of course that he would employ in good faith his executive authority to its fullest extent to give it effect. If our license law can be kept intact, and the towns under their local option will refuse licenses as generally as they have hitherto done, the prohibitory system will be in force in two-thirds of the towns, and a due enforcement of it will be in accord with public opinion, and a great boon to the Commonwealth. Almost every young man likes the idea of some day “setting up business” for himself. The foolish spendings of many a youth would, if wisely saved, help to give him an independent start. The following illustrates this point: A New Orleans paper tells of a printer who, whenever his fellow-workmen at the case went out to drink beer, put in the savings bank the exact amount he would have spent if he had gone with them to drink. He did this for five years. He then looked at his bank account, and found that he had laid up $521.86. In five years he had not lost a day because of sickness. Three out of five of his fellow-workmen had in the meantime become drunkards. The water-drinker then bought out the printing-office, and in twenty years from the time he began to put by his money, he had laid aside many thousand dollars. Col. Ingersoll has been sneering at the cost of religion. The total amount given for the support of the churches is about $47,000,000 per annum. The value of the liquors retailed in the United States in 1878 was $715,000,000. The annual contribution for religion per capita was $1.11, for education $2.02, for liquor $17—fifteen times as much to ruin souls through the liquor traffic as to save them through the gospel. Recalling the declaration of Daniel Webster, that no state is great or secure without education and religion, is not the policy suicidal which allows five times as much to make paupers and criminals of the people as is expended in the education of their minds and the salvation of their souls combined? But this is not all. The catalogue of the expense of the liquor traffic needs to be supplemented by at least an equal amount to cover accident, sickness, loss by crime and by police, judicial and penal expenditure. And above all, in terms which no arithmetic can express, there must be added the unutterable misery, the broken hearts and desolated hopes, and blasted names and lost souls. For these there is no computation and no realization short of eternity. For this traffic no Christian man can feel anything but abhorrence.—Selected. What the Beer Drinker Swallows.
By G. E. Foster
The beer or spirit drinker is wont to look with ill-concealed contempt upon the simple water drinker, and as he tosses off the glass he has just paid his money for, imagines that he has swallowed something far better and performed an action far more sensible. Yet, if he would stop but for a moment to ask what he has just taken, he might think quite differently. Let us see. A barrel of beer contains about 500 glasses. The seller gives about $8 for it, and sells it for five cents a glass, or $25. His profit is 215 per cent. The drinker drops in ten times per day and takes his glass of beer; in fifty days he has consumed the 500 glasses and paid $25 therefor. What has he swallowed? Scientific men say that in the 500 glasses of beer there were 460 glasses of mere water, 25 glasses of pure alcohol, 15 glasses of extracts and gums. So the beer drinker has paid $23 for 460 glasses of water, and impure at that, which he could have had from the nearest spring for nothing, and pure as nature made it. He has had, in addition, 25 glasses of pure alcohol, which is a poison—at enmity with every function of the system, no food, nor a heat producer. And besides all this, he has taken 15 glasses of extract of malt, sugary matter, indigestible gums, etc., etc. Surely, there is no absurdity so absurb. To pay $23 for 460 glasses of impure water, when he could have it pure for nothing, and $2 for forty glasses of poison and mostly indigestible drugs! But it pays the brewers and saloon-keepers to sell water at 215 per cent. advance on all their trouble of barreling and bottling it.—Prof. G. E. Foster. "WELL Susie," said uncle Joseph, as he came into the parlor in the evening, "how did you pass your examination? But I hardly think I need ask, for your face tells me you were successful, and received your certificate." "Yes, indeed, uncle, and I suppose I do feel happy, though I am very sorry for some who failed." "Were there many to be examined?" "Oh, yes, a large number, and several of them my schoolmates. I was most sorry of all for Lizzie Brown. She was very anxious to teach, and needed the employment, and her friends had obtained the promise of a position for her. I was afraid for her, for she has been somewhat careless about her studies some of the time, and in the examination she failed to pass just by a fraction." "Why, the examiner marks the degrees of efficiency in each study, and then adds all together and divides by the number of studies. One hundred is perfect, and seventy-five is required to get a certificate. When Lizzie's average was made out, it was seventy-four and a fraction, and she failed." "How unfortunate, indeed. And how did your record stand?" "Eighty-six, on the average." "Then you had eleven credit marks beyond what you needed to get your certificate?" "Why, yes, if that's the way you put it. I should have barely passed if I had had eleven less." "But you could not tell beforehand just how the examiner would rank you?" "What a pity you could not! you might have saved so much unnecessary study, which you have spent in gaining the eleven points you did not need." "Why, uncle Joseph! what do you mean? I believe I am not afraid of study. You know it has long been my ambition to be a teacher, and I want to be one of the best. I would have been glad to stand one hundred in every study, had it been possible, and I was willing to work for it too. What made you speak in that way?" "I guess I must have been thinking of what you asked me a few days ago. You remember you were very anxious to know whether dancing and card-playing were positively wicked, so that a person who practiced them could not be a Christian. What could I think but that you wanted to guard against self-denial and separation from the world just as far as you possibly could, and barely pass? And how could I know but the same principle would apply to your ambition or teaching? Why should it not?" "Oh, uncle, how strangely you do talk! I never thought of it in that way; but you know some of my young friends practice these things." "And they have asked you to join them?" "And you would like to do so if you could quiet your conscience so far as to believe that you could still be a Christian. Are any of your friends better Christians because of their indulgence in these things?" "I cannot say that they are." "Do you know of any who would rank one hundred as followers of Christ if only they did not lack these peculiar Christian graces?" "No, I do not think anything of the kind." "Then where is the occasion for such a question as I have spoken, if your ambition for the Christian life is like your ambition for teaching, and you aspire to be one of the best?" "Are the cases, then, so much alike?" "There is a difference, certainly. If you had failed in this examination, you might have gone back to your studies, and at another time you might have succeeded. But a time is coming when those that are ready will go in, and the door will be shut. Yes, there is a difference. Alas for those who are trying to walk as close as possible to the line which separates the church from the world! God save my dear niece from coming to the great examination, only to rank seventy-four and a fraction!"—Zion's Herald. "No!" Clear, sharp, and ringing, with an emphasis which could not fail to arrest attention. "I don't often hear such a negative as that," remarked one gentleman to another, as they were passing a play-ground. "It is not often any one hears it. The boy who uttered it can say 'Yes', too, quite as emphatically. He is a new-comer here, an orphan, who lives with his uncle, about two miles off. He walks in every morning, brings his lunch, and walks back at night. He works enough to pay his board; and does more toward running his farm than the old man does himself. He is the coarsest-dressed scholar in the school, and the greatest favorite. Everybody knows just what to expect of him." "Quite a character. I should like to see him. Boys of such sturdy make-up are getting to be scarce, while the world never had more need of them than now." "All this is true; and if you wish to see Ned, come this way." They moved on a few steps, pausing by an open gate, near which a group of lads were discussing some exciting question. "It isn't right and I won't have anything to do with it." "Well, anyway, you needn't speak so loud and tell everybody about it," was responded impatiently to this declaration. "I'm willing everybody should hear what I've got to say about it. I won't take anything that don't belong to me, and I won't drink cider, anyway." "Such a fuss about a little fun! It's just what we might have expected. You never go in for fun." "I never go in for doing wrong. I told you No, to begin with. And you're the one to blame if there's been any fuss." "Ned Dunlap I should like to see you a minute." "Yes, sir." And the boy removed his hat as he passed through the gate and waited to hear what Mr. Palmer might say to him. "Has your uncle any apples to sell?" "No, sir. He had some, but he has sold them. I've got two bushels that were my share for picking; would you like to buy them, sir?" "Yes, if we can agree upon the price. Do you know just how much they are worth?" "All right, then, I will call for them and you may call at my house for the pay." The short interview afforded the stranger an opportunity to observe Ned Dunlap closely. The next day a call was made at his uncle's, and, although years had elapsed before he knew what a friend he had gained, that day his fortune was assured. After he had grown to manhood, and accepted a lucrative position, which was not of his seeking, he asked why it had been offered him. "Because I knew you could say 'no' if occasion required," answered his employer. " 'No' was the first word I heard you speak, and you spoke it with a will. More people, old and young, are ruined for want of using that word than from any other cause. They don't wish to do wrong, but they hesitate and parley until the tempter has them fast. The boy or girl who is not afraid to say 'no' is reasonably certain of making an honorable man or woman. "Yes, is often a sweet and loving word. "No, is a strong brave word, which has signalled the defeat of many a scheme for the ruin of some fair young life."—Temperance Banner. A Low Voice in Woman.
By Ladies' Repository
YES, we agree with that old poet who said that a low, soft voice was an excellent thing in a woman. Indeed we feel inclined to go much further than he has on the subject, and call it one of her crowning charms. No matter what other attractions she may still have; she may be as fair as the Trogan Helen, and as learned as the famous Hypatria of ancient times; she may have all the accomplishments considered requisite at the present day, and every advantage that wealth can procure, and yet if she lack a low, sweet voice, she can never be really fascinating. How often the spell of beauty is broken by coarse, loud talking! How often you are irresistibly drawn to a plain, unassuming woman, whose soft, silvery tones render her positively attractive. Besides, we fancy we can judge of the character by the voice; the bland, smooth, fawning119 tone seems to us to betoken deceit and hypocrisy, as invariably as the musical, subdued voice indicates a genuine refinement. In the social circle, how pleasant it is to hear a woman talk in that low key which always characterizes the true lady! In the sanctuary of home, how such a voice soothes the fretful voice and cheers the weary husband! How sweetly such cadences float through the sick chamber; and around the dying bed, with what solemn melody do they breathe a prayer for a departing soul.—Ladies' Repository. The Home Circle.
By Mrs. M. A. Kidder
My eighty years! My eighty years!
Shall I look back with joy or tears
Across life's track, at duties done,
At battles lost and victories won,
At sad mistakes that I have made,
At hopes that blossomed but to fade,
Or, at the fruit that now appears,
Of seed well sown in eighty years? My eighty years! My eighty years!
What lights and shadows, hopes and fears,
What glimpses of the good and true,
What friendships all the journey through,
What mercies have around me shone,
What honest hands have clasped my own,
Since that eventful time, below—
My birthday, eighty years ago! The man who lets the days pass by
From youth to late maturity,
In carelessness of acts and deeds,
Unmindful of his nature's needs,
When opportunity has gone,
And still the days are passing on,
Will never know, as evening nears,
What may be done in eighty years. My eighty years! My eighty years!
The western horizon now clears,
And I can see with calmer eyes
The hand that leads me toward the skies;
And listening, I can hear to-day
A still small voice that seems to say,
"What man hath sown he reaps alone."
In eighty years, what have you sown? Six years ago I was teaching school in the northern part of Illinois. One cold, blustering evening after school, I went along home with some of my pupils to spend the evening. It was one of the well-to-do families of the district that I was visiting. I had a special object in going to this place. I desired to see how the parents governed their children in this particular home. I had been greatly puzzled over the character of one of the little boys, and in order to better understand his nature, I wanted to see his home training. He was a very bashful boy—sometimes almost to stupidity—but, by noticing his answers in the class, and his actions while playing, I soon found that he really had a clear head and a warm heart. At times there was a sullenness, and a doggish stubbornness over which I could gain but little control. When I spoke kindly to him, or did him a favor, he would look up with such a strange look of wonder in his countenance, and seemed to act as if in doubt how to receive it. We were kindly received by the father and mother, and it made the stranger's heart beat for his home to see how mother and the older sister moved the wraps from the shivering children, kissed their rosy cheeks, and made room for them around the fire. But there was a difference. Little John came in behind the rest, and stood for a moment looking for a place at the stove, but there was no room made for him. He walked hesitatingly around, and sat behind the stove on the wood-box. After taking off his mits and comfort, he sat with his head down, looking as if he felt he had done wrong by entering his own home on that cold winter night. There were no kind words, no kisses, no notice from the household for him, that had been given so freely to his more forward brothers and sisters. When the father and sons did the feeding, I noticed that John carried the heavy swill through the deep snow,-while the older boys fed and watered the horses, a much easier task. When he came from his work, he stamped the snow from his shoes; and his sister, looking from the window, to see who was coming, said carelessly, "It's only John." This sentence told the whole story. I could not help but notice during the entire evening how the backward little fellow was slighted. Here was a heart actually starving for kindness—and mind blunted and heart made sullen and wicked by this starvation. This incident of partiality in parents made a deep impression upon my mind. How careful Christian parents should be to avoid the evil of partiality to children, for often a bad nature is forming behind the shyness of the quiet, neglected child; and many a big trouble rankles in the little heart when the little lips are silent. Remember, that want of indulgence spoils a child, as well as too much of it.—Selected. -Congress adjourned at noon, Sunday, the 4th inst. -A severe shock of earthquake was felt in Connecticut, Feb. 27. -After a long contest, Thomas W. Palmer, of Detroit, has been elected Senator from Michigan. -Two more attempts have been made to burn the Missouri penitentiary, since the one noted last week. -The public debt was diminished $9,630,678 during February. The decrease since June 30, 1882, is $102,638,346. -The steamer Yazoo sunk on the Mississippi near New Orleans, on the 4th inst., and sixteen persons were drowned. -Seven hundred feet of the Mullen tunnel, on the Northern Pacific Railway, have caved in, causing heavy damage. -Hank Monk, famous throughout the whole country as the great stage driver of California, died at Carson, Nev., Feb. 28. -Since publishing the account of the death of seventy Michigan lumbermen, we have learned that the report was a false one. -An immense warehouse is now building on Carquinez Strait, near Port Costa, Cal., which will have a capacity of 60,000 tons of grain. -Five children in Pine Grove, N. Y., have been attacked with trichinosis from eating raw pork. One died, and two more are not expected to live. -The town of Vina, Tehama Co., Cal., claims the largest vineyard in the world, owned by one man. It is the property of Ex-Governor Stanford, and contains 3,500 acres. -The authorities of San Francisco, in a fit of economy have shut off the gas from the street lamps, and that city is now in darkness, whereat the hoodlums no doubt greatly rejoice. -David Davis having resigned his position as President pro tem. of the Senate, Senator Edmunds of Vermont has been elected to that position. A better choice could not have been made. -The Massachusetts House defeated the bill giving female citizens the right to vote for city and town officers, to hold city and town offices, and vote at town meetings, by a vote of 127 to 60. -Elementary physiology and hygiene, with special instruction upon the effects of stimulants and intoxicants upon the human system are now among the required subjects in the Vermont schools. -A fellow in Los Angeles, Cal., was convicted last week of whipping his mother, with a blacksnake whip, and it was shown that he compelled her to remove her cloak for that purpose. The brute was fined only $175. -The men who attempted to rob the train near Montello, Utah, have met with speedy punishment. All of them pleaded guilty, and were sent to the penitentiary—three of them for fourteen years each, and two for twelve years. -Governor A. H. Stephens, of Georgia, died at Atlanta, March 4, aged 71. For years he has been an invalid, being scarcely more than a skeleton, yet he was constant in his attendance on the floor of the House, and was an indefatigable worker. -It has been estimated that the area of wheat sown in California this year is 3,200,000 acres. Should there be an average yield, the crop will be enormous, as in 1880 the crop was the largest ever produced in the State, and the area was only 1,832,429 acres. -There is talk of introducing the steel-rope system of street-cars in New York, the same as in San Francisco and Chicago. It is claimed that such roads in New York could make profit at the uniform rate of three cents a fare, the cars running at the rate of eight miles an hour. -A valuable lead discovery has been made in British Columbia. A gentleman returning from Koohenay brought specimens that were absolutely pure. He says the mines there are of vast richness. At least 250,000 tons of ore are in sight. The main seam is 100 feet in thickness. -Lieutenant Commander Gorringe, having resigned his position in the United States Navy, has leased the ship-building yard of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company, and will undertake the construction of iron and steel ships of all classes. The company has already received orders for more work than it can do. -We read lately of two idiots who, for lack of any better employment, smoked for twelve hours on a wager, refilling their pipes as soon as they were empty. The mouth of one was very badly blistered; the report did not say whether he recovered from the effects, or not. The other, unfortunately, was apparently uninjured. -In view of the recent disaster in the parochial school in New York, the City Building Inspector is making a special examination of the public schools at the request of the Board of Education. Thus far, almost without exception, they have been found faulty in construction and dangerous. Steam pipes pass close to wooden partitions and the doors open inward. -Reports from Oregon and Washington Territory say that the fruit crop will be very short this year. Peaches, plums, pears, and cherries, and nearly all the apples, have been nipped in the bud. Many fruit-trees were prematurely filled with sap by the warm weather last fall, and were frozen by the intense cold which followed. It is thought that the loss in the vicinity of Dayton, W. T., will be not less than $1,000,000. -The Union Signal says that the Sunday attendance at the beer gardens of Cincinnati is greater than the attendance at the Protestant places of worship; and that the husbands of women who are engaged in the temperance work were encouraged that if their wives did not cease their agitation in favor of temperance, steps would be taken to destroy their husbands' business. -As might be expected, the distress caused by the recent floods, is on the increase. The agent who was sent to Shawneetown, Ill., to investigate and report, says that the situation is terrible. There are between 500 and 600 houses in the town, every one of which is under water. Only thirty-one are habitable, and those only in the upper stories. More than one hundred houses have floated from their foundations. Five hundred people are receiving relief. One-half to two-thirds of Gallatin County is afloat; fences are gone, corn destroyed, stock drowned and people driven from their homes. Dysentery, pneumonia and malarial fevers prevail and are increasing. -A Chronicle dispatch of Feb. 25 says: "The success of the Mormon Church in securing the balance of power in Idaho and controlling legislation in that Territory has caused the leaders to turn their attention to Arizona, where small colonies have already been planted and larger ones are in contemplation. It is understood here that orders have been given for five hundred families to leave for that Territory on the 1st of March. They are to be sent from various settlements in Utah, and their places are to be filled by foreign emigrants expected in April. To seize and possess the Rocky Mountain country is the determination of the Mormon Church, and it is making strides in that direction." NEW MUSIC! THE LAST IS THE BEST!
BY GEO. D. RUSSELL, 126 Tremont Street, Boston, a new book of Music, entitled, The music and words of this book are mostly entirely new, and well adapted to the Sabbath-school and social circle. It is receiving the most unqualified praise from all who have examined it. The music is of a high order throughout, and yet not at all difficult. 160 pp. Per copy, 35 cents; $3.60 per dozen. Bound, 50 cents; $5.00 per dozen. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. RURAL HEALTH RETREAT.
By H. H. Chase
This beautiful resort is well known to hundreds of Californians, who have made it their home during a portion of the year for several years. It has lately been refitted, and valuable improvements have been made. With a full corps of competent physicians and helpers, it presents attractions to invalids that are found in no other Sanitarium in California. Every variety of bath can be given. It is most beautifully situated on the mountain-side, two and one-half miles from St. Helena. The little valley which it overlooks is a gem, and the surrounding mountain scenery is such as can only be found in California. Experienced tourists affirm that there is no finer place in the State. The water is pure, and the climate mild. Address, H. H. CHASE, M. D., St. Helena, Cal. THE SPIRIT OF GOD: ITS OFFICES AND MANIFESTATIONS TO THE END OF THE CHRISTIAN AGE.
By John Harvey Waggoner
By Elder John Harvey Waggoner. This is a brief but comprehensive argument on the solemn and important subject of the Spirit of God. Its chapters embrace the following heads: The Holy Spirit of Promise; The Power from on High; Circumcision of the Heart; The Unity of the Faith; The Law and the Testimony; Try the Spirits; The Great Commission; Gifts in the Reformation; In the Present Century; Spirit of Prophecy Restored. These are subjects of vital importance to all, and especially to those who are looking for the return of their Lord. 144 pp. Price, 15 cents. Address, Signs of the Times, Oakland, Cal. HEALDSBURG COLLEGE.
By S. Brownsberger
Instruction given in Ancient and Modern Languages and the Physical Sciences. Common Branches Thoroughly Taught. Special Training for Teachers. This Institution has met with almost Unparalleled Success in the short time since its incorporation. - The Instruction is very Thorough and Practical.
- The Discipline is Rigid yet Parental.
- The Strong Moral and Religious Influence finds its equal in no other Institution of the kind.
- The Expenses of Students for Board, Tuition, etc., come within the ability of all.
- The Methods employed in the class-room, and the Professional Instruction, afford special advantages to those desiring to teach.
While its courses embrace all the higher Collegiate Branches, which are taught in the most thorough manner, especial attention is given to the Common Branches. One of the prominent features of Healdsburg College is the effort to impress upon its students the claims and benefits of morals and religion. Any one of known evil habits, who is exerting a pernicious influence upon his fellow-students, is not tolerated in the school. The tuition ranges from $2.25 to $6.00 per month. Board in private families and in the college boarding-house ranges from $3.00 to $3.50 per week, with room completely furnished. Besides the regular class drills in the different branches, there is given occasional instruction concerning methods and general school management. Is connected with the College to accommodate those children whose parents desire to place them under the instruction and moral influence of the school. The Spring Term begins January 3, 1883, and closes May 29, 1883. After a vacation the Fall Term opens July 25, 1883. Address, S. BROWNSBERGER, A. M., President,
Healdsburg, Cal.