p. 396 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 7, No. 33. (9/1/1881)

WHISKY REVENUE.

By Editor

SOME papers, and one in Oakland, strongly intimate that the country is largely dependent on the liquor traffic for its revenue. They overlook, however, the fact that government expenses are very largely increased by this accursed traffic. The N. Y. Independent contains the following item which is more than suggestive:—

"The whole amount of tax on spirits and liquors collected in the country is over $63,000,000 per annum, an average to each person of over $1.50. In New Jersey the average is $2.00; in Maine the average is three cents."

Happy New Jersey! collecting a tax on liquors to the amount of two dollars for each inhabitant; and poor Maine! collecting only three cents for each person. It must be a wonder to these revenue pleaders how the State of Maine succeeds in running its government with so small a whisky revenue. Let them visit that State, as we have done, and take observations. If they stay long enough to get cured of "liquor on the brain," so that they can see and reason clearly, they will find a happy state of things where liquor is not made to curse the many in order to fill the pockets of the few.

But suppose their argument were truth—that it was a material profit to the government, which it is not—would that be a just reason for licensing the traffic, knowing that it causes the ruin of tens of thousands of strong men? that it brings untold suffering to multitudes of helpless women and children? Can a government afford to derive its revenue from the heart's blood of its people, and build its prisons on the tears and groans of widows and orphans? "Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people."

"A liquor seller sold a pint of rum according to law, and made a few cents profit. The drinker, while under its influence, shot his son-in-law, and his arrest, imprisonment, trial, and execution cost the county more than $1,000; and yet people say, 'What shall we do without the revenue?'"

CALIFORNIA CAMP-MEETING.

THE Northern Cal. camp-meeting will be held at Sacramento, commencing Oct. 13. Let all our brothers and sisters from all parts of the State make a special effort to come up to this feast of Tabernacles. We are nearing the ripening time of the harvest of the earth. We need the influence of the power and Spirit of God, that we may be able to overcome our tendencies to wrong-doing, and that the graces of the Spirit may be more fully matured, and we be in a condition to be perfected by the latter rain soon to be poured out. Come prepared to stay until the close of the meeting. Preparations will be made to supply the temporal wants of both man and beast.

G. D. HAGER, E. J. CHURCH, } Camp-meeting Committee. G. W. MILLS,

CALIFORNIA STATE T. AND M. SOCIETY.

THE next annual meeting of the California T. and M. Society will be held in connection with the camp-meeting at Sacramento, commencing Oct. 13, 1881. As far as consistent all pledges to this society or the reserve fund should be paid at or before this meeting. All district secretaries and church librarians are requested to bring their account books, that they may be audited. S. N. HASKELL, Pres.

THE MUSIC.

By Editor

The piece of music on this page has received strong commendations from musicians, east and west. The author has kindly given us permission to publish it in the SIGNS. Mr. Hakes is producing music of a high order, and among American composers he stands prominent for fine taste and correctness of composition.

Twenty New Sabbath-Keepers

By Editor

FROM CHARLOTTE, MICH.

Bro. A. O. Burrill, writing from Charlotte, Mich., Aug. 22. says :-

"We take down our tent here to-day, and leave twenty new Sabbath-keepers; eleven have been baptized; sold $60 35 of books, and obtained quite a number of subscribers for our periodicals. This will much strengthen the small church which was here."

We love to receive such good news. It cheers all who love the truth as well as strengthens the church in that place.

A GOOD BOOK.

By Editor

"Sabbath Readings for the Home Circle," Vol. 4, is just placed on sale at this office. Price 60 cents. This announcement will be hailed with pleasure by the large number of families who have so greatly enjoyed the other volumes and have so anxiously waited for this. It is fully equal to the others in interesting reading for all, especially for the young. There will be no trouble to keep the children at home if they are furnished such reading as this. Send for it—now. Make a present of a copy to your boy or girl.

CAMP-MEETINGS FOR 1881.

By Editor

ALABAMA, Bladen Springs, September 7-12 NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA, September 9-19 INDIANA, September 21-27 NEBRASKA, Columbus, September 21-27 、“MICHIGAN Grand Ledge, Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 MISSOURI, Warrensburg, Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 KENTUCKY, October 5-11 TENNESSEE, October 13-18 CALIFORNIA, Sacramento, October 13-25

NOTICE OF OUR MEETINGS.

By Editor

IN this week's paper will be found notices of the Conference, camp-meeting, and T. and M. Society. Though no formal notice is given of the Sabbath-school Association meeting, the President will be there, and the Association will hold its session, and a real "model Sabbath-school" will be also held.

And now let the brethren make preparation for these important meetings. The camp-meeting is for all, and all need it.

As we anticipated, the death of Eld. White makes it necessary for Eld. Haskell to attend the Michigan meetings to their close, and our meeting is appointed to commence October 13, to enable him to be here at its commencement. The location is fortunate. The time is not too late for a meeting at Sacramento, and is better for that climate than an earlier one.

Appointments.

CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE.

THE tenth annual session of the California Conference will be held in connection with the camp-meeting at Sacramento, commencing Oct. 13, 1881. As this Conference will be as important a one as has ever been held in this State, there should be a full representation of delegates from every company of Seventh-day Adventists in the Conference. Every recognized church of fifteen or less members is entitled to one delegate; larger churches to one additional delegate for every additional fifteen members. Unorganized companies and isolated brethren and sisters should also be represented in person or by letter, so that the wants of the cause in the State may be clearly understood.

Conference business will be disposed of during the early part of the meeting; delegates are therefore requested to be on the ground at the first of the meeting. Also letters pertaining to Conference business should be forwarded to the secretary, Eld. J. D. Rice, in time so that they can be duly considered, and such steps taken as will co-operate with the Spirit of God. We hope also that there will be promptness in paying tithes, as the Conference expenses of the past year have been unusually large, and all funds of this kind will be needed to meet them.

All ministers and licentiates should have their written reports of labor and expenses prepared to pass in at the first session. Church clerks and treasurers will please bring their books to the meeting.

S. N. HASKELL.\nJOHN MORRISON. } Cal. Conf. Committee.\nM. C. ISRAEL.

THE COMPARATIVE EDITION

By Editor

OF THE -

NEW TESTAMENT,

EMBRACING THE Revised and the Old or King James Versions, on Opposite and Corresponding Pages. 8 Vo. Long Primer, Price $1.50. 16 mo. Brevier. Price 75 cts. Postage Paid.

AS THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE in the revision of the New Testament are now exciting a great deal of interest, and comparision between the New and Old Versions will be constantly made, we have secured a comparative edition containing the two versions arranged on opposite pages, so that the alterations can be seen at a glance. This arrangement makes the work one of great popular value, as it does away with the necessity of using two books, and saves the time that would be occupied in seeking corresponding passages. ADDRESS, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

By Editor

PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE

Missionary Society of Seventh-Day Adventists

A twelve-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 Temperance, The Home Circle, The Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-School.

Price Per Year, . . . . . . $2.00 In clubs of five or more copies to one address, to be used in Missionary work . . . . . . 1.50

Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal'

—OR—

REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.

ELDER J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, Ravenswood, Shirley Road, Southampton, England.

MISS ELIZA THAYER, Secretary N. E. Tract Society, So Lancaster, Mass.

W. L. RAYMOND, Cornelius, Or.

Our Publications in England

By Editor

ANY of the books, pamphlets and tracts issued at this Office may be obtained of Eld. J. N. Loughborough, Ravenswood, Shirley Road, Southampton, England, who will furnish catalogues and prices in English money, and receive subscriptions for all our periodicals.