—A family consisting of seven persons were burned to death in Wisconsin on the 16th inst.
—Lord Dufferin has decided that it will take 16,000 British soldiers to maintain order in Burmah.
—Eight sheep-herders were killed by Apaches in Valencia County, N. M., on the 18th inst.
—A new bridge is to be built over the Harlem River, N. Y., at a cost of $2,500,000.
—The Reichstag has expressed its emphatic disapproval of Bismarck's scheme of driving the Poles out of Germany.
—In the State of Sinaloa, Mexico, bandits attacked two American gentlemen, killing one and wounding the other.
—France supports the demand of the Porte that the British army in Egypt be replaced by Turco-Egyptian troops.
—According to the Philadelphia Free Press, the courts of that city recently granted twenty-eight divorces in a single day.
—The citizens of Provincetown, Mass., have instructed the selectmen to issue no licenses to liquor saloons and skating rinks.
—On the 20th inst. a tidal wave at St. John, N. B., submerged all the wharves and covered the floors of many stores and dwellings, doing great damage.
—Servia is now negotiating with Turkey in favor of a union of Bosnia and Servia on conditions similar to those of the union of Bulgaria and Eastern Roumelia.
—John B. Gough, the noted temperance lecturer, was stricken with paralysis while lecturing in Frankford, Pa., February 15, and died the next Friday.
—The almost incredible fact is stated that in a single county in Kansas (Graham) 5,153,449 cattle and 4,704 sheep were frozen to death during the two great storms of January.
—The Diston Company, which has a grant of all the land in the Florida Everglades that it can drain, has already reclaimed 4,000,000 acres, and expects to secure 18,000,000 more.
—It is now conceded that the cost of the Panama Canal will be $100,000,000 more than the original estimate. The percolation of water along the whole course of the canal is presenting an almost insurmountable obstacle to its construction.
—At one time during the recent flood in Massachusetts, the water was from two to eight feet deep over two square miles of the city of Boston. The total loss from the floods in the entire State is estimated at $7,000,000.
—The French Chamber of Deputies has decided to sell the Crown jewels, except some of historic interest, which will be placed in the collection in the Louvre gallery, and devote the proceeds to a fund for aged workmen. It is estimated that the sum realized will be about $40,000,000.
—Two of the New York Aldermen who voted for the Broadway-railroad franchise have, it is stated, disclosed the whole conspiracy. The evidence now in the hands of the investigating committee shows that the Broadway-railway ring has ramifications and connections of the most startling nature.
—Professor Horsford, of Cambridge, has given to Wellesley College a sum of money the interest of which is to be used to send every professor connected with the institution to Europe once in seven years, and to give each professor an annuity of $500 a year when she is no longer able to go on with her work.
—The misunderstanding between the Post-office Department at Washington and the Pacific Mail Company is resulting in great irregularity in the mails between the United States and Panama. Mail matter designed for the Isthmus reaches its destination in about three weeks, instead of eight or nine days, as formerly.127
—One of the first measures to be considered by Parliament will be that of home-rule for Ireland. But while there is a large party in Ireland that will be satisfied with nothing short of the “completest form of home-rule,” a very respectable minority are opposed. Resolutions denouncing the project have been adopted by 359 Presbyterian congregations, representing more than 328,000 persons.
—George Q. Cannon, leader and apostle among the Mormons, was arrested at Winnemucca, Nev., February 14. Mr. Cannon has made desperate efforts to escape. He attempted to bribe the sheriff to release him by the offer of $1,000, and, failing in this, tried to escape by jumping from the train while in motion. He was required to give bail in the sum of $25,000.
—Earthquake shocks continue to be felt at Amatitlan, Guatemala. The few houses that were not ruined by the first heavy shock are now quite uninhabitable. The distress among the people is heart-rending, and President Barillas and his Cabinet have started a subscription for their relief. In a city still farther south, the cold is considered phenomenal, the mercury having fallen to four degrees below zero.
—Revolutions are impending in Honduras, Guatemala, and San Salvador. All Honduras is like a smoldering volcano, liable at any moment to break forth in an eruption. There are rumors of fillibustering expeditions hovering on the coast, and of risings and plots in the interior. President Bogran has proclaimed martial law and ordered military conscription, and this has greatly increased the general discontent.
—Randolph Rogers, the sculptor, has presented his Roman studio to the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor. The studio contains the works produced during an active career of thirty-five or forty years, including the rough sketches in clay, the original casts completely finished by Mr. Rogers’s own hands, and the tools and implements which he has used. The Lewis gallery, at Coldwater, Mich., of more than six hundred paintings, has recently been bequeathed to the same institution.
News and Notes.
By Editor
RELIGIOUS.
—The educated native young men of Calcutta have started two papers in the interests of moral and social purity.
—An American missionary in Japan recently preached in a Buddhist temple, on the invitation of the Buddhist priest himself.
—It has been decided in the Court of Appeals at Amiens, France, that Catholic priests may marry. But the pope has not yet given his consent.
—It has been decided in the Brooklyn courts that the giving of "sacred concerts" on Sunday, in theaters or elsewhere, is not a violation of law.
—The Christian Union states that in several parts of Russia the practice of sacrificing animals as a part of public worship is still maintained.
—Of the 160,000 Poles whom Prince Bismarck is engaged in driving out of Germany, nearly one-half are Jews, and a considerable portion are Catholics.
—The North India Methodist Conference reports a native Christian community numbering 8,045. Of the converts last year, 27 were Mohammedans and 744 Hindoos.
—Of the 758 prisoners received at Joliet, Ill., last year, 209 said they were Roman Catholics by preference, and 522 had no religious preferences and had received no religious training. This is a forcible commentary on the duty of giving the youth moral and religious instruction.
—The Bible has been banished from the Government schools in Holland. But the people, at an annual cost of 3,000,000 francs, support a system of free schools in which Bible instruction is given. There are 424 of these free schools, which are attended by 70,000 children; and the beneficial influence is felt throughout the country.
—The Occident, a Jewish paper of Chicago, urges the substitution of Sunday for Saturday as the Sabbath. The time-honored Sabbath of the Bible has been almost entirely surrendered to the demands of business, and at present the majority of the Jews recognize no Sabbath whatever. The Advance thinks the proposed change would render "appreciable aid" to the Sunday cause.
—Joseph Cook calls the Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, and Congregational churches "the five fingers of the evangelical hand." "We think in one way," he says, "on fundamental questions of theology. Let us maintain evangelical unity. Let us have no war between these fingers." Another evidence of the tendency among the churches to ignore doctrinal differences and unite on common ground.
—A letter from Japan states that Buddhism is "breaking down much faster than Christianity can take possession of the wrecks." While Buddhism is losing its hold on the people in its ancient home, the following news item in a recent number of the San Francisco Chronicle reads strangely: "Madame Blavatsky's theosophical society is to be revived in New York, and greater efforts will be made to spread the religion of Buddha."
—Dr. John Fulton, one of the ablest ministers of the Episcopal Church, has noticed an "unpleasant ecclesiastical case" which leads him to make the following sensible remarks: "From the days of Caiaphas until now, I must confess that priestly tribunals have often failed of the justice which is rendered in the courts of Cæsar. Pilate had at least the grace to say, 'I find no fault in this man.' It was the high priest who coldly found it 'expedient that this man should die,' whether innocent or guilty." Yet there is a large class in our country who determinedly ignore the testimony of the ages to the intolerance and bigotry of priestly rule.
—A movement is on foot in Scotland looking to the union of the three great Scotch Presbyterian bodies, the Established Kirk, the Free Presbyterians, and the United Presbyterians. Disestablishment in Scotland is now considered certain; and when it is secured, there will be no further need of separation. In this country the subject of union is much discussed. Just now, the Congregationalists and Free Baptists are considering the propriety of uniting their destinies; or, failing in that, the Free Baptists and "Christians" might form a union. The Independent comments: "We trust America and Great Britain will engage in a holy rivalry to see which can do most to unite the divided body of Christ."
—In a recent lecture Joseph Cook said: "The undermining of the evangelical denominations by bringing into their membership persons who profess in public one creed, and hold in private another, is perhaps the chief peril of the evangelical world in the great cities at the present hour." In other words, hypocrisy is destroying the vitality of the churches. If that is the case now, how much more will it be the case when a premium is put upon hypocrisy, by making church membership a prerequisite to political advancement?
Undervaluing an Audience.
By Robert H. Williams, D. D.
A GREAT actor has said: "It was my practice never to undervalue my audiences. . . . It was a rule with me to make what profit I could out of a bad house; and before the most meager audiences ever assembled, it has been my invariable practice to strive my best, using the opportunity as a lesson; and I am conscious that I have derived great benefit from the rule." If Edmund Burke had undervalued the few that remained in the House of Commons when he rose to speak, he would never have caught the ear of the nation and stood in the front rank of English statesmen. If the younger Pitt, when a boy, had not framed his replies to speeches he heard in Parliament, and delivered them to imaginary audiences, he would have missed a very powerful means of fitness for his work. If the character of the sermon is to be determined by the size of the audience, the minister may miss the opportunity for great usefulness. The few who brave the storm, or the heat, or the cold, receive too often for their trouble, instead of the carefully prepared sermon, a few rambling remarks, and are undervalued, as an audience, by the minister. Of all audiences the minister's ought to be the last to be undervalued; for we have the evidence that great good has followed the service where only two or three had met together.
Only three persons heard Rev. John Holmes one evening when he preached at Castlebar, Ireland. One of the three was William Arthur, author of the "Tongue of Fire," and that night he was led out of darkness into the light. Rev. Dr. Archibald Alexander said: "The best sermon I ever preached was to two persons; and by the blessing of God they were both converted." On a stormy day Dr. Lyman Beecher had an audience of one person, and that person was converted by the sermon he preached, and became a minister of the gospel. Congregations are undervalued not only on account of their size, but also on account of their character; they are poor or ignorant, and do not rank with other congregations not far away.
John Wesley had to hear the taunt that his audiences were composed of servant-girls. He replied, "I am glad of it; for they have the care of the children, and will train them in the fear of the Lord." So highly did Norman Macleod esteem an audience of very poor people to whom he preached in Glasgow, that he said, "I do not envy Wellington at Waterloo." Oberlin's people were so poor that they had to go to church by turns, through lack of respectable clothing; and yet he said, when invited away to a better charge: "I have been ten years learning every head in my parish, and obtaining an inventory of their wants. I have laid my plan; I must have ten years to carry it into execution, and ten more to correct faults and vices." When it was said to Dober and his co-laborers in St. Thomas, "You cannot preach to these ignorant slaves," they replied, "We will sell ourselves as slaves, and preach while we work by their side."
Speaking of a very poor class of people to whom he preached, Whitefield said he had most success in preaching among them, because they knew they had no righteousness of their own and were most thankful to hear, and most ready to accept, the righteousness of another. It is very encouraging and stimulating to preach to a large and intelligent audience; but it is by no means discouraging to preach to the small audiences, or to those in the humblest positions, and for that reason the audience ought never to be undervalued.—Robert H. Williams, D. D., in Christian at Work.
Grace Preserves Grace
By Adam Clarke
GRACE alone can preserve grace. When we get a particular blessing, we need another to preserve it; and without this, we shall soon be shorn of our strength, and become as other men.
Appointments.
Spring Meetings in California.
BROTHER BUTLER now expects to be with us in our spring meetings in California, which we appoint as follows:—
A camp-meeting in Fresno, from March 26 to April 6.
General meeting at Healdsburg, in connection with the meeting of the stockholders of the College, April 8 to 20.
General meeting in Oakland during the time of the meeting of the Publishing Association, April 21 to 29.
St. Helena, in connection with the meeting of the stockholders of the Rural Health Retreat, April 30 to May 2.
Oakland and San Francisco, May 3 to 10. More particulars will be given hereafter by circulars.
CAL. CONF. COMMITTEE.
RECEIPTS.
By Editor
CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE FUND.—E Spath $7.50.
CASH RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.—International T and M Society per E G Winkler $10.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CAMP-MEETING FUND.—Per Mrs. B H Young $50.
ORDERS FORWARDED.
BOOKS SENT BY FREIGHT.—Eld A J Breed, Eld H W Decker.
BOOKS SENT BY EXPRESS.—W Harper, W A Blakely, Free Public Library, Jas A Dye, F T Lamb, F R Dunlap, Mrs Wm Hardie, S F Mission, Mrs Jennie Miller, Eld J D Rice, C D Reaser, Ruel Stickney.
THE HOME OF THE SAVED.
By John Norton Loughborough
By Eld. J. N. Loughborough.
Gives the Bible evidence upon the interesting topic of the earth, made new, as the inheritance of the saints. 32 pp. Price, 10 cents. SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY
BETWEEN
CHRIST AND SATAN FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM TO THE END OF TIME.
By Mrs. E. G. White,
Author of “The Life of Christ,” “Sketches from the Life of Paul,” “Bible Sanctification,” and other popular works.
PRINTED AND BOUND IN THE VERY BEST STYLE. OVER TEN THOUSAND 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. Beginning with our Lord’s great prophecy given while viewing Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, in which he outlines the history of the whole dispensation, it sketches the fulfillment. It pictures the siege and overthrow of Jerusalem, and the destruction of the Temple. It calls our attention to the bitter persecutions of the Christians in the first centuries, and notes the rise and growth of the Papacy. It gives a clear conception of the character and influence of the Waldenses, who, through centuries of persecution, maintained the purity of their faith, and by their missionary efforts prepared the nations of Europe for the Reformation.
Brief and lifelike sketches are given of the works, the successes, and the persecutions of Wycliffe, Luther, Tyndale, Huss, Jerome, Knox, and other reformers and martyrs.
Considerable space is given to the life, work, and influence of later reformers and great religious leaders, such as George Whitefield, the Wesleys, and William Miller, and this is followed by chapters treating upon The Origin of Evil, The Agency of Evil Spirits, The Snares of Satan, and the Judgment.
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
ITS PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE, AND WHAT THE SCRIPTURES SAY OF IT.
By U. Smith.
Author of “Smith’s Parliamentary Rules,” and Other
Popular Works.
This is a new and popular work on a subject of the deepest interest to all American citizens. 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. Other great nations of the world are subjects of prophecy, and why not our own? The SUNDAY QUESTION, MODERN SPIRITUALISM, AND NATIONAL REFORM are prominent among the topics ably discussed in this work.
The “Marvel of Nations” is a work of 282 pages. It contains a steel plate of the author, and over forty illustrations. It is printed in clear type and elegantly bound. Price $1.00.
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 their paper, one year, for only $1.25.
Address,
AMERICAN SENTINEL,
1059 Castro Street, Oakland, Cal.
THOUGHTS ON DANIEL,
By Uriah Smith
CRITICAL AND PRACTICAL.
By Eld. U. Smith.
AN EXPOSITION OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL, VERSE BY VERSE.
WE are now living in times plainly pointed out in this prophecy, and it is important to understand it; for Daniel himself says that in the time of the end, the wise shall understand; while, if we fail, we are equally guilty with the Jews, who knew not the time of their visitation (Luke 19: 42-44), and shall meet a similar fate.
416 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
BIBLE SANCTIFICATION:
By Editor
A CONTRAST OF TRUE AND FALSE THEORIES.
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
This is a pamphlet of only 84 pages, but its value is not to be judged by its size. It is just what its title indicates: a faithful presentation of Bible truth on this important subject, and an exposure of the false theories prevailing in regard to it. Every believer in Bible truth should read it. Buy it, read it, and lend it to your neighbor. Price, 10 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Obituary.
By Andrew Brosen
WHITE.—Died in San Francisco Feb. 10, 1886, of consumption, George Z. White, only son of Sister Lititie White, aged 29 years, 8 months, and 19 days. He was devoted to his mother, and has been her temporal support for years, she being a widow. Sister White feels her loss keenly, but takes comfort in the promises of God, Ps. 68 : 5. The funeral took place February 12, under the supervision of the United Mechanic Society, from Blair’s Hall, Mission Street. ANDREW BROSEN.
Conner
By D. V. Conner
CONNER.—Died of pneumonia, at the residence of her daughter in Big Valley, Lake County, Cal., Dec. 26, 1885, Elizabeth Conner, wife of T. D. Conner, aged 59 years and 10 months. She was baptized by Elder J. D. Rice, May 12, 1883, and from that time until the day of her death remained a consistent member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She leaves a husband and eight children to mourn her loss; but we sorrow not as those who have no hope. We desire to meet her again at the coming of Jesus, when he will reward the faithful. D. V. CONNER.
Publishers' Department.
By Editor
AGENTS AND BOOK DEPOSITORIES.
Australia—International Tract Society, “Burnam House,” corner Rae and Scotchmer Sts., North Fitzroy, Victoria.
California Tract Society—1067 Castro St., Oakland, Cal.
Canada Tract Society—South Stukely, P. Q.
Colorado Tract Society—831 California St., 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—Moultrie, St. John’s Co., Fla.
Hawaiian Islands—L. A. Scott, Honolulu, H. I.
Idaho—Carrie E. Mills, Walla Walla, W. T.
Illinois Tract Society—No. 95 Thirty-fifth St., Chicago, Ill.
Indiana Tract Society—No. 32 Cherry St., Indianapolis, Ind.
Iowa Tract Society—1315 E. Sycamore St., Des Moines, Iowa.
Kansas Tract Society—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 St., Sedalia, Mo.
Nebraska Tract Society—Fremont, Dodge Co., Neb.
New England—N. E. Tract Society, South Lancaster, Mass.
New York Tract Society—Rome, N. Y.
New Zealand—Edward Hare, Upper Queen Street (Turner Street), Auckland, N. Z.
North Pacific—N. P. Tract Society, East Portland, Oregon.
Norway—Tidernes Tegn, Christiania, Norway.
Ohio Tract Society—near Citizens’ Savings Bank, Columbus, Ohio.
Pennsylvania Tract Society—No. 5 Madison St., Wellsville, N. Y.
South America—Joseph R. Brathwaite, 152 Church St., Georgetown, Demerara, British Guiana, S. A.
Switzerland—Elder W. C. White, 48 Weiherweg, Basel, Switzerland.
Tennessee Tract Society—Springville, Henry Co., Tenn.
Texas Tract Society—Denton, Tex.
Upper Columbia—U. C. Tract Society, Walla Walla, W. T.
Vancouver Island—Bernard Robe, 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.
Important to Subscribers.
By Editor
MONEY orders, drafts, etc., should be made to Pacific Press; never to individuals, as they may be absent, and business thereby be delayed.
Third and fourth class mail matter can now be forwarded at the request of the addressee, and the necessary postage collected at the office of delivery.
We cannot receive postage stamps for amounts exceeding thirty cents. The stamps frequently stick together, and are useless by the time they reach us.
Will each subscriber please look at the date opposite his name on the paper or wrapper? If the subscription is not paid to April 1, 1886, he will confer a favor by forwarding the subscription immediately, as our terms are cash in advance.
Any person wishing the address of his Signs changed should give the name of the place where it has been sent, as well as the name of the place where he wishes it to be sent. Our lists are kept by towns, and it is important that the above directions be complied with. Give the name of the State as well as of the post-office.
Agent Order Sheet Instructions
By Editor
AGENTS will please number and date all order sheets. Any inquiries, book orders, or missionary items should be written on separate sheets. Always sign your name and full post-office address.
Pacific Health Journal and Temperance Advocate
By Editor
HAVE you seen the Pacific Health Journal and Temperance Advocate? If not, send for a specimen copy. It is the best health journal printed in the West. Published bi-monthly at this office. Price 50 cents a year. Canvassers wanted.
Origin of Doubts.
By Editor
A SHORT paragraph in the New York Observer, ascribed to a young lady who was filled with doubts and darkness, is worthy of serious attention. She ascribed her condition to the sermon of a certain minister, thus:—
"He said some things which made me doubt the authenticity and inspiration of parts of the Bible, and after that I felt that I could not believe any parts."
And there are thousands in the land who are suffering by reason of like folly. Many "schooled theologians" conclude that it will never answer to suffer "science" to enter into conflict with the Bible, and so they deny the record of creation; deny it by allowing that it is not a record, but an allegory—a poetic strain, representing truth by indefinite imagery. By the same rule the miracles are explained away, as having been written to hold in subjection the minds of an ignorant people, swaying them by means of superstitious awe. And then in order to save the Bible from entire destruction, they will affirm that some parts of the Bible are highly inspired, and some parts historic, lacking inspiration, and some intermediate, being inspired, but on a lower plane.
But this is really subversive of the authority of the whole Bible; for no two individuals can be found who will agree on the grades of inspiration; no two will draw the lines alike, and thus the whole Bible is placed at the mercy or will or caprice of every reader. Our theory is that there is inspiration in every part of the Bible; and as for degrees, we know so little of the operations of God's Spirit that we should as soon think of putting a measuring line on the attributes of Deity. We believe that the first chapter of Chronicles was written and has been preserved by the direction of the Spirit of God because it was necessary to the development and certainty of the gospel that correct genealogies should be preserved. We know and acknowledge but one rule in this matter: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable."
New Methods in Religion.
By Editor
THE papers both religious and secular are of late sounding the praises of a new revivalist who is familiarly known as Sam Jones. We have read some excellent sayings of his, and are convinced that he tells the people some plain and wholesome truths. But the more we have read of his work, the more we have been strengthened in the conviction that it is not a healthy religious interest that is awakened by him.
In a recent number of the Congregationalist a St. Louis pastor gives a very flattering account of Mr. Jones's work in that city. In describing him this pastor says:—
“He is not restrained by rules of speech, but goes straight to his point either along or across the lines of grammar, as best suits his convenience. His drawing power is his wit, and all his reported sermons are full of ‘(laughter).’”
Again we read:—
“His hardest hits at dishonest people, and his loftiest expressions in praise of honesty, were greeted with hearty response. When he said, ‘God would stand by the honest man if he had to put the angels on half rations,’ the hall rang with applause. It seemed to those who were there like a great triumph for truth in the heart of a wicked city.”
These statements are enough to show that it is not the pricks of conscience, but “itching ears,” that cause the crowds to go to hear Mr. Jones; that they assemble, not to learn the way of righteousness, but to have a good time. The spirit which prompts them to attend his meetings is the same spirit that leads the multitudes to visit the theater or any other place of amusement; and of the two places of amusement we candidly believe that the theater does less real harm than do so-called revival meetings to which the audiences are drawn by the wit of the speaker, and where they are all the time convulsed with laughter. The theater makes little, if any, pretensions to good, and its evil tendencies are well known, and it may be shown by serious-minded persons that such revival services as we have mentioned dissipate serious thought on religious matters, and lower the standard of religion to the level of common things. We cannot see anything like a “triumph for truth” in the fact that “hearty applause” was given to a speech whose wittiness consisted only in its irreverence. Indeed, it will be noticed in all such reports of “revival” services that the more nearly the speaker approaches to absolute irreverence, the more hearty the applause.
We are not especially concerned with Mr. Jones and his methods; but we mention this subject because there is a growing tendency toward sensationalism in religious matters. Too many ministers depend more upon startling assertions and striking forms of speech that border upon the profane, than they do upon the power of the simple word. All the interest that is aroused by such methods is worse than no interest at all. Christ spake as never man spake; yet we have not the record of a single witty speech, and the reports of his sermons are not filled with the word “(laughter).” When Peter preached, his hearers were pricked in their hearts, and cried out, “What shall we do?” When Paul stood in the judgment hall, and “reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come,” Felix trembled. There was nothing in his sermons to bring forth “hearty applause.”
The man who preaches the truth simply and earnestly, with no desire to exhibit his own wit or learning, cannot draw immense crowds nor receive rounds of applause from those who listen. Indeed, many persons may become offended and turn away even as they did from Christ; but his work will not be in vain, and the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” will be more grateful to his ear than the applause of tens of thousands of people.
The Signs of the Times.
By Editor
OAKLAND, CAL., FIFTH-DAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1886.
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.
WE acknowledge with thanks the receipt from the San Francisco Chronicle, of a lithograph representing some of the leading journalists of the United States, and also fac-similes of their papers. It is well executed, and is of itself an ornament.
ELDER JOSIAH LITCH, M. D., died in Providence, R. I., Jan. 31, aged 76 years. Elder Litch was formerly a Methodist minister, and was a co-laborer with Wm. Miller in proclaiming the advent near. He saw light on the types of the sanctuary as early as 1844; but his views were rejected by his brethren, and he never followed them up.
S. D. A. Year Book.
By Editor
A copy of the Year Book has been received. It contains 112 pages, the contents arranged in accordance with the recommendation of a committee at the last General Conference. The matter is just what all our people need; it is an indispensable reference book to every church officer and missionary worker. Besides the statistics and reports, it contains an article on the rise and progress of the denomination and its work, and a postal guide. Price 25 cents. Address, Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich., or Signs of the Times, Oakland, Cal.
The Gospel Sickle.
By Editor
THIS is the title of an 8-page semi-monthly, published by the Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich., in accordance with a decision made at the time of the last General Conference. It has an editorial committee, and promises to speak in no uncertain terms on the various points of present truth. The contents of the first number are highly varied, and the promise of improvement is assured, because of “some disadvantages which will disappear with future numbers.”
We feel much as Moses felt when he said: “Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets.” There is room enough and work enough for all. The field is the world, and while there are so many thousands and even millions who know nothing yet of the present truth, we hail with satisfaction every instrumentality put forth to spread the knowledge of the truth. Price, per year, 50 cents.
Tents for Fresno Camp-Meeting.
By John Norton Loughborough
THOSE wishing to rent tents for the Fresno camp-meeting will please address J. N. Loughborough, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal., immediately. Tents 10x12 feet will rent for $4.00; 12x16 feet, $6.00.
Will those who have tents of their own to pitch, please write also. State the size of your tents. It will greatly assist in planning the grounds to know who are coming with tents.
Tent-Meeting Posters.
By Editor
WE have on hand posters for announcing special subjects at tent-meetings. With these, the subject of the evening's discourse may be announced every day in such a manner that all may know of it. The posters are 18x24 inches, and the lettering is large enough to be read across the street. A half-dozen or a dozen of these would bill a town very well. There are thirty-six different subjects, covering the principal points of our faith, but nothing that would not need to be introduced. Following are the subjects:—
Home of the Saved; the Great Image of Dan. 2; The Four Beasts of Dan. 7; Explanation of Dan. 8; The 2300 days; The Heavenly Sanctuary; The Judgment; The United States a Subject of Prophecy; Signs of the End; Return of Our Lord; The Resurrection; Man in Death; Nature of Man—Soul, Body, and Spirit; End of the Wicked; Ministration of Angels; Origin and Destiny of Satan; Plan of Salvation; The Law of God; The Law of Moses; The Sabbath of the Lord; Sunday not the Sabbath; Who Changed the Sabbath; The Three Angel's Messages; Seal of God; Mark of the Beast; Justification; The Two Covenants; The Seven Seals; Temperance; Seven Last Plagues; Rome—Pagan and Papal; Character and Work of the Remnant; Conversion; Spiritualism; Sanctification; The Millennium.
These will be sold in assorted lots at the rate of one dollar per hundred posters. That is, if a person wants ten copies of each of the thirty-six subjects, the price will be $3.60. If sent by mail, twenty-five cents per hundred posters additional. Any quantity and any number of the above subjects can be had at the same rates.
We believe that our tent laborers will find these posters a great help in advertising their meetings. They will be good at any time and in any locality. Send your orders to PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
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.