[THE following was sent to this office with the request that we publish and send to the Temperance Societies.]
Mr. Francis Vincent, City Treasurer of Wilmington, Del., wrote to a Philadelphia paper an account of the loss of the whale-ship Essex, about 60 years ago, by being struck by a whale. Since the article was published he has received the following letter, and although it is impossible that this mother's blue eyed boy could have been on board the Essex, alluded to by Mr. V., yet we publish the letter, hoping it will be widely copied by our brethren of the press, and perhaps through its agency the tidings for which the widowed mother's heart has longed for twenty years may be brought to her. The following letter is the mother's own language:—
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 21, 1879.
FRANCIS VINCENT: Kind Sir.—Pardon an aged, widowed mother writing to a stranger. Seeing an account in the Ledger of a whaling ship Essex, with your name attached to it, which was wrecked about twenty years ago. I had a dear son who, when I last heard from him, about twenty years ago, dated his letter at Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, saying that he would be home soon. His name was William D. Bentley, light complexion, and with blue eyes and red whiskers when he left home; he also had an impediment in his speech. As a kind friend will you do this for an aged mother? As I do not know how to address a letter to this Mr. Nickerson, the only survivor of the Essex, will you please do so for me, and ascertain if my son was one of the unfortunate crew? I have heard he was on a whale-ship about that time, and if he is dead I will be reconciled, as I will then know his end. For about 20 years I have been every day trying to learn something of the fate of my long-lost son.
This Mr. Nickerson lives on the island of Nantucket, and if you will write to him, or to any other person having knowledge of the loss of any whaling vessels, you will ever have the kind remembrance of a broken-hearted old widowed mother.
If any one knows of my son's death I wish them to be candid and let me know. My address is No. 1821 North 21st street, above Montgomery avenue, Philadelphia.
P. S.—I did not see an account of the Norwegian bark; perhaps my son was on that. Will you please inquire?
Very respectfully, MRS. SARAH D. BENTLEY.
Will not our readers who have been whaling, or who have friends that have been on whale-ships, do what they can to aid this aged anxious mother in obtaining some intelligence of her absent Willie? Our consuls could aid in this matter also, and do for this poor mother what they would be so grateful to another for doing for them. Let us all try and see if we cannot obtain tidings of Will Bentley.
Elder Colcord’s New Field of Labor
By Editor
Elder G. W. Colcord and wife, from Illinois, arrived in Oakland the 7th, and spent the Sabbath with us. Tuesday the 11th, they sailed for the North Pacific Conference, their new field of labor.
STORMS OF APRIL.
By Editor
APRIL has always been counted a "fickle" month; a period of alternate sunshine and showers; but not a month of very heavy storms. In California, usually, the rainy season is nearly or quite past when April comes, and in the Eastern and Mississippi valley States, storms with heavy winds are seldom felt before June. But April, 1880, has rendered itself remarkable as the month of, not only heavy but terrible, storms from ocean to ocean. The injury done by the storms and floods in California, during last month, is very great. Such a season of snow and consequent labor and loss on the Sierra Nevada mountains has not been known since the railroad has been in operation. We can give our readers no idea of the effects of the April storms on the Pacific slope, as the columns of the daily papers were loaded with the accounts, day after day.
To record the terrible disasters in the East would more than fill our paper. The storm of April 19, in Arkansas, Kansas, and Missouri, was the most destructive that has ever occurred in the United States. At first the news came of the destruction of Marshfield, county seat of Webster Co., Mo. Later intelligence showed that the ruin in other towns was nearly as complete. The dead and wounded were numbered by hundreds, and the loss in property cannot well be estimated.
And later, we had accounts of unusually severe storms in the South; in Mississippi the town Macon was nearly destroyed. In Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, tornadoes have spread terror and ruin. In Wisconsin a cyclone passed through Rock county, strong enough to lay stone buildings in ruins. To give particulars of all the destruction of all these would fill a good sized volume.
What is the matter with the elements? It is certain that wonderful things are transpiring, and will the people lay it to heart? We believe the judgments of God are abroad. The earth is groaning under its burden of sin, and struggling toward the day of doom. The perils of the last days are advancing—coming swiftly upon us. And yet the cry, "Peace and safety," is heard on every hand. But skepticism and scoffing will not avert impending calamities. The prophecies forewarn of these things, and the plagues of God's wrath upon a guilty world will soon descend. O, that men would listen to the voice of wisdom, and turn to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, before the reaping time comes, when justice, without longer mercy, will overtake the impenitent.
THE KALLOCHS AND THE BAPTISTS.
By Editor
THE N. Y. Independent has an article on the San Francisco murder, from which we copy the following extract:—
“As a religious newspaper, we are called upon to comment on the fact that the two Kalloches are properly accredited clergymen. We feel dishonored by the fact, and so especially does the Baptist denomination, of which they belong. Baptists have long been ashamed of Kalloch as one of their clergy. They have known that the Baptist denomination has suffered greatly in California, by his relation to it. Very lately a second Baptist paper has been started in California, to be free from his overpowering influence. But nothing has been done to relieve the body of responsibility for him. No Baptist council has taken up his case. The names of the two Kalloches stand in “The Baptist Year Book for 1880,” issued by the Baptist Publication Society. That they are not fair representatives either of Christianity or of the Baptist denomination is most true; but it is a pity that their associates had not withdrawn fellowship from them, as there was abundant occasion to do. In any decent religious body each minister must be responsible for his moral conduct to his brethren, as well as to his God. They must, if he walks disorderly, withdraw their fellowship from him; or, if a majority are his tools, they must put themselves on record so clearly by their indignant and sorrowful protest that their skirts shall be free.”
The Montenegrin Affair
THE Vienna correspondent of the London Times reports that Lord Granville took the initiative to effect a direct understanding in the Montenegrin affair between the Powers, the result of which has been a note of the Ambassadors at Constantinople to the Porte, asking for a categorical statement of its intentions. In this note the Ambassadors speak directly by order of their Governments. This decided action on the part of a new British Cabinet has, it seems, not failed to produce an effect in Constantinople. The Porte's uneasiness regarding the new British Cabinet has shown itself lately in the discussion of various plans for the settlement of pending questions, such as the Greek question.
A Catholic’s Bible Muddle
A CATHOLIC is said to have been stranded in the following manner when told that the Bible is the word of God:—
"It ought to be good, then. I don't understand the whole muddle. The church says she is God's church, and that we are God's children, and the Bible—it is God's word, and yet God's church says that God's word is bad for God's children to read. It is all a muddle, and I can't understand it."
Public Schools and Religious Counsel
Dr. Platt, Episcopalian of San Francisco, advises his parishioners not to patronize the godless public schools, while the bishop of the diocese, Rt. Rev. Kip, thinks sufficiently well of the public schools to send his grandchildren to them, in preference to private or parochial schools.
Spiritualism’s Jewel and Toad
By Editor
The editor of the Religious Telescope had an interview with Joseph Cook, recently, in which the subject of Spiritualism was referred to, and in answer to a question upon its scientific character Mr. Cook said: "It probably has a jewel in it, but it is in a toad's head; the jewel is exceedingly small, and the toad very large and slimy, and one could hardly get at the jewel without getting some slime on his hands." As a religion he boldly declares Spiritualism to be diabolical.
We have been watching that toad closely for a number of years, but have never seen the jewel.
PROVIDENCE AND PHILOSOPHY.
By R. F. Cottrell
PHILOSOPHICAL works of the present day exclude the providence of God from the affairs of men entirely. They say, if you transgress physical laws, you must suffer the penalty; "no matter how pious you are, there is no escape. There is no use to pray, having violated the law, you must pay the penalty in full.
The Bible states the doctrine of Providence in this way: "Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." Ps. 107:17-20.
It is possible then for the transgressor to find pardon and healing. Still it is never wise to be a fool. It is much better to learn and obey the laws of our physical being. God is not glorified, nor we benefited by our transgressions. R. F. COTTRELL.
SAVE TIME.
By William Clarence White
WE are glad to know that many of the Sabbath-schools in California are adopting the suggestions made by the committee, in adopting uniform lessons. These schools which want more copies of the Youth's Instructor, will save time by ordering them through the California Tract Society, or the Pacific Press, as we receive weekly sufficient quantity of extra copies so that we can send from here, thus alleviating the delay occasioned by sending the order to Michigan, and waiting for the papers to return. Back numbers can be furnished on short notice for 15 cts. a dozen, or $1.00 per hundred.
W. C. WHITE.
Appointments.
By Editor
CAMP-MEETINGS.
EASTERN OREGON—At Milton, Umatilla county, May 20-31.
WESTERN OREGON—At Salem, on Marion Square, June 9-15.
IOWA, Des Moines, June 3-8.
WISCONSIN, Portage, June 9-15.
MINNESOTA, June 17-21.
Business Department.
By Editor
RECEIVED FOR THE SIGNS.
$2.00 EACH. D Shankland 7-19, O A Kinney 7-18, S E Kinney 7-18, F H Adams 7-18, J A Redden 7-18, Martha Hudson 7-18, Julia Jacks 7-18, Mary A Stephens 7-18, Mrs Emily Cook 7-18, James Bond 7-18, Mrs Sarah Ogden 7-18, Lucy Beach 7-18, Todd Maxwell 7-18, J D Shillitg 7-20, Hans Henrickson 7-18, Even Anderson 7-18, R H Peters 7-18, Lois Maxson 7-18, Wm Nichols 7-18, W McCoy 7-18.
$1.50 EACH. Harriet Aitken 7-18, E Mullius 7-18, Wm Hutchings Jr 7-18, B F Bussey 7-18, M J Stendard 7-18, Daniel Yoakum 7-18, R F Wilson 7-18, John E Mallory 7-18, A Fincher 7-18, Mrs E L Finley 7-18, Jacob Wyrick 7-18, Chas H Beach 7-20, E Golding 7-18, Harris Peters 7-19, Chas Cory 7-18, Isaac Henderson 7-18.
$1.00 EACH. J F Cross 6-42, Mrs D Browning 6-42, L A Collins 7-2, Mrs L H Bond 7-2, Mrs W H Oakes 6-22, J W Traber 6-42, Harrison Daniels 6-42, T A Myres 6-42, Jacob Ghering 7-18, Christian Ghering 7-18, John Greenhank 6-42, Jane Johnson 7-18, Albert T Wolcott 7-4, Wm Everet 7-4, Samuel Quinn 7-13, Sarah Hill 7-18, Ira Hughes 7-18.
MISCELLANEOUS. Mrs Matilda J Cambliss 75c 6-42, Mrs In Fryer $3.50 6-31, J F McCutcheon 1.35 7-18, Mrs M E Jordan 1.25 7-18, Mrs M Brooks 1.35 7-18, Mrs Ritta Jordan 1.35 7-18, Mrs Elizabeth Humphery 1.35 7-18, Mrs Mary A Cotner 1.35 7-18, Mary Ober 25c 6-31, Eliza Wyker 25c 6-31, Mrs Chas Jones 25c 6-31, Sarah Clark 25c 6-31, Henry Snyder 25c 6-31, Nahum Orcott 2.75, 6-31, John S Harvey 50c 6-35, Mrs Albert Switzer 50c 6-35, T Nelson 50c 6-35, E E Bush 3.75, 6-32, Seth Bond 10.00, 7-18, Wm A Noble 10.00, 7-18, Mary Williard 10.00, 7-18, E J Hunsaker 1.35, 6-32, Mrs M M Zimmerman 50c 6-35, J M Watts 10.00, 7-18, Daniel Bowe 15.00, 7-18, Mrs A H Hill 13.00, 7-18, Geo H Murphey 22.50, 7-18, R M Frink 15.00, 7-18, R C Andrews 15.00, 7-18, Alden Green 15.00, 7-18, R E Lawrence 2.50, 7-18, Mrs Daniel Thurston 25c 6-30, Mrs J S Hart 24.50, 7-18, Edwin Morren 1.35, 7-18, Walter Brookins 3.25, 6-31, G Velthuysen 12.50, 7-18, A A Clyde 3.00, 7-18.
ON ACCOUNT. North Pacific M Society 50.00.
CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE. Gilroy Church 12.40, Fairview Church 2.00, Lonoak Church 27.35, Lemoore Church 13.00.
CAL PUBLISHING FUND. John M Church 15.00
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
By Editor
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE
MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS.
Twelve-Page Edition.—A live Religious Family Paper, containing, in addition to the great variety of original articles, which make it a desirable prophetic journal. Departments devoted to Temperance, The Home Circle, News, The Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-school. PRICE PER YEAR, . . . $2.00
In clubs of ten or more copies to one address, to be used for Missionary work, each . . . 1.50
Eight-Page Edition.—Condensed from the above. Per Year, 1.25
In clubs of ten or more, each . . . 1.00
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. WM. LEAVITT, Salem, Oregon.
Oregon Camp-Meeting Travel
By Editor
MAY 6 Elder S. N. Haskell, Mrs. E. G. White and Mrs. M. K. White left Oakland to attend the Oregon camp-meetings. They sailed on the steamer California. We learned by telegram the 9th of their arrival at Portland.
ELDER G. W. COLCORD and wife, from Illinois, arrived at Oakland, Cal., May 8, to connect with the work in the Pacific Conference.