p. 366 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 23. (6/16/1887)

Earlier text: Herod Questions the Wise Men

News and Notes.

RELIGIOUS.

—The Protestants of Italy, it is said, have three hundred churches.

—It is stated that at a recent meeting of Congregational ministers, Dr. Barrows reported that there were 330 needless evangelical churches in Massachusetts, costing $330,000 a year.

—An effort is being made to bring about a union between the English Presbyterian Church and the Welsh Presbyterians. Exchanges of pulpits are now of frequent occurrence, and a fraternal feeling prevails on both sides.

—It is said that “a practical evil among the colored people of the South is the multitude of secret societies, many of them with Bible names, into which they are led, and which absorb their time, their thought, their religion, their money, and often their morals.”

—The Christian World, London, says that in England “intolerance dies hard. In many places Primitive Methodists suffer from the intolerant bearing of those whose spirit is opposed to the liberal modern legislation. The Education Act, the Burials Act, the Marriage Laws, and other Acts are so manipulated as to inflict injustice upon those whose social position leaves them largely at the mercy of local authorities.”

—The American Christian Review, an organ of the followers of Alexander Campbell, has been consolidated with another paper under the name of the Octographic Review. The reason given for the change of name is, “that the name ‘Christian’ ought not to be applied to any other object or subject than the being who was originally created in the image of God, and by faith and obedience has been renewed in the image of Christ.”

—It is stated by a correspondent of a London paper that one of the most learned and respected of Hungarian rabbis, Dr. J. Lichtenstein, who has been 35 years Rabbi of Tapio-Szele has lately startled his co-religionists by two pamphlets in which he affirms the divinity of Christ. The pamphlets, being very ably written, have been noticed by all the leading newspapers, and have raised much controversy; for Dr. Lichtenstein professes to remain obedient to the Mosaic dispensation while recognizing that Christ was the Messiah.

—The Methodist Recorder, speaking of kneeling in prayer, which used to be the universal custom among Methodists, says: “In the earlier days of her history, every member of the church at least observed the order of the church in this respect. Those days, however, have passed away, and now, in many Methodist congregations, but few, even of the members, are observed to bow before God in prayer. As if in the presence of an equal, or an inferior, they indifferently sit, and often do not even bow their heads, but gaze around them as if they had no interest in the solemn worship that is being offered to the Majesty of Heaven.”

Appointments.

By Editor

OAKLAND.—House of worship, southeast corner of Jefferson and Thirteenth Streets. Sabbath-School every Sabbath at 9:30 A. M. Preaching at 11. Prayer and missionary meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:15. Seats free.

EAST PORTLAND (Or.)—House of worship on G Street, between Tenth and Eleventh. Sabbath-school every Sabbath (Saturday), followed by services. Preaching or Bible-reading Sunday evening. Prayer-meeting Wednesday evening. The public cordially invited. Free public reading-room, corner of L and Fifth Streets.

SAN FRANCISCO.—House of worship, 914 Laguna Street, between McAllister and Tyler. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:45, and preaching at 11 A. M.; also preaching every Sunday evening at 7:30. Sabbath-school classes in the English, German, and Scandinavian languages. Prayer and missionary meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:15. Mission reading-rooms at the church.

Obituary.

GULLIXON.—Died, May 28, 1887, at Little River, Mendocino County, Cal., of inflammation of the bowels, infant child of Brother and Sister Gullixon (formerly from San Francisco), aged 4 months and 8 days. On the occasion of the funeral Brother R. Stickney made appropriate remarks to sympathizing friends from 1 Cor. 15:42. ANDREW BRORSEN.

HUTCHINGS.—Died, June 5, 1887, in Burrough Valley, California, of congestion of the lungs, Mr. William Hutchings, aged 77 years.

Brother Hutchings was born in Kentucky, but removed to this State in 1873. He was converted in 1834, and embraced present truth in 1878 under the labors of Elder Wm. Healey. He leaves a wife and nine children, besides a large circle of friends, who mourn for him, but not as those who have no hope; for they are persuaded that if they are as faithful in the service of God as he was, they shall finally meet him where there will be no more parting. Funeral services were conducted by Brother M. J. Church.

GOOD HEALTH.

By Editor

A MONTHLY MAGAZINE.

GOOD HEALTH is emphatically a Family Journal, being cheap, plain, and practical, qualities which have won for it the largest circulation of any Health Journal in America. It is devoted to all reforms, but is ultra in none. It is unpartisan and unsectarian. Its only creed is nature's laws. It treats of Health, Temperance, General Literature, Science, and many other interesting and practical subjects; it is a live journal, and every way adapted to the wants of the family. There is something in it for everybody. Price, $1.00 a year.

Address, GOOD HEALTH, Battle Creek, Mich.

OXFORD TEACHERS' BIBLES.

PRICES AND STYLES OF BINDING.

Pearl 16mo. (Size 4x5½x1¼ inches.)

(Page for Page with the Minion 8vo.)

NOS.
500.	French Morocco, boards...	$1.25
501.	French Morocco, circuit...	1.40
502.	French Morocco, limp, round corners...	1.55
503.	Persian Seal, limp, solid covers, round corners...	2.15
504.	Persian Seal, Divinity circuit, silk sewed...	2.50
514.	As No. 503, with round corners...	2.60
510.	Turkey Morocco, boards...	2.20
511.	Turkey Morocco, limp, round corners...	2.35
512.	Turkey Morocco, circuit...	2.70
515.	Levant, Divinity circuit, kid lined...	4.00
515½.	As No. 515, with round corners...	4.15

Postage, 10 cents extra.

Pearl 16mo. India paper edition. (Size 4x5½x1 inches.) The smallest Teachers' Bible in the World.

NOS.
514x.	Persian Seal, Divinity circuit, silk sewed, round corners...	$3.25
515½x.	Levant, Divinity circuit, kid lined, silk sewed, round corners...	5.50

Postage, 8 cents extra.

Ruby 16mo. (Size 4¼x6½x1½ inches.)

(An entirely new edition. Page for page with the Minion 8vo.)

NOS.
550.	French Morocco, boards...	$1.90
551.	French Morocco, circuit...	2.30
552.	French Morocco, limp, round corners...	2.20
559.	Persian Seal, solid covers, round corners...	3.00
563.	Persian Seal, Divinity circuit, silk sewed...	3.15
564.	As No. 563, with round corners...	3.30
560.	Turkey Morocco, boards...	2.70
561½.	Turkey Morocco, limp, round corners...	2.85
562.	Turkey Morocco, circuit...	3.75
565.	Levant, Divinity circuit, kid lined, silk sewed...	4.65
565½.	As No. 565, with round corners...	4.80
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571.	Best Levant, Divinity circuit, kid lined, silk sewed, red under gold edges, round corners...	7.00

Postage, 12 cents extra.

Ruby 16mo. India paper edition. (Size 4¼x6¼x1 inches.)

NOS.
564x.	Persian Seal, Divinity circuit, silk sewed, round corners...	$4.50
561½x.	Turkey Morocco, loose limp, round corners, silk sewed...	4.50
565½x.	Levant, Divinity circuit, kid lined, silk sewed, round corners...	6.50
566x.	As No. 565½x, Brown Levant...	6.50
571x.	Best Levant, Divinity circuit, kid lined, silk sewed, round corners...	7.50

Postage, 9 cents extra.

Nonpareil 8vo. (Size 4½x7x1¾ inches.)

(An entirely new edition. Page for page with the Minion 8vo.)

NOS.
664.	Persian Seal, Divinity circuit, round corners...	$4.00
660.	Turkey Morocco, boards...	4.00
661½.	Turkey Morocco, limp, round corners...	4.15
662.	Turkey Morocco, circuit...	5.00
665.	Levant, Divinity circuit, kid lined, silk sewed...	5.35
665½.	As No. 665, with round corners...	5.50
666.	As No. 665½, Brown Levant...	5.50
671.	Best Levant, Divinity circuit, kid lined, silk sewed, red under gold edges, round corners...	8.00

Postage, 16 cents extra.

Nonpareil 8vo. Thin paper edition. (Size 5x7x1¼ inches.)

NOS.
664x.	Persian Seal, Divinity circuit, silk sewed, round corners...	$5.75
661½x.	Turkey Morocco, loose limp, round corners, silk sewed...	5.50
665½x.	Levant, Divinity circuit, kid lined, silk sewed, round corners...	7.75
666x.	As No. 665½x, Brown Levant...	7.75
671x.	Best Levant, Divinity circuit, kid lined, silk sewed, round corners...	9.50

Postage, 11 cents extra.

Minion 8vo. (Size 5x7¾x1½ inches.)

NOS.
707.	Persian Seal, limp, round corners...	$4.30
709.	Persian Seal, limp, solid covers, round corners...	5.00
713.	Persian Seal, Divinity circuit...	4.70
714.	As No. 713, with round corners...	4.85
710.	Turkey Morocco, boards...	4.50
711½.	Turkey Morocco, limp, round corners...	4.65
715.	Levant, Divinity circuit, kid lined, silk sewed...	5.70
715½.	As No. 715, with round corners...	5.85
716.	As No. 715½, Brown Levant...	5.85
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Minion 8vo. Thin paper edition. (Size 5x7¾x1 inches.) The S. S. Superintendents' Edition.

NOS.
714x.	Persian Seal, Divinity circuit, silk sewed, round corners...	$7.00
711½x.	Turkey Morocco, loose limp, round corners, silk sewed...	6.75
715½x.	Levant, Divinity circuit, kid lined, silk sewed, round corners...	9.00
716x.	As No. 715½x, Brown Levant...	9.00
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Postage, 13 cents extra.

Minion small 4to. (Size 7x9⅜x1¾ inches.)

With Wide Margin for MSS. Notes.

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915½.	Levant, Divinity circuit, kid lined, silk sewed, round corners...	12.50

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NOS.
810.	Turkey Morocco, boards, family register...	$7.00
811.	Turkey Morocco, limp, family register...	7.00
814.	Persian Seal, Divinity circuit, silk sewed, round corners...	7.75
815½.	Levant, Divinity circuit, kid lined, silk sewed, round corners...	10.25

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Any books from the foregoing list can be had with Denison's Patent Index. Price, $1.25 extra. When ordering Bibles be sure to give the numbers of those you wish sent. Address all orders to PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

Publishers' Department.

By Editor

RECEIPTS.

SEND Bank Draft, Money Order, or Express Order.
If Postal Note or paper money is sent, register the letter, otherwise it is at your own risk.
Drafts should be made payable to the PACIFIC PRESS, on New York or San Francisco banks. Those written on other banks cost us exchange.
Seal your letter and address it to Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
Be sure to give us your name, post-office, county, and State.

RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.—Dakota T and M Society $83, Kansas $550, Ohio $110.

CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE FUND.—M C Olmstead $1, Jas A Driver $71.38, Fresno $665.25, Lydia Butler $10, Norwalk $33, Mrs J Eddy $3.

STATE TRACT SOCIETY NOTICES.

By Editor

PLEASE send all business of the Maine T. and M. Society to Minnie Russell, Secretary, No. 1 Johnson Street, Bangor, Maine.

The State Tract Depository and office of the secretary of the Kansas Tract Society has been changed to corner of Fifth Street and Western Avenue, Topeka, Kansas. L. Dyo Chambers, the efficient secretary, is an authorized agent for the SIGNS, American Sentinel and Pacific Health Journal.

SENATOR CROCKETT'S SPEECH.

By Editor

The demand for the Senator's speech upon "Religious Liberty" has been so large that the Pacific Press has already printed and placed in circulation ninety-two thousand copies of it. It is now put up in tract form and large orders still continue to come in every week for it. Several newspapers have copied extracts from this able and thrilling plea for religious liberty and the rights of conscience.

BIBLES, BIBLES, AND BIBLES.

THE PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, California, carries the largest stock and finest assortment of Bibles of any house west of Chicago. They have an especially fine line of Oxford Sabbath-school Teachers' Bibles from a ruby 16mo.—India paper edition—the smallest Teacher's Bible in the world, to a minion 8vo. Also the American Tract Society Bibles and the new pictorial Parallel Bible—the only Family Bible published containing both versions of the Old and New Testaments in parallel columns, line for line, upon each page, for convenience in reference and comparison. This new Parallel Bible is really two Bibles in one volume, and is illustrated with over two thousand fine engravings. It is sold by subscription; send for circulars. They have Bibles ranging in price from thirty cents to twenty dollars. See their column advertisement on this page of the SIGNS.

HEALDSBURG COLLEGE.

By S. Brownsberger

HEALDSBURG, CAL.

A POPULAR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION,

ESTABLISHED IN 1882.

FIVE YEARS OF GREAT PROSPERITY. FOUNDED AND MANAGED UPON SOUND PRINCIPLES. THOROUGH INSTRUCTION IN THE ELEMENTS OF LEARNING IN ALL THE GRADES AND THROUGH THE CLASSICAL COURSE. FACULTY CONSISTS OF FIFTEEN INSTRUCTORS OF EXPERIENCE.

DISTINCTIVE FEATURES.

Instruction in the various trades, with two hours per day spent in active work.
Methods in the Class Room are such as to secure the best kind of mental discipline.
A rigid discipline to cultivate high moral character.
Expenses within the reach of all. Twenty dollars per month covers all expense of tuition, board, lodging, washing, lights, fuel, etc.

Fall term begins July 26, 1887. For catalogue or further information, address, S. BROWNSBERGER, A. M., President. Healdsburg, Cal.

THE ADVENT REVIEW AND SABBATH HERALD.

By Editor

A RELIGIOUS FAMILY JOURNAL, PUBLISHED WEEKLY AT BATTLE CREEK, MICH., BY THE S. D. A. PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION.

SIXTEEN large, closely printed pages of choice reading matter, treating upon all the Prophetic themes of the Bible, the Signs of the Times, Second Coming of Christ at Hand, Closing Reforms in the Church, the Gospel of Christ, Conversion, Practical Godliness, etc.

This is the organ of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, the oldest journal of this people. It is now in its sixty-second volume. Contains full reports from the ministers and the doings of the different organizations of this denomination. No one should fail to take the Review and Herald. Price, in advance, $2.00 per year.

Address, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.

SOUTH LANCASTER ACADEMY,

SOUTH LANCASTER, MASS.

AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION OF INCREASING

POPULARITY.

This school is located at South Lancaster, Worcester County, Mass., thirty-five miles from Boston, and was founded in 1882.

It is prosperous because operated on correct educational principles. Thorough instruction is given in all the common branches, and those of the usual high school and academic courses. There are also well-sustained Biblical and Normal Departments.

ITS SPECIAL FEATURES ARE,

1. A judicious discipline for the development of moral character. It is a safe place for the young.

2. Methods of teaching that aim at mental culture of a high type.

3. Instruction and practice in various kinds of manual labor and the use of tools.

4. Astonishingly low expenses. Fifteen dollars per school month pays all expense of tuition, board, lodging, washing, lights, fuel, etc. For catalogue or further information address, CHAS. C. RAMSEY, A. M., Principal.

MODERN SPIRITUALISM

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

ITS NATURE AND TENDENCY.

BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.

THIS is a thorough expose of the system of Spiritualism. The author has carefully studied the subject, and has given such copious extracts from a large library of Spiritualist publications, as to fully condemn them in their teachings and in their practices, by their own testimony.

It is also shown from the prophetic scriptures that Spiritualism is one of the most impressive signs of the times. 184 pp. Price, 20 cents.

Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

TEMPERANCE AND GOSPEL SONGS.

PUBLISHED BY

THE AMERICAN HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION.

BOTH the words and music are entirely new, except a few choice selections of the most popular pieces. The temperance music is not only new but varied, including anthems, glees, and quartets.

"I think 'Temperance and Gospel Songs' one of the best temperance song books I have seen."—D. C. BABCOCK, Dist. Sec. National Temperance Pub. Society of New York.

"This book is far superior to all other temperance song books I have seen for solid, practical, Gospel temperance songs."—P. T. LYNN, Musical Director, Hornellsville, N. Y.

"The music throughout is musician-like—a rare excellency in such books. The words, too, are fresh and have a meaning."—W. T. GIFFE, Logansport, Ind.

"I am much pleased with 'Temperance and Gospel Songs.' Think it will be a favorite among temperance workers."—FRANK M. DAVIS, Jacksonville, Fla.

"Among the many things that made our meeting a glorious success throughout, was the inspiring singing by our grand choir, from your new work, 'Temperance and Gospel Songs.' It is overflowing with good music and fine hymns. It is a great advance in the line of temperance music books, and ought to find a place and have a large sale among the temperance organizations throughout the country. It is the best book of the kind I have ever seen."—C. HENRY MEAD, Conductor Silver Lake (N. Y.) Temperance Camp-meeting.

Price, in board covers, 30 cents or $3.00 per dozen.

Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

THOUGHTS ON BAPTISM:

By Joseph Harvey Waggoner

BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.

An examination of the Action, Subjects, and Relations of the Ordinance of Baptism. Also, a brief REFUTATION of the

HISTORICAL CLAIMS FOR TRINE IMMERSION.

SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED.

Price, post-paid,—In flexible cloth, . . . 35 cents. " " Paper Covers, . . . . - 25 " Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

SCRIPTURE VERIFIED.

EVERY new discovery by those who are busily engaged in the work of unearthing the monuments and records of antiquity, serves to make more evident the simple, straightforward truth of the Scripture narrative. The statement in Ex. 1:8, that "there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph," is one that commentators have thought it necessary to almost apologize for. They have given learned explanations, showing in what figurative sense the words were to be taken. But now the mummy of that "new king" has been discovered, and visitors to the Bulaq Museum may gaze upon the features of that mighty tyrant who lived over three thousand years ago. We have not space to tell all the circumstances of the finding (they are given in the May Century), but it is sufficient to say that it is quite conclusively demonstrated that this king was not of Egyptian stock at all, but of Assyrian. He was the second of a new dynasty, but as his father reigned but a very few years, and did nothing of note, he was practically the first.

This fact shows the appropriateness of the expression, "there arose a new king," and the reader can readily see how a foreign usurper would not know Joseph, and would care nothing for the kindred of one who had done so much for Egypt. He owed the Israelites no debt of gratitude, and saw in them only a people whom he could use to advance the glory of his reign, and who, if left to themselves, might prove formidable adversaries.

And this also throws light upon another text. In Isa. 52:4 we read: "For thus saith the Lord God, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause." This verse has been supposed to refer to two distinct independent events, but this discovery shows that it is the statement of a simple fact.

This is only one of hundreds of instances where the correctness of Bible history has been demonstrated by discoveries of ancient records, and should serve to teach people that they need not get scared and begin to reject or apologize for the Scriptures when they find statements that they cannot understand.

MAKING THE SABBATH A HOLY DAY.

IN one of the religious weeklies we find the following, which is part of a comment on the fourth commandment:—

"On the seventh day our bodies and minds must rest; and our souls also. Our spiritual nature must hold communion with Heaven, thus making the Sabbath a holy day."

The thought here expressed is altogether too common. It is a grave mistake to suppose that we have anything to do with the degree of holiness of the Sabbath-day. No man can make a day holy, no matter how holy or how absorbed in spiritual contemplation he may be. If all the Christian people in the world should agree to set apart Wednesday for rest and religious meditation and worship, that day would not be any more sacred than it is now. The seventh day is a holy day because God made it holy; he "hallowed it." He alone could do this. It matters not if every man in the world devote the day to secular work and pleasure, the day would be just as holy as it was when God hallowed it. But the people themselves would not be holy. This is the point: The action of people in regard to sacred things makes no difference with those things, but with the people themselves. By constantly reverencing holy things, men become holy; by disregarding holy things they injure themselves, but do not detract from the holiness of the sacred thing. Men cannot make God's name any the less sacred by blaspheming it; neither could they make the name of Baal holy by reverencing it. So men cannot make the seventh day any less holy by devoting it to secular uses; and all the "consensus of Christian thought" that there is in the world, cannot attach a single iota of sacredness to Sunday.

CAMP-MEETINGS FOR 1887.

By Editor

WISCONSIN, Beaver Dam, June 15-21 MINNESOTA, St. Paul, " 15-21 MICHIGAN, Alma, " 22-28 DAKOTA, Mitchell, " 22-28 TEXAS, Fort Worth, July 27 to Aug. 2

IN these days when so many people are claiming that the Sabbath law is abolished, we are glad to find some who will testify to the perpetuity of the Sabbath commandment even though they do not observe it. Thus the Interior of June 2 says concerning the fourth commandment:—

"Observe (1) This Sabbath law is as old as creation, being founded on the fact that God rested after he had completed his creative work. (2) It will never cease to be binding on man. Christ did not abrogate it any more than he abrogated the commandment, 'Thou shalt not kill,' or any other precept of the moral law."

The Camp of the Saints on Earth

By Editor

E. C. G., having read the articles on the millennium lately printed in the SIGNS, asks the following questions on Rev. 20:9:—

"How can the wicked compass the camp of the saints about unless it is upon the earth? Does the beloved city come down from Heaven before the wicked are destroyed?"

The wicked cannot at all compass the camp of the saints about unless it is on the earth. And the text itself shows that it will be on the earth when they do compass it about. "They went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city." And as they compass "the beloved city" before they are destroyed, that of itself proves that the beloved city must have come down from Heaven before they are destroyed. This is at the close of the thousand years.

Giving Is a Habit

By Editor

We often hear people refuse to make pledges of means for the support of some missionary enterprise, on the ground that they don't think it right to make a pledge. They always say that they intend to give something, though whether they do give or not is a question. The following from an English paper would seem to indicate that giving is a habit, and that those who have not the habit give nothing, while those who have the habit give to every worthy object:—

"No fewer than thirty-one people of position in England declined to subscribe to the Church House on the ground that they wished to give their money to the fund for the poor clergy; yet it was found a day or two ago, on examining the list, that not one of them had sent a donation to the latter fund. On the other hand, fifty-seven subscribers to the Church House, whose contributions amounted to over £2,450, appeared as donors to the poor clergy fund of no less a sum than £3,630."

HUMILITY WANTED.

SIMULATED Christianity is often so nearly like the genuine that it cannot be detected upon a short acquaintance, and yet there is generally something about it that arouses a suspicion that it is not just what it should be. A meek and quiet spirit must characterize every true Christian, and it matters not how loud the profession nor how great the manifestation of feeling, if humility dwells not in the heart, "this man's religion is vain."

In view of the maximum of profession, and the minimum of possession, in religious circles to-day, the following truths incidentally expressed in a recent number of the New York Christian Advocate are to the point. Speaking of "De Imitatione Christi," a book written nearly five hundred years ago, probably by Thomas à Kempis, the Advocate says:—

"The restless activity of this age needs the calmness of the "Imitatione," and its call to stop and think and look within. The superficial views prevalent as to sin, and the easy-going sort of piety which flourishes, nowadays, need the earnest and penetrating teachings of this little book. And for the cant, narrowness, and pharisaic self-righteousness of much of the present so-called holiness literature—especially that circulated among Methodists—there needs to be substituted the sincerity, freshness, humility, and depth of spiritual insight, which constitute some of the chief charms of the "Imitatione," and which have attracted to it devout minds of all communions."

CELIBACY OF THE CLERGY.

By Editor

L. A. T. asks if it can be proved that the Simon spoken of in Luke 4:38 is Simon Peter, the one whom the Catholics claim was the first Pope, and thinks that if it can be so proved, it will be very much against the Papal dogma that the clergy should not marry. We reply that the Simon of Luke 4:38 is none other than Simon Peter, as may be seen by reading Matt. 8:14, 15, where we find the same thing that is recorded in Luke. But this does not affect the Papal doctrine of the celibacy of the clergy. The Catholic Church does not profess to derive that point from the Bible, and consequently nothing that can be drawn from the Bible will have any weight with them. They are very well aware that Peter was married. In fact, it is not probable that there was one of the apostles who was not a married man; and Paul, in giving the qualifications of a bishop, says that he "must be blameless, the husband of one wife."

In the early history of the church, no such thing as the celibacy of the clergy was known. In the third century it began to be taught that a clergyman should not marry the second time. This was from a false conception of 1 Tim. 3:2. In the fourth century, as the "mystery of iniquity" was approaching its full development as the "man of sin," decrees began to be issued forbidding the clergy to marry. For several centuries there was controversy over this subject, and perhaps the majority of Catholic priests were married, although councils were declaring against them. It was not till the pontificate of Gregory VII., A. D. 1073-1085, that the celibacy of the clergy was fully established in the Catholic Church, that Pope being the first who had the determination and the power to enforce his decrees. These priests who were married were obliged to put away their wives. Many scandals ensued, and at the time of the Reformation these were so common among the clergy as to scarcely excite remark. There can be no doubt that while celibacy has been a fruitful source of the abominations of the Papacy, it has added to its power, since the priests, having no family ties, may be sent at a moment's notice wherever their superiors indicate.

Hebrew Translation of the New Testament

The Vienna correspondent of the London Times is authority for the statement that a second edition of 120,000 copies of Rev. Isaac Salkinson's Hebrew translation of the New Testament has been published. Of this number 100,000 copies have been bought by one man for gratuitous distribution among Hebrew-reading Jews all over Europe.

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 Sts., OAKLAND CAL., U. S. A.