—It is estimated that the decrease in the public debt during October will amount to $12,000,000.
—Ferdinand Ward received at New York, October 31, a sentence of ten years' hard labor in Sing Sing.
—A heavy rain during October 30, caused the greatest flood known in Virginia in the past five years.
—The largest steamship in the world, the Great Eastern, was sold, October 28, at public auction for £26,200.
—Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Coon bought a seat in the Stock Exchange, New York, October 26, for $34,000.
—Two-thirds of the Swiss nation have voted in favor of cantonal local option. Many citizens abstained from voting on the question.
—Over seventy vessels were recently wrecked, and over 300 lives were lost, in the most fearful hurricane that ever visited the coast of Labrador.
—It is estimated that the strike of the Albany, N. Y., moulders, recently, has cost the workmen and manufacturers in the neighborhood of $200,000.
—The Pacific Coast Holiness Association owns about eight acres of land in East Oakland, upon which they intend to build a Home of Refuge for Fallen Women.
—President Cleveland has become tired of office-seekers, and he has informed the public that he will consume no more time in receiving calls from that class of pilgrims.
—October 25, a water-spout burst in the vicinity of Carrara, Italy, and was followed by heavy floods. Roads and railways were torn up, and much property was destroyed.
—Geo. B. McClellan, ex-commander of the Union army, died October 29, at his home in New Jersey, from exhaustion produced by repeated attacks of neuralgia of the heart.
—Jacob P. Leese, who first came to this coast in 1833, and who, in 1836, built the first house in Yerba Buena (now San Francisco), has recently returned to spend the rest of his days where he was the pioneer.
—It is now thought that the rumor that the Apaches were doing damage in northern Mexico was false; that instead of Apaches it was a band of "rustlers," disguised as Indians, whom Major Sumner is now after.
—General De Courcey, commander of the French forces in Anam, recently met, and in a three days' fight defeated, a detachment of the Black Flags, which resulted in the capture of the strongly fortified town of Thanmai.
—The debris-restraining dam in Shady Creek, between Nevada City and North San Juan, Cal., has been destroyed by an incendiary fire. The mining company estimate that it has been damaged to the extent of between $100,000 and $200,000.
—While a large body of workmen were taking out stone from the Chancelade quarries, near Dordogne, France, "the quarries suddenly fell in, destroying a village situated on the ground above the stone pits, and killing a large number of persons" and burying many others in the ruins.
—An arrangement has just been concluded by which the ports of Acapulco, Manzanillo, and Mazatlan, Mexico, are to have direct steamship communication with China. The steamers are to be built or bought in England, but are to sail under the Chinese flag and are to have a subsidy from both the Mexican and the Chinese Government.
—Secretary Endicott, when asked to aid Engineer Melville in fitting out another Arctic exploring expedition, very sensibly replied: "So far as my observation extends, Arctic explorations principally result in breeding lectures on Arctic subjects, flooding the country with Arctic literature, and furnishing curiosities for dime museums. Holding these opinions, I cannot conscientiously aid Mr. Melville in his desires."
—The breaking out of a fire on the tug McDonald, East Saginaw, Mich., October 28, was the incentive for a large number of people to congregate upon a bridge, a part of which gave way, precipitating sixty people into the river, where, on account of the depth of the water, the swiftness of the current, and the darkness of the night, a number are supposed to have perished; the greater number, however, were rescued.
Nineveh Turns From Its Evil Way
(Continued from page 663.)
men of Nineveh. "And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not."
Jonah’s Anger at Nineveh’s Mercy
"But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry." Jonah thought all his credit as a prophet, or even as a man, was forfeited. He had told the people that the city should be destroyed, and now the Lord was not going to do it, and he was therefore "very angry." It seems that he had told the Lord as much before he left his own country; for now he says: "O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish." From this it appears that when the Lord first told Jonah to arise and go to Nineveh and cry against it, Jonah had said to him, in substance, If I go up to Nineveh and tell them the city shall be overthrown, they will stop sinning and turn to the Lord, and then thou wilt not overthrow it; and so if the city is not to be overthrown anyhow, I might as well stay in my own country, or anywhere else; therefore I will flee to Tarshish. He did not think that if the city was to be destroyed anyway it was indeed useless for him to go. Jonah apparently cared more for his reputation than he did for all the souls in Nineveh, and thought that the Lord should turn a deaf ear to all the cries of the people, so that Jonah's word might be performed in spite of all.
Jonah and the Withered Gourd
"So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city." Then the Lord prepared a gourd "that it might be a shadow over his head" from the heat; and the next day the gourd withered, and a vehement east wind "and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted," and he wished that he might die, and said, "It is better for me to die than to live." "Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not labored, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night; and should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?"
The Lesson of God’s Mercy
By Alonzo Trevier Jones
THERE the record closes. Jonah made no further answer. It is queer that he could not see and rejoice in the mercy of God, in the first place; that the wicked people would not turn without warning; that unless they did turn they must perish; and that the warning alone could save them. But the Lord was patient and gentle with him, and kindly taught him the lesson which he was slow to discern. "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy." Micah 7: 18. A. T. J.
November Renewals.
By Editor
SEVERAL hundred subscriptions expire during the month of November. We earnestly solicit your renewal for the coming year, and make you the following liberal offers:—
No. 1. To our old friends and patrons who will send us $2.50, we will send the SIGNS OF THE TIMES one year, and will mail either one of the following books: "The Atonement; in the light of Nature and Revelation," by Elder J. H. Waggoner; "The Life and Words of Christ," by Cunningham Geikie, D. D.; or the "History of the Waldenses," illustrated.
No. 2. To any old subscriber who will send us $3.00, we will furnish the SIGNS one year, and mail you a copy of either the "Sunshine at Home"—a family portfolio of natural history, biography, and Bible scenes—or the illustrated popular edition of the "GREAT CONTROVERSY BETWEEN CHRIST AND SATAN" during the Christian dispensation, by Mrs. E. G. White, handsomely bound in cloth with jet and gold stamp, containing over five hundred pages of choice reading, illustrated by twenty-one full-page cuts, also a portrait of the author.
Young Men for Action.
THE current belief that the world's greatest soldiers have won their most notable victories when comparatively young, will be strengthened by the fact that when General Grant begun his wonderful military career he was but thirty-nine years of age, and was but forty-three when he had fought one of the greatest wars in history through to its close and fully established his reputation as the greatest military commander of the age. His two ablest and most distinguished lieutenants, Sherman and Sheridan, were, on the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, respectively forty-one and thirty. The world's greatest military heroes have won their fame while comparatively young men. Marlborough was fifty-three at the battle of Blenheim, but he entered the army at sixteen. On the other hand, Napoleon was but twenty-three at the siege of Toulon, and but twenty-seven when he began his wonderful campaign in Italy. Clive was but thirty-two at Plassey, and Wellington's reputation was made when only thirty, when he won Assaye, in India. Herr Frederick the Great, when he came to the throne of Prussia, and began the military operations which gave him his name, was only twenty-eight. Cromwell was but forty-three at the battle Marston Moor, and Charles XII. of Sweden, it will be remembered, was killed at thirty-six, after having spent eighteen years in command of his army. Gustavus Adolphus II. was but thirty-seven at the great triumph at Leipsic. Prince Eugene was but twenty when he entered the service of the emperor of Austria, and he won his great victory over the Turks at Zenta when but thirty-four. Charlemagne was forty-eight when he was crowned emperor of Germany, but this was preceded by more than twenty years of victorious warfare. William the Conqueror was thirty-nine at Hastings. Going back to classical times, the military heroes were, as they have been later, comparatively young men, Julius Cæsar being, perhaps, the chief exception. He had had comparatively no military experience when, at the age of forty-three, he undertook the subjugation of the Gauls, and he was fifty-two at the battle of Pharsalia, the crowning event in his career. Hannibal was only thirty-one at the battle of Cannæ, and but forty-five when finally defeated by a commander thirteen years younger than himself, at Zama. Alexander was twenty-three at the battle of Granicus, twenty-four at Issus, and only thirty-three at the time of his death.—Boston Traveller.
The Blind Horse and the Gander
STRANGE attachments often spring up between two animals, and the bond is apt to be stronger if either one happens to be suffering from any misfortune. A gentleman once owned a blind horse which occupied the same pasture with a flock of geese. A gander, seeing the difficulty the horse had in getting about, left his companions and attached himself to his blind friend. All day long they kept together, the gander cackling constantly to give signs of his presence. He would lead the horse to the best pasturage and to water, and would accompany him to the stall, where they had their meals served together, the horse often dropping a mouthful of food for his feathered friend. When the poor blind creature died, the gander seemed utterly lost; he wandered round disconsolately for a week, refused to eat, and at the end of that time had grieved himself to death.
General Grant’s Curt Reply
The best anecdote of General Grant which we have seen is the one related by General Clinton B. Fisk, who says: "I was sitting with the general and a number of others, when an officer high in rank rushed in, shouting, 'O boys, I've such a good story to tell you! There are no ladies present, I believe!' 'No, but there are gentlemen present,' was the curt reply of Grant." The story was not told.—Sel.
Southern California Meetings.
By Editor
MEETINGS will be held by Elders Loughborough and Ings as follows:—
Lemoore, November 12-15; Burrough Valley, November 19-22; Fresno, November 26-29.
Meetings in each place are to commence Thursday evening, and continue through the day and evening of the three following days. Let all come prepared to remain each day to two services in the day-time; and let all the brethren and sisters within reach of these meetings make it a point to attend all the meetings. Come, praying the Lord to meet with us.
Publishers' Department.
By Editor
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.
ORDERS FORWARDED.
By Editor
BOOKS SENT BY FREIGHT.—L C Chadwick, M M Taylor, Clara Wood Gibbs, Wm Potter, Carrie E Mills, Elder S N Haskell.
BOOKS SENT BY EXPRESS.—Rosa Simons, Elder J J Smith, Frank Yeoman, Gilbert C Jenkins, Geo Manuel, R Christianson, S K Shannon, Mary G Fraser, Annie Grant, Philip Kent, M J Wilkinson, G H Gibson, Mrs L A Baxter, T J Frost, F T Lamb, Mrs A E Mathews, N T Cox, M A Lee, Joseph Eggleston, Elder J Fargo, H Guilford, Elder M H Brown, F R Dunlap, W T Hicks, A D Benton, M J Church, Elder N C McClure, Hetty Hurd, Mrs C Ruoff, Mrs Sheibel, R P Gray, Geo Menual, Mrs E P Bush, Wm Saunders, Wm T Hibben, Miss Mina Douglass, Fred Haub, Mrs H P Gray, Mrs Belle Baker, Mrs A Robinson, Daniel Brown, A T Brown, H Munn, J E White Publishing Company.
RECEIPTS.
CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE FUND.—E Yokum $8, Ferndale $36.40.
AUSTRALIAN MISSION.—Mrs A Hammond $2, B Robb $11.
CASH RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.—Kan T and M Society $276, Vt T and M Society $75, Dak T and M Society $158.67, Minn T and M Society $58.
Obituary.
BICE.—Died, Oct. 14, 1885, of inflammation of the bowels, Laura, youngest child of S. C. and Anna Bice, of Healdsburg, Cal., aged 17 months and 14 days. Services by the writer. A. T. J.
RUD.—Died of brain fever, in San Francisco, Oct. 25, 1885, daughter of Peter and Mary Rud, aged 13 months and 23 days. She had the measles about three months ago, from which she never entirely recovered. During the last two weeks she suffered severely. We met to pray over her, and seeing her, we could only plead, "O Lord, thy will be done!" "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21. We believe the trump of God will awake her when our Lord shall appear. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer, to sympathizing friends at the parents' house. A. BRORSEN.
THE ADVENT REVIEW
By Editor
AND SABBATH HERALD
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. 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.
OUR COUNTRY'S FUTURE FORETOLD.
By Uriah Smith
THE UNITED STATES IN PROPHECY.
BY ELD. U. SMITH.
This is a full exposition of a portion of prophecy which applies to our own Government, showing the position the United States holds in prophecy, and the part it has to act in the closing scenes of time.
THE SUNDAY MOVEMENT
THE SUNDAY MOVEMENT,
Which is now attracting such general attention, is thoroughly canvassed, and abundant testimony is given to prove that it is fast coming to be the ALL-IMPORTANT QUESTION in this country. Dealing with our own land and applying to our own time. Of surpassing interest to every American reader. New edition; revised and enlarged. Cloth, 225 pp., 75c. Paper covers, new edition, condensed, 186 pp., 25c. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
Unprofitable Labor.
By Editor
THE Interior very sensibly says that a minister who endeavors by his own personal explorations to cover the disputed territory of advanced scientific studies, is only wasting his time. Some ministers eagerly follow all the ramifications of so-called science, even in its undermining of Bible truth, for fear that they will fall behind the times. Others think that they must follow all its deductions in order that they may overthrow those that are false. Both classes are wasting time, and are in danger of letting their flocks starve for want of "the sincere milk of the word." Only be patient, and professed scientists themselves will furnish the evidence with which to overthrow their own false theories. Besides, the Bible contains a good deal more than is commonly supposed. It is very common to speak of it as not being a book of science, and therefore many people are led to suppose that it is an unscientific book; but the truth is, that when men of the greatest intelligence have fathomed all the science that sages have ever hinted at, they are infinitely below the Bible; and when some real discovery in science is made, they will find from the Bible that it was known ages before they were born.
Another Chapter of the "Teaching."
By Editor
PERHAPS a few of the readers of the SIGNS have not forgotten that wonderful document, "The Teaching of the Apostles," of which we heard so much last year, and which was to effect such a revolution in some of the old beliefs, especially baptism and the Sabbath. It may be remembered that by ingeniously inserting a few words in the translation, and inferring a few things, the "Teaching" was made to do valiant service for the Sunday institution. The "Teaching" itself has already almost passed into oblivion, but Bishop Bryennios, the venerable discoverer of the precious relic, is still working for the same power that was responsible for the counterfeit Sabbath in the first place, and for all the frauds, such as the "Teaching," the "Epistle of Barnabas," etc., by which it has sought to perpetuate that counterfeit. Mr. Pierce, of Bardezag, writes as follows to the Missionary Herald:—
In the village of Sardoan, the people are all Greeks. In their business relations with the city of Adabazar, some of them came to know, through converts of the American Board, the doctrines of Protestantism, and a few became earnest Christians. They maintained, however, their relations with the Greek Church, from which they had no thought of separating. They would attend church Sunday morning, and meet together Sunday afternoon for prayer and praise and Bible reading. No missionary had ever visited the village. Recently, Bishop Bryennios visited Sardoan, and, calling on those suspected of being Bible readers, he put such questions as these to them:—
" 'What are you?' To the answer, 'I am a Christian,' he returned, 'What kind of a Christian are you? Are you orthodox?' 'Yes, I am orthodox.' 'Are you like me?' 'I don't know what you are.' 'Bring me one of those pictures; will you kiss that picture?' 'No; I can't do that.' 'Then get out of this. You are a Protestant,' etc."
In his sermon in the church, he instructed the priests not to baptize the children, nor to bury the dead of any of the Protestants; to turn them out of the church, and to have nothing to do with them. The people should not give them salutations, nor accept theirs; they were bad men, etc.
Bryennios is a bishop of the Greek Church, which occupies a closer relationship to the "mother of harlots" than does any other church. It might well be termed an own sister. We are not at all surprised at his latest exploit. It is perfectly in keeping with the power which by "pious frauds" has upheld Sunday as a sacred day. It will be remembered that, in the Bible, changing times and laws, and wearing out the saints, are companion pieces.
Worth Reading.
By Editor
HERE is a little thing that we have often seen, which we wish could be read at least once a week by every one who goes to church. It is one of the "notices" posted in the porch of the church at Hawarden, England, where Mr. Gladstone worships, and of which his son is rector:—
"On your way to the Lord's house, be thoughtful, be silent, or say but little, and that little good. Speak not of other men's faults; think of your own, for you are going to ask forgiveness. Never stay outside; go in at once; time spent inside should be precious."
It strikes us, however, that it would be a good thing to have the notice posted in the house of each church member, and in the church something like this: "Go silently and reverently from the house of the Lord. Do not speak of what you saw, but meditate prayerfully on the word spoken. By so doing you may take the Holy Spirit with you, and the house of God will prove indeed the gate of Heaven."
Recalling the Past.
OCTOBER 22 was the two-hundredth anniversary of the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. This Edict, issued April 13, 1598, was very far from establishing religious liberty in France; but it did afford the Huguenots some protection. Its revocation was the signal for a relentless and terrible persecution, which deprived France of an important element in her national character; for the Huguenots were valuable citizens. They were remarkable for their intellectual activity, pure morals, industry, and skill in various useful avocations,—qualities that give wealth and permanence to nations. A recent writer claims that their heroism in the face of long-continued and bitter persecution was largely due to the strength of their doctrines. He says: "One needs strong doctrines to rest upon when he is in hourly peril of his life."
THE ATONEMENT:
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
AN EXAMINATION OF A
REMEDIAL SYSTEM, IN THE LIGHT OF NATURE AND OF REVELATION.
By Eld. J. H. Waggoner.
THIRD EDITION, REVISED AND GREATLY ENLARGED.
This work is a critical and exhaustive treatise on the plan of salvation as revealed in the Scriptures, showing its harmony with the principles of justice and mercy, its consistency with reason, and its final results as affecting the destiny of the human race.
368 pp.; cloth, $1.00.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
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.
Prices, post-paid,—In flexible cloth, 35 cents; paper covers, 25 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE COMING CONFLICT;
By William H. Littlejohn
—OR—
THE GREAT ISSUE NOW PENDING IN THIS COUNTRY.
BY W. H. LITTLEJOHN.
This book contains a complete history of the rise and progress of the National Reform Party, together with an exegesis of the last portion of the thirteenth chapter of the book of Revelation, assigning to the United States its proper place in prophecy.
EMPHATICALLY A BOOK FOR THE TIMES.
434 pages, in muslin covers, and will be mailed to any address post-paid, for $1.00.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
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.
The Signs of the Times.
By Editor
OAKLAND, CAL., FIFTH-DAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1885.
THE editor of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and Brother C. H. Jones, left for the East, October 27, to attend the General Conference and annual meetings. Just before going to press we received letters dated at Salt Lake City, stating that thus far they had had a prosperous journey.
General Conference Appointments
By Editor
The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is appointed to convene at Battle Creek, Mich., November 18. The annual meetings of the Publishing Association, Educational Society, and Health Reform Institute, will be held in connection with the Conference.
The Progress of Religious Toleration
By Editor
The New York Tribune speaks of the offering of prayer for the dying Cardinal McCloskey, in the Baptist Association in New York, as "a noteworthy proceeding, indicating the progress of religious liberty, and the growth of the spirit of toleration." The Sabbath Recorder thinks that "the offering of prayer in a Catholic convocation for some eminent Baptist, would be a better indication of such progress." But that is a thing that will never be seen or heard of. The progress is not in that direction.
The Sabbath-School Lesson
By Editor
The Sabbath-school matter occupies more space this week than we usually intend to devote to one department, but under the circumstances it seemed unavoidable. It is of no use to study prophecy except with history; that is, it will do us no good to know what the Bible says about the work of the little horn, unless we certainly know what that little horn represents, and how exactly the predictions concerning it have been fulfilled. The lesson for this week covers so much ground that we could not really do justice to it even with the space given to it. However, the matter in the Sabbath-school Department is not local in its character, but is as well adapted to the general reader as to the Sabbath-school scholar.
California Orchards and Fruit
By Editor
The Red Bluff (Cal.) Sentinel states that recently a small green apple of the Red Astrakhan variety was brought into that office, as a sample from a tree that is now full of apples, and which has already borne one large crop of good apples this year. It states that all the apple and pear trees in two orchards in the western part of town are white with blossoms, looking just as they did last spring, and that in many orchards in other parts of the county the trees are blooming the second time. We would remind our Eastern friends who may read this while snow is falling, that while California is a good State in which to live, there are a great many people here who have no orchards at all, and have no prospect of getting even the land on which to plant one; and they have to pay for the fruit they eat just the same as though they lived in a country where fruit trees bloom only once a year.