THE following words from Miss Frances Willard, at the recent convention of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, at Chicago, have been denounced as strong and extravagant, but we believe that the facts will warrant the expressions:—
But woman's everlasting befrilled, bedizened, and bedraggled style of dress is to-day doing more harm to children unborn, born, and dying, than all other causes that compel public attention. With ligatured lungs and liver as our past inheritance and present slavery, the wonder is that such small heads can carry all we know! Catch Edison and constrict him inside a wasp waistcoat, and be assured you'll get no more inventions; bind a bustle upon Bismarck, and farewell to German unity; coerce Robert Browning into corsets, and you'll have no more epics; put Parnell into petticoats, and home rule is a lost cause; treat Powderly in the same fashion, and the powder mine of failure will blow up the labor movement. Niggardly waists and niggardly brains go together. The emancipation of one will always keep pace with the other; a ligature around the vital organs at the smallest diameter of the womanly figure, means an impoverished blood supply in the brain, and may explain why women scream when they see a mouse, and why they are so terribly afraid of a term which should be their glory, as it is of their brothers, viz., strong-minded.
Our degradation in the line of bandaging the waist has reached such a point that Helen Campbell says it is a requisite in fashionable London stores to have the woman clerks not larger around than twenty inches, "and eighteen-inch waists are preferred." Look at the monstrous deformity produced by constrictive surgery as applied to the average fashion-plate; and think what belittlement of power and happiness it means to the poor creatures who will wear these waists, and to their children! We shall, I hope, see something less humiliating in Harper's Bazar than its immemorial abominations of "fashionable style," now that so true a Christian woman as Margaret Sangster edits that otherwise excellent paper. Colonel Higginson's keen, progressive articles are horribly neutralized by the first page effigies it foists upon us.
Bonneted women are not in normal conditions for thought; high-heeled women are not in normal conditions for motion; corseted women are not in normal conditions for motherhood. Each of the constrictions and contortions involved by these crimes in dress is a distinct violation of loving laws given by our heavenly Father for our highest happiness and growth.
DEPTH OF THE OCEAN.
THE greatest known depth of the sea is in the South American Ocean, midway between the island of Tristan d'Acunha and the mouth of the Rio de la Plata. The bottom was there reached at a depth of 40,236 feet, or eight and three-fourths miles, exceeding by more than 17,000 feet the height of Mount Everest, the loftiest mountain in the world. In the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland, soundings have been made to a depth of 4,580 fathoms, or 27,480 feet, while depths equaling 34,000 feet, or six and one-half miles, are reported south of the Bermuda Islands. The average depth of the Pacific Ocean between Japan and California is a little over 2,000 fathoms; between Chili and the Sandwich Islands, 2,500 fathoms, and between Chili and New Zealand, 1,500 fathoms. The average depth of all the oceans is from 2,000 to 2,500 fathoms.—Christian at Work.
THIS IS ALL-HALLOWEEN.
THE Roman Catholic Church, many centuries ago, finding it impossible, from the great and constantly increasing multitude of the saints, to set apart a separate day for each one, decreed that November 1 should thenceforward be kept as a day in honor of all the saints, and that it should be known as All-Hallowmas or All Saints' Day, and that the night of October 31, immediately preceding it, should thereafter be kept as a vigil and be known as All-Halloween. And these occasions are still observed in the Catholic, Episcopal, and Lutheran Churches.—Detroit Commercial Advertiser.
Obedience to Christ’s Commands
"SIR," said the Duke of Wellington to an officer who urged the impossibility of executing the directions he had received, "I did not ask your opinion; I gave you my orders, and I expect to have them obeyed." Such should be the obedience of every follower of Jesus Christ. The words which he has spoken are our law, not our judgments or fancies. Even if death were in the way, it is "Not ours to reason why,
Ours but to do or die."
Health and Temperance.
By N. Y. Evangelist
EVILS OF CIGARETTE SMOKING.
AGAIN (on August 12) the New York Press reporter went round to call upon the leading physicians of this city to endeavor to ascertain the effects of cigarette smoking upon the youth of the metropolis. All with one accord seemed to agree that it tended to cause insanity and general unfitness for work of any kind. "Do you consider it damages the lungs?" was the question asked of one physician. In answer the doctor took a cigarette, lighted it, and drawing in a mouthful of smoke, blew it out through a corner of his handkerchief, which he held distended across his mouth, and then exhibited the place where the smoke had passed through. A dark brown stain was distinctly visible. "Now," said the doctor, "that same stain that you see on my handkerchief is left on the lungs, which are, as you know, soft and spongy in texture as is the handkerchief." Dr. William A. Shufelt, of West Eleventh Street, said, in the course of an interview, that he had himself seen many cases of pharyngitis sicca, one of epilepsy, and one of total insanity, caused entirely by cigarette smoking. The makers of cigarettes he said, especially of a cheap kind, import quantities of opium, which is largely used in their manufacture. "It is a well-known fact," he continued, "that there is nothing so alluring as opium, and you will find that smokers of cigarettes unconsciously choose the kinds that contain that drug in the largest quantities. Probably the persons who like it most have not the faintest idea of what it is that they care about in the cigarettes they smoke. Among the inhabitants, principally foreigners, of the east side of the city, you will find among the youth terrible cases of emaciation and incapability for work, caused entirely by this habit, which has grown upon them, of constantly smoking cheap cigarettes, which are probably more or less saturated with opium. Of course the principal evils of cigarette smoking are caused by the fact that the smoke is inhaled unconsciously by some, and on purpose by others, so that in time the lungs become quite studded and eventually destroyed.
A Drunken Child
ONE of the most painful things which has come to our notice of late, as showing the blighting curse of intoxicating liquors, is one reported by the Atlanta (Georgia) Journal. It was a drunken child, barely five years old, blue-eyed, golden-haired, but drunk, stupidly, foolishly drunk. When arrested she was laughing and talking in a wild and reckless manner. She was taken to the station-house till she became sober from the beer and whisky she had drunk. Mother had died four weeks before, and father gone, but who is responsible for the education of the child is not stated. When asked who gave her beer, she answered:
"Everybody. I drinks beer and toddy all the time. My sister can drink this house full of beer," the baby prattled on, "and I love beer. It's nice ain't it?" And she laughed merrily.
And this little five-year-old, blue-eyed baby, with its leering laugh, crazy speech, and blood-shot eyes, is but a type of thousands of other cases perishing throughout the world through rum.
Detecting Marble in Pulverized Sugar
ALL pulverized sugar is not powdered marble in masquerade; but they do say that much of the latter fetches the price of the former over grocers' counters, all "unbeknownst." It may be detected by dissolving some of the sugar in water and inspecting the sediment—if there is any.—Ladies' Journal.
News and Notes.
By Editor
RELIGIOUS.
—The chapel of the Methodist mission at Nank'ang, China, was utterly demolished by rioters about the last of October.
—The first Protestant cemetery in the history of the city of Lima, Peru, was formally opened, and the first interment took place, October 28.
—At a conference of leading officials of the Salvation Army of this country, held at Rochester, N. Y., recently, it was decided to change the name to Christian Crusaders.
—A fire on the night of the 2d inst. destroyed the headquarters of the Salvation Army in London. As this was the supply depot of the army for the world, the loss was a heavy one.
—The Right Rev. Bishop Hennesey, in dedicating a large Catholic Church in Dyersville, Iowa, in the presence of 100 priests and 6,000 people, read from the altar a letter which he had received, signed "White Caps," threatening his life if he appeared at the ceremonies.
—Oakland's free library report for November shows quite clearly the mental trend of its patrons. Of 6,381 volumes taken out, 4,440 (over two-thirds) were fiction; 15 were religious. The remainder were fairly divided between belles-lettres, science, history, poetry, biography, travels, and juvenile books. This would indicate that the masses prefer fiction to truth.
—A layman writes to say that he hopes, before the discussion of ministerial titles is dropped, someone will turn his attention to "Reverend," as a clerical prefix or title. "I can see," he says, "a reason for the D.D., provided it tells the truth as to the man, and he got it honestly, but as to the 'Rev.' I am in darkness." The request seems to us to be pertinent. If our Lord meant to prohibit for all time the use by his followers of any distinctive title or appellation, in such commands as, "Be not ye called Rabbi," the conscientious scruples of some ministers seem to us greatly misplaced.—Examiner (Baptist).
—The Jewish Tidings says: "The Hebrew tailors of Albany have completed their organization for the promotion of Sabbath observance, and President David M. Berger goes to New York to see Rabbi Joseph on the subject." Upon this announcement the Jewish Times and Observer comments as follows: "If the Hebrew tailors of Albany desire to keep the Sabbath holy, and not to do any work on the day of rest, what is the object of consulting the great Rabbi Joseph of New York on the subject? We do not know of any popery in our religion, and a simple resolution of the tailors to abstain from working is sufficient."
SECULAR.
—A Republican (Hart) was elected mayor of Boston on the 10th inst.
—Two men were killed and several injured by the caving in of a coal-shaft at Butler, Pa., last Thursday.
—Robert Browning, the great English poet, died at Venice, Italy, December 11, at the age of seventy-seven.
—Influenza is reported as epidemic at St. Petersburg, Paris, and Stockholm, and seems to be spreading all over Europe.
—The test of the new eight-inch army rifle last Friday at Sandy Hook was entirely satisfactory. The range of the rifle is nine miles.
—The corporation of London has invited Stanley to accept the freedom of the city. The parchment conferring citizenship will be inclosed in a gold casket.
—It has been decided that the conference for considering the subject of the federation of all the Australian colonies will assemble at Melbourne in February.
—The largest diamond ever found of the sort used in glass cutters and for tipping drills has just been brought to this country from Brazil. It is valued at $5,000.
—Flora Batson, a colored opera singer, was recently refused admittance to the Arlington Hotel, at Santa Barbara, and a suit for damages will probably be the outcome.
—The governors of the thirteen original States had a meeting recently to take steps for the erection, in Philadelphia, of a memorial structure to commemorate the achievements of the nation in the first 100 years of its existence.
—The national palace of the republic of Salvador, with all the government archives, was totally destroyed by fire on the 10th inst. It is said that $3,000,000 could not replace the building. The origin of the fire is unknown.
—A Jefferson Davis Monument Fund has been started in Washington. New York has had a start of four years, four months, and twenty days in the matter of the Grant monument. Which will get his monument first, Grant or Davis?
—The town of Butler, Pa., was terribly shaken by a nitro-glycerine explosion on the 10th inst. Two men were loading a wagon at the factory, when it is supposed they let a can fall. The men and team were blown into fragments, and a greater part of the factory demolished.
—Another sad affair occurred at Johnstown, Pa., on the 10th inst. There was a large crowd assembled in the opera house, when an alarm of fire from the outside created a panic. In the rush to get out, thirteen people were crushed to death, and about seventy-five more or less injured.
—On the morning of the 5th inst., at Florence, Arizona, three of five Apache murderers, who were to be hanged that day, were found dead in their cell. They had in some way managed to strangle themselves to death. The other two were executed at the appointed time.
—Mrs. Sample, a negro clarivoyant, has been sentenced to two years in the State prison for forging a deceased colored man's name to a paper purporting to be his will, at Los Angeles. She is the noted "hoodoo witness" that figured on both sides of the famous Sharon divorce case.
—Great efforts are being made by the Argentine Republic to induce immigration from all parts of Europe. Large numbers of Germans and Russian Hebrews have already gone to South America. Sixteen thousand square leagues of land have been set apart for the use of intending settlers.
—Great excitement prevails in New Mexico over the depredations of the White Caps and fence-cutters. Hundreds of miles of wire fence have been cut, and several persons have been killed. The trouble arises from the unsettled status of the Spanish and Mexican land grants in that Territory.
—Oliver Johnson, the veteran editor and abolitionist, died at Brooklyn, N. Y., on the 10th inst. He was one of the organizers of the New England Antislavery Society in 1832. He was at one time mobbed in Pennsylvania for making an abolition speech, and narrowly escaped being tarred and feathered.
—Senator Morgan, of Alabama, wants the government to take steps to obtain a foothold in the Congo country. His object is to furnish a place where negroes in this country may emigrate and obtain positions and standing, socially, politically, and in business, which they never can hope to attain in the United States.
—The British Government has ordered extensive additions to the fortifications of Halifax, N. S. New guns of heavy weight and large caliber are being shipped from England, and the garrison is to be increased by two entire regiments. Victoria, British Columbia, is receiving similar attention. Extensive works are planning, and heavy ordnance is to be placed in position.
—At San Francisco Springs, N. M., a bar of bullion was recently found, which measured some eighteen inches in length by two-thirds of an inch in thickness, while it was four inches wide at one end and about an inch at the other. The assay gave $11,000 in silver, 18 per cent. in copper, and $200 in gold. It was found among the remains of an ancient smelter used by the early Spanish occupants of New Mexico.
—The Neue Freie Presse, of Vienna, has information that a Japanese envoy will be sent to Europe to negotiate treaties with the maritime States on a very liberal basis. The points proposed will be that all Japanese ports shall be opened; that the tariff shall be raised to 12 per cent. ad valorem; that consular tribunals shall be established, and the Supreme Court so composed that the Europeans sitting upon it shall be in the majority.
—It is estimated that 1,000,000 acres of land in the Sacramento Valley have been laid waste by the heavy floods occasioned by continued rains upon the snow in the mountains of Central California. Thousands of acres of grain have been washed away, and the loss in this alone has been roughly put at $5,000,000. The Sacramento River rose twenty-seven feet seven inches above low-water mark, a height unprecedented in the history of that region. Had the water continued to rise another foot, it would have flowed over the levees which guard the city of Sacramento, and other cities in the valley. Only a few lives were lost.
—Thursday evening, December 12, a meeting was held in Washington to perfect the organization of the Northwestern Congressional Association, to be composed of senators, representatives, and delegates from California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Idaho. The object of the meeting was to secure unity of action among the representatives in Congress of the great West upon measures affecting that whole section, the question of partisan politics being left entirely aside.
—Among the many topics of world-wide interest presented at the International American Congress at Washington, are measures for the security of international peace and comity, and a scheme for the arbitration of international differences and difficulties. Committees have been appointed to work out the details of an international system of customs, regulations, to consider uniformity in weights and measures, in shipping dues, and commercial sanitary laws, together with such matters as banking laws, monetary conventions, and the making of a standard international coin.
Books.
By Editor
[Every book sent to us by the author or publisher will be promptly acknowledged, the title of the book, number of pages, the names of author and publishers being given in every case, together with the price, when we are informed what it is. Such other notice will be given as the merit of the several works may demand. Marked copies of the paper containing notices will be sent to publishers.]
"Aulichten übu National Reform" (Views on National Reform); 124 pages; price, 15 cents. The above is a translation in the German of standard tracts well known to our readers. They are just the thing to have to use among Germans, to meet the deluding sophistries of the religio-political movement.
"Interlinear Greek-English Gospel of Luke; Sunday-school Lessons for 1890;" paper, 25 cents; cloth, 50 cents. Albert & Scott, Chicago. The above pamphlet supplies a Greek text, the Greek order of words in English, and an emphatic translation, by B. Wilson. These things make it helpful to every careful student of the word, whether he may or may not read Greek, if he use it wisely. Teachers and Bible classes may be able to get some helpful suggestions from this little book. For sale by all booksellers, or mailed on receipt of price by the publishers.
"Life of Toussaint L'Ouverture, with an Historical Survey of the Island of San Domingo from the Discovery of the Island by Christopher Columbus, in 1492, to the Death of Toussaint, in 1803," by Rev. C. O. Benjamin, attorney-at-law, author of "Future of the American Negro," "History of the British West Indies," "Poetic Gems," etc. Paper covers; 109 pages.
Among great patriots, little known, is Toussaint L'Ouverture. He belonged to the negro race. He was born on the beautiful isle of Hayti, or San Domingo. He came upon the stage of action shortly after the French revolution of the eighteenth century, after Hayti had been riven from center to circumference over race wars. He took up a forlorn hope, the liberty of his race, and carried it forward to success. All this Mr. Benjamin, who is himself a colored man, and who is using every means in his power to benefit the race, tells us in a very interesting way, with many other interesting facts connected therewith, in the pamphlet noticed above. There is also connected with the pamphlet a very good map of the island of San Domingo. Everyone interested in the negro problem ought to read it. Printed by Evening Express Co., Los Angeles, Cal. Price not given.
VIEWS OF NATIONAL REFORM.
By Editor
PACKAGE NO. 1, 184 PAGES, 20 CENTS.
This package contains thirteen tracts treating upon the various phases of the National Reform movement, as follows:—
NO.
PAGES.
Religious Legislation,............................. 8
Religious Liberty,................................ 8
National Reform and the Rights of Conscience,..... 16
The American Papacy, ............................. 16
Bold and Base Avowal,............................. 16
National Reform is Church and State,............... 16
Purity of National Religion,...................... 8
The Salem Witchcraft,............................ 8
What Think Ye of Christ?.......................... 8
The Republic of Israel,.......................... 8
National Reformed Presbyterianism,................ 32
The National Reform Movement an Absurdity,... ... 16
The above package will be sent post-paid to any address for twenty cents.
Address, AMERICAN SENTINEL, Oakland, Cal.
Prophetic Lights
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
By E. J. Waggoner.
THIS IS THE TITLE OF A NEW WORK JUST ISSUED BY THE PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., OAKLAND, CAL.
As its title indicates, it treats of some of the leading prophecies of both the Old and New Testaments, showing the exact fulfillment of the predictions of the Bible, concerning Egypt, Tyre, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, also of the prophecies concerning the first advent of Christ, which prove the inspiration of the Bible, and give assurance that other prophecies which are noted will as surely and exactly be fulfilled.
ELEGANTLY ILLUSTRATED.
All the illustrations in this book, except one, were designed and engraved especially for this work, at great expense, and are a study in themselves. Nothing like them has ever appeared in any of our publications before, and they are sure to attract general attention. Everyone who has seen the illustrations pronounces them superb.
PROPHETIC LIGHTS contains nearly 200 large octavo pages and is printed on an extra quality of heavy calendered paper. The special object of the publishers in issuing this book is to furnish it as a premium with the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. It is also designed for general circulation, therefore it will be issued in two styles of binding, as follows:—
Heavy Paper Covers, 75 Cts. Fine English Cloth, Jet and Gold Title, $1.25.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES, One Year.......................................................................................$2 40
AMERICAN SENTINEL, “..........................................................................................................1 50
These Terms are to Both Old and New Subscribers.
It must be distinctly understood that the Paper Covered edition of PROPHETIC LIGHTS is to be sold only in connection with the SIGNS OF THE TIMES or the American Sentinel. The foregoing will give the reader an idea of the style and character of the book. Address orders to
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY,
Oakland, California.
Or, to any State T. and M. Society.
Publishers' Department.
By Editor
OUR GENERAL AGENTS.
Arkansas Tract Society—Lock box 249, Little Rock, Ark.
Australia—Echo Publishing House, North Fitzroy, Victoria.
Canada—Mrs. R. S. Owen, South Stuckely, Province of Quebec; and G. W. Morse, 62 Spadina Ave., Toronto, Ontario.
China and Japan—A. LaRue, International Tract Society. Queens Road 219, Hongkong, China.
Colorado Tract Society—S. E. Whiteis, Sec., 812 Nineteenth, Ave., Denver, Col.
Dakota Tract Society—A. H. Beaumont, Sec., Vilas, S. Dak.
England—Wm. Saunders, 451 Holloway Road, London, N. Eng.
Georgia and Florida—Charles F. Curtis, cor. S. Boulevard and Bryan Sts., Atlanta, Ga.
Germany—L. R. Conradi, Sophienstr 41, St. Pauli, Hamburg.
Illinois Tract Society—J. M. Craig, Sec., 28 College Place, Chicago.
Indiana Tract Society—J. W. Moore, Sec., 175 Central Ave., Indianapolis, Ind.
Iowa Tract Society—Leroy T. Nicola, Sec., 603 East 12th St., Des Moines, Iowa.
Kansas Tract Society—L. Dyo Chambers, Sec., No. 821 West Fifth St., Topeka, Kan.
Louisiana—A. F. Harrison, 534 Hope St., Shreveport, La.
Maine Tract Society—M. Russell, Sec., W. Palmyra, Me.
Michigan Tract Society—Hattie House, Sec., Review and Herald Office, Battle Creek, Mich.
Minnesota Tract Society—C. N. Woodward, 336 East Lake St., Minneapolis, Minn., P. O. Box 989.
Missouri Tract Society—J. Klostermyer, Sec., Rockville, Mo.
Montana—D. T. Fero, Livingston, Mont.
Nebraska Tract Society—Eliza B. Burleigh, Sec., 1505 E St., Lincoln, Neb.
New England—N. E. Tract Society, Mrs. E. T. Palmer, Sec., South Lancaster, Mass.
New Jersey, Del., Md., New York City, and Brooklyn, N. Y.—T. A. Kilgore, No. 43 Bond St., New York.
New York State—J. V. Willson, Sec., N. Y. Tract Society, 317 West Bloomfield St., Rome, N. Y.
New Zealand—International Tract Society, A. G. Daniells, Agent, Wellington, N. Z.
North Carolina—N. B. England, Winston, Forry Co., N. C.
North Pacific—F. S. Bunch, Sec., Box B 2, East Portland, Or.
Norway—Sundhedsbladet, 74 Akersgaden, Christiania, Nor.
Ohio Tract Society—L. T. Dysert, Sec., 1103 Case Ave., Cleveland, O.
Pennsylvania Tract Society—Amelia Cook, Sec., Box 2716, Williamsport, Penn.
South Africa—International Tract Society, Somerset House, Roeland St., Cape Town.
Switzerland—Imprimerie Polyglotte, 48 Weiherweg, Basel.
Tennessee—J. H. Dortch, Springville, Henry Co., Tenn.
Texas Tract Society—T. T. Stevenson, Sec., Denton, Texas.
Upper Columbia—U. C. Tract Society, S. H. Carnahan, Sec., Box 523, Walla Walla, Wash.
Utah—Geo. H. Derrick, 118 Center St., Salt Lake City, Utah.
Vancouver Island—E. A. Guyton, 53 Work St., Victoria, B. C.
Vermont—Lizzie A. Stone, Lock box 237, Essex Junction, Vt.
Virginia—Amy A. Neff, Quicksburgh, Shenandoah Co., Va.
West Virginia.—Mrs. Nelia M. Stone, Clarksburg, W. Va.
Wisconsin Tract Society—S. D. Hartwell, 1029 Jenifer St., Madison, Wis.
Fresno and Merced County Lands
To Rent and For Sale.
75,000 Acres of wheat and sugar beet land in the above counties, to rent for a term of years. Also
100,000 Acres of fine raisin, fruit, alfalfa, and sugar beet land, with water for irrigation, for sale in tracts of from 20 acres to large tracts suitable for colony purposes. For particulars, apply to
E. B. PERRIN,
402 Kearny St., San Francisco.
TESTIMONIES FOR THE CHURCH.
NUMBERS ONE TO THIRTY.
BOUND IN FOUR VOLUMES OF ABOUT 700 PAGES EACH.
EACH VOLUME CONTAINS A COMPLETE INDEX OF SUBJECTS.
Volume One.—This volume contains a brief sketch of the early life and Christian experience of the writer of the Testimonies, Mrs. E. G. White, together with Testimonies numbers 1 to 14. 724 pages. Bound in Muslin, $1.50; Sheep, $2.00; Half Morocco, $2.25.
Volume Two.—Contains Testimonies numbers 15 to 20. 712 pages. Bound in Muslin, $1.50; Sheep, $2.00; Half Morocco, $2.25.
Volume Three.—Contains Testimonies numbers 21 to 25. About 600 pages. Bound in Muslin, $1.50; Sheep, $2.00; Half Morocco, $2.25.
Volume Four.—Contains Testimonies numbers 26 to 30. About 675 pages. Bound in Muslin, $1.50; Sheep, $2.00; Half Morocco, $2.25.
Price of the Complete Set of Four Volumes, bound in Cloth, $6.00; Sheep, $8.00; Half Morocco, $9.00.
Testimony for the Church No. 31.—Contains 244 pages of most interesting and important matter. Neatly bound in Muslin. Price 50 cents.
Testimony for the Church No. 32.—Contains 240 pages, and is full of warnings, counsels, and reproofs, very important to all Seventh-day Adventists. Bound in Muslin (uniform with No. 31). Price, 50 cents.
Sent post-paid to any address, at the above prices.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal., REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich. Or any State T. and M. Society.
Mr. Crafts Against the American Sentinel.
By Editor
The above is the title of a late number of the SENTINEL LIBRARY. This pamphlet presents the affidavit of W. F. Crafts, charging the Editors of the AMERICAN SENTINEL with "willful and malicious slander." It also contains the
DEFENSE OF PROF. A. T. JONES AND DR. E. J. WAGGONER, together with the REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF INVESTIGATION.
In Prof. Jones' defense are inserted
FAC-SIMILES OF MR. CRAFTS' LETTERS.
with Prof. Jones' replies. These letters of Mr. Crafts prove that in his affidavit he has sworn to that which is not true.
Mr. Crafts' charges have been published to the world through the secular press and the special documents of the American Sabbath Union, and a copy of this defense should be placed in the hands of every one who has read the charges.
HUNDREDS OF ORDERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECEIVED.
Send for enough to place copies in the hands of the editors, lawyers, and prominent men of your locality.
50 PAGES, PRICE 10 CENTS.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.,
43 Bond Street, New York. OAKLAND, CAL.
The Frequency of the Lord’s Supper
By Editor
IN a sermon by Rev. J. W. A. Stewart, on "Proclaiming the Lord's Death," published in the New York Examiner of December 5, the preacher says:
"The New Testament gives no command as to how often our Redeemer should be commemorated in the supper. This question is left to the judgment and piety of the church. So far as outward forms are concerned perhaps there is no truer touchstone of the spiritual condition of a church than is to be found in its observance of the Lord's Supper, as it regards both the frequency and the spirit of the observance."
That the spirit in which our Lord's death is commemorated is a true touchstone of a church is true; the spirit of the church is shown in all of its services. But the "frequency" of the ordinance is no indication whatever. Oftentimes when a church backslides from God, "a form of godliness" is assiduously and faithfully kept up. When a church departs from God it is even more particular about those things not commanded of God than those which are. When Israel of old departed from God, they multiplied their offerings and made many prayers (Isa. 1:10-14), but the self-righteous spirit in which they were offered made them an abomination before God. To the frequency of the celebration of the Lord's Supper we find no fault; it would doubtless be a greater means of grace if it was observed more frequently among some earnest Christians. But we do most respectfully demur against that frequency being a sign of spirituality in the church. In the apostate church the simple ceremony has been elaborated with an ornate ritual, and the partaker, whatever his heart or life, is made to believe that from the mere corporeal elements he becomes a partaker of God, while the sister and companion ordinance is eliminated.
We would have more faith in an exact obedience to those injunctions which God has expressly commanded than that self-righteous will-worship so prevalent to-day.
The Prevalence of Divorce
In speaking of the prevalence of divorce, the light way in which the marriage relations are regarded, and the almost universal indifference manifested in regard to these shameful violations of law and virtue, the Catholic Mirror truly says:—
“It is a disgrace to our civilization that this sort of thing has become so common that it no longer excites any emotion in the public mind beyond the gratification of a morbid curiosity on the part of those who delight in its details. Notwithstanding our indifference, the development of this evil is a sign of decay which should arrest the serious attention of all who give a moment's study to the important problems of modern sociology.”
The Only Proof of Immortality
THE Disciple, a monthly publication of San Francisco, says: "Where the Bible speaks we speak; and where the Bible is silent we are silent. We state our doctrines in the exact words of sacred Scripture." But the same issue has an article on "Immortality," in which not one word of Scripture evidence is given, but instead "intuitions," "universal instincts," "universal longings," "theistic evolution" (whatever that may be), and finally on our unconscious co-ordination of the whole aggregate of our experience; "not on any one train of reasoning, but on the converging of all our lines of thought toward one center."
And this is about all the proof men have of the present immortality of man. But man's intuitions and longings are too unsatisfactory for a foundation. There is one proof hinted at by the writer which is all-sufficient, and that is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the resurrection from the dead. On this alone can men rest with assurance. 1 Cor. 15: 51-55; 2 Tim. 1:10; Col. 3:3.
Could Christ Have Sinned?
By Editor
A MEMBER of a Sabbath-school writes us that the question recently arose in the class whether or not Christ, when on earth, could have sinned, and that the majority said he could, while one or two thought he could not. We are asked to state our opinion. This we can do in a few words. We have not the slightest hesitation in saying that he could not. Our whole hope of eternal life through Christ rests upon this; for if there had been any temptation that could have induced Christ to sin, that would show that there is temptation that is stronger than divine power, which, in turn, would show that he is not "able to save to the uttermost."
The question is simply another form of asking, "Can God sin?" for "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself." "The word was God," just as truly when it was "made flesh and dwelt among us," as it was in the beginning, "before the world was." The object of that mysterious union of divinity with humanity was to demonstrate the power of God over sin.
We might pile scripture upon scripture in further proof of this position, but it is not necessary. Those who have a proper conception of Christ cannot find room in their minds for such a question. We are sorry that there is any Sabbath-school whose members have so low a view of Christ that they can turn aside from the grand themes of the lesson, to discuss a question that ought never to be asked.
Sunday Established by the Church
By Editor
SAYS the Catholic News in an article entitled, "Sunday Established by the Church":—
"The Lord's day, the first day of the week, was from the first accepted by the church as a special day of prayer, not of mere cessation from work, as the Jewish Sabbath was. The sanctification of the Sunday was subsequently enforced by regulations and commandments of the church, and is sustained only by her authority."
For the use of the term Lord's day, and to what day it applies, the Romanist, of course, relies on tradition. The Bible unequivocally declares that the Lord's day is the seventh day of the week, and not the first. But the News is correct, and history will bear out the statement that the first day of the week was never made a day of cessation from labor by the early church. There was morning, or forenoon, service, and then sports, games, and amusements for the rest of the day. All the sacredness that Sunday has is from the Roman Church; and how much could that church impart?
Roman Catholic Preference for Rome
WHEN a decision must be made between Rome and earthly powers, or between Roman prelates and earthly dignitaries, the Roman Catholic is ever found on the side of the church. And, without a protest, earthly powers cringingly concede this. An instance of this was seen at the recent Catholic banquet, held in connection with the dedication exercises of the Roman Catholic so-called "national" university in Washington, at which time the superlative patriotism of Romanists was so repeatedly declared. The chief magistrate and cabinet of the greatest nation on earth was invited to this banquet at the opening of this educational institute. It would seem that he would naturally be given the place of honor; but no, Canada's cardinal must be given that place, and President Harrison be content with a second place. It is an advance step toward Rome in the same line as that taken by President Cleveland when he sent the government revenue cutter to greet the papal flag.
HEALDSBURG COLLEGE.
By William C. Grainger
THE friends of this school will be glad to know that our present term has been a very successful one. One of the most gratifying features of the work is the oneness of feeling that exists among teachers and students. This school has been, from its beginning, free from those unhappy discords that characterize many institutions of higher education,—those petty jealousies among teachers, and that disposition on the part of students to override authority,—but if possible the bond of brotherly love and Christian fellowship is with us stronger than ever before. Our teachers and helpers are faithful Christian men and women, who love their work dearly, and leave nothing undone which they can possibly do for the intellectual and moral improvement of our students.
The intellectual attainments of our students are greater than in any previous year, and, what is better still, nearly if not quite all of our advanced students are pursuing their studies with direct reference to engaging in some branch of the work of the Third Angel's Message. We may reasonably expect that these, with the blessing of God, will do much in carrying forward the last warning message to the world.
Our Normal Department was not established any too soon. We have had many calls for trained teachers, to which we have not been able to respond. Three of our students are now engaged, with remarkable success, in teaching the lower branches in our College, which proves that a normal training is worth years of experience in the school-room without that training.
In addition to the present corps of teachers, Elder N. C. McClure and wife will be connected with the College during the spring term. The former will give instruction in Bible-reading and missionary work, and the latter will teach domestic economy and hygienic cookery.
The spring term will begin Monday, December 30, 1889, and will continue twenty-two weeks. All who desire to attend this term should enter at the beginning. All worthy persons are admitted. Testimonials of good character are required of all who are unknown to any member of the Faculty.
W. C. GRAINGER.
DIST. NO. 4 APPOINTMENTS POSTPONED.
By Frank Brown
IN consequence of heavy and long-continued rains, my appointments for district No. 4 are all taken up. Look for definite appointments early in January.
