News and Notes | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 16, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 36.

News and Notes.

RELIGIOUS.

—Mrs. Goodell, widow of the late Dr. C. L. Goodell, of St. Louis, has been engaged as an assistant in the work of the parish, at a salary of $1,200 per year.

—Some two years ago the temperance people of Russia petitioned the emperor for permission to hold meetings and have only recently received his permit.

—The trial of Professor Woodrow before the Presbytery of Augusta, Ga., for teaching heretical doctrine in connection with the theory of evolution in the creation of man, has been concluded. On the final vote thirteen members voted “not guilty,” and nine voted “guilty,” on the first count of the indictment. This may doubtless be accepted as the standing of the Augusta Presbytery on the subject of evolution.

—The Christian at Work says: “If all missionaries were terribly in earnest over the salvation of souls, there would be very little time for speculation, and less for discoursing over a possible salvation in another world. And with this condition of affairs prevailing, one cause of useless disturbance would be removed from mission work. Strange that missionaries should put obstacles in their own paths. Some do, though.”

—A correspondent of the Advance says: “The old-fashioned Methodist camp-meeting has blossomed out into the seaside summer resort; a big hotel, a lot of cottages, a few tents, and a combination of religious services and out-door sports, make a rare opportunity for both pleasure and profit. Some spiritual good is undoubtedly derived, but to most who attend it seems to be a sort of picnic.” We are glad to know that there are camp-meetings that do not follow this pattern.

—The New York Independent says: “We know of a prominent trustee in one of the largest churches in New England, who opposed an invitation to an evangelist, and prevented the occupancy of their large church building on the ground that a meeting ‘for everybody and in all weathers,’ would destroy their new carpets; and besides, ‘what do we want with a revival?’ We are out of debt; our pews are all rented; our house is full, and a revival would only disturb the quiet and orderly development of the church.” Comment is unnecessary.

—The President of the Wesleyan Conference of England recently gave the following good advice to his brethren in the ministry: “Do not waste your time or degrade your office by attempts to link the pastimes of the world to your religion and church. ‘Music, mirth and mimicry’ is the programme which the world often flaunts on blazing placards to allure the youth of our age into doubtful and corrupting pleasures. You must not expect to allure them from sin and hell into holiness and Heaven by a similar programme. Let your lure be the music of the Saviour’s name and of his saving gospel.”