p. 576 | The American Sentinel by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 17, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 36.

The American Sentinel.

By Editor

IT is but justice to our readers that we offer a few words of explanation in regard to the proposed paper of the above name. The announcement of its publication was based upon the following preamble and resolution passed by the Stockholders of the Publishing Association at the annual meeting held in Oakland in April last:—

WHEREAS, At the last General Conference it was decided to suspend the publication of the Sabbath Sentinel, and it was also recommended that a monthly shall be published at the office of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, the name and contents to be determined by the Pacific Publishing Association, therefore.

Resolved, That we hereby instruct our Board of Directors to act upon the said recommendation, and, as soon as practicable, commence the publication of a monthly to meet the requirements of the cause, to counteract as far as possible the efforts which are now being made to change the form of our Government by a religious amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

This resolution was, as its preamble states, based upon action taken at the General Conference in 1884. Two of the members of the General Conference Committee were present at the passage of the above resolution; both of them were members of the Board of Directors, but only one was present when the Directors took action upon the resolution of the Stockholders. It was decided to call the paper the American Sentinel, and to make it the aim to meet the arguments of the "Religious Amendment Party," and to defend the rights of conscience against the demands of those who are seeking to unite Church and State in America. This was in strict harmony with the action taken both in the General Conference and by the committee to whom the matter was referred for final decision.

Accordingly it was announced that an 8-page paper would be issued monthly, the first number to be dated July, 1885. But another paper having been started in June, and camp-meetings in North Pacific and California demanding the attendance of some of our editorial force, it was unavoidably delayed. After the Eureka camp-meeting, matter was prepared for the first number of the Sentinel, which, it was then hoped, might be issued in September. But the California State camp-meeting coming in September, and the General Conference soon to follow, seemed to present obstacles in our way. Consultation being had, it was decided: (1) To date the first number January, 1886; (2) To print it in time to present sample copies at the General Conference; (3) To put it in circulation for the holidays, so that it may be fully before the public by Jan. 1, 1886. By that time our delegates will return from the General Conference, and our arrangements will be fully perfected for the uninterrupted publication of the Sentinel, monthly, thenceforward.

We make this extended explanation because we think it due to our readers, among whom the expectation was raised that the monthly would be started the present season. The past year has been a busy year with us. We do not regret it—we rejoice in it—because it indicates progress in the work, and prosperity in the cause, in which our hearts are so deeply interested, and for which it is our chief happiness to labor.

Our heart-felt thanks are rendered to Divine Providence for the prosperity which is attending our work on this coast. The College year has opened auspiciously, and all are working there in good courage. The Health Retreat is prospering even beyond our expectations, and the prospect is favorable for a fair patronage the entire year. The Pacific Health Journal and Temperance Advocate meets with a favorable reception wherever it goes, and we have faith to anticipate the same for the Sentinel as soon as it shall be presented to the public. We praise the Lord for both strength and courage, and for the blessed opportunity to labor in such a cause as this.