A Plan for a New Sea

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 16, 1873

A Plan for a New Sea.

Isaac E. James, the chief engineer of the Truckee and Virginia City Railroad, has gone to the head of the Gulf of California, with a view of making a scientific exploration of the country between the gulf and the southern extremity of the great basin, which is known to be far below the tide-water, for the purpose of ascertaining the feasibility of turning the waters of the gulf into the basin. This basin or depression extends northward nearly or quite to the southern boundary of Utah, and the consummation of this project would result in the formation of a sea of perhaps not less than 600 miles in length, and would be productive of great climatic changes throughout a vast scope of country. Mr. James will commence his explorations at the point of greatest depression on the line of the Texas Pacific Railroad, and will probably be absent about six weeks.

Panama, South America, July 28.—On the 9th instant rain fell in such torrents at Lima as to penetrate all dry-weather roofs of the houses, and created a damage of half a million of dollars. A great earthquake was felt at Valparaiso, July 8. The shocks were worse than those of 1837. A great deal of damage has been done to many houses and churches, though nothing to be compared with the last earthquake of San Salvador. Some few lives have been lost by falling walls, and one lady died from fear. The prisoners tried in vain to break out of the jail, but did not succeed, and a fire began in a large warehouse, but was soon extinguished. In Santiago the shocks were severe, but no great damage was done beyond the breaking of mirrors and walls. The bells tolled of their own accord, and a train was stopped by large rocks thrown down on the track.

The editor of the Texas Advocate deprecates extravagant church buildings. He says:

“We see it stated that the entire Persian mission, which employs forty missionaries and sixty teachers under the charge of the Presbyterian Board, incurs an annual expense which is less than the current expenses of some city churches. The other day we read of one church edifice that will cost, when complete, over three quarters of a million dollars. That congregation, were it content to worship in a less costly, yet equally convenient edifice, might keep a strong force in the mission field, and gather a rich harvest, annually, into the garner of the Lord. This tendency in the church toward extravagant display in their acts of worship is a bold departure from the simplicity of the gospel. It is seldom found in company with a spirit of self-denial which makes men and women willing to labor for God, and that genuine missionary spirit which makes the church eagerly respond to the cry of souls perishing for the lack of knowledge.”

Probably the greatest system of economy known to the world is practiced in the Philadelphia mint. Once a year the floors are taken apart and the sweepings thrown into the fire. The clothing of the men in the furnace rooms is also burned when worn out; and it is positively asserted that the money collected by this process alone is enough to pay Mr. President’s salary.