p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 1, No. 2. (6/11/1874)

HE SHALL SIT AS A REFINER.

“He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.”—Malachi 3 : 3.

A few ladies met at each other’s houses to study the Scriptures. When they came to the third chapter of Malachi, the conversation turned on the method of purifying silver. One lady undertook to inquire of a silversmith how he conducted the process. “Do you sit during the operation?” “Yes,” was the reply, “for I must keep my eye steadily on the furnace, lest the silver become injured by the intense heat.”

The Lord sees it needful to put his children into the furnace of affliction, but he sits by the side of it, intent on purification, not destruction. “The ‘fiery trial’ shall not be greater, either in intensity or in duration, than is requisite for this end.”

As the lady was about to retire, the silversmith said that he knew the process was perfect when he saw his own face in the metal. When the Saviour sees his own image—the counterpart of every grace that is in himself—in our hearts, our sanctification becomes a reality.

The molten silver continues in a state of agitation till all impurity is thrown off, and then it becomes quite still. God knows that you can not desire suffering for itself. Bitter must always be bitter; yet for the blessing which sanctified affliction brings, your Heavenly Father can so bend your will in sweet submission as to incite the prayer, “Lord, put me into any furnace, so that I come forth more like my Saviour, who himself learned obedience by the things that he suffered.”—Sel.

THE TEMPERANCE CRUSADE—THE VICTORY WON

By Merritt E. Cornell

Oakland.

THE TEMPERANCE CRUSADE—THE VICTORY WON.

The city of Oakland is situated across the bay about eight miles, or a ride of about forty minutes by steamer and cars, from San Francisco. It has a population of about eighteen thousand. The literary, scientific and military institutions located here are very popular, ranking among the first on the Continent. Its natural advantages of location, climate, etc., are unsurpassed. And it is every way worthy of the title it has obtained, “The Athena of the Pacific coast.”

But, like other cities, it has a dark side. It supported one hundred and thirty-five saloons, or places where intoxicating liquors were retailed! The friends of temperance becoming alarmed for the morality and reputation of the city, decided to avail themselves of the opportunity afforded by the Local Option law, to regulate, and if possible to abate this great evil.

The women seemed to take the lead in the crusade, and for several weeks they labored under many discouragements. But finally the City Mayor, several clergymen, one of the daily papers, and several of the leading citizens and business men, came to the rescue. Having thoroughly organized, the Executive Committee planned for a series of mass meetings, which were held in our large and commodious tents. They worked night and day, until the whole city was roused to action. A strong and healthy sentiment was created by the public speeches, and the printed documents which resulted in a glorious victory. The majority against license was two hundred and fifty-three!

It was estimated that over five hundred ladies were personally engaged during the decisive day. When the result was declared the public rejoicing knew no bounds. Church bells were rung, bonfires lighted, and a rousing mass meeting at the tent which did not break up until eleven o’clock at night.

The following from the Oakland Daily News, shows how the victors feel toward us:

“THE TENT ELDERS.

We feel that public thanks are due to the Elders who have placed the use of their tent at the disposal of the Local Optionists. Saturday is regarded by their denomination as the true Sabbath, and they evinced a most exalted idea of the temperance cause when they joined with the temperance people in doing good work on their sacred day. The Elders have the thanks of the community, and it affords us pleasure to give public expression to the feelings of the thousands who cannot thank them in person.”

M. E. CORNELL.

Obedience

By Alex. Henderson

Whoever the truth of God—to whom all sovereignty, majesty, and power belong—and the commandments of men come in competition together, we must say, as the apostle said, “We ought rather to obey God than man.” And when this is done, it must not be called disobedience to superiors; but it is obedience to them, because it is obedience to God, who is above them. And if we be put to suffering for this, then we suffer for Christ and his truth; and therefore the apostle says to servants if they suffer any thing of their masters innocently and patiently, they suffer it for Christ. So that if men’s commandments be contrary to God, we must submit ourselves patiently to God, and suffer rather than obey them.—Alex. Henderson (1638).

Donations for the Signs of the Times.

Wesley Diggins, $10; George W. Mills, $2; Jochim Pulse, $2 25; Mrs. Lucie Bush, $12; E. M. Chamberlain, $2; L——e, $22 65; George Drew, $23 35; F——, $33; E. A. Stockton, $10; P. M. Patridge, 2 50; R. A. Morton, $1 50; J. H. Disher, $4; K. Brossen, $6; J. N. Loughborough, $10; “Democrat,” $2; George Andrews, $2; Wm. Wesley Smith, $2; J. C. Smith, $2; Mrs. C. Taylor, $2; J. D. Brady, $2.

SWEDISH MISSION

Lucie Bush, $5; F——, $10.

North Pacific Mission.

$20 EACH.—John Morrison.

$10 EACH.—M. E. Cornell, Benn Auten, Wm. Ings.

$5 EACH.—H. Haufman, E. M. Chamberlain, Sarah A. Chamberlain.

$2 50 EACH.—G. A. Wilson, Seronia A. Wilson, P. M. Patridge.

MISCELLANEOUS—E. A. Stockton, $5 50; H. Brossen, $5 80.

Quarterly Meetings.

By CAL. CONF. COMMITTEE

Petaluma, June 20th and 21st. Green Valley, July 18th and 19th. Woodland, July 18th and 19th. CAL. CONF. COMMITTEE.

The Way of Life.

This is an Allegorical Picture, showing the Way of Life and Salvation through Jesus Christ from Paradise Lost to Paradise Restored. The size of this instructive and beautiful picture is 19x24 inches. Price, post-paid $1.00.

BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, TRACTS, ETC.

FOR SALE AT THIS OFFICE.

Hymn Book. 320 pp. Hymns, 96 pp. Music; $1.00.

The History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week by J. N. Andrews. 528 pp. $1.25.

Thoughts on Daniel. By U. Smith. $1.00. Condensed paper edition, 35 cts.

Thoughts on the Revelation. By U. Smith $1.00.

The Nature and Destiny of Man. By U. Smith, 384 pp. $1.00. Paper, 40 cts.

The Constitutional Amendment; or The Sunday, The Sabbath, The Change, and The Restitution. A discussion between W. H. Littlejohn and the Editor of the Christian Statesman. Bound, $1.00. Paper, 40 cts. First part, 10 cts.

The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. I. By Ellen G. White; 416 pp. $1.00.

Autobiography of Eld. Jos. Bates. 318 pp. $1.00.

Appeal to Youth; Address at the Funeral of Henry N. White. Muslin, 40 cts. Paper covers, 10 cts.

The Game of Life (illustrated). Satan playing with man for his soul. In board, 50 cts.; in paper, 30 cts.

Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Camp-meetings and other Religious Gatherings. Compiled by Elder James White. 196 pp. Bound 50 cts. Paper, 25.

The United States in Prophecy. By U. Smith. Bound, 40 cts. Paper, 20 cts.

The Advent Keepsake. Muslin, 25 cts. Gilt, 40 cts.

A Solemn Appeal relative to Solitary Vice, etc., edited by Elder James White. Muslin, 50 cts.; paper 30 cts.

Sermons on the Sabbath and Law, embracing an outline of the Biblical and Secular History of the Sabbath for 6,000. By J. N. Andrews, 25 cts.

History of the Doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul. By D. M. Canright. 25 cts.

The State of the Dead. U. Smith. 224 pp. 25 cts.

Our Faith and Hope, No. 1. Sermons on the Millennium, Second Advent, the Kingdom, the Judgment, the Time, the Sanctuary and Saving Faith. 20 cts each.

Refutation of the Age to Come. By J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.

The Atonement. By J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.

The Nature and Tendency of Modern Spiritualism. By J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.

The Bible from Heaven; a Dissertation. 20 cts.

Discussion on the Sabbath Question, between Elds. Grant and Cornell, 20 cts.

The Destiny of the Wicked. By U. Smith. 15 cts.

The Complete Testimony of the Fathers concerning the Sabbath and First Day. By J. N. Andrews, 15 cts.

The Ministration of Angels; and the Origin, History, and Destiny of Satan. By D. M. Canright. 15 cts.

The Three Meetings of Rev. 14, and the Two-Horned Beast. By J. N. Andrews. 15 cts.

The Resurrection of the Unjust; a Vindication of the Doctrine. By J. H. Waggoner. 15 cts.

The Saint’s Inheritance, or the Earth made New. By J. N. Loughborough. 10 cts.

The Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days: By J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.

Sunday Seventh-day, A Refutation of Mead, Jennings, Akers and Fuller. By J. N. Andrews 10 cts.

The Seventh Part of Time; a Sermon on the Sabbath Question. By W. H. Littlejohn. 10 cts.

The Truth Found; The Sabbath. By J. H. Waggoner. 10 cts.

Brown’s Review of Gilfillan on the Sabbath. 10 cts.

Vindication of the True Sabbath. Morton 10 cts.

The Date of the Seventy Weeks of Dan. 9, established. By J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.

The Seven Trumpets of Rev. 8 and 9. 10 cts.

Matthew Twenty-four. By James White 10 cts.

Position and Work of the True People of God under the Third Angel’s Message. Littlejohn. 10 cts.

The Hope of the Gospel: What it Is, and When it will be consummated. By J. N. Loughborough, 80 pp. 10 cts.

An Appeal to the Baptists, from the Seventh-day Baptists, for the restoration of the Bible Sabbath 10 cts.

Four-cent Tracts: The Two Covenants.—The Law and the Gospel.—The Seventh Part of Time.—Who Changed the Sabbath?—Celestial Railroad.—Samuel and the Witch of Endor.—The Ten Commandments not Abolished—Address to the Baptists—The Present Truth—The Second Advent.

Three-cent Tracts: The Kingdom.—The Lost Time Question—Spiritualism a Satanic Delusion—Infidel Cavils Considered—The End of the Wicked—Much in Little—Scripture References.

Two-cent Tracts: The Sufferings of Christ—Seven Reasons for Sunday-Keeping Examined—Sabbath by Elihu—The Rich Man and Lazarus—Argument on Sabbaton—Clerical Slander—Departing and Being with Christ—Fundamental Principles of S. D. Adventists.—The Millennium—Definite Seventh Day.

*Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES,

OAKLAND, CAL.

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