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The Pet Lamb.
By Early Dew
THE story goes, that far away in India a bad man once wanted a fine sheep which belonged to another person. He went before the judge, and got other bad men to help him say that the sheep was his. The true owner came too, and brought the sheep, and his friends came with him and told the judge that they knew the sheep belonged to him. How could the judge decide? He did not know the men, and how could he tell which were liars? But he did know how the sheep are taught in those Eastern countries, so he said, “Let the two men go into those two rooms—one on the right side, the other on the left side—and let the one on the left call the sheep.” But the poor sheep did not “know the voice of a stranger,” and did not stir. The true owner heard the sound, and did not wait to be told what the judge meant. He gave a kind of “chuck,” and the sheep bounded away to him at once. “The sheep knows his voice,” said the judge. “Let him take it away, for it is his.” If we are the lambs of the good shepherd, Jesus Christ, we shall know his kind call and obey it.
—Early Dew.
The Thistle-Seed Lesson
The story is told of a woman who freely used her tongue to the scandal of others, and confessed to the priest what she had done. He gave her a ripe thistle-top, and told her to go out into various directions and scatter the seeds, one by one. Wondering at the penance, she obeyed, and then returned and told her confessor. To her amazement, he bade her go back and pick up the seeds she had scattered; she objected that it would be impossible, he replied that it would be still more difficult to gather up and destroy all evil reports which she had circulated about others. Any thoughtless, careless child can scatter a handful of thistle-seed before the wind in a moment; but the strongest and wisest man cannot gather them again.
Appreciating Wives
REV. DR. THOMAS BRAINARD thus feelingly admonishes married men: "I would ask husbands to appreciate those who make the joy of their dwellings. Are not the kindnesses of wives often unnoted, unthanked, unregarded? They are shut out from the world's applause; let them rest in the assurances of your gratitude and consideration. When you see them cold and still in death, it will not grieve you to remember that your love has thrown sunshine into the shade of their allotment, or that your prayers and example have given them aid in the right training of your children."
Obituary.
By Charles L. Boyd
DONALDSON.—Died of pleuro-pneumonia, at her residence in Salem, Or., Sabbath evening, March 14, 1884, Sister H. A. Donaldson, aged 45 years, 7 months, and 4 days.
Appropriate words of comfort were spoken to the sorrowing relatives and friends of the deceased, by Eld. J. O. Corliss, from the first clause of Job 14:14. The funeral services were held at the M. E. Church on the 19th inst., being thus postponed until the arrival of the children from California.
Sister Donaldson was born in Pike Co., Ill., and with her father's family immigrated to Oregon in 1852. She was converted and united with the M. E. Church about fifteen years ago. In the summer of 1877, Sister Donaldson listened to a series of discourses delivered by Elds. Waggoner and Van Horn, in the tent at Salem. She believed the message, accepted it, and became one of the eleven original members of the Salem church.
During the past few months Sister Donaldson's experience has been growing brighter, and she has been ripening up for the harvest. She has always been one of the most liberal supporters of the missionary work of this society, and our State Secretary has lost a true friend and faithful helper.
She leaves a bereaved husband, son and daughter; a father, now 84 years of age, with numerous other friends, who, with the Salem church, mourn their loss.
CHAS. L. BOYD.
(Review please copy.)
Way of Life.
By Editor
PICTURES do not receive large attention from us, but we have one in our working-room which we greatly admire. We have before spoken in its favor, but must confess that we did not half appreciate it as a study and a work of art until we placed one before our eyes for daily observation. We speak confidently when we state our belief that it cannot be improved or excelled. It is meeting with great favor, and it well deserves it.
Upper Columbia Camp-Meeting.
By Editor
THE time of this meeting is definitely fixed; it will be June 5-16. The place will be determined soon. Walla Walla is the choice of that Conference, but it is not yet known that a suitable place can be obtained there.
We think we can surely promise that Elders White, Corliss, and Loughborough will be at that meeting. Perhaps Sister White also, but we are not authorized to announce it yet.
The editor of the SIGNS may not be able to leave the office in season to attend that meeting, but will if possible. We shall expect to attend the Portland meeting.
The Converted Catholic.
By Editor
WE have received No. 5 of Vol. 1 (March, 1884) of a monthly of 32 (small sized) pages, entitled The Converted Catholic, published by James A. O'Connor, 60 Bible House, New York. The selection in this paper (page 210) is copied from an article in the Catholic by Pastor McNamee, of the Reformed Catholic Church, Brooklyn.
Father O'Connor has been "despitefully used and persecuted" for his devotion to the word of God, and his opposition to the Romish hierarchy. He has done good service to the cause of truth, and we wish abundant success to his journal. All its articles are ably written; paper and workmanship, first class; only 50 cents a year.
The Work in Oakland.
THERE was never a time before when there was so great interest in the truth, in this city, as there is at present. Many are studying and inquiring for light on the subject of the Sabbath, and of the Lord's near coming. Last Sabbath three more were baptized, one who has been for some time a member of the Sabbath-school and an employe in the office, and two who have recently embraced the faith. And another application for membership and baptism was made.
The interest in the Sabbath-school is excellent. Last Sabbath the attendance of regular members of the school was 94 per cent., while visitors brought it up to about the number enrolled. Considering how widely the members are scattered over this large city, such attendance is highly commendable.
Riot in Cincinnati.
By Editor
NEVER in the history of our country has a greater calamity befallen any city than has come upon Cincinnati. A riot of unprecedented proportions has been raging there. Reports to the morning of March 30 say about 200 have been killed; the courthouse was on fire; the loss of the buildings and the records will be very great. The troops were ordered to the city from various parts of the State, and what the end will be it is impossible to tell.
And what is all this for? what has caused it? The inefficiency of the courts to punish crime has so outraged the feelings of the people that they became enraged. It is a dearly-bought lesson; but it is only what could be expected. We have before spoken of a certain class of "criminal lawyers" who take delight, even by methods the most questionable, in clearing the worst characters from the demands of justice, and who make it easy to sin without punishment. They are indeed criminal lawyers in an unenviable sense. If we are to have order, our courts should make the laws respected. As long as quibbles and technicalities are successfully used to overthrow justice, so long may we expect "vigilance committees" and mobs to do a deadly work. We do not countenance lynch law or mob rule; it is blind and unreasoning. But who can measure the responsibility of those who call it into action? Had criminals received their just due in Cincinnati this terrible loss of life and treasure might have been spared, and the fair name of a beautiful city saved from disgrace. It is a terrible state of things, and who can tell where next the scourge may come?
Who would not pray for the peaceable reign of the Lord Jesus? But, alas, for evil doers; for even that reign brings no peace to the wicked. "For evil doers shall be cut off." Our Lord is a God of justice, who "will by no means clear the guilty."
In the case in Cincinnati no part of the court is to be blamed but the jury, as the judge denounced the verdict as an outrage. Juries ought to be made responsible for their actions, and no longer let their wrong-doing fall on the heads of the innocent.
St. Helena, Cal.
By H. A. St. John
FRIDAY afternoon, March 21, baptized two persons at the foot of Sugar Loaf Mountain, near the Rural Health Retreat, in a beautiful stream. The day was delightful, and the occasion a very quiet and pleasant one. One of the candidates was an old sailor of twenty-six years' experience on the high seas, the other an intelligent lad of perhaps fourteen summers. The next day (Sabbath) they were taken into the church by unanimous vote and right hand of fellowship. Bro. and Sister Pritchard were received by letter at the same time.
We lecture once or twice a week in the Retreat parlor, and hold Bible-readings at 4 P. M. Sundays, in the church at the village. This, together with our building, keeps our hands full.
H. A. ST. JOHN.
Questions.
By Editor
1. Does the word replenish, in Gen. 1:28, have any reference to the earth being inhabited before Adam's time? J. T. T.
It does not. The word replenish may mean to fill again, or simply to fill. But in this text it means to fill, only. The original determines it. The Hebrew word does not mean to refill, or fill again, but simply to fill.
2. How long ought a social meeting to be held, and how long should the opening remarks of the leader be? A. N.
As a rule a social meeting should not be held more than an hour; circumstances might call for an hour and a quarter, but rarely. If the meeting is quite small, forty minutes is a good length of time. As to the opening remarks, we should consider five minutes about the right length. They might be less, but seldom more. The profit of a social meeting is in its spirit; no one is ever profited by a dull prosy social meeting. Let it be spirited, if not more than thirty minutes.
3. How long a time is it allowable for a leader to spend, after the time for opening has come, in selecting a chapter to read, and a hymn? If he reads a long chapter, should he make remarks on the whole of it?
If he wishes to kill the meeting at the very start he may take all the time in selecting and reading and commenting that he thinks necessary. It is easily done. If he wishes to have a good meeting he should have all his selections made before the meeting; never read a chapter, but a few verses which contain an idea which he wishes to impress at that time. And then call attention to the teaching of the scripture, but not cover it out of sight by many words.
There is something to consider on the other side. The brother who follows the leader in a speech of five to ten minutes has done an almost irreparable injury to the meeting. A spirited exhorter might hold up the interest that length of time, but only occasionally. A good thing is for all to mark that which has the best effect on the brethren and sisters. Observation shows that short, spirited testimonies receive the hearty responses. Very seldom is a response heard to a long inanimate speech. This ought to be an admonition to all speakers.
BRO. C. C. MAYNARD, of Julian, San Diego Co., Cal., is desirous of entering the field as canvasser and colporter. To enable him to do so he wishes to rent his potato ranch, of 400 sacks capacity, to some Sabbath-keeper. Address, as above.
Camp-Meeting and Missionary Notices
By Editor
Los Angeles Camp-meeting, May 8-18. Special car will leave Oakland, May 6.
We find that we were mistaken in saying that Idaho is missionary ground; it is connected with the Upper Columbia Conference. We had forgotten it.
We are receiving orders for the pamphlet, "Honor Due to God," and these we expect will be filled before this paper reaches its readers. The early camp-meetings ought to be well supplied. Are the churches supplied with the tract, Justification by Faith? We trust our ministers will see that these works are well circulated.
In answer to inquiry, we say we think it is evident that in Eld. Haskell's recent article on the "Pacific Coast Council," where it reads "District of Columbia," it should be "British Columbia." We did not see it until it was printed, and the printers and proof readers reversed the old order and took the deed for the will and followed copy. But we think the reader can see the intention of the copyist, from the connection.
The Banner of Light says: "William Alcot, Jr., son of Rev. William Alcot, of Swift River, Mass., was killed by the bursting of a large grindstone March 13, 1884. The family, although crushed under this sudden bereavement, yet feel that he still lives, and that they will meet him again."
Killed, but still lives! Will the Banner give us a definition of the word kill? Our dictionaries do not help us in such a dilemma. They do not license such a use of language.