LUCY ROOME was taken up for vagrancy in the great city. The austere judge said, “Who claims that child?”
A little boy stepped forward and said, “I do, sir.”
“What is your name?” asked the judge.
The boy said, “I am her brother.”
“Officer, take the girl.”
“O judge, do not take her from me; she is all that I have to love in the world!”
“If you will get some good man to go your security, you can have her; but I cannot give her to you,” said the judge.
The honest little fellow, with tears in his eyes, walked up close to his poor sister, and said: “Sir, I have no one to give. I did take care of her till the man I worked for died, and while I was looking up a place, she begged some bread, and they took her up; but now I have a good place, where I get $3.00 a week, and I will put her to school. I have no security, but I do not lie nor swear nor drink and I work hard. Judge, will you please let me kiss her before you take her from me?”
The judge wept, and said, “Take her, my boy; I will go your security.”
Hand in hand they left the court room, Jimmy Roome to make a successful and useful man, and his sister to be a most excellent lady.—Selected.
A NEW CONTINENT.
The discovery of a new continent at this late date seems incredible. Yet not only does it appear to be true, but the new continent is estimated to be larger than the whole of Europe. It lies in the antarctic circle, and but one man is known to have set foot on it. His name is Borchgrevinck, and he is a Norwegian. Last week, before the International Geographical Congress, in session in London, he told all he knew about it. He found it thickly inhabited—by penguins. There were traces of vegetation, and the climate was not severe, ranging from twenty-eight degrees to forty-six degrees. Specimen rocks which he showed gave rise to some hope that there may be valuable minerals to be found there. His estimates were that the continent contains about eight million square miles, or twice as much as Europe. To think that after all these years of feverish haste to reach the north pole, we should have let a whole continent escape us at the south pole! Already three expeditions to explore it are being planned, and we suppose that the next thing we shall hear will be that corner lots are for sale at a bargain.—The Voice.
HOW TO TREAT INGROWING TOE-NAILS.
“TAKE a flat file (a fine cut one is best), and file all the surface of the nail that can be reached, till it is quite thin. The writer has been troubled with ingrowing nails for many years, but has always found this a perfect relief. I repeat as often as need be. This is a sure cure without pain.” This is given us by I. C. Richardson. While it will give relief, it is not claimed that it effects a permanent cure.
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST ITEMS.
A COMPANY of believers was organized at Cheswold, Del., August 24.
SIX heads of families have accepted the truth presented at Dadeville, Mo., by Elder T. A. Hoover and Brother L. W. Terry.
ELDER A. J. BREED has been attending the North Pacific camp meeting at Seattle, Wash., and is still giving attention to the interests of that portion of his district.
AT the recent session of the Atlantic Conference it was resolved to request the Medical Missionary Association to establish missions in New York, Brooklyn, Baltimore, and Washington.
BROTHER JOHN FAUST, of Baltimore, who was arrested July 21 for mending his own shoes in his own room on Sunday, has been indicted by the grand jury of the Criminal Court of that city, and his trial will shortly take place.
BROTHER JOHN MATHEWS, of Selton, Ontario, was recently convicted of doing farm work on Sunday, and sentenced to pay, including fine and costs, the sum of $20.65, with the alternative of thirty days in jail. He refused to pay, and expressed a readiness to go to jail, but the court gave him ten days' time in which to pay or be imprisoned. Had the accused been proprietor of the farm on which he labored, he would have been exempt from the law, according to the Ontario statute, but being a hired man he was subject to the penalty.
At Nicholville, N. Y., meetings held by Elder S. M. Cobb and Brother A. R. Hyatt have resulted in the addition of fifteen to the number of believers. On removing their tent to Moira they were permitted to pitch in the yard of the Congregational Church.
THE new missionary boat, propelled by steam, for service in New York Harbor, is about completed. It is to be named the Sentinel, and will be in charge of Capt. J. Christiansen, who accompanied the Pitcairn on her first two voyages to the South Pacific islands.
GOOD news comes from Colorado. Under the labors of Elder G. W. Anglebarger and Brother L. F. Trubey, at Tulleride, twelve have taken their stand for the truth. As a result of two weeks' meetings in a school-house near Rocky Ford, thirteen persons have begun the observance of the Sabbath of the Lord, and a Sabbath school of twenty members has been organized. A series of meetings held at Monte Vista, by Elder Watson Ziegler, was closed August 14, and a church of thirty-four members was organized.
A TEXT-BOOK ON BIBLICAL HISTORY.
Especially prepared for the use of Students and Teachers of the Bible, and for Sabbath-School Instruction.
CONTAINING
Maps, Plans, Review Charts, Colored Diagrams,
And Illustrated with Accurate Views of the Principal Cities and Localities known to Bible History.
The following is a condensed Table of Contents:
Chart of Bible History. The Old Testament World. Ancient World, and Descendants of Noah. Physical Palestine. The Journeys of the Patriarchs. Palestine before the Conquest. The Lands of the Sojourn and Wandering. The Conquest of Canaan. Palestine among the Twelve Tribes. Palestine under the Judges. The Kingdom of Saul. The Empire of David and Solomon. Ancient Jerusalem. Modern Jerusalem. The Environs of Jerusalem. The Division of Solomon’s Empire. The Great Oriental Empires. The Roman Empire. New Testament Palestine. The Life of Christ. Early Apostolic History. Journeys of the Apostle Paul. The Isles of Greece and the Seven Churches. The Tabernacle. The Temple. Lessons in the Geography of Palestine. The Measures of the Bible.
This is no doubt the best Geography for the price ever published, and should be in the hands of every Bible student. 158 pages, size about 10 x 12 inches. Bound in stiff board covers. Price, post-paid, $2.00. Address all orders to
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Or 48 Bond St., New York. OAKLAND, CAL.
THE ATONEMENT.
Part I, “An Atonement Consistent with Reason.” Part II, “An Atonement as Revealed in the Bible.” Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. Cloth, $1.90.
Worldwide Alcohol Consumption Statistics for 1893
STATISTICS have been compiled at Vienna of the quantity of alcoholic liquors drunk in 1893 in the entire world. Germany heads the list with 1,202,132,074 gallons, an increase of 34,000,000 over 1892, the consumption being 33 gallons per head, ranging from 62 gallons in Bavaria to 12 gallons in Lothringen; Great Britain, second, 1,155,752,000 gallons, or 30 gallons per head; America, including the whole of the western hemisphere, is third, with more than a billion gallons, or 16 gallons per head. The total for the world, not including Asia and Africa, is 4,500,000,000 gallons, requiring 7,270,000 tons of malt and 82,000 tons of hops.
FROM Hon. Selah Merrill comes an emphatic denial that there has been any considerable increase of Jews in Palestine during recent years. Jerusalem, he says, has but 27,000 in a population of 47,000, and the whole land but 42,000. He accounts for the reports of a rapid influx of Jews to that region on the ground that many people in America, Great Britain, and Germany have a theory that there must be a flocking of Israel to the Holy Land and a rebuilding of Jerusalem before the second advent of our Lord, and they try to create the impression that their prophecy is being fulfilled. But false theories cannot be practically sustained by imaginary results or exaggerated reports.
A REPORT submitted at the recent anniversary of the Baptist Missionary Union contains the following suggestions: “The aim in foreign mission work should be the planting of native churches, such as will be self-supporting and reproductive. There should be a modification of excessive and sentimental pity when contemplating the hardships that natives must undergo to contribute to missions; proportionate giving should be urged. Native churches should be plain in architecture, and cheaply constructed. The practice of some churches of sending money to support native preachers should be discouraged, as this designation hampers the work of the Executive Committee, which should have all the money to spend for the furtherance of the general work. Some form of industrial education should be maintained in connection with the mission.”
CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE AND BIBLE HYGIENE.
This Book treats the subjects of Temperance and Hygiene from a BIBLE STANDPOINT.
A good idea of the scope of the work can be formed by a glance at a few of the chapter headings: “Effects of Stimulants,” “Extremes in Diet,” “Home Education,” “Relation of Diet to Health and Morals,” “Parental Responsibility,” “Dress,” “Consulting Spiritualistic Physicians,” “Social Purity,” “Hope for the Tempted,” “Diet and Cleanliness of the Hebrews,” “The Gospel of Health,” etc., etc.
The book contains 268 large pages, is printed on heavy paper, bound in cloth, embossed, with gold title on back and front cover. It is a book that all should have in their homes. Price, gilt edges, $1.50.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., OAKLAND, CAL. 43 Bond Street, New York.
BIBLE ELECTION.
By M. C. Wilcox
By M. C. Wilcox. A brief presentation of God's plan and purpose concerning man, showing that the doctrine of election, or predestination, according to the Bible, is full of comfort and instruction. It throws new light on old controversies. Bible Students' Library, No. 67; 24 pp.; price 3 cents. Address Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. Kansas City, Mo. New York City, N. Y.
Lesson XII.—Sabbath, September 21, 1895.
Tithing—Continued.
1. To whom did Abraham pay tithes?
“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine; and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: and blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.” Gen. 14:18-20. See also Heb. 7:1, 2.
2. Who was Melchizedek? Ans.—“Priest of the most high God.” Heb. 7:1, 2.
3. What is said of his genealogy?
“Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.” Verse 3. Note .
4. What is said of his greatness?
“Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.” Verse 4.
5. Of whom did the Levites receive tithes?
“And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham.” Verse 5.
6. Who received tithes of Abraham?
“But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.” Verse 6.
7. By whom was Abraham blessed?
“For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him.” “But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.” Verses 1, 6.
8. Who, then, was the greatest, Melchizedek or Abraham?
“And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.” Verse 7. See also verses 1, 4 above.
9. Whom did Melchizedek represent?
“Made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.” Verse 3.
10. After what order was Christ a priest?
“As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Heb. 5:6. See also chapter 6:20 and 7:17, 21.
11. Then does Christ receive tithes?
“And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.” Heb. 7:8.
12. What did the Saviour teach concerning tithing?
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Matt. 23:23. Note .
13. Then, as followers of the teachings of Christ, what ought we to do? Ans.—Pay tithes. See note .
14. How were the Levites supported in their work?
“Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?” 1 Cor. 9:13. Note .
15. What has the Lord likewise ordained concerning the support of those who preach the Gospel?
“Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel.” Verse 14. Note .
16. Who commissions and sends out those who preach the Gospel?
“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” John 20:21. See also Matt. 28:18-20.
17. Then whose servants are they? Who employs them?
18. And, in accordance with what has been shown in the above, what provision has the Lord made for the support of his laborers? Note .
Notes.
International Sunday School Lessons
“If any man will do His will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God.”—John 7:17.
14. Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.
15. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
16. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods;
17. For the Lord our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed;
18. And the Lord drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land; therefore will we also serve the Lord; for he is our God.
19. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye can not serve the Lord; for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.
20. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.
21. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord.
22. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.
23. Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel.
24. And the people said unto Joshua, The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.
25. So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem.
Golden Text: “The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey.” Verse 24.
NOTE.—The occasion is the renewal of the covenant, at a great gathering of the people called by Joshua just before his death, which occurred when he was 110 years old, and after he had ruled Israel twenty-five years. The land had been divided, the warriors of the two and one-half tribes east of Jordan, who had assisted in the conquest west of Jordan, had been given honorable discharge, and returned to their homes laden with spoils, and for eighteen years the land had been at rest, and the people were enjoying the good things that the Lord had given them. The place of assemblage was Shechem, probably between Mounts Ebal and Gerizim, the scene of the renewal of the covenant near the beginning of the conquest. The section included in the lesson is Joshua 21:43 to 24:33.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What exhortation does Joshua make in verse 15? Note 1. (2) What choice does he tell the people to make? Verse 15. (3) Upon whose side did Joshua stand? Verse 15. Note 2. (4) What answer did the people make? Verse 16. (5) What reasons and how many did they set forth for this decision? Verses 17, 18. (6) What reply did Joshua make? Verse 19. Note 3. (7) What only could prevent the Lord working for them? Verse 20. (8) How did the people reiterate their resolve? Verse 21. (9) Who were the witnesses to this decision? Verse 22. Note 4. (10) What did Joshua then tell them to do? Verse 23. (11) How was this command responded to? Golden text. Note 5. (12) How were the proceedings sealed? Verse 25.
NOTES.
1. Now therefore.—The reasons set forth, which give rise to the conclusion here introduced, are brought out in Joshua’s address up to this point. In this are recounted the striking features, the landmarks, of the history of that people from ancient times. Through it all he exalts the Lord in his great acts of deliverance from bondage, and constant leading. “Now, therefore”—is not all this stirring? is it not sufficient?—“serve him in sincerity,”—absolute purity and singleness of purpose. Evidently they still had among them images and idols, as had Terah “beyond the flood,” that is, beyond the Euphrates, or great river.
2. Choose you.—The call was for a positive decision, one way or the other. There is nothing but evil in a prolonged halting “between two opinions,” especially if the truth and error are plainly revealed. Dallying with sin is the surest way to sear the conscience and remain in slavery.14“To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17. For that time, there came a crisis to the people of Israel. So there comes a crisis to every soul, when a decision must be made either for the Lord or for the idols of the world. Then is the time to consider seriously, in the light of eternity, the future course. Consider what the Lord has done, and what he will do for you, and what the world, with all its hollow pleasures, will do for you. The one is life, the other is death. Which will you choose?
3. Ye can not serve the Lord.—Two reasons are given why they could not serve the Lord,—because he is holy, and because he is a jealous God. The full idea is more accurately shown by reading with this verse 20. So long as they were in sin, serving strange gods, they could not serve Jehovah. His character is holy, and they who serve him must be willing to receive his character. He is jealous, because the setting up of false gods works evil in the world, and he will certainly punish those who persist in sin.
4. Ye are witnesses.—It may be said that there were three witnesses: (1) Their own public testimony, the promise made before God in the presence of friends and neighbors. If at any time they should turn away from God, there were the witnesses on every side. (2) All the words of the meeting, the renewal of the covenant, were written in the book of the law of God. Verse 26. (3) A great stone was set up under an oak, as a silent but constant witness of their words. Verses 26, 27.
5. The Lord our God will we serve.—The covenant made on this solemn occasion was not cast lightly aside, but was observed faithfully by all that generation that was party to it. See verse 31. So in the decisions of to-day, we should follow, not men or churches or traditions or custom, but God as he has revealed himself in his word. If we hold aught which is contrary to his word, let us put it away, even as Israel did their idols.
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PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
By John Bunyan
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YOSEMITE VALLEY And Big Trees of California
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Nearly 500 Pages, with Many Illustrations. Limp Binding.
Price, 75 Cents.
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ANGELS, Their Nature and Ministry.
Revised by the late J.H. Waggoner. In two parts. Part Two considers some hints on the Origin, History and Destiny of Satan, as gleaned from the Scriptures. Bible Students' Library No. 83. 140 pages. Paper covers. Price, 20 cents.
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BIBLE SANCTIFICATION: A CONTRAST OF TRUE AND FALSE THEORIES.
By Mrs. E. G. White.
This is a pamphlet of only 84 pages, but its value is not to judged by its size. It is just what its title indicates: a faithful presentation of Bible truth on this important subject, and an exposure of the false theories prevailing in regard to it. Every believer in Bible truth should read it. Buy it, read it, and lend it to your neighbor. Price, 10 cents.
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“SO-CALLED NEWSPAPER LAWS.”
THERE exists, in the minds of many, a mistaken idea in regard to their responsibility in taking from the Post Office copies of a paper which they may not have ordered. Unscrupulous publishers have in the past taken advantage of the ignorance of the public in regard to postal laws and regulations, and have stated that there existed certain laws by which a person became responsible for the price of the paper in the taking of it from the Post Office.
In the United States Official Postal Guide for April, 1895, there was published an opinion from John L. Thomas, Assistant Attorney-General, on this very question, and inasmuch as many may not fully understand their rights in this matter, we publish herewith a portion of what he says.
Under the heading of “So-called Newspaper Laws,” and after giving the “so-called laws,” Mr. Thomas says:—
“There are no such laws as these enacted by Congress or established by the Postmaster-General. And I hold that when a publisher duns a party for the price of his paper, which is not due, accompanied by a threat to enforce such laws if his demand is not met, he is guilty of an attempt to obtain money under false pretenses, if he knows these so-called laws have no existence as laws. The only federal statute on this subject is section 3885, Revised Statutes, which reads as follows:—
“Postmasters shall notify the publisher of any newspaper or other periodical, when any subscriber shall refuse to take the same from the office, or neglect to call for it for the period of one month.”
“There is nothing in the postal laws or regulations concerning the liability of a subscriber for the subscription price of a newspaper or periodical.
“The relation between the publisher of a newspaper and a subscriber is that of a contract, and the same rules of law apply in that case as apply in other business transactions between man and man.”
After going into the subject quite thoroughly, and showing by quotations from the Postal Laws and Regulations what are the postmaster’s duties in this particular, Mr. Thomas concludes as follows:—
“I have thus gone into details so that there may be no misunderstanding of my position, and I hope the agitation will go on until publishers and patrons of the newspapers and periodicals of the country know and understand their relative rights, obligations and liabilities. I desire, and I believe that the press, which is the greatest of educators, desires, that the truth shall be known and justice done even to the humblest and poorest citizen of the republic, as well as to the richest and most exalted.
“Very respectfully, JOHN L. THOMAS,
“Assistant Attorney-General.”
