PROBABLY no people in the world suffer so much from adulteration as do the Americans. Our food, our clothing, our medicines—everything we eat, drink, and wear—is so adulterated that we can have no confidence in the purity of anything we buy. There is here and there a State that has laws for the punishment of this crime, but most of the people throughout the nation are unprotected and absolutely at the mercy of unscrupulous manufacturers and unprincipled dealers. The adulteration of articles of food is the worst phase of this lamentable business. Were this confined entirely, as it is only partially, to the introduction of harmless ingredients, it would not be so bad, though even this is an offense against the public and should be treated as such. But when ingredients are used that are positively injurious, as is often the case, the offense becomes criminal in the highest degree, and the perpetrators deserve no consideration. There can be no question as to our being an easy-going and long-suffering people. Were we not so, this condition of things would not be tolerated for a moment. The people have the remedy in their own hands, and the day will come when, provoked to action, they will force their representatives to pass laws for the punishment of this crime. In the meantime we who recognize and deplore the evil should agitate the question, work up public opinion in relation to it, and so hasten the time of our relief. We commend the subject to the Challenge, the Voice, and all other organs of the Prohibitionists, as quite as worthy of their advocacy as the measure they have most at heart; and we earnestly hope that the press of the country generally will take this subject up, and insist upon proper legislative action. The proposed bill in the Colorado Legislature concerning spurious butter is in the right direction, but we need a general law applying to all adulteration.—Western Churchman.
Smoking Again.
It is simply astonishing that people who seem to be gentlemanly in every other respect will consent to turn themselves into a nuisance by means of smoking. True, they sometimes ask, Is smoking offensive? But a man who is a gentleman and not a bore, might about as well expect to get a frank answer to the question, Is my presence disagreeable? Is it not a marvel that on the street a man who would scorn to do an ungentlemanly thing will yet puff away, sending a sickening smoke necessarily into the faces of others, or that he will take a seat at your side when saturated with smoke? Here is the experience of one of our readers:—
A gentleman was expected at my house and was to be with us overnight. He is intelligent, cultured, very interesting in conversation, and a prominent writer for the press. I went to the station to meet him, and as I watched the car platform for his appearance, I was astonished to see him come upon the opposite platform from the smoking-car, with a crowd of men of emphatically the baser sort. I am sure that no other thing but bondage to tobacco would lead that man to choose such companions in traveling. We passed the evening most enjoyably. It was quite late when he went to his room. He had been there but a few moments when an extremely pungent and offensive odor began to fill the house. It was not a good cigar. That would have been comparatively enjoyable. It was more pungent and nauseating than any I ever smelled about a railroad gravel train.
We had to open doors and windows on a cold winter's night to air the house, before we could go to our rooms without nausea, and it was several days before the odor left the house. —Congregationalist.
News and Notes.
By Editor
RELIGIOUS.
—The M. E. Church has three Conferences in India.
—There are twenty-eight Unitarian Churches in Boston.
—Moody expresses himself as opposed to roller skating-rinks.
—The American Province of the Moravian Church numbers 10,181 communicants.
—T. S. Arthur, of the Home Magazine, who died recently, was a Swedenborgian.
—The membership of the Brooklyn Tabernacle (Dr. Talmage's) Church is 2,395.
—In Newfoundland there are about 100,000 Protestants, and about 65,000 Catholics.
—There are about 100 Young Men's Christian Associations in the State of New York.
—Mrs. Garfield presided at a missionary meeting in Cleveland, Ohio, a short time ago.
—The Colored Baptists of Kentucky have 45,000 members, and a college with more than 200 students.
—Sunday, March 8, Dr. C. A. Bartol completed the forty-eighth year of his pastorate of the West Church, Boston.
—In Chicago there is one "evangelical" church to 4,117 people; besides this there are forty-six churches not counted evangelical, and fourteen synagogues.
—The Congregationalist says: "The church of Christ is on every side yielding to the pressure of a Christless world. It is adopting the customs and habits of a thoroughly worldly society."
—In the Dominion House of Commons, Canada, a bill "for the better observance of the Sabbath" was declared by the Dominion Premier, Sir John A. McDonald, to be beyond their jurisdiction.
—Sixteen years ago the island of Anima—one of the New Hebrides group—was the abode of cannibals. In eight years all had become Christians, and family worship was observed in every house. They contribute about $50 a year for missions.
—Miss Black, who recently started for China under the auspices of the Women's Missionary Association of the English Presbyterian Church, is the fifth daughter that has gone out from one manse to the foreign field—a fact unique in the history of missions.
—The Young Women's Christian Association of Boston, has erected a building that was estimated to cost $120,000, for about $10,000 less than the estimates. Would it not be a fine thing if some of the men's associations would get the women to manage their expenditures?
—The Convocation of the church of England, while recognizing that the Salvation Army has promoted temperance among the masses, condemned it as having "caused religion to be lightly esteemed, and done mischief by confounding religion with unnatural excitement."
Appointments.
OAKLAND.—House of worship, northeast corner of Clay and Thirteenth Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:30 A. M. Preaching at 11 A. M. Prayer and missionary meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:00. Seats free. Preaching every Sunday evening at 7:30.
SAN FRANCISCO.—House of worship, 912 Laguna Street, between McAllister and Tyler Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:45 A. M. Preaching at 11 A. M. Prayer and missionary meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:45. Preaching every Sunday evening at 7:30. Mission Reading-rooms at the church.
California T. and M. Society.
By William Ings
The State Quarterly Meeting of the California T. and M. Society will be held in connection with the General Meeting in Oakland, April 24-30, 1885. The President, Elder Haskell, will be present at this meeting, and important matters in connection with the missionary work, will be considered. It is very desirable that the districts be generally represented.
WM. INGS, Vice-Pres.
Annual Meeting.
THE regular annual meeting of the society of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Oakland, will be held at the house of worship, on Wednesday, April 1, 1885, at 7:30 o'clock P. M., for the purpose of electing a board of five trustees, and transacting such other business as may come before the meeting. A general attendance will be necessary, in order that the proceedings may be in accordance with the law.
By order of the President,
W. N. GLENN, Sec'y.
Take Notice.
By H. W. Decker
I WISH to call the attention of all isolated Seventh-day Adventists in Oregon or Washington Territory, east of the Cascade Mountains, to the fact that I am now located in the Upper Columbia Conference, and expect to remain here. I wish to labor in the most favorable places. In order to assist me in the proper selection of fields, I request all who know of favorable openings in their vicinity to write me at Walla Walla, W. T. Please give me all particulars that you think will help me in deciding where to direct my efforts, to the best advantage.
H. W. DECKER.
Obituary.
By H. A. St. John
BELL.—Died, at Los Angeles, Cal., March 17, 1885, of spinal disease, Georgiana, infant daughter of Brother and Sister Bell, aged nearly six months. The bereaved parents expect to meet their lost one in the glorious resurrection morn soon to dawn. I spoke words of comfort from Jer. 31:15-17.
H. A. ST. JOHN.
Publishers' Department.
By Editor
OUR GENERAL AGENTS.
Michigan—Miss Hattie House, care Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich.
New England—Mrs. E. T. Palmer, N. E. Tract Repository, South Lancaster, Mass.
North Pacific—Mrs. C. L. Boyd, East Portland, Oregon.
England—The Present Truth, 72 Heneage Street, Great Grimsby, Eng.
Norway—Eld. J. G. Matteson, Akersveren No. 2, Christiania, Norway.
Switzerland—B. L. Whitney, care Les Signes des Temps, Bale, Suisse.
Hawaiian Islands—L. A. Scott, Honolulu, H. I.
Timely Notice.
By Editor
ON May 1 we will drop from our subscription lists all names whose time expires previous to that date. All subscriptions are payable in advance. Those whose time runs out in April or May will please renew immediately and thus prevent the liability of missing any copy of the paper. Some have considered it a privilege to help the cause by paying two or three years in advance. All such favors will be thankfully received.
Christ the Way of Life.
By Editor
WE have a select stock of this beautiful and instructive steel plate engraving, with keys in the Danish, Swedish, German, French, and English languages.
The design of this engraving is to present at one view the leading events in the history of man as related to the divine plan of redemption, from the time of the first sin and the fall to the final restoration of the race to the Paradise of God.
Its central figure is that of Christ hanging upon the cruel cross. By taking our position at the foot of the cross, we look backward in the history of man, and trace the steps which have led to the scenes of Calvary. The scenes which suggest the provisions of the gospel are enacted in the shadow of the cross, which is cast far back over the history of the race, reaching even to the gates of Eden.
The "Way of Life" as a work of art, commends itself to all lovers of the beautiful. Unlike many religious allegorical pictures, this not only presents a sacred theme, but by its skillful grouping, and its harmonious combination of light and shade, it delights the cultivated taste, and suggests abundant food for thought.
THE KEY.
An elegant 12-mo. pamphlet of 48 pages, containing a description of every part of the picture, and an impressive article by Mrs. E. G. White, accompanies each engraving.
Price, printed in first-class style on heavy plate paper,
size 22x28 inches...................................... $1.50
Price, India Proofs, size 24x32 inches..................... 2.50
100 AGENTS WANTED.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal., General Agents for Pacific Coast States and Territories.
RECEIPTS.
By Editor
NOTICE.—The change of figures on the address labels will be in all cases a sufficient receipt for money sent for the paper. If these changes do not appear in due time, and if books ordered by mail are not received, please notify us. All other business is acknowledged below.
CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE FUND.—A LaRue $10, Healdsburg church $72.65, Oakland church $55.15, Dixon church $9.10, Monterey church $18.
CASH RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.—Upper Columbia T and M Society $50, North Pacific T and M Society $100, Maine T and M Society $50, Pennsylvania T and M Society $200, W A Young $10.05, B Robb $8, C E Lov $11.10, W T Eddy $5, C W Gibbs $33.08, S B Hammond $5, Paul E Gros $11.50, Isaac G Knight $13.10.
CALIFORNIA T. AND M. SOCIETY.—H W Briggs $10.60, C H Ward $3.25, Wm Ings $30, B R Nordyke $1.50, Mrs C R Sain $1, Mrs Nellie Brown 20c, Mrs A C Walden $1, Sarah McEnterfer $5.50, Ora M Peoples $3.20, Mrs A Lawson $2.50, Emma N Hardy $1.
CALIFORNIA CITY MISSIONS.—W N Glenn $5.
HEALDSBURG COLLEGE.—Emma N Hardy $5.
AUSTRALIAN MISSION.—Wm Whitehurst $5, Mrs S B Hammond $2.
ORDERS FORWARDED.
By Editor
Books Sent by Freight.—May Taylor, Review and Herald.
Books Sent by Express.—A T Robinson, Nebraska Tract Society, Carrie E Mills, Alice Morrison, Seaman's Mission (San Francisco).
Books Sent by Mail.—Florence A Hutchings, W T Eddy, Eld A W Bartlett, Hetty Hurd, Wm Fierbaugh, J S Davis, J E Graham, Wm A Battenberg, Lizzie Chrissman, Ida Peach, Mrs B A Cooper, Maria Mayer, Mrs S B Hammond, M A Lee, Mrs L J Miller, Wm J Thomas.
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY, VOLUMES TWO AND THREE.
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
These volumes describe the great conflict between Christ and Satan, as illustrated in the history of man, his temptations, conflicts, victories, and defeats, and the final triumph of right and truth with a crowning immortality.
Vol. II contains the life, teachings, and miracles of our Lord Jesus Christ. The reader will find that this book furnishes invaluable aid in studying the lessons of Christ as set forth in the gospels. One of the most pleasing features of this volume is the plain and simple language with which the author clothes thoughts that glow with truth and beauty.
Vol. III contains the death, resurrection, and ascension of the Messiah; and the lives and ministry of the apostles.
Apart from the Bible, this series presents the most wonderful and intensely interesting history of the world that has ever been published. These books are not argumentative, yet they throw much light on the sacred page. They afford especial encouragement to the Christian, and are excellent to place in the hands of skeptics to convince them of Bible truth.
The two volumes contain 838 pages, neatly bound in cloth, and will be sent, post-paid, for $2.00. Either volume will be furnished separately for $1.00.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.;
Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
A MINE OF INFORMATION.
By John Nevins Andrews
HISTORY OF THE SABBATH AND FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK.
By Eld. J. N. Andrews.
The Sabbath and Its Restoration
The Bible record of the Sabbath, the secular history concerning it; the successive steps by which the change to the first day was made and the work of restoration, are given in detail.
EVERY TEXT OF SCRIPTURE concerning the Sabbath is commented on at length; and the COMPLETE TESTIMONY OF THE FATHERS in regard to the Sabbath and first day is given. The comparative merits of the seventh and the first-day Sabbaths are fully shown. A copious index enables the reader to find any text, or the statement of any historian.
Should be read by everybody. 528 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
THE COMING CONFLICT;
By W. H. Littlejohn
—OR—
THE GREAT ISSUE NOW PENDING IN THIS COUNTRY.
By W. H. Littlejohn.
This book contains a complete history of the rise and progress of the National Reform Party, together with an exegesis of the last portion of the thirteenth chapter of the book of Revelation, assigning to the United States its proper place in prophecy.
EMPHATICALLY A BOOK FOR THE TIMES.
434 pages, in muslin covers, and will be mailed to any address post-paid, for $1.00.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
THE SPIRIT OF GOD: ITS OFFICES AND MANIFESTATIONS TO THE END OF THE CHRISTIAN AGE.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
By Eld. J. H. Waggoner.
This is a brief but comprehensive argument on the solemn and important subject of the Spirit of God. Its chapters embrace the following heads: The Holy Spirit of Promise; The Power from on High; Circumcision of the Heart; The Unity of the Faith; The Law and the Testimony; Try the Spirits; The Great Commission; Gifts in the Reformation; In the Present Century; Spirit of Prophecy Restored. These are subjects of vital importance to all, and especially to those who are looking for the return of their Lord.
144 pp. Price, 15 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
EARLY WRITINGS OF MRS. WHITE.
By Editor
Comprising "Experience and Views" and "Spiritual Gifts, Volume One," bound in one volume. This makes a neat and attractive book of nearly 200 pages, and should be read by old and young. The matter and the style in which it is presented are so interesting that no one who has read one chapter will forego the pleasure and profit of reading the remainder. Price, 75 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
Queries and Answers
By Editor
WILL the Ladies' Silk Culture Society of California please give us its address?
S. B., Myrtle Creek, Oregon.—If you will observe the marginal reference in the inscription of Psalms 73, you will see that there is ground for attributing that psalm to David.
To J. C. F.—Gesenius does not give “holy” as a definition of the word so rendered in Ps. 86:2. He defines it thus: “1. Kind, merciful, benevolent. 2. Pious towards God, godly. 3. Of God, kind, merciful, gracious.” The verbal root he defines: “To be zealous towards any one, i. e., to feel desire, kindness, love towards him.” Dr. Clarke speaks thus on the text: “For I am holy] ki chasid ani, for I am merciful. The spirit of this prayer is,
“‘That mercy I to others show,
That mercy show to me.’”
Though Gesenius does not give “holy” as a definition of the original, we have no doubt, from its use in the Scriptures, that it was sometimes construed to mean so. Yet its usual use is in the sense of “merciful,” or pious, or “godly.” See Jer. 3:12, for the same phrase—“I am merciful.” Your friend has no just ground for his claim on the text in question.
Prepare Your Proxies.
By Editor
ALL should bear in mind that our Association meeting and general rally for the whole State will be held in Oakland, April 24, continuing one week. Stockholders in the Publishing Association who cannot attend the meeting must see that their stock is represented by proxy. Do not forget this; do not fail to attend to it.
Quarterly Meetings.
By Editor
THE time for the quarterly meetings is drawing near. These should be well attended in California this spring. Our general meetings come in April. At the meeting in Oakland the wants of the cause in the whole State will be considered, and arrangements made for labor the coming season. Every church in the State should be well represented, and these representatives should come prepared to state clearly the condition and wants of the cause in their several localities.
Remember that our general meetings will be: Healdsburg, April 16, one week; Oakland, April 24, one week; College annual meeting, May 1.
We trust there will be a general attendance at the Healdsburg meeting of all the friends in Sonoma County, and that section of country. They who cannot remain longer, please come expecting to remain from the 17th to the 20th.
Missionary Workers.
By Editor
IT is a matter of great importance that our missionary workers in all the societies, improve every opportunity to learn how to write good letters. This is a talent to be cultivated; just as any other work is perfected by education and practice. We say they should learn how, for a good-spirited, well-written letter is more likely to bring a response than one of the opposite character. And it is very important that letters be written to those to whom the SIGNS is sent. We think there must be a failure with many in this respect, as the office receives a large number of postmaster's cards, notifying us that the papers sent to the persons named refuse to take them out of the office. Of course the information is of no avail, for we cannot know by whom they are sent. A brief note of explanation to the person himself might induce him to take and read them.
"The Atonement."
By Editor
THE sale of this book has been quite good, yet not good enough to meet the wants of the people. We believe that the manner in which the subject is introduced in Part One is well calculated to arrest the attention of intelligent unbelievers. Brother J. N. Andrews said of the smaller edition that it was the best defense of the law, and the strongest argument against antinomianism that had ever been published by the Seventh-day Adventists. The present edition is not only enlarged but otherwise improved. It should be circulated everywhere.
Health Retreat, St. Helena.
By Editor
IT is decided to open the Health Retreat, at Crystal Springs, St. Helena, Cal., for summer boarders, as in years previous. Arrangements are being made to have it opened about the 10th of May.
We wish our people to understand that we have been neither disinterested nor idle in regard to the interests of the Retreat and to its opening. Preparations have been in progress for some time past looking toward its being permanently opened for patients; and the time is not far distant when there will be an efficient corps of physicians and workers to accommodate its patrons, and to insure its success as a health retreat. It has natural advantages almost unequaled. The water is excellent and abundant, and brought into all parts of the house without expense, as the spring lies some distance above the building. We do not believe there is another location in the State so near our large cities, with a climate so good, water so pure, and scenery so lovely, as the Health Retreat at Crystal Springs. We hope for good days for this institution in the future.
Upper Columbia Camp-Meeting.
By Editor
THE readers of last week's paper saw, by Elder Loughborough's report, that it has been determined to have a course of Bible instruction, or Institute, in Milton, Oregon, commencing on First-day, May 24, ten days before the beginning of the camp-meeting in the same place. It is our opinion that this will be the means of adding greatly to the interest and profit of the camp-meeting, and that its beneficial influence will be felt in the Conference in this year, and in future years.
We have not yet heard from the North Pacific Conference, but we know that they need the same work at their camp-meeting. And we hope they may find it possible to continue the class instruction after the camp-meetings commence. In this way all who attend the meeting may have their interest aroused on the subject, and better appreciate the work which is being done in the school. We wish that such work could be done in every church, for thereby all the people would “be established in the present truth.” 2 Pet. 1:12.
Old Testament in Sabbath-Schools.
By Editor
THE article in our Sabbath-school department, by Dr. Green, of Princeton College, is copied from the Old Testament Student, of which we have before spoken, edited by Prof. Harper, Morgan Park (Chicago), Ill. The Student for March contains a "Symposium" on this subject, of which Dr. Green's article is one. We shall copy others hereafter.
There is no man living who is doing more in behalf of Old Testament study, both in the original and in translations, than Dr. Harper. His school of Hebrew is already of world-wide reputation, and the Student is a valuable help in the work. If any friend in this State wishes to examine the Student, or to obtain information in regard to the school, we shall be pleased to accommodate them as far as lies in our power. The instruction is by correspondence, and the language is studied at the homes of the pupils.
Short Musical Notes.
By Editor
By this title we do not speak of the lang syne “demisemiquavers,” but of editorial notes on the subject of music. A title more expressive might, perhaps, have been found, but this serves our purpose well, and we adopt it.
Our Hymn Book says: “The music introduced into this book will greatly promote uniformity and correctness in singing.”—Preface, page iv. But music will no more promote uniformity and correctness in singing, unless the singers learn the music and conform to its requirements, than spectacles will insure correctness in reading, in those who cannot read without them. We have long and deeply regretted that our people who use our hymn book, “Spiritual Songs,” pay so little respect to the music which it contains. We do not speak of those who never learned music, and cannot read the notes; but of those who can read them, but do not make proper use of the knowledge they possess.
We often hear much said of the deficiencies of the book. Well, the book is not large, but it contains much good music; and, we are forced to say, more than is used. In common metres we shall always miss Ortonville, and some of that stamp; but in our attendance of meetings of Seventh-day Adventists we have never heard Howard sung by them, and Litchfield (we think) but once. The former is a splendid piece for a large class of hymns; and the latter is one of Lowell Mason’s sweetest church tunes. Why they are so neglected we do not know. (The want of a sharp in the upper treble staff, and of a tie in the lower ditto, of Litchfield, will be so readily detected that they will present no difficulty to the singer.) Denfield is quite as good as many others which are frequently used; yet it is almost utterly neglected. Dundee is a beautiful Scottish melody, but seldom used. For a certain class of tunes Patmos is much more appropriate as a chanting piece than Harvey’s Chant, yet who uses it? And for social meetings, or on any occasion where a heavier tune would be out of place, Woodland is worthy of more attention than it receives.
We could name a score of excellent “C. M.” tunes which we would much like to find there; but while so many good tunes lie on its pages unused, there should be no complaints of a scarcity. True some of these are old; but they are good for long service yet. And old as they are, they are so new to some of our congregations that when we have requested them to sing them, they frankly said they could not! Yet the same congregations would sing almost every piece in “Pure Gold,” and many other books of that class. Of long and short metres there is not so great neglect, yet we could point out some errors in regard to these.
Now we ask all our friends who can “read notes,” to read this one and think of it till we give them “the second.”
A Competent Juror
ONE “competent juror” was recently found in a court in San Francisco. He was a man who had never heard of the Sharon divorce trial. Happy man; “where ignorance is bliss,” &c.
God’s Measure of Trials
By Cecil
"No PHYSICIAN ever weighed out medicine with half so much exactness and care as God weighs out to us every trial. Not one grain too much does he ever permit to be put in the scale."—Cecil.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
By Editor
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE
International Tract and Missionary Society.
A sixteen-page Religious Family Paper, devoted to a discussion of the Prophecies, Signs of the Times, Second Coming of Christ, Harmony of the Law and Gospel: with Departments devoted to Temperance, The Home Circle, the Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-school.
Price Per Year, . . . . . . . . . . $2.00
In Clubs of five or more copies to one address, to be used in Missionary Work, . . . . . . . . . . 1.50
Address
SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
Twelfth and Castro Streets, OAKLAND, CAL.