Earlier text: Immortality Through ChristReflections on a Colorado Sunset.
By Mrs. E. G. White
As the cars bore our company into the city of Denver, we were charmed in beholding one of the beautiful sunsets of Colorado. The sun was passing behind the snow-capped mountains, leaving its softened beams of golden light to tint the heavens. As the blending tints were deepening and extending athwart the skies, with indescribable beauty, it seemed the gates of heaven were ajar to let the gleamings of its glory through. The golden hues were every moment more and more entrancing, as if to invite our imagination to picture the greater glory within. We loved to think that God had let some of the glorious rays of the light abounding in heaven appear to our senses, that our imagination might grasp the more perfect glories still unrevealed. Yet the inspired apostle tells us "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." If this so charms our senses, what must be the fullness of the glory in heaven itself. We have an infinite God, high above all heavens; and yet he condescends to dwell with him who is of a meek and contrite spirit. It is when we turn our eyes away from this world that we behold the beams of light from heaven. By faith a far more surpassing glory than the world can give dawns upon our senses. Here we see but the faint rays of what will be revealed to those who love God. Heaven seemed very near. From its golden gates light seemed beaming forth, to bless and comfort, and make joyful the heart of man. As the eye was turned from the dazzling glories of the closing day, we could but reflect that should we see more of heaven by the eye of faith, greater light, more peace and joy would be all along life's pathway. We keep our eyes fixed so closely upon the low land of earth, looking upon the transient and deceptive attractions of worldly things, that in beholding we become changed to the earthly. If the eye of faith were uplifted to see through the veil of the future and discern the tokens of God's love and glory in the promised life beyond, we should be more spiritually minded, and the beauties and joys of heaven would mingle with our daily life. We should be fitting up for the faithful performance of our work in this life, and for the higher life beyond. The compassion of the infinite God is expressed to man in the blessings he bestows. The greatest, the wisest, and the happiest man that lives upon the earth is he who sees most of God in his created works; who walks most closely with him in his every day life. The man who walks with God will exert an influence that will make the world better for his having lived in it. The beautiful, well-balanced, symmetrical character is developed by individual acts of duty. The character is formed by the conscientious attention to the little things of life, courteous acts of kindness, unselfish deeds of charity. Kind words make the life beautiful and noble; for in them is the spirit that pervades heaven. A wise improvement of God's gifts and blessings; a diligent cultivation of the little talents given by the Master; a patient continuance in well-doing, even if but little encouragement is received from those around us, will make life in this world a success, and will secure to us the higher immortal life. These things make the world's great men in the sight of God. The world will not know these men, even as they knew not Christ; but they are known and acknowledged of heaven. If the musings and the purposes of man were of a more elevated character, spirituality would not be waxing cold. The striking figures and pictures God has given in his heavens should thrill our souls and lead our minds to a contemplation of heavenly glories. While engaged in this the mind will have no leisure for worldly imaginings, worldly schemings, lusting for worldly honors or distinction. While in converse with the God of nature, in viewing with sanctified eyes his created things in nature, the yearnings of the heart will be for higher and holier attainments. The high and lofty One who inhabiteth eternity claims and deserves our highest thoughts and holiest affections. God is the source of all power. From his infinite love flow blessings to every creature formed in his image. Our heavenly Father has hung out glories in the firmament of the heavens, that men may have an expression of his love in the revealing of his wonderous works. God would not have us indifferent to the symbols of the glories of his infinite power in the heavens. David delighted to dwell upon these glories. He composed psalms which the Hebrew singers chanted to the praise of God. "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof." Christ finds men clinging to the earth and building their foundation upon the sand. He presents to them subjects in the heavens worthy of thought, and inspires them with desire to take hold on God and build upon the rock for time and for eternity. All the powers of our being, every means of our existence and happiness, all the blessings of the warm sunshine and the refreshing showers, causing vegetation to flourish, every comfort and every blessing of this life, comes from God. He sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. The treasures of heaven are poured out to all. Through Jesus Christ comes all these bounties. And how do men receive them? The great mass of mankind take the gift from their heavenly Father's hand but make no acknowledgment to him. They seem to take it for granted that these bounties are their rightful due, and forget that God is the giver. They do not even acknowledge their obligations by thanking God for his mercies. Indeed they treat no other friend so ill. They sit at the family board, loaded with bounties from his hand, and render no thanks to him. They enjoy the gifts, but despise the giver. The worst feature of this picture is, many who profess to be followers of Christ pursue the same course as the unbeliever and thankless worldling. They take the gifts of heaven without lifting the heart and voice to God in sincere thanks. God has blessed them with comfortable homes. They lie down to rest in safety because of the guarding care of his ministering angels; but they arise in the morning with scarcely a thought of God. This is unlike the world's Redeemer. Although he owned all things, he never broke bread without lifting his eyes and hands to heaven in thanks to the Father, craving his blessing upon it. Yet finite man, wholly dependent upon God, has no sense of the debt of gratitude he owes. Many parents professing to be Christians pass the morning without prayer to God or a thought of him. Worldly business is the subject of their thoughts the last thing at night and the first thing in the morning. They do not gather the family about them and read to them from the word of God, which teaches the whole duty of man. They do not make the reading of instructive lessons from the precious book of any importance, or the hour of prayer a sacred privilege. They do not, by the form of prayer, teach the children their dependence upon God, and the necessity of divine aid to help them to overcome temptation through the day, and to draw the mind upward to God and heaven. A prayerless house, a house where Christ is not entreated to come in, there the prince of darkness abides. There are scores of families who profess to love God, that love him a great way off; that do not invite Jesus into their dwellings. They do not erect the family altar and offer up fervent petitions morning and evening. They do not render to God grateful praise, acknowledging his gifts, and entreating his blessing. How can those who bear the name of Christians rise morning after morning and partake of the bounties God has provided for them and be so ungrateful to the Giver as not to breathe a word of thanks? In such a house a cold and chilling influence prevails. The warming beams of the Sun of Righteousness do not penetrate the darkness of a prayerless house. Parents should associate in the minds of their children, our heavenly Father with the blessings of life and health and the gifts of his bounties which they daily enjoy. They should not neglect to open to their impressive minds the great book of nature, and teach them lessons of God's love; show them that every bud and blooming flower, formed and tinted by a divine hand, is an expression of the love of God to them. Every spire of the grass, every lofty tree, is an evidence of God's love to man. Children may be made acquainted with God in his created works by having their minds directed to the glories of the heavens in the light of the setting sun. His hands has strewed the skies with everlasting gems of light. Worlds are peopled by his power, and yet the humblest creatures of the earth are the objects of his love and care. A contemplation of these things will give to both parents and children more exalted views of the Ruler of the universe. Christian parents may write upon the tablets of the hearts of their children lessons of the greatness and majesty of God which neither time nor circumstances can efface. The God of such riches and power, who had no need of man to increase his might and glory, gave his only and beloved Son a life of ignominy and a cruel death, because he loved man whom he had created, and whom he would save from ruin, and bestow on him the gift of everlasting life. Teach the children that the cross of Christ is the instrumentality of God to save perishing man. And he has commanded us, "Love one another as I have loved you." Christ has given us an example in his life, and he commands us to follow in his footsteps. Those who are absorbed in their own sorrows, who can enjoy only their own blessings, and labor only for their own good, are miserable indeed. As we receive the gifts of God, we should impart to others the blessings Heaven has so richly bestowed upon us. To be happy ourselves we must live to make others happy. Our hearts will be filled with joy and peace when we impart blessings to others. The youth who are faithful in the minor duties of life, who will heed the demands of duty without consulting their own pleasure, and who will speak of kindness and perform deeds of love to the poor, and carry comfort to the homes of the desolate, will be the ones upon whom the Master will call to make sacrifices to carry the truth to those who are in darkness. These can be intrusted with this work, for they have proved themselves faithful in that which is least. A wise improvement of the talents bestowed will make the faithful doer great in the sight of God. The work of faithfulness must begin at their own door; in their own home they must show an unselfish spirit in all their acts, to those of their own households. All the glories of God in the heavens, and everything lovely in our world, is to give us a correct knowledge of the character of God the giver. The power, truth, and glory of the gospel are displayed all around us to bring us in harmony and love with our gracious Benefactor. MRS. E. G. WHITE. The Power of a Holy Life.
THE beauty of a holy life constitutes the most eloquent and effective persuasive to religion, which one human being can address to another. We have many ways of doing good to our fellow creatures; but none so good, so efficacious, as leading a virtuous, upright, and well-ordered life. There is an energy of moral suasion in a good man's life, passing the highest efforts of the orator's genius. The seen but silent beauty of holiness speaks more eloquently of God and duty, than the tongues of men and angels. Let parents remember this. The best inheritance a parent can bequeath to a child is a virtuous example, a legacy of hallowed remembrances and associations. The beauty of holiness beaming through the life of a loved relative or friend, is more effectual to strengthen such as do stand in virtue's ways, and raise up those that are bowed down, than precept, command, entreaty, or warning. Christianity itself, I believe, owes by far the greatest part of its moral power, not to the precepts or parables of Christ, but to his own character. The beauty of that holiness which is enshrined in the four brief biographies of the Man of Nazareth, has done more and will do more to regenerate the world and bring it to an everlasting righteousness, than all other agencies put together. It has done more to spread his religion in the world than all that has ever been preached or written on evidences of Christianity.—Dr. Chalmers. Look After the Little Ones.
JUDGE SUTHERLAND was undoubtedly right when he acquiesced recently in a verdict of acquittal of a boy aged nine years, charged with felony in placing obstacles on the Elevated Railway. At Brighton, England, a boy of seven years was fined, the other day, for placing obstructions on the Brighton railway; of course the offence was technically construed, for it is made felony by law. The boy's youth saved him. The same week that this happened, a tragedy occurred at Victoria Park. A passionate boy of five years of age, who was left by his mother in charge of an infant, struck the child with a large nail, causing its death. A verdict of "Death from misadventure" was returned. By the Institutes of Justinian no child under ten and a half years was liable to punishment. English law, however, measures the crime by the supposed strength of the offender's judgment. A boy was once hanged in England at the age of eight years, for setting fire to two barns, and another aged nine was reprieved after having been sentenced to execution for killing a companion. Sir Matthew Hale—rather arbitrarily, it must be confessed—held an infant under seven years to be incapable of felony, but that his capacity might begin at eight. Be this all as it may, there can be no doubt that, in the words of the great Blackstone, the charge of malice against children should be "strong beyond doubt, and clear beyond contradiction." And there is one other thought that comes up: that parents cannot begin the moral instruction of their children too early. As soon as the child can understand the difference between right and wrong, he should be instructed in the right path. The road to crime does not always take its start from the school house or college, but can often be traced back to the path pressed by little feet in infancy.—Sel. I love the blue sky,
Where pretty birds fly,
And morning's bright beauty as well;
I love the fresh air,
That blows without care,
And many more things I could tell. I love the warm sun.
And busy bee's hum,
And walks up the grassy green hills;
I love the fair flowers,
And sunshining showers,
And water that comes from the rills. I love the tall trees
That wave in the breeze,
And daisies and buttercups too;
I love open day,
And beautiful May,
And all that light brings to my view. But oh! there is One
More bright than the sun—
More lovely and fair than the rest;
'Tis Jesus who shed
His blood in my stead.
Oh! should I not love him the best?
—Children's Friend. A Jewish Legend.
By Whittier
According to Jewish and Mohammedan tradition, King Solomon, who was wise beyond all other men, knew the language of animals, and could talk with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air. A Rabbinical story is told of him which is in this wise:— “One day the king rode out of Jerusalem with a great retinue. An ant-hill lay directly in his path, and Solomon heard its little people talking. “‘Here comes the great king,’ he heard one of them say. ‘His flatterers call him wise, and just, and merciful, but he is about to ride over us, and crush us without heeding our sufferings.’ “And Solomon told the Queen of Sheba, who rode with him, what the ant said. “And the queen made answer: ‘He is an insolent creature, O King! it is a better fate than he deserves, to be trodden under our feet.’ “But Solomon said: ‘It is the part of wisdom to learn of the lowest and weakest.’ And he commanded his train to turn aside and spare the ant-hill. “Then all the courtiers marveled greatly, and the Queen of Sheba bowed her head and made obeisance to Solomon. “‘Now know I the secret of thy wisdom. Thou listenest as patiently to the reproaches of the humblest, as to the flatteries of the great.’” — Whittier. WHILE nature does much, reading and writing do more in cultivating fluency and felicity of speech. Read the best English, and avoid the cheap and sensational literature of the day, avoid vulgarity and slang in conversation. Use the same care in purity of language while talking familiarly in private, that is taken in public speech. But the best training is heart training. Here as in oratory, it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaketh. If the law of kindness is within the heart, there will be “milk and honey on the tongue.” The preciousness of little things was never more beautifully expressed than by B. F. Taylor, in the following: "Little words are the sweetest to hear; little charities fly the farthest, and stay longest on the wing; little lakes are the stillest; little hearts are the fullest, and little farms are the best tilled. Little books are the most read, and little songs the most loved. And when nature would make anything especially rare and beautiful, she makes it little—little pearls, little diamonds, little dews. Everybody calls that little which he loves the best on earth." Habits Gather Strength Gradually
By Dryden
ALL habits gather strength by unseen degrees.—Dryden. - The Government has decided to buy trade dollars as bullion.
- U. S. Senator Mitchell moves for $500,000 for the construction of a canal around the Cascades of the Columbia River.
- The experiment of sending honey in the comb from America to England has proved successful, and a large trade in that direction is predicted.
- The captain of the Pomerania, who was reported as lost with his ship in the English Channel, was rescued after being an hour and a half in the water.
- Yale College has decided that if any Sophomore engages in hazing or anywise insulting a Freshman, he will be dropped into the Freshman grade without any regard to his standing. Whereat all good people rejoice.
- The San Francisco "Loper Hospital" received three patients in November. There are twelve lepers there at the present time.
- The Los Trancos Water Company intend to erect a dam in a canyon west of Menlo Park one hundred and forty feet high. This will be about three hundred feet above the base of San Francisco.
- During the present year the Russian navy has received additions of one hundred torpedo boats, and several cruisers, seven clipper steamers, and two iron-clads. Several others are nearing completion.
- There was a great deal of tobacco smoke in Burlington, Iowa, Dec. 4, when the Mississippi Valley Tobacco Works were burned, which is better than to have it smoked in your face in cars and halls.
- Manuel Pardo, ex-President of Peru, has been assassinated. Manuel Pardo governed Peru from 1872 to 1876. He was the candidate in 1872 of the popular party, and his election was preceded by the desperate riot during which President Balta was assassinated.
- A report comes from Berlin that the government intends to send to America a lot of their worst communists. Murder and arson are now publicly advocated in the United States and the speakers are unmolested by the authorities and cheered by the crowds of listeners. Peace and safety!
- The English troops in Afghanistan moved on victoriously until they got into a "pass," in which they had been fighting several days at last accounts. Gen. Roberts is convinced that the Ameer has a large force there. It looks as if the English leader had been entrapped.
- An Italian sausage-maker has been convicted before the city court of San Francisco of "cruelty to animals" in cutting off the tails of several dozens of cats which he bought. One boy testified that he sold him two dozen, caught in traps. This has been a very interesting trial to the patrons of the restaurants. He was fined $50.
- Unscrupulous speculators have endeavored to buy up the gold to prevent the resumption of specie payment on Jan. 1st., unless the specie is bought of them. Secretary Sherman has stopped the issuing of gold certificates which has checked their operations. To check the action of the government at such a critical time as this is the worst treason.
- The method of examining candidates for teachers' certificates in California by means of printed questions sent out from the Superintendent's office, has been considered defective, and nearly a farce, so far as proof of efficiency as teachers is concerned. It now comes to light that these question lists have been largely sold by private sale before examination! What next?
UNPLEASANT truths are not always comfortable things to hear and sometimes cause a little squirming, especially when they strike near home; but if the squirming produces a healthy reaction it is beneficial, and the truths should not be withheld. Farmers' wives do not like to be told that they are fond of pork, and no wonder they are ashamed of it, after all the enlightening they have had from the most scientific journals in the country, with regard to this filthy disease-producing article of food; yet "poor piggy," as they pathetically term him, still finds his most earnest defenders in the farm-house. I am aware that habit is all-powerful with the masses who possess little originality. What the mother and grandmother have always done the daughter is likely to do, simply because she has their example before her. Now the question is this: shall we allow veneration to over-shadow common-sense, and keep on day after day and year after year in the same worn out track, practically repeating the old story of the heavy stone put in the bag to balance the grist, just because it may be considered irreverent to suppose we know more than our grandfathers or grandmothers did? If old-fashioned customs are better than new ones, then, by all means, let us be old-fashioned; but if they have been proved to be irredeemably bad, why should we still cling to them? However, with many it is not after all so much a question of veneration as one of convenience. It is so "handy" to have a can of lard on the kitchen table, ready to dip a spoon into whenever a little grease is wanted, a little less trouble than to save drippings of beef or mutton, or prepare suet; and so the unclean substance is allowed to spoil many a dish that would otherwise be quite wholesome. But the poorest excuse of all is that of economy. I know of more than one wealthy farmer's wife, on a dairy ranch, who obliges her children to eat poor fat or other greasy gravy, very much against their inclinations, instead of butter or milk, for the purpose of saving a little something. If that isn't down-right meanness then I do not know what you would call it! No wonder typhoid fever and diphtheria have found their way into so many farm-houses, where their children, by good rights, should be healthy and strong. It is an illustration of what we may term being "penny wise and pound foolish," for every dollar saved in this way, ten are paid out for doctors' bills, dentists' bills or patent medicines. "But the doctor never tells us to be careful about diet and not to eat pork." No, perhaps not, it would be poor policy. If all the people were careful with regard to diet, the doctor would lose nine-tenths of his fees. It must be a source of satisfaction to the unprincipled, yet exceedingly practical physician to look at a pig-sty well stocked with fat porkers, or glance at the rows of lard cans in a grocery store; to say nothing of the adulterated spices and green pickles, and vinegar made of vitriol; all these things will put money into his pocket and he knows it. To be sure all physicians are not unprincipled, and they do not themselves make the vinegar or put up the pickles or prepare the lard, but somebody does it, and there are always plenty of fools in the world to buy these things to use them, and consequently get sick and need doctoring. "It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good." That which is death to the people is life to the doctors and the undertakers. But, to return to our subject, farmer's wives, as a class, have many estimable qualities or traits of character, but they are the most miserable cooks in the world. Health is undoubtedly of the very first importance, because it affects the whole system, mentally as well as physically, and health is very much dependent upon the food which we eat. Therefore the house-keeper or cook has the well-being of the whole family in her hands to a considerable extent, and her responsibility is correspondingly great. Let farmers' wives go down to the root of some of their difficulties and reform their cooking, making it simple and wholesome, and a certain degree of both mental and moral improvement will follow the physical improvement, in their families, as certain as light follows the dawn of morning. — Loraine, in California Farmer. The Happiest State of Life
By Plutarch
THAT state of life is most happy when superfluities are not required and necessaries are not wanting.—Plutarch. How a Clergyman Was Cured of Using Tobacco.
About forty years ago Mr. John Tappan, one of those genuine philanthropists for which Boston was noted a half century since, lived in an elegant mansion on Summer street. He had retired from active business, but had fitted up an office in the house, where he received business calls. He was a scrupulously neat man, and had particular abhorrence of the use of tobacco in any form. He was as strong in his antipathy to its use as he was to the use of ardent spirits. The surroundings of his office were to the minutest particular indicative of the individual man. One of the leading avenues through which went out his benevolence, was that of aiding indigent churches and helping impecunious clergymen. On one occasion a well known clergyman of Vermont came to Boston to obtain aid for his church. He called on good old Deacon Proctor, then a leading hardware merchant, and made known his wants. The good deacon took him at once to the residence of Mr. Tappan, introduced him, and left. On being invited to take a seat, the clergyman put into his mouth a huge quid of tobacco. Looking around to see where he should expectorate, he saw an open coal fire, but the bars of the grate were polished steel. This wouldn't do. Next his attention was directed to a copper coal-scuttle, the outside of which shone like burnished gold, and it was heaped with cannel coal. Here was his opportunity, and he discharged his stream of saliva, making a perfect cascade over the coal. Being relieved, he commenced to state his case, stopping frequently to discharge his tobacco-juice. Meanwhile Mr. Tappan sat fidgeting in his seat, and finally interrupted the good clergyman by stating that he made it a rule never to give anything to an intemperate man, and rising, bowed the clergyman out. Overwhelmed with grief and mortification, the good man sought Deacon Proctor, and burst out with the exclamation: "I have never been so insulted in all my life." Deacon Proctor asked him to give an account of his interview with Mr. Tappan, which he did, not dreaming that the tobacco had anything to do with his sudden dismissal. "Sit here," said the deacon, "I will go and see Mr. Tappan." Arriving at the office, he found the windows wide open and a girl scrubbing. "Mr. Tappan," said the deacon, "you have hurt the feelings of one of the best of men, a devoted Christian, and a faithful pastor. What does it mean?" Mr. Tappan repeated what had happened, and pointed to the coal scuttle. "Why, sir, it will take a week to get this room purified." The deacon returned, and smoothed over the matter as well as he could, and the clergyman took his leave. In just one year from that day the clergyman again made his appearance at the store of Deacon Proctor, and asked him to accompany him to the house of Mr. Tappan. Arrived there, the clergyman, looking hale, hearty, and clean, extended his hand to Mr. Tappan, exclaiming: "My dear sir, you have been the means of breaking me of a vile habit, which I thought innocent, but which had got a hold on me I little dreamed of. From the day of my last interview with you I have never put tobacco in any form in my mouth, and by the blessing and with the help of God, I never will again."-Exchange. Let your Children Sleep Enough.
As sleep is the period for replenishing the system, for restoring the cells wasted by the nervous activity of the day, the period when the processes of digestion reach the final result, by identifying the new nutriment with the system in the place of the waste of the tissues, it follows that children need more sleep than grown persons. Many who might be plump, active, and happy, if given sleep sufficient, are flaccid and sallow, weary and fretful, because they do not get sleep enough to allow the demand of the system for nutrition to be supplied. Children often feel it very hard that they are sent to bed early, while the grown people sit up and enjoy themselves long after they are to bed. If any children chance to read this paragraph, to them we would say: "You need more sleep than your parents, because you have to grow and they do not. You need to use a good deal of the food you eat in growing larger and stronger; if you consume it all in activity, you will not have enough to grow with. Therefore you ought to sleep a good deal, and let the body rest from exercise, if you would grow strong and healthy." Physician Requires Temperance Pledge
Sir Henry Thompson, the English physician, now refuses to take any patient who will not consent to become a teetotaler and take the pledge. RELIGIOUS NEWS AND NOTES.
By Editor
—The Methodist meeting house in Vallejo was burned the evening of Dec. 8. —The Alliance, from estimates, says 12,000 church members in Chicago do not go to church. —The Roman Catholics are putting up very large buildings on Hayes street, not far from the new city hall, in San Francisco. —The English Bishops have come to a resolution not to grant licenses for the remarriage of divorced persons. —A Chinese Sunday-school has been organized in St. Louis in connection with the American Sunday-school Union. —Anti-Christianity is popular. Die Gartenlaube, a weekly paper in Germany which opposes Christianity, has a circulation of 600,000. —The preachers in attendance at the weekly Presbyterian meeting in Chicago, admit a falling off in church attendance. They trace the cause to skeptical literature and hard times. —The Rev. T. De Witt Talmage has resigned the presidency of the Brooklyn Lay College, on account of his "enlarged pastoral duties and new Christian work" which he is about to undertake. —The Master of Trinity, Cambridge, lately remarked at a Fellows' meeting, at which some over-confident opinions were advanced: "Gentlemen, we are none of us infallible, not even the youngest of us." —The Central Presbyterian church of St. Louis built a house at a cost of $125,000. They could not carry their debt, and the Unitarians got the mortgage, foreclosed, and took the house at half cost. —The Richmond, Va., Advocate complains that the hand of ordination is laid too suddenly on ministerial candidates by the Methodists of that section, without due regard to character and qualifications. —A Scotch journal states that upwards of $200,000 of the Sustentation fund of the Free church, from which the stipends of ministers are augmented, is locked up in the suspended City of Glasgow bank. —The Methodist makes the statement that one thousand families have been found in Brooklyn, nearly all of whom left the Methodist church owing to the "changeableness and uncertainty of the pastorate." —Dr. P. B. Morgan, of Cincinnati, has left the Episcopal church and united with the Reformed Episcopal, because the former is so fast drifting into Catholicism. He says "auricular confession" is fast gaining ground in that church. —The whole Bible has been translated into the Turkish language. Its translation into the language of the Sandwich Islands gave it to 55,000 people, a great work truly, but its translation into the Turkish gives it to 150,000,000 people. —The Evangelical Mennonites, in conference at Coopersburg, Pa., recently reaffirmed their position in antagonism to insurance companies, and expelled two ministers who refused to submit to the rule. The penalty for taking a policy is expulsion. —The final revision of the New Testament by the American and English revisers will be finished in course of a year, and will probably be published soon after, in advance of the Old Testament, the revision of which will not be completed for some years. —Rev. Washington Gladden, a prominent orthodox Congregational minister at Springfield, Massachusetts, says that within twenty-five years the doctrine of the endless conscious misery of those who die impenitent will be no longer insisted upon as fundamental in the evangelical system. DIED, at Healdsburg, Sonoma county, Cal., Dec. 2, 1878, Sister Louisa J. Vaughn, aged seventy-one years and three months. Sister Vaughn has for nearly two years been a believer in the truths as taught under the third angel's message, and was baptized at our camp-meeting last fall. She sleeps, waiting for the voice of her master to call. Words of comfort were spoken to the sorrowing relatives and friends by the writer from 1 Thess. 4:13-18. W. M. HEALEY. DIED, in St. Clair, Nevada, December 2, 1878, infant daughter of D. M. and S. J. Whiteman, aged three months and seventeen days. Funeral discourse by the writer, from Jer. 31:15-17. B. A. STEPHENS. FELL asleep in Jesus at Eugene City, Oregon, November 30, Sister Rosalinda E. Lowell, wife of Brother S. P. Lowell, aged 35 years and one month. Sister Lowell was converted when about twelve years of age, united with the Baptist church in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, and lived a consistent and devoted Christian until the day of her death. Her motto was "Be ye always ready." She joyfully embraced the doctrine of the soon coming of Christ about seven years ago. And this doctrine has been the chief subject of her thought and conversation. She longed to see the King in his beauty, and frequently expressed a desire to live until his second coming, but in view of the trials of the last days, would sometimes say "Perhaps it would be better to sleep; the Lord's will be done." She was a great sufferer for five weeks, but bore her sufferings with patience and resignation. She embraced the Sabbath last summer while Elder Jones was preaching here. She gave many bright evidences of her acceptance with God, and died in full hope of a glorious immortality at the resurrection of the just. She leaves a husband, two children and many friends to mourn their loss. Funeral sermon at Christian church, by Elder Whitney (Christian), which was attended by a very large congregation. Text 1 Cor. 15:53, 54. W. R. YOUNG.