THE SIGNS office has facilities for doing an immense amount of business, and it does a great deal. But we are expected to do a great deal which it is impossible for us to do. And this that we are expected to do and cannot do, causes us more perplexity than all that we do. We will explain.
1. It is impossible for us to fill orders that are sent to us with no name signed. As an illustration we insert here a letter that was actually received at this office a short time ago:—
"Dec. 26, 1884.
"Soledad, Monterey Co., Cal.
Please send me the following books:—
One 'Great Controversy,' Vol. 4,
One 'Year Book,'
One 'Synopsis of Present Truth.'"
That letter lies before us now, and there is every word there is in it. The proper amount of money was inclosed but no hint of the name of the person who sent it. It was simply impossible for us to fill the order. All that we could do was to lay it aside, and wait for the person to write about it, with the hope that he would then sign his name; after nearly three weeks the expected letter came with the name signed. Then we could fill the order, and we could have done it in five minutes on the 28th of December, if he had only given us his name in the first letter, and he could have had his books within five or six days from the time he sent his order, whereas it was nearly a month.
If such instances occurred only once or twice a year, it would be bad enough, but literally hundreds of such letters are received at this office every year. Nor do we always fare so well with them as with this. In the majority of cases the second letter comes bearing a severe complaint or a sharp reproof because of our remissness, when the fault lies at the other end of the line.
2. It is impossible for us to fill orders when the name of the State is not given. We are certainly within bounds when we say that one-tenth of the letters and postal cards received at this office have not the name of the State written in them at all. Sometimes the name of the State can be gathered from the post-mark on the envelope; but this is very seldom, because in most instances the post-mark is so dim or so blurred that nothing can be made of it, and then all such letters have to be laid by for weeks, and may be for months, till a letter of inquiry comes, in which we can find the name of the State.
3. It is impossible for us to change the address of your paper from one place to another without the names of such post-offices being given us. Scores of such letters as follows come to us: "Please change the address of my paper to Lawrence, Kansas. JOHN SMITH."
We can do nothing at all toward complying with such requests, because we do not know where the paper goes at present. Some may say, "Can't you find that by the name of the person?" The answer is, No; and for this reason; the mailing list of all papers is kept thus: (a) The names of all subscribers in a State are kept together under the name of that State. (b) Then the names of all subscribers at a certain post-office are kept under the name of that post-office. Suppose, for instance, we want to find Grace Hollister, Marion, Iowa; we turn to the list for the State of Iowa; then run down that list till we find Marion, and there we find the name of the subscriber. And we cannot find the name of a given subscriber in any other way. We must have the name of your State and post-office before we can find your name.
Now for the benefit of all, we will here give directions and forms by which, if followed strictly, all communications to this office, on whatever business it may be, will receive prompt attention. 1. Be sure to give your own name. 2. The name of your post-office. 3. The name of your county. 4. The name of your State. Before sending your letter examine it, and see that every one of these is plainly written in it. Thus:—
SALEM, Oregon, Jan. 22, 1884.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Please send [order] to
G. A. BAKER,
Salem,
Marion Co.,
Oregon.
In ordering the address of your paper changed, thus: Please change the address of my paper from Healdsburg, Cal., to Salem, Oregon.
G. A. BAKER
Salem,
Marion Co.,
Oregon.
If these directions are carefully followed, this office will be saved a great deal of perplexity, and our correspondents will be saved all tedious delay in getting returns for their orders, and so help themselves and us.
As the saying is, "This is business."
SECULAR.
—Flaming posters openly advertise gambling houses in New Orleans.
—The Government of Gibraltar has offered 7,000 tents to the earthquake sufferers in Andalusia.
—The number of failures in the United States in 1884 was 10,968. The liabilities amounted to $226,000,000.
—By vote of the Italian Senate, 1,000,000 francs are to be immediately expended for the sanitary improvement of Naples.
—Natural gas is being furnished the inhabitants of Macksburg, West Va., as fuel, at $2 a month, without regard to the quantity used.
—The New York Sun says that the victims of opium indulgence in that city are already very numerous, including old and young.
—A vigilance committee, called the "Sicily Guards," has been formed in Gage County, Neb., to protect horses and mules from thieves.
—A comparison shows that it costs more to feed, clothe, and support the 55,000,000 Americans than to support 100,000,000 people of any other country.
—The steam-tug Mike Dougherty was completely demolished last week, near Elizabeth, Pa., by the explosion of her boiler. Two of the crew were killed, and six others badly hurt.
—Kansas climate is proving too severe on the colored people who settled there one year ago, and many of them are leaving for New Mexico, and other points in the Southwest.
—A terrific shower of stones lasting eighteen minutes, fell at Ushallata, Argentine Republic, last week. It destroyed all grazing and cultivated crops, leaving many persons completely destitute.
—General Butler has brought suit against the Boston Herald in which he claims $25,000 damages for the publication of an article reflecting upon his conduct on a certain occasion during the war.
—The late report of the California Secretary of State shows that the past year was the first one in twenty-five years that the State Department has not asked the Legislature for a deficiency appropriation.
—Five hundred pounds of dynamite exploded last week in the Somerset Chemical Works, two miles east of Somerset, Pa., killing two men. The shock was heavy enough to break glass in houses one-half mile distant.
—The Director-General of Italy reports that country to have 325 prisons, with a constant average population of 40,000 law-breakers. Over 6,000 of these are murderers. No other civilized nation has such a large proportion of criminals.
—The candies known as "chocolate bombs" and "rye-and-rock drops" have been found under investigation to contain large quantities of intoxicants. Chemical analysis shows that the "bombs" are strengthened with fusel oil and alcohol. The sale of these candies has been prohibited in Brooklyn, N. Y.
—An attempt was made the night of the 16th to blow up a hat establishment in South Norwalk, Conn., with dynamite. One end of the structure was completely blown out. Seventeen men were in the building, all of whom escaped without injury. Dissatisfied strikers are supposed to have done the work.
—The British ship Prince of Wales, with a cargo of furs estimated at about $500,000, is frozen in at Hudson's Bay, and it is feared that the vessel, with part of her crew, is lost. Some of the men reached the mainland badly frozen and nearly starved. An expedition has been formed to reach the vessel with sleds.
—The situation in Spain is truly deplorable. Another severe shock of earthquake was experienced in Granada, the night of the 16th. Those who have been driven from the cities to the fields are suffering the rigors of the most severe winter known in that region for years, the fierce winds having blown down their temporary huts. The people are nearly desperate from cold and hunger.
—The Baltimore and Ohio Telegraph Company have opened the new year with a reduction of telegraph rates. Between New York and points within a radius of about 300 miles, rates are reduced to ten cents per ten words. From Chicago to New York and Cincinnati the rates are fifteen cents; to St. Louis, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, twenty cents, and to New England, twenty-five cents. All night messages to all these points are to be fifteen cents, which allow fifteen words. The Mutual Union Company promptly met the reductions of the Baltimore and Ohio with rates in no case higher, and in many still lower.
International Tract and Missionary Society.
By Stephen Nelson Haskell
THE International Tract and Missionary Society was organized Aug. 13, 1874. It has furnished health and religious publications to co-operative missions and individuals in every State and Territory in the United States, and to every civilized nation on the globe. During 1883-84 it placed in free public libraries in this country over 10,000 volumes of standard religious books, at a cost of over $10,000, two-thirds of which was donated by other funds and the publishers. It has also placed valuable books in many libraries in England, Australia, the United States, and supplied reading-rooms with health and religious periodicals.
Free reading and lecture-room, 914 Laguna Street, San Francisco, Cal., from which place all ships are visited which enter that harbor. Andrew Brorsen and H. C. Palmer, city missionaries. C. R. Robbins, ship missionary.
Book and tract depository at 1059 Castro Street, Oakland, Cal., where will be kept constantly on hand Health and Temperance publications to furnish co-operative missions and branch offices on the Pacific Coast, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. Address, Anna L. Ingels, care of Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
Free reading-room on L Street, near corner of Fifth, East Portland, Oregon. H. W. Reed, ship missionary.
Free reading-room, 113 Pearl Street, Portland, Maine. Elder S. J. Hersum, superintendent.
It has a free reading and lecture-room, 744 Broadway, New York City, where it will keep constantly on hand Health and Temperance publications to furnish co-operating missions and branch offices on the Atlantic Coast and in Europe. Ships visiting this harbor are supplied with reading matter. William J. Boynton, manager and city missionary.
Free reading and lecture-room, 21 Boylston Place, Boston, Mass. J. R. Israel and A. T. Robinson, city missionaries. Ship missionary, C W. Priest, 191 Atlantic Avenue.
Parlor reading and lecture-rooms at 13 West Huron Street, Buffalo, N. Y., open from 2:30 to 9 P. M. Alex. Gleason, superintendent.
Parlor reading and lecture-rooms, 52 Crouse Building, Warren Street, Syracuse, N. Y. N. J. Walsworth, resident manager.
Free reading-room at 219 West Madison Street, Chicago; Room 2, second floor. Eld. Geo. B. Starr and James Sawyer, managers.
Mission and free reading-room at 2339 Chestnut Street, St. Louis, Mo., N. W. Allen, superintendent.
Free reading-room and book depository, 23 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis, Ind. A. W. Bartlett, superintendent.
The ship work at Liverpool, England, is under the charge of Geo. R. Drew, 32 Grange Road, Birkenhead, Cheshire; J. H. Durland, Southampton. Tract and book depository, 72 Heneage Street, Great Grimsby, Eng., in charge of Miss Jennie Thayer.
Free reading-room, tract and book depository, at 189 Nuuanu Avenue, Honolulu, H. I. L. A. Scott, city missionary; A. LaRue, ship missionary.
Branch societies are being organized in all parts of the United States and Europe. The New York State branch has its offices and depository at Rome, N. Y. E. W. Whitney, President; Miss May Taylor, Secretary.
At the above-mentioned places the public are cordially invited.
The society is sustained by the liberalities of friends of missions. Donations by draft or otherwise will be thankfully received and gratefully acknowledged by any of the above-mentioned agents, or Miss M. L. Huntley, Secretary, South Lancaster, Mass., U. S. A.
S. N. HASKELL, President.
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.
THE SABBATH QUESTION.
By Editor
Assorted Package No. 1. Price, 10c.
Which Day Do You Keep, and Why—Who Changed the Sabbath—The Sabbath in the New Testament—Elihu on the Sabbath—God's Memorial—Sunday Not the Sabbath—Why Not Found Out Before—One Hundred Bible Facts about the Sabbath.
Assorted Package No. 2. Price, 25c.
This package contains all the tracts in package No. 1, and the following in addition:—
Seven Reasons for Sunday-keeping Examined—The Ten Commandments Not Abolished—The Seventh Part of Time—The Definite Seventh Day—Perfection of the Ten Commandments—Address to the Baptists—The Sunday Law.
OTHER WORKS ON THE SABBATH.
The Truth Found.—A comprehensive exposition of the nature and obligation of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. 64 pp..........................10c
Sunday Seventh-day Examined.—A critical examination of the claim that Sunday is the true seventh day of the fourth commandment. 88 pp..........10c
Brown's Review of Gilfillan on the Sabbath Question. 64 pp..........................10c
Appeal to the Baptists.—An address from the Seventh-day Baptists to their first-day Baptist brethren, urging a restoration of the Bible Sabbath from the stand-point of Baptist principles of argument and interpretation. 48 pp..........................10c
Vindication of the True Sabbath.—By a former missionary of the Presbyterian Church. ..........................10c
Morality of the Sabbath.--Showing that the Sabbath commandment, being found in the midst of the nine acknowledged moral precepts, is, like the others, moral in its nature. 96 pp..........................15c
Testimony of the Fathers of the first three centuries concerning the Sabbath and First-day. A candid examination of both sides of the question. 112 pp.... ..........................15c
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE SECOND ADVENT.
Assorted Package No. 3. Price, 10c.
The Coming of the Lord—Is the End Near—Can We Know—The Signs of the Times—The Judgment—The Second Advent.
Assorted Package No. 4. Price, 25c.
Containing package No. 3, and the following in addition:—
The Millennium—The Present Truth—The Third Angel's Message—Exposition of Matthew Twenty-four.
OTHER WORKS ON THE SECOND ADVENT.
Our Faith and Hope.—A series of ten sermons on the coming and kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. 198 pp........................................................ 25c
Second Coming of Christ.—An exposition of Matthew 24th chapter. 64 pp........................................................... 10c
Three Messages of Rev. 14.—Showing the nature and character of the warning messages designed to prepare the world for the last great Judgment. 96 pp........................................................................... 10c
The Saints' Inheritance, or the Earth Made New. 82 pp........................................................................... 10c
The Seven Trumpets. An exposition of the symbols of Rev. 8 and 9. 96 pp........................................................... 10c
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
MAN'S NATURE AND DESTINY
Assorted Package No. 5. Price, 10c.
Is Man Immortal—Thoughts for the Candid—End of the Wicked—The Rich Man and Lazarus—Departing and Being with Christ—Milton on the State of the Dead.
OTHER WORKS ON MAN'S NATURE.
The Hope of the Gospel.—What is it, and when will it be consummated? 80 pp...................10c
Matter and Spirit.—An argument on the relation of matter and spirit, and the dependence of thought upon organization. 66 pp.....................10c
History of the Doctrine of the Soul.—The belief in its immortality traced among all races and peoples to the present time. 186 pp., cloth...................75c
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
MISCELLANEOUS TRACTS.
Assorted Package No. 6. Price, 25c.
The Plan of Redemption—The Sufferings of Christ—The Sanctuary of the Bible—Scripture References—The Spirit of Prophecy—Spiritualism a Satanic Delusion—Samuel and the Witch of Endor—The End of the Wicked—The Two Thrones.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
"Good Health" for 1885.
By Editor
THE January number of Good Health is at hand. We notice a change in the style of the cover which gives the journal a brighter appearance. It contains the usual amount of valuable information, besides eighteen pages of extra matter which give a full description of the new Sanitarium building, and a full report of the dedicatory exercises.
This excellent journal has been a zealous exponent of hygienic reforms for nearly twenty years. The high standard it has steadily maintained from the first, has won for it many friends, and brought it a larger patronage than any other journal of its class enjoys. It is indeed well adapted to the wants of the people, being thoroughly scientific, so as to command respect, and yet sufficiently untechnical to be within the easy comprehension of all intelligent persons.
More, and able writers are engaged for the coming year, whose contributions to the journal will greatly enhance its value. Mrs. Ames, of Brooklyn, New York, who, under her nom de plume of Eleanor Kirk, will contribute a serial health story entitled, "A Troubler in Israel." This will present in an interesting way the leading points essential to a healthy home, and the maintenance of a healthy body—facts that everybody ought to know.
Dr. Kate Lindsay, of the Battle Creek Sanitarium, will contribute several articles on "Nursing" and "The Early Care of Children." Every mother ought to read these.
Dr. Anna H. Stewart, also of the Sanitarium, will contribute three papers on the subject of "Massage," a valuable remedial means that is fast coming into use in health institutions. No person can well afford to be without a knowledge of this useful art.
Elder J. H. Waggoner, of Oakland, Cal., is expected to favor the readers of Good Health with a series of articles on the subject of "Health from the Bible Standpoint." Elder Waggoner is one of the pioneers in the health movement, and from the first has given special study to the subject of Bible hygiene. The importance of this branch of the health question requires no emphasis; and those who read this writer's productions, will feel sure of a feast of good and original thoughts in the perusal of his articles.
A new department appears with the January number, which will add largely to the practical usefulness of the journal. This, under the head of "Science in the Household," will be conducted by Mrs. E. E. Kellogg. Each number of this department will contain choice recipes for healthful cookery, also practical suggestions about housekeeping that are invaluable.
The editor, in addition to his usual contributions, designs to give a series of popular health talks, on the following topics: Digestion, Foods, Ventilation, Healthful Homes, etc.
The price of the journal is only one dollar a year, specimen copies of which will be furnished on application. Address, Good Health Publishing Co., Battle Creek, Michigan, or any one of our State agents, whose address is found in the Publishers' Department of this paper.
A Queer Confession.
By Editor
REV. J. M. ARMOUR, of Sterling, Kansas, one of the spokes in the National Reform wheel, reports to the Christian Statesman of Jan. 8, on the Sunday-railroad and postal service in Kansas. After telling how a certain man had expressed to him the hope that the National Reform movement would succeed, he utters the following sentence, which we quote verbatim et literatim, italics and all:—
"As I left him I felt deeply that our movement was literally following in the footsteps of that monarch of old, of whom it is so often said that he 'sinned and made Israel to sin.'"
That is certainly a queer confession to come from one who is so wedded to that movement as is Mr. Armour. We rather incline to the opinion that he intended to pay a compliment to National Reform. And he has done it; we should say, however, that we think it a kind of "back-handed" one. But be that as it may, this is exactly what we have thought of the National Reform movement from its very inception, and it is what we are sure it will prove to be. Mr. Armour has stated the truth.
The Divorce Mill.
By J. O. C.
DURING the year 1884 the Superior Court of San Francisco granted 392 divorces. This number is an increase of 50 over that of 1883, and 26 more than the number granted in 1882. The principal reason assigned for this wholesale undoing is desertion. What a sad commentary on the community where such a state of things exists! By the work of the courts of a single city, in only one year, 784 people are licensed to commit adultery! But San Francisco is not the only place where the marriage tie is thus lightly regarded. The courts throughout the country are more or less engaged in annulling the marriage contract. It is an alarming fact, too, that the demands upon the courts in this direction are increasing rapidly. If these matters continue to increase as they have, it surely will not be long before the moral condition of this generation will be a parallel to that of the antediluvians. See Gen. 6:2, and Matt. 24:37-39. J. O. C.
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.
A MINE OF INFORMATION.
By John Nevins Andrews
HISTORY OF THE SABBATH AND FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK.
By Eld. J. N. Andrews.
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.
THOUGHTS ON DANIEL, CRITICAL AND PRACTICAL.
By Uriah Smith
By Eld. U. Smith.
EXPOSITION OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL, VERSE BY VERSE.
WE are now living in times plainly pointed out in this prophecy, and it is important to understand it; for Daniel himself says that in the time of the end, the wise shall understand; while, if we fail, we are equally guilty with the Jews, who knew not the time of their visitation (Luke 19 : 42-44), and shall meet a similar fate.
416 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
THOUGHTS ON REVELATION, CRITICAL AND PRACTICAL.
By Uriah Smith
By Eld. U. Smith.
This work presents every verse in the book of Revelation, with such remarks as serve to illustrate or explain the meaning of the text. It is a new and harmonious exposition of that important book, and is designed to create an interest in its study.
416 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
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.
The January number of Present Truth, published at Great Grimsby, England, has reached our table. It is in every way an excellent number. We would say to all who have friends in England, that you can do them no greater favor than to send them the Present Truth for a year. Price, 2s. 6d. (60 cents).
Eastern Snowstorms and California Weather
By Editor
As we go to press, dispatches from the East report heavy snow-storms, and very cold weather. In some cases mails are delayed twenty-four hours. In Buffalo, N. Y., the wind attained a velocity of seventy-two miles an hour, and the thermometer fell twenty degrees. The weather in California just now is in marked contrast with that experienced in the East. We prefer the pleasant, balmy air of the Pacific Coast to the rigors of an Eastern winter.
The Growing Circulation of the Signs
By Editor
It is truly gratifying to know that our friends everywhere are doing something toward extending the circulation of the SIGNS. To show what a little united effort can accomplish, we will state that in fifteen days of this month, there have been added to the subscription list over 3,200 names. Good! This shows what possibilities there are ahead in the history of the paper. A glance at the list reveals that the SIGNS already makes regular visits to England, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Italy, India, South America, West India Islands, Hawaiian Islands, Australia, and New Zealand.
Morbid Curiosity and Public Executions
By Editor
IT is astonishing to what lengths men will go to satisfy a morbid curiosity. The day before the hanging of Leroy in San Francisco last week, the sheriff was so besieged by those desiring invitation cards to the hanging, that he was compelled to lock himself up to escape the crowd that thronged his office. Man has descended to a low level indeed, when he will clamor for the privilege of seeing a fellow mortal strangled to death. It were well could we hope that no professed Christian was among this crowd of diseased minds.
One man, more bold than others, sent a note to the sheriff offering to perform the execution of the criminal for a moderate consideration. What a comment on the boasted civilization of enlightened America. Would it not be well for the American Board of Missions to recall some of their most efficient missionaries to do needed work in their own country?