p. 232 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 4, No. 29. (8/1/1878)

THE HOME CIRCLE.

Put Yourself in My Place.

“I CANNOT wait any longer. I must have my money, and if you cannot pay it I must foreclose the mortgage and sell the place,” said Mr. Merton.

“In that case,” said Mr. Bishop, “it will of course be sold at a great sacrifice, and after the struggles I have made, my family will again be homeless. It is hard. I only wish you had to earn your money as I do mine; you might then know something of the hard life of a poor man. If you could only in imagination, put yourself in my place, I think you would have a little mercy on me.”

“It is useless talking; I extended this one year, and I can do so no longer,” replied Mr. Merton, as he turned to his desk and continued writing.

The poor man rose from his seat, and walked sadly out of Mr. Merton's office. His last hope was gone. He had just recovered from a long illness which had swallowed up the means with which he had intended to make the last payment on his house. True, Mr. Merton had waited one year when he failed to meet the demand owing to illness in his family, and he had felt very much obliged to him for so doing. This year he had been laid up for seven months, during which time he could earn nothing, and all his savings were then needed for the support of his family. Again he failed, and now he would again be homeless, and have to begin the world anew. Had heaven forsaken him, and given him over to the tender mercies of the wicked?

After he had left the office, Mr. Merton could not drive away from his thoughts the remark to which the poor man gave utterance, “I wish you had to earn your money as I do mine.”

In the midst of a row of figures, “Put yourself in my place” intruded.

Once after it had crossed his mind he laid down his pen, saying, “Well, I think I should find it rather hard. I have a mind to drop in there this afternoon and see how it fares with his family; that man has aroused my curiosity.”

About five o'clock he put on a gray wig and some old cast-off clothes, and walked to the door. Mrs. Bishop, a pale, weary-looking woman opened it. The poor old man requested permission to enter and rest awhile, saying he was very tired with his long journey, for he had walked many miles that day.

Mrs. Bishop cordially invited him in, and gave him the best seat the room afforded; she then began to make preparations for tea.

The old gentleman watched her attentively. He saw there was no elasticity in her steps, no hope in her movements, and pity for her began to steal into his heart. When her husband entered, her features relaxed into a smile, and she forced a cheerfulness into her manner. The traveler noted it all, and he was forced to admire this woman who could assume a cheerfulness she did not feel, for her husband's sake. After the table was prepared, there was nothing on it but bread and butter and tea, they invited the stranger to eat with them, saying, “We have not much to offer you, but a cup of tea will refresh you after your long journey.”

He accepted their hospitality, and, as they discussed the frugal meal, led them without seeming to do so, to talk of their affairs.

“I bought this piece of land,” said Mr. Bishop, “at a low price, and instead of waiting, as I ought to have done, until I saved the money to build, I thought I would borrow a few hundred dollars. The interest on the money would not be near as much as the rent I was paying, and I would save something by it. I did not think there would be any difficulty in paying back the money; but the first year my wife and one of the children were ill, and the expense left me without means to pay the debt. Mr. Merton agreed to wait another year if I would pay the interest, which I did. This year I was for seven months unable to work at my trade and earn anything, and, of course, when pay day comes around—and that will be very soon—I shall be unable to meet the demand.”

“But,” said the stranger, “will not Mr. Merton wait another year, if you make all the circumstances known to him?”

“No, sir,” replied Mr. Bishop; “I saw him this morning, and he said he must have the money and should be obliged to foreclose.”

“He must be very hard hearted,” remarked the traveler.

“Not necessarily so,” replied Mr. Bishop. “The fact is, these rich men know nothing of the struggles of the poor. They are men, just like the rest of mankind, and I am sure if they had but the faintest idea of what the poor have to pass through, their hearts and purses would open. You know it has passed into a proverb, ‘When a poor man needs help he should apply to the poor.’ The reason is obvious. Only the poor know the curse of poverty. They know how heavily it falls, crushing the heart of man, and (to use my favorite expression) they can at once put themselves in the unfortunate one's place and appreciate difficulties, and are therefore ready to render assistance as far as they are able. If Mr. Merton had the least idea what I and my family had to pass through, I think he would be willing to wait several years for his money rather than distress us.”

With what emotion the stranger listened may be imagined. A new world was being opened to him. He was passing through an experience that had never been his before. Shortly after the conclusion of the meal he arose to take his leave, thanking Mr. and Mrs. Bishop for their kind hospitality. They invited him to stay all night, telling him he was welcome to what they had.

He thanked them and said, “I will trespass on your kindness no longer. I think I can reach the next village before dark, and be so much further on my journey.”

Mr. Merton did not sleep much that night; he lay awake thinking. He had received a new revelation. The poor had always been associated in his mind with stupidity and ignorance, and the first poor family he had visited he had found far in advance, in intelligent sympathy and real politeness, of the exquisite and fashionable butterflies of the day.

The next day a boy called at the cottage, and left a package in a large blue envelope, addressed to Mr. Bishop.

Mrs. Bishop was very much alarmed when she took it, for large blue envelopes were associated in her mind with law and lawyers, and she thought that it boded no good. She put it away until her husband came home from his work, when she handed it to him.

He opened it in silence, read its contents, and said, fervently, “Thank Heaven?”

“What is it, John?” inquired his anxious wife.

“Good news, wife,” replied John; “such news as I never hoped for or even dreamed of.”

“What is it? What is it? Tell me quickly! I want to hear, if it's anything good.”

“Mr. Merton has canceled the mortgage; released me from the debt, both interest and principal; and says any time I need further assistance, if I will let him know, I shall have it.”

“I am so glad! It puts new life into me,” said the now happy wife. “But what can have come over Mr. Merton?”

“I do not know. It seems strange after the way he talked to me yesterday morning. I will go right over to Mr. Merton's, and tell him how happy he has made us.”

He found Mr. Merton in, and expressed his gratitude in glowing terms.

“What could have induced you,” he asked, to “show us so much kindness?”

“I followed your suggestion,” replied Mr. Merton, “and put myself in your place. I expect that it will surprise you very much to learn that the strange traveler to whom you showed so much kindness yesterday was myself.”

“Indeed!” exclaimed Mr. Bishop, “can that be true? How did you disguise yourself so well?”

“I was not so much disguised, after all; but you could not very readily associate Mr. Merton, the lawyer, with a poor wayfaring man.”

“Well, it is a good joke,” said Mr. Bishop; “good in more senses than one. It has terminated very pleasantly for me.”

“I was surprised,” said Mr. Merton, “at the broad and liberal views you expressed of men and their actions generally. I supposed I had greatly the advantage over you in means and education; yet how cramped and narrow minded have been my views beside yours! That wife of yours is an estimable woman, and that boy of yours will be an honor to any man. I tell you, Bishop,” said the lawyer, becoming animated, “you are rich—rich beyond what money could make; you have treasures that gold will not buy. I tell you, you owe me thanks. Somehow I seem to have lived years since yesterday morning. What I have learned at your house is worth more than you owe me, and I am your debtor yet. Hereafter I shall take as my motto, ‘put yourself in his place,’ and try to regulate my actions by it.”—Sel.

Tobacco and Its Effects.

By John S. Ross

AN ESSAY.

THAT the habit of using tobacco wasts time and money, injures health, impairs intellect, and shortens life, can be substantiated by philosophy, physiology and reason. Self-respect, regard for others, and common-sense, therefore, dissuade from this pernicious practice.

IT IS A FILTHY HABIT.

Snuffed, chewed, or smoked, the use of tobacco is equally unbecoming and unworthy of a gentleman. It is this consideration that often induces men to hide while smoking. Smokers and chewers move in an atmosphere thoroughly tobacconic. Their whole system is impregnated with the offensive effluvia; their breath sickens all who come in contact with them. Is not that filthy, whereby churches, chapels and public halls are polluted with ejected quids and tobacco saliva? Smoking cannot be carried on secretly in such places; but wherever it is practiced, its nauseous savor is manifest to all.

IT IS A WASTEFUL HABIT.

It wastes time. Mostly every smoker spends some hours each day beside his pillar

of smoke. Golden hours and precious moments are spent in vain. If snuffers (as Earl Stanhope reckoned) spend over two hours each day in their practice, smokers must consume more still. Can mortals, whose days are passing swifter than a weaver's shuttle, afford to lose so much of their time? Can men, whose days are as a shadow, spend one day in ten, or thirty-six annually, in this employment? But how many men spend two hours daily, offering incense to this tobacco-god, who have never spent an hour in a lifetime in humility and secret prayer before the living and true God? Christians who forget their daily devotions, never forget their tobacco. They cannot afford time to read the Bible, but find abundance of time to smoke. Men who cannot find time to think about the end of their existence and the fast-coming future, squander hours daily in smoking. Those who neglect the cultivation of their minds by thinking and reading, devote their time to the pipe. All the time which many can employ apart from hours of toil and repose, they thus willfully waste.

It wastes means. It robs a man of money as well as of time. Means needed for higher and important purposes are lavishly spent on tobacco. The consumers are even greater slaves than drunkards, for they know nothing of self-denial. Smokers can never resist the craving of this appetite. They can shut their ears to the cries of want, and the wails of poverty and distress around fireless and foodless homes, but never deny themselves their favorite weed. Wives robed in rags; children naked and starving; squalor, want, and misery, reigning triumphant in their homes, appeal to them in vain. The money spent is enormous. Great Britain blows away in smoke, to darken the understanding and dim mental vision, £10,000,000 annually. If the United States spend proportionately as much as New York city, where over $10,000 are daily spent for cigars, how vast the expenditure! Over $200,000,000 annually, not only wasted, but made instrumental in destroying life and property! How great must be the sum spent annually in our own provinces! It costs a moderate smoker from six to thirty dollars a year. Thousands of our day laborers spend ten dollars a year in tobacco. This sum running at compound interest, would swell up, in about forty years, to $3,000. The money thus spent might furnish many a home with necessaries, and keep many a family in old age.

Many of the most inveterate smokers in our land are miserably poor. They cannot find raiment whereby their families may attend school, and they themselves places of worship, and still they justify themselves in consuming, in smoke, what would greatly assist in purchasing these things. Young men and mechanics who are saving nothing for the future, could, with their tobacco money, pay a premium on a life-assurance policy for two thousand dollars. There are those who are supported by the charities of the benevolent who smoke the most of the day and part of the night. Is it right or just then to spend means while there are many objects of necessity all around? Is it right to waste means which could be profitably employed in alleviating misery, wretchedness, and suffering? Will smokers persist in converting their wealth into unsavory smoke, corrupting heaven's pure air, while ignorance, disease, and death might be prevented by the right use of that wealth? Is it not unreasonable that men should impose such heavy taxation upon themselves? If civil government should try to impose a similar tax, the people would revolt in one day, and declare the law the most unreasonable one ever enacted. How can Christians justify their conduct before God?

The amount that one spends in ten or twenty years might send many copies of the Bible to the heathen, and many souls might be saved by these books. They are responsible for their money and how they spend it. Responsibility extends to the smallest sum. If two mites cast into the treasury deserved such commendation from the Saviour, what must we think of those professing to serve him, who spend so much in tobacco? Many Christians never miss a smoke in twelve months who fail to help many objects of charity in that time. There are many smoking Christians who never give one cent to further the gospel in any way. I do not understand how any Christian can justify himself in spending six dollars every twelve months for tobacco, who cannot give twenty-five cents to any of the claims of Christ's cause.

IT IS AN INJURIOUS HABIT.

If men were only aware of the evil consequences of this custom, they would arise in the might of their manhood and give it up for ever. This age of inquiry demands a reason for tobacco, but no satisfactory reason can be given. Excuses tendered are so trivial and unreasonable that men are now ashamed to mention them.

It is injurious physically. The most reliable and distinguished physicians, as well as the most eminent anatomists and physiologists, have recorded their convictions of the injurious effects of tobacco and its tendency to destroy life. Men of thought and integrity, in every land, have endorsed these sentiments. Bodily injuries engendered through this agency are legion. The use of tobacco disturbs the whole system from its normal state. Nature revolts at its first introduction. No man finds it an easy task to use tobacco in any shape. The stomach instantly ejects the nauseous substance; and it is when its natural tone has been changed, and it has been forced into submission by repeated and continued efforts, that either smoker or chewer succeeds, and then he uses it only occasionally and in homœopathic quantities. The weed contains no nutrition, but excites and depresses alternately, and thus wastes the vigor of the nervous system. At once it causes disorder in the digestive organs, by draining from the system saliva, which is an indispensable element in converting the food into blood, and which is as important in its place as the blood itself. Tobacco is a virulent poison, which corrupts the very fountain of life. Medical men of large practice and experience declare that it is a prolific source of dyspepsia; that it produces nervous atrophy, by which it wastes the strongest and most robust bodies to skeletons; it makes the most cheerful and buoyant-spirited hypochondriac, and, in certain cases of constitution, it inevitably leads to insanity. German authorities say, it produces vertigo, blindness, and paralysis. It is an indisputable fact that scurvy has greatly abounded since the general use of tobacco. It is easily shown how destructive it is to animal life. A poultice laid on the pit of the stomach will serve as an emetic. The oil of tobacco inserted into an incision in a pigeon's leg will render its foot useless in two minutes. One drop of the chemical oil of tobacco put on a cat's tongue will produce convulsions and death in one minute. What, then, must be the effects of this acrid salt and strong caustic oil on men who use it constantly for many years? Tobacco so affects the throat that it destroys the voice, and so it has ruined several distinguished singers. In a short time the sweetest voice is changed to raven hoarseness.

It is injurious mentally. All the fluids of the body are poisoned by this noxious practice. After long indulgence, the juice permeates the whole system. Signs of injury are especially manifest in the brain—the seat of sensation—and so it directly affects the mind. The relation between the brain and intellectual powers is so intimate that it cannot be otherwise. When any one becomes a victim, his whole life henceforth is as the ocean, subject to storm and calm—storm, when the nerves are excited under the power of the weed; calm, when stupor and lassitude succeed. In this dead, dreamy state, the smoker finds himself incapacitated for any mental exertion whatever. A general state of prostration follows the excitement of indulgence, as in the cases of the drunkard and opium-eater. The power of thinking is paralyzed, volition loses its force, and memory becomes defective. The intellect becomes blighted, and withers under its scathing influence. It unfits for mental effort, which many imagine it aids, and use it for that purpose. Students smoke so as to prepare a hard lesson more efficiently, ministers to prepare a sermon more thoroughly, etc. But the smoke that injures their natural sight extends to their mental powers and darkens the faculties of the mind. Their cure proves their curse, for it has been proved beyond a doubt, that smokers cannot successfully compete with those who are abstainers, in intellectual attainments.

It is injurious morally. There can be no doubt but the practice lowers every one who is addicted thereto in the esteem of men. It drags a man down from a dignified position, placing him on a level with the lowest. The educated, refined, and intelligent take caste with the most degraded. This practice leads to other vicious habits, and lays the foundation for drunkenness, which generally accompanies it. It is well said that "There lies coiled up somewhere, some constituent element of the smoker's moral and spiritual character, which corresponds exactly to the filthy habit which he exhibits in the use of tobacco." This practice is very unbecoming in those who are living in view of a higher destiny, for it blunts all the nobler faculties of the soul.

This besetting sin of our day is prevalent and universal. The guilt lies upon all who do not discountenance, as well as discontinue, the growth, manufacture, sale, and use of the drug in every possible way. It is high time that reason and common sense should be heard in this matter. Philanthropy, patriotism, right, and religion demand the united efforts of men in crying down, and their strength in pulling down and destroying the tobacco-god, at whose shrine so many constantly bow in reverence.

All the defense that men can bring to sustain the usage is, that it is an unnatural and acquired habit, which produces a pleasant sensation, and that they are the slaves of custom overcome by the cravings of appetite, and fascinated and enslaved by its habitual use. They might as well say that they cannot give it up because they love it as the drunkard his glass, and the opium-eater his favorite extract. Some who wax eloquent against other vices are they themselves the veriest slaves to this ignoble practice. Especially is it incongruous in ministers of the gospel, whose characters should be exemplary. How can they consistently urge self-conquest on their hearers respectively, when they themselves crouch under the control of appetite? How can they preach self-denial, while they are still wedded to their weed. How can they urge self-respect to others, when they cast away their own? How can they enjoin economy, when they spend so much upon tobacco? How can they induce others to "redeem the time," when they waste so much themselves? Apart from every higher consideration, politeness and good-breeding, and the social position they occupy, should appeal to smoking ministers. They are setting an example which too many are ready to cite the minister as their pattern. Those who pollute their garments with tobacco, injure their own reputation in the families they visit. In the pulpit, they urge their hearers to eat and drink, and to do everything with an eye single to God's glory; but when they smoke they cannot think they are advancing that glory! They enjoin the people to "Prove all things," and to "Hold fast that which is good;" while they persist in holding to the use of tobacco, which they know to be a great evil. Christians indulge in this pernicious practice until every pore of their bodies is reeking with tobacco. Christians raise the weed on their broad acres. Christians manufacture it for market. Christians buy it and sell it at immense profits. Christian ministers, elders, deacons, and people unite socially to regale themselves with its sickening perfume. The practice is approved by the age, legalized by the State, sanctioned by Christians, and sanctioned by custom. Its evil consequences affect the best interests of society, and still no voice is raised against the crime. The pulpit savors of it; the church is full of its odor. The school and college are in turn smoking rooms. The factory and shop are in danger by those addicted to smoking. Sign-boards that forbid smoking on certain premises are the only voices that cry out against it. Temperance men wink at this source of evil. O tempora! O mores! There was an age when royal voices and religious orders denounced the practice; when medical colleges united with city councils in condemning the barbarous usage, when canons of States, as well as the canons of the church, forbade it under severe penalties, when sultans, popes, and kings issued their royal mandates against it. The evils resulting to society from this usage cannot be touched in a few pages. All who countenance it in any way are aiding in perpetuating the custom subversive of the best interests of our race,—a custom which destroys life, wastes means, and endangers property. When will men espouse the cause of humanity and resist this aggressive evil? When will the churches of these Provinces follow the example of the "United Brethren," who resolved as follows in Virginia lately:

“Whereas, The habit of using tobacco is a filthy one, attended with every other expense; is injurious to the health, weakens the intellect, and shortens the life of the individual and his posterity; therefore the habit is a sin against the Almighty God, ourselves, our children, and those by whom we are surrounded; therefore,

Resolved, That the ministers of Virginia Conference be advised to discontinue the habit, in all its forms, of using tobacco; and that we may use our influence or power in society against it.”

May the sentiments of this resolution be engraved on the heart of every one who reads it; and if any are led to seriously consider the importance of this subject, the aim of the writer has been gained.—JOHN S. ROSS, in Queanbeyan (C. E.) Age.

Waiting for Feeling.

By Hamilton

WHILST you cannot feel too keenly, do not wait for feeling. No sorrow for the past can be too poignant; but do not wait for that sorrow. If the prodigal had not arisen till he was satisfied with his own repentance, he would have died in the far country. The tears which do not flow from the gaunt eyes of famine will come unbidden at the feast of fat things; and the fountains of the great deep, which freeze in the winter of remoteness and estrangement, will break up and brim over in the sunshine of mercy. The word which you take, be it what it may—"Father, I have sinned, and am no more worthy to be called thy son;" "Take away mine iniquity, and receive me graciously"—whatever the word may be, let it be a true one, and swifter than you return will be the footsteps of forthcoming pardon; and great as may be your own joy in receiving and restoring grace, no less will be the joy in heaven over your repentance.—Hamilton.

Watchfulness.

NONE of the human race are perfect. Every one has some weak point. There is an unprotected joint in the harness which is what the heel was to the body and vitals of Achilles. We should endeavor to ascertain what our weak point is, and set over it a double guard, for this is the point which the adversary of our souls will assuredly attack, and if we fall, it will be by being overcome here. It is arrant presumption for us to deny our moral weakness or suppose that we can stand fast in integrity aside from Divine aid. Accordingly this aid we should fervently invoke, while we vigilantly watch against all temptations to evil. "Let him who thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall," for his fall may pull down others, and if he is a professed Christian will bring scandal on Christ's religion, and cause his holy name to be blasphemed. If there is anything a Christian should dread, it is to be instrumental of dishonoring Him by whose precious blood he was redeemed, to whom he is laid under the weightiest obligations, and who is "the chief among ten thousand and the one altogether lovely." The words of our Lord to his disciples were, "What I say unto you, I say unto all, watch."—Sel.

I Heard Thee.

By J. B. D.

I HEARD thee, O Almighty, when the day Of innocence had passed, and twilight gray Bade me remember how earth's joys decay.

Oh, how I sought to hide me from thy sight 'Mid forest shades! and, though bedewed with night, I found seclusion in its sullen light.

I wandered from thy presence in the gloom Of ignorance and sin, and knew not whom To trust to save me from the threatened doom.

Again I heard thee : thou didst ask me why I was determined recklessly to die. When thou to help and ransom me wast nigh.

I open'd to thee, but thou was not there; The streets I searched; I asked the watchman "where Is my beloved, wet with midnight air?"'

They wounded me with error, for they said "Since thou dost seek him, thou of him art led; Thy work is done; to sleep lay down thy head.

I laid me down; but thou didst me awake: "If thou would'st follow me, then all forsake, And, with thy Lord, thy cross submissive take."

I left the city, and, with hope inspired, Unto the garden and the cross retired, And there I found him whom my soul admired.

"Tis done" I hear. He bore the cross that I Might holy be, and shall I idly lie, And say "There is no reckoning by-and-by?"

O, pure and holy Jesus, may I be An overcomer, and received of thee The morning gifts of immortality!

J. B. D. San Francisco, Cal.

The Three Best Medicines

THE three best medicines in the world are warmth, abstinence, and repose.

SECULAR NEWS.

—The grain crops of Utah are the largest ever raised in that Territory.

—The common string telephone has been in use in East India from time immemorial.

—Nearly 5,700,000 immigrants have arrived in this country since 1847, 4,000,000 of them being German and Irish.

—A famine is reported in the State of Sonora and Sinaloa, Mexico. At Mazatlan, there is no flour, and people are emigrating.

—The cost of the construction of the Paris exhibition buildings and grounds is now estimated at 45,300,000 francs, or $9,060,000.

—Latest letters from the English Universities Mission in Central Africa, state that the Zanzibar slave trade has virtually ceased.

—There were 2,470 failures in the United States during the last three months, with $48,753,000 liabilities, against 3,355, with $82,078,000 liabilities during the first three months of the year.

—The value of the exports from the United States last year exceeded the imports to the amount of $251,000,000. During the last four years we have exported nearly $600,000,000 worth of merchandise more than we have imported.

—The public debt of the United States reached its highest point in August 1865 and then amounted to $2,756,431,671.43. The debt less cash in the Treasury June 1, 1878, was $2,033,637,450.84, thus showing an aggregate reduction of $722,794,120.79.

—Letters from St. Petersburg state that there are at least 50,000 sick soldiers in the Russian armies of Europe and Asia. Typhoid, small-pox and dysentery are the principal maladies. Surgeons are very scarce. Sixty-two are reported lately as having died, and one hundred have reached home broken in health.

—The American schooner Parallel, on her way from San Francisco to Portland, boarded a Japanese vessel on which was found no living person, but only a number of dead bodies of Orientals who seemed to have been dead for some time. As there was no food on board they are supposed to have died from starvation.

—An exchange says: "Staten island is a picture of desolation, the contrast between the present aspect and that of last year being most marked. Only a few persons are cultivating any portion of the island, potatoes being the only crop cultivated at all. The levees have been repaired, and are believed to be stronger than ever before."

How to Raise It.

By James Edson White

In the article, “The Pacific Press,” a call is made by the General Conference Committee to the friends on the Pacific coast, to raise $10,000 by January 1879.

This may be considered a large amount to be raised in so short a time; and it would be if there were only a few to lift. But the membership on this coast has more than doubled since the establishment of the publishing work in Oakland. We can safely say that in California, Oregon, Washington Territory and Nevada, there are from twelve to fifteen hundred Seventh-day Adventists. We therefore propose that each one of this number be urged to take at least one share in the Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, to be paid by January 1, 1879.

It can be done in the following manner: We will send pledge papers to the Tract and Missionary librarians of the different churches, to which every member of the church should have opportunity to subscribe.

There are a little over twenty weeks before the first of January, 1879. If each one so subscribing pays 50 cents per week for each share subscribed, the money will all be paid in season to reach the Office by the time specified. Of course those who can do so are requested to pay down at once. But for those who would find the installment plan easier this suggestion is offered.

There are wealthy brethren who have joined us since the Office was first started, who can as easily raise several hundred dollars as some can raise ten. Persons of no greater financial ability paid from $500 to $1,500 to help in starting the work, and it would seem that the time has come for those who have more recently started to take hold and lift in the present necessity.

The necessity for establishing the work was imperative. But it is just as necessary to increase our facilities at the present time to meet the rapidly increasing demands. The outlay required at the present time is but little less than was required to establish the work at first.

If we all take hold and lift with a will $20,000 will probably be raised instead of $10,000. When this Office was first established our brethren east of the Rocky mountains donated over $10,000 to furnish us with presses, type, etc. If more is raised than is necessary to carry on the business properly here, we can use some of it in refunding this amount, to be used in establishing the work in new missionary fields.

J. E. White, Vice-President Cal. T. and M. Society.

Camp-Meeting Committees.

By John Norton Loughborough

As it was left with the Conference Committee to appoint the Camp-meeting Committee, we would appoint as follows:—

Northern California Camp-meeting Committee: G. D. Hager, E. R. Gillett and John Custer.

Southern California Camp-meeting Committee: M. J. Church, W. R. Smith and R. F. Eagle.

These committees should be upon their respective camp-grounds, with a force of hands to prepare the grounds, at least five days before the respective meetings. I will be with you to counsel, but it is not meet that I should leave the word of God and serve tables. Brethren make your calculation to attend to all the outward preparations in season so that each meeting may commence at the time appointed without distraction.

All should lay their plans to be on the northern ground with tent pitched by the evening of August 28, and upon the southern ground by September 9.

For the Committee. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

North Pacific Conference.

THE second annual meeting of the North Pacific Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held at the camp-ground near Salem, Oregon. The first session was convened June 28, at 5 o'clock P. M.

Conference was called to order by the president, Elder I. D. Van Horn.

Opened with prayer by the president.

On motion, Brother T. H. Starbuck was elected secretary pro tem.

Credentials of delegates being called for, the following responded:—

From Milton, Oregon, J. C. Bunch; Salem, Oregon, Wm. Leavitt; Beaverton, Oregon, R. D. Benham; Walla Walla, W. T., S. Maxon; Dayton, W. T., D. La Grove.

Voted, That Brother A. G. Roberts act as delegate from Eola, Oregon.

Voted, That all members present in good standing take part in the deliberations of the meeting.

Voted, That Elder J. N. Loughborough act as delegate from the General Conference, to take the general oversight of all business in this session.

Voted, That the Beaverton church, eighteen members, be admitted into the Conference.

The minutes of the last session of the Conference were read and approved.

Voted, That the chair appoint the necessary committees.

The following committees were appointed:— On Resolutions—Alonzo T. Jones, S. Maxon, Wm. L. Raymond. On Auditing—Wm. L. Raymond, R. D. Benham, A. G. Roberts, Wm. Leavitt, John Donaldson, J. B. E. Young. On Nominations—Wm. L. Raymond, J. C. Bunch, Wm. Leavitt. On Credentials and Licenses—T. H. Starbuck, John Donaldson, R. D. Benham.

Reports were called for from ministers and licentiates, and the following were presented: Elder J. N. Loughborough, Elder A. T. Jones, Brother J. C. Bunch.

Adjourned to call of chair.

SECOND SESSION, JULY 1, 9 A. M.

The president in the chair.

Prayer by Elder Jones.

Minutes of the previous session were read.

On motion, Elder Alonzo T. Jones was elected secretary pro tem.

Reports of committees were called for, and the following responded:—

The Committee on Nominations recommended that the same persons who are now in office be re-elected. Those officers were: President, Elder I. D. Van Horn; secretary, Sister A. P. Van Horn; treasurer, Elder Alonzo T. Jones.

Moved, By Elder Jones, and seconded by Brother Benham, that the report of the committee be amended by the withdrawal of the name of Elder Jones as treasurer, and the substitution of Brother John Donaldson, as the nominee for that office. Carried.

Moved, That the officers be elected together. Carried.

The officers now stand: President, Elder I. D. Van Horn; secretary, Sister A. P. Van Horn; treasurer, John Donaldson; Conference Committee—S. Maxon, T. H Starbuck.

The Committee on Resolutions reported as follows:—

Resolved, That our most earnest gratitude and thanks are due to God for his heavenly gift in sending us Sister White, and by her, His excellent counsel, and for his rich blessing at this camp-meeting.

Resolved, That we express our confidence and firm faith in the message which bears the commandments of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, which is the spirit of prophecy.

Resolved, That we tender our grateful thanks to the General Conference, for the help and excellent counsel which they have furnished us in the persons of Sister White and Elder Loughborough.

Resolved, That we express our thanks to Mr. Adam Stephens, for the use of the camp-ground.

Resolved, That we express our thanks to our dear Sister Wood of Walla Walla, for the very efficient aid she has rendered by her excellent singing.

Resolved, That we express our thanks to the Capitol Lumbering Company of Salem, for the free use of their lumber on the camp-ground.

Resolved, That we express our thanks to Mr. Prescott for the free use of one of his excellent pumps.

The Committee on Credentials and Licenses recommended that the credentials of Elders I. D. Van Horn and Alonzo T. Jones be renewed. Recommended for licenses—J. C. Bunch, Wm. Leavitt, S. Maxon, Wm. Russell, and Wm. L. Raymond.

Moved, That the credentials of Elders I. D. Van Horn and Alonzo T. Jones be renewed. Carried.

Moved, That Brethren J. C. Bunch, Wm. Leavitt, S. Maxon, Wm Russell, Wm. L. Raymond, T. H. Starbuck, and A. G. Roberts, receive licenses. Carried.

The name of Brother Bunch was referred to the Conference Committee.

The treasurer reported as follows:—


Received during Conference year	$837.52
Paid on Orders	630.30
Balance on hand	$207.22

Moved, That the Eola church have permission to disband, and recommend them to unite with the churches nearest them. Carried.

THIRD SESSION, JULY 1, 8:30 P. M.

Opened with prayer by Elder Van Horn.

The auditing Committee reported all business adjusted satisfactorily. Report accepted and committee discharged.

Adjourned sine die.

I. D. VAN HORN, President. ALONZO T. JONES, Secretary pro tem.

California Camp-Meetings.

By John Norton Loughborough

Since suggesting September 13, as the time for our northern California camp-meeting, several things have occurred demanding that it be held at an earlier date.

1. The General Conference Committee have requested that I attend the Michigan camp-meeting and the General Conference the first of October. In order to comply with that request our camp-meetings will have to be held in season for me to go from the southern meeting to Battle Creek.

2. Several who have responded since my last note in the SIGNS, request that the meeting be held the last of August or the first of September, this will accommodate them and leave me time to go to the General Conference.

3. When I suggested that the northern California camp-meeting hold over two Sabbaths, it was the supposition that Sister White would be with us, but as she decides to go East and cannot be with us in our meeting, it is probably best to hold our northern meeting only seven days, and the southern one only six days. A lack of ministerial force in the meetings, and the necessity of economizing time, are the considerations that rule us in making the above decision.

We therefore decide that the northern California camp-meeting commence Thursday morning, August 29, and close Thursday morning, September 5. And that the southern meeting commence Tuesday morning, September 10, and close Monday, September 16.

We wish to meet upon the northern ground Friday, August 23, as many as can come to help fit up the ground and remain until after the meeting is over. Let such come to the ground in season to pitch their own tents on Friday, August 23. The tent-meeting will be in progress at that time at Yountville, and we can also have prayer-meetings upon the ground each day, seek God and arrange for the spiritual interests of the cause. We must see the work of God in these meetings.

For the Committee. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

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