THE most important question that can be raised by those looking for the second coming of Christ is, How can we most speedily prepare for that event? what steps can we take that will best forward the work, and find places for those who wish to labor in the cause? During the past eighteen months many important steps have been taken, which relate to the prosperity of the work. Our brethren in California never have been behind in furnishing means and men to advance the cause of present truth. No means should be spared to properly educate missionary workers, not only in our native tongue, but also in the French, German and Danish languages. There should be places where those of other tongues who may not be able to speak the English language, can receive instruction the same as our American brethren do in our city missions. There is no move that more clearly bears the mark of the approval of Heaven than the establishing of city missions where young men and women are trained for usefulness in the cause. In many instances Bible workers can find access to those whom the preacher cannot reach; and when the word of God, accompanied by the Holy Spirit, has once fastened itself upon the mind, it makes an impression which will finally bear fruit to the glory of God.
To rightly divide the word of truth is important, and the people are few indeed who can take the Bible and successfully hold a Bible-reading without some little instruction. Any one can take a work on the subject and ask the questions which are printed, and let the answer be read by the person with whom he is holding the reading, but this may be simply formal, the same as anything else connected with the cause. The soul should be inspired with the love of God, and the individual holding the Bible-reading should feel the burden and the importance of the work. When this is the case, there is scarcely any Bible-reading but that will need rearranging in some particulars in order to be adapted to special cases. This faculty of adaptation, how to get access to the people, and many of those things can be learned from a successful teacher having charge of a city mission. There are many other things also which can be taught in a city mission. Important points of history that have a bearing on the fulfillment of prophecy, Bible customs and manners, and various things which throw light on portions of scriptures used in the reading, should, we believe, be brought into the instruction given at our city missions.
But is there any effort made among the French in California, and the Danes, and Swedes, and Germans, in this particular respect? Should not our brethren on the Pacific Coast, in view of the times in which we live, make one grand rally in this respect? Why should not all of the principal cities on the Pacific Coast, that come in the range of the California Conference, and even those which are not confined to that Conference, be entered by Bible workers? Why should not the country be thoroughly permeated with the teachings of the Bible? The time has come for advance steps to be taken, and shall not this camp-meeting witness a move in this direction? We believe it will, and somehow in our heart we feel that God will come near to us, and will pour out his Spirit, and we shall see of his salvation. We look forward to this meeting with a greater degree of interest than to any camp-meeting ever held in the State. We believe that there is much pending, and if our brethren come up from different parts of the State expecting to meet the Lord, they will not be disappointed.
S. N. H.
Camp-Meetings for 1886.
MINNESOTA, Sauk Center, ........ Sept. 29 to Oct. 4
IOWA, Smithland, Woodbury Co., “ “ 4
MISSOURI, Harrisonville, Cass Co., “ “ 5
INDIANA, Wabash, ............ “ “ 5
KANSAS, Wichita, .................... Oct. 7–17
IOWA, Brighton, Washington Co., .... “ 6–11
WISCONSIN, New London, Waupaca Co., “ 6–12
KENTUCKY, Bowling Green, ............ “ 6–12
CALIFORNIA, Woodland, State meeting, .... “ 6–19
TENNESSEE, Paris, Henry Co., ........ “ 13–19
CALIFORNIA, Santa Ana, ........ Oct. 28 to Nov. 8
Shall We Go to Sleep?
The Freeman, the organ of the Baptists of London, England, speaks as follows of the Rev. W. M. Jones, the editor of the Sabbath Memorial, of that city:—
“He is greatly beloved by those of our London ministers who know his worth, although we deem him in error in his Sabbatarian notions. We only wish he could take some strong opiate some Friday evening and not wake up till Sunday morning, and give us the full benefit of fellowship.”
That method of settling the Sabbath question has often been recommended. No doubt those who make the suggestion think it a very shrewd one; but we think it betrays a knowledge on their part of the inherent weakness of the Sunday cause. Suppose that they could, by some such means, cause all Sabbath-keepers to mistake Sunday for the Sabbath; what effect would that have on the Sabbath itself? Just none at all. “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God,” whether anybody keeps it or not. Such a wish as that expressed above, shows that the Sunday man knows of no argument for Sunday that will affect a man when he is really awake. It is very suggestive, that they think a man must go to sleep, before he can turn from Sabbath to Sunday. This leads us to wonder if those who are already keeping Sunday are not asleep; if not, it is certain that many of them have their eyes shut. See Eze. 22:26. Would that they might pray with David, “Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” This would be better than trying to put others to sleep.
New Hymn Books
By Editor
JUST as we are closing up this paper, we are in receipt of the new Hymn Book, published by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. We have hastily looked it through, that we may give a brief notice for the benefit of those coming to the camp-meeting, where it will be on sale. The book contains 640 pages, 6x8 inches in size, well printed on clear, white linen paper. Among the good things which we have noted are the following: 1. The hymns are all indexed by number. 2. There is no hymn that has not music provided for it. 3. Hymns which have heretofore been divorced from their original music, have to a great extent been restored. 4. Quite a number of old melodies that were favorites years ago, but have fallen into disuse among our people because the new generation of singers never saw the music, have been collected and placed in the book. This feature will please very many. 5. Some of the best “gospel hymns” of modern date have been inserted.
It would be impossible to get up a hymn book which should contain no hymns or tunes with which no one would be displeased; but we are certain that in this large collection of hymns (there are over fourteen hundred) there is enough variety to suit everybody. The book contains a goodly number of pieces suitable for the Sabbath-school; and small companies of believers, who may not be able to procure many books, can use this one both for church service and Sabbath-school. We sincerely hope that all our people will at once provide themselves with the new book, so that there may be uniformity in the singing, and that all may join with their voices as well as with their hearts in making melody to the Lord.
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 Health and Temperance, the Home Circle, the Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-school.
Price Per Year, post-paid, $2.00
In clubs of five or more copies to one name and address, to be used in Missionary work, each, 1.50
To foreign countries, single subscriptions, post-paid, 10s
address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
Twelfth and Castro Streets, OAKLAND, CAL., U. S. A.
Payment in Advance for Papers
We send no papers from this office without pay in advance, unless by special arrangement. When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the SIGNS are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon for pay. Please read the papers and hand them to your friends to read.
A Day of Fasting and Prayer
LET none of the brethren and sisters on the Pacific Coast forget that Sabbath, October 2, has been appointed as a day of fasting and prayer.
Woodland Camp-Meeting Reports
REPORTS from different parts of the State indicate that there will be a large attendance at the camp-meeting at Woodland. Beautiful grounds adjoining the city limits have been secured, and everything seems favorable for an interesting and profitable meeting. Let none remain away who can possibly attend. If you cannot be present from first to last, come a part of the time, and come praying for a blessing. Bring your children and unconverted friends.
Pacific Press Receives Highest Award
At the Mechanics’ Institute Exposition, held in San Francisco last month, the Pacific Press took the Silver Medal, the highest award, for printing and book-binding, and received a diploma for stereotyping and electrotyping, there being other firms that had a larger exhibit in this line. The Pacific Press is now the best equipped printing office on the Coast, and is prepared to do first-class work of every description.
Brother Conrad Released From Prison
“We have just received the very good news that Brother Conrad has been released from prison. This fact we learn by a telegram. Brother Oscar Roth, whom we sent to see what could be done for his relief, must be there now, and will be a help in the work. We are preparing to go to the Council in England.”
Card From W. C. White
By Editor
WE have just received the following card from Brother W. C. White, dated Basel, September 10:—
Prayer for Those Facing Opposition
So it seems that instead of stopping the work by the imprisonment of Brother Conradi, the Russian authorities have worked for its more rapid advancement. Truly, “we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” Thousands of prayers have ascended in Brother Conradi’s behalf; let not prayer for those who labor against opposition, especially in foreign lands, be discontinued. In this, the weakest may render valuable help.
Santa Ana Camp-Meeting.
LET all who wish tents for the Santa Ana camp-meeting write to Elder J. N. Loughborough, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal. The rent of tents will be as follows: 10x12, $4.00; 12x16, $6.00. If any have tents of their own to pitch, write also, stating the size of your tents. We wish to know these things so as to plan our camp, and to know beforehand how many, and what tents to ship to Santa Ana. Let all who are going to the Santa Ana meeting make a note of this and report as above immediately.