p. 14 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 9. (3/3/1909)

California Association Annual Meetings

By W. T. Knox; H. E. Randall

The twelfth annual meeting of the California Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association, for the purpose of electing four or more members of the Board of Directors, and transacting any other business that may properly come before the meeting, will be held at Sanitarium, Napa County, Cal., on Wednesday, March 10, 1909, at 12 o'clock, M.

W. T. KNOX, President.

H. E. RANDALL, Secretary.

The seventh annual meeting of the Sanitarium Food Company, for the purpose of electing directors, and transacting any other business that may properly come before the meeting, will be held at Sanitarium, Napa County, Cal., on Thursday, March 11, 1909, at 12 o'clock M.

W. T. KNOX, President.

H. E. RANDALL, Treasurer.

Our Work and Workers.

THREE persons have recently accepted the truth at Village Creek, Iowa.

EARLY in January six young people were baptized at Wright, Mich. Brother J. M. Wilbur performed the ceremony.

FOUR adults and four children have been added to the church at Island, Cal., the result of a series of meetings at that place.

“FIELD TIDINGS” is the name of a new paper issued by the Southeastern Union Conference. It is printed at Graysville, Tenn., the students of our training school at that place doing the work.

THERE has come to this office a neat calendar of the Pukekura Training School, Cambridge West, Waikato, New Zealand. This is their second annual announcement. F. J. Chaney is the principal.

At the thirty-eighth annual session of the California Conference, the following officers were elected: For president, S. N. Haskell; secretary and treasurer, Claude Conard; executive committee, S. N. Haskell, H. Shultz, E. D. Sharpe, J. H. Behrens, G. A. Snyder, B. L. Howe, and A. Brorsen.

THE newly organized Western Canadian Union Conference held its first annual council last autumn. Good progress is being made in the territory, which extends from Manitoba to British Columbia, and as far north as inhabited. The book work is especially successful.

BROTHER J. N. ANDERSON and family, Miss Ida Thompson, Dr. A. C. Selmon, O. J. Gibson, E. L. Miller, and a young Chinese lady student landed in San Francisco from China February 16. As Mrs. Anderson’s health is quite poor, she will remain at the St. Helena Sanitarium. Brethren Anderson and Selmon and Miss Thompson will attend the General Conference; Brethren Gibson and Miller will enter the Seminary at Washington; the young Chinese lady will take the nurses’ course at the Loma Linda Sanitarium.

Wanted for Missionary Work.

SIGNS, Watchman, Bible Training School, and tracts. Address R. E. Williams, 1918 Albany St., Brunswick, Ga.

BROTHER JAMES HARVEY, 1068 Third St., Oakland, Cal., desires a constant supply of our denominational papers and tracts for city work.

ADDRESS WANTED.— The present address of Mr. Andrew Palmquist, formerly of Boulder, Colo., is desired by Henry F. Randolph, 914 E. Ussie Ave., Canon City, Colo.

Christian Science in the Light of Reason and Revelation.

By R. A. Underwood

By R. A. Underwood.

“If the claims of Christian Science are founded on the doctrines of Christianity and the facts of science, then every lover of Christianity and science should hail the teachings of Mrs. Mary Baker G. Eddy with delight, and accept the claims of Christian Science. If it is not founded upon the word of truth, it should be rejected and exposed.”

With this fair and impartial statement the writer of the pamphlet named above opens a very interesting and instructive discussion of the doctrines set forth in “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” the text-book for all true believers in Christian Science. In parallel columns many full and complete quotations from this book are compared with quotations from God’s holy word, the only rule of faith for the followers of Jesus Christ.

Such fundamental truths as “The Creation of Man and the Universe,” “The Existence of Sin,” “The Atonement for Sin,” “The Gospel of Salvation,” “The Miracles of Jesus,” “The Existence of Material Matter,” “Sickness and Suffering,” “Death and the Judgment,” are candidly considered in a way that will please every lover of truth and fair play.

Every one who has any question as to the truth or falsity of the doctrines of Christian Science, in fact, every seeker after truth and light, should give this pamphlet a careful reading.

Fifty pages, printed on fine egg-shell paper, with attractive colored cover. Issued as No. 197, Bible Students’ Library. Price, ten cents.

Order now of your state tract society, or Pacific Press Publishing Assn., Mountain View, Cal.; 61 N. Park St., Portland, Ore.; 1109 E. 12th St., Kansas City, Mo.; Box 666, Regina, Sask., Canada.

Address this office

Colds.—By G. H. Heald, M.D. A treatise on the causes, prevention, and cure of colds. White leatherette binding. 58 pages, 25c.

Address this office

Those Bible Readings

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

206 Pages, Cloth Bound, 75 Cents Postpaid

“‘O mother!’ began Elsie, the teacher said to-day that only a part of the Bible was inspired, and—”

“‘Yes,’ interrupted John, ‘and she didn’t take the trouble to tell a fellow which part was all right and which wasn’t.’”

“‘She said it was foolishness to believe the story about Jonah and the whale,’ said Mattie.”

“‘Yes,’ added Elsie, ‘and she teaches the class in geology that the world wasn’t made in six days at all—that it took many millions of years—and, O mother! she doesn’t believe the Bible account of the creation of Adam and Eve.’”

This and similar questions from the members of the Hartman household led to a weekly study of various important Bible topics, among which are—

Inspiration of the Bible. Christ’s Second Coming. Signs of Christ’s Second Coming. The Fourth Commandment. The Sabbath Changed. The Memorial of Christ’s Resurrection. Grandma Hartman’s Story. A Home Talk on the Sabbath. Is the Soul of Man Immortal? Are the Dead Asleep? Tithing. The Spirit of Prophecy. Justification by Faith.

As these studies progressed, neighbors began to drop in until a goodly number of interested students of the word eagerly drank in the truths upon these great questions. The closing chapter presents a beautiful picture of the results of these home Bible-readings by giving us a view of the Hartman family and their neighbors ten years afterward. In reading this chapter, one’s mind is carried forward to the time when “He shall see the travail of His soul and be satisfied.” There is a charm about the personality of the Hartman family and their friends, and an attractiveness in the arrangement and presentation of these readings that will hold the interest to the end. An especially good book for young people.

Satan’s First Lie

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Bible Student’s Library, No. 199, 32 Pages

Price 2 Cents

Perhaps the title is a bit peculiar, but it is appropriate as the tract treats upon the tempter’s words to Eve, “Thou shalt not surely die.” The author shows that this statement contains the most dangerous and delusive doctrines ever taught; and that, as it was the first, so it will be the last great, over-mastering deception which will be brought upon the world. The subject is treated in verse form, for example:

“But if they were in heaven, it seems to me Their happy voices could not silent be; How could they cease their shouts of joy to raise Till heaven’s dome reechoed with their praise! Indeed, I’m sure that no account is given Of any mute and silent tongues in heaven. But let us see what good King David said About the voices of the silent dead; We quickly turn to the inspired word, And thus we read, ‘The dead praise not the Lord.’”

Address your Tract Society, or

Pacific Press Publishing Association

Mountain View, California

Portland, Ore. Regina, Sask., Canada. Kansas City, Mo.

Plan to Do Things Promptly.

By Emma Hildreth Adams

By Emma Hildreth Adams.

EVERY effort at punctuality involves two acts—the purposing to do a thing, the fixing a time for doing a thing, and the doing it.

The first step may be taken without the second, but never the second without the first.

In this present stressful, forceful period of time, affairs are so organized that a vast proportion of the work we do is done in union with one, several, or many persons. And hence, by every one who values labor at all, there is to be done so great an amount of work that the time one takes for his doing has become a momentous, a tremendous consideration.

Every individual engaged in any just class of labor feels himself restricted for time. Somehow, before the most diligent of workers little mountains of labor pile up daily. On all sides there come the earnest, heartfelt cries: “I have too little time!” “O, that the days were longer!” “How Time speeds by!” “The days are too short for my tasks!”

These two important facts then—the being united with others in so much of our work and the immense amount of labor to be performed—should impel all persons who make right engagements to meet them punctually, at the stroke of the clock.

But there is even a more serious view of this matter, which urgently requires our attention. In a very grave sense every man’s time is his own possession. That is to say, the Creator has given to every man his lifetime for two solemn ends—the working out of his own salvation, and the doing whatsoever work meanwhile the Creator assigns him.

Not a moment of one man’s lifetime is the rightful possession of any other man. Therefore, the taking from any man, unnecessarily, any portion of his time, however small, is robbery of the most serious kind. It is taking from him that which neither the plunderer nor his victim can restore. You may purloin a man’s money, and all around him, usually, are Alaskas—of one extent or another—in which he may mine for more; you may seize a toiler’s loaf of bread, but there are bakeries at every turn; snatch a man’s watch, and the jewelers have them of all values; but a man’s time is measured off to him, and not all the worlds of the universe can extend it one hour.

Now what? This: The person who consumes wilfully, carelessly, unnecessarily, twenty, thirty minutes, or an hour of another person’s time commits both a crime and a sin. There is no denying that this variety of thieving goes on daily to an enormous extent. It is accomplished in two ways—by failing to keep engagements promptly, and by dropping in upon people—at any hour of day or evening—solely to discuss the affairs of other persons, affairs with which neither party has right to meddle.

It is noticeable that this variety of robbery is practised most frequently by three classes of persons: Those who have too little pressing work of their own to do; those who lack resources within themselves; and those who fail to realize that possibly they may have to account for a part of their neighbor’s time.

But if it be wrong to consume unjustly the time of one person, what shall be said of him who takes time from one hundred or five hundred persons by failing to be punctual on some occasion? And what if this culpable act be his habit? Suppose a Sabbath-school teacher comes before his class of ten, five minutes late some morning. What has he done?—Simply this: He has deprived his pupils, as a class, of fifty minutes of time which he can never restore. For, suppose, in order to “make it up” to them, he decides to teach five minutes past the time. Does he make it up?—No. So doing he filches from them just one hundred minutes of their time.

But what can be said of the leader of a meeting, behind time because he has permitted some one to detain him needlessly? of a business man, tardy often at the hour established to open office? of the great mass of people, habitually behind time because they lack a keen sense of equity in such things? But, the reader will ask, “What is one to do when prevented suddenly or unavoidably from stepping up to duty at the moment? Usually, when the unexpected happens, one may excuse himself therefor, and justly expect approval. But we think the instances are rare in which one is unavoidably detained from keeping an engagement punctually. A genuine, resolute, downright effort to be on time will bring one to the spot, just at, if not a little before, the assigned hour.

One grand result of the habit of being punctual is the effect upon one’s own character. Such a person becomes known for reliability and rather than fail would forego any pleasure, and not a little profit. The habit influences immensely one’s thinking, feeling, doing. Punctuality is a trait which may be transmitted to children, as are features, form, intellect, a taste for art, a fondness for music, a bias toward piety, or a tendency toward crime. Being punctual is one grand way of being truthful, of being honest.

Finally, a powerful inducement to punctuality, is that which appeals to the Christian particularly; namely, the divine Example in the case. The Scriptures contain pages of events illustrating God’s unswerving exactness in fulfilling His word. His moment for doing is always the “fulness of time.” The very stars also reiterate the beautiful story. Look at the wonderful system speeding around our sun for a center! Imagine one planet returning to its starting-point an hour, ten minutes, ten seconds behind time! Imagine one of them stopping, on its way, to gossip with a neighbor planet thus arriving at its own door-sill ten seconds late! Imagine one of them forgetting to start on time!

How great value does God attach to punctuality!

Pitiful, Isn't It?

ANNUALLY when the graves of the dead are decorated in Roman Catholic cemeteries, one can see in Paris some strange scenes enacted in connection with the animal cemetery. Upon the Island of the Seine, in which lie buried 15,000 dogs, 4,000 cats, ten parrots, seven horses, six monkeys, two goats, nine canaries, four pigeons, and one each of cow, goose, panther, and lion, black-robed women assemble in large numbers to pay tribute to their departed pets. Graves of granite and marble are beautifully decorated with cut flowers and wreaths. One inscription reads: “O, Sappho, if my soul can not join yours, dear and noble friend, I do not wish for salvation without thee. I shall only, like thee, slumber forever in the sleep that knows no waking.” This over a wretched toy terrier.

Here is another over a spaniel: “I shall regret thee eternally, dear little one. How empty henceforth shall my life be without thee.” And over the grave of a cat is the inscription: “To dearly beloved Mimi. Her poor dear little mother will love her always.”

While humanity and Christianity would dictate kindness to all living creatures, it is a pitiful thing to find such simpering, maudlin, misplaced sympathy. Paris, like other large cities, has its thousands, and it may be

hundreds of thousands of needy and suffering children. It is questionable whether these mourners would be seen with one of the needy little ones in their arms. The sympathy and mourning for the inanimate brutes is the index of the shallow life.

My Mother.

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle.

My mother; still the same, the same As when I was a wayward child; Still sweeter grows that blessed name, And dearer seems thy presence mild. Time’s wasting fingers only throw A sacred halo o’er thy form; Ah, gladly would I make my breast Thy shelter from each blighting storm.

And if my waywardness hath caused One little furrow on thy brow, One silver thread among thy locks, My mother, O forgive me now. Ah! could I hear the echoing clod Fall o’er my mother’s lowly bed, And meekly kiss the chastening rod, E’en while my heart with anguish bled?

Away, sad thought; thou mayest not die; Mayhap ere then our Lord will come; Thou mayest, like Enoch, to the sky Be caught up to thy blissful home, Translated! O the rapturous thought! Eternal joy, eternal rest,— Where earth’s dull cares perplex thee not,— Translated to thy Saviour’s breast!

All through these bright, unchanging years, I’ll love the one who gave me birth, And ever fondly cherish still The same dear mother, loved on earth.

Ohms, Amperes, and Volts Explained.

WHEN an electric current is flowing in the trolley wire or electric lighting circuit, there are three factors involved. One of these is the pressure expressed in volts which causes the current to flow; another is the resistance or opposition offered by the circuit to the flow which is expressed in ohms; the last is the current strength or volume, expressed in amperes, which is maintained in the circuit as a result of the pressure overcoming the resistance. The ohm is named in honor of George Simon Ohm, a distinguished German electrician. The volt is named after the Italian scientist, Volta. The ampere is named after the French scientist, Ampere.

The unit of current is called the ampere. The unit of electrical pressure or electromotive force is called the volt. The unit of resistance is called the ohm. The unit of electric power is the volt-ampere, and this is called the watt. Seven hundred and forty-six watts per hour equal one horse-power. The unit of energy—the product of electric power and time—is called the joule, but this unit is too small for practical purposes and the kilowatt-hour is used instead. The kilowatt-hour is the work done by a thousand watts working for one hour.

These electrical terms are as familiar to electrical engineers as feet and inches are to the average boy; the layman does not understand because he has never been taught, has never had to use the terms, has never read about them.

It is easier to understand these terms if we consider electricity as a fluid and liken it to a current of water flowing through a pipe. The rate of flow of water in the pipe depends upon gravitation and the height of the reservoir or source above the outlet. The greater the height of the source, the greater will be the pressure of water and the greater the flow in gallons per minute. It is just the same with electricity. A current flows from a high potential to a low potential whenever the two are joined by a conducting wire. It is merely a difference of level. Watch a stream of water from the nozzle of a garden hose striking a bank of soft earth. Considering it as a stream of electricity, which unfortunately can not be seen, the force of the stream or its pressure represents voltage; the size of the stream or flow the amperage; the wattage the amount of work done in washing away the dirt. Suppose the interior of the nozzle and hose is rough, which offers a resistance to the ready flow of the stream; this friction and resistance is represented by ohms in an electric circuit.—Electric News Service.

Friend in the Kitchen

This is an educational cook-book. Its object is to educate people away from flesh-eating by presenting to them a far better way. This “better way” consists of 400 thoroly tested recipes for the preparation of good, wholesome dishes, none of which include meat of any kind. The book gives the nutritive value of foods, time required to digest various foods, rules for dyspeptics, best food for infants, substitutes for meats, and, in fact, about everything a person wishing to reform his dietary needs to study. Durably bound in flexible cloth, 25c; oilcloth, 50c.

Left with a Trust.

By Nellie Hillis

By Nellie Hillis. Is a story of the struggles of a family to help mother and each other during the absence of father, and pleasantly reveals the brighter side of youth where there is a worthy purpose and a will to be kind and affectionate. 160 pages, illustrated. Cloth, net, 50 cents. Address this office.

SPIRITUALISM

By Editor

The March Signs Monthly Magazine is an unusually good number. The leading secular magazines and journals of the country have given much favorable attention in recent months to the subject of

SPIRITUALISM

There is plenty of Bible evidence showing that this popular error is of satanic origin. Five splendid forcibly written articles, giving the truth of the question, will be a feature of the March monthly. Write your tract society or us about it.

LIBERTY

THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY BUREAU

AN illustrated, 48-page, quarterly magazine, published as an exponent and advocate of true religious liberty; defending Christianity and the rights of conscience; upholding the Bible as the infallible word of God; recognizing the church and state as ordained of Heaven for specific and distinct purposes, but vigorously protesting against the alliance of the church with the state in the attempt to advance religion and to promote the state.

Price 25 cents per year. Liberal terms to agents.

Address, LIBERTY, Takoma Park, D. C.

Life and Health

A PRACTICAL health journal, published with a view of meeting hygienic needs in every home; teaching how to care for the health and how to preserve life; prescribing simple home treatments to assist nature in throwing off diseases rather than adding more poison by using drugs or unnatural stimulants as remedies; teaching how to avoid disease as far as possible, how to manage in the home when sickness does come, and how to combat the disease by simple remedies which nature provides.

Send for sample copy and special rates to agents.

Price 10 cents per copy or $1.00 per year.

Address, LIFE & HEALTH, Takoma Park, D. C.

The LORD'S DAY

The Test of the Ages

A Brief but Comprehensive Treatise covering the History and Doctrine of the Sabbath and Sunday Controversy from Creation to the Present. Truth supported by Scripture, Historical fact, and Argument. A Multum in Parvo on the Sabbath Question. Illustrated; 128 pp; price, 10 cents post-paid.

PACIFIC PRESS Mountain View, Cal.

Bibles

Bibles.—Remember that we are headquarters for anything in the Bible line. We shall be pleased to send you our catalog of Bible selections on application. Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal.

Your Winter Trip

Avoid the snow, cold, and chilly blasts of the rainy season. No better or more comfortable way than the

Sunset Route

Between San Francisco and New Orleans

Through the orange groves of Southern California, the cotton and rice fields of the balmy South.

Drawing-room sleepers, berths, sections, drawing-rooms. Dining service unequaled. Observation car, open-air rotunda, ladies' parlor, gentlemen's cafe, library.

Personally conducted Tourist Excursion Parties to Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, New Orleans and Washington every week.

Write for "Wayside Notes Along the Sunset Route." Tells in detail of the attractions of the Southern Route.

SOUTHERN PACIFIC

Report on the Italian Earthquake

By Editor

In the Outlook Department will be found a late and very interesting report of the awful earthquake which occurred in Italy the 28th of December last. It is from our own Rome correspondent. On the occurrence of the earthquake, he immediately set out to visit the stricken section. He was told that it was utterly useless for him to attempt it, but through the kindness of the American Ambassador who granted him a letter, the Prime Minister of Italy gave him permission to go. He had the good fortune on reaching the Island of Sicily to fall in with the American vice-consul, with whom he lodged while he was on the island. The vice-consul himself had been through the recent earthquake at Valparaiso. Our correspondent presents news at first hand, having himself experienced the awful condition of the stricken district. We are sure that our readers will peruse with great interest the matter which he has sent. It will be continued in our next issue. The excellent views sent will also be appreciated.

Knox’s Eligibility for Secretary of State

There is a perplexing legal question which has come to Mr. Taft and Mr. Knox regarding the choice of the latter as Secretary of State. While both are excellent Constitutional lawyers, they had forgotten, in the multiplicity of duties, Section 6 of Article 1 of the Federal Constitution. A portion of that reads:

“No senator or representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased, during such time; and no person holding any office under the United States shall be a member of either house during his continuance in office.”

During Mr. Knox’s present term of office as senator, the salary of the Secretary of State has been raised from $8,000 to $12,000. In fact, he voted for that law, Jan. 18, 1907. It is said that Mr. Knox will refuse to serve. Congress has done its part in repealing the act to raise the salary of the Secretary of State, so as to make Senator Knox available for that office. Whether the repeal shall become good law has not yet been determined.

Ten Suicides in Chicago

In one day of twenty-four consecutive hours in Chicago, ten persons committed suicide; and most of these were inspired either by poverty or old age.

Rich Biblical Subjects in the Signs

By Editor

We trust our readers will observe the richness of this number of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES in Biblical subjects, and that, too, Biblical subjects of importance. But this is what the SIGNS OF THE TIMES will be throughout the year. It is a good time to interest our friends in it.

The Great Threefold Message of Revelation 14

By Editor

Some of the things we had promised for this issue have been crowded out by our earthquake news. This came rather late and the omissions were unavoidable. In this week's issue we begin a series on “The Great Threefold Message of Revelation 14.” This message has been a great puzzle to commentators, almost invariably it is passed over in practical silence. We are sure that these articles which point out the time and the meaning of the message of this great Gospel presentation will be appreciated by our readers.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes.— On February 16, an earthquake occurred in Cevas, Asiatic Turkey, and as the result, thirty persons lost their lives. The town has a population of about 48,000. An earthquake was felt also in Budapest, lasting for ten seconds.

A few weeks ago we recorded a violent earthquake which had taken place January 23, noted in various scientific centers, but its location was not then determined. The center of it was in western Persia. Sixty villages were wholly or partially destroyed, and the resultant loss of life was placed at between five and six thousand.

Articles on Spiritualism and Psychic Phenomena

By Editor

The whole country has been and is still more or less stirred over the subject of Spiritualism or psychic phenomena. It appears in many different forms and is spoken of under various terms. Many there are in principle spiritists, but who do not call themselves Spiritualists in the usual sense of that term; that is, they are allied with no organization, they prefer to call themselves investigators of psychic phenomena; and yet they admit every principle of Spiritualistic belief. We have asked Prof. G. W. Rine to furnish us some articles upon this subject, and he has been studying it, not only in a general way for years, but in a special way for some time preparatory to writing these articles. There are nine of them in number, about which we shall have more to say later on, but we are sure our readers will find the question lucidly and interestingly discussed. Just when these articles will begin, we can not now say, but it will be before long.

California Legislature and Sunday Laws

By Editor

The “California Christian Advocate” remarked two weeks ago, “We scarcely think that the Legislature seriously considers the activity of the Seventh-day Adventists.” This in regard to the Sunday law. It is entirely immaterial to Seventh-day Adventists as to how their activity is regarded. They are not presenting themselves in anything that they have done against religious legislation. Their one object is to show the evil principles that are potent in these seemingly harmless Sunday-law measures. We are glad that the Legislature of California has considered these. The Assembly has turned down the Sunday Constitutional Amendment by a very decisive vote of 50 to 24. The Sunday-law bill is yet before the Legislature, but it can hardly be believed that the Legislature will pass a measure of that kind if they refuse to submit the amendment. We devoutly thank the great Ruler of nations that there are those still who hold right principles regarding religious liberty.

Pope Out of the Vatican.

A despatch from Rome, February 6, tells us the astounding news that the earthquake in Italy was responsible for the pope's leaving the Vatican. He visited the survivors of the earthquake in the Vatican hospital,—the first time since 1870 that the head of the Roman Catholic Church has set foot on Italian soil. He wished to visit Calabria and Sicily, but was persuaded not to do so. He not only left the Vatican, but he showed the good sense to reply in the affirmative to Señor Nathan, the mayor, a Jew, and a freemason, that the Vatican would receive refugees from the earthquake.

Senator Savage in the California Legislature

has issued a challenge in the open Senate to fight a duel; not to one but three of his enemies. The question is now raised, Can he be longer considered a Senator? for the Constitution declares,—Section 2 of Article XX: “Any citizen of this state who shall . . . send or accept a challenge to fight a duel, . . . shall not be allowed to hold any office of profit or to enjoy the right of suffrage.” If that applies to Senator Savage he certainly will pay dear for his hot-headedness, as millions of others have in the past. It ought ever to be a prayer on the part of men in trying circumstances for calmness in time of trial.

Religious Tyranny in Boston

Here is an item furnished us by a Catholic paper which makes one almost question whether he lives in free America: “The Archbishop of Boston [O’Connell] has published a notice in his paper, the Pilot, in which he tells all Catholic newspapers under his jurisdiction to be good, or he will suppress them. His Grace of Boston announced when he came to that city that the Holy Ghost and he would govern that diocese. We hope the order of precedence will not be inverted as it was in Berlin.” That last remark is to the point. Where men use violent or tyrannical measures in religious matters they are sure to do that very thing.

The Race Problem.

Mr. Taft, in speaking in New Orleans, February 12, declared that “the North must keep its hands off the race problem. The question is one for the South to solve.” To the negro he said that he must work out his own future. He wants the negro to regard himself not as a problem, but as a citizen. It looks sometimes that only the great God Himself could ever settle the problem. Sometimes the more humanity wishes to settle it, the worse they make it.

Men at Auction.

A strange ceremony took place in a church in New York the other day. Thirty-five white men wearing black masks were struck off at auction to the highest bidder. Not a sale of the men, however, as chattels. The pastor of the church stated that the men did not ask for charity; they wanted work to buy food and clothing. They were not hoboes. By the time the auction was over, thirty-five human bargains had been provided with jobs.

Rising Estimates for the Panama Canal

The original estimate on the digging and building of the Panama Canal was $139,000,000; later it was raised to $250,000,000, and now $500,000,000 is asked for. Quite a number are in favor of the sea-level canal, believing that it would be in the long run much cheaper and better, and among them are competent engineers.

Theater Fire and Colliery Explosion

A fearful fire took place in a theater in the city of Acapulco, February 14. Between 250 and 300 people were burned to death. The next day 130 miners were entombed by an explosion which occurred in the Colliery in Northwest Durham, England.

Half the Navy on the Pacific Coast

A recent resolution passed by the Senate of the United States is that there shall be kept in the discretion of the President as far as practicable, one half of the navy of the United States, on the Pacific Coast at all times.