p. 328 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 1, No. 41. (8/19/1875)

Earlier text: Amusements—When Innocent, When Sinful

Religious Miscellany.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

—The constitution of New Hampshire, adopted at the late session of the Legislature, abolishes all religious tests.

—Miss Sarah Bassett, of Crawfordsville, Indiana, and Miss Anne Poage, of La Grange, Missouri, sail as missionaries to Persia on the 7th of August.

—The total amount received in the last three years, in all the conferences, for the support of the Methodist bishops, is $93,262.—72 which is $77,000 less than their salaries.

—Spain’s new constitution recognizes the principle of "individual and civil liberty," and in so many words allays the anxiety felt for Protestant missions there since the return of the monarchy and a Catholic king. But it was by the powerful influence of the Protestant nations around her that Spain was compelled to make this concession.

—The Church of England has reached a dividing of the ways before which she pauses. The contending parties, who are held in an unnatural coalition by the cohesion of State patronage, stand irresolute, each willing to go on its way, but each afraid of the other, and of the consequences of collision; while Mr. Gladstone and some others beg them not to contend, least the whole Establishment should tumble down.

—Camp-meetings are becoming popular with all denominations. Noticing the fact that the Baptists have arranged to hold an out-door meeting or camp-meeting at Martha’s Vineyard, in August, a Boston paper predicts that "before many years we may see the Congregationalists, the Universalists, the Presbyterians, the Unitarians, who are second to none in their appreciation of the advantages of social gatherings, the Episcopalians, and even the Catholics, having their meetings also in God’s first temples."

—The following is the number of meetings held by Messrs. Moody and Sankey in London during the past four months, with the aggregate of attendance:—

"In Camberwell, sixty meetings, attended by 480,000 persons; in Victoria, forty-five meetings, attended by 40,000 persons; in the Opera House, sixty meetings, attended by 330,000 persons; in Bow, sixty meetings, attended by 600,000 persons; and in Agricultural Hall, sixty meetings, attended by 720,000 persons."

—The Pacific Methodist is down on the ministerial "vacation" which is now so popular. It says:—

"We are inclined to regard it as unauthorized innovation, and detrimental to the best interests of the churches. Let us think for a moment, and ask, Did Jesus, Peter, John, or Paul, ever leave their flocks? Did they, or any one of the apostles, or those commissioned of Christ, ever have time to seek their own pleasure, taking a fourth, a sixth, or a twelfth, of the year for recreation?"

—The Examiner and Chronicle says:—

"When a man like Thomas Hood dares to say that as soon as he hears a man is pious, he begins to suspect him; when he can say this, and not outrage the sense of the world by it, then we may begin to ask what kind of Christians our age has to show. For the insolence of the Sadducees will always be found in near proportion to the indolence of the Christian. Many a church of Christ at the present time sits like Eli; without courage to rebuke sin in its own members; yet trembling for the ark of God."

—Universalism does not run smoothly on the Pacific Coast. It assumes a wild and uncontrolled freedom that has occasioned the denomination no little trouble. Two or three small societies have sprung up, and more than once the great lights of the East have had to visit the West to harmonize things. The fragments of societies have at last been amalgamated, and the friends of the sect hope that matters have settled down on a solid basis, and that a large and solid society will now grow up. The Unitarian congregation of San Francisco, founded by Starr King is one of the most prosperous in the city.

CATHOLIC PERSECUTION.—Rev. William Le Conte, a Presbyterian missionary to Brazil, in a letter which we find in the Christian Observer and Commonwealth, gives an account of the opposition to Protestantism manifested by the Catholics of that country. He was obliged to procure an escort of soldiers to secure him from being assaulted by the mob which at times was quite threatening. The Catholics assert that "Protestantism is the beast, the Anti-Christ." Notwithstanding their protestations to the contrary, whenever the Catholics have the power, they always have persecuted, and do still persecute, all who do not agree with them. D. M. C.

News and Miscellany.

By Editor

—There are 90 pupils in the Deaf and Dumb and Blind Institute.

—There are forty-five thousand men in Pennsylvania who work under ground in the mines.

—The crops have failed in Portugal and a famine is imminent. The cattle are dying of hunger.

—The New York Tribune says : “The thieves on the police force aid and abet the thieves off of it, and then hold their names and transactions in the sacred confidence of assumed ignorance.

—During the last week or ten days the display of meteors observed at San Diego every night has been phenomenal. Some of them have been very brilliant, carrying long trails of light in their wake, fairly illuminating the sky.

—Lady Franklin is dead. Through her great love to her husband, Sir John Franklin, she induced England, and private parties to send out twenty different expeditions in search of his lost ships and his frozen body, at a cost of $6,000,000.

—The colored citizens of San Francisco strongly protest against the colored schools, claiming that they are not wisely managed. They demand admittance for their children to the city schools, and that the colored schools be abolished.

—The miners are preparing to leave the Black Hills. There were about 1,500 whites in the Hills. The Indians still demand that the whites be driven out. Troops are en route to establish posts for the purpose of keeping out miners.

—The General Medical Council of Great Britain, which registers the licenses granted by colleges and other licensing bodies, has decided to register the licenses granted to women by any of the nineteen licensing bodies. This is a long stride in advance in a country where now but one female practitioner, Mrs. Anderson, has a legal status as such.

CHICAGO, Aug. 5.—The disastrous rains of the year it is to be hoped culminated on last Friday and Saturday in a flood which came down upon Missouri, Tenessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Western Pennsylvania, carrying devastation to the unsheltered harvests, flattening the corn, and sweeping uncounted wealth away down the vallies.

SALT LAKE CITY, August 10.—Considerable excitement prevails in the neighborhood of Corinne, on the Central Pacific Railroad, growing out of the demonstrations by a large body of Indians camped near there, belonging to the Snakes, Bannocks and other tribes. Nearly 1,000 of them were lately baptized into the Mormon church. They have supplied themselves with ammunition and guns, and to-day, it is reported, have sent all the squaws away and made threats of driving the Gentiles from the west side of Bear River, which they claim has been granted them by the Mormons for a reservation. Governor Emory has asked for a company of troops to be sent to Corinne for the protection of the people.

—Icelanders are looking to Alaska as a congenial place of retreat from their ash-sown land. The matter was under consideration last year, and a commission was sent to examine the country. They selected St. Paul, Alaska, as a satisfactory point. The climate of St. Paul, though cold, is not too variable; it is tempered by the warm current from the Japanese seas; which sweep up the coast. The islands abound in feathered game, and the waters literally teem with fish. The commissioners suggest that an Icelandic colony can supply the Pacific States with beef, butter, and cheese; that they will manage the fisheries in a far better manner than has heretofore been done; and that they will supply timber to the Pacific States, besides building ships for their own use.

Obituary Notices.

By Mrs. Wm. W. Chase

“I will ransom them from the power of the grave : I will redeem them from death.” Hosea 13:14.

DIED, at her home in Berlin, Wis., May 7, my sister, Izah G. Putman, aged 39 years. Her disease was consumption. She leaves a husband and three children to mourn their loss. She embraced the present truth about ten years ago, under the preaching of Elds. Matteson and Sanborn, and was baptized by the latter. She was a great sufferer the last two years of her life, but was hopeful and patient, exhorting her husband and son to prepare to meet her when Jesus comes to wake the sleeping dead.

MRS. WM. W. CHASE.

Eastern Camp-Meetings.

By Editor

New England, South Lancaster, Mass., August 26–31, 1875. Maine, Richmond,.......... Sept. 2–7, “ New York, Rome,.......... “ 9–14, “ Ohio,.................. Sept. 30–Oct. 5, “ Indiana,.................. Oct. 7–12, “ Kansas,.................. “ 14–19, “

From Bro. White.

A telegram just received from Bro. White reads as follows: “Battle Creek, Aug. 17: Eld. Canright is here. We shall be at the California Camp-meeting.

James White.

The Office Building.

The new publishing house is now receiving the second coat of plaster, and will soon be ready for occupancy. When thoroughly furnished it will be one of the first printing houses on the Coast.

The Battle Creek College.

The next term of the S. D. A. Denominational School, located at Battle Creek, Mich., opens Aug. 30. This school offers especial advantages to those who wish a religious influence. The College buildings are capacious and elegant. The teachers are able and experienced. Special attention is paid to the study of the Scriptures.

California.

By John Norton Loughborough

A FRIEND writes, raising some objection to my article upon the work in California under the title "Seven Years," because it made no mention of anything having been done before our coming.

My article was designed merely to recount the mercies of God with his truth for the past seven years, and I spoke of matters as we found them when we arrived here. Some two years before Bro. Bourdeau and myself came, there were nine or ten Sabbath-keepers here who formed themselves into a society, and met together occasionally, Bro. M. G. Kellogg speaking to them. I am informed that this society sent $300 to the General Conference with urgent requests that laborers might be sent here.

At the time we came, however, Bro. Kellogg was in the East, having gone there to plead with the General Conference for laborers. Several of those who had kept the Sabbath had left the State, so, as I said, when we arrived there was not a society of those here in sympathy with us or our views.

J. N. L.

California Camp-Meeting.

THE California Camp-meeting will be held at Fairfax station, Marin Co., from Sept. 23, at 9 A. M., to Sept. 30, 6 A. M. We hope to see all our brethren and sisters in the State at this meeting, and as many of your friends as you can induce to come. Opportunity for pitching tents, or space for rooms in the building, will be granted to any interested parties who wish to enjoy the meeting. Food for man and beast will be furnished upon the ground at reasonable prices. All coming should provide themselves with bedding unless they have made special arrangements with some tent company to provide them beds. We can accommodate men who bring blankets and have no tent, in our large tent.

It is desired by the committee that, as far as consistent, tents, and cloth for rooms in the building, be shipped to the camp-ground, Sept. 15. No tents should arrive later than the morning of Sept. 22. All our tents should be up, and our campers be upon the grounds by Sept. 22, so that the opening of the meeting, on the morning of the 23d, shall not be disturbed by erecting and preparing tents.

The fare for the round trip, from San Francisco to Fairfax and return, from Sept. 22 to Oct. 1 inclusive, is $1.00. In buying your tickets to Fairfax, at S. F., state that you are going to the camp-meeting, and you will get your ticket for Fairfax, and a return ticket to San Francisco for the $1.00. Your return ticket is good until Oct. 1, the day after the meeting closes. Particulars about the time of trains from S. F., and the place of taking trains, will be given hereafter.

G. D. HAGER, D. B. RICKEY, WM. HARMON. } Camp-Meeting Com.

State Missionary Meeting.

THE next yearly gathering of the California State T. and M. Society will be held in connection with the camp-meeting at Fairfax, Sept. 23 to 30, at such time as may be announced by the President of the society after the opening of the camp-meeting.

All who have paid one dollar into our State missionary funds for membership, are permanent members of the society, and are entitled to vote in all the meetings of the society. Those who have not yet become members of the society, will do well to come prepared to pay their $1.00 and become members.

We request the directors, district secretaries, business agents, and librarians of our churches, to bring all their account and record books of the society to the meeting.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, Pres. LUCIE BUSH, Sec.

California Conference.

THE next yearly session of the California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will be held in connection with the camp-meeting at Fairfax, Sept. 23–30, at such time as may be announced by the President after the opening of the camp-meeting.

We hope to see a full representation, by delegates from every company of Sabbath-keepers in the State. Each church of twenty members or less is entitled to one delegate, and to one additional delegate for every additional fifteen members over the first twenty. Each company which has organized Systematic Benevolence, and has a leader appointed, is entitled to delegates, and should choose them according to their respective numbers.

Churches that have completed their organization since the last conference was held should come prepared to unite with the conference.

The secretary of the conference will furnish to each church blanks for delegates, credentials, and reports of standing and finances. Let all church books and S. B. books be brought to the conference.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, Cal. JOHN JUDSON, Conf. J. W. BOND. Com.

Systematic Benevolence.

By Editor

We were pleased at our last yearly conference to see the promptness manifested in paying s. B. pledges. The account, in about every instance, standing square on the s. B. books. We hope to see the accounts all square again this year. Shall we be disappointed in this? Now is the easiest season of the year to obtain means, and it seems especially appropriate, in coming to our yearly feast, to come up paying our vows to God. See Mal. 3:10.

It is a part of the work of our missionary directors, in the respective districts, "to see that each comes up on Systematic Benevolence." We suggest that they interest themselves to see that each and every member of our different churches has an opportunity to pledge on s. B., and that all s. B. accounts are paid over by the time of our next district quarterly meeting, in season for the means to be brought to the State conference treasurer at the time of conference.

At the time of our State conference a committee of six laymen will be chosen, to act, with the Executive Committee of three, in auditing and settling with ministers in the direct employ of the conference. Let all dues to the conference in the shape of s. B. pledges be paid, that this committee may be enabled to do their work, and the conference devise liberal things relative to the future.

Cal. Conf. Committee.

The Best Persuasion.

A soldier lay dying in the hospital. A visitor asked him, "What church are you of?" "Of the church of Christ," he replied. "I mean of what persuasion are you?" then inquired the visitor. "Persuasion!" said the dying man, as his eyes looked heavenward, beaming with love to the Saviour. "I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus."

A Living, Loving Christ

A REAL personal, living, loving Christ is what we all require.

The Man of Pleasure

By Dudley Marvin Canright

The mere man of pleasure is an unsatisfied being, and miserable in his heart.

Business Department.

By Editor

"Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully," (margin, negligently). Jer. 48:10.

Received for the Signs.

$2.00 EACH. Salina Rogers 3-1, Joseph E Cowin 2-1, Lewis Martin 3-1, D P Strong 2-41.

$1.00 EACH. Mrs John Condon 2-17, James D Wolcott 2-17, D Spreckles 2-17, T H Swain 2-17.

MISCELLANEOUS. Joseph Cormick 5c, W E Emerson 5c, H Hansen 5c, S M Starrs 5c, Summers Brumfield 5c, John Atchinson 25c, John F Daily 25c, Prof J H Steiner 50c 2-1.

California Publishing Fund.

D M Canright $10, J W Cronkrite $10, D Washington $5, J I Tay $25, Michael Fallon $50.

Appointments.

By John Norton Loughborough

Oakland.—Regular services are conducted by the Seventh-day Adventists in their hall, corner of Twelfth and Broadway, every Sabbath (Saturday) at 11:30 A. M., and each Sunday evening.

San Francisco.—Seventh-day Adventist services each Sabbath (Saturday) at the A. P. A. Hall, Mission street near Third, at 11 A. M., and every Sunday evening.

Appointments Withdrawn.—Circumstances demanding that I should join Bro. Waggoner in tent labor at Hollister, I hereby withdraw my appointments at Healdsburg and Santa Rosa. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Quarterly Meetings.

Our next State quarterly meeting will be held during the camp-meeting at Fairfax, in connection with our yearly State missionary meeting, at such time as may be announced by the President of the society after the opening of the camp-meeting.

Our district quarterly meetings will all be held at one time, Sabbath and First-day, September 11 and 12, as follows:—

District No. 1, at Petaluma, Bro. T. M. Chapman, director, presiding.

District No. 2, at Santa Rosa, Bro. Wm. Harmon, director, presiding.

District No. 3, at Napa, the vice president, J. W. Bond, director, presiding.

District No. 4, at Vallejo, the director, J. S. Howard, presiding, and Bro. Charles Jones preaching Sabbath, and officiating in the ordinances.

District No. 5, at Woodland, Bro. G. C. Martin, presiding.

District No. 6, at Red Banks, Tehama Co., Bro. J. H. Disher, director, presiding.

District No. 7, at Oakland, Bro. D. B. Rickey, director, presiding.

District No. 8, at San Jose, Bro. H. H. Stevenson, director, presiding, and J. H. Waggoner preaching and officiating in the ordinances.

District No. 9, at San Francisco, the President of the State Society, and the director in charge.

All dues to the Missionary Society should be paid to the respective directors at these quarterly meetings, furnishing an account of the same, so that they may be prepared to balance all their accounts with the society at the yearly State missionary meeting. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, Pres. LUCIE BUSH, Sec.

Wanted.

By Editor

THE provision stand, restaurant, and stock-yard on the camp-ground, we wish to let to responsible parties. Those wishing either of these should make their applications in writing to G. D. Hager (chairman of the Camp-meeting Committee), Santa Rosa, Cal.

Money Orders.

By the new postal exchange which took effect the first of August, Postal Money Orders can be sent to all parts of Canada.

English Bibles.

We will send any of the following English Reference Bibles, by mail, post-paid, at their respective prices: (1) Min. Ref. after verse, mor., $3.00 (2) Nonp'r'l, Marg. Ref., 2.50 (3) Pearl, “ “ “ Gilt, 2.00 (4) Diamond, “ “ “ circuit, 2.00 (5) “ “ “ “ Brass Rim'd 1.50 (6) “ “ “ “ Plain, 1.25

ALL money sent by mail to the SIGNS Office should be in drafts or postal orders, payable to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, if the sum exceeds $2.00. Sums less than $2.00 can be in currency or postage stamps.

ALL letters or business for the SIGNS should be addressed “SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.”

Books, Pamphlets, Tracts, etc., etc.

By Editor

For Sale at this Office.

Our Book List.—Any persons on the Pacific Coast wishing any of the publications named in our book list can obtain them by mail or express by writing to the Signs of the Times, Oakland, California, enclosing the published price of the same. When sent by mail, books will be post paid; when by express, at the expense of the one ordering the books; but in this case a liberal discount will be made when ten dollars worth or more are paid for with any one order.

PUBLICATIONS.

By Editor

Prices in Coin.

Cruden's Complete Concordance. In this any passage in the Scriptures can readily be found. $1.50 per copy, post. paid.

Bible Dictionary of Bible names, customs and countries, and maps of Bible lands. $1.50 per copy, post. paid.

The History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week, by J. N. Andrews. 528 pp. $1.25.

Thoughts on Daniel. By U. Smith. $1.00. Condensed paper edition, 35 cts.

Thoughts on the Revelation. By U. Smith. $1.00.

Life of Wm. Miller, with likeness. $1.00.

The Nature and Destiny of Man. By U. Smith. 384 pp. $1.00. Paper, 40 cts.

The Constitutional Amendment: or The Sunday, The Sabbath, The Change, and The Restitution. A discussion between W. H. Littlejohn and the Editor of the "Christian Statesman." Bound, $1.00. Paper, 40 cts. First part, 10 cts.

The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. I. By Ellen G. White; 416 pp. $1.00.

Autobiography of Eld. Jos. Bates. 318 pp. $1.

Hygienic Family Physician. $1.00.

The Game of Life (illustrated). Satan playing with man for his soul. In board, 50 cts.; in paper, 30 cts.

Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Camp Meetings and other Religious Gatherings. Compiled by Elder James White. 196 pp. Bound 50 cts. Paper 25.

The United States in Prophecy. By U. Smith. Bound, 40 cts. Paper, 20 cts.

The Advent Keepsake. Muslin, 25 cts. Gilt, 40 cts.

Sermons on the Sabbath and Law, embracing an outline of the Biblical and Secular History of the Sabbath for 6,000 years. By J. N. Andrews, 25 cts.

Facts for the Times, revised and enlarged, 25c.

History of the Doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul. By D. M. Canright, 25 cts.

The State of the Dead. By U. Smith. 224 pp. 25 cts.

Our Faith and Hope. Sermons on the Millennium, Second Advent, the Kingdom, the Judgment, the Time, the Sanctuary and Saving Faith. 20 cts.

Refutation of the Age to Come. By J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.

The Atonement. By J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.

The Nature and Tendency of Modern Spiritualism. By J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.

The Bible from Heaven; a Dissertation. 20 cts.

Miraculous Powers. Evidences, Scriptural and historical of the perpetuity of Spiritual Gifts. 20c.

The Complete Testimony of the Fathers concerning the Sabbath and First Day. By J. N. Andrews. 15 cts.

The Ministration of Angels: and the Origin, History, and Destiny of Satan. By D. M. Canright. 20 cts.

The Three Messages of Rev. 14, and the Two-Horned Beast. By J. N. Andrews. 15 cts.

The Resurrection of the Unjust; a Vindication of the Doctrine. By J. H. Waggoner. 15 cts.

Redemption, or the Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness (Life of Christ, No. 2). By Mrs E. G. White. 15 cts.

The Saint's Inheritance, or the Earth made New. By J. N. Loughborough. 10 cts.

The Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days. By J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.

Sunday Seventh-day. A Refutation of Mede, Jennings, Akers and Fuller. By J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.

The Truth Found; The Sabbath. By J. H. Waggoner. 10 cts.

Brown's Review of Gilfillan on the Sabbath. 10 cts.

Vindication of the True Sabbath. Morton 10 cts.

The Date of the Seventy Weeks of Dan. 9, established. By J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.

The Seven Trumpets of Rev. 8 and 9. 10 cts.

Matthew Twenty-four. By James White. 10c.

Position and Work of the True People of God under the Third Angel's Message. Littlejohn. 10 cts.

The Hope of the Gospel: What it is, and when it will be consummated. By J. N. Loughborough, 80 pp. 10 cts.

An Appeal to the Baptists, from the Seventh-day Baptists, for the restoration of the Bible Sabbath 10 cts.

Four-cent Tracts : The Second Advent.—The Seventh Part of Time—Celestial Railroad—Samuel and the Witch of Endor—The Ten Commandments not Abolished—Address to the Baptists—The Present Truth—The Sufferings of Christ.

Three-cent Tracts : Much in Little—The Lost Time Question—Spiritualism a Satanic Delusion—Infidel Cavils Considered—The End of the Wicked—Scripture References—Who Changed the Sabbath?

Two-cent Tracts : Definite Seventh Day—Seven Reasons for Sunday-Keeping Examined—Sabbath by Elihu—The Rich Man and Lazarus—Argument on Sabbaton—The Millennium—Departing and Being with Christ—Fundamental Principles of S. D. Adventists.

One-cent Tracts : Appeal on Immortality—Thoughts for the Candid—Sign of the Day of God—The Two Laws—The Perfection of the Ten Commandments—Coming of the Lord—Without Excuse—Which Day, and God's Answers.

* Address, Signs of the Times. OAKLAND, CAL.