THERE is in some minds something of a difficulty in the expression which the evangelists and apostles use, for they frequently speak of the events referred to, in the present tense, and as if the people of their own day were the ones to participate therein; while in other places they throw in cautions against looking for the coming of the Lord, for many centuries after their time. Do these declarations contradict each other? or is there a consistent system of interpretation, in accordance with which they can all be shown to be in harmony? Let us look at some of the representative texts of each class.
"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God."
Let no man deceive you, says Paul to the Thessalonians, and cause you to think the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is to take place in your day; for the apostasy must first take place, and the man of sin be revealed, and run his appointed career. This man of sin is generally understood by Protestants to mean the papacy; and this is, beyond question, correct. Paul's caution, then, covers the whole period of time from his day onward through the long ages of papal rule, bringing us down as late in the gospel age, at least, as 1798, when papal supremacy received its death blow at the hands of the French. Not till this point was passed, could any one, according to this instruction of Paul's, look for the coming of the Lord as an event immediately to occur.
How then, shall those other declarations be understood, which seem to represent the event as one which was at the very door when Paul wrote? Do they mean that it was to be looked for in that age? If so, then is our beloved Bible involved in a hopeless contradiction. But we think we can show that all the trouble with these passages arises from overlooking one simple fact, and ignoring one rule of interpretation, which is as beautiful in itself as it is of frequent application in the inspired writings. It is that in prophetic language the present and past tenses are frequently used for the future; and writers sometimes apparently speak of themselves, when they mean persons who are to live far in the future. God, to whom a past and future eternity are one eternal now, "calleth those that things that be not as though they were." Rom. 4:17. And Paul uses this language to explain the promise God made to Abraham, saying, "I have made thee a father of many nations," when as yet he was not even the father of a single child.
Goold Brown's "Grammar of English Grammars," than which there is probably no better authority in the English language, on page 343, thus speaks on this point :-
"In the language of prophecy we find the past tense very often substituted for the future, especially when the prediction is remarkably clear and specific. Man is a creature of present knowledge only : but it is certain that He who sees the end from the beginning has sometimes revealed to him, and by him, things deep in futurity. Thus the sacred seer who is esteemed the most eloquent of the ancient prophets, more than seven hundred years before the events occurred, spoke of the vicarious sufferings of Christ, as of things already past, and even described them in the phraseology of historical facts: 'Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions: he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.' Isa. 53:4, 5. Multiplied instances of a similar application of the past tenses to future events occur in the Bible, especially in the writings of the prophets."
The same prophet, Isaiah, uses the present tense for the future. Chapter 9:6: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." Yet this language refers to Christ, who was not born till more than seven hundred years afterward. David also says, Ps. 16:10: "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell." Here he seems to speak of himself; yet he does not refer to himself at all, but to Christ, in whom the language was fulfilled more than a thousand years afterward, as explained by Peter in Acts 2:31.
Exactly so with Christ and his apostles when they speak of the future second coming of Christ as though immediately to take place. They carry the mind right forward to the last generation and then speak of the event from that standpoint, as at the very doors. Our Lord in Matt. 24, announces the signs that should herald his coming. He addresses the generation that should witness them: "When ye shall see all these things." Then he says, "This generation [the one certainly that witnessed the signs] shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled. The present generation has witnessed the signs, and hence shall also witness the consummation."
Paul, more frequently perhaps than other New Testament writers, uses this figure of anticipation, if we may so call it. "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed," he says to the Corinthians, "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." In the first part of this same chapter he speaks of above five hundred disciples who saw the Lord after his resurrection, and says that the greater part of them remained at that time, but some were fallen asleep. By falling asleep, then, he means falling in death. "We shall not all sleep," shall not all die. Was this true of Paul or any of his companions? Did the last trump sound in his day? Were the dead raised incorruptible? Were the Christians then living exempted from death, and changed in a moment? Did this corruptible and mortal then put on incorruption and immortality? Was death then swallowed up in victory? Was this all accomplished in Paul's day? Certainly no man in his right mind can so believe. What then? Paul simply goes forward to the last generation of Christians, and speaks as if personally among them. How beautifully does this manner of speech link together the whole Christian family! He does not look over into the future and say, they, but we, as though he stood in the midst of them. The first and last meet together; and we are recognized as belonging to the same family, and standing in the same company, with Paul.
So in 1 Thess. 4:15, he says, "We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord," &c. Other like expressions might be given, which, on the hypothesis we have named are clearly explainable, but on no other. This simple rule frees these passages of every vestige of difficulty, and preserves intact and inviolate the teachings of Christ and the apostles.
Eschatology, or the "science of last things," occupies a very prominent place in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. The coming of the Lord, and the coming of the Son of man, stands out prominently upon the prophetic page. We have reached the time to which these predictions pertain; and we would that men might now live as if conscious that the grand epiphany of deity is soon to open to their vision. U. S.
Missionary Work in Southampton
By John Norton Loughborough
Southampton, England.
ANOTHER week has passed, giving us still further opportunity to learn the situation, and to do a little missionary work. It has been the coldest week known in this part of England for thirty years, still we have been able to do something. We realize to some extent the importance of improving the time in our Master's cause.
We find almost as great a variety of sects in England as in America, although they are of a different kind, and have different names. Some of these sects, near Southampton at least, seem to be passing through a state of fusion just at present, and some of their devoted members are specially interested in the present truth.
During the past week, Bro. Ings has visited about two hundred and fifty families, and left tracts and papers with them. Among these he found another person, an intelligent lady, who had commenced the observance of the Sabbath as the result of reading, since his visits last summer. Last night we received a letter from a sister twelve miles away, who had brought another into the truth by loaning her books and papers. The willingness of those who are embracing the truth, and of those who are interested but have not fully taken their stand with us, to help us circulate tracts and papers, and to supply us with names of those who, they think, would be interested readers, is encouraging to us. There seems to be the greatest eagerness here to read the SIGNS, and it is pronounced by many the best and most instructive paper they ever saw. We are anxious to get the supply of papers we have ordered. It is a grief to us to have the people literally begging for them when we have none for them. One of our sisters loaned her SIGNS to a minister in Southampton, and his verdict was, "Those papers are marvelous." Especially do the readers speak in the highest terms of Sister White's articles in the papers, pronouncing them "wonderful."
Last Sabbath, Jan. 11, we held our first Sabbath meeting in our own house, "Stanley Cottage." It was a very bleak day, the coldest of the week, still a few came in. After a brief discourse upon the work of Christ, and the Way of Life picture, encouraging responses were made by those present.
Our place of residence borders on the line of Shirley, which with its two villages, Old and New Shirley, contains six thousand inhabitants. Last Saturday evening we engaged the Shirley hall for two evenings per week. We regretted that we could not find a place to occupy on Sunday evenings, but we thought it better to hold meetings Monday and Wednesday evenings than not to hold any. The hall we have rented is one-half mile from our place of residence. It is a good hall near the center of New Shirley, with seating capacity for two hundred and fifty. We pay for the hall, heated, and well lighted with gas, $1.00 each evening. Next week we can have it three evenings, and we are in hopes to get in once in a while a Sunday evening discourse.
Monday evening, on short notice, we held our first meeting in the hall. Notwithstanding it was very dark, and so foggy that some lost their way in getting to the place of meeting, we had a fair audience, and marked attention was given as we spoke from Dan. 2. On Wednesday evening we had an increase in our audience, as well as an increase in the interest on the part of the people. We are forming some interesting acquaintances. Those who are keeping the Sabbath are becoming more and more settled in the truth.
We have gathered up nearly two hundred names during the past week for our T. and M. societies. We expect that some out of this number will obey the truth. We feel more and more need of daily help from God, that we may rightly perform our part in this last message of mercy, knowing that the Lord on his part is ready to bless when we come into a position where he can bless us.
Jan. 16. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
The following from Brother Wm. Ings, who is also in Southampton, to the Missionary Society of Battle Creek, will be read with interest:
"I find no abatement of the interest to read on present truth. During the past ten days I have visited three hundred families, and out of this number only one refused to receive tracts. Angels are preparing the way, and minds are impressed that some great event is just before us. As the result of reading, three good substantial souls are now rejoicing in the truth. In this country as well as in America, those receiving the truth catch the missionary spirit, and watch every opportunity to extend the light to others; and thus it will continue until the third angel's message shall roll with a mighty swell through the land. I am now visiting from house to house, loaning tracts, selling our publications, and obtaining subscribers for our periodicals. Yesterday I sold Five Annuals; to-day I sold 'Spirit of Prophecy Vol. I,' and I am requested to deliver the three other volumes as soon as the money can be sayed up. This sale is the result of reading Sister White's articles in the SIGNS. Her articles are read with interest, and I find none but that speak highly of them.
"The SIGNS takes with the people, and we hope to get many subscribers. None need be afraid to send papers to friends or others in this country. They will be read with interest, and will be loaned. Hundreds of copies could be used to good account in Southampton, if we only had them. Thousands of copies would be read with the greatest of interest all over England. It is interesting to hear the people tell how earnestly their friends and neighbors ask the privilege of reading their papers when they are through with them. In many cases the people wish to mail them to their friends, and thus they are sent to all parts of England and to other countries."
Overcoming Satan Beyond Feelings and Experience
ONE cannot overcome Satan by feelings nor by past experience.
A Word To Mothers.
The responsibility of mothers is a subject much dwelt upon, yet but few are awake to what is required of them. There are some mothers who indulge their children. They indulge their sons until they are nuisances to every one because they do not wish to "break the boy's spirit." Small wonder that such children grow up to break the mother's heart in return for this mistaken tenderness. It is not for one's self, it is not even for others, for society at large, that children should be taught self-control. These profit indirectly by such education, but the children themselves reap the direct benefits, for he that has been taught to regulate his desires and actions is infinitely more happy than he, who, ungoverned and ungovernable, chafes always against bounds which he must find somewhere. There are two or three other wholesome truths which mothers ought to keep in mind, and which would render education much more easy and generally good.
First, it is from them, and only them, that their children should receive their education, and they have no right whatever to delegate that task to another or to spoil their children by alternate indulgence and severity. If a thing is forbidden one day and permitted the next without any good reason, is the child to blame that it disregards other prohibitions? This governing by fits and starts, is worse than no government; as some one has said: "It is possible to train a child that has been taught nothing; it is impossible to train a child who has been badly taught." Thus a wild horse from the prairies is more easily brought into perfect training than the domestic animal whose mouth has been spoiled and his gait ruined by unskillful horsemanship.
Secondly, the absolute obedience to which the child should be trained is meant to conduce to his future happiness—not as a punishment, but to prevent punishment. "Even Christ pleased not himself," and happiness lies not in having one's own way, but in ruling that way in moderating the desires and passions—not in allowing them unlimited sway. The baby who cries for the moon must be taught that it is beyond his reach, not bribed into quiet by a tin counterfeit. Above all, it is necessary to remember that example is more powerful than precept. It is useless to endeavor to make a child control his temper if you give way to your own, to tell him to be truthful while you are not strictly so; to inculcate neatness while careless of your own dress; and St. Paul's injunction to eat no meat lest you cause your brother to offend, is doubly appropriate in regard to your children; the little folks are keen observers, and will not respect you unless you are worthy. Be careful not to impose unnecessary instructions—to forbid nothing without reason. It is well to infuse into every child's mind the wholesome principle of self-respect, to teach him that certain things are to be avoided and others cultivated, not because you say so, but because of his own dignity and social position. So should they be taught in their earliest years that certain things are for their good, that gentleness, unselfishness, and neatness are not only admirable in themselves and pleasant in their family circle, but that they make their possessor welcome in the outer world, and are excellent capital to begin life upon.—Sel.
The Home Circle.
WATCH, MOTHER, WATCH!
MOTHER, watch the little feet
Climbing o'er the garden wall,
Bounding through the busy street,
Ranging cellar, shed, and hall;
Never count the moments lost,
Never mind the time it costs;
Little feet will go astray;
Guide them, mother, while you may.
Mother, watch the little hand,
Picking berries by the way,
Making houses in the sand,
Tossing up the fragrant hay.
Never dare the question ask,
"Why to me this weary task?"
These same little hands may prove
Messengers of light and love.
Mother, watch the little tongue
Prattling eloquent and wild,
What is said and what is sung
By the happy joyous child;
Catch the word while yet unspoken,
Stop the vow before 'tis broken;
This same tongue may yet proclaim
Blessings in a Saviour's name.
Mother, watch the little heart
Beating soft and warm for you;
Wholesome lessons now impart;
Keep, Oh keep that young heart true;
Extricating every weed,
Sowing good and precious seed,
Harvest rich you then may see
Ripening for eternity.
—Sel.
The Bar-Room Verdict.
A PROMISCUOUS crowd of gentlemen and loafers were seated in the bar-room of Smith’s Hotel, in Attica, busily engaged in discussing the temperance question. They had about conned over all the stereotyped phrases of the day in regard to it. One said that as long as it was made it would be drank. Another, that he could either drink it or let it alone. And another, that whisky was a good thing in its place. One self-important individual stepped up to the bar to take a light drink, as he called it, prefacing the action with the remark that whisky didn’t hurt anybody who didn’t drink it. The words were scarcely uttered when a stout, burly-looking man, who had been an attentive listener all the evening, arose to his feet, and said:—
“That’s a lie!”
All eyes were turned on the speaker, for, in saloon parlance, they “expected a muss.” The burly man paid no attention to the warlike demonstrations of the man he had given the lie, but waved his hand as if to command attention, and said:—
“Listen. Twenty years ago, when the packets were running on the ‘ditch’ that skirts the town, my father moved from a distant state and settled in a village on the canal forty miles east of Attica. He was a hard-working, honest mechanic, a devoted member of the Baptist church, and had never drank a drop of liquor in his life.
“Those were the halcyon days that my friend with the glass likes to talk about, ‘when whisky was pure.’ All the difference between then and now is—then whisky ruled the hour; now it rules the day.
“My father being a temperance man, a thing very unusual in the good old days of ‘pure whisky,’ became the object of hatred to all the whiskyites in the town, more especially for his being instrumental in saving many misguided men from drunkards’ graves.
“When spring election day came round, it was the gala day of the year for drinking, showing horses, gouging out eyes, gnawing ears, and biting out noses. The day ended in being taken home by the best knockers in that ‘neck of the woods.’
“About 4 o’clock on that memorable day for me, when the sport was about over, and several poor fellows were hanging round with gouged eyes, scratched faces, and bloody noses, regretting, perhaps, that they had come to O----, the saloon-keeper, wishing to have the sport continue as long as possible, suggested that it would be a good time for the boys to ‘tune up the old Baptist.’
“‘Glorious thought!’ ‘Bully boy!’ was chimed by the drunken brutes. There was an old bruiser in the crowd who had four noble sons, whom the old man liked to tell about when warmed up by pure old juice. They had ‘never taken the lie from any man,’ was his proud boast. They called my father out of his shop, which stood close to the canal lock, pretending to show him some work to be done. He had just gone as far as the balance beam of the lock, when he was attacked by them. My father being a stout man and no coward, grasped the old one by the collar and shoved him across the beam, when the sons tripped my father and his leg slipped into a muskrat hole. He fell backwards, breaking his leg at the ankle, with the bone protruding through the flesh. While lying there in that condition, the old man and his sons got in their work, kicking my father until coaxed to desist by the saloon-keeper, who said he guessed that would be enough for him for that time. I was standing in that crowd, a little barefoot boy, crying for my dear father, my feet trampled and bleeding by those demons who had drank ‘pure’ whisky.
“My father’s leg was set wrong by a drunken doctor. He lay on his back for nearly a year; has hobbled all his life, and will go to his grave a crippled, morose, unforgiving man. He was the oldest son and only support of a worse than widowed mother and six small children.
“The gentle red men who murder ladies are angels when compared with that saloon-keeper and his victims. That man, gentlemen, who was on the point of taking a ‘light drink’ is one of the sons who crippled my father. That man made the remark that whisky never hurt anybody who didn’t drink it. You all heard me give the lie. Was it right?”
“Yes! yes!” was echoed all around the room.
He pushed through the crowd that gathered around him, to find the subject of his remarks. He was gone! His glass of whisky was standing on the counter untouched.—Monitor.
Reports from the Field.
By John G. Matteson
Christiana, Norway.
The past week has been full of interesting events to us. Our rooms are crowded at every sermon. About five hundred persons will come in, and nearly half of them stand up, while the rest, who come late, have to go home again.
Last Sabbath we formed a church under the law of dissenters in this country. We went before the authorities, and were by them acknowledged as a Christian church agreeable to law. Thirty-three persons had signed their names. Our Bible-class Sabbath afternoon was attended by about sixty persons, and was full of interest. There is a general desire to learn from the Scriptures.
I got a little sheet printed this week called the Signs of the Times, and intend to continue to print one every week. It is no subscription paper yet. We sell them by the piece. We sold about five hundred copies on Sunday. The people must have the truth in print, and our tracts are nearly all gone.
Sunday evening I spoke of the Sabbath of the Lord. About twelve hundred people were present, and many others went away who could not get in. Friday evening I attended a lecture by Professor Bugge in the University hall. He tried to establish some divine authority for Sunday. There is a great stir among the people. They seem determined to hear the truth. It is unreasonable the way they crowd together. There is hardly room left for me to stand.
The professors in the University and the bishop are preparing for a discussion. After the 15th of February I cannot have the large hall in the Latin school any more, and it is doubtful whether I can get any other hall of suitable size. I pray that God may direct the minds of our dear brethren in America so that we may have a tent and a man with it as soon as spring opens, and the weather permits us to use it, so that all in this city who desire to hear the truth may be given an opportunity.
Jan. 13, 1879. JOHN G. MATTESON.
Arbuckle City, Colusa Co., Cal.
By J. D. Rice
We began meetings here Jan. 10. The last meeting was on the Sabbath; fifteen were out. Three only have signed the covenant, but quite a number are debating the question of duty in their own minds. Several have avowed their intention.
The work here is not nearly done, but we cannot hold many meetings at present, it is so wet and muddy. Am improving the time to visit all I can.
There was a mistake in the place in the notice of my meetings in the Signs. I have not held any in Willow, but in this place.
February 11, 1879. J. D. Rice.
Fresno County.
By R. A. Morton
I CLOSED my meetings in the Central Colony first day, 9th inst. We organized a Sabbath-school, Brother Church being elected Superintendent and Brother Hudson assistant. Sabbath evening we had a very interesting prayer meeting and left a standing appointment for the same each week.
During my labors here ten have signed the covenant, nine of whom live in this colony. Others are interested. Brother Church rendered us much aid in various ways. Monday, 11th, we go to another place of labor.
R. A. MORTON.
Lemoore, Cal., Feb. 10, 1879.
Corsica, Ohio.
By A. O. Burrill; A. M. Mann
The third angel's message is taking a strong hold upon the people. Almost every day we find some who have been praying for the truth, and who rejoice as they find it. The first of last week the roads became very muddy, but every evening we had a good congregation. Fifty were out to the Sabbath meeting, and thirty testimonies were borne by those who have embraced the truth. This was a very encouraging meeting. Our friends are sending the reports of the meetings to the papers around, and this is awakening a deep interest to hear the truth in adjoining towns.
A. O. Burrill,
A. M. Mann.
Chatham, Ontario.
By J. Fulton
I CAME to this place Jan. 8. One was keeping the Sabbath and others were interested as the result of Bro. Black's missionary labors. I have held eighteen meetings. Ten are keeping the Sabbath, many others are convinced, and some are preparing to obey. In this city of 9,000 inhabitants, we believe the Lord has many people. We have sold books to the value of $15.75.
Feb. 3, 1879. J. FULTON.
Texas.
By Robert M. Kilgore
I ATTENDED the district quarterly meeting at Cleburne, January 11, 12. The brethren and sisters there show, according to their ability, a commendable zeal in the tract and missionary work; and although their own house of worship had been blown down and demolished, and they are yet in debt since its second erection, they were 'not unmindful of those abroad, but raised about fourteen dollars for the Oakland church. The ordinances were celebrated. The S. B. pledge was re-arranged, every one signing the pledge recommended by the General Conference.
The following Monday resumed meetings at Peoria. The next Sunday the general quarterly meeting and the dedication of our meeting-house occupied the time. The building stands on a good cut-stone foundation. It has a substantial frame 26x38, is ceiled inside, painted within and without, furnished with a good stove, and ten good lamps, and there are twenty cents in the treasury. During these meetings the ordinances were celebrated. Systematic benevolence was reorganized on the Bible plan, and every brother and sister thus far have signed the pledge. Eight more have been added to the church, and five were baptized.
R. M. KILGORE.
Edenville, Mich.
By W. H. Littlejohn
AFTER the close of my labors at Jay, I visited the church at Edenville, where I remained from Jan. 28 to Feb. 3. I was very much encouraged at finding the brethren in that place quite generally holding on to the truth, and manifesting a zeal in the maintenance of public worship. I found their Sabbath-school in a prosperous condition, and operating as a bond of union between them. While there, two more started in the service of the Lord. One of them has been an unhappy victim of strong drink. May God strengthen him for the conflict which is before him, and grant him complete victory in the end.
W. H. LITTLEJOHN.
Vernon Co., Mich.
By O. A. Johnson
I ASSISTED Bro. Hoen in meeting at Bloomingdale. We spoke in English and Norwegian, and about half a dozen decided to keep the commandments. At Mt. Pisgah several who were in a backslidden state made a new start to serve God. I attended the quarterly meeting at Leon, Jan. 3-5. We enjoyed much of God’s blessing. Several united with the church. At Debello the truth is gaining ground. Several made a start in the service of the Lord. Jan. 26, I spoke twice to good congregations at Pine River, about ten miles from Debello. The people are anxious to hear the truth.
Jan. 30, 1879. O. A. JOHNSON.
Belleville, Ontario.
By George A. King
DURING the past three months I have been canvassing in Ontario. This is a hard field, but prejudice seems to be giving way. I have obtained one hundred and twenty-five subscribers for our periodicals; and in subscriptions and for book sales have received $145. Many are becoming interested in the truth, and some have expressed themselves satisfied with our position on the Sabbath question. Some have subscribed for Good Health and the Signs too. We believe that good will result. I am now canvassing in the City of Belleville, a very central place, with good success. We have learned by experience that a judicious circulation of our reading matter is necessary in British territory before attempting to hold meetings, as people are often prejudiced against anything coming from the States without knowing what they are prejudiced against; and they are at first slow to believe that our views come from the Bible. Geo. A. King.
Feb. 1, 1879.
Athol Center, Mass.
By D. A. Robinson
We began meetings here Jan. 18, and to date, Feb. 5, have held nineteen. Our audiences have averaged about 75, but the same ones attend nearly every time. Six have decided to keep the Sabbath, yet we have not fully canvassed the question.
Athol is in Worcester county, and there are places all around here where the truth has never been preached, the South Lancaster church being the only church of S. D. Adventists in this county. A letter from the secretary of the V. M. society at South Lancaster reports a deep interest in the work of sending out the SIGNS. Encouraging letters are received. They now have a club of 275 copies, and yet their cry is, "more papers." Are they rich? says one. Yes; see Jas. 2: 5. Brethren go ye and do likewise. D. A. ROBINSON.
Harvel, Ill.
By C. H. BLISS.
I HAVE just closed a series of meetings in Harvel. I continued the meetings about five weeks, and spoke about thirty-five times. Several commenced the observance of the Sabbath. A Bible-class was organized. One discourse was preached against the Sabbath, which confirmed some on the Sabbath question. — C. H. BLISS.
Markley's Corners, Ohio.
By A. A. Bigelow
SEVEN have commenced the observance of the Sabbath. As far as I can learn, all acknowledge the truth. I have sold three dollars' worth of tracts. I design to preach for the friends here once in two weeks.
A. A. BIGELOW.
January 23, 1879.
Kansas.
By Chas. F. Stevens
JANUARY 9, I went to Chautauqua County, and held meetings near Peru till February 2. Nearly all who attended the meetings regularly acknowledged the truth; but only four or five had the courage to obey it. These, with the few Sabbath-keepers who lived there, will keep up regular meetings and a Sabbath-school. CHAS. F. STEVENS.
Henry Co., Tenn.
By J. H. Dostch
I COMMENCED keeping the Sabbath about twelve months ago, by reading. Two brothers and my father are now with me in keeping the Lord's Sabbath. We want a preacher very much, as many are anxious to hear the truth. I think the way is open here. I have been distributing tracts and the Signs, and I know of at least a dozen persons who are almost or quite convinced.
J. H. DOSTCH.
Missionary Work.
By Mrs. J. I. Tay
FOR the encouragement of those engaged in the Vigilant Missionary work, we will give a few extracts from interesting letters received by different members of the Oakland Vigilant Missionary Society.
The following is from a lady in Virginia: “Your card in reference to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, was duly received. I have been in the receipt of your paper through the kindness of some unknown friend, and have been perusing its pages with deep and increasing interest, fraught, as they are, with words of consolation and hope to earth’s weary pilgrims. I have also been loaning it to some of my neighbors who seem desirous to know something of your doctrine. I have been a member of the Methodist church from my childhood, trusting alone in the atonement of the blessed Saviour for my present and eternal salvation, but have long seen and deplored the wide departure in the churches from the old land marks; so much conformity to the world, and indifference in regard to the great truth of the present time or age in which we live. Now in regard to the paper I would say that its reading matter is of a highly intellectual order and although I cannot as yet fully coincide with its doctrine in every respect, I am convinced that it is Scriptural, and if deprived of its weekly visits I shall miss it sadly, for it has been a welcome visitor to me, and will be if you think proper to continue it.”
A lady in England writes: “In reply to your letter, I beg to say I have received your paper, viz., the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and I feel interested in the reading, and if it is not putting you to too much trouble, I should be pleased to receive them at any time.”
Another lady in England replies thus: “I feel thankful to you for being so kind in sending the paper, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and I think it a very interesting paper, and if you find it convenient to send it we shall be very glad to receive it.”
A gentleman from England says: “I have received four numbers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, also your letter. As regards the papers, I have read them carefully, and some parts over and over again, and like them very much indeed. I have shown them to a gentleman here that takes a leading part in revival meetings, and he pronounces them good. I see by the SIGNS we are going to have a visit from a gentleman of your country. I have always been and am now convinced in my mind that God completed all his labors in six days and rested on the seventh, therefore the seventh is the Sabbath day. I feel very much obliged to you for sending the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, also for your letter.”
A lady in British Columbia, in reply to the first letter written to her in regard to the SIGNS, sent us one dollar for six months’ subscription. Just before the time expired, she sent one dollar more for the remainder of the year. She also sent for our Hymn Books.
We, as a society, feel much encouraged by the many favorable replies we receive from week to week. Mrs. J. I. TAY, Sec.
Students' Diet.
A CORRESPONDENT says: “The use of stimulants by students is a growing evil. I have known young ladies who felt weak to drink strong tea between meals to brace them up. I know a young lady who is in the habit of taking quinine just before going to church for recitation, because it makes her feel brighter. And I have known instances of the opium habit being formed by students. I am glad you are discussing this subject in your columns, and hope the discussion may do lasting good.”
There is a disease known to physicians as “gastrodynia,” which is frequent among the poorer classes, and is caused by the use of tea and coffee in place of nourishing food. In curing this disease the opium habit is very apt to be contracted, as opium is the agent employed in its cure. Students and all others should know that there is no substitute for wholesome, nutritious food. The stomach may seem to bear imposition with impunity, but its final resentments are terrible. For a brief time stimulation seems to produce great results, but in the long race those who avoid liquors, tobacco, tea, coffee, quinine, opium and all the class of unnutritious stimulants come out top, and are physically happy all the time they are running the race.
Soda biscuit is an article that should be eschewed by all students, also greasy food, fried meats, rich pastries; fruit and the cereals, with milk, eggs, fresh meat, oysters and fish, will make them strong to study, strong to succeed, strong to enjoy.— N. Y. Tribune.
Sleep as a Tonic.
THE best possible thing for a man to do when he feels too weak to carry out anything is to go to bed and sleep as long as he can.
This is the only actual recuperation of brain force; because during sleep the brain is in a state of rest, in a condition to receive and appropriate particles of nutriment from the blood, which takes the place of those which have been consumed by previous labor, since the very act of thinking burns up solid particles, as every turn of the wheel or screw of the steamer is the result of consumption by fire of the fuel in the furnace.
The supply of consumed brain substance can only be had from the nutritive particles in the blood which were obtained from the food eaten previously, and the brain is so constituted that it can best receive and appropriate to itself those nutritive particles during the state of rest, of quiet and stillness of sleep.
Mere stimulants supply nothing in themselves; they goad the brain and force it to a greater consumption of its substance, until it is so exhausted that there is not power enough left to take up a fresh supply.
Adapt Your Shoes to Your Feet.
WHY it should be desirable to have a small, weak foot, any more than a small and weak brain, is not easy to conceive. For the purpose of having such small feet, not a few wear boots one or two sizes too small, and about two-thirds of the width of the foot as it would be at the ball if allowed to spread as it does when standing without the confinement of the boot. As a natural and necessary result of such pinching confinement, the foot becomes deformed and larger than it would naturally grow, with enlarged joints, the toes turned from a line parallel with the foot, to say nothing of the troublesome corns so annoying and crippling to a large class of young women. The worst results of this crippling custom of wearing small and narrow boots is felt by children when allowed to outgrow their boots. It is poor economy to allow the young to wear boots when the feet have become too large for them, since deformity of the feet is easily produced at this time. When the boot is too short for the wearer and the heel too high, the ingrowing of the nails is a perfectly natural result.
A Warning About Carrying Children by One Arm
THERE is a very strong hint in this paragraph from Dr. Deems: "Madam, did you ever lift a dog by the tail?" "Why, no, you cruel thing, you," she replied. "I didn't know. I saw you carry your little child across the gutter by one arm. A dog's tail is a good deal stronger than the ligaments of a baby's arm."
Gymnastics in Public Schools
The Milwaukee Banner advocates gymnastic practice in the public schools, and the editor asks: "What have I gained in a son who at twenty years of age is an example of scholarship, but at twenty-one dies of consumption?"