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Signs of the Times, Vol. 4, No. 4.

LAST TALK WITH THE DISCIPLES
Earlier text: Truth

Is Wine a Blessing?

By John B. Gough

I WISH to say that the clergymen of the Church of England are positively doing more for the temperance movement than Dissenters; and the same is true of their wives. I was invited to church with a clergyman who is now bishop of Carlisle, and we had a discussion for two hours. A titled lady was present, and she helped him. I was alone and had to bear the whole brunt of the battle in the Scriptural argument.
"The Bible permits the use of wine," said he.
"Very well," said I, "suppose it does."
"The Bible sanctions the use of wine."
"Very well, suppose it does."
"Our Saviour made wine."
"I know he did."
"Why, we thought you were prepared to deny this."
"I do not deny it. I can read."
"Wine is spoken of in the Bible as a blessing."
I replied, "There are two kinds of wine spoken of in the Bible."
"Prove it."
"I do not know that I can, but I will tell you what it is, the wine that is spoken of as a 'blessing' is not the same that is a 'mocker,' and the wine that is to be drunk in the kingdom of heaven cannot be the wine of the wrath of God. So that, although I cannot prove it learnedly, I know it is so."
Now, there are others who go farther than I can go, but you will please let me go just as far as I can understand it, and if I cannot go any farther, don't find fault with me.
I hold that the Bible permits total abstinence; and I would rather search the Bible for permission to give up a lawful gratification for the sake of my weaker-headed brother, who stumbles over my examples into sin, than to see how far I can follow my own propensities without committing sin and bringing condemnation upon any one's souls
Another gentleman who came to me for a long talk, said, "I have a conscientious objection to teetotalism, and it is this: our Saviour made wine at the marriage at Cana in Galilee."
"I know he did."
"He made it because they wanted it."
"So the Bible tells us."
"He made it of water."
"Yes."
"Then he honored and sanctified wine by performing a miracle to make it. Therefore," said he, "I should be guilty of ingratitude, and should be reproaching my Master."
"Sir," said I, "I can understand how you should feel so; but is there nothing else you put by, which our Saviour has honored?"
"No, I do not know that there is."
"Do you eat barley bread?"
"No."
"And why not?"
"Because I don't like it."
"Very well, sir," said I, "Our Saviour sanctified barley bread just as much as he ever did wine. He fed five thousand people with barley loaves manufactured by a miracle. You put away barley from the low motive of not liking it. I ask you to put away wine from the higher motive of bearing the infirmity of your weaker brother, and so fulfilling the law of Christ." I wish to say that that man signed the pledge three days afterwards.—John B. Gough.

Drunk.

Young man, did you ever stop to think how terrible that word sounds? Did you ever think what misery and woe you brought upon your friends, when you degraded your manhood by getting drunk? Oh, it is a fearful thing to trample under foot the high claims that God and man have upon you. Drunk! how it rings in the ear of a loving wife! How it makes the heart of a fond mother bleed! How it crushes out the hopes of doting fathers, and brings reproach and shame upon loving sisters. Drunk! See him as he leans against some friendly house. He stands ready to fall in the open jaws of hell, unconscious as to his approaching fate. The wife with tearful eyes and aching heart, sits at the window to hear her husband’s footsteps, but alas, they come not! He is drunk, spending his time and money, when he should be at home enjoying the pleasures and comforts of the family circle. Drunk! He is spending the means of support for liquor, while his family is starving for bread, his children suffering for clothing. Drunk! His reputation is going, gone? His friends, one by one, are reluctantly leaving him to his miserable fate. He goes down to his grave “unhonored and unsung.” Drunk!—Sel.

Growth of the Soul

Nothing is thriving in the soul unless it is growing.

Building Below the Stars

Too low they build who build below the stars.

Work and Win.

WHATEVER you try to do in life, try with all your heart to do it well; whatever you devote yourself to, devote yourself to it completely. In great aims and small be thoroughly in earnest. Never think it possible that any natural or improved ability can claim immunity from the companionship of the steady, plain, hard working qualities, and hope to gain its end. There is no such thing as such fulfillment on the earth. Some happy talent and some fortunate opportunity may form the two happy sides of the ladder on which some men mount, but the rounds of that ladder must be made of material to stand wear and tear; and there is no substitute for thorough-going, ardent, sincere earnestness. Never put the hand to anything on which you cannot throw your whole self; never affect depreciation of your work, whatever it is.

Strong Tea Injurious to Health

By Christian Weekly

THE use of strong tea is a great injury to health. It stimulates the nervous system without providing nourishment. Any portion of the human body continuously excited will speedily wear out. "I'm so nervous," is an expression often heard, and the starts and screams which trifling incidents occasion in a company of ladies prove the assertion to be true. The "nervous" would do well to study the care of their nerves more and talk about them less.—Christian Weekly.

GOOD HEALTH.

Bad Air vs. Religion.

MANY a farmer and housekeeper wonders why it is that they must needs take a nap every Sabbath in sermon-time. When the parson gets comfortably into the second or third head of his discourse, and his congregation have settled into the easiest position to listen, gentle sleep begins to steal over their faculties, and the good man is surprised at finding his argument less cogent than it seemed when prepared in the solitude of his study. At home, the busy matron never thinks of eleven o'clock in the morning, and the man of business would consider his sanity or common sense sadly called in question, should a friend propose a half hour's nap at that hour of the day. Nevertheless, they both sleep like kittens in their pews, and logic, rhetoric, eloquence, are alike wasted in the vain attempt to rouse their sluggish souls. The question of the poet, so often sung in our assemblies,
"My drowsy powers, why sleep ye so!"— is exactly in point, and we propose as an answer, Because we are all breathing carbonic acid gas—deadly poison; because the sexton didn't let the foul air of last Sabbath's congregation out of the doors and windows, and let the fresh, pure air of heaven in.
Look around at the audience; that feverish flush isn't heat, it is poison. The lady nodding over there, her nose and cheeks like a scarlet rose, is not too warm, for the thermometer doesn't stand over 70 degrees; she is partially suffocated; what she wants is fresh air. The hard working mechanic and farmer doesn't sleep because he watched with a sick child last night, but simply for the want of oxygen to keep the flame of intellectual and physical activity brightly burning.
Nobody can rise on wings of faith in a poisonous atmosphere. Oxygen and religion cannot be separated in this unrighteous manner. We cannot live in conformity to spiritual laws, while in open violation of the physical.
Is your sexton a man of intelligence sufficient to understand the necessity and reason of ample ventilation? Does he know that every human being vitiates, at the least estimate, four cubic feet of air every minute? Linger when the congregation leaves, and see if he shuts every door and window tight to keep in all the heat till evening service; then see how thin the lamps burn in the vitiated air; how hard the minister tries to raise himself and listeners to the hight of some argument, and how stupid they are—nothing but bad air.
Now for the remedy, which costs labor and money; for ventilation is a question of dollars and cents. The sexton should be instructed to open all the doors and windows a few hours before meeting to let out all the dead and foul air, and let in such as is fresh. It takes no more coal to heat the church to 70 degrees because of this purification. After meeting the opening of the church be again thrown wide—warmth and bad air will alike disappear, and though extra coal may be required to raise the temperature, the minister will preach so much better in consequence, and the hearers will listen with such increased relish to the sacred word, that the loss of the pocket will be infinitely compensated by the gain of the soul.—Educational Monthly.

Vacaville.

By William M. Healey

The debate here has resulted in more good than we at first supposed. We are frequently hearing of those who attended and became interested in our views. Our people were greatly strengthened. Friday two went forward in the ordinance of baptism. Five have signed the covenant since the debate.
The dragon spirit has been manifested here to a fearful extent. For example, a gentleman died here last week who did not belong to any church, but his wife had been a Methodist till a few weeks ago, when she commenced the observance of all the ten commandments. After her husband's death she asked me to preach the funeral sermon. The Methodists persisted that she should have their minister, and when they saw she was decided in having an Adventist, they refused to attend the service, even when especially invited. Can it be that these persons think they are showing a Christian spirit? If they do, the words of Paul in 2 Thess. 2:10-12 is fulfilled in them, for they have "strong delusion." W. M. HEALEY.

Lone Oak, Cal.

By J. L. Wood

THE Lord met with us in our quarterly meeting with the church in this place.
This company now numbers over fifty names on the covenant, whereas, less than a year ago, there were only two Sabbath-keepers in this part of the county. On Sabbath all were present, or their names responded to by others.
Our business meeting on first-day was also quite largely attended. At this meeting s. B. figures were raised from $170 per year to $212. The people are laboring under financial embarrassments, as this is the second dry year they have had in succession. But they are learning to bear burdens and make sacrifices to support the cause of truth. Monday was also a day long to be remembered, on account of the presence of the Lord by his Spirit. Three willing souls followed their Master in the ordinance of baptism. I now leave this company for a while, but I will not forget to pray for them, that they may learn and do their duty, and finally, with all the faithful, be gathered into the kingdom of God. J. L. Wood.

Eureka.

By E. L. McCapes

I HAVE spoken here four times, with good interest. Quite a number are convinced of the truth by reading tracts I have sold and given them. They invited me to speak in a schoolhouse about five miles from Hanford.
E. L. McCAPES, Colporteur.

APPOINTMENTS.

By John Norton Loughborough

OAKLAND—Services at the new church, on the corner of Thirteenth and Clay streets, every Sabbath (Saturday) at 10:30 A. M., and Sunday evening at 7:30. Prayer meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:30. Sabbath-school at 9 o'clock Sabbath morning.
SAN FRANCISCO—Services at the house of worship, on Laguna street, between Tyler and McAllister, every Sabbath (Saturday), at 11 A. M., and first-day evening at 7:45. Prayer-meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:45. The Hayes Valley cars of Market street and the Lone Mountain cars of the Central R. R. cross Laguna street near the church.
Providence permitting, Elder W. M. Healey will preach in the church at San Francisco Sabbath, 26th instant, at 11 o'clock, A. M., and Sunday evening, the 27th, at 7:30.
Providence permitting I will hold meetings as follows :—
Tehama Co., where Brother Brorsen may appoint, January 26 and 27.
St. Clair, Nevada, February 2 and 3, and as long as the interest may demand.
J. N. Loughborough.

Books, Pamphlets, Tracts, Etc.

By Editor

Cruden's Concordance. $1.75, post-paid.
Dictionary of Bible. $1.75, post-paid.
Hymn and Tune Book; 537 hymns, 147 tunes. $1.
Progressive Bible Lessons. 50 cts. “ “ “ for Children. 35 cts.
The Way of Life; a beautiful engraving 19x24 inches, with key of explanations. $1.00.
The History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week. J. N. Andrews. 528 pp. $1.25.
Thrilling Life Sketches. Incidents in the life of an Italian of noble birth. By Francesco Urgos. $1.25, post-paid.
Thoughts on Daniel. U. Smith. $1.00. Condensed paper edition, 35 cts.
Thoughts on the Revelation. U. Smith. $1.00.
The Sanctuary and its Cleansing. U. Smith. $1.00. Condensed edition in paper, 30 cts.
Life of William Miller, with likeness. $1.00.
Life of Joseph Bates, with Likeness. Revised. Edited by James White. $1.00.
The Nature and Destiny of Man. U. Smith. 384 pp. $1.00. Paper, 40 cts.
The Constitutional Amendment. A discussion between W. H. Littlejohn and the Editor of the "Christian Statesman." Bound, $1.00. Paper, 40 cts. First part, 10 cts.
Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. I. Mrs. E. G. White. 416 pp. $1.00.
Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. II. Mrs. E. G. White. 400 pp. $1.00.
Life of Christ, in four Pamphlets, by Mrs. Ellen G. White:— No. 1. His First Advent and Ministry 10 cts No. 2. His Temptation in the Wilderness 10 cts No. 3. His Teachings and Parables 15 cts No. 4. His Mighty Miracles 15 cts
The Game of Life (illustrated). Satan playing with man for his soul. In Board, 50 cts; in paper 30 cts.
Sabbath Readings for the Home Circle. 60 cts.
The United States in Prophecy. U. Smith. Bound, 40 cts. Paper, 25 cts.
A Word for the Sabbath, or False Theories Exposed. (POEM.) U. Smith. Muslin, 40 cts.
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. J. N. A. 30 cts.
Facts for the Times. 30 cts.
History of the Doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul. D. M. Canright. 25 cts.
The State of the Dead. U. Smith. 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.
The Ministration of Angels, and the Origin, History, and Destiny of Satan. D. M. C. 20 cts.
The Atonement. J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.
The Spirit of God. J. H. W. 20 cts.
The Nature and tendency of Modern Spiritualism. J. H. Waggoner. 25 cts.
Miraculous Powers. 20 cts.
The Complete Testimony of the Fathers concerning the Sabbath and First Day. J. N. Andrews. 15 cts.
The Three Messages of Rev. 14, and the Two-horned Beast. J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
The Morality of the Sabbath. D. M. C. 15 cts.
The Resurrection of the Unjust; a Vindication of the Doctrine. J. H. Waggoner. 15 cts.
The Destiny of the Wicked. U. Smith. 15 cts.
The Seven Trumpets of Rev. 8 and 9. 15 cts.
The Two Laws. D. M. Canright. 15 cts.
Redeemer and Redeemed. James White. 10 cts.
Christ in the Old Testament and the Sabbath in the New. James White. 10 cts.
The Saints' Inheritance, or the Earth made New. J. N. Loughborough. 10 cts.
Dangers and Duties of Our Times. An earnest appeal from the General Conference Committee. 10 cts.
The Conference Address. An earnest Appeal to Seventh-day Adventists. 10 cts.
The Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days. J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
Sunday Seventh-day. A Refutation of Mede, Jennings, Akers and Fuller. J. N. A. 10 cts.
The Truth Found. J. H. W. 10 cts.
The Two Covenants. J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
The Hope of the Gospel : What it is, and when it will be consummated. J. N. L. 10 cts.
Review of Gilfillan on the Sabbath. 10 cts.
Vindication of the Sabbath. Morton. 10 cts.
The Date of the Seventy Weeks of Dan. 9, established. J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
Matthew Twenty-four. James White. 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—Present Truth—The Sufferings of Christ—The Two Thrones—The Third Message of Rev. 14—Spiritualism a Satanic Delusion.
Three-cent Tracts : Much in Little—The Lost Time Question—Argument on Sabbatron—Infidel Cavils Considered—The End of the Wicked—Scripture Reference—Who Changed the Sabbath?—The First Message of Rev. 14—The Second Message of Rev. 14.
Two-cent Tracts : Christ in the Old Testament—The Sabbath in the New Testament—The Old Moral Code of Ten Commandments not Revised—Definite Seventh day—Seven Reasons for Sunday Keeping Examined—Ellhu on the Sabbath—The Rich Man and Lazarus—The Sanctuary of the Bible—The Millennium—Departing and Being with Christ—Fundamental Principles of S. D. Adventists—The Judgment ; or the Waymarks of Daniel to the Holy City—The Two Laws—Spirit of Prophecy—One Hundred Bible Facts—The Law and the Gospel—God's Memorial.
One-cent Tracts : Appeal on Immortality—Thoughts for the Candid—Nahum's Chariots—The perfection of the Ten Commandments—Coming of the Lord—Without Excuse—Which Day do You keep and Why?—Geology and the Bible—The Sleep of the Dead—The Sinner's Fate—Can We know?—Is the End Near?—A Dialogue. Address, THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES, OAKLAND, CAL.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

By John Norton Loughborough

District No. 3.

SINCE last report my labors have been with the companies of Sabbath-keepers at Middletown, St. Helena, Napa, and Vallejo, constituting district No. 3. These churches have pledged s. B. for 1878 to the amount of $520.08, and $166.72 to the one-third missionary fund. This is doing well considering that two of their companies are small, some are paying large pledges on other matters, and the most of those in the district are in moderate circumstances.
At Middletown I found some had moved away, so that less than a dozen now meet for worship. These were much encouraged by the meetings.
At St. Helena all were firm in the truth. A marked feature of the work here, has been a steady advance from the very first of their accepting the truth. May God bless these substantial souls.
At Napa, I found the church of special good cheer. Our meetings, business and preaching, were truly blessed seasons. Since completing their church, several years since, there has been a debt hanging over it. At one time their s. B. almost entirely run down with the excuse that they owed for their church, and for one year they neither paid their church debt nor much s. B. Something over a year since they rallied to take hold again on finances with the rest of the State. At this meeting they stated that their church was now free from debt, s. B. and missionary one-third paid up, with a small exception, and they were happy over the new state of affairs in the cause there; not that the gift of God is bought with money, but as Paul said it is "first that abounds to their account." Another evidence is seen here, as in other cases, that the Lord's people share his blessings both spiritual and temporal in proportion to the sacrifice they make for the advancement of the cause.
At Vallejo the few are still firm in the truth. These renewed their s. B. pledges and entered into the missionary one-third pledge. Our opponents have reported that "the cause was dead in Vallejo." The facts are that not a soul has ever given up faith in the truth that embraced it there. One is now in Washington, D. C., one in Michigan, two in Napa, two in San Francisco, and two new ones have accepted the Sabbath and united with those that remain in Vallejo, since I last met with them. When active members move from one place to another, to live out and to spread the truth, this is not the death of the cause. The Lord met with and blessed the few in Vallejo. We enjoyed a precious season with them in speaking Bible truth to them and their neighbors.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

State Quarterly Meeting.

By John Norton Loughborough

The State Quarterly Meeting of the California Tract and Missionary Society convened in Oakland, the evening of January, 19, 1878 as per appointment. Of the eight directors, four were present, namely, Wm. Harmon, John Mavity, E. R. Gillett and Chas. Chittenden. District No. 7 was well represented by a majority of its members, as was also No. 8.
After the usual opening exercises the minutes were called for, read and approved. The secretary's report containing the workings of the society for the last quarter, was also read. The report is as follows :—
Ships visited. . . . . . 70
Other periodicals distributed . . . 123 12 151 53 114 329 825
Signs distributed . . . 716 299 490 106 188 1,659 1,223
New subscribers for other periodicals . 17 6 4 13 30 53 1
New subscribers for Signs . . . 9 17 15 23 6 41 6
No. pp. Tracts, etc., loaned . . . 1,306 14,987 6,927 9,227 3,814 10,995 7,868
No. pp. Tracts, etc., given away . . . 19,753 15,200 7,998 27,117 105 20,203 37,191
Widows and Orphans 25 21.50 25
Book sales . . . . . . $23.10 63.00 4.65 21.60 5.75 6.95
Donations . . . . . . $20.59 27.03 26.66 10.50 56.20 36.50
New Members . . . . . $8.00 3.00 6.00 2.00
Letters written . . . . 33 45 31 23 6 48 46
Families visited . . . . 36 91 49 35 20 104 143
No. of Reports . . . . 47 20 37 22 6 44 31
Memberships . . . . . 113 50 56 47 11 58 45
District . . . . . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
It was ascertained that after selling to the society 10,200 copies of the Health Annual there still remained in the SIGNS Office about 1,800 copies unsold. It was
Voted, That these copies be placed in the hands of the members of the Vigilant Missionary society of Oakland, to be disposed of as thought best, and that Elder Loughborough be empowered to raise the means necessary to make the purchase and to meet the expense of mailing, etc. It was also
Voted, That we as a society take 1,500 copies of a quarterly supplement devoted to the interests of the T. and M. work, to be published at Battle Creek, Mich., and that we forward to its managers any items of progress that would tend to increase the interest of the paper.
John Norton Loughborough, President. Mrs. A. M. Loughborough, Secretary.
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