It is rather a startling fact to learn that in 1880, one out of every four hundred and fifty persons in this city of twelve hundred thousand souls was arrested and held to account for a felony, one out of one hundred and fifty-five for a misdemeanor, and one out of thirty-three for minor offences. Think of that! But worse still, of over twelve hundred thousand souls, one in every eighteen was under arrest, and nearly one in every twenty-seven was held for some violation of the law! What a record of law-breaking that is for the chief city of a Christian land. What a field for reformation of character it opens up to view. What stronger proof of the need of religious influences in lower New York could be given than this?
Now for a few bald figures. In 1880 the total number of persons arraigned was 68,477, against 65,344 in 1879, an apparent increase in crime of 3,133 cases. Of the whole number arraigned 49,801 were males, 18,676 females, and 46,358 were held for trial. The increase was wholly among the males. In the classification of crimes, it appears that there were 3,776 arrests for felonies, which include burglary, felonious assault, robbery, and homicide; 13,539 for misdemeanors, which include assault and battery, violations of the excise law, petit larceny, etc.; and 50,208 under the head of summary proceedings, which include drunkenness, disorderly conduct, wife-beating, vagrancy, and the whole run of minor offences. Of the 18,676 female prisoners, 16,687 were arrested under summary proceedings, and 488 for felonies. There were 1,119 excise cases, and the number of these now awaiting trial at the General Sessions is said to be above 9,000. The burglaries numbered 824 against 691 in 1879.
These things speak for themselves, and no comment can deepen their impressiveness. As a people we have a yet more pressing need than that of clean streets—the need of clean homes and clean hearts.
The Signs of the Times.
OAKLAND, CAL., FIFTH-DAY, JUNE 23, 1881.
SABBATH, June 18, the church at Oakland listened to a sermon from Eld. Corliss on Christian duties as given in Matt. 18. The meeting was a profitable one. On Sunday evening he again spoke to a large and attentive audience on the "Time of the End." The interest of these meetings was heightened by the fact that Eld. Corliss was about to leave for the East. Although he expected to make California the field of his future work, failing health has compelled him to desist from active labor. He left for the East on Monday. We deeply regret the necessity for his departure, and the prayers and best wishes of all will follow him.
CHRISTIAN (?) UNION
" 'WHO is antichrist?' asks the Presbyterian. It ought to know. See Westminster 'Confession of Faith,' chapter xxv, sec. vi.: 'The Pope of Rome . . . is that antichrist, that man of sin and son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the church against Christ and all that is called God.' But the Presbyterian, which does not read the Confession so much as it ought, and has forgotten what it contains, says: 'The papal church has never, in our judgment, been the antichrist, the man of sin which is to be revealed.' It declares that, in its opinion, the antichrist is international socialism, and that its first assault will be on the papal church, and that the antagonism 'will yet bring the whole Christian church, Protestant and Catholic, into nearer confidence and affiliation, in resistance to the last and most terrible of foes. Common persecution has often made fast friends of enemies, and joined them in self-defense, and we believe this, as between Catholics and Protestants, is in the future, when that man of sin shall be revealed.' This is not according to the Book; but it may be so. It might be worth an irruption of antichrist to have the church, Protestant and Catholic, brought into a closer sympathy, and we are greatly encouraged in our own labors toward fraternity to see this remarkable utterance of the Presbyterian. We shall feel strengthened to pursue our less startling effort to bring about a fellowship of Protestants who love our Lord Jesus Christ."
The above is from a prominent religious journal, and expresses a common, modern idea of Christian union. No matter if the Presbyterian's definition of the "man of sin" is not according to the "Book," it tickles the fancy with its "liberality," and that is enough. To say nothing of other characteristics which would identify the Papacy with the "man of sin," the fact that it exalts the worship of saints, images, and the virgin Mary, above the worship of Christ, is sufficient proof. Gavazzi stated that in one town in Italy there were 3000 shrines to Mary, and only one to Christ; also that the people were commonly taught by the priests of Rome that those who seek to gain Heaven through Christ very frequently fail, while those who apply to Mary, invariably succeed. Such practice and teaching as this, unmistakably stamp Romanism not only as unchristian, but as anti-Christian. It is a fact well understood in Rome, that the Pope expects to gain in this country the power he has lost in Europe; so that, however friendly Protestants may be, the Pope has no idea of union except such as takes place when the hungry wolf meets the unsuspecting lamb. The desire of the early church for "union" resulted in the great apostasy, and any union that is not the "unity of the faith," must necessarily result in spiritual declension. There can be no union between Christ and Belial.
Appointments.
DISTRICT QUARTERLY MEETINGS.
DISTRICT No. 8 will hold its church quarterly meeting on Sabbath, July 2, and the district T. and M. meeting on the evening after the Sabbath. As matters of more than usual interest are to be transacted at these meetings, we hope all the brethren and sisters will be present. M. C. ISRAEL.
DISTRICT No. 6 will hold its quarterlymeeting at Red Bluff, Sabbath and Sunday, July 9, 10. We expect Elder Briggs will be with us. A general attendance is requested. D. S. HEMSTREET, Director.
THE quarterly meeting for district No. 2, will be held at Lemoore, July 9, 10. A general attendance is desired. All librarians in the district are especially requested to be present. J. M. LOVELAND, Director.
DISTRICT No. 1 will hold its quarterly meeting at Healdsburg, July 9, 10. Let there be a good attendance. T. M. CHAPMAN, Director.
Church and State Distinct
THE New York Independent declares its utter lack of faith in the soundness of the demand to recognize God in our Constitution, enforce the teachings of Christianity in the public schools, and cause the "headship of Christ" to be recognized by the civil authorities. According to the Independent, the duties of State, and of the church, are quite distinct, and while each should recognize and respect the other, any effort to intermingle their several functions, can only result in injury to both.
Causes of Spiritual Declension
REV. DR. CUYLER enumerates in the New York Christian Intelligencer several “causes of the present wide spread spiritual declension.” He says: “One is an increasing conformity to the world among a majority of church members. A much larger percentage of wealth is spent on luxury and self-indulgence; a much smaller proportion is consecrated to Christ. There is an increasing neglect of God’s house. Prayer-meetings decline in numbers, and in unction and fervor. Far more professing Christians go to the theater and other unchristian places of amusement than there did thirty or forty years ago, and ‘advanced thought,’ and ‘liberalism’ are creeping into the bones and blood of too many ministers.”
Prohibition and Liquor-Selling
To those who think that prohibitory laws are good for every kind of crime except for the crime of liquor-selling, we commend the following letter written by Governor St. John, of Kansas: "I have the honor to state that so far as I have been able to ascertain, there is not now an open saloon in Kansas, nor do I know of any place where intoxicating liquors are being sold in violation of law. Although it is not at all likely that the prohibitory law will have the effect of entirely suppressing the sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, yet it will come as near doing so as the prohibition against larceny does the suppression of horse-thieves."
LOS ANGELES.
By W. M. Healey, J. G. Hurley
The tent meetings continue here. Forty-six have signed the covenant. Several others are keeping the commandments. Six have moved away from the place. A few who started with us have proved unfaithful. Seven have been baptized and others probably will be soon. We intend to move the tent next week and pitch on the corner of First and Alameda Sts., one mile from our present location. We feel assured that many prayers have gone up in behalf of the cause here, and we hope they will not be lessened now.
W. M. HEALEY,
J. G. HURLEY.
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