THE following items concerning its circulation we clip from an editorial note in the December Sentinel.
It is with devout thanks to God that with this number the Sentinel closes its second successful year. A year ago we stated that there had been more than 150,000 copies of the Sentinel circulated in that year, and that we hoped to see more than 250,000 copies circulated in 1887. And now at the close of 1887 we are happy to announce that our hopes have been realized. More than 255,000 copies of the American Sentinel, by actual register, have been printed and circulated in 1887; 1,651 paid subscribers were received in October alone. The Sentinel is a success. It has come to stay. Its field is constantly enlarging; its work is growing constantly more important. Everybody needs the paper. And, reader, we bespeak your good offices in helping us to see that everybody gets it. (1) By subscribing, or renewing your subscription, yourself; and (2) by getting your neighbors and acquaintances to subscribe or to renew their subscriptions. We hope to make the Sentinel for 1888 still an improvement over that of 1887. We hope to see more than 500,000 copies printed and circulated in 1888, and we shall see it if you will help us.
A gentleman in Norfolk, N. Y., says:—
"I think the Sentinel very valuable, and believe that it is called for at this time. It is doing a very important work. I wish you success."
A member of the California State Senate writes thus to a friend who sent him a copy of the Sentinel:
"I heartily indorse the principles advocated by the Sentinel, and wish it Godspeed in its good work."
An attorney in Pottsville, Pa., writes to the publishers:—
"GENTLEMEN: Inclosed please find fifty cents for one year's subscription to your paper, which advocates a doctrine to which I cordially subscribe, to wit, that Church and State must be kept separate and apart if our Republic and her glorious institutions are to be preserved."
A member of the Tennessee Senate says:—
"Permit me to assure you that I am well pleased with the Sentinel. When I returned home from Nashville, I found that the Sentinel for last year, bound in paper covers, had been sent to me without charge. If it was by mistake please let me know the price, and I will cheerfully pay it."
The same gentleman also ordered a pamphlet on the Sabbath question, which had been advertised in the Sentinel.
The President of the New York Conference says:
"Your card is at hand, and also a set of the new Sentinel tracts. They are excellent, although I have read them previously in the Sentinel. I am a careful reader of that periodical and prize it very highly. It deserves a large circulation and thorough study. Its importance cannot be overestimated."
A member of the Ohio Supreme Court writes thus to the publishers:—
"MY DEAR SIRS: I return you my many thanks for your kind and courteous letter of the 11th inst., and for several numbers of the Sentinel, which came to hand at the same time with your letter. Several articles in the Sentinel which I have read have been to me full of interest and instruction, and I am, I trust, excusable for my curiosity in desiring to know who is the 'Ohio Boy' who has been so kind and considerate as to have my name placed upon your list. The speech of Senator Crockett I will carefully read, as the subject is very suggestive."
A letter from the secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association, Savannah, Ga., says:—
"GENTLEMEN: Copies of Pacific Health Journal and American Sentinel have been read, and have been placed on prominent files in our reading-room. I trust you will send us these two excellent publications regularly, and it will always give me pleasure to call the attention of our young men to them."
A subscriber in Washington Territory writes as follows to the editors:—
"The Sentinel is an ever welcome visitor; we only regret that it is not a weekly instead of a monthly periodical. Will renew when the time expires. You are the right ones in the right place, and have already won many friends here. May angels guard and success attend you."
A LADY from Kirkwood, Illinois, ordering the Sentinel sent to some friends, says:—
"You are certainly sounding out the truth on the question of religious liberty."
TO LOCAL TRACT AND MISSIONARY SOCIETIES.
By Editor
MANY clubs of from 10 to 100 copies of the SIGNS expire in December, 1887. Please look at the address label on your package of papers this week, and if your subscription is about to run out please renew at once. Terms to clubs—sent to one name and address—$1.50 per copy.
The International Tract and Missionary Society, at its last annual session, indorsed the SIGNS OF THE TIMES by the following resolution:—
WHEREAS, The SIGNS OF THE TIMES is our pioneer missionary journal, and finds favor with the people, while it conveys to them the principles of the Third Angel's Message; therefore,
Resolved, That we recommend to State T. and M. Societies to take as large clubs as they can use to advantage, and that we urge all ministers, colporters, and the members of local missionary societies, to make constant and strenuous effort to place the paper in the hands of the people.
No pains will be spared on the part of both editors and business managers to keep the SIGNS OF THE TIMES up to the standard which it has already attained, and to make it even better than ever before. Their only aim is to make it an acceptable medium to convey present truth, and they ask the hearty co-operation of all lovers of the common cause, in giving it the circulation which its merits demand. Nothing more than this is desired; and this much is due, not to the paper, but to the cause of truth.
SACRED CHRONOLOGY, AND THE PEOPLING OF THE EARTH.
"SACRED CHRONOLOGY" is a new and revised edition of a little work published by S. Bliss about forty years ago, giving the chronology from creation till the death of the apostle John. The peculiar and valuable feature of this work is that the chronology is established by the words of the Scripture itself. This is a most valuable little work. The chronology of the history of the kings of Israel and Judah, as given in Kings and Chronicles, is often a perplexity to the Bible student. In this work the subject is relieved of all difficulty. Beside the connection as given in the words of Scripture, there are tables given which show at a glance the successive kings of Israel and Judah, and which of them reigned at the same time. Thus the subject is made so plain that it can be very easily understood.
"The Peopling of the Earth" is a series of historical notes on the tenth chapter of Genesis. It gives an outline of the origin and descent of all the principal nations of the earth—the Greeks, the Romans, the Scotch, the Irish, the Welsh, the English, the Germans, the Scandinavians, the Russians, the Chinese, etc., etc. It forms an excellent introduction to universal history.
This little book is just the thing for Bible students everywhere—in college, in Sabbath-school, and in the home. Send for a copy; you will find it invaluable. Cloth binding, 300 pages, sent post-paid for $1.00. Address, Pacific Press Publishing House, Oakland, Cal.
THE ATONEMENT.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
AN EXAMINATION OF
A REMEDIAL SYSTEM, IN THE LIGHT OF
NATURE
AND OF REVELATION.
BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.
THIRD EDITION, REVISED AND GREATLY ENLARGED.
THIS work is a critical and exhaustive treatise on the plan of salvation as revealed in the Scriptures, showing its harmony with the principles of justice and mercy, its consistency with reason, and its final results as affecting the destiny of the human race. 368 pp.; cloth, $1.00.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
WHO CHANGED THE SABBATH?
A TRACT of 24 pages, which fully answers this question, and shows how Sunday displaced the Bible Sabbath. Extracts given from Catholic writers. Price, 3 cents.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
NEW SUBSCRIPTION EDITION.
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY
BETWEEN CHRIST AND SATAN.
DURING THE CHRISTIAN DISPENSATION.
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
AUTHOR OF "THE LIFE OF CHRIST," "SKETCHES FROM THE LIFE OF PAUL," "BIBLE SANCTIFICATION," AND OTHER POPULAR WORKS.
This volume presents the most wonderful and intensely interesting history that has ever been written of the great conflict between Christianity and the Powers of Darkness, as illustrated in the lives of Christian martyrs and reformers on the one hand, and wicked men and persecuting powers on the other. Beginning with our Lord's great prophecy given while viewing Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, in which he outlines the history of the whole dispensation, it sketches the fulfillment. It pictures the siege and overthrow of Jerusalem, and the destruction of the Temple. It calls our attention to the bitter persecutions of the Christians in the first centuries, and notes the rise and growth of the Papacy. It gives a clear conception of the character and influence of the Waldenses, who, through centuries of persecution, maintained the purity of their faith, and by their missionary efforts prepared the nations of Europe for the Reformation.
Brief and life-like sketches are given of the works, the successes, and the persecutions of Wycliffe, Luther, Tyndale, Huss, Jerome, Knox, and other reformers and martyrs. Considerable space is given to the life, work, and influence of later reformers and great religious leaders such as George Whitefield, the Wesleys, and William Miller, and this is followed by chapters treating upon The Origin of Evil, The Agency of Evil Spirits, The Snares of Satan, Spiritualism, Character and Aims of the Papacy, The Coming Conflict, The Scriptures a Safeguard, Desolation of the Earth, and the Judgment.
The closing chapters give a vivid picture of the warfare of the church, her final redemption, and vividly describe the triumph of the people of God, the destruction of Satan and his followers, and the renewing of the earth, which ends the awful controversy between the Son of God and the Powers of Darkness. Earnest Christians of all classes and creeds will find in it encouragement and instruction in the delineation of the struggle maintained by men raised up of God in each successive age to preserve the pure and true religion, and they will see that the world has been led to accept one after another of Satan's devices, until her teachers are corrupted with false doctrines and with infidelity.
The period of history covered by this volume, is one of the deepest interest to all classes of readers. The style of the author is clear, forcible, and often sublime, and, although simple enough in its statements to be understood and appreciated by a child, its eloquence calls forth the admiration of all.
Seventh Edition! Contains over 500 pages; 21 full page Illustrations and Steel Portrait of the Author; printed and bound in the very best style.
SOLD ONLY BY SUBSCRIPTION.
Fine English Cloth, red edges, . . . . . $2.00
Library Style, marbled edges, . . . . . 2.50
Half Morocco, gilt edges, . . . . . 3.50
Full Morocco, gilt edges, . . . . . 4.50
Active Agents Wanted in Every Town and County in the United States.
For Terms and Territory, Address,
PACIFIC PRESS, Publishers,
12th and Castro Streets, Oakland, Cal.
SOUTH LANCASTER ACADEMY,
By Charles C. Ramsey
SOUTH LANCASTER, MASS.
AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION OF INCREASING POPULARITY.
This school is located at South Lancaster, Worcester County Mass., thirty-five miles from Boston, and was founded in 1882.
It is prosperous because operated on correct educational principles. Thorough instruction is given in all the common branches, and those of the usual high school and academic courses. There are also well-sustained Biblical and Normal Departments.
ITS SPECIAL FEATURES ARE,
1. A judicious discipline for the development of moral character. It is a safe place for the young.
2. Methods of teaching that aim at mental culture of a high type.
3. Instruction and practice in various kinds of manual labor and the use of tools.
4. Astonishingly low expenses. Sixteen dollars per school month pays all expense of tuition, board, lodging, washing, lights, fuel, etc. For catalogue or further information address,
CHAS. C. RAMSEY, A. M., Principal.
EARLY WRITINGS OF MRS. WHITE.
By Editor
Comprising "Experience and Views" and "Spiritual Gifts, Volume One," bound in one volume. This makes a neat and attractive book of nearly 200 pages, and should be read by old and young. The matter and the style in which it is presented are so interesting that no one who has read one chapter will forego the pleasure and profit of reading the remainder. Price, 75 cents.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
Close of the General Conference
By Editor
AND now the delegates have all, with few exceptions, returned to their respective fields of labor. Sunday morning about a car load left, and Monday morning two cars were filled. Others had found it necessary to leave immediately after the practical adjournment one week previous. Thus has closed a most interesting and profitable session of the General Conference. If the work planned at this gathering shall be prosecuted with earnestness and faithfulness, we believe that a long step in advance will be seen all along the line.
Not by any means the least important thing gained by this Conference is the strengthening of the ties that bind the different fields of labor together. We believe that all the delegates feel more than ever before that the work is one, that natural divisions, as oceans and mountain chains, cannot make divisions among those who are laboring in the cause of God, and that since we are all laboring in one common cause, our various interests are all one.
As for the Oakland church, it has enjoyed a rare privilege in entertaining our brethren and sisters from the East, and in thus becoming intimately acquainted with them. We part from them with sincere regret; our prayers follow them as they journey to their homes. And as we resume our accustomed labors, feeling added responsibilities as a consequence of this meeting, we are strengthened with the belief that our brethren are praying for our success, as we are for theirs. Prayers for the success of the general work will be more intelligently offered now than ever before.
A NEW BOOK.
By Editor
THE Pacific Press Publishing House has just issued a new book that is of special interest to all Bible students. It is entitled "Sacred Chronology," and "The Peopling of the Earth." The "Sacred Chronology" is a revised reprint of "Bliss's Analysis of Sacred Chronology," first printed in 1850. It is the best treatise on the subject of the Bible chronology that there is. It has the advantage of being later than all the others, and the additional advantage that it establishes the dates of the events of the Bible, by the words of the Bible itself. It consists of three parts:—
First, an explanation of what chronology is, with full explanation of the different cycles, epochs, periods, and eras, such as the Julian Period, the Era of the Olympiads, the Roman Era, the Christian Era, etc.
Second, the chronology of the Bible, given in the words of the Bible itself, from creation till the writing of the book of Revelation, A. D. 98. With this also there are given the following tables: (1) A table of dates from Adam to Aaron; (2) a table of the times of the judges; (3) a comparative table of the kings of Israel and Judah from the division of the kingdom at the death of Solomon to the accession of Jehu; (4) a like table from the accession of Jehu to the fall of Samaria. By these tables in addition to the text, the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah are made so plain that anyone can easily understand their relation. To many it is one of the most perplexing parts of the Scriptures to get a clear understanding of the times and the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah, as given in the books of Kings. This little treatise with its tables relieves the subject of all difficulty.
Third, is an essay on the chronology of the patriarchal age, vindicating the faithfulness of the Hebrew text as against the claims of the Samaritan and Septuagint versions.
"The Peopling of the Earth" is a little treatise of fifty-two pages, containing a series of historical notes on the tenth chapter of Genesis. Beginning with the text (Gen. 9:19), "These are the three sons of Noah; and of them was the whole earth overspread," the sons of Noah and their sons and grandsons, as given in the tenth chapter of Genesis, are sketched in their history as they overspread the whole earth. The matter is given in an easy, running narrative of the nature of which some idea may be gathered from the statement of a gentleman who said that he had read it, and was really interested in it, when he was seasick. And everybody knows who has ever had any experience in that direction, that a thing of any kind must be intensely interesting to find any favor with a person who is seasick.
The book altogether—"Sacred Chronology" and "The Peopling of the Earth"—contains 300 pages, and is almost invaluable to any diligent student of the Bible. The price, too, places it within the reach of all. Bound in cloth, $1.00; sheep, $1.50; full morocco, $1.75. Every minister, mission worker, Sabbath-school teacher, and college student ought to have a copy. Send for one and study it.
The Dangers of Religious Power
By Editor
The Interior says:—
"When George Washington was presented with his little hatchet, his fingers ached to cut something with it. It is admitted that George was a good little boy, and meant no harm by chopping down the cherry tree. It has been so ever since. When power is put into an American parvenu's hands—and we are all parvenus in this country, more or less—his fingers burn to exercise it, and if there is no useful work in sight he is sure to do mischief—and is very liable to anyway. If he has the self-confidence of combined egoism and inexperience, he is irrepressible in his ugliness of purpose."
This is just the position we take with reference to the National Reformers. There are very many good people among them. There are many well-meaning persons who are anxious to see laws enacted for the better observance of Sunday. They say that they do not wish to infringe in the least upon the rights of those who keep the seventh day, and we give them credit for honesty of purpose. But they don't know what they would do if they had the power. As the boy who has a brand new, sharp knife, cannot rest content until he has tried its edge, so the man who comes into the possession of power to which he is unaccustomed, must needs test his new toy to see how it works. He may not mean any harm, but power is a very dangerous tool in the hands of an inexperienced person. Keep every semblance of power to persecute for conscience's sake out of the hands of even the best of men, if you would have religious liberty.
YEAR BOOK FOR 1888.
By F. E. Belden
As it is desired that this book should be ready for circulation by January 1, we request those in charge of our publishing houses, colleges, health institutions, State Conferences, Tract Societies, Sabbath-school associations, and health and temperance organizations, who did not report to me at General Conference, to immediately send to Battle Creek such reports as they desire should appear in the "Year Book."
The committee promises to have it ready by January, if all on whom we depend for material will respond without delay. Special care should be exercised when preparing the State directories of ministers and licentiates, city missions, and other institutions and organizations in each State, to write names and addresses plainly and accurately. By examining the last "Year Book" carefully it will be seen what matter should be furnished for the coming year.
Address all correspondence to me at Battle Creek, care Review and Herald.
F. E. BELDEN,
for Committee.
The Signs of the Times.
By Editor
OAKLAND, CAL., FIFTH-DAY, DECEMBER 8, 1887.
We send no papers from this office without pay in advance unless by special arrangement. When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the SIGNS are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon for pay. Please read the papers and hand them to your friends to read.
DECEMBER 31 is the day of the Pope's jubilee. Great preparations are being made for the celebrations on that day and forward, as long as there is anything to be made out of it. On that day he is to receive "the members of the international committees," who will make him a present of 1,000,000 lire—$51,813.47. On January 4 and 5 he will receive the deputations from foreign countries, who will offer three presents. The United States and Canada send $200,000. January 6 the jubilee presents will be exhibited, and January 15 the Pope will make ten new Catholic saints.
Spiritualism and Free Love
By Editor
In the New Thought of November 26, Prof. J. S. Loveland says:—
"Nothing more clearly proves the mighty power of modern Spiritualism than the numerous methods in which it is and has been assailed. Open, direct assault has always resulted in victory for it, and defeat to its enemies. But when the assailants have been within the ranks, the result has been far different. The crusade, started some years since, on the plea of morality, against alleged free-love, has done more than all other things combined to cripple the Spiritualistic movement."
This, coming from a Spiritualist, is a damaging admission. If it is true that the crusade against free-love gave Spiritualism a check, it must be that Spiritualism thrives best in a free-love soil. What conclusion, then, must we draw from the fact that Spiritualism is at the present time making very rapid progress?
Conference Closing Meetings
By Editor
Although there were no public meetings of the Conference last week, it was a busy week for the delegates. There was a vast amount of committee work to be done, and this occupied the time of many of the delegates almost constantly night and day. Quite a large number made a trip to the College, at Healdsburg, and the Rural Health Retreat, at St. Helena, having a most enjoyable trip, while they were becoming better acquainted with our work on the coast. We very much desired to have our Eastern friends take this trip, that they might appreciate the situation here, and be able to aid us by their counsel. On the evening of the 3d there was a meeting of the Conference, to attend to some unfinished business. Our relation to Sunday laws was the principle question of the evening, and a good-sized audience listened attentively to the discussion, which continued to a late hour. Immediately following this there was a final meeting of the Missionary Society. The body adjourned sine die about midnight. Some further details will be given later.
Rich Men Escape the Law
By Editor
A SHORT time ago, among other instances of a like nature, we mentioned the case of Jacob Sharp, the New York briber, how it had been carried up from court to court on appeal after appeal, until it had reached the Court of Appeals, and how preparations were being made to carry it to the United States Supreme Court if the Court of Appeals should decide against him. Well, the Court of Appeals has rendered its decision, and it reverses all the decisions and actions of the courts below, in the case. The old criminal now walks out of jail on $40,000 bail, to appear, perhaps, sometime for a new trial, when the whole process must be gone through with again. And all this because he has money enough to warp his wicked way through the courts of the State, and exhaust the course of legal procedure. All that a man has to do now is only to be sure that he steals enough to enable him to follow this process and he is safe. Law now is only applicable to the poor; it is but the plaything of the rich. These things cannot long continue so; at this rate the whole fabric of civil society must soon fall.