—A Baptist Church has recently been organized in the city of Mexico.
—The Baptists are about to build a college in East Oakland. Twelve acres of land, valued at $20,000, have been donated for a building site.
—There are twenty-three Jesuit colleges in the United States, with nearly 6,000 students. St. Ignatius College, in San Francisco, has 702 students, the largest number of any.
—The leader of the Spiritualist camp-meeting now in session at Alameda, Cal., says that Ingersoll is "John the Baptist preparing the way" for Spiritualism. The reckless blasphemer is a fit herald for their doctrines.
—Rev. Mr. Cornforth, a Wesleyan minister of Nottingham, England, has resigned because he cannot pledge himself to a definite and positive belief in the absolutely endless suffering of the unsaved.
—Richmond, Va., Dispatch.
—A committee of Catholic theologians has been holding sessions for the past four weeks in Maryland. Their report will furnish the basis of the work for the coming Plenary Council, which will deal with questions of discipline in the Catholic Church in this country.
—There is one neighborhood in Mercer County, Pa., where the much-talked-of "temperance wave" has not yet made a very deep impression. The Presbyterian minister there has been compelled to resign his pastorate for preaching a temperance sermon, the principal financial supporters of the congregation having withdrawn their subscriptions.
—Dr. Tombes in an article in the Herald of Truth, on the "Teaching of the Twelve Apostles," says that "the first day of the week is recognized in the 'Teaching' as the Lord's day." Which goes to show that so able a critic as the good doctor may be so blinded by the force of habit and popular custom as to state for a fact that which does not exist.
—In a Sabbath-school class in which the lesson touched upon the promise of Herod to the daughter of Herodias, the teacher asked whether it was true that Herod was obliged to keep his vow, when it would lead to the beheading of John the Baptist. "I guess if she had asked for his own head, Herod would not have felt himself obliged to keep it," replied a bright boy of ten. Not a bad answer.
—A correspondent of the London News, writing from Abyssinia, says that the native priests there generally lead a life of gross immorality, using the confessional as a means of gratifying their gross desires, including that for liquor. At weddings and funerals the priest is always the most drunk and noisy. The Catholic Monitor also states that intemperance has of late years been fearfully on the increase among the Catholics of San Francisco. "Like priest, like people."
—In the course of a lecture on "Education," Bishop Foss said concerning the idea that cultivation of the intellect alone tends to make a man a Christian: "I don't believe that the multiplication table can convert a man, nor can metaphysics, or the knowledge of conic sections. No intellectual culture is any warrant against crime. I suggest the need of some higher culture. Contrary to the commonly received opinion, I apprehend, save in the lower ranks of society and grades of education, the training of the intellect has but little tendency to lessen crime. Statistics show that a large number of criminals are illiterates, not because they are illiterates, but because they are unemployed in consequence of their illiteracy."
—Dr. Horton, of Oakland, reviewed one of Ingersoll's lectures, in the course of which he made the following good point on the infidel's favorite saying that "God would not give a man a mind, and damn him for thinking:" "Notice where Mr. Ingersoll, who makes his appeal to thought, places himself. 'I the Almighty God have spoken, Mr. Ingersoll, why do you not believe any word and obey?' 'I am an independent thinker.' 'What are you thinking about?' 'My mind is full of the great questions of the origin and destiny of the human race.' 'But what do you know about those questions?' 'Nothing.' 'Of what then is your capacious mind so full?' 'Nothing!' An empty head wedded to a brazen tongue are the essential factors in a first-class atheist."
Appointments.
OAKLAND.—House of worship, northeast corner of Clay and Thirteenth Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:30 A. M. Preaching at 11 A. M. Prayer and missionary meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:45. Seats free. Invitations to all.
SAN FRANCISCO.—House of worship, 912 Laguna Street, between McAllister and Tyler Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:45 A. M. Preaching at 11 A. M. Prayer and missionary meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:45. Mission Reading-rooms at the church.
Obituary.
By H. W. Reed
KELLEY.—Fell asleep in Jesus, Sept. 24, 1884, our dearly beloved sister, Adela Kelley, aged 21 years, 10 months, and 14 days. Her disease was quick consumption. She was the oldest daughter of E. F. and M. A. De Bord. Brought up a Sabbath-keeper, she united with the church of Afton, Iowa, at the early age of 14 years. Married Frank C. Kelley Dec. 11, 1881. Remained a member of the church at Afton until January, 1884, when she united with the church at East Portland, Oregon. For some years past she has been ill, and was confined to her room for four weeks before she died. At times her sufferings were very severe, but she bore them with marked Christian patience. She was a firm believer in the blessed hope. To the last she fully trusted in the promises of God. With composure she talked of sleeping until the indignation be overpast, then to enter a life where sickness and death should never come. As she was parting from her loved ones she sang, "We'll Wait Till Jesus Comes." She said at the close that bright angels were around her. She picked out the funeral hymns. She leaves a Christian husband and one child, Christian parents, five brothers, one sister, and a large circle of friends to mourn their loss. Remarks by the writer from 1 Thess. 4:13, 14. H. W. REED.
[Review and Herald please copy.]
Card-Playing at Home.
PLAYING cards for "pastime" or as an "innocent amusement" soon becomes a passion; and when once fixed, a man will forego home, family, business, and pleasure, and suffer the loss of his all for the exciting scenes of the card-table. That accomplished writer, the late Dr. Holland, said:—
"I have all my days had a card-playing community open to my observation, and I am yet unable to believe that that which is the universal resort of the starved in soul and intellect, which has never in any way linked to itself tender, elevating, or beautiful associations, the tendency of which is unduly to absorb the attention from more weighty matters, can recommend itself to the favor of Christ's disciples. The presence of culture and genius may embellish, but can never dignify it.
"I have this moment," says Dr. Holland, "ringing in my ear the dying injunction of my father's early friend, 'Keep your son from cards. Over them I have murdered time, and lost Heaven.' Fathers and mothers, keep your sons from cards in the 'home circle.' What must a good angel think of a mother at the prayer-meeting, asking prayers for the conversion of her son whom she allowed to remain at home playing cards for 'pastime'?"
The late Bishop Bascom, in denouncing all forms of iniquity, speaks of the "gambler, who, rather than not gratify his passion for play, would stake the throne of eternity upon the cast of a die—who, unmoved by the tears and entreaties of her that bore him, the wife of his bosom, and the children of his own bowels, continues to indulge his hated passion, until the infatuated reprobate would table his game upon the tomb of his father, or shuffle for infamy upon the threshold of hell."—The Safeguard.
A Foolish Custom.
NEXT to the cruel check-rein, blinds are one of the most useless and ugly appendages of the horse-gear. They are not only useless, but injurious to the eye-sight. The London Lancet, which is acknowledged to be the leading medical journal of the world, condemns the use of blinders in the strongest terms. The argument used in favor of blinders, that horses are afraid of passing carriages, is weak and unfounded. A horse is not half as likely to be frightened if he is allowed to see what is going on as he is when half-blinded. If allowed to see everything, he becomes familiar with all objects. If half blinded, every stirring leaf and paper excites a nervous horse for the reason that he gets no clear view of the object, and therefore magnifies all half-discerned objects into spooks. Besides, the most beautiful feature of the horse is the eye; and if not hid from our gaze, would serve to denote sickness, pain, or pleasure. Many a time would a driver spare the whip on seeing the animal's imploring eye. The ugly, disagreeable, and useless blinders should be condemned by every intelligent horseman. Men never use them on saddle-horses—why should they be used on carriage-horses? Where one saddle-horse is frightened, a hundred carriage-horses run away, showing conclusively that the blinder is a nuisance.—Our Dumb Animals.
Lifting His Hat to a Dog
The Hon. Philip Hoyne, of Chicago, relates the following: "I was going along the other evening, when a savage dog flew out at me, evidently ready to rend me in pieces. Now what do you suppose I did? Whipped out my pistol? Not a bit of it. I simply lifted my hat. Don't laugh. The dog stopped, looked at me, growled, and finally crouched back to the doorstep, and began wagging his tail. I have done the same thing over and over again with the same result."
A MINE OF INFORMATION.
By John Nevins Andrews
HISTORY OF THE SABBATH AND FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK.
By Eld. J. N. Andrews.
The Bible record of the Sabbath; the secular history concerning it; the successive steps by which the change to the first day was made, and the work of restoration, are given in detail.
EVERY TEXT OF SCRIPTURE concerning the Sabbath is commented on at length; and the COMPLETE TESTIMONY OF THE FATHERS in regard to the Sabbath and first day is given. The comparative merits of the seventh and the first-day Sabbaths are fully shown. A copious index enables the reader to find any text, or the statement of any historian.
Should be read by everybody. 528 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THOUGHTS ON DANIEL, CRITICAL AND PRACTICAL.
By Uriah Smith
BY ELD. U. SMITH.
AN EXPOSITION OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL, VERSE BY VERSE.
We are now living in times plainly pointed out in this prophecy, and it is important to understand it; for Daniel himself says that in the time of the end, the wise shall understand; while, if we fail, we are equally guilty with the Jews, who knew not the time of their visitation (Luke 19:42-44), and shall meet a similar fate.
416 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THOUGHTS ON REVELATION, CRITICAL AND PRACTICAL.
By Uriah Smith
By Eld. U. Smith.
This work presents every verse in the book of Revelation, with such remarks as serve to illustrate or explain the meaning of the text. It is a new and harmonious exposition of that important book and is designed to create an interest in its study.
416 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE TRUTH FOUND.
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
THE NATURE AND OBLIGATION OF THE SABBATH OF THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.
BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.
The title of this little book sufficiently explains its character. It contains more Scriptural information in regard to the Sabbath than any other book of twice the size, and yet it is so simplified as to be easily comprehended. The author quotes the opinions of many learned men concerning the Sabbath, and their conflicting theories are strongly contrasted with the clear, straightforward teaching of the Bible. 64 pp. Price, 10 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE COMING CONFLICT;
By W. H. Littlejohn
—OR—
THE GREAT ISSUE NOW PENDING IN THIS COUNTRY.
By W. H. Littlejohn.
This book contains a complete history of the rise and progress of the National Reform Party, together with an exegesis of the last portion of the thirteenth chapter of the book of Revelation, assigning to the United States its proper place in prophecy.
EMPHATICALLY A BOOK FOR THE TIMES.
434 pages, in muslin covers, and will be mailed to any address post-paid, for $1.00.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
BIBLE SANCTIFICATION:
A CONTRAST OF
TRUE AND FALSE THEORIES.
By Mrs. E. G. White.
This is a pamphlet of only 84 pages, but its value is not to be judged by its size. It is just what its title indicates: a faithful presentation of Bible truth on this important subject, and an exposure of the false theories prevailing in regard to it. Every believer in Bible truth should read it. Buy it, read it, and lend it to your neighbor. Price, 10 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Visitors at Our Camp-Meeting.
By Editor
THERE is, perhaps, no city in the United States where there is more going on to attract the attention of the people, and to amuse them, than there is in San Francisco. Places of amusement in the city are open every day and night in the week, throughout the year. More than this, the places of resort within easy distance of the city are so numerous, and the weather in summer is so settled, that camp-life is no novelty. Camping in the mountains, or by the sea-shore, is indulged in for months by those who have leisure; and Sunday excursions and picnics constantly appeal to the working-men's love of pleasure. Under these circumstances it was scarcely to be expected that the announcement of a plain Seventh-day Adventist Camp-meeting would attract very many from the outside world. In this we were agreeably disappointed. The first Sunday there was a large crowd from Oakland and across the bay, and on the second Sunday the number was largely increased. The visitors were those who came not out of mere curiosity, but manifested an interest to hear. We attribute this interest largely to the good reports given by the newspapers. Everybody in California reads the newspapers, and people who crossed the bay said that the principal topic of conversation on the ferry-boats and street-cars was the camp-meeting—the doctrines preached, and the good order maintained. If the meeting could have continued another week, the attendance would doubtless have been more than doubled. As it is, many who did not attend the meeting, have become acquainted, to a large degree, with what our people believe and what they are doing. At the last meeting on the ground, Tuesday morning, the following was adopted by unanimous vote of the congregation:—
Resolved, That we appreciate the courtesy of the Oakland and San Francisco papers, especially the Times, the Post, the Call, the Alta, and the Examiner, for their full and fair reports of our meeting, and that the thanks of this Conference be tendered to them for the same.
Bible Contradictions Answered
By Editor
WE have received a lot of infidel tracts containing what are supposed to be contradictory passages from the Bible. On one of the tracts is written, "Plese harmonze thes Contradictions," with certain other characters that bear a resemblance to writing, but we cannot decipher them. The writers of the tracts have evidently used a concordance quite diligently; if they had spent half the time searching the Scriptures with a desire to know the truth, that they have hunting for contradictions, they would have found that there are no contradictions in the Bible. We are more than ever convinced that it does not require intellect of a high order, or much education, to doubt the Bible. This is why we think it a waste of time for ministers of the gospel to reply to or debate with Ingersoll. People of sound sense and good judgment do not need to be told that his lectures are composed of railings without reason, and they who applaud his vapid mouthings would not appreciate solid arguments.
A Solemn Occasion.
By William Clarence White
SABBATH, Oct. 3, was a good day for the Oakland church. At the Sabbath-school, which now number 230, 225 members and fifty visitors were present. At the forenoon service the church was crowded while Elder Waggoner spoke.
We were cheered by the presence of nearly a score who have just embraced the truth, as the result of the tent and camp-meeting.
In the afternoon the church again met for quarterly meeting, and the peace and blessing of God rested upon the congregation in rich measure as they celebrated the ordinances of the Lord's house.
Elder Waggoner expressed gratification that so large a number were present. The attendance at our three last quarterly meetings was 94, 104, and 154. We look for the time when no member of our church will be willingly absent from these occasions.
W. C. WHITE.
Good News from Michigan.
By Editor
A SHORT letter from Sister White gives a very cheering account of the camp-meeting in Jackson, Mich. Elder Canright, who has been some time out of the work, has returned with renewed zeal and courage, and promises to stand faithfully by his fellow-workers. The meeting was the largest body of Sabbath-keepers that ever convened in this country. Nearly two thousand people were in camp. Though we very much missed the labors and counsel of Sister White in our meeting in Oakland, we are satisfied that the welfare of the cause at large required her presence in the Eastern camp-meetings. "The field is the world," and our interest is in all parts alike. We hope that we shall never see the day when local preferences shall give rise to local prejudices among Seventh-day Adventists. We rejoice with our brethren in the East at what the Lord has done for them. Sister White's letter was read in the meeting in Oakland last Sabbath, bringing joy to every heart.
Later we have received a more extended report of the meeting from Elder Haskell—too late for this paper. We shall give full reports next week.
Special Request.
By Editor
To ALL correspondents who write for the SIGNS we make this request: Write on ruled paper; only on one side of the sheet; and always on the ruled lines. Doing so you will oblige both editors and printers.
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, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
THE DEFINITE SEVENTH DAY;
By John Nevins Andrews
OR, GOD'S MEASUREMENT OF TIME ON THE ROUND WORLD.
By Eld. J. N. Andrews.
This tract is an answer to the question, "Can a definite day be observed by all the inhabitants of the earth?" It is a complete refutation of the common objection against the Sabbath, that the rotation of the earth on its axis makes it impossible for all men to keep the same day, showing not only that a definite day may be observed in all parts of the earth, but that no real difficulty has ever been experienced in the matter.
16 pp. Price, 2 cents; $1.50 per hundred.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
By Editor
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE
International Tract and Missionary Society.
A sixteen-page Religious Family Paper, devoted to a discussion of the Prophecies, Signs of the Times, Second Coming of Christ, Harmony of the Law and Gospel; with Departments devoted to Temperance, The Home Circle, the Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-school.
Price Per Year, - - - - - - - $2.00
In Clubs of five or more copies to one address, to be used in Missionary Work, - - - - - - - - - 1.50
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Immortality Through Christ Alone
By Editor
An article against our views of "immortality through Christ alone," is before us, in which the writer says:—
"These false teachers further say that life and immortality did not exist before Christ brought it to light; but the very words which they quote meet their own error. For if life and immortality (incorruptibility) did not exist before, then it follows that there was nothing of it to be brought to light by the gospel."
That is to say that Jesus Christ did not come to bring to light and offer to us something which we did not possess, and could not obtain without him, but only to tell us of something which we possessed already! and which the most incorrigible sinner also possesses. A wonderful boon, indeed, is the gospel, according to such teaching.
Immortality is brought to light in the gospel, and we shall receive it as a gospel benefit "when Christ who is our life shall appear," at the resurrection of the just, provided that we seek for it by patient continuance in well-doing. Rom. 2:7. They who claim that the immortality of man does not depend upon our acceptance of the gospel, rob Christ of his chief glory.
Tennessee Camp-Meeting
THE camp-meeting for Tennessee will be held at Martin, Oct. 13-21.
Discussion of the Catholic Church
By Editor
A STRANGER in New York City—stranger to us—proposes a discussion in our paper of the merits of the Catholic Church! We have never yet admitted a discussion in our paper on any subject, and do not feel called upon to do so now. But he accuses us of misrepresenting that church. This we deny. We were once before accused of the same thing by a man in this State, who specified his particular cause of complaint. We took the well-authenticated Catholic book entitled "The Glories of Mary," and abundantly disproved his charge. By this book we proved that the Catholic system of worship is not the gospel as taught in the holy Scriptures. We called upon our accuser to acknowledge that his charge was unjust, but he failed to respond. If our New York correspondent will point out any instance where he thinks we misrepresented the Catholic Church, we will notice it. That is all that justice requires.
The Unspeakable Gift
By Editor
ON page 594 of this paper will be found an extract from the introductory chapter of Professor Pettengill's latest work, "The Unspeakable Gift." We do not know how we could give a better idea of the book than is contained in the article. It is, in brief, an outline of the course pursued throughout the book, which is written in an attractive style, and is free from useless speculations. Eternal life through Christ is the one central thought. As to the interpretation of a few passages of Scripture we may differ, but we are heartily in accord with the object which the author has in view, and the methods he adopts of reaching it. The price of the book is one dollar, and it may be obtained of J. D. Brown, 704 Arch St., Phil.
General Conference in Battle Creek
By Editor
THE General Conference convenes in Battle Creek, Mich., Oct. 30. Full notice was given by the president in our last paper. It will continue as long as the business requires. It will be a most important meeting, and in connection with the other interests located in Battle Creek, a great deal of business will be transacted.
Response to a Correspondent
By Editor
WE would say to our correspondent in North Branch, Mich., that we will attend to his queries as soon as possible. We are interested in them.