—The State of Nebraska is credited with a foreign Lutheran population of 150,000.
—A “Lord’s Day Union” has been organized at Calcutta, which is expected to wield a powerful influence in favor of Sunday observance in India.
—It is said that the Turkish Government utterly rejects the Christian Endeavor Society, pronouncing it foolish and outrageous, and forbidding the publication of its literature.
—The Minneapolis Worker, speaking of the recent visit of Papal Delegate Satolli to St. Paul, says that the city gave him a reception, and Protestants and Catholics, both clergy and laymen, vied with each other in doing honor to the pope in the person of his representative.
—Among the recent graduates of the Normal Seminary of the Waldensian Church in Florence, Italy, was a young Abyssinian of a noble-priest family, who had been educated there at the expense of the Swedish Missionary Society. He will labor in his native land.
—Cardinal Ledochowski, whom Bismarck immured in prison and then expelled from Germany seventeen years ago, is now to return on a visit to Prussia and Poland as the guest of the German emperor. Vast preparations are being made for popular demonstrations throughout his former archdiocese.
—A stir has been created in the Jesuit ranks by the defection of the Earl of Graf Hoensbruch, who was for many years an ardent defender of Jesuit institutions. He is writing a series of articles in a Prussian journal, in which he arraigns the order on a charge of destroying the individuality of its adherents.
—The New York World says that “a conference has been suggested of leading Congregationalists, Christians, or Disciples, and Free Baptists, to propose a basis for a practical alliance between the three denominations, the proposed basis to be submitted to the representative body of each denomination for discussion.”
—The sixth Interdenominational Seaside Bible Conference was opened on the 11th inst. A circular announces that the contention of the conference is that “the Bible is the word of God.” It also asserts that “the Scriptures are circulated among nearly all the nations of the earth. There are few countries where legal impediments to their circulation now exist.”
—The pope is making considerable headway in the matter of gaining the good will of the workingmen. He has written a letter to De Curtis, chief of the Swiss Catholics and organizer of the International Catholic Workingmen’s Congress, stating that he approves of international legislation to protect working women and children. The letter is designed to be a preparatory step toward holding an international workingmen’s congress without regard to creed.
—A riot occurred at Bombay, India, on the 11th between Mohammedans and Hindus, which had to be quelled by the interference of troops. The Hindus were celebrating a religious festival, when three Mohammedans attempted to capture and desecrate the temple. Hostilities were renewed the next day, when the troops were again called into service, and a regular patrol established. About fifty persons were killed, and 100 or more wounded. About 1,300 arrests have been made.
SECULAR.
—In Minneapolis, on the 13th inst., fire destroyed property of various kinds to the value of over $1,000,000.
—The car works at Terre Haute, Ind., covering several acres of ground, were totally destroyed by fire on the 10th inst.
—It is stated at the Pension Office in Washington that up to the 10th inst. 8,672 pensions issued under the Act of 1890 had been suspended.
—As a result of a conference of foreign Consuls at Apia, Samoa, the rebel chief, Mataafa, recently defeated and captured by the king’s forces, will be exiled to the Union Islands.
—A London dispatch says that the Chinese Government has refused to make reparation for the killing of the two Swedish missionaries by a mob at Macheng a few weeks ago.
—In South Carolina it is said that there are nineteen counties without a place where liquors are sold. And neither Sunday closing nor high license had any part in bringing about the result.
—Late dispatches from the South report that yellow fever is prevalent at Pensacola, Fla., and that people are fleeing to other places. Other Southern cities are quarantining against the afflicted locality.
—The Chinese have been crowding into Vladivostok, Siberia, in such great numbers that the Russians have become alarmed and have forbidden any entrance of Chinese coolies at that port until further orders.
—Heavy thunderstorms are reported throughout Great Britain on the night of the 10th inst., with great damage in the country districts. Many cattle were injured and a number of buildings damaged by lightning.
—A cloudburst in the Eperies district of Hungary, on the 13th inst., caused the death of fifty persons and large numbers of cattle, besides the destruction of a hundred houses, several railroad bridges, and a large area of crops.
—Thirty-six persons who had fled from the yellow fever scourge at Pensacola arrived at Nashville, Tenn., on the 12th ult. They were examined by the health officer and allowed to remain. The disease never yet appeared in that city.
—Repeated shocks of earthquake, on the 12th inst., destroyed half of the town of Mattinatti, on the Adriatic Sea, killing four persons and injuring a number of others. The people are camping in the open air. The Stromboli Volcano is in violent eruption.
—A Rome dispatch of the 12th inst. says: “The pope has received a letter from President Cleveland congratulating him on the occasion of the golden jubilee. He sent the pope a book containing official papers and documents written by him during his first term in office.”
—John Temple Graves, a prominent editor and politician of Atlanta, Ga., proposes that the government set apart a large territory for the purpose of establishing a negro State. He says the ballot in the hands of the negro under the present conditions is an “emasculated mockery.”
—The orange shipping season of Southern California has closed, the number of car loads being 6,600. This is 2,000 car loads more than last year, but owing to expenses of shipping, and opposition to California fruits by certain combinations at Chicago, the profits to producers have been very small.
—An official statement issued by the Sanitary Council of Austria says that the condition of the country with regard to cholera is very precarious, much more serious than last year. The disease has broken out among railway laborers at Marmaros, on the Galician frontier, and many have died.
—The Louisiana Lottery Company’s charter having nearly expired, and the company having been refused a renewal, headquarters will be removed from New Orleans to an island in the Bay of Honduras, where a charter and liberal concessions have been secured from the Hondurian Government.
—The latest dodge of the iniquitous “dives” in San Francisco is to procure theatrical and restaurant licenses. Under these they can keep up their music and dancing, and sell light beverages, sandwiches, etc. The absence of strong liquors and the dangerous accompaniments draws patrons that otherwise would not visit the dens.
—There is more trouble between the free miners in the Coal Creek, Tenn., region and the State soldiers guarding the convict miners. Last week the miners murdered a soldier, and in turn the soldiers lynched a miner who was said to be the murderer. In addition to this trouble, it is said that 1,000 free miners are on a strike because of a proposed reduction in their wages.
—The war of retaliatory customs taxes now being waged between Russia and Germany is stirring up much bad feeling, and unless concessions are made by both governments actual war is probable. Two weeks ago the German emperor was said to be rubbing his hands with joy at the prospect of a war between France and England, but to-day Frenchmen are entertaining joyful anticipations of a collision between Germany and Russia.
—Official reports of the hospital on Swinburne Island, New York Harbor, to the 12th inst., showed twenty-one cases of cholera, with three deaths. It is said that the Italian Government is still endeavoring to suppress the facts concerning the extent of the disease in Naples and other cities. A cable dispatch from Paris, which has been mailed from Naples, says: “Cholera cables for New York are frequently confiscated by the government.”
—Some of the leading newspapers are heroically endeavoring to create the impression that the tension in financial matters is materially slacking, and that the hard times are over, but their telegraphic dispatches and the experiences of the people are decidedly against the theory. So long as wage workers are being thrown out of employment by the thousand, and business men pressed by bills find it impossible to collect their own dues, the editorial assurances of better times are of little weight.
—One lone Chinaman was shipped to his native land on the last steamer that left San Francisco. His name was Won Dep Ken, a cigar maker of Los Angeles, and his offense was failing to register, as required by the Geary Exclusion Act. He is the first Chinaman deported under the provisions of that act. Besides the expenses of his arrest and trial, and of bringing him to San Francisco, his transportation cost the government $35 for fare to China. His case was made a test by the Federated Trades of Southern California.
—Some six months ago the supervisors of Merced County, Cal., passed an ordinance fixing the license for selling liquor at $3,000 per quarter. Since then a score of saloons have been in operation without paying any license. There have been several prosecutions, but the juries always decide for the saloons. Finally, Judge Budd, of San Joaquin, being called to preside in the Merced Court, it has been decided that the ordinance is unconstitutional, on the ground that it is unreasonable, and was levied not for the purpose of regulating the liquor traffic, but of prohibiting it altogether.
BICYCLES.
By E. J. Drake
Having made arrangements with Pacific Coast Agents, I can save you money on High Grade Bicycles for Ladies or Gents,—
Columbias,
Warwicks,
Ramblers.
One Ladies’ Eclipse, 1½ in. cushion tire (new) - - - $75 00
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, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
CAMP MEETINGS FOR 1893.
By General Conference Committee
DISTRICT NUMBER ONE.
Atlantic, Newark, Del.....................Aug. 17-27
Vermont, Waterbury........Aug. 24 to Sept. 3
Maine, Bath....................................Sept. 1-10
New England, West Lynn, Mass......Sept. 7-17
Arkansas, Clarksville................Aug. 24 to Sept. 3
Colorado, Denver.....................Aug. 30 to Sept. 10
Colorado (western), Delta......Sept. 27 to Oct. 2
Kansas (southeastern), Thayer, Neosho
Co.......................................................Aug. 3-13
Kansas (southwestern), Turon, Reno
Co .....................................................Aug. 17-27
Kansas, Herrington.........................Sept. 7-17
Missouri, Sedalia............................Sept. 13-24
Oklahoma, Oklahoma City......Sept. 28 to Oct. 8
DISTRICT NUMBER SIX.
Washington, Seattle .............Aug. 29 to Sept. 4.
GEN. CONF. COM.
World’s Fair Notes and Sunday Closing
By Editor
THE Evening Tribune of this city is taking rank as a competitor of the San Francisco dailies. Much of the important telegrams in the morning San Francisco papers may be read in the Tribune of the previous evening. On Tuesday, the 8th inst., four editions were issued. Its columns are also liberal toward the interest and views of all respectable classes of citizens.
ELLA STERLING CUMMINS gives the following good advice to those who have but a short time to visit the World's Fair:—
I have been here two months and a half, missing only a few days in that time in attending. But I have seen very little as yet, not as much as those who come in a whirlwind and go in a cyclone and carry away a grand jumble of out-of-focus impressions. I should advise anyone coming here to spend the days they have to spare in pleasant sight-seeing—not a grand tear and whoop—for more than likely they will fall asleep in the midst of it all, or have a spell of sickness as a reward for their labors. Nature cannot endure more than the limit. And it is far more delightful to see part of the Exposition comfortably than to see it all besottedly.
IT seems that the very spirit of falsehood is taking possession of religious journals noted hitherto for fairness and candor. The Independent of July 20, in speaking of the Sunday closing of the World's Fair, says:—
Those most delighted are the thousands of workingmen, attendants, and policemen, who can now rest on the seventh day.
NOW the Independent knows that Sunday is not the seventh day. It is one of the sophistries by which it is hoped to make it appear that the fourth commandment applies to Sunday,—sophistry worthy only of a trickster who will stoop to any means, however desperate, to make out a case. Sunday is the first day, and there is no law compelling any man to work on that day.
THE Christian Endeavorers are winning most of their laurels of fame in a most unchristian way. One of the chief things of which they boast, one of the chief things for which they are commended, is their position on the Sunday question. They believe in Sunday and therefore they have resolved to have the World's Fair closed on that day, holding that to do likewise would be a violation of the law of God. We suppose that our young friends want facts in respect to Sunday. Well, the observance of Sunday as a holy day is not enjoined in the Scripture from Genesis to Revelation; Christ never taught it or kept the day, neither did his apostles. Paul says, "Where no law is, there is no transgression." Rom. 4:15. Where, then, is the sin or transgression of God's law in doing any work on Sunday which is lawful on any other day of the week? And is it Christian endeavor to persuade people that it is?
The World’s False Sabbath Claims
By Editor
A CORRESPONDENT sends us the following, clipped from some newspaper, and credited to the Valley Record, in which that paper says:—
We object to the opening of the World's Fair at all, because the Sabbath of the Greeks is Monday; of the Persians, Tuesday; of the Assyrians, Wednesday; of the Egyptians, Thursday; of the Turks, Friday; of the Jews and Seventh-day Adventists, Saturday, and of the large body of Christians, Sunday.
There are those who suppose all this to be true, but it is nearly all false. The Mohammedans keep an hour or so of Friday. Some of the Jews keep Saturday, as do also some Seventh-day Adventists and Seventh-day Baptists; others of the two last-named denominations keep the Sabbath of the Lord, the seventh day. Sunday is kept for the Sabbath by many Christians. These are the only Sabbaths the world knows, only two practically, namely, the Sabbath of Jehovah and the venerable day of the sun, the counterfeit of the true.
OUR QUESTION CORNER.
By Editor
[From time to time we will reply under this head, if deemed advisable, to such candid inquiries on scriptural topics or moral questions as may be sent us. Questions which minister strife to no profit to our readers will not be answered here. Correspondents wishing a reply to their questions must give their full name and address, not for publication unless they wish, but as an evidence of good faith on their part, and to give us opportunity to reply by letter if deemed best. It is always well to inclose stamp. The questions will be numbered continuously.]
104. FORGIVENESS.
If persons that I have always thought to be my friends, pass me by without speaking, and talk to injure me without a cause, am I bound to forgive them and feel as friendly as before, unless they ask forgiveness? Christ does not forgive unless we ask; need we unless we are asked?
We should hold the spirit of forgiveness toward all. This does not mean that we should go to him who has wronged us and say, "We forgive you," for that would be by implication to charge him with wrong. But we should show that we are friendly and ready to forgive, and should be ready to forgive, or else we would not really forgive when asked. Christ was anxious to forgive us a long time before we asked him; and, therefore, as soon as we came to that place where we saw our need of his pardon, and showed that we saw our need by asking, the only place where the forgiveness could do us good, Christ there and then freely granted what he was anxious to do all the time. "Even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye." Col. 3:13. "And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." Mark 11:25. But to thus forgive we must hold toward all the spirit of forgiveness, whether they ask pardon or not.
But this is the very thing which it is difficult for us to do. Shall we offer two suggestions which may be of help? 1. We can easier forgive others when we think that they by endeavoring to injure us are injuring themselves far more. They can only injure our reputation, or that which is to us extraneous, but can never injure our character without our consent; but they do injure that which to every soul should be of superlative value,—their own character. Knowing this, our pity should be aroused. 2. If we, in the language of the poet, would
"Remember thy follies, thy sins, and thy crimes;
How vast is that infinite debt!
Yet Mercy hath seven by seventy times
Been swift to forgive and forget."
He loved us and therefore forgave, even praying God to forgive his tormentors. Can we not do the same?
Sunday Closing and Religious Hypocrisy
By Editor
An Evidence (?) of a High Spiritual Plane.
This is what the Occident has to say anent the Sunday closing of the proposed Midwinter Fair in San Francisco:—
It matters not whether the pastors or the Y. P. S. C. E. first declared for the Sunday closing of our Midwinter Fair. The Occident has half a mind to step in and claim the honor for itself, for in a session of its editors, nearly two weeks ago, the matter was discussed—and tabled for a more convenient season. This almost simultaneous expression of the mind of the two bodies proves that they are both on the same high spiritual plane, and their zeal is to be commended.
The outward regard for Sunday is becoming in religious circles the mark of "patriotism," of "Christianity," of a "high spiritual plane." Let corrupt politicians but realize that a majority of those whose suffrages they seek demand Sunday laws, and the lewdest among them will bawl himself hoarse in behalf of the day, and will be lauded as a saint. The fact that a church appeals to the State to support an institution of her own is evidence that she has lost her hold on Christ.
THE HIDDEN HAND.
By W. N. G.
THE Retail Clerks' Union of this city had a jollification meeting one night last week to celebrate their victory in compelling Sunday closing of all the establishments in which they are employed. "Recitations, songs, and camp meeting stories were indulged in to a late hour," etc. The Federated Trades stand by the movement, and so do all the newspapers. This action of the clerks is deemed by certain religious elements a decided indication of a growing sentiment favorable to Sunday sacredness. But such is not the case, as is evidenced by the fact that all shades of belief are engaged in it. They only express a desire to have the day to themselves, and the manner in which most of them will spend the day will be anything but acceptable to those who desire to see it honored as holy time. However, the success of this movement, backed as it was by such a combination of influences, paves the way for a county Sunday law, which many of the supporters of this apparently insignificant action of the clerks have all along professed to discountenance. If all the influences which have been brought to bear in this retail clerks' incident maintain their positions, a county Sunday ordinance is the next thing in order, and success is almost assured in advance. This will be one more step, and a long one too, toward the steadfast purpose of the champions of a State Sunday law. These Sunday-closing ordinances, both city and county, which are being gradually drawn over the State, are the insidious precursors of the State law; and the unwitting abettors of these little foxes in the shape of local Sunday schemes will in time discover that they have unwarily entangled themselves in the net spread by the enemies of civil and religious liberty. Sunday closing is but the first step; the stride that will logically follow a strict enforcement of such a law will be to prescribe what the idle ones shall or shall not do to amuse themselves on that day. If the masses, or even the more thoughtful classes, would but reason a little upon the law of cause and effect, as illustrated in past history, they would not be so easily beguiled into supporting measures to which they have declared themselves opposed. The State Sunday law, with all its possibilities of intolerance, is the hidden hand that is steadily taking advantage of all these local Sunday concessions.
