—The Episcopal synod of Servia has annulled the decree of divorce secured several years ago by King Milan from Queen Natalie.
—It is said that Papal Delegate Satolli has ordered Father Nolan, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to publicly retract certain offensive language.
—Commander Booth recently announced in a Boston meeting that the Salvation Army has its entrenchments in thirty-seven different nations and countries.
—The silver celebration of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society is being held in the Methodist Episcopal Churches of the country during the present month.
—The Methodists of San Francisco have begun a two-months revival in a mammoth tent, the enterprise being led by Rev. C. H. Yatman, of New York City. Great preparations have been made, and great results are expected.
—Rev. Peter J. O'Callaghan, a Catholic priest of Boston, is to preach the Easter sermon at Harvard University. This is said to be the first time in the history of the university that a Catholic priest has been called to officiate at a regular service.
—The mayor of Chicago is said to be discharging many city employes because they are Masons, and therefore anti-Catholic. The Roman Church claims to be opposed to secret societies, but it is well known that there are a number of secret orders entirely within her ranks, and such are not tabooed. The Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Clan-na-Gael, and many clerical orders are especially fostered.
—Rev. Dr. Levi, a Jewish rabbi of New Haven, Conn., has attacked Governor Morris' fast day proclamation, declaring that the anniversary was a fast day only in the sense of fast living. He said the interference of the State in the matter was presumptuous. The people of the State want no Richelieu religion.
—A Cleveland, Ohio, dispatch of the 13th inst. says: "The membership list of one of the leading American Protective Association lodges, containing 700 names, has fallen into the hands of the Catholics, and a great stir has been made by the ordering of a boycott of the merchants whose names are found on the roll."
—"Rev. H. E. Howland" has recently been holding Spiritualist seances in San Francisco, and had secured quite a following. He passed for a single man, and was about to marry a lady in this city. Before the marriage was consummated the news came that he had left a wife and children in Briggs Corners, Mass., and he immediately decamped without telling anyone his destination.
—The Swedish consul general has settled with the Chinese authorities for $45,000 for the murder of two Swedish missionaries by a mob at Sungpee. It is now stated that all the Swedish missionaries in China are indignant, and have signed an address demanding the execution of the murderers. This is certainly a strange spirit for missionaries to manifest before the people whom they would convert to Christ.
—The Jewish population of the world is estimated at 7,500,000. About 1,500,000 of them are in this country, about 44,000 in Palestine, and the greater part of the remainder are in the various countries of Europe. The movement for colonizing in Palestine, while enthusiastically portrayed by persons who advocate it as a matter of prophecy, is very insignificant when compared with the disposition of the entire body.
—Illustrations of how "this is a Christian nation" come to the front quite frequently. The whole country is familiar with the career of John Y. McKane, known as the political "boss," or "king" of Coney Island, N. Y. He is now in the State prison for flagrant violation of the election laws, but the church of which he is a member declines to take any action in his case, on the ground that he is a "Christian man," and his present position is merely the result of a political fight. From this standpoint, Christianizing the nation is a mere matter of sentiment.
SECULAR.
—A Prague dispatch of the 17th inst. states that severe snowstorms have been prevalent throughout Bohemia.
—The London Advertiser states that the coming financial budget proposes a material increase in the tax on incomes.
—The Secretary of the Navy has stated that a training ship will be inaugurated at Mare Island Navy Yard, Cal.
—The custom house officials at Shanghai have refused to allow a petroleum tank steamer to land petroleum in bulk.
—On St. Patrick's day the attendance at the Midwinter Fair, San Francisco, was over 69,000. The price of admission was reduced to 25 cents.
—The United States Government has been formally invited to send a troop of cavalry to London to participate in the royal cavalry tournament in May.
—The oriental mail brings news of a collision between two steamers in the strait between Bengalis and Cagan. Both vessels sank, and about fifty people were drowned.
—A passenger train of the Great Northern Railroad arrived in Seattle, Wash., on the 14th inst., which had been delayed a week in the Cascade Mountains by snow.
—A press dispatch says that the postmaster at Big Springs, Kansas, was shot to death on the 14th inst., by a political opponent, because he was not disposed to give up the office when he had served four years.
—It is said that the managers of the Baron Hirsch Fund have decided to renew the importation of Russian Jews to the Argentine Republic, sending a better class than were at first sent there, when the scheme was pronounced a failure.
—Financial difficulties have arisen in the American coöperative colony of Topolobampo, Mexico, and a number of the colonists have withdrawn, and it is said will form another colony on the Yaqui River, in the State of Sonora.
—The situation in the mining region of Cripple Creek, Colorado, is still serious, and State troops have gone to the scene of the great strike in response to a call of the sheriff. There are many hungry men anxious to work nine hours a day, but they are deterred by 700 armed strikers who demand an eight-hour day.
—Great Britain is to have in process of building during the coming year, three first-class war ships, two fast cruisers, nine second-class cruisers, four sloops of war, and thirty-six torpedo boat destroyers. The navy is to be increased by 6,700.
—The large union depot at Denver, Colo., was destroyed by fire on the 18th inst. The fire is said to have been caused by electric wires. The loss is stated at $225,000. A fire in Brooklyn, N. Y., the same day destroyed $200,000 worth of property.
—Wm Lyman, treasurer of the Irish National League of America, has issued, on behalf of that organization, a manifesto to Irish Nationalists at home and abroad. This address advocates revolution as the only means by which Ireland can achieve her rights.
—Mayor Ellert, of San Francisco, being requested to allow the flag of Ireland to be floated from the city hall on St. Patrick's day, replied that there is but one flag entitled to fly from places or houses of national or local government, and that is the American flag.
—The treasurer of the Chinese theater and village enterprise at the World's Fair has been brought back from China to Chicago to stand trial on a charge of embezzling $50,000. On his arrival he was also arrested by the U. S. Marshal for having violated the Exclusion Law.
—The coast of Southern California has of late been strewn with dead deep sea fish, and it has been concluded by experts that the cause is the increase of submarine petroleum wells, which have been known for years to exist in that region. Most of the dead fish show petroleum in their gills.
—Forty Japanese girls were recently shipped to Singapore to English gentlemen. The governor and inspector of that port learned of the shipment, and took the women in charge, with the design of sending them home. This traffic is said to be growing to such an alarming extent that the government has determined to put a stop to it.
—The natives of Samoa are still very much dissatisfied with the government furnished by the American-German-British protectorate. It is said that complications are constantly arising among the tribes, and permanent stability depends upon the protectorate governments either becoming more positive or withdrawing from the field.
—On the 15th inst. a Parisian Anarchist, named Pauwells, attempted to explode a bomb in the Church of the Madeleine, where were a number of worshipers. He had reached the vestibule when the bomb was accidentally exploded, and he himself was killed. He had been expelled from France, and his return had not been noted by the authorities.
—A disastrous cyclone is reported to have visited portions of Gregg and Rains Counties, Texas, on the 18th inst., doing great damage to property. It is reported that at least twenty people were killed at various points, and sixty or more injured. In some places hailstones larger than goose eggs were picked up hours after the storm. Strong houses and large trees in the track of the storm were completely demolished.
—There was almost a war in Denver, Colo., last week, between Governor Waite's militia on the one side and the city police and sheriff's posse on the other. United States troops were also on hand, but took a neutral ground. The trouble arose from the Governor's removal of two members of the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners and their refusal to retire. It was finally agreed to leave the matter to the decision of the courts.
—The Bland Seigniorage bill, which calls for the coinage of about $55,000,000, has passed both houses of Congress. Owing to proportionate distribution of silver bullion between the three mints, it will require over two years to do the coining. There are $30,000,000 at Philadelphia, $16,000,000 at San Francisco, $8,500,000 at New Orleans. The mints at Philadelphia and San Francisco can coin about $1,000,000 a month each, and the mint at New Orleans, about $800,000 a month.
—An "industrial army" of unemployed men, said to number about 600, left Los Angeles, Cal., last week, ostensibly bound for Washington, D. C. Their first camp was at Pomona, where the citizens raised a relief fund of $100. Their next camp was at Ontario, where it is said they acted in an orderly manner. They are gaining accessions as they go. The San Bernardino County supervisors and some of the town authorities combined to extend relief in the way of provisions. The "army" had declared their intention to ride across the Colorado desert on freight trains.
—The Brazilian rebellion, or rather that part of it located at Rio Janeiro, is over for the present. Admiral De Gama and staff have gone. The ships and men have been surrendered, and about ninety officers were captured in an attempt to leave the harbor on a neutral ship. The men have all been pardoned. Admiral De Mello is thought to be in the southern part of the republic directing the insurgent land operations, and it is thought De Gama has gone to join him. There are two rebel vessels yet guarding Desterro, the seat of the rebel government.
Editorial Notes
By Editor
We begin in this issue a series of four articles on the "Lord's Prayer," by Elder R. A. Underwood. We ask for them a careful reading.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES No. 18 has exhausted its second extra edition of 5,000. Let the orders come in. At the rate of $1.50 per 100 the truth cannot be circulated cheaper. This is the great Protestant number. One of our brethren says that it is the best number of the SIGNS ever issued, and that is saying a great deal. Let our friends order at once.
IN these easy days of popular Christianity it will be well for our readers to contemplate the life of our Lord Jesus Christ, as set forth by Mrs. E. G. White on another page. The cross lies before the crown. The crucifixion of the flesh precedes its glorification in immortality. Those who enter into the glory must be baptized with the baptism. May our readers know the power of Christ's resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings. The former comes through the latter.
WE have received from the International Tract Society, 59 Paternoster Row, London, England, three tracts printed in Welsh. The titles of these tracts are as follows: "Nerth Maddenant" (The Power of Forgiveness), 8 pp.; "Dyfodvad yr Arglwydd" (Coming of the Lord), 8 pp.; and "Beth i'w Wneyd ag Aniheuaeth" (What to Do with Doubt), 16 pp. These tracts will, we suppose, be furnished at the usual rates to those who desire them for circulation among the Welsh. May they be abundantly blessed of God in the conversion of souls.
The Hearing on the Amendment.—The friends of the proposed amendment to the Constitution, recognizing God and Christianity, were given a hearing before the Judiciary Committee of the Senate and House on March 6 and 7. It seems to have been a great and notable gathering, and the National Reformers, according to the report of the Christian Statesman, seemed to have it all their own way. Besides the large delegation, there were petitions, letters, and telegrams without number in favor of the measure. Its friends seem to be making up in sound and numbers what they lack in sense and justice. We will not be surprised if the measure passes, though it will meet with some opposition. Gross darkness seems to be over the majority of our legislators on religious questions, but they call it light. "Woe worth the day."
ONE of the difficult passages of Scripture, judging from the many inquiries received at this office, is 2 Corinthians 3. In this paper will be found an article on that chapter, by Elder E. E. Andross. The chapter with its subject is considered as a whole, the comparison (not contrast) between the glory of condemnation and the glory of the righteousness by faith, is clearly shown. The work of the gospel minister is to so present Christ Jesus that the Spirit of God may write God's law in the mind and heart. Israel according to the flesh had it written upon tables of stone, deposited in the sacred ark, the very center of that nation, but the true Israel of God will have that law in still closer relation in the heart of each one constituting the "holy nation." Having it only in the ark, it brings only condemnation and death, but having it in the heart, it brings the greater glory of righteousness and life, so that the receiver can say, "The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." Extra copies of this number may be had for $1.50 per hundred.
THE Catholic Mirror of January 10 gives in a letter from Jerusalem a characteristic example of salvation by works. A "religious" finds her sister, who is also a member of a religious order, sick unto death. She says:—
"But soon I came to myself, and I recalled my devotion to the Holy Face, of which I have the honor of being a promoter. I fall at the feet of the holy picture. I promise to offer at the sanctuary of the Holy Face at Tours a novena of masses; a wax candle and a mass at the chapel of St. Veronica in Jerusalem; to give twenty francs to the cause of Mr. Dupont; and especially I promise to the Divine Master to be for the future a better religious."
Nothing is known of God's free grace, of his willingness to give because he loves poor humanity. Her sister recovered, but the petitioner will ever feel, doubtless, that it was because of her promises and the promises of others that her sister was cured.
Is It Not Time?—The following from the report of a politico-religious meeting in Boston, reported by Rev. J. M. Foster, one of the leading lights of National Reform, presents a good illustration of creature worship, so prevalent at the present day:—
"Rev. Joseph Cook, the fixed star in the intellectual and moral firmament, spoke next."
This is characteristic of National Reform. It glories in men; it puts "confidence in the flesh." Its hope is in political power. It thinks the nation and its sabbath and the world lost unless certain political measures are taken. And, of course, the mighty men of earth who support their theories are exalted and glorified by the gaudy tinsel of human flattery and sycophancy. It is a repetition of the old-time glorification, "It is the voice of a god, and not of a man." (See Acts 12: 20-23.) Is it not time to give the message "Fear God and give glory to HIM; . . . and worship HIM that made the heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters"? Rev. 14: 6, 7. Is it not time?
THE Michigan Christian Advocate of March 3, in a tirade against Seventh-day Adventists by a "Watchman on the Tower," has the following statements:—
"To win sinners from a life of sin to living for God is beneath their [Seventh-day Adventists] notice."
The only reply necessary to make to this is the testimony of thousands of sinners from both the world and the churches who have first found deliverance from sin through Christ under the labors of Seventh-day Adventists. However, it is not we who win, but Christ Jesus through his word.
"BIBLE STUDENTS' LIBRARY."
By Editor
(Continued.)
READ the following and see if there is not some tract which you desire to read yourself or which will be of eternal benefit to some friend. The numbers omitted are not now published.
No. 34. God's Memorial. By James White. This tract shows from the Scriptures that the Sabbath is for all men, that it antedated Sinai, and what its real object is—a memorial of the great Creator, and a sign between God and his people. Price 2 cents; 16 pages.
No. 36. The Signs of the Times. A tract of 24 pages, giving some of the prominent signs of the Lord's coming. Revised to date. Price 3 cents.
No. 42. Elihu on the Sabbath. An excellent little review of the Sabbath question, and of some of the moral obligations resting upon the children of God. Price 2 cents; 16 pages.
No. 43. The Ten Commandments Not Revised. By James White. A clear and powerful argument, showing that in the Christian dispensation there was no revision or alteration of the moral code. Price 2 cents; 16 pages.
No. 46. Without Excuse. A tract of 8 pages, presenting a summary of some of the evidences which God has given us of the last days, and shows how, in view of these testimonies, the people of the world are left without excuse. Revised to date. Price 1 cent.
No. 47. Thoughts for the Candid. By J. N. Andrews. A little tract of eight pages, which considers in a candid way the two views of consciousness and unconsciousness in death, and the following passages of scripture: Rev. 6: 10; Matt. 10: 28; Luke 12: 4, 5; and also the word "hell." Price 1 cent.
No. 48. Which Day Do You Keep? and Why? This is two tracts in one. It is a brief resumé and Bible reading on the true Sabbath, giving Bible facts about the Sabbath, and the first day of the week. It gives also some of God's answers to some of man's excuses. It should be circulated by the million. Price 1 cent.
No. 49. Can We Know? A tract of eight pages, which considers briefly the question as to whether we may know anything about the time of the Lord's coming. Price 1 cent.
No. 50. Is the End Near? A little treatise of 8 pages, which answers briefly by biblical testimony the above question. Price 1 cent.
No. 51. Is Man Immortal? A series of questions on the nature of man, appealing to man's reason in the light of the Scriptures; 8 pages. Price 1 cent.
Sent post free on receipt of price. Address Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal., 43 Bond St., New York, or 18 W. Fifth St., Kansas City, Mo.