Earlier text: The Seven SealsReligious News and Notes.
By Editor
—The Conn. Legislature has passed a bill subjecting to taxation all property belonging to educational, religious and benevolent societies. —The membership of Spurgeon's church now amounts to 5166. During the past year 394 new members were received and 57 died. —The Ritualists of Boston have prepared a new "Manual of Prayer" for their own use. It is said that 10,000 copies of it have been sold. —Six witnesses have refused to testify in the Talmage trial. According to the Presbyterian code such refusal is ground for expulsion. —A "great discussion" is expected to come off the last of this month in Woodstock, Ohio, on the subject of feet-washing as a church ordinance. —There are several religious papers in this country conducted by the colored people. The colored Baptists have five, the Methodists three, and the Presbyterians one. —Miss Harriet Carter, a city missionary in Boston, has had upwards of eighty Chinese scholars the past two or three years, in connection with Chambers street Sunday-school. —Rev. John Miller, D. D., late Professor in The Theological Seminary at Princeton, has been formally deposed from the ministry for heresy, by the New Brunswick Presbytery. —Bishop Bowman, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, recently preached in the Methodist Mission Church, Rome, Italy, and had one of the Canons of St. Peter's among his audience. —Rev. A. H. Smith of the North China Presbyterian mission, writes that he is about to baptize one hundred or more persons, near his mission, and in another village more than three hundred are calling for Christian instruction. —The Examiner and Chronicle has been giving statistics of a Vermont town showing that the Christian population for a term of years has been longer lived than the non-Christian portion by an average of thirteen years. They ought to live enough better to make that difference. —The Protestant Churches of Ireland complain that they are constantly losing their best and brightest ministers. Presbyterian ministers go to Scotland and America, and Episcopal ministers go to England, receiving in both cases better appointments. —A missionary, after thirty years of service in India in building school houses, largely with his own hands, complains that on returning to America he finds churches in large cities which cost $200,000, and $500,000, and a Secretary of his own Foreign Board receiving $5000 a year, when the oldest mission in India "is really dying out for lack of men and means." —An ecclesiastical rebellion has broken out in Zulu-land in the Anglican Diocese, Bishop Macrone's. Dean Green of the Cathedral Church of Pietermaritzburg, in defiance of both bishop and Synod, introduced lights, vestments and incense in worship. The Dean refusing to comply with a further request of the bishop, the latter has disclaimed all responsibility for Mr. Green's conduct. —The Occident expresses itself as "utterly incredulous" with regard to a story told by Dr. Kalloch in one of his "preludes," to the effect that it was no uncommon thing for mothers in this city to send for him in great haste to perform the "ridiculous service" of sprinkling their dying infants, and that on one occasion, when he was a young preacher and hesitated to take part in so ridiculous a performance, a "good old mother in Israel" of the church said, "Do it, Isaac; do it. It won't hurt the baby, and it will do its father so much good." The Occident says: "We don't believe it," and intimates that Isaac lies. —Howard Malcom, D. D., LL. D., a distinguished Baptist clergyman and author, died in Philadelphia, March 25. He was born in Philadelphia, January 17, 1799, and after receiving a thorough collegiate education began to preach at the age of 19. He held pastorates in Hudson, N. Y., Boston, and Philadelphia; was President of the college at Georgetown, Ky., and of the University of Lewisburg, Pa. He traveled extensively in Europe, and as a deputy of the Baptist Missionary Union visited Hindostan, Burmah, Siam, China, and Africa. In the establishing of the American Sunday School Union and the American Tract Society he took a prominent part. Among his published works are a "Dictionary of the Bible," "Travels in Southeastern Asia," and several of a doctrinal character. —The following is the view of the Independent: The Richmond Religious Herald quotes the Independent as saying that it 'is really a pity that the Goverment did not, after the conquest of the rebellion, hang a few of these representatives of the Lost Cause, and it adds: "Four years after the close of the war, that is the way a religious (?) editor feels!" Well, yes, it is. One Judas once went and hanged himself; and it was a worthy end, in which we take satisfaction. If he had expressed himself as pleased with his treason, and gone into the sleeping-car or insurance business, and lived for fourteen years petted by Annas and Caiaphas and Gamaliel and all the Jewish people, it would not have pleased us. By your favor, brother Herald, 'that is the way a religious editor feels' eighteen hundred and forty-six years after the event." —Queen Victoria has gone to visit Italy. —Thirty thousand miners are on a strike in Durham, England. —All the German seaboard cities oppose Bismarck's policy. —There are strong indications that a serious Indian war is impending. —A patent has been issued for a land grant of 133,440 acres in San Diego county. —The Democrats of New York city are divided over the candidates for Governor. —Senator Hill, of Georgia, lately alluded to the Senate as the "Confederate Senate." A little premature. —General Garibaldi has returned to Rome in a very feeble condition. It is thought he cannot long survive. —Senator Grover has introduced a bill for the construction of a bridge over the Willamette at Portland, Oregon. —Miragoane, a town in Hayti, was destroyed by fire March 16; 5,000 or 6,000 persons were rendered homeless. —The Suez canal is feeling the effects of hard times. The number of ships passing through it has greatly decreased. —Prof. Alfaraz in St. Petersburg, states that an autopsy of the bodies of four soldiers shows that the black plague is in that city. —The Zulus surprised a convoy of 104 British troops, and only 15 men escaped. The Zulus are well armed, and well trained as soldiers. A hotel keeper in Brodhead, Wis., has presented a bill to the village Board of $1000, for damages done to his house in refusing a license to sell liquor. —A little girl six years of age, whose parents died in Memphis of yellow fever, arrived in San Francisco March 8, traveling the whole distance alone. —The proposed exodus of negroes from the Southern States is assuming huge proportions. It is intended to settle them largely on lands in Western Texas. —The people of California will not get much news until after the 7th of May, as the papers are filled with pros and cons about the New Constitution. —The Jamestown, formerly the training ship on the Pacific coast, is ordered to Alaska to remain to protect the inhabitants and to make a survey of the coast. —An emigrant train on the Central Pacific was ditched near Lovelock's Station, Nevada, March 7. I. T. Marcy, of Wilkesbarre, Pa., was killed, and others injured. —A school teacher in San Francisco says he got his certificate for spelling the word "Sheriff;" as neither of his examiners knew how to spell it, he passed safely! —Seventeen thousand persons in Szeged in and its neighborhood are subsisting on charity. It has been raining for ten days. The supply of bread is becoming exhausted. —Secretary Sherman says there is plenty of gold in the Treasury to be had for green backs, but nobody wants it. Where is the man who said resumption was not possible? —The men who burned two men in Nebraska are on trial, and must be convicted, as one has turned States' evidence. A company of regulars has been sent by Gen. Crook to Hastings to prevent a rescue by their lawless comrades. —Union College is vieing with Harvard in giving opportunities to lady students. A class of twenty-five have been studying geology, and the progress reported compares favorably with that of the regular class. —The Japan Gazette states that the Government paper currency remains at a discount of 25 to 27 per cent. with no indication of a rise. All business, native and foreign, continues to suffer materially in consequence. —A sunken vessel was discovered a third of a mile off Main-street wharf, San Francisco, April 8. It is supposed that it is a sloop or scow laden with brick, and was run down in the night. If so all on board were lost. —The Khedive of Egypt has dismissed his Ministry, including the French and English representatives. As he is deeply indebted to those nations, and has nothing to pay, it is probable there will be a crisis in Egyptian affairs soon. —Santa Rosa, Cal., had a rain-storm with thunder and lightning April 4. The thunder was heavy and lightning sharp and rapid. It lasted one hour. Ditto in Petaluma; lightning struck and shattered some fruit trees, says the Courier. —President Angell says that one of the mathematicians of Michigan University, known all over the world, never went to school more than six weeks, and did his first mathematical work on a plow share with a piece of chalk while the oxen were resting at noon. But, do not get the idea that you can do it. Fell asleep, March 31st, 1879, in Woodland, Barry Co., Mich., our baby Claudia Lee, aged nine months and twenty-six days. Words of consolation by Eld. Roberts, M. E., from 2 Samuel 12:23. Theo. W. and P. F. Phinisey. Stockholders' Special Meeting.
According to appointment in Signs, a special meeting of the stockholders of the Pacific S. D. A. Publishing Association was held, Tuesday, April 1, 1879, at 1.30 P. M., for the purpose of making some specified amendments to the By Laws of the Association. The proposed amendments were called for, and read by the Secretary. Voted, That a committee of two be appointed by the chair to present the Amendments for action. The chair appointed W. N. Glenn and J. E. White. Voted That the committee report the articles to be amended, item by item for action. Section 6, of article II, was reported to read as amended, (1) Immediately after the election of the Board of Directors, they must organize by the election of a President, and a Vice President, who must be of their number, a Secretary and a Treasurer. (2) They are also empowered to employ all other subordinate officers and fix the rate of their compensation or salary, and also the salary of the Secretary and the Treasurer. Adopted by unanimous vote. Section 1, of article III was reported to read, as amended, All officers of this Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors, and shall consist of a President, and a Vice President of their number, a Secretary and a Treasurer, and these shall be chosen at the first meeting of the Board of Directors after their own election. The board shall also appoint an auditor. Section 3, Article IX, was reported to read as amended, To vote by proxy it shall be necessary to sign a writing as follows: I——, of the town of——, in the State of——, owning——shares in the Pacific Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association, of Oakland, Cal., being desirous of voting in the meetings of the Association, hereby empower——, of the town of——, in the State of——, to cast my vote in any meeting of the Association he may attend until this proxy is revoked. Witness my hand this——day of——in the year of our Lord 18——. Section 4, Article IX, was reported to read, as amended, The member named in said writing, who appears at the meeting of the Association, bearing said writing, shall be fully empowered to vote as proxy. Section 1, Article XI, came up for consideration, but as any change in said section was found to be contrary to the Civil Code, no action was taken. Meeting Adjourned. JOHN MORRISON, President.
J. E. WHITE, Secretary. General Conference
By Editor
The special session of the General Conference was postponed until April 17-21. At this meeting arrangements are to be made for the coming campaign throughout the home and foreign fields. At a meeting of the Oakland Church, held the evening after the Sabbath, April 5, it was moved and passed unanimously that a vote of thanks be tendered to Eld. James White for his interest in, and action in behalf of, the Oakland Church, in the matter of relieving it from its indebtedness on the house of worship, and to all who have so promptly responded to the call. This should have been published last week, but as the clerk failed to hand us the minutes, it was overlooked in our press of business. PLEDGES to our Association to the amount of over $9,000 are now over due. The business of the Office has been managed with reference to these pledges, as one half were to be paid in January, and the other half the first of the present month. No new obligations calling for an outlay of means, have been made during the last six months, but engagements have been made to pay bills incurred for improvements in the past. Some new machinery has been purchased for the type foundry, but on such terms that it is paying for itself. If these pledges had come in as we were led to expect they would, the Office would be entirely relieved from financial embarrassment. As it is, we can see no way opening to meet fast approaching obligations. Under these circumstances we hope all who have made pledges, whether large or small, will make every effort to send in all or a part as soon as possible. And as there may be some delay in receiving these pledges as promptly as necessity demands, we request any who have money to spare for six months or a year, to send it in, and we will return the notes of the Association with or without interest as the sender can afford. But there is one thing we wish distinctly understood. The money donated to this institution is not used up in paying running expenses. The total assets of the Association above liabilities as shown by the Secretary's report in last SIGNS, are $41,350.14. Of this there has been received from sale of stock and donations from the East about $36,000. This shows that the Association has not only been self supporting, but has increased its resources by its own earnings fully $5,000. The Office is now fully equipped with the best machinery and material and is more than paying its own expenses. And if the amount now due on stock is paid soon, the Office can clear itself from remaining liabilities. We hope all will take prompt measures to relieve us from present embarrassments. A Remarkable Case.
By Editor
WERE it not for occasional stubborn facts which arise, "scientists" would have everything their own way. We have not a word to say against science; to the contrary, we greatly respect it. But we cannot confess to much respect for certain positive assertions of scientific men, based only on hypotheses, without known facts to sustain them, and which new facts are constantly overthrowing. Geologists are the most positive of all men, and their positive assertions are most frequently proved to be untrue. But we may sympathize with the incredulity of the doctors in the following case. While all would have cried out "impossible!" had such a thing been suggested in advance of the facts, it more strongly proves that mere theories are utterly unreliable in every science. Sister Baker, of Oakland, to whom Mrs. Sprague was related, handed us a lengthy account of the case as published in the Cleveland papers. We give room only to the report of the examination with the names of the examining physicians:— POST MORTEM EXAMINATION IN THE CASE OF MRS. M. A. SPRAGUE. The first thing noticed as peculiar, was an enlargement of the pericardium (or sack that surrounds the heart). This we found to contain an unusual amount of fluid, amounting to several ounces. The heart, as it lay in position, appeared of about ordinary size, but on closer inspection, we found the left auricle enlarged to perhaps three times its usual size, and containing in its walls a solid body. On attempting to remove the heart, we found the pericardium attached by a fibrous band to the œsophagus. After removal, on washing the heart, a foreign substance was felt externally, and on attempting to remove it, a pricking sensation was felt; this led to a closer inspection, when we found that we were forced to admit, despite our incredulity, that a burdock burr was imbedded in the left auricle, beneath the arch of the aorta, which was also enlarged and softened. Within the auricle opposite to the part in which the burr was lodged, we found a fibrinous clot attached. The burr had probably been swallowed, and lodged in the œsophagus, and from there worked its way into the pericardium and to its present situation.
WM. CLARK, M. D.
A. P. KNOWLTON, M. D.
A. S. ALLEN, M. D.
F. M. COATES, M. D. A SCHOOL-TEACHER relates the following incident as observed from her window: "Two colored men were engaged in loading cotton bales. One of the men shirked. Although he went through all the motions he did not help much in the work, while the other used all his strength. Finally, he turned to his fellow-laborer, and surveying him from head to foot, said, "Sambo, are you a Christian?" "Yes." "Then take hold and help." How aptly this question will apply to thousands who profess to be Christians, yet are doing comparatively nothing to help the cause along. They go through all the motions, but do not lift a pound. If any missionary work is to be done, they can look on, and apparently sanction it. We often feel like asking them, Do you want these sinners saved? If you do, then take hold and help. Teachers' Bibles.
By Editor
AFTER a careful examination of many varieties of Bibles, we are satisfied that the Oxford Teachers' Bible presents more advantages than any other we have seen. The print is clear, and the binding substantial. In addition to the authorized text, with references, it contains much that is essential to the study of the Bible, to wit :— 1. Notes on the Old and New Testaments. 2. Index. 3. Concordance. 4. Dictionary of Scriptural Names, with their pronunciation and meaning. 5. Twelve Scripture Maps. The price has been recently reduced, so that they can be offered even lower than the English Bibles we have previously kept. | Number. |
Description. |
By Freight or Express. |
By Mail. |
|---|
| 500 |
Pearl, French Morocco. |
$ 1.50 |
$ 1.60 |
| 502 |
" Venetian " (Circuit) |
2.00 |
2.10 |
| 600 |
Nonpariel, French Morocco. |
2.35 |
2.50 |
| 601 |
" " " (Circuit).. |
2.75 |
2.90 |
| 605 |
" Persian (Flexible) |
2.75 |
2.90 |
| 611 |
" Turkey " " |
3.25 |
3.40 |
| 705 |
Minion, Persian Morocco (Flexible.. |
4.25 |
4.45 |
| 715 |
" Levant (Divinity Circuit) |
7.50 |
7.75 |
| 915 |
" " " " |
14.00 |
14 50 |
Please order by number, and not by price. We have also a good supply of family Bibles, and Bibles adapted to church use, which were bought low and can be sold below prices offered at any book store. The type is Small Pica, and very easy to read. Prices from $7.50 to $9.00. These Bibles must be sent by freight or express as they are too heavy to go by mail. We have a few copies of Bibles for the center table, beautifully bound, Minion type. Prices from $4.00 to $7.50. Health Publications.
By Editor
The Uses of Water in Health and Disease. Bound, 160 pp., 50c. Paper covers, pp. 136, 25c. The Household Manual. Brief, plain directions for treatment of common sicknesses, etc. Bound, 176 pp. 75c. Plain Facts about Sexual Life. (The Boston Journal, and many other papers, highly recommend this work.) Bound, tinted paper, 360 pp., $1.50. Flexible covers, 260 pp., 75c. The Physical, Moral, and Social Effects of Alcoholic Poison as a Beverage and a Medicine. Paper, 128 pp., 25c. Healthful Cookery. Indispensable to every household. 128 pp., 25c. Proper Diet for Man. Paper, 48 pp., 15c. Evils of Fashionable Dress, and How to Dress Healthfully. 40 pp., 10c. Tracts. Dyspepsia, its Cause and Cure. 32 pp., 4c. Healthful Clothing. 32 pp., 4c. Startling Facts about Tobacco. 32 pp., 4c. Tea and Coffee. 32 pp., 4c. Wine and the Bible, (showing that the Bible affords no support to the use of intoxicating beverages). 24 pp., 3c. Principles of Health Reform. 16 pp., 2c. Twenty-five Arguments for Tobacco-using Answered. 24 pp., 3c. Pork, (with an engraving of the terrible trichina worm). 16 pp., 2c. The Drunkard's Arguments Answered. 16 pp., 2c. Alcoholic Medication. 16 pp., 2c. Moral and Social Effects of Alcohol. 8 pp., 1c. Causes and Cure of Intemperance. 8 pp., 1c. Alcohol; What is it? 4 pp., 1/2c. Alcoholic Poison. 4 pp., 1/2c. True Temperance. 4 pp., 1/2c. The whole series of Tracts put up in a neat package, 30c. Discount made to Tract and Temperance societies. Address— Signs of the Times. Oakland, Cal. Business Department.
By Editor
$2.00 EACH. Mrs M Scott 6-11, Hellen Vanstran 6-15, Wm Gunner 6-15, John J Nugent 6-15, Miss Emily Cook 4-48, A F Horning 6-6, Eliza Hunter 6-17, Thos E Boucher 6-17, Wm Brundige 6-15, J C Phipps 6-12. $1.50 EACH. Mrs Humbert 6-5, Mrs Roub Weesner 6-15, Will F Carbough 6-15, A L Bryant 6-15, Geo H Spencer 6-15, J L Stevens 6-15, T I Cass 6-15, Mary J Babcock 6-15, Wm Scott 6-15, Mrs G W Purinton 6-15, Hattie Waldrip 6-15, Agatha Reynolds 6-15, Joseph W Wells 6-15, Ella Short 6-15, Mary Walkle 6-15, Franklin Edward 6-15, Howard Romain 6-15, Jno Edwards 6-15, Mathew Vennice 6-15, Emma Clayton 6-15, Harry Wilson 6-15, M E Taylor 6-15, Alice Easterdy 6-15, Wm H Wilson 6-15, J W Smith 6-15, Mrs M C Crozier 6-15, Mrs Lizzie B Link 6-15, Mrs E E Meriwether 6-15, C Litchfield 6-15, Mrs Amy Farnum 6-15, M R Loury 6-29, Jessie Tulebright 6-19, Elisha Phipps, 6-16. MISCELLANEOUS. James Davis 1.00, 5-39. Horace Hickock 1.00, 5-39, Thos M Young 1.00, 5-40, Isaac Zirkle 1.00, 5-31, E Langley 1.00, 5-39, Mattie Noble (2 copies) 3.00, 6-15, L M Griggs (3 copies) 4.50, 6-16, Eid Kilbourn 75c 5-39, N W Allee (5 copies) 6.00, 6-14, J Snow 75c 5-39, Wm L Brisbin 1.20, 6-15, John Riley (5 copies) 6.00, 6-15, Mrs G F Abbott 1.00, 5-47, Lucy Norman 1.00, 5-47, Mrs E Temple (3 copies) 3.60, 6-15, John Gluyas 1.00, 5-38, H C McDonald 1.20, 6-15, Mrs C Mulford (2 copies) 2.40, 6-15, H J Sheffield 1.20, 6-15, David P McDonald 1.20, 6-15, Robt Chalmers 1.20, 6-15. D H Crane 1.20, 6-15, Rancie Bliss (3 copies) 2.70, 6-3, A White (11 copies) 13.20, 6-15. CAL. CONFERENCE.
Mrs Clements $10.00, Napa church 29.60, Vacaville church 24.35, J H Waggoner 4.00, A W Everts 4.50, Woodland church 70.10. DONATION TO SIGNS.
E A Briggs 70c Thomas Boucher 1.85. CAL. PUBLISHING FUND.
O Darling $50.00, Peter Scazighine 50.00, J L Wood 25.00, G A Denison 25.00, J F McCutchin 25.00, T C Howell 5.00 W J Bostwick 10.00, W G Myers and wife 10.00. RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.
Nevada T and M Society $21.75, Cal T and M Society 63.05. OAKLAND CHURCH.
A F Horning $1.25.