Earlier text: Our Works in the JudgmentThe Saloon Worse Than the Bulldog
Nor long since a citizen of Chicago, while on his way home from business, was attacked by two savage bulldogs and severely injured. The neighbors were so incensed that they turned out and shot one of the dogs and hung the other, regardless of the opinions or rights of the owner. There are somewhere about six thousand men in Chicago who are the owners of an animal as much more savage and terrible than these bulldogs as imagination can paint, and they are sending him out to destroy men and women, boys and girls, all over the city. Yet they are protected by license, and the kind-hearted neighbors who would interfere and stop the destruction are denounced as fanatics and cranks. An equal number of bulldogs would not do one-half the damage done by the saloons, for the bulldog is honest and shows his teeth. People would avoid until they could destroy him. The saloon destroys under the guise of friendship. It is more hypocritical, more savage and meaner in every way than the bulldog.—The Lever. "WHAT! has he gone?" exclaimed Mrs. Tucker, entering the breakfast room, from the kitchen, bringing a small deep pan of hot water, and finding only Aunt Sylvia, where but three minutes before she had left a trio. "He has just stepped out on the porch with Mr. Tucker," replied Aunt Sylvia, proceeding to wash the soiled silver she had gathered from the dismantled table, in the pan of water her niece had placed on the side-board. "Of course he will not go without at least bidding us good morning." "He has, however," said Mrs. Tucker. "See what long strides he is taking down hill toward the station. He cut short his adieus to you, also, did he not, Mr. Tucker?" she said, as her husband entered the room with a broad smile overspreading his rugged face. "Well, I must say he beats all," said Mr. Tucker, speaking slowly, and from the open window watching out of sight the retreating figure of his guest. "An entire stranger, bearing the same name as my first wife, but no relation to her whatever as I can make out, fastens himself upon us for six meals and two nights' lodgings, breaks up a day and a half for me, drives my horse ten miles or more, routs us up at four o'clock of a summer morning to get him a hot breakfast, that he may take an early train, and goes off without as much as saying, 'Thank you, sir,' or, 'I am obliged to you,' or, 'Give me a call should you ever come my way.'" "I hope he will enjoy the lunch I put up for him," said Aunt Sylvia, joining in the laugh, and Mrs. Tucker added:—"I wonder how long it will take to get the smell of tobacco smoke out of the sitting-room. The idea of his filling his pipe, lighting it, and puffing away after I had hinted to him that tobacco was offensive to me." "He was dressed like a gentleman," said Mr. Tucker, "but for all that I should class him as a full-grown pig." "He seemed to be possessed of average intelligence," said Aunt Sylvia as she began to wash the coffee cups, "and I suppose he has treated us quite as well as he treats his mother. He has lived on this beautiful earth nearly fifty years, been fed, and clothed, and sheltered, and, according to his own story, has never recognized the Lord's kindness in any way. If the Lord does not resent his want of appreciation, I suppose we ought not to do so." Mr. Tucker said nothing as he went out about his daily work as a farmer. This Aunt Sylvia of his wife's was a very devout woman, with the right word for the unconverted always at her tongue's end, "but she never meddles with me," the sturdy farmer was wont to say. The perfect freshness and beauty of the June morning appealed to his heart in an unwonted manner. He was a true lover of nature, and all the rural charms of verdure, and foliage, and witching scenery about this, his ancestral home, were a part of his life, yet it seemed to him that he had never breathed in the marvelous fullness and perfection of the June bounteousness as on this morning, when the ascending sun cast over the dew-laden window its own peculiar rose-tint. "I am fifty-five," said the farmer to himself, "for a half century I have stood on this hill-top at all seasons, and at all times, and enjoyed my surroundings. I have had good health, an abundance of this world's goods, and but few sorrows. The Lord has been very good to me, but I have never fully appreciated it, and have never expressed myself to the All-Giver as being thankful. Oh! what a wretch I have been!" For a week Mr. Tucker turned this matter over and over in his mind. One thought made way for another. He no sooner tried to find an excuse for one short-coming than a worse one came to take its place. "I don't know what ails Mr. Tucker," said his wife, "he neither eats nor sleeps, he takes no interest in anything you or I say or do, he don't even read the daily paper." "I have noticed it," said Aunt Sylvia. "His work don't seem to be getting on, either, and there is a good reason why; he just wanders around the farm without staying long enough in one place to accomplish anything; and he stands for a half hour at a time looking off into the distance in one direction or another, as if he were taking in all the features of a view quite new to him. It is not like Mr. Tucker at all." "I can't understand it," said Mrs. Tucker: "He may be bilious. I will go right away and make him a spring syrup." The next morning a small glass of the decoction was handed him by his anxious wife as he stood in the dining-room doorway, looking pale and worn, gazing far off upon the distant hills. He shook his head and said with an apparent effort:— "No wonder you are anxious about me. I am anxious about myself, but the remedy is not thoroughwort nor yellow dock. Aunt Sylvia, how does a person atone for fifty years of willful neglect of God's goodness?" "So that is it!" exclaimed the good woman. "The Lord be praised. The stranger had a mission here after all. It was to show Abraham Tucker to Abraham Tucker. Let us take your query to the Lord." The change was not an instantaneous one, but it came at last after real repentance and much prayer, and it brought a marvelous joy and peace. Mr. Tucker tries to make his present daily life atone for the years of neglect, but he charges all his young friends to start early in the right way, that they may enjoy the fullness of life which only comes to those who love and serve the Lord. —Mrs. Annie A. Preston, in Christian at Work. Cured by Kindness.
By Parish Visitor
"You oughtn't to do so," shouted Willie, as the butcher dashed past in his wagon, giving the whip unmercifully to his half-starved horse. Another moment, in turning the corner, the wagon was upset, and the horse broke into a run. He ran for a mile or more. The wagon was broken to pieces, and the man thrown out and badly bruised. Next day "the vicious beast" was offered for sale. Willie's father bought him for a low price, for use on the farm. It was a foolish bargain, people said, for the horse was quite uncontrollable. Even his owner said he would bite, kick, and run away. But Mr. Ely bought it to please Willie, whose tender little heart was full of pity for the poor animal. "We will be so kind to him that he won't want to be bad, papa." So they agreed to follow Willie's plan. Before long, Mr. Ely and Willie began to drive the horse. People were surprised at the change in him. "He would go as slow as desired," said the gentleman who told the story, "stop instantly at 'whoa', follow his master, come at his call, and rub his head on his shoulder." What had made the change? Not force! The poor horse had been beaten, kicked, and starved before, and grew more and more stubborn. Now he was well fed, well bedded, well watered; not over-driven or over-loaded; never whipped, kicked, or scolded. Kind words were given him, and now and then an apple or a piece of sugar. No gentler, safer, or more faithful horse went on the road. Willie's plan had succeeded. The little fellow fairly lived with the horse, and the horse seemed to know he was his best friend. Ben was a favorite with all the family. One night Mr. Ely was away from home. He had taken Ben early in the afternoon, but when bed-time came he had not returned. Thinking he would not be at home that night, the family closed the house and retired. About midnight Willie heard Ben's neigh. Jumping out of bed he ran to the window, and there was Ben at the door without his father. In a few moments the family were aroused, and Willie's brother hurriedly opened the door. No sooner had he done so than Ben turned around and trotted off toward the road. He followed him quickly. Ben led him a quarter of a mile and then stopped. There Mr. Ely lay on the ground in a swoon. When he was taken home he soon recovered, and told them that as he was riding through the woods he struck his head against the overhanging branch of a tree and fell from the horse. He was stunned by the blow, and did not remember anything more. After that night Ben was the hero of the village. But there was one strange thing about him,—he never forgot either a benefit or an injury. Sometimes when in harness he would see his former master. Then all his old fire would return; his eyes would roll, he would champ his bit fiercely and show an intense desire to get at his enemy. Only Willie or his father could quiet him then. Ben taught the people of that village more than they ever knew before of the power of kindness. And a good many of Willie's little friends began to practice his way of treating their dogs and ponies. They found that the surest way to manage them was by kindness. This, you know, was Mr. Rarey's way. It was his secret in training horses. If any of our boys have any doubt on the subject, suppose they try it for themselves, for this story of Ben is a true one.—Parish Visitor. The Home Circle.
By Mary Howitt
Eloquent the children's faces—
Poverty's lean look which saith:
Save us! save us! Woe surrounds us.
Little knowledge sore confounds us.
Life is but a lingering death! Give us light amid our darkness;
Let us know the good from ill;
Hate us not for all our blindness;
Love us; lead us; show us kindness;
You can make us what you will. We are willing; we are ready;
We will learn if you will teach;
We have hearts that yearn toward duty;
We have minds alive to beauty;
Souls that any heights can reach. Raise us by your Christian knowledge;
Consecrate to man our powers;
Let us take our proper station;
We, the rising generation;
Let us stamp the stage as ours. Look into our childish faces,
See ye not our willing hearts?
Only love us; only lead us;
Only let us know you need us,
And we all will do our parts. Train us! try us! days slide onward,
They can ne'er be ours again.
Save us! save from our undoing;
Save from ignorance and ruin;
Make us worthy to be MEN! Send us out the world to better!
Send us forth good seed to sow!
We may be our fathers' teachers;
We may be the mightiest preachers
In the day that dawneth now! Such the children's mute appealing!
Who will answer? Who will hear?
Who will hear this cry of sadness?
Who will answer it in gladness?
Helping those to Christ so dear!
—Mary Howitt, in Baptist Flag. The subject of the intelligence of brutes is one of endless study and interest. The San Francisco correspondent of the Mendocino Beacon tells the following of the dogs in that city:— “One of the features of our every-day life is the pound man. Each day he rides about the streets upon his coops, with several assistants, all armed with lassoes. As the monthly average numbers some 400, it shows where we should be if some such steps were not taken to get rid of the vagrants. Dogs licensed are of course exempt, and their instinct in this matter is remarkable. A dog without a collar seems to have a mortal terror of the wagon and apparently scents the danger at once. It is said some dogs know the day the pound man is due and will not go out of the yard. Walking down Mission Street this week I saw him catch four dogs within a dozen blocks. One saw the wagon nearly half a block away, and in terror ran into a place. Of course he was cornered at once, lassoed, and deftly swung into the coop. If ever there was a frightened dog it was that poor pup. Another was lassoed while walking by his owner. The dog cried pitifully. There can be no denying they know the danger. The owner was a mad man. If you want to see a real mad man or woman just see the pound man rope in their dog. To hear them threaten and rave you would think the entire United States army was at their disposal. The only way to get your dog back is to pay $2.50 for him besides the license fee. No tears or threats will do. The pound man is used to that. And all this while a good looking dog with a collar looked idly on, sniffed about, and appeared quite unconcerned, and I saw several blessed with license tags run after the cart and give a little contemptuous bark. But a collarless dog would skip every time.” The Duty of Punctuality
By Cecil
If I have made an appointment with you, I owe you punctuality; I have no right to throw away your time if I do my own.—Cecil. —Immense damage has been done to the island of Porto Rico by a flood. —Forest fires in Maine are now raging to a greater extent than for many years. —Considerable damage was done in the vicinity of Duluth, Minn., Aug. 20, by a hurricane. —Count De Chamberd, the last of the elder branch of the French Bourbon, died at Frohsdorf, Aug. 24. —It is estimated that three-fourths of the South Carolina cotton crop will be lost on account of drought. —The Western Union Telegraph Office at Chicago was burned Aug. 21. The fire originated from a gas jet. Loss, $100,000. —Since the passage of the Chinese Restriction Act, the Chinese population of San Francisco is said to have decreased 25 per cent. —Mt. Vesuvius is still in a state of activity. The continuous trembling has resulted in considerable damage to buildings in the vicinity. —The steamer Ludwig, with fifty-six people on board, from Antwerp to Montreal, is two weeks overdue, and has been given up for lost. —Three mills of the Acadia Powder Company, at Waverly, near Halifax, N. S., were destroyed by an explosion, on the 20th. Several employés lost their lives. —Both ends of the Northern Pacific Railroad were connected on the 22d, near Helena, M. T. The golden spike will be set on Sept. 8, by President Villard and Jay Cooke. —Emigration to Oregon and Washington has been a little overdone. The Portland Standard advises laborers to keep away, as there are many there vainly seeking employment. —The Alexandria correspondent of the London Times says: "If the British troops should be withdrawn from Egypt, no European family would remain in that country a week after their departure." —Reports from twenty-five of the larger post-offices show the increase in the sale of postage stamps for the quarter ending June 30, 1883, over the corresponding quarter of last year, to be $232,457. —The notorious Frank James is now on trial for his life, at Gallatin, Mo. His friends have sent letters to two prominent witnesses for the prosecution, threatening them should their testimony be adverse. —A terrific rain-storm, accompanied by thunder and lightning, visited the northwest part of Ontario, on the 19th. At Listowel the water was two feet deep in the streets, and many buildings and bridges were carried away. —The war in Tonquin, between the French and Chinese, has commenced at last. On the 17th the French made an attack, but were repulsed with some loss. On the next day, however, they gained a signal victory. —It is said that the hardest thing the faculties of the large colleges have to contend against is the dead indifference of the bulk of the students. The majority look on all enthusiasm for study as a sort of silliness which makes its possessor a target for ridicule. —A fire in the still depot of the Eclipse Lubricating Refinery, at Franklin, Pa., Aug. 19, destroyed nine tanks, containing several thousand barrels of oil, and a large amount of machinery. The Eclipse was the largest lubricating refinery in the world. —There was a cloud-burst at Silver King, A. T., Aug. 20, which did much damage to mining interests. The report says that great bowlders weighing many tons were washed from the mountain-sides and hurled into the road beneath as if they had been pebbles. —The Chilean chief at Huanuco was informed that a large body of Indians intended to sack the city, and rout the party in favor of peace, and occasion an evacuation. Whereupon the Chileans surprised 3,000 Indians, on the 22d, killing 400, and wounding 400 others. —Since the telegraph strike has ended, it is announced that John W. Mackay and friends have bought a controlling interest in the Postal Telegraph Company, and intend to organize a gigantic opposition to the Western Union Company. The probability is that telegraph rates will soon be greatly reduced. —It is stated that nihilism is as active and implacable as ever in Russia. An endless procession of manacled prisoners passes from Eastern Russia to Siberia. The prosecutions are conducted with such secrecy, and the suppression of news is so great, that but little can be learned of the actual state of things. —An express train on the Rochester and Northern Division of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, was caught in a severe wind and hail-storm, near Zumbrota, Minn., Aug. 22, and lifted from the track, while running at high speed. Every car in the train was completely wrecked, the passengers being buried beneath the debris. Nearly every person was injured, and the loss of life was very great. —The storm that raged so fearfully in southeastern Minnesota, Aug. 22, was strongest in Olmstead County. At Rochester 135 houses were demolished, and their contents destroyed. Thirty-four persons were killed, and eighty-two injured, nine of them fatally. An appeal has been made for aid for the suffering and destitute. It is estimated that 500 persons will have to be supported almost entirely by charity, for several days or weeks. —A special dispatch from Cettinge (Montenegro) says: "A reign of terror exists in the village of Kassovo in Albania. The Arnauts are murdering Christians, and all the latter who can get away are fleeing from the country. The Turkish officials connive at outrages on Christians, and have arrested and exiled a number of priests. In the Apex district ninety-two persons have been murdered, and twenty-three villages have been abandoned." THE Christian Statesman has an article in a recent issue, entitled, "Gradual Decrease of Crime." It must be that the Statesman does not receive the daily papers, or has not read them for the past year or two. At the close of the article it says:—
"We insist constantly on this steady march of the world toward a better state, because it is a fact to which so many eyes are blind, a fact which illustrates and proves the healing power of the Christian religion, and a fact the recognition of which has much to do with the zeal, persistency and self-sacrifice of Christian philanthropists."
From this we conclude also that the Statesman has not read lately 2 Tim. 3, especially verses 1–5 and 13. The apostle Paul, it seems, did not believe in "this steady march of the world toward a better state," and yet he was a model of zeal, persistency, and self-sacrifice. The natural tendency of the world toward evil is a most powerful incentive to activity in Christian work. —Nearly one-fourth of the population of Wisconsin are said to be Catholics. —The Jews in London number about 100,000. They have three weekly newspapers, fifteen synagogues, and a rabbinical college, with the finest Jewish library in the world. —An Episcopal paper thinks that “one reason why the world is so unwilling to join the church, is because the church is so very willing to join the world.” A very fair statement of the case. —The Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions expended last year in its Mission for the Indians, $31,360. It has ten missions, sixteen missionaries, nine native ministers, seventeen licentiates, and 1,240 communicants. —A London clergyman has started a dancing school in connection with his church. “His idea is to wean the young from the more demoralizing places which exist in such large numbers in the English metropolis.” A parallel to this came under our own observation, in the case of a church member who, in order to keep his sons at home, started a saloon in his own house. We have not been able to learn the particulars of the result, but there is no doubt but that such a plan would be successful as long as the supply of liquor held out. —Four Reading Railroad laborers were arrested in Philadelphia, on Sunday the 12th inst., upon the charge of illegally performing worldly labor on that day. Testimony was offered to show that the work could not be accomplished on any other day of the week, in consequence of the frequent passage of trains, and the magistrate, taking that view, decided that the work was a necessity and discharged the defendants. From this it appears that even in Pennsylvania a man may work on Sunday, provided he is not an observer of the Sabbath of the Lord, the seventh day of the week. —The Pacific prints a sermon on “The Gospel and the Age,” preached by Rev. J. W. Hough, in the First Congregational Church, Oakland, in which the following sentence occurs: “If science shall succeed in proving its theory of evolution to be true, it will have done a hundred-fold more to interpret the ways of God to man than did the discovery of the Moabite stone, or the framing of the Andover creed.” Yes, if science shall prove evolution to be true, there is nothing that can be compared with it. And this it may do just as soon as it succeeds in proving the Bible to be false. —The following from “Rusticus,” a writer for the Occident, has the right ring: “I have heard of a preacher who boasts that he can fill any place of worship. He has unbounded confidence in his powers of attraction. And he does draw crowds. But there are no conversions under his preaching. The people go as they would go to a theater. They admire the messenger, but pay no attention to the message. It is the manner that interests them, and not the matter. Now I don’t believe there is anything gained by getting people to go to church if the church has to be turned into an opera house, or a lecture hall, in order to secure their attendance. I would try by all means to bring men to hear the gospel. But if they will not come to the wells of salvation to draw water out of them, I would not fill those wells with rum, or even with lemonade, and then stand and cry: ‘Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.’ It is sad and humiliating to see men with the vows of God upon them, resorting to stage tricks in order to fill their houses. And it is equally sad to see good people turn the cold shoulder to earnest and faithful preachers, because they will not preach themselves, but Jesus Christ, the Lord.” It has now been decided to hold the camp-meeting for northern California at San Jose, Sept. 6–18. It will be held upon the fair-ground, near the depot of the Narrow-Gauge Railroad. The horse-cars which pass the railroad station also pass the camp-ground. The ground is level and covered with shade trees, presenting a beautiful grove in which to pitch family tents. Only one spot is large enough for the tent 60x100 ft. Had the ground been designed on purpose for the camp-meeting, it could scarcely have been improved. The committee will do everything possible to make it comfortable and to accommodate all that come. We hope this will be the largest camp-meeting ever held in the State of California; and in many respects it certainly will be the most important. Provision will be made for man and beast. Northern Wisconsin Camp-Meeting.
By Committee
A CAMP-MEETING will be held at Merrillon Junction, Wis., the crossing of the G. B. & M. and C. P. M. & O. railroads, Sept. 12-18. The special reasons for this meeting are to give to our people in the northern part of the State the opportunity of such a meeting, to form an acquaintance between the churches newly admitted to the Conference and the older ones, and to forward the work of God in our midst. We appeal to all to come to the meeting. Reduced fare will be secured on the railroads. Bring plenty of bedding and extra clothing, and you will be well cared for. There will be tents to rent at very reasonable rates. One day of the meeting will be devoted to Sabbath-school work. We confidently expect the blessing of God, and hope that very many will be there to share it. COMMITTEE. A BOOK FOR OLD AND YOUNG.
SKETCHES FROM THE LIFE OF PAUL.
In this book the history of Paul's life, from the time when he "made havoc" of the church until he was "offered up" as its chief representative, is traced in a clear and connected manner. Paul's allusions to himself in his epistles are connected with the record in the book of Acts in such a manner as to throw great light both on the epistles and the "Acts." But that which gives the book even greater value than its historical accuracy, is the lessons that are drawn from Paul's words, and the hardships which he endured, and their practical application to our own times. This is a marked feature of this work, and the instruction given in this way cannot be estimated in dollars and cents. 234 pp., neatly bound in cloth, $.80. Address Signs of the Times, Oakland, Cal., or Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich. STORY OF THE BIBLE.
By Editor
FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION.
ADAPTED TO THE YOUNG, BUT INTERESTING TO THE OLD.
In this book the stories of the Bible are re-written in simple language, and at the same time are connected together by a plain OUTLINE OF SCRIPTURE HISTORY,
extending throughout the Bible. As far as possible, the language of the Bible is used, and great care has been taken NOT TO IMPART ANY DENOMINATIONAL BIAS;
and in this the author has done well. This book will do much to foster in the young a taste for the study of the word of God. 700 pp., 274 illustrations. Price $1.00. Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal. THE NEW STEEL PLATE ENGRAVING,
PARADISE LOST TO PARADISE RESTORED.
Drawn by Henry Sartain. Engraved and printed by W. Wellstood. Printed on heavy plate paper, 22x28 inches, with Key, . . . . $1.50 India Proofs, size paper 24x32 inches, . . . . . . 2.50 If there is no agent in your vicinity, write to the general agent nearest you, and you will be supplied. For New England, New York, and Pennsylvania, New England Tract Society, South Lancaster, Mass. For Middle, Southern, and Western States, Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich. For Pacific Coast States and Territories, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal. Camp-Meeting Preparations.
A FULL attendance at our camp-meeting is what we greatly desire to see. To secure this will require some labor and some planning on the part of all. And now one word to our brethren: Don't forget to include somebody else besides yourself and family in your plans. The leaders of the Oakland Church have resolved to carry out the following plan, which we recommend to our brethren everywhere:— First, canvass the church and find out who intend to go. If any seem indifferent, help them to see the importance of this meeting, and the necessity for all to attend it, until they resolve to be present. Second, ascertain what persons would like to attend, but are unable on account of lack of means. If this is all that stands in their way, and they are worthy persons, be responsible for their attendance. Third, raise a church camp-meeting fund, to be used (1) in assisting those to attend who need help, and (2) in providing tent room on the ground for those who are not in families and cannot hire a tent. Fourth, hire an extra tent, or two if need be, to be used in the way above indicated; and whether there are any poor among us or not, have sufficient extra tent room so that we can invite our neighbors to come and camp on the ground during the meetings. Many who design to spend a little season in camp, might thus be induced to join us. Brethren, shall we have the largest camp-meeting ever held in this State? We may, if we work for it. Let none have any excuse for staying away; and lastly, let us all go determined not only to get good but to do good from the very start. Sister White's Journey East.
THE readers of the SIGNS will be pleased to hear of Sister White's safe arrival at Battle Creek, Friday, Aug. 17. She took some cold the last day of her journey, but was in good spirits and enjoyed liberty in speaking in the Tabernacle on the Sabbath. Sunday morning she spoke with freedom to the office hands for one hour. She was waited upon by the officers of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and invited to speak in the park that afternoon on the subject of Temperance, which she did. In the evening she addressed a large audience at the Sanitarium, the spacious parlors, sitting-room, hall, and piazza being crowded. Dr. Kellogg has just returned from his trip to Europe, and the Sanitarium was never in a more prosperous condition, there being over two hundred patients there at present. The first of the week Sister White left for the Eastern camp-meetings. THE Camp-meeting Committee requests some able-bodied, willing men, young or middle aged, to be in San Jose by Sept. 2 or 3, to assist in making the grounds ready for the camp-meeting. You who can, go and help. Address and Notices
By Editor
The P. O. address of Geo. R. Drew is 16 Rodney Street, Birkenhead, Cheshire, England. Some notices and appointments which have been already published are omitted this week for want of room. See page 395. MICHIGAN, (State Meeting,) Sept. 25 to Oct. 2
NEBRASKA, Crete, Sept. 19 to Oct. 1
IOWA, Algona, Sept. 5-11
MAINE, Waterville, Sept. 6-11
CALIFORNIA, San Jose, " 6-18
NEW YORK, Union Square, " 12-18
NORTHERN WISCONSIN, Merillon, " 12-18
ILLINOIS, Sheridan, " 18-25
KENTUCKY, Glasgow, " 19-26
KANSAS, Southeastern, Fort Scott, " 20-30
Eldorado, Butler Co., Oct. 11-21
TENNESSEE, Leach, Sept. 27 to Oct. 2
MISSOURI, Oct. 11-16
INDIANA, (Southern,) Farmersburg, Sept. 12-18
Bunker Hill, Miami Co., Oct. 1-10
ALABAMA, Choctaw Co. " 4-9 The Signs of the Times.
By Editor
OAKLAND, CAL., FIFTH-DAY, AUGUST 30, 1883. NOTICE. — 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 them are not indebted to the Office. Battle Creek College.
By Editor
THE "Eighth Annual Announcement" of Battle Creek (Mich.) College, is received. After being closed some time it will be re-opened on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 1883. Eld. Wolcott H. Littlejohn has been elected President, and we feel assured, from our long personal knowledge of Eld. Littlejohn, that he will do honor to the position. Prof. Veysey, who has been a successful teacher in England, takes the "Biblical Department and History;" Prof. U. Smith, however, retaining his position as lecturer on "Biblical Exegesis and Ecclesiastical History." Other teachers, well known to the friends of the College, are retained. We feel very hopeful for the future of this institution. We hope and expect that all the former friends of this excellent school will rally to its support. Many of them feared that the Board of Trustees acted hastily or unadvisedly in closing it as they did. But recent events prove that it was a discreet move; and we know of some who stood in doubt who now heartily indorse the action of the Board. We hope this may prove beneficial as a lesson, showing to all the necessity of not condemning the action of a body until they have sufficient opportunity to know the facts and reasons which induce its action. Time often proves an effectual teacher in these matters. We think all have reason now to take courage. Pray and work for Battle Creek College. WE have seen flyers scattered around the streets, announcing religious meetings to be conducted by one Ben Hogan, "The Reformed Pugilist and Gambler." We are glad that Mr. Hogan has reformed, and hope that his reformation is sincere; if it be so, we see no earthly objection to his becoming a preacher. But we would suggest an improvement in his methods, namely, to stop advertising himself as a reformed pugilist and gambler. We do not believe in one parading his former wickedness, even in the interest of religion. The cause of God has no need of such clap-trap. Imagine, if you can, the apostle Paul seeking to gain notoriety among the Corinthians by advertising himself as "The Reformed Persecutor," or "The man who assisted in the murder of Stephen." The apostle did at times refer with shame to his career as a persecutor, but he was not proud of it; and when any professing Christian can recall the wickedness of his former life with any other feelings than those of the deepest shame and sorrow, it is good evidence that the grace of God has yet more to do on his heart. It is too bad that Christian people will give their influence to such methods of advertising.