Earlier text: Well DoneThe Gospel of Temperance.
By Theodore Ledyard Cuyler
WHAT amazes and shocks me is to see the wine-bottle where it is as flagrantly out of place as a bonfire would be on the floor of a powder mill. No intoxicant has any business to be on the table of a family which contains any boys, or on the table of any miscellaneous social party, or in the cupboard of any professional man, or anywhere else, in short, except possibly in the hands of a very discreet physician. Every bottle that contains alcohol contains a serpent. The serpent in Eden was not a more perfect embodiment of deceit. A bottle of Bourbon or of Burgundy will deceive the very elect. I am constantly called to labor for the reformation of persons who began with the most honest resolutions to drink moderately; but their glasses insensibly enlarged and deepened until they became literally a pit of damnation! Some of the hardest cases I encounter are of those whose names are enrolled on church registers. In yonder lecture-room I have heard a man pray most pathetically for deliverance from the tempter, and yet he has been tracked to a drinking-saloon on his way home from the prayer-meeting! More than once he has been the subject of most loving personal efforts (once or twice of necessary church discipline), and still does he cry out in agony from the bites of the serpent which he deliberately put into his own bosom when he was a young man. He never whines about being "a poor unfortunate victim," etc., etc.; he squarely admits that he is a heinous sinner against God and his own soul. But what shall be said of those Christian people who, from thoughtlessness or from tyranny of fashion, will set wine-bottles where they will produce just such conflagrations? In my honest judgment, Pat O'Rafferty, the grog-seller, will have no heavier account to answer for in the "great day" than will those reputable and professedly Christian people who place bottled serpents on their hospitable tables for the temptation and poisoning of their guests. Half the drunkards in the land had one or more partners at the outset. God's word declares, "Be ye not partakers of other men's sins;" how much worse to be their tempters! The one momentous truth that must be instilled into the minds and consciences of the young, is that nobody can safely tamper with an intoxicating beverage. On the bed-rock of entire abstinence alone are they safe. I am willing to confess on this public page that I would no more dare to tamper with a wine-bottle than I would dare to thrust a fire-brand into one of the pews of my church edifice. The venerable president of my college told me how often in his student days he used to listen to the eloquent sermons of Dr. —; but those very sermons were delivered under the inspiration of the wine-cup? The excuse was, "I can preach better with the help of a stimulant." He delivered a discourse once on the sufferings of our Lord that melted his auditory to tears; but his nerves were all on fire with port wine while he was preaching! How this brilliant minister of Christ fell at last into open intemperance, and how bitterly he repented, and how he reformed and was reinstated, is still remembered by a few aged people. His temporary fall is a warning, trumpet-tongued, to all of us not to look upon a cup that stingeth like a serpent. The only gospel of temperance I have yet learned, or which I dare to preach, is—let alcohol alone; it is a deceiver; it hath power to cast both body and soul into hell. This is the principle to teach to the rising generation. On this bed-rock of entire abstinence they can build safely. On that immutable rock let us maintain and enlarge the temperance reform.—Rev. T. L. Cuyler, in Temperance Advocate. "A WISE [godly] son maketh a glad father." Dominie Schaff's Three Boys.
THEY were called the Dominie's boys because he took such a generous interest in them. In the providence of God it came to pass that the health of Dominie Schaff failed. The doctors said that he must go to the mountains. Perhaps the change and the rest would serve him so profitably that he would regain his strength in the course of a few months. Therefore the Dominie resigned his pastorate and sought the curative forces of the mountains. It was July when he came to the farm-house that offered him a home. The Dominie brought his books and his clothes with him. These were the sum of his substantial possessions. The prospect was unpromising for the poor man, for he had no wife, mother, nor friend to nurse him, and the folks at the farm-house were to him entire strangers. But the Dominie's heart grew light when he learned that there were three boys in the family. He loved children and youth. Their wise and loving companionship had given him many hours that were memorable. So the mere fact that there were boys on the premises did him good like a medicine, and he made haste to greet them in his happy, winsome way. Hester Ripley was not a widow. She might better have been one, her neighbors said. It was going on three years since her husband, on coming home one night in an intoxicated condition, fell by the road-side and all but froze to death. He had been a terrible sufferer ever since the fatal hour. Rheumatism tortured him day and night. He was helplessly crippled and hopelessly afflicted. And hard cider did the mischief. But Hester Ripley had three boys, and she depended upon them. On some accounts it was not so harsh a stroke—this having a bedridden husband—as at first appeared. The man was out of harm's way, subject to the tender care and kind control of his wife. It was not many months after the event ere the family had quietly submitted, and life moved along in the even tenor of its way. When Dominie Schaff came to the farm-house, he found a pleasant, harmonious family that did brave, faithful, daily work for the necessities of life. A farm high on the mountains was not a piece of property that many folks would care to own and cultivate. The rugged bit of earth yielded its crops grudgingly. But the land was cheap, and Hester Ripley gladly bought it. The three boys were respectively eleven, thirteen, and fifteen years of age. They had taken sole charge of the farm during their father's illness. It was evident to the most superficial observer that they were made of good material. Dominie Schaff was cheerful when he thought upon the possibilities touching these fresh, strong, youthful hearts. Scarcely was the Dominie settled in his rooms before the boys surrendered to him and gave him their confidence. Now, said the Dominie to himself, I will teach them to love books. So, adapting himself to the boys as wise men will, he centered their thought in some of the great authors of the ages. In simple, vigorous language he told the story of Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Milton, Bunyan. He interested them in the pivotal events of history. They became familiar with the names of Cæsar, Socrates, Charlemagne, Napoleon, Cromwell, Mohammed. It was not many weeks before these boys lived in a new world. Their ideas, longings, purposes, were revolutionized. When the autumn work was well advanced, the Dominie, whose health began to mend, gave them regular instruction. The atmosphere of the farm-house became academic. Work was not shirked; no duty went unheeded; but the press of time was keenly felt, and study was sometimes continued far into the night. When winter came, the isolation of the family was perfect. For weeks at a time all communication with the outside world was next to impossible. The routine work of each day was speedily done, when these three boys seized their books and laboriously mastered their contents. And what delightful evenings they spent with the Dominie! The storm hovered above the farm-house, the rude blasts threatened to overwhelm them, but they remained brave, studious, happy. It mattered little to them how deep was the snow or how boisterous were the winds. They were living with the great spirits of all time. The thoughts of wise men, the deeds of mighty leaders, fired their souls, and introduced them into the higher realms of human existence. Meanwhile the Dominie continued to improve in health. When the summer dawned he sought the fields with the boys. He plowed and sowed and cultivated. The birds brought a message to him. The whispering leaves, the chattering chipmunks, the murmuring streams, all nature held sweet and helpful communion with him. The world became another world, and he became its interpreter to the boys. The intellectual growth of the Dominie's pupils was phenomenal, but it scarcely kept pace with the spiritual development. How gently the good man led them into the ways of faith! His own religious life was of that sweet, cheerful, pervasive character that renders a man irresistible. He was one of those men whose influences quicken the best part of human nature. You could not stand in his presence without gaining somewhat of inspiration from him. In his frequent talks with the boys he was so honest, manly, natural, direct, that they listened to him with tender sympathy even when his theme was personal religion. Great changes were wrought in the household. The father sought the truth diligently in the many books that Dominie Schaff recommended to him. The mother became trustful, pious, serene. The boys learned that the great joys of life are the outcome of a deep religious experience. In this happy relation, Dominie Schaff lived more than two years with the family of the mountain farm. So far as the boys were concerned it seemed a fruitful sojourn; but no one can know the grief and disappointment that lived in the young minister's heart. He was in a sphere of great usefulness when disease touched his frail body. His work had prospered beyond hope. You could not find another man in all his country whose life was more thoroughly consecrated to the work. And yet he was exiled to the mountains, and his days promised little spiritual harvest. The burden that weighed most heavily was the thought that life was so barren. He could not touch men. They were all beyond his reach, except these three youths. If only God had led him in some other path, so that he might have had some personal contact with the world! But the Master had counseled a different course, and the great-hearted invalid had found his material narrowed down to three bright lads. The third September witnessed great changes at the farm. Dominie Schaff was going South to live. He was called to a field that gave rare opportunity for the exercise of his gifts. His face beamed with a glad light as he bade them all good-by, for the pain of separation was lost in the sweet anticipation of great usefulness and activity. But the Dominie had kindly arranged for the boys before he journeyed to his far-away home. The eldest, who had so rapidly progressed under the Dominie's instruction that he was prepared for the sophomore class of a New Hampshire college, was already enrolled in that institution and one year's expenses arranged. The second boy, who was prepared to enter college as a freshman, was placed in a professor's family in one of our Massachusetts colleges, so that one year's happy work was insured for him. The youngest boy remained at home, caring for the farm and pursuing his studies as best he could under the circumstances, hoping when another year rolled around that he, too, should begin life in the great college world. The boys all carried with them a mighty inspiration, the blessed gift of God, imparted through the memorable ministrations of Dominie Schaff.749 The history of thirty years has been made. Dominie Schaff has finished his task. To-day they commit his body to the earth. In a grove of live-oaks, whose drapery of gray moss gives strange and solemn expression to the scene, the people gather to do honor to this good man. A great multitude mourn his departure. Reverently they look upon his face for the last time, and bow their heads in sorrow. Close beside the casket, at the left hand of the venerable minister whose sad duty it is to say, "Earth to earth," sit three brothers. They were summoned from distant parts of our great land. They came to do honor to the man who sleeps the death-sleep. The eldest of the three, the noble governor of a great commonwealth, is the first to testify. There was a hush when he arose to address the people. "Friends," said he, "I loved this holy man. Many years ago he found me imprisoned in the mountains. His heart touched my heart and gave it somewhat of divine impulse. His life touched my life and I became free. The more than thirty years that have passed bear witness to my honorable career. But think not that I speak in vain-glorious spirit. It is his work. Through all the devious ways of life the counsels of this good man have availed with me. Next to the blessing of Heaven is the blessing incarnate of such a wise, devout, affectionate friend." Then the bishop arose. This was the brother whose piety and wisdom had placed him in the episcopate. His good works were manifold; his life a beautiful epistle, "known and read of all men." "He was my spiritual father," the bishop said. "I have tried to weave many of his precepts into the fabric of my life. As a mother cherishes her infant, so did this man cherish me. For more than two years we lived, isolated and happy, in daily fellowship with this saintly spirit. God was infinitely kind to us, for he sent us Dominie Schaff. It was this man who flooded our hearts with light, and led us into the ways of culture, faith, and labor." The youngest brother was a famous naturalist. His name was known in the uttermost parts of the earth. As he gave his testimony, tears filled his eyes, and his voice became tremulous with emotion. "The birds bring me messages of love" (these were his words), "but it was Dominie Schaff who said to me 'Listen.' He taught me how to read the unwritten word, and brought me face to face with the Creator. The trackless wilderness was not more wild than my heart. He discovered its possibilities. It is he who has gained the victory. He loved the tiniest flower. Never a bird's note fell unheeded upon his sensitive ear. God spoke to him in whispering trees and laughing waters, in quickening sunshine and hovering storm. I give thanks to God, our Father, that it has been my privilege to live and labor in the light of this man's life." Then the three brothers were silent. The venerable minister who for thirty years had labored side by side with Dominie Schaff spoke the last words. "Friends, my brother often grieved that two years of his working period were passed in fruitless quiet among the mountains of the North. He always grieved because his task seemed to him so poorly done. But the wise God is the true judge. The words of these three noble men are full of grand significance. They teach us that our quiet years and humble labors are sometimes richer in their fruitage than all the other years and labors of long life."—Frank S. Child, in Christian Union. We see them, and we know them not,
So plain in garb and mien are they;
So lowly is their thankless lot,
We hear not what they do or say. And yet, for weary months and years,
Without a murmur, plaint, or cry,
Thousands, who eat their bread in tears,
To daily duty pass us by. A sickly mother, wan and worn,
Bereft of cheerfulness and light,
From longed-for rest and joy is torn,
To work from early morn till night. To steal one hour from dreary fate,
Or falter in the hardest tasks,
Would make some home disconsolate,
And so no peace or joy she asks. A little child, faint with its fears,
A girl, untimely old and gray,
A man, bent down by weight of years—
All bravely go their bitter way. We see them, and we know them not,
So plain in garb and mien are they;
So lowly is their thankless lot,
We hear not what they do or say. Heroes unknown—through weary years
They make no sign of outward cry,
But eat their bread with bitter tears,
And we, in silence, pass them by.
—Advocate. Gossip.
By Chas. S. Robinson
It might be enough to say, in the beginning, that most of the harmful gossip of our times arises from mere impertinence. People keep talking about what is, at the best, none of their business. But such reckless conversation grows serious when it is kept up concerning a living human being with a mind to trouble, a reputation to ruin, a heart to break. The likelihood of mistake, in all private judgments of our fellow-man, is simply immeasurable; any prudent person would do well to check his speech. For, first, we rarely get the exact facts right at the start. A mere remark may be twisted in the mouth of a malevolent enemy into a wild utterance of wrong. Who is there on this earth that identifies his own sentences and words when they come back to him from the street? Who is adept enough at telling a story to be able to rehearse it twice over, and add nothing to it? Hence, things get stated wrong, and dangerously perverted. Then, again, recollect that we never know the elements of decision which entered in to compel the course which we censure. A great many considerations inevitably have to be reckoned in a man's making up his mind, which he does not propose to publish for his neighbors to rehearse; but it is by these that his judgment is arrested, modified, and established. Then, too, we cannot know the extenuations which are to be found in one's temperament and education. Even when facts show that a Christian has committed real sin, there must be a careful discrimination. All those questions of weak will, perverse habits, wrong companions, overmastering temptations, defective instruction, rushing memories, or alarming apprehensions, sudden attack, hereditary taint, physical distemper,—all these are to be answered before a child of God can be recklessly cast out. And these particulars are precisely what we do not know. Then add to this that the outside world cannot learn, in any form or measure whatsoever, the penitence afterwards within the man's soul, by the offer of which in faith he finds a fresh acceptance with God, and is now an humbler and steadier man in all time to come because of his downfall. A true Christian follows up his sin with confession; and it would certainly go far to disarm our harsh judgment of him, if in the moment of our making it, we could see the sorrowful child of the Highest on his knees, alone in the closet of his contrition; if we could understand how discouraged he is to think he has surrendered again,—so discouraged, indeed, that he would give up hoping forever, but that he knows God the Judge is kinder than men are.—Chas. S. Robinson. In a flourishing inland city, there is a large and wealthy church; it matters not of what denomination. The clergyman in charge teaches his people to love God and their neighbors, and the people have, apparently, endeavored to learn the lesson. They are generous in their gifts to church work, to the poor, and to charitable organizations. It is a congregation, too, in which there is much refinement of taste, culture, and kindly feeling, and hence but little gossip. A few months ago a young lad came to this city from the country, and found employment in a flour-and-feed store. He had no friends, had brought no letters of introduction. His first week in town was lonely enough. He worked all day, slept and ate in a cheap boarding-house with twenty other lads, all "a little fast." When Sunday came, in accordance with a promise to his mother, he went to church—his heart full of homesickness—remembering, with a thrill of pleasure, the pretty little village chapel where all the friends and neighbors worshiped, side by side, and the cordial greeting among them when service was over. Doubtless it would be the same in the city church. The people of God were alike everywhere. Somebody would notice the poor, strange lad, and would hold out a friendly hand to him, possibly ask him to his house, and make life seem a little less bare, and duty easier. He went, but nobody seemed to see him at all, though the crowds of well-dressed people, when service was over, smiled and spoke to each other as they passed from the doors of the sanctuary. He was a stranger in a strange land, and felt it more bitterly in this house of God than in his boarding-house. Among the crowd were kind, fatherly old men, sweet-faced matrons, with sons of their own. He watched them eagerly, but they brushed past him in silence. Nobody even asked him to come again. But he did go again, occupying the same seat during the winter. Some of the members of the church noticed him at last, and asked who he was. One even said, "Somebody should ask him to join a church society," but added to himself, "Brother A— will see to it. It's none of my business." Brother A— had the same vague idea, but left it to Brother D—, it being none of his business. The lad, finding no welcome in the church, made acquaintance with the boys in his boarding-house, went with them on Sunday to the park, to a boat-race, and at last to a dog-fight. In the fall, one Sunday, a group of drunken young men gathered in front of the church; among them was our country lad, his face pale, his eyes dull from the effects of liquor, his steps unsteady. "Is not that the young man who used to sit next to us?" said one lady. "Poor fellow! he's on the downward road! If somebody would speak to him, even now, it might do some good." She hesitated. The boy looked at her wistfully, thinking she was a little like his mother. But she hurried into church, thinking that really it was none of her business after all. What should be the motto written over the altars of such churches—the words of Jesus, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself?" or the words of Cain, "Am I my brother's keeper?" —Youth's Companion. HISTORY OF THE WALDENSES.
By J. A. Wylie
ILLUSTRATED BY TWENTY FULL-PAGE ENGRAVINGS.
This work describes the conflicts waged by the Waldenses, and the martyrdoms they endured in defense of their faith and their liberty. Recent events have brought the Waldenses to notice, and thrown a new light upon the grandeur of their struggle and the important issues which have flowed from it. To them are we to trace the Constitutional liberties that Italy now enjoys. In their mountain fastnesses they maintained the faith of the early Christians, and by their untiring missionary labors this faith was diffused to all the nations of Europe, thus preparing the way for the great Reformation. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. THE EARLY LIFE, CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE, AND EXTENSIVE LABORS OF The production of this book was the last literary labor performed by Elder White. As nearly the whole of his active labor was performed in connection with the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, which he was largely instrumental in founding, the work is necessarily quite a complete history of that people. The book abounds in interesting incidents, personal sketches, and religious experiences, some of which are quite remarkable, and altogether it forms a volume at once instructive and interesting. Address SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. OUR COUNTRY'S FUTURE FORETOLD.
By Uriah Smith
THE UNITED STATES IN PROPHECY.
This is a full exposition of a portion of prophecy which applies to our own Government, showing the position the United States holds in prophecy, and the part it has to act in the closing scenes of time. Which is now attracting such general attention, is thoroughly canvassed, and abundant testimony is given to prove that it is fast coming to be the ALL-IMPORTANT QUESTION in this country. Dealing with our own land and applying to our own time. Of surpassing interest to every American reader. New edition; revised and enlarged. Cloth, 225 pp., 75c. Paper covers, new edition, condensed, 186 pp., 25c. Address,
SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. Compiled by Mrs. E. G. White. These are some of the few really good books. For twenty years Mrs. White has been selecting choice, interesting, and instructive stories, the best of which are presented in these four volumes of 400 pages each. It would be difficult to find a better collection. The selections have been carefully made, and none need fear to place them in the hands of the young. They are not, however, designed exclusively for the young, but are adapted for general home reading. All the members of the family circle will find something in them to entertain and instruct. They are just the thing for holiday or birthday gifts. Price per set, neatly put up in box, $2.50. Address,
SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. This school is located in the village of South Lancaster, Mass., on the Worcester and Nashua Railroad, about sixteen miles from Worcester and thirty from Boston. It is conducted upon the most approved method of teaching, the aim of the managers being to combine the practical with the theological in such a manner that each student in going to the school shall be prepared for some position of usefulness. Successful preachers, colporters, teachers, and canvassers have already entered the field from this school and, at the present time, are laboring in at least eight of the Eastern States. Students are instructed in four useful trades, and preparation are making to connect still other industries with the school. Those wishing to attend this school or to place their children here, can depend upon their physical, mental, and spiritual interests being well cared for. A specialty is made of the Bible, Language, and missionary work; the instruction in these branches being adapted to men and women of mature years. ELD. S. N. HASKELL, President,
ELD. D. A. ROBINSON, Secretary. Persons desiring to attend the school will please address,
SOUTH LANCASTER ACADEMY. —Senator Dawes has introduced a bill to confer citizenship on Indians. —The postal service of the United States cost the Government $46,225,000 this year. —The Italian Government has prepared a bill devoting £400,000 to sanitary work in Naples. —"Science Hall," of Wisconsin University, was destroyed by fire on the night of the 1st. Loss about $250,000. —It is estimated that the wool clip in the United States this year will amount to 300,000,000 pounds, and be worth $85,000,000. —Between 800 and 900 men have been discharged from the Central Pacific Railroad shops at Sacramento, within the last two months. —South Carolina negroes are said to be leaving in large numbers for Arkansas, while no less than 700 have been consigned to California. —Since last May there have been 8,000 cases of measles in Cleveland, O. In the last two months there have been 110 deaths from the epidemic. —In his late message, the President gives as a reason for restoring our navy to a high state of efficiency, that "the long peace that has lulled us into a sense of fancied security may at any time be disturbed." —Joseph Hatton, the Christian Union's London correspondent, writes: "We are living in 'strange, eventful times.' Trade is bad; it gets worse. The people are discontented; they become more so every day. Parliament is discredited; it is losing its prestige and its power. Everything looks as if we were on the eve of great changes, social and political." —It has been discovered that the vessels at the London dock which were supposed to be taking on board cargoes of provisions are really loading munitions of war for China. —An explosion of dynamite and gunpowder in a dwelling-house in Stafford, N. H., Dec. 4, caused the death of four persons and the injury of four more. The house and contents were totally destroyed. —The outlook now is that Congress will, as recommended by the Postmaster-General, reduce the local postage to one cent, and enact that the two-cent stamp carry one ounce instead of one-half ounce, as at present. —A clock is being introduced in Europe, warranted to run five years without winding or regulation. The Belgian Government placed one in a railway station in 1881, and it has kept perfect time ever since without winding. —A 130-ton gun has been cast at the Krupp works, for the Italian Government. If the experiments with this monster gun are successful, others on the same model, to serve for coast defense, will be cast at the royal foundry near Spezia. —The London Telegraph has recently bought a large tract of railroad land in southern California known as the "Mojave Desert." The land is covered with the yucca plant, or "Spanish bayonet" which the company proposes to convert into paper. —The Utah Commission report that although the law disfranchising all polygamists has been successfully administered, it has not had the desired effect. The report says: "During the present year there seems to have been a polygamic revival. The institution is boldly and defiantly defended and commended by its spiritual teachers, and plural marriages are reported to have increased in number." —By the prompt and vigorous action of Chief Justice Howard, of Arizona, polygamy has received a severe check in that Territory. Sentence has now been passed upon five Mormons. The three most prominent ones stood trial and were convicted; these were each sentenced to three years and six months' imprisonment in the Detroit House of Correction, and to pay a fine of $500. The other two pleaded guilty, in defiance of the positive orders of Bishop Udall, who was present; they were sentenced to pay a fine of $500 each, and be imprisoned for six months. Long live Chief-Justice Howard. —An international exhibition of inventions will be held in London in 1885, and an official announcement to that effect has been made through the British Consulates. The exhibition will be under the patronage of the queen, and the Prince of Wales will be its president. It will be opened in May, at the Royal Horticultural Gardens, South Kensington, and will remain open until the end of the year. The exhibition will be so classified and arranged as to show the progress that has been made during the last twenty-five years in the application of scientific discoveries to the purposes of daily life. —A charity mission has been recently started in New York which promises to yield beneficial results to discharged convicts. The plan of operation is as follows: A broom factory has been established where ex-convicts are employed to operate the machines and peddle the manufactures. Each peddler is given, to begin with, three brooms of the cheapest quality, which he is expected to sell at a fair price, return and pay for, and with the profits of the transaction buy a second supply. It is considered quite remarkable that among the 1,200 men employed in this way by the society in the last ten months, only one failed to come back for a second supply of brooms. —A desperate state of affairs exists in Letcher Co., Kentucky. Judge Finley has refrained from holding court in Whitesburg for two years past, owing to the threat of a desperado to murder him whenever he dared set foot in the town. Lately the desperado died of the plague, and the Judge proceeded thither to perform his official duties. At this term of court a murderer was to be tried who was out on bail. His friends, all of the same desperate stripe as himself, determined that he should not be punished, and so came to town armed with shot-guns and revolvers. Another band, composed of citizens determined to maintain law and order, followed, armed to the teeth. The belligerent parties, at last account, were watching each other's movements closely, and a pitched battle was imminent. Whitesburg is a remote town far from telegraph lines, and what the demonstrations have resulted in has not yet been learned. It is feared that serious trouble will occur before the close of the court session. STATE AGENTS' DIRECTORY.
By Editor
British Columbia—B. Robb, Victoria, B. C.
California—Miss Anna L. Ingels, care Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
Canada—Mary L. Cushing, Dixville, P. Q.
Colorado—Nellie H. Drullard, Euclid Hall, 247 Fourteenth Street, Denver, Col.
Dakota—Alice H. Beaumont, Vilas, Miner Co., Dak.
District of Columbia—Reuben Wright, 334 Eighth Street N. E., Washington, D. C.
Illinois—Lizzie S. Campbell, Belvidere, Boone Co., Ill.
Indiana—W. A. Young, Noblesville, Ind.
Iowa—Mrs. Lizzie H. Farnsworth, State Center, Iowa.
Kansas—Clara Wood Gibbs, Fort Scott, Kan.
Kentucky—Bettie C. Saxby, Nolin, Hardin Co., Ky.
Maine—Rose N. Redmond, South Norridgewock, Me.
Michigan—Miss Hattie House, Battle Creek, Mich.
Minnesota—Miss Mary Heilson, Lock box 1076, Minneapolis, Minn.
Missouri—Miss Clara E. Low, 117 East 7th Street, Sedalia, Mo.
Nebraska—Thos. P. Lippencott, Sec. Nebraska Tract Society, Fremont, Neb.
New England—Mrs. Eliza T. Palmer, N. E. Tract Depository, South Lancaster, Mass.
New York—Miss M. May Taylor, Rome, N. Y.
North Pacific—Mrs. C. L. Boyd, East Portland, Oregon.
Ohio—Mrs. Ida S. Gates, Clyde, Sandusky Co., Ohio.
Pennsylvania—Mrs. D. C. Phillips, Wellsville, N. Y.
Tennessee—Eld. J. H. Dortch, Springville, Henry Co., Tenn.
Texas—Capt. C. Eldridge, Denton, Tex.
Upper Columbia—Mrs. Lizzie J. Halley, Walla Walla, W. T.
Vermont—Lizzie A. Stone, South Lancaster, Mass.
Virginia—Lillie D. Woods, Battle Creek, Mich.
Wisconsin—Miss Phemie Lindsay, 901 East Gorham Street, Madison, Wis.
Wyoming—J. T. Trees, Tie Siding, Albany Co., Wyo. You can procure from any of the above agents, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, "The Atonement," "The Great Controversy" (in four volumes), "The Nature and Destiny of Man," the beautiful steel engraving, "Christ the Way of Life," and the new pamphlets, "Honor Due to God," "The Truth Found," "Bible-Readings Nos. 1 and 2," etc., at the same price as if purchased from the publishers direct. Write to the nearest State agent for circulars, etc. NOTICE.—The change of figures on the address labels will be in all cases a sufficient receipt for money sent for the paper. If these changes do not appear in due time, and if books ordered by mail are not received, please notify us. All other business is acknowledged below. CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE FUND.—Los Angeles church debt $3, Los Angeles church, per M C Israel, $10.00, F Seggesser (tithe) $28, B R Sheckler $32.95, San Francisco church $64.70, J F Cross $10. HEALDSBURG COLLEGE.—M C Israel $60. FOREIGN MISSION.—E P Walker $5. CASH RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.—Missouri T. and M. Society $100, John G Gorrell $7.50. CALIFORNIA T. AND M. SOCIETY.—District No. 3, per Sarah McEnterfer, $66.95; District No. 4, per L N Whisby, $4.50; Sentinel Band of Hope $1.50, Mrs A Wood 60c, M C Israel $8.50, Hetty Hurd $4.75, Mrs H N Bollman $2, J J Ireland 75c. CITY MISSION FUND.—Clarence Gray 25c, Mary Maschmeyer $1, J F Flory $5, J H Flory $5, Emma Bush $7, Fannie Hutchings $5, W R Smith $5, P K David $1. RESERVE FUND.—Fannie Hutchings $2.50, Anice Hutchings $3.50. BOOKS SENT BY MAIL.—Isaac Morrison, Peter Penfold, Elizabeth Ross, Miss Bytha E Noble, W N Ingels, Wm Harmon, Horace Munn, W R Smith, Wm Dumont, C G Stinson, Ella G Dudley, J Shepherd, W G Buckner, A F Onderdonk, Mrs M F Spaulsbury, Wm Jones, Wm A Wright, Mrs C L Boyd, Mrs E P Walker, F Seggesser, P M Smithers, Review and Herald, Mamie Mayer, D D Bonnett, Daniel L Lewis, W S Underwood, O H Muney, Sarah E Browder, Mrs John Fox, Mrs B G Allen. BOOKS SENT BY EXPRESS.—Miss Hetty Hurd, W M Healey, Capt. C R Robbins. BOOKS SENT BY FREIGHT.—W G Buckner. —The Kentucky Methodist Conference reports a loss of 873 members during the past year. —The Bethany Presbyterian Sunday-school, in Troy, N. Y., has just been incorporated, so as to hold property. —The Christian Statesman says that the defeat of Mr. Blaine is due solely to the fact that he traveled on the Sunday before election. The Lord allowed defeat to come as a punishment. The superstition of the Statesman is sickening. —The creditors of the late Archbishop Purcell sent the following pointed letter to the plenary council at Baltimore: "People are beginning to think that, if Heaven needs all the substance of the widow and orphan to keep the clerical profession in affluence and splendor, it is time to retire from the sanctuary and delve for some other scheme of salvation." —Immediately after the election, nearly every religious paper that came to us, contained an article beginning something like this: "Now that the election is over, and the excitement of the campaign is in the past, let us turn to our work with renewed earnestness." This would seem to indicate that the work of saving souls gave place for a time to the excitement of the election. We fear that this was too much the case. —The Pacific (Congregationalist) contains a letter which the editor says is from one of their most faithful ministers, who says that he is sorely tempted to join the Salvation Army. He says that although he labors faithfully, he sees no results, and has scarcely any congregation, and the Army reaches the people. It is worthy of note, also, as showing the growth of the Salvation Army, that many of the Baptist pastors in California are being assisted in their Sunday services by members of the Army. As a consequence, the services are said to be much more interesting. No doubt. —One of the questions before the Plenary Council at Baltimore, was as to what means could be devised to bring about such a division of the school tax as will give Catholic schools an equal chance with the public schools. The N. Y. Observer said concerning this: "Such is the subserviency of politicians to any church that can poll votes, we are never safe in saying the Romanists will not carry their point. We can demonstrate the iniquity, the unfairness, the inexpediency, and the unpatriotic character of the measure proposed, but we cannot say the politicians will refuse their demand."