—Congress is again in session.
—Cholera scare is subsiding in Buenos Ayres.
—It is now thought that the revolution in Ecuador is at an end.
—Chicago is about to build an opera house that is to cost $1,500,000.
—General Buller denies that he is in sympathy with the Parnellites.
—A vein of sixty feet of solid salt has been struck at Port Huron, Mich.
—A bill has been introduced into Congress for the redemption of trade dollars.
—On the 5th inst. the Sunday law was very generally enforced in New York City.
—There has been another outbreak of pleuropneumonia in Lancaster County, Penn.
—It is stated that hundreds of bushels of apples are being brought into Los Angeles from Kansas.
—The Government has presented a bill in the Spanish Chamber of Deputies providing for trial by jury.
—The Dominion Government, it is said, is not at all anxious for the settlement of the fisheries dispute.
—Ex-President Soto of Honduras has abandoned politics and will write a history of Central American unity.
—It is said that excursion agents have booked over 35,000 people to visit Los Angeles, Cal., this winter.
—The Union Pacific has adopted the 24-o'clock system on all its lines, and trains will be operated accordingly.
—It is announced that the Lick telescope will probably be completed ready for observation by January 1, 1887.
—A sixteen-year-old boy is to be hanged in Missouri for a murder committed under the influence of novel reading.
—The Duke of Manchester has announced a permanent reduction of 25 per cent. in rents on all his estates in Ireland.
—The Knights of Labor propose to purchase a hosiery mill in Bristol, Penn., and operate it as a co-operative concern.
—Governor Ireland of Texas states that the reports of starvation in Northern Texas are untrue, though want exists.
—A dispatch from London says: "Europe is slumbering over a volcano, Russia waiting, France restless, Germany watchful."
—John Baker, congressman elect from an Illinois district, was the other day fined five dollars and costs for assault and battery.
—On the 12th inst., J. C. Hill, a prominent citizen of Edgewood, Pa., fatally shot his own daughter, whom he mistook for a burglar.
—Five persons have already refused the Governorship of Tonquin. It is safe to say that not one of them was an American politician.
—Baxter, the recently appointed Governor of Wyoming, has been removed for fencing public land in violation of the act of Congress.
—December 8, heavy gales prevailed throughout England and Ireland, and communication by telegraph was seriously interfered with.
—The arming of German troops with repeating rifles is being hastened. Five corps have already been armed with the improved weapon.
—The defalcations of Treasurer Reed of the South Boston Railway, who was arrested some days since, have been ascertained to be over $340,000.
—The steamer Idaho, seized some months since for smuggling, has been declared forfeited to the Government. The vessel is worth $200,000.
—The explosion of the boiler of a locomotive at Jersey Shore, Pa., on the 9th inst. instantly killed three men and seriously wounded two others.
—The Czar has issued an edict that all the small towns and villages bearing German names shall at the beginning of the new year be given Russian names.
—Two life-boats were lost off South Port, England, on the 10th inst., and twenty-seven men were drowned. The boats were attempting to rescue the crew of a stranded vessel.
—The order of business in the coming session of Parliament, will open with the introduction of a Coercion bill, including special provisions for the suppression of boycotting.
—Late dispatches from Brisbane, Australia, state that the steamers Kielawap and Helen Nicholl came in collision off Queensland, resulting in the drowning of forty-two persons.
—Telegrams from Constantinople affirm that the Sultan is discussing a secret convention with the Czar for the withdrawal of the Turkish suzerainty over Bulgaria in favor of Russia.
—Recent advices from London state that a European war is now definitely expected. But as the commencement of hostilities is not expected before February the statement is not very alarming.
—The employes on two of the cable street-car lines in San Francisco are out on a strike. The demand is for more pay and fewer hours. The strike will probably result only in many of the men losing their positions.
—Vast coal deposits have been discovered in the Saskatchewan region. The whole district lying between the Rocky Mountain House and Fort Pitt is one vast series of coal beds, both hard and soft, of the best quality.
—December 8, there was another earthquake at Charleston, S. C. It was very perceptible, waking up sound sleepers. The tremors appeared to last fully one minute. Some four hours later a distinct shock was felt at Missouri City, Mo.
—At a recent convention of saloon-keepers and brewers it was voted to raise $1,500,000 in the United States to be used in the political campaign of 1888. The money is to be obtained by the levying of a schedule tax on all parties engaged in the business.
—December 5, there was serious rioting at Cork and a number of policemen and citizens were injured, the latter by bayonet thrusts. Twenty-three persons have been treated at the hospital for scalp wounds. One policeman had his skull fractured.
—December 5 there was a general and widespread snow-storm which extended from the Mississippi to the Atlantic, and from the lakes to the gulf. Mobile enjoyed the second snow-storm since 1846. The storm was a severe one, accompanied by high winds. The rivers were frozen, railways blocked, and there was much suffering from cold.
—A New York dispatch says: "Irish washer-women and American laundry proprietors of Newark, N. J., have declared that the 'Chinese must go.'" It is asserted that they will organize a boycott against the Chinamen. It is said that there is hardly another city in the Union of the same population where Chinese laundries are so numerous.
—A recent dispatch to the New York Tribune from Wilkesbarre, Pa., states that a remarkable case of faith cure occurred on Sunday at Ashley, a small town near that city. The subject was a young lady who, for eight years, had been almost speechless; but who, as the story goes, has been miraculously cured by drinking water in which had been soaked some plaster taken from the walls of the chapel of Knuck in Ireland.
—During the recent severe storm in Great Britain steamers were delayed in making Queenstown, and all the harbors were filled with shipping. A high tide at Limerick flooded warehouses on the water front, and at Armagh the spinning mills were stopped by the floods. Damage done to property, accidents, and some cases of houses being set on fire by lightning are reported from all parts of the kingdom. A French vessel foundered off Lymechurch and six persons were drowned. On the Danish coast many vessels were wrecked.
—It is announced that a company has been formed to lay a cable from Australasia across the Pacific Ocean. The estimated cost of the line is $10,000,000. The first section of the cable will be from Brisbane, or some part of New South Wales, to the North Cape of New Zealand, a distance of 1,500 knots; the second, from the North Cape to Feejee, 1,240 knots; the third, to Fanning Island, 2,270 knots; the fourth, to one of the Sandwich Islands, 1,260 knots; the fifth, to Vancouver Island, 2,730 knots; and the sixth, across the island and the Straits of Georgia to Vancouver City, on the Pacific Coast, the terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway, 100 miles; total length, 8,000.
News and Notes.
By Editor
RELIGIOUS.
—The Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions has a debt of $150,000 on which it is paying interest.
—The greatest sale of any book per annum in Italy is said to be that of the holy Scriptures, without note or comment.
—According to the last Israelitish annual, the number of Jews in the world at present is but 6,300,000, of whom 5,400,000 are in Europe.
—The St. Louis Presbytery, in the trial of the Converse brothers, editors of the Christian Observer, has decided that a belief in evolution is not heretical.
—The tithe war in Wales has so impoverished some of the clergy that they have been compelled to ask for aid. Their appeal has been responded to by the Duke of Westminster, who sent them $2,500, and by four Welsh bishops, who each sent $500.
—November 23, the semi-annual conference of the Jewish Rabbis, after a lengthy discussion, appointed a special committee to draw up a petition to be presented to the fiftieth congress, urging upon that body the necessity of the establishment of a national marriage law.
—Archbishop Ryan, of Philadelphia, has announced that under the decrees of the Baltimore Plenary Council balls for charitable purposes are prohibited. This will give certain so-called Protestant denominations a monopoly of the ball business as a "means of grace."
—The Christian Statesman asks: "What influence are we [the United States] exerting in favor of national Christianity?" A very decided influence we should say; and that it is having its effect too is shown by the way the Papacy is tightening its grip upon the throats of the European countries.
—Says the Pacific Herald of Holiness: "I, I, I, self, self, self, are the parrot-like repetitions of poor, proud, egotistical, unrenewed human nature." We do not see how any one who knows anything about "Holiness" people can doubt this statement. Yes, there is no doubt the Herald knows just what it is talking about.
—Prince Bismarck is reported as saying that "the church and the empire need each other, and will stand or fail together. Therefore a cordial intent with the Vatican is our policy. Catholics alone are imperial and subjects of authority. All other sects are more or less tainted with Republican notions; and the time has come for conservatives to cling to each other."
Appointments.
By Editor
OAKLAND.—House of worship, northeast corner of Clay and Thirteenth Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:30 A. M. Preaching at 11. Prayer and missionary meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:15. Seats free.
SAN FRANCISCO.—House of worship, 914 Laguna Street, between McAllister and Tyler. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:45, and preaching at 11 A. M.; also preaching every Sunday evening at 7:30. Classes in the English, German, and Scandinavian languages. Prayer and missionary meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:15. Mission Reading-rooms at the church.
EAST PORTLAND (Or.)—House of worship on G Street, between Tenth and Eleventh. Sabbath-school every Sabbath (Saturday), followed by services. Preaching or Bible reading Sunday evening. Prayer-meeting Wednesday evening. The public is cordially invited. Free public reading-room, corner of L and Fifth Streets.
Obituary.
By Andrew Brorsen
OTTERBECK.—Died in San Francisco Dec. 5, 1886, of diphtheria, Nathanael, son of Elias and Eline Otterbeck, aged 2 years 11 months and 23 days. The parents have lost one they loved dearly, and the sweet promises of God seem precious in the hour of affliction. They take consolation in the blessed hope that it will not be long, if faithful, till they will meet the dear one again never more to part. Funeral service took place on Dec. 6. Prayer was offered at the grave by the writer.
ANDREW BRORSEN.
The "Signs" and "American Sentinel."
By Editor
BELOW we give extracts from letters recently received from State T. and M. Societies, showing the feeling that exists in regard to extending the circulation of the Signs and Sentinel. We trust that all have the same spirit and that our subscription list will be largely increased during the coming year. We know it will be so if all are faithful.
"Your letter, also the American Sentinel circulars, received. We have sent the circulars out to all our T. and M. Societies and requested that they be read at their next Sabbath meeting. We feel sorry to see our Signs and Sentinel lists so small, and I have written to all our librarians and urged them to make a thorough canvass in their societies for these valuable papers, and not only that, but to get those who can canvass to go out among their neighbors and see if we cannot increase the circulation of these papers here in this State.
"I see some of our churches are diminishing their club of Signs, but this ought not to be so. As the end draws near, I feel that it becomes us to double our efforts in scattering the truth by means of our periodicals. We will see if something cannot be done to get the churches to take larger clubs of the Signs.
"I fear we have allowed other things to take our attention and this matter to a degree has been neglected. I have read this last circular over carefully and I do not see how any one can read it without being stirred over the matter.
"Hoping that God may bless you in your work, I remain, etc."
"I have received the circulars, and terms to canvassers for the American Sentinel, Signs, and Pacific Health Journal. We will do all we can for these papers both to obtain new subscribers and renewals. I hope we can do more in the canvassing work this coming year than last."
"We thank you for the circulars and schedule of terms to agents. It is a great help to one to have such a plain price list to send to the agents. We will do all we can to increase the circulation of your papers. Your terms are certainly very liberal."
"The prospects for subscriptions are good. I shall make an earnest effort to get the local societies to take clubs of Signs for 1887. I know this State ought to take more Signs; it is such an excellent missionary paper. We hope also to make a stronger effort for 'Great Controversy.'"
Renewals of the Signs.
By Editor
QUITE a number of subscriptions to this paper expire during the month of December. Please examine the address label on your SIGNS this week, and if the date opposite your name is Dec., '86, or Jan., '87, please send us your renewal at once. Terms: $1.00 for six months, $2.00 for one year, or $5.00 for three years. We are happy to announce that Mrs. E. G. White will continue her series of first-page articles in the SIGNS during 1887.
Something for the New Year.
By Editor
For $1.00 we will mail a "Revised Version of the New Testament," post-paid, and the American Sentinel one year.
Or for $1.00 we will send you the Pacific Health Journal one year, and a copy of the "Revised Version of the New Testament."
Or for $1.00 we will mail post-paid a copy of the "Practical Manual of Hygiene and Temperance," 300 pages, in cloth binding, and your choice of either the American Sentinel or Pacific Health Journal one year. Address,
PACIFIC PRESS, Publishers, 12th and Castro Sts., Oakland, Cal.
THE COMING CONFLICT;
-OR-
THE GREAT ISSUE NOW PENDING IN THIS COUNTRY.
By W. H. Littlejohn.
This book contains a complete history of the rise and progress of the National Reform Party, together with an exegesis of the last portion of the thirteenth chapter of the book of Revelation, assigning to the United States its proper place in prophecy.
EMPHATICALLY A BOOK FOR THE TIMES.
434 pages, in muslin covers, and will be mailed to any address post-paid, for $1.00.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
NEW SABBATH-SCHOOL SONG BOOK, JOYFUL GREETING,
By Editor
Contains 216 pages, or over 40 pages more than the ordinary S. S. song book. It is
THE LARGEST BOOK EVER SOLD FOR THE MONEY,
The book is neatly gotten up, printed on good paper, and substantially bound.
Notwithstanding the fact that this book is so much larger than other popular S. S. song books, it will be furnished at the usual prices—35 cts. per copy post-paid; $3.60 per dozen, by freight or express. If to be sent by mail at dozen rates add five cents per copy for postage.
All orders west of the Rocky Mountains should be addressed to PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
General Agents for Pacific States and Territories.
THE YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR.
By Editor
AN ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY PAPER FOR YOUTH AND CHILDREN, DEVOTED TO MORAL, MENTAL, AND RELIGIOUS CULTURE.
This paper is not devoted to insipid stories and religious fiction, but is filled with a great variety of that kind of reading which tends to the healthful development of the youthful mind. Its pages are made bright by the choicest illustrative pictures, and its columns are always full of useful information.
As a Sabbath-school and Lesson paper, it is suited to the wants of scholars and teachers, and is calculated to increase the interest of all who read it, in thorough Bible study.
TERMS, ALWAYS IN ADVANCE.—Single copy, 75 cents a year; Five copies to one address, 60 cents each; Ten or more copies to one address, 50 cents each.
NEW PREMIUM OFFER—"GOLDEN GRAINS" SERIES.
For every new subscription, accompanied with 85 cents, we will give "Golden Grains" series, consisting of a package of ten beautiful pamphlets of 32 pages each. These comprise a choice collection of sketches, stories, poems, etc., adapted to the wants of children, and contain more reading matter than can be found in many dollar books. Remember, the whole series, 320 pages, and the INSTRUCTOR for a year, for 85 cents.
A THIRTY-TWO PAGE BI-MONTHLY, devoted to the dissemination of true temperance principles and instruction in the art of preserving health. It is emphatically
A JOURNAL FOR THE PEOPLE,
Containing what everybody wants to know, and is thoroughly practical. Its range of subjects is unlimited, embracing everything that in any way affects the health. Its articles being short and pointed, it is specially adapted to farmers, mechanics, and house-keepers, who have but little leisure for reading. It is just the journal that every family needs, and may be read with profit by every member.
Price, 50 Cents per Year.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
DIPHTHERIA: ITS CAUSES, PREVENTION, AND PROPER TREATMENT.
By John Harvey Kellogg
By J. H. Kellogg, M. D.
The increasing prevalence of this devastating disease, and its alarming fatality in so many cases, renders the subject of its Nature and Treatment one of the greatest importance.
This work gives a concise account of the Nature, Cause, Modes of Prevention, and
THE MOST SUCCESSFUL METHODS OF TREATMENT
Of this prevalent and fatal malady. It should be in every household, as its instructions, if faithfully carried out, will save many a precious life. Price, in board covers, 25 cents
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
WHO CHANGED THE SABBATH?
A tract of 24 pages, which fully answers this question, and shows how Sunday displaced the Bible Sabbath. Extracts given from Catholic writers. Price, 3 cts.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE AGE TO COME:
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
A REFUTATION OF THE DOCTRINE.
BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.
Embracing a critical examination of the Temporal Millennium—The Return of the Jews—Time and Manner of the Establishment of the Kingdom of God—The Day of the Lord, and the Promises to Israel.
Second edition revised. 168 pages; price, post-paid, 20 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.;
Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
Rome, Ireland, and Church Union
By Editor
ROME has discovered another means by which she may bleed poor Ireland. It has been discovered that in the city of Rome there is no church building in honor of St. Patrick, and so it has been determined to build one for the Irish, out of means furnished by the Irish. The Pope, who, by the way, is reported to have expressed his "surprise" that there was no church in honor of St. Patrick in Rome, has himself, "although pressed by hard times," cast in a bait of $760. The Archbishop of Cashel sends $486, and says that "the whole Irish race will subscribe," of which we have no doubt; especially as the Pope "bestows his apostolic blessing upon all who will contribute to the completion of this work." Rome is and has ever been Ireland's worst enemy. Ireland now groans under the galling yoke of England, yet 732 years ago that yoke was laid upon her by the Pope—Hadrian IV.
IN almost all the church assemblies of the past autumn, the subject of church union has had a place. And now the Catholics have taken up the cry. In a late discourse, at the consecration of a bishop of Wilmington, Delaware, Cardinal Gibbons said:—
"A yearning cry has gone forth for the union of Christendom. This voice is echoed from the press, from the pulpit, and from the halls of religious conventions. God grant that this yearning may be one day gratified. For if the scattered hosts of Christians were once more re-united as they were prior to the sixteenth century, they would present a phalanx which all the power of atheism and infidelity could not resist."
We doubt not that this thing will yet be seen, with Sunday as the basis of the union. Then woe to the atheism and the infidelity that refuses to keep Sunday, or to bow to the will of this union of Christendom.
THE "Labor" managers have taken another turn. The national committee has issued a circular stating that the representatives of Labor renounce all other political parties, to the end that legitimate labor may be emancipated and the Government restored to the people. The plan of organization contemplates the appointing of an organizer for each State and Territory, the State organizer to appoint a district organizer for each Congressional district in his State, and the district organizer to appoint local organizers. We suppose these State organizers will be paid about $250 a month—that is what the one for California was paid last winter and spring in the labor boycott—and the district organizers will have about $150 a month, and so on down to the real laboring man who will get nothing but a bounteous supply of political soft soap. And that is all the good that the laboring man will ever get out of the organizers or the organization.
WE have received word from the more distant parts of the country, that in the winter-time especially, when the mails are disarranged by storms and bad roads, the SIGNS is sometimes a little late to be of benefit with its Notes on the Lessons; and the request has been made that we put the lessons in the SIGNS further ahead. We shall do so. Therefore in this paper dated December 16, will be found the notes on the lesson for January 2, 1887. This puts the lesson notes one week ahead, and gives more than two weeks for the paper to reach its destination, which we think will be all that is requisite in any part of the country. We shall still do our best to make our notes of the best, both expository and practical, so that it may be a real help to both students and teachers of the International Lessons. By addressing H. R. Clissold, Morgan Park, Chicago, a real neat little pocket-book containing all the Scriptures for the lessons through the whole year 1887 can be had for five cents in card-board cover, or ten cents in cloth cover.
Historical Sketches.
By Editor
A FEW weeks ago we gave a brief notice of a book just received from our publishing house at Basel, Switzerland. But having had time to examine it more carefully, we now wish to give it a more extended notice, which it certainly deserves.
Its title is “Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists,” but this gives but a faint idea of what the book contains. It starts out with a full account of the Central European Mission, by Elder B. L. Whitney, taking up the history of the work from the very commencement, and tracing it down to the present time. Then follows a history of the Scandinavian Mission, by Elder J. G. Matteson, of the British Mission by Elder M. C. Wilcox, of the Australian Mission by Elder S. N. Haskell, and reports of missionary councils, etc. After this there are several practical addresses delivered by Mrs. E. G. White to the Swiss Conference and the Central European Missionary Councils.
A very interesting portion of the book is the “notes of travel” by Mrs. E. G. White. This gives an account of her trip from California to Switzerland, and her visit to Scandinavia and Northern Italy, graphically portraying her visit to the Waldensian Valleys, where so many faithful ones sacrificed their lives in defense of the truth.
Elder L. R. Conradi gives an interesting account of his visit to Russia, and the difficulties he encountered there.
Beside the large number of illustrations representing our missions, publishing houses, and views of a general character, there are four excellent maps, showing the location of churches and companies of Sabbath-keepers in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The maps alone are worth the price of the book.
The pamphlet contains 300 large pages 6¾x9½ inches, printed in clear type, on fine, heavy paper, and, for general arrangement and typographical appearance, would do credit to any of our older publishing houses.
Every family of Sabbath-keepers ought to have a copy of this book. But the sale should not stop there. We hope our brethren will give it a wide circulation among those not of our faith. It will give the people a better idea of the nature and extent of our work than almost anything else we could place in their hands, and cannot fail to do good. The Pacific Press has ordered a large supply and will be ready to fill orders soon.
The Directors of the Pacific Press Publishing Association have voted to donate all profits that may arise from the sale of this book to the European Mission, so that by purchasing it you will be helping the mission just so much. We desire to see this Office flooded with orders for this excellent work.
AT the late California Conference the following preamble and resolution were passed:—
WHEREAS, In the providence of God the College at Healdsburg has been established for the special purpose of preparing persons to be efficient workers in all branches of his cause, and as competent teachers have been secured to give instruction on all points, and especially on the Tract and Missionary work in its different parts; therefore,
Resolved, That our ministers and people in this Conference should seek out worthy persons of ability, and urge them to attend the school, that they may receive such training as will enable them to do missionary work wherever they may be called to labor, in a manner that will be pleasing to the Lord and approved of his people.
For a long time the trustees of the College have been trying to secure the services of some competent person to take charge of the missionary class and give special instructions in regard to doing missionary work, but up to the present time they have been unable to get the desired help. Now, however, we are happy to announce that by vote of the General Conference there is secured to the College the services of Mrs. F. H. Sisley, who is especially fitted for this position, having had charge of the same work for several years at Battle Creek College, where she has met with great success.
California is especially favored in securing the services of Sister Sisley, and we trust that our brethren and sisters all over the coast will show their appreciation of it by giving to the College a large attendance during the coming year. There ought to be one or more persons sent from every church on this coast. Those should be sent who are active, energetic, and devoted to the work. Brethren, shall we attend to this matter at once, so that there may be a goodly number to receive the benefits of this special course? We must not let this opportunity pass by unimproved, for we know not when we may have another like it. Search out and encourage the proper persons to attend.
Sister Sisley expects to be at Healdsburg to enter upon her work the first of January, 1887. Let all who possibly can be there at the commencement of the term.
China’s Changing Policy Toward Christians
By Editor
THE Chinese Government has issued a proclamation warning its people against "stirring up strife against native Christians, and declaring that missionary chapels will be protected." Of this, the San Francisco Chronicle remarks that it is a straw which indicates "the foreign influence that of late years has been brought to bear upon Li Hung Chang." And it says that "when Marquis Tseng is also installed in the Home Government, we may expect to see even more radical departures from the old policy of hatred to foreigners and intolerance of all foreign institutions." There are a good many people in California upon whom some such influence, even foreign if no other, might well be brought to bear, to cause them to depart from their old policy of hatred to Chinese foreigners. Even the Chronicle could be benefited by the effective exertion of such an influence. We wish we could see a straw to indicate that so wholesome an influence was being brought to bear in that direction.
Blacksmith Wanted
BLACKSMITH WANTED.—Persons desiring a situation will please correspond with Chas. D. Reaser, 860 Milton St., Oakland, Cal. None but Sabbath-keepers need apply.