THE editor of the Wine and Fruit Grower gives it as his opinion that "the United States is destined to become the greatest wine-producing country in the world." He says: "I calculate that ten years from now our annual wine product will have amounted to 100,000,000 gallons at least. And even then the industry will only be in its infancy." He adds that "the best parts of California for grape growing have not yet been touched. This State alone has as large an acreage adapted to grape culture as France has, and France has turned out 1,176,000,000 gallons in one year. But California constitutes only a small part of our wine producing territory." He invites attention to the fact that since 1850 the native wine production in this country has increased from zero to nearly 30,000,000 gallons, the estimated production of the present year. The yield of 1880 was 23,000,000 gallons. These figures have ominous significance as involving the future of the temperance reform. Nothing but a thoroughly enlightened, conscientious public opinion concerning the evils inseparable from alcoholic wine-drinking will suffice to neutralize and overcome the adverse influence of the large pecuniary gains, added to the power of abnormal appetite, from which this increasing wine traffic derives its strong impetus.—Sel.
Except the Lord Build the House
"Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it." Ps. 127:1.
Value of Old Coins.
At a sale of old coins at Philadelphia not long since, a centennial dollar of bronze, said to be the only one in existence, brought $90. An 1838 dollar, said to be the only one ever seen with a plain edge, brought $117.50. Silver half-dollars of 1801 and 1802, sold for $8.00 each. A dime of the same date brought $34, and a half-dime $16.20.
Alcohol Is a Poison
By Professor Youmans
ALCOHOL is universally ranked among poisons by physiologists, chemists, physicians, and all who have experimented, studied, and written upon the subject.
Cigarette Smoking and Idiocy
SCIENTISTS say that cigarette smoking leads to idiocy, but the impression is gaining ground that the scientists have got the cart before the horse.—India Watchman.
SECULAR.
—Liszt the great composer and pianist is dead.
—The stories of destitution and death in Newfoundland and Labrador are denied.
—There was heavy frost in some parts of New Hampshire on the night of July 13.
—A storm of wind and rain did great damage in the vicinity of Pittsburg, Pa., July 26.
—July 30, seven persons were drowned off Sandy Hook, N. J., by the capsizing of a yacht.
—An unusually large amount of grain has been destroyed by fires this season in California.
—Mr. Gladstone advises Parnell not to pursue an obstruction policy in the next Parliament.
—The Mexican revolutionists, or rather bandits, are still causing trouble in Northern Mexico.
—There are in Paris 42,646 persons who call themselves artists. Of this number 20,000 are women.
—Wassif Bey, who has arrived at Cairo from Soudan, reports that Khartoum has been razed by the rebels.
—Modoc County, Cal., has paid rabbit bounty claims during the last three months on 30,000 scalps, about $900.
—The great rolling-mill strike at Philadelphia, Pa., involving 1,500 men has been settled favorably to the employés.
—A steamship captain who recently arrived at New York says that he saw thirty-eight icebergs outside and two inside of the Straits of Belle Isle.
—Turkey is making large additions to her armament. Herr Krupp has received a large order from the Government, and a Turkish officer has gone to his works at Essen to oversee the manufacture of guns. It is proposed to purchase 400,000 American rifles.
—In the Anarchist trial at Chicago, July 28, Spies was positively identified as the man who threw the bomb that killed and wounded so many policemen.
—A Baptist church at Pottsville, Pa., was blown up with dynamite, at 3 o'clock A. M., July 31. The act was in revenge for the enforcement of the liquor law.
—The New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company has prohibited the sale of intoxicating liquors at any depot or restaurant on its line.
—The Welsh are demanding home rule, and the Welsh members of Parliament propose to form a national party on the same line as the Parnellite party.
—The total number of members in the English House of Commons is 670, divided as follows: Tories, 317; Unionists (Anti-Gladstone), 76; Gladstone Liberals, 191; Parnellites, 86.
—A sixteen-year-old boy on trial at Erie, Kan., for the murder of his father, mother, brother, and sister, was found guilty, July 27, of murder in the first degree. The boy was a novel reader.
—At Chicago, July 25, a large steam-tight tank in an oleomargarine factory exploded, sending its boiling contents over four men, while two others thirty yards distant were injured by the flying debris.
—Twenty-eight Senators have agreed that no portion of the money appropriated to the inauguration of the Bartholdi statue shall be expended for “spirituous liquors, or tobacco, or stimulants, or narcotics in any form.”
—The first public meeting of Chicago Anarchists, since the bomb-throwing, was held July 26. Resolutions were passed expressing sympathy for the eight men now on trial for the murder of the policemen killed in the Haymarket riot.
—A hail-storm of unexampled fury was experienced in the vicinity of Grafton, Dakota, July 24. The track of the storm was five miles wide by thirty miles long. Many of the hail-stones were as large as hen’s eggs. The damage to crops is estimated at $500,000. Several persons were severely injured and one boy is missing.
—The price of ostrich feathers at Cape Town, South Africa, has declined from $250 to $50 per pound. The growers have become discouraged, and are returning to wool farming, which during the ostrich craze had been neglected. Over-production, changes of fashion, and the general depression are assigned as the chief causes.
—At the recent English election, two East Indians were candidates for Parliament. They were Gladstonians and were both defeated. A secular paper remarks: “The British Philistine, in spite of Matthew Arnold, has not been educated up to the point of voting for a man of color, even though he is a gentleman and a scholar.”
—Recent floods along the Saltee River, South Carolina, have done immense damage to the rice crop, which is in most cases totally destroyed. The condition of the colored laborers is pitiful in the extreme. Their gardens have been destroyed and they are without food, and there is no probability that they can get work before next spring.
—A daily paper states that “An ancient river with the current flowing steadily to the west has been found eighty feet below the surface near Helena, M. T.” The account does not state just how “ancient” the newly discovered stream is, and in the absence of definite information we must suppose that it is about the same age of other streams in the same region.
—July 26, Senator Blair, chairman of the Senate Committee on Education and Labor, submitted a majority report in favor of a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, prohibiting the manufacture, sale, or importation of intoxicating liquors after the year 1900, except for medicinal, mechanical, chemical, and scientific purposes.
—Cutting, the American citizen, is still illegally confined in a Mexican prison; and only a few days since another citizen of Texas was arrested by Mexicans, and summarily executed without even the form of a trial. Governor Ireland has telegraphed the Secretary of State as follows: “I demand, in the name of the State and its people, proper reparation, or this State and her people must depend upon themselves for protection. The necessary redress can and will be obtained.”
—The attempt on the part of the authorities at Amsterdam to prohibit popular games on Sunday, July 25, led to a conflict with the police. The rioters erected barricades and the troops fired into the crowd. The rioting continued several days, during which time twenty-five persons were killed and ninety wounded. Several of the wounded have since died. A large number of arrests was made.
—A dispatch from Ottawa, Canada, under date of July 27, says: “A French Canadian died Saturday, and last evening several friends of the family gathered at Goderrian’s cottage to sympathize with them in their bereavement. After a while the mourners began to make merry, and a wild scene of hilarity ensued. A terrific thunder-storm arose, but none of the revelers noticed it. Finally a bolt came down the chimney. The coffin, which had been placed close to the fire-place, was ripped up; the body was reduced almost to a cinder, while two men who were standing near, were instantly killed. The rest of the party—some six or seven in all—were rendered insensible by the shock.”
—July 26, Prince Don Augusto, of Brazil, in company with the Brazilian Consul-General Salvador D. Mendonca, and a number of midshipmen of the Brazilian frigate Almarante Barroso, went to Coney Island at the invitation of the managers of the Sea Beach Railroad. On their return trip an attempt was made to blow up the boat with all on board (about 200 persons). The bomb which was to do the work was discovered, however, and thrown overboard in time to prevent an explosion. Some are of the opinion that the bomb (which was a long, black bottle) was not charged, and that the whole thing was simply a practical joke; but such jokes are becoming a little too common, and are entirely too destructive of human life.
News and Notes.
By Editor
RELIGIOUS.
—At the session of the United Presbyterian Assembly at Hamilton, Ohio, last month, it was resolved to secede from the Presbyterian Alliance. Two reports were submitted on the question of instrumental music in churches. The majority favor the use of organs in worship, while the minority oppose it.
Mr. Gustafson, as quoted in the Independent, says that “in Sweden distilling was first practiced in the parsonages;” and that “it is from their spiritual teachers that the peasants first learned this pernicious habit.” With truth it may be said that instead of bread, those teachers have given their flock a serpent.
—Here’s modesty: The Baptist Flag puts the following in capital letters: “We still affirm, and are able to prove, that the Baptist Church is the balance wheel of the Christian universe. Without the powerful restraint of Baptists, the Protestant and reformed denominations would find a level in the vale of Sodom on a plane with Roman Catholicism.”
—In Baltimore, a few days ago, a man was fined ten dollars and sentenced to twenty days’ imprisonment for using profane language in a public square. We would like to know whether or not that arrest and conviction was due to the high moral sentiment of Baltimore. If so, then we must certainly congratulate Baltimore on having but one profane man in its limits.
In Ecuador, with a Roman Catholic Church for every 150 inhabitants, with 10 per cent. of the population priests, monks, or nuns, with 272 days in the year feast or fete days, with a quarter of the wealth of the State in the hands of the church, and with the priests controlling all branches of the Government, 75 per cent. of the people can neither read nor write!—Cal. Christian Advocate.
—The Catholic Mirror says: “The Moniteur de Rome has information from Cettigne that the Prince of Montenegro has dispatched a plenipotentiary to Rome for the purpose of concluding a concordat with the Vatican, in order to secure the diocesan autonomy of the Montenegrin Catholics. It is certainly a remarkable sight to observe Leo XIII. negotiating simultaneously with the ruler of the vastest empire on the earth, and with that of the smallest of principalities.”
Appointments.
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 7:30. 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 7:45. 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.
Camp-Meeting for the Northwest.
By North Pacific Conference Committee
A CAMP-MEETING will be held at Seattle, W. T., Sept. 1 to 6, which is especially designed for the Sabbath-keepers of western Washington, many of whom have never enjoyed the privileges of a camp-meeting. Those who regularly attend these annual convocations, know their importance, and have felt a deep anxiety for those of this Conference who are at too great a distance to attend the regular annual camp-meeting. Now a provision is made for the wants of such; and it is hoped that none will permit any common circumstances to keep them from attending.
Quite a number have already embraced the Sabbath here at Seattle, and we confidently look for their number to be much increased. We want to have all the Sabbath-keepers together.
Brethren, be entreated to come not only to obtain, but to bring God's blessing with you.
NORTH PACIFIC CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
GOOD HEALTH.
By Editor
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE.
GOOD HEALTH is emphatically a Family Journal, being cheap, plain, and practical, qualities which have won for it the largest circulation of any Health Journal in America. It is devoted to all reforms, but is ultra in none. It is unpartisan and unsectarian. Its only creed is nature’s laws. It treats of Health, Temperance, General Literature, Science, and many other interesting and practical subjects; it is a live journal, and every way adapted to the wants of the family. There is something in it for everybody. Price, $1.00 a year.
Address, GOOD HEALTH, Battle Creek, Mich.; Or, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Publishers' Department.
By Editor
STATE TRACT SOCIETIES, AGENTS, AND BOOK DEPOSITORIES.
Australia—International Tract Society, Bible Echo Office, Rae and Scotchmer Sts., North Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.
British Guiana.—Joseph R. Brathwaite, 152 Church St., Georgetown, and Thos. E. Amsterdam, 10 Church St., New Amsterdam, B. G., S. A.
California Tract Society—1067 Castro St., Oakland, Cal.
Canada Tract Society—South Stukely, P. Q.
Colorado Tract Society—441 Jay Street, Denver, Colo.
Dakota Tract Society—Vilas, Miner Co., Dak.
District of Columbia.—International Tract Society, 1831 Vermont Avenue, N. W., Washington, D. C.
England—The Present Truth, 72 Heneage St., Grimsby, Eng.
Fiji Islands—Wm. T. Peckham, Matti Plantation, Taviuni, Fiji Is.
Florida Tract Society—Miss Lysle Reynolds, Secretary, Box 232, Jacksonville, Fla.
France—Pastor D. T. Bordeau, Rue St Giles 30, Gare de Nimes, Gard, France.
Hawaiian Islands—International Tract Society, Honolulu, H. I.
Idaho—Elder D. T. Fero, Boise City, Idaho.
Illinois Tract Society—3652 Vincennes Ave., Chicago, Ill.
Indiana Tract Society—No. 52 Cherry St., Indianapolis, Ind.
Iowa Tract Society—1315 E. Sycamore St., Des Moines, Iowa.
Kansas Tract Society—Box 160, Ottawa, Franklin Co., Kan.
Kentucky Tract Society—West Clifty, Grayson Co., Ky.
Louisiana—International Tract Society, Pitt Street, between Valmont and Leontine Streets, New Orleans, La.
Maine Tract Society—113 Pearl St., Portland, Me.
Michigan Tract Society—Battle Creek, Mich.
Minnesota Tract Society—2820 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, Minn.
Missouri Tract Society—321 Lamine Ave., Sedalia, Mo.
Montana—Walter Harper, Butte City, Mont., Box 358.
Nebraska Tract Society—Fremont, Dodge Co., Neb.
New England—N. E. Tract Society, South Lancaster, Mass.
New Mexico—John McMurphy, White Oaks, Lincoln County, N. M.
New York Tract Society—Box 113, Rome, N. Y.
New Zealand—Edward Hare, Upper Queen Street (Turner Street), Auckland, N. Z.
North Pacific—N. P. Tract Society, Box 18, East Portland, Oregon.
Norway—Sundhedsbladet, Christiania, Norway.
Ohio Tract Society—259 Adams St., Toledo, Ohio.
Pennsylvania Tract Society—No. 5 Madison St., Wellsville, N. Y.
Society Islands—John I. Tay, Papeta, Tahiti, Society Islands.
Switzerland—Elder W. C. White, 48 Weiherweg, Basel, Switzerland.
Tennessee Tract Society—Springville, Henry Co., Tenn.
Texas Tract Society—Mrs. Lee Gregory, Secretary, Denton, Tex.
Upper Columbia—U. C. Tract Society, Walla Walla, W. T.
Vancouver Island—Bernard Robe, Victoria, B. C.
Vermont—Lizzie A. Stone, South Lancaster, Mass.
Virginia Tract Society—New Market, Shenandoah Co., Va.
Wisconsin Tract Society—1029 Jenifer St., Madison, Wis.
Wyoming—J. T. Trees, Tie Siding, Albany Co., Wyo.
All of the above Agencies are authorized to receive subscriptions to the Signs of the Times, American Sentinel, and Pacific Health Journal and Temperance Advocate. Catalogues of our books, pamphlets, and tracts, in English and the various foreign languages, can be obtained from them. Write to the agency nearest you.
The “Great Controversy.”
By Editor
A STUDENT from Healdsburg College entered what we believe to be one of the most difficult fields for canvassing in California, with the illustrated “Great Controversy,” and he writes us as follows:
“The very first day in my life of trying to canvass, I obtained seven subscribers.”
A brother in Seattle, W. T., sold over 300 copies in less than six weeks, at $1.75 each, and this too during the time of the Anti-Chinese trouble and the reign of martial law, when, of course, finances and business were in a very unsettled condition.
A farmer in Illinois has taken as high as twenty orders in one day for the “Great Controversy,” while an agent in Montana is taking fifteen orders per day and delivering twelve out of fifteen. A canvasser in New York took twenty-eight orders for the book out of thirty-two persons canvassed. We have reports equally encouraging from agents in the Southern and Middle States.
Over ten thousand copies sold by agents in six months. More agents are wanted to handle this work. Liberal commissions paid. Write to the Secretary of your State Tract Society for circulars and terms, or address PACIFIC PRESS, Publishers, Oakland, Cal.
A Profitable Business.
By Editor
As a book of art, “Breakfast, Dinner, and Supper” excels all books of its class. In addition to the many handsome chapter headings, the book contains over seventy illustrations, many of which occupy a full page. The type work is artistic throughout, and the binding is elegant, the cover being embossed in jet and gold.
This book is meeting with a very rapid sale. Considering the valuable matter contained, and the elegance of its appearance, it is the cheapest subscription book on the market at the present day, as the following prices will testify:—
English Cloth, Old Gold, Red Edges, ........$2.00.
Imperial Green Cloth, Gilt Edges, ............. 2.50.
Half Morocco, Marbled Edges, ................ 3.00.
In addition to this we have secured from a baker of long experience, a number of very rare recipes, many of them known only to the trade. It is safe to say that these “bakers’ secrets” could not be bought by the housewife for $25. These are printed on a separate, four-page sheet, and one copy is furnished to every purchaser of the book.
AGENTS WANTED EVERYWHERE.
AGENTS WANTED EVERYWHERE,
By Editor
In the United States and the Canadas. We are prepared to give the most liberal discounts that can be offered, on first-class publications. Our confidential terms to agents, with full instructions in our methods of doing business, will be furnished on application. We shall be glad to correspond with experienced agents who are prepared to engage a sufficient force of agents to work one county or more in good shape. We can offer such special inducements. Our terms to agents are liberal, and our outfit is complete.
CANVASS HOME TERRITORY.
By Editor
Some who would make excellent canvassers have other duties and cares which prevent their going far from home or employing all their time in the business. Such can put many a dollar in their purse, and add many luxuries to their homes, by devoting their spare time to the canvass of their own neighborhood. We shall be glad to correspond with all such.
We furnish our outfits at cost of production, but send none free. Our terms are so liberal we cannot afford it. Besides, our experience has taught us that working agents do not object to paying for their outfits; it is the drones who beg them.
For descriptive circular of the book, terms to agents, territory, etc., address, Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal., or The J. E. White Publishing Co., Battle Creek, Mich.
BOOKS IN PAPER COVERS.
Our Country's Future; The United States in the Light of Prophecy An exposition of Rev. 13:11-17. By Elder U. Smith. Dealing with our own land, and applying to our own time. Of surpassing interest to every American reader. New edition. 186 pp. 25 cts.
Our Faith and Hope. Sermons on the coming and kingdom of Christ. By Elder James White. 182 pp. 25 cts.
Facts for the Times. A volume of valuable historical extracts. 25 cts.
Testimonies. Nos. 20-30, each 25 cts.
S. D. A. Year Book for the years 1883 and 1884, each 25 cts.
Thoughts on Baptism; Its Action, Subjects, and Relations. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 190 pp. 25 cts.
The Nature and Tendency of Modern Spiritualism. By Elder J. H Waggoner. A thorough expose of this fascinating delusion. Should be widely circulated. 184 pp. 20 cts.
The Ministration of Angels; and the Origin, History, and Destiny of Satan. A work of great interest upon a subject seldom written upon. 144 pp. 20 cts.
Refutation of the Age to Come. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. This little treatise completely demolishes the vagaries of the future-age theorists. 168 pp. 20 cts.
The Visions. Objections answered. By U. Smith. 20 cts.
The Spirit of God, its Gifts and Manifestations to the end of the Christian Age. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 144 pp. 15 cts.
The Three Messages of Rev. 14:6-12. Particularly the Third Angel's Message and the two-horned beast. By Elder J. N. Andrews. 144 pp. 15 cts.
The Morality of the Sabbath. An argument showing that the Sabbath commandment, like the other nine, is in its nature moral. 96 pp. 15 cts.
Miraculous Powers. The Scripture testimony on the Perpetuity of Spiritual Gifts. 128 pp. 15 cts.
The Complete Testimony of the Fathers of the first Three Centuries concerning the Sabbath and the First Day of the Week. By Elder J. N. Andrews. 112 pp. 15 cts.
Matthew Twenty-Four. A clear and forcible exposition of our Lord's discourse upon the Mount of Olives. By Elder James White. 64 pp. 10 cts.
Matter and Spirit. A philosophical argument on an interesting theme. 10 cts.
Bible Sanctification. By Mrs. E. G. White. A contrast of the true and false theories. 10 cts.
The Seven Trumpets. An exposition of the subject, as set forth in the book of Revelation, chaps. 8 and 9. 96 pp. 10 cts.
The Truth Found. The Nature and Obligation of the Sabbath. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 64 pp. 10 cts.
Vindication of the True Sabbath. By Elder J. W. Morton, formerly Missionary of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, to Hayti. 68 pp. 10 cts.
Hope of the Gospel. By Elder J. N. Loughborough. What it is, and when it will be consummated. 80 pp. 10 cts.
Christ and the Sabbath; or, Christ in the Old Testament, and the Sabbath in the New. By Elder James White. 56 pp. 10 cts.
Redeemer and Redeemed. By Elder James White. This work sets forth the plan of Redemption in its three stages. 40 pp. 10 cts.
Review of Gilfillan; or, Thoughts Suggested by the Perusal of Gilfillan and Other Authors on the Sabbath. 64 pp. 10 cts.
Appeal to the Baptists for the Restoration of the Bible Sabbath. 46 pp. 10 cts.
Review of Baird. A review of two sermons against the Sabbath and Seventh-day Adventists. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 64 pp. 10 cts.
The Rejected Ordinance. A carefully prepared paper on our Saviour's Act of Humility in John 13. By Elder W. H. Littlejohn. 10 cts.
The Position and Work of the True People of God under the Third Angel's Message. By Elder W. H. Littlejohn. 10 cts.
Life of Christ and His Apostles. 8 books. 90 cts.
The Home of the Saved; or, The Saints' Inheritance to be in the Earth Made New. By Elder J. N. Loughborough. 10 cts.
The Ancient Sabbath. Forty-four objections considered. By Elder D. T. Bourdeau. 88 pp. 10 cts.
Honor Due to God. By Elder E. J. Waggoner. An extended argument on the Tithing Question. Second edition. 64 pp. 10 cts.
California Year Book. It contains a brief history of the rise and progress of the S. D. Adventist work in California, and of each of the institutions connected therewith. 80 pp. 10 cts.
Any book in this list sent post-paid on receipt of price. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS VOLUME ONE.
By Editor
By MRS. E. G. WHITE.
THE readers of the Signs need no introduction to the writings of Mrs. White. The article on the first page of each paper, from her pen, is always eagerly read; and those who read it need no guarantee that her writings are elevating in their nature and marked by a high moral tone. This book has long been out of print, and is now re-published, as much that it contains has never appeared in any other work. It is a brief but vivid sketch of the great controversy between Christ and Satan, from the rebellion in Heaven to the establishment of Christ's Kingdom. The book is well adapted for extensive circulation, as it contains a great amount of important matter in a small space. Much of the matter is of special interest to the church at the present time. In paper covers. 154 pp. Price, 25 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
RECEIPTS.
CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE.—Arbuckle Church $2.50, Healdsburg $51, Virginia City $17.45, Norwalk Church $3.71.
CALIFORNIA T. AND M. SOCIETY.—Dist No 1 $210, Ferndale per Miss E. H. Batterson $11.15, Dist No 3 $57.80, Dist No 6 Santa Ana $2.20, Andrew Brorsen $1.
RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.—Penn T and M Society $285.10, Colo T and M Society $172.43, U C T and M Society $150.
SCANDINAVIAN MISSION.—Oakland S S $50.
CALIFORNIA CITY MISSIONS.—Mrs M A Beatty $5.
NEVADA CAMP-MEETING FUND.—Mrs E A Briggs $5.
Nevada Camp-Meeting Fund and Subscriptions
By Editor
NEVADA CAMP-MEETING FUND.—Mrs E A Briggs $5.
A LARGE number of subscriptions expire during this month. The little yellow tab on your paper shows the exact date to which your time is paid. Our terms are cash in advance, and we hope that you will not allow your name to be dropped from the SIGNS list. We would be pleased to have you renew for six months ($1.00) or a year ($2.00), or we will send the SIGNS three years for $5.00.
Christ the Way of Life.
By Editor
WE have a select stock of this beautiful and instructive steel-plate engraving, with keys in the Danish, Swedish, German, French, and English languages.
The design of this engraving is to present at one view the leading events in the history of man as related to the divine plan of redemption, from the time of the first sin and the fall to the final restoration of the race to the Paradise of God.
Its central figure is that of Christ hanging upon the cruel cross. By taking our position at the foot of the cross, we look backward in the history of man, and trace the steps which have led to the scenes of Calvary. The scenes which suggest the provisions of the gospel are enacted in the shadow of the cross, which is cast far back over the history of the race, reaching even to the gates of Eden.
The "Way of Life," as a work of art, commends itself to all lovers of the beautiful. Unlike many religious allegorical pictures, this not only presents a sacred theme, but by its skillful grouping, and its harmonious combination of light and shade, it delights the cultivated taste, and suggests abundant food for thought.
THE KEY.
An elegant 12-mo. pamphlet of 48 pages, containing a description of every part of the picture, and an impressive article by Mrs. E. G. White, accompanies each engraving.
Price, printed in first-class style on heavy plate paper, size 22x28 inches........................................ $1.50
Price, India Proofs, size 24x32 inches.......................... 2.50
100 AGENTS WANTED.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal., General Agents for Pacific Coast States and Territories,
The Authority for Sabbath Observance
Yes, and you always will be at "cross purposes," for the very good reason that there is no authority other than human for the observance of the day, and there is not even human authority for what you call "a due observance." When the human will be the only authority, it is only natural that there should be "a diversity of usage"; it is only natural that many should allow themselves to do what others will not allow themselves to do. There is, however, a most excellent remedy for all this. That is the commandment of God. God said "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work." "A due observance" of that commandment will give you the advantage which you so much need in urging upon others the obligation of the Sabbath. But as for keeping Sunday, you will always much need the advantage in urging its obligation upon others, until you grasp the arm of civil power and do by it what there is no authority of God for doing at all.
Obscene Pictures.
By Editor
"ANTHONY COMSTOCK has lately begun a crusade upon the obscene and vulgar cigar-store pictures, which have become a favorite means of advertisement of the cheap and nasty commercial cigarette. He purposes to clear that city of what he justly regards as a source of demoralization and an insult to decency. Comstock . . . always acts in so eccentric a manner that much of his moral influence is lost. It is a great pity, however, that we have not some one like him in this city to sweep out of shop windows on the main streets the obscene photographs which now fill them."—San Francisco Chronicle.
We are glad to know that an effort of this kind has been inaugurated in New York, and we hope that the work may not be confined to that city, but that it may be carried on till those who are daily polluting with the fumes of alcohol and tobacco, the atmosphere of every city and village in our land, shall have learned that they may not also bring the blush to the cheek of modesty, and corruption to the minds of the youth, by displaying in public places, pictures which are base caricatures of art and offenses to decency.
Perhaps there is nothing that shows more clearly the debasing effects of liquor, tobacco, theaters, and obscene literature, than the sensual, indecent, and utterly demoralizing pictures which are universally used to advertise these kindred abominations. It is impossible for any one whose moral sensibilities are not blunted, to walk the streets of any of our cities, or even the smaller towns, without having the eye offended and the heart pained by the sight of lewd and disgusting pictures displayed on every hand from bulletin boards, fences, and shop windows.
Camp-Meetings for 1886.
VERMONT, Vergennes,........................ Aug. 10-17
OHIO, Mount Vernon, Knox Co.,................ " 17-24
TEXAS, Midlothian,.......................... " 17-24
KANSAS, Osborne,............................ " 19-30
CALIFORNIA, Santa Maria, Santa
Barbara Co.,................................ Aug. 25 to Sept. 1
WASHINGTON, Seattle,........................ Sept. 1-6
MAINE,...................................... " 1-7
ILLINOIS,................................... " 8-14
NEW YORK,................................... " 15-21
NEBRASKA,................................... " 15-21
NEVADA, Dayton,............................. " 15-22
CALIFORNIA, Woodland, State meeting,........ Oct. 6-19
CALIFORNIA, Santa Ana,...................... Oct. 28 to Nov. 5
South Lancaster Academy.
By Editor
WE have received the Annual Catalogue and Announcement of South Lancaster Academy, South Lancaster, Mass., for 1885-86. It is a pamphlet of 80 pages, with a neat cover, and contains the names of the Board of Trustees, of the Faculty, and of the managers of the Industrial Department; a register of students the past year; a historical sketch of the institution; a description of the buildings and grounds; full information as to the design of the school, the departments of instruction, courses of study, expenses, etc., etc. We learn from it that 117 students were in attendance the past year. The catalogue was printed on the Academy's own press, which also issues an excellent monthly journal, the True Educator. We are glad of the prosperity of this academy, and wish it abundant success in the coming school year, which opens Sept. 8. One interesting feature announced for the coming winter is a series of lectures by Elder S. N. Haskell, President of the Board, on the "manners, customs, conditions, and occupations" of the people in the countries which he has visited. Elder Haskell's extensive travels in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand have fitted him for making such a series of lectures eminently instructive. We bespeak for the Academy a large attendance. Address Chas. C. Ramsey, A. M., Principal, South Lancaster, Mass.