Earlier text: CALIFORNIA MIDWINTER FAIRFROM THE SOUTH PACIFIC.
By Editor
LAST week we gave some interesting items from letters sent to this office by Brother J. R. McCoy. At that time we promised still further reports in this week's issue. The first letter which we present is from Sister Hattie Andre to Brother J. R. McCoy. It will be seen that it bears date July 30. This was written just about the time that the sickness began, when it could not have been considered so serious as the sequel proved. That letter is as follows:— PITCAIRN ISLAND, July 30, 1893.
MY DEAR BROTHER: Your very kind letter was received on the man-of-war, and words cannot express the good it did me. I was so glad to learn of the prosperity of your work, and pray God's choicest blessing to attend you at every step. I am glad to report encouragingly from our little isle. Of course Satan is working, but God is stronger than he and is working too. I never experienced so fully the blessing of God in my work as since I came here. I never had a closer walk with my Saviour, never was happier nor of better courage, and time never rushed so swiftly by as here. I begrudge the time for sleeping and eating, and am busy from morning till night. The school is progressing finely, and the Lord is helping wonderfully. I have no difficulty at all with a single one, and am becoming so attached to them that I shudder at the very thought of going back to America to leave them. Many are making good progress, and I have much to encourage me. Your dear children are all in school, and doing faithful work. I am happy to write that Edmund and Ella are advancing in divine life. I consider Ella's spiritual growth about the most remarkable I ever saw. I have labored faithfully for her; the Lord has blessed the efforts, and to him be all the praise. I sincerely trust that she may soon go to Healdsburg College, to be better fitted for usefulness in the Master's work. I am working hard, eating enough to pay up for lost time on the vessel, laughing much, and growing fat. I surely must weigh twenty-five or thirty pounds more than when you left. I am perfectly contented with my new work, and pleased with our new home, which is so pleasant and cozy. If my future work on Pitcairn proves as pleasant as now, I shall have at least one bright spot in my life on which to reflect. I have had some big tramps over the island, which I enjoyed immensely, and a sail around the island. I presume you will laugh to know that I was sick ere we got through the breakers, and continued so till we got back. But I am glad I went, for I managed to keep my eyes open to see the scenery most of the time. Besides my school work, I spend much time in a personal work for the spiritual welfare of the young. While this takes time and strength, I find that it brings rich blessings to both the giver and receiver. I also give music lessons on the organ, do quite a little Sabbath school and church work, and have been kept quite busy caring for the sick of late. Sweats, packs, fomentations, etc., prove quite effective. Your house looks like a different place since it is painted outside. Your sitting room and bedroom look very nice. Every time I go down, I wish you could see them. Many, many thanks for those lovely corals and shells you sent me. The red curtains in the schoolroom look nice. We have a nice blackboard, and the boys made me a chair with a back to it. I think the island needs your help much, and trust you will remain with us while the Pitcairn returns to America. Brother Gates thinks you ought to, and I know your family think so. Many thanks for your kindness about the mail. The man-of-war brought me one lone postal card from my mother, written January 15, two days before we sailed. I presume I shall not hear now until you come from New Zealand. I should love to hear, but am standing it bravely so far. Have sent twelve letters to my mother. Remember me to all the ship's company. We received quite a lot of news from the General Conference on the man-of-war. Hoping to hear from you often, and wishing you success in your labor of love, I am,
Yours in the work, HATTIE ANDRE. The second is composed of extracts from a letter written by Sister McCoy to Elder J. M. Cole, of Norfolk Island, accompanied with explanatory remarks and comments by Brother McCoy, but as there are no quotation marks we do not know how to divide the matter, so publish it as received. H. M. S. Hyacinth came in yesterday. Sabbath the captain came ashore and attended the Sabbath school. He offered the opening prayer, reviewed the primary division, and at the close gave a parting address to the whole school. He expressed himself as highly pleased with our school system, and was so glad that all the people attended. He said our school (organized by the Seventh-day Adventist ministers) is the best-organized school he ever saw, and he has seen many, for when at home in England he was superintendent of a Sunday school. He is a real Christian man. Sunday he invited all who could to come aboard his ship to attend service at 10 A.M., and invited Elder Gates to come aboard and preach to his officers and crew. Captain May, of H. M. S. Hyacinth, spent the whole Sabbath day on shore with us. He said he wanted to know about the Sabbath. Small ships in the British navy have no chaplains, so the commander as a rule has charge of divine service. This is the case with Captain May, of the ship mentioned above. . . . I am thankful to learn that you are troubling them [the people of Norfolk] by your teachings in a way that makes them hunger and thirst after more. How long will the Lord allow the unfaithful servants to feed the churches with dry morsels, and to hold them back from worshiping him in spirit and in truth? When I first went there [Norfolk Island] with the Pitcairn and the message of truth, some of the older folks used this argument to discourage people against accepting our teachings, putting into their heads that when the English Government knew that we on Pitcairn Island have accepted these American missionaries and changed the Sabbath, the yearly calling of their ships of war would be withdrawn, and the queen of England would give us up. Last year, 1892, one of these ships called at the island to investigate this new religion. The captain, unlike King Agrippa, said to Elder Gates, "If what I have heard from this meeting is all there is to it, I am an Adventist too." His chaplain, who went in to assist in this somewhat disagreeable work, when a question was put to him, said, "I am convinced, too, that every man is free to worship and serve God after the dictates of his own conscience." From this and the above statement does it look as if they would withdraw their calling? Does it look as if the queen will give us up? There is one thing we have always to tell them,—that an English man-of-war brought the first Seventh-day Adventist to the island; and I trust that when the queen of England gives us up, the King of heaven will take us in. The third is a letter in which our readers will be specially interested, as it is one of the last, and probably the last, ever written by Ella McCoy, to her father, Elder J. R. McCoy, who has probably not yet heard of her death. At least he had not heard of it, from the best information which we have at hand, when the Pitcairn sailed from New Zealand:— PITCAIRN ISLAND, July 29, 1893.
MY OWN VERY DEAR PAPA: This Sabbath day has truly been a day of rejoicing in my own heart, for I have had a blessing from God that I never realized before. H. M. S. Hyacinth arrived here yesterday (preparation day), bringing your things that you left at Tahiti, and, best of all, your welcome letters. The captain and a lot of his men came ashore around the other side of the island, as the ship anchored there. The doctor slept ashore, and the chaplain came back this morning, and attended our Sabbath school. During recitation he came into the primary division, and taught some of our classes, and then he reviewed that division. He is a sincere Christian, and spent the whole Sabbath day with us, attending all the services. We have a terrible disease here. The doctor says that it is a touch of la grippe. Coffin's and Agness' families all have been down with it, but are all getting well again. They are as meager and pale as ghosts. Mary Coffin and George Warren are both very dangerously ill. The doctor has some fears that they may not get over it. Leonard Christian is very ill too, but not so bad as the others. It will go all around, I think, before it stops. So far we are all well at home, excepting that I cough at night. The Gates' family, Miss Andre, and Sarah Young are comfortably settled in their nice new home. Sister Andre is keeping school. Our first vacation is the month of June, the arrowroot-making month. She is a dear, sweet, patient, kind teacher. I love her ever so much. Dearest papa, if ever I have felt the need of my earthly papa to guide me, it was when Sister Andre told me that she and Elder Gates and the Conference have chosen me to assist her in teaching the children, when auntie goes to America (which she expects to do the first chance). Hattie wants me to take the place with the bigger classes when she leaves, but that I cannot do, for there are so many older than I in the school. I wanted you so much to give your advice, but I cried and prayed over it. Mamma, Hattie, Elder Gates, and Uncle Alfred thought I had better take the place, and I thought of what you told Emily and me when you left,—to try to be useful in the school work,—and so I thought that you would say the same. And besides, Papa Gates asked me to help the church officers, in having personal talks with several of the young boys and girls. The elders have selected Sister Andre, Sara Wood, Vieder Young, Sarah Grace, and myself to be Bible workers among these people, and, dear papa, Satan knows it, and he tries to have me more than he has done before, but Jesus is keeping me. I feel at his feet is my only place of safety. Dear papa, I do need your prayers. I know that you do remember me at the throne of grace. I am so glad that I have a Heavenly Father to tell all that I want to tell you, and he hears me. I find it a joy now more than before to work for God. The world has no charms for me. "God calling yet, I cannot stay;
My heart I yield without delay.
Vain world, farewell; from thee I part.
The voice of God has reached my heart."
I am ever your affectionate daughter,
ELLA MAY. In addition to this, a letter from Elder A. J. Reed, under date of January 12, states that they were expecting the arrival of the British man-of-war Champlain, en route for Pitcairn Island, and it was hoped that she would furnish the people there with some assistance. Of the work in Tahiti Brother Reed says: "I am happy to say that the work is still moving onward. We hold our services regularly in our new church now. To-night is the closing service of our week of prayer, and we are looking for and praying for a special blessing from the Lord on these poor people who so much need it. Elder Cady reports the work as flourishing in his field, and is calling loudly for more help. We feel more than ever the force of the Saviour's words, that 'the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few.'" SAD NEWS FROM PITCAIRN ISLAND.
By Editor
THROUGH the kindness of Brother Read, of Tahiti, we are able to lay before our readers fuller and more accurate particulars of the terrible visitation at Pitcairn Island. I do not know that we can do better than to present the facts just as they were written to Brother Read in the extract from the letter to him, which follows:— PITCAIRN ISLAND, October 21, 1893.
DEAR BROTHER READ: On the arrival of the schooner of Captain Michelli last night at the beginning of the Sabbath, your mail came, and I had the pleasure of reading your encouraging reports of the progress of the work in the different islands. I was glad also to get the letters written to you by others. It is very seldom we get any mail, and anything that looks like mail is gladly taken. I got your letters that you sent to me by the man-of-war in July, and answered them, though I suppose you have not yet received any of them, as they went by the way12of Valparaiso, S. A. The fact is we have hardly had a bit of mail since we stopped here over a year ago. About a month ago we got some letters and papers by a merchant ship that came from California, which brought the General Conference Bulletin, the first time we have had the privilege of reading them, with the exception of two that came on the man-of-war in July. Since I wrote you last, we have had some very distressing times here. Twelve of our number are in their graves. Last April a large merchant vessel was wrecked at Oeno, 70 miles northwest of here, and the sailors came here in their boats, part of them being compelled to stay here for three months, as they were not able to get away sooner. They were taken away by the man-of-war that brought your letters July 28. One of these men had been sick with some ship fever, which he communicated to some of the members of the Warren family, with whom he stayed. Some of the family were sick when the man-of-war was here, and the disease was pronounced by their doctor (of the man-of-war) la grippe. There was some of that disease on the ship, and after she left nearly every person on the island was sick with it. This finally broke up the school. In the middle of August the disease seemed to change its form, and then showed its true nature, typhus fever of a very malignant form. August 26 Sister McCoy died; the next day, as we were just going to the burial, Willie Christian died, and about a week later Ella McCoy passed away. This was the greatest blow of all, as she was having such a precious Christian experience, and we had been planning to make a worker of her. I never saw such a change come over anyone on the island as came over her as we were laboring to get our people to consecrate themselves to God. She had been in a somewhat backslidden state at the time we came here a year ago, but she came out as clear as I ever saw anyone in my life. At that time we thought that the disease had about spent its force and that others would be spared, though many were sick. But instead of that it gathered force till some of the time we were hard pressed to know how to get enough well people to take care of the sick ones properly. Everything was stopped, and nothing was done but care for the sick. September 11 Martha Christian died, who was another of our best young people; five days later a young child of Francis Christian died, and to cap the whole terrible work "Grandpa" (Simon) Young died the 26th of the same month. On the 29th of the same month Childers Young (a brother of Richard Young) was a corpse, and the next day Elias Christian was dead. Rosa had been working within an inch of her life to take care of the sick, but at this time she was taken down, and came to our house to stay. At her house nearly all were sick and in a critical condition. I saw that the house was being filled with the disease germs, and so plead with them to take the sick ones to Aute Valley, which was done. Our family of seven seemed to have some of the symptoms of the disease, and so we took our tent and went out to the valley to get pure air, and also to look after the sick ones there. Our family got along splendidly, and none of them were sick, though Ida (Sister Gates) and Hattie (Sister Andre) were with the sick every day. Edward Young was sick by this time, but seemed to be getting better, till one day he injudiciously ate some half-ripe watermelon, which set him back. He was given a large dose of peppermint, which ended his life October 11. His wife was not expected to live, but prayer was offered for her and she is nearly well now. The 14th John Young, one of the best young men on the island, died; last Tuesday Reuben Christian died, another fine boy; and finally Claris Christian died day before yesterday. There are a few more who are still very low, but we have hopes that they may get up. Austin Young is one of them, Louisa Christian another. A week ago we could see nothing but death staring Rosa and Arthur in the face, but they have been spared, though Rosa is not entirely above danger. Stanley was about the lowest down, but God heard prayer for him, and also for Dora. It seems nothing but a miracle that the former was raised. You see they died on an average of about two per week. Others I have not mentioned have been on the very verge of the grave, but have been spared. The very ones we had hoped to make something of in the work of the Lord are gone. Since last April I have been trying to get a passage on some passing ship to California, but have not had an opportunity. My plan was to go to the Health Retreat and try to get back my health. I had also planned to take some of the young folks, that they might obtain a better education than they can get here. . . . Rosa had been packed up for some time, but the way does not open. . . . We have decided to all leave here when the Pitcairn comes back. We have been here considerably over a year, which is longer than I intended to stay when we came. I am happy to say that my health is now getting a little better than it was; the change has come since last July; but I am far from well and need a course of treatment at the Retreat. . . . For the last two months I have had to spend a good deal of the time with the sick and dying; this has been a terrible strain on me, for nothing ever takes strength out of me like giving treatment to those who are suffering; my sympathies seem to go out to them to such an extent that my energies are expended; then the terrible depression of having to bury people at the rate of two a week, with nearly everyone on the island sick, and no change, no variety, as would be seen at home, where we could see something to get the mind off these things, at times has nearly taken my life away; at such a time I could do nothing but go out and pray earnestly to God to help me; in that way help would come for a time and I would go back again to save the lives of the sick ones. In fact I have lived on prayer for weeks. ART THOU HAPPY?
By Eliza H. Morton
ART thou rejoicing in the truth,
O friend, to-day?
Or does the path seem rough and long,
A toilsome way? Think ye of what the Master bore,—
Reproach and shame,—
And boldly face a world of scorn
For his dear name? Think not of self, for self must die
Ere Christ can live
Within the heart, and blessings sweet
In fullness give. Think not of earth, with all its glare
Of glittering dross;
To cling to it will surely be
Eternal loss. Ask God to take your pride away,
Ask him to make
Your life a song of joy and love
For Jesus' sake. BROTHER G. B. REPLOGLE and wife and Sister Eva Stone recently left Battle Creek, Mich., for South Africa, to engage in the work there. ELDER S. G. HUNTINGTON reports an earnest company of thirteen at Island Schoolhouse, Indiana, nine of whom are the fruit of recent meetings. ON the 7th inst. Elders S. N. Haskell and J. H. Morrison left this city for Portland, Oregon. After holding a meeting of some eight or nine days there, their design was to go to Walla Walla. A LETTER in the Union Record gives an encouraging account of the German canvassing work in Brazil. Two humble brethren tramping through the country pick up a goodly number of orders for books. ELDER N. W. ALLEE says the Lord is blessing the work in Minnesota. Since the fall camp meetings six institutes and one general meeting have been held, all of which are reported as profitable occasions. FROM the Review we learn that Brother A. E. Flowers, of Missouri, was set apart to the gospel ministry, at Battle Creek, Mich., on the 30th ult., preparatory to his departure for Jamaica Island to engage in missionary work. OUR publications are now represented in seventeen different languages: English, German, French, Holland, Danish, Swedish, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Hungarian, Rumanian, Bohemian, Arabic, Welsh, Finnish, Chinese, and Tahitian. EXCELLENT reports come from the work of holding institutes with the churches in Michigan. In this way they are instructed in all phases of the message, and in all branches of the work, thus becoming better qualified to help as occasion may require. TWO COLORED ministers of Troy, N. Y., are reported to have become somewhat interested in our faith through the Bible readings of one of our Bible workers. One of them attended a Sabbath service recently and preached an acceptable sermon from Rom. 8:11. AS ONE result of meetings held at Jackson, Mich., by Brother A. J. Olsen, one man who had been a persecutor of God's people became converted, and expressed an intention to call in all the books he had scattered against Christianity. That is a pretty good evidence of conversion, when one makes an honest effort to undo, as far as possible, the evil he has wrought, and to destroy the means employed in the furtherance of evil. See Luke 19:8, and Acts 19:18-20. ONE of our canvassers sold $1,600 worth of books in the province of Ontario, Canada, during 1893. The fact that he labored in territory that had been worked for five years past would indicate that our books wear well, and that one creates a desire for more. A DISTRICT conference of General Conference District No. 1 will be held in Jersey City March 1-12. Elder I. D. Van Horn is superintendent of the district, and, in addition to the laborers in the district, it is expected that Elders J. N. Loughborough and A. T. Jones will be present. THERE are still some traces of the once noted liberality of the Baptist Church. Brethren J. W. Collie and Chas. P. Whitford recently visited Osteen, Fla., and, although there had been bitter opposition to our work in that place, the Baptist Church was kindly placed at their disposal, and five meetings were held, with encouraging results. AT the West Virginia Conference meeting, recently held at Newburg, the following officers were chosen: President, D. C. Babcock; Secretary, W. R. Foggin; Treasurer, Mina Babcock. Tract society officers were elected as follows: President, D. C. Babcock; Vice President, Wm. Hutchinson; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. Wm. Hutchinson. Brother and Sister Hutchinson are fruits from the California field. OUR brethren are continually meeting the argument that they should submit to every civil law, however they may view it from the Bible standpoint, and, if it be wrong, to simply labor for its repeal. If the apostles and other great reformers had labored on that principle, not one of them would have lost his life for the truth's sake. The true principle is laid down by Peter in Acts 5:29: "We ought to obey God rather than men." Submitting to men until they see proper to permit us to obey the law of God, is not obeying God; it is giving the decrees of men the preference in our service. Such service is compromising with the adversary, and is all that he asks. PERIODICALS WANTED.
By Editor
At Pendleton, Oregon, they have a new church organization, and, as the field is a new one, the brethren solicit any of our denominational publications suitable for missionary work. Address, postpaid, Elder G. W. Davis. Clean copies of our denominational papers or tracts are wanted for missionary work at Chadwell, Clatsop County, Oregon. Address, postpaid, J. L. Martin. WANTED FOR THE ISLAND WORK.
By Lottie Mullin
I WOULD like copies of OUR LITTLE FRIEND, picture cards, lead pencils, primary schoolbooks, or toys, to send to Sister Iva Cady for the native children on Raiatea Island. LOTTIE MULLIN,
Cottage Grove, San Jose, Cal. CHURCH SERVICES.
By H. W. Herrell
All of our churches, especially on this coast, who desire their regular weekly services announced in this column, may have it done by reporting through the proper officers. Oakland.—Church at corner of Twelfth and Brush Streets. Regular preaching services or Bible study. Sunday at 7:30 P.M., Friday at 7 P.M., and Sabbath at 11 A.M. Sabbath school at 9:30 A.M. Sabbath. Prayer and missionary meeting Wednesday at 7:30 P.M. All are cordially invited. San Francisco.—Church at 914 Laguna Street. Regular preaching services at 7:30 P.M. Sunday and 11 A.M. Sabbath. Sabbath school at 9:45 A.M. Prayer meeting Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Missionary meeting Thursday 7:30 P.M. Seats free. Los Angeles.—Church at 143 Carr Street. Preaching service Sunday evening 7:30. Missionary meeting Wednesday evening 7:30. Sabbath school on Sabbath at 9:45, and preaching service at 11 A.M. All are welcome. East Portland, Oregon.—Church, No. 507 East Ankeny St. Services every Sabbath 11:30 A.M. Sabbath school 10 A.M. Missionary meeting evening after Sabbath 7 P.M. Prayer meeting every Wednesday evening 7 o'clock. All welcome. Seats free. Washington, D. C.—Church on Eighth Street between F and G Streets, N. E. Regular preaching service at 11 A. M. Sabbaths. Sabbath school 9:15 A. M. Sunday, 7:30 P. M., Bible study. Prayer meeting Friday at 7:30 P. M. All are welcome. LITERARY NOTICES.
By Editor
[The SIGNS OF THE TIMES holds itself under no obligation to notice any publications sent it by publishers. Those considered worthy of notice, or which are deemed profitable to its subscribers, will receive such notice as time, space, and value will permit.] "NEELY'S HISTORY OF THE PARLIAMENT OF RELIGIONS AND RELIGIOUS CONGRESSES AT THE COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION." Two volumes in one (illustrated). The editor in chief is Prof. Walter R. Houghton. Over 1,000 pp. Price, cloth, $2.50; sheep, $4.00. F. T. Neely, publisher, Chicago. This work we have noticed quite fully in the past. It is quite a full report of the great parliament, compiled from original manuscripts and stenographic reports. The stenographer, Mr. John W. Postgate, states that the speeches, papers, and essays in this volume are largely from his stenographic notes, and manuscripts secured from authors. "In some instances it has been necessary to condense, but the essential features of all the addresses have been carefully retained, making a thorough and comprehensive report of the great World's Parliament of Religions." Mr. Postgate certifies to the accuracy, completeness, and authenticity of the work. Accuracy, of course, is the first thing demanded, and next to that completeness. The work is composed of four parts, namely, Mission of the World's Congress Auxiliary of the World's Columbian Exposition, Proceedings of the Parliament of Religions, Denominational and Other Congresses, and Biographies, Articles, and Opinions. The report of the Religious Congresses, of course, is not complete. The merest summary is given. The above work places the Parliament of Religions, however, in the reach of a vaster multitude of people than was reached at Chicago, and must become popular. "THE INTERLINEAR TRANSLATION OF THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT WITH THE AUTHORIZED VERSION," which is conveniently presented in the margin for ready reference, together with the various readings of the Greek text of the editions of Elzevir 1624, Griesbach, Lachman, Tischendorf, Tregelles, Alford, and Wordsworth. Arthur Hinds & Co., 4 Cooper Institute, New York City. Price, cloth, well bound, $3.00; half leather, $4.00; divinity circuit, $5.00. The above is well printed, with a profusely accented Greek text, and where the order of the word-for-word rendering is likely to be mistaken by a person unacquainted with the Greek idiom, the words are numbered to assist the student. See advertisement in No. 13 of this volume of the SIGNS. "A MONTH WITH MOODY IN CHICAGO: HIS WORK AND WORKERS," by Rev. H. M. Wharton, D.D., editor of the Baptist. Wharton & Barron Publishing Co., Baltimore; 306 pp. This work gives the reader a very good idea of Mr. Moody, his work and coworkers, from the viewpoint of an admiring and ardent friend. Sketches and sermons are given of the following men: D. L. Moody, Rev. John McNeill, Rev. J. Wilbur Chapman, D.D., T. M. Hawes, Rev. A. C. Dixon, Major D. W. Whittle, Henry Varley, Rev. John Riddell, Rev. Henry B. Hartzler, Rev. Thomas Spurgeon. It contains also a sermon by the author. Sketches of the singers, Ira D. Sankey, J. H. Burke, George C. Stebbins, Daniel B. Towner, H. J. Jacobs, with a hymn (with music) of each, are given, as well as sketches of many other workers. The book contains thirty-six portraits of persons, besides three other views. The letterpress is excellent, the binding neat. "REVIEW OF THE WORLD'S RELIGIOUS CONGRESSES," held in Chicago, 1893, by the Rev. L. P. Mercer, is a book issued by Rand, McNally & Co. Price, 50 cents, paper cover; $1.00, cloth. The writer was one of the leading spirits in the committee of Chicago ministers who favored the project, and of course writes in roseate colors of the success and benefit of the Parliament and Congresses. He believes most heartily "that there is a new spirit in Christendom, a spirit not very generally or generously adopted by religious leaders, perhaps, but strong enough to bring into conspicuous coöperation a few broad and able men, from among Catholics and Protestants, . . . to so far dominate opposition and quiet distrust and stimulate generous impulses as to issue in this universal conference," and much more to the same effect. This viewing again of one who is in such hearty sympathy with the movement renders the work an exceedingly partial criticism. The book is nicely printed and the portraits of celebrities are excellent. "TRAFFIC IN GIRLS AND FLORENCE CRITTENTON MISSIONS," by Mrs. Charlton Edholm. Woman's Temperance Publishing Association, The Temple, Chicago, Ill. The author and compiler of this neatly printed volume is a resident of this city. This book sets before the public many plain yet sad and unpleasant facts in a vigorous style. It shows how many girls are ruined, and gives a full account of the noble work being done by the "Florence Crittenton Missions." We believe, however, that the book would have been better if Mr. Stead's article and some other things had been omitted. Of course there is more or less of the unbiblical doctrine of immortal soulism contained in the work. The profits of the book will be used for the support of the Crittenton Missions. "THE BOY'S COMPANION" is the title of a little pamphlet of nearly 100 pp., by E. E. Byrum. Price, paper covers, 25 cents; cloth, 40 cents. Gospel Trumpet Publishing Company, Grand Junction, Mich. This little work is written in a pure tone, with an earnest desire to help boys, and will, we believe, do good. We think, however, that it would do much more good among the boys who ought to read it if it possessed more manliness of tone. Boys do not want to be addressed as babies. Among the yearly Almanacs there is none that equals the "WORLD ALMANAC AND ENCYCLOPEDIA." It contains 536 pages of closely packed and condensed information on thousands of topics, especially statistical and national. It is only 25 cents. The World, New York City. We acknowledge receipt of the Philadelphia Public Ledger Almanac. It is packed full of reliable information concerning Pennsylvania, and especially Philadelphia. It bears the stamp of the Ledger, and the solid, conservative integrity of the good man who was for so many years behind it, the late lamented and honored George W. Childs. Worthington's Illustrated Magazine for January and February contains a very interesting Libby Prison incident, contributed by Samuel P. Bates, LL.D., late State historian of Pennsylvania. Among other articles of interest are "Peasant Life in Picardy," "The Emotions in the Lower Animals," "Germs, and the Germ Theory of Disease." The departments are well filled. Price, $2.50 a year, 25 cents a number. A. D. Worthington & Co., Hartford, Conn. The Converted Catholic starts out with the year in enlarged form, new type dress, much improved, and with the same earnest spirit for the conversion of Roman Catholics to the gospel of Christ. $1.00 per year, 142 West 21st Street, New York. Early Education is the name of a neat little monthly, "devoted to the work of helping parents and teachers in training little children," the first number of which has come to our table. It hails from College View, Neb., and Mrs. Lizzie A. Lewis is the editor. Price, 25 cents a year. It gives some instruction in kindergarten methods, and the first number is a worthy one. Address, Early Education, College View, Neb.