The publishers of the Signs are happy to say that their efforts to bring valuable, useful, and instructive books and pamphlets before the public at prices within the reach of all are being appreciated. Large orders have been received for Elder J. H. Waggoner's new book, "The Atonement;" Elder E. J. Waggoner's "Bible-Readings Nos. 1 and 2," and "The Honor Due to God;" Mrs. E. G. White's "Bible Sanctification," "The Great Controversy" Vol. 4 (olive), and "Spirit of Prophecy" Vol. 4 (black); the new (revised) tract "Lost Time Question," and pamphlet "Truth Found," assorted tract packages etc., and are being rapidly filled by freight, express, and mail. Tell your friends to send their address for our free Holiday Catalogue.
RECEIPTS.
By Editor
NOTICE.—The change of figures on the address labels will be in all cases a sufficient receipt for money sent for the paper. If these changes do not appear in due time, and if books ordered by mail are not received, please notify us. All other business is acknowledged below.
CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE FUND.—Healdsburg, per W M Healey $187.80, Ferndale, per E W Hurlbutt $45, J B Brannan (tithe) $10, San Francisco, per H C Palmer $74.25, Joseph Leininger (tithe) $247.10, Healdsburg, per J J Bolton $11.50.
CHURCH DEBT FUND.—H L Wallace $10.
CASH RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.—Healdsburg Sabbath-school $60, J J Gorrell $11.75.
CALIFORNIA T AND M SOCIETY.—Mrs A C Bainbridge $2, a friend 50c, R A Morton $1.80, Mrs Maria Beglinger $1.
ORDERS FORWARDED.
By Editor
BOOKS SENT BY FREIGHT.—Review and Herald, Eld C L Boyd, Lizzie S Campbell, Clara Wood Gibbs, Nebraska Tract Society.
BOOKS SENT BY EXPRESS.—Mrs A C Bainbridge, Mrs E J Howard, S F City Mission.
BOOKS SENT BY MAIL.—Mrs S H Landsdale, Mrs Mary Dillon, J C Bunch, A L Mead, Clara Wood Gibbs, S K Ross, Mrs John Maxwell, H K Kyle, Horace Munn, J D Willard, Andrew Brorsen, Mrs A C Walden, Mrs Alex McNab, John McNab, Mrs S J Berry, W H Chapman, Mrs Eunice M White, Mrs H M Cargan, Wm Harman, W H Saxby, Mrs B C Saxby, F C Lewis, Miss Mary E Moulton, L P Hodges, Mrs Wm Hubbard, Mrs Mary Cain, F T Lamb, S S Snavely, Chas W Merrick, James Taphouse, J K Bowlby, Mrs Eliza Ann Sampson, Mrs H Reeder, Mrs Catherine Loney, Mrs Mary Blackburn, Henry O Thomas, D B Guile, H S McKyes, A L Hollenbeck, Jasper G Smith, A C Neff, J A Goodwin.
THE TRUTH FOUND.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
THE NATURE AND OBLIGATION OF THE SABBATH OF THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.
By Eld. J. H. Waggoner.
The title of this little book sufficiently explains its character. It contains more Scriptural information in regard to the Sabbath than any other book of twice the size, and yet it is so simplified as to be easily comprehended. The author quotes the opinions of many learned men concerning the Sabbath, and their conflicting theories are strongly contrasted with the clear, straightforward teaching of the Bible. 64 pp. Price, 10 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
News and Notes.
By Editor
RELIGIOUS.
—The pope is about to create eight new cardinals.
—Moody and Sankey have commenced a series of revival meetings in Boston.
—Since 1868, the Duke of Norfolk has given more than $2,500,000 to the Catholic Church.
—Some stir has been made in Germany because the pope has commissioned Lenbach, the painter, to produce a portrait of Bismarck.
—It is stated that British merchants send 10,000 barrels of rum to Madagascar every year, to neutralize the efforts of the missionaries there.
—Dr. Greene, a missionary in Constantinople, says: "The greatest peril of foreign missions is the want of vital piety in the churches at home."
—Miss Louisa S. Baker, who has been officiating for four years as pastor of the First Congregational Church, Nantucket, was recently ordained as the regular pastor of the church.
—There are 546 lady missionaries at work in the zenanas of India, where they are admitted for the express purpose and with the distinct understanding of reading and explaining the Bible.
—New York parties have purchased 26,000 acres of land near Las Vegas Springs, N. M., upon which they propose to establish an Episcopal colony with an educational institution.
—The electric light is being introduced into the churches in New York City. That is a good step, but, unfortunately, electricity does not furnish the kind of light of which they stand most in need.
—In his recent annual address before the Episcopal Convention, Assistant Bishop Potter expressed the hope that the day might not be far distant when a convention of all the ministers on Manhattan Island would be held.
—The Congregationalist says: "The Catholic Review is very zealous for 'freedom of worship' in New York. One of our exchanges asks it the pertinent question, whether it is equally zealous for such freedom in Spain."
—Dr. Dale, of England, in his "Manual of Congregational Principles," says that "the idea that infant baptism is a dedication of children to God is a pure invention, without the shadow of a foundation in Holy Scripture."
—Mr. C. W. DePauw, of New Albany, Ind., is the superintendent of a Sunday-school which, after sending out two branch schools, now numbers 1,053 pupils. The buildings, and the land on which they are placed, were the gift of Mr. DePauw.
—The superintendent of the Center Congregational Sunday-school of Meriden, Ct., has adopted the plan of asking each member of his school to bring on the Sunday following his or her birthday a "birthday offering" for the Lord's treasury. Envelopes are provided for this purpose, which will not be opened until the end of the year, when the entire sum collected in this way will be devoted to mission work.—S. S. World.
—At the meeting of the Pittsburg Presbyterian Alliance it was resolved that "this Conference do hereby recommend to the respective churches here represented that their representation and co-operation in the future meetings of the Alliance be conditioned upon the exclusive use of the divinely inspired and authorized hymnology contained in the book of Psalms." It is all right to sing psalms, but to disfellowship those who venture to sing anything else, savors more of bigotry than of Christianity.
—The Pacific Commercial Advertiser (Honolulu) charges that the Chinaman is the only one who suffers on account of the violation of the rigid Sunday law in the Hawaiian Islands. It says: "They know the difference between right and wrong as well as the Christians do. If they steal, cheat, lie, or commit murder, they do it willfully, knowing that they deserve, and are liable to punishment of some sort or other. But they have never learned, and cannot instinctively know that to carry their clothes home on a Sunday morning is a deadly sin. Nor have they any fair chance of learning that the law denounces both work and pleasure on the 'Sabbath' day from their observation of the conduct of those people to whom we owe the maintenance of our idolatrous Sunday law. From the highest to the lowest in the land, Hawaiians or foreigners, including even the teachers of religion themselves, all break it with impunity and apparently without compunction."
Be Courteous.
Not long since, while crossing the river to Jersey City, I noticed an old lady, neatly but humbly dressed, who was attended by a young gentlewoman. That she was, though her dress indicated one who could scarcely be in comfortable circumstances in life. The young woman carried a basket of considerable size, while the elder had a bundle and a cane. She was quite lame and walked slowly. The thought crossed my mind as I glanced at them, "That woman is blessed with a kind and loving daughter or niece." I passed from the boat in advance of them, and took my seat in a horse-car. Presently, the couple came to the same car; and, after comfortably seating the elder lady and disposing of her basket, the younger bade her a kind good-bye and went away. The old lady's eyes were full, and her heart, too. Turning to me, she said: "That's what I call Christian courtesy. That girl is an entire stranger to me, yet she has come all the way from the Eighth Avenue cars with me to carry my basket, and would not even let me pay her fare." I then recalled her quiet, happy expression. I believe I should know her again, here or hereafter; and I most strongly believe that, if she lives to old age, she will not be comfortless or cheerless.—Youth's Instructor.
Appointments.
By John Norton Loughborough; M. C. Israel
OAKLAND.—House of worship, northeast corner of Clay and Thirteenth Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:30 A. M. Preaching at 11 A. M. Prayer and missionary meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:45. Seats free. Preaching every Sunday evening at 7:30.
SAN FRANCISCO.—House of worship, 912 Laguna Street, between McAllister and Tyler Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:45 A. M. Preaching at 11 A. M. Prayer and missionary meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:45. Preaching every Sunday evening at 7:30. Mission Reading-rooms at the church.
Meetings for Tulare and Fresno Counties.
ON consulting with our brethren in these counties, we found that it was impossible to hold a ten days' meeting at this season of the year that could accommodate all our people in these two counties, so we have concluded to divide the time between the counties, giving a five days' meeting to each county. We accordingly appoint as follows: Lemoore, Nov. 21-25; Fresno, Nov. 26-30. Meetings in each place to commence with a discourse at 10:30 A. M., on the first day of the appointment.
As the meeting in each of these places will be limited to five days, we urge all our brethren and sisters to commence with the very first meeting, and attend every one of them. We have many things to consider. You need the meetings, and we need your presence. Come in the morning of each day. Bring your refreshments, so as to remain to two meetings in the day-time. We shall have meetings day and evening for the whole five days. Our Lord's coming is nearing; may he help us to learn how to "occupy till he comes."
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH,
M. C. ISRAEL.
Obituary.
TUCK.—Sister Julia Tuck, aged 28 years, wife of Brother N. S. Tuck, of Albion, Maine, was murdered at their home, between 10 and 11 o'clock A. M., Sept. 5, 1884. Sister Tuck had kept the Sabbath from her youth. No reason is known for the murder, nor at latest accounts had the murderer been caught. One man had been arrested on suspicion, however.
N. S. NASON.
MOCK.—Died, Sept. 4, 1884, near Cave Springs, Elk County, Kan., Clarence Howard, infant son of K. B. and R. Mock, aged 6 weeks and 2 days. Clarence was taken with a severe cold, which settled on his lungs, from the effects of which he died. Although death has taken our little darling, yet we sorrow not as those without hope. If faithful a little longer, we shall meet our little boy where parting will be no more.
R. MOCK.
TEMPERANCE PACKAGES.
By Editor
We have put up in packages three different assortments of our health and temperance works which we will furnish, post-paid, at the prices named.
Ten Cent Package.
The smallest package contains 100 pages in thirteen tracts, as follows:—
True Temperance—Alcohol, What is it?—Our Nation's Curse—Cause and Cure of Intemperance—Effects of Intemperance—The Drunkard's Arguments Answered—Alcoholic Medication—Alcoholic Poison—Tobacco Poisoning—Tobacco-Using a Cause of Disease—Tobacco-Using a Relic of Barbarism—Evil Effects of Tea and Coffee—Ten Arguments on Tea and Coffee.
Forty Cent Package.
The second package, costing forty cents, post-paid, contains the above list and the following in addition:—
Pork, the Dangers of its Use—Diphtheria, its Causes, Prevention, and Proper Treatment. By J. H. Kellogg, M. D. This book should be in every household. Its instructions, if faithfully carried out, will save many a precious life.
One Dollar Package.
The third package, costing $1.00, post-paid, contains in addition to the above:—
Proper Diet for Man, price 15c—The Uses of Water, price 25c—Dyspepsia, Its Cause and Cure, price 25c.
The object in arranging these packages is to get them in a convenient form for sale and for selection.
Address SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE ATONEMENT:
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
AN EXAMINATION OF A REMEDIAL SYSTEM, IN THE LIGHT OF NATURE AND OF REVELATION.
BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.
THIRD EDITION, REVISED AND GREATLY ENLARGED.
THIS work is a critical and exhaustive treatise on the plan of salvation as revealed in the Scriptures, showing its harmony with the principles of justice and mercy, its consistency with reason, and its final results as affecting the destiny of the human race.
368 pp.; cloth, $1.00.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
This work shows the nature of the mistake made in expecting the Lord to come in 1844, which was not an error of time computation; but in the nature of the event to take place, namely, the cleansing of the Sanctuary. The work sheds a flood of light on the Scriptures, especially on the subject of the Atonement.
352 pp. Price, cloth, $1.00. Address,
SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE SPIRIT OF GOD: ITS OFFICES AND MANIFESTATIONS TO THE END OF THE CHRISTIAN AGE.
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
By Eld. J. H. Waggoner.
This is a brief but comprehensive argument on the solemn and important subject of the Spirit of God. Its chapters embrace the following heads: The Holy Spirit of Promise; The Power from on High; Circumcision of the Heart; The Unity of the Faith; The Law and the Testimony; Try the Spirits; The Great Commission; Gifts in the Reformation; In the Present Century; Spirit of Prophecy Restored. These are subjects of vital importance to all, and especially to those who are looking for the return of their Lord.
64 pp. Price, 15 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
A MINE OF INFORMATION.
By John Nevins Andrews
HISTORY OF THE SABBATH AND FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK.
By Eld. J. N. Andrews.
The Bible record of the Sabbath; the secular history concerning it; the successive steps by which the change to the first day was made, and the work of restoration, are given in detail.
EVERY TEXT OF SCRIPTURE concerning the Sabbath is commented on at length; and the COMPLETE TESTIMONY OF THE FATHERS in regard to the Sabbath and first day is given. The comparative merits of the seventh and the first-day Sabbaths are fully shown. A copious index enables the reader to find any text, or the statement of any historian.
Should be read by everybody. 528 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
A Disgrace to Society.
By Editor
LAST week a young man was arrested in San Francisco on a charge of burglary. When the case came up in the court for trial, the accused pleaded guilty to the charge. The court, however, appointed two lawyers to defend him. They immediately induced the culprit to withdraw his plea of guilty, and then worked up such a theoretical defense that, to the surprise of everybody, and in the face of the fact that the young man had already pleaded guilty, the jury brought in a verdict of acquittal.
Unfortunately this is not an isolated case, at least so far as the court and the lawyers are concerned. To say that such proceedings are a disgrace to society does not do justice to the case. Macauley truly said: “Wickedness when punished, is disgraceful only to the offender. Unpunished, it is a disgrace to the whole society.”
Society is not disgraced by the fact that crimes are committed, but by the fact that they are not only tolerated, but defended. Those lawyers and the jury made themselves accessories to that crime, just as much as though they had picked the lock for the young man to enter the house. And yet “society” no doubt regards them with favor. The community that passes lightly by such travesties on justice, becomes a party to crime.
Paul said that rulers are a terror to evil works, and when they discharge the duties of their office, and “execute wrath upon him that doeth evil,” they are so indeed. But when they set a premium on crime, and labor to shield the criminal, they become a terror to good works.
There are honest citizens, and honest lawyers, else the country would be God-forsaken; but it cannot be successfully denied that we even now come very near fulfilling the words of the prophet, when he says that “judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.” Isa. 59:14.
Antinomian Baptists.
By Editor
RETURNS come in slowly to the Herald of Truth on the Sabbath question. Long time ago it announced that when its correspondents had given their opinions, then it would give its own views on the subject. Well, two prominent Doctors of Divinity published their articles, taking strong antinomian ground, boldly arguing that the law of ten commandments was of a “temporary and shadowy character”! The bare reading of the law should have convinced these Doctors that they were perverting the words of the Most High. But the load was too heavy; the camel’s back broke without the addition of a feather, and since that time both correspondents and editor have been ominously silent on the subject. We confidently stated that the Baptist denomination could not afford to sanction such views in their denominational paper. We were too long a member of that body not to know that such views as Doctors Anderson and Tombes set forth were directly opposed to the faith of the Baptist Church. And we knew that we were correct in our statements; the Herald and its correspondents did poor service to the Baptist cause by the publication of such rank antinomianism. The Baptists will never ignore the strong, forcible, and Scriptural utterances of Andrew Fuller and other authors on the subject of antinomianism; and the Doctors cannot refute the forcible arguments of Elder Jarrell on the morality and perpetuity of the law of the Old Testament.
But it is truth—a lamentable truth—that antinomianism is fast gaining power and popularity in the land. All “Perfectionists” or “Holiness Bands” are quite consistently antinomians. They not only deny the validity and authority of the law, but they are fast ignoring the Scriptures entirely, professing that God speaks to them directly, and that they are not dependent on any written revelation to learn the will of God! The Saviour promised that the Spirit of truth should guide his followers into all truth; and he said the word of his Father is truth. Now the Spirit gave the word, for “holy men of God spake as they were moved of the Holy Ghost,” and if the Spirit leads to a disregard of the Bible, then it leads to a contradiction of itself, which we cannot accept. To ignore the written revelation which God has given is to ignore the authority of God. Therefore we say that such Spiritualists as the “Holiness Bands” are consistently antinomians. We are happy to know by the spirit of silence which has now so long rested on the Herald of Truth that it and its correspondents have learned that they cannot afford to take rank with such company.
As the strong arguments for the seventh-day Sabbath become better known, many will strike hands with the antinomians as the only plausible way to evade the claims of the fourth commandment. It was this, and this only, which led Doctors Anderson and Tombes to take that position. But many will be led thereby to review their position, and accept the whole law, the Sabbath necessarily included. The conflict is before them and the issue cannot long be put off.
The Modern Classification of Crime
An exchange makes the following classification of crime, based upon the prevailing modern standard. Perhaps the figures may vary in different cases, but it is a sad fact that the schedule expresses quite correctly the actual state of things, for when men can look with indifference or sympathy upon crime, it shows that nothing but circumstances keeps them from doing the same thing:—
At the recent International Conference on the adoption of a common prime meridian of longitude, held at Washington, D. C., the meridian of Greenwich, England, was adopted, twenty-one nations voting in favor of it, San Domingo against it, and France and Brazil abstaining from voting. The French delegates were decidedly opposed to the adoption of this meridian, or, indeed, of any meridian that would cross the territory of any other great power. The remark of one of the French delegates is significant as showing the feeling that exists in France toward England. Said he: “France will never consent to engrave on her charts, ‘Longitude east (or west) from Greenwich.’” This indicates the nature of the “peace” that exists between these two countries. When there is such a feeling, it would require but a very little spark to kindle the flame of war. And France is not the only nation that cherishes feelings of jealousy. Those who are looking and hoping for a time of universal peace before the personal coming of the Prince of Peace, are building their hopes on a sandy foundation.
The Evils of Novel-Reading
By Editor
FROM Philadelphia comes an account of another instance of the demoralizing effects of novel-reading. Two boys, aged seventeen and eighteen, fast friends, were found in the room of one of them, with bullet wounds in their heads, one dead, the other dying. The mother of one of them had left the room but a few moments before. The friendship of the boys for each other was so marked as to be the talk of all their associates; and the only reason for their deed was that their heads had been turned by the constant reading of novels, and they decided to die together. Flashy novels were found in their rooms.
The boys are said to have had no bad habits, but we differ. A habit that will lead to murder and suicide is one of the worst imaginable. This is not an isolated case of the evil effects of novel-reading. It is really worse than a passion for intoxicating liquors, for in the latter case the man is at times in his right mind, while the novel-reader is always in an abnormal condition. A diseased imagination and a weakened intellect are the natural results of this vice. It tends directly to idiocy. One might as reasonably expect to have a strong, healthy, vigorous body from a steady diet of froth, as to have a well-balanced, healthy mind when addicted to novel-reading. No one can indulge in a habit that will weaken his God-given faculties, and be guiltless. There are more useful and instructive books than can be read in a life-time. If you have not a taste for such reading, cultivate it.
Six Weeks Free.
By Editor
THE publishers of the SIGNS, desirous of adding a few thousand more to their already large circulation, propose to send the SIGNS OF THE TIMES from Nov. 20 to Jan. 1, 1885 free to all new yearly subscribers, with premium, at $2.25, who send their subscriptions to us by Dec. 1, 1884. And to all old subscribers who will renew, we will send the unpaid remainder of this year’s subscription free, that their papers may date from Jan. 1, 1885.
As the long winter evenings are approaching and people are looking about them for something to read, this will give our old friends, ministers, colporters, canvassers, etc., a good opportunity to introduce religious and temperance literature into the homes of their friends and neighbors. Who will be the first to respond with his own renewal and a club of from five to twenty new subscribers?
Valuable Books.
By Editor
SEND your address to the Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal., and you will receive free a catalogue of books and pamphlets treating upon religious, scientific, temperance and health topics. The holidays are approaching, and you will want books to present to your children or friends. Do not wait until you are ready to purchase, and then get something that is worthless, but look over a list of good books, and choose at your leisure.
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY. IN FOUR VOLUMES.
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
THESE volumes describe the great conflict between Christ and Satan, as illustrated in the history of man, his temptations, conflicts, victories and defeats, and the final triumph of right and truth with a crowning immortality.
Volume one treats of the rebellion of Satan, the fall of man, and the lives of the patriarchs to the time of Solomon.
Volumes two and three are devoted to the Life of Christ and the Ministry of his Apostles.
Volume four contains sketches of the history of the Church from the destruction of Jerusalem to the close of time.
These books are not argumentative, yet they throw much light on the sacred page. They afford especial encouragement to the Christian, and are excellent to place in the hands of skeptics to convince them of Bible truth.
The four volumes contain over 1,500 pages, and are furnished to the subscriber for $4.00 per set.
Either volume may be furnished separately for $1.00, post-paid.
PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
By Editor
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE
International Tract and Missionary Society.
A sixteen-page Religious Family Paper, devoted to a discussion of the Prophecies, Signs of the Times, Second Coming of Christ, Harmony of the Law and Gospel: with Departments devoted to Temperance, The Home Circle, the Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-school.
Price Per Year, . . . . . . . . $2.00
In Clubs of five or more copies to one address, to be used in Missionary Work, . . . . . . . 1.50
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.