—There is $1,500,000,000 on deposit in the various banks in London.
—A robbery occurred on the Union Pacific passenger train May 29.
—The New York State tax for this year is 2.6 mills on the dollar, the lowest rate since the war.
—It is estimated that 400,000 acres, of new land in northern Minnesota will be put under cultivation this season.
—The Free Labor Exchange last week found employment for 107 men and 14 women. Of the men, 71 were sent into the country.
—Ninety-nine failures occurred in New York city during May. Liabilities $5,686,306. This is an increase of twenty-two over April, and $2,000,000 more liabilities.
—The Bureau of Engraving and Printing has delivered to the Treasury $19,260,000 of silver certificates, and is engaged in completing the order.
—The police authorities of Brooklyn, N. Y., are placing the armories in telegraphic communication with the station houses, in view of a demonstration by the communists.
—The annual tribute to the National dead, May 30, at Gettysburg, Pa., was paid under circumstances of the greatest interest. Not since President Lincoln dedicated the cemetery has it been graced by so many distinguished citizens.
—A destructive tornado swept through Mineral Point and Madison, Wis., May 23. A large number of houses and barns were blown down, and a great destruction of life and property resulted.
—The number of works deposited in the English libraries entitled to copyrighted issues was, in 1877, 3279 books, in 3874 volumes; 1920 pamphlets; 6877 parts of periodicals, and 1439 pieces of music.
—The greatest excitement prevails in Canada at the news of war between England and Russia being imminent. Canada's first contingent of men will be 10,000, in Montreal, 2,000 have already been enrolled.
—California has 3,800,000 fruit trees and 35,000,000 grape vines, and harvests from 300,000,000 to 500,000,000 pounds of fruit yearly. She produces a large surplus, and foreign trade to follow as a matter of course.
—The machine shops of the Indianapolis, Peru and Chicago Railway at Peru, Indiana, were struck by lightning May 29, and with their contents entirely consumed by fire. There were three locomotives and two stock cars in the shops. Loss estimated at $100,000. No insurance.
—The Silk Association of America, recently in session at New York, gives the public an idea of the extent of the silk interest in this country, by its compilation of articles manufactured during the year past, showing that 1,177,504 pounds of silk was consumed, at a cost of $12,105,095, and goods manufactured to the value of $21,411,536.
—A tremendous wind-storm passed over Gardner, Illinois, May 31, doing a large amount of damage in demolishing dwellings, barns, and out buildings. At St. James considerable damage was also done. An iron bridge crossing a stream near by was struck, and a considerable portion carried away. A number of houses in the course of the storm were badly damaged.
—Twenty-three persons were before the Commissioners of Lunacy last month—15 males and 8 females, whose ages ranged from 18 to 64 years. Natives of the United States, 6; Germany, 6; Ireland, 5; France, 2; Mexico, China, Peru, Denmark, 1 each. Committed to the Napa Asylum, 15; sent to the Home of the Inebriate, 4; discharged, 3, and 1 was returned to the police authorities.
—The employment of women in the telegraph department has been a complete success in England. Over 1,000 are employed in London, and there has been but one dismissal in four years. The pay begins at $2 a week, which is raised to $3 when a girl is competent. Girls may enter from 14 to 18. The average pay received is $4.50 a week, and the highest is $7.50 a week. A clerk who has worked for thirty years at $7.50 a week would have $3.75 a week pension.
—The Treasury Department at Washington furnishes the following statement of the amount of outstanding circulation of legal-tender notes and fractional currency: United States notes, new issue, $19,764,097; United States notes, series 1869, $152,046,382; United States notes, series 1874, $39,515,182; United States notes, series 1875, $134,555,255; United States notes, series 1878, $801,100. Total United States notes, $346,081,016; fractional currency, $16,804,981; grand total, $363,485,997.
—Earl John Russell the great English statesman died May 28, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. A review of his life would be a review of English history for over half a century. Lord John Russell was the third son of the sixth Duke of Bedford. He was born August 19, 1792, and entered public life in 1813. He supported Catholic emancipation, which measure was passed in 1830. He was indentified with the Ministry of Lord Grey, formed in 1830, and more prominently, with the Melborne Ministry, formed in 1834.
—Official returns made to the Bureau of Statistics show that during the month ending April 30, 1878, there arrived at the port of New York 8,529 immigrants, of whom 5,266 were males and 3,263 females. The countries or places from which the immigrants arrived are: England, 1,354; Scotland, 225; Wales, 32; Ireland, 1,883; Germany, 2,737; Austra, 219; Sweden, 422; Norway, 146; Denmark, 311; France, 108; Switzerland, 216; Spain, 56; Italy, 359; Holland, 73; Russia, 180; Poland, 105; Hungary, 30; Cuba, 26; Central America and St. Croix, 6 each; Peru, 7; Belgium, 5; Nova Scotia and Mexico, 4 each; Greece, China, Quebec, India, and born at sea 2 each; Portugal, Newfoundland, Honduras, New Grenada and Syria, 1 each.
Selfishness.
Human selfishness crops out everywhere, leaving its depressing influence most on those who expect most of their fellows. It is an odious trait of character and not easily disguised. Many, however, assume a thin veil of seeming kindness and generosity as a kind of polish to their manners, forgetting the Scriptural injunction, "Love without dissimulation," which is the very soul of good manners. Dissimulation without love, however, suits the convenience of far too many.
But there is a class—small and smaller may they grow—who neither dissemble, nor love. They take pride in their ability to annoy, wound, and humiliate those upon whom rests their ban of dislike. Neither age, sex, nor feebleness afford a refuge from the leers of the insolent school boy, the jeering remarks of the insufferable loafer and the knowing smiles of the silly miss. These are some of the weapons the selfish and the ill-bred are prone to use, seldom lacking opportunity for subjects and observers.
How hideous and deformed does this image of self-love appear when viewed at a distance, or when recognized in a fellow creature? But how we soften its name calling it "self-preservation," "sense of duty to myself," etc., when conscious of harboring within us a disposition so discordant with the spirit of the "golden rule." Its ugly outlines, however, cannot be concealed.
Men and women, in their rush for happiness strive to be first, or best; or like the man in the Bible in gay clothing with a gold ring, they wish to be respected for their fine things, and have it said of them, "Sit thou here in a good place," while he with the vile raiment is told "Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool."
There is but one highway to happiness opened up to us, by our heavenly Father. In it is found man's chiefest good and supremest happiness. It is this: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy might, mind, and strength, and thy neighbor as thyself."—Sel.
June 6, 1878. THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES. 175
June 6, 1878. THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES. 175
Sabbath-School Work.
By John Norton Loughborough
As much has been said and done during the last year to increase interest in the Sabbath-school work among our people, I would not be backward to do all I can in the matter. For the last three months especially I have been present at the Sabbath-schools of the church where I might be, and I think as requested in the Review, all our ministers should make it a point to promote as far as is in their power the Sabbath-school cause, and stir up all both old and young to attend, and take part in the exercises and recitations.
Some steps were taken on this coast last winter to effect a State Sabbath-school organization, but as the General Conference has since recommended a plan for each State to follow, of course, we upon, this coast, wish to be found moving in harmony with that plan. At our last State quarterly meeting a committee was appointed to take this matter under advisement. Only a pressure of other cares has prevented the action of the committee before this time. As chairman of that committee I would here state that we will try to take up the matter so as to be able to report in next weeks SIGNS.
Our Sabbath-schools in Oakland and San Francisco are in quite a flourishing condition. Those newly embracing the truth are taking hold with zeal in the Sabbath-school work. In San Francisco we have a good full Bible class of Scandinavians, besides two Bible classes in the English language, and four classes of Sabbath-school scholars. What can be of more importance in this time than for all, both young and old, to be learning thoroughly the truths of the Bible, and where will they find a better weekly drill than in an interesting and well conducted Sabbath-school and Bible class.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Tent Masters.
By John Norton Loughborough
A GOOD tent master is an important addition to a tent company, but on the other hand a poor tent master is a dead weight to the work.
A tent master desirous of magnifying his office, will be active at all times, realizing that it is his special duty to see, before every meeting, that all is in order, and that everything about the tent is kept neat and orderly all the time, then, as visitors come into the tent, a good impression is made upon their minds, and they go away saying, “well that is a nice place any way, I believe I will go and hear what they have to say.”
Unless a tent master is careful to get ample exercise each day, his life of inactivity will result in stupidity and neglect of his real duties because of a feeling of sluggishness that will come over him. This he must guard against by proper habits of living and exercise. Again, if the tent master is a single man, and sometimes when he is not, he will find a disposition on the part of the young ladies to gossip with him; not only thus causing him, many times, to neglect other duties, but leaving the impression on those that come in that the tent is a place for match-making, instead of being dedicated to the advancement of the solemn truths of God for these times. Many a young man who might have done much good in acting discretely in connection with the tent, watching his opportunity to converse with those interested in the truth, has instead, opened the way for others to be light and frivolous in the tent by being lead into such conversation with them himself.
To tent masters might be well applied the exhortation of Paul, “Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded. In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” Titus 2:6–8.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
BUSINESS DEPARTMENT.
“Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully,” (margin, negligently.) Jer. 48:10.
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Three-cent Tracts: Much in Little—The Lost-Time Question—Argument on Sabbath—Infidel Cavils Considered—The End of the Wicked—Scripture Reference—Who Changed the Sabbath?—The First Message of Rev. 14—The Second Message of Rev. 14.
Two-cent Tracts: Christ in the Old Testament—The Sabbath in the New Testament—The Old Moral Code of Ten Commandments not Revised—Definite Seventh Day—Seven Reasons for Sunday Keeping Examined—Elihu on the Sabbath—The Rich Man and Lazarus—The Sanctuary of the Bible—The Millennium—Departing and Being with Christ—Fundamental Principles of S. D. Adventists—The Judgment; or the Waymarks of Daniel to the Holy City—The Two Laws—Spirit of Prophecy—One Hundred Bible Facts—The Law and the Gospel—God's Memorial—The Sabbath, the Day.
One-cent Tracts: Appeal on Immortality—Thoughts for the Candid—Nahum's Chariots—The perfection of the Ten Commandments—Coming of the Lord—Without Excuse—Which Day do You Keep and Why?—Geology and the Bible—The Sleep of the Dead—The Sinner's Fate—Can we Know?—Is the End Near?—A Dialogue—Brief Thoughts on immortality—Is the End Near?—Can we Know?
Address, THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
J. N. ANDREWS
By John Nevins Andrews
The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 3.
I HAVE not yet been able to read all this volume, but I have examined it with much care. I think it even more interesting than any of the author's previous works. This is saying much, but the volume is one of great excellence. I have for many years read the works of Sister White with much care. They have been to me of the highest practical value. They have been also of immense value to our cause, though our adversaries have used their best efforts to turn them into contempt. Though I trust my counsel is not needed, because already carried out in practice by the most of those who love the truth, yet I will say: Obtain this volume, and read it with care. You will have more elevated views of the plan of redemption, of the character of Christ, of the love of God, of the holiness of his law, and of the infinite value of life eternal. Your love for the Bible will not be diminished but augmented by the perusal of the works of Sister White.
J. N. ANDREWS
Basel, Switzerland, May, 1878.
The Sanctuary.
By John Nevins Andrews
A CONSIDERABLE period has elapsed since I received a copy of Brother Smith's volume entitled, "The Sanctuary." This is the first moment that I have seen in which to speak a word concerning this book. Every person who has studied the doctrine which distinguish us as a people knows well that the subject of the Sanctuary is the central doctrine in our system. Here we see the true relation between the law and the gospel; here we find the law of God; here also the mercy-seat; here is represented sacrificial death of Christ, and here his intercession for us in the presence of his Father, before the law of God, which we have broken. Here also is the blotting out of sins, the judgment and acquittal of the just, and the final return of sins of the just upon the head of Satan. The subject is worthy of a noble volume, and this volume is well worthy of the subject. When one of the adversaries of Galileó denied the existence of the moons of Jupiter, the astronomer invited him to look through his telescope and see them for himself. His adversary refused, saying, "How then could I afterwards deny their existence?" It seems to me that all our adversaries would be compelled, in like manner, to yield their opposition if they would read this book. J. N. ANDREWS.
Basel, Switzerland, May, 1878.
Pleasant Valley, Cal.
By J. L. Wood
AFTER an absence of about four weeks, I was happy to have an opportunity to meet with this church again, and to find them all holding on to the truth. I met with them Sabbath and Sunday, had two meetings on Sabbath, and one at eleven o'clock on Sunday, at the close of which we organized systematic benevolence to the amount of $50 a year. This people have not much of this world's goods, but they manifest a willingness, and a desire to cast in their mite to help roll on the great wheel of truth.
May 26, 1878. J. L. WOOD.
San Francisco.
By John Norton Loughborough; William M. Healey
We have the pleasure of reporting “progress” in the work in San Francisco. The interest seems to deepen as we advance. Last Sabbath five more signed the covenant, making twenty-seven who have signed already since this series of meetings has commenced. Of these, four have presented themselves as candidates for baptism and admission into the church; others will follow, so we shall have a baptism by another week.
Brother Israel is getting acquainted quite rapidly with the interested ones so as to be able to continue the work when the tent leaves. We have now given in all sixty discourses, and shall keep up our tent at least one week more, before moving it to Oakland for another series of meetings there.
At our last Sabbath meeting it was voted by the San Francisco church that Brother. M. C. Israel, having been formerly elected as elder of the church, should now serve in that capacity, fulfilling all the functions of that office by virtue of his ordination as a minister among Seventh-day Adventists.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH,
W. M. HEALEY.
Obituary.
By J. L. Wood
DIED at her home in Fresno City, Cal., May 27, 1878, Sister Maria De Long, aged 22 years and 14 days. She embraced present truth, and was baptized at the California camp-meeting held at Yountville four years ago. Sister De Long's sickness was over five months, and most of the time she was a great sufferer, and especially the last few hours of her life. But she bore it with patience, and resignation. We believe she sleeps in Jesus, and will awake and come forth when the last trump shall sound. She leaves a husband, one child about 18 months old, and a large circle of friends and relatives who deeply mourn their loss. Funeral discourse by the writer before a large and sympathetic audience, from Hosea 13:14: “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death.”
J. L. WOOD.
APPOINTMENTS.
By John Norton Loughborough
THERE will be a general rally of the Sabbath-keepers of Oakland and San Francisco, at the tent, corner of 23d and Capp streets, San Francisco, on Sabbath, June 8. There will be a Sabbath-school and Bible class at 9:45 A. M. Preaching 10:45. After one-half hour's intermission for a lunch a second meeting will be held. Sister White will be with us at these meetings. Let there be a general turnout of our people and their friends both sides of the bay. Let all come with their lunch prepared to attend both meetings.
Sister White will also speak in Oakland on Sunday evening, June 9, at 7:45.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
North Pacific Camp-Meeting.
By Conference Committee
THE camp-meeting of the North Pacific Conference of S. D. Adventists will be held from June 27, to July 2, 1878. The place of meeting will be on the land of Adam Stephens, three miles north of Salem, on the line of the O. & C. railroad.
The second annual session of the North Pacific Conference will be held in connection with the camp-meeting. The proper number of delegates should be chosen by each organized and partially organized church, to represent them at the meeting. The yearly meeting of the Missionary Society of the North Pacific Conference will also be held at this camp-meeting. Elder J. N. Loughborough of the California Conference will be at this meeting. It is also expected that Mrs. E. G. White, of Oakland, will be present. CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
Northern Camp-Meeting.
By John Norton Loughborough
I now design to leave San Francisco, June 10, for Oregon, to assist in arranging for, and attending the North Pacific Camp-meeting, to be held near Salem, from June 27 to July 2.
It is now expected that Sister E. G. White will attend the camp-meeting in Oregon. Let there be a general rally of all our brethren and sisters, both in Oregon and Washington Territory, to this meeting.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
The Signs of the Times
176 THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Vol. 4, No. 22
The Biblical Institute.
By Editor
The articles bearing the above title that appeared in the Signs last year, and covering the main points in our faith, have now been issued in book form, having review questions appended to each lesson, and containing also the questions which arose in the class, with the answers to the same.
The author says: “The subjects are presented in the same manner that they would be were they to be written out to-day. All the main facts, figures, data, and arguments on the important themes canvassed are given.” It is a book for universal use. Families can use it for general reading. Sabbath-schools and Bible-classes will want it as a text book for study. In short, brethren everywhere can now have a Biblical Institute by themselves in their own church. It will be good to put into the hands of investigators who want a comprehensive synopsis of our faith. The number of pages 352, nicely bound in muslin, with gilt back and side titles, making a comely and elegant volume. It is now ready, and orders can be filled at once. Price, single copy by mail, $1.00, with the usual discount by the quantity.