p. 399 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 25. (6/26/1884)

Earlier text: That the World May Believe

News and Notes.

By Editor

RELIGIOUS.

—An exchange states that four soldiers are in jail in Bahia, Brazil, for reading the Bible.

—A Mormon elder has recently been expelled from Bavaria, by order of the Minister of State.

—There are 81,717 clergymen and 17,267,878 church communicants in the United States.

—The Methodist Conference at Brockville, Ont., condemns foreign missions as detrimental to home interest.

—The Jewish Herald indorses Rabbi Gottheil's proposition to have an English ritual substituted for the Hebrew in the synagogue service.

—The Buddhists living in Paris want a temple in that city, in which to conduct their worship, and a rich English lady has determined to supply the want.

—Fifteen missionaries are supported on the continent of Europe by the London Sunday-school Union and last year 222 schools were established through their efforts.

—Last year, the Sunday-schools of Kings County, N. Y., in which Brooklyn is situated, contributed $50,000 to charitable objects, and furnished 2,500 members to the churches.

—It is announced that a committee of the Free Italian Church, of which Father Gavazzi is a representative, proposes to approach the Waldenses on the subject of a union in the churches.

—The Emperor of Germany has sent a copy of the Bible to the Mikado of Japan, commending its principles as a basis for good government. He might appropriately have sent the book and the advice to some courts nearer home, but it is doubtful if they would have been as thankfully received.

—The Catholic Church is noted for its extensive missionary work, but it does not spend a tithe of the money in its extensive outreachings as the Protestants do. There is not a more persistent, and at the same time a more self-sacrificing class of missionaries in the world than the Jesuits. In these respects their example might be imitated to advantage by the advocates of a better cause.

—Dr. Charles S. Robinson, in his comment on Rom. 13: 1-5, makes the following point, which is too often forgotten: "There are two ways of standing by the powers that be; we can obey law when the law is not against educated conscience. When it is wrong in itself, then we can do as Daniel did, take its penalty; thus we respect the law precisely the same as if we did the wrong thing it commands."

—A San Francisco pastor lectured in his church last Sunday evening on the subject of the summer vacation, and how to spend it. For summer reading during a sojourn in the country, he recommended the works of Scott, Macaulay, translations of Homer, and the poems of Byron, as calculated to stir the mind and lead it into new fields of activity. We would call the preacher's attention to an antiquated book in our possession, called the Bible, which we have found to be an excellent book for leisure hours. It is a wonderful promoter of mental activity, and it is quite true, withal.

—The Independent admits into its columns a "poem" by Richard Henry Stoddard, on "The Death of Moses," in which, when the wife of Moses expresses surprise that such a man as he must die, Moses is represented as saying: "I must—all must— The angels Michael, Gabriel, Israfel— God only is eternal, and dies not." The poem is drawn from Persian sources, and the Independent notes one or two points which do not "tally very exactly with what the Bible tells us about them," but lets the monstrous heresy contained in the lines quoted pass without comment. Can it be that the Independent believes that Michael, Gabriel, and all angels were once mortal men?

—The following from the Christian Union is probably not applicable to very many, but it is just the thing to be remembered by a few. By the way, the "modern sermon" seems to be getting a great deal of criticism lately; perhaps a return to the "old paths" would be a blessing: "The modern sermon appears to us to be in some danger of oscillating from an essay of mere unapplied generalities into an invective of personalities. Preaching ought always to be practical, but never personal; the preacher ought never to hesitate to rebuke any sin, and never to take advantage of his position to make a personal attack upon any sinner. He is a public teacher; not a public judge, nor a public prosecutor. He need not hesitate to make any shoe lest it fit some prominent member of his congregation; but he never ought to put it on."

—The Brahmo-Somaj religion of India, which a few months ago was being lionized by the very "liberal" pulpit and religious press in New York and New England, in the person of its representative, Mr. Mozoomdar, is suffering the effects of another division. The death of Mr. Sen, the leader of the wing represented in this country by Mozoomdar, left the church or society without a head, or provision for a successor to the deceased leader. Mozoomdar seems to be the only one qualified for the place, while the friends of Sen, who held the affairs of the society in his own name, have determined to set apart his chair as sacred, recognizing his spiritual presence, and reverencing him as above other men. So it seems that the attempt to mix the good things of Hinduism with a weak imitation of Christianity, and produce a universal religion, is doomed, for a time at least. Christianity does not blend with heathenism, and all attempts to make it do so will end in failure. The Holy Spirit will not occupy the heart that does not accept Christ as "all in all."

—The Jewish Times says: "Another grave question presents itself to American Judaism, a question that cannot be evaded or avoided, and must be met. This is known as the Sunday-service question. It has conspicuously forced itself upon our co-religionists of the East, and has warm advocates and equally warm opponents. The question has been brought into great prominence by the Congregational or the Temple Emanu-El of New York City, whose rabbi, Dr. Gottheil, is an enthusiastic advocate of Sunday service. This congregation, let it be remembered, is reputed to be the most numerous, the wealthiest, and the most intellectual Jewish congregation in the United States. Whether it is the most religious is a debatable point, to be decided upon according to individual experiences. But, judging it by its reputed superiority in the features indicated, its action will have wide influence. The congregation is not yet committed to Sunday service; yet the fact that its rabbinical authority can boldly avow his sentiments on the subject under debate, and is upheld and sustained by, perhaps, a majority of the leading members, is evidence that a Sunday service is looked upon in that quarter as not detrimental to American Judaism."

New Premium Offers with the "Signs of the Times."

By Editor

A SIX MONTHS' OFFER.

We will furnish the SIGNS to new subscribers for six months on trial, with either of the following valuable works as premium,

For $1.20.

1. THE GOLDEN GRAINS (pamphlets). Ten Little Books in paper covers, containing instructive stories for children and youth. Price, 50 cents.

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By Editor

Great Controversy, Vol. 4.

If there is no preventing providence, the edition published at the Pacific Press will be completed in August, and ready for delivery in September; and the edition published in Battle Creek will be completed five or six weeks later. Price, in Olive Cloth, title "Great Controversy," $1.00; black cloth, title "Spirit of Prophecy," $1.00.

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By Editor

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Special Notice.

By Editor

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OUR GENERAL AGENTS.

By Editor

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Publishers' Department.

By Editor

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Postage Stamps.

By Editor

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By Editor

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ORDERS FORWARDED.

By Editor

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SECULAR.

—Athens, Pa., was visited by a destructive fire on the 17th inst. Loss, over $100,000.

—The threats of dynamiters against the life of the pope have caused much excitement at Rome.

—Depression in the iron trade has caused the shutting down of several furnaces in Pennsylvania.

—There is a tripartate disagreement about Morocco affairs, between France, Italy, and Spain.

—According to the report of the R. W. G. S., the membership of the order of Good Templars is 300,000.

—There are about 300 men engaged in killing alligators in southern Florida, for the hides and teeth.

—Sixteen cases of sunstroke occurred in New York and Brooklyn on the 21st inst., five of which were fatal.

—In South Carolina the farm labor force is on the basis of thirty per cent. white and seventy per cent. colored.

—Snow is said to be fifty feet deep in some of the gorges of the San Francisco Mountains, north of Prescott, A. T.

—Some squash vines at Anaheim, Cal., this season, are reported to have grown at the rate of seven inches per day.

—In Tonquin, and in all the possessions of France, duties on all except French goods are to be raised twenty per cent.

—Thirty-six attachments have been placed in the hands of the sheriff of Fresno County, Cal., against illegal liquor dealers.

—On the 21st inst., a tank of 35,000 gallons of oil was ignited by lightning, at Bradford, Pa.; and later in the day three smaller tanks were ignited.

—Two American and twelve Mexican laborers were killed by a premature blast explosion on the Tampico branch of the Mexican Central Railroad last week.

—A dead shark fifteen feet long was washed ashore near Port Harford, Cal., a short time ago, and in its stomach was found a small whisky bottle and some human hair.

—Colonel Linderman, of Philadelphia, is negotiating for the purchase of the island of Cuba from Spain by a syndicate of foreign capitalists. The sum mentioned is $60,000,000.

—The office of the Prescott, Arizona, Miner was totally destroyed by fire on the night of the 17th inst. Adjoining buildings were blown up with giant powder to prevent the spread of the flames.

—The first car load of California fruit for the season arrived in Chicago on the 16th inst., and brought prices as follows: Apricots, per box, $3.00 to $3.50; peaches, $3.50 to $4.00; cherries, $3.00 to $3.50.

—Dallas County, Texas, has been waging a commendable war on gamblers and has been highly successful. One man paid the county $5,000 as a compromise, and agreed to not gamble any more within the county limits. Others left rather than stand the storm.

—It is asserted, strangely enough, that there is "harmony in Mexico." The breach between Diaz and Trevino has been settled, and the latter is to be made Secretary of War upon the former's accession to the Presidency. This ends all apprehension regarding the threatened revolution.

—More Chinese have arrived at San Francisco from foreign ports in the six months of 1884 than during the entire year of 1883. One case of small-pox was found amongst the crowd that came on the last steamer, after the captain and surgeon had given a certificate of no sickness on board.

—The steamer Mexico is quarantined at Victoria, B. C., in consequence of a telegram from San Francisco. There are no cases of small-pox on board, but the passengers are detained, and the steamer will be quarantined twenty-one days. The health officer is instructed to land mails after fumigation.

—The Santa Rosa Republican says: A redwood tree, cut in this county, furnished all the lumber for the Baptist church in Santa Rosa, one of the largest church edifices in the county. The interior of the building is finished in wood, there being no plastered walls. Sixty thousand shingles were made from the tree after enough was taken for the church.

—A New York banker regards the many failures of millionaires (nominal and real) during the recent panic as merely a division with the public. Usually the great traders in stocks combine to save one another and let the crash come upon the poorer dupes in the great games; but this time the heavy operators were the victims, and there are not many tears to shed outside of their own circles.

Traveling in Europe.

By The N. Y. Christian Advocate

GOING to Europe has become a kind of epidemic. In certain circles it rules despotically. Some years have elapsed since it begun to be said that "the rich should go to Europe to spend, and the poor to save, money." Since then a marked change has taken place in the expenses of living abroad; but it is true still that a person can live for $2,000 per annum in Europe more comfortably than in this country for twice the amount. Those who have a fixed but small income can therefore save money by residing in Europe. The difference between this country and Europe in the expensiveness of travel is as great on the same general scale as in the cost of residence. While it is easy for a gentleman and his wife to spend $8 each per day in travel, it is easier for them to be comfortable, unless they have the vanity of wishing to be thought rich, on two-thirds of that sum; and a single man may travel, and so live that none can be sure that he is not wealthy, on $1,300 a year. Ministers and students now go abroad in greater numbers than ever before, while families that have accumulated property think it necessary to go as soon as possible, often that they may be able to say, "We have been to Europe." Is it a good and wise thing for the successful who begin to feel that they are weary, and that life is hastening away, to go abroad? Sometimes it is; often it is not. If the heads of the family have discretion and firmness enough to maintain Christian principles, habits, and conduct, it is a judicious and beneficent thing for them to go abroad and take those of their children whose business or scholastic pursuits will not be injured by it. If not, nothing is more injurious to the manners, habits, and religious principles of a family than a tour abroad. The number of families lost to the church of Christ by such a tour is not small in every denomination of Christians that attaches any importance to a positive religious experience, or to growth in grace.

—The N. Y. Christian Advocate.

The Lost Rivers of Idaho.

ONE of the most singular features in the scenery of the Territory of Idaho, is the occurrence of dark, rocky chasms, into which large streams and creeks suddenly discharge themselves, disappear, and are never more seen. These fissures are old lava channels, produced by the outside of the molten mass cooling and forming a tube, which, on the fiery stream becoming exhausted, has been left empty, while the roof of the lava duct having at some point fallen in, presents there the opening into which the river plunges and is lost. At one place on the precipitous banks of the Snake, one of these underground rivers comes gushing into light from a cleft high up in the basaltic wall, where it leaps in the form of a cataract into the torrent below. Where this stream has its origin, or at what point it is swallowed up, is utterly unknown, though it is believed that its sources are a long way up in the north country. Besides becoming the channels of living streams, these lava conduits are frequently found impacted with ice masses, which never entirely melt.

Life’s Influence on Others

EVERY one's life is one continued influence upon other people's lives, in ways known and unknown.

Obituary.

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

OVENBERG.—Emil Henry, son of Henry and Amelia Ovenberg, died in Oakland, Cal., of tubercular meningitis, June 20, 1884, aged 4 years, 5 months, and 11 days. The parents are sustained in their deep affliction by the "blessed hope" that the Lord himself will soon return to take his people to himself, and that then their little one will be brought from the land of the enemy. E. J. W. [Review and Sanhedens Tidende please copy.]

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.

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.

THE DEFINITE SEVENTH DAY;

By John Nevins Andrews

OR, GOD'S MEASUREMENT OF TIME ON THE ROUND WORLD.

BY ELD. J. N. ANDREWS.

This tract is an answer to the question, "Can a definite day be observed by all the inhabitants of the earth?" It is a complete refutation of the common objection against the Sabbath, that the rotation of the earth on its axis makes it impossible for all men to keep the same day, showing not only that a definite day may be observed in all parts of the earth, but that no real difficulty has ever been experienced in the matter.

16 pp. Price, 2 cents; $1.50 per hundred.

Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

THE COMING CONFLICT.

By William Henry Littlejohn

THE GREAT ISSUE NOW PENDING IN THIS COUNTRY.

BY ELD. W. H. LITTLEJOHN.

THIS book contains a complete history of the rise and progress of the National Reform Party, together with an exegesis of the last portion of the thirteenth chapter of the book of Revelation, assigning to the United States its proper place in prophecy.

EMPHATICALLY A BOOK FOR THE TIMES.

434 pages, in muslin covers, and will be mailed to any address post-paid, for $1.00.

Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

OUR COUNTRY'S FUTURE FORETOLD.

By Uriah Smith

THE UNITED STATES IN PROPHECY.

BY ELD. U. SMITH.

THIS is a full exposition of a portion of prophecy which applies to our own Government, showing the position the United States holds in prophecy, and the part it has to act in the closing scenes of time.

THE SUNDAY MOVEMENT,

Which is now attracting such general attention, is thoroughly canvassed, and abundant testimony is given to prove that it is fast coming to be the ALL-IMPORTANT QUESTION in this country. Dealing with our own land and applying to our own time. Of surpassing interest to every American reader New edition; revised and enlarged. Cloth, 225 pp., 75cts. Paper covers, new edition, condensed, 186 pp., 25cts.

Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

THE MINISTRATION OF ANGELS.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

By Eld. D. M. Canright.

Also giving an exposition of the origin, history, and destiny of Satan. 144 pp. Price, 50 cents.

Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

Various Matters.

By Editor

WE are informed that Elders H. M. Kenyon and M. B. Miller have pitched a fifty-foot tent in Union City, Mich., and that their meetings have a good attendance of the best class of citizens.

A TELEGRAM from Elder Haskell, dated at Battle Creek, Mich., June 18, says: "Elder Butler arrived here to-day. Excellent meeting at Emporium, Penn." All will be glad to learn of Elder Butler's safe arrival home. We rejoice to know that his visit to Europe has been the means of giving a new impetus to the work there, and putting it upon a broader foundation. Of the good camp-meeting in Pennsylvania we shall doubtless receive particulars hereafter.

A LETTER received by the secretary of the missionary society, from a sister in Siskiyou County, Cal., states that Brethren Lamb and Church are meeting with success in that field, and finding favor with the people. A good and increasing interest is reported. Families that have never before been seen inside of a church, except at a funeral, came from quite a distance in the country to attend the meetings. Four or five persons have already begun to keep the Sabbath, and others are convinced of the truth.

WE are disappointed in not getting late news from the Walla Walla camp-meeting. Our last letter from there was a week on the way. At that stage of the meeting progress was reported. The plain truth spoken had taken hold of the people, and stirred them up to duty. We learn that Elder J. N. Loughborough was nominated for president of the Upper Columbia Conference, and has no doubt been elected. While the brethren in California, who expected to be favored with his presence and labors, will feel regret, they will rejoice that our neighboring Conference is to receive so strong a reinforcement. The cause is one, and in whatever portion of the field labor is bestowed, it goes to swell the grand result in which we all have a common interest.

BISHOP SIMPSON, of the M. E. Church, died at his home in Philadelphia, on the 21st. inst., aged seventy-three years. He had been a preacher for more than fifty years, and a bishop for thirty-two. He was justly entitled to be considered one of the leading preachers of the country. As a theologian, he gave no countenance to the antinomianism which is sapping the foundation of Methodism as taught by Wesley and his associates. Bishop Simpson kept close to the original standard of faith, and therein lay his strength as a preacher, which had in it nothing of the sensational. In his death the Methodist Church suffers a loss which will, doubtless, never be repaired.

A MAN in Philadelphia, who has read a portion of Mrs. White's "Sketches from the Life of Paul," says: "She should be careful not to make misstatements of Scripture, as is done on page 22, where, in speaking of the conversion of Paul, she says that those who were with him heard the voice, whereas the Scripture says they heard not the voice. Acts 22:9." We presume our friend never read Acts 9:7, which says they did hear a voice, hence his hasty criticism. And when he reads this text, in connection with the one he mentions, we would caution him against rashly concluding that Luke and Paul contradict each other. Any commentator will explain to him how it is possible to hear a sound or voice, and not understand what is said, and that this was the case with those who were with Paul. We have often heard people talk, and at the same time were unable to understand, and sometimes even to hear, a word that was uttered.

Camp-Meetings for 1884.

By Editor

IOWA, Marshalltown ………………… Aug. — TEXAS, Dallas …………………………… " 1–10 NEW YORK, ………………………………………… " 14–26 ILLINOIS, Peoria ……………………………… " 19–26 NEW ENGLAND, ……………………… Aug. 20 to Sept. 2 VERMONT, Burlington …………………… " 29 to " 8 MAINE, ……………………………………………… Sept. 4–15 OHIO, Columbus ………………………………… " 11–22

GENERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

Correct.

By Editor

A BROTHER sends us a Lutheran paper which has been sent to him from Virginia, which contains a short article entitled, "Say 'Sunday.'" In it the question, "Is it right to say Sabbath when you mean Sunday?" is thus answered: "The sum of it all is, when you mean Sunday, say Sunday, and not Sabbath. It has a twang of Puritanic putting on, for people to say Sabbath when they do not mean Sabbath at all. The Sabbath is Saturday, not Sunday." Again we say, Correct.

The remainder of the article is a tirade against those who hold to the "old Sabbath," charging them with hating Christ, and disbelieving that he rose from the dead. This ill-natured assertion is unworthy of notice; but we would like to ask the writer one question, "You say that Saturday, and not Sunday, is the Sabbath; now where in the Bible is there any commandment or authority of any kind for the observance of Sunday? Where do we find such a day mentioned? If you cannot find it, what warrant have you for keeping it? We do find, however, a very explicit command, often repeated, to keep holy the Sabbath, and we propose to obey it until somebody can show us better authority than the ten commandments for a change."

Important to Missionary Workers.

By Editor

THE San Francisco Chronicle of June 21, contains the following:—

"The postmaster has received notice of the going into effect of the act of Congress of June 9, 1884, by which the postage on newspapers and periodicals of the second class, when sent by others than the publisher or news agent, is reduced to one cent for each four ounces or fraction thereof, to be fully prepaid by postage stamps. Until now any one, other than the publisher or news dealer mailing a paper, had to affix one cent if the weight was two ounces or less, and a like amount for each two ounces of increase. Many people failed to observe the rule, and would mail heavy double-sheet editions of papers, or a weekly, with only a one-cent stamp. Consequently the papers never went farther than the office at which they were posted. Now the trouble will be obviated, for one cent will carry any newspaper."

Of course any paper, however small, will require a one-cent stamp, but under the above act, two copies of the SIGNS may be sent in one wrapper for one cent. This reduction, it will be understood, goes into effect only in the United States. Papers sent to other countries will require the same postage as heretofore.

New Receipt Book.

By Editor

WE have now ready a receipt-book to be used in taking short-term subscriptions for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Each book contains fifty blank receipts. The receipt has a brief description of the SIGNS, and answers several questions and objections, and is thus calculated to facilitate the work of the canvasser. Elders Whitney and Brown, of New York, and Bro. E. E. Miles, who has been canvassing in Cortland, Homer, Auburn, and Buffalo, say of it: "It is a great help in meeting certain difficulties which we have experienced. It has been developed in the field, and thoroughly tested." Sent by mail, post-paid, for twenty cents.

Liberty and Law.

By Editor

UNDER this heading the Occident (Presbyterian) discourses so sensibly upon what constitutes true freedom—gospel liberty—that we consider the following extract worthy of a prominent place:—

"Liberty is not license. Rather, it is the bringing of the whole heart and life into such perfect subjection to God that the highest freedom is the truest devotion to him. The child that is free is not the prodigal who has torn away from the restraints of home, but the one who is lovingly and faithfully doing filial duty. Christian freedom is consecration to Christ's will. He who can say, 'Thy will be done,' and say it sweetly and lovingly, whether it be a hard duty or a painful submission, is free. George McDonald says: 'When God's will is our law, we are a kind of noble slaves, but when God's will is our will then we are his free children.' So it is not freedom from God's law, but in it, that is the Christian's privilege."

An Encouraging Word.

By Editor

A LADY in Dakota, ordering the SIGNS for a year, writes:

"We have been reading your paper for some time, through the kindness of one of your members. We like it very much; think it is just what we all need for these last days. It opens up the Scriptures in a different light from what I ever understood them before. I certainly have more reverence for the seventh day than I did before I read your paper, and hope I may have more."

Continue reading: THOUGHTS ON DANIEL, CRITICAL AND PRACTICAL