A JUDGE in a London Police Court makes the statement that drunkenness among women is becoming very common in that city. It is an evil in San Francisco that is becoming painfully apparent. It is a common sight to see well-dressed and apparently respectable women staggering and reeling from the effect of too much “social” drinking. Well-known merchant’s wives have been known to be such hopeless drunkards that when their husbands would stop their liquor supply they would pawn the family clothes, plate and furniture to procure more of the poisonous liquid. Amongst the poorer classes it is still worse. Many families who cannot buy bread for their children are spending the few dollars they earn in the corner grocery. Our brothers and sisters should endeavor to stop this “social” drinking in every way within their power. Do not drink yourself; do not ask your friends to drink; persuade those who drink to stop.—Evangel.
Modern Education
MODERN education too often covers the fingers with rings, and at the same time cuts the sinews of the wrists.
THE BLUE SILK DRESS.
"I don't see what I'm to do for a dress to wear at Aunt Ruth's party," said Laura Corwin fretfully.
"I do wish I could have things like other folks for once—just to see how it would seem."
"Why can't you wear your white muslin, with new ribbons or flowers?" asked Mrs. Corwin quietly.
"And set up for 'sweet simplicity,'" said Laura scornfully, "not if I never go anywhere! I must have something else, or I shall not be decent."
Mrs. Corwin leaned back in her chair, one hand enveloped in a stocking she was darning, and pondered the old—yet ever new—problem: How to make a new thing out of old ones.
"How would it do to get a little of something new, and make up with your old pink silk?"
"It would be simply horrid! Decided colors are old-fashioned, and I should look as though I came out of the ark. Besides, I shan't have enough left of my hundred dollars to buy a yard of cotton cloth, after I have paid for my ticket to New York."
"Well, I'm sorry, dear, but I don't see what we can do," said Mrs. Corwin, sighing, "I'm sure you've made Aunt Ruth's money go as far as money could."
"I'd rather not go at all—for my part—than to go shabby," went on Laura.
"Perhaps you had better not try to make the visit then," said Mrs. Corwin. "She did not make it a point, you know."
"I suppose I could give it up—of course," said Laura crossly. "I generally do have to give up everything I want; I never have anything as I like it; I never go anywhere as other girls do"—and with this speech she threw down her sewing, and flounced out of the room.
Mrs. Corwin resumed her darning without a word, but a deep sigh fell on the ear of her other daughter, Katie, who sat reading by the window, and had taken no part in the conversation.
"What is it, mother?" she asked.
"Nothing, dear, except that Laura is so unhappy about her dress. I should like to have her able to get all that she wants for once, just to show her that happiness does not really depend on it, even for her."
"I suppose it is hard," said Katie thoughtfully, "she's so fond of dressing, and she wants to have a pleasant visit. It's different with me," she went on, "it doesn't make any difference what I wear; but Laura is really pretty when she is dressed, and she doesn't care for books or pictures as I do."
"You'll have a nice time in New York," said her mother, smiling. "Your aunt is as fond of pictures as you are. She has some beautiful ones herself, besides a splendid library."
"Oh!" said Katie eagerly, "how I shall enjoy them, and the Exhibition, and—everything. I wish Laura was ready to go to-morrow."
"Have you spent all your money?" asked Mrs. Corwin.
"No; I want to get some books when I go there, a few—for my own."
Aunt Ruth lived in New York City, and had not seen her two nieces since they were little children. She was a queer personage, and always doing something unexpected. Having allowed Laura and Katie to grow up without seeing her, she had suddenly waked up to remember them, and had sent each one a hundred dollars to use exactly as she liked, but accompanied by an invitation to spend a few weeks at her house.
The invitation was as unusual as the gift, and trips to New York were very unusual indeed in the lives of these girls; in fact, neither of them had ever seen that city, and each in her own way was full of anticipations and dreams of the visit.
At the tea-table that evening, Laura astonished the family by announcing that she should not go to New York. There was a general exclamation of surprise.
"Well," she said in explanation, "I haven't money enough to dress decently while I'm there, I know very well how countrified I shall look and feel, and I would rather stay at home till the end of time, than be mortified to death about my looks."
"But my dear," remonstrated papa, "you have accepted, and Aunt Ruth will think very strange of it."
"I don't care if she does," said Laura snap-pishly.
"But I'm sure you will look well enough," said mamma, "you have two new dresses, and one or two old ones that look nicely."
"But I haven't a single thing to wear to the party," said Laura. "I won't wear an old summer dress, as Katie will. If I can't be like other folks I'll stay at home—there!"
Mamma sighed, and papa looked grieved.
Katie said nothing, but she noticed Laura's red eyes, and she knew that this visit had been her hope and dream for years. She was a generous soul, and never could bear to see anyone unhappy, and a thought flashed into her mind.
"What if I stay at home and let her go!" It brought a pang, for she thought of the books, the pictures, the thousand wonders the city holds for the little country girl. She too had longed to go, all her life.
"But Laura doesn't care for books as I do," urged her generous impulse, "she has no pleasures except in society and going about, while I can forget my disappointment in a book. It is hard, too," went on the invisible monitor, "she is pretty, fond of dress and society, and she has never been out into the world at all."
All the evening the contest went on in her heart, while her eyes were bent on her book. All night she tossed and tumbled, and in the morning announced her decision, while they were dressing.
"Laura, I'm decided not to go to New York, and I'll give you the money for a party dress."
Laura turned quickly from the glass where she stood arranging her hair.
"What's that for?" she said sharply.
"Well," said Katie, "I think perhaps you care more for it than I do. I don't care for society any way, you know, and the pictures, and books and authors I want to see, will wait. My turn may come some day."
"O well; if you don't care to go," Laura said eagerly, "I shall be very glad to have it, for I do want to go awfully. I'll get a blue silk I saw yesterday at Mason's, a lovely shade, and I won't have Miss Steel make it; I'll take it to New York, and have it made stylish"—and so, selfishly full of her own pleasure, she accepted, without even a thank-you, Katy's hard self-denial.
Katie felt a sharp pang, but she had not expected gratitude in Laura. The worst was to tell mamma, and get her consent, for she did not wish Laura's selfishness to be humored. Papa positively objected, but Katie pleaded so earnestly, that finding she really set upon it, he gave unwilling consent.
The dress was bought. Laura's trunk was packed, and in high spirits, with all the remainder of Katie's hundred dollars in her purse, she started for New York, while Katie buried her self deeper than ever in the books that were to be consolation as well as society to her.
"Where's Katie?" was Aunt Ruth's first question, when Laura entered her door.
"She preferred to stay at home. She dosen't care for much but books, you know," said Laura hastily.
"But when I sent the money I think she might have humored an old auntie enough to make her a visit," said queer Aunt Ruth, who persisted in knowing a reason.
"Well, she bought some books, I believe, and some clothes," said Laura, carelessly, looking with eager delight on the elegant furnishings of her aunt's house, thinking how happy she should be always to live in such a beautiful place, and rejoicing in the fancy of how well her blue silk would look here. To Katy's self-denial, and her aunt's misunderstanding of it, she gave not thought.
No more was said about Katie. Aunt Ruth made up her mind that she had deliberately preferred to spend her money for books and clothes, and not to come and see her, and a hard feeling against her was planted in her heart from that hour.
With Laura she was delighted, for that young lady, dressed to suit herself, and being besides loaded with presents by her aunt, and treated to society and rare gayeties, had not a wish ungratified, and consequently was amiable and apparently as lovely as one could wish. .
Much as she enjoyed her aunt's house there was one place she did not like to visit, and that was the library. It was a large room, sombre with dark woods and rich bindings, with a cheerful open fire, plenty of comfortable reading chairs, and shelves upon shelves of choice and valuable books.
Somehow she could never come into this room without a vision of Katie revelling in its delights, and in spite of the crust of selfishness over her heart, it proved a most uncomfortable visitor there. Thoughts of her unselfish sister would rise before her, and for hours she could not forget them. Katie sitting alone in their dingy room longing for pictures and choice books, and all beautiful things, as she well knew she did; Katie cheerfully giving up all the anticipated delights of her visit that she might make a display on one evening; Katie losing the affection of her aunt on her account; herself loaded with presents, and Katie's poor little money in her purse.
Do what she would she could not drive these thoughts away. She got a better view of the real Laura than she ever had before, and the picture did not please her.
When the long-expected evening arrived, and Laura put on the coveted silk dress, made in style and enriched by some old lace of her aunt's; and when at last that doting lady clasped on her neck and wrists a lovely set of pearls to complete the costume; the thought of Katie and her sacrifice, and her own selfishness, spoiled all the pleasure which had cost so much.
This was made worse during the evening by her introduction to people whose names stood high in the literary world, and to see whom, would be to Katie the greatest happiness she could conceive. Laura's cup turned to bitter waters in her hand.
The next day she astonished her aunt by bursting into tears of shame and repentance, and telling the whole story of her complainings, Katie's generosity, and begging her to let her go home and ask Katie to forgive her.
But Aunt Ruth was one of those persons—not few, alas!—who never change their mind. She was pleased with Laura, and she would not believe her account of herself.
"Say what you will, Laura," she said firmly, "I shall never believe that Katie really wanted to see me—never."
Now Laura began to see that the evil she had done was even greater than she had feared. She begged harder to go home, and at last Aunt Ruth gave consent, though she declared it was only to please her, and not on Katie's account.
Now, reader, of course you expect nothing less than that the odd old aunt should seek out Katie, and overwhelm her with kindness, and she would be paid a thousand times over for her self-denial.
But in real life things don't always turn out so nicely; errors and mistakes don't always correct themselves. Aunt Ruth never forgave Katie, never again invited her to her house.
Every year she invited Laura alone. It was hard for Katie, but after all she had her reward.383Laura fought her selfishness constantly and became a loving, thoughtful sister.
And when Aunt Ruth died, she divided her property among all her many nieces—excepting Katie. This made opportunity for Laura's last crowning act of penitence, for though the whole sum would have enabled her to go abroad and travel with a party of her friends—which was the desire of her heart—half of it would not furnish sufficient income to do this. Yet she instantly divided her legacy into halves, and insisted on Katie's accepting one.
Laura's fight was a long one, and as long as she lived she kept the blue silk dress hanging among her other dresses, as she said, that every time she saw it she might remember the dragon of selfishness she had to fight.—Examiner and Chronicle.
The Home Circle.
By Christian Secretary
INQUIRY AND ANSWER.
I.
WHY am I so discontented,
Wearied with so many cares?
Why should life oft seem a burden
And my pathway full of snares?
Why my lot so very lowly,
And my hands so closely tied?
That which seems to me so noble
Must I always be denied?
Must I be contented ever
With this ceaseless, tiresome care?
And each day's routine of labor
Must I always patient bear?
Is it true my Heavenly Father
In His wisdom placed me here?
Learner in this school of trial,
Christ my Lord to love and fear?
II.
Child! 'tis thy Father that speaks,
From the glorious mansions above,
"O faint not when thou art rebuked,
Or chastened; 'tis only in love."
Thy Father can make no mistakes,
But knows what is fitted for thee,
And that which to thee seems so dark,
Thy Father in Heaven can see.
The Saviour has bid thee come,
When wearied with labor and care,
And although you are "heavy laden"
Has promised thy burden to bear;
Then patiently, faithfully wait,
Till thy Saviour shall make it plain;
Trusting with patient submission,
And you shall the victory gain.
—Christian Secretary.
ITEMS OF NEWS AND NOTES.
By Editor
-Cadet Whittaker has been granted a furlough for an indefinite period.
-California has 865,747 inhabitants. A gain of 305,500 in ten years.
-Five murders occurred in St. Louis last week, within forty-eight hours.
-A barber was recently fined $20 in Ithaca, N. Y., for shaving two customers on Sunday.
-Twenty-two of the Belfast rioters have been sentenced to six months' imprisonment.
-A roundhouse and five locomotives were recently burned at Ogdensburg, N. Y. Loss, $100,000.
-Two iron tanks of oil, each holding 25,000 barrels, were set on fire by lightning, the 19th, near Bradford, Penn.
-Fourteen hundred and fifty weavers, of Bolton, England, have struck against a reduction of 5 per cent in their wages.
-A fire in the ropewalk of the Charlestown navy yard, Aug. 21, caused a loss of $70,000 to the building and machinery.
-In compliance with the desires of President Hayes, the Sultan has decided to retain the Turkish Legation at Washington.
-A young lady was walking with a gentleman near Mount Joy, Penn., when a spark from his cigar set fire to her dress, and she was fatally burned.
-A man who firmly believes that a second flood will come next November, to cover the whole face of the earth, is building an ark at Helena, Texas.
-There was frost in the interior river counties of New York on the night of the 16th. At Samford, Delaware county, ice formed. Temperature, 62.
-It is reported that a Russian transport has arrived at Rutschuk with munitions of war, and that 16 Russian officers and 370 soldiers landed from the transport.
-The American Baptists have two churches in Stockholm, Sweden, and are about to form a third. There was an increase of 200 members the past year.
-It is estimated that there are four thousand more persons engaged in the various branches of the liquor traffic in this country, than in preaching the gospel.
-Queen Victoria under no circumstances allows a lady whose name has appeared in a divorce court, either as complainant or otherwise, to appear in one of her drawing-rooms.
-The Department of Agriculture says the potato crop shows an average percentage of 98, against 97 the previous year. Buckwheat shows a slight decline from the preceding year.
-The State of Virginia hires out five hundred and twenty-five of her convicts to work on her railroads and other public improvements, for whom she receives twenty-five cents net each per day.
-Reports from the "corn belt" of Illinois, state that the protracted drought will greatly reduce the anticipated yield of corn in that region. In some places the stalks are drying up in the fields.
-At Downpatrick, Ireland, in a fight between the Catholics and Orangemen, the 15th, fire-arms were used incessantly from 11 P. M. Sunday, until 3 A. M. Monday. Several persons were severely wounded.
-The reply of the Porte to the collective note, in reference to the Montenegrin question, has been delivered to the Ambassadors. It asks that the term allowed for the cession of territory be prolonged three weeks.
-A tornado or water-spout recently swept across the southern part of Cass county, Dakota, damaging all the buildings within a range of two miles, destroying a great deal of grain, and seriously injuring several persons.
-An Athens special says, "England has finally accepted the task refused by France of drawing up a note in regard to the Greek question, on the basis approved by the Powers, rejecting the Porte's suggestions."
-There are about eighty employes in the dead letter office at Washington, and about eight thousand letters are daily received there. In general, the most valuable inclosures are found in letters which are not directed at all.
-Eureka, Nev., has again been visited by a terrible fire, which swept over nearly the same ground as last year, destroying many prominent institutions and private residences. The loss is estimated at about $1,000,000.
-Aug. 17, the Yaeger flouring mill, the largest in St. Louis, was burned. The fire is supposed to have caught from over-heated machinery, as the mill was in operation at the time the fire broke out. Loss, $300,000. Well insured.
-Reports from the German flooded provinces are worse daily. Not only has Silesia suffered terribly, but also East and West Prussia. The harvest is almost totally destroyed. It has rained incessantly for three weeks in some parts of the country.
-The Board of Trade has resolved to send commissioners to Mexico and Guatemala to endeavor to extend commercial relations. The Pacific Mail Steamship Company, and the C. P. R. R. Company, are to be urged to reduce their rates on coffee.
-The amount of personal property amassed by twenty-four bishops who died during the fifteen years preceding the appointment of the Ecclesiastical Commission, and the three subsequent years, is stated by Albany Fonblanque to have amounted to nearly an average of $350,000 for each bishop.
-Sixty-seven Russian immigrants, some survivors of a party of 330 which left Russia in 1877 for Brazil, have arrived at New York, sick and destitute. They found the South American climate unsuited to them, and after losing nearly all their funds decided to leave the country where they had experienced so many hardships.
-The present Pope feels acutely his lack of means, and has done all he can to reduce expenses. The Vatican itself must be a dreadful incubus. To keep 300 staircases and 13,000 rooms merely from going to pieces requires a large revenue. Imagine what it would be to have to maintain 600 furnished city houses of 20 rooms!
-During the riot at Dungannon, Aug. 15, many policemen were wounded. Their ranks were several times broken. They finally fired buck-shot into the crowd. The firing was returned from revolvers, and showers of stones fell. Many of the rioters almost rushed on the points of the bayonets in the eagerness of attack. The physicians are treating twenty-eight persons who were wounded by bayonets or balls.
-A dispatch from Bismarck, Dakota, dated Aug. 18, says: "A good opportunity is now offered to capture Sitting Bull. He is at the Poplar River Agency, above Fort Buford, and is as hungry as Tanner. He threatens Agent Porter with 'heap trouble,' if his informal requisition for flour, bacon, and coffee is not regularly filled. He saunters in and out of the agency buildings, and his talk has at least scared the agent's family, who arrived here to-day."
-A messenger from Candahar brought a letter from General Primrose, dated the 11th, which stated that the enemy had opened fire with Armstrong guns at a distance of 3500 yards from the city. The damage so far is slight. In the morning a heavy musketry fire was opened at the walls from villages on three sides of the town; but few troops were wounded. The water for the garrison for 45 days. The exact strength of the garrison is 1243 effective Europeans, 3386 natives, and 382 sick. General Primrose estimates Ayoob Khan's force at 10,000.
-We find the following advertisement, quoted from the Quebec Morning Chronicle: "The Lottery for the Rimouski Seminary will be held on the 10th of August next and following days. Tickets, $1.00 each. 250 prizes—lots of ground, horse, carriage, banners, Way of the Cross, silver-plated vases, bouquets, albums, illustrated volumes, silver watch, model of a schooner, pair of wheels, framed chromos, etc., etc. Six hundred Masses for the Living and the Dead will be at the disposal of holders of tickets. Address the secretary of the Bishop of Rimouski. June 16, 1880."
-The English Gospel Union of New Haven has had a religious census of the city taken for the purpose of systematizing its work. Here are the results of the census: There are 11,562 families; 46,114 persons in these families over four years of age; 25,575 church members, 40,593 persons who attend church, 5,521 persons who do not attend church; 7,899 Congregationalists, 5,609 Episcopalians, 2,471 Baptists, 5,379 Methodists, 1,806 Lutherans, 354 Universalists, 16,918 Roman Catholics, 1,045 Jews; 9,194 children of school age in Sunday-schools, 2,650 of school age not in the Sunday-school; 8,807 families have Bibles, 2,785 have no Bibles.
OBITUARY.
By A. K. Atteberry
Scott.—Died of pulmonary consumption, at her home near Jeffersonville, Wayne Co., Ill., July 26, 1880, Sister Minerva J. Scott, in the thirty-sixth year of her age. Sister Scott embraced religion when about twelve years of age, and united with the Methodist Church. She remained a member of this church until 1871, when, under the labors of Eld. G. W. Colcord, she embraced the doctrines peculiar to the S. D. Adventists; in 1874 she united with the Keenville church, of which she remained a consistent and acceptable member until her death. She bore her protracted sickness with Christian fortitude and resignation, and died in hope of a part in the first resurrection. A husband and four children mourn her loss. Remarks by the writer from Rev. 14:13. A. K. Atteberry.
BOOKS IN PAPER COVERS.
By Editor
Constitutional Amendment. Condensed, 336 pp. 40 cts.Sanctuary and 2300 Days. Condensed, 224 pp. 30 cts.Facts for the Times. A collection of valuable extracts from eminent authors. 224 pp. 25 cts.Eleven Sermons on the Sabbath and Law. By Elder J. N. Andrews. 226 pp. 25 cts.United States in Prophecy. 200 pp. 20 cts.The Nature and Tendency of Modern Spiritualism. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 184 pp. 20 cts.The Atonement. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. An examination of a remedial system in the light of Nature and Revelation. 168 pp. 20 cts.The Ministration of Angels, and the Origin, History, and Destiny of Satan. By Elder D. M. Canright. 144 pp. 20 cts.Our Faith and Hope. Sermons on the coming and kingdom of Christ. By Elder James White. 182 pp. 20 cts.Refutation of the Age to Come. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 168 pp. 20 cts.The Spirit of God, its Gifts and Manifestations to the end of the Christian age. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 144 pp. 15 cts.The Three Messages of Rev. 14:6-12. Particularly the third angel's message and the two-horned beast. By Elder J. N. Andrews. 144 pp. 15 cts.The Two Laws, as set forth in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. By Elder D. M. Canright. 104 pp. 15 cts.The Morality of the Sabbath. By Elder D. M. Canright. 96 pp. 15 cts.Miraculous Powers. The Scripture testimony on the Perpetuity of Spiritual Gifts. 128 pp. 15 cts.The Complete Testimony of the Fathers of the First Three Centuries Concerning the Sabbath and First Day of the Week. By Elder J. N. Andrews. 112 pp. 15 cts.Matthew Twenty-Four. A clear and forcible exposition of our Lord's discourse upon the Mount of Olives. By Elder James White. 64 pp. 10 cts.The Sunday Seventh-Day Examined. A refutation of the teachings of Mede, Jennings, Akers, and Fuller. By Elder J. N. Andrews. 88 pp. 10 cts.The Seven Trumpets. An exposition of the subject, as set forth in Revelation, Chaps. 8 and 9. 96 pp. 10 cts.The Truth Found. The nature and obligation of the Sabbath. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 64 pp. 10 cts.Vindication of the True Sabbath. By Elder J. W. Morton, formerly Missionary of the Reformed Presbyterian church to Hayti. 68 pp. 10 cts.Sermon on the Two Covenants. By Elder J. N. Andrews. 48 pp. 10 cts.Hope of the Gospel. By Elder J. N. Loughborough. 80 pp. 10 cts.Christ and the Sabbath; or, Christ in the Old Testament and the Sabbath in the New. By Elder James White. 56 pp. 10 cts.Redeemer and Redeemed. By Elder James White. This work sets forth the plan of redemption in its three stages. 40 pp. 10 cts.Review of Gilfillan; or, Thoughts Suggested by the Perusal of Gilfillan and other Authors on the Sabbath. 64 pp. 10 cts.Appeal to the Baptists for the Restitution of the Bible Sabbath. 46 pp. 10 cts.Review of Baird. A review of two sermons against the Sabbath and Seventh-day Adventists. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. 64 pp. 10 cts.The Ancient Sabbath. Forty-four objections considered. 88 pp. 10 cts.Life of Christ, in six pamphlets. By Mrs. Ellen G. White:—
No. 1. His First Advent and Ministry. 104 pp. 10 cts.
“ 2. His Temptation in the Wilderness. 96 pp. 10 cts.
“ 3. His Teachings and Parables. 126 pp. 15 cts.
“ 4. His Mighty Miracles. 128 pp. 15 cts.
“ 5. His Sufferings and Crucifixion. 96 pp. 15 cts.
“ 6. His Resurrection and Ascension. 80 pp. 10 cts.Life of the Apostles, in two pamphlets;—
No. 1. The Ministry of Peter. 80 pp. 10 cts.
“ 2. The Teachings of Paul. 80 pp. 10 cts.Bible Lessons on Prophecy. The Lessons for Bible Classes as issued with the Youth's Instructor for 1879. 10 cts.TRACTS.—16 pages, 2 cents each. Christ in the Old Testament—The Sabbath in the New Testament—The Spirit of Prophecy—The Old Moral Code not Revised—The Sanctuary of the Bible—The Judgment—Much in Little—The Millennium—The Two Laws—Seven Reasons—The Definite Seventh Day—Departing and Being with Christ—The Rich Man and Lazarus—Elihu on the Sabbath—First Message of Rev. 14—The Law and the Gospel.
HEALTH AND TEMPERANCE TRACTS.
Startling Facts about Tobacco. A description of the evil effects of tobacco-using. 32 pp. 4 cts.Tea and Coffee. A careful statement of the objections to the use of these popular beverages. 32 pp. 4 cts.Wine and the Bible. A demonstration that the Bible in no degree sustains the habitual use of alcoholic drinks of any sort. 24 pp. 3 cts.Alcoholic Medication. A protest against the wholesale employment of alcoholic compounds in the form of bitters, tonics, blood purifiers, etc. 16 pp. 2 cts.Pork. This tract exposes the filthy scavenger in all his uncleanness. 16 pp. 2 cts.The Drunkard's Arguments Answered. Leaves no excuse for tipplers. 16 pp. 2 cts.Cause and Cure of Intemperance. 8 pp. 1 ct.Moral and Social Effects of Intemperance. A forcible statement of facts and statistics. 8 pp. 1 ct.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, California.
TURKEY'S FUTURE BY AN AMERICAN.
President Washburn, of Robert College, located in Constantinople, is an American. Mr. Washburn has been a resident of Constantinople for a number of years, and occupying the position he does, he has had an opportunity to learn the real condition of the Turkish empire and government as correctly as any foreigner. In a letter to the Independent Mr. Washburn writes:—
"The whole question of general reform [in Turkey] is bound up with the financial question, and if he [Mr. Goschen, the new British minister to Turkey] insists on the appointment of a European commission to manage the finances, as has been done in Egypt, this commission must have power to control the expenditures of the Sultan and the palace. It must control the assessment and collection of taxes, and must have power to secure such public security and good order in the country as will enable the people to pay taxes. Mr. W. thinks the Sultan will consent to this only when 'the fleets of Europe are lying in the Bosphorus.'"
He then expresses his entire want of confidence in the possibility of Turkey's reforming without being exterminated. He says:—
"The empire has sunk too low, the government is too thoroughly disorganized, the people are too near starvation, the financial ruin is too complete for any sudden change for the better. It will be the work of years, and it is at least doubtful whether Europe will have the patience to carry it through, or whether new complications will not arise which will put an end to the empire altogether."
Robert College was established at Constantinople because it was understood by its founders that the time had come for the great work of converting the world to commence, and that the Moslems with all others would soon be Christianized. President Washburn took the charge of that institution, hoping and expecting that the Turkish government had commenced reforms which would result in its speedily becoming thoroughly Christian. He had a buoyant hope that he should become an honored instrument under God of accomplishing such a glorious work. From this certainly honorable stand-point he was very slow to be convinced that the Turkish Empire must be dashed in pieces for its increasing wickedness, and not to be converted. The above quotations from his pen certainly show that as an honest man he has been driven by the resistless march of events to conclude that the empire is now more liable to come to a bloody end than to a glorious reformation.
This subject of Turkey's reformation, or final overthrow, is to us of great importance, from the fact that the empire has been considered by all classes of expositors as occupying a prominent place in the prophecies; all believing that it is destined at about the present time to experience a radical change. The question of its future was earnestly discussed forty years ago by two classes of expositors, the Post-millenarian and Pre-millenarian Adventists. The former class contended that the time had nearly come for Turkey and other unchristian nations to be converted to Christ, while the latter class understood the prophecies to teach that the time had nearly come for the Turkish Empire to be utterly broken up and demolished. The latter theory was taught by the church without a change, by any respectable class, for sixteen hundred years, until Daniel Withby introduced his new hypothesis (about one hundred and fifty years ago), the conversion of the world by the gospel. As both classes looked for an immediate demonstration of the correctness of their theory by great prophetic changes among the nations, and some especially definite changes in Turkey, all eyes were turned to see who would anchor safely on the Golden Horn, and who would worship safely at St. Sophia.
One class said the nations of Europe will lay down their arms; the other class said, They will greatly increase them. One class said, The Grand Turk will become a Christian; the other class said, He will be forsaken of all the nations, and, in a fit of wrath and bloody revenge, will be swept into his national grave by the combined action of the Roman nations.
We have stated the case as it was discussed forty years ago. Which argument has been sustained by passing events for the last two-score years? There can but one answer be given. President Washburn confesses that Turkey's immediate future will probably be just what those looking for the speedy advent of Christ anticipated. It is to us a strong argument that the end of the Turkish government is not only near, but that the end of all wicked governments is also near.—Exchange.
THE CAMP-MEETING SABBATH-SCHOOL.
By William Clarence White
THIS week we have sent delegates' certificates to all of our schools as far as we know, with the request that the full quota of delegates be chosen from those who will attend the meeting, at as early a time as possible. If any superintendent fails to receive these blanks, please notify us at once.
We hope that parents and teachers will do their utmost to secure a large attendance of our young folks, youth and children, at this very important meeting. They may be as much benefited as older persons.
In our model Sabbath-school held Sept. 18, the first Sabbath of the meeting, the following lessons will be recited: The Bible classes and all who have been studying lessons on prophecy will take the third lesson in the Instructor Supplement containing Lessons on Prophecy for September; the youth, Lesson CXIII in Instructor, number 35. The children, lesson LXXXVII in the same paper.
Those children who have been studying Bible Lessons for Little Ones No. 2, will recite Lesson 76—The Israelites Pursued, pp. 51-53.
The infant division will recite Lesson 30—Joseph Deceives his Father, in Bible Lessons for Little Ones No. 1, pp. 50, 51.
If those coming to the meeting will study thoroughly their lessons before leaving home, our model school may be both a pleasure and a benefit. We ask teachers and parents not only to prepare their own lessons in season, but to assist the children in gaining a thorough knowledge of their lessons before starting for the meeting.
W. C. WHITE.
The Marvels We Fail to Notice
By S. Gregory
WE omit to admire, because things which are full of marvels for an investigation deeper than we can reach, have become cheap from custom in the eyes of man. Because five thousand men were filled with five loaves, all men were astonished; every day the grains of seed that are sown are multiplied in a fullness of ears, and no man wonders. All men wondered to see water turned into wine. Every day the earth's moisture being drawn into the root of the vine, is turned by the grape into wine, and no man wonders.—S. Gregory.
NOTICE TO V. M. SOCIETIES.
THOSE Vigilant Missionary Societies in this State in want of names for their correspondence can be supplied by addressing Barbara C. Stickney, Oakland, Cal., care SIGNS Office. Many of these are foreign names obtained by our ship missionary.
E. R. Jones’s Post-Office Address
The post-office address of Elder E. R. Jones is, Tent, corner Stout and 23d streets, Denver, Colorado.
Appointments.
By Editor
REMAINING CAMP-MEETINGS FOR 1880.
NORTHERN NEW YORK, Canton, Aug. 31 to Sep. 6.
ILLINOIS, Decatur.......................Sept. 1- 6.
VERMONT, Morrisville...................." 2- 7.
KANSAS, Bethany........................." 2- 7.
NEW YORK, Hornellsville................." 7-15.
OHIO, Clyde ............................" 16-21.
NEBRASKA, Central City ................." 16-21.
MISSOURI................................" 23-28.
CALIFORNIA, Alameda....................." 16-27.
INDIANA, Rochester ....................." 23-27.
MICHIGAN, Battle Creek......Sept. 28 to Oct. 11.
TEXAS ..................................Nov. 11-16.
Colorado State Quarterly Meeting
By E. R. Jones
THE State quarterly meeting for Colorado, will be held at Boulder, Sept. 25, 26.
We request every church and class in the State to choose one or more of their number as delegates to this meeting, as we wish to consider the wants of the cause here, and also the matter of future labor in this State.
We also wish to meet as many of our people as can possibly attend. Ample provision will be made to entertain all who may come. Meeting will commence Friday evening. E. R. JONES.
California Conference Annual Session
By Editor
The next annual session of the California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, will be held in connection with the camp-meeting at Alameda, Sept. 16-27. Each church of twenty members or less is entitled to one-delegate, and an additional one for every additional fifteen members. Those who are isolated, living by themselves, should represent the condition of the cause, and its wants in their section, by letter. Letters should be directed to Eld. J. D. Rice, Oakland, Cal. Care of PACIFIC PRESS.
S. N. HASKELL,
JOHN MORRISON,
M. C. ISRAEL,
Cal. Conf. Com.
California Tract and Missionary Society Annual Session
By Stephen Nelson Haskell
The next annual session of the California Tract and Missionary Society will be held in connection with the camp-meeting at Alameda, commencing Sept. 16.
S. N. HASKELL, Pres.
California Sabbath-School Association Annual Session
By W. C. White
THE California Seventh-day Adventist Sabbath-school Association will hold its third annual session in connection with the camp-meeting at Alameda, commencing Sept. 16. It is hoped that every school will send its full number of delegates. Each school of fifteen members or less is entitled to one delegate, and one additional delegate for each additional fifteen members.
W. C. WHITE, Pres.
California Health and Temperance Society Annual Meeting
By Stephen Nelson Haskell
THE first annual meeting of the California Health and Temperance Society will be held on the campground of the Seventh-day Adventists, commencing Sept. 16. We hope to see all the friends of the cause of temperance, who are connected with our work, at this meeting.