p. 191 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 12. (3/24/1887)

Earlier text: NOTES ON THE INTERNATIONAL LESSON

Obituary.

By H. C. Palmer

EGGLESTON.—Died January 21, 1887, at Napa City, Cal., Joseph Eggleston, aged 74 years, 5 months, 19 days. Brother Eggleston was one of the first members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Napa, and always manifested an active interest in its welfare. His desire was to see the cause advance; and to the last his mind was anxious to ascertain the progress of the Third Angel's Message. A large number of brethren and friends attended his funeral, which was held Sunday, January 23. Words of comfort were given from 2 Tim. 4:1, 2, first part, by Brother S. Rogers. H. C. PALMER.

Appointments.

ANNUAL MEETING.

THE regular annual meeting of the Society of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Oakland, will be held at Hamilton Hall, southeast corner of Thirteenth and Jefferson Streets, Wednesday evening, April 6, 1887, at 7:30 o'clock P. M., for the purpose of electing a board of five trustees, and transacting such other business as may come before the meeting. A general and punctual attendance is requested, in order that the proceedings may strictly conform to the law. By order of the president.

W. N. GLENN, Secretary.

Churches and Meeting Places

OAKLAND.—House of worship, southeast corner of Jefferson and Thirteenth Streets. Sabbath-School every Sabbath at 9:30 A. M. Preaching at 11. Prayer and missionary meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:15. Seats free.

EAST PORTLAND (Or.)—House of worship on G Street, between Tenth and Eleventh. Sabbath-school every Sabbath (Saturday), followed by services. Preaching or Bible-reading Sunday evening. Prayer-meeting Wednesday evening. The public cordially invited. Free public reading-room, corner of L and Fifth Streets.

SAN FRANCISCO.—House of worship, 914 Laguna Street, between McAllister and Tyler. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:45, and preaching at 11 A. M.; also preaching every Sunday evening at 7:30. Sabbath-school classes in the English, German, and Scandinavian languages. Prayer and missionary meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:15. Mission reading-rooms at the church.

STOCKHOLDERS' MEETINGS.

By John Norton Loughborough

NOTICE is hereby given to the stockholders of Healdsburg College that according to the requirements of the by-laws of said association, a meeting will be held on the third Monday in April, 1887, for the purpose of electing a board of seven trustees and for the transaction of any other business that may be brought before the meeting.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, Pres.

S. BROWNSBERGER, Sec.

Rural Health Retreat Annual Meeting

By J. S. Gibbs

The Annual Meeting of the stockholders of the Rural Health Retreat Association will be held at its place of business, Crystal Springs, near St. Helena, Cal., April 12, 1887, for the purpose of electing a board of directors, and transacting such other business as may come before the meeting. It is proposed at this time to amend Article IV, Section 1, of our present code of by-laws, so as to read, "The Annual Meeting of this association shall be held on the first Friday after the fourth Monday of April," etc., instead of "the second Tuesday of April," as at present. Proxies will be sent immediately to all stockholders where addresses are known. If any do not receive them, please notify us at once. A full representation in person or by proxy is desired.

J. S. GIBBS, Secretary.

March 17, 1887.

Publishers' Department.

By Editor

RECEIPTS.

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.

AFRICAN MISSION.—Duarte $2.10.

RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.—Minn. T and M Society $100.

HEALDSBURG COLLEGE.—Lizzie Adams $10, F A Adams $100.

OAKLAND CHURCH BUILDING FUND.—J N Loughborough and wife $200.

CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE FUND.—St Helena $90.30, S Thurston $13.60, F S Austin $2, C A Newbie $20.

CALIFORNIA T. AND M. SOCIETY.—Dist No 3 Mrs A C Walden $3, Dist No 6 Los Angeles $25, C A Newbie $5.10.

CALIFORNIA CITY MISSIONS.—Jessie Yarnell $2.50, Willie Brown $10, E A Brown $5, J D Bandy $25, E Young $6.

HOW TO ADDRESS YOUR LETTERS.

By Editor

If they contain matter for publication, questions upon other than business matters, or are intended for the editorial department, address, EDITOR SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

Write upon only one side of the paper and do not mix in any business items, subscription orders, etc.

Business letters should not contain any items relative to appointments, theological questions, manuscript, etc.; these should be addressed to the EDITOR.

Orders for books, maps, Sabbath-school supplies, or any article advertised in this paper, can be addressed to PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

Letters containing subscriptions for the SIGNS, American Sentinel, Pacific Health Journal, or the Bible Echo, can be addressed to SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. Write your orders for the Sentinel, Journal, etc., on a separate sheet of paper from your SIGNS business.

Make all money orders and drafts payable to "Pacific Press" and not to any individual, as he may be absent and the business thereby be delayed.

Seal your letter, don't forget to put on the stamp, and give us your name, post-office, county, and State.

NEW HISTORICAL ATLAS.

"LABBERTON'S NEW HISTORICAL ATLAS AND GENERAL HISTORY;' 1 volume, 4to, cloth; 312 pages, 198 maps, printed in colors. This is the most unique and complete atlas that has ever been issued, giving a map for every period, thus enabling students to find a map for any particular date, each map having over it in figures the year or period it covers. Students and professional men will readily appreciate the importance of this. It contains maps, now made for the first time, of the Chaldean, Elamitic, Egyptian, Kosean, Armenian, Hittite, and Assyrian Empires, based on the most reliable historical works. The American maps (52) show the early settlements, the colonial patents, grants, and foreign claims, State charter limits, and the gradual appearance of the principal cities. Anticipating the coming struggle in the East, it has fine military maps of Trans-Caspia and Afghanistan. The text is brief, but gives in an attractive form the leading events in the history of the world, free from unnecessary details. The schedule of maps covers from 4,000 B. C. to 1886 A. D. Of the East there are 19 maps; Greece, 17; Rome, 26; history of the middle ages, 35; history of modern times, 49; and history of America, 52 maps."—Christian at Work.

This excellent work sent by mail or express, prepaid, upon receipt of price, $2.50.

Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING HOUSE, General Western Agents, Oakland, Cal.

"THOUGHTS ON DANIEL AND THE REVELATION," IN VARIOUS LANGUAGES.

THE Pacific Press Publishing House, Oakland, Cal., has Prof. Uriah Smith's scholarly work, "Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation," in the various styles of binding usual in subscription books, and they can furnish them printed in either of the following languages, viz.: English, German, Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish, and hope soon to have this excellent work in the French language, to supply the many calls for it in that tongue.

This valuable commentary can also be obtained from the Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich.; New England Depository, South Lancaster, Mass.; Imprimerie Polyglotte, 48 Weiherweg, Basel, Switzerland; The Present Truth, 72 Heneage St., Great Grimsby, England; Echo Publishing House, North Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.

PLEASE RENEW.

By Editor

A NUMBER of subscriptions to the SIGNS expire March 24, March 31, and April 7, 1887. Look at the address label on your paper this week, and if your time runs out in March or April please renew at once, and thus make sure of getting every number. Our supply of back numbers of the SIGNS for February and March, 1887, is exhausted, and we cannot furnish any more complete files of this year's papers.

THE AMERICAN SENTINEL,

By Editor

AN EIGHT-PAGE MONTHLY JOURNAL, DEVOTED TO THE DEFENSE OF AMERICAN INSTITUTIONS, THE PRESERVATION OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AS IT IS, SO FAR AS REGARDS RELIGION OR RELIGIOUS TESTS, AND THE MAINTENANCE OF CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS RIGHTS.

It Will ever Be Uncompromisingly Opposed to Anything Tending Toward a

UNION OF CHURCH AND STATE,

Either in Name or in Fact.

It is well known that there is a large and influential association in the United States bearing the name of the "National Reform Association," which is endeavoring to secure such a RELIGIOUS AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION Of the United States as will "place all Christian laws, institutions, and usages on an undeniable legal basis in the fundamental law of the land."

While there are many persons in this country who are opposed to, or look with suspicion upon, this movement, there are few, outside of the party, who realize what the influence of this Amendment would be. The object of the American Sentinel will be to VINDICATE THE RIGHTS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS, Which, we believe, are threatened by this association. It will appeal to the very fundamental principles of our Government, and point out the consequences which would be sure to follow should they secure the desired Amendment to the Constitution. Every position taken will be carefully guarded and fortified by sound argument. Due respect will always be paid to the opinions of others, but The Rights of Conscience will be Fearlessly Maintained.

TERMS.

Single Copy, per year, - - - - - 50 cents. To foreign countries, single subscription, post-paid, 2s. Specimen Copies Free. Address, AMERICAN SENTINEL, Oakland, Cal.

THOUGHTS ON BAPTISM:

By Joseph Harvey Waggoner

By Eld. J. H. Waggoner.

An examination of the Action, Subjects, and Relations of the Ordinance of Baptism. Also, a brief REFUTATION of the

HISTORICAL CLAIMS FOR TRINE IMMERSION.

SECOND EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED.

Price, post-paid,—In flexible cloth, - - - 35 cents.

" " Paper Covers, - - - 25 "

Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

THE AGE TO COME:

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

A REFUTATION OF THE DOCTRINE.

BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.

EMBRACING a critical examination of the Temporal Millennium—The Return of the Jews—Time and Manner of the Establishment of the Kingdom of God—The Day of the Lord, and the Promises to Israel.

Second edition revised. 168 pages. Price, post-paid, 20 cents. Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

NEW SUBSCRIPTION EDITION.

THE GREAT CONTROVERSY

BETWEEN CHRIST AND SATAN.

DURING THE CHRISTIAN DISPENSATION.

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE. AUTHOR OF "THE LIFE OF CHRIST," "SKETCHES FROM THE LIFE OF PAUL," "BIBLE SANCTIFICATION," AND OTHER POPULAR WORKS.

THIS volume presents the most wonderful and intensely interesting history that has ever been written of the great conflict between Christianity and the Powers of Darkness, as illustrated in the lives of Christian martyrs and reformers on the one hand, and wicked men and persecuting powers on the other. Beginning with our Lord's great prophecy given while viewing Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, in which he outlines the history of the whole dispensation, it sketches the fulfillment. It pictures the siege and overthrow of Jerusalem, and the destruction of the Temple. It calls our attention to the bitter persecutions of the Christians in the first centuries, and notes the rise and growth of the Papacy. It gives a clear conception of the character and influence of the Waldenses, who, through centuries of persecution, maintained the purity of their faith, and by their missionary efforts prepared the nations of Europe for the Reformation.

Brief and life-like sketches are given of the works, the successes, and the persecutions of Wycliffe, Luther, Tyndale, Huss, Jerome, Knox, and other reformers and martyrs. Considerable space is given to the life, work, and influence of later reformers and great religious leaders such as George Whitefield, the Wesleys, and William Miller, and this is followed by chapters treating upon The Origin of Evil, The Agency of Evil Spirits, The Snares of Satan, Spiritualism, Character and Aims of the Papacy, The Coming Conflict, The Scriptures a Safeguard, Desolation of the Earth, and the Judgment.

The closing chapters give a vivid picture of the warfare of the church, her final redemption, and vividly describe the triumph of the people of God, the destruction of Satan and his followers, and the renewing of the earth, which ends the awful controversy between the Son of God and the Powers of Darkness. Earnest Christians of all classes and Creeds will find in it encouragement and instruction in the delineation of the struggle maintained by men raised up of God in each successive age to preserve the pure and true religion, and they will see that the world has been led to accept one after another of Satan's devices, until her teachers are corrupted with false doctrines and with infidelity.

The period of history covered by this volume, is one of the deepest interest to all classes of readers. The style of the author is clear, forcible, and often sublime, and, although simple enough in its statements to be understood and appreciated by a child, its eloquence calls forth the admiration of all.

Seventh Edition! Contains over 500 pages; 21 full page Illustrations and Steel Portrait of the Author; printed and bound in the very best style.

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Fine English Cloth, red edges, . . . . . $2.00 Library Style, marbled edges, . . . . . 2.50 Half Morocco, gilt edges, . . . . . 3.50 Full Morocco, gilt edges, . . . . . 4.50

Active Agents Wanted in Every Town and County in the United States. For Terms and Territory, Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Publishers, 12th and Castro Streets, Oakland, Cal.

PLAIN FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG

By John Harvey Kellogg

—EMBRACING— NATURAL HISTORY AND HYGIENE OF ORGANIC LIFE.

BY J. H. KELLOGG, M. D. Member of the British and American Associations for the Advancement of Science, Editor of "Good Health," and Author of Various Works on Health.

NEW EDITION REVISED AND ENLARGED,

CONTAINING OVER 600 OCTAVO PAGES.

No work ever issued from the American Press has met with such a cordial reception by the people. It is indorsed by the highest authority as a standard work. It is a necessity, not a luxury. Indispensable to those who would preserve the health and morals of their own children.

BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF CONTENTS.

Sex in Living Forms—Reproduction—Sexual Hygiene—Unchastity—The Social Evil—Solitary Vice—Etc.—A chapter for boys—A chapter for young men—A chapter for old men—A chapter for girls—A chapter for young women—A chapter for wives and mothers—Diseases peculiar to women.

100 CHOICE HEALTH THOUGHTS.

"Plain Facts" is sold only by subscription.—Agents wanted. For sample copies, territory, and terms, address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal. General Agents for the West.

Catalogue of New Books

By Editor

Send stamp for our Catalogue of new books.

WHO CHANGED THE SABBATH?

A TRACT of 24 pages, which fully answers this question, and shows how Sunday displaced the Bible Sabbath. Extracts given from Catholic writers. Price, 3 cents. Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

Human Efforts and Christ’s Kingdom

By Editor

SPEAKING of the probable union of the National W. C. T. U. and the Knights of Labor, Joseph Cook said: "Powderly is a Catholic, Miss Willard a Methodist; if they can join hands, they may, as she says, 'lift civilization to a table-land across which Christ may walk.'" It is strange how Christ is ignored by so many who profess to revere his name and to desire the advancement of his cause. How ignored? Just in this way: They have the idea of a temporal kingdom of Christ, and they think that upon them devolves the work of bringing the world to such a state of godliness that Christ will come and take possession. This is National Reform doctrine pure and simple, and it is just what is implied in the above-quoted remark. And so the work of Christ,

by his Spirit, the only means by which people can be made better, is ignored by those who blindly think that they are honoring him. Why will professed Christian workers imagine that they can do what the Spirit of the Lord cannot, namely, make all people Christians? While they are thus employing impotent human agencies, the world is steadily going to destruction.

TRAINING UP CRIMINALS.

By Editor

THE trial of a young man in San Francisco, for the murder of a girl, has just been completed. The fact that the murder was committed being well known, there was no attempt to conceal it, and the usual defense, insanity, was resorted to. In proof of his insanity his mother testified that from the time the defendant was a baby he had "spells." "When two or three years of age he would lie down on his back on the floor or on the sidewalk and, without any provocation whatever, would kick, and scream, and cry. He could not be quieted; candy would have no effect on him. As he grew older, these spells would increase." It was also in evidence that on his way home from school one day, he threw a stone, without any provocation, and broke a window.

Very natural that these spells should increase. But if, in the place of candy, some of Solomon's remedy had been judiciously and vigorously administered, there is no doubt but that it would have been effectual in stopping that incipient insanity. We have seen scores of children who were subject to just such "spells." And too often their mothers were training them in it, and preparing the way for their future career as criminals. Everybody is born with greater or less inclination to evil; it is the duty of the parent to counteract this tendency, and by insisting on prompt obedience, to lay the foundation for a law-abiding citizen. But what hope is there for the future, when natural depravity is fostered by parents, and when the very fact that a person is depraved enough to commit a barbarous act is considered evidence that he should not be punished?

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce." 2 Tim. 3: 1-3.

California Conference Constitution

By Editor

At the request of the California Conference Committee, we publish the following sections from the State constitution, which they would like to have well considered by the churches within the Conference, and by those desiring to labor in any part, of it:—

"When any church, or scattered brethren, wish ministerial labor in their vicinity, their call should be made to the Executive Committee."

"Those who may feel it their duty to exercise their gift as preachers or colporters, shall lay their exercises of mind before the Conference Committee, and the committee may license them if they consider them qualified."

"THE SEVENTH DAY IS THE SABBATH."

By Editor

IN answer to the question, "Should the Sabbath be kept absolutely holy?" the editor of the Christian Standard (March 12, 1887) says:—

"The first day of the week, which is called the Lord's day, is not the Sabbath. The Sabbath is the seventh day, or Saturday. This day, as is well known, is observed by the Jews, under the teaching of the law of Moses. They do not, and never did, keep it absolutely holy. The first day of the week is made a day of rest for man and beast by the law of the land. . . . While the first day of the week is not hedged about with the restrictions that pertained to the Sabbath of the law, it is meant that it be especially devoted to religious services—and not to business or pleasure."

Truly, "their rock is not as our rock." The Lord says, "Remember the Sabbath-day, to keep it holy;" but the Standard says that the Sabbath-day is not to be remembered at all, but that another day, which is not the Sabbath, is to be kept in its place. Let all who read this remember the following truths, which are admitted by this champion of first-day observance:—

Saturday is the seventh day.
The seventh day is the Sabbath.
The first day of the week is not the Sabbath.
The observance of the seventh-day Sabbath is enjoined by the law of God.
The observance of the first day, which is not the Sabbath, is enjoined by the law of the land.

There is the whole case in a nut-shell. Reader, can you have any doubt as to your duty?

BEGINNING OF THE DAY.

By Editor

"Not being clear upon the division of time, I appeal to you for help. It seems to me from some scriptures that the day should begin in the morning. It seems to be more consistent in beginning the day in the morning at the creation. At the resurrection of Christ it says, "As it began to dawn toward the first day of the week," etc. And again it speaks of darkness lasting from the sixth to the ninth hour. Now if the day began in the evening it would be dark all the time, and then it would make the crucifixion of Christ in the night. Please answer through the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. C. H. E."

If our correspondent will read carefully the first chapter of Genesis he will see that it would not be consistent to begin the day in the morning. Time as distinguished from eternity, is reckoned from the first act of creation. The second verse of the Bible tells us that darkness was upon the face of the deep, that is, upon the chaotic mass which had been spoken into existence. The next act of creation is recorded in the third verse: "And God said, Let there be light; and there was light." This constituted the first day's work. The evening, the darkness, and the morning, the light, were the first day. Here it is seen that in the first day the dark preceded the light part, and consequently the same order must necessarily follow in all succeeding days. The record of creation is alone sufficient to show that the day begins with the evening. Where our correspondent falls into difficulty is in forgetting that while each day is twenty-four hours long, and is composed of a period of darkness and a period of light, the dark part of the day is called night, and the light part is also called day; so we use the word "day" in two senses: (1) as applying to the whole period of twenty-four hours, and (2) as applying to the part of the day when the sun shines.

The Hebrews always began their day at the going down of the sun, but they had a separate reckoning for the hours of the night and for those of the day. The night was divided into four watches of about three hours each; the day was divided into twelve hours. To be sure, at some seasons of the year, there are less than twelve hours of daylight, and at other seasons more, but throughout the year there is an average of just twelve hours of darkness and twelve hours of light in each day. Therefore they reckoned the period of daylight uniformly from six o'clock. Then the first hour of the day would be seven o'clock, the third hour nine o'clock, the sixth hour twelve, the ninth hour three o'clock, and the twelfth hour six o'clock. So at the crucifixion of Christ darkness was from noon until three o'clock. This mode of reckoning is everywhere used in the Bible and yet it is well understood that the day properly began at evening, as we read in Lev. 23: 32, "From even unto even, shall ye celebrate your Sabbath."

Explanation of 2 Corinthians 3:6–11

By Editor

We have lately received requests from various quarters for an explanation of 2 Cor. 3:6-11. We have had an article on that subject in waiting for some time, and it will soon appear in the SIGNS.

Kentucky Tract Society Secretary

By Editor

All persons having any business with the Kentucky Tract and Missionary Society will please take notice that Sister Elsie Scott, of Cecilian, Hardin County, Ky., has been appointed State Secretary, vice Brother Harry Rupert resigned.

Sign Your Name and Address

By Editor

PEOPLE who expect to have their communications attended to, should sign their full name and address. Even though the communication is only a question that does not require a personal answer, but may be answered through the paper, we must know who sends the question before we answer it. Anonymous letters and questions always go direct to the waste basket. No one should ever write anything to which he is ashamed or afraid to sign his name.

Spiritualism and Bible Prophecy

By Editor

SAYS the Golden Gate of March 12: "That powerful bands of spirits, embracing the wisest and best of the children of men of all past ages, are now organizing for the spiritual unfoldment of humanity, is the uniform testimony of all our mediums." This is in direct fulfillment of the prophecy: "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time." Rev. 12:12.

Death of Professor Pettengell

On the 27th of February, Rev. J. H. Pettengell died, in New Haven, Conn., aged seventy-two. Professor Pettengell was quite widely known as a vigorous writer in behalf of the doctrine of conditional immortality, or eternal life only through Christ. Many extracts from his pen have appeared in the SIGNS, of which he was a constant reader. He retained his connection with the Congregationalist Church until his death, although his pronounced views in regard to conditional immortality, shut him out, years ago, from any pulpit of that denomination.

Sermon on Sabbath Observance

By Editor

Mrs. Bateham, superintendent of the "Sabbath Observance Department" of the National W. C. T. U., has issued a circular to Christian ministers, begging them to preach a sermon on Sabbath observance, "on the first Sabbath of April next." We have no doubt but this request will be quite largely complied with; we hope it will. For the benefit of those who may be in doubt, we will here state that "the first Sabbath in April" falls this year on the second day of the month. Remember the time appointed for the preaching of the sermon—Sabbath, April 2, 1887.