"Oh, dear!" said Rose Howard, as she looked at the paper which the servant handed her. "That wretched girl is in a desperate hurry to send her bill for embroidery. Twenty dollars! just what I have saved to pay for the bonnet and gloves which I must have if I go to Mrs. Lorimer's reception. I did not expect this bill until I had my next month's allowance. Well, she must wait, that's all."
"I would not make her wait if I were you, Rose," said Miss Grace Rowan, looking up from her sewing.
"Why, it is only ten days," said Rose. "Papa always gives me my allowance on the first day of the month, and to-day is the twenty-first."
"Nevertheless, I would pay her bill to-day," said Miss Rowan, earnestly. "If it will be of any use to you I would rather lend you the money. I can probably do without it better than she can."
"Thank you, Aunt Grace, but that would not do at all," said Rose. "When papa consented to give me a regular allowance it was on condition that I should never borrow a penny of any one. But why are you so anxious that the bill should be paid at once? Do you know anything about this girl that you are so sure is in need of money?"
"No," said Miss Rowan, "I know nothing about her. It is only on general principles that I am speaking. Not exactly, either. If you choose I will tell you why I never delay a day in paying a bill sent in by a poor person, above all, a poor young girl."
"It is a story of the days when I was an elderly young girl, living at home with my parents," she said. And the heroine of the story—you remember those flower-paintings which you have so often admired at my home, Rose?"
"Remember them, of course I do. But how did they come into your story, aunty?" asked Rose, lifting wide eyes of interest to her aunt's face.
"Only because the painter of those pictures is the heroine of it," said Aunt Grace. "Cara Hastings was her name. She was much younger than I, an orphan, fighting her way single-handed with the world. Pretty? Well, rather pretty, not very. She had a slight, graceful figure; dark, wistful eyes set in a small pale face; flexible, tremulous lips, and a profusion of soft, dark, wavy hair, which framed her broad forehead like a cloud.
"I met her first at the studio of a friend, and, in spite of the two years difference in our ages, we took a mutual fancy to each other. After that I was often at her studio, poor little bare place that it was. One room served for everything—kitchen, parlor, studio, bed-room, yes, and reception room for her pupils. A broad lounge served for her bed by night, and one corner of the room was curtained off to conceal her toilet apparatus. Her cooking, such as it was, was accomplished upon a small kerosene stove, which, when not in use, she kept in her closet. A poor little place, as I said, but Cara was very happy in it. She loved her work, and she had one of those bright, happy dispositions which make their own sunshine. She often talked to me of her pupils, but the one of whom she spoke oftenest was Maud X. I knew the name well, for the father of this Maud was one of the most prominent clergymen in the city where we both lived. Every one respected him, irrespective of denomination. He was not only an eloquent preacher and a profound scholar, of fervid piety and blameless life; he was also a philanthropist, a reformer, prominent in the temperance cause, in the Society for the Suppression of Vice, in everything that was good and noble. Cara often spoke of him with enthusiasm.
"'It is not only that Maud is such a darling,' she said, but I feel it such an honor to be associated in any way with the family of such a man.'
"All this was in the winter. Spring came, and everybody was leaving town. I did not go, although all my family did, simply because I did not care to. There is such a pleasant feeling and sense of solitude in a large city through July and August that I meant to put off my 'outing' until late September. Cara did not go away either, and we saw a good deal of each other. It was not an unalloyed joy to me, though, for, watching her, I saw that day by day her cheek grew paler and thinner, her step slower, and her eyes more feverishly bright.
"'What is the matter with you, Cara,' I often asked anxiously, but she only smiled and protested that nothing ailed her, that she was only a little tired with the hot weather. When fall came she would be herself again.
"I urged her to go out of town, or at least to come and stay for a while with me in our large, empty house; but no.
"'I must work, you know,' said Cara, 'must work harder than ever now, that my pupils have left me for the summer. I could not work with you. My mind would be continually disturbed, and—no, no, my studio is much the best place for me.'
"'But why work so hard?' I said, 'Why not take a holiday? Your lessons of last winter surely brought you in enough to enable you to rest awhile now. There were Maud X.'s lessons, which alone would bring you in a small fortune, you said.'
"'A small fortune? Yes, but small fortunes will not last forever,' said Cara, slowly. 'How do I know that I shall have any pupils next year? How do I know?'
"There was a short, sharp knock at the studio door, and a letter fell through the slit, upon the floor. Cara sprang to pick it up, glanced at the address, which I saw was in a masculine hand, and a faint flush tinged her pale cheeks. I turned away to look at a picture, while she tore open the envelope. When I turned back the flush had faded, and left her paler than before, her lips were quivering a little, and her eyes had a dim, hopeless look, which moved me sorely.
"'Cara, you are not well,' I cried. 'Dear child, you must come with me. You shall do exactly as you please. You shall have a room with a north light and be alone when you like, and no one shall ask you a question. We will make excursions into the country, and you shall sketch while I read, and—'
"But Cara stopped me with a motion of her hand. 'No, no,' she said. 'I cannot come. Do not make it harder for me to refuse you by urging me. I must stay here—there is no other place for me.'
"Her tone was so decided that I felt it would be useless to urge her further, and sadly and reluctantly I left her. That night came the news of the severe illness of your mother, my only sister, accompanied with an entreaty that I would go to her. Of course I went by the first train next morning, leaving only a note for Cara, to explain my sudden departure.
"It was the first of August when I left the city, but September had come and well-nigh gone before your mother's health was sufficiently reestablished to enable me to leave her.
"'I saw your friend Cara Hastings to-day,' said one of the family, as we gathered around the table for the first meal after my return. 'I am afraid the poor girl is in a bad way. She was always fragile, but now she is shadowy. She has a settled cough and a hectic color. She looks very pretty, but I should be very sorry to see any dear friend of mine looking pretty in just the same way.'
"I need not say that the next morning found me on my way to Cara's studio. It was all true. I knew it as soon as I looked in her face. She threw herself into my arms with a little cry of delight, which changed into a spasm of coughing, and I felt the slight form pant and quiver in my arms.
"'Cara, dear child, what have you been doing to yourself,' I cried in dismay. Cara smiled her own bright, cheerful smile.
"'I have had a hard summer,' she said, 'but I shall soon be strong again. Now that it is all over I can tell you about it, but at one time I really thought that I should never live to do so.'
"'It was not a romantic story, for there was no love in it, and no tragedy, save as I plainly foresaw, looking in my poor Cara's face.
"'I suppose I was rather extravagant in the spring,' said Cara, 'for I needed a good many things, and I knew that the money for Maud X.'s lessons would keep me all summer. Maud and her mother left town rather suddenly in June, and I did not know where they had gone. I sent my bill to the house, however, not doubting that it would be paid at once. I waited a month, and in the meantime my funds ran very low, and I found that the strictest economy was necessary. Do what I would, however, the money melted away like water, and at last, in despair, I resolved to write to Dr. X. It was a hard thing to do, but I did it, merely telling him that I had sent in my bill to Mrs. X. at such a date, and having heard nothing from her, feared that it had not been forwarded. It seemed to me that life and death hung upon the answer, yet I did not really doubt that he would send the money at once. His answer came one day while you were with me.'
"'I remember,' I said briefly.
"'There was no money inclosed, as I had expected,' continued Cara. 'He merely informed me that the bills for Maud's lessons and schooling were always settled by Mrs. X.; that the bill had been duly forwarded to her, and that no doubt she would settle it promptly upon her return in September. And I had just sixty cents in the world!'
"'My poor Cara!' I cried, 'what did you do?'
"'Do? What was there to do?' said Cara. 'Fortunately, my rent was paid for three months in advance, so that I was sure of a shelter, at least. For the rest, I lived for a month upon that sixty cents. Of course I could not afford to buy fuel, so bread and water constituted my entire diet. Two rolls a day are not very satisfactory, but it was all I could afford. Two cents a day will not set a luxurious table. Hungry? I think I was not so much hungry as weak. The worst of all was that I could not paint, I had not the strength to stand before the easel, and my hand shook so that I could not manage the brushes, and sometimes it really seemed that my mind wandered. Dear, you must not feel so badly about it. It is all over now.'
"'Oh, Cara! why would you not come to me when I begged you?' I sobbed at last.
"'Dear, I could not,' said Cara, gently. 'I should have felt like a beggar. I could not tell you of my straits, and I could not go and live upon you, knowing that I was actually a pauper. I should have felt ashamed even before your servants. If you will ask me for a visit now that I have money enough to make me independent, I will come; but at that time I could not—I tried, but indeed I could not.'
"Ask her? Of course I asked her well knowing that it was the last thing I should ever do for her. That month's starvation had done its work, and the weakened system fell an easy victim to the hereditary foe, which might else have been baffled. When Cara left our house at last, it was with hands meekly folded upon her breast, with the sightless eyes veiled by their long, dark lashes, and the smile of the triumphant redeemed upon her pallid lips."407
Aunt Grace's lips were quivering and her eyes dim with tears as she finished her story. Rose had dropped her work, and sat with her eyes fixed upon her aunt's face.
"How did Dr. X. feel when he heard of it?" she asked, at last.
"He never knew it," said Aunt Grace. "When I take up the religious or secular papers and read the burning and eloquent words in which he pleaded the cause of some benevolent object, I wonder what he would say if he knew the true story of the life and death of his daughter's drawing teacher, little Cara Hastings."
"But he ought to know it," said Rose, indignantly.
"It was hardly his fault, after all," said Aunt Grace, gently. "He could never imagine of what consequence a sum of money which seemed trifling to him might be to a poor girl. But that is the reason why I always pay my bills promptly, Rose."
Rose stood up, put away her work and her crewels, and left the room. A few minutes afterward she returned, cloaked and hatted for the street.
"Thank you for your story, Aunt Grace," she said, as she buttoned her glove. "I am going down to pay that bill, and as for Mrs. Lorimer's reception—well I can wear my old bonnet or stay at home."—Henrietta H. Holdich.
The Home Circle.
By Rev. Edward D. Eaton
FATHER AND CHILD.
Some trifling loss or wounding slight
Had grieved a little maid at play,
With heaving breast and clouded sight
She tries to wipe her tears away.
Still o'er the lashes slip the pearls,
And sighs the shadowed heart betray,
Till sudden purpose shakes the curls—
"Papa must 'ipe my tears a'ay."
A hasty flight to papa's side,
By papa's chair the footsteps stay,
An upturned face with cheeks undried—
"P'ease, papa, 'ipe my tears a'ay."
Then quiet sunshine fills the eyes,
And smiles all o'er the sweet face stray;
Back to her baby sport she flies—
"Papa has 'iped my tears a'ay."
We smile at children, but erelong
Some sorrow in our heart has sway.
We think that years have made us strong,
And brush the scalding tears away.
But quiv'ring nerves will not be still;
We cannot calm the soul's dismay;
And struggle bravely as we will,
We cannot wipe our tears away.
Then swiftly speaks the heart's appeal;
The shaken soul finds strength to pray;
Before our Father's throne we kneel—
"Father, wipe thou our tears away."
Oh, tender touch of God's right hand!
Oh, peace of God that comes to stay!
Safe in his sheltering love we stand;
Our Father wipes our tears away.
—Rev. Edward D. Eaton, in Advance.
News and Notes.
—A dispatch from Paris says that the Queen of Madagascar is dead. A niece of the late queen succeeds to the throne.
—The official report shows that there have been 27,318 deaths from cholera in Egypt since the outbreak of the epidemic.
—The "Postal Telegraph" promises well. Contracts for construction to the amount of $1,500,000 have recently been let.
—A high tide did much damage at Atlantic City, N. J., Aug. 29. The surf was the heaviest ever seen there. Loss not less than $75,000.
—Report from Shelbyville, Ind., says a skeleton was found about fifteen miles from that city, in a gravel pit, of a man who was nine feet high.
—Twenty-two young men who were students in the university at St. Petersburg, have been sent to Siberia for contributing to a nihilist journal.
—It is reported from Mexico that an American syndicate has purchased the Real del Monico mines for $4,000,000. These mines are located in Huachuca.
—In a recent hot wave in Los Angeles the thermometer stood at 100 in the shade. The same also in Salt Lake City, the hottest ever known there in August.
—The Yellowstone National Park branch of the Northern Pacific road is now completed to Cinnabar, fifty-one miles south of Livingstone, and is open for business.
—About 20,000 tons of railroad iron will soon be received in Galveston, Texas, from Europe. About half of it is narrow-gauge rails for the Kansas and Gulf Short Line.
—Denver reports twenty-five flowing artesian wells sunk in that city within twenty days, and as many more under way. A large stream is struck at a depth of 325 feet.
—From 25,000,000 to 30,000,000 feet of lumber were destroyed by fire in Williamsport, Pa., Aug. 27. Same date a fire in Galveston, Texas, destroyed property valued at $220,000.
—The New York Herald says a treaty is not higher in authority than an act of Congress, which is proof that it requires more wisdom to run a Government than a New York paper.
—The poisoning of valuable cattle at the Boston quarantine station was caused by water impregnated with Paris green from a neighboring potato field. Farmers should take warning.
—A Jamesville (Wis.) dispatch says: "A furious hail-storm last night practically destroyed the entire tobacco crop in Rock County. The damage is estimated at fully $100,000."
—A Dublin dispatch says: "The Exchange Telegraph Company announces that alarming telegrams in reference to a revival of the Irish conspiracy have been received here from America."
—News comes from St. Johns and Halifax of a terrific storm on the coast. Ten schooners were driven ashore, some of them wrecked. About one hundred fishing dories and eighty men were lost.
—A naval court-martial has been ordered to try seventeen cadets charged with the heathenish practice of hazing at Annapolis. Perhaps we ought to beg pardon of the heathen for this expression!
—The plate on the coffin of the Count De Chambord was inscribed with the following words: "Henry V. by the grace of God King of France and Navarre." Few kings have had so little burden of State affairs as he!
—A determined war has commenced in New York on the church bells. They are declared by some to be a greater nuisance than the elevated railroads. The Herald, Times, World, and Post take sides against the bells.
—The steamer Riverdale, plying between New York and Haverstraw, exploded a boiler, Aug. 29, and soon sunk, opposite Sixteenth Street, New York. The number of passengers on board was not known. Several were killed and many injured.
—In a recent riot against the Jews in a town in Russia, 364 houses were wrecked and plundered. Including the Russians who were killed in quelling the riot, twenty-eight lives were lost. In another town eighty houses of Jews were fired.
—An excursion train on the Philadelphia and Atlantic Railroad, Aug. 30, was thrown from the track at Pleasantville, N. J., and the engine and baggage car were turned upside down and four passenger cars completely wrecked. About thirty injured, some seriously, but none killed.
—The shipment of freight to Oregon from San Francisco was so heavy Aug. 31, that the Queen of the Pacific had to stop receiving early, and when the Oregon commenced taking, the line of teams was more than four hours long. Those in line at 8 A. M. could not reach the dock till afternoon.
—A tenement house was burned in Thatcher's Court, Boston, Aug. 26, and four persons were smothered to death, and one fatally injured by jumping from a window. The fire is supposed to have originated in a quarrel between two brothers, in which one threw a burning lamp at the other. The men are appropriately named Savage.
—The war between France and Anam has speedily terminated in the complete submission of the Chinese. The French took possession of Hue, the capital of Anam, and a treaty has been made in every way favorable to the French. Admiral Meyer, who commands the French naval division in Chinese waters, has been formally ordered to arrest, even by force, every Chinese boat carrying arms or troops. He is also ordered, in case of a rupture between France and China, to make an immediate attack on Canton, and other Chinese ports.
—A collision occured, Aug. 26, in the English Channel, off Eddystone light-house, between the French steamer St. Germain from Havre for New York, and the steamer Woodburn, from the East by the way of the Suez Canal. The Woodburn immediately sank and eighteen of her crew were drowned. The St. Germain was disabled, but arrived at Plymouth and landed her passengers and those saved from the Woodburn. Also the steamer Palerme, from Hamberg to Lisbon, came in collision off Ushant with the steamer Rivoli, from Balboa to Middlesborough. The Rivoli was sunk and five persons drowned. There was a thick fog at the time.
—The great calamity, not only of this year of calamities, but of the century, has fallen upon Java and adjacent islands. Aug. 25 an earthquake changed the face of much of the country. Several islands disappeared entirely. Many villages were destroyed, some sinking out of sight. The disturbance continued for several days. Volcanoes which had not been active for a hundred years suddenly sent forth great quantities of lava, rocks, and dust, and in one case a large body of ice was thrown out of the earth. Added to these, fourteen islands appeared in the ocean, where none had been before, each an active volcano. The loss of life is very great; 75,000 is considered a safe estimate of the number destroyed. An island was engulfed in the sea half way between Java and Sumatra, ten miles from Java. The straits of Sunda are entirely unsafe for navigation. Vessels have been dispatched to warn merchantmen of the danger, and to explore the straits and coasts. It is supposed that the number of lives lost will never be certainly known, the extent of country destroyed being so great, and so many islands submerged. The tidal wave caused by it was registered at Saucelito, in San Francisco Bay.
Religious Notes
Religious Notes.
—The First Congregational Church at Oakland, Cal., has voted to pay the Superintendent of its Sunday-school a good salary, so that he can devote his whole time to the work.
—There is a sharp lesson for all Christians in the following letter from a Brahmin to a missionary: “We are finding you out. You are not as good as your Book. If your people were only as good as your Book, you would conquer India for Christ in five years.”
—A witty journalist, speaking of the troubles of a certain church, said they were due to the fact that “half of the congregation worship the God of their fathers, and the others the Fathers themselves.” With too much truth this last might be said of very many worshipers.
—The Christian at Work says: “What is known as Spiritualism or Spiritism is not all trickery by any means, for there is a domain of human nature as yet unexplored. The time cannot be distant when the mystery connected with witchcraft, mesmerism, Spiritualism, and mind-reading, will all be cleared up, and powers unsuspected in the world of emotion and nerve force evolved, which will seem incredible to us in the present state of our knowledge.”
—Bishop Huntington, of the Episcopal Church of New York, told in a recent sermon what he considered the threatening danger of the church of this country. Said he: “It is not scientific doubt, not atheism, not pantheism, not agnosticism, not Romanism, that in our day and in this land is likely to quench the light of the gospel, or re-crucify Christ. It is a proud, sensuous, selfish, luxurious, church-going, hollow-hearted prosperity.” The S. S. Times says of this assertion, “These are sharp words, and the worst of it is that their sharpness comes from their truthfulness.”
—The papers that have exultingly printed the text of what purported to be a Phœnician copy of a part of Deuteronomy, 2,700 years old, the original manuscript of which was offered to the British Museum for the modest sum of $5,000,000, will now proceed to inform their readers that the whole thing is a fraud. Mr. Shapira, the alleged discoverer, is simply a trader in relics, who thought to impose on Biblical scholars for his own profit. The manuscript had various changes from the received version, and the fact that it contained an extra commandment would have kept it from being generally popular, even had it been proved to be genuine.
—The Christian at Work says: “The surliness of some of the fashionable pew-owners of this city certainly needs correction, as these folks need a course of lectures on good manners. It is not an uncommon thing for some pew-owners in a church on Fifth Avenue, this city, on arriving late and finding their pew occupied, to quietly stand at the head of their pew and wait for the strangers who may be occupying it to get up and go out. We have witnessed this more than once in one church in this city, and have heard of this boorishness in other churches.” Perhaps a few sermons on the principles of true Christianity would not be amiss in those churches.
—The Alameda Encinal says: “The Sabbatarians of Pennsylvania, on undertaking to stop work and recreation on Sunday, in several towns, are met by a threat to enforce the Sunday law to the utmost, in order to make it odious.” Our neighbor is for once off the track. Sabbatarians have no interest whatever in having work stop on Sunday, for all of whom we have any knowledge work on that day themselves. Sabbatarians are those who keep holy the seventh day, in conformity to the requirements of the fourth commandment; and they do not desire a State or National law in its behalf, for the law of God is all-sufficient. Sunday-keepers are not Sabbatarians by any means.
Obituary.
By Mrs. H. T. H. Sanborn
ALLEN.—Our dear sister, Mrs. Maggie M. Allen, fell asleep in Jesus, July 16, 1883, at her mother's home in Waterloo, Grant Co., Wis., aged twenty-two years, seven months, and nine days. Hers was a lingering, painful illness, which she bore with Christian fortitude. As we repeatedly visited her, a peaceful expression told us of the calm resignation within, which added charms to her lovely face; and as we knelt by her bedside, mingling our prayers with hers, the very atmosphere of the room seemed laden with "that peace which passeth all understanding." As do many of us, she felt that the mistakes of her life had been many, but found that settled peace so manifest on her countenance, in believing that her Saviour's blood, being efficacious, atoned for all; and we "sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." Eld. I. Sanborn spoke to a large audience from 1 Thess. 4:16.
MRS. H. T. H. SANBORN.
JUST ISSUED.
A BOOK FOR OLD AND YOUNG.
SKETCHES FROM THE LIFE OF PAUL.
By Mrs. E. G. White.
In this book the history of Paul’s life, from the time when he “made havoc” of the church until he was “offered up” as its chief representative, is traced in a clear and connected manner. Paul’s allusions to himself in his epistles are connected with the record in the book of Acts in such a manner as to throw great light both on the epistles and the “Acts.” But that which gives the book even greater value than its historical accuracy, is the lessons that are drawn from Paul’s words, and the hardships which he endured, and their practical application to our own times. This is a marked feature of this work, and the instruction given in this way cannot be estimated in dollars and cents. 234 pp., neatly bound in cloth, $.80.
Address SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal., or REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
STORY OF THE BIBLE.
By Editor
FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION.
ADAPTED TO THE YOUNG, BUT INTERESTING TO THE OLD.
In this book the stories of the Bible are re-written in simple language, and at the same time are connected together by a plain
OUTLINE OF SCRIPTURE HISTORY,
extending throughout the Bible. As far as possible, the language of the Bible is used, and great care has been taken
NOT TO IMPART ANY DENOMINATIONAL BIAS;
and in this the author has done well. This book will do much to foster in the young a taste for the study of the word of God. 700 pp., 274 illustrations. Price $1.00.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
Religious Scoffers.
THE Occident makes note of the fact that the descendents of Rebekah Nurse, who was hanged at Salem, Mass., in 1692, recently held a reunion, and that quite a sum was raised toward the erection of a suitable monument to her memory. Commenting on this fact, the Occident says:—
“What would the Pilgrim fathers have thought could they have foreseen all this? They would have all readily taken up with the doctrine of the Second Adventists, that the world is constantly getting worse and worse.”
What stronger proof that the world is growing worse is needed, than the fact that a religious journal can turn aside a Bible truth with a sneer? It certainly cannot be that our worthy contemporary is ignorant of the author of that doctrine, but it will do no harm to recall the name. These are Paul’s words: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Tim. 3: 12, 13. And our Lord himself, speaking of the last days, declares that “because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Matt. 24: 12. This page might be filled with testimonies to the same effect.
We do not deny, however, that the doctrine in question is an Adventist doctrine. Paul was a Second Adventist. He said of Christ: “And unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Heb. 9: 28. Again, “For our citizenship is in Heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Phil. 3: 21. His exhortation to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world, was based upon the fact that he was “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:” Titus 2: 13; and his words of comfort to mourning Christians were drawn from the fact that “the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven to awake those that sleep in Jesus. This doctrine he received of the Lord, who, while on earth, had said to his disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also.” John 14: 1-3.
It is the custom, even in the church, to sneer at even the name Adventist; and those who do so seem blind to the fact that they are thus throwing discredit on the Scriptures, which at the same time they are fulfilling. See 2 Peter 3: 3, 4. This blindness naturally follows the rejection of any truth, and, if persisted in, will lead to results most disastrous. See 2 Thess. 2: 9-12. It is our most earnest desire to be instrumental in preventing some from falling into this blindness, and suffering the consequences.
Payment in Advance for Papers
By Editor
NOTICE.—We send no papers from this Office without pay in advance, unless by special arrangement. When persons receive copies without ordering them they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving them are not indebted to the Office.
Time of Camp-Meetings.
By Editor
MICHIGAN, (State Meeting,) Sept. 25 to Oct. 2
NEBRASKA, Crete, Sept. 19 to Oct. 1
IOWA, Algona, Sept. 5-11
MAINE, Waterville, Sept. 6-11
CALIFORNIA, San Jose, “ 6-18
NEW YORK, Union Square, “ 12-18
NORTHERN WISCONSIN, Merillon, “ 12-18
ILLINOIS, Sheridan, “ 18-25
KENTUCKY, Glasgow, “ 19-26
KANSAS, Southeastern, Fort Scott, “ 20-30
“ Eldorado, Butler Co., Oct. 11-21
TENNESSEE, Leach, Sept. 27 to Oct. 2
MISSOURI, Oct. 11-16
INDIANA, (Southern,) Farmersburg, Sept. 12-18
“ Bunker Hill, Miami Co., Oct. 1-10
ALABAMA, Choctaw Co. “ 4-9
Honor Due to God
THIS week closes the important articles entitled, “Honor due to God.” They are already called for in tract form, and this call will probably be complied with as soon as circumstances will permit. In the meantime we hope all will read them carefully.
No Paper Next Week.
By Editor
THERE will be no paper issued from the SIGNS office next week, on account of the camp-meeting. The next SIGNS, No. 35, will be dated Sept. 20.
The Coming Conflict.
JUST received from the Office of the Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich., a book of 428 pages, with the above title. It contains all the articles contained in the discussion of the Sunday-enforcement question with the editor of the Christian Statesman, beside fifty pages of matter of the deepest interest, showing the aims and purposes of the "Amendment Party," and the status of their work up to the present time. That party has dropped its assurances, in which it used to deal so freely, that it would not interfere with the Seventh-day Adventists, and now says boldly that it intends to enforce Sunday-keeping on all classes. This book cannot fail to interest every reader. Further notice in our next.
In Bad Taste.
AT the laying of the corner-stone of the Garfield monument in Golden Gate Park, Aug. 24, as the parties took their positions, an ode was sung the first verse of which is as follows:—
“Hail, Masonry Divine!
Glory of ages, shine
While time shall last!
Where’er thy vot’ries are,
Let Love an’ Peace be there,
Let thy good works compare
With ages past.”
President Garfield was the nation’s martyr, and all unite in doing him honor; and it did not seem in keeping with the occasion to open the exercises with a song ascribing divine honors to masonry! We are neither bigoted nor prejudiced, but we intend to always have a proper regard for the fitness of things. Under the circumstances the exercises should have been such as to meet acceptance with all classes of citizens, and this could have easily been done.
The week past has been a great occasion for San Francisco. The city was dressed up in gorgeous style. The cross was honored everywhere and by everybody; the crucified was forgotten or uncared for. The order of Knights Templars was duly glorified, and the people of our unpretending Republic have thus taken one more lesson in expressing their love of show and royal trappings and dignities.
The order of Knights Templars has no natural connection with masonry, but according to their rules none but masons can become “Sir Knights.”
In military drill they make a splendid appearance, and their movements are as nearly perfect, perhaps, as may be. But we have little taste for show, and cannot forget the words of our Saviour in John 5:44.
A Doubtful Policy.
THE S. F. Alta contains the following:—
"The Boston Advertiser wants to dismember Utah and give its fragments to adjoining governments. The Advertiser is not far from right. Dismemberment is the only antidote for polygamy. To abolish the Territorial Legislature and vest the government in an appointed council, according to the plan favored by Governor Murray, would not convict and punish a single polygamist, but by dismembering the Territory and dividing it among Colorado, Nevada, and Arizona, it would be possible to get changes of venue in polygamy trials which would make it possible to obtain impartial juries and secure convictions."
Very few, either east or west, seem to apprehend the force of polygamy; the Mormons are already colonizing the adjoining States and Territories. Were Utah divided up and attached as suggested, the polygamous element would soon hold the balance of power in them all, and it would thus be in the States, which has been the object of its desire for years. As we see the utter futility of every effort made to control it, the inefficiency of every law for its suppression, we are more and more convinced of the truthfulness of a remark made to us some time ago by Dr. Stratton, of the University of the Pacific. The Doctor spent a few years in Salt Lake, and he said, "Polygamy has come to stay." The time was when energetic measures might have checked the evil, but every year increases the difficulty. It is a disgrace to our civilization that it has been permitted to grow to its present proportions. It is a standing menace to the peace of the Republic of no small magnitude.
Report of North Pacific T. and M. Society.
QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30, 1883.
Number of members............................ 121
“ reports returned........................... 47
“ members added.............................. 10
“ “ dismissed................................ 2
“ letters written............................ 306
“ families visited........................... 107
“ new subscribers obtained................... 27
“ SIGNS taken in clubs....................... 266
“ pp. tracts and pamph. loaned and given away.. 37,916
“ “ “ “ “ “ sold........................... 25,611
“ periodicals distributed.................... 1,746
“ trial subscribers obtained................. 7
Received on periodical fund.................. $142.02
“ “ tent fund................................ 67.60
“ “ tract society fund....................... 78.11
“ “ reserve fund............................. 141.85
C. L. BOYD, Pres.
MRS. C. L. BOYD, Sec.
$25,000 Wanted.
WE, the undersigned, hereby give the sums set to our names, to raise the sum of $25,000 to be placed under the control of trustees chosen at the annual session of the California Conference. Said sum to be loaned to some of our Institutions at 5 per cent., the proceeds of which shall be used to assist those who are seeking an education at the Healdsburg College, to fill positions in the cause of God. Said individuals must be recommended by the Conference Committee and the College Faculty.
William Butcher....................................................$5,000
Joseph Leininger..................................................5,000
John Morrison.....................................................1,000
"Who'll be the next?"
Appointments.
To the Readers of the "Signs" in Nebraska.
THOSE readers of the SIGNS who receive their papers from the Nebraska Tract Society, will take notice that our office will be closed during the camp-meeting, to be held at Crete from Sept. 19 to Oct. 1, in order that all our workers may attend, and consequently no papers will be sent out during that time, but all, will receive their stated number afterward.
We should be pleased to meet all of you on the camp-ground, and trust you would find it profitable to be there. NEBRASKA TRACT SOCIETY.
The Nebraska Camp-Meeting
By Editor
WE take pleasure in informing the readers of the SIGNS in Nebraska, that Mrs. E. G. White has promised to be present at our camp-meeting, which is to begin at Crete, on Sept. 19. We are sure this announcement will add largely to the attendance from all parts of the State. And we sincerely trust that a spirit of consecration and true devotion may animate the heart of every one who shall come out to this annual gathering, for God can bountifully bless such. Come out and receive his blessing.
NEB. CONF. COM.
Fremont, Aug. 24.
EARLY WRITINGS OF MRS. WHITE.
Comprising "Experience and Views" and "Spiritual Gifts Volume One," bound in one volume. This makes a neat and attractive book of nearly 200 pages, and should be read by old and young. The matter and the style in which it is presented are so interesting that no one who has read one chapter will forego the pleasure and profit of reading the remainder. Price, 75 cents.