—June 7, eight persons lost their lives in a burning building in Chicago.
—King Ludwig, of Bavaria, has been declared insane, and a regency has been established.
—The evangelists, Jones and Small, are said to have received over $1,000 for their work in Baltimore.
—Oscar Neebe, one of the Chicago Anarchists, who has not yet been indicted, is to be released on $20,000 bail.
—New Jersey was visited by an earthquake June 12. The shock was light, probably about like those which are so common in California.
—The House Committee on Territories has agreed to report the bill extending the operations of the general homestead laws over Alaska.
—There has been but one fall of rain in the vicinity of Galveston, Texas, for some months, and water sells in that city at fifty cents per barrel.
—Richard M. Hoe, the noted inventor and manufacturer, died in Florence, Italy, June 7. Mr. Hoe was the inventor of the famous printing-presses which bear his name.
—The infantry regiments at Frankfort-on-the-Main are being drilled to the use of bicycles and tricycles for military purposes. The men ride the machines in marching order.
—Since the recent tornado in Ohio, a deed and memorandum book have been returned to their owner, from whose premises they had been blown a distance of forty-eight miles.
—The French bark Michael Emile was run down and sunk by the Newcastle bark Canova in latitude 46° 8' N., longitude 53° 50' W. Seven of her crew are missing, and are thought to have been drowned.
—At Milwaukee, June 8, forty-nine men were arraigned in the Municipal Court for rioting and conspiracy. They all pleaded not guilty, and were held for trial with bail from $1,000 to $2,000 each.
—The Canadian Minister of Marine and Fisheries reports that the total value of the catch for 1885 was $17,722,000, of which Nova Scotia produced over $8,000,000 worth. The total investments in the fisheries is $6,697,000.
—On the 7th inst. local-option elections were held at many points in North Carolina. The Prohibitionists carried the day in Raleigh and at eleven other places. The liquor men were successful in eleven towns.
—The San Francisco Bulletin says that "there are now in this country more than 400,000 Swedes and Norwegians, the great majority of them being residents of Minnesota, Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, and Kansas."
—A bill is now pending in Congress which proposes to place a tax of five cents per pound on oleomargarine and other butter substitutes. It also provides that all such compounds must be plainly labeled and sold for what they really are.
—The French Government proposes to expel from that country all members of the royal families, and Prince Jerome Napoleon has published a protest against the proposed expulsion. He predicts that the Chamber of Deputies by such conduct will drive the republic into civil war.
—The fisheries question is still attracting considerable attention both in this country and Canada; and while the general opinion is that the matter will be amicably settled, some of the leading papers recognize the fact that serious complications may grow out of the present trouble.
—June 9, a mule in Avignon, France, was seized with rabies and caused a panic in the city. The infuriated beast broke loose from its stable and after nearly killing its owner, charged through the streets, attacking and biting every living thing it met. A number of persons were bitten.
—The Orange riots in Ulster, Ireland, have proved to be more serious than at first reported, and continued till June 11, when the terrorized districts were placed under martial law. A number of taverns were destroyed, and all their stocks of wine, whisky, and beer thrown out to the crowd in the streets, who drank it ravenously or carried it away in jugs and buckets. In the latter work scores of women and children were engaged all the time the rioting lasted. Several persons have been killed and a large number wounded. The police were compelled to fire upon the mob repeatedly with buckshot.
—Gladstone's Home Rule bill came up for its second reading in the House of Commons on the 7th inst., and was defeated by a majority of thirty votes. The defeat of the bill was the occasion of intense excitement throughout both England and Ireland. At several points in the latter country the Orangemen indulged in riot. In Belfast, an Orange mob wrecked a number of Catholic houses, and was fired upon by the police; the fire was returned, and many on both sides were injured. The mob was finally dispersed, but the situation is very grave, not only in Belfast, but throughout Ireland. The Government has decided to dissolve Parliament, and thus appeal to the country at large. It is impossible to predict the result.
The Word Boycotting.
THE word has lately been coined, but by whom it is difficult to trace. That it will find its way into the dictionaries of the future as a legitimate word we have little doubt. The expression "boycotting" has already become historic. Its origin was as follows: A Captain Boycott was the agent of a land owner in Ireland. His policy proved to be distasteful and offensive to the tenants, and such was their feelings in the matter that they asked the landlord to remove him. This the landed proprietor declined to do, and in return the tenants and their friends refused to work for or under Boycott. They would not harvest his crops, and they made an agreement among themselves that none of them or theirs should assist or work for him in the harvest. His crops were endangered, when relief arrived in the persons of certain Ulster men, who, under the protection of the troops, harvested the crops of Boycott.
The defensive league of the tenantry was much more powerful and effective than might be guessed by the single instance of combination referred to above. The ramifications of their compact were very numerous and extensive. For example, it was decided that if any one had any dealing with Boycott, or those who represented him, then no one was to have any dealing with that person. If a man worked for Boycott he was to be looked on by his old neighbors and friends as a total stranger; no one was to sell or buy of him; no one was to know him. The effect of this agreement, when carried to its extreme limits, was just what its author proposed. And "boycotting" has become a very forcible phrase. The system has been sought to be introduced into the United States, but with partial success only. To say the least, it is anything but an honorable means of gaining redress for alleged wrongs.
Rule of Action.
By Methodist Recorder
THE true rule of action, which every man should adopt, is to do the best he can in the circumstances in which he is placed. But when his circumstances improve, he should improve the opportunity thus afforded, and, still doing his best, better results will be secured. There is no greater folly than for a man to refuse to do what he can, because under the circumstances he cannot do better. Some men who could earn a dollar a day refuse to work, because they cannot earn two. Some men who could be useful in a limited sphere, will do nothing, because they cannot occupy a more enlarged field. Earn a dollar, if you cannot earn two, but as soon as an opportunity to earn two occurs, embrace it. Improve your present limited sphere of usefulness, but when a wider field presents itself, faithfully occupy it. Never be idle. Always do the best you can; and as circumstances improve, embrace the opportunity to better your condition, or to enlarge your field of usefulness.—Methodist Recorder.
Cost of Running a Locomotive
It costs, on an average, a little more than twenty cents a mile to run a locomotive. Nearly eight cents of this is for fuel, seven and a quarter cents for pay of engineer and fireman, a half cent for oil and waste, and more than four and a half cents for repairs. A ton of coal will run a locomotive twenty-four miles; a pint of oil will run eleven miles, and a pound of waste, one hundred and twenty-three miles.
Faithfulness in Little Things
By Moody
No MAN is fit for God's service who is not willing to do little things. The people who are always waiting for an opportunity to do some great thing never accomplish anything.—Moody.
The Pulpit and Religious Inquiries
It can never be beneath the dignity of the pulpit to answer any inquiries touching religious faith which an honest and sensible people may be moved to ask.
News and Notes.
RELIGIOUS.
—A Jewish theological seminary will be opened in New York next fall.
—It is said that a Methodist missionary has been appointed chief physician of the Chinese army.
—In the theological seminary at Richmond, Va., sixty-two colored men are studying for the ministry.
—The New York Observer, speaking of the court which religious teachers are paying to evolution, says: 'We make ourselves ridiculous by trying to accommodate our religious views to every wind of scientific doctrine.'
—There are 2,623 Baptist Churches in Georgia, according to the Year Book. The same authority also states that of these 'some seventy-five have supported weekly services.' It does not say how many of the seventy-five have weekly prayer-meetings.
—The Papal Consistory has created four other cardinals besides Arch-bishops Gibbons of Baltimore, and Taschereau of Quebec, and has nominated three bishops in Ireland, twelve in Spain, six in France, three in Germany, six in America, and seven in other nations.
—Says Dr. Parkhurst: 'Why not revert to the Old Testament, and be contented simply to found a sermon upon Sunday-keeping on the basis of the fourth commandment? Because that would get us into more difficulties than it would get us out of.' Quite true; and if they go outside the fourth commandment for authority for Sunday-keeping, they will get into more difficulties than they will get out of. Trouble ahead for Sunday-keepers, whatever way they fix it.
—The Christian Union says: 'New England, which has been a source of missionary strength, is becoming a field for missionary labor. The same thing is happening, on a large geographical scale here, which, in a smaller area of territory, if not of population, has happened in our great commercial centers. Protestant population is moving away, self-supporting churches are falling into decay, and regions once Protestant and Puritan are becoming either Roman Catholic or unreligious, or a combination of the two.'
—An exchange states that 'at Lucknow, India, there is a native press employing nine hundred workmen, which issues largely the sacred writings of the Hindoos and Mohammedans. A native publishing firm at Lahore translates European infidel publications as fast as they appear and disseminates them in the various languages of India.' The devil is as active in his missionary operations as Christians are, and the seed which he sows finds the more congenial soil, and matures the more quickly. And yet some people imagine that they see prospects of the speedy evangelization of the world.
—This, from the Cynosure (Chicago) is good: 'The pastor of a Congregational Church in this vicinity, who is represented as being "fond of a cigar, a joke, and a good time," has been requested, by a letter signed by seven out of eight of his church committee, to resign his pastorate because of alleged inefficiency. This he peremptorily declines. They have proffered him the payment of his salary to the end of the year, but he does not propose to accept the bread of idleness. He evidently thinks he is persecuted, but he seems to forget the admonition of the Master, "When they persecute you in one city flee into another."'
RECEIPTS.
By Editor
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.
California Conference Fund.—San Francisco Church $22.45, Petaluma Church $19.
Received on Account.—Tenn T and M Society $30.
Geikie's Life of Christ.
The Life and Words of Christ, by Cunningham Geikie, Acme Edition, extra cloth, 800 pages, 50 cents; postage, 10 cents.
The best of all the lives of Christ—a marvel of cheapness.—Portland Christian Mirror.
A great and noble work, rich in information, elegant and scholarly in style, earnestly devout in feeling.—London Literary World.
It is a work of profound learning.—Archbishop of York.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
Special Notice to Agents.
By Editor
WHEN sending orders to this office for Signs, Pacific Health Journal, American Sentinel, and books, please make the orders for the different periodicals on separate slips of paper, as separate books are kept for each periodical. Place the orders for Signs on one slip of paper; those for the Health Journal on another; those for the Sentinel on still another, etc. By so doing you will greatly accommodate the clerks in the office, and facilitate business.
Combination Offer.
By Editor
THE "MARVEL OF NATIONS" WITH THE AMERICAN SENTINEL, ONE YEAR, POST-PAID, FOR $1.25.
THE publishers of the AMERICAN SENTINEL, being desirous of securing a large subscription list at once, have made arrangements with the publishers of the "Marvel of Nations," whereby they are enabled to furnish this interesting and popular book, together with the American Sentinel, for one year for $1.25. We trust that many of our readers will avail themselves of this privilege of securing both the book and the paper for so small a sum. Order at once, so as to secure all the numbers of the SENTINEL.
Address, AMERICAN SENTINEL, 1059 Castro Street, Oakland, Cal.
THE HOME OF THE SAVED.
By John Norton Loughborough
BY ELD. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Gives the Bible evidence upon the interesting topic of the earth made new, as the inheritance of the saints. 82 pp. Price, 10 cents. SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE HONOR DUE TO GOD.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
By Eld. E. J. Waggoner.
This is a candid examination of the question as to what the Lord expects from his children as an acceptable manifestation of gratitude for his gifts and care. It treats the important subject of tithes and offerings in a new and interesting way. Its arguments are clear and concise. It is a plain and faithful presentation of the truth of God's word on the important subject. An idea of the scope of the work may be obtained from the following brief synopsis:—
CHAPTER I.
Man's Duty to Love God Supremely.—God's Pleasure Man's Profit.—Love is Active, not Passive.—Two Ways of Honoring God—with Our Time and Our Substance.—Tithing Rests on Same Foundation as Sabbath.—The Right of Property; Everything is the Lord's.—Tithing Not Peculiar to Jewish Dispensation.
CHAPTER II.
First Instance of Payment of Tithes.—What the Tithe Is.—Jacob's Vow.
CHAPTER III.
From What is the Tithe to be Paid?—When Shall It Be Laid Aside?—Redeeming the Tithe.—Object of the Tithe.—Nehemiah's Example.—Offerings; Various Kinds in Old Dispensation.—David's Example.—Christian Obligation.
CHAPTER IV.
Difference Between Tithes and Offerings.—Offerings to be Given Willingly.—Modern Methods of Raising Money for Church Support Contrasted with Ancient.—Tithe Must Be Paid Continuously.—Church Expenses; How Raised in Ancient Times.—Support of the Poor; Bible Plan.—A Second Tithe.
CHAPTER V.
Who Should Pay Tithes.—Who Should Make Offerings.—The Promise of God.
CHAPTER VI.
Parable of Rich Man; Luke 12:15-21. "Rich Toward God."—Parable of the Unjust Steward.—Children of this World Wiser than Children of Light.—Why God Requires Men to Give of Their Means.
CHAPTER VII.
Systematic Giving.—Impossible to Discharge Our Obligations Without a Plan in Giving.—Purposing in the Heart.—How to Make Duty a Pleasure.—Giving One of the Christian Graces.
CHAPTER VIII.
An Objection; Tithing Not Mentioned by the Apostles.—The Reason Why.—Not One-tenth Merely, but All Belongs to God.—"Sell That Ye Have, and Give Alms."—When Does this Command Apply?
PRICE, 10 CENTS.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY
BETWEEN
CHRIST AND SATAN FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM TO THE END OF TIME.
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE,
Author of "The Life of Christ," "Sketches from the Life of Paul,"
"Bible Sanctification," and other popular works.
PRINTED AND BOUND IN THE VERY BEST STYLE. OVER TEN THOUSAND SOLD IN SIX MONTHS.
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 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 lifelike 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, and the Judgment.
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.
Over 500 pages; 22 full-page cuts. Price, . . . . . $1.50
To foreign countries, post-paid, . . . . . 8s
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal., U. S. A.,
Or the nearest Agent or Book Depository.
SABBATH-SCHOOL HELPS.
By Editor
Bible Lessons for Little Ones, No. 1. Flexible cover...15 cts.
Bible Lessons for Little Ones, No. 2. Flexible cloth...20 cts.
Bible Lessons for Children, No. 3...25 cts.
Bible Lessons, No. 4, with map...25 cts.
Bible Lessons, No. 5...25 cts.
Bible Lessons, No. 6...25 cts.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE ADVENT REVIEW
By Editor
AND SABBATH HERALD,
A RELIGIOUS FAMILY JOURNAL,
PUBLISHED WEEKLY AT BATTLE CREEK, MICH., BY THE S. D. A. PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION.
Sixteen large, closely printed pages of choice reading matter, treating upon all the Prophetic themes of the Bible, the Signs of the Times, Second Coming of Christ at Hand, Closing Reforms in the Church, the Gospel of Christ, Conversion, Practical Godliness, etc. etc.
This is the organ of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, the oldest journal of this people. It is now in its sixty-third volume. Contains full reports from the ministers and the doings of the different organizations of this denomination. No one should fail to take the REVIEW AND HERALD.
Price, in advance, $2.00 per year. Address, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
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 human rights, both civil and religious.
It will ever be uncompromisingly opposed to anything tending toward a union of Church and State, either in name or in fact.
TERMS.
SINGLE Copy, per year, - - - - - 50 cents.
To foreign countries, single subscriptions, post-paid - - - - - 2s.
Address, AMERICAN SENTINEL, 1059 Castro Street, Oakland, Cal.
Appointments.
OAKLAND.—House of worship, northeast corner of Clay and Thirteenth Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:30 A. M. Preaching at 11. Prayer and missionary meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:30. Seats free.
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. Classes in the English, German, and Scandinavian languages. Prayer and missionary meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:45. Mission Reading-rooms at the church.
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 is cordially invited. Free public reading-room, corner of L and Fifth Streets.
Minnesota Camp-Meeting.
By Editor
THE annual meeting of the Seventh-day Adventists of Minnesota will convene at Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, June 23, and continue until the morning of the 29th. The sessions of the Conference, tract society, and Sabbath-school associations will be held in connection; and the camp-meeting will be preceded by a workers' meeting, continuing one week.
The grounds selected are within the city limits, but not as near the heart of the city as we desired to have them. Still, by the aid of the Motor Line, which grants us great reduction and an efficient service, the citizens may easily reach the grounds. The location is beautiful and quiet. It is expected that this will be the most important meeting we have ever held in Minnesota. Though not prepared to announce definitely, we confidently expect that the railroads will grant the usual reduction of return for one-fifth fare. We shall have the benefits of the labors of Elders Butler and Haskell, with other laborers of ability and experience. The managers will take every pains to provide for all who come, at prices which are reasonable.
There will be tents for rent, straw for beds, a provision stand and dining hall. Those coming from abroad may receive Motor tickets from the depots to the grounds and return at ten cents, by addressing H. P. Holser, Box 1076, Minneapolis, giving names of those who will attend.
We extend to all readers of the SIGNS a cordial invitation to attend the meetings.
MINNESOTA CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
What May We Do?
By Editor
In a private letter to a friend, a young lady asks the following question, which we are requested to answer:—
"Is it right that the young people of our church should have parties of candy pulling and playing simple games, and staying out until midnight?"
We say unhesitatingly, No; not for the young people of "our church" or any other church. If any one wants to know why we give so emphatic a negative, we reply as follows:—
1. An unlimited amount of candy, even of the most healthful kind, eaten at a late hour of the night, is certainly injurious. But allowing that it is harmless, why assemble in crowds to manufacture and eat it? Simply for the "fun" that is enjoyed. This word, which would be the one employed in nine cases out of ten, should of itself condemn the proceeding, for
2. The "simple games" indulged in are, so far as our observation and experience go, decidedly "simple," even silly, and often even worse. It is a false idea of modern times that young people must be "amused," as though that were the chief end of life. Healthful recreation is necessary for all, but there is no healthful recreation in an entertainment which unfits one for the duties of the next day, or for quiet meditation.
3. In this last lies the point of the whole thing. Such frolics leave the soul lean and barren. A so-called "recreation" upon which one cannot ask God's blessing, or which leaves the individual with less inclination for his religious duties than he had before, is unquestionably wrong. It is useless and impossible to specify the amusements in which Christians ought not to indulge; but this principle will settle every case: Any place where you would hesitate to invite the Lord Jesus, if he were on earth, or any performance which you would feel like omitting if the Saviour were present in person, should be shunned. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Let all things be tested by this rule. We do not know of any exception to it, and it will allow all necessary recreation. If one is indeed a Christian, he will find his highest pleasure in following out this rule.
Home Rule or Not.
By Editor
HOME RULE for Ireland is, and has been for some time, the leading topic throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Gladstone's Home Rule bill has been defeated, and a new Parliament is to be chosen solely upon this question. Ireland itself is seriously divided upon the question. The Catholics are in the vast majority in Ireland, yet there are, especially in the northern part, a great many Protestants. These Protestants are Orangemen and Presbyterians. While the Home Rule bill was pending in Parliament, these Protestants threatened that if it passed they would resort to arms, and it was reported that they were actually arming. This, of course, was all to be in self-defense, as it was argued, if the bill should pass, Ireland would be governed by the majority, and as the majority are Catholics, Protestants would not be safe, and therefore they must be prepared to defend themselves.
But the bill did not pass. And so the Protestants who thought themselves devoted are yet safe. Yes, the Protestants are safe, but the Catholics are not. Ever since the defeat of the bill, now nearly a week, the Protestants in that part of Ireland have been mobbing the Catholics, chasing them from their houses, destroying their property, burning their houses, and hunting them for their lives. So, then, it appears that in the event of the success of the Home Rule bill the Protestants were going to defend themselves; but as the bill was defeated they propose to kill the Catholics! Now we should like to know what these poor, gentle Protestants would have done had the bill passed? If they thus express their gratification at the defeat of the bill, how would they have expressed their displeasure at its success? If such is the effect of their joy, what would have been the effect of their anger? As the matter stands now, we cannot see where the Protestants would have been in any greater danger with Home Rule than the Catholics are without it.
THE Golden Gate describes Unitarianism as “a pleasant caravansary for a night’s rest—a half-way house between evangelism and Spiritualism.” The same might be said of some other isms. Indeed, everything that does not lead to the truth leads eventually to Spiritualism.
Nature and Destiny of Man
By Editor
FROM the publishing house in Basel, Switzerland, we have just received a forty-page pamphlet in the French language on the "Nature and Destiny of Man," an appeal to the Bible and to reason concerning the body, the soul, and the spirit, by Elder D. T. Bourdeau. The argument is pointed and condensed, and is eminently an appeal to the Bible. The book fairly bristles with Scripture texts. We believe that this is the only publication on this subject in the French language, and we hope it may have a large circulation among people of that tongue.
The Christian World and Peace
By Editor
SAYS the Christian Cynosure: "Slowly the Christian world is learning the divine lesson of 'Peace on earth and good-will to men.'" Yes; very slowly; so slowly that the movement is not perceptible. Or, rather, the movement in the opposite direction is plainly perceptible. But how is it that the "Christian world" should be even "slowly" learning that lesson? How can it be Christian before it has learned the first principles of Christianity? Isn't the term "Christian" used a little indiscriminately nowadays? We think so.
The Fourth Commandment Ignored
By Editor
THE Rev. Dr. Charles H. Parkhurst, of New York, recently preached a sermon on "the Lord's day," which is given in full in the Christian Union of May 20. The following brief extract is worth preserving:—
"We do not keep the fourth commandment by hallowing one day in seven, unless it is the seventh day that we hallow. The seventh day is specified, and the reason for specifying it is specified, and every child who intelligently knows the commandment can tell why it is that it was the seventh rather than the sixth day that was ordained and consecrated to holy uses."
After such a declaration, the Doctor's allegiance to Sunday can be regarded as nothing but a deliberate ignoring of the fourth commandment. He virtually says, "I don't propose to keep the fourth commandment." If he should make a similar declaration concerning the sixth or the seventh commandment, there would be a cry of indignation from all the religious journals of the country; but as it is only the fourth commandment that is repudiated, they have no concern. Will somebody tell us why the fourth commandment is not of equal importance with the third, the sixth, or the seventh?
Is God Particular?
By Editor
IN a letter which we recently heard read, the following sentence occurred: "I do not think God is particular about what day we keep." We thought, What reason has that man for thinking so? How does he know what will please God, and what will not? Has he access to sources of information which are denied to the rest of us? Evidently he has no means of knowing God's will, except the Bible.
That says: "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work." It also says that we should honor God by turning away our feet from the Sabbath, from doing our pleasure on God's holy day; and to show the importance of honoring God, we read: "Them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed." Still further, as a practical illustration of the above, we find that the Lord allowed the Israelites to be carried into captivity, and their city destroyed, simply because they did not remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Read Jer. 17:21-27; 2 Chron. 36:14-21; Neh. 13:15-18. Our conclusion, then, is this: No man has any right to "think" that God is any different from what he is represented in the Bible; and our reading of the Bible convinces us, as it must any one who takes the Bible alone, that God is particular whether or not men keep his Sabbath. And "the seventh day is the Sabbath."
Camp-Meetings in California Conference.
By Editor
THE following dates have been decided upon for our camp-meetings this year. Particulars as to places, etc., will be given in due time.
Humboldt Co., Wednesday, Aug. 4, to Thursday, Aug. 12; Nevada, Tuesday, Aug. 31, to Wednesday, Sept. 8; Woodland, Yolo Co., general camp-meeting and Conference, Wednesday, Sept. 22, to Tuesday, Oct. 5; Los Angeles Co., Thursday, Oct. 14, to Monday, Oct. 25; Santa Barbara Co., Thursday, Nov. 4, to Thursday, Nov. 11.
CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
Government Land in Southern California
PERSONS who contemplate coming to California for the purpose of securing public land should first ponder well the following truthful item from the San Francisco Chronicle:—
"A colonization society has been started in Chicago to locate on Government land in Southern California. It would be interesting to know where the society proposes to get a body of Government land sufficient for its needs. There are few counties in Southern California which can show any considerable amount of Government land, and most of this land is in the mountains, remote from settlements. At least this has been the report of those who have prospected for such land. The trail of the land-grabber is over all these counties, and if this society wishes to get good land, it will have to buy from him and not from Uncle Sam."
Payment Required for Papers
By Editor
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 copies of the SIGNS are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon for pay. Please read the papers and hand them to your friends to read.