Earlier text: A LITTLE CONFUSEDA good mother had two little daughters. The age of the elder was that of the little girl mentioned in Luke 8:42. Her name was the same as that of a woman who was a convert under the preaching of St. Paul. You will find it in Acts 16:14. Her appearance is described in Esther 1:11, last clause of the verse. I wish that her heart had been the same, but that may be more truly described in Prov. 21:4, second clause, and also by the two adjectives which are the first words of the twenty-fourth verse of the same chapter. Psalms 55:4, first clause, describes the feelings of the mother when she thought of the pride and self-will of her little girl. The little incident I am about to relate will show how true are the words of Solomon in Prov. 14:3, first clause, and in Prov. 22:15, first clause. A gentleman who was the same relation to this little girl that Abram was to Lot, Gen. 12:5, gave her what a woman is described in Luke 15:8 as lighting a candle to find. He told her she might spend it as she liked best. Now, there was nothing she liked so much as the articles named in Ex. 11:2, last clause, particularly the kind referred to in Isaiah 3:19, the first two there named, and also the first spoken of in verse twenty-one of the same chapter. Unfortunately for her she could not purchase these, and she was obliged to wait until she should find something less costly. Meantime, she went out with her mother to purchase an article named in Isaiah 3:20, the first named, although it was not, probably, of the kind worn by the Jewish maidens. This self-willed little girl wanted it trimmed with either one of the two articles mentioned in Job 39:13. Because her mother objected, she felt as Jonah did, Jonah 4:1, and she also did what Jacob is said to have done after kissing Rachel, Gen. 29:11. Her mother reprimanded her in the words used to Jonah, Jonah 4:9, and she replied in very much the same words which the prophet used on that occasion. This made her mother realize more than ever that the ornaments which this little girl needed were those referred to in 1 Peter 3:3, 4, and lest her heart should become like that of the king spoken of in Ex. 8:15, she took her by the hand and led her where Paul recommends that children should first show piety, 1 Tim. 5:4. On opening her purse, this little girl found that she had in her experience reversed the statement in Luke 15:32, last clause, and that she had brought it home in the same state that Naomi returned to Bethlehem-Judah, Ruth 1:21. This good mother had another little daughter whose name was the same as that of the aged prophetess mentioned in Luke 2:36. The description of her may be found in Song of Solomon 1:15, and her character shown in Prov. 31:26. The same relative who had given her sister a present gave her one of equal value. She obtained permission from her mother to spend it in the following manner:— Near her lived a boy who was afflicted in the same way as the son of Jonathan, mentioned in 2 Samuel 9:3. His name was that of the apostle last mentioned in John 1:44. As he belonged to the class referred to in Deut. 15:11, he was very much in need of the articles named in the last three words of Amos 2:6. These she wished to give him, as she had already provided for him a garment such as that which Paul says he forgot when he left Troas, 2 Tim. 4:13, and an article which now bears a name the same as that found in the last word of Isa. 3:19. The reason she gave her mother for the interest she felt in this boy was the same given by Lot for choosing the city of Zoar, Gen. 19:20. Her mother was so pleased that this little girl should be found among those mentioned in Psalms 41:1, that she assisted her by adding to the gifts something to carry with her to the parents of the boy, because they were what David calls himself in Psalms 70:5, first clause. Accordingly, she took an article named in Ex. 29:3, and filled it with something mentioned in Ruth 1:6; Acts 27:36, the fruit mentioned in Song of Solomon 2:5, in Num. 13:24, and two of the list of things given by Abigail to David, 1 Sam. 25:12. The reason she gave for sending the article mentioned in Ruth 1:6 was that she had heard that all that they had heard of it in the house was like that described in Joshua 9:5, last clause. The kind mother also added a little money to pay the rent of what the sparrow is said to have found on the Lord’s altar in Ps. 84:3. The little girl and her mother carried these things to the house and stood as described in Rev. 3:20, first clause. They did what David said he did in the first three words of Psalms 40, until they heard a voice asking the two questions found in Joshua 9:8. Then was done for them what was done for Peter in Acts 12:16, and when they entered the room they found what is asserted in the first line of John 11:1, in regard to a man who lived in Bethany. Beside the bed were as many children as had the patriarch named in Gen. 9:19, and speaking of the sick man they said of him what is said of Abraham in Romans 4:16, last clause. When they asked for the mother of the family, the father spoke to the eldest child in the words used in 2 Kings 4:15. The mother spoke of the sick father in the words describing Saul in 1 Samuel 28:20, last clause, and then they did what the wise men of the East did with their treasures, Matt. 2:11. The whole family were what we are told to be in Col. 3:15, last clause, and when their generous friends rose to go, the sick man obeyed the command in Psalms 107:1, for the reasons given in the fifth and sixth verses of the same Psalm, and he spoke to them in the words of 1 Sam. 25:6. When, in the course of the evening, the two sisters began to compare the day’s experience, and the elder told of her disappointment in not having what the Israelites borrowed of the Egyptians, Ex. 12:35, she was obliged to admit the truth expressed in Prov. 3:13, 14, 15, and 17, for her sister had already proved them so by her quiet happiness.—Christian Union. The weekly family newspaper is an important visitor. It brings intelligence from the four quarters of the earth. That ought to be a poor family which cannot take a weekly religious newspaper. It furnishes a large amount of reading for the money expended. It furnishes intelligence on various and important subjects. It gives information concerning the advance movements of the church. Can any Christian family be properly brought up in this age, when knowledge runs to and fro, and not be informed as to what is being done along the advance line of the Redeemer's kingdom? When battles were raging in our land a few years since, how eager were people to get the intelligence from the front ranks of contending hosts. How faithfully the wires were used to send back to listening and expectant thousands, what victories were won, or what defeats suffered. Are the battles which are being fought with the powers of darkness of any less moment? Satan is being despoiled of his captives, and souls are being brought back to Christ. Fort after fort is being taken. Churches are being organized and houses of worship built. Missionaries are breaking through the barriers that have long been defying the gospel of Jesus Christ. Savages are becoming Christians. The places full of the habitations of cruelty are becoming resonant with the praises of the Redeemer. Is it right for families calling themselves Christian, when it is within their power to take some organ of the church that will tell them how Christ's kingdom is advancing in the world, is it right for them to go ignorant of these things? Can they sincerely pray "Thy kingdom come," and not be interested enough in the coming of it to spend two or three dollars a year, that they may have weekly intelligence from the battle fields of Christ, that they may know what is being done to bring into the fold of salvation those for whom the Saviour died? Christian parents, do not try to bring up, in this enlightened day, this day of cheap literature, a family under a roof professedly Christian, a family of children looking to you, and depending on you for guidance and information, without giving them an opportunity to know whether Satan or Christ is taking the world.—Messenger. LIFE to some is full of sorrow,—
Half is real, half they borrow;
Full of rocks and full of ledges,
Corners sharp and cutting edges.
Though the joy-bells may be ringing,
Not a song you'll hear them singing;
Seeing never makes them wise,
Looking out from downcast eyes. All in vain the sun is shining,
Waters sparkling, blossoms twining;
They but see through these same sorrows,
Sad to-days and worse to-morrows.
See the clouds that must pass over;
See the weeds among the clover,—
Everything and anything
But the gold the sunbeams bring. Drinking from the bitter fountain,
Lo! your mole-hill seems a mountain.
Drops of dew and drops of rain
Swell into the mighty main.
All in vain the blessings shower,
And the mercies fall with power.
Gathering chaff, ye tread the wheat,
Rich and royal, 'neath your feet. Let it not be so, my neighbor;
Look up, as you love and labor.
Not for one alone, woe's vials;
Every one has cares and trials.
Joy and pain are linked together,
Like the fair and cloudy weather.
May we have, oh, let us pray,
Faith and patience for to-day.
—Anon. MOST of us have found how much easier it is to bear up bravely under a great misfortune than to act with patience, good temper, and courage when little things go wrong. How many times a day are we tried and harassed in the family! One person is apt to be irritated at trifles, and to speak petulantly and hastily when provoked. Nothing spreads more quickly than such an infirmity. It is as subtle as malaria, and as hard to overcome. If father or mother have the habit of speaking in a harsh, rasping voice, or of magnifying little faults into great crimes, the children will soon learn the trick of scowling brows and cross words. We never hear a little girl scolding her doll, in uplifted tones, nor striking and shaking it, without a suspicion that in that way she sees the home government administered. And when we observe gentleness, sweetness, and unselfishness predominating in the conduct of children, the inference is natural that they live in a sunny atmosphere, and have beautiful examples set before them daily. How often we mothers have gone from our rooms, where we have had a tender season of communion with God, have read precious promises in his Book, and been strengthened against need, and then, secure as we thought against temptation, have had all the peace banished by some untoward occurrence! To enter the parlor and find that Jennie is playing with the china which is your pride, or that Tommy has made a horse of your frail Japanese chair; to have a favorite book, which you loaned in the goodness of your heart, come home stained and torn; to go to the kitchen and be confronted by the stupidity or obstinacy of an ignorant servant,—these are common experiences, and how often our self-control flies before them! It is as humiliating as it is common to find that when we are on the level of our highest moods we are apt to be swept down to our lowest. How can we exercise ourselves so as to have a quiet mind? In two or three ways. We cannot invariably control our thoughts and impulses, but our words and our tones are in our own power. We may resolve to preserve silence when we are exasperated, till we feel calm, and never to elevate our tones when annoyed. A low, clear voice is a great charm in a woman; and when it is a mother's, it has an almost magical influence in the maintaining of harmony in the household. If we would have a quiet mind, we must give fair play to this house in which our mind dwells. Often the temper is uncertain and fortitude breaks down because the body is worn out by illness or sleeplessness. Let us resolve to secure some needed repose, and some small space of solitude every day. There should be one room to which, morning or afternoon, we may retire, and be safe from intrusion, while we read, meditate, or pray. Let us make daily and practical use of our Bibles. They are full of help, of instruction, and of comfort. We can open them nowhere without finding some thought of God, outshining like a star, and dispensing its brilliant light for our cheer and guidance. The way of perfect trust is the only peaceful way in this world, and they have most of its joy who dwell nearest the heavenly Father.—Christian at Work. — Cyrus W. Field sailed for China, Dec. 15. — South Carolina has passed a stringent law against dueling. — War between Greece and Turkey is considered inevitable. — During 1880 the police of Portland, Oregon, made 2,578 arrests. — The anti-Jewish agitation has extended to Saxony and Bavaria. — The Hindoo has 33,000,000 gods. Very few Christians are content with one. — It is thought that the prosecution of the Land Leaguers will cost over $500,000. — Jay Gould controls one-ninth of the entire railroad mileage of the country. — The United States now rank third among the commercial nations of the world. — Miss Lizzie, daughter of ex-Senator Sargent, has been admitted to practice medicine. — General John F. Miller has been elected to the United States Senate from California. — The gross earnings of sixty-eight railroads show an increase of $38,000,000 for the year 1880. — A petition for the appointment of a woman on the police force has been circulated in Milwaukee. — General Grant has received the presidency of the World's Fair, to be held in New York, in 1883. — 159,000 letters were taken from the New York post-office, by the foreign steamers, in one week. — Col. James G. Fair has been chosen United States Senator from the State of Nevada, to succeed Senator Sharon. — At Council Bluffs the severest spell of cold weather is reported since 1858. Thermometer 35 degrees below zero. — The last steamer from Hongkong brought $115,500 in Japanese gold coin for recoinage at the San Francisco mint. — In the Pennsylvania Legislature, on the 12th inst., thirty-eight names were put in nomination for U. S. Senator. — A railroad around the great desert of Sahara is projected, the line to run from Algiers to the Niger and thence to Senegal. — A house in ruins and two children burned to death by the explosion of a kerosene lamp is reported from Reading, Penn., Jan. 11. — A Chicago correspondent of the Alta says that "the original Uncle Tom of Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel is lecturing in this city." — The new Chinese treaty has at last been presented to the public, in full. It harmonizes with previous statements in regard to it. — The king of Congo, Africa, is reported to have joined the Baptist church, and to be the only crowned head in the denomination. — During the last year 909 less Chinamen arrived at this port than during 1879. The number of departures cannot be definitely ascertained. — Russia is this year importing grain, tallow, and wool, the very things with which she has been accustomed to supply half the world. — The new city hall of San Francisco has cost over $3,000,000 so far, and the architect estimates that it will cost over 1,500,000 to finish it. — It is reported that 750,000 peasants are starving in the province of Saratoff, Russia, and over a million are in absolute destitution in Samaria. — The total arrivals in California during 1880 by both land and sea were 47,853; departures, 43,531, a gain of 4,322. In 1879 the gain was 9,484. — From forty to fifty thousand colliers in Lancashire are striking, owing to the masters trying to evade the law, which compels them to pay for accidents. — The total population of Utah is 143,907. Of this number, 43,933 are foreign. There are 501 Chinese, and 804 Indians and half-breeds in the Territory. — The most costly building in the country, when completed, will be the Mormon Temple at Salt Lake City, the cost of which is estimated at $27,000,000. — Four Chinese steam-ships are to be finished and put on the route between China and San Francisco next August. They are to be manned by American Captains. — A dispatch from St. Louis, dated Jan. 11, says, "The sale of season tickets for the Bernhardt season began this morning, and up to one o'clock $9,760 were realized." — About 600 miles of the Northern Pacific railroad are completed and in operation, and 1,600 miles remain to be built. Eastern capitalists have raised $40,000,000 to do this. — The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, started in 1820, has treated about a quarter of a million patients, most of them gratuitously. It is an admirable and useful charity. — While a clerk in J. P. Andrews and Co.'s store, Climax, Mich., was weighing out some powder for a customer, it was unaccountably ignited, and an explosion followed by which nine persons were seriously injured, several of whom will probably die. — It is stated that the examination of the Land Leaguers is proceeding in the Tralee jail, the police fearing to remove the prisoners to the Court owing to the excitement. — Twelve American Union telegraph men have been arrested at Elizabeth, New York, for interfering with the Western Union wires, and held in $500 bail each, to appear for examination. — The directors of the permanent exhibition, Philadelphia, have decided to recommend to the shareholders that the show be closed, the building sold, and the affairs of the concern wound up. — There is an old law still on the Connecticut statute books which declares that "every horse used in any horse race, and on which any wager is laid or any purse or stake made, shall be forfeited to the State." — Rev. E. P. Hammond has been laboring since October last in Manitoba and Northern Dakota. One thousand converts are reported. If these are truly converted to God and not to Hammond merely, the work is a glorious one. — Two men on harnessed horses rode up to a circus ticket wagon at Leadville, Colorado, hitched the beasts to it, and dashed off with the vehicle, in which were the treasurer and $1,500. The showmen gave quick chase, and regained the treasure, but the robbers escaped. — The Oakland Times thinks that in the Southern States where there is a school population of over 5,000,000, with an attendance of a little more than 2,000,000, would be a good place in which to test the system of "parental education" as advocated in the "Poison Fountain" by Zach Montgomery. — There are at present laboring in India at least twenty-eight different church organizations, representing bodies in England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, the United States, Germany, Denmark, and Switzerland. In all there are now at work in heathen countries two thousand Protestant missionaries. — Two men fired simultaneously at each other in a Salt Lake bar room, and the bullets came into collision. There could be no doubt of this, for one bullet dropped to the floor midway between the antagonists, who were ten feet apart, and the other was turned upward to the ceiling, while both were flattened. — The Nihilists are giving the Czar no peace of his life, and it is rumored that he intends to retire in favor of the Czarowitz. The last attempt upon his life was a dynamite tunnel running from a barn near the railway. As if to save suspense and waiting, the owner of the barn blew his brains out as soon as he knew the plot was discovered. — The storm of the past week has been very general throughout California. In the East, intense cold and heavy snows are reported. Terrific storms and disastrous snow-slides are also reported from the Wasatch mountains. In Alta, Utah, several slides have occurred, doing much damage to buildings, burying several persons, and causing the death of three. — The deputation of Ponca chiefs failing to make their real wants understood in Washington, a Commission appointed by the President to visit among the people themselves and learn the facts of the whole matter, have set out on their journey with, as the Examiner puts it, "a three-month's prospect not much more inviting than a voyage to Iceland." — Jan. 7, nine deaths occurred from an explosion in the Allentown, Pa., rolling-mills. The same day thirteen inmates of the poor-house near Dover, N. H., perished in the flames of the burning building, also seven persons were burned in a cigar factory in Havana, Cuba. One hundred men were thrown out of employment by the burning of the Bentwood works, near Lancaster, Ohio. — A Dublin correspondent of the Associated Press writes of 1880 that "a more repulsive and terrible year has never come upon the country. Its history may be written in two words: 'Distress—Disturbance.' It came in a begging box and has gone out with bludgeons. It will take many years to reconstruct the social system now in ruins, and few can be sanguine enough to hope the task will be accomplished in the present generation." STIMME DER WAHRHEIT.
By Editor
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By Editor
THE present is the best time to renew your subscription for 1881. We have taken the liberty to send three numbers of the present volume to those whose subscription closed with volume six, trusting that they desired the paper to continue, and would renew soon. Many are sending in their renewals, and there are many others we hope to hear from at once. We dislike to drop any name from our lists, because old friends are sometimes offended. They do not realize that in dealing with five thousand names, our clerks cannot know who the persons are, but are obliged to follow general rules. Many of our subscribers think that the prepay plan is the only honorable way to run a paper, and this is our opinion. Therefore, we shall continue no papers unpaid for, except by special request. I HAVE been appointed secretary of district No. 2, which comprises the counties of Fresno, Tulare, Inyo, Merced, and San Benito, and would invite the members of the California T. and M. Society, living in these counties, to write to me stating their interest in the missionary cause. Especially do I invite those to do so who are not connected with our churches here, or from any reason are discouraged or inactive in the work. I believe that the best way to stimulate others to work, is to go to work myself; and I will begin anew in the fear of the Lord. I want your help.
Fresno, Fresno Co., Cal.
E. L. MCCAPES. THE Alta California contains the following complimentary paragraph which is too good to keep, and which we know our California readers cannot fail to appreciate: “The Baptists of Brooklyn intend to build a great church, to rival Spurgeon’s London edifice. The church will need a preacher with good lungs. The Brooklyn brethren will hardly fail to think of Dr. Kalloch. He is peculiarly qualified for success in the Brooklyn field. He has a fine voice for a large church, and has winning ways, which would be sure to attract a big congregation. Doubtless, the doctor would dislike to leave us; still, we would urge him to go, feeling that Brooklyn needs him, and trusting to the Lord to provide for us. Should the doctor receive a call of the kind indicated, we hope he will not throw away such an opportunity to do good, from any over-sensitiveness about tearing himself away from us. We have heard that the climate of Brooklyn is good, and that it is a pleasant place to live in.” GEIKIE'S "LIFE OF CHRIST."
THE "Life and Words of Christ," by Cunningham Geikie, D. D., is widely known as one of the most interesting and helpful books published. The author has not, like many other writers upon the Life of Christ, contented himself by giving the reader a running commentary on the four Gospels, but has by clear description of the country and people, and by a grouping of historical facts, given such an introduction as prepares the mind to better understand the acts of Jesus. Beginning with a description of the Holy Land, then picturing Palestine at the time of Christ, he then gives an account of the Reign of Herod. These with a chapter on the Jewish World in the time of Christ and another about the Rabbis and their ideas respecting the Messiah, enables us to see a wealth of meaning in the words and acts of Christ which are usually but poorly understood. Concerning it, Spurgeon says: "It will last when all others have past away—is by far the best." Zion's Herald says: "Far the best Life of our Lord." The Boston Commonwealth says: "It is fascinating reading." The Sunday-school Times in speaking of the four modern Lives of our Lord that would have precedence among American readers, says: "Geikie is more careful and accurate, and he makes clear many points which require the aid of a painstaking worker like himself." Especially at this time will this book be of use to every Sunday-school and Sabbath-school scholar. Our lessons devote the entire year to the study of the Gospels, and the International Lessons devote the first six months of the year to the same. WE have prepared an outfit for our agents to use in canvassing for the SIGNS, comprising sample copies, circulars for distribution, a receipt book, and a copy of Geikie's Life of Christ. Price, post-paid, $1.00. The price is placed low, so that no one need be without it on account of expense. Any one having bought an outfit, can deduct its cost from their payments to us when they have obtained eight new subscribers. A RARE OPPORTUNITY.
By Editor
TO THOSE who are laboring to call the attention of their friends to the truths advocated in the SIGNS, our unusually liberal premium offer will be of great assistance. Very many who have received copies of the SIGNS, and have expressed their interest in it, would now subscribe if this liberal offer was brought to their notice. We need the assistance of every friend of the paper, and especially of every minister, librarian, and canvassing agent, to work for the SIGNS during the next three months. We should have five thousand new subscribers by the close of March; and this number can easily be reached by the aid of our new and liberal offers, if our old friends will renew the efforts, which have been quite successful in the past. Postage Rates for Missionary Workers
WE would call the special attention of missionary workers to the article on another page on "Postage Rates." Cut it out and paste it in your pass books, or in some place convenient for reference. It has been prepared with great care, and will save much trouble and expense, if thus preserved. The Youth’s Instructor for 1881
THE first number of the Youth's Instructor for 1881 presents a new and improved appearance. Its pages have been enlarged to the size of the SIGNS page, while its former neat appearance, and instructive reading, is still maintained. As a Sabbath-school paper, and an instructor of the youth, it falls behind none. The lessons on Bible history, which it contains, are of an undenominational character, and well suited to the wants of any Sunday-school or Sabbath-school in the land. Those who have been using the New Testament lessons, formerly issued in the Supplement, will notice that these are now printed in the Instructor itself, together with articles having a general bearing upon the lessons. We bespeak for the Instructor a greatly increased circulation.