—Geo. M. Lathrop, of Michigan, has been appointed U. S. minister to Russia.
—The native population of the Hawaiian Islands is 4,000 less than it was six years ago.
—In Moscow there are over 100,000 children of school age, and school accommodation for only 7,000.
—People in the vicinity of Vesuvius are greatly alarmed at the threatening aspect of a new eruption.
—A large portion of Laredo, Texas, was flooded, May 8, the water in many places being four feet deep.
—The population of Los Angeles, Cal., in 1880 was 11,000; now it is estimated at 35,000, an increase of 200 per cent in five years.
—A caravan in the mountains of Armenia was recently overwhelmed by an avalanche in which sixty-eight persons perished.
—Both of the stages running between Rathdrum and Coeur d’Alene, I. T., were robbed by highwaymen on the afternoon of the 4th.
—Reports from Eastern Siberia are to the effect that armed bands of Chinese have crossed the frontier and surprised several Cossack villages.
—Doyle, the sculptor, who is making the statue of the late Senator Ben Hill of Georgia, says that a marble monument in that climate will not last over fifty years.
—Brigadier-General Irwin McDowell, of the U. S. Army, died in San Francisco on the night of the 4th, aged sixty-seven. Since Oct. 15, 1882, he has been on the retired list.
—Twenty-four business houses and fourteen residences were burned on the morning of the 3d inst., at Cabery, a village in Kankakee County, Ill. Total loss, about $100,000.
—A school lot in Los Angeles, Cal., which the city bought in 1872 for $200, was recently sold for $12,000, an increase of 6,000 per cent. in real estate value in thirteen years.
—One of the boilers of the Tremont Hotel, at Galveston, Texas, exploded on Sunday, May 3, killing a number of persons, wounding several others, and doing great damage to property.
—A spark from a locomotive started a fire in a large lumber yard in Chicago, May 8, which destroyed 45,000,000 feet of lumber, valued at $700,000. The area burned over is about fifteen acres.
—In Great Britain 10,000 landlords, for doing nothing, receive from the soil more than twice as much as the total wages paid to 860,000 laborers for working twelve hours through the seven days in every week.
—The building just erected for the use of the Chicago Board of Trade was formally dedicated April 29. Its main hall, or trading room, is the largest one employed for that purpose in the world. The building cost $2,000,000.
—The Government of Mexico announces that Mormons immigrating to that country will have no concessions made to them; but that they must be, like all other immigrants, subject to the laws of the country, which forbid polygamy.
—This item is clipped from a daily: “A Chinaman was fined $100 at Portland last week, for stealing thirty cents worth of scrap iron.” Whatever may become of white people, the authorities seem determined that the Chinese shall be moral.
—A steam-tug, with a crew of nine men, was nearly crushed by ice off Erie, Pa., May 4. The tug went out to reconnoiter for the fishing fleet, and was caught in the drifting ice which piled up around her, holding her firmly locked all night. In the morning a passage was blasted out, and the men, nearly frozen, were rescued.
—The immense stone bridge constructed by Chinese engineers over the arm of the China Sea, at Lagang, is finished. The bridge is five miles long. It is built entirely of stone and has 300 arches, each seventy feet high. The roadway is seventy feet wide.
—The Prince of Wales states that he is strongly of the opinion that the office of Viceroy of Ireland should be abolished and its duties transferred to the Secretary of State for Ireland. This would be an immense concession to the Irish, one of whose leading complaints has been against Castle rule.
—April 13, eight five-story tenement houses, that were being built on Sixty-second Street, New York City, all fell at once, seriously injuring thirteen of the workmen, but none fatally. Reckless building was the cause, whole armfuls of scrap lumber being used in filling in the walls. The master-bricklayer was arrested, but the builder escaped.
—It is reported that a New York man has invented a clock to be attached to street gas lamps. The clock has four faces of ground glass, and the hands will be worked through hollow tubes that meet in the center of the lamp, the whole system to be regulated at one central station. New York City will, it is said, put 20,000 of these clocks on trial.
—In view of the possible visit of cholera the coming summer, the ministers of Philadelphia have been requested to preach a sermon or two on the duty of cleanliness, and the general observance of sanitary regulations. But why confine themselves to a sermon or two? However, the fact that they had to be requested to do it is suggestive of the idea that otherwise they would not give even that many.
—The Oregonian says: “England will soon have a bigger gun than Russia can exhibit, or, for that matter, bigger than any other specimen of ordnance in the world. It is in process of construction at Woolwich Arsenal, and will weigh, when mounted, 200 tons, with a length of 43 feet and 8 inches, a diameter of 5½ feet at the breech, and of 28 inches at the muzzle.” And so comes the millennium.
—An eleven-year-old boy, armed with a large carving knife and two revolvers, was taken up the other day just as he was boarding a train at Jersey City. He was going west to hunt Indians. Another, fifteen years of age, wrote to a merchant that unless he immediately received $100 he would burn the merchant’s store. He confessed that he got his scheme from a novel. Parents, what are your children reading?
—A large four-story brick brewery in Pittsburg Pa., fell in with a crash on the morning of the third. In the building were 10,000 barrels of beer, and a lot of new machinery. The falling in of the walls crushed the barrels, and the beer ran into the street. The loss is estimated at $100,000, but as the beer is reckoned in this estimate, a large discount may be made from that sum. To use a Hibernianism, the loss of the beer was a great gain.
—The Daily Commercial Bulletin of May 5 estimates the aggregate loss by fire in the United States and Canada in April at $7,750,000 and for the four months so far this year at $35,250,000. This is at the rate of over $105,000,000 for the year. The Bulletin says that the scourge of fire has fastened itself upon the country to a degree which is out of proportion to the increased value of property, and is becoming alarming enough to demand attention from all property owners.
—On Friday, May 1, a hail-storm passed over the southeastern part of Virginia, and extended into North Carolina. The dispatch says: “All growing cotton, corn, and vegetables were destroyed and the farmers will be compelled to plant again. Hail fell to a depth of twelve inches, and a whirlwind prevailed along the center of the storm, blowing down barns, fences, and sheds. In some places in Surrey County, Va., hail fell to a depth of eighteen inches, and in some spots drifted to a depth of four feet.”
—From advance pages of the 1885 edition of the “American Newspaper Directory,” issued May 1st, by Geo. P. Rowell & Co., of New York, it appears that there are 14,147 newspapers and periodicals published in the United States and Canada; of these the United States has 12,973, an average of one paper for every 3,867 persons. In 1884 the total number of newspapers was less by 823 than at present, and while the gain this year is not so marked as in some previous years, it is still considerable. Kansas shows the greatest increase, the number being seventy-eight, while Illinois follows with a gain of seventy-seven.
North Pacific Conference
By Chas. L. Boyd; J. E. Graham; J. C. Hall
Appointments.
North Pacific Conference.
BIBLICAL INSTITUTE.
A BIBLICAL institute, to be conducted by Elder E. J. Waggoner, will be held on the camp-ground, Portland, Or., commencing Sunday, June 14, and continuing till the 24th. Ministers, tract society officers, colporters, canvassers, and lay members, you cannot afford to lose this opportunity. Come as early as Friday, and have your tents pitched before the Sabbath. Come and learn how to work for the Master.
CAMP-MEETING.
The North Pacific Camp-meeting will be held June 24 to July 1, between B and G Streets, and just west of Twenty-first Street, Portland, Or. This is in close connection with the terminus of the Washington and Third Street car lines, which with their branches, reach nearly all parts of the city.
Brethren, bring your neighbors and your children. Get ready now, and come in season.
CONFERENCE.
The next annual session of the North Pacific Conference will be held at Portland, Or., in connection with the camp-meeting June 24 to July 1.
Let each church elect delegates and furnish them with credentials, and a full report of the church. Will the elders assist the clerk in this matter. Appropriate blanks will be sent to each church clerk.
SABBATH-SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.
The annual session of this association will be held on the camp-ground at Portland, Or., June 24 to July 1. Special instruction will be given to Sabbath-school officers. Appropriate essays will be expected.
TRACT AND MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
The ninth annual session of the North Pacific T. and M. Society will be held on the camp-ground at Portland, Or., June 24 to July 1. Matters of vital interest will come before this society. We would be glad to see every lover of present truth at these meetings.
We hope to have all business connected with these societies finished up at an early date, that the last of our meetings may be devoted wholly to religious exercises. This will necessitate the presence of every delegate. Every one who loves, and is willing to assist in, the holy work committed to our trust, is particularly urged to be present at the very beginning of this annual convocation.
CAMP-MEETING COMMITTEE.
The following brethren are appointed to act as a camp-meeting committee: Wm. Potter, John Cole, H. A. Baxter, Chas. Kline, and Z. T. Warren.
CHAS. L. BOYD,
J. E. GRAHAM,
J. C. HALL,
Conference Committee.
Upper Columbia Camp-Meeting.
THIS camp-meeting is to be held at Milton, Umatilla County, Oregon, commencing the evening of June 3, and ending on the morning of the 10th. All are invited to attend. Those wishing to do so, can rent tents at the same rate as last year. Let all such write to Wm. Goodwin, Milton, Oregon, so that the tents may be secured and pitched in good season. There will be no restaurant upon the camp-ground this year, but there will be a provision stand, from which fresh bread and other supplies can be obtained at the lowest possible rates. Ample provision will also be made for horses. Brethren and sisters, all come to the meeting, and bring your friends with you.
THE CONFERENCE.
The annual session of the U. C. Conference for the year 1885 will be held on the camp-ground at Milton, in connection with the camp-meeting, June 3-10. Let each church in this Conference immediately elect their delegates, furnishing them with credentials, and also with a report of its standing, losses, and additions during the Conference year. Let all the churches be reported, either by delegates or by letter. Let all letters, from churches or individuals, be directed to J. N. Loughborough, Milton, Umatilla County, Oregon.
THE SABBATH-SCHOOL.
By John Norton Loughborough; Wm. I. Goodwin; T. L. Ragsdale
The Sabbath-school Association of the U. C. Conference will hold its annual session for the year 1885 in connection with the camp-meeting at Milton, June 3-10.
THE TRACT AND MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
The annual session of the U. C. Tract and Missionary Society for the year 1885 will be held in connection with the Milton camp-meeting, June 3-10.
REDUCTION OF RAILROAD FARE.
All parties coming by the Northern Pacific Railroad to the camp-meeting at Milton, Oregon, June 3-10, will pay full fare to Wallula Junction, and obtain, on the camp-ground, a certificate by which they will be entitled to return tickets from Wallula for one-fifth the regular fare.
NOTE.—We hope to get reduced return rates over O. R. and N. lines. The company has the matter under consideration, promising a report soon.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH,
Wm. I. GOODWIN,
T. L. RAGSDALE,
Conference Committee.
Publishers' Department.
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.
OUR GENERAL AGENTS.
Michigan—Miss Hattie House, care Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich.
New England—Mrs. E. T. Palmer, N. E. Tract Repository, South Lancaster, Mass.
North Pacific—Mrs. C. L. Boyd, East Portland, Oregon.
England—The Present Truth, 72 Heneage Street, Great Grimsby, Eng.
Norway—Eld. J. G. Matteson, Akersveren No. 2, Christiania, Norway.
Switzerland—Addie S. Bowen, Belchenstrasse 20, Bale, Suisse.
Hawaiian Islands—L. A. Scott, Honolulu, H. I.
“Great Controversy” Tract.
By Editor
WE have printed at this office, in the form of a 16-page tract, selections from Vol. IV, to be used by those who wish to canvass for the book. It consists of pages 31 to 36, and 316 to 323, the latter being the entire chapter on the “Origin of Evil.” These selections are complete in themselves, so that this makes an excellent tract for general circulation. The last two pages are a notice of the book. Wherever this tract is read there is created a strong desire to read the book. They will be furnished by this office at $1 per hundred, post-paid.
RECEIPTS
NOTICE.—The change of figures on the address labels will be in all cases a sufficient receipt for money sent for the paper. If these changes do not appear in due time, and if books ordered by mail are not received, please notify us. All other business is acknowledged below.
CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE FUND.—Reno $26.55, San Francisco $50.
AUSTRALIAN MISSION.—Ole Anderson $2, Georgie Yerby 50c, Jas Allen $5, Jas A Dye $5, Laytonville $11, E H Adams $20, J M Aldrich $1.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.—N C and F L McClure $20.
CASH RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.—Kansas T and M Society $23.80, Dakota T and M Society $90.15, Indiana T and M Society $65, Colorado T and M Society $100, Ohio T and M Society $214.72.
CHURCH DEBT FUND.—C H Jones $50.
CALIFORNIA T AND M SOCIETY.—District No 1 per Alice Morrison $9.25, Eld M C Israel $10.75.
CALIFORNIA CITY MISSIONS.—Geo Manuel $20, Eld M C Israel $25.
ORDERS FORWARDED.
Books Sent by Freight.—Mrs C L Boyd, Mrs E T Palmer.
Books Sent by Express.—Nebraska T and M Society, Clara Wood Gibbs, Miss Carrie E Mills, J H Dortch, Miss Agnes May, Nebraska Tract Society, Betty C Saxby, Lizzie S Campbell, Alice H Beaumont, N H Druillard, A J Whitney, W G Buckner.
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.
WHO CHANGED THE SABBATH?
A tract of 24 pages, which fully answers this question, and shows how Sunday displaced the Bible Sabbath. Extracts given from Catholic writers. Price, 3 cts.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
SABBATH-SCHOOL HELPS.
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.
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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 cents.
Address,
SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.;
Or, REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich.
THE SEVENTH PART OF TIME.
By W. H. Littlejohn
By W. H. Littlejohn.
This is a refutation of the theory that God sanctified simply a seventh part of time as the Sabbath, without fixing that time to any definite day. The necessity or a
UNIFORM DAY OF REST.
Is admitted by nearly all, and is advocated in this book. The author also shows that the Creator understood and anticipated this necessity, and proves by five different processes of reasoning that the seventh or last day of the week, and no other, was in the beginning, and is now, the Sabbath of the Lord.
32 pp. Price, 4 cents; liberal discount by the hundred.
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THE ATONEMENT:
By J. H. Waggoner
AN EXAMINATION OF A REMEDIAL SYSTEM, IN THE LIGHT OF NATURE AND OF REVELATION.
By Eld. J. H. Waggoner.
THIRD EDITION, REVISED AND GREATLY ENLARGED.
This work is a critical and exhaustive treatise on the plan of salvation as revealed in the Scriptures, showing its harmony with the principles of justice and mercy, its consistency with reason, and its final results as affecting the destiny of the human race.
368 pp.; cloth, $1.00.
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OUR COUNTRY'S FUTURE FORETOLD.
By Uriah Smith
THE UNITED STATES IN PROPHECY.
By Eld. U. Smith.
This is a full exposition of a portion of prophecy which applies to our own Government, showing the position the United States holds in prophecy, and the part it has to act in the closing scenes of time.
THE SUNDAY MOVEMENT
THE SUNDAY MOVEMENT,
Which is now attracting such general attention, is thoroughly canvassed, and abundant testimony is given to prove that it is fast coming to be the ALL-IMPORTANT QUESTION in this country. Dealing with our own land and applying to our own time. Of surpassing interest to every American reader. New edition; revised and enlarged. Cloth, 225 pp., 75c. Paper covers, new edition, condensed, 160, pp., 25c. Address,
SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.:
Guard against Disease.
By Editor
WE have received from the Secretary of the California State Board of Health, a Preventable Disease Circular, containing “facts for the people concerning cholera.” As cholera has already appeared on the shores of the Mediterranean, it is thought to be only a question of time when it will reach New York, and when once there, it will no doubt soon make its way across the continent, by the constant stream of immigration to this coast. It is therefore essential that every precaution be taken to prevent any lodgment of its deadly germs. We shall take pleasure in giving the contents of this circular the widest possible circulation, and we regard as eminently just, the severe strictures of the Honorable Secretary on the culpable neglect of the late Legislature of California in making no provision whatever to prevent this terrible disease from entering this State. In our Health Department this week will be found that part of the circular which tells “What can be done in the way of its prevention locally.” We hope our readers will preserve it and follow its directions.
Rural Health Retreat.
We had the pleasure of attending the annual meeting of this institution at Crystal Springs, near St. Helena, Napa County, Cal. The Retreat is now opened for patients and visitors. We feel confident that henceforth it will be kept open throughout the year. Dr. Gibbs is there; he is a well-studied physician, and has had years of practice. Last winter he went to the Sanitarium in Battle Creek, and has spent several months in becoming acquainted with all the methods adopted there. And, what is more than all else, his heart is fully in the work, and we believe he will render effective service in building up the institution.
At the organization of the new Board of Trustees, Elder J. N. Loughborough was elected president. Brother J. D. Rice, who has taken a large interest in it from the beginning, is secretary, and he will remain there to look after its interests for the present; perhaps until Elder Loughborough returns from the North, when he will give it all the time and attention that his other duties will allow.
Now we invite the friends of the good cause in the Pacific Coast States and Territories to work for it, by recommending the feeble and diseased to patronize it; and help it by taking stock in the Association. But few have taken stock in it yet, and we need more stockholders; the hearty interest in it should be more wide spread. It is worthy of your support. And above all, we ask you to pray for it. Without the blessing of Heaven it cannot prosper. Give it the influence of your prayers.
We have always said that the valley and mountain view from the Retreat is “a gem of beauty.” Every one who attended the meeting was charmed with the situation, the scenery, the water, and the climate. One who has lived many years in California, who first saw it at this meeting, said he had never beheld a situation so lovely. It seems impossible to remain there and not feel well. It is health-giving in every feature.
There remains not a particle of doubt among those having charge of it that the time has come to open it permanently. We hope there will be many who will so assist it that they may have the pleasure of sharing in its prosperity and success.
In the above dates there may be some changes. The time in Upper Columbia and North Pacific is fixed as above.
Elder Steward Reports Work in Toronto
ELDER T. M. STEWARD reports from Toronto, Ontario. There are a few of the faith in that city. We hope for and expect a good work in Canada West.
THE headquarters of the Chicago Mission has been moved to No. 3653 Vincennes Avenue, Chicago, Ill. All communications to the workers in that mission must be addressed accordingly.
Australian Missionaries.
ON Sunday last, May 10, we crossed the bay to bid good-bye, on the steamship Australia, to the party who are on their way to Australia to establish the mission. The party consisted of Elder Haskell, Elder Corliss and family, Elder Israel and family, and brethren Wm. Arnold and Henry Scott; eleven in all—seven adults and four children. They were comfortably situated for the journey, and all felt cheerful and hopeful. Many prayers follow them for the safety of their passage, and the success of their work in the greatest island of the seas. Missionary work has gone before them; there are many readers of our publications there, and some are already convinced of the truth. Compared with the work of Judson and other missionaries to foreign lands, how pleasant is the prospect before our brethren going to Australia! Yet it is all a work of faith, and we have the same enemy to contend with. But, happily, we have the same heavenly Father to hear our prayers and to send prosperity. God bless the mission and the missionaries in Australia.
A Pacific Health Journal.
By Editor
IT was resolved last year to publish a health paper on this coast, but circumstances prevented carrying out the purpose then. But the Retreat having now been opened permanently, the journal will be begun as soon as possible. The Health Reformer was a most efficient instrument in establishing the Health Reform Institute (Sanitarium) at Battle Creek. With the experience of the past before us, we feel assured that a paper of this kind will be favorably received, and we hold that its publication is essential to the cause of health reform on this coast, and to the success of the Health Retreat at St. Helena.
“They Set a Trap.”
A ROLLER skating-rink is kept by the (not very) Rev. Edward D. Kelsay, of the Seventh Presbyterian Church, New York City, next door to the church of which he is pastor. April 11, a girl was arrested and charged with stealing a pair of skates; and though innocent she was locked up all night. In discharging the poor girl next morning the police justice said to the preacher, “As I understand the prayer it is ‘Lead us not into temptation.’ I do not think that roller skating-rinks carry out the sentiment of that prayer.” That judge certainly had the right of it. But what a pitiful preacher that must be! Are not such as he referred to in Jer. 5:26: “For among my people are found wicked men; they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.” And what of the church that retains such a man? Are those people such as are described in Jer. 5:30, 31? “A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so; and what will ye do in the end thereof?” Certainly there is room there for the exercise of the grace of repentance, as described by Paul: “What carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge!” 2 Cor. 7:11.
Abraham Rightly Called a Patriarch
Not long since the World’s Crisis contained an article by a well-accepted minister of their denomination in which the writer ridiculed a preacher of another denomination because he called Abraham a patriarch, he affirming that the title belonged only to the twelve sons of Jacob. But Paul, in Heb. 7:4, says, “the patriarch Abraham,” and the meaning of the word fully justifies the application. It is said to be not well to be wise above that which is written; but in this case the writer was wise against that which is written.
Office-Seekers, Passes, and Dead-Head Tickets
IT is stated in the papers that a “Democratic politician,” who went to Washington in hope to get an Office, said that all who went from California on the same errand went on passes or “dead-head” tickets. Can that be true? And if true, why was it so?
THE papers report that Henry Villard made a total wreck of his immense fortune; that he did not save more than $500,000. Poor man; how sad his life must be!