Earlier text: Questions"Respectable Saloons."
By Editor
Under this head the National American makes a strong point against high license, or any other kind of license, in the following ironical style:— Why should a person sign a saloon petition who would be ashamed to keep a saloon himself? Why should a Christian ask the State to license a man to keep a saloon when he belongs to a church which would expel the man for keeping the saloon? Is there a church member in St. Louis who would consent that his pastor should take out a saloon license and become a silent partner in a saloon? Why not? It would be perfectly proper for a minister to have an interest in any "respectable" business which would not interfere with his duties as a pastor. If we have a right understanding of the high license theory, we are surprised that its Christian advocates do not try to get their pastors into the business. It pays well, can easily be run by proxy, and if it needs to be made "respectable," as we are told it does, by putting it into the hands of respectable, sober men, a sprinkling of ministers in the business would materially aid in gaining this object. We know that there are Christians in St. Louis who prefer high license to prohibition, and who do not want liquor sold on Sunday or to drunkards. There is no other class of people who would be so likely to observe these provisions of the high license law as the ministers. Another plan which has occurred to us is this: Let every church in this city take out a saloon license and run the saloons on Christian principles. In England a number of coffee-houses have been established by the churches. Why should not the churches go into the saloon business? What is there in the business to hinder the ladies of a church from running a few saloons? Nobody wants any but "respectable saloons." The object of high license is to make them "respectable." If high license does make them respectable we see no impropriety in ministers, churches, or women going into the saloon business. If one saloon to every church could not "accommodate the bibulously inclined," let two, three, or more be opened by each church. There can be no more objection to four "respectable saloons," or to 1,800, than to one. What we want is to have them "respectable." Let our logical high-license friends think of this. Fools, Sages, and Human Folly
By Chamfort
THERE are more fools than sages, and among sages there is more folly than wisdom.—Chamfort. Mrs. Worrie Hurrybustle and Mrs. Don't-Fret Anyhow.
"Oh, dear! and this is washday," said Mrs. Worrie Hurrybustle, as she commenced hastily dressing. "I shall be so late commencing it." Mrs. W. H. felt somewhat relieved on glancing at the clock to find that it was only half-past five, but she meant to have been up much earlier, and her brow clouded as she saw the unwashed supper dishes standing as she had left them the night before when company came in. There were no kindlings in the box, nor any wood cut, and picking up a basket, she ran out to gather some chips to start the fire. There had been a shower in the night, and the chips did not prove desirable as kindlings, so she had to look about for a piece of board, find the hatchet, and convert it into splinters, and after the second attempt succeeded in lighting a fire. By this time there was an ominous red spot on each cheek, and going to the foot of the stairs, she called to her liege lord:— "John, are you going to get up, or not? There isn't a stick of wood cut, and I'm in a hurry!" If she had waited a little longer before rising, the good man would have been up, and the wood would have been ready soon afterwards, but she was in too much of a hurry to delay a moment after opening her eyes, and she only wished she could have waked up sooner. Ten minutes later, he sauntered leisurely towards the wood-pile, whistling as he walked along. "Dear Worrie, why don't you take things easy, and not allow yourself to get so nervous? You have all day before you." "It's very easy for men to talk," she replied, as the red spots came on her cheeks. "I ought to have been at the washing an hour ago, and I would have done it if you had only seen to the wood and things." Breakfast, meanwhile, was served and eaten, after which, hastily clearing away the breakfast, she stacked the unwashed dishes on the table, and gathered up the clothes. It was quite a large wash, and she sighed as she sorted them over, and thought of the task before her. Gathering up the finest she put them in the tub, got the wash-board, and went at it, while scattered over the floor, were piles of the most soiled ones, which, if they had only been given a suds to themselves in which to soak, would have washed in half the time. The sun rose higher and higher as she stood over that tub, rubbing, rubbing, pausing only to wipe the perspiration from her heated face, or to add more clothes to the tub. No time had she to note the perfect beauty of the day, to list to the warblings of the birds, the hum of the bees, or gaze on the far-away floating clouds. That washing was to be done, the breakfast dishes to wash, dinner to get, beds to make, sweeping and scrubbing to do, and many other little things to be attended to. Willie came running in, screaming at the top of his voice, from a bee sting, and while she bathed the painful foot, little Kate played in the wash tub; so that when Mrs. W. H. returned to her work, she found that young lady enjoying herself hugely, and so wet that it was necessary to change every garment upon her. Things seemed to combine together with the willful intention of causing delay. The wood also gave out, so, from that time on till noon, the fire had to be fed with what chips she and the children could gather up. When she got ready to make the starch, there was nothing clean in which to make it, and she was compelled to take time to wash something for that purpose. Everything in the kitchen appeared to have been used, and was scattered here and there in the way. "And those dishes," she thought, "if I only had time to wash them, and put them away! how the flies do swarm over them!" and as she passed the kitchen glass, and caught a glimpse of herself she added:— "Oh! what a fright I am with my burning face and uncombed hair. I do hope no one will come and catch me looking so, but I just cannot spare the time on wash morning to attend to my appearance." Yet scarcely had the thought passed from her mind, when she heard a rap. "Some of the neighbors, probably," she thought as she opened the door, but no such escape awaited her; it was an acquaintance of girlhood days, a gentleman she had known long ago, and whom she had not met for several years, and to be caught looking like that. "He was passing through town," he said, "and thought as he had a few minutes to spare that he would like to see how his old friend stood the wear of years." Mortified and embarrassed almost beyond endurance, Mrs. W. H. could scarcely look him in the face, for while she apologized for her appearance on the plea that it was wash-day, she felt in her heart that no words or occasion could justify her uncombed hair, or the condition of her front room. Over a chair lay her summer shawl, just as she had thrown it the night before when she came from church; on the centre table lay her hat and gloves, while scattered promiscuously here and there about the room were sundry garments, which she was never known to hang away in their proper place since she had been married. The call was a painful one to her, and she felt relieved when her friend arose to go. Going wearily back to the kitchen, she sat down on the nearest chair and indulged in a hearty cry. "If I could ever have anything half way convenient," she thought, "I might take my work more leisurely, and tidy up as I go along. But just think how I have to do; instead of going down cellar out of the kitchen I have to run into the sitting-room, and every pail of rain-water I want, go half-way round the house, and then draw it up by hand, enough to break my back. No pantry, no shelves, nowhere to put things out of sight, and John would fall headlong over the slop-pail and never think of emptying it, and as for taking up the ashes and carrying them out, I don't believe he knows such a thing is ever done about a stove. And now, that I've got the clothes washed, I must ring them through the rinse with my hands, nearly parboiled with the hot suds; then I will have to put up a line. If I only had a wire line, like Mrs. Don't fret's, how much time it would save every week in putting up and taking down to say nothing of the clothes never freezing to it in winter time," and while her thoughts were busy, she was again bending over the tub, rapidly rinsing and starching, and at half-past eleven the wash was on the line; but not one moment had she to pause or rest, as she hurried back into the kitchen. Dinner must be prepared immediately, and the dishes were to wash before the table could be spread. At half-past twelve she sank into her chair at the table, overheated and trembling with exhaustion; altogether so utterly tired that she was unable to eat a mouthful. She helped the children, and then languidly leaned back and watched the tremor of her hand as she toyed with her teaspoon. "Tired?" queried her husband, as he suddenly looked up and noticed how listless she looked. "So tired and worried that it seems as though it would be almost an impossibility to arise to my feet. Oh, dear! I wish I was through for to-day. I know one thing, however, sitting here will not finish the work." "Well, but why don't you rest yourself first? go and lie down for an hour or two and you will feel better." "That's the way a man would do, I know, even if he knew he would not finish to-day, but I could not sit down in such a looking room as this; as it is, I expect some one will be in before my dress is changed." So to work she bent all her energies, and when the dishes were put away, the kitchen scrubbed and tidied up, the rooms swept and dusted, beds made and the Sunday clothes hung up, the clock chimed three, and with her face almost purple from over-exertion, she slowly ascended the stairs, and half blind and faint, lay down on her bed while every heart-beat sent the hot blood throbbing in fierce pulsations all over her body. The next morning she rose, stiff and weary, and with a feeling of utter exhaustion went about preparing breakfast. "Oh! I wish I had not sprinkled down the clothes last night," she sighed, as she put the irons on the stove, an hour afterward. "Now they must be ironed to-day, or they will spoil and I feel so little like it, I am tired all over." But she took no warning from the experience of the previous day. By that time, the seething hot stove proclaimed the fact that the irons were ready for their work, and listlessly, and scarcely able to drag one foot after the other, due from the over-exertion and over-heating of her blood the day before, Mrs. W. H. commenced her ironing, feeling that she had no ambition whatever to do her work well, but only the desire to get through with it in the least possible time. Through all the long, warm forenoon, she crammed wood into the stove, and pushed her table further and further from it, as from time to time she felt she should surely faint from the heat; but the irons must be kept hot or the work dragged. The next morning she could not rise from her bed. A nervous headache had seized her, her temples throbbed painfully, while every nerve seemed strung to its utmost tension. "This comes of not taking things easier; you must rush and hurry if you half die for it," was the sympathy extended by her husband, as he descended to the kitchen, and with the children's aid, after some fashion, got their breakfast. But there was too much to do to lie there, and afternoon found Mrs. W. H. sitting in her rocking-chair, dizzy and faint, and with trembling hands doing up the mending of the week. And in this way her life dragged on, one continual strain to keep up with the work that seemed to drive from week to week. It is no wonder that, as the years went by, she grew haggard and nervous, without ambition or purpose, and the only longing that possessed her was for rest, to get away from it all, but never once suspecting that she herself was at all at fault for the continual drive in which she lived and kept all those around her. Mrs. Don't fret Anyhow was Mrs. Hurrybustle's neighbor. At half past five on that same Monday morning, she appeared in her kitchen neatly dressed, and her hair arranged in the same nice order that it was on the evening previous. Mr. D. A. had risen before her, as he always did, started the kitchen fire, put on the kettle, and was then taking exercise in the fresh morning air, at the wood-pile, although there was fully a cord already cut and carefully piled about the sides of a small wood-house opening out of the kitchen, and the box that stood by the stove was well filled, both with wood and plenty of dry, finely-split kindlings. Everything in the kitchen was neat and in perfect order. It was a rule with Mrs. D. A. never to let one day's work run into another; each day brought enough of its own. So, on the evening before, the supper dishes had been washed, the table laid for breakfast, and every Sunday garment put away in its place, books and papers picked up and arranged, and furniture restored to something like order. Mrs. D. A. was an early riser, and always took the time to comb her hair and adjust a fresh collar before she went down stairs; and while thus occupied, she aroused the children and saved herself the trouble of coming back to awaken them. In half an hour all were cheerfully seated at breakfast, the wash water was heating, and the work of the day commenced. As soon as they had finished, the tubs and washing-machine were brought up from the cellar, where they were kept to prevent them from falling to pieces, and arranged on a bench in the wood-house, in which was the cistern pump. The little girls meanwhile, only five and seven years old, deftly cleared up the dishes, and went about washing them in a way that bespoke careful training, while Mrs. D. A. sorted over the clothes and prepared them for washing. By this335means she avoided all the troublesome scalding and boiling which had so unfavorably affected her neighbor, Mrs. Hurrybustle. Mrs. D. A. then leisurely proceeded to do the chamber work, and put the house in order, and even sat down by the open window a few minutes to enjoy the cool, fresh air, scented by the sweet perfume of her flowers that looked so bright after the shower in the night. A bird caroled its song from a tree near by, with such an outpouring of joy from its little heart that it awoke an echo of gladness within her own soul, and she went back to her work with a song on her lips. The little girls had swept and finished the kitchen work, and now stood ready to turn the wringer, as their mother with only a little rubbing, rapidly put the pieces through it. More clothes were added to the soaking tub as the machine was supplied from it, thus making the soap do the most of the work, and as there was no boiling going on, there was no steam and heat, and the work progressed rapidly. By ten o'clock the wash was all on the wire line, always up and ready, the tubs in the cellar, and everything in order, although Mrs. D. A.'s family was exactly the same in numbers as the family of Mrs. W. H. People in the village often wondered why Mrs. D. A. had so much more time for visiting, reading, and doing fancy-work than Mrs. W. H., for their families numbered the same, yet the house of the former always seemed in order, and she never appeared hurried with her work, while Mrs. W. H. always was, and exert herself as she might, she did not seem to be able to catch up. She has since learned that the true secret lay quite as much with herself as with the work. It was a difference of persons rather than of things after all.—Christian at Work. "COULD YE NOT WATCH ONE HOUR?"
"Could ye not watch one hour?" the Master said;
"Ye who have been my friends, and for whose sake
I willingly alone the wine-press tread;
Could not your hearts keep watch while mine must break? "Could ye not watch one hour? Is this the love,
My brethren, that ye oft have longed to show,
Vowed even to death its strength to prove—
Will ye forsake me in mine hour of woe?" "Need will ye have now both to watch and pray,
Whither I go ye cannot come; and strong
Temptation will assail; and rough the way,
The flesh so weak, the struggle hard and long." "Could ye not watch one hour? But take your rest;
Mine hour is come, and ye may now sleep on;
Forsaken e'en by those who loved me best,
Exceeding sorrowful, denied, alone." O Son of God, O holy Son of man,
What bitter anguish, deepest grief, were thine;
Naught can compare since time its course began,
Nor e'er did love with such effulgence shine.
—Selected. —The number of immigrants arriving in San Francisco last week was 990. —A strong and prolonged shock of earthquake was felt at Lima, Peru, the morning of the 19th. —The revision of the Old Testament is now undergoing the final review, which has been carried as far as Ex. 27. —It is said that Japan has declined the proposal of the French Ambassador at Shanghai to form an alliance against the Chinese. —Four lots, on which will be erected a Catholic college for young men, have been purchased in the outskirts of Stockton, Cal. —It is estimated that New York farmers will lose not less than five million dollars by damage to the grain crop this year. —The local preachers of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, of England, number one for every twenty-eight of the membership. —Dispatches from Cairo, Egypt, agree that the number of deaths there from cholera far exceeds the number given in the official reports. —Charles Stratton, known to the public as General Tom Thumb, died July 15, of apoplexy, at his home in Middleboro, Mass., aged forty-six. —A fire among the shipping at one of the docks in New York, on the 19th, resulted in a loss of over $1,000,000. Several lives were lost. —A company of Kansas City capitalists made last week the largest entry of public lands ever made in Kansas. It amounted to 43,000 acres, at one dollar an acre. —Out of fifty-one persons received into the Presbyterian Church at Hokendauqua, Pa., during the past year, forty were teachers or scholars of the Sunday-school. —Southern Missouri was visited by a severe storm on the evening of the 17th. Several buildings were struck by lightning, and fences, crops, etc., suffered much from the wind. —A bill has been introduced into the Spanish Cortez for a credit of $1,000,000 to defray the cost of the adoption of all possible measures against the introduction of cholera into Spain. —Dr. Young, author of the “Analytical Concordance,” has ready for the press, a “Concordance to the Hebrew Bible,” a “Concordance to the Greek New Testament,” and a “Greek Concordance to the Septuagint.” —The S. F. Chronicle has a column on the quirks of prominent men of the State. It says: “Chief Justice Morrison of the State Supreme Court is a religious enthusiast. He is a Roman Catholic, and Catholicism is his hobby.” —Fifty corpses of Zulu men, women, and children were seen on June 30th, at the White River, on the border of Zululand. They were massacred in their hiding place by Cetewayo’s followers. It is said that Chief Mapoch has surrendered to the Boers. —The Cairo correspondent of the London Daily News writes that the actual number of deaths from cholera in the twenty-four hours of July 21, was nearly 600. Each death only aggravates the disease, as there is an utter disregard for all hygienic precautions. —The Texas exhibit at the Louisville exhibition will show, it is said, that that State takes the lead in the production of cotton, her cotton product for the past year being over one-fifth of the entire crop of the United States. The crop for this year is estimated at 1,800,000 bales. —The British Government has been notified that several cases of Asiatic cholera have appeared in East London. Much excitement has been caused by the reports. The disease was doubtless carried by vessels that have been allowed to pass through the infected districts of Egypt. —Eight boilers in an anthracite furnace at Reading, Pa., owned by the Philadelphia and Reading Railway Company, exploded on the 17th, utterly demolishing the furnace. Several employés were killed. The force of the explosion shook the earth and aroused the people for miles around. The damage to the furnace will amount to many thousands. —Baboo Keshub Chunder Sen, the scholarly leader of the Indian Theistic Church, recently declared that fifty per cent. of the educated natives of India die through over-indulgence in intoxicants, having the habit of drinking, from their contact with western civilization. From this it seems that India has not much cause for gratitude to the “civilization” of the West. —Promptly at noon, Washington time, on the 19th inst., over 13,000 telegraph operators, in various parts of the country, struck for higher wages. As a consequence, business has been very much hindered, although the companies say that they will soon succeed in filling their places. The operators themselves feel confident of success, and it is probable that they will carry their point. —The engineer of the steamer Pilot, which was blown up in Petaluma Creek last spring, has been suspended from steamboat engineering service for five years. The Commission found that no portion of the boilers was of less textile strength than 60,000 pounds to the square inch, and that the accident, which caused the death of nine persons, was due to the carelessness of the engineer. —Near Knoxville, Tenn., July 18, an express train going at full speed, was thrown from the track by a misplaced switch. The train struck four coal cars on a side track, demolishing the engine, jumped the track, and ran into the main building of the works of the Valley Zinc Company, tearing away the whole side of the building, and destroying much machinery. The loss, of property only, was considerable. —In a recent pastoral, Cardinal Manning used the following words, which have too much of truth in them: “No civil order in the world ever sank so low as the Christian world is sinking now. . . . For the first time since the world began, it is openly rejecting God. . . . Now God is nowhere, and exists no longer; the world is dead. . . . If men libel their neighbor, they may be heavily punished. If they only libel God as our Divine Redeemer, we are told that no man should judge them.” —The American Consulate in Monterey, Mexico, was entered on the 17th by a mob of Mexicans, who attacked and beat the Acting Consul, Rev. Mr. Shaw, nearly to death, and destroyed the furniture and papers. The outrage is the result of the jealousy which the lower classes of Mexicans feel towards the Americans on account of the improvements which the latter are making in that country, by means of railroads. This jealousy is not shared by the better class of the people, who wish to see the resources of the country developed. —Of a Missouri storm that was merely mentioned in our last week’s news, additional reports say: “At Joplin and Webb City, in the lead-mining region of southwestern Missouri, an immense amount of rain fell, which flooded the mines to such an extent that it will take a month or two to put them in working order. In the meantime several thousand miners are out of work. In addition to this the wind and hail did great damage to buildings and crops. At Macon and Louisiana, in the northeastern part of the State, much damage was done to crops and buildings. Burlington Junction is a pile of ruins; nearly all the houses in the town were destroyed or badly injured.” Keep Trouble at Arm’s Length
KEEP trouble at arm’s length. Never turn a blessing around to see whether it has a dark side to it. INGRAM.—Died, at Nortonville, Contra Costa Co., June 30, 1883, Grace Selina Ingram, youngest daughter of Henry, and Jane Elizabeth Ingram deceased, aged 5 years, 8 months, and 13 days, of diphtheria. Little Gracie had a very severe struggle, but it is over now, and she is quietly sleeping waiting till the “Lifegiver” shall come to take his children home. A. E. S. THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY; OR THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BETWEEN CHRIST AND SATAN.
This is a series of four volumes, covering the entire period from the creation and fall of man to his final redemption. Volume One is devoted to Old Testament history. It is not merely a narrative of the leading events in the lives of the patriarchs and prophets; but moral lessons are drawn therefrom, in such a way as to make the book practically useful to the men and women of to-day. Volume Two commences with the life and mission of John the Baptist, and considers the first advent of Christ, his life and mission, as manifested by his miracles and teachings, and the nature and necessity of his life-work. It closes with Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Volume Three takes up the subject at this point, and brings to view the most thrillingly interesting portion of Christ's earthly career—his betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. It closes with a brief history of the early church, including the missionary labors of Peter and Paul. Volume Four (in press) contains a history of the church from that time to the end, closing with the coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the establishment of the everlasting kingdom of Christ on earth. These books are not argumentative, but they throw a vast flood of light upon the sacred page. They are written in a clear, simple style, and are of absorbing interest to both young and old. They offer special encouragement and instruction to Christians; and there is nothing better to place in the hands of skeptics, to convince them of the truth of the Bible. 400 pp. Price per volume $1. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. THE SPIRIT OF GOD: ITS OFFICES AND MANIFESTATIONS TO THE END OF THE CHRISTIAN AGE.
By James Harvey Waggoner
This is a brief but comprehensive argument on the solemn and important subject of the Spirit of God. Its chapters embrace the following heads: The Holy Spirit of Promise; The Power from on High; Circumcision of the Heart; The Unity of the Faith; The Law and the Testimony; Try the Spirits; The Great Commission; Gifts in the Reformation; In the Present Century; Spirit of Prophecy Restored. These are subjects of vital importance to all, and especially to those who are looking for the return of their Lord. 144 pp. Price, 15 cents. Address, Signs of the Times, Oakland, Cal. OUR COUNTRY'S FUTURE FORETOLD.
By Uriah Smith
THE UNITED STATES IN PROPHECY.
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. 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. Facts and statistics are largely presented, showing in the most conclusive manner that this Government is the one pointed out in the prophecy quoted. 200 pp. Bound, 40 cents. Paper covers, 20 cents. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. A MINE OF INFORMATION.
By John Nevins Andrews
HISTORY OF THE SABBATH AND FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK.
The Bible record of the Sabbath; the secular history concerning it; the successive steps by which the change to the first day was made, and the work of restoration, are given in detail. EVERY TEXT OF SCRIPTURE concerning the Sabbath is commented on at length; and the COMPLETE TESTIMONY OF THE FATHERS in regard to the Sabbath and first day is given. The comparative merits of the seventh and the first-day Sabbaths are fully shown. A copious Index enables the reader to find any text, or the statement of any historian. Should be read by everybody. 528 pp. Price, $1.25. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. THOUGHTS ON DANIEL, CRITICAL AND PRACTICAL.
By Uriah Smith
AN EXPOSITION OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL, VERSE BY VERSE. We are now living in times plainly pointed out in this prophecy, and it is important to understand it; for Daniel himself says that in the time of the end, the wise shall understand; while, if we fail, we are equally guilty with the Jews, who knew not the time of their visitation (Luke 19:42-44), and shall meet a similar fate. 416 pp. Price, $1.25. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. THOUGHTS ON REVELATION, CRITICAL AND PRACTICAL.
By Uriah Smith
THIS work presents every verse in the book of Revelation, with such remarks as serve to illustrate or explain the meaning of the text. It is a new and harmonious exposition of that important book, and is designed to create an interest in its study. 416 pp. $1.25. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. THERE is much talk of late about the "new theology" which is largely prevailing, especially in the Congregational Church. We believe that it is a wide departure from the truth of the Bible on some vital points. But it is a revulsion from the old Calvinistic system, which is too strong for the minds of "young America." Very few in these days are believers in strict Calvinism, though not many strictly Calvinistic churches have changed their creeds on the subject. In a late number of the S. F. Post we find the following:— "According to the Chicago Advance (Congregational), a student has just been graduated at the Presbyterian Theological Seminary in that city who keeps a firm grip on the old faith. It says that on his recent examination before a Congregational council for ordination, he declared it his fixed belief that 'the whole race of mankind was actually guilty of Adam's sin—that little children, even before they come to the knowledge of right and wrong, are unholy, sinful, and morally unclean, and that there is no warrant in the Scriptures for believing that such children can be saved.' He further declared his unqualified belief in the doctrine of election and in the eternal damnation of all heathen. 'He had learned all this,' says the Advance, 'of Dr. Shedd in Union Theological Seminary (Presbyterian, New York), and, we are sorry to say, had not unlearned it during a year's course in our Theological Seminary here in Chicago.' Some of the council hesitated to vote for his ordination on account of his professing faith in such monstrous doctrines; and the Advance declares it had no idea that there could be found, in 1883, one young man in the denomination who 'still clung to such middle-age armor.'" If the creeds had been revised when the agitation began, the departure might not have been so great. But about the last thing to be touched in a modern church is its creed. We do not believe in vacillation in religion, but we do believe in growth in knowledge, and in the acceptance of truth when it becomes known. To defend extreme Calvinism is an unpleasant task; and when students are compelled by their church authorities to give assent to it, we are not surprised that many, in their revolt, go to the opposite extreme. It will be seen in this paper that the Camp-meeting in California will be held in San Jose. The time is not yet determined. The place is easy of access, the climate pleasant, and all the surroundings beautiful. See Eld. Haskell's article in this paper on the "Pacific Coast Conference." Further notice will soon be given. Some interesting points are being developed concerning Spiritualism as a religion. While Spiritualists were denying the Bible, yes, even in the very infancy of the system, Seventh-day Adventists confidently announced their belief that it would not only appear in a religious garb, but would be accepted as the leading religion of the day. We have some interesting facts to present on this subject which will appear in our articles on the "Two Great Compromises." One of the most terrific cyclones of the year struck southern Minnesota, July 21, mainly along the line of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. The town of Elgin was totally destroyed, and several other towns were badly wrecked. One mile west of Owatonna a passenger train was taken from the track and turned over. A number of persons were killed and many injured in the several places which it struck. Dedication of the New College Building at Healdsburg.
By S. N. Haskell
LAST week, in company with W. C. White, we came to this place where we found Prof. Brownsberger and others actively engaged in preparing the new College building for the reception of students. The interest manifested on the part of the sisters of this church in assisting in the preparation for the commencement of the school has been unselfish and truly commendable. A number of students have already arrived, and others are daily expected. The building is now completed and the work has been done in a satisfactory manner. The plainness of the building and its completeness for the purposes designed show wisdom on the part of those who designed it, and speak for the efficiency of the building committee. In fact, one would fail to see where anything could be added or important changes made, to better adapt it for the purposes designed. It contains sixty rooms, thirty-seven of which are lodging rooms. The others are family rooms, work-rooms, etc. Twenty-one of them are now furnished. Prof. Brownsberger and family have already moved into the building, where, with his co-laborers, he will have a parental care for those students who may be placed under their charge in the boarding-house. The boarding with the teachers, where assistance at any time can be rendered to the students, and other advantages which will at some future time be mentioned, presents inducements to those attending the school to board at the College boarding-house. Notwithstanding we as a people have ever been ardent advocates of education, and believe that a school should be conducted on the principle of a family school, where as near as possible the moral influences of home can be thrown around the pupil, not until last year at South Lancaster, Mass., has this plan been fully adopted. This is the first building we have ever erected expressly for this purpose. In the erection of this building we have seen the providence of God in a marked manner favoring the enterprise. We have therefore thought it highly proper that upon the opening of this building it be dedicated to the cause of God, to be used in the manner herein mentioned. We cordially invite our friends to meet with us at this time. It is now arranged to dedicate this building Sunday, Aug. 5, at 3 P. M., when Eld. Waggoner and others will be present. We shall expect to see quite an increase of students at that time, who could not be present at the commencement of the term, July 25. Fallen Churches.
By Editor
The Southern Presbyterian gives a few reasons why the preaching of the gospel has so little effect in Christian lands, and in the following manner lays the fault at the door of the churches:— “They get up a church raffle—a pious sideshow of some kind—and ask sinners to take a chance. They get up a miniature theater, mostly farcical, and ask godly and ungodly men and women to take parts so as to draw money out of godly and ungodly pockets. And what does the sinner say and think of this? Why, that the church is no better than the world. If he does not say it out, he thinks it in his heart.” And if he said it out would he not speak the truth? We believe that churches which practice such abominations are more demoralizing in a community than an infidel club would be. Under a cloak of Christianity they misrepresent the religion of Christ, and mislead unbelievers as to the true way of life. They are blind leaders of the blind. We firmly believe in the old Protestant faith that Babylon of the Apocalypse is the Romish church, and that as the “mother of harlots” she is represented as the parent of those churches which cling to her traditions and follow her worldly practices. The selling of indulgences was no more misleading, no more a perversion of the gospel, than are Protestant church fairs where petty gambling is carried on under the wicked pretense of supporting the religion of Christ. “Babylon is fallen.” What does this mean, if not that the mother and her daughters have alike left the spirit and power of the truth, and brought their traffic and merchandise into the house of God, “supposing that gain is godliness”? They are wise who flee from these things before they are ruined by contact with them. Signs Canvassing in Oregon.
By Charles L. Boyd
WITHOUT experience in the work, our colporteurs commenced, last week, to introduce this valuable paper. The establishment of the State library, and other duties, have taken one-half the time of the canvassers. The following facts will speak for themselves in regard to the result of the efforts put forth:— Subscriptions obtained for five weeks at 25 cents, 246; for one year with premium, at $2.25, 24; for German paper, 12; and for Tidende, 2. By the grace of God, we will try to tend with care the good seed thus sown, and will pray for a bountiful harvest. CHAS. L. BOYD. East Portland, Or., July 19. OUR tent-meeting for preaching and Bible-reading to be held by the undersigned, will commence Thursday evening Aug. 2, on the corner of G and 6th Streets. THE DEFINITE SEVENTH DAY;
By John Nevins Andrews
OR, GOD'S MEASUREMENT OF TIME ON THE ROUND WORLD.
THIS tract is an answer to the question, “Can a definite day be observed by all the inhabitants of the earth?” It is a complete refutation of the common objection against the Sabbath, that the rotation of the earth on its axis makes it impossible for all men to keep the same day, showing not only that a definite day may be observed in all parts of the earth, but that no real difficulty has ever been experienced in the matter. 16 pp. Price, 2 cents; $1.50 per hundred. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. THE NATURE AND TENDENCY OF MODERN SPIRITUALISM.
By Editor
This is a thorough expose of the system of spiritualism. The author has carefully studied the subject, and has given such copious extracts from a large library of spiritualist publications, as to fully condemn them in their teachings and in their practices, by their own testimony. It is also shown from the prophetic scriptures that spiritualism is one of the most impressive signs of the times. 184 pp. Price, 20 cents. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. THE SEVENTH PART OF TIME.
By W. H. Littlejohn
A SERMON ON THE SABBATH QUESTION.
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. 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; $3.00 per hundred.
Address SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.