We have closed our meetings at this place. Over thirty are keeping the Sabbath. A Sabbath-school has been organized, consisting of forty members. Twenty-one copies of the Youth's Instructor have been sent for. Almost all of the Sabbath-keeping families are taking our periodicals; and the circulating library of Sister White's writings has been obtained, and is read with care.
The health reform and systematic benevolence have been presented, and are generally accepted by the brethren. S. Fulton.
Houston Co., Georgia.
By C. O. Taylor
I WAS in Houston county a week ago, and spoke three times at the court-house in Perry. The congregation was not large, but the most were very attentive. Four received the ordinance of baptism. There are now thirteen in that county keeping the Sabbath. Nine are freedmen. Two of the number have been ministers in other denominations.
C. O. TAYLOR.
Wakeman, Ohio.
By H. A. St. John
Our meetings in Wakeman have closed for the present. Most of those who have embraced the truth live in the country. We held several meetings in two different schoolhouses in the vicinity. We think that upwards of fifteen have accepted the present truth as the result of these meetings. In a few weeks we hope to organize a church of twenty-five or thirty members in Wakeman.
I am now at East Norwalk for two or three evenings. One more has commenced to obey since we were here before.
April 7. H. A. St. John.
Oronoco, Minn.
By George M. Dimmick
AFTER attending Eld. Haskell's good meeting at Hutchinson, I returned to the New Haven church, which I had recently organized, to finish the work there. Since returning, I have baptized sixteen.
April 8. GEO. M. DIMMICK.
Obituary.
By Mrs. George M. Cody
DIED, at Lemoore, Tulare Co., Cal., April 13, 1879, Jesse C. Wood, age four months and 18 days. Little Jesse was a son of Elder J. L. and Sister R. L. Wood.
Though sleeping is his little form
Beneath the moldering sod,
In the resurrection morn
'Twill upward rise to God.
In fair Edenic bowers bloom,
The tender little bud,
Whose life so early sank in gloom—
In death's cold chilling flood.
MRS. GEORGE M. CODY.
Religious News and Notes.
By Editor
—Dr. Howard Crosby will give the next course of “Lyman Beecher Lectures” at Yale.
—Mrs. Clarissa C. Cook, of Davenport, bequeathed $161,000 to the Episcopal church of Iowa.
—Rev. Dr. Lovick Pierce, father of Bishop Pierce of the M. E. Church South, is 94 years of age.
—The usual yearly $50,000 to the Catholics of New York city have been granted by the powers at Albany.
—In Iceland there is a Bible in every house, and it is faithfully read. And Iceland has no theatre, prison, sheriff, cannon, nor militia.
—Reports of amicable settlement between Germany and the Vatican are discredited by the Germania, an ultramontane newspaper.
—The Baptist Annual says that, leaving out 51 churches in the largest cities, the Baptist pastors in the State of New York receive the average salary of $551.
—Dr. Newman, the new English Cardinal, plays on the violin and violoncello with exquisite taste and skill. The symphonies of Beethoven are his evenings' delight.
—Efforts are being made to locate the “oldest Sunday-school in America;” but it is hard to do. One in Plymouth, Mass., under Rev. John Robinson, dates as early as 1680.
—Church trials are sometimes uncertain things. From some of the testimony which we have read on the Talmage trial, we fear he will not be benefited by the examination.
St. Mark's Episcopal church in Detroit voted to go over to the Reformed body. This action will be resisted by the authorities of the diocese, at least as far as the property is concerned.
—Dr. Dollinger, the leader of the Old Catholics, has just passed his eightieth birthday. In consequence of the action of the Synod allowing priests to marry he does not now hold relation with the church.
—Bishop Baltes of Alton, Ill., recently prohibited the reading of the Freeman's Journal, a catholic paper, in his bishopric. The editor has compelled a retraction of the order. So much for having a Cardinal in the United States.
—At a meeting of the London Presbytery a resolution was offered instructing church officers “absolutely to prohibit lotteries and kindred games of chance,” in the churches. After discussion it was withdrawn, and a modified or indefinite one passed instead.
—The rector of a church in Suffolk, England, has appealed for help in behalf of a Presbyterian minister, to free his church from a debt of $12,000. Dean Stanley, Canon Freemantle, and Prebendary Auriol have contributed. Who would have thought it?
—The Examiner and Chronicle says, Many of our readers intend to leave a part or all their property to our denominational enterprises. Why not do it now? And the Christian at Work adds, Sure enough—why not now? The dead never give,—they only relinquish.
—Mr. Sankey writes from England: “The work of five years ago proves to have been of the Lord. It stands the test of time; and many of the most active workers in the churches and chapels are those who were converted during the years 1873, '4, and '5.”
—Dr. Leon G. Walker, on the occasion of being installed as a Congregational pastor in Hartford, Conn., said, “I have no doubt that the doctrine of conditional immortality may be held compatibly with general orthodoxy of belief respecting the great doctrines of the gospel.”
—Prof. Jagger, of Stuttgart, Germany, has announced that the soul is a special form of albumen, which “constitutes an aura which may rise above the threshold of consciousness, and even become offensive, as in some animals and negroes.” A happy triumph of science! Let us rejoice—this question is settled at last.
—The Independent is sharp on sects. It says, “What Christ organized on the sole basis of discipleship was the church. What man organizes on a confessedly narrower basis he may call a church, and may administer in it the sacraments; but it is only a club—a good Christian club, very likely, but nothing more.”
—The Wesleyan missionary, Rev. George Brown, three of whose companions were eaten about a year ago in New Britain, reports that he has just opened three new churches in the island, and two or three young men are waiting to be baptized. There are still three vacancies made by the loss of the three teachers, which have not been filled.
In an inquiry by civil process at Saarbruck concerning the alleged miraculous appearing of the Virgin, it was shown that a seal of the event was ordered to be engraved before the children saw the Virgin, and one of these “innocent” eye-witnesses was proved to be acquainted with all sorts of wickedness. What will be done to perpetrators of such “pious frauds”?
—A reformer named Makrakis has risen in the Greek Church at Athens, and is just now causing considerable commotion. He disavows the authority of Bishops and Synods, and rejects the worship of saints and all fasts. The schools which he had opened with his own means have been closed by order of the Government, and several sympathizing clergymen sent to distant monasteries. It is thought the movement has made too much headway for suppression.
Secular News.
By Editor
—The war in Zululand is going on with unabated vigor.
—England refuses to extradite Nihilist refugees with Russia.
—The Freedman's Hospital at Augusta, Ga., was destroyed by fire on the 30th ult.
—Work on the Northern Pacific Railroad has been resumed, west of the Missouri river.
—Peru and Bolivia have concluded an alliance, and both have declared war against Chili.
—About one-third of Eureka, Nevada, was burned the night of the 18th. The wind was blowing a gale.
—Failures in New York city in March, 1878, amounted to $8,480,000. In March, 1879, to $211,754.
—The Great Western Railway Passenger station at Suspension Bridge, Canada side, was burned on the 2nd inst.
—Dr. George B. Woods, eminent as a physician and author, died in Philadelphia on the 30th ult., aged 81 years.
—A fire in St Louis the 4th inst. caused a loss of $400,000. One in Philadelphia, Sunday the 6th., loss $750,000.
—The Canada House of Commons are moving on the question of the Chinese, being petitioned by citizens of British Columbia.
—Conkling is said to have written a letter, abandoning all aspirations for the Presidency, and favoring the nomination of Grant.
—The man who impersonated the Saviour, in the Passion Play in San Francisco, has been arrested for violating a city ordinance.
—Nearly $200,000,000 were subscribed to the U. S. four per cent. bonds the 17th of April, by a single association of banks and banking firms.
—Ex-Governor Tilden is again reported in trouble with the Internal Revenue Bureau—a new difficulty, which will probably revive the old one.
—By a fire-damp explosion near Mons, Belgium, April 17., a coal pit shaft was closed, imprisoning 240 miners, about one-third of whom have been saved.
—J. P. Love and Frederick Fisher have been convicted of the murder and burning of Olive, in Nebraska, and sentenced to the Penitentiary for life.
—Two Indians brought from Alaska have been tried in Portland for murder. One was found guilty; the other acquitted. It was concerning these that the difficulty in Alaska arose.
—Josiah Bacon, of Boston, agent of the Boston Vulcanite Company, was murdered in his room in the Baldwin Hotel, San Francisco, April 13, by a dentist of whom he was trying to collect royalty.
—From North Texas is reported a heavy hailstorm, doing great damage to crops. At Lisbon, near Dallas, several houses were shattered, live stock killed, and a number of persons severely injured.
—A great storm occurred at Szegedin, Sunday, April 13, which destroyed sixty pile driving stands, and carried away and sunk rafts laden with materials and provisions. The rivers are rising again.
—Last week witnessed a cyclone in Collinsville, Ill., which did great damage; an earthquake at Norfolk, N. Y.; and a hailstorm in Pensacola, Florida. Hailstones fell as large as hen's eggs—a thing never known there before.
—A terrible tornado swept through the lower part of South Carolina the night of the 16th inst. In the village of Walterboro nearly one hundred dwellings and all the churches were swept away; fifteen persons were killed and many wounded. Casualties are reported from various points.
—The note clerk of the London and San Francisco Bank, who ran away charged with stealing $37,000, was sued in Hongkong by the bank's agent, and part of the money was recovered. He admits taking $24,000, and has returned to defend his character against the charge of taking the other $13,000!
—News from Morocco increases in horror. A letter from the U. S. Consul at Tangier, March 19 says: "All who can are now running away from this most unfortunate country, where famine, cholera, and typhus are more than decimating its population. At Tangiers alone we are having from thirty to forty cases of typhus per day; and at the city of Morocco the daily mortality by typhus is from 200 to 250 persons. The ordeal of death is complete. Parents eat their children. The moslems, being fatalists, ridicule the idea of mitigating it by sanitary regulations, which increases the horror, as the air is loaded with the effluvium of decaying bodies.
Southampton, England:
By John Norton Loughborough
Southampton, England:
THE work here in Great Britain is still progressing. Since my last report a family consisting of a man, his wife, and two daughters have fully taken their stand with us. This addition greatly encourages the little company here, and is a help in our Sabbath-meetings.
In our Sunday afternoon Bible class, after tracing the testimony of both the Old and New Testaments on the Sabbath question, we have been examining secular history as to how, when, and by whom the Sabbath was changed from Saturday to Sunday. Thus far the sessions have been very interesting and have resulted in establishing all present in the fact that it was a human, and not a divine power that undertook to change the Sabbath, while in God's word the seventh-day, as ever, is still the holy Sabbath of the Lord.
Our meetings are well attended, and many are becoming interested in our views, and believe that our position is correct. We are sending many copies of the SIGNS, and writing letters to different parts of the kingdom, and in return are receiving favorable responses. The paper is read with interest and in most cases more are wanted. Last week a lady who had received from us the SIGNS through the post, came several miles to converse with us on these truths, and to thank us for the paper, and wishing further conversation on these important topics she wished me to come to her house that her family might also be benefited. I am to visit them to-day. This lady said she and her husband were deeply interested in the paper.
In a letter just received from Norfolk Co., a gentleman says:—
“I have received three different pamphlets, called the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, which I have read with great interest. I am much pleased with the paper, but would be much more so to know who it is that so much cares for my soul's welfare. If it would not be too much trouble would you please send me your creed, &c. I would like much to correspond with you. If you can learn by any means my friend to whom I am indebted for the paper, I would like to thank him.”
All letters, however, are not as favorable as this. I give as a sample one just received from Oxfordshire:—
“I have received several copies of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES from you, but as they are not according to my views I decline to continue them. I pass them about, and enclose twelve penny postage stamps for those I have had.”
We do not regard the effort made in this case as lost, for while the gentleman refuses to accept the papers and the truths therein contained, we know not what influence the SIGNS may have while passing from one neighbor to another.
Our friends in America are doing well in furnishing us clubs of SIGNS, mailing papers, and corresponding with individuals. With the large addition to our club of SIGNS made last week, we have all that we can manage with our present force. We have now sent to the V. M. Societies in America three hundred and eighty-two names. With these they are doing missionary work. We daily pray the Lord to give them wisdom and great success in their work.
Last week we concluded a bargain for a canvass tent, ten oz. duck, sixty feet in diameter, nine-foot walls, with side poles, center pole, and flag-staff, pole ironed off with ring for hook of upper tackle block, a fifteen-foot English flag, guys, ground stakes and all complete for erection, $425.00. The tent is to be completed April 21. We hope to have suitable weather for tent meetings by the month of May. We have had a few days of fine weather, but just at present it is quite cold.
While we are waiting tent season, in order to make a thorough effort in public we are not idle by any means. In connection with my present labor I am taking occasion to learn the ways and doctrines of the different sects of Great Britain, so as to know how to adapt our teaching to the circumstances and conditions of the people. I give an article this week containing some interesting points concerning these sects, and will speak of others hereafter.
Pray for us that in all our efforts to reach the people we may be guided by heavenly wisdom. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
March 25, 1879.
State Quarterly Meeting.
THE meeting of the third quarter of the California State Tract and Missionary Society was held April 19, 1879. Brethren Mavity, Church, and Saunders, Directors of Districts No. 2, 3, and 5, attended. There being present neither President nor Vice President, it was moved and carried that Eld. J. H. Waggoner fill the chair. Meeting opened with prayer. Minutes of the previous meeting were read and accepted. The report of labor for the past quarter was then read, as follows:—
Owing to the removal of the Vice President from the State without resignation of his office, it was moved that the office of Vice President be declared vacant. Carried.
For the same cause the office of Director of District No. 7 was also declared vacant.
M. C. Israel was elected Vice President, and W. N. Glenn Director of District No. 7, for the remainder of the present year.
Remarks at some length were made in reference to the wants of the cause, and the prospect of Eld. Haskell's coming to California. An earnest hope was expressed that Eld. Haskell will come soon. For want of a President the work of the society has not been what it should be, and all are expecting that the cause will be benefited by the labors of Eld. Haskell.
J. H. WAGGONER, Pres't, pro tem.
LILLIE D. ABBEY, Secretary.
Old Friends.
By Editor
Dr. KALLOCH says a good many things of which we do not approve, but we can forgive him on something for the following:-
“Among the things that grow better by years are our friends. The older we grow, the more we regard those with whom we have been associated for years, taken sweet counsel and walked to the house of God in company. In youth we make friends fast, and lose them with equal facility. When I was a youth I could make a friend in an hour, to whom I could unburden the secrets of my innermost soul. I have got bravely over that, though proud to admit that I am not beyond being ‘taken in’ yet. I have no ambition to be so shrewd or sharp or keen or smart that it is impossible for me to be deceived. But I have learned to love and value old friends.”
N. Pacific T. and M. Society.
By William Leavitt
FROM present indications the General Conference will send Bro. Haskell to this Coast this summer. Of course he will visit us—most probably, at our Conference—and we want to give him a pleasant reception and be ready to receive any instruction he may desire to give us. In order to do this we want the society in the very best condition possible. To this end we desire all the secretaries, directors, and librarians to do all in their power to collect all back dues, and send them to the State Secretary at Salem without unnecessary delay. Then let every member go to work with renewed energy in the good cause, from now till Conference, that we may have at that time a good report to make of ourselves.
WM. LEAVITT, Acting State Sec.
Salem, Oregon, April 14.
Appointments.
By Editor
Camp-Meetings For 1879.
Walla Walla, W. T., June 4-10.
Salem, Oregon, June 25-July 1.
Providence permitting, we will meet with the church in San Francisco Sabbath, April 25, and will preach in Oakland Sunday evening, April 27.
Oakland—Services at the Seventh-day Adventist church, corner of Thirteenth and Clay streets, every Sabbath (Saturday) at 10:30 A. M., and Sunday evening at 7:30. Prayer-meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:30. Sabbath-school at 9:15 o'clock Sabbath morning.
San Francisco—Services at the Seventh-day Adventist church, on Laguna street, between Tyler and McAllister, every Sabbath (Saturday), at 11 A. M., and Sunday evening at 7:30. Prayer-meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:30. The Hayes Valley cars of Market street and the Lone Mountain cars of the Central railroad, cross Laguna street near the church.
Business Department.
By Editor
$2.00 EACH. L J Twing 6-16, Mrs D H Dixon 6-16, J N Loughborough 6-16, John Griffith 6-16, I K Howser 6-16, Calvin Kelsey 6-16.
$1.50 EACH. James Wilson 6-16, J B Koonce 6-16, J M Elliott 6-16, A B Granger 6-17, S E Beach 6-16, A C Smith 6-16, Mrs I A Hatch 6-16, A B Dom 6-16, J B Sanford 6-16, A M Jolly 6-16, Charley Cox 6-16, Williard Petersen 6-16, C J Hildrith 6-16, Mrs F Martin 6-16, F B Kendricks 6-16, H W Forgey 6-16, S McAlexander 6-16, W T Pinnell 6-16.
$1.20 EACH. Rev L H Carbett 6-11, Wm Pace 6-16, Joseph Smith 6-16, Feba A Hand 6-16, Stephen Clark 6-16, C A Just 6-16, A G Tucker 6-16, Richard Greatrix 6-16, Mrs Phebe J Brewer 6-16, W G Mennie 6-16, Frank Ewery 6-16, Gilbert Whipple 6-16, Andrew Robertson 6-16, John Meral 6-16, J W Creelman 6-16, Mrs Hattie Bliss 6-16, James Goding 6-16, John Delaney 6-16, Henry Franks 6-16, Mrs W O Hudson 6-16, Eunice Foster 6-16, Mrs D Vanhouton 6-16, S C Bovee 6-16, W D Russell 6-16, M Perkins 6-16, Mrs Sophronia Foster 6-16, John Withrow 6-16, Elihu Smith 6-16, S L Rhodes 6-16, J L Howe 6-16, James M Baker 6-16, Belle Lemons 6-16, Mrs O P Simonds 6-16.
MISCELLANEOUS. James A Parmlee 1.00, 5-41, E W C Hall 1.00, 5-48, Edwin Lathrop 1.00, 5-37, Mitchell Hunt 1.00, 5-40, Mrs Jacob Clark 1.00, 5-48, Hugh Mayo 50c 5-28, D S Harper 1.00, 5-40, Mrs Isabella Gray 1.00, 5-40, M E A Brook (9 copies) 3.60, 5-32, David Blanton 40c 5-32, A H Wentworth 3.60, 6-16, Salley Pingley 75c 5-40, Hannah Creamer (4 copies) 6.00, 6-16, Mrs Mary A Walter (7 copies) 8.40, 6-16, Mrs E C Branham 1.00, 5-40, Edward Morrow (5 copies) 6.00, 6-16, Noah Hodges (10 copies) 12.00, 6-16, Mrs S B Whitney (10 copies) 12.00, 6-16, V Owen 1.13, 6-4, Mrs E H Whitney (20 copies) 24.00, 6-16, Hellen Lewis (7 copies) 7.28, 6-16, S W Hickock (15 copies) 18.00, 6-16, Mrs L E Smith 60c 5-40, Mrs Nettie E Walter (2 copies) 2.40, 6-16, W H Littlejohn (3 copies) 3.60, 6-16, Frank Case (4 copies) 4.80, 6-16, I C Snow (6 copies) 7.20, 6-16, J M Avery (4 copies) 4.80, 6-30, J Craft (3 copies) 3.60, 6-16, D N Hill (10 copies) 12.00, 6-16.
RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.
Cal T and M Society $121.15.
CAL. PUBLISHING FUND.
Sarah Mills $10.00.
OAKLAND CHURCH.
J N Loughborough $10.00, A M Loughborough $5.00, Mrs E Carter 70c.
CAL. CONFERENCE.
Bloomfield church $16.60, M J Church 19.50, Boonville church 52.75, Santa Rosa church 51.25, J H Hutchings 18.40, Locust Grove church 73.50, Lone Oak church 17.40, Lemoore church 50.26, Healdsburg church 16.05, Donation 5.00.
BRITISH MISSION.
Henry Walter $5.00, Mary Ayres 2.56, George Mills 5.00.