p. 175 | Review and Herald, Vol. 53, No. 22. (5/29/1879)

Notes of News

—A state of siege has been re-established in the Basque provinces of Spain.

—Agitation for the separation of church and state is beginning in France.

—The Darien canal congress will probably complete its labors by Sunday or Monday next.

—Switzerland gives a majority of 28,000 on popular vote against capital punishment.

—The suppression of gymnastic societies in Russia has been ordered, through fear of nihilism.

—A firman of the porte threatening death to any person attacking the Austrians, has been read at Bristina and Novi Bazar.

—The report that between 20,000 and 30,000 persons died of cholera while returning from a religious fair in India is confirmed.

—Several Russian government buildings at Nisinuralsk have been destroyed by fire, and a further portion of Orenburg has been burned.

—Crop prospects in Illinois, Minnesota, Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas are, on the whole, very flattering.

—Wisconsin pays annually over $19,000,000 for liquor and $2,600,310 for her schools. Is that a fair comparative estimate?

—English papers state that fully one half of the beef sold in Great Britain as English, Scotch, and Irish, is really American.

—Seventeen students of the Japanese Agricultural Society, founded by Pres. W. S. Clarke, of Amherst, have joined the Methodist church.

—Yokohama, Japan, April 23,—The imperial residences in various cities are undergoing preparation for the occupancy of General Grant.

—Four heavy failures are announced in England, the past week, the liabilities of three of which aggregate nearly three millions of dollars.

—England now has a queen who is a great-grandmother, made such by the birth, on the 12th inst., of a daughter to Princess Charlotte of Prussia.

—A German savant, Immanuel Herman Fichte, a celebrated philosophical writer, has embraced spiritualism, says the “Religio-Philosophical Journal.”

—The Bishop of Manchester recently stated that the British working classes received annually £450,000,000 and spent £100,000,000 in drink and tobacco.

—Philadelphia has 564 churches and mission stations, of which 96 are Methodist, 84 each Presbyterian and Episcopalian, 67 Baptist, 44 Roman Catholic, 36 Lutheran, and 15 Friends.

—Distress and famine are on the increase in Cashmere, and cholera has appeared in most of the cities of the Punjaub. Mutiny and bloodshed are threatened.

—London, May 19.—A dispatch from St. Petersburg reports that a great conflagration is raging in Petropawlowsk, Siberia. Several parts of the town are in flames.

—The Poonah (British India) district is afflicted with armed gangs of robbers, who hesitate not to attack villages as well as houses. Near Poonah City 1,000 troops are engaged in suppressing the robbers.

—Simla, India, May 19.—The cholera has appeared in most of the cities of the Punjaub, a province of British India. The cholera in Peshawur is threatening to raise an obstacle to the prompt withdrawal of the troops from Afghanistan.

—Pesth, May 19.—The River Theiss has inundated ninety square miles of grain fields near Beese, Becsa, and destroyed two villages. The River Drane overflowed its banks and destroyed hundreds of houses.

—The general secretaries of the Y. M. C. A. began their ninth annual conference at Baltimore, Md., Saturday, preliminary to the biennial international convention, which assembles in that city on Wednesday of this week.

The Sunday Law

To the Editor of The Inter-Ocean.

It having been stated that the advocates of Sabbath observance in Newark, N. J., had been compelled to yield and give up their work, I ask the publication of the accompanying letter, just received from a prominent minister of that city:

Newark, N. J., May 9, 1879.

Dear Sir: Yours, addressed to a Methodist or Congregational minister, was handed to me a few moments ago. I inclose herein the references of our two leading dailies of this city to the subject on which you are seeking information.

No compromise has been made, and none will be made. The Law and Order League will pursue their object—the enforcement of the Sabbath law—until they succeed.

The Sabbaths, when the Germans sought the enforcement of the law, were not disagreeable, but quiet and orderly, as God's day ought to be. You observe from the articles from yesterday's papers, that the Mayor pledges himself to enforce the law. The Germans are not to have their way. Their influence has emboldened them, but the law will be enforced, as it ought to be, indiscriminately against all needless violations of the Sabbath. I do not suppose, however, that either milkmen or street cars will be interfered with. These have, in a measure, become necessities. Foreigners will not be allowed to say that we shall not have these if they cannot have their bands, and concerts, and theaters on the Sabbath.

The only thing necessary in this city is for the moral and religious classes to unite, and the difficulty will be met. Public sentiment is deepening and spreading in favor of the law and order movement. The result is not uncertain. The right will triumph. Very truly, etc., R. VANHORNE.

THE RICHEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.

AMERICANS, if they are not already the richest people in the world, will soon be prepared to compete for that honor. They are fast gaining the race, and will soon pass France and England. No country has become rich as rapidly as this during the past twenty years. The last three United States censuses give the total (not assessed) valuations of real and personal estate, exclusive of government property, in all the States and Territories, as follows: 1850, $7,132,780,258; 1860, $16,159,616,068; 1870, $30,068,518,507. Between 1850 and 1860 the wealth of the United States more than doubled. Had the gain continued at the same pace since 1870, the coming census would put us far ahead of France, even allowing her to count in the national property, which we omit. But the known shrinkage of values in the United States for the past few years forbids us to expect confidently that this country will take the lead in 1880. But if she does not occupy that rank next year, she will surely do so at a time not remote.—New York Journal of Commerce.

THE GRAVE.

By Eliza H. Morton

A narrow house! a lonely bed! A tomb of granite cold! A land of darkness and of shade! A church-yard gray and old!

A marble slab! a vase of flowers All sprinkled o'er with tears! And there is laid the hope of earth, The toil of many years.

Oh! can it be that all for naught Has wrought the busy brain? Oh! can it be that patient thought Has thus been all in vain?

Ye bags of gold! ye shining ore! What profit ye to man? Ye cannot purchase back the life, Or lengthen out the span.

'Tis Christ alone that holds the key To yonder grassy grave, And he alone has power on earth To ransom and to save.

The life that's “hid with Christ in God” Will spring to life anew; To those who walk with him above, A just reward is due.

And when the “earth gives up its dead,” The books above will show The lives of those whose deeds of love Were white as driven snow.

ELIZA H. MORTON.

Allen's Corner, Me.

Obituary Notices.

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth,” Rev. 14:13.

OCONNER.—Died, in Charlotte, May 16, of consumption, Sister Lucy Oconner, youngest daughter of Bro. Elbert Smith, aged 28 years. She was brought up to keep the Sabbath, and leaves testimony of her acceptance with the Lord. Funeral service in the United Brethren church. Text, 1 Thess. 4:13.

J. B. FRISBIE.

THURBER.—Died, May 15, 1879, at Corinth, Vt., after a painful sickness of several months, Hiram Thurber, aged 76 years, 2 months, and 6 days. Bro. Thurber professed faith in Christ about fifty years ago, and embraced the Sabbath eighteen years ago. He leaves a wife, with whom he had lived over fifty years, and several children to mourn their loss. Remarks by the writer to a large number gathered at his residence, from Ps. 17:15.

O. BECKWITH.

ATTENTION, SOUTHEASTERN IOWA SABBATH-SCHOOLS.

By Leroy T. Nicola

A Sabbath-school will be held in connection with the camp-meeting at Fairfield, Sabbath-morning, June 14. The lessons for recitation will be as follows:— 1st Division,—Lessons for little Ones, Lesson 11; 2d Division,—Lessons for Children, Lesson 23; 3d Division,—Lessons for Youth, Lesson 49; 4th Division,—Lessons on Prophecy, Lesson 30.

The lessons for divisions 2, 3 and 4, will appear in the Instructor and Supplement. A supply of Instructors will be on the ground. We hope all our young friends in the southeastern part of the State will attend this Sabbath-school, and aid in making it a success. Bring your Bibles and Song Anchors. There will be persons in attendance capable of giving us valuable aid in our S. S. work.

Further arrangements will be made by correspondence, and on the camp-ground previous to holding the school. LEROY T. NICOLA, Sec.

SUMMARY OF TRACT AND MISSIONARY FINANCES.

By S. N. Haskell

	Due Review & Herald.	Due Signs of the Times.	Publications on hand.	Cash on hand and due on acc't.
New England	$966 27	$104 18	$1700 00	$200 00
New York	533 15	……	466 29	……
Pennsylvania	208 96	……	……	……
Vermont	18 63	98 97	49 04	45 80
Maine	251 76	60 35	241 97	132 92
Missouri	490 78	276 80	……	……
Illinois	622 13	146 55	559 78	25 77
Iowa	227 27	365 79	242 40	20 12
Michigan	290 67	980 00	……	……
Indiana	218 03	61 12	116 72	……
Nebraska	383 33	135 00	262 67	12 68
Ohio	147 82	128 00	774 94	……
Wisconsin	769 51	……	315 96	……
Texas	897 77	29 45	……	……
Quebec	35 75	……	……	……
Kentucky	371 04	35 98	……	……
Dakota	23 26	……	96 50	6 95
Alabama	16 24	……	……	……
Virginia	……	……	……	9 56
Wyoming	67 40	14 80	……	……
Colorado	4 89	……	……	……
Kansas	827 84	295 98	425 46	87 00
Minnesota	832 88	457 94	481 91	13 24
North Pacific	145 37	170 17	250 00	315 00
California	3 92	……	……	350 00
Nevada	……	58 00	……	……
	$8354 67	$3359 08	$5983 64	1168 54

We give above a table of figures showing, as nearly as we are able, the present financial standing of the tract societies. As will be seen, the total indebtedness, including the year's subscription on the clubs of Signs being taken, is $11,713.75. The indebtedness of these societies, in May, 1878, at the REVIEW AND HERALD Office, was $12,143.17; at the Signs Office, $3,996.20, making a total indebtedness of $16,139.37. This also included the year's subscription on the Signs taken in clubs, the number being about the same as this year. Notwithstanding several new societies have been formed, these figures show an advancement of $4,425.62 in the finances of the tract societies.

New York will illustrate the progress that has been made in some of these societies. In May, 1878, this tract society was owing $2,822.15 at the REVIEW AND HERALD Office, and $905.87 at the Signs Office. Its present indebtedness at the REVIEW AND HERALD Office, including Pennsylvania which has been set off from the New York Society during the year, is but $533.15. At the Signs Office the secretaries of these societies inform us that payment has been made for all that has been ordered, which, according to the installment plan, would be several hundred dollars more than what is really due. To quite an extent this is true concerning Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan, the largest of our tract societies. New England has established a depository of about two thousand dollars' worth of publications, within one year, to supply the six New England States; whereas it formerly carried only about seven hundred dollars' worth, for its own use. Texas, Ohio, and some other States have also largely increased their stock of books. Thus it will be seen that the actual advancement is more than is shown by the figures. Unpaid pledges, of which each society has more or less, are not shown in the table.

The feat to be accomplished is but fairly commenced. If the tract societies stop here, in a short time they will be as badly off as ever. We speak for a freedom from debt. This is but justice to the Publishing Associations, and to secure it should be the ambition of each of the tract societies.

WHY THIS INDEBTEDNESS?

The condition of Minnesota will largely explain the indebtedness of many of the other tract societies. When I went to this State last winter they were owing the Associations about $1,200. The indebtedness of the districts to the State society was about $1,000. The value of publications on hand in the State depository was about $200.

Thus the Associations were carrying the indebtedness of the districts, as well as the publications in the State depository. It can be readily seen that this was not as it should be.

The facts here illustrated will apply to a greater or less extent to many of the tract societies. If the money raised by donations, in the different districts, to liquidate the indebtedness of the State societies, is credited to the districts, and they continue to draw publications in return for the donations thus made, there will be no permanent remedy for this evil. At the meeting at Hutchinson, Minn., at which the State was well represented, the brethren adopted a course by which, if carried out at their spring camp-meeting, this perplexing difficulty will be removed. Other Conferences are also adopting the same.

First, they decided to find, if possible, fifteen men who were able to pay one hundred dollars each toward a reserve tract fund to be used in keeping a supply of tracts on hand,—the money paid to this fund not to be credited to the districts by the State secretary, but to the individuals who pay it. This would guard against its being used up in the general distribution of reading matter.

Secondly, each district was to pay its indebtedness by the time of their camp-meeting, and afterward to make a full payment of their indebtedness at the close of each quarter. This will give them a sufficient capital with which to do a cash business with the Signs Office, and at the same time, to give their districts the benefit of the monthly installment plan; also to keep a supply of all our publications constantly on hand, so they can supply the retail trade in their own Conference. The benefit derived from the retail trade will more than pay the freight on these publications.

The brethren meant business when they recommended this move. Four men pledged and paid one hundred dollars each at the meeting, and within two weeks ten had pledged, of which six hundred was paid. While I was with Eld. Grant, he did not ask a man to give a hundred dollars who did not consider it a privilege to do so.

All our brethren need, is to have the matter properly set before them. There are brethren in every Conference who would most willingly do the same. We look forward to our camp-meetings for this movement to be perfected in each of our Conferences. Smaller Conferences, like Indiana and Illinois, can get along with a reserve fund of one thousand dollars; but such Conferences as New York, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota should have from two to three thousand dollars.

None can feel the importance of this move as those who know the benefit it would be to our Offices of publication to have this indebtedness paid. When this is once accomplished, our tract societies will have financial strength that will enable them to do what they please in the missionary work.

As our missionary army enters upon the autumn campaign of 1879, we confidently expect they will not only be able to wipe out all present indebtedness, but have a capital sufficient to advance all that is necessary in using ten thousand copies of the Signs of the Times in the missionary work, and supplying themselves with publications as needed in their various societies.

S. N. Haskell.

Tract and Missionary Supplement Encourages Readers

Do not fail to read the Tract and Missionary Supplement issued with this number. The general interest manifested in this enterprise, the amount of work done, aggregating twice as much as in any previous quarter, and the results which already appear are truly encouraging.

Death of Eld. T. B. Brown of Little Genesee

We learn from the Sabbath Recorder, that Eld. T. B. Brown, of Little Genesee, N. Y., S. D. Baptist, author of the “Review of Gilfillan,” died after a short illness of five days, sixth-day evening, May 16.

Les Signes des Temps: French Adventist Paper from Bâle

Number 11 of Vol. 3 of Les Signes des Temps, our French paper, issued at Bâle, Switzerland, has come to hand on time. It contains the usual choice variety of reading, from which its French patrons are receiving full instruction relative to the views and work of S. D. Adventists.

Ohio Camp-Meeting.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

After counseling with the friends as far as possible, we decide to hold our camp-meeting August 21-26. We shall secure as central a place as possible and make every effort for a grand rally. We expect to have the largest meeting by far ever held in Ohio. Let every Sabbath-keeper in the State begin now to lay plans to come. Lay up the necessary means, make or buy your tent, and arrange your plans for it. Only the one big tent for meetings will be pitched by the Conference. It costs too much to ship our big tents here and wear them out simply for a few to sleep in. Often the preachers are in the midst of a tent-meeting which would be greatly injured by taking down the tent. Hence only one big tent will be on the ground, so all must provide for themselves. Begin now and there will be no trouble.

D. M. Canright.

CAMP-MEETING BUSINESS.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

THE success of a camp-meeting depends largely upon the way it is managed. The president of the Conference should be on hand and know just what should be done, and see that some one is attending to each part of the work. The following list may be of use in suggesting the different things to be looked after. Cut it out and keep it in your pocket to use on the ground.

Location.
Advertising the meeting.
Report for the secular papers.
Missionary work.
Provision stand.
Ministers’ reports.
S. B. reports.
Auditor.
T. and M. officers’ reports.
Sabbath-schools.
Periodicals,—renewing subscriptions, and seeing that all have them.
Sermon on S. B.

D. M. Canright.

THE CONVENTION AT SPRING ARBOR.

By M. B. Miller

WE wish to say a few words to the brethren in Jackson Co., and others who may attend the Sabbath-school convention to be held at Spring Arbor, Mich., May 31 and June 1. We are deeply anxious to have it prove a success. This will depend largely upon the interest you take in it. Without your presence, the convention will be a failure. Then do not fail to come, bringing your children and friends with you. Provisions are being made to make the occasion both entertaining and profitable. We expect some of our most efficient Sabbath-school workers to be there. Above all, we desire the blessing of the Lord to be with us. M. B. MILLER.

TO THE NEW YORK SABBATH-SCHOOLS.

By M. H. Brown

LET it be understood that all donations to the Sabbath-school make up, or constitute, the S. S. fund of the Association, just the same as the one-third and other donations to the T. and M. Society constitute the tract society fund. Then each S. S. is entitled to S. S. supplies, such as records, maps, etc., in proportion to its donations. Of course, no school should draw supplies from the Association to the full amount of its donations; for there are general expenses, such as express charges, blank books for State secretary, postage, etc., to be paid, just as there are in the tract society. Strict economy is practiced in these things, and a careful account kept of the money handled, which will be fully reported in due time; so we trust that all will take an interest in, and donate liberally to the S. S. cause. We hope every S. S. superintendent will look after the donations, and see that they are amply sufficient to pay for records, etc., ordered of the Association, that our account with the T. and M. Society may be balanced at the close of the present quarter, and our general expenses paid, as we are determined to keep our Association from becoming involved in debt.

Every school should adopt the donation plan, and have a box, as a systematic plan for raising means is necessary to secure success and equality. Individuals having conscientious scruples about making donations or offerings on the Sabbath, can lay by the pennies, in store, on the first day of the week, and pay them to the secretary or treasurer of the school at the close of each quarter, that it may be reported to the State secretary.

M. H. BROWN, Pres. of the N. Y. S. S. A.

Publishers' Department.

“Not slothful in business.” Rom. 12:11.

A CARD OF THANKS.

Being again able to work, I wish to tender my sincere thanks to my co-laborers in the Review Office bindery for their kind and voluntary care of me during the long and painful nights of my sickness; also to those who so unexpectedly volunteered to plant my garden when I was unable to do any labor; and to all who sympathized with me and my family in our affliction. PETER HISGEN.

NOTICE.—A blue cross opposite this note indicates that your subscription will expire in two weeks. Please renew at once, as we shall be obliged to stop the paper unless we hear from you in that time.

WANTED, a Sabbath-keeper to do general housework. Address, A. E. King, West Groton, Tompkins Co., N. Y., Box 4.

WANTED soon, a good farm hand, a Sabbath-keeper; a permanent place. Address, Marcus Adams, Honey, Mercer Co., Mo.

Books Sent by Express.

D M Canright $16.98, Ira J Brown 7.40, Jacob Hogle 4.50, Delia Walker 4.73, Eliza Thayer 41.66, Mrs S H Green 3.20.

Books Sent by Freight.

M A Kerr 36.00, J B Gregory 62.00, S B Whitney 36.55, S B Whitney for Dakota T & M Society 338.88.

Cash Received on Account.

Ill T & M Society per L S C $8.25, Mo T & M Society Wm Griffith 4.60, Ill Conf Fund Sr Bolinger (tithe) 1.30, Mo T & M Society per D C Hunter 100.00, Geo A King 25.00, F D Snyder per W C White 1.75, S Fulton 20.00, Iowa T & M Society per John Hayne 5.00, James Sawyer 134.64, John Fulton per F T Wales 8.00, James Sawyer 10.00, B C Y M Society per W C Sisley 53.25.

English Mission.

L T Ayers $5.00, L S Campbell 2.50, R F Andrews 60.45, Mrs L S Spear 1.00.

General T. & M. Society.—Donations.

H G & E M Mosher $2.00.

Danish Mission.

Bodelstine Anderson 50c, J P Johnson $2.00.

Mich. Conf. Fund.

Saginaw per J H Jaquith $50.00.

Mich. T. & M. Society.

Dist 8 St Charles church per E S Griggs $5.20, Dist 16 per M E Rathbun 7.50.

Gen. Conf. Fund.

J H Jaquith $50.00.

WESTERN CAMP-MEETINGS

Appointments.

“And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Matt. 10:7.

WESTERN CAMP-MEETINGS.

Missouri, near Winstonville, Daviess Co., (on the farm of Bro. Mallory), June 5-10. Iowa, near Fairfield, Jefferson Co., “ 12-17. “ “ Indianola, Warren “ “ 19-24. “ “ Dunlap, June 26 to July 1. Walla Walla, W. T., June 4-10. Salem, Oregon, “ 25 to July 1.

WISCONSIN CAMP-MEETING.

The Wisconsin camp-meeting will be held at Madison, on the same ground as last year, June 11-17, 1879. The Wisconsin Conference and S. S. Association will be held in connection therewith.

We expect to have reduced fare on the C. & N. W. and C. M. and St. Paul railroads. Will give particulars soon. H. W. DECKER.

Providence permitting, we will meet with the brethren at the Gravel School-house, Jackson Co., Mich., June 7, 8. Baptism will be administered, and a church organized. M. B. MILLER.

Providence permitting, we will meet with the church at Estella, May 31 and June 1. The churches around are invited to attend this meeting. Come prepared to stay until Sunday P. M. E. VAN DUSEN. L. A. KELLOGG.

Providence permitting I will meet with the churches in Michigan as follows:—

Carson City, June 2, eve. Bushnell, “ 3, “ Sheridan, “ 4, “ Six Lakes, “ 5, “ Lakeview, “ 6, “ Morley, “ 8, “ Howard City, “ 9, “ Pierson, “ 10, “ Coral, “ 11, “ Gowen, “ 12, “ West Plains, “ 13, “ Greenville, “ 14, 11 A. M. Orleans, “ 15, eve. Saranac, “ 17, “ Portland, “ 18, “ Lyons, “ 19, “ Matherton, “ 20, “ Carson City, June 21, 11 A. M. and eve. Estella, June 23, eve. Ithaca, “ 24, “ Alma, “ 25, “ Mt. Pleasant, “ 27, “

We should like to see all our brethren out at these meetings. We hope to see an interest on the part of our scattered brethren. These meetings are intended to encourage and help our brethren and sisters who are feeling discouraged. Your presence at these meetings will decide whether you have more. The evening meetings will commence at 7 o’clock. E. VAN DUSEN.