The Sabbath Recorder, the organ of the Seventh-day Baptists. "Published by the American Sabbath Tract Society," weekly at Alfred Center, N. Y.
The Bible Banner. Published Monthly at 75 Barclay street, New York City.
The Christian. Published at 30 Hanover street, Boston.
American Protestant. Published weekly at 89 Court street, Boston.
World's Crisis. Published at 160 Hanover street, Boston.
The Michigan Tribune. Published weekly at Battle Creek, Michigan.
The Reasons Why.
By D. M. Canright
We are frequently asked what use there is in preaching the sleep of the dead, the destruction of the wicked, etc. Even granting that our views on this subject are correct. What good will it do? Is it worth while to make divisions upon mere theoretical doctrines? We reply, that we preach these doctrines
1. Because they are true; and it is through the truth that we are to be sanctified, and not through error, John 17:17; 8:32; 2 Thess. 2:13.
2. Because the word of God teaches them, and we are commanded: "Preach the word." 2 Tim. 4:1.
3. Because these doctrines commend themselves to the reason, judgment and conscience of men, to which we are to appeal. Isa. 1:18; 1 Cor. 11:13; 2 Cor. 4:2.
4. Because the opposite of these truths, namely, the immortality of the soul, the conscious state of the dead, and the eternal torment of the wicked, is a virtual repetition of one of Satan's earliest falsehoods. See Gen. 3:1–5.
5. Because the absurdity of the doctrine of an endless hell, has driven thousands into universalism.
6. Because the unreasonableness and injustice of eternal torment have driven tens of thousands into infidelity.
7. Because the doctrine of the immortality of the soul is the very corner stone and foundation of spiritualism.
8. Because the preaching of the horrors of a never ending hell, does not, as it is claimed, drive men to love God as daily observation shows.
9. Because the preaching of the truth concerning the just punishment which God will inflict upon the sinner, does win multitudes from skepticism to faith in the Bible and to embrace Christianity, as we are able to testify.
10. Because the principle of interpretation adopted to sustain these doctrines, compels men to make the Bible mean just the opposite of what it plainly says. Thus, when the word of God says that man is mortal, Job. 4:17, it means that he is immortal; to die means to live; to fall asleep; means to wake up; to know nothing, Eccl. 9:5, means to know everything; to go into the grave, Eccl. 3:10, means to go to Heaven; to perish, John 3:16, means to preserve eternally; to destroy, 2 Pet. 2:12, is to render indestructible; to be burned up, Mal. 4:1 is to be made a living salamander; the lake of fire, Rev. 21:8, means a guilty conscience, etc.
With such teaching as this it is no wonders that the mass of the people are turning away from the Bible as a dark book. God in his mercy to men is lifting this cloud of error, and is causing the light of truth to shine upon the doctrines of his holy word. We rejoice for the consolation, and feel like proclaiming it to all around. D. M. CANRIGHT. San Jose, July 16, 1874.
Books Available at Camp Meeting
By James White
We design to have a complete assortment of Books, Bibles, Charts, and The Way of Life at the Camp Meeting. J. W.
Still Onward.
By R. F. Cottrell
BRO. WHITE:—I rejoice with you to see the cause of truth advancing. It was over twenty-three years ago, about the beginning of 1851, that I received the Review and Herald as the first volume was published from Paris, Maine. The ideas set forth under the title, “Our Position,” brought some new things to view which, however, I thought deserved investigation. And after careful and prayerful investigation, I saw no reasonable and scriptural course for me to take, but to admit the truth of the position. Accordingly the decision was made—a decision I have never regretted.
The position taken in No. 11 of that volume, that the United States was the government symbolized in Revelation as the beast with two horns like a lamb, I fully believe, and as a consequence, I have believed and taught, with my brethren, that our “peerless Constitution” must necessarily be so revised as to nullify the clause that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” For twenty years this position has been “to the Greeks foolishness.” But now the fact of the National Association pressing their demand for the “religious amendment” of the Constitution, is arousing and alarming the Greeks, unbelievers, though still to the Jews professors, (at least many of them,) the truth though so evident is a stumbling block. But this is not specially the thing which I have to say. I rejoice at the progress of the cause of truth. The promised message which had so small and feeble a beginning, is assuming its position as a world-wide message. It is spreading over the world. And I hail with joy every advance movement; am glad that the press on the Pacific coast is employed in the work of the last message; and that the SIGNS OF THE TIMES is heralding forth the glad tidings of the everlasting gospel.
This work must go on. Soon I expect to know that an office of publication is established there, which will be controlled by those who keep the Sabbath of the Lord. The great work of the message is evidently at hand. Let all come up to the work, and keep pace with the providence of God. I have no greater desire nor higher aspiration, than that God will give me a humble part in his work. May the Lord give wisdom to guide, and energy and efficiency in the work, until probation shall close; and then, dear brother, may we partake together of the joys of endless life.
R. F. COTTRELL.
The Press at Ararat.
The printing press has penetrated to the base of Mount Ararat, and has been set up near the spot where Noah’s Ark was set down. To the courtesy of the Rev. Dr. Bush, of the American Board, we are indebted for the sight of the first number of a little newspaper printed in that far-away and famous neighborhood by persons connected with the mission there. The paper is called Whifs from Ararat, and in its topics and allusions there is much of local coloring that is deeply interesting. For instance, it chronicles the fact that among the Armenian villages the present price of girls sold to the holy estate of matrimony is from $10 to $100; that the Asiatic peasants explain earthquakes by the theory that the earth rests upon a great ox, which, being vexed by a fly, gives a violent toss of the head and sets everything reeling; and that the natives in the neighborhood of Ararat, believe that God has thrown impassable barriers around the mountain to prevent it being desecrated by mortal feet, while even the angelic hosts are stationed to keep guard on its sublime height lest one piece of the indestructible wood of the Ark should be borne away. One writer says that he determined to put to the test this latter notion. He resolved to climb to the top of Mount Ararat. The natives stood aghast at his audacity. Pushing on through the fierce Koords, and exposing himself to the fury of the hobgoblins with which the upper regions of the mountain are peopled, he passed up and up, luxuriating in its magnificent scenery, and at length actually pressing with unharmed feet the eternal snows of the summit.—Christian Union.
One Hundred Dollars Each.
By Editor
It has been proposed to raise $20,000 to establish the press on the Pacific coast, in sums of $100 each. Smaller sums donated to the Pacific Mission can be used in the publication of the Signs of the Times, provided that two hundred persons will respond to this call.
The sum of $1,000 has already been paid out for types and other material necessary to make ready the forms for a neighbor’s press. As means shall be furnished we shall purchase a steam press, a proper site, and put up buildings.
We ask for the pledges of our people on the Pacific, that we may know what to depend upon. We can them what time they need for the payment of pledges. In all cases where convenient we urge immediate payment, that this work may not be delayed. This statement is made most direct to our friends on the Pacific Coast.
John Morrison, $100; Mrs E G White, pd, $100; John Judson, 100; T M Chapman, pd, 100; J N Loughborough, pd, 100; George Drew, 100; James White, pd, 100; Jochim Pulse, 100; N S Raymond, 100; R Stickney, pd $40, 100; E H Root, pd, 100; A C Woodbury, pd, $25, 100; Brother L—e, 100; P W Baker, pd, 100; Benj. N Berry, pd, 100; L McCoy, pd, 100; R M Pierce, pd, 100; J S Hart, pd, $50, 100; J Shiverly, pd, $20, 100; R A Hart, pd, $50, 100; W E Newcomb, 100; Mary Hare, 100; Noah Hodges, 100; Wm Harper, pd, 100; Thos Bickle, pd, 100.
North Pacific Mission.
Mrs M Benedict $3, A friend of the cause $3, J T Ashley $1, H C Miller $2, Sally M Stockwell $4, Freeman Nichols $5, M C Mace $5, C A Prince $1, L A Dodge $1, Sarah Nichols $5, Carrie Nichols $5, Wm Brown $3, Maggie Prince $1, A H Bradford $1, L Hobert and wife $10, A Persing $1.78, Caroline Starr $4, E B Gaskill, $10, C L Davis $1, Carrie Fields $1, B J Jones and wife $5, F W Mace $5, R J Davis $1, Carrie Mace 50 cts, Polly D Lawrence $1, Maria West $5, L R and S E Chapel $2.50.
Donations for the Signs.
$10 EACH—Wm Potter.
$5 EACH—A D Jones and wife, Geo Stringer, A J Richmond, C R Ogden, Eliza Bliss, Mrs E E Pugh, D W Clay.
$2 EACH—M A Remley, E A Sanders, B Carter, U Afolter, W Farrar, N Ward, J D Downer, T Loomis, Luther Smith, T M Steward, Calvin Fleming, A M Mann, M D, S M Goodale, Kathrenia Hale, C S Briggs, John G Cook, Wm S Moon, Eliza Burbee, D C Elmer, M G Kellogg, M D, Mrs E High, Mrs R Green, A Boardman, Mrs D C Babcock, Mrs Serrena Scott, Jessie D Hull.
$1 EACH—Mrs L S Newman (by G Newman), Leander Kellogg, Peter Baker, Geo Vickery, Alma Droullard, J W Blake, A Paton, E L Harriman, Almira M Devoe, I O Thompson, J H Ginley, E S Morse, Wm Fowler, H F Phelps.
MISCELLANEOUS.—Wm Proctor 50 cts, D Anderson 25 cts, John Place and wife $12, Maria West $2.20, W E Stillman $5.80, Sister Holbrook $6, W M Dumont $1.50, L R Chapel $2.50.