The Damage of Using and the Benefits of Refusing Tobacco.
Now I stand, this morning, not only in the presence of my God, to whom I must give an account of what I say to-day, but I stand in the presence of a great multitude of young men who are forming their habits. Between seventeen and twenty-three there are tens of thousands of young men damaging themselves irretrievably by tobacco. You either use very good tobacco or cheap tobacco. If you use cheap tobacco, I want to tell you why it is cheap. It is a mixture of burdock, lamp-black, saw-dust, colts-foot, plantain leaves, fuller's-earth, lime, salt, alum, and a little tobacco. You cannot afford, my young brother, to take such a mess as that between your lips.
Or, do you smoke cigarettes? There is an additional poison in them. Physicians tell me that they work physical ruin more rapidly than the regular cigar. If, on the other hand, you use costly tobacco, let me say that I do not think you can afford it. You take that which you expend, and will expend if you keep the habit all your life, and put it aside, and it will buy you a farm to make you comfortable in the afternoon of life.
A merchant of New York gave this testimony: 'In early life I smoked six cigars a day, at six and a half cents each; they averaged that. I thought to myself, one day, 'I'll just put aside all the money I am consuming in cigars, and all I would consume if I kept on in the habit, and I will see what it will come to by compound interest.'' And he gives these tremendous statistics: 'Last July completed thirty-nine years since, by the grace of God, I was emancipated from the filthy habit, and the saving amounted to the enormous sum of $29,102.03 by compound interest. We lived in the city; but the children, who had learned something of the enjoyment of country life from their annual visits to their grandparents, longed for a home among the green fields. I found a very pleasant place in the country for sale. The cigar money now came into requisition, and I found it amounted to a sufficient sum to purchase the place; and it is mine! Now, boys, you take your choice, smoking, without a home, or a home without smoking.'
Take another thing into consideration, and that is, vast amounts of property are destroyed every year indirectly by this habit. An agent of an insurance company says: 'One-half our losses come from the spark of the pipe and the cigar.' One young man threw away his cigar in one of the cities, and with it he threw away three millions of dollars worth of the property of others that blazed up from that spark. Harper's splendid printing establishment years ago was destroyed by a plumber who, having lighted his pipe, threw the match away and it fell into a pot of camphene. The whole building was in flames. Five blocks went down. Two thousand employees thrown out of work, millions of dollars worth of property destroyed.
But I am speaking of higher values to-day. Better destroy a whole city of stores than destroy one man. O, my young friends, if you will excuse the idiom, I will say, stop before you begin. Here is a serfdom which has a shackle that it is almost impossible to break. Gigantic intellects that could overcome every other bad habit have been flung of this, and kept down. Some one is seeking to persuade a man from the habit. The reply was: 'Ask me to do anything under the canopy of heaven but this. This I cannot give up, and won't give up, though it take seven years off my life.'
I must have a word also with all those of my friends whom it does not hurt, who can stop any time they want to, and who can smoke most expensive cigars. My Christian brother, what is your influence in the matter? How much can you afford to deny yourself for the good of others? It was a great mystery to many people why Governor Briggs, of Massachusetts, wore a cravat, but no collar. Some people thought it was an absurd eccentricity. Ah, no! This was the secret: Many years before, he was talking with an inebriate, and telling him that his habit was unnecessary, and the inebriate retorted upon him and said: 'We do a great many things that are not necessary. It is not necessary for you to wear that collar.' 'Well,' said Governor Briggs, 'I will never wear a collar again, if you won't drink.' 'Agreed,' said the inebriate. Governor Briggs never wore a collar. They both kept their bargain for twenty years. They kept it to the death. That is the reason Governor Briggs did not wear a collar. That is the gospel of the Son of God. Self-denial for the good and the rescue of others.—Talmage.
Ancient Chinese Telephones.
At a recent meeting of the Royal Asiatic Society in Shanghai, says the Scientific American, a paper by Dr. Macgowan was read on the subject of the early use of telephones in China.
This paper being very brief, we give it in its entirety:—
'It detracts nothing from the merit of the ingenious physicists who have conferred on mankind the boon of the telephone, that its principles are familiar to uncivilized peoples, several of whom are in possession of rudimentary telephones. It was, I opine, when the Chinese were in their youth that they constructed the rudimentary instrument, a specimen of which I herewith transmit for the society's museum. It consists of two bamboo cylinders, one and a half to two inches in diameter, and four in length; one end of each is closed by a tympanum of pig bladder, which is perforated for the transmitting string, the string kept in place by being knotted. This rude instrument is styled the 'listening tubes,' and is employed for amusement as a toy, conveying whispers forty or fifty feet. It is unknown in many parts of the empire, Chih-kiang and Kiangsu being the only provinces (so far as I can ascertain) where the listening tube is employed.
'Besides this toy, Chinese ingenuity produced, about a century and a half ago, the 'thousand mile speaker.' The implement is described as 'a roll of copper likened to a fife, containing an artful device; whispered into and immediately closed, the confined message, however long, may be conveyed to any distance, and thus in a battle, secret instructions may be conveniently communicated. It is a contrivance of extraordinary merit.' The inventor of the 'thousand mile speaker,' Chiang Shauhsin, of Huichou, flourished during the reign of Kang-hsi. He wrote on occult science, astronomy, etc.
'The above account of his invention was taken from his works by the author of a Fuhkien Miscellany. At that time—reign of Kien Lung—there was no longer an instrument of this description in that province. It seems to have perished with the ingenious scientist who contrived it. Here is a fine opportunity for the organization of a new telephone company, with a legal department to hunt up the lost evidence, and take a whack at the Bell telephone monopoly. Doubtless many heathen Chinese might be found glad to testify they had often used the old telephone in talking from the Great Wall to Pekin, and further if necessary.'—Christian at Work.
Something Easy.
A LITTLE four-year-old was almost ready to start for church, one Sunday morning, when his mamma, who was too sick to go with him, called him to her.
"Charley," said she, "I hope you will be a good boy in church, and listen to what the minister says, so you can tell mamma about it when you come home."
Charley looked up into her face earnestly, and after a moment he answered, very gravely: "Yes, mamma; and I hope Mr. S. will say something easy!"
No doubt many another child wishes the same, and that is the reason I have told about Charley. Not long ago a little girl who sat in the pew back of me was quite restless, and I could hear her mother bidding her sit still, and listen to the sermon. My heart went out to the little maid when I heard her whispered reply: "But, mamma, I can't understand a word he says."—Sel.
Suicides in San Francisco
More suicides occur in San Francisco in proportion to its population, says the Alta California, than in any other city on the continent.
The Infamous Traffic.
THE Christian world will learn with shame and sorrow that Christian England is on the eve of concluding a new treaty with China for the still further extension of the infamous traffic in opium.
This new convention assumes the form of an additional article to the Chefoo Treaty, and abolishes all the barriers heretofore existing against the free diffusion of opium throughout the Chinese Empire inland. The treaty also settles a uniform rate of lekin of sixty taels per chest, and maintains the existing customs duty of thirty taels. This will allow opium to pass freely throughout China. It is probable that China will extend a similar system of trade to other goods imported by English merchants.
To force this drug upon China against her earnest remonstrances England made war on China. Then a partial concession was made. Now the demand is that the drug may be freely admitted. Opium is one of the chief productions of India, and the British Government wishes a market for it in China, where it is more destructive of life and health and property than intoxicating liquor is here. The misery it produces is beyond the power of the pen to describe. The Chinese themselves, and Christian missionaries abroad, religious and philanthropic societies in England and other countries, have lifted up their voices in tones of pitiful entreaty that England would not encourage this unspeakable curse. But there are millions in it! Millions of pounds sterling that go into the national treasury, and so into the pockets of the English people. So there are millions of woes and tears and cries that God takes note of, and perhaps is even now remembering in vengeance.—Observer.
Decaying Manhood.
OUT of thirty-two young men of New York City who were examined recently for West Point cadetships, only nine were accepted as physically sound. Such a note might well make the young men of our cities pause for a moment's thought. No man who violates the laws of health can have a healthy body. How few there are who do not study fashion and humor appetite more than they do the laws that pertain to a healthful body. Beer, the cigarette, too much amusement, and the hidden vices, are making havoc with the physical manhood of all our towns and cities.—Chicago Inter-Ocean.
The Dusty Housekeeper
The modern housekeeper sweeps her carpet with closed doors and dry broom; this transfers the dust from the carpet to the furniture and pictures. When the dust has fully settled it is “dusted off” with a dry cloth or a bunch of feathers; this sends the dust back to the carpet. The doors are then thrown open, for the parlor is now sweet and clean.—Current.
The Islands of New Zealand.
By S. N. Haskell
It has been supposed by some who live in America that the islands of the Pacific Ocean are inhabited largely by a race of savages who have no interest in religious matters, and that to a large extent those who are not the natives are missionaries who have gone there to convert them. But this is a great mistake. Some of these islands are among the most enterprising portions of the world. It is enterprising people who get away from home to these distant fields. Many of them have left home and the associations where they had religious advantages that they cannot get where they now are. It is when we are deprived of blessings that we begin to realize their value. My mind has undergone a great change in some respects since coming to this portion of the globe. New Zealand is one of the most flourishing countries in the world. It possesses in itself nearly all the resources that America has. The Government has taken steps to develop these resources, by financially rewarding those who do it. This gives energy to the people.
New Zealand is 1,200 miles southeastward of Australia. The colony of New Zealand comprises three islands. The north island is 550 miles in length, and the extreme width is 250 miles. The south, or middle island, is also about the same length and about 225 miles in width. Stewart's Island, which lies directly south, is only thirty miles long and twenty broad. The whole area is 104,027 square miles, or 66,577,280 acres. The channel that divides this from the south island is from 20 to 80 miles in width. Near these islands there are about twenty little islands, in which less than 1,000 people live. It has been but seventy-one years since the first organized missionary effort was made in this colony. And it was not until 1838 that commercial agencies were established, and these by New South Wales. Treaties were made with the natives, and colonization began, in 1840. Since then there has been a great immigration to this country.
Its population, in 1884, was 541,000, exclusive of the natives. Many of the natives, however, are so far civilized that there is no difference between them and the Europeans, in positions of trust or in occupation. They are described as "a fine race of men, and hold a high position as regards intelligence, being in some respects not far behind the average European." At present those who are not civilized are much as the Indians are in America; they live by themselves mostly in the north island. When the colonists first landed, it is believed that there were 120,000 of them. Since then their numbers have become reduced to 40,000 or 50,000. "In character they are courageous, quick at learning, good at imitation, fond of oratory, and susceptible of strong religious feelings."
There is no State religion in the colony. There are between thirty and forty different denominations represented. Less than 51,000 of the inhabitants make no profession of religion. Every nation of Europe, and the United States of America, is represented. The system of education is under one management and extends all over the colony, directed by sub-committees. The teaching is entirely secular and free. In the common schools, is taught reading, writing, arithmetic, English grammar and composition, geography, history, elementary science, drawing, object lessons, vocal music, needle work for girls, domestic economy, and drill. Religious teaching during school hours is entirely forbidden, but under certain conditions may be given after school hours. In addition to the regular schools, there are now, under the control of the Educational Department, native schools, industrial and reformatory schools, and the deaf and dumb institute. Besides these there are normal schools, universities, seminaries for both sexes, and denominational schools. In connection with these schools there are public libraries for the use of the children. In 1883 there were 356 of these libraries.
The climate and soil of New Zealand are admirably adapted for raising every fruit, flower, and edible that flourishes in Great Britain, and many that will not grow in the warmer regions of Australia. Large tracts of country are covered with grasses of high feeding quality, which support millions of sheep and cattle. Many of the more valuable trees, grasses, and plants, of Europe, America, and Australia have been imported, and have flourished with a vigor scarcely attained in their own country. Fruit, too, is abundant all over New Zealand. Oranges, lemons, citrons, and loquats are found, also peaches, apples, pears, grapes, apricots, figs, melons, and indeed all the fruits that grow in temperate climates. In healthfulness, the climate is unsurpassed by any other lands in the Pacific Ocean. It is said that there is no climate in Europe or America that is like this.
The death rate is about three-fifths of that of Great Britain, and is less than that of either of the other colonies in these parts. January and February are the warmest months, and June and July the coldest of the year. The nights are always cool, and in the hottest weather the islands are noted for their reviving sea breeze. Ice is occasionally seen in different parts of New Zealand. Frosts are comparatively light north of Auckland, although the North Cape is sometimes covered with the hoar frost. There are no snakes or animals of a harmful nature. All kinds of domestic animals have been imported during the last few years. There are over 630 species of birds, some of them of the most beautiful plumage. New Zealand contains 50 towns of over 1,000 inhabitants each.
The capital was removed from Auckland to Wellington, in 1865. It now contains the Government buildings and a population of 22,116. The Government house is a handsome building surrounded with fine grounds, illuminated with electric lights, and contains 160 rooms. It is said to be the largest wooden structure in the world. Wellington has one of the very finest of harbors. There are 22 bays and harbors in the colony. The country is very mountainous, and the whole country is of volcanic origin. Chains of mountains run through the country from north to south. The highest peaks are about 10,000 feet—2,500 feet above the snow-line—so that here on the highest mountains are the everlasting snows. The country abounds in rivers and streams of purest water. The waters in and around New Zealand abound with fish of various kinds.
The most important missionary point in this field is Auckland. The boat remained here four hours, which we improved in visiting the place, and learning what we could of the people and their habits, and in gathering such information as would give us a general idea of the country. The population of the city and suburbs is 47,000. Everything that we could see indicated thrift and enterprise. The Scottish element seems to predominate. The Scotch honesty and the English courtesy, with the American enterprise, are seen in the people. This was the impression that was made on us in the little time that we were here. This city has great advantages for missionary work. It is the center of the commercial interests of the islands of this colony. There are 302 telegraph stations, and they all center in this city, and are connected with the submarine telegraph. There are seven banks located here, having 230 branch institutions, and over 100 of them are on the islands, while the others are established in the other islands of the Pacific Ocean; but the head center of all is in this city; there are 222 post-office savings banks in the colony. The mail is received here for the other islands. It, therefore, is the place where the information, to a large extent, from the outer world is communicated to the other portions of this colony, and431to the other islands. There are 170 libraries connected with schools of art besides the 356 libraries that are connected with the common schools. And the means of transportation is such that in a very short time communication can be had with all parts of the colony.
New Zealand has over twenty good harbors, but none superior to that of Auckland. From this city regular lines of steamboats run to all parts of this colony and to the Fiji, Friendly, and the Society groups, in short to all the islands of the Pacific Ocean, east of Australia. Auckland is also the head of commercial interest for these groups. It has a weekly line of steamers connecting with Australia, and monthly communication with London, England. The Pacific mail steamers all call here, so that each month there is a connection to and from America. Not infrequently there are ten tons of mail brought here by the American vessels alone. There can be no more important point for a missionary center for the islands of the Pacific Ocean west of Australia. Two hundred and thirty sailing vessels and fifty-seven steamers are owned at this port. Most of them are supported by the traffic of the islands. If an active, godly man and his wife could come to this city and establish themselves here as missionaries, we think it would be not only a hopeful field itself, but a place whence the light could be sent to hundreds of thousands of people who, as yet, have never heard of the last solemn warning to mankind.
These facts will give the reader some idea of the importance of this territory. America has had but little if any connection with this country, and therefore has but little knowledge of it. But there are many considerations that make it ten times a more hopeful field than I had any idea of before coming here. I have gleaned these facts from the most reliable sources, and have had conversation with many who have lived there for many years. The greatest surprise to me is that this field has not been entered by our people before. If our brethren want to make an investment that will pay them in the kingdom of God, we offer this field as a hopeful one. Religious works are appreciated. Those who can go from house to house and hold Bible-readings are also wanted. There should be placed in each of the 500 libraries in New Zealand a set of thirteen or fourteen of our best bound books, and the papers should be sent to every reading-room. But this move alone would cost not less than $5,000. It seems that this work must be done. Now is the time to enter upon it. I believe that our brethren will say, Give them the publications.
The time has fully come when God would have us move forward. The cloud is rising before the people of God. By the eye of faith we can see the waters almost dividing. Shall we not enter? There are individuals who can give this $5,000 themselves, and should they do it they would see the salvation of God, and in the great day of God they would reap the principal and interest of their money, in the salvation of precious souls.
S. N. H.
The North Pacific Biblical Institute and Camp-Meeting.
By John Norton Loughborough
THE Biblical Institute and camp-meeting of the North Pacific Conference were held according to previous appointment. They were seasons of great interest to those who attended. The institute might have been much more profitable to those attending if they had had more time to study the lessons. It was designed that those in attendance should only labor one or two hours a day on the camp-ground and so have abundance of time to devote to the lessons. Owing to some misunderstanding, when the time came to open the institute, but very little work had been done on the camp-ground. For this reason the time between the lessons was almost wholly spent in hard labor in getting the encampment ready for the opening of the camp-meeting and Conference. This arrangement also partially defeated one object of having the institute, which was to give ample time to prepare the business of the different associations so that it could all be dispatched without any interference with the religious meetings of the camp-meeting, and so that ministers should not be under the necessity of losing any services or be kept up nights with committee work.
Notwithstanding the difficulties above mentioned, the institute was a profitable season, and the camp-meeting and Conference passed off harmoniously. There was a larger number encamped on the ground than has ever attended any previous camp-meeting in this Conference. There were forty-eight tents, and about two hundred and twenty-five campers. The camp-meeting Sabbath-school consisted of thirty-two classes, and two hundred and fifteen scholars. The report of standing of the churches showed an increase of one-fourth in the membership of the Conference during the last year; and, notwithstanding the pressure of hard times, the tithes paid in this year amounted to $1,555.51 against $1,407 last year. Of the $5,000 fund pledged at the last year's camp-meeting, $3,461.90 has already been paid. These pledges will, undoubtedly, all be met in due time.
During the Conference, considerable was said in the interest of our educational institutions, and it was voted to raise a one thousand dollar educational fund to be deposited with the Healdsburg College, and to be loaned without interest to assist some of those who cannot pay their own way, and yet need the training at the College to fit them for more efficient labor in this cause. Such laborers, as soon as possible after engaging in labor for the Conference, are to return the money to the fund, that still others may be assisted. Pledges to the educational fund were taken on the ground, amounting to $940.25. It is not designed to limit this fund to one thousand dollars. That was supposed to be a sufficient sum for present emergencies, and that it would be augmented as the work advances and other cases arise needing such assistance. Others embracing the truth will wish a part in this fund.
Considerable attention was given to the subject of reverence and proper deportment in the house of God. While the people, on their part, heeded the instruction, the Lord granted more and more of his solemn presence. On the last Sabbath of the meeting, there was a deep feeling, and about eighty came forward for prayers. Some of these were seeking God for the first time, and others were desirous for a deeper consecration to the work. On Tuesday, twelve were baptized in the Willamette River. The morning of Wednesday, July 1, our camp-meeting closed with a praise service, in which were many heartfelt thanks to God as special mention was made by each of some particular benefit received from his hand. Our people scattered to their homes with hearts filled with new zeal to labor for God.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
Camp-Meeting in Humboldt County.
By Editor
THE Seventh-day Adventist Camp-meeting for Humboldt County, Cal., will be held in Eureka, commencing Thursday evening, July 30, and closing Monday morning, August 10. In addition to the laborers already in that county, it is now expected that Elders J. H. Waggoner, J. N. Loughborough, E. R. Jones, and Wm. Ings will be present to take part in the exercises. We hope to see a general attendance of all the Seventh-day Adventists within reach of the meeting. Come, brethren and sisters, and bring your families, neighbors, and friends with you to the camp.
As this meeting will not be occupied with the business connected with our Conference camp-meeting it will be a rare opportunity for the study of the Bible. There will also be more or less time devoted to instruction in the Sabbath-school, church, and tract and missionary work.
CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
Religion Without a Remedy
A SHERIFF in a Western town, the other day seized a drug store. But an inventory discovered five beautifully colored show bottles, but not a drug was to be found. That is the way with some folks' religion. You meet with the bottle of blue Presbyterianism, the clear water of Baptism, you see the Methodist jar, the Episcopalian jar, the Congregational jar, at the show window conspicuously displayed. But when you lift the latch and enter, seeking to find a remedy for some ill of life, not a drug is to be found. There might have been some once, but old Satan got a lien on the stock, foreclosed on the property, and left nothing but the colored jars in the shop window. That is the case with some churches, and certainly with individuals too numerous to mention,—
Christian at Work.
Obituary.
By Editor
JONES.—Died, in Temescal (Oakland suburb), July 8, 1885, William J. D. Jones, aged 26 years, 3 months, and 4 days.
Brother Jones was born in Pittsburg, Pa. He united with the M. E. Church when about 14 years of age. His attention was called to the faith held by Seventh-day Adventists by the missionary labors of Brother R. S. Owen; and he was baptized and united with the Oakland church the last Sabbath in June, 1884. He was a man of fine feeling, with a cultivated mind; he loved the truth, and was unremitting in his missionary labors in its behalf.
He had for some time been afflicted with disease of the brain, and the immediate cause of his death was inflammation, probably induced by too much study and writing nights. He seemed to have had a premonition that his days would be few, and his parents gathering that idea from his letters, came from Wisconsin to visit him, arriving the night before his death.
The church has sustained a loss which is deeply felt, but they, as well as his kindred, are sustained by the “blessed hope,” that he will soon be brought “from the land of the enemy.” Besides his parents and other kindred, he left a wife with two small children, who has the deepest sympathy of her many Christian friends. His life record was well made and the text chosen on the funeral occasion was appropriate: “The righteous hath hope in his death.” Prov. 14:32.
Funeral services at the Seventh-day Adventist house of worship in Oakland on Sabbath, July 11.
EDITOR.
J. S. HOWARD
By J. S. Howard
PHILBROOK.—Died at the Little Geysers, Sonoma County, Cal., June 27, 1885, Herbert L. Philbrook, aged 24 years, 3 months, and 14 days, from a gunshot wound inflicted by a man who answers to the name of Paul Miles.
The circumstances attending his death are sad in the extreme. On the morning of the murder, he, with his brother, were bathing in a bath-house at the Springs when he met his sad fate. He has been carrying on house-painting in Healdsburg and vicinity for about two years. He was held in high esteem by all who formed his acquaintance. He was always busy at work, and had many friends among the business men of Healdsburg and surrounding country. He leaves a loving mother and brother, and an aged step-father, to mourn their loss. The writer spoke a few words of comfort from Ps. 146:5.
J. S. HOWARD
Appointments.
OAKLAND.—House of worship, northeast corner of Clay and Thirteenth Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:30 A. M. Preaching at 11 A. M. Prayer and missionary meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:00. Seats free.
SAN FRANCISCO.—House of worship, 912 Laguna Street, between McAllister and Tyler Streets. Sabbath-school every Sabbath at 9:45 A. M. Preaching at 11 A. M. Prayer and missionary meeting every Wednesday evening at 7:45. Preaching every Sunday evening at 7:30. Mission Reading-rooms at the church.
Texas Camp-Meeting.
By R. M. Kilgore
THE Texas camp-meeting will be held this year at Arlington, Tarrant County. It is located on the Texas Pacific R. R., half way between Dallas and Ft. Worth.
Elder George I. Butler, president of the General Conference, will be present. A general invitation is extended to all to come and camp on the ground. Provisions and feed will be found on the grounds at reasonable rates. Remember the time is July 24 to August 4, 1885.
R. M. KILGORE, Pres.
Publishers' Department.
By Editor
We send no papers from this office without pay in advance, unless by special arrangement. When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the SIGNS are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon for pay. Please read the papers and hand them to your friends to read.
OUR GENERAL AGENTS.
Australia—Elder S. N. Haskell, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
England—The Present Truth, 72 Heneage Street, Great Grimsby, Eng.
Hawaiian Islands—L. A. Scott, Honolulu, H. I.
Michigan—Miss Hattie House, care Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich.
New England—Mrs. E. T. Palmer, N. E. Tract Repository, South Lancaster, Mass.
North Pacific—Mrs. C. L. Boyd, East Portland, Oregon.
Switzerland—Addie S. Bowen, Belchenstrasse 20, Bale, Suisse.
RECEIPTS.
CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE FUND.—W N King $1.25, B Robb $30, San Jose church $12.95, Mrs M Scott $15, Lakeport $15.75, G H Heald $25, Placerville $34.90, M Mayer $1.10, Grass Valley $48.25, Vacaville $50.85, Pleasant Grove $47, Santa Rosa $82.55, Healdsburg $35.95, Lemoore, per L A Scott $14.50, Napa $27.25, W T Eddy (tithe) $6.
CALIFORNIA T AND M SOCIETY.—District No 3, per Sarah McEnterfer $50.85, District No 7, per S K Shannon $47.05, Mrs E Bryant $8, City Missions, per C R Robbins $62.90.
CALIFORNIA CITY MISSIONS.—Elder J H Waggoner $10, W C White $10.
HEALDSBURG COLLEGE.—H Johnson $10, L J Benton $10, B F Winkler $10.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.—Elder J H Waggoner $20.
AUSTRALIAN MISSION.—Reno S S $11, J Hubbard $3.
CHURCH DEBT FUND.—O Darling $1.50, S F Philbrick $25, A S Hickox $40.
CASH RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT.—Ohio T and M Society $50, Kansas T and M Society $200, Dakota T and M Society $200, Mrs E A Dyke $25, Geo. H Derrick $25.
ORDERS FORWARDED.
By Editor
BOOKS SENT BY FREIGHT.—Elder J D Rice, Jasper G Smith, F R Dunlap, Mrs E A Dyke.
BOOKS SENT BY EXPRESS.—W G Buckner, J J Bolton, C P Haskell, Elder E A Briggs, Frank Butcher, Mrs Mary Wilson, Wm Hutchinson, Elder J J Smith, Mrs B F Harris, F H Butcher, Mary Ayers, Mrs H P Gray, Alice E Graham, Elder E A Briggs.
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY
BETWEEN
CHRIST AND SATAN FROM THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM TO THE END OF TIME.
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE,
Author of "The Life of Christ," "Sketches from the Life of Paul,"
"Bible Sanctification," and other popular works.
9,000 COPIES SOLD IN FOUR MONTHS.
OVER FIVE HUNDRED PAGES, ELEGANTLY BOUND.
This volume, giving first a sketch of our Lord's great prophecy (which, in brief, covers the whole dispensation), contains a history of the church in her warfare to her final redemption, and vividly describes the triumph of the people of God, the destruction of Satan and all his followers, and the renewing of the earth, which ends the awful controversy between the Son of God and the powers of darkness.
The period of history which it covers is one of deepest interest to every Christian, and the fact that the closing chapters relate to the present duty and the future experience of the people of God adds still greater interest to the volume.
Earnest Christians of all denominations will find in it encouragement and instruction in the delineation of the struggle maintained by men raised up of God in each successive age to preserve the pure and true religion, and they will see that the world has been led to accept one after another of Satan's devices, till her teachers are corrupted with false doctrines and with infidelity.
Over 500 pages. Price, - - - - - $1.50
For descriptive circulars and sample pages of the book, address the nearest State agent, or, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
Moving to California.
By Editor
WE are receiving more letters asking for advice in regard to moving to California than we can possibly answer. We did ask friends to correspond with us if several families wished to settle together, having some means. But none of the letters thus far received meet the case. A brother in San Diego County, who wishes to devote himself to the work of God, has a ranch of some four hundred acres, with water on it, suitable for stock, fruit, and bees; not for grain; can be divided to accommodate several families.
Some write to us that they are poor—dependent on their hands for their living. People who expect to rent and live on day labor should not think of coming to this State. Rent is high, and work very uncertain. Some wish to know about small fruit farms. In good fruit districts land can be bought for from $150 to $300 per acre, unimproved; that is, without any trees or fruit upon it. Planted to fruit it is very much higher.
In regard to those sections where irrigation is necessary, there is much uncertainty at present. By a recent decision of the Supreme Court, irrigators who take their water from running streams are left pretty much at the mercy of those claiming "riparian rights." It is a shame to our civilization and to our Government that England, with its streams and heavy rains and dense fogs, should give laws to California which make a desert waste of millions of acres of land, which literally "blossom as the rose" if freed from the deadly influence of those old laws and customs. Taken all together we advise our friends to be very cautious about moving to California.
Prohibition That Prohibits.
By Editor
IT is quite the custom to inveigh against prohibitory laws. We are continually hearing that the law in Maine is a "dead letter," and that in Kansas a person can get all the whisky he wants if he is willing to pay a high price, and can escape detection. Recently an Iowa politician stated that in that State prohibition is proving an utter failure. He believed that the enactment of the law was not an expression of the sentiment of the majority of the people of Iowa, but owed its adoption to the zeal of the prohibitionists, and the passiveness of a large element of the Republican party. This utterance was copied in the papers of the coast while the Iowa Press Excursion, consisting of representatives from a large portion of the newspapers of the State, was in Oregon. In reply, the following appeared in the Oregonian:—
"The undersigned members of the Iowa Press Excursion to the Pacific Coast, have found one report here which is unjust to the State which we love and honor.
"It is that the statute incorporated in its laws prohibiting the common sale of intoxicating liquors as beverages, is not and cannot be executed. Representing different parts of the State, we testify that the prohibitory statute, considering the short time since it was enacted, is as well enforced throughout the State generally as other laws, and it is daily growing stronger in public sentiment and will become the permanent policy of the State. We ask the attention of the press of the Pacific Coast to this correction of erroneous and unfair statements."
This statement, signed by forty-eight editors, certainly represents the prevailing sentiment of the State of Iowa, and ought to forever set at rest the charge that prohibition is a failure.
News from Australia.
By Editor
JUST as our pages were going to press, we received a large batch of copy and letters from Australia, by the steamer, which arrived July 12. Knowing the anxiety of the people to hear anything fresh from this mission field, we have laid over some matter, to insert the article on New Zealand, beginning on the fourteenth page (430). Other articles descriptive of different portions of the field, and something new on the "day line" question, from Elder Haskell, will follow, so that, although mail comes but once a month, we can promise our readers something from Australia every week. The friends there are all in good health and spirits. Elder Haskell writes most encouragingly of the prospect for labor. He says: "The Lord was in our coming to this place. We are of good courage." Elders Corliss and Israel have each rented a house in Richmond, near Melbourne. All mail should be addressed to Sumarilde, Highett St., Richmond, Victoria.
Honolulu, H. I.
By Editor
UNDER date of June 30, we received letters from Brethren LaRue and Scott. They were both of good courage and are working earnestly for the advancement of the truth. They say, "Remember us and the work here in your prayers. We are nearly out of publications for ship work. We would like all the old SIGNS, Reviews, and Instructors you can spare."
NOTE.—If the friends will send their clean old papers to the SIGNS Office, we will take pleasure in forwarding the same to the Hawaiian Mission.