IT was predicted by some that after the generous donations of our Sabbath-schools in California to the Australian mission, there would be a "reaction;" that the effort was too strong to be healthy, and the spirit of giving would flag in consequence.
Worcester says of the prefix re, that it is "an inseparable particle denoting repetition," thus, "to revive, to live again." The prediction has proved true as far as the word "reaction" is concerned, if we are permitted to construe the word as above, that is, to react—to act again! The donation of the Oakland Sabbath-school of last quarter was larger than that of any quarter that preceded it, except that one which was given to Australia. It was no injury to our schools to give freely for that mission. As the negro preacher said of a giving church, "They do not die that way."
We would like to reveal a secret to our schools in the East. The individual who named Sabbath-school donations "penny contributions" did a most unfortunate thing for the schools. We were not pleasantly impressed with the sight of a class of able-bodied, healthy men, some of them in comfortable circumstances, each depositing his "one cent" in the class box as circumspectly as if it were a matter of conscience to give just one penny and no more. Our Sabbath-schools are important institutions, doing a noble work, and they are worthy of more consideration than such stinted offerings indicate.
Catholic Baptism.
By Editor
THE following paragraph we copy from the New York Independent:—
"The Catholic Mirror thinks that the 'worst thing' we have pointed out in Catholic missionary methods is that Catholics 'baptize dying children without the knowledge of their pagan parents.' This practice the Mirror heartily approves. It thus commits itself to fraud and deception, in the administration of the saving sacrament; for we stated on Catholic authority that 'catechists baptize under the pretext of giving medicine,' and even unbelievers are hired to do this work by stealth. The practice is not only morally revolting, it is degradingly superstitious."
We indorse the sentiment of the above, but cannot discover the consistency of the Independent in this expression. In the recent discussion in the Presbyterian General Assembly on Catholic baptism the Independent warmly advocated the validity of such baptism. And that noticed above is genuine Catholic baptism. It is indorsed by "the church," and practiced by her authority. But it is rather hard on the Independent to stand committed in favor of that which is "morally revolting," and "degradingly superstitious," as a valid Christian ordinance, to be accepted in Protestant churches.
Juries versus Justice.
By Editor
THE juries in San Francisco have not maintained the very highest reputation in the world, and the action of one in a recent trial has not increased the general respect for such bodies. We have no personal acquaintance with the parties, and no personal feeling in the matter, except such as must be felt by every citizen of the State who obeys the law and loves order and good government.
Mr. Claus Spreckels is well known as a heavy dealer in sugars. He has a sugar plantation on one of the Sandwich Islands, with extensive refineries in San Francisco. The public prints have charged that our commercial treaty with Hawaii was made to the detriment of the country and in the interest of a monopoly. The San Francisco Chronicle was severely outspoken against the treaty and the action of what is largely claimed as a sugar monopoly in San Francisco. For its remarks on this subject a son of Mr. Spreckels entered the office of the Chronicle, and without a word passing between the parties, he twice shot Mr. M. H. De Young, the publisher of the paper.
On the trial two lines of defense were introduced: insanity and self-defense. The two pleas are antagonistic to each other, and the proof was remarkably deficient on both. But he was acquitted by the jury.
It is not our custom to take much notice of local matters. We do not publish a "newspaper" for such purposes. But we feel compelled by a sense of duty to the public, to the peace and safety of the community, to notice this. Such verdicts take away from our feeling of security under the protection of the law. Under such verdicts the Government ceases to be "a terror to evil doers." They are fruitful of outrages on one hand and of lynchings on the other.
If the Chronicle had slandered Mr. Spreckels, he has abundant means to vindicate himself in the courts. And if the son intended by this shooting to maintain the reputation of the family, he has most signally failed. The newspapers, with almost one voice, from one end of the land to the other, are giving them a notoriety which no man and no family will covet.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
By Editor
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE
International Tract and Missionary Society.
A sixteen-page Religious Family Paper, devoted to a discussion of the Prophecies, Signs of the Times, Second Coming of Christ, Harmony of the Law and Gospel; with Departments devoted to Temperance, The Home Circle, the Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-school.
Price Per Year, - - - - - - - - - - - - $2.00
In Clubs of five or more copies to one address, to be used in Missionary Work, - - - - - - - 1.50