In the Advance Thought, Judge H. W. Maguire, of Salem, Oregon, speaking of materialization, says:
"I can understand why materialists are unable to believe the possibility of such startling proofs of immortality; but why they should be called in question by Christians, when they come to prove the very foundation claim of their faith [the immortality of the soul], and the one of all others which most taxes credulity, I cannot understand."
Those Christians who hold the inherent immortality of the soul as the "foundation claim of their faith," will sooner or later be forced to the Judge's way of thinking. That belief does indeed most tax credulity, because it is contrary to reason, and has no support in the Bible. Materialization is indeed the strongest argument which the devil has ever brought forward in support of the lie, "Thou shalt not surely die." In fact, it is the only thing that has the appearance of an argument in behalf of natural immortality. And therefore this thing must necessarily follow: Those who do not accept the Bible doctrine of immortality only through Christ, will fall into Spiritualism. We are Christians, yet we believe that materialization is possible, because our guide-book assures us that Satan is transformed into an angel of light; and if that is the case, he certainly can transform himself into the form and appearance of a human being. We cannot become Spiritualists, because the "foundation claim" of our faith is not Satan's declaration, "Thou shalt not surely die," but Christ's words, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me."
The Signs of the Times.
By Editor
OAKLAND, CAL., FIFTH-DAY, MAY 20, 1886.
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.
Camp-Meetings for 1886.
NORTH PACIFIC, East Portland,........May 19-25
KANSAS, Topeka,........................" 19-25
UPPER COLUMBIA, Walla Walla, May 26 to June 1
PENNSYLVANIA, Olean, N. Y..............June 2-8
COLORADO, Denver,......................" 2-9
IOWA, Des Moines,......................" 9-15
NEW YORK, Batavia,....................." 9-15
WISCONSIN,............................." 16-22
MINNESOTA, Wadena,....................." 23-29
MAINE, Houlton,................June 29 to July 6
DAKOTA,........................June 30 to July 6
CANADA, P. Q...........................July 1-6
TEXAS,.................................Aug. 6-18
Michigan State Board of Health Report
By Editor
THE Michigan State Board of Health is a working body. Evidence of this fact is given by the Twelfth Annual Report of its Secretary, a copy of which we have received through the kindness of Dr. J. H. Kellogg. The report is something more than a mass of dry statistics; one who examines it carefully will find much valuable information as to how to avoid disease. If the people of Michigan would heed the instruction given by their Health Board, there would be an appreciable diminution of disease in that State.
What Next?
By Editor
It is almost impossible to believe that there are any grown-up people in the United States so silly as is indicated by reports that come from some of the many societies that are being organized. For instance, gossip has it that President Cleveland is about to be married to a young lady who, like himself, is a long-time resident of Buffalo. Whereupon a society in Buffalo consisting of about 200 dressmakers gravely passes a resolution that, whereas Mr. Cleveland's bride-elect is having her trousseau made in Paris, instead of patronizing home industry, therefore the aforesaid society of dressmakers will do all in their power to defeat Mr. Cleveland's political aspirations! What next?
The Anti-Chinese Political Dodge
By Editor
The "State Executive Committee of the California Anti-Chinese Non-Partisan Association," is now sending out its political campaign documents. When the anti-Chinese agitation broke out afresh last winter, we were satisfied that political trickery was at the bottom of it; and for some weeks now, we have been looking for these documents. The whole anti-Chinese boycotting movement is only a political dodge. We agree with the Argonaut that it is but an effort of "the unprincipled political adventurers and demagogues to boycott the intelligence, respectability, and property of California, into giving them office." We don't believe they will accomplish it. But we shall be glad when the election is over, so that the State can have a rest.
When a Man’s Ways Please the Lord
"WHEN a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." Prov. 16:7. How could it be otherwise? If a man pleases the Lord he will not quarrel with his enemies, and therefore his enemies cannot quarrel with him. More than this, if a man pleases the Lord, he will do to others as he would have them do to him; he will love his neighbor as himself; and therefore his enemies cannot help being at peace with him. He may be "persecuted for righteousness' sake," but even then, as it was with Daniel, his enemies will be able to find nothing against him, except it be "concerning the law of his God." And in that case his enemies are fighting, not against the man, but against God.
The Second-day Adventists
By Editor
THE San Francisco Chronicle is a good newspaper. It also occasionally furnishes very able and just editorial comments on current events. But when it takes occasion to quote from the Bible, or to make mention of religion or religious bodies, it shows a remarkable lack of acquaintance with its subject. A few days ago it spoke of the man who "gave thanks that he was not like this Pharisee." Still later it contained an account of an Æolian lyre which a musician had placed on top of his house, and whose weird music had startled some of the neighbors who did not know its source. Said the truthful(?) reporter:—
"The Spiritualists, and there are quite a number in the neighborhood, asserted that it emanated from denizens of the spirit world, who were thus trying to communicate with their friends who were still in this mundane sphere; while the Second-day Adventists as strongly contended that they were angel voices heralding the second coming of the Messiah."
We are anxious to learn more about that new sect, the "Second-day Adventists." Adventists are those who profess to believe that the Lord is soon coming; First-day Adventists are Adventists who observe the first day of the week, and Seventh-day Adventists are Adventists who observe the seventh day of the week, according to the commandment; and "Second-day Adventists" are of course those who observe the second day of the week. But we have never met any who kept Monday, and we think the sect must be very small. We also sadly fear that the "lyre" on that musician's house is not the only one in San Francisco.
"Christ in the Gospels."
By Editor
THIS is the title of one of the best books we have ever seen, and the very best of its kind. It is a harmony of the Gospels, in the exact language of Scripture. Not only are the events given in their chronological order, but the whole of what each Gospel writer says on any subject is given. By an ingenious arrangement of superior figures and brackets, the various narratives are woven together so that while all that is said in the Gospels on any subject may be seen at a glance, the reader can also tell at the same glance the words used in each Gospel. Thus every word in the four Gospels appears. The text is that of the Revised Version. Those who have tried to gather all the facts concerning some miracle, and at the same time to properly locate and credit the various parts of the narrative, will appreciate this book. It gives evidence of an almost infinite amount of work, yet the well printed and neatly bound volume costs only $1.50; with gilt edges, $2.00.
We can heartily and unqualifiedly recommend this book to everybody. All who love the Bible should have a copy. It may be obtained of the publishers, the American Publication Society of Hebrew, Morgan Park, Ill., or of the Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal. The Pacific Press will also furnish it with the SIGNS OF THE TIMES for one year for $3.00.
British Guiana.
THE International Tract and Missionary Society has opened a free public reading-room at No. 10 Church Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice Co., British Guiana, S. A., with Mr. Thos. E. Amsterdam, superintendent. An agency is also established for books and periodicals at 152 Church Street, Georgetown (Demerara), represented by Mr. Jos. R. Brathwaite and Pastor A. M. Daniel. There are about forty Sabbath-keepers in British Guiana.
Boys and girls may be had—particularly boys—for service at wages, for indenture, or for legal adoption, by applying with recommendations to E. T. Dooley, Superintendent Boys' and Girls' Aid Society, 68 Clementina St., San Francisco.
The Sabbath of the Lord
"THE seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord."
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
By Editor
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