SABBATH, Oct. 2, was an excellent day to the church in Oakland. We spoke in the forenoon, and the ordinances were celebrated in the afternoon. Better harmony prevails than has existed since our coming here two years ago. The influence of our late camp-meeting appears more and more every day. We are constantly learning of those who became interested there. One man from Alameda attended our meeting, who is firm in the faith, of whom we knew nothing at the close of the camp-meeting.
We re-districted the church and appointed a full corps of leaders and assistants. Each leader is furnished with a list of the names of all Sabbath-keepers in his district, and he is expected to keep the oversight of each and all. The leaders together constitute an advisory council, to consult on the state of their charges, and attend together to the general and particular state and welfare of the church. We never felt more hopeful for this church than at present.
The church in San Francisco is also improving. If even a few in that church will wake up and prove themselves workers, the cause may be greatly raised there.
Brn. Briggs and Howard went to Fairfield with one tent immediately after camp-meeting. Bro. Wood intends taking another to Dixon or Napa, to be assisted by Bro. Healey or Rice, as they may determine. Bro. Grainger and Dr. Waggoner have gone north, and will commence their work in Millville, Shasta county. All go to their fields of labor in good courage.
Great opportunities are before the believers in California, and a greater responsibility rests upon them. Faithfulness now will show fruit. By a lack of faithfulness they will lose the blessings they have received. We hope for good things.
J. H. W.
Moral Condition of Public School Children
THE New York Christian Union has a commendatory article upon the labors of a visiting committee of women in Massachusetts who are traveling through the State and investigating the moral condition of the public school children. "The result of their inquiries thus far," it says, "has been such as must occasion serious anxiety to every thinking parent; indeed, to any one interested in the future welfare of the State. Teachers almost universally complain of the prevalence of lying, stealing, profanity and impurity among their scholars. * Petty thefts among the scholars, such as stealing luncheons, give them great trouble, and profanity, they assert, is far more general among boys of all classes of society than parents in the least suspect. The circulation of impure literature in schools is very common. In one city a club was found to exist among the pupils of the high school for the purchase of obscene literature. Many teachers complain of this as the worst evil with which they have to contend. It is certain that the condition of affairs is not in these respects exceptionally bad in the old Bay State. To find and apply a remedy is not easy, but these investigations and the publication of their results is likely to prove the first step toward a greatly needed reform."
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
By Editor
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS.
Twelve-Page Edition.—A live Religious Family Paper, containing, in addition to the great variety of original articles, which make it a desirable prophetic journal, Departments devoted to Temperance, The Home Circle, News, The Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-school. PRICE PER YEAR, . . . . $2.00 In clubs of ten or more copies to one address, to be used for Missionary work, each . . . . 1.50
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
—OR—
REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, Mich. ELDER J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, Ravenswood, Shirley Road, Southampton, England. MISS ELIZA THAYER, Secretary N. E. Tract Society, So. Lancaster, Mass. MRS. A. P. VAN HORN, Beaverton, Or.
Business Department.
By Editor
ANY of the books, pamphlets and tracts issued at this Office may be obtained of Eld. J. N. Loughborough, Ravenswood, Shirley Road, Southampton, England, who will furnish catalogues and prices in English money, and receive subscriptions for all our periodicals.
RECEIVED FOR THE "SIGNS."
$2.00 EACH. Mrs B F Potter 7-2, Mrs M A Hollister 7-30, Mrs Lina Frost 7-35, E L McCarthy 7-48, Geo Griffith 7-38, Eld J N Loughborough sent by Geo Griffith 7-38, Mrs Jabez Cowles 7-33, T P Finch 7-36, G W Colcord 7-36, John Donaldson 7-38, Peter Scazighini 7-38, G W Cody 7-38, T H McNamee 7-38, John Mavity 7-25, E A Briggs 7-38, Mrs S P Chambers 7-38.
$1.50 EACH. John Valentine 7-36, James Toney 7-35, Robert Philpot 7-38, A Gleason 7-19, N Balch 7-38, Mrs G A Porter 7-38, Annie Shattuck 7-38, E G Grimrod 7-38, H P Gray 7-38, W C Jones 7-38, Mrs J T Brown 7-38, Mrs Frank Thompson 7-38, D McKeller 7-38, L D Hersey 7-38, L D Place 7-38.
$1.00 EACH. S R Jenkins 7-13, Asa A Abbott 7-36, Elizabeth Sharpe 7-36, Susan Stubblefield 7-14.
50c EACH. W Y Petterson 7-6, J Burnap 7-6, Mrs D K Jorden 7-6, Mrs S S Davis 7-6, Mr Angove 7-4.
MISCELLANEOUS. Emma A Rose 32c 7-2, E Goodale 12.00, 7-36, John Valentine 4.50, 7-13, L G Culver 1.25, 7-35, J M Stancliff 3.00, 7-35, J N Loughborough sent by J C Phipps 3.00, 7-35, Mrs M J Siddens 1.25, 7-5, Mrs Margenson 75c 7-14, San Francisco V M No 50.00, 7-10.
OTHER RECEIPTS.
CAL. T AND M RESERVE FUND RECEIPTS—Peter Scazighini 100, W A Pratt 50.00, Chas Spear 45.00, F H Adams 30.00, W R Smith 25.00, Alm Cox 20.00, B C Stickney 20.00, M A Colby 10.00, L A Scott 10.00, Lucy Wood 5.00, L M Hall 5.00, F E Lyttaker 5.00, Annie Hoskins 5.00, Hannah Stevens 5.00, Fhetis McNamee 5.00, Wm Shuhan 2.50, Hannah Church 2.50, E A Briggs 1.00, W T Hicks 1.00, H C Furguson 50c.
TO THE CHURCH OFFICERS.
By J. D. Rice
I HAVE not been able, on account of poor health and urgent work in behalf of the Conference, to examine as fully as I wish the various church books, and consequently could not get them to you in time for your quarterly meetings. It has undoubtedly put you to some inconvenience; but I trust has not materially interfered with the regular duties of the quarterly meeting. I shall endeavor to return them to you this week, and with them such blanks as are necessary to be filled out and returned to me. J. D. RICE.
STANDARD WORKS,
Published and for sale at this Office, and by "Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich.
History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week for the period of 6,000 years. By Eld. J. N. Andrews. 528 pp. $1.00
The Sanctuary and the 2300 Days of Dan. 8:14. By Elder U. Smith. This work explains the past Advent movement, and makes plain the present position of those who wait for the Lord. 352 pp. $1.00
Thoughts on Daniel, critical and practical. By Elder U. Smith. An exposition of the book of Daniel, verse by verse. 384 pp. $1.00
Thoughts on Revelation. By Elder U. Smith. This work presents every verse in the book of Revelation with such remarks as serve to illustrate or explain the meaning of the text. 352 pp. $1.00
Life of Wm. Miller, with portrait. This book gives interesting sketches of the Christian life and public labors of this pioneer in the Advent movement in this country. 416 pp. $1.00
Life of Elder Joseph Bates, relating his experience of twenty-five years on ship-board, with incidents of his rise from cabin-boy to master and owner. The closing chapters relate to his labors in the ministry and in the cause of temperance and other moral reforms. Fine tint paper, 352 pp. $1.00
Life Sketches of Elder James and Mrs. E. G. White. The early lives and Christian experiences of both are given in this volume. Their subsequent history is so connected with the cause, that this book gives an outline of the rise and progress of our people and our cause. $1.00
With fine steel portraits of both. $1.25
Thrilling Incidents in the political Life of Francesco Urgos, while a soldier with Garibaldi, including his perilous escape from the tyrants of Rome, and his subsequent travels in Africa and Syria. 328 pp. $1.00
The Biblical Institute. This work contains a synopsis of the lectures given at the Battle Creek College by Elder U. Smith, and at Biblical Institutes. 352 pp. $1.00
The Nature and Destiny of Man. By Elder U. Smith. This work treats on the great questions of the condition of man in death, and his destiny beyond the resurrection. 356 pp. $1.00
The Spirit of Prophecy; or, the Great Controversy between Christ and his angels, and Satan and his angels, in four volumes. By Mrs. E. G. White. These volumes cover the time from the fall of Satan to the destruction of sin and sinners at the close of the one thousand years of Rev. 20. Each, 400 pp.
Vol. I. Old Testament Facts to Christ. $1.00
Vol. II. Life and Ministry of Christ. $1.00
Vol. III. The Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Christ, with the Lives of his Apostles. $1.00
Vol. IV. (In preparation.) $1.00
The Constitutional Amendment: A discussion between Elder W. H. Littlejohn and the editor of the Christian Statesman, on the Sabbath. 384 pp. $1.00
Spiritual Songs. A book of hymns and tunes. 537 hymns, 147 tunes, 416 pp. $1.00
Morocco, gilt. $1.50
The Song Anchor. A popular collection of songs for the Sabbath-school and praise service. 164 pp. 35 cts.
Bound in muslin. 50 cts.
The Bible from Heaven. By Elder D. M. Canright. An argument to show that the Bible is not the work of men, but in deed and in truth the work of God. 300 pp. 80 cts.
The Soul and the Resurrection, showing the Harmony of Science and the Bible on the Nature of the Soul and the Doctrine of the Resurrection. By J. H. Kellogg, M. D. 75 cts.
The United States in the Light of Prophecy; or, an exposition of Rev. 13: 11-17. By Elder U. Smith. Dealing with our own land and applying to our time. Of surpassing interest to every American reader. 200 pp. 40 cts.
Thoughts on Baptism. By Elder J. H. Waggoner. The subject viewed in the light of the Bible and History. 186 pp.
Bound in flexible cloth. 35 cts.
Paper covers. 25 cts.
A Word for the Sabbath; or false theories exposed. A poem, by Elder U. Smith. 60 pp. 30 cts.
Glazed paper covers. 15 cts.
Bible Lessons for Little Ones, No. 2. Flexible cloth. 15 cts.
Bound Volumes of Review and Herald. Each $3.00.
The Youth's Instructor for 1879. Firmly bound. $1.00.
Bible Lessons for Little Ones. A Sabbath-school book designed for the use of beginners, and prepared with special regard for the wants of very young children.
In flexible cloth, 84 pp. 15 cts.
In paper covers, 84 pp. 10 cts.
Gems of Song. A vest-pocket song book containing hymns only. A choice collection. 96 pp., 119 hymns, bound in flexible cloth. 15 cts.
In paper covers. 10 cts.
TRACTS.—32 pages, 4 cents each. Redemption—The Second Advent—The Sufferings of Christ—The Present Truth—Origin and Progress of S. D. Adventists—The Celestial Railroad—The Seventh Part of Time—Ten Commandments not Abolished—The Two Covenants—Address to the Baptists—The Two Thrones—Spiritualism a Satanic Delusion—Samuel and the Witch of Endor—The Third Message of Rev. 14.
TRACTS.—24 pages, 3 cents each. The Second Message of Rev. 14—Who Changed the Sabbath?—The Lost-Time Question—Scripture References—The End of the Wicked—Infidel Cavils Considered—The Pocasset Tragedy—Sabbaton.
TRACTS.—8 pages, 1 cent each. The Coming of the Lord—Perfection of the Ten Commandments—Without Excuse—Thoughts for the Candid—A Sign of the Day of God—Brief Thoughts on Immortality—Which Day?—Can We Know! or Can the Prophecies be Understood?—Is the End Near?—Is Man Immortal?—The Sleep of the Dead—The Sinner’s Fate—The Law of God—What the Gospel Abrogated—100 Bible Facts about the Sabbath—Sunday not the Sabbath—"The Christian Sabbath"—Why Not Found out Before?
Delay of Synopsis of Present Truth
By Editor
WE are obliged to go to press this week without the serial article from Elder Smith, giving a "Synopsis of Present Truth." The delay is probably caused by the extra amount of business in connection with the General Conference, which is now in session at Battle Creek.