There are people who have a preternatural faculty for detecting evil, or the appearance of evil, in every man's character. They have a fatal scent for carrion. Their memory is like a museum. I once saw at a medical college, all the hideous distortions and monstrous growths, and revolting diseases by which humanity can be troubled or afflicted. They think they have wonderful knowledge of human nature. But it is a blunder to mistake the Newgate Calendar for a biographical dictionary!
A less offensive type of the same tendency leads some people to find apparent satisfaction in the discovery and proclamation of the slightest defect in the habits of good men, and the conduct of public institutions. They cannot talk about the benefits conferred by a great hospital without lamenting some insignificant blot in its laws, or some trifling want of prudence in its management. Speak to them about a man whose good works everybody is admiring, and they cool your ardor by regretting that he is so rough in his manner, or so smooth—that his temper is so hasty, or that he is so fond of applause. They seem to have a brief, requiring them to prove the impossibility of human perfection. They detect the slightest alloy in the pure gold of human goodness. That there are spots in the sun is, with them, something more than an observed fact—it takes rank with a priori and necessary truths.
There are people who, if they hear an organ, find out at once which are the poorest stops. If they listen to a great speaker, they remember nothing but some slip in the construction of a sentence, the consistency of a metaphor, or the evolutions of an argument. While their friends are admiring the wealth and beauty of a tree whose branches are weighed down with fruit, they have discovered a solitary bough lost in the golden affluence on which nothing is hanging.
“Poor Hazlitt was sorely troubled with them in his time.” “Littleness,” he said, “is their element, and they give a character of meanness to whatever they touch.”
Entertaining for Pork-Eaters.—
The newspapers are full of accounts of terrible deaths from trichinosis, that horrible disease which is the result of eating pork containing trichinæ. Several cases were recently reported in Indianapolis. A physician from Kankakee, Ill., informs us that there were twenty-three cases in that city last season.
It is of no use for pork-lovers to console themselves with the thought that sufficient heat will destroy the parasite, for the methods of cooking employed are seldom effective. The worms will stand a much higher degree of heat than is commonly supposed. Ordinary broiling will not kill them. But if they are killed, what a pleasant thought it must be for one to reflect that he is eating fried or boiled worms, vermin, loathsome parasites!
From the great increase of cases of poisoning by trichinæ, and from the researches of scientific men, it has become evident that the disease is rapidly increasing among swine, and that it is highly dangerous to use pork in any form. A person may get a few worms into his system, which will occasion what he thinks to be a slight attack of rheumatism or diarrhœa, little thinking that his muscles are swarming with parasites, or that his intestines are being riddled with worm holes.—Reformer.
Religious Miscellany
—Two Waldensian congregations still exist in France. One of these is in such extreme need that a collection is being made for its aid.
—Another liberal benefactor, anonymous like the first, has sent a donation of £5,000 to the church missionary society for the projected mission to King Mtesa’s dominion.
—A movement for the closing of public houses on Sunday has been started in England. It follows closely the plan of the movement in Ireland. The Dean of Canterbury and the Bishop of Exeter have taken up the temperance question with great vigor.
—Dr. Talmage, in compliance with very urgent requests from Cincinnati, Cleveland, Indianapolis, and other large western cities, has the past week been on a tour visiting these places. It was hoped that he would visit Chicago before his return and deliver a few lectures on the school question.
The Oldest Known Bible Manuscripts
—The two most ancient manuscripts of the Bible known are the “Codex Sinaiticus” of the Imperial Library at St. Petersburg, and the “Codex Vaticanus” of the Vatican Library at Rome, both of which are believed to have been written about the middle of the fourth century, A. D. The “Sinaiticus” consists of 245½ leaves of very fine vellum, made either from the skins of antelopes or asses, each leaf being 14⅞ inches long by 13½ inches wide. Both manuscripts are written in Greek capital letters, are without spaces between the words, and have no marks of punctuation.
—Messrs. Moody and Sankey are expected to begin their services in New York City about the first of February, the exact date not yet being announced. Their work in Philadelphia closed Jan. 15. Great preparations are now being made in New York for their reception. Gilmore’s Garden, at Fourth avenue and twenty-sixth street, is undergoing a re-arrangement, and it is probable that two halls will be made of it, one of which can seat nearly eight thousand persons, and the other half as many more. A choir of five hundred voices, ushers and committees are nearly organized.
—The Interior doesn’t back down from its proposition to have all ministers who have arrived at the age of fifty-five years disposed of by a committee of elders chosen from the medical profession. And it argues this way: “There is a minister with grizzled locks now preaching on the sumptuous salary of $450 a year, whom we would rather listen to Sabbath after Sabbath the year through than to any minister of any denomination whom the writer has ever heard. But the question is whether it is better to starve him to death or to turn him over to the medical elders for more prompt and merciful, as well as more manly and honorable, treatment.”
—The wind storm near Tejon Pass, a few days ago was a terrific affair. When it commenced there were about 100,000 sheep scattered among the various camps, and after it had continued about two hours the herders were utterly powerless to restrain the flocks, and one-third of the number are thought to have perished. It seemed a storm of gravel, sand, and stones, the latter driven with force enough to beat the animals to death. A wagon was capsized and nearly torn to pieces by the wind, and men on horseback left the animals and came into camp with their faces bruised so as to nearly close their eyes. Thousands of sheep were driven into narrow gulches and finally covered with sand, literally buried alive. On the San Emidio cattle driven into the beds of the streams were in some places buried completely out of sight. The grass, which had grown to good feed, was taken out by the roots and piled up in waves along the plains. It was the most disastrous storm known in this county for many years.
Our Subscription Price.
By James White
THE regular subscription price for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES is $3 a year. With a circulation of 4,000 at $2 a year, receipts would equal expenses. But at present our lists are made up of less than 1,000 at $3 a year, and 2,000 at half price, and 1,000 free.
In order for the SIGNS to be self-sustaining we must have not less than 2,000 subscribers at $3 a year, and 4,000 at half price. In that case we could supply a free list of 1,000 copies to foreign countries, to ministers, and the poor, foreign postage to be paid by our General Conference. Our people have done well in subscribing for the SIGNS at $3 a year for themselves, and in furnishing it for their friends at $1.50 a year, during the months of December and January. We shall expect during the next three months at least 1,000 additions at $3 a year, and 5,000 at $1.50 a year.
We look for the 5,000 half-pay subscribers from three sources: first, individual effort on the part of those who subscribe for their friends; second, names judiciously gathered by the action of the Tract and Missionary Societies, and paid out of their treasuries; and, third, by canvassers appointed by the Tract and Missionary Societies, who shall take subscription for those not in the faith, at half price and receive this small sum from the subscribers.
Of the first class, who subscribe for their unbelieving friends, (whether they collect pay of them, or pay $1.50 themselves for them) is our principal hope in the extensive circulation of our paper. The plan adopted at Adams Center, N.Y., and recommended by Bro. Haskell on page 70 of this paper, is good. Individuals who can spare the means and not feel it, are forwarding to this office orders, and cash at half price for copies of the SIGNS to be sent to them, for them to find places for among their friends. This explains one feature in this week's receipts, where $15 is acknowledged from M. Wood for ten copies, $9 for six copies to Vigilant Missionary Society, and so on down to smaller sums for less copies.
If there is a person in the ranks of believers who is so poor, or so wickedly stingy as to discontinue the Review in order to avail themselves of the SIGNS at half price, we ask the privilege of sending that person the SIGNS free. One object of fixing the price of our paper at $3 is to prevent small-souled patrons of the Review from changing to the SIGNS.
The design of our half-price proposition is to encourage all our friends to help in the work of pressing the light out into the world everywhere. In this we make a sacrifice. We have already sacrificed $2,000 on the SIGNS and Office, and we ask all our people who are able to do so, to give real and tangible proofs of Christian sympathy, by lifting with us in this work.
Send in your names, accompanied with the cash, all the way from one to one hundred or more. And there should be in all the States from ten persons to one hundred, giving their time to the work of canvassing for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES at $1.50 a year. These must go a warfare at their own charges, unless employed by the Missionary Societies. This they will cheerfully do to an extent, more or less, if they have the missionary spirit in them.
We are withholding matter from the SIGNS, and giving very sparingly from sketches of Mrs. W.'s life, and Bible reasons of our faith, waiting for a larger circulation. The SIGNS, by the grace of God, shall be just such a paper as the friends of the cause will take delight in sending to all parts of our own good country, and to all others where the English language is read.
Send in the names and the cash, fellow-helpers, at the rate of $1.50 a copy for one year, and our paper shall be sent in this, or in any other country, post-paid, for this small sum. We would like to enter a thousand names from the Old World immediately for $1.50 each. Send in the names. Send the names, and let the SIGNS, blazing with light, go out everywhere. God speed the work. J. W.
San Francisco.
By John Norton Loughborough
SABBATH, Jan. 22, was a good day in San Francisco. A good representation from the Oakland church crossed the bay, and notwithstanding it was a rainy day, we had an audience of nearly one hundred Sabbath-keepers.
Bro. White had great liberty in speaking from the words in Deut. 8:2: “And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments or no.”
After speaking of the way the Lord had led Israel from the sale of Joseph to the Egyptians, he spoke in general terms of the benefits to be derived by our remembering the past, even in keeping our failures and mistakes before us; not to mourn over forgiven sins, but as a warning and admonition for the future.
He then spoke of the way the Lord had led us as a people in this cause. How it started in poverty; how men were moved out to sacrifice then; how God had blessed, so that those who gave three-fourths and even four-fifths of all they had on earth to this cause in its infancy, had never been left to suffer, but unto some of them God had restored four-fold. The mention of cases and circumstances was very interesting to all, especially to those who have newly come to the faith. God is good, and this cause has evident tokens of the hand of God in it, causing it to rise.
After a brief intermission, and a few remarks by the writer, a social meeting was held, in which heart-felt gratitude was expressed for the way the Lord has led and preserved the vine in that city, and especially guided in the meeting-house enterprise.
The dedication service was appointed for the evening of the 23d. But on that evening we had the most violent rain-storm we have experienced this season. But few could get together of the many who desired to be present at the dedication, so the service was postponed until more settled weather.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
The Sultan and Satan.
There is an eastern story of a Sultan who overslept himself so as not to awaken at the hour of prayer. So the devil came and woke him and told him to pray. “Who are you?” said the Sultan. “O no matter,” replied the other; “my act is good, is it not? No matter who does the good action, so long as it is good.” “Yes,” replied the Sultan, “but I think you are Satan. I know your face; you have some bad motive.” “But,” says the other, “I am not so bad as I am painted. I am a pretty good fellow, after all. I was an angel once, and I still keep some of my original goodness.” “That’s all very well,” replied the sagacious and prudent Caliph “but you are the tempter; that’s your business; and I wish to know why you want me to get up and pray.” “Well,” said the devil, with a flirt of impatience, “if you must know, I will tell you. If you had slept and forgotten your prayers, you would have been sorry for it afterward and penitent; but if you go on now, and do not neglect a single prayer for ten years, you will be so satisfied with yourself that it will be worse for you than if you had missed one sometime and repented of it. God loves your fault mixed with penitence, more than your virtue seasoned with pride.”
Light for the Believer’s Path
WHEN a man walks through a thick forest, or over a rough way, on a dark night, carrying a lantern in his hand, the light does not shine far ahead. He can not see his path a mile before him, but he can see about his feet. And then, as he moves on, bearing the light, more and more of his path is made bright, the way becomes plain as fast as he journeys. So it is in the believer’s walk through life. The future is dark, but if we carry God’s word as a lamp, it is always light about our feet; and as we move on the light moves on. There may be perils and dangers before us, ambushed in the darkness, but the light will reveal them in time.
The Two Ministers.
THE late Rev. S. Pierce, being one week-day evening in London, and not engaged to preach, asked a friend where he could hear a good sermon. Two places were mentioned. “Well,” said Mr. P——, “tell me the characters of the preachers, that I may choose.” “Mr. D——,” said his friend, “exhibits the orator, and is much admired for his pulpit eloquence. “Well,” said Mr. P——, “and what is the other?” “Why, I hardly know what to say of Mr. C——; he always throws himself in the background, and you see his Master only.” “That’s the man for me, then,” said the amiable Pierce; “let us go and hear him.”
The Three Wishes.
I asked a student what three things he most wished. He said: “Give me books, health, and quiet, and I care for nothing more.” I asked a miser, and he cried, “Money—money—money!” I asked a pauper, and he faintly said, “Bread—bread—bread!” I asked a drunkard, and he loudly called strong drink. I asked the multitude around me, and they lifted up a confused cry, in which I heard the words, “wealth, fame, and pleasure.” I asked a poor man, who had long borne the character of an experienced Christian; he replied that all his wishes could be met in Christ. He spoke seriously, and I asked him to explain. He said, “I greatly desired these three things—first that I may be found in Christ; secondly, that I may be like Christ; thirdly, that I may be with Christ.”
Appointments.
• SAN FRANCISCO—There will be preaching in the church on Laguna street between Tyler and McAllister, Sabbath Jan. 29. at 11 A. M. and on First-day evening the 30th at 7.30.
California Conference Fund.
Received from the church at Lower Lake, $25.00.
Donations to the Signs.
R C King (Free-will offering) $5.00, Theodore Wheeler $5.00.
The Signs of the Times
IS ISSUED WEEKLY BY THE Pacific Seventh-Day Adventist PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION, Oakland, California.
TERMS: THREE DOLLARS a year in advance, postage paid, to regular patrons who subscribe for themselves.
One-half discount is made to Tract and Missionary Societies, and to individuals who furnish our paper to others, and actually pay for it themselves.
Books, Pamphlets, Tracts, etc., etc.
By Editor
For Sale at this Office.
Our Book List.—Any persons on the Pacific Coast wishing any of the publications named in our book list can obtain them by mail or express by writing to the Signs of the Times, Oakland, California, enclosing the published price of the same. When sent by mail, books will be post paid; when by express, at the expense of the one ordering the books; but in this case a liberal discount will be made when ten dollars worth or more are paid for with any one order.
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Cruden’s Complete Concordance. In this any passage in the Scriptures can readily be found. $1.50 per copy, post. paid.
Bible Dictionary of Bible names, customs and countries, and maps of Bible lands. $1.50 per copy, post. paid.
The History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week, by J. N. Andrews. 528 pp. $1.25.
Thoughts on Daniel. By U. Smith. $1.00. Condensed paper edition, 35 cts.
Thoughts on the Revelation. By U. Smith. $1.00.
Life of Wm. Miller, with likeness. $1.00.
The Nature and Destiny of Man. By U. Smith. 384 pp. $1.00. Paper, 40 cts.
The Constitutional Amendment : or The Sunday, The Sabbath, The Change, and The Restitution. A discussion between W. H. Littlejohn and the Editor of the “Christian Statesman.” Bound, $1.00. Paper, 40 cts. First part, 10 cts.
The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. I. By Ellen G. White; 416 pp. $1.00.
Autobiography of Eld. Jos. Bates. 318 pp. $1.
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The Game of Life (Illustrated). Satan playing with man for his soul. In board, 50 cts.; in paper, 30 cts.
Hymns and Spiritual Songs for Camp Meetings and other Religious Gatherings. Compiled by Elder James White. 196 pp. Bound 50 cts. Paper 25.
The United States in Prophecy. By U. Smith. Bound, 40 cts. Paper, 20 cts.
A Word for the Sabbath : or False Theories Exposed. (Poem.) By Uriah Smith. Muslin, 40 cts.
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Sermons on the Sabbath and Law, embracing an outline of the Biblical and Secular History of the Sabbath for 6,000 years. By J. N. Andrews, 25 cts.
Facts for the Times, revised and enlarged, 25c.
History of the Doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul. By D. M. Canright, 25 cts.
The State of the Dead. By U. Smith. 224 pp. 25 cts.
Our Faith and Hope. Sermons on the Millennium, Second Advent, the Kingdom, the Judgment, the Time, the Sanctuary and Saving Faith. 20 cts.
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The Complete Testimony of the Fathers concerning the Sabbath and First Day. By J. N. Andrews. 15 cts.
The Ministration of Angels : and The Origin, History, and Destiny of Satan. By D. M. Canright. 20 cts.
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The Resurrection of the Unjust ; a Vindication of the Doctrine. By J. H. Waggoner. 15 cts.
Redemption, or the Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness (Life of Christ, No. 2). By Mrs E. G. White. 15 cts.
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The Saint’s Inheritance, or the Earth made New. By J. N. Loughborough. 10 cts.
The Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days. By J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
Sunday Seventh-day. A Refutation of Mede, Jennings, Akers and Fuller. By J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
The Truth Found ; The Sabbath. By J. H. Waggoner. 10 cts.
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The Date of the Seventy Weeks of Dan. 9, established. By J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
Position and Work of the True People of God under the Third Angel’s Message. Littlejohn. 10 cts.
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Received for the Signs.
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Back Numbers and New Publications
By James White
We can furnish back numbers of the SIGNS commencing with sketches of Mrs. W.’s experience. Those who wish these back numbers will please request them. J. W.
THE Pamphlet, entitled, An Earnest Appeal from the General Conference Committee of the Seventh-day Adventists, is for sale at this Office. Price, post-paid, 10 cents. Address SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. J. W.
TESTIMONY to the Church, No. 26, will be ready in a few days. When completed it will be sent to our people through the mails without waiting for orders, with the invitation to churches and individuals who receive the book to meet expenses. J. W.