Eke *igns of te Eino 
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, FOR THE 
D. A. MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 
(For Terms, etc., See Last Page.) 
Entered at the Post-Office in Oakland, Cal. 
COME 1101
E. 
GOD, the way is very long, 
And storms are rough and wild; 
And who shall tread the ways of earth 
With garments undefiled ? 
But unto laden weary ones 
Thou sayest, " Come unto Me; " 
And, like a tired child seeking rest, 
So I come home to thee. 
The tasks of life are hard to do, 
And great the stress and strain 
On those who toil from morn till eve 
Hindered by fear and pain, 
But ever, for a little space, 
Some respite there may be, 
And with a sigh of glad content 
Thine own come home to thee. 
In these school-days there is such din 
Of voices all around; 
The teachers strive together,—" Here " 
They say "can light be found." 
And baffled souls grow sore afraid, 
And only pray to see— 
But always 'tie a lighted way 
Through which we come to thee. 
Sometimes alas ! we keep away 
And strive to do and bear 
Without the solace of thy love, 
The comfort of our prayer; 
But thy reproaches are so soft, 
Thy pardon is so free, 
That only joy is given to us 
When we come home to thee. 
Coming to thee is coming home, 
And what is Heaven but this ! 
Give to us then whate'er thou wilt, 
And all our life is bliss; 
We work, endure, and weep,, and pray, 
9.nd all the shadows flee, 
Since evermore, where'er we stray, 
Lord, we come home to thee. 
—Marianne Farningham. 
mural �
rtitleti, 
Walk in the Light.* 
BY MRS. E. Gl. WHITE. 
THE present is a time of dense darkness to the 
world; but the true light is shining, and God, in 
his great mercy, has permitted us to behold its 
brightness and to walk in its guiding rays. We 
are favored above any other people upon the earth. 
Our spiritual blessings are more and greater than 
have been granted to the church in any previous 
age. 
What makes me tremble for the professed be-
lievers in present truth, is the fact that they do 
not appreciate the light, and follow its guidance. 
With all our opportunities for spiritual advance-
ment, we are not, as a people, wise, humble, and 
holy. As the Lord caused the pillar of fire to 
shine upon ancient Israel, so has he shed upon us 
the light of his truth. He requires us, as rational, 
accountable beings, to walk in the light. If we 
refuse to do this, our light will become darkness, 
and the darkness will be in proportion to the light 
rejected. 
We are living in the time when Christ is about 
to close his work of mediation in our behalf. All 
should now closely examine their hearts to see 
whdther they are in the faith. Instead of indulg-
ing doubt and unbelief, they should humble them- 
*Addressed to those assembled at the camp-meeting at San Jc se, Cal , 
and read upon the camp-ground, Friday morning, Sept. 14. 
" Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Rev. 22 :12. 
VOLUME 9. �
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, FIFTH—DAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1883. �
NUMBER 36. 
selves before God, cultivate faith in his word and 
his work,' and labor earnestly for the salvation of 
souls. It is no time now for caviling, dissension, 
and disunion. Where these exist, we may know 
that self is not dead. Those who have received 
the truth into the heart will be so filled with joy 
and gratitude, and so absorbed in the desire that 
others may share its great blessings, that they 
will lose sight of petty doubts and evil surmisings. 
In their disinterested labor for the salvation of 
souls, they forget self and selfish interests. In-
stead of acting the part of Judas the betrayer, or 
of Peter when he denied his Lord, they earnestly 
seek to follow the example of Christ, and carry 
forward the work which he came on earth to do. 
When I think how strong we might be if we 
would take hold of the strength of the Mighty 
One, and then see how weak we are, because we 
do not claim the promises of God, my soul cries 
out in anguish, Spare thy people, O Lord, and 
give not thine heritage to reproach; " "wherefore 
should they say among the-people, Where is their 
God ? " 
There are among us many who profess the 
truth, but who refuse to be crucified with Christ. 
The Author of our salvation labored and suffered 
for us. His whole life was one long scene of toil 
and privation. He could have done as many of 
his professed followers choose to do; he could have 
passed his days on earth in ease and plenty, and 
appropriated to himself all the pleasures and en-
joyments of this life. But he sought not his own 
comfort or gratification; he lived to do good, to 
save others from shame, suffering, and ruin. 
" He was wounded for our transgressions, he was 
bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our 
peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are 
healed." 
Can those who are partakers of this great sal- 
vation, who are objects of this wondrous conde-
scension, this infinite love, cherish one feeling of 
dissatisfaction or indulge one murmuring thought, 
because they are not free from trials, toils, and 
conflicts? Do we desire a better portion in this 
life than was given to our Lord ? Can we not yet 
comprehend the great privileges which are ours 
through the grace of Christ ? If Jesus had not 
died as our sacrifice, and risen again as our Medi-
ator, we could never have known peace, never 
have felt joy; we must have experienced the hor-
rors of darkness and the miseries of despair. 
Then let only praise and gratitude to God be the 
language of our hearts. All our lives we have 
been partakers of his heavenly benefits, recipients 
of the blessings of Christ's atonement; therefore 
it is impossible for us to conceive the hopeless 
state of ignorance and misery into which we had 
fallen and from which the Saviour raised us. 
When we feel the pains, the sorrows, the bereave-
ments to which we are all subject, we should not, 
by one murmuring word or thought, dishonor our 
Redeemer. In the hour of trial and affliction let 
us consider that we cannot tell how much greater 
our sufferings would be, had we not a compassion-
ate Saviour•' 
 we cannot determine how much less 
we suffer than our sins deserve. 
Oh that we might, as a people, seek the Lord 
as never before! Oh that we might renounce our 
sins, break down our pride, and with contrition of 
soul cast ourselves unreservedly upon Christ, be-
lieving that he accepts us just now, not because 
we are worthy, but because he died for us. 
God grant that all who have named the name of 
Christ may depart from iniquity! All that God 
could do for us has been done. Jesus is now look-
ing upon the people for whom he suffered and 
died, and is saying, What more can I do for my 
vineyard than I have already done ? Can we 
wish to be free from trials and reproach for the 
truth's sake? Can we look upon Him whom our 
sins have pierced, and not be willing to share his 
humiliation ? 
Our sins mingled the bitter cup which he drank 
in our stead, that he might put to our lips the 
cup of blessing. He endured the cross, despising 
the shame, that he might reconcile us to God, that 
whosoever would come unto him might take of 
the water of life freely. In view of the cross of 
Christ, can you, my brethren and sisters, wish or 
expect to enter his kingdom in any other way 
than through much tribulation ? We have a work 
to do which we have neglected. We do not love 
to follow where Jesus leads the way. Our heav-
enly Father requires of his church and people ac-
cording to the grace and truth given them; and 
his requirements are just and right. All these 
must be fully met, or in the Judgment they will 
condemn the transgressor. 
All who profess Christ are accountable for the 
talents committed to their trust. Christians must 
stand on that elevated ground which the truth 
has for ages been preparing for them. To meet 
the mind of the Spirit of God, we must exhibit to 
the world, in character and works, that union 
with Christ which is in accordance with the light 
of sacred truth now shining upon us. It is not 
the lack of knowledge and understanding that at 
the last day will condemn Seventh-day Adventists, 
and banish them from the presence of the Lord; 
but it is the truth that has reached the under- 
standing, the light that has illuminated the soul, 
which will witness against us, if we turn away 
and refuse to be led by it. if we were blind, we 
would have no sin; but the Lord has given us 
great light, sacred truth has been unfolded to our 
understanding; yet we have not been wise unto 
salvation, we have not advanced in knowledge 
and true holiness according to the light and truth 
which has been bestowed upon us. 
God has been very merciful to you, my breth-
ren and sisters in California. Great light has 
been shining upon you; but you have a great 
work to do for yourselves before you can share 
largely of his blessing. Many are seeking to 
smooth over and excuse sin, instead of striving, 
with all their hearts, to put it away. Such must 
be thoroughly transformed in character and in 
life. When they seek earnestly to meet the high 
standard of the Bible, then will the Lord be to 
them a present help in every time of need. • But 
how few will bear the test when examined by the 
light which God has given them. A deeper heart-
work must be experienced by many, or they will 
drift into the deceptions of Satan. Their workS 
must be wrought in God. 
Oh that my dear brethren and sisters would 
make sure work for eternity! There is no hope, 
no remedy, except in confessing and forsaking our 
sins, and with full purpose of heart turning unto 
the Lord. 
The time has come for us to take advance steps. 
We should beware lest a selfish, covetous spirit 
shut out the blessing of God. The Lord calls upon 
us to give of our means to support his cause. He 
requires more of us than merely the payment of 
the tithe. The message is to go forth, " Sell that 
ye have, and give alms." Those who have large 
farms should begin to cut down their posseSsions. 
There is earnest work to do for God, and we are 
far behind his opening providence. Recall all the 
mercies and blessings that the Lord has bestowed 
upon you, and consider that he has made you 
stewards of his goods. Then let each one exam-
ine himself and see if he is honoring the Lord 
with his substance. We should come before him 
with both thank-offerings and sin-offerings. Our 
obligation to God is endless. His work must not 
languish for want of means. His claims must be 
met first, at whatever cost or sacrifice. It is time 
for those who have large possessions to cut down 
the principal, that God's work may be extended in 
foreign lands. Throughout our own country also 
there are fields that have not yet been entered, 
and where the truth should be proclaimed. 
John Wesley once preached a powerful sermon 
on the use of money. He laid down three rules: 
422 �
TIC 141 SIGNS OF TII �
I,: TIMES. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
VoL. 9, No. 36. 
" Make all yon can; save all you can; give all you 
can." To acquire and not save is improvidence. 
To hoard up money, adding land to land, and 
house to house, is covetousness and idolatry. To 
make and to save in order to give in support of 
the cause of God, is obeying the command of 
Christ, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon 
earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and 
where thieves break through and steal; but lay 
up for yourselves treasures in _Heaven, where 
neither moth nor rust cloth corrupt, and where 
thieves do not break through nor steal." 
Those whd have not hitherto felt the claims that. 
God has upon them, should now begin to act. 
God calls for all to act a part in the closing work 
for sinners. Let every needless ornament, every 
extravagance, every selfish indulgence, be given 
up, and let all these little outgoes, these tiny 
streams, flow into the Lord's treasury. Let us 
remember continually what Jesus has done for us. 
He for our sakes became poor, that we through 
his poverty might be made rich. Let us do our 
duty faithfully, and then trust ourselves and all 
we have to the hands of God. He wants not 
only ours but us. None can render effectual serv-
ice unless they do the work he has left for them 
to do, and then leave the result wholly with him. 
Oh that those to whom have been intrusted so 
great and solemn truths would manifest corre-
sponding faith! They should trust their work in 
the Lord's hands, pleading upon their knees for 
wisdom and guidance, and then, instead of taking 
the burden all back, and seeking to plan and ex-
ecute in their own strength, and groaning because 
they are overburdened, let them leave it with the 
Lord. Amid a life of constant activity they will 
thus find rest to their souls. That which they 
trust with him they are not to fret and worry 
about. Those who really trust in God will find 
the rest he has promised, will find his yoke easy 
and his burden light. 
If the Lord had a company of workers who 
would rely wholly upon him, he would accomplish 
a great work through them. One could chase a 
thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight. 
The Lord is a mighty helper. If we trust in him, 
we shall have rest and peace. The language of 
the soul should be that of joy and gratitude. If 
we have dark chapters in our experience, let us 
not keep their memory fresh by repetition. For-
getting the things that are behind, let us press 
forward to the things that are before. Cultivate 
only those thoughts and feelings which produce 
gratitude and praise. If you have been wronged, 
forget it, and think only of the great mercy, the 
loving-kindness, the inexpressible love of Jesus. 
Learn to praise rather than to censure. If you 
meet with insult and abuse, do not become dis-
couraged, for Jesus met the same. Go forward, 
doing your work with fidelity. Store the mind 
with the precious promises of God's word, and 
hold sweet communion with him by frequently 
repeating them. Cease fretting, cease murmur-
ing, cease finding fault, and make melody to God 
in your hearts. Think of everything you have to 
be thankful for, and then learn to praise God.. 
" Whoso offereth praise glorifieth God." 
If all our mourning, and fretting, and com-
plaining were presented before us as written in 
the book of records, what a sight would we be-
hold! How astonished we would be to see and 
understand our real thoughts and feelings—naught 
but unhappy complainings. 
I entreat you never to utter one word of com-
plaint. Weave into the warp and woof of your 
experience the golden threads of gratitude. Con-
template the better land, where tears are never 
shed, where temptations and trials are never ex-
perienced, where losses and reproaches are never 
known, where all is peace, and joy, and happiness. 
Here your imagination may have full scope. 
These thoughts will make you more spiritually 
minded, will imbue you with heavenly vigor, will 
satisfy your thirsty soul with living water, and 
will impress upon your heart the seal of the di-
vine image. You will be filled with hope and joy 
in believing, and the Comforter will abide with 
you forever. 
A NOTICEABLE feature of the brewers' banquet 
at their late congress in Detroit was the absence 
of beer and the presence of stronger drinks, which 
beer, according to the " new light" reformers, is 
to displace. It has been said that no brewer 
drinks American beer, and the brewers' banquet 
would seem to confirm the assertion.—Christian 
at Work. 
Two Houses of Israel. 
SOME think that in some way Isa. 8: 14 involves 
a difficulty or contradiction according to the way 
I understand the Jew question. 
On that verse I will remark that all the poster-
ity of Jacob were originally called Israel. After 
the division of the nation into two kingdoms, one 
was called the kingdom of Judah, and the other 
the kingdom of Israel, from the fact that a large 
majority of the nation composed it. Sometimes 
it was called Ephraim, or the kingdom of Ephraim, 
because the tribe of Ephraim occupied one of the 
most eligible sections of the territory, extending 
from the Mediterranean Sea on the west to the 
river Jordan on the east. The capital of the king-
dom was always within the bounds of Ephraim. 
This is another reason why it was sometimes 
called Ephraim. Jer. 31:9, 10, 20. 
But the kingdoms were both really composed 
of Israelites, and might with propriety be some- 
times called the two houses of Israel. Still, how-
ever, the distinction was kept up under the titles 
of Israel and Judah. • The kingdom of Israel was 
destroyed by Assyria 725 years before Christ, and 
the people were carried into captivity to the As-
syrians. In the year B. 0. 588, or one hundred 
and thirty-seven years after the destruction of 
the kingdom of Israel, the kingdom of Judah was 
destroyed by the Chaldeans, and the people went 
into captivity for seventy years. Thus ended both 
kingdoms. 
Now I am asked, What has become of the ten 
tribes ? Where are they ? I answer, Nowhere 
at all. There is no such a people on the earth. 
They are a dead nation, as much so as the Assyri-
ans and Chaldeans. the present race of Jews, 
dispersed among all nations, are all that remain 
of the natural seed of Jacob. They are called 
Israel according to the flesh." See 1 Con 10: 18. 
It is supposed by the Judaizers that the ten 
tribes left the Assyrian empire, and went off into 
some unexplored part of the earth. There is not 
one particle of truth in this supposition. There 
never was a tribe lost in a literal sense. All the 
tribes were in the land of Canaan when the Sav-
iour made his first appearance to the Jewish na-
tion. When he sent out the apostles to preach, 
he told them not to go in the way of the Gentiles, 
but to confine their mission to the lost sheep of 
the house of Israel, who were then in Judea, but 
lost in one sense of the word. These are the peo-
ple the Judaizers are looking for. 
By way of comforting them on their fruitless 
search, they are hereby referred to the fact that 
the apostles found them more than eighteen hun-
dred years ago. All the tribes were in the land 
at the first advent, and continued in it until the 
destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, and their 
final dispersion among all nations. Their genea-
logical records were lost in that terrible calamity, 
consequently their tribal character ceased. They 
were all merged into one common stock, since 
known as Hebrews, Jews, or Israelites. 
As I have written somewhat extensively on this 
subject several years ago, it is not necessary to go 
over the same ground again. But I will say that 
after the conquest of ' Babylon by Cyrus, and the 
issuing of his decree of emancipation, remnants of 
all the tribes returned and formed one nation and 
one kingdom, subsequently known as the king- 
dom ofJudea. Assyria, the place of the ten tribes, 
was geographically the same as the Chaldean or 
Babylonian empire. Cyrus, king of Persia, suc-
ceeded to the government of all the provinces 
of those conquered empires. Chaldea swallowed 
Assyria, and Persia swallowed up Chaldea. The 
decree of Cyrus applied to all Israelites in his vast 
empire. 
Jeremiah is extensively quoted to prove a fu-
ture return of Israel and Judah to the land of Ca-
naan. This is a strong delusion, misapplication, 
and perversion of his prophecies. So far as Israel 
and Judah are concerned, his prophecies have 
been fulfilled. I refer to the fiftieth chapter of his • 
prophecy for proof of this statement. I would 
add that all of every tribe never returned, but a 
remnant of each did, as foretold by Isaiah (10: 
20-22). Such as remained in Babylon melted 
away in the native population. They did not all 
return at once, but continued to return for years. 
I will close with a few historical facts, which 
will forever refute all arguments of the Judaizers. 
Two hundred and fifq-nine years after the return 
from Babylon, at the request of Ptolemy Phila-
delphus, king of Egypt, the Jewish Sanhedrim 
sent down to Alexandria seventy-two learned 
Jews, six from each of the tribes, to translate the 
Hebrew Scriptures into the Greek language, 
which translation we have to-day, known as the 
Septuagint. Now I want some learned stickler 
for the restoration of the ten lost tribes to tell me 
how the Sanhedrim could have selected six men 
of each of the twelve tribes if ten of them were 
not in the country, but lost to the knowledge of 
the world ? This historical fact forever explodes 
the theory of the lost tribes. 
Another fact worthy of note is that at the ded-
ication of the second temple, all the tribes were 
present, and twelve he-goats were offered for the 
sin of all Israel, according to the number of the 
tribes. Ezra 6:17. Now, why should a sin-offer-
ing be made for ten of the tribes if they were 
lost and unknown to Judah and Benjamin ? The 
tribe of Judah never made such an offering for 
the ten tribes when they lived in the land. Why 
should it be done at the time stated by Ezra ? 
The reason is that the tribes returned under the 
decree of Cyrus, and were present when the 
offering was made. 
We are told (Luke 2 : 36, 37) that Anna, a 
prophetess, was of the tribe of Asher, one of the 
lost tribes according to the Judaizers. I will not 
pursue the subject any farther now, but simply 
add that the natural Jews have not a promise in 
the Bible of any future blessing, unless they obey 
the gospel. God has bestowed upon them every 
temporal blessing he ever promised them. They 
now stand upon the same footing with the Gen-
tiles. If they become Christians, they will be. 
Abraham's seed and heirs to what God promised 
him. They will then be the true Israel, who 
own the land of Canaan, and indeed the whole 
world of which Abraham was made heir.—N. 
Field, AL D. 
An Answer to Prayer. 
BISHOP BOWMAN gives the following instance of 
answer to prayer from his own experience:— 
"In the fall of 1858, while visiting Indiana, I 
was at an annual Conference where Bishop Janes 
presided. We received a telegram that Bishop 
Simpson was dying. Said Bishop Janes, 'Let us 
spend a few moments in earnest prayer for the 
recovery of Bishop Simpson.' We kneeled to 
pray. William Taylor, the great California street 
preacher, was called to pray, and such a prayer I 
have never heard since. The impression seized 
upon me irresistibly, Bishop Simpson will not die. 
I rose from my knees perfectly quiet. Said I, 
Bishop Simpson will not die.' Why do you 
think so ?" Because I have had an irresistible 
impression made upon my mind during this 
prayer.' Another said, I have the same impres-
sion.' We passed it along from bench to bench 
until we found that a large proportion of the 
Conference had the same impression. I made a 
minute of the time of day, and when I next saw 
Bishop Simpson he was attending to his daily la-
bor. I inquired of the Bishop, 'How did you re-
cover from your sickness?' He replied,' I cannot 
tell." W hat did your physician say ?" He said 
it was a miracle.' I then said to the Bishop, Give 
me the time and circumstances under which the 
change occurred.' He fixed the day and the very 
hour, making allowance for the distance—a thou-
sand miles away—that the preachers were en-
gaged in prayer at this Conference. The physician 
left the room and said to his wife, It is useless to 
do anything further, the Bishop must die.' In 
about an hour he returned, and started back, in-
quiring, 'What have you done ?" Nothing,' was 
the reply. �
He is recovering rapidly,' said the 
physician; a change has occurred in the disease 
within the last hour beyond anything I have ever 
seen; the crisis is passed, and the Bishop will re-
cover.' And he did."—The Wonders of Prayer, by 
H. T. Williams. 
AN ancient moralist has said, " An account must 
be *given not only of our labor, but also of our 
leisure." Impressive thought! We are responsi-
ble not merely for what we do, but for what we 
might have done. Possibilities are placed before 
us that we may make them actualities. 
IT is not the bee's touching on the flowers that 
gathers the honey, but her abiding for a time 
upon them, and drawing out the sweet. It is not 
he that reads most, but he that meditates most 
on divine truth, that will prove the choicest, 
 
strongest Christian.—Bishop Hall. 
SEPTEMBER 27, 1883. 
THE SIGNS OF TET �
 TIM �
 Fi.S �
423 
 
 
A Sweeping Condemnation Considered. �
who shall say that such are not converted men ? �Fear Not, Little Flock. 
Surely none who are led by the spirit of God will 
such an accusation. 
IT is well known to all the readers of the SIGNS bring �
THE worldly-minded and lovers of pleasure 
that there is at the present time a large class of 
G. D. BALLOU. �
may fear and tremble as the storms and pesti- 
people engaged in the work of religious reform, �
lances of the last days thicken around us like 
who are endeavoring to teach the people " repent- �
" In That Form." �
gathering clouds, but the little flock of God's 
ante toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus �
true people have no cause for alarm from this 
source, but, since the dear Saviour has taken 
Christ "—in other words, sorrow and contrition 
WHEN a minister of the gospel says he thinks 
for the transgression of God's law, and faith in the the ten commandments are not now binding in special pains to inform us of those signs which 
were to tell when the 
com- 
merits of Christ's blood to atone for such trans- that form in which they are given in the Old �
glorious event of his 
gressions. It is well known, too, that this people Testament, does he not know that he is quibbling ? ing was near, will feel like making the preparation 
have on the very front of their banners, and as When he pretends that the Saviour, in Matt. 5, which must be made to get ready for the coming 
of the Lord. In Luke 21, Christ tells us that 
their rallying cry, " The commandments of God made them either more or less than they ever 
 
fam- 
and the faith of Jesus." Their sole endeavor is had been, don't he know better? Does he really ines 
there shall be in many places earthquakes, 
to lead men and women to prepare for the coming believe that those " of old time" could hate a �
, pestilences, fearful sights, and g reat signs, 
of Jesus, by turning away from their sins, taking brother and not be a murderer, or look upon with distress upon the earth among nations; men's 
him as their advocate and friend, and walking in another's wife with impure desire and not be an hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after 
his example of perfect obedience to the law of the adulterer in heart? �
those things which are coming on the earth. But 
to his faithful, trusting people he says, Be not 
Father. �
If the ancients, as he pretends, might indulge �
" 
terrified, but look up and lift up your heads for 
As a natural consequence of these principles, it hatred and lust, and yet not be murderers and 
is not strange that this people should cry out adulterers in God's sight, as judged by his law, your redemption draweth nigh." 
As we read the precious word of God and then 
against any and every violation of the law of God the decalogue, then there will be two classes in look at the world around us, we can see these signs 
—the ten commandments. It is not strange that Heaven, one with the heart all unconverted, liv- 
they should raise the voice of warning loud and ing in hatred, lust, and covetousness, though not ra 
must be
idl fulfilling, and we know that what we do 
clear against the violation of that commandment committing the very acts of murder, adultery, or 
�
done quickly; and as the world around 
us is lying in wickedness, we should feel like gird- 
which
in 
alone brings God to view as the maker of theft, and the other class living under the new 
the heavens and the earth. The Sabbath com- " form of the law," as given by Jesus, which de- g on the armor anew, and connecting very 
mandment being the one which all classes, both mands that the heart itself be cleansed from every closely with the " living Vine " so that our efforts 
professors and non-professors, are trampling un- sinful desire, made holy and pure, like Jesus and to save the perishing may be crowned with suc- 
cess. God will bless our efforts to save our fellow-
der foot with such utter disregard, will certainly the angels, whose society they are fitted for by 
be honored and defended by a people who are try- this genuine and thorough conversion. �men, in proportion to our devotion to his cause 
ing to follow the example of Christ and his a,pos- �
If such two classes of character are to be ad- and the sacrifice we make for the good of others. 
ties..Wherever they go their work is to turn milted there, it will necessitate a partition more I feel that ' we must be terribly in earnest if we 
men away from every sin. To accomplish this formidable than the Chinese w,all. But if none would be among the little flock at last. 
their first effort is to lead the people to understand but the truly converted are saved, then the law �
Deering, Maine. �
MRS. A. K. HERSUM. 
their relations to God and to show their loyalty to of God was just as broad as it is now, when David 
the Creator of the universe, by keeping his holy said by the Spirit, " The law of the Lord is per- �The Way of Cain. Jude 11. 
day in commemoration of the work of creation. feet, converting the soul;" and those who argue 
But because they teach that the fourth precept that Christ enlarged or diminished that law are �
ATTENTIVE students of the word may see that 
of the decalogue is binding on all men in all ages, either self-deceived, or wicked deceivers. �the reference in Jude 11 to " the way of Cain," 
just as the other nine, and show this by plain state- �
The truth is, Cain was a murderer before he points to worship and not to murder. Abel's 
ments of Scripture, they are accused of judaizing shed his brother's blood, and David was an adul- worship is commended and Cain's condemned, in 
and proselyting, and not working to convert peo- terer when he formed his design in regard to the Heb. 11: 4. The epistle addresses professed wor-
ple but only to get followers. To discourage peo- wife of Uriah. And our friends might know, if shipers and not murderers, mere formalists who 
ple from favoring such a work, it is said that none they would, that all such silly evasions of the law mingled in the " fea-As of charity." Cain was a 
who unite with this people are ever converted, of God, as it is, would never have been resorted to type of the flesh, or of the natural man. He 
and that keeping the fourth commandment is no had not " the church (of Rome) put in place of acted in worship, upon the self-willed and 
part of conversion. These accusations are very the Sabbath the day we now call Lord's day." aesthetic impulse of his nature. He rejected God's 
uncharitable, not to say unchristian, and coming But to sustain this change of "times and laws" symbol of blood, and in will-worship offered what, 
as they often do from a people the results of whose by the " man of sin," no one would now argue in the judgment of the natural man, was far more 
revival methods show that not more than one in that Jesus changed the decalogue in the least. �
suitable and pleasing—the fruits of the earth, 
twenty of their professed conversions prove gen- �
R. F. COTTRELL. �
probably decorated with flowers. Through these 
nine, they betray great weakness on the part of �
rather than the blood, he proposed to worship 
those who make them.
GOd. No stretch of imagination is required to 
Is it really true that turning from sin to obey �
Perpetual War. 
see " this way of Cain" in many of our modern 
the commandments of God, and especially the �
churches. Nor should we fail to see that such 
fourth commandment, is not a work of conversion? SAYS our Saviour "Think not that I am come 
�
ractices �
the second commandment, as 
Let us 
us see. Suppose a man in your community to send peac on e
arth; I came not to send peace p 
terpretedviolate 
by our standards, which forbids " all 
has been accustomed to violating the third corn- but a sword." Matt. 10 : 34. �
devising, counseling, commanding, using, and any- 
mandment—taking God's name in vain. This Our Lord here recognizes the fact that a large wise approving any religious worship not insti- 
has been the one great sin of his life. Suppose majority of mankind will not accept the truth, tuted by God himself." if we begin to introduce 
and the consequence will be perpetual war. But 
there is also another man in your community 
at option new forms and symbols, where shall we 
who has been given to lying—breaking the ninth does not the prophet call the Christ the Prince of pause short of Rome ? If flowers and fruits are 
commandment. Nobody trusts the man's word, peace? Isaiah 9 : 6. Did not the angels sing at ,in churches simply for aesthetic admiration, they 
and every one despises him for his duplicity. Now his birth, "Glory to God in the highest, and on detract from spiritual worship and impression. 
suppose your church should have a revival and earth, peace, good-will toward man"? The time If symbols or aids, they dishonor the blood, and 
the blasphemer should profess faith in Christ and of peace on earth has not yet come, nor need we savor of idolatry. . �
. �
. The Reformers, 
publicly renounce his blasphemy and fully reform, expect it till all things are put under the feet of guided by the word and Spirit, abolished the high 
and suppose the liar should renounce his lying the Prince of peace. The great war between ecclesiastical art of Rome. Who now supposes 
and profess faith in Christ, and prove himself a truth and error has long been raging, and the that the elaborate musical performances in our 
true friend and neighbor, would not you and all storm will continue until Christ our Lord appears. chapels of ease and entertainment are inspired 
other good people rejoice for months over the Men cry, " Stop that preaching of immersion! by the Holy Spirit, or that they promote spiritual 
conversion of these men ? would you not call them Stop that denying of the immortality of the soul! worship ? Are they not especially intended to 
really converted, and if they were the only fruits Stop preaching, that ' the seventh day is the Sab- raise - pew stock in the world's market, and so 
of the revival would you not think it had been a bath of the Lord thy God!' These things are often inspired by brandy, vanity, and irreverence, 
profitable season to your community ? �
, �
non-essentials. You create divisions and bitter- �
the proverb is everywhere heard, " The 
And now suppose again that a Seventh-day ness. What difference does it make what we be- devil is in the choir "? Instead of keeping our 
Adventist minister should hold meetings in a corn- lieve if we are sincere ?" No, we cannot stop, young people from the opera and the theatre by 
munity of sinners and was successful not only in Your efforts to gain peace by trying to suppress these unblest entertainments, the number attend- 
turning men frOm the sins of lying and swearing, the truth will be unavailing. The word of God ing has increased five or tenfold since this worldly 
but also from the sin of Sabbath-breaking, lead- was intended for the dividing wedge between the policy was invented. We are thus giving them 
ing them to accept of Jesus as their advocate and lovers of truth and the lovers of error, and it is horrid poison, and whetting their carnal appetites 
friend, and follow his example, who will stand surely doing its work. It would be as easy to for the real thing, found in the play-house, among 
up and say that such men are not converted? change the course of the planets as to overthrow professionals. In such an atmosphere of showy 
the purposes of God. There have ever been, and 
Conversion is turning away from sin and seek-
forms, and in the awful presence of wealth and 
will continue to be, those who "earnestly contend 
�
ing pardon through Christ. It is not a strar_ge �
pride, professional peril overhangs the head of 
for the faith once delivered to the' saints." Jude 
and unaccountable feeling that possesses us in- �
any preacher who earnestly presents the humbling 
1 : 3. God will record these as his own. Those 
stantly and makes us holy in a moment. Con- �
doctrines of the gospel, rings out the three great 
who love the error serve the father of the lie, and 
version is turning from our own wills and ways �
R's and warns sinners to " flee the wrath to 
violate the first commandment. For God is the 
and obeying God's will and walking in his way. �
come."--E. P. Marvin, in Messiah's Herald. 
God of truth, and the Holy Spirit is the spirit of 
It is walking by firm principle and not by feeling, truth. John 14 : 16, 17. �
EPSILON. 
�
Who shall say that those who turn away their �
TEACHING men morals is as though I had a clock 
feet from trampling on God's holy day—the sev- 
�
�
that would not go, and I turned around one of the 
WHEN the man, listening to his conscience, wills 
enth day of the week—and are trying to make
cog-wheels. But faith takes the key and winds 
and does the right, irrespective of inclination or of con-
that preparation of heart and life which is neces- sequence, then is the man free, the universe open before up the main-spring, mad the whole thing runs on 
nary to meet the Lord Jesus when he returns-- him. He inborn from above. �
readily.—Spurgeon. 
A CHRISTIAN should never be troubled because 
he is asked to give. If he cannot give, he may 
well be sorry, but if he does not wish to give, 
he ought to be more than sorry—he should be 
alarmed. Lack of money is by no means as sad 
as is the lack of a disposition to contribute of 
what one has. A man often shuts the door in 
the face of his best friend when he shuts off an 
appeal to his benevolence. 
IN trying times, resignation to God's sovereign 
will displays wisdom and secures comfort. 
424 �
[14 SIGNS OF TI]IE TIMES. �
VoL. 9, No. 36. 
The Divine Government. 
IN our examination of the teachings of the 
Bible concerning the principles of the Divine 
Government, and the means therein revealed for 
the pardon and salvation of the penitent sinner, 
we ask the reader to keep in view the principles 
already established, and to mark how perfectly 
the Bible harmonizes with, and how strongly it 
enforces, these fundamental principles of justice. 
In this respect, we insist that the Bible stands 
alone. Among the pretended revelations which 
have existed or now exist in the world, it has no 
worthy rival. Of all known religions that of the 
Bible alone offers pardon on terms which do honor 
to divine, infinite justice. It alone offers a sub- 
stitutionary sacrifice worthy to meet the claims 
of the violated, yet immutable law of Jehovah, 
through whom it is possible for God to be just— 
to maintain his infinite justice—and yet justify 
or pardon the believer in that sacrifice. And if 
it shall clearly appear that the Bible is the faith- 
ful expositor and upholder of these principles, 
then we ask the reader, even though he may 
have been skeptical as to it's merits and its claims, 
to accept it as the needed light from Heaven, a 
revelation of the Divine will. If such be tie 
nature of its teachings; if such be its claims, 
then every one who is truly guided by reason and 
a love of right and truth, must so accept it. 
There is a tendency among men, and we think 
it is increasing, to make the love of God the sole 
element in the gospel. Universalism is the true 
exponent of this theory, though thousands are 
inclining to it who would readily repudiate the 
charge that they are Universalists. We never 
could see the consistency of that system which 
taught that all men will be saved, while teaching 
that there is nothing in all the universe from 
which they need to be saved. We consider that 
view equally faulty which is now advocated by 
eminent men of almost all schools, namely, that 
the death of Christ was not a penal infliction, 
that it was not a vindication of justice, but merely 
a manifestation of the love of God, calculated 
and designed to move the hearts of men that 
they may be led to appreciate his love. In sev- 
eral respects this theory fails to commend itself. 
1. It is not according to the teachings of the 
Bible, as we shall endeavor to show in these 
pages. 2. The result is not at all commensurate 
to the expenditure. If thatr were the sole object, 
the necessities of the case did not require such 
an immense sacrifice as was made in the suffer- 
ings and death of the Son of the living God. 3. 
It is a fact that men's emotions are more easily 
aroused by a consideration of human woes, by a 
recital of the sufferings of their own kind, than 
by reading of the sufferings of Christ. Dr. Clarke 
made some striking remarks on this fact. And 
we might add that they who claim the emotional 
ground of the death of Jesus are seldom aroused 
to such exalted views of the love of God in Christ 
as they are who believe in the judicial ground. 
The truth proclaimed in the word of God, that 
" be was wounded for our transgressions, and 
bruised for our iniquities," is attested by the 
Spirit of God, who bears witness of it to the con-
sciences of the truly convicted and converted. 
But we are not now presenting an argument 
on this question; that is reserved for the future. 
We merely call attention to these points here, 
while the simple principles of justice which have 
been examined are fresh in the mind of the 
reader, (1) to lead him to consider that the emo- 
tional view of the death of Christ does not at all 
meet the requirements of the divine law. It 
ignores the claim of justice in the divine Gov- 
ernment, and really makes sin a matter of small 
account; (2) that we may be prepared to appre- 
ciate the importance of those principles and rules 
of duty which underlie all the purposes and dis-
pensations of God toward man; that we may 
understand and realize why the gospel is needed 
to bring man back to God, and renew his hope of 
everlasting life and glory. 
Our first inquiry, then, relates to the principles 
of the Government of God, or, in other words, 
to his law. This is fundamental; all else must 
be based on it. It is difficult, if not impossible, 
to form just ideas of secondary principles if we 
have not just ideas of their primaries. 
There can be no difference between the attri-
butes of God and the principles of his Govern-
ment. If God is just, justice will show forth as 
a•principle of his Government; it will be admin-
istered in justice. If God is love, love must per- 
vade his Government. If God is immutable, the 
principles of his Government must be likewise 
unchangeable. We cannot conceive of his pos-
sessing an attribute which does not shine forth 
in his Government. But as law is the basis of 
Government, without which it cannot exist, what- 
ever applies to the one applies to the other. 
Therefore to understand the attributes of God is 
to understand the nature or character of his law, 
as the latter necessarily springs from the former. 
This is too plainly evident to require proof, for 
his law is but the expression of his will, and his 
will must surely correspond to his attributes. 
We do not consider it necessary to examine at 
length the attributes of Deity. All will agree 
that to him belong wisdom, power, holiness, truth, 
justice, love, and mercy. It may be said, how-
ever, that these qualities are ascribed also to man. 
Thus the Scriptures speak of men who were holy, 
true, just, wise, etc. But such expressions in re-
gard to man must be taken with the limitations 
arising from man's nature. There are three attri-
butes which belong to Deity which may be ap-
plied to all those mentioned above, but which 
man cannot possess, namely, infinity, immuta-
bility, and eternity. While man is wise, just, 
merciful, etc., in a certain degree, God is infinitely, 
immutably, and eternally wise, just, holy, true, 
etc. These three qualify all the others. They 
are "perfections of perfections," essential to the 
divine character, but belonging to it alone. So 
let it be understood that when we speak of the 
justice of God, the word is not used in any ordi-
nary sense, or as it is used in respect to man. 
The justice of God is infinite, immutable, eternal. 
We are in danger of making God (in our minds) 
such an .one as ourselves, and of imagining that 
he looks upon sin with as little abhorrence •as we 
do, who have always associated with it, and in 
some of its forms have always been inclined to 
love it instead of abhorring it. When we speak 
of God and his attributes, of his will, his law, we 
should do it with more than respect—with rev-
erence. 
It has been noticed that the governor must 
make a plain revelation of the law to which the 
subjects are amenable. This the Lord has done. 
In the beginning the Creator talked with man 
in person, and made known to him directly the 
rules which were to govern his life. But the 
book of Genesis is not a book of law; it is a very 
brief history of the race, covering a period of 
more than two thousand years. We have fre-
quent mention of men's violation of law, with 
references to the law itself, but no code left on 
record in the book. But all nations chose their 
own way—"they did not like to retain God in 
their knowledge"—and he separated from the 
nations the seed of Abraham, to be a people to 
his own glory. After they had been in long 
servitude and under deep afflictions in the land 
of Egypt, he " took them by the hand," as a 
father does his children, to bring them into the 
land of Canaan, and to lead them in the way of 
truth and righteousness. While all the families 
of the earth were turning away from God, going 
farther and farther into the darkness of hea-
thenism, it is not surprising that the people of 
Israel, oppressed in cruel bondage, should have 
imbibed much of the spirit of their surroundings, 
and retained but imperfect ideas of the sacredness 
of the divine law. That this was the case is 
proved by the readiness with which they wor- 
shiped the golden calf, after the manner of the 
Egyptians, when the circumstances would seem 
to forbid their yielding to the force of such super- 
stitions. It was a wide departure from the faith 
and godliness of their, fathers, Abraham, Isaac, 
and Jacob, and of Joseph. 
In revealing his will to his chosen people, the 
Lord made known through prophets and priests, 
civil and ecclesiastical duties; but he taught them, 
and all who should come after them, to look with 
peculiar reverence upon the moral code, by pro- 
claiming it with his own voice, and writing it 
with his own finger on tables of stone. That 
men have always considered the ten command- 
ments a moral code, could only be expected from 
the manner in which it was given by Jehovah, 
and placed in the ark over which the high priest 
made atonement for sin; from its containing a 
summary of duty covering all moral relations; 
and from the teaching of the Scriptures in regard 
to it. 
When God brought Israel out of Egypt, he 
entered into an agreement or covenant with 
them, promising, to regard them as a peculiar 
(To be continued.) 
treasure above all nations, if they would obey 
his voice and keep his covenant. This they 
readily promised to do. Ex. 19 :-5-8. " Obey 
my voice," and " keep my covenant," are two 
expressions used by the Lord, referring to the 
same thing; for when they heard his voice, the 
third day after the covenant was made with 
them, he declared his covenant which he com- 
manded them to perform. This was the ten com- 
mandments. Deut. 4 : 12,13. The word " cove-
nant" is of such extensive signification that we 
can only learn its meaning in any text by the 
sense of the passage or its connection. Accord-
ing to the lexicons, and to Scripture usage, it 
applies to a great variety of things, as, a prom-
ise; Gen. 9 : 9-11; an agreement; Gen. 21 : 22-32; 
mutual promises with conditions; Ex. 19 : 5-8; a 
law; Deut. 4 : 12,13; and a covenant of law may 
be the condition of a covenant of promises, as 
in 2 Kings 23 : 3. And so also in Ex. 19 : 5-8, 
the expression, "Keep my covenant," refers to 
the covenant which he commanded unto them, 
and not to the covenant or agreement made with 
them. The agreement was based upon the con-
dition, namely, "Obey my voice;" that is, obey 
that which he spoke to them when they heard 
his voice. They did not hear his voice when 
this covenant was made with them. Moses acted 
as mediator between the Lord and them. But 
the ten commandments were spoken by Jehovah 
directly to the people. This law in all things 
bears the pre-eminence above the revelations 
made through the prophets. It was not com-
mitted to Moses to bear to the people, as were 
the other laws. It bears the impress of Deity 
alone. 
The Lord also said that it they would obey 
this law they would be a holy nation. Now it 
is an acknowledged truth that character is formed 
by our actions in reference to law; and the nature 
of the character is determined only by the nature 
of the law. Obedience to a bad law can never 
make a good character. It is hence evident that 
the character of the actor is the exact counterpart of 
the law obeyed. But we have the Lord's own tes-
timony, that if they would keep the ten com-
mandments, they would be holy; that is, they 
would thereby form holy characters•
' 
 and as their 
characters would be but a copy of the law, we 
have herein the word of the Governor of the 
universe that this is a holy law. 
As law is the basis of all government, and as 
the Government or law is a certain exposition of 
the mind, the character, or the attributes of the 
lawgiver, and as the character of man is accord-
ing to the law which he obeys, it follows that to 
obey the law of God is to attain unto the right-
eousness of God, or true holiness. The conclusion 
is undeniable that the holiness derived from obe-
dience to God's law of ten commandments is that 
growing out of the divine attributes, as pure and 
changeless as Heaven itself. The law being a 
transcript of the divine mind, perfect obedience 
to the law would bring us into perfect harmony 
with God. 
Let no one object that by the law no such char-
acter is now formed, for Paul informs us in Rom. 
2 and 3 that there are none who completely obey 
the law. And his testimony is corroborated by 
many other scriptures. We are a fallen, degen-
erate race. The law cannot make us perfect, 
because of the weakness of the flesh. Rom. 8 : 3. 
But if we would see what the law would do in 
the formation of character where the weakness 
of the flesh was not manifested, where perfect 
obedience was rendered, let us look to Jesus, who 
said, " I have kept my Father's commandments." 
He did no sin; he never strayed from the law of 
his Father, and a pure and holy character was 
the result. And this is not a strange result, as 
all must admit who consider the force of the texts 
of Scripture which will presently be quoted. 
EDITOR. 
SEPTEMBER 27, 1883. �TAI H; SIGNS OF TI-I �
 TIMES. �
425 
c*abhath-Ototri. 
California S. S. Association. 
THE sixth annual session of the California 
State Sabbath-school Association was held in 
connection with the camp-meeting at San Jose, 
Sept. 6-18, 1883. The first meeting was called 
Sept. 10, at 5 P. M. Prayer by W. C. White. 
The minutes of the last annual session were read 
and approved. A summary of the work done 
during the year was given, showing an addition 
of five new schools, and an entire membership of 
not less than 1,250. 
The chair appointed the following committees: 
On Nominations—W. C. White, E. J. Waggoner, 
J. D. Rice; on Reitolutions—C. H. Jones, C. C. 
Ramsey, W. C. Grainger; to Examine School 
Records—C. H. Jones, E. A. Chapman, and Josie 
Cochran. 
The question of preparing and reciting the 
lesson being taken up, some pointed remarks 
were made calculated to stir all who are con-
nected with the Sabbath-school work to the im-
portance of faithfulness in the study of the Bible. 
It is not enough to study the synopsis as found 
in the Instructor, but we should compare scripture 
with scripture, making the Bible the text-book, 
and using the synopsis and notes as helps in the 
work. 
A second meeting was held Sept. 14, at 5 P. M. 
After the usual opening exercises, the Committee 
on Nominations reported as follows: For Presi-
dent, Eld. G. D. Ballou; Secretary and Treasurer, 
Mrs. G. D. Ballou; Executive Committee—G. D. 
Ballou, C. H. Jones, and E. J. Waggoner. These 
were all elected for the ensuing year. 
The Committee on Resolutions reported the 
following:— 
WHEREAS, We recognize the hand of God in the 
Sabbath-school work, and his blessing upon the efforts 
that have been put forth in the past, 
Resolved, That we will pledge ourselves to be more 
faithful in this important branch of our work in the 
future, and that we will try to keep in mind the two 
main objects of the Sabbath-school. First, to become 
better acquainted with the word of God, and second, 
to secure the conversion of souls. 
WHEREAS, We believe that much good may be done 
by the establishment of Sunday-schools in different 
localities, and Sabbath-schools in connection with labor 
in new fields; therefore, 
Resolved, That we will encourage the establishment 
of such schools, and that the Executive Committee be 
requested to supply these schools with the necessary 
Outfit, when not otherwise provided for. 
Resolved, That we urge upon all, both old and young, 
the importance of attending Sabbath-school regularly, 
and taking an active part, and that parents be especially 
careful to set an example worthy of imitation. 
Resolved, That the dangers and duties of our times 
demand of us that we should give more earnest atten-
tion to the preparation of the Sabbath-school lessons, 
and to this end we urge upon teachers and scholars the 
importance of providing themselves with the necessary 
helps; and we especially recommend " Sketches from 
the Life of Paul," by Mrs. E. G. White, and the three 
volumes of " The Great Controversy," by the same 
author. 
Resolved, That we request all our schools to keep a 
careful and complete record of attendance and scholar-
ship, and make prompt reports to the State Secretary, 
and that all Sabbath-school record books be brought 
to our next annual meeting to be examined. 
The discussion of these resolutions occupied 
the balance of the second meeting and all of the 
third. Much valuable thought was expressed, 
which if acted upon will soon infuse new life into 
every school in the State. The resolutions were 
all adopted. 
The question was asked, What method can be 
adopted by the schools to secure the maps and 
other helps needed ? Bro. Jones answered by stat-
ing how the Oakland school had solved this ques-
tion. The key to the solution lay in the interest 
which all manifested to assist the work regularly 
by Sabbath offerings. If every school would take 
hold of this matter systematically, all would soon 
have funds sufficient to supply themselves with 
the needed helps. 
Many other interesting questions were dis-
cussed. Meeting then adjourned sine die. 
G. D. BALLOU, Pres. 
MRS. G. D. BALLOU, Sec. 
"WISDOM is the principal thing," and "the fear 
of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." 
The Church School. 
WHAT we call the Sabbath-school is a progress. 
ive institution. At the beginning it had for its 
object the instruction of children, but gradually 
the work has embraced older persons, as the ben-
efits have become better understood and apprecia-
ted, until those who realize the importance of 
Bible study are endeavoring to include the entire 
church upon the school roll. 
We claim to be disciples of Christ. A disciple 
is a learner. The first disciples went with their 
Master from place to place—some continually, 
and others as opportunity presented—to learn of 
him. Of these students there arose other efficient 
teachers to succeed him; they had acquired ex-
perience, and were specially endowed with wisdom 
to qualify them for the work. In the construc-
tion of the early church the office of teacher was 
recognized as an essential element, and the posi-
tion ranked next to that of prophet (1 Cor. 12 : 28). 
Surely these worthy examples mean that the flock 
shall be instructed—not merely the children, but 
all; the sheep have to be fed, as well as the lambs. 
Our churches are not supplied with pastors to at-
tend to this work exclusively, hence teachers are 
in greater demand. But whether the work be 
done by pastor or teachers, the best means should 
be adopted for accomplishing the purpose, and 
some united effort would naturally suggest itself 
as the most efficient. 
The Sabbath-school presents itself as the most 
practicable system. Then let it become the church 
school, old and young availing themselves of its 
privileges and benefits. Children do not comprise 
the only class that needs to learn of Jesus or to 
know the Scriptures. The whole of probation is 
given for us to learn our duty toward God, and 
no one will ever be deemed a graduate, for there 
will always be something to learn. 
But some argue that they have Bibles and can 
study them at home. That is true, and that is 
just what is contemplated in the school. The 
Bible is the Raster's text-book, and the school-
room is the place for recitation. They ask what 
is the use of recitation; if they study, is not that 
sufficient ? The reply is also a question—Why 
have recitation in any school ? If this theory be 
correct; why have any schools at all. Schools 
are established all over the world, by every class 
of people, for every imaginable purpose, and are 
acknowledged as par excellence the means of im-
parting instruction. But what would any school 
be without recitations ? This is the test whither 
the study has been effectual and the concluTions 
correct. Here opinions are contrasted, ideas sug-
gested, and the truth brought to the surface. 
But, says one, I am old, or my memory is bad, 
and I cannot learn a lesson so as to recite it. So 
much the more necessity for the class and general 
exercises; these help so much to fix the facts and 
deductions of the lesson upon the mind. Many 
persons remember what they hear much better 
than what they read. Such objectors have, gen-
erally, little difficulty in remembering gossip. 
But if a lesson cannot be remembered, how can 
duty be learned and remembered? and if not 
learned, how can it be performed? 
There are also unacknowledged causes for non-
attendance. Among these are negligence and 
pride. Too many have no interest to study, and 
are ashamed to attend the recitation lest their 
ignorance be exposed. They would rather re-
main ignorant than take the chances of being 
deemed so by others. If they but knew it, they 
do not escape such opinion by neglect of study or 
absence from the place of instruction. Of all 
members, these most need the help of the school, 
that perchance a proper knowledge may lead to 
a proper conversion. 
A due appreciation of the privileges of the 
gospel and the reward of obedience will lead any 
one to a desire for instruction concerning the 
truth, especially in these days of confusion, when 
there is so much error besetting one's pathway. 
And every one who enters the church should find 
a place in the school, as pupil or teacher—in either 
capacity, as a learner. In other words the church 
is a school, and the session of what is called the 
Sabbath-school is merely the weekly hour of reci-
tation; and those disciples who habitually, with-
out valid excuse, " play truant " at this time, give 
at least presumptive evidence that they have 
little concern for their standing at the end of the 
course. 
Let us all endeavor to get this matter right end 
foremost. The ;church members should not be- 
come the stragglers, or perchance the visitors of 
the school. They should head the roll, followed 
by all the children, and as many others as possi-
ble. Let us as far as possible, in practice at least, 
obliterate the idea of Sabbath-school for children, 
and incorporate the broader idea of an every day 
school for all, as a consequence of church exis-
tence, the Sabbath being recitation day. 
W. N. GLENN. 
An Incident in the History of Paul. 
"WHEREFORE, when we could no longer forbear, 
we thbught it good to be left at Athens alone, and 
sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, 
to establish you, and to comfort you concerning 
your faith; but now when Timotheus came from 
you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your 
faith and charity, we were comforted over you in 
all our affliction and distress by your faith." 1 
Thess. 3: 1-7. 
The history relates that when Paul came out of 
Macedonia to Athens, Silas and Timothy stayed be-
hind at Berea: " The brethren sent away Paul to 
go as it were to the sea; but Silas and Timotheus 
abode there still; and they that conducted Paul 
brought him to Athens." Acts 17: 14, 15. The 
history further relates that after Paul had tarried 
some time at Athens, and had proceeded from 
thence to Corinth, whilst he was exercising his 
ministry in that city, Silas and Timothy came to 
him from Macedonia. Acts 18: 5. But to recon-
cile the history with the clause in the epistle, 
which makes St. Paul say, " I Thought it good to 
be left at .Athens alone, and to send Timothy unto 
you," it is necessary to suppose that Timothy had 
come up with St. Paul at Athens, a circumstance 
which the history does not mention. I remark, 
therefore, that, although the history does not ex-
pressly notice this arrival, yet it contains intima-
tions which render it extremely probable that the 
fact took place. First, as soon as Paul had 
reached Athens, he sent a message back to Silas 
and Timothy " for to come to him with all speed." 
Acts 17: 15, Secondly, his stay at Athens was on 
purpose that they might join him there. "Now 
whilst Paul waited for. them at Athens, his spirit 
was stirred in him." Acts 17: 16. Thirdly, his 
departure from Athens does not appear to have 
been in any sort hastened or abrupt. It is said, 
" after these things," viz., his disputatious with the 
Jews, his conferences with the philosophers, his 
discourse at the Areopagus, and the gaining of 
some converts, " he departed from Athens and 
came to Corinth." It is not hinted that he quitted 
Athens before the time that he had intended to 
leave it; it is not suggested that he was driven 
from thence, as he was from many cities, by tu-
mults or persecutions, or because his life was no 
longer safe. Observe, then, the particulars which 
the history does notice: hat Paul had ordered 
Timothy to follow him without delay; that he 
waited at Athens on purpose that Timothy might 
come up with him; that he stayed there as long as 
his own choice led him to continue. Laying these 
circumstances which the history does disclose to-
gether, it is highly probable that Timothy came 
to the apostle at Athens, a fact which the epistle, 
we have seen, virtually asserts, when it makes 
Paul send Timothy back from Athens to Thessa-
lonica. The sending back of Timothy into Mace-
donia accounts also for his not coming to Corinth 
till after Paul had been fixed in that city some 
considerable time. Paul had found out Aquila 
and Priscilla, abode with them and wrought, be-
ing of the same craft, and reasoned in the syna-
gogue every Sabbath-day, and persuaded the Jews 
and the Greeks. Acts 18: 1-5. All this passed at 
Corinth, before Silas and Timotheus were come 
from Macedonia. Acts 18: 5. If this was the 
first time of their coming up with him after their 
sepatation at Berea, there is nothing to account 
for a delay so contrary to what appears from the 
history itself to have been St. Paul's plan and ex-
pectation. This is a conformity of a peculiar 
species. The epistle discloses a fact which is not 
preserved in the history, but which makes what is 
said in the history more significant, probable, and 
consistent. The history bears marks of an omis-
sion; the epistle by reference furnishes a circum-
stance which supplies that omission.--Paley's 
 
" Horce Paulince." 
WHEN God's flail of adversity is upon us, we 
should not be like the chaff which flies into the face 
of the thresher, but like the grain that lies at his 
feet.. 
426 �
SIGNS OF T1111,+' TIMES. �VoL. 9, No. 36. 
Eke c$ign5 of fly Eime5. 
" Can ye not discern the signs of the times ?" 
ASSISTANT EDITOR. 
CORRESPONDING EDITORS. 
OAKLAND, CAL., FIFTH-DAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1883. 
California Camp-Meeting. 
OUR late camp-meeting at San Jose was the largest 
ever held in the State, and, all things considered, prob-
ably the most successful one. Certainly it was a time 
of hard labor. Though the time was quite long—from 
the evening of the 6th to the morning of the 18th—
we found no time to spare; the last days were the most 
busy. We felt some regret that so much business had 
to be crowded into the closing days. We are impressed 
with the idea that the California Conference is becom-
ing one of the heaviest and most important in the 
United States. Not the largest in point of numbers, 
but important in its geographical position as related 
to the islands in the Pacific, and in its relation to the 
missionary work of the Third Angel's Message. 
The preaching force was not very large, taking into 
consideration the physical condition of several of the 
preachers. Eld. Rice has failed in health, and intends 
to go to the Sanitarium at Battle Creek. AU efforts 
made thus far to restore his health have failed, and he 
thinks that unless future efforts prove more successful, 
he cannot continue in public labor. He preached once. 
Eld. Healey was in poor health; and we went to the 
meeting in such a worn state that it was with difficulty 
we passed through the labors of the meeting. We 
fainted once in the pulpit, not so much from sickness 
as from sheer exhaustion. But the Lord mercifully 
granted strength in all our efforts to declare his word. 
Besides the above, the preaching was done by Elders 
Haskell, Briggs, Ballou, Colcord, and .the assistant 
editor of the SIGNS. 
The preaching covered a wide range of subjects, but 
bore largely on prophecy, the advent, and the law and 
Sabbath. Most of it was well suited to the occasion, 
being given with earnestness, and the matter presented 
being well calculated to instruct and to incite to an 
increase of faith, zeal, and consecration to the work. 
As was expressed, God blesses with his Spirit and grace, 
not merely for our own personal benefit, not that we 
may enjoy a happy state of feeling, but that we may 
be better qualified to work in his cause. 
The social meetings were spirited, generally giving 
evidence of a deep and thorough work, but free from 
the least appearance of fanatical excitement. The 
children's meetings were unusually interesting and 
fruitful of good. The number baptized at this meet-
ing--fourteen on Sunday, the 16th, and fifty-three on 
Monday, the 17th, sixty-seven in all—was unexpectedly 
large; among these were many young people, members 
of the various Sabbath-schools. We have, at every 
opportunity, tried to impress upon the officers and teach-
ers of these schools the necesAty of putting forth strong 
efforts to make them what they have so often been 
called, "the nursery of the church." The responsibility 
of our churches is greatly increased by this movement 
on the part of the young at the late camp-meeting. It 
becomes the duty of the members—not to watch them, 
merely, but—to watch over and lead these young per-
sons in the way of church duty and Christian life. No 
doubt there are fears entertained in some cases; and 
these fears may be suffered to hold in check that gen-
erous aid which the young so much need. If it shall 
prove that there were some mistakes made, that some 
went forward without proper consideration, we will 
only say that we wish no mistakes were ever made in 
the baptism of adults. But mistakes in such cases are 
many. 
We think that in many instances where children are 
baptized and afterward backslide, the fault is largely 
due to neglect on the part of the parents, and of the 
church and its officers. We all need encouragement; 
these young people must have it. Their salvation de-
pends upon it. If they go astray by reason of neglect, 
a terrible responsibility will lie at somebody's door. 
But it sometimes happens that young persons offer 
themselves for baptism when it is known that their 
hearts are not really affected, and they do not real 
the solemn importance of the step which they propose 
to take. In all such cases it is the duty of those who 
understand them to interfere, and the parents and guard-
ians of such youth ought to be truly thankful for the 
interference. The duties of the parents at a camp-
meeting may possibly be such that they have not the best 
opportunities to know what has been the course of their 
children, or what is the true state of their minds. Par-
ents ought to be more watchful to learn the motives 
and the condition of the children. And it is expected 
that most parents will look with some partiality upon 
their own offspring; but they must remember, when 
they come to church relations, that God has no par-
tiality; that he is no respecter of persons. 
The business meetings were, as usual, characterized 
by great unanimity and good feeling. We think we 
were never in a meeting of the kind where there was 
manifested a stronger purpose to sink out of sight all 
considerations but the prosperity of the cause of truth. 
It is very evident that there are many within the bounds 
of the California Conference who not only sincerely 
believe in the Third Angel's Message, but evidently love 
it, and are ever ready to sacrifice for it. Yet we would 
not use the word "sacrifice" too lightly, for the number 
is quite small, even among Seventh-day Adventists, who 
have " resisted unto blood, striving against sin," or, for 
the sake of the truth, have really deprived themselves of 
earthly comforts. Most of them have but given what 
could be spared without discomfort. And were all 
to give according to the divine rule—their tithe, "as 
God has prospered them "—there would be no necessity 
for any to give as the poor widow did, and the cause 
would be abundantly supported. 
The amount raised at this meeting, about $20,000, 
is comparatively large, but not too large. The cause 
of present truth has strong claims upon the people of 
the California Conference. The providence of God has 
located the " pioneer paper " here, in the most eligible 
position in the State; and thereby we are placed at the 
very head and heart of the missionary work. A suc-
cessful seaman's mission has been established here. A 
college has sprung almost into the strength of maturity 
in two years from the time of taking the first step, or 
rather of passing the first resolution, for its being es-
tablished; and this school is conducted on a basis which 
all approve, and it has already commenced furnishing 
workers in the missionary field. The isles of the Pa-
cific are looking to California for help, and steps were 
taken at San Jose to open a mission in the Sandwich 
Islyds. If not done sooner, we expect that steps will 
be taken at our next camp-meeting to establish missions 
in New Zealand and Australia. This is a great work, 
and it must and will be done. We are looking to see 
rapid advances to be made in the future. Everything 
betokens an early revival of this cause. We believe 
the time has come, and great faithfulness is demanded 
of this people. 
The visit of Bro. Colcord to this Conference will be 
of benefit to the work in his important field. We hope 
that hereafter visitors may be sent to and from all our 
Pacific Coast Conferences. By such an interchange of 
representatives, they may prove a help and encourage-
ment to each other. In the past it has been impossible 
for California to help Nevada. Our lack of laborers 
prevented. But with the better prospect presented by 
the success of Healdsburg College, we think that some-
thing may hereafter be done for that field. The dele-
gates from Nevada took new courage, and we believe 
they will not be disappointed in looking for better days. 
The wants of the cause seemed to make it absolutely 
necessary that the course of Bible teachings in the 
College extend through a good part of the school year. 
But the nature of our work in the Office made it im-
possible for us to be absent for so long a time. And 
our failing health makes it impossible for us to do 
justice to the College work, and keep up our necessary 
writing for the SIGNS and for other works. In this 
emergency it was decided that our son, E. J. W., should 
spend the winter at the College in our stead, commenc-
ing his labors there Oct. 1. Personally we could only 
regret this, as he has proved an able and efficient " as-
sistant " in the editorial work of the SIGNS, and we 
greatly need him here. But for the good of the general 
cause we give him up without a murmur. He can serve 
the work in Healdsburg as we could not, with our other 
burdens which, we cannot now lay off. At the closing 
meeting of the camp-meeting he was set apart to the 
Christian ministry, having been recommended for ordi-
nation at a previous meeting of the Conference by the 
President, and accepted, first by a vote of the delegates, 
and then by a vote of the entire congregation. While 
we are fully in accord with this step, and rejoice in his 
calling to places of usefulness in this glorious cause, 
we believe that his field of duty will be found mostly 
in the College or in the Office as editor. During his 
absence, Bro. Glenn, who has for years been connected 
with the work in Oakland, will assist us on the SIGNS. 
Our son will, however, continue his charge of the Sab-
bath-school Department, and write up the page devoted 
to that important work. So that our readers will not 
altogether lose the benefit of his labors on the paper. 
We firmly believe that this camp-meeting will prove, 
in its results, the best ever held in this State. We 
send words of good cheer to our readers. We are hope-
ful of the future. True, we are laboring under dif-
ficulties; but we know that God is above circumstances, 
and the work is his, and he will carry it on to certain 
victory. 
A Case in Point. 
WE clip the following item from a religious—a 
" Christian"—paper:-- 
"A temperance movement of considerable strength, 
in Chicago, looks to the raising of bar-room licenses to 
$500 a year. It •is calculated that this would reduce 
the number by one-half, and improve the character of 
those that remain." 
We are not well enough acquainted with the business 
to know how it is possible to " improve the character" 
of a liquor saloon! By raising the license many of the 
" low dives" may be killed out, and those which remain 
will have a monopoly of the business; they can fix up 
their bars more gaudily; they will be considered more 
" respectable," according to the very lowest standard of 
respectability, and therefore it will be possible for them 
to present greater allurements and stronger tempta-
tions to the young. But how their "character" will be 
" improved" we cannot imagine. It is our deliberate 
opinion that they will continue, as heretofore, in the 
disreputable business of drunkard-making. And when 
we consider that a drunkard cannot enter the kingdom, 
of God (Gal. 5 :21), we cannot imagine how any busi-
ness can be more Satanic than that of making drunkards. 
We remember a story of a son of the Emerald isle 
who wished to engage in the business of dispensing 
liquid poison to his neighbors, and applied for a license 
accordingly. And it was said that the rules of the 
country made it necessary for all applicants for a vender's 
license to present proofs of " good moral character"—
probably " just for form, you know." The official re- 
minded him of this requirement, when he honestly 
replied:— 
`.` Sure, an' I didn't know that it required any moral 
character to sell whisky!" 
True or not, the story is truly expressive. The truth 
is that the business unfailingly makes its own character, 
and all the laws and " high licenses" in the world can-
not improve it. 
In Sacramento they have well learned the anti-
prohibition argument, and acted upon it. Having 
heard that "prohibition does not prohibit," and fully 
believing that " men always have gambled and always 
will gamble," they have concluded to make it add to 
the revenue, and now gambling is licensed in that 
city. It will no doubt have the effect to " improve the 
character" of gambling, which will make the business 
more popular and more generally followed, which will 
in turn increase the revenue. This is the way to make 
our country prosperous! 
There is a strong probability that this argument may 
be turned to good account in other respects. The fol-
lowing from the San Francisco Post is very suggestive:— 
"The Examiner owlishly remarks that polygamy 
cannot be eradicated by law. This is the Sacramento 
sentiment in regard to gambling. Let the Government 
license polygamy." 
Now all may inquire, " Why was not that found out 
before?" Why was a suggestion so valuable allowed 
to slumber till this late day ? It is " the key-note of 
reform." A good " high license " on polygamy would, 
beyond all doubt, prevent many poor, disreputable per-
sons engaging in the practice. They who persisted in 
it—and persist they will—would be such as can pay 
for the luxury; the " respectable " and "high-toned" 
polygamists would alone remain. The revenue of the 
country would be very largely increated, and there is 
not the shadow of a doubt that by this means the 
character of polygamy would soon be greatly improved! 
All hail the discovery! Surely the millennium cannot 
J. H. WAGGONER, 
E. J. WAGGONER, 
J. N. ANDREWS, 
URIAH SMITH, 
�
 EDITOR. 
SEPTEMBER 27, 1883, �THE SIGNS OF TE-I-P,; TIMES. �
427 
be far away, when it is known that the character of a 
sin may be improved by simply licensing it. The idea 
itself is not new, as it has long been in practical op-
eration all over the country. But it has been mostly 
limited to one evil. The value of the recent discovery 
consists in the knowledge of its general application. 
There may be a question with some as to the pos-
sibility of improving the character of murderers, as 
their reputation already stands very high in society. 
No class of evil-doers can secure so great a measure of 
sympathy, can so readily become the favorites of tender-
hearted ladies, and receive so many floral offerings, as 
murderers. If they have committed many mni ders, all 
the better; and especially if a man has killed his wife; 
he is the hero of the day--the pitied of all pitiful hearts. 
A license to murder would of course add much to the 
revenue, but it could scarcely raise the reputation—or 
"improve the character "—of the business, as it stands 
so very high. 
But there is one desirable object which might be ob-
tained by such a license. In almost every country there 
may be found a class of " fanatics" who would, if it 
were in their power, "prohibit " murder altogether, or 
deprive the murderer of his " personal liberty." In fact 
they carry their fanaticism to such a length that, when 
the " technicalities" of the lawyers and courts are likely 
to secure the " rights " of the murderer, they disregard 
the " course of law " and lynch the guilty one. Such a 
proceeding is greatly to be deprecated, and we fully be-
lieve that a " high license " of murder would effectually 
put a stop to all such high-handed proceedings. For 
who would have the temerity to lynch a man for any 
action whatever if he could produce a license from the 
Government to perform the action ? The fact would 
become apparent at once that if the Government re-
ceived pay for licensing the act, it becomes responsible 
for the act and for its protection; in truth, it would be 
the act of the Government itself, and he who opposed it 
would be an opposer of the Government. 
We are firmly convinced that a high license of mur-
der would so improve its character that lynch-law and 
mobs would become unknown. For a time the passions 
of men who considered their lives unsafe might, from 
force of habit, cause them to hang a " respectable " ban-
dit and cut-throat; but the benign influence of a license 
could not fail to correct this great evil. 
As we take no part in " politics " we shall not follow 
up this suggestion by urging it upon the attention of 
our legislators. But we should expect that the same 
prudent course which has characterized their action in 
the Past in securing " revenue " for the Government 
will cause them to pay early attention to the important 
matters here set forth. 
The Doctrine of the Second Advent of Christ 
Was Known to the Antediluvians. 
THE book of Genesis makes no direct mention of the 
second advent of Christ, nor of the day of Judgment, 
nor of the resurrection of the dead. Those who do not 
study the Bible attentively are apt to think that the 
men who lived during the period embraced in the book 
of Genesis were ignorant of the events of the great day 
of Judgment. But this is a great error, as we will now 
show. 
The day of Judgment is an event which concerns ev-
ery member of the human family. The fact that there 
shall be a day of final account is one of the great truths 
that every human being needs to understand. All men 
need to know, not only that there is a Saviour who can 
deliver them from sin, but that there will be also a Judge 
who will one day call them before him that they may 
receive according to their works. The people who lived 
before the flood needed to understand this truth as re-
ally as we need to understand it. We will now show 
that they were not left in ignorance of the fact that 
Christ will come in his infinite glory at the last day to 
execute judgment upon the ungodly. 
The apostle Jude makes the following remarkable 
declaration: " And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, 
prophesied of these, saying: Behold, the Lord cometh 
with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment 
upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among 
them of all their ungodly deeds which they have un-
godly committed, and of all their hard speeches which 
ungodly sinners have spoken against him." Jude 14, 15. 
The man who uttered this prophecy was one of the 
most remarkable men that have ever lived. Moses says 
of him: " And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and be-
gat Methuselah. And Enoch walked with God after he 
begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons 
and daughters; and all the days of Enoch were three 
hundred sixty and five years; and Enoch walked with 
God; and he was not; for God took him." Gen. 5: 
91-24. Paul says of Enoch: " By faith Enoch was 
translated that he should not see death; and was not 
found, because God had translated him; for before his 
translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 
He kr. 11 : 5. 
Two things were well calculated to give solemn force 
to the prophecy of Enoch. 1. His blameless life, for it 
is said that he walked with God. The prophet Amos 
tells us that two cannot walk together except they be 
agreed. Amos 3:3. Enoch walked with God because 
at every step he sought the honor of God, and not his 
own pleasure nor profit. All men knew that Enoch was 
a man of God. 2. But the translation of Enoch to 
Heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:1) 'vas an event 
that must have given the utmost force and interest to 
his prophecy concerning the second advent. He was 
taken up to Heaven in the very manner that all the 
saints will be taken thither when the Lord comes in his 
glory. Matt. 24:30, 31; 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. 
We know that after the translation of Elijah he was 
diligently sought for during three days by a party of 
fifty men. 2 Kings 2:15-18. The language of Paul 
implies that Enoch was also sought, so great was the ex-
citement occasioned by his translation. Heb. 11:5. 
Now let us observe how perfectly Enoch was able to en-
lighten the whole antediluvian world. The fifth chap-
ter of Genesis furnishes us the facts in chronology on 
which the following calculation is based:— 
Adam did not die till Enoch was 308 years old, which 
was only 54 years before the translation of the latter. 
Seth, the son of Adam, did not die till 55 years after the 
translation of Enoch. Enos, the son of Seth, did not 
die till 153 years after the translation of Enoch. Cainan, 
the son of Enos, did not die till '248 years after the trans- 
lation of Enoch. Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, did not 
die till 303 years after the translation of Enoch. Jared, 
the son of Mahalaleel, did not die till 435 years after 
the translation of Enoch, his son. Thus we see that the 
prophecy of Enoch was known to all the six generations 
which preceded him. 
Now let us learn how it was with the three genera- 
tions from Enoch to the flood, viz., Methuselah, Lamech, 
and Noah. When Enoch was • translated, Methuselah, 
his son, was 300 years old, and Lamech, his son, the fa-
ther of Noah, was at that time 113. Noah was not born 
till after the translation of Enoch, but he could converse 
during 595 years with Lamech, and during 600 years 
with Methuselah, and during 362 years. with Jared, and 
with Mahalaleel during 234 years, and with Cainan dur- 
ing 179 years, and with Enos, the grandson of Adam, 
84 years. 
Thus six generations of the ancestors of Noah could 
repeat to him the prophecy of Enoch, and this many 
times during the long ages that they walked together. 
Four of these, namely, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, and 
Jared, had witnessed the entire career of Enoch. Be-
sides this, Lamech, the father of Noah, and Methuselah, 
his grandfather, though they had not witnessed the en-
tire life of Enoch, had each witnessed a large part of 
his religious life, and each had personal knowledge of 
his translation. Thus we see how, in the providence of 
God, Enoch gave light concerning•the second advent to 
each of the ten generations which preceded the deluge. 
If the antediluvians had no light on this subject from 
any other source, they were able to be well instructed by 
the prophecy, the example, and the translation of 
Enoch. But Adam lived during 930 years of the 1,656 
which preceded the deluge. All men would desire to see 
the father of the human race, who ha,d himself conversed 
with God in Paradise, and who was no doubt well in• 
formed with respect to the accountability of men, and 
with respect to the day of Judgment. 
But the prophecy of Enoch, which Jude has preserved 
to us, is an ample testimony to the proclamation of the 
second advent in the days which were before the deluge. 
He says: " Behold the Lord cometh," not to die for the 
sins of men but to execute judgment upon all the un-
godly. He will be accompanied by ten thousands of his 
saints. This is the same as the declaration of the New 
Testament, that he will come with all his mighty an-
gels (Matt. 24:30, 31; 25:31; 2 Thess. 1:7, 8), for the 
word saint may be applied to angels as well as to good 
men. Thus Michael and Gabriel are called saints (com-
pare Dan. 8:13, 15-17; 10:21). and the angels who were 
with the Lawgiver at Sinai are also called saints. Com-
pare Deut. 33:2; Ps. 68:17. Enoch says that Christ 
comes to execute judgment upon all the ungodly, which 
plainly implies the resurrection of the unjust; and that 
he comes to take notice of all their evil deeds and of all 
their hard speeches, which shows that the prophet un-
derstood that all these things were written betbre God 
in the books. 
Polygamy, according to Gen. 6:1-8, was the cause of 
the deluge. This terrible sin begun in the family of 
wicked Cain. Gen. 4:19. It is remarkable that the 
first polygamist must have been contemporary with 
Enoch, for this Lamech was the seventh from Adam in 
the line of Cain, as Enoch was the seventh from Adam 
in the line of Seth. Thus when Satan began to come in 
with a flood of iniquity the Spirit of God through Enoch 
lifted up a standard against him. We know that the 
inhabitants of the Old World, at the time of the deluge, 
had become exceedingly wicked, but we know also that 
they well understood that Enoch had predicted the com-
ing of the Lord and the great day of Judgment. 
J. N. A. 
San Jose Camp-Meeting. 
THE camp-meeting held at San Jose was in some re- 
spects the most encouraging of any such meeting ever 
held in California. There were over 150 tents pitched 
upon the gre und, varying in size from 12x16 to 24x36. 
During the first week the census showed about 700 
camper§ upon the ground, and others came afterward. 
The grounds were laid out in regular streets, and each tent 
was numbered. The large preaching tent, 60x100, was 
comparatively well filled by our brethren and those in-
terested in the truth, there being quite a number in at-
tendance from the city and the surrounding country. 
The interest from outside was small, although it 
greatly increased toward the close. In some respects 
the course of our brethren in attending the camp-meet-
ing was truly commendable, and their example worthy 
of imitation in all , parts of the country. Almost the 
entire membership of some of our churches was in at-
tendance. Out of a company of seventeen, thirteen came 
by private conveyance and rail about 160 miles, and 
brought a number of their neighbors with them, and in 
some instances they saw them baptized before the meet-
ing closed. 
The city of tents was districted, with proper leaders 
who conducted meetings at 8 A. M. During these and 
other meetings it was seldom that individuals were seen 
strolling upon the ground. 
At the time of the 5:30 A. M. meetings the ministers 
and leading men were in consultation, and a special 
meeting was held for the young people. Instructions 
were also given in the Sabhath-school work at this time, 
to teachers and seperintendents. 
Each morning at 9 A. M. there was a childrens' meet-
ing, the attendance averaging about eighty. Instruc-
tions were given to a class of canvassers, while others 
were having a business meeting. 
There was a Bible-reading each morning at 10:30. 
These readings awakened as deep an interest as any 
meetings held. There is a power in the Scriptures. It 
is the sure word of God which has enabled millions of 
people to stand the rack, the fire, and the sword. The 
more interest that can be awakened in the pure teach-
ings of that word, the more of the power of God we shall 
have. It is a two-edged sword. All were convinced of 
the utility of this kind of labor. All discussion is 
avoided, as nothing is brought up except what can be 
read from the Scriptures. 
Regular preaching service was held at 2:30 and 7:30 
P. m. The spiritual interest of the meeting was good from 
the beginning. A large proportion of the friends were 
on the ground the day before the meeting, and remained 
till the close. About 150 came forward for prayers the 
first Sabbath. The following Thursday a larger num-
ber came forward, and the Sabbath before the meeting 
closed witnessed a far deeper and more general move 
than before. Sixty-seven were baptized. 
The interest taken in the work was shown in what 
was done financially toward the various enterprises. 
There was a general impression that the time had come 
for advance steps to be taken, and those who had this 
world's goods felt that it was time for them to show 
their faith by their works. The wants of the cause were 
set before the brethren at one 9 o'clock morning 
meeting. The meeting continued one hour and a half 
only. Pledge papers were passed around, and when re-
turned they showed that over $6,000 were pledged on 
the school, and $10,000 on the foreign missions, to be 
divided with the International Tract Society. Besides 
this, there was $4,000 pledged on a $25,000 endowment 
fund for the College, for the purpose of educating men 
and women as colporteurs and ministers, etc. The 
whole amount pledged was over $20,000. Adding to 
this amount the $11,000 pledged a few weeks previous, 
for the endowment fund to the school, and $2.000 to the 
ship missionary work in San Francisco, and we have 
$33.000 given in California this season for the spread of 
the truth. If the friends of the cause in this State are 
faithful to the trusts God has committed to them, in 
placing in their midst institutions devoted to the pro-
mulgation of the ,present truth, they will in a short 
time see of the salvation of God in a marked manner. 
The report of the missionary work showed a large in-
crease over any previous year. One hundred and sev-
enty-one yearly subscribers were obtained on the camp-
ground for our periodicals, forty-two of them for the 
Review. 
In the consultations it was decided to send two of our 
successful missionary workers to the Sandwich Islands. 
We confidently believe that God has men of means in 
this State who, like Barnabas, will sell their possessions 
and devote their time to spreading the truth. May 
God speed the time when a mighty angel will descend 
from Heaven, and the earth be lighted with his glory.. 
S. N. Il ASKELL. 
428 �
T. �
1-1, SIGNS OF 111-1-17, TIM 
1-i] S. �VoL. 9, No. 36. 
ghtcini55itinam 
 
California Conference Proceedings. 
THE twelfth annual session of the California. 
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was held 
at San Jose in connection with the camp-meeting, 
Sept. 6-18, 1883. 
FIRST MEETING, SEPT. 7, 9 A. M. 
After singing a hymn, prayer Was offered by 
Eld. J. H. Waggoner. Credentials were pre-
sented by delegates as follows: Arbuckle—Wm. 
Kearth; Burr Valley--Jos. Hutchings; Chico--Jos. 
Leininger; Fairview—M.-J. Church; Fresno—M. 
J. Church; Gilroy—Wm. Ings; Healdsburg—W. 
C. Grainger, John Morrison, J. Smith, S. Browns-
berger, Geo. W. Mills; Lafayette—G. P. Sanford; 
Lakeport—E. J. Church; Lemoore—W. G. Buck-
ner, Peter Scazighini, J. M. Hartman, Sr. Rosa 
Buckner; Los Angeles—Mary R. Stem; Napa 
—Jos. Eggleston; Nevada City—Sr. Fannie An-
gove ; Oakland—E. J. Waggoner, G. A. Baker, J. 
W. Cronkrite, J. I. Tay, W. C. White, G. D. Ha-
ger; Petaluma—E. A. Chapman; Red Bluff—D. 
S. Hemstreet; Rocklin—C. C. Ramsey; San Fran-
cisco—H. C. Palmer, Eld. M. C. Israel; San Pas-
qual—John Judson; Santa Rosa--Frank Peter-
son, J. Thorp, H. Cole, J. H. Thorp; St. Helena 
--Jas. Creamer, P. M. Partridge, W. A. Pratt; 
Vacaville—Wm. Butcher, Jos. Dennison; Wood-
land—Geo. C. Martin, Wm. Saunders, W. W. 
Smith. 
Delegates were received from unorganized com-
panies as follows: Willits—S. McElhaney; Placer-
ville---Geo. Vickery; Newcastle—Sr. E. M. Nier-
hoff; Ferndale—Eld. G. D. Ballou, N. C. McClure; 
Potter Valley--S. Bice; Downey--Eld. E. A. 
Briggs; San Diego--Sr. E. J. Howard; Pleasant. 
Grove--Eld. E. A. Briggs; San Jose—Eld. Wm. 
Healey; San Juan--J. I. W oolford. 
It was voted that all brethren in good standing 
be invited to participate in the deliberations of 
the Conference. The report of the last annual 
session was read and approved. 
The following committees were then appointed 
by the chair: On Nominations—Wm. Saunders, 
W. A. Pratt, M. J. Church; on Credentials—El-
ders J. H. Waggoner, M. C. Israel, W. M. Healey; 
on Resolutions—E. J. Waggoner, S. Brownsber-
ger, S. .D. Rice; on Auditing—M. J. Church, W. 
A. Pratt, W. C. White, Wm. Saunders, S. Browns-
berger, Wm. Butcher; on Preaching—Elders J. 
H. Waggoner, Wm. Healey, M. C. Israel. Ad-
journed to call of the chair. 
SECOND MEETING, SEPT. 9, 5 P. M. 
Prayer by Eld. J. H. Waggoner. Minutes of. 
the previous meeting read and approved. The 
following additional delegates were received: 
From Lemoore—Sr. A. R. Bond; Oakland—C. H. 
Jones, J. W. Gardner; San Francisco—E. A. Stock-
ton, A. Brorsen, Jos. Figer; Ukiah—Sr. Phcebe 
Yokum; Laytonville—Eld. J. D. Rice. 
Eld. G. W. Colcord of Washington Territory, 
and brethren Allen and Harmon of Nevada were 
invited to take part in the deliberations of the 
Conference. On motion, the churches at Lake-
port and Laytonville were received into the Con-
ference. The ministers were then called upon to 
report. Eld. Ballou gave an account of the work 
at Ferndale, Humboldt County. Considerable 
missionary work had preceded the tent meetings. 
The SIGNS had been sent into that county quite 
extensively for several months by the missionary 
societies in the district. This was followed by the 
work of Bro. and Sr. McClure in visiting families, 
holding Bible-readings with them, also publicly in 
school-houses, and obtaining subscribers. This 
so prepared the way for the meetings that there 
was a good interest from the first. Many inter-
esting circumstances were related in connection 
with the work there, especially in regard to Bible-
readings, which were introduced wherever prac-
ticable. There are about thirty who have de-
cided to obey the truth as the result of the effort. 
Seven of these have been baptized. Over $1,000 
have been subscribed for a church. 
Eld. Briggs spoke of his work for the past year. 
At the time of the last camp-meeting he was at 
Laytonville, Mendocino County. Here fourteen 
signed the covenant, eleven of whom were bap-
tized. He next held a series of meetings at Pot-
ter Valley. Four are still holding fast to the truth 
there. After this he went to Pleasant Grove, Sut-
ter County, where the names of eight persons 
were enrolled upon the covenant. He attended 
the southern camp-meeting in the spring, and 
from there went to Los Angeles, where four were 
added to the church. From the fifth of June he 
has labored at Downey and vicinity, where 
twenty-nine have signed the covenant, ten of 
whom have been baptized. They had Bible les-
sons each day for the tent company, and the in-
formation gained was used in Bible-readings with 
families visited. 
Bro. Wm. Ings reported that he came to San 
Jose about three months previous to assist Eld. 
Healey in the missionary work. They were ac 
companied by ten of the College students. Two 
or three hundred subscribers have been obtained 
for the SIGNS, and many for Good Health and for-
eign periodicals. It has been a good experience 
for those who have been engaged in the mission-
ary work; besides the benefit received from the 
lectures and Bible-readings. Twenty-nine names 
are already upon the covenant here. 
The President considered advance steps neces-
sary. A love of the Bible should be created in 
the people by the missionary workers. Where 
this is done the work will be more lasting. 
THIRD MEETING, SEPT. 12, 5 P. M. 
Prayer by Eld. G. W. Colcord. Minutes of pre-
vious meeting read and approved. The President 
spoke of the condition of affairs in Nevada. He 
has recently visited that State, and by his invita-
tion delegates have been sent to the meeting. 
Brn. Allen and Harmon, who were present, were 
invited to present the wants of the cause there. 
They expressed a desire on the part of the people 
to unite with this Conference, and spoke of the 
need of ministerial labor and the willingness to 
help in the cause. 
It was voted that the President appoint a com-
mittee of three to confer with these brethren in 
regard to the matter. The following were after-
ward appointed: W. C.•White, Wm. Healey, Wm. 
Saunders. 
The Committee on Resolutions then made a 
partial report, as follows:-- 
Resolved (1), That we regard the increased circulation 
of our pioneer paper, and the eager desire manifested to 
hear and read the truth, as an indication that God is 
working on the hearts of the people preparatory to the 
speedy close of the message, and that he would have us 
take hold of the work with renewed faith and zeal. 
WHEREAS, The means hitherto employed to teach 
present truth to the world are very inadequate to meet 
the demands of the people for instruction; and 
WHEREAS, The Spirit of God is evidently impressing 
many with the fact that they have a personal duty in 
teaching the people, 
Resolved (2), That we recommend that as far as,practi-
cable, the various churches and little companies of Sab-
bath-keepers hold Bible-readings similar to those con-
ducted on this camp-ground, for the purpose of better 
informing themselves in the Scriptures, and also of in-
teresting their neighbors in the special truths of these 
last days. 
Resolved (3), That we urge all our brethren and sis-
ters who can consistently leave their homes to labor in 
the cause, to attend the Special Course of Biblical Instruc-
tion to be given at the College during the coming win-
ter, for the purpose of preparing themselves to labor in 
the missionary field. 
WHEREAS, Experience has shown that the preaching 
of the word has been attended with better success when 
it has been preceded by missionary labor; therefore 
Resolved (4), That, in our judgment, whenever it is 
proposed to hold a tent-meeting in any place, that place 
should, as far as is practicable, be thoroughly canvassed 
for monthly subscribers to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, be-
fore the meetings commence, the work to be followed up 
with Bible-readings, and continued during the progress 
of the meetings. 
WHEREAS, The spiritual gifts as manifested in the 
church are given to unite God's people in one body, and 
bring them all into the unity of the faith, 
Resolved (5), That we show our appreciation of this 
great blessing to the church by reading the testimonies 
more carefully and prayerfully ourselves, by urging their 
importance upon others, and by endeavoring to live 
more in accordance with their teachings. 
The first resolution was spoken to by Eld. J. H. 
Waggoner. He considered the rapid increase in 
the circulation of the SIGNS surprising even to 
ourselves. It has increased in about six months 
from 10,000 to 20,000, of which about 18,000 are 
upon the regular subscription list. The chair 
presented a statement showing the increase of the 
SIGNS each year since it was first published in 
1874. The increase during the last six months 
has been 1,500 more than during the eight years 
previous. The resolution was unanimously 
adopted. 
The second resolution called forth remarks from 
many in regard to the importance of becoming 
familiar with the word of God. It was the unan- 
imous sentiment that there should be a special ef-
fort made to encourage Bible study among 
churches and scattered brethren, and that proper 
persons should be encouraged to hold Bible-read-
ings among our brethren and others. 
While the third resolution was pending, the 
meeting adjourned to call of the chair. 
FOURTH MEETING, SEPT. 13, 9 A. M. 
Prayer by Eld. M. C. Israel. The third resolu-
tion, which was under consideration at the close of 
the last meeting, was again read. 
The President spoke of the importance of the 
special instruction to be given at the College. To 
make Bible-readings profitable, the persons who 
conduct them should make them a study, and 
know the texts quoted. He thought that a score 
of our brethren of mature years should avail 
themselves of these privileges, and considered that 
the Healdsburg school offered superior facilities to 
our people who desire to fit themselves for the 
various branches of the work. Men of judgment 
and experience,—those who-have made a success 
in life, are wanted, to be educated in the word of 
God. In connection with the ministers there 
should be a class of workers which Paul calls 
helps. 
Prof. Brownsberger spoke to the resolution. 
He thought the school had a very close relation 
to the work, and that its establishment here 
meant something. God is moving upon hearts 
to engage in his work. The question is, Is there 
willingness in the heart to go forward as duty 
calls? 
Eld. Waggoner considered that the individual 
who successfully aids in the school work is doing 
as much as he could in the ministry, and that 
there should be a growth in usefulness on the part 
of all. He expected that many laborers would be 
sent out from this school, even to Australia, and 
the islands of the sea. The resolution was adopted, 
the congregation also expressing their approval 
by a unanimous vote. 
Several spoke to the fourth resolution. Eld. 
Ballou has observed that wherever missionary 
work precedes tent-meetings there has been a 
good measure of success. It makes friends of the 
people. The resolution was adopted. The fifth 
resolution was adopted, the congregation also in-
dorsing it by a rising vote. 
The committee appointed to confer with the 
Nevada delegates reported, recommending that 
Nevada be considered a part of the California 
Conference, and that we extend to the brethren 
there a hearty welcome. By a unanimous vote 
Nevada was received as recommended. 
On motion, it was voted that the chair appoint 
a committee to revise the present constitution. 
Eld. J. H. Waggoner, S. Brownsberger, and Eld. 
J. D. Rice were afterward appointed as such com-
mittee. 
Meeting adjourned to call of the chair. 
FIFTH MEETING, SEPT. 16, 9 A. M. 
Prayer by Eld. G. W. Colcord. In the absence 
of the Secretary, Eld. Colcord was chosen Secre-
tary pro tem. The reading of the minutes of 
previous meeting was waived. The Committee 
on Resolutions continued their report as follows: 
WHEREAS, The canvassing work is an efficient means 
of getting the truth before the people, and of giving an 
experience which is an aid to effective service in other 
branches of the work; and 
WHEREAS, Certain valuable works, such as " Thoughts 
on Daniel and the Revelation," and the picture, " Way 
of Life," have been prepared to use in canvassing; there-
fore 
Resolved (6), That we recommend that those of our 
brethren and sisters who have had success in the past, 
and others of financial ability who feel a duty in this 
direction, and who may be recommended by those who 
have charge of this work, improve their talents by giv-
ing themselves to the work. 
Resolved (7), That it is with great pleasure that we 
have welcomed to this meeting Eld. G. W. Colcord, Pres-
ident of the Upper Columbia Conference, and that we 
recommend that this Conference send visitors to the 
other Conferences west of the Rocky Mountains, and 
cordially invite those Conferences to send their repre-
sentatives to our annual meetings, believing that such 
an interchange will be of mutual benefit. 
Resolved (8), That, while we heartily indorse Bible-
readings, and consider that they may be made of great 
benefit to the cause, we would not lose sight of the ne-
cessity of maintaining order in the cause of God; and 
recommend that all who wish to engage in this branch 
of the work go out under the sanction of the Conference, 
and not otherwise. 
These resolutions were adopted. Number six 
was spoken to by Eld. S. N. Haskell, W. C. White, 
and C. A. Cary. Number seven was also.spoken 
SEPTEMBER 27, 1883. �THE SIGNS OF TI-I 
HA TIMES. �
429 
to. It was thought consistent with the resolu-
tion that where a church could recommend per-
sons they would be free to work in the church and 
vicinity. 
The Nominating Committee then made the fol-
lowing report: For President, Eld. S. N. Haskell; 
Secretary, Dr. E. J. Waggoner; Treasurer, Pacific 
Press; Executive Committee—Eld. S. N. Haskell, 
Eld. �
. C. Israel, W. C. White. Eld. Haskell 
stated that his labors in California have been very 
pleasant, and that he has become much attached 
to the brethren here; yet duties in the East will 
doubtless require his attention more in the year 
to come than in the past. The persons recom-
mended by the committee were duly elected. It 
was voted to drop the Red Bluff church from the 
minutes of this Conference, and to advise the 
members of said body to unite with other churches. 
Adjourned to call of the chair. 
SIXTH MEETING, SEPT. 17, 3:30 P. M. 
Prayer by Eld. G. D. Ballou. Minutes of the 
two previous meetings read and approved. The 
Committee on Credentials and Licenses reported 
the following for credentials: Elders W. M. Hea-
ley, M. C. Israel, E. A. Briggs, J. D. Rice, G. D. 
Ballou, John Judson, Sanford Rogers, J. H. Wag-
goner. It was voted that they receive creden-
tials. Those reported for ministerial licenses were 
as follows: W. P. Burke, Wm. Ings, E. J. Wag-
goner, N. C. McClure, A. Brorsen, W. G. Buckner, 
Isaac Morrison. It was voted that these receive 
licenses, except E. J. Waggoner, who was recom-
mended by the President for ordination and cre-
dentials. A motion to this effect was made and 
supported. Brn. Myers, White, Stockton, and 
Gardner spoke, favoring the motion, which was 
carried. In addition to the action of the dele-
gates the congregation favored the same by a 
unanimous vote. 
The following persons were named for colpor-
teurs' licenses: Mrs. F. L. McClure, H. C. Palmer, 
Mrs. E. J. Howard, L. A. Scott. The cases of 
Henry Reick and others came up, and it was 
recommended that they attend the school if their 
circumstances would admit of it. The matter of 
granting them licenses was therefore left with the 
Conference Committee. 
Eld. Haskell spoke of the benefit to be received 
from the $25,000 endowment fund, the interest of 
which is to be applied in educating worthy per-
sons for the work. Bro. A. La Rue spoke of his 
desire and feeling in regard to laboring in the 
Sandwich Islands, where he formerly resided for 
some time. These islands were favorably re-
garded as a missionary field by several who spoke 
on the subject. Already a number there have be-
come interested in the truth, and some have em-
braced it. It was moved that this matter be re-
ferred to the Conference Committee and the coun-
cil of ministers, and that they take action before 
leaving the ground. 
The chairman spoke of the necessity of trustees 
being chosen for the $25,000 fund. It was moved 
that a special board of three trustees be appointed 
to look after this matter. The chair suggested the 
names of Wm. Butcher, W. C. White, and Ruel 
Stickney, who were elected. It was stated by 
the chair that the duty of these trustees will be to 
see that the wishes of the donors to the fund are 
carried out. W. C. White made a motion recom-
mending that the chair, Eld. Waggoner, and Eld. 
Rice define in writing te duties, time in office, etc., 
of this board. This was favored by an affirmative 
vote. 
The Committee on Resolutions presented the 
following, which were adopted:— • 
WHEREAS, At this important time the cause of God 
is greatly in need of experienced men to manage its fi-
nancial interests,—men who have made a success in 
business, and have acquired a competency, and 
WHEREAS, There are among us men of this class who 
fear God; therefore 
Resolved (9), That in the mind of this Conference it 
is the duty of such men to arrange their business so as 
to connect with the business interests of this work. 
Resolved (10), That we think it would be for the in-
terest of the cause for Bro. Ruel Stickney to so situate 
himself that we could have his counsel in our business 
mettings, and we therefore invite him to locate as soon 
as possible in the vicinity of Oakland. 
Resolved (11), That we hereby acknowledge our ob-
ligations as a Conference to the South Pacific Coast Rail-
road, also to the San Francisco and North Pacific Rail-
road, for the generous reduction of fare granted to all 
those attending the camp-meeting, for carrying extra 
baggage free of charge, and for their uniform kindness 
extended to our people. 
Resolved (12), That we have highly appreciated these 
grounds, so well shaded, and containing so many con- 
veniences for a camp-meeting, and that we extend to the 
Santa Clara County Agricultural Association our sin-
cere thanks for the free use of the same. 
Eld. Waggoner moved that a vote of thanks be 
extended to the San Jose Mercury for the liberal 
space given to the camp-meeting reports. Car-
ried. 
Eld. S. N. Haskell, W. C. White, and Eld. J. D. 
Rice were elected delegates to the General Con-
ference. Minutes read and approved. 
Meeting adjourned sine die. 
S. N. HASKELL, Pre& 
BARBARA C. RICE, Sec. 
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. 
At a council of the ministers and licentiates, held 
September 17, to decide in reference to future 
labor, the following plans were recommended:— 
Elder W. M. Healey to remain in San Jose to 
complete the organization of the church, and take 
immediate steps toward building a meeting-house. 
Also to hold tent-meetings in the surrounding 
country as the way may open. Brethren W. P. 
Burke and Isaac Morrison to assist in the work. 
Elder G. D. Ballou to follow up his work in Hum-
boldt County, to be assisted ' in the missionary 
work by Brother A. W. Everts. 
Elder E. A. Briggs to return to his field of la-
bor in Los Angeles County. Elder John Judson 
was requested to join him in the work: 
Elder J. D. Rice and wife to stop in Nevada on 
their way to the General Conference, if' they can 
so arrange their work here as to make it possible. 
Elder M. C. Israel and Wm. Ings to visit the 
churches, holding Bible-readings on the most 
necessary points of faith, uniting such others with 
them in their labors as would probably develop 
into efficient workers. Brethren Wm. Butcher 
and S. McElhany were recommended to connect 
with them in this work. 
Brethren L. A. Scott and A. La Rue to prepare 
to go to the Sandwich Islands. That they first 
get an experience in holding Bible-readings, and 
also in the ship work, by connecting with the 
Mission in San Francisco for a few weeks. 
In answer to the call for help in Fresno and sur-
rounding churches it was thought that labor put 
forth just before the spring camp-meeting would 
be more effectual than now. 
It was the sense of the meeting that Los An-
geles is the proper place to hold the southern 
camp-meeting next spring. �
J. D. RICE, Sec. 
The Vermont Camp-Meeting. 
THIS meeting was held at Prospect Park, a 
place formerly used for a fair ground, about two 
miles from Montpelier. 
The attendance of the friends of the cause was 
about the same as in former years, upwards of 
200 camping on the ground, and the churches 
throughout the State were well represented. Be-
sides the ministers and the licentiates of the Con-
ference, there were present Elder G. I. Butler, 
Sister White and the writer. Brother Boynton 
was also present and took charge of' the canvass-
ing work. 
Sister White endured the labor at the New 
Englang camp-meeting well, and coming on with 
us here she was able to bear her testimony in her 
usual clear and pointed style. She gave four dis-
courses, had good freedom, and seemingly with-
out much weariness. The rest of the preaching 
was done by Elder Butler and the writer. 
The principal burden in all the preaching serv-
ices and social meetings was to impress the people 
to come up to a higher standard of piety and de-
votion to the cause of God. Much was said to 
show the wants of the cause, and to urge young 
men and women to give themselves to the work 
and help bear the burdens. 
Brother Boynton was active in his branch of 
the work, and infused such a spirit of zeal and 
energy into the hearts of those who attended his 
classes that some ten or twelve who had never 
canvassed any resolved to enter the field, and six 
who had worked some, determined to put forth 
greater efforts. 
The special seasons for seeking God on Sabbath 
and Monday were crowned with some success. 
The Lord came near and the tender spirit gave 
evidence of consecration of heart to God. A few 
made a start for the first time, and on Monday 
went forward in baptism. There were eight bap-
tized, and it was a solemn and affecting scene. 
On Monday morning Brother Butler presented 
the wants of the Missions in Europe, and of the 
International Tract Society. This theme, which 
is always inspiring, raised the spirit of the meet-
ing, and when the friends were called upon, in a 
short time, pledges were taken amounting to up-
wards of $1,200, and about $250 of this was paid. 
The outside attendance on Sunday was not as 
'large as in other places. Those who did come, ex-
cept a few roughs, paid good attention, and some 
were deeply impressed by the truth. One man, 
who has been a minister of the gospel for nearly 
thirty years, the last fourteen of which he was an 
Adventist, came out decidedly on the truth, and at 
our closing meeting, Tuesday morning, declared 
himself determined to keep the Sabbath the re-
mainder of his life. This man is Elder M. Durfey, 
of Worcester, -V t., about six miles north of Mont-
pelier. Thus closed our good meeting in Vermont. 
May God bless the cause there. 
We have just received word by letter from 
Worcester, Mass., that six have started to keep 
the Sabbath as the result of the camp-meeting in 
that place, and some half dozen others are inves-
tigating the subject. No doubt this interest is 
due largely to the thorough canvass made in the 
town and vicinity before the meeting. A strong 
plea for help has come up from that place. 
I. D. VAN HORN. 
The Maine Camp-Meeting. 
THIS meeting was held on. the old ground at 
Waterville, where it had been held five years in 
succession. There were but few present from 
the outside till on Sunday, when nearly one thou-
sand were out to hear Sister White in the after-
noon. 
The meeting began on time, the evening of the 
5th. Sister White arrived the next day about 
noon, in company with one of her sisters. She 
was feeling quite well and cheerful, and ready 
to bear her part in the meeting. All were much 
pleased to see her in her own native State again, 
and her instructions and testimony were well re-
ceived. 
The preaching was similar to that in other 
meetings we have held, and calculated principally 
to inspire zeal and devotion in the hearts of our 
people. Bro. Boynton took up the canvassing 
work, and, before our camp-meeting closed, some 
twenty-five or thirty resolved to improve their 
talents and make efforts to spread the light of 
truth by this means. 
The social meetings and seasons for seeking 
God were fruitful of some good. A few moved 
forward for the first time, and many who were 
backslidden returned and sought the Lord for a 
new experience. Some victories were gained, 
and determinations were made to reach a higher 
moral standard. 
The business meetings moved off harmoniously. 
Bro. Goodrich was re-elected President of the 
Conference. A good move was made toward the 
purchase of a large pavilion, to be used in their 
future camp-meetings. Their next meeting, there-
fore, will be held in some other place. This is 
as it should be. The time has come when the 
canvass of towns will precede our camp-meetings, 
and then the multitude can be reached by the 
truth. 
Bro. Butler presented the advancing work of 
the Third Angel's Message, and the wants of our 
foreign missions. This inspiring theme created 
a desire to do something for this branch of the 
cause, and in a short time pledges were taken to 
the amount of $681. About $150 of this was paid. 
The people came up to the close of the meeting 
with a good degree of courage and hope in their 
hearts, and go forth to labor more earnestly for 
God and his cause. We all feel that our toils will 
soon be over, and, if faithful, we shall be gathered 
with the saved and enter the kingdom of God. 
Sept. 13, 1883. �
I. D. VAN HORN. 
PATIENCE is a Christian grace that all should 
cultivate. It is not the result of ignorance or 
apathy, but a sweet trust in God and a humble 
reliance on his grace in the midst of trials and 
afflictions. It is necessary to our comfort. 
CHRISTIAN character is not an act, but a proc-
ess; not a sudden creation, but a development. 
It grows and bears fruit like a tree, and like a 
tree it requires patient and unwearied attention. 
GOD hath promised pardon to him that repent-
eth, but he bath not promised repentance to 
him that sinneth. 
430 �
siGN-s �
TEI �
 1-i, TIMES . �
Vol,. 9, No. 36. 
" BETTER be at work," grumbled John Spencer, 
as he passed the minister's house and saw Jennie, 
the minister's daughter, feeding the birds that 
came every day to her window. " My girls have 
something else to do. 111 not give a single cent 
to support such lazy doings." 
" Good morning, Mr. Spencer," said a friendly 
voice. "I want to know how much you will put 
down for Mr. Elder's salary this year? We want 
to increase it to $500 if we can." 
" Not one cent," was his slow, emphatic answer. 
" Oh! you're jesting, Mr. Spencer," said his good-
humored neighbor. 
"No, I'm in earnest. My girls have something 
better to do than feeding birds. Humph! Do 
you see that!" and he pointed to a window where 
Jenny Elder, the minister's daughter, stood feed-
ing half a dozen birds that flew close to her hand, 
one or two of 'them even lighting on her shoulder. 
" Well; that is be.autiful!' exclaimed Mr. 
Egbert. 
" I think she'd better be at work," replied Mr. 
Spencer, in rather a hard voice. 
Mr. Egbert turned and looked at his neighbor 
in mute surprise. 
" I mean just what I say," added Mr. Spencer. 
" My daughters have no time to waste after that 
fashion, and I can't see that I am under any obliga-
tion to support other people's daughters in idle-
ness." 
" Jenny Elder is no idle girl," said Mr. Egbert, 
a little warmly. 
" Don't you call that idleness?" • . 
" No, it is both rest and invigoration. The ten 
minutes spent with these birds will sweeten her 
life for a whole day. She will hear them twitter-
ing as she goes about her household'duties, and be 
stronger and more cheerful in consequence." 
Mr. Spencer shook his head, but not with the 
emphasis of manner shown a little while before. 
A new thought had come to his mind. A bird had 
flown in through a window of his own soul. 
" Work, work, work, every hour and every 
minute of the day," said Mr. Egbert, " is not best 
for any one—not best for Jenny Elder, nor for 
your daughters, nor mine." 
" Nobody says it is," replied Mr. Spencer. 
" But—but—" His thoughts were not very clear, 
and so he hesitated. 
" The rest that gives to the mind a cheerful tone, 
that makes it stronger and healthier, is true rest; �
And then, as if a window had been opened in 
because it includes refreshment and invigoration." his soul, a whole flood of now ideas and thoughts 
"Nobody denies that," replied Mr. Spencer. �
came in upon him, and he saw that the mind had 
"And may not Jenny's ten minutes with the needs as well as the body, and that unless these 
birds give her just the refreshment she needs, and were supplied, life would be poor and dreary—
make her stronger for the whole day ? If not just as his life, and the lives of his wife and chil-
stronger, then more cheerful, and you know how dren had for the most part been. 
much comfort to a household one cheerful spirit Mr. Spencer never shut that window, but let 
may bring." �
the birds fly in and out at pleasure. When Mr. 
" You have such a way of putting things," re- Egbert next saw him he received him with joy-
plied the neighbor in a changed voice. " I never ful heart and pleasant smile, and doubled his 
saw it in that light before." �
subscription to the minister's salary.—Selected. 
If we can get down to the heart of things, 
we are all right," was the smiling answer. And �
"For Fun." 
now we want to know how much we may count 
on from you towards Mr. Elder's salary. Open FOUR boys were full of fun; they wanted to 
wide the windows; let just and generous thoughts see the people get a tumble as they came out 
come in." �
of church, so they. stretched a rope across the 
"As much as last year; perhaps more; I'll sidewalk, and hid behind the hedge to " have a 
think over the matter," was replied, �
good laugh." Little Alice came running down 
While sitting at dinner with his family on that the street; she had been carrying a basket of 
day Mr. Spencer broke the constrained silence, fruit and flowers to Aunt Comstock, who was ill; 
the usual accompaniment of their meal, with the and the cheery words spoken by the invalid made 
words:— �
the little girl very happy, so she came hopping 
"I saw a very beautiful sight this morning." and singing along, gay as any bird. The night 
Both the sentence and the-tone in which it was was dark, the street lamps dim and far apart. 
spoken were a surprise. A weight seemed re- The little girl fell. The boys ran away. After 
moved from every one—a shadow fell from each service the people found the rope; they found 
dull countenance. All eyes were fixed in inquiry something else lying near, lying quite still, and 
u on him. �
bore it to the light—poor little Alice ! It was 
p " Jenny Elder at a window, with wild birds long before she opened her eyes again; and then 
feeding from her hands, and sitting on her it was only to know she could not skip about 
shoulders," added Mr. Spencer. �
any more, could never even sit in her cosy chair; 
" Oh, yes; I've seen it often," 
 said Margaret, but must lie on her couch all the years of her life. 
his oldest daughter, a light breaking over her Just for fun Johnny and Charlie wanted a 
face. " Jenny is so good and sweet that even the laugh. "Girls are such sillies, you know !" 
birds love her. I wish they would come to my Johnny made a dough face and put it on Charlie, 
window." �
wrapped him in a sheet, and bid him behind the tall 
" You must ask Jenny her secret," said the old clock on the stairs. Dear little Mamie came 
father, with a gentleness in his voice that was down the the long corridor bushing Dollie in her 
such a surprise to Margaret that she looked at arms. An awful groan and a flourish of white 
her father in astonishment. Mr. Spencer noticed from out the shadows !—a shriek, a flying figure, 
and understood the meaning of her look. He and a fall ! The boys had their fun, but Johnny 
felt it as a revelation and rebuke. �
has no sister now. Some young men in college 
The dead. silence soon passed away. First one "must have some fun, you know," so they pin-
tongue and then another was unloosed; and in a ioned, a companion and poured brandy down his 
little while the whole family were in pleasant throat. A few hours later this telegram went 
conversation—a thing so unusual at meal-time flashing over the wires into a peaceful home: 
that each member of the family noted the fact in " Come at once, your son is dead." To-day those 
a kind of bewildered surprise. �
boys are wanderers over the face of the earth; 
Mr. Spencer opened the windows of his soul still behind them is a desolate home and an early 
wider, and let the singing birds come in. All the grave—" all for a little fun !" Five or six idle 
hours of that day he pondered the new ideas sug- boys wanted a " jolly time," so they caught a lit-
gested by Mr. Egbert, and the more he considere tle homeless dog, saturated its matted and tangled 
them the clearer it became that there was a hair with kerosene, then applied a lighted match• 
better way to secure the happiness of himself and In a moment the poor creature was in a blaze. 
family than the hard and narrow one he had been With cries of 'agony it ran hither and thither 
pursuing. Minds needed something as well as —oh, how the boys laughed !—then rushed into 
bodies. Tastes and feelings had their especial the open barn and hid beneath the closely packed 
needs. Soul hunger must be attended to and hay. In a moment all was ablaze, and before 
satisfied. 
assistance could arrive, barn, house, and the en-
As he came home from his shop that evening be tire contents were destroyed. The boys had 
passed a store the windows of which were filled their fun; mamma and the little ones were left 
with cages of singing birds; and as his eyes homeless.—Ex. 
rested on them he remembered how often he had 
heard Margaret wish for a canary, and how he had How BIRDS LEARN TO SING.—A wren built her 
as often said: "Nonsense; you've got something nest in a box on a New Jersey farm. The occu-
better to do than wasting your time with birds." pants of the farm-house saw the mother teaching 
But Mr. Spencer saw things in a different light her young to sing. She sat in front of them 
now. �
and sang her whole song very distinctly. One o 
" She shall have a bird," he said, speaking to the young attempted to imitate her. After pro 
himself, and turned into the store. �
ceeding through a few notes its voice broke, and 
." Oh, father! not for me ? " �
it lost the tune. The mother recommenced where 
Mr. Spencer was taken by surprise at the sud- the young one had failed, and went very distinctly 
den outburst of delight that came from Margaret, through with the remainder. The young bird 
when she understood that he had really bought made a second attempt, commencing where it had 
her the bird. Tears filled her eyes. She threw ceased before and continuing the song as long as 
her arms around his neck and kissed him. �it was able, and when the notes were again lost 
" It was so kind of you--and I wanted a bird the mother began where it had stopped and corn- 
so much! " she said. " Oh, I'll be so good, and pleted it. Then the young one resumed the tune, 
do everything for you I can." �
and finished it. This done, the mother sang 
What a sweet feeling ,warmed the heart of Mr. over the whole series of notes the second time 
Spencer through and through. The delight of with great precision, and again a young one 
this moment was greater than anything he re- attempted to follow her. The wren pursued the 
membered to have experienced for years. �same course with this one as with the first, and so 
" I am glad my little present gave you so much with the third and fourth, until each of the birds 
pleasure, my daughter," he answered, subduing became a perfect songster.—Selected. 
his voice that he might not betray too much of �
• � 
what he felt. " It's a good singer, the man said." �
UNLESS a man has trained himself for his chance 
" It's a beauty! " returned Margaret, feasting the chance will only make him ridiculous. A 
her eyes on the pretty bird; " and I'll love it if great occasion is worth to a man exactly what 
it doesn't sing a note." �
his antecedents have enabled him to make of it.— 
" Such a little thing to give so much pleasure!" Wen. Matthews. 
Mr. Spencer said to himself as he sat and pon- 
dered this new phase of life. And to his thoughts REAL glory springs from the silent conquest 
came this reply: " A cup of water is a little thing, of ourselves; and without that the conqueror is 
but to thirsty lips it is sweeter than nectar." �
naught but the first slave. 
he wine circle. 
T}LE DREAMER. 
 
ALL day the white-haired woman sits 
Beside the open door and knits; 
No living thing her dim eye sees, 
As busy with old memories 
She dreams her dreams of what has been, 
And knits her old time fancies in. 
She thinks of those who long ago 
Went out across the threshold low; 
How many times her listening ear 
Had thought familiar footsteps near, 
And when she started up to find 
A dead leaf rustling in the wind; 
But never as of those who lie 
Beneath the wide and tender sky, 
With folded hands and quiet breast 
All wrapped about with pe tce and rest. 
She thinks of them. For her they tread 
The green earth with her. None are dead. 
Though years have fallen like the leaves 
About the graves where summer weaves 
Her grass-fringed coverlet, to keep 
Safe hid from all the ones asleep, 
She sees them all. No grass nor mold 
Can hide the ones she loved of old. �
• 
She talks with them. When brown-winged bee 
Makes merry in the locust tree, 
She thinks he comes and sits with her, 
Whose voice was love's interpreter. 
0 dreamer ! young again to-day, 
What matter if your hair is gray ? 
Sometimes she thinks that round her knee 
Her children play in happy glee. 
And when they tirAl and sleepy grow, 
She sings some songs of long ago, 
And on her lovingmother'sbreast 
She rocks the little ones to rest. 
O dreamer ! knitting all the day 
Your dreams in with your stitches gray, 
Yours is a happy, happy heart—
A haunted n orld from ours apart—
The years that turn your tresses gray 
Have given you back your youth to-day. 
—Selected. 
Birds at the Window. 
—Near Kaufman, Texas, on the 21st inst., Jam 
Fields shot and killed his brother, as the result. 
whisky and au old quarrel. 
—The Telegraph informs us that an " old-fashioned 
thunder-storm'
, 
 visited San Bernardino on the 20th inst., 
with a heavy shower of rain. 
—Dr. Foye, of the San Francisco Small-pox Hospital, 
reports to the Board of Health that he has nineteen 
patients, all of whom are lepers. 
—The State of Kentucky has erected a marble statue 
of ex-President Zachary Taylor, at the old homestead, 
on a monument thirty feet high. 
—Destructive forest fires are reported on the Colum-
bia River, near Rooster Rock, Oregt n; also in the 
mountains back of Vancouver, W. T. 
Articles of incorporation of the International 
Northern Telegraph Company have been filled in New 
York, with a capital stock of $5,000,000. 
—It is said the abolition of the tax on matches is 
.driving the manufacturers of poor stcck out of the busi 
ness, owing to the cheapness of good brands. 
—Popular demonstrations in China are demanding 
the abdication of the Emperor, who is said to be lack-
ing in energy commensurate with the times. 
—The bark Britannia was wrecked off the coast of 
Nova Scotia last week and thirteen lives lost. They 
were exposed to a fearful storm nearly two days. 
es 
of 
SEPTEMBER 27, 1883., �THE SIGNS OF TTHEE TIM Hlg® �
431 
—Telegraphic connection between the United States 
and Brazil has been opened via Galveston, Texas, and 
congratulatory messages passed by the President and 
Emperor. 
—Italy is having some socialistic experience, as well 
as other countries. In Ravenna they are making de-
mands for reform in the usual way. The leaders were 
arrested. 
—There is now considerable stir in scientific circles 
over the reported finding of Noah's ark. There is one 
thing certain, it would be rather a difficult article to 
counterfeit. 
—The Secret Service Bureau has in possession a five-
dollar note of the Irish Republic, recently reported in 
circulation. It is said to be a fair imitation of a U. S. 
treasury note. 
—The American mercantile marine has been notified 
by French authorities that all vessels carrying war ma- 
terials to Tonquin will be capture �
rrivateers by 
the French navy. 
—The Apaches are committing depredations in Ari-
zona again—the last being the murder of a stock man 
near Tombstone. There are 1,100 braves absent from 
San Carlos reservation. 
—It is reported that the American Minister to China 
has joined, with the English representatives in urging 
the Chinese Government to come to an understanding 
with France in regard to Tonquin. 
—From Alaska are reports of very rich placer gold 
diggings—even to $150 a day per man, but the working 
season is very short. The salmon fisheries are also 
reported as doing a flourishing business. 
—A dreadful boiler explosion took place in the Sligo 
Iron Works, Pittsburg, on the 20th inst. Seven deaths 
are reported, with a long list of wounded, while several 
buildings in the vicinity were set on fire. 
—A difficulty has arisen at El -Paso between the 
police authorities and the Mexican Consul regarding 
the extradition of prisoners across the line. . The Con-
sul is said to have treated the police with insolence. 
—A lady in San Francisco claims to be the wife of 
Senator Sharon, and has published a document purport-
ing to be the marriage contract entered into privately. 
The Senator, on the contrary, pronounces it a forgery. 
—Rev. James Kemlo, of Newark, N. J., quarreled 
with his wife last week, plunged a knife into her throat, 
then drew it across his own throat, and jumped out of 
a four-story window. Neither of them are expected to 
live. 
-- The Postmaster-General is determined to carry out 
in full the .law denying mail facilities to lottery con-
cerns. There are only three States in the Union where 
lotteries are permitted—Kentucky, Louisiana, and Col-
orado. 
—The Central Pacific Railroad Co. has preferred 
charges of misdemeanor against Freight Conductor 
Thompson, who it is alleged was responsible for the 
collision of his train with the overland express near this 
city, a week ago. 
—There is a revival of war talk in Europe, and 
although there has been considerable hobnobbing among 
the crowned heads, and expressions of good feeling, 
those who claim to know, maintain that great uneasi-
ness prevails, and prognostications are rife as to pend-
ing complications be oveen Russia and Austria. 
—The yellow fever is said to be much worse in Guay-
mas, Mazatlan, and Hermosillo than at first reported. 
Two thousand persons are reported stricken at Gauymas. 
There is a strict quarantine against its introduction to 
this State by water, but none against it overland, and 
fears are entertained that it may reach us in this way. 
—A Stockton dispatch says that the largest crowd 
was in town that ever visited a fair in that place. After 
stating that the race-track is in excellent condition; that 
every stall at the track is full; that in the pools for a four-
year-old race, a certain horse is first choice at $30.00, 
etc., there comes in the startling announcement that 
" gambling will be prohibited." 
Religious Notes. 
—A Convention of all the different sects of Open 
Communion Baptists is to be held this fall at Minneapo-
lis, Minn. 
—The New York City Mission of the Bible House 
reports for August, 41 city missionaries, 311 meetings, 
51,250 attendence, 50,500 tracts distribut:d, 5,687 visits 
made, 139 temperance pledges obtained, and 310 fam-
ilies relieved. The receipts were $1,236, and the pay-
ments $3,846. 
—It is said that no less than fifteen churches have 
been added during the past year to those already in the 
city of Minneapolis, Minn., which are distributed as 
follows. Presbyterian, one; Unitarian, one; Universal-
list, one; Roman Catholic, one; Baptist, two; Methodist, 
three; Congregational, four. 
—The colored people of New York and Brooklyn are 
trying to raise money to build a church at San Domingo 
for their own people. At present there is not a Protes-
tant church in the city of San Domingo. The Govern-
ment will donate a suitable spot of ground as soon as 
the funds are secured for the building. 
—The following is the work of colporteurs of the Cal-
ifornia Bible Society during the year: Families visited, 
2,910; found destitute, including Roman Catholics, 1,287; 
families supplied, 289, including 161 Roman Catholics; 
individuals visited, 1,687; supplied, 505. Of the individ-
uals visited 682 were sailors of whom 232 were supplied 
with the Scriptures in six languages. Thirty ships and 
other sailing vessels were visited, and the Word of God 
distributed in eight languages during the month. 
—All the different branches of the Methodist Church 
in Canada have now united, so th t henceforth in Can-
ada there will be but one body. The Christian at Work 
thinks that this should stir up the Methodists and Pres-
byterians of our own country, "to say nothing of the 
development of a union feeling which shall bring still 
closer together the various denominations now dis-
severed," and predicts that the time will come when 
" the pulpit hedges and the communion fences are over-
thrown." 
—The following item from the Christian at Work 
will be read with interest by the readers of the SIGNS, 
whose attention has been of late especially called to the 
Waldenses: " Many . years ago a colony of Vaudois emi-
grated to South America, and finally settled in the 
Argentine Republic. They have, amid all their vicissi-
tudes, remained true to the faith of their fathers. The 
church at home has allotted to them two pastors. Their 
industry and independent efforts for the education of 
their children, and general good behavior, attracted 
the attention of the President of the Republic under 
which they live. He has lately paid them a visit, and 
expressed himself much pleased with these model citi-
zens." 
—The Rev. Phillips Brooks, of Boston, has been 
preaching in England, while on his vacation, and is 
considered one of the most eloquent pulpit orators ever 
heard in that country. The people of Geneva, Switzer- 
land, however, were deprived of the privilege of hearing 
him, which misfortune happened on this wise, as related 
by the Times, of that city: "The combined vestries of 
the American and English churches could not furnish a 
surplice to fit him, and the reverend gentleman was 
obliged to forego his intention of preaching because the 
longest surplice to be found was an inch to short." As 
the Examiner says, It is a case of no gown, no gospel. 
The reverend gentleman would modify the charge to go 
into all the world and preach the gospel to every crea-
ture, by adding, " providing you can find a gown large 
enough." 
News and Notes. 
—The French army in Tonquin met with defeat 
near Harphong. 
—The 575th anniversary of Swiss independence was 
celebrated at Petaluma on the 20th inst. 
—The Philadelphia Mint has been authorized to 
purchase 50,000 ounces of silver for coining into dimes. 
—Clifton, Arizona, is said to be so infested with roughs 
that the local authorities are unable to preserve order. 
—Seattle, W. T., spent over $10,000 in a jubilation 
in honor of President Villard of the Northern Pacific 
Railroad. 
—The President of the Northern Pacific Railroad 
Company has declined to extend the line from Portland 
to Astoria. 
—The price of the New York Times has been re-
duced from four to two cents per copy, and the Tribune 
to three .cents. 
—A blind man recently killed a blind companion at 
Hongkong, in a quarrel, and was sentenced to penal 
servitude for life. 
—Chinese sailors have asked the privilege of going 
ashore at New York and other cities, but have been 
denied under the treaty. 
—The Mexican Central Railroad is progressing rap-
idly, and it is expected will be completed and in full 
operation by next summer. 
—Judge Donohue, of the Supreme Court of New 
York, has annulled a marriage contract wherein the 
groom was compelled to take the bride as his wife by 
the threats of her father and brother to shoot him. 
—Sacramento County has three murderers awaiting 
execution. They have all made appeal to the Supreme 
Court, and the sentences have been affirmed, leaving no 
chance for escape but the Governot's pardon, which is not 
expected. 
—The Dakota Constitutional Convention has com-
pleted its work, and upon adjourning, adopted a resolu-
tion to submit any additional measure to a vote of the 
people upon petition of 5,000 voters, and upon a major-
ity vote in favor, the measure shall be incorporated in 
the Constitution. 
—Adolph Hartman, for thirteen years cashier of the 
Humboldt Savings and Loan Society, San Francisco, 
committed suicide last Saturday. He had been 'guilty 
of systematic peculations from deposits for a long 
time; and finally became desperate over the pr,_babil-
ities of detection. 
—Another relief party will probably be sent to the 
Arctic regions this fall in search of the missing Greely 
party of explorers. The last relief expedition lost 
both their vessels, and the crews made narrow escapes. 
Even some of the enthusiasts are beginning to despair 
of this Arctic business. 
—Special Treasury Agent Evans has returned from 
Washington Territory, where he has been investigating 
the reports as to the smuggling of Chinese from British 
Columbia. He states that he has given much time to 
the investigation, and that he has failed to find evi-
dence that such smuggling is going on. 
—Trouble appears to be brewing between Australia 
and the home government. Lord Derby has condemned 
the project of annexing the South Pacific Islands to 
Australia, and it is feared that his policy will cause 
the flooding of the colonies with French convicts. In 
the Victorian Parliament theie was strong talk of de-
vising ways and means to help themselves. 
—A Galveston, Texas, dispatch of the 18th inst., 
says that a reign of terror prevails throughout the 
county. From the threats and speeches of a few col-
ored persons of bad repute, a general uprising against 
the whites has been feared. The white farmers have 
their families closely guarded, and are securing all the 
ammunition and arms that they can get possession of. 
—European correspondence says that the Austro-
German alliance is directed against Russia and France. 
In the event of war between Germany and France, 
Austria is to maintain an army of neutrality. In the 
event of war between Austria and Russia, Germany is 
to do likewise. If a third party should attack Ger-
many or Austria, the armed neutrality would be con-
verted into active co-operation. 
—A cold-blooded murder was committed in Stockton 
on the 22d inst. Some roughs were passing the house 
of Julius Deitrich, a painter, when one of them made 
some insulting remark to Mrs. Deitrich, who was walk-
ing in front of the house. She called her husband, who 
came out and after some words had passed between him 
and the party, one of them drew a pistol and fired, 
killing him instantly. The murderer was arrested, and 
barely escaped lynching. 
—The new double turreted monitor Monadnock was 
launched at Vallejo on the 18th inst. This new war 
vessel has been built at a private yard, in face of Mare 
Island Navy Yard, and has been on the ways since 
1875. Its length over all is 262 feet, with extreme 
breadth of 551/ feet. depth of hold 14 feet, displace-
ment, 3,977 tons. The side armor is seven inches of 
steel, and the wood embankmant twenty-four inches. 
Including armor, she will cost nearly $2,000,000. 
• 
JONES—Died of consumption and cancer, in Monte-
rey, Mich., Aug. 20, 1883, Orrin B. Jones, aged fifty-
eight years. Bro. Jones was born in Onondaga County, 
N. Y., in 1825. He early removed to Michigan, locating 
first in Marshall, and then in Monterey, where he has 
lived more or less at intervals to the present time. 
When the present truth was preached there in 1857, he 
readily embraced it, and remained one of the staunch-
est of its friends to the close of his life. His ability as 
carpenter and builder was soon called into requisition 
in connection with this cause, commencing with the 
erection of the first brick Office building, after the for-
mation of the Publishing Association, in 1861. He has 
since had charge of the erection of two other brick Of-
fice buildings, the third Battle Creek meeting-house, the 
Sanitarium, and the College, besides many residences 
for the Educational Society and for individuals. Two 
years he spent on the Pacific Coast, having charge of 
the erection of the San Francisco meeting-house, the 
meeting-house in Oakland, Cal., and the Office of Publi-
cation in the latter place. Thoroughness and faithful-
ness characterized all his work, and he was generous 
almost to a fault. Though feeling the affliction of be-
ing deprived of the privilege of active labor, which was 
his delight, yet through all the period of his confine-
ment, commencing last spring, and in all his sufferings 
which at the last were extremiely severe, not an impa-
tient or murmuring word was heard to escape his lips. 
He leaves a wife, two sons, five brothers, and a sister, 
and many to whom he was dear in the ties of Christian 
love, to mc urn his loss. The funeral was attended by 
a large congregation in the meeting-house at Monterey, 
August 22. �
u. S. 
432 �
TI-1 �
SIGNS OF TH �
TIM �
IH4S. �
VoL. 9, No. 36. 
NOTICE. —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 inf or 
mation in regard to them. Persons thus receiving them are not indebted 
to the Office. 
Time of Camp-Meetings. 
INDIANA, Bunker Hill, Miami Co., 
Oct 1-10 
ALABAMA, Choctaw Co. 
" 
4-9 
Missoula, Higginsville, Lafayette Co., 
" 11-16 
KANSAS, Eldorado, Butler Co., 
" 11-21 
THE press' of business following the camp-meeting, 
and our ill-health, compels us to lay over for the pres-
ent answers to questions, replies to letters, and some 
other matters. 
"The Church's Expectation." 
Two very interesting Sabbath-schools were held on 
the camp-ground at San Jose. No special preparation 
had been made, either as regards organization or prepa-
ration of lessons, for the President of the Association 
did not reach the ground until just before the first Sab-
bath, and the hurry of camp-meeting preparations did 
not allow of the usual amount of study; and yet there 
was exhibited a good degree of familiarity with the les-
son, and considerable enthusiasm in the work. We are 
glad to know that the interest in the Sabbath-school 
work in the State is increasing; that the real object of 
the school is being considered,--a thorough understand-
ing of the Bible and the conversion of souls. A spirit 
of liberality is also being fostered, as was shown by the 
class contributions,—nearty fifty dollars. If all the 
schools in the State give as much proportionately 
every Sabbath, they will soon be amply supplied with 
every needed help, and will be able to do something in 
the missionary line. 
A Good Note. 
THE San Francisco Alta says:— 
" The waters of any spring which taste bad are as-
sumed to possess medicinal virtues. If in addition to 
the odious taste there is a villainous smell, the repu-
tation of the springs as a health resort is made at once, 
credulity inducing people to believe that they have 
been benefited by bathing in or drinking from the un-
pleasant flood. But in Idaho they have a " medicinal " 
hot spring which has the property of killing people 
who bathe in it. It has recently claimed two victims, 
who did not live to get out of the water, and the repu-
tation of the locality as a health resort is probably 
irretrievably destroyed. The Silver City Avalanche, 
nevertheless, says that the waters possess strong medi-
cinal qualities.' That is the trouble—they are too 
strong." 
 
There is common-sense truth in this note. We have 
known persons to visit springs, and leave with apparent 
disgust when told that the water was pure and cool. 
We have looked on with wonder, when visiting some 
of the popular resorts, to see a person gulp down a 
pint of water which had such a "villainous smell" 
that we could not bear it near enough t.) our face to 
taste of it. Truly, " there is no accounting for tastes." 
Rather Amusing. 
A METHODIST preacher who evidently feels elated 
with his title of " A. M.," has written a little pamphlet, 
and labelled it with the high-sounding title, " A Check 
on Adventism." If Adventism could be checked by 
such a piece of sophistry, self-contradiction, and self-
esteem, then Adventism ought to be checked; nay, it 
never should have lived. That that book so often con-
tradicts itself is a small matter—very immaterial; but 
it is quite material that it so often contradicts the Bible. 
Now we are not sufficiently egotistical to say we will 
write " A Check on Methodism," but if certain Metho-
dists can be "checked " by an exposure of their incon-
sistencies and folly, then we propose to put a check on 
them. 
We are not disappointed that the California Chris- 
tian Advocate recommends the above work; that is its 
business. And its past course is proof that the very 
title of the book would secure for it the endorsement of 
that paper, no matter how foolish its contents., But we 
are very much surprised that Dr. Stratton sends it off 
with a favorable " Introduction." Our little acquaint-
ance with the Doctor led us to.expect better things of 
him. For his own sake, far more than for our own, we 
regret that he stands sponsor for such a production. 
We can stand it, and bear it complacently, as our read-
ers will doubtless judge when we examine the work. 
�• � 
IT is impossible for a man to write an article or 
preach a sermon of 'any length in favor of the Sunday-
Sabbath, without getting terribly muddled. The Confer-
ence News prints a " Sermon on the Sunday Question," 
in which the writer says: " While yet in the wilderness, 
the man who gathered sticks on Sunday was punished 
with death." Then according to this writer's idea, the 
ancient Jews kept Sunday. Now read the following 
from the same article: " The Sabbath is a perpetual 
institution. Its obligations did not cease, as some would 
have us believe, with the coming of Christ, else he him-
self would not have observed it, nor enjoined its observ-
ance on others, nor sanctioned its change from the 
seventh to the first day of the week." If it be true that 
the Jews kept Sunday, and that a change in the Sab-
bath was made by Christ to the day following that 
which the Jews kept, then Monday is the true " Chris-
ian Sabbath!" Is it not time for another reform move-
ment ? We believe it is, and think that it should take 
the shape of teaching men how to read the Bible. 
$25,000 Wanted. 
names, to raise the sum of $25,000 to be placed under the 
WE, the undersigned, hereby give the sums set to our 
control of trustees chosen at the annual session of the Cali-
fornia Conference. Said sum to be loaned to some of our 
Institutions at 5 per cent., the proceeds of which shall be 
used to assist those who are seeking an education at the 
Healdsburg College, to fill positions in the cause of God. 
Said individuals must be recommended by the Conference 
Committee and the College Faculty. 
$5,000 
William Butcher. �
 
5,000 
Joseph Leininger 
John Morrison. �
 
" Who'll be the next?" 
OUR COUNTRY'S FUTURE FORETOLD. 
THE UNITED STATES IN PROPHECY. 
BY ELD. U. SMITH. 
THIS is a full exposition of a portion of prophecy which applies to our 
own Government, showing the position the United States holds in proph-
ecy, and the part it has to act in the closing scenes of time. 
THE SUNDAY MOVEMENT, 
Which is now attracting such general attention, is thoroughly canvassed, 
and abundant testimony is given to prove that it is fast coming to be the 
ALL-IMPORTANT QUESTION in this country. Facts and statistics are 
largely presented, showing in the most conclusive manner that this Gov-
ernment is the one pointed out in the prophecy quoted. 
200 pp. Bound, 40 cents. Paper covers, 20 cents. 
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. 
A MINE OF INFORMATION. 
HISTORY OF THE SABBATH AND FIRST 
DAY OF THE WEEK. 
BY Eta. J. N. ANDREWS. 
THE Bible record of the Sabbath ; the secular history concerning it ; the 
successive steps by which the change to the first dby was made, and the 
work of restoration, are given in detail. 
EVERY TEXT OF SCRIPTURE concerning the Sabbath is commented 
n at length ; and the COMPLETE TESTIMONY OF THE FATHERS in 
egard to the Sabbath and first day is given. The comparative merits of 
cue seventh and the first-day Sabbaths are fully shown. A copious Index 
sables Vie reader to find any text, or the statement of any historian. 
Should he read by everybody. 528 pp. Price, $1.25. 
Address. SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland. Cal. 
T HE SEVENTH PART OF TIME. 
A SERMON ON THE SABBATH QUESTION. 
W. H. LITTLEjCAIN. 
TIDS is a refutation of the theory that God sanctified simply a seventh 
part of time as the Sabbath, without fixing that time to any definite day. 
The necessity for a 
UNIFORM DAY OF REST, 
Is admitted by nearly all, and is advocated in this book. The author also 
shows that the Creator understood and anticipated this necessity, and 
proves by five different processes of reasoning that the seventh or last 
day of the week, and no other, was in the beginning, arid is now, the 
Sabbath of the Lord. 
32 pp. Price 4 cents; $3.00 per hundred. - 
Address SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. 
HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION. 
By J. H. MERLE D'AUBIGNE. 
This book is indeed a standard in-evangelical literature, and IS SO well 
and favorably known as to need-no description; it is the most complete 
and impartial history of the Reformation extant; and certainly no one 
should need to be urged to seek all the information possible concerning 
the history of one of the greatest revolutions ever effected in human 
affairs. 
Bound in cloth, 5 vols. in one �
 $1.50 
Larger edition, illustrated 
 4.00 
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal. 
TIMME DER WAHRHEIT. 
A GERMAN MONTHLY ILLUSTRATED FAMILY JOURNAL. 
Devoted to the maintenance of practical Christianity and Bible reli-
gion. It is bold and outspoken in its explanation of the prophecies 
and defense of the doctrines of the near coming of our Saviour, and the 
binding obligation of the Law of God. 
Its neat appearance and the beautiful illustrations of many Bible 
subjects secure general favor, while the low price at which it is offered 
places it within the reach of all. 
TERMS, PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. 
TO AMERICAN SUBSCRIBERD. 
Single copy, one year........
50 cents. 
To new subscribers, with Way of Life as premium �
75 cents. 
Five or more copies to one address, for missionary 
work, per copy....
40 cents. 
Ten or more copies. 
�
35 cents 
TO EUROPEAN SUBSCRIBERS. 
Single copy, one year....
70 cents. 
To new subscribers, with premium.... .......... ........$1.0C 
Five or more copies to one address, per copy �
 .. • ..55 cents. 
Ten or more copies, per copy 
�50 cents 
Address REVIEW AND HERALD, or, 
STIMME DER WAHRHEIT, tattle Creek, Mich. 
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES, 
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE 
lissionary Society of Seventh-day Adventists. 
A twelve-page Religious Family Paper, devoted to a discussion of the 
'rophecies, Signs of the Times, Second Coming of Christ, Harmony of the 
,aw and Gospel, with Departments devoted to Temperance, The Home 
.;ircle, the Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-school. 
�
?rice Per Year, �
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In Clubs of five or more copies to one address, to be used in Mis- 
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sionary Work, �
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Address, �
SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal 
—OR— 
REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, 
Nies. Elam!. PALMER, Sec. N. E. Tract 
Michigan. 
Society, South Lancaster, Mass. ELD. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, RAVENS- 
Mits. C. L. BOYD, Salem, Oregon. 
. ton, England. 
wood, Shirley Road, Southamp- 
S. E. WHITEIS, Sec. Nebraska T. and M. Society, Fremont, Neb. 
*ign5 of Ike Einte5. 
OAKLAND, CAL., FIFTH-DAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1883. 
IN the SIGNS of July 26 we published an article 
under the above head, credited to " George duke of 
Manchester." Inquiry has been made as to the cor-
rectness of the credit. Of that we are unable to give 
any information. We took it from a paper> printed a 
number of years ago; we were pleased with the matter, 
and therefore copied it, giving the credit as we found 
it. When it was written, or where it was first pub-
lished, we have no means of ascertaining. 
Battle Creek College. 
UNDER date of .:"_:ept. 14, Eld. J. 0. Corliss writes to 
us, saying: " The school has commenced quite pros-
perously, and with its present corps of managers we 
expect it will soon fill the place in the work its founders 
designed it should." This is a pleasing report. 
Eld. C. reports that he is in very poor health, which 
we much regret. With the present openings in every 
direction, the cause needs all its workers. All who 
love present truth should unitedly and earnestly pray 
the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers. 
A Book for the Scandinavians. 
WE have received a copy of a new book that should 
meet with a large sale among the many Scandinavians 
of this country. We speak understandingly, because it 
was our good fortune to read the manuscript before it 
passed into the hands of the translator. It is from the 
pen of Mrs. E. G. White, and consists of sketches from 
her religious experience, extracts from her writings, and 
lessons from the experience of the Christian church. A 
large portion of the matter was written expressly for 
this book. The attractive style in which the book is 
gotten up will add to the favor with which it will be 
received. It is printed on fine calendered and tinted 
paper, from new type, and is neatly bound, and contains 
nearly 400 pages. There are many English-speaking 
Scandinavians who are familiar with Mrs. White's 
writings, and know their value. These should exert 
themselves to circulate this volume among their coun-
trymen. Price of the book, post-paid, $1.00; with steel 
portrait of author, $1.25. Address SIGNS OF THE TIMES, 
Oakland, Cal., or Review and Herald, Battle Creek, 
Mich. 
F. H. Adams �
 500 
Mrs. Mary Scott �
 500 
A Friend to the Cause �
 800 
1,000