Pee 
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"Behold, I come quickly, and my rewal,.8 �
a me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Rev. 22 : 12. 
14 
VOLUME 8. 
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, FIFTH-DAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1882. 
NUMBER 7. 
•••••••!......1 
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, FOR THE 
S. D. A. MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 
fFor terms, etc., see last page.] 
ONE of the marked features of our time is the 
tendency toward the discussion of the Sabbath 
question. Nor can this subject be treated with 
more indifference in the future than it is at the 
present. Agitation, ceaseless, unrelenting, ex-
cited, and finally, severe, is rendered certain by 
the temper of all the parties to the controversy. 
On the one hand, the friends of Sunday observance 
are dissatisfied with the laxity of the regard which 
is paid it, and are loud in their demands for statu-
tory relief ; denouncing upon the nation the wrath 
of God, in unstinted measure, should their petition 
be set at naught. On the other hand, the enemies 
of the Sabbath institution in all of its phases, are 
becominp• bold in their protestations against a 
legalizaSabbath, as something extremely oppres-
sive and inexpressibly intolerable in its very 
nature. 
In all parts of the country, activity character- 
izes the camps of both these contending hosts. 
Everywhere the elements of strength—hitherto 
unorganized, and inefficient to the accomplishment 
of great results because of that fact—are being 
brought out and employed in effective service. 
Cincinnati, Chicago, New York, Boston, San 
Francisco, in their turn, become the theaters 
where the skirmish lines of future combatants, 
on a larger scale, are brought into occasional 
collision. The ordinary appliances of dinners, 
processions, national and State conventions, city, 
town, and district societies, are rapidly becoming 
the order of the day, while those who are brought 
within the range of their influence are stimulated 
and aroused, on the one hand, by earnest appeals 
to the Bible and religion, and on the other, to 
natural rights, and individual conscience. So far 
has the matter now proceeded, so much has already 
been said, so fully has the contest been opened, 
that retrogression means defeat to either the one 
or the other party. And as to compromise, this 
can never be attained, from the fact that the posi-
tion, from which both parties are now seeking to 
emerge is that of toleration. Why, says the 
ardent advocate of the Sunday law, it is not suffi-
cient that I observe the day of rest with strictness 
and fidelity in my own family. I owe a duty to 
cat *gns .of the Tane.6. 
WE wait for thee, all-glorious One! 
We look for thine appearing; 
We bear thy name, and on the throne 
We see thy presence cheering. 
Faith even now 
Uplifts its brow, 
And sees the Lord descending, 
And with him bliss unending. 
We wait for thee through days forlorn, 
In patient self-denial; 
We know that thou our guilt hast borne 
Upon thy cross of trial. 
And well may we 
Submit with thee 
To bear the cross and love it, 
Until thy hand remove it. 
We wait for thee; already thou 
Hast all our hearts' submission; 
And though the Spirit sees thee now, 
We long for open vision; 
When ours shall be 
Sweet rest with thee, 
And pure, unfading pleasure, 
And life in endless measure. 
Constitutional Amendment. 
6,e itera 1 Articles. 
WE WAIT FOR THEE. 
BY ELD. W. H. LITTLEJOHN. 
the public ; I am a member of a great Common-
wealth, which God treats as a personality, and if 
I do not see to it that the statute laws of the land 
are in harmony with, and enforce the require-
ments of, the law of God, this nation, like all others 
which have ignored their obligations to legalize 
and enforce his will in matters of this nature, will 
be devoted to a ruin for which I shall be account-
able, and in which I shall be a sharer. Moved by 
such considerations as these, his purse is open and 
his labors untiring for the accomplishment of that 
which now appears to him to be in the line of both 
individual interest and religious duty. 
Again, his neighbor across the way being, per-
haps, of the free-thinking order, and an ardent 
admirer of the complete separation of Church and 
State, wonders that he has so long consented to 
that abridgment of his personal liberty which has 
been made by statutory provision, and which has 
hitherto compelled him to surrender much of what 
he calls natural right to the whims and caprices 
of those with whom he differs so widely on all 
questions bearing upon the relation of man to his 
God. Henceforth, says he, I pledge my means, 
my influence, and my untiring effort, to a revolu-
tion which, if need be, shall shake society to its 
very center, rather than to consent to the legal-
ized perpetuation of an institution which requires 
on my part an acknowledgment of a faith which I 
have never held, and of doctrines which I detest. 
Of course, all do not share alike, either in the 
enthusiasm or the animosity which characterizes 
certain individuals when entering upon a conflict 
like the one in question. In every party is found 
more or less of the aggressive and the conservative 
elements. Especially is this true in the incipient 
stages of its history. Some men are necessarily 
more earnest than are others in everything which 
they undertake. Some are bold, headlong, defiant; 
others, cautious, slow, and timid. One class leaps 
to its conclusions first, and looks for its arguments 
afterward ; the other moves circumspectly, and, 
while it gives a general assent to the desirability 
of results, finds a world of trouble in deciding upon 
what means ought to be employed in securing 
them. One is forever foaming because of delay, 
and fears defeatai the result of hesitation while 
the other protesVagainst too rapid and ill con-
sidered action. 
Such is, at present, the condition more especially 
of the positive side of the Sunday movement in this 
country. The strong men and the weak men, the 
resolute men and the undecided men, are strug-
gling for the mastery of the policy in the camp. 
One sort discovers no difficulties in the way of 
immediate and complete success. Lead us to the 
front, say they, our cause is just, and all that is 
necessary to the success is the courage and in-
spiration of battle. But hold, say the others, not 
too fast ; public sentiment is not prepared for the 
issue. And besides, we are not so clear in our 
minds as are you respecting the lengths to which 
this controversy should be carried, and the line of 
argument which ought to be pursued. Why, say 
the first, What need can there be of more delay ? 
Nothing is more manifest than the means which 
we ought to employ for the accomplishment of our 
purpose. Our work is simply that of enforcement. 
Has not God said in so many words, in the deca-
logue, " Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy 
work : but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the 
Lord thy God : in it thou shalt not do any work ? " 
Is not this language explicit ? Is it not a part of 
that law which nearly all Christians acknowledge 
to be binding ? Do we not enforce the observance 
of the remaining commandments by statutory pro-
vision ? And is it not equally clear that this 
should be treated in like manner ? Why delay, 
then ? Why not move upon the enemy's works 
with the inspiring battle-cry of " God in the Con-
stitution ?" Why not at once clamor for the 
amendment of that instrument, and for the pas-
sage of statutes by which the better observance of 
the Christian Sabbath can be secured ? Give us 
these and our victory is won. Our Sunday mails, 
and trains, and travel, and public amu=ements of 
every name and nature, can be removed at a single 
stroke. As a result the nation will stand higher 
in the estimation of God ; and the people, having 
acknowledged his supremacy, will have taken a 
long step in the direction of final renovation and 
conversion. 
But wait, says another, not too fast in matters 
of so great moment. Please bear in mind the fact 
that this contest is to be one of words and argu-
ments. Your danger is that of underrating the 
capacity and intelligence of our opponents. If 
you expect to meet them successfully, it must be 
by a logic which will bear criticism and examina-
tion. As an individual I am by no means certain 
that the- Bible authority for our movement is so 
clear and abundant as you seem to imagine. 
The law which you quote in justification of our 
course is truly a Sabbath law, and its import is 
unmistakable ; but, unfortunately, instead of mak-
ing for our cause, it is diametrically opposed to 
your efforts, and plainly declares that the 
seventh day of /he week is the S,abbath of the 
Lord, whereas you are unmistakably occupying 
before the world a position no less awkward than 
that of insisting that the first, and not the seventh, 
is the one which should be enforced by legal en-
actment. While, therefore, I am in full sympathy 
with the general purposes of this movement, I am 
convinced that, before we shall succeed, we must 
rest it upon a different basis than the fourth com-
mandment. So far as my individual preferences 
go, in order to avoid the difficulties which lie 
along the line of Scripture justification for our con 
duct--I suggest that we rest it upon the broad 
principle of social necessity, relying for our success 
upon the generally conceded fact that rest upon 
one day in seven is indispensable to the well-being 
of individuals and communities. 
But, says a third party, while I agree with you 
in condemning the proposition that the fourth 
commandment, as originally given, furnishes us 
warrant for the observance of the first day of the 
week, I can never consent to the idea of its un-
conditional repeal ; for without it in some form 
we are entirely without a Sabbath law ; a condi-
tion of things which would be deplorable indeed. 
I therefore conclude that that law has been 
brought over into our dispensation, and so far 
changed as to adapt it to the enforcement of the 
observance of the first day of the week, agreeably 
to the example of Christ and the apostles. With 
this view I can safely predict power and triumph 
for the grand scheme upon which we have entered. 
Give us a Sabbath of divine appointment and 
backed by a sacred precept, and victory is cer-
tain. But so sure as we lower the controversy to 
one which is merely corporeal in its nature and 
results, and pecuniary in its considerations, defeat 
is written upon our banners, since you have taken 
from us all the inspiration of the contest, and 
dried up the very springs of our enthusiasm and 
courage. 
What the final result of such discussions will be, 
there is little room for doubt'. That a revolution 
is fairly inaugurated in the minds of the people, 
it is now too late to question. What remains to be 
done, therefore, is simply to execute the "grand 
purpose for which it has been instituted. 
That this cannot be accomplished by a merely 
negative policy, has been illustrated too many 
times in history to require further demonstration. 
Men, having once entered the field of conflict, uni-
versally become less and less scrupulous in regard 
to the means employed to secure the desired ob-
ject. In the primary meetings of a great move-
ment, the voice of the conservative may be listened 
to with attention and respect ; but should he give 
expression to the same prudent counsel upon the 
battle field, when the sword of the enemy is red with 
the blood of his compatriots, his utterances would 
• 
74 �
THE SIGNS OF THE �
VoL. 8, No 7. 
be silenced in a storm of indignation such as would 
threaten his very existence, and consign his name 
to the list of those whose fidelity was at least 
questionable, and whose sympathy with the com-
mon foe was far from being impossible. 
So, likewise, with the half-way men in this in-
cipient struggle, which is about to throw open the 
gates of controversy upon one of those religious 
questions which, above all others, is sure to be 
characterized, first, by uncharitableness, and fin-
ally, by bitter hate and animosity. With each ad-
vancing month, their hold upon the confidence of 
their associates will grow less and less, and the 
counsels of their party will come more and more 
fully under the control of those positive, nervous 
spirits, who are swept along by convictions so 
deep and strong that they will bear down every-
thing before them. 
Nevertheless, candid reader, it is by no means 
certain, that there may not be much of truth in 
the positions assumed by the more moderate men 
in the existing issue. At all events—since we 
have not as yet entered into that impassioned 
state of the public mind from which calm delibera-
tion is banished by the necessity of immediate 
action—let us pause here for a moment, and care-
.fully weigh the correctness of the suggestions 
presented above. 
Is it worth the while to enter the lists in the 
approaching struggle, in order to secure the results 
proposed ? 
I say proposed, because, of course, the result is 
as yet more or less uncertain ; nevertheless, we 
incline to the opinion that the end desired will be-
substantially realized, so far as appearance is con-
cerned. Yet this will not be brought about in a 
moment, nor will it be accomplished without a 
hard fight. It must, from the very necessity of 
the case, be a contest which will *iter, divide, and 
distract families, and which will alienate a large 
portion of the community from the other. But, 
with a united and well-drilled ministry, on the one 
hand, backed by the compact organization of their 
respective churches, and opposed by a hetereo-
geneous mass of discordant elements, there can be 
little doubt as to final success. 
First, then, let us suppose that the policy in-
augurated shall be that of the class represented 
above as desiring to strip the subject of its religious 
garb, and to array it in the habiliments of mere 
policy and temporal considerations. Are the ben- 
efits reasonably to be expected from such a course 
such as would warrant the enthusiasm now man-
ifested by the advocates of the proposed refor-
mation ? 
We believe not. In fine, so certain are we of it, 
that we should not hesitate to predict immediate 
and perfect paralysis to their efforts, so soon as 
they should inscribe this doctrine upon their 
banners. How many of the gentlemen in question 
are really so profoundly interested in the social 
status of the working-man that their zeal in his 
behalf could be wrought up to the point of sacri-
ficing time and money, and of devoting voice and 
pen to the mere work of giving him a septenary 
day of physical rest ? What satisfaction would 
be afforded them by the reflection, that, as the 
result of legal enactment, the carefully-appointed 
police in our great cities should be able to meet 
each other on the boundary lines of their respective 
beats, on the morning of Sunday, with the accus-
tomed salutation, All is quiet ! and cessation from 
labor is complete in all parts of the great metrop-
olis ? Who would highly prize a coerced rest of 
this sort ? What particular gratification would be 
afforded to the religious world, as they gather, in 
their costly churches, by the thought that the 
great mass of the people were quietly sleeping, or 
lazily lounging in the various places of their re-
tirement ? 
Certainly there is nothing in such a state of 
things which offers results sufficiently desirable 
either to reward them for the great sacrifices 
with which it would be necessary that they 
should be purchased, in the first instance, or to 
secure that patient continuance in vigilant per-
severance which would be required to insure the 
perpetuity of an order of things at once so com-
pulsory and so precarious. We say, therefore, that 
to rest the contest upon this issue would be simply 
to falsify the facts. It is not the physical con-
sideration of rest, in any large degree, which ani-
mates the mind and strengthens the resolve of 
those engaged in the newly organized reform. 
No ; there is something behind all this. The in-
forming soul, that which electrifies, stimulates, 
and nerves to action, is the profound conviction 
that this is a religious movement ; that which is 
sought in the honoring of God by the observance 
of a Sabbath such as is found in his word. If this 
be not so, if the higher idea of Christian worship 
as the primary one is not paramount in this 
matter, then the whole thing is a farce, from be-
ginning to end. Not only so ; if what is sought is 
merely the improvement of bodily condition, then 
the plan suggested is, in many cases, far from 
being the best which might be offered. Take, if 
you please, our over-populated cities, with the 
dense masses of human beings who are there 
crowded together, under most unfavorable circum-
stances, many of them perishing for lack of pure 
air, and others pale and sickly for want of ex-
posure to the vivifying rays of the sun, which is 
continually shut out from their gaze by the massive 
piles of masonry by which they are inclosed ; 
who will not say that, leaving the spiritual out of 
consideration, and setting aside the idea of the 
sanctity of the day, it would be a blessing incal-
culably greater for them, should provision be made, 
whereby this should become to them a day of 
recreation, while wandering amid flowers, and 
over hills, and through groves, instead of one in 
which, either from necessity or choice, they should 
still perpetuate the confinement which has already 
nearly proved fatal in their cases ? 
William Miller's Conversion. 
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but knew not of whom. I knew that there was a 
wrong, but knew not how or where to find the 
right. I mourned but without hope.' He con-
tinued in this state of mind for some months, 
feeling that eternal consequences might hang on 
the nature and object of his belief. 
" The anniversary of the battle of Plattsburg—
September 11—was celebrated in all that region, 
for some years with much enthusiasm. In 1816, 
arrangements had been made for its observance, 
by a ball, at Fair Haven. The stirring scenes of 
the late campaign being thus recalle, Captain 
Miller entered into the preparations for the ex-
pected festivities with all the ardor of the soldier. 
In the midst of these, it was announced that Dr. 
B. would preach on the evening previous to the 
ball. In the general gathering to that meeting, 
Captain Miller and his help attended, more from 
curiosity than from other actuating cause.' 
" They left Captain Miller's house in high glee. 
The discourse was from Zech. 2 : 4 : ' Run ! speak 
to this young man !' It was a word in season. 
On their return, Mrs. M. who had remained at 
home, observed a wonderful change in their de-
portment. Their glee was gone, and all were 
deeply thoughtful, and not disposed to converse 
in reply to her questions respecting the meeting, 
the ball, etc. They were entirely incapacitated 
for any part in the festive arrangements. Other 
managers of the ball were equally unfitted for it ; 
and .the result was that it was indefinitely post-
poned. The seriousness extended from family to 
faniily, and in the several neighborhoods in that 
vicinity meetings for prayer and praise took the 
place of mirth and the dance. 
" On the Lord's day following, it devolved on 
Captain Miller, as usual in the minister's absence, 
to read a discourse of the deacons' selection. They 
had chosen one on the Importance of Parental 
Duties. Soon after commencing he was overpow-
ered by the inward struggle of emotion, with 
which the entire congregation deeply sympathized, 
and took his seat. His deistical principles seemed 
an almost insurmountable difficulty with him. 
Soon after, suddenly,' he says, the character of 
a Saviour was vividly impressed upon my mind. It 
seemed that there might be a Being so good and 
compassionate as to himself atone for our trans-
gressions, and thereby save us from suffering the 
penalty of sin. I immediately felt how lovely 
such a being must be ; and imagined that 1 could 
cast myself into the arms of, and trust in the mercy 
of, such a One. But the question arose, How can 
t be proved that such a Being does exist ? Aside 
from the Bible, I found that I could get no 
vidence of the existence of such a Saviour, or 
ven of a future state. I felt that to believe in 
uch a Saviour without evidence would be vision-
ry in the extreme. 
" I saw that the Bible did bring to view just 
uch a Saviour as I needed ; and I was perplexed 
o find how an uninspired book should develop 
rinciples so perfectly adapted to the wants of a 
alien world. I was constrained to admit that the 
criptures must be a revelation from God. They 
ecame my delight ; and in Jesus I found a friend. 
he Saviour became to me the chiefest among ten 
housand ; and the Scriptures which before were 
ark and contradictory, now became the lamp to 
y feet and light to my path. My mind became 
ettled and satisfied. I found the Lord God to be 
a 
 
rock in the midst of the ocean of life. The Bible 
ow became my chief study, and I can truly say 
searched it with great delight. I found the half 
as never told me. I wondered why I had not 
een its beauty and glory before, and marveled 
hat I could have ever rejected it. I found every-
hing revealed that my heart could desire, and a 
emedy for every disease of the soul. I lost all 
aste for other reading, and applied my heart to 
et wisdom from God. 
" Mr. Miller immediately erected the family 
star ; publicly professed his faith in that religion 
hich had been food for his mirth, by connecting 
imself with the little church that he had de-
pised ; opened his house for meetings of prayer ; 
nd became an ornament and pillar in the church, 
nd an aid to both pastor and people. The die 
as cast, and he had taken his stand for life as a 
oldier of the cross, as all who knew him felt as-
ured ; and henceforth the badge of discipleship, 
the church or world, in his family or closet, in-
icated whose he was and whom he served. 
" His pious relations had witnessed with pain 
is former irreligious opinions ; how great were 
sir rejoicings now ! The church favored with 
s liberality, and edified by his reading, but 
"IN 1812, Elisha Miller, an uncle of the subject of 
this memoir, was settled over the church in Low 
Hampton, and a small meetini-house was after-
wards erected. On Mr. Miller's removal to Low 
Hampton, he became a constant attendant, except 
in the absence of the preacher, at that place of 
worship, and contributed liberally to its support. 
His relation to the pastor, and the proximity of 
his house, caused it to become the head-quarters 
of the denomination on extra as well as on ordin-
ary occasions. There the preachers from a dis-
tance found food and shelter • and though fond of 
bantering them on their faith, and making their 
opinions a subject of mirth with his infidel friends, 
they always found a home beneath his roof. 
" In the absence of the pastor, public worship 
was conducted by the deacons, who, as a substitute 
for the sermon, read a printed discourse, usually 
from Proudfoot's Practical Sermons.' Mr. Miller's 
mother noticed that, on such occasions, he was not 
in his seat, and she remonstrated with him. He 
excused his absence on the ground that he was 
not edified by the manner in which the deacons 
read ; and intimated that if he could do the read-
ing, he should always be present. This being 
suggested to those grave officials, they were 
pleased with the idea ; and after that, they se-
lected the sermon as before, but Mr. Miller did the 
reading, although still entertaining deistical senti-
ments. 
The time had now come whe od, by his prov-
idence and grace, was about to interpose to enlist 
the patriotic soldier in another kind of warfare ; 
when, to his mind, so fond of those departments 
of truth which appealed only to reason and sense, 
was to be opened a more inspiring field • when the 
persevering and delighted student of history was 
to see and appreciate the connection between the 
most stirring scenes and mightiest revolutions in 
this world's affairs, and God's great plan of re-
demption, to which all the events of time are made 
subordinate. 
" Detecting himself in an irreverent use of the 
name of God, as before related, he was convicted 
of its sinfulness, and retired to his beautiful grove, 
and there, in meditation on the works of nature 
and Providence, he endeavored to penetrate the 
mystery of the connection between the present 
and a future state of existence. 
" As a farmer, he had had more leisure for read- 
ing ; and he was at an age when the future of 
man's existence will demand a portion of his 
thoughts. He found that his former views gave 
him no assurance of happiness beyond the present 
life. Beyond the grave, all was dark and gloomy. 
To use his own words : ' Annihilation was a cold 
and chilling thought, and accountability was sure 
destruction to all. The heavens were as brass 
over my head, and the earth as iron under my 
feet. Eternity!—what was it 1 And death—why 
was it 7 The more I reasoned the further 1 was 
from demonstration. The more I thought the 
more scattered were my conclusions. I tried to 
stop thinking, but my thoughts would not be con-
trolled. I was truly wretched but I did not under-
stand the cause. I murmured and complained, 
THE KING IN HIS BEAUTY. 
R. F. COTTRELL. 
THE King in his beauty is coming, ere long, 
Prepare ye, prepare ye to meet him! 
To share in his glory, and sing the "new song "— 
Who, who will thus joyously greet him? 
Then wake thee! and haste to arise, 
41ready the day-star is beaming! 
Let slumber depart from thine eyes— 
No time now for indolent dreaming. 
0, get ready! 
The King in his beauty to see! 
He comes not an infant in Bethlehem born, 
He comes not to lie in a manger; 
He comes not again to be treated with scorn, 
He comes not a shelterless stranger; 
He comes not to Gethsemane, 
To weep and sweat blood in the garden; 
He comes not to die on the tree, 
To purchase for rebels a pardon. 
Oh, no! glory, 
Bright glory environs him now! 
With chariots celestial behold him descend, 
With glory ineffable beaming! 
And all the blest angels around him attend, 
In Heaven's bright panopy gleaming. 
The trumpet of God sounds, Arise! 
They wake from their short, dreamless slumber, 
And straightway mount up to the skies, 
A multitude no man can number. 
Shouts of Glory! 
And Victory! now fill the air. 
And now, safely standing upon the glass sea, 
They form the triumphal procession; 
To celebrate duly the grand jubilee, 
Of captives now freed from oppression. 
Then, lift up your heads, 0, ye gates! 
The King in his glory will enter; 
His army victorious waits, 
Fair Zion's redeemed to present her. 
Ope, ye portals! 
The King in his glory comes in! 
Earth's captives now rescued will sorrow no more, 
Nor hunger nor thirst shall annoy them; 
No pain shall afflict them, their sufferings are o'er, 
No sickness nor death shall destroy them. 
But freed from mortality's woes, 
Eternity opens before them; 
Its pleasures are never to close— 
God's glory forever beams o'er them. 
Glory! Glory! 
The King in his beauty is there! 
Habit and the Man. 
How often the remark is heard, " If I had A's 
money, what an amount of good I would do with 
it, and how much better I should know how to 
enjoy it than he does;" or, " If I had B's talent, 
how I would make it tell, instead of frittering it 
away as he does;" or again, " If I bad nothing to 
do all the day in and out, no family cares, like 
Mrs. C, what service I would give to visiting the 
sick and relieving the distressed." Such expres-
sions are so common that they may be said to be 
" always in stock," as certain lines of staple goods 
are at the stores. But there is a very simple test 
of them, and a very sure one. Just ask the one 
using them, What are you doing with your in-
come, whatever it is ? How are you making tell 
the talent God has given you ? How many mo-
ments are you stealing from your limited time 
and manifold cares, that you may do good to 
those who need your thought ? 
The Happiness of Queens. 
THERE is nothing of which we hear oftener than 
this. When we are children our nurses charm us, 
and make us envious with their marvelous stories 
of life in the palaces. Can we ever forget the 
Prince Charming, and what the princess wore—
her dress the color of the sun; how she rode in a 
carriage ornamented all over with big rubies; 
that her scepter was a single diamond, and her 
crown made of stars snatched from heaven. 
Later the Almanach de Gotha recalls these 
golden fables of our infancy, and we see again the 
queens with their blonde hair and bright eyes, 
their ..crowns high upon their; heads, and their 
FEBRUARY 16, 1882. �
SIGNS OF THE TIMES. �
75 
pained by his attacks on their faith, could now 
rejoice with the rejoicing. His infidel friends re-
garded his departure from them as the loss of a 
standard-bearer. And the new convert felt that 
henceforth, wherever he was, he must deport him-
self as a Christian, and perform his whole duty. 
His subsequent history must show how well this 
was done. 
" To the church, his devotion of himself to his 
Master's service was as welcome as his labors were 
efficient. The opposite party, especially the more 
gifted of them, regarded him as a powerful, and 
therefore, desirable, antagonist. He knew the 
strength of both parties. That of the former he 
had often tested, when, in his attacks, though they 
might have been silenced, he had felt that he had 
a bad cause ; and the weakness of the latter had 
been forcibly impressed on him in his fruitless 
efforts to assure himself that they were right. 
He knew all their weak points, and where their 
weapons could be turned against them. They 
were not disposed to yield the ground without a 
struggle, and began their attack on him by using 
the weapons and assailing the points which 
characterized his own former attacks on Chris-
tianity ; and • to this fact, under God, is probably 
owing his subsequent world-wide notoriety.—.Life 
of Miller. 
In other words, What is the habit of your 
heart, the spirit of your life ? That will tell the 
whole story. What you do with the little you 
have of money, and talent, and time, is the sure 
index of what you would do with these if they 
wore suddenly and indefinitely increased. And 
what you do with these, moreover, as God gives 
them to you, is all you will have to answer for. 
It is to be remembered that you have not to 
shoulder the responsibility of A's fortune, B's 
talent, or C's time and opportunity. The servant 
who made right use of the two talents which his 
Lord intrusted to him, received the same recog-
nition for faithfulness as the one that had received 
five. And it would have fared as well with the 
possessor of one, had he but followed the course 
of the others and made the use of it that was in- 
tended. But he belonged to the class who say, 
" If I had been given the five talents, I would 
have made far more of them than di even the 
faithful servant." Whereas, the important truth 
is, that had he been given the five talents, in the 
same spirit he would have buried them, and 
pleaded at last the pitiful story of the hard mas-
ter as his excuse. 
This is indeed a most important truth. It is 
practical, coming close to every Christian's life. 
The simple fact is that the man who, when asked 
to contribute to a charitable or a church object, 
pleads poverty, and in addition says, "If I were 
as well off as Blank now, I would do it with de-
light," would not give though he had Blank's 
wealth ten times over. On the other hand, the 
man who says cheerily, " It's but little I can do, 
but that I will do with all my heart, only wish-
ing it were more," is a philanthropist, and would 
be a great one should he ever find himself face 
to face with great opportunity. 
The question is, then, not what you would do 
with what you have not, but what you actually 
do and are doing with what you have, whether 
of outward possessions or of mind and heart. 
The late Mr. Morgan, who died honored and be-
loved by all who knew him, never would have 
been the philanthropist he was had be waited to 
be benevolent until his fortune was made. He 
began giving in small sums when his means were 
small. The habit of giving was a part of the 
man. The number of his known and larger gifts 
is reckoned, but the constant and smaller liberali-
ties and beneficences that brightened and blessed 
thousands of poor, struggling souls, who shall 
reckon them ? And what was true of him is true 
of all philanthropists whose inner life becomes 
revealed to us. 
It is the same in Christian work. The pastor 
does not come to rely upon those ambitious mem-
bers who are watching for large opportunities, 
and lamenting limited capacity and chance. He 
knows they would not see or be ready for the 
great chance if it came. But he looks to the 
faithful, willing, every-day workers, who have the 
spirit of the Master in all their work, and count 
it all worthy and sacred because it is his service. 
No one can measure to what large work and in-
fluence they may attain; but we know of a surety 
that they are the ones who will attain, because 
always in the line of growth. It was a broad 
law, working itself out in human experience 
everywhere, that Christ formulated when he said, 
" Unto every one that bath shall be given, but 
from him that bath not, even that which ho haih 
shall be taken away from him." No truth can be 
learned that should tell more powerfully on the 
Christian heart, than the blessed truth that God's 
service is one that ever enlarges and enriches by 
faithful performance of it as it comes day by day. 
Let every one do this with what be bath, and 
unto him God shall give, and give abundantly. 
The habit 'of service is the index of the man.—
Examiner and Chronicle. 
great cloaks of velvet trailing from their shoul-
ders. They smile with the smile of tranquil god- 
desses; they are beautiful among the beautiful, 
happy among the happy • before them one bows 
or goes upon his knees; the earth is made sweet 
by the caress of their feet; men only breathe as 
they nod: joy is everywhere about them. 
0 sovereigns! 0 rulers! look what destiny has 
done for you. 
Queen Victoria reached the throne—adorable, 
charming! Crowned at Westminster when just 
sixteen, she married the husband of her choice, 
one of those Coburgs, who were the handsomest 
men of their time. She loved so passionately that 
she poisoned her own life and that of her husband, 
who was a martyr to her idolatry. Her jealous 
imagination saw infidelity everywhere and always; 
ladies once her dear friends became odious to her. 
She drove away the ladies of honor, and at a 
court ball she slapped the face of a pretty girl to 
whom Prince Albert bad addressed a few words. 
A day came when death called this husband, 
so fondly loved, and on that day died also Eng- 
land's queen. The heart had gone out of the 
body of the woman, and nothing was left. 
Everything seemed to have been brusquely torn 
away, and so great was her despair, and so long 
did it last, that, years afterwards, they discussed 
a regency in Parliament. The motion was de-
feated, but after the living corpse of her who had 
been Victoria came from time to time to open 
Parliament, the English, who respect the dynasty, 
lowered themselves before the eternal grief of the 
old woman, for they saw still the crown of the 
queen above the widow's cap. but she never 
smiled save when the name of Prince Albert was 
mentioned. 
The Queen of Belgium has an only son. This 
child of ten years is as sweet and exquisite as a 
cherub. This royal infant is sick. It is night, 
and he suffers, for he burns with fever. He tries 
to smother his cries of pain. The queen, notwith-
standing his agony, worn out with long watching, 
and obeying the supplications of her ladies, re-
tires for a little repose. But she cannot sleep. 
She leaves her bed and returns in haste to her 
son. She approaches softly. The prince appears 
to be soundly sleeping. His breathing is equal 
and easy. The pale face of Maria Henriette 
lightens with happiness. The boy is then saved, 
since he can sleep. She goes out. Then the 
royal baby calls to the doctor. The doctor bends 
over him. " Do not tell mother," he says, " it 
makes her so happy to think that I sleep." 
 
The child will never be a king. To-morrow, in 
the evening, he is dead. 
It is ten years since the Belgian prince is dead, 
and no other child has come to the queen. At 
Brussels they seldom see her. She is always 
with herself. If she goes out she hears nothing, 
sees nothing. Her hair is white. Her dress is 
always black. Her ladies of honor are old and 
ugly, and made still more ugly by the ugly ennui 
of this court in lethargy. No one dare smile 
before the queen, who still weeps, who weeps 
always, and who cries, " For me there is nothing 
more in the world!" 
All alone the Empress of Russia plunges into 
the intoxication of her tears. She knows that 
for a long time the true crown of the empress is 
not that which she wears. She has always with 
her the portrait of the emperor—the likeness of 
the man who loves her no more. 
Margaret of Italy dies slowly with a terrible 
malady. She knows that her days are numbered. 
The Empress Eugenie lies upon the ground 
with the seven spears driven right through her 
heart. Throne, husband, son, beauty—are all 
gone. 
For having touched the crown of Spain, Iwo 
young queens fall as if struck by lightning. The 
duchess of Aosta flies to Italy, and wastes in 
sickness and agony to death. Mercedes, that 
queen of eighteen years, for whom life seemed so 
full, is cold as marble in her tomb. 
Christina of Austria hears nothing but the 
noise of the pistol, sees nothing but the gleam of 
the dagger. 
Maximilian went to Mexico, and paid for his 
ambition with his life. When the grave closed 
over him it held also the world for Carlotta. 
Since then her present is the past. Her brain is 
blinded, and she does not even know that she 
suffers.—From the French. 
To love the creature more than the Creator is idolatry. 
Who, then, is not an idolater? Examine thy heart. 
76 �
271-1E SIGNS OF Till F41 TIM �
Fi]S. �
VoL. 8, No. 7. 
Thoughts on Daniel. 
BY ELD. U. SMITH. 
CHAPTER IX. -THE SEVENTY WEEKS. 
VERSE 22. And he informed ine, and talked with me, and 
said, 0 Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and 
understanding. 23. At the beginning of thy supplications 
the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; 
for thou art greatly beloved ; therefore understand the 
matter, and consider the vision. 
The manner in which Gabriel introduces him-
self on this occasion, shows that he has come to 
complete some unfulfilled mission. It can be 
nothing less than to carry out the instruction to 
make this man " understand the vision," as re-
corded in chapter 8. " I am now come forth to 
give thee skill and understanding." As the charge 
still rested upon him to make Daniel understand ; 
and as he explained to Daniel in chapter 8, all that 
he could then bear, and yet he did not understand 
the vision, he now comes to resume his work and 
complete his mission. As soon as Daniel com-
menced his fervent supplication, the command-
ment came forth ; that is, Gabriel received instruc-
tion to visit Daniel and impart to him the requisite 
information. From the time it takes to read 
Daniel's prayer down to the point at which Ga-
briel made his appearance upon the scene, the 
reader can judge of the speed with which this 
messenger was dispatched from the court of 
Heaven to this servant of God. No wonder 
Daniel says that he was caused to fly swiftly, or 
that Ezekiel compares the movements of these 
celestial beings to a flash of lightning. Eze. 1 : 14. 
" Understand the matter," he says to him. What 
matter ? That, evidently, which he did not before 
understand, as stated in the last verse of chapter 
8. �
" Consider the vision." What vision ? Not 
the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's image, nor 
the vision of chapter 7 ; for there was no difficulty 
with either of these ; but the vision of chapter 8, 
in reference to which his mind was filled with 
doubt and astonishment. " I am come to show 
thee," also, said the angel. Show thee in refer-
ence to what ? Certainly in reference to some-
thing wherein he was entertaining wrong ideas, 
and something, at the same time, pertaining to his 
prayer ; as it was this which had called forth 
Gabriel on his mission at this time. 
But Daniel had no difficulty in understanding 
what the angel told him about the ram, he-goat, 
and little horn, the kingdoms of Medo-Persia, 
Greece, and Rome. Nor was he mistaken in re-
gard to the ending of the seventy years' captivity. 
But the burden of his petition was respecting the 
repairing of the desolations of the sanctuary which 
lay in ruins ; and he had undoubtedly drawn the 
conclusion that when the end of the seventy years' 
captivity came, the time would come for the ful-
fillment of what the angel had said respecting the 
cleansing of the sanctuary at the end of the 2300 
days. Now he must be set right. And this ex-
plains why at this particular time instruction 
should be sent him after a delay of fifteen years. 
Now the seventy years of captivity were drawing 
to their close, and Daniel was applying the in-
struction he had before received from the angel, 
to a wrong issue. He was falling into a misunder-
standing, and was acting upon it ; hence he must 
not be suffered longer to remain ignorant of the 
true import of the former vision. " I am come to 
show thee," " understand the matter," " consider 
the vision." Such were the words used by the very 
person Daniel had seen in the former vision, and 
to whom he had heard the command given, " Make 
this man to understand the vision," and who he 
knew, had never carried out that instruction. 
But now he appears and says, " I am now come 
forth to give thee skill and understanding." How 
could Daniel's mind be more emphatically carried 
back to the vision of chapter 8, and how could the 
connection between that visit of the angel and this 
be more distinctly shown, than by such words 
from such a person ? The considerations already 
presented are sufficient to show conclusively the 
connection between Daniel 8 and 9 ; but this will 
still further appear in subsequent verses. 
One expression seems worthy of notice before 
we leave verse 23. It is the declaration of the 
angel to Daniel, " for thou art greatly beloved." 
The angel brought this declaration direct from 
the courts of Heaven. It expressed the state of 
feeling that existed there in regard to Daniel. 
Think of celestial beings, the highest in the uni-
verse, the Father, the Son, the holy angels, hav-
ing such regard and esteem for a mortal man here 
upon earth, as to authorize an angel to bear the 
message to him that he was greatly beloved ! 
This is one of the highest pinnacles of glory to 
which mortals can attain. Abraham reached an-
other, when it could be said of him that he was 
the " friend of God." Enoch, another, when it 
could be said of him that he " walked with God." 
Can we arrive at any such attainments ? God is 
no respecter of person ; but he is a respecter of 
character. If in virtue and godliness we would 
equal these eminent men, we could move the divine 
love to equal depths. We, too, could be greatly 
beloved, could be friends of God, and could walk 
with him. And we must be in our generation 
what they were in theirs. There is a figure used 
in reference to the last church which denotes the 
closest union with God. " If any man hear my 
voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, 
and will sup with him, and he with me." Rev. 
3 : 20. To sup with the Lord denotes an intimacy, 
equal to being greatly beloved by him, walking 
with him, or being his friend. How desirable a 
position ! Alas for the evils of our nature which 
cut us off from this communion ! Oh ! for grace 
to overcome these, that we may enjoy this spirit-
ual union here, and finally enter the glories of his 
presence at the marriage supper of the Lamb. 
VERSE 24. Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people 
and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to 
make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, 
and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the 
vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy. 
Such are the first words the angel utters to 
Daniel, toward imparting to him that instruction 
which he came to give. Why does he thus ab-
ruptly introduce a period of time ? We must 
again refer to the vision of chapter 8. We have 
seen that Daniel at the close of that chapter says 
that he did not understand the vision. Some 
portions of that vision were at the time very 
clearly explained. It could not have been these 
portions which he did not understand. We there-
fore inquire what it was which Daniel did not 
understand, or, in other words, what part of the 
vision was there left unexplained. In that vision 
four prominent things are brought to view. 1. 
The Ram. 2. The He-goat. 3. The Little Horn. 
4. The period of 2300 days. The symbols of the 
ram, the he-goat, and the little horn were ex-
plained. Nothing, however, was said respecting 
the time. This must therefore have been the 
point which he did not understand. And as with-
out this the other portions of the vision were of 
no avail, he could well say, while the application 
of this period was left in obscurity, that he did 
not understand the vision. 
If this view of the subject is correct, we should 
naturally expect, when the angel completed his 
explanation of the vision, that he would commence 
with the very point which had been omitted, 
namely, the time. And this we find to be true in 
fact. After citing Daniel's attention back to the 
former vision in the most direct and emphatic 
manner, and assuring him that he had now come 
forth to give him understanding in the matter, he 
commences upon the very point there omitted, and 
says, "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy 
people and upon thy holy city." 
But how does this language show any connection 
with the 2300 days, or throw any light upon that 
period ? We answer, The language cannot be in-
telligibly referred to anything else ; for the word 
here rendered determined signifies " cut off ; " 
and there is no period from which the xseventy 
weeks could be cut off, but the 2300 days of the 
previous vision. How direct and natural, then, is 
the connection. Daniel's attention is fixed upon 
the 2300 days, which he did riot understand, by 
the angel's directing him to the former vision ; 
and he says, Seventy weeks are cut off." Cut off 
from what ? The 2300 days most assuredly. 
Proof may be called for that the word rendered 
determined signifies to cut off. An abundance can 
be given. The Hebrew word rendered deter-
mined, is nechtack. This word Gesenius in his 
Hebrew Lexicon, defines as follows : " Properly, to 
cut off ; tropically, to divide ; and so to deter-
mine, to decree." In the Chaldeo-Rabbinic Dic-
tionary of Stockius, the word nechtak is thus de-
fined : " Scidit, abscidit, conscidit, inscidit, exscidit 
—to cut, to cut away, to cut in pieces, to cut or en-
grave, to cut of" Mercerus, in his " Thesaurus," 
furnishes a specimen of Rabbinical usage in the 
phrase, chatikah del basar—" a piece of flesh," or 
" a cut of flesh." He translates the word, as it 
occurs in Dan. 9 : 24, by "pracisa est," was cut of 
In the literal version of Arias Montanus, it is 
translated "decisa est,"—was cut of; in the mar- 
ginal reading which is grammatically correct, it is 
rendered by the plural " decisce sunt"—were cut of 
In the Latin version of Junius and Tremellius, 
nechtak (the passive of chath,ak) is rendered " de-
cisce sunt"—were cut off. Again in Theodotion's 
Greek version of Daniel (which is the version used 
in the Vatican copy of the Septuagint, as being 
the most faithful), it is rendered by sunetmethesan, 
" were cut of;" and in the Venetian copy by tet-
mentai, "have been cut." The idea of cutting of 
is pursued in the Vulgate, where the phrase is 
" abbreviatce sunt," have been shortened. 
" Thus Chaldaic and Rabbinical authority, and 
that of the earliest versions, the Septuagint and 
Vulgate, give the single signification of cutting of 
to this verb." 
" Hengstenberg, who enters into a critical exam-
ination of the original text, says : But the very 
use of the word, which does not elsewhere occur, 
while others, much more frequently used, were at 
hand, if Daniel had wished to express the idea of 
determination, and of which he has elsewhere, and 
even in this portion availed himself, seems to 
argue that the word stands from regard to its ori-
ginal meaning, and represents the seventy weeks 
in contrast with a determination of time (en platei) 
as a period cut off from subsequent duration, and 
accurately limited."—Christology of the Old Testa-
ment, vol. ii, p. 301, Washington, 1839. 
Why then, it may be asked, did our translators 
render the word, determined, when it so obviously 
means cut off? The answer is, They doubtless 
overlooked the connection between the eighth and 
ninth chapters, and considering it improper to 
render it cut off, when nothing was given from 
which the seventy weeks could be cut off, they 
gave the word its tropical instead of its literal 
meaning. But, as we have seen, both the con-
struction and context require the literal meaning, 
and render any other inadmissible. 
Seventy weeks, then, or 490 days of the 2300, 
were cut off upon, or allotted to, Jerusalem and 
the Jews ; and the events which were to be con-
summated within that period are briefly stated. 
The transgression was to be finished. That is, 
the Jewish people were to fill up the cup of their 
iniquity ; which they did in the rejection and 
crucifixion of Christ. An end of sins, or of sin 
offerings was to be made. This took place when 
the great offering was made on Calvary. Recon-
ciliation for iniquity was to be provided. This was 
made by the sacrificial death of the Son of God. 
Everlasting righteousness was to be brought in; 
the righteousness which our Lord manifested in 
his sinless life. The vision and the prophecy were 
to be sealed up, or Made sure. By the events 
given to transpire in the seventy weeks, the pro-
phecy is tested. By this the application of the 
whole vision is determined. If the events of this 
period are accurately fulfilled, the prophecy is of 
God, and will all be accomplished ; and if these sev-
enty weeks are fulfilled as weeks of years, then 
the 2300 days, of which these are a part, are so 
many years. Thus the events of the seventy 
weeks furnish a key to the whole vision. And the 
most holy was to be anointed ; the most holy of 
the heavenly sanctuary. In the examination 
of the sanctuary, on chapter 8 : 14, we saw 
that a time came when the earthly sanctuary gave 
place to the heavenly, and the priestly ministra-
tion was transferred to that. Before the min-
istration in the sanctuary commenced, the sanc-
tuary and all the holy vessels were to be anointed. 
Ex. 40 : 9, 10. The last event, therefore, of the 
seventy weeks, here brought to view, is •the 
anointing of the heavenly tabernacle, or the open-
ing of the ministration there. Thus the first di• 
vision of the 2300 days brings us to the commence-
ment of the service in the first apartment of the 
heavenly sanctuary, as the whole period brings us 
to the commencement of the service of the second. 
We now consider the argument conclusive that 
the ninth chapter of Daniel is connected with the 
eighth, and that the seventy weeks are a part of 
the 2300 days ; and with a few extracts from the 
writings of others we will leave this point. 
The Advent Shield in 1844 said :— 
" We call attention to one fact which shows that there is 
a necessary `connection' between the seventy weeks of the 
ninth chapter, and something else which precedes or follows 
it, called 'the vision.' It is found in the 24th verse : Sev-
enty weeks are determined, are cut off, upon thy people . . 
to seal up the vision,' etc. Now there are but two signifies.-
tions to the phrase 'seal up.' They are, first, to make 
secret,' and second 'to make sure.' We care not now in 
which of these significations the phrase is supposed to be 
used. That is not the point now before us. Let the signifi-
cation be what it may, it shows that the prediction of the 
seventy weeks necessarily relates to something else beyond 
FEBRUARY 16, 1882. �
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES. �
77 
itself called the vision,' in reference to which it performs 
this work, to seal up.' To talk of its sealing up itself is as 
much of an absurdity as to suppose that Josephus was so 
much afraid of the Romans that he refrained from telling the 
world that he thought the fourth kingdom of Daniel was 'the 
kingdom of the Greeks.' It is no more proper to say that the 
ninth chapter of Daniel is complete in itself,' than it would 
be to say that a map which was designed to show the relation 
of Massachusetts to the United States, referred to nothing 
but Massachusetts. It is no more complete in itself than a 
bond given in security for a note, or some other document to 
which it refers, is complete in itself ; and we doubt if there is 
a school-boy of fourteen years in the laud, of ordinary capa-
city, who would not on reading the ninth chapter, with an 
understanding of the clause before us, decide that it referred 
to something distinct from itself, called the vision. What 
vision it is, there is no difficulty in determining. It natur-
ally and obviously refers to the vision which was not fully 
explained to Daniel, and to which Gabriel calls his attention 
in the preceding verse,—the vision of the 8th chapter. Daniel 
tells us that Gabriel was commanded to make him understand 
that vision (8 : 16). This was not fully done at that inter-
view connected with the vision ; he is therefore sent to give 
Daniel the needed skill and understanding,' to explain its 
`meaning' by communicating to him the prediction of the 
seventy weeks." 
" We claim that the ninth of Daniel is an appendix to the 
eighth, and that the seventy weeks and the 2300 days or 
years commence together. Our opponents deny this."—Signs 
of the Times, 1843. 
" The grand principle involved in the interpretation of the 
2300 days of Daniel 8 : 14, is that the seventy weeks of Dan. 
9 : 24, are the first 490 days of the 2300 of the eighth 
chapter."—Advent Shield, p. 49. 
" If the connection between the seventy weeks of Dan. 8, 
does not exist, the whole system is shaken to its foundation; 
if it does exist, as we suppose, the system must .stand."—Har-
mony of Prophetic Chronology, p. 38. 
Says the learned Dr. Hales, in commenting upon 
the seventy weeks, " This chronological prophecy 
was evidently designed to explain the foregoing 
vision, especially in its chronological part of the 
2300 days."--Chrortol., vol. ii, p. 517. 
Zive abbftth -*cited. 
Lesson Notes.—February 25. 
LUKE 12 : 41 TO 13 : 9. 
WHEN Jesus closed his discourse, as recorded in 
the previous lesson, with the exhortation: " Be 
ye therefore ready also; for the Son of man corn-
eth at an hour when ye think not," Peter asked: 
" Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even 
unto all ? " Jesus replied as follows:— 
" And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful 
and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler 
over his household, to give them their portion of 
meat in due season ? Blessed is that servant, 
whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 
Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him 
ruler over all that he hath. But and if that ser-
vant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 
and shall begin to beat the menservants and maid-
ens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 
The lord of that servant will come in a day when 
he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he 
is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will 
appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 
And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and 
prepared not himself, neither did according to his 
will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he 
that knew not, and did commit things worthy of 
stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto 
whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much 
required; and to whom men have committed 
much, of him they will ask the more." 
By this language he showed that the blessing 
was pronounced upon every one who had the light 
and had improved it as a faithful servant; and 
the threat was to those who, as Paul says, " pro-
fess that they know God; but in works they deny 
him." Titus 1 : 16; or to those who, having an 
opportunity to know, rejected the right. Both 
classes are equally guilty. Dr. Clarke has the 
following excellent comment on this passage:— 
" The subject of the 47th and 48th verses has 
been greatly misunderstood, and has been used in 
a very dangerous manner. Many have thought 
that their ignorance of divine things would be a 
sufficient excuse for their crimes; and that they 
might have but few stripes, they voluntarily 'con-
tinued in ignorance. But such persons should 
know that God will judge them for the knowledge 
they might have received, but refused to acquire. 
No criminal is excused, because he has been igno-
rant of the laws of his country, and so trans-
gressed them; when it can be proved that those 
very laws have been published throughout the 
land. Much knowledge is a dangerous thing, if it 
be not improved; as this will greatly aggravate 
the condemnation of its possessor. Nor will it 
avail a person, in the land of light and informa-
tion to be ignorant, as he shall be judged for what 
he might have known, and, perhaps in this case, 
the punishment of this voluntarily ignorant man 
will be even greater than that of the more en-
lightened; because his crimes are aggravated by 
this consideration, that he refused to have the 
light that he might neither be obliged to walk in 
the light, nor account for the possession of it. So 
we find that the plea of ignorance is a mere refuge 
of lies, and none can plead it who has the book 
of God within his reach; and lives in a country 
blessed with the preaching of the gospel of Jesus 
Christ." 
Christ then showed them what would be the 
result of his teaching in the words: " Suppose ye 
that I am come to give peace on earth ? I tell 
you, nay; but rather division." Compare this 
with John 14 : 27, and James 3 : 18. His teaching 
would bring peace to those who would receive it; 
but would produce the opposite effect on those 
who rejected it. The truth, as taught by Christ, 
and seen in the life of his followers, condemns 
evil-doers. No man can live under a continual 
sense of condemnation; and, therefore he will 
endeavor to put away that which condemns him. 
The cases of Pharoah, Judas, and the unbelieving 
Jews are examples of how the same truth may 
produce opposite effects on the minds of different 
individuals. It is not the fault of the truth, that 
divisions come, but of depraved human nature. 
" And he said also to the people, When ye see a 
cloud rise out of the west, straight-way ye say, 
there cometh a shower; and so it is. And when 
ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be 
heat: and it cometh to pass. Ye hypocrites, ye 
can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; 
but how is it that ye do not discern this time ? 
Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not 
that which is right? " Scott remarks upon this: 
" When the people saw a cloud rise in the west, 
from the Mediterranean Sea, they had learned by 
constant observation to expect copious showers; 
and a south wind from off the sultry deserts was 
deemed a sure prognostic of heat. In such mat-
ters they were sagacious; but the exact accom-
plishment of types and prophecies, in the doctrine, 
miracles, and character of Christ, and in the time 
and circumstances of his appearance, did not 
suffice to convince them that he was their prom-
ised Messiah! In this, their hypocritical scribes 
and teachers were most faulty; and being blinded 
by their carnal prejudices, they used their whole 
influence to mislead the people. Yet, as the case 
was so very evident, why did not the people see 
with their own eyes; and judge for themselves 
what was right, or decide impartially and justly 
between him and his malicious opponents ? ' 
On Luke 13 : 1-9 Geikie gives the following in-
formation:— 
" The whole country rang with the story of a 
massacre of Galilteans by Pilate, at the last Feast 
of Tabernacles—perhaps, at the same tumult in 
which Joseph Barabbas was arrested as a ring-
leader, to be afterwards freed instead of Jesus. 
Pilate was always ready to shed the blood of a 
people he hated, and the hot-blooded Galilteans, 
ever ready to take affront at the hated infidels, 
gave him only too many excuses for violence. 
They had a standing grievance in the sacrifices 
offered daily for the empire and the emperor, and 
at the presence of a Roman garrison and Roman 
pickets at the temple, during the feasts, to keep 
the peace, as Turkish soldiers do at this day, 
during Easter, at the Church of the Holy Sep-
ulchre. But Pilate had given special offense, at 
this time, by appropriating part of the treasures 
of the temple, derived from the temple tax levied 
on all Jews over the world, and amounting to vast 
sums in the aggregate—to defray the cost of great 
conduits he had begun for the better supply of 
Jerusalem with water. Stirred up by the priests 
and Rabbis, the people had besieged the govern-
ment house when Pilate came up to the city at 
the feast, and with loud continuous cries had 
demanded that the works be given up. Seditious 
words against himself, the representative of the 
emperor, had not been wanting. He had more 
than once been forced to yield to such clamor, 
but this time determined to put it down. Num-
bers of soldiers, in plain clothes, and armed only 
with clubs, surrounded the vast mob, and used 
their cudgels so remorselessly that many, both of 
the innocent and guilty, were left dead on the 
spot. The very precincts of the temple were in-
vaded by the legionaries, and some pilgrims who 
were so poor that they were slaying their own 
sacrifices, were struck down while doing so, their 
blood mingling with that of the beasts they were 
preparing for the priests, and thus polluting the 
House of God. It was an unprecedented outrage, 
and filled every breast in Judea and Galilee with 
the wildest indignation, though such brawls were 
of frequent occurrence. The excitement had even 
penetrated the palace at Tiberias, and kindled 
bitter ill-feeling in Antipas towards Pilate, for the 
men slain were Galilean subjects. 
" Another misfortune had happened in Jerusa-
lem a short time before. A tower, apparently on 
the top of Ophel, near the Fountain of the Virgin 
opposite Siloam, had fallen—perhaps one of the 
buildings connected with Pilate's public-spirited 
steps to bring water to the Holy City—and eigh_ 
teen men bad been buried beneath it; in the opin-
ion of the people, as a judgment of God, for their 
having helped the sacrilegious undertaking. 
" The cry for a national rising to avenge the 
murdered pilgrims doubtless rose on every side, 
but Jesus did not sanction it for a moment. He 
saw the arm of God even in the hated Romans, 
and in the fall of the tower, and, instead of sym-
pathizing with them for the one, and joining in a 
cry for insurrection for the other, told his aston-
ished hearers that the same horrors were like to 
fall on the whole nation. Suppose ye,' he asked, 
that these Galilteans were sinners above all the 
Galilteans, because they have suffered such things ? 
I tell you nay, but, except ye repent, ye shall all 
perish in like manner. Or those eighteen, upon 
whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, 
suppose ye that they were sinners above all the 
men that dwell in Jerusalem ? I tell you nay; 
but except ye repent, ye will all perish in the 
same manner.' 
" Israel,' He added, is like a fig-tree, planted 
by a man in his vineyard, which year after year 
bore no fruit. Wearied by its bareness, the house-
holder was determined to cut it down, and it was 
now spared at the intercession of the vine-dresser, 
only for another year, to give it a last respite. 
After that, if it still bore no fruit, he would cut it 
down, as merely cumbering the ground. That 
year of merciful delay was the passing moment 
of his own presence and work among them. 
" The nation had given itself up to a wild dream, 
that would end in its ruin. Led by the priests 
and Rabbis, it trusted that God would appear on 
its behalf, and by a political revolution overthrow 
the hated foreign domination. The fruits of re-
pentance and faith, which God required, were 
still wanting. As the vine-dresser Jesus had done 
all possible to win them to a better frame. Re 
had warned, besought, counseled; but they were 
wedded to their sins and their sinful pride. His 
peaceful kingdom offered them the only escape 
from ruin, here and hereafter; but as a nation, 
they were more and more turning towards the 
worldly schemes of their ecclesiastical leaders, 
and lent a deaf ear to all proposals of spiritual 
self-reform. Continuance in this course would 
bring the fate of those they now lamented on the 
whole race. If they rejected him, God would 
ere long destroy them as a people.'" 
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COMPANION TO THE REVISED NEW TESTAMENT, 
Explaining the Reasons for the Changes made in the Revised 
Edition, with 
Explanations to the Appendix of the Revised 
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W hich contains the Changes Suggested by the American 
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78 �
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES. �
VoL. 8, No. 7. 
the *quo pf the ciEinits. 
"Can ye not discern the signs of the times ?" 
J. H. WAGGONER, �
 EDITOR. 
 
J. N. ANDREWS, 
t CORRESPONDING EDITORS. 
URIAH SMITH, 
OAKLAND, CAL., FIFTH-DAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1882. 
WE have another article in type on " The Promises 
to Israel," the last one on this subject, but for want of 
room it is laid over till next week. 
Our Position. 
WE are well aware that some honest people, knowing 
our temperance principles, wonder that we are opposed 
to the Sunday law; and others, not so honest, have seen 
fit to revile us, classing us with the lowest rabble, and 
accuse us of favoring intemperance. To both classes 
we repeat what we have before stated: The law is not a 
liquor law, but a Sunday law; it is not in the interest of 
temperance, but of the Sunday; it is given in the code 
under the general heading of offenses against religion, 
and prescribes that all places of business shall be closed 
on the Christian Sabbath." A strict enforcement of 
the law would affect saloon keepers less than any other 
class of men. 
This being the case, it is not at all inconsistent with 
our temperance principles for us to decline to help en-
force the law. Indeed, should we join with its friends, 
we should be recreant to our faith, and violate our own 
convictions of right; for the Lord has said: " Six days 
shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh 
day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt 
not do any work." The command to keep holy the 
seventh day is imperative; permission, at least, equally 
emphatic, is given to labor on the six days, Sunday 
included; and a permission from God is of more weight 
than a command from man. We do not try to force any 
body to keep the Sabbath of the Lord; why. then, should 
we give the Sunday greater prominence ? Would not 
such an act be in violation of the spirit of the command- 
ment, even though we outwardly observed the seventh 
day? It certainly would. 
As to our convictions on the subject of temperance, 
they may be learned from the columns of the SIGNS. 
We are for prohibition. We shall not cease to expose 
the evils of the liquor traffic, so far as lies in our power. 
But inasmuch as Sunday is in no sense a sacred day, we 
cannot become a party to a transaction that will elevate 
it over other purely secular days. The following para-
graph from the Lever. a paper wholly devoted to the 
cause of temperance, expresses our sentiments exactly. 
We hope no one will accuse the Lever of being in league 
with saloons and brothels:— 
" We do not believe, however, that any journal which 
does not openly and flatly denounce saloonism on week 
days as well as Sundays will ever command any very 
vast amount of respect when it pleads in favor of the 
suppression of Sunday saloonism. The fact is, murder 
is just as foul a crime when committed on Thursday as 
when committed on Sunday; and what we want is an 
open, frank, decided, emphatic unequivocal, Anglo-
Saxon denunciation of saloons and saloonism everywhere 
and all the time." 
One word more in regard to our relation to the Sunday 
question. We are opposed to the law merely from prin-
ciple, not for pecuniary gain. We do not, however, in- 
tend to make any demonstration against it, or say any-
thing in any way derogatory to those who favor it. We 
are not in sympathy with the so-called " League of 
Freedom." While they join hand in hand, for selfish 
purposes; and while in the church " there is a conspiracy 
of her prophets," we, remain neutral, so far as acts of 
opposition or friendliness are concerned. But the com-
mand has been given concerning the Sabbath question: 
"Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, 
and show my people their transgression, and the house 
of Jacob their sins." Isa. 58 :1. We may not neglect 
this command and remain guiltless. Having the light, 
it is our duty, not only to walk in it, but to let it shine 
for others. We must let the people know the claims of 
God's law, and those of its rival, that they may choose 
whom they will serve; and this we shall continue to do 
4‘ with malice toward none; with charity for all." 
E. J. W. 
Answers to Questions. 
UNDERSTANDING that you advocate the keeping of 
Saturday as the Sabbath, and claim that it is the seventh 
day, 1 wish to ask for information:- 
Do the other churches admit that Saturday is the 
seventh day ? 
If they admit this, what reason do they generally 
assign for not keeping the seventh day ? 
What reason is assigned for keeping the first day 
by those churches which insist on a strict following of 
the letter of the law ? �
M. 
Chicago, Ill., Jan. 18. 
ANSWERS.-1. There is no point in which all churches 
and all classes are better agreed than that Saturday is 
the seventh day. It is proved by their constantly 
referring to those passages in the New Testament which 
speak of the first day of the week, and urging them as 
favoring the observance of Sunday. And, of course, if 
Sunday is the first day of the week Saturday is the 
seventh day. The laws of the several States, which the 
churches are so zealous to enforce, testify to the same 
thing. In a recent trial in this city for a violation of 
the Sunday Law the Judge closed his instructions to 
the jury as follows:— 
" I do further instruct you that the 8th day of Jan-
uary, 1882, was and is the Christian Sabbath, the same 
being the first day of the week, commonly called Sun-
day." 
The law of the State of New York uses the same lan-
guage: "The first day of the week, commonly called 
Sunday." The general literature of the churches, cate-
chisms, confessions of faith, doctrinal essays, sermons' 
etc., all teach the same thing. We could go further and 
easily prove that Saturday is the seventh day, but the 
question does not require this; it only inquires how far 
it is admitted. 
The reasons assigned for keeping the first day are 
about as various as the advocates of keeping first day 
are numerous. There is no manner of agreement among 
them as to what is the proper ground on which to base 
Sunday observance. And the reason of one year is not 
the reason of the next, as they are constantly changing 
their ground. Some claim the validity of the command-
ment with a change of its subject from the seventh day to 
the first day. Some claim that the commandment does 
not require a specific day, but is kept by the keeping of 
any day. Some claim that the commandment and its 
subject are utterly abolished and a new first-day insti- 
tution erected on its ruins. Some claim that the Sab- 
bath was abolished and nothing erected in its stead, but 
the church having adopted a day, custom and the nec-
essity for uniformity require us to keep it. And some 
claim that neither abolition nor change was effected in 
the Scriptures, but that the church has the right to 
make such changes, and has exercised this right in 
substituting the Sunday for the Sabbath. These are 
some of the positions assumed, contradicting one another 
as well as the Scriptures. In one thing only are they 
agreed, namely, to oppose the Sabbath of the Lord, and 
to keep the first day of the week, and to compel others 
to do the same, in spite of Bible and reason. Of late the 
position is becoming popular that it is not necessary to 
prove the divine institution of the first day of the week, 
but to give it a civil basis and enforce it upon all as "a 
sanitary regulation." But this is an idea raised for the 
occasion. The necessities of the case require that some-
thing decisive be done, and in the confessed absence of 
divine law, a human law is the best thing to rest upon. 
And surely, learned divines would never lower that 
which they call a Christian institution to the level of a 
mere "police regulation " if they had the inspired testi-
mony of the word of God to enforce it. 
We know of no churches now, except the Seventh-
day Baptist and Seventh-day Adventist, "which insist 
ou a strict following of the letter of the law." It is so 
generally admitted that Sunday is the first day, and so 
well known that the law says the seventh day is the 
Sabbath," that the idea of close conformity to the words 
of the law is generally abandoned. 
Sunday Law Trial in Oakland 
LAST week we noted that there had been much dif-
ficulty in securing a jury to try the case of the " Pohley 
Brothers," proprietors of the Opera Garden and the bar 
attached to the Opera. The case seemed to be about as 
plain as can probably be made, and the jurymen were 
carefully selected, but the result was a disagreement. 
The report in the Daily Times closes thus:— 
" At 5 :30 o'clock the jury retired to deliberate upon a 
verdict. About half past ten o'clock they were dis- 
charged by Judge Yule, being unable to agree upon a 
verdict. They stood eight for conviction and four for 
acquittal. Judging from the noisy wrangle which pro-
ceeded from the jury-room, a heated discussion took 
place on the Sunday-law question." 
This result must be anything but gratifying to the 
friends of the Sunday law. It may be still more diffi- 
cult to secure a jury on the next case, and there is a 
large number of cases before the courts, or a large num-
ber of warrants have been sworn out. We think, from 
present appearances, that it will be impossible to enforce 
this law in the large cities, on account of the difficulty 
of getting juries, and the courts being blocked by the 
cases being so numerous. We confess to being surprised 
at the amount of enthusiasm aroused in favor of enforc-
ing the Sunday law in California. This gave great 
encouragement to its friends; but their difficulties in- 
crease at every step in the proceedings, and no doubt 
a majority of the people rejoice over every failure to 
convict. The demonstrations of joy witnessed at San 
Leandro in this county, over a verdict of " Not guilty," 
will doubtless be repeated in giany places if the prose-
cutions continue. 
The closing remark of the Judge in his instructions 
to the jury is of great interest. It decides a point which 
will remain undecided in many minds, and is contrary 
to fact, though not contrary to the intention of the law 
and its framers. He said:— 
" I do further instruct you that the 8th day of Janu-
ary, 1882, was and is the Christian Sabbath, the same 
being the first day of the week, commonly called Sun-
day." 
This shows that a fact may be assumed, and taken up 
and incorporated into a law, and that judicial instruc- 
tions and decisions will sustain the assumption, shutting 
out proof which might be offered to show that it is only 
an assumption. We have no doubt that in all these 
cases the intention of the law-makers will be made the 
basis of judicial decisions. As a question of law this 
may be quite correct, but it is contrary to what many 
have anticipated. 
As a matter of fact not a particle of proof can be 
adduced that the first day of the week, or the Sunday, 
is " the Christian Sabbath." But that is and will be 
held as a matter of no consequence. Not Bible truth 
but popular sentiment will be made the ground of 
action and decision in the coming religio-political trials. 
Let it be so; we are content. There is coming, and now 
near at hand, a day in which "God shall bring every 
work into judgment," and the only rule then recognized 
will be "his commandments." Then the decisions of 
earthly courts, which set aside the law of God on grounds 
of policy, and substitute for it mere "police regulations," 
will be reversed. Then, they who govern now by arbi-
trary rule because they have the populace on their side, 
will be ashamed. We patiently wait for the decisions 
of that great day. 
The Sabbath in the New Testament. 
" AND they returned and prepared spices and ointments; 
and rested the Sabbath-day according to the commandment." 
Luke 23 : 56. 
This text records the most remarkable instance of 
sabbatic observance in the Bible. The Lord of the Sab-
bath had tasted death for sinful man. He had offered 
up his life as a sin-offering to the majesty of that law 
which was placed beneath the mercy-seat. The holy 
women followed our Lord from his crucifixion to his 
burtal. As the preparation day was just expiring, and 
the Sabbath about to commence, our Lord was quickly 
placed in the sepulcher. Luke 23 : 53, 54; John 19 :41, 
42. But this burial did not satisfy them. They re-
turned from the sepulcher, and prepared spices and 
ointments for the body of Christ. But before they could 
use them, the Sabbath commenced. Now observe their 
action. It was easy to plead that the Sabbath was not 
so important as the Lord of the Sabbath; that, though 
the Sabbath had arrived, the Lord of the Sabbath had 
still stronger claims upon them than had that institu-
tion; or, that whatever they might do in the work of 
anointing him would be suitable work for the Sabbath. 
But they did nothing of the kind. They thought the 
best method of honoring the Lord of the Sabbath was 
by properly observing the Sabbath itself. And so they 
laid aside their work, when that work was only acts of 
reverence and affection for Christ, and they rested the 
Sabbath day according to the commandment. And 
Luke, writing a considerable number of years after 
this, inspired by the Spirit of God, places this on record 
as a noble act of obedience to God. This act of these 
godly women was in strict accord with the events of 
A TEST OF RELIGION.—" He that turneth away his 
ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abom-
ination." Prov. 28 : 9, 
FEBRUARY 16, 1882: �
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES. �
79 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Calvary. It was not the law that was slain by Christ, 
but Christ that was slain by the law. So, when the Son 
of God lay under the power of death, slain by that law 
of which the Sabbath is a tenth part, it was fitting that 
the arrival of the Sabbath should be recognized, even 
though it was the body of the crucified Redeemer that 
was the occasion of the labor; and that the law of God 
should be then and there honored in the observance of 
the Sabbath-day according to the commandment. 
The Sabbath of the Lord was honored by the life of 
Christ, but still more manifestly in his death and burial. 
In his teaching and his example he took the utmost pains 
to establish the fact that the Sabbath was a suitable day 
for acts of mercy; and that such deeds, performed even 
in behalf of dumb beasts, were lawful upon the Sabbath. 
But now observe the lesson at the funeral of the Son of 
God. His teaching concerning merciful works on the 
Sabbath was absolutely demanded by the prevalent 
errors of the Jewish doctors; but there was danger that 
this might be perverted by that class of teachers who 
go to the opposite extreme, and deny the sanctity of the 
rest-day of the Lord. The record of his burial teaches 
a lesson as expressive of the sacredness of the Sabbath, 
as does the crucifixion, of the sacredness of the law. 
When Christ stood with our sins upon him, either the 
law must give way or Christ must die. We know very 
well that the law did not give way. Now, at the burial 
of Christ, the Sabbath of the Lord stands directly in 
the way of certain acts of love and tenderness in be-
half of the dead body of God's dear Son ! Observe, 
these were not acts of mercy, like those which our Lord 
approved in behalf of suffering man and animals, for 
the dear Saviour was sleeping in death; nor were theY 
acts of necessity to give him a decent burial, for this, 
though done in haste, had been performed tenderly and 
with great expense, by Joseph of Arimathea, and by 
Nicodemus. He was wrapped in fine linen, and with a 
mixture of myrrh and aloes, about one hundred pounds 
weight; and a linen napkin was bound about his head. 
John 19 :38-40; 20 :5-7; Matt. 27 : 59, 60; Mark 15 :45, 
46; Luke 23 :53. 
But these faithful women, out of tender regard for 
the honor of Christ, desired to prepare his body more 
perfectly fbr its rest in the grave. In the midst of their 
preparation, the hour of the Sabbath was marked by the 
going down of the sun. And observe the expressive 
language of the Holy Spirit: they " rested the Sabbath-
day according to the commandment." Here is a re-
markable exposition of the fourth commandment. If 
we place this in connection with our Lord's teaching 
and example relative to the Sabbath, we have the fol-
lowing facts:-- 
It is lawful, i. e., according to the law, to do well 
on the Sabbath. But the deeds to be wrought are acts 
of worship toward God the Creator, like assembling at 
the house of God and reading and expounding his word, 
or listening to it with serious attention; and also the 
work of the priests, or acts of mercy in behalf of the 
distressed, whether they be men or animal's. Luke 4 : 
15, 16; Matt. 12 :10-12; Luke 14 :1-5. 
But it is not lawful, i. e., not " according to the 
commandment," to perform unnecessarily even such 
work as the anointing of the body of Christ, that he 
might in the most honorable manner be yielded up to 
the power of death. The Sabbath is a memorial of 
God's rest from the work of creation. The Lord of the 
Sabbath is best honored by obedience on our part to the 
commandment which requires us to rest in memory of 
God's rest. 
The crucifixion of Christ attested the majesty of the 
law; the resurrection of Christ attested his personal in-
nocence. Gal. 3 : 13; Rom. 4 : 25. The law survived 
the death of him who became its sin-offering. The 
fourth commandment is solemnly recognized the day 
after the crucifixion, and its sacredness is revealed to 
us by the most remarkable example of its observance in 
the whole Bible. Nor is this to be met by saying that 
this was simply the act of a few women, and therefore 
of no real consequence. Even were this all that there 
is to it, the fact that these women were most intimately 
acquainted with the teaching of Christ proves that Jesus 
had never given them to understand that the Sabbath 
was a day of little consequence. But it is not the mere 
act of these pious women. Luke, writing by inspira-
tion, places their example on record as something done 
in obedience to the fourth commandment. And cer-
tainly nothing could so attest the sacredness of the 
sabbatic institution as does this peculiar act of obedi-
ence, indorsed as it is by the Spirit of inspiration, many 
years after the resurrection of Christ. 
One other truth should be brought out from this text. 
Here it is: the women who thus observed the Sabbath 
kept the very day which God ordained in Eden. For 
we learn that they kept the day ordained in the com-
mandment, and that the following day was the first day 
of the week. Luke 23 : 56; 24 :1; Mark 16 :1, 2. They 
did, therefore, in keeping the Seventh day of the fourth 
commandment, observe by that very act the seventh day 
of the New-Testament week. But the day ordained in 
the fourth commandment is the day hallowed in mem-
ory of the Creator's rest. Ex. 20 :11. And that we 
may not be in doubt that this identical day was known 
to Israel at the time of the giving of the law, the provi-
dence of God in sending the manna six days and then 
withholding it on the seventh, and the testimony of God 
himself that the manna ceased on that day because it 
was the Sabbath, both bear an unequivocal witness, and 
clearly settle this important point. Ex. 16 :22, 23. 
And thus we may state the fact that the day following 
the crucifixion of Christ, his most faithful disciples 
observed the day ordained in the commandment, which 
day the commandment itself identifies as the one hal-
lowed by God in Eden. It is certain, therefore, that 
the Spirit of God bears testimony to the knowledge of 
the true seventh day at the time of Christ's crucifixion, 
even as the providence of God bears testimony to the 
knowledge of that day at the fall of the manna. 
In our Lord's last discourse from the mount of Olives, 
in which he gives his disciples an outline of events from 
that time to the day of Judgment, he brings in the Sab-
bath in a manner to commend it to their peculiar care. 
Thus he says:— 
" When ye, therefore, shall see the abomination of 
desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in 
the holy place (whoso readeth let him understand), then 
let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains; let 
him which is on the house-top not come down to take 
anything out of his house; neither let him which is in 
the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto 
them that are with child, and to them that give suck in 
those days I But pray ye that your flight be not in the 
winter, neither on the Sabbath-day." Matt. 24 :15-20. 
Our Lord did thus make the Sabbath a subject of 
prayer on the part of his people, for the period of nearly 
forty years after his crucifixion. Whenever the people 
of God in the land of Judea, during that whole time, 
should bow before God in prayer, they would be re-
minded of the Sabbath. It is to be observed that our 
Lord does not say, " Let them which be in Jerusalem 
flee into the mountains," but, " Let them which be in 
Judea flee into the mountains." This shows how great 
an error those commit who assert that our Lord taught 
his disciples this prayer because that the gates of Jeru-
salem would be shut on that day, rendering their flight 
impossible. The words of Christ i-elate to the whole 
land of Judea. So it is very evident that the shutting 
of the gates of Jerusalem could affect, at most, only a 
very small number of the people of God who were con-
cerned in this flight. But let us consider the case of 
those who were actually in Jerusalem at that time. Jo-
sephus, in the second book of the Jewish war, chapter 
19, informs us of the fulfillment of the sign given by 
our Lord. Cestius, the Roman commander, encompassed 
the city with his army, and " had he continued the siege 
a little longer, had certainly taken the city." But "he 
recalled his soldiers from the place, and . . . retired 
from the city, without any reason in the world." Here 
was our Lord's promised token by which the disciples 
were to understand that the moment of flight had ar-
rived. And how evident that it was the hand of God 
which caused the Roman general, as soon as he had 
given the Saviour's token, to withdraw from the city 
" without any reason in the world." And now the dis- 
ciples must flee without a moment's delay. Let us ad-
mire the providence of God which opened their way in 
manifest answer to prayer. First, we have the case of 
those disciples who were in the country of Judea. Jo-
sephus informs us that at this time, when Cestius 
marched upon Jerusalem, he found the country desti- 
tute of men; because, as the law of Moses required, all 
the males were assembled at Jerusalem to keep the feast 
of tabernacles. Dent. 16 :16. Thus it is manifest that 
the people of God throughout the land of Palestine, had 
no Jewish enemies to hinder their flight, even had it 
been upon the Sabbath. 
And now let us see how it was with those who were 
in the city of Jerusalem itself. We find in the state- 
ment of Josephus the most convincing proof that, had 
they had occasion to flee upon the Sabbath, the circum- 
stances were such that they might have done it on that 
day with as little hindrance from the Jews as could 
their brethren in the country. Josephus gives us the 
remarkable information that, when Cestius was some 
six or seven miles distant from Jerusalem, on his way to 
attack the city, the Jews went out on the seventh day 
to fight him, " although the Sabbath was the day to 
which they had the greatest regard." Certainly, the 
disciples could have fled out of Jerusalem when that 
" multitude went in a sudden and disorderly manner to 
the fight," had they been disposed so to do on that Sab- 
bath-day. It was but a few days after this that Cestius, 
having fairly encompassed the city, and thus given the 
Saviour's token for his disciples' flight, did, " without 
any reason in the world," raise the siege and suddenly 
retreat. And we are told by Josephus (Jewish War, 
book 2, chapter 19) that no sooner did the Jews perceive 
this unexpected retreat of the Roman army than they 
ran after them, " and destroyed a considerable number 
of both their horsemen and footmen." This was the mo-
ment of flight for the disciples. It is perfectly evident 
that, had this retreat of Cestus occurred on the Sabbath 
the Jews would have pursued them on that day; for 
only a few days before, they went out fifty furlongs, to 
attack him on the Sabbath. When the gates of the 
city were opened for the disorderly mob to rush forth 
after the army of Cestius, it was the hour for the disci- 
ples to flee. They could then do it unperceived by the 
wicked men of their nation, who now neither feared 
God, nor regarded man. 
It is, therefore, perfectly evident that had this oc-
curred upon the Sabbath, they could have fled on that 
day, even from Jerusalem itself. These facts do plainly 
prove that the interpretation given to our Lord's com-
mand respecting prayer that their flight should not 
happen upon the Sabbath, to the effect, that this was 
because their enemies would not allow them to flee that 
day, is entirely false. Had that been the sense of his 
words, it would have been much more in accordance 
with the courseia things that actually transpired, had 
he taught them to pray that their enemies might not be 
so situated as to hinder their flight on that day. For 
the circumstances show that they were not, and that, if 
they had no conscientious regard for the day themselves, 
they could have fled on that day without difficulty. It 
follows, therefore, that the Lord of the Sabbath uttered 
these words out of sacred regard for the Sabbath, even 
as he joined with it in the same prayer, out of tender 
regard to his people, the petition that their flight should 
not be in the winter. And joining these in a prayer 
that they used some forty years, it taught them a lesson 
they could never forget. His tender love for his people 
could not but kindle in their breasts the same love for 
him, their Saviour and Redeemer; and his sacred regard 
for the rest day hallowed in Eden to commemorate the 
work of the Creator, could not but inspire in the minds 
of his people the same reverence for that day. 
Here, then, is the Sabbath of the Lord sacredly re-
garded by the Son of God and by his disciples as late as 
the destruction of 'Jerusalem, in the year of our Lord 
70. And thus we have in the New Testament, not only 
a distinct recognition of the fourth commandment after 
the crucifixion of Jesus, and with it such a lesson re-
specting its sacredness, as we cannot well forget, but we 
have also a precept from Christ, the Lord of the Sab-
bath, that does in a most effectual manner, show how 
sacred was this day in his esteem. He had bidden his 
disciples flee for life the moment his signal should ap-
pear, and lest that flight should happen upon the Sabbath, 
he taught them to offer prayer to God for the interposi-
tion of his providence to prevent it. And, certainly, 
this forty years' lesson was admirably adapted to impress 
the sacredness of the day upon the first generation of 
the Christian church, and to transmit that sacredness to 
the latest age of that church. �
J. N. At 
CALVARY Church (Dr. Hemphill's), in San Francisco. 
has a hard time in its Bible-class. A long trial was 
held of Mrs. Cooper for heresy in her teaching, and now 
comes Mr. Condit and declares that " a belief in Christ 
cannot be essential to the heathen who have never heard 
of him." And from this rises the query, Of what use is 
it to the heathen to send the gospel to them, if the gos-
pel faith is not essential to them ? But, really, the 
"heathen " are not confined to those lands where Christ 
was never heard of. Cannot some good orthodox teacher • 
prove that the gospel is not essential to anybody for 
salvation ? By so doing he will greatly gratify a multi-
tude of people whose minds are blinded by "the god of 
this world." 2 Cor. 4 :1-3. 
80 �
THE SIGNS OF THE 
VoL. 8, No. 7. 
Zite gtlizzionarp. 
TO CHRISTIAN WORKERS. 
CHRISTIAN workers! pause and listen; 
Christ is seeking thee to-day. 
Cease thy labors for one moment, 
Solemn words he hath to say. 
He is standing close beside thee; 
And behold his face is sad, 
As he gazeth on thy service, 
Which methought would make him glad. 
Such unwearied self-devotion! 
Such untiring, earnest zeal! 
Such rich eloquence and pathos! 
Burning words that wound to heal. 
Still the Lord is sadly gazing. 
Hark! he now cloth question thee: 
Listen well, his tones are gentle, 
" Dost thou work from love to me ? " 
Ah, how often, fellow-Christians, 
Do we need the question still! 
Are we now from pure affection 
Working out the Saviour's will? 
If our secret spring of action 
Were exposed to mortal view, 
Would it bear examination ? 
Could it be pronounced quite true ? 
Does not conscience sometimes tell us 
That the motive power is wrong, 
Of what seems our fairest action, 
Of what sounds our sweetest song ? 
Jesus, Saviour, Oh forgive us, 
As with shame we this confess; 
May our love to thee grow stronger, 
May our love of self grow less. 
Oh, reveal thyself so plainly, 
That our one desire may be 
Just to let ourselves be nothing, 
Lost in love of pleasing thee. 
Among the Churches. 
FRESHWATER. 
FROM St. Helena I went alone on the cars to 
Williams. Sister Manor came eight miles to meet 
me at the station, and took me to her home at 
Freshwater. Here also I was provided with a 
convenient room, where I could write, meditate, 
and pray undisturbed. Mr. Manor and his wife 
were attentive to my comfort, and endeavored 
to make my stay with them agreeable. Nearly 
the entire week was cloudy and rainy, yet despite 
the unpleasant weather, I continued to improve 
in health. 
On the Sabbath the few believers in present 
truth assembled in Sr. Manor's sitting-room; after 
Sabbath-school I endeavored to speak to them 
the word of life. Although but few were present, 
I knew that they needed comfort and encourage-
ment even more than the members of larger con-
gregations who are oftener favored with preach-
ing. 
On Sunday forenoon and evening, I spoke to a 
larger number who met in a school-house. I had 
freedom in speaking, and the people listened with 
evident interest. Bro. Rice has been presenting 
here the reasons of our faith. This called out 
opposition from some, while others were pleased 
and interested, and one came out firmly upon the 
truth, and was baptized. There are but few in 
this age of the world who have moral courage to 
take their position on the side of unpopular truth. 
Its principles are the principles of Heaven. Hence 
it conflicts with every wrong habit and sinful 
desire. Those who accept and obey the truth, 
must deny self, bear the cross daily, and follow in 
the footsteps of Jesus. " The carnal mind is 
enmity against God; for it is not subject to the 
law of God, neither indeed can be." Therefore 
there is a constant warfare between inclination 
and duty. Inclination too often prevails, and 
silences the convictions of the Holy Spirit. 
The faith which we cherish as " present truth " 
is sustained by the clearest and most conclusive 
evidence from the word of God. Still there is 
urged against it one objection which our ablest 
ministers cannot remove. Christ himself could 
not remove it. It has effectually barred the way 
of life to thousands. This hindrance is the cross. 
The cross, covered with shame and reproach, 
which Jesus bore for us, stands directly in the 
Christian's path. To evade that cross, the selfish, 
the world-loving, and the pleasure-seeking turn 
from the light that would guide their feet to 
Heaven. They choose doubt, unbelief, and infi-
delity, that they may have the pleasure of follow- 
ing inclination, and giving loose rein to the 
promptings of the carnal heart. Those who 
choose the broader and easier path, may enjoy 
the friendship of the world, which inspiration 
declares to be enmity with God; they may receive 
the empty praise of men whose hearts are not 
pure and whose lives are not holy; but they lose 
the only honor which is of lasting value, the 
honor which comes from above. They may se-
cure worldly gain and transient pleasure, but 
they lose the eternal riches and that life which 
measures with the life of God. The language of 
many who are standing undecided is— 
"I thought that the course of the pilgrim to Heaven 
Would be bright as the summer, and glad as the morn; 
Thou show'dst me the path; it was dark and uneven, 
All rugged with wck, and all tangled with thorn. 
" I dreamt of celestial rewards and renown; 
I grasped at the triumph which blesses the brave; 
I asked for the palm branch, the robe, and the crown; 
I asked—and thou showd'st me a cross and a grave." 
Those who sincerely believe and teach the 
word of God must expect to be received by the 
world with no greater favor than was the ancient 
preacher of righteousness. Those who lived in 
Noah's day despised his prophecy. Scientists 
quieted the fears of the people by assuring them 
that it was impossible for his predictions to be 
fulfilled; they were but the delusive fancies of an 
imbecile old man. But the unbelief and mockery 
of the people did not hinder the event. The God 
of science manifested his power in a manner 
which has astonished the philosophers of every 
age. 
The laws of nature cannot prevent the fulfill-
ment of God's word. The law is never greater 
than the Law-giver, nor are the things created 
greater than the Creator, As it was in the days 
of Noah, so shall it be in the days of the Son of 
man. As men are warned of impending judg-
ment, thousands will say, It cannot be. They 
will despise the truth, make light of prophecy, 
and deride the teacher of righteousness. One 
will turn aside to his farm, another to his mer-
chandise, and care for none of these things. 
The inhabitants of the antediluvian world were 
condemned to destruction for their iniquity, yet 
they had the offer of mercy. By repentance and 
reformation of life they might have secured for-
giveness and the protection of God. So in this 
dispensation, every one who believes and obeys 
the divine word will find pardon and a shelter 
from the wrath to come. The history of their 
sins, with the sure destruction that followed, 
should be a warning to us. There is to be a bap-
tism of fire as there was of water, and all the 
unbelief and scoffing of the ungodly will not 
hinder the event. 
The Scriptures briefly state the reason for the 
prevailing iniquity in Noah's day. The sons of 
God married the daughters of men. Those who 
still cherished the knowledge of God united them-
selves with the ungodly and corrupt, and as a 
result became assimilated to them in character. 
The message of warning would have been received 
by a larger number, bad it not been for their 
connection and association with those who de-
spised and derided the word of God. 
In the days of Noah the Spirit of God was so 
long and stubbornly rejected that it ceased to 
strive with men. Thus will it be, prior to the 
end of the world. When the gospel falls on closed 
ears, when the Holy Spirit ceases to imprint the 
truth upon the heart, preaching and hearing will 
alike be in vain. Are we not fast approaching 
this state of things ? 
Those who would stand now must be Bible-
readers, and Bible Christians; they must faith-
fully obey the divine precepts, both in private and 
in public. There are some who think it an 
evidence of superior ability to manifest indiffer-
ence for the Bible and for religious things. They 
think it weak and unmanly to be always fearing 
to do wrong. Many a man permits himself to be 
allured from Christ, from purity and holiness, by 
those whom at heart he despises. And these very 
persons will privately ridicule his weakness in 
yielding to temptation. Those who associate 
with godless companions learn ways of life, habits 
of thought and speech, which lead them ow
n �
to 
darkness and perdition. To win the applause of 
the low, the worthless, and the vulgar, they de-
grade themselves in the sight of God and man. 
There is no class in greater danger than the 
young. Evil men and seducers are no less active 
now than before the flood. On the contrary, the 
word of God declares that they shall wax worse 
and worse. There are not wanting agents of 
Satan to taunt and ridicule all who would be true 
to virtue and true to God. We are pained to see 
young men fearful or ashamed to acknowledge 
their principle before the ungodly or the blas-
phemer; ashamed that they have cherished holier 
sentiments, and cultivated purer morals. Oh, if 
these youth would but be firm and bold in the 
practice of virtue; if they would frown down the 
base advances of the agents of Satan, what a 
victory might be gained over the world, the flesh, 
and the devil! God calls upon the youth of to-day 
to love and serve him with the whole heart. They 
need a daily connection with Heaven to keep 
them unsullied by the corruptions of the last days. 
Says Christ, "He that followeth me shall not 
walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." 
And again, " If any man will do His will, he shall 
know of the doctrine." Those who obey God's 
will as it is revealed to their understanding, will 
be safely guided into the way of life. But it is 
impossible for finite man to fully understand the 
purposes and ways of the Infinite One. Those 
who refuse to accept and obey God's word until 
every objection has been removed, and there is no 
longer an opportunity for doubt, will never come 
to the light. Truth and error are before us. God 
has given us sufficient evidence to determine the 
right way, and then he leaves us to choose 
for ourselves. 
Jesus calls us to walk with him in the light, 
instead of wandering in the dark mazes of unbe-
lief. If men would but stop to consider the worth 
of the soul, and their own need of a Saviour, they 
would gladly, gratefully accept the hand which he 
has stretched out to them. Alas that so many, in 
their pride and stubbornness of heart, refuse to 
accept the guidance of infinite wisdom! Faith, 
hope, and love, man's highest and noblest facul-
ties, have been paralyzed by sin and Satan. But 
Jesus stands ready to awaken them to new life, 
that they may be enlisted in his service. The 
power of renewing grace will bring them again 
into vigorous exercise. 
Temptations, to discouragement will at times 
come upon the children of God like an over-
whelming torrent. Many are disheartened as 
they see that Christian example and instruction 
seem almost powerless before the tide of ignorance 
and unbelief. But Jesus is the stronghold of his 
people. His light shines still. It can never be 
quenched. Though evil now seems to prevail 
over righteousness and truth, yet it is by no 
means the strongest power. It shall not always 
conquer. Nay, even now its end is nigh. Truth 
and righteousness are plants of heavenly origin. 
God nourishes them every hour. He will no 
more suffer them to die than he will forget the 
honor of his own throne and name. 
Every Christian must meet trial and tempta-
tion. Those who basely shun the reproach of 
Christ, and choose the honor which the world be-
stows, will surely reap the bitter harvest. Sepa-
ration from God, the loss of Heaven, agony and 
despair, must be their portion. But if we will 
stand fearlessly and firmly for God and the right, 
relying upon the promises of the sacred word, 
we shall not be ashamed. Earth and hell can 
have no power to triumph over us. Let not the 
weakest be discouraged because they are assailed 
by temptation. The best men who ever lived 
have been greviously assaulted by Satan and his 
agents. Unless we yield to its power, tempta-
tion is not sin. The armor of truth will prove a 
sure defense against all the fiery darts of the 
enemy. 
Yet the Christian should not place himself need-
lessly in the way of temptation. Every soul is 
surrounded by an atmosphere of its own, laden 
with the fragrance of love and piety, the heavy 
fogs of unbelief, or the deadly poison of infidelity 
and crime. When brought in contact with others, 
we are unconsciously affected by the atmosphere 
surrounding them. If this be laden with moral 
poison, the very life-blood of the soul may be-
come tainted, ere we are conscious of danger. 
The worth of a human soul can be estimated 
only by the light reflected from the cross of Cal-
vary. So terrible was the doom of the lost race, 
so great the glory to which the redeemed might 
be exalted, that the Father is satisfied with the 
infinite price which he pays for their redemption. 
It was the joy set before Christ in accomplishing 
so great salvation, that led him to submit to 
shame, agony, and death. How do all the treas-
ures and the glories of earth sink into insignifi- 
FEBRUARY 16, 1 8 8 2 . �
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES. �
81 
cance when compared with the value of a human 
soul! 
As I see in the world such astonishing indiffer-
ence to the work of redemption; as I see the 
unbelief; the skepticism, the Heaven-daring re-
bellion against God and his law, I am more and 
more convinced that we have reached those days 
of peril foretold in the Scriptures. I feel assured 
that the end is near; that our time of waiting 
and watching is short. �
. 
May divine grace and power be imparted to 
the few in Freshwater who love God and keep 
his commandments. We earnestly hope that 
those who have been convicted of the truth will 
decide to follow the light, that it may not for 
them go out in darkness. 
MRS. E. G. WHITE. 
Missionary Work in California. 
WE are glad to report that the work in this 
State is progressing, and as we labor on, the 
providence of God is opening up the way for 
more extended labor. God is blessing the efforts 
of his servants in presenting the truth, and some 
souls are turning their feet to walk in his pre-
cepts, and many that have been following him at 
a distance are seeking a closer walk with God. 
But our ministers are too few to perform the work 
that is opening up before us. There never has 
been as favorable a time to reach the mass of the 
people with the truth on the Sabbath question as 
the present, while the Sunday law is being agi-
tated, and now is the time to place a few copies 
of the SIGNS and a tract on the Sabbath into the 
hands of every business man in the State. 
Our large cities need to be thoroughly can-
vassed to find out who will read, and the SIGNS 
be sent to them for at least four weeks by some 
of our missionary societies; then letters be written 
or the parties be visited, to ascertain who are 
willing to search for truth and see that they are 
supplied with such reading matter as will lead 
them to the study of the Scriptures to see if these 
things are so. Great care should be taken in 
visiting, and writing letters that no arguments 
be entered into; but use the publications and let 
them explain the points of truth. These are writ-
ten with great care, and will do it more plainly 
than it can be done in a letter or a few minutes' 
conversation. 
Our last quarterly meeting was one of interest, 
at which matters pertaining to the work were 
discussed and resolutions passed in regard to the 
future action of our T. and M. workers, which 
we should begin at once to carry into effect. 
Time is short, and " it is high time to awake out 
of sleep " and buckle on the armor, get imbued 
with the Spirit of the Master, and put forth ef-
forts to find those who will heed the call to pre-
pare for the coming of the Lord, and to warn all, 
that they may be without excuse in the swiftly-
approaching Judgment. 
The churches at Healdsburg and Santa Rosa 
have adopted the plan of paying a sum equal to 
one-third of their tithe to keep up a fund to sup-
ply periodicals and publications for the work. 
 
The club of SIGNS at Healdsburg was increased 
from sixteen to forty. That at Santa Rosa, from 
twenty-six to seventy-five, and at each of these 
places steps are being taken to make a forward 
move in the missionary work. The T. and M. 
Societies at Oakland and San Francisco are mak-
ing a greater effort to spread the truth than ever 
before. We hope to hear that this is the case in 
all the districts not heard from. At our next 
quarterly meeting we hope to have a prompt 
report from every district, that every member in 
the State will send in a report of work done for 
the Master, and that we may continue faithful to 
the end, and receive the " well done." 
Santa Rosa, Februgry 11. �
M. C. ISRAEL. 
Vina, Tehama County, California. 
I HAVE been holding meetings here five weeks, 
with a fair attendance. Expect to close the 
meetings to-morrow by the baptism of three 
brothers. Four brothers and three sisters have 
signed the covenant, besides two Sabbath-keepers 
already residing here. A Sabbath-school has been 
organized and five copies of the Instructor or-
dered. 
The kindness and energy of Bro. Grayson have 
done much towards making this effort a success. 
Very many here-about acknowledge that they 
ought to observe the Lord's Sabbath, but say they 
cannot afford it. The nine adults who have 
signed the covenant feel that they can, under no 
circumstances, afford to break it. I go next to 
Chico. �
E. A. BRIGGS. 
February 11, .1882. 
Beaverton Church Quarterly Meeting. 
AT our quarterly meeting held in Beaverton, 
Oregon, the first Sabbath and Sunday in January, 
there was a general attendance of the members, 
and a good interest manifested by all, as was 
shown in the patience and earnestness with which 
they passed through the business meetings. 
At our Sabbath meeting, when the roll was 
called, the sweet Spirit of God seemed to enter, 
and hearts that were always warm in the good 
work, responded with cheerful and comforting 
words ; and some that had grown cold and worldly, 
again melted and returned to the allegiance of 
their Lord ; while nearly all joined in the ordin-
ances of his house. Those absent were mostly 
heard from by letter or otherwise. A few ab-
sented themselves without excuse or report, for 
which course in any, we felt deeply sorry. 
This was the second time for over a year that 
we have had the privilege of meeting with this 
church, and it seemed good to us. Although their 
number is diminished by removals, they came 
flocking back like a family to their home altar, to 
seek their Father's favor anew, together. It was 
indeed cheering to meet those who have been long 
in this good cause, as well as those who have 
more recently come into the truth. 
Here we first met Eld. A. Snashall, of Portland, 
Oregon, who has but lately embraced the Third 
Angel's Message, by reading of papers and tracts 
sent him by our T. and M. workers. 
Elder S. was educated in the English Church, 
but his honesty of purpose to live up to the best 
light given him, has led him toward us step by 
step, till at last, passing through some of the older 
and most popular churches, he has emerged from 
the ranks of the First-day Adventists, into the 
glorious liberty of the holy law of God. He is an 
earnest and an able speaker, and we hope he will 
prove an able defender of God's broken law, and 
an efficient expounder of present truth. He and 
his wife have fully identified themselves with the 
body, and joined the Beaverton church. He spake 
to very attentive congregations three times. We 
were all cheered by the presence of Bro. J. Hall, 
his wife, and son, who joined the church last 
quarter, brought into the truth by missionary 
work. At this meeting his aged mother took her 
stand with us. Thus three more were added to 
the church. We parted with renewed determina-
tion to meet in the kingdom of our Father. 
On returning home, we learned of another min-
ister, of the Christian denomination, who has just 
taken his stand on the truth, through tracts and 
papers sent out by the T. and M. laborers. Thus 
may the Lord speed on the good work in the 
North Pacific Conference. �
R. D. BENHAM. 
Salem, Oregon, Jan. 22, 1882. 
Zrinprrance. 
Sympathy for the Drunkard. 
I TELL you there is not a village or a town in 
this country, that sustains and supports the liquor 
traffic, but is bound in honor to furnish places of 
refuge for every poor victim of the drink. My 
sympathies go out to these men. I do not believe 
in coddling them or making pets of them, but I 
believe in helping them to help themselves, and to 
remove, as fast as we can, temptation out of their 
way. One thing more. When the poor wrecks 
come to me by the score, I sometimes thank God 
I have no son. One Scotchman said: " I am a 
lost laddie." And so many of them are lost! I 
sometimes thank God I have no son to be lost; 
but if I had, I would rather take him to the vilest 
and dirtiest grog-shop that could be found, and 
keep him there for half an hour, than to take him 
into the most respectable social drinking circle in 
Saratoga. If I took my boy fresh from his pure 
home, fresh from the touch of his mother's knee, 
fresh from Sabbath-school exercises, into such a 
den as that, I would frighten him. He hears 
strange sounds; he does not like the odor of the 
place; he puts his hands to his ears. " Take me 
out of this, papa. What are these men doing? I 
don't like it. Oh! take me away." But in the 
social circle, where the mother smilingly offers 
the wine to her guests, and the minister, under 
whose preaching the boy has sat, gives assent to 
it by a smile, there he will take his first glass. 
So, if we wish to prevent this evil, we must as-
sail the drinking customs of society that are 
made fashionable and respectable. The moderate 
drinker tells us we are very hard on him. I do 
not pretend to say that the moderate drinker in-
tends to do this mischief. A lady said to me: 
" My son, eighteen years of age, came from his 
chamber one New Year's morning, and said: 
' Happy New Year, mamma.' While seated at 
his breakfast, he said: ' Now, mamma, I am going 
out for the first time in my life to make New 
Year's calls, and I mean to make a business of it; 
good-morning;' " and he kissed her on both 
cheeks. She said she stood in the bay window, 
and watched him till he turned the corner, and 
then drew a long sigh of satisfaction. " My boy, 
sweet, pure, clean, lovely ? I was proud of him. 
I thought of him all day." At night came a ring 
of the bell—a strange sort of ring—and instead of 
permitting the servant to go, she went herself, 
and there she beheld two young men holding up 
her drunken son. She said: "Bring him in." 
They laid him on the carpet. "And then," she 
said, " I sat down and lifted his head in my lap. 
I tried to comb his hair; it was all matted and 
damp; his lips, that were so pure and sweet, 
were cracked and dry, and his breath, that was 
like the odor of newly-gathered violets, was a 
horrible stench. My boy! The eyes half-closed, 
just showing the white; the horrible breath pour-
ing forth in pestiferous effluvia. My boy! His 
face seemed to be so changed. It was so smooth 
when he went out, but now it looks coarse. Mr. 
Gough," she said, " if that had been the work of 
my boy's enemy it would have been a comfort to 
look upon him and feel that it was the work of 
my boy's bitterest fbe; but if that is the work of 
my boy's friend, God have mercy on me! for I 
have but very little hope for the future." And 
she said that was not the last time, by many, 
that he came home to her drunk. Who gave him 
his first glass ?—John B. Gough, in Watch Tower. 
Legal Inconsistency. 
How long will the people not only tolerate, but 
actually legalize these dens of bestiality in their 
very midst, to ruin their sons and fathers, and 
demoralize and degrade humanity ? 
How long will they license the cause, then 
shudder and groan and weep and whine over the 
sad and deplorable results ? License schools of 
vice, pauperism, madness, and crime, and then 
build pauper-houses, mad-houses, prison-houses, 
and scaffolds for their motley graduates ! Pay 
the taxes imposed in consequence, and then again 
and again license the same accursed traffic which 
renders these expensive poor-houses, mad-houses, 
asylums, and prisons necessary ! Legalize the 
manufacture of rowdies, tramps, mendicants, ma-
rauders, and murderers, then arrest, try, convict, 
imprison, or hang the wretched victims 1 Fire the 
magazine, then "regulate," "restrain," and " pun- 
ish �
the explosion! Beautiful consistency! Pro- 
found statesmanship this!—The Lever. 
" Don't be Hard upon Him." 
IN a most interesting address delivered by the 
Rev. Canon Wilberforce recently, at Frome, Eng-
land, he said: " Not long ago there was in my 
own parish one of the bravest, purest, and bright-
est of the wives of workingmen I have ever seen. 
All through her married life she had been praying 
for, bearing with, and forgiving the man who at 
the altar had sworn to love and cherish her. A 
short time ago he set his seal upon years of cru-
elty by raising his foot and kicking her savagely, 
and three hours after she had gone ' where the 
wicked cease from troubling and the weary are 
at rest.' The last words she spoke were whis-
pered into my own ear—' Don' t be hard upon him 
when I am gone. He is so kind when he doesn't 
drink.' They laid the little form of her prema-
turely-born infant by her side, and four other 
little ones followed to the grave one more victim 
of the arch-fiend rum."—Day of Reform. 
THERE is a great variety of opinion as to when 
a man has had enough liquor; but according to 
the Pacific Censor, the liquor seller always draws 
the line punctually and unerringly at the point 
where his money has just given out, and he has no 
credit.—Rescue. 
82 �
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES. 
VOL. 8, No. 7. 
Utz jimt Olirrit. 
FOR GOOD OR ILL. 
ONLY a word! 
Yet it bore on its holy breath 
A message that God had given 
To kindly warn from the ways of death— 
And a soul was led to Heaven. 
Only a wprd! 
Spoken in scorn by lips that smiled, 
But a haunting doubt's black shade 
Was cast in the trusting heart of a child, 
And a life-long darkness made. 
Only a word! 
Yet there lay in its heart, enshrined 
Like the germ in a tiny seed, 
A thought, that fell in an earnest mind, 
And grew to a noble deed. 
Only a word! 
No more widely the ocean parts 
Land from land with its ebb and flow, 
Than one false word severed kindly hearts 
That loved, in the long ago. 
Only a word! 
The lowly whispered " amen " of a prayer; 
But it flew, like a swift-winged dove, 
From the stormy depths of a soul's despair, 
To the Father's heart of love. 
Only a word! 
0, choose it wisely, weigh it well; 
Send it forth with love and faith; 
If may be the message one word can tell 
Will rescue a soul from death. 
—Advance. 
The Doctor's Prescription. 
A TRUE STORY. 
JAMES MORDAUNT was one of those unfortunate 
young men born with a natural appetite for drink, 
which the circumstances of his lite tended to de-
velop rather than diminish. He early entered the 
navy where lais great natural ability gave promise 
of distinction and rapid advancement, while at the 
same time his constant yielding to his fatal pro-
pensity threatened to destroy all his fair prospects. 
But salvation came, or seemed to come, in the 
form of a temperance society, started by the 
efforts of the master of his ship, and encouraged 
by Commodore F—, the best and most thor-
oughly Christian man our United States navy 
has ever known. James became a thorough tem-
perance man, and in connection with his friend, 
the master, did great good among the seamen of 
the Mississippi squadron. 
The war was over, and Lieutenant Mordaunt, 
who had well earned his promotion, had been 
married some years when he was stationed at the 
Navy Yard at B—, and here, as it happened, 
he was again thrown in with his old friend, the 
master. Having two young children, he preferred 
to reside " in his own hired house," in a pleasant 
part of the city, attending to his naval duties 
during the day, and returning to his cheery little 
home and bright young wife at night. A pleasant 
home it was, as his bachelor friend, the master, 
a constant and welcome guest, thought. Mor-
daunt was a member of a Christian church, be-
came very intimate with the chaplain of the yard, 
and soon was immersed in plans of usefulness for 
the seamen and employes among whom his lot 
was cast. Could a man have a brighter lot or a 
surer prospect of happiness ? Yet there was a 
little cloud no bigger than a man's hand loom-
ing in the distance, destined to blot out all the 
sunshine and bring in everlasting darkness and 
despair. And it was coming from a most unex-
pected quarter. Mordaunt had been suffering for 
some time with dispepsia, and applied to a 
celebrated physician for relief. 
" A few spoonfuls of brandy after each meal is 
the best digester," said the doctor. 
" But I never take brandy : 1 am a Temperance 
man." 
" So am I ; but common sense marks the bounds 
of everything. Don't be a fanatic, Mordaunt ; 
all things have their uses, and medecine is the true 
use of brandy. There never was a pledge yet 
that was intended to exclude a physician's pre-
scription. If you cannot trust my judgment," he 
added stiffly, "I can do no more for you. Good 
morning 1" 
And so James Mordaunt yielded to the prestige 
of medical authority, and took after each meal 
three or four spoonfuls of the poison which he con-
sidered as forsworn forever. Certainly he felt 
better ; a pleasant little exhilaration took the 
place of the gnawing sensation which had troubled 
him so long, and when it failed to produce that 
effect he increased the doss. Was it likely that 
he would stop there ? Let those answer who with 
a strong natural inclination for liquor have for 
years refrained from its indulgence, and then 
suddenly tasted it again. 
" I am anxious about my husband," said Mrs. 
Mordaunt ; " he has not been home for three 
nights, and has sent me no word. Could you in-
quire at the Navy Yard for me to-morrow 
morning ? " 
" Has he ever stayed at the yard all night be-
fore ? " said his friend, the master. 
" Yes, once or twice of late, but he always sent 
me word that he was detained, and generally 
came home to breakfast. Now I have not seen 
him since Wednesday morning. I can't think 
why he has not sent me word." 
It was Sunday morning. The master called 
upon the Navy Yard chaplain just as he was pre-
paring for his ship-board service, with inquiries 
concerning his friend. 
" He is laid on board the receiving-ship, sick," 
said the chaplain. 
" Sick, and not send for his wife ! " said the 
master. " I will go for her at once." 
" No, I think you had better not. The fact is, 
Mordaunt has been having a regular spree, and as 
he does not want his wife or anyone to know it, 
he is wearing out the effect on shipboard. The 
surgeon tells me this morning it's a pretty bad 
case of delirium ; he has some fears of the poor 
fellows life." 
"`What shall I tell his wife ? " said the visitor. 
"I wouldn't tell her anything to-day. Step in 
to-morrow morning, and perhaps there will be 
better accounts. He knows no one now, and 
might feel badly to have her see him in this con-
dition. It will be time enough to tell her when 
we must. It's a sad affair, and for the sake of 
religion, ought to be kept as quiet as possible." 
It was a:long Sunday for the master to pass 
without relieving the anxiety of the waiting wife, 
but he did pass it, and on presenting himself at 
the Navy Yard in the morning was met by the 
intelligence that James Mordaunt was dead ! 
Dead in raving delirium, with no farewell to loved 
ones, no thought of the terrible step he was tak-
ing, no consoling presence, no repentance, no 
prayer 
I cannot depict the wife's agony ; we may not 
follow the lost one to the closed bar of that 
Heaven into which no drunkard may enter ; but 
we may call upon the misguided physician, by all 
that is sacred in earth or Heaven, to take to heart 
the lesson afforded by his prescription. 
The particulars were given to the writer by the 
mastei• who urged her to use them in calling at-
tention to the terrible responsibilities of physicians 
in prescribing brandy and whisky for every slight 
or chronic ailment. There must be something 
which will answer the purpose as well ; and if the 
scientific skill of chemists and the practical ex-
perience of physicians cannot discover it, then 
better let men die in the way of GoD's appoint-
ment, than kill and send them to hell by the poison 
which destroys both body and soul. It will be 
little compensation to the lost soul to remember 
that life was blighted, hearts broken, and his 
eternity ruined, through a doctor's prescription. 
—Margaret E. Winslow. 
Seep The Soul on Top. 
LITTLE Bertie Blynn had just finished his din-
ner. He was in the cozy library, keeping still 
for a few minutes after eating, according to his 
mother's rule. She got it from the family doctor, 
and a good rule it is. He had in his hand two 
fine apples--a rich red, and a green. His father 
sat at a window reading a newspaper. Presently 
he heard the child say:— 
" Thank you, little master." Dropping his pa-
per, he said, 
"I thought we were alone,'Bertie. Who was 
here just now ?" 
" Nobody, papa, only you and I." 
"Didn't you say just now, ' Thank you, little 
master?'" The child did not answer at first, but 
laughed a shy laugh. Soon he said:— 
" I'm afraid you'll laugh at me, if I tell you, 
papa." 
" Well, you have just laughed; and why mayn't 
I ?" 
" But 1 mean you'll make fun of me." 
"No, I won't make fun of you; but perhaps 
I'll have fun with you. That will help us digest 
our roast beef." 
" l'll tell you about it, papa. I had eaten my 
red apple, and wanted to eat the green one too. 
Just then I remembered something I'd learned in 
school about eating, and I thought that one big 
apple was enough. My stomach will be glad if I 
don't give it the green one to grind. It seemed 
to me for a minute just as if it said to me, Thank 
you, little master;' but I know I said it myself." 
"Bertie, what is it that Miss McLaren has been 
teaching you about eating ?" 
" She told us to be careful not to give our stom-
achs too much food to grind. If we do, she says, 
it will make bad blood, that will run up into our 
brains, and make them dull and stupid, so that 
we can't get our lessons well, and perhaps give 
us headaches, too. Miss McLaren says that some-
times, when she eats too much of something she 
likes very much, it seems almost as if her stom-
ach moaned and complained; but when she de-
nies herself, and don't eat too much, it seems as 
if it was thankful and glad." 
" What more did Miss McLaren tell- you about 
this matter?" 
" She taught us a verse one day about keeping 
the soul on top. That wasn't just the word, but 
it's what it meant." 
" Weren't these the words, ' I keep my body un-
der?' " 
"Oh, yes! that was it; but it means just the 
same. If 1 keep my body under, of course my 
soul is on top." 
" Of course it is, my boy. Keep your soul on 
top, and you'll belong to the grandest style of 
man that walks the earth." 
Bertie put on his coat and cap, and went away 
to school. His father took up the apple he had 
left behind on the table, and put it in his pocket. 
On his way home, late in the afternoon, he called 
at Miss McLaren's boarding-house. He gave her 
the apple, and told her all that Bertie had said. 
She could not eat that apple. She wrapped it 
in rose-colored tissue-paper, and laid it in the 
drawer where she kept her dainty laces and 
nicest things. She bad worked hard in school 
that day, and was very tired. At night, when 
her head was resting on its pillow, the moon 
looked in through the window, and saw tears 
of joy dropping on it from a sweet face.—Well 
Spring. 
RESOURCES TO DRAW ON.--Mr. Webster used to tell 
with great zest an incident in his professional life, 
to illustrate how past studies may prove of great 
service in an emergency. While practicing in 
New Hampshire, a blacksmith employed him to 
defend a contested will. The case was such a 
complicated one that he was obliged to order 
books from Boston at an expense of fifty dollars, 
in order to acquaint himself with and to settle the 
legal principles involved. He won the case, and 
as the sum involved was small, charged fifteen 
dollars for services, and was therefore largely out 
of pocket. Many years after, when passing 
through New York, he was consulted by Aaron 
Burr. 
" I have a very perplexing case," said Mr. Burr, 
" which I cannot disentangle. I know I am 
right, but see no way of proving it in court." 
Mr. Webster listened, and found the principles 
identical with his early case. 
He stated them in such a luminous way that 
Mr. Burr excitedly. asked, " Have you been con-
sulted before, Mr. Webster " 
" No, sir, I never heard of the case till you 
mentioned it." 
" How is it possible that you could unravel such 
a case at sight, when I had given many hours of 
anxious study to it in vain ? ' 
Mr. Webster enjoyed his perplexity, but finally 
relieved him by a statement of the facts. A great 
sum was at stake, and Mr. Webster received a fee 
of one thousand dollars to balance his former loss. 
The moral of this incident is that whatever is 
worth doing at all is worth doing well. Mr. 
Webster, when a young lawyer, acted on this 
maxim, and this laid the foundations of his great-
ness as a lawyer. 
As CIPHERS added one by one in an endless row 
to the left hand of a unit are of no value, but on 
the right hand rapidly multiply its power, so, 
although good works are of no avail to make a 
man a Christian, yet a Christian's good works 
are both pleasing to God and profitable to men. 
—Arnot. 
ACKNOWLEDGED to be the best in the market, and celebrated for 
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FULLNESS AND COMPREHENSIVENESS OF NOTES AND TABLES, 
And prices which place them within the reach of all. They contain in 
addition to the authorized text, with References, all that is essential in 
the study of the Bible. Furnished with one of these Bibles, no teacher 
would be at a loss anywhere, or at any time, in the preparation of his 
lesson. With the notes and tables are embodied the results of the most 
recent and authentic research of Biblical scholars, and it is believed that 
nothing has been omitted that can be desired in a 
TEACHER'S BIBLE. 
The following list is a careful selection of the best styles : 
NOS. �PEARL 16 mo. (Size 4 x 5} x II inches.) 
French Morocco, boards �
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French Morocco, circuit �
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505. Persian Morocco, limp 
 2.10 
Turkey Morocco, boards 
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Turkey Morocco, limp �
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515. Levant Morocco, Divinity circuit, kid-lined and band, silk 
sewed, flexible back �
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RUBY 16 mo. (Size 41 x61 x 1.1 inches.) 
550. French Morocco, boards 
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580. Turkey Morocco, boards 
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561. TurkeyMorocco, limp 
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563. Imitation Levant, Divinity circuit, leather-lined, silk sewed 
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565. Levant, Divinity circuit, kid-lined, silk sewed, and band �
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NONPAREIL 16 mo. (Size 4 x 6 x 
French Morocco, gilt edges, stiff covers, silk book-mark �
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Persian Morocco, gilt edges, flexible covers, silk book-mark �
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Turkey Morocco, gilt edges, stiff covers �
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Turkey Morocco, gilt edges, flexible covers �
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Levant Morocco, Divinity circuit, kid-lined, and band, silk 
sewed, flexible back, red under gold edges � 5.75 
NONPAREIL 8 vo. (Size 41 x 7 x 11.) 
Turkey Morocco, boards �
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Turkey Morocco, limp �
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Levant, Divinity circuit, kid-lined, silk sewed, flexible back, 
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615. 
 
 
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705. Persian Morocco, limp �
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Turkey Morocco, boards' �
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Turkey Morocco, limp �
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715. Levant, Divinity circuit, kid-lined, silk sewed, flexible back, 
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and band �
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71151 As No 715, with round covers �
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By mail, Post-paid. 
�
Address, �PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal. 
OUR COUNTRY'S FUTURE FORETOLD, 
THE UNITED STATES IN PROPHECY. 
FEBRUARY 16, 1882. 
THE SIGNS OF TIIE 
83 
-A lady has sent the Lutheran Board of Missions 
$2,000 as a fund for training native preachers in India. 
-There are in Virginia 207,559 Baptists, 108,500 
Methodists, 24,604 Presbyterians, 12,778 Episcopalians, 
14,000 Lutherans, and 13,500 Disciples. 
-The Legislature of Utah adopts defiant talk, and 
says that Utah asks nothing of the Government. The 
Woman's Exponant is outspoken in favor of polygamy. 
-A complaint against the proprietor of Woodward's 
Gardens, for violation of the Sunday law, was dismissed, 
on the ground that the law does not apply to theaters. 
-A minister in southern California, writing to the 
Central Baptist, says: " Our church will hold about 
150, and by getting up a concert we can fill it." No 
doubt of it. 
-Bishop Crowther reports that the average Sunday 
congregations at the stations on the Niger now amount 
together to 3,472 souls, of whom he reckons 1,599 as 
native Christians, and 451 as communicants. 
-The "American Sabbath" is the latest for Sunday. 
The reader will observe that " American Sabbath " and 
" Christian Sabbath " are not necessarily synonymous. 
It will require an Act of Congress to make them so. 
-Anti-polygamy meetings are the order of the day 
all over the country. The expression sounds well, but 
the Mormons will continue to laugh, as the boy in the 
apple-tree did when tufts of grass were thrown at him. 
Religious Notes. 
-The Catholic Mirror, in an article entitled " Head 
Off the Devil," advises as a means of so doing, the pro-
viding of parish libraries. As an example of how this 
may be done, it gives the following instance: " In 1880 
Father Downey was stationed at the Immaculate Con-
ception Church in this city (Baltimore). He had a lot 
of bric-a-brac, won at fairs and presented by friends. 
He raffled it off, and with the proceeds determined to 
found a parochial library. He bought a couple of hun-
dred volumes," &c. The Independent very properly 
concludes that the devil himself lent a hand in that 
" heading off." 
-A correspondent of the Christian Union writes to 
that paper that he has doubts as to his conversion, and 
among other reasons for his doubt, he says he enjoys 
reading Mr. Beecher's sermons better than he does the 
Bible. Whereupon the C. U. comforts him with the 
assurance that Mr. Beecher's sermons will answer the 
purpose just as well as the Bible. It says the Bible 
" is a system of divinely revealed and illustrated truth. 
It is the truth that God is a Father, that man is a 
prodigal son, that the Father's love has provided for 
the son's repentance, and awaits the son's return. 
Moses illustrates these truths best to some men,- David 
to others, Paul to yet others. If you find them best 
illustrated to your mind and heart in the modern 
utterances of a modern preacher, it is your privilege to 
find them there. . . . Water is water, whether you 
dip it up from the bubbling spring or draw it from an 
aqueduct half a dozen miles or more away." We would 
refer the reader to Rom. 12 : 3, and remark that some-
times the vessel through which the water passes has a 
great deal to do with its purity. 
News and Notes. 
-The murder of a man in a fight in a newspaper 
office in Washington is now supposed to be connected 
with the " star route cases." Those magnificent swind-
lers will never be brought to justice if any additional 
crimes will prevent. 
-A Spark from a locomotive on the Buffalo, New 
York, and Philadelphia Railroad, on the 12th inst., set 
fire to little pools of oil in the lowland near Olean, N. 
Y., which communicated with tanks containing over 
100,000 barrels of oil, and in a few minutes the whole 
was in flames. 
-A terrific storm has prevailed along the coast at the 
mouth of Columbia River. At the latest intelligence 
the telegraph lines had been prostrate three days. The 
warehouse at Ilwaco was blown down, and the road 
between Ilwaco and the North Beach was blocked with 
fallen timber. The waves rolled over Tillamook Rock 
Light-house, 150 feet above the ocean level, until the lee 
side presented the appearance of a cataract. At Astoria 
the damage was confined to show-windows, etc. 
-A piano teacher in Philadelphia has for years stud-
ied the anatomy of the hand with a view to discover 
why it is so much more difficult to raise the third finger 
of the hand above the keys of the piano than the other 
fingers. He thinks if he cuts a cord attached to that 
finger, which is wanting in the others, the difficulty will 
be removed, and he has induced a pupil to submit to the 
operation, which will shortly be performed.-Alta. If 
we were the pupil, we would respectfully suggest to the 
music teacher that he first try his experiment on his 
own hand. 
-The fastidious salad-maker who insists on having 
genuine imported olive oil will be horrified to learn that 
a large portion of that delectable article is manufactured 
from cotton-seed oil, exported to Europe from the South-
ern States. He will, however, be able to sympathize 
with the lover of genuine imported French wines when 
he finds that a large portion of them are made of glucose, 
potatoes, rotten apples, dried prunes, dates, figs, raisins, 
currants, red beets, and worst of all the flowers of the 
bassia tree, which, when properly dried, form in con-
nection with water and sugar an excellent base for the 
manufacture of artificial wine. During November and 
December 250,000 bales of bassia blossoms were im-
ported into France and converted into French wine, 
much of which swill is drunk by knowing Americans 
under the impression that it is the pure juice of the 
grape.-Chronicle. 
VALUABLE BOOKS FOR BIBLE STUDENTS, 
SACRED GEOGRAPHY AND ANTIQUITIES. 
WITH maps and illustrations, by Rev. E. P. Barrows, D. D. The in-
vestigations of missionaries and explorers during the last century 
have thrown a flood of light on many points once involved in obscurity, 
and it is the aim of this book to condense and put into methodical form 
what has thus been collected. 6S5 pp. $2.25. 
BIBLE GEOGRAPHY. HAND-BOOK OF 
Containing the name, pronunciation and meaning of every place, nation, 
and tribe mentioned in both the Canonical and Apocryphal Scriptures. 
By Rev. Geo. H. Whitney, A. M. Illustrated by one hundred engravings 
and forty maps and plans. 12 mo. 400 pp. $2.50. 
BIBLE MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. HAND-BOOK OF 
Containing descriptions of the ancient manners and customs mentioned 
in the Bible, and explaining over three thousand Scripture Texts. By 
Jas. M. Freeman, D. D. Illustrated hy 168 engravings, and accompa-
nied by an Analytical Index, a Textual Index, and a Topical Index. 
12 mo. 515 pp. $2.50. 
SMITH'S NEW TESTAMENT HISTORY. 
This work gives the connection between the Old and New Testament 
History, the relation of the Holy Land to the surrounding nations, a full 
account of the political and religious life of each separate section of the 
Jewish nation, and a clear and harmonized account of the Gospel and 
Apostolic History. 12 mo. 780 pp. $1.75. 
THE WORLD'S PROGRESS, A DICTIONARY OF DATES. 
Being a Chronological and Alphabetical Record of all essential facts in 
the progress of society, from the creation of the world to the present 
time, with chart. By T. B. Perkins. Octavo size. 1,020 pp. s .00. 
LIFE AND EPISTLES OF ST. PAUL, 
By Conybeare and Howson, giving a living picture of St. Paul and the 
circumstances by which he was surrounded. Illustrated with maps and 
engravings. 764 pp. $1.50. 
THE LIFE AND WORDS OF CHRIST. 
By Cunningham Geikie, D. D., with marginal references to the Scriptures, 
notes and index. Two volumes complete in one book. Printed in pica 
type, octavo size. 1,260 pp. $1.75. 
We have just received the following commendation of this work from 
an earnest Christian worker in Maine 
HAVING read Dr. Geikie's life and works of Christ, 1 find 
it more interesting the farther I read; and when he intro-
duces us to the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, one can almost 
imagine himself present to witness the cruel mockery, and 
the terrible scenes of Calvary. Although I am not prepared 
to indorse all that is said in the book, yet I think it the best 
I ever read of the kind. �
J. B. GOODRICH. 
Address, �
PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal. 
TEACHERS' BIBLES-OXFORD EDITION. 
-It is said that the Pope is about to establish di-
plomatic relations with the United States, having created 
the office of Papal Delegate. When the United States 
upholds the Pope's Sunday by law, such a delegate to 
the ecclesiastical branch of this Government would be 
very appropriate; but, till then, it is difficult to see 
what he can do, since this country has no ecclesiastical 
power at present, and the Pope has no civil power. 
-A "rush" is expected at a certain church in San 
Francisco; so its paper says. Are the famous reviva-
lists going to work there ? Oh, no; The ladies will 
give one of their genuine, old-fashioned, New England 
dinners-brown bread, baked beans, coffee, etc., best 
quality. Dinner from 5:30 to 7:30, and then a musical 
entertainment of an hour; all for the small sum of 
twenty-five cents." That will bring them. For filling 
churches, a good dinner will discount the gospel by 
large odds. 
-The Society of the Holy Infancy (Catholic) has; 
within less than forty years, baptized (?) 500,000 infants, 
and placed 80,000 in orphan asylums. The Master-
General commends this work and gives the following 
precious bit of information. His authority for the 
statement is not given: " Every year, by means of this 
infantile apostolate, a vast number of children, snatched 
from eternal death, are sent to Heaven to complete 
the number of the elect, whose pure and innocent 
legions, by their number and stainless beauty, consti-
tute the most resplendent trophy of the church mili-
tant." 
-Gen. Grant has " gone back " on Ends' ship railroad 
enterprise, which, it is to be hoped, will kill the gigantic 
begging scheme. 
-Governor St. John, of Kansas, has appointed Mrs. 
Cora M. Downs, of Wyandotte, one of the Regents of 
the State University. 
-The First Methodist Church at Racine, Wis., was 
burned on Sunday, February 4. The church cost $38,-
000 and the organ $3,000. 
-Decisive measures are being adopted at Cornell Col-
lege to put a stop to hazing. All right-minded people 
hope for the success of the effort. 
-The Choctaw nation, in Indian Territory, have a 
law against excessive cruelty to animals, and the pen-
alty for its violation is fifty lashes. 
-At St. Johns, N. B., the weight of snow crushed the 
roof of the car-sheds of the Inter-Colonial Railway. 
Nine cars were demolished. Loss $50,000. 
-The order of the Czar that only wood shall be 
burned in the palace is said to be owing to the fact that 
the nihilists have smuggled dynamite in with coal. 
-A large and important meeting of lawyers was held. 
in Chicago, Saturday, January 21, to see what meas-
ures can be taken to prevent jury-packing and bribery. 
-Land title suits have been filed in Oakland, within 
one week's time, against more than 10,000 defendants. 
One man has sued 6,220 property holders for possession 
in Temescal. 
-A collision between a freight and an emigrant train 
near Dos Palmos, on the Southern Pacific Railroad, 
February 6, resulted in the destruction of thirty cars 
and two engines. No lives were lost. 
-By an explosion in a colliery in Rhondda, Wales, 
Feb. 10, houses were shaken two miles off. Two thou-
sand workmen are thrown out of employment. The 
number of lives lost is not yet ascertained. 
-A note has been passing round that a compound of 
sulphate of zinc and digitalis is as " unfailing as fate " 
as a cure for small-pox. " Which the same" is a great 
humbug, to be avoided as all bugs should be. 
-Three hundred Jewish refugees from Russia recently 
sailed from London, to the United States. Thousands of 
Jews are expected to flee from Russia, and calls are 
made for all their co-religionists to aid them with means. 
-Frederick A. Tritle has been appointed Governor 
of Arizona. 
-When the troubles are settled in Ireland, notice 
will be promptly given. 
-New York capitalists are planning to erect a first-
class American hotel in the city of Mexico. 
-At Helena, Ark., the river is above the high-water 
mark of 1867, and the levees are fast breaking. 
-General rains in California during the last week. 
The winter previous to this rain has been discouragingly 
dry. 
BIBLE SANCTIFICATION: 
A CONTRAST OF TRUE AND FALSE TREOR1Es. 
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE. 
HIS is a pamphlet of only 84 pages, but its value is not 
1 to be judged by its size. It is just what its title indi-
cates: a faithful presentation of Bible truth on this important 
subject, and an exposure of the false theories prevailing in 
regard to it. Every believer in Bible truth should read. it. 
Buy it, read it, and lend it to your neighbor. Price 10 cts 
Address, �
PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal. 
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 prophecy, 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 in a few years this will 
be the 
ALL-IMPORTANT QUESTION 
In this country. Facts and statistics are largely presented, showing in 
the most conclusive manner that this government is the one pointed out 
in the prophecy quoted. 200 pages. Bound, 40 cents. Paper oovors, 
20 cents. 
Address, �
Sxoaa OF TUE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. 
School Meeting. 
not too much to say that their members are more de-
voted and self-denying, and less worldly, which is to 
say that they present a higher type of genuine Christ-
ianity. 
84 �
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES. �
VOL. 8, No. 7. 
Zite �tht 
OAKLAND, CAL., FIFTH-DAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1882. 
we mast say we are not convinced. We think, however, 
it is not because of obduracy in us, but that we have 
studied the word of God too intently to be misled by 
any such misapplication of its teachings. It is a well-
known saying that, " A little learning is a dangerous 
thing;" and this may prove true in the case of some 
people, whose knowledge of the Bible is too superficial 
to be of benefit to themselves or others. 
LAST Sabbath we met with the church in San Fran-
cisco. It was a profitable day to us all. Sunday even-
ing was stormy, but the attendance in Oakland was 
fair, and the interest manifested to hear the word was 
good. 
To J. L. E.—The word " regeneration " is used twice 
in the Bible* Matt. 19 : 28; Titus 3 :5. The original 
word is defined by Greenfield: " A being born again, 
new birth, regeneration, renovation." 
General Articles. 
NONE of the readers of the SIGNS ever tire of the 
excellent articles which appear on the first page of our 
paper, which have been so regularly furnished by Mrs. 
E. G. White. At her request they are omitted for a 
few weeks, as she is furnishing articles which we pub-
lish in the missionary department entitled, " Among the 
Churches." The instruction contained in these articles 
is of too great value to be confined to the individual 
churches named, and we gladly give place to them in 
the paper. They will, however, be few in number. 
Last week, on the first page, we gave an interesting 
extract from Dr. Geikie's Life of Christ. This week we 
give the first chapter of Eld. Littlejohn's work on the 
Religious Amendment of the Constitution of the United 
States. The book is advertised in our paper, and kept 
for sale at this office. It is exactly the book for the 
times. The chapter given this week will afford the 
reader a good idea of the style of the writer, which is 
logical, interesting, and every way unexceptionable. 
School Matters. 
ON this page will be found a brief account of the 
meeting of the committee in Healdsburg. In addition 
we state:- 
The building and ground have been purchased for 
$3,750. The first cost was over $10,000. The building 
is new, well arranged, with one hundred school-seats 
in it. 
The grounds are too small. Other desirable ground 
can be obtained at moderate rates, and should be secured 
soon. 
It is yet uncertain at what time the school will com-
mence. It will depend on the expressed wishes of those 
who will attend the first term. Let us hear from such 
immediately. 
Future information will be given in the SIGNS as fast 
as arrangements are made looking to the commencement 
of the school. It is the determination of the committee 
to move carefully, and place everything on a secure 
basis, and so insure the best possible success. 
The "American (?) Sabbath." 
IN his speech in favor of Sunday, at a mass-meeting 
held in Oakland recently, a D. D. said: " America 
established the Sabbath as a household regulation, and 
we should observe it." Let's see; the commandment 
must read something like this: " Remember the first 
day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and 
do all thy work; but the first day is the household-
regulation Sabbath of the Americans; in it thou shalt 
not do any work. . . . For in six days the Ameri-
cans made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in 
them is, and rested the first day; wherefore the Ameri-
cans blessed the first day and established it." We had 
no idea that the authority of the Americans extended 
so far back. Much, however, as our patriotism would 
incline us to wish America to take the lead in all 
things, we are forced to admit that in this matter the 
Pope got the start of her. 
We Are Not Convinced. 
SOME people are trying hard to convince the Seventh-
day Adventists that it is wrong to work on Sunday in 
violation of the law of the State. The argument is 
easily made; it is this: We are to be in subjection to 
the "powers that be;" to obey rulers, etc. By this rule 
we are under obligation to abstain from labor " on the 
venerable day of the sun." 
At the risk of being considered somewhat obdurate 
A Chinese Minister. 
AMONG the arrivals from the East yesterday was Yung 
Wing, who for the last three years has occupied the po-
sition of Second Minister for China at Washington. 
He has been a resident of the United States since 1896, 
and is said to be a naturalized citizen of this country. 
He is a graduate of Yale College, where he won high 
honors, two of our most distinguished lawyers being his 
classmates. It was by his efforts chiefly that the Chi-
nese Educational Commission was established at Hart-
ford, Connecticut. He belongs to the " advance party " 
of China, of which La Hung Chung is the leader, and 
has done more than all others of his countrymen to 
break down the barriers of Chinese exclusiveness. He 
is now en route to Peking.—S. F. Chronicle, Feb. 9. 
At a Methodist Conference in Los Angeles we heard 
Bishop Wiley say: " You dislike the Chinaman in Cali-
fornia because you do riot know himY We have always 
believed that in California we see the worst side of 
Chinese life, and for this California is partly responsi-
ble, for the means of assimilating to our civilization 
have been persistently denied to them. Mostly shut 
out of the public schools, denied the privilege of becom-
ing citizens, treated as outcasts from their arrival upon 
our shores, and almost entirely deprived of the human-
izing influence of female society, it is too much to 
expect that our civilization should have any elevating 
influence upon them. They are heathen, but they are 
not ignorant. Crossing the bay on the boat which took 
the " overland " passengers on the 8th inst., we had a 
fair opportunity to observe the appearance and manner 
of Yung ,Wing and his attendants, which indicated the 
refinement and culture which he possesses. The " hood-
lum " element of this country has no reason to look 
down upon the Chinese, even in the unfavorable light 
in which they are presented in this State. 
Bishop Wiley said that the Methodist mission in the 
Foo Chow District was commenced about the same time 
that Methodism began its work in California. With all 
the difference of surroundings, the Conferences in that 
district are as large as those in California, have as many 
preachers and as many members, And it is probably 
Appointment z. 
OAKLAND.—Church N. E. corner Clay and 13th Streets. 
Meeting every Sabbath (Saturday) at 11 A. m. Preaching 
every second and fourth Sunday evening of each month. 
Prayer-meeting every Tuesday evening. Eld. J. H. Wag-
goner, Pastor. Sabbath-school at 9:30 A. M. W. C. White, 
Superintendent. Seats always free. 
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES, 
PUBLISHED WEEKLY, Al OAKLAND, CAL., FOR THE 
Missionary Society of Seventh-day Adventists. 
A twelve-page Religious Family Paper, devoted to a discussion of 'the 
Prophecies, Signs of the Times, Second Coming of Christ, Harmony of the 
Law and Gospel, with Departments devoted to Temperance, The Home 
:Arcle, The Missionary Work, and the Sabbath-schooL 
Price Per Year, �
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Address, �
SIGNS OF THE 'TIDIES, Oakland, Cal. 
—OR— 
REVIEW AND HERALD, Battle Creek, 
ELD. J. N. Louensonotiox, Rai ens 
Michigan. �
wood, Shirley Road, Southamp- 
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ton, England. 
Society, South Lancaster, Mass. W. L Raymond, Gaston, Oregon. 
We are reminded of the debater who once undertook 
to prove that it was our duty to baptize (or rhantize) 
our children. The proof offered was considered posi-
tive beyond the possibility of evasion. It is found in 
1 Peter 2 : 13: " Submit yourselves to every ordinance 
of man." But we are hardly prepared to adopt this 
rule without the limitations which the Scriptures put 
upon it. We have adopted the Scriptures to use, but 
do not choose to abuse them in the manner indicated 
by such arguments. 
If we are wrong in working on Sunday for the reason 
stated, then Moses was wrong for 'not yielding to the 
laws of Pharaoh; the three Hebrew children were wrong 
for disobeying the law of Nebuchadnezzar, by reason 
of which they were (very justly, it must be supposed) 
cast into the fiery furnace; Daniel was wrong in dis-
obeying the law of Darius, and, of course, he was 
deservedly thrown into the den of lions. And the 
apostles of Christ were wrong when they persisted in 
preaching "Jesus and the resurrection," after the rulers 
had strictly prohibited such seditious conduct. Many 
like instances may be presented. And it must seem 
strange to these modern expositors of the word of God, 
that in all these cases the Lord vindicated them in 
their wrong-doing (?) and put the rulers to confusion. 
How will they account for this? 
We can easily solve the difficulty. In these cases the 
rulers were enacting laws which were contrary to the 
law of God; which, if obeyed, would lead to a violation 
of the law of God. Such laws must not be obeyed. 
When " the powers that be" are a terror to evil doers, 
and a praise to them that do well," Rom. 13, then it 
is the Christian's duty and delight to yield obedience 
to them; but when they turn aside and make them-
selves a praise to evil doers and a terror to them that 
do well, then our answer is always found in the answer 
to the rulers in Acts 4 :19: " Whether it be right in the 
sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, 
judge ye." 
A MEETING of the S. D. A. School Committee of Cal-
ifornia, was held at Healdsburg, Sonoma County, in 
connection with the State quarterly meeting; present, 
W. C. White, Chairman; John Morrison, Elder J. H. 
Waggoner, T. M. Chapman, and Wm. Saunders, Secre-' 
tary; absent, M. J. Church, and Wm. Butcher. At the 
first meeting, Mrs. E. G. White made appropriate re-
marks upon what should be the aims and ends of a 
denominational school, such as is purposed to be estab-
lished in this State by Seventh-day Adventists, the gist 
of which was that " The fear of the Lord is the begin-
ning of wisdom," and that it was necessary to have a 
school of our own in order to take the children away 
from the evil influences found in nearly all the common 
schools and colleges of the day. 
Elder Waggoner made remarks in favor of the estab-
lishment of a school. 
W. C. White made a statement of what the Commit-
tee had done thus far in looking over the field to ascer-
tain the best point for location, a principal to take charge 
of the school, the expense of tuition, board, etc. 
W. Saunders stated that he regretted that we had not 
a full committee present—there were five of the seven 
on hand, however, and being a majority, were competent 
to act. Would like to hear the mind of the Healdsburg 
people on the subject. 
Bro. Young stated that he favored this place for loca-
tion of the school for the reasons that it was a place 
where property could be obtained cheaply, the climate 
was good, crops were certain, and the people were pros-
perous. 
Elder Waggoner said he had visited several pbints in 
the State, and all things considered, Healdsburg seemed 
to offer the most advantages. 
At the second meeting W. C. White reported that 
he had seen Professor Brownsberger in Michigan, and 
had succeeded in securing a promise from him to come 
to California and take charge of the proposed school, 
together with his wife who could act as one of the as-
sistants. Report accepted. 
Committee on location reported that the best, most 
suitable, and cheapest building attainable was at Healds-
burg—a large two-story wooden building of excellent 
design and construction, in an eligible locality, upon 
commodious grounds, and already furnished and in use 
as a school, which could be obtained at reasonable figures. 
The Committee examined the Healdsburg Institute 
building. The matter of teachers and text-books was 
discussed, when the following resolution was offered:— 
Resolved, That the Board extend to Professor Sidney 
Brownsberger, of Battle Creek, Mich., an invitation to 
come and take charge of the proposed school as soon as 
possible, and that his wife also be invited to come with 
him and take a position as one of the teachers. Carried. 
T. M. Chapman suggested that it was proper to con-
sider the matter of locating the school at this time, 
whereupon John Morrison moved that the Healdsburg 
Institute be purchased on the terms proposed. This 
was seconded by Wm. Saunders, and after quite general 
discussion the question was put and carried unanimously. 
Moved and seconded that W. C. White be empowered 
to receive a deed of the said school property in trust for 
the Board of Trustees of said school hereafter to be 
elected. This also received a unanimous affirmative 
vote. 
After full consideration and discussion the following 
rates were fixed for tuition: Primary department, $2,50 
per month; Intermediate, $3; Grammer, $4; High 
School, $5. Special studies, such as the languages, 
music, etc., to be charged extra. Where families send 
more than one pupil, a discount of ten per cent. to be 
allowed. 
Moved that the school be called the Healdsburg 
Academy. Carried. �WM. SAUNDERS, Sec.