“A.-The Scripture commands us to hear the church, ... but the Scripture does not in particular mention this change of the Sabbath. St. John speaks of the Lord’s day (Revelation 1:10), but he does not tell us what day of the week this was, much less does he tell us that this day was to take the place of the Sabbath ordained in the commandments; St. Luke also speaks of the disciples meeting together to break bread on the first day of the week. Acts 20:7. And St. Paul (1 Corinthians 16:2) orders that on the first day of the week the Corinthians should lay by in store what they designed to bestow in charity on the faithful in Judea; but neither the one nor the other tell us that this first day of the week was to be henceforward the day of worship, and the Christian Sabbath; so that truly the best authority we have for this is the testimony and ordinance of the church. And therefore those who pretend to be so religious observers of the Sunday whilst they take no notice of other festivals ordained by the same church authority, show that they act by humor, and not by reason and religion; since Sundays and holy days all stand upon the same foundation, viz., the ordinance of the church.”SITI May 4, 1888, page 202.5

This is plain language, but no Sunday-keeping Protestant can deny it. After years of search by the ablest men, it has been impossible to find any Scripture warrant for the observance of Sunday, and many people have been driven to the claim that Christ certainly changed the day, but that he, for certain reasons, did not think best to say anything about it! Some of them really seem to think that the Lord would have made known the change if he had known how hard pressed they were going to be for argument to uphold their custom.SITI May 4, 1888, page 202.6

But now the majority of professed Protestants are freeing themselves from the charge of partiality that is preferred against them by the Catholics. They do not propose to “act by humor” any longer, by neglecting the other festivals that stand on the same basis that Sunday does; and so Christmas, Lent, Good Friday, Easter, and “Holy Week” are coming to be devoutly observed. In proof thereof we publish the following from the Congregationalist, of April 5, which is only one of many like reports. It comes under the heading of “Observance of Holy Week:”-SITI May 4, 1888, page 202.7

“Probably more Congregational Churches then ever before marked the eventful days of last week either at their regular services, or with special meetings.SITI May 4, 1888, page 202.8

“In Lowell the John Street Church was open every afternoon, and Rev. H. T. Rose gave a brief address, many coming from other churches to listen, and to share in the worship. The churches of Salem united on Good Friday in a communion service at the Crombie Street Church, Rev. L. B. Voorhees preaching.SITI May 4, 1888, page 202.9

“A remarkable series of discourses was given in Worcester at the union meetings of the Central Church and St. John’s Episcopal, each house of worship being alternately used. The preachers were Drs. Merriman, Tucker, Herrick, and Phillips Brooks. These union meetings, continuing through Lent, have fostered the spirit of unity, and desire for aggressive work.SITI May 4, 1888, page 202.10

“As last year, union services were held in Pittsfield every noon, for half an hour, in the First Church, only one clergyman being in the pulpit, and the exercises consisting of prayer, hymns, a Scripture reading covering the incidents of the day, and a few fitting words. The congregation united in the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. On Good Friday the service, ‘The Watch on the Cross,’ was held at St. Stephen’s Church from twelve till three o’clock, being conducted by Rector W. W. Newton. Each of the other evangelical clergymen of the town spoke briefly on one of the seven words from the cross. The services have had a meditative and strength-giving character, and the yearly observance of the week is now a settled thing.SITI May 4, 1888, page 202.11

“The observance was more general than every in Hartford. The Asylum Hill and South Churches each held daily services at 5 P.M. The Center, Park, and Pearl Street churches held union services for five evenings. At the Fourth Church the annual week-night communion service was held. Doctor Stainer’s ‘Passion Music’ was rendered at the Good Friday service in the South Church.”SITI May 4, 1888, page 202.12

The “beast,”-the Roman Catholic Church,-received “a deadly wound” as the result of the enlightenment that followed the Reformation; at the present rate of progress, with almost all professed Protestantism observing all her festival days, with a Pope who is the most shrewd politician that ever occupied the Papal chair, with elements of discord and anarchy working everywhere, with the idea gaining ground that the Pope alone can successfully act as peacemaker, and with leading Protestant journals (so-called) resenting an attack upon the Catholic Church as quickly as they would upon their own,-how long will it be before that deadly wound will be fully healed? It will not be long until “Protestantism” will be simply a name to distinguish the American church, which will be but a counterpart of the Papacy.SITI May 4, 1888, page 202.13

And these things are but tokens of the near approach of the end. For when that anti-Christian power, puffed up by the adulation and servile homage which all nations will render to her, shall say, “I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow,” then “shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.” May it be ours to faithfully hold up the beacon light of truth to the many honest souls yet enslaved by her, so that when the final cry shall be given, “Come, out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues,” they may flock to the standard which the Spirit of the Lord hath raised. W.SITI May 4, 1888, page 202.14

“Intemperance in the Church” The Signs of the Times, 14, 17.

E. J. Waggoner

The Presbyterian Messenger (London) shows that:SITI May 4, 1888, page 262.1

“A church of 300 members, of whom one-third expend one penny per day, one-third twopence per day, and one-third fourpence per day, on drink and tobacco, will spend in one year £1,064 11s. 8d. ($5,000).SITI May 4, 1888, page 262.2

“If all the members of the church would agree to cast the cost of tobacco and intoxicating beverages into the treasury, the sacrifice would be very small, and they would be richly repaid by improved health, and by the knowledge that they were setting a good example to those around them-to the rising generation in particular-at the same time knowing that they would not have the sorrow of expelling any members for drunkenness, as is too often the case at present, in many churches throughout the kingdom.”SITI May 4, 1888, page 262.3

The Interior, from which the above is clipped, says that this “will be read on this side of the water as a curiosity. Nothing like it can be found in our temperance religious literature less than fifty years old.” The statement that “nothing like it can be found in our temperance religious literature” should not be taken to imply that no such state of things exists in our religious society, for it does exist on this side of the water also, though the religious press is not as faithful in dealing with these sins as the case demands. It is doubtless true that the common use of rum and other intoxicating drinks has decreased in the ranks of Christian people; but it is at the same time true that the prohibition of their use is not always strictly enforced by some of the nominally evangelical churches. Cards and wine are called upon to minister to the amusement and tastes of many people who occupy high places in society and church, and who “love the uppermost seats in the synagogues.” And as far as money figures go, it may well be supposed that the wine bill of the church is as large to-day as in the more primitive days when each man was his own manufacturer of liquors.SITI May 4, 1888, page 262.4

But tobacco! O, what a horrid stench comes up to heaven from the once sacred limits of the church. Men made in God’s image chewing, smoking, and spitting, defiling themselves and all their surroundings. Out of the same mouth which is a pit of pollution, pouring out floods of filth, come the sacred name of Him who was pure and holy. “Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?” And this is a growing evil, as all statistics show. The man who does not use tobacco is an exception. The majority which use it is so great that those to whom it is unspeakably objectionable, must submit in abject silence to the insolence of the smoking, puffing crowds who blow the wretched fumes in their faces and glory in doing it. If a man is so unfortunate as to be born or educated with a clean breath, and sensitive stomach and olfactories, he must suffer the consequences without protest. And where is the church that will boldly take its stand on the side of purity and suffering humanity? Not amongst the mighty. A very few are lifting their voices against this slavery of men to a Satanic habit, but still the offering to Molech goes on and legions of professed Christians are in the ranks of its victims. How can a man thus enslaved present his “body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God?”SITI May 4, 1888, page 262.5

“May We Do as We Please?” The Signs of the Times, 14, 17.

E. J. Waggoner

The following request has been received:-SITI May 4, 1888, page 202.1

“Please explain Romans 14:5 for the benefit of one who has just embraced the Sabbath. V.B.”SITI May 4, 1888, page 202.2

Romans 14:5 reads as follows: “One man esteemeth one day above another; another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” This is taken by very many as a warrant for everybody to believe just as he pleases concerning the Sabbath, and to act according to his own belief; to keep any day he chooses, or no day at all. But such a construction of the text can come only from wresting it from the context. We have no right to give any text a meaning not warranted by the context, or contrary to the teachings of other scriptures.SITI May 4, 1888, page 202.3

The first verse of the chapter shows that the Sabbath is not under consideration at all: “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.” But the Sabbath is not a doubtful matter. The fourth commandment is very explicit and very emphatic: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, 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.” This is one of the commandments which “stands fast forever and ever,” which our Saviour came to magnify, every jot of which is more enduring than heaven and earth, and which are established by the gospel. We are to keep the seventh day of the week, for the commandment declares that that day, and that day only, is the Sabbath. The commandment is very definite. It does not leave us any chance for doubt as to which day is the Sabbath, and it does not give us any license to observe no day at all. Therefore the Sabbath is removed entirely from the scope of this chapter.SITI May 4, 1888, page 202.4

But the days to which the apostle refers are only connected with questions concerning the eating of certain things. Now in connection with the old sanctuary service, “which was a figure for the time then present,” there were certain rules concerning “meats and drinks and divers washings” which many of the Jews observed very scrupulously, of course, “Christ being come an high priest of good things to come,” these things were of no consequence. Indeed, they never could “make him that did that service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience.” Nevertheless, the force of habit was so strong that many could not disregard these old customs. Paul’s relation to these things was one of utter indifference. If anybody felt like observing the Passover, and eating bitter herbs, he would not roughly combat his prejudices and perhaps thereby throw him into perplexity and doubt that might result in his ruin. His advice was: Do not reject a man who has faith in Christ, even though his faith be weak. Do not rudely shock his sensibilities, but rather encourage him and strengthen his faith, for the more perfect his faith becomes, the less will he care for these things that are nothing. Don’t dispute about rites and ceremonies which, if a man clings to as a child does to a toy, work neither benefit nor injury.SITI May 4, 1888, page 202.5

“For no man liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.” This is why the apostle made the declaration which we find in another place where he is arguing on the same point: “Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.” 1 Corinthians 8:13. This is true Christian charity, which is tender of the feelings of others, always making concessions to the prejudice of the weak, when such concession involves no principle. Yet we find that this same apostle was as unyielding as a rock when a principle was at stake. But nowhere in the Bible can we find any warrant for considering as non-essential anything which God has commanded. Therefore we conclude that Romans 14:5 has no reference whatever to the Sabbath of the Lord, which is of primary, universal, and eternal obligation. W.SITI May 4, 1888, page 203.1

“Baptism for the Dead” The Signs of the Times, 14, 17.

E. J. Waggoner

A friend asks for an explanation of 1 Corinthians 15:29, he says that his minister claims that in Paul’s day there were people who believed that if a man died without being baptized, a living man could be baptized in his stead, and it would be counted the same as though the dead man had been baptized. We do not believe that there were any people in Paul’s day who held to anything of the kind, and it is certain that Paul had no reference to any such custom. The Mormons now believe in and practice the baptism of the living as substitutes for the dead, professing to derive their authority therefore from this text; but the text gives no warrant for any such practice.SITI May 4, 1888, page 203.2

In the first place, no man can perform an act of righteousness for another. No man can do more than his own duty, so as to have some of his good deeds placed to the credit of some other one who has come short. Christ is the only one whose righteousness can be imputed to another, and even his righteousness cannot be imputed to the dead. It can be imputed only to those who have faith for themselves. But the dead know not anything; “their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6. The apostle says that “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the Judgment.” Hebrews 9:27. This text, taken with the one quoted just previously, shows that so far as a man is concerned, the next thing for him after death, is the Judgment. Death ends every man’s probation; it is as though he were brought immediately before the Judgment seat. It therefore necessarily follows that since there is no probation for the dead, it would be folly to be baptized for them.SITI May 4, 1888, page 203.3

But what does the text mean? Let us read it, and consider it in connection with the context: “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” This language occurs in the midst of a chapter that is devoted to a defense of the doctrine of the resurrection. The apostle proves that the dead do rise, from the fact that Christ is raised. In him alone is our hope of salvation, and if he is not raised then our faith is vain and we are yet in our sins. He “was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:25. His death would have accomplished nothing for our salvation, if he had not risen from the dead. The apostle’s argument turns right upon this fact.SITI May 4, 1888, page 203.4

Baptism is an act by which we express our faith in the death and resurrection of Christ. It is designed as an expression not merely of our belief in the historical fact that Christ did die and rise again, but to show our personal faith in that event as the means of justification from sin, and of our acceptance of it as accomplishing that for us. In another place the same apostle gives expression to this fact in these words:-SITI May 4, 1888, page 203.5

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:3, 4.SITI May 4, 1888, page 203.6

Thus it appears that baptism is the act by which we express our death to sin, and our resurrection to a new life, and our union with the crucified and risen Redeemer, by which our new life is made possible. Not only this, but it is a token of our belief in the final resurrection of the dead, of which the resurrection of Christ was a pledge. With this view, it is easy to see how absurd it would be for anybody to be baptized if he did not believe in the resurrection. The argument might be paraphrased thus: You say that there is no resurrection of the dead; if that is so, then of course Christ is not raised; then why are we baptized? So many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death; but if the dead rise not, then we are baptized only into his death, into a dead Christ, and our baptism amounts to nothing. In short, if the dead rise not, then our baptism is only a baptism for the dead, having no reference to a new life in Christ, for baptism derives all its force from the resurrection. W.SITI May 4, 1888, page 203.7

“Joseph Before Pharaoh” The Signs of the Times, 14, 17.

E. J. Waggoner

1. What is wisdom?SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.1

“And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Job 28:28.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.2

2. Who have a good understanding?SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.3

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do his commandments; his praise endureth forever.” Psalm 111:10.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.4

3. How was this shown to be true in the life of Joseph? Genesis 40.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.5

4. Who had a dream two years later?SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.6

“And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed; and, behold, he stood by the river.” Genesis 41:1.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.7

5. What was the dream? Verses 2-7.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.8

6. What success did Pharaoh have in getting his dream interpreted? Verse 8.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.9

7. How was Joseph’s experience in prison now turned to his favor? Verse 9-14.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.10

8. What did Pharaoh say to Joseph when he came before him?SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.11

“And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.” Verse 15.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.12

9. Who did Joseph say of himself, and to whom did he ascribe the power?SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.13

“And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me; God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” Verse 16.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.14

10. After Pharaoh had related his dream, how did Joseph interpret it? See verses 30-31.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.15

11. What did he say the repetition of the dream indicated?SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.16

“And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.” Verse 32.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.17

12. What advice did he give to Pharaoh? Verses 33-35.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.18

13. What did Pharaoh think of this advice?SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.19

“And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.” Verse 37.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.20

14. Whom did Pharaoh think was the most ... for the work which Joseph had advised?SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.21

“And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art; thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled; only in the throne will I be greater than thou.” Verses 38-40.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.22

15. To what position did Pharaoh advance Joseph? Verses 41-44.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.23

16. What scripture was fulfilled in the history of Joseph in Egypt?SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.24

“The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.” Psalm 37:32, 33.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.25

17. What sure promise is given to those who trust and serve the Lord?SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.26

“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.” Psalm 37:5, 6.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.27

NOTES

Human wisdom is always accompanied by iniquity. The fear of the Lord is the only true wisdom, and humility is a part of that wisdom. Joseph had the fear of God continually before his eyes, and God gave him divine wisdom. When called before Pharaoh to interpret his dream, Joseph said: “It is not in me; God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” Note the similar answer that Daniel gave when he went in to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Daniel 2:28, 30.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.28

Pharaoh showed his appreciation of the fact that true wisdom comes from God to those who are his servants in truth, by saying of Joseph when he had advised that men be appointed to preserve food for the time of famine: “Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?” He knew that there was no use in looking further. A man to whom God had given such wisdom, was just the one to carry out the work which he had advised.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.29

The question may arise, Was this knowledge that Joseph had miraculous? Did God give him special knowledge, just because he was a good man? We believe not, at least not wholly. The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. Says the psalmist: “A good understanding have all they that do his commandments.” The law of God is infinite in breadth, and it is that in which a righteous man meditates. Surely then it ought to make him broad-minded. When the mind contemplates little things, it contracts; when it dwells upon great themes, it expands. Therefore since the law of God is the greatest thing, “exceeding broad,” it must enlarge the understanding of the man who thinks of it continually, in order that his way may be right. Take the book of Proverbs alone. The man who studies that book carefully, and who follows its teachings cannot go wrong. It is the best book in the world for a man to study, who wants to be successful in business. It is only in harmony with the words of our Saviour: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” But we are not to suppose that every man who studies the word of God and walks in its light, will have an equal amount of knowledge. God gives man the power to get wealth, but he does not give equal ability to all. So he does not give to all equal ability to acquire knowledge. And this should keep those of superior ability from boasting over those of less ability. “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” 1 Corinthians 4:7.SITI May 4, 1888, page 267.30

“Back Page” The Signs of the Times, 14, 17.

E. J. Waggoner

In an article in an Oakland daily paper, a Catholic priest has the unblushing effrontery to claim that the Catholic Church wrote the Bible! And he actually expects that sober people will give him credence. The next thing we know, some of the priests will be claiming that the Pope of Rome made the world.SITI May 4, 1888, page 272.1

The loss to workingmen in New York State alone during the year 1887, in consequence of strikes, was $2,230,296. Let it be remembered that for all the strikes and the consequent loss, labor unions are responsible. If it had not been for the labor unions, there would have been no strike; and if there had been no strikes, the workingmen of the State of New York would have been $2,230,296 better off. The labor unions of to-day are the greatest foe that the laboring man has.SITI May 4, 1888, page 272.2

Last week the National Reform Association held its annual meeting in Philadelphia. We have not yet received any report, but we were struck with a remark by President Brumot, in his call for the convention. After stating what questions were before them, namely Sunday laws, religion in schools, etc., he said: “It is by no means certain that the answer we shall give to those questions will be the right answer.” We wish we could be sure that this is the beginning of a spirit of distrust of the principles which they have heretofore advocated. We are very certain that the answer which they will give will not be the right one, unless it is radically different from anything they have ever yet given.SITI May 4, 1888, page 272.3

Sometimes even Doctors of Divinity get their illustrations a little confused. At the recent session of the New York Methodist Conference, there was a lively discussion on the temperance question. The Committee on Temperance brought in a report opposing all liquor license laws, and in opposition to this, Prof. George R. Crooks, D.D., said, “I will tie the monster, if I cannot kill him.” But if he can “tie the monster,” why can’t he kill him? A real, live monster could be fatally shot much more easily than it could be caught and tied. And such will be found to be the case with the liquor monster. It may never be killed, but we are sure that if it is not killed, no effort to “tie” it will ever diminish the power.SITI May 4, 1888, page 272.4

A daily paper in a prohibition State calls upon its readers to mourn the sad fate of a liquor-dealer, whose family has been reduced to a state of utter destitution because his saloon has been closed up, and he has been thrown out of business. It calls such work “persecution,” and speaks of the “tyrannical prohibitory law.” Now it is all very well to sympathize with those who are in trouble, and a saloon-keeper’s family is as much entitled to commiseration when it is in distress, as is the family of any other man; but would it not be worthwhile to save some sympathy for the victims of that man’s prosperity when he was in business? Sorrow for the saloon-keeper’s family, because he has been driven from his business, is like pity expended on the family of a highwayman because of vigilance of the officers of the law renders it unsafe for the husband and rather no longer plunder travelers, to obtain means for the support of his wife and children. The family of such a man are to be pitied, not because their natural protector is no longer able to support them by the wages of iniquity, but because he will not devote himself to some legitimate business for the support of those who are dependent upon him.SITI May 4, 1888, page 272.5

The following note in the Congregationalist has a queer sound:-SITI May 4, 1888, page 272.6

“One of the good fruits which the visit of Professor Drummond to our American Colleges is bearing, is the increased demand for biographies of Christ. A librarian of one College reports almost a remarkable run upon lives of Christ.”SITI May 4, 1888, page 272.7

Wonder if any of them ever heard of the Bible; that contains the best biography of Christ that we know of, for it was written by the personal acquaintances who witnessed the events of his life. We unhesitatingly recommend its perusal to everybody. If it cannot be found in any college library, this office can supply the deficiency, for it keeps constantly on hand a large assortment.SITI May 4, 1888, page 272.8

At the recent meeting of the Napa Ministerial Association, held in Calistoga, Cal., Rev. C. E. Rich read a paper on “The Holy Spirit and Our Republic,” and the report speaks of the argument as “placing our republic in direct spiritual succession from the republic of Moses, which the Holy Spirit founded. Thus spreads the pernicious idea which is the soul of the National Reform movement. Thus the way is being prepared for religious persecution. It is useless to say that men in this enlightened age will not persecute; there are no better minds now than there were in the days of the Reformation, or in the early days of Christianity. Once let the idea become prevalent that this Government is the same as that of ancient Israel, and religious proscription must follow.SITI May 4, 1888, page 272.9

A Catholic in an interior town in California, whose honest zeal evidently far surpasses his knowledge, writes to us concerning our articles on the Catholic Church as antichrist, and asks us to apologize for the Pope. We can’t do it. We do not know of anybody who stands in greater need of having something done for him than does the Pope of Rome, but we can find no excuse of apology for his course. If the Pope will apologize for himself, if he will come down from the stool of infallibility which he has erected for himself, and will humbly confess his sins, we know of no reason why he may not be forgiven as well as less pretentious sinners. This we say of the Pope as an individual. As to the Papacy, it cannot be reformed; utter destruction is the only thing left for it.SITI May 4, 1888, page 272.10

“The Annual Meetings in California” The Signs of the Times, 14, 17.

E. J. Waggoner

The State laws require the holding of the annual business meetings of corporations upon a fixed date, and those for the Healdsburg College, Pacific Press, and Rural Health Retreat are located in April, and have all been held within the last two weeks. The former was held at the college, April 16, a report of which will appear. The meetings at Oakland followed, beginning April 20, and including in their course the dedication of the new church, the State Tract and Missionary quarterly meeting, business meetings of the Publishing Company, followed by an institute of one week for counsel and instruction in the various departments and features of our work. This latter part of the meeting is still in progress at this writing.SITI May 4, 1888, page 272.11

Nearly all the laborers of the Conference are present, and participating in the exercises. The attendance of the people is quite large, and a good and growing interest has been manifested. The meetings have been attended with a degree of continual blessing, and many have taken advantage since the Spirit of God has witness to the word of truth.SITI May 4, 1888, page 272.12

Daily instructions are given in Tract and Missionary work, and personal missionary work, church duties and relations, and ministerial labor and culture.SITI May 4, 1888, page 272.13

The results of such meetings can but be for the upbuilding of the cause, and to unite more clearly hearts and efforts of those to our laboring to advance present truth. All feel that the present meeting is a profitable and precious season, and that the divine blessing rests upon the endeavors of God’s people to come near to him and to understand his will.SITI May 4, 1888, page 272.14

“Unreasonable Prejudice” The Signs of the Times, 14, 17.

E. J. Waggoner

From an Auckland, New Zealand, paper we find the following local item, which was of interest to us as it evidently refers to the tent of brother ... by showing the unreasonable prejudice of the people there, goes to prove that human nature is much the same the world over:-SITI May 4, 1888, page 272.15

“There was some chuckling in orthodox circles at Graiton Road last Sunday morning, when it was found that the storm had blown down and permanently demolish the preacher’s tent, which is... an eyesore to certain church-goers. A judgment clearly “the act of God,” and an outpouring of divine wrath-such was the all-but-universal verdict, but the good folks were rather taken aback when the Adventists found that beyond the pulling up of the stakes, and the smashing of a single lamp found not a bit of damage had been done to the tabernacle in the wilderness, or to its primitive furniture, by the Sabbatarians-or, to be strictly accurate, I should say the Sundayrians-had their amazement turned to unmitigated discuss when those practical ‘Saturday’ people set to work with hammer and mallet ‘on the Lord’s day, even on Sunday,’ repaired the tent, amid a tremendous ‘row,’ which was a perfect contrast to the noiseless building of Solomon’s Temple in the olden days before Sunday was invented. There was at first some talk of a prosecution for breach of the law which forbids labor on Sabbath, but that law appears only to apply to Chinamen, the modern Daniel was not brought to judgment.”SITI May 4, 1888, page 272.16

April 20, 1888

May 11, 1888