The Signs of the Times, vol. 15

February 18, 1889

“Why It Is” The Signs of the Times, 15, 7.

E. J. Waggoner

A man who has been out in a very dark night finds it impossible to see objects distinctly, if he suddenly enters a well-lighted room. It would be just as well, yes, even better, for him if the room were at first only partially lighted, for then his eyes would the sooner accommodate themselves to the changed conditions. So also, a man who has been in a very deep well, or a cave, cannot see when he suddenly finds himself in the blazing sunlight. Everything at first appears in a haze, then the outlines of forms begin to be seen, and finally everything stands out in full relief. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.47

The same principle holds good in other things. If you should place a work on geometry in the hands of an Indian just from the plains, you could not expect him to understand it. Its figures would convey no meaning whatever to him. Or if you should place a Greek Testament in the hands of a bright Sabbath-school scholar, it would be unintelligible to him, although he might be able to read the English language with ease. But give him a few years’ time, and he would be able to read the Greek. Yet he would not read it readily at first. He would learn the letters, then certain forms and rules, and then he would stumblingly pick out the meaning of a simple sentence. Even if a book were in a child’s own language, and he were unable to read, he would have to acquire a knowledge of it gradually. And so in everything; all knowledge is gradually acquired. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.48

Now let us apply this principle to another case. We claim that the Bible very plainly teaches that the seventh day is the Sabbath, and that no other day is, or can be, the Sabbath of the Lord. But the question comes up, Why did not all the good of past ages believe and teach thus, if it is Bible doctrine? Why did not the Reformers keep the Sabbath? The question is already answered. For centuries the Catholic Church had had supreme sway. Its policy was to keep men in ignorance, especially of the Bible; that was a proscribed book. Wherever one was found, it was burned by the priest, and the possessor treated as a heretic. The priests themselves knew nothing of the Bible. Even the cardinals and archbishops, the men in highest position in the church, were ignorant of it as a vile book, and to look to the church for their spiritual knowledge. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.49

Among the common people the ignorance was of course still greater. There were very few who had ever seen a Bible. If they had seen one, the most of them would have spurned it as a loathsome thing, whose very touch would contaminate. Had they ventured to open its pages, it would have conveyed no more to them than if it were blank, for the Bible had not been translated into the language of the common people. The small portions of the Bible that the church allowed the priests to have, were written in Latin. And even if the Bible had been translated, to thousands it would still have been a blank; for where there is ignorance of the Bible, there is ignorance of the deepest kind. Very few of the people could read; many even of the nobles and princes could not; there was no incentive for them to do so. This was the night, the darkest part of the night; and the darkness, like that of Egypt, could indeed be felt. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.50

But night does not always last. God’s Spirit was at work in the hearts of men, and that always brings light. There were men who had all the wisdom that schools could bestow. They had been moved to acquire this knowledge by a desire to benefit their fellowmen. And yet in regard to the Bible they were as ignorant as the poorest peasant. But they were anxious to serve God, and Christ says that “if any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine.” And so these men found the Bible, and, unmoved by the threats of bishops and popes, they translated it and studied it. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.51

The Reformation gave the Bible to the people; but they could not grasp all its truth at once. Its simplest doctrines were so directly opposed to the teachings of the church, that it took a long time for their minds to comprehend them. The one great point then needed, was to make men understand that the Pope had no power to forgive sin, or to give men license to sin, or to remit the punishment due to sin; works of penance would not suffice to gain the favor of God. “The just shall live by faith,” was the watchword of the Reformation. People must first learn to believe that the Bible, not the Pope, could alone point out the way of life. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.52

Some of the Reformers had glimpses of still further truth, but not all. The Reformation had only just begun when Luther and his fellow-laborers died. Many grievous papal errors still existed. Other men followed them, who were moved by the same spirit, and now the light began to dawn more brightly, and more and more of the Bible was made clear to men. They had become somewhat accustomed to its rays of light. Some rested content with the little light they had received, and refused to receive any more. But others looked still farther, and were rewarded by finding new treasures. And now a great flood of light shines forth from the sacred page, and men are beginning to endure the sight. But this could not have been done at once, any more than men who have been long confined in a dark dungeon could look at once upon the sun at noonday. And this answers the question, “Why were these things not found out before?” W. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.53

“The Church in Rome. Romans 1:8” The Signs of the Times, 15, 7.

E. J. Waggoner

Romans 1:8.

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.54

What a vast difference there was between the church in Rome in Paul’s day, and the church of Rome to-day. Then their faith was spoken of throughout the whole world; not their superstition is the object of comment everywhere. Then their faith was spoken of by others throughout the whole world; now that which has been substituted for faith is published by themselves throughout the whole world. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.55

It is a good thing when the faith of a church is so marked as to attract attention. But how was it that the faith of the church in Rome came to be known so widely and so well? It could not have been because the Romans told everybody of it, for that very thing would have proved that they didn’t have it. It could not have been because people could see their faith, because faith is not a thing that can be seen. But the results of faith can be seen, and it was by these that the faith of the Romans became so generally known. In the nineteenth verse of the last chapter, Paul says to them: “For your obedience is come abroad unto all.” True faith always works obedience, and that could be seen. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.56

How many Christians there were in Rome, we have no means of knowing. There might have been a very large church, yet when we consider that character of that city, we know that the number of Christians must have been very small in comparison with the entire population. It was a heathen city. Nero, whose very name is a synonym for everything that is wicked, cruel, and licentious, was the emperor when Paul wrote is epistle. The character of a king and court largely determine the general character of the people. The lower orders ape the customs and morals of the higher. The love of place and power, and the desire for the recognition of loyalty, are always powerful factors in leading men to conform to the whims, the sentiments, and the morals of an emperor. History tells us that society in Rome at that time was rotten. This is the only word that can describe the condition of things. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.57

With all his vices, Nero was luxurious. He had elegant tastes, and spent money lavishly in adorning the city. But effeminate vice always accompanies the lavish expenditure of wealth. Rome was the metropolis of the world, not simply as to population, but in matters of business and fashion. It was both the London and the Paris of that time. Of course, then, the thought and practice of the great mass of the people or Rome was anything but Christian. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.58

Yet in the midst of this sink of iniquity there lived a handful of people whose faith was spoken of throughout the whole world. They were emphatically a peculiar people. They were in the world, and yet not of it. The fact that they lived in the most populous, the most fashionable, and the most wicked city in the world, did not hinder them from living “soberly, righteously, and godly.” SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.59

It is right that the faith of Christians should be spoken of, but it is not necessary that they should do the speaking of it. All they have to do is to have the faith, and it will be known. Says Christ:- SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.60

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.61

Just let, or allow, your light to shine. Have the light, and the world must necessarily see it. The darker the night, the more plainly can we see a lighted candle in the room; so the more of moral darkness there is in the world, the more distinctly should the light of truth be seen in the lives of Christians. They are to be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom they shine as lights. Philippians 2:15. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.62

Christians are Christ’s representatives in the world; that is, the world will learn of Christ through his followers. He is the light of the world, and they, receiving light from him, are to transmit it undimmed to those around them. And this heavenly light shining in them shall increase more and more until it blends with the everlasting glory that shall cover the whole earth. W. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.63

“The Rest of the People of God” The Signs of the Times, 15, 7.

E. J. Waggoner

A friend asks an explanation of Hebrews 4:9. We accordingly give the following, which, although brief, will, we think, be found a sufficient key to the entire chapter. That God made to Abraham a promise of an inheritance, is well known. We will quote only two texts. The first is Genesis 13:14-17:- SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.64

“And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward; for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth; so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.” SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.65

Again the Lord said to Abraham, after he had offered Isaac:- SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.66

“I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.” Genesis 22:17. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.67

Putting these two texts together, we learn that the inheritance promised to Abraham contemplated peaceable and quiet possession of the land; not simply of a few square miles, but of the whole world. Romans 4:13. Now it was in pursuance of this promise, that the Lord delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage. See Exodus 6:1-8. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.68

Passing by the wanderings in the wilderness, we come to the address which Moses made to the children of Israel just before his death. Speaking to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh, who were allowed to settle on the east side of Jordan, he said:- SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.69

“The Lord your God hath given you this land to possess it; ye shall pass over armed before your brethren the children of Israel, ... until the Lord have given rest unto your brethren, as well as unto you, and until they also possess the land which the Lord your God hath given them beyond Jordan; and then shall ye return every man unto his possession, which I have given you.” Deuteronomy 3:18-20. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.70

From this we learn that the giving of them rest was nothing more nor less than the establishing of them in their possession. The same thing is also shown by the following words:- SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.71

“For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the Lord your God giveth you. But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the Lord your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety; then there shall be a place,” etc. Deuteronomy 12:8-11. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.72

In further confirmation of the idea that the promised rest comprehended quiet possession of the land, we read 2 Samuel 7:1, which says that “when the king sat in his house, and the Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies,” then he thought to build a house for the Lord. In refusing to allow him to do this work, the Lord made great promises to David, and said:- SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.73

“Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime.” 2 Samuel 7:10. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.74

It is evident, then, that the “rest” promised to the Israelites was the inheritance. Into this rest Joshua led them, as it is written: “And the Lord gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers; and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand.” Joshua 21:44. Yet in the face of this declaration, the apostle declares (Hebrews 4:8, margin) that Joshua did not give them rest, and that the Lord afterward spoke of “another day,” in which they might secure rest. We have just read from 2 Samuel 7:10 the promise of that rest. If Joshua had given them that rest, then another day could not have been spoken of. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.75

Although God did give to the Israelites the land of Canaan, Abraham had no part in it (see Acts 7:5), neither did Isaac and Jacob, to whom the promise was made as well as to Abraham; and the apostle, after mentioning these patriarchs, and many other worthies, says, “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise; God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:39, 40. This shows that the possession of the land of Canaan by the Israelites did not fill all the specifications of the promise. This is still more evident from the fact that they were at peace when the Lord renewed the promise in 2 Samuel 7:10. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.76

But how shall we explain the statement in Joshua 21:43-45, that God gave to the Israelites that which he promised? Simply on the ground that the partial inheritance which they had, might have been made complete, if they had obeyed and trusted God. That they did not have the complete rest and inheritance that was promised to Abraham, is evident from the fact that the promise to him included nothing less than the possession of the whole world. Romans 4:13. Now from Jeremiah 17:19-27, we know that God designed that the Israelites should be forever established in the land of Canaan, whose capital, Jerusalem, was to be the capital of the whole world, even as the New Jerusalem will be the capital of the earth made new. But although they were given possession of the capital of their inheritance, they entered not into the full possession thereof, because of unbelief; so that it was the same as though they had never had any of it. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.77

But the “Lord is not slack concerning his promise,” and so “there remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” This rest is the same as that promised to Abraham, namely, the whole earth; for, after evil-doers have all been cut off, “the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Psalm 37:11. The fact that some could not enter into rest because of unbelief, does not invalidate the promise that those who will now believe shall enter into it, for the rest was prepared and completed from the foundation of the world; and God will not allow his original plan to be frustrated. With the knowledge that the earth is the rest that was promised to Abraham and to his seed, and which remains for us who believe, it is very easy to understand Hebrews 4:3, 4, and the relation which the facts there stated bear to that rest. Thus:- SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.78

The apostle says, “And God did rest on the seventh day from all his works.” This is positive proof of the statement made just before, namely, that “the works were finished from the foundation of the world.” Genesis 2:3 says that God “rested on the seventh day from all his works which he had made,” and that his blessing pronounced upon the seventh day was “because that in it he had rested from all his works which God created and made.” He made the earth “to be inhabited” (Isaiah 45:18), and gave it to men for a peaceful abode; and the fact that he rested on the seventh day was a proof that the works were finished and the rest prepared. The Sabbath, therefore-the memorial of God’s rest-a day in which to be glad through the work of God, and to triumph in the works of his hands, as we meditate upon their greatness (Psalm 92:4, 5), is an assurance that God has prepared a rest for his people, and that they will share it just as surely as he is the great Creator who changes not. SITI February 18, 1889, page 88.79

When Christ shall descend in glory, sitting upon the throne of his glory, having received the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession, that he may rid it of all that corrupt it, he will say to the righteous who have kept the faith, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34); and when they with him shall have executed upon the wicked the judgment that is written (See Jude 14, 15; Psalm 149:5-9), then will be fulfilled the promise given through the holy prophet: “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” Isaiah 32:17, 18. Then shall the people of God enjoy the rest which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world. W. SITI February 18, 1889, page 103.1

“Do the Dead Know?” The Signs of the Times, 15, 7.

E. J. Waggoner

Why is it that men who profess Christianity, and especially men who profess to take the Bible as their only guide, will so persistently ignore its plainest teachings? For instance, read the following from an editorial in the Christian Oracle, on the death of Isaac Errett:—^* SITI February 18, 1889, page 103.2

“In attempting to pronounce a eulogy on such a man as Bro. Errett, words appear to have such poverty that the heart hesitates to use them. If, however, the departed one knows what is said of him (and who shall say he does not?) he will know the sentiment that prompts the expression, and that its very sincerity is its chief virtue.” SITI February 18, 1889, page 103.3

“Who shall say that he does not” know? Solomon, to whom God gave wisdom greater than that of all men who ever lived before or since, will say. Hear him:- SITI February 18, 1889, page 103.4

“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any [thing] that is done under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6. SITI February 18, 1889, page 103.5

Job will speak most emphatically to the contrary. Hear what he says of the dead man:- SITI February 18, 1889, page 103.6

“His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.” Job 14:21. SITI February 18, 1889, page 103.7

Surely, then, the man cannot perceive what is said in his praise. If men would but heed the plain words of the Bible, they would know, what certain also of their own poets have said, that flattery cannot “soothe the dull, cold, ear of death.” SITI February 18, 1889, page 103.8

Hear what the psalmist says on this point:- SITI February 18, 1889, page 103.9

“The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence.” Psalm 115:17. SITI February 18, 1889, page 103.10

Take now the case of a man eminent for his piety; a humble-minded man. Will it be claimed that, although in death he cannot praise the Lord, he can nevertheless know all that is being said in his own praise? Is it so, that the man whose whole life was one of self-denying love for Christ, becomes oblivious of everything but self, as soon as he is dead? Can he listen to eulogies upon himself, while he is unable to utter a word for his Master? No; it is not so. Again the psalmist, by whom the Lord spoke, says of man:- SITI February 18, 1889, page 103.11

“His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” Psalm 146:4. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.1

The grave is “the land of forgetfulness.” Psalm 88:12. It is the synonym of nothingness. Now the question is, “Do the men who use such language as that quoted from the Oracle really believe the Bible?” We shall not attempt to answer it; but we will say this, that there is no actual difference between such language and the language of Spiritualism. If the dead know all that is taking place on the earth, if their activity and consciousness go on just the same as before, and even in increased degree, then it is simply absurd to say that they cannot communicate their own ideas, and manifest themselves just the same as before their death. The only logical believers in the natural immortality of the soul, are Spiritualists. And all who cling to the Oracle’s theory, will, by their position, sooner or later be driven into Spiritualism. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.2

“But,” says some believer in the doctrine of immortality outside of Christ, “the Bible teaches that between the living and the dead there is a great gulf fixed, so that those in the two states cannot communicate with one another; and so I cannot by any possibility become a Spiritualist.” Very true; the Bible does so teach; but is there any more truth in that portion of the Scripture than there is in another? The Bible also teaches that the dead know not anything; yet you squarely and positively deny it. Since you deny the teachings of the Bible in one point, what is there to keep you from denying any other part, or the whole of it, when some specious sophistry, or some manifestation that appeals to your senses, is presented to you? Just nothing at all. And so we say that the man who, in contradiction of the Bible, declares that the dead are conscious, is on the high road toward declaring, in contradiction of the Bible, that the spirits of the dead may appear to and communicate with the living, and of finally denying the whole Bible. W. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.3

“Back Page” The Signs of the Times, 15, 7.

E. J. Waggoner

“In Winchester, Va., a man was tried for murder and convicted. His counsel took the case up on a number of points, all of which the Circuit Judge overruled except the one that, in making up the record, an extra initial had been inserted in the man’s name, and he was granted a new trial!” SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.4

It is just such decisions as this that render so many trials near farces and incite men to more violence. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.5

The following, clipped from the Oakland Enquirer, illustrates the folly of that system of fatuity which has duped to so many of the credulous, and for which Mrs. Eddy, of Boston, is largely responsible. But perhaps she is no more so than some of her learned dupes:- SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.6

“Up in Dakota some Christian Science people tried for two days to raise a child from the dead. But they did not succeed. They may convince themselves that sickness is all in the mind, but death is a reality which no sophistry can get over.” SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.7

The fact of the case is, there is nothing Christian about it but the name. It is antichrist, and such things do more injury to true Christianity than all the infidelity in the land. Like all error, it has a minimum of truth and a maximum of falsehood. It has taken for its name two words,-Christian, from Christ, and science, which means knowledge; but it has neither Christianity nor knowledge. It has borrowed the livery of Heaven the better to serve the devil. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.8

A reader of the SIGNS asks for an explanation of Hebrews 7:12, which reads thus: “For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also in the law.” It is not difficult to understand this, if one considers what is the subject of the apostle’s discourse, namely the priesthood of Christ. The entire book of Hebrews is an exaltation of Christ, showing how he as Creator is superior to the angels, to Moses and to the house of Levi. The sixth chapter closes with the statement that Jesus is a high priest after the order of Melchizedek; but that is a priesthood of which Moses said nothing. Among the Jews it was death for any body not of the house of Aaron of the tribe of Levi, to come near the sanctuary to minister. Now if Christ is to be priest for that same people, it is evident, as the verse says, that there must be a change in the law-of the priesthood. In proof of this, he continues:- SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.9

“For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.” Hebrews 7:13, 14. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.10

To apply the text to the law of ten commandments, as some do, is to do violence to it, and to go contrary to all reason. To say that the law concerning which they ministered, should be changed because a new order of priesthood was instituted, would be no more in accordance with reason than to say that it should be changed every time a new priest came into office. But it is most natural and necessary that if a new order of priesthood was to be instituted, and a priest taken from another tribe, there must be a change in the law which made it a capital offense for one of that other tribe to minister at the altar. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.11

“‘The Bible Student’s Library’” The Signs of the Times, 15, 7.

E. J. Waggoner

The above is the title of a weekly publication issued by the Pacific Press Publishing Co., of Oakland, Cal. The design is to furnish in convenient form, separate from other matter, short and telling articles and treatises which will cover all the great and important doctrines of the Bible; such as salvation through Christ, Bible sanctification, the law and the gospel, the use and importance of prophecy, the second coming of Christ, the dangers and the delusions of our times, National Reform, civil and religious liberty, the home of the redeemed, and many other subjects of interest and importance. In fact, the Library will be just what its name indicates, a help for Bible students. It will present no abstruse theories, but will deal with the great vital questions of God’s word in a way which will help the unlearned as well as the more scholarly. The true method of interpretation will be followed; the Bible will be made to explain itself. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.12

Some of the first numbers will contain reprints of our standard tracts and pamphlets, others will be entirely new. All will be of the very best. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.13

The advantages to be gained by issuing this library are many:- SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.14

1. It will enable the publishers to furnish the matter to our Tract Societies, and others, at much lower rates than heretofore. Being regularly entered at the post-office as second-class matter it can be mailed at pound rates. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.15

2. They will be gotten out in a more attractive form than ever before,-each member being embellished with an engraved cover-page. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.16

3. It will enable the Tract Societies, or anyone else, to order in any quantity at any time. It will not be necessary to wait until one 100 pounds or more are wanted. Small quantities can be sent at the same rate as large ones. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.17

4. There will also be a great saving in point of time, as this publication will be sent by mail, while heretofore we have been obliged to ship everything as freight or pay excess of the express or mail rates. It takes from three to six weeks to ship matter from Oakland to York by freight, while the mail goes in about six days. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.18

5. It will enable all those Tract Societies who are acting as News Agents to re-mail this publication to their agents for customers and at pound rates (one cent a pound). SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.19

These are some of the advantages to be gained by issuing this publication, and we bespeak for it a large circulation. If extra copies of a certain number are wanted at any time, they may be furnished at the same rate. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.20

Each number will contain from 8 to 200 pages and will vary in price from one to twenty-five cents, post-paid, according to the number of pages which each issue contains. Subscription price for the year, 52 numbers, $3.00. Orders for single numbers or subscription for the year should be addressed to the Pacific Press Publishing Co., 12th and Castro streets, Oakland, Cal., or 43 Bond Street, New York City. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.21

“The Blair Sunday-Rest Bill” The Signs of the Times, 15, 7.

E. J. Waggoner

This is the name of a 56-page pamphlet just issued by the Pacific Press Publishing Company. It is a clear, concise history of the attempts to secure national legislation in regard to Sunday, and especially of the causes which led to the introduction of the Blair bills. The bill is given in full, both in its original form, and with the changes desired by the “National Sabbath Association.” A brief analysis is also given, and an account of the formation of the “National Sabbath Committee,” and Union. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.22

Considerable space is devoted to showing the nature of the bill, and to a consideration of the effect it would have if it should become law. The means by which the bill has been pushed, and the character of the work, are dwelt on at some length. Altogether the little pamphlet will be found to give a good outline of the rise and progress of the present Sunday agitation, and will afford a good basis from which to study the whole question. Numerous quotations are made, and the exact reference given in every instance, so that every fact stated may be fully verified. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.23

To those who are canvassing for the American Sentinel, or for signatures to petitions in behalf of religious liberty, or are engaged in any branch of anti-National Reform work, this pamphlet will be indispensable. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.24

Everybody who is interested in the matter of Sunday legislation, which is getting to be the great question of the day, should get the book and study it. Friends and enemies of the Blair Sunday-Rest Bill will alike find it useful in enabling them to understand the exact facts, so that they can argue intelligently upon it. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.25

This pamphlet is one of a regular series of semi-monthly publications issued by the Pacific Press Publishing Co., on the first and fifteenth of each month, commencing January 1, 1889, and treating upon the various phases of the National Reform Movement, the Union of Church and State, and Civil and Religious Liberty. The series will be issued under the general title of “The Sentinel Library,” and will be regularly entered at the post-office as second-class matter, so that News Agents can re-mail them at the regular pound rates. Each number will contain a telling treatise upon some branch for phase of the work. The Library will be uniform in size (page about 5x7 inches), each number containing from 8 to 56 pages or more. Subscription price, 25 numbers, 75 cents per year, post-paid. Single numbers at the rate of one cent for each 8 pages, post-paid. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.26

The first five numbers are now ready. No. 1, entitled “The National Reformed Constitution,” gives a view of our Constitution as it will appear when amended to conform to the views of National Reformers, 24 pages, price three cents, post-paid. No. 2, entitled “Religious Liberty,” contains Senator Robert H. Crockett’s famous speech before the Arkansas Legislature, 8 pages, price one cent, post-paid. No. 3 is entitled, “The Evils of Religious Legislation,” 8 pages, priced at one cent, post-paid. No. 4 contains “The Blair Sunday-Rest Bill,” as noticed above, 56 pages, price seven cents, post-paid. No. 5 will contain “The Blair Educational Amendment Bill,” with comments, showing the tendency which the passage of this bill will have toward the establishment of a national religion. Orders for single numbers, or subscriptions for the year, should be addressed to Pacific Press Publishing Co., 12th and Castro Streets, Oakland, Cal., or 43 Bond Street, New York City. SITI February 18, 1889, page 104.27