Seventh Day Adventists.—In this issue we give a short article by the late Rev. Walter Scott, Chesley, combating the Seventh Day Adventist heresy on the Sabbath. The Adventists, among other serious errors, hold that the seventh day of the week should still be observed as the Sabbath. The operations of this sect have been extensive, and among other places they have invaded the Highlands, and have sold their expensive and erroneous books, such as the “Great Controversy,” etc., to unsuspecting people. If any of our readers have
unwittingly purchased these books, we would strongly advise them to make a bonfire of them, and to be specially on their guard for the future.
Italy and the Papacy.—A writer in the “John o’ Groat Journal” makes the following interesting comments in describing a visit to Venice:—”Dr Robertson told us that the Italians are a religious people although they are not Roman Catholics. That Church has lost its hold of the people. The priests are not looked up to or respected by the community. Priests cannot perform a marriage ceremony in Italy. Marriage is a civil contract and can only be performed by a Prefect, Mayor or Provost. The priest may bless the wedding, but that is all. What a contrast that is to their pretensions in this country, where they try to make out that no marriage is valid unless solemnised by a priest; and how many homes have they wrecked where Protestant and Catholic have been united, and would have lived happily together but for the interference of the priest in condemning the union unless the Protestant joins the Roman Catholic Church. They bring the terrors of the Church to play upon the superstition of their members, and thus lives that might have been loving and happy are rent asunder and ruined for all time.”
The Earthquake in Japan.—Recently the press was filled with accounts of the extraordinary earthquake that shook Tokio and Yokohama, and which was followed by fire in these cities, and a tidal wave sweeping over a number of islands. The loss of life has been enormous, and the destruction of property by the earthquake and fire has been on a scale almost unparalleled in such visitations, according to the accounts reaching from the devastated areas at the time of writing this note. God has arisen to shake terribly the earth, and the world has a solemn reminder of another day when the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and then the very foundations of the earth shall reel at the touch of His finger. The solemn words of the Redeemer in connection with the eighteen upon whom the tower of Siloam fell ought to be present to our minds:—”Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish.”
An Interesting Book on Bible Customs.—One of the most interesting and instructive books we have read on the customs of the Bible is that published by Messrs Stanley Martin, London, and entitled “Peeps into Palestine.” The author, the late Rev. James Neil, M.A., has written a number of books on Palestine, his long residence in Jerusalem giving him excellent oppor-
tunities of acquainting himself with the customs of the natives. Many of the expressions in the Bible have fresh light thrown on them, and the book is excellently printed. It may be had in paper boards for 1s 6d, and in cloth for 2s 6d.
How the Prayer Meeting Died.—The following cutting tells its own story:—”The health of the meeting was poor for a long time, and owing to the bad treatment of those who ought to have been its best friends, it gradually grew weaker and weaker. They had so many matters to attend to, and the call of the World was so pressing that they had no time to look in and see how the Prayer Meeting was getting on. Sometimes it revived a little under encouragement, but at last it became so weak that it died. There was a number of people in the vicinity who might have helped to keep it alive if they carried out the Physician’s instructions, for He said—’Where two of you are agreed as touching anything they ask, it shall be done for them.'”