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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 29, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 17.

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Question Corner

By Editor

[From time to time we will reply under this head, if deemed advisable, to such candid inquiries as may be sent us. Correspondents wishing a reply to their questions must give their full name and address, not for publication unless they wish, but as an evidence of good faith on their part, and to give us opportunity to reply by letter if deemed best. It is always well to inclose stamp. Let the questions be short and pointed, and such as may be answered in limited space. The questions will be numbered continuously]
1345.—Ps. 105: 28. Darkness.
“He sent darkness,” etc. Does this mean spiritual darkness?
No; it refers to the literal darkness which came upon Egypt. See Ex. 10: 21-23. It came upon Egypt as the result of their spiritual darkness, and this came in consequence of their love of sin.
All these texts speak of the slaying of children. Are we to understand them literally?
Yes; we are. They actually slew their sons, sacrificed them to the gods which were no gods. Very much of the ancient pagan worship demanded licentiousness and the offering of human sacrifices; and these have been practised even down to the last century. The Mammon of greed and Moloch of lust demand the sacrifice of children even now, tho in a different way.
1347.—Ps. 104: 15.
Please explain.
The whole psalm recounts God’s goodness. Verse 15 refers (1) to the vine from which come the grapes and their product, the sweet wine; (2) the olive tree from which come the olive oil and olives, rich in fat food which the system demands; and (3) bread-stuffs of all sorts. These are among the common blessings granted of God.