Schedule for Week Ending February 29, 1908
By Editor
| Sunday | February | 23 | Num. | 4, 5 | Psalm | 55 |
| Monday | '' | 24 | '' | 6, 7 | '' | 56 |
| Tuesday | '' | 25 | '' | 8, 9 | '' | 57 |
| Wednesday | '' | 26 | '' | 10, 11 | '' | 58 |
| Thursday | '' | 27 | '' | 12, 13 | '' | 59 |
| Friday | '' | 28 | '' | 14, 15 | '' | 60 |
| Sabbath | '' | 29 | '' | 16-19 | '' | 61 | Chapters 4 to 10 contain instructions concerning the Levites, priests, various offerings of the various tribes, care of the tabernacle, and regulations for marching. All these are self-explanatory. There are some passages which it may not be wise to read before all, as chapter 5, but if we read it rightly it will show God's abhorrence of sin, and lead us to shun its blasting paths and fearful end. Chapter 11 presents before us the awful fruit of lust and the broad spirit of Moses. Chapter 12 is a typical story of jealousy and the Lord's vindication of His servant. Chapters 13 and 14 contain a wonderfully interesting lesson in the story of the spies, the blindness of sin, and the fruits of unbelief. Thirty-eight years it must now take to pass over the journey which a few days would have accomplished. Various laws are given in chapter 15, as also the story of the man who, defying God, sinned presumptuously in respect to the fourth commandment. It was not a mere transgression, it was open, daring, Heaven-defying sin. Chapters 16 to 19 will speak for themselves in their awful and sad record of sin, and God's object-lessons to teach them the true way. Precious lessons in the Psalms are given us this week. Read such psalms as the 55th in the light of deserved, divine retribution, the call of justice itself for the punishment of the incorrigible wrongdoer. While they tell of the wickedness of man, the Lord's just anger against sin, yet how they breathe of His mercy and loving-kindness. Let them sing themselves into our beings, meeting our needs. Then can we say, “So will I sing praise unto Thy name forever, that I may daily perform my vows.” Another calendar, just a little late for 1908, but so good, so appropriate, so suggestively helpful that you can afford to take down some other and put this in its place. The name of this calendar is “The Morning Watch.” Besides giving the month and the day of the month, it suggests for each day's morning devotions a brief passage of the living word of God, and suggestive readings of various religious books in connection with the Scripture, and suggested subjects of prayer outside of ourselves. The general subject for January is “God's Love and the Sinner's Need,” for February, “Repentance.” The Scripture for February 19, the date of this paper, for instance, is 2 Cor. 6:2, the acceptable time, to-day. The calendar is issued by the Missionary Volunteer Department of the General Conference of the S. D. A. The price is 6 cents. Address the secretary, Matilda Erickson, Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C., or Prof. M. E. Kern, Union College, College View, Neb. We would call the attention of our readers to the article on page 12 from Brother B. J. Cady, our missionary who has spent most of his life in the islands of the Pacific. Brother Cady is a very practical man and has made a good success of his work in that field. His appeal for help to purchase a boat to use in journeying from one island to another is a worthy one, and those of our friends who have means that they can use for this purpose could not give it to a worthier object. All money sent in answer to this appeal should be sent to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, stating the object, and we will see to it that it is sent on promptly to do its appointed work. It is reported that the United States armada on its way to the Pacific Coast will be divided while here. Other war-ships undergoing repair will be added to it, and a fleet of fourteen of them left in the Philippines, a greater power than any Oriental nation possesses. The Next World's Fair.—Scarcely before the Jamestown Ter-centennial Exposition was closed, strong agitation had begun for the next world's fair, the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, to be held at Seattle, Wash., opening June 1 and closing Oct. 15, 1909. It is expected to be made a great success beneficially, educationally, artistically and financially. Certainly one thing is true, Seattle has more features of natural beauty to make the fair a success than any city with which we are acquainted. Another thing about the fair, they are not asking any money from the federal government to carry on the work. The United States Government has appropriated to world's fairs to the present time over $20,752,000, but only $485,000 has been spent west of the Rocky Mountains. There is a bill now before Congress to appropriate $1,175,000 for the Seattle Exposition, but only for government exhibits. Several of the previous appropriations have been made on the condition that the fair should be closed on Sunday; probably the same effort will be put forth in connection with the Seattle enterprise. We Did Not Say It.—The Santa Cruz Surf has the following item which a clipping bureau sends to us: “Continuous advertising has made each letter in the word ‘Royal’ before the words ‘Baking Powder’ worth over $2,000,000.—Signs of the Times.” There are two other journals called the “Signs of the Times” in this country, one a little semi-religious journal in North Carolina, and the other, an advertising paper published, if we rightly remember, in Ohio. This journal, so far as we know, never said one word about “Royal Baking Powder.” We wish our readers to know that we are not responsible for all items credited to the “Signs of the Times.” News from Portugal is anything but assuring for the monarchy. The present cabinet is out and Premier Franco is fleeing for his life, a new cabinet of decidedly liberal members has been appointed. The present premier is Admiral Ferreira do Amaral. Other names are given but are subject to change. Revolution is boiling and seething throughout the entire kingdom, the press is laid under censorship, and it is difficult to get news. It is said that King Manuel will be much more favorable to the people. The Plague.—How much of it may be believed we do not know, but the San Francisco Examiner of February 4 states that the city is free from bubonic plague and the last patient is discharged as cured from the isolated hospital; 137 cases have been reported since last May 27, with 74 deaths; 63 recovered. The efforts of the federal, state, and local medical authorities will be to prevent a recurrence of the plague in improved sanitation and the extermination of rats. Enclosing Stamps.—In enclosing stamps in letters, it is not necessary to stick them to the paper. If simply slipped between the folds of the letter they will be safe. So many wet the corner of a stamp with the tongue and stick it to the letter, a proceeding not only unnecessary but unhygienic, for think of the one who has to use the stamp. Often the stamp is torn in removing, and always requires additional mucilage. Do not wet the stamps enclosed. Reader No. 7 of “True Education Series” is now ready for mail and express orders. It is bound in durable cloth and the price is $1.00 post-paid. Order from your state tract society or nearest publishing house. We hope to have the Manual ready in March. News from Halifax, February 3, is to the effect that in the midst of a wild blizzard the steamer St. Cuthbert was burned to the water's edge. Fifteen members of the crew were drowned, thirty-seven were rescued by the White Star liner Cymric.