THE SIGNS AND WHAT PEOPLE SAY OF IT.
By Editor
THE fact has long been recognized by us as a denomination that there is no other means so well calculated to interest people in the peculiar truths which we hold, as a fair-sized weekly paper containing a good variety of matter treating upon several different subjects,—a paper some part of which will be almost sure to interest everyone who has a taste for good reading. And we believe that in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES we have just such a paper, and why should it not be so, since we are told in the Testimonies that it was established in the providence of God for this very purpose? God has certainly blessed the SIGNS, and given it favor with the people; but the amount of good which it has done can never be fully known until it stands revealed in the everlasting kingdom of God. The following are a few extracts from the many encouraging letters received from our readers:— A gentleman in Auckland, New Zealand, writes thus to a friend who had sent him several copies of the paper:— "I thank you very much for your kindness in sending me the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. I have read them as much as the time at my disposal would admit, and when I have finished with them I give them to others. I was particularly struck with the argument in favor of the observance of the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath." A college president in North Carolina, where the SIGNS is put on file in the college library, writes as follows:— "I feel myself under peculiar obligations to you for your kindness in sending us the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Am much pleased with the paper, and assure you that its contents will be appreciated." Brother W. J. Boynton, of Bridgeton, N. J., writes:— "I have always been an admirer of our paper, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, which as a religious paper is worthy of the front rank among the religious journals of our land, while the truths of which it is the exponent are incomparable. But upon receiving the SIGNS in its new dress for 1887, my feelings are best expressed in the words at the heading of these lines. In heading, form, type, terseness, and variety it leaves nothing to be desired. It has always been my delight to circulate the SIGNS; but now that desire is increased. Why should not the paper containing the last message for mortals be so attractive as to commend itself to every beholder? 'Our paper'—may God help us as workers to feel this every day; and while not forgetting to pray for its compositors, extend its circulation, with a constant purpose, to the thousands who are perishing." An earnest Christian lady of Lexington, Va., writes:— "I am glad to have an opportunity to express the pleasure I have taken in your admirable SIGNS OF THE TIMES. I read everything from the pen of Mrs. E. G. White. One article deeply interested me, 'The Waldenses.' I look forward with pleasure to the arrival of the promised tract with the next SIGNS, called, 'Is Man Immortal?' I will gladly give my opinion after I have read it. I send your papers to many friends, who enjoy them very much. I would gladly hear from you a history of the SIGNS. The paper is admirably edited, and its articles are thoroughly interesting. I always study carefully the Sabbath-school lesson, and from its questions and answers have gleaned much valuable information." In a letter to a member of the missionary society, a resident of Oakland says:— "Your papers have been a great blessing to me. I find in them much spiritual food. I do not believe in all points as your people do, yet I find in the SIGNS so much valuable information on subjects upon which I have earnestly desired light for several years, that I look forward to its arrival as a messenger of light. I read it, then send it to a relative in Mississippi; so there have been two hearts made glad with the same papers. I recommend it to my friends as the best paper I ever read. May the blessing of God attend it wherever it goes." A lady in Ohio, writing of the SIGNS, says:— "Your papers came to hand all right. I must say that I am much pleased with the reading. I have never taken so much interest in any paper before. I like Mrs. White's pieces very much. Thank you a thousand times for your kindness in sending them, and I promise to read all that come hereafter." Another, writing from Iowa, says in behalf of herself and family:— "We like your paper very much; as soon as we feel able to take a paper we will subscribe for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES." A letter from Freeport, Pa., says:— "I am very much pleased with the paper, and appreciate its contents. I like the stand it takes on the reforms of the times. You offer to send a few copies; I will be glad to get them; they will be read by our own family, then given to others to read." A resident of Florida writes:— "I wish to thank you for the pleasure you have given not only to me but to others in the shape of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Not a few have expressed their hearty appreciation of the paper, its articles being such as commend themselves to the earnest and thoughtful." The secretary of the Y. M. C. A., Wellington, New Zealand, says:— "Accept our best thanks for your kindness in sending sample copies of the SIGNS and Good Health, which we gladly accept and will be delighted to give a prominent place on our files." A Missouri lady writes thus from Lexington:— "Many thanks for the SIGNS, which I continue to enjoy. I think it an excellent paper. I shall take pleasure in lending it to others. If you would send a few copies to Mr. —, of Rensselaer, Mo., I think they would be appreciated. The Bible arguments seem to be on your side, and I have always thought so. I am not prepared to accept the Sabbath question, but am going to look the matter up. If you would send me a tract upon the 'Coming of the Lord,' I would like to investigate that subject farther." A lady writing from Litchfield, Minn., inclosed five dollars, desiring that the SIGNS be sent to her for one year, and to three of her friends for six months each. She says:— "I am not one of your people, but became convinced of the truth through reading your valuable paper. May God bless you in your work." A gentleman in Texas writes:— "Find inclosed two dollars to renew my subscription to the SIGNS. I cannot do without the paper, though this is the last money I have. I think that the SIGNS OF THE TIMES is the best religious paper I ever saw." "I received your postal and papers. Please accept many thanks. I shall enjoy reading them. I look forward to the coming of the paper with much pleasure." Another writes as follows:— "I have enjoyed reading the two copies of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES which you sent, very much; and if they are fair specimens of the paper, I shall look forward with much pleasure to reading it regularly." A lady in Texas, who had read some copies of the paper which were sent to another, says:— "I had the pleasure of reading several copies of the SIGNS which you sent to my cousin. I think it an excellent paper, but do not think I will be able to subscribe for it before fall. I appreciate the paper you sent, and will endeavor to make up a club for you." Still another to whom one of our workers sent some copies of the SIGNS writes:— "I am truly grateful to you for your thoughtfulness in sending the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and I feel drawn out in sympathy towards you in your desire to advance the cause of our blessed Saviour, by sending abroad religious reading of a high order." A lady writes from Wapanucka, Ind. T., to one of the missionary workers as follows:— "I am greatly obliged to you for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES you have sent me. I value the paper very highly, and should be at a loss without it. Some of my neighbors are reading the SIGNS, and like it. I should like to subscribe for the paper, but do not feel able to at present. I hope I shall in the near future." A clergyman in a letter written to the office thus expresses his appreciation of the SIGNS sent him:— "Sickness has kept me at home for a few days, and while it is a real affliction to be stopped in my work in the ministry in a field so destitute as mine, yet I thank God that it is so, for I have been able to read some of the best articles that I have seen for a long time. All things work together for good. One of the very best is on 'Schools' by Mrs. E. G. White. We appreciate the SIGNS OF THE TIMES very much, and feel a desire to tell you so." "I receive the SIGNS regularly, for which you have my sincere thanks. I read them gladly, and try to obey the instruction they give, for I am very much interested in the truths they contain." A young lady of Carmel, Ind., who had been reading the SIGNS and also other publications, writes to a friend:— "I have been reading some of the books on the Sabbath question which you sent, and have been thinking seriously on the subject. We reason this way. Why should the fourth commandment be changed any more than the others? We do pray that our heavenly Father will make this all clear to us, as well as other things. I do feel that time is short and that I have much to learn. Your letters strengthen us. My prayer is that God will bless our correspondence. I believe his leading hand is in this." A minister in Japan says:— "I thank you for sending me the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. I get a great benefit and a new light from it. May God help you in his own vineyard, and bless you abundantly when he comes to meet you." "We have read your most valuable paper for about five years, they having been sent us by a dear lady in California for four years. This lady we have never met, but love, for through the SIGNS and tracts which she sent us we have been led to keep the Sabbath of the Lord."6 A lady of Guilford, Conn., writes a letter full of gratitude for the SIGNS sent her, and appreciation of their contents. In reference to Sister White’s articles she says:— “I feel while reading them like the child who wanted his mother to tell him a story with a long end. I never like to come to the last word. They are very interesting and instructive. Such good, sound reading is just what we need. She is doing a great work.” A lady in Rhode Island writes:— “I consider it a great privilege to read the SIGNS. I have felt while reading some of the articles that I would like to have every parent read them and understand the great responsibility committed to them in the gift of their children. Mrs. White’s articles make the Christian life a possibility, by making plain the path of duty.” Elder C——, of California, who has been receiving the SIGNS from a missionary worker in New York State, writes in regard to the second advent:— “The promise of Christ’s second coming is fraught with untold comfort. When he shall appear we shall be like him. Then I shall be satisfied. I confess that I feel that the end is near, and I love his appearing.” A minister in Ohio writes:— “I was glad to be greeted by several of the SIGNS which came to me yesterday, remailed from Mohawk Village, my recent pastorate. I missed them and was about to write you in regard to my change in address. May God bless you in your work for the Master.” “Judging from Mrs. E. G. White’s articles in the SIGNS the Great Controversy must be a work well worth a perusal. I have never taken so much interest in any other church paper as I do in this. They are made up of solid matter based on facts. The editors of the SIGNS are very able men.” “I have gained more Bible knowledge from the SIGNS OF THE TIMES than from all the sermons I ever heard. May God spare you to do much good in this world.” Mrs. H——, of Illinois, writes:— “I have enjoyed reading the SIGNS very much. I do not see how any thoughtful person can evade the conviction that the prophecies are being fast fulfilled, and that the end is drawing near.” In response to an offer of the SIGNS and Good Health, the secretary of the Y. M. C. A. in Launceston, Tasmania, says:— “We shall be glad to avail ourselves of your kind offer; most probably we will be able to continue the paper at the expiration of the term. The SIGNS we have seen before. Both papers are well gotten up, and well adapted for the object in view. I might supply the local press with a quotation occasionally, which will bring the paper into notice.” A gentleman of Missouri says:— “I wish to return my most sincere thanks to you, my kind friend, and to the publishers of such a paper as the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Excuse me for not sending in my subscription, but I hope soon to be able to subscribe for the paper, for my wife and myself both look upon it as our Bible key.” A gentleman writing from New York State for the SIGNS index, says:— “I am a regular subscriber for your paper, and a great friend and admirer of it. I believe that you have the truth. That God’s wisdom and strength may always be and abide with you and your good paper is my wish.” “Myself and family (seven persons) have come into the truth through reading the SIGNS.” A sister in Indiana writes:— “I think that we can’t do missionary work without the SIGNS.” The following letter, dated February 2, is from a post-master in Indiana:— “SIGNS OF THE TIMES: By some means, I don’t know how, your valuable paper fell into my wife’s hands. She thinks there never was such another paper published. I read it myself, and think it a glorious, good paper. Please send a sample copy so I can get the price, and I will send for it. The price in the other is torn out.”