THE LEADING EXPOSITORY JOURNAL OF THE WORLD!
By Editor
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES FOR 1886.
A 16-PAGE WEEKLY PUBLISHED AT OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, FOR THE INTERNATIONAL TRACT AND MISSIONARY SOCIETY. WITH the beginning of the new year, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES enters upon its twelfth volume. The publishers are determined to spare no pains not only to keep up its present reputation, but to make improvements during the coming year, which will make the journal of great interest, and more efficient for good than ever before. There is probably no other paper published which UNIFORMLY contains a great a variety of choice reading matter. Its departments are, EDITORIAL, MISSIONARY, TEMPERANCE, SABBATH-SCHOOL, HOME CIRCLE, SECULAR AND RELIGIOUS NEWS, AND GENERAL ARTICLES. This is not simply the scope of the paper in general, but in each number every department is represented by fresh and interesting reading matter. In the Editorial Department the articles are principally devoted to Biblical exposition and the answering of questions on Bible subjects. Current events of general interest are discussed, when they have any bearing on morality and religion. With politics, as such, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES has nothing to do. Believing that a religious paper should be one that can be read by all classes of people without arousing sectional or party feelings, this journal leaves the discussion of politics to political papers, of which there is a sufficient number to meet the demand, and devotes itself to matters of more importance which receive less attention. Sabbath-School Department.
The Sabbath-School Department is largely a running commentary, by the editors, on those portions of Scripture covered by two series of lessons. The lesson notes, while of great service to students in the preparation of their lessons, are of interest and profit to the general reader. Original and selected articles of interest to the Sabbath-school workers are published in this department. In the Missionary Department will be found reports from mission fields, both home and foreign, together with a brief description of them and their wants. During the past year this department has been extremely interesting, and the prospect is that it will be still more so during the coming year. No department of the paper has met with more favor in the past than the Temperance Department. While the SIGNS OF THE TIMES advocates prohibition, it does not believe that the cause of temperance is advanced by mingling it with politics; neither does it confine itself to a condemnation of the liquor traffic, but considers temperance in its larger relations, as embracing everything that in any way affects health. Many temperance societies are accustomed to use the articles in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES in their regular meetings. The Home Circle Department is fully described by its name. Short stories of an elevated character are published, but no serials. Besides light, entertaining reading for the family circle, this department contains many practical hints and suggestions for the household. Religious and Secular News.
The Department of Religious and Secular News is in keeping with the moral tone of the paper. The news is carefully sifted of everything sensational or low. It is the design that the reader shall be able to find in this department the current news in the most simple and direct form, and only that which is reliable. Among the other things that will make the coming volume one of special value, is the Series of Historical Articles
Already begun. The articles are entirely independent of one another; yet they in reality form a series in which the prophetic records are placed side by side with the records of history, thus showing the exact and literal fulfillment of the former. Every lover of history cannot fail to be interested in these articles, because he will find in them the Graphically portrayed; and the lover of the Bible will find them invaluable, because, in tracing the fulfillment of the prophecies, they show beyond all controversy the divine origin of that book. Another series of articles, soon to be begun, will take up a portion of Showing how, when, and why men departed from the simplicity of the gospel, and brought in the many errors which made a reformation imperative. Besides these, it is designed, in addition to matters that incidentally come up for consideration, to take up certain lines of Scripture doctrine and canvass them thoroughly, so that the reader may obtain a connected and comprehensive view of the subject treated upon. Among the subjects to be considered, are the Sanctuary, the Law of God and its relation to Christ and the Gospel. THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES is the only religious journal in the United States which does no advertising. Its entire sixteen pages, with the exception of the necessary notices from the publishers, are filled with choice reading matter in endless variety. Advantageous offers of advertising are continually being refused. The publishers, and all connected with the paper, are determined to give subscribers many times the worth of their money, and the steady pursuance of this determination has given it the largest circulation of any purely religious journal in the world. The fact that the SIGNS OF THE TIMES contains SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY, has gained for it a world-wide reputation. Terms $2.00 per year, in advance. IT CONTAINS 16 PAGES OF FRESH, NEW MATTER EVERY WEEK.