Editorial Notes by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 26, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 21.

Editorial Notes

By Editor

We begin in this issue a series of four articles on the "Lord's Prayer," by Elder R. A. Underwood. We ask for them a careful reading.

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES No. 18 has exhausted its second extra edition of 5,000. Let the orders come in. At the rate of $1.50 per 100 the truth cannot be circulated cheaper. This is the great Protestant number. One of our brethren says that it is the best number of the SIGNS ever issued, and that is saying a great deal. Let our friends order at once.

IN these easy days of popular Christianity it will be well for our readers to contemplate the life of our Lord Jesus Christ, as set forth by Mrs. E. G. White on another page. The cross lies before the crown. The crucifixion of the flesh precedes its glorification in immortality. Those who enter into the glory must be baptized with the baptism. May our readers know the power of Christ's resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings. The former comes through the latter.

WE have received from the International Tract Society, 59 Paternoster Row, London, England, three tracts printed in Welsh. The titles of these tracts are as follows: "Nerth Maddenant" (The Power of Forgiveness), 8 pp.; "Dyfodvad yr Arglwydd" (Coming of the Lord), 8 pp.; and "Beth i'w Wneyd ag Aniheuaeth" (What to Do with Doubt), 16 pp. These tracts will, we suppose, be furnished at the usual rates to those who desire them for circulation among the Welsh. May they be abundantly blessed of God in the conversion of souls.

The Hearing on the Amendment.—The friends of the proposed amendment to the Constitution, recognizing God and Christianity, were given a hearing before the Judiciary Committee of the Senate and House on March 6 and 7. It seems to have been a great and notable gathering, and the National Reformers, according to the report of the Christian Statesman, seemed to have it all their own way. Besides the large delegation, there were petitions, letters, and telegrams without number in favor of the measure. Its friends seem to be making up in sound and numbers what they lack in sense and justice. We will not be surprised if the measure passes, though it will meet with some opposition. Gross darkness seems to be over the majority of our legislators on religious questions, but they call it light. "Woe worth the day."

ONE of the difficult passages of Scripture, judging from the many inquiries received at this office, is 2 Corinthians 3. In this paper will be found an article on that chapter, by Elder E. E. Andross. The chapter with its subject is considered as a whole, the comparison (not contrast) between the glory of condemnation and the glory of the righteousness by faith, is clearly shown. The work of the gospel minister is to so present Christ Jesus that the Spirit of God may write God's law in the mind and heart. Israel according to the flesh had it written upon tables of stone, deposited in the sacred ark, the very center of that nation, but the true Israel of God will have that law in still closer relation in the heart of each one constituting the "holy nation." Having it only in the ark, it brings only condemnation and death, but having it in the heart, it brings the greater glory of righteousness and life, so that the receiver can say, "The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." Extra copies of this number may be had for $1.50 per hundred.

THE Catholic Mirror of January 10 gives in a letter from Jerusalem a characteristic example of salvation by works. A "religious" finds her sister, who is also a member of a religious order, sick unto death. She says:—

"But soon I came to myself, and I recalled my devotion to the Holy Face, of which I have the honor of being a promoter. I fall at the feet of the holy picture. I promise to offer at the sanctuary of the Holy Face at Tours a novena of masses; a wax candle and a mass at the chapel of St. Veronica in Jerusalem; to give twenty francs to the cause of Mr. Dupont; and especially I promise to the Divine Master to be for the future a better religious."

Nothing is known of God's free grace, of his willingness to give because he loves poor humanity. Her sister recovered, but the petitioner will ever feel, doubtless, that it was because of her promises and the promises of others that her sister was cured.

Is It Not Time?—The following from the report of a politico-religious meeting in Boston, reported by Rev. J. M. Foster, one of the leading lights of National Reform, presents a good illustration of creature worship, so prevalent at the present day:—

"Rev. Joseph Cook, the fixed star in the intellectual and moral firmament, spoke next."

This is characteristic of National Reform. It glories in men; it puts "confidence in the flesh." Its hope is in political power. It thinks the nation and its sabbath and the world lost unless certain political measures are taken. And, of course, the mighty men of earth who support their theories are exalted and glorified by the gaudy tinsel of human flattery and sycophancy. It is a repetition of the old-time glorification, "It is the voice of a god, and not of a man." (See Acts 12: 20-23.) Is it not time to give the message "Fear God and give glory to HIM; . . . and worship HIM that made the heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters"? Rev. 14: 6, 7. Is it not time?

THE Michigan Christian Advocate of March 3, in a tirade against Seventh-day Adventists by a "Watchman on the Tower," has the following statements:—

"To win sinners from a life of sin to living for God is beneath their [Seventh-day Adventists] notice."

The only reply necessary to make to this is the testimony of thousands of sinners from both the world and the churches who have first found deliverance from sin through Christ under the labors of Seventh-day Adventists. However, it is not we who win, but Christ Jesus through his word.