THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES FOR 1897.
By Editor
Performance Is Better Than Promise.
Other great religious journals present as a claim for public patronage prominent men, noted writers, great names, and high titles. Of that we have no criticism. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES presents as an appeal to the public Great and Important Truths, told in simple English, and backed by the Living Word of God. While it will have as its friends and contributors devoted servants of God, men who have made the science of Christianity their study and practice for years, and who know how to write, yet it boasts not in men. Its boast is in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In 1896 every phase of the Gospel of Christ was set forth more or less fully. The great and important doctrines which are agitating the world to-day have been discussed with lucidity and simplicity. Among these are the following:— The Coming of the Lord and What That Coming Means,
Church and State, Their Union and Separation,
The Dangers That Threaten Both,
Justification, Regeneration and Sanctification,
The Scriptures and Their Inspiration,
Life in Its Relation to Righteousness,
The Sabbath in Its Various Phases,
Great and Important Prophecies,
Life through Christ, and
Practical Christian Life. Many of these subjects have been illustrated; and our five symposium numbers, if published in pamphlet form, would have brought at low rates one-half the price of the paper. It is safe to say that no religious weekly in the land presented before its readers more Gospel Truth than did the SIGNS OF THE TIMES during 1896. We expect, by the blessing of God and the coöperation of our subscribers and friends, to do even better in the year 1897. It shall be our aim to "abound more and more." The SIGNS OF THE TIMES will be published in 1897 as a 16-page, illustrated, religious weekly, for the entire family. The following departments will be maintained:— Editorial.—In this department will be discussed from the standpoint of the word of God the living issues of the time, the vital teaching of the Gospel, as well as practical Christian truth. The constant object will be to deal, not with men, but with principles which make men what they are. General Articles.—Under this general head will be set forth the great and vital truths of Christianity in articles on Prophecy, History, and Practical Christian life. The endeavor shall be to let the truth as it is in Jesus speak to the reader. Outlook.—In this department will be noted from time to time some of the more striking indications of the trend of public sentiment, and here the omens of the time will be recorded. The Fireside.—We hope to make this part of the paper more profitable than ever before. Articles on Health, Hygiene, interesting information for young and old, with occasional stories of an upbuilding tendency, will be found in the "Fireside" the year to come, and will help young and old around many firesides to pass many a pleasant, instructive, and helpful hour. In our Missions department will be found interesting articles relative to various parts of the great harvest field, sketches of the dark and needy parts of the earth, with news from missionaries in general and from our own work and workers. Our Sabbath School.—In this department will be printed our Sabbath school lessons. The first six months of the year these lessons will be on the latter part of the wonderful book of John, the last six months on the book of Acts. As the Revised Version is not found in every home, the SIGNS will print the "Lesson Scripture" from that translation. This will be of interest to many students. International Sunday School Lessons.—These lessons for 1897 will be upon that most helpful and wonderful record, The Acts of the Apostles. We shall endeavor to help all Sunday school teachers and scholars to an understanding of the word. News and Notes.—In this department will be found a digest of all the important news of the world for the preceding week. Careful news will be used as heretofore by competent writers to present facts as they are, together with brief comments concerning the meaning of these facts. That Our Question Corner has awakened interest is shown by the fact that during the last two years over four hundred questions, principally on scripture themes, have been answered. This will be continued. But few advertisements will be found in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and these will, so far as human foresight can see, be proper for a religious paper, and reliable. The price of this large 16-page weekly illustrated paper is placed at the exceeding low price of only One Dollar a year. Directions as to how to send money will be found on this page. Special terms in clubs and to agents. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, OAKLAND, CAL.