p. 16 | In Our Next by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jan 18, 1905

In Our Next.

By Editor

Among other good things in our next issue will be an article on "Rationalism in the Church," by our London correspondent,—a striking setting forth of the religious drift in England; "Sunday-Law Enforcement" Notes and News by our Washington correspondent, showing how widespread is this anti-Protestant, anti-American movement; "Religious Trend in the Northwest," an article by Mr. G. W. Reaser, of Seattle, Wash. Others of equal interest will be found from other contributors and in our editorial columns.

Be More Careful, Please.

In a recent contribution sent to the SIGNS twenty-one scripture references were used to tell where the scriptures quoted could be found; and of these mistakes were made in twelve instances. In many cases the chapter before or the chapter after the correct one was set down, showing haste and carelessness. Many other articles are of about the same character. It is a pleasure to get good, well-written articles from our friends who freely contribute. It is worth while to take pains for one's own sake. But it is ever a question whether a carelessly-written article full of misquotations is worth considering at all. Whatever is worth doing, is worth doing worthily.

Poor reading and poor spelling is becoming proverbially the rule among graduates of the higher schools. Prof. Charles M. Gayley, of the University of California, is reported to have said: "There are many employers in San Francisco who for the last fifteen years have complained to me of the horrible English used by our graduates employed by them. They say there are very few indeed who can talk and write correctly. The main trouble lies in the fact that the students are 'railroaded' through colleges in their study of the professions, and very little, if any, of their time has been spent on the study of English expression and literature." To this the Christian Advocate adds: "The same is true of spelling. A litterateur, usually careful in expression, says that the presumption is that a recent graduate is a poor speller." But the real fault lies with the primary and grammar schools, as regards reading and spelling. Proficiency in spelling should be attained in these grades, and the habit of correct expression should be well established before leaving the high school. Where the colleges and universities are at fault is in their not requiring students to pass rigid examination in these branches, making them tests of admission. Such a course is due as a protection to the language, which is becoming over-burdened with slang, which outrage in time gains recognition in the dictionaries.

In making decisions involving moral considerations, no Christian should ask, What is expedient? but, What is right? Which is more like Christ? How would He have done, were He in my place? Expediency is one of the respectable doors by which the devil enters into the plans and business of many good men. Expediency is a foundation-stone of policy; but right is the foundation of principle. To him who hopes to succeed by expediency, his success will prove a curse; but to him who sacrifices for right, who loses financially by the sacrifice, his loss will prove a gain. Expediency led Peter to deny his Lord in the palace of the priest, but right principles led him to death by the cross. But who now would not infinitely choose the latter to the former. It is easy, however, to decide for others, especially after the deed is a past fact; what we want is principles of right and truth, and faith in the Word of God to guide us in the now.

Many do not wish to know that they are sinners. They avoid all places and occasions where they think the Lord would reveal to them their sins. They seem to think, if they are not convicted of their sins, they are not so sinful as tho they were convicted. But conviction does not make the sinner worse. It is a step toward something better, for it reveals to him his true condition; and, knowing his true condition, he can come to Him who is able to remedy every defect, and wash away every sin. Let not the deceitfulness of sin keep you back from knowing your true condition. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked."

What is good preaching?

It is giving the message of a living Christ to a dying world. It is giving the message of a soon-coming Christ to a church that has been stupefied by the deadly narcotics of the world. It is pouring out the Gospel of Christ in purity, through a vessel that has been purified by it, that it may do its purifying work in the sick and polluted hearts of men. It is not dispensing pious lectures upon passing themes; but it is the burning of the great truths of redemption into the very souls of perishing men and women. And that is the kind of preaching that counts—it is the only kind that does. The Gospel was not given for entertainment. Men and women may be highly entertained by pulpit discourses while their souls are starving for the bread of life, or are slipping out into those mysterious regions from which they can not be reclaimed. "Preach the Word;" that has in it the message that is due; the food that the soul needs; the power to convict of sin. "Preach the Word," and that will be good preaching.

The Jewish Counsel of Women of San Francisco recently discussed the subject of the celebration of Christmas in Jewish homes. While there was decided difference of opinion, the animus of the whole was anti-Christian. Several of the women argued that the celebration of Christmas tended to make the young and inexperienced Jew or Jewess think too highly of the festival which, they claimed, as distinctively Christian. Others contended that inasmuch as Christmas was originally a Pagan festival, participation in it by Jews could not be regarded as Jewish compliance with Christian standards. This argument was surely well founded, but it showed a preference for complying with Pagan standards rather than to countenance anything that might be deemed Christian. This preference was emphasized by one lady as follows: "Under such circumstances as actually exist, the Christmas celebration being purely Pagan in origin, and having no connection with the nativity of Christ, where, may I ask, does the objectionable influence come in?"

A Cold Radiator.

One of the most striking and truthful cartoons we have seen appears in the Ram's Horn of December 31. In it a shivering clergyman, with a "crazy" patchwork robe thrown over his shoulders, is shown trying to warm himself before a cold radiator which is labeled "The New Theology." Behind him stands a large waste-basket in the top of which lies a Bible. He has turned his back upon the discarded Bible, and stretches out his benumbed hands to the cold radiator that can not warm them or him. How true to life! and how it solves the problem of the empty pew and the lifeless professor! There is no warmth, no life, in the human inventions and schemes which are taking the place of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its purity. It matters not whether they are called New Theology, New Thought, Christian Science, Higher Criticism, or what not, they are not of Christ, have not His Spirit, have no power to convict of sin, or convert from sinful ways; they fill none of the soul needs of the individual. The man who has his back turned upon the Bible can not have his face turned toward the "Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world;" and the man whose face is turned away from Christ can not lead sinners to the great fount of soul cleansing, to the source of soul warmth, light, and life.

The work of Christ for a soul is a whole work. He is able to do all things needful for our salvation. He is so willing to do this that He died for that purpose. He is the Beginner and Finisher of our faith. Certainly He desires to do what He is able to do, and died to do. There is therefore nothing in Him which will hinder our salvation. If there is any hindrance, it is with us. There is no power outside of ourselves which is able to prevent the work of Christ being completed in us. If He does not work for us and in us, it is because we are not willing to have Him.

The commandment of the Sabbath, as given by God from Mount Sinai, is based upon that which concerns man universally; viz., the creation of the heavens and the earth. The earth was created, not for the Jews alone, nor for any other one race, but for all men; therefore the Sabbath was made for the whole of mankind. Hence, also, our Saviour's words, "The Sabbath was made for man." The obligation of the Sabbath rests upon all who live upon the earth. This conclusion is unavoidable.

Modern Christians live too much in the crowd. They have swung to the opposite extreme of asceticism as manifested in the old monks and anchorites. Both extremes are prolific of barrenness. God wants active servants, but He also wants those servants to draw aside at times from their active duties, to learn of Him, meditate on His instructions, to feed on His Word, and drink of His Spirit. It is thus that He makes His servants friends.

Do you wish to make your little child or anybody else's little child a nice present which will do them good all through the year?—Send them the Little Friend for a year, price, 50 cents, the address of which is Mountain View, Cal. It is a pure, bright little paper, and it does a child good to have a paper come in his name.

We are grateful for the good words we hear from our readers and subscribers. Will you not use your influence to help the SIGNS? There are many families who do not take a religious paper, and who would pay a dollar and a half a year for such a journal. Have you not such neighbors? Try it, and see.