The Gospel Series, SIGNS OF THE TIMES,
By Editor
To Be Published Oct. 11 and 25; Nov. 8 and 22.
New ground was broken last Fall in the publication of the Special Gospel Series of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. It was broken in a fruitful field, however, as is shown by the words of commendation that came from every side, and the hundreds of orders that licked up the 420,000 copies as fast as they came from the presses. And after the date of publication had passed, orders continued to come for thousands of additional copies that could not be sent. Scores of letters were sent to those who purchased the largest quantities, asking if they could spare a portion of their papers to those whose orders had arrived too late to be filled. Only a very few copies could be obtained even in this way, however. They were not lying about on the shelves. THEY HAD BEEN USED. And the influence of these papers was truly remarkable. For example, we recently received the following letter from a Presbyterian minister who had in some way gotten hold of the first number in the series: Enclosed find 20 cents, for which please send me, as per enclosed slip, the series of articles thereon described. (A description of numbers 2, 3 and 4 of the Gospel Series of the SIGNS was enclosed.) I am a Presbyterian minister, but I wish to study your teachings more fully. My field of work is a large district in the mountains, covering half a county, and there is no other religious worker in this section. I try to distribute religious literature in every home, to all ages—from the little child to the grandfather. If you will send me a few intelligent, reasonable booklets, stating your faith clearly and fully, I shall be glad to distribute them.
Sincerely yours,
(Signed)
Pastor Presbyterian Church. As an indication of the interest manifested in these papers, and in the plan as a whole, by the denomination itself, we quote the following from the actions taken at the last General Conference: We approve of the plan to publish four special numbers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES and "Watchman," two special issues of "Life and Health," and such issues of the foreign papers as their publishers may deem best.
Ever since the above action was taken, our editors and artists have been busily at work securing articles and illustrations with which to strengthen and beautify the series to be published this Fall. Contents—No. 1—PROPHECY AND CHRIST'S COMING
Among the prominent articles in the first number will be the following: - Object of Prophecy, by Elder R. A. Underwood.
- Prophecy May Be Understood, by Elder W. S. Sadler.
- Importance of Prophecy, by Elder S. H. Lane.
- Christ, Our Life, by Elder Wm. Covert.
- Nearness of the End, by Mrs. E. G. White.
- What Christ's Coming Means, by Dr. B. Franklin Richards.
- The Second Coming of Christ, by Elder Geo. B. Thompson.
"The unvailing of the future in prophecy is designed as a beacon of warning to the children of God who would otherwise be unable to escape danger and ruin." "This," says Elder Underwood, in the opening article, "is one of the great objects of prophecy." He cites many examples to show that this has been true in the past, and that as a result God's children have escaped many perils. He then points out the prophecies relating to our day and how we may by heeding them escape the dangers overshadowing the world at the present time. The opening sentence of Brother Covert's article is, "Man formed from the dust of the ground was told that perpetuity of life depended upon obedience to his Creator." The subject of life through Christ is presented in a beautiful way in this article. Sister White has presented with even more than ordinary clearness and strength the terrible conditions of the times that are right upon us. Dr. Richards takes up the subject of "What Christ's Coming Means" in a very striking manner indeed. He says: "Millions of busy toilers who will be employed in office, factory, railroad, store, or farm, on that day will stop work. Great railroad trains will be in transit on that day. Some will be carrying living freight, eager to reach home or stopping-place. But each train will stop, for the earth will reel with fearful commotion, and no wheel can hold to the rail." In that portion of his article in which he treats of what Christ's coming means to the righteous, he says: "It will be a day when the millions of the saved will meet and see their Saviour face to face. Wonderful day! when this frail body, so subject to disease and suffering, will give way to an incorruptible one fashioned to bear close resemblance to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
We would be glad to quote more from this and other articles of this number, but space forbids. NO. 2—THE SANCTUARY—THE GOSPEL IN TYPE AND ANTITYPE
Some of the leading articles are— - The Gospel in Type and Antitype, by Prof. J. A. L. Derby.
- Before the Supreme Court, by Elder F. C. Gilbert.
- A Wonderful Book, by Milton C. Wilcox.
- The Sanctuary and Its Lessons, by Mrs. S. N. Haskell.
- Signs in the Heavens, by Prof. Geo. W. Rine.
- A Message of Preparation, by Mr. L. A. Phippeny.
We give a single quotation from the opening article by Professor Derby: Thus for twenty-five hundred years were faith and hope and reconciliation expressed. Then came Moses and the exodus from Egypt and the church-nation and a fuller symbolism. Types, rites, ceremonies, were greatly multiplied, but still the only approach to the Presence, whose dwelling-place was the holy of holies, the second apartment of the sanctuary, was by the altar of burnt-offering and its victim's blood. A cure for sin, a healing of conscience, peace with God—this was the purpose of all. Amidst the terror of Egypt's darkest night, while the destroying angel wrought in silence its appalling slaughter of the first-born, Israel learned the one great lesson, including all that followed, namely, that in the blood of the passover Lamb alone was safety.
Vaguely through succeeding years the seers caught glimpses of the grander time when type should meet Antitype. David hinted it, Isaiah almost described it, Daniel affirmed it and told its times, the minor prophets had twilight visions of the brighter day. A dead monotony of four hundred voiceless years to make the nation feel its need, years cheered only by the sad traditions of a glory gone and a hope of dawn engendered by the deepening night of political subjugation,—then broke the morning with an angel-song, "Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
The titles of numbers 3 and 4 are, The Law, Gospel, and the Sabbath, and the Church Triumphant. Next week we will give a list of the leading articles to be presented by these special numbers; also quotations from some of them. Each of these four papers will have an original first-page engraving, prepared by Mr. Charles Mente, of New York City. They are peculiarly appropriate to the themes presented by the several papers. Special attention is also being given to the headings and the illustrations for the articles themselves. These will emphasize the truths of the text in a striking manner. As the articles in this series are links in a definite chain of truth, no one will be satisfied by simply reading a single number. Therefore the series will be published in sets only. No orders will be accepted for single numbers. TO-DAY. By the time you read this notice we will be nearly ready to go to press on the first number. The quantity ordered will determine the number printed. Please, therefore, order early, so that we may supply you with papers promptly, and not disappoint any one, as we were compelled to do last year because their orders came after our stock was exhausted. | 1 to 4 sets to one or more addresses |
$0.20 |
|---|
| 5 or more sets to single addresses |
.15 |
| 25 to 500 sets to one address |
.10 |
| 500 and upward |
.09 |
Perhaps some of our readers may be so situated as to use several thousand sets. We will be glad to correspond with such, as we have special inducements to offer them. Order from your state tract society or the publishing house in your vicinity, or direct from SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Mountain View, Cal.