To Bible Students by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Aug 18, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 32.

To Bible Students

By Editor

THE Fireside Correspondence School desires to call the attention of those who may have become interested in the study of the Bible through reading the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, to its courses in Bible study entitled "Bible Doctrines and Life of Christ." About thirty other subjects also are offered, in history, English, mathematics, language, and business. For further information address, stating the subjects in which you are especially interested, Fireside Correspondence School, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C.

We wish to repeat and to emphasize what is considered to some extent in the first pages of this issue, in regard to the continuance of the war that is now progressing in Europe. God's prophetic word is clear on the point that He will hold these winds of strife in bounds, until the work of proclaiming the soon coming of Christ and the saving message of His word is carried into every corner of the world. Consequently we know that He, in His providence, and for some wise plan of His own, has permitted the angels that are holding the winds of strife to loosen, their grasp for just a little. But this thing will quiet down in order for His work to go forward. A little time may be required to check these active forces of war, but it can not be very long. We say this not as a human speculation, but present it on the authority of the prophetic Word.

IN the Pacific Medical Journal for July, an article by Dr. Hans Karfunkle, of Berlin, describes a method of treating tuberculosis with living bacilli of a different kind. The treatment has resulted in a very high percentage of cures, even among advanced cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. The theory of the action of these bacteria is that they develop a ferment that destroys the fatty capsule by which the tubercular organism protects itself, and thereby exposes it to the attack of the bodily forces, which make short work of it, by producing a special poison against it. The Journal editorially intimates that this is about the only really new discovery, in the line of treating tuberculosis, that has been made since the early Greeks, who anticipated the modern milk diet and fresh air treatments.

THE Romish church has apparently shown one commendable characteristic in its persecution of heretics. Its very violence showed that it considered spiritual welfare as being just as important as any other. Notwithstanding, it was wrong for at least two reasons: first, not recognizing the fact of there being room for difference of opinion on the disputed points, it treated dissenters as wilful perverts; and secondly, pain and punishment were used as though they had power to change the convictions of the mind. In these days, we need a revival of this consideration of belief and faith as life and death questions. If our neighbors are destitute and sick, every Christian must feel called to help. Equally should our hearts be stirred if they are in unbelief. If the Word is true, the need in the latter case is the greater.

THE liquor forces are desperate. For instance, $25,000 in cash was offered by the Illinois Personal Liberty League to Bosworth & Co., who have dramatized Jack London's "John Barleycorn," if they would agree not to exhibit the moving pictures in six specified states till December 1, 1914, when the elections will be over. "John Barleycorn" knows the liquor curse in Mr. London's observations and personal experience. The offer was refused. The editor of the Register-Leader of this town could have made it very profitable had he been willing to let his paper be used by the liquor traffic alone in Mountain View's fight for liberty. The editor prized men more than money.

IN the annual address of Carl J. Hoster, president of the United States Brewers' Association, Chicago, October 19, 1911, he says: "The people of the United States are aroused as they perhaps never have been before to the evils of intemperance, and the abuses in the conduct of the retail trade."

WEST VIRGINIA's last "wet" day, June 30, closed, it is reported, with a grand drunk and five whisky homicides. Could a better justification of prohibition be furnished?