Turkey Warns by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, Cal. · Sep 23, 1908

Turkey Warns

By Editor

This week we change the pages of the regular weekly issues of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES back to their original size. We do this out of deference to the very many urgent requests that have come from all parts of the field. It is urged by our patrons that the small shape, with only sixteen pages of matter, makes the SIGNS OF THE TIMES look too much like a child's paper.

Turkey Warns.

The central committee of the Young Turk party, the influence of which induced the Sultan to proclaim a constitution, warns foreigners that if any foreign interference in the internal affairs of Turkey occurs, danger might arise for which Europe would be responsible. The condition of Turkish affairs is anything but promising.

Methods of Adorning.

Many people give the greatest part of their thought to the outward adorning of the body. They spend their efforts and their money in decorating their persons with clothing so that they may appear the most attractive and beautiful. How frequently we meet persons who are very attractive from the standpoint of their outward adornment. It is perfectly evident that they have spent a great deal of thought and energy in bedecking themselves with rich raiment. But engage many of these selfsame persons in conversation, and it is even more striking that the inward adornment of mind and heart has been sacrificed for the one purpose of making the body appear beautiful to the outward observer. Upon this subject of adorning, the Bible gives this instruction: "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." 1 Peter 3: 3, 4.

The individual who has this inward adorning of mind and heart will not neglect the outward appearance, but thought and energy are devoted to the developing of the intellect by dwelling upon themes which bring us in touch with the infinite greatness and infinite intelligence of the Creator Himself. What a sad disappointment it is to meet a person whose whole attention is given to the outward adorning, and who is absolutely destitute of mental and spiritual culture.

His Word Was With Power.

Speaking of the Saviour's teaching, it is said: "They were astonished at His doctrine; for His word was with power." Luke 4: 32. The authority of Christ's teaching was the Scriptures themselves. This is clearly shown in His conflict with Satan, as recorded in the fourth chapter of Matthew. This word was made effective in power because of its power in His life.

Words of Life.

In one of His discourses, the Master said: "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." And in a conversation with Peter immediately following this discourse, Peter said: "Thou hast the words of eternal life." John 6: 63, 68. So then there is real life in the words of Christ.

The Word of His Power.

Speaking of Christ in the letter to the Hebrews, it is said that He was "the brightness of His [the Father's] glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power." Heb. 1: 3. All the worlds and everything that is in all of these worlds, are upheld by the mighty power of the mighty word of God. Because there is life in God's word, there is also power in it. And this power is absolutely infinite. There is nothing too great for it to accomplish. God who can uphold the worlds by the power of His word can cleanse the soul from sin by the power of the same word, and can give him everlasting life also by this same power.

The Word Which Liveth.

Speaking of the spiritual birth, or the conversion, of the individual who accepts Christ, it is said that he is "born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." And then we have the further statement that "the word of the Lord endureth forever." 1 Peter 1: 23, 25. Thus we have the double statement that the word is not only alive, but furthermore, that it liveth forever. God's word is eternal. What God's word accomplished for and through Abraham, and Moses, and the rest of the prophets, God's word accomplishes to-day through those who surrender themselves completely to Him; because what God has spoken, He has spoken forever. It stands; it endures. His word liveth, and it liveth forever.

The Word Magnified Above His Name.

The high esteem in which God holds His word is strikingly and beautifully expressed in these words: "I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy loving-kindness and for Thy truth; for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name." Ps. 138: 2. God shows in His commandments that He would have us hold His name reverently and sacredly, but here He says that He regards His word even above His sacred name. We are led to place confidence in men when we know that they regard their word. We can well afford to place our confidence in our heavenly Father because He regards His word even more sacredly than His name.

The Word Giveth Life.

If we are in darkness or in doubt or despair, we may come to the word confidently, knowing that it will bring us light and hope. "The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." Ps. 119: 130.

The Power of the Word in the Heart.

If we would be victors in the combat against sin, there is a divinely philosophical plan by which this must be accomplished. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." Ps. 119: 11. It is the hiding of the word in the heart that thus clothes us with power to rise above sin.

The Word Speaks To Us.

If the words of the blessed Bible are hidden in the heart as they should be, then may we rejoice in the blessed experiences expressed in these words: "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left." Isa. 30: 21. It is through the words of His Book that God would guide us. Many people are guided by their impressions, but the true follower of Christ is guided by the exact and definite instruction of His actual words of truth that are hidden in the mind and heart.

Result of Despising the Word.

God has provided us with a citadel of power in His word. He has provided that we may have life through that word. He has given us eternal salvation in the message that His own words bring. Then is it not perfectly reasonable that He should also tell us: "Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded"? Prov. 13: 13.