p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 49. (12/13/1910)

A Delusion

By Editor

A Delusion.—A magazine which comes to our table says, "Know that thou art the redeemer of thyself. Thou art the god thou fashionest." What a pitiful redeemer he has who trusts in himself! What a pitiful god he fashions at his best. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool. The maker is wiser and stronger than the thing he makes. Never was greater delusion placed before man than the teaching that he can save himself. All the ages declare it a falsehood. It is born of the old satanic falsehood: "Ye shall not surely die: . . . ye shall be as God."

Soul and Body Destroyed.

More and more as we study the Bible and the teachings of our Lord while here upon earth we shall see that He constantly referred to the Old Testament Scriptures. He brought the Jews to their own standard. For instance, His words recorded in Matt. 10: 28, "destroy both soul and body in hell," were direct in their reference to Isa. 10: 16-18, where the prophet proclaims God's judgments upon the wicked: "There shall be kindled a burning like the burning of fire. . . . And it will burn and devour . . . and . . . consume . . . both soul and body." To set aside the ancient Scriptures is to set aside the Christ Himself.

Sunday Closing Law Opposed by Jews

Jewish residents of the ghetto in St. Louis, Missouri, are strongly opposing the law under which the police are forcing grocers and meat dealers to close their places of business on Sunday. The religious convictions of the Jews in observing the "Sabbath according to the commandment" prevent their opening their places of business on the seventh day of the week; and when they are required by civil law to remain closed on Sunday, they claim that a food shortage results in that section. Most of the ghetto residents, it is declared, are too poor to buy enough Friday to last until Monday, and many of them lack facilities for keeping it, even if they are able to get it.

Christmas: Its Origin and Character

By Editor

Read "Christmas: Its Origin and Character," on page 9. It tells the truth, and it is the truth which the Christian desires to know.

Religion and Legislation

Religion is a question wholly between man and his God. It is not, and in the nature of the case can not be, a matter of legislation. When crystallized into human statute law the dogmas and tenets of Christianity lose their spiritual life, and are but hypocritical, dead forms. Neither church nor state can endure them.

The Master’s Coming Series Concludes

By Editor

The series of articles on "The Master’s Coming" closes with this issue. Next week we will begin a series of articles on the question of religious liberty. These articles are each complete in itself, and will be of great help to our Christian readers. They are written by Pastor W. M. Healey. In our succeeding issue, Jan. 3, 1911, there will appear the first of a series on the Sabbath question by Pastor R. A. Underwood.

Religious Combinations and the Republic

By Editor

We omit our Missions department almost wholly this week, but we present two important articles showing the trend of religious sentiment in the republic. When the various Roman Catholic organizations, which wield such tremendous influence, are united, and the great Protestant churches are thereby federated and working together, and both are in politics to accomplish certain political aims, what shall become of the republic?

Extensive Religious Combinations

"Extensive Religious Combinations."—In 1829, Hon. R. M. Johnson said, and the Senate of the United States adopted the report in which he said it:

"Extensive religious combinations to effect a political object are . . . always dangerous. . . . If admitted, it may be justly apprehended that the future measures of the Government will be strongly marked, if not eventually controlled, by the same influence. All religious despotism commences by combination and influence; and when that influence begins to operate upon the political institutions of a country the civil power soon bends under it; and the catastrophe of other nations furnishes us an awful warning of the consequence."

These words ought to be burned into the heart of every liberty-loving American.

Churches and Civil Power

No church was ever good enough to be entrusted with civil power; for by it she is soon corrupted.

Chinese Press Fund Letter

By Editor

Those who have donated to the Chinese Press Fund will be pleased to read the letter from Mr. Evans on page 15.

The Christian Church Represents Christ

The business of the Christian and the Christian church is to represent Christ to the world. He stands on a different plane (or should) from the world. He is heart and life of a different kingdom.

Church and State Separation

President U. S. Grant said, "Keep the church and the state forever separate." That is good American doctrine; it is good original Protestant doctrine; it is decidedly and emphatically Christian doctrine; but it is neither National Reform nor Roman Catholic doctrine, and every Protestant who seeks to do otherwise puts himself upon Roman Catholic ground.

Review of Conditions in Europe

By Editor

Our European correspondent furnishes an excellent review of conditions in Europe. It will appear in our next issue.

Our Bible Band

By Editor

Our Bible Band.—To all present and future members: We have something for you this year of far more value than our book-mark of last year, for which we received so many words of praise, and which we had to reprint so many times. This is a little booklet filled full of just such Bible facts as you would like to know, gathered from the best authorities, in compact form. It is a neat little pamphlet of "Apples of Gold" size, which you can slip into an envelope easily, or into your Bible. It is ten cents, and contains the schedule for the year. Please send promptly.

The King James Bible Anniversary

The three hundredth anniversary of the authorized King James's Version of the Bible will be celebrated in 1911 in London. There will be an exhibition of the English Bible, and it is desired that ministers everywhere shall take advantage of this to renew interest in the Book.

"BUT ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED IN THE LORD WITH AN EVERLASTING SALVATION: YE SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED NOR CONFOUNDED WORLD WITHOUT END." Isa. 45: 17.