Some of our articles which we print were late in arriving, especially so of Dr. Kellogg's, and from some of the great mission fields we did not hear at all. Could we have had all our articles in time, it would have materially aided in the arrangement, which, we think, could under other circumstances have been bettered. But we have no words of censure for any; each did the best he could, we are bound to believe, as we are sure we desired to do.
Our Typography.—We designed to print the greater number of the important articles in this issue in larger type—10-point instead of 8-point. But we could not do this without omitting more articles or materially abbreviating some of them, which we did not feel justified in doing except when absolutely demanded.
The illustrations in this issue were with few minor exceptions made expressly for this paper. The half-tone color design for the cover was furnished by our New York artists. The photographs from which were reproduced the pictures on pages 12 and 13 were secured in London, England, the only place where they were obtainable. They well represent the men of influence in Europe for the quarter century.
Articles Omitted.—We regret exceedingly that we were compelled to omit important articles which we had solicited for this issue, and which had been promised our readers; but lack of space and exigency of make-up demanded it. One of these is a brief but striking review of the progress of the people who publish this paper, by Elder G. A. Irwin, president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Another, an article on education, by Prof. W. W. Prescott. A third, a page containing photoengravings of the managing editors of the SIGNS to the present, and a reduced facsimile of the first page of the first paper. A poem by Uriah Smith is omitted, and several editorials. We omitted those which pertained more to the human side of the work. However, we expect to publish four other special issues in the year to come, and these special articles and illustrations will then appear—perhaps in our "Midsummer number."
In this age wherein there are so many snares to entrap the feet of young people, it is important that they should be supplied with the best of reading matter. For what our youth read, as much as any other one thing, is either elevating or degrading them. Among all the young people's papers with which we are acquainted there is none that is equal to the Youth's Instructor, published at Battle Creek, Mich. Its columns are always clean, interesting, and instructive. The publishers will be glad to send sample copies on application.
DO YOU WISH TO READ FURTHER?
ARE you interested in the Biblical articles found in this paper? Do you wish to read further concerning the teachings of the Word of God on Salvation in Christ, the Coming of the Lord, the Fulfilment of Prophecy, Union of Church and State, or the Sabbath Question? These are all vitally important subjects, and we could not feel justified in closing the paper without calling attention to at least a few publications upon these great and important themes.
Salvation in Christ.
"STEPS TO CHRIST." This little work presents in the most beautiful simplicity the way of salvation. It has passed through numerous editions, and is printed in Danish, Swedish, German, Holland, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Bound in neat cloth; price, 50 cents.
The Coming of the Lord.
"MATTHEW 24, OR THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST" (No. 58 Bible Students' Library). Price, 10 cents. "Manner of Christ's Coming" (No. 124 Bible Students' Library). See cover, page 2.
Fulfilment of Prophecy.
"THE GREAT EMPIRES OF PROPHECY." For the student, the very best work published to date. For description, see page 31.
"LOOKING UNTO JESUS." By Elder Uriah Smith. An unfolding of the plan of salvation in its types, shadows, and reality, and an exposition of the marvelous prophecy found in the eighth and ninth chapters of Daniel. Cloth, thirty-three chapters, illustrated. Price, $1.00.
"THE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY" (pamphlet), illustrated. By M. H. Brown. Price, 10 cents. "The Great Threefold Message" (No. 47 Apples of Gold Library). Price, 1 cent.
Union of Church and State.
"TWO REPUBLICS." By Alonso Trevier Jones. The striking parallels between the republics of Rome and the United States. Nearly 900 royal octavo pages, illustrated. Price, cloth, $2.50 and $3.00; half morocco, $4.00; full morocco, $4.75; a cheaper edition, $1.85.
"AMERICAN STATE PAPERS." By W. A. Blakely, Esq. A rare collection of valuable documents and facts bearing on religious legislation and union of Church and State from the foundation of this government to 1897. It prints the Sunday laws of the States to that date. A valuable book. Price, $1.25.
"THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE." By A. T. Jones. A marvel of information as to the principles on which this government was based and its departure from them. Price, cloth, $1.00; pamphlet, 40 cents.
The American Sentinel, a weekly paper devoted to the defense of liberty of conscience for all, and uncompromisingly opposed to anything tending toward a union of Church and State either in name or principle. Send for a sample copy. Published at 39 Bond Street, New York City. Price, $1.00 a year.
The Sabbath.
"HISTORY OF THE SABBATH AND FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK." By John Nevins Andrews. The result of ten years' hard work. It covers the history of the two days from the dawn of history to the present time. Every passage of Scripture bearing on the subject is examined. The complete "testimony of the fathers" for the first three centuries of the Christian era concerning both days is given. Copious indexes. A mine of information. 548 pages; price, $2.50. Pamphlet, three parts, 75 cents.
Send for a catalog to Pacific Press Publishing Company, Oakland, Cal. The above may also be obtained from the Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich.; Pacific Press, 18 West Fifth Street, Kansas City, Mo., or 39 Bond Street, New York City.
IMPORTANT ITEMS IN ARCHÆOLOGY.
THE ROSETTA stone was discovered in 1799, at Rosetta City, near the mouth of the Nile. It contained three inscriptions of a decree appointing a yearly festival in honor of the king's statue, the first in hieroglyphics, the writing of the priests; the second in Demotic, the writing of the people; and the third in Greek. A comparison of the different elements in the proper names mentioned in each of the three inscriptions gave a clue to the Egyptian alphabets,—the key which rendered possible the deciphering of inscriptions on Egyptian tombs and monuments. These alphabets were not completed until 1822.
In 1868 there was discovered in the land of Moab what is known as the Moabite stone, containing a description by Mesha, king of Moab, of his wars against Israel. An account of a battle between Mesha, king of Moab, and Israel is given in 2 Kings 3:4-27.
The translations of a number of tablets and monuments by the Rev. A. H. Sayce, bearing on the history of the Hittite nation, prove beyond question the power and extent of this great nation so often referred to in the sacred narrative.
The mummy and coffin of Rameses II (B.C. 1350), the king of Egypt, and the Pharaoh who oppressed the Jews, was found near Thebes in 1871.
The Tel el-Amarna tablets, giving undeniable proof of the extension of literary culture among the ancients, were discovered in 1887. See article by Dr. Sayce, page 4.
The Black Obelisk, which was engraved about 860-825 B.C., was discovered in 1845 on the site of ancient Nimrud, nineteen miles south of Nineveh. It describes the payment of tribute by Jehu, who was anointed king of Israel in 884 B.C., to Shalmaneser, king of Assyria; also the defeat of "Ahab of Israel" in conjunction with certain tribes of Syria.
The cylinder of Sargon, king of Assyria (722-705 B.C.) was discovered in the library of Assur-bani-pal at Kuyundjik (Nineveh) in 1873, and describes the siege and capture of Ashdod, in the land of the Philistines, when Hezekiah was king of Judah. A confirmation of the account is found in Isa. 20:1.
The six-sided cylinder of Sennacherib, king of Assyria, written B.C. 705-681, was discovered in 1873 in the library of Assur-bani-pal, at Nineveh, and gives an account of the invasion of Palestine and the siege of Jerusalem. A confirmatory account is found in 2 Kings, chapters 18 and 19. Sennacherib does not record the loss of 185,000 of his men, but does mention the fact that a misfortune visited his camp. The Egyptians had a tradition that field mice entered the camp of the Assyrians and destroyed their war implements.
The cylinder of Esar-haddon, found in the same library as those mentioned above, and dating from 681-668 B.C., describes the campaigns of this king, and mentions Manasseh, king of Judah, as his vassal. In 2 Chron. 33:11 is found the confirmation of the inscription.
An Assyrian account of the creation was also found in the remarkable library at Nineveh.
The same library contained an Assyrian account of the Deluge, which was translated by George Smith. It has a remarkable similarity to the Biblical account of that event, and contains internal evidence of the fact that the Bible account is the original, as the Assyrian account speaks of the ark as a great ship, which was launched and put in charge of a pilot. The builders of the ark knew nothing about ships, and the original word for "ark" in the Biblical narrative means a great box, or chest.
International Sabbath School Lessons
The International S. S. Lessons will be published as usual in future issues.
The Regular Issues
Our regular issues contain 10 pages. See prospectus on third page of cover.
Astronomy Review
Students in astronomy will be pleased to get the article on page 8, by Professor Burckhalter. It is an excellent review of what twenty-five years have done in one of the grandest of sciences.
Articles of Interest in This Issue
It is impossible to note all the articles of interest in this issue. There is something for all, and all are important. God always speaks twice at least,—once in His Word, once to confirm that Word in earthly witnesses. In this issue of The Signs of the Times both voices may be heard abundantly, the Bible and its fulfilment.
Sayce’s Discoveries at Tel el-Amarna
By Editor
We are glad to be able to present before our readers the striking article from Dr. A. H. Sayce (page 4), written especially and only for this number. It presents striking results from Dr. Sayce's own work at Tel el-Amarna, and shows how God in His providence is confirming His Word. See also the last article on this page.
An Illustrated Family Journal & Pure and Elevating
By Editor
VOLUME 25 ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 1899
It is but proper that we should set before those whose patronage we seek, a portion at least of what we shall, the Lord willing, present through the SIGNS OF THE TIMES in the year to come. We therefore call your attention to the following:—
Departments
1. General Articles. In this department will be set forth the various phases of the blessed Gospel of Christ and the vitally important doctrines of Christianity.
2. Missions. Here will be found a survey of the great foreign mission fields of earth, the needs of the great submerged and suppressed masses in the large cities of civilization, and what is being done by earnest godly men and women.
3. The Outlook will take note of the great movements among the nations of earth, religious, social, and political. In connection with these movements will be set forth the predictions of God's Word throwing light upon these very things which otherwise are dark and perplexing.
4. The Home department will be filled with such instruction and reading as will tend to make home happy and arouse an interest in the homeless ones of earth.
5. The Question Corner will answer all suitable and proper questions on Bible themes likely to be of general or special interest to our readers.
6. The International Sabbath-School and Sunday-School Lessons will be treated in the simplest, most direct form to bring out the meaning of the Scriptures. They will be valuable Bible lessons. The former will deal with the wonderful subject, "The Life of Christ." The lesson scriptures will be printed from the Revised Version.
7. Our News and Notes page will, from week to week, present a careful digest of the world's history, as set forth in its most important events.
8. Editorially the SIGNS will endeavor to be true to its Scripture motto: "As we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts." It will preach the whole Gospel—"the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth"—to all men, of all races, of all creeds and religions. In the Gospel is the righteousness of God revealed. Here alone can men find the righteousness approved by God's eternal law. That Gospel, "the mystery of God," is the remedy for all earthly ills, physical, moral and spiritual. The SIGNS will lift up to the world Jesus Christ, Creator, Redeemer, Friend.
Contributors
The following ministers of God, among other writers of experience and excellence, will contribute to the columns of the SIGNS during the year 1899:—
Uriah Smith, author of "Thoughts on Daniel and Revelation," "Looking unto Jesus," etc., ten or more articles on the Sacrifice, Priesthood, and Kingship of Christ.
Alonzo C. Jones, author of "Two Republics," "Rights of the People," "Great Empires of Prophecy," etc., ten or more articles on Church and State in this Country.
Albion F. Ballenger, whom God has been specially blessing in evangelical work, ten or more articles on The Holy Spirit and Its Work.
John O. Corliss, ten or more articles on Life in Jesus Christ, the Nature of Man, and Modern Spiritualism.
Prof. P. C. Magan, ten or more articles on the Parallels in the Closing Years of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries.
George E. Fifield, ten or more articles on the Sabbath in its various phases, True and False Reform, etc., a subject of vital interest.
Francis M. Wilcox, ten or more articles on the Coming of the Lord and what it means to the world.
Mrs. E. G. White, one of the founders of the SIGNS; Dr. E. J. Waggoner and Prof. W. W. Prescott, of London, England; Mrs. S. M. I. Henry, for so many years at the head of evangelical work in the W. C. T. U.; Frances E. Bolton, who has in the Lord sang some sweet songs in the SIGNS in the past, and many other good writers, will contribute to our columns in the year to come.
Each issue will contain from three to six illustrations.
From four to six special numbers will be issued during the year, beautifully illustrated and dealing with subjects appropriate to the season of year when the paper is issued.
Other special announcements will be made from time to time.
This only will we say further: The SIGNS OF THE TIMES will, by the blessing of God, be better the coming year than it has ever been. There will be no truer exponent of Christ and His cause among the periodicals of the world.
Combination Offers
Reference Teacher's Bible
Minion Type. Page 5½x8 inches.
The Bible is substantially bound in morocco, divinity circuit, leather lined to edge, round corners, red under gold edges, minion type, and contains over 650 pages of finely illustrated Helps to the study of the Bible.
One feature of special value in the Helps contained in this Bible is the Combined Concordance, which unites, in a very convenient form for ready reference, a Concordance, Subject Index, and Pronouncing Dictionary of Scripture Proper Names.
Sent post-paid with the SIGNS one year for $2.75.
Bible sent free upon receipt of seven new names and $7.00.
Political Speeches and Debates of Lincoln and Douglas
Shows how to meet the questions threatening the liberties and rights of the people to-day. This book, containing the speeches and debates of these able statesmen, is full of thrilling interest and forms a veritable armory of Lincoln argument.
Buckram cloth, 555 pages, illustrated, $1.75
Sent post-paid with the SIGNS one year, $1.75.
Book sent free for three new yearly subscribers and one renewal at $1.00 each.
Battle Hymn of the Kingdom
A beautiful poem by Frances Eugenia Bolton. Illustrated by fifteen elegant half-tone engravings, produced expressly for this booklet by one of New York's best artists.
Presentation Edition, printed in the finest style of the art, on heavy enameled book paper, bound in fine art vellum cloth, gilt top, 50 cts.
Sent post-paid with the SIGNS one year, $1.25.
Book sent free for one new yearly subscriber and one renewal at $1.00 each.
Travels by Land and Sea
By G. C. Tenney. A large, beautiful volume profusely illustrated.
Rivers, seas, oceans, islands, states, continents, pyramids, and mountains, storms and blizzards, villas, towns, cities and things interesting the writer saw in visiting five continents. A grand book for everybody.
Fine cloth binding, gilt edge, $2.75.
Sent post-paid with the SIGNS one year, $2.10.
Book sent free for four new yearly subscribers and one renewal at $1.00 each.
52 Numbers, 16 Pages Each 832 PAGES FOR ONLY $1.00
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, OAKLAND, CAL.
The Desire of Ages
This remarkable book has been on the market only twenty-two days, yet 6,000 copies have been sold.
In one sense it is a life of Christ and His Apostles, but it is far more than any mere biographical sketch; it is a use of the incidents in these lives to illustrate the principles of true Christianity.
Its illustrations number over three hundred, and are nearly all original. They represent two year's work on the part of our New York art director and his assistants, and are beautiful and appropriate.
This book contains nearly nine hundred royal octavo pages, is beautifully printed and durably bound.
PRICES: Cloth, marbled edges, $3.50; Cloth, gilt edges, $4.25
Library, marbled edges, $5.00; Full Morocco, in a box, $7.00
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
39 Bond St., New York City OAKLAND, CAL. 18 W. 5th St., Kansas City, Mo.
Pilgrims Entering Bethlehem on Christmas Day
The Story of Redemption
The object of this, one of our recent books, is to show forth the love of Christ to the world. It assures the sinner that the plan of redemption is for him, and encourages the Christian by presenting many of God's promises in a new and beautiful way.
One chapter is entitled "Righteousness through Christ;" and so carefully is the wonderful truth explained that it seems impossible for the honest reader to misunderstand it. The whole story is told in an easy, interesting manner, that invites the closest attention.
The illustrations are nearly all half-tones, and are both appropriate and attractive.
It contains 237 octavo pages, exclusive of four full-page three-color engravings.
PRICES: Cloth, gift edges, $1.25; Cloth, colored edges, $1.00
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
39 Bond St., New York City OAKLAND, CAL. 18 W. 5th St., Kansas City, Mo.
Watchman, What of the Night?
By Editor
Such is the title of a book we have in preparation, and which we shall publish early in 1899.
Its whole aim is to answer the inquiry found above—"Watchman, what of the night?"
As an indication of the nature of these answers, we give a few of the chapter headings:—
The Prevalence of Crime a Sign of Our Times;
The Earth Is Filled with Violence;
We Have Heaped Treasure Together for the Last Days;
Judgment Is Turned Away Backward;
The Social Evil;
The Nations Are Angry;
Voice of the Elements;
Testimony of the Earth.
Other titles might be given, but these are probably enough to impress you with the scope and importance of the book.
The engravings are original, and strikingly illustrate the thoughts of the author. The chapter heading shown above represents a watchman on the walls of Jerusalem, and is an evidence of the rare conception and artistic touch found in all the illustrations.
If you wish further information concerning this forthcoming volume, please address the main office of
Pacific Press Publishing Company
Twelfth and Castro Streets OAKLAND, CAL.
Photo "Battle Hymn of the Kingdom." Copyright, 1948, by Pacific Press Publishing Co.
Battle Hymn of the Kingdom
This beautiful little volume was published Nov. 10, and is already in its second edition.
Its subject matter is a stirring poem, every stanza of which is illustrated by a full-page half-tone engraving.
The bindings are neat and attractive, the cover design being worked in gold, silver, and green, and will especially recommend the volume to purchasers of gift booklets.
