p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 38. (9/20/1899)

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TO CONTRIBUTORS.

By Editor

The Signs of the Times is a purely missionary enterprise. For this reason it has felt free to ask for contributions from its friends. It pays nothing for contributions, either prose or poetry, unless solicited by the editor, and then the fact is stated when the articles are asked for. This is a plan rarely followed, but sometimes deemed expedient.

Articles Desired.—Those which set forth in the Spirit of Christ the great saving truths of God, short and to the point. It is better to treat one important truth clearly, in a short article, than many points vaguely in a long one. We desire no caustic, critical productions, which might minister to personal pride or pleasure, but can not save souls.

How Prepared.—Write plainly, with typewriter or ink, with wide space between the lines, to freely admit of editing, writing of subheads, etc. Write on one side of the sheet only. Sign the name to the manuscript, as it becomes oftentimes separated from accompanying letter. Anonymous contributions are not used, whatever their merit. If the writer does not wish his name to appear, let him furnish a pseudonym for the public. But we wish the name.

Manuscript Returned.—We will return all unused manuscript desired if stamp and directions are inclosed. We are forced sometimes to return good manuscript mainly for three reasons: (a) Sometimes the articles are too long; (b) sometimes we have a number on the same subject; (c) sometimes our plans are such that an article can not be used till it is out of date. We therefore hope that no offense will be taken by those who have freely contributed their best thought if their productions are returned. When we receive so much matter, we can not use all.

Pacific Coast Meeting

A very profitable meeting has just been concluded in this place. Delegates were present from all the States on the Pacific Coast, and Pastors Irwin and Haskell were here, having just returned from Australia. In the early morning and evening meetings the time was occupied principally by Brethren Irwin and Haskell in the setting forth of the very nearness of the end of all things, and the great necessity of earnest and faithful work for others, and also the most careful preparation on our part. The principle of sacrificing everything in order to enlighten the world in regard to what is coming to pass was strongly dwelt upon. There was a willing response on the part of the Oakland church and the brethren and sisters present. All seemed to feel as never before that we have no time to lose in getting ready for the great day of the Lord, and that one of the most important things in this preparation is telling all the world that Christ is soon coming and that all should hasten to prepare for that glad event.

Bullfighting in France and Sentinel Reading

By Editor

Bull-fighting seems to be finding a fertile, friendly soil in France. A recent Sunday fight in Boulogne was witnessed by 3,000 persons. It was most cruel; many women fainted; 1,000 persons left in disgust; and poor bulls to the number of six and three horses were killed. Yet the worst thing of all in some minds seems to be that the cruel spectacle was held on Sunday.

These are thrilling, and withal exceedingly interesting, times in the history of this nation. Every one is thinking about the great changes that have taken place during the past year. All are anxious to avail themselves of the best reading matter upon the meaning of the new policy of the United States. We have seen no paper that discusses this matter so fully and so clearly as the American Sentinel, of 39 Bond Street, New York. It is well worth your while to read it. Send to them for sample copies, and be convinced for yourself. And, by the way, if you would like to have the discussion that passed through the columns of the Sentinel during that history-making period of the last year, you can get the bound volumes for 1898 for $1.50 in paper binding, and $2.50 in cloth, post-paid.

CONTAINED IN THIS NUMBER.

By Editor

Poetry. The Truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 He Is Coming Again, LITMON CLESHAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 His Picture in My Heart, CYRUS SIMMONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Will You Receive Him? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Pebbles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

General. Mountains and Streams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The Outpouring of the Spirit, No. 1, MRS. E. G. WHITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The Two Covenants, CYRUS SIMMONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The Time of Christ's Coming, F. M. WILCOX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Did Christ or the Apostles Change the Sabbath? G. E. FIFIELD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Spiritualism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Outlook.—The Purpose of Cruelty—The Strength of a Mob—"The Bicycle Masher"—Drunkenness and Lunacy in France—"Trusts and the Law" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 9

Missions.—The Indians of the United States, W. N. GLENN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 11

The Home.—The Basket Picnic, A. SMITH—The Stimulant Delusion, DAVID PAULSON, M.D.—Two Ways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 13

International Sabbath-school and Sunday-school Lessons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 15

Publishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

A Modern Pulpit

By Editor

A Modern Pulpit.—A Pacific Coast daily paper is conducting a Bible class. The lesson on Gen. 3:1-6, 22-24 is an utter perversion of Biblical truth, and a reflection on its Author. It is all allegory, representing man's inner nature. There was no literal garden, nor tree, nor fruit, nor serpent. All these are to be interpreted rationally and spiritually. And yet our Lord treated them as literal history. If we believe not Genesis, how shall we believe Him?

Death in the Pot

"Death in the Pot."—According to the Ferndale (Cal.) Enterprise, the statements of which have been verified, recently, near Coquille, Oregon, a reception dinner was given to a lady from California, at which chickens were served that had been parboiled in a tin wash-boiler the day previous. After the dinner was eaten the company were taken sick, and six of the guests died. The California lady was unconscious for ten hours, but finally recovered. Was the trouble with the boiler, or the chicken? It is certainly evident that sickness from partaking of flesh foods is increasing.

Labor Is a Blessing

It is a mighty error to think that labor is a curse. In a recent poem, Ella Wheeler Wilcox says:—

"The time has come, aye, even now it is, To rank that parable in Genesis, Of God's great curse of labor placed on man, With other fairy tales."

There is no curse of labor in Genesis. Idleness is a curse. Labor is a blessing. God said, "Cursed is the ground for thy sake." Its strength would be perverted; it would not give up its power to seed and plant. It would bring forth weeds and thorns. Why? —So that man would not, could not, lead a life of idleness. It would cost more labor to till the ground; and in the added labor would be added blessing. His curse was upon the ground; it was for man's sake, and the overcoming by labor was a blessing.

Hear Ye Him

"While He yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him." Matt. 17:5. "Hear ye Him;" this is the Father's command to us all. Have you heard Christ? We do not ask, Have you heard about Him? but, Have you heard Him? There is a vast difference between hearing the real Christ Himself, and merely hearing about a Christ. Have you learned this difference? Have you learned how to come so close to the Word of God, and to drink it in so fully and so deeply, that it is in very deed the living voice of the Son of God speaking to your soul, and touching every well-spring of your being? O, that you may actually hear Him! It is so different to hear and know the real Saviour from merely hearing of and knowing about Him. He is saying to you even now: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." Rev. 3:20.

The Hope of the Race

Regarding the recent Zionist Congress at Basel, Switzerland, it is reported that much division exists among the Reformed and Orthodox Jews. The American delegates suggested that the modern Zion be founded on the island of Cyprus instead of in Jerusalem. This, of course, met with violent protest. The report says: "The conclusions of the leaders, now announced, that it will take at least ten years to reach the point aimed at,—the revival of the Jewish nation,—are bitter food for these unfortunates [the Jews of Eastern Europe], relieved only slightly by the assurance that colonization upon a large scale can begin soon." The city of Salem can never be reached by the method of strife. Would that the earnest ones might see in Jesus just what He is,—the hope of the race.

Guide for Nut Cookery

By Editor

"Guide for Nut Cookery, Together with a Brief History of Nuts and Their Food Values," is a book published by Joseph Lambert & Co., Battle Creek, Mich. We gave a notice of this excellent work, of 452 pages, illustrated, in our issue of June 28, stating that its price was $1.50. This was a mistake. Its price is only $1.25, post-paid. It is an excellent book, and will be a splendid help to all those who wish to make use of one of the best foods God has given His children.

Articles on Prophecy

By Editor

Articles on Prophecy.—As soon as the series of articles on "Separation of Church and State" is finished, we propose to begin a study of the book of Daniel, which we are sure will be of interest to our readers. We have also partly in hand a series of articles covering the priesthood of our Lord, the Gospel in type and antitype, by Uriah Smith, author of "Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation," "Looking unto Jesus," etc. These will be of vital importance.

Articles on Diet

By Editor

Articles on Diet.—We receive many queries from time to time concerning the question of diet, or food, from a Biblical view-point. These we have not thought best to consider in our Question Corner, but to cover the Biblical ground in one or two general articles. Besides these there will be articles by our medical contributors on the scientific side of the same subject.

Drunkenness as a Sign of the Last Days

By Editor

A friend writes us: "The other night there were between twenty and thirty drunk in the little town of ——, of about 200 people. And it is a common occurrence." It is one of the signs of the last days.

Epworth Leaguers Ready

By Editor

Epworth Leaguers Ready.—A despatch from Ocean Grove, dated August 28, says that Dr. A. E. Schell, national secretary of the Epworth League, made the following statement:—

"The President has our prayers to-day; he can have our money to-morrow, and the next day, if he will call for us, the entire membership of a million will enlist at once."

This may be patriotism, but it is not Christianity. And, further, who authorizes Mr. Schell to speak for each individual Epworth Leaguer? This also is imperialism with a vengeance.

A Narrow Life.

Recently an old stock-broker failed in mind from overwork in the New York Stock Exchange. Since that he has been speechless save the one expression, "Thirty-seven, thirty-seven." There came a time in his experience when his whole life became centered upon that one quotation, "thirty-seven," and reason went out with it. The facts are stated by the newspaper, but no lesson is drawn from it; yet what a lesson is in it! Better to retain one's reason by becoming a "fool for Christ's sake."

Wheat in Russia

Wheat in Russia.—It is said that Russia generally exports about 116,000,000 bushels of wheat, but this year she will export none, and many of her children will die from famine. The total crop of the world is estimated at 2,879,924,000 bushels, of which this country raises 675,149,000 bushels, or nearly one-fourth; Russia's crop is 498,836,000 bushels; France comes next, with 371,881,000 bushels. It is said that this country will profit from Russia's lack. It is sad to be benefited in that way.

Menelik, King of Abyssinia

The September number of McClure's Magazine has an interesting article about Menelik, the king of Abyssinia, or Ethiopia, and his people. The strong character of the old king is brought out in striking relief.

Boer Women Take Up Arms

So determined is the resistance against the threatened invasion of the Transvaal by the British, that even the Boer women are under arms ready to meet the invaders.

Sunday Law in the Klondike.

By Editor

News from Dawson City, under date of August 22, says that the civil authorities have issued an "edict against Sunday mining." "Fine and imprisonment is the penalty threatened. The miners say there is no more harm in digging gold on Sunday than in running a saloon or faro bank on that day." And the miners are right. In fact, there is no harm in any honorable work on Sunday; while drinking and gambling are evil any day. But, as usual, the Sunday law generally strikes at the most honorable employments. It is the nature of the thing. Having usurped the place of the fourth precept of God's law, it will make dishonorable, on its own ground, if it can, every other part of the law.

An Immense Ship

An Immense Ship.—The Great Eastern was 691 feet long, 15 draft, 11,844 tons displacement, with 8,000 tons weight of hull. But here comes the new White Star steamer, Oceanic, 704 feet in length, draft 22 feet, 18,000 tons displacement, with weight of hull 12,500 tons. The Oceanic is the greatest steamship ever built. She is 60 feet from the bridge to the water. She is propelled by twin screws, with machinery so nicely adjusted that there is no tremor or jar to the ship. The main saloon is 80x64 feet, 9 feet high, lighted through a central dome in which is set multi-colored glass. Staterooms are 13x9. Five hundred men constitute her crew. She will make the trip from Liverpool to New York in eight days.

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