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Signs of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 26.

THE HOUR OF JUDGMENT
Earlier text: Like a Story of the Dark Ages

Attractive Books

For Children and Young People

The first five books below are printed in colors, and all are very interesting and instructive.
Best Stories from the Best Book, ...paper, $0.25; board, $0.50
The Gospel Primer ............board, .25; cloth, .50
New Testament Primer, .........." .25; " .50
Our Little Folks Bible Nature, .... " .25; " .50
Story of Joseph, ............... " .25; " .50
Home and Church School Reader No. 1, ..........cloth, .75
Home and Church School Reader No. 2, .......... " .75
Home and Church School Reader No. 3, .......... " .90
And for those ten years of age and older:
Our Paradise Home, ..............board, $0.25; cloth, .50
Left With a Trust, ............................ " .50
Steps to Christ, ............paper, $0.25; " .50
Christ Our Saviour, ..........board, $0.50; " .75
Beasts, Birds, and Reptiles, .................. " .75
Home, Haunts, and Habits of Animals, .......... " .75
How a Little Girl Went to Africa .............. " 1.00
My Garden Neighbors, .......................... " 1.00
Uncle Ben’s Cobblestones, ................board, 1.00
The House We Live In, ......................cloth, 1.00
In Africa’s Forest and Jungle, ................ " 1.00
Minute Men on the Frontier, .................. " 1.00
Sent post-paid at above prices. Address your State Tract Society, or

Pacific Press Publishing Company

Mountain View, Cal.
285 Salmon St.,                                     1109 East 12th St.,
Portland, Ore.                                      Kansas City, Mo.

One’s Own Taskmaster.

WITHOUT some spur to action, we become listless and lazy; but the work done by any man will be of far more value if he is his own taskmaster. A boy was an apprentice in a printing-office. The foreman tried to drive him to work by warning him of the consequences of failure. The results were by no means happy.
But, later on, the foreman realized that it was unnecessary to drive the boy longer. He was driving himself. On his thirteenth birthday he was given a watch. The first day he owned it he timed himself as he set type. Finding that he could set a stickful in twelve minutes, he made this a standard. The watch was placed on the case. Every twelve minutes his stick must be filled, or he would have to account to himself. Day after day he kept to this rule. It was not long before the boy who was his own taskmaster became the speediest and most dependable compositor in the office.—Sunday School Times.

Studies in the Christ-Life at Brother Eldred’s

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle
O indeed, I suppose it is all true, my child,” admitted Mrs. Field, blushing.
“Then why didn’t you tell us, mother? Why didn’t you teach us to study the Bible? It’s so wonderful. We didn’t know it was so interesting. Why, it’s more so than any of our story books; isn’t it Mildred?” concluded Blanche enthusiastically.
“We think it is, don’t we mama?” chimed in little Margaret, opening her blue eyes wide at the thought that any one had lived to grow up with no knowledge of the good Book.
“The fact is,” explained Mrs. Field, “I was not brought up to study the Bible when I was young. Indeed, I am very ignorant of its teaching to-day. But I have been much surprised already to find that there are prophecies of both Jesus Christ and John the Baptist, which were written hundreds of years before their birth. Still, Mr. Eldred, don’t you think it quite sufficient to look upon Jesus Christ as a great prophet and teacher?”
“John 3:16 will answer you better than I could possibly do, Mrs. Field,” replied Brother Eldred. “Will you kindly turn and read?”
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
A tear shone in Mrs. Field’s eyes, and she sighed as she said, “It is very hard to forget one’s early training,—or rather, lack of it,—don’t you think so? and for that very reason I would be glad for my daughters to get a good understanding of what the Bible teaches, that they may be able to judge intelligently when they are older.”
“A very good idea, indeed,” agreed Sister Eldred, while her husband continued:
“Before John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod, and while he was still preaching in the wilderness of Judea, near the Jordan, who came to him for baptism? Alice, please read Mark 1:9.”
“And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.”
“Really,” objected Mrs. Field, “if, as you say, the Christ was absolutely sinless, why did He request baptism?”
“That is much the same line of reasoning that the Baptist followed, but Jesus assured him that ‘thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness,’ and in submitting to this rite, He became a perfect Pattern for us. Meanwhile,” continued Brother Eldred, “certain of the people, knowing that the time had come for the Messiah to appear, had entertained some hopes that the wilderness prophet might be the long-expected Shiloh. But what did John himself say on the subject, Miss Blanche? Mark 1:7, 8.”
Alice quickly handed Blanche her Bible, pointing to the reference, with the tactful remark that it was always hard for her to find the place in any one else’s book.
“‘And preached, saying, There cometh One mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water; but He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.’”
“After the baptism of Jesus, what wonderful event occurred, Tillie? Read Mark 1:10.”
“‘And straightway coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”
“What period had now ended, Tillie?”
“The sixty-nine prophetic weeks of Daniel. It had been just 483 years since the going forth of the command to rebuild Jerusalem; and now the Lord God takes the pains to tell the world that the Messiah has come, as He had promised so long before, so that there need be no mistake. And the next day after he had baptized Jesus, John saw Him coming, and cried out, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’ So that the world had an introduction to the Redeemer not only from God Himself, but by His prophet as well. Really, Mildred, don’t you think it wonderful?”
“Indeed I do,” replied her friend, “and so interesting as well. But all this seems very new to us, I assure you.”
“But do you not think, Mr. Eldred, that it might have been possible, since Jesus and John the Baptist were cousins, that this was all planned between them in some way,—I mean that John might have agreed to announce Him as the Messiah?” objected Mrs. Field. “Mind, I don’t say I believe this to be so, I only ask your opinion.”
“My opinion is no better than yours, Mrs. Field; but we read that John was in the wilderness of Judea until the day of his showing unto Israel (Luke 1:80), while Jesus dwelt in Nazareth, many miles distant. Besides, John directly asserts twice (John 1:31, 33) that he did not even know Him until the Holy Spirit revealed the truth to him in this miraculous manner.”
“I think your point is very well supported, indeed,” said Mrs. Field.
“What wonderful experience awaited Jesus directly after His baptism? Will Mrs. Field please read Mark 1:12, 13?”
“‘And immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto Him.’”
“I believe Jack has learned a few verses, father,” said Sister Eldred. “Suppose we listen to them now.”
And Jack repeated:

Baptism of Jesus.

At last the appointed hour has come; Christ bows ’neath Jordan’s swelling wave; The mighty Baptist leads Him forth Triumphant from that watery grave.
And from the heavens, serene and blue, While wondering souls with awe are stirred, A dove-like form appears in view, Th’ Eternal Father’s voice is heard:
“Lo, this is My Beloved Son,— The Prince of Peace, th’ Anointed One!” O holy hour! O sacred spot! And yet, and yet, they knew Him not.
And now the Spirit leads Him far From busy haunts of life away. Where glooming shades of darkness are, ’Mong fierce and angry beasts of prey; The Holy Spirit bids Him go To wrestle with the wily foe.
There, in that wilderness alone, With fainting form and pallid face, Grievous temptations fierce and strong He suffers, for our fallen race.
But with the Spirit’s mighty sword, The prince of hell is put to flight; The strength of the Eternal Word Has conquered in Jehovah’s might.
O tempted heart! when sorely tried Amid life’s desert drear and broad, When hope and strength and courage fail, Look up, and put thy trust in God. He will not fail thee; He who bore Temptations fierce and long for thee, Who in the wilderness prevailed, Will give thee strength and victory.
“You did very well indeed, my boy,” said his father encouragingly. “But we will now close our evening’s study. Next Friday eve we will try to learn something about the nature and history of Satan, the mighty foe who so cruelly tempted our Saviour.”
(To be Continued.)

The Loudest Exhaust

“IT is not the engine with the loudest exhaust that is hauling the longest train.”

Left with a Trust.

By Nellie Hillis

By Nellie Hillis. Is a story of the struggles of a family to help mother and each other during the absence of father, and pleasantly reveals the brighter side of youth where there is a worthy purpose and a will to be kind and affectionate. 160 pages, illustrated. Cloth, net, 50 cents. Address this office.

Our Little Folks’ Bible Nature

Our Little Folks’ Bible Nature. By Ella King Sanders. This book contains simple lessons on nature, taking up the subjects in the order of creation. It is designed as a beginner’s book in reading, and at the same time to teach beautiful lessons from nature, based on the Bible. 128 pages. Board, 25 cents; cloth, 50 cents. Address this office.

Man’s Nature and Future Existence

By Uriah Smith

Here and Hereafter, or Man’s Nature and Destiny. By Uriah Smith. This work is a thorough canvass of the great questions of a future existence, and the nature of man in the present life. Every text in the Bible which has any possible bearing upon these points is taken up and carefully explained. Cloth, 444 pp., $1.00. Address this office.

How a Little Girl Went to Africa.

By Leona M. Bicknell

By Leona M. Bicknell. The story of a trip to Africa, told by a little girl of eight or nine years. She writes first of the long voyage, of the great sea, and of the great cities she saw at stopping-places; then of the far-off country, of the queer little African children and their home life, of the Boer War, of the ostrich farms and the diamond mines, of the strange tropical fruits and flowers, etc. The book is also finely illustrated with some of the strange, queer African scenes. 172 pages. Cloth bound, $1.00. Address this office.

Beautiful Bible Mottoes

No home complete without them
There is no better time than the present to sell them. They sell readily everywhere and agents are making from $4.00 to $8.00 per day. An inspiration to higher living in every home. Heavy cardboard with silver letters and cord for hanging, or heavy paper with colored letters. Samples and full particulars 25c. Address, Home Art Co., Box 114, College View, Neb.

SALESMEN WANTED.

Male or female, for the Western States, to introduce E-Z Washing Tablets to merchants. Salary and commission. For particulars, write, stating experience, if any, to
ALFRED MALLETT
Sacramento, - - - - California.

A later letter:

FROM THE SUBSCRIPTION DEPARTMENT.

From an Eastern agent:
“Here is my report for a portion of last week: Monday I sold 50 copies; Tuesday, 66; Wednesday, 64; Thursday, 64. Total, 244 copies in four days.
“I like the large, plain type headings; the black face in which the principal texts of Scripture in the body are set. You are doing better.”

A later letter:

“Am having splendid success. Twelve out of every fifteen homes visited are left with a copy of the precious truth-filled SIGNS OF THE TIMES.”

How Business People May Use the “Signs.”

The following letter is taken from a letter just received from a business woman:
“With all my work, having full charge of the secretary work in Saskatchewan, and the Canadian branch of the Pacific Press, I am selling SIGNS and our other paper. I watch every opportunity to sell them on the trains, and in business places. All are well pleased with the special SIGNS. This morning 73 papers were sold just on a little business trip. It is a good thing to carry papers, and, when stopping and talking with business people give them a chance to become acquainted with the truths presented in the SIGNS. One gentleman took some papers to send out to a hospital for the sick to read. Others buy them for themselves and to give or send to their friends. So the good work goes on.”
Dear friend, do you not have similar opportunities to acquaint others with this truth-filled paper? Let us keep you supplied with up-to-date SIGNS to use on similar occasions.

Circulation.

By Editor

The circulation of the SIGNS continues to steadily increase. The last count of the list shows that 45,049 copies are being mailed weekly.

COOPERATION CORNER.

Jamestown Exposition Fund.

The fund for supplying copies of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES for distribution at the Jamestown Exposition has been started with a ten-dollar gold piece given by Elder J. N. Loughborough. This provides 500 copies of the SIGNS which will be sent at once.
Other donations are increasing this number.
These papers will be appreciated and carefully used by the workers at the exposition. We are expecting many donations so as to be able to send on several thousand copies at once. Address Cooperation Corner, “Signs of the Times,” Mountain View, Cal.

DATE OF EXPIRATION.

The SIGNS wrapper bears date of last issue due on your subscription. Unless renewed in advance, paper stops with expiration date.
If herewith is an order blank, you will know you have overlooked sending renewal. You will not wish to miss a single issue. Back numbers often can not be furnished.

The Judgment Court and Its Advocate

There is another court now in session. There is a Judge, not of earth, sitting upon the judgment seat. There is no appeal from that court’s decisions; they are final. The law which will be the standard of judgment has not been framed to multiply technicalities, but to make duty plain and to reprove and rebuke all transgression of its sacred precepts. There are no “criminal lawyers,” or “insanity experts,” or special pleaders of any sort at that court. There is one Advocate for all. He honors and upholds the law, and He pleads for every soul who desires reformation, pleads to the effect that justice may be satisfied, and the truly repentant criminal justified.

CONTAINED IN THIS ISSUE.

WITH OUR INQUIRERS.

Questions Nos. 2129 to 2138. . . . . . . . 2

SANCTUARY SYMPOSIUM.

“The Sanctuary” and “the True Tabernacle.” . . . . . . . 3
The Cleansing of the Sanctuary: Its Meaning. . . . . . . 4
The Twenty-three Hundred Days. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
The Judgment Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

EDITORIAL.

The Blotting Out of Sin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
The Decalogue in Heaven. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Our King-Priest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

OUTLOOK.

Like a Story of the Dark Ages . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Notes from Washington News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

GENERAL.

Search the Scriptures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

MISSIONS.

Among the Jews in Boston. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
An Appeal for Workers in the Southern Field . . . . . . 12

HOME.

Studies in the Christ-Life at Brother Eldred’s . . . . . 14

POETRY.

The Hour of Judgment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
“We Would See Jesus.” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
The Baptism of Jesus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Our Next Issue.

By Editor

THERE is nothing of more importance to man than his destiny and what is involved therein. How came man here? Did he ascend from the polyp, the fish, the monkey? What was his origin? What is his end? He dies; is death the end of all? or Is it the entrance to a higher life? or Is there life beyond the grave of any kind? Will conduct or character affect man's destiny?
In our next issue the following subjects will be treated:
Man and His Origin.
Man on Probation—Right of Choice; Life and Death.
Man's Choice—Sin and Its Cost.
Man in Death.
This issue will be followed by another number on the “Outcome of Man's Choice.”
These are numbers of great importance, and we beseech our readers to study carefully what God says rather than human theories and beliefs.

Justification by Faith and Righteousness

Mayor Schmitz pleaded not guilty to the charge of extortion upon which he was recently tried, but his trial proved him guilty. The sinner may go before the bar of God and plead guilty and go away justified. Human tribunals can not do this and preserve the equilibrium of the State. God can be just and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus; but the belief must be unto righteousness. A belief which stops short of that is spurious.

Love of God Is Obedience

Love of God is obedience to God. “If ye love Me, ye will keep My commandments,” are the words of Jesus.

Willingness to Submit to Judgment

He is unworthy to be justified who is not willing to submit to just judgment.

Face the Judgment Now

There is hope, however, for each one. We may send our sins beforehand to judgment. We may give them all up to God. We may in humility and faith place our case in the hands of the only Mediator and Advocate—Jesus Christ. We may hear His cheery voice, as Lowth's translation puts it: “Come on now, and let us plead together; tho your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; tho they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa. 1:18. Face the judgment now, soul, or you must face it in the day of God. Uncover all your sins by hearty confession before the Judge. Condone nothing, excuse nothing, palliate or shade nothing. Let the sin stand out in all its black, damnable ugliness. But, O, leave it there with the Judge. Let Him condemn the sin forever; but let Him see you hiding behind Jesus Christ, see that you have broken partnership with sin forever. So shall you stand in the judgment clad in the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. The law of judgment will be a law of love and delight to your soul, and you will see in the Judge a Father and Friend.

Every Case Before God’s Court

You, reader, whoever you are, as well as the unworthy writer of these lines, have a case pending at the bar of God. We can not escape His all-piercing scrutiny. Every deed, every motive, every cherished thought, is open and clear in His sight. No deed of others, however black, will justify us. No money can purchase immunity, or bribe judge or jury. No shrewd lawyer can free us on technicalities. Just what we are will His court reveal.

All Must Face the Judgment

More than this, the case of every human responsible soul is in that court. The name of each one is recorded in the books of heaven. All have sinned against God, and have come short of His glory. Rom. 3:23. All are therefore condemned by the law and subject to death. There is no way to escape the judgment or the sentence; "for we shall stand before the judgment-seat of God. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, to Me every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God." Rom. 14:10-12.
Continue reading: The Judgment Is Set