p. 15 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 40. (10/4/1905)

EDUCATION IN THE HOME. NO. 21.

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

BY MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE.

THE family of Brother Hartman was more than surprised and gratified as they seated themselves for their next study, to see that, instead of their number decreasing, as they had almost feared, their little circle was increasing in membership. Very glad were they to welcome Mr. and Mrs. Gray, whom Walter gallantly introduced to his friends.

"We are happy to study the Bible together with you all, on this most important topic," began Brother Hartman. "Beth, my child, what is the subject of our lesson to-night?"

"We are going to try to find out by the Bible, papa, what becomes of us when we die."

Brother Hartman smiled, and grandma drew the little form that as usual nestled by her side, a little closer, as she said: "That is good, my dear. Your statement of the subject is all right, and perfectly understandable, I am sure."

"I think," said Brother Hartman, "that Job answers the question as plainly as any one can. Elsie, will you turn to Job 14, and read the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth verses?"

"But man dieth, and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?"

"You see," interrupted Sister Hartman, "that Job asks the very question we would have answered?"

"Yes," continued Elsie, "he both asks and answers it. 'As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up, so man lieth down, and riseth not, till the heaven be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.'"

"What!" exclaimed Mrs. Gray. "You don't believe, do you, that death ends everything,—that it is an eternal sleep?"

"Why no, Mrs. Gray," smiled John. "Job says they will not awake until something happens; what is that which must happen first, Walter? See here; read this line once more, won't you?"

"Till the heavens be no more," repeated the lad, wondering what would come next.

"I should think that was almost equivalent to saying they would never awake," volunteered Mr. Jones, gloomily.

"O no, my friend, not so fast. Please turn to 2 Peter 3:10, and we will see if there does not come a time when the very heavens shall pass away."

"Do you think the heaven where God dwells is ever going to pass away?" queried Walter, more mystified than ever.

"Certainly not; you know the Bible speaks of three heavens. Paul says he was caught up into the third heaven. But the heavens which pass away must mean the atmospheric heavens which surround this earth. Please read the verse, Mr. Jones,—it will explain everything."

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."

"The twelfth verse also speaks of a time when the heavens shall be on fire and be dissolved," continued Brother Hartman, "and the tenth verse says this will be when the day of the Lord comes. So we suppose Job refers to the resurrection at the last day, when he affirms that the dead shall not awake till the heavens pass away,—or be no more."

"Rev. 21:1, is quite to the point right here; shall I read, father," asked Elsie.

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away."

"This, then, seems very plain that man lies in the grave after death, until the resurrection. Where did Job expect to go at death? Mrs. Wilbur, please read Job 14:13."

"O that thou wouldst hide me in the grave." Well, we suppose, of course, that the body rests in the grave, but is not the immortal soul conscious and happy in heaven,—is it not, Mr. Hartman?" exclaimed Mrs. Wilbur excitedly.

"Many of us have been taught so to believe, but—"

"Pardon the interruption, father," said John, "but please let me ask Mrs. Wilbur a question. If the soul is conscious and in heaven, would it not be perfectly aware of everything which happens on earth?"

"Why, I suppose so, of course; I think it very likely and entirely reasonable."

"Well, then, let us see," replied John, smiling. "Please read Job 14:20, 21."

"Thou prevailest forever against him, and he passeth; thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them."

"Well," said Mr. Gray, "I was not aware that such a text of Scripture existed. It certainly does appear that the dead must be asleep—unconscious. Still it seems to me there are other texts on the subject, which—"

"O, there are, Mr. Gray, there are; here is another. Let us read what the psalmist David says about the condition of dead men. Will Mrs. Gray please read Ps. 6:5?"

"For in death there is no remembrance of Thee; in the grave who shall give Thee thanks?"

Mrs. Gray looked up with flushed cheeks; and grandma remarked: "Without doubt David was praying to be healed from sickness; for in the second verse he prays, 'O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed.' And as one great reason for his desire to be healed, he urges the plea which Mrs. Gray has just read. He wishes to live because he can not give God praise after he is laid low by death."

"Yes, grandma," interrupted Mattie, "but that isn't all David has said about the condition we are in when we are dead. Josie and I just found another verse by the reference. Please let Josie read it, father," and the little girl read:

"The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence."

"Death, then, is a condition of silence,—a condition of unconscious inactivity," said Brother Hartman.

All this time Billy Black had been an attentive listener, and his usually dull eyes shone with interest.

"Well, Billy, what is your opinion?" asked John. (To be continued.)

HOW THE JAPANESE TREAT JEWISH PRISONERS OF WAR.

A Letter to the New York "Volks-Advocat."

WE were captured at the battle of the Yalu—about 120 of us. We can not describe to you our fear and anxiety at the time when we fell into the net of the strategic Kuroki. We thought that we would have to die without a confession (vidui); but soon we realized that we had been greatly mistaken with regard to the customs of the little brown men.

The Japanese received us like true brothers—but, indeed, only us, the Jews. We were led away to the town Notziville, and quartered in a large barracks. This barracks was two stories high, or rather one well-lighted floor and a dark cellar. We were placed in the pleasant apartment above, and the non-Jews in the sheol below.

As soon as we had laid aside our small belongings we were led to a bath-house. When we returned we were fed on good rice, given tea to drink, and told to sleep and rest.

Early the second day we were again taken to the bath-house, and on the return tea was served—tea from tea-land—and soon after a meal of "all sorts." True, we did not relish it—it wasn't to our taste; but the Japs meant well. After dinner coffee was served to all of us. Indeed, there were many among us who were never so treated in our father's homes. Then we were taken for a stroll through the city. The one drawback was the fact that we didn't understand our guides. But the Jew is "a people wise and understanding," and able to catch on at a wink.

At the same time you must remember the non-Jews slept in the dark cellar and amused themselves with a picture of the holy Mary.

In the afternoon we were served tea with dry biscuits; at nightfall a similar food which tasted as if it were dipped in honey. We then retired.

The Japs sleep very soundly on their rugs and small pillows. Evidently they are not particular about a featherbed and two soft pillows to rest on. But we have no complaint about our lodgings.

This is the regular daily routine to date. We hope that the Japanese will not take a turn for the bad before we are released.

A few weeks ago the hot summer began, and we were transferred to Santzusi, on the coast. As it appears, we were brought here purposely so that we might enjoy the fresh air and the open sea bathing.

All in all, our life is not so bad here. We are sure that the czar's hoggish generals haven't the pleasure which we exiled Jews have. It can not be otherwise

but that the Japanese are the little descendants of Moses (of Jewish folklore).

On the Sabbath we hold our regular feasts in the synagog. The Japanese observe us with unqualified pleasure. Our enemies from at home nearly split with envy and anger. Every Sabbath afternoon the president of our synagog, Pinchas Rotshevski, delivers a sermon.

You can readily understand from the foregoing that we do not feel as if we were exiled. But we can not rejoice; for we know that thousands of our brothers are laboring as slaves and spilling their blood on the battlefields for no cause of their own.

May God have mercy! May the war soon end!

THE LILIES OF GOD.

By Eliza H. Morton

It was eve, and my heart was weary With the taxing toil of day, And it all seemed an utter failure In the twilight cold and gray; Like the peaks of the snowy mountains, Standing dim against the sky, Seemed the lives of the Lord's own people Whom the Lord would glorify.

As I pondered with eyelids heavy, The Spirit of God came near, And its blessed presence banished Every thought of doubt and fear; And I looked, and a chain of beauty— Precious links of gold most rare— 'Mid a bed of lilies was shining, And the rain was falling there;

And I knew that the chain was wisdom, And its links the Word of God, And the lilies the lives of Christians, Rising pure above the sod; And the Spirit then touched my eyelids, And the light was sevenfold, And all stains were washed from my garments, And my timid heart made bold;

And I felt a breath on my forehead, And I saw a tablet white, And a pen was placed in my fingers, And the Spirit bade me write,— Yea, write for the heavy-laden, The tempest-tossed within, For the tired and weary-hearted, For the sinner weak with sin.

And I looked, and the lilies were blooming 'Mid the mud and the filth below, And one end of the chain was fastened Where the heavens were all aglow, And this lesson to me was given, That the Lord will care for His own, And my part is to do His bidding, And to comfort the sad and lone. —Eliza H. Morton.

The Threefold Message of Revelation 14

By Editor

The great Threefold Message of Revelation 14 is a great lens which focuses all truth of the past upon this generation. See our four Specials on this Message noted on page 13.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS

LESSON 3.—OCTOBER 15.—RETURNING FROM CAPTIVITY.

Lesson Scripture, Ezra 1, A. R. V.

(1) "Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, (2) Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath Jehovah, the God of heaven, given me; and He hath charged me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. (3) Whosoever there is among you of all His people, his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of Jehovah, the God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. (4) And whosoever is left, in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, besides the freewill-offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.

(5) "Then rose up the heads of fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, even all whose spirit God had stirred to go up to build the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem. (6) And all they that were round about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered. (7) Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of Jehovah, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put in the house of his gods; (8) even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah. (9) And this is the number of them: thirty platters of gold, a thousand platters of silver, nine and twenty knives, (10) thirty bowls of gold, silver bowls of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand, (11) All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up, when they of the captivity were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem." Golden Text.—"The Lord hath done great things." Ps. 126:3.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) At what time did the events noted in this lesson take place? Whose word was due to be fulfilled? To this end what did the Lord do? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) With what declaration did Cyrus introduce his proclamation? Verse 2. (3) What permission was given to the captive Jews? Verse 3. (4) What were the remainder of the people to do? Verse 4. Note 2. (5) What response was made to the proclamation? Verse 5. Note 3. (6) What liberality was shown to those who volunteered to return? Verse 6. Note 4. (7) What was turned over to them by the king. Verses 7, 8. Note 5. (8) What vessels were specially numbered? Verses 9, 10. (9) What was the whole number of vessels? Who brought these to Jerusalem? Verse 11. Note 6.

NOTES.

1. After the overthrow of Babylon by the Medes and Persians, Darius the Mede reigned two years, and was succeeded by Cyrus the Persian. As Daniel prospered in the reign of Cyrus (Dan. 6:28), it is highly probable that it was he who brought to Cyrus' attention the prophecy of Jer. 29:10-14; also that of Isa. 44:24 to 45:1. This is all the more probable because Daniel says that in the first year of Darius he was considering this prophecy of Jeremiah concerning the time. Dan. 9:1, 2. It was well that Cyrus put the decree in writing, else the work of building the wall of Jerusalem would have been delayed much more than it was. In the time of King Artaxerxes, complaint was made by the enemies of Judah that they would rebel as soon as they got their city walled, and the work was stopped for a while, until, on appeal from Jerusalem, the decree of Cyrus was looked up, and the work allowed to proceed by King Darius II. See Ezra 4:7-24; 6:1, 2.

2. Now was Judah's great opportunity. It was a test of their belief in God's Word and their trust in His care. There was not only the prophecy of Jeremiah before noted, also in Jer. 25:11-14, but there were the wonderful promises given by Ezekiel while in exile. The decree of Cyrus included the entire people of the captivity, if they were minded to return; but there was no compulsion about it. God never enforces His special blessings. These are conditioned on belief of His Word. Mark 5:35, 36; 9:23, 24; 11:24; John 3:16.

3. "All whose spirit God had stirred."—God can not stir the spirits of those whose spirits will not respond to the appeals of His Spirit, through His Word. The rejection of His Word leaves the spirit of man dormant so far as any operation of the Holy Spirit is possible. Men who affect the power of the Holy Spirit while ignoring or perverting the Word of God, are simply deceived by the enemy of souls. The most remarkable feature of the whole movement was that only about fifty thousand captives availed themselves of the opportunity to return. This was hardly more than one-sixth of them. Rawlinson says that "especially those of the wealthier classes preferred to remain." It was an arduous undertaking, and they chose to hold on to their comfortable situations, while others lacked courage.

4. All this liberality on the part of the people, and more, was due to these captives, as they were leaving much behind in the way of cultivated and improved fields, besides the public service they had rendered during the seventy years. It was as much their due as the gifts of the Egyptians were due to Israel on their leaving Egypt.

5. It was a defilement of the sacred vessels of the Lord's house to place them in a heathen temple, in the house dedicated to a false god. It would be hard to imagine a more degraded use of them in a general way; yet there could not have been a more secure place for their preservation. When the Philistines captured the ark of God, and placed it in the house of their god Dagon, the idol could not be kept on its feet, and many of the people were afflicted with disease. But in the case of the sacred vessels everything had been placed in Nebuchadnezzar's hands by the Lord Himself, because His own people had become "worse than the heathen;" and the heathen king had done the best he knew, and perhaps the best that could be done under the circumstances.

6. The vessels specified were not quite half of the whole number. The rest were probably of smaller size and of less value. Sheshbazzar was the Persian name of Zerubbabel. Note the statement in Ezra 3:8 and 5:16.

KEEP ON PRAYING.

ONE James Smith, an English laborer in the navy yard on the Thames, had a little boy, Johnnie, says the Wesleyan Methodist. James was a very intemperate man. After the death of his wife, sorrow kept him sober for a while, but he took to his cups again, and, as poor Johnnie expressed it, "got badder and badder all the time."

One night the drunkard awoke, a most uncommon thing for him at such an hour, and lay very still, for he heard a sound. It was his motherless boy praying by his bedside. He heard him say, "Please, God, make daddy a better man, for Jesus' sake."

James Smith could not sleep any more. He rose very early and went to his work. He came home early that night without having drunk a drop of liquor. His heart was melted. He said to Johnnie, "What put it into your head to pray for your worthless old dad?"

Johnnie told him it was because he loved him; and besides he had been to a Bible school where the teacher had taught him the commandment, "Honor thy father and thy mother."

"Then keep on prayin', keep on prayin', little lad," said James. "I believe God has answered you already; I've been prayin' for myself, that God would make me a better man."

The prayer was answered. James Smith reformed, and from that time lived a steady Christian man. —Selected.

Sabbath-School Lesson Quarterly

By Editor

The Sabbath-school lessons have been discontinued. The Lesson Quarterly may be obtained, containing three months' lessons and notes, for five cents. Address, Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal. The Sunday-school lessons will continue.

30 FLOWERING BULBS FOR 10c

Together with our Catalogue and a complete treatise on the culture of Hardy Bulbs. All by mail, 10 cts

These 30 Bulbs, 10 kinds, 3 of each, different colors, will make 10 beautiful little pots of flowers for winter, or 10 clumps of early spring flowers for your garden. Pot or plant them now.

Our Illustrated Catalogue of Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissus, Crocus, Lilies and all Hardy or Holland Bulbs, and rare new winter-flowering plants free to all who apply.

JOHN LEWIS CHILDS, Floral Park, N. Y.

SUNSET MAGAZINE

DESCRIBES

California

Not only California, but all the great West, is truthfully described in the beautifully illustrated pages of this virile Western monthly. Its fine halftones make you SEE the country, while its descriptive and industrial articles TELL YOU EXACTLY what is to be found there. It is

"Opportunity"

in visible form, for it shows the wonderful chances for success now open in the new West for wide-awake people.

If your news dealer doesn't carry SUNSET, send us his name and address and write for sample copy.

HOME OFFICE: 431 California St. San Francisco, California.

THE NORTHWESTERN LINE RUSSIA-JAPAN ATLAS.

Send ten cents in stamps to R. R. Ritchie, No. 617 Market Street, San Francisco, for Russo-Japanese War Atlas, issued by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, three fine colored maps each 14x20, bound in convenient form for reference. The Eastern Situation shown in detail with tables showing relative military and naval strength and financial resources of Russia and Japan.

TEN DOLLARS A WEEK.

SOME agents are making as high as $10 a week selling E-Z Washing Tablets. Why not you? Sample bar sufficient for a month's washing for 10 cents post-paid. TERMS FREE. Address, Alfred Mallett, Elkridge Sta., Baltimore, Md.

BROWN'S MILLENNIAL TEXT-BOOK.—500 texts and diagram Aid to ministers, workers, everybody. Quick seller for agents. Copy prepaid, one dime. Eugene A. Brown, Phoenix, Ariz.

To Our Friends.

By Editor

We wish we had time to write and thank all our friends for their good words of cheer and hope and courage. Here a good sister writes us a God-speed for our work and the paper which she prizes so much. Ministers write us of their conflicts and victories. One of the old guard writes a letter of courage and cheer under trying circumstances. A scientific friend tells how he prizes the SIGNS. A brave brother in the very "seat of the beast" sends words of appreciation. God bless them one and all. The greatest conflicts in this world in these later years have not been fought out on the South African veldt or on Manchurian plains, or in Oriental seas; but in the hearts of those struggling toward the light, or meeting all the powers of unseen foes who would still hold them in the thraldom of sin, or defeat every effort for God and good. God's book of remembrance will not parallel the records of earth; but they will be just and true, and will reveal earth's true heroes.

Life and Health for October

By Editor

"Life and Health" for October.—This is the first of two special numbers for a vigorous autumn campaign in health matters by the publishers and editors of Life and Health, Washington, D. C. Note the subjects treated by experienced physicians and writers:

"Chronic Rheumatism of the Joints," by Geo. A. Hare, M.S., M.D., gives the symptoms of the disease, and the doctor's suggestions concerning treatment and diet.

"Extremes in Diet," by Mrs. E. G. White, tells what true dietetic reform means as opposed to the fads, fancies, and extremes of some so-called reformers.

"The Little Tot," by Augusta C. Bainbridge, the second article in the series, "The Daughter in the Home," is full of practical suggestions to parents.

"A Visit to a Japanese Hospital," by S. A. Lockwood, M.D. Illustrated.

"Making Bed Comforts," by Mrs. D. A. Field.

The Mother's department contains "The Home Life," "Tact with Children," "The Power of Mother's Voice," "Making Children Show Off," and more beside.

Editorials: "Prepare for the Winter Diseases," "Guard the Child against a Crippled Heart," "Food Frauds." These are practical, as are also Questions and Answers. And this issue is only five cents a copy, $2.50 a hundred, or two and one-half cents a copy for 25 or more copies to one address. Address Life and Health, 222 North Capitol Street, Washington, D. C.

CONTAINED IN THIS NUMBER.

Poetry.

God the Judge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 The Voice of God from Mount Sinai, SAMUEL BENJAMIN . . . . . 9 The Greatest Gift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 The Lilies of God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Editorial.

Comfort of God—The Need of the Colored Race —Reconciled in Christ—The Hope of the Gospel—That "Perpetual Covenant" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Question Corner.

Nos. 1724-1727 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Outlook.

A Monument of Expiation, CHAS. T. EVERSON— Our London Letter, M. E. OLSEN—Bigoted Sabbatarian- ism—"Hypnotism in Courts"—The Morphine Habit with Medical Men . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 7

General.

Why Our Lord Must Come Again, GEO. W. RINE . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 The Higher Law, H. A. ST. JOHN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 A Backward Movement, W. E. GERALD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 A Matter of Faith, WALTER E. GILLIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Words, LAURA L. FISK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Suggestive to Teachers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 A Typical Experience, C. H. BLISS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 The Kingdom of Christ (Bible-reading) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Missions.

The Needs of the Colored Race, J. O. CORLISS —Mary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

The Home.

Education in the Home, No. 21, MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE—How the Japanese Treat Jewish Prisoners of War—Keep on Praying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 15

International Sunday-School Lesson.

Returning from Captivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Publishers.

Publishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Read "Our London Letter." It contains items of great interest.

Experience Meeting

By Editor

Our "Experience Meeting" will be printed for the first time in the SIGNS of October 18. The postponing of our Specials for one week makes this necessary. Let us hear from our isolated and heart-full and heart-burdened ones.

International Sunday-School Lesson Omitted

By Editor

Our International Sunday-School Lesson will be omitted from our next issue and onward. Appeals for it, all told, number only about a half-dozen. Of course, those who use it want it, and we would be glad to accommodate them, but we can not afford to publish it when so few seem to use it. We shall endeavor to use the space for mothers and children, and for health and temperance. In the future, if there are subjects of vital interest in the Sunday-School Lesson as regards the signs of the times, we shall probably notice them, and shall be happy, also, to answer, in our Question Corner, any proper questions on the lesson scripture.

Pacific Press Training School

By Editor

The Pacific Press Training School opens October 1. It is an evening school, but it has been carefully planned, and while slower in progress than a day school, will, we believe, be sure and sound in its work. An announcement has been prepared, explanatory of the work we propose to do, containing information of faculty, terms, school hours, studies, etc. Those desiring a copy will please inclose stamp, addressing, Pacific Press Training School, Mountain View, Cal.

Spelling and Pronunciation of Saghalien

The name of that large island, which has been divided between Russia and Japan by the treaty of peace, is spelled "Saghalien," and is pronounced Sa-ga-leen. In both cases "a" has the Italian sound, as "a" in "far." This is given on the authority of the "Standard Dictionary" and Lippincott's "Gazetteer of the World."

Next Week Is Our First Special.

By Editor

Our articles for our four specials, so far as we have read them, are as good as we ever published. They are clear, concise, definite. The illustrations are the best, taken altogether, we have ever used for any specials published. The date of these papers, and the general subjects, are as follows:

October 11, "Prophecy and Christ's Coming." October 25, "The Sanctuary, the Gospel in Type and Antitype." November 8, "The Law, the Gospel, and the Sabbath,—the Whole Duty of Man." November 22, "The Church Triumphant."

Think of such articles as these: Object and Importance of Prophecy. God's View of the Nations. What Christ's Coming Means. The Priesthood of Christ. The Eternal Law and Everlasting Gospel. The Meaning of America.

Some of the above titles include several articles. No great world-renowned names are presented as to why these articles or the papers which contain them should be of worth; they are written by godly men, deep students of the Scriptures. The articles are great messages from God, dealing with weighty subjects of eternal import.

You, reader, need to know these great truths; your neighbor needs to know them.

The one set of four numbers is only 20 cents. For five or more sets only 15 cents each. See further notice on page 13. Help us to give them the widest circulation possible.

Marrying and Giving in Marriage

"Marrying and Giving in Marriage."—Even so will the world be doing in the day of our Lord's coming, according to His own words. Matt. 24:38. The passage indicates excess, and extravagance in the matter, so much so as to mark it as a sign of the age. And how true this is of our time. Marriage and divorce, divorce and marriage, are the order of to-day. Hasty, unconsidered marriages, thoughtless marriages, ill-matched, ill-advised marriages, unholy marriages, for lust or gain. An article in the New York World of September 4 informs us on what is considered good authority that there are marriage syndicates, formed for the express purpose of marrying women with money so as to secure it. The number of women who have been won, wedded, robbed, and deserted by this organization of bigamists is said to be 50,000. The World offers $500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of one of these arch rogues, Dr. Geo. A. Witzhoff, who is said to have figured himself in twenty-five such marriages as principal, and planned a hundred others. Since January 1 it is estimated that 3,000 women in New York City have thus been married, robbed, and deserted. Gangs operate in all the large cities. Authorities are about to begin prosecution of the rascals. How careless people are respecting one of the most important events and relations of life.

Addressing the Deity in Prayer.

By Editor

There are good men, most earnest men, who use a form of address to the Deity which to many refined ears and true, reverential, sensitive hearts, is shocking. The invariable Bible form of address to the Deity is "Thou," "Thee," "Thy," "Thine,"—second person singular. That form has become inwrought into the heart and speech of every lover of good classic English. To such it sounds shocking to hear "you" used instead of "thou," "your" instead of "thy," "yours" instead of "thine." It smacks of irreverence and thoughtless familiarity. It is a term one would expect to hear from a person who had just begun to pray, and was ignorant of Bible language. One does not expect it from a minister, and it strikes hard on the ear of the heart to hear it. We have heard a devoted minister in one sentence use in his prayer a beautiful Biblical expression in which "thou" was used, and finish the sentence in his own words, addressing Deity by "you." Read the prayers of prophets, apostles, and of Jesus Christ. Use the sacred, solemn form, brethren. The other hurts your influence with the best of people, and helps no one.

Faith and Belief

The difference between faith and what men ordinarily call belief is illustrated in the fact that, in connection with the efforts of our laborers, so many people are found who will say, "I believe that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord, but I don't see how I can keep it, and make a living." Yet the psalmist says, "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."

Printer's Ink

By Editor

"Printer's Ink" for September, for some reason reached us late. It is a special edition to general advertisers. It contains a vast fund of information in the matter of advertising information, it seems to us, that the general advertiser would wish to obtain. Write the manager, Chas. J. Zingg, for a copy, 10 Spruce Street, New York City, inclosing five cents.

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