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Signs of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 40.

GOD THE JUDGE
Earlier text: A MONUMENT OF EXPIATION

A BACKWARD MOVEMENT.

By W. E. Gerald

BY W. E. GERALD.
THE truly wonderful always attracts attention and excites admiration. What has been more wonderful than the rise and progress of the nation now recognized among the powers of the earth, as the United States of America.
Across the sea they have watched her marvelous strides in astonishment. Tho but an infant yesterday, to-day they see her, a giantess in her strength, occupying a position of exaltation. She possesses everything requisite to make a nation great,—an extensive territory, unlimited natural resources, and a geographical situation that is unrivalled. The toiling thousands of the Old World have poured in swarms across the ocean to our shores. Now what is the magnet, the secret of attraction, here in America?—It is to be found in the great underlying principles of our government: “We hold that all men are created equal;” “The United States shall guarantee to every state a Republican form of government;” and “Congress shall make no laws respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” It is this guarantee of liberty, both civil and religious, that has distinguished our nation.But there is one question which concerns deeply the interests of every citizen of America and demands his careful consideration. A force is at work which is aiming a blow at the very fundamental principles of the Constitution; a force which, if allowed to gain its ends, will precipitate ruin and disgrace upon this nation, so surely as the faithful index finger of the history of the past points to such a result. An association formed for the alleged purpose of reforming the morals of the people, is trying to secure legislation to enforce the strict observance of a “civil” sabbath. There is a principle involved in this which we must not overlook. When we attempt to legislate morality into a man we attempt that which is impossible, because it is beyond the power of civil law to implant morality in the heart, and the state is entirely out of its sphere when it attempts to regulate conscience. That attempt made the Dark Ages.
That the church should so far forget herself as to seek the aid of the civil arm to protect and promulgate her doctrines is a sure sign that her influence is declining. But the policy of coercion rather than persuasion never has succeeded in winning souls, and it never can, because men’s hearts can be won from motives of love and not from fear; and when the strong arm of the law is called in to enforce religious creeds and dogmas, then a long step is taken toward a union of church and state. Do Americans want such a union here? A thousand times, No. The enforcement of religious practises by the church through the agency of the state was the beginning of those awful persecutions which have blackened the historical annals of Europe. Nor has America herself been free from its blighting effects.
In a lecture by Mr. A. F. Ballenger, of Chicago, on the history of these persecutions, the following striking and truthful indictment of that system is made:
I bring them all, martyred Protestant, Puritan, and Quaker, and lay them at the door, not of Christianity as taught and practiced by its Author (for I challenge the world to prove that by word or act the great Author of the Christian religion ever sanctioned the propagation or defense of his teachings by means of the civil arm). No, I lay them at the door of the civil and ecclesiastical union, and charge them, not upon the religion of the meek and lowly Nazarene, but upon that engine of tyranny which has written the pages of ecclesiastical history in blood. Look at the countries where the Church of Rome rules to-day. Visit Mexico. It is there you may see the fruit—dry, bitter fruit, of three hundred years’ allegiance to that system.
And now what has Rome to do with this movement for religious legislation? She is a participant by invitation of these so-called “reformers,” and by backslidden Protestants who are aiding and abetting the movement. They have asked Rome to join hands with them in this great issue; and she is a willing assistant. Yesterday they were wrangling with her over the question of sectarian schools; to-day they are stretching hands across the gulf that has divided them so long. The object of this concerted action will be a blow at the very heart of religious liberty in America; for they seek such amendments to the Constitution as will make it possible for the church to sit in judgment on men’s religious opinions, with the state waiting at her back to carry out whatever sentence she may pronounce.
How gladly would we see the American people at this time of threatening danger rallying to the defense of those principles which have made this country what it is, instead of taking a course which must end in the same sad intolerance and persecution that characterized the Dark Ages.

THE VOICE OF GOD FROM MOUNT SINAI.

By Samuel Benjamin

BY SAMUEL BENJAMIN.
Lo! FROM Mount Sinai’s lofty peak The great Jehovah deigns to speak To mortal man. O, hear His voice, Ye people of His love and choice. Our Father, God, we hear Thy voice, And in Thy love and care rejoice. O, give us grace and heavenly power To love and serve Thee every hour. And, onward to life’s setting sun, Teach us to pray, “Thy will be done.” Let truth and virtue in us shine Like Jesus’ pattern all divine. If life be ours or death, O, then, Thy will be ours, O Lord. Amen.

Order the Special Message Signs

By Editor

Now is the time to order the Special Message SIGNS. See page 13.

A MATTER OF FAITH.

By Walter E. Gillis

BY WALTER E. GILLIS.
THOSE who are not acquainted with the Lord's dealings with the children of Israel can not understand the vital importance of the Sabbath as a sacred and particular rest day.
The Sabbath in the beginning was a particular day, the last of the cycle of creation week. See Gen. 2:1-3. It is here stated that God rested on the seventh day, and for this reason sanctified it—set it apart for a holy use.
"God is a Spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." John 4:24. In the face of this fact, God's rest on that day in Eden was a spiritual rest, and it therefore follows that all who ever after partake of God's rest in the constantly-recurring Sabbath days must necessarily put themselves in spiritual accord with the identical day and its Author.
"Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Rom. 14:23. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Rom. 10:17. Christ said: "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." And of the commandments which ordain forever the Sabbath rest, the Spirit speaks on this wise: "Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. . . . For we know that the law is spiritual." Rom. 7:12-14. Do we keep the day by faith? Then it is because God's Word has taught us; and it must be the identical seventh day, for of such only does the Word of God teach; and, I repeat, obedience to the Word can alone be the basis of our keeping a day at all, if it be with intention to serve God.
When the Lord made known His law at Sinai, His first care was to make known and require reverence for His Sabbath (Ex. 16:22-30), making the obedience of His people in this particular the test of their keeping of the whole law. Ex. 16:28. This was to be the token, or evidence, that they knew the Lord, and that it was His sanctifying power that was being manifested among them. Ex. 31:13-17. The children of Israel were thus started in the way that will eventually terminate in the restoration of Eden. The Sabbath was a part of Eden, and as an earnest of their inheritance, God at this time more fully revealed to them the Sabbath truth, to remind them every week in a tangible way of the blessedness of that goodly land. All who did not by faith obtain the spiritual rest that God had placed in the Sabbath never so much as entered Canaan, which was to be the type of Eden restored. Hebrews 3 and 4.
In Jer. 11:3-5 we read, "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel: Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant, which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey My voice, and do them according to all which I command you; so shall ye be My people, and I will be your God [Listen as He gives the reason]; THAT I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day." So we see that the Lord's ability to give them an abiding inheritance in Canaan hinged entirely upon the people's obedience to His commandments.
Again, in Ezekiel 20, we have the same proposition stated in still stronger language. Beginning with the fifth verse, the Lord recounts His visitation of the Israelites in Egypt and the giving of the law, which received only stubborn disobedience and pollution at their hands, until they compelled the Lord to bring judgments upon them, and in verses 15 and 16 He says, "Yet also I lifted up My hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands; BECAUSE they despised My judgments, and walked not in My statutes, but polluted My Sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols."
In this same chapter from the thirty-third verse onward the Lord speaks of the latter house of Israel, who are found faithful to Him at the time of His second coming. He says, verses 36, 37: "Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord God. And I will cause you to pass under the rod; and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant." What covenant?-The commandments of Sinai. Jer. 11:3. Will the Sabbath question be revived?-It will; for the Lord has spoken, "Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness." Eze. 20:36. "I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." Mal. 3:6. Will it be a very important time?-Yes, indeed, for listen: "And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against Me ['sin is the transgression of the law.' 1 John 3:4]; I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel." Eze. 20:38. This refers to the earth made new, Eden restored.
"Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." Heb. 4:11.
Mountain View, Cal.

WORDS.

By Laura L. Fisk

BY LAURA L. FISK.
[Republished by request.]
A CHILD stands by a pool. The little one chooses a tiny pebble from the sand, and throws it into the water. Gleefully he claps his hands as he sees the little ripple which starts where the pebble fell upon the surface. "See what I did!" he exclaims. Ah, but what did he do? "I made the waves go," the child explains. Look! the ripple widens out, out, and still farther out, until it reaches the other side of the pool. All the drops in that mass of water are pushed a little closer together because of that one pebble thrown into it by a child.
It is said that every word which we speak has its influence, either for good or ill, upon some human heart. Altho we sometimes doubt it, this is a true statement. Not that our words influence all the world at once; the pebble did not touch each drop of water in the pool; no, it came in contact with but few. They in turn pushed against those nearest them; these crowded others, and so on and on.
And so we, whose heart fountains have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, whose lips have been touched with the coal from off God’s altar, can not estimate the value ofkind, good, loving words. Perhaps in a life's experience we mingle with a thousand people. To some, a cheerful word is spoken, with others a word of prayer is offered; again, a thought is dropped which turns a sinner's feet from paths of sin to ways of righteousness. It may be that the greater number of the thousand souls have been helped—helped by one godly life! And what will they do in their turn? Perhaps give the light which shines into their hearts to others.
True, the impression made upon them may not be lasting; the sinner may return to his sinning; the one may forget the prayer, and the other go back to find his sorrow. But was it of no avail to speak the words from the Christ-filled heart? It is not for us to judge. The fact that a sorrowing, almost despondent soul was turned to cheerfulness, and then, forgetting the cheer, returned to his former unhappy life, is no proof that he did not appreciate the joy which the brother brought into his life. There may come a time when he will remember how sweet joyfulness was, and he may seek after it again until he finds it—the peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
But O, how sad when the words we speak into the world are from a heart wherein selfishness reigns! The unkind, cruel, cutting words, the sarcastic words, the whisperings of evil,—how they mar, and sometimes wreck, those who hear them, and none the less those who speak them. "Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity."
Then how important that the Christian study carefully his influence on those about him, remembering the extent to which his words affect the world. Had you and I never lived, the world would not be just what it is to-day; for we are continually contributing something to its daily history—and that contribution tells for good or for evil.
So should we pray with David: "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Then, when the purifying work is done, will our words be as they should be; for "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Seattle, Wash.

Four Special Messages of the Signs

By Editor

God had a message in other times of crises in the world’s history. He has one to-day. This is epitomized in four special messages of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. See page 13.

SUGGESTIVE TO TEACHERS.

By Helen H. Thomas

[Helen H. Thomas, in the Minnesota Worker.]
THEY were talking of their respective Sabbath-school teachers, and the following was overheard:
“I wish you would go with me some Sabbath; my teacher is so entertaining. She always has a story right to the point.”
“But does she find out what you know or don't know?” queried the other.
“No, indeed,” was the emphatic reply, “she is so full of the lesson that she just bubbles over to the extent that there is no time left to draw us out, so I never have to study the lesson.”
“Well, she is quite the reverse of my teacher. Miss Blank is always prepared to throw light on what puzzles us, but she has such a happy way of finding out what we know that I never dare go into the class unprepared. So I begin on the next lesson as soon as possible and give it some thought every day in the week.”
“Why, I wouldn't go to Sabbath-school if I had that sort of teacher!” exclaimed the first speaker. “Here it is Friday night and I haven't the slightest idea what to-morrow's lesson is to be.” Then, with an indifferent air she added: “But my teacher will never know the difference. She's just splendid! You'd better come with me, and then you won't have to study your lesson.”
“Thank you, but I can't afford to make the change,” was the rejoinder, “for I find that it pays to have a teacher who compels us to study and think for ourselves.”
The foregoing not only furnished me a key to the superiority, the strength of character, of the last speaker, but seemed suggestive, as well, to teachers who are inclined to “bubble over.”

A TYPICAL EXPERIENCE.

By C. H. Bliss

"But neither so did their witness agree together."
It is characteristic of the heralds of truth that they agree in principle; but of the defenders of error that they disagree. The following from a minister of long experience presents a typical incident in Sunday defense among ministers who seek to uphold the unworthy institution of worthy past associations. We have omitted the names of the churches, but suffice to say they are all considered orthodox. Yet, as one listens, he will recall those who sought to witness against the Lord of the Sabbath; their testimony did not agree:
Some time ago the writer assisted in a series of tent meetings in a city in a western state. These meetings were largely attended, and many from the various churches became interested. The pastors soon became uneasy, fearing the results of our meetings, and decided to preach against us.
The first effort was put forth by the — pastor. He offered but little Scripture, but emphasized strongly the fact that to go back to "Saturday-keeping" would conflict with the laws of the land, and the universal custom of society, and would be against the financial interest of all. This strong appeal, tho without any Bible to support it, had its desired effect, and settled the disturbed consciences of many; and the congregation slept on.
One week later the — pastor endeavored to satisfy his people that time was lost. At some time, in the dim ages of the past, the calendar had become disarranged and no one could tell whether Sunday was the first or the seventh day of the week. Under the circumstances he thought it would be wise to hold onto the day they had always kept.
Then the pastor of the — church followed with a "strong sermon," fully satisfying his congregation that Christ changed the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day; and that from the New Testament and also from history we have abundant evidence for the change of the Sabbath; tho I noticed he did not produce this evidence. He also assured his people that Sunday is the resurrection day, the first day of the week, and is now the "Christian Sabbath."
A few days after this we were informed by some of the citizens that we had not heard "the big gun;" but if we would attend the services at the — church the following Sunday, we would hear the best scholar and orator in the city on the Sabbath question.
Of course we went, as we were anxious to gain any light on this question. His first words were:
"These pastors of the other churches who have been fighting the Adventists, have made a miserable failure in their effort to sustain a Sunday-Sabbath. Sunday is not, and never was, the Sabbath. The first day of the week is the Lord's day, but not the Sabbath. We meet and break bread on that day by the authority of the New Testament," etc. On the next day, through one of the city papers, the writer asked the following questions:
1. Where in the Bible, is the first day of the week called "The Lord's day?" 2. Where is there more than one instance of a religious meeting upon the first day of the week recorded in the New Testament? 3. Where is there more than one instance of the breaking of bread upon the first day of the week in New Testament time? 4. Of Christ, it is said, "As His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day." Luke 4:16. And of Paul it is said, "As his manner was [he], went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures." Acts 17:2. This shows the custom of Christ and the apostles. They observed the Bible Sabbath.
No one attempted to answer these questions. I am glad to report that a few souls accepted the truth, and are still faithful in the service of God. And by and by when the great gathering day shall come, says Jesus, I will "seek out My sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day." Praise God, the day of deliverance is near. The warfare will soon end and the glorious day of victory soon dawn.
A great blessing will then come to those who have stood nobly for the truth. C. H. BLISS. Montezuma, Ind.

THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST.

1. At present the kingdom of Christ is in this world as a spiritual power. "The kingdom of God is within you" [margin, "among you"]. Luke 17:20, 21.
2. At the same time Christ recognizes the physical government of men. "Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and to God the things that are God's." Mark 12:17. When a multitude of people sought to make Jesus a temporal king, He left them, and thus thwarted their purpose.
3. The parable of the nobleman (Luke 19:11-26) illustrates Christ's going away to get for Himself a kingdom, and then to return. Dan. 7:13, 14 indicates that Christ's physical kingship will be given Him by the Father, and not by earthly authority.
4. While we may be spiritually "translated" into the kingdom of Christ in this life (Col. 1:13), we will not be physically translated into His eternal kingdom of glory until His physical return. 1 Thess. 4:15-17.
5. While Christ's spiritual kingdom is co-existent with the kingdoms of this world, it is not itself a kingdom of this world. John 18:36.
6. While this spiritual kingdom has no conflict with the governments of this world, when the King comes in His glory to plant His physical kingdom it will break in pieces and destroy all others, and fill the whole earth. Dan. 2:31-35, 44, 45.
7. The physical kingdom of Christ will be established in the new earth, after this earth shall have been transformed and purified by fire. 2 Peter 3:9-13.
8. The spiritual kingdom, the true church of Christ—not any special organization—comprises the subjects of the kingdom of glory gathered out of this sinful world by the proclamation of the Gospel. "When the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory; and before Him shall be gathered all nations; and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats; and He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matt. 25:31-34.
9. The earth is the recruiting ground for subjects of the everlasting kingdom, and the Gospel is the means for inducing men to become citizens of that kingdom, while the true church—the spiritual kingdom—is the rendezvous of the soldiers of Christ until He come.

Four Specials on Today’s Message

By Editor

October 11, 25, November 8, 22 will be the dates of our four Specials on the Message of To-day. See page 13.

THE NEEDS OF THE COLORED RACE.

By J. O. Corliss

BY J. O. CORLISS.
EVERY kindred, as well as every tongue and nation, needs the elevating influence of the Gospel. What this influence is capable of doing for humanity may be seen in the wondrous change wrought in the appearance of those among the heathen who receive Christ. Before receiving Him, they were naked and filthy, but afterward, they are clothed and decent.
True, the negro of the American Southland has never been so low in the scale of being as his brother of the South Seas, or of Central Africa. But since their emancipation, the colored people have not received from their white associates the educational advantages that their case demanded.
On this point the Rev. C. B. Wilmer, of Atlanta, Ga., in a paper on "The Race Problem of the South," read in 1902 before the first annual session of the Georgia State Sociological Society, says:
"It is very much to be regretted that to-day white men so seldom teach negroes or preach to them. Wherever you find a negro exceptional in character, you will find almost without exception that he has been made what he is by the influence of some white man or white woman. The Southern white people have turned over the work of teaching the negroes almost exclusively to the Northern whites and to the negroes themselves, and then have complained of the results. This is not consistent."
Again, Mr. William Baxter Poe, a Southern farmer, in an article entitled, "Negro Life in Two Generations," printed in the Outlook of Oct. 31, 1903, says of their manner of life:
"Eighty per cent. of the negroes I know—typical Southern farm negroes—live in one-room or two-room houses; have little furniture, and that little of the rudest kind; wear ragged clothes on working days and cheap finery on Sundays; eat poor food, and require few of the comforts and conveniences of twentieth-century civilization. As for literature and art, not one family in ten takes a paper, and not one in a thousand ever bought a picture. And this condition, I insist, is due, not to low earning capacity alone, but also to low ideals of living. Many of the negroes have a margin of income beyond what is necessary to maintain them in the manner just set forth, and in probably the majority of cases the surplus is spent, not for substantial comforts, not to remedy the deficiencies just suggested, but for showy finery, for fantastic bric-a-brac, for secret societies, for curious inventions that appeal to a childish, toy-loving spirit—and too often for intoxicating liquors."
Speaking of the condition of negro women in rural districts, especially mothers, Mrs. Booker T. Washington says this, in "Proceedings of Hampton Negro Conference," page 74:
"The women are all field hands, and still leave home very early for the day's work. At noon each day the wife carries home on her back the wood to cook the dinner, the husband hurries to get under a shady tree, to sleep until dinner is ready; then eats, and afterward has a smoke. The wife must be ready to go back to the field with him when the noon hour is out. The house was left out of order in the morning, the cooking things scattered about the hearth just as they were used, and the few dishes on the old table are unwashed, too. Where the mother takes all the children to the field, the house is locked up and the one window barred; but, thanks to the builder, the cracks are still there, and the air will play through all the day. At dinner no time yet is given to washing dishes or making beds, and so after sunset the wife brings wood to cook supper and a light-wood knot to give light. No lamps or oil are used unless some one is sick. Next the woman drags up the cow and milks, brings water for the night, and then begins the supper. Perhaps the dishes will get washed for supper. After this, nature overcomes the strongest, and sleep is sought by all the family, in those same unmade beds or pallets."
The Hon. Hoke Smith, altho seeing this decided lack in agricultural districts, thinks it may be overcome in some measure through education. His confidence in this result is thus expressed, "What blessings can be carried to these people of the rural sections when first-class schools are furnished to all of them."
From these extracts we easily gather that men are agreed as to what is necessary to the uplifting of the negro race, namely, education. But possibly not all are agreed as to the nature of the education which will prove most helpful to that people. The Rev. Mr. Wilmer, before quoted, seems to have pronounced views upon this point. Thus he says:
"As to the education of the negro, by all means let it be the right kind. . . . The purpose in educating a negro, or any one else, is to make him a more useful member of society."
That is to the point. Education of the right sort will be that which makes one more useful in society than he could be without it. But no educational uplifting can effect this result so well as moral training—a Gospel education; for that, fully carried out, is the highest kind of education. This is what has been neglected in the training of many of the negroes. In view of this, Mr. Wilmer says:
"A heavy responsibility rests upon the white race to bend a portion of its energies to the moral uplifting of this [the negro] race. This people lies, like Lazarus, full of sores at the gate of Dives, and wo to Dives if he heed not! The world's acknowledged greatest Teacher laid down a principle applicable not only to individual, but to sociological, development when He said, "Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it." If the white race seek supremacy as an end in itself, and override justice in so doing, it will lose what it seeks. . . . We must be honest; we must be just; we must try to uplift this people, and one reward will be that we will be uplifted ourselves."
To which every soul desirous of seeing the colored race uplifted will heartily respond in one prolonged, "Amen!"

MARY.

"WHEN Mary was a little girl of five or six, she was married to an old Brahmin priest. When she was eleven, she had to go and live with her cruel old husband as his wife. All her happy childish days were now over forever. She was now shut up in a big dark room with three other wives of the old Brahmin without books or toys or sewing. One day a missionary lady came to the house, and asked if she might teach this poor little girl to read. The old man said:
"'You might as well try to teach my cow.'"
"But in a few months he was astonished to hear little Mary read. All this time Mary was learning about Jesus, and how He had died for her, and she told her husband she could not worship idols any more. Our parents send us to Sunday-school, and are glad we love Jesus; but when the old Brahmin heard that, he took Mary and beat her cruelly, and sent the missionary away. But, down in a dark corner, Mary had hidden a Testament and a hymn book, and every moment she could get she spent in reading them. One day her husband found her with the Testament, and took it away, and tore it up, and then beat her again. But still Jesus kept this little lamb, and said, No one shall be able to snatch her out of My hand."
"At last, one day her husband found her hymn book. In a rage he tore up the little girl's last treasure, and then dragged Mary to the fire, and with a red hot iron burned away the palm of her hand. But even this was not enough. He gave her another cruel beating, and kicked her into the street half dead. The Lord Jesus sent one of His missionaries along, and she was carried safely to the missionary's house, where she was loved and cared for. Mary is now a happy Christian in a mission school, and to-day she is singing from her Bengali hymn book, 'I am so glad that Jesus loves me,' to the same tune that you sing it. She loves her Bible; she loves to pray; and loves to work for Jesus; and every day she is growing to be more like Him."

THE GREATEST GIFT.

By Elizabeth Jewett Brown

An angel came to me one day, and said: "Choose, and thou must, what thou would'st have, instead Of things now granted; if thy choice shouldst be, What wouldst thou have for all eternity?"
Prone fell I on my face in greatest fear.
The angel raised me with a gentle hand. "Long have I known the struggles of thy soul, What thou hast longed for, and I understand."
Thus couraged by his voice, I humbly said: "'Tis not for riches nor for power I crave; Nor worldly fame nor social prestige great; All these must end;—are no more at the grave. But this I ask and crave for, O my king; It is the power which rules the worlds above, And compasseth all else." "I know and grant it," Soft the angel said. "The greatest Gift, 'tis love." —Elizabeth Jewett Brown.

Conference and Baptism Reports

FROM Brother H. C. Balsbaugh we learn that Brother N. W. Allee has been re-elected president of Tennessee River Conference, and all the other officers were likewise re-elected. We are also informed that the colored work in Memphis is making encouraging progress, and that there is some increase in the membership of the white church. Four were recently baptized.
AT Ute, Iowa, three candidates were baptized during the first week of September by Brother N. C. Bergensen. One of the brethren is eighty-six years of age. There were others desiring baptism later. Brother Bergensen also mentions the baptism of two candidates at Shelby.

More About the Gospel Series of the

By Editor

SIGNS OF THE TIMES,

To Be Published October 11 and 25, November 8 and 22.
Last week the Special Gospel series of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES was announced, and a few quotations were taken from some of its articles. This week we wish to tell more about these numbers and make some suggestions as to how they may be circulated.

How the Plan Is Regarded

One of our readers, Franklin Hess, Fort Steele, Wyo., sends an order for a hundred sets, and twelve three-months' subscriptions to begin with the series. He expects to use many more.
We have just received the following from one who became interested in the series published last fall:
Stanford, Ky., Sept. 11, 1905. SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Mountain View, Cal. Dear Brethren,— I want about 400 sets of the four numbers of the special series. I will notify you when and where I want them. I would like to go over where I canvassed this summer, and sell them, and take subscriptions for the paper, if I can, with the help of God. I believe it will do good. I remain in the love of Christ,
Christian L. Hornung.

Features of the Illustrations

It will be remembered that one cover design was used on the whole set of papers issued last fall. Instead of this, we have FOUR engravings—one for each number—for the forthcoming series. This does away with all possibility of getting the papers confused, and no one can say, "O, I read that paper before." A reduced facsimile of the cover page of the first number is given on this page.
We will not stop to speak of the various appropriate and beautiful engravings that will appear in the body of the paper, but they are unique and striking.

How to Circulate Them

Those who did the most successful work last year solicited orders for nothing less than the entire series. Indeed, many of them solicited subscriptions for a year or six months. If the customer did not feel sufficiently acquainted with the paper to subscribe for this length of time, he was usually willing to take the series at twenty cents.

An Order Book

For the assistance of those who wish to solicit subscriptions for the entire series, we have an order book prepared which will be sent on receipt of its cost,—five cents. Where orders are taken in this way the papers may be delivered by the person taking the order, or the names may be sent in to the Publishing House who will send the same direct. In this latter case, however, bear in mind that the rates on papers to single names and addresses are higher than where sent in clubs. For example: To less than five the rate is 20 cents a set; five or more, 15 cents a set.

On the Streets

It will be easier to sell these papers on the streets and in public places than it was last fall, because each paper has a special cover design. Those selling in this way should remember to order full sets, as they will be obtained in no other way.

Single Sets to Friends

Others will wish to send sets to friends, or to individuals at other Post-offices. More than three thousand sets of last year's specials were sent out in this way.
Such orders will receive careful and prompt attention. As before stated, the rates are 20 cents a set where less than five are sent in this way, and 15 cents a set where five or more are so ordered.

How the Leaflets Help

In working from house to house with these papers our SIGNS OF THE TIMES leaflets will be found very helpful indeed. Take No. 4, for example—"Signs of Our Times"—and inform the people whom you meet that you are circulating religious reading matter, a portion of which is free. Give them a leaflet, and the way will be opened for you to present the paper.
As the first number has to do with Prophecy and the Coming of Christ, leaflet No. 1—"The Sure Word of Prophecy"—is appropriate. For a price list, please refer to page 2 of this issue of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

In Sets Only

As the articles in this series are links in a definite chain of truth, no one will be satisfied by simply reading a single number. Therefore the series will be published in sets only.

What the Series Contains

We see our space is now too limited to refer to any of the many excellent points in the articles. We will therefore simply give the subject of each Special Number and a few of the article titles that will appear in Numbers 3 and 4, and refer you to last week's paper for articles contained in Numbers 1 and 2: No. 1, Prophecy, and Christ's Coming.
  • 2, The Sanctuary—Gospel in Type and Antitype.
  • 3, Law, Gospel, and the Sabbath.
  • 4, The Church Triumphant.
Here are some of the

Article Titles

The Bible Sabbath The First Day of the Week Babylon; Its Character Principle of Babylon in Succeeding Ages The Reformation and America Signs in the Earth A Spirit-filled Church; Requisite Conditions to The Seal of God The Church Restored and Triumphant

Prices

Prices will be as follows:
1 to 4 sets to one or more addresses Per Set $0.20
5 or more sets to single addresses " " .15
25 to 500 sets to one address " " .10
500 and upward " " .09

Quantity Orders

If you are so situated as to use several thousand sets, we will be glad to correspond with you, as we have special inducements to make.

Where to Order

Order from your state Tract Society, the publishing house in your vicinity, or direct from the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Mountain View, Cal.
Continue reading: EDUCATION IN THE HOME. NO. 21.