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Signs of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 26.

Editorial
Earlier text: A BALLAD OF TREES AND THE MASTER

THE TREND OF THE TIMES.

By William N. Glenn

THE "enlightenment of the nineteenth century," of which we hear so much boasting, occasionally gets a telling rebuff. Our London contemporary, Present Truth, gives this significant item:—
'There never was a time,' said a physician the other day, 'when London was fuller of superstition than at the present time. We have palmistry, crystal-globe reading, Spiritualism, and fortune telling flourishing in our very midst, and frequently amongst the best educated.'
It is a sad fact that much of the education of the present day, beyond the commonest branches, is not a barrier against superstition. As the student progresses toward what is called the higher education, he is led farther and farther away from the Word of God, in which are all the treasures of true knowledge. Any education that ignores or belittles the importance of the Scriptures of truth can only prepare the mind for the reception of superstitious ideas. Such education never can fortify the mind against error. The apostle Paul says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;" and "whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." If these admonitions be carried out, there will be no room for superstition. And in order to follow this instruction, the education must have a close connection with the Word.
But here is another instance that shows an effect of the recluse idea of self-abnegation extensively practised in the Roman and Russian Churches. We quote from the Methodist Times:—
"A peculiar story of the results of superstition comes from Russia. A number of religious hermits have been dwelling at Tirespol, and seventeen of them not long ago disappeared. It was supposed that they had removed from that point in obedience to some religious motive. However, another hermit has confessed that he walled them up alive in response to their earnest entreaties, so that, as they believed, they might obtain martyrs' crowns. The authorities made an investigation and found that the man's story was true."
The comment of the Times upon this strange act is also worthy of note:—
"That religious zeal can take such a peculiar form in these latter years of the nineteenth century, serves to remind enlightened Christians that there is a vast amount of work to be done in the world before the true meaning of a religious life is understood. Those whose conceptions of zeal lead them to seclusion and reflection rather than to activity in relieving the needs of mankind, spiritual, mental, and physical, must be led to follow the One who spent his time for and among others. We are our brother's keepers so far as we are able to send them a Gospel whose teachings are able to save from superstition and unbelief."
One of the saddest features of this nineteenth century superstition is in the fact that so much of it is manifest among those who profess to be followers of Christ. If they would abide in him, and let his word abide in them, they would be kept clear of all Satanic delusions. But Christ can not keep those, no matter how zealous their profession, who attempt to work out their salvation by the devices of man. Nineteenth century wisdom, or nineteenth century ideas of salvation, not based upon the plain Word of God, are no better than those of the darkest ages of history. It is true to-day, as it ever has been, that "the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." The commandment enjoins upon each of us, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart," and the inspired Word also tells us, "This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments."
This is the only way in which the Word of God can abide in us and keep us from superstition.

The Outlook

"I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will look forth to see what He will speak with me."

PLUTOCRACY OF THE WORLD.

THOMAS G. SHEARMAN, the statistician, has an article in a recent number of the Thrice-a-Week World in which he revises his former figures concerning the distribution of wealth in this country, and gives us the following table on the basis of tax returns:—
Families. Average Wealth. Total Wealth.
70 $37,500,000 $2,625,000,000
90 11,500,000 1,025,000,000
180 8,000,000 1,440,000,000
135 6,800,000 968,000,000
360 4,600,000 1,656,000,000
1,755 2,300,000 4,036,000,000
6,000 1,250,000 7,500,000,000
7,000 650,000 4,350,000,000
11,000 375,000 4,125,000,000
14,000 230,000 3,220,000,000
16,500 165,000 2,722,000,000
50,000 100,000 5,000,000,000
75,000 60,000 4,500,000,000
200,000 20,000 4,000,000,000
1,000,000 3,500 3,500,000,000
11,620,000 11,215,000,000
13,002,090 62,082,000,000
Public and church property omitted.

Distribution in Classes.

Class. Families. Wealth. Average per Family.
Rich 182,090 $43,367,000,000 $238,135
Middle 1,200,000 7,500,000,000 6,250
Working 11,620,000 11,215,000,000 968
13,002,090 $62,082,000,000 $4,775
On this basis 40,000 persons own over one-half of the wealth of the United States, while one-seventieth part of the people own over two-thirds of the wealth.
According to Senator Roger Q. Mills, 24,600 persons are worth $31,500,000,000.
The Bank of Russia has issued $1,045,000,000
" " England " 719,000,000
" " France " 1,640,000,000
" " Italy " 309,000,000
" " Germany " 878,000,000
" " U. S. Treasury " 1,659,000,000
Total . . . . . 6,250,000,000
But one twenty-eight-hundredth of the people of the United States possess nearly five times as much as all these great treasure sources have issued. The wealth of one of these men, W. W. Astor, is estimated at more than $200,000,000. The aggregate wealth of the entire country, public and church property omitted, is estimated at $62,082,000,000. Less than 25,000 men own, therefore, one-half of the wealth of the United States. Is it a wonder that the extremities,—the working classes,—are cold when there is such a congestion of blood, the circulating medium, in a few organs. Truly says the prophet, "They have heaped treasure together in the last days." This means the oppression and robbery of the poor. And this also the Lord regards. But his admonition is, "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord." See James 5:1-7. He alone can adjust matters aright.

CREATION'S GROANS.

A DAILY paper reports since January 1 of the present year 9 earthquakes, in one of which 6,000 lives were lost; 2 eruptions of volcanoes; the appearance of one island in the sea and the disappearance of another; 6 tornadoes and cyclones, causing immense damage; 2 cloudbursts; 5 great floods, one of which was the great Mississippi deluge; 1 waterspout; 1 tidal wave; 1 fearful hailstorm which broke roofs of houses, plate-glass windows, and killed dogs, horses, and men; seven towns and villages wholly or partly destroyed by these calamities, and nearly 7,000 lives lost. In addition to this the victims of the famine and plague in India number millions. The territory covered by the famine is 160,000 square miles, and the normal population of the district over 40,000,000.
These convulsions of nature recall the terrible earthquake and eruption of Krakatoa in 1883, in which the earth opened, the sea rushed into the boiling caldron, and explosions occurred, which were heard on May 20, it is said, 160 miles away, and on August 27, even to the island of Mauritius, 3,000 miles distant. Ships 100 miles from the eruption were covered with lava and mud, and waves 112 feet high were manifest 30 miles away.
What mean these earthquakes, cyclones, crop failures, convulsions and famines of growing frequency in these latter days? It need not be said that there were as many in past ages, but they were not noted. No doubt many of the smaller convulsions and storms were not, but the class that was then noted were of much less frequent occurrence then than now. Much could be laid to ignorance then that we can not now. What is the cause? The Word of God tells us: The physical, atmospheric heavens and earth "all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed." Heb. 1:11, 12. The earth is growing old, prematurely old, in consequence of sin. The quakes and the storms are tears and rents in the old garment. There are parts of it yet comparatively new, but in general it is rapidly coming to that place, indicated by many prophecies, where the Lord changes the worn-out earth. The apostle declares that the creation was made subject to vanity, weakness, perishableness, not of its own will, but by reason of man, its lord in trust. And now it groans and travails in pain, waiting for its rightful Lord, Christ Jesus, and his reign of righteousness, when it with the children of God shall stand forth in the glorious incorruptible liberty of the sons of God. See Rom. 8:19-23, R. V.

THE INEVITABLE END.

By W. N. G.

THE more the growing Sunday-law spirit is met by the Word of God and the principles of our national Constitution, the more desperate it becomes. That the advocates of enforced Sunday observance will eventually demand the death penalty upon those who disregard the Sunday institution is plainly indicated in their claim that such disregard is anarchy. In Rochester, N. Y., the playing of baseball has been classed as anarchy by the clergy of that city, and even by one of the secular papers, the Times. And the Christian Statesman, organ of the National Reform Association, utters a like sentiment. It says, "Sabbath [meaning Sunday] desecration and anarchy go together very fittingly." This spirit is wielding a mighty influence in political circles, and just as soon as politicians are convinced that their positions are dependent upon the votes of the Sunday-law element, we will have stringent Sunday laws everywhere, from the national law to the municipal ordinance. And the greater the opposition, the higher will be made the grade of the crime. That eventually, and that before many years, it will rank as anarchy, with the death penalty attached, is foreshadowed in the prophetic Word. Of the secular power which is to set up an "image" to the Church-and-State Roman "beast," the prophecy says: "And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed." Rev. 13:15. W. N. G.

GREATLY BELOVED.

By Fannie Bolton

(Concluded.)
MRS. BROWN opened the door at her neighbor’s knock, and Mrs. Patterson did not wait for any formalities, but put her arms around her and looked into her eyes. The great tears ran down both faces, and there was no need of words. Mrs. Brown took Mrs. Patterson’s baby to her breast, and sobbed:—
“O my own darling! O Mrs. Patterson, he was my idol, and why, O, why has God taken him away?”
“Because you and he are greatly beloved. Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth. It is to fill you with his peace and joy. God knows how to pity you, for he himself lost his only-begotten Son. It is to help you to realize how he loved you. O, think what it cost the Father to give his darling up to bear our sins, to carry our griefs and to suffer our sorrows! My dear soul, your baby is not lost, but loved, greatly beloved. O, you are greatly beloved!”
What it was that finally brought contrition and comfort to her stricken neighbor’s heart God only knows, but it is certain that before Mrs. Patterson went home, another soul rejoiced in the midst of sorrow, and was comforted by the rod of God. The love of God began to flow through the heart that had been as a stagnant pool, and it was as a stream of living water.
When the children came from school, Mrs. Patterson gathered them in her arms, and told them for the first time of Jesus and his love. Their little hearts were melted and won. Jesus has said, “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God.” They only need to be permitted to see the lovely face of our Lord, and they know the Good Shepherd.
Mr. Patterson came slowly home. His head was bowed, his shoulders stooped. Mrs. Patterson watched from the doorway, and wondered that she had not noticed before how broken and sad and old he looked. He had been such a bonny lad. “Poor darling!” she half sobbed. He was not expecting to see her. It had been a long time since she watched for him at the door. She was generally busy with supper or with baby, and simply greeted him with, “So you are home at last, and supper is cold as a stone waiting for you.” But to-night there she was at the door, looking so bright, almost as pretty as when she was a girl, with a neat dress on and a ribbon at her throat. He looked at her and then looked past her to see if they had company. Then she drew him in, sat down beside him on the lounge, and smoothed back his hair, and kissed him.
“Something has happened, Steven,” she said. “God has been here to-day. O Steven, we are all greatly beloved!” She went on eagerly, pouring into his heart the light that had been shed into her own, till the great tears forced themselves through his closed eyelids.
“Yes, it is all true, Mamie darling,” he said, as she related the way they had treated God, and kept him out of their home. “We have backslidden. I have blamed him for the results of my own sins.”
Never mind, we are greatly beloved. She got the Bible and read again the wonderful chapter, and before they went to supper, they gathered their little ones, and bowed around their first altar.
“And heaven came down, their souls to meet, And glory crowned the mercy-seat.”
How tender was the blessing that was asked upon the supper! How wonderful were the words that were spoken at that meal where for the first time they truly realized that the bread was the Bread of life! That food was given only by virtue of the life and death of the Son of God, that it all was the corn of heaven, the bread of Love’s sacrifice. There was something sacred about it all, and even the little children were softened and quiet.
“Now, Steve, to-night is prayer-meeting night at the mission. I’ll put baby to sleep, and the children to bed, and Mary will look after them, and let us go to meeting.”
It was a wonderful meeting to these two starved souls. The humble people who gave in a warm testimony to the love of God, seemed no longer beneath them in station, but, O, how far superior! Mrs. Patterson again repented of pride and selfishness. She rose, and, with a shining face, related what God had done for her soul. She praised his name. She encouraged the hearts of all by delivering to them the precious message that had so melted her heart. “O, if there is a soul here,” she said, “who feels his worthlessness, who thinks his life is a failure, who knows he is a sinner, who feels like crying out, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner,’ that is the soul who can claim this word, ‘Thou art greatly beloved!’”
There was a thrill ran through the little meeting. The minister rose and invited any such soul to come to Christ, and the altar was filled with those who were broken in heart. Mrs. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, who had only just learned to believe, went forward to tell the poor souls how simple was the way of faith, how easy God had made the path to the lost and undone. And the River of Life flowed through these humble channels to the poor, sad hearts that cried unto the Lord.
“O Steven, it is only a week ago to-night since we gave our hearts to God!” said Mrs. Patterson, “and it has been the happiest week of my life. I know all the neighbors and their children. We are to have a cottage prayer-meeting here to-night. Some souls have been brought, as we were, out of darkness into light. My hands and yours are so full of church work and work for humanity that I believe we ought to ask God to give us power to do twenty people’s work. O, how wonderful are his ways, past finding out except as he himself reveals them!”
“Yes, I have had a song of rejoicing all the week. I know we are greatly beloved of God. ‘Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.’ O, it is amazing!” said Mr. Patterson. Then he read the 3d of John, and they talked over its verses in preparation for the cottage meeting. The neighbors who came in went home glad, believing in the love that God hath toward us. “Why is it that we are so precious each to the other now, and Christ is precious to us?” asked Mr. Patterson as the meeting closed. “It is because we are precious to him. Don’t you know, greatly beloved?” O, how I want to tell everybody how God loves him, because faith in his great love will utterly transform life! Dearly beloved, let us always hereafter keep ourselves in the faith of this great love. It won’t be long before we shall see his face and be like him. Heaven itself will only be the unfolding of this beautiful Word, only the interpretation of its widening meaning, and eternity will not be large enough to tell us what it is to be greatly beloved of our God. Father, Saviour, Brother, Lover, and King. Praise unto the Father and the Son forever.

POISON FOOD AND DRINK.

By Hansen

DEALERS in food and drink should by law be compelled to furnish pure foods and pure drink or close out. Poison milk has been known about San Francisco for about a year, and it has been demonstrated that it came from diseased cows. Those who sold it have been several times punished. Yet there are thousands of men in San Francisco who are dealing in poison drinks every day and night, and the laws uphold and protect them in their work of death and destruction. Why not apply the law all around? HANSEN.

THE NUMBER OF LIVING ANIMAL SPECIES.

THE editor of the Zoological Record has made a table which gives the approximate number of the living species of animals. These figures are given: Mammals, 2,500; reptiles and batrachians, 4,400; tunicata, 900; brachiopods, 150; crustaceans, 20,000; myriapods, 3,000; echinoderms, 3,000; celenterata, 2,000; protozoans, 6,100; birds, 12,500; fishes, 12,000; mollusks, 50,000; bryozoans, 1,800; arachnids, 10,000; insects, 230,000; vermes, 6,150; sponges, 1,500. General total, 366,000 distinct species.—Voice.

DON’T LEAVE JELLIES UNCOVERED.

“My husband,” said a physician’s wife not long ago, “chanced to see one day some molds of jelly set to cool outside the window. They were uncovered, as they were out of reach of anything.
“He asked me, ‘Is it your custom to cool your jelly uncovered?’
“I was obliged to say it was.
“Then he said, ‘Do you know when we medical men want to secure minute organisms for investigations we expose gelatin to the air or where the germs are, and it quickly attracts and holds them? Cool your jelly if you will, but cover it with a piece of muslin.’”

AN EARLY WILL.

At Kahun, Egypt, says an exchange, has been unearthed a will made 2548 B.C., yet so curiously modern that it might be probated today. The testator settles upon his wife, Theta, his property, given to him by his brother in the accompanying document, but forbids her “to pull down the houses my brother built for me,” tho she may give these houses to any of her children she pleases. This will is of interest, not only as being the oldest one known, but because it recognizes the property rights of women. But there is an older will than this, namely, the will of God, which not only recognizes the rights of all, but gives all the right to become the children and heirs of the Most High.

MR. EDISON'S BABY AND HIS PHONOGRAPH.

According to the New York Herald, Thos. A. Edison, the inventor, has been interesting his inventive faculties with his new baby and a phonograph at his home. When the baby crowed with glee, the crow was registered on the phonograph; when it got mad and yelled, its piercing screams were irrevocably recorded on the same machine. That phonograph is now a receptacle of every known noise peculiar to babyhood. It is Mr. Edison's intention to take a record of the strength of the baby's lungs every three months. "I will preserve the record," said he, "until the child becomes a young lady. Then the phonograph can be operated for her benefit, and she can see for herself just what kind of a baby she was, and won't have to take her mother's and the nurse's words for it."

WHAT THE ARABS SAY.

REMEMBER, three things come not back: The arrow sent upon its track— It will not swerve, it will not stay Its speed; it flies to wound or slay.
The spoken word, so soon forgot By thee, but it has perished not; In other hearts 'tis living still, And doing work for good or ill.
And the lost opportunity, That cometh back no more to thee; In vain to weep, in vain to yearn— These three will never more return. —Anon.

MISSION FIELDS ABOUT THE MEDITERRANEAN.

By H. P. H.

AS GENERALLY understood, our Sabbath-school donations during the last six months of 1897 are destined for these fields. While our schools have for years been donating to other fields, it is an interesting fact that this great field has been left to be one of the last. Altho not designed on our part, it is not unfitting that it should be so. In this field the Gospel was first planted, and from it spread to all the world; and now, having completed the circuit of the earth, returns in the closing work to the starting-point.
From the standpoint of history and prophecy, no field is of so great interest as this one; and its future is not likely to be less interesting than the past. From prophecy, we know that it will be the theater on which will be enacted the marvelous scenes which close earth's history. The enemy, realizing that he has but a short time, has sent his agents to all the world to prepare them for the great day, and will finally gather all his minions for a last mighty struggle on the plains of Armageddon; and when the Lord again places his feet upon this earth, it will be upon Mt. Olivet, from which he ascended. It was here that the lost possession was purchased with his life; and it is here that the final restoration begins, and that the saints are introduced into their everlasting inheritance.
Is it possible that these scenes, so awful to the sinner and so glorious to the saint, and now so near at hand, will not be proclaimed to the millions in these fields where they are to be enacted? Certainly not, for the closing message is to go to every nation and tongue and kindred. Rev. 14:6, 7. In a general way, missionary work has been carried on in the Orient for about seventy years; but the Gospel of the kingdom has just begun to be proclaimed.
So-called Christianity has from the first century been represented in the countries about the Mediterranean; but the Gospel in its simplicity and power has had very few representatives since the days of the apostles and early Christians. In the beginning, its power was most manifest. With the exception of a few Jews, most of the people then saved were pagans, some of them among the vilest. Rome then ruled the world, and enforced strict laws forbidding the preaching of a new deity which the State had not acknowledged. At no time has Satan more completely had his own way,—nearly all the world pagan, united in the strongest empire that ever existed. The whole world was organized to resist the power of the Gospel; but it failed; the strong combination was utterly broken.
Once more the whole world will be organized against the Gospel, not as pagans, but as professedly Christian; and, as never before, the world is armed with deadly weapons and filled with men trained for combat; all are falling into line to make a united effort to crush out the work of the Gospel. While this is being done, the Gospel is to be preached in all the world for a witness to all (Matt. 24:14); and as at the first, it will triumph over the united forces of evil in all the world. The efforts of the world will be such as to eclipse anything it has ever done before; but the triumph of the Gospel will be only the greater; it will be more sudden than anything experienced in the past, and so glorious and decided that all the world will realize that its power is infinitely beyond that of the forces of evil.
The field about the Mediterranean is regarded by some a hard field; it was a hard field in the days of the apostles; and the fact that the Gospel so gloriously triumphed then ought to encourage us for the present. Who will say that the field is now harder than it was in Paul's day? And who will set up the claim that the results will be less, if the Gospel is preached in the same power? The Lord has given us all a means of practically testing our faith in the Gospel and its efficiency in this field. The amount of means we supply to send laborers to this field will show how much we desire to have the message preached here. Time is short; the affairs of this world are being wound up; soon the last opportunity will be past; let us improve well the time that remains, making the most of this privilege of having a part in opening the work about the Mediterranean. H. P. H.

CANNIBALISM IN AFRICA.

FROM the Missionary Review we take the following statements in regard to the practise of cannibalism in the Dark Continent:—
"Cannibalism has been surprisingly little discussed in books of travel. We are told that in such and such a district cannibals are to be found, but we hear no details, neither how the flesh is prepared, what joints are preferred, nor to what extent the practise is prevalent. Captain Hinde asserts that nearly all tribes in the Kongo basin are or have been cannibals, and that the practise is on the increase, not merely for superstitious reasons, but also for the provision of food. There is a certain sturdy, fat race in Africa, which has never been famous for its prowess, but which is made a regular staple article of diet. Whole cargoes are constantly carried up the river, and sold to the natives for food.
"The Batetella are described as a fine race, with no old or infirm persons among them. The reason of this is that at the first sign of decrepitude the sufferer is killed and eaten. The members of this tribe consider human flesh the greatest of all delicacies, and are ever on the watch for any excuse to kill and eat their comrades. So soon as a victim is appointed to die, mobs collect outside the king's house, and the victim is given over to them, the people tearing him to pieces as quickly as a pack of hounds will make end of a hare. Each sets himself to cut off his favorite piece, no one making it his business to kill the victim first, lest a coveted morsel should be lost. After a big battle, in which many prisoners have been taken, human beings have been sold for as little as five or six shillings a brace for eating purposes.
"Natives in the region of the Ubangi River urged one of Stanley's officers to leave one of his boat's crew in exchange for a goat, saying, 'Meat for meat.' Urging his help in making a war against their neighbors, he said, 'You can take the ivory, we will take the meat.' Rows of skulls are hideously exhibited, hung round the tents of cannibals, to show how many men they have eaten."
A correspondent of the Saturday Review writes as follows:—
"The cannibalism of the black secret society known as the Human Leopards, near Sierra Leone, disclosed by the recent trial, brings forcibly before us the difference between the East African and the West African habits of eating human flesh. The Sherbro cannibals waylaid and killed their victims, and afterwards feasted on their flesh. The cannibalism of the east coast is of a very different kind. The flesh of the old people—the grandfather and grandmother of a family—is dried and mixed with condiments; and a portion of this is offered, with a dim sort of sacramental meaning, to travelers who become guests of the family. To refuse it would be a deadly insult. To accept it is a passport to the privileged position of a friend of the house. Many of our travelers in East Africa have eaten thus sacramentally of the ancestors of some dark-skinned potentate.
"The cannibalism of the west coast is, as has just been said, of a more horrible kind. The Sherbro's case seems to be connected with fetichism, the worst developments of which are peculiar to that country; but there is a hideously genuine appetite for fresh human flesh still existing among the negroes of west Africa. This cannibalism manifests itself in a refinement of gluttony which has its mild analogy in the tastes of Europeans. Young boys are brought from the dark interior, kept in pens, fattened upon bananas, and finally killed and baked. To these Thystean feasts come not only the savage chiefs of the interior, but also, it is whispered, black merchants from the coast. Men who appear at their places of business in English territory in broadcloth and tall hats, who ape the manners of their white masters, are said to disappear annually into the interior, where, we are told, they might be seen, in naked savagery, taking part in the banquets on plump boys, in which they delight. Be this as it may, somehow the native of the west coast and its Hinterland is unlike the east or south African native in the deep-lying savagery and the extraordinary facility for returning to it, which are his leading and very unpleasant characteristics. The subject claims the attention of the anthropologist, and certainly suggests a curious reason for questioning the relationship of the black man and the ape or gorilla, seeing that the race of monkeys seems to be singularly free from anything like cannibalism."

Missionary Reports and Hindu Worship

THE Baptist Missionary Society of Great Britain reports the receipt, during the past year, of $380,000, the largest amount received in any one year, except the centenary year. The expenses have been larger than the receipts, but a small balance of the Centenary Fund and a special contribution from the treasurer met the deficit. The reports from the field are encouraging, especially from China, where 400 converts have been baptized, an unusually large number.
THERE are 330,000,000 Hindu gods, and each one has its own special form and its own peculiar power. The chief gods are Brahma, the Creator; Vishnu, the Preserver; Siva, the Destroyer. Vishnu and Siva are found in many different forms as idols to be worshiped in the temples of India. Rich people have idols in their houses for daily worship, and they pay a priest to come every morning to wake up the idols, wash and dress them, and offer them food.—Gospel in All Lands.
THE board of missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, reports total receipts for the past year as $478,327, including $244,463 for foreign missions, an increase of $7,105; $133,948 for domestic missions; $18,000 by the Woman's Parsonage and Home Mission Society, and $81,916 by the Woman's Foreign Mission Board. After careful consideration it was decided to limit the appropriations for the coming year to $200,000. In the four foreign fields the board has 105 missionaries (including wives); 268 native helpers; 8,756 members (an increase of 906); 71 schools, with 2,081 scholars; 247 Sunday-schools, with 6,862 Sunday-school scholars; 19 Epworth Leagues, with 587 members; 1 hospital and 3 dispensaries.
ACCORDING to Rev. W. E. Geil, there are now but 201 Samaritans, these living near Gerizim, where every year is held a feast of the Passover. Of this number 111 are males and 90 females. Held by these is the celebratedcopy of the Samaritan Pentateuch, which they claim to have been written by Aaron's great-grandson. Certain it is the manuscript is very old, tho hardly as old as they say. It is preserved in a costly case of silver, wrapped about with a cover of rich Phenician cloth.

WHICH CHOOSE YE?

By Clara E. Richeson

To 'BROIDER on the robe of fame, In colors high, one little name, Which, meeting the admiring gaze Of multitudes, in after days, Shall move to loudest notes of praise?
Or walk beneath the smile of One Whose glories, like the burning sun, Shall stream from out His royal throne And shed their luster on thine own Sin-burden'd brow, and thus atone?
CLARA E. RICHESON. Lead, South Dakota.

PERIODICALS WANTED.

By J. G. Excell

THE following papers are desired by the undersigned: Signs of the Times of 1896 and 1897, Our Little Friend, and Youth's Instructor of any date. No matter if the copies are somewhat soiled. We want large quantities of them. We can use to advantage in our missionary work 500 copies of the SIGNS every week, so send all you can. All papers must be prepaid; small bundles by mail. Let some of our larger churches make an effort to help, and send us a box by freight or express.
Yours for the cause, J. G. EXCELL. 211 Dinwiddie Street, Pittsburg, Pa.

Christ and the Sabbath

By Editor

CHRIST AND THE SABBATH: Or Christ in the Old Testament and the Sabbath in the New, by Elder James White. Paper covers, fifty-six pages, sent post-paid for ten cents.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

APPLES OF GOLD LIBRARY.

By Editor

Reduced Net Price List.
No. Cents.
1 Looking unto Jesus 1/2
2 The Christian's Privilege 1/2
3 The Sure Promises of God 1/2
4 How to Get Knowledge 1/4
5 The Church and the World (poetry) 1/2
6 The Elect of God 1/2
7 How Esther Read Her Bible 1/2
8 The Thief on the Cross 1/2
9 The Eleventh Hour 1/2
10 Benefits of Bible Study 1/2
11 Righteousness—Where Is It to Be Found? 1/2
12 Power of Forgiveness 1/2
13 Responsibility of Parents 1/2
14 Choose Ye This Day 1/2
15 The Cross of Christ 1/2
16 The New Birth 1
17 "What Must I Do to Be Saved?" 1/2
18 The Literal Week 1/2
19 The Christian Life 1
20 Your Life-work—Is It of Men or of God? 1/2
21 Acceptable Service 1/2
22 Have Faith in God 1/2
23 The Riches of His Grace 1/2
24 He Saves to the Utmost 1/2
25 Bible Authority for Sunday Observance 1/2
26 I Will Come Again 1/4
27 Religious Liberty 1/4
28 Law of Liberty 1/2
29 Law of Love 1/2
30 Knowing and Obeying the Lord 1/4
31 Why the Earth Was Made 1/2
32 Trine Immersion 1/2
33 Scriptural Answers to Worldly Objections 1/4
34 Seventh-day Adventists and Their Work 1
35 The Hope Set before Us 1/2
36 The True Church 1/2
37 Letter and Spirit 1/2
38 Who Are the Saints 1/2
39 The Seventh, or One-Seventh 1/2
40 Coming of the Lord 1/2
41 Foreknowledge and Foreordination 1/2
42 Jesus and the Resurrection 1/2

PUBLICATIONS ON THE

SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

MATTHEW 24, OR THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. An exposition of the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew's Gospel. 96 pages, paper covers. Price 10 cents. SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. A brief resumé of the advents of Christ and the prophecies which cluster around these events. Two diagrams assist in the study. 80 pages, paper covers. Price 10 cents. CHRIST OUR ADVOCATE. Showing the work that Christ accomplishes in the Sanctuary in Heaven, before his second coming. 112 pages, paper covers. Price 10 cents. SURE WORD OF PROPHECY. A consideration of the important prophecies of the book of Daniel, the last chapter of which brings us to the "time of the end," just previous to Christ's second coming. 96 pages, paper covers. Price 10 cents. Send for complete catalogue with description and price list of other publications on this and kindred topics. PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO Oakland, Cal. Kansas City, Mo. N. Y. City, N. Y.

BOUND VOLUMES OF

OUR LITTLE FRIEND

WE still have on hand a limited number of Vols. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, bound in cloth, stamp on side, uniform in appearance. The Little Friend never grows old, and will be an interesting and valuable caller at any time. Send it to some little friend as a present. Sent to any address, postpaid, for $1.00 per volume. Address, OUR LITTLE FRIEND, Oakland, Cal.

The "Cyclone" Still Whirls.

NORTONVILLE, Kansas, April 12, 1897. COON BROS., Battle Creek, Mich.—Gentlemen: I bought of your agent, Mr. Chamberlain, of Milton, Wis., one of your Cyclone washers, and am well pleased with it; and on moving here our neighbors have taken a liking to the washer, and want some of them. Would therefore like to act as your agent, and sell them some Cyclones. Please send me terms to agents. The washer can't be beat, seems to be the verdict. Yours truly, GEORGE SOYRE.
Agent wanted everywhere. For prices and terms address, Coon Bros., 18-20 Hanover St., Battle Creek, Mich.
"Living by Faith." (Spanish.) A translation of Bible Students' Library No. 72; 16 pp.; price, 2 cents. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.
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