Signs of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 1. (1/4/1905)

Signs of the Times

Jan 4, 1905

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jan 4, 1905

A SONG FOR THE NEW YEAR

(Psalm 96, A. R. V.)

"O sing unto Jehovah a new song: Sing unto Jehovah, all the earth. Sing unto Jehovah, bless His name; Show forth His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples. For great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols; But Jehovah made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Ascribe unto Jehovah, ye kindreds of the peoples, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength, Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due to His name: Bring an offering and come into His courts. O worship Jehovah in holy array: Tremble before Him, all the earth. Say among the nations, Jehovah reigneth; The world also is established that it can not be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; Let the field exult, and all that is therein; Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy Before Jehovah; for He cometh, For He cometh to judge the earth: He will judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth."

WILL YOU HELP?

By Editor

YOU have already noticed some of the plans being laid to make THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES the very best religious paper in the world during 1905.

For this and many other reasons, it has been proposed that at least 10,000 new subscriptions to the paper be obtained during the next ninety days.

This means that orders for that many copies must be secured in addition to the copies expiring during that time. If all our friends will assist even a little, this and a great deal more may easily be accomplished.

What the People Say about It

Your letter saying that the 400,000 copies of the Gospel Series of the SIGNS have all been called for, was received. This certainly is good news, and inspiring to all those taking an active part in this campaign. Now the time should be improved in following up this matter by obtaining yearly subscriptions. We will do all we can to help forward this good work in our Conference.

R. D. HOTTEL, Pres. Va. Conf.

I am very glad to know that 400,000 copies of the Gospel Series of the SIGNS have been called for. My wife and I were speaking the other day in regard to the excellence of the SIGNS, and she remarked that she did not see why it was necessary to get out extra numbers, as every number was good enough. I believe the SIGNS OF THE TIMES provides the best missionary matter that can be put into the hands of the people. As far as I am able, I will co-operate with you in an effort to increase its circulation. It seems to me 10,000 copies might be added this winter, even tho we allow for many other things to be done at the same time. We will do the best we can to bring about such a result.

WILLIAM COVERT, Pres. Wis. Conf.

I am glad to note the ready disposition of so many of the Gospel SIGNS. Personally, I consider them the best specials that have ever been issued. They have the right ring from beginning to end. Shall we increase the circulation of the SIGNS? Emphatically, yes, and as a Conference we shall be only too glad to do all we can to that end.

S. G. HUNTINGTON, Pres. W. Va. Conf.

WE might go on multiplying such letters as the above, but that is unnecessary. Our readers know the object of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES and realize the importance of placing it in the hands of a still larger list of readers. Therefore we simply repeat the question asked in the heading: Will you help us add the 10,000 members to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES family circle during the next ninety days?

If so, kindly sign the little coupon in the corner, tear out and send to us, and we will place you on the list of those to whom special information and suggestions will be given. Or if you do not care to tear the paper, state the fact in a letter.

Prices

Single copy one year	$1.50
Six months	.75
Three months	.40
In clubs of five or more, per year, each	.90
Four or more copies to single names and addresses, each	1.00

COUPON

To the SIGNS OF THE TIMES: I will do what I can to increase the subscription list of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES by 10,000 copies within the next ninety days. Signed ........................................................................ Address .....................................................................

Bibles

By Editor

For more than twenty-five years we have made Bibles a specialty. We have not confined ourselves to the publications of any one firm, but have selected from different makes those we have found most satisfactory. A catalog of a portion of these will be sent on request. A few selections are given below.

Illustrated Bibles

By Editor

Here are two Children's Bibles with colored engravings:—

No. 1. Red cloth binding, pearl type, chapter numbers in figures. Price, 60 cents.

No. 2. Same as No. 1, but with larger and clearer type. Price, $1.00.

Small Reference Bibles

Size, 5¼ x 3¼ inches

No. 3. Leather cover, over-lapping edges, linen lined, pearl type. Price, $1.00.

Cheap Concordance Bibles

Size, 5⅝ x 4 inches

These two Bibles have concordance, subject index, and maps.

No. 4. Leather cover, over-lapping edges, ruby type. Price, $1.10.

No. 5. Same as No. 4, but with leather-lined cover. Price, $1.40.

Large Type Bibles

Size, 6 x 9 inches

No. 6. Cloth covers, red edges, maps, small pica type. No references. Price, $1.50.

No. 7. Leather covers, gilt edges, small pica type. No references. Price, $2.00.

Teachers' Bibles

No. 8. Thin leather covers, leather lined, over-lapping edges, red under gold edges, full teachers' helps, minion type. Price, $1.50.

No. 9. The above book with index, $1.85.

No. 10. Leather covered, leather lined, silk sewed, with concordance, references, and long primer type, $2.60.

No. 11. Levant morocco, calf lined, over-lapping edges, silk sewed, round corners, red under gold edges, thin India paper, minion type, Facsimile Series. Price, $6.50.

Correspondence concerning Bibles gladly received and promptly answered. Catalog sent on request.

Pacific Press

Publishing Co.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA

285 SALMON STREET, PORTLAND, OREGON

18 WEST FIFTH ST. KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

306 SAN PABLO AVENUE, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

UNCLE BEN'S COBBLESTONES

Suits the children. Contains 222 pages, beautifully illustrated. Price, 75 cents.

ADDRESS PUBLISHERS OF THIS PAPER

WASHED FROM OUR SINS.

If there is one thing above another which the conscientious soul desires, it is to be free from sin. If there is one thing above another that men have put forth mighty efforts to obtain, it is freedom from sin.

Through all the ages the world has groaned under sin's curse. Through all the ages men have striven in their own strength, have endeavored to purchase cleansing by money, have sacrificed to obtain pardon, have prayed and fasted, and fasted and prayed, till heart and flesh were starved, have worn hair shirts, stones in their shoes, have made long journeys on hands and knees, have separated from human kind, have lashed and wounded and maimed themselves, and in various ingenious ways have tortured the flesh that the sin might be eliminated; but from all these endeavors, these agonies, these self-imposed tasks and self-inflicted sufferings, the seeker has returned heart-heavy and miserable, the sin still with him. There is no cleansing of self in self, save in death and utter extinction.

"Not all the blood of beasts By Jewish altars slain" can wash away a single stain of sin. Nay, more, if man were to give his first-born for the sin of his soul, it avails nothing. The slave of sin can not purchase his own freedom, and "none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him." Ps. 49:7.

Sick with Sin.

Man is not only stained with sin; he is deeply dyed, all through and through. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is desperately sick." Jer. 17:9. The sin is crimson, the iniquity is scarlet; and no chemical of earthly compounding can bleach our souls.

A Cleansing Fountain.

But, dear soul, tho hopeless in ourselves, we are not without hope. There is a Fountain open in Israel for sin and uncleanness, to which the deepest-dyed and vilest sinner can come and wash and be clean.

Not in Vain.

God taught not the prayer in vain, "Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." He did not leave it on record to tantalize us. He did not leave us to hope that we could pray the prayer with assurance, and then listen and leave us unwashed, uncleansed. No, the very prayer is a promise.

More Promises.

But more than this, God has left us these positive promises: "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanseth us from all sin." "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:7, 9.

Not the Mere Outward.

It is no mere outward cleansing that the great Alchemist performs. It is not a mere cleansing of minor sins, leaving the poor soul to work out by some form of penance, some theological formula, the deeper, darker sins. He knows our condition; listen to Him: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah; tho your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; tho they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isa. 1:18. Look upon the pure white wool, as shown in the beautiful, soft white flannel for sale in large stores. Look at the newly-fallen snow, covering the broad landscape, covering the imperfections of old earth in a mantle of lustrous whiteness. Even so shall your sinful self be, if you will yield it to the Master.

How and Why?

Do not ask us how it is done; we do not know, save this: our God is infinite, and "there is nothing too hard" for Him. Then never mind if we do not understand the creative process by which God does the wonderful work. We get men to do a thousand and one things we do not understand. Why not trust God? But we may know, and do know the why. It is because He loves poor sinners, and hates the sin. He longs to separate the two. He longs to do it in you. He knows that sin must inevitably perish; He does not want you to perish with the sin. And, therefore, for love's sake—not that we are lovely, but that He would make us so—He cleanses us from the sin, all sin, if we wish to be free from sin's bondage.

Why not, dear soul, go free in this the very

CHAFF OR WHEAT.

By s.

IN these times when the tendencies of education are so strong toward mythology and "light literature," it is well to give heed to the admonitions of the Lord in reference to the proper food for the spiritual needs of the child. Even periodicals that pose as Christian are often found advising the reading of fiction by the young.

The Lord's instruction to parents is this: "But teach them [that is, teach God's law and the story of His dealings with His people] thy sons, and thy sons' sons." Deut. 4:9, 10. "And ye shall teach them [that is, God's words] your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Deut. 11:19.

Is this narrowness? If so, it is the narrowness of infinite wisdom. There are some things that are better narrow than broad; as, for instance, a leak in a dyke, a break in a dam, or the spaces between the bars of a tiger's cage. It is the very essence of wisdom to be narrow toward evil; it is the sum of foolishness to be narrow toward God. But he who fills his mind with the folly of this or ancient times is broadening toward the evil, and narrowing toward the good. God makes no provision. He sets apart for us no time for the study of the foolish and frivolous things of the age in which we live.

One prominent religious journal recommends for the children a list of books of fiction which it plainly states is composed of books whose contents would be a senseless jumble to the adult mind; but whatever they appear to the healthy adult mind, that is what they are; and the one who places before his child a senseless jumble, instead of that which the Lord has directed, is guilty before God. He is not only starving the intellect of the child, but he is turning the intellect of that child away from the love of God and the love of the truth to the love of the unreal, the unsatisfying, the foolish.

Upon every parent rests a weighty responsibility in this matter; it is not the responsibility of seeing that these channels of folly are led into the home to flood the soul, and drown its longings for God and the good—it is the responsibility of seeing to it that there is a strong barrier set up against any such invasion. The wise parent will give to his child that which is "meat in due season;" for "what is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord."

WHY GOD GAVE HIS SON.

By G.

IN John 3:16 we have the Saviour's own testimony that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The verse following says, "That the world through Him might be saved." Various other scriptures verify these blessed assurances; but it is unnecessary to quote further, as all professed Christians, of whatever name, admit the statements and allow their obvious meaning.

But in Matt. 5:17 the Saviour's statement of His mission is in terms concerning which the agreement is not so general. There He says, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Strange as it may seem, there is a large class of people who maintain that when Christ had fulfilled the law, He put an end to its existence. This preposterous construction of our Lord's plain declaration makes Him to say, in effect, that He did not come to destroy, but to abolish. Such misinterpretation bears its own comment.

As Viewed by the Apostle Paul.

But a most significant presentation of the object of His humiliation is given by the apostle Paul, in Rom. 8:3, 4: "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

This scripture presents a phase of the Father's design in sending His Son which is appreciated by only a small minority of those who profess faith in Christ. The fulfilling of the law by the Saviour while in the likeness of sinful flesh could not have signified its repeal, else there would be no occasion for its fulfilment in us, as is so emphatically stated by Paul. The fulfilling of the law is here given a most prominent position in the matter of salvation.

Additional Significance

attaches to this scripture in the thought that the law is fulfilled only in those "who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." And again, "To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Now we learn from the apostle's reasoning that only those who walk after the Spirit, or are spiritually minded, can have the law fulfilled in them, or, in other words, can keep the law. And this explains the statement in verse 1, that there is "no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit," as also that in verse 8, which says, "they that are in the flesh can not please God." The one class, by virtue of the Spirit of Christ in them, keep the law and please God; and the other class can not keep it, and therefore "can not please God."

Harmony of the Law and the Gospel.

We often hear of preaching the Gospel in the present age, as contrasted with the preaching of the law in the former age; and those who maintain the universal and continual sanctity of the law of the Ten Commandments are accused of ignoring the Gospel. But the declaration of the apostle that God sent His Son "that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us," shows the absurdity of such ideas. The law and Gospel are inseparably connected. The Gospel is the remedy for sin, which is a violation of the law. The Gospel does not supersede the law; its purpose is to restore a universal obedience of the law; and Christ Himself set the example. No one can keep the law who is not in Christ, and no one can be considered as being in Christ who persistently ignores the law; for it is the "carnal mind" that is "not subject to the law of God," and the carnal mind has no legitimate claim to being in Christ. "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the law." Rom. 3:31.

Christ's Vindication of the Law.

The third verse of Romans 8 shows conclusively that Christ was sent for the vindication of the law in a great emergency. There was something that the law could not do, because it was "weak through the flesh." Mark the weak spot; it was only in the flesh that it was weak. There was nothing wrong in the law. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." Ps. 19:7. It is "holy," and "just, and good." Rom. 7:12. And "the doers

of the law shall be justified." Chapter 2:13. Here then was the dilemma: No man can stand before God unless justified, and "the scripture hath concluded all under sin." Gal. 3:22. Altho the law could justify the doer of its requirements, it could not justify the sinner—the violator of its provisions. Rom. 3:20. It is "perfect" as a law; that, and that only, is its purpose. But it is powerless as a Saviour of sinners—those who have transgressed it. The sinner lives after the flesh; the law is weak in the matter of justifying such an one—"weak through the flesh."

Then, in this emergency, God sent His Son, that the sinner might be justified by His grace "for the remission of sins that are past;" and that, through the Spirit of Him who "fulfilled the law," "magnified it," and "made it honorable," the justified person might be enabled to fulfil it also, walking after the Spirit to everlasting life. G.

Liberty from Sin

beginning of 1905? Why not let God make it a year of liberty from the slavery of sin? He desires it; He is able; O, are you willing? What better fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, teachers and pupils, neighbors, men and women, we would be, if we walked in the law of liberty in 1905.

THAT NEW LEAF.

IN many things we are all prodigals. We have taken that with which our Father has endowed us, and have used it for our own purposes. Then, when failure comes, when the frosts of adversity sear and burn the tender shoots of our selfish hopes, we “come to ourselves;” we resolve to “turn over a new leaf.” That is what the prodigal did, when he “came to himself.” He acknowledged his wrong, and, as soon as he did, he began to yearn for the better way. But, in turning over that new leaf, he did not stay where he was. He said, “I will arise, and go to my father.” It was the doing of that that made his turning a success; that brought joy to his father’s heart; that brought him back again into the estate of manhood.

It is right there that so many fail in their good resolutions. They stay right where they were; they forget to go to Father’s house, where there is “bread enough and to spare” to keep their souls from famishing. They depend upon their own efforts right in the enemy’s country, where they met all their disaster. The enemy surrounds them on every side, and soon they are his again. In fact, they remained his so long as they remained away from Father’s house, and they had no strength to resist the powers of his chosen minions.

It does no good to turn over a new leaf unless you go to the Source of power and wisdom for that which will enable you to write on that new page a record that will not shame you at the year’s end and at your life’s end. Feeding husks to swine is no business for the Christian to be engaged in. It is better to be in that place where you can draw from Father’s house that bread of life which is designed to feed the hungry souls of men and women, and will feed your own soul, also.

No matter in what thing we have shown ourselves prodigals in the past, let us arise and go to our Father’s house. He is waiting for us with a heart filled with the most loving tenderness; He will give us glad welcome; He will own us as His; He will keep us from falling, not only through the year, but through all time, and make us children of His household forever. S.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS NOT THE OLD COVENANT.

By G.

A FRIEND has sent us a copy of a so-called "Bible-reading" which a certain minister compiled for the purpose of proving that the law of God was the old covenant that was abolished at the Cross, and that, therefore, the Sabbath of the law was done away. Now any Bible-reading having such an end in view must be a structure of perverted scripture, reared upon a false basis; and, as would naturally be supposed, the one at hand starts out from a false premise, namely, that the Ten Commandments constituted the "old covenant." In support of this fallacy, the first question and answer are as follows:

Question.—What constituted the old covenant?

Answer.—The Ten Commandments. Ex. 34 : 28.

Now this text does not mention the "old" covenant at all. The Ten Commandments are God’s own covenant, which He commanded the people to perform, without any reference to their option in the matter. Deut. 4 : 13. It is again referred to in chapter 9 : 9–11 as "the covenant," and not the "old covenant." This is not a conditional covenant, as was the one to which the people became a party by thrusting in their own worthless promise. It is a covenant commanded, and not an agreement, as the old covenant became through the people’s promise.

The old covenant is very explicitly stated in Ex. 19 : 5, 6. After reminding the people of His great work of deliverance in bringing them out of Egypt, the Lord said: "Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people, for all the earth is Mine, and ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." When Moses carried these words of the Lord to the congregation, "all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do."

This conditional promise of the Lord, and the people’s promise to obey His voice and keep His covenant, constituted the old covenant, or the agreement between the Lord and the people. Thus the old covenant was made before the people had heard the voice of the Lord from the Mount Sinai, or knew what His covenant was which they had covenanted to keep. It was the people’s promise that made the covenant so faulty that it had to be taken out of the way; because they broke their promise to obey God’s voice and keep His covenant commanded, and that, of course broke their covenant with God.

The new covenant is established on "better promises" (Heb. 8 : 6) because the promises are all the Lord’s; the people’s weak, presumptuous promise does not come into it at all. But as proof that the Ten-Commandment law is not the old covenant, we have the fact that it is the condition of the new covenant, just as it was the condition of the old; therefore the law loses none of its force under the new covenant.

Of the new covenant, the prophecy says: "This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put My law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people." Jer. 31 : 33, A. R. V.; Heb. 8 : 10. In the previous verse the Lord says that this new covenant shall not be according to the covenant that He made with the fathers when He brought them out of Egypt, which covenant they broke. Then what is the difference between the two covenants, when both are concerning obedience to the same law? Simply this: The old covenant was made with an unconverted mass of people, and they threw into it their rash promise to obey a law which they did not have at heart. Of course such a covenant must fail, and God realized it at the time; for He said to Moses: "O that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever!" Deut. 5 : 29. But the new covenant is with such individuals as will receive the law in their hearts, and, by faith in God’s promises instead of their own, will be able to keep it always, as He designs. Only such have any covenant relation with God. The old covenant was made with the natural fleshly Israel as a nation, while the new covenant is with the spiritual house of Israel as individuals. It is in keeping with the special Sabbath covenant of Isa. 58 : 13, 14, and includes it, the Sabbath commandment being the seal of the law.

Having thus demonstrated that the leading thought of the "Bible-reading" to which we have alluded is unscriptural, and therefore unsound, it is clear that only by sheer perversion could the Scriptures be made to support it. So it is unnecessary to follow it further. G.

SPIRITUAL GIFTS.

By G.

THAT the gifts of the Spirit are for the benefit of the church to the end of probationary time is indicated in the Scriptures. They were given for a purpose, and that purpose holds as long as the necessity exists. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; . . . one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive [margin, “a multitude of captives”], and gave gifts unto men. . . . And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” Eph. 4:4-13.

From this scripture we learn the purpose of the gifts of the Spirit, and any one can see for himself that the purpose is not yet fulfilled. They are for the “perfecting of the saints.” Are the saints all perfected yet? If not, there is still the necessity for the gifts that were placed in the church for their perfecting. These gifts are “for the work of the ministry.” Is the ministry of to-day so well endowed with power, and wisdom, and righteousness that the help of the Spirit is no longer essential to their work? The gifts are also for the “edifying” of the saints. Have the saints of our time attained to such a high spiritual standing that they need no further edification? To ask this question is but to emphasize their crying need.

The gift of prophecy is especially for the edification of the church. Then this gift could not well be spared while the church stands in so great need of its good offices. So the apostle Paul counsels us to “follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.” 1 Cor. 14:1. To this he adds: “He that prophesieth speaketh unto men for edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all speak with tongues, but rather that ye prophesy; for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.” Verses 3-5.

Furthermore the gifts were bestowed on the church “till we all come in the unity of the faith.” Can we say of the church that we all are in that happy condition? If not, we can not afford to dispense with the only means by which we can attain to such unity. And it would be charging God with folly to suppose that He would withdraw His spiritual gifts before their special object had been accomplished. The only reason why God ever withdraws any of His favors from His people is because of apostasy. So they may know that the only way to regain His favor is to return to Him their allegiance, and when this is done, it is certain that He will restore the gifts by which the desired unity and perfection may be attained. “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

Question Corner

By Editor

1595.—From Babylon to Christ. Matt. 1:17.

Please explain Matt. 1:17. How many years was it from going away into Babylon to Christ? Z. J. M.

The first great captivity of the Jews to Babylon occurred in B.C. 606. Here began the seventy years’ captivity. Jerusalem was destroyed and many taken to Babylon B.C. 586. See 2 Chronicles 36. As Christ was born four years before, the first captivity was 602 years before Christ.

A. D. A

1596.—Who Is the Woman? Eccl. 7: 26-28.

Who is the woman in Eccl. 7: 26? and counting one by one in verse 27? Please explain the whole of verse 28.

A. D. A

It does not seem to be a particular woman, but a woman representing a class. See her character more fully described in Proverbs 7. "Counting one by one," means, as in the Revised Version, "laying one thing to another;" that is, comparing one thing with another. Verse 28 is a charge against the class of women that Solomon met when he was seeking pleasure. He found fewer women of character and worth in his experience than men.

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