p. 15 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 42. (10/18/1899)

Small Books

By Editor

FOR THE USE OF AGENTS

THE HOLIDAY SEASON will soon be here, and with it will come more than ordinarily a demand for books. We have a large assortment of the kind that not only interest but help to make their readers purer and better. Many of them are sold by subscription, from which the following are selected. Write for descriptive catalog.

A Friend in the Kitchen

136 pages, imitation leather binding, price 60 cents. A cook-book without meat, but with 400 recipes of wholesome and palatable dishes which not only take its place but are far superior.

Christ Our Saviour

160 octavo pages, fully illustrated. Board 50c, cloth 75c, gilt top $1.25. Almost a quarter of a million copies of this excellent little work on the life of Christ for the young have already been sold. Especially good for young lady agents. Prospectus 55 cents.

Coming King

290 pages, fully illustrated. Cloth $1.00, gilt top $1.50 Discusses the prophecies connected with the second advent of Christ. An excellent selling book. Prospectus 60 cents.

Gospel Primer

128 pages, 28 full-page illustrations. Board 25c, Cloth 50c A series of illustrated Bible stories, prefaced by the alphabet and short word-method reading lessons. A half million already sold.

Gospel Reader

192 pages, 22 half-tone engravings. Board 50c, cloth 75c Such Bible incidents are here introduced as will make the study of gospel principles interesting and profitable to the young. A very attractively gotten up volume.

Heralds of the Morning

280 pages, fully illustrated. Cloth, marbled edges, $1.25; cloth, gilt edges, $1.50. An important and intensely interesting treatise on the signs of the times. Notice a few chapter titles: The Prevalence of Crime a Sign of Our Times, The Earth Is Filled with Violence, The Social Vice, The Great Deception, Ye Have Heaped Treasure Together for the Last Days, The Nations Are Angry, Voice of the Elements, Testimony of the Earth, etc. Altho published only last March, it has already had a sale of over 20,000 copies. Agents agree that it is one of the easiest books to handle they have ever found. Prospectus 60 cents.

Sketches of Bible Child Life

144 pages, 22 full-page illustrations. Cloth 50c A series of stories about children mentioned in the Bible.

Story of Redemption

237 pages, fully illustrated. Cloth $1.00; cloth, gilt edges, $1.25. A tracing of the great plan of redemption through Christ, from the time it was unfolded to our first parents to the consummation of all things. 12,000 already sold. Prospectus 60 cents.

Pacific Press Publishing Co.

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 39 Bond St., New York City 18 W. 5th St., Kansas City, Mo.

LESSON VI.—SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1899.

NEHEMIAH'S PRAYER.

Lesson Scripture, Neh. 1:1-11, R.V.

1 "The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. 2 Now it came to pass in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, that Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach; the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the 4 gates thereof are burned with fire. And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days; and I fasted and prayed before the 5 God of heaven, and said, I beseech Thee, O Lord, the God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His command6 ments; let Thine ear now be attentive, and Thine eyes open, that Thou mayest hearken unto the prayer of Thy servant, which I pray before Thee at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel Thy servants, while I confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against Thee; 7 yea, I and my father's house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against Thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which Thou 8 commandedst Thy servant Moses. Remember, I beseech Thee, the word that Thou commandedst Thy servant Moses, saying, If ye trespass, I will scatter you abroad among the 9 peoples; but if ye return unto Me, and keep My commandments and do them, tho your outcasts were in the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to 10 cause My name to dwell there. Now these are Thy servants and Thy people, whom Thou hast redeemed by Thy great 11 power, and by Thy strong hand. O Lord, I beseech Thee, let now Thine ear be attentive to the prayer of Thy servant, and to the prayer of Thy servants, who delight to fear Thy name; and prosper, I pray Thee, Thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. (Now I was cupbearer to the king.)"

Golden Text: "Prosper, I pray Thee, Thy servant this day." Neh. 1:11.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) What is the scope, and time, and place of this lesson? Note 1. (2) Who was Nehemiah? V. 1. Note 2. (3) Who came to him at Shushan? and what questions did Nehemiah ask them? V. 2. (4) What information did they give him? V. 3. (5) How did the news affect Nehemiah? V. 4. Note 3. (6) Whom did he address? V. 5. Note 4. (7) How did he begin his petitions? Vs. 6, 7. Note 5. (8) What did he call to mind? V. 8. (9) How did he plead God's promise? V. 9. (10) How did he recognize God's ownership? V. 10. (11) How and for what did he conclude his petition? Same verse. Note 6.

NOTES.

1. This lesson takes us back from the songs of deliverance to the history which we left in lesson 4. Its scope includes chapter 2, which should be

Little Priced

By Editor

BOOKS

If enough acceptances of the offer made at the bottom of this column are received before November 1, we will publish paper-covered editions of

THE STORY OF PITCAIRN ISLAND

POLITICAL SPEECHES and DEBATES

and send BOTH BOOKS post-paid to subscribers for only 85 cents.

These editions will be limited to the actual number of acceptances received before the above-mentioned time, and the completed books will be ready before the holidays.

.. Description ..

Both volumes are too well known to make an extended description necessary, therefore we only give a very brief notice here, but will send further information if desired. The first title is

THE STORY OF PITCAIRN ISLAND . .

By Rosalind A. Young

in which is given the romantic account of the mutiny on board the English sloop of war "Bounty," and the subsequent adventures of the mutineers. A book of thrilling interest. Contains 266 pages and is well illustrated.

Regular price in cloth, $1.00.

POLITICAL SPEECHES AND DEBATES

Edited by Alonzo T. Jones

This book contains the public speeches and debates of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas from 1854 to 1861, also Lincoln’s great speech at Gettysburg and his second Inaugural Address. The principles over which these giants of the political arena contended are again manifesting themselves, hence it is important that we become intelligent concerning them, and this volume will greatly aid to that end.

Then again, Lincoln’s speeches were always to the point, and afford good examples of effective use of the English language, and are well worthy of study on that account alone.

It contains 555 pages, and the regular price in cloth is $1.75.

If you will sign and return to us the following blank, your name will be placed on file, and you will be informed as soon as a sufficient number of names are received to enable us to publish the books.

A copy of the following form will be accepted if you do not wish to tear this one out.

Acceptance Blank

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY, Oakland, California.

Gentlemen: I hereby accept your offer to send paper-covered copies of "Political Speeches and Debates" and "The Story of Pitcairn Island" for 85 cents, post-paid.

I understand that these books will not be published at this price unless a sufficient number of advance orders are received before Nov. 1, 1899, to enable you to print fair-sized editions.

I also understand that no money is to be sent you until you inform me that the books are ready for delivery. Upon receipt of that information I will forward the 85 cents to you for the same.

Name ....................................................................

Address ................................................................

TO CONTRIBUTORS.

By Editor

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES is a purely missionary enterprise. For this reason it has felt free to ask for contributions from its friends. It pays nothing for contributions, either prose or poetry, unless solicited by the editor, and then the fact is stated when the articles are asked for. This is a plan rarely followed, but sometimes deemed expedient.

Articles Desired.—Those which set forth in the Spirit of Christ the great saving truths of God, short and to the point. It is better to treat one important truth clearly, in a short article, than many points vaguely in a long one. We desire no caustic, critical productions, which might minister to personal pride or pleasure, but can not save souls.

How Prepared.—Write plainly, with typewriter or ink, with wide space between the lines, to freely admit of editing, writing of subheads, etc. Write on one side of the sheet only. Sign the name to the manuscript, as it becomes oftentimes separated from accompanying letter. Anonymous contributions are not used, whatever their merit. If the writer does not wish his name to appear, let him furnish a pseudonym for the public. But we wish the name.

Manuscript Returned.—We will return all unused manuscript desired if stamp and directions are inclosed. We are forced sometimes to return good manuscript mainly for three reasons: (a) Sometimes the articles are too long; (b) sometimes we have a number on the same subject; (c) sometimes our plans are such that an article can not be used till it is out of date. We therefore hope that no offense will be taken by those who have freely contributed their best thought if their productions are returned. When we receive so much matter, we can not use all.

thoroughly read. Its time was December, B.C. 444, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes Longimanus, thirteen years after Ezra went to Jerusalem. The place was Shushan (or Susa, meaning a lily, from the abundance in that vicinity), the chief of the three capitals of Persia. It was situated on a branch of the Tigris River, 200 miles south of Ecbatana, the summer capital, in the mountains, and 250 miles east of Babylon, the third capital. The ruler of Persia was at this time Artaxerxes Longimanus, who reigned from B.C. 465 to 423. He was the son of Xerxes, the Ahasuerus of the book of Esther. He conquered and added Egypt to his realm during his reign.

2. Nehemiah.—The name means “compassion of Jehovah,” the son of Hacaliah, and most probably of the tribe of Judah. From the record we learn that he was a man of wealth and influence. “Cup-bearer” (verse 11) does not imply a menial office, but that of a councilor, a courtier, a statesman, a special friend of the king. His work in Jerusalem showed him to be a man of ability and wisdom. Altho a favorite at court, trusted by the king, with great opportunities for acquiring wealth, surrounded by flattery and wickedness, his heart was loyal to God and His people. He is to be classed among the noble young men of the Bible, such as Joseph and Daniel.

3. I sat down and wept.—Many under such circumstances would have criticized, turned from the Jews in scorn, and apostatized. That is the way it often goes in church work when things go hard. But the one time above all others to try a man’s loyalty and faith is when others are proving traitors and faithless.

4. O Jehovah, etc.—It was a humble petition. He did not regard God as one like himself. He addressed Him with becoming reverence. He was the great God of all power, but He was the covenant-keeping God with His commandment-keeping people.

5. Let Thine ears be attentive.—It is well to take in the scope of the whole prayer. Nehemiah comes to God with assurance, altho he and his people are unworthy. Often we let our sins hide God’s goodness from us. Not so is the way to come. Go to God, knowing that He is merciful; there confess the sin to the merciful God. Nehemiah identifies himself with the people. He excuses no sin. They had broken God’s commandments and statutes and judgments. But he asks God to remember His promises.

6. Prosper.—Nehemiah wanted something; and he asked for it. He desired God to prosper the work. They were God’s children; it was God’s house that was in trouble; therefore he desired God’s prospering hand as he should go before the king. See chapter 2: 1-9 for the answer.

The Winning of Margaret

How Margaret and her skeptical friend Ralph were converted. A well-told story.

Price, $1.00 per 100.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.

New York City Oakland, Cal. Kansas City, Mo.

Instructions for Ordering.

By Editor

1. REMIT by P. O. Money Order, Express Order, or Bank Draft on New York, Chicago, or San Francisco.

2. If paper money or silver is sent, register the letter.

3. Orders and Drafts should be made payable to the PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., or to SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

Postage-stamps.—Please do not send postage-stamps, as they are liable to stick together, and are useless in this condition.

Foreign Money.—Do not send any.

Receipt.—No formal receipt is sent unless by special request. The address label on your paper will indicate the time to which your subscription is paid. In case of non-receipt of papers, or any other irregularity, please notify us immediately.

Expiration of Subscription.—All papers are discontinued at the expiration of the time paid for. Notification will be sent several weeks before date of expiration, thus enabling you to renew in ample time to secure unbroken files. Please be prompt, as we can not always furnish back numbers.

Change of Address.—When ordering change of address, please give both the old and the new address.

Important.—Use a separate sheet for SIGNS orders, separate for other papers, separate for books, for tracts, etc., and if you address the editor, use a separate sheet. All can be sent in one envelope, and the money all sent in one order, but write each kind of business on a separate sheet. In this way each order can be handed to the proper clerk and filled at once.

90% OF AMERICAN WOMEN

wash dishes three times each day. If you are one of these, wear a pair of “Goodyear” Rubber Gloves and always have soft, white hands. Sent by mail, post-paid, on receipt of $1.50. Agents wanted. Address, M. O. Dept., M. F. Reese Supply Co., Setauket, N. Y.

HAVE FAITH IN GOD

★

Presents to the reader the basis upon which true and only acceptable faith is based. It also shows the qualities manifested by those who have such faith. A. G. L. No. 22. 50 cents per 100.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.

New York City Oakland, Cal. Kansas City, Mo.

How Esther Read Her Bible

An excellent tract to impress minds as to what the Bible says in regard to baptism, the Sabbath, state of the dead, destiny of the wicked, and the conversion of the world. A. G. L. No. 7. 50 cents per 100.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.

New York City Oakland, Cal. Kansas City, Mo.

Wonders OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Is a 32-page tract. Its object is to recount and describe some of the principal inventions of this closing century, and to show their significance.

It contains fifteen illustrations. Is an easy seller. Price, 5c each or $2.00 per 100.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal. New York City Kansas City, Mo.

IN THE WORLD'S HARVEST NUMBER

By Editor

Will appear an article from the pen of A. F. Ballenger,—"God's Divine Smelter,"—of which the following is a single paragraph, with accompanying illustration:—

"The heat of the furnace was like the sevenfold-heated furnace of Nebuchadnezzar. Through the great air-shaft there came a mighty, rushing wind, and it fanned the furnace flames into a fury. Tongues of fire darted through the great mass of limestone and coke and iron ore. Men were unloading into this fiery furnace a kind of rock in which they said were gold and silver. I picked up a glittering piece of ore, and thought I saw gold, but the guide said it was pyrites of iron. 'It is not all gold that glitters.'"

PRICE OF THE WORLD'S HARVEST "SIGNS."

By Editor

Remember, single copies, 10 cents; five to twenty copies to one address, 5 cents each; twenty-five copies and upward to one address, 4 cents each. Order early of your tract society, or from this office.

CONTAINED IN THIS NUMBER.

Poetry.

"A Vision of Gethsemane," FRED T. ELKIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Watchman, What of the Night? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Hymn to Michael, THORO HARRIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 A Worker's Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Send Them to Bed with a Kiss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

General.

"Do All to the Glory of God," MRS. E. G. WHITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 The Second Coming of the Lord, FRANCIS M. WILCOX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 "The Powers That Be," ALONZO T. JONES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Man's Primitive and Best Diet, MILTON C. WILCOX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Gain and Godliness According to the Word, A. O. RUSSELL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 The Sabbath and the First Day of the Week in the First Century, G. E. FIFIELD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Faith, SENEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Outlook.—The Church and the Social Problem—Sunday Law in Savannah—The Temporal Power of the Pope—Strife between Capital and Labor, J. W. COLLIE—Rumselling and Sabbath Desecration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 9

Missions.—"Come, for All Things Are Now Ready"—True Missionary Work, W. N. G.—Somebody's Opportunity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 11

The Home.—There Is a Remedy—Corrective Value of Symptoms, DAVID PAULSON, M.D.—Striving to Excel—About Ironing—The Abuse of a Social Custom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 13

International Sabbath-school and Sunday-school Lessons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 15

Publishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

The Building of a Home

By Editor

In our World's Harvest issue there is a splendid article, written by the Rev. J. R. Miller, author of "Silent Times," "Home Making," etc. It is entitled "The Building of a Home." The Home department will be worth the price of the paper.

The World's Harvest Number

By Editor

The World's Harvest number of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES will contain more than a score of articles pertinent to this very time. Surely these are worth one-half cent each. It contains a beautiful song with music by McGranahan, which will wear, and this is worth the price of the paper. It will contain at least three beautiful poems, several Bible-readings, and more than twenty fine illustrations, made expressly for this paper. In all, thirty-six pages. The price per single copy is only 10 cents.

Come unto Me

"Come unto Me" is the invitation of Jesus Christ to every weary, sin-laden soul. It matters not what is your age, or rank, or station, what your office or your wealth, what your color or your race. As Jesus invites all, He will receive all, welcome all. Heed His call, burdened one, and find rest. That rest will not be in idleness; it will not be on "flowery beds of ease." It will be in bearing Christ's yoke; it will be in yoking up with Him. There, and there only, can you find rest in weariness, strength in weakness.

It Means Sacrifice

By Editor

It Means Sacrifice.—Says an esteemed Canadian exchange, "This [the Philippine Islands] is a ripe field for mission work." Yes, it is, but he who enters it must do so willing to sacrifice, willing to endure opposition and persecution, willing to trust in God alone. The Roman Catholics claim the field, and the military government now in vogue, from newspaper reports, seems to favor their claim, and frowns on any attempts of Protestants to enter the field. God will overrule this for good. He wishes men to see that their hope is not in humanity, but in God; and He will give success to every one who enters the Philippines at His command, for the love of souls. But it will mean sacrifice.

Guesses

Guesses.—In speaking of "Higher Criticism," President David Starr Jordan, of Stanford University, honestly remarks:—

"The weakness of this study lies in the demand for results. The investigator deals with probabilities of various grades of certainty. He is subject to the temptation to record his tentative conclusions as truth, and to ascribe to mere, plausible guesses a value they do not possess. In many cases one guess is as good as another, and absolute certainty is not possible."

And that is what many of the conclusions of men are to begin with,—"mere plausible guesses,"—absolutely of no worth. So in geology and other sciences. Some profound investigator puts forth a "plausible guess" as a mere hypothesis, and straightway a crowd of lesser lights herald them to the world as absolute truth. Meanwhile, "the Word of the Lord endureth forever."

What Can They Expect?

By Editor

What can the wealthy, influential people of the country expect of the poor if they themselves show no respect for law? The most notorious law-breakers of the country are the various whisky rings and the great trusts. In the wooded rural districts of the East the most notorious transgressors of the game laws are the wealthy society people from the cities. For instance, a news column before us states that at a place in Maine a wealthy lady was fined $150 for killing partridges out of season; and now people fear that she will boycott the place and help to ruin it. When this age shall end in one great outburst of lawlessness, then many of these influential ones will reap the harvest of their own sowing. More than this: all will reap the harvest of the transgression of God's law.

SATISFIED.

By C. A. Smith

C. A. SMITH.