p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 35. (8/30/1905)

AN EXPERIENCE MEETING.

By Editor

WHAT a blessed thing a good social meeting is, filled with heartfelt, soul-thrilling testimonies on the love of God in Jesus Christ, His saving power, His glorious, ever-unfolding, yet ever-consistent truth. Many such come to the SIGNS continually, but we have not felt that we could give them space. But now we feel that we must do it. God has specially helped some soul; let him tell it. He has wrought a miracle in some one's life; let him recount it to the praise of God. Others have been greatly helped by some book, or song, or article; let them say it to the glory of Him who inspired the helpful message.

We need not say that the testimonies must be short. Long, dry testimonies or experiences will kill any meeting. Let them be from twenty to 200 words, never to exceed the latter. If you have much that you want to say, leave the most of it for future meetings. The leader will have this advantage in the SIGNS social meeting, he can control the length of the testimony. But he does not want to do this; he wants you who testify to make them short, so good and short, that the reader, the hearer, will long for more from the same heart.

We will call this department, "Our Monthly Experience Meeting."

Many of our readers are alone in Christ in their families, in their neighborhoods; here is opportunity for them to talk and listen to others of the like precious faith.

Our first meeting will be held in the SIGNS of October 11. Who will be the first to witness to the praise and goodness of God?

Science Falsely So Called

By Editor

The Sunday law is to be a feature in the affairs of Dallas, Texas. A press despatch of July 15 quotes the sheriff as saying: "From this day on I will enforce the Sunday law to the letter. I mean by this that it will apply to every special form of violation. Baseball games, summer theater, billiard and pool rooms and cigar stores, vegetable venders, and cold-drink stands are all included." At the county attorney's office it was declared that if the sheriff makes arrests the cases will be prosecuted.

Science Falsely So Called.

It is putting God down pretty low to say that He could not consciously produce living creatures by creation, when the same could come by some "accidental chemical action" in a primordial wood or swamp. But that is just what some "scientists" do. And such learning is part of the wisdom dispensed in some of our larger colleges and universities—notably the Chicago University and the University of California. When "grasshoppers" (Isa. 40:22) set up their wisdom against the Word of God, and assume to tell us what the mighty Hand that controls the universe can or can not do, it is time to look elsewhere for knowledge. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do His commandments." Ps. 111:10. "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom." Col. 3:16.

FIRE LOSSES AND LAW EVASIONS.

By Editor

VERY few realize the loss occasioned each year by fire in the United States alone. Each year we see records published of the number of persons killed and injured in railroad accidents; but we seldom, if ever, see a statement of the loss of life and money occasioned by fire. Last year the number of persons who lost their lives by railroad accidents in this country was 6,930. Much was said about this great sacrifice of life; and yet the number who lost their lives in fires during the same time was nearly as great—6,772; and in these fires there was consumed property to the value of $230,000,000. The International Society of State and Municipal Building Commissioners and Inspectors is agitating the question of better laws and better law-enforcement in the matter of building regulations. In this matter, as in many others, the breaking and evasion of the laws already in force go on openly and flagrantly. The secretary of the Society declares that there is scarcely a city in the country, where, if a man have sufficient "influence" with some alderman or other, he may not get "ameliorating concessions" and other exemptions from the building regulations. If he be powerful enough, he can build absolutely regardless of building inspector or by-law. He says: "I have records of case after case where 'special permits' are issued, or where building inspectors are ordered by their superiors, the council, or the mayor, to issue permits, so-and-so, or where, if that official refuses, such special permits are issued over his head." It is but another evidence of "the rule of graft," where principle and safety are sacrificed to greed.

A Plea for Pride.—In the pending peace negotiations between Russia and Japan it is said that Russia is especially solicitous that her national pride be not humiliated. Pride is rather a doubtful quality to be proud of. It is a poor dependence. In the late peace negotiations between the United States and Spain, the monarchy was very desirous to retain her pride, and she was allowed to do so, altho it cost this government $20,000,000—the price paid for the Philippines, or rather for Spain's privilege of conquering the natives. Were it not for national pride, there would not be any wars to speak of; "only by pride cometh contention," and when a defeated nation pleads with the victor that its pride be spared, it would seem to be a plea for a ground of recognition among other nations as a war power. But the Lord has said that "pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall," and so it will be in the end. It is true of nations as of individuals, "Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

Missionary Campaign Bulletin No. 1 has just been issued by the General Conference Campaign Committee. It contains plans and suggestions for the campaign, with a brief outline of the literature to be used and the work to be performed. These are being sent out to those who are expected to lead out in the work in their various fields and localities. A limited number of extra copies are kept on hand, and may be secured by addressing H. H. Hall, Mountain View, Cal., secretary of the committee.