Some good instances of remarkable memories are to be gathered from the records of Greece and Rome. Themistocles, a famous Greek general, is said to have known every citizen in Athens. No doubt Otho, the Roman emperor, owed much of his success to a remarkable memory. He learned the name of every soldier and officer in his army, and this, among other things, rendered him so popular that he was at length acclaimed emperor.
Hortensius, the Roman orator, is said to have been able, after sitting a whole day at a public sale, to give an account from memory of all things sold, with the prices and names of the purchasers.
Coming to later times, the following anecdote affords an instance of wonderful powers of memory: An Englishman went to Frederick the Great of Prussia for the express purpose of giving him an exhibition of his powers of recollection. Frederick sent for Voltaire, who was then residing at the Prussian court. At the King's request Voltaire read a long poem which he had just composed. The Englishman was present and was in such a position that he could hear every word of the poem, tho he was concealed from Voltaire's notice. After the reading of the poem Frederick observed to the author that the production could not be an original one, as there was a foreign gentleman present who could recite every word of it, Voltaire listened in amazement to the stranger as he repeated, word for word, the poem which he had been at so much pains in composing, and, giving way to a momentary outbreak of passion, he tore the manuscript in pieces. He was then informed how the Englishman had become acquainted with his poem, and his anger being appeased he was willing to do penance by copying down the work from the second repetition of the stranger, who was able to go through it as before.
As again showing that retentive gifts were not found in the educated alone, there is a notable instance of “Blind Jamie,” who lived some years ago in Stirling. He was a poor, uneducated man and totally blind, yet he could actually repeat after a few minutes’ consideration any verse required, from any part of the Bible, even the obscurest and least important.
An instance of a wager being won by a feat of memory was that of a person who repeated an entire newspaper, advertisements as well, after a single reading.
Another instance of a wager being won by a feat of recollection was that of Mr. Futter, who several years ago was a well-known tithe collector in Norfolk. He wagered that he could recollect every word of a sermon that was to be preached and afterward write it out verbatim. He was not seen to take notes and at the close of the sermon retired to a room and wrote out the sermon. On comparison with the manuscript, which the preacher had been asked to bring for the purpose, it was found to vary in one instance only, where a synonym had been used, but in that Mr. Futter was proved to be correct, for the clergyman had a distinct recollection of substituting one word for the other in his delivery.
When reporting was forbidden in the Houses of Parliament and any one seen to make notes was immediately ejected, the speeches, nevertheless, were published in the public press. It was discovered that one Woodfall used to be present in the gallery during the speeches and, sitting with his head between his hands, actually committed the speeches to memory. They were afterward published.
Lord Macaulay had a marvelous facility for remembering what he read. He once declared that if by accident all the copies of Milton's “Paradise Lost” were destroyed he would be able to write out the whole of this long poem without a single error. In fact, he once performed the marvelous feat of repeating the whole poem, making only one omission.
Charles Dickens, after once walking down a street, could remember the names of all the shopkeepers and their businesses.—London Spare Moments.
HE COULD SAY NO.
By Rev. Charles Garret
A little fellow who had been brought up a staunch teetotaler was about to be apprenticed. The foreman offered him a glass of beer. The little fellow said: “I never touch that stuff.”
“Hallo, youngster,” replied the foreman, “we have no teetotalers here.”
“If you have me, you’ll have one,” returned the boy.
The foreman was irritated, and, holding up the glass of beer, he said: “Now my boy there is only one master here; you’ll either have this inside or outside.”
The little fellow said: “Well, you can please yourself. I brought my clean jacket with me and a good character. You may spoil my jacket, but you can’t spoil my character.”—Rev. Charles Garret.
Lamp Chimneys and the Free Index
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Scripture References
This pamphlet groups the more important references on twenty-four different subjects in a very helpful way. Some of these subjects are; Signs that Show Christ's Coming Near, The Millennium, The Sanctuary, The Sabbath, Spiritualism, The Soul in the Old and New Testaments.
Price 2c each. $1.40 per hundred, post-paid.
ADDRESS PUBLISHERS OF THIS PAPER.
INDIA STILL IN NEED.
By C. B. Ward
[By Rev. C. B. Ward. Bombay Methodist Episcopal Conference.]
A MARVELOUS change in the condition of things has taken place in almost every part of India. There are still some conservative missions that gather in yearly but few, and see not much in prospect. But the missionary movement in all India is faced with multitudes, who have broken with their old faiths, and now beg admission to the Christian fold. The Methodists alone report 100,000 inquirers at the present time, asking to be enrolled as Christians. Formerly the mission sought inquirers; now inquirers seek the mission with an importunity it is difficult to put off.
Divine blessing in the distribution of the work of God in the language of the people, the steady increase in the evangelistic forces in the field, the spread of education, coupled with the severe judgment God has suffered to come upon India in the last few years, have combined to shake the grip of old faiths, and, beyond question, Christianity has come to the front as the hope of the world. In the trying ordeals of famine and plague in the empire, Christianity has come tremendously forward in heroic service and magnificent philanthropy. When plague comes, the Christian grapples with the monster, and, by sanitation and faith, wins and lives. The Hindu and Mohammedan flees from home, or stoically sits down to be carried off to the graveyard.
There has been the progress of a generation in the last ten years. It is impossible for one not on the scene of action to fully appreciate it. With all the marvelous development of missionary and government educational enterprises, still the Christian missions have essentially illiterate masses to deal with. In spite of all that has been done to reach the higher classes and castes of India, by way of reading-book and college, the multitudes at present round the doorway of missions in India are from the utterly illiterate masses. Christian schools, especially those of the more expensive grade, are well filled with caste boys and girls, and a few of the children of well-to-do Christians. But in every prosperous mission in India the converts in numbers are from the illiterate, rural population.
Here lies the condition that constitutes a serious need of missionaries but little anticipated. It is hardly to be expected, even if the advisability were assumed, that the present proportionately large investment of missionaries in educational work (which, while counting some, does not count much in the direction of the present and prospective ingathering) will be abandoned. But it is certain that a tremendous problem is upon the missions of India, to take in hand these incoming hundreds of thousands, rescue them and their children from illiteracy, and make them an intelligent, Bible-reading, Christian people. This must be done, if we ever have a Bible-observing people.
It is not too much to say that the present army of inquirers are not coming from quarters whence many missionaries have expected them. But God is at work in India, as Christian people at home can little appreciate; but this cause for heartfelt praise should be better understood on that side of the sea.
Every successful mission in this land has been undermanned for the last ten years. There has not been an adequate supply of young men coming to take the places of the old men, who, under double burdens, are wearing out prematurely. There is no comparison between the life and work of a pastor at home and that of an active missionary here, who has administration, financial, literary, and other work few men at home ever see, that compels him to work day and night. Let me repeat: No adequate supply for some years has been sent to prepare for the on-coming breakdown or retirement of these old and strong men. It takes ten years to make a strong missionary. Language and experience do not come in a day. Then, while the above is true regarding the old work, what shall we say when we look out upon the literally hundreds of thousands of men and women crowding about the door? Practically little has been done to provide for this new work.
Men are called for with the abilities of generals and statesmen. The older workers will not, can not, supply the working force for the leavening up of these masses. Out of their own numbers men and women by the hundreds must be taken, taught to read, teach, and sing, and preach, and be supervised and led. What a work! There ought to come to India in the next year one thousand missionaries to cope with the emergency God is thrusting upon us. In a large measure the battle must be reshaped. The régime of the past can not be extended to meet the emergency. The present demand is evangelistic, and all machinery must be put out on this line.
There seems to me no prospect that the year to come will see one-quarter of the missionaries needed sent out. It is too great a step for our churches at home, loaded down as they are with a large element whose interest is too largely selfish and worldly. The missionary-spirited people in the home churches are, in the prayer-meetings, a golden minority.
A REMARKABLE INCIDENT.
A MISSIONARY lady in Lucknow, India, was laboring among certain secluded Mohammedan ladies. She was seeking to impress upon their minds that Christ had more power than Mohammed. To do this, she read and commented upon the man who was born blind and that the Saviour healed and forgave his sins, and the blind man was thus led to worship the Saviour. See John 9. She had no thought of conveying to her hearers the idea that the Saviour would restore the blind now, but that He was able to do this, and, consequently, He alone could forgive sins, and to lean upon other support would prove a broken reed.
Present at the interview was a lady who had lost her sight. She could only discern light from darkness, and had been told by eminent physicians that there was no hope for her, only by a very painful operation, and then it was ten chances to one if she would not lose her sight altogether. Her desire for sight was so great that her heart was wrung with anguish at the thought that never again would she be able to see. The missionary took great interest in the case, and manifested much heart sympathy. The next time the object of her sympathy met her, it was with a happy face, having the assurance of her Saviour’s love; her countenance beaming with joy, because her sight had been restored. The following is the substance of the Mohammedan lady’s own story:—
“After you left the other day, I thought I would go to your Jesus and see what He could do for me. I purified a place and made ready, so that at the regular season of prayer [Mohammedans pray five times a day], I told Jesus that the missionary woman had been here, and she had said that He could forgive sins and restore the blind. I told Him that the missionary woman said He was in heaven, but that He looked down and saw us and pitied us and heard us pray just the same as tho He were upon the earth. I then told Him that, as He was not here personally, I would make the clay and put it on my eyes, then I would go and wash and trust that He would heal my eyes. I went and washed and came seeing—my eyes were perfectly restored. Now,” said the woman, whose heart was swelling with gratitude and praise to Him who had not only healed her eyes, but had forgiven her sins, “I shall hereafter believe in your Jesus.”
Are there any who would question the power of God in the conversion of this soul to Jesus Christ? Hundreds of young ladies are needed to enter these secluded homes in India to-day, to administer consolation, not only to such individuals, but to hundreds of thousands of Hindu widows whose lives are made bitter by servitude and oppression growing out of the accursed custom of caste. Are there not here open doors? Who is there who reads these lines that will give himself or herself to God for perishing souls in India?—Divine Life.
FROM LOS ANGELES, CAL.
The following delayed report, written by John F. Blunt, altho pertaining to a work heretofore noted in the SIGNS, is of sufficient interest to warrant its publication even at this late date. It is of date August 19:—
“Evangelistic services have been held nightly in Los Angeles since July 11, when Simpson Auditorium was engaged for the opening meeting. Brother William Ward Simpson has had audiences of nearly 2,000 almost every night, and the utmost interest has been manifested. Since the first night the meetings have been held in the large camp-meeting tent, which was erected near the center of the business district of the city. Brother Simpson took for his subject at the auditorium, “The Binding of Satan,” and during the succeeding course of lectures has developed the most salient doctrines of the Scriptures specially applicable to the present time. The prophecies of Daniel were illustrated with charts and blackboard, and these facilities have added much to the forcible presentation of the truth of the Bible. The church choir has been in attendance and the earnest co-operation of the church-members has been effective. Throughout the course the attitude of the press has been most favorable, frequent notices being published gratuitously, and very satisfactory reports of the lectures have been printed.
“The eagerness with which those unfamiliar with prophecy have accepted the truth has been encouraging. Persons who have not been affiliated with any denomination hitherto, as well as those who have been leading godly lives, have accepted the Sabbath, and more than one hundred are said to have signified their intention hereafter to keep the commandments of God. Such a refreshing revival never before has been experienced in Los Angeles. Many of those who have been stirred by the thrilling presentation of the Scriptures by Brother Simpson have applied for baptism. The ordinance has been received by some, and others are waiting favorable opportunity.
“Hungry for Bible truth and surfeited with modern substitutes for the faith delivered to the saints, hundreds who never attended the services of the church before have shown by their nightly attendance the tremendous interest that has characterized the tent-meetings. The tent was enlarged from 85 feet to 110 feet in length to accommodate the crowd that came, several hundred chairs being rented in addition to those owned by the association. A great amount of literature has been sold and circulated gratuitously, and the collections that have been taken about every other night have been liberal. When the meetings have been protracted until a late hour, nearly all have remained with unabated interest to listen. Quick and hearty response has been given whenever opportunity for assent to the truth has been afforded.
“Catholics and Protestants, Spiritualists, and those who confess no special inclinations in their religious13opinions have been in constant attendance at the meetings. A former Catholic monk and a former Jewish rabbi have been impressed deeply with the teachings. Apparently nothing can withstand the truth, when enforced by the plain “thus saith the Lord.” The impetus given to the cause of present truth in Los Angeles has shown the wisdom of an aggressive campaign, and the brethren here are hoping that evangelistic work will be prosecuted on the same lines elsewhere.”
A BLESSING.
The Lord bless thee!
How shall He bless thee?—
With the gladness that knoweth no decay,
With the riches that can not pass away,
With the sunshine that makes an endless day—
Thus may He bless thee.
And keep thee!
How shall He keep thee?—
With the all-covering shadow of His wings,
With the strong love that guards from evil things,
With the sure power that safe to glory brings—
Thus may He keep thee.
—Selected.
FROM AFRICA.
A letter from Sister Mabel Branch, of Nyasaland Mission, in the South African Missionary, says:—
“We are very glad to hear that Elder Hyatt will visit us soon, for we were quite disappointed when he did not come last year, and I hope he will not disappoint us again. We all enjoy our work here, and realize what a great opportunity we have for doing good.”
“We have representatives here from several different tribes, many of whom are Christians. The Manganja boys come from the villages every day to school, and of course they are of no expense to us. Those that stay here are of the Angoni and Yao tribes, and come from long distances. They work in the corn and cotton fields from 6 A.M. to 10 A.M., and for this work they receive a small allowance, which enables them to buy their clothes and soap.”
“At present we have only thirty-three pupils enrolled, for it is the nature of the native to be always walking from one place to another. As they seldom stop long at one mission, it makes it very bad for all our classes. Just as we are beginning to see some results with an English class, they will nearly all leave, and others take their places, and we must commence at the first again. Thus we never see as much real good accomplished as we would like to see. All missions have this same difficulty, for only a few will stop long enough to be benefited. The branches taught are reading, translating, spelling, writing, arithmetic, and music. We sing a great deal in school and Sabbath-school. This they enjoy very much. I am trying to teach them to sing by note, and, altho it is very slow work, yet we all enjoy it.”
“The corn is nearly all dry now, and it is being gathered in, and stored away. There is plenty of food everywhere this year, and the natives are making lots of beer. We can hear the drums beating at some near village nearly every night, and great crowds of people are passing, carrying their food and drums, going to these dances and beer-drinkings. In the villages on the station we have stopped their drum-beating and dancing; and every Sabbath some of the Christian boys from here go to those villages and hold services, while many of the village boys come here to services, and they listen attentively to all that is said.”
AN African prince, Thomas E. Besolow, says: “I was born heir to a throne. My uncle to-day sits on that throne; but, blessed be God who reigns on high, I have a grander throne. When I look back into that heathen darkness, and think of the pit out of which I was digged, and brought to this marvelous light of the Gospel, to my Christ and my King, I desire nothing else than to work for Him as long as I live.” Such is the testimony of one of Ethiopia’s children. Who, then, will say: “Missions don’t pay;” “The heathen are better off left alone;” “I don’t believe in foreign missions?” Surely none who named the name of Christ or called themselves Christians.—Record of Christian Works.
Our Work and Workers.
At Black Creek, Wis., a church of ten members was organized on the 20th ult., by Brethren H. W. Reed and French.
At the recent camp-meeting at Columbia, Mo., seventeen candidates were baptized. There was a good outside attendance all through the meeting.
Keene Industrial Academy, Keene, Texas.
A LETTER from Brother L. W. Felter notes the addition of six members to the church at Houston, Texas, and the conversion of two persons at Buffalo, in that state.
IN a letter to this office from Cripple Creek, Colo., Brother C. H. Bates mentions the baptism of four candidates, and the decision of four others to keep all the commandments of God.
A REPORT by Brother L. E. Sufficool in the Wisconsin Reporter notes that six have commenced the observance of the Lord’s Sabbath as a result of meetings held at Rhinelander, in that state.
AUGUST 20, a church of twelve members was organized at Bruce, Wis., by Brethren Wm. Covert and J. B. Locken. The brethren of this new company are already planning for a new house of worship.
A GATHERING of brethren and sisters “on the prospective school farm for Southwestern New York” (location not given) is noted in the Indicator. They gathered, canned, and packed 118 quarts of blackberries, and at the close of the meeting four candidates were baptized by Brother H. W. Carr.
FROM Sayville, Long Island, August 29, Brother L. H. Proctor writes: “We commenced tent-meetings at this place about eight weeks ago, with a good attendance most of the time. There was not a Seventh-day Adventist in the place when we came here, but on August 28 I baptized nine adult persons, and others have decided to be baptized in a few days. We have organized a Sabbath-school of thirty members.”
A LETTER from Brother John S. and Sister Lulu Wightman, of Lakeville, N. Y. reports the organization of the church of Avon, with fourteen members. Four others afterward expressed a desire to unite with the body. On the occasion of the organization, the local tent-meeting which these laborers were conducting was attended by thirty-five of our brethren from other churches, and a large number of the town people.
OF the camp-meeting held at Hazel, Ky., last month, Brother H. C. Balsbaugh writes that the attendance was larger than at any former meeting in the conference. Six were baptized. Steps were taken for the immediate erection of buildings for the intermediate school at Hazel. The work of the conference is growing more substantial, the permanent tithe has materially increased, and new laborers have been added to the working force; for which the brethren everywhere will join those of Tennessee River Conference in thanksgiving and rejoicing.
THE workers in Fiji are now rejoicing in the use of the new cutter, which Brother C. H. Parker has had built. It is said to be doing excellent work, enabling the laborers to go from point to point, and from island to island, with a convenience and expedition not heretofore experienced in that needy field. Of the prospect there, Brother Parker says, “The only drawback is the scarcity of laborers.” A letter from Sister Parker to friends in Australia says that a man and his wife from the island Cikobia, twelve miles from them, had come to study for the ministry. This man is a skilled workman in wood, and gave up a good position for the work’s sake. With this family came the son of the chief of Cikobia. This young man is blind. He is taking Bible lessons, has a wonderful memory, and seems consecrated to the Lord’s service.”
WRITING of the midsummer week of prayer in Rarotonga, to the Union Conference Record, Brother G. F. Jones says: “Our brethren here do not seem to have been acquainted with our annual meetings before; however, they were well attended, and strangers came in every evening. We feel sure that the prayers of our brethren elsewhere have been a blessing to us here. Our Maori brethren are in need of your prayers. While often almost defeated in their trials, victory has been given them in the end. They do not possess much silver and gold, and they do not well understand the blessings of giving freely, but we introduced the little envelopes to them, and asked them to listen to what the Lord would tell them to do with them. When the Sabbath meeting came, some of the little children led with their gifts, and soon every one, young and old, was eager to put something in the envelope. There was a fear among them of being left out, so they brought them to the desk. Thus it was fulfilled again, ‘A little child shall lead them.’ How happy they all were as they gave. I had a large pile of envelopes in my hand. They were not heavy with gifts, but they were with principle. God had set a high value on them. The ‘giving’ seed had been sown, and it brought joy among us. The more such meetings we have, the better. Three have recently been baptized here, and we trust the good work will go on.”
GOOD NEWS FROM KEENE.
Referring to our illustration of Keene Industrial Academy, Prof. C. B. Hughes writes that “about seventeen thousand dollars of the academy debt has been paid, leaving about three thousand dollars yet due. All the conferences of the Southwestern Union Conference are now entering upon the closing campaign, and we are hoping soon to be able to sing the jubilee song of freedom from debt.” We are glad to hear that the institution is so near to the standard of “owe no man anything,” as its usefulness and good influence, now so extensively recognized in the Southwest, will thereby be greatly enhanced. We will gladly join in their “song of jubilee,” when the glad day dawns.
WANTED FOR MISSIONARY WORK.
(Always prepay postage.)
LATE, clean copies of any of our denominational periodicals and tracts. Address, E. J. Harvey, Santa Cruz, Cal.
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(1) “Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead, and thou knowest that thy servant did fear Jehovah: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two children to be bondmen. (2) And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me; what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thy handmaid hath not anything in the house, save a pot of oil. (3) Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. (4) And thou shalt go in, and shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and pour out into all those vessels; and thou shalt set aside that which is full. (5) So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons; they brought the vessels to her, and she poured out. (6) And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. (7) Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy sons of the rest.”
Golden Text.—“Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.”Ps. 37:3.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) Who cried unto Elisha? What was the burden of her cry? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) How did the prophet answer the woman's appeal? What did she say of her poverty? Verse 2. Note 2. (3) Then what did Elisha tell the woman to do? Verse 3. Note 3. (4) After gathering all the vessels they could borrow, what was the next duty? Verse 4. (5) In what spirit were all the directions followed? Verse 5. Note 4. (6) When all the vessels were full, what did the mother say to her son? What was his answer? Then what occurred? Verse 6. Note 5. (7) Having done all that had been told her, what did the woman do next? What further direction did the prophet give her? Verse 7. Note 6. Read again the memory verse.
NOTES.
1. The husband of this “certain woman” was formerly a student of one of the schools of the prophets, and therefore was known to the prophet Elisha. In her hour of grief and distress, the woman appeals to this acquaintance, and to the fact that Elisha knew of her husband's piety. This was her claim upon his sympathy, and the ground of her expectation of help. The ancient orientals exercised the prerogative of selling their children when so disposed, and this custom made the children a kind of chattel, subject to attachment and sale for debt. The law of Moses allowed of servitude for debt, but the custom of the heathen was modified by the Mosaic law and limited to a period of six years, or to the time of the jubilee year. The Roman law gave the father absolute authority over his children as long as he lived, no matter what their age or standing; but under the Emperors Diocletian and Maximilian it was greatly modified, and finally it was forbidden that any free person should be reduced to slavery because of debt.
2. Only a pot of oil.—To the people of that country the olive oil is a very important product. Thomson's “The Land and the Book” says: “Almost every kind of dish is cooked in oil, and without oil the good wife is utterly confounded. When the oil fails, the lamp in the dwelling of the poor expires. The supply of soap is from the product of the olive. After the gathering of olives by the owners, the few that are left are gleaned by the very poor, who have no trees of their own, and by industry they gather enough to keep a lamp in their habitation during the dismal nights of winter, and to cook their mess of potage and bitter herbs.”
3. Learning the woman's true condition, the first thing the prophet did was to set her and her sons to work, thus relieving their minds of the fatal idea that there was nothing for them to do. Going actively to work would inspire hope and courage. This command was also a test of their faith.
4. Going into the house and implicitly following the prophet's directions was a further proof of faith in the word of the servant of God.
5. The supply of oil stopped only when the preparation to receive it was exhausted. So it is with spiritual blessings; the Lord pours them out only as there is heart-room to contain them, and the will to make proper use of them.
6. Having obeyed instruction to the letter, the poor woman comes to the man of God for further direction. So, following in the way of perfect obedience, she finds the desire of her heart fully gratified, and a future supply added. Eph. 3:20. God deals with every one according to the measure of faith. “According to your faith be it unto you.” And He always gives good measure.
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly
The Sabbath-school lessons have been discontinued. The Lesson Quarterly may be obtained, containing three months’ lessons and notes, for five cents. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal. The Sunday-school lessons will continue.
We do not have to. We do not have to belong to a church at all in this free land; there is no coercion. But if we do belong to a church, is it not well for that church to keep a record of its members? Surely it would seem as if every one would wish to do that. It is the family record of when each child came into the family, etc. The name of Jesus, the son of Joseph, was doubtless in the records of Israel. When at twelve years of age He became a “son of the law,” His name was doubtless recorded as such in the proper records of the synagogue, to which He belonged. It is a matter of best business prudence and the most effectual church and missionary work to have a record of names of members. What is more important than all else, however, is to have our names in the book of life, as suggested by some of the scriptures above cited.
1568.—Can Water Burn?
Can water be burned? Is there any case of water being burned nowadays? I heard a preacher say there was. W. A.
Yes, water can readily be burned by separating it into its constituent gases, by electricity, or by certain chemicals. Water and quicklime in combination cause tremendous heat. A certain amount of water on a coal fire increases brilliancy and energy. The great Alchemist can easily turn the streams of earth “into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone.” Isa. 34:9.
In Dan. 7:9 what thrones were cast down? Are these thrones the same as the thrones of Rev. 20:4. H. G. M.
The thrones are seats, in God’s council, around about His throne. So the “seats” of the four and twenty elders (Rev. 4:4) are literally “thrones.” In Dan. 7:9 they refer to thrones of judgment, or the investigative council of the Most High. “Were cast down” would be much better “were placed,” were cast down as a rug, or divan, upon which some one sits. Whether the same thrones as those of Rev. 20:4 we do not know; the two scriptures however refer to different times.
1570.—Correspondence School.
Will it pay me to take the correspondence course given by the Berrien Springs faculty?
We do not know. The course given by the faculty of Berrien Springs (Mich.) Training-school we are sure is good; but we do not know whether it would or could pay you or not. It would depend on the way you studied, your purpose in studying, your capacity to study and receive, etc. We can advise only in a general way. The rest depends on you. Write the faculty giving particulars.
1571.—A Matter of Grammar.
In the sentence: “It left him to complete what none but him could have begun,” why does the writer use the last “him.” I can not get the grammatical construction.
In the above sentence “but” is used as a preposition in the sense of “save” or “except.” “Him” is the object of the preposition “but,” and of course must take the objective form. We think, however, that the same thought could be better stated.
1572.—Sign of the Son of Man.
Please explain: “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven;” Matt. 24:30. What is that sign to be? M. M.
When Jesus ascended up on high, “a cloud received Him” out of the sight of His disciples. Then to them the angel said: “This same Jesus, which is taken from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-11. When He comes again it will be in a cloud. Luke 21:27; Rev. 1:7. This cloud, it is reasonable to believe, will be composed of myriads of the angels of God, and will be seen first and recognized by His watching people. To them alone it will be the sign of His immediate coming.
