The loftiest solid monument of stone in the world is the famous Washington monument, 555 ft. 5⅛ in. high. It was erected as a memorial to the “Father of his country.” The names of forty States and many societies which supplied a share of the money to pay for this mighty obelisk, are inscribed on special stones on the inside of the great marble shaft—pure white marble without, granite within. It is tipped with a pyramid of pure aluminum on which is inscribed the Latin words—“Laus Deo,” Praise to God.
Washington himself is said to have selected the site afterward adopted. The corner-stone was laid in 1848. In 1855 the shaft had attained a height of 152 ft. Then, the funds having been exhausted, the construction was suspended for 23 years and was resumed in 1878. The finished monument was dedicated February 21, 1885, and its total cost was $1,300,000.
As I have looked upon this monument to human greatness, the highest stone monument in the world, and have considered the ascription of “Praise to God,” that so fittingly crowns the summit—an inscription invisible from below, seen only from heaven above—I have thought that a vastly higher monument must be erected in the capital city—on whose summit the same motto shall be inscribed, a monument that shall stand for an infinitely greater government than the United States, for a Master Builder, a Ruler, incomparably wiser and greater than the revered “Father of his country.” This Kingdom for which we are ambassadors is vastly greater than the government of the United States. Our modest, quiet church, for which an appeal was made in the SIGNS of February 4, stands for that which is immeasurably greater and higher than that for which that towering marble memorial stands. Has the SIGNS asked too much for the capital city, when the appeal has been sent out for means to establish a memorial church here? Should not this work be established yet even more strongly by planting here our representative institutions? I can not believe that the Lord’s work will wait for years, as the Washington monument waited, for funds with which to build.
A monument, a memorial, built of the enduring materials—faith, prayer, labor, sacrifice, love—will tower into the very heavens and will last in its results through all eternity. J. S. WASHBURN.
1728 14th St., N. W. Washington, D. C.
LIST OF DONATIONS TO WASHINGTON, D. C., CHURCH, MARCH 1.
Before acknowledged
$48.57
Napa Church
5.43
J. Bowers
2.50
Mrs. C. Vaughan
2.50
Mrs. P. J. Campbell
2.50
S. Switzer
1.00
Mrs. H. F. Parke
1.00
Sr. Dore
2.00
R. U. Haseltine
.25
H. L. Dye
1.50
Mrs. H. Westphall
1.00
A. M. Davis
3.00
Mrs. Wm. Ploeger
.65
Mrs. A. Lawson
.25
Mrs. M. C. Whitney
1.00
H. P. Cartwright
2.00
Oakland Church
2.00
J. G. Hunter
2.00
A friend
2.50
Mrs. McBain
5.00
Mrs. M. J. McNally
1.00
L. H. Collier
3.50
W. H. O’Bannon
1.25
Guerneville Church
5.25
Mrs. Patterson
.25
A friend
1.00
Roy Cottrell
2.00
Sallie Cain
1.00
Valencia St. Church
3.10
Margaret Osterhout
2.00
M. M. Jordan
1.00
Mrs. C. M. Hansen
1.00
Total
$111.50
PUBLICATIONS WANTED.
SIGNS for missionary work in and around Chicago. Address R. E. Burke, city evangelist, 15200 Turlington Avenue, Harvey, Ill.
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The Sunday School
LESSON 13.—MARCH 29.—REVIEW.
Golden Text.—“Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matt. 28:20.
NOTE.—The review covers Paul’s first, second, and third missionary journeys. Let the teacher trace these journeys on the map, calling attention to the progress of the Gospel during these years, and noting the extent of territory reached, the churches founded, and the obstacles overcome.
LESSON 1.—Paul and Silas at Philippi. Acts 16:22-34. Golden Text: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.
LESSON 2.—Christian Living. Phil. 4:1-13. Golden Text: “Rejoice in the Lord alway.” Phil. 4:4.
LESSON 3.—Paul at Thessalonica and Berea. Acts 17:1-12. Golden Text: “Thy Word is a lamp to my feet.” Ps. 119:105.
LESSON 4.—Paul’s counsel to the Thessalonians. 1 Thess. 5:14-28. Golden Text: “Hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thess. 5:21.
LESSON 5.—Paul at Athens. Acts 17:22-34. Golden Text: “He preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.” Acts 17:18.
LESSON 6.—The church at Corinth. Acts 18:1-11. Golden Text: “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 3:11.
LESSON 7.—Christian self-control. 1 Cor. 8:4-13. Golden Text: “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace.” Rom. 14:19.
LESSON 8.—Christian love. 1 Cor. 13:1-13. Golden Text: “Now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Cor. 13:13.
LESSON 9.—Paul and Apollos. Acts 18:24-19:6. Golden Text: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him.” Luke 11:13.
LESSON 10.—Paul at Ephesus. Acts 19:13-20. Golden Text: “The name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.” Acts 19:17.
LESSON 11.—The riot at Ephesus. Acts 19:29-40. Golden Text: “The Lord preserveth the faithful.” Ps. 31:23.
LESSON 12.—Paul’s message to the Ephesians. Eph. 2:1-10. Golden Text: “By grace are ye saved through faith.” Eph. 2:8.
LESSON 1.—APRIL 4, 1903.—THE FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH.
NOTE.—The Scripture text printed in these lessons is from the Standard American Edition of the Revised Version, published by Thomas Nelson & Sons, New York, which firm publishes the only editions authorized by the American Committee of Revision.
(1) “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.”
(1) “Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews; (2) and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, (3) opening and alleging that it behooved the Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom, said he, I proclaim unto you, is the Christ. (4) And some of them were persuaded, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. (5) But the Jews, being moved with jealousy, took unto them certain vile fellows of the rabble, and gathered a crowd, set the city on an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them forth to the people. (6) And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; (7) whom Jason hath received: and these all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. (8) And they troubled the multitude and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. (9) And when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
(10) “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who when they were come thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.”
QUESTIONS.
What was probably the earliest epistle written by the apostle Paul? Note 1.
Whom does he associate with him? 1 Thess. 1:1. Note 2.
What record have we of Paul’s first visit to Thessalonica? Acts 17:1. Note 3.
What did they find of special interest in that city?
What course did the apostle take? Verse 2.
What was the burden of his preaching? Verse 3. Note 4.
How were some of the Jews affected?
What did they do? What other class did the Gospel reach? Verse 4.
How did the apostle’s success affect the Jews generally? Whom did these Jews choose? What did they do? How did their actions affect the city? Verse 5.
Whose house did they assault? and for what purpose?
Disappointed at not finding Paul and Silas, what did they do? What cry of alarm did they raise? Verse 6.
What charge did they bring against Jason? Of what did they accuse the believers? Verse 7.
How were the people and rulers affected? Verse 8. Note 5.
What did the rulers do? Verse 9.
What did the brethren do? Verse 10.
NOTES.
1. It is generally agreed that the earliest epistle written by the apostle Paul was the first, to the Thessalonians, about A. D. 52, the second epistle from one to two years later. The burden of the first epistle is the reception and power of the Gospel message, the second coming of Christ, and the necessity of holiness and watchfulness. In the second epistle the apostle corrects wrong views obtained regarding the time of Christ’s coming, foretells the great apostasy, and exhorts to practical godliness. Both epistles are eminently present truth to the people of God now. In the study of the lessons, above all things else study the epistle, and receive it, as it is in truth the Word of the Lord.
2. “Silvanus” is identical with Silas, a shorter form of the same word. He was a leading man and prophet in the church in Jerusalem (Acts 15:22, 23), his name indicating that he was a Grecian Jew. He was chosen by the apostles to accompany Paul, to bear the message of the first council to the churches. Acts 15. Afterwards he labored with Paul, and was with him in some of his greatest trials. After Paul’s imprisonment, he seems to have joined Peter. Timothy’s father was a Greek, and his mother a Jewess of Lystra. He was converted under Paul’s preaching, and proved a faithful soldier of God.
3. Thessalonica was an important city of Macedonia. It was named after Alexander’s sister by Cassander, her husband. In Paul’s time it was a free city of the Romans, the capital of one of the four Roman divisions of Macedonia. Like other ancient cities, it was full of idolatry. It is now known by the abbreviated name Salonika. Its commerce is extensive with many nations. The population is about 80,000, of whom 30,000 are Jews, and 10,000 Greeks. It contains many churches and schools of different denominations, and ought to be a good missionary center.
4. The burden of Paul’s preaching always was what is ever the only remedy for man’s great need,—Jesus Christ crucified and risen.
5. The word “rulers” is in the original “politarchs,” not elsewhere found in the New Testament; but the word is found on the ruins of a triumphal arch in the city, and the names of seven politarchs given, an undesigned coincidence witnessing to the truth of the epistle.
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Lessons from the Early Chapters of Genesis
Adam's Descendants and the Garden of Eden are great puzzles to both “higher” and “lower” critics. The first class, of course, do not believe the Bible. What is not in harmony with their reason or knowledge they treat as mythical, legendary, or allegorical. The second class forget that God has not given the record to satisfy man's curiosity, or to explain minute, unessential details. Whole generations and centuries are swept sometimes by a single sentence, all detail covered by one great fact. Nearly two thousand years are covered from that first week of Genesis I to the Flood in four short chapters, three of which relate almost exclusively to the first pair and their first three children; and much, very much, of detail is omitted. One correspondent sends a letter designed to prove that all five races originated at the beginning, but there is absolutely no evidence that the race was other than was Adam till after the Flood. What God designs that we shall get from those first chapters is the great moral lesson they teach. This lesson includes (1) God's creative power and goodness in calling the earth from chaos and darkness to cosmos and light, and fitting it for the home of man; and hence God's power to take man from the chaos and darkness of sin and death to the order and light of the Gospel of Christ; (2) God's wisdom in making one man the head of the race, and so teaching the divine principles of fatherhood and brotherhood; (3) the evils of sin, of inharmony with God, meaning ultimate separation, if persisted in; (4) God's goodness in giving man hope and help in his sinful condition; (5) the two great types of faith and unbelief, in Cain and Abel, and the fruit of each. Study these and other great moral lessons of Genesis, chapters 1 to 5, and be profited.
Yes, They Are Easy.
—A friend sends us a clipping from the Free Methodist, of Chicago, entitled, “Easy Questions for Immersionists to Answer.” Here are the first four, fair samples of all the rest:—
Where do we read that we must be baptized by immersion?
In what part of the Bible do we find that Jesus was baptized by immersion?
Where does it say that Jesus was baptized for an example for us?
What right have you to say that John baptized by immersion?
Now the simple fact is that baptize is a Greek word transferred to our language, but not translated. It has come to mean by usage a so-called Christian rite performed in several different ways. But that is not the meaning of the Greek word baptizo. The meaning of the Greek word is to immerse, whelm. It would be tautological nonsense, were it not for the derived meaning of the word,—a meaning which has no place in Scripture,—to speak of baptism by immersion. There is no other baptism. One might as well speak of baptism by baptism, or immersion by immersion. Baptism is immersion, and immersion is baptism. That is what the word means. All meaning apart from this is derived meaning, and is a perversion of the word and the rite. When Peter said, “Metanoēsate,” he meant “repent;” and when he said, “baptisthēto,” he as truly meant “be immersed.” If we would take the words of the Bible for what they mean, we would not have to guess so much about their “interpretation.” There is a word used in the New Testament, rhantizo, meaning to sprinkle. The Lord might have used that instead of baptizo, but He did not. “Repent and be sprinkled” would sound strange, even to a pedo-Baptist. “Repent and be immersed” it would be, if the Greek were translated. And, by the way, the American Standard Revised Version renders baptized “in water,” instead of “with water;” and there was no immersionist on the committee.
The Lincoln and Beecher Story
A few weeks since we published an article from the Sunday School Times, entitled, “When Lincoln and Beecher Prayed Together,” by Samuel Scoville, Jr. The Christian Advocate of February 12 reviews the article at some length, and, while attributing no motive to deceive on the part of the writer, shows conclusively that such an interview was highly improbable, and publishes a statement from Mr. Lincoln’s private secretary, William O. Stoddard, to show that it would have been absolutely impossible for Mr. Lincoln to have absented himself from Washington for six hours or hardly one hour, day or night, without at least one of six persons knowing it, and that any one of these would have told the others. Mr. Stoddard closes: “The story is incredible, impossible.” Surely, there is some mistake somewhere, and it looks as tho Mr. Scoville was in the mistake. This is a good illustration of the fallibility of human documents.
The Deluge of Noah’s Time
The Deluge of Noah's Time is another great difficulty. Here, again, the “higher critics” treat it as a mythical legend; and the “lower critics” concede it, but say that it must be local, prevailing in the Euphrates Valley, where some seem to think is the proper place for the Garden of Eden. (Others place it at the North Pole.) And yet the obvious, evident record of Genesis 6 declares that the whole earth was covered; that “all flesh, wherein is the breath of life” was destroyed; that, not alone were the windows of heaven opened, but that “the fountains of the great deep” were broken up, continents sank and rose, “the mountains rose, the valleys sank down” (Ps. 104:8, A. R. V.); that “all the high mountains that were under the whole heaven were covered;” fifteen cubits upward above the mountains the waters prevailed, and all animal life that was upon the face of the earth perished. This, and much more, are we told by the record of the Bible, and the traditions of widely separate tribes and peoples all over the earth confirm the story. But this does not necessarily mean that the waters were five miles high, above Mt. Everest of the Himalayas. Evidence all goes to show that the conformation of the earth was vastly different before the great cataclysm of the Flood. There was much more land surface, and much less water surface before the Flood. Much or all of the land sank; ridges of land became ocean valleys; ocean beds became chains of mountains. In the words of an apostle: “For this they wilfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth compacted out of water and amidst water, by the word of God; by which means the world [the cosmos, the arrangement, the order, shape, formation] that then was, being overflowed with water, perished,” and the antediluvian world is set in contrast to the conditions “that now are.” 2 Peter 3: 5-7. How futile, then, in the light of these facts, to attempt to locate the Garden of Eden, or any other pre-diluvian geographical point. The Deluge stands forth as a great fact of inspired history and tradition, even of the unlettered tribes of earth, to demonstrate that He who could make a world could unmake it; and that amidst the mightiest cataclysms of earth there is salvation for God's people.
The Chain-Letter Scheme.
A brother writes us from Armona, Cal., asking us what to do with a chain-letter. He received it, saw no harm in it, and sent it on. The one to whom he sent it returned it, and now he does not know what to do with it. It will cost $9.16 to return the chain-letter to the originator, besides all the cost of paper and postage. Now, what shall he do?—Let it drop right there. Unless postage, at least, is enclosed, no one in this world is placed under obligation to reply to, or to write, a letter, simply because he is asked to write. There are business letters, friendly letters, and letters involving mutual obligations, which demand reply; but no chain-letter that we have ever seen demands the writing of any other letter, unless mayhap, a good missionary letter to the one from whom you received it. This chain-letter in question, “No. 458,” is a harmless sort of one; it is a request that the individual will pray earnestly, and ask some one else to, that God will abundantly bless all efforts of missionaries, and raise up more missionaries, and that the chain of prayer may not be broken. Now, all this is good enough, but effectual prayer does not come in that way. Every true Christian is burdened for some other person or persons. If he labors as the Spirit moves, his burden will grow. God will give him travail of soul for others’ birth. But if he is not where God can impress his heart, we have no faith in his chain-letter promises, or any other mechanical means.
Communion with God in Solitude
Take some time each day to commune with God; to meditate upon the things of God; upon what He has done for you; upon what He has promised that He would do. To do this satisfactorily, one must be familiar with God's revelation of Himself in the written Word and in the life of Christ. An hour of solitude is far from misspent time, if in it one has been holding converse with his Maker. Such solitude spent in earnest, sincere prayer will do more for us than any amount of theological training without it. In such solitude we are not solitary; we are in the audience-chamber of God. His ear is open to our pleadings, and the fountain of wisdom and consolation is open to our needs. It is our blessed privilege to enter that chamber when we will, and learn there the meaning of much that may be mysterious and uncertain to us now. We can make our times of solitude rich with blessings if we will.
There Is No Truth in It.
By Editor
Several years ago there were committed in a Baptist Church in San Francisco the horrible murders of two young women. Theodore Durant was tried for one of these murders, found guilty, and executed according to law. No well-grounded suspicion pointed to any other party or parties as being implicated with him. Notwithstanding all this, reports have been persistently circulated in the East, stating that the pastor of that church, Dr. Gibson, has since confessed to the crime. This, we believe, is the fourth time the Signs has denied this, in response to questions from correspondents. Mr. Gibson has made no such confession, and is still pastor of that church. It is about time that the falsehood died.
