p. 15 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 38. (9/30/1897)

TRACTS FOR THE HOUR.

B. S. Library, No. 31. The Second Advent.—By James White. This tract shows the manner, object, and nearness of Christ's coming. It is a clear and forcible presentation of the Bible argument on this solemn and important subject. Price, 2 cents.

B. S. Library, No. 36. The Signs of the Times.—This excellent tract has been revised up to date, so that the thrilling events of recent years are noted as evidence that the end of all things is at hand. Price, 1 cent.

B. S. Library, No. 49. Can We Know?—This shows that just before the second coming of Christ we may know that his coming is near. Price, ½ cent.

B. S. Library, No. 50. Is the End Near?—This gives evidence showing that the end of all things is at hand. Price, ½ cent.

B. S. Library, No. 136. The Millennial Age.—By J. H. Durland. The author gives an idea of the contents of this tract in the following words: "Little will be said in regard to the conversion of the world, or the return of the Hebrew people to their own land, but the space will be used rather in giving scriptures that tell us positively when the thousand years begin, the events taking place during that time, and those that mark its close." Sixteen pages. Price, 1 cent.

B. S. Library, No. 143. Truth for the Times.—By G. C. Tenney. Shows that "the great epochs in the history of the work of God have each of them presented to the world some special message of sacred truth." It takes up some of these special messages, and thus makes plain the fact that present truth for this time is the message of Christ's coming. Contains sixteen well-filled pages. Price, 1 cent.

B. S. Library, No. 144. The Eastern Question; What Its Solution Means to All the World. By Alonzo T. Jones. This tract is divided into the following parts: The Seven Trumpets; The Rise of the Turkish Power in Prophecy and History; Fulfilled to the Very Day; The World's Crisis; Daniel's Vision; "At the Time of the End;" The King of the North and His End; When He Comes to His End; The Plagues of God's Wrath, and Need for Watching and Praying. Sixteen pages, 1 cent.

A. G. Library, No. 26. "I Will Come Again."—This blessed assurance given by Christ to his disciples is shown to refer to a literal return to this earth. That this coming is right at hand is also clearly proven. Four pages. Price, ¼ cent.

A. G. Library, No. 40. The Coming of Our Lord.—"We Would See Jesus," and Why Speak of Christ's Coming? are the two sub-titles of this excellent number, and the thoughts which they suggest are treated in a profitable and interesting manner. Price, ½ cent.

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A NEW SABBATH TRACT.

By Editor

Historical Facts and Incidents Relative to the Sunday and the Sabbath.

Ready Sept. 30, 1897.

THERE are many persons who have not time to read long discussions, elaborate essays, and voluminous histories on the growingly important Sabbath question. For the benefit of such we are issuing the above-named tract. It contains over eighty facts, extracts, and references concerning both Sabbath and Sunday, which facts are generally arranged in their chronological order.

An item of especial interest to lovers of old books will be the reproduction of the title-page of one of the books, from which quotations are made, published in 1635.

These citations are perfectly reliable in every respect, and this tract will be a boon to those desiring a Compendium of Sabbath history. It is listed as No. 45 of the Apples of Gold Library; contains 32 pages; price, two cents.

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SAMPLE CHAPTER HEADING FROM

By Editor

THE GOSPEL READER

Carefully written and elegantly illustrated, containing thirty-five chapters, twenty-two half-tone engravings, and one hundred and ninety-two pages.....

THE object of this work is to make prominent the principles inculcated by the Gospel. Such Bible incidents are introduced as will make this study interesting and profitable. The practical lessons to be drawn are clearly pointed out, while all unnecessary details are avoided. Particular attention is given to the work of Christ and his Apostles, the Sixteenth Century Reformation, the Second Reformation, and lastly, the Great Consummation as foretold in the scriptures.

A PROSPECTUS has just been prepared for this book which will be sent postpaid for 50c.

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WHO ARE THE PERFECT ONES?

By W. N. G.

THE church with its scriptural organization (Ephesians 4) and its gifts (1 Corinthians 12) was designed for the "perfecting of the saints." It is God's purpose, then, that the saints shall be perfect, "without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing;" that they shall come into the unity of the faith, and be like the Master. The members enter as disciples, or learners, in the school of Christ, to be sanctified by the Spirit through the truth, and probationary time is allotted for their perfecting. Now who shall say when they have properly graduated? Who is the judge as to whether they are sinless? Shall a Christian be his own judge, and proclaim that he doesn't sin any more? Or shall he continue to humbly examine himself whether he be in the faith, and rejoice with the psalmist that, "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile"?

The sinlessness, or perfection, of the Christian does not consist in his good works, but through his faith in Christ sin is not imputed to him. Therefore the more he trusts in God, and in the counsel of his Word, the more he will feel his own unworthiness and his utter dependence upon the righteousness of Christ. The one who proclaims that he has not sinned for so many months or years, simply proclaims his own righteousness, and that is a condition from which the true disciple desires to be delivered.

W. N. G.

The Practise Still Lives

By Editor

A most excellent, sensible article on "Exercise and Diet" will be found in our paper this week. It is worth more than many doctors' bills, except to the doctors. Read, practise, and be well.

The Practise Still Lives.—It is said that when a theological student asked Henry Ward Beecher what he did if his supply of thought happened to run out, the great preacher answered, "I holler." The practise probably did not originate with Beecher; it certainly survived him. There are still "hollerers." Moral: Do not speak without a message. When it is given, stop.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ.—There are many who are waiting till Christ's second coming for his revelation or disclosure. But God does not want us to wait till that time. Even as he revealed himself in Paul (Gal. 1: 16), so would he reveal himself in every one of us, in order that we might show forth his praises, excellences, virtues, to the world. He would have Christ revealed as far as his people can reveal him to sinful men now; the fulness of his glory will be revealed when he comes and we see "the King in his beauty."

To the Uttermost.—Jesus is able to save to the uttermost all who will come unto God by him. He says so in his Word. Heb. 7: 25. There is no limit to his power to save. The lowest living man has not yet become dead, utterly corrupt physically. But Jesus is able to raise the dead, and did. This is his pledge of saving every sinful soul. Howsoever dark the sins, howsoever black the record of the past life, if you desire to be rid of it and become a new man or woman in Christ Jesus, go to him. He will not turn you away. He will welcome you, heal you, save you, even to the uttermost, if you will let him. Will you not?

Missions to the Klondike.

By Editor

The Presbyterian Board of Home Missions have sent two missionaries to the Klondike country, the Rev. S. Hall Young, of Wooster, O., and the Rev. Geo. A. McEwen, M.D., of St. Louis. The money to send them ($4,000) was promptly furnished by private subscription. The Episcopal Church has also entered the field, and also the Congregationalists and the Roman Catholics.

Foreign Missions.

Are you interested in foreign missions, in saving souls in the darkness of heathenism and superstition? Do you wish to assist in this work in South America, Mexico, Europe, Asia, Africa, or the islands of the sea? Our Foreign Mission Board is located in Philadelphia. The address of the treasurer is W. H. Edwards, 1730 North Fifteenth Street, Philadelphia, Penn. Your money will be used for the field you choose if you have a choice. If you wish to correspond with reference to the work, address the secretary, Elder J. E. Jayne, at the same address.

"Come Up."

God calls us up unto him that we may go down unto the people. His call to his servants is, "Come up to me into the mount, and be there; and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them." Ex. 24: 12. It is not for our own selfish enlightenment or blessing that God calls us to him. He lights our lamp that we may light other lamps. He reveals himself unto us that we may reveal him to others. Keep the heart with God, let the strong hand of faith grasp his throne, but go down and lead others to the same gracious source of all good.

THE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY ASSOCIATION.

By Editor

Owing to the marked interest in the question of religious liberty at points where Sunday laws are being enforced, we desire to put in circulation a liberal amount of religious liberty literature in these localities, particularly in Manitoba.

We are sure that our friends will heartily commend this course, and we therefore kindly invite offerings to further the work. We have decided to withhold the usual annual letter to members in order to save to the work the cost of communication by mail. The expense of individual communication would be sufficient to distribute nearly half a million pages of literature. Will not those whose dues are yet unpaid for the year beginning July 1st last, please make remittance at the earliest opportunity? Contributions from those who are not members will also be thankfully received. Who will render us their co-operation? Some will gladly "remember them that are in bonds as bound with them," and to these the Master will say: "I was in prison, and ye came unto me." "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom."

All paying members of the association receive the quarterly issues of the Religious Liberty Library, together with all extras that may be published. Address all communications to the general office in New York, and make all checks, money orders, etc., payable to the International Religious Liberty Association, 39 Bond Street, New York, N. Y.

A RESULT OF ERRONEOUS TEACHING.

By Editor

The Enquirer of this city gives the following as a fact: "A little East Oakland girl six years old attended Sunday-school for the first time, and heard a young teacher give a glowing description of heaven. A great impression was made upon the child's mind, and for days after she reasoned to herself about it, and finally concluded if heaven were so desirable a place to live in, and people expected to reach it some time, why was it worth while to wait to grow up to be a big woman for death to release one. A short time before a man had been run over by a train and killed near where the little one lived. It occurred to her that that would be a good way to die, so she left home one day without taking her mother into her confidence, for her mother had a way of interfering with her plans occasionally, and deliberately lay down on the track, and waited for the train to come along. She was rescued by a gentleman who was passing. The little girl protested vigorously, explaining that she was going to heaven, and did not want to be detained." If the doctrine of a conscious existence of the soul or spirit separate from the body be true, the child's reasoning was logical, and her conclusion sound and beneficent. But in truth it was cruel, because the basic premise of going to heaven when one dies, on which her conclusion was based, was false. "The dead know not anything." God's people are rewarded not at death, but when Christ comes. Matt. 6: 27. A little properly taught would never commit suicide. God loves life, not death.

It Does Not Prove It.

—An exchange, referring to the meeting of Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration, says:—

"Here Peter, James, and John saw Moses and Elijah, who had been dead many hundreds of years. This absolutely proves that the spirits of deceased persons can make themselves known to living people."

Now this "proves" nothing of the kind. Elijah did not die, but was taken to heaven—translated—without tasting death. See 2 Kings 2: 1, 11. That Moses was raised from the dead is inferred by Jude 9. "The Lord rebuke thee," from the lips of Michael, was sufficient, and the body of Moses returned to life. Therefore it was literally Moses and Elijah on the mount. Jesus glorified represented his second coming. Moses raised from the dead represented the sleeping saints who will be raised at Christ's second coming. And Elijah represented the living righteous who will be translated at Christ's second coming without tasting death. This is what the transfiguration signified. See 2 Peter 1: 16-19.

Appreciative Words.

—The following words from a contributor will speak for themselves. We appreciate the good spirit which prompted them:—

"Among the kind words addressed to contributors in the SIGNS of August 26, there was one sentence that made a deep impression upon my mind. It was this: 'While the editor wishes to encourage all, his first endeavor must be to make the SIGNS OF THE TIMES preach the Gospel of Christ with the best material at hand.' With this noble purpose steadily in view in our work for the Lord, we can safely leave the results in his hands. If he has intrusted to us a thought, and we are not able to express that thought in a way to accomplish the greatest amount of good, he is able to give it to one who can; and thus his work goes on, while from the depths of our hearts we would say, Amen."

Signs of the Times

By Editor

OAKLAND, CAL., SEPTEMBER 30, 1897.

We send no papers from this office to individuals without pay in advance.

When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the "Signs" are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon to pay for them. Please read the papers you may receive, and hand them to your friends to read.

CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.

Editorial.

The Great Sacrifice (notes) . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 2 Taste and See, E. J. W. . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Patriotism and Christianity . . . . . . . . . . 2 Imagining Difficulties, E. J. W. . . . . . . . . 2 A Wrong Conception . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Rev. 20:5, Is It Spurious? . . . . . . . . . . 3

Poetry.

The Comforter, HOPE ONSLOW . . . . . . . . . . 3 Gathered Gems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 So He Bringeth Them . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 The Language of Christ . . . . . . . . . . . 11 How Sweet, MRS. MELISSA BARTON . . . . . . . . 11

General Articles.

Exercise and Diet, MRS. E. G. WHITE . . . . . . 3 Faith a Seed, MARSHALL M. SMITH . . . . . . . . 4 The Sabbath "Saying of Jesus" . . . . . . . . . 4 The Lamb of God, M. E. K. . . . . . . . . . . 5 Spiritual Declension, Why Is It? C. M. SNOW . . . 6 The Evangelists and the Sabbath, W. L. ILES . . . 7 Holy Things, W. N. G. . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 A Step at a Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Each Moment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Bible Readings.

Christ's Second Appearing (Signs of His Coming) . . 8

The Outlook.—The Young People and Christian Citizenship—The Tendency of the Federal Judiciary, W. N. G.—Summer Religion—The Zionist Restoration—The Striking Coal Miners—No Help to Snuff or Pope—How Checked?—A Significant Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

The Fireside.—Never Indorse—Baby Peary—An Expensive Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 11

Missions.—From Northern Africa—Our Work and Workers 11

International Sabbath-School Lesson.—The Persecutor Converted (Sabbath, Lesson 3, October 16, 1897) . . . 12

International Sunday-School Lesson.—Paul before the Roman Governor (Sunday, Lesson 3, October 17, 1897) . . 12

News and Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Publishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 15

Ptah-meri-en hetep her (māt.) (Meneptah I.)