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Signs of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 25.

GOD'S KEEPING POWER
Earlier text: CHRISTIANITY IN JAPAN

PARENTS, TEACHERS

By Editor

YOU WISH A HELPER, one which comes fresh and new and full every week. We wish to furnish such a helper to both parents and teachers in OUR LITTLE FRIEND for 1902-3.
We wish to make the good paper better; to make it an educator in the best sense.
In the year to come it will contain articles and lessons on the following subjects:—
Helping Mother in Many Ways
How to Build Up and Keep Strong, Healthy Bodies, or some lessons on Physiology and Hygiene
Homes without Hands: How Insects and Animals of various kinds build their homes
Birds, common and of the Bible
Animals of the Bible
Common Things, such as Salt, Sugar, Bread, Air, Water, etc.
These, and other articles, poems, and illustrations, will make Our Little Friend, we hope, the best paper on earth for children.
Price, Fifty Cents a Year New Volume Commences July 1
ADDRESS, OUR LITTLE FRIEND, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

OLD AGE MADE BEAUTIFUL.

MANY persons have a great dread of growing old. But old age is not necessarily unhappy. A contemporary remarks:—
You sometimes see a woman whose old age is as exquisite as was the perfect bloom of her youth. You wonder how it is her life has been a long and happy one. Here are some of the reasons:—
She knew how to forget disagreeable things.
She kept her nerves well in hand, and inflicted them on no one.
She mastered the art of saying pleasant things.
She did not expect too much from her friends.
She made whatever work came to her congenial.
She retained her illusions, and did not believe all the world wicked and unkind.
She relieved the miserable and sympathized with the sorrowful.
She never forgot that kind words and a smile cost nothing; but are priceless treasures to the discouraged.
She did by others as she would be done by; and now that old age has come to her, and there is a halo of white hair about her head, she is loved and considered. This is the secret of a long life and a happy one.

BEECHER AND HIS TEACHER.

Henry Ward Beecher certainly owed a debt of gratitude to his teacher in mathematics, says an exchange, not only for the knowledge acquired through his tuition, but for lessons tending to produce strength of character. He tells this story to illustrate the teacher’s method:—
I was sent to the blackboard, and went, uncertain, soft, full of whimpering.
“That lesson must be learned,” said the teacher in a very quiet tone, but with terrible intensity. All explanations and excuses he trod under foot with utter scornfulness. “I want that problem; I don’t want any reasons why I don’t get it,” he would say.
“I did study it two hours.”
“That’s nothing to me. I want the lesson. You need not study it at all, or you may study it ten hours, just suit yourself. I want the lesson.”
“It was tough for a green boy,” says Beecher, “but it seasoned me. In less than a month I had the most intense sense of intellectual independence and courage to defend my recitations. His cold and calm voice would fall upon me in the midst of a demonstration, ‘No!’
“I hesitated, and then went back to the beginning, and on reaching the same spot again, ‘No!’ uttered with the tone of conviction, barred my progress.
“‘The next,’ and I sat down in red confusion.
“‘He, too, was stopped with ‘No!’ but went right on, finished, and sat down, and was rewarded with, ‘Very well.’
“‘Why,’ whimpered I, ‘I recited just as well as he did, and you said ‘No!’”
“‘Why don’t you say, Yes! and stick to it? It is not enough to know your lesson. You must know that you know it. You have learned nothing till you are sure. If all the world says, No! your business is to say Yes, and prove it.’”

BE ALIVE.

If you expect to accomplish anything in the world, you must be alive,—very much alive,—alive all over. Some people seem half dormant. They impress you as partial possibilities,—as people who have discovered only a small part of the continent within themselves. Most of it remains undeveloped territory.
A man who does things is one who is alive to the very tips of his fingers. He is alert, always on the watch for opportunities. He does not give idleness time to dissipate him. He fights against that common malady known as a “tired feeling,” and conquers it.
Many a man is wondering why he does not succeed, while his desk, at which he sits, tells the story of his life, and shows the limitations of his capability. The scattered papers, the unfiled letters, the disorderly drawers, the dust in the pigeonholes, the layers of newspapers, of letters, of manuscripts, of pamphlets, of empty envelopes, of slips of paper, are all telltales.
If I were to hire a clerk, I would ask no better recommendation than would be afforded by the condition of his desk, or table, or room, or work-bench, or counter, or books. We are all surrounded by telltales which are constantly proclaiming the stories of our lives, cover them up as we will. Our manner, our gait, our conversation, the glance of the eye, the carriage of the body, every garment we wear, our collars, neckties and cuffs, are all telling our life-stories to the world.
We wonder why we do not get on faster, but these tiny biographers often tell the secret of our poverty, our limitations, our inferior position.—Success.

LESSON I.—JULY 5.—THE GOSPEL MESSAGE FOR ALL THE WORLD.

NOTE.—This series of lessons is entitled, “Studies on the Gospel Message.” For Introduction and excellent suggestions as to their study, we refer the student to the Lesson Quarterly.
(See article “Blessed that We May Bless.”)
THE time between the promises to Abraham (Gen. 12: 1-3) and the birth of the Messiah is divided into three periods (Matt. 1: 17), each one of which is marked off by experiences which are pivotal in the history of Israel. We have already given some study to the promises to Abraham and to David in our previous lessons, and we shall now deal with some of the circumstances which led up to the captivity in Babylon.
Special blessings were given to Israel (Rom. 9: 4) that they might minister them to all nations (Ps. 67: 1, 2). If they were faithful to their high privilege, they would rule over the nations (Deut. 15: 5, 6). Unfaithfulness to their trust would make them subject to the nations. Deut. 28: 15, 37. This is the explanation of the varying experiences of victory and defeat in the history of God’s people among the nations, and of their captivity in Babylon. The experience of Hezekiah will illustrate the principle. Brought face to face with death (Isa. 38: 1), he turned to God with weeping (verse 3), and the Gospel of life was declared to him by the prophet Isaiah (verses 4, 5). The sign of his salvation from death (verses 7, 8) was God’s method of arousing Babylon to send to Jerusalem to inquire for the Gospel of life (2 Chron. 32: 31; Isa. 39: 1). But Hezekiah exalted himself instead of proclaiming the gift of God’s life to him. Isa. 39: 2-4. This failure to improve the opportunity to spread a knowledge of the God who manifests Himself in flesh made communion with Babylon a curse instead of a blessing (2 Chron. 32: 25), and was the occasion of a direct prophecy of the captivity (Isa. 39: 6, 7).

QUESTIONS.

1. Into how many periods is the time from Abraham to Christ divided by the divine historian? How long was each one? What events marked the beginning and close of each?
2. What special privileges were granted to Israel?
3. What was God’s purpose in thus letting special light shine upon His people?
4. What result would follow when they acted in harmony with God’s plan?
5. What would be the result of failure to receive and impart the light of truth?
6. What message was sent to Hezekiah in his sickness?
7. What plea did he present to the Lord? What showed his earnestness?
8. What comforting response did the Lord make to him? What new measure of life was granted unto him?
9. For what purpose was a sign promised unto him?
10. What was the promised sign? Did it actually take place?
11. How was this sign regarded in Babylon? Why would they be sure to regard such an astronomical marvel?
12. What did the king of Babylon hear was connected with this sign?
13. What did he do as a consequence of hearing this news?
14. After what were the messengers from Babylon really inquiring? What did Hezekiah show them? In taking this course, what did he really do?
15. What inquiry did Isaiah then make of Hezekiah? What was the reply? What was Isaiah’s next question? What was Hezekiah’s answer?
16. What was the cause of Hezekiah’s failure to teach the Gospel of life to the men of Babylon? What was the consequence?
17. What prophecy was uttered concerning the treasures in Jerusalem? What would happen to some of the royal seed?

Eggs for Hatching

By C. H. Tyrrell

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C. H. TYRRELL, Sioux Rapids, Iowa

Take a Tourist Car

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Folder giving full information furnished on request by any Santa Fe Agent.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

INTERNATIONAL SERIES

LESSON 13.—JUNE 29.—REVIEW.

Golden Text.— “A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.” Luke 2:32.
Lesson 1. Saul of Tarsus Converted. Acts 9:1-20. Golden Text: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” Acts 3:19.
Lesson 2. Peter, Aeneas, and Dorcas. Acts 9:31-43. Golden Text: “Jesus Christ maketh thee whole.” Acts 9:34.
Lesson 3. Peter and Cornelius. Acts 10:34-48. Golden Text: “God is no respecter of persons.” Acts 10:34.
Lesson 4. Gentiles Received into the Church. Acts 11:1-18. Golden Text: “Whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43.
Lesson 5. The Church at Antioch in Syria. Acts 11:19-30. Golden Text: “The hand of the Lord was with them; and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” Acts 11:21.
Lesson 6. Peter Delivered from Prison. Acts 12:1-17. Golden Text: “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.” Ps. 34:7.
Lesson 7. Early Christian Missionaries. Acts 13:1-12. Golden Text: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.” Matt. 28:19.
Lesson 8. Paul at Antioch in Pisidia. Acts 13:43-52. Golden Text: “Through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.” Acts 13:38.
Lesson 9. Paul at Lystra. Acts 14:8-22. Golden Text: “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Tim. 2:3.
Lesson 10. The Council at Jerusalem. Acts 15:22-33. Golden Text: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” Gal. 5:1.
Lesson 11. Paul Crosses to Europe. Acts 16:6-15. Golden Text: “Thou shalt be His witness unto all men.” Acts 22:15.
Lesson 12. Temperance Lesson. Rom. 13:8-14. Golden Text: “Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” Rom. 13:12.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING.

By Alonzo T. Jones; E. E. Parlin

The Fifth Annual Meeting of the California Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association, for the purpose of electing four or more members of the Board of Directors, and transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting, will be held at Sanitarium, Napa County, California, Wednesday, June 18, 1902, at the hour of 12 o’clock M.
ALONZO T. JONES, President.
E. E. PARLIN, Secretary.

A BOOK YOU NEED

By Mary Wood-Allen

By Mary Wood-Allen M. D.
CHILD-CONFIDENCE REWARDED - - - - .10
Supplements the information contained in Teaching Truth, explaining the origin of life to children.
Wood-Allen Publishing Co., 300 Summit St., Ann Arbor, Mich.

Wanted to Sell

Wanted to Sell.—To man and wife who are good workers, one-half interest in our bath rooms. Or will sell out entire interest. A good business established. Address, Ed. Swap, 201, Granby Blk., Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

NOTICE

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If J. H. Durland will write to his brother and sister, he will save them a great deal of worry and some expense. W. S. DURLAND. Garfield, Wash.

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THE ESSENTIALS OF OUR LANGUAGE

ACCURACY
Accuracy in the use of words is the title of the opening chapter of Professor Rine’s new book, entitled

THE ESSENTIALS OF OUR LANGUAGE

Other chapters are, Slips in Syntax, Punctuation and Capitals, Art of Correspondence, Art of Sentence-Building, Practical Synonyms Discriminated, Learning by Doing.
It has been prepared especially for those who are unable to attend school but want to become accurate in the use of English.
Most practical volume for home study we have ever seen.
For sale by your state Tract Society.

PRICE 75 CENTS

Published by
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JUST THE BOOK

For parents, and teachers in the Church-schools, Sabbath-schools, Intermediate Industrial schools, and in preparatory departments of our academies and colleges, is—

BIBLE NATURE STUDIES,

by Prof. M. E. Cady, president of Healdsburg College. For several years the author has made a special study of the book of nature, with a view to preparing a work that would be helpful to all students in discovering nature’s wonderful secrets, and in learning the deep spiritual lessons which she delights to reveal to the thoughtful observer.
Nature study, properly conducted, will not lead the children and youth into infidelity and skepticism, but on the contrary will cause them to love and reverence nature’s God. They will hear her voice continually saying, “Behold your God;” “the whole earth is full of His glory.”
Professor Cady’s experience for the past five years in teaching natural science enables him to anticipate the needs and difficulties to be met by the teachers. Accordingly practical suggestions for the teacher are made at the close of each lesson.
The first chapter of Genesis forms the foundation and framework of these studies, and the aim of the entire series is to acquaint the student with the great plan of God in the creation and redemption of the world. Parents and teachers, in teaching these lessons, will lay a foundation in true science on which the children and youth can build, not only for time, but also for eternity.
“Bible Nature Studies” contains 512 pages, bound in green cloth. It gives a large list of nature-study books with the names of the authors and publishers. Besides a Scriptural index, it contains a copious general index, which renders the contents of the book very easy of access. Price $1.00 per copy, post-paid, published by the Pacific Press Publishing Company, Oakland, Cal. Order from your local tract society.

Heralds of His Coming

Is the end near? May we know the time? are important questions deserving of the most serious consideration. These, together with many others bearing on Christ’s second advent, are fully answered in this tract.
A. G. L. No. 51 :: 1½¢ each :: 98¢ per hundred
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The above quotation is taken from one of the chapters in

“I don't want so much talk, I want proof,” cried out a man on the front seat who was slightly intoxicated.
“I don't want so much talk, I want proof,” cried out a man on the front seat who was slightly intoxicated.
“I don't want so much talk, I want proof,” cried out a man on the front seat who was slightly intoxicated.

The above quotation is taken from one of the chapters in

POWER FOR WITNESSING

By Pastor A. F. Ballenger, in which he speaks of personal experiences in soul-saving. He believes that “proof” is wanted by the world to-day,—proof that the Lord is able to save from sin, and keep the converted soul from sinning,—proof that the Christ life may be lived now as well as in apostolic days.
The book is so practical and so full of interesting experiences and incidents, that all will be glad to read it.
Price, 75c
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
17 West 20th St., NEW YORK CITY  18 West 5th St., KANSAS CITY, MO.

Looking unto Jesus

By A. G. L.

A remarkably impressive little tract translated from the French. It aims to lead souls so to behold Him that they will ask not, “What can I do?” but “What can He not do?” A. G. L. No. 1. 50 cents per 100.
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
New York City Oakland, Cal. Kansas City, Mo.
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