p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 3. (1/16/1912)

Liberty Magazine

By Editor

Every Citizen

Should read the Thomas Jefferson Number. Join the Religious Liberty Association by subscribing for this quarterly for one year (25c), and signing its Declaration of Principles.

Some Features

Two-Color Cover-Picture of Jefferson's Home. Interior View of Jefferson's Home. Spain and Religious Liberty. America a Beacon Light to the Nations. Should the State Teach Religion? Civil Sunday Laws. The Menace of a National Religion. Religious Intolerance of the Federated Churches. The World's Christian Citizenship Congress. Inquisition Days in Holland. Sunday Laws and Citizenship. The Liquor Traffic and the Home. History Confirming the Book of God. Also many other articles and timely illustrations.

Stands for the complete liberty of every man and woman in the world, whether Protestant, Catholic, Jew, or infidel.

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The January Number of Life and Health

By Editor

Send 10 cents for sample copy to-day.

During January, 1912, all subscribers for one year will receive in addition to the 12 numbers for 1912, the beautiful October, November, and December issues free of charge,—15 months for $1.00.

It Will Tell You

How to keep well, how to get well, how to treat diseases at home, and how to sleep, cook, eat, and dress for health.

Questions Answered

Through this new department, just opened, the editor will personally answer all reasonable questions concerning your physical needs and troubles. This department alone will be well worth more than $1.00 a year.

Sample Articles

The Benediction of the Snow. How Two Mothers Cared for Their Babies. Significance of Feeble-Mindedness. Health Work in Milwaukee. Report of Minneapolis Vice Commission. What Is True Success? Paper-Bag Cookery. Value of Gluten Bread. Drink and Higher Education. Other valuable articles on temperance and social problems.

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LIFE AND HEALTH Takoma Park, Washington, D. C.

NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION

Notice is hereby given, to all whom it may concern, that the Annual Meeting of the members of the Pacific Press Publishing Association, a corporation organized and existing under, and by virtue of, the laws of the State of California, will be held at the office of the Association on Villa Street, in the Town of Mountain View, County of Santa Clara, State of California, on Monday, the 22d day of January, A.D. 1912, at 10 o'clock A.M.

The election of Directors for the ensuing year, the advisability of amending, repealing, or adopting new by-laws, or such other business as may be necessary or proper to be transacted, will come before the members of the Association.

By order of the Directors. H. W. COTTRELL, President H. G. CHILDS, Secretary.

NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS OF THE PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY

Notice is hereby given to whom it may concern that the Annual Meeting of the stockholders of the Pacific Press Publishing Company, a corporation organized and existing under, and by virtue of, the laws of the State of California, will be held at the office of the Company on Villa Street, in the Town of Mountain View, California, on Monday, the 22d day of January, A.D. 1912, at 10 o'clock A.M.

By order of the Directors. H. W. COTTRELL, President. H. G. CHILDS, Secretary.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

By Editor

Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Milton C. Wilcox

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The Anti-Saloon League Convention

By Editor

Some weeks ago we promised our readers a report of the great Anti-Saloon League Convention at Washington. They will find it in a report from our own correspondent on page 10. We let Mr. Colcord's article on the Johnston Sunday Bill wait to give it place; for that is current while the bill is pending. The Anti-Saloon League report is greatly condensed, but we apprehend that it clearly reflects the spirit of the great gathering, and the excerpts from the addresses presented indicate those not reproduced. Intemperance is a mighty evil, and earnest men see it and feel it, and are using all their powers to do away with it. But it is sad that there is so little real progress in so much nominal progress. The difficulty lies, it seems to us, in the lack of moral tone, in a failure to sense the moral evil of the traffic. By appetite, by custom, by greed, men's minds are blinded and their hearts hardened. There ought to be a revival of moral conviction which would clutch the hearts of the individual members of the church of God. A "civic" righteousness is worthless that has not a base of personal integrity, of Christ-begotten conviction of righteousness. May God bless every right effort for the suppression of the liquor traffic.

Our Bible Band Readers

By Editor

WE have received many appreciative letters regarding the Bible Band. Below is one which expresses it beautifully, and it is an echo of many others. A sister writing from British Columbia says:

"I want to say here that I do not think I ever enjoyed any reading more than the daily reading of the Bible since I became a member in 1908. I can not begin to tell you how much I have been helped, but I will say I have been helped very much, and to me the journey through the Word has been both pleasant and profitable. I sometimes think if

I were a missionary I would just like to try to get everybody to read the Bible. If I could get them to read the Bible, then God would talk to them and they would hear His voice, and I would just trust them to Him.

"I see that a good deal is to be omitted from the reading details, and I suppose it is rather hard for us to pronounce some of the names in the genealogical records, and there are times when I am not sure if I give them the right pronunciation, but I call them the best I know and go on.

"With your permission, I will relate a story I read some time ago. A minister was visiting at the home of a member of his church, and had worship with the family. Before reading the Scripture, he asked the head of the family if there was any chapter he had a preference for. The man replied that he would like such a chapter read. The minister looked it up, and after reading a few verses full of hard names, he asked the man if he had not made a mistake in the chapter. The man said, no, that was the one. 'And why do you prefer that one?' said the minister. The man replied, 'If God knew all these names and remembers each one, I know He knows my name and remembers me.' So I trust that all our Bible Band readers—and may there be many more—will find the journey through the Word profitable and pleasant this year."

The Acts of the Apostles

By Editor

There was placed the other day upon our table a book in neat cloth binding entitled "The Acts of the Apostles." Its full title is, "The Acts of the Apostles in the Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Its author is Mrs. E. G. White. It is the fourth book issued in the Controversy series; a companion book to "Patriarchs and Prophets," "The Desire of Ages," "The Great Controversy." This present volume presents God's church as a witness of the power of His Word. "Desire of Ages" presented that Word in the character, teaching, and work of our blessed Lord. This volume tells us the story of that power through erring humanity yielded to the Father's will, living Christ's life, doing Christ's work in a gainsaying and persecuting world. There are fifty-eight chapters, which cover the record from "God's Purpose for His Church," "The Training of the Twelve," and "Pentecost," to "Patmos," "The Revelation," and "The Church Triumphant." The book is illuminating, inspiring, uplifting. It has a complete topical index, and an index to Scripture references. The cloth edition is $1.50, post free; and the limp leather, thin paper edition, $2.00. Address the Pacific Press or its branches. You will not be disappointed.

Persia Must Suffer

By Editor

Poor Persia. She is a long way from the land which produced Cyrus the Great. It was England's opportunity to say to Russia, "Thus far, and no farther." We believe the Russian bear would have stayed his depredations. But England seems to have been jealous with Russia because an American was chosen to administer Persian finances. And then, too, Great Britain seems to be desirous of holding Russian influences against German aggression southeastward, so that diplomatically her hands have been tied, and Persia must suffer. We hope that popular agitation in England will force the government to decisive action in favor of Persian freedom.

O Song — O Star

By M. Elizabeth Burns-Howell

[The following poem comes too late for our "Christmas" number, in fact, it grew out of or was inspired by the meaning of the incarnation of our Lord and the Christmas season contrast. Our Lord was born in the flesh as a lesson of cheer and joy for every day of every year. Editor S. of T.]

O angel throng — O natal song, Sing on, ring on, adown the years! The time is long, and hosts of wrong Have filled the earth with grief and tears. O legion bright, O hallowed light, Enflood the souls of men anew! Imbue with might the cause of right! Lead up, lead on, thy minions true, To crests above, where deeds of love Proclaim the Gospel's joyful reign, Proclaim that righteousness is gain.

O shining Star, that guided far The quest of wise and ancient men To lowly shed, and manger bed, Shine forth, and lead our souls again! O, shed thy sheen of peace serene Upon the warring sons of strife! For Greed is bold, and Faith waxed cold, While Lust, rapacious, wanders rife. Men magnify the Christmas Day, Yet scorn to walk the Christian way. The age is stranger unto God, Seeks not His star, nor bears His rod, Nor sees Him in the fiery law, Or visions that the prophet saw.

O ray refulgent, Bethlehem's beam, We need thee still — thy guiding gleam! Shine now, and point the path of light To city holy, columned white; Illume these sin-beclouded eyes, Till Zion's glorious gates arise, And bursts upon our raptured view A world redeemed — created new!

O shine, blest Star, till sin's dark night Shall own the conquest of thy might, And dawn shall usher in the day When wo and death are past for ay, And all be beauteous born once more, As in the Eden days of yore.

For then shall come the King of Kings, To rise with healing in His wings; With blessed balm to heal each smart Of weary soul or burdened heart. His smile shall banish ev'ry tear. Awake, O earth! The hour is near!

Shine on, O Star, nor cease to shine, Till men behold the King divine! San Francisco, California, December 25, 1911.

Astrologers’ Predictions for 1912

One astrologer's "Horoscope" for 1912 declares that "a good year is foretold by astrologers the world over." But before the "Horoscope" is through with its tale there are foretold "unexpected and violent disagreements;" in Washington "belligerency, passions, and strife;" "an evil sign for speculation;" "trouble in the revenues and strikes" for Great Britain; in the winter "evil for rulers everywhere;" "seismic and volcanic disasters;" "strife for Germany," etc., etc. It's a poor year which will not meet most of these predictions.

The Law of God

By Editor

We begin in this issue a series of articles on the law of God, the foundation of all right law, the standard which condemns all sin. Its study is needed to-day. Men need to hear its thunders against iniquity, its pleas for everlasting righteousness. It needs to be preached in its place in the Gospel scheme. We earnestly ask our readers to study these articles, and let their lives express the glory of that law.

Contained in This Issue

By Editor

Question Corner 3639—How Far Faith Goes; 3640—The House Swept and Garnished; 3641—Seven Women and One Man, Isa. 4:1; 3642—Of Equal Authority; 3643—Matt. 11:11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Our Bible Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

General "Thou Shalt Love Thy Neighbor" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The Testimony of Jesus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The Nature of God's Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Studies in Daniel—God the Ruler; the Lesson Learned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Religion More than Politics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Our Bible Reading The Sabbath and the Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Present World Movements in Prophecy The Protestant Papacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

The Outlook The Anti-Saloon League of America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 16

Missions Abyssinia; Eighteen Years in Prison for Conscience' Sake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Our Work and Workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Home and Fireside Heaven at Last . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 He Dared to Tell the Truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Poetry Thoughts for the New Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Another Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Pu-Yi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Encouragement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Bible Version Notice

By Editor

Our authority is the Bible, the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. When the Common ("King James" or "Authorized") Version or the American Standard Revised Version is used, the version will not generally be designated in reference. Any Bible quotation in this paper, therefore, differing from the Common Version, unless otherwise indicated, will be almost invariably from the American Standard edition of the Revised Bible, copyright 1910, by Thomas Nelson & Sons.

For further particulars, subscription rates, etc., see page 15.

The Gradual Path to Destruction

Satan does not bring the climax of temptation at first. He does not aim to do this. He knows that the upright soul would revolt at the thought. Previous to the murder must be hatred. Previous to the theft must be coveting. Previous to the drunkard's grave and infamy must be the indulgence of appetite in small things. Only by almost imperceptible degrees are most men led to destruction. The only safe way is to take no step away from the path of absolute rectitude, to listen to no compromise by whomsoever presented. "In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death."

Do Not Parley with the Devil

Do not parley with the devil. Do not temporize with sin. Do not yield or seem to yield even once. By so doing you reveal to the devil your weak points, and be assured arguments will not be wanting to induce you to yield the second time, and you will be much more ready to yield if you see no seeming hurt from your first experience. But know that every yielding to temptation is defeat. It is a weakening of moral fiber. It is putting sin—missing the mark—in the dominant position in your life. It is yielding to a slavery sweet at first, but which at last issues in death and oblivion.

No Compromise with Sin

There is no compromise with sin to the Christian. Every seeming gain is a loss; every apparent advantage is a backward step. The seed sowing may seem pleasant, the flower beautiful, but the fruit is "Dead Sea apples"—ashes and bitterness.