Manner of Christ's Coming.—Christ's coming will be literal, personal, visible, as Mr. Hibbard has clearly shown in an article on another page. The shout of millions and the sound of trumpet from the sky, the tumult of earth, the wails of the doomed, and the commotion of the elements will attend that great event. Yet there are those who believe Christ's second coming is a secret coming, to snatch away in secret silence the elect, or the bride, with whom He will come afterward, and be revealed. These teachers have confused terms relating to the different phases of His coming, and made them represent different comings. Here are three terms which are applied to His second advent, which are made to mean different events, and not different phases of the same event: (1) Parousia, which means personal presence; (2) Apocalipsis, meaning revelation, disclosure; (3) Epiphany, meaning forthshining, glory, brightness. The first refers to the coming of the same Jesus, "the Lord Himself," without regard to His appearance. He shall come, and not a substitute. His personal presence will be with His people. The second makes plain the fact that He will appear for all that He really is, the Son of God, the Conqueror of sin, the Lifegiver. The third shows that this personal presence of our Lord, this revelation of all that He is, will be in overwhelming glory and brightness. Therefore we read that the wicked will be "destroyed by the brightness of His coming,"—the epiphany of His parousia, the forthshining of His presence. 2 Thess. 2:8. In a former epistle the apostle reveals that at the "coming," the presence, or the parousia of the Lord there will be heard the voice of the Archangel, the shout of the Triumphant One, the sound of the trumpet. For a fuller discussion of the subject, see "The manner of Christ's Coming," Bible Students' Library, No. 124. Price one cent.
The Dark Day of 1780
Mr. Tenny, of Exeter, N. H., quoted by Mr. Gage to the Historical Society, speaking of the dark day and dark night of May 19, 1780, says: "The darkness of the following evening was probably as gross as has ever been observed since the Almighty first gave birth to light. I could not help conceiving at the time, that if every luminous body in the universe had been shrouded in impenetrable darkness, or struck out of existence, the darkness could not have been more complete. A sheet of white paper held within a few inches of the eye was equally invisible with the blackest velvet."
Special Tracts
Special Tracts.—There are four special tracts just issued by the Pacific Press which ought to have a wide circulation just now. The titles of these are as follows: "Waymarks to the Holy City," "The Gospel Message for To-day," "Heralds of His Coming," and "Who Changed the Sabbath?" All of these tracts contain vitally important truth for this time, and they ought to be scattered like the leaves of autumn. The retail price of each of these tracts is one cent. See advertisement in another column.
Using the Life Christ Purchased
Jesus Christ suffered death that He might give you life. How are you using the life He purchased for you? If you misuse this short life, how could you be considered any way worthy of possessing eternal life? Give to Him day by day the life He bestows upon you. Thus will you fit your soul to receive more life.
What a Good Book Has Done
SOUTH LANCASTER ACADEMY
South Lancaster, Mass.
Amount thus far received from the sale of "Christ's Object Lessons" - - - $33,000.00
MOUNT VERNON ACADEMY
Academia, Ohio
Amount thus far received from the sale of "Christ's Object Lessons" - - - $10,000.00
WALLA WALLA COLLEGE
College Place, Washington
Amount thus far received from the sale of "Christ's Object Lessons" - - - $25,081.19
EMMANUEL MISSIONARY COLLEGE
Berrien Springs, Michigan
Text to the left of this figure:
THE educational institutions represented in the accompanying illustrations have been established for the purpose of giving their students an all-round education—the symmetrical development of man's physical, spiritual, and intellectual powers.
They are the recipients of a large gift in the form of the royalties and rights to a valuable book entitled "Christ's Object Lessons," donated by its author, Mrs. E. G. White.
A sufficient amount has been raised by popular subscription to pay for the material used in the manufacture of 300,000 copies.
The Pacific Press and Review and Herald Publishing companies have
Text below the figure:
Report not received.
Text to the right of the figure:
printed them, donating the labor. Friends have sold a large portion of the edition, donating all the proceeds. The results are given in connection with the photographs here shown.
The book contains 456 pages, and treats of the work and influence of the Greatest Teacher this world has ever known. In simple, clear, and forceful language, the author brings forth from the great treasure-house of Christ's teaching, that which is food for the soul, meeting every need and experience of human life. It is attractively illustrated and makes an ideal gift volume. Copies may be secured from the person from whom this paper is received, at $1.25 each, or they will be sent direct by the publishers upon receipt of that amount, plus fifteen cents for postage.
UNION COLLEGE
College View, Neb.
Amount thus far received from the sale of "Christ's Object Lessons" - - - $49,682.18
KEENE ACADEMY
Keene, Texas
Amount thus far received from the sale of "Christ's Object Lessons" - - - $17,000.00
HEALDSBURG COLLEGE
Healdsburg, Cal.
Amount thus far received from the sale of "Christ's Object Lessons" - - - $16,000.00
OF INTEREST TO THE CHILDREN
A beautiful little book has been published recently, entitled "The Story of Joseph." It is well written, fully illustrated, and beautifully bound. The price is only twenty-five cents.
The writer of this notice has read it carefully, and believes every child will be interested and helped by studying it. The profits from its sale are dedicated to missionary work in the South. Copies of the book may be had from the person delivering this paper, or may be secured from the publishers.
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA
285 Salmon Street, Portland, Ore. 306 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland, Cal. 44 Crocker Building, San Francisco 18 West Fifth Street, Kansas City, Mo.
Review & Herald Publishing Ass'n. Southern Publishing Association
BATTLE CREEK, MICH. 222 N. CAPITOL ST., WASHINGTON, D. C. 1025 JEFFERSON STREET - - NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
Volume 1
That there is a fierce conflict now raging between the powers of Light and Darkness—Right and Wrong; and that this conflict is growing more severe with each passing hour, we have unmistakable evidence. Upon this conflict in all its phases this series of three books treat.
Volume 1
PATRIARCHS AND PROPHETS
Or the Great Controversy between Good and Evil, as Illustrated in the Lives of Holy Men of Old.
This book treats upon themes of Bible History—themes not in themselves new, but so presented here as to give them a new significance. Beginning with the rebellion in heaven, the author shows why sin was permitted, why Satan was not destroyed, and why man was tested; gives a thrilling description of man's temptation and fall, and rehearses the plan of salvation. The life of each of the Patriarchs from Adam to king David is carefully scanned and from each a lesson is drawn.
The deliverance of Israel from Egypt, the incidents of their forty years' wanderings, the building of the Sanctuary, the entrance into Canaan, the subjection of the land and the continued history of the Israelite nation down to the close of David's reign, are all related in an interesting, narrative style that charms the reader and opens up to him new beauties in the Scriptural record.
The book contains 762 octavo pages, and is illustrated with more than fifty engravings.
Also published in Danish, Swedish, German, and Dutch.
Volume 2
THE DESIRE OF AGES
"The Desire of Ages" is a large volume of 866 7x10 pages, the key-note of which is the grand truth that "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself."
Christ said, "And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto Me." The working out of this purpose is traced in the life of Christ on earth. It is shown how Christ, as man's representative, endured the temptations by which man is overcome, and conquered in his behalf, and that man, becoming a partaker of God's divine nature, is enabled to overcome as Christ overcame. God in Christ, and Christ in His followers, can withstand all the power of Satan. And as Christ came to reveal the love of God, so His followers are to reveal the love of Christ.
From another standpoint, this volume is a study of the Conflict between Good and Evil as illustrated in the lives of Christ and His disciples.
It is a grand book and can not be praised too highly. Its illustrations alone cost over six thousand dollars, and are strikingly beautiful.
Volume 3
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY
"In the great final conflict, Satan will employ the same policy, manifest the same spirit, and work for the same end, as in all preceding ages. That which has been, will be, except that the coming struggle will be marked with a terrible intensity such as the world has never witnessed."—Extract from the Author's Preface.
Therefore, the author has selected such events in the history of the struggle of the church as foreshadow the conflict just before it, and grouped them so that their meaning can not be misunderstood. In addition to the history thus introduced, there are several chapters devoted entirely to the future. From them we select the following: The Impending Conflict, The Final Warning, The Time of Trouble, God's People Delivered, Desolation of the Earth. These chapters picture the terrible intensity of the last conflict in a most vivid manner, and should be read by all interested in the final triumph of right principles.
Also published in Danish, Swedish, German, and French.
DANIEL AND THE REVELATION
The response of history to the voice of prophecy. A verse-by-verse study of these important books of the Bible.
A history of the rise and fall of nations, being an exposition, verse by verse, of the important prophecies of Daniel and John, comparing Scripture predictions with historical facts. It follows in the track of no other commentary; but, guided by the obvious rule that the Bible should be its own interpreter, it aims to arrive at the exact meaning of the sacred writers in harmony with the great plan of redemption as presented throughout the Scriptures. The author has devoted over thirty years to the study of the Bible, and believes that the prophecies of Daniel and John were written for our admonition, and that the subjects they unfold are the coming themes for the religious world, destined to engage the attention of all thoughtful minds. 757 pages, with illustrations; beautifully bound.
Also published in Danish, Swedish, Dutch, and German.
THE HAPPENINGS OF TO-DAY AND THEIR MEANING
The Newspapers are filled with daily descriptions of appalling loss of life by murder and suicide, political and social troubles, dissatisfaction between employer and employed, strikes and fires, wars and rumors of wars.
To the close observer, all these are evidence that there is a nearing social vortex, into which all unsettled factions will be plunged. When and how this is to be brought about is revealed in
HERALDS OF THE MORNING
Here are some of its chapter titles:
"Watchman, What of the Night?"
"A Remarkable Century."
"The Prevalence of Crime—A Sign of Our Times."
"Judgment is Turned away Backward."
"The Earth is Filled with Violence."
"The Social Vice."
"Ye Have Heaped Treasure for the Last Days."
"And the Nations Were Angry."
"The Voice of the Elements."
"The Testimony of the Earth."
"Our Refuge and Fortress."
