Your ShelfYour Projects

Signs of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 14.

DEATH OR LIFE? WHICH?
Earlier text: THE POWER OF A TEMPERATE LIFE

LESSON 2.—APRIL 13.—PETER, ÆNEAS, AND DORCAS.

Lesson Scripture, Acts 9:31-43, R. V.

31 “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, was multiplied. 32 “And it came to pass, as Peter went throughout all parts, 33 he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Æneas, which had kept 34 his bed eight years; for he was palsied. And Peter said unto him, Æneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee; arise, and make thy 35 bed. And straightway he arose. And all that dwelt at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. 36 “Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was 37 full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she fell sick, and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 And as Lydda was nigh unto Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men unto him, entreating him, 39 Delay not to come on unto us. And Peter arose and went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, 40 while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and when she saw 41 Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa; and many believed on the Lord. And it came to pass, that he abode many days in Joppa.”
Golden Text.—“Jesus Christ maketh thee whole.” Verse 34.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) What was the experience of the churches in Palestine at the time referred to in this lesson? Verse 31. Note 1. (2) How was Peter engaged at this time? and to what place did he come? Verse 32. (3) What man did he find there? From what affliction was he suffering? Verse 33. (4) What did Peter say to him? What was the immediate effect of Peter’s words? Verse 34. Note 2. (5) How extensively was the matter known? What was the result? Verse 35. (6) What disciple is mentioned as residing at Joppa? What was the character of this woman? Verse 36. Note 3. (7) What befell this earnest disciple? What tender care was shown by her friends? Verse 37. (8) Where and for whom did they send? What request did they make? Verse 38. (9) How did Peter respond? What did the friends of Dorcas do when Peter arrived? Verse 39. (10) Then what did Peter do? After he had prayed, what did he say to the dead woman? What was the result? Verse 40. (11) What next did Peter do? Verse 41. Note 4. (12) What was the effect of this miracle in the city? Verse 42. (13) How did Peter supplement this work? Verse 43.

NOTES.

1. Rest from Persecution.—There were two reasons for this: (1) It gradually gave way for want of such a zealous leader as Saul, whose influence and energy had been given to the work before his conversion. (2) The Jews themselves were having trouble. In A.D. 37 Caligula became emperor of Rome, and pressed his claim to divine honors more strenuously than any of his predecessors. In A.D. 39 an altar was erected for his worship in Galilee, and the Jews tore it down. Of course this affront brought persecution upon the Jews themselves, and they had no time for persecuting those who did them no harm. “Were edified.” Thus in the midst of all the world’s turmoils, Christianity may prosper and Christians be “multiplied” if disciples will but walk “in the fear of the Lord.”
2. “Jesus Christ maketh thee whole.” This is the same testimony that Peter gave when the lame man was healed at the gate of the temple in Jerusalem (Acts 3:6, 16; 4:10). Healing is creation, and Christ is the Creator. So all healing is by the power of Christ, whatever impostor may manage to gain the credit and appear to be the healer. It is Christ who heals the sin-sick soul; He only can forgive sins. Therefore, “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” 2 Cor. 5:17. It is just as truly a miracle of healing to be made a new creature spiritually as it is to be suddenly healed of the worst physical malady, or even to be raised from the dead.
3. Joppa is now called Jaffa. It is on the Mediterranean Sea, thirty miles northwestward of Jerusalem, with which it is connected by railroad—the first in Palestine. Tabitha is Syriac for beauty, or splendor. This good woman was also called Dorcas, which is the Greek for gazelle. The gazelle is a type of timidity, beauty, and grace. This appellation may have signified personal appearance, but it surely described her character, for she was “full of good works and almsdeeds.” That shows that her works were not for outward show, but from the impulse of a kind heart. The person with a benevolent disposition, a sympathetic, helpful nature, always looks beautiful to those who admire beauty of character.
4. The Miracle.—Peter acted on the principle announced by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount: “When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matt. 6:6. Manifestly there were none there whose faith could grasp what Peter was moved to ask. So no one need be discouraged in asking because there are no others to join in the petition by faith. It is better to go to God alone, than with a greater number just for the sake of numbers. The real power with God is faith, not numbers. The case was somewhat similar to that of Elisha when the Shunammite’s son was restored to life—it was pleading alone with God.
[See article in another column of the same title as the lesson.]

LESSON 3.—APRIL 19.—THE GREAT CONTROVERSY TRANSFERRED TO THE EARTH.

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.
The controversy between Christ and Satan began in heaven (Rev. 12:7) in a face-to-face combat. Satan was not content with the position he held as Lucifer (Isa. 14:12), or light-bearer, as the name signifies; but he indulged the ambition to “be like the Most High,” and thus be light itself (1 John 1:5) and the source of light. Since light is only a manifestation of life (John 1:4), this was the demand of a created being (Eze. 28:15) to be a source or fountain of life, which could only be granted to the begotten Son (John 5:26), one with the Father, the real Fountain (Ps. 36:9).
Having lost his place in heaven (Rev. 12:7, 8), Satan sought to establish his kingdom in the earth (verse 9). By falsehood (Gen. 3:4), and by transferring his own evil ambition into the human mind (verse 5), he changed a loyal servant of God into a servant of sin and himself (Rom. 6:16), usurped his dominion, and became prince of this world (John 12:31). Christ came to this world to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10. Thus the controversy which was begun in heaven was transferred to this earth. There it was the question of the supremacy of God, through His Son, in heaven; here it is the same question in its relation to man and the earth. Shall the government of God be sustained in the earth, or shall Satan establish an independent kingdom? The Son of God, as Michael, the leader of the angels, conquered Satan in heaven (Rev. 12:7-9), and then, in behalf of man, He undertook, as the Son of Man, to conquer him on earth, and thus to vindicate the righteousness and justice of the government of God, the everlasting King. This is the Gospel of the kingdom. It means a Saviour in our flesh (Luke 2:10, 11), to save from sin (Matt. 1:21), to be the channel of life to man (John 10:10), to destroy the devil (Heb. 2:14), bringing the restoration of all things (Acts 3:19-21), and giving to God His rightful place (1 Cor. 15:28).

QUESTIONS.

  1. Where was rebellion first introduced in God’s kingdom?
  2. What was Satan’s original position? What name did he have? What did it signify?
  3. What evil desire worked in his mind? What did he wish to become?
  4. How are light and life related? What, then, was involved in the desire of Lucifer?
  5. What privilege was bestowed upon the Son? What did this show?
  6. What happened to Satan as the result of the war in heaven? To what place was he removed?
  7. With what lie did he begin his effort to lead the human family astray?
  8. What inducement did he hold out as the reward of disobedience?
  9. What change of masters was thus brought about? What did Satan become?
  10. What did Christ undertake to do?
  11. Where was the origin of the rebellion now seen upon the earth? What question was then settled?
  12. What is the question to be settled upon the earth?
  13. Who conquered Satan in heaven? What was His station?
  14. What did He offer to do upon earth? Taking what station? What was the purpose of this?
  15. What is the basis of the good tidings of the kingdom?
  16. How is the work of the Saviour defined by His name?
  17. What does He bring to man?
  18. What result will come to the devil through His work?
  19. What glorious result will finally be brought about?
  20. What place will God the Father then occupy?

TENTH INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY-SCHOOL CONVENTION.

By W. N. Hartshorn; Marion Lawrance; B. F. Jacobs; S. H. Altwater; Geo. R. Merrill; E. R. Machum; H. W. Hunter

Denver, Col., June 26-30, 1902.

ENTERTAINMENT.

ENTERTAINMENT is provided at Denver only for regularly appointed delegates from the various States, Provinces, and Territories, and upon what is known as the “Harvard Plan,” namely: Lodging and breakfast only (however, supper is included for those who arrive in the afternoon of Thursday, June 26).
Mr. W. M. Danner, Y. M. C. A. Building, Denver, is Chairman of the Entertainment Committee. He will pay no attention to any applications for entertainment that do not come to him through the proper officers of the various State, Provincial, and Territorial Associations. All applications for entertainment must be in his hands by June 20.
In cases where States, Provinces, and Territories are not organized, or where applicants do not know the proper person to apply to, please address the General Secretary, Mr. Marion Lawrance, Toledo, Ohio.
[For want of space we omit hotel and restaurant notices, where delegates may obtain dinners and suppers, and visitors can be accommodated.]
Issued by the Committee on Program and Arrangements.
W. N. Hartshorn, Chairman, 110 Boylston St., Boston, Mass.
Marion Lawrance, Secretary, 1023 Spitzer Building, Toledo, Ohio.
B. F. Jacobs, Chicago, Ill.
S. H. Altwater, Canon City, Col.
Geo. R. Merrill, D.D., Minneapolis, Minn.
E. R. Machum, St. John, N. B.
H. W. Hunter, Louisville, Ky.

PURE REFINED PARAFFINE

Don't tie the top of your jelly and preserve jars in the old fashioned way. Seal them by the new, quick, absolutely sure way—by a thin coating of Pure Refined Paraffine. Has no taste or odor. Is air tight and acid proof. Easily applied. Useful in a dozen other ways about the house. Full directions with each cake.
Sold everywhere. Made by STANDARD OIL CO.

CATARRH CURE

VEST-POCKET INHALER MEDICATED VAPOR

Destroys the germs and cures SORE THROAT, CATARRH, COLDS, etc. Relieves instantly. Inhaler and 6 months' treatment 35 cents. Cut this out and keep it, you may need one later on if not now. AGENTS WANTED. Write for circulars and useful novelties. MALLETT NOVELTY CO., 710 E. 17th St., New York City. Agent's sample and terms for 20c. Mention this paper.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY.

By E. A. Chapman

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, corner of Twelfth and Castro Streets, in the City of Oakland, County of Alameda, State of California, on Monday the 28th day of April, A.D. 1902, at 9:30 A.M., for the purpose of electing a board of seven directors, and transacting any other business that may properly come before the meeting.
By order of C. H. Jones, President of Pacific Press Publishing Company.
E. A. CHAPMAN, Secretary of Pacific Press Publishing Company.

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF HEALDSBURG COLLEGE.

By Alonzo T. Jones; M. E. Cady

NOTICE is hereby given that the Twenty-first Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of the Healdsburg College will be held Monday, April 21, 1902, at 11 o’clock A.M., in South College building, Healdsburg, Cal., for the purpose of electing a board of seven directors, and transacting any other business that shall lawfully come before the stockholders.
By order of the Board of Trustees.
A. T. Jones, Pres. M. E. Cady, Sec’y

Seeking for Power

Yes, everyone is seeking for power—social power, political power, military power, and so on. But the power about which the book entitled

POWER FOR WITNESSING

speaks is the power of God as manifested in the life of the believer, and as acted out in his relation to his fellow men. This is a power in which the world is interested, and we believe they will gladly read the above mentioned book. Its price is but seventy-five cents, and it contains over two hundred pages.
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
18 WEST TWENTIETH STREET, NEW YORK CITY
28 WEST FIFTH STREET, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

A GOLDEN Opportunity

By Editor

OUR PLAN

We will furnish a free scholarship for one year for one hundred new yearly subscriptions to the “Signs of the Times” at $1.50 each, in any of the following institutions:—
  • Emmanuel Missionary College — Berrien Springs, Michigan
  • Union College — College View, Nebraska
  • Walla Walla College — College Place, Washington
  • Healdsburg College — Healdsburg, California
  • South Lancaster Academy — South Lancaster, Massachusetts
  • Mount Vernon Academy — Mount Vernon, Ohio
  • Keene Industrial Academy — Keene, Texas
  • Southern Industrial School — Graysville, Tennessee
Does the subject of education interest you?
A handsome booklet has just been issued giving half-tone illustrations of the above colleges, as well as a description of each. It also outlines our plan in detail for this generous offer.
Booklet sent free to all who desire it.
Address
Signs of the Times
Oakland, Cal.

HOW ABOUT YOUR SOUL?

What is it? How long does it exist? What becomes of it at death?
These are questions which interest every human being, and in view of the many abounding delusions and deceptions abroad in the land to-day, should be understood by all.
In the following list of tracts by different writers, the subject is treated in all its phases and bearings, from a Bible standpoint:—
THOUGHTS FOR THE CANDID A discussion and explanation of some of the disputed texts. Bible Students' Library No. 47. Price, ½c each, 36c per hundred.
IS MAN IMMORTAL? A series of questions that have, or might be, propounded by man on the subject, fully answered by Scripture texts. Bible Students' Library No. 51. Price, ½c each, 36c per hundred, post-paid.
BIBLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS CONCERNING MAN. Of like nature to the above, except that both questions and answers are taken from the Bible. Bible Students' Library No. 76. Price, 1c each, 72c per hundred, post-paid.
THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL. Is it a scriptural doctrine? A general and very logical discussion of the subject. Bible Students' Library No. 70. 32 pages; price, 2c each, $1.40 per hundred, post-paid.
TORMENTED FOREVER AND EVER. A very satisfactory presentation of this phase of the subject, and one of the most interesting of the series. Bible Students' Library No. 111. Price, 1c each, 72c per 100.
ORDER OF YOUR STATE TRACT SOCIETY, OR
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY, OAKLAND, CAL.
11 WEST TWENTIETH STREET, NEW YORK CITY
18 WEST FIFTH STREET, KANSAS CITY, MO.

NOW IS THE TIME.

Bring Your Friends From the East.

If you have friends or relatives coming to California, write D. W. Hitchcock, Gen. Ag't., Union Pacific R. R., 1 Montgomery St., San Francisco, or H. V. Blasdel, Pass'r. Ag't., 1160 Broadway, Oakland, Cal., who will arrange to secure for them the following special low rates, beginning March 1 and continuing until April 30:—
From New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50 00 From Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 00 From Peoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 00 From St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 00 From Kansas City, St. Joe, Omaha, Sioux City & Council Bluffs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 00
Correspondingly low rates from all Eastern Cities

The Basis of Salvation Is the Love of God

By G.

The basis of salvation is the love of God. It was because “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. It is because of His love that He desires to imbue all of His creatures with the spirit of love. But this can not be until all who are “enmity against God” are brought into harmony with Him. God can not dwell in any one who is antagonistic to His law. To say that God is in every person and in everything is to identify Him with sinners and with the results of sin. Paul says of the Gentiles that they are “alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness [margin, ‘hardness’] of their heart.” Eph. 4:18. Two can not walk together except they be agreed, and it is impossible to please God—to walk with Him—without faith. Amos 3:3; Heb. 11:6. So it was not till after his conversion that Paul could say, “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2:20. There is a time coming when God will be “all in all,” and that time is designated as “the end.” 1 Cor. 15:24–28.
G.

Higher Privileges.

Telegraph despatches of the 23rd ultimo tell us that a social triumvirate of women who can trace their blue blood back several generations, have proposed to sit down hard on all future aspirants who may come knocking at the gate of the palaces of the charmed “Four Hundred,” presenting only a card of gold to the groomed and liveried porter. In other words, there must be “blue blood” as well as gold. And yet it was only a little while ago, just the remove of a few generations, since the ancestors of these society queens had their roots in the common soil, and mingled with the common herd, and they were none the worse nor the better either, perhaps, for that. Neither poverty nor wealth makes men or women, but character. One of these triumvirate of dictators at one time entertained King Edward at dinner; the two others have each entertained Prince Henry of Germany. Now new wealthy ones who have dug their millions from the snows of Alaska, or the more genial regions of the Western States, must wait for a generation or so—unless they wish to go to Europe and spend money lavishly. There the golden key will unlock the fastnesses of “nobility” from knight and baron up through count, and earl, and prince to the throne itself, and then the “four-hundred” dictators will receive the victor with open arms.
O the folly of it all. The old republican days are going, and the greatest republic of earth, in some of its phases is becoming less republican than the greatest kingdom of earth. To the true Christian all this is nothing. What cares the man who knows God whether the “Four Hundred” or even royalty recognize him, only that it opens the way still farther for him to witness for Christ, and the soul of the king is as dear to the heart of God as is the soul of the king’s subject? What cares the true Christian if royalty or the “Four Hundred,” some of whom were once his playmates, pass him by? He holds daily converse with the King of Heaven; the great Prince of Life, whose dominion and crown shall never pass to another, is his Companion and Friend. There are secrets between him and Them that no one else knows. The seal of friendship and helpfulness, stamped by the King’s name, is his. He may not reckon his ancestors from some bold brigand chief or robber baron; he may, like Burns (and everybody else for the matter of that), be honestly able to say, that according to the flesh,—
“My ancient and ignoble blood Has crept through scoundrels ever since the flood;”
but he congratulates not himself over the one nor mourns over the other; for he is come into a new relation, a son of the King of Heaven; a blood relation of Jesus his Lord. Then whatever society does or may do, let the Christians, one and all, rejoice that they are “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.” And even such we wish all the “Four Hundred” were.

The Personality of Christ and the Devil

To some of our correspondents we would say that the very arguments which would disprove the existence and personality of the devil would disprove the existence and personality of Christ. Why not be consistent?

Corrections

By Editor

Corrections.—In announcing a song in our issue of March 26, we gave its title as “Jesus Loves the Little Ones,” and its author as “G. E. Johnston.” The correct title is, “Jesus Loves the Children,” and the author’s name is spelled “G. E. Johnson.”

The Value of Fresh Air

One of the freest things that earth knows, outside of factories, slums, and tenement houses, over which greed has spread his almost impermeable tent, is air; and yet how many shut it away. Doors and windows are closed at night to shut out “night air,” just as if night had another air than night air. Some of the greatest singers the world knows recognize its value. Madam Patti, for instance, says that it is the elixir of life. She sleeps with her windows open eight hours a day, and drinks only milk and water. It is among the greatest, altho the most common, of God’s blessings.

The Nature of Humility

The man who receives instruction meekly or humbly never tells of his meekness, much less boasts of it. When one approves of his own humility, it is a sure sign that he does not possess it. Think of Humility saying, “See how humble I am.” Humility is in spirit, in motive, in unassumed act, not in word.

SOMETHING FOR OUR READERS.

By Editor

Of another item—and only one item—of what the SIGNS furnishes during the year in Bible instruction, we wish here to speak.
There is no more important event to occur in this world's career than the coming of the Lord. It, with its cluster of events of vital moment, stands co-equal in importance with the first advent of the Son of God and its various steps in redemption. With the latter is connected the incarnation of Christ, His example and teaching, His crucifixion, His resurrection, and ascension; with His second coming is connected the judgment, the resurrection, the conferring of immortality upon the good, the desolation of the earth, the millennium, the eternal extinction of sin, and the everlasting reward.
Men may ridicule the doctrine as they do the Book, but it will suffice the Christian that it was taught by Jesus Christ personally, and by His Spirit through prophet and apostle.
There are many misunderstandings relative to the coming of the Lord. Proportional to its importance Satan has blinded men to its wonderful, awful, significant, and glorious truths. Yet God's Word makes them plain, and the SIGNS OF THE TIMES is glad to do all in its power to make these truths clear to the world. Therefore, beginning in the SIGNS of May 7, at the close of the series by Prof. J. A. L. Derby, we will begin a most interesting series of articles on “The Coming of the Lord,” by L. A. Phippeny. The topics severally opened before the reader are as follows:—
Why Should the Lord Come?
God's Original Design for the Earth,
The Hope of the Ages,
The First Advent,
Time of the Second Advent,
The Coming to Judgment,
The Close of Probation,
The Resurrection,
The Forthshining of His Presence,
The Millennium,
The Third Advent,
The Dominion Restored.
These articles cover a period of practically three months, and there will be others contemporary with them equally good. These, we are sure, will present new thoughts, and open new avenues of light to those who have studied the subject, and will reveal a mine of wealth to the earnest student who knows it not. We appeal to our friends to circulate widely the instruction contained in the above series. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES for three months is 40 cents.

John P. Altgeld’s Record

It might have been a good thing if John P. Altgeld had been credited with some of the good things while he lived that men and papers are ascribing to him since he died. In the pardon of the so-called Haymarket Anarchists, he not only believed that the men were not guilty, but the president of every railway running into Chicago, except one, petitioned for their pardon, and also the president of every national and State bank in Chicago, among the petitioners being Lyman J. Gage, lately Secretary of the Treasury. These facts have been known by few. Mr. Altgeld was a man of strong convictions. With a frail constitution he accomplished much, and was literally a self-made man. He was a lawyer of note, an upright judge for years, and at least a fearless governor. His true merit and motives are in the hands of One who will make no mistake in judgment.

It Is World-Wide

It is World-Wide.—Political corruption is not confined to the United States. They have a political term in Canada called “wireless telegraphy.” It means the art of impersonating voters and so casting illegal ballots. The Montreal Star says, “An honest election has become such a rare thing in Canada in recent years, that to speak of the people governing the country is satire. Between telegraphing, ballot-box stuffing and robbing, and the other fraudulent practises, the voice of the people has very little to do with the result of elections.”—From England comes news of rascals preying upon the government in connection with the South African war, and France and Spain and all the rest of the world know more or less of that condition of things which presages sooner or later certain ruin.
Continue reading: The Fastest Train in the World