Signs of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 6. (2/8/1905)

Signs of the Times

Feb 8, 1905

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Feb 8, 1905

"LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY."

By Jessie F. Waggoner

JESSIE F. WAGGONER.

"Lo, I am with you all the days"— In Spring, in Summer's heat, In Autumn's glow, in harvest's toil, And Winter's snows and sleet.

The frost is given by My breath; The snow comes at My call; I breathe again, it melts away, And rain begins to fall.

The buds burst forth at My command; The birds begin to sing; The flowers appear upon the earth; And woods with laughter ring.

The fig tree putteth forth her figs, The vine a goodly smell. My paths drop fatness, and the earth Cries out, "Emmanuel"!

I clothe the pastures o'er with flocks, The hills and vales with corn; The earth below, the heavens above, My glory doth adorn.

I cause the vapors to ascend, In clouds I bind them round, Then make the ridges soft with showers, And lo, earth's fruits abound.

My counsel turns the clouds about, I thunder with My voice. Be not afraid, your Saviour speaks; Be glad, then, and rejoice.

It is My goodness crowns the year, And satisfieth all. I feed the ravens when they cry, And note the sparrow's fall.

I am not far, but near, My child, How near, My works declare. Take courage, you are not alone; You have a Father's care.

Those New Tracts

By Editor

That the new tracts are appreciated is shown by the demand for them from every point of the United States. Just why this is so may be at least partially understood from the following letter:

BOYD, IND., Jan. 2, 1905. SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Mountain View, Cal. Dear brethren:—

After some delay I acknowledge the receipt of three tracts kindly sent me by your house. I am well pleased indeed with the forcible way in which the great and vital truths for this time are presented. Especially was I impressed by the concise manner of their presentation and by the fact that this has in nowise affected the clearness of the subjects discussed.

I am convinced that these tracts will accomplish much good. May God's Holy Spirit follow them to bring many precious souls into the kingdom.

Sincerely, yours for the truth, J. E. COLLINS.

Here is a brief description of each.

The Gospel Message for To-day

This 16-page tract is introduced by a brief study of the character of God's messages, how they are given, and the danger of rejecting them.

The Editor of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES then speaks of the present divided condition of the church, and points out the Gospel remedy, which is The Gospel Message for To-day. Price, 1 cent each, or 70 cents a hundred, post-paid.

Waymarks to the Holy City

A very interesting study of the 7th chapter of Daniel, in which the prophecies relating to the different kingdoms of earth and those pointing to the New Earth as well, are clearly though briefly explained. Price, 1 cent, or 70 cents per hundred, post-paid.

Who Changed the Sabbath?

The majority of people probably know that Sunday is not the day originally set apart for observance. How has the change come about? Perhaps this little tract contains the briefest statement of the reasons ever published. Read it. Price, 1 cent, or 70 cents a hundred, post-paid.

Heralds of His Coming

The character and scope of this tract is indicated by the following list of articles which it contains: May We Know the Time? Is the End Near? When Will He Come? Increase of Knowledge Last-Day Scoffers Signs in the Sun, Moon, and Stars The Peace-and-Safety Cry Preparing for World War Accumulation of Wealth Increase of Crime Great Spiritual Declension Price, 1 1/2 cents each, or $1.00 a hundred, post-paid.

Topical Bible Studies

A 24-page study of such important Bible topics as: The Second Advent The Law of God The Sanctuary Soul and Spirit Spiritism Nature of Man

A mine of suggestions to the Bible student. 1 1/2 cents each, or $1.00 a hundred, post-paid.

Address Publishers of this Paper

A NEW BOOK

By Editor

Are you interested, dear reader, in the Labor Question? Have you noticed the constantly increasing power of both Labor and Capital? Has it seemed to you some stupendous conflict is the only legitimate outcome of such opposing forces? Are you interested in knowing what all this means?

IF SO, ALLOW US TO SUGGEST THAT YOU READ # Conflict Between Capital and Labor

This is a book by Mr. E. T. Russell, containing the following chapter titles:

The Conflict On The Increase of Wealth Gold and Silver Cankered Trusts Vast Accumulation of Wealth not Conducive to Stability of Government Unions Boycotting Distress of Nations Causes of Distress

A Remedy for Existing Evils Our Present Social Conditions Productive of Anarchy The Coming Revolution Leaders in the Coming Revolution Parallels in History Cities Storm Centers Misery Awaits the Rich Scripture Admonitions The End—A Type.

Mr. Russell is not a member of either class, and writes in an impartial, candid way that will attract and hold your interest. As an indication of the thought of the whole work, we quote the preface, which is as follows:

PREFACE

Many books have been written on the subject of Capital and Labor, containing most excellent thoughts regarding this important subject, but most of such works present but one side of the question. The author of this work does not belong to any association formed in the interest of either class; and, therefore, has written from an unbiased point of view. He is confident that there are sincere and honest people belonging to both classes, whose hearts beat in tender sympathy for the suffering and distressed, and who desire to stand for right and truth. To such this book comes with a message of hope and cheer. Heed it, dear reader, and it will bring you into undisputed possession of the estate provided for you by an All-wise Father. E. T. R.

The book is quite fully illustrated, contains 167 pages, and is attractively bound in board, with cloth back. There is a four-page appendix, giving the personal convictions of present day writers on the question involved, in which every one will be deeply interested. The price of the book is fifty cents. It will be sent, together with a copy of our special number of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES on the Capital and Labor question, for fifty-five cents. Agents are needed who will quickly carry to the waiting public thousands of copies of this excellent work. Address your Tract Society, or the Publishers.

Pacific Press Publishing Company

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CAL. 18 W. 5th St., Kansas City, Mo. 285 Salmon St., Portland, Ore. 306 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland, Cal.

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

By Editor

EVERY follower of Christ who gives heed to the Gospel commission, verifies the fulfilment of that wonderful prophesy found in Isa. 32:2: "A man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." "Go ye into all the world," said Jesus, "and preach the Gospel to every creature." That brings to the soul, parched and thirsty and ready to perish, the water of life from the springs of life. His desert then becomes a fruitful field; and that water of life becomes in him, in turn, a "well of water springing up unto everlasting life."

SOULS are perishing to-day for the want of that water. In every avenue of life are men and women before whom the future is dark and cheerless, to whom the future seems to hold out no gladdening promise. Heart strings are snapping continually under the tense strain of the heavy weights of trouble and disappointment. There is no help for them save in the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and this Gospel must be made known to them by men and women who have themselves experienced what that Gospel is, and what it can do.

IF you have become a follower of Christ in very deed, and have heeded His last command to those who are His, then such soul-thirsty and sin-plagued ones are looking to you, and have a right to look to you, to become to them the blessed instrument of the healing, soul-satisfying Christ. If through you there is brought to them that which satisfies the soul, that which binds up the wounds and bruises of sin, then you become to them as a river of water in a dry place. Your obedience to the cause of Christ, and your fulfilment of His will through that obedience, makes you a blessing and your work a blessing-laden work. As you bring to them the knowledge of that safe, and only safe, hiding place from the winds of doubt that parch and wither and blight, you become to them the minister of that blessing, the instrument through which that shelter is secured to them.

THE tempest of persecution is pelting its pitiless hail upon the heads of many even to-day. Our God is a covert even from that tempest. He deadens the sting of that trial and mollifies the wounds it makes with the oil of His grace. You are not to be that covert; but the blessing of its reception may come through you—will come through you if you have heeded the command given by our Saviour to those who would be His. It is a blessed privilege that is thus brought to every child of God, to bring thirsty and dying souls to the waters of life, and to point those bruised and bleeding from the lash of sin or torn and trampled by the persecutions of the world—to bring such ones to Him who can heal and comfort and restore.

THE land is weary; the world is overrun with sin. While wealth revels in its luxury, thousands of weary toilers are wearing out and burning out their lives in the steaming treadmills of great cities, or eking out a scanty livelihood on depleted or barren land. The terrifying dread of seeing their families unfed and scantily clothed dogs their footsteps at every turn. Truly the people of this world are living in a "weary land." They can draw no help from the burdens they bear nor from those who pile the burdens upon them. They can find no rest in any human scheme or device—no shelter from the merciless rays of adversity that wither and sere and scorch. But you, as Christ's representative, may bring to them the blessed Gospel of the sheltering "shadow of a great Rock" in this their "weary land." There is rest, there is shade, there is comfort and peace. It is your mission to bring to them the blessed realization of that shelter and rest and comfort. There is sweeter rest in the lowly muzhik's home, with Christ, than in the czar's palace, written around with the red appeal of his people's blood; more peace of soul in the house of penury, with Christ, than in the palace of luxury builded in the sweat and heartache of unjust recompense for toil. "Christ in you, the hope of glory," makes you a bearer of all manner of blessings, a steward dispensing all manner of good. Your storehouse is unlimited, and your beneficiaries are about you on every hand.

YOU are not limited. Tho you have before you the great and almost limitless field of the poor and oppressed, you are not limited even to that. In the homes of wealth there is many a hungry soul, craving something wealth nor position can give; burdened souls that know not where to turn for relief or rest. It is your privilege to bring to them what riches can not purchase, and to receive from them the thanks of gladdened hearts. While they praise God for the gift, they will thank you for bearing it to them. What a glorious work it is! How it lines with the bright rays of hope and peace and joy, the dark clouds of this world's misery! You are not the hiding place; you are not the covert; you are not the river of water; you are not the cooling shadow; but loving obedience to the command of Christ will enable you to bring all these blessings with you to the souls in need. S.

IS IT WAR OR PEACE?

THE following letter has come to us; it refers to an important living question, and speaks for itself:

I have just read your article in the last SIGNS OF THE TIMES, under the heading, "Prepare War," with much interest, and I am moved to ask how you harmonize Joel, whom you quote, with the declaration contained in Isaiah, second chapter and fourth verse? On the face, they seem to be in conflict, especially with your interpretation, that the statement as found in Joel applies to the last days, wherein he says, "Prepare war;" while Isaiah says that in the last days, "they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and . . . neither shall they learn war any more." I believe in the second advent, and, not only this, but that it is near at hand, but sometimes I am troubled at these apparent conflicts, and this is one of them. I hope you will be able to explain this satisfactorily. Yours in the love of the Master, E. B. R.

We place these two scriptures from the American Standard Revised Version side by side, that the reader may see the contrast:

Joel 3:9-16. "Proclaim ye this among the nations; prepare war; stir up the mighty men; let all the men of war draw near, let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears; let the weak say, I am strong. Haste ye, and come, all ye nations round about, and gather yourselves together; thither cause thy mighty men to come down, O Jehovah. Let the nations bestir themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there will I sit to judge all the nations round about. "Put ye in the sickle; for the harvest is ripe; come, tread ye; for the winepress is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great. "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! for the day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. And Jehovah will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake; but Jehovah will be a refuge unto His people, and a stronghold to the children of Israel." Isa. 2:2-6. "And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of Jehovah's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. "And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem. And He will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks, nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. "O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of Jehovah. "For thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they are filled with customs from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they strike hands with the children of foreigners."

The difference is not great between the versions. The Revised Version clearly shows that the original words rendered, "heathen" and "Gentiles," simply means the nations of earth. Please note the following: 1. Both of these prophecies are predictions of the latter days. The one in Isaiah expressly declares this; and this is emphasized by the remainder of the second chapter, which so clearly presents before us the revealing of God's glory in-judgment.

2. If the reader will study the second chapter of Joel, he will there find the prediction of the latter rain, the outpouring of the Spirit of God in the last days, upon a church and world ripening for the harvest.

3. The expression, "And it shall come to pass afterward" (verse 28), is translated by the apostle in Acts 2, "And it shall come to pass in the last days." Then follows the declaration of the great outpouring of the Spirit, manifest in specific gifts, and the darkening of the sun and moon, and the falling of the stars, precursors of the great day of the Lord.

4. The apostasy of the professed people of God is next noted, and then the proclamation of war, the last great harvest, and the impending day of God.

This prophecy in Joel is easily understood. It clearly indicates that the war fever shall spread everywhere, involving all nations in its intoxicating madness (See Jeremiah 25); that the very weakest will prepare for war, and say, "I am strong." Moral principles are also involved, because God's armies of invisible ones are engaged. The culminating result will be the great battle of Armageddon, fought in the very closing days of human strife. Rev. 16:13, 14, 16. It is at the time of the harvest of earth, the end of the age, when Christ, the Reaper, shall come. Matt. 13:39; Rev. 14:14-16.

As the result of the moral principles involved, consequent upon the proclamation of the great threefold message of Revelation 14, "multitudes, multitudes" are in the valley of decision, with the judgments of the great day of God impending.

All these things are everywhere manifest. The spirit of War revels and rages and raves among the nations. On the least provocation or no provocation, it flames from the press, and is fulminated from pulpit and platform. It has been estimated that every laborer of Europe bears, upon his over-burdened back, a soldier, War budgets pile mountains high. Since the International Congress of Peace, one of the bloodiest wars of modern history has been waged by the very emperor who gave impulse to the Peace Congress, and now that empire is aflame with internal discord and strife. The spirit of War rides on triumphantly with the spirits of Greed and Pleasure, and the fulfilment of the prophecy is evident to all.

The Peace Cry.

But what of Isaiah's prophecy? Well, what does the prophecy declare?

1. That the cause of God—Christianity, represented by the mountain of Jehovah's house—will be recognized by the world as superior to all the other religions of earth. That recognition is a fact to-day. The nations are turning to it, even as Japan. This recognition and acknowledgement of Christianity's superiority have confirmed many in the false theory of the world's conversion. But while the religion of Christ is recognized and acknowledged as superior to all others, there is no acceptance of its fundamental truths—self-denial, salvation only through Him, peace in His imputed and imparted righteousness, separation from the world unto God. Men and nations hope for superior greatness, attainments, power, and influence by accepting the form, and ignoring the living fact of the personal Saviour from personal sin and sinning. The great lesson is lost upon the selfish heart which the majority of human nature will not yield to God. The crown, the fruit, the goal, are desired; but the cross, the sowing, the race, is despised and shunned.

2. Therefore the second part of the prophecy refers to the false cry of peace; but mark, dear reader, it is not the prophet of God which proclaims the peace message, but the prophet declares that "many people shall go and say." The people say that we will make Jerusalem a center; the people say that God shall judge between nations; the people say that swords shall be beaten into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks; the people say that nation shall not lift up sword against nation, and war shall be learned no more. But all the facts, as well as the message of God's prophet, belie what the people say, even tho the people do declare that Jehovah hath spoken. Micah 4:4.

If our querist, and all others, will but recognize the sources of the two predictions, all will be plain. It is what the prophets of God declare on the one hand, and what the "many peoples" and "many nations" declare on the other; and all the facts confirm the prophets of God.

Moreover, because God's own apostate people are engaged in this false message, which lulls to slumber while Satan lures to ruin, the prophet declares that God has forsaken His people "because they are filled with customs from the east—[the old oriental philosophies and idolatries]—and are soothsayers like the Philistines." And then follows the awful revelations of the day of God.

What We May Expect.

And God's children may confidently expect that the great deceiver who originated the false prophecy, and who has thereby deceived many honest souls, will perpetuate it and endeavor to fulfil it. The Congresses of religion, in which Christianity is placed on a level with the great historical ethical cults, are to be expected. The peace conferences, national and international, are to be looked for. It may be expected that an international tribunal to decide "between nations" shall be erected, whence decisions shall be rendered by the head of this high court of peace. It would be a most reasonable thing if Palestine should be confiscated because of the misrule of the Turk, and Jerusalem chosen as the central seat of the great peace tribunal. Who would be the human head of this tribunal?—He who claims and has claimed for centuries the headship, both temporal and spiritual, of the nations—the Pope of Rome. And, lastly, it may be expected that the few who see God's truth, and make clear the deceptions from His Word, will be persecuted and driven out.

Then would the deception of Satan be complete. Then would earth's false siren-song of peace by proclamation be heard throughout the world. But "there is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." Isa. 57:21. "And their course is evil, and their might is not right." Jer. 23:10. Grim-visaged war still sits enthroned in the unregenerate hearts of men, and, while the soothing song of a false peace is heard, Armageddon breaks upon the world. For "when they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, . . . and they shall in nowise escape." 1 Thess. 5:3.

But God does not forget His people, to whom all these things are precursors of Christ's coming. They are a "little flock," persecuted because of their faithful message of peace only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Listen: "In that day, saith Jehovah, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; and I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and Jehovah shall reign over them in Mount Zion from henceforth, even forever." Micah 4:6, 7.

THOSE GREATER WORKS.

By G.

NOTWITHSTANDING the great works that Jesus did in the world, He designed that greater works should be done after His departure from earth. The question is often asked, Where have the greater works been done than He did? The question implies a measure of skepticism, which grows out of the idea that physical miracles constitute the climax of great work. It is this mistaken notion that leads to the ambition to do "wonderful works" (Matt. 7:21-23), or something that will appear as such to the world.

No one has done greater miracles than Jesus did; but this was not all that He did that was great, nor were His miracles His greatest work. But in the eyes of the world, and even in the minds of the disciples at that time, the miracles that Jesus did gave Him His greatest prominence.

While the people "wondered at the gracious words that proceeded out of His mouth," the masses were inclined to run after Him because of the miracles. "A great multitude followed Him, because they saw His miracles which He did on them that were diseased." John 6:2. "And many of the people believed on Him, and said, When Christ cometh, will He do more miracles than these which this man hath done?" John 7:31.

It was for the reason that the people were captivated by His miracles rather than by the more important truth which He preached, that when He told them of spiritual things even "His disciples murmured," and many of them "went back, and walked no more with Him." See John 6:53-65.

On the night of His betrayal, after the institution of the new ordinances, Jesus told His disciples that He would go away. They were sorely troubled about it, and He proceeded to show them that it would be much better in every way for Him to go. Amongst other assurances was the one that the great works would not cease. This was apparently a matter of their deepest concern. Altho they had been enabled to work miracles in His name, even to casting out devils, they had been confronted with at least one case in which they were defeated. They had no idea that they could do anything with Jesus away, where they could not have tangible access to Him in case of emergency.

So He gave them this assurance: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go unto My Father." Now, what did His going to the Father have to do with it?

"I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth." They had not imbibed the truth from Christ as they should have done, neither had the masses received the truth, which would have enabled Jesus to have done a far greater work than any that He had done. Because His words, which were spirit and life to all who would receive them, were ignored, His manifest work was mostly confined to the miracles which He did. Those were practically all that were recognized as great, and all that were appreciated. Therefore this Spirit of truth, which was to abide forever with the church, would enable Christ's followers, from that time forward, to do greater works—more extensive works—in the salvation of souls than ever had been done.

For this reason Jesus said it was expedient that He should go away, giving this very good reason: "If I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you." Then He tells what the Comforter—the Spirit of truth—will do: "He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment," and "He will guide you [believers] into all truth."

So it was by this means that greater works were to be done by the disciples after Christ went to the Father than had been done by Him personally when on earth. In other words, it is Christ that does all the work under any circumstances (John 15:5), and He could do more through His Spirit working in His disciples throughout the world than He could as an individual in one locality at one time, with the people interested only in outward manifestations of power.

Therefore, the work of the Spirit on the hearts of the people, being of vastly greater importance than physical miracles, it is evident that it was the works of the Spirit, through His disciples, to which Christ alluded when He said, "Greater works than these [miracles] shall he [the believer] do; because I go unto My Father." This is further evident from the fact that when He ascended He gave spiritual gifts to His disciples. Eph. 4:7, 8, 11-13; 1 Cor. 12:4-11. It is true that the working of miracles was among them, but not by any means the most important.

That the greater works, to be accomplished by the power of the Spirit, consist in the conversion of sinners, is shown by the first-fruits of the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The result on that occasion was not a multitude of bodily healings, etc., but the conversion of three thousand souls. Here was a greater result than anything the Lord had done during His personal ministry. And it is this greatest of all earthly works that He wants His disciples to engage in, by the help of the Holy Spirit, to the end of human probation.

A GOD OF LOVE.

By G.

A GOD of love is unknown to the heathen. They worship their gods and sacrifice to them because of a superstitious dread of their vengeance. In the minds of the spiritually ignorant there is no occasion for rendering homage or giving sacrifice to a God of love; because they do not apprehend any danger from such a God, they will not give Him any attention.

But when one has been taught of God, and has been awakened by His Spirit to a sense of his need of a God of love, the outlook becomes decidedly changed. He sees the situation in a new light. When the mirror of God’s law has been held up before him, and he sees himself a sinner; when the light of divine truth reveals to him “that the wages of sin is death,” and that nothing he can do in his own strength and wisdom can save him; and when the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaims to him that a God of love has provided a way of salvation by the sacrifice of His beloved Son; then he sees reason to love and to worship and reverence a God of love. Not that he expects to repay such love, but because he has become imbued with the same Spirit of involuntary love that actuated such a sacrifice in his behalf.

And this Spirit moves the rescued sinner not only to reciprocate the Saviour’s love, but in turn to reach out to others after whom the love of God is also reaching. When the heart has become regenerated by the Spirit of love, the attention is at once directed toward others who need a like reformation. When Andrew found Jesus precious to his soul, he at once sought his brother Simon. When Saul was converted, he immediately began preaching Christ.

So the evidence of a true conversion is manifest in the desire to lead others to Christ. The love of Christ is manifest in His self-denial for the sake of others who need Him. And that Spirit will permeate the heart of every true believer. The child of God must be a child of love; “for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” And it is not any good thing in us that earns His love, for “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Then, “if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” And how can we manifest such love to a certainty?—“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments.” G.

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