B. H. LEWIS of Oregon inquires, "Will the SIGNS OF THE TIMES please give its readers a true and critical exposition of John 12:31. 'Now is the judgment of this world, now shall the prince of this world be cast out,' especially the terms now, Judgment, Prince. Who is this prince? From whence, or from what shall this prince be cast out?"
If we connect two more verses with the one quoted above it seems to me we have the key to the understanding of this verse 31. "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die." John 12:32, 33. It is evident that the language refers to the betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and death of Christ, so the time, "now," was when those things were accomplished. The "prince" "cast out" was Christ. "The judgment," the judgment the wicked passed in their unjust condemnation of Christ to death. This was predicted in Isaiah 53:7, 8, "In his humiliation his judgment was taken away." So it is quoted in Acts 8:32, 33.
This casting out of Christ by his own people is clearly taught in one of his own parables, where the householder who had planted a vineyard after sending his servants, at last sent his son, and 'the husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. And they took him and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard." Mark 12:7, 8.
Volume Fifty-one.
By Editor
THE Review and Herald, published at Battle Creek, Mich., well known as the denominational organ of Seventh-day Adventists, has entered upon its fifty-first volume. We heartily endorse the noble old standard-bearer, and speak for it a wide circulation. Speaking of the new volume, the editor says: “We enter upon it feeling more than ever the need there is for such papers as the Review and its co-laborers in the same field. . . . The prospect was never better for the progress of this work. The truth is clearer. Its friends are more numerous, and better organized. Unity prevails, and a feeling of courage and good cheer is abroad. The Review asks the continued co-operation of all its subscribers and contributors. In return it will endeavor to observe closely the signs of the times, proclaim them faithfully, maintain uncompromisingly its defense of the down-trodden truths of the Bible, and act well its part in preparing a people for the coming of the Lord.”
North Pacific Conference.
By I. D. Van Horn
Last Sabbath and Sunday I spent in Carrollton, Cowlitz county, Washington Territory. I found five Sabbath-keepers who had covenanted together to hold meetings, and one other who was keeping the Sabbath. I gave five discourses, and the congregations averaged about thirty. The roads were very muddy, the notice short, and the weather stormy. All things considered the attendance was good, and the impression made by the truth on those who heard was very favorable. They gave me an urgent request to come again which I think I will comply with in April next.
I organized s. B. for 1878, the five pledging $11.60, and the one-third $3.80. They paid my traveling expenses down and back, and said they would cheerfully do more if they had it. I think there is a favorable opening to bring more into the truth and form a good church.
The interest in Portland and East Portland is not sufficient to keep us here longer. We believe we can serve the cause better by moving to Salem. We shall move there within two weeks. So our P. O. address, freight office and express office, where all our mail, etc. should be sent, will be Salem, Oregon. I. D. VAN HORN.
December 26, 1877.
Discussion at Vacaville.
By William M. Healey
THE discussion closed Tuesday, January 1, with good results. Mr. Johnson affirmed that the soul or spirit survived death. We denied and affirmed as our third proposition for debate that "The punishment of the wicked will end in the final extinction of their being." Our opponent made great pretensions to a knowledge of the Greek and soon left the English version of the Bible, apparently thinking he was safe in saying anything in Greek.
He turned with great flourish to the Greek of 1 Peter 3:3, 4 which he claimed proved the spirit was immortal, not corruptible being translated from the same Greek word as immortal. We soon showed this to have no reference to an entity but to an ornament which we were to put on "even a meek and quiet spirit" that such an ornament was in the "sight of God of great price." Upon this text my opponent was going to claim the reward he had seen offered for a text of scripture plainly stating that any part of man is immortal, but after I showed that he had entirely perverted the meaning of the Greek, we heard no more about the reward. He said he would give $50 for a plain declaration of scripture showing that the soul or spirit was mortal. We took his own definition that the soul or spirit is the real man and then quoted Job 4:17, where Job says "Mortal man."
We are commanded to seek for immortality. Rom. 2:7, and may put it on at the resurrection. 1 Cor. 15:52-54.
The doctrine of inherent immortality originated with the serpent as we find him saying to Eve "Ye shall not surely die," Gen. 3:4, when God had told them they should "surely die." If they did not die, then God had told a falsehood. John recognizes this fact in 1 John 5:10-12 where he says that those who do not believe the record that God gave of his Son hath made God a liar. Verse 11. "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." Verse 12. "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." This plainly declares that any who claim eternal life by any means except in Christ make God a liar for that is the record that God hath given of his Son that in him we can have life. But the believer in the inherent immortality of the soul claims life for all mankind whether they believe in Christ or not.
My opponent did not attempt to answer the above. Why not believe God's word and let him stand true and the devil a liar, as Christ said that he was? W. M. HEALEY. January 6, 1878.
New Tracts.
By Editor
WE have now a supply of "God's Memorial," and "The Law and the Gospel," by Elder James White, in 16-page tracts, which should have a wide circulation. The matter is condensed, the style pointed, and the arguments unanswerable. These tracts are admirably adapted to missionary purposes. Price, $2.00 per hundred. We have also a new 8-page tract, entitled "A Dialogue," being a scene at the tent in Danvers, Mass., by Elder D. M. Canright, which covers several points of Adventists faith in unique form. Price, $1.00 per hundred.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
APPOINTMENTS.
By John Norton Loughborough
PROVIDENCE permitting I will hold meetings with the churches in California as follows :—
WOODLAND, District Quarterly Meeting, January 12 and 13.
VACAVILLE, January 15 and 16.
OAKLAND, State Quarterly Meeting, January 19 and 20.
SACRAMENTO, Wednesday evening, January 23.
TEHAMA Co., where Brother Brorsen may appoint, January 26 and 27.
ST. CLAIR, Nevada, February 2 and 3, and as long as the interest may demand.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
State Quarterly Meeting.
THE business session of the State quarterly meeting at Oakland will be held evening after the Sabbath, January 19, at 6 o'clock. Preaching at Oakland Sabbath at 10:30 A. M., and Sunday evening, January 20, at 7:30.
San Francisco.
I WILL meet with the San Francisco church at their yearly business meeting, to be held on Sunday, January 20, at 10 A. M. It is hoped there will be a full attendance of all the members of the church; and that all will be there on time.
The Way of Life; a beautiful engraving 19x24 inches, with key of explanations. $1.00.
The History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week. J. N. Andrews. 528 pp. $1.25.
Thrilling Life Sketches. Incidents in the life of an Italian of noble birth. By Francesco Urgos. $1.25, post-paid.
Thoughts on Daniel. U. Smith. $1.00. Condensed paper edition, 35 cts.
Thoughts on the Revelation. U. Smith. $1.00.
The Sanctuary and its Cleansing. U. Smith. $1.00. Condensed edition in paper, 30 cts.
Life of William Miller, with likeness. $1.00.
Life of Joseph Bates, with likeness. Revised. Edited by James White. $1.00.
The Nature and Destiny of Man. U. Smith. 384 pp. Paper, 40 cts.
The Constitutional Amendment. A discussion between W. H. Littlejohn and the Editor of the “Christian Statesman.” Bound, $1.00. Paper, 40 cts. First part, 10 cts.
Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. I. Mrs. E. G. White. 416 pp. $1.00.
Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. II. Mrs. E. G. White. 400 pp. $1.00.
Life of Christ, in four Pamphlets, by Mrs. Ellen G. White:—
No. 1. His First Advent and Ministry — 10 cts
No. 2. His Temptation in the Wilderness — 10 cts
No. 3. His Teachings and Parables — 15 cts
No. 4. His Mighty Miracles — 15 cts
The Game of Life (illustrated). Satan playing with man for his soul. In Board, 50 cts; in paper 30 cts.
Sabbath Readings for the Home Circle. 60 cts.
The United States in Prophecy. U. Smith. Bound, 40 cts. Paper, 25 cts.
A Word for the Sabbath, or False Theories Exposed. (Poem.) U. Smith. Muslin, 40 cts.
Advent Keepsake. Muslin, 25 cts. Gilt 40 cts.
Sermons on the Sabbath and Law, embracing an outline of the Biblical and Secular history of the Sabbath for 6,000 years. J. N. A. 30 cts.
Facts for the Times. 30 cts.
History of the Doctrine of the Immortality of the Soul. D. M. Canright. 25 cts.
The State of the Dead. U. Smith. 25 cts.
Our Faith and Hope. Sermons on the Millennium, Second Advent, the Kingdom, the Judgment, the Time, the Sanctuary, and Saving Faith. 20 cts.
The Ministration of Angels, and the Origin, History, and Destiny of Satan. D. M. C. 20 cts.
The Atonement. J. H. Waggoner. 20 cts.
The Spirit of God. J. H. W. 20 cts.
The Nature and tendency of Modern Spiritualism. J. H. Waggoner. 25 cts.
Miraculous Powers. 20 cts.
The Complete Testimony of the Fathers concerning the Sabbath and First Day. J. N. Andrews. 15 cts.
The Three Messages of Rev. 14, and the Two-horned Beast. J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
The Morality of the Sabbath. D. M. C. 15 cts.
The Resurrection of the Unjust; a Vindication of the Doctrine. J. H. Waggoner. 15 cts.
Christ in the Old Testament and the Sabbath in the New. James White. 10 cts.
The Saints' Inheritance, or the Earth made New. J. N. Loughborough. 10 cts.
Dangers and Duties of Our Times. An earnest appeal from the General Conference Committee. 10 cts.
The Conference Address. An earnest Appeal to Seventh-day Adventists. 10 cts.
The Sanctuary and Twenty-three Hundred Days. J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
Sunday Seventh-day. A Refutation of Mede, Jennings, Akers and Fuller. J. N. A. 10 cts.
The Truth Found. J. H. W. 10 cts.
The Two Covenants. J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
The Hope of the Gospel : What it is, and when it will be consummated. J. N. L. 10 cts.
Review of Gilfillan on the Sabbath. 10 cts.
Vindication of the Sabbath. Morton. 10 cts.
The Date of the Seventy Weeks of Dan. 9, established. J. N. Andrews. 10 cts.
Matthew Twenty-four. James White. 10 cts.
Four-cent Tracts: The Second Advent—The Seventh Part of Time—Celestial Railroad—Samuel and the Witch of Endor—The Ten Commandments not Abolished—Address to the Baptists—Present Truth—The Sufferings of Christ—The Two Thrones—The Third Message of Rev. 14—Spiritualism a Satanic Delusion.
Three-cent Tracts: Much in Little—The Lost Time Question—Argument on Sabbatism—Infidel Cavils Considered—The End of the Wicked—Scripture Reference—Who Changed the Sabbath—The First Message of Rev. 14—The Second Message of Rev. 14.
Two-cent Tracts: Christ in the Old Testament—The Sabbath in the New Testament—The Old Moral Code of Ten Commandments not Revised—Definite Seventh Day—Seven Reasons for Sunday Keeping Examined—Elihu on the Sabbath—The Rich Man and Lazarus—The Sanctuary of the Bible—The Millennium—Departing and Being with Christ—Fundamental Principles of S. D. Adventists—The Judgment; or the Waymarks of Daniel to the Holy City—The Two Laws—Spirit of Prophecy—One Hundred Bible Facts—The Law and the Gospel—God's Memorial.
One-cent Tracts: Appeal on Immortality—Thoughts for the Candid—Nahum's Chariots—The perfection of The Ten Commandments—Coming of the Lord—Without Excuse—Which Day do You keep and Why?—Geology and the Bible—The Sleep of the Dead—The Sinner's Fate—Can We know?—Is the End Near?—A Dialogue. Address, THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES, OAKLAND, CAL.
BUSINESS DEPARTMENT.
By Editor
"Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully," (margin, negligently.) Jer. 48:10.
Received for the Signs.
$2.00 EACH. R B Bayne 5-1, P M Partridge 5-1, L Potter 5-9, A N Allen 5-1, A Austin 5-1, Wm R Peterson 5-1, Lowry Smith 5-1, M H Randall 5-1, Lovina Skinner 5-1, A M Stanley 5-25, Martha P Burton 5-1, Mrs M J Horn 5-24, E A Gorham 5-1, Edwin Stafford 4-40, M A Dayton 5-1, S T Beardsley 5-1, Chas Parks 5-1, Eliza Hardin 5-1, Olion Lovetruth 5-1, Maria West 5-1, N S Raymond 5-1, Catherine E Millard 5-1, B Robb 5-1, Mary Whalin 5-1, R Richardson 5-1, John Curtis 5-1, Mrs Abby L Frost 5-1, Mary A Higley 5-1, Mrs Jennie Clark 4-42, A Mason 5-1, Juan M Santa Ana 5-25.
$1.50 EACH. Sarah Lingman 5-1, Peter Cranson 5-1, Thomas B Cranson 5-1, Mrs R G Hough 5-1, Charles Chrisman 5-2, Mrs N C Wheeler 5-1, Mrs Mahala Wilson 5-1, Mrs Annie Wartman 5-1, Mrs Mary Colvert 5-1, John Watkins 5-1, Mrs Mary Sowers 5-1, John Eaton 5-1, Sarah E Little 5-1, Sylvanus Griffin 5-1, Horatio Stafford 5-1, Theodore Butchel 5-1, W D Fowler 5-1, Ceylon Pike 5-1, Mary J Francis 5-1, Mrs Jennie Benn 5-1, C R Barlow 5-1, Eva Cason 5-1, Mrs A S Bartlett 4-25, Rebecca Freman 5-1, Francis Doane 5-1, I A Lyman 5-1, P L McNair 5-1, Mr. E George 5-1, John B Moosette 5-1, David Prestidge 5-1, Judith Austin 5-2, J B Cooutz 5-1, W B Dana 5-1, W L Dana 5-1, Rev H A Sawtell 5-1.
MISCELLANEOUS. Ira S Hallack 75c 4-24, O A Hallack 75c 4-24, Mary E Conrad 75c 4-24, J F Phipps 75c 4-24, W W Boerstler 75c 4-24, James Lindsey 50c 4-16, T L James 75c 4-24, D A Goyer 75c 4-24, Wm E Raymond 75c 4-24, J V Leabo 75c 4-24, Mrs L A Bramhall (8 copies) $12.00 5-1, Wm Evans (8 copies) 9.00 4-11, L Gould 1.00 4-30, Hattie Bolander 50c 4-19, Susan Willey 50c 4-19, Joseph Jellis 1.00 4-25, Oakland church (34 copies) 51.00 5-1, Lawrence Mower 75c 4-24, Miss Amelia Warren 75c 5-3, Mrs D A Dye 75c 4-24, Samuel Griffith 75c 4-24, John I Taylor 75c 4-24, John B Raymond 75c 4-24, Mrs Wm Barton 75c 4-24, George Tribbie 75c 4-12, Dr Beach 50c 4-12, Miss K Moody 50c 4-12, Miss Mattie A Gardner 50c 4-12, Mr Ryland 50c 4-12, Mrs McKenzie 50c 4-12, Quitto Arguello 50c 4-12, Wm Pierce 75c 4-24, E D Morgan 75c 4-24, Geo Hough 75c 4-24, Lermond Kallech 50c 4-16, Sereno D Campbell (4 copies) 6.00 5-1, W H Hall (28 copies) 42.00 5-1.
California Conference Fund
Lafayette church $5.00, Gilroy church 42.00.
Received on Account.
Cal T and M Society $62.45.
Baptist Hymn Book.
By James White
WE have made the statement in the SIGNS that one of the fair pages of the Baptist hymn book was devoted entirely to the ten commandments, word for word, just as we find them in the twentieth chapter of the book of Exodus, and as Seventh-day Adventists teach and observe them.
This fact has gone abroad, and probably public notice of it had been made in the vicinity of Vacaville previous to the late discussion. And strange to tell, the Baptist seeing that this had a bearing on the Sabbath question, have torn the leaf on which was printed the holy law of the great God out of many of their hymn books. But this does not remove it from the Bible. Be it known unto the Baptists that although with sacrilegious hands they remove the law of God from their hymn book, it still remains in the Bible, nevertheless it is safely deposited in the ark of God in the most holy place of the sanctuary in heaven. Over that ark is the mercy seat, before that ark stands the Son of God, our great High Priest pleading for those who have transgressed that law in the ark.
That holy law, given as a rule of life here will be brought forth in the great day of judgment as the rule of judgment there. Know this, oh ye Baptists, that the law which ye treat so rudely and heaven-daringly here, will in the day of judgment appear as a flaming reality to burn to the very depths of the transgressors soul like a flame of fire.
The reader will be astonished at this short-sighted action put forth by the Baptists at Vacaville, the seat of their college in California.
But blind men, who have become such by shutting their eyes to the law of God, in their confusion will act strangely. Men will use their best arguments. The best argument the Vacaville Baptists had against the ten commandments, and their shortest way to abolish them, was to tear them from their hymn book.