p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 42. (10/16/1901)

Picturesque Route to Pan-American, Buffalo

If you are going to Buffalo, to New York, or to any Eastern point beyond Chicago, bear in mind that the Grand Trunk Railway System runs

SOLID VESTIBULE TRAINS

With sleeping cars, dining and cafe cars, through to principal Eastern points, without change.

QUICK TIME • LUXURIOUS SERVICE

Fine Scenery • Courteous Attendants

All trains for Buffalo and New York run via Niagara Falls, crossing the famous Steel Arch Bridge. Passengers allowed a stop-over at the great cataract.

The Grand Trunk is also the favorite route to Toronto, Montreal, Quebec, New England, and the Atlantic Coast via the White Mountains. It has won the title of the Great International Tourist Route, and offers its patrons an endless variety of summer tours.

Inquire of Agents, or address

GEO. W. VAUX, A. G. P. & T. A.,

Grand Trunk Railway System, Chicago, Ill.

PURE FOOD MAKES PURE BLOOD

A mill that enables your cook to do the work of three mills in one combination mill, is up-to-date and economical. It grinds grains, makes nut butter, cuts up meats, figs, dates, pulverizes coffee, drugs, salt, etc.

Price $4.00

For circulars, terms, etc., address _WILL T. DAWSON, Battle Creek, Mich._

VIRGINIA HOMES.

You learn all about Virginia lands, soil, water, climate, resources, products, fruits, berries, mode of cultivation, prices, etc., by reading the Virginia Farmer. Send 10 cents, for three months’ subscription, to Farmer Co., Emporia, Va.

Heralds of His Coming

Is the end near? May we know the time? are important questions deserving of the most serious consideration. These, together with many others bearing on Christ’s second advent, are fully answered in this tract.

A. G. L. No. 51 :: 1½c each :: 98c per hundred

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

11 W. Twentieth St., New York 18 W. Fifth St., Kansas City, Mo.

DAY OF THE SABBATH

IS IT ANY DAY, OR IS IT A PARTICULAR DAY? AND IF A PARTICULAR DAY, WHAT DAY IS IT?

A. G. L. NO. 50 1C EACH 68C PER HUNDRED

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

11 W. 20TH ST., NEW YORK 18 W. 5TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO.

Our Bible Stock

is large and varied, and is sure to contain just the book you need. We have been making a SPECIAL CUT IN PRICES during the summer, and shall continue this reduction until January first.

The Smallest Bible

STYLE “E” is a new Bible, specially made for the pocket, by the Oxford University press. It weighs 3½ ounces, and is bound in leather. It contains references, and size of the type is Brilliant. It is the very best pocket Bible for the price we have ever seen. $1.00 post-paid.

The Finest Bible

STYLE “F5,” full levant binding, kid lined and silk sewed. The most perfect binding in the world. Printed in Bourgeois type on India paper, full teachers’ helps, including concordance. Largest type facsimile Oxford Bible published. Price $7.85, postage 20c extra.

The Cheapest Bible

STYLE “D,” our Dollar Teachers’ Bible, is certainly the greatest value ever offered at that price. Bound in leather with overlapping edges, contains references, concordance, helps, subject index, dictionary of proper names, and a large number of illustrations. The type is good, clear Minion, and the volume measures only 1¼ inches in thickness. Price at our store, $1.00; sent post-paid, $1.20. Beautiful thumb index, 40c extra.

The Largest Type Bible

STYLE “C3,” Pica type, India paper, gold edges. The largest type text Bible obtainable. It was published at the time of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, and is known as the Jubilee edition. Price, $4.35; or by mail, $4.60.

We shall be glad to send you our illustrated Bible circular, quoting reduced rates

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY, OAKLAND, CAL.

CO-OPERATION CORNER.

By Editor

MANY of our faithful missionary workers would gladly use much larger clubs of the SIGNS than they are now circulating if they could afford to do so, while there are others who would be just as glad to pay for such clubs if they knew who needed them.

For these reasons we have opened the “Co-operation Corner.” It will contain requests for clubs of papers for use in various fields, short reports from those who are using such clubs, acknowledgments of money received, and such other information as will bring together those who can use papers but can not pay for them, and those who can pay for papers but are not situated so they can use them.

We have received $9.00 for the Chicago Workingmen’s Home, from the brethren and sisters in Des Moines, Iowa. Also $5.00 from the same source to apply on the club of 36 Little Friends to the Orphan’s Asylum mentioned four weeks ago. There is still a balance due of $4.90 on this club. We have a call for 5 SIGNS for one year to a County Hospital, which has been receiving the papers through a friend for two years. The price is $3.75.

BACK TO THE OLD PATHS

The experience of Bartholomew Biggs in attending a series of tent meetings, during which the stirring truths for these times were presented

A. G. L. No. 44 :: Price, 1 Cent Each :: 68 Cents per Hundred

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.

17 W. Twentieth St., New York 18 W. Fifth St., Kansas City, Mo.

THERE IS HELP IN GOD

This encouraging statement is clearly established in this very interesting tract.

A. G. L. No. 56. 50 cents per 100.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.

New York City Oakland, Cal. Kansas City, Mo.

Death of Pastor Dan. T. Jones.—

We sadly chronicle the death of another useful laborer in the Lord’s work, Brother D. T. Jones, who died of tuberculosis at his home in Kingsville, Mo., Tuesday, September 25, 1901, at 11 o’clock A.M., at the age of forty-six years, six months, in the very prime of life. Very early in life he began to bear responsibilities, as preacher, president of State Conference, and General Conference Secretary. His health failing, he came to the Pacific Coast for a time, and was for a year one of the directors of this institution. During this time, through his labors, the list of the SIGNS greatly increased. For several years past he has been connected with the Sanitarium at Guadalajara, Mexico, most of the time as manager, under constantly failing health. He has made a constant, long, brave, noble fight for life, by faithfully working for God. Recently he resigned his work, and went home to sleep till the Master wakes him in the morning. He was a noble man, a safe, wise counselor. It is sad that he should fall in the forenoon of life even as he did of the day. May God raise up others to take the place of the fallen. Our sympathies and prayers are extended to his devoted wife and family.

Coming Articles and Pitcairn Island News

By Editor

An article from Mrs. White arrived too late for this issue. It will appear next week. It is entitled, “Faithfulness in Service.”

In our Home department will be found the report of an address by Dr. Mary Wood-Allen. Mothers, we are sure, will wish to read it, and they ought.

We give the latest news from Pitcairn Island next week. It comes by the way of London, and is based on the report of the British Government’s High Commissioner of the Western Pacific.

A More Important Court and Case.—

Columns and columns of space are being given just now to the naval court sitting in the case of Admiral Schley; and judging from reports and comments, many persons are interested. But there is a court sitting of vastly more importance, even the Court of Final Judgment, the Court of Last Resort, the great Court of God. And the one case which ought to interest each man is his own, which will surely come before that great Tribunal. It ought to be of all-absorbing interest. It ought to affect present conduct. “So ‘speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged ‘by the law of liberty.”

The Reason

The Reason.—Whenever we find men railing against God’s law, teaching its abolition, declaring that they are under no obligation to keep it, we may see, verified in them, the truth of the apostle’s words, which also show the reason of their position: “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Rom. 8:7. They do not need condemning; the law does that. They need converting.

A History Worth Heeding.

In these days of large, smooth oil promises it is well to recall such history as the following, told by the New York Christian Advocate of a few weeks ago:—

Thirty-five years ago Pithole had the third largest post-office in Pennsylvania, ranking after Philadelphia and Pittsburg. It was the “largest and wickedest town in the oil regions.” “Its population varied from 25,000 to 50,000; vice held high carnival. Theaters, churches, banks, and newspapers flourished.” Now, like the lamps of the foolish virgins, there is no oil, and the site is covered with weeds. On Thursday last the township directors decided to start a school there, “provided there are ten children in the neighborhood to attend.” But they are as scarce as righteous men in Sodom; for a special telegram from Oil City to the Pittsburg Dispatch said that it is “doubtful if the ten children can be gathered.”

NOT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE.

STRONG, positive assertion of divine credentials, overweening boldness, bravado, boasting, and conceit, capacity for organization, and the working of wonders—miracles, if you please—are not of themselves alone sufficient evidence of a divine commission. In fact, the overweening conceit and self-exaltation are evidences to the contrary. The Tishbite prophet of Gilead never gave himself out to be “some great one.” The son of Amoz never boasted of his work; he simply told the visions which he saw. The weeping prophet of the captivity spoke of himself as “a child.” The forerunner of the Messiah, the greater-than-all prophets before him, was content to be a voice only;—the voice predicted of God; the forerunner of Him whose sandal-tie he was not worthy to unloose. And these traits of humility and self-effacement are characteristic of all the true servants of God. The Lord left it to the servants of another government for each to give out “that ‘himself was some great one.’” Acts 8:9.

Between these spirits and their fruit, souls must choose, guided by the Word of truth. If we look for signs and ignore God’s testing truth for to-day, we shall be as surely deceived as were the Jews who asked for signs in the time of the first advent, and yet rejected Him who, tho He did not and would not satisfy their curiosity, was the very fulness of wisdom and power.

It is true that in the last days the devil will work “with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; [and the reason is] because they received not the Love of the truth, that they might be saved.” 2 Thess. 2:9, 10. Every work of God will, therefore, be imitated or counterfeited. “For there shall arise false christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” Matt. 24:24, R.V. It is sadly true, that even before the great Judge will deceived men come “in that day,” saying, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by Thy name, and by Thy name cast out devils, and by Thy name do many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt. 7:22, 23.

Here are two characteristics of the true servants of God; think of them, reader; compare them with God’s Word and the lives of His approved servants; and on the other side, with the lives of many of the pretended, self-appointed prophets of the last days: (1) “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matt. 16:24. (2) “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 7:21.

It Is Not Gospel.—

Here is a portion of the advice given to labor unions by a clergyman:—

What are you in trade unions for, will you tell me? Is it to better yourself, or to better any one man in the union? Is it not to better the whole membership of the union? What are you engaged in this struggle for? Is it not to win out against the Employers' Association, and nothing else? You are in the struggle for one thing, and that one thing is the principle of unionism. It is not to love any man, no matter who he is.

Now all this may be in harmony with the principles of the unionism of this world, but not with the unionism of the Gospel. God blessed Abraham that he might be a blessing to people of every nation. He blesses each, that each may be a blessing to all. The principle of trade-unionism is that the union man may be benefited, but the non-union man starve, or join the union; in some instances, as in the case of colored men, in some localities, it is said that even this latter alternative is not allowed. Now all this is the way of the world, but it is not the Christian way, and Christ gives no commission to any ambassador of His to teach anything save Christianity.

Reform by Persuasion, Not Compulsion

It is strange how prevalent is the notion that people can not reform without a resort to law; that if certain ones want to reform themselves, they deem it essential that all others must be compelled to follow their example. An exchange says: “The ‘women of Canea, the capital of the island of Crete, ‘have formed a society to oppose the luxuriousness ‘of dress. The members of the society wear only ‘the simplest of costumes, and anathematize jewelry ‘and ornaments.’” This reform in dress is good, to the extent of precept and example; but the extreme is reached when “the government is petitioned to ‘introduce a bill to make the wearing of extravagant ‘clothes penal.’” A good reform may be entirely shorn of practical results by the application of compulsory measures. Compulsion often incites resentment and breeds contempt, where kind persuasion and worthy example would win public confidence and personal adherence. The greatest of all reforms is the Gospel of Christ, but compulsion is in no sense a part of Gospel work. The ambassador of Christ only persuades and beseeches men to be “reconciled to God.” 2 Cor. 5:11, 20.

Miracles and Delusions

“Miracles and Delusions” is No. 168 of the Bible Student’s Library, for October. Its author is A. O. Tait. It is a neat pamphlet of just 100 pages, containing thirteen chapters, as follows: Desire to Know the Mysterious; The Craving for Power; Predicted Manifestations of Power; “The Falling Away;” The Times of Refreshing; Miraculous Workings That Deceive; Spirit Manifestations; Oriental Religions; The Fountain of Life; Truth, a Shield and Buckler; Trying the Spirits; The Science of Christianity; Victory and Eternal Reward. Its aim is to deal, not with the details of Satan’s workings, which are ever changing, but with the eternally steadfast principles of truth, which, knowing, we may discern all things, and be saved from the strong delusions which are coming upon the world. We hope it may have a very great circulation. Paper cover, 15 cents; cloth edition, 50 cents. Address Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.

Write the Vision, Make It Plain

By Editor

“Write the Vision, Make It Plain.”—A correspondent in Washington, D.C., suggests in a letter, too long for publication, the printing of specially emphatic Bible truths, and precious promises in large type, and posting them in conspicuous places, so that all may read them and become familiar with the saving wisdom of God. These could be changed from time to time. We recall in one of the Adirondac valleys in northeastern New York, large texts posted on rocks, fences, large buildings, etc., that the traveler might read and reflect upon with profit. If such a thing were done properly, with true simplicity and in the fear of God, we believe it would prove a great blessing.

The True Test of Discipleship

The true test of discipleship in the Christian life is loyalty to the Scriptures of truth. Jesus says: “Ye ‘are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command ‘you.’” That is His test. Feeling or fervor or physical-sense appeal are all nothing. Above all sense-evidence is the “more sure word of prophecy,” the everlasting Gospel, the unchangeable law. “If they ‘speak not according to this word, it is because there ‘is no light in them.”