IF I should see
A brother languishing in sore distress,
And I should turn and leave him comfortless,
When I might be
A messenger of hope and happiness—
How could I ask to have what I denied,
In my own hour of bitterness supplied?
If I might share
A brother’s load along the dusty way,
And I should turn and walk alone that day,
How could I dare,
When in the evening watch I knelt to pray,
To ask for help to bear my pain and loss,
If I had heeded not my brother’s cross?
If I might sing
A little song to cheer a fainting heart,
And I should seal my lips and sit apart,
When I might bring
A bit of sunshine for life’s ache and smart—
How could I hope to have my grief relieved,
If I kept silent when my brother grieved?
And so I know
That day is lost wherein I fail to lend
A helping hand to some wayfaring friend;
But if it show
A burden lightened by the cheer I sent,
Then do I hold the golden hours well spent,
And lay me down to sleep in sweet content.
—Edith V. Bradt.
OUR WORK AND WORKERS.
A CAMP-MEETING is announced for October 12-20, to be held at Quitman, Miss.
A CHURCH-SCHOOL has been opened at Selton, Ont., with Miss Agnes Stewart in charge.
DURING the recent camp-meeting at Hazel, Ky., eighteen candidates presented themselves for baptism.
In connection with recent labors of Brethren P. M. Howe and J. F. Ballenger, at Petrolia, Ont., six persons have been baptized.
BROTHER E. J. HIBBARD and family arrived in California October 7, from Battle Creek, Mich. He will have charge of Bible instruction in Healdsburg College.
A CHURCH of thirty members has been organized at El Dorado Springs, Mo., where Brethren Willis and Millman have been holding meetings the past two months.
THE Indiana Conference has decided to support a minister as a missionary for one year in the province of Ontario, Canada. Brother W. A. Young has been selected.
AS THIS paper goes to press, a camp-meeting for the colored people is being arranged at Edgefield Junction, Tenn. This is the first occasion of the kind in that conference.
CHURCH-SCHOOLS are being instituted in Tennessee River Conference, at the following places: Springville, Trezevant, and Nashville, Tenn., and Bowling Green and Hazel, Ky.
A CAMP-MEETING to be held at Carthage, Mo., is appointed for October 8-14. For the special accommodation of the churches in the southeastern part of the State, a camp-meeting will be held at Poplar Bluff, October 29 to November 4.
THE company at Clintonville, Wis., held a “harvest ingathering” service September 19. Brother L. Jasperson notes in the Reporter that “it was especially enjoyed by the children, who had raised some missionary chickens and planted gardens, the proceeds to be given for missionary work.”
A REPORT in the Visitor from Brethren J. F. Hansen and H. C. J. Wolleker, who are laboring at Cedarhome, Wash., says that: More than a dozen persons have commenced to serve the Lord and to keep the Sabbath together with us. We expect soon to have baptism and to form an organization.
A LETTER from Brother George E. Crawford to the Wisconsin Reporter, tells of the opening of the colored school in Vicksburg, Miss. He says: This is a colored mission-school established a year ago, and taught last winter by Prof. F. R. Rogers, who is still connected with the school work in this State, as superintendent of schools. School opened September 9, with a force of three teachers, and an attendance of twenty-four students, and prospects of filling up all the room we have. The educational condition of the colored people here is deplorable. There are several schools in the city for them, but they get very little good instruction. This can easily be understood when I tell you that there is an old teacher attending our school, who is doing about fourth-grade work. The children that are attending at present, are as bright as any it has ever been my lot to teach. We have a free night-school twice a week, which is attended principally by old people. Some are so old they are children again, seventy-two and seventy-three years. Two came last night who were about fifty years old, and couldn’t spell their names. These we endeavor to teach a little of the common branches, so they can read the Bible, which is their greatest delight.
THE Wisconsin Reporter of September 3, has this item from Brother W. S. Shreve: At Haney, where Brother Couey resides, the Methodist brethren kindly opened the church which is under their control, and gave us a fair congregation of interested hearers on both Sabbath and Sunday. On Sunday evening, their pastor being present, I shared the time with him in telling the wonderful story of the cross.
It has been truly said that in evangelistic canvassing, young men may become better prepared for ministerial labor than by spending many years in school. Those who are fitting for the ministry can engage in no other occupation that will give them so large an experience as will the canvassing work. The ministry is an institution of God for giving the truth to the people. And God has not limited His ministers to any one means of doing His work. He is a being of resources adapted to the susceptibilities of all classes of people. Let none think lightly of any of the Master’s appliances, but be willing, and seek the ability, to win souls by any means.
THE Texas Reporter of September 25 has a letter from Brother A. G. Bodwell, who recently went from that State to labor in the city of Mexico, from which we take the following extract: We spend a portion of each day at the mission, then we go out and visit the people at their homes, or sell papers. Last Sunday I sold 191 papers in two and a half hours, making an average of selling over two papers a minute. It was quite interesting work. Dr. Erkenback was with me. We would start to selling them, and the crowd would gather round us; but when it would get too thick we would run to the next corner, and others would see us running from the crowd, and this would attract their attention, and we would sell them papers. We had to be very careful, for sometimes they would yell, “Protestant!” in the crowd. Then we would have to skip lively to keep from being mobbed.
ON THE WAY TO INDIA.
By G. K. Owen
From Aden to Calcutta.
WE passed through the Strait of Babelmandeb at the entrance to the Red Sea, and reached Aden on the morning of June 18. Here we waited the most of the day. At this very ancient town there are seven wells which are said to be prehistoric. They are dug out of the rock among the mountains that surround Aden, and are, it is said, about fifty feet in depth and the same in diameter. They are connected, and stone steps lead down to the water.
On June 20, as we sailed out on the Indian Ocean, we found the monsoon blowing, and during this part of our voyage the waves rolled higher than most of us had ever seen them before; and yet the rough sea afforded scenes of sublime interest to those of us who escaped seasickness.
The 23d the waves were higher than at any other time during our journey, and yet our steamer was so heavily loaded that it plowed its way through them so steadily that we could sit upon the upper deck and continue our writing.
On the 26th the connecting-rod of our great engine broke just as we were within three or four miles of the landing-place at Bombay, and we were obliged to hire one of the small sail vessels that came out to meet us, to take us and all our baggage ashore.
We had a very pleasant ride on the train across India, passing rice fields, mango orchards, banana plantations, etc. The mango is called “the king of fruits.” It furnishes delicious, refreshing, and nourishing “victuals and drink.” June 28, our brethren met us at the train, and kindly escorted us to the sanitarium, where we received a hearty welcome in the evening, in the strange but very interesting city of Calcutta. The hand of the loving Father has been revealed from the beginning to the end of our journey. G. K. Owen.
The Scriptures in 451 Languages
Prof. A. T. Perry, of Hartford Theological Seminary, reckons that at the beginning of the present century there were only 66 languages and dialects in which the Scriptures had been even in part translated; while during this century the number has risen to 451. If this seems a small proportion of the 2,000 known tongues in use, we must not forget that the languages into which the Word is already translated represent about 1,200,000,000 of the existing 1,400,000,000 of earth's population, and all the leading or dominant languages.—Missionary Review of the World.
The Sun Shines into Cesspools
THE sun, too, shines into cesspools and is not polluted.—Diogenes.
GIVE ME JESUS.
By Mrs. C. W. Keniston
Take the world, but give me Jesus;”
He my constant friend shall be;
Peace and joy can never leave me
While my trust is stayed on Thee.
“Take the world, but give me Jesus;”
In His love I’ll sweetly rest;
While His arms enfold, protect me,
With His Spirit I am blest.
“Take the world, but give me Jesus;”
Let me feel His presence near;
In His love I’ll trust forever;
Naught have I on earth to fear.
“Take the world, but give me Jesus;”
How I long my Friend to see!
Soon He’ll come in clouds descending;
Yes, He’ll come and set me free.
MRS. C. W. KENISTON.
Machias, Maine.
EMMANUAL MISSIONARY COLLEGE
OPENS at Berrien Springs, Mich., October 30. It is the purpose of this school to train men and women for missionary work. Being under the supervision of the General Conference, and working with the Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association, this object becomes in the highest degree possible of attainment. Excellent opportunities are offered in this institution for students who desire to enter any one of the following departments: Ministerial, Evangelistic, Canvassing, Christian Teaching, Preparatory Medical Missionary, Christian Business, and Musical.
The Calendar, an artistic pamphlet of sixty-five pages, setting forth in clear style the object and aims of the institution, is free upon application.
Address Emmanuel Missionary College, Berrien Springs, Michigan.
ONE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED.
SIXTEEN HUNDRED copies of the tract “Sound an Alarm” were ordered a few days ago by a church in Washington, for distribution at a fair. These fairs, now being held in all different parts of the country, afford excellent opportunities for the circulation of tract literature. “Sound an Alarm” is still going forward in large quantities. An especially encouraging feature in connection with the sale of this tract, is the large number that have been taken by individuals in hundred lots for personal work. Nearly every mail has brought a number of orders of this kind. The price per hundred, post-paid, is 75 cents.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT.
By Editor
Word has just been received at this office from Prof. C. C. Lewis, of Keene, Texas, stating that the Keene Industrial Academy will not open until November 6.
This will give an extra month for those who are working on the SIGNS scholarship offer in which to complete their list of one hundred subscriptions.
If there are any who have not yet considered this offer, they would do well not to delay the matter longer, as there is time yet for the energetic worker to earn a free scholarship in a good college.
Address SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
TWENTY-FIVE COPIES LEFT.
By Editor
WE are pleased to announce the demand for the SIGNS containing the special articles on “Modern ‘Spiritism’” has been far greater than the supply, altho an extra edition of each number was printed. All copies of the paper containing the first article in this series have been sent out, but we have on hand just twenty-five copies of the issue which contains the second article, so we are prepared to accept twenty-five more subscriptions to commence with this number.
PUBLISHERS.
LESSON V.—NOVEMBER 2.—CHRISTIAN GROWTH
NOTE.—In the preparation of these lessons all Scripture references, and the pages of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” should be thoroughly studied first, then the questions. The questions are not the lessons. They are only for the purpose of finding out what we have observed while studying. More of the preciousness of these lessons will be obtained if the lesson is studied each day throughout the week. In the parables of Jesus there is salvation from sin for every type of sinner—from the Pharisee to the prodigal. The notes are wholly selected from such portions of “Christ’s Object Lessons” as apply to each lesson.
26 “And He said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should 27 cast seed upon the earth; and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, he knoweth not how. 28 The earth beareth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear. 29 But when the fruit is ripe, straightway he putteth forth the sickle, because the harvest is come.”
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
1. To what is the kingdom of God here likened?
2. After the seed is sown, what is the man said to be doing?
3. How does the seed grow? Why does the man not know how it is done?
4. Does the fact that “the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself” show that it is without God’s aid?
5. In the process of growth, what first appears? What next? What last of all?
6. How soon after this state of things arrives, is the grain reaped? Verse 29, margin. Why?
7. Before sowing garden seeds, what must be done with the soil? Why do men not plant while the ground is frozen?
8. What is God’s part in the preparation of the earth-soil? What is man’s?
11. What is God’s part, and what man’s, in this work?
12. When is the best time to sow Gospel seed? Ans.—“In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not which will prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.” Eccl. 11:6.
13. Give examples of some whose hearts were all prepared before the Gospel seed-sower was sent to sow? See Acts 8:26–39; 10:1–48.
14. In these instances, was it necessary for the sower always to remain with the ground on which his seed had been cast? Have we ever tried to do God’s part in this work?
NOTES.
THE parable of the seed reveals that God is at work in nature. The seed has in itself a germinating principle, a principle that God Himself has planted; yet if left to itself, the seed would have no power to spring up. Man has his part to act in promoting the growth of grain. He must prepare and enrich the soil and cast in the seed. He must till the fields. But there is a point beyond which he can accomplish nothing.
THERE is life in the seed, there is power in the soil; but unless an infinite power is exercised day and night, the seed will yield no returns. The life which the Creator has implanted, He alone can call forth. Every seed grows, every plant develops, by the power of God.
AS THE earth bringeth forth her bud, as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth.
THE germination of the seed represents the beginning of the spiritual life, and the development of the plant is a beautiful figure of Christian growth. As in nature, so in grace; there can be no life without growth. The plant must either grow or die.
AT every stage of development our life may be perfect; yet if God’s purpose for us is fulfilled, there will be continual advancement. Sanctification is the work of a lifetime.
THERE can be no growth or fruitfulness in the life that is centered in self.
CHRIST is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.
WERE all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the Gospel. Quickly the last great harvest would be ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious grain.
1 “Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. 2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians heard, and the house of Pharaoh heard. 3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. 4 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph, your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. 5 And now be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land; and there are yet five years in the which there shall be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a remnant in the earth, and to save you alive by a great deliverance. 8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God; and He hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 9 Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not: and thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast. 10 And there will I nourish thee: for there are yet five years of famine; lest thou come to poverty, thou, and thy household, and all thou hast. 11 And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you. 12 And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither. 13 And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. 14 And he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.”
Golden Text.—“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom. 12: 21.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What is said of Joseph's emotion before his brethren? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) How were his deep feelings expressed? Verse 2. (3) What did he say to his brethren? How were they affected by this announcement? Verse 3. Note 2. (4) How did he seek to quiet their fears? Verses 4, 5. Note 3. (5) What information did he give them in regard to the famine? Verse 6. (6) What further comforting assurance did Joseph give his brethren? Verses 7, 8. Note 4. (7) What urgent command did he give them? Verse 9. (8) What promise accompanied this invitation to his father? Verses 10, 11. (9) To what evidence did Joseph refer as proof that it was indeed their brother that spoke to them? Verse 12. (10) What further command did he give? Verse 13. Note 5. (11) Then how was Joseph's tender affection for Benjamin displayed? Verse 14. (12) How did he further manifest his love for his other brethren? Verse 15.
NOTES.
1. Joseph Could not Refrain.—Between the last lesson and this one lies the history of Joseph's brethren coming to Egypt for food, and their return home without recognizing him. See the article, “The Sure Word of Prophecy,” on page 6.
2. “They Were Troubled.”—Naturally they feared that Joseph would now retaliate upon them for their cruel treatment of him.
3. Joseph's brethren had evidently shrunk back from him through fear when they saw that they had met in the person of a powerful ruler, the brother whom they sold into slavery. Joseph could not take vengeance, for he had been sent on a mission of mercy. Christ, of whom Joseph was a type, said, “The Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save.” His prayer for His executioners was, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
4. “Great Deliverance.”—That is, by a signal interference. But the word rendered “deliverance” more exactly signifies that which escapes, and means the same as “remnant” in the previous clause. There the words seem to forebode that only a few would escape; in the second clause (“a great deliverance,” or remnant) there is the assurance of their surviving in such numbers as to be able to grow into a great nation.—Ellicott.
5. “All My Glory in Egypt.”—This was not a boast on the part of Joseph. It was necessary that his father should be impressed with his son's ability to fulfil all his promises. In sending out His disciples, Christ first assured them that He had all power in heaven and in earth. Therefore in His name they could do all that He commanded them to do.
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.
GREAT CLEARANCE SALE
By C. H. Tyrrell
For October and November
In BARRED PLYMOUTH ROCKS, BLACK LANGSHANS, and WHITE WYANDOTTES
To make room, will sell at HALF USUAL PRICE for immediate orders
C. H. TYRRELL, Sioux Rapids, Iowa
PURE FOOD MAKES PURE BLOOD
PURE FOOD MILL
A mill that enables your cook to do the work of three mills on 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.
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.
ENTIRELY NEW
CHILEAB 75 CHRONICLES
Chil'e-ab (like the father). Son of David, 2 Sam. iii. 3.
Chin'ne-reth, Chin'ne-roth. (1) A city on or near coast of Sea of Galilee, Josh. xi. 2. (2) Old name for the inland sea known as Lake Gennesareth, or Sea of Galilee, Num. xxxiv. 11; Deut. iii. 17; Josh. xiii. 27.
Christ. The Anointed; the Messiah. A title of Jesus, the Saviour: at first with the article, “The Christ;” later, as part of a proper name, “Jesus Christ.” [JESUS.]
Chris'tian. Follower of Christ. First so called at Antioch, Syria, A. D. 43, Acts xi. 26; xxvi. 28.
Chron'i-cles (“words of days,” annals). Thirteenth and fourteenth of O. T. Books. Originally one book called Paraleipomena, “things omitted.” A supplement to Kings, compiled, no doubt, by Ezra. The history covers a period of 3500 years.
