p. 58 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 4. (11/27/1893)

MEXICO'S TWOFOLD CURSE.

By Rev. J. Milton Green, D.D.

ROMANISM and infidelity, these are the great obstacles which impede the true elevation and progress of our sister republic. The latter is the natural result and fruit of the former. I am aware that in saying this I am antagonizing not a few among us who cherish the belief that Romanism is a better form of religion for the Mexicans than evangelical Christianity would be. The trouble with all such is that they do not know what Romanism, pure and simple, is. They have in mind the Romish Church modified by its Protestant environment, such as we see in our own land, obliged by an enlightened public sentiment and conscience to be externally, and to do many things which are, in contradiction to its traditional and essential principles and policy. I saw the other day, in Omaha, a specimen of the maguey plant, perhaps three feet high by two feet in diameter. It was an exotic. If I had taken it as a fair sample of the product, I should have greatly erred. It had been dwarfed and hindered in its development by its unnatural and unfavorable surroundings. I could but contrast it with the magnificent plants I had seen in Mexico, where soil and climate favor their growth, and where they attain to the height of ten to twelve feet and a similar width. So it is, if I mistake not, with Romanism. What we see in our own favored land is really a modified form of the system. It is not the natural and symmetrical development of its declared principles. It is not the normal outgrowth of its peculiar genius and spirit. Take the authorized utterances of Romanism and compare them with the

church as we see it, and they do not correspond at all. For example, Rome teaches that the many should be kept in ignorance and that only the few should be educated. But among us it is rare to find a Romish child who is not being taught either in the public or the parochial schools. And Father McGlynn gives us the explanation of this when he says that "if there were no public schools, there would be no parochial schools." In Mexico, where the Romish Church has had unlimited sway for more than three centuries over a people naturally gifted and susceptible of high civilization, she has educated only a very few of her children, so that even to this day not more than one in ten of her men, and not one in twenty of her women, can read, while she has suffered slavery for debt to exist under protection of law over a large part of the country. The canon law of the Roman Church distinctly declares that the pontiff "as God is far above the reach of all human law and judgment, and that all laws contrary to the canons and decrees of the Roman prelates are of no force." In our own land Roman citizens, as a rule, are obedient and loyal so far as outwardly appears, and honor the claims of the civil law; but in Mexico the people, following the precepts and example of the priesthood, fought for thirty years the nascent republic, and to-day are found in uncompromising rebellion against the laws of the land relative to public instruction, monastic orders, public religious processions, and the wearing on the streets of priestly vestments. Wherever these and such like laws are respected, it is done under protest and only through fear. Away from the great centers there is a systematic and consistent violation of them. One of the provisions of Rome's canon law is that "heretics are to be deprived of all civil and paternal rights," and it is added, "We do not esteem those homicides to whom it may have happened, in their zeal for their mother church against the excommunicated, to kill some of them." Now in the United States converts from Romanism enjoy equal liberty and protection with others. Here there is liberty of speech and thought and conscience, and we do not think of the system as being at all distinct in this particular from any other church. She respects and tolerates even her apostates. But how changed is all this as soon as we cross the Rio Grande and pass into Mexico! There the system, unless directly checked by the civil authority, sanctions the principle that in Rome "there can be no toleration." It is forbidden to employ a Protestant artisan or to consider him as having any rights which others are bound to respect. He may be insulted, robbed, and injured in person or family with impunity. If he has aught to sell, he must accept less than his neighbors; and if he desires to buy anything, he must pay more for it than they. He may literally be spit upon and stoned and buffeted, and can find no redress even in the courts, because in effect Rome wears the ermine. Nay, more, Romanism shoots, stabs, butchers those whom she considers as heretics, and so far from considering this as crime, she defends the assassins. Witness the massacres of Acapulco, Ahuacuatitlan, and Almoloya, and the martyr roll of sixty which stains the pages of missionary history of Mexico during the last twenty-five years. Many among us will be found to deny the existence in the Roman Church of an authorized tariff wherein every sin, however loathsome, has its price; but we who have seen and read said tariff, consider it only as a principle whose practical outworking is seen in the everyday life of priests and people as we have known them in Mexico. In no other way can we explain the existence of perjury, drunkenness, gambling, and fornication almost universal among the priesthood, and of practical polygamy, lying, stealing, and adultery among the people; yea, and even of murder. Let us not deceive ourselves. Look at the encyclical of Leo XIII. under date of September 25, 1891, and read these words: "Naturalization oaths have been demanded in order that the true church might be made to subscribe to the United States Constitution, with its impious laws and nefarious teachings, to compel them to renounce the true authority of the Catholic pontiff." This is in full accord with the canon law of Rome, but not with Rome as unthinking people see and judge her. That law says that "constitutions of princes are not superior but subordinate to ecclesiastical constitutions." How, then, can a consistent Roman Catholic be an American patriot, an obedient and loyal citizen?—He cannot; and he will, if intelligent, defend himself by citing one of the canon laws, which says that "no oath is to be kept toward heretics, princes, lords, or others." Now Romanism as it is, and as thus described, has in Mexico given birth to a twin curse, which is disbelief—an utter lack of faith not only, but an attitude of bitter animosity toward the Bible and all that is called Christianity. The fathers and brothers of the country very generally coincide with the sentiment which I recently saw in a representative newspaper, that "the Bible has been the greatest obstacle to the civilization and progress of Mexico." They believe that Roman Catholicism is the legitimate successor to the church of the apostles; they consider our Bible an adulteration and ourselves as impostors, and believe that they have seen and known Christianity in seeing and knowing the Romish Church. And thus to-day French, German, and American infidelity, including Spiritualism, find nowhere a more hearty welcome or a more congenital field than in Mexico. And for this reason I consider missionary work in Mexico, as in all papal countries, more difficult than it is in pagan lands. The gospel has not to encounter and overcome a base system of heathenism, but a shameful counterfeit of itself, a public sentiment bitterly prejudiced against it by a system worse than heathenism, that has palmed itself upon the people as Christianity.—Missionary Review.

CONFESSIONS OF A MIDDLEMAN.

"What becomes of the old and spoiled poultry?" we asked of a man formerly in the commission business.

"What, the 'fruit'? That's what we call poultry too ripe to sell to a man with a good nose."

"Yes, where does it go to?"

"Most of it is worked off at a big profit by Cheap Johns, who buy it up on purpose."

"How do they get people to buy it?"

"They stick up a sign offering poultry very cheap. Some economist comes along and picks out a good bird. The dealer is very anxious to wrap it up just right, and takes it behind the counter to do a neat job. Out he comes with a fine package, and the buyer goes home thinking he has made a bargain that will tickle his wife to death. When he opens the package, that bird is strong enough to knock a man down, and they have to throw it away. How was it done?—Simply enough. He didn't get the bird he picked out at all. That dealer had a lot of 'fruit' under the counter all nicely packed. While the customer's eye was turned, he slyly substituted the 'fruit' for the good bird. Very likely he gave him short weight, too, by having a fine wire running from the bottom of his scales where he could press it with his foot. When the customer comes back to make a row about it, the dealer 'never saw him before in his life!'"

"Is that the worst of it?"

"No, lots of this 'fruit' is eaten. Cheap restaurants buy it, pack it in charcoal, and then make it into salad and similar dishes. It all goes—with plenty of mustard. I once sold three tongues every day to a restaurant keeper. One day he said:—

"One of those tongues was a little rank."

"Well," I said, "we'll make that good—take another."

"Oh, no!" said he, "I just put a little extra mustard on it, and nobody tasted the tongue."—Selected.

A LAKE NEARLY A MILE DEEP.

By far the deepest lake known in the world is Lake Baikal, in Siberia, which is every way comparable to the great American lakes as regards size, for while its area is over 9,000 square miles, making it about equal to Lake Erie in superficial extent, its enormous depth, of between 4,000 and 4,500 feet, makes the volume of its waters almost equal to that of Lake Superior. Although its surface is 1,350 feet above the sea level, its bottom is nearly 3,000 feet below it. The Caspian Lake, or sea, as it is usually called, has a depth in its southern basin of over 3,000 feet. Lake Maggiore is 3,000 feet deep; Lake Como, nearly 2,000 feet, and Legodi-Garda, another Italian lake, has a depth in certain places of 1,900 feet. Lake Constance is over 1,000 feet deep, and Huron and Michigan reach depths of 900 and 1,000 feet.

Do It Boldly

I HATE to see a thing done by halves; if it be right, do it boldly; if it be wrong, leave it alone.—Gilpin.

A False Report and a Good Life

By St. Jerome

A FALSE report does not last long, and the life one leads is always the best apology of that which one has led.

WHY STAND YE IDLE?

By Mrs. L. D. Avery Stuttle

THERE is work to be done in the vineyard, There are sheaves to be garnered in; There are souls to be saved, and the Master saith, "Go, gather my lambs from the paths of death, From the broad highway of sin."

Go, gather them in from the hedges; Go, gather them, young and old; Go, tell how the Shepherd, in wondrous love, Is waiting to welcome, in mansions above, The poor, wayward lambs of the fold.

Then work for the glorious Master. Oh! why wilt thou longer delay, When he promises strength if we ask aright, When his yoke is so easy, his burden light, And he pledges the best of pay?

The reward shall be life eternal, With pleasures and joys untold; Bright mansions in glory shall ever be thine, And for every soul thou hast saved shall shine A star in thy crown of gold.

Then work; there is rest hereafter. How sweet will the resting be When, forever free from the blight of sin, Through the pearly gates we are ushered in, To eat of life's healing tree.

The harvest of earth is ripening, And we long for the gathering day; And when, with the angels so pure and bright, The King shall descend from the realms of light, With joy may we hear him say:—

"Thou hast faithfully worked in my vineyard; Now the home of the just is thine. Receive for thy labors a rich reward, For they that turn souls to the pitying Lord, As bright as the stars shall shine." —Mrs. L. D. Avery Stuttle.

Bible Students' Library.

By Editor

We wish to call especial attention to the above important publication. It is now undergoing thorough revision as rapidly as is consistent with thoroughness and other circumstances. Some of the last numbers issued and about to be issued are as follows:—

Who Changed the Sabbath?

No. 107. This is the old title of a new and much better tract. It should be circulated everywhere. It shows by the Scripture who did not change and who would seek to change the day, and it confirms the Scripture testimony by Roman Catholic and Protestant witnesses. Price 3 cents.

Life, Its Source and Purpose.

No. 108. This is a ten-cent pamphlet by Elder Wm. Covert, on the positive side of the life question. It shows how we may obtain life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The last chapter, and there are nine in the little work, is worth the price of the pamphlet. Price 10 cents.

Tormented Forever and Ever;

Or God's Test of Immortality.

No. 111. This tract of 16 pages treats on the fearful fate of the wicked, as shown by such texts as Rev. 14:11; 20:10; 19:3; Matt. 25:41, 46; Mark 9:43-48; and others, in a new and reasonable light. Read and circulate. Price 2 cents.

Spiritualism: Its Source and Character.

No. 112. This tract contains all that is worth preserving in Nos. 12 and 13, and more. It is both of these 32-page tracts combined in one 24 page, and is worthy of a wide circulation. Price 3 cents.

The Christian Sabbath,

From a Roman Catholic view-point.

No. 113. This is the reprint, by importunate request, of the articles in the Catholic Mirror which have recently appeared in the American Sentinel. It shows very conclusively the inconsistency of Protestants in holding to Sunday as a Bible Sabbath, and that while professing to go by the Bible and the Bible alone, they are following the tradition of the Roman Catholic Church. Price 4 cents.

The Identical Seventh Day.

No. 114. There are three stock objections brought against the Sabbath: (1) THE ROUND WORLD, (2) THE QUESTION OF LOST TIME, and (3) THE SEVENTH PART OF TIME. These questions have hitherto been considered in three tracts, Nos. 7, 21, and 39, aggregating 64 pp. These three numbers are now discontinued, and these questions are treated clearly in a tract of 16 pages. All essential arguments are given in No. 114, "The Identical Seventh Day." Price 2 cents.

The Waymarks to the Holy City;

An Exposition in Daniel 7.

No. 115. This is a revision of what was once No. 5. But as it needed revision, and as the former title was to some extent a misnomer, it has been revised and issued under the above number. Price 2 cents.

The First Number for January, 1894, is

The Sabbath School Lessons on Luke.

No. 116. There will be one year's lessons on this book, and each quarter's lessons should be preserved. Price 5 cents.

Prophetic Lights. (January, Extra.)

No. 117. This is that most worthy little work written by Elder E. J. Waggoner some years ago. It is just the book for circulation among those who know not the truth. It is finely illustrated, and is issued as a number of the Library at 50 cents.

Christ Tempted as We Are.

No. 118. By Mrs. E. G. White. This is a most precious, comforting, and strengthening number. Price 2 cents. Order by number. Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

THE DIVINE GUIDANCE.

By A. J. Gordon

My hearers, if the Lord's business is made your principal business, I assure you that you will repeatedly have divine guidance in your Christian life. It may be direct or indirect; it may be sensible or insensible; but you will have it. Christ does not call us to be his servants, and then utterly neglect to give us any orders as to our work. Ah, the trouble is that we have not looked to him for our directions! Like wayward children we have chosen to work by our own plans instead of asking him to show us his plans. Let us resolve to take the position of sons, who are also servants. Many gentlemen Christians are there in the church and too few servant Christians. We make a polite call on God in the morning and leave our card in the shape of a few set phrases of worship and adoration, glad when the formality is over, that we may hasten about our business; but we do not stop to take our orders from him, asking, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Let us be ashamed that this has been so true in our case. Let us be able to say, morning by morning, "Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their master, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress, so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God." A serving attitude is the best prayer for the Spirit guidance. If only with bended knees and folded hands we pray, "Lead me, O God," we shall not lack the desired guidance.—Rev. A. J. Gordon, D.D.

Prayer and Means Together

PRAYER and means must go together. Both of them are proofs of faith.

Facts for the Times

FACTS FOR THE TIMES.—Containing historical extract, tracts, candid admissions from authors, ancient and modern. A Book for the Times. Revised 1893. A compilation of facts that are astounding, by students of biblical and historical research. 340 pages, wine-colored cloth binding. Price, 75 cts., postpaid. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, California.

Those Tent Meetings

By Editor

THOSE TENT MEETINGS.—We have a few more copies of "Those Tent Meetings," a rhyming recital, by M. B. Duffie. Price, 25 cents, postpaid. Address this office.

FIELD NOTES.

By Editor

ELDER A. J. READ reports to the Review the arrival of the printing outfit at Papeete, Tahiti.

A growing interest in our work is reported at Albuna, Ontario, and a corresponding bitterness on the part of opponents.

ELDER GEORGE B. WHEELER has been located with the church in Boston for the winter. The place of meeting is 1371 Washington Street.

AT Niles City, Mont., Elder C. N. Martin reports the organization of a Sabbath school of twenty-five members. The use of the Baptist Church has been secured for the winter.

ON the 17th inst. Elders J. O. Corliss and W. A. Colcord and Brother N. L. Lawrence, all accompanied by their families, left San Francisco for Australia, on the steamer Monowai.

THE way is now clear for Seventh-day Adventists to hold suitable buildings for their work in Hamburg, having been formally acknowledged by the authorities as a religious denomination.

THE General Conference Bible School at Battle Creek, Mich., now numbers 425. This school has no connection with the college; it is designed for those who desire a short special Bible course.

BROTHER E. O. PARKER, a canvasser in Newfoundland, makes an appeal for missionaries to labor in that field. He says that “sickness and suffering are on every hand,” and that “their very look seems to appeal for help.” Many cannot read, yet are hungry for the truth.

A DISTRICT Conference of General Conference District No. 4 will be held at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, December 12–18. The district comprises the States of Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and Nebraska. The council will consist of the Conference Committees, presidents and secretaries of tract societies and Sabbath school associations, and the State agents.

THE following encouraging note is from Elder A. J. Breed, of the General Conference Committee: “As I look back over the work of the past season, I can see how God has in a special manner let his blessing attend the efforts put forth to build up the work among the people. I never attended meetings where the deep movings of God’s Spirit were manifest more than in the camp meetings held in the whole district [No. 5]. There was no special effort to get the people to move and walk in the light, but as the truth has been presented, it is that which has moved them. Many who have had no connection with us as a people have become interested, and have taken hold of the truth. Many times they say, ‘My interest was awakened by reading the Signs of the Times, and now I am ready to take hold of the truth as taught in that paper.’”

OF the work in Virginia Elder G. B. Tripp says, “Earnest calls for help are coming in from all parts.” The church membership of the whole State is much less than that of some of our larger churches, yet there is a population of over 1,000,000 white and about two-thirds as many colored people.

A NOTE to the editor from Brother E. C. Chapman, missionary at Papeete, Tahiti, says: “We are rejoiced to learn that a press is on the way to this place, and are busy preparing manuscript, so that no time will be lost when it does come. The demand is not only for religious literature, but for some of the schoolbooks in Tahitian, which are now a scarce article. As the school interest is becoming a very important branch of our missionary work, we will probably have to supply the need for books as best we can. Elder Cady is almost snowed under with schoolchildren, few of whom can read their own language. Probably some of the brethren from here will go down to Raiatea to assist him what they can.”

OUR FIRST TRIP AROUND TAHITI.

By Elliot C. Chapman

FOR several months past we have had in mind a visit to the outlying districts of this island, for the purpose of becoming acquainted with the people and learning how better to plan our work for the future.

Accordingly, on August 14, in company with Brother Bambridge, who is a native of this place, Elder Read and myself started in a substantial wagon to make the circuit of the island. Passing out of the narrow and crooked streets of Papeete, we were soon rolling along past clumps of bananas and native huts, with here and there a patch of land that bore some resemblance to a garden. Occasionally we would meet a native or a Chinese with a load of charcoal or fruit upon his back, bound for the market. By the roadside, amid pretty surroundings, were the country homes of some of the wealthy people of Papeete.

In many places along our journey we passed vanilla bean plantations. This nice-smelling product, from which the flavoring extract of commerce is made, is planted in some thicket, where the beans can climb the trees. One odd peculiarity of this climber is that it does not grow straight up, neither does it wind around the body of the tree, but climbs up in a zigzag course, with leaves at each joint. The bean, after being dried, is shipped off to distant lands.

At our first stopping place we found the natives anxious to talk on religious subjects and eager for literature. One old blind man was especially glad to meet us, while another man wanted to know if we did not have any Bible-reading book in the Tahitian language for sale. There is no doubt but that books in this language would meet with a ready sale, and be read with much interest. There is also a call at this place for some readings suitable for use in their weekly prayer and social meetings. At another place where we called, the natives came in one by one with their Bibles and we had a Bible reading.

We passed by large tracts of land that years ago were one vast cotton field where 3,000 Chinese found employment; now it is almost without inhabitant, “and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles [in this case guavas] had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.” Alone and desolate in a field stands a large boiler and engine that mark the site of a cotton mill, and exhibit the decline of the manufacturing industry in Tahiti. Beneath the sod lies the ex-proprietor of the mill and the plantation, a victim of alcohol.

The first night out we were the guests of the chief of the district of Mataiea, who is a large and intelligent looking man. Here, as usual, we found those who were interested in the word of God.

On the morning of the second day out we passed the sixth distillery after leaving Papeete. Excepting a few blacksmith shops and one sugar mill, which is also a still, we did not see a single manufactory of any kind in the whole circle of the island except those for the making of rum. All these mills are run by foreigners, and are scattering death and misery among the natives at a terrible rate. Though this island is well adapted for the raising of sugar cane, not enough sugar is produced to supply the market here, as the distilleries use the cane in their work of making evil spirits.

The foliage and general appearance of the country the second day of our trip were beautiful beyond description. Large and thrifty trees, covered with vines and orchids and moss, grew by the roadside. Some of the orchids appeared like multitudes of fine green ribbons hanging in large clusters from the branches, while others had fastened their tiny roots into the bark of the tree, and stood there in their beauty as much at home as though the tree existed for their support. As we rode along the isthmus which joins the two islands of Tahiti together, we passed between rows of well-loaded orange trees, where fruit was left to ripen and fall to the ground to rot. In this district there were only two families living, one to keep the jail, and the other the hotel.

The village of Tautira, which is the most distant one of importance from Papeete, we found to be neat and prosperous above its sisters. Many of the houses are built in European style; the others are made of bamboo poles set on end. The ends of the houses are round, and, being neatly thatched with the leaves of the screw palm, are attractive and pretty in appearance, and comfortable and cool as homes. The income of this village is derived mostly from the sale of oranges, which are shipped to New Zealand. Being in a secluded place, the inhabitants are kept freer from the corruptions that are spreading death and destruction among the natives of Papeete. After spending only a few hours in this interesting place, where weeks might well be spent, and visiting with the one old Sabbath keeper of that place, and meeting a good many others who extended to us a hearty welcome, we turned our steps homeward, intending to see that place again as soon as we have more literature. The following night we lodged with the chief of the district of Afahiti. When he heard we were coming, he tried his best to secure a pig for a feast, but, fortunately, did not succeed in that effort. During the evening we called upon the native minister of the village. He was glad to meet us, and soon a dozen natives had gathered in; and while they lay around in a circle, smoking cigarettes, and manifesting no little interest in all that was said, Elder Read gave them a Bible reading.

The following day we made our way over rough roads and through many rivers and streams, till we had forded in all over eighty creeks since leaving Papeete and crossed on bridges nearly as many more. We did not stop everywhere that there was an opening, as time did not permit. “Haere mai te maa” (Come to breakfast), shouted one lady as we rode by. “My house is yours,” said one man on whom we did not find time to call.

At the village of Haitaa the people were quite reserved at first, but after a little took a surprising interest in our work. Here Elder Read gave them a Bible reading, as before, and, amid a lot of smiling faces and a shower of well wishes, we rode on to the next town. After a hard day’s journey over rough roads, which ran sometimes around the face of lofty cliffs far above the sea, and again over fertile valleys and across strips of sandy beach, we arrived at home, none the worse for wear, and deepened in the conviction that the Lord is certainly working for this people. We never saw greater interest manifested in the study of the word of God by any people who have not been born again.

ELLIOT C. CHAPMAN.

GIVE.

Give as the morning that flows out of heaven, Give as the waves when their channel is riven, Give as the free air and sunshine are given,— Lavishly, utterly, joyfully give.

Not the waste drops of thy cup overflowing, Not the faint sparks of thy hearth ever glowing, Not a pale bud from the June roses blowing,— Give as He gave thee who gave thee to live. —Selected.

"PROPHETIC LIGHTS."

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

Some of the Prominent Prophecies of the Old and New Testaments.

INTERPRETED BY THE

BIBLE AND HISTORY.

BY ELD. E. J. WAGGONER.

There are many people to whom the word "prophecy" conveys the idea of something obscure and incomprehensible. But instead of this it is a light. Prophecy is something foretold; it is history in advance. God, who sees the end from the beginning and who "calleth those things that be not as though they were," is able to write the history of an event before it occurs far more exactly than any human pen can write it afterward. Now if we can understand history when written by men, why should it be thought a thing impossible that we should understand the history when written in advance by the Spirit of God?

The design of this book is to remove some of the covering that has been thrown over the prophecy by tradition and human speculation, so that its clear light may shine out. This has been done by letting the Bible tell its own story in its own language. No theories are advanced, but the plain predictions are laid side by side with the well-attested historical facts which show their exact fulfillment. Although each chapter of the book is complete in itself, it will be seen that they all point to the one object of the prophecies of the Bible, namely, the consummation of the Christian's hope. We trust that the perusal of this book may strengthen the faith of those who have this hope, and may lead others to love the coming of our Lord.

BABYLON.

"The four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings." Dan. 7: 2-4. See pp. 86, 87.

Specimen Illustration from "Prophetic Lights."

Nearly all the illustrations of this book were designed and engraved especially for this work at great expense, and are a study in themselves. Nothing like them has ever appeared in any of our publications before, and they are sure to attract general attention. Everyone who has seen the illustrations pronounces them superb.

"PROPHETIC LIGHTS" contains 180 large octavo pages and is printed on an extra quality of heavy calendered paper. It is bound in fine English Cloth, with beautiful symbolical side stamp in brown and gold, and has gilt edges. Price, postpaid, $1.00. In paper covers, 50 cents. Address orders to PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., NEW YORK AND KANSAS CITY, Oakland, Cal.

PERIODICALS WANTED.

BRETHREN AND SISTERS: This part of the Lord’s vineyard has few laborers, and is a large and important field; and in consequence many souls must be reached through the medium of our publications. We can use thousands of our periodicals of all kinds, but especially the SIGNS, Sentinel, tracts, and Youths’ Instructor. All kinds will be thankfully received, and used in the cause, if sent postpaid to V. R. Flattes, No. 13 Indiana Avenue, Spokane, Wash.

CHURCH SERVICES.

By Editor

All of our churches, especially on this coast, who desire their regular weekly services announced in this column, may have it done by reporting through the proper officers.

Oakland.—Church at corner of Twelfth and Brush Streets. Regular preaching services or Bible study, Sunday at 7:30 P.M., Friday at 7 P.M., and Sabbath at 11 A.M. Sabbath school at 9:30 A.M. Sabbath. Prayer and missionary meeting Wednesday at 7:30 P.M. All are cordially invited.

San Francisco.—Church at 914 Laguna Street. Regular preaching services at 7:30 P.M. Sunday and 11 A.M. Sabbath. Sabbath school at 9:45 A.M. Prayer meeting Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Missionary meeting Thursday 7:30 P.M. Seats free.

Los Angeles.—Church at 143 Carr Street. Preaching service Sunday evening 7:30. Missionary meeting Wednesday evening 7:30. Sabbath school on Sabbath at 9:45, and preaching service at 11 A.M. All are welcome.

California Tourists Should Have a Copy of the Grand Book

By Editor

"IN THE HEART OF THE SIERRAS."

It Pictures the World-renowned Yo Semite Valley, the Big Tree Groves of California, the Glaciers, Gold Mines, and Caverns of this Wonderful Region. It is a

COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE YO SEMITE VALLEY,

Giving routes of travel, number of miles by rail and stage; describes points of interest en route; gives map of the Valley, and contains 160 illustrations, 28 of which are Beautiful Full-Page Artotypes, and which portray the wonderful Cataracts, Mountains, and Precipices with all the REALITY OF A PHOTOGRAPH. Bound in five styles. Copy in cloth, embossed jet and gold, gold edges, sent postpaid, where we have no agent, for $3.50.

CHEAPER EDITION.

We have just issued a special TOURISTS' EDITION of this book, containing all the matter of the other edition, printed on thinner paper, without artotypes, bound in flexible cloth covers. Copies sent postpaid anywhere for $1.50.

Address PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO., Oakland, Cal. Or 43 Bond St., New York.

IF YOU ARE GOING EAST

TAKE THE FAVORITE WINTER LINE!

ARRANGE for your trip via the "Santa Fe Route" and you will be assured of a pleasant and comfortable journey.

It is the most popular Overland Route, and cannot be excelled in the way of facilities and service.

It is the only Line running Pullman Palace and Tourist Sleeping cars through to Chicago, every day, without change, on the same train.

Personally conducted Overland Excursions leave every Tuesday, baggage checked through to destination.

Steamship tickets sold to and from all European cities.

For full information in regard to rates, berths, etc., write to or call on the undersigned. J. J. Warner, Agent, 972 Broadway, Oakland, Cal., or W. A. Bissell, G. P. A., 650 Market Street, Chronicle Building, San Francisco, Cal.

International S. S. Lessons.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8

LESSON XI.—SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1893.

THE HEAVENLY INHERITANCE.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

Lesson Scripture, 1 Peter 1: 1-12.

1. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.

2. According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4. Unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.

5. Who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold temptations.

7. That the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, might be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

8. Whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory;

9. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

10. Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you;

11. Searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them.

12. To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Ghost sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.

Golden Text: "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." Col. 1: 12.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

What office does Peter claim for himself in writing this epistle? Verse 1.
To whom is his epistle addressed?
What does he call these strangers in the next verse?
How and unto what were they elected?
What salutation does he send them? Verse 2.
To whom does he ascribe praise? Verse 3.
What has God done for us?
Through what agency have we this hope?
To what does this hope lay hold? Verse 4.
What are the characteristics of this inheritance?
Where is it now reserved?
By what power are we now guarded? Verse 5.
Unto what and to what time are we thus kept?
What feeling does this hope awaken in the heart? Verse 6.
What is sometimes the lot of God's people in this life?
To what is the proof or trial of our faith compared? Verse 7.
How does God desire it shall be found?
What is the feeling of the true disciples toward their Lord? Verse 8.
What is the end of their faith? Verse 9.
Who prophesied of this faith? Verse 10.
How did these prophets manifest a desire for a knowledge of this grace? Verses 10, 11.
What power led them to testify?
Of what did this Spirit testify through them?
What was revealed to these prophets? Verse 12.
How do angels feel about the plan of salvation?

Continue reading: LESSON X.—SABBATH, DECEMBER 9, 1893