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Signs of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 27.

With Our Inquirers
Earlier text: The Declaration of Independence

Literary Notices.

By Editor

"Home and Health.—A Household Manual." Prepared and edited by a competent committee of home-makers and physicians. 582 pages, illustrated. Introductory prices: $2.50, cloth; $3.50, library; $4.50, morocco. Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal.
This is a wonderfully helpful household article, a housekeeper's friend. As the title-page declares, it contains "two thousand recipes and helpful suggestions on the building and care of the home in harmony with sanitary laws, the preservation of health by clean, consistent living, and the home treatment of the more simple ailments and diseases, by the use of natural rational remedies, instead of drugs." It tells the housekeeper and home-maker just what they want to know, and places it within easy reach. Its subdivisions and topical arrangement make it an easy book to consult, and its pleasing style and embellishment make it also an interesting book to read. If consulted and followed in matters pertaining to health and sanitation, it will save its price many times in doctor's bills; and in general household matters the best informed will be surprised to find out how many things it can teach them. It is a thesaurus of information. The authors and compilers, Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Palmer, have for years been gathering from the best sources, and working out and developing the treasures and tools of this family storehouse.
"Biblical Teachings Concerning the Sabbath and the Sunday." By A. H. Lewis, D.D. 144 pages. Cloth, 60 cents. The American Sabbath Tract Society, Alfred Center, N. Y.
The Sabbath question "will not down." It is not a denominational affair; for it is older than all denominations. Rome may consistently ignore it, for her tradition which she exalts makes void the word of God. But to the believer in that word as the standard of faith and practise, the Sabbath question is a question of importance. This little work by Dr. Lewis is an appeal to the Bible and its requirements. The chapter on the "Origin of the Week" presents an overwhelming amount of evidence as to the sacred origin of the week, and the identity of the Biblical week and the present order of the days.
"His Life," "His Friends," "His Great Apostle." A series of three little books on the New Testament prepared by the Pastor's Publishing Union. Paper covers, single copies, 15 cents; cloth covers, 25 cents; presentation edition de luxe, full leather, 75 cents, post-paid. Hope Publishing Company, Chicago and New York.
"His Life" is the interwoven story of the life of Jesus from the four Gospels, not a harmony of the Gospels, but a connected account of His life, with headings and sub-heads, modern paragraphing and quotations. "His Friends" is the story of the immediate disciples of Jesus after His ascension, and their letters, handled in much the same manner as "His Life" is prepared. "His Great Apostle" is the entire story of Paul as recorded in Acts, with the Pauline letters in probable chronological order. All of these little books are the exact words of Scripture from the text of the American Standard Revised Version, the best of all English translations.
"Bible Hero Classics, in Words of the Scripture." Set of twelve 32-page booklets in attractive cardboard covers, two of the set double numbers 80 cents, post-paid. Single numbers, six cents each, double numbers, ten cents each. Hope Publishing Company, New York and Chicago.
These little classics are prepared for the express purpose of making the stories of the great Bible characters familiar. The exact words of the Scripture are used, eliminating all uninteresting detail and matter not pertaining directly to the life-story of the characters. By special arrangement with Thomas Nelson & Sons, the text of the American Standard Revised Version is used. The twelve books of the series are on Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Joshua, Samuel, Solomon, Elijah-Elisha, Daniel, Ruth-Esther, Samson-Gideon, Moses, David, the last two being the double numbers.
"Early Writings: Experience and Views; Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 1." By Ellen G. White. Tenth edition, 316 pages; cloth, 75 cents. Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal.
This includes the earliest writings of Mrs. White which she has thought should be preserved. This book is made up of two small works, "Experience and Views," published in 1851, and "Spiritual Gifts," published in 1858. Many hearts have found light and blessing in the perusal of this little work.
"Gypsy Smith's Mission Hymnal." Board binding, 25 cents; cloth binding, 30 cents; single copies, five cents extra by mail. Biglow and Main Co.
This is a specially selected collection of sacred songs for evangelistic and church services, to which has been added "Church Hymns and Gospel Songs" by the publishers. The book contains 256 pages, and over 400 songs. It begins with "I Surrender All," and closes with "God Be with You Till We Meet Again." Many of the grand old songs are in the collection. There is a special supplement of sixteen new Gospel Songs, with music. Among these is "Never Give Up," words by Fannie Crosby, and music by I. Allen Sankey, son of the famous Gospel singer, which has been called "Gypsy Smith's favorite song."
No. 10. Never Give Up.
No. 10. Never Give Up.
"DeLay's Manual of Bookkeeping." By David W. DeLay, A.M., Proprietor Mattoon Business College, Mattoon, Ill., 98 pages, paper cover. Address author.
This is an elementary text-book in the science of bookkeeping, treated in a practical way, with instruction concerning checks, drafts, partnership, double entry, with twenty-one sets to be worked out, single entry, with several sets, trial balance, balance sheet, commission, etc., etc., with noted helps and suggestions. Sufficient work is outlined for a good short course that will prepare a class for ordinary lines of bookkeeping.
"One Hundred Money-Making Plans for Untrained Women." By May C. Moore. Seventy pages, cloth, published by Kay & Bro., Springfield, Ill.
The fourteen chapters of the little book are devoted to different enterprises by which women have earned and can earn money. Among the more helpful chapters are, "Farm Industries," "Profitable Garden Enterprises," "Raising Animal Pets," and "Plain Sewing." Each plan is briefly stated but sufficiently full to be clear, and without doubt any woman could find helpful suggestions among the hundred plans listed.
"Tribune Almanac and Political Register, 1907." Price, 25 cents. New York Tribune, New York.
"Almanac" is not a proper term for such a mass of classified information. It is an "almanac" which has still retained the almanac information as a very small part of its store, but which has grown into an encyclopedia on current facts in this country and the whole world. Among its vast amount of information are the principle officers and rulers in this government, both State and Federal, and in the various countries of earth.

Choice Tracts

Topically Arranged

Post-paid Per 100 IMMORTALITY QUESTION Thoughts for the Candid . . . . . . (B. S. L., 47) $ .50 Rich Man and Lazarus . . . . . . (B. S. L., 146) 1.00 Is Man Immortal? . . . . . . . . . (A. G. L., 86) 1.00
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST Without Excuse . . . . . . . . . . . (B. S. L., 46) .50 The Eastern Question . . . . . . . (B. S. L., 144) 1.00 We Would See Jesus . . . . . . . . (B. S. L., 173) 1.00 The Gospel Message . . . . . . . . (B. S. L., 188) 1.00 Waymarks to the Holy City . . . . (B. S. L., 189) 1.00 Signs of the End . . . . . . . . . . (B. S. L., 194) 1.00 Coming of the Lord . . . . . . . . (A. G. L., 40) .50 Heralds of His Coming . . . . . . . (A. G. L., 85) 1.50 "Come, for All Things Are Now Ready" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A. G. L., 87) 1.00
THE SABBATH QUESTION Why Not Found Out Before? . . . (B. S. L., 52) .50 Jewish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (B. S. L., 69) .50 From Sabbath to Sunday . . . . . (B. S. L., 95) .50 Identical Seventh Day . . . . . . (B. S. L., 114) 1.00 The Seal of God and Mark of the Beast . . . . . . . . . . . (B. S. L., 130) 2.00 New Testament Sabbath . . . . . (B. S. L., 137) 1.00 Who Changed the Sabbath . . . . (B. S. L., 187) 1.00 Elihu on the Sabbath . . . . . . . (B. S. L., 192) 1.00 The Seventh or One-Seventh . . (A. G. L., 39) .50 Day of the Sabbath . . . . . . . . (A. G. L., 50) 1.00 Which Day Do You Keep, and Why? (A. G. L., 75) .50 Is Sunday the Sabbath? . . . . . . (A. G. L., 76) .50 The True Seventh Day . . . . . . (A. G. L., 78) 1.50 Sunday in a Nutshell . . . . . . . (A. G. L., 88) 1.00
TEMPERANCE A Chat with My Tobacco-Loving Brother . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A. G. L., 67) .50 Food: Its Mental and Moral Value. (A. G. L., 68) .50 The Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A. G. L., 72) 1.00 Demons' Council . . . . . . . . . . (A. G. L., 80) .50 It Does Not Pay . . . . . . . . . . (A. G. L., 82) 1.00
SPIRITUALISM Spiritualism: Its Source and Character . . . . . . . . . . . . . (B. S. L., 112) 1.00 Try the Spirits . . . . . . . . . . . (A. G. L., 48) .50
MILLENNIUM Temporal Millennium . . . . . . . (B. S. L., 121) 1.50
THE LAW Under the Law; or Under Grace . (B. S. L., 163) 1.00 Relation of the Law and Gospel . (B. S. L., 166) 1.50 The Perpetuity of the Law . . . (B. S. L., 178) 1.00 Ceremonial and Moral Law Dis- tinguished . . . . . . . . . . . . (B. S. L., 195) 1.00 The Two Covenants . . . . . . . . (B. S. L., 83) 1.00
PRAYER Prayer, by A. T. Pierson . . . . . (A. G. L., 52) 1.00
GOSPEL STORIES How Esther Read Her Bible . . . (A. G. L., 7) .50 Back to the Old Paths . . . . . . (A. G. L., 44) 1.00
BIBLE STUDY Benefits of Bible Study . . . . . . (A. G. L., 10) .50 Topical Bible Studies . . . . . . . (B. S. L., 185) 1.50
MISCELLANEOUS Way to Christ . . . . . . . . . . . (B. S. L., 105) 1.00 The Priesthood . . . . . . . . . . (B. S. L., 191) 1.00 Looking Unto Jesus . . . . . . . . (A. G. L., 1) .50 The Christian's Privilege . . . . . (A. G. L., 2) .50 The Sure Promises of God . . . . (A. G. L., 3) .50 Return of the Jews . . . . . . . . (A. G. L., 62) 2.00 Jesus Died for You . . . . . . . . (A. G. L., 63) .50 Some One Cares for Your Soul . . (A. G. L., 69) .50 Great Popular Evils . . . . . . . . (A. G. L., 89) 1.00

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.

By Editor

Mountain View, Cal.

285 Salmon St., Portland, Ore. 1109 E. 12th St., Kansas City, Mo. Box 666, Regina, Sask., Canada.

Review and Herald

Battle Creek, Mich. Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. 32 Union Square East, New York.

Southern Publishing Association

Nashville, Tenn. Hickory, N. C. 217 So. Main St., Fort Worth, Texas.
Bible Text-Book.—By O. A. Johnson. A pocket edition of Bible-readings on 49 subjects, covering in a concise and complete way the prophecies, the Third Angel's Message, Two Covenants, Law of God, Sabbath Question, and many other kindred topics. 208 pages. Cloth, net, 30 cents; leather, 50 cents.
Address this office.
The Home
The Home

Studies in the Christ-Life at Brother Eldred's

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Ninth Evening's Study.

"My dear," said Mrs. Field to her husband the next morning at the breakfast table, "I must admit that I am really interested in those Bible studies on the Christ-life over at Mr. Eldred's; Blanche and Mildred seemed to enjoy the evening, too, very much; of course they—"
"O yes, father, indeed we did," interrupted Mildred, "and I am sure we learned a great deal."
"I was just saying," resumed her mother, "that we are all of us very deficient in Bible knowledge. I am especially interested to find that the prophets foretold the exact time of the Messiah's appearing."
"O father! you'll go with us next Friday evening. I'm sure you will,—listen: the study is to be all about Satan; who he is, and how he tempted Jesus in the wilderness," declared Blanche earnestly.
"Well, surely, if your enthusiasm is to be regarded as proof, these studies must be interesting," smiled Mr. Field. "I never took much interest, you know, in the study of the good Book, as some call it. The fact is, it always seemed to me like time wasted. However, since they have chosen such an uncommon subject, I'll go along for once, at least, and see what they make out of it."
And so it came to pass that the next Friday evening found Mr. Field and his family as guests, seated with the family of Brother and Sister Eldred around the table in their cheerful sitting-room, Bibles in hand.
"We are glad to see you all, indeed," smiled their genial host, "and we are especially glad, Mrs. Field, that you induced your husband to come with you."
"But I am almost afraid," replied Mr. Field, "that you will discover me to be quite a Sadducee."
"Why, Mr. Field!" exclaimed Florence, opening her brown eyes wide, in wonder, "you believe in the resurrection, don't you? You know Jesus says, 'I am the resurrection and the life;' you believe in Jesus, of course,—don't you, Mr. Field?"
"Why, Florence, my child," protested her mother, "I'm afraid little girls should not catechize older people. I'll tell you," she continued, turning to Mr. Field apologetically, "the child learned that verse in her Sabbath-school lesson last Sabbath, and it seems to impress her, for she loves to repeat it upon every occasion."
"The question is a pertinent one, I am sure; and I must admit, the verse quoted strikes me as being a most impressive one," replied Mr. Field. "I think it deserves a candid and honest answer, at least. So I will tell you that I believe that Jesus Christ lived on this earth about nineteen hundred years ago, and that he was, without doubt, a wise and good man. But I have never seen any reason for believing in Him as the Saviour of the world. I believe in one God,—no more."
"I thank you for your candid answer," returned Brother Eldred, "indeed, we can not be too careful in our use of words when we approach a question upon which depends so much. But we will not now discuss this particular phase of the subject, but will proceed with our regular reading. Mildred, will you read the first two verses of Luke 4?"
"And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days He did eat nothing; and when they were ended, He afterward hungered."
At once Mr. Field assumed the defensive, "I suppose I ought not to interrupt the lesson so soon, Mr. Eldred, but, the fact is, I can't see how it's possible for sane, sensible people to believe in a real, personal devil. I am most decidedly of the opinion that every time the word 'devil,' or 'Satan,' is used it simply means corrupt human nature. It seems to me to be going back to the Dark Ages to believe anything else."
Brother and Sister Eldred only smiled, while Mrs. Field's face took on a worried expression.
"Please don't think Mr. Field intends to be rude; I'm sure he doesn't mean to be;" and Sister Eldred added:
"No, indeed; I'm sure we are all glad for him to state his position so freely."
"Will Mr. Field please read Luke 10:18, substituting his definition, 'corrupt human nature,' for the word 'Satan,'" resumed Brother Eldred.
"And he said unto them, I beheld—" Mr. Field blushed a little, and paused suddenly.
"O you must finish the verse, papa," insisted Blanche.
"I beheld corrupt human nature as lightning fall from heaven.' Well, that doesn't seem very satisfactory, I admit; but you know I don't profess to believe the New Testament."
"Just one more," interrupted Brother Eldred. "I will read Matt. 9:33, substituting your definition: 'And when the corrupt human nature was cast out, the dumb spake; and the multitudes marveled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.'"
"Well, well," smiled Mrs. Field, "I imagine that if the possession of a corrupt human nature caused people to become dumb, there would be many more mutes in the world than there are now."
"See here, papa," exclaimed Mildred archly, "can you wonder that the people marveled to find that by casting the corrupt human nature out of a poor dumb man, he became able to speak?"
"Now," continued Brother Eldred, "if you would like some Old Testament scripture, we might read the first chapter of Job."
"I don't think I will trouble you to turn to the place now, Mr. Eldred, I'll look it up when I get home," replied Mr. Field uneasily.
"Very well, then we will turn to Ezekiel 28 and see if we can find something about the character and description of the cruel being who so subtly tempted our divine Lord in the wilderness."
(To Be Continued.)

Keep the Saw Moving

"Keep the saw in the log, but keep it moving at a lively rate."

Summer Hygiene.

By A. M. H.

IN caring for the bath-room in summer, cleanliness is the great essential, especially of the waste-pipes, as the most cases of typhoid fever and other diseases are often to be traced to carelessness in this matter; and altho every drain in the house should be flushed thoroly and often, more than usual care should be taken in warm weather.
Keep the cellar sweet and dry, and after the cellar has been thoroly cleaned, generous coatings of whitewash will add to the cleanliness of the place and the safety of the family health. Every housekeeper should look well to all corners of the pantry, cellars, and outbuildings, that all decaying vegetables or fruits may be cleared away. Make it convenient to burn all rubbish at once, then put about one-half bushel of lime all under and around the house. A few minutes' time each morning will keep things in the bath-room clean and bright, and this should never be omitted.
The mistress should herself look after certain sanitary precautions. A strong solution of borax and boiling water should be poured down the waste-pipes every few days, and the same solution should be used to cleanse and disinfect the kitchen sink. The borax kills disease germs and removes disease-breeding impurities. While so many other disinfectants are unsafe, such as copperas and carbolic acid, the borax is harmless and yet very effective.
Much illness and malaria has been traced to drain pipes that are not carefully looked after as they have become clogged with poisonous matter. Straw mattings that are in constant use need a thoro cleaning every week; and matting can be kept clean and fresh-looking by first sweeping it very thoroly, and then going over it with a cloth wrung frequently out of strong salt water. This water not only removes the surface dust, but leaves the covering in a sanitary condition, as well as bright and clean.
A. M. H.

The House We Live In, or The Making of the Body

By Vesta J. Farnsworth

House We Live In, The, or The Making of the Body. By Vesta J. Farnsworth. Sets forth in an interesting and instructive manner all the wonders, uses, functions, etc., of the human body in all its various parts. The plan of the book is conversational—a mother talking with her children. It is a book for home reading and will be of great assistance to mothers in teaching their children how to care for themselves physically, and to avoid the evil effects of narcotics and stimulants. Contains 218 pages, nearly 150 illustrations. Cloth, $1.00.

The Bargain Counter.

By Editor

Step right this way, please, for book bargains. In moving into our new factory we find a few books slightly soiled or with the leather or cloth covers more or less damaged. The contents of the books are clean and perfect. We will send these post-paid at the following prices. Order at once:
Gospel Primer, New Testament Primer, Our Paradise Home, Story of Joseph, Our Little Folk's Bible Nature, board, each .........$0.20 Christ Our Saviour, board ......................... .30 Best Stories from the Best Book, board ..... .30 Best Stories from the Best Book, cloth ........ .50 Steps to Christ, cloth ................................. .35 Plant Life, board ........................................ .35 Animal Life, board ...................................... .35 Health: How to Find It, cloth ...................... .60 Prophecies of Jesus, cloth ......................... .75 Christ's Object Lessons, cloth .................... .75 Prophetic Lights, cloth, gilt ........................ .90 Our Country, Its Past, Present, and Future, clo. .90 Bible Readings for the Home Circle, cloth .. .90 Bible Readings for the Home Circle, leather .. 1.00 Daniel and Revelation, cloth ...................... 1.00 The Great Controversy between Christ and Satan, cloth ............................................. 1.00 Eden to Eden, cloth, gilt ........................... 1.00 Patriarchs and Prophets, cloth ................... 1.00 Heralds of the Morning, cloth ..................... 1.00 Heralds of the Morning, leather ................... 1.50 The Stomach, Its Disorders and How to Cure Them, cloth ............................................. 1.20 Ladies' Guide, cloth ................................... 1.75 Home Hand Book ...................................... 2.00
Address all orders to PACIFIC PRESS Mountain View - - - - - - California.

S. S. Supplies

By Editor

S. S. Supplies.—We still have a good supply of S. S. Record F at 35 cents, for schools of 20 to 90 members; class records at 10 cents; S. S. Quarterlies at five cents each. If you need a Bible, send for our "Select List of Bibles." Address, Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal.

Beautiful Bible Mottoes

No home complete without them

There is no better time than the present to sell them. They sell readily everywhere and agents are making from $4.00 to $8.00 per day. An inspiration to higher living in every home. Heavy cardboard with silver letters and cord for hanging, or heavy paper with colored letters. Samples and full particulars 25c. Address, Home Art Co., Box 114, College View, Neb.

JUST TO START YOU

And to get E-Z Washing Tablets introduced, I will send you a case of 100 packages if you will promise to sell them and send me my share received for them. Give references, and send one dollar to pay freight or express charges. E-Z Washing Tablets retail at ten cents the package. This offer is only good in states west of the Rockies. Address,
E-Z WASHING TABLET CO. Alfred Mallett, Mgr. 920 Fifth Street - - Sacramento, Cal.
Don't Push The horse can draw the load without help, if you reduce friction to almost nothing by applying Mica Axle Grease to the wheels. No other lubricant ever made wears so long and saves so much horse power. Next time try Mica Axle Grease. Standard Oil Co. Incorporated
Don't Push The horse can draw the load without help, if you reduce friction to almost nothing by applying Mica Axle Grease to the wheels. No other lubricant ever made wears so long and saves so much horse power. Next time try Mica Axle Grease. Standard Oil Co. Incorporated

SPECIAL RATES.

By Editor

1. One new yearly subscription and one renewal, or two new yearly subscriptions, sent at one time, $2.50.
2. Two new yearly subscriptions and one renewal, or three new yearly subscriptions, sent at one time, $3.25.
3. Three new yearly subscriptions and one renewal, or four new yearly subscriptions, sent at one time, $4.00.
Sample copies sent on application.

DATE OF EXPIRATION.

By Editor

The SIGNS wrapper bears date of last issue due on your subscription. Unless renewed in advance, paper stops with expiration date.
If herewith is an order blank, you will know you have overlooked sending renewal. You will not wish to miss a single issue. Back numbers often can not be furnished.

A Profitable Investment

By Editor

5c—$1.35—$7.00—$20.00.

Here is a series of letters from a Christian worker in which we believe you will be interested:—
"March 29, 1907. "Dear SIGNS OF THE TIMES: I received your papers yesterday, and have them sold. I must tell you my little secret. I had five cents. I invested it in tracts entitled the 'Eastern Question.' I sold them for 25 cents and ordered that amount in SIGNS OF THE TIMES from you. For these papers I received $1.35, and I am enclosing it, asking you to send as many copies of late SIGNS as you can. I just said to myself that I would see what I could do with five cents consecrated to the Lord's work, so here it is the third time."
"May 28, 1907. "I send herewith the results of the sales from the $1.35 worth of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. I realized $7.00 out of the sales. I have been gone from home for two months so did not get to sell the papers until my return. I want papers sent post-haste to Helena to work this city before camp-meeting. Send me $3.00 worth of papers. For the other $4.00 please send the SIGNS to the persons whose names I send, each for a year."
"June 9, 1907. "Your kind letter just received, also the papers, and my little girl and myself have disposed of the last one. We got $20.00 out of our package, and I enclose $6.00 with this letter for more. Send as soon as possible as we hope to continue work during the camp-meeting. Please send two SIGNS badges."
Are you not impressed that this has proven a profitable investment? Would you not like to have a part in a similar work? Write for special terms to regular agents. Address your tract society or

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

By Editor

Mountain View - - - California
Coming King, The.—Takes up the connection of our Saviour with the earth from Creation to its final restoration, and the redemption of man. It represents Christ as the Creator, the Leader of Israel, the Man of Sorrows, the Redeemer of His people, and the King of the earth made new. 290 pages, 150 engravings. Issued also in German, Swedish, and Danish. Price, cloth, ink title, $1.00.
Address this office.

Our Next Issue.

By Editor

OUR next issue is also on the subject of Religious Liberty. In this number the American idea is emphasized and its Christian origin proved. In our next issue the teaching of the New Testament on religious liberty will be the general theme. The more prominent topics treated are as follows:

The Golden Rule.

Christ's Kingdom not of This World.
Civility and Morality: How They Differ.
Roger Williams, the Apostle of American Liberty.
These will all be of great interest, and thoroly instructive. In these days of revolutionary sentiment, the principles upon which true liberty is based can not be too thoroly studied.
Special Delivery Letters.—The law passed by the recent Congress providing for a special delivery service in the Post-office Department by affixing ten cents in ordinary stamps to a letter will also go into effect on the first day of July. It should be particularly understood, however, that it is not the intention to dispense with the special delivery stamp; but in all cases where such stamp is not available, a special delivery may be secured by affixing the ten cents' worth of ordinary stamps in addition to the regular postage and then writing conspicuously on the face of the letter the words, "Special Delivery."
Stop and Think.—It is difficult indeed in this driving, hurrying age to get people to listen to serious things which pertain to the future. They are usually too satisfied with the present to take much time to give the future consideration, even in planning or dreaming; and yet the truly great man must think of the future. But on a holiday like the Fourth of July, with the roar of the cannon, the blare of the trumpet, and the tremendous din which has become so interwoven with the day's celebration, men have little time or disposition to stop and think what the day means. Yet we entreat them to. "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." Not eternal vigilance in the getting of it; it means oftentimes more, even the sacrifice of property and life and everything else, save liberty and honor; but to maintain that which has cost so much demands vigilance. We ask our readers to stop a moment and think of these things in connection with the observance of the day. Does it mean American liberty now as it meant to the fathers, or is it a mere holiday? Does it mean liberty for the other man, civil and religious liberty to him as well as us? These and many other questions ought to come home to the hearts of the Americans who celebrate the day. We know that the day will be filled, and yet we plead with the readers of the SIGNS to pause a moment and think of what liberty means and what liberty should mean in the light of present-day developments. Read the few verses from a poem by Ina Coolbrith on page 7. Are they not to the point?
The Cruel Reign of Belgium's King.—From all reports, matters in Congo are not growing better. The newspapers in America and the Old World have published many of the atrocities that are committed there under King Leopold. Numerous photographs have been taken of the natives who have been mutilated by the brutal exploiters of a merciless government. Negro children have been exhibited with the left or right arm cut off because their fathers had not furnished enough ivory or met the demands made upon them for rubber. Among the punishments which the photographs show is that of a man with a decaying human leg tied around his neck. Another, two men hanging by their necks and ankles, with a Belgian official laughing at their misery. Both of these died. It is one of the crying shames of civilization; and yet there is every evidence to show that the money that is the price of the blood of the natives of Congo is freely used to purchase apologists for the worse than brutal government.
Since the Czar of Russia dissolved the Douma everything has indicated more trouble for the great empire. Three hundred persons were arrested in Odessa in a few days after the dissolution. A dangerous mutiny in the Black Sea fleet has been discovered and suppressed. It is alleged that the mutineers had laid plans for seizing the entire fleet. Among the many arrested are a number of children. A mutiny of troops took place at Kieff June 19, during which time seventy were killed, and 250 captured. The Novoe Vreyma declares that disloyalty and sedition have been spread among the army by the Russian prisoners from Japan. There are uprisings in Kaluga and Moscow. Wholesale arrests have been made among the Social Democrats. Russia is putting forth every effort to cover the volcanic eruption without checking the tremendous forces underneath.
A United States district court judge, in a recent test suit, declared that the State law fixing the railway passenger rate at two cents a mile is not one to be decided by a State tribunal, but must be decided by the Supreme Court of the United States. Really, it would look as tho the government ownership of railways, if not government control, is the only road out of the difficulty.
The Poison Oyster.—An insurance adjuster, Mr. R. W. Naunton by name, died recently in San Francisco after a dinner of oysters. The case has been diagnosed as one of ptomaine poisoning. It is a strange thing that men can eat the filthy bi-valve at its best, the chief food of which is found in the foul refuse of the cities.
The Federal Government is now looking over the situation in San Francisco graft and labor troubles. Secretary Strauss of Commerce and Labor, Secretary Garfield of the Interior, Secretary Metcalf of the Navy, will meet in San Francisco and lend their influence in the settlement of the strike.
The distinguished astronomer, Prof. Alexander Stewart Herschel, son of Sir John Herschel, and grandson of Sir William Herschel, both great astronomers, died at his home in London, June 18.
Eighteen passengers were injured, three fatally, June 17, in a wreck twenty miles east of Trinidad, Colo. A defective break beam or spreading rail is said to be the cause.
Continue reading: MOUNTAIN VIEW, CAL., JULY 3, 1907