MORE than nineteen centuries ago, there lived a poor Greek woman, with her invalid daughter, on the coast of the Mediterranean, about a hundred miles to the north of Jerusalem.
In those days news traveled very slowly; but in some way the woman had heard of a mighty Healer, who performed many miracles in Jerusalem and the cities round about.
The more she thought about it, the more she longed to seek His help in behalf of her afflicted daughter. Gladly would she have made the long journey; but presumably she had neither means with which to make the journey, nor friends to whose loving care she might entrust her child in her absence.
But the Master knew all about her, and His infinite heart of love reached out after her. He also knew that there was a woman of most wonderful faith—one, indeed, whose faith would never let go.
And therefore the great Healer made the long, tedious journey Himself—presumably all the way on foot—with His company, that this record of undying faith, unparalleled in its simplicity, might be given to the world.
Finally, to the great joy of the woman, the news reached her that the Healer was visiting the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. That was near home; she could see Him at last, and He would heal her daughter! It was a joyful day when this news reached the humble home of the Syrophenician. At once she set out to find Him; but altho He had come expressly to see her, yet He had purposely hidden Himself from her.
Now the disciples, jealous of their Master’s honor, did not at all relish the idea of being followed by a woman, and she a poor Greek heathen. “Send her away,” they entreated, “for she crieth after us.”
He did not send her away, but He passed right on, apparently deaf to her entreaties. She followed, and cried piteously after Him. Still not a word is spoken to the persistent woman.
I am afraid that this treatment would have discouraged most women, and they would have returned home, embittered in spirit, and angry—some would say justly—at the Master.
I am so glad this was not the case with this poor Greek. She was not the “sensitive” kind. The truth was, she forgot herself and her own feelings in her deep anxiety for her loved one. No; she would never give up until she had gained the attention of the Master. Faith, perseverance, unselfishness, and tender mother love are all shown. Instead of becoming offended by His apparent refusal to notice her, she hurried to His side, and prostrated herself at His feet, worshiping Him.
Her prayer was short, but intensely earnest and full of pathetic appeal: “Lord, help me!”
At last the Master opened His lips; but so far from encouraging her, He gave her a reply which to most minds would have meant absolute refusal: “It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.”
Then came she and worshiped Him, saying, Lord, help me. But He answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crums which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
And she was a heathen “dog.” Had not the divine Nazarene so declared? What right had she to claim the attention of this mighty Miracle Worker? Surely now she will yield the struggle. Never!
With quick retort she answered Him: Yes, Lord, I acknowledge that I am nothing. I am unworthy the smallest attention from such as Thou art; but yet, the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crums.
Enough. “O woman, great is thy faith.” “For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.”
Wonderful faith! sublime courage! Time after time to be rebuffed both by the disciples and the Master—it mattered not. Faith triumphed.
But why did He hide Himself from her?—Ah, so she would seek Him the more earnestly.
Why does He sometimes hide Himself from us, when we so long for a glimpse of His face?—That we also may follow after
Him like the poor Greek, and cry after Him, until we find Him.
Why did He turn an apparently deaf ear toward her even after she had found Him, and twice meet her most earnest words and most devout worship with apparent indifference and scorn?—Ah, He knew the rich depth of faith in that tender, unselfish heart before Him. He knew that she would endure trial and rebuff and scorn, with never a word of complaint.
And richly was her faith rewarded.
O my sisters, what an example of courage and faith is here for us! Does it sometimes seem as if the clouds are too thick about our head ever to be pierced by our trembling prayers? Are the heavens brass? Does it seem that the pitying Father sees not nor cares for our grief? Do we call and cry out in our distress, and is there none to answer? Remember the Syrophenician, and take heart.
It may be the Master is hiding His face, as He did from her, only that you may seek Him the more persistently.
Then, are the answers which finally come to you, after weary days or weeks or years of heart-breaking entreaty, such as fail to satisfy your heart? Believe me, the Master is only testing you. When the lesson is learned, when the dross is all burned away, then He will turn toward you such a face of reconciliation and love as will more than repay you for all you have suffered.
Then, no matter how severe the trial of our faith, we will never for a moment falter. We will cling, and trust, and never give up. He will hear; He does hear. We will give Him no rest; this is the kind of faith that wins the battle always.
In that wonderful prayer which Luther offered just before entering the Diet of Worms, he makes this thrilling declaration:
“I will never break off from Thee, either now or through eternity!”
Such faith is always honored of Heaven.
Washington's Unfought Duel
By H. A. Ogden
It is narrated that on one occasion in his early manhood Washington came very near the settlement of a dispute, so common in those days, by fighting a duel. But as he was the one who should have issued the challenge, he had the still greater courage to apologize and admit that he was in the wrong.
It was in the town of Alexandria, where the young Virginia colonel was quartered with his troops, that an election dispute occurred, and in the heat of the party excitement Washington told a Mr. Payne that he lied. That gentleman at once replied with a blow that knocked the young colonel down. Word having reached the barracks14that their beloved commander had been killed, his soldiers rushed to the city to avenge him. He met them, however, quieted them, and they returned to their quarters.
Mr. Payne, on receiving a note from Washington the next morning asking him to call at his lodgings, supposed it was, of course, to give the colonel opportunity to demand "satisfaction" for the blow he had received the day before. Imagine his surprise when, instead of finding pistols or swords ready for a duel, Washington greeted him with outstretched hand, saying: "I believe I was wrong yesterday. You have already had some satisfaction; and if you deem that sufficient, here is my hand; let us be friends!"—H. A. Ogden, in St. Nicholas.
“Early Will I Seek Thee”
A moment in the morning—a moment, if no more—
Is better than an hour when the trying day is o’er.
’Tis the gentle dew from heaven, the manna for the day;
If you fail to gather early—alas! it melts away.
So, in the blush of morning take the offered hand of love,
And walk in Heaven’s pathway and the peacefulness thereof.
—★—
The Mother's Bible
MATTHEW HALE SMITH, in his book "Marvels of Prayer," tells of a shipwreck and rescue by Captain Judkins and the crew of the Scotia. Among the rescued was a lad of about twelve years, who had lost everything. "Who are you, my boy?" said Captain Judkins. "I am a little Scotch boy; my father and mother are dead, and I am going to America to find my uncle, who lives in Illinois."
"What is this?" said the captain, as he took hold of a rope that was tied around the boy's breast. "It is a piece of cord, sir."
"What is that tied under your arm?" "My mother's Bible; she told me never to lose it."
"That's all you saved?" "Yes, sir."
"Couldn't you have saved something else?" "Not and save that."
"Didn't you expect to be lost?" "I meant, if I went down, to take my mother's Bible down with me."
"All right," said the captain, "I'll take care of you."
Having reached the port of New York, Captain Judkins took the boy to a Christian merchant to whom he told this story. "I'll take the lad," said the merchant. "I want no other recommendation; the boy that holds on to his mother's Bible in such perils will give a good account of himself."—Selected.
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Revised Bibles
The American Standard Edition
Northwestern Christian Advocate says: "There can be no doubt that in this version we are nearer the thought and therefore the Spirit of the Master than in any other version now existing in English."
We carry in stock the following A. S. Revised Bibles—references and maps.
Self-Pronouncing. India Paper. Minion Type. Bold face.
An exposition, verse by verse, of one of the most striking chapters in the New Testament; covering
Matthew Twenty-four Second Coming of Christ
Our Lord's great discourse on the destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the world, and the special signs of His second coming to reward His children. The facts of fulfilment given make this pamphlet worth many times its price. 94 pages, price 10c.
PACIFIC PRESS
Mountain View, Cal.
Home Companionship
ENCOURAGE your young sons and daughters to bring their friends home. Meet them, talk with them, and let them know you are interested and want them to come. This will mean a little expense, probably, but it need be very little expense, and the after years will repay you fourfold. Young girls and young men crave sociability, and if the parents do not provide a bright, cheerful home with the friends to contribute to their pleasure, they will go outside to find it. Let your home be the general meeting-place. Encourage your sons and daughters to introduce their young friends to you.—The Circle.
Helps to Bible Study
BIBLE READINGS FOR THE HOME CIRCLE
This book comprises 162 readings for public and private study, and answers nearly 3,000 questions on religious topics,—practical, historical, and prophetical. It contains 600 octavo pages, printed on a superior quality of tinted paper, embellished with 57 full-page engravings and 170 ornamental headings, together with ten full-page Scriptural and prophetic diagrams, 3 colored plates, and other attractive features. The bindings are elegant and substantial, the styles and prices being as follows: cloth, gilt side title, marbled edges, $3.00; half leather, marbled edges, $4.00; full leather, marbled edges, $5.00; cheap edition, 400 pages, solid type, no illustrations or colored plates, no poetry, thin paper, brown cloth, plain edges, $1.00.
CHRIST'S OBJECT LESSONS
By Mrs. E. G. White. This volume of 436 pages from the pen of Mrs. White is an attractive grouping of the parable-teaching of Christ. The linking of divine truth with common things and incidents is a prominent characteristic of Him who "taught as never man taught;" and in this book the author has developed and illustrated in a beautiful way these teachings, making a volume full of gems of truth, and which will give to many readers a new meaning to the surroundings of every-day life. The publishers have taken great pains to make the setting worthy of the gem, as to both mechanical work and illustrations. The latter are by talented New York artists, and have been expressly designed for this book. Handsomely ornamented cloth cover, $1.25. By mail, 15 cents additional. Also in German, Danish, and Swedish, at same price.
DANIEL AND THE REVELATION
Revised edition, by Uriah Smith. A history of the rise and fall of nations, being an exposition, verse by verse, of the important prophecies of Daniel and John, comparing Scripture predictions with historical facts. It follows in the track of no other commentary; but, guided by the obvious rule that the Bible should be its own interpreter, it aims to arrive at the exact meaning of the sacred writers in harmony with the great plan of redemption as presented throughout the Scriptures. The author has devoted over thirty years to the study of the Bible, and believes that the prophecies of Daniel and John were written for our admonition, and that the subjects they unfold are the coming themes for the religious world, destined to engage the attention of all thoughtful minds. Over 900 pages, with new illustrations, beautifully bound. Plain cloth, $1.50; cloth, marbled edges, $3.00; half leather, marbled edges, $4.00; full leather, marbled edges, $5.00; paper-covered edition, in two volumes, 50 cents.
PATRIARCHS AND PROPHETS
Or the great controversy between good and evil, as illustrated in the lives of the holy men of old. This book treats upon the themes of Bible history—themes not in themselves new, but so presented here as to give them a new significance. Beginning with the rebellion in heaven, the author shows why sin was permitted, why Satan was not destroyed, and why man was tested; gives a thrilling description of man's temptation and fall, and rehearses the plan of salvation. The life of each of the patriarchs, from Adam to King David, is carefully scanned, and from each a lesson is drawn. The deliverance of Israel from Egypt, the incidents of their forty years' wanderings, the building of the sanctuary, the entrance into Canaan, the subjection of the land, and the continued history of the Israelite nation down to the close of David's reign are all related in an interesting, narrative style that charms the reader and opens up to him new beauties in the scriptural record. The book contains 825 octavo pages, and is illustrated with 148 fine engravings, 38 of them being full-page. Styles and prices: Cloth, marbled edges, $3.00; half leather, marbled edges, $4.00; full leather, $5.00. Also published in Danish, Swedish, German, Dutch, and Spanish.
THE DESIRE OF AGES
By Mrs. E. G. White. The life of Christ presented in a new and beautiful form. Its whole object is to show that in Christ the love of the Father is revealed, and that we may live the life He lived if we rightly connect with the same Source of power.
The illustrations number about 300, and are largely original. It contains nearly 900 royal octavo pages, printed on enamel finish paper, with wide margins. The bindings are handsome, as well as substantial. Cloth, marbled edges, $3.00; half morocco, marbled edges, $4.50; full morocco, $6.00.
THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BETWEEN CHRIST AND SATAN
By Mrs. E. G. White. This volume presents the most wonderful and intensely interesting history that has ever been written of the great conflict between Christianity and the powers of darkness, as illustrated in the lives of Christian martyrs and reformers on the one hand, and wicked men and persecuting powers on the other. Beginning with our Lord's great prophecy, given while viewing Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, this book outlines the history of the whole dispensation down to the time when "sin and sinners are no more, God's entire universe is clean, and the great controversy is forever ended." It contains 39 full-page illustrations, nearly all of them new and specially engraved. It is printed on fine tinted paper, beautifully and substantially bound, and contains 700 octavo pages. Over 200,000 copies already sold. English cloth, embossed in jet and gold, marbled edges, $3.00; half leather, marbled edges, $4.00; full leather, marbled edges, $5.00.
HERALDS OF THE MORNING
By A. O. Tait. A new edition of this popular work, enlarged and thoroly up to date. It treats on the second coming of Christ, and the signs that the Scriptures tell us should precede that great event. It tells the meaning of the appalling loss of life by murder and suicide, and by fearful calamities on every hand, of the capital and labor troubles, strikes, fires, perplexity among the nations socially and politically, and the significance of the great phenomena in nature as portrayed all around us. With all this Christ is presented as the Friend of sinners, and His coming as the cheering hope of His children. It points out the place of refuge for those who would be shielded amid the perils of these last days, and how we may be saved from the great deceptions that Satan is multiplying in the earth. The light from the "sure word of prophecy" is turned on life's pathway, clearing up the obscurity and brightening it up amid the troubles and perplexities, even unto the dawning of the morning of the eternal day when strife shall cease. More than 150 illustrations vividly portray the truth which the subject-matter treats. A live book upon a live subject. 419 pages, cloth, marbled edges, $2.00; half leather, $3.50; full leather, $4.50.
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PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING ASSN.
Finding Pleasure in God’s Will
"FINDING our own pleasure in the will of God, is much better than simply yielding our own pleasure to the will of God."
Break Bad Habits at Once
By William Watson
NEVER taper off a bad habit; break it at once. Disease grows as much by postponement of the remedy as by ignorance of it.
—Rev. William Watson.
Have YOU Secured Your New Home Workers' Prospectus?
Over 300 Already in Use
It consists of a cover, or binder, with an inside metal back, into which two rings are fitted
"A nearly perfect way of carrying and displaying sample pages and covers of our 'Home Workers' Books'" is the way many express themselves on seeing this new prospectus. It consists of a cover, or binder, with an inside metal back, into which two rings are fitted. These rings are opened and closed with a spring. On the inside cover of this binder a complete list of "Home Workers' Books" is given, with binding, language, and price.
“ Into each of which are inserted sixteen of its pages ”
"With this binder are furnished fifteen sample book covers"
With this binder are furnished fifteen sample book covers, into each of which are inserted sixteen of its pages—enough to give quite an idea of its character and contents. On the inside of each book cover a description of the book is printed, which may be referred to by the canvasser while the pages are being examined by the customer. These book covers are perforated at the back for insertion into the rings of the binder. The binder, or cover, which is made of strong cloth with metal back and is therefore durable and attractive, may be closed the same as any other loose-leaf book or binder.
This prospectus contains book covers and sample pages as follows:
Best Stories
Bible Child Life
Elo the Eagle
Glorious Appearing
Gospel Primer
House We Live In
Little Folks' Bible Nature
Making Home Happy
Making Home Peaceful
Mount of Blessing
New Testament Primer
Our Paradise Home
Steps to Christ
Story of Pitcairn
Uncle Ben's Cobblestones
Altho all these covers and sample pages are furnished with the binder, it is not expected or recommended that they all be used at one time. It is far better to select three, four, or perhaps five, and specialize on them.
This prospectus will immediately recommend itself to every one interested in the sale of this class of literature. For information about order and report blanks, guarantee books, etc., to be used in connection with the Home Workers' Prospectus, write your tract society.
Altho this prospectus costs something over $2.00 to manufacture, it will be sent post-paid for $1.00, through State tract societies, to those who expect to use it in soliciting orders for the books it describes.
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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.
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Not the Machine but Its Operators
By Editor
SOME of the newspapers and more of the people are jubilating mightily since the election in California. For instance, in an editorial of over a column packed with expressions of joy, in the San Francisco Star, is the following:
High noon has been struck on the clock in Liberty's tower, and sunshine is upon the world. Henceforth we are lawmakers unto ourselves. Wherefore, once more, hooray! And hooray! And yet again; hooray! Keep it up, for you can not overdo it.
This is tremendous, isn't it? And it seems too bad to say aught against it, and be called a "pessimist" and "grouchy," etc.; but we are dealing with cold facts. We do not want the people to be deceived, and therefore we want to tell them to prepare for disappointment, because they will find that after a little matters will go on in about the same old way after all. Men may devise the most perfect machine possible; it will be a failure unless operated by skilled hands and devoted hearts. Our political machines have not been so bad; the theories of them all sound fairly well; but their operation is another matter. The reason of this is expressed in part by Waterhouse's "Alfalfa Philosophy," printed in the Star directly on the reverse side of the above clipping:
It is a good deal easier to quote the Beatitudes than it is to live 'em, an' not many of us can quote 'em.
The inner secret of all human failure lies in man's innate selfishness, expressed by Paul: "Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be." Rom. 8:7. Most men are possessed of the mind of the flesh, and therefore things will go on in the same old way. The machine will give place to the demagog pleading his pleasing platitudes for power, and the people will believe in him till the harvest. The women will enter politics, but in no other State of equal suffrage has the high noon of liberty struck; at least, one does not find a different climate in passing over the border.
Now the Signs of the Times is not in politics. It is not discussing these things from a political view-point; but it does want to say to all its readers, that if they expect a time of peace and plenty because of amendments to the constitution, they will be greatly disappointed. Law does not change the heart; it does not change human greed, or human ambition, or human passion, or human lust for power or pelf. God in His Word gives the human cry of "Peace and safety" of men's devisings in these days as a sign that Christ is coming, Christ the King, whose holy reign shall know no injustice, no inequality, no misuse of power, no political or human hatreds, no death, no sin, but "the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever." Then and not till then will high noon be struck in the clock of Liberty's tower, and the high noon of that Sun of Righteousness shall know no decline.
Wanted — Connection.
By Editor
The Word and Way, a Baptist paper of Kansas City, Missouri, in its issue of August 31, demands a nexus, or connection, between the sayers and the work. It says:
"We Christian people of this particular generation can beat the Jews or anybody else of this or any other time for organizations and plans. We have our big rallies, our big meetings, our big speeches, our big banquets, and our big plans; but somehow we fail to get any working connection with the work. One can hardly go in any direction without colliding with some sort of religious procession en route to some meeting place to talk about what ought to be done and how somebody else ought to do it. Everywhere is heard the rattle of religious machinery of one kind and another. Indeed, there is so much of this kind of noise that the 'still small voice' can scarcely be heard. And so much of this noise is but the rattle of empty machinery!"
This witness speaks truly. Organization carries the matter farther than Peter did. It is not "Lord, what shall this man do?" but, "Lord, we will show him what to do." The attitude makes a great difference.
Thursday, November 30, has been designated by the President, in harmony with our American custom, as the day for thanksgiving and prayer. Following the precedent of former years, he requests that the people of the nation assemble in their usual places of worship on that day and give thanks to the divine Father for the mercies and blessings of the year. We certainly have many things to be thankful for, and it is highly appropriate that on special occasions the continual daily offering of thanksgiving should be supplemented by the united gratitude of all whose hearts respond to the mercies and blessings of Jehovah.
Contained in This Issue
Question Corner
PAGE
3599 — The Lord's Day; 3600 — How Do They Know? 3601 — How Long? 3602 — The Word "Soul;" 3603 — The Body of the Resurrection; 3604 — The Ministration of Death; 3605 — Commanding the Sun and Moon to Stand Still
2
Our Bible Band
2
General
General
PAGE
Our Divine Sufficiency
3
The Manner of Christ's Coming
4
Studies in Daniel — The Book and Its Writer
6
Christian Science — The Source of Its Philosophy
7
"The Wicked Fly"
8
Our Bible Reading
Our Bible Reading
PAGE
The Law of God
8
Present World Movements in Prophecy
Present World Movements in Prophecy
PAGE
God's Message for To-Day
9
The Outlook
The Outlook
PAGE
Jubilee of Cardinal Gibbons
10
National Good Citizenship Movement
10
Church Federation
11
The Roman Catholics in Politics
11
A Strange Spectacle
11
Does Germany Covet the Dead Sea?
12
"Be Still, and Know"
12
Notes
12, 16
Home and Fireside
Home and Fireside
PAGE
"But He Answered Her Not a Word"
13
Washington's Unfought Duel
13
The Mother's Bible
14
Home Companionship
14
Poetry
Poetry
PAGE
Awake, O Church of God!
1
"I Shall Not Pass This Way Again"
4
Love in Service
5
My Saviour
6
Shining in the Sun
7
The Day of Doom
8
"Early Will I Seek Thee"
13
Wanted — Monthly “Signs”
By Editor
Wanted — Monthly “Signs.” — March, May, and June numbers of 1909; February, May, June, and September numbers of 1911. Will send current numbers for magazines of above dates. Before sending any magazines, write the Periodical Department, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and state what issues you have and how many.
