p. 15 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 13. (3/31/1898)

Earlier text: DELICIOUS BROMOSE THE NEW NUT FOOD

THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE

By Alonzo T. Jones

Or Civil Government and Religion

BY ALONZO T. JONES

An Up-to-Date Pamphlet on the Principles of Religious Liberty.

“THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE” contains fifteen chapters, the following being a portion of the chapter headings:— Christianity and the Roman Empire—What Is Due to God and What to Cæsar—The Powers That Be—How the United States Became a Nation—What Is the Nation?—Who Made the Nation?—Religious Rights in the United States—Religious Rights Invaded—The People’s Right of Appeal—National Precedent on Right of Appeal—Sunday-law Movement in the Fourth Century and its Parallels in the Nineteenth—Will the People Assert and Maintain Their Rights?—Religious Rights in the States.

In the four appendixes to the book are given the Declaration of Independence—The Constitution of the United States—The Dred Scott Decision, and the “Christian Nation” Decision.

This is a book of permanent value for reference and study and one that all should possess. It contains 384 pages, with several illustrations, is issued as No. 32 of the Religious Liberty Library, and is bound in paper covers. Price 40 Cents.

A FINER EDITION on laid paper is also ready. It is neatly bound in cloth. Price One Dollar.

Address orders to

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, California.

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SABBATH SCHOOL Maps

4 A. Lands of the Bible, especially the travels of St. Paul, 52x71 inches . . . $5 00

4 B. Same as above, reduced to one-half size . . . 3 00

4 C. Same as above, but reduced to 36x26 inches . . . 1 00

Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal.

39 Bond St., 14 to 18 West Fifth St., New York City. Kansas City, Mo.

HOW OTHERS VIEW IT.

I SHOULD like to call special attention to No. 153 B. S. Library, “Arming of the Nations; the Significance of the Present Activity.”

This is a pamphlet containing the reading matter found in the two tracts “Alarm of War” and “The Christian (?) Demand for War.” It is printed on better paper, with an attractive cover and a number of additional illustrations. This tract will be furnished to agents at the regular subscription price, and may be sold by them at ten cents each.

In view of the present agitation upon this subject, this pamphlet will sell rapidly, and it tells the significance of these events. Do not give them away, but go to your neighbors selling them. You can sell more than you can give away, and they will be read with more interest, for you will be compelled to call more special attention to the thoughts and illustrations. It is an attractive little work and we should have agents for it in every community, and we should have them NOW. Let us not wait until the opportune moment is past.—The Missionary Visitor.

YOUR neighbors are talking about the probability of a war with Spain. They will read a little tract called “The Alarm of War,” which may set them to thinking about something else. Will you not see that they have a copy?—Workers’ Bulletin.

400 RECITATIONS AND READINGS.

A book designed for Parlor Readings, Sabbath-schools, Temperance Organizations, Debating Societies, Young People's Associations, Reading Clubs and Home Circles. This is a handsome book, bound in paper cover, and contains 400. of the best recitations ever issued, and other choice reading. Price, 40 cents, post-paid. Send order, with remittance, to Laconia Publishing Co., 123 Liberty St., New York.

When you write, please mention the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

VALUABLE TRACTS AND PAMPHLETS.

By Mrs. E. G. White.

Bible Sanctification.—A contrast between true and false theories of Bible holiness; 82 pages. Price, 10 cents.

Experience and Views.—Designed to cheer and encourage those who look for the soon coming of Christ; 111 pages. Price, 25 cents.

Benefits of Bible Study.—The design of this excellent tract is to awaken people to the importance of Bible study, and show the great benefits to be derived therefrom. Price, ½ cent.

Christ Tempted as We Are.—Full of instruction and encouragement to the tempted and tried. Price, 1 cent.

Christians’ Privilege.—This number will inspire hope and courage to many a struggling and way-worn traveler to Zion. Price, ½ cent.

Elect of God.—Shows who are the elect, how and when they were elected. Price, ½ cent.

Home Missionary Work.—A compilation of inspired appeals in behalf of home missionary efforts. Every one should read and carry out its instructions. Price, 2 cents.

Justified by Faith.—The kind of faith necessary to justification, and how it accomplishes that end, are the principal thoughts in this most valuable tract. Price, 1 cent.

Privilege of Prayer.—Precious privilege, indeed! A privilege that few of us realize in its fulness! Yet we may. To enable all to become more intelligent upon this vital point, this tract is presented. Price, 1 cent.

Should Christians Be Members of Secret Societies?—This question is attracting world-wide attention. We have it answered in this tract from a Bible standpoint. Price, 1½ cents.

Sufferings of Christ.—This is an excellent number for the prejudiced and unconverted. Christ’s fearful agony in the garden is depicted in a vivid manner. The true reason for this terrible suffering is also given. Price, 2 cents.

Way to Christ.—What is this way? Can it be found? Practical instruction is given along these lines. Price, 1 cent.

Pacific Press Publishing Company,

Oakland, Cal.

39 Bond Street, 14-18 West 5th Street,

New York City. Kansas City, Mo.

A Neat Little Church.

By W.

March 5 and 6 the writer was present and assisted in the dedication of a neat house of worship at Crow’s Landing, Stanislaus County, California. The building is 30x43, capable of seating 250 persons. The auditorium is 29 feet square, seated with open chairs; the pulpit is in the corner. At the end is a class-room 12x20, with a gallery about 12x32, divided into two rooms, making, with the auditorium, four class-rooms for Sabbath-school, all of which can be thrown together when occasion demands. The ground upon which the building is erected was donated by the Southern Pacific Railway Company, and the money raised for building by the good people of Crow’s Landing, the members of the church furnishing $1,422.20, and other friends, $1,220. The church has a good bell and fine chapel organ, and, best of all, it was dedicated to the Lord free from debt. There were good congregations at each of the services. The writer was assisted by Elders G. W. Reaser and M. C. Israel, the latter of whom generally superintended the work, and drew the plans for the building. For a square church, of box form, the place for the pulpit is in the corner. If you do not believe it, visit Crow’s Landing church. There were good congregations on both Sabbath and Sunday. May the Lord manifest His presence continually in the church; and this He will do if His Spirit is cherished in the hearts of its members. The west side of Stanislaus County is suffering this year from severe drought. Nothing whatever will be raised; and this is true of many localities in this State. W.

A HARROWING PICTURE.

From a trusted correspondent in Australia, Mr. W. H. B. Miller, comes the following harrowing report of matters in the Southern Continent:—

“Altho the year is but six weeks old, 1898 will ever be remembered as one of the most disastrous periods in Australia’s history. Crime and disease are rampant, the percentages being far higher than preceding records. Altho charitable institutions for the sick are numerous, they report their utter inability to accommodate all the fever cases desiring admission. This serious condition of affairs has been aggravated by the intense heat, which has been more distressing than for any period within the last sixteen years. The thermometer has registered 112 to 114 degrees in the shade in some localities, and 160 to 170 degrees in the sun. Deaths from sunstroke and heat-apoplexy have been enormous; even many native birds and animals have succumbed.

“But worst of all is the terrible bush-fire visitation, which is in very truth a national calamity. Hundreds of square miles of valuable pasture and timber have been destroyed. Crops, orchards, stacks, barns, and homesteads have been swept out of existence. Hundreds have been rendered homeless and penniless by the terrible devastation. Many barely escaped with their lives, some only partially clad, with hair and beards singed, wounded, totally blind, exhausted, and demented. Even villages were attacked, and in some instances partially destroyed. One town was totally annihilated. Thousands of cattle have been killed, and in some places the devastated paddocks are strewn with roasted carcasses. I can not convey to you any idea of the terrors of the past month. Men, women, and even children have fought for their homes till they have fallen down exhausted. Some wonderful escapes have been recorded and many courageous acts performed. From some localities we hear that lives have been lost, and many are missing. The monetary loss can not be estimated.

“The drought still continues, and while I am writing the city of Melbourne is shrouded with a pall of smoke, and the fires are still raging throughout the country. Vessels are unable to approach Hobson’s Bay because of the dense smoke, which has traveled hundreds of miles. Relief depots have been opened throughout the country, to which clothing and provisions are being forwarded. The government has provided special trains and tents when necessary. The public subscription list in Melbourne now totals over £7,000 ($35,000.).”

These conditions forebode the still greater calamities to come, foretold in the Word of God.

Regarding Unsolicited Copies

By Editor

☞ We send no papers from this office to individuals without pay in advance.

☞ When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the “Signs” are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon to pay for them. Please read the papers you may receive, and hand them to your friends to read.

Less Space

By Editor

Less space is given to our Home department this week, and other important matter is crowded out; but it will be as good next time.

Ye Have Heaped Treasure Together

By Editor

We regret that an article entitled, “Ye Have Heaped Treasure Together,” is crowded out of our editorial columns. It will appear next week.

Preparing for War.

The army estimates of England for the coming year amount to $93,603,835, and the navy to over $127,000,000, a total of more than $221,000,000. And this is a time of peace!

Readers Praise Signs of the Times

A correspondent writes: “I love to read The SIGNS OF THE TIMES. It not only encourages me to read the Scriptures but explains them to me.” And many similar letters come. And for all this we praise God. To Him be the glory.

Suicides in Europe.

The British Medical Journal estimates that the yearly number of suicides in Europe is 50,000, and is increasing at a far greater rate than the population. “The most frequent immediate determinant of the act” is said by Dr. Müller to be alcohol, the king of curses.

Our Helping Hand Mission.

By Editor

We have devoted considerable space to the dedication of our Helping Hand Mission, but the matter will, we opine, be of more than mere local interest. It represents a needy field and a growing work. The missions in San Francisco, Chicago, and some other cities are typical of what ought to be done in every large city in our land, and in a modified form in the smaller cities. It represents a work that ought to be engaged in by Christians, as individuals and in co-operation, everywhere. The field is increasingly needy, and there is little of romance in the actual work. The devil will do all that he can to hold his own, and the work is a success only as the workers have direct connection with the Source of all power. We ask the prayers of our friends for our Mission, and earnestly pray that God may richly bless such work everywhere.

Praise for Signs of the Times

By Editor

Says the Saunders County Journal, of Ashland, Nebraska, a bright local newspaper: “The SIGNS OF THE TIMES is a beautiful religious publication from Oakland, California. A February issue, now before us, is replete with good reading, of interest to all.” Thanks. The SIGNS hopes to grow better continually.

It Is Not.

By Editor

A copy of the Herald of Gospel Liberty comes to us containing an article entitled, “Is the Jewish Sabbath Binding on Us?” To the question, if we are permitted, we unqualifiedly answer, No. The Jewish Sabbath is nowhere commanded in God’s Word. It rested only on the tradition of the fathers just as Sunday does. The only Sabbath binding upon any one is the only one the Bible recognizes. “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” This is the Sabbath of the Bible, honored and observed by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Answering Questions and Letters.

By Editor

It is impossible to answer all questions and letters addressed to this office; there are too many. We shall in questions for the Question Corner answer as far as we can in the order they are received, giving preference: (1) To those which are brief and explicit relative to the information desired; (2) those we believe to be of general interest. Those which are asked out of mere curiosity will have to wait a convenient season. Those unaccompanied with name and address will not be noticed. The name if given will not be published unless desired. We have no time to reply to theological arguments by letter; we have too much to do. We shall endeavor to answer all letters asking information if a stamp is inclosed, but we trust our friends will be patient if they have to wait. The paper is first, and we are sure that most of our readers desire that it should be first.

Looking to Christian Nations, but not to Christ.—

The Oriental nations seem to be reaching out to Christianity as a means of improvement in the art of war and in other means of national aggrandizement. The great superiority which the Japanese suddenly gained over the Chinese in the conduct of war is generally accredited to her adoption of the methods in vogue in the “Christian” nations. She modeled her army after that of France, her navy after that of Great Britain, and her school system after that of the United States. And the advancement in which she takes the most pride is in military and naval strength and prowess, all of which is universally styled the progress of “Christian civilization.” It is this which, more than anything else, has given Christianity its present prestige in that country. Now China has imbibed the idea that Christianity might be a good help in conducting the government of that country. The Missionary Review says:—

“To the civil service examinations in China about 2,000,000 candidates are admitted every year. Literary criticism, history, agriculture, military affairs, and finance are among the subjects covered. Until recently the questions have been limited to Chinese affairs. Now, however, it is reported that the examiners recommend the Old Testament as a text-book, ‘because it is the classic of Christian countries,’ and a new question on the examination papers this year is: ‘What do you know of the repeopling of the earth by Noah and his family after the flood?’”

Will It Not Be Arbitration?

Significant items like the following are frequently appearing in the daily press in connection with the Spanish-American troubles:—

“The pope continues to advise Spain to submit the question to arbitration. He is trying to prevent Spain from being hurried into a disastrous war by the military hot heads and marplots, like Weyler, Robledo and De Lome, the latter of whom has been trying to set the country afire since his return. I am confident the influence of the pope, seconded by the common sense of the conservative Spanish leaders, will avert war.”

And we believe that this will be the present outcome. The Papacy aims to be the arbitrator of the world. He has before saved Spain a war with Germany. His influence is not a light matter in America, and Spain is a Roman Catholic country. The pope will not establish peace; only Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, can do that, and He through personal faith. Rom. 5:1. The pope will for the time avert war, and win prestige, but the strife still smoulders in the unregenerate hearts of men.

Not a Kindly Invitation.

The following is not an invitation which would be inclined to win or predispose people to accept it, and yet it was published in what would be called a Christian paper, an “official organ,” and then sent out on a postal-card. It reads, with the exception of the name, which we put in blank: “Don’t be a mud-turtle. A man or woman who will let the opportunity to hear —— —— pass unimproved, must belong to the mud-turtle family. Their aspirations do not rise above the grossly material instincts of the lower orders of life.” And yet there may have been many good people engaged in work so important that God could not give them time to leave it. The simple fact is that it would have been a physical impossibility for all to have heard, if every one had so desired and could have gone just as well as not. There are human limitations to a speaker, and dimensions to a crowd. The above invitation will serve as a model not to be followed.

Do You Want a Good Encyclopedia?

Do You Want a Good Encyclopedia?—Send for the World Almanac. The Almanac for 1898 contains 512 pages, packed full of all sorts of information, up to date, and it only costs 25 cents. Address The World, Pulitzer Building, New York City.

“And those who have wisely taught, shall shine as the bright