p. 14 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 21. (5/24/1905)

Earlier text: FORETOKENS OF OUR LORD'S RETURN

OUR WORK AND WORKERS.

By Editor

THE Southern Illinois Herald gives a report from Brother Charles Thompson that four candidates were recently baptized at Noble, in that state.

IN connection with the dedication, April 29, of the new church built by our colored brethren at Cleburne, Texas, Brother Thomas Defrezee was ordained to the Gospel ministry.

THE brethren of the Second Seventh-day Adventist Church, Springfield, Ill., have begun the work of erecting a house of worship. We wish our colored brethren success in their commendable enterprise.

THREE candidates for baptism at Aledo, Ill., is noted in the Recorder, now published in Chicago. In the same paper Brother L. H. Christian notes the addition of nine members to the Rockwell Street church, eight of them by baptism, one having been previously baptized.

THE latest issue of Apples of Gold Library, No. 87, "Come, for All Things Are Now Ready," is just off the press. It is an excellent Gospel number, appropriate in any kind of missionary work. It contains also a poem, "Marriage of the Lamb," by Gerard Moultrie. As it contains only sixteen pages, envelope size, it can be placed in an ordinary letter without extra cost. Price, 1 cent, or 80 cents per 100.

A PRIVATE letter from Brother J. E. White, president of the Southern Missionary Society brings the sad information that fire had visited his place at Edgefield, Tenn., destroying a large barn and valuable contents. Three horses, a mule, and a cow and calf, together with vehicles, farm tools, hay, and grain. Total loss, not less than $2,000, with insurance of $300. The fire occurred in the night, and was not discovered until too late to save any of the contents.

TO OUR friends who have been inquiring for reading matter in the Japanese language, we wish to announce that we have a new supply of the following books and tracts: "Steps to Christ," 20c; "His Glorious Appearing," 25c; "Marshalling of the Nations," 10c; "The Great Day of the Lord," 15c; "New Testament Sabbath," 2c; "Second Coming of Christ," 3c; "The True God and His Sabbath," 1½c; "The Way of Salvation," 2c. Pacific Press Pub. Co, Mountain View, Cal.

Washington Branch Sanitarium, Washington, D.C., Building Erected by Gen. U. S. Grant.

THE Oakwood Manual Training School, at Huntsville, Ala., itself a missionary enterprise, made an effort recently to see if its members could not assist in a small way the erection of headquarters buildings at Washington, D. C. To their surprise, and that of many of their friends, the donation amounted to $87.55. In estimating such contributions it must be remembered that both teachers and pupils are struggling with difficulties in imparting and receiving practical education. They need help themselves, and in such sacrifice they demonstrate the worthiness of the institution.

THERE has just been published at this office a series of two-page leaflets on Bible topics. They are sixteen in number, and are styled "Signs of the Times Leaflets." The subjects are as follows: No 1, "The Sure Word of Prophecy;" No. 2, "Prophetic History of the World;" No. 3, "Second Coming of Christ;" No. 4, "Signs of Our Times;" No. 5, "The Sanctuary;" No. 6, "The 2,300 Days;" No. 7, "The Law of God;" No. 8, "The Sabbath of the Bible;" No. 9, "The First Day in the Bible;" No. 10, "Who Changed the Sabbath?" No. 11, "The Great Threefold Message;" No. 12, "The Seal of God and the Mark of the Beast;" No. 13, "Church and State;" No. 14, "Life and Immortality;" No. 15, "The Great Judgment Day;" No. 16, "The Home of the Saved." These leaflets are sold in one-pound packages, containing about twenty sets; price, 50 cents, post-paid. Just what you need in your missionary work. Can be had of any state tract society, or address publishers of this paper.

WRITING from Winfrey, Ark., Brother H. Clay Griffin reports the organization of a church at Frisco, April 2, with seventeen members. There were yet about a dozen to be baptized at a later date. The Sabbath-school had a membership of thirty-six. Brother J. S. Rouse and family had moved in to carry on the work. Brother Griffin adds: "There are several other places waiting for meetings, but there is no one to go at present. The deputy sheriff of Washington County sent me word some time ago that he had procured two schoolhouses for me, and to come as soon as possible." As an inducement for consecrated families to come there and settle, the writer says: "Land is cheap on the mountain-sides, and very fertile. Railroad lands can be bought for $2.50 to $3.00 an acre that will produce from twenty-five to fifty bushels of corn per acre. It is good for apples, peaches, cherries, and nearly all kinds of small fruits. Good improved land can be bought at prices ranging from $5.00 to $25 per acre. . . . We can promise good water, good health, and a good living to the energetic, and a good experience to the consecrated, faithful worker. Come over and help us."

TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY.

How the "substitute idea" is spreading is shown by the following incident which appears in an exchange:

"Calling one day on a business man in his office, I found him, as usual, 'up to his eyes' in work.

"'Sit down and wait a minute,' he said, handing me a chair.

"'You are always working!' I exclaimed; 'how many hours do you put in each day?'

"'Twenty-four,' he replied, with a smile.

"My face expressed my astonishment.

"'Yes,' he said, 'I work ten or twelve hours here; the rest of the time I am working at the other side of the world—by proxy, of course.'

"'I don't understand.'

"'Let me explain,' he returned, more seriously than before. 'When I was at school I became deeply interested in the mission cause. I determined to go out to China to work in the field.

"'But my father died, and his business here was in such a state that no outsider could successfully carry it on.

"'There were a mother, sisters, and younger brothers dependent upon the profits of the house. I was obliged to remain here. But I determined, nevertheless, to have a representative in the field, and I took up the support of a native preacher in China.'

"Here my friend took down a much-thumbed map of southern China, and pointed out a certain town.

"'That is where my man is at work,' he said. 'We have representatives of our business in several of the principal cities of the world. I call this our missionary branch. My man there is working while I sleep. He is my substitute.

"'In that way I work twenty-four hours a day—for the Master. I work here for the money to keep my representative working over there.'"—Selected.

WANTED FOR MISSIONARY WORK.

(Always prepay postage.)

ANY of our denominational periodicals and tracts. Address, Mrs. N. C. Freeman, 1609 Sixteenth Avenue W., Birmingham, Ala.

CLEAN copies of our publications, Scandinavian or English. Address, Al. Lovgren, Dawson, Y. T.

CLEAN papers and tracts—of our own publications. Address, Mrs. Carrie Huling, 106 Cherokee Street East, Enid, O. T.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING.

THE eighth annual meeting of the California Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association, for the purpose of electing four or more members of the Board of Directors, and transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting, will be held at Sanitarium, Napa County, Cal., on Wednesday, June 14, 1905, at the hour of 12 o'clock M.

CALIFORNIA MEDICAL MISSIONARY AND BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION, E. E. Parlin, Secretary. T. J. Evans, President.

WANTED

A LANDSCAPE gardener, acquainted with California soil and plants, to take charge of about twenty acres to be plotted and put in first-class condition. Must be a conscientious Seventh-day-Adventist.

Dr. M. E. Eastman, Route 2. Santa Barbara, Cal.

WANTED.

Two young ladies for training class for nurses, age 20-28, good health, fair education, and Seventh-day Adventist in good standing.

Address, Garden City Sanitarium, San Jose, Cal.

QUALITY COUNTS

Medal awarded at St. Louis to Tasteless "TRINITY" Odorless COOKING OIL A pure vegetable oil. Write for manufacturers prices. TRINITY COTTON OIL CO. DALLAS TEXAS

FRIEND IN THE KITCHEN.—This is an educational cook book. Its object is to educate the people away from flesh-eating by presenting to them a far better way. This "better way" consists of 400 thoroughly-tested recipes for the preparation of good, wholesome dishes, none of which include meat of any kind. The book gives the nutritive value of foods, time required to digest various foods, rules for dyspeptics, best food for infants, substitutes for meats, and, in fact, about everything a person wishing to reform his dietary needs to study. Durably bound in flexible cloth...........................25c. Oilcloth....................................................................................50c. Address PUBLISHERS OF THIS PAPER.

Inspiration of the Bible

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

EDUCATION IN THE HOME. NO. 2.

Inspiration of the Bible.

At precisely 7 o'clock Friday evening, the pleasant sitting-room at Brother Hartman's was ablaze with light. The large table had been drawn into the center of the room, and around it every member of the family was gathered. Beth, the youngest, curled up close to grandma, who sat with her large, coarse-printed Bible on her knees. John sat by his father, who had, since the lad's earliest memory, been his ideal of manly excellence. Mattie chose her seat as near to mama's side as possible, while Elsie, as tho feeling the full importance of her sixteen years, sat a little apart from the rest, with the Bible she had already learned to love, in her hand.

"Our little flock seems to be all present," began Brother Hartman, smilingly, "and I am more glad than I can tell, that all my children seem so willing to join with grandma, mother, and me in a closer study of the Book of books. We are going to try, with God's help, to make this hour of study the sweetest and pleasantest in the whole week. Can you tell me, John, why it becomes more and more necessary to study the Bible, as the years pass by?"

"Well, father, I suppose we ought to be able to tell the reason why we believe as we do,—because people seem to be more anxious to know than they used to be."

"Yes, my son; you have given a good answer. And then, you know, we have the great work to do of warning the world that the coming of Christ is near. You know the captain of a ship consults his guide-book more often, the nearer he approaches to danger. Can you give some other reason, Elsie?"

"We should study it more, I think, for our own safety and benefit, because we are surrounded by so many perils,—I think this is especially the case, father, with young people."

"Well said, my daughter; your ideas are good. Now, grandma, what do you think about it? Suppose you give us your reasons for joining this little circle in the study of the good Book."

"I think we need a double portion of God's Word now, because the times are becoming very perilous, and if we do not learn now to place our feet upon the firm platform of God's Word, the time is near when we shall fall into the snares of the enemy, and be led to deny our faith."

"But how can we be sure that we are not building our hope on a mere fable? how can we have any real proof that the Bible is the sure Word of God?"

"I think God's Word is its own best defender," replied Sister Hartman.

"Indeed, mother, you are right, and we will allow the Book to speak for itself to-night. Now, then, Mattie, my girl, if you were going to a strange city, and your guide-book gave you certain plain directions, telling you what you would meet, and what buildings you would pass on the road, after you had passed a few of these landmarks just as they were described in your guide-book, would you begin to doubt the truth of the book, and declare that, while some of it might be true, you could not depend on the entire book?"

"No, father, I think I should believe it all, after I had proved that the directions were all right."

"Good. Now, my little Beth, I want you to give us the best reason you have for believing that the Bible is the Word of God," and Brother Hartman reached over and patted the curly head laid on grandma's knee.

"Why, papa, I think the Bible must be God's Book, because—well, because there's so much love in it."

"That's all true, my child; your answer is as good as that of the older ones. Now, I wonder if any one can quote a verse from memory to prove that there is a great deal of love in the Bible."

Grandma's eyes grew misty at once, as she repeated her favorite verse: "John 3:16. 'For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'"

"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.' Rom. 5:8," quoted Sister Hartman.

"I think," said John, slowly, "that there is a verse somewhere that says, 'God is love.'"

"Here it is," said Elsie, quickly turning the leaves of her Bible, "I just happened to know, because I read that very verse to-day; it is 1 John 4:8."

"That is all good. I think I heard you say that your teacher at school does not believe the whole Bible—only a part. John, you may turn to 2 Tim. 3:15-17, and read."

"And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

"Well, then; all Scripture must include the story of Jonah and the whale, about which many people seem to be skeptical," said Brother Hartman, smiling. "But I think there is nothing better than the great chains of prophecy in the books of Daniel and the Revelation, to prove the inspiration of the Bible; for we find that those great kingdoms which are there prophesied of, have arisen and fallen, in the exact order of the prophecy. I think it will pay us well to become intelligent students of these lines of prophecy; for, altho Mattie and Beth may be a little young to understand it all, still there is much good that even the very young can get from such study."

"Now, father," said Sister Hartman, "our study hour is up; we must not allow our lessons to become tedious for the children. But I will suggest that, for our next study, we consider the signs of Christ's second coming."

IN LOVE WITH MOTHER.

Of all the love affairs in the world, none can surpass the true love of a big boy for his mother. It is pure and noble, honorable in the highest degree to both.

We do not mean merely a dutiful affection. We mean a love which makes a boy gallant and courteous to his mother, saying to everybody plainly that he is fairly in love with her.

Next to the love of a husband, nothing so crowns a woman's life with honor as this second love, this devotion of a son to her. And we never knew a boy to "turn out" badly, in his conflict with life, who began by falling in love with his mother.

Any man may fall in love with a fresh-faced girl, and the man who is gallant with the girl may cruelly neglect the worn and weary wife.

But the boy who is a lover of his mother in her middle-age is a true knight, who will love his wife as much in the sere-leaved autumn as he did in the daisied springtime.—New Zealand Joyful News.

RESURRECTION OF CHRIST.

By Thomas Brown

He rose! O morn of wonder! They saw His sun go down, Whose hate had crushed him under, A King without a crown. No plume, no garland, wore He; Despised Death's Victor lay; And wrapped in night His glory, That claimed a grander day.

He rose! What splendor breaking On sorrow's midnight hour! 'Twas life divine, the waking Of Jesus' slumbering power. 'Twas love, His promise keeping, That triumphed o'er the grave; He would not leave them weeping Whose souls He came to save.

—Thomas Brown.

SUCCESSFUL SOUL-WINNING.

A LARGE part of our work of winning souls is personal, that is, it is a work between man and man. God has ordained that, usually, when an unsaved person is to be led to the Saviour, it shall be done through some human agent. As Andrew found Peter, as Philip found Nathanael, as Jesus found the woman at Jacob's well, so are we to seek after souls, and patiently, lovingly win them to their Redeemer.

In point of fact nearly every regenerate person can trace his religious life to the agency of some individual. Sometimes it is a mother's prayers, sometimes a father's counsel, sometimes the holy living of one of God's children. But even more frequently our religious experience can be traced to a word directly spoken by some one in whose Christian character we had confidence. An unsaved person may sit under the most faithful preaching for years and remain unmoved, while the simple question directly spoken, "Are you a Christian?" may do more to awaken his conscience than any number of sermons.—The Joyful News.

THE CATERPILLAR AND THE ENGINEER.

By Christian Endeavor World

As a business man was walking with a young locomotive engineer, a chance acquaintance, he saw a caterpillar on the walk near them—one of those fuzzy, velvety brown creatures that are so numerous on sunny autumn days—and touched it gently with the edge of his shoe to see it roll itself into a circle.

The young engineer noticed the movement, and said to his companion: "I had an odd little experience with one of those caterpillars the other day. I was at a station with my engine, all ready to pull out, but waiting for my orders, which were a little delayed.

"While I waited, I looked down at the track ahead of the engine, and caught sight of a caterpillar crawling on one of the ties. He soon reached the rail, and tried to climb it, but failed time after time. I thought of Bruce and the spider, and grew fascinated in watching him. Again and again he tried to mount the smooth steel, and after each attempt he failed.

"But at last his patience and persistence were rewarded, and he gained the top of the rail right in front of the engine, and—just then my orders came! But do you think I could start her up then? No, sir," and his tanned cheek took on a tinge of red, and his voice held a note of embarrassment as he continued, "I had to jump down and help that little fellow off the rail, and then I let her go."

WHISKY THE DEVIL'S AGENT.

The other day Judge Wofford, of the criminal court of Kansas City, was sentencing a young man who had just been found guilty, to a term of years in the penitentiary. He took occasion to deliver a lecture while passing the sentence. He said, in part:

"Whisky is the devil's agent. Four-fifths of the time of this court is taken up with crimes caused by whisky. The greatest evil that now affects this country is the abuse of whisky. Every day men are swimming to the penitentiary in whisky."—Selected.

LESSON 10.—JUNE 4.—THE RESURRECTION

Lesson Scripture, John 20:11-23, A. R. V.

(11) "But Mary was standing without at the tomb weeping; so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; (12) and she beholdeth two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. (13) And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him. (14) When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and beholdeth Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. (15) Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing Him to be the gardener, saith unto Him, Sir, if Thou hast borne Him hence, tell me where Thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away. (16) Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turneth herself, and saith unto Him in Hebrew, Rabboni; which is to say, Teacher. (17) Jesus saith to her, Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father; but go unto My brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto My Father and your Father, and My God and your God. (18) Mary Magdalene cometh and telleth the disciples, I have seen the Lord; and that He had said these things unto her.

(19) "When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (20) And when He had said this, He showed unto them His hands and His side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. (21) Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace be unto you; as the Father hath sent Me, even so send I you. (22) And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit; (23) whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained."

Golden Text.—"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept." 1 Cor. 15:20.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) As Mary realized that the body of Jesus was not in the tomb, how did she manifest her grief? How did she further manifest her interest in the matter? Verse 11. Note 1. (2) Whom did she see in the tomb? In what position were they? Verse 12. (3) What question did the angels ask of Mary? What answer did she give? Verse 13. Note 2. (4) Then what did Mary do? Whom did she then see? Did she recognize Him? Verse 14. (5) What did Jesus say to Mary? Who did she think He was? Then what was her reply? Verse 15. Note 3. (6) How did Jesus then address her? What indicates Mary's immediate recognition of that voice? Verse 16. Note 4. (7) What warning did Jesus immediately give to the now glad disciple? On what mission did He send her? Verse 17. Note 5. (8) How did Mary fulfil her mission? Verse 18. (9) What time is next mentioned in this connection? What precaution had the disciples taken? Who then presented Himself among them? And how did He salute them? Verse 19. Note 6. (10) After this salutation, what did Jesus do? How were the disciples affected by this manifestation? Verse 20. Note 7. (11) What words did Jesus then repeat? And how did He indicate the future service of the disciples? Verse 21. (12) After saying this, what did Jesus do? Verse 22. Note 8. (13) What important trust did Jesus then repose in them? Verse 23. Note 9.

NOTES.

1. From the first verse of the lesson chapter, and verse 18 of the lesson, we learn that it was Mary Magdalene who is referred to in verse 11. Seven times Jesus had relieved her of demoniacal possession (Luke 8:2), and therefore "she loved much" (chapter 7:41-47). She had returned to the sepulcher, after having notified Peter and John that Jesus was not in the tomb.

2. That was a pertinent question which was asked of Mary. Why, indeed, was she weeping, when her Lord was risen from the dead? Unbelief or lack of comprehension of the Scriptures causes much unnecessary weeping in this world. As yet neither Mary, nor even any of the twelve, knew that Jesus must rise from the dead. Altho the scripture (Ps. 16:10) had said so, and Jesus Himself had tried to impress it upon their minds, they had not understood it.

3. The gardener would be Joseph's servant. Being a rich man (owning the tomb), he would have the grounds kept in an attractive condition. It would be natural for Mary to suppose that placing the body of Jesus in Joseph's new tomb (Matt. 27:59, 60), was only a temporary accommodation, the garden being near the place of crucifixion (John 19:41, 42). Therefore she supposed that the gardener would know where the body had been placed. She proposed to find a permanent resting-place for her Friend.

4. The simple pronunciation of Mary's name in the familiar tones of the Master was enough to establish her recognition of Him. She did not need to see "the print of the nails in His hands," nor the spear-mark in His side. The voice was sufficient for her who had so often sat at His feet to listen to His instruction. Whoever is accustomed to hearing and heeding that voice, will never be at a loss to recognize it.

5. "I am not yet ascended to My Father." What an emphatic refutation of the popular notion that Jesus and the crucified penitent went to heaven the day that they were crucified. Jesus had offered Himself as the antitypical Lamb of God—the one offering that made good all the ceremonial offerings that had been presented in faith prior to that time; but the atonement must first be accepted in the heavenly sanctuary. Mary was told to go and announce to the disciples that He had ascended to the Father. At no future meeting with any of His followers did Jesus forbid any personal contact. That very night He invited it. See Verse 20 and Luke 24:39.

6. In all the four accounts of Christ's death and resurrection it is made very clear that the first day of the week was at that time the day after the Sabbath. This coincidence was not merely incidental. The Lord records nothing without a purpose (Rom. 15:4), and this purpose is made emphatic in the instance before us. So in all the epistles, references to the "Sabbath" are manifestly to the same day that is recognized as such in other scriptures, while the first day of the week is simply called the first day of the week. The distinction is clear all the way through, showing that the first-day sabbath idea arose after the Scriptures were all written; hence, the change is without authority of the Word of God. The assembly on this first-day evening after the resurrection was "for fear of the Jews," and not in commemoration of anything whatever.

7. Jesus showed His hands and His side, this visible evidence being necessary to convince a company of disciples who had not yet learned that the testimony of the Word of God was better proof than the sight of the natural eyes. See 2 Peter 1:16-19.

8. "Receive ye the Holy Spirit." The imparting of the Holy Spirit by the breath of Christ is proof that the Spirit is not a corporeal person, as many people are wont to assert. The following expression in "The Desire of Ages," page 805, is to the point: "The Holy Spirit is the breath of spiritual life in the soul. The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ. It imbues the receiver with the attributes of Christ."

9. We understand that the power to remit or to retain sins was not a personal power bestowed upon the disciples as individuals, but a prerogative of the church as a body. See article, "Remitting and Retaining Sins," page 8 of this paper.

Sabbath-School Lesson Quarterly

By Editor

The Sabbath-school lessons have been discontinued. The Lesson Quarterly may be obtained, containing three months' lessons and notes, for five cents. Address, Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal. The Sunday-school lessons will continue.

PEANUT BUTTER.

BEST made, absolutely pure, unsalted, steamed or roasted, 12c. per pound in fifty pound lots and upward, cash with order. We pay freight on lots of 100 pounds or over, east of Rocky Mountains.

Vegetarian Meat Co. Washington, D. C.

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RUSSIA-JAPAN ATLAS.

Send ten cents in stamps to R. R. Ritchie, No. 617 Market Street, San Francisco, for Russo-Japanese War Atlas, issued by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, three fine colored maps each 14x20, bound in convenient form for reference. The Eastern Situation shown in detail with tables showing relative military and naval strength and financial resources of Russia and Japan.

Christian Service and General Conference

By Editor

What is for God's glory is for the good of His creatures. But he who to the end resists God's will in himself perverts to destruction the mighty saving power of God.

It is better to be right than popular; better to be alone with God than following or leading a multitude to do evil; better a prison cell, with the enduring principles of Christ in the heart, than the throne of a universal world kingdom, with the taint of sin in the soul.

The work of God is too sacred, too solemn, too important to permit of self-service or the deceitful pleasures of the world; and he who takes the yoke of Gospel service in all sincerity, realizing the nature of the service to which he is called, will shun every selfish indulgence as the pitfall of death, which it is; but upon those who yield to the enticements of ease and luxury falls the terrible indictment of the great Judge.

The thirty-sixth session of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists convened at Takoma Park, Washington, D. C., on May 11. Delegates are in attendance from all parts of the world. In view of the many pressing questions of vital importance to the work in all its phases to be discussed at this conference, it will be one of the most important sessions ever held. The needs of the work are great; the fields are white already for the harvest; the laborers are few; doors are open, and the beckoning hands are a multitude. May God guide in the deliberations there, both in the laying of plans and in their execution, and give His people loyal and liberal hearts to respond to the calls that shall be made for workers and for means to carry on the work.

A Black, Misleading Lie.

We passed, the other day, in an Arizona town, a saloon with the following seductive sign over its door:

"A LIFE-SAVING STATION.

A Thirst-Killer."

I thought of the young men who had entered its doors with no thirst for its beverages of death, but rather a positive dislike; of how they had been lured to taste its milder liquids, till the very thirst of hell had intertwined steel tendons in every fiber of appetite. "A thirst-killer," indeed! but the victim dies with the thirst.

"A life-saving station!" And I saw rise up before me the great army of the myriads of young men, of erect form, strong-limbed, smooth-skinned, clear-eyed, the hopes of home and nation; and I saw them emerging from its living hell of mocking of all things good, a straggling horde of bowed and crippled forms, of tottering limbs, blotched and empurpled skin, blear-eyed—wrecks of humanity, fruition of blasted hopes, wending their wavering way through almshouse, jail, and penitentiary, through pits of degradation and shame to the drunkard's grave and perdition. How all the demons of the bottomless pit must have chuckled in sardonic glee as the fearful lie was painted, letter by letter, on that saloon! Name it what you will, yet it is the door of hopelessness and despair to all who enter and yield to the insatiate thirst of the beverages brewed and concocted in the laboratories of the bottomless pit.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

By Editor

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CAL., MAY 24, 1905.

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.

Our authority is the Bible, the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. When the Common (King James) Version, the Revised Version, or the American Standard Revised Version is used, quotations will not be designated in reference. Any Bible quotation in this paper, therefore, differing from the Common Version, unless otherwise indicated, will be from one of the two revised versions, usually the American Standard.

CONTAINED IN THIS NUMBER.

Poetry.

The Miracle at Nain, W. MORLEY PUNSHON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 The Truth, ELIZA H. MORTON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Endeavor Consecration Hymn, JOHN NELSON DAVIDSON . . . . . . . . . . 12 Resurrection of Christ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Editorial.—The Giver of Life—The Word of God versus Deception—Solving the Social Problem—A Pertinent Question . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 5

Question Corner.—Nos. 1664-1673 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Outlook.—An Impracticable Suggestion—Christ's Coming Near—The Large Gifts of the Rich—Sunday Enforcement News and Comment, JOHN D. BRADLEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 7

Literary Notices.— . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

General.

Remitting and Retaining Sins, MRS. E. G. WHITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Lessons from Elijah's Experience, H. A. ST. JOHN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Jonah, F. D. STARR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Venality and Corruption in the Political World, GEORGE W. RINE . . . . . 9 The Early and Latter Rain, T. E. BOWEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Fifty Reasons for Sabbath Observance, D. T. BOURDEAU . . . . . . . . . . . 11 The Holy Spirit (Bible Reading) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Missions.—Our Work in Washington, D. C.—A New Call from Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 13

The Home.—Education in the Home, No. 2, MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE—In Love with Mother—The Caterpillar and the Engineer . . . . . . . . . . 14

International Sunday-School Lesson.—The Resurrection . . . . . . . . . . 15

Publishers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

A Vital Error.

By Editor

As soon as force is brought to bear upon any individual for religious reasons, there is an invasion of human rights for which there is no warrant in the Word of God—an invasion as repugnant to elemental justice as the invasion of a home by the despoiler of morals or the prowling thief. Morality that goes no deeper than outward observance of a law against immorality is worth nothing to the individual who practises it; and conformity to the forms and ceremonies and observances of a law-made religion is of no more value to the soul than the chaff of the wheat is to the future harvest. Such religion is but an empty shell, and can not preserve the life of the soul. Backing a divine ordinance by a human law is like propping a mountain with a reed. Worship must be as spontaneous as love, for it is but the expression of love and adoration. You can not make a flower bloom by opening its petals with fingers ever so delicate, you can not lift a soul to God on the point of a bayonet, nor scourge one thither by flame or knout. Religion must be from the heart or it is only mockery; religion that is forced is never from the heart; religious observances enforced by law are always and everywhere a mockery and a disaster, a stumbling-block to vital religion. Of such a character are all the Sunday laws that are now being enacted and enforced throughout the world.

POLITICAL LIFE VERSUS MORAL COURAGE.

By Editor

Nothing could better illustrate the sinister influence of political life upon private character than the very general expression of opinion that President Roosevelt has, in marked degree, strengthened himself for reform work by announcing that he will not be a candidate for re-election. The question has been raised, Will he have the courage to carry out the reforms that have been promised? And, while he is admittedly a man of courage in the ordinary sense, the general hope that he will have the extraordinary courage deemed necessary to protect the people from oppression by rich corporations, is based on the fact that he is not a candidate for office. There is a quite general concession that an ordinarily courageous man must not be expected to display a very high quality of moral courage, even in defense of the rights of those whose votes he seeks, if he would expect to be successful in his political ambition. Yet this condition is set forth by men who are moulders of public opinion as one that is to be expected—as a matter of course, a man in political life, one who makes public office the goal of his ambition, must needs lay aside his moral courage, and be governed by expediency. Such a commentary on the supposed necessities of political life, by men of long experience in that life, ought to be sufficient to keep Christian men out of its meshes.

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