Signs of the Times, Vol. 42, No. 42. (10/26/1915)

Signs of the Times

Oct 26, 1915

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Oct 26, 1915

THE FEDERATED MALAY STATES

By Arthur G. Daniells

British Rule, Civilization, and Religious Freedom — Mixed Nationalities — Rubber and Tin — Our Headquarters and Progress There

By ARTHUR G. DANIELLS

ONE of the divisions of our Malaysian Mission Field is the territory of the Federated Malay States. These states are four in number — Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, and Penang. They occupy the central part of the peninsula, extending across the entire peninsula, from the Straits of Malakka to the China Sea. The total area of these states is 26,380 square miles. The population is but a little more than a million, or only about forty persons to the square mile.

A BRITISH PROTECTORATE

In 1896, the British government secured a protectorate over these states. This protection means “direct administration and complete control save only in matters affecting the Mohammedan religion.”

Besides the four Federated States, there are five other states in the southern part of the Malay peninsula. These are Kedah, Kelantan, Trengganu, Perlis, and Johore. In 1909, Siam transferred to Great Britain the protectorate she held over the first four of these states. This established British paramountcy over the whole of the southern part of the peninsula.

The dominant influence of Great Britain over the Malay peninsula has brought great advantages and blessings to the people. It has established stable and just government, it has brought Western civilization and commercial prosperity, and it has guaranteed both civil and religious liberty to all classes. All this has proved most favorable and helpful to the work of missionaries of the gospel.

OUR HEADQUARTERS

The headquarters of our work in the Federated Malay States are located in the city of Kuala Lumpur, the administrative capital of this territory. This city is in the state of Selangor, about two hundred miles north of Singapore. It is on the railway line which runs from Singapore to Penang.

Kuala Lumpur ranks next to Singapore in the Malay peninsula. The site is in many respects ideal. A beautiful river runs through the city, and carries off the heavy rainfalls in a short time. Good buildings have been erected for both government and business purposes. Beautiful gardens of tropical foliage adorn the residence portions of the city. It “knows neither simoom nor serious drought; it apprehends neither prairie fires nor tidal waves; it has no hot weather season, and no cold, damp, drizzling weather.”

MIXED NATIONALITIES

The statistics for 1911 represent the different nationalities of the Federated Malay States as follows: Chinese, 433,200; Malays, 419,700; Indians, 172,500; Europeans and Eurasians, 6,000; and a mixed lot — Tamils, Bengalis, Singhalese, Javanese, and Sikhs — about 5,000.

A few of the original inhabitants, the Negrito — semi-negro — tribes, are still to be found scattered through the states; but they live in the jungles, and are practically wild tribes.

About the middle of the seventeenth century, the Malays of Sumatra crossed the Straits of Malakka, and settled among the Negritos on the peninsula. Later the Chinese found their way to this region; and discovering natural resources of great value, they formed large settlements, until they now outnumber the Malays, and have come into possession of much of the wealth of the country.

FURNISHES ONE HALF THE TIN

The greatest natural resource of the Federated Malay States is the tin ore. From this small area of the earth’s surface, about 26,000 square miles, nearly one half of the world’s tin is obtained. The annual output approximates thirty million dollars.

The mines are nearly all alluvial. The black tin sand is easily shoveled into bags, in which it is conveyed to running streams to be washed. That which remains after the washing, contains seventy per cent of tin. This is again put into bags, and taken to the smelters. Most of this mining is carried on by the hard working Chinese, who reap good profits from the industry.

THE RUBBER INDUSTRY

In recent years, the rubber industry has come to be very profitable in these states. Some twenty years ago, plants of the rubber tree were brought from Brazil. These seemed to do as well in Malay as anywhere in South America. This industry has proved so profitable that very large tracts of land are now covered with rubber forests. Even coconut and coffee plantations have been turned into rubber forests. It has become a vast industry, yielding large dividends to the growers.

The rubber tree grows rapidly. When of sufficient age and size, it is tapped by slight, long cuttings on the surface of the bark. The white liquid rubber oozes from these cuts in the bark, and slowly runs down the tree to an open spout fastened into the bark near the ground. From this it drips into small cups. Each morning, these cups are emptied into large receptacles, where the liquid is left to coagulate. Later the surplus water is pressed out by machinery, and the sheets are dried, and packed for shipment to the world’s markets.

OUR PROGRESS IN KUALA LUMPUR

In 1911, an urgent call came from Kuala Lumpur to the superintendent of our Malaysian field at Singapore for a missionary. In response to this call, Pastor and Mrs. Montgomery went to that city. This resulted in the establishment of a permanent mission there. The work is now carried on by Pastor G. A. Thompson and wife and a number of native workers. A church has been organized; and the members are encouraged to engage in the circulation of religious literature, and in various lines of missionary service.

The scattered condition of the people generally, the mixture of races and religions, and the separation of the people from their native lands, all combine to make gospel work very difficult in that part of the world. The need of the saving, uplifting power of the gospel is as great there as in almost any other place on the earth. Yet even there it has been demonstrated that there is power in the gospel to work a marvelous regeneration in the character and lives of those who will give it a place in their minds and hearts.

As our missionaries see one after another lifted, by the grace of God, to a higher life, they are inspired to toil on. Let all who pray, remember them at the throne of grace.

A SCENE IN THE BOTANICAL GARDENS IN KUALA LUMPUR

The Two Mirrors

By John Norton Loughborough

By J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

IN Scripture representations of the work of grace, two mirrors are presented, but they are quite different in their manner of working.

One, like a toilet mirror, gives an exact delineation of the person who looks into it, presenting to him his actual self. The other transforms him into the image he beholds. The first of these mirrors is thus spoken of by the apostle James: “For if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass [“mirror,” R. V.]: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:23-25.

So the mirror that gives the man a complete delineation of himself, is the law of God. “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 3:20. “Sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4. “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” Ps. 119:104. So we see that the law of God is the mirror that gives one a reflection of his natural condition.

Of the other mirror we read in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass [“mirror,” R. V.] the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor. 3:18.

The glory of the Lord is His character. When Moses besought the Lord, “Show me Thy glory,” he doubtless had in mind the excellent brightness of the Lord’s face. From the Lord’s reply to this request, we judge that He deemed it more important, at that time, for Moses to know the loving character of the Lord, than simply to have the eye gratified. So the Lord said, “I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee.” Ex. 33:19. “And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaiming, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” Ex. 34:6, 7.

It is the goodness of the Lord that leads us to repentance. Rom. 2:4. Repentance is the first step in the godly life. As we behold “His great love wherewith He loved us” (Eph. 2:4), and that He gave Himself for us, and “gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world” (Gal. 2:20; 1:4), we are transformed by the renewing of the mind (Rom. 12:2), changed from the character vile to the character of Christ, because His Spirit now works in us “both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13).

The Lord help that we may each receive the benefits to be derived from the full working of the two mirrors.

“Sufficient unto the Day”

By JOSEF W. HALL

“It seems that a man ought at least to have the assurance of where his to-morrow’s meals and bed are coming from,” I exclaimed to my thoughtful friend the other morning. “This hand-to-mouth existence worries me.”

“How many days’ supplies did you ask for this morning?” queried my friend. It flashed over me like a new thing—this old request that I had been making for years,—“Give us this day our daily bread.”

“I’ve heard people say that before,” continued my thoughtful friend, “when they really thought they were saying, ‘Give us this day a respectable annuity of all the things we think we need.’”

JOSEF W. HALL.

A. D. W

By A. D. W.

MASTERPIECES are not often designed to be such. An artist may work expectantly on a painting that he intends shall be a masterpiece, yet the product be only mediocre; and again, merely to preserve an impression, he may sketch, in a few simple lines, a picture that proves superior to his most ambitious productions. Likewise our greatest work is unconscious, the involuntary expression of our inmost self.

A. D. W

THE BREATH OF LIFE

By Eliza H. Morton

By ELIZA H. MORTON

In God's own image man was made, all fair To look upon; but yet he lacked the power To live — the breath of God, for that alone Could make his pulses beat, the color tinge His cheeks, and from His eye flash forth the light Of reason,— the ability to think. Hence God imparted to man the breath Of life, and he became a living soul.

The “silver cord” full soon was loosed, for death Came in because of sin. The “golden bowl” Was “broken at the fountain” day by day, And dust returned to dust. But is that all? Yea, all. The breath of life reverts to God; But not to be a thing of consciousness, For breath and body must united be To make a soul — ah, yes, a living soul.

In holy vision once a prophet saw A valley filled with bones — dry bones. He heard A voice, “Can these dry bones revive?” And stunned And awed, he answered, “Lord, Thou knowest— God.” The word was given, “Bone to bone and flesh To flesh.” Again the word, “O breath, come breathe Upon these slain, that they may live.” And lo, A miracle — the dead stood up alive.

The breath of God full soon will give to all, The power to live; and some will rise to shine, While others will go down again to death — The second death, no resurrection there. O ye who live upon this sin-marred globe, Give ear. The pure in heart will see their God, Elysian fields will meet their gaze, and glad Eternity will be their blest reward.

EDUCATION AND REDEMPTION

By Ellen G. White

Light Comes to Every Heart — Power to Reach Ideals — The Eden School

By the late MRS. E. G. WHITE

By sin man was shut out from God. Except for the plan of redemption, eternal separation from God, the darkness of unending night, would have been his. Through the Saviour’s sacrifice, communion with God is again made possible. We may not in person approach into His presence; in our sin we may not look upon His face; but we can behold Him and commune with Him in Jesus, the Saviour. “The light of the knowledge of the glory of God” is revealed “in the face of Jesus Christ.” The life and the death of Christ, the price of our redemption, are not only to us the promise and pledge of life, not only the means of opening again to us the treasures of wisdom; they are a broader, higher revelation of His character than even the holy ones of Eden knew.

And while Christ opens heaven to man, the life which He imparts opens the heart of man to heaven. Sin not only shuts us away from God, but destroys in the human soul both the desire and the capacity for knowing Him. All this work of evil it is Christ’s mission to undo. The faculties of the soul, paralyzed by sin, the darkened mind, the perverted will, He has power to invigorate and to restore. He opens to us the riches of the universe, and by Him the power to discern and to appropriate these treasures is imparted.

Christ is the “Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1: 9. As through Christ every human being has life, so also through Him every soul receives some ray of divine light. Not only intellectual but spiritual power, a perception of right, a desire for goodness, exists in every heart. But against these principles there is struggling an antagonistic power. The result of the eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil is manifest in every man’s experience. There is in his nature a bent to evil, a force which, unaided, he cannot resist. To withstand this force, to attain that ideal which in his inmost soul he accepts as alone worthy, he can find help in but one power. That power is Christ. Coöperation with that power is man’s greatest need.

AIM OF THE TRUE TEACHER

The true teacher is not satisfied with directing his students to a standard lower than the highest which it is possible for them to attain. He cannot be content with imparting to them only technical knowledge, with making them merely clever accountants, skillful artisans, successful tradesmen. It is his ambition to inspire them with principles of truth, obedience, honor, integrity, and purity,— principles that will make them a positive force for the stability and uplifting of society. He desires them, above all else, to learn life’s great lesson of unselfish service.

These principles become a living power to shape the character, through the acquaintance of the soul with Christ; through an acceptance of His wisdom as the guide, His power as the strength of heart and life. This union formed, the student has found the Source of wisdom. He has within his reach the power to realize in himself his noblest ideals. The opportunities of the highest education for life in this world are his. And in the training here gained, he is entering upon that course which embraces eternity.

PLAN OF THE EDEN SCHOOL

In the highest sense, the work of education and the work of redemption are one; for in education, as in redemption, “other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 3: 11. “It was the good pleasure of the Father that in Him should all the fullness dwell.” Col. 1: 19, A. R. V.

Under changed conditions, true education is still conformed to the Creator’s plan, the plan of the Eden school. Adam and Eve received instruction through direct communion with God; we behold “the light of the knowledge of His glory” in the face of Christ.

The great principles of education are unchanged. “They stand fast forever and ever;” for they are the principles of the character of God. To aid the student in comprehending these principles, and in entering into that relation with Christ which will make them a controlling power in the life, should be the teacher’s first effort and his constant aim. The teacher who accepts this aim is in truth a coworker with Christ, a laborer together with God.

A POPULAR WISH OF SUNDAY KEEPERS

By G. W. Reaser

Frequently, when the binding claims of “the Sabbath according to the commandment” of Jehovah are presented to an audience of first-day-of-the-week observers, a popular voice is raised: “If the Christian world only kept the Sabbath, we would be glad to keep it instead of Sunday; but we do not like to be on the unpopular side in keeping the seventh day.”

Their own proposition proves that their consciences approve of keeping the Bible Sabbath, and really condemn the practice of keeping the first day of the week, without divine authority.

Question: Where conscience, enlightened by the Bible, approves of keeping “the Sabbath according to the commandment,” will the Lord, in the day of final reckoning, excuse the possessor of the conscience in keeping a rival day, a day that is not mentioned in the word of God as being set apart for rest and worship? Why not have the approval of both conscience and the word of God in Sabbath keeping?

G. W. Reaser.

BULGARIAN ARTILLERY DRILLING FOR CONTEST Boston Photo News Company

THE NEXT GREAT EVENT

By A. S. Booth

This Is the Generation to See It — The Day or the Hour Not Known; The Sleepy Mocker and the Wide-Awake Believer — Where Will We Be When the Morning Breaks?

By A. S. BOOTH

In last week’s article on the signs given by the Lord, in the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew, of His soon coming, we noticed four great events that were to constitute signs of His coming: the destruction of Jerusalem; the Dark Ages; the darkening of the sun, which occurred May 19, 1780; and the falling stars of November 13, 1833.

We will now consider some of the remarkable conclusions and admonitions given to those living in the last generation.

HE IS AT THE DOOR

After enumerating these signs in the heavens, the Lord said: “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; when his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh.” Matt. 24: 32. Luke says, “all the trees.” When all the trees put forth their leaves, there is no question but that summer is near. Then the Master makes the application: “So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that He is near, even at the doors.” Verse 33, margin. Just as summer follows the putting forth of the leaves of the trees, so it is certain that the next great event after the falling of the stars in the year 1833 A. D. will be the second coming of the Lord.

THE DAY AND THE HOUR NOT TOLD

Now the Lord does not reveal the day or the hour of His coming, but He emphatically reveals the generation. To the same people, on the same occasion, and in the same address in which He said, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man” (verse 36), He also said, “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” Verse 34. Included in that expression, “all these things be fulfilled,” is the coming of the Son of man with power and great glory. Therefore the least we can possibly say relative to the generation is, The generation that saw as a sign of the Master’s coming the last great sign in the heavens, will live till the Lord comes.

As though to rebuke the lack of faith on the part of His people, the Master continues, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” Verse 35. One might as well think to blot the sun out of the heavens, or to lay hold of the foundation of the earth, and rend it from its fastenings, as to move one jot or tittle of the word of God. And God’s word points out the last generation that will live on the earth. We are of that generation.

It would be natural to think that, these signs having been so clearly set forth by the Master, and fulfilled, the whole world would be stirred by the message. However, the Lord tells us how the people at large would receive these things. He says: “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the Flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered the ark, and knew not until the Flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Verses 37-39.

God in mercy sent to the people in the time of the Flood a message that meant their salvation both physically and spiritually. They mocked the message. But their mocking did not hinder the fulfillment of the word of God. The destruction came, and the mockers were on the wrong side. In rejecting God’s word, they had rejected Him.

MOCKING WILL NOT STOP IT

Men may mock at the words of Christ relative to the last generation; but as in the days of Noah, their mocking will not alter things. The end will come just the same, and all the mockers will be found on the wrong side.

The Lord compares the last generation to the last watch of the day. The night was divided into four watches,—evening, midnight, cockcrowing, and morning. The time from the first advent to the second is divided into four watches. The close of the evening watch is marked by the first great sign—the destruction of Jerusalem; the midnight watch, the Dark Ages, closed with the darkening of the sun; the cockcrowing watch extends to the falling of the stars; and the morning watch is the watch for the breaking of the day. All depends on knowing the watch, or the last generation.

Said the Lord: “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.” Verses 42, 43.

MAY BE SEVEN THOUSAND TIMES MORE THAN WE THINK

We are admonished to be ready. “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Verse 44. God is especially speaking to His people who would be living in the last generation. There is a tendency to think that a long time will be required for the message to reach the world. Elijah is the type of those who will be translated without tasting death. Just before he was taken to heaven, he thought he was the only one that was loyal to the truth and to God. However, God told him, “I have left Me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal.” 1 Kings 19: 18. All we can see is the surface work. The message may have accomplished seven thousand times the work that we think.

“DELAYETH HIS COMING”

The Lord is very anxious that the people know concerning the truth of the last generation. He continues: “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matt. 24: 45-51. This counsel has especially to do with the ministry who have charge over the flock of God. Two classes are brought to view. One class will be calling attention to the words of the Master, faithfully pointing out the last days, admonishing the people to prepare to meet their God, and are pronounced faithful and blessed. The other class will oppose the message, delaying the coming of the Lord, paying no attention to the words of the Master, and are pronounced hypocrites and accursed.

WE SHOULD BE AROUSED

The twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew opens with special instruction to the church, the flock. In the parable of the ten virgins, while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. Possibly you have sometime had the unsatisfactory experience of trying to talk to a person who was sleepy. God has been talking to the people. May 19, 1780, He preached the first great sermon on the coming of His Son the second time, and hung out His chart in the heavens. In the year 1833, fifty-three years later, He preached the second great message. Eighty-two years have passed, and the church is going to sleep. In the frequent earthquakes, storms, and other calamities, the Lord is seeking to arouse the people. The old world is groaning under the curse. She is giving fair warning of the time when she will break forth in her fury, and all the cities of the world will fall. In that day, God will be the refuge of His people.

LOVED HER HUSBAND, BUT WISHED HIM AWAY

The crowns of righteousness are promised to those who love the coming of the Savior. 2 Tim. 4: 7, 8. It is high time for the church to be falling in love with the message of the soon-coming Lord. Suppose a wife whose husband had gone on a long journey, should say, “I love my husband, but I hope he will not return in my day.” How long would it take her to convince her friends that she had the least degree of love for her husband? Likewise people have little confidence in the Christian who says, “I love my Master, but I hope He will not return in my day.”

May the love of Christ so fill us that our whole lives shall be bound up in the message for the time. When the morning breaks, may we be of the number who will look up, and say, “This is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: . . . we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”

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