p. 7 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 15. (4/10/1907)

SPEAKING WITH TONGUES.

By A. M. Dart

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Phil. 2: 13.

“Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matt. 16: 24.

THE first text assures us that God’s pleasure may be accomplished in us. Indeed, the unlimited power of the Creator is pledged to this glorious end. The second text reveals what is required of us that this may be true.

In the majority of people God is not working “to will and to do of His good pleasure.” This is not because His love is not for all alike, neither because He does not desire thus to work in all.

Of all the battles ever fought, none have been waged so fiercely, none have held out so great possibilities for the winner, and such dire results for the loser, as the battle with self. The accumulated misery and wo of millenniums is the result of self-aggrandizement. When Lucifer said, “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: . . . I will be like the Most High,” God could no longer work in him “to will and to do of His good pleasure.” He was, therefore, cut off from the plans and purposes of God for his everlasting and ever-increasing happiness. To secure these now he must “deny himself,” accept the infinite sacrifice which his selfish attitude had drawn from the merciful God, and “follow” Christ. This he refused to do, and after gaining about one-third of the heavenly intelligences as his followers, was finally, with those followers, cast out of heaven. Rev. 12: 4, 9.

When man was created, Lucifer (Satan) immediately set himself about to secure followers from among the human family. How well he succeeded is set forth in the sad record of man’s expulsion from his beautiful Eden home. He has ever continued his work of seeking followers for himself, but that his career will eventually end is as certain as that God is able to carry out His plans for the happiness of His people. This Satan knows; for we read in Rev. 12: 12 that his wrath is greater “because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”

The power of God in His followers is measured by their full surrender, their entire submission to Him. They must deny self. The least vestige of selfishness will, to just that extent, hinder His working “to will and to do His good pleasure.” Now it is evident that in the final struggle between truth and righteousness, between Christ and Satan, will be revealed what God can do thru His followers and what Satan can do thru his. This means, on the part of God’s followers, a knowledge of His will according to His word, and a full surrender to Him, that He may accomplish His will thru them. It means on the part of Satan’s followers that they will be fully surrendered to him that he may accomplish his will thru them. God will work thru His people “both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will.” Heb. 2: 4. This will be the final effort on God’s part to recover from the last generation, “out of the snare of the devil,” those “who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Tim. 2: 26. Those whom Satan has taken captive at his will, being at this time fully surrendered to him,—having entirely chosen his ways,—are worked by him to the full extent of his power. He works thru them with “all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” 2 Thess. 2: 9, 10.

Since Satan’s work is deceptive, his greatest “wonders” will be done by professed Christians claiming to be doing the will, and carrying forward the work, of God. But “such are false apostles, deceitful workers transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” 2 Cor. 11: 13, 14. See also, Matt. 7: 21-23.

Speaking with Tongues

May this gift, handed down to us with such prominence from the day of Pentecost,

be used by Satan? or is such an experience absolute evidence that God is in the midst of those in whom it seems to be manifest?

In the fifth chapter of Mark we have a record of an experience Jesus had with an “unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains.” Verses 2, 3. “But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshiped Him, and cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with Thee, Jesus, Thou Son of the Most High God? I adjure Thee by God, that Thou torment me not.” Verses 6, 7. Are not these strange words for the worshiper to speak? Were these the words of the man, as he would choose to speak for himself as he was sitting at the feet of Jesus? No, Satan spoke thus thru the man. When the man was delivered from Satan, he spake differently. See verses 15 and 18. This is an example of how fully Satan can control human instrumentalities.

Again alluding to the fact that in the final conflict between Christ and Satan, Satan’s most effective agents will be professed Christians, deceived, deluded souls, I propound the query, Is it anything strange that we should find them speaking with tongues? Is Satan confined to one language? When he has the unfettered use of an agent, can he not speak one language thru that agent as well as another?

“My doctrine is not Mine,” says the Master, “but His that sent Me.”

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” Now when God’s message is rejected, and souls are fully surrendered, with no longer a doubt, to Satan’s doctrine, Satan can use them to the fullest extent of his power, as verily as he did the man in the country of the Gadarenes.

Dear reader, the final conflict is on. Are you looking for “signs and wonders” to determine whether a movement is of God or not? If you are, you are likely to be swept into the vortex of destruction, for there will be signs and wonders on the wrong side of the issue so great “that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Let us meet the enemy as did the Son of God Himself, with “It is written.” Study the word in the light of God’s message for to-day—the Threefold Message of Revelation 14. In this light “we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices.” His greatest deceptions are unmasked.

A. M. DART. Ketchikan, Alaska.

Christian Perfection

By Ellen G. White

MRS. E. G. WHITE

"AND beside this," an apostle writes, "giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." As man works on the plan of addition, adding grace to grace, God works on the plan of multiplication. Peter declares, "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you thru the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, thru the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue."

"For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." But a profession of faith without corresponding works is nothing. "He that lacketh these things is blind, and can not see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins." This is a description of a professed Christian who lives a life of sin. He grieves the Lord Jesus, and puts Him to open shame because he manifests a character after the similitude of Satan. He retains the same objectionable traits of character that he had before he claimed to have received Christ. Indulging his corrupt tendencies, he forgets to be a doer of the word. He does not eat the flesh nor drink the blood of the Son of God. He does not practise Christ's words nor do His works.

Then comes the conclusion: "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." This is the life-insurance policy that every one may have. "Wherefore," the apostle says, "I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, tho ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance."

For a man to be effectually saved, the truth of the word must be inwrought in the soul. It is a power that works inwardly to bless the soul of the receiver, and outwardly to bless the souls of others. Take the word just as it reads, and be a doer of it. The Holy Spirit works with the consecrated soul who searches the Scriptures.

Now, just now, is our great opportunity to study the word of life. The hearts of many in this world are hungering for the bread of life and thirsting for the water of salvation. They desire to know the Scriptures; they desire to know what the word of God says to them. The Holy Spirit is impressing their hearts, drawing them to the bread of life. They see everything around them changing. They come to hear the word just as it reads. They desire to build upon a firm foundation; and therefore Christians are counseled to be always ready to give a reason of the hope that is in them with meekness and fear.

A clear, faithful testimony must be borne by every shepherd of the flock of God. The state of the heart is to be our first concern. "With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Mere speech is nothing. Preaching the word, and then working contrary to that word, makes it of none effect. Lip knowledge, forms and ceremonies, are of little value if Christ does not abide in the soul. We are to watch for souls as they that must give an account. We are to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts. Then we shall be men and women of faith and prayer and power. There is a great work to be done. The heart must be faithfully sentinelled, else pride and rebellion will bear rule within. Evils without will awaken evils within, and the soul will wander in its own home-made fog, all the time charging upon some one else the result of its own unchristian course of action.

HEART LONGINGS.

By Mrs. Carrie K. Butcher

I'm a pilgrim, and seeking a country Where mortal feet never have trod, A city with walls and foundations, Whose Builder and Maker is God.

I am poor and yet heir to a mansion, For Jesus has gone to prepare A place for the chosen and faithful; I long for my home over there.

I read in the word He has given That only the spotless and pure Can enter the gateway to heaven, Or ever its brightness endure.

I long for that home, still with patience I wait, for His coming is near; May I with the faithful be ready To greet Him when He shall appear. Mrs. Carrie K. Butcher.

“WHAT SHALL I DO?”

By Mary A. Morton

WHEN John the Baptist was baptizing in Jordan, as recorded in Luke 3, many people came to hear Him. So strong was the demonstration of the power of God in his words and work, that many came to be baptized. He was questioned by the people in general, by the publicans, by the soldiers. “What must we do?” was the question propounded. How may we have a part in God’s kingdom?

In every instance the prophet’s words were exactly suited to the case. He knew their besetting sins; his words brought those sins home to their hearts, and searched their motives.

We may expect a like answer from God to-day, when we ask, as every soul should, “What must I do to be saved?” He will reveal to us our besetting sins; and He has promised to help us to overcome the sin and to forsake all unrighteousness. He has promised to overcome these things in us if we trust and believe in Him with all our hearts.

We need not only to ask, “What shall I do to be saved?” but also to plead for the will and strength to do what is our duty when we know it in the fear of God.

MARY A. MORTON.

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES.

By F. D. Starr

First Peter.

THE writer of this book was, in some respects, one of the most peculiar characters of Bible history, as well as one of the most efficient Gospel workers. But that he made any claim to being the visible head of the church, as is claimed for him by so many millions to-day, is plainly disproved by the manner in which he introduces this epistle. Instead of giving himself the title of Vicar of Jesus Christ, Supreme Pontiff, or some such appellation that is now claimed by the pope of Rome, who arrogates to himself the title of Successor of Saint Peter, this humble follower of the meek and lowly Jesus introduces his epistle in this simple manner: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,” placing himself in no way above his fellow laborers, but merely on a level with them. Peter wrote this letter about thirty years after the ascension of his Master, and if he had been all this time occupying the position of head of the church, this order of things would have become so well established that it would have been acknowledged by the church and by Peter also. See also the first three verses of chapter 5.

The reason for diligent study of this book, as of all the books of the Bible, and the central thought designed to be inculcated in this series of articles, is found in chapter 3, verse 15: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” How can one be thus prepared for every emergency without becoming well acquainted with the teachings of God’s holy word? We are not to be compelled to refer the inquirer to some preacher or to some one better informed than ourselves, or to have to ask for more time to consider the question, but be ready always to give a plain and consistent reply to the inquirer concerning our hope.

Dear friends, and especially young friends, if we secure this preparation, and are instant, ready, in season and out of season, for this good work of explaining the hope of the Gospel, how much time will we have for novel-reading and other trifling ways of spending our time? Indeed we will have no time whatever to spend in any vain or foolish manner; for to be ready to give the proper answer, as the Lord instructs us to be, will demand of us all the time and attention we can possibly bestow upon it.

Thus did the prophets themselves; they inquired and searched diligently to know more about Jesus in His word, “searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify.” So it was the Spirit of Christ that spoke thru those holy men when they wrote the books of the Old Testament, the same as it was when the contents of the New Testament were given. “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 1 Peter 1:10, 11; 2 Peter 1:21. How can we discount the word of Christ, whether spoken by Moses or Daniel, John or Paul? It all has the same origin; Christ is the speaker.

Glancing at a few more of the wonderful statements of this interesting book, we notice that Peter ventures to mention the fact that his readers could not safely follow the example of their ancestors. He refers to their vain conversation received by tradition from their fathers. 1 Peter 1:18. No doubt their fathers were held in as high esteem by these people as ours are by us to-day; but he plainly states to them that their fathers were following practises that were unscriptural and vain. The usual reply made by people to-day when some new duty is shown them from the word of God, is, “Well, my father did not believe or practise that way, and what was good enough for him is good enough for me. I could not think of giving up the religion of my fathers.” Just so might these citizens of Pontus, Galatia, etc., have replied to Peter’s exhortation. They might have told him: “We feel insulted to have you intimate that our fathers were not all right. We will not dishonor them by taking up with any new belief that they did not have.”

Ancestor worship is a very natural form

of religion; it is practised by the heathen nations to-day. But let none who name the name of Christ, in any case put human tradition, ancient or modern, before the word of the living God. The mistaken practises of our fathers, honest and uninformed as they may have been, can not justify us for rejecting the commandments of God, as their claims are clearly demonstrated before our eyes. "Be courteous." Is it news to learn that this is a Gospel command? If so, please notice its occurrence in 1 Peter 3:8. Possibly the conduct of some professors of religion is not always such as to leave the impression that politeness, courtesy, is a Christian duty. But it is, and one of the most important features of true Christianity. Love "doth not behave itself unseemly." 1 Cor. 13:5. True etiquette, politeness, will not be lacking in the conduct of the true follower of Jesus. This fact would be a good thing to remember by those who are inclined to indulge in religious controversy.

In closing, let us take with us this precious admonition: "Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7. Unnecessary care, anxiety, wears upon the physical as well as mental powers, and hinders spiritual progress. Why insist on carrying this load when another has arranged to carry it for us? "Trust in the Lord, and do good, . . . and verily thou shalt be fed." F. D. STARR.

THE BLOOD OF JESUS.

By May Gower

ON Calvary a cross I see, There Jesus' life-blood flows; That flowing blood, a healing flood, Has balm for all earth's woes.

As God's true love from throne above Shines on that flowing stream, Behold the light on Calvary's height To all the world doth gleam.

Thy sin-forged chains, thy rack of pains— That light shall melt them all, And from thy hands thy fetter bands At His command shall fall.

For Christ hath paid the forfeit made By Adam long ago, By him death came; thru Jesus' name Is freedom from its wo.

Down from above in boundless love He came to earth to show The heavenly way; O come to-day, And in His footsteps go.

Upon the tree He shed for thee, And all who will believe, The healing tide; for thee He died; That life, O soul, receive. MAY GOWER.

The Sabbath: The Identical Day

By Asa Smith

THE SABBATH. No. 2.

The Identical Day.

1. Which day is the Sabbath? "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." Ex. 20:10.

2. Did the children of Israel lose the day while wandering forty years in the wilderness? "He giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days." "On the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none." Ex. 16:29, 26. "The children of Israel did eat manna forty years." Ex. 16:35.

3. Did they still have the right day after the Babylonish captivity? "I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the Sabbath." Neh. 13:19.

4. What day was Sabbath after Christ died? "The Sabbath day according to the commandment." Luke 23:56.

5. What relation between the Sabbath and the first day of the week? "When the Sabbath was past, . . . early in the morning the first day of the week." Mark 16:1, 2.

6. Then can Sunday be the seventh day? It can not be, as it is the day after.

7. What day is the Lord's day? "The Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath." Mark 2:28. "Turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day." Isa. 58:13.

8. Then does Rev. 1:10 mean Sunday? No; for the Lord never claimed that day as His.

9. Are you sure you are keeping the right day? The seventh day is the Sabbath. It was not lost during the forty years of wilderness wandering nor the seventy years of Babylonish captivity. It was still kept by the followers of Jesus after His death, "according to the commandment," on the day just before the resurrection day. It is the only day the Lord ever called His own, and the other days are called "six working days." See Eze. 46:1. It is the "Lord's day" of Rev. 1:10, and we may be sure that it has never been lost and never will be lost. Asa Smith.

WHO IS OUR GOD?

By Albert H. Darrow

"God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

AS "there be gods many, and lords many" (1 Cor. 8:5), therefore we should wish to know which of the gods it is who manifests such an interest in human welfare, who loves us "with an everlasting love" (Jer. 31:3), and by whom, as we also learn, "are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises" (2 Peter 1:4).

It is an old and trite saying that "promises are like pie-crust, made to be broken;" and, for this reason, it must be plain and obvious to every one that the question of real importance here is, From whom and to whom are these "precious promises" given? Peter says they are given to US, and that they include an immortal, divine, imperishable nature. But the us can not include those who are disobedient, and the nature of obedience depends on the character and personality of the God who makes the promises; for He it must be who lays down the rules of obedience.

It must be manifest to all that from a false, worthless, or fickle god only false, worthless, and fickle or unreliable promises could proceed: and therefore we are interested in the question, What God is this who so loved the world as to give His Son to suffer and die for the world, and by Him to make "exceeding great and precious promises" to those who would believe into Him?

The true answer to this question is not difficult to find. The Bible plainly tells us that the "God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," who "so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son," "whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises," is the same God who "in the beginning," "created the heavens, and the earth" (Gen. 1:1), by His Son, Jesus Christ (Col. 1:16). It is the God who, after He had created the substance of the world out of nothing, saw that it was "without form and void;" and who, on the first day of the first week—the day we call Sunday—created the light, and divided it from the darkness. Gen. 1:2-4.

It is the God who, on the second day of the week—the day we call Monday—divided the waters and placed between them a firmament, called heaven, or the atmosphere. Gen. 1:6-8.

It is the God who, on the third day of the week—the day we call Tuesday—caused the dry land to appear and bring forth grass and herbs. Gen. 1:9-12.

It is the God who, on the fourth day of the week—the day we call Wednesday—caused the sun, moon, and stars to appear, at least in visible form. Gen. 1:14-18.

It is the God who, on the fifth day of the week—the day we call Thursday—"created great whales, and every living" aquatic "creature." Gen. 1:20-22.

It is the God who, on the sixth day of the week—the day we call Friday—created land animals, and also "formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life." Gen. 1:24, 25; 2:7.

From these circumstances we may know that our God is a God of power, that He is able to fulfil His promises, and that the provisions which He has made for our salvation, being founded in wisdom and omnipotence, will be efficacious. But, since they will be efficacious only to the US who obey His will, we must note further that our God is the God who, on the seventh day of the week—the day we call Saturday—because that He had then worked six full days, "rested" (Gen. 2:1, 2); "and God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it"—hallowed it, or made it to be holy time,—and set it apart for the use of somebody, not Himself, because He had already finished His creative work and rested from it (Gen. 2:2, 3).

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who had been the agent in all of His Father's work of creation, said when He was upon earth, that "the Sabbath was made for man" (Mark 2:27), not for the Jewish nation, which came into existence 2,500 years after the day was set apart and made holy, but for every human being who was then alive, or who should thereafter issue from the stock of Adam.

God sent His Son into the world that He might bear the guilt of sinners; that is, law-breakers, violators of the divine law, and in order that men and women might become holy, as God is holy. Lev. 20:7; Matt. 5:48; Heb. 12:14. Since the sanctification, or holiness, of man implies a complete conformity to the law of God, the sanctification, or holiness, of a day of the week means that holiness, or sanctification, has been attached to that one specified day by God Himself, in accordance with His will or law; and that this sanctification, or holiness, can no more be detached from that day and applied to another day than holiness can be taken from a holy man and given to an unholy man. To do either of these things is beyond the power of any individual or any aggregation of individuals, whether composing a church or a State; and it is doubtful whether it would not be beyond the power of God Himself to consistently change a law which is the foundation of His throne and dominion.

The very object of sending His Son into the world was to save sinners, by bringing them into conformity with His law, which existed from the beginning, but was reiterated on Sinai. There, amid the lightning's flash, the thunder's roar, and the trembling earth, God told the people with His own voice to have no gods before Him, to make unto themselves no image for worship, not to blaspheme, to remember and keep holy the Sabbath day which had been sanctified in Eden, to honor their parents, to commit no murder, nor adultery, nor theft, to be truthful, and to regard each other's rights. No other law was spoken or written by God Himself, or put into the ark, under the mercy-seat, which was typical of God's throne in heaven. The stone-written Decalogue is acknowledged by every one to have embodied at that time the fundamental principles of the divine government; and, since it has never been changed, it is still a requirement of God, in order to be saved, that we should "fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." Eccl. 12:13.

ALBERT H. DARROW.

WE'LL REST AT LAST.

By Lottie Briggs

O WEARY soul with sin oppressed, Come, lean on Jesus' gentle breast, And with the Saviour you shall rest In peace at last.

O come to-day while mercy pleads, While Jesus' voice still intercedes. In Him who knoweth all thy needs Find rest at last.

The days and weeks that swiftly fly Bring that glad day of resting nigh When we shall reach our home on high To rest at last.

The pearly gates will open wide, We'll enter safely by His side, And there we ever shall abide,— Sweet rest at last.

We'll know no more of strife and sin, Eternal life will just begin, When heaven's gates we enter in We'll rest at last.

LOTTIE BRIGGS.

THE TRUTH.

By C. L. Taylor

"Thy law is the truth." Ps. 119:142. "I am . . . the truth." John 14:6.

THESE two scriptures introduce us to the wonderful fact that the expression "the truth," is more than a mere allusion to some abstract principle of goodness. Certainly, all will admit that our Lord Jesus Christ in proclaiming Himself "the truth" places truth before us as a most specific and concrete fact.

At first thought it may not appear that Ps. 119:142 and John 14:6 are but different ways of expressing the same great thought, but it is nevertheless true. "The truth"—the law of Jehovah—and "the truth"—Christ—are identical; for rightly understood, the law is Christ, and truly known, Christ is the law personified.

What is the law in the last and only true analysis? The entire 119th Psalm is a vivid setting forth of the character of the law, but in verse 172 it is expressly declared to be "righteousness." "All Thy commandments are righteousness." The commandments of God are nothing less than the very righteousness of God Himself, His character pictured in human language.

To see that this is a mild statement of truth, let the reader note again what has often been referred to in the columns of the SIGNS; namely, that the inspired writers in alluding to the law use the same terms which are enlisted when speaking of the Father. For convenience, let the words stand in parallel lines.

GOD	THE LAW
Is holy. 1 Peter 1:16.	Is holy. Rom. 7:12.
Is just. Isa. 45:21.	Is just. Rom. 7:12.
Is a Spirit. John 4:24.	Is spiritual. Rom. 7:14.
Is light. 1 John 1:5.	Is light. Prov. 6:23.
Is perfect. Matt. 5:48.	Is perfect. Ps. 19:7.
Is truth. Deut. 32:4.	Is truth. Ps. 119:142.

The law of God, then, is the transcript of the divine. It stands before man as the God-life which it is, that man may be blessed by its nature. It is, therefore, the very summing up of all perfection. "I have seen an end of all perfection," says the Psalmist, "but Thy commandment is exceeding broad." Ps. 119:96.

And now take the Saviour's statement, "I am . . . the truth." Who and what was Jesus Christ? Ah, He, too, was the revelation of God, the character of God written not in human language, but in human flesh. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God;" "and the Word was made flesh." John 1:1, 14. "They shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God-with-us." Matt. 1:23. He was the living law of God in human form. He brought into the actual life of men what before had been only in the language of men. He was the law of truth made into the life of truth. As we sometimes sing of Him, so it is: "In thy life the law appears Drawn out in living characters."

"The truth," plainly, is the law of God as written in His word and so clearly exemplified in the life of our Lord. And when He said, "I am . . . the truth," He was simply saying, I am My Father's law. It was to "magnify" that law (Isa. 42:21), to obey that law (Ps. 40:7, 8; John 15:10), to teach others to do the same (Matt. 19:17), and by His sacrifice on the cross to make it possible for all men to know the righteousness of the law (Rom. 8:3, 4) that He came into the world.

The law of God is "the law of truth." Mal. 2:6. It is the summing up of all truth. There is no moral obligation not comprehended within itself. The entire Bible has been written and given to man that man may understand how he came to be out of harmony with that law, and how he may again be brought into harmony. Paradise was lost because the law of God was transgressed; and Paradise will be restored to man because thru Christ he is again made obedient to its requirements.

Yes, "the truth" of the Bible is the law of Jehovah. There is no other "truth." It is "the truth" of God's law as given to men in the life of Christ that makes man free. John 8:32, 36. And how beautifully simple is this!

To know the truth is to know the law; to know the law is to know Christ; to know Christ is to know God; and to know God is to enjoy life eternal. See John 17:3. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus frees man from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2), and with the law of truth in the heart (Heb. 8:10) he walks in everlasting liberty (Ps. 119:45).

And that same law of truth is in him a sanctifying power. John 17:17; 1 Peter 1:22. Truth is the beginning and the end of all righteousness, the alpha and the omega of Christian experience. At the last day "the truth" wrought into character will constitute man's card of admission to the joys of the better world. Isa. 26:2. The keeper of truth is he who obeys God's commandments and enters in thru the gates into the city of the King. Rev. 22:14.

It is high time to know "the truth," to be "free," to "walk at liberty," to be sanctified and prepared for the hereafter. Would to God every reader of the SIGNS could join heartily in all the experiences brought to view in the 119th Psalm. C. L. TAYLOR.

ASHAMED OF HIS LITTLE FAITH.

A PREACHER had been told by the head of a great shoe factory, that if he found any poor people who needed shoes, he could come to him and get them. In making his rounds one day soon afterward, the minister invited a man to attend his church.

"I would like to go," said the man, "but my shoes are so nearly worn out that I would be ashamed to go to meeting with them, and I am too poor to get any better."

"Well, that shall not keep you away," said the preacher; "I will get you a pair of shoes if you will come."

"But I wouldn't like to go without my wife," returned the man, "and her shoes are no better than mine." The preacher promised to get the shoes for her, too.

"It would hardly be right to leave our three children at home, and they are all barefooted, too," said the man in a hesitating way.

The preacher saw that he was in for it, and promised that the children should also have shoes. He then got their measures and went to see his friend the shoe man. He feared that he was presuming too much on the promise he had received, and thought the shoe man might feel that he was abusing his kindness, but when the situation was laid before him, the merchant smiled and said:

"All right; come with me."

Together they took the elevator and went to one of the upper floors, where they landed in a large wareroom that was filled with shoes. The shoe man pointed to one whole side of the room, and said:

"All the shoes on these shelves are set aside for just such cases as yours, and when you have any more of the same kind just come here and help yourself."

Of course the preacher felt very small when he thought of how little he had expected from his generous friend, in proportion to what he was willing to give. How often we go to the Lord with just such dishonoring faith.—Ram's Horn.

THE LIGHTNING ARTIST.

By F. L. McCallum

[F. L. McCallum, in Triumphs of Faith.]

A "LIGHTNING artist" working in a window on one of the main streets attracted our attention one evening, and we paused to watch him.

Beneath his rapid touch was growing a sunset picture, the golden glow of the sky reflecting on the water beneath, making it give back its rich warmth of color. Truly a golden picture,—one could just delight in its beauty. Then lo! in an instant the artist stretched forth his hand, discarding the brushes he had been using, taking what seemed a knife, and dipping up a dark mass of paint, daubed it on one side of the glowing, gold-reflected water.

Instantly I felt a disappointment as if the harmony of the picture was destroyed,—but with skilful strokes, the dark patch was evolved into an island, bearing shrubbery and blossoms.

I went away carrying the memory, not knowing what it would mean to me.

Shortly there came into my life a fiery trial from which only God could deliver. While holding still after the fierce flame of the furnace, there was brought to mind the remembrance of the sunset picture and the dark paint,—also the beauty which sprang therefrom,—and I knew that the artist working away brought before me not only a picture, but God gave a lesson; out of seeming loss may come possession, out of defeat may come victory, out of discord may grow harmony, for the Great Artist who is touching our life can bring "beauty for ashes, and the oil of joy for mourning."

THE PILLARS OF HEALTH

By William S. Sadler, M.D.

By WILLIAM S. SADLER, M. D.

VI. THE STARCH FAMILY.

THOSE foodstuffs belonging to the starch family are called carbohydrates; and in addition to ordinary starch, they consist of sugar, dextrin, and cellulose.

Starch is by far the most abundant and important of the food elements. No other food comes to us in so many different forms.

Plants have the power of manufacturing starch from the elements of the earth and air, under the mysterious influence of the sunlight. It is during this process of manufacturing starch that plants exhale, or give off, oxygen.

Starch, when properly cooked, that is, thoroly boiled or baked, is acted upon by the saliva of the mouth, and turned to sugar.

The whole problem of cooking has to do with the preparation of starch for digestion. Almost all food substances are just about as easily digested raw as cooked, with the exception of starch. Raw starch can not be acted upon by the saliva, and even the starch as cooked by boiling, or ordinary moist heat, is more or less difficult of digestion by those with weak digestive powers.

The accompanying diagram illustrates the different kinds of starch, from raw starch, as found in nature, up thru the various processes of converting it into dextrin, to that perfect state of digestion as found in ripe fruit—where all the starch has been converted into fruit-sugar—and fruit-sugar is ready for assimilation into the blood with practically no digestion.

THE STARCH LADDER.

FRUIT SUGAR

Found in ripe fruits and green grains.

MALTED STARCH

This represents all the starch converted into sugar-maltose by the action of diastase.

ROASTED STARCH

Found in bread crust or flake foods which have been thoroly toasted.

BAKED, OR OVEN-COOKED, STARCH

Found in baked potato, toasted bread (zwieback), bread crust, and other dextrinized cereals.

BOILED, OR WATER-COOKED, STARCH

Found in soft, fresh bread, mushes, boiled potatoes, and other kettle-cooked cereals.

RAW STARCH

Found in raw potatoes, flour, rice, and other grains.

A study of this diagram must be sufficient to convince the reader that it is more economical to use the energy of the cook-stove, rather than unnecessarily to waste the energy of the digestive organs in trying to digest raw starch. Inverted starch, that which has been properly cooked,—that is, dextrinized,—cooked until it has a dark color or reddish tinge, like the crust of well-baked bread, furnishes much more heat and strength to the body than raw or half-cooked starch. For in eating the insufficiently-cooked starch, much of its food value is lost, as the digestive organs are able to convert but a portion of it into sugar; and all starch must be converted into sugar before it can be assimilated by the digestive organs and turned into a blood stream.

A study of the starch family, then, shows us that raw starch as found in flour, potatoes, rice, etc., can not be acted upon by the saliva; that boiled starch, as found in the mushy breakfast foods, boiled potatoes, and the inside of a soft loaf of bread, can be digested only with difficulty, and is a wasteful way in which to eat starch, as it is probably not all used for heat and energy; while baked foods, such as baked potatoes, zwieback, and other toasted cereals, afford the best way to eat starch, as it is in this state thoroly dextrinized, and quite easy of digestion.

In fruits we have starch completely digested by nature's method. Under the influence, and by means of the digestive principles within the fruit, the starch of the green apple has all been converted into sugar in the ripe apple. In this form it can be assimilated by the weakest digestive organs.

Malt and malt preparations represent the starch of the grain after it has been thoroly digested by the diastase (diastase is a substance similar to the ptyalin of the saliva), and in this way man is able to accomplish by artificial means what nature does in her laboratory in the case of the ripening fruit.

It must be borne in mind that the grains contain sugar when they are green,—that is, in the "milky stage," and that it is turned to starch by ripening. Just the reverse is true of fruit. Fruit contains starch when it is green, and sugar when in the ripe stage.

(In the next article we will deal further with the Starch Family, concerning digestion, and the use of starch in the body.)

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