We have in preparation a new book on the HOLY SPIRIT, written by Pastor A. F. Ballenger. Its title is
Power for Witnessing
It is NOT a book of RESOLUTIONS, but a volume of ACTS
It is not put forth as an exposition of what the Holy Spirit IS, but is a study of what that Spirit WILL DO when it is accepted and allowed to govern the life :: :: :: :: ::
The child will enjoy reading this book because it is simple and interesting. The youth will enjoy it because it speaks of DOING as well as BEING. The older Christian will enjoy it because it brings to his mind those good old revival days when souls were baptized for service and not merely that they might become members of the church and be ministered unto. Lastly it will appeal to those who are out of Christ, but who are waiting to know of real power manifested by professed Christians in these evil days. This class will be especially interested in the large number of personal experiences and incidents woven into the book.
It will contain about 200 pages; will be bound in cloth. PRICE, 75 CENTS.
Ready sometime in August
Pacific Press Publishing Co.
Oakland, Cal.; 39 Bond St., New York City; 18 W. 5th St., Kansas City, Mo.
Instructions for Ordering.
By Editor
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TO CONTRIBUTORS.
By Editor
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES is a purely missionary enterprise. For this reason it has felt free to ask for contributions from its friends. It pays nothing for contributions, either prose or poetry, unless solicited by the editor, and then the fact is stated when the articles are asked for. This is a plan rarely followed, but sometimes deemed expedient.
Articles Desired.—Those which set forth in the Spirit of Christ the great saving truths of God, short and to the point. It is better to treat one important truth clearly, in a short article, than many points vaguely in a long one. We desire no caustic, critical productions, which might minister to personal pride or pleasure, but can't not save souls.
How Prepared.—Write plainly, with typewriter or ink, with wide space between the lines, to freely admit of editing, writing of subheads, etc. Write on one side of the sheet only. Sign the name to the manuscript, as it becomes oftentimes separated from accompanying letter. Anonymous contributions are not used, whatever their merit. If the writer does not wish his name to appear, let him furnish a pseudonym for the public. But we wish the name.
Manuscript Returned.—We will return all unused manuscript desired if stamp and directions are inclosed. We are forced sometimes to return good manuscript mainly for three reasons: (a) Sometimes the articles are too long; (b) sometimes we have a number on the same subject; (c) sometimes our plans are such that an article can not be used till it is out of date. We therefore hope that no offense will be taken by those who have freely contributed their best thought if their productions are returned. When we receive so much matter, we can not use all.
Changers of Times
By Editor
Changers of Times.—The press despatches say that at the Paris Exposition an attempt will be made to have the entire world adopt the new calendar of thirteen months, devised and copyrighted by one C. H. Bundy, of Marion, Ind. His solution of the vexed problem is the introduction of a new month, Century, in commemoration of its adoption between two centuries. The name is urged as being well chosen, in that it is not local to America, but would be acceptable to every country. Every month will then have just twenty-eight days. Every month and every year will begin upon Monday. But what about the nearly six hours extra? We suppose Monday is made the first day so as to endeavor to make Sunday the seventh. That is, we will begin at the second child in the family to count, counting the oldest last so as to make him the youngest! That would be absurd, but no more so than men's efforts to get around what the Lord says.
The Divorce Evil
The "divorce evil" is a crying one. A few years ago but one or two States were noted for rapid and frequent divorce proceedings; but they are more common in some of the old conservative cities to-day than they were in the exceptional ones a few years ago. For instance, in Philadelphia, on June 4, fifty-three divorces were granted in the four divisions of the Court of Common Pleas. Roman Catholicism lays all this to Lutheranism. The secret lies back of this. It is born of lawlessness, disregard of God's law, in which the Roman Catholic Church has, by its own confession, been leader. Legal divorce on unscriptural grounds even is preferable to open adultery, tho both are violations of the law of God. When a human organization assumes the authority to change God's law, which He declares to be unchangeable, when behind that assumption it poses as the true and only church of God, and when multitudes are deceived by such assumption and claim, that organization has a tremendous influence for lawlessness. And all the religious lawlessness that Luther possessed, all that Protestantism possesses, came by direct legacy from the mother church. The form of the lawlessness undergoes change, but the essentials are the same.
BUT ONE OF THE MANY.
By Editor
A BROTHER in Texas sends a contribution to the India Famine Fund, with the following words, which show the burden of his heart:—
"Enclosed find money order for $1.00, which please add to the Indian Famine Fund. I wish it were ten times as large. The SIGNS, with the great truths contained therein, is a welcome visitor to our hearth. I could not well do without it; and it makes me feel sad when I think of the poor starving and diseased famine-stricken souls in India starving both for food for their souls and for their bodies, and dying the double death. It is simply awful to contemplate. But those of India are not alone dying for want of nourishment. Many in this Christian land are walking the broad way which leads to destruction, and that too with the "Bread of Life" before them. Which of the two cases is the worse—that without or that with bread? Yet these things must be. Riches must be heaped together for the last days. The blind must lead the blind, and both must fall into the ditch; and all the while the cry of "peace, peace," is here when there is no peace, and the end draws on apace. But God liveth, and we too shall live if we are faithful to the end. May we so be is the prayer of your brother in Christ."
May God bless the writer and the many others like him whom God has set as witnesses of Christ's love and power all over this broad land, and help them in lighting the wanderers home!
The Last Call
By Editor
The song and music, "The Last Call," will appear in the SIGNS of July 25.
Article on Leung Chi-Tso
By Editor
Next week we will publish an article on the great Chinese reformer, Leung Chi-Tso.
Anonymous Communications
By Editor
We do not reply to questions or communications which do not give ostensibly the name and address of the writer. We have no time to waste over anonymous communications. Occasionally, however, we receive an article in which the writer forgets or neglects to attach his name. It is inclosed with a letter to some other department. The two are separated when they reach the office, and it is too long a matter to look over hundreds of letters to find the writer's name. For instance, here is an article entitled "Is the Law of God Changeable?" Who is the writer? Your name will not be given for publication unless you desire, but we wish it.
What Would You Think?
By Editor
We would deem it strange indeed to see the millions of famine-stricken ones in India stand before great loaded tables of food prepared for their need, and yet refuse to taste. It would be sad and pitiable to see them die with life-giving food before them. And yet this is what millions of people in this and other lands are doing to-day. Christ has brought to this world the bread of life. He sends His servants to all parts of the land with the invitation to come and eat and drink. But poor starving souls, souls for whom He died, refuse to take the life-giving food and drink. They stand doubting and dying. And still the Spirit pleads, "O taste and see that the Lord is good!"
The Glad Tidings
By Editor
There is a wakening interest in the study of the Epistle to the Galatians. The reason is that the controversy then is in principle the controversy now. Some of the books on the Epistle treat of its "canonicity," some of its "historicity," but what the seeker for eternal life wants to know is its meaning. "What does the Spirit teach by it? What message has the Lord in it for me?" These are the questions of importance. Do you really wish to know them? Then procure and read "The Glad Tidings," by E. J. Waggoner. It is the best book on Galatians ever published. Bound in cloth, 60 cents; in paper, 25 cents. Address, Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal., or 39 Bond Street, New York; or 18 W. Fifth Street, Kansas City, Mo.
Sin or Righteousness
Sin or Righteousness.—The Scriptures tell us: "Sin, when it is finished [full grown], bringeth forth death;" "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;" "In the way of righteousness is life." This does not mean that sin and death are two separate things; that death is visited upon man as an arbitrary punishment because he has sinned. No, death is in the sin itself, as truly as the oak is in the acorn. Death is the finished fruit of sin. He who loves sin loves death. He who chooses sin chooses death. So life is in righteousness. God does not give man life because man is righteous. He gives man righteousness, His righteousness, and in that very righteousness is life. We may have which we will. If we choose sin, we choose death. If we choose His righteousness, we choose life forevermore.
Federation
By Editor
Federation.—The Catholic Mirror of June 9 says: "A number of Catholic societies will hold their conventions this month. No better subject could be presented to them for consideration than that of Catholic federation." Federation is the human way of uniting. The divine way is union through and in Christ Jesus.
Wait
Wait.—A man committed suicide the other day, because, as his friends believed, he was not able, for the first time, to meet his obligations. Had he waited a few days, all would have been well; for since his death, mining properties in Montana have been found to be of great value, and would sell to-day for a quarter million dollars. If he had only waited! But how many professed Christians are like that! They seek God for some greatly desired thing. It may be recovery from sickness; it may be the healing of a friend; it may be direction of work or energy; it may be for a clear way out of perplexity; it may be for transfer from an unpleasant, uncongenial field to one coveted; it may be one or more of these. But the answer does not seem to come. God does not seem to hear. The soul grows impatient, takes charge of its own case, and trouble and despair follow. Yet at the very time it yielded, it was almost at the open door of deliverance. If it had only waited and learned the great lesson of truth and strength, what a blessing would have met it! "Casting all your care upon Him," and then wait, "wait, I say, on the Lord."
Cleanliness and the Plague
By Editor
The May issue of the Sydney (Australia) Herald of Health is a “Bubonic Plague number,” in which most excellent advice is given regarding cleanliness. It clearly points out that the plague found such a hold in Sydney because of unsanitary conditions. It prints the following from the Sydney Daily Telegraph of April 11, which teaches its own lessons:—
“As illustrating some of the conditions to be met with in some parts of Sydney at the present time, the Attorney-General referred to a report made by Mr. Hickson on a place in George Street, where a Chinaman was living in a room that had been a closet. The closet still remained in the center of the room, and was in daily use. It was an open pit, and had apparently not been emptied for years. In this room the Chinaman slept and lived, and during the night he packed his vegetables in it. The room above was occupied by people of both sexes. The planks of the ceiling did not join, and all the bedroom slops from the floor above was thrown, not out of the window, but on the floor, and trickled through the boards into the Chinaman's vegetables. And that state of things had apparently existed for an indefinite period!”
There is no medical advice better than this: Keep clean, a clean heart, a clean conscience, a clean body and home. Such an one can trust God, and not be afraid.
The State and God’s Law
The State can enforce, but it can not impart. Its field of operation, its realm of law, is the outward form, not the inner life. It can repress incivility, and conserve the civil rights of its citizens. But the realm of God's law is wholly spiritual. It is not His law if it be not spiritual. God says, "Thou shalt not kill." That is a spiritual law. It pertains to motive. It forbids every thought which if completed would end in murder. "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer." 1 John 3:15. So even tho a man take not the life of his fellow, in God's sight he is a murderer. The State says, "Thou shalt not kill." But that is not God's law. It is a law forbidding the outward deed for the protection of the rights of all; and its necessity would be recognized as quickly in a State where God was not known as in a State where the people all believed in Him. In fact, in a State where all had true faith such a law would not be necessary.
Enforcing Sabbath Observance
By Sentinel of Liberty
The more the State tries to "protect" the Sabbath by enforcing it upon people who feel no regard for the day, the more odious will the Sabbath become in their eyes, and the more injury will be done to the cause of Sabbath observance.
Republicanism and Conscience
Where true republicanism abides, there can be, in the very nature of the case, no persecution for conscience' sake. For true republicanism recognizes the equal right of every man to be conscience for himself.
General.
"Can These Bones Live?" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Why Marvel Ye at This? A. F. BALLENGER . . . . . . 2
The Force of the Figure, G. E. FIFIELD . . . . . . . . . 3
"My Witnesses," MRS. E. G. WHITE . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
How the Papacy Was Formed, H. C. GILES . . . . . 5, 11
Editorial.
Obedience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
The Future of the Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
The Power of Faith vs. the Power of Unbelief . . . . . 7