p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 38. (9/26/1911)

Earlier text: Some Pertinent Questions and Answers

Prospectus for Home Workers

"It consists of a cover, or binder, with an inside metal back, into which two rings are fitted"

"A nearly perfect way of carrying and displaying sample pages and covers of our 'Home Workers' Books'" is the way many express themselves on seeing this new prospectus. It consists of a cover, or binder, with an inside metal back, into which two rings are fitted. These rings are opened and closed with a spring. On the inside cover of this binder a complete list of "Home Workers' Books" is given, with binding, language, and price.

With this binder are furnished fifteen sample book covers, into each of which are inserted sixteen of its pages — enough to give quite an idea of its character and contents. On the inside of each book cover a description of the book is printed, which may be referred to by the canvasser while the pages are being examined by the customer. These book covers are perforated at the back for insertion into the rings of the binder. The binder, or cover, which is made of strong cloth with metal back and is therefore durable and attractive, may be closed the same as any other loose-leaf book or binder.

This prospectus contains book covers and sample pages as follows:

Best Stories	Making Home Peaceful
Bible Child Life	Mount of Blessing
Elo the Eagle	New Testament Primer
Glorious Appearing	Our Paradise Home
Gospel Primer	Steps to Christ
House We Live In	Story of Pitcairn
Little Folks' Bible Nature	Uncle Ben's Cobblestones
Making Home Happy

Although all these covers and sample pages are furnished with the binder, it is not expected or recommended that they all be used at one time. It is far better to select three, four, or perhaps five, and specialize on them.

This prospectus will immediately recommend itself to every one interested in the sale of this class of literature. For information about order and report blanks, guarantee books, etc., to be used in connection with the Home Workers' Prospectus, write your tract society.

Although this prospectus costs something over $2.00 to manufacture, it will be sent post-paid for $1.00, through State tract societies, to those who expect to use it in soliciting orders for the books it describes.

Pacific Press Publishing Association

Mountain View, California

61 Park St. N., Portland, Ore.        Box 1599 Calgary, Alberta, Canada        1109 E. 12th St., Kansas City, Mo.

True Worth

By Alice Cary

True worth is in being, not seeming; In doing, each day that goes by, Some little good thing — not in dreaming Of great things to do by and by. For whatever men say in their blindness, And spite of the fancies of youth, There's nothing so kingly as kindness, And nothing so royal as truth. — Alice Cary.

Two Mysteries

ONCE upon a time Frederick, king of Prussia, when taking a ride, noticed an old farmer plowing his acre by the wayside, and cheerfully singing at his work.

"You must be well off, old man," said the king. "Does this acre belong to you?"

"No, sir," replied the farmer, who knew not it was the king. "I am not so rich as that; I plow for wages."

"How much do you get a day?"

"Eight groschen" (about a shilling), said the farmer.

"That is not much," replied the king. "Can you get along on it?"

"Get along and have something left."

"How is that?"

"Well, if I must tell you — two groschen are for myself and wife; with two I pay my old debts; two I lend out; and two I give away for the Lord's sake."

"This is a mystery which I can not solve," said the king.

"Then I will solve it for you," said the farmer. "I have two old parents at home who kept me when I was weak and needed help; and now that they are weak and need help, I keep them. This is my debt toward which I pay two groschen a day. The third pair of groschen which I lend out I spend for my children, that they may receive Christian instruction. They will pay it back in the comfort they will be to me and my wife when we get old. With the last two groschen I maintain two sisters, whom I could not be compelled to keep. This is what I give for the Lord's sake."

"Bravely spoken, old man," said the king. "Now I will also give you something to guess. Have you ever seen me before?"

"Never," said the farmer.

"In less than five minutes you shall see me fifty times, and carry in your pocket fifty of my likenesses."

"This is a mystery which I can not unravel," said the farmer.

"Then I will solve it for you," said the king. Thrusting his hand into his pocket and counting fifty brand-new gold pieces into his hand, stamped with his royal likeness, he said to the astonished farmer: "This coin is genuine, for it also comes from our Lord God, and I am His paymaster. I bid you adieu." — The Continent.

Japan as a Mission Field

By F. W. Field

THE earliest missionaries to Japan in modern times are now gray-haired men and women, and but few of them remain. What have been the results of mission work in Japan thus far? The following figures give such answer as statistics can furnish: At the close of 1909 the total number of Christians reported to the government was 146,508, those churches having more than 10,000 communicants being as follows: Roman Catholics, 62,158; Greek Church, 15,098; Japan Church of Christ, 17,049; Congregationalists, 14,606; Episcopalians, 13,008; Methodists, 11,092.

These may seem like meager results when compared with some mission fields. But statistics alone can never tell the whole story. The Gospel seed sown in multitudes of hearts, and waiting to spring up and bear fruit; the silent but powerful influence of Christian teaching and ideals upon the life of the nation—bare statistics furnish no estimate of such results as these.

In the light of past experience, what may be hoped for and expected in mission work in Japan? As already intimated in a previous article, we need expect no indiscriminate rush into the Christian church on the part of the Japanese; for that time has passed. On the other hand, the period of anti-foreign feeling has also been safely passed, and the Japanese are now more open to conviction as to the real merits of the religion of Christ. These conditions give promise of steady, permanent growth in response to faithful, patient labor. But with the strong worldly spirit that has taken possession of the people in their quest for temporal advancement and a standing as a nation among the world's great powers, there is great need of a baptism of pentecostal power, that the attention of the people may be attracted to spiritual things.

It is worthy of note that thus far the principal successes of Christianity in Japan have been won in the larger cities and towns. The reasons for this are quite apparent. These centers of population were first opened to foreign influence, and hence have been the principal field of missionary effort. Further, in the cities are found those who have broken away from home ties and influences, for the sake of entering upon a business career, or of gaining an education in the higher schools. And it is found that these classes are most readily influenced to break away from the religion and customs of their fathers.

Cherry blossoms — a time of beauty in Japan

A Great Difficulty

But the Gospel message must go to the whole nation; and that means that the rural districts must be entered by the Christian evangelist. And this campaign has already been entered upon. The special difficulty to be met is due to the peculiar character of the social system in Japan. This is the product of Japanese feudalism, which flourished until a generation ago. The dominant idea in this system is that the individual is to be submerged in the family, and the family in the community. Thus individual responsibility is reduced to a minimum. The Christian idea of responsibility to God as the first and highest obligation of the human soul, has no place in this social scheme. The individual must consult his parents or elder brother before making any important move. With the family, the trite question, "What will the neighbors say?" exerts a deterrent power beyond the comprehension of the Occidental mind.

But the fight is on; and as the ranks of the enemy are broken here and there, it is easy to see how this very difficulty is often turned to advantage. An elder brother who accepts Christianity may exert a strong influence to win the other members of the family for Christ. And the family being once united in the faith, they are naturally zealous to win their relatives. Thus may this very difficulty become one of the "all things" that work together for good in the advancement of the cause of Christ.

A few incidents from real life may serve to illustrate the statements made above. A Japanese barber in the city of Hiroshima determined to become a Christian; so he closed his shop on the Sabbath, and posted a notice in the window that no work would be done on that day. At once his neighbors and friends called on him, and expostulated with him for his change of religion. They made no objection to the new religion because of its character or teachings, but urged

that there was not another Christian in that neighborhood, and that for one man to adopt a strange religion was contrary to all custom and precedent.

A Japanese lady was greatly displeased because her daughter had become a Christian; but through the tact of the evangelist, her prejudice was finally removed, and she made request that the truths of the Gospel be presented at her own house. The appointment was made; and when the hour arrived, she had gathered in a goodly company of her near relatives, and the faithful evangelist rejoiced in the privilege of speaking the word of life to this widened circle.

And what shall the harvest be? That will depend not alone upon the faithfulness of those now pressing forward in the work, but also upon the liberality of those who make it possible to do the work with promptness and vigor. The need is great, but all can help, for there is need also of the earnest prayers of God's people.

F. W. FIELD.

Our Work and Workers

EIGHT have embraced the truth at Spokane, Washington, with a good prospect of twelve or fifteen more moving forward later, as a result of meetings held there. Three were recently baptized at that place following an effort in behalf of the Scandinavians. At Yukon a Sabbath-school of fourteen members has been organized, and another at Colville consisting of twenty-one.

As a result of a tent effort held at Pinconning, Michigan, six or more have accepted the truth, all heads of families except one; and others are interested. Several other families in the vicinity of Pinconning have begun keeping the Sabbath. Several have taken their stand at Flint. On Sabbath, August 12, baptism was administered to twelve Chippewa Indians, at their reservation at L'Anse. Others of this people who have accepted Christ expect to go forward in baptism a little later.

THE Indianapolis Star of August 12 states that the Seventh-day Adventist annual camp-meeting of that State was a large one. Many prominent men, like Pastor A. G. Daniells, president of the General Conference, Elder Allen Moon, president of the Lake Union Conference, and Dr. D. H. Kress, were

present. The following officers were elected: President—Elder O. Montgomery, of Indianapolis. Secretary-treasurer—A. N. Anderson, of Indianapolis. Conference committee—Elders O. Montgomery, A. L. Miller, W. A. Young, T. A. Goodwin, and A. N. Anderson, all of Indianapolis; N. H. Pool, of Lafayette; and W. P. Cunningham, of Middletown. Religious liberty secretary—Elder A. L. Miller, of Indianapolis. Educational secretary—Mrs. R. W. McMahan, of Anderson. Missionary secretary—R. C. Spohr, of Indianapolis. Field missionary agent—N. L. Taylor, of Indianapolis.

Our Mission Funds

By Editor

We have said little of late regarding our various funds, but there are those among our readers who do not forget them. The China Press Fund is for the purpose of furnishing better facilities to publish in printed form the everlasting Gospel to 400,000,000 people who reverence the printed page. When companies here and there are giving themselves to God, none of whom have heard a white preacher of the Gospel, but who have read the wonderful story, Christians ought to aid in bringing to them the truth of Christ in this inexpensive form. Our funds to various objects up to September 1, stand as follows:

China Press Fund

Previously Reported	$495.28
F. A. Allen (correction of last month)	.80
Ezra Egoff	1.50
Ruth Kurtz	1.25
A. B. Terrill	3.00
Wm. Peake	10.00
"A Friend"	2.00
J. P.	10.00
"A Friend"	5.00
"A Friend"	10.00
	$538.83

China Famine Fund

Previously Reported	$895.09
Doris, Ardith, and Margaret Bobster	.70
North Pacific Union Conference	50.00
	$945.79

India Mission

Previously Reported	$139.50
J. P.	5.00
"A Friend"	5.00
	$149.50

Burma Mission

Previously Reported	$ 6.23
Through "Our Little Friend"	4.31
	$10.54

West Africa

Previously Reported	$24.54
Through "Our Little Friend"	.42
	$24.96

These funds are still open; for souls are still in need.

Graft!

By Editor

Is there or Is there Not?

What Does It Mean?

If you wish to study this subject from a careful, thoughtful, consistent view-point, you should secure a copy of the

October

Signs of the Times

Monthly.

Many other timely and interesting articles, but "Graft" in all its phases is the leading subject under consideration. The conditions are worse than alarming; they are critical. What does it mean? The present conditions are a sign of the times. View them in the light of the inspired Word, and they will become of more than passing interest.

Ten cents in coin or stamps to the publishers will secure you a copy.

Signs of the Times Mountain View, Cal.

Land for Sale

On very easy terms, in beautiful Sonoma Valley, in one, two, three, and six-acre tracts. This property adjoins land that has been donated for church and church school buildings, soon to be erected. For further information, address G. Ritz, Sonoma, California.

For Sale

Three lots well improved, with house well furnished. Near academy, San Fernando, California. Address Mrs. L. M. Downs, Chico, California.

Bibles

By Editor

Bibles.—Remember that we are headquarters for anything in the Bible line. We shall be pleased to send you our catalog of Bible selections on application. Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal.

Underwood Standard Typewriter

QUALITY—NOT PRICE

In buying a typewriter the price should be the last consideration. There are many cheap typewriters on the market and many price cutters after business in the effort to survive. The UNDERWOOD is sold strictly on quality and is worth what you pay for it. It is a mechanical masterpiece, and in ease of operation, speed, accuracy and durability, is unequalled.

"The Machine You Will Eventually Buy."

133 Sutter Street SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.

IN THREE DAYS

SAN FRANCISCO

Overland Limited

TAKES YOU

To Chicago

ACROSS GREAT SALT LAKE AND HIGH SIERRA BY DAYLIGHT

Luxurious High-class Equipment Electric Lighted Throughout

Pullman Drawing-room
Stateroom
Vestibuled Sleeping-cars
Careful and Attentive Dining Service
Parlor Observation-car with

Library and Cafe

Ladies' Reading-room
Gentlemen's Smoking-room
Daily News Bulletins
Latest Papers and Magazines

Southern Pacific

Reading for the Coming Series

By Editor

We commend the reading of the articles on the Sabbath which begin in this number. There will be three of them. They state in a clear, practical way what the Bible evidence is concerning the day. We trust they may be read and studied.

We urge the young men, and young women as well, among our readers to give more than careful reading to the article in our Home Department, "Letters to a Young Man." All of them have been good; this is excellent. It presents principles that ought to take hold of the heart of every young man, and which ought to mold his entire social life. It is not often that we find such instruction. We can not afford to pass this by.

This present series of the "Signs of the Times" closes with the fourth week in October. Then comes our large missionary number of thirty-two pages. Following that, another series covering in a general, striking way the great Bible doctrines which pertain to man's life and salvation, to present day and present duty, to present time and present dangers. We wish to assure our readers that the series to come will be equal to or better than the present series, and that those whose subscriptions may expire with this will indeed miss much if they do not continue.

One of the greatest newspaper buildings in the world has just been erected at the corner of Third and Market streets, San Francisco, by the San Francisco Examiner. Special attention has been paid to making the building earthquake-resistant, and to its lighting, ventilation, and convenience. The foundation is laid for twenty-two stories, altho but twelve have been constructed. The other ten can be added at any time, with but little inconvenience to the tenants of the building. It contains 300 offices, which have already been taken. The basement and sub-basement run twenty-five feet below the sidewalk. The building is served by four high power and high speed elevators, running 550 feet per minute. The presses are what are called "sex-quads," sometimes called five-roll machines, four in number, with a big four-roll double quad and a ten-cylinder color press, having a capacity of 125,000 papers an hour. In the sub-basement is storage room for 1,500 rolls of paper, and under the spacious sub-basement are the ink and oil tanks, the ink tanks holding 150 barrels, conveyed to the presses by an automatic pump. It is indeed a great building.

Our picture on the tenth page of this issue forebodes a great deal more than is there shown. It is a drawing taken from the Illustrated London News of an explosion in Llanelly, Wales, August 19. Just previous to this, two of the mob had been shot by the soldiers. A little later, the mob went to the railway premises, and set the freight sheds on fire. Some of these contained explosives, and in these explosions four persons were killed and others injured. Next week this subject will be treated further, and the true solution of the capital and labor war presented.

The latest news from the election in Maine is to the effect that what was supposed to be a victory for the "wets" has been turned into a victory for the "drys." Prohibition was given up really as lost by its friends, by the small majority of about 700: but more recent returns changed that to a majority of about 500 for prohibitionists. At this writing it is thought that this will be somewhat increased by returns from rural districts. The friends of temperance will be sorry indeed that the majority was not far greater. Surely it would seem that the experience of years has demonstrated the economic advantages, to say nothing more, of prohibition. The great gains morally and socially are out of question. It will be difficult to enforce prohibition with so small a majority, because this means that in many parts of the State, notably in large cities, the community will be antagonistic to prohibition. We greatly regret that this is so. Among other things fixed in the election was that Augusta would continue to be the capital.

O, the theories and fancies and isms and dreams of men who leave the Lord Christ out of their reckoning! We are told that the religion we want must look to the now, the present time, for results. We want the whole loaf and the full cup now. Away with a religion which looks forward to a future promised in a book! But the Book has demonstrated its truth. It has through all the past told of the future, and the future came as the Book told us. The future holds God's real kingdom and His faithful soldiers' true reward. Christian godliness has the promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come. Every other system fails at death, and human dreams have not yet discovered the fountain of perpetual youth. Jesus Christ has tunneled the grave, and come forth a glorious victor on the other side. And He won the victory for us. He gives us a peace and satisfaction in this world which can not be found elsewhere, and He reserves for the faithful an eternal inheritance in the world to come. How infinitely, immeasurably better is this than any human dream or scheme! It is soul satisfying.

There are few who will not sympathize, even tho they count the attempt foolhardy, with Robert Fowler in the accident to his flying-machine September 12 as he was climbing into the atmosphere above the Sierras in his second day's flight toward the Atlantic Ocean from San Francisco. He was sailing splendidly at a height of about 4,000 feet when his steering apparatus failed to respond. At this writing he designs to repair his wrecked machine and start again. Almost a continent is watching him. But, reader, there are those preparing for higher, grander flight than aeroplane will ever know, even translation from earth to heaven. All may have part in this. As with Fowler much depends upon preparation, so with this all-important flight, all depends upon the preparation. Are you getting ready for it?

What a time of unrest it is in this old world, as revealed not only in our own news columns but in all the newspapers of earth! How men and women are looking this way and that way for relief, and yet always to return disappointed! Like the seekers of the Holy Grail, they come back from their quest empty-handed. And yet there is an answer to this unrest. There is a peace which one may have in this world; there is a settled foundation upon which one may build, and not be disappointed. But that building must be for eternity, and that hope must be one born from above. But the hope is not above the earnest seeker, nor is the foundation beyond his reach. Christ Jesus has brought it down into this very sinful world in order that men may find it here, may build surely here, and may form characters worthy of an eternal existence. And this hope, this sure foundation, does not deprive one of the blessings of this life; it leads him to know how to use them more wisely, to receive from them more fully the sweets of existence, and to be a better man or a better woman, a better father or a better mother, a better son or a better daughter. For true godliness has not only the promises of the life that is to be, but of the life that now is; true Christianity makes ever for the best betterment of the whole person—spirit and soul and body. We would that our readers knew it. Having drunk from that everlasting fountain, they would seek no other. Christ would be in them a well of water springing up into everlasting life. To that fountain, that hope, we invite all our readers.

Just as we go to press the news comes from Europe that the French army is massed on the German frontier, preparatory to repelling a German invasion after the French answer to Germany's demands for concessions in Morocco. National feeling runs high in France. That France is preparing to reject the German note is becoming more and more apparent. One of the difficulties about the matter is that Germany's demands are not yet made public. In Germany it is said that the differences between France and that power have been largely allayed, and yet on the German bourse stocks opened somewhat weaker, owing to conditions in New York and Paris.

The crime committed in Virginia, the murder of Mrs. Beattie, is not unlike many other crimes committed in various parts of the world to-day. There are two things, however, which are of interest. It is stated that when the case was first left with the jury, the first thing they did was to hold a season of prayer, and the last thing also, before rendering their verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree against the husband of the victim. The other item is the strong, impassioned plea by Mr. Wendenberg, a voluntary assistant of the commonwealth, and his appeal for the motherhood of Virginia, the womanhood of this nation, and the old Southern traditions of manly honor.

"Hearts will break, but still beat on." There are many broken, wounded hearts in this world to-day—hearts broken by cruelty, abuse, sorrow; hearts broken by sin and shame. But there is hope for the broken-hearted ones. Jesus was sent of God "to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives." There is healing and hope in Him. Let Him in the heart, and He will fill it with all the fulness of His boundless love.

A Sad Accident.—The North Pacific Union Gleaner of September 6 brings us the sad news that Elder W. A. Westworth and his daughter Ruth were severely burned by burning oil August 31, his daughter dying from the shock September 2. He is slowly recovering. His son Paul was also burned, but not so seriously. Mrs. Westworth was not injured. Our sympathies are extended to the afflicted family.

Contained in This Issue

By Editor

Question Corner	PAGE
3561—The Second Blessing; 3562—Keeping It from Her Husband; 3563—The Year of Jubilee; 3564—Fire Coming Down, Rev. 13:13; 3565—The Scapegoat; 3566—Evil Angels and Their Sustenance; 3567—God's Comfort to His People; 3568—The World Coming to an End; 3569—Sinning No More; 3570—Harmony Between Texts; 3571—Num. 15:32-36.	2, 9

Our Bible Band - - - - - - 2

General

A Lesson for Our Day - - - - 3 The Sabbath a Perpetual Institution - - 4 Bodily Consecration - - - - 5 The Bright Side - - - - - 5 Studies in the Revelation—The Final Judgment - - - 6, 7 The Spirit of Missions - - - - 8 Lovers of Religious Liberty, Harken! - - 9 Criticizing Love - - - - - 9

Our Bible Reading

The Earth and Sin - - - - - 8

The Outlook

"A Condition and Not a Theory" - - 10, 11

The Home

Letters to a Young Man - - - - 12 Two Mysteries - - - - - - 13

Missions

Japan as a Mission Field - - - - 14

Our Work and Workers - - - - 14 Our Mission Funds - - - - - 15

Notes - - - - - - 11, 16

Poetry

Christ, My Lord - - - - - - 1 Temptation - - - - - - 5 The Storm - - - - - - 8