p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 34, No. 24. (6/10/1908)

Earlier text: Economic Reasons for Sunday Laws

The Excellence of Labor.

By Kathrina Blossom Wilcox

[By Kathrina Blossom Wilcox, Read at the Mutual Edification Club].

THE subject of labor and its excellencies is one which has been food for thought for poet, artist, and author for ages, for we may trace its existence away back before the creation of the world. It is one of the few subjects which it is much easier to practise than to theorize upon, for we know the true excellence of labor only by actual experience.

It is so easy to think of labor as associated only with sin and weariness, suffering and pain and sorrow—a curse instead of a blessing. But labor is a blessing rather than a curse—one of the greatest blessings ever given to mankind, the means to an end, the panacea for sorrow, "the true alchemist that beats out in patient transmutation the baser metals into gold."

As William M. Punshon says: "Labor is not, as some have erroneously supposed, a penal clause of the original curse. There was labor, bright, healthful, unfatiguing, in unfallen Paradise. By sin labor became drudgery—the earth was restrained from her spontaneous fertility, and the strong arm of the husbandman was required, not to develop, but to 'subdue' it. But labor in itself is noble, and is necessary for the ripe unfolding of the highest life."

According to the Standard Dictionary, labor is physical or mental effort, particularly for some desired or useful end, aside from recreation or pleasure. And we find that in the Garden of Eden man was not left in idleness—he was given work to do. He was to dress and care for his Eden home. That work was to be to him a pleasure, a delight, teaching him of God. By his contact with nature he would learn precious lessons of life and love, and his Creator's wisdom and goodness.

But man fell, and the earth was cursed—it would not henceforth yield of its fulness. In the sweat of his face he was to eat his bread. He must labor for his daily food, but even this curse has proved a blessing. The loving Father saw that His children would not be happy in a life of idleness. They must have work to do to help them to drown, in a measure, their sorrow, to forget their trouble. And so He wisely planned that the highest joy, the truest happiness, should be found in service, in labor for others. Then self would be forgotten, and God would be exalted.

Our bountiful Father in His wonderful system of law and order has made ample provision for all of His creatures—but He has also given to every man his work. As Holland says: "God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest. He does not unearth the good that the earth contains, but He puts it in our way, and gives us the means of getting it out of ourselves."

It is our privilege to look upon labor either as a curse or as a blessing. We may be like the man who grumbles and complains at his work, making himself and every one around him uncomfortable at the bitterness of his lot; or we may be like the one who sings at his work, working for work's sake, for the love of the work, and for the love of those for whom he labors, rejoicing in the new life and the new strength which labor gives.

What a picture idleness presents before us!—desolation pervades everything. The idle man is the most miserable of creatures—weak, selfish, morose, good-for-nothing.

But come with me to the home of industry: Up in the morning early, catching the first sweet notes of the song-birds, as bright and happy as they, the glow of health in his face, the light of happiness in his eye, the blood coursing thru his veins, the vigor of life in his footstep—his whole being testifying of the power within to accomplish a desired end, and at night realizing the truth of the promise, "The sleep of the laboring man shall be sweet." 'Tis his to learn from nature lessons of industry from the bird, the bee, the ant—all created things testifying of the beautiful plan of the gospel of labor.

In the legend of Hercules he was given his choice between a life of pleasure, and a life of virtue with promised future immortality. The latter meant a life of labor and toil. This he chose, and imposed upon him were twelve great labors which he must perform, and which he did successfully perform, rejoicing in each victory, and so becoming stronger for the next.

We have not been given the labors of Hercules, but we know that only by the greatest healthful exertion of the physical and mental faculties can we attain the desired end.

Labor is alone noble, true, uplifting, a joy, a blessing, "the grand conqueror, enriching and building up nations more surely than the proudest battles;" and, as Johnson says, "Statues in every public place should record its wonders, oratorios should be composed in its honor, its insignia—the plough, the spade, and the loom—should decorate state carriages and ornament public halls; while its successful votaries should wear the honored decoration of 'The Order of Industry.'"

With Christ the most menial tasks become a blessing, for we are colaborers with Him. Jesus said, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." How much more should we,

as Christians, be workers together with God, working for the glorious reward of souls saved thru our labors.

A Pleasant Smile.

By Christian Evangelist

THE thing that goes the farthest Toward making life worth while, That's worth the most, that costs the least, Is just a pleasant smile. 'Tis full of worth and goodness, too, With manly kindness blent, 'Tis worth a million dollars, And it doesn't cost a cent.

"A Good-Hearted Fellow."

By M. H.

How often when the actions of some wild young man come in review, the recital is closed with the remark, "Well, he is a good-hearted fellow!" And, strangely enough, this in the minds of many is sufficient excuse for his misdeeds. Of course he is "good-hearted." The fact is, not one real criminal in twenty is a hard-hearted man. Their very good nature and free dispositions are often the characteristics that lead them to their present condition. They are altogether too "good-hearted." They allow their wills to be influenced so easily.

But suppose they are "good-hearted."—Does that in anywise excuse wrong? Sin is sin. There can be no compromise. The man who violates law, however slightly, does wrong, is a sinner. As a sinner, he must expect to answer for his actions, to suffer for his misdeeds. In spite of all the commendable points in his character, the slightest deviation from right will, if persisted in, lead to destruction. Then who can think of allowing the good-natured, "good-hearted," easy-going life to balance the actions that are wrong? It is not God's way of dealing with sin, and it should not be man's way. A sharp line must be drawn between right and wrong, and all who deliberately choose their way—and all have this power of choice—must expect to abide by the consequences; and their friends have a perfect right to judge them according to the same standard.

Because a man is "good-hearted" is no indication of a right heart. It may be that his good nature is supreme selfishness. It may mean that his whole thought and ambition is to please self by having an easy time, and the easiest way to do that is to be "good-hearted." It is every man's duty to be "good-hearted," but that can not be made to cover sin in any form, "for God will bring every work into judgment, . . . whether it be good, or whether it be evil." And it may be well to close with the question, Is that which is commonly called "good-heartedness," really and truly good after all? M. H.

VOLUME 33, "SIGNS OF THE TIMES" FOR 1907, BOUND

By Editor

The 1907 Volume of the SIGNS may now be secured substantially bound in either paper or cloth. This contains the 52 numbers published during the year, in which come the Gospel Series, The World's Mission-Number, and a portion of the Bible-Reading Series—832 large pages. With the help of a carefully prepared subject index this makes a most valuable book for instruction, study, and reference.

Price in cloth - - - $2 50 Price in paper - - - - 2 00

There are only a limited number, so we would suggest you place orders at once.

Address # Pacific Press Publishing Company Mountain View, California

German Reference Bibles

The Pacific Press have in stock at their factory and branch offices a select line of German Bibles which they sell at the following net prices, post-paid.

No. 1130—8½x5½x1½. Cloth, sprinkled edges, brevier references, heavy board covers, made in Berlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.75

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No. 214—6¾x4½x¾. Morocco flaps, gilt edges, paper-lined, thin paper, nonpareil, references, helps, maps, Elberfeld make . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.25

No. 225—6¾x4½x¾. Morocco, Oriental cloth-lined, with flaps, red edges, thin paper, nonpareil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50

No. 226—6¾x4½x1½. Morocco, gilt edges, with flaps, India paper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50

Address Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal.

Revised Bibles.

The American Standard Edition.

Northwestern Christian Advocate says: "There can be no doubt that in this version we are nearer the thought and therefore the Spirit of the Master than in any other version now existing in English."

The following have good, large type—Bourgeois—references and maps. The size of the book is 8x5¼ inches.

No. 160—Cloth boards, red edges .........$1.00

No. 167—Thin leather cover, limp, round corners, gold edges ...................................$1.75

No. 173—Bound in thin leather with overlapping edges, leather-lined, round corners, gold edges ...................................$2.75

Address Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal.

How a Little Girl Went to Africa. By Leona M. Bicknell.

By Leona M. Bicknell

The story of a trip to Africa, told by a little girl of eight or nine years. She writes first of the long voyage, of the great sea, and of the great cities she saw at stopping-places; then of the far-off country, of the queer little African children and their home life, of the Boer War, of the ostrich farms and the diamond mines, of the strange tropical fruits and flowers, etc. The book is also finely illustrated with some of the strange, queer African scenes. 172 pages. Cloth bound, $1.00. Address this office.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES.

By Editor

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Sample copies sent on application.

DATE OF EXPIRATION.

By Editor

THE SIGNS wrapper bears date of last issue due on your subscription. Unless renewed in advance, paper stops with expiration date.

If herewith is an order-blank, you will know you have overlooked sending renewal. You will not wish to miss a single issue. Back numbers often can not be furnished.

S. S. Supplies

By Editor

S. S. Supplies.—We still have a good supply of S. S. Record books at 35 cents, for schools of 20 to 90 members; class records at 10 cents; S. S. Quarterlies at five cents each. If you need a Bible, send for our "Select List of Bibles." Address, Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal.

Here and Hereafter, or Man's Nature and Destiny.

By Uriah Smith

By Uriah Smith. This work is a thorough canvass of the great questions of a future existence, and the nature of man in the present life. Every text in the Bible which has any possible bearing upon these points is taken up and carefully explained. Cloth, 357 pp., $1.00. Address this office.

Imported Beauties

Special 100 Bible Cards $3.00; 100 Heavy Paper Mottoes 12x16, $6.00; (27,000 sold in April and first half of May). We have four languages: English, German, Danish, and Swedish. The more you buy, the less they are. 15 for $1.00. Address with stamp.

HAMPTON ART COMPANY

Lock Box 257 Hampton, Iowa

Fake Photography.

There are many who, tho doubting the sensational news items in daily journals, have thought surely that the pictures told the truth. But with the trick photography of the present day, the pictures are just as likely to be misleading as are the dressed-up stories by the reporters. For instance, it was shown just recently in a sensational article on the conditions of the streets in New York City, how that trick photography played its part in exaggerating truth. A little pile of snow three or four feet high was made to appear like a small mountain of tons and tons of snow, fifteen or twenty feet in height; and a little crack in a stone wall was so exaggerated as to appear like the opening of a cave in the side of a hill, and was so printed. The cave was said to be miles away in the Adirondacks, where a person had lost himself, but the crack from which the photograph was made was in a wall near the photographer's house. It is one of the evidences of human degeneration that such things are becoming common.

War Preparations in Time of Peace.

SOME startling figures have been presented before the country in the recent debate in Congress over the President's request for four new battle-ships. Congressman Tawney declared that the United States is expending in military and naval preparations for war $2,683,000 more than France, only $35,884,000 less than Germany, and $66,473,000 less than Great Britain. Reckoning in our pensions, we are expending for wars past and to come $84,975,000 more than Great Britain, $136,000,000 more than Germany, and $152,859,000 more than France. And Senator Hale estimates that seventy per cent of our national expenditures are now made on account of wars of the past and future. The appropriations in this year's Congress foot up nearly $1,000,000,000, and leave a deficit of $60,000,000. The Boston Transcript remarks that if we are to enter into competition with European nations in our preparations for war, "conscription will soon become a necessity to us."

In Germany the Kaiser has had about as difficult a time to obtain the battle-ships which he wants; yet his power in the Reichstag led them to grant three "Dreadnaughts," and one "Invincible." A London journalist who professes to be acquainted with conditions thruout Germany declares that there is a tremendous ambition thruout the empire to build up a great navy. Great Britain, France, and Japan will certainly not lag behind Germany. The emperor's plan for some years to come is four capital ships each year. France has a program by which in twelve years the Republic will possess 38 modern battle-ships, 26 armored cruisers, 279 destroyers, and 131 submarines. And according to current literature, European authorities are concluding that the United States is far behind in building but two battle-ships annually; even Japan means to do better.

Contained in This Issue.

By Editor

With Our Inquirers

Questions Nos. 2527 to 2531 . . . . . . . . . 2

General

Gems Scattered Along the Way . . . . . . . . 3 Unreserved Surrender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Christ the Leader of Israel . . . . . . . . . . . 5 The Sure Word of Prophecy . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Overcoming Sin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 The Sabbath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 The Sabbath in History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 The Second Coming of Christ (Bible-Reading) 7

Editorial

"The Blessed Hope" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 "Come Unto Me" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 The One Saviour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Studies in Romans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Sunday-Law Propaganda . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Our Bible Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

The Outlook

The Sunday-Law Agitation in Kansas City . 10 Economic Reasons for Sunday Laws . . . . . . 10 Guarantee of Peace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Plant Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Missions

Our Workers in China . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 In a Typical Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

The Home

The Excellence of Labor . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 "A Good-Hearted Fellow" . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Poetry

Emmanuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 In the Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Some Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 My Confidence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 A Pleasant Smile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Newspaper Control by Advertisers

An article in "The Literary Digest" of May 2 states, and seems to have good evidence that its statements are true, that many of our large journals in the cities are controlled in their policy by the big department stores and other great commercial institutions. Nothing is allowed to enter the columns that is antagonistic to the advertising which the paper is doing.

The Use of Brackets in Scripture

It is not "adding to the Scriptures" to insert one word or more into the text if it is designated as not a part of the text. There are two ways of doing this: First by curved lines or marks of parenthesis, thus: ( ), as, for instance, "Thou shalt call His name Jesus (Saviour); for He shall save His people from their sins." The word "Saviour" does not belong to the text. Most papers use these characters; but they are not accurate, as there are marks of parenthesis in the Scriptures. Secondly, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES and other careful journals use brackets instead; thus: "The trumpet shall sound, and the [righteous] dead shall be raised incorruptible." See 1 Cor. 15: 51-54. The word "righteous" is not in the text, and the use of the brackets shows that it is not, so whether right or wrong in its use, it does not make it a part of the Scriptures. It was thrown in to note the fact that the dead there referred to are the righteous dead; for only the righteous dead will be "raised incorruptible." This is also shown in Rev. 20:6. The interjection of one's own words is not always best, but the use of brackets clearly distinguishes between the text and the explanatory word.

The Catholic Centenary.

The Roman Catholic Church has just celebrated its one-hundredth anniversary of the founding of the New York diocese, attended by leading dignitaries of that denomination. Among the ceremonies was pontifical high mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral at which one archbishop, forty bishops, one hundred monsignori, and nearly eight hundred priests were present. One hundred years ago there were SIX priests in the New York diocese, only one Catholic church, and a few modest houses of worship; the Catholic population numbered about 20,000 souls. There were no colleges, academies, hospitals, or asylums that were worthy of note. To-day, in the same territory, there are one archbishop, nine bishops, 2,536 priests, fourteen churches, and a Catholic population of three million; and there are colleges, academies, schools, protectories, asylums, and hospitals galore. The diocese of New York to-day is said to be the most important see in the United States, and is second to few, if indeed to any, in the whole Catholic world. And this influence will be brought to bear, not upon religion purely, but upon politics as well.

Christ the Conqueror in Death

When Jesus died upon the cross, "the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of their graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." Matt. 27:50-53. It is thru death that Jesus destroys him that hath the power of death, that is, the devil. Heb. 2:14. He did not go into the grave a conquered victim, but a Conqueror. In death He gained the victory, as the opening graves testified. Thus it is that even in death itself "we are more than conquerors thru Him that loved us." Rom. 8:37.

Hinsdale Sanitarium Prospectus

By Editor

A prospectus of the Hinsdale Sanitarium, located at Hinsdale, Ill., has come to our table. We were never there, but the photographic reproductions in the little prospectus indicate that the surroundings are very pleasant indeed, and the methods of treatment are rational and progressive. Ten acres of ground belong to the sanitarium, and these are so arranged as to make them of constant interest and proper change for those who are able to be out-of-doors. Different methods of treatment are illustrated. The physicians are Doctors David Paulson and Mary Wild Paulson, with skilled assistants. Information may be obtained by addressing the Hinsdale Sanitarium, Hinsdale, Ill.

The Collegian at Pacific Union College

By Editor

"The Collegian," published by the students in the interests of Pacific Union College, for May, is a very fine number. It is the last issue of the school year. It is in small magazine form, tied with gold cord, and embellished with many illustrations of scenery round about Healdsburg, of the graduating class, the president, and faculty, and the editorial staff. The various productions usual in commencement-day exercises have been published in The Collegian. There are articles on the founding of Pacific Union College, a brief history, intellectual progress, student activities, class history and prophecy, class poem, etc., etc., very nicely printed, and well gotten up. Friends of the college will be glad to obtain copies. The price, we understand, is fifty cents. Address Pacific Union College, Healdsburg, Cal.

Freedom of the Press

By Editor

"Freedom of the Press."—We have received a little pamphlet from the Wilmer Atkinson Co., edited by Mr. Atkinson himself, entitled "Freedom of the Press." This is not a plea for anarchy, nor is it a pamphlet which has been inspired by personal feeling. Mr. Atkinson feels that thru misunderstanding, or by various pretexts, government officials have endeavored to exercise control over the public press. Mr. Atkinson believes that the publishers are, as all other men, subject to the laws, and if they commit crimes, they should be punished, but the government can go no farther than this. One of the valuable features of the little pamphlet is the clauses from state constitutions, which are given concerning the freedom of the press, and many quotations given from eminent men in authority. Mr. Atkinson is contending for a principle—a principle which every lover of freedom ought to indorse. This pamphlet may be obtained by addressing the Wilmer Atkinson Co., Philadelphia, Pa.

Wind and Storm and Wreck

Wind and Storm and Wreck.—News comes from Hankow, China, that a disastrous typhoon had wrecked 1,000 junks, stranded steamers, and killed hundreds of people. A coal-mining disaster in Kwah-Sai was the cause of the loss of a thousand lives. From Dallas, Texas, great damage is reported in storms in that state, and 100 lives lost. Chicago was battered by a fearful storm May 28, in which buildings were demolished by wind and lightning. Tornadoes were reported the same day from Lowell County, Kansas, and Guthrie, Okla. In Kansas seven were reported fatally injured.