p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 47. (11/28/1911)

Never Read a Bad Book

NEVER, under any circumstances, read a bad book; and never spend a serious hour in reading a second-rate book. No words can overstate the mischief of bad reading.

A bad book will often haunt a man his whole life long. It is often remembered when much that is better is forgotten; it intrudes itself at the most solemn moments, and contaminates the best feelings and emotions. Reading trashy, second-rate books is a grievous waste of time also.

In the first place, there are a great many more first-rate books than ever you can master; and in the second place, you can not read an inferior book without giving up an opportunity of reading a good one.

Books, remember, are friends; books affect character; and you can as little neglect your duty in respect of this as you can safely neglect any other moral duty that is cast upon you.—Selected.

Loyalty to Home

By The Christian Herald

A young girl attending a school some distance from her home was one day in her room surrounded by companions who were busy with embroidery and bits of fancy work. Some one asked for a needle, and the young hostess brought a needle-case. As she offered it, the one who had made the request glanced at it with a slight laugh and a perceptible lifting of eyebrows. It was an inartistic, old-fashioned, homely little needle-case; but its owner drew it back almost as if the look had been a blow, and smoothed it over with caressing fingers as she said, "My mother made it."

Love, loyalty, and a touch of defiance were in the words. What did these gay girls know of the plain little home and the dear, old-fashioned mother whose toil-worn fingers had sewed the bits of ribbon together and shaped them into a gift for her girl? The daughter saw it all as in a vision. These stylish young friends were good enough, but the old home and those it held were her dearest treasures on earth, and no sneer should touch them or their ways in her presence. Word and action showed the fiber of the girl. Had she been weaker or less loving, she would have been ashamed of her little possession and the home conditions it represented; and if she did not disown or apologize for it, she would at least have kept it carefully out of sight thereafter.—The Christian Herald.

God Bless the Human Sunbeams

God bless the human sunbeams, The men both strong and true, Who daily sing or whistle At all they have to do. Their eyes are clear and merry, Their step is firm but light, Their laugh's a benediction, And life once more seems bright.

God bless the human sunbeams, The women who, tho sad, Can still be self-forgetful, And other hearts make glad. Theirs is a blessed mission; Their smile can make night day; Their cheery words of comfort Soon drive all clouds away.

God bless the human sunbeams, Men, women, children, too, Who add to life much sweetness, And leave us less to rue. God bless them all! God bless them! They do His work so well, Reward will follow after, And heaven the story tell. —Leslie's Weekly.

Our Work and Workers

By Editor

THREE persons have been baptized at Stanley, North Dakota.

THREE believers at Modesty Cove, Nova Scotia, have received baptism.

SEVEN additions to the church at Lenoir City, Tennessee, are reported.

ON Sabbath, October 21, three at Wausau, Wisconsin, received baptism.

A SABBATH-SCHOOL of sixteen members has been organized at Odon, Indiana.

FROM Samoa comes news of four natives who have accepted the truth there.

ON Sunday, October 22, five souls at Colman, South Dakota, received baptism.

SABBATH, October 21, four members were added to the church at Sioux City, Iowa.

FOUR adults recently united with the First African Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

FIFTEEN converts are reported at Cordele, Georgia, as a result of the recent tent effort there.

THREE at Stillwater, Nevada, have received baptism and a number of others are considering it.

SEVEN or eight persons at Jackson, Mississippi, are obeying the truth, as the result of tent meetings held there recently.

A CHURCH of twenty members was organized at Colton, California, on a recent Sabbath. Two have been baptized at Chico.

THREE hundred persons in the Atlantic Union Conference have accepted the truths of the third angel's message during the past summer.

FIVE at Grove, Kentucky, have taken their stand for the truth and have been added to the church at that place, while three others are obeying who have not yet united.

ON a recent Sabbath eight souls at St. Louis, Missouri, were baptized, and five or six more will be baptized in a short time. Five new converts are reported at La Plata.

SEVERAL persons are obeying the message as the result of the tent effort conducted at Thornville, Ohio, recently. Seven adults at Wooster have signified their determination to obey.

EIGHT or ten at Eagle Cove, Texas, have identified themselves with those that "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." Twenty are obeying the truth as a result of meetings held at Hale.

FROM Georgetown, British Guiana, South America, comes report of the baptism of ten earnest souls, and several others desire baptism in the near future. A tent has been pitched, and meetings commenced October 4.

ON a recent Sabbath, baptism was administered to six young persons at the Hastings Intermediate School, Hastings, Nebraska. Twelve additions to the Mitchell church are reported. Between twenty and twenty-five persons at Omaha have taken a stand for the truth.

ON Sabbath, October 21, thirteen more candidates in Portland, Oregon, were baptized, making forty-six in the past few weeks. Several others will be baptized later. Two were baptized at Toledo, and others are interested. A Sabbath-school of seventeen members was recently organized at Yoncalla.

ON October 1 four persons at Enfield, Minnesota, went forward in the ordinance of baptism. Eleven at Park Rapids have been baptized, and two at Hutchinson. A new church was dedicated on October 28 and 29 at Gilchrist, this church being the gift of Brother Ole Larson, one of the members of that place.

FOUR new converts united with the church at Campville, New York, on October 14. A church of fifteen members was organized at Oneida on Sabbath, October 14. Five others, it is hoped, will soon unite with this church. Seven persons were baptized in the German church of New York, on the 14th, and two in the Hungarian. Four have been baptized at Elmira.

THE town of Calgary, in Alberta, Canada, where one of our branch offices is located, is having a tremendous growth. In 1880 a few Indians camped there. In 1890 it had a population of 2,500; in 1900, of 5,000; in 1910, of 45,000; and in 1920 a population of 200,000 is predicted. The Calgary Herald of October 2 tells a great story of progress.

THE Nevada (Iowa) Evening Journal of October 20, 1911, has the following item which will be of interest to many of our readers: "Prof. J. G. Lamson, principal of Oak Park Academy, is now entitled to practise law in the courts of Iowa, having been admitted to the supreme court upon motion of the attorney-general yesterday morning at Des Moines. Professor Lamson was admitted to the bar in Michigan in 1890, and to the federal Supreme Court in 1909."

THE HOUSE WE LIVE IN

By Vesta J. Farnsworth

OR THE MAKING OF THE HUMAN BODY

BY VESTA J. FARNSWORTH

THIS is a book for home reading and it is a great help to mothers in teaching their children how to care for themselves physically. The structure of the human body is set forth in a most interesting and instructive manner, and all its wonders, uses, functions, etc., are told in a most attractive way.

The style of the book is conversational—a mother talking with her children. It makes a splendid birthday gift.

Two hundred and eighteen pages, nearly 150 illustrations, attractive cloth cover.

Price, post-paid, $1.00.

Pacific Press Publishing Assn.

Mountain View, California Portland, Ore. Calgary, Alberta Kansas City, Mo.

ELO THE

EAGLE

AND OTHER

STORIES

BY FLOYD BRALLIAR

THIS new animal book for young folks is receiving an eager welcome by all nature lovers. ELO THE EAGLE is the first of a series of ten interesting stories of animals, wild and otherwise; being, with one exception, the life histories of boyhood friends of the author. Many strange and laughable anecdotes are related by Mr. Bralliar, all of which are strictly true and vouched for by reliable witnesses.

The book is lavishly illustrated by special drawings, with a full-page half-tone design printed in Luxotype at the beginning of each chapter. Two hundred pages, printed on egg-shell paper, beautifully bound in red cloth. Price, post-paid, $1.00.

Easily sold by young people. Agents wanted.

Pacific Press Publishing Assn.

Mountain View, California Portland, Ore. Calgary, Alberta Kansas City, Mo.

Wanted

By Editor

THE following persons desire clean copies of the weekly and monthly Signs of the Times, Watchman, Life and Health, Youth's Instructor, Our Little Friend, post-paid, for missionary purposes:

Mrs. G. F. Fraser, Homewood, Illinois.

Lizzie Symons, Route 1, Sterling, Michigan.

Charles Downey, Box 35, Rock Hall, Maryland.

J. M. Sims, Wootan Wells, Texas.

Charles Bennett, 733 Dodson St., San Pedro, California.

C. F. Campbell, Victoria St., Perth, Ontario, Canada.

Miss Rosa A. Holbrook, Skowhegan, Maine.

J. E. Wassom, Box 247, Salem, Oregon.

Emma Kincaid, Walthill, Nebraska.

James Harvey, 1373 Grove St., Oakland, California.

Hygienic Vegetable Shortening

STANDARD FOOD-FAT AMONG VEGETARIANS

Dr. Godsmark's Hygienic Cooking Oil is used in thousands of homes, schools, and sanitariums. The most highly refined Vegetable Shortening. Keeps indefinitely. Shipped fresh from Refinery, Louisville. 5 gallon can, $4.50; 10 gallons, $8.50; ½ bbl., 32 gallons, $22.60. Free cooking formulas with every order. Send to-day.

HYGIENIC COOKING OIL CO. Chattanooga, Tenn., Dept. S.

A Good Home and Farm for Sale in Northeast Texas

140 acres in tract, good six-room house, one acre of peaches, eighty-five acres in cultivation, twenty in pasture, good soft water, ideal location, home commanding elegant view, good roads, rural route, telephone in house, healthy, sandy loam soil, plenty of timber, mild winters, practically free from snow and ice; free outside range for all cattle desired. Will accept $15.00 per acre. Good reason for selling at this low price. Address, Douglas Jones, Jefferson, Texas.

Christ Our Saviour.—By Mrs. E. G. White.

We have in this book the life of Christ our Saviour from His birth to ascension, given in simple and direct language. It is printed in large, clear type, and is finely illustrated by engravings made especially for it. The simplicity with which this "Old, Old Story" is told, the aptness of the illustrations, and the general appearance of the better-bound styles, will attract and hold the reader's attention to the very close. 182 large octavo pages, and bound as follows: Fine English cloth, 75c; cloth back, board covers, in colors, 50c.

Also in German, Danish, Spanish, and Swedish at same prices. Address this office.

CHRIST OUR ADVOCATE

A clear, tho brief, setting forth of the Bible types and symbols, the services in connection with the earthly sanctuary, the effectual sacrifice and priesthood of our Lord, to which all these types pointed, and the great prophetic period of Dan. 8:14.

CHRIST OUR ADVOCATE

Contains 112 pages and is illustrated. Price ten cents.

PACIFIC PRESS Mountain View, Cal.

Colds

By Editor

Colds.—By G. H. Heald, M.D. A treatise on the causes, prevention, and cure of colds. White leatherette binding. 58 pages, 25c.

Address this office.

HOME

"Among the most expressive and beautiful words of the English language is the noble, tender term 'Home.' Among the sweetest songs ever sung by loving lips is 'Home, Sweet Home,' given to a needy world by one who never had a home, yet whose heart ever cried out for what the world never gave him. His very homelessness voiced sweeter and deeper the longing of every human heart."—Foreword from "Heralds of the Morning."

This "longing of every true human heart" is but partially satisfied by an earthly home, however complete its appointment may be. It looks beyond the few years of this life to the "home eternal." It is of this home that Elder J. N. Loughborough speaks in his booklet,

The Saints' Inheritance

By Editor

Somehow the reality and beauty of our future home grow on one as he reads this little work. New sixth edition, 88 pages, price 10 cents, post-paid.

Other Choice Books

By Editor

In sending for the above-mentioned pamphlet, you may wish to include in your request copies of some of the following:

Christ Our Advocate

By Editor

A comprehensive study of the sanctuary question. 112 pages, price 10 cents.

The Lord's Day

A study of the Sabbath question in the light of the dispensations. 125 pages, price 10c.

Matthew Twenty-four

Christ's answer to the disciples' question, "What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?" and the history connected with the fulfilment of this prophecy. 94 pages, price 10 cents.

The Sure Word of Prophecy

A verse-by-verse study of the book of Daniel. 96 pages, price 10 cents.

Christian Science

A consideration of this "science" in the light of reason and revelation. 50 pages, price 10 cents.

The Spirit World and a Future Life

Is there a supernatural power being manifested by certain mediums, or is it all fraud? If it is genuine, what is its source? 96 pages, price 10 cents.

Three

Gospel Stories

"How Esther Read Her Bible." How Mrs. Leigh, the wife of a popular minister, is made to see new truths in the Bible through the aid of a little orphan Indian girl. Among the subjects which puzzled little Esther, and which she brought to Mrs. Leigh, were Baptism, the Sabbath, the State of the Dead, and the Millennium.

Eight well-filled pages. Price 50 cents a hundred, post-paid.

The Winning of Margaret

"The Winning of Margaret." Margaret and Grandma, having become much exercised over conditions in the world, endeavored to study their meaning by the aid of the Bible. How they were led to see these conditions as signs of the times is an intensely interesting story.

Sixteen pages. One dollar a hundred, post-paid.

"Back to the 'Old Paths.'" An honest old farmer, Bartholomew Biggs, and his experience at a tent meeting. A true experience.

Sixteen pages. Price, one dollar a hundred, post-paid.

Worse than Pugilism.

So Dr. Charles W. Eliot, president emeritus of Harvard University, declares of football. He said: "I don't take much interest in football. It's too dangerous for professional players, and college men can't play it more than a year. They are liable to too many serious injuries — injuries for life. It's different from baseball, and it's worse than prize-fighting. The man in the ring doesn't run such a chance of being maimed as the man on the gridiron." "Is there anything to your mind worse than football?" he was asked. He replied: "Yes, aviation. That's demoralizing to the spectators. They don't go to see the aeronaut in flight, but with the expectation of seeing him fall and perhaps be killed."

Men and Religion Forward Movement

By Editor

THE new evangelism is creating more or less discussion, but it is not regarded very enthusiastically. The "Men and Religion Forward Movement," the latest embodiment, is backed by nine church brotherhoods, the International Sunday School Association, and the International Committee of Young Men's Christian Associations. Some of its great supporters are such men as William Jennings Bryan and J. Pierpont Morgan, and its representatives are visiting most of the towns and cities of the United States and Canada. Fred B. Smith, its "inspirational leader," as he is called, states that its object is to win men and boys to Jesus Christ, and to vital life in the church; while Fayette L. Thompson, another leader, declares that its object is to give the world "an adequate interpretation and representation of Jesus Christ." The principal strength of the movement, it is thought, lies in its "team work," the fact that it sends out its workers in groups, basing its appeal on six specific interests—evangelism, Bible study, missions, work for boys, social service, and community extension. And the grouping of the men together is so that there shall be an exhibition of all-around Christianity; or, as one writer has expressed it, "The kingdom can't win until they all play together," and there is where the "team" idea came into view.

We wish every movement that has the salvation of souls in mind success; and yet that movement which does not emphasize, as the first and end of all, the salvation of the individual man, by connecting the individual man with Christ Jesus in life, will sooner or later fail. In this hoped-to-be great movement, the danger will be of depending too much on the scheme, the plan, the forces, the team, upon the great men connected with it, upon the influence which the mass will have upon a city or a town, or upon the individual. But this has not proved to be what it was thought it would prove in the Chapman movement, nor will it in this. The more these other forces are emphasized, of the less importance will be considered the individual connection with Jesus Christ, the Word of God, repentance, and faith. Let men be saved, and all good things will flow from that; but to endeavor to bring about the fruits of Christianity without its life in the individual soul, there will be failure.

Poor China.—Torn by revolution, ravaged by famine and plague, China's case is direful indeed. It would seem that the revolution is both justified and successful. But before there is general, capable, permanent government organized, what will occur? Will jealousies between enthusiastic and ambitious yet inexperienced leaders precipitate crises in the provinces? Will the half-starved people patiently wait till time adjusts conditions and equilibrium is established? These are serious, vital questions. And one waits in agony almost for their answer. In the meantime let Christians pray that God may overrule and protect His people.

War Imminent and Expected.—The London Daily News of October 11 truly says: "The last ten years, which have been a decade without parallel for magnitude of naval expenditure, have also been a decade almost without parallel for international strain and anxiety. They have been one prolonged period of crisis, now latent, now threatening to explode, and the nations have sat in hourly expectation that the dogs of war would be let loose." Jesus said of this time, "Distress of nations, with perplexity."

The fourteenth national convention of the Anti-Saloon League of America is to be held in the city of Washington December 11-14, 1911. A strong provisional program has been printed, too long for us to publish. It may be obtained from Mr. P. A. Baker, general superintendent, Westerville, Ohio. Special consideration will be given to the interstate liquor traffic, and the liquor question in all its phases will be thoroly discussed by able speakers.

Our correspondent in Portland, Oregon, informs us that the Rev. Henry Minton, one time moderator of the Presbyterian Assembly, president of the National Reform Bureau, left his home in Trenton, New Jersey, for the West to arouse interest for the "Christian citizenship" convention to be held in Portland June 29 to July 6, 1913. The purpose of this convention is to establish Christianity by law—an utter impossibility.

Recent experiments in bomb dropping from aeroplanes indicate very clearly that in case of future war the aeroplane will be a decided factor. By that time, of course, guns may have been perfected so as to bring down the aeroplane, or, new aeroplanes may meet those in the air; but certainly some decided advances have been made in the dropping of bombs, making of maps, and photography.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

By Editor

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, NOVEMBER 28, 1911

Our authority is the Bible, the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. When the Common ("King James" or "Authorized") Version or the American Standard Revised Version is used, the version will not generally be designated in reference. Any Bible quotation in this paper, therefore, differing from the Common Version, unless otherwise indicated, will be almost invariably from the American Standard edition of the Revised Bible, copyright 1910, by Thomas Nelson & Sons.

For further particulars, subscription rates, etc., see page 15.

Contained in This Issue

By Editor

Question Corner PAGE 3606 — Testing the Spirits; 3607 — When He Shall Come; 3608 — Kings and Priests; 3609 — Bywords; 3610 — The Sabbath for Israel - 2

Our Bible Band - 2

General "Your Reasonable Service" - 3 A Physician's Tribute to Bible Reading - 4 The Burmese Elder's Tithe - 4 Christian Science — Its Philosophy in the Light of Reason and Revelation - 5 Studies in Daniel — Babylon and Her King - 6, 7 Islam's Three Centers - 7 Meaning of Christ's Coming to His Children - 8

Our Bible Reading The Law and the Gospel - 8

Present World Movements in Prophecy The Need of a Message - 9

The Outlook The Johnston Sunday Bill - 10 Not an Optimistic View - 10 The Chinese Revolution - 11 The Lack of Justice - 12 The Roman Catholic Church and the Law - 12

Home and Fireside Wash-Day - 13 Never Read a Bad Book - 13 Loyalty to Home - 13

Our Work and Workers - 14

Poetry Thanksgiving - 1 His Boundless Love - 4 Equal Rights - 7 The King's Example - 9 God Bless the Human Sunbeams - 13

Faith and Belief

Faith is not belief. Belief is often founded on opinion, sometimes on tradition, or some other uncertain basis. Faith is founded in God's Word. It means absolute submission to God, complete acquiescence in all God's will, an open channel between the soul and God, having all the potency of divine power. And this faith with all its plenitude of blessing is for all.

A Lady's Suit Case.

By Editor

There has been left at the office of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES a wicker or straw suit case filled with ladies' wearing apparel. It was probably left about two months ago. There is no clue in the suit case to the owner. The owner will please prove property by mentioning some of its contents, and it will be sent as requested.

Russia's New Premier

The new premier of Russia is Vladimir Nikolaievich Kokofftseff. He has long been famed as one of the great financiers of the world, a pupil of Count Witte, and devoted rather to the czar than to the Russian people. This very position places him in personal peril, and the world would not be surprised to hear of another assassination of a Russian prime minister.

Canada's New Premier

The estimate of "Current Literature," gathered from all quarters, is that Mr. Robert Laird Borden, the new premier of Canada who defeated Sir Wilfrid Laurier, is the incarnation of the average and ordinary. The only reason, seemingly, for his position, is that he is considered "safe."

Plague in India

Disastrous conditions exist in India. Bombay is said to have terrible plague troubles, and these are conditions which will greet King George and his queen when they arrive in India. During the first week in November the reports show that 6,667 died of the plague throughout India, and 4,700 of these in the presidency of Bombay alone.

Christianity Is Life

The science of Christianity can not be measured by the science of earth. It can not be mathematically demonstrated; it can not be weighed by avoirdupois, nor measured in its length, breadth, and thickness by any measure which men may possess. It is first of all life — life in Christ Jesus, and all the fruits which it truly bears are the outgrowths of that life. Men imitate it, imitate its fruits, its professions; but in time of test the imitation withers. The genuine lives and bears its finest fruit in time of severest test.

Italy and Turkey

THERE are some things which indicate that the trouble between Italy and Turkey was not unexpected in Turkish quarters. According to Current Literature for November, quoting from the London Telegraph, the Arab sheiks representing the tribes of North Africa are always well received at the palace of the sultan, and lately they have certainly wanted something done regarding Tripoli. Some have thought that Turkey's aid has been sought to secure a coalition of the Arab tribes to use pan-Islamism as a force to foment discord among the European powers interested in North Africa. But these, in fact, are only guesses. At any rate, the bonds between the Arabs and the sultan seem to be so strong that we are told the importance which the Young Turks attach to Tripoli is so great that "they would spend the last cartridge which they possess to retain it," and therefore their strong fighting to recover it from the Italians. The Turkish army, it is said, will be placed on a war footing of not less than 1,500,000 combatants. The Turkish soldiers at the present time number about 300,000 men; but these, it is said, are well equipped with uniforms, rifles, and guns, and amply supplied with ammunition.

Current Literature remarks that the Turks love fighting, and therefore Turkey maintains her army in a high state of efficiency; but they have no affection for the sea.

The French are looking on with considerable indifference, not objecting at all to Italy's seizing Tripoli, and not particularly anxious to have the sultan conqueror. Germany seems to be the most interested in this holy war, because of her interests in Turkey. At any rate, Italy has met an opposition that she did not expect when she undertook to seize the slice that she had marked off from African territory, and the war may be indeed a long one. In the meantime, the Hague Tribunal seems to be utterly powerless.