p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 43. (10/24/1900)

Earlier text: MISSIONARY EXPERIENCE IN FIJI

Another Triumph for the Ball-Bearing DENSMORE

The PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal., publishers of this paper, wrote us on May 16, 1900: "We purchased our first DENSMORE typewriter about eight years ago, and have had these machines in use in our various departments ever since that time. Have also tried various other makes, but can candidly say that we have found none which gave better satisfaction, all things considered, than the DENSMORE. As an evidence of our faith in this machine, would say that we have just placed an order with your company for nineteen (19) New Densmore Typewriters."

UNITED TYPEWRITER AND SUPPLIES COMPANY 316 Broadway, New York Offices in Detroit, Grand Rapids and principal cities | San Francisco, Cal., 327 Montgomery Street Kansas City, Mo., 714 Delaware Street

Genuine Waltham Movements

By Editor

Gentlemen's Watch

The works are solid nickel. It contains fifteen jewels, compensated balance, patent breguet hair-spring. The case is solid silver, either open face or hunting. It is handsome, but not showy; valuable, but suggests no extravagance; a neat, attractive, and very serviceable watch. Stem winding and setting.

One of the above described watches given free to every one sending us 15 new yearly subscriptions to the "Signs of the Times" at $1.50 each

Ladies' Watch

Also has solid nickel works, seven jewels, patent breguet hair-spring, solid silver case, very neatly engraved, beautiful hunting, or open face if preferred. Stem wind and set.

This is given free to every one sending us 10 new yearly subscriptions to the "Signs of the Times" at $1.50 each

The Waltham is too well known to need any recommendation. In the above offer the publishers sincerely believe is a rare chance to obtain a good watch. We have examined them personally, and can recommend them as being just such watches as we would be inclined to purchase. These watches would usually retail for at least $15.00 and $10.00 for the gentlemen's and ladies' respectively.

This offer is made as liberal as possible because the object is not to make a profit on the premiums, but simply to encourage readers and friends to aid in increasing the circulation of the SIGNS.

N. B. If preferred, you can have the Elgin movement instead of the Waltham

If interested in the offer, write us, addressing # SIGNS OF THE TIMES OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

Don't Say

Incubators are a fraud just because you bought a cheap-John machine that was absolutely no good. Ninety per cent. of our customers are dissatisfied users of other makes. We make a specialty of repairing the hurt feelings of those who were afflicted with "Non-Hatchers." The results of the first hatch with a Jubilee will act as a powerful tonic on your system, and you will champion the cause of the best of incubators. The treatment is not as expensive as patent medicine, and you will not regret the expenditure. If you are ailing on the Incubator question and desire a remedy, write for our catalogue.

JUBILEE INCUBATOR CO. 517 Thirty-second Street ▒ ▒ Oakland, Cal.

Watching for the Lord’s Coming

By Editor

A correspondent asks this question: "The Scriptures say that the end will not come until the Gospel is preached as a witness to all nations. How near is that fulfilled?" Frankly, we do not know; and that is just the reason the Lord says, "Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." The definite time is expressly hidden, that men may not be inclined to indulge worldly lusts as long as possible, and then turn in time to meet the Lord at His coming, and be approved of Him. This anxiety to know the time of the Lord's coming savors of a desire to know how long we can enjoy the lusts of the flesh, and then turn and get ready for the Lord's coming. "What I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch." Watching implies a readiness for the event, whenever that may be.

The one who is anxious about the nearness of train time, virtually admits an unreadiness. "Be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."

Peace and Foreign Intervention in China

By Editor

The International Congress of Peace has been in session in Paris recently, and among other resolutions adopted is this:—

"That the action of the missionaries was often intolerant; that their religious propaganda should not be backed up by diplomatic or military force; that they should go into China at their own risks and perils; that Europe should abandon any religious protectorate in China; that forcible annexation of territory, especially that held sacred by the Chinese, should cease; that the powers should attempt to establish a stable native government, capable of undertaking internal reforms, and that the open door for the honest commerce of the world on equal terms is the only policy which gives any guarantee for the country's future peace and stability."

The suggestion in regard to the missionary work among the Chinese is logical, as also that pertaining to the annexation of territory. But the proposed assumption of "the powers" in the matter of establishing a native government in the interest of the characteristic greed of the so-called Christian nations is a decidedly selfish manner of securing peace. At the point of the gun the intruder says to the occupant of the house, "Give me what I ask for my services, buy any and all goods I send you at my price, and hereafter manage your house as I direct, and there will be peace between us; otherwise you are responsible for the consequences." And this is held up as "advancing civilization," done in the name and under the auspices of "Christian nations"!

Becoming “Civilized”

Becoming "Civilized."—A Mr. Monnier tells this story in Christian Work, as illustrative of the manner in which "civilization" is taking hold of the official class in China. It sounds much like some of the improvement schemes in American cities, altho it is on a smaller scale:—

"A short time ago the emperor of China made up his mind that the street of the legations in Peking should at last be paved. To insure the work being done, he himself provided the money—some $16,000. This sum was handed to a high official of the Public Roads and Highways Department. It entered into the mind of this dignitary that the work could be done for much less. He very soon found an enterprising contractor who undertook the task for $5,000. No. 2 had, however, views similar to those of No. 1, and was equally successful in finding a No. 3, who, in his turn, considered $2,500 an extravagant sum for so insignificant an undertaking. The street was eventually paved at the cost of $1,600."

The Time Is at Hand

"The Time Is at Hand."—What time?—The time spoken of by the Saviour, when He said there would be "upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth." There is a great conflict on,—political conflict, religious conflict, and labor's conflict with capital. Even the elements are in periodical turmoil more frequent than ever before. Every one whose interests are centered in earth is looking forward with more or less of foreboding. But the one whose treasure is laid up in heaven, whose citizenship is in the kingdom of God, can say: "My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us." Ps. 62:5-8.

AN EXPERIENCE.

By Editor

ONE of the friends of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, writing from Arkansas, states that he took 50 copies of the Educational number of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES and circulated them in his neighborhood. He says that "the soil is not very productive in that locality; wheat yields only from four to seven bushels to the acre, and money is scarce, and times are quite hard." But he praises the Lord that it is no worse, and says he will do all he can to help circulate the World's Outlook number of the SIGNS, as well as all regular issues of the paper. Such a testimony as this ought to be a source of inspiration to many of our friends, who, under more favorable circumstances, have never considered that they were able to order any of these special issues of this invaluable paper.

Pharisaical Righteousness

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled." Matt. 5:6. However, do not overlook the warning that "except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." Verse 20. What is the righteousness of Pharisees?—It is self-righteousness. How is it manifested?—It is manifested in judging and condemning others, in condemning every one in whom is seen a real or imaginary or reported fault. They who do this virtually say, "We are faultless;" it is their way of calling attention to their own righteousness. "Report, say they, and we will report it" (Jer. 20:10), and they generally aim to report where it will cut the deepest wound. The Pharisee should remember Rom. 2:1: "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." So inexcusable is the pharisaeal act of one object of mercy assuming to condemn another, that the sin of the condemned one attaches to the self-constituted judge. It was to this class that Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you." Matt. 21:31. There is more hope of the publicans and harlots becoming truly converted.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATIONS.

By Editor

THE illustrations for the World's Outlook number of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES have just reached us from our artists in New York. We believe that when you see them you will join us in saying that they are the best yet. They are not such pictures as usually appear in papers, but are as good as the best for fine book-work. These illustrations will add greatly to the appearance of the paper, and also do much in the way of impressing the important truths contained in its reading columns.

The Sabbath as a Political Issue

By Editor

The Sabbath is not only a leading religious question, being agitated extensively by various religious societies as well as by the churches, but it is becoming more and more a political issue. As the governments of earth are being urged to official action with a view to enforcing the Sunday institution, which is solely of human origin, it is high time that the true Sabbath (the seventh day), set apart by the Lord for man in the beginning, and embodied in His immutable law, should receive due attention. We begin this week a series of articles on the subject, by Brother George A. Snyder, which we ask the reader not to overlook. See "The Cycle of the Sabbath," page 5. The next article will be entitled "Sin and the Sabbath."

The Difference

The Difference.—The difference between the love of self and the love of Christ is as great as the difference between the whirlpool and the fountain. Self-love, like the streams of the whirlpool, trend inward, circling around self, flowing constantly and invariably toward self. It draws and appropriates everything to self, reserves everything for self, consumes everything upon self, bestows nothing. On the contrary, Christ's love, like the streams from the fountain, flows outward. It is refreshing, abundant, constantly bearing comfort, good cheer, and blessing to all around. It appropriates nothing to self, reserves nothing for self, consumes nothing upon self; it bestows all.

Who Is the "We"?

By Editor

Who Is the "We"?—A convention of Methodist ministers in conference at Fostoria, O., on September 12, adopted, a paper tells us, a long report, of which the following is a part:—

"We are the custodians of the Philippines, whether we desire it or not—not for empire, but for humanity's sake. We must be faithful to our trust to civilize and Christianize these new possessions. We are not to be turned aside by the cry of 'imperialism,' but, standing with the sword in one hand and the olive branch of peace in the other, we say to all concerned, 'We are doing a great work, and can not be downed.'"

But the means now being used,—coercion of the bitterest sort and the reign of whisky,—will not "Christianize." No ambassador of Christ carries the Gospel of peace with the sword as an alternative. The peace of Christ will come to no heart save through willing, whole-hearted surrender to God. This can not be forced. It is sad to see the noble sentiment of Neh. 6:3 so perverted into a foolish boast. It might be well to remember that "the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will."

CONTAINED IN THIS NUMBER.

By Editor

Poetry.

Jesus, Thou Who for Me Died . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 He Thresheth Out His Wheat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Missionary Hymn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

General.

The Light of Life, E. J. BURNHAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 A Present Help in Every Time of Need, MRS. E. G. WHITE . 2 The Signs of Creative Power, G. B. THOMPSON . . . . . . . 3 The Problem of Living Together, REV. WALTER B. VASSAR, 3 The Signs of the Lord's Coming and of the End of the World, ALONZO T. JONES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The Cycle of the Sabbath, GEO. A. SNYDER . . . . . . . . . 5 Our Heavenly Home, MRS. LUELLA B. PRIDDY . . . . . . 5

Editorial.

Life and Immortality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 The Ordinance of Humility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Country versus City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Outlook.—"Away from Rome"—The Drift toward Monarchism—The Voice of the Elements—A Dangerous Precedent—A New Fad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 9

The Home.—Alcohol; Its History, and Its Effects upon Society, W. H. RILEY, M.D.—Some Points Regarding Food, DAVID PAULSON, M.D.—Children and the Bible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 11

Missions.—Missionary Experience in Fiji, E. H. GATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 13

International Sabbath-school and Sunday-school Lessons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Publishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

God’s Love and Everlasting Life

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

BACK NUMBERS.

By Editor

We still have on hand a few back numbers of the Signs of the Times, with the usual amount of excellent matter, at 50 cents per hundred. We also have issues of more recent dates at $1.00 per hundred. Who wants some of them?

The publishers of Our Little Friend have back numbers for sale at 20 cents per hundred. These contain excellent reading for all, especially for children. Address, OUR LITTLE FRIEND, Oakland, Cal.

The World’s Outlook Number

By Editor

Remember that the World's Outlook number of the SIGNS will be ready about November 1.

Remember that just now is the time for you to be ordering copies of it. Others are sending in their orders. Why should you delay yours?

Remember, also, that it will be a double number—36 pages including cover. Single copy, 10 cents; 5 to 20 copies, 5 cents; 25 or more copies, 4 cents. Sent singly to lists of not less than 5 names at 5 cents each. These prices include postage. Orders will be received now and filled in the order of their receipt. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.