p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 3. (1/20/1909)

Earlier text: Sunday Laws and Religious Liberty

CHURCH-SCHOOL MANUAL FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS.

Every teacher and parent, having a sincere desire to give the children under their care a well-balanced Christian education, will hail with joy the splendid instruction afforded them by this new school manual. The table of contents of itself is an inspiration, and we give it in full below:

Introduction.

Principles of Christian Education.

Proceedings of the General Conference Educational Convention.

School Organization and Management.

The Home School.

Courses of Study.

Text-Books.

The Bible.

History.

Nature Study.

Geography.

Physiology and Hygiene.

Manual or Industrial Training.

Arithmetic and Keeping Accounts.

English—Reading, Spelling, Language, and Composition.

Drills—Penmanship, Drawing, and Music.

Daily Program.

Books and School Library.

The chapter on Geography contains one section, “Mission Outlines of the World,” which gives most valuable information regarding the work “in the regions beyond.”

The chapters on “Physiology and Hygiene” and “Manual or Industrial Training” are alone worth the price of the book. This splendid book should be in the hands of every teacher, as it is one of the most efficient helps yet provided for the training of our children.

Contains 378 pages; attractive and durable cloth binding, price, 50 cents.

Order now of your state tract society, or Pacific Press Publishing Assn., Mountain View, Cal.; 61 Park St., N., Portland, Ore.; 1109 E. 12th St., Kansas City, Mo.; Box 666, Regina, Sask., Canada.

Matthew Twenty-four

Second Coming of Christ

An exposition, verse by verse, of one of the most striking chapters in the New Testament; covering our Lord’s great discourse on the destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the world, and the special signs of His second coming to reward His children. The facts of fulfilment given make this pamphlet worth many times its price. 94 pages, price 10c.

PACIFIC PRESS Mountain View, Cal.

Bibles

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 Publishing Assn., Mountain View, Cal.

FERRY'S SEEDS

There is scarcely any limit to the possible improvement in seeds, but it takes time and money. We have been improving flower and vegetable seeds for over 50 years. More than 2000 people are working to make Ferry's Seeds suit you. Buy the best—Ferry's. For sale everywhere.

FERRY'S 1909 SEED ANNUAL

FREE ON REQUEST.

D. M. FERRY & CO., Detroit, Mich.

A Wrong Principle.

Some years ago an ardent after-dinner speaker enunciated this principle: “My country, may she always be right; but right or wrong—my country.” That has been parodied and expressed on different occasions since then. One of the most recent is by a great labor leader who claims to stand for the people. He said: “I am a trade unionist; may the trade unionist always be right; but whether right or wrong, I am with the trade unionist.” That sentiment speaks for itself and could be as justly and righteously spoken by a member of any other class, combination, or profession; yet it has within it the utter breaking down of all true manhood and strong, righteous government. The business of every true man is to stand for the right always; righteousness is more than any organization, and he only helps in that organization to which he may belong, who holds to the right.

Review of Conditions in This Country

By Editor

Our next issue will be of special interest in a review of conditions in this country during the last year.

True Temperance

By Editor

A striking article on “True Temperance,” from the pen of Mrs. E. G. White, will be printed in our next issue.

Wilkinson’s Articles on Daniel 2 Conclude

By Editor

Professor Wilkinson's articles on Daniel 2 end in this issue. They have been very instructive, and we trust have been read and appreciated.

Circulate This Issue Among Methodists

By Editor

Read on page 8 what a Christian paper has to say as to our position, and our reply. Circulate this issue, and place it in the hands of as many Methodists as possible.

The Impending World’s Crisis

By Editor

A stirring and important article by one of Europe's greatest editors, sent in by our European correspondent, on the Balkan situation, will appear next week. It is entitled, “The Impending World’s Crisis.”

February Signs of the Times Monthly

By Editor

“The Signs of the Times Monthly” for February has as a special subject the increasing storms, cyclones, and various physical troubles and their relation to the word of God. It has also the following striking articles: “The Protestant Federal Congress,” by John S. Wightman; “The World’s History in Prophecy,” by E. J. Hibbard; Christ’s temptation “In the Wilderness,” by Mrs. E. G. White. It has also some excellent health articles. It is a good strong number and should receive a large circulation. We are glad to note that the circulation of the journal is increasing. It will probably reach a hundred thousand before 1910.

Weekly Signs of the Times Restored to Sixteen Pages

By Editor

Letters of appreciation and thankfulness are continuing to come from all parts of the field at the restoration of the Weekly SIGNS OF THE TIMES to sixteen pages. Now let the subscriptions come in. The paper will be a more important adjunct in the message this year than ever before.

Night Riders Found Guilty of Murder

The night riders to the number of six were found guilty of murder in the first degree by a jury of their peers in Union, Tenn., January 7, and the report is that the judge will sentence them to be hanged. Two others were found guilty of murder in the second degree, with the recommendation of a sentence of twenty years penal servitude.

The Advocate’s Moral Sunday Law

The “California Christian Advocate” wishes a “moral” Sunday law. It says that “the enactment of a Sunday law is one way, one of the few ways, in which society can safeguard the morals of the community.” But why not prohibit the teaching of infidelity in and out of the pulpit, Mohammedanism, Roman Catholicism, Spiritism, etc., etc., with which the Advocate does not agree? Let the state enter the “moral” field and it will find no stopping place till the Inquisition is established. Let California still remain civil. In the meantime the Rev. Mr. Tufts is working for a civil rest day; but be not deceived, it is the Advocate’s moral Sunday law and the religious day of the church federation.

Times Ominous.

Dr. Washington Gladden, in a recent debate in Boston with Professor Rauschenbusch, declares that the times are ominous. He says: “I can not contemplate the possibilities of this impending struggle, with any feeling but that of dread.” He thinks that the only hope lies in the Christian church, and that if the Christian churches would “drop their controversies about creed and ceremony and criticism, and would concentrate their thought upon getting the Golden Rule established, as the law of neighbor life, and business life, and political life—of all life—an influence would go forth from their assemblies which would speedily fill the world with life and health and peace;” all of which sounds good, but which is Socialism pure and simple, endeavoring to build a religion of life out of humanity, instead of humanity’s receiving it from the Lord Jesus Christ. The Golden Rule is spiritual; the moral law of God is spiritual, and the only way it can be made effective in social and every-day life is by spiritual men who are divinely regenerated.

Conversion in the Old Testament

It is a strange sort of a statement for a Christian paper to make that we read in one published on the Pacific Coast. “In the Old Testament times there was no such thing as conversion,” and made in the face of such characters as Abraham, and Moses, and Joshua, and Elijah, and all the prophets, and Daniel and his three companions, and hosts of others, of whom the New Testament says, “these all died in faith.” As a reason for this, however, the paper that tells us this is one which does not believe in the perpetuity of the Law of God. The same article says, “To believe in Christ is not to obey the Law. To confess Christ is not to obey the Law. The repentance which Christ commands is not the repentance commanded by Jehovah.” And yet we would prefer to believe the words of our Lord Himself, “I and My Father are One.” “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.” The belief that stops short of righteousness, or that leads to anything else other than obedience, is unchristian and spurious. True conversion instead of turning men from God’s law, writes that law in the heart.

Christians and Mob Law

When a Christian invokes mob law, or indorses or approves mob law, to wreak vengeance on some poor wretch, he takes himself outside of the fold of Christ. He puts himself under the control of the same rash spirit of evil which moved the hand of the one upon whom the mad mob seeks to wreak vengeance. It is an awful thing for a man to seek to kill a public prosecutor in discharge of his duty. It is even a more awful thing for a mad mob in a civilized land to try to execute the wretched murderer. In a land of courts and law, every citizen ought to demand that the law take its course. Every Christian, whether the courts are sufficient to bring the murderer to justice or not, ought to remember, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

Tradition and Scripture.

The Western Watchman of Dec. 3, 1908, in speaking of an unfortunate statement of one of the Catholic theologians, says: “The church knows what it believes in all ages. To say that any tradition of the faithful rests on apocrypha or writings of any kind is not heretical, but nonsensical. Tradition does not rest even on Scripture.” And this is true. It was true in the days of Jesus. But as it was then, so it is now, the tradition “made void” in the teaching and practise of those who followed it the commandments of God. He could say to-day as then: “Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.” Matt. 15:6.

The Death of Koresh

The Associated Press gives the news that Cyrus W. Teed, known as “Koresh,” claiming to be the incarnation of Cyrus and Christ and Elijah, and we know not how many more, died recently in Florida. His followers stood around him for three days, we are told, expecting that he would rise from the dead. Some one else may be clever enough to be his reincarnation, and continue to deceive. All this comes from seeking signs and turning away from the simple word of God. We are glad that one deception is broken; we are sorry for the poor deceived ones.

Castro’s Alleged $60 Million Theft

We are told that President Castro, who is now in Europe for his health, has stolen in the aggregate about $60,000,000 from Venezuela; in fact, is the very prince of grafters. Some reports tell us that he is buying battle-ships and preparing to come back, while others say that the condition of affairs at home is such that he would not dare to return.

San Francisco Permits Spiritualist Seances

A recent police decision in San Francisco permits Spiritualists to hold seances and teach Spiritualism on the ground that they are a religious body. But it forbids fortune telling and other occult business. It seems as tho America ought to be as liberal as old Babylon. She placed the conjurors, the magicians, enchanters, and sorcerers all on the same basis. Why not?

Father Seeks News of His Son

Edward C. Greene, 97 Pallister Avenue, Detroit, Mich., greatly desires to hear from his son who has left home. He wishes to assure him a cordial welcome and cooperation in his future plans awaiting him at home. Any one who can help this anxious father, will write to the above address.