p. 15 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 22. (5/31/1905)

Earlier text: FORETOKENS OF OUR LORD’S RETURN

RELIGION AND CUSTOMS OF THE GREEKS.

A LONGER acquaintance and a more familiar touch with the Greek people, their country, and their customs, greatly changes one's first impressions. Merely passing through the country, viewing its scant remains of an ancient civilization, gives a very meager idea of modern Greece, which, if for no other reason, holds a place in our attention because it is the same spot, and its inhabitants descendants of the same people, whose classics and arts play such a large part in modern education.

It is claimed by the Greek people that the history of their church and state is, and always has been, the same, and that a separation would be impossible. From the fact that, with few exceptions, every child born among them for centuries has been baptized into the Greek Church upon receiving its name, they can hardly comprehend how a person could be a Greek, and not belong to their church. In this baptismal service the little one is undressed, rubbed all over with oil, and immersed three times in a large basin of water by the priest; at the same time its godfather receives his charge. The child is then taught to make the sign of the cross, as it is taught to walk. Making the cross becomes a part of its very nature.

The written history of Greece does not antedate 750 B. C. Its mythological history carries us back another thousand years, during which, in the fancy of its childhood, its great mountain-peaks were peopled with gods and goddesses, and its springs and forests were inhabited by nymphs and strange monsters.

Under Alexander, Greece became the third world-power, 331 B. C., according to Daniel's prophecy.

During the years 117–138 A. D., Emperor Hadrian erected many buildings at Athens, and put in an aqueduct which still supplies the city with water.

It is said that the only way to get a Greek to change his religion, is to hire him. We are glad there are a few notable exceptions to this rule, but it really seems almost impossible for the people to understand conversion, for they think they are born converted.

Among the out-of-the-way villages, and the more ignorant classes of people, one who does not make the sign of the cross and observe the feasts, is immediately accounted as a heathen; frequently he is looked upon as a "Turk," which, to them, signifies everything bad. Some have heard of Protestants under the name of "Masons," and they have an idea that such people are guilty of the most heinous crimes.

During the summer the sun is very hot, fairly burning those who are exposed to its rays. The

great mountains, which are nothing but bare rocks, intensify the heat. Many of the people do not dress during the daytime in the hot season—they go about in their night-clothes. At night they sleep outdoors, on the balconies, sidewalks, small boats tied along the shore, or in the streets.

The Greeks think fruit is a cause of fever. They eat almost nothing but meat, and drink much wine. The people seem willing to learn. They think a great deal of Americans.

On these fertile plains of Argos great quantities of tomatoes and tobacco are grown, as well as some other vegetables and fruits. These articles are very cheap. Canned goods can not be bought, as the natives do not know how to can their products. Large quantities of grapes are raised, and shipped to England and America as raisins.

As to the people: There is a wide diversity of life among them. The poor are considered as the servant class. Among the higher classes it is thought almost a disgrace to do any kind of physical work. Nor is this to be wondered at when we realize that labor is so cheap. In the market-place there is always a boy or man at your elbow, wanting to carry your purchases for you. He asks but five lepta, or two-thirds of a cent, for his services. The poor people live in filth and dirt infested by insects. In fact, we find troublesome insects in the best of houses. The more wealthy inhabitants of this country usually live on the third floor.

As little wood as possible is used in the construction of the buildings. They are generally built of stone or cement, and covered with tile. Very few houses have water in them, and then it is supplied only to the first floor. Usually servants are employed to carry the water, as it is often several blocks away.

Of the 2,217,000 inhabitants of Greece, about 21,300 are soldiers and officers of the regular army; the officers are not allowed to engage in any other occupation than that of service to their country. Every young man must spend two years in the army. Then, again, the nation is deeply in debt, and the powers compel the Greeks to pay their interest. It is estimated that 15,000 Greeks live in the United States—nearly all of them in New York or Chicago.

Another burden is the support of the Greek Church and the priests, of whom there are a large number. Those that do not belong to this church are not considered Greeks at all. They believe they have the true and pure religion. Images, pictures, and relics are used in their worship, and the people are very superstitious.

In their business relations the Greeks are unreliable. They have different prices for the same article on different days, and for different customers. Then, too, they are a quick tempered race. Fighting is quite common. But, I am glad to say, there are many good people among them, and they are capable of warm friendships.

THE DEBTOR.

By Annie R. Stillman

[Annie R. Stillman, in The Outlook.]

THE dearest of my friends to-day Spoke wistfully: "I have a friend Who, in more ways than I may tell, Hath served me well; But he doth owe a debt he can not pay, And there is none to lend."

Eager, I cried: "Thy friends are mine! Speak but his name, ere time is lost. What is his score? Whom doth he owe? My gold shall flow To ease his care, whose care, O Lord, is thine; Nor will I grudge the cost."

"And is thy love so great?" He sighed, And turned from me, and, stooping, wrote— As once of old—with kingly hand Upon the sand; The while I waited, wond'ring, full of pride, Impatient to devote.

At last He rose, and looked at me; His eyes were flames that burned through tears. "Who cancels this, serves Me," He said. I knelt and read— For the last time—thy name, mine enemy, And that old wrong of years.

Reaction from the Boxer Movement

Reaction from the Boxer Movement.—A remarkable change seems to have come over the Chinese people in regard to the work of the missionaries. Everywhere schools are crowded, chapels are filled to overflowing, and there is an eagerness to receive the religion of the foreigners, such as has never been known before. In one place two opium shops, hitherto very prosperous, have been obliged to close their doors for lack of customers, the Christian young men of the town having conducted such a successful crusade against the opium habit. Another fact indicates a great change. Formerly the selling of portions of the Scriptures was a slow and difficult task. Now a man can sell 1,000 copies a month. The people buy, and the people read.—Missionary Review.

OUR WORK AND WORKERS.

By Editor

A CAMP-MEETING is to be held at Wausau, Wis., June 6-19.

A CHURCH of twenty-four members was recently organized at Spencer, Iowa, by Brother N. C. Bergersen.

THE baptism of five candidates at Medaryville, Ind., where brother B. Hagle has been laboring, is noted in the Reporter.

A VERY successful young peoples' convention was held at the Boggstown (Ind.) Manual Training Academy, April 14-16.

A REPORT in the Banner, from Brother Hayward, who has been laboring at Prattville, Mich., says that six candidates were awaiting baptism.

IT has been decided to operate eight field tents in Ohio Conference this season; this in addition to placing one-half of its workers at the disposal of the General Conference.

THE Illinois Recorder says: "It has been decided to hold a six weeks' summer training-school for teachers at Berrien Springs, Mich. It is to commence in the latter part of June."

ON the last Sabbath afternoon of the West Australian camp-meeting, after a solemn service conducted by Pastor Hennig in the tent, twenty-seven were baptized in the East Fremantle baths.

THE brethren at Muncie, Ind., are raising funds for a new house of worship. The Reporter of the 10th inst. notes that over twelve hundred dollars had been raised, and they were still soliciting.

IT is encouraging to learn that the Review, our good church paper, has now a larger circulation than ever before. But it ought to be still larger. Address, 222 N. Capitol Street, Washington, D. C. Terms: One year, $1.50; six months, 75 cents; three months, 50 cents.

FROM Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Brother A. H. Piper writes to the Mission Board that the interest is greater than it has been for some time. The new church building, twenty by forty feet, is well filled at each service. The native children in Sister Gooding's school are making excellent progress in all lines of work.

FROM Mexico, Brother G. M. Brown writes: "We have two new families of Sabbath-keepers in San Luis Potosi. The men are tinsmiths, and they say they posted a sign with letters five inches high, 'No work done on Saturday.' It is encouraging to see the interest springing up in different places, and to read the letters that are constantly coming in to the office."

ONE of our missionaries in Africa, Brother W. S. Hyatt, says: "'Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.' Ps. 68:31. Long years ago the Lord saw the darkness of the African race, and He inspired His servant to prophesy of a time when this poor, despised people would reach out after the Lord. And now we are told that 'Ethiopia is stretching out her hands unto God.' The time has come for God's truth to go to a hungry people. With outstretched hands Ethiopia stands begging for the Bread of Life. Shall we give it? or shall we treat this appeal the same as many do the ordinary beggar when asking for bread?"

WRITING to the South African Missionary of the work in that country, Brother G. W. Shone says: "As an example of how the black races are reaching out after the truth here in the Cape colony, the Ama Xosa (kafirs) are calling for us to come to them without delay and teach them these wonderful truths contained in the Word of God. We have been holding open-air meetings in the native location here (East London). The Word of the Lord was with power, and the people are anxious for the pure teaching of the Word. Two headmen, representing two different tribes in the Transkei, have begged of us to go to them and teach their people these things which they have heard us preach from the Word of God. One of them, who is himself a lay preacher and has a number of schools under his supervision, after listening to the preaching of the Word, said: 'I don't know anything about my Bible, and I am a preacher.' (This he said speaking of himself.) These tribes living in the Cape Colony have been in contact with civilization and Christianity for the past two centuries, but are now waking up to the fact that they have been feeding on chaff, and they are reaching out after something better."

SUFFERING IN EASTERN TURKEY.

THE following extract from a circular of the National Armenia and India Relief Association will be of interest to many readers:

Reliable information received from Dr. Norton, the U. S. Consul at Harpout, who, under the direction of the government at Washington, visited the Sassun region and has just rendered his report, gives these facts: Small bands of Russian and Persian revolutionists enter a town and barricade themselves. The Turks, irritated by their presence, order the indiscriminate killing of Christians, and thousands of helpless women and children, deprived of their husbands and fathers, plundered and burned out of their homes, appeal to Christendom for aid. The Turkish Government announces that aid is being given, and for a very short time distributes a cent a day for each individual, and then leaves them to starve. The consul says, "Their case is one appealing most strongly to the sympathies of the benevolent."

Persons disposed to contribute funds for this cause should forward to Brown Bros. & Co., 59 Wall Street, New York City.

UNION COLLEGE LABOR BUREAU.

By Charles C. Lewis

A GREAT spiritual awakening has visited Union College, and in consequence many students are inquiring for opportunities to labor in some department of missionary work. To aid these students and other young people in finding suitable fields of labor, a permanent Labor Bureau has been organized by the faculty and board. The committee consists of the seven persons, representing different nationalities, as follows: English, C. C. Lewis, H. A. Morrison, M. E. Kern; German, A. Kunze, C. A. Grauer; Swedish, August Anderson; Danish, P. E. Berthelsen. It is the purpose of this committee to ascertain the addresses of students and others desiring to labor in the missionary work, and to correspond with conference officers and others in regard to these cases. We trust this effort will meet with hearty co-operation. Those who are interested are invited to write to any member of the committee at any time.

C. C. LEWIS.

College View, Neb.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING.

THE eighth annual meeting of the California Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association, for the purpose of electing four or more members of the Board of Directors, and transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting, will be held at Sanitarium, Napa County, Cal., on Wednesday, June 14, 1905, at the hour of 12 o'clock M.

CALIFORNIA MEDICAL MISSIONARY AND BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION,

E. E. Parlin, Secretary. T. J. Evans, President.

ANNUAL MEETING CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE ASSOCIATION.

THE ninth annual meeting of the California Conference Association of the Seventh-day Adventists will be held in connection with the thirty-fourth annual session of the California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, at Oakland, Cal., June 15-18, 1905, for the purpose of electing a board of seven directors, and transacting any other business that may properly come before the meeting.

C. H. JONES, President. M. H. BROWN, Secretary.

WANTED

By Dr. M. E. Eastman

A LANDSCAPE gardener, acquainted with California soil and plants, to take charge of about twenty acres to be plotted and put in first-class condition. Must be a conscientious Seventh-day Adventist.

Dr. M. E. Eastman,

Route 2. Santa Barbara, Cal.

WANTED.

Two young ladies for training class for nurses, age 20-28, good health, fair education, and Seventh-day Adventists in good standing.

Address, Garden City Sanitarium, San Jose, Cal.

THE NORTHWESTERN LINE RUSSIA-JAPAN ATLAS.

Send ten cents in stamps to R. R. Ritchie, No. 617 Market Street, San Francisco, for Russo-Japanese War Atlas, issued by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, three fine colored maps each 14x20, bound in convenient form for reference. The Eastern Situation shown in detail with tables showing relative military and naval strength and financial resources of Russia and Japan.

Signs of Christ’s Second Coming

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

EDUCATION IN THE HOME. No. 3.

Signs of Christ's Second Coming.

THE next Wednesday evening was decided upon as most convenient for the family study; and that evening found all the members of the little flock assembled once more, with their Bibles in hand.

"Last Friday evening," began Brother Hartman, "I believe we found proof enough from the Bible itself to establish its claim as being the Inspired Word of the great Jehovah. Then, my dear children, let us take it as such, and obey as well as believe. The world is full of people who are trying to destroy confidence in this holy Book. You are, in fact, meeting this very thing at school, every day. Skepticism and infidelity are being talked to you. But there is no need of giving way to these things. 'If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?' We know you are surrounded by evil associates, but can you think of any examples of godly people who had the same temptations and evil surroundings that you have, and even greater, and yet they held fast to their integrity? John, can you give me an example?"

"I think, father, that Joseph was a pretty good exam; le."

"Yes, and so was Job," said Elsie, "and Moses, and Daniel; and——"

"And Noah, and Abraham," added Mattie.

"And little Samuel," smiled Beth, who never tired of hearing about the youthful prophet.

"I think you are missing the greatest and best Example of all," said grandma, softly.

"And thou shalt call His name Jesus; for He shall save His people from their sins," quoted mama.

"Well, my children, if such illustrious characters as these lived holy lives in the midst of evil and worldly associates, do you not think it possible for us to hedge our souls about with prayer and a knowledge of God's Word that we shall be able to escape,—not temptation,—for God's own Son was tempted; but we need not give way to temptation, and be led into sin. Moses had for his teacher a godly mother; and, altho surrounded by the glitter and show of the court of a heathen king, he never forgot the lessons learned at his mother's knee. And so, as it seems quite impossible for us to change our present conditions, we can only make the best of matters by learning from God's Book at home; so that we may be ready always to give to every man that asketh us a 'reason of the hope' that is in us, 'with meekness and fear.'"

"O mother!" interrupted Mattie, "Josie Wilber said to-day that she would like to join our circle, if you and father have no objection."

"Surely, we have not; and you may tell her we shall be glad of her company," said Sister Hartman.

"Yes," added grandma, "we may be able to get mutual good in this way,—so we shall look for her next Friday evening."

"But now," said Brother Hartman, "we must begin our study. Elsie, my daughter, why do you believe in the soon coming of Christ?"

"Because the Bible has given us certain signs of it, and I can plainly see those signs fulfilling every day."

"John, if any one should ask you what you consider a sign of the soon coming of Christ, what would you answer him?"

"That is just what Mr. Bradshaw did ask me to-day; I had been looking up some references in my Bible for this evening's study, and I told him I thought that disobedience to parents was one of the signs. I had my Testament in my pocket, and so I read to him the first two verses of second Timothy, third chapter. He told me that children had always been disobedient, but I asked him if they were quite so much that way when he was a boy. He smiled, and said, 'No, that's so, young man.' So I told him to read the whole chapter, and he would find a great many more signs."

"You see we can already begin to see good coming from our studies, my dear children, and I fully believe, if every family would put the same in practice, more good might be done than by almost any other means. Now Mattie, you may turn to 2 Peter 3, and read the third and fourth verses."

"There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming?"

"Have you ever met any one, my child, to whom this verse might be said to apply?"

"I don't know, father, whether it would mean any one but grown-up people; but Mamie Brown laughed at me, because I wouldn't go to her party on the Sabbath, and said that it was quite silly to believe as we do; for the world would not come to an end in a thousand years."

"My dear children," interrupted Mrs. Hartman, "it is these very things that make it hard for you to attend school; but you must be fortified against them. But, always, you must be kind and forgiving to those who are unkind toward you."

"In what manner will the day of the Lord come? Elsie, you may read 2 Peter 3: 10."

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."

"Grandma, do you think there is any danger of being deceived regarding the coming of Christ?"

"Matt. 24: 24 answers your question exactly," and grandma quoted, earnestly: "For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

HIS NEW LEAF.

THE boys came loitering along from school, toward their homes in the scattered village. Rugged Jim Hanford walked a little apart, and listened to their conversation. His bare feet were red, and he hunched up his shoulders and shivered, for it was the last day in December, and the air was chill even in that sunny Southland.

"What do you mean by turning over a new leaf?" he asked, timidly, at last.

"It's to quit doing what you oughtn't, like your pa quit drinking and stealing when they put him in jail," replied one of the larger boys.

Jim drew back as if struck, paling and flushing, but he made no reply, turned down a side path and hurried away with a motion quite different from his usual lazy saunter. It was true, his father had been a drunkard, a vagabond, and his stealings had landed him in the penitentiary, and would keep him there until Jim should have grown to manhood. Jim's mother was a grim, gaunt woman, working hard from morning till night, in the new cotton factory over the hill, her two little girls looking out for themselves most of the time. For her only son she had ambitions, and insisted on him going to school.

"I can't stand it," muttered Jim, as he faced the sharp wind which set his rags fluttering like signals of distress. "I reckon I was born to be a no-'count, and folks aren't slow to let me know it. They are all talkin' over their 'new leaves.' I reckon I can turn over a new leaf, too. I'll strike out for myself, I will. Mother's so cross, and the girls do nothing but muss up the house, and fight like wildcats when she's gone. What can a fellow do there? I'll sneak off this very night."

It was an ill-kept and comfortless home Jim was going to, but it stood in a pretty spot on a hillside, with trees about it, and a brook leaping down beside it. The half-dozen valley acres to the right belonged with it. Mrs. Hanford had held it through all her troubles, but the crops were poorly tended, and the broken fences let in wandering cattle and hogs.

As he glanced over the field, Jim remembered, with shame, that his mother had hoed the corn by moonlight last summer, and he had—gone fishing. It was forced upon him that right here at home was a good opportunity to turn a new leaf, but he put aside the suggestion.

"I can't stay at home; that's all there is about it," he growled.

The house was empty and cold, and in its usual disorder. The girls, he knew, were chasing about the hills, unwashed, uncombed, not fit to be seen. Jim thought of the tidy little sisters of other boys, with disgust for his own. He was hungry, but there was nothing but a piece of cold corn bread, and that he threw aside angrily.

"What a way of living!" he snapped. "I don't see how mother stands it." His heart was softened now that he thought of leaving her. "But I'll make money—I'll save up and get rich. Then I'll come back and build her a fine house, and—but father will be out by then. Well, I'll take care of him, too, and may be he will do better. I reckon I might as well start now as to wait till night. I wonder if I have a clean shirt."

He climbed the shaky ladder to the little loft where he slept, but his eyes opened widely as he stood on the rough upper floor. There, spread out on the shabby bed, draped on the footboard, and arranged on the backless chair, was a complete suit for a boy. Cheap things they were, but Jim never thought of that, for he saw that they were new—new—not somebody's cast-offs; and the coarse underwear from the factory, the jeans coat, vest, and trousers, the calico shirt, with its starched collar and front, the stockings, the wool hat, all looked just the size.

He measured the garments up to himself, held them off to admire them, and then tenderly laid them away again. There were tears in his eyes, and a new resolve in his heart, as he went thoughtfully downstairs.

"Mother does care," he said. "She's worked hard to buy the clothes, and sat up nights to make them, for I know that's no ready-made suit. She used to be a tailoress, and she hasn't forgotten how. And what a place to come to when she's tired! No wonder she scolds."

The girls came running in like wild things, and Jim proposed that they should clean up the house before the mother came. It took some coaxing, but, once started, Lima wanted to scrub the floor, and Jessie was determined to turn everything upside down; but Jim vetoed all that.

"We haven't time," said he. "We don't want it all wet and sloppy when she comes. You wash the dishes and pick up things, and I'll sweep and make fires. Then I'll milk old Brindle, and get a lot of wood, and then we'll slick ourselves up a little."

He felt ashamed again, for he had new clothes, and they had little enough to cover them, but with their faces washed, their tangles of curls combed, and clean, patched aprons on, they looked quite pretty to Jim. He had scarcely got himself into his new clothes, and received the admiring comments of his sisters, when Mrs. Hanford came. Her tired eyes lightened at the sight of the bright, orderly room, the tidy children, and the lad, half proud, half awkward in his new garments. It was a different picture from what those eyes usually met, and repaid her for days and nights of toil.

"Yes, I sewed on them nights," she said in reply to Jim's question. "I had to do it by guess partly, but they fit pretty well, don't they?"

"Fine," answered Jim.

There were no spoken thanks, no kisses, no demonstrations. They were not of that sort; but Jim's smiles thanked her. And to himself he was saying: "Things must go different after this."

He had not waited for the coming year—he had hardly turned his leaf; and tho he made no promises, I think his mother understood when he repaired the door-latch that very night, and fixed a window so it would not rattle. The most of New Year's Day—a holiday for his mother—was spent in planning to mend the fences, and turn their thriftless corn-patch into a paying truck garden. Jim has worked steadily to fulfil his plans, and as the New Year comes again, he finds that he gained in more ways than one, and it is his privilege to give gifts as well as to receive them.—Christian Standard.

SPRING.

By Edwin Carlile Litsey

[Edwin Carlile Litsey, in The Pilgrim.] FULL-DRAPED in palest green, a sweet wraith glides Among the trees long held in winter's grasp; Her fairy fingers break each icy clasp In doleful hollows and on dank hillsides. Her girdle is a filmy band of light, Her flowing hair is bound with tender leaves, And with a sap-charged wand she deftly weaves A charm above the breast of Nature white. Her face exultant, and her radiant form Pulses with new-born vigor from the sod. And lo! the paths her magic feet have trod Break into life,—life glorious and warm! And down, and up, with regal mien she goes, The brooklet quivers, slumbering seeds awake; The thousand hearts of Nature stir and quake, And verdure smiles where lately lay the snows!

SHOW LOVE.

By Christian Advocate

Why should we not be a little more affectionate with one another? One does not have to live long in the world to find that love is the best thing in it. There are enough of people outside the circle of our friends to treat us with indifference and coldness; such treatment of friend to friend, of brother to brother, is inexcusable. How bright the world seems, when some one goes out of his way just to show his love for us? Shall we not ourselves see to it that such conduct becomes more common?

—Christian Advocate.

LESSON II.—JUNE 11.—THE MESSAGE OF THE RISEN CHRIST.

Golden Text.—"I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore." Verse 18.

Lesson Scripture, Rev. 1: 10-20, A. R. V.

(10) "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet (11) saying, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it to the seven churches; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (12) And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And having turned I saw seven golden candlesticks; (13) and in the midst of the candlesticks One like unto a Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle. (14) And His head and His hair were white as white wool, white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; (15) and His feet like unto burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace; and His voice as the voice of many waters. (16) And He had in His right hand seven stars; and out of His mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword; and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. (17) And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as one dead. And He laid His right hand on me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last, (18) and the Living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. (19) Write therefore the things which thou sawest, and the things which are, and the things which shall come to pass hereafter; (20) the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches; and the seven candlesticks are seven churches."

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) What does John say of his condition? On what day? And what did he hear? Verse 10. Note 1. (2) What was he directed to do concerning the things that were presented to him? Verse 11. Note 2. (3) As he turned to note whence the voice came, what did he see? Verse 12. Note 3. (4) Whom did John see in the midst of the candlesticks? Verse 13. Note 4. (5) What is said of His head and eyes? Verse 14. (6) What of His feet? And of his voice? Verse 15. (7) What did He have in His right hand? What proceeded out of His mouth? What do these symbols signify? To what was His countenance likened? Verse 16. (8) What effect did the wonderful sight have upon John? What encouragement was given him by the Lord? Verse 17. (9) What further assurance was given to John, for the church in all time? Verse 18. Note 5. (10) What command was then repeated? Verse 19. Note 6. (11) What explanation is given of the "mystery" of the symbols used in this lesson? Verse 20.

NOTES.

1. John was in exile on the Island of Patmos, yet the Lord remembered him. When Jesus was about to depart from earth He promised His disciples that He would not leave them comfortless; that the Father would send the Holy Spirit to comfort them. At this particular time "the disciple whom Jesus loved" was in sore need of comfort, and the expression "in the Spirit" indicates a high degree of spiritual visitation. John was in direct communion with the Lord, and had a vision of His presence. "On the Lord's day."—"The Sabbath day according to the commandment" (Luke 23: 56) is the only day the Lord ever has called His own specifically. It is the only day He ever sanctified and blessed (Gen. 2: 2, 3); the only day He ever set apart as a sign forever, a perpetual covenant, between Him and His people (Ex. 31: 15-17). This is the day that He emphatically calls "My holy day" (Isa. 58: 13, 14), and promises special blessings upon those who faithfully observe it. John was evidently remembering the Sabbath day to keep it holy, when he experienced such a blessed communion with the Lord through the Spirit.

2. "The Seven Churches."—Note that the words "which are in Asia" are not in the Revised Version, not being in the best original manuscripts. The reference is to the church of all time. This is shown beyond doubt by the message to the last one, Laodicea, which represents the church at the coming of the Lord. See chapter 3: 20. The seven churches are seven periods in the entire church history, from John's day to the end—the various characteristics being indicated by the several names. "Ephesus" means "desirable," a condition applicable to the church in John's time. "Smyrna" signifies "myrrh," the church in the next two centuries passing through the pressure of persecution, was a "sweet-smelling savor" unto God, notwithstanding her faults. "Pergamum" signifies "height" or "elevation." From Constantine's nominal conversion to the full establishment of the Papacy, in 538, was a period when the true servants of God had hard struggles against the worldly policies that the state was bringing in. "Thyatira" signifies "sweet savor of labor," or "sacrifice," applying to the condition of the true church in the Dark Ages of papal persecution. "Sardis," or "that which remains," logically applies to the time from the Reformation to the revival season from about 1833 to 1844. "Philadelphia" means "brotherly love," and seems to fit the short season last mentioned, as that was a characteristic of the world-wide awakening of that time. "Laodicea," or "judging the people," which marks the executive judgment which began at the close of the 2,300 days (or years) of Dan. 8: 14, in 1844.

3. The candlesticks are the churches. See verse 20 and chapter 2: 5.

4. Verses 13-16 comprise a description of the Lord Jesus as He appeared to John. The seven stars denote the ministry of the churches, and the "sharp two-edged sword" is the Word of God. See Eph. 6: 17 and Heb. 4: 12. The presence in the midst of the candlesticks (light-bearers) indicates Christ's continued presence with the church in all its varied experiences unto the end. This He had promised before His departure from earth. See Matt. 28: 20. This presence is by His Spirit. See John 14: 15-17; 15: 4, 5, 26, 27.

5. Verse 18 is sufficient to stop all quibbling about the Son of God actually dying. His own words ought to settle that question forever. Having the keys of death and of hades (the grave) is a guaranty of His ability to open the graves and raise the dead.

6. The command to "write the things which shall come to pass hereafter" is proof that the vision did not pertain specially to the local churches of Asia Minor that bore the names applied to the church in its varied history and experiences. Note also the blessing assured in verse 3 of the lesson chapter.

Sabbath-School Lesson Quarterly

By Editor

The Sabbath-school lessons have been discontinued. The Lesson Quarterly may be obtained, containing three months' lessons and notes, for five cents. Address, Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal. The Sunday-school lessons will continue.

Abiding Spirit

ABIDING SPIRIT.—By the late Mrs. S. M. I. Henry. The object of this book is to show the necessity of having the help of the Holy Spirit in the performance of the common and every-day duties of life. Plain, cloth . . . . . . . . . . 40c. Gilt edges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75c. Address PUBLISHERS OF THIS PAPER

PEANUT BUTTER.

"BEST made, absolutely pure." 15c. per pound in 10 pound lots, 14c. per pound in 25 pound lots, 12c. per pound in 50 and 100 pound lots. Cash with order. We pay freight on lots of 100 pounds or over, east of the Rockies.

Vegetarian Meat Co. Washington, D. C.

QUALITY COUNTS

Medal awarded at St. Louis to

Tasteless "TRINITY" Odorless

COOKING OIL

A pure vegetable oil.

Write for manufacturer's prices.

TRINITY COTTON OIL CO. DALLAS TEXAS

TOURIST CARS EAST

VIA

S. P. LINES

Personally Conducted Quickest Time Cheapest Rates

Your choice of a dozen routes

Through cars to— Portland Los Angeles Salt Lake City Omaha Denver Kansas City St. Paul Minneapolis Chicago St. Louis Louisville Cincinnati Memphis El Paso San Antonio Houston New Orleans Montgomery Atlanta Washington, D. C.

Remember these cars run through to above named cities without a change from Oakland or San Francisco. Our fast limited trains in connection with the above mentioned service.

C. T. FORSYTH Div. Pass. Agent 12 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, Cal. PHONE MAIN 543

Continue reading: Bank Defalcations and Employee Identification