p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 22. (5/31/1905)

Earlier text: RELIGION AND CUSTOMS OF THE GREEKS

Bank Defalcations and Employee Identification

Defalcations of bank officials have become occurrences of great frequency of late years; and the boards of directors of these institutions are at their wits' end to know how to protect themselves against the stealings of their servants. There are perhaps no institutions that pay better salaries for the services rendered than do the banks. This in itself should be a protection against peculations, but it is not. The best systems of book-keeping that can be devised are in use; but an acute intellect and a covetous heart enable men to carry on a systematic course of theft for years without detection. Because of the enormous loss which the First National of Milwaukee sustained in the recent defalcation of its president and cashier, that institution has decided to subject all its employees to the Bertillon system of accurate measurements, the system which is used now upon criminals to aid in their future identification. By this system an accurate measurement of the different parts of the body is made and a record kept. The employee must also deposit a photograph of himself with the bank directors, and whenever he changes his personal appearance, he must submit a new photograph. This is all because of the weakening of the moral fiber in man, and his decreasing power to resist temptation. The love of money is a root of evil that is penetrating the mold of human hearts to-day as never before, and the fruit that is born therefrom scatters its seed in every corner of the earth. Disregard of the laws of God is producing a soil in which "covetousness, which is idolatry," grows rank and green. The soul outside of Christ can not hope to live through these perilous days without yielding to the fascinating allurements of Satan's gilded temptations.

Prepare for Christ’s Second Coming

"He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life."

Others' unbelief may keep you back for awhile from blessings which you share with others, but the unbelief of a nation can never deprive you of living, blessed, joyous, growing connection with God.

If you knew this was to be your last day on earth, how would you spend its hours? It may be—it will be to many. So employ its moments that you will not be ashamed of the day's record when it is closed forever.

Jesus Christ permitted Himself to be humiliated even to the most ignominious death, in order that you might inherit through Him the unspeakable blessing of eternal life. He gave up all, that you, who had forfeited all, might have all.

Jesus Christ is coming again. He came once. All who believe in Him believe that. He came literally, came as foretold. The same Book that told of His first advent, tells of His second. The first coming was literal; the second will be. The first coming was a necessary part of God's plan for the redemption of humanity; the second is equally necessary. Those who love Him will be glad that He is coming again. Do you love Him for what He has wrought for you? Then would you not like to see Him and be with Him? This same Jesus is coming again. Prepare to receive Him.

No Compromise with the Saloon

By Editor

The editor of the New Voice, John G. Woolley, is now on a tour of the world in the interests of the temperance cause. He will visit Hawaii, Samoa, New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, China, Korea, Manchuria, and Japan. Mr. Woolley will engage actively in the great temperance agitation now going on in New Zealand. We commend the motto of Mr. Woolley's journal: "The only solution of the saloon problem is no saloon." To compromise with it one day in seven, is only to intrench it and strengthen its defenses with the very tools that ought to be digging its grave; while to license the saloon evil is to array ourselves openly in its defense and maintenance. God can not compromise with sin, nor can His children compromise with that greatest of sin-producers, the death-breathing saloon.

A TYPICAL CONDITION.

By Editor

To PRETEND to serve one master, and receive remuneration therefor, while really serving another, is criminal and inexcusable. This condition has been illustrated strikingly of late in the city of Philadelphia. To free itself from the grasp of monopoly, the city had acquired its own gas plant; but the members of the city council, against the most earnest protests of the people whom they were chosen to serve, have voted to lease the plant to a gas company. So vigorous were the protests from those who had a right to protest, that the police were called in to clear the hall. The property belonged to the people, and was being sold without their sanction, in defiance of their wishes, and they were subjected to forcible expulsion at the hands of the police for protesting. There could be no question but what the members of almost any city council would do as the people desired, if some other influence did not come in to make it greatly to their own selfish interests to do otherwise. It is openly alleged that this other influence was the other "master" which was being served for a substantial consideration by those who were being paid to serve their city. This is not the first experience of this kind that Philadelphia has had; and Philadelphia is not the only city nor the first city that has had that experience; more than that, this experience is not confined to cities—it is found in the Legislatures of our states, where laws innumerable have been passed for hire by those sworn to serve the best interests of the state. We wish we might say it was confined to cities and states, but it is not. The servant who serves for pay a power that did not elect him is found even in the legislative halls of the nation. The lobbyist with his "sack" is there to buy men, and the unfaithful servant is there to be bought, while ostensibly and avowedly there to protect the interests of his constituents. Such conditions are a striking commentary on the times in which we live.

Prohibit Tobacco for All Youth

In giving his reasons for prohibiting the use of tobacco in the West Point Military Academy and in the Annapolis Naval Academy, the surgeon-general says: "Before all other things, the future health and usefulness of the lads educated at the military school requires the absolute interdiction of tobacco." If it be so important to protect the health of "lads" whose best years are sacrificed to the most useless of all callings (excepting the liquor traffic and its adjuncts), surely the people ought to take at least equal precautions concerning the other lads in the country, upon whom must soon rest the burden of supporting these non-producing elements of society. Why should not the government also come to their rescue and protection through its prerogative of prohibition?

Not Yours, but You.

In Paul's announcement of his third visit to Corinth, he wrote to the brethren that he would not be a burden to them, adding, "I seek not yours, but you." This was the principle upon which Christ came to earth. But while both Christ and His apostle made this claim, they both laid stress upon the duty and privilege of giving to the Lord's cause. Jesus advised His followers to lay up treasure in heaven, and Paul advised the cultivation of the grace of giving. Why this counsel when it is not men's possessions, but themselves, that are wanted?—Because men's hearts follow their treasure. Their interest is where their means is invested. "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." The advice to lay up treasure in heaven is for your good, not the Lord's benefit. It is safe there; no thief can steal it; no rust nor moth can injure it. "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord." Then it is safe, for the Lord is good pay. If a man has any faith at all in the idea of a future life, any faith in the Word of God, he will esteem it better business policy to invest in God's enterprises than in houses and lands, or in any other earthly ventures. Jesus knew that the only way to save the rich young man's soul was to get him to invest his means in the cause of God; and, because he would not follow the Lord's advice, he was lost. When the Lord wants your means, dear reader, it is because He wants you.

Kittie Smith’s Lesson of Perseverance

By Editor

We have received an interesting little pamphlet, which bears on its title page a photo-reproduction of a pleasant, intelligent-looking young lady, underneath which is the subscription, "Yours truly, Kittie Smith." That is all, except a few decorative lines. It is what is wanting in the picture which makes it of interest; Miss Smith is armless. Both arms were burned off when a child. Yet Miss Smith has not yielded herself to complaining or discouragement. She has set her brain to educating her feet. This pamphlet tells the story of her life, with many good words of confirmation of her story. It also contains facsimile reproduction of the work she has done with her feet in writing, in drawing, in needlework. The book ought to be a tremendous lesson to the idle and discouraged ones who have two hands. The price of the pamphlet is 25 cents, and it is worth that in its interesting story of the curse of alcohol, and the lesson that it teaches in industry and perseverance. Address Miss Kittie Smith, South Whitley, Ind.

Erratum

By Editor

Erratum.—The cut on page twelve of our last issue was not a cut of the new sanitarium in Takoma Park, Washington, D. C., as the title thereunder would indicate. We were misled by the wording on the photo itself to suppose that such was the case. The title should have read: "Iowa Circle, Washington; Branch Sanitarium showing through the trees." The new sanitarium is not yet erected.