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Signs of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 23.

THE LESSON OF THE RUINS
Earlier text: BAPTISTS IN PUERTO RICO

The Missionaries and the Turkish Indemnity

By Editor

Thousands upon thousands are jubilant over the relief of Mafeking and the rescue of brave Baden-Powell and his little band of defenders. Thousands are cheering their loyalty to queen and country. Yet, after all, this deliverance is but temporal. Every one of that little company may meet a worse fate. We do not know whether Heaven rejoiced over the victory or not; we know it does not over the idolatry of men. But there is a deliverance over which Heaven rejoices, and that is deliverance from sin and Satan's power. Are you, dear soul, starved in heart, dejected, miserable, despairing, shut in by sin and Satan?—Well, there is deliverance for you in Jesus Christ. Do not endeavor to fight sin, surrender to Jesus Christ, and find in that surrender victory, and in the bondage of His love, eternal liberty. And all Heaven, as well as your own heart, will rejoice.

The Missionaries and the Turkish Indemnity.

The New York Independent calls attention to the fact that it is not the missionaries who are making these charges for indemnity: "As soon as the losses occurred, the United States Minister, Judge Terrell, officially called for an itemized statement of all losses sustained. Lists were carefully prepared, which were subsequently revised so as to cover actual losses to property, real and personal; and it is this list alone which is under consideration. Thus $73,807 are asked for Harput. This includes $36,500 for the total loss of all the buildings of the female department of Euphrates College, and all but two of the male department, as well as the theological seminary of the mission and eight dwelling-houses. Other items were $6,695 for apparatus, libraries, etc.; personal losses of the sixteen adult missionaries, amounting to $24,467; losses by students and native teachers, $3,530, and consequent damages, $2,615. Very gross misstatements have been made with regard to the personal charges. Thus one charge of $3,674 has been exaggerated to $9,010; another of $25,000 to $72,000, and so on. The whole list has been carefully supervised by the United States legation, and represents not the claim of missionaries for damage done to missionary work, but of the United States Government for material losses to American citizens. It is in view of this that Minister Straus takes his stand so strongly in favor of pressing the claim against the Turkish Government." And yet it is true that the most insistent demands that the money shall be collected, by force if necessary, have come from professed Christians.

CONTAINED IN THIS NUMBER.

By Editor

Poetry.

"Papa, What Would You Take for Me?" . . . . . . . . . 10 A Smile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

General.

The Lesson of the Ruins, C. M. SNOW . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Love Fulfils the Law, H. F. PHELPS . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Did Christ Change the Sabbath? H. C. GILES . . . . . . . 3 The Future of Spiritistic Worship, J. O. CORLISS . . . . 4 "Go, Work To-day in My Vineyard," MRS. E. G. WHITE . 4 "I Was in Prison, and Ye Came unto Me," W. S. SADLER . 5

Editorial.

Our Advocate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Elijah and His Prototypes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 "Generation of Vipers" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Question Corner.—No. 1050. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Outlook.—Ecumenical Missionary Conference—Saving Society—Creed Bound—Not Christian Warfare—Leper at Large Is a Maker of Cigars, G. B. THOMPSON—Seed for More Trouble in the Philippines—Religious Aspect of New York City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 9

The Home.—What Constitutes the Tobacco Family, DAVID PAULSON, M.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Missions.—Among the Argentine Indians, JUAN MCCARTHY—Baptists in Puerto Rico—Sow the Seed and Wait, MRS. PARRIE L. H. ROBERSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 13

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

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

Other Articles Announced Next Week

By Editor

Other important articles will be announced in the SIGNS next week.

Miracles of Healing Delayed

By Editor

We regret that our exigency of make-up crowded out Mr. Ballenger's article on "Miracles of Healing." It will appear next week, and lose nothing by the waiting.

Compulsion Is Not Liberty

The trust principle of compulsory co-operation is just as bad in one place as in another. It is as evil in an organization of workingmen as in a wealthy company of capitalists. It is as evil in the church as it is in the State. Compulsion is not liberty.

The Life Boat

By Editor

Do you desire a paper which tells of the power of God in saving the souls of those who are sunken the lowest in sin and shame? Then send for a sample copy of the Life Boat, 1926 Wabash Ave., Chicago, Ill. Or, better, send 25 cents for a year's subscription.

Declared Pau

By Editor

Declared "Pau."—In our issue of last week was a note with the above heading, referring to the bubonic plague in the Hawaiian Islands. The Commercial Advertiser of Honolulu, using a native term, stated that the plague was declared pau, in other words, that the plague was ended, conquered, that the islands were pronounced free. Our compositors set the word "pan," as above, instead of "pau," as it should have been.

Preparing for Armageddon

Anent the notes in the Outlook on Turkey's preparation for war and Japan's ambitions, it is well to recall the words of the prophet (Joel 3:9-12): "Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up; . . . let the weak say, I am strong." A few years ago little Japan and the Sick Man of the East were considered among the weak ones of earth. Truly we are nearing the day of Armageddon.

Bridal Echoes for Famine Sufferers

By Editor

The editor of the Christian Worker, Pastor A. W. Roffe, in his burden for India, donates 1,000 copies of his book, "Bridal Echoes," for the famine-stricken sufferers. The Christian Worker is published in Toronto, Canada. May the donation be blessed by both giver and receivers.

Benjamin Wilson and the Emphatic Diaglott

By Editor

Brother A. M. Dart, of Sacramento, writes us a note concerning Benjamin Wilson, author of the Emphatic Diaglott, whose death we chronicled last week. Brother Dart, who was personally acquainted with him, tells us that he was an Englishman by birth, has ever been engaged in religious work, was formerly a Baptist, afterward a member of the Christian denomination, and finally joined the "Church of God," but what one of the several bodies which assume that name we are not told. For years he was in feeble health, but his temperate and abstemious habits prolonged his life to the age of eighty-two years. In gaining access to the Vatican manuscripts, and in pioneering the way in an interlinear translation, he did a noble work; yet in real value the Diaglott falls far below Rotherham's emphatic translation, or Hinds' Interlinear New Testament.

Two New Tracts

By Editor

Two New Tracts.—Two of the latest numbers of the Apples of Gold Library are as follows: No. 65, "Why Are You Not a Christian?" by W. N. Glenn. It presents sixteen forcible questions to the unconverted, with Bible answers. It will be a good thing for professed Christians to consider some of these questions, such as, "Is it because you see faults in those who profess to be Christians? Is it because you think God has no care for you? Is it because you are afraid you will not be able to stand?" There are eight pages; price, one-half cent. No. 66, "An Astronomer's View of Our Father's House." Written by a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, it was first published in this paper, published again by request, and now by request put in this little tract. Its twenty-four pages contain many facts of intense interest, which will awaken in the minds of the devout believer larger views of "Our Father's House." Price one and one-half cents. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.

Training for Armageddon

The outlook in the world is not encouraging. The great dogs of war stand growling and snarling and showing their teeth. During the lulls in the unpleasant chorus there is talk of peace and unity and friendship and peace conferences, but the slightest pretext is sufficient to recall the chorus of war. The simple truth is—predicted by the Word of God, manifest before our eyes—that the nations are arming for the great battle of Armageddon, in which Christ and His own will alone be victorious. In whose army are you training?

STARVING INDIA.

By Editor

IN our Outlook department last week was an article on "Hapless India." No human words can describe, nor pencil portray, nor imagination conceive, the accumulated misery of sixty-one million of starving people. Aged men and women, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, from maturity to infancy, dying for want of a mere pittance which a few pennies of united Christendom would supply.
The British Government is doubtless doing all it can, as declared by the missionaries, short of actual confiscation of the property of the grain merchants, largely natives, we understand. The curse of caste is another thing which hinders the native distribution of food.
But apart from all these side questions, over which there is more or less division of sentiment and uncertainty of fact, it is sufficient to the generous heart to know that millions upon millions are starving for the want of a little corn or rice, or money to buy it.
Many have given to India's need through such papers as the Congregationalist, the Christian Herald, and other papers. Many have given through other sources. The United States Government sends a ship to carry a donated cargo of corn. For all this we praise God.
But are there not many among our readers who wish to give through the SIGNS OF THE TIMES to India's famine-stricken ones, to give all the way from ten dollars to five cents? Rather, how many wish to lend to God of the means intrusted to them as His stewards? "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will He pay him again." Prov. 19:17. This is God's bond to every generous soul.
All funds contributed through the SIGNS OF THE TIMES we shall be glad to place in reliable hands, with the editor of the Oriental Watchman, at Calcutta, who will, we know, disburse them wisely to the needy. We will receipt through the SIGNS all that we receive. Who will give for India? To start the fund the employees of the office of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES donate $63.30.

You have reached the end of this edition.

Signs of the Times · Jun 6, 1900