p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 31. (8/8/1911)

Earlier text: Her Soul Was in Departing

Questions

By Editor

and

Answers

The Question Corner

of this paper is a feature of ever increasing interest, and is greatly appreciated by our readers.

The following is only one of many testimonials that might be presented:

"I have received, and I am still receiving, so many consistent answers to puzzling questions through the SIGNS, that I always peruse the Question Corner of your valuable paper the first thing I do when I open it."

How is it with you? How would you like to see these questions and answers in book form?

That is just what we have. The most important of the matter that has appeared in this department for the past seventeen years has now been compiled into a book, very carefully selected, and arranged according to subject.

The book is — # Questions and Answers and contains over 250 pages and almost 300 questions and answers, with textual and topical indexes, substantially bound in cloth, and is worth about $1.25.

It is not for sale, tho, but is a premium of this paper, and is certainly making a host of friends.

The first edition of 3,000 has now been passed through the bindery, and is going out rapidly,— from 50 to 90 each week.

Have you secured a copy? The premium offer is an extremely liberal one, and you should lose no time in taking advantage of it.

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Land for Sale

On very easy terms, in beautiful Sonoma Valley, in one, two, three, and six-acre tracts. This property adjoins land that has been donated for church and church school buildings, soon to be erected. For further information, address G. Ritz, Sonoma, California.

For Sale

An attractive, well-built little home at edge of one of the best residence sections in Mountain View, ten minutes' walk from Pacific Press. Two corner lots facing east, with lawn, fruit-trees, ornamental trees, roses, etc. House has three large rooms, besides bathroom, large closet, and a screened-in outside sleeping room (which is really the fourth). Has a nice front porch, good cellar. Kitchen is buffet; hot and cold water. Stationary wash tubs on back porch. Rooms well arranged for convenience, for much air and sunshine. A large oak-tree stands in center of inside lot, adding much to the beauty of the place. An ideal little home, located so as to give excellent surrounding view, including that of mountains. Address, if interested, Box 172, Mountain View, California.

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Southern Pacific

First-Fruits in Kisumu, Southeast Africa

By Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Baker

Four and a half years ago work was started among the Kavirondo people. Today there are eight workers connected with the two stations here. The first work was started at Gendia, and a little over two years later the station at Wire Hill, about fourteen miles to the southeast, was opened.

Sunday, May 28, we had the privilege of reaping the first-fruits of our work here. We gathered on the banks of a small river about a half a mile from the Gendia station for baptism. Brother Carscallen officiated. Sixteen of the boys followed their Lord into the watery grave. Ten of these were from Gendia, and six from Wire Hill.

After the baptism, as we all took part in the ordinances of the Lord's house we felt that the Lord had been very near to us, and we felt more than repaid for all our efforts which had been put forth to save these people.

Most of those who went forward have been with us between two and three years, and appear to be thoroly grounded in Christ. The trials they have already withstood because of their desire to follow the Lord, and the change in their daily life, show that they were ready for baptism.

This too is only the first-fruits. Already we are planning for baptism at the end of the year, when we are expecting between twenty and thirty more to follow these. Surely this ingathering of souls has filled the workers here with thanksgiving. But still we need the help of the prayers of all God's people, that these dear souls may be kept, since they live in the midst of heathen darkness.

Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Baker.

Our Work and Workers

By Editor

Words of cheer come from our great mission fields; but they are also words of need. It is common—it is almost the invariable rule—for our correspondents who are bearing great burdens in the mission field to say nothing of themselves or their own needs or deprivations, but they tell the needs of others. For instance, there is before us a private letter from a devoted young wife, who is pouring out of the abundance of her sweet, fresh life in one of the hot, stifling cities of one of the largest mission fields. But not a murmur, not a thought for self, but a great full-hearted sympathy for each and all of her fellow workers, some of whom are spending their whole time in the midst of such squalor and insanitary surroundings as would not be tolerated in Chicago's worst. But there is no complaint, no rebellious feeling indulged, just a deep heart-longing that the missionaries and workers may have better quarters. Our Chinese papers are printed in almost impossible conditions, in Chinese alleys, where in the hot, humid summer stirs not a zephyr of fresh sweet air, and the thousand stenches make life intolerable. Does it not move our hearts? God bless them—the dear young wife, the strong, patient young man, and all their fellow workers. And may God help us to appreciate that we have the privilege of being stewards for Him in this matter.

THE recent California camp-meeting, in Oakland, on the border-line of Berkeley, was a most excellent meeting, and the largest held for several years. The sermons were clear, strong, pointed, searching, spiritual. Many renewed with clearer conception their consecration, and there were many conversions. Thirteen were baptized; other candidates were referred to home churches. All branches of the work were considered, and several thousand dollars was raised for foreign and home mission work. There were present the following ministers from other conferences: E. E. Andross, representing the union conference; A. J. Haysmer, the North American Negro Department; S. Mortenson, the Swedish work of North America; J. H. Behrens, president of Central California Conference; C. L. Taggart, president of Northern California-Nevada Conference; B. L. Howe, W. M. Healey, L. C. Warren, and others, besides those residing in the conference. Mrs. E. G. White, altho fourscore and six years of age, spoke several times, with power and freedom. This is the first great meeting since the division of the conference into three, and it fully demonstrated the wisdom of division, which ought to have taken place years before. Pastor E. W. Farnsworth takes the presidency of the conference under happy auspices in many respects. May it be a blessed year.

Candidates Ready for Baptism at Our Kisumu Mission

At the conclusion of a series of tent meetings at Muskegon, Michigan, six persons were baptized and taken into the church at that place; five new converts were recently baptized at Wolf Lake by Elder D. P. Wood; and Sabbath, July 8, six were baptized at Mt. Pleasant.

ELDER W. D. PARKHURST recently baptized three persons in the Whitebreast River, near Osceola, Iowa, and two persons have been baptized at Council Bluffs.

ON a recent Sabbath, the Swedish church of New York City had the privilege of seeing three souls follow their Lord in baptism.

A LETTER from Elder W. A. Spicer, secretary of our Foreign Mission Board, written at the beginning of our General Council in Europe, says that "the meeting was the largest gathering ever held by Seventh-day Adventists in Europe, and especially the largest council that was ever held. There have been some meetings held in America which were larger, but no gathering of this kind. There were about 2,000 present at the opening meeting of the tent."

AT Riverside, California, a company of five adults followed their Lord in the ordinance of baptism, and a church of nineteen members was organized on June 17. Twelve of these were baptized recently as a result of a tent effort conducted in Farmington.

TWENTY-FIVE souls followed their Lord in baptism at the close of the camp-meeting held at Bozeman, Montana, and it is reported that several more went forward in baptism a few days later.

FOUR have been added to the church at Saginaw, North Dakota, and several have been baptized at Kief and Williston. Quite a number of Russians have also been baptized in that conference.

AT the camp-meeting at Holbrook, Nebraska, baptism was administered to three persons, and six others plan to be baptized at their home churches.

ELDER M. J. ALLEN baptized nine persons at Hamilton, Ontario, July 8, and one other was added to the church at that place.

AS a result of a series of tent meetings at New Orleans, Louisiana, eight souls have been baptized, and others are interested.

TEN adult persons have accepted the truth as a result of a series of meetings conducted at Johnston, South Carolina.

DURING a recent visit to Goldfield, Nevada, Elder F. I. Richardson had the pleasure of baptizing four persons.

FOUR souls have been baptized at Grove, Kentucky, where a church was recently dedicated.

DURING the Wyoming camp-meeting, Elder H. E. Reeder baptized four persons.

THREE persons have given their hearts to God and were baptized recently at Redding, California.

SEVEN German people have been baptized in Chicago, and two persons at Springfield, Illinois.

AS a result of meetings held at Young, New South Wales, six persons have been baptized.

IN the face of much opposition, six have taken their stand for the truth in Petone, New Zealand.

THREE souls were baptized Sabbath, July 1, and united with the church at Fresno, California.

TWENTY-NINE persons were baptized at the close of the New York camp-meeting, at Rome, New York, and nearly a score at the close of the meeting held at Dunkirk, New York.

FROM Iowa comes news of the baptism of eight young persons at Mt. Pleasant, and three at Oakland. Four have also accepted the truth at Cedar Rapids and four at Glenwood.

AT the camp-meeting at Harvey, North Dakota, sixty-one persons were buried with Christ in baptism, and a number of others were to be baptized later at their home churches.

AT the close of the Adelphian Academy, Holly, Michigan, seven students were baptized. At Shelby twelve persons have recently united with the church by baptism.

ELDER A. J. VERRILL reports five baptisms at Dyer Brook, Maine, and three persons went forward in this ordinance recently in the Portland church.

A CHURCH of eight members has been organized at Horace, Kansas, and five are keeping the Sabbath who it is expected will soon unite with the church.

AT San Marcial, New Mexico, five persons have been baptized, and two at Las Vegas.

JUNE 11, thirty-four souls were baptized at the camp-meeting at Seattle, Washington.

EIGHT persons have been recently baptized at Aledo, Illinois, and eight at Peoria.

THIRTY-EIGHT persons were baptized at the close of the Massachusetts camp-meeting.

ELDER L. H. PROCTOR reports the baptism of seven adults at Elmira, New York.

ELDER J. W. McComas recently baptized six candidates at Eagle Grove, Iowa.

ELDER D. T. FERO baptized six at Lodi, California, on Sabbath, July 8.

NINE persons were baptized at the camp-meeting at Norwich, Connecticut.

FOUR additions to the church at Skowhegan, Maine, are reported.

THREE have taken their stand for the truth at Syracuse, Nebraska.

By His Grace

By Horatius Bonar

I can not raise the dead, nor from this soil Pluck precious dust, nor bid the sleeping wake, Nor still the storm, nor bend the lightning back, Nor muffle up the thunder, nor bid the chains to fall From off creation's long-enfettered limbs. But I can live a life that tells on other lives, That makes the world less full of anguish and of pain; A life that, like a pebble dropped upon the sea, Sends its wide circles to a hundred shores. May such a life be mine! — Horatius Bonar.

A Magazine of Merit

By Editor

Signs of the Times readers will be interested in the September number of the Signs of the Times Monthly. One article will be of special interest:

"Saying 'Peace! Peace!' Planning War! War!" by the editor. A vivid word picture of the intensity of the times and conditions.

"The Genesis of the Human Race," by J. O. Corliss, is the first of a series of articles on this absorbing subject. You ought to follow them.

"What is the Danger in the Use of Milk?" by H. F. Rand, M.D. Dr. Rand shows results of some recent investigations and experiments along this line, and they merit your careful consideration.

"The Six Days of Creation," by J. B. Dimbleby. These studies in definite creation events will be continued in the same interesting style, showing the testimony of science as to what occurred on the first six days of creation week.

"How We Are Saved," by George B. Starr. A candid answer to a serious question.

A number of others, all full of good, sound truth. Something of worth and quality in current events comment.

If the agent doesn't call on you, send ten cents to the publishers for the September number.

Mountain View, Cal.

Mrs. Stuttle's

HOME

SERIES

These three books by Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle furnish to the parent a much-needed help in the instruction and entertainment of their children

Making Home Happy

Pictures before the reader in interesting story form the relations that should exist and the lines of influence that should be guarded and cultivated in every home. (200 pp.)

Making Home Peaceful

Is the sequel to the above, and every one reading the first book will want to learn more about "Deacon Beardsley's" family, and how an unhappy home was made peaceful. (227 pp.)

Those Bible Readings

While especially suited to the needs of the young, there is an attractiveness in the arrangement and presentation of these readings that will hold the interest of all, old and young. (206 pp.)

These books are beautifully bound and may be obtained singly at 75 cents each, or the entire set of three for $2.00.

Pacific Press Publishing Assn. Mountain View, California Portland, Ore. Calgary, Alberta Kansas City, Mo.

Wanted: Papers for Missionary Purposes

WANTED.—By W. D. Ayers, Coburg, Kentucky, clean copies of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Review and Herald, Youth's Instructor, and Watchman, for missionary purposes.

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WANTED.—Clean copies of all our papers for L. D. Miller, 514 Union Street, Greenville, Mississippi.

The LORD'S DAY

A Brief but Comprehensive Treatise covering the History and Doctrine of the Sabbath and Sunday

The LORD'S DAY

The Test of the Ages

Controversy from Creation to the Present. Truth supported by Scripture, Historical Fact, and Argument. A Multum in Parvo on the Sabbath Question. Illustrated; 128 pp.; price 10 cents post-paid.

PACIFIC PRESS Mountain View, Cal.

History of the Advent Movement

By Editor

The Great Second Advent Movement. By J. N. Loughborough. A late revision of the old book "Rise and Progress of Seventh-day Adventists."

This book forms a most interesting and instructive narrative on the subject indicated by its title. Commencing with the early experiences of the Advent movement of 1843 and 1844, the writer, who has been actively engaged in proclaiming the doctrine since 1849, here presents a graphic account of the struggles and difficulties through which the pioneers were safely carried by their unwavering faith in God and their unfaltering loyalty to the cause they had espoused. Due attention has been given to those agencies which, in the providence of God, have aided in building up and preserving the work represented by this people. Illustrated, 480 pages. Cloth, $1.25.

Address this office.

Education

Education.—The object of true education and how it may be realized by the youth, the parent, the teacher, the writer, the tiller of the soil, and the business man, is the great theme of this book.

Its first chapter is devoted to First Principles; following that are illustrations taken from the history of Israel. Master Teacher, Nature Teaching, the Bible as an Educator, Physical Culture, Character Building, the Under Teacher, and the Higher Course, are titles of other chapters. 321 pages. Cloth, $1.25. Address this office.

Bible Readings for the Home Circle.

By Editor

This book comprises 162 readings for public and private study, and answers nearly 3,000 questions on religious topics—practical, historical, and prophetical. It contains 600 octavo pages, printed on a superior quality of tinted paper, embellished with 57 full-page engravings and 170 ornamental headings, together with 10 full-page Scriptural and prophetic diagrams, 3 colored plates, and other attractive features. The bindings are elegant and substantial, the styles and prices being as follows: Cloth, gilt side title, marbled edges, $3.00; library, marbled edges, $4.00; full leather, marbled edges, $5.00. Cheap edition, 400 pages, solid type, no illustrations or colored plates, no poetry, thin paper, brown cloth, plain edges, $1.25. Address this office.

The Test of Truth

The test of truth is not that it has been held by learned men or great men or good men. Is it of God? What does His Word say?

Put Yourself in His Place

To "put yourselves in his place" is a mighty help in solving some of the problems of this life. Could we do this, we would have far more charity for the men who sin and fall, and blunder, and do business in some different way from ours. This is not to help the sinner to excuse himself, but it is to help us to look with greater kindness upon all who differ from us. It is a blessed, comforting thing to know that God takes all these idiosyncrasies into consideration, and has grace for them all.

God Uses Different Gifts

God uses different gifts; do not despise others than your own. You may not care for music; but God uses music to save, strengthen, enlarge, refine, and comfort souls. You may have no use for pictures, for art; but notwithstanding its misuse, God uses it and has ever used it to enlighten, teach, inspire. You may not like poetry; but God uses the mighty singers of the past, yea, the simple poems, to open to many hearts the gates of Paradise. The awkward, ignorant kindness of the brother by your side may be more potent for God than your conventional, heartless politeness or smooth and elegant speech.

A New Guess.

By Editor

Now we are told that man did not originate with the ape, or monkey, that the old theory is incorrect. Professor Klaatsch, of Berlin, declares that both man and ape sprang from the same prehistoric stock, but the ape is the degenerate man; that the progenitor of man was more like the man of to-day, but the ape, the gorilla, the chimpanzee, the baboon, etc., are all degenerates. This is a better guess than the Darwinian theory, and makes one look upon that branch of science with almost a shadow of hope. Sometime they may come to that place where they are willing to believe the Scriptures.

All Past Time

By Editor

"All Past Time."—There have been inquiries for "All Past Time," "The Date of Creation," and other works by Mr. J. B. Dimbleby, which have been quoted or cited in this journal and in the Signs of the Times Monthly. "All Past Time" is in large pamphlet form, but out of print. Second-hand copies might possibly be secured. For those who desire copies we will endeavor to obtain them, as we have excellent facilities for so doing. The price will not be less than $1.00 a copy, perhaps more. We would like to hear from those wanting them, as soon as possible.

The Sensible Thing to Do.

By Editor

The Stockton Record of July 24 comes to us from a new home, which they characterize as modern, original, practical. All departments, from the mechanical to editorial rooms, are located on the ground floor, with abundance of light, concrete floors, piping and wiring in conduits prepared for them; there is no basement, no up-stairs; heavy concrete bases for their large presses. The light comes principally from two sides, which are practically all light, and from two light wells especially constructed. The whole office has been planned with the idea of facilitating work. But this is what the Pacific Press, the home of the Signs of the Times, did practically six years ago. With the exception of lighting from one side, however, our light for the factory is furnished by a saw-tooth roof, giving constant and steady north light. Instead of the cement floor, we have a cement base for a wood floor, made in sections, making it easier for the feet. That may be the case with the Record, but it does not so describe it. We congratulate our neighbor on the progress it has made. We would not go back to the old five-story or multiple-story building for any consideration.

The Rule of the Trust

The rule of the trust is well illustrated by the words of a trust delegate in attendance at the International Steel Conference at Brussels. He said: "We are masters of the world. Henceforth governments must take a back seat. They may neither make war nor peace, as long as we are united and can sell iron and steel. And in dealing with the association they can only buy at our price." Another delegate remarked: "Every day improves our position. We rule everything. If I owned mines of iron ore I would seal them up for many years, certain that they would be worth billions in a few years, if our association stands."

One is forcibly reminded of just such assumption as that in the prophecy of Habakkuk, of the man that makes "men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them. He taketh up all of them with the angles, he catcheth them in his net, and gathereth them in his drag: therefore he rejoiceth and is glad. . . . By them his portion is fat, and his food plenteous. Shall he therefore empty his net, and spare not to slay the nations continually?" The prophet looks beyond this, and he sees a time coming when he who "gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people," will find that his oppressions have gone so far that the peoples have rebelled. "Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Wo to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and that ladeth himself with pledges! Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booty unto them? Because thou hast plundered many nations, all the remnant of the peoples shall plunder thee."

Harmony With God

It is worth while, friend, to be in harmony with God, the Power which controls all the operations of the universe. To be out of harmony with Him is to set our will across the current of God's working. To be in harmony with Him is to possess His life and power for the outworking of all good.

The Tramp Nuisance

It is estimated that the tramp nuisance costs the State of New York $100,000 a year. This estimate is by the State Charities and Correction Society. The committee urge the Government to pass a law providing for a colony for tramps.

Weekly and Yearly Sabbaths

By Editor

An article has been sent us clipped from an old law paper, saying that the Sabbath of the Old Testament began on a certain day every month; that is, that the week began with the year. We would like to say to our readers that there is absolutely no proof of this. Exodus 12 is proof simply, at the very most, of that one year, and the holy days in connection with the Passover feast were not necessarily always upon the Sabbath. The year did not close with a defective week. Whatever changes were made in the month or the year in beginning or closing, the weeks were all full, bringing, of course, the different days of the week on different dates of the month. It is a wonderfully easy matter to fix up a theory or a diagram; but if that theory or diagram is based upon a false premise, the theory falls to the ground. Those who make such claims make no distinction between the yearly sabbaths and the weekly Sabbaths, but the Bible recognizes both (see Lev. 23:38). The "her sabbaths" of Hosea 2:11 does not refer to the "Sabbath of the Lord thy God." The seventh day is always called the Lord's Sabbath. The distinction is ever clear that that time was holy unto the Lord, and it was to be observed unto Him. The yearly sabbath, or the sabbaths in connection with the yearly feasts, were quite another thing.

Titles Do Not Make Nobility

The thieves seem to have been busy during the great coronation festivities in London. At one of the balls given by a duchess a lady lost a necklace valued at $60,000. Leaving an opera another woman lost a string of pearls valued at $75,000, while other smaller robberies were reported. Some of these must have been perpetrated by those in high society, and this goes to show that a title does not make one honorable, nor to be a member of the nobility make one noble.

'Tis only noble to be good; Kind hearts are more than coronets, And simple faith than Norman blood.'

England and the Threat of Famine

One of the great reasons why England objects to the rules which the governments of earth are trying to formulate regarding war is that it may bring famine to her. For instance, Article 34 of what is called "The Declaration of London," signed by leading naval powers in 1908, decrees that "foodstuffs are liable to capture if they are consigned to a fortified place, or other place serving as a base for the armed forces of the enemy;" but it is declared that every port in England is just such a base as that, and must necessarily be, if England is to be protected. If such foodstuffs, therefore, would be considered contraband in war, and liable to seizure, an active enemy could soon reduce the whole island to famine conditions.

Justification and the Law

He who is under the law is condemned. He who has received the grace of God, covered by God's favor, is pardoned, his transgressions are forgiven. He is then neither above law nor under law, but in harmony with law. The law no longer condemns him; he counts the law his accuser no longer. Nay, more; that law is his friend; for it declares that his justification is right, just, legitimate; and grace received agrees with the fact witnessed by writing the law in the heart. If you do not know justification this way, you are still under law.

Poisoned Horses and Mules

A strange case of poisoning occurred near Chico, California. Twelve horses and mules were poisoned by eating moldy clover. It seemed to have driven them insane; and all of them were shot except one, which was kept for experimental purposes. The poison was eaten in the field, before the clover had been cut in one case, and in another case after it had been cut and stacked. It was supposed that the mold on the clover lying close to the ground caused it.

Witte and the Portsmouth Treaty

Count Witte, the eminent Russian statesman, in a forthcoming pamphlet will contend that President Roosevelt sided with the Japanese in the Portsmouth treaty of peace between Russia and Japan.

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