p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 37. (9/15/1898)

Lessons from the Parable of the Unjust Judge

Read the article, “Lessons from the Parable of the Unjust Judge.” Ye who have lost hope in earthly justice, faith in earthly mercy and compassion, read of the just and merciful Judge. Here are a few of the closing sentences, worthy to be printed in letters of gold, and which should be written upon the heart: “We never need distrust God. The just Judge repulses no one who comes to Him in contrition. He has more pleasure in His church, struggling with temptation here below, than in the imposing host of angels that surround His throne. Not one sincere prayer is lost. Amid the anthems of the celestial choir, God hears the cries of the weakest human being. You who feel most unworthy, commit your case to Him; for His ears are open to your cry. ‘He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?’”

A “Note” of Peace.

In our Outlook department will be found a copy of the extraordinary note, suggesting disarmament of the nations, which the czar of Russia has addressed to the great Powers of earth. It has been received with various feelings by the Powers, generally on the part of England and Germany kindly; otherwise, on the part of France. Various motives are ascribed to the young ruler. Many believe him to be moved by a Christian desire for peace; others attribute his desire for peace to the heavy burdens Russia is now bearing, and especially the famine from which she is suffering. Russia’s army cost her in 1897 $213,000,000, and her navy, $45,000,000. Her army numbers in officers and men 1,743,244, and her war ships of all classes, 306. This tremendous expense, with famine staring the Russian Government in the face in several provinces, is basis enough for his proposal. But we shall have more to say on the subject next week.

Our Sabbath-School Lessons.

By Editor

Having received a number of requests for the retention of the Sabbath-school lesson in the SIGNS we continue to print it for a time. We wish to say, however, that the lesson in the SIGNS is the same as that in the Lesson Quarterly, with the exception that the SIGNS prints the lesson text of the Revised Version, and sometimes additional notes. But it will be questionable whether we shall be able to print the scripture in the future, especially if the scripture exceeds twenty verses, or thereabouts. Of the requests and protests that have come, all are kindly save one, and show that both the lessons and paper are appreciated. That one tells us that if we do not publish the lesson, he will drop the SIGNS. We are sorry for him. We know that the SIGNS without the lessons is worth much more than the price paid. But if he does not want the paper, and does not take it for some one else who needs it, he would better drop it. He, however, will be the loser, not the SIGNS.

Bible Scarcity in France

It is estimated by a London religious journal that in France there is not more than an average of one Bible to a thousand homes among its thirty-eight million Catholics and seven hundred thousand Protestants. Great Britain is said to have a Bible to every two houses. In Avignon, France, a city of 45,000 inhabitants, a gentleman called at two of the principal booksellers of the city and inquired for French Bibles and Testaments. Only one was found at one store, and that in two volumes, price six shillings. Surely the so-called civilized world know not the Saviour from sin and death and ruin. Such pictures ought to be calls to Christians.

The Roman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church is against the Protestant idea of civil government, even as she is against the Protestant idea of faith and ecclesiastical government. The Catholic idea is that the last court of resort shall be men occupying certain positions. In the church it is “the chair of St. Peter;” in the State it is the Supreme Bench. The latter is the logic of the former. The true Protestant idea makes the tribunal of God the court of last resort in all things religious. All councils, prelates, and decrees have no place in a finality between the soul and God. In the State, in civil things, the court of last resort is the people. The difference is vital to liberty.

THE DOOR OF HOPE MISSION.

By Editor

WE do not wish our family of readers to forget that THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES is interested in a mission for poor girls and women who have been betrayed, have fallen, and have been turned adrift upon a cruel world to barter all that is dear to woman or die of starvation. The object of the mission is to open before every such soul who desires to reform “a door of hope” in their valley of trouble. See Hosea 2:14, 15. It is its purpose by God’s grace and earnest human effort to reform and restore those who are bruised and broken. And, O, the number of them and their needs!

For the response which our readers have made to our calls we render hearty thanks in the name of our Master. But we need more; and for some time we have received nothing. Would you like to know what has been done?

The Door of Hope was opened in a suburb of Oakland, April 15, 1898. The first inmate was received April 23. Since that time twenty have come to the home. Some of these, we are sorry to say (for we use no compulsion), have gone back to their old life. But others remain, and are giving evidence of earnest desires to lead a better life and serve the Lord. Two have been placed in good homes under Christian influences, and are doing well.

The past lives of these poor souls who enter the Door of Hope have been sad, dark, and sorrowful; but those who care for them are laboring earnestly to lead them to Him who has borne all their sins and sorrows, and by whose stripes they are healed. He alone can change the bitter water to sweet, and make the Valley of Achor (trouble) a door of hope.

The things greatly needed are as follows: In the way of clothing, wrappers, dresses, dark waists, and all kinds of under-garments; and for the house, curtains, rugs, chairs, wash-stands, etc.

Are there not those who wish to lead to the Lord by helping those who are in such pitiful need? We are sure there are, and that this will meet a hearty response. In conclusion let us ask in behalf of those in charge of the home, and who come into immediate contact with the powers of darkness and the souls who need help, the earnest prayers of all the praying ones of the SIGNS family.

These Are Not Arguments Nor Evidence.

Mr. Henry Varley has written a pamphlet on “The Seventh-day Adventists and Sabbath Observance,” which abounds with such terms and expressions as these: “Foolish assertions and false statements made by Seventh-day Adventists,” “this miserable delusion of Jewish Sabbath-keeping,” “this Seventh-day Adventist delusion,” “this fanatical heresy,” “this mischievous modern delusion,” “ignorance on the part of their leaders,” “their want of intelligence touching the spiritual meaning of God’s Word,” “Judaized bondage,” “their fanatical delusion is mere assertion and empty sound,” “mischievous propaganda,” “their own erratic system,” “fanatical impertinence,” “a miserable travesty of Sabbath-keeping,” and so on in dreary monotony. Perhaps it is not necessary to say to the zealous writer that these repetitions and declarations even from so great a man are neither argument nor evidence. God’s holy law and the example of Christ Jesus ought to be worth more to every Christian than even Mr. Varley’s ipse dixit.

What Sabbath Then?

—Says a writer in The Christian Statesman of July and August, 1898: “The State’s supreme law in all moral conduct is the divine law of the Scriptures. If nations are under the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, the will of Christ must be taken by them as supreme in all moral questions, such as the Sabbath, temperance, marriage, divorce, etc.” But if the divine law of the Scriptures guided, what would be the national Sabbath law? The only divine Sabbath law declares, “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” But the nation could never obey the law to “remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy,” unless the nation were holy; and God alone can make a nation holy by making its people holy by individuals through faith.

There Is a Way.

Frances E. Willard said: “The life of a drunkard can be written in two chapters,—the first, ‘He could have left off if he would,’ the second, ‘He would have left off if he could.’” This is good as far as it goes, but the lesson to drunkards is incomplete without the further knowledge that he could have left off at any stage if he had committed his case to the Lord and earnestly asked His help. It is a true saying that “where there is a will there is a way.” Jesus says, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6), and, “Without Me ye can do nothing” (chapter 15:5). Paul adds the complement to this: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Phil. 4:13.

Chile’s Rulers.

There are two rulers in Chile, President Errazuriz and the Catholic Church through the archbishop of Santiago. The latter is the chief ruler, abounding in wealth. It is said that the property of the Catholic Church in Santiago (Chile) alone exceeds $100,000,000 in gold. “The Carmelite nuns are the richest body of women in South America, if not in the world.” “The Dominican Friars also own millions of dollars worth of property in Santiago.” So says Mr. Frank G. Carpenter, writing from Santiago for the Los Angeles Times.

When you write, please mention the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.