p. 15 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 12. (3/22/1910)

How to Breathe

By Mrs. H. A. St. John

A CORRECT understanding of this question, and a faithful application of the knowledge obtained, are very necessary for our physical well-being. I will not enter into a full description of the process of proper respiration, being neither qualified nor desirous to do so; but this much I will say,—there are two essentials to the maintenance of the health of our pulmonary systems; namely, the breathing of pure air, and a full and constant inflation of the lungs with the same. To a disregard for these rules are due troublesome colds, the dread pneumonia, which carries off hundreds in the winter season, and a long list of other lung troubles, some more, some less pernicious.

These results are serious enough; but the question of how to breathe, in another sense, is of still greater moment. By breathing foul air, or even good air in insufficient quantities, and thus inducing some fatal disease, we affect only this present, physical life; but by a neglect to place ourselves in a pure spiritual atmosphere, and to inhale sufficient quantities of that life-giving element, we dwarf and enfeeble our higher natures, and become so morally diseased that the result is the loss of life eternally. Hence, let us live in and by this heavenly atmosphere, which is as free for us all as the air we breathe. The one is invisible; so is the other. If the latter is potent for good, the former is much more so.

Therefore let us expand our souls heavenward, breathe in the revivifying atmosphere of faith, salvation, hope, and love, in wholesome, refreshing draughts. The Spirit of God is for all who sense their need, and simply ask for and receive; then we will breathe out with the natural breath that which we have taken in spiritually, even praises to our God.

David evinced what kind of air he had been breathing when he said, "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving." Ps. 69:30. And with him we would say, "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord." Ps. 150:6. For He says, "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me." Ps. 50:23. It is only when we have breath that we can thus glorify our Maker and our King. Of man we read in Ps. 146:4, "His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish." "The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence." Ps. 115:17. These thoughts pressed themselves so forcibly upon Hezekiah’s heart, he was led to exclaim, "The living, the living, he shall praise Thee, as I do this day." "For the grave can not praise Thee, death can not celebrate Thee." Isa. 38:19, 18.

A Higher Atmosphere

There is another kind of figurative atmosphere, which we will do well to shun — the miasma of self-love, error, and hatred. Belshazzar, dwelling in such an atmosphere, received this rebuke from the prophet of the Lord, upon that fateful night of the handwriting his doom on the wall: "The God in whose hand thy breath is, . . . hast thou not glorified." Dan. 5:23. And others not only fail to glorify God with their breath, but are active in "breathing out cruelty," as were the enemies of David. Ps. 27:12.

Saul the persecutor had an extremely bad breath; for was he not "breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord"? This he did ignorantly. Are not many of us just as blind as to what kind of spiritual atmosphere we are breathing? And will we not continue in that ignorance until our minds shall be illuminated and transformed by the divine Spirit? O, that we would take earnest heed to the following exhortation: "Pray that the mighty energies of the Holy Spirit, with all their quickening, recuperative, and transforming power, may fall like an electric shock on the palsy-stricken soul, causing every nerve to thrill with new life, restoring the whole man from his dead, earthly, sensual state, to spiritual soundness."

Conclusion

From the foregoing we learn that man is a trinity, consisting of body, soul, and spirit, and that he does not and can not breathe right, in the fullest, truest, and highest sense, unless he breathes a pure physical, moral, and spiritual atmosphere. In this way, and in this way only, is the whole man properly nourished. Jesus breathed on His disciples, and said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." And when He was glorified with His Father in heaven, on the Day of Pentecost, He sent down the atmosphere of heaven like a rushing mighty wind, and the disciples were all filled therewith, and they went forth from thence everywhere breathing, NOT a spirit of foolishness or frivolity, malice or mischief, selfishness or sensuality, impatience or immorality, unbelief or uncertainty, carelessness or cruelty, deceit or devilry; no, no. All such things are the sure indications of the worst kind of breath and breathing. On the contrary they went forth everywhere breathing a spirit of song and salvation, health and happiness, life and liberty, truth and tenderness, hope and holiness, grace and godliness, praise and prayerfulness, faith and fruitfulness, love and loveliness. Only such have learned how to breathe properly in this world; and all such have the immutable promise, that some day they will be privileged to breathe the atmosphere of the holy city, and of the new heavens and new earth, in the kingdom of immortal glory. Reader, are you learning how to BREATHE for TIME and ETERNITY?

The Engineer Who Broke the Record

By John G. Woolley

I WENT forward with others to congratulate the engineer who had drawn our special train in a glorious burst of speed between two stations where the track was smooth and straight and firm.

One enthusiastic passenger who was filled with enthusiasm (and other stimulants) passed up into the cab a pretty little flask covered with silver openwork, and said to the engineer, “Have a drink, old man, and keep the bottle as a souvenir.” The gift was laughingly but emphatically declined, and the giver as good naturedly asked why. “Well,” said the engineer reflectively, and without the faintest odor of preaching, “there are four reasons, and maybe more. In the first place, the company might fire me, for it is the theory of this company and every great railroad company in the United States that no man is fit to hold the throttle of an engine like this if he uses alcoholic drink in any quantity or form. In the second place, some of the passengers back in the coaches might object to me handling their train on a ticklish trip like this. In the third place, I am trying to make a good engineer out of my boy here who is firing for me, and his chances are better without brandy. In the fourth place, this train might go in the ditch, as trains sometimes do, and a brandy bottle in the cab of the engine would look bad to the coroner’s jury.” The liquor traffic multiplies the perils of the railway.—John G. Woolley.

Uncle Ben’s Cobblestones

Familiar Talks with Boys and Girls About Common Things ☘ ☘

UNCLE BEN has such a pleasing way of telling about the origin and use of common, every-day articles, that he holds the interest of the reader from the start in his talks about air, water, sunshine, fire, smoke, glass, coal, salt, paper, matches, etc.

He tells about more than one hundred different things in all, and intersperses with many happy thoughts that bring good cheer to young and old.

Two hundred and twenty-one pages, nicely bound. Price, post-paid, $1.00.

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An Illustrated Paper for the Smaller Men and Women, for the Children and Little Ones

Instructive and entertaining, clean, wholesome, sensible. It is a character builder, a helper to father and mother. Our Little Friend would plant seed in the joyous life of the children in the Present, that it may bear blessed fruitage in the Harvest of the Future. Respect your child's individuality. Take the paper for him or her. Only 60 cents a year.

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THE BOY PUZZLE

By Rev. Joseph F. Flint

A Picture Book for Mothers

By Rev. Joseph F. Flint

BUT this book is not written alone for mothers. Every father, in fact all who have an interest in the welfare of the boys of this nation will find a wealth of help and encouragement in this presentation of the boy question. The author goes to the bottom of things and shows very clearly where the trouble lies if your boy or your neighbor's boy goes wrong.

As the hope of this Republic lies in our boys a careful reading of "The Boy Puzzle" will do much to help solve the difficulties that confront us.

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The Origin of Easter Sunday

So-called Easter Sunday is always the first Sunday after the full moon which happens upon or next after the 21st day of March. If a full moon happens upon a Sunday, Easter day is the Sunday after.

On page 7 of this number is a reproduction of a photograph showing a custom which is observed on Maundy Thursday in Jerusalem. The ordinance of feet-washing was instituted by our Lord Himself as recorded in John 13. It has been continued in perverted forms in the church nearly ever since. In the seventeenth Council of Toledo in 694 it was made obligatory on the Thursday of "holy week" in the Catholic Church, throughout the churches of Spain and Gaul. In 1530 Wolsey washed, wiped, and kissed the feet of fifty-nine poor men at Peterborough. The practise was continued by English sovereigns till the reign of James II, and as late as 1731 the Lord High Almoner washed the feet of the recipients of the royal gifts at White Hall on Maundy Thursday. As instituted by our Lord, it was in connection with the last supper. Smith's "Dictionary of Christian Antiquities" tells us that it was performed in the early church with the catechumens, and said also that others engaged in it, but it seems to have occurred once a year. In fact it was more or less observed until the year 306, when the Council of Elvira prohibited it. One can see, by referring to the Scripture record, that our Lord did not confine it to any particular class, as have the perversions of the ordinance ever since. He washed the feet of all His disciples, and told them that "ye should do as I have done to you." In Jerusalem it is one of the Pharisaic ceremonies performed on that day, some prelate washing the feet of beggars or penitents.

Philadelphia Strike Threatens National Strike

By Editor

At this writing, March 10, the strike situation in Philadelphia looks exceedingly serious. The state Federation of Labor passed a resolution asking the American Federation of Labor, in the event of arbitration failing, to call a nation-wide strike of organized and unorganized labor. The resolution was offered by the leader of the strike in Philadelphia. Such a strike would paralyze trade and commerce, and bring untold distress, which would largely fall upon those who are not in any way parties to the Philadelphia affair. March 9 a car loaded with passengers was blown up by dynamite deliberately placed for that purpose. While the car was wrecked and blown from the track, providentially the people on board were not fatally injured. It would seem that both state and national authorities ought to do all in their power to restore peace and safety in harmony with right and justice.

The Signs of the Times for the Year to Come

By Editor

In our next issue but one, the SIGNS will enter upon a new plan in the publishing of the great Gospel message. Instead of making each number a symposium upon some one subject, it will carry these subjects through the year in serial articles and in book study.

Some of the books which will be especially covered in these studies are the Revelation, the book of Zechariah, the book of Haggai. These books are of remarkable interest. They are not dull, dry essays dealing with dead issues. Each and all of them contain living, present truth for this day, and our readers will miss much indeed if they disconnect from the paper now.

Besides these books, some of the great living subjects will be covered in serial articles, like the Sabbath, some of the great prophetic lines, the Lord's coming, the signs of the times, the great subject of Christ's priesthood, life in Christ, and His coming kingdom.

Our story, "Shiloh: the Man of Sorrows," has already begun. How do our readers like it? It will grow in interest as the weeks go by. In these days when there are so many voices calling away from God's Word, we appeal to our readers who love the old Book to aid us in every way they can in giving its mighty truths wider circulation.

Our Bible Band will continue through the year. Questions of paramount interest will be answered in the Question Corner; and the signs of the times daily and weekly occurring, almost every one of which are answers of the elements in the earth to the prophetic Word, will be faithfully chronicled.

The aim of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES will not be to please. It would become more popular by so doing, but we do not believe that our readers wish that; "but as we are allowed of God to be put in trust with the Gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts." We shall endeavor as best lies in our power to be true to our mission, true to our motto, true to the Gospel.

We would make the paper in the year to come, by His grace, a great soul-saving agency; and so again we appeal to our readers and friends to give it the widest circulation possible. The times demand it, and we believe that the worth of the paper in the year to come will not disappoint those who unite with us to increase its field of usefulness.

Young Anarchists.

By Editor

The Kansas City Journal, in connection with the great strike in Philadelphia notes the fact that much of the riot, disorder, and violence has been done by boys and young men who were not personally concerned in the struggle; and further says that it is one of the most deplorable phases of strike situations. "The hoodlums and young ruffians always take advantage of the opportunity offered to commit all sorts of deeds of violence and rowdyism. Many boys yet in their teens, and utterly lacking in the sense of responsibility, have helped to stone and burn street-cars, and place obstructions upon the tracks."

It is a sad and sorry situation. Many of the strikers without question are peaceable. Doubtless their grievance has a real foundation. They may not be receiving the wages which they should have from the wealthy company; but it seems as tho in some way they ought to discountenance the anarchy, the hoodlumism, the crime which is committed in their name or in sympathy with them. The Journal truly says: "The young rioters will grow up to be American citizens with a natural disrespect for law and order. They will have had a taste of lawlessness and blood, and they will form an exceedingly dangerous element in our population. The fathers and mothers of these irresponsible boys do not seem to realize what they are bringing their children. The evil effects of this strike will be reflected long after it has been all but forgotten."

Wellington Snowslide Death Toll

By Editor

The latest news from the terrible snowslide on the Great Northern at Wellington places the death roll at 115, and this may go still higher. The trains were swept 300 feet down the mountainside by the avalanche. Many of the dead will never be found, in all probability. The last two weeks have been weeks of fearful storms and wash-outs on nearly all the transcontinental railways. The Southern Pacific at the present writing are sending their Ogden trains by the short line to Portland and thence down the coast, and trains that had been sent as far as Nevada have been turned back to go east by the way of Portland.

Publishing House Book Sales

The book sales of our various publishing houses in the year 1908 were more than $820,000 in the United States and Canada, and in foreign fields they exceeded $450,000. The total sales of 1908 were $1,290,181.24. The gain in the United States and Canada during 1909 was $120,324.77. Allowing for no gain in foreign fields, the sales for 1909 were $1,410,506.01.

Earthquake and Explosions in Crete

February 18 a severe earthquake was felt throughout the island of Crete, accompanied by violent subterranean explosions. A number of buildings were damaged at Canea, and a minaret of a mosque crushed through the dome. Six persons were buried in ruins at Varipetro.

The March Watchman

By Editor

The March "Watchman" is one that is decidedly given to the subject of present truth. The departments of Outlook, Editorial, General Articles, Mission Fields, as well as others, are well filled. Price, ten cents. Southern Publishing Association, Nashville, Tenn.

Automobile Trust Reported

One of the latest things reported is the formation, or steps to that end, of an automobile trust of $300,000,000, at the head of which is said to be John Pierpont Morgan.

Sperry’s Seed Catalog

By Editor

Our thanks are due for catalog of Sperry's well-known seed house. Sperry's seeds are always reliable and bear true to name. They can be depended upon.