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Signs of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 1.

THE MOTHER’S WORK
Earlier text: SAVING KNOWLEDGE

LESSON 1.—JANUARY 5.—THE PROMISE OF POWER.

Lesson Scripture, Acts 1:1-11, R.V.
1 “The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, until the day in which He was received up, after that He had given commandment through the Holy Ghost unto the apostles whom He had chosen; to whom He also showed Himself alive after His passion by many proofs, appearing unto them by the space of forty days, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God; and, being assembled together with them, He charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said He, ye heard from Me; for John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 2 “They therefore, when they were come together, asked Him, saying, Lord, dost Thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? And He said unto them, It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within His own authority. But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when He had said these things, as they were looking, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they were looking steadfastly into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, which was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld Him going into heaven.”
Golden Text.—“While He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.” Luke 24:51.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) To what other work does the author of this book refer? Who then was the author of The Acts? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) How far does the history in the “former treatise” reach? To whom had Christ given commandment? Through what means? Verse 2. (3) To whom had He shown Himself? How long? Of what had He spoken? Verse 3. Note 2. (4) What commandment had He given them? Verse 4. Note 3. (5) What did He say of John the Baptist? Of what other baptism did He speak? Verse 5. (6) At a subsequent meeting, what question did the disciples ask? Verse 6. Note 4. (7) What answer did He give? Verse 7. (8) Then what promise did He make? For what purpose was this endowment? Verse 8. Note 5. (9) After He had spoken these words, what occurred? As He ascended, how was He hidden from their sight? Verse 9. Note 6. (10) As the disciples stood gazing upward, who suddenly appeared to them? Verse 10. (11) What did these “men” (or angels) say to the disciples? Verse 11. Note 7.

NOTES.

1. The book of Acts was written by Luke; the “former treatise” here mentioned is the Gospel according to Luke, as is shown by ch. 1:3, 4 of that book. Theophilus was a person of distinction, as is indicated by the title “most excellent,” which is applied in the former book. Professor Knowling says the title “was appropriated to Romans holding high office.” It is applied to Felix (Acts 23:26), and is equivalent to that of “most noble,” applied to Festus (ch. 26:25).
2. Infallible Proofs.—That which was infallible proof to the disciples of that time was their own eyesight and hearing together with Christ’s opening their minds to an understanding of Scriptures. Luke 24:45. That which is infallible proof to us of His resurrection, is the testimony of the Spirit through them that saw and heard Him. That the Lord deems this sufficient evidence is shown by His upbraiding the disciples for not believing the word of the women who had seen Him (Mark 16:14), and His reproof of Thomas because he did not believe the word of the other disciples who had seen Him. “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” John 20:29.
3. Waiting for “the promise of the Father” is equivalent to tarrying, “until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49. This is an emphatic reminder of what Jesus had told His disciples before His death,—“without Me ye can do nothing.” See John 15:4, 5.
4. Restoring the Kingdom.—It had already been explained to the disciples that Christ would go away, and come again to receive them to Himself (John 14:1-3), and that when He should “come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him,” then He would establish His kingdom (Matt. 25:31-34). This they understood more fully after the day of Pentecost.
5. Witnesses.—Every true disciple of Christ is a witness unto Him, and the whole earth is a field of witnessing. Such a work needs power; not mere human or natural force, but the power of God. But this power is for those only who will use it in the way He directs through His Word. Jesus Christ is the Faithful and True Witness (Rev. 1:5; 3:14), and every true follower is a fellow-laborer in the same great work.
6. The cloud was the company of angels that came to escort their Commander in His victorious return to the heavenly courts. They were also joined by the trophies which He took with Him in the persons of those who came out of their graves after His resurrection. See Matt. 27:50-53; Ps. 68:18; Eph. 4:8, margin.
7. The manner of Christ’s coming is here definitely given, and is a positive refutation of all claims that He comes when individuals die, or that His second coming is in the past. He is present by His Holy Spirit all the time (Matt. 28:20; John 14:15-23; 16:4-16); and when He comes again in person, it will be “with clouds, and every eye shall see Him.” Rev. 1:7; see also Jude 14, 15.

LESSON 2.—JANUARY 11.—THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT SUPPER

NOTE.—In the preparation of these lessons all Scripture references, and the pages of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” should be thoroughly studied first, then the questions. The questions are not the lessons. They are only for the purpose of finding out what we have observed while studying. More of the preciousness of these lessons will be obtained if the lesson is studied each day throughout the week. In the parables of Jesus there is salvation from sin for every type of sinner—from the Pharisee to the prodigal. The notes are wholly selected from such portions of “Christ’s Object Lessons” as apply to each lesson.

LESSON 2.—JANUARY 11.—THE PARABLE OF THE GREAT SUPPER.

Lesson Scripture, Luke 14:12-20, R.V.
Aid.—“Christ’s Object Lessons,” pp. 219-237.
12 “And He said to him also that had bidden Him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, nor thy kinsmen, nor rich neighbors; lest haply they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. 14 But when thou makest a feast, bid the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; because they have not wherewith to recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.”
15 “And when one of them that sat at meat with Him heard these things, He said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. 16 But He said unto him, A certain man made a great supper; and bade many; and sent forth his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a field, and I must needs go out and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 21 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I can not come.”

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

  1. What classes of persons did Jesus say need not constitute the invited guests for “a dinner or a supper”?
  2. What reason did He give for this instruction?
  3. Who should be invited?
  4. What would be the result to the giver of the feast?
  5. What would make this result possible?
  6. When would the reward be received?
  7. What response did one of the guests make to this instruction?
  8. With what statement did Jesus then continue His instruction?
  9. How general were the invitations to this supper?
  10. How were the invited guests reminded of their engagement?
  11. What was the message sent to them?
  12. How did they treat this urgent call?
  13. What did the first one regard as of more importance than the privilege of being present at the feast?
  14. How did the second one show that he held his oxen in higher esteem than his host?
  15. Whose influence held the third one back from responding to the final call?

NOTES.

1. It is evident that this parable deals with the final call to the Gospel feast of those who had previously been invited, and of the way in which they treated this call. The suggested future happiness of those who should “eat bread in the kingdom of God” led to this instruction and furnishes a simple basis for understanding its meaning. The Lord rained “bread from heaven” for His people (Ex. 16:4), that they might learn that feeding upon His Word was the real means of sustaining life. Deut. 8:3. On this basis the Gospel invitation had been sounded through the prophet Isaiah (Isa. 55:1-3), with the promise of “the sure mercies of David.” This was the promise of eternal life through faith in Christ (Ps. 89:28, 29), who was “born of the seed of David, according to the flesh.”
2. When the Word “became flesh, and dwelt among us,” He said: “The bread of God is He which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. . . . I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever.” John 6:33, 51. Thus it is evident that when “they did all eat the same spiritual food,” they were feeding upon Christ, just as “they drank of that spiritual Rock that went with them; and that Rock was Christ.” 1 Cor. 10:4. And so the provision for the Gospel feast is Christ Himself, who has been given for us and to us. The eating of this “bread of life” is not to be deferred until the setting up of the kingdom of God, but the call to the feast must be heeded here, or that future happiness will never be realized. This is the emphatic teaching of this parable.
3. Those who were bidden to the feast were so much occupied with various temporal matters that they treated as of trifling importance the final call of the host. What a true picture of the present danger! Luke 21:34. No earthly possession or earthly tie should be allowed to keep us away from Christ (Luke 14:33, Matt. 19:29), and the most diligent attention to worldly interests will not be a valid excuse for neglecting the Gospel call. Read Luke 10:38-42.

LESSONS BY MAIL ON MEDICAL ELECTRICITY OR HOW TO USE THE BATTERY

By Prof. G. L. Abell

By Prof. G. L. Abell, Member of the Board of Directors of the Electro-Medical Society of San Francisco
Learn how to use the battery and treat yourself. Many diseases are quickly cured by the proper application of electricity. The course embraces the treatment of every organ and part of the body. The lessons are written in plain language and are illustrated. Course, five dollars. Send for circular. Address,
PROF. G. L. ABELL School of Chemistry and Electro-Therapeutics 36 Geary St., San Francisco, Cal.

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Inquiries of Agents, or address
GEO. W. VAUX, A. G. P. & T. A., Grand Trunk Railway System, Chicago, Ill.

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DAY OF THE SABBATH

IS IT ANY DAY, OR IS IT A PARTICULAR DAY? AND IF A PARTICULAR DAY, WHAT DAY IS IT?
A. G. L. NO. 50 1¢ EACH 68¢ PER HUNDRED
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
11 W. 20TH ST., NEW YORK. 16 W. 5TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO.

New Club Rate for 1902

The Signs of the Times has one club rate for 1902, and that is seventy cents per year per copy for five or more copies.
This gives the individual, or small, church the same opportunity to do missionary work with the paper as the largest church or society.
The following table shows just how much any club will cost for any length of time. Larger clubs at same rate.
No. Copies One Year (52 Wks.) Six Months Three Months One Month (4 Wks.) One Week
5 $3 50 $1 75 $0 88 $0 27 $0 07
6 4 20 2 10 1 05 32 08
7 4 90 2 45 1 23 38 09
8 5 60 2 80 1 40 43 11
9 6 30 3 15 1 58 48 12
10 7 00 3 50 1 75 54 13
11 7 70 3 85 1 93 59 15
12 8 40 4 20 2 10 64 16
13 9 10 4 55 2 28 70 18
14 9 80 4 90 2 45 76 19
15 10 50 5 25 2 63 80 20
16 11 20 5 60 2 80 86 21
17 11 90 5 95 2 98 90 23
18 12 60 6 30 3 15 97 24
19 13 30 6 65 3 33 1 02 25
20 14 00 7 00 3 50 1 08 27
21 14 70 7 35 3 68 1 13 28
22 15 40 7 70 3 85 1 16 29
23 16 10 8 05 4 03 1 24 31
24 16 80 8 40 4 20 1 29 32
25 17 50 8 75 4 38 1 34 33
26 18 20 9 10 4 55 1 40 35
27 18 90 9 45 4 73 1 45 36
28 19 60 9 80 4 90 1 50 38
29 20 30 10 15 5 08 1 56 39
30 21 00 10 50 5 25 1 60 40
31 21 70 10 85 5 43 1 67 42
32 22 40 11 20 5 60 1 72 43
33 23 10 11 55 5 78 1 77 44
34 23 80 11 90 5 95 1 83 46
35 24 50 12 25 6 13 1 88 47
36 25 20 12 60 6 30 1 93 48
37 25 90 12 95 6 48 1 98 49
38 26 60 13 30 6 65 2 05 51
39 27 30 13 65 6 83 2 10 52
40 28 00 14 00 7 00 2 15 54
41 28 70 14 35 7 18 2 20 55
42 29 40 14 70 7 35 2 26 56
43 30 10 15 05 7 53 2 31 58
44 30 80 15 40 7 70 2 37 59
45 31 50 15 75 7 88 2 42 60
46 32 20 16 10 8 05 2 48 62
47 32 90 16 45 8 23 2 52 63
48 33 60 16 80 8 40 2 58 65
49 34 30 17 15 8 58 2 64 66
50 35 00 17 50 8 75 2 69 67
51 35 70 17 85 8 93 2 74 69
52 36 40 18 20 9 10 2 80 70
53 37 10 18 55 9 28 2 85 71
54 37 80 18 90 9 45 2 90 72
55 38 50 19 25 9 63 2 96 74
56 39 20 19 60 9 80 3 01 75
57 39 90 19 95 9 98 3 07 77
58 40 60 20 30 10 15 3 12 78
59 41 30 20 65 10 33 3 18 79
60 42 00 21 00 10 50 3 23 81
61 42 70 21 35 10 68 3 28 82
62 43 40 21 70 10 85 3 34 83
63 44 10 22 05 11 03 3 39 85
64 44 80 22 40 11 20 3 44 86
65 45 50 22 75 11 38 3 47 87
66 46 20 23 10 11 55 3 55 89
67 46 90 23 45 11 73 3 60 90
68 47 60 23 80 11 90 3 66 91
69 48 30 24 15 12 08 3 71 93
70 49 00 24 50 12 25 3 77 94
71 49 70 24 85 12 43 3 82 95
72 50 40 25 20 12 60 3 88 97
73 51 10 25 55 12 78 3 93 98
74 51 80 25 90 12 95 3 98 99
75 52 50 26 25 13 13 4 04 1 01
76 53 20 26 60 13 30 4 09 1 03
77 53 90 26 95 13 48 4 14 1 04
78 54 60 27 30 13 65 4 20 1 05
79 55 30 27 65 13 83 4 25 1 06
80 56 00 28 00 14 00 4 30 1 08
81 56 70 28 35 14 18 4 36 1 09
82 57 40 28 70 14 35 4 41 1 10
83 58 10 29 05 14 53 4 47 1 11
84 58 80 29 40 14 70 4 52 1 13
85 59 50 29 75 14 88 4 58 1 15
86 60 20 30 10 15 05 4 63 1 16
87 60 90 30 45 15 23 4 68 1 17
88 61 60 30 80 15 40 4 74 1 19
89 62 30 31 15 15 58 4 79 1 20
90 63 00 31 50 15 75 4 85 1 21
91 63 70 31 85 15 93 4 90 1 22
92 64 40 32 20 16 10 4 95 1 24
93 65 10 32 55 16 28 5 00 1 25
94 65 80 32 90 16 45 5 06 1 26
95 66 50 33 25 16 63 5 11 1 28
96 67 20 33 60 16 80 5 17 1 29
97 67 90 33 95 16 98 5 22 1 30
98 68 60 34 30 17 15 5 28 1 32
99 69 30 34 65 17 33 5 33 1 33
100 70 00 35 00 17 50 5 38 1 35
ADDRESS
Signs of the Times Oakland, California

CO-OPERATION CORNER.

By Editor

Many of our faithful missionary workers would gladly use much larger clubs of the SIGNS than they are now circulating if they could afford to do so, while there are others who would be just as glad to pay for such clubs if they knew who needed them.
For these reasons we have opened the “Co-operation Corner.” It will contain requests for clubs of papers for use in various fields, short reports from those who are using such clubs, acknowledgments of money received, and such other information as will bring together those who can use papers but can not pay for them, and those who can pay for papers but are not situated so they can use them.
Since our last acknowledgment we have received donations on the following funds:— $6.00 from J. C. Doerr and $6.90 from J. A. Seibert on the club of 75 SIGNS which are being furnished for the work in New York City, under the direction of Elder S. N. Haskell; $1.00 from Henry Timm and $.75 from A. Larsen, to be used in sending the SIGNS free to worthy people who desire the paper, but are unable to pay for it themselves; $2.50 from E. Richter toward the club of 200 SIGNS which we are raising for the work in Japan. The work in this field is suffering greatly from lack of SIGNS for missionary work.
This week we wish to again call the attention of our readers to the fact that we are placing the SIGNS in over twenty-five county jails, and correspondence with the various sheriffs in charge of these jails indicates that they are willing and anxious to place the SIGNS before their inmates, but have no funds at their disposal for this purpose. Shall we allow this opportunity to slip by unheeded?
Send your donations to SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

You have reached the end of this edition.

Signs of the Times · Jan 1, 1902