p. 174 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 11. (3/24/1914)

Earlier text: PHYSICAL LAWS IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD

The Onward March of the Message

CHEERING REPORTS FROM MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD—SUCCESS ATTENDS THE EFFORTS TO TELL ALL NATIONS THAT JESUS IS COMING SOON

Brother A. F. Prieger tells of a visit to a little settlement on the top of one of the high mountains of the West Indies, where he found that the brethren had leveled the ground on the peak and were erecting a little church. While there he organized the company into a church of thirty-three members. He also visited Port de Paix, where he baptized nine; and a little later, at Grande Riviere, baptized nineteen. At Hincha, where several Protestant churches have been unsuccessful in their efforts to gain a foothold, one of our native laborers held a course of meetings, and as a result Brother Prieger baptized six, and organized a Sabbath-school.

Sixty-four baptisms are reported from the state of Wyoming during the past two years. Besides this, sixteen new believers have taken their stand since the camp-meeting last August. For this same length of time west Kansas reports 192 additions, east Colorado 398, Iowa 176, and Minnesota 375. In the latter conference there have been four churches organized, and two new buildings dedicated. As a result of evangelistic efforts in Minneapolis, eighty persons have been baptized. In Arizona seventy-two souls were baptized during the past year, and fifty more new believers are reported. The Tennessee River Conference reports 118 baptisms for the year.

The quarterly report of the European Division for the third quarter of 1913 shows the baptism of 1,252 believers, twenty-two of whom are in Egypt. This number, added to the number of those baptized during this same quarter in North America, makes a total of 3,059 baptisms during the one quarter in these two fields. Surely this is a token of the power that is attending the preaching of God's message, and will cheer the hearts of all those who are loyal to His word.

Forty-nine believers were baptized, and a church of fifty members was organized, at Dok Jong Kore, Seoul, Korea, where is the headquarters of our work in that field. At Soonan six more were baptized. At this place three new buildings,—a chapel, a girls' dormitory, and a new dispensary,—have recently been constructed. These were built from the thirteenth Sabbath offering of the Sabbath-schools of this country for the first quarter of 1913. Sixteen others, in various parts of Korea, have accepted the binding claims of God's law.

From a statistical report recently issued by the General Conference, we extract the following items concerning the work in North America:

No. of churches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,978 No. of companies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 No. of persons baptized during third quarter of 1913 . . . . . . . 1,807 No. of communicants in North America . . . . . . . . . . . . 71,223 No. of missionaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 680 No. of Sabbath-schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,582

Elder Westrup, speaking to the brethren assembled at a recent general meeting at Honan, China, stated that "in Germany, Russia, and England, every worker gained ten persons on an average for the Master last year, and in Siberia every worker gained seventeen believers." If every believer in the

message should become an active worker, how long would it take to evangelize the world, and thus hasten the fulfilment of the Master's promise?

Elder B. C. and Mrs. Haak and family sailed early in February for Buenos Aires, South America, he to take the presidency of the Argentine Conference. About the same time, Brother W. M. and Mrs. Crothers sailed for Jamaica, West Indies. Brother Crothers goes at his own expense, to seek a climate more favorable for his health, yet they hope to find many opportunities for service in missionary lines.

Brother B. L. Anderson writes from Amoy, Fukien, China, that on his last trip into the interior he found a splendid opening, where eighty-nine people enrolled their names to signify their faith and their willingness to obey the truth. At a general meeting held in Fatshan, near Canton, Dr. Law Keem was ordained to the gospel ministry, and twenty-two candidates were baptized. At the Hakka workers' meeting three received this rite.

In the Victoria-Tasmania Conference, during the past year 101 were baptized. At Bendigo, in that field, four were recently added to the church, and others will be ready for baptism soon. Twelve have been baptized at Hobart. Twelve in the vicinity of Bairnsdale and Cunninghame, five at Colac, and eight at Richmond are rejoicing in the light of the message.

School work commenced on December 7 in the China training-school, toward the building of which readers of the SIGNS contributed. On January 1 there were fifty-eight students in attendance,—forty-two boys and sixteen girls. Our readers will join us in the wish that these students may develop into strong, efficient soul-winners for the Master.

Elder E. K. Slade, president of the Ohio Conference, says that during the month of January over sixty were baptized and received into the churches of Ohio. A short time ago ten Rumanians were baptized, and they hope soon to organize a Rumanian church. Thirty-five of the students of Mount Vernon College were baptized.

The following interesting report comes from the Gold Coast, Africa: "A few months ago a Catholic family of four embraced the third angel's message, and since the last special week of prayer, the number of Sabbath-keepers here increased from thirty-six to sixty-seven. All around us in the whole coast are idol-worshipers."

Brother Herbert J. Edmed, in writing of the work in the Cape Conference, South Africa, tells of fifteen candidates at various places who are awaiting baptism. The number of students baptized during the past year at the college in Cape Town is eleven. At another school thirty-five have joined the class for baptism.

At the first annual session of the North Hungarian Mission, held at Kassa, three persons declared their desire to unite with us. The first three quarters' report shows thirty-one gained by baptism and vote. In the Theiss-Save Mission, Hungary, fifty-one were received into the church by baptism during 1913.

A new paper, issued in the Chasu language, has just been started in German East Africa, bearing the title Mirikizi, which means The Evangelist. The Pare Mission reports the baptism of 133 persons during the year.

Brother L. V. Finster baptized ten believers at Binacaya, Philippine Islands, early in December, fruitage of the labors of a native evangelist. Another church has been organized in the Philippines. A new chapel, the first church building to be erected in the Philippines, has just been completed at Maloloo.

At a recent baptismal service in Pisa, Italy, over ten thousand persons gathered on the banks of the river Arno to witness this service. Among them were many priests. Thirteen believers were baptized during the past year in this stronghold of the papacy.

Elder K. C. Russell tells of visiting a camp-meeting in Manitoba, Canada, where he learned of a whole church that had been brought into the truth as a result of one person's having bought a copy of "Great Controversy."

Brother G. A. Hamilton, who left California for Burma about one year ago, and has been laboring for some time in Rangun, reports the baptism of four candidates, and says two more converts will be baptized later.

Eight individuals at Roma, Queensland, and three at Terrors Creek, are walking in obedience to the truth. Twenty-six have been baptized in the Queensland Conference since their camp-meeting in October.

At the general meeting for the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil, which was held in Serro Pellado, six persons were buried in baptism. At this place also a church school with thirty-four pupils was organized.

Twelve persons who stepped out into the light of the truth during the session of the Transylvanian Conference, which convened at Nagy-Szeben (Hermannstadt), were baptized at the Sabbath service.

Elder C. B. Stephenson reports encouragingly of the work in the Southeastern Union Conference. During the past two years 768 persons were received into the church in that field.

Elder Kuniya recently baptized two believers in the ocean at Kagoshima, Japan. Sabbath, December 6, a new church was dedicated at Kuji-machi, free from debt.

Nine souls at Wellington, New Zealand, recently received baptism. Eighteen in Ponsonby have also received this rite, and three at the Oroua missionary school.

Seven souls in Babumohal, India, and three in Calcutta, recently received baptism. During the past year fourteen were added to the church in Calcutta by baptism.

Fourteen new believers were baptized in Iceland during the last year, and a meeting-house has been built in Reikiavik, the capital city.

During the past few months twenty-two new members have been added to the faith in Ireland, and others are awaiting baptism.

Elder Frank S. Bond, of Barcelona, Spain, baptized twelve in that field during the third quarter of 1913.

News comes from Java of three souls in the country having taken their stand for the message.

Ten souls in Iman, Siberia, were recently baptized, and have been organized into a church.

Four souls in Singapore, East Indies, were buried in baptism on Sunday, December 7.

At Quirindi, New South Wales, five have taken their stand to obey the truth.

Besides the foregoing, we note the baptism of 394 persons in this country, 71 reported as added to church-membership, and 389 conversions. Three churches have been erected, six dedicated, nine church organizations effected, and six Sabbath-schools organized.

Elder D. T. Shireman announces that his address is changed from Hickory, North Carolina, to Route 1, Morganton, North Carolina. All mail for him or his wife, Nellie M. Shireman, should in future be addressed to the latter place.

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH RECENTLY ERECTED AT ALBANY, NEW YORK

Pioneering among New Guinea Heathen Tribes

By Benny Tavodi

WHEN Brother Carr and Brother Lawson returned from an inland trip in July, I was appointed to visit some of the tribes they had seen, and also enter fresh territory. Three days from Bisiatabu brought us to Efogi, where we found a large feast in progress, and where I spent three days, and found it a good opportunity to preach, as it would have taken weeks to reach all those people in their own villages. Some were much interested in what was told them, while others were too busy with the festivities to pay much attention.

One day further brought us to Kagi, where a goodly number gathered to hear the gospel. Both at Kagi and at Efogi are people who want to keep the Sabbath, but they so quickly lose count of the days of the week, that within a few weeks confusion comes in.

Seragina is a day past Kagi, and here good attention was given to the preaching. Much surprise was expressed when the resurrection was mentioned, as this was the first time they had heard of the Christian's hope.

Four lads from Seragina carried the swags containing bedding, food, tent, trade, etc., to Hagari and Bapari, a day's journey apart, and the Bapari people were much surprised to find that we had come to preach to them, as they had never heard before of God or Christ or the gospel. They paid good attention to the meetings held on Friday and Sabbath, and the chief topic of conversation while we were there was easily detected.

The Bapari lads accompanied me to Kotoi. Many were away from this village. It was a grand sight, early in the morning, to see Mount Victoria, 13,000 feet high, towering away above into the clouds, and we felt the cold as the wind came down from the mountain. We were sorry to find that none at Kotoi understood Motuan, the Port Moresby language; but as I freely used my arms and legs to gesticulate, they were able to grasp at least some of what I said.

Leaving Kotoi, Naori and Ilibane were visited; but although these were once flourishing tribes, disease had so reduced them that at the latter place only five men remained, with neither wives nor families.

Some of the villages visited were two and three days apart, but what I felt most of all was my not being able to make myself understood clearly, not knowing the different languages. The promise of God is very precious to us which says, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." We are not disheartened, but long for the Holy Spirit which has been promised us. BENNY TAVODI.

Wanted for Missionary Work

By Editor

Late, clean copies of the Signs, Watchman, Protestant, Liberty, Life and Health, and tracts and pamphlets, to James Harvey, 1729 Grove Street, Oakland, California.

A continuous supply of Signs of the Times to Mrs. O. W. Corwin, 2101 Webster Street, Waco, Texas.

A continuous supply of late, clean copies of our denominational papers and magazines to Miss Anna Hornung, 2121 Osage Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky.

A continuous supply of our denominational papers, magazines, tracts, etc., to Frank E. Crane, Cedar Creek P. O., Scott County, Arkansas.

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"Tormented Forever and Ever"

One of the most fearful utterances in the whole Bible regarding the wicked, a wrong conception of which has made men infidels. This tract presents an exposition of the text which is reasonable and just—a vindication of God's character. B. S. L. No. 111. Price $1.00 per hundred; single copies, 2 cents.

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HOUSEHOLD PESTS

By Mary Alice Hare Loper, M. S.

ADVANCED METHODS FOR SAFEGUARDING HEALTH—BETTER TO PROTECT HEALTH THAN TO KNOW HOW TO GET WELL WHEN SICK—FLIES, MOSQUITOES, RATS, AND MICE AS COMMUNICATORS OF DISEASE

By MARY ALICE HARE LOPER, M. S.

THE fly problem, which for so long has puzzled the best brains of both city and country, is at last partially solved. Flies have been tolerated for centuries, seemingly as a "necessary evil"; but it is a satisfaction to know that their reign of terror is on the decline.

SCREENING OF DOORS AND WINDOWS

It has not been many years that the finishing of a dwelling-house has been made to include the screening of windows and doors against flies and mosquitoes. In those ante-screen days, the fancy fly-brush, sometimes made of gay peacock feathers, was one of the conveniences of the esthetic housekeeper; while more frequently was seen the fringed newspaper brush—the paper being attached to a stick or standard somewhat after the fashion of a flag—or a fresh branch from some friendly shade-tree.

The old-fashioned "safe," with its perforated tin doors, served to keep food from the ravages of flies between meals; but as soon as food was placed upon the table for serving, the task of wielding the fly-brush presented itself. Often this task was assigned to some child, who, perchance, becoming weary or forgetful, permitted his brush at times to come into contact with the food, thereby bespattering the immaculate table-linen.

IMPROVEMENTS OVER THE "LONG AGO"

We sing pathetically of "auld lang syne," while sweet memories cling around the days of long ago. But however much those days may have surpassed the present in the matter of wide-spread hospitality, we would not wish to return to the fly-brush era, with its darkened dining-rooms and frequent invasions by the winged enemy.

House screens surely met a long-felt want; but they left the fly to roam at will, ready to enter whenever opportunity came his way. The thought of exterminating flies by the wholesale, and of annihilating their breeding-places, was yet to be born. For the twentieth century remained the idea of placing the mammoth fly-trap in the city streets, and putting a bounty on these household pests.

Many and varied have been the inventions for capturing flies indoors, each of which has had its own particular virtue to commend it. The simple little wire swatter is a very satisfactory remover of stray flies, but it should not be used on a table, a pantry shelf, or in any unsuitable place. Catch the fly while he is on the floor or on the wall, where a slight stroke will terminate his career. On sunny mornings, if window-shades are drawn down for a short time, flies may be driven out at the door, as they have a tendency to collect where there is sunshine.

A few moments spent occasionally in getting rid of flies, will keep the home that is properly screened free from the fly pest, with all its train of deadly human ills. It is well known that flies are a very common source of disease, and they surely should not be tolerated within a human habitation. The slogan, "Swat the fly," should not only be adopted officially in every city and village, but it should find an echo in every home. With all the present-day facilities for getting rid of flies, there is absolutely no excuse for harboring them.

JOHNNIE WILL KEEP THE DOORS OPEN

"Well," says one, "my house is screened, but the flies get in anyway. It is so hard to persuade Johnnie to keep the screens closed, and I just do not have time to get rid of the flies." Yes, many homes are regular summer resorts for flies, the inmates little realizing that death lurks where flies assemble. But when illness comes, one always has time to be sick, even though the cause may have been wholly unnecessary. It is much better to take time to exterminate the flies or even drive them out of the home than to be ill because of their presence.

Children should be made to understand that it is a misdemeanor to hold a screen door open. The screen door is there to keep flies out, and should be used for that purpose. If Johnnie is accustomed to keep it open, he may shed a few tears over the means used to break the habit up, but not such bitter tears as might be shed over his untimely grave should he continue to have his own way about the flies. The only safe rule is, to live wholly apart from flies, if one would avoid the germs of disease which these pests constantly carry from place to place.

KIND OF CAMPS TO AVOID

Encampments, of whatever kind, that make no provision against the free assembling of flies, would better be shunned at meal-time by all campers who prize life and health. Surely it is little less than a crime to board where flies are permitted to collect in swarms about the food, with not even the old-fashioned fly-brush as a protection. I once heard a picnic experience described as "oceans of coffee and islands of flies," and that description was surely not without a semblance of truth.

HOUSEHOLD PESTS ADVANCED METHODS FOR SAFEGUARDING HEALTH-BETTER TO PROTECT HEALTH THAN TO KNOW HOW TO GET WELL WHEN SICK-FLIES, MOSQUITOES, RATS, AND MICE AS COMMUNICATORS OF DISEASE By MARY ALICE HARE LOPER, M. S.

Every morsel of a picnic lunch should be wrapped in oiled paper, or safeguarded in some other way, so that it can be served first to those for whom it was prepared. True, some persons seem to be germ proof, and possessed of appetites that do not wane because of the presence of flies. But not every one is thus fortified, or can afford to run such risk. No doubt many a case of severe illness following an encampment has been due wholly to the presence of flies.

THE MOSQUITO AND FEVERS

The mosquito is another disease carrier, and consequently it should not be tolerated in the home. Although much has been said and written concerning the prevalence of disease resulting from poisonous mosquito bites, many persons do not seem to realize this danger.

House screens should be of such fine mesh as to render it impossible for mosquitoes to get through. Then the few that find entrance at the doors may be got rid of easily at twilight, when they come from their hiding-places and collect on the screens. This should be diligently looked after every evening in localities where mosquitoes abound, so as to keep the home free from them.

It is definitely known that the mosquito is the chief means of the distribution of malarial poison, causing the various types of malarial fever, and is also the chief distributor of the deadly germs of yellow fever in the more tropical countries. Therefore swat the mosquito diligently.

DANGERS FROM RATS AND MICE

Rats and mice are dangerous pests that infest many homes. Rats especially have been proved to be carriers of the terrible bubonic plague, while both are filthy and dangerous to human life. Much of the old-fashioned architecture permits rats and mice to gain easy access to buildings by finding their way in the walls. Modern architecture, however, which renders the walls mouse and rat proof, is a source of satisfaction and comfort, as well as an important safeguard to health.

"The surest road to health, say what they will, Is to avoid the things that make you ill."

ONE INNOCENT LOOKING FLY HAS MORE THAN 100,000 GERMS ON HIS LEGS AND MOUTH

Too Good to Be True?

By Anonymous

A LADY and her guest who had just arrived were riding along the shady street. Pupils from the public school began to throng the sidewalks. At a crossing, a bright-faced boy, about ten years old, stood waiting for the ladies to pass, and lifted his cap with a courteous gesture and a sunny smile.

The hostess leaned from the carriage with a pleasant greeting, and the boy's gray cap covered the brown curls as they drove on.

"One of your Sunday-school class?" ventured the guest.

"No," replied the hostess, "my only son, Harry."

As they approached the home, they nearly overtook a girl of about fourteen and a middle-aged man, walking briskly. The man was listening in a deferential way to the girl's merry chatter. At the gate they paused, the man lifted his hat in a parting salutation as he held the gate for the girl to precede him, then bowing he passed on, as if hurried, not observing the approaching carriage.

"This is our home. That is my husband going to his office," said the hostess.

"And you have another guest — or is the young lady a caller?" asked the speaker.

"That is Marguerite, our eldest child. She and her father are great chums," replied the hostess.

At the daintily appointed tea-table, the youngest child had the misfortune to drop and break a fragile piece of china. Her face crimsoned with distress, and the violet eyes lifted to her mother's face were large with gathering tears. The guest winced, dreading discordant notes where all had been harmonious.

"I hope they will only send her away in disgrace — poor little thing!" her thought ran.

But even as she thought, the mother, with perfect courtesy, spoke the same conventional words of reassurance which she would have used had the honored guest broken the cup. Seeing the quivering lip of her cherished child — the guest from God — she added softly:

"Mother knows you are sorry, dearest. Just let it pass, and forget it," while the father, with ready tact, engaged the visitor in conversation. The visitor was charmed. — Anonymous.

God Shows His Greatness by What He Gives

By William Covert

HE gives us all things richly to enjoy. 1 Tim. 6: 17. He must first own what He gives, else He could not give it. Indeed, He made all things so that He might have an abundance of riches to give away. All things in earth and sea, and air and sky, and in all worlds beyond the sky, are His, and His abundance can never be decreased by any amount that He may give. He owns all that He pours upon the world in His lavish kindness. All the beauties of the clouds, and all the rainbow's brilliancy, please the eyes and gladden the hearts of His creatures. The brooks, the rivers, and the lakes, all are beautiful; so also do the gulfs, the seas, and the oceans roll their great waves in glorious majesty, as they serve man's needs and entertain his senses.

And the nights are made beautiful, and filled with grandeur, as they reveal to our vision the handiwork of God in the heavens. All these things are made to give us joy in beholding them. The riches which fill the heaven can never be diminished by all the eyes and the lenses that may be allowed to feast upon them.

The light that God gives, and the colors that He displays in the light, are for rich and poor alike, and these are optical blessings which God in His great goodness freely gives to all who have eyes to see. God freely gives us the exquisite pleasure of beholding the brilliant hues that He spreads upon the clouds, and the gorgeous paintings of the flowers that bloom and the birds that fly and that sing.

Why not go out into the free air and into the free sunshine, and fully and freely enjoy these free gifts? Then, I ask, has not God made all men rich, since He has so abundantly provided them with these things, and placed within their being their natural senses, by which they are to enjoy these wonderful riches? William Covert.

Dogwood Blossoms

By Clara Edna Rosencrans

It was a bright spring day. The city was ahum with busy life. Street-cars clanged their bells as pedestrians crossed the tracks, and motor-trucks and autos whirred past, making the air discordant with their shrill gongs.

On the steps of a beautiful mansion on Sutherland Street stood a middle-aged woman. Her dress was plain and poor, her face plainer, and she walked with a crutch. Suddenly, as she rang the bell, her eyes rested on a bunch of dogwood blossoms in a vase close beside the door. She stood gazing as though fascinated, and her face lighted up, as thoughts of youthful days will sometimes lighten a face otherwise commonplace and unattractive. The city street faded away. The noise and bustle were almost unheard. The poor cripple was back again in the little log cabin with father and mother.

It was evening, and the sun was sinking behind the hills, while the little valley was bathed in shadow. A narrow path wound down the deep shelving hillside toward a spring; and all along this path, filling in the spaces between the dark green of the ash and the tenderer and more vivid emerald of the maple and hazel, grew the shadowy white blossoms of the dogwood. Quiet and stillness and perfect peace reigned there—a stillness in which could be heard the plaintive call of the whippoorwill and the vesper song of the brown thrush; a stillness also in which one could think of God and get near to heaven. Here in the sad past she had read much and dreamed more. Here days had been spent in writing, while she imagined that sometime her name might be at least acknowledged outside the valley.

Alas for human hopes! While she had secured some local recognition, yet the major part of her old-time dreams were yet unrealized.

There was no bitterness now as she thought of this and her disappointment; but back into her heart came the blessedness of that time when she had known her name written in the book of life; when, bereft of father and mother, she had found a loving heavenly Father, and had known that soon she would have a home with Him.

How little time it takes to dip deep into the past!

She was suddenly aroused to the fact that the bell had not been answered, and she must go. She glanced again lovingly at the dogwood blossoms, and wished it were right for her to take one; but as she could not satisfactorily convince herself of that, she went down the steps smiling—with a look of vision on her face.

What did it matter that she was poor and lonely, and that disease had maimed her life? She "knew in whom she had believed," and that she was an heir to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled; knew, too, that life was beautiful and replete and satisfying, since a bunch of wild flowers—plucked perhaps by a childish hand—could give her a moment of such unalloyed pleasure.

What if sad memories were mingled with the dreams of the old days? The snowy blossoms of the dogwood were but a background against which were imaged father, mother, home, and all that those sweet words imply.

"Dreams," you say. Yes, for is not a great deal of life made up of dreams? The reality will come when we awake to the fulness of the life beyond.

Clara Edna Rosencrans.

INVOCATION

By W. R. Patterson

O, FOUNT of all the good I know, Out of my griefs to Thee I call! Unstinted do Thy blessings flow, To cheer the life of each and all.

When clouds hang heavy o'er my sky, And misty is the way I tread, Then in my anguish hear my cry, And raise again the bowed head.

When, passing through the waters deep, "Thy billows all go over me," Do Thou Thy charge still ever keep, And in Thy hand still cover me.

When human sight no more can see The tender hand that leadeth me, My flagging faith again restore, And bid me doubt Thee nevermore.

Lord, I would place my hand in Thine, Be ever loyal to Thy voice; Thine to lead; to follow, mine, And make Thy will my ev'ry choice. W. R. PATTERSON.

The Honest Man

By George Washington

THE most enviable of all titles—the character of an honest man.—Washington.

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Man as Overlord

By Editor

AN editorial writer in the New York Independent, in speaking of Bergson and his "creative evolution," says:

"During the present generation chemistry and biology have passed from the descriptive to the creative stage. Man is becoming the overlord of the mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms. He is learning to make gems and perfumes, drugs and foods, to suit his tastes, instead of depending upon the chance bounty of nature. He is beginning consciously to adapt means to ends and to plan for the future even in the field of politics. He has opened up the atom, and finds in it a microcosm more complex than the solar system. He beholds the elements melting with fervent heat, and he turns their rays to the healing of his sores. He drives the lightning through the air, and with the product feeds his crops. He makes the desert to blossom as the rose, and out of the sea he draws forth dry land. He treats the earth as his habitation, remodeling it in accordance with his ever-varying desires. . . . The idea of eternal recurrence does not frighten him as it did Nietzsche, for he feels it to be impossible."

Human achievements in the field of science are truly marvelous. What man has done within the last century is even greater than the dreams of fiction of those who lived before. But when we come to acknowledging man in this sinful state as the "overlord" of creation, we are making a very fatal mistake. When man stops to think of some of his achievements, he is tempted to feel very much like an "overlord"; but when he stands in the presence of one of the little convulsions of nature that will create an earthquake or a volcano, or when he is confronted with a whirling tornado, he finds that his claims of overlordship are very childish.

We are in the midst of the great convulsions of this old earth during its dying agonies of sin. God has said that the earth shall wax old like a garment. He has told us that it shall reel to and fro because of the heavy transgressions upon it. And we will find that disturbances and irregular conditions in nature will become more and more pronounced, and men will be absolutely powerless in the presence of them. It is a great mistake for man in his pride to seek to make of himself an equal with the mighty God, the great Creator.

Continue reading: Earthquakes and Bible Prophecy