The Vices and Not the Worries of Civilization — The Grave of Hope, Purity, and Happiness
By F. L. HOMMEL
The sixty-sixth annual report of the government lunacy commissioners, when submitted to the British Parliament, evoked a great deal of comment. This report, showing the number of insane persons in England and Wales for the last reported year, and for a number of other years, taking them at regular ten-year intervals, is of special interest to the student of sociology. Notice:
Year
No. of Insane
Rates per 10,000 Pop.
1852
21,158
11.6
1862
41,129
20.2
1872
58,640
25.4
1882
75,072
29.0
1892
87,248
29.8
1902
110,713
33.5
1912
135,661
37.1
The commissioners, in their report, stated that the three great causes of lunacy were hereditary influences, previous attacks, and intemperance. The first two are predisposing causes, and the third is an exciting cause.
THE VICES AND NOT THE WORRIES
With these theories the late L. S. Forbes Winslow, M. B., M. R. C. P., LL. D., D. C. L., a specialist upon mental diseases, whose writings, dealing with the relationship between drink and mental defectiveness, have won for him high distinction, takes issue. He says:
“I have no patience with those who ascribe this terrible condition of affairs to increased competition, and the wear and tear of modern life. . . . No. It is mere shelving of responsibility, and the true causes of insanity are the vices, not the worries, of civilization. I should put the causes of insanity in the following order: (1) drink; (2) cigarette smoking; (3) heredity. And until the drink question has been settled or properly dealt with, and the marriage laws revised, the nation will continue to go from bad to worse.”
The statement that the “true causes of insanity are the vices, not the worries, of civilization,” is not overdrawn.
THE GRAVE OF HOPE AND HAPPINESS
Read the following description of another by-product of the liquor and tobacco traffic as given by John J. Eden, in the War Cry:
“The public house [saloon] is the grave of hope, purity, life, and happiness. The large takings are indeed the price of blood and innocence. Here there is no old-time comradeship; but you will meet all that quintessence of greed, cruelty, and right down wickedness represented in the racing man, the card sharper, the streetwalker, the wife beater, and the white slave agent. The filthy floor reeks with germs of consumption and foul diseases, whilst the air is poisoned by tobacco fumes and deadly gases from ill-used stomachs. Everything seen, heard, smelled, or tasted is revolting. . . . Through side doors issue the sisters of the night, women young and old, pretty and plain. Once some of them were scholars in Sabbath schools, and loved the Lord. Now their thoughts dwell on beer, and the means of securing a constant supply.
“The public house [saloon] is the cemetery within whose unhallowed walls lie buried the virtue and beauty and love of girls who were once ministering angels. Here the flower of manhood, the blossom of womanhood, wither ere the rising sun can ripen the fruit. Visit the hovels where exist life’s derelicts — miserable dens where the tract is unread and the preacher unheard, where conscience lies drowned under seas of beer. . . . In every churchyard, the unknown grave bears witness to the finished product of drink.”
What a dreadful picture! From the hour when the daughters of Lot made the world blush because of their disgraceful conduct in a cave in the mountains of Zoar, until the557present day, there has been one continuous, unrelenting, despairing cry of distress. The record says, “They made their father drink wine that night.” What heartbreaking anguish the Israelites endured for generations because of that one transgression! The Ammonites and Moabites, warlike, revengeful, idolatrous, and determined, were ever the foes of God’s chosen people. In manner, in dress, and in morals, the true Israel have ever been different from the idolaters about them.
DEMORALIZING ATTIRE
What wonder is it that the human family are steeped in sin, when many of the patterns of female attire are cut in the workshop of hell! Can it be expected that young men and young women who have no hold on God, will retain their purity when compelled to witness such sights as are daily seen on the streets of our larger cities? Is it strange that groups of men stand on the street corners and stare in astonishment at the living creatures adorned in fashionable garments who chance to be passing? What do they see?—Presumably, a product of the Garden of Eden, a daughter of Eve. But where is the likeness? The trouser-like cut of the garment indicates masculinity. The hanging folds of cloth indicate femininity.
What shall we say concerning this semi-femininity-masculinity type of adornment? Is it not a disgrace to modern civilization? The fact that thousands of wives and daughters whose characters are unquestioned, adorn themselves thus, does not lessen the demoralizing effect. Upon observing the results produced by these fashions, one is led to ask himself whether they are the “finished product” of the Garden of Eden, or of the cave in the mountains of Zoar.
Merciful God, preserve the youth of Christian parents everywhere from the enticing, deceptive allurements of this untoward generation.
Knowledge Must Precede Temperance
By L. A. Hansen
True Temperance Requires Study and Thought—It Cannot Be Obtained by Chance
By L. A. HANSEN, M. D.
In the rule of addition for Christian character given by Peter (see 2 Peter 1:5-7), knowledge precedes temperance. This scripture gives to temperance its place as one of the essential elements of godliness, and identifies it in its broad scope.
Bible temperance means more than absence from intoxicants. It comprehends temperance in all things, and in its practice, becomes one of the qualities of the Christian life. There is a logical sequence in the order of Christian graces as given in the text.
Temperance is not a product of ignorance. It is not the result of blind chance or of a hit-or-miss course. It is not something we may fall upon by accident, or trust to luck to bring our way.
FACTS AND INFORMATION REQUIRED
Temperance in its truest and broadest sense is associated with intelligent study and with real knowledge. It deals with facts and information. It calls into use our mental faculties, and the exercise of reason and common sense.
The principles of temperance are principles of health, and embrace all principles of the physical reform. Thus there is involved in the study of health and temperance a study of physical laws. We should become intelligent in things pertaining to our bodies and their care, and to the essentials of all healthful living.
It is knowledge that we should acquire and to which we are to add temperance. We must not trust to mere guess or supposition. We must not rely on cult or fad for the practice of health and temperance principles. Neither should we be satisfied with hearsay or the mere experience of another. We must have our own experience, based upon our own knowledge of our own needs.
TEMPERANCE AND CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE
In other words, temperance is a matter of personal Christian experience leading to an individual attainment of patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and that greatest of virtues, charity. Without temperance, the other virtues are impossible. It is in the course of their attainment. It cannot be omitted or passed over.
Many are ignorant of the laws of health and temperance. It becomes a work of true education to make these laws plain, and teach people how to live in harmony with them. The conscience is to be awakened and the intellect aroused to the importance of right physical living and its relation to godliness.
Gospel work cannot ignore the need of the world for knowledge regarding the results of violating natural laws, which are God's laws. It must comprehend giving help to reach specific needs. Public and personal instruction is to be given, health lectures are to be held, publications are to be issued. Such subjects as hygiene, sanitation, cleanliness, healthful cookery, correct dress, ventilation, exercise, rest, proper sleep, and other topics on physical welfare, have their place in presenting the requirements of the laws of health.
Fortunately, much good reading matter is available in assisting to a correct knowledge of health and temperance principles. Regular numbers of this paper contain many articles of consistent presentation of this important subject. The publishers issue a number of good publications dealing with it, and will gladly give information concerning other material that will be helpful.
For Sale
For Sale: A beautiful country home. 30 acres in foothills of Eldorado County. 1,000 young fruit trees, besides all kinds of older bearing trees. House, barn, horses, wagons, free running springs of water, wood, pasture, etc. In addition, a gold mine which has paid dividends for thirty years, and still paying. All for $6,500. Don’t answer if you don’t mean business. Apply for information to Dr. R. G. Hosking, 495 Valencia Street, San Francisco, Cal.
A Synchronological Chart
A good chronological chart of the history of any great nation or period is a good thing, and a wonderful help in study. A synchronological chart, giving parallel chronological events in various nations, is much better still. Adams’s chart, now out of print, we believe, was such a chart. One on somewhat the same plan is “Deacon’s Synchronological Chart Pictorial and Descriptive of Universal History,” an English work. But this, too, is out of print. Brother C. Apigian, of Loma Linda, California, has at great pains photographed Deacon’s chart, and mounted these photographs so as to present a continual photographic chart and diagram of the great empires of earth from B.C. 4004 to 1890 A.D., making a continuous chart six feet long by eight inches wide, folding into a bound book of 6x8 inches. Any who are interested may write to Mr. C. Apigian, Loma Linda, California. Brother Apigian is fitting himself for work among his own people, the Armenians.
Questions & Answers
By Editor
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“Questions and Answers” is the book that is appreciated by every one who possesses a copy. It contains a careful selection of the hundreds of questions and answers that have appeared in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES weekly for the past twenty-five years.
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Your perplexing questions are answered.
It can help you comprehend the real beauty and harmony of the Scriptures. If there are any hard texts in the Bible for you, let “Questions and Answers” help you with them. Do not continue in that doubtful, destructive uncertainty. Smooth out the rough places, and enjoy real confidence and freedom in your Scripture study.
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SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Mountain View, California
Choosing an Aim in Life
By B. P. Foote
Shall We Have a Definite Purpose, or Shall We Drift?—Will Not Go Higher than We Aim
By B. P. FOOTE
Few people realize what a great help it is to have a high aim,—an aim so high that they cannot hope to reach it without putting forth their best efforts as long as they live.
The question of choosing an aim in life is a very important one, and should receive much more thought than it does receive from the average person. It is easy to wish and hope for the best, and still drift along; but really to choose a high aim, and then continue all through life to choose the course of action that leads most surely and directly toward the accomplishment of that aim, requires mental, moral, and physical energy.
SUCCESS ASSURED UPON CERTAIN CONDITIONS
We are assured over and over again by the Bible, and also by men and women who have attained great heights, that we can succeed in whatever we choose to do, if we throw all our time and energy into the thing, and never give up. This idea was well expressed a few years ago by a noted senator. He was asked if he had ever despaired of becoming a senator. He replied in the negative, and then added: “Fix a point that you want to reach, concentrate all your faculties upon the task of reaching it, and you will get there. Nothing will stop you.”
The following sentence, quoted from the pen of the late Mrs. E. G. White, is also right to the point: “Balanced by religious principle, you may climb to any height you please.”
WHY NOT AIM FOR PERFECTION?
While we are choosing an aim, let us make such a choice as we shall never have occasion to regret. Let us aim high—the higher the better—even at perfection itself. God will not be satisfied with anything less, and how can we? “Only the best is good enough.” Can you think of any good reason why we should not aim for perfection? The fact that we have failed so far is no reason why we should stop trying. Instead, it should cause us to try all the harder. We know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that we shall never reach a higher point than that at which we aim; and we know that those who do not, with the help of God, attain perfection, will be lost. Then, too, it is worthy of consideration that this is an aim which can be followed by every one, everywhere, all through life, with no possibility of harmful results.
“BE YE PERFECT”
God never asks impossibilities of any one, does He? Yet He says, “Be ye . . . perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” While this seems an impossibility—and it is an impossibility to the unaided human being—yet God’s biddings are His enablings to those, and those only, who “seek . . . first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness.” Too many of us have not been making “first things first.” If we seek the kingdom of God as Peary sought the north pole, as Edison seeks new inventions, or even as thousands of others are seeking fame and fortune, we shall not fail.
The way to reach our goal is not to be continually thinking and talking of the great things we are going to do sometime, but to do with our might what our hands find to do right now. Real efficiency is “doing the right thing, in the right way, at the right time.” This definition was given in a business journal some time ago, but it applies just as well to the life and work of a Christian as to business life. In fact, in its truest sense, it can be applied to every moment of life. There is a right time in which to do every right thing, and a right way in which to do it; and it is right that we should give much thought and study to this question from now on, as long as we live.
“Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.” The present is ours to use just as we choose; and if we take care of the present to the best of our knowledge and ability, the Lord will take care of the future, and see that we are provided with sufficient power to meet each temptation.
PLAYING AND WORKING FOR PERFECTION
While we cannot attain perfection without the help of God, yet He is not going to work a miracle to make us perfect. “God helps those who help themselves.” It is self-effort that educates, self-help that counts in the struggle for perfection. The best that others can do for us is to help us to help ourselves. We must pray for perfection as though we expected God to answer our prayers, and then we must work as though we expected to answer them ourselves.
Internal Sanitation
By D. H. Kress
By D. H. KRESS, M. D.
THE eminent sanitarian, Dr. Joseph von Foder, compiled the following facts relating to the surroundings of fatal cases of typhoid fever in Budapest, Hungary, during fifteen years, 1863-77:
Deaths from typhoid per hundred houses when the interior of the dwelling was—
Very clean 165
Clean 177
Dirty 182
Very dirty 356
There was gradual increase from “very clean” to “dirty,” and a very great increase from “dirty” to “very dirty.” Compared with the “very clean,” there were more than twice the proportion of deaths in the “very dirty” dwellings.
With yards surrounding the houses, the result was as follows:
Typhoid fever deaths per one hundred houses when yard was—
Very clean 159
Clean 186
Dirty 208
Very dirty 282
The evidence was conclusive that want of cleanliness outside the dwelling had great influence in the causation of typhoid fever, but not nearly so great as had want of cleanliness inside the dwelling.
But to avoid germ diseases, sanitation must extend still further. Not only must the back yard and the interior of the dwelling be cleaned up, but the body itself must be kept clean internally. The person who has the most foreign matter stored up in his tissues is the fittest subject for germ diseases.
When we find mold growing upon the leaves of a tree, we say the tree is sick. We recognize that mold does not grow on the leaves of a healthy tree.
A germ-coated tongue is regarded as a very trivial matter, but germs do not grow on the tongue of a healthy being. They thrive only on tissues that are saturated59with organic impurities and have in consequence lost their vitality. The man with coated tongue and foul breath, creates a pestilential and polluted atmosphere, which he is compelled to breathe. He is a subject for the plague, for pneumonia, or for any other germ disease to which he may be exposed. There can be no growth of seed without soil. Cultivation of the soil precedes the growth of the seed. So long as the body soil is unfavorable, germs are helpless and harmless.
Dr. William Hall, of Leeds, England, who examined 1,200 school children among gentiles and Jews, discovered that the Jewish children were physically superior in every respect. They were heavier and taller, the teeth were better, there were fewer cases of rickets, and germ diseases were less common.
It is also a well-known fact that the average age of the Jews is considerably above that of the gentiles. This is not due to their being housed under superior sanitary conditions, for the Jewish children were known to be housed the worst. The chief cause of the Jews’ being so much healthier is that they are better fed. Whole meal breads, milk, eggs, oil, and occasionally a little fish, constitute their chief food, while the child of the gentile is fed on meats, etc. Not house sanitation, but body sanitation, is the secret of these results.
So far, health boards have given special attention to public hygiene. Very little has been said about personal hygiene. As a result, physical degeneracy is more marked than ever before. Never has more been paid out for poisons in the form of alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee, and for flesh meats.
The Work Moving in the Philippine Islands
By L. V. Finster
By L. V. FINSTER
I RECENTLY baptized seven at Cavite, where brother Victor de la Cruz has been laboring. Our brethren came in from several towns near, and we had four meetings during the day. There seems to be still a good interest in this place.
Later I went to San Pablo, and on Sabbath afternoon had the privilege of burying eighteen dear souls with their Lord in baptism. They came to Manila several months ago, and requested the privilege of baptism, but we felt they should be more thoroughly instructed before going forward in the sacred rite. There are about fifty now keeping the Sabbath in and around San Pablo. All this is a result of work by our faithful colporteurs and the missionary work of those who have previously accepted the faith. The only ministerial help they have received is a few weeks’ meetings held in preparing them for baptism.
Our colporteurs have returned to these people from Sabbath to Sabbath, and we found them very well established in all points of the faith. It seems very wonderful to me to see what God has wrought here through our literature.
On Sabbath afternoon, we went about a mile, through a coconut grove, to a beautiful small stream. The banks gradually slope up from each side, and made an excellent place for the people to witness this service. Many who came, had never before seen a baptism. The Lord’s Spirit was present as we spoke to those assembled. We believe there will be a large harvest of souls in this place.
From a letter from Elder Adams, we were sorry to hear that his little girl was taken quite ill on their way to Iloilo, but he reports she is recovering. Brother Floyd Ashbaugh is now conducting a colporteurs’ institute at Argao, Cebu. We trust that many earnest persons may go from this institute to help circulate the new Cebuan book.
As a result of our tent meeting at Baliwag, about fifty have started to keep the Sabbath. The harvest is truly great, but the laborers are few. We feel that we should more earnestly pray to the Lord of the harvest to raise up many workers to help finish His work in the earth.
1915–1916 Paper and Book Offer
THIS paper the rest of the year 1915 and all of 1916, with the very helpful book “Questions and Answers,” for $2.00.
Unusually Good
By Editor
Readers of this paper will greatly appreciate the October number of the Signs of the Times Magazine. There are a dozen or more good, timely studies, besides the usual complement of current topics.
Notice the list:
“Great Signs and Wonders Soon to Be Manifested on the Earth.”
Nothing like them ever before seen by mortal eyes. The sacred Word points these out, just as it pointed out the awful strife now seen.
“MORMONISM IN THE CRUCIBLE.”
An insight into interesting facts.
“VANITY A CAUSE OF CANCER.”
A new view of this terrible disease.
“WHICH DAY IS THE SABBATH?”
Can we know definitely? What difference does it make?
“THE GREAT PEACE MOVEMENT.”
A prominent sign of the end. Does the Bible say it will triumph?
“THE FIRST GREAT DECEPTION.”
Where and when was it? Why should it concern us?
“THE KINGS OF THE EAST.”
They are to do a certain work. What about them?
“AWAKENED!”
God’s call to non-Christian lands. Their response. What is impending?
“THE GLORIES OF THE HEAVENS.”
A study in astronomy.
“THE GALLIPOLI PENINSULA IN THE LIGHT OF PROPHECY.”
It will pay you to keep in touch with these things.
“THE PATH OF GLORY.”
“A POETIC PROPHECY.”
A good selection of appropriate illustrations.
Ten cents in coin or stamps for this October number. One dollar a year.
