p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 30. (8/6/1912)

Parents Should Be Christlike

By Ellen G. White

By Mrs. E. G. White

THE home circle should be an educating circle. Fathers and mothers should realize that they themselves should be in subjection to our heavenly Father, in order that they may understand how to educate and train the children to be under discipline, and in subjection to parental authority. Parents have brought children into the world, and the children have no voice or part in the matter. Parents are under most weighty responsibility so to educate and train these children that they shall not miss the way leading to eternal life. Parents make a most terrible mistake when they neglect the work of giving their children religious training, thinking that they will come out all right in the future, and, as they get older, will of themselves be anxious for a religious experience. Can not you see, parents, that if you do not plant the precious seeds of truth, of love, of heavenly attributes, in the heart, Satan will sow the field of the heart with tares? He will preoccupy the field, and sow the seeds of stubbornness, of selfishness, of love of pleasure, and turn the mind into channels of pride and sinfulness.

As parents, we shall do well to consider the case of Abraham, "the father of the faithful." He was a representative man, and his example in the home life is worthy of imitation. The Lord said of him, "I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment." Abraham was selected by God to introduce into society a higher standard than that found in the world. He was to cultivate home religion, and cause the fear of the Lord to permeate his household. He who blesses the habitation of the righteous, said of Abraham, "I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord." There would be on his part no betraying of sacred trusts, no indulgence of sin in excusing his children in evil ways. This sinful indulgence of children is the veriest cruelty that could be practised toward them, for it confirms them in evil.

Children are the heritage of the Lord, and should be trained and disciplined in such a way that they will form characters which the Lord can approve. Both parents and children are under the government of God, and are to be ruled by Him. Fathers and mothers should combine their influence and authority and affection, and rule their homes after the direction that God has given us in His Word. They are not to rule by impulse. There is to be no oppression on the part of parents, and no disobedience on the part of children. We are not to reach the standard of worldlings, but the standard that God Himself has erected. Parents should inquire diligently what God has said in His holy Word; for the Word must be the rule from which there can be no turning aside. The motto of parents should be, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

It is very delicate work to deal with human minds. The discipline necessary for one would crush another; therefore let parents study the characters of their children. Never be abrupt and act from impulse. I have seen a mother snatch something from the hand of her child which was giving it special pleasure, and the child would not understand what to make of the deprivation. The little one burst forth into a cry, for it felt abused and injured. Then the parent, to stop its crying, gave it a sharp chastisement, and, as far as outward appearances were concerned, the battle was over. But that battle left its impression on the tender mind of the child, and it could not be easily effaced. I said to the mother: "You have deeply wronged your child. You have hurt its soul, and lost its confidence in you. How this will be restored I know not." This mother was very unwise; she followed her feelings, and did not move cautiously, reasoning from cause to effect. Her harsh, injudicious management stirred up the worst passions in the heart of her child. To act from impulse in governing a family is the very worst of policy. When parents contend with their children in such a way, it is a most unequal struggle that ensues. How unjust it is to put years and maturity of strength against a helpless, ignorant little child! Every exhibition of anger on the part of the parents confirms rebellion in the heart of the child. It is not through one act that the character is formed, but by a repetition of acts that habits are established and character confirmed. To have a Christlike character it is necessary to act in a Christlike way. Christians will exhibit a holy temper, and their actions and impulses will be prompted by the Holy Spirit.

It takes far less time and pains to spoil the disposition of a child than to imprint upon the tablets of the soul principles that will result in habits of righteousness. Let parents be careful never to correct their children in anger. Never lay your hand upon a child when you are provoked and filled with passion. In so doing you will make him partaker of your own impulsive, passionate, unreasonable spirit. You may ask, "Shall I never punish my child by the use of the rod?" It may be necessary to whip a child at times. But every other resort should first be tried before you cause your child physical pain. If you are a Christian father or mother, you will reveal the love you have for your poor, erring little ones. If you do have to punish your child, you will manifest real sorrow for its affliction. You will bow before God with the child, and, with a heart full of sorrow, will ask the Lord to forgive the erring little one, and not permit that Satan shall have control of his soul. Present before the little ones the sympathizing Redeemer. Speak His own words to them, telling them that Jesus said, "Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Your prayer, uttered in contrition of soul, will bring angels to your side, and the child's heart may be all broken in penitence, and thus the victory be gained, and there be no necessity of using the rod.

But if you take a child and correct it in the heat of passion, you pursue a course that may make a demon of your child, and then you may wonder why it is that your children have such unlovely traits of character, when you have so faithfully tried to break their stubborn wills. Here is where so many make a great mistake, in thinking that it is necessary to break and destroy a child's will. What you are to do is to guide and discipline and train the will by precept and example. In order to do this you must first learn how to control your own hasty temper, and subdue your own will, in order that you may mold and fashion the character of your child. If you act out your hasty temper, and show an undisciplined will before your child, you will certainly educate him to imitate your words and actions, and you have no reason to wonder why your children are so bad. It is your manner of training that is ruining your household.

Have you love for your child? Do you cultivate affection for the little ones you have brought into the world, and express that love in your life and manners? If your child is playing with something that it is not a proper article for him to use as a toy, do not snatch it from him; but get him to exchange it for something that will be proper for him, and that will give him as much pleasure. Let your children have evidence that you love them, and that you want to make them happy. The more unlovely they are, the greater pains you must take to win their confidence and love; and when they realize that father and mother will use every justifiable means to make them happy, the barriers will be broken down. What a victory is gained when the character of your children is molded after the character of Christ! It should be the constant aim of parents to develop the capacities of their children in such a way that they will be fitted to honor God and bless humanity.

Poor Old Mother

By George Willard

By George Willard

Poor old mother's weeping, Weeping for her boy. Once he was her blessing, Once he was her joy. Now he's gone to drinking, Shame at last has come To his poor old mother, To his happy home.

Often I can hear her Praying for her child, Asking God for wisdom To guide her boy so wild. "O my precious Saviour," I can hear her say, "Listen to me, Jesus, Save my boy, I pray.

"O my blessed Father, You have power to save My dear boy from ruin, From a drunkard's grave." I can see her kneeling By her bedside there. How her heart is aching As she breathes this prayer!

O my poor old mother, If I but had the power To make your sad heart happy Just for a single hour, I'd freely give up anything, No matter what the cost; I'd even gladly give my life, And then not count it lost.

Wanted

By the Paradise Valley Sanitarium Training School for Missionary Nurses, twenty consecrated young men and women who are willing to devote their lives to the Master's service.

This school affords a most thoro and up-to-date training in all departments. Its location is ideal. Its climate is the very best, warm and sunny in winter, and cool in summer. New commodious home for nurses just completed. Class begins October 1, 1912. Write at once for illustrated booklet. Supt. of Training School, Paradise Valley Sanitarium, National City, California.

Stamp of Approval

Underwood Typewriters

The Western Union Telegraph Company officially adopts and installs Ten Thousand

This decision to equip its thousands of offices throughout the country with Underwoods was reached after an eight months' thoro and impartial investigation of the merits of all machines.

P R E E M I N E N T

P R E D O M I N A N T

P R E F E R R E D

"The Machine You Will Eventually Buy"

UNDERWOOD TYPEWRITER CO., Inc.

133 Sutter Street, San Francisco

Branches in all Principal Cities

Mountain Sage Honey

By C. W. Dayton

Please send for sample (also price) of Aquasun honey, the ripest of all honey. Recommended for stomach and kidney disorders.

C. W. Dayton, Chatsworth, California.

A GIFT

When you present "Advance Guard" to a young friend, you practically insure his acquaintance with the lives and purposes of more than fifty of as noble men and women as the world ever knew. These were those who under God went out to foreign fields to open the way for modern missions. The most interesting facts are given, and put in such a thrilling way as to be eagerly read and thoroly enjoyed.

Chapter 8, for example, tells of the Wesley family. John was the fifteenth of nineteen children, and reared in poverty. But his godly mother held devotional exercises with the children, and had her quiet hour each day. The real secrets of John's success, and many experiences in his career, are told in a way to thrill and fire with enthusiasm all who read it.

Morrison's systematic Bible study, mentioned in chapter 12, is full of suggestion. His struggle for an education, his decision to go to China, his study there, and the publication of his first literature, all in the face of the most trying difficulties, is an inspiration.

"Advance Guard" tells of Whitman, Eliot, the Mayhews, David Brainerd, Ziegenbalg, Schwartz, Carey, Martyn, the Judsons, Gordon Hall, Scudder, Duff, Moffat, Livingstone, Taylor, Williams, Paton, Gardiner, and others.

Young people are delighted with it. It is bound to influence them to deeper consecration for God's service. It has 347 pages. Plain cloth edition, $1.00; marbled edges, $1.50. Prices 10% higher in Canada. Order of your tract society or

Pacific Press Publishing Association Mountain View, California Portland, Oregon Calgary, Alberta, Canada Kansas City, Mo.

Valuable Missionary Help

MISSIONARY workers and leaders are continually looking for new lines of study, new methods of work, and experiences that contain inspiration.

"The MISSIONARY IDEA," a work of 318 pages, by Mrs. A. E. Ellis, a practical missionary secretary, reads like a beautiful letter which inspires and educates you in ways of extending a knowledge of the gospel. In some ways it is like a text-book, going thoroly into the essentials for doing successful work, outlining studies, suggesting plans, and explaining methods, such as personal work, missionary correspondence, Christian help work, and other lines. It also gives you, by fields, the history of the mission work thus far accomplished by Seventh-day Adventists.

For the home this book is a beautiful instructor.

For the missionary leader it is invaluable, furnishing the very information needed to conduct missionary meetings, and lead the members into lines of practical service.

In substantial cloth binding $1.00 Limp paper binding - - .50 Prices 10% higher in Canada on account of duty.

Address your tract society or Pacific Press Publishing Association Mountain View, Cal. Portland, Oregon Calgary, Alberta, Canada Kansas City, Mo.

The New Thin "Desire of Ages"

Weighing only 30 ounces, yet containing the full subject-matter and all the illustrations in the text, the new thin "DESIRE OF AGES" is pleasing the people everywhere.

It is beautifully adapted for home study, and is convenient for carrying with you.

Bound in handsome cloth - $1.50 Bound in limp leather - - 2.00

$1.65 and $2.20 in Canada on account of duty

Address PACIFIC PRESS PUB. ASSN. Mountain View, California Portland, Ore. Calgary, Alberta, Can. Kansas City, Mo.

The Magazine with the Message

By Editor

KNOWLEDGE SHALL BE INCREASED

This prophecy is strikingly depicted on the September cover of the Signs of the Times Magazine. It is also presented orally in a well thought out article in the same issue.

Other articles of more than ordinary worth are:

"Is It Peace?" By M. C. Wilcox. Can we expect the great dawn of quiet among the nations? A close, Scriptural study of this all-absorbing subject.

"The Miracles of Satan." By Frank S. Weston. Continuing the thought presented in the study on the subject of Spiritualism which appeared in the August number. A startling array of new facts and conditions with reference to the increase of Spiritualism and satanic miraculous working.

"An American Reformer," by Mrs. E. G. White, concludes this series on the great work of William Miller. Presents the providence of God in the life of this man in an interesting way.

"Industrial Unrest and Warfare a Sign of Christ's Coming." By Prof. George W. Rine. Continuing the notable series on the general theme of the second advent, which has been appearing in the Signs for some time. A close, graphic study of industrial conditions by a most interesting and authoritative writer.

"Glimpses of China." By F. E. Stafford. China is just now attracting the attention of the whole world, and we are fortunate in being able to present these profusely illustrated contributions, fresh and new, from the pen of Mr. Stafford.

"A Striking Example of Physical Endurance." By David Paulson, M.D., an authority on hygienic and medical subjects.

A helpful Bible study, and Live Current Topics, as usual.

You remember the good sales thus far this year. July has now gone several thousand ahead of any previous record of the magazine, and has set a new mark. August is now going steadily ahead, and bids fair to break any previous records for this month. Now we want our readers to grasp the message in the September number of the Signs and feel a personal responsibility in placing ten, twenty, fifty, or even a hundred copies among their friends.

10 copies $ .50 20 " 1.00 50 " 2.00

Order through our depository or direct.

The Message Is in the Contents

Signs of the Times Mountain View - California

IN THREE DAYS

SAN FRANCISCO

Overland Limited

TAKES YOU

To Chicago

ACROSS GREAT SALT LAKE

AND

HIGH SIERRA BY DAYLIGHT

Luxurious High-class Equipment

Electric Lighted Throughout

Pullman Drawing-room Stateroom Vestibuled Sleeping-cars Careful and Attentive Dining Service Parlor Observation-car with Library and Cafe Ladies' Reading-room Gentlemen's Smoking-room Daily News Bulletins Latest Papers and Magazines

Southern Pacific

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

By G. C. Hoskin

N. B. We send no papers from this office to individuals without pay in advance. When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the SIGNS are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon to pay for them. Please read the papers you may receive, and hand them to your friends to read.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

Three months ..................................................... $0.50 Six months ........................................................... .90 One year (50 numbers) ........................................ 1.75 With "Questions and Answers" ............................. 2.00

One new yearly subscription and one renewal, or two new yearly subscriptions, sent at one time, $3.00.
Two new yearly subscriptions and one renewal, or three new yearly subscriptions, sent at one time, $4.00.
Three new yearly subscriptions and one renewal, or four new yearly subscriptions, sent at one time, $5.00.

Sample copies sent on application. Weekly and Monthly SIGNS one year, combined, $2.25.

DATE OF EXPIRATION

The SIGNS wrapper bears date of last issue due on your subscription. Unless renewed in advance, paper stops with expiration date. If herewith is an order-blank, you will know you have overlooked sending renewal. You will not wish to miss a single issue. Back numbers often can not be furnished.

G. C. Hoskin, Circulation Manager.

Principles, Not Men

By Editor

Under date of July 13 Dr. George L. Tufts writes us as follows:

"I regret that it has been necessary for us to speak before the public in a critical manner against those of your number who have opposed our weekly rest day movement. We wish it distinctly understood that we are not opposing you as a church, upon religious grounds, or for ecclesiastical reasons. We simply take the defensive on religious matters, but not as a part of our civil legislation movement. Whenever your workers cease to oppose this undertaking to secure a civil law for the protection of human rights, we shall have nothing to say about Seventh-day Adventists. I especially regret that your ministers have entered saloons to secure signatures on your petitions against this humane measure. He who taught that we should come out from among them and touch no unclean thing, will hardly say that the end justifies the means in this instance. May the Holy Spirit direct us aright.

"Yours for the betterment of mankind."

We are sorry that Mr. Tufts looks upon the Sunday-law question as he does. We can freely say that we have no enmity against a single soul who is connected with the Sunday-law agitation, nor with any one else, so far as that goes, however much they may oppose us. We are not opposing Mr. Tufts nor the church to which he belongs. We are opposing the principles which he is advocating. We would save him from them. We believe that the whole Sunday legislation, as demonstrated in all its history, is evil, and only evil, and it is the principle of the thing which we are opposing. "We war with principles, not with men," and while we regret, of course, to have Mr. Tufts and his fellow workers speak against us, we shall not undertake to secure freedom from his criticism by yielding of principle. Legislation for a Sunday law is religious legislation, and against the rights of men.

Regarding the regret that Mr. Tufts has as to our ministers entering saloons to secure signatures, this has been absolutely and flatly denied, and denied under oath on the part of one of our ministers who was so charged,—Mr. Morrison, of Sacramento. Mr. Tufts, when he makes such serious charges as these, ought to be specific. We do not believe that any minister belonging to the church of Seventh-day Adventists ever entered saloons for the purpose of securing petitions. We believe in liberty, however, for the man, whoever he may be, and we ask it for him simply and solely because he is a human being. We do not believe in the saloon business in any way. The Seventh-day Adventists everywhere are decided prohibitionists, but Mr. Tufts tells us in his "Twenty Reasons for a Sunday Law" that "liquor dealers favor Sunday closing," and his eighth reason is "because leaders among the liquor men of the country are advocating Sunday closing."

No one of our many reasons against Sunday laws is because the liquor men are against them, or any other class are against them; it is simply and solely because of the principle of the law itself. There is no other place where the Christian can stand. And as between the rights of men, the saloon-keeper's rights as a man are as sacred as those of the prohibitionist, the rights of the Jew as sacred as those of the Christian. We plead simply for equality before the law, that equality that is declared in the Declaration of Independence and vouchsafed in the fundamental laws of nation and state.

Religious Exemption in Sunday Law

By Editor

Among the twenty-two different exemptions granted by Mr. Tufts's proposed Sunday law, using up nearly all the letters of the alphabet in numbering them, there is one which exempts for religious reasons a class, as follows:

"(m) To any person who is a member of a religious society which observes some other day than Sunday as its day of worship, and who actually keeps his place of business, or of his ordinary calling, closed, and does not work for gain at his ordinary calling, or at common labor, on said day of worship."

That is not a very clear sentence. It simply means this, we gather: that the common, ordinary man exempted by this law must be a member of a religious society which observes some other day than Sunday, and the members of which society must actually keep their place of business closed, and who do not work for gain at their ordinary calling, or at common labor, on the day which they observe. But unless a man does belong to such a society, he is not exempt. He may observe the Sabbath as a conscientious Christian, but he may not belong to any Sabbath-keeping society. He therefore will be subject to the fine of $200, or thirty days in jail.

See a discussion of these principles in Mr. Tufts's article in another column, and replies to that article by Mr. Corliss and the editors. Such an exemption would compel a seventh-day person to join a church, and this he may not believe in at all. It is therefore coercion in religious matters.

Contained in This Issue

By Editor

Question Corner	PAGE
3819 — The Change of the Sabbath; 3820 — The End and the Beginning; 3821 — Sinning Against the Holy Ghost; 3822 — The Destruction of Our Atmosphere	2

| Our Bible Band | 2 |

Editorial
Into and Out of Egypt	3
Our Position on the Sabbath Question	4
Mr. Tufts and His Criticisms	5

General
The Coming of Our Lord	6
Christ as Our Example	7

Our Bible Reading
Christ Died to Save	9

The Outlook
Weekly Rest Day Law	10
A Reply to Mr. Tufts	11

Home and Fireside
Parents Should Be Christlike	12

Poetry
Harvest Toil	9
Poor Old Mother	12

In Our Next

By Editor

IN our regular series of articles, the next issue will contain:

"Christ Our Sacrifice and Saviour." By George W. Reaser.

"Will There Be Announcement of His [Christ's] Coming?" By Prof. G. W. Rine.

"Self-Discipline Necessary to Parents." By Mrs. E. G. White.

What the doctrine of the immortality of the soul has done for China, will be an article of special interest and value. Pastor W. C. Hankins writes the article after six years' experience as a missionary among the Chinese.

There will be further discussion of the Sunday-law problem, and the Outlook and Editorial departments will have special articles on current events that are fulfilling prophecy.

Memory Text for the Week

John 4:14

"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life."

Bible Version and Subscription Information

By Editor

Our authority is the Bible, the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. When the Common ("King James" or "Authorized") Version or the American Standard Revised Version is used, the version will not generally be designated in reference. Any Bible quotation in this paper, therefore, differing from the Common Version, unless otherwise indicated, will be almost invariably from the American Standard edition of the Revised Bible, copyright 1910, by Thomas Nelson & Sons.

For further particulars, subscription rates, etc., see page 15.

The Proposed Sunday Law.

By Editor

We heard a gentleman say recently that the proposed Sunday law advocated by Mr. Tufts exempted one hundred different classes under twenty-two heads. We have not read it with that in view; but we can readily agree that the exemption of so many classes is sufficient condemnation of the bill. As almost every class except the poor independent laborer is exempted, why not exempt him?

Sunday Legislation Proposed for Washington

By Editor

The last attempt at Sunday legislation, we note, is for Washington, D. C. Congressman William Schley Howard, of Georgia, introduced a bill providing "that from and after the passage of this act any person, firm, or corporation who shall follow their usual avocation or work of their ordinary calling on the sabbath day, excepting works of charity and necessity, shall be punished as for a misdemeanor." Its design is to regulate Sunday labor in the District of Columbia. It has no other exemption, so far as we know, and it is clearly a religious bill. The two storm-centers over Sunday-law matters are, for the nation, Washington, D. C.; in states, California.

Not for the Churches

By Editor

MR. TUFTS declares that the Sunday law is “not of the churches, or for the churches.” It oughtn’t to be. Yet somehow it is the religious man that is demanding the law. If a man believes in Sunday as a sacred day, that ought to be sufficient to hold him. We are glad that there are many Christians who, tho they believe they ought to observe the first day, feel that it is abhorrent to ask a law to enforce it. We have heard of one Methodist pastor saying that if such a law as that were demanded he would circulate petitions against it. There are many Christians who may not believe as do we regarding theological questions, but who do stand with us heartily regarding religious liberty. Thank God that this is so. We are glad that there are so many in the great state of California.

Exposure Alone Cannot Cure Evil

A "campaign of education" has often been proclaimed against grafting and all the other evils of this time. It has been said over and over again, by reformers and would-be reformers, that if we only "turn on the light and let the people know the facts, we will break up all this criminality." But the light has been turned on in one city after another; it has been turned on in one legislature after another; one great corporation after another has had the light turned on it; but notwithstanding all this turning on of the light, there seems to be more of it to do to-day than ever. New York City has been engaged in turning on the light ever since the times of Tweed, and she is still at it, and things there are getting worse all the time, and every one knows that it is so. Chicago has been in the same catalog, and the "vice commission" of that city makes it plain that the mere turning on of the light does not correct the evil. San Francisco has made a record in this line that is known to the world, and she is still at it, and finds plenty to do. And these conditions are prevailing the world over. In view of the facts, men ought to be able to see that it takes more than the exposure of evil to correct the evil. And they ought to be able also to see that God is right when He says in His Word that "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived."

Chinese Financial Adviser

Prof. Jeremiah Jenks, of Columbia University, has been offered the position, by the Chinese government, of financial adviser to the new republic. It has been decided by the rulers of China to borrow enough money to pay off the dissatisfied troops, and wait a while before resuming negotiations with the six powers for the proposed $300,000,000 loan.

Roosevelt Favors a Forty-Eight-Hour Week

Mr. Roosevelt has announced that in his Chicago speech at the opening of the "Progressive Convention" he intends to declare himself in favor of a forty-eight hour week, and that no man work more than six days without a full day of rest.

UNDERWOOD TYPEWRITER COMPANY Branches in all Principal Cities