p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 29. (7/29/1897)

Christ Our Saviour

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A book which gives in simple and direct language the life of the Redeemer from his birth to his death, resurrection and ascension. It is printed in large, clear type, and is profusely and aptly illustrated by engravings made especially for the book. The directness and simplicity of the story of Christ Our Saviour gives to the book a special charm, and the interest deepens as the reader progresses with the story that is so old yet is ever new. One hundred and sixty large octavo pages, substantially bound in the following styles:—

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To Christian Endeavorers

By Editor

To Christian Endeavorers.—This number might almost be called a Christian Endeavor number, for it has much to say of Christian Endeavorers, their convention, and some of their plans and methods. But while it finds fault with some of the principles obtaining among them, it is not against a single Endeavorer, it is for each one; and we would have all that it says considered by them not as a condemnation of Endeavorers, but as an appeal to the noble young men and women among them to turn from those principles and methods which God has condemned in his Word. Our object is not to maintain a theory, or build up a creed, or condemn those who do not agree with us; it is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the only “power of God unto salvation.” We know this to be true; we desire all others to know the same blessed power.

We would have Christian Endeavorers build their houses of character, their methods of labor, on the eternal Word of God as it is in Christ Jesus, and reject all that is not of him. Therefore in His Name we ask them to read our appeal, this whole paper, proving all things by the Word, and holding fast that which is good.

Not a Parallel

Not a Parallel.—It is said that if government fixes the number of hours in a legal day’s work, it has a right to prohibit labor on Sunday. But the cases are not parallel. If government has a right to determine the number of hours in a day’s work, it has the right to determine the number of days in a week’s work. This is a parallel. But when the government declares that eight hours constitute a day’s work it does not prohibit a man from working ten or twelve or more if he desires. So it could say that six days constitute a week’s work, but it has no right to say that a man shall not work any six, beginning those six anywhere he chooses. He may work seven if he desires. It is one thing to define a period of time; it is quite another to limit men to a fixed period. The one law pertains to an institution, a thing, the other pertains to men.

Jesus Christ our Lord is a complete Saviour. He needs no pope, no cordon of councils or priests, no church creeds, between him and the sinner in order to save that sinner’s soul. With his own human arm linked by power with the throne of the Eternal, and in infinite pity and tenderness, he reaches down to the lowest strata of humankind to lift up to companionship with God every longing human soul. O sinner, you may come to him boldly! He is a royal priest, having “compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way,” that you may come. The door of mercy stands not ajar, but wide open. He says, “I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it,” be he called pope, bishop, or preacher. “He delighteth in mercy.” He is “pleased” with them that “hope in his mercy.” Will you not trust him? He is able; he is wise; and he is willing. Will you not accept him as your Saviour, his life as your light, his Word as your guide?

Christian Endeavor and the Gospel of Love

There is doubtless no body in nominal Christendom to-day which, apart from Roman Catholicism, exerts a stronger molding influence over the great mass of professed Christians than the Christian Endeavor movement. Its motive in uniting all churches is doubtless laudable, but no true union can come outside of the holiness of truth, union in and through Jesus Christ. Anxiously, indeed, will the great Endeavor movement be watched to see whether its mighty host will choose the gospel of force or the Gospel of Love. Mighty, indeed, will it be with the latter; but utterly helpless against sin will it be if it turns to the political gospel of force.

Good Counsel

By Editor

Good Counsel.—The following good advice comes to us in a little leaflet, and we pass it along: “Let no one for one single day omit private prayer and reading of the Scripture. The very neglect of these two most important things is the cause why many become cold and give up. Read the Scriptures whether you understand them or not, trusting in the Holy Spirit for light and direction. Pray, even tho you do not receive answer in your time and way. At times we do not feel much like attending to our devotions, and are tempted to neglect them, but this should never be done unless providentially hindered. Phil. 4: 6; James 1: 22; John 5: 39; 1 Thess. 5: 17.”

God Rules Among the Nations

The various nations of Europe involved in the Turkish imbroglio have been spoken of as the six impotences and the one power, the latter Turkey, the former the so-called “powers” of Europe. It is well for all to remember, however, that “the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” God permits many things, but the final outcome is in his own control. For—

“behind the dim unknown Standeth God within the shadow keeping watch above his own.”

God in the Hearts of His People

By Editor

Dr. G. F. Pentecost, at the outdoor meeting held in connection with the Christian Endeavor convention, said that he believed that it was by divine guidance that the word "God" was left out of the Constitution of this government. If it were there, it could be amended out. God wanted his name where a legal amendment could not erase it, in the hearts of his people, and it seems to us as though every Christian would heartily respond to the sentiment.

A Day for Dress, Etc

A Day for Dress, etc.—If a Sunday law be demanded on hygienic principles, why should not laws regulating sleeping, diet, clothing, ventilation of dwellings, and a dozen other things pertaining to hygiene, be demanded also? If man’s rest in the week be regulated by law on hygienic grounds, why not his rest on the day?

If Men Only Knew

If men only knew the Sabbath of the Lord and what it means, if they only knew Jesus Christ and his power, they would never ask for Sabbath laws or Sunday laws. Nay, they would not want Sunday; they would be content with the Sabbath God made and which our Lord Jesus Christ kept.

My Kingdom Is Not of This World

"My kingdom is not of this world," are the words of Jesus Christ. They ought to be the words of his followers to-day.

The Comfort of God

The Comfort of God.—True it is, our Lord is not here personally present, as he was when upon the earth; but he has not left us orphans; his Holy Spirit, the blessed Paraclete, dwells in every soul that desires the life-presence of God. In the development of faith and character, it is better, it is expedient, that Christ should not be here in person. When he was here, men limited his power to his bodily presence. “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died,” was the limit of faith. It was a Roman centurion who saw the great truth which God’s people could learn only by Christ’s absence. “Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof, but speak the word only and my servant shall be healed.” Christ’s power is not diminished by physical distance. He is as able to heal now as when he walked the earth. Time and space do not change him. His mighty Spirit of life flows out unto all the universe of God, each current of which bears his fulness to every one who is in harmony with the law of God’s working, his moral law. Surely there is comfort in this for all; for to all God is more willing to give of his Spirit than are earthly parents to give good gifts to their children. “Ask, and ye shall receive.”

When Will It Stop?

By Editor

Christian Endeavorers, or at least the ardent Sunday-law people among them, believe in stopping all labor on Sunday, excepting what they may call works of mercy and necessity, all Sunday papers, picnics, theaters, close all stores and shops, public museums and libraries. But some of these very men will admit that Mormon teaching is worse than an open corner grocery; others, that an open museum has less harm in it than an open Catholic or Unitarian or Christian Science or Modern Spiritualistic Church. After they close the shops, museums, etc., will they next begin to close up those churches and places of meeting considered inimical to “evangelical Christianity”? Logically, to conserve public morals and religion by law they ought. Or will they make Sunday the mark of loyalty, and honor by the protection of the law every one who in form observes the day religiously, even tho the religion be the baldest denial of the God of the Bible? Have our Christian friends thought of the outcome of the current on which they are launching their frail craft? If not, it is time to pause and think.

Why Ask Human Law?

If Sunday is of God, why ask human help? If it has divine law back of it, why ask for human law? It is a purely religious matter, a matter between man and his God. Why not compel men by law to observe the Lord’s Supper or be baptized? One is as logical as the other. There is always room to doubt the scripturalness of a religious duty when it needs human law to support it. If Sunday is of God it can not be overthrown; while on the other hand Jesus says, “Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up.” And no human law will support a false dogma or institution when blow the winds of God.

Missionary Work at Ephesus

By Editor

An article by Brother Hilliard on the Tongan Islands was crowded out of this issue on account of its length. It will appear next week with an original illustration. We give, however, in our Mission department, an article by our European correspondent, which discusses the first missionary work at Ephesus. It will not be long ere the same mighty Gospel will again arouse Asia Minor. The worship of Diana as such will be no more, but a lifeless formalism is equally as bad.

What Our Lord Said.

When James and John saw the Samaritans reject the coming of their Master, they wished to call fire from heaven and punish them, but our Lord rebuked them with these words: “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” Luke 9: 55, 56. This is his message to like-minded reformers to-day.

The Christian Endeavor Convention

By Editor

Our Outlook department is rather long this week, but we are sure that our readers will appreciate the report of the great Christian Endeavor convention found therein.

Our Bodies a Sacrifice

By Editor

Read "Our Bodies a Sacrifice," in our Fireside department. It will be followed by others, equally instructive and to the point.

Question Corner Omitted

By Editor

Our Question Corner is omitted this week to give room to other important matter.

CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.

By Editor

Editorial.

“Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God” (notes) . . . . . 1, 2 God Rules . . . . . 2 Not a Creed, E. J. W. . . . . 2

Poetry.

Transfiguration, HOPE ONSLOW . . . . . 3 A Bit of Daily Inspiration—Faith . . . . . 5 Somebody Else . . . . . 10 Our Faults . . . . . 10 Blind . . . . . 11

General Articles.

The Turks and Armenians, H. P. H. . . . . . 3 Impressions of the Christian Endeavor Convention, L. A. PHIPPENY . . . . . 3 The Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment, MRS. E. G. WHITE 5 Christian Endeavor and Christian Citizenship, W. T. KNOX . . 6 How Is the Kingdom of Christ Set Up? W. N. G. . . . . 6 The Church and Politics, E. W. WHITNEY . . . . 7

The Outlook.—The Christian Endeavor Convention, C. M. SNOW—Not Christian Endeavor, W. N. G. . . . . . 8, 9

The Fireside.—Our Bodies a Sacrifice, IDA M. POCH—Little Sins—How to Breathe . . . . . 10

Missions.—Missionary Sketches in the Orient, H. P. H.—Dr. Hamlin on Systematic Giving—Our Work and Workers . . . . . 11, 12

International Sabbath-School Lesson.—A Pure Church

(Sabbath, Lesson 7, August 14, 1897) . . . . . 13

International Sunday-School Lesson.—Abstaining for the Sake of Others (Sunday, Lesson7, August 15, 1897) . . 13

News and Notes . . . . . 14

Publishers . . . . . 15

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