9 “And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, 10 and hear the words of the Lord your God. And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Hivite, and the Perizzite, 11 and the Girgashite, and the Amorite, and the Jebusite. Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth 12 passeth over before you into Jordan. Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, for every tribe a man. 13 And it shall come to pass, when the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off, even the waters that come down from above; 14 and they shall stand in one heap. And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, that the priests that bare the ark of the covenant being before the people; 15 and when they that bear the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brink of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all its banks 16 all the time of harvest) that the waters which came down from above stood, and rose up in one heap, a great way off, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those that went down toward the sea of the Arabah, even the Salt Sea, were wholly cut off; and the people passed over right against Jericho. And 17 the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all Israel passed over on dry ground, until all the nation were passed clean over Jordan.”
Golden Text.— “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.” Isa. 43:2.
Special Helps.— “Patriarchs and Prophets,” Ch. 44, pp. 483-486.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What invitation did Joshua give to the people? Verse 9. Note 1. (2) What was about to be shown in a marked manner? And what was the “living God” to do for His people? Verse 10. Note 2. (3) To what was their attention especially called? Verse 11. Note 3. (4) What were they commanded to do? Verse 12. Note 4. (5) Then what should come to pass? Verse 13. Note 5. (6) What was the next move? In what position was the ark? Verse 14. (7) What is said of the Jordan at this season. Verse 15. Note 6. (8) When the priest’s feet touched the water, what took place? What then did the people do? Verse 16. Note 7. (9) What position did the priests bearing the ark take while the people passed over? Verse 17.
NOTES.
1. Wherever and whenever the people give heed to the Word of the Lord, success crowns every effort, and they are established in their goings. To properly hear the Word of the Lord, the hearing that brings blessing and guidance, implies obedience. Eze. 33:31; Matt. 7:24-29.
2. “Hereby ye shall know,” etc. Just as though they had not had evidence upon evidence, “line upon line, precept upon precept,” the Lord gives His people another striking proof that, notwithstanding their persistent waywardness, He was still among them, ready to fulfil His promise made to them and to their fathers. There were now many in Israel who did not witness the parting of the Red Sea on the deliverance from Egypt, so a like proof of God’s power was to be given on their entrance into the promised land.
3. The Lord was true to His covenant, altho the people had broken it. Israel is assured of this fact by the ark of the covenant being placed in the forefront when God would especially make Himself known. The ark contained the perfect law (Ps. 19:7) of the Lord, by whose power the waters were held in check until all the people had passed over in order and in safety.
4. “Every tribe a man.” The Lord would have all His people represented in the conduct of His work. See also Ch. 4:1-4. If it should ever come to the point of a one-man authority in spiritual things, that would be proof that only one man was loyal to the truth. Whoever assumes such a position makes himself a judge, and is not recognized by the Lord at all. See Matt. 7:1, 2; Rom 2:1.
5. The test of faith was the same as that at the Red Sea. On that occasion, while the sea was yet in its natural condition, the command was to go forward. Ex. 14:15, 16.
6. The barley harvest in that region is in the latter part of March and beginning of April. At this time the river at this point, ordinarily ninety to one hundred feet wide, is half a mile or more in width. Why not choose a time of year when the water was low, only three feet deep at the ford, and narrow?—Because the people were to be thrown upon the resources of the country for a food supply, and barley harvest was the appropriate time. Then, too, it could be demonstrated that no obstacle could hinder when the Lord was leading.
7. The water was cut off at the city of Adam, about fifteen miles above the ford. Here the river passes through a narrow gorge in the hills, and the backed-up water would spread out in the valley above the gorge, leaving all below clear. Thus while the division of the water was wholly miraculous, topographical conditions were utilized.
LESSON 3.—OCTOBER 18.—THE FOURTH KINGDOM AND THE LITTLE HORN.
1. Of what part of the vision did Daniel desire to know more fully? How did he distinguish the fourth beast from the others? How were its teeth and nails described? What is said of its action?
2. Of what special feature of this beast did Daniel desire a further understanding? What was his final point of inquiry? How is this little horn here described?
3. In what contest did he see this horn to be engaged? With what result?
4. What event brought an end to this warfare? What time had then come?
5. What was the fourth beast then declared to be?
6. How would this kingdom compare with the others?
7. How is its history briefly stated?
8. How were the ten horns interpreted?
9. What appeared after the ten horns were in full view? How did the eleventh horn compare with the ten? How did this king secure his territory?
10. How did this king act toward the Most High?
11. How did he treat the saints of the Most High?
12. How did he regard the law of the Most High? What power was given to him? For how long a time?
13. What would be the experience of this king in the time of the Judgment?
14. To whom would the kingdom be given? How is the duration of this kingdom emphasized?
15. What effect did this vision have upon the prophet Daniel? Did he make the matter public?
NOTE.
FROM the definiteness of the enquiries concerning the fourth beast and the ten horns, and especially concerning the little horn, it is evident that this part of the vision made the deepest impression upon the mind of the prophet. Here, then, we may expect to find the objective point of the vision. The first three kingdoms serve as so many stepping stones to reach and locate the fourth kingdom. The little horn is closely identified with the fourth beast, and yet it has an independent history and work. The career of the little horn in its work of opposition to the establishment of the fifth kingdom, the kingdom of the Most High, is presented with a fulness of description which makes it clear that this is the main theme of the vision. See article, page 6.
SHREDDED WHOLE WHEAT BISCUIT
To hold as 't were, the mirror up to Nature.
SHREDDED WHOLE WHEAT BISCUIT
Is the direct reflection of nature. It is the whole wheat—nothing added and nothing taken away. It is the NATURAL food intended by nature for man's use because it contains all the properties in correct proportion necessary to nourish every element of the human organism. Man's ignorance as to the uses of the different parts of the wheat was originally accountable for the removal of portions of it in order to make white flour. Custom and habit are accountable for the continuance of this vital error. Faulty bones and teeth, weak bodies and minds are the result of the white flour eating “practice.”
Shake off the pale, sickly yoke and nourish every part of your God-given mind and body with NATURAL food. Thrust the white bread eating habit firmly aside—be well and strong and “Dare do all that may become a man.”
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Send for “The Vital Question” cook book, FREE.
Address
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Has now the finest building devoted to music in the world. Founded 1853. Unsurpassed advantages in composition, vocal and instrumental music, and elocution.
George W. Chadwick, Musical Director.
Pupils received at any time. For year-book address FRANK W. HALE, General Manager, Boston, Mass.
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By Alfred Mallett
$10 Paid to anyone proving that there is anything injurious to the clothes in E-Z Washing Tablets. Guaranteed to wash cleaner with less labor than any other preparation, and positively without injury to the clothes or hands. A new discovery.
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HAWAII, in colors, by STODDARD, 10c.
TAHITI, The Golden, by CHAS. KELLER, send 20c in postage.
“Round the World” folder, time-table, etc., free upon application.
J. D. SPRECKELS & BROS. CO.643 Market St.San Francisco, Cal.
YOUNG LADIES.
Four or five consecrated young ladies wanted to connect with the Vegetarian Café in San Francisco; good home and good wages. See E. G. Fulton, manager, at the Fresno Camp-meeting.
BAPTISM: Its Significance, Its Nature, and the Necessity for It.
By Ellet Joseph Waggoner
By E. J. Waggoner. Bible Students' Library, No. 79. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. 16 pp.; 2 cents.
Attractive Booklets
Just Ready
How to Use Tracts
A booklet issued more than a year ago, met with universal favor. The call for another edition has been so urgent that we have revised it, adding valuable features which make its suggestions more practical, and are now sending it free to all who write for it. Please send for a copy.
An 82-page Catalog
Giving a full list of all our publications, classified for ready reference, and containing a complete index, is just out. All interested in the circulation of our literature should have a copy. Free.
Signs of the Times Booklet
Our pioneer missionary paper, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, has had an interesting career. The new booklet just out gives its history in brief and announces the valuable features of forthcoming issues. 24 pages; free. Send for it also.
Our Little Friend Booklet
Tells of Uncle Ben’s articles entitled “Cobblestones,” soon to appear in Our Little Friend, the children’s paper. It has in it other interesting things, nice illustrations, and is well printed. We desire all our friends to have a copy. Send a request by postal card or letter and you will receive it free.
Pacific Press Publishing Co.
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
A Book for the Children
By Editor
We have just published an interesting book for the children entitled
THINGS FORETOLD
This contains an explanation of the wonderful visions of Daniel, and a story of his life told in such a simple manner as to be easily understood by the little ones.
The book is printed in two colors throughout, on good quality of paper, in large clear type.
Price 50 cents post-paid
Or it will be furnished with Our Little Friend one year for the combination price of 75 cents, post-paid.
A Library of Facts
By C. H. Edwards
In One Small Volume
By C. H. EDWARDS
“Sunday in History” is a concise and valuable collection of historical data relative to Sunday.
Every minister and Bible-worker should possess a copy as it contains facts which are distributed in many volumes. The author has artfully gathered them together in handy form for reference.
232 pages; paper bound; post-paid 50¢
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COMPANY : Oakland, California
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CO-OPERATION CORNER.
By Editor
Many of our faithful missionary workers would gladly use much larger clubs of the SIGNS than they are now circulating if they could afford to do so, while there are others who would be just as glad to pay for such clubs if they knew who needed them.
For these reasons we have opened the “Co-operation Corner.” It will contain requests for clubs of papers for use in various fields, short reports from those who are using such clubs, acknowledgments of money received, and such other information as will bring together those who can use papers but can not pay for them, and those who can pay for papers but are not so situated that they can use them.
We are pleased to acknowledge the receipt of $2.00 from L. F. Johnson. This amount has been used in sending the SIGNS to needy fields. May God’s blessing go with the papers.
Last year a call was made through this column for donations to pay the expense of a club of 36 Little Friends for one year to an orphan asylum. The full amount asked for was raised, thus making it possible for the club to be sent one year. However, the subscription has now expired, and the following letter has just been received from the secretary: “These papers have been doing an immense amount of good, and the little folks in our school appreciate them very much. If there is any way in which you can repeat the gift through the donations of friends we will be glad to do our part in raising a little. All the donations contributed in the regular channels of the school come from the teachers almost exclusively, as the children have no means of making money for donations.”
The 36 Little Friends will cost $16.20 for the coming year. Must this club be discontinued entirely? Surely there are among the readers of this paper sixteen people who would feel it a privilege to contribute a dollar each toward supplying these poor orphan children with the Little Friend for their Sabbath-school.
Send all donations direct to SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
Home, Prophecy, and the Fresno Camp Meeting
By Editor
When the representatives of the world come to see you what do you show them? What do they see in your treasure house? Read, “What Have They Seen in Thy House,” on page 2.
“Heaven in the Home.”—If there is a place on earth where heaven can be found it ought to be in the home. The Life Boat is doing its best to bring it into homes which have been cursed by drink and all its attendant and connected evils. See notice on page 14.
There are some striking things noted in the way of prophecy and fact in the article entitled, “The Reign of Morgan” in our Outlook department. But lulled to sleep by the wind of commercialism, which is also the brew of Babylon (Rev. 18:11-20), how few see the signs of the swift coming day of doom for all that is not of God.
How to get to the Fresno Camp Meeting is told on page 14. But the principal things after all are the heart to go and the means with which to go. But surely he who could spend as much or more on an outing or mere vacation could afford to go to camp-meeting. Take that meeting as an outing to get good and give good. It will well repay you.
We call especial attention to the article on the “Little Horn of Daniel Seven,” on page 6. Read the chapter itself (page 15) in connection with the article. We have reached a time when the great system of the Papacy is forging into power and influence, religious and political. We are not condemning those who believe it to be the very agency and representative of the government of God in the earth; it is the system, not the people, which we set forth. Its work upon nations may be seen in Spain, Italy, Ireland and the South American States. It is not that these peoples are naturally behind others; it is the system of dominant religion in these various countries which have brought these governments and peoples where they now are socially, politically, and educationally. We ask our readers to study the question in the light of prophecy. If the positions in the article are true, the Papacy is forever doomed, whatever man may think of it; but who wants to unite with an utterly, intrinsically lost cause? God has a better one.
How They Became Convinced
By Editor
“How They Became Convinced.”—The testimonies given under this head on page 5 have been called out by a circular letter addressed to ministers and other workers. We wish to hear from them. Having asked these especially, it is our duty to publish what we receive from them first. Others furnishing us aught in answer to this great question of Sabbath observance will have to wait long, we fear, before seeing what they have written published. It is but justice that we should publish what was asked for first. It is, in fact, a sort of social, or testimony, or class meeting of ministers and workers, who are doubtless fairly representative of all. Yet if the Spirit says to others, write, so do; and leave the time for publication with Him.
The Lord’s Prayer in the American Standard Revision
Here is the Lord’s Prayer in the American Standard Revision:—
“Our Father
Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,
As in heaven so on earth.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors,
And bring us not into temptation,
But deliver us from the Evil one.”
The margin has the following: “Many authorities, some ancient, but with variations, add: ‘For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.’” This latter may or may not be in the original copies; the ascription, however, is true, and may well be offered to God by those who repeat the beautiful and all-comprehensive prayer. Evil as well as good finds its chief center in a person. The “evil one” seeks to destroy the children of God; for “your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” I Peter 5:8. Note the change from “which” to the better “who” for persons. Forgive us our debts, not as we promise to forgive, or hope to forgive; but “as we also have forgiven.” One does not really appreciate forgiveness unless he can see sin, his crime against God, to be so evil that he is willing to forgive any sin against himself. This version makes it much better.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS PERPETUAL.
The Ten Commandments were no new law at Sinai. They were not superseded by anything taught by any priest, prophet, or teacher afterward, even to one jot or tittle. Frequently we hear persons who do not wish to have the convincing power of the Sabbath held before them, say that all the Decalogue is found in the New Testament, save the fourth or Sabbath law, but upon this there is nothing. Not so with all, however. A correspondent to the Sunday School Times, Mr. R. Crittenden, of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, writes as follows:—
I send you herewith proof-texts showing that these commandments are given, not only repeatedly in the Old Testament, but also substantially in the teachings of Christ in the Gospel. I am not aware that these passages, as I have arranged them, are found anywhere else. All teachers can make a profitable use of them:—
First.—“And Jesus answered him: The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.” Mark 12: 29.
Second.—“For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” 1 Thess. 1: 9.
Third.—“But I say unto you, Swear not at all” Matt. 5: 34.
Fourth.—“And He said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2: 27.
Fifth.—“Honor thy father and thy mother.” Matt. 19: 19.
Ninth.—“Thou shalt not bear false witness.” Matt. 19: 18.
Tenth.—“And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness.” Luke 12: 15.
There are scriptures still stronger than some of these in confirmation of the perpetuity of the law of the Decalogue. The above are not a new giving of the law, but simply, clearly show that there has been no change in the law. It is eternally the same.
Love’s Eternal Sacrifice
Not alone upon Calvary was the life of the Son of God given. It was given in the beginning. It is the nature of God to give. Calvary was but a manifestation of Love’s eternal sacrifice.
On Trial.
The Independent in a discussion of “Democracy in America,” tells us that “democracy has never been tried as we are trying it;” that “democracy is the weakest form of government, unless the people think and act together;” that “they can do this only as they acquire common traditions, common ideas, and common interests;” that the following of the “political boss” who “lines up the jostling races” is not the thing; that the present conditions indicate “that if democracy is to win out, it must be done by awakening to new problems never before faced by it;” that governmental machinery must be adapted, and this doubtless will be forthcoming; but that “first of all is needed among all classes a revival of moral and patriotic faith which is not content through blind optimism to let matters drift, but which inspires to action on the conviction of its own responsibility for the outcome.” And this last is the essential thing, and the thing most lacking. When those at the head of government are not only not set in opposition to, but who acquiesce in departure from all true principles of democratic government, what may not be expected? Religion is becoming connected with the State with scarce a protest. Corruption in high and low official places, as a general thing, goes practically unrebuked. Office is a gateway to spoils. Equality of man is a thing of the past. And there can be, in the very nature of the case, no “common tradition, common ideas, and common interests,” where there is inequality and consequent injustice. With ignorance of true principles, with lack of integrity, democracy and true liberty are doomed.
Newspapers Do Frequently Get Things Wrong
Newspapers do frequently get things wrong. For instance the Marengo (Ill.) News of recent date has the following:—
In Fiji the whole people of Cikobia, and about half of the large town of Mua Levu, have gone over from Wesleyanism to the Seventh-day Adventists who have started a mission in Fiji. The inducement for this conversion en masse was to get two days of rest in the week.
Now the simple truth is, there has been no such “conversion en masse.” All who have accepted the Sabbath of the Lord have been convicted of duty and converted one by one. In other words, it has been an individual matter, as all true religious experience and life must be. Those who accept of God’s great three-fold message of reform (Rev. 14: 6-14) do not do it for rest, but for service. No lazy inducement is in the Gospel message or the Sabbath truth.
No Life Apart from God
And now the wonderful news comes that a Dr. C. W. Littlefield of Virginia has discovered a saline powder, of which the basis is common salt, by which he can restore the dead to life. So the newspapers report, a report which by the way may be taken cum grano salis—with a grain of salt. It is reported that the doctor says that “the principle of life, in substance, is volatile magnetism.” Notwithstanding the reported “facts” that one doctor can create and another raise from the dead, men will still die. With God “is the fountain of life.” “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” There is no life apart from God.
Nevertheless He Is “Man and Not God.”
Senator Chauncey M. Depew is reported as saying: “The people in Europe think of Mr. Morgan as a supernatural being. Well, perhaps I ought to change that word supernatural, but they do look upon him as a marvelous person. Everywhere I went in England, the people were talking about Mr. Morgan and his plans, wondering what they were and what he was going to do next. I think they are afraid of him in a way, and imagine that he is going to do something awful.” Yet in one moment he may be a mass of cold clay. How much less would men worship men if they could but once look upon God.
