We Are to Serve God in a Practical Way—This Includes
the Proper Care of the Body
By L. A. HANSEN
RELIGION is more than a thing of the mind. It is not confined to a mental assent or acquiescence to certain tenets or doctrines. It does not lie in creed or dogma. It is not mere acknowledgment of faith and belief. It does not consist in intellectual reasoning or philosophic deductions. It is not merely "a way of thinking."
Religion is more than sentiment. It means more than a response of the emotions. It does not stop with ecstasy of feeling. It does not lie merely in beautiful reflection or spiritual meditation.
NOT ABOVE THE PLANE OF MORTALS
Spiritual living does not mean an existence somewhere above the plane of mortal life, in a realm of abstract contemplation. It is not an experience outside the world of real things, in which we are taken out of ourselves, as it were. It is not even a life of negative experience alone, where all one is to do is not to do wrong.
Genuine Christian experience, "pure religion and undefiled," is something very positive, very real. It has to do with doing things. It involves the whole life and all its activities. It brings into action the use of not only our mental faculties, but our physical functions as well, and includes the exercise of the material members of our material bodies. It comprehends organs and their service. It embraces the expenditure of physical strength and energy. It takes in the proper care of the body.
SERVE HIM WITH WHAT WE ARE
In other words, we are to serve God with what we have and what we are. The Christian says, "The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Gal. 2: 20. True consecration acknowledges the whole individual as God's and the body as a temple of the Holy Ghost. We are to glorify God in the body, and in the spirit. 1 Cor. 6: 19, 20.
We have no other life than the one we know in the body, lived in the exercises of the bodily members and functions. The use of hands, feet, eyes, ears, and mouth, gives expression to the real service we can render to God. These physical members are to be yielded to Him as instruments of righteousness. Rom. 6: 13. It is in this body and in this mortal flesh that the Christ life is to be made manifest. 2 Cor. 4: 10, 11. In fact, there is nowhere else that we can serve God than here in the body, where we are; and there is nothing else with which we can serve Him than this life.
BALANCED IDEAS
Here, then, we have the importance of cleansing ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh, as well as of the spirit. We can understand why we should present our "bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God," which is our "reasonable service." Rom. 12: 1. The body is for the Lord, and is to be sanctified by Him.
This does not mean that works of the flesh fulfill the requirements of God's law and gain for us eternal life. It does not at all ignore the exercise of faith. It does not deny the place of the will or the sphere of thought, purpose, and choice in relation to sin or righteousness. It only emphasizes the importance of recognizing the real channel or means by which we are to express our worship.
CANNOT DRINK IN, BUT MAY DRINK OUT
We cannot eat or drink ourselves into the kingdom of God, but we can eat or drink in a way to be kept out of it. The aged Paul, after years of preaching to others, and after enduring many trials and much suffering, realized that he was in danger of being cast away through lack of body control. He urges the necessity of temperance in all things in order to gain the mastery and be a victor in the race for eternal life. 1 Cor. 9: 24-27.
True service to God brings us to a recognition of His laws of health and their demands. We must give thought to our manner of living. We cannot eat or drink merely to please ourselves. We have to use moderation in work. We must regard the need of proper rest and sleep. We will clothe ourselves properly. We will keep clean, in body and premises; and we will do everything in our power to safeguard sacredly our health, for it is to the glory of God. 1 Cor. 10: 31.
PHYSICAL CONDITIONS MUST BE RECOGNIZED
It is not only fitting and consistent that a religious movement should include the promulgation of health and temperance principles; it is essential. Gospel effort must take into account physical conditions and needs. Spiritual interests are inseparably associated with the material life. In fact, the material life becomes what we are pleased to term the spiritual life, when in all its relations it is yielded to God.
"Most Assuredly"
By Editor
THAT'S what Dr. Paulson says in reply to the question, "Are these various mental healing cults getting results?"
Read all he says about this, and about the blighting influence of mind cure, in the August number of the
August Magazine Cover in Miniature
Here are twelve other good reasons why you should get a copy for yourself; twelve other reasons why you should circulate the magazine among your friends and neighbors:
Enlightenment Our Empty Boast
Spiritualism Foretold in Prophecy
Providential Agencies for a Quick Work in This Generation
Christ's Prophecy — Distress of Nations
Breathing War and Strife
Man Destined for Immortality
Wars Foretold in Prophecy
No Bible Support for Sunday
The Clock of the Universe
Marking His Unmeasured Ages
Avoiding Moral Shipwreck
Christ's Sabbath Observance
Knowledge Shall Be Increased
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SIGNS OF THE TIMES MAGAZINE
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CAL.
Wails of Despair Yield to Triumph
By Mrs. H. W. Cottrell
Israel's March from Egypt to the Red Sea—Their Old Enemy About to Capture Them—Delivered Through Obedience and Faith
By MRS. H. W. COTTRELL
MORE than two hundred years had elapsed since a Hebrew lad was sold by his brethren into Egypt. Of this lad it is recorded the Lord was with Joseph. He found favor with the king, and in time of famine was made ruler over all the land of Egypt. King Pharaoh sent to Canaan, and brought Joseph's father, Israel, and all his house—threescore and ten souls—to Egypt, and gave them possessions in the land of Goshen.
A KING WHO KNEW NOT JOSEPH
"But there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph." When the new king saw that the once small Hebrew colony had become a mighty multitude, he feared they would join his enemies in time of war; so set taskmasters over them, who afflicted them until "the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage."
The Lord had told Abram, hundreds of years before, that his seed would be afflicted four hundred years, and afterward He would bring them out with great substance. When the time arrived for the fulfillment of this prophecy, the Lord sent Moses to ask Pharaoh to let the people go; but Pharaoh refused to grant the request, until the Lord sent judgments upon the land, and Egypt was spoiled, and the people cried out, "We be all dead men." Then the king sent for Moses in the night, and urged them to go out in haste.
When the people left plague-stricken Egypt, it is said of them, "And the children of Israel went out with an high hand." The seventy souls had increased to an exceeding great multitude. More than six hundred thousand people threw off the shackles of slavery, and went out of Egypt a free nation.
FACING CANAAN
With faces Canaan-ward, and but a short distance intervening between them and the "land flowing with milk and honey," they journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, and forward to Etham, journeying or camping as the "pillar of cloud" by day and the "pillar of fire" by night indicated. When the friendly "pillar" rose to lead them from Etham, it turned their faces from Canaan, and led to the Red Sea. As the people turned their eyes toward Egypt, they observed in the distance a slowly431moving cloud, which they took for a caravan of merchantmen returning from Egypt; but soon they could distinguish chariots and horsemen advancing toward the sea. All eyes were fixed on the strange spectacle; and as it drew nearer, they recognized the familiar Egyptian armor.
There was no doubt as to the object of Pharaoh's pursuit; and as Egyptian servitude faced them again, they turned to flee before the enemy. But before them was the spreading sea, and beside them were towering mountains, while the armies of Egypt were closing their only way of escape.
Filled with terror, the people gave way to wild confusion. Some were crying to God, and others were censuring Moses for their awful situation, and murmuring because he had not left them in Egypt. Their bright visions of Canaan were transformed into graves in the wilderness, or to Egyptian bondage again.
IN THE CONFUSION, HOPE REVIVES
Amidst the confusion, the voice of Moses sounded out over the camp. The tumult was hushed, and they caught the inspiring words of their leader: "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will show to you to-day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, ye shall see them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." Ex. 14: 13, 14.
These words of faith and courage from Moses inspired the hearts of the people with new hope, and the Lord told Moses to "speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward."
TRIUMPH OF FAITH
In obedience to the words, "Go forward," that mighty host broke camp and faced the sea, trusting the God of Moses to bridge the water or part the waves and lay a path for their feet in the deep. The "pillar" that went before them rose in majesty, passed over the camp, and stood between the two camps. To Israel it was a light to illuminate their forward march; but to the Egyptians it was blackness, and hid from view their prey.
The armies of Israel advanced till the feet of the foremost ranks touched the water's edge, and the Lord said to Moses: "Lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea." Ex. 14: 16. When Moses stretched his hand out over the sea, the waters divided, and stood in walls on "the right hand, and on the left"; and by the light of the cloud, the people walked through the deep as on dry land.
SAFETY IN OBEDIENCE
When the morning dawned, the last of Israel's multitude had finished the walk of faith, and stood on the shores of deliverance. Instead of graves in the wilderness for Israel, as they feared, Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea again, and it returned to its place, and buried the Egyptians in one common grave in the deep.
For the Lord's wonderful deliverance, the people manifested their grateful thanksgiving in appropriate services. Moses led that mighty chorus of voices as they sang the inspired anthem of deliverance found in the fifteenth chapter of Exodus; while Miriam, with a timbrel in hand, led the women in the glad refrain, "Sing ye to the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea."
Do You Wish to Know More
By Editor
about the signs which herald our Lord's return to earth?
Do you know how He will come? How long He will remain? What He will do?
Have you absolute confidence in Bible prophecy? Do you understand those which have to do with our time?
The following illustrated pamphlets are to the point:
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Wanted: Adventist Farm Worker
Wanted.—Substantial, well recommended young Seventh-day Adventist to work my alfalfa farm on shares. Irrigated land in New Mexico. Prefer one who understands irrigation, and can furnish own team power. Begin 1916. Write Box 652, Vermilion, South Dakota.
WANTED FOR MISSIONARY WORK
T. Godfrey, 1520 East Fifth Street, Olympia, Washington: clean copies of SIGNS, weekly and magazine, Watchman, Liberty, and Protestant Magazine.
Paul Gallion, Arapaho, Oklahoma: late, clean copies of SIGNS; also tracts.
FOR SALE
By J. B. Huguley
Twenty acres of alfalfa land, good stand, stripped, checked.
Located on state highway, one fourth mile from Salida, seven miles from Modesto, California, in the noted Modesto Irrigation District. Four-room plastered house, electric lighted, with all modern improvements, well, windmill, barn with room for 20 head of stock.
In addition to irrigation water from open ditch, you have access to an electric pump which throws 1,100 gallons a minute ten feet to water level.
Price, $8,000; $2,000 or $3,000 cash, balance on easy terms. Near S. D. A. church and school with two teachers.
I am not a real estate man, but have sixty acres adjoining this. For further information, address J. B. Huguley, Salida, California.
MOTTOES, MOTTOES, MOTTOES
By Editor
BIBLE mottoes are selling as they once did. One agent who has sent in for another 1,000 to-day, says to rush his order. We would like to see many more agents in the field. 200 for $7.50, 1,000 for $25.00, express prepaid.
We are headquarters for fine Vegetable Cooking Oil. Two 5-gallon cans, $7.50. The more you buy, the less the price will be. Hampton Art Co., Nevada, Iowa.
Why Don't You Quit
Eating meat? Doctors tell us that it is the chief cause of cancer; of rheumatism, too.
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Vegetarian Cook Book
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The Christian Sabbath
By Editor
For a thorough understanding of the Sabbath question, read the above-named 48-page tract, by H. W. Cottrell. Presents every phase of the subject—Sabbath on a round world, the nine texts mentioning the first day of the week, our Lord's observance of the Sabbath, the attempt to change the Sabbath. Many New and Old Testament scriptures quoted.
One of our best publications on this important theme. Recommended for a generous circulation. 3c a copy. On orders of less than 10c, add 2c extra for postage.
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"The So-Called Second Coming of Christ"
A WELL-KNOWN doctor of divinity, occupying one of the most influential pulpits in one of our large American cities, recently announced as the topic for his sermon, "The So-Called Second Coming of Christ and the Imagined End of the World (The Clash of Sober Sense with Frantic Nonsense)." The name of the doctor could be given if that were material, but the fact may better be considered apart from the individual.
The very manner in which the doctor announces his subject, shows that he sneers at the second coming of Christ and the end of the world, regarding the literal coming of the Master and the destruction of this wicked world as "frantic nonsense" opposed to "sober sense."
When Christ was here in person, His disciples asked Him, "What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?" Matt. 24: 3. The positive form of this question shows that the disciples understood, from the Master's teaching, that He was to come again, and furthermore, that there was to be an end to this wicked world.
In answering these questions, the Lord says, among other things, "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Matt. 24: 14. This text specifically speaks of a time when the end will come, and the words are those of the Master Himself.
The question is not one of theories or a subject for debate. It is simply, Will we accept the sneering statements of the doctor of divinity, or will we take the words of the Divine One Himself, without any doctoring whatever?
If we are prepared to accept the Bible as authority, there can be no question in regard to its teaching that Christ will come again the second time. Do we not have the words, "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be?" Matt. 24: 27. Another one of the clear statements upon this topic reads: "In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14: 2, 3.
At the ascension of Christ, the angels who came to comfort the disciples when they were gazing at their Lord as He was disappearing in the clouds of heaven, said to them: "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." Acts 1: 11. That text is plain enough. Any one can understand it. And if the text does not say that Christ will come again, there is no dependence to be placed in language at all. The words are too simple, too clear, and too direct to be misunderstood. Another one of these plain promises reads, "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Heb. 9: 28.
He will appear "the second time without sin unto salvation." How could language be any plainer? And what could that text possibly mean if it doesn't positively state that Christ will come the second time?
"Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him." Rev. 1: 7. This text is from the last book that went to make up the sacred canon. He will come "with clouds; and every eye shall see Him"—so this text declares. In the face of such clear statements as this, how can any one arise in the Judgment and say that God did not make plain the message of the second coming of His Son?
Doctors of divinity may be a great help to us if they teach the Bible; but when they use the influence of their position to lead us away from the plain statements of the divine Book, we need to be on our guard. And how occurrences of this kind emphasize the importance of each individual's knowing the Bible for himself! We are not told by the Master to follow the minister, be he ever so learned, but we are bidden to follow the divine Book.
God's Spirit and the study of His word will place us on a sure foundation, and will guide us into all truth. But let the fact be emphasized that we need to read and to know the Bible for ourselves, so that the teaching of no one can be-wilder us and lead us away from the clear fountain of divine truth.
Locomotive Engineers Endorse Prohibition
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, with a membership of 74,000 in the United States and Canada, recently held its convention in Cleveland, Ohio. By a unanimous vote of the 819 delegates present, they indorsed both state and nation-wide prohibition of the liquor traffic.
One of the delegates said: "Engineers of America have been trained for years that drink and efficiency do not run hand in hand. If any one needs a clear head, it is the man in the cab."
The Problem of Storms
OUR common observation is sufficient to show us that storms of various kinds and of a very destructive character are rapidly on the increase. On page 8 of the last issue there was a note from Mr. Rouse, with a photograph showing some of the work of a hailstorm that visited a portion of Missouri some weeks ago.
The news dispatches of June 18 told of a storm that visited Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Seventeen persons were killed and many others injured. In some sections, the storm took the form of high winds and heavy rains, but other sections were visited by the dreaded tornado. The next day, the storm continued in portions of Missouri and Nebraska, a tornado visiting Lamar, Missouri, and vicinity. At Superior, Nebraska, there was a terrible hailstorm, "chunks of ice falling of such size as to kill cattle and other stock." June 22, an earthquake visited southern California and northern Mexico. Many persons are reported killed, and much damage done. Martial law was declared in some of the towns along the Mexican border.
These things are terrifying, without any question, if we do not understand what they mean; but the individual who knows what they mean, has no thought of fear concerning them. He knows the mighty Personage who is at the helm; and while the prince of the power of the air may be permitted to spread destruction, and while the divine Father Himself may see fit in some cases to send His judgments upon the earth, yet we know His protecting power. We know that He will keep and save; and we know, furthermore, that these stormy conditions can only continue a little while longer. The Master is soon coming to put an end to it all, and to bring in the joys of eternity.
Do you know this blessed hope? Are you resting in the consolations of the everlasting joys that come through a knowledge of the divine purpose and plan for the redeemed inhabitants of this earth?
Wanton Extravagance
By Editor
THE widow of one of the multimillionaires who went down with the Titanic has filed a statement in a New York court complaining that the $20,000 a year allowed for the maintenance of her little son is not nearly enough to support him. The detailed account of expenses for the mother and her son, filed with the court, amounts to $166,000 for a period of about two and a half years. Of this amount, she has $64,000 charged against her son.
Facts of this character, so widely published, cause much discontent. The man who supports a wife and family on $500 a year is not made more contented and happier by learning that some woman finds it impossible to take care of her infant son on $20,000 a year. When God says to the rich men living in these last days, as recorded in the fifth chapter of James, that they are to weep and howl because of the miseries that shall come upon them, they ought to give heed. There is arising in this world an awful social storm that will direct its furies against this extravagant, wealthy class of people. We can see arising on every hand the clouds that betoken it; and what is more, God's word has sent out the warning signals concerning its approach. So we may be doubly sure that it will come.
Internationalism and World Union
ONE of the most strongly pronounced sentiments is that favoring world organization and a world combine. In a recent speech in Pennsylvania, former president Taft expressed the belief that when the present struggle in Europe is ended, "the evident trend of international public opinion will be toward a universal league whose interest in the maintenance of universal peace will make them recognize the advantage of a union against war." Mr. Bryan suggests an international conference, following the war, to arrange for international peace, "a united church to aid nations in preventing wars."
The idea of such an international union is sounding from many pulpits, and the press is full of it. It will be brought about, without much question, possibly with whirlwind rapidity, immediately following this war. But in the heart of this sentiment in favor of international union and combination is the thought that the church must take a stronger part than it has ever had. There is a revolution away from the atheistic sentiments of the past generation, and toward the church idea. In one of his recent speeches, Mr. Taft made "a plea for world peace with the"
A great many people are making the mistake of believing that this shows that the world is getting better, and that religious sentiment is growing. There may be, indeed, a very rapid increase of a certain sort of religious sentiment, and it may be labeled "Christianity"; but we should not make the mistake of regarding it as such in reality. This world is about to try the experiment over again of placing the church in the lead in settling the problems and difficulties of the age.
Have you studied what the prophecies of the Bible predict concerning this experiment? Have you read the story as foretold in the book of Revelation, of how all the world would wonder after the beast, and that all, under the penalty of death, would be ordered to worship him? All the Bible prophecies point with unmistakable clearness to this as the time when the realization of this vision of the prophet will be manifested. Men will become greatly confused in these times unless they stand in the distinct light that the Bible alone gives.
The Successful Will
An influential editorial writer has sought to show that "the power of will is everything." He has the artist help him express his idea by drawing a very vigorous figure that is determinedly riding over every obstacle.
Man needs to cultivate his will; but at the same time, he must keep in mind the fact presented by the inspired apostle: "To will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me." Rom. 7: 18-21. If we break this law of sin that is in our carnal natures, we must have a power outside of the human will. The human will must be connected with divine power through faith if we succeed.
