WELCOME, thrice welcome, dear old SIGNS,
We prize thee more than golden mines,
And thankful give thee welcome sweet,
Glad thy familiar face to greet.
Like one who from some foreign shore
Returns, to wander never more,
Whose friends rejoice with joy untold
Once more their loved one to behold,
E'en so, with thankful hearts do we
Rejoice the good old SIGNS to see.
Thine enemies would wish thee dead,
But bravely hast thou raised thine head,
The Gospel of the Lord to spread.
And so we greet thy dear old face,
And pray, "God speed thee on thy race
And grant thee mighty strength and grace."
Thou shalt not suffer sad defeat,
Thou hast a message glad and sweet,—
The glorious tidings thou dost bring,—
The tidings of the coming King.
Ten thousand homes now sad and drear
Would welcome thee with hearts of cheer
Could they these blessed tidings hear.
Go cheer the bowed with hopes of heaven;
Go tell of Christ and sins forgiven;
Go raise the Cross of Calvary high
That men may see it ere they die.
Go bring to light God's righteous Law
In which there is no fault nor flaw;
Go cry with voice and pen
Unto the dying sons of men:
"Repent! the Judge stands at the gate;
Repent! ere it shall be too late;
Repent! or share the scoffer's fate."
Behold, He cometh; sad heart, cheer;
The SIGNS proclaims His advent near.
Good Messenger, haste, haste thee fast;
The field is white; thy work is vast;
While we, like Hur and Aaron stand
To aid thee in thy mission grand
And valiantly hold up thy hand.
God speed thee—speed thee on thy way,
Till dawneth the eternal day.
A Good Offer.
By Editor
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES has a few copies of the following excellent books:
“Prophetic Lights,” written about twenty years ago by E. J. Waggoner, and illustrated by Wilbur A. Reaser. It presents the sureness of the word of prophecy, and explains prophecies found in no other books among us. Cloth bound. The retail price is $1.00.
“Heralds of the Morning.” By A. O. Tait, containing many striking illustrations. Old edition, Kansas City print. It tells in striking language the many signs of our times and what they mean. Retail price, cloth bound, $1.50.
To one sending us one yearly new subscriber to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES at the full price of $1.50, we will send postpaid a copy of “Prophetic Lights.”
To one sending us two yearly subscriptions at the full price, or $3.00 in cash, we will send a copy postpaid of “Heralds of the Morning.”
To one sending us three yearly subscriptions at the full price, or $4.50 in cash, we will send both of the above books postpaid.
To one sending us five new subscribers at the full price, or $7.50 in cash, we will send postpaid five copies of “Prophetic Lights,” and one copy of “Heralds of the Morning.” The “Prophetic Lights” could be given to the subscribers, and the solicitor could keep for himself the “Heralds of the Morning.”
This is a good opportunity to get subscriptions for a paper which is worth much more than its subscription price, and also to get good books.
There are many of our readers who could do this among their neighbors. Our supply is not large. The first come, the first served.
House for Sale
For Sale.—New, hard finished, eight-room house, seven-foot basement (concrete), city water, large barn, half acre land, $1,700; or whole acre. Choice, restricted neighborhood. Address P. O. Box 222, Mountain View, Cal.
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Nice, clean work, requiring part or all of your time—a work that proves educational and remunerative, and affords unlimited missionary opportunities? Such work is offered in the sale of the Signs of the Times Monthly.
FROM
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This magazine sells readily among factory employees, business men, and in residence districts. Women and young people—even boys and girls—can engage in this work, and many are selling from 50 to 500 copies a month. A few agents dispose of 1,000 copies each per month. Territory unlimited. Agents wanted in every city and town.
Write at once for sample copy and further particulars. We furnish all helps. Address, YOUR TRACT SOCIETY, or
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Mountain View California
CHOICE BOOKS
Three Beautiful Books for Only $2.00.
Making Home Happy. By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle. Considerably over 100,000 copies already sold. Price, 75 cents.
Making Home Peaceful. Sequel to the above-named book, and by the same author. These are useful and sensible home stories, and ought to be read by old and young. Price of this book, 75 cents.
Those Bible Readings. Mrs. Stuttle’s latest and best book. It is a compilation of the series of home Bible studies which appeared in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES’ Home Department. In this book, many vital points of Bible truth are discussed and studied. Just the book to send to your friends. It is present truth in a nutshell, simplified and made attractive and easy. Price, 75 cents.
All books bound in neat cloth cover, each containing over 200 pages. Address this office.
Early Writings.
By Mrs. E. G. White. A new edition of this popular work, rearranged and reprinted from new plates. This book is a compilation of the first published writings of the author, and contains many encouraging words for those who are looking for the soon return of our Lord. Cloth, 75c; limp leather, $1.25. Address this office.
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That Little Leather Strap.
By Emma Hildreth Adams
By Emma Hildreth Adams.
FATHER, mother, study this picture. It portrays but a brief incident in the life of two tiny human beings, able to speak, just now, but few words of their native tongue, yet marvelously quick to understand ordinary conversation in their home.
The occurrence may seem to you very trifling. But think into it. Think out beyond it. Think of the fruit that may ripen from such sowing. Possibly there may be housed herein a lesson which may pay for the learning, may be suggestive, even helpful in rearing little ones committed to your care.
A few days since, the writer was invited to dine with some dear friends—in a near-by city of Southern California. At table were gathered, besides the father, mother, and the writer, three little boys, the latter constituting the juvenile portion of the family.
The eldest child is a lad of seven years. The two younger are brothers in a peculiar sense. Both stepped into life the same hour. Upon this small world they have passed less than two years.
Both are full of vitality and intensely active the days through except when taking their afternoon sleep. Both carry immense heads, packed, seemingly, with most forceful ideas.
At meal time, for several months past, the parents have given them seats at table. Usually, the mother prepares their food immediately—one or two of the simplest materials of the repast, with some kind of fruit and milk or cold water. They are fed moderately, and then sent from table in charge, it may be, of the elder brother.
This plan includes oftentimes certain special and impressive features. Almost from the moment these big little men are placed in their high seats, they start an exhibition which must be seen to be appreciated.
Each one, from his seat beside the mother, extends his conspicuous head far toward her, opens wide his small mouth,—as do young birds, eager for the worm the mother bird has foraged for them,—pours forth a stream of vehement, inarticulate entreaty for food, while his tiny hands, making gestures indescribable for rapidity, keep time with the craving music.
On the occasion to which the writer refers, no sooner had a few mouthfuls been served the mites and the remarkable concert opened, than the mother drew from beside her plate a short, narrow leather strap, and administered to the darting hands of first one, then the other, several quick, stinging strokes, saying in soft, gentle tones: “Mama will whip if you don’t keep still. Mind what I say.”
The little fellows did mind what she said; but the same importuning for food, the same eloquent gesticulations with the baby hands, the same little whippings and soft threats continued until infantile appetite had been satisfied, when its possessors withdrew cheerfully in favor of their elders at table.
Could that scene have been avoided? Were the little ones profited by its occurrence? Might not its omission have saved discomfort and embarrassment to the guest present?
What was the matter with the little fellows? They were simply impatient.
Suppose the moment they began to tease, to gesticulate, to let tears rain from their lovely blue eyes, to entreat with every feature of their pretty faces, the mother had taken them into another room, alone, and there, in a firm, gentle, and kindly way, had made them understand that only by sitting quietly at table and receiving their food as she could minister it to them, could they partake of the dinner with papa and their friend.
Could not the mother have there taught them a powerful lesson in patience—one of the noblest qualities of heart and mind, a great attribute of God Himself? Could she not have begun in them the development of powers to restrain intense desire; to hush the voice of craving want; to bear delay with calmness; to meet disappointment without repining, provocation without anger, defeat without defeat—with victory?
True, it takes years to accomplish results like these. God Himself consumes years in producing such outcomes in His children.
But, you may say: “These children are but infants. Can a mother begin so soon to develop in her little ones that masterful quality classed by Paul with godliness, faith, and love? They are too young to catch the meaning of matters so grave.”
Ah, but they do understand, even so near the start in life. Time after time the writer has noted, in these tiny brothers, their quick, clear comprehension of similar ideas. Not that they can give a definition of patience, or even give name to the thing. But they can be taught to practise it, and thus unconsciously almost be made to build it into character; to convert it into priceless stock which shall be ready on call in these years of sudden, startling, momentous changes; this period of strenuous tests for young and old.
In these days a mother can hardly do better for her children than to fortify them with patience. Probably no other trait of character will be so often called into service.
The words of Christ: “In your patience possess ye your souls,” and the words of Paul: “Ye have need of patience,” with those of James: “Let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing,” never appealed, warned, advised, more loudly than they will in the near-by, onrushing years.
How to Buy Foods.
IN a New Jersey town, not many miles from a famous institution of learning, I found one of those groceries whose proprietors have not progressed. You could brush your skirt against a dripping molasses barrel; you could dip your hand into a cracker barrel and help yourself; you could pick out big pickles with your fingers if you wanted them of uniform size, because the clerk did the same thing; but you could not count the fly specks on the cheese-box and coffee grinder, because life is too short for so stupendous a task. And O, the dust!
The proprietor of that store could not sell(15)me a certain brand of gingersnaps in a moisture-proof box. He said he did not believe in package goods. His customers could not afford such luxuries.
There are thousands of customers like his all over America. They declare that package goods are for millionaires, not wage-earners. But O, if the wives of wage-earners would only study such problems and not jump at conclusions, how much farther the hard-earned wages would go and how much better food would be placed before the man who earns the wages!
I asked the grocer whose customers could not afford to buy package goods how he sold the best grade of rice in his stock. He weighed out a pound of large, plump-grained rice at sixteen cents. I duplicated that pound at another store in a dust-and-germ-proof package at fifteen cents.
He did have both the bulk and package oatmeal. I bought a pound of bulk at five cents, and a two-pound package of a recognized brand at ten cents. On reaching home, I weighed both. The bulk, poured into the scales, weighed an ounce less than a pound. The package weighed exactly two pounds when poured out of the carton. The honest grocer handles package goods that weigh as much as advertised without the carton, understand.— Woman’s Home Companion.
Going to Bed.
SOME children go to bed at night
With happy hearts and faces bright,
Content to lay their playthings by
Till morning’s sun lights up the sky.
They smile, altho their mama said:
“Come, dears, ’tis time to go to bed—
’Tis time to say good night.”
And mama by and by steals nigh,
With shaded lamp to where they lie.
In softest, sweetest tones she says,
As kneeling by the bed she prays:
“Lord, keep them safe and pure and bright,
For many and many a morning’s light;
Amen; amen.” “Good night.”
— Selected.
On the Toilet Table.
By M. A. H.
No matter how expensive or beautiful the toilet articles may be, they will not add to the appearance of the table unless they are kept shiningly clean. Any girl can keep everything that belongs to her in perfect order, and order is itself beauty.
Such a simple thing as an uncared-for hair brush may be the means of communicating a serious disease of the scalp from one to another. The bristles of the brushes can easily be cleaned by rubbing them through gasoline, and the silver backs can be cleaned with whiting moistened with a little alcohol. The backs of ebony brushes should be rubbed over with a little boiled linseed-oil, and then rubbed with a very soft cloth until all of the oil is removed.
Brass ornaments may be kept shining by rubbing with a paste made of rottenstone and turpentine.
The pretty table covers and bureau scarfs can be kept a beautiful white with very little rubbing by putting them in warm suds made by stirring enough pearline in soft water to make a nice lather, but if there are colors in the embroidery, the pieces should be washed, rinsed, and dried as quickly as possible. The white pieces are improved if they are allowed to soak in the suds for at least half an hour.
Keep a bottle on your toilet table of a mixture of equal parts of glycerine and lemon juice, and rub on your hands on retiring to keep them soft and white.
M. A. H.
“HERALDS OF THE MORNING”
The appalling loss of life by murder and suicide, political and social troubles, dissatisfaction between employer and employee, strikes and fires, wars and rumors of wars—all these are of daily occurrence. What do they mean? and is there any significance to these things at this particular time? To the close observer, all these are evidences that there is a nearing social vortex into which all unsettled factions, and the world at large, will be plunged. When and how this will be brought about is revealed in “Heralds of the Morning.” By appealing to the “sure word of prophecy,” the author clearly shows that these conditions were to exist just before the Lord’s return, and points out many other signs that the Scriptures tell us are certain heralds of the glad morning when strife shall cease, and peace and happiness reign forever. That the reader may understand these events, and be prepared for the final outcome, is our reason for calling attention to this valuable work. More than 150 illustrations vividly portray that upon which the subject-matter treats. A live book upon a live subject.
Bound in cloth, with marbled edges. Special price for a short time, $1.75.
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING ASSN.
Mountain View - - - California
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Benefits of Bible Study .......... (A. G. L., 10) $ .50
Topical Bible Studies .......... (B. S. L., 185) 1.50
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Prayer, by A. T. Pierson .......... (A. G. L., 52) 1.00
Gospel Stories
How Esther Read Her Bible .......... (A. G. L., 7) .50
Back to the Old Paths .......... (A. G. L., 44) 1.00
The Sabbath Question
Why Not Found Out Before? .......... (B. S. L., 52) .50
Jewish .......... (B. S. L., 69) .50
From Sabbath to Sunday .......... (B. S. L., 95) .50
Identical Seventh Day .......... (B. S. L., 114) 1.00
The Seal of God and Mark of the Beast .......... (B. S. L., 130) 2.00
New Testament Sabbath .......... (B. S. L., 137) 1.00
Who Changed the Sabbath .......... (B. S. L., 187) 1.00
Elihu on the Sabbath .......... (B. S. L., 192) 1.00
Evolution and the Sabbath .......... (B. S. L., 198) 1.00
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Day of the Sabbath .......... (A. G. L., 50) 1.00
Which Day Do You Keep, and Why? .......... (A. G. L., 75) .50
Is Sunday the Sabbath? .......... (A. G. L., 76) .50
The True Seventh Day .......... (A. G. L., 78) 1.50
Sunday in a Nutshell .......... (A. G. L., 88) 1.00
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Without Excuse .......... (B. S. L., 46) .50
Great Day of the Lord .......... (B. S. L., 65) 2.00
The Eastern Question .......... (B. S. L., 144) 1.00
We Would See Jesus .......... (B. S. L., 173) 1.00
The Gospel Message .......... (B. S. L., 188) 1.00
Waymarks to the Holy City .......... (B. S. L., 189) 1.00
Signs of the End .......... (B. S. L., 194) 1.00
Coming of the Lord .......... (A. G. L., 40) .50
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“Come, for All Things Are Now Ready” .......... (A. G. L., 87) 1.00
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Temporal Millennium .......... (B. S. L., 121) 1.50
The Law
Under the Law; or Under Grace .......... (B. S. L., 163) 1.00
Relation of the Law and Gospel .......... (B. S. L., 166) 1.50
The Perpetuity of the Law .......... (B. S. L., 178) 1.00
Ceremonial and Moral Law Distinguished .......... (B. S. L., 195) 1.00
The Two Covenants .......... (A. G. L., 83) 1.00
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Thoughts for the Candid .......... (B. S. L., 47) .50
Tormented Forever and Ever .......... (B. S. L., 111) 1.00
Rich Man and Lazarus .......... (B. S. L., 146) 1.00
Satan’s First Lie .......... (B. S. L., 199) 2.00
Is Man Immortal? .......... (A. G. L., 86) 1.00
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Spiritualism: Its Source and Character .......... (B. S. L., 112) 1.00
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Way to Christ .......... (B. S. L., 105) 1.00
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Looking Unto Jesus .......... (A. G. L., 1) .50
The Christian’s Privilege .......... (A. G. L., 2) .50
The Sure Promises of God .......... (A. G. L., 3) .50
Return of the Jews .......... (A. G. L., 62) 2.00
Jesus Died for You .......... (A. G. L., 63) .50
Some One Cares for Your Soul .......... (A. G. L., 69) .50
Great Popular Evils .......... (A. G. L., 89) 1.00
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Drunkenness and Crime .......... (B. S. L., 196) $1.00
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Food: Its Mental and Moral Value .......... (A. G. L., 68) .50
