p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 46. (11/25/1897)

Choice gift books for the holidays

Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing

Over two hundred pages. Richly illustrated with nineteen half-tone engravings. Cloth, with side title in gold, 75c. Half calf, marbled edges, $1.00. "A book for the quiet hour." "A very devout, thoughtful exposition of the Lord Christ's words."—Western Christian Advocate. "It can by no means be read with profit at one sitting, but is a book for time of meditation, as its title indicates."—Baptist Union. "A deeply religious book. The publishers have gotten it out, both in type and illustrations, very well indeed."—Southern Churchman. "This is a devotional exposition of Christ's Sermon on the Mount, in which the spiritual riches of the Beatitudes are unfolded in earnest and fervid thoughts. It is finely illustrated with views of sacred scenes, and is issued by the publishers in handsome style."—The Lutheran Observer.

By Land and Sea

Through Five Continents. An interesting book of travels. The author is inclined to look upon the bright side of his experiences, hence the reader is not called upon to listen to drawn-out recitals of personal inconvenience.

The spirit of the narrative freshens the mind respecting important geographical facts and historical incidents. Through the experience of the author, the reader almost unconsciously learns the altitude of the highest mountains, the comparative population of great cities, and the location, defenses and importance of leading seaports. He crosses the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and passes through the Red Sea and Suez Canal; he ascends lofty mountains, and descends into the interior of the Pyramids; to convince him that travel is not all pleasure, he is introduced to an American blizzard, and a storm at sea; he views the defile into which the Israelites huddled when fleeing from the haughty Pharaoh, and the wilderness in which they afterwards wandered forty years; he visits Jerusalem and becomes familiar with the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the little town of Bethany; he goes down to Jericho, and is shown where the man "fell among thieves;" he wanders among the ancient ruins of Pompeii, and in the distance beholds Vesuvius; passing on he stops at Berlin, the magnificent capital of Germany, and strolls along the celebrated "Unter den Linden;" awestruck he gazes upon the grandeur of the Alps, and nearly surrounded with ancient landmarks, he floats down that river so often mentioned in song and story—the Rhine.

The book contains over 400 pages, profusely illustrated, with the following bindings and prices: Cloth, with attractive side stamp, $2.25. Cloth, with gilt edges, $2.75. Full Russia, gilt edges, $3.90.

Dainty Booklets by Rev. J. R. Miller

The Rev. J. R. Miller, better known as author of "Week Day Religion," "Silent Times," "Home Making," etc., has given the young the choicest of instruction in the following elegantly bound booklets: Blessings of Cheerfulness - - 35c Young Men; Faults and Ideals - - 35c Girls; Faults and Ideals - - 35c Three to one address, 90c.

Palestine for the Young

By Rev. Andrew Bonar. The author describes from personal observation, and in alphabetical order, such subjects as, The Land at Large, Its Mountains and Hills, Rocks and Caves, Plains and Valleys, Rivers and Lakes, the Location of the Different Tribes, Vegetable Productions According to Seasons, etc. The Bible is filled with references to these places, and a thorough understanding of their position, peculiarities, etc., will add to the interest and profit of the Bible narrative. Cloth, $1.00.

Steps to Christ

This little volume contains the richest of spiritual instruction, and traces the different steps necessary to "Rejoicing in the Lord," which is the title of the last chapter. So great has been the demand for this work, that it has been translated into ten different languages. Bound in cloth, 60c. We have a few copies of the original Presentation Edition, bound in white vellum, with silver edges, $1.00.

Story of Pitcairn Island

By a Native Daughter. Third edition. Illustrated. 266 pages, $1.00. "It is unique and well worth reading."—Christian Advocate.

"This is a chapter in history, but it reads like a romance."—Christian Observer.

"No better romance can be found in the annals of truth. No story of the tropics can enlist the interest of the young with more intensity, or convey a better idea of the power and goodness of God, than this."—Christian Cynosure.

"Towards the close of the last century, the crew of an English sloop of war mutinied, set their captain and eighteen men adrift, and sailed for Tahiti. Of their subsequent life, this book tells the story."—Public Opinion.

"The subject of this story is one of the most romantic in human annals. All is graphically told in this little volume, which, in its way, is as wonderful as Robinson Crusoe."—Christian Standard.

"No novelist ever conceived a tale more romantic than that of the mutiny of the English vessel, the Bounty, on its way across the Pacific. The story is full of admirable lessons, which are not missed by the writer of the book, herself a descendant of one of the mutineers and a native of the little island."—Golden Rule.

The Island World of the Pacific Ocean

By Charles Marion Tyler. Illustrated by a map of Oceanica, and with colored plates of productions and natural curiosities. Contains 337 large pages. Cloth, $1.50. Mr. Tyler writes from personal observation and experience, and his book is filled with information concerning this island world.

The Gospel in Creation

By Dr. E. J. Waggoner. 169 pages; illustrated; bound in cloth, 40c. It is easy to overlook the fact that Moses wrote the Gospel as truly in Genesis as did Paul to the Romans; and this leads us to forget that the power employed in creation, and that pledged for our redemption, are one and the same thing. The author of this book has placed the Bible record of the works of creation and redemption side by side, thus enabling the reader to obtain a clear knowledge of the subject treated.

Sunshine for Shut-Ins

Compiled by a "Shut-In." Says the compiler of this little volume: "If these extracts, gathered from many sources, may carry to other hearts the sunshine of assurance in God's love and tenderness, even in the darkest hours, that they have brought into one shut-in life, no one will rejoice more in the knowledge than the compiler." It contains 204 pages, attractively bound in cloth; price; 75c.

Successward

A young man's book for young men. By Edward W. Bok. Mr. Bok thus describes the aim of this his first book: It has no other purpose save to show that success—and the truest and best success—is possible to any young man of honorable motives. Cloth, with gold side and back title, $1.00.

THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE

By Alonzo T. Jones

Or Civil Government and Religion

BY ALONZO T. JONES

An Up-to-Date Pamphlet on the Principles of Religious Liberty.

"THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE" contains fifteen chapters, the following being a portion of the chapter headings:—

Christianity and the Roman Empire—What Is Due to God and What to Cæsar—The Powers That Be—How the United States Became a Nation—What Is the Nation?—Who Made the Nation?—Religious Right in the United States—Religious Rights Invaded—The People's Right of Appeal—National Precedent on Right of Appeal—Sunday-law Movement in the Fourth Century and Its Parallel in the Nineteenth—Will the People Assert and Maintain Their Rights?—Religious Rights in the States.

In the four appendixes to the book are given the Declaration of Independence—The Constitution of the United States—The Dred Scott Decision, and the "Christian Nation" Decision.

This is a book of permanent value for reference and study and one that all should possess. It contains 384 pages, with several illustrations, is issued as No. 32 of the Religious Liberty Library, and is bound in paper covers. Price 40 Cents.

A FINER EDITION on laid paper is also ready. It is neatly bound in cloth. Price One Dollar.

Address orders to PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, California. 18 West Fifth Street, Kansas City, Mo. 43 Bond Street, New York City.

Terms of Subscription.

By Editor

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Signs of the Times,

Oakland, Cal.

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By Editor

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Be True to God

To be true to one's self is a good thing if one's self be true. But, in the language of old, "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?--Not one." "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." "They are all gone out of the way." Essentially, human nature apart from God is untrue. Sin is missing the mark. It is being not true to the right line. Froward in desire and purpose, finite in knowledge and power, man is a creature of faults, and "faults" and "false" have the same root, fallo to deceive. To be true to one's self is therefore to be essentially false. It is to follow the changing moods of finite, wandering man. And yet self, self-hood, self-interest, self-exaltation, self-advancement, at the best self-effacement by self, is the root and ground work of all the false religions of the present day.

As, therefore, God is truth, and he that is in harmony with the truth is free and abides forever, it follows that he who is true to God, regardless of self and selfish interests, is working for his own eternal good. Be true to something, but let that something be eternal and essential Truth.

A Wrong Conclusion.

By Editor

Says the Individual of November 4:—

"The efforts of the annihilationists to do away with 'the resurrection of judgment' or condemnation (more properly) and go back of the essential influence of resurrection on the body—in making it by the very act of raising it up an eternally existing entity—are futile. They have been driven lately to the utter denial of resurrection to the lost—'the dead' of the condemnatory judgment. They must do this, or accept the fact that resurrection implies eternity to all raised."

By "annihilationists," we take it, is meant those who believe that the wages of sin is death, extinction of existence. There is a class who hold "to the utter denial of resurrection to the lost," but "they have not been driven lately" to that unless by lately is included at least a quarter century. It is bald assumption to declare that the resurrection of the body makes it "an eternally existing entity." The theory has no basis in Scripture. The Word declares that "there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust." Acts 24:15. The latter class will be raised to condemnation. John 5:29. The Scriptures expressly tell us what that condemnation is, death, the second death, everlasting destruction, etc. See Rom. 6:23; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Rev. 20:14, 15; Mal. 4:1.

The Bible and a Good Library

By Editor

Do you wish a good library as well as Bible? Why not get both in one? Read our Bible offer on page 14.

Steps to Christ

By Editor

The Article "Steps to Christ" began in our last issue. Its writer was a little damsel less than twelve years old, who wrote it for a Sunday-school convention after reading Mrs. White's book, "Steps to Christ." The article speaks not only for the author, but for the book.

True to God

To be true to God is to be true to truth. God is infinite in love and wisdom and power. He always does just right, purposes just right, acts just right. He is always consistent with himself, for he is never selfish. His acts are ever in harmony, whether man, with nature keyed on the low, imperfect scale of sin, can recognize the harmony or not. He who is true to God will never fail, for God can not fail. God is not only essential truth, but he will make of the truth every one who will yield to him. "Ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free." "If the Son make you free, ye shall be free indeed." "He that doeth the will of God abideth

Jottings from Russia

By Editor

Our European Contributor sends us two articles on “Jottings from Russia.” These are of special value. Brother Holser is well acquainted with the European field; he writes with large-heartedness and no national prejudices, and from personal observation. His articles are therefore of special interest.

Articles for the Future.

By Editor

We have just received for the SIGNS the following articles of interest, which will appear in near numbers: "Angels of God," and "Satan and His Angels," by F. M. Wilcox; "Jottings from Russia, No. 2," by H. P. Holser; "From Chicago to Pasadena," impressions by W. C. White, on his late visit to this country, another "From California to Hawaii;" "Training the Little Ones for Service," and "Reverence in the House of God," by M. E. Olsen; with other excellent articles on hand too numerous to mention.

It Ought Not So to Be.

By Editor

A noted political reformer says truly that the world expects of the church more than she demands of herself. But it ought not so to be. God would have his church doing what would astonish the world and all the hosts of evil if she would but trust him, live his life, and receive her orders from Heaven. The trouble is that the church professes to be of heavenly origin, and yet is using worldly means and methods to accomplish a work for which she ought to have the power of God. Of course she makes a failure.

THIS IS FOR YOU.

By Editor

We will send the Signs of the Times until January 1, 1899, from the time orders are mailed to us, to all new subscribers who send us a year's subscription between Nov. 15, 1897, and Jan. 1, 1898. The sooner the orders are sent the more papers will be given, and the better it will be for the subscriber. This offer also applies to those who formerly took the Signs, but have not been taking it lately.

Sunday-Closing in the U. C

By Editor

Sunday-closing in the U. C.—There is said to be a lively Sunday-closing controversy at the University of California. The Christian associations of the institution are protesting against the opening of the library on Sundays, and propose to take some decisive action. A recent issue of the college paper contains the following: "If their opposition is based on religious grounds, the attitude of the Christian associations in endeavoring to prevent the opening of the library on Sunday evenings can only be looked upon as extremely prudish. It was hardly to be expected that university men and women, who are generally supposed to be enlightened and liberal, should take the narrow-minded stand of those who endeavored to close the World's Fair in 1893, and who to-day wish to keep shut the doors of the museums, art galleries, and libraries in our large cities on Sunday."

Has Criticism Destroyed Bible Authority?

"Has criticism destroyed the authority of the Bible? is decidedly the chief among the burning religious questions of the day," says the Literary Digest. But where? If in the great popular churches, yes, it has to a great extent destroyed the authority of the Bible. But if in the hearts of those who know Jesus Christ as a Saviour from sin, no. Men may die, as the grass; the earth and heaven may pass away, but "the Word of the Lord endureth forever."

Peace Is a Condition

Peace is a condition, not a feeling. The peace of the Christian is assured in Jesus Christ, who is our peace. When we lay down our arms of rebellion against God, and accept of Christ, we have peace. It matters not what we may feel, or what the devil may say, there is peace between us and God. Let us therefore enjoy the rest which peace brings.

Peace Through Surrender

We may know that we have peace with God as surely as we know that our heart is surrendered to God's will as given in his Word. If we are disposed to ignore that Word, to slight its requirements, to belittle its commands, we are still at war with God. The carnal mind is still dominant. Rom. 8:7. Peace comes with absolute surrender.

The Great Threefold Message

By Editor

Read the articles in our editorial columns under the heading "The Great Threefold Message." Compare what is therein set forth with the Word of God and actually existing conditions in the religious world.

CLEANLINESS IS CONDUCIVE TO LIFE.

WHEN men, skilled tho they may be in scientific and historical law, depart from the laws of cleanliness and hygiene which God by his Word and providence has shown is necessary to the maintenance of health, they will perish as truly as the ignorant of the Dark Ages. The New York Medical Record gives an illustration of this in a recent issue:—

A Modern Epidemic of Medieval Type.

"A striking proof that the great plagues of antiquity and the middle ages are kept away only by modern sanitary measures is furnished by the epidemic of typhoid fever now raging at Maidstone in England. In this town of thirty-two thousand souls there are more than thirteen hundred cases of typhoid fever, the greater proportion of them among the well-to-do. The streets are nearly deserted, the shops are closed, the church bells are silent. The origin of the epidemic is most evident, and the presence of the disease is a disgrace to the sanitary authorities. Ninety-six per cent. of all the cases have been traced to one water supply, which receives the drainage from a field where there was an encampment of hop pickers. The first cases of the fever occurred just two weeks after the hop pickers arrived from London. These people were huddled together like sheep and lived under frightfully insanitary conditions, more like swine than human beings. The attention of the authorities has been called to this state of affairs in previous years during the hop-picking season, but they did nothing to avert the danger."