p. 223 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 42, No. 14. (4/6/1915)

Earlier text: Live Session of Busy Workers

The Eastern War Storm

Is it the time of trouble foretold in Bible prophecy? A clear explanation of the

Turkish Question

This is only one of the features that will prompt people to buy the Signs Magazine for April

The following other features are strongly presented in text and illustration:

The United States in Prophecy; Dream of a New World Empire; The Coming Church-Established Empire; The Downfall of Civilization; Final End of Sin.

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Signs of the Times Magazine

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA

The Next Great Movement

THE indications are at present that by the time this paper reaches its readers Italy may have plunged into the big European war. The Wall Street Journal says the demands that have been made upon Austria are of such a character that they are almost sure to be rejected. The entrance of Italy into the conflict will bring 1,100,000 trained and well-equipped men immediately into the field. She is also among the strong naval powers.

The throne of the papacy is furthermore within her borders; and regardless of the prayer for universal peace that was offered by the Catholics in all their churches throughout the world on March 21, she is unable to keep the Italian power from hurling herself into the conflict; or at least if she does not enter the war, she will come so close to it as to manifest the spirit of strife that exists among her citizens. Things of this character will more and more accentuate the demand that the church power be allowed a chance. The papacy and nominal Protestantism will alike join in this demand. They will seek to enforce peace, but it is an utter impossibility to enforce peace where there is no peace. God has said that there is no peace to the wicked, and His word is true. But even this attempt to enforce peace, which will be the next great issue in the world, will be one of the most striking fulfillments of prophecy. Indeed, the enforcement of peace has already reached the proportions that it is really a present issue.

The absurdities and the inconsistencies of the claim that peace can be secured in this wicked world, do not seem to appeal to the average man or woman; but those who wish to know what is coming, may understand it perfectly if they will study the prophecies of the Bible. A great church combination that will bring within its organization all the religious powers of the world, with the exception of Mohammedanism, is one of the mighty movements that is scheduled in the field of prophecy, and we may see how rapidly things are shaping in that direction.

“Noisy Agitators”

THE expression “noisy agitators” has become quite common in the reading matter of the day, and of course no one who applies the epithet to other men and organizations will admit that it applies to his class. But regardless of that matter, the agitators are a very prominent product of this time. It goes without saying that if everything were running smoothly in the world, men would not be tempted to engage in clamorous discussions as to how things may be made better. And denouncing the agitator does not stop the agitation.

Discussions are tending more and more toward social disorder and violence. There is an intensity of uneasiness in the world. This is a condition that every intelligent and sensible person recognizes; and what will be the outcome of it, is a deep concern to sober-minded, thinking men and women.

There is nothing that throws light upon the future possibilities of these conditions except the Bible prophecies; but these are clear and specific. Yet strange to say, the vast majority of men ignore the one source of light and help, and spend their time in speculations about what may be done to cure the social ills and relieve the discontent that is voiced by the “noisy agitators.”

Coltsfoot as an Antidote to Tobacco

A FRENCH physician, according to the Scientific American, claims to have ascertained that the mixture of coltsfoot leaves with smoking tobacco, antidotes its poisonous effects without impairing its flavor. Further experiments will be needed to convince the world that any such effect is more than a mere change in the symptoms resulting from it. The soothing, narcotic—that is to say, poisonous—effect is what gives it its attraction to its users, and any innovation eliminating this entirely would hardly be welcomed by them. Those who dislike the flavor for its own sake, will hope no such device may increase its public use; and nothing of the sort can keep it from being a waste of money.

Homes and Other Property Destroyed

In one limited section of the territory where the European war is raging, the dispatches tell of 80,000 houses that have been destroyed, and that 300,000 people in that locality are consequently rendered homeless. Out of 100,000 horses owned by the inhabitants, only 6,000 remain. These are some of the things that will enter into the costs of this war that are not reckoned among the billions that the contending nations are borrowing with which to buy guns, ammunition, etc.

The cruel suffering that this destruction of property causes in the midst of a north zone winter, presents barbarities that are fully the equal of anything the world has ever witnessed. Things of this character ought to show the people of the world that calling nations Christian does not make them such in fact. Such appalling destruction and suffering does not show that “Christianity has broken down,” but it does show that the nations of Europe, notwithstanding their professions, are not Christian. Christ set no example for any such work, neither does His teaching authorize His followers to engage in such barbarous atrocities in His name.

High Pressures

THE pressure on steam boilers usually ranges from one hundred to two hundred and fifty pounds to the square inch; but according to the careful calculations of some of the most able military men, the pressure produced in discharging the modern high-power cannon is, in less than three tenths of a second, twenty tons to the square inch. The shells fired from these guns are under such great tension that they have to sustain a pressure of seventeen tons to the square inch, while the device that takes up the recoil sustains a pressure of about twelve tons to the square inch.

Inventions and improvements in the manufacture of steel have made it possible for the materials in these guns and shells to sustain such forces. The inventions that have been a blessing to mankind in many respects, have proved a great curse as they have been turned in the channel of devices for the wholesale dealing out of death.

Meat Eating and Cancers

By W. B. A.

The New York World quotes an article in the Medical Record, by Dr. L. D. Bulkley, skin and cancer specialist, in which he claims that meat eating is one of the principal causes of cancer. He says it is almost unknown among people who live more simply, and that while he regards surgery as of the first importance, he has often witnessed the good effects of medical treatment in these cases.

Some of his words are: “Accumulated evidences, dating back many, many years, points to excessive nitrogenous intake, together with faulty cooking, incident to a more refined civilization, so called, as a prolific cause for the development of cancer; while an absolutely vegetarian diet, with the exclusion of coffee and alcohol, in conjunction with proper medicinal measures, has repeatedly resulted in the disappearance of cancer.” “Illustrative cases have occurred in my practice during the last forty years, some of the subjects remaining entirely well for two or more years thereafter.”

If, as predicted, a scarcity of meat follows this war, people will more readily adopt a vegetarian diet as both the cost and the dangers of its use are further brought to view. W. B. A.

Liquor Dealers Alarmed

THE Wholesale Liquor Dealers' Association met at the Hotel Astor in New York City on March 18. One of their official utterances was the following: “The events of the last twelve months have created a situation more grave than has ever before confronted our trade. Formerly we were called upon to oppose town and county option. To-day we must combat state and nation-wide prohibition. Originally our opponents were few and scattered. To-day they are many and united.”

So strongly in jeopardy did they regard their business that they unanimously adopted a resolution “appealing to all interested in the life of the business to work with head and money to save it.” It is well that the gentlemen on that side of the question should recognize the strength and the determination of the temperance forces, and it is to be hoped that these may remain “many and united” until the liquor traffic is placed under the ban of prohibition law everywhere. The traffic is both a nuisance and a crime-breeder. It fills our jails, our penitentiaries, and insane asylums. It takes competent young men and works them over into vagabonds. It has no other history. It has not a single redeeming quality. Why permit it to continue?

San Francisco Celebrates Its Rebuilding

The eighteenth day of April, 1915, will be the ninth anniversary of the earthquake and fire that so completely destroyed San Francisco. The remarkable progress in rebuilding the city, and making it much better in a material way than it was before the fire, will be celebrated by “services of thanksgiving in all the respective places of worship” in San Francisco on that day.

Fall of Constantinople Expected

THE Wall Street Journal says: “The occupation of Gallipoli may be expected at any time; and the fall of Constantinople is only a question of weeks, and perhaps even of days. With it vanishes the Turkish empire in Europe.”

God’s Love for the World

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3: 16.

Erratum

ERRATUM.—In the article “A Striking Prophecy,” in last week’s issue, page 203, first column, the third line before the second subhead, the word “people” should read “pope.” The whole sentence would then read, “The wounding of the fifth head was not the mere death of a pope.”

MISSIONARIES SAILING FROM SAN FRANCISCO, MARCH 20, 1915