p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 19. (5/12/1898)

TO CONTRIBUTORS.

By Editor

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES is a purely missionary enterprise. For this reason it has felt free to ask for contributions from its friends. It pays nothing for contributions, either prose or poetry, unless solicited by the editor, and then the fact is stated when the articles are asked for. This is a plan rarely followed, but sometimes deemed expedient.

Articles Desired.—Those which set forth in the Spirit of Christ the great saving truths of God, short and to the point. It is better to treat one important truth clearly, in a short article, than many points vaguely in a long one. We desire no caustic, critical productions, which might minister to personal pride or pleasure, but can not save souls.

How Prepared.—Write plainly, with typewriter or ink, with wide space between the lines, to freely admit of editing, writing of subheads, etc. Write on one side of the sheet only. Sign the name to the manuscript, as it becomes oftentimes separated from accompanying letter. Anonymous contributions are not used, whatever their merit. If the writer does not wish his name to appear, let him furnish a pseudonym for the public. But we wish the name.

Manuscript Returned.—We will return all unused manuscript desired if stamp and directions are inclosed. We are forced sometimes to return good manuscript mainly for three reasons: (a) Sometimes the articles are too long; (b) sometimes we have a number on the same subject; (c) sometimes our plans are such that an article can not be used till it is out of date. We therefore hope that no offense will be taken by those who have freely contributed their best thought if their productions are returned. When we receive so much matter, we can not use all.

A CARD.

TO ALL interested in carrying the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the inhabitants of other lands, and who desire to assist in supporting missionaries already there and others who may engage in the work, the opportunity is given to make an offering to the Foreign Mission Board of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. Such donations should be sent to W. H. Edwards, the Treasurer of the Board, 1730 North Fifteenth Street, Philadelphia, Penn.

FACTS FOR THE TIMES.

—Containing historical extract, tracts, candid admissions from authors, ancient and modern. A Book for the Times. Revised 1893. A compilation of facts that are astounding, by students of biblical and historical research. 340 pages, wine-colored cloth binding. Price, 75 cts., postpaid. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, California.

HOW IT LOOKS

A Sample Page from The Story of Redemption

THE SAVIOUR ON THE EARTH.

When the Spirit descended upon Jesus, the thousands of Israel who were present heard the witness of John, who testified to them that he had then baptized the Redeemer. John, in speaking of this event, says, “I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.” The great men were there—the scribes, and Pharisees, and the multitude. All either saw the Spirit descend, or else they heard the words of John when he introduced the Saviour to them. Yet the Jews would not receive Him, because they expected a great king for their Messiah, one who would sit on the throne in Jerusalem and rule all the nations

THE BOOK CONTAINS 237 PAGES OF THE ABOVE SIZE

PRICE OF CANVASSING OUTFIT ONLY 60c

Pacific Press Publishing Company

Oakland, California

39 Bond Street, New York City

18 W. Fifth Street, Kansas City, Mo.

KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD.

(Ready May 4.)

In this tract we are shown, in verse and scripture, how, when, where, why, and from what, we are “kept by the power of God.” Judging from the depth of thought and earnestness expressed, the author evidently wrote from experience gained by a living faith. The reader will find in this tract much that will inspire him to a life of faith. Apples of Gold, No. 49. Price, ¼ cent.

Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal.

39 Bond St., New York City.

18 West Fifth St., Kansas City, Mo.

BIBLE LESSONS. NO. I.

By G. H. Bell

By Prof. G. H. Bell.

A SABBATH-SCHOOL lesson book adapted to the needs of the youngest scholar, and covering the period from Adam to Moses. Price, 15 cents.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.

WAR IN THE 19th CENTURY.

BURSTING of a shell.

A modern naval engagement.

Firing the disappearing gun.

Loading the disappearing gun.

The Indiana of the U. S. N.

Firing the 120-ton gun.

Diagram showing the effect of a shot from a 110-ton gun.

A big cannon being transported.

The Elswick quick-fire marine gun.

The Monitor.

The Merrimac.

Pushing the torpedo in the tube, preparatory to shooting it from the man-of-war.

Battle between torpedo-boats and an iron-clad.

Submarine torpedo-boat.

Submarine torpedo-boat discharging her torpedo at an iron-clad.

The above is a list of illustrations to be found in the “Alarm of War.” Price, $2.00 per hundred.

Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal.

39 Bond St., 18 West Fifth St., New York City. Kansas City, Mo.

Unordered Copies of the Signs

By Editor

We send no papers from this office to individuals without pay in advance.

When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the “Signs” are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon to pay for them. Please read the papers you may receive, and hand them to your friends to read.

The First Car-Load of Cherries

The first car-load of cherries was shipped from Solano County, this State, April 26, nine days earlier than last year.

Islam’s Advance in Africa

It is said that more pagans are being Mohammedanized in Africa than are being Christianized. All North Africa is Mohammedan, and there is a powerful movement southward. It is time for Christians to arouse.

Our Helping Hand Mission in San Francisco

By Editor

Our Helping Hand Mission in San Francisco is still greatly blessed of God, as we expect it to be to the end. Every day demonstrates the wisdom of starting it. As the season advances, with a short crop in California, men will flock to the city. Many of the stranded Klondikers will return, broken in health, purse, and morals. We trust that in our need the SIGNS family will not forget the mission in San Francisco nor the House of Rest for homeless girls in Oakland. To give to these classes is to deposit money in the Bank of Heaven.

Intemperance in the Army

Gen. O. O. Howard, former commander of the Army and Department of Tennessee, writes to the Voice, expressing his hope that the army will not be allowed to become demoralized by drink. He declares that there was much sickness and inability caused by drink in the last war, and mentions three instances where drunkenness on the part of officers came near losing battles; in one instance defeat was owing to it. He tells us that he has consulted good physicians who say that there is but little danger to American troops in Cuba from yellow fever if proper precautions are taken, among which is abstinence from intoxicating liquors. All of which is true, and demonstrates the necessity of vigilance against a worse foe even than Spain,—intemperance.

The Magic Pocket Vaporizer

Among the many useful inventions for suffering humanity is “The Magic Pocket Vaporizer,” which, by the way, does not work by magic, but on simple hygienic principles. It is an instrument for the treatment of catarrhal conditions of the nose, throat, lungs, and ears. It is simple, and may be carried in the pocket, and used while otherwise employed. It employs volatile, essential oils which are natural germicides, and valuable in the treatment of catarrh, such as eucalyptus, Scotch pine, sassafras, etc. It was invented, we believe, by Dr. J. H. Kellogg, and is manufactured and sold by the Modern Medicine Company, Battle Creek, Mich. It is practically indestructible, and can not get out of order. Price $1.00; with bulb for ear treatment, $1.50. Solution per bottle, 25 cents. Address as above.

Rome’s Converts.

A New York paper of last month states that an Episcopal minister, the Rev. E. L. Buckey, has joined the Catholic Church. Many others are on the way. Much has been said about ministers from Protestant churches joining the Episcopalian Church, but the Christian Advocate well observes: “Recessions are constantly taking place. We much doubt if the accessions from other denominations to the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church, from which it derives its existence, are more numerous than the accessions to the Roman Catholic Church from the Protestant Episcopal and the English Church have been within the past twenty-five years.” He who goes to ritualism, elaborate ceremonialism, succession of priesthood, etc., etc., is on the way to Rome, and will eventually land there.

The Working Man’s Rest

Religious Liberty Library No. 52 is entitled “The Working Man’s Rest.” It is an excellent discussion of man’s right to a day of rest, need of physical rest, the character of that rest, and its relation to God and the State. It discusses the nature of God’s law and the nature of Sunday laws. It is full of vital principles. For sale at all our offices.

This Issue

By Editor

This Issue.— We wish to call special attention to the valuable articles in this issue of our paper. In the first part of the paper are “The Healing Gospel,” “Abiding in Christ,” “Redemption,” “Spiritualism and Christianity,” and “The Intense War Spirit,” the latter of which is the first of a series of illustrated articles on war, what it is, what the present war agitation means, and what the Lord says about it. It is a good time now to circulate the SIGNS. In our editorial columns will be found God’s message of peace. The Outlook is full of interesting things, as usual. In the Home department is the first instalment of an instructive and uplifting story; and in the Missions department will be found the first of a series of articles, illustrated, on Palestine. These “jottings” and illustrations will picture things just as they are, and will be the next thing to an actual trip through the most wonderful land of earth, without its expense. Surely where could any one get more real instruction in the vitally important things of life than in a year’s subscription to the SIGNS?

TEA DRUNKENNESS.

In the Quarterly Journal of Inebriety, Dr. James Wood tells us that out of 1,000 patients applying for treatment at the Brooklyn Central Dispensary, 100 exhibited symptoms pertaining directly to tea drunkenness, while many others were doubtless suffering more or less from it. The headache so frequently suffered by tea tasters, he attributes to the essential oil, a powerful poison, which gives to tea its peculiar aroma, and of which the tea contains three-fourths of one per cent. He says: “Some people are profoundly intoxicated by indulging in two cups of strong tea per day. . . . We find that an ounce of tea leaves used daily will soon produce poisonous symptoms. This amount will contain six grains of theine.” Of the one hundred cases of tea poisoning mentioned by Dr. Wood sixty-nine were women and thirty-one were men. Fifty-four drank two pints or less; thirty-seven, four pints or less, and nine, ten pints or less. The following symptoms were present in nearly all cases of tea intoxication: Hallucinations, nightmares, successive dreams, obstinate neuralgia, anxiety, a persistent sinking sensation in the epigastrium, prostration and general weakness, excitement and mental depression. The writer declares that tea poisoning is responsible for half of the headaches, and a large proportion of all cases of despondency, palpitation of the heart, giddiness, and allied symptoms. The injurious effects of tea are so well recognized by the natives of China that they do not use tea until it is a year old, thus allowing the essential oil partially to escape. Green tea contains more of the essential oil than black tea, which accounts for the fact that it is more productive of nervousness.

These facts should be a warning to all tea-drinkers. We have seen many cured of daily headaches and much nervousness by abandoning tea. Of course it was a struggle. The head ached harder for a few days, and the nerves were all on fire; but the result of perseverance in abstinence from the poison, and the grace of God in the soul, accomplish wonders. Give it up, and you will be better physically, mentally, spiritually.

War Agitation and Drunkenness

A Salvation Army man writes us: “Our papers and our churches that are agitating war and are silent over the half million of murder dens of the United States, are off their base a great deal, and seem to care only for the gain in the sale of papers and the war songs in churches. While they do this the real interest of the nation is not considered.” There were 266 men that went down with the Maine, a sad calamity and wicked deed; but there are a hundred thousand who go down every year to drunkards’ graves. Ought not this to stir the hearts of lovers of humanity?

His Holiness Prostrated

By Editor

“His Holiness Prostrated” is the heading of a despatch which we find in a great daily paper, not unfriendly to the Papacy. What he is prostrated about is told in the despatch itself as follows:—

“Rome, May 2.—His Holiness is quite prostrated by the news from Manila. He has expressed his horror at the terrible loss of life and repeatedly said that he could wish to have died before seeing such a war. Both the pope and Cardinal Rampolla, the Papal Secretary of State, have refused to consider any interference, declaring that the attitude of the Vatican is one of strict neutrality.”

The loss of life at Manila thus far, as the news has come to us, is confined to that class who have chosen war as a profession; but it is sad to hear even of the loss of 400 lives of soldiers. But for years previous to this the poor pacificos of Cuba, men, women, and children, those not responsible for war nor engaged in war, have been outraged, driven from their homes, robbed, slaughtered, starved, by the thousands and thousands, but we have not heard that the news of the unholy and prolonged massacre of years has at any time prostrated the pope. If the loss of life at Manila was terrible, no words in the language can express the loss of life in poor Cuba. Of course the pope’s sympathies are with Spain, one of the faithful children of “the church.” But he wants to win America. He is in sore straits. As to “neutrality,” it is just now fashionable, and doubtless the wisest course to take. In this we are not condemning the Papacy. She is acting in all these respects consistent with her genius, spirit, and principles.

Catholicism Consistent.

The Christian Advocate has this note: “An English paper states that Monseigneur Capel, preaching some years ago in Leeds or Bradford, in thanking the Protestants for contributing to the Roman Catholic Church, said that of course Protestants could not expect Roman Catholics to return the compliment, as to do that would be supporting heresy. If he did say that, he spoke consistently with the Roman Catholic view. A consistent Roman Catholic can not contribute money to build Protestant churches. The very name, Protestant, shows that they are antagonistic; that on many points they hold opposite views. But a spurious Roman Catholic can contribute to the support of Protestantism, just as a spurious Protestant can lose no opportunity to flatter the Roman Catholic Church.” And this is true. The consistent Protestant is growing less and less. The inconsistent Catholic is indeed few in number. Men like consistency, and, being ignorant of God’s truth, will naturally choose consistent Roman Catholicism to Protestantism as represented by its inconsistent professed leaders. It is time for every true Protestant to arouse.

The Foremost Authority

The foremost authority in all the world on the subject of earthquakes, John Milne, and his unique earthquake observatory in the Isle of Wight, is the subject of an illustrated article in McClure’s Magazine for May. The article describes how, by the scientific appliances invented and set up by Professor Milne, the slightest tremor of the earth, in however remote a quarter, is instantly measured and recorded and the place of its occurrence disclosed, whether on the land or under the sea. Hamlin Garland tells the ever-interesting and ever-tragic story of General Grant’s last year. In preparing his paper, Mr. Garland has had access to important unpublished material. The instalment of Charles A. Dana’s “Recollections” gives some striking pen-portraits of the generals associated with Grant in the Army of the Potomac. It also describes the almost ridiculous panic in Washington at the time of the Early raid.

How to Grow Flowers

“How to Grow Flowers” (published at Springfield, O.) has in its April issue interesting articles on Sweet Peas, Chrysanthemums, Flowers on the Lawn, Plants for Household Decoration, and much other information of interest. It is only 50 cents a year.

The English Church

The English Church gave in voluntary contributions last year, as reported by Canon Burnside, editor of the church official “Year Book,” $35,000,000, considerably more than in any previous year.