p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 20. (5/18/1904)

The New Cook Book

By Editor

From Our Book Department

The New Cook Book

Ten hundred and seventy-four copies of the "Vegetarian Cook Book" have been sold during the past six weeks. This is an indication of the interest taken in reform cookery. We will gladly correspond with those who are interested in selling this book in their town and neighborhood. A liberal commission will be allowed.

Second Edition Volume VIII

Although published less than two months, the demand for "Testimonies Volume Eight" has necessitated printing the second edition. The following quotation from the President of the Northern Union Conference is a sample of many others we might reproduce. "I have read a copy of 'Testimony Volume Eight.' It certainly contains a burning message to the church of to-day." Our readers will be particularly pleased with the thin paper, limp leather edition, which retails at $1.25. A large proportion of the sales have been on this style.

The New Tract

Apples of Gold No. 81, entitled "Charged with Murder," has been merged into the new number, entitled "Does It Pay," Apples of Gold No. 82. It will not, therefore, appear again as No. 81. Apples of Gold No. 24, entitled, "Saved to the Uttermost," will also be included in this new number. A recent decision on the part of the Supreme Court makes some changes in the Bible Students' and Apples of Gold Libraries necessary. We expect to comply with these recent requirements, and will keep our readers fully acquainted with all changes made for that purpose. In the meantime we solicit subscriptions for both the Bible Students' and Apples of Gold Libraries, subscription price of which are thirty-five cents a year. These subscriptions will commence with the pamphlet entitled, "Modern Mysteries," and will also contain the pamphlet entitled, "The Seven Seals and the Seven Churches." No more subscriptions for the Apples of Gold can commence with No. 81, "Charged with Murder." They will commence with No. 82, which will include this number.

New Books for Children

The recent shipment from the East adds to our stock the following books for children:—

Wild Animals at Home

This book is full of colored illustrations, and contains interesting descriptions of the habits of animals. Price 35 cents.

Happy Days on the Farm

This also contains colored illustrations of animals, together with familiar farm scenes. Price 35 cents.

Animal Alphabet

Each letter of the alphabet is here connected with a colored picture of some domestic, or wild animal. Price 25 cents.

Fur Coats

An illustrated animal book. Price 25 cents.

The New Lesson Help

The demand for the pamphlet entitled, "The Seven Seals and the Seven Churches," has been heavy. The first edition of 5,000 copies has been sold, and a second edition has been printed, and is going rapidly. It is an excellent help to the students of the present International Sabbath-school Lessons. It contains colored diagrams illustrating the churches and the seals, and sells for ten cents a copy.

Two Spanish Tracts

The tracts entitled, "We Would See Jesus" and "Signs of Our Times" have been carefully translated into the Spanish language. Price two cents each.

Japanese Literature

The following publications may be obtained in the Japanese language at prices named:—

"Steps to Christ," 20 cents.
"Glorious Appearing," 25 cents.
"Marshaling of Nations," 10 cents.
"New Testament Sabbath," 2 cents.
"Second Coming of Christ," 3 cents.
"True God and His Sabbath," 2 1/2 cents.
"Way of Salvation," 2 cents.

The above may be secured by addressing:— Pacific Press Publishing Co. Oakland, Cal. 18 W. 5th St., Kansas City, Mo. 201 Second St., Portland, Ore. 1505 E. St., Lincoln, Neb. Review & Herald Pub. Ass'n. 222 N. Capitol St. Washington, D. C. Battle Creek, Mich.

GOOD TIME FOR CAMPERS—COTTAGE COLONIES WELL PLEASED.

EFFECTIVE May 17, the North Shore will not only improve its Suburban Electric Service, but it will run additional steam trains to Cazadero and intermediate points. The new trains to Camp Taylor, Pt. Reyes, etc., will be particularly gratifying to the cottagers and campers. Under the new card, the Cazadero trains will leave at 7:45 A.M. and 3:15 P.M. For Pt. Reyes, Tocaloma, Camp Taylor, Lagunitas, etc., trains depart at 7:45 A.M., 3:15 P.M., and 5:15 P.M., with additional trains on Sunday at 9:15 A.M. and 7:15 P.M. Summer residents can therefore leave here at 3:15 or 5:15 P.M. daily (except Sunday 7:15 P.M.) and arrive here daily (except Sunday 11:05 A.M.) at 8:15 A.M., in time for work. This schedule will popularize Lagunitas and Paper Mills Creeks for campers and cottagers.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

By Editor

If you are seeking knowledge on Biblical topics, you will do well to procure at once the little pamphlet called "Scriptural References." In this will be found the principal references on twenty-four leading Bible subjects, such as The Prophecies, Inheritance of the Saints, The Millennium, The Law, The Sabbath, Spiritualism, Nature of Man, and others. This work contains 32 pages.

Price 2c each. Per hundred, $1.40 post-paid.

ADDRESS PUBLISHERS OF THIS PAPER.

Matthew Twenty-four

This pamphlet of 94 pages is a systematic, verse-by-verse study of the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew. It explains quite fully the questions asked by the disciples—"What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?"

B. S. L. No. 58. Price 10c. ADDRESS PUBLISHERS OF THIS PAPER.

Japan’s Loyalty in Wartime

In the affairs of the Orient the Japanese seem to be making constant advancement. News from the seat of war is as ever very unreliable, whether it comes by way of St. Petersburg or by Tokio. It is only after days of sifting and confirmations that one really learns anything, and even then he is not sure. This seems evident, that Russia has been greatly disappointed thus far. She seemed to think that the Japanese were similar to the various Asiatic tribes which had bowed before her sway, a little superior, perhaps, but not much, to China. The great bear has found himself surprised at every step. In fact, it would seem that it is almost well-nigh impossible to conquer a nation like Japan. Her people of all classes and kinds are loyal and patriotic. Every class that is receiving an income, salary, or wage, is voluntarily giving a portion for the prosecution of the war, some a tenth, some a fourth. All fiestas, banquets, and matters involving needless expense, are discontinued, and money used for emperor and country. Would to God that Christians were one-half as loyal to their King and His cause in the work of saving men. How speedily would His work be finished in the earth!

What the Possession of the Spirit Means.

The reception of the Spirit of God into our hearts means power. By that Spirit God created the heavens and earth, brought cosmos out of chaos, and light out of darkness, garnished the heavens, and beautified the earth. Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13. By the same Spirit God renews life upon the desolated earth. Ps. 104:30. By that same Spirit God regenerates man, cleanses and sanctifies the sinner, upholds and keeps him, instructs him in the way, and raises those from the dead who fall asleep. 1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; Ps. 51:11, 12; Neh. 9:20; Rom. 8:11. That Spirit brings into our mortal frame the life of God, not in sentiment, or in feeling, or in hope; but in actuality, and in power. All men have life; and that life—all life—comes from God; but in the sinner and in all nature under the sinner, that life is perverted by sin, and its possessor eventually dies. He possesses only a perverted life, perverted by the transgression of God's law, "the law of sin." But he who opens and empties his heart for the Spirit of God to come in, who yields all to God, receives the Spirit, or life, of God according to God's law; there is in it all the power of God's "endless life." Its effect is freedom; "for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Rom. 8:2. It sets free from sin and its power. "The strength of sin is the law," the law in perverted man, which causes death; but the strength of righteousness is the eternal power of the Spirit of life working in harmony with the unperverted law, as manifest in Christ Jesus, and through Him to all who believe. It means that new life shall actuate the mind, the intellect, the aims, the ambitions, the purposes, even the life, of God's love; for the love of God is shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit. Rom. 5:5. It means that the members of the fleshly man which before were yielded to sinful appetites, lusts, and passions, shall, under the new life, be not only held in check, but controlled and used to God's glory. Rom. 6:19-22. It means—the reception of God's Spirit does—separation from sin and the world, and separation unto God. It means new life, new love, new purposes. It means, in short, a fruit-bearing life to God's glory. O reader, whoever you are, professor of religion or the lowest sinner, seek for the Spirit of God. Do not be deceived. Apart from that you are nothing. The Spirit is the life which connects you with the True Vine, which unites you to Christ. "If any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His;" but if any have the Spirit of Christ he possesses that which brings all the fulness of heaven in its train, and makes the possessor a fruit-bearer to God's glory.

CONTAINED IN THIS NUMBER.

By Editor

Poetry.

Peace, Be Still, LLEWELLYN A. MORRISON . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 "I'm Hurried, Child!" EMMA BURT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Day of the Lord at Hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Anxiety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

General.

The Consistent Life, MRS. E. G. WHITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 The Liberties of Life, WILLIAM COVERT . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 The Russo-Eastern Question Prophetically and Historically Considered, BRYN MAWR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Work—Its Sacred Mission, G. W. RINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

How They Became Convinced (A Sabbath Symposium). . 5

Editorial.—Christianity and Secret Societies—Ever Seek- ing, Seeking—The Lord's Need—"Six Hundred Sixty-Six" —The Second Commandment and Illustrations—Perverting the Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 7

Question Corner—Nos. 1501-1503 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Outlook.—The Cost of War—The Fatal Fruits of Lynch- ing—"Christian Socialism" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 9

The Home.—Economy and Thrift in the Home, MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE—Applied Science in the Heavens and on Earth—The Stork Postman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 11

Missions.—Mysterious Tibet—Mary Jones and Her Bible, 12, 13

International Sabbath-school Lesson, The Seven Trumpets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

International Sunday-school Lesson, The Passover . 14

Publishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Faith That Leads to Action

Do we believe God's Word? How much do we believe it? Does our belief affect us to action? Is it a belief manifest in doing? If not, of what avail is it?

Work—Its Sacred Mission

By Editor

We begin in this number the series of articles by Prof. G. W. Rine, on "The Industrial Conflict in the Light of Revelation." The first article is entitled, "Work—Its Sacred Mission." We hope these articles may be read. They will present no hackneyed style or worn, well-beaten paths; but every article will open up new fields and present thoughts worthy of consideration. Think of the important truth presented in this article. The series will run three months. The subscription price during that time is 40 cents.

The Meaning of 1 Timothy 4:1-5

By Editor

1 Tim. 4:1-5.—Those who quote the above passage as having particular application to the last days, pervert the text. It is true that our common version reads, "the latter times," but this does not necessarily mean more than in the Christian dispensation. See the expression, "these last days," in Heb. 1:2. The Revised Version renders both correctly, "in later times," "these days." The Greek term, husteros, means "later," "afterward." Rotherham's Emphatic Translation renders, "in later seasons." The word, kairos, rendered "times" does not mean measured duration, but special times, opportunities. Heb. 1:1. The thought is that there will be just such manifestations as predicted all along at times, but all the result of apostasy. The term kōluō, rendered "forbidding," does not mean, as in that travesty of a translation, the "Twentieth Century New Testament," "discouraging marriage." It means to "estop," or "prevent," by word or act. It is translated elsewhere, "forbid," "not suffer," "keep from," "withstand." See 1 Thess. 2:16. The word, brōma, translated "meats," means food of any kind, something to eat. See its use in Matt. 15:37; Mark 9:8; John 4:32; 1 Cor. 10:3. "Them that believe and know the truth" will apply to true Christians in any age. Some have applied the text to Seventh-day Adventists. Let us say once for all that the people known by that name never forbade marriage, never commanded to abstain from meats. The people should not be held responsible for over-zealous, uninstructed, or unbalanced individual members. This note and the article on the same text in our issue of April 6 must suffice for a time. It is a good scripture when properly used; but it is generally used either as an excuse for self-indulgence or as a bludgeon to strike some one or some class, who may seem too radical, or both. The true advancing child of God will seek deeper, more spiritual things.

The True Church of Christ

The true church (ekklesia), the called-out ones, of Jesus Christ, are those who have accepted His call to separate themselves from iniquity, and be holy unto Him. "If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." It is not fleshly descent; it is not continuity of official ministration, that makes a child of God or the true church of Christ; it is constant, living connection with the True Vine which makes the living branch, and that connection is made by simple faith in God's Word.

The Ministry and the Oppression of the Poor

The degeneracy of professed Christianity in these last days is made conspicuously manifest in the truckling of the ministry to the rich. A special characteristic of the last days is the oppression of the poor by the rich, and the Word of God plainly points out the terrible retribution that is to follow. Yet those who point to these things, and in warning voice show how they are being literally fulfilled, and the imminence of the dire consequences which the Inspired Word predicts, are charged by the ministry with stirring up strife between the classes and the masses. Some even go so far as to tell us that the oppressions so prominent on every hand are purely financial issues, to which the Bible has no reference. It seems strange that pointing out the prevailing sins against which God has especially given warning should be characterized as a heinous offense by the very class who are commissioned to sound the warning. Of course it is more agreeable to preach the "smooth things" which people generally prefer (Isa. 30:8-14), but there is a doom upon the "watchman" who fails to sound the alarm when danger approaches (Eze. 33:6).

How Little People Think

By Editor

It is not to be wondered at that people do not grasp religious truth when it seems impossible for them to grasp some of the simpler propositions of life. For instance, a daily paper propounds the simple problem, "If a brick weighs seven pounds and half a brick, how much does a brick and a half weigh?" and the answers given range from seven pounds to forty-two pounds. The following answers in pounds are common: 7, 10 1/2, 11 1/4, 14, 15 3/4, 18 1/2, 28, and there are still others. How little people think! What a commentary on the education of the day! Not one of these answers is correct. Here is a parallel problem: If a dollar equal fifty cents and half a dollar, to how many cents is a dollar and a half equal? Most people will answer this correctly, because they know apart from the problem. But it would be just as easy if the problem were thus put: If a dollar equaled sixty cents and half a dollar, to how much is a dollar and a half equal? The answers to the problem are profoundly significant of the mental status of this boasted age of enlightenment and intellectuality. And yet the school-teacher is abroad in the land.

Christ Is Coming Soon

Belief in the near coming of Christ is purely a matter of faith in His promises and His predictions. If you do not believe these, of course you will not believe that any of the many occurrences which have taken place and are taking place, are evidences of His coming. You will not, can not believe in the manifest signs of His coming if you do not believe the Bible. But, friend, if you believe the Bible, and will read it with open eyes to see its fulfilment, you will see earth throbbing with many and manifest signs of His coming. In speaking of His second coming, He declares that when we have seen certain definite signs, we may know that "He is near, even at the doors." And He puts it as strong as this: "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away." Christ is coming, and is coming soon.

True Belief Is Operative

Do we believe in Christ Jesus? How much do we believe in Him? "With the heart man believeth unto righteousness." Do you believe unto righteousness? Is your heart, your purpose, your life changed by your belief? If not, of what will your belief avail? "Faith, if it have not works, is dead." True belief is always operative.