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“THE ELEVENTH HOUR.”
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THE BENEFITS OF BIBLE STUDY.
BY ALONZO T. JONES.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
RIGHTEOUSNESS—WHERE FOUND
By W. E. Curtiss
APPLES OF GOLD LIBRARY. No. 74. Oakland, Cal., April, 1894. Fifty per Year.
RIGHTEOUSNESS—WHERE FOUND
In His sermon on the mount, Christ told His hearers to seek "first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness." He added that if they did this, other necessary things should be added to His Father knew that they needed the temporal things of life. But the first thing to be sought was God's righteousness, because it is of the most importance. Matt. 6:33.
There is no way of obtaining this grace except by asking for it. Our Redeemer says, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Matt. 7:7. In order to find that for which we seek, we should know where to look for the places, and how we may obtain it.
We know that God's law reveals what the principles of righteousness are. Upon this point many believers could be cited, but we cite two verses for a law: "Thy commandments that Thou hast commanded are righteous [righteousness were] and ever lasting." Ps. 119:172. "My tongue shall speak of Thy word: for all Thy commandments are righteousness." Ps. 119:172. See also Isa. 51:7 and Rom. 7:12.
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"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."
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"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver."
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THE LITERAL WEEK.
BY ALONZO T. JONES.
THE NEW BIRTH
By J. G. Matteson
BY J. G. MATTESON
In the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ God is ever held before us as a Being of love. "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). He is not willing that any should perish. He seeks that all should flee from Satan, by His threescore and ten cords stretched out, they perish, but has been successful in bringing the human family into bondage. "For ye have passed, and come unto the glory of God." (Rom. 8:21). This great Deliverer desires to keep all in His hands that He may at last lead them down to destruction, thus refuting the promises of God. While God does not ever oppress His will nor He has promised everything that He has promised in them. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God, and such we are." (1 John 3:1-2). -- Review Herald.
THE SEVENTH, OR ONE-SEVENTH?
A Sabbath Query.
Suppose I call on a friend who is ill, and he says that on the shelf I shall find seven bottles, numbered in order from one to seven, and asks me to give him half a drachm of quinine from the seventh bottle. We must remember that it is the seventh bottle, and in order to make the matter sure, my friend says, 'Go to the seventh bottle,'—the last one—the one numbered seven on it. I go to the shelf, and pick up the first bottle, from which I give him half a drachm of quinine, and the result is he dies.
One half a dozen kinds of quinine from six feverous
"CHOOSE YE THIS DAY."
By E. G. White
By E. G. White
Joshua said, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve." But all are urgent that the choice should be made today. It becomes us to know what a day may bring forth, and the choice we make is a matter of life or death. "See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; in that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments." God says of it, "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live, that thou mayest love the Lord thy God and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him: for He is thy life, and the length of thy days." This choice is not left to every person in the
RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS
BY ELLEN G. WHITE
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Notwithstanding the frequent admonitions that has been made in educational journals, the training of children at the present day is sadly defective. It is the home training that is neglected. Parents, and especially mothers, do not realize their responsibility. They have neither the patience to instruct, nor the wisdom to control the little ones placed in their keeping.
It is sad that mothers are not fulfilling their part of duty, equal to their motherhood. They are pursuing the wrong process of worldliness and fashion. Many, even among those who profess to have conquered the world, are influenced in a great degree by its customs and its ways.
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THE GREAT THREE-FOLD MESSAGE
GOD'S REMEDY FOR THE ILLS OF CHRISTENDOM.
BY E. J. WAGGONER.
GOD'S plan for saving lost men has ever been the same. With Him "is no variableness neither shadow of turning." Human nature has may been the same; variable, fickle, and weak.
God's means of saving men is "the everlasting Gospel" of His grace. Whatever the condition of humanity, the Gospel of Christ has ever been effectual to save. It ever has been, and still is, "the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." Rom. 1:16. It was preached to Abel, to Noah, to Abraham—in brief, to the world—as it has been preached since the first advent of our Lord. Heb. 11:1–6; Gal. 3:8. It is only a "falsification" of the Gospel that has ever been away from the "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 20:21. The law is "a shadow of the good things to come," and "the faith which worketh by love" (Gal. 5:6), the love which keepeth all of God's commandments (1 John 5:3).
Types and shadows have changed, but the way
Silent Messengers
By Editor
"SILENT MESSENGERS" is the title of an attractive sixteen-page booklet, just being issued, which contains the following items of information:—
The titles and prices of all the tracts and pamphlets published in the "Bible Students'," "Apples of Gold," and "Words of Truth Libraries."
A complete subject index to these tracts and pamphlets, enabling the reader to readily determine the different tracts which have been published on any given subject.
All the data necessary to purchase tracts for sixty cents on the dollar.
Upon application, your State Tract Society will gladly send you a copy free of charge. If you do not remember their street number please refer to second cover page of the HARVEST SIGNS.
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The Return of the Jews
LESSON III.—SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1900.
THE PREACHING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.
Lesson Scripture, Luke 3:1-17, R.V.
NOTE.—This lesson may be used as a temperance lesson. Commit verses 3-6 of the lesson scripture, also Luke 3: 4, 6, 16, 17. John began his work six months before Christ began His ministry, in the year A.D. 26. Tiberius Cæsar was emperor of Rome; Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea, and Herod Antipas (son of the Herod who slew the children of Bethlehem), governor of Galilee and Perea. Jesus was then between 29 and 30 years of age.
1 "Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 in the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3 And he came into all the region round about Jordan, preaching 4 the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
Make ye ready the way of the Lord,
Make His paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled,
And every mountain and hill shall be brought low;
And the crooked shall become straight,
And the rough ways smooth;
6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
7 "He said therefore to the multitudes that went out to be baptized of him, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to 8 flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father; for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 9 And even now is the ax also laid unto the root of the trees; every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn 10 down, and cast into the fire. And the multitudes asked him, 11 saying, What then must we do? And he answered and said unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that 12 hath none; and he that hath food, let him do likewise. And 13 there came also publicans to be baptized, and they said unto 14 him, Master, what must we do? And he said unto them, Extort no more than that which is appointed you. And soldiers also asked him, saying, And we, what must we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither exact anything wrongfully; and be content with your wages.
15 "And as the people were in expectation, and all men 16 reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether haply, 16 were the Christ; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed 17 baptize you with water; but there cometh He that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose; 17 He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire; whose fan is in His hand, thoroughly to cleanse His threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into His garner; but the chaff He will burn up with unquenchable fire."
Golden Text: "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." Luke 3:4.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) How does Luke locate the beginning of John's ministry? Who were rulers of the different provinces in and near Palestine? V. 1. (2) Who were officiating as Israel's priests? What came to John the Baptist at this time? V. 2. Note 1. (3) Where did he begin his work? What was the burden of his teaching? V. 3. Note 2. (4) To what prophecy did John refer in giving his message? What did that prophecy call the one who should give this preparatory message? What would that "voice" say? V. 4. Note 3. (5) What work would be performed on the way of the Lord? V. 5. Note 4. (6) How extensive was to be the work? V. 6. (7) What straight question did John ask of those who came to be baptized? V. 7. (8) What were they to do as evidence of their sincerity? What did he tell them they were not to do? For what good reason? V. 8. (9) What searching work did he say had already begun? What would be the result to those whose lives were not in harmony with their profession? V. 9. (10) What very important question did the people then ask him? V. 10. (11) What very practical reply did he give them? Note 5. (12) Who are particularly mentioned as coming to John for baptism? What question did they ask? V. 12. (13) What answer did he make to them? V. 13. (14) Who else questioned John upon this matter? What reply did they receive? V. 14. (15) What question was agitating the minds of the people who had been hearing John's preaching? V. 15. (16) Knowing of this, what did John say of his work as compared with that of the One who should follow him? With what would that One baptize His followers? V. 16. (17) When was this baptism manifested? (18) What figure in the work of purification does John use? What disposition would Christ make of the righteous and the wicked? V. 17. Note 6.
NOTES.
1. In the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas.—Annas had been debased from the high-priesthood by the Romans, and his son-in-law, Caiaphas, had been appointed to his place by the same power; but the Jews still regarded Annas as the lawful high-priest.
2. Baptism of repentance.—The repentance was confessed openly in the act of baptism. The word rendered "repentance" does not so much apply to sorrow, as to a complete turning about, a purpose to forsake sin, a change of mind and heart.
3. The voice of one.—Note that he who should do the work John was doing had no prominence individually in the prophecy. He was simply to be a voice—the voice, the mouthpiece of God. There is power in a voice when it is giving the message of God; but when the individual becomes prominent, the message is not given, and the power wanes. Self-prominence in the work of God means leanness of soul, dearth of spirituality, and barrenness of results. Some translations render, "The voice of one crying, Prepare ye in the wilderness," etc., the wilderness referring to spiritual darkness and error.
4. Crooked (way) shall become straight.—There was much in the belief and practice of the people at that time that was crooked. They had a misconception of the coming of Christ. They were looking for the advent of a prince who would set up a kingdom then and there; but He was not even born in a house. He was a laborer among laborers, and He would refuse to be made a king by the people, for He was to receive His kingdom at the hand of the Ancient of days. They thought that, being Abraham's seed, they were bound to share in the promise made to Him. John taught them this could not be without "repentance unto remission of sins." The preparation was spiritual.
5. He that hath two coats, etc.—The giving of the coat and the food is used simply as an illustration of the unselfish acts that must characterize him who is the true child of God, and "deeds of love will flow from him as naturally as pure water flows from a pure fountain."
6. The chaff He will burn up.—The wicked are the chaff. The separation of the good from the worthless is followed by the destruction, annihilation, of the latter as shown by the figure used. The wicked are represented by the most inflammable substances, chaff, stubble (Mal. 4:1; Nahum 1:8-10, etc.), fat of lambs (Ps. 37:20); and as a result they will be reduced to "ashes" under the feet of the redeemed. "Into smoke shall they consume away," Ps. 37:20. Thus is the fate of the wicked shown to be complete destruction, not an ever-enduring torment, nor a continued existence away from God's presence. They obtain what they choose.
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Good Advice to Business Boys
By Francis E. Clark
SECRETS OF SUCCESS
By Rev. Francis E. Clark
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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, he may furnish a pseudonym for the public. But we wish the name.
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NOTE.—We wish those who have questions to take particular notice: (1) Only such questions will be answered here as we believe to be of general interest and information. (2) We can not undertake to explain from four to a dozen scriptures, as in one sentence we are often requested to do. (3) Do not ask to "explain" a certain text or passage. State clearly the point in question. (4) Give full name and address, not for publication unless desired, but as evidence of good faith, and to give us the privilege of replying by letter if deemed best. (5) Unsigned communications of any kind find the quickest way to the waste-basket. (6) It is always well to inclose stamp. (7) "Foolish and unlearned questions avoid," also those that minister to mere curiosity. (8) Study the Scriptures yourselves.
Angels and True Healing
In the article on "Increase of Spiritism," in another column, it is stated that there are spirits waiting to communicate with man in the flesh, referring to evil spirits. This is true. There are also good spirits, the angels, or messengers of God, sent forth by Him to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. Heb. 1:14. When man will come into harmony with God, angels of God will minister to him, even as of old to prophets, apostles, and Jesus. But these angels are not the spirits of dead men or dead anything else. They are a distinct order of spiritual beings, existing before ever man sinned or died. Do you wish their ministry?—Yield, then, to God's Word.
A Baptist minister in the East is said to heal by "the power of his mind." It is safe to say that his patients are not permanently healed. The only true healing is wrought by the power of God, and the instrument will give God all the glory, instead of attributing it to some power within himself. The Christian knows that in the flesh dwelleth no good thing.
The One Sure Refuge
These be times that try men's souls. Nothing in the world seems certain. Men arise with uncertainty in the morning, knowing not what news will be brought. They retire at night knowing not what changes may occur before another dawn. Just now the critical finances of the world are kept comparatively steady because a few wealthy men do not just now wish a panic. Yet the fluctuations in Wall Street, New York, have in the last few weeks wrecked heavy fortunes. In a few hours one man—Keene—in stock gambling won $5,000,000. Others together lost what was won. One day's strife in South Africa may precipitate a financial panic more terrible in its consequences than the war. In popular religious circles faith, implicit faith in the Word of God, is below par. Popular ministers now give utterance to sentiments showing unbelief in the Bible which years ago would have shocked their churches, and left them without a pastorate.
Now open utterances of unbelief concerning portions of the Bible, by ministers in orthodox churches, excite little or no comment. Occult and abstruse and senseless isms, like the frogs of Egypt, are overspreading the land. "Christian Science," "Theosophy," "Spiritism" are honey-combing churches. Mighty trusts whose promoters' ambitions include the world, are making existence more expensive, and arousing the hatred of the proletariat. There is but one sure refuge, Jesus Christ; but one sure guide, God's Word. Man may reject the one or discount the other; yet the Word and its Author stand forever. And so will all those who trust in Him.
Read the article on the "Increase of Spiritism," in our editorial columns.
Murders in New York
The city of New York from May 3, 1899, to Dec. 9, 1899, had within its boundaries twenty-six murders.
A New Universal Language
A new universal language, called the "blue language," has been invented by a noted philologist, Leon Belloch. Grammar and vocabulary have been published. The earth is getting back to Babel's day of one speech and language.
How Long?
By Editor
How Long?—"How long will America endure?" Guizot once asked James Russell Lowell. Lowell replied, "So long as the ideas of its founders remain dominant." Prof. David Starr Jordan adds, "Just so long as the government rests on the intelligent consent of the governed" ("Imperial Democracy," p. 141). Is this the case now?
Christian Science
By Editor
Our live little contemporary, the Gospel Teacher, has in a recent issue an article by B. D. Johnson on Christian Science that is full of pointed truth. The writer well says: "Payments for healing are accepted because the healers otherwise would starve. If the sickness is not a reality, the healing is only a pretense, and to charge for it is robbery. The healers have no excuse for charging money or taking collections, as I have seen them do. They should take a dose of their own medicine. Replace hungry thoughts by roast turkey thoughts and the aching void within will disappear."
