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Signs of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 11.

A PRESENT HELP
Earlier text: Labor Troubles and Disasters

THE WORK IN TRINIDAD.

BY W. A. SWEANY.
THE work of circulating our literature is indeed a most interesting and important one. My wife and I succeeded, by the help of the Lord, in placing the Caribbean Watchman in the hands of very many of the most influential people in Barbadoes. This was the only way, perhaps, that they could be reached by the message. You will notice, of course, that we have moved, and are now in Trinidad. We left Barbadoes Monday evening, January 18, and reached Trinidad early the next morning, after a very pleasant passage, entirely free from seasickness. Mrs. Sweany and the children spent a week with Elder Haysmer's family in Port-of-Spain, while he and I visited various localities in search of a suitable place for us to locate.
After visiting all the churches and companies, and a number of new fields, it was plainly evident that the providence of God was pointing to Arima, so here we are. Houses are very scarce, and rent is very high. But God so willed it that a family moved out the day before we wished to move in; so we secured a very nice, suitable cottage at the exceedingly low rent of $8.00 per month. We are now comfortably settled and ready to begin operations. We plan to pitch a tent and hold a series of meetings.
This is a new field, and a Catholic stronghold. There are two Sabbath-keeping families in town, and a church on either side a few miles away. The population is perhaps three or four thousand. We are sixteen miles from Port-of-Spain. The roads, as in all English countries, are exceptionally good, so the "bike" is very useful. There is a good system of railroads and telegraph and telephone lines. We see an ocean of work on every side, and are of good courage to plunge into it.
It was hard for us to leave the dear ones in Barbadoes, for whom we have labored incessantly for two and one-half years, amid circumstances of hardship and suffering such as we never saw before, and hope never to see repeated. It was my blessed privilege to baptize fifty-nine precious souls there, and many more of the thousands, who in various ways heard the message, were fully convinced, and almost persuaded to yield obedience.
We were enabled, by the help of the Lord and the assistance of friends interested through reports and appeals in the SIGNS, to relieve an immense amount of suffering; feed and clothe many hungry and destitute; distribute a large amount of literature, and build and equip a neat, though small, schoolhouse in connection with the church. We could have interestedly labored on there till the close of the work, but the Lord as plainly called us to go forward as He had called us there, so we willingly responded. Brother and Sister Enoch are now located there, in the hope of being able to shake off the malaria that had laid hold of them here.
It was hard for the friends there to see us go. A great number, both members and non-members, of all colors and classes, accompanied us to the boat, and wept while they bade us Godspeed. And so we journey on, in full faith and confidence that God will keep that which we have committed to Him, and establish the work of our hands, so that it shall endure to eternity.
We feel very grateful to you and the SIGNS for the inestimable help rendered us. May the Lord cause you to abound yet more and more in every good word and work. Time will not permit us to write to all the dear friends who have shown so much interest in this field, so if you will publish sufficient of this letter to apprise them of the change of our address, and place of labor, we should greatly appreciate it. Already we have enterprises in sight, for which we are praying God to send us means, church buildings, etc., and we know that God will "supply all our need." We are enjoying good health, and our courage is good, in the Lord.
No. 9. St. Joseph St., Arima, Trinidad.

NOTICE TO PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE DELEGATES.

DELEGATES coming to the Pacific Union Conference meeting, held in Healdsburg, March 18-27, '04, please notice. On arriving in Healdsburg, all come directly to the reception room located in the north vestry of the church. Escorts will from here take delegates to their place of entertainment. The college bus will meet all incoming trains and carry delegates to the church.
G. W. MILLS, Chairman of Com.
A. L. LINGLE, Secretary.

OUR WORK AND WORKERS.

ON the 13th ult. a Sabbath-school of thirteen members was organized at Julian, Neb.
A CAMP-MEETING was held at Plymouth, N. Z., beginning January 14. Brethren G. A. Irwin and E. W. Farnsworth, of Australia, were present.
A LETTER to the Pacific Coast Recorder from Brother Frank S. Bond, of Sabadell, Spain, notes the decision of four ladies to keep the Sabbath of the Lord.
IN the Kansas Worker, Brother C. McReynolds reports the organization of a church of fourteen members at Great Bend. He also reports encouraging progress at the new sanitarium at Wichita, and it has been decided to erect a new building.
THE death of Brother George B. Wheeler, at South Lancaster, Mass., February 7, is announced in the Gleaner. He was formerly a Baptist minister, but for the last twelve years has been an earnest and efficient laborer in the cause of "present truth" as a Seventh-day Adventist.
A NEW house of worship was dedicated at Hopewell, Ore., January 31. Brethren H. W. Decker and C. J. Cole were present, Brother Decker preaching the sermon. There was a large attendance, and Brother Cole supplemented the service by a week's meetings. Four converts to the faith were the visible fruits of the sowing.
THE "Eighth Annual Announcement of Avondale School for Christian Workers," at Cooranbong, N. S. W., is a handsome illustrated pamphlet setting forth the advantages of the school. It is a credit to the Avondale Press, an adjunct of the school. The second term of the present year will commence April 12, Prof. C. W. Irwin, principal.
OF the work among the Finns in Minnesota, Brother N. G. Henrickson says in the Worker: "The Finns have less knowledge of the English than any other people I so far have met in the United States. Only the children and a few of the older ones talk English. Nearly always the children interpret for me. There are many Finns here, scattered from about forty miles north to ten miles south of New York Mills."
AT the recent session of the Northern Union Conference, held at Melbank, S. D., the meetings were conducted by Brother A. G. Daniells, president of the General Conference, owing to the prolonged illness of Brother C. W. Flaiz, president of the Union Conference. New officers were elected, as follows: President, R. W. Underwood, for several years president of Pennsylvania Conference; vice-president, C. A. Burman, now president of South Dakota Conference; secretary and treasurer, Alice H. Robinson. Other officers to be appointed by the executive committee.
REPORTING a recent visit to the church at Rochester, N. Y., Brother S. H. Lane says: "On Friday evening I met Brother A. D. Gilbert, who is working in the interests of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. He presented the subject the evening of the Sabbath very forcibly, and the night after the Sabbath went out with several workers on the streets selling the papers. Quite a number were sold. He is very earnest in his work, and the SIGNS is certainly accomplishing much good. The Sabbath meeting was well attended, and it was a good one. Brother Gilbert left us the night after the Sabbath, being called away unexpectedly to St. Louis."

WANTED FOR MISSIONARY WORK.

(Always prepay postage.)
INSTRUCTOR, Little Friend, Life Boat. Address, C. C. Dodge, Eight Mile, Mo.
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ANNUAL MEETING.

The regular annual meeting of the Society of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Oakland, Cal., will be held at the house of worship, corner of Twelfth and Brush Sts., Wednesday evening, April 6, 1904, at 7:30 o'clock.
E. A. CHAPMAN, Sec.

PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE.

The regular biennial meeting of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is called to convene at Healdsburg, Cal., at the hour of 9 A.M., March 18, and to continue until the 27th, 1904, for the purpose of selecting the officers and the executive committee of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, who will serve during the next biennial period, and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting. Each local conference and mission field is entitled to one delegate in the sessions of the conference, without regard to numbers, and an additional delegate for every three hundred church-members.
J. J. IRELAND, secretary. W. T. KNOX, president.

Missionary Work and Influence.

Viewed from the missionary standpoint, China's condition is bright and hopeful. The God who "doeth according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth" is working mightily for this race. During the last three years China has engaged the interest and attention of Christian people far beyond that of any other race or nation. A constant stream of missionaries is pouring into China, invading every province and section of the empire.
At a recent missionary conference held at Kuling, on the Tangtsi, representing a large number of missionary societies at work in China, a resolution was passed urging the different mission boards to put forth earnest efforts to largely increase their present force of workers. Chapels, churches, schools, and hospitals are fast multiplying, and the evangelization of China is surely hastening. The three Bible societies, British, American, and Scotch, are sending forth the living Word of God to her masses at the rate of over two million copies yearly.
Thus, while intensity is taking possession of the earthly and destructive forces in China as elsewhere, it is manifest that God is showing His hand in preparation for the speedy proclamation of His final message. Let us then, as faithful watchmen, read in these events our opportunity and our duty.
Canton, China, Jan. 27, 1904.

Working at Religion

"The great weakness of the church to-day," says the Sabbath Recorder, "is the large percentage of members who hear the Word, and profess to believe it, and who even wax hot over the heretic who dares to dissent from a single line of it, but who are not working at their religion. An underpinning of words is as unstable as one of sand. The man who hopes to get to heaven by spending a little of his breath, will find that the cheap route lacks terminal facilities. He must spend his cash and his strength."

Meanness and Happiness

"You can't be mean and happy any more than an apple can be sour and sweet."
INTERNATIONAL SERIES THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL SERIES THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

LESSON 13.—MARCH 27.—REVIEW OF THE QUARTER'S LESSONS.

Golden Text.—"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness." Matt. 4:23.
LESSON I.—The Boyhood of Jesus. Luke 2:40-52. Golden Text: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Verse 52. At the age of twelve years Jesus understood better than most men what it meant to be about His heavenly Father's business. Yet He was subject to His parents, and was content to work at ordinary labor until He was thirty.
LESSON II.—The Preaching of John the Baptist. Matt. 3:1-12. Golden Text: "Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Verse 2. The mission of John was to prepare the hearts of the people for the reception of the Messiah at His first advent, and His message was, "Repent." The message to the last-day church is like unto it: "Be zealous," and "repent." See Rev. 3:14-22.
LESSON III.—The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus. Matt. 3:13 to 4:11. Golden Text: "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Ch. 3:17. Young converts are sometimes deceived by the idea that their troubles will be over when they are baptized. But that was not the experience of Jesus, or of any one else. But the obedience of faith will bring to the tempted one grace to overcome.
LESSON IV.—Jesus Rejected at Nazareth. Luke 4:16-30. Golden Text: "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not." John 1:11. In all ages people have been slow to believe that one whom they have long known has been specially called of the Lord to some exalted position or to some great work. "A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country."
LESSON V.—Jesus Calls Four Disciples. Luke 5:1-11. Golden Text: "If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed." John 8:31. When Jesus entered upon the work of giving the Gospel to the world, He immediately began to select others whom He could educate as co-laborers. Thus He set the example of association and counsel in the great work.
LESSON VI.—A Sabbath in Capernaum. Mark 1:21-34. Golden Text: "He laid His hands on every one of them, and healed them." Luke 4:40. As a preacher, Jesus always accompanied the good words He spoke by good works. Hence His success in getting the attention of the people. Most people are willing to listen to one who they know is ready to minister to their necessities. No matter how many applied to Jesus, or at what time of the day or night, there is no record that He ever complained of being too tired to attend to their needs, or ever turned any away on any account.
LESSON VII.—Jesus Forgives Sin. Mark 2:1-12. Golden Text: "The Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins." Verse 10. All the work that Jesus did had this end in view. His purpose was to draw men to Him that they might have faith to be forgiven. "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. 1:15. True, He had great sympathy for those who suffered bodily affliction, because of their physical suffering; but He experienced a much deeper sorrow for them because of their sin-sickness.
LESSON VIII.—Jesus and the Sabbath. Matt. 12:1-13. Golden Text: "It is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days." Verse 12. The fact that it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath day does not mitigate against the sanctity of the day, nor does it argue that the day is not to be observed in a special manner. Jesus still recognized the Sabbath, and enjoined its observance upon His disciples. When warning them of the destruction of Jerusalem, which came about thirty-six years later, He exhorted them to pray that their flight be not on the Sabbath day. Matt. 24:24. Thus, as Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28), He evidently had no intention of abolishing His memorial of creation (Gen. 2:2, 3) and of redemption (Deut. 5:15).
LESSON IX.—Hearers and Doers of the Word. Matt. 7:21-29. Golden Text: "Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only." James 1:22. There are many precious promises in the Word of God, but hearing them does one no good, unless the conditions of receiving them be fulfilled. The condition to each individual is faith, demonstrated by the obedience of faith. "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Luke 6:46. The doer of the Father's will will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 7:21), and His will is expressed in His law (Ps. 40:7, 8).
LESSON X.—Jesus Calms the Storm. Mark 4:35-41. Golden Text: "He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still." Ps. 107:29. Jesus demonstrated His ability to calm the raging waves of the sea, and He is just as able to bring a peaceful calm to the troubled soul when the enemy would fain convince that he is without hope. Faith "believeth all things, hopeth all things" (1 Cor. 13:7), "which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast" (Heb. 6:19).
LESSON XI.—Death of John the Baptist. Matt. 14:1-12. Golden Text: "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Rev. 2:10. John paid the world's penalty for faithfulness in proclaiming the truth. He was the victim of a woman's revenge because he carried the Gospel message to her husband, the king, who was somewhat inclined to at least regard the messenger favorably. To have harkened to John's warning would have been fatal to Herod's unlawful marriage. Altho John suffered martyrdom, he won the approval of his Master, which should be the main object of life.
LESSON XII.—Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand. Matt. 14:13-23. Golden Text: "Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of Life." John 6:35. In this miracle of feeding the multitude in a "desert place" we have illustrated the ability of our Shepherd to provide for His people under any and all circumstances. He knows our every want, and only asks us to trust Him and obey His Word, which also supplies our spiritual needs. He is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." Then let us "trust and obey." Our Lord has given His life for us, and He will not fail to provide for us, if we faithfully follow Him.

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THE SABBATH SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL SERIES
THE SABBATH SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL SERIES

LESSON XIII.—THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON.

(Study for Sabbath, March 26.)

QUESTIONS.

REPEAT Rev. 16: 12-16. Where is the vial of the sixth angel to be poured out? With what result? For what was this to prepare the way? From what source were three unclean spirits to come? What are these unclean spirits declared to be? What were they to perform? What was to be their mission? What warning and admonition are here given to God's people? To what place were the kings of the earth and of the whole world to be gathered? Of what is the preparatory work of the sixth plague a sign? Note 1. What signs appear of the gathering storm? Note 2.
2. Repeat Rev. 7: 1-3. When the kings of the earth are assembling and the plagues about to fall, what restrains the great battle of Armageddon? What work for God's people must be accomplished before that battle takes place? What will immediately follow this sealing work?
3. Study Eze. 9: 1-6. What work is brought to view in these verses? Through what place was this angel commissioned to go? What is represented by Jerusalem? Upon whom was this angel commanded to set a mark? Where, then, were these "abominations" to be found? What commission was given to other angels? To whom were the destroying angels not to come near? With what divine promise is this in harmony? Ps. 91: 10.
4. Repeat Jer. 25: 32, 33. From whence does the prophet say evil shall go forth? What does he say will be raised up? Of what are winds a symbol? What will be the result of that world-wide conflict?

NOTES.

1. It seems evident that the preparatory work of the sixth plague,—the gathering of the kings of the East, in readiness for the opening of the battle of Armageddon,—is a movement that takes place before the seven last plagues begin to fall. In other words, this movement on the part of the kings of the East will be a sign that probation is about to close, and the plagues about to fall, also that the battle of Armageddon is about to begin. See "Early Writings," Supplement to Experience and Views, par. 3.
2. The civilized nations have a combined military strength of eighty millions, awaiting the crisis. Napoleon Bonaparte, while a prisoner on the island of St. Helena, 1815-21, made the following statement:—
"In the course of a few years, Russia will have Constantinople, part of Turkey, and all of Greece. This I hold to be as certain as if it had already taken place. All the cajolery and flattery that Alexander practised upon me was to gain my consent to effect that object. I would not give it, foreseeing that the equilibrium of Europe would be destroyed. Once mistress of Constantinople, Russia gets all the commerce of the Mediterranean, becomes a naval power, and then God knows what may happen."
The following is from a Turkish editor, of a paper called the Vakīt:—
"We shall do our utmost to keep England's support; but at last, if we do not succeed in it, then it is very easy to know what we have to do. When Europe will not look at us, then we shall lay aside all the European customs which we have adopted, and enter on our old way; from the boy of thirteen to the old man of seventy-five, every one of us will be armed, and we shall defend, by the will of God, and by the daring of the old days, the country we have held for five hundred years. And if the issue should come to this, as Islamism is not confined to Turkey, then we will blend all the different Moslem races into one; the Moslems of India, of Central Asia, of the Caucasus, of Africa, and of Algeria will come forward, and we shall again take measures which we once adopted for the conquest of Jerusalem. We shall send proclamations everywhere, and declare a general war against Christendom. . . . Then it will not be possible to subjugate 120,000,000 Moslems by 90,000,000 soldiers. If the Moslems all over the world rise to defend their sacred religion, and if the treasure accumulated every year at Mecca is disposed of for the protection of the Mohammedan faith, then the scenes of ancient European wars, where the Moslems were both victorious and destructive, will be repeated, and the progress and civilization of centuries will be destroyed."

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Christ said, "And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto Me." The working out of this purpose is traced in the life of Christ on earth. It is shown how Christ, as man's representative, endured the temptations by which man is overcome, and conquered in his behalf, and that man, becoming partaker of God's divine nature, is enabled to overcome as Christ overcame. God in Christ, and Christ in His followers, can withstand all the power of Satan. And as Christ came to reveal the love of God, so His followers are to reveal the love of Christ.
From another standpoint this volume is a study of the life of Christ and His disciples, many intensely interesting events in their lives being dwelt on.
To the great family, for whom our Elder Brother lived and died, is the book appropriately dedicated.
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STEPS TO CHRIST

If there is one book above another that will enable the inquiring soul to take the steps necessary to "rejoice in the Lord," which is the title of the last chapter, that book is "Steps to Christ." The author seems to have anticipated every question that would arise in the mind of the young Christian, and answered them fully and clearly; and yet it is not a book for this class only, but it is esteemed as a companion and comforter by many who have been long in the Christian pathway. Some of its chapters are: "The Sinner's Need of Christ," "Confession," "Repentance," "Consecration," "Test of Discipleship," "Growing Up in Christ," "The Work and the Life," "The Privilege of Prayer," and "What to Do with Doubt."
The English edition is bound in cloth, gilt, at 85 cents; in cloth, plain, 50 cents; and paper at 25 cents. The German, Swedish, Spanish, and Danish, sell for 60 cents; the French, Italian, Finnish, Roumanian, and Hungarian at 75 cents; Japanese, 20 cents.

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SMITH'S BIBLE DICTIONARY

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CO-OPERATION CORNER.

BROTHER ARTURO FULTON, Director Colegio Camarero, Diamante, Entre Rios, Argentina, S. A., writes:—
I wish you would send a copy of the SIGNS for the students in our school who read English. We have classes in Spanish, German, and English; we also have French and Italian students. We have been very much crowded the last year, and lack most of the conveniences that our schools at home enjoy. We are planning to build on four rooms this season. We have been working for some time to get a small printing press for this field, and have secured about $200 in gold from the people here. If our brethren at home could be interested to give $300 or $400 more, I am sure we could raise the rest. A press large enough to print four pages of our Spanish paper, El Faro, will cost not far from $1,000 at Buenos Ayres.
We have been made to rejoice to see our students gaining a Christian experience. Five out of six unconverted students who were in the home have accepted the truth during the past year.
Donations for the above purpose may be sent to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

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BIBLE ELECTION.

By M. C. Wilcox. A brief presentation of God's plan and purpose concerning man, showing that the doctrine of election, or predestination, according to the Bible, is full of comfort and instruction. It throws new light on old controversies. Bible Students' Library, No. 67; 24 pp.; price 3 cents. Address Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal.

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A Deception of the Devil.

One of the great efforts of the devil through all the ages has been to make humanity believe that God's service is cold and hard and irksome and unpleasant. He has succeeded to a marvelous extent. Christians talk about "duty" as a hard thing, devoid of love and happiness, just as if there could not be such a thing as a pleasant duty, or a love of duty. Love is regarded as a mere sentiment, a feeling, an emotion, instead of a warm, living principle. Jesus Christ was wholly actuated by love, yet it "behooved" (it was duty) "the Christ to suffer." Luke 24:25, 26. "In all things it behooved Him [He owed it, He was under obligation] to be made like unto His brethren." Heb. 2:17. And in these duties He said, "I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love." John 15:10. And to us He says, "If ye love Me, keep My commandments." John 14:15. "Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." There is blessed joy in doing duty.

Tobacco-using.

There are many noble, great-souled men who use tobacco in some form; but it is not tobacco which makes them noble and great-souled. They are noble and great despite the tobacco. There are mean, little-souled men who do not use tobacco; it is not the lack of tobacco which makes them mean and little; it is their nature so to be, and they would be littler and meaner if they used tobacco. There are men who use tobacco who are better in conduct and cleaner in person than some who use no tobacco. But the former class are not better because of their tobacco, nor the latter worse because of their lack of tobacco. Let us settle these simple facts once for all. Nevertheless tobacco-using, except for the destruction of vermin, is bad, irretrievably, unmitigatedly bad. Its effects are evil and only evil; and the defense that is made for it by medical men is made by those addicted to its use, blinded by its toxic powers to its effects upon themselves and others. These indictments and charges against the use of the weed will hold: (1) It is useless, utterly devoid of good. (2) It is expensive, costing from five cents to five dollars or more a day. Why expend so much money on an utterly useless habit? (3) It is filthy. It discolors the teeth, vitiates the breath, and saturates the clothing with an odor always unpleasant to refined and normal nostrils. (4) It affects the sight and hearing. (5) It causes serious diseases of the heart and other vital organs. (6) Insanity is one of its frequent fruits. (7) It blunts the moral sensibility, and proves to be a feeder of the use of alcohol. Why not break from the bondage of such a tyrant and enemy? The noble man would be nobler; the great-hearted man would be larger hearted; and the freed soul would mount with rapid steps into "a purer air and a grander view."
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