p. 15 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 29. (7/30/1912)

The Last from China

By Editor

FOR the encouragement of our friends who have been donating to the Chinese field, and praying for Chinese missions, we take the following from a letter sent to the manager of this office under date of June 4.

The superintendent of the field, Pastor I. H. Evans, writes of the general meetings which have been held during March and April, one each in Swatow, Amoy, and Fatshan. At one meeting held in the interior from Shanghai, revival services were held in the evening for those outside, the unconverted. At one place more than one hundred persons came forward expressing their desire to seek the Saviour, at another more than one hundred twenty-five, and at still another meeting quite a large number sought the Lord and found salvation. As the result of these meetings between seventy and eighty were baptized. The Lord's Supper was celebrated at each place, and the Chinese entered into the celebration of these ordinances with the same interest as did the missionaries. These Chinese are not what are called "rice Christians;" they do not yield themselves with any ulterior purpose of heart. They confess their sins, they seek God with all their hearts. "They make wrongs right with each other; and in fact in every way that we live the gospel at home, the Chinese try to live it here."

Pastor Evans appeals for more workers. He says: "There are so many calls for help, so many openings for service which give promise of rich rewards, and so many interests already started which demand attention, the half of which we are unable to answer and supply with help, that some of our men are almost discouraged. Just the other day I received a letter from one of our workers in the south of China stating that at one of his out-stations there were one hundred persons actually keeping the commandments of God, and seven hundred seeking for light and help. It is no trouble to get an interest aroused in China. The only trouble we have is in taking care of the interests that are continually springing up in different places. These interests are not the results of long, protracted efforts to arouse the people, but in many cases are caused by some one in a village reading a tract, or by merely hearing of the truth from others.

"Dr. Selmon returned last Friday from the meeting in Anhwei. He said he believed with all his heart that if it were possible for us to send a good evangelist to that district, we could have a thousand converts within one year's time. He said he had never seen such an interest or opening for labor in his life. There are interests everywhere so beyond the ability of our limited number of workers to handle that we are deeply distressed to know what to do. O for a hundred good, strong, earnest men to set to work in China! What a mighty work could be accomplished! We ought to have at least a score of young men here now studying the language preparatory to carrying the message to these millions."

The letter also tells of several very promising, educated young Chinese who have given themselves to the Lord, identified themselves with us, and are prepared to teach in our schools. We rejoice with our workers in China. May God abundantly bless them.

Our Work and Workers

By Editor

A CHURCH of sixteen members has been organized in Panama City, Canal Zone.

TEN persons at Grenville, British West Indies, have recently been baptized, and others will follow later. Five at Kingston have also received baptism.

SIXTY-NINE persons have been added to our church-membership in Chile during the past year.

ABOUT twenty at Lena, Louisiana, have begun the observance of the message, as a result of meetings held there.

FIFTEEN at Monterey, Mexico, have covenanted to keep the commandments, and several have requested baptism.

DURING the sessions of the Scandinavian Union and Danish conferences at Copenhagen, Denmark, twenty-one were baptized.

WORD comes from the interior of Armenia that twelve persons, among whom are a preacher and a local elder, have embraced the truth.

SUNDAY, June 2, baptism was administered to sixteen souls at Ford, Kentucky. A church of eighteen members was also organized.

AT Punta Gorda, Florida, four young persons recently went forward in baptism, five at Jacksonville, and four at Pensacola. Four at Ocala have united with the church.

A SMALL church has been organized at Montgomery, Alabama. Five or more at Birmingham have identified themselves with this message, and several more at Barnwell.

SEVEN souls at Wellington, New Zealand, have recently taken their stand for the truth. Following the camp-meeting at Grey Lynn, Auckland, twenty-three were baptized.

As a result of a special effort at Lincoln, North Dakota, over sixty persons took their stand for the message for this time; five have taken their stand at Valley City; and a Sabbath-school has been organized at Williston.

TWENTY-TWO souls at Addington, Texas, were recently baptized. Six at Tolar, and eighteen at Bowie, have taken their stand for the truth. Five have been baptized at Elgin; six have united with the Buffalo church; three with the colored church at

Houston, and three more are keeping the commandments. Three united with the Dallas church on Sabbath, May 25. Four at Fort Stockton have embraced the message.

TEN at Napanee, Ontario, were buried in baptism recently. A church of seventeen members has been organized here. Four at Hamilton have accepted the truth, two of whom have been baptized. A new place of worship for the French in Namur, Quebec, has recently been dedicated.

THURSDAY, June 13, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Mattison left New York on the steamship Cedric for India. Brother Mattison goes to answer a call from India for assistance in the circulation of English literature. Undoubtedly they will receive a very hearty welcome to their new field.

WE ought to have noticed it before, but somehow or other it was crowded out — a most excellent little quarterly journal, the Zeichen der Zeit, the German for “The Signs of the Times,” printed at College View, Nebraska. For instance, the April number has a beautiful cover, nicely printed, and the contents we are sure are excellent, from the men who have charge of the journal, Brethren C. Valentiner and G. W. Erfurth. This little quarterly is, we gather, 30 cents a year. Those who have German friends can not do better than to patronize it.

THREE persons at Johnsonville, Tennessee, were buried in baptism on Sabbath, June 1; and three at Memphis have been baptized and united with the Memphis church. A church of sixteen members was organized near Bon Aqua, on a recent Sabbath.

A SABBATH-SCHOOL of ten members has been organized at Owanka, South Dakota, to be known as the Brennan Flat Sabbath-school; and a church of twelve members in Meade County, about sixty miles from the railroad. This church will be known as the White Owl church. Four persons at Camp Creek are awaiting baptism. Twelve conversions are reported at Madison, and eleven at Burke, where a Sabbath-school of nineteen members has been organized.

"Go Home to Thy Friends"

By Clara Edna Rosencrans

By Clara Edna Rosencrans

Thou hast been among the tombs, Tormented and sore distressed. The morning brought no joy, And the evening brought no rest. Thou didst cry in thy bitter pain, Thou didst cut thyself with stones, Till the Healer came this way, And said, in such gentle tones, "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee."

Thy friends had forsaken thee, Thou didst grope in the dark alone, With none but God to hear Thy bitter, bitter moan. The devils made thee blaspheme Thy best and only Friend. But the Healer came this way, And thy sufferings had end— "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee."

Not to some far-off land Should the story first be told, But to the household band Who sit by the hearthstone cold. Warmth, and comfort, and light, Bring home to thy friends in need; Scatter with joyous heart A generous, loving meed— "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee."

Then go home to thy friends, And tell the story sweet, Of the joy that has come to thee, And thy healing so complete. They will come to this Loving One, For they're longing to be at rest; They wander up and down, Whom the demons have oppressed. "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee."

Thou sinning, sorrowing one, Wheresoever thou mayest be, Dost thou hear His loving voice, As it whispers soft to thee? Dost thou hear Him gently say, As He bids the demons depart, As His wondrous life and love Flow into thy aching heart, "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee?"

Wanted

By the Paradise Valley Sanitarium Training School for Missionary Nurses, twenty consecrated young men and women who are willing to devote their lives to the Master’s service.

This school affords a most thoro and up-to-date training in all departments. Its location is ideal. Its climate is the very best, warm and sunny in winter, and cool in summer. New commodious home for nurses just completed. Class begins October 1, 1912. Write at once for illustrated booklet. Supt. of Training School, Paradise Valley Sanitarium, National City, Cal.

DATE OF EXPIRATION

By G. C. Hoskin, Circulation Manager

The SIGNS wrapper bears date of last issue due on your subscription. Unless renewed in advance, paper stops with expiration date.

If herewith is an order-blank, you will know you have overlooked sending renewal. You will not wish to miss a single issue. Back numbers often can not be furnished.

G. C. Hoskin, Circulation Manager.

Notice About Unordered Papers

By Editor

N. B. 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.

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Growing Sale of Tracts

By Editor

One Order to Pressroom { 1 press running - - - - 24 days 1 folder running - - - - 12 days Stitching and wrapping - 12 days In all - - - - - 48 days

ONE printing order for tracts given our pressroom recently has kept one press running 24 days, the large folding-machine busy 12 days, and the stitching and wrapping department working 12 days more. This was simply one order with which to replenish stock.

The sale of gospel and health tracts from this publishing house last year amounted to $13,969—22,000,000 pages.

When you consider the place tracts have always taken in extending a knowledge of the Bible, you will see at once that such a demand for tract literature is most encouraging.

The Dollar Tract Package has proved the most popular and satisfactory way to supply the individual with a good assortment for personal study and distribution. 390 dollar packages have been called for this year. This selection has 120 tracts, treating twelve different subjects grouped under "Gospel Stories," "Bible Study," "Health and Temperance," "The Millennium," "Spiritualism," "Prophecy," "The Law," "The Second Coming of Christ," "Immortality," and "The Sabbath."

A tract sent Dr. John Scudder to India, where he gave his life, and left seven children and grandchildren to carry on mission work.

Dr. J. Hudson Taylor, famous for his great work in China, was converted through a tract. And to-day these silent messengers are reaching thousands with the light of Bible truth. Help to scatter them widely. "Like the Leaves of Autumn" (free on request) gives best methods, experiences, and complete lists.

$1.25 (the 25 cents for postage) sent to your tract society will bring you the dollar package. If unacquainted with its location, address

Pacific Press Publishing Association

Mountain View, California Portland, Oregon Calgary, Alberta, Canada Kansas City, Mo.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

By Editor

Three months . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.50 Six months . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 One year (50 numbers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.75 With “Questions and Answers” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.00

One new yearly subscription and one renewal, or two new yearly subscriptions, sent at one time, $3.00.
Two new yearly subscriptions and one renewal, or three new yearly subscriptions, sent at one time, $4.00.
Three new yearly subscriptions and one renewal, or four new yearly subscriptions, sent at one time, $5.00.

Sample copies sent on application. Weekly and Monthly SIGNS one year, combined, $2.25.

Christian Citizenship

Sometime, when too late, the people of the United States will know the curse that there is in the winning term of "Christian citizenship," for which the National Reform Association and kindred bodies are working. Next year a national Christian citizenship convention is to be held in Portland. Efforts are made to get speakers of national and international renown there to push the thing on. Noted returned missionaries will be speakers, and the president of the National Reform Association, Henry C. Minton, is on the coast to promote the affair at the present time. The Commercial Club of Portland is raising, or endeavoring to raise, $15,000 to pay for the advertising. And all this to be centered on the union of church and state, for that is what "Christian citizenship," in its last analysis, means. The world has had Christian citizenship, and demonstrated what it means. It had it during the Dark Ages; it had it during the Puritan régime in Massachusetts. It had it at the time when witches were burned, and Baptists and Quakers hung. And wo worth the day when the United States has it again, under whatsoever régime.

Saturday of the Blessed Virgin Mary

A brother writing us some time ago from Portland, Oregon, formerly a member of the Roman Catholic Church in Hungary, writes us that when he was young, knowing nothing about the Bible at all, his people possessed a book the title of which was “Saturday of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Her Fifty-Two Miracles,” by Paul Esteras. The preface of the book declares that “God freed the children out of the Egyptian bondage, and gave them on Mount Sinai the Ten Commandments, in which He specified Saturday as the rest day, which day was in later times observed by the Hebrews. . . . Yet the pious Christians always sanctified Saturday in honor of the blessed virgin, which many observe at the present time. Hence I believe that I shall not fall into disfavor with my readers, if, in order to increase this reverence, I have arranged one assertion for each Saturday throughout the year, fifty-two in all.” The book tells a series of traditional miracles to support this claim. How good it is to know that those who observe the seventh day have the simple Word of God upon which to rest their faith, more than all miracles! Yet the book is good in showing this—that the holiness of the seventh day must be reconciled.

Contained in This Issue

By Editor

Question Corner PAGE 3813—Conditions and Promises; 3814— During the Thousand Years; 3815—The New Jerusalem; 3816—The 144,000; 3817 —What Shall Be Tithed? 3818—How Long in the Sepulcher - - - - - - - - - - - 2

Our Bible Band - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2

Editorial The Homage of the Great - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 The Power of Habit - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 Where Is Religious Liberty Found? - - - - - - - - - - 4 The Rival Sabbaths - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5 Drugging and Drinking - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5 Notes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 11, 16

General The Coming of Our Lord—Who Will Re- ject His Coming? and Why? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6 Satanic Delusions to Increase - - - - - - - - - - - - 7 Our Saviour and Lord—Christ as Prophet and Teacher - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 8

Our Bible Reading Shadows and Offerings - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 9

The Outlook Obeying the Spirits - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 10 The Referendum Amendment - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 11 Prepare War - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 11

Home and Fireside A Club Woman on the Dress Question - - - - - - - - - 12

Missions The Last from China - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 14 Our Work and Workers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 14

Poetry Ad Bellonam - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6 The Last Enemy - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7 "Go Home to Thy Friends" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 14

In Our Next

By Editor

Our next paper will be of especial interest. It will contain the following in our regular serials:

THE GREAT EVENTS TO OCCUR AT CHRIST'S COMING. By Prof. G. W. Rine.

CHRIST AS OUR EXAMPLE. By G. W. Reaser.

PARENTS SHOULD BE CHRISTLIKE. By Mrs. E. G. White.

CHRIST DIED TO SAVE (Bible Reading). There will be our regular Editorial and Question Corner departments as usual.

Besides these our next issue will contain an article from Dr. G. L. Tufts, the secretary of the Lord's Day Alliance, entitled "Weekly Rest Day Law for California," in which he takes exception to the attitude of this journal and some of its writers. Replies to Mr. Tufts will appear in the same journal. The readers of this journal will have both sides of the question.

The Need for Sunday Laws

When there is no divine law for Sunday, is it really worth a human law?

The King of the North Pamphlet Exhausted

By Editor

We take this occasion to say that no more copies of the “King of the North” pamphlet can be furnished, as the edition is exhausted. W.

An Important Issue on Sunday Laws

By Editor

Our next issue is important to California, and to students and lovers of religious liberty everywhere. Dr. G. L. Tufts will have an article on the proposed Sunday law for which he is working, with an appeal to the readers of this paper. There will be set forth on the other side the reasons why we can not approve the law. The paper ought to receive a large circulation.

Anarchy and Attacks on Public Rulers

By Editor

July 17 an infernal machine, containing sufficient high-power dynamite to have wrecked a good portion of the White House, was placed on President Taft's desk, and was opened by one of his assistants. As the machine was opened, the fuse was automatically lighted, and only for the prompt action of the one who opened it, the thing would have exploded right among all those engaged with the President in his work. Politicians who have personal interests to serve may have a great deal to say in criticism of Mr. Taft, but there is no one who doubts the high morality and sincerity of purpose that have characterized his long career of public service. One of the sad results of much of the discussion of this time is that it produces characters that get a mania for destroying the lives of some of our most useful and valued rulers. And the conditions in the world are such that any one must be able to see that this sort of thing will increase more and more till the end. Men may try to blind their eyes to the facts, but the very conditions are breeding anarchy and lawlessness, and out of the turbid elements there develops a species of insanity that will attempt the lives many times of the worthiest and the most useful men of the nations.

"Agreed Not Together"

By Editor

From Two Notes in the Same Religious Paper

"THE Protestant Magazine says, 'Those who depart this life enter into a state of unconscious rest, represented in the Scriptures as a sleep, where they remain until the resurrection.' This theory is incorrect. Man's soul dwells in his body during his life here. And he is thus absent from the Lord, whose dwelling-place is heaven. When man dies his soul leaves the body and is at once received into the presence of the Lord."

"Mr. Stearns affirms that man does not have a body. He says it is a 'false sense' which leads man to believe that he has a body. We reply that God informs us in His account of creation that He gave man a body, and that He formed man's body before He gave him any sense. That it was by means of man's body that he received his sense. Now if man hasn't any body, he hasn't any sense. The belief of the Christian Scientist comes near being nonsense."

Now if man hasn't any body after death, has he any sense? How does the Christian Scientist differ from the editor? If a man can have sense without a body after death, why not in this life? And if a man needs a body to have sense here, why does he not need it after death? Why not believe the Bible that in the day "his breath goeth forth" "his thoughts perish"?

The Weekly Rest Day Bill

By Editor

Expecting Against Hope.—Referring to the “Weekly Rest Day Bill” which Mr. Tufts is fostering, and which requires 31,000 petitioners to place it on the ballot in November, the California Christian Advocate of July 18 says:

“It is of the highest importance that the Weekly Rest Bill petitions sent to the pastors by Dr. Geo. L. Tufts be returned to the proper parties at once. About 1,400 petitions have been mailed to as many pastors. It requires 31,000 electors to get this matter on the ballot. That means that each petition must contain at least 22 names—but many of these petitions will fall into the waste-basket. We hope not but we expect against our hope. It is specially gratifying to note that the labor-unions and trade organizations are giving this Weekly Rest Bill their hearty support.”

But if the labor-unions and trade organizations are so “hearty” in their support, what is the cause for fear? If all the churches want it, and the labor-unions and trade organizations are giving it “hearty support,” surely it ought to be an easy matter to secure 31,000 signatures. Or is the editor whistling to keep up his courage?

Modern Warfare and Armageddon

The California naval militia has broken the world record at target practise, making 55 consecutive hits with the four-inch guns, and 45 consecutive hits with the three-pounders. We not only have great intensity in the improvement of weapons of war, but we have an equally great intensity in the training for skill in the use of these improved weapons. When the war of Armageddon breaks upon the world in that near-by day, and all these modern weapons, with the modern skill in using them, are brought into action, the scenes will go beyond description. The following language from the prophecy of Revelation may then be found not so figurative as many have supposed: "And the winepress was trodden without the city, and there came out blood from the wine-press, even unto the bridles of the horses, as far as a thousand and six hundred furlongs." Rev. 14:20. When the Prince of Peace withdraws His restraining hand from the war-mad forces that are gathering, we can little imagine the scenes that will then be enacted.

Memory Text for the Week

John 3:36

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

Little Support for California Sunday Law

There does not up to the present time seem to be much enthusiasm manifested among the good people of California regarding the proposed Sunday law under the Initiative. At this writing, July 18, according to best information, but 3,000 signatures from seven counties had been filed with the secretary of state, less than one tenth of the number required. The simple fact is that there are many Sunday-keepers who do not believe in "civil" Sunday laws, and these are found among the most intelligent and devout.

Bible Version and Subscription Information

By Editor

Our authority is the Bible, the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. When the Common ("King James" or "Authorized") Version or the American Standard Revised Version is used, the version will not generally be designated in reference. Any Bible quotation in this paper, therefore, differing from the Common Version, unless otherwise indicated, will be almost invariably from the American Standard edition of the Revised Bible, copyright 1910, by Thomas Nelson & Sons.

For further particulars, subscription rates, etc., see page 15.

Shall Rejoice and Blossom as the Rose
Isa. 35:1-4 — Shall Rejoice and Blossom as the Rose Isa. 35:1-4