p. 14 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 38. (9/20/1905)

OUR WORK AND WORKERS.

By Editor

THE young people's societies of Ohio contributed $480, the past conference year, to work in foreign fields.

FIVE candidates for baptism are reported by Brother C. J. Buhalts, in connection with his tent-meetings at Martinsville, Ind.

A LETTER from Prof. J. A. L. Derby, of Washington, D. C., notes the addition of twelve to our ranks in connection with meetings held in that city.

A CHURCH of eighteen members was organized at Viborg, S. D., August 13. This was the result of labor by Brethren J. W. Christian and W. A. Baker.

DR. EMMA A. PERRINE, and Miss Bessie Young, a graduate of Iowa Sanitarium Training-School, were booked to sail for Japan, from Vancouver, on the 18th inst.

IN the Atlantic Union Gleaner, Brother J. A. Traugh reports the accession of nineteen Sabbath-keepers, with a continued interest in meetings conducted at Lord, Md.

THE brethren at Woonsocket, S. D., have commenced the work of building a house of worship. The people not of our faith are materially encouraging the enterprise.

MEETINGS in progress at Royal Center, Ind., conducted by Brethren B. Hagle and J. C. Harris, had been blessed by the accession of ten converts, at the latest report. A church has been organized.

KEENE ACADEMY, at Keene, Texas, is singing the jubilee song of freedom from debt. The managers of the institution and the people who contributed to this happy condition are to be congratulated.

THE clerk of the church at Providence, R. I., reports to the Gleaner that within a few weeks nine members have been added to that company. August 19 six were baptized by Brother J. F. Archibald.

AN Indian doctor in Singapore has become much interested in the medical missionary work of Brother and Sister Davey. His wife is receiving treatment from Sister Davey, and, through Bible instruction by Brother G. F. Jones' wife, has renounced Catholicism.

A SABBATH-SCHOOL of thirty-eight members has been organized in connection with tent-meetings at Eaton, Ind., by Brethren U. S. Anderson and J. F. Steele. Five candidates were baptized August 19, and others were to follow in another week. In the Reporter they note an excellent interest.

ABOUT October 10 the International Publishing Association will issue special numbers of the German, Swedish, and Danish papers. The articles will be fully illustrated, and the cover will have a specially attractive design. It is hoped that the papers may have a wide circulation. A more definite announcement will be given later.

A NUMBER of clippings received from Brother L. Schmidt, show that the daily Express, of Albany, N. Y., is giving favorable consideration and liberal notices regarding his street talks and other labors in that city. And well might the public journals everywhere give more space to the messages of truth that are due to the world in these days; for they are live issues, and concern the eternal welfare of every individual.

BROTHER C. P. BOLLMAN, of Springville, Tenn., secretary of the Southern Missionary Society, was in Mountain View last week, and was a most welcome visitor at our office. He was a fellow-laborer with us for several years, and was connected with the American Sentinel in New York. Some time ago he was obliged to retire to his farm for the benefit of his health; but we are glad to see that he has improved healthwise, and is again actively at work in behalf of the great cause of present truth in the South.

OUR Spanish journal, El Mensajero de la Verdad (The Messenger of the Truth) is now receiving commendatory testimonials from Spain, Honduras, and South American States, and persons are brought to acknowledge the Sabbath truth solely by its ministrations. It is illustrated and has four departments, namely, General Articles, Editorial, Children's Department, and Health and Temperance. It is published monthly, at 35 cents (U. S. money) per year; in clubs of five or more to one address, 25 cents each. It is good missionary work to send the paper to Spanish readers. Address, Num. 1420, Ave. 20, Tacubaya, D. F., Mexico.

BROTHER WM. COVERT asks which of the churches in a certain conference would like to have special meetings held in their respective vicinities, and then adds this pertinent suggestion: "Where the church members have fulfilled John 13: 35, meetings can be held with good results. Churches may prepare the way for a revival by following the advice of 1 Cor. 1: 10. But studiously avoid the things outlined in the verse that follows. Learn to heed the exhortation of Phil. 4: 8, and then arrange for the meetings." On these conditions any church can safely call for ministerial help and confidently expect a gathering of souls.

BROTHER G. W. REASER, president of Southern California Conference, reports that just preceding the recent camp-meeting in Los Angeles, fifteen persons were united to that church by baptism. On the last day of the camp-meeting twenty-two more were baptized, and other candidates were referred to their various home churches for baptism and membership. During this meeting about $38,000 was secured for Loma Linda Sanitarium; nearly $2,000 for Fernando College, and $460 for camp expenses. Brother E. H. Adams was ordained to the Gospel ministry. Three of the brethren have promised to support four native missionaries in Africa for at least one year. August 26, five more candidates were baptized, and joined the Los Angeles Church. It was estimated that fully one thousand of our people attended the Los Angeles camp-meeting. Mrs. E. G. White went to Loma Linda after the meeting for a much-needed rest.

BROWN'S MILLENNIAL TEXT-BOOK.—500 texts and diagram. Aid to ministers, workers, everybody. Quick seller for agents. Copy prepaid, one dime. Eugene A. Brown, Phoenix, Ariz.

WANTED FOR MISSIONARY WORK.

By Editor

(Always prepay postage.)

LATE, clean copies of the SIGNS and Sabbath tracts. Address, J. B. Crayne, Needles, Cal.

OUR denominational literature in any language. Address, Esther Levy, Matteawan, N. Y., care P. M.

YOUNG PEOPLE—ATTENTION!

By Editor

WE are authorized to announce the publication, about October 15, of a volume of "Addresses for Young People," by President Charles C. Lewis, of Union College. It will consist of ten addresses, given on various occasions during the past fifteen years, principally before audiences of young people. Just the book to save young people from skepticism, and inspire them to seek an education, aud lead pure and noble lives. The book will contain about 300 pages, and will be durably and handsomely bound. It will form an appropriate and valuable present for any young person, and may turn the current of his life into broader, deeper, and purer channels. Price, $1.00 per copy, post-paid. Orders received at once, and filled with first copies from press. Send for descriptive pamphlet, giving sample pages, and telling how to secure a copy free. Address correspondence, and make orders payable to UNION COLLEGE PRESS, College View, Neb.

ABIDING SPIRIT.—By the late Mrs. S. M. I. Henry. The object of this book is to show the necessity of having the help of the Holy Spirit in the performance of the common and every-day duties of life. Plain, cloth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40c. Gilt edges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75c. Address PUBLISHERS OF THIS PAPER

TEN DOLLARS A WEEK.

SOME agents are making as high as $10 a week selling E-Z Washing Tablets. Why not you? Sample bar sufficient for a month's washing for 10 cents post-paid. TERMS FREE. Address, Alfred Mallett, Elkridge Sta., Baltimore, Md.

THE NORTHWESTERN LINE RUSSIA-JAPAN ATLAS.

Send ten cents in stamps to R. R. Ritchie, No. 617 Market Street, San Francisco, for Russo-Japanese War Atlas, issued by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, three fine colored maps each 14x20, bound in convenient form for reference. The Eastern Situation shown in detail with tables showing relative military and naval strength and financial resources of Russia and Japan.

SUNSET MAGAZINE

By Editor

DESCRIBES

California

Not only California, but all the great West, is truthfully described in the beautifully illustrated pages of this virile Western monthly. Its fine half-tones make you SEE the country, while its descriptive and industrial articles TELL YOU EXACTLY what is to be found there. It is

"Opportunity"

in visible form, for it shows the wonderful chances for success now open in the new West for wide-awake people.

If your news dealer doesn't carry SUNSET, send us his name and address and write for sample copy.

HOME OFFICE: 431 California St. San Francisco, California.

Korea Mission Progress

By Missionary Review

KOREA continues to be the most fruitful field of our missionary labors, so far as visible results are concerned. 1,263 communicants were added to the church during the year, almost one-fourth of the total number in all our fields. Encouraging advance has been made in the new educational work. The board is making considerable additions to the forces of the mission, whose inadequacy may be judged from the fact that Pyeng Yang station has 2,944 church members, 3,837 catechumens (1,580 of the latter new this year), 54 counties to shepherd and evangelize, and but 8 ordained ministers to do it. Of 92 native helpers, all but 6 are supported by the people, who have, almost unaided, erected 46 new churches this year, making 152 in all. The natives have contributed nearly $4,400 gold. The work is waiting to be done, but the workers are pitifully few.—Missionary Review.

KEENE ACADEMY IS SINGING THE JUBILEE SONG.

By C. B. Hughes

BY PROF. C. B. HUGHES.

Not quite a year ago it was announced in the SIGNS that we had begun the closing campaign of the academy debt. We are very thankful to God to now be able to announce that it has successfully closed, and that a growing surplus is left, which will enable us to improve our grounds and buildings, and to add to our library, laboratory, etc., until our school is thoroughly equipped for its work.

We have increased our faculty, lengthened our course, and are planning to do such thorough work that our school will be first-class in every respect.

Now that we "owe no man anything, but to love one another," there ought to be a joyful experience before us in discharging love's obligation. There has been an increasing missionary spirit in the school during the past two years. Surely, the deliverance from the bondage of debt ought to quicken this spirit.

The outlook is good for an increased attendance. We bless God, and take courage.

A COMMON ABUSE OF CHILDREN.

Let those who have used baby's arm as a handle, and who do not believe that they have sinned, listen to what some of New York's eminent surgeons have to say on the subject:

"It is not a question of possible injury to the child," said one, "but of certain injury. As well lift a baby by the ears as by the arm. The most common danger is of dislocating the shoulder. A child's arm is very easily dislocated, and unless properly set the entire arm may grow out of shape. Children do not always know enough to tell when they are hurt, and a dislocation may not be noticed until it is too late to remedy the injury. An arm that has been dislocated may go back accidentally, or it may be set so that the child has proper use of it, but without regaining the proper shape. If not

properly set, there is danger of irritation in the shoulder, with the possibility of necrosis of the bone."

"Even if dislocation is not caused by this unnatural use, there is danger of twisting the arm out of shape. The cartilage in a child's body does not become bone until the seventh year. With a very young child it is soft enough to change shape if jerked the wrong way, and it is mere chance when a crooked cartilage straightens before it hardens to bone."—Good Housekeeping.

Education in the Home

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

EDUCATION IN THE HOME. NO. 19.

ALL this time the young lad, Billy Black, seeing that the conversation had drifted somewhat beyond his understanding, had been looking wistfully over in the direction of the large parlor organ, standing in the corner of the sitting-room. Billy was very fond of music, and, withal, had an exceptionally-fine voice. But his extreme diffidence generally prevented him from improving his one talent, as his good old grandmother often expressed it. But to-night Billy felt an uncontrollable desire to hear some music; so when at last he saw the happy company breaking up, he remarked shyly, "I thought they always closed meetin's with a song."

"So they do, my lad, so they do," smiled Brother Hartman.

"O," cried Beth, "please ask Billy to sing, papa, he can sing so pretty."

"I believe Billy has a very fine voice," agreed John. "I often hear him and his grandmother singing when I pass the house."

And so it came to pass that poor Billy forgot his embarrassment and joined with the others in singing that matchless song: "Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee."

"I find something very interesting in that poor boy," said grandma, wiping her eyes, after their guests had again departed.

"Yes," said John, "so do I; he asked me to-night if I'd mind his coming to the next reading; of course I gave him a hearty invitation, poor fellow,—Walter and I are going to do all we can in every way for him."

"That's a good resolution, my children," said their father. "We must all be home missionaries, and try to be self-sacrificing and generous toward those not as fortunate as ourselves. And, my little Beth, I want you to learn this verse before you sleep, 'For even Christ pleased not Himself.'"

"By the way, father," said John, "it seemed to me that the Sabbath never looked so plain before as since we have begun these readings."

"Nor so beautiful!" echoed Elsie.

"I am very glad," declared grandma, "that the Holy Spirit put it into your hearts, my dear son and daughter, to take this method of instructing your children in the glorious truths of God's Word. Ah! if all the living church of Christ would heed the command to teach their children God's law, when they go out and when they come in, when they sit down and when they rise up, there would be fewer apostasies among the young, and fewer backsliders among the older ones. O, there is keeping power in God's Word."

"That's true, grandma," said Mrs. Hartman, "and it seems to me that our little church school, if we may so call it, is going to do great good, not only to our own, but to others."

"Josie Wilbur told me to-night," said Mattie, "that her ma hasn't studied the Bible so much in all her life, and Josie said she wouldn't miss coming for anything."

"Did you decide finally upon the subject for the next meeting, papa?" asked Mattie.

"I think it would be well to bind off our study of the Sabbath. Of course, it will not be possible or practical to make these studies exhaustive on any subject. Yet, on the important and fundamental principles of our faith, I wish you, my children, not to remain in ignorance for a single day longer than it is necessary to become perfectly enlightened regarding them. Every day you are in danger of being led into temptation and deception, and if you are not rooted and grounded in the love of the truth, I fear lest your mother and I be held guilty in the last day; and in order to be guiltless, we must leave no stone unturned in your spiritual education."

"What does 'rooted and grounded' mean, papa?" queried Beth.

"Just read the verse, little girl, and grandma'll explain it to you;" and Brother Hartman turned in Beth's Bible, to Ephesians, third chapter, while she read verses 17 to 19: "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

"Now, dear," said grandma, "had not that great oak by the gate been rooted and grounded deep into the earth, it must have been overturned in the fierce storm of last night. And so, unless we are firmly established in the truth, we shall surely be overthrown by the winds of persecution and the floods of apostasy which will soon sweep over the world."

"Grandma's ideas are good. But while it is highly commendable to be well informed upon all points of doctrine, we must not forget that our salvation depends upon the merits of Christ, our crucified and risen Lord, and not upon our own good deeds. Tho we may be able to repeat the entire Bible from memory, still if we do not live out its great truths, or if we trust in our own puny strength instead of Christ, we shall fail of victory at last."

A YOUNG GIRL'S CHOICE.

I READ of a girl whose father had a great deal of money; he had earned it making and selling beer, giving her a lovely home with everything she could wish. She lived a gay life, going to parties and balls, till a day came when she saw this way of living was the way of sin, and she turned from it to follow Jesus. She could not go to these parties any more, and when her father asked her to go, she had to say, "I can not, for I am a Christian now."

This made him angry and he said, "Well you must go, that is all there is to it."

"But, father," she said, "it would be sin for me to do it."

"Never mind about sin, I want you to go with me to-night. I will wait for you."

"I must not go, father," she cried. "Please do not ask me."

"You can choose now to go with me or you can leave your home. Which will you do?" asked the angry father.

"Father, I will do anything you ask, if it is right to do, but this is sin, and I can not disobey God."

Then he said, "You may have till morning to think over this, and if you can not give up being a Christian, you will have to go away."

When morning came he asked her what she would do. "I am willing to stay away from church if you wish, but I can not go where Jesus would not have me."

"Then you may go," he said. So the girl left sadly to get her things, and when she was ready to go away stopped to say good-by to her home. Kneeling by the sofa she prayed God to guide. Then she sang: "Jesus, I my cross have taken, all to leave and follow Thee."

Her father, in passing, heard her sing and pray. The Holy Spirit softened his heart. He went in and kissed her. "Forgive me," he said. "You may stay and go to church as much as you like, and will you pray for me?"—Selected.

MY GUIDE.

By Mrs. E. J. S. Keen

BY MRS. E. J. S. KEEN.

YEA, I will trust Thee, Lord, tho it should slay me; For this I know: Thy love will faithful prove; Thou put'st Thy Spirit in my heart to draw me;— To draw me close to Thee—and Thou art love.

I know where'er I go that Thou dost lead me, O'er mountains steep, or through some pleasant way. With living bread from heaven Thou dost feed me, I'll trust Thee still, nor from Thy leading stray.

Then in that glorious land of joys immortal, Thee I will praise, while endless ages roll, Extol Thy wondrous love to heaven's high portal; And praise the Power that doth my life control.

Missoula, Mont.

DRUNKARD'S AWAKENING.

The Horror That Is Felt When His Delusions Are Swept Away.

An editorial writer in the Banner of Gold says: "The sophistry of the inebriate is very delusive. He invents numerous excuses to account for his frequent lapses from sobriety, but they deceive no one but himself. If he is weak, he must have a bracer. If he has extra work, he must have a stimulant, and if he is in trouble, he seeks oblivion or strength to bear it. But such forgetfulness is fleeting, and such strength imaginary. Neither is of any benefit."

"One of the sweetest delusions of the drinking man is his strong belief that no one can tell that he has been drinking. He will assure you with great assumption of superiority that he can stand more liquor than any two men without showing it, when perhaps at the time he is talking his language is rambling and disconnected and his manner incoherent."

"Such men are a source of constant mortification to their families. They do not share the vain delusions; they are keenly alive to every indication of intoxication, and suffer torture because of the disgrace and humiliation for which they are in no way to blame. If the men who imagine that liquor brightens their intellects and renders them more brilliant would authorize the attendance of their stenographers, and examine a carefully-prepared report of some of their conversational achievements, they would feel like signing the pledge directly."

"Unfortunately, none of these things are realized until the time has gone by when to let liquor alone is a mere question of volition. When a drinking man awakens to a knowledge that total abstinence is a social or business necessity, he usually awakens to a realization that liquor has become a physical necessity. Henceforth there is a rapid scattering of delusions. The stern conviction that he is no longer his own master is a sad revelation to a proud man. He reviews the treacherous path that has led from the careless social glass of early manhood on down the steep decline to the present time. The effort to stop drinking has cleared some of the mists from his brain. It has given him a clear perception of the duties he has shirked, the opportunities he has lost, and has filled his heart with remorse for the sorrow he has caused."

PRESIDENT LINCOLN AND THE DYING BOY.

By Lutheran

DURING the hard days of the war, President Lincoln made frequent visits to the hospitals, that were always overcrowded with the suffering and dying.

On one occasion he stopped to speak to one of the patients, a mere boy of sixteen, who had been mortally wounded, and was nearing his end.

President Lincoln, taking the thin, white hand, said:

"My poor boy, what can I do for you?"

With a beseeching look, the little fellow turned his eyes to the homely, kindly face, and asked, "Won't you write to my mother for me?"

"That I will," answered the President, and, calling for a pen, ink, and paper, he seated himself, and wrote a long letter. When it was finished, the President rose, saying:

"I will mail this as soon as I get back to the office. Now, is there anything else I can do for you?"

In some way the boy had come to know it was the President. And so, looking at him in the most appealing sort of way he asked:

"Won't you stay with me till it's all over? It won't be long and I want to hold on to your hand."

That was too much for the great-hearted President to resist. The tears came to his eyes and he sat down by him, and took hold of his hand. The little fellow did not move or speak a word. This was some time before four o'clock, and it was long after six before the end came.

But the President sat there, as if he had been the boy's father. When the end came, with a prayer he gently folded the boy's thin hands. The tears streamed down his cheeks unheeded.

Was it a wonder that the soldiers loved him? —Lutheran.

LESSON I.—OCTOBER I.—DANIEL AND BELSHAZZAR

By Editor

The Sabbath-school lessons have been discontinued. The Lesson Quarterly may be obtained, containing three months' lessons and notes, for five cents. Address, Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal. The Sunday-school lessons will continue.

LESSON I.—OCTOBER I.—DANIEL AND BELSHAZZAR.

Lesson Scripture, Dan. 5:17-31, A. R. V. (17) "THEN Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; nevertheless I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. (18) O thou king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty; (19) and because of the greatness that He gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him; whom he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he raised up, and whom he would he put down. (20) But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him; (21) and he was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses; he was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; until he knew that the Most High God ruleth in the kingdom of men, and that he setteth up over it whomsoever He will. (22) And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thy heart, tho thou knewest all this, (23) but hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of His house before thee, and thou and thy lords, thy wives and thy concubines, have drunk wine from them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know; and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified. (24) Then was the part of the hand sent from before Him, and this writing was inscribed. (25) "And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. (26) This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and brought it to an end. (27) TEKEL; thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. (28) PERES; thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. (29) "Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. (30) "In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was slain. (31) And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old." Golden Text.—"The face of the Lord is against them that do evil." Ps. 34:16.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) Before what king was Daniel summoned? For what purpose? What inducement had been offered him? Note 1. (2) What did Daniel say about the proffered rewards? Nevertheless, what did he promise to do? Verse 17. Note 2. (3) What did Daniel say God had given Nebuchadnezzar? Verse 18. Note 3. (4) How did this greatness affect other peoples and nations? How did Nebuchadnezzar use this great power? Verse 19. (5) What was the result of his pride? Verse 20; Prov. 16:18. (6) To what extent was Nebuchadnezzar humiliated? For what purpose was his humiliation? Verse 21. (7) In view of all this, what had Belshazzar failed to do? Verse 22. Note 4. (8) Instead of heeding the lesson of Nebuchadnezzar's experience, what had Belshazzar done? Verse 23. (9) Because of this blasphemy, what had been done? Verse 24. (10) What was the writing that had been inscribed? Verse 25. (11) What was the interpretation of "mene"? Verse 26. (12) Of "tekel"? Verse 27. (13) Of "peres"? Verse 28. Note 5. (14) Then what command was given by Belshazzar? Verse 29. (15) What occurred that very night? Verse 30. (16) And who succeeded to the kingdom? Verse 31. Note 6.

NOTES.

1. Belshazzar was associated on the throne of Babylon with his father, Nabonadius, who was absent from the capital in command of the army. The combined armies of the Medes and Persians, under Cyrus, were besieging Babylon. Belshazzar, deeming the city impregnable, had made a great feast; had brought out the sacred vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem, and was using them in his impious carousal. A mysterious hand had appeared, and written words upon the wall. The king was terribly frightened, tho neither he nor any of his Chaldean astrologers could read the writing. In vain he offered great reward, even to the position of third ruler in the kingdom, to any one who would read the writing. Then the queen reminded the king that a man named Daniel had special wisdom, and no doubt could read the writing. So Daniel was sent for, and the king's rewards were offered to him, if he could tell the meaning of the mysterious writing.

2. Daniel could well afford to disregard the proffered honors on the ground of their lack of intrinsic value, if for nothing else. He knew by the Spirit of prophecy, as well as by the writing on the wall, that Belshazzar's kingdom was ended, and any honor that he could bestow would be of short duration. It is probable that Daniel also knew that Cyrus' army would enter the city that very night.

3. Nebuchadnezzar is here called the father of Belshazzar, but he was really the grandfather, as Nabonadius, the son of Nebuchadnezzar, was the father of Belshazzar.

4. Babylon had been set up as mistress of the world, under Nebuchadnezzar, by the God of heaven, because His own people had so apostatized that He could not give them the position that had been designed for them. Belshazzar knew all this, yet he failed to learn the lesson that Nebuchadnezzar had learned under great humiliation—that "the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will." Dan. 4:17, 25, 32.

5. "Peres," of verse 28, which means "divided," is the root of the word "upharsin," in verse 25. This accounts for the use of the two words.

6. The uncertainty of all things pertaining to this world is aptly illustrated in the fall of Babylon. Just when Belshazzar was feeling so secure in his walled capital that he ventured on an unusually extravagant holiday feast, the whole city being given up to hilarity, his downfall was suddenly precipitated. It was because of the debauchery of the occasion that some of the gates were carelessly left open, through which Cyrus' army gained entrance even to the king's palace. Isaiah had prophesied this very thing about one hundred and seventy-five years before, and it all worked out for the welfare of the Lord's people, and for the honor of His own great name. See Isa. 45:1-6.

PRACTICAL LESSONS FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF ISRAEL FOR THE CHURCH OF TO-DAY.—By F. C. Gilbert, a Hebrew Christian. The prominent thought is to present Jesus Christ as He is,—Saviour, Messiah, Prophet, Priest, King,—which was the specific mission God had for the Jewish nation. The condition of the Jews at Christ's first advent on the earth and their refusal to accept Him as the Saviour are presented in a very practical way. Many of the customs of the Jews existing at the time of Christ are vividly portrayed. 400 pages; illustrated. Cloth, plain edges .................... $1.00 Cloth, gilt edges ........................................................... 1.25 Half morocco, gilt edges ................................................ 2.00 Address PUBLISHERS OF THIS PAPER.

THE LITTLE SHOES DID IT.

A YOUNG man who had been reclaimed from the vice of intemperance was called upon to tell how he was led to give up drinking. He arose, but looked for a moment very confused. All he could say was, "The little shoes, they did it." With a thick voice, as if his heart was in his throat, he kept repeating this. There was a stare of perplexity on every face, and at length some thoughtless young people began to titter. The man, in all his embarrassment, heard the sound and rallied at once. The light came into his eyes with a flash. He drew himself up, and the choking went from his throat.

"Yes, friends," he said, in a voice that cut its way clear as a deep-toned bell, "whatever you may think of it, I've told you the truth—the little shoes did it. I was a brute and a fool; strong drink had made me both, and starved me into the bargain. I suffered—I deserved to suffer; but I did not suffer alone—no man does who has a wife and children—for the women get the worst share. But I am no speaker to enlarge on that; I'll stick to the little shoes I saw one night when I was all but done for—the saloon-keeper's child holding out her feet to her father to look at her fine new shoes. It was a simple thing; but, my friends, no fist ever struck me such a blow as those little new shoes. They kicked reason into me. What reason had I to clothe others with fineries and provide not even coarse clothing for my own, but let them go bare? And there outside was my shivering wife and blue, chilled child, on a bitter cold Christmas eve. I took hold of my little one with a grip, and saw her feet! Men! fathers! if the little shoes smote me, how must the feet have smote me? I put them, cold as ice, to my breast; and they pierced me through. Yes, the little feet walked right into my heart, and away walked my selfishness. I had a trifle of money left; I bought a loaf of bread and then a pair of shoes. I never tasted anything but a bit of bread all the next day, and I went to work like mad on Monday, and from that day I have spent no more money at the public house. That's all I have to say—it was the little shoes that did it."

THE TABLES TURNED.

THE leader of the Baptist Mission in France, Pasteur Saillens, who has lately been visiting this country, relates the following incident:

He was recently delivering an anti-infidel lecture in a large hall near Paris, when an infidel came forward, and said.

"If there is a God He is not a good Father; for, while half of His children do very well, He leaves the other half to starve."

"Ah," shouted a woman in the audience, "but what about your own wife and children?"

And it turned out that the man had basely deserted his own family, leaving them to get on as best they could.—Selected.

RECENT CAMP-MEETINGS.

By Editor

THE writer has had the privilege of attending two recent camp-meetings and taking active part with the ministers of God laboring therein. The first was held in Cloverdale, Cal., a thriving town situated in one of the beautiful little valleys of the Russian River, in Sonoma County, on the California Northwestern Railway. The ground itself was right in the heart of the city, in a beautiful grove of great oaks, which "flecked with leafy light and shadow" tent and earth, rendering the warmest days comfortable. (See cuts of book tent and grounds in Mission department.) The preaching was good, earnest, spiritual, and took hold of hearts. The great message in some of its many phases was the burden of the message borne. While the number of campers was small, on account of the fruit season, the attendance from the outside in the town increased from the very beginning, with an excellent interest. The burden of the meeting rested upon Elders Knox, Corliss, Snyder, Langdon, and Rine, the last two of whom with other helpers remained to develop the interest. An excellent parents' meeting was conducted throughout.

The writer left before the meeting closed to attend the State camp-meeting of Western Washington Conference, Seattle. We were there the last four days of the meeting. The election of conference officers occurred just before we reached the grounds. Elder E. L. Stewart was re-elected president. Associated with him on the executive committee are Elders W. F. Martin, H. C. J. Wollekar, and Brethren J. R. Clark, and McLafferty. R. C. Raley was elected conference secretary, and E. L. McLafferty missionary secretary. Two intermediate schools are just starting, one in the north and the other in the south of the conference. There was one good missionary meeting held, and we hope to see a large amount of missionary work done in that conference during the present year. The revival services, largely conducted by Elder Nettleton, were fruitful. Elders H. W. Decker and F. M. Burg were present and assisted in preaching and counsel. Elder C. F. Bollman presented the Southern colored work and Elder G. F. Enoch, editor of the Carribean Watchman, the work in the West Indies. W. V. Sample, of the Pacific Press Branch, Portland, represented the publishing work. There were many bright young men and women on the ground who if consecrated to God would be used of Him mightily.

The camp-ground was in a little grove jutting out into beautiful Green Lake, an ideal place for the worship of God. On the last day of the meeting thirty souls followed their Lord in baptism. In one case a father, mother, and son; for that husband the wife had been waiting and praying for seventeen years, and her waiting faith was at last rewarded.

We were glad to meet so many of our readers and friends in the field, and to visit our branch office in Portland, a cut of which appears in our Missions department. Now we are at home again, weary but of good courage, and before us the autumn and winter campaign, and our four Special Message SIGNS, the first of which will soon be ready for our readers.

Notes on Revelation and Melchizedek

By Editor

The Great Threefold Message of Revelation 14 is a mighty lens which focuses the truth of all past ages upon this generation. He who fails to see this fails to see the truth of God in its fulness for this time.

Our Outlook department deals largely with the Sunday question; but that question is becoming more and more a political question, a question brought into politics by a decadent religion. See article on page 8.

It will help our readers much in the study of the Melchizedek priesthood if they will remember two things: That Melchizedek is not a name, but a title, King of Righteousness, the same as Pharaoh, "the Supreme Pontiff," etc., applicable to all in the office; and that Hebrews is treating especially of "the order of Melchizedek," to which the two persons referred to belonged.

Errata.—There were three serious typographical errors in the article "Essentials of the Melchizedek Priesthood," in the SIGNS of September 6. In the first paragraph the word "many" was omitted from Heb. 7:23, an essential point in quoting the text, "priests many in number." In the third paragraph, Heb. 1:12 should be Heb. 7:12. In the last paragraph, fourth line, "one Melchizedek" should be "our Melchizedek."

Compare Psalm 96 on our first page with the message of Rev. 14:6, 7. The Psalm thus enjoins: "Show forth His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples."

The message of Revelation 14 proclaims "the everlasting Gospel" "unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."

The Psalm: "Great is Jehovah; . . . He is to be feared above all gods. . . . Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto His name. . . . O worship Jehovah."

The Message: "Fear God, and give glory to Him; . . . and worship Him that made the heaven, and earth."

The Psalm: "He cometh to judge the earth."

The Message: "The hour of His judgment is come." And there are other parallels. The New Testament is all in the Old.

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