p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 21, No. 38. (9/26/1895)

Earlier text: New Mission Schooner R. W. Logan for Ruk

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THE ATONEMENT.

By Joseph Harvey Waggoner

AN EXAMINATION OF

A REMEDIAL SYSTEM, IN THE LIGHT OF NATURE AND OF REVELATION.

By Eld. J. H. Waggoner.

THIRD EDITION, REVISED AND GREATLY ENLARGED.

This work is a critical and exhaustive treatise on the plan of salvation as revealed in the Scriptures, showing its harmony with the principles of justice and mercy, its consistency with reason, and its final results as affecting the destiny of the human race. 368 pp.; cloth, $1.00.

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CATALOG OF PUBLICATIONS

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PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

BY JOHN BUNYAN

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YOSEMITE VALLEY And Big Trees of California

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Illustrated Tract.

One of the late issues of the Bible Students’ Library, entitled “The Seal of God and the Mark of the Beast.” Contains 4 original illustrations. The subject is one of vital interest to all, and now is an opportune time to circulate this tract widely. Order B. S. L. No. 130. Address your State Tract Society, or PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.; Kansas City, Mo.; New York City, N. Y.

CHRIST, OUR ADVOCATE

His Ministry in the True Tabernacle

An up-to-date pamphlet on the work of Christ in the sanctuary in Heaven. Bible Students' Library No. 128, Fully illustrated. Paper covers. Price, 10 cents.

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THE JUDGMENT

By John Nevins Andrews

By the late J. N. ANDREWS

The Events of the Judgment and their Order. Following are principal chapter headings: The Investigative Judgment, Examination of the Books, God the Father the Judge, Offices of Christ, Messages to the World, The Sanctuary in Heaven, The Crowning of Christ, The Executive Judgment, The Saints Sitting in Judgment. Bible Students' Library No. 55. 136 pages. Paper covers. Price, 15 cents.

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The Appendix, which has been added to this edition, contains Miss Rosalind A. Young’s letter of recent date to the N. Y. World, also an article from Henry Robinson Palmer, which appeared not long ago in Harper’s Weekly.

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News and Notes

By Editor

SINCE OUR LAST ISSUE.

FOREIGN.

—There are claimed for Christianity 55,000 converts in China.

—It is announced that France will appropriate $10,000,000 more for her campaign in Madagascar.

—An incident of the recent army maneuvers in Germany is the wrecking of a train, by which thirteen persons were killed, and sixty badly injured.

—Fire broke out on a steamer from Edinburg to London, September 16, and before it could be subdued, six women and a child were burned to death in a cabin.

—The twenty-fifth anniversary of the triumphal entry into Rome of the Italians is being celebrated at that city. All but four political prisoners have been released.

—News comes from Australia that a large British ship, the Catterthun, was wrecked near Stephens Point lighthouse a few weeks since, and fifty-six persons were drowned.

—A despatch from China states that the emperor has sanctioned the immediate building of a railroad from Shanghai to Nanking. This will be the second railroad in China.

—The first torpedo boat destroyer ever built of nickel steel has been made for Russia. On its trial trip the boat developed a mean speed of thirty and one-fourth knots, about thirty-five miles per hour.

—In the province of Volhynia, Russia, 5,849 cases of cholera were reported during the week ending August 24, with 2,134 deaths from the same disease. Forty-five deaths were reported a week later in the province of Podolia.

—The failure of a bank at Genoa has resulted in the loss of $75,000, which Cardinal Gibbons presented to the pope as an offering from the Catholics of the United States, the money having been temporarily deposited with that bank.

—A message from London states that Mrs. Langtry has been robbed of her jewelry, valued at $200,000. A spurious order was presented at her bank for the box containing them, and no trace has been found of the ingenious robbers.

—News comes from Havana that the Spanish cruiser Barcastegui was sunk by a collision with a coasting steamer at that place on the night of September 18. The admiral and eight other officers, with thirty-seven of the crew, were drowned.

—Something more deadly and destructive is constantly being sought for in the departments of war. A new bullet or projectile, shaped somewhat like a goose quill, has just been invented by a Swiss officer, which with the small charge of two and one-half grams of powder, will penetrate a block of wood to a depth of nine feet at a distance of 1,400 yards.

—A Babylonian tablet in the British Museum has just been deciphered, and the story told is of the death of King Sennacherib, almost identical with the record in 2 Kings 19:37. We had no doubt before of the reliability of the Scriptures. These external corroborative evidences that come to light from time to time are, however, certainly interesting, and may help some doubting mind.

—During the last week in June, 1895, a colporter of the American Bible Society, distributing Bibles in a small town in interior Brazil, was ordered by an officer, under direction of the Catholic priest, to deliver up all his books. He could do nothing but obey, whereupon the books—47 Bibles, 50 Testaments, and 100 Gospels—were taken to the market place, saturated with oil, and burned. So says a correspondent from Brazil to the Converted Catholic.

—L'Independence Belge says that in time of peace Russia has a standing army of 858,000 men; next comes Germany, with 580,000, and then France, with 512,000 men. In case of war Russia and France could put in the field 9,700,000 men, against the 7,700,000 soldiers of the three countries forming the triple Alliance,—Germany, Austria, and Italy. In time of peace the maintenance of the standing armies of the above powers costs $1,000,000,000 annually.

—A strange decision, to say the least, has been made by a European court in the case of Prince Edward Radziwill, formerly a member of the Imperial Parliament at Berlin, but now a monk. His creditors, to whom he owed large sums of money, sued for recovery, but the plea was urged and so accepted by the court that, having renounced the world for the convent life, the prince is now legally a dead man. It would seem that his new vows would lead to an intense desire at least to pay his debts.

—After considerable delay, seven of the murderers of missionaries at Foo-Chow, China, have been beheaded.

—A despatch from St. Johns, N. F., announces the return of Lieutenant Peary, the Arctic explorer. Nothing of particular note was accomplished on his third trip, owing to lack of provisions. Lieutenant Peary's aim has been to map out the northern regions, and his labors have resulted in an almost completed map of the northern coast of Greenland. The relief ship, the Kite, also brought back an immense collection of natural history subjects, the finest ever gathered in the Arctic regions.

DOMESTIC.

—A snowstorm is reported in portions of Wyoming, South Dakota, and Utah.

—Seven deaths from the excessive heat were reported in Chicago September 19.

—Gold in excellent paying quantities is now being taken from the mountains of Vermont.

—A disastrous fire occurred at Dodge, Neb., on September 17, burning forty business houses.

—Prof. Francis Wayland, of Yale, estimates that there are probably 3,000,000 habitual criminals at large in the United States.

—San Francisco's high buildings are hereafter to be limited to 100 feet altitude for fireproof buildings, and 80 feet for others.

—A quarrel over a game of cards took place at Lexington, Ky., September 20, resulting in the killing of five men by one man.

—Statistics of manufactures show that the folding bed, once popular, is going out of the market, the call being more for brass and iron bedsteads.

—Another American heiress is booked for a European title. The successful parties are the Duke of Marlborough and Miss Consuelo Vanderbilt.

—Last year the cotton crop of the United States was 9,901,251 bales, one-third of which was raised in the state of Texas. This is the largest year's crop ever produced.

—The Republic State Convention of New York has declared in favor of the strict enforcement of Sunday liquor laws, and for the preservation of the Sunday sabbath.

—Six persons were killed near Lynchburg, Va., on September 16. The accident occurred on a railroad crossing, the buggy in which they were riding being struck by a train.

—Another attempt is to be made in this city to pass a Sunday-closing ordinance, to operate first on the saloon. If this proves successful, the move will be used as a wedge for further Sunday closing.

—In a recent test the new fourteen-inch armor of the battle ship Iowa withstood constructively the test of a seventeen-inch plate, showing a great improvement in the manufacture of defensive armor.

—The art of hardening copper, so that it may be used for the finest cutlery, has been discovered by S. R. Dawson, of Des Moines, Iowa. The metal hardens by pressure, and no steel drill can stand against it.

—Following the fast-run test by English railroads, the New York Central has sent a train from New York to Buffalo, a distance of 436 miles, in 407 minutes, an average of over sixty-four miles per hour, the highest record yet made.

—The Congregationalists of San Francisco on September 19 ordained Gee Gam, a Chinese, to the Gospel ministry. This gentleman has been in this country twenty-five years, was for years official interpreter in courts, and speaks English fluently. He retains the native dress.

—The practical wisdom of applying the civil service rules to the choice of election inspectors was strikingly illustrated recently in New York City, when, of the 1,200 candidates who applied for positions, more than 75 per cent failed to pass the examinations, and were rejected.

—A vestibuled train on the Wisconsin Central was held up by robbers on the night of September 16, near Waupaca, Wis., and a desperate attempt made to secure the express treasure. The engine and several cars were derailed and twelve dynamite cartridges exploded on the safe, without avail.

—It is announced that John W. Mackay is expending $2,000,000 in the work of extending the postal telegraphic system. Mr. Mackay became specially famous as the man who caused a reduction in cable rates from America to Europe from $1.00 to twenty-five cents a word. He has constantly refused to pool his cable system with Gould's and others.

—The latest compilations of statistics place the total population of the world at 1,500,000,000. The leading religions present the following figures: Protestants, 200,000,000; Roman Catholics, 195,000,000; Greek Catholics, 105,000,000; total Christians, 500,000,000. Jews, 8,000,000; Mohammedans, 180,000,000; heathens, 812,000,000; total non-Christians, 1,000,000,000.

—A few bones have been found in Colorado by an eminent scientist, which he believes represent the remains of original man. According to his learned calculations, this ancient party lived 1,500,000 years ago. So this is the missing link of science! Much satisfaction may they derive from its contemplation.

—On Thursday, September 19, the Cotton States and International Exposition at Atlanta, Ga., was formally opened. The electric button which started the machinery and announced the opening was successfully pressed by President Cleveland at Gray Gables. The Exposition will continue through the rest of the year.

—A new alloy, composed of ninety-four parts copper, six of antimony, with a little magnesium and carbonate of lime added, is said to be a remarkable substitute for gold. It can be drawn, wrought and soldered like gold, and retain its color even when exposed to acids. The cost of manufacture is twenty-five cents per pound.

—San Diego County, Cal., has witnessed five murders within the past week. The spirit of lawlessness is assuredly at work, not alone in California, but the world over. Were we to attempt a record only of the atrocious murders chronicled daily by the press, our space would be occupied by them alone. We make mention of these occurrences, not to gratify curiosity, but to call attention to some of the evils and dangers which are abroad in the land. They emphasize the fact that wickedness is increasing. The daily records of happenings are not replete with good things. On the contrary, they are largely made up of crimes, accidents, floods, fires, sports and games, and the numerous things that go to gratify pride and unrighteous ambition. Truly one ought to be able to say with all the heart, “Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.”

ANGELS, Their Nature and Ministry.

Revised by the late J.H. Waggoner. In two parts. Part Two considers some hints on the Origin, History and Destiny of Satan, as gleaned from the Scriptures. Bible Students’ Library No. 83. 140 pages. Paper covers. Price, 20 cents.

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OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

Kansas City, Mo. New York City, N. Y.

Abiding Sabbath and Lord’s Day

By Alonzo T. Jones

By ALONZO T JONES

A pointed review of two prize essays which are, without doubt, the best contributions to the defense of Sunday as the Sabbath. Those desiring to find some $1,000 reasons for keeping the first day of the week will find them in this work. Bible Student’s Library No. 2. 173 pages. Paper covers. Price, 20 cents. Address

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.

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THE SPIRIT OF GOD

By Joseph Harvey Waggoner

ITS OFFICES AND MANIFESTATIONS TO THE END OF THE CHRISTIAN ERA.

By Eld. J. H. Waggoner.

This is a brief but comprehensive argument on the solemn and important subject of the Spirit of God. Its chapters embrace the following heads: The Holy Spirit of Promise; The Power from on High; Circumcision of the Heart; The Unity of the Faith; The Law and the Testimony; Try the Spirits; The Great Commission; Gifts in the Reformation; In the Present Century; Spirit of Prophecy Restored. These are subjects of vital importance to all and especially to those who are looking for the return of their Lord. 144 pp. Price, 15 cents.

Address. PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

THE ATONEMENT:

The author, in a book of 368 pages, takes up this great central doctrine of the gospel, and treats it in two parts. Part first,

An Atonement Consistent with Reason.

In this he shows that the doctrine of an atonement through the medium of a voluntary substitute is consistent with reason. Part second,

The Atonement as Revealed in the Bible.

In this is discussed the plan of redemption through Christ, by which every sinner who accepts Christ will be justified; sin will be turned back upon the head of its originator; the earth will be cleansed from the curse; God's righteous government will be restored over the entire universe; and all who will not become loyal subjects of that government will be destroyed.

The book presents a CRITICAL AND EXHAUSTIVE TREATISE on this interesting subject, by a thorough Bible student, and wholly from a Bible standpoint, and cannot fail to be of great value to everyone who reads it.

Third edition, bound in cloth, embossed in black, with gold title on back and front cover.

Price, postpaid, $1.00.

Address, Pacific Press Publishing Co., or 43 Bond St., Oakland, Cal., New York City.

Our Illustrations: A Chained Bible and Forbidden Book

By Editor

Our Illustrations.—Our first-page cut, “A Chained Bible,” shows what was at one time seen in the cathedrals of England, and of Europe. It was from a chained Bible that the rays of Gospel truth entered Luther’s tradition-darkened heart. Though the Bible was chained, the living word of God was not bound. Our second illustration, “Waldensian Missionaries,” speaks for itself. The third large cut, “The Forbidden Book,” is a good illustration of what it once was to read God’s word. While with gladness of soul they read in secret the word of God, yet it was with trembling of heart that they did this. They did not know but that at any moment the enemies of God and his truth might pounce upon them, destroy their cherished treasure, and in all probability punish them. Then God’s word was prized. Now the Bible may be found everywhere, so that all may read it, with none to molest or make afraid. But is it now prized as it was then?

A SOUND BAPTIST DISCOURSE.

By W. N. G.

On the 15th inst. Rev. C. H. Hobart, pastor of the First Baptist Church of this city, delivered a discourse on the live subject of “Persecution in the Nineteenth Century.” His remarks gave no uncertain sound as to his position on the “unholy,” the “unrighteous,” the “infamous,” laws under which men are to-day persecuted for their faith. He reminded his people that religious liberty was a Baptist heritage; that they had fought this battle for themselves one and two hundred years ago, and that now they had the privilege of fighting it for others. We had thought that the contest for freedom of conscience was settled a hundred years ago, but to-day we find in these United States, under the flag of liberty—“Old Glory”—in this boasted “land of the free,” men are working in the chain-gang because they differ from some other people in their religious faith. He held up a copy of the American Sentinel containing a picture of several Adventists in the chain-gang in Rhea County, Tenn., and said he wished he could throw it upon a canvas so large that the whole congregation and the world could see it. Then he added that it is time for the indignation of every true and intelligent Baptist in the land to be aroused. Moreover, the worst of it is, these persecutions are mainly at the instigation of men professing to be Christians.

The speaker deplored the fact that even a Baptist paper and a Methodist bishop had indorsed such unchristian proceedings. He emphasized the fact that such things were done not only in the south, but even in Massachusetts, Illinois, Colorado, and California. In a town in Massachusetts, in the midst of busy railroads and factories, and various phases of prominent business activity on Sunday, a poor Adventist dealer was singled for prosecution, and fined $50 for selling a half pound of candy. In Illinois Seventh-day Adventists had been arrested and fined for Sunday labor, although the law expressly exempted them. In Colorado and California members of the Salvation Army had been imprisoned for the “crime” of preaching Christ on the street corner. The speaker said he did not know to what extent this spirit of persecution would be carried; it had commenced about ten years ago, and it was a significant fact that in this year, 1895, it had increased about one hundred fold beyond what it was in the beginning. It is thought, he continued, that the Catholics will yet control this country, and if they do, true Baptists will also come to the chain-gang. In conclusion he announced the hymn “America,” saying that he was almost ashamed to sing it under the present conditions in this country.

The discourse throughout was a manly, Christian utterance, such as would naturally be expected from a loyal Baptist, and seemed to inspire a sentiment of hearty approval in the audience. Yet it is doubtful if one Baptist minister in one hundred throughout the United States would have spoken the same sentiments in language so frank and earnest.

W. N. G.

Subscription Rates for Bulk Copies

By Editor

This paper, as all others, will be furnished at the rate of $1.00 per 100 copies.

Studies in the Book of Romans

By Editor

We expect soon to begin a series of interesting articles, or studies, on the book of Romans, written by one of our editors, E. J. W. These “studies” will be of great interest and value to those who will study with them.

The Great Test.

The great test of doctrine, false or true, in these days of multitudinous teaching, is God's word. Bring all things to that. Numerous voices are calling to the flock, “This is the way.” Compare these voices with the voice of God as it spake the Great Moral Code from Sinai's glory-crowned peak; compare them with the utterance of the Sermon on the Mount. “If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa. 8: 20. Among the myriads of books seek the One Book. In the confused din of voices listen for God's voice. He has spoken in his word; he will never speak contrary to that word.

This Number of the Signs

By Editor

This Number of the “Signs.”—Well, reader, how do you like it? We hope to have every number as good throughout the year to come. All will not be illustrated as fully as this, but each number will contain sufficient to bring souls to Christ. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES will “preach the Word,” Christ, the Living Word. Each month a symposium number will be published on some specially important Biblical subject. Is not the paper worth to you much more than it costs? Would not the paper be worth as much to your friend or neighbor if he were induced to subscribe? Is it not worth while for you to make the effort? Nearly every family will take a good, clean, strong religious paper. Why not place before them, for use during the long autumn and winter evenings, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Only $1.00 a year.

Do We Prize It?

We are prone to despise common things, however valuable they may be. This is true as respects God’s word even among Christians. It was once considered very precious, as indicated in our illustration, “The Forbidden Book.” Job said that he considered the words of God’s mouth “more than his necessary food.” To David they were more precious than the droppings of the honeycomb. But now the Bible is common and but few regard it as precious. They despise it in the sense that it is unheeded and unprized. But God’s word is needed now. It should be daily food now. It should be the life of the Christian now. But, like the air we breathe, like the sunlight in which we live and thrive, it is not appreciated by the great mass of humanity, and even professed Christians. And yet should God’s word fail, air and sunlight would fail. The word which said, “Let there be light,” gives “the light of the glory of God” to every believing soul. The atmospheric air, the sunlight, we drink in unconsciously; but we must desire and cherish the light and life and nourishment of God’s word if it do us good. Do you, reader, prize that word as you should? Is it light to you? God grant that it may be.

What Is Faith?

Faith is not mere belief, or assent to a truth. We may believe and do nothing. We may believe and be condemned and die. “The demons believe and tremble.” Faith is more than this. It not only believes God’s word, but it receives that word, and receives it as God’s word. The word of man received as the word of man will bring us no more strength or wisdom than man possesses. The word of God received as the word of man will benefit us no more than man’s word. God’s word must be received as the word of God, and then it will work in us effectually to accomplish all that is expressed or implied in the word; and that is faith to receive God’s word, gladly, willingly. Is it a promise?—we submit to all its provisions, we gladly accept what it vouchsafes, and the power of God in the word makes performance of the promise. Is it a command?—The will submits to do what is commanded, gladly, cheerfully, and the power in the word enables us to perform the duty enjoined. But receiving the word is receiving Christ, the Incarnate Word, in the word; and “as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name, which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1: 12, 13. Faith is, therefore, the receiving of God’s word as God’s word, submitting willingly to all its requirements, conditions, provisions. It is choosing Christ in that word in preference to all things else.

How Do We Obtain Faith?

—It is a gift of God to every man; for what have we that we did not receive? (See 1 Cor. 4: 7.) Faith, as before stated, is receiving the word of God, submitting to the word, or, in other words, choosing God’s will and way; and the power of choice God has given to every man. Into the sacred circle of free choice Divinity will not enter to compel either acceptance or rejection. We must choose or refuse. God pleads with us to “choose life” that we may live. He pleads with the hoarded love of eternity to come unto him and find rest, but he will not compel or coerce. This power of choice—of accepting or rejecting, of submission or rebellion—God has given to every intelligent, responsible soul. If he accept the word of God, if he submit to the will that gave it, he will find increasing faith. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom. 10: 17. Let him listen to God speaking in his word. Let him hear the voice of the Good Shepherd calling him to green pastures beside the waters of rest. Let him hear God’s hatred of sin and compassion for the sinner. Listen intently, joyfully, as he says: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” “Thy sins be forgiven thee.” “Thine iniquity is purged.” “Ye are all children of God by faith.” All this and much more is true to the one who believes; for “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This is what the word of God will do when received. “Now,” says Jesus, “are ye clean through the word I have spoken unto you.” To have this truth is the blessed privilege of every soul, for “God is no respecter of persons.”