p. 79 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 5. (2/10/1914)

Earlier text: SENTENCED FOR WORKING ON SUNDAY

Fresh Air a Necessity

By MARY ALICE HARE LOPER, M.S.

Work and Sleep Outdoors as Far as Possible — Value of Deep Breathing and Pure Air — Health and Stuffy Rooms Are Antagonistic

By MARY ALICE HARE LOPER, M.S.

MORE 'tand outdoors!' was the urgent plea of a tiny tot who was a dear lover of nature. Every child enjoys outdoor life if the surroundings are pleasant; for the loving Creator made His great outdoors to be the home of the human race, and implanted in the heart of man a love for the beautiful in nature. The Garden of Eden, planted by God Himself, was the ideal home given to man in the beginning; and one of our poets has beautifully said, "The groves were God's first temples."

God created the invigorating atmosphere surrounding our earth, for the purpose of perpetuating life. It is one of those distinctively free blessings bestowed by a loving heavenly Father, which should be rightly appreciated by all who would possess the priceless boon of health.

THE LOVING CREATOR MADE HIS GREAT OUTDOORS TO BE THE HOME OF THE HUMAN RACE.

We can not imagine Adam sitting down in a stuffy office in a sky-scraper while seeking to accomplish the great task of giving appropriate names to all the numerous representatives of the animal creation. Adam did his "office work" outdoors, and breathed the life-perpetuating air of heaven while doing it.

SLEEP IN THE OPEN

Much has been said and written, during the present century, concerning the importance and necessity of outdoor life; but the world seems slow to heed the advice. It is quite generally admitted that outdoor air is necessary to health while one is asleep. Surely it is high time that the world realize the fact that outdoor air is necessary to health during one's waking hours also. Very many have been laid to rest in untimely graves, whose epitaph might truthfully read, "Died for want of pure air."

WILL NOT GROW IN A CELLAR

Any one who has ever made a success of gardening, knows that it can not be done in a cellar. Plant life requires sunshine and fresh air; and the human plant is no exception. I once knew a mother who was bereaved of a number of her children while they were yet in their infancy. It would seem that the poor little things slowly smothered to death. They were kept so closely covered, with so little fresh air, that it is highly probable they died of mistaken kindness. Babies, as well as grown people, require pure air; and fortunate is that baby who is permitted to receive his full share of this tonic. The child who early becomes accustomed to plenty of fresh air and sunshine, may overcome hereditary tendencies which otherwise might prove disastrous.

Horticulture and agriculture constituted the regular employment of the first family of the human race — occupations which consist wholly of exercise in the open air. The more man has departed from God's great plan, the less has become his resistance against disease. But while the human race has deteriorated physically, God's laws remain unchanged. It is just as important now

that man should exercise properly in the open air, as it was when the first representatives of the human race lived an outdoor life amid the beauties of nature. By coming into harmony with nature's laws, it is possible for many to find the highway to health who are now treading the dangerous pathway of disease. It is possible for many who have a tendency to tuberculosis to escape that calamity by taking the precaution found in proper exercise in the open air, without which the disease may be easily contracted. Pure air — how much we need it! Multitudes persist in living apart from the fulness of this great blessing of Heaven, who are becoming puny and sickly as the result, while pulmonary and bronchial troubles are wide-spread.

THE LOG CABIN AND THE FIREPLACE

During the log cabin days, the huge old-fashioned fireplace served as a sort of life-preserver, as it afforded a means of exit for contaminated air in many an ill-ventilated home. That primitive form of dwelling-house, with its one or two rooms, in time gave place to the spacious mansion, with its dark and parlors and ghost-like spare bedrooms. How many deaths were due to committing guests to these unfrequented haunts of disease germs, no one can tell. But the proverbial spare bed in time came to be looked upon as a sort of whited sepulcher by those who were aware of the danger lurking in it.

Sweet memories cling round the days of long ago; but the damp, germ-infested spare bed has no place in the list of tender recollections. As a student boarder in a private home, I for some time occupied a precious (?) apartment of this kind myself years ago, and I am still grateful that the experience did not terminate my earthly career.

Blessed thought — the world is evolving from death-dealing rooms to “living-rooms” in the modern dwelling. The sentiment of the guardians of home to-day is, “Let the blessed sunshine in,” and along with it plenty of life-giving air. The architecture of the home of to-day is fashioned with a view to preserving health rather than for mere beauty of outline, and since the blessed dawn of the era of wire screens, windows have come to be considered more for use than for ornament.

THE SLEEPING-PORCH

The sleeping-porch is surely to be encouraged, for the screened room is the up-to-date sleeping-apartment of the twentieth century. It has come to stay, although some who are still afraid of fresh air, may look upon it with grave apprehensions, imagining that increased bronchial and pulmonary disorders will be the result. But the most thoroughly scientific physicians are prescribing outdoor sleeping for just such patients, and are meeting with gratifying results. Sleeping in the fresh air will tend to cure a fresh cold, rather than increase it. An excellent exercise for one who has weak lung power, is to stand in the fresh air and inhale until the lungs are well filled, then gently percuss them for a few seconds, and then exhale. This simple exercise, if followed for a few minutes twice every day, will be found of great benefit. Pure air in abundance, with habitual deep breathing, is a great barrier against tuberculosis, and should be rightly appreciated by every one who prizes longevity. To one who is accustomed to sleeping where there is nothing to prevent the free circulation of pure air, a night spent in a close sleeping-room is torture.

MODIFIED IN RIGOROUS CLIMATES

There are climates too severe for outdoor sleeping in midwinter. Good judgment should be exercised upon this point.

It is well to have the screened sleeping-room supplied with adjustable canvas covers for the screens, which can be brought into service when necessary to prevent the influx of too great drafts of cold air. Each individual should be “a law unto himself” in this matter, as some possess much greater resistance against cold than others. Those who are especially sensitive to cold, may find a sleeping-cap of valuable service during the midwinter season.

The all-wise Creator never intended that human beings should be penned up in skyscrapers all day, and in stuffy, ill-ventilated flats all night. Pure air is nature’s great life promoter in both the animal and the vegetable world; and intelligent human beings should recognize this fact in regard to themselves, and, if possible, cease to work and sleep where plants would surely die.

SLOW SUICIDES

Thousands of people employed in office work are slowly committing suicide because they are out of harmony with nature’s laws. Since outdoor exercise was Adam’s daily program, it would be but folly to seek to improve upon God’s original plan for the human race. Every one who is employed in office work is under obligations to take outdoor exercise sufficient to meet the demands of health. A crusade in this direction in our cities is surely greatly needed.

God Alone

By Mrs. Alta Davis

NOBODY else knows a mother's care; Nobody knows her love, Nor the silent watches spent in prayer, As she pleads with her God above To lead her children gently on In the safe and narrow way, Till they reach the home in the great beyond In the realms of endless day.

It matters not where they may go; Though they may wander far On some wild mountain white with snow, Or on ocean's wind-swept bar, Still her heart looks up to God above, As she kneels at His feet in prayer, And she gains the assurance of heavenly love, And she leaves her burden there.

O God, may I ever humbly be A suppliant at Thy throne; Bearing my children up to Thee, Though to them Thou art yet unknown. And may I teach them from Thy word, Of the true and the living Way, Till they shall learn to know the Lord, And gladly His will obey.

Together, then, we will follow on, To do His blessed will; And when the days of trial dawn, We'll hear Him say, "Be still." And as we listen to His voice, So gentle and sweet and grand, Our hearts will in His love rejoice, And we'll trust His guiding hand. Mrs. Alta Davis.

Cooperation Corner

By Editor

Helping Together

THERE are constantly coming to this office requests for this paper for (1) those who are poor and unable to take the paper; (2) for mission work among prisoners and others otherwise confined or secluded; (3) for public reading-rooms; (4) for general missionary work in foreign fields by our missionaries; (5) for general missionary work in various phases. Sometimes there are calls for tracts in foreign languages as well as English. It is not possible for the publishing house to meet all these requests. Publications are sometimes published at a loss to the house. We feel sure that many more of our readers would be glad to help us in this work. Thus may we bring together those who have no time or opportunity to do missionary work, but who are able to help others who have the time and opportunity, but not the means. Who will contribute to our Cooperation Fund?

“Tormented Forever and Ever”

One of the most fearful utterances in the whole Bible regarding the wicked, a wrong conception of which has made men infidels. This tract presents an exposition of the text which is reasonable and just—a vindication of God’s character. B. S. L. No. 111. Price $1.00 per hundred; single copies, 2 cents.

Pacific Press Publishing Assn., Mountain View, Cal.

Christ Our Advocate — The Sanctuary

By Editor

There is no one thing in the Scripture more illuminating, more comprehensive of all the teachings of the Word, than the subject of the sanctuary, revealing as it does the object and purpose of sacrifice, and the priesthood and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. This little pamphlet on this great subject is 10 cents.

Pacific Press Publishing Assn., Mountain View, Cal.

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An Exposition of Matthew 24

By Editor

As a brief work to assist in the study of any phase of Christ’s prophecy relating to His second coming, we can recommend nothing more highly than the pamphlet “An Exposition of Matthew 24.” You will appreciate its simple, thorough, direct manner of explanation. Contains 94 pages, and costs only ten cents, post-paid. This office.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

By Mrs. E. G. White

A clear, simple exposition of the noted parable of Dives and Lazarus, given in Luke 16:19–31. Reading it will help you. Price $1.00 per hundred; single copies, 2 cents.

Pacific Press Publishing Assn., Mountain View, Cal.

Notice

By C. W. Flaiz

THE biennial meeting of the North Pacific Union Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists will convene at College Place, Washington, March 2, at 11 A.M. This meeting is held for the election of officers and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before it.

C. W. Flaiz, President.

Notice

By C. W. Flaiz

The fourth biennial session of the North Pacific Union Conference and ministerial institute will be held at College Place, Washington, February 25 to March 8. Elders Daniells, Evans, Thompson, and other laborers are expected to be with us. It is earnestly hoped that all the laborers in this union will make an earnest effort to attend this meeting.

C. W. Flaiz, President.

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Notice

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

"SHILOH, THE MAN OF SORROWS," published three years ago in the SIGNS, will soon be published in book form, if enough additional advance subscribers can be obtained to warrant it. I wish to thank those who have already sent in orders. The book will be neatly bound in cloth, 350-400 pages. Price, from $1.00 to $1.50. Agents wanted. Send no money, but address the author, quick.

Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle, 1215 Vermont Ave., Lansing, Mich.

"Twentieth Century Christianity"

DR. CHAS. W. ELIOT, president emeritus of Harvard University, in an article recently published by the American Unitarian Society, presents his ideas of "the twentieth century Christianity." He says that the Christianity of this century does not believe in the Garden of Eden, nor in the serpent tempting Eve. It does not believe that God made man out of dust, and it affirms that "God did not turn stone-mason and give into the hands of Moses the Ten Commandments." Furthermore, it does not believe that the sun stood still for Joshua; that Jonah passed through his experience with the whale. He thinks that many such things found in the Bible belong to "primitive myth or fanciful poetry."

The doctor says: "The Creator is for modern man a sleepless, active energy and will. He is recognized chiefly in the wonderful energies of sound, light, and electricity." There will be nothing like dogmas, or creed, in this twentieth century religion. No miracle will be found in it. "Men of science," says the doctor, "have no faith in magic or miracles."

In connection with his ideal of what he believes to be the coming creed of Christianity for the twentieth century, the learned professor believes that we ought to eliminate the term "God," and in its place use the words "our Father." He thinks that this is the right name to use in approaching the Almighty.

But if the Almighty is only active energy and will, as expressed in sound, light, and electricity, why address Him at all? Could a mere energy or a mere expression of sound, or light, or electricity, hear us, or give any attention to us, if we did address it?

And then furthermore, why call anything a creed of Christianity, twentieth century or otherwise, that practically does away with Christianity by seeking to overthrow the Bible, which is the only foundation of Christianity?

When the Author of Christianity was here in person, He said to the great scholars of His time who were questioning Him:

"There is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me: for he wrote of Me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe My words?" John 5:45-47.

The Jews in Christ's time claimed to believe in Moses, but Christ showed them that they did not. There are men now who call themselves Christian, and speak of the Christianity of the twentieth century, when if they would study the Author of Christianity, they would see that He tells them plainly that they know nothing about real Christianity itself, because they reject its very foundations.

It might be interesting, in this connection, to read carefully the first part of the eighteenth chapter of Luke, in which we find this strikingly significant question: "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" If there is any one thing that Christ emphasized above another, it is faith in the Old Testament Scriptures. Christianity and faith in the Old Testament are one and inseparable. There is no getting away from it if we are to follow the teaching of Jesus. And Jesus Himself affirms, through this prophecy just quoted, that this faith will be largely lacking on the earth when He is about to come. Who can not see the clear connection between that prophecy and these utterances of the distinguished professor?

"Levitation" and Science

ONE of the great scientists of the country was recently asked this question: "What is the process of levitation, the lifting of heavy weights without the application of force, or any mechanical power?"

To this question the scientist replied: "This has been done from periods before any history. The cause is totally unknown to any one of the great standard mathematical sciences. I can not answer this question by reference to any known law of nature."

The scientist really acknowledges that there is an unseen force of some kind working in this "process of levitation," but claims that he does not know what this force is. "Levitations" are exhibitions that usually occur in connection with spiritistic séances, and the scientist may not understand any law that will explain this so-called phenomenon, but the Bible offers a very easy solution.

It is a well-known fact that the Bible tells the story of a fallen being who, with a multitude of associated fallen angels, was cast out of the courts of heaven. These beings are roaming the earth as invisible personages. Scientific men quite generally laugh at the Bible story, but nevertheless they accept as facts a great many things that can not be explained upon any other basis than that furnished by what the Bible teaches.

It is true that some of these scientific men make the claim that the "levitation," or the lifting of tables and pianos, and things of that sort, in connection with the spiritistic séances, is the work of the invisible spirits of the dead; but the Bible shows that between death and the resurrection the dead have absolutely no life, and therefore they could not engage in any such thing as "levitations." But there is an unseen power, nevertheless, in the person of the fallen foe, who is able to do all this kind of work. The explanation is simple, and easy to understand, by those who believe the plain teaching of Jehovah.

What Next?

By J. O. C.

IT is now reported that an "All Faith" church has been founded in New York City. That is to say, the organization of a body of people having any or no special personal religious belief has been effected. The query may be fairly raised as to the object of such a nondescript institution. With all the varied church beliefs in cosmopolite New York, one would certainly suppose that the most peculiar religious notions might find a congenial resting-place, without resort to another less safe institution.

So motley a class as this new church freak, could not have been outlined with the design of any certain missionary reform, since it has been demonstrated for ages that unity in religious affairs can come only through some well-defined cause, so vital and commanding as to be of such necessary interest to every one concerned that it dissipates every minor difference of personal opinion. Just imagine the effect of preaching any definite Bible doctrine before such a dissimilarity of religious beliefs, with the expectation of holding the organization intact. What then, in the name of all that a church stands for, could one trust himself to give expression to?

Were the real object of Christian association more generally studied, fewer of such aimless semireligious organizations would rear their heads, demanding recognition. It is the social sanction of similar institutions, having a church title, that tends to draw the common mind from the sanctity of Bible truth, and so eases conscience with the theory that it makes no difference what one believes, so long as he is sincere.

This speculation not only belies Bible teaching, but places ignorant heathens on a religious level with the most devout follower of Christ, and thus destroys necessity for any church organization whereby effectual work may be done for the conversion of the ignorant ungodly. J. O. C.

Youthful Criminality and Its Significance

A LEADING pastor of one of the great churches on a recent Sunday night referred to a murder that had been committed shortly before by a mere boy. Names and places are omitted so that the reader may give all his attention to the facts without thinking of personalities. This pastor, in seeking to place the responsibility for the horrible crime, among other things said:

"Young people of to-day live too fast. There is hardly an experience possible to life that the boys and girls have not had before they have reached sixteen. You can not surprise them. They know more at sixteen than their parents at twenty-five. The silly dances of the present time, the perfect tidal wave of almost constant amusement, the highly specialized social life of boys and girls of to-day, is an appalling danger which thoughtful souls see and seem powerless to stop. We are sowing what we reap. — should have a curfew perfectly enforced. Young people should be subject to some form of parental control that will be firm but kind."

Most people will recognize the truthfulness of these statements so earnestly delivered from an aroused pulpit, but did you ever study facts of this kind in connection with the first part of the third chapter of 2 Timothy? Love of pleasure and disobedience to parents, or the lack of "parental control," are, among other things, in that chapter set forth as perils of "the last day." World conditions of the present that men are driven to acknowledge by the stubbornness of facts, are specifically and minutely described in prophecies of the Bible that were written thousands of years ago. These prophecies point us past the darkness and the foreboding dangers of this time to the satisfying realities of immortality at the second coming of Christ.

Are we studying these prophecies? and do we know the meaning of the conditions of this time?

The Money Problem

LEGISLATION concerning the money question is one of the leading subjects before the present Congress, and it has also demanded special consideration for years. Concentration of wealth in practically every nation throughout the world has created an international peril. Men are hopefully seeking to solve the problems presented; and in their efforts, they are confronted with such stupendous facts as that presented in the little group of two or three men in New York who, at the least calculation, hold under their power of control twenty-two billions of the wealth of this country. These figures are based upon accurate estimates arrived at by investigations conducted by Congress itself.

One among the many signs that were to mark the generation that would witness the second coming of Christ is the enormous heaping together of wealth, and the consequent trouble that would arise between the few men with their hoarded treasures and the great mass of laborers. If you have never looked into this question, pick up your Bible at the first opportunity, and carefully read the fifth chapter of James. As you read it, think closely of the conditions that actually exist in this time, and carefully compare with what the Word says.

The Industrial War

By Editor

The United States Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the judgment of the lower court in sentencing thirty members of the International Association of Structural Iron Workers to prison. These cases have been in court ever since the wholesale arrests that were made because of the dynamiting of buildings, bridges, etc., in various parts of the nation. They represent the fight between organized labor on the one hand and organized capital on the other. Each side is claiming that injustice and crooked dealing characterize the other. But it is apparent to all that such facts as are represented in the trials of these men show that we have a determined industrial war on our hands. What will be the outcome of it, is the important thing for us to study, rather than to devote ourselves to a mere discussion of how much is right or wrong in either side of the controversy.

The Wealth of J. P. Morgan

The art treasures of the late J. P. Morgan are valued at sixty million dollars, and are now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and soon to be placed upon public exhibition. Many people will think of the philanthropy of permitting such valuable private treasure to be enjoyed by the public in general, and certainly that thing in itself is commendable. But what does it say for the times in which we are living when a single citizen can have a private art collection of such great value? An art collection for a whole nation that would be valued at sixty million dollars would be no insignificant affair, but it says much concerning the conditions of the time when private citizens have such immense wealth as to be able to bestow upon one of their fancies such multiplied millions of money.

"The disciples were to be colaborers with their Redeemer in the work of saving the world."

“Dost Thou Call Me?” By WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN