p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 37. (9/12/1900)

TO CONTRIBUTORS.

By Editor

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES is a purely missionary enterprise. For this reason it has felt free to ask for contributions from its friends. It pays nothing for contributions, either prose or poetry, unless solicited by the editor, and then the fact is stated when the articles are asked for. This is a plan rarely followed, but sometimes deemed expedient.

How Prepared.—Write plainly, with typewriter or ink, with wide space between the lines, to freely admit of editing, writing of subheads, etc. Write on one side of the sheet only. Sign the name to the manuscript, as it becomes oftentimes separated from accompanying letter. Anonymous contributions are not used, whatever their merit. If the writer does not wish his name to appear, let him furnish a pseudonym for the public. But we wish the name.

Manuscript Returned.—We will return all unused manuscript desired if stamp and directions are inclosed. We are forced sometimes to return good manuscript mainly for three reasons: (a) Sometimes the articles are too long; (b) sometimes we have a number on the same subject; (c) sometimes our plans are such that an article can not be used till it is out of date. We therefore hope that no offense will be taken by those who have freely contributed their best thought if their productions are returned. When we receive so much matter, we can not use all.

NOTE.—We wish those who ask questions to take particular notice: (1) Only such questions will be answered here as we believe to be of general interest and information. (2) We can not undertake to explain from four to a dozen scriptures, as in one sentence we are often requested to do. (3) Do not ask to "explain" a certain text or passage. State clearly the point in question. (4) Give full name and address, not for publication unless desired, but as evidence of good faith, and to give us the privilege of replying by letter if deemed best. (5) Unsigned communications of any kind find the quickest way to the waste-basket. (6) It is always well to inclose stamp. (7) "Foolish and unlearned questions avoid," also those that minister to mere curiosity. (8) Study the Scriptures yourselves.

VIRGINIA HOMES.

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Robbed of Their Sabbath

By Editor

"Robbed of Their Sabbath."—The advocates of enforced Sunday observance have a stereotyped saying that "three million people are being robbed of their sabbath in the United States." There are just two classes of people that are being robbed in this respect, namely, those whom Satan has kept from access to the Word of God, and those who have been led by false teachers to believe that the Sabbath of the Bible has been superseded by the man-made first-day sabbath. These two classes comprise many times three million. By the "three million" whom it is alleged are "robbed of their sabbath" is meant men whose employment calls for their labor every day, especially on Sunday. But no man is compelled to labor either on the Sabbath or on Sunday. The man who chooses to labor on the Sabbath rather than give up his situation is not robbed. He simply chooses to serve mammon rather than God. The commandment of God says,

"The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord." The service of God includes keeping the Sabbath. "Ye can not serve God and mammon," therefore "choose ye this day whom ye will serve." But if you work on any day for a consideration, you have no just claim that you are thereby being robbed by the one whom you are voluntarily serving with a full knowledge of the situation.

OUR NEXT SPECIAL.

By Editor

FOR the past two years we have gotten out in the late autumn special numbers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES that have been particularly valuable, and have been very extensively circulated.

We are planning for another special number this fall, which we think will exceed in importance and value anything we have been able to present heretofore. Two years ago our special issue was entitled the Quarter-centennial number. Last year the title was the World's Harvest number. This year our special issue will be entitled the World's Outlook number. At the close of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century there is a great deal of speculating in regard to the prospects and the problems before the world. These have been outlined centuries ago in the prophecies that God has given us, and they show most clearly that the coming of Christ is very near at hand. These themes will be presented in the forthcoming special issue in the clearest and strongest manner possible.

The paper will be well illustrated. It will be a double number, as heretofore, with a beautifully decorative cover design. We trust that all the friends of the paper will be thinking about the importance of this number of the SIGNS, and that they will be planning to give it as wide a circulation as possible.

Further facts in regard to prices, the articles it will contain, etc., will be given later.

FACING A CRITICAL SITUATION.

By Editor

IN a recent Kansas City Star, Robley D. Evans, of the United States navy, is reported to have said:—

"In my estimation, the great powers of the earth are facing the most critical situation that has arisen in modern history. To put it vigorously, they are sitting on barrels of powder, and an explosion may come at any time. If it does come it will annihilate present national boundaries and change the map of the world so that it will not be recognizable."

The foregoing is certainly a very significant statement, and it expresses the feelings of thinking men everywhere. There is one thing further that must be kept continually before the world,—the meaning of all these things is that the second coming of Christ is right at hand. These startling events are fulfilling the great prophecies of the Scripture which tell of the terrible things that Satan will stir up in the last days.

We must not allow ourselves in these days to become entangled in these strifes, for the Lord desires us to keep our minds and hearts so clear that we will be able to see the unmistakable evidences of the approaching destruction of the world. There can be no mistaking that the end of all things is right at hand; and the glorious realities of the second coming of Christ, ushering in as they will all of the joys of eternity, are almost ready to burst upon the world.

THE ADVANCE GUARD.

By Editor

WE have only said a little as yet about the World's Outlook number of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, to be issued this fall, but already some of the brethren are telling us how many copies they desire. One says he will want at least two or three thousand.

We believe that when this important issue of the paper comes before our friends, all of the old workers will want many more copies than they have used of any special issue in the past. We also expect that there will be a large army of new workers desiring to enter the field.

The times are ominous. The opportunity of working for souls is fast passing away. The agencies that Satan is using in the world are becoming more intense in their malevolence. This should intensify the Lord's people to the highest point of faithfulness and activity in the work. Be on the lookout for this special issue, and be laying plans to circulate every copy that you possibly can. For any particulars about this World's Outlook number, address SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

CONTAINED IN THIS NUMBER.

By Editor

Poetry.

Trust Thou in God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Guarding the Tongue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 The Cheery Heart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Strong Drink, THOMAS ROBERT WILLIAMSON . . . . . . . . . . . 12 What Time Is It? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

General.

Deliverance, T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Our Duty as Christians, MRS. E. G. WHITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Can We Influence Healing Power? DAVID PAULSON . . . . . . . 3 God's Great Purpose, FRANCIS M. WILCOX . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Redemption, MRS. H. HURD HASKELL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The Burnt-offering, G. E. FIFIELD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 According to the Commandment, G. B. THOMPSON . . . . . . . . 6

Editorial.

Notes by the Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Courage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Outlook.—"A Disastrous Day"—Rapidity of Travel—Violence in the Land—"Craze for Doctoring"—Sunday-law Persecution, J. B. GREENWOOD—The Chinese Enigma. 8, 9

Missions.—"But God," a Bible Reading for Missionaries—Difficulties of Mission Work in China—About Puerto Rico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 11

The Home.—Demoralization of the Young Man, W. S. SADLER—How to Keep Well—The Cavern of Adelsburg . 12, 13

International Sabbath-school and Sunday-school Lessons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Publishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Do Not Envy Evil Men

"Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief."

OUR FAMINE FUND HEARD FROM.

By Editor

Under date of July 24, Brother W. A. Spicer, editor of the Oriental Watchman, writes from Calcutta:—

“Please thank your contributors to the fund for famine relief, and say to them that we will take pleasure in passing your fund on to the distressed districts. Thus far such amounts have been placed with mission relief stations of various denominations, wherever we knew of greatest need. We hope the rains may yet put a stop to famine and bring a year of fruitfulness. Even so, there is still the famine ‘of hearing the words of the Lord.’ There is, after all, the most pitiful famine in India. Missionaries are fearing that the general interest in relief of famine this year will react and lead to a dropping off of contributions for mission work in the future. That ought not to be.”

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ

By H. M. Butler

THERE is a second coming of Jesus Christ. It is often spoken of as the "second advent." "We believe that He will come to be our judge." This human life of ours on earth is not intended by God, who gave it, to last forever. Here it is stamped by three dark shadows,—the shadow of sin, the shadow of sorrow, and the awful shadow of death. They will not be forever. There will be a close of what is expressively, if not unconsciously, called this earthly "scene;" and then a great change. Jesus Christ will be revealed, to good and bad alike, with a "glorious majesty" that may either be feared or welcomed, but can not be questioned or ignored. "Heaven and earth shall pass away; but My words shall not pass away."

The Weights

The Weights.—When the Lord enjoins us to forsake the follies and vanities of this world, it is that the way may be made easier for us. He does not wish to deprive us of any pleasure that will help in the journey of life; we are only to put aside the things that would hinder in running a race for life. "Wherefore, . . . let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." Heb. 12:1.

Censuring Others.

Yes, you are right, that brother comes far short of perfection. He has failed more than once. He has even been taken in the very act, and the law demands his punishment. Moreover, if you are without sin, you may begin the stone-throwing; otherwise, you had better not be in a hurry about it. The Lord's advice is: "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Matt. 7:1, 2. God has committed all judgment to the Son. John 5:22.

The Only Incorruptible Crown

Militarism is threatened with a punishment that would be fatal if faithfully executed. The San Francisco Examiner says:—

"If soldiers do not cease participating in midnight riots, burglaries, etc., in this city, some newspaper or other, in a moment of desperation, is likely to stop referring to them as 'heroes.' This matter of having a 'hero' appear in the role of 'plug-ugly' at any time is becoming monotonous."

Without doubt, were it not for the possibility of a soldier's becoming a recognized hero, in some incidental or accidental way, it would be very difficult to raise even a militia company without conscription. The gaudy crown of public applause is a far greater incentive to the average human than the rather vague sentiment called patriotism. In ancient times, when athletic entertainments formed the principal public attractions, men would run long races or fight one another to the death just for a crown of garlands that would wither in a day, and human nature is ever the same. The only incorruptible crown and honor worthy of effort to obtain, are gained in service under the banner of the Prince of Peace.

The Power of a Missionary Spirit

Jesus Christ never lacked for an audience, nor did He disdain an audience of one. The people would follow Him by thousands to hear "the gracious words that proceeded out of His mouth." What did He say that was so wonderful?—He merely preached the Word of God (John 14:24; 17:8, 14), and made it plain by simple illustrations. So with John the Baptist, to whom the multitudes flocked from the cities to the wilderness to hear him preach the Word given him of the Spirit. What was the secret?—A message from God, and Spirit-filled lives. The missionary spirit has power to attract. Mrs. W. C. Grainger, of Shiba, Japan, writes to our Missionary Magazine concerning a native brother (Kuniya) who went out to preach:

"He had no money for traveling expenses, so sold his boots and watch. He went from place to place, preaching to hundreds of people, and at one place he said there were a thousand present. He came home greatly encouraged. The people gladly gave him his board, and also helped defray his traveling expenses. A lady of unusual intelligence became so interested in the truth that she came 150 miles to hear more concerning these things, and to see us."