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Signs of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 31.

Trees Mentioned
Earlier text: HOW READEST THOU?

CHURCH SERVICES.

By Editor

This column of church services, especially in our larger towns and cities, will be printed from time to time as we have room, for the benefit of strangers who may read the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, or brethren passing through. We have found it necessary to condense in the smallest possible space. The word “Sabbath” always refers to the seventh day of the week. These services consist of Sabbath school, preaching, Bible study, missionary, and prayer meetings. The first Sabbath service is, with one exception (Detroit), Sabbath school. The first address is that of the church, or place of meeting; the second, if given, that of the pastor or clerk.
Oakland.—Cor. 12th and Brush Sts. Public services: Sunday 7:30 P.M., Sabbath 9:30 and 11 A.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M.
San Francisco.—914 Laguna St. Public services: Sunday 7:30 P.M., Sabbath 9:45 and 11 A.M., Thursday 7:30 P.M.
Los Angeles.—145 Carr St., bet. Main and Hill Sts. Public services: Sabbath 9:45 and 11 A.M., Tuesday 7:30 P.M., Thursday 7:30 P.M. Belle P. Baker, Clerk, 926 Hill St.
Sacramento.—G St. bet. 18th and 19th Sts. Public services: Sunday 7:30 P.M., Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M.
Pasadena.—Cor. of Summit Ave. and Mountain St. Public services: Sunday 7:30 P.M., Sabbath 10 and 11:30 A.M. O. S. Smyth, Clerk, Box 261.
San Diego.—Cor. 18th and G Sts. Public services: Sunday 7 P.M., Sabbath 9:45 and 11 A.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Mary J. Dimock, Clerk, National City, Box 136.
Stockton.—Cor. Miner Ave. and Stanislaus St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Wednesday 2:30 P.M. H. S. Gulliford, Elder.
Alameda.—Foresters’ Hall, cor. Santa Clara Ave. and Park St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M. and 2:45 P.M. H. F. Courter, Elder.
East Portland, Or.—Cor. 11th and East Everett Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:30 A.M. and 7 P.M., Wednesday 7 P.M.
Tacoma, Wash.—2917 S. K St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Sunday 6 and 7:30 P.M. Arthur Lister, Clerk.
Washington, D. C.—On 8th bet. F and G Sts., N. E. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:15 A.M., Sunday 6 P.M. Wednesday 7:30 P.M.
Brooklyn, N. Y.—Wurzler’s Hall, 315 Washington St., near city post office. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M.
Boston, Mass.—United Fellowship Hall, 1371 Washington St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M. George B. Wheeler, Pastor.
Worcester, Mass.—118 Austin St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:15 A.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. F. C. Bee, Clerk, No. 6 Furnace St.
Providence, R. I.—Library Hall, room 6 Olneyville Square. Public services: Sabbath 1:30 and 3 P.M., Friday 7:30 P.M. Wm. H. Warfield, Clerk, 36 Bush St., Providence.
Hartford, Conn.—Hall at 302 Asylum St. Sabbath 2 and 3 P.M., Sunday 7:30 P.M. M. H. Hatch, Clerk.
Philadelphia, Penn.—Hall, 1722 N. Broad St. Public services: Sabbath 9:30 and 11:30 A.M., Sunday 7:30 P.M. E. A. Merrell, Pastor, 1727 Edgely St., north of Diamond.
Baltimore, Md.—Bowen’s Hall, 1718 Frederick Ave. Public services: Sabbath 9:45 and 11 A.M., Sunday and Friday 7:45 P.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. John H. Hunt, Clerk.
Cleveland, Ohio.—249 Cedar Ave., bet. Sterling and Hayward. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M. (sun time). Sunday 7:30 P.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Willard H. Saxby, Pastor.
Louisville, Ky.—Markers’ Hall, cor. 17th and Main Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Sunday 7:30 P.M. J. W. Collie, Pastor, 2481 West Broadway.
Detroit, Mich.—424 Trumbull Ave., bet. Perry and Bagg Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:15 A.M., Sunday 7:30 P.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. H. M. Kenyon, Pastor.
Chicago, Ill.—On 4th St. bet. Michigan and Wabash Ave. Public services: Sabbath 9:30 and 11 A.M. and 3:30 P.M., Tuesday and Wednesday 7 P.M.
St. Paul, Minn.—On Wacouta bet. 8th and 9th. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Sunday 7:30 P.M. H. F. Phelps, Pastor, 470 Martin St.
St. Louis, Mo.—2956 Sheridan Ave. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:30 A.M., Wednesday 7:45 P.M. Mary S. Yener, Clerk.
Kansas City, Mo.—Cor. 12th and Woodland Ave. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Tuesday 7:45 P.M.
St. Joseph, Mo.—Cor. 15th and Locust Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Mrs. Harriet W. Talbert, Clerk.
Omaha, Neb.—Cor. 18th and Cumming Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10:15 and 11 A.M., Sunday 3 P.M. J. H. Rogers, Pastor, cor. 27th and Steward Sts.
Salt Lake City, Utah.—Room No. 30 East 4th St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Sunday 7:45 P.M., Wednesdays and Saturdays 7:45 P.M. J. M. Willoughby, Pastor, Water St., Waterloo, Salt Lake City.
New Orleans, La.—Pythian Hall, cor. 7th and Magazine Sts. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11:15 A.M. J. E. Evans, Pastor, 1027 Delachaise St.
Jersey City, N. J.—Public services at church, 27 Oak St., Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M.; at hall, 242 Hancock Ave., Sabbath 2:30 and 3:30, Sunday 7:45 P.M. both places. Amos Mitchell, Elder.
Helena, Mont.—Room 8, Denver Block. Public services: Sabbath, 10 and 11 A.M., Wednesday, 7:30 P.M. C. T. Shaffer, Leader, 818 Breckenridge St.
Toledo, O.—11th St. Christian Church, bet. Jefferson and Madison Sts., near center of city. Public services: Sabbath, 10 and 11 A.M., Wednesday 7 P.M., at Mission parlors, 1211 Collingwood Ave. E. J. Van Horn, Pastor.
Lynn, Mass.—Lee Hall. Public services: Sabbath 1:30 and 8 P.M.; Tuesday and Friday, 7:30 P.M. A. B. Jernegan, Elder, A. B. Felton, Clerk, 85 Union St.
Denver, Colo.—Cor. W. 11th Ave. and S. 11th St. Public services: Sabbath 10 and 11 A.M., Wednesday and Friday 7:45 P.M. D. H. Soggs, Elder.
Helena, Mont.—Room 8, Denver Block. Public services: Sabbath, 10 and 11 A.M., and Wednesday, 7:30 P.M. C. T. Shaffer, Leader, 818 Breckenridge St.
New Bedford, Mass.—Church at Willow St., west of Cedar. Public services: Sabbath, 10:30 A.M. and 12 M. J. B. Hall, Clerk, Box 72, Acushnet, Mass.

OUR WORK AND WORKERS.

At Balham, England, a company of four have embraced present truth through reading.
Elder A. J. Breed returned to California conference July 30, where he will remain for awhile.
Eight precious souls have been converted as the result of the labors of Elders Cobb and Ball in Binghamton, N. Y.
The last Iowa Bulletin reports eight precious souls who accepted the truth, six of whom have united with various churches.
Elder O. O. Farnsworth, laboring in New York City, says that over forty are observing the Sabbath there as the result of the effort now being put forth. At a recent meeting where the ordinances of the Lord’s house were celebrated, thirty took part.
Elder D. C. Babcock reports a goodly company of Sabbath-keeping Christians at Swanton, Md., the members of which are daily growing in grace and knowledge of Christ. A house of worship will be built. Threats of persecution have been made already against the Sabbath-keepers.
At the recent annual Upper Columbia conference six new churches were admitted, with an aggregate membership of 74. The new officers are as follows: President of Conference and Tract Society, Elder R. S. Donnell; secretary of conference, J. L. Kay; of the tract society, Mrs. M. E. Ford. The members of the Conference Committee are, Elders R. S. Donnell, J. W. Bagby, W. W. Steward, G. F. Haffner, S. A. Miller.
The Monowai brought to San Francisco, July 30, two brethren and two sisters. Elder L. J. Rosseau, who has been connected with our school at Avondale, Cooranbong, N. S. W., returns to America with his wife, on account of her health. She needs medical treatment which can not be obtained in Australia. May God grant restoration to health. Maui Pomari returns to the Sanitarium, Battle Creek. Sister F. Harker is on her way to Battle Creek to take the Nurses’ Training Course. They report a very rough voyage. With the next British boat from Vancouver for Australia, go Elder and Mrs. E. W. Farnsworth, to labor under the Southern Cross. May the Lord go with these laborers, and may America’s sacrifice prove to Australia an abundant blessing.
A letter from Sister Caldwell, Avarua, Raratonga, to Sister Hannah Mott, of this city, says that the time of her husband (Dr. Caldwell) is almost wholly taken up in caring for the sick, and that he greatly needs the assistance of a nurse, that he may have more time for Bible work. He has some interested and prominent readers. The Maoris on the island are ready to hear the Gospel. Sister Caldwell herself is teaching three of the queen’s maids three times a week, and for a while taught the queen herself. Both she and the doctor are very busy, but have increased their family by the adoption of one little Maori girl, aged nine. Three children—two bright boys, baptized in Oakland just before they sailed for Raratonga—are a great comfort and help to the mother in her work.

NEW BOOK

By W. M. Healey; W. E. Dillon

Discussion of the Sabbath and Nature of Man

By Elder W. M. Healey, President of the North Pacific Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and Bishop W. E. Dillon, Bishop of the United Brethren Church.
This book is just issued and contains
230 Large-sized Pages
And gives the speeches of Mr. Healey and Mr. Dillon in the discussions of the above questions, at Oregon City, Oregon, during six sessions of two hours each. The debate was reported by shorthand reporters, and is given nearly verbatim. The investigator has in this book the advantage of having both sides presented together.
The Bible was the only evidence adduced on either side. Many points are brought out in the book not often presented.
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Paper Cover, plain, 65c.
ADDRESS,
Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal.

TEACHING TRUTH

By Mary Wood Allen

By Mary Wood Allen, M. D.
National Lecturer W. C. T. U.
A little brochure brimful of helpful suggestions to parents who wish to teach their children the truth in regard to the mystery of life.
PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO.
Price, 25c. . . Oakland, Cal.

INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

“Take heed unto thyself; and unto the doctrine;” “that thy profiting may appear to all.”
Lesson VIII.—Sunday, August 23, 1896.

ABSALOM’S REBELLION.

Lesson Scripture, 2 Sam. 15:1-12.
1. AND it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
2. And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate; and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
3. And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
4. Absalom said moreover, O that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
5. And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
6. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment; so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7. And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord, in Hebron.
8. For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the Lord shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.
9. And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
10. But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
11. And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not anything.
12. And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
Golden Text: “Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Ex. 20:12.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) What did Absalom do soon after his reconciliation with his father? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) How did he seek to win the hearts of the people to himself? Verse 2. Note 2. (3) What judgment did Absalom pronounce upon all grievances related to him? Verse 3, first part. (4) Of what negligence in office did he accuse the king? Verse 3, last part. (5) How did he further seek to create dissatisfaction with the administration of affairs? Verse 4. (6) What did he do to flatter those who honored him? Verse 5. (7) How extensive was this work of Absalom in stimulating disaffection? Verse 6, first part. (8) How does the Bible style this method of winning the people to himself? Verse 6, last part. Note 3. (9) What request did Absalom make of the king? Verse 7. (10) What was this vow? Verse 8. (11) How did David receive his request? Verse 9. (12) On arriving in Hebron, what did Absalom do? Verse 10, first part. (13) What was the signal for proclaiming Absalom king? Verse 10, last part. Note 4. (14) Who accompanied Absalom from Jerusalem? Verse 11. What relation did they sustain to Absalom’s conspiracy? Same verse. Note 5. (15) What noted counselor did Absalom enlist in his service? Verse 12. Note 6. (16) With what success did Absalom’s plans meet? Verse 12, last part.

NOTES.

1. Absalom.—Absalom was the grandson of Talmai, king of Geshur, and fled to his grandfather’s protection after killing his half brother Amnon. Here he lived in exile three years, surrounded by the influence of a heathen court. It was probably this enforced absence, and the feeling that he was paying an unjust penalty for avenging his sister’s wrong, that caused the seeds of rebellion to spring up in his heart. There seemed to be no disposition on David’s part to punish Amnon for his crime, nor to exonerate Absalom for taking vengeance into his own hands; so he prepares to take vengeance on his father as soon as he is restored to favor to a sufficient degree to have an influence with his associates. Being of very striking and commanding appearance, he begins at once to draw attention to himself by a display of princely pomp.
2. Rose up early and stood beside the way of the gate.—From Absalom’s conduct in other things, it would seem probable that he visited the gate of judgment at an earlier hour, even, than was customary for rulers to hear the causes of the people, so that when the king did arrive, many would have already been sent away dissatisfied. The “gate” was the place where the ruler sat to hear the complaints and right the wrongs of the people. The “Sublime Porte,” referring to the Turkish Government, means “the high gate.” Taking a pretended interest in the causes of the people, and deprecating the lack of facilities for righting their wrongs, Absalom naturally won their love.
3. Stole their hearts.—In unfilial and underhanded ways he obtained what belonged to his father, and the sacred writer calls it by its right name.
4. As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet.—Absalom seems to have stationed a succession of trumpeters from north to south through the kingdom, so that he could be proclaimed king throughout all the land on the same day.
5. Two hundred men . . . were called.—They were probably called to attend the sacrificial feast which Absalom was to make in Hebron, and were men of influence. While they knew nothing of Absalom’s plans, their absence from Jerusalem and presence in Hebron would tend to give strength to the rebellion. The fact that these men knew nothing of the conspiracy in which they were playing a part, shows the secrecy with which it was conducted, and the reason for the king’s ignorance in regard to it.
6. Sent for Ahithophel.—“The counsel of Ahithophel . . . was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God.” Chapter 16:23. While the object of Absalom in securing the presence of Ahithophel was doubtless the same as his reason for calling the two hundred men who went with him to Hebron, it will be seen to have been of far greater consequence when we consider the intimate relations existing between David and Ahithophel. In regard to this David says: “For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it; neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him; but it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.” Ps. 55:12, 13. The last clause shows unmistakably to whom the psalmist refers. Having the influence of David’s most intimate and most trusted adviser, Absalom must have considered his cause most invulnerable; but the counsel of Ahithophel, like the curse of Balaam, could avail nothing when directed against the Lord’s chosen. Ahithophel, in his course toward David, has been likened to Judas in his betrayal of Christ.

NOTES

1. WHEN thus pressed with her own need of forgiveness and cleansing, how much of human nature is shown in the effort to turn the conversation! “Like this woman, we start some old worn-out theological controversy, to put him off the scent. There are plenty of people who spend their lives in theological disputes and refinements, because in this way they dexterously manage to pass muster as religious people; tho, all the while, they dread anything like definite appeals to their hearts.” “How often the same course is pursued! When the Holy Spirit is impressing the heart, when God is seeking to awaken his church to a new life, men turn aside, parrying the arrows of conviction, neglecting that which concerns the salvation of the soul, to dispute over some controverted point of doctrine.”
2. In saying, “Ye worship that which ye know not” (R. V.), “Jesus also alluded to the faith of the Samaritans being amalgamated with the worship of graven images. True, they held that these idols were only to remind them of the living God, the Ruler of the universe; but, nevertheless, the people were led to reverence these inanimate figures.” This is the philosophy and the result of all idolatry.
3. “THAT which Jesus had withheld from the Jews and enjoined upon his disciples to keep secret, was distinctly opened before the inquiring woman of Samaria; for he who knew all things perceived that she would make a right use of her knowledge, and be the means of leading others to the true faith.” “Wherever there are hearts open to receive the truth, Christ has glad tidings for them. For such he uses no parables. He seeks not to disguise himself. He says to them, as to the woman of Samaria, ‘I that speak unto thee am he.’”
4. THE disciples supposed that they had two good reasons for marveling: first, because Jesus was talking with a Samaritan (Acts 10:28); second, because he was talking with “a woman” (R. V.). “A rabbinical prejudice prevailed, to the effect that woman is not capable of profound religious instruction.” The woman’s invitation is that of Christ to his first disciples (chapter 1:39), and of Philip to Nathanael (chapter 1:46).
5. “THE disciples were good men, but they went into Sychar judging the Samaritans good enough to trade with, but never dreaming of telling them that the Messiah was outside their town. They must have been ashamed to find how much more capable an apostle the woman was than they.”
6. “THE disciples did not seem to appreciate the character of the food which Jesus had to eat (verse 33) any better than the woman understood concerning the living water (verse 11).” “It was not temporal food alone that sustained him in his arduous life; the accomplishment of the work which he left the courts of heaven to perform strengthened him for his labors and lifted him above the necessities of humanity. To administer to a soul hungering and thirsting for the truth was more satisfying to the Son of man than eating or drinking. Benevolence was the life of his soul.”

Suggestions for Further Study.

1. Note the new term by which Christ refers to God as “the Father.” What is the force of this title?
2. What is the significance of using “we” in verse 22?
3. The woman related her personal experience with Christ as a means of drawing the people of the city to hear him. Compare this with Paul’s method of defending himself before Agrippa.
4. Make a careful study of Jesus as one doing the will of God. “Jesus Christ became man to bring us back to the blessedness of doing God’s will.”
5. What special force does the instruction of verse 35 have at the present time? What harvest is nearly ripe?
6. Note the frequent recurrence of teaching which pertains to “life eternal.”

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

Bible Sanctification: A Contrast of True and False Theories

By Mrs. E. G. White.
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Address. PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.
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