Earlier text: The OutlookThe Sunday School International Series.
By Editor
LESSON III.—SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 1898.
BEGINNING OF THE MINISTRY OF JESUS.
NOTE.—The lesson section includes Matt. 4:12–16 and John 1:35–51. Verses 17–20 of the lesson scripture are to be committed to memory. See also John 2:1–11; 4:43–54 and Luke 4:16–31. A reference to these scriptures will show how Jesus' work had led up to that which is recorded in to-day's lesson. This is the second year of Christ's ministry, A.D. 28, and Jesus was between 31 and 32 years old. 17 "From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
18 "And walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a
19 net into the sea; for they were fishers. And he saith unto them,
20 Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men. And
21 they straightway left the nets, and followed him. And going on from thence he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their
22 father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they straightway left the boat and their father, and followed him.
23 "And Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing all
24 manner of disease and all manner of sickness among the people. And the report of him went forth into all Syria; and they brought unto him all that were sick, holden with divers diseases and torments, possessed with devils, and epileptic,
25 and palsied; and he healed them. And there followed him great multitudes from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond Jordan." Golden Text: "The people which sat in darkness saw great light." Matt. 4:16. (1) What work did Jesus begin after taking up his abode near the Sea of Galilee? Verse 17. (2) What reason did he give for proclaiming repentance? Same verse. Note 1. (3) Whom did he see at work as he walked along the shore? Verse 18. (4) What was their occupation? Same verse. (5) What invitation did he give to them? Verse 19. (6) What would he do for them? Same verse. (7) How did they respond to Christ's invitation? Verse 20. Note 2. (8) Whom else did he see as he continued by the seashore? Verse 21. (9) What was their occupation? Same verse. (10) Having extended the same invitation to them, how was it received? Verse 22. (11) What was the scope of the work which Jesus performed in Galilee? Verse 23. (12) How far did his fame extend? Verse 24. (13) What was the result of his work becoming so widely known? Same verse. Note 3. (14) What did he do for them? Same verse. (15) What circumstance shows the power of his preaching? Verse 25. (16) From what cities did his followers come? Same verse. 1. The kingdom of heaven is at hand.—Or, as in other translations, "the Royal Majesty of the heavens has approached." This is the same message as that given by John in Matt. 3:2, and the original words are the same. The following verse of the same chapter says, "This is he which was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, . . . Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." John was preparing the way for the Royal Majesty of heaven, who came in the person of Jesus. It is also true in the sense of the common translation, signifying a greater manifestation of the kingdom of grace.
2. They straightway left the nets.—They had known Jesus before and had been with him as his followers. See John 1:35–44. But it seems that they returned to their labor after a time. Now when the Master calls them, there is no hesitancy, no indecision. They dropped their means of livelihood and cast their lot with the great Teacher, to become fishers of men. He whom the Lord calls should take knowledge of the example set by these humble Galilean fishermen. The Lord's call is still sounding through the world. Let those who hear it be swift to heed.
3. Holden with divers diseases.—No doubt diseases which were unnamed and unnamable, having been transmitted from parent to child. There were few physicians in those days, and many who called themselves such resorted to the use of charms and spells. So when the real Physician appeared among them, healing at a word or touch maladies that were incurable by any means known to them, we can understand something of the excitement of the people and the demand upon the One who could exercise such power. Palsied.—Paralyzed. "THE EPIC OF PAUL," by William Cleaver Wilkinson, 800 pages, cloth, gilt top, uncut edges. Price, $2.00. Publishers: Funk & Wagnalls Company, New York and London.
This volume is the sequel to a previous one by the same author, entitled "The Epic of Saul." That volume closed with Saul's conversion on the way to Damascus. Saul had heard the voice from heaven, and thus the poet ends:—
"Saul heard, and in his heart of hearts obeyed,
And his whole life thenceforth obedience was—
Whereof the greater song remains to sing,
If so be God vouchsafe such grace to me."
"The Epic of Paul" is that "greater song." The life of Paul is depicted with a high order of poetic diction, and with grandeur and purity of style. The poem begins with Paul before the Sanhedrin, his former colleagues. The story of his arrest is told, his defense before the Sanhedrin, his appeal to Rome, the plot to destroy him, and the counterplot of his release. Book 2 is a vivid and beautiful picture of a supposed interview between Paul and Gamaliel. And so the Epic continues in beautiful and majestic verse through twenty-four books to the end.
The design of the poem as a whole is to present, through conduct on Paul's part and through speech from him, a living portrait of the man that he was, together with a reflex of his most central and most characteristic teaching. Its descriptions are vivid, and it brings the reader's mind into close touch with the great spirit of Paul. It is a poem in which dignity, beauty, and power are commingled with a rare charm. The characters, scenes, and conversations created by the poet harmonize beautifully with those already well known in the Bible narrative. We can but wish, however, that the work were not marred with the author's wrong theory, held in common with so many earnest souls, of immortal soulism and conscious entity of spirit. Nevertheless, "The Epic of Paul" thrills and inspires. It will grow in favor as it becomes known. Here are a few lines taken at random,—Paul's words to Gamaliel, telling him of the voice he heard:—
"Hebrew the words were, master," Saul replied;
"If ever it were possible for me
To lose them from my memory, mine ear
Would hear their haunting echo evermore.
Such light, such sound, forsake the senses never.
O master, when God speaks to man, doubt not
He finds the means to certify himself."
"STUDIES IN CHILD LIFE," by Mrs. S. M. I. Henry, 8vo., cloth, 252 pages. Fleming H. Revell Company, New York and Chicago.
This little book, in the words of the preface, is "designed to be simply suggestive,—to stimulate that kind of questioning in the mind of the busy father and mother which is sure to compel an answer. It is an argument in outline for daily experience to elaborate." It is written by an earnest Christian mother of rich religious experience, of excellent home training in her youth, and of wide observation as an evangelical worker; and its twenty-four chapters, covering in a general way all phases of child life, will be helpfully suggestive to every thoughtful parent. If one does not always accept the conclusions of the author, he is stimulated to broader and better thought. May the little book be a blessing in many a home. It may be secured through this publishing house.
MODERN SPIRITUALISM, by U. Smith, 156 pages, cloth, illustrated. Price, 50 cents; paper covers, no illustrations, 20 cents. Review and Herald Publishing Company, Battle Creek, Mich., Atlanta, Ga.
This little work presents before us in clear lines and conclusive argument and evidence the origin and nature of Modern Spiritualism. The claim of Spiritualism, that it holds communion with the spirits of the departed dead, is shown to be baseless and unscriptural. Its true value is shown from the prophecy of Holy Writ. We would that its truths could be read, pondered, received by all. It may be obtained from this office or its branches.
"THE WHAT, HOW, AND WHY OF CHURCH BUILDING."—In noticing this book in our issue of November 18, we stated that its price was $1.25. We wish to say here that a paper-covered edition is published at 75 cents. It is published by J. & R. Lamb, 59 Carmine Street, New York. It may be obtained from the Pacific Press, Twelfth and Castro Streets, Oakland.
"REMINISCENCES OF AN OCTOGENARIAN," by J. K. Ingalls, 8vo., cloth boards, 200 pp. Price, 40 cents; paper cover, 25 cents. J. K. Ingalls, Glenora, N. Y.
This is a book of personal reminiscences of an old man who has been engaged in the struggles of labor reform during the last half century. Mr. Ingalls writes with sincerity and with the vigor of youth.
"THE FAMILY CIRCLE, Original and Selected Anecdotes," written and edited by H. L. Hastings, 47 Cornhill, Boston, Mass.; 318 pp., paper covers. This is No. 56 of the "Monthly Message;" price, 50 cents a year.
The pamphlet contains over 200 helpful anecdotes, illustrations, poems on a great variety of subjects, helpful to Christian life and labor. Many of them were written originally for the Christian, of which Mr. Hastings is editor.
"THREE HUNDRED SOLID HYMNS WITH TUNES," selected from "Songs of Pilgrimage," by H. L. Hastings, the July number of the "Monthly Message." Bound in manilla; price, 20 cents. H. L. Hastings, 47 Cornhill, Boston, Mass. The hymns are mostly excellent and such as the Christian of good experience loves to sing.
"THE QUEEN'S DAUGHTERS IN INDIA," by Elizabeth W. Andrew and Katharine C. Bushnell, 120 octavo pages; price, 25 cents. Pacific Press Publishing Company, Oakland, Kansas City, New York.
This book is an earnest Christian protest by women who feel because they know the wickedness of licensed fornication as demonstrated in India. The facts of this little pamphlet are worth tons of the theories and falsehoods promulgated in favor of licensed vice. It should be widely circulated; for the same evils that have cursed the women of India bid fair to obtain even stronger foothold here. Mrs. Andrew and Miss Bushnell know of what they write.
"A Summer's Fishing on the Bowery," by George D. Dowkout, M.D. Price, 3 cents; 48 pages. Medical Missionary Record, 121 East Forty-fifth Street, New York. The fishing is for souls, and it tells of a doctor's work in the Bowery mission.13 "Personal Questions and Answers Concerning the Sabbath," by Mrs. S. M. I. Henry, No. 7 "Words of Truth Series," 56 pages. Price, 3 cents. Review and Herald Publishing Company, Battle Creek, Mich. May be obtained of this house and its branches. This little tract answers in an admirable way the common objections used against the Sabbath.
"The Sunday Bicycle," by William Nast Brodbeck, D.D. Price, $1.15 per 100, post free. Eaton & Mains, New York. A protest against the use of the wheel on Sunday, and a blank pledge for riders of the wheel. The spirit of the tract is good, but the fact that most people know that Sunday has no claim to the term Sabbath, or Lord's day, in the Word of God, will, we fear, make the appeal of none effect.
"The Sabbath and the First Day of the Week" (a review of a tract by Prof. H. S. Miller, M.A.), by Clinton De W. Sharp, 5 Jerusalem Street, Rochester, N. Y. Price, 2 cents. It is a complete answer, we should judge.
"Second Annual Announcement of the American Medical Missionary College, 1896-97," in Chicago. The president is John H. Kellogg, M.D. Send to the secretary, L. McCoy, Battle Creek, Mich., for catalog. —Germany is arming her infantry with the new sixty-millimeter rifle, which is capable of firing sixty rounds a minute. —Investigation into the cause of the recent great fire in London is reported to be developing the fact that it was of incendiary origin. —Iceland has no police; but notwithstanding that fact, there have been only two thefts in that country during the last one thousand years. —A Bimetallic League has been organized in Germany with the purpose of co-operating with similar leagues in other countries in the interests of bimetalism. —The report of the American Board of Foreign Missions shows that the number of professing Christians now in Turkey is greater than before the Armenian massacres. —In view of the success which Germany has had in collecting her indemnity claim from Haiti, Italy is beginning vigorous action for the collection of two similar claims against the little republic. —The German government is planning to oppose the aggressive policy of the Standard Oil monopoly, both by legislation in favor of other oils and by tariff on importations from the Standard Oil Company. —William J. Bryan and party arrived at the city of Mexico on December 13, and were received by the military and members of the cabinet. On the following day Mr. Bryan addressed the Mexican Congress. —The Greek Government has requested a month's extension of the term fixed upon for accepting the treaty of peace with Turkey. This request creates considerable surprise and dissatisfaction both among the diplomatic corps and Turkish officials. —An Indian mail-carrier brings the news out from the Klondike mining regions that about one thousand miners have started from Dawson to come out to civilization over the mountain passes, and makes the prediction that a large portion of them will find graves along the way. —In view of the anti-Semitic riots in Roumania a law has been enacted prohibiting meetings of the Jews. Several ministers of foreign countries have signified their intentions of preferring demands for indemnity in behalf of their respective subjects who have suffered on account of the riots. —Two members of the Turkish imperial guard made an unsuccessful attempt on the life of the sultan at the Yildiz Kiosk, the sultan's palace, on December 9. The attempt was frustrated by attendants and the would-be assassins were ordered to be tortured till they should confess by whom the plot was instigated; but both succumbed to the torture without revealing anything. —China has offered to cede to Germany a seaport directly west of the island of Formosa if the latter country will release her hold on Kaionchan; but Germany shows no disposition to give up what she has seized, and none of the other powers have manifested any inclination to come to China's assistance. Four hundred square miles have now been occupied by the Germans, and German laws are in operation there. It is the intention of the government to send German families to Kaionchan to colonize the acquired territory. The report is gaining credence that the other European powers are planning with Germany the division of China, and China, in the impotency of old age, is powerless to prevent. —The population of Haiti is reported to be growing more excited instead of calmer since the payment of indemnity to Germany, and one outbreak has already occurred in which seven agitators were killed and fifteen wounded. The government is preparing to take drastic measures to suppress any attempt at revolution. —Learning that the Moravian Church was confronted with the necessity of retrenching its foreign missionary work, or increasing its debt of $30,000, Mr. J. T. Morgan, a wealthy member of the Society of Friends, offered to pay the entire debt if the council of the church would pledge itself not to decrease its work. The offer has been accepted. —A remarkable agreement has been entered into between Russia and Korea by which Russia secures control of Korea's financial affairs for all time. The English official who has had the oversight of Korea's purse has been dismissed and a Russian placed in his position. England and Germany are said to be considerably aroused over this action by Russia. —The three countries of central America which have assumed such relations toward each other as to style themselves the Greater Republic of Central America have experienced considerable difficulty on account of foreign relations, it having been regarded by others as simply an alliance of the three nations; but the interests of the three States are now to be fused into one sovereign State, governed by one body. —The English punitive expedition which has been operating in the vicinity of the Simla range is now retreating to winter quarters, continually harassed by the rebellious tribesmen who swarm upon their rear and keep up a hot fire. Many officers and men have been killed in the retreat. On December 13, fifty members of the expedition were killed, and ten on the day following. Winter has set in, and the object of the expedition has not been accomplished. —General unrest is reported among the Moslems of Russian Asia. The Mohammedans are waiving personal animosities, and declaring themselves first of all subjects of the sultan as the Moslem leader. The danger is so serious that a conference of Caucasian governors has been convoked to institute measures of pacification, and it is feared that but slight pretext would suffice to plunge Russia into a situation similar to that of India. —Further details of the terrible typhoon which swept the Philippine Islands on October 12 show that the city of Hernani, whose fate was unknown at the date of the last advices, was completely engulfed, and its entire population of 6,000 destroyed. This places the whole number of casualties at over 10,000. A new island was thrown up off the coast of Leyte, and the tidal wave accompanying the typhoon at the same time that the typhoon was raging made the work of its destruction more complete. —The efforts of Spain to bribe the insurgents to accept autonomy and lay down their arms are not meeting with success. Of the twelve agents of Spain who have been sent to the insurgents with such propositions four have already been hanged and none of the others have been heard from. According to official reports the fighting on the island for the last ten days has resulted in a loss to the insurgents of 113 men killed and 350 taken prisoners. A considerable body of Spanish guerrillas deserted to the insurgents recently, taking a large quantity of arms and ammunition and $14,000. That the new policy in Cuba is in many respects no less cruel than the old is shown by the fact that recently seven persons have been shot in Nuevitas for the simple act of leaving their residences without obtaining a special permit from the military governor of the city. They are forbidden even to stand in the doors of their houses. On December 15 a small box containing an infernal machine was found at the door of the American consulate in Havana. —On December 9 wheat in the Chicago pit reached the highest figure it has touched since 1891, going up to $1.09. —It is reported that there are now 1,200 less saloons in the city of New York than there were before the Raines law went into effect. —The American Federation of Labor at its recent convention in Nashville adopted a resolution urging the government to reject the Hawaiian annexation treaty. —The Senate, on December 15, passed with a large majority the bill prohibiting pelagic sealing in Alaskan waters by American sealing companies or their agents. —A deposit of uranium, one of the rarest of metals, has been discovered at Black Hawk, Colorado. It is worth $1,500 per ton, and is much desired for use in the hardening of armor plate. —President McKinley's mother, Mrs. Nancy Allison McKinley, died at her home in Canton, Ohio, on December 12, after an illness of ten days. The President and other members of the family watched by her through her last hours. The funeral ceremony took place on December 14, and was attended by many thousands, including various government officials and the members of the President's Cabinet. —Rich placer diggings have been located six miles from Dyea, Alaska, and but a few miles from the coast. These were soon completely covered by the claims of miners stranded at that place. —Five of the bandits who held up the southern overland train at Stein's Pass, N. M., were captured by deputies on December 14. The other was shot dead at the time of the hold up by one of the express messengers. —A bill has been introduced in the Senate requesting the Secretary of State to demand of Russia that it accord the same rights and privileges to American citizens of Hebrew faith as to other American citizens. —The New York Freeman's Journal (Catholic) says that the Paulist missions to Protestants are beginning to show good results. It reports the recent confirmation of 100 converts from Protestantism in the church of the Paulist fathers. —It is reported that the mission of Count Cossini from Russia to the United States is to bind the two governments more closely together and urge upon Americans the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands before England or Japan shall make the attempt. —President Gompers, of the National Federation of Labor, has set May 1, 1898, as the day upon which the bugle call for labor shall be sounded and a concerted move be made by organized labor against the exactions of employers and corporate wealth. —The city of Fort Scott, Kansas, having forced the water company of that place to sell its plant to the municipality, is now without water, as the employees of the water company have refused to work for the city, and the city engineers are unable to operate the plant. —The steamer Cleveland, which left San Francisco for Puget Sound ports on December 4, is reported wrecked on the southwestern shore of Vancouver Island. The crew deserted the ship in small boats, and twenty-two of the thirty men she carried are missing, the captain and seven others having landed safely. —The Portland Chamber of Commerce has secured pledges for over one hundred tons of provisions for the Klondike miners, and a large number of volunteers have offered their services in transporting the supplies to Dawson. The provisions and men will be placed at the disposal of the War Department. —The United States Attorney-General has directed that a bill in equity be filed against the Coal Dealers' Association of California, for violation of the antitrust law of 1890. This association is composed of coal dealers who have entered into combination to keep up the price of coal and drive out of the business all who do not comply with their requirements. —A resolution was unanimously passed by the Senate on December 9 authorizing the postponement of the sale of the Kansas Pacific Railway until such time as the conditions of the road could be examined into by the Senate. Acting upon this instruction Attorney-General McKenna secured the postponement, and the sale of the road will be postponed for sixty days. —Great sun-spots are now visible to the naked eye near the center of the sun. Astronomers are calculating that the sun is preparing to send off another planet, and are predicting that when this occurs, it will be accompanied by destruction of all life on the earth. Measurements of these sun-spots show that an area 100,000 miles by 40,000 miles is affected by this unexplainable phenomenon. —A specimen of the long-lost animal known as the elotherium has been found embedded in rock in the Bad Lands of South Dakota. The finding of this animal in the stratum which it occupied will cause a reversal of scientific theories in regard to the ages of certain animals. Geologists are unable to account for the location of this rare fossil. In this is shown again the weakness of scientific claims in regard to the great age of this planet, especially when these are set up as disproving the Bible. PUBLISHERS SIGNS OF THE TIMES
By Editor
Notice.—We are notified by the publishers of the Review and Herald and Youth's Instructor that all subscriptions, new or old, whether clubbed with other papers, or not, for those journals, will after January 1, 1898, be full, regular price, $1.50 for the Review, $1.00 for the Instructor. Consequently, after that date our clubbing rates, heretofore published in these columns, will be discontinued. PUBLISHERS SIGNS OF THE TIMES
WE have purchased all the Travels of Paul maps the publisher had in stock. Another edition is being printed, and all orders will be filled at an early date. This is a regular $1.50 map; our price, $1.00. PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal. WE THINK YOU WOULD
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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. Articles Desired.—Those which set forth in the Spirit of Christ the great saving truths of God, short and to the point. It is better to treat one important truth clearly, in a short article, than many points vaguely in a long one. We desire no caustic, critical productions, which might minister to personal pride or pleasure, but can not save souls. 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. Written by a Native Daughter "No better romance can be found in the annals of truth."—Christian Cynosure. An account of the Mutiny of the English Sloop of War Bounty,
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The SIGNS OF THE TIMES will present in a special manner during the coming volume what its name indicates, and more. It stands pre-eminently as a watchman on the walls, to observe with vigilant eye the portentous events taking place within the world's horizon, faithfully to portray them, and quickly to warn against impending danger. While it will thus earnestly call the attention of all to the signs of our times, it will at the same time give as prominent place to the great and important doctrines that are agitating the world more and more as the years go by, all of which, however, constitute remarkable signs in themselves. The Gospel of salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ is one, and its presentation demands practical instruction for the daily living, in view of the vast importance of the near approach of the great day of the Lord. The science of Christianity in its various phases will be our theme. Among other important and timely subjects, the following will find place:— The Coming of the Lord; Its Nearness; What It Means,
The Millennium,
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Practical Living. The SIGNS embraces the following departments:— Editorial; General Articles; Outlook, discussing in short paragraphs the more striking events of the day; The Fireside, especially devoted to helpful hints and helps for the home life,—health and temperance; Missions, in which descriptive sketches and practical work find a place; International Sabbath-school and Sunday-school Lessons, giving the text of the Revised Version, with practical helps and thoughts; News and Notes, for the world's happenings, boiled down, carefully sought out, up-to-date; Question Corner, where honest queries will be honestly answered in the light of the Word; Advertisements, few and carefully chosen, reliable, suitable for a religious paper. Contrary to the custom of many journals, we do not believe in exalting man, nor in holding up names as an inducement for would-be readers. So we publish no list of names accounted great by the world. But we do believe in securing the services of men of large experience in the Master's cause, and who are skilled in handling the Word and the pen. Such men have been secured, and we can confidently promise our friends a pleasurable feast of solid things for the ensuing year. We have added to our editorial force, and shall spare no pains nor expense to better the SIGNS continually. The Word of God, and that alone, is our foundation. Not least, yet not greatest, is the outward appearance. Commendatory words have come to us the past year as we have improved in the make-up of the SIGNS. With the help of improved facilities we expect, beginning with Volume 24, to surpass all former records in this respect. We shall use better paper and better ink, and shall give first-class service in the way of illustrations and general arrangement. Are you with us? Notwithstanding added expense, the price will remain as heretofore, at the remarkably low figure of $1.00 per year. Just ponder a moment: an 800-page volume, finely illustrated, comprising a library of Biblical and historical information, for only $1.00! It can not be equaled by any other publication. Note our special offers also in preceding column. Special terms in clubs and to agents. Address,
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Oakland, Cal. The Catholic Mirror of December 11 well says in its "Catholic Truth" department:— "The church is of necessity, and by divine institution, one; therefore she must always have a primate or chief pastor; and as she is to last to the end of time, so the primacy must also last, and perpetually abide in her, as it belongs essentially to her nature and institution." To the oneness of his church the Word of God bears abundant evidence. The wonderful prayer of Jesus in John 17 is a living prayer of the ages for oneness. We are expressly told that the church is the body, and that "there is one body" and that "the body is one." Eph. 4:4; 1 Cor. 12:12. A body with two heads is a monstrosity. And that the body might never have two or more heads, God placed that headship in Jesus Christ, who is "the same yesterday and to-day, and forever." Heb. 13:8. "He is the head of the body, the church," for God "gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body." Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22, 23. There is no place for any other body on the head or place for any other head on the body. Both are bound together by the one life, the "one Spirit." Eph. 4:4; 1 Cor. 12:13. DECEMBER 25 IN OTHER RELIGIONS.
THE following is what W. H. Bach, of Lily Dale, N. Y., writes to the New York Journal:- "An editorial in to-day's Journal calls attention to the fact that a clergyman wants us to stop teaching the myth of Santa Claus to the children and confine ourselves to teaching matters of religion pertaining to the day. "If we are asked to refrain from teaching children myths about Christmas, why not teach them that it was celebrated in olden days as the birthday of the pagan gods? "Bacchus of Egypt, Bacchus of Greece, Adonis of Greece, Krishna of India, Chang-ti of China, Chris of Chaldea, Mithra of Persia, Sakia of India, Joa-Paul of Britain, were all said to be born on December 25, most of them hundreds of years before the beginning of the Christian era. "In the Aryan sun-worship, the sun was considered the creator, saviour and destroyer of life, the Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva. When the sun went toward the south it withdrew its heat, and death and desolation followed in its wake. It was the destroyer of life. When it reached its utmost southern point it remained stationary three days, and on the morning of the 25th of December it rose a little higher than it had been the preceding mornings and was hailed as a saviour. As it traveled back toward the north, life came back to the earth, the flowers blossomed, the grass grew, and all was life; it thus became the Creator of life. Why not tell the children the plain, unvarnished truth, that Christmas is older than Christianity, older than any religion now in vogue. Every person who has taken the trouble to make an investigation of the matter knows this to be true." The fact is that in all heathen times there will be found traces of a midwinter festival on which an apostate church built Christmas, a name in itself idolatrous. However, there is an older religion than all, the religion taught by the Scriptures, and that religion ages ago warned the people of God against the observance of heathen times. Lev. 19 : 26; Deut. 18 : 10-14.