p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 50. (12/23/1897)

Earlier text: The Sunday School International Series

DO OUR READERS KNOW

By Editor

1. That the Signs of the Times, during 1898 is, by the good hand of the Lord, to be better than ever before?

2. That its columns will be lengthened, its space thus increased a column and a half, and the looks of the page thereby improved?

3. That it will be printed on better paper and will therefore be more readable?

4. That it will be much better illustrated with fresh and original illustrations?

5. That it will have more editorial help, thus enabling us to improve it in various ways?

6. That it will publish, as before, short, live articles on all the various phases of present saving truth, each issue such as would lead an honest inquirer to the Saviour of men?

7. That we have planned for a specially illustrated series of articles on the signs of the times which clearly reveal our present duties and dangers?

These and much more we have planned according to the wisdom God has given us, for the volume to come. There will be stirring articles on the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation, showing their meaning and fulfilment, a study of the book of Hebrews, revealing the power, humanity, and all-helpfulness of Christ Jesus, the work of the Spirit of God, and much more. In short, there will be a feast of good things spread before our readers fifty times a year, and all for the exceedingly low price of one dollar a year.

Many papers, religious as well as secular, increase their subscription list in order to secure paying advertisements; we hope to more than double our list the coming year, in order to spread the Gospel of our soon-coming King to save souls, and enlighten the pathway of those who are walking in the shadows.

We shall by His grace make the "Signs" a helpful all-around family paper, teaching the Word of God faithfully, a true friend and counselor in every home it visits.

This is a part of what we hope to do; our work we trust will speak better than our promise.

We want your co-operation in the increase of our circulation. We desire your aid in bringing souls to Christ Jesus. Read what the publishers have to say on pages 14 and 15.

Papers Sent Only With Advance Payment

By Editor

We send no papers from this office to individuals without pay in advance.

When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the "Signs" are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon to pay for them. Please read the papers you may receive, and hand them to your friends to read.

No Paper Next Week

By Editor

There will be no paper next week, as 50 numbers constitute a volume. The date of our next issue will be January 7, 1898.

A Happy New Year

By Editor

We close this volume by wishing all our readers a Happy New Year in the service of God. Only this can bring true and lasting happiness.

C. H. Jones Returns East

By Editor

Mr. C. H. Jones, the manager of our publishing house, returned from a three months' business visit to the East, especially to New York and Philadelphia. Altho indisposed a part of the time, he reports a prosperous and enjoyable trip.

Improvements for 1898

By Editor

The year 1898 ushers in a new era for the Signs of the Times and our Libraries. They will be printed on better paper, upon a new Cottrell web-perfecting press. Our office also puts in this week a new Corliss engine. Of these two first-class machines we shall have more to say in the future.

Not to Be Found There.

By Editor

In speaking of a young man, found guilty of murder, whose lawyers have exhausted every means of escape, his father is reported to have said: "— has made up his mind in religious matters. He has studied Catholicism, Theosophy, Mohammedanism, and Protestantism, and has taken the good out of all of them." We do not quote this to refer to this criminal case or any other, but to point out a very prevalent misconception regarding religion. The fact is that there is no concrete good in any ism; there is no essence or sweetness which one can extract. There are conceptions or theories of good, but theories will help no one. Mere abstract theories of good do not nor can they build character. "The demons believe," but they do not do. "Christianity" is regarded by many as an ism which has better theories and more beauty than any other ism; but that is not genuine Christianity. True Christianity is a life, a regenerating power. That life centers in Christ Jesus, and if obtained at all is obtained in him. Truly a man's case could hardly be called hopeful which depended upon the good to be gotten out of Catholicism, Theosophism, Mohammedanism, or Protestantism. Not isms but Christ, not creeds, but the Word of Life.

Peace

By Editor

Peace.—The Herald of Peace (Boston) asks that the third Sunday in December be observed by the churches as "peace Sunday." We do not blame the Herald of Peace for asking such a thing, but every sermon which every Christian minister preaches should be a message of peace, and be potent enough, if received, to take the war spirit out of every human heart. Christ is the Prince of Peace, he came to proclaim and give peace; his Gospel is glad tidings of peace, to proclaim peace to those who are near and those afar off. O, how much less of strife and bloodshed there would have been in the world if the professed servants of Christ had ever been what God designed them to be, messengers of peace!

A Nervous World.

The world is becoming nervous and hysterical; and this is manifest in its constant change and extreme of sentiment. One day it will be petitioning a State executive for the pardon of some monstrous criminal, and the next it will lynch untried and innocent men. This trait is seen in its legislation. An eastern newspaper well remarks: "We can get on a week's notice legislation against football, or against cigarets, or against tights on the stage. We can get curfew laws or laws defining the exact size of a bicycle bell. What we can not get are laws for just and equal taxation, for the punishment of crime, for the restraint of trusts and monopolies, or for the enforcement of the paramount authority of the people over their creature corporations. Of hysterical legislation we have a surplus; it is only in common-sense legislation that there is a deficit."

Name and Address Wanted

By Editor

Name and Address Wanted.—We have two articles, entitled, respectively, "God's Purpose" and "The Spirit, How Obtained and Retained," which were sent us some time ago. There is no name signed to the articles, and the accompanying letter, if there was one, is separated from them. Will the author send us his name?

Infant Baptism

By Editor

Infant Baptism.—In the SIGNS of November 11, question No. 659, page 8, it was stated that it is impossible to trace the origin of infant baptism, that is in the church. Dr. A. H. Lewis, editor of the Evangel and Sabbath Outlook, of Plainfield, N. J., kindly writes us that it may be found in his book, "Paganism Surviving in Christianity," pp. 93, 109, etc. He says: "It was introduced by the pagans long before the Christian era. It came into Christianity in the third and succeeding centuries from paganism." We are grateful for this information.

CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.

By Editor

Editorial.

"Where Is He" (notes) . . . . . 1, 2 Only a Shadow, E. J. W. . . . . 2 "He Hath Blinded Their Eyes," E. J. W. . . . . 2 Crime and Sin, W. N. G. . . . . 3 The Secret of Life . . . . . 3 God's Wonderful Law Written . . . . . 3

Poetry.

The End, ARTHUR C. BEAUCHAMP . . . . . 4 Keep to the Right . . . . . 9 He Knows, A. R. WILCOX . . . . . 10

General Articles.

The Love of God, MRS. E. G. WHITE . . . . . 4 The Covenants and the Sabbath, W. L. ILES . . . . . 5 Inspiration; What Is It? JOHN AP. WILLIAMS . . . . . 6 God's Way of Reform, M. E. K. . . . . 6 "The Most High Ruleth," No. 9, W. N. G. . . . . 7 Who Is Your Example, CLINTON DE W. SHARP . . . . . 8

Question Corner.—No. 684, The Everlasting Covenant—No. 685, Tithes—on What? . . . . . 8

The Outlook.—Revolution Predicted by a Catholic—Spread of Unitarianism, W. N. G.—Pharisaism in Legislation. . . . . 8, 9

The Fireside.—Nightshade or Morning-glory? LOTTA V. WALLAR—An Appeal for Prohibition—An Oriental Story—Is It Loyal? . . . . . 9, 10

Missions.—The Eskimos—A Logical Result of Works of Merit—Missions to Lepers—Our Work and Workers. 10, 11

International Sabbath-School Lesson.—Decision of the Conference (Sabbath, Lesson III, January 15, 1898) 11, 12

International Sunday-School Lesson.—Beginning of the Ministry of Jesus (Sunday, Lesson III, January 16, 1898) 12

News and Notes . . . . . 13

Publishers . . . . . 14, 15

Bible Offer and Prospectus

By Editor

We again call attention to our Bible offer, and 'Prospectus for 1898,' on pages 14 and 15.