HENRY MOORHOUSE was holding a series of meetings in a mining district in the North of England, when one evening a notorious tough, Ike Miller, came in and took a seat near the front. Preacher and helpers trembled; this was the man who had threatened to break up the services.
The sermon was on the love of Christ, and the “Boy Preacher” longed to reach the heart of the wild, grimed miner who sat so strangely quiet gazing into his face. He could but think there was an eager look in those hard eyes. But when the meeting was over, some of the good old men gathered around regretfully.
“Ah, Henry, you didn’t preach right! You ought to have preached at Ike Miller. You had a great opportunity, and you lost it. That softly sort of preaching won’t do him any good. What does he care about the love of Christ? You ought to have warned him. You ought to have frightened him, and tried to make him see his dreadful danger, and the dreadful punishment he is going to get.”
“I told them,” said Mr. Moorhouse, in his childlike tone, so sweet to recall—“I told them that I was real sorry I had not preached right to him. I wanted so to help him.”
Meantime the big miner was tramping home. His wife—poor gaunt woman!—heard his step and started—“Home so early?” and she ran in front of the children, crowding themselves into a corner. But as he entered she started in bewilderment; he was not drunk; he was not scowling.
He put his arms around her and kissed her, and said, “Lass, God has brought your husband back to you;” then, gathering up the shrinking children: “My little boy and girl, God has brought your father back to you. Now let us all pray,” and he knelt down. There was a long pause, a silence but for the many sobs; he could not think of any words; his heart was praying, but Ike Miller had uttered no prayer and heard no prayer since his boyhood.
At last words from those distant days came to him—something that his mother had taught him—and from that hovel floor, in the midst of that remnant of an abused family, sounded out in rugged gutturals:—
“Gentle Jesus, meek and mild,
Look upon a little child;
Pity my simplicity;
Suffer me to come to thee.”
We know well that he was suffered to come, helped to come.—The Outlook.
FIELD NOTES.
By Editor
FROM the Missionary Echo we learn that Elder E. H. Gates is to labor for a time in Fresno, Cal.
THE Scandinavian Church in Brooklyn, N. Y., now has 50 members, and more than half as many more keep the Sabbath of the Lord.
AT Mt. Holly, N. J., on the 10th ult., four members were added to the church by baptism, Elder S. J. Hersum administering the ordinance.
ELDER J. M. COLE, missionary at Norfolk Island, arrived in Sydney, Australia, October 8, having gone there to attend the camp meeting at Ashfield.
AT Winfield, Kansas, where Elder M. H. Gregory has been holding meetings, the ordinance of baptism was administered for five succeeding Sabbaths.
ELDER A. W. BARTLETT reports four additions at Pasadena. Preaching and Bible-reading services were held in the parlors of the lodging house where he had a room.
PROF. W. W. PRESCOTT preached for the church in this city Sabbath morning and Sunday evening, November 24 and 25. He left for College Place, Wash., on Monday following.
A CHURCH of fifteen members was recently organized at Creighton, Mo., by Elder W. S. Hyatt, president of the Conference. This result followed the tent labors of Brethren L. W. Terry and H. L. Hoover.
BROTHER FRANK C. KELLEY, for several years connected with the book department of the Pacific Press Publishing House, sailed for Panama November 19, en route for Colombia, South America, to engage in missionary work.
BROTHER JOHN F. JONES reports the baptism of four persons at Baltimore November 11. A large company of people witnessed the ordinance, and the occasion was very encouraging to the brethren of the Baltimore church.
THE Kansas Worker says: “We receive good reports from our German school at Bison, Rush County. There are 36 in attendance, seventeen of whom are in the advanced grades, fourteen in the intermediate, and the others in the primary.”
THE Bible Echo of October 22 states that a good degree of success was attending the work in Rockhampton, Queensland, of which mention has heretofore been made. Several interesting cases were engaging the attention of the workers, and a baptism was about to be held.
THE new church building at Santa Ana, Cal., was dedicated November 11, free of debt. Elders N. C. McClure and Roderick S. Owen were present on the occasion. Elder McClure went from there to San Pasqual and San Diego, while Elder Owen remained to continue meetings for a time.
SOME of the brethren and sisters are wondering what they can do to spread the truth. They cannot go canvassing for high-priced books, they cannot afford to buy tracts to give away, and do not know what to do. Some can solicit subscriptions for periodicals; some can sell periodicals and pamphlets. Try some of these suggestions.
LETTERS from Brethren Bishop and Davis, who sailed for Chile in October, state that they were having a pleasant voyage, and had not suffered at all with seasickness. Although they had taken steerage passage, they had been granted the privilege of going to all parts of the vessel. This gave them an opportunity to distribute reading matter among the passengers. They expected to arrive at Valparaiso about Christmas. Their mission is to canvass for our publications.
LITERARY NOTICES.
By Editor
[The SIGNS OF THE TIMES holds itself under no obligation to notice any publications sent it by publishers. Those considered worthy of notice, or which are deemed profitable to its subscribers, will receive such notice as time, space, and value will permit.]
WE have received from the Palestine Model Company, Niagara Falls, N. Y., the "Teachers' Model of Palestine." This model represents a tract of country 200 miles long by 100 miles wide, and is 4x8 inches, made of plaster of Paris or of composition. It represents most vividly the physical features of Palestine, made from an original design by the Rev. Principal Austin, A.M., B.D., of Alma College, St. Thomas, Ont., and is based on the maps and survey reports of the Palestine Exploration Fund. The scale is given on each model, both horizontally and vertically, together with the exaggerations. A key also accompanies each model. The principal mountains, valleys, rivers, brooks, towns, and cities are given, together with the tribe divisions. A half hour's study of this model will give a clearer and more correct idea of the physical features of Palestine than the mere study of books, maps, and charts will for a month. One by such a map as this is able to trace with a vividness of impression which cannot be forgotten, the journeys of our Saviour, and to remember more clearly the historical events connected with this historical land. The price of this model which has been sent us is $1.50. Price of Gem Model, 17x9 inches, in white bronze, practically indestructible, framed and boxed for shipping, $4.00. The Gem Model in composition material, $3.00. The Sunday School Model, 34x18 inches, framed and boxed, is $10. Certainly we know of nothing which will be of more interest in the study of Bible history or geography, of more help to children on the Sabbath in the home, than these models of Palestine prepared by Professor Austin. Address Palestine Model Co., Niagara Falls, New York, or Toronto, Canada.
"FIVE-MINUTE OBJECT SERMONS TO CHILDREN." Preached before the Sunday morning sermon. By Sylvanus Stall, D.D. Cloth, 12mo, 256 pp., $1.00. New York, London, and Toronto: Funk & Wagnalls Company.
This little book is not only helpful in the matter it contains, but suggestive as well of many other good things. The forty-three brief talks or sermons which the book contains, were preached by Dr. Stall to the children of his flock just before the regular Sunday-morning sermon. Some natural and familiar object is used to illustrate each sermon and to fix its important moral truth upon the mind. The language is plain and simple, easily comprehended, but not childish nor silly. The book will prove helpful and suggestive to those who labor for youth,—for parents as well as teachers. It is worthy of a good circulation.
"A NEW LIFE IN EDUCATION." By Fletcher Durell, Ph.D. (Princeton), Professor in Dickinson College. (A prize book.) 12mo., linen cloth binding, 288 pp., 90 cents. American Sunday School Union, 1122 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.
The American Sunday School Union offered $1,000 in two premiums, $600 for the best work and $400 for the next best, written for the society, on "Christian Nurture and Education of Youth for the Twentieth Century." The above book, "A New Life in Education," received the first prize among many manuscripts, the name of the writer not being known till the prize was awarded. While we may not agree with all which the author says, especially in the application of the principles he discusses to the modern system of public education, yet are we thankful for the book. It has struck a higher note in the cause of education, which will meet with responsive chords in many hearts. Professor Durell admits, as do other high authorities, which he quotes, that the new methods in education are disappointing in results, and finds that the fundamental defect "is that the proper idealism has not yet been developed out of the new fundamental ideas." He then proceeds to discuss Christian education, Jesus as a teacher, and upon this point he truly says: "An examination shows that modern teachers, in all that is best in the vaunted new education, have but just learned the beginnings of his method. All that is best in the modern educational methods is found in Christ's method." And Professor Durell thinks that the cure of their defects is found there too. And so we believe, "A New Life in Education" is a worthy book, and every instructor of every kind ought to read it. It will expand the mind and quicken thought.
"How JOHN AND I BROUGHT UP THE CHILD." By Elizabeth Grinnell (of Pasadena, Cal.). Prize book. 12mo., 233 pages, 80 cents. American Sunday School Union, 1122 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
In the home of a Christian physician in California children are in training, and the mother out of her own experience writes how Johannes was brought up. The book deals with a large number of problems which come to every mother. The baby is not tantalized and teased, as, alas! so many little ones are. He is not told that his "nose is out of joint" when baby No. 2 comes. The temptations to small gambling, playing marbles for "keeps," etc., are met. The boy has his little bank, and his own money to spend and give. He is allowed to work out the hobbies which every healthy boy has. Finally, the lad comes up into young manhood, correct in principles, vigorous in body, a comfort to his parents,—such a man in the main as you wish your son to become.
The book contains valuable instruction, in the way of suggestions chiefly, which can but benefit parents generally.
THE date of publication of Funk & Wagnalls' Standard Dictionary has been announced as November 28, at which time the delivery of volume 2 will begin; also the delivery of the single volume edition. By actual count the Standard Dictionary contains, exclusive of the appendix, 301,865 vocabulary words and phrases, and the Appendix of Proper Names, Foreign Phrases, etc., contains 47,468 entries, making the total vocabulary of the dictionary 349,333—this after great care has been exercised to exclude all useless words. The immense increase of the vocabulary of the English language appears from the fact that the vocabulary of Webster's International Dictionary is 125,000 and the Century Dictionary is 225,000.
The New Science Review, the second number of which has come to our table, is an ably edited quarterly magazine launched on the journalistic sea, and asking for the popular breeze. It is published by the Transatlantic Publishing Company, 147 North Tenth Street, Philadelphia; 63 Fifth Avenue, New York, and also in London. It is conducted by Mr. J. M. Stoddard, for many years editor of Lippincott's. Its price is $2.00 a year, single copies 50 cents. The number before us is well filled with varied articles from such writers as Prof. James Dender, William George Jordan, Felix L. Oswald, M.D., Charles Barnard, and others. It is confined to no school.
PERIODICALS WANTED.
By Editor
CLEAN copies of the Signs and Pacific Health Journal are solicited for missionary work by Elder W. H. Falconer, 60 Wardlaw Avenue, Fort Rouge, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Send postpaid.
Angels; Their Nature and Ministry
ANGELS; THEIR NATURE AND MINISTRY. Contains also some hints on the origin, history, and destiny of Satan as gleaned from the Scriptures. Bible Students' Library, No. 8. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. 140 pp.; 20 cents.
THE BOOK CONTAINS
JUST FRESH FROM THE PRESS.
A NEW
# Sabbath School Song Book.
A choice collection of 240 pages of old and new Songs,
Garnered by F. E. BELDEN.
The "SONG SHEAF" has only been out about 60 days, but its sale has been quite phenomenal, already amounting to over
# TEN THOUSAND COPIES.
THE BOOK CONTAINS
50 pages of Primary Songs, over 100 pages of Intermediate Songs, 75 pages of the best Gospel and Special Songs, and more than 100 of the choicest Standard Hymns and Tunes.
SPECIALLY DURABLE BINDING.
Special attention has been given to the binding of this book, as there is usually complaint in regard to S. S. song books coming out of their covers. Each copy of "SONG SHEAF" is held firmly in the covers by a neat cloth joint.
Address any State Tract Society, or
New York City,
# Pacific Press Publishing Company,
Kansas City, Mo. OAKLAND, CAL.
The Law of God as Changed by the Papacy
By Editor
Is the title of a large Chart just issued, which shows in a striking manner the blasphemous pretentions of the Papal power. The testimony of the Best Catholic Authorities is given, and shows, by quoting their own words, that Sunday is a child of the Catholic Church. These quotations, together with admissions from standard Catholic works, are arranged in parallel columns on either side of this Chart, while the center column contains the Ten Commandments as taught by the Catholic Church. The whole forms a collection of extracts of incalculable value for every Bible student.
The Charts are three by four feet in size, and are printed on heavy map cloth in bold type, easily read across the largest room.
Price, Post-paid, $1.00.
A fac-simile edition on thin paper, size 5 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches, suitable for missionary distribution, has been prepared, and will be sent post-paid at 50 cents per hundred, or $4.00 per thousand. Address all orders to
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.,
OAKLAND, CAL.
NOW READY. .:. .:. NEW HOLIDAY BOOK
By Editor
.:. The Story of .:.
Pitcairn Island
BY ROSALIND AMELIA YOUNG,
A Native Daughter.
PITCAIRN ISLAND, one of the volcanic gems of the Pacific, has been heard of wherever the English language has been spoken. The story of the working out of the problem of human life on its limited territory
Reads stranger and more thrillingly
in many respects than a romance. But most if not all of the tales told and books printed have either been too fragmentary, or incorrect and misleading. It will be interesting to the friends of that miniature world to know that
An Authentic History
has been written, and that by a native of the island, one to the manor born. The title of the new work appears above. It is written by Miss Rosa Young, one of the direct descendants of the mutineers of the Bounty. The book, of 256 pages, is a plain, unvarnished tale of Pitcairn and its inhabitants from its settlement to the year 1894. It is written with a
Charming Simplicity of Style
which refreshes the reader and invites a continued perusal. This work is illustrated with 26 engravings by the half-tone process, and its 23 chapters have each a neatly engraved heading.
PRICE $1.00, POSTPAID.
Thousands can be sold by those who will canvass their neighborhood. Address any State Tract Society, or
Pacific Press Publishing Company,
Kansas City, Mo. Oakland, Cal. New York City.
International S. S. Lessons.
"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."—Neh. 8:8
LESSON XI.—SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1894.
THE TWELVE SENT FORTH.
[Note.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]
THESE twelve Jesus sent forth, and charged them, saying, Go not into any way of the Gentiles, and enter not into any city of the Samaritans.
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils; freely ye received, freely give.
Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses;
No wallet for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff; for the laborer is worthy of his food.
And into whatsoever city or village ye shall enter, search out who in it is worthy, and there abide till ye go forth.
And as ye enter into the house, salute it.
And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, as ye go forth out of that house or that city, shake off the dust of your feet.
Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Golden Text: "As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Verse 7.
Note.—This section of lesson includes the whole of Matthew 10, and the whole chapter should be read. A new development is here shown in Christ's ministry. After nearly two years of training our Lord sends the disciples out for the first time by themselves, two by two, to preach and work miracles, in order that they may get some experience to better fit them for the greater developments which are to follow. The intervening events between this lesson and our last are something as follows: After speaking the parables as recorded in our last lesson, Jesus sailed across the Sea of Galilee. Then followed the stilling of the tempest, the restoring of the demoniac of Gadara, the feast at the house of Levi, or Matthew, and the raising of Jairus' daughter from the dead, and giving of sight to the blind men. Parallel accounts to this lesson will be found in Mark 6: 7-11 and Luke 9: 1-6.
How many of his disciples did our Lord at first send forth? Verse 5. See verses 2-4 for the names.
What instruction did he give them? Note 1.
To whom were they especially sent? Verse 6.
What was to be the burden of their preaching? Verse 7. Note 2.
What were they to do besides preaching? Verse 8.
What provision were they to make for their support? Verses 9, 10.
What were they to do on entering a city? Note 3.
What were they to do as they entered a house? Verse 12.
How would they know whether the house was worthy or not? Verse 13.
What were they to do respecting those houses or cities which would not receive them? Verse 14.
How did our Lord compare such cities with Sodom and Gomorrah? Verse 15. Note 4.
What did our Lord say their condition and conduct should be? Note 5.
NOTES.
1. THE disciples were not to go to the Gentiles nor to the cities of the Samaritans. God designed to make Israel his messengers in giving his message to the world. This was Israel's privilege; and so for the three years of our Saviour's work, and the first three years of the apostles', they preached to the Jews; and it was not until the Jews rejected the word of God, as expressed by the apostle Paul, and put it far from them, that the apostles turned to the Gentiles. See Acts 13: 46. They were sent first to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, those who realized their lost condition, and were willing to accept of Jesus as their Saviour.
2. "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." That is, it was a special manifestation of the kingdom of grace, in which the character of the king was set before them by Christ. Some translate it, "The royal majesty of heaven has appeared." Christ's own kingdom will not be set up until he comes the second time. See Matt. 24: 31.
3. THEY were first to find one who was worthy, so as not to bring any scandal or reproach upon the cause. They were not to stop at a disreputable house. As they entered a house, they were to salute it, the common salutation of that day being, "Peace be unto you;" and if the house were worthy, there was the promise that that would be made known to them by the Spirit of God; but if it were not worthy, their peace would return unto them. Thus they were to be guided in their work. Their stay was to be but short. They were not to go from house to house seeking for greater comfort or convenience.
4. It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah, for the simple reason that Sodom and Gomorrah did not have the light which the cities of Judea had. They had only Lot's warning, and his far from perfect life, and yet a life which was much better than that of the people of the city; but the cities of Judea had the power of the gospel message carried home to their hearts by mighty miracles which were wrought by the disciples. Their punishment would be less tolerable, because they sinned against greater light.
5. In the last verse of our lesson, and in the ones which immediately follow, is presented the only defense of the Christian when persecuted for Christ's sake. He is not to oppose men with carnal weapons. Wisdom is to be used in all his discourse, even the wisdom of God, but he is to be as harmless as a dove. When he is delivered up before counselors and rulers, he is not to employ the earthly or carnal means generally used for defense. He is to leave his case wholly with God, and the promise is that the Lord will give him words that cannot be gain-said or resisted. From this we may certainly learn this lesson, that, as Christians are not to resist when their own life is in danger, they certainly will not persecute others when they have the power.
AND behold, a man named Joseph, who was a councillor, a good man and a righteous
(He had not consented to their counsel and deed), a man of Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was looking for the kingdom of God:
This man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.
And he took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was hewn in stone, where never man had yet lain.
And it was the day of the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on.
And the women, which had come with him out of Galilee, followed after, and beheld the tomb, and how his body was laid.
And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came unto the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared.
And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.
And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
And it came to pass, while they were perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel;
And as they were affrighted, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
He is not here, but is risen; remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
Saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
And they remembered his words,
And returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest.
Now they were Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; and the other women with them told these things unto the apostles.
And these words appeared in their sight as idle talk; and they disbelieved them.
But Peter arose, and ran unto the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths by themselves; and he departed to his home, wondering at that which was come to pass.
WHO followed Jesus afar off, and beheld what was done to him?
When they came to the sepulcher, what did they find?
As they were perplexed over the matter, who stood by them?
What did the angels say to them?
Of what did the angels remind them?
What did the disciples then do?
Who was it that told these things unto the apostles?
How did their words seem to the apostles?
Who ran to see if these things were so?
Did he understand what had taken place?
NOTE.
IN this lesson there is the clearest evidence as to the day of the Sabbath, and also to the fact that there has never been any change made in it. It is the evidence of the Holy Spirit, who inspired the writing of the record years after the events took place. Let us note a few points:—
(a) The day on which Jesus was crucified was the preparation day. Ex. 16: 22, 23 tells us what day was the preparation for the Sabbath. It was the sixth day of the week.
(b) The women went at once and bought the spices and ointments, and then they "rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment."
(c) It was the first day of the week when they came to the sepulcher to anoint Jesus. They came very early in the morning, yet "the Sabbath was past." Mark 16: 1. Therefore, since the Sabbath was the very day before they came to the sepulcher, and they came to the sepulcher on the first day of the week, and there are only seven days in a week, it is very plain that "the Sabbath day according to the commandment" is the seventh day of the week. So that, although the fourth commandment does not use the word "week" when it says that "the seventh day is the Sabbath," the Scripture plainly tells us that it is not an indefinite seventh part of time that is meant, but the definite seventh day of the week.
(d) We do not count anything on the example of the disciples. Human example is not what we are to follow. We are not to keep the Sabbath because they did, but for the same reason that they did, namely, because the commandment of God requires it. Moreover, it makes not the slightest difference that Jesus had not yet risen from the dead when the disciples rested on the seventh day of the week. It is the Holy Spirit that records the fact, and he calls the seventh day of the week "the Sabbath day according to the commandment." Whatever men may say of the Old Testament, there is no disagreement about the fact that the New Testament was written for Christians, and that the language of the New Testament is the language for Christians. Therefore the seventh day of the week is the Sabbath for Christians, and the first day of the week is an ordinary working day.
THE SABBATH AND THE LAW.
By John Nevins Andrews
By J. N. ANDREWS, late Missionary to Basel, Switzerland.
The author endeavors to give in this work an outline of the Biblical and Secular History of the Sabbath for six thousand years, as will be seen by examining the table of contents.
CHAPTER I. The Memorial of Creation.
" II. Moral Obligation in the Patriarchia-Age.
" III. Why the Law, when it entered, came only to the Hebrews.
" IV. The Sabbath at the Fall of the Manna.
" V. The Giving of the Law.
" VI. The Sabbath in the Old Testament.
" VII. The Two Covenants.
" VIII. The Sabbath and the Law in the New Testament.
" IX. The First Day of the Week not the Sabbath.
" X. The Change of the Sabbath.
This is the most valuable pamphlet published on the Sabbath Question.
