I NEVER saw a garment too fine for a man or a maid; there never was a chair too good for a cobbler or a cooper or a king to sit in; never a house too fine to shelter the human head. These elements about us — the glorious sun, imperial moon — are not too good for the human race. Elegance fits man; but do we not value these tools a little more than they are worth, and sometimes mortgage a house for the mahogany we bring into it?
I would rather eat my dinner off the head of a barrel, or dress after the fashion of John the Baptist in the wilderness, or sit on a block all my life, than consume all on myself before I get a home, and take so much pains with the outside when the inside is as hollow as an empty nut.
Beauty is a great thing; but beauty of garment, house, and furniture are tawdry ornaments compared with domestic love. All the elegance in the world will not make a home; and I would give more for a spoonful of real heart-love than for whole shiploads of furniture and all the gorgeousness all the upholsterers in the world can gather. — Oliver Wendell Holmes.
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"Enter Not into Temptation"
"THE boy who smokes the cigaret, or loafs on the corner, or participates in vile stories," says Eugene C. Foster, in the Sunday School Times, "is just entering. Safety lies on the outside, but his foot is across the door-sill. A boy got into trouble recently, and came to see me. I said, 'Would you have done this thing six months ago?' He said, 'No, I would not.' 'Why wouldn't you?' I asked. He hung his head, and then admitted that the intervening six months had carried him deeper and deeper into the tobacco habit, and the loafing habit, and the vile-story habit; he had 'entered;' any sin was possible now."
Wanted — By a Worker
"Spirit of Prophecy," volumes 1 and 3; "Spiritual Gifts," all volumes; "Life of Paul," E. G. White edition; "Redemption," "Life of Christ," and "Ministry of the Apostles." State price wanted, and correspond with Emma Wilkinson, 210 South 4th St., Walla Walla, Washington.
Young Ladies
Four young ladies and two middle aged women wanted at once at the Vegetarian Cafeteria, Los Angeles, Cal. Good wages. Good home. Eight hours' work. Opportunity for missionary work. Address E. G. Fulton, 259 S. Hill Street, Los Angeles, California.
Approximate Chronology
"Type and Antitype"—a booklet giving the Scriptural and historical facts, physical and climatic conditions, and astronomical calculations, that enable us to establish in our own modern calendar time the exact date of the Passover, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus. Price 25 cents. Address H. H. Perry, 67 19th St., San Diego, California, or your tract society secretary.
For Sale
Our home in Mountain View, California. Cottage of four rooms, bathroom, pantry, screened porch. Good cellar 22x22. City water and sewer connections. Two lots 100 x 150 feet; fenced. Water piped to garden; six outside hydrants. Chicken yard 30 x 100 feet, and barn for 50 fowls. Variety of 32 choice two-year-old fruit trees. Blackberries, raspberries, logan berries, strawberries, and grapes in bearing to supply family. Also garden. Three blocks from Seventh-day Adventist church and church school. The property is good. The price is right. Called to another field, reason for selling. Address J. H. Behrens, Box 1304, Fresno, California.
Hygienic Vegetable Cooking Oil
No More Healthful Shortening Made
Like Olive-oil and keeps indefinitely. 5-gal. can, $4.50; two cans, $8.50; 8 1-gal. cans, $7.75; half barrel (about 32 gal.), 76c per gal. Cash with order. By freight from Louisville or New Orleans. Address Dr. O. C. Godsmark, Chattanooga, Tenn. Department D.
Royal Canners
You can make a good living on a small piece of ground with one of our Royal Fruit and Vegetable Canners. Good money in canning for the market. Easy to learn. We teach you how. Our methods retain all the delicate, natural flavors. A splendid Health Food Business all your own. Write to-day for our illustrated circulars. Full equipments from $8.50 to $25.00. Also cans, labels, etc.
HOME SUPPLY & MFG. CO.
Chattanooga, Tenn.
News Building, Department D.
Our Work and Workers
NINE have been added to the church at Lone Star, Texas, and two have been baptized at Keltys.
Two families have accepted the message as the result of home Bible studies at Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
SIXTEEN souls were recently baptized at Tinnevelli in India. Of this number thirteen came from practical heathenism.
At Clovis, New Mexico, where protracted meetings have been held by Brethren Benton and Moody, a church has been organized.
Two families have been added to the company at Tolstoy, South Dakota. The believers there have been organized into a church.
Good reports come from Colo, Fiji, telling of additions to the church in that part. During the past three months twelve have been baptized.
Two young men were baptized and two other persons united with the faith at the conclusion of a series of meetings near Petersburg, Indiana.
THE annual report of the Wales Conference says that during the past year their membership has quadrupled, increasing from sixty-four to two hundred and thirty-three.15
THREE converts are reported at Seward, Nebraska. One family have accepted the message at Bertrand, and three persons at Red Cloud. At Sterling, three have received baptism.
A SISTER in Great Britain recently sent to the General Conference an offering of $1,000 for the cause in Singapore, Straits Settlements. This will greatly augment the work there.
A REPORT from Joliet, Illinois, says: "From six to twelve are asking for baptism; and as soon as the candidates have been instructed and examined, the baptismal rite will be performed."
IN Catholic Austria we have three hundred believers, seventy-six having been baptized during the last six months. In spite of the present restrictions, the Lord is opening up the way to both the preacher and the canvasser.
ELDER D. A. PARSONS, new president of the Utah Conference, writes: "The whole field is taking a new interest in the work of soul winning, and our workers are reporting growing interests in all parts of the field. Several have taken their stand for the message since I came."
THROUGH the recent organization of the Carterville, Illinois, company, twenty-five members united in church fellowship, pledging their allegiance to the principles of the covenant. "After the service," reads the report, "we all went to the water, and witnessed four, in the vigor of their manhood, follow their Lord into the watery grave and then arise to walk in the new life. There will be eight more, at least, to take this step when the weather is warmer."
AN interesting report from Brother A. N. Allen, from Peru, South America, reads: "Tho we have had wars and rumors of wars, and fightings within and without, God has blessed His cause in this land of the ancient sun-worshiping Incas. Thus far thirty-four have been baptized this year, all but one coming directly from the Roman Church. Recently in Puno, Brother Stahl and I were met by crowds of Indians carrying flags, and hundreds came out to hear the Word, coming for leagues over the Andes Mountains and across the plains. Large numbers escorted us from one town to another, and I preached in one Catholic church. Fifteen of the Indians were baptized."
Progress in China
By A. C. Selmon
"O send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill." Ps. 43:3. So the psalmist prayed, and such is the prayer that is going up to-day from honest souls throughout the Orient. Any who have read the few Chinese Christian biographies that have been written, could not fail to be impressed with the earnestness that possesses these people when they are searching for the light.
As the literature of this warning message goes out from our press here in Shanghai, we are assured that God, by His Holy Spirit, will impress men to study and accept the truth. An instance of this is seen in the following circumstance. A young man who is engaged as a clerk by an English firm, writes us from the Federated Malay States as follows:
Three Chinese preachers, one ordained and two licensed. All three men were signally led of God to accept present truth.
I beg to notify you that through reading the [Chinese] Signs of the Times last year, I obtained abundance of blessings, especially the knowledge of the Sabbath truth. I now know that the Sabbath was changed, and that the tradition that Christians should keep Sunday has found a place in the churches of almost every denomination. It is fortunate for us, as I feel, that we have some earnest people of your respected church to give a warning message to the people of the last days. ["To be an alarm-tell for the last generation," is the Chinese expression used.] I very much hope that God will impress the hearts of the people of all churches, that they may see which is right and which is wrong.
Enclosed please find $1.00, for which send me 100 copies of "God's Love for Man."
Recently two of our Chinese brethren went over to the island of Formosa. So far as we know it is the first time any of our faith have ever set foot on the island. These brethren, during the time they remained there, secured over two hundred subscriptions for the Shi Djao Yuoh Bao, and in addition sold a large number of single copies of the paper. They also sold over two thousand copies of tracts, and five thousand four hundred Sabbath calendars. They report meeting a man who stated that over ten years ago he heard that there were many sects among the Protestant churches. He had always felt convinced that among these sects one church would be found that had the true doctrine. As our brethren held studies with the man, he was impressed that he had found the true doctrine. This man felt convinced of the Sabbath truth, for as he said, he read in Luke, 23d chapter, that those women who followed Jesus kept the Sabbath according to the commandment. Our brethren ask that we pray for this man, for at present he is trying to keep two days, else he will be cast out of the church of which he is now a member.
A scene in China blending the old and the new. The aeroplane in sight is that of a French aviator who is making weekly flights in Shanghai.
In such instances as these, do we not see clearly that God is working upon men's hearts, preparing the way for a quick work to be done? In one instance a man came to one of our mission stations and secured some literature. He seemed to be an earnest seeker after truth, but later developments showed that this was not the case. Upon returning home he threw the literature aside. A friend came to call upon him, and noticing our papers, asked for the loan of them. Taking them home, this man, who was like the noble Bereans, studied the literature carefully, comparing it with the Scriptures, and finally, after some months of study, began the observance of God's commandments. In spite of sickness, during the last two years he has been a power in the work in Central China. Through the letters and literature that he sent to a friend in another province, this friend also took his stand to keep the commandments of God, and began at once to make known the new-found truth. (This man is the middle one of the three seen in the accompanying photograph.) As a result a company was soon raised up, and another province opened. There are now in this province over twenty Sabbath-keepers.
The fire at Colon, Panama, which burned six blocks in one hour on three streets, three churches, one mission house, our printing plant, and the homes of our workers. The cross shows where our publishing house stood. Sister Haines, whose family lost all, sends the photo.
The City's Heartless Heart
By Delwin Rees Buckner
By Delwin Rees Buckner
In desert solitudes, where night-hawks fly,
And howling bands of queer coyotes greet
Their comrades of the bush; where rab-
bits' feet
Map zigzag routes of new discovery,—
There ne'er feel I so lonesome as when I,
A stranger, tread some crowded city's
street
Where every hurried person that I meet
Seems naught to care if I do live or die,
But tho unthinking man may pass me by
Like some cold statue, with its rigid face
That never sees but only straight
ahead,
I know there's One who'll listen to my cry
For help: He will provide some resting-
place,
And see that I am sheltered, clothed,
and fed.
Our Mission Funds
By Editor
For April, 1911
Our donations to Chinese Famine Fund of last week were too large by $37.50. Three items of $7.50, $25.00, and $5.00 were repeated from our previous issue of April 25. Compare the reports there given. This cuts down our "previously reported" on that fund to $532.70.
CHINESE FAMINE FUND
Previously reported to April 25
$532.70
Sarah Reah
.50
Samuel Portner
2.00
W. B. Eekhout
1.75
Mrs. C. M. Gleim
1.00
Martha Rhodes
5.00
Total to May 1
$542.95
CHINESE PRESS FUND
Previously reported
$237.25
Nameless
20.60
Mabel E. Childs
7.00
"B. P. S."
2.00
Alberta Thomas
.25
Christopher H. Prior
1.00
Mrs. Addie Williams
1.00
Mrs. J. A. Hardy
2.05
J. P. Knowlton
2.00
Samuel M. Portner
10.00
Mrs. A. H. Gifford
2.00
Mrs. Rose Dotson
.50
Mrs. Wm. Chinnock
15.00
Oma Stamper
1.25
Geo. Bonners
6.00
Total Press Fund
$307.90
INDIA MISSION
Previously reported
$60.35
Axel Nelson
8.00
Total to May 1
$68.35
TOKYO CHURCH
Previously reported
$30.25
J. H. Neall
3.50
Total
$33.75
TOTALS FOR FIRST FOUR MONTHS
Chinese Press Fund
$307.90
Chinese Famine Fund
542.95
Indian Mission
68.35
Tokyo Church
33.75
Total
$952.95
Publications Wanted
Clean copies, post-paid, for distribution, of SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Signs of the Times Monthly, Watchman, Life and Health, Liberty, etc. D. A. Easton, R. F. D. No. 8, Bowling Green, Mo.
June Signs of the Times Features
By Editor
The June number of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES magazine appears with a beautiful and appropriate cover illustrating the prophecy of Daniel 12:4. It contains a number of leading articles which will be of special interest to our readers. One of the special ones is entitled —
"Many Shall Run To and Fro," by the editor, and in it is shown the providence of God in the great inventions of the past one hundred years or more, the extent and results of these to-day, and how all of this was but for a purpose — the giving of the Gospel in this generation. An important article.
Others are —
"Millions for Minutes," by M. C. Wilcox, showing the intensity of the times and conditions in communication and transportation. The new New York Grand Central Terminal is one example. You will enjoy every word.
"Sane and Scientific Eating," by David Paulson, M. D. The human furnace, dietetic clinkers, heat- and energy-producing food, the backbone of a meal, fruits and vegetables the dietetic storehouse for mineral salts, milk and eggs, natural meat substitute, and eating clinkers, are some of the subheadings of this strong article.
"England and the Reformation," by E. E. Andross. The Breaking Day considered in the following steps: Britain's part, the reforming power, two parties developed, the cause of apostasy, and the fruits of apostasy.
"France and the Reformers," by Mrs. E. G. White.
"Aspects of Psychic Healing," by Prof. George W. Rine, is a valuable study of this subject, and shows the deceptive methods in contrast with the work of Christ.
"The Final Conflict," by F. M. Wilcox, showing the intensity that to-day marks the struggle between the forces of good and evil; the fulfilment of important prophecies; the marshaling of the forces; the delusive hope of peace; and the invincible God the tower of strength for the messengers of truth.
"The Promise to the Fathers," by William Covert. An interesting study in Old Testament history.
There are also several pages of stirring current topics. The illustrations are unusually good. In all, it is an excellent number.
If the agent doesn't call on you, send ten cents for a copy to —
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Mountain View, Cal.
Steps to Christ
By Editor
Steps to Christ.—This little work, by Mrs. E. G. White, presents in a simple and attractive manner the steps by which the sinner may be made complete in Christ. While the book is an excellent guide for inquirers and young converts, it also contains a wealth of counsel and encouragement for those who are laboring with the difficulties that beset a growing experience. Paper covers, 30 cents; cloth, plain edges, 60 cents; cloth, gilt edges, $1.00. Address this office.
CHRIST OUR ADVOCATE
A clear, tho brief, setting forth of the Bible types and symbols, the services in connection with
CHRIST OUR ADVOCATE
the earthly sanctuary, the effectual sacrifice and priesthood of our Lord, to which all these types pointed, and the great prophetic period of Dan. 8:14.
Contains 112 pages and is illustrated. Price ten cents.
PACIFIC PRESS
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IN THREE DAYS
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SUBSCRIPTION RATES
By C. H. Jones
N. B. 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.
One new yearly subscription and one renewal, or two new yearly subscriptions, sent at one time, $3.00.
Two new yearly subscriptions and one renewal, or three new yearly subscriptions, sent at one time, $4.00.
Three new yearly subscriptions and one renewal, or four new yearly subscriptions, sent at one time, $5.00.
Sample copies sent on application.
Weekly and Monthly SIGNS one year, combined, $2.25.
DATE OF EXPIRATION
The SIGNS wrapper bears date of last issue due on your subscription. Unless renewed in advance, paper stops with expiration date.
If herewith is an order-blank, you will know you have overlooked sending renewal. You will not wish to miss a single issue. Back numbers often can not be furnished.
C. H. Jones, Circulation Manager.
Without Questioning.
Faith accepts God's word of promise or precept without question. It may properly question as to whether the requirement or promise is from God; but having that evidence, faith responds; and the soul that longs to do God's will will ever have the evidence in time of testing. The majority of men want God's blessing, but they want it in their own way. But it is impossible to so obtain or retain God's blessing. Selfishness turns the blessing to a curse. The blessing designed for good, works out evil. The man who adds to or subtracts from the promises of God, does not have God's promises, but his own poor conception of God's goodness. He who seeks to mold or change or curtail one of God's commandments, does not possess God's precept, but one of his own making. He has limited God's wisdom by his own. He has said that God's law needs amending, His wisdom supplementing. He who seeks to obey nine precepts out of the ten of the Decalogue, does so not to please God, but to please himself. The real test of faith always turns over that which is contrary to carnal desire and wisdom.
Simplified Spelling
Simplified spelling is coming to stay. Superintendent William H. Maxwell of the New York public schools recently declared that while he dislikes the new forms like “thru” for “through,” and “past” for “passed,” he still believes that “when generally used, it will be found to be the cause of very great and social uplift.” He sees its great advantages in teaching so many foreigners.
Dr. W. T. Harris, of international fame in the educational world, tells us that the great difficulty is in learning to read with our unscientifically formed words.
He says: “I am quite confident, however, that at least one year might be saved by the use of purely phonetic spelling. Let us suppose that the child has learned to spell phonetically ‘puff’ and ‘muff.’ He receives with consternation the intelligence that ‘rough’ and ‘enough’ are not spelled ruff and enuff, and when he learns that ‘dough’ is not duff, but bread in the making, and that ‘cough’ is not cuff et co. but the malady that so often affects nose and throat, he naturally loses all faith in association and analogy.”
In Our Next Issue
By Editor
There will be published the second article on
The Plan of Salvation;
Christ's Coming the Salvation of His People;
A part of the Great Prophecy of Revelation 12—the Meaning of the Seven-Headed Dragon;
Letters to a Daughter—No. 1;
Conditions in Portugal from One on the Ground;
Missions in India.
There will be all these and more. You will want the paper; your neighbor may want it.
Bible Versions Used
By Editor
Our authority is the Bible, the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. When the Common ("King James" or "Authorized") Version or the American Standard Revised Version is used, the version will not generally be designated in reference. Any Bible quotation in this paper, therefore, differing from the Common Version, unless otherwise indicated, will be almost invariably from the American Standard edition of the Revised Bible, copyright 1910, by Thomas Nelson & Sons.
For further particulars, subscription rates, etc., see page 15.
God’s Prophets and Their Messages
It has never been true that God's prophets have been welcomed by the age in which they lived. After-ages have praised them, adored them, worshiped them, built monuments to their praise, and likened their theological favorites to them; but the prophets in the present that are like God's prophets of old, are unpopular. The prophet did not call the attention of the people to himself, but to God; and the true disciples magnified the Word of the Lord. It is true that at times men would have worshiped them, but the same ones afterward stoned them. Every true message and messenger to the church of Jesus Christ will exalt Jesus Christ; and every one who receives the message will glorify not the man, but God. When men preach themselves, it is well to receive them with suspicion.
Giving Joyfully
The only true way to give is to give joyfully. He who gives because some one else gives, because he would gain prestige by giving, because he fears if he does not give he will suffer loss, does not truly give. His heart is not in the gift. He enjoys neither gift nor giving. True giving is thus expressed: "Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly." Give to God's cause liberally, but above all give willingly, with rejoicing, with a perfect heart. There is health and blessing in it.
Congressional Membership Increased
A bill passed by the House of Representatives makes the membership of the House 433 instead of 391 as at present. The rearrangement of the congressional districts is left with the several States on the basis of one member for each 211,887 inhabitants. In no State is there a loss, in 25 States there is a gain. New York gains 6, California 3. The membership will be 435 if Arizona and New Mexico become States.
Fire at the Review and Herald
By Editor
We extend our sympathy to our sister publishing house, the Review and Herald, of Washington, D. C. They had a $10,000 fire April 24, but it was largely covered by insurance, and stopped work only for two or three days. It was confined largely to the third story at the back, and so the editorial rooms and library were spared. Glad are we, too, that no human being was killed or injured.
Trusts Electing United States Senators
It is said that the committee investigating the bribery charges in the case of Senator Lorimer is finding that the principals are outside of Illinois, and that other senators are also involved; in other words, the trusts have been electing a sufficient number of senators to effect or block legislation in the interests of the great corporations.
Revolution Threatens Mexico
The latest reports from Mexico say that the city of Mexico is threatened by the Insurrectos, and that Guatemala has troops on the southern border ready to enter Mexican territory on the least provocation. The revolutionists seem to be gaining everywhere.
Disastrous Fires Across the Country
Big fires have run riot of late. The Capitol at Albany, New York (loss $6,000,000), half of Bangor, Maine (loss $10,000,000), and severe fires in Oakland and San Francisco, are among them.
Simplified Spelling
Simplified spelling is coming to stay. Superintendent William H. Maxwell of the New York public schools recently declared that while he dis-
The Better Seeking
GOLD, gold, gold, gold, is the world's cry. Men blister under torrid suns, freeze in frigid zones, die of starvation and thirst, suffocate in foul dens, associate with the vilest men, soil and sell reputation and character, all for gold. And how many disappointed ones there are! To how many does the lure of gold bring everlasting shame or ruin or both! Yet to how few does there come great wealth in this world! and even when it comes it does not bring peace.
But, readers, friends, we know of mines of untold worth, open to all. No inclement clime shuts out the seeker; it is a pleasant and goodly land, open to all classes. No customs officer bars the way, tho. many have tried so to do, and are trying. The King of the country has set before all true seekers an "open door, and no man can shut it," and He says, Come. The gold you get in the mines of earth has promise of the life only that now is; the mines of which we are telling you have promise not only of the life that now is, but of that which is to come. Will you not seek these riches?
Where are they found?—In Jesus Christ, through the Spirit-filled Word. They are the "exceeding riches of His grace," "the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus." The blessings of earth—all that are needed—and all the blessings of heaven, come with the glory of the grace of God by believing in Jesus Christ. Myriads have tested this inexhaustible mine and have found it to be more than they could ask or think. O soul, seeking for riches, why not seek for the true riches in Jesus Christ?
