p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 51. (12/20/1905)

Earlier text: Living in the Past or Future

WORLD'S GOLD AND SILVER.

Director of Mint Shows the Production for 1904—Australasia Leads in the Yellow Metal, with United States Third.

GEORGE E. ROBERTS, the director of the mint at Washington, has prepared a statement of the world's production of gold and silver for the calendar year 1904. The statement shows a total of gold valued at $347,150,700, an average of 168,493,538 fine ounces of silver, and a commercial value of silver totaling $97,726,300, the coinage value of which is $217,850,200. Of the total the United States produced $80,723,200 in gold and $33,516,000 in silver. Australasia produced the greatest amount of gold, $87,767,300. Africa ranks second, with $85,913,900, the United States being third on the list. The greatest silver-producing country was Mexico, the commercial value of whose output was $35,269,200. The United States ranked next. Russia produced $24,803,200 in gold and $100,300 in silver. Japan produced $3,984,000 in gold and $1,861,000 in silver. Canada's output was $16,400,000 in gold and $2,156,800 in silver.

The figures show an increase of about $22,000,000 in gold over the bureau's estimate for the calendar year 1903. The United States shows a gain of about $7,000,000, and South Africa of $8,000,000. The director says that both of these countries are still upon a rising scale of production. Australia, on the other hand, is an important producer which shows a tendency to reduce its contribution, altho the falling off is not large and may be temporary. Considering developments in well-known fields, it seems a reasonable forecast to expect the world's output in 1905 to exceed that of 1904 by $25,000,000, with another gain probable in 1906.—Springfield Republican.

ANTIQUITIES AT SIDON.

Mr. Ghosnel Howie writes, in the American Antiquarian, current number, that fifty years ago we were told that Sidon had no antiquities because it was too old. Recent excavations have astonished the antiquarian world with antiquities from Sidon. Among them is a wall of four courses of stone, two of which are very finely laid, leading the antiquarian to conclude that they are much older. These stones are of about a cubic meter, and so close together, so nicely dressed, that a small pin could not be driven in the seams. Another fact is that there are many inscriptions, nearly always on the unexposed side of the stone, one of which reminds the writer of Matt. 6:7, "Use not vain repetitions," as it repeats ten times over the same prayer or charm to drive away the evil spirit.

DOG-SHEARERS AND SCHOOLMASTERS.

By Pastor Wagner

[Pastor Wagner, in S. S. Times.]

ON a Paris square, not far from the old palaces of our kings, stands, winter and summer, a stern looking old fellow with a long, flowing beard. He is a dog-shearer, an important personage. He receives confidences and gives medical advice. I saw a lady the other day approach him with a timid air, such an air as mamas wear when they take their tender offspring to the high and mighty head-master. She carried, under her wrap, a young dog on the subject of which she wished to consult the old man.

Without getting up or taking off his hat (certain functions are incompatible with those expressions of a shallow civility), the man declared, in brief harsh words, that the dog had no style. "These ears hang too low, that tail is too long. All this must be altered."

The lady grew slightly paler, but mastered her emotion.

She was trying to find something to say, but the man had already seized the dog, saying, "Leave it to me. You will see. It won't take long." Then, from his bag of tools, he took two little iron rulers which he screwed on to the patient's ears. This done, he took a razor, and neatly cut off all that projected beyond the line thus marked. Then he seized a pair of large shears, and with a practised gesture docked the tail.

The poor lady was nearer dead than alive; the dog, petrified with terror, did not even yelp. Whimpering, he shook his two poor red remnants of ears and his poor bleeding stump of a tail. As for the man, triumphant, but with undiminished dignity, he said, "Now, madame, you may say you have a dog. Forty sous, please."

Rather rough, I thought, but I have seen the same thing elsewhere. Is it not thus human education is sometimes carried on?

Behold a little initiative showing the tip of its ear,—a little originality, a longing to think freely or believe independently, to be somebody,—in a word, not after the exact pattern of everybody. This is not to be tolerated. The individual must be brought to the regulation type. If he has it not by inheritance, it must be forcibly stamped upon him. Nature, no doubt, revolts; good sense utters its protest; but those convinced of the excellence of their methods are not held in check by such a small matter: "Leave it to me; it won't take long!" You give into their hands the rudiments of a man; they give you back a creature after the commonest pattern, docked of the most precious thing about him. The price is such and such.

Give your forty sous without grumbling. One could not pay too much for such a fine piece of work.

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By Editor

DESCRIBES

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Situation in Russia

The Situation in Russia does not improve. A late St. Petersburg despatch says the postal and telegraph strikers have decided to hold on and paralyze the government until all demands are granted. About one hundred and eighty thousand postal employees throughout the country are taking orders from the the central strike committee, which is said to control 6,000,000 men. In all, the forces of Social Democrats are estimated at 10,000,000 men. Military commanders are everywhere asking permission to resign, the list including even the Minister of War. Count Witte, head of the temporary government, is also said to be losing heart. The people seem determined not to accept anything but absolute popular government, and comparatively few of them really know what that means. The assassin of the late Lieutenant-General Sakharoff has not been identified. An official statement shows that 8,000 people have been killed at Odessa since the beginning of the riots. In the village of Okeno, near Odessa a thousand Jews were recently butchered by the mob, encouraged and assisted by the soldiers. All the British residents of Odessa are leaving. At Moscow troops are held in readiness for another expected Jewish attack, altho there is little dependence to be placed on the soldiers. There is little hope for the Jews through any of the colonizing schemes, as these could only include a small proportion of them. Even St. Petersburg is living in hourly fear of mob and siege. The Manchurian army is killing some of its officers, and the government refuses to bring it home for fear it will use its arms against the czar. Nearly all censorship of the press is non-effective, and chaos reigns.

TO WHOM SHALL WE GIVE PRESENTS?

THE Christmas holidays are at hand, a time generally devoted to revelry and gratification of the carnal heart. The occasion is nominally a celebration of the birth of Christ; but the general spirit of it is decidedly antagonistic to the work of Christ. We are living in "perilous times," when men, even those having "a form of godliness," are "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God." Such a time is designated in the Scriptures as "the last days" (2 Tim. 3: 1-5), and therefore in close proximity to the coming of the Lord.

In such a time, when the world is feasting, and "scoffers" are saying, "Where is the promise of His coming?" (2 Peter 3: 3, 4), it is a time for those who believe the Word of God to be fasting. It is a time when the world and those who follow the world indulge in mutual compliments, and presents to one another. The disciples of Christ, however, should remember that the wise men who sought to celebrate the birth of Christ brought gifts to Him instead of bestowing them upon one another. Matt. 2: 1-11. Whom shall we imitate in the coming holiday season—the world or the wise men?

To those who have been imitators of the wise men the Lord will say, "I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took Me in; naked, and ye clothed Me; I was sick, and ye visited Me; I was in prison, and ye came unto Me." Then they who are thus accredited will ask, When did we do this? and the Lord will reply, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me." Matt. 25: 34-40.

Throughout this dark world, in "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people," there are many who are hungering and thirsting after righteousness; and whatever may be given to the cause of enlightening, clothing, and feeding them, will be recognized in heaven as a present to the King. To whom should the most valuable presents be given, on the day set apart for celebrating the King's birthday, but to the King Himself? On the birthday of a friend, to whom do the birthday presents go? If we would have Him remember us at His coming, we should remember His needy cause while our remembrances may accomplish some good. "The night cometh when no man can work;" then it will be too late, and our gifts that might have been welcomed will be spurned.

A GREAT AND NEEDY CITY.

By Editor

FROM time to time the SIGNS OF THE TIMES will in its regular work give especial attention to the needy fields of the world. Most of these fields lie far outside of the bounds of this country. Yet there is one needy, very needy, field in this country, which it seems to us should appeal to Christians throughout the land. That field is the great metropolis of this country, Greater New York City. That need is the condition of souls in that great metropolis.

Read the article on page 12 of this issue. Look at that narrow street. Think of 4,000 people sweltering, dying, choking, toiling, moiling, in those stifling tenements. Many of them have little hope of blessings in this life. Do you not want to help them to secure the blessing of the life beyond? That will be the greatest benefit for the life that now is.

Sometime in January, 1906, we shall have an issue which has several articles dealing with conditions in our great cities, especially as revealed in New York. The president of that conference, Pastor C. H. Edwards, wishes to use many copies of this paper in that city. His force of workers and means are not adequate for the millions in that field. He ought to have help. Now, how many are there who will subscribe for ten, fifteen, twenty-five, fifty, one hundred, or five hundred, copies for that city. Of course if desired, these copies may be used in your own vicinity. Better still, subscribe for the paper and send it to Brother Edwards and his faithful force of workers in that field. This is a good time to help a great and needy field. The price of the paper is two cents each, or $2.00 a hundred. Let us hear from you, and hear speedily, as to how many copies you will take for yourself or for New York.

Inter-church Conference on Federation

By Editor

Inter-church Conference on Federation.—We again call attention to the report of the Inter-church Conference on page 6 in our Outlook department. Read what the different speakers said, some of them men of national reputation and influence, and some of them having even wider influence. Note what Bishop Fowler said. Is there danger of a realization of the thing against which he warns us? We again appeal to our readers to study this great movement with us. You can not afford to do otherwise. In that great meeting and its results is bound up the fate of the churches and the nations. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES gives a fuller report of this meeting than any paper in the world. At least we know of none giving so full a report. None of the great New York dailies gave so much space as we are giving. The eight or ten issues through which these reports and articles are to run we will send to any one for twenty-five cents. Every intelligent Christian and citizen ought to read them.

The Real Source of Anti-British Feeling

Anti-British feeling was so strong in New York City that Mayor McClellan did not dare to properly receive and pay the honors to the British squadron under the Prince of Battenburg that common courtesy seems to demand. President Roosevelt asked him to do this, but the mayor could not. The president was much annoyed, but from fear of endangering the Republican party, he did not venture to do violence to the anti-British feelings, which were very bitter. This on the surface. The real anti-British feelings are Roman Catholic feelings, pure and simple. Years ago, Cardinal Manning announced that it was the purpose of the Vatican to humble the great, proud British nation. That nation and the world was great for Rome, and the Vatican is still at it. Take away the religious elements, and the anti-British feeling in this country would be so small it would take a microscope to find it. The Independent tells us that the only civility shown to our international visitor was by the United States navy, the personal entertainment provided by Mr. R. M. Thompson, president of the Naval Academy Alumni Association.

The Bible or Tradition?

By Editor

"The Bible or Tradition?" is the title of the latest issue of the Bible Students' Library. It is No. 193, and is a masterly review of Dr. Torrey's recent tract, "Ought Christians to Keep the Sabbath?" His review is written by Brother C. H. Edwards, president of Greater New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and most effectually exposes the self-contradictory positions taken by Dr. Torrey, whose contradictions are emphasized by apt illustrations. This tract should be widely circulated. Thirty-two pages; price, 2 cents, $1.60 per 100. Address any of our publishing houses or tract societies. The author's address is 535 West 110th Street, New York City.

Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute

By Editor

We have received Bulletin No. 3 of the Nashville Agricultural and Normal Institute at Madison, Tennessee, near Nashville. It is for the purpose of helping those who are seeking training as missionaries. Agriculture, dairying, horticulture, gardening, industrial work for women, literary and scientific subjects, will be the studies pursued in the school. The object is to give a thoroughly practical all-round training for missionary work. It certainly presents a very rational course of training, and in expense it is within the reach of almost any one. Those wishing to make definite arrangements to enter the school should correspond with E. A. Sutherland, Madison, Tenn.

Danger of a Church Trust

By Editor

In both the Sun and Globe of New York there were letters from John S. Wightman, Religious Liberty Secretary, of New York, pointing out the danger of the great Inter-Church Conference developing a church trust and oppressive tyranny. The Review of Reviews refers to this in its current issue. Thanks for copies containing these letters.

Righteousness in Christ

Righteousness in Christ.—Do you reject God's Sabbath, and yet trust in the righteousness of Christ? Then know that the righteousness which Christ bestows is "the righteousness of God," wrought in Him by obedience to the law of God. It is seventh-day Sabbath righteousness. Jesus knew no other.

GOD'S CALL TO HIS PEOPLE. (ISA. 52 : 1, 2, 7-12.)

"Little Italy," New York City. In these few tenement houses dwell more than 4,000 people.