p. 15 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 40. (10/2/1901)

LESSON II.—OCTOBER 12.—PARABLE OF THE SOWER

NOTE.—In the preparation of these lessons all Scripture references, and the pages of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” should be thoroughly studied first, then the questions. The questions are not the lessons. They are only for the purpose of finding out what we have observed while studying. More of the preciousness of these lessons will be obtained if the lesson is studied each day throughout the week. In the parables of Jesus there is salvation from sin for every type of sinner—from the Pharisee to the prodigal. The notes are wholly selected from such portions of “Christ’s Object Lessons” as apply to each lesson.

LESSON II.—OCTOBER 12.—PARABLE OF THE SOWER.

Aid.—“Christ’s Object Lessons,” pp. 33–43.

Lesson Scriptures, Matt. 13:1–9; Luke 8:11, R.V.

Matt. 13:1–9.

1 “On that day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the 2 seaside. And there were gathered unto Him great multitudes, so that He entered into a boat, and sat; and all the 3 multitude stood on the beach. And He spake to them many things in parables, saying, Behold, the sower went forth to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside, and 4 the birds came and devoured them: and others fell upon the 5 rocky places, where they had not much earth: and straightway 6 they sprang up, because they had no deepness of earth; and when the sun was risen, they were scorched; and because 7 they had no root, they withered away. And others fell upon 8 the thorns; and the thorns grew up, and choked them: and others fell upon the good ground, and yielded fruit, some a 9 hundred-fold, some sixty, some thirty. He that hath ears, let him hear.”

Luke 8:11.

11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God.”

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

1. When Jesus gave the parable of the sower, what were the surroundings? Matt. 13:1, 2.

2. What did He say? Verse 3.

3. Was a sower in sight when He said this? What is the meaning of the word “behold”? In the application of the parable, who is the sower? Verse 37. What does He sow? What kind of seed? What is the seed? Luke 8:11.

4. What causes growth?—Life. Who quickeneth, or gives life to all things? Ans.—“God, who quickeneth all things.” See 1 Tim. 6:13.

5. Is that past merely, or present also? By whose life does the Creator make things live and grow?

6. If there were another source of life than God Himself, what would be necessary?—Another God besides the Lord. What, then, is the life of every seed and plant and tree?

7. What is a “fountain”? With whom is the “fountain of life”? Ans.—“With Thee [God] is the fountain of life.” See Ps. 36:7–9.

8. By what means are people created? Ans.—“The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty giveth me life.” Job 33:4.

9. How are they kept alive? Ans.—“He Himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” Acts 17:25.

10. What relation is there between God’s Word and His life? Ans.—“It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I have spoken unto you are Spirit, and are life.” John 6:63.

11. Then, since all things are now caused to be, and made to grow, by the “life” of God, does that mean by the “word” of God?

12. How are men born again? 1 Peter 1:23; John 3:6. Ans.—Born again by the “word;” born by the “Spirit.” “The words that I have spoken unto you, are Spirit, and are life.” John 6:63.

13. Are written signs and characters the real Word of God? Ans.—“For the Word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb. 4:12.

14. Since it is the same life in what we call “natural” things as that which is found in spiritual things, what ought we to see in all natural objects?

15. In the parable what did the sower sow?

NOTES.

THEY expected the Messiah to prove His claims by mighty deeds of conquest, to establish His empire on the ruins of earthly kingdoms. This expectation Christ answered in the parable of the sower. Not by force of arms, not by violent interpositions, was the kingdom of God to prevail, but by the implanting of a new principle in the hearts of men.

THE Word of God is the seed. Every seed has, in itself, a germinating principle. In it the life of the plant is enfolded. So there is life in God’s Word. In every command and in every promise of the Word of God is the power, the very life of God, by which the command may be fulfilled, and the promise realized. He who by faith receives the Word, is receiving the very life and character of God.

BUT the teacher of sacred truth can impart only that which he himself knows by experience. “The sower sowed his seed.”

Picturesque Route to Pan-American, Buffalo

If you are going to Buffalo, to New York, or to any Eastern point beyond Chicago, bear in mind that the Grand Trunk Railway System runs

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Inquire of Agents, or address

GEO. W. VAUX, A. G. P. & T. A., Grand Trunk Railway System, Chicago, Ill.

VIRGINIA HOMES.

You learn all about Virginia lands, soil, water, climate, resources, products, fruits, berries, mode of cultivation, prices, etc., by reading the Virginia Farmer. Send 10 cents, for three months’ subscription, to Farmer Co., Emporia, Va.

LESSONS BY MAIL ON MEDICAL ELECTRICITY OR HOW TO USE THE BATTERY

By G. L. Abell

By Prof. G. L. Abell, Member of the Board of Directors of the Electro-Medical Society of San Francisco.

Learn how to use the battery and treat yourself. Many diseases are quickly cured by the proper application of electricity. The course embraces the treatment of every organ and part of the body. The lessons are written in plain language and are illustrated. Course, five dollars. Send for circular. Address,

PROF. G. L. ABELL School of Chemistry and Electro-Therapeutics 36 Geary St., San Francisco, Cal.

Cottage for Sale in Healdsburg

FOR SALE.—Good modern cottage of four rooms, pantry and bath, in Healdsburg, Cal. A bargain. Write Henry Scott, Healdsburg, Cal.

PURE FOOD MAKES PURE BLOOD

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For circulars, terms, etc., address WILL T. DAWSON, Battle Creek, Mich.

BEASTS, BIRDS, AND FISHES

will delight the children. It is a volume of 126 pages and 363 illustrations with descriptive matter in connection with each cut. Price, 50c.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO. Oakland, Cal.

Holding Power

Power that will keep the drunkard from drinking, the thief from stealing, the liar from lying, the fighter from fighting—this is the power illustrated by active incidents related in

POWER FOR WITNESSING

It is a book of 201 pages, well bound in cloth. Price, 75c

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO. Oakland, California 11 West Twentieth Street, New York City 8 West Fifth Street, Kansas City, Mo.

Demand for Tract Literature

By Editor

The enormous sale of tract literature still continues, and September bids fair to eclipse even the million and a half pages of August. Every day brings a large quota of orders, and our resources are taxed to keep pace with the demand. During the last week the quarterly edition of the Sabbath-school pamphlet has demanded our attention. It may interest our readers to know that upwards of 28,000 copies have been printed, almost the entire quantity being shipped at once. All who desire copies should order them at once, as a second edition will not be printed.

Just here we would be glad to have our friends notice the list of pamphlets appearing in our advertising columns this week. Owing to a change in postal regulations, we fear we shall be obliged to raise the price of these publications after October first. Orders at the prices quoted should therefore be sent in at once to enable us to mail them before that date.

A Few More Diaries

We have a few more vest pocket diaries for 1901, which we are selling at ten cents each. The regular price is twenty-five cents, but on account of the lateness of the season we make this reduction. The diaries are well bound in leather, and contain much valuable information and space for accounts.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.

THAT DINNER

Such is the title of a little book which we published a short time ago, in which was an account of a vegetarian dinner given in New York City. The object of the booklet was to advertise a few of our books advocating health principles. Following is a notice which appeared in the current number of Current Advertising concerning it:—

“‘That Dinner’ is the interesting title of the neatest booklet in a series of well-printed advertisements sent out by the Pacific Press Publishing Company, of Oakland, California. ‘That Dinner’ is a delicious bit of printing. The size is 5x6 inches. The cover is of light gray antique stock, printed in dark gray ink, and tied with a heavy gray cord. It is an overhang cover with deckle edge. The inside consists of eight pages, printed in light blue and olive inks on hard-finished linen paper. The type pages are only twelve ems pica wide, and are printed on the outside of the leaf. By using this page arrangement, it is easy to read the matter without straining the cord binding.”

The above booklet will be sent free to applicants as long as our limited stock lasts.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.

SOUND AN ALARM

This tract is still selling well. It certainly is a timely document and should be circulated right now, when there is such a demand for the news concerning topics of the day. It is illustrated and contains sixteen well filled pages. Price only seventy-two cents per hundred.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.

11 W. 20th St., New York 18 W. 5th St., Kansas City, Mo.

LETTERS

The following extracts from letters are here reproduced to show how those who have read POWER FOR WITNESSING regard it. If you have not yet read this remarkable little volume, we hope these experiences will lead you to do so.

“It has helped me more than anything I ever read except the Bible. I loaned it to one of my friends here, who said she just had to give up her work and read until she had finished it. I want half a dozen copies with which to do missionary work.”

“I feel persuaded to add a word of personal testimony about your book, ‘Power for Witnessing.’ I believe it is the most helpful book I ever got hold of outside the Bible. I can scarcely put it down when I have an opportunity to take it up. I trust it may have a wide circulation.”

“I want to inform you of what the Lord has done for me through reading ‘Power for Witnessing.’ I have been connected with the church for two years, but during all this time was continually falling into certain sins. I have prayed and prayed for victory over the sins, but it never came. But I have the victory now, praise the Lord. Since reading the book I found I was not praying in faith when I asked for forgiveness of sins. I have now asked in faith, and He has forgiven me. I have asked for peace, and He has granted it to me. I am going to give the rest of my life to work for souls that are now out in the dark night of sin.”

“I can not describe my feelings the first night I began to read ‘Power for Witnessing.’ As the Spirit of God brought its searching truths home to my heart with such convicting power, a spirit of darkness seemed to settle upon me, and I could read no more—could only pray for help, and He who never turns a deaf ear to any one heard me. I am learning to trust Him more and more. And as I take more time to study His Word my faith is increasing.”

“My own sister was in a very despondent condition owing to sickness, and her faith was dim, but by the help of a Christian sister and the reading of this book she has been healed spiritually and physically.”

We have just published a beautiful booklet in which this book is described at length. It will be sent free to applicants.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.

11 W. 20th St., New York 18 W. 5th St., Kansas City, Mo.

CO-OPERATION CORNER.

By Editor

MANY of our faithful missionary workers would gladly use much larger clubs of the SIGNS than they are now circulating if they could afford to do so, while there are others who would be just as glad to pay for such clubs if they knew who needed them.

For these reasons we have opened the “Co-operation Corner.” It will contain requests for clubs of papers for use in various fields, short reports from those who are using such clubs, acknowledgments of money received, and such other information as will bring together those who can use papers but can not pay for them, and those who can pay for papers but are not situated so they can use them.

We are pleased to report a donation of $12.00 from Prof. P. J. Wolfsen, of Merced, Cal., which pays for 10 copies of the SIGNS one year to the Free School of Calcutta, India.

This past week we have received letters from several people who desire their SIGNS continued, but are in such close circumstances financially that it is impossible for them to send another year's pay. They write of their appreciation of the SIGNS, and tell what it has done for them. Part of these requests are from people who are well advanced in years and are dependent upon others for their support.

Who would like to have a part in continuing the SIGNS another year to these worthy subscribers? The price of each paper one year is $1.50.

Address your reply to SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

The Winning of Margaret

A story, showing in a beautiful way that the second coming of Christ is very near

A. G. L. No. 53 1c each 68c per hundred

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.

Oakland, California

11 W. 20th St., N. Y. 18 W. 5th St., Kansas City, Mo.

BAPTISM: Its Significance, Its Nature, and the Necessity for It.

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

By E. J. Waggoner. Bible Students' Library, No. 79. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. 16 pp.; 2 cents.

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The Most High Ruleth

“The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and ‘giveth it to whomsoever He will.’” This is what God taught Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. It is a truth that He wants rulers or would-be rulers, and all who trust in rulers, to learn. “The king is ‘dead! Long live the king!’” says Pardoe, in his life of Louis XIV, echoing the cry of the populace, and expressing the constant changes of the fleeting show of this world. President McKinley is dead! Blessing and success to President Roosevelt, we say, who took his oath of office, administered by United States District Judge John R. Hazel, September 14, at the house of Mr. Ansley Wilcox, of Buffalo, N. Y. Theodore Roosevelt is the youngest man who ever served as president; he will be forty-three October 27. He announces that he will faithfully carry out Mr. McKinley’s policy. Doubtless there will be some changes in the cabinet. Let all Christians pray that God may guide him; that he may ever remember the truth at the head of this note, and so order the affairs of state that all “may lead a quiet ‘and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty;’ for ‘this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our ‘Saviour.’”

Pronouncing Czolgosz’s Name

The name Czolgosz, the assassin of President McKinley, is pronounced, about as near as English can spell it, “Chollgosh,” or “Shollgosh.”

God the Revealer

By Editor

The article “God the Revealer,” upon the second chapter of Daniel, is long, but it was thought best to insert the whole rather than divide it. Read it all. God is the Revealer to-day.

A Race of Fanatics

One daily paper, in speaking of the long list of latter-day crimes against the representatives of law and government, remarks: “This long and terrible ‘list of crimes is sufficient without referring to affairs ‘like that of the Haymarket in Chicago to prove that ‘the later years have produced a race of fanatics as ‘dangerous as any who have ever lived.” And it is true. The same thing will erelong be seen in religious garb.

Do You Not Wish a Part in It?—

By Editor

In our Missions department will be found a most interesting article on “The Work in Fiji.” Note the needs as set forth by Brother Fulton. The islands of the Southern Pacific Ocean are a part of the Australasian field, a large field with small people, a poor people in this world’s goods, to carry on the work. But they have faith, and are pushing out into the regions beyond. Help is needed in the way of funds. Can not you supply at least a part of their need? Any funds that you can furnish for the Australasian or island work will be gratefully received. These funds may be sent to this paper, and they will be forwarded, or sent to the Foreign Mission Secretary, W. A. Spicer, 267 West Main Street, Battle Creek, Mich., specifying the purpose.

The Old Way Is the Good Way.

Dr. Berle, a writer in the Congregationalist, does not believe in the “laboratory method” of winning souls,—the method psychologic and analytic,—in which the mind is invaded and its characteristics catalogued and tabulated. He says: “For fifteen years I have been watching the steady advance of the illusion that souls could be brought to the kingdom in any other way than through the gateway of kindly leadership and the appeal to conscience.” He again declares that “man’s soul and heart were not made for the dissecting table of pastoral psychologists.” It is true. There is no other way but the way of Christ Jesus.

Self-Government, or the Reign of Conscience

International Religious Library, No. 16, has come to our table. The title is, “Self-Government, or the ‘Reign of Conscience.’” It is written by C. P. Bollman. Here are some of the subdivisions of this most excellent issue: The Origin of Government; The Theocracy of Israel; There Was No King in Israel; We Will Have a King over Us; Apostasy, a King, Ruin; The Kingdom of Heaven, Its Constitution and Law; Christ and Cæsar; The Apostles and Civil Authorities. This splendid number is a mine of information on right principles, and its price is only 2 cents. Address I. R. L. Association, 324 Dearborn Street, Chicago, Ill., or this office.

THE DEATH OF THE PRESIDENT.

Right upon the heels of the news that President McKinley would surely recover, and that the most of the physicians and statesmen had left Buffalo, came the sad and shocking report that he was lying very low, and but little hope was entertained of his recovery. He sank rapidly, the end coming at 2:15 A.M., September 14, about seven and one-half days from the time he was shot. Post-mortem examination indicates that nature had done nothing in the direction of healing the wounds, that the flesh around the course of the bullet was gangrenized and dead, and that the case was hopeless from the first. The bullet was thought by some of the physicians to have been poisoned. The walls of the stomach were pierced twice, and a portion of the kidney was shot away. The heart action was too weak for the crushing blow.

William McKinley was born in Niles, O., Jan. 29, 1843. He died at the age of fifty-eight years, seven months, and fifteen days.

President McKinley had no enemies. He cherished no revenges. When the mob was trampling on the man who shot him, he said to his friends who stood by, “Don't let them hurt him.” He yielded to the surgeon's knife with these words: “Thy will ‘be done on earth as it is in heaven.’” His last words were, “Let His will, not ours, be done.” And thus he died. The whole country mourns; the whole civilized world stands bowed with regret and respect. All hearts go out in sympathy to the feeble and sorely-bereaved widow, and thousands of hearts will pray that she may have the comforts of God in this sad hour.

William McKinley was a worthy citizen, a good president, a loving husband, and a noble man.

Funeral services were held in Buffalo, September 15, and in Washington and throughout the country, Thursday, September 19.

Free Speech.

By Editor

We believe in free speech as vouchsafed by the Constitution of this great federal republic. This means the free discussion of the principles of religion, of politics and public policy, of expediency and right; but the moment that it declares for the destruction of lawful government, and the assassination of rulers, it becomes a menace to government, a threat against the lives of those in authority, whether president or emperor; it becomes treasonable and criminal, and should be suppressed.

Let God’s Kingdom Triumph in Your Heart

The most important place for you for the kingdom of God to triumph is in your own heart and life. Let it triumph there. Let your continual prayer be, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done” in me, in my heart, in my life, in my flesh. So only will we ever truly know the triumph of His kingdom.

A Not Uncommon Kind.

The “Spectator” in the Outlook tells of a woman who employed a colored girl who had just “come through,” or gotten religion. The girl was set to churn, but obtained very little butter from the cream. She was afterward caught with a package of a pound or so, which she was carrying to her “mother in the Gospel,” an older woman in the church who helped her “come ‘through.’” A certain degree of excitement had been reached, but no change in character. There is a great deal of this sort of religion, thus expressed by an enthusiastic colored man: “I’se done broke ‘eb’ery one ob de commandments, but bless de Lord, ‘I habn’t lost my religion.” An honest colored man, recommending an honest cook, said: “O, she’s a ‘first-rate woman, Mis’ Lou; she aint got no bad ‘ways, and she doan’t nebber go to chu’ch.” O, how many need to be taught the better way; that true Christianity changes heart and life and character.

Increase of Homicides.

The New York World attributes the increase of homicides to the abolition of the death penalty. In a recent issue it says:—

This leaves twenty-two States—less than half—in which the death penalty without nullifying limitations is left on the statute books. And in the majority of those States, including New York, it is nearly abolished in practise, tho not in law. Figures recently furnished to the World by Dr. John T. Nagle, of this city's Bureau of Statistics, showed 130 homicides in Greater New York in 1900, only three convictions in the capital degree, and only one execution.

Considering these facts, why should we wonder that 39,872 persons perished at the hands of homicides in the United States in the five years 1896 to 1900 inclusive, a record of human slaughter not equaled or approached in proportion to its population by any European country, except Italy!

The real cause lies back of all this; it is decline of the faith and fear of the Lord. No mere penalties will check crime.

The Love of Money

It is not money that is “the root of all evil,” or “a ‘root of all kinds of evil,’” as the Revised Version better puts it. It is not the making of money, nor the possession of money, nor the use of money of itself, that is a root of evil. It is “the love of ‘money’” that is evil. And the love of money is just as bad in a poor man as in a rich; just as bad in the employee as in the employer, just as bad in the homes of the dwellers in the East End of London as in the West End; just as bad in the Bowery in New York as on Fifth Avenue. It is the motive, the intent, the idolatry of the thing which makes it evil. Men who love it and possess it will, if necessary, oppress men to get more. Men who love it, but do not have it, will hate and oppose those who possess it. All these strike difficulties would be very easily settled, if it were not for the love of money. The only thing that will effectually root it out is the love of Jesus Christ, and the love of the riches of His grace.

New Bible Students’ Library Issues

The last two issues of the Bible Students’ Library are as follows: “No. 166, The Relation of the Law ‘to the Gospel,’ by F. C. Gilbert, an Israelite indeed, 24 pages, 1 1-2 cents each; No. 167, “Sound an Alarm,” 16 pages, 1 cent each. This latter is illustrated. “The Relation of the Law and the ‘Gospel’ is the best brief setting forth of this question we have ever seen. It ought to have a large circulation. “Sound an Alarm” presents some of the most striking Biblical facts and prophecies concerning the capital and labor questions. It ought to be circulated by the thousands, and just now is the time to do it. Have a part in the good work.

The Nut Cracker

“The Nut Cracker” is the title of a little 16-page quarterly published by the Sanitas Nut Food Co., Battle Creek, Mich., which manufactures so many delicate, delicious, nutritious, and palatable nut foods. Send for a free sample copy of the Nut Cracker.

Follow Thou Me

There are many Peters looking to the Johns and asking, “Lord, what of this man?” To all these foolish questions of jealousy and curiosity the Lord gives reply, “What is that to thee? follow thou Me.”

The Question of the Truly Converted Soul

The question of the truly converted soul is not, “Lord, what may I get rid of doing and still be ‘saved?’” but, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?”