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Signs of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 17.

THE GREATEST HUMAN PROPHET
Earlier text: RECOGNITION AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE MILITARY SPIRIT

JOTTINGS FROM OUR HELPING HAND MISSION.

[BRETHREN B. F. RICHARDS AND G. W. REASER IN CHARGE.]
ONE of the first-fruits unto God in the Mission, made the statement, at the time of family worship, recently, that he had been in the habit of taking occasional “sprees” in the past; and on one occasion since he had accepted the Saviour, for three days the desire for strong drink had come upon him with so much power that it seemed impossible to resist. While this terrible struggle was going on, Satan “took a hand,” and sent one of his agents—an acquaintance—to him, who invited him into a saloon to “take a glass of beer.” At first he hesitated; but later, yielded, and stood by the bar until the beer was poured out for him. In that critical moment the Lord came to his rescue and gave him power to refuse to drink the contents of the glass. He then promised the Lord that he would not again yield so far as to be enticed into one of Satan’s dens. May he daily claim, by faith, the power of God to enable him to keep his promise.
These babes in Christ need much help, and we trust that every child of God who reads these lines, will pray, not only for the workers in the Mission, but for “these little ones.” It is a source of great encouragement and strength to the workers to know that they are being lifted up in arms of faith to the throne of grace, by those who have power with God in prayer. Keep on praying.
Another interesting circumstance must be mentioned: A man nearly sixty years old came to us and requested that we give him ten cents to pay his fare across the bay. We asked him how he came to be in need of assistance, and received the candid reply that it was all his own fault. He had come to the city a few days before with $25, a good watch and chain, a valise, a new buggy robe, and some clothing; but that now his effects were all gone, for he had gotten drunk, and in some way lost them all. He held in his hand a badly-soiled card, which proved to be a receipt for his watch and chain, but the writing on it was so poorly executed in pencil, and so nearly effaced, that it seemed impossible to decipher it. By consulting a city directory, we identified the signature, and, after going to the second address, found his watch, chain, valise, and clothing, in the “Nine Spot” Saloon, and restored them to the rightful owner. When we came out of the saloon—and you may be sure that we never visit such places unless the Lord calls us there on errands of mercy—we felt a hundred-fold repaid for all the trouble it cost us, by the heartfelt expressions of gratitude from the man who had received his property. In astonishment he asked us how we had found them so quickly, and stated that he had sought the assistance of two policemen, and both of them replied that they were not able to help him out of his difficulty. In response to his question, we told him that the Lord had helped us to locate his goods, for we were coworkers with Him.
He wanted to know how much he owed us for our assistance, but we assured him that he had nothing to pay. One of the brethren saw him safely on the boat, and we trust that he has effectually learned the lesson “that the way of the transgressor is hard.”
As we write these lines, we have just overheard a young man who has been at the Mission for a few days, say to another as they converse together in the chapel, that he has learned more about God and the Bible since coming here than in all the rest of his life.
The following are one evening’s testimonies in a social meeting:—
About five weeks ago I went to the Lord, and I have considerable to do this week. Was up in the mountains, and all my friends they want me to take a drink, but I say, “No, boys, I no go near the bar now;” and I hope the Lord will keep me that way.
I praise God and I rejoice every day in Him. He has taught me how to pray and love Him every day. I would like every one of you in here to have written down in your pay-roll “eternal life.” This world does not pay very much; I found that out. I praise God that He has brought me to Him and learned me how to live for Him, and I know that when I go away from here I will have eternal life.
I had little contentment here a few weeks ago; I could not stay around a place like this, but now it is a pleasure to me.
I praise God that He led me in the way of hearing the Gospel preached after many years of serving the devil. I now feel like praising and serving Him the balance of my days.
I praise God for the peace and joy He gives us, and for upholding us with the right hand of His righteousness. I want to always live in such a way that He will always be with me.
I praise God that I know that my Redeemer liveth, and because He lives I shall live also.
I got a letter to-day, handed to me by a gentleman I know, an inquiry made for me by my mother, and I am thankful that her prayers were answered; and that was the word I sent. I am very glad I started in this new life, and intend to follow it, by the help of God.

OUR WORK AND WORKERS.

BROTHER H. D. DAY reports six converts at Lapeer, Mich.
THE book sales of the Pacific Press Publishing Co.’s branch office at Kansas City, Mo., the past fiscal year, amounted to $60,000.
IN connection with meetings held in Vernondale, a suburb of Los Angeles, Cal., by Brother F. M. Burg, seven converts are reported.
ELDER J. G. SMITH will, in a few weeks, remove from California to Upper Columbia Conference, in accordance with the recommendation of the district council.
BROTHER J. W. COVERT reports the organization of a church of thirteen members at Wilson, Kansas, March 26; also the addition of two members to the church at Beverly.
BROTHER L. N. LANE reports the conversion of six persons at meetings held at Morenci, Mich., four in the southern part of Wayne County, and the baptism of three at Carleton.
BROTHER E. L. FORTNER and wife, of Kansas City, Kansas, have been asked by the Foreign Mission Board to go as missionaries to British Guiana, South America, and have accepted the call.
THE Foreign Mission Board have asked Brother and Sister C. H. Parker, of Pipestone, Minn., to go to the Fiji Islands to labor as missionaries, and they have decided to go after camp-meeting in June.
BROTHER S. S. DAVIS says, in the Indiana Reporter of the 13th inst., that the work in the Helping Hand Mission at Evansville is onward. The Mission is doing much good, and the self-supporting missionaries are finding a great deal of work.
THE officers of Kansas Conference are endeavoring to raise means by subscription to erect a mission building in Kansas City. The necessary ground has been purchased. About $3,000 will be necessary for the building. An active campaign in Christian help work is being carried on in the city, and many needy persons are being assisted.
AN EVIDENCE of what people can do, “if there be first a willing mind,” Brother and Sister Tucker, of Lafayette, Ind., started a Sabbath-school in their house, which grew until the enrolment the past quarter numbered forty. The school was started for the benefit of children whose parents were not members of the church, and otherwise would not have had the privilege of attending one of our schools.
FROM Brother C. A. Hall, missionary in Jamaica, comes the good word that seventy-eight persons have accepted the message of salvation at Southfield. A church has been organized and a house of worship is in process of erection. The Lord has wrought this result through the labors of Brethren Hall and W. W. Eastman. The latter remains to carry on the work at Southfield, while the former introduces the Gospel in some other locality.
A RECENT number of the Kansas Worker gives an encouraging report from Brother Garde concerning the work in Atchison. A free bath-room has been opened, and is affording an opportunity to labor and pray with those who accept the accommodation. A cottage meeting begun in a house among the colored people, was so crowded that they were under the necessity of moving it to a schoolhouse, and the schoolroom is now well filled at each meeting. A number have been converted.
THERE are many infidels in the world who are such because of false Christianity and false ideas of the Bible spread abroad by false teachers. Many of these infidels are honest at heart, and when Christianity comes to them in its true light, they see it and accept it. One of our laborers in the field reports the conversion of an infidel by simply reading the little work “Steps to Christ,” by Mrs. E. G. White. The price of this book is only sixty cents, to be had of any of our publishing houses or tract societies. The Gospel is “the power of God unto salvation” when properly presented to honest minds.
THE General Conference Committee have made recommendations in regard to laborers as follows: That Brother W. B. White, president of Indiana Conference, go to Arizona; this is in accordance with Brother White’s request, for the benefit of his wife’s health; that Brother R. S. Donnell, president of Upper Columbia Conference, go to Indiana; that Brother H. Nicola, of Michigan Conference, go to Indiana; that Brother H. M. Stewart, of Indiana Conference, go to Missouri; that Brother W. T. Millman go from Missouri to the Dakota Conference, and Brother E. L. Stewart, of Nebraska, go to Missouri.
A LETTER to the Minnesota Worker from Brother E. Hilliard, dated Tonga, Friendly Islands, South Pacific Ocean, March 16, 1898, gives these interesting items:—
“Since our last report, Doctor M. G. Kellogg has joined us, and is now erecting a building, 32x39 feet, in which to live and also give treatment to the natives. He came to this island from Samoa in the latter part of September, rented a house, and commenced treating the sick; He had occupied the house but a few weeks when he was notified that it was the intention of the landlord to build on an addition, to be used as a store, after which it was to be rented to another party for two years for the enormous rent of $40 per month. After looking around for some time the doctor could find nothing that he thought suitable for his work. He has leased nearly two acres of land, for twenty-one years, for which he pays an annual rent of $40 per year, and is now erecting the building mentioned above. Brother E. S. Butz and the writer have been assisting him for six weeks, and it will take about three or four weeks more to finish it. This is the hot season of the year, and sometimes we find it rather hot work in siding up the north side of the building, where the sun sends its tropical rays directly down upon us. But, notwithstanding the intense heat and the hard muscular labor, we are in better health than when we commenced, or when we were in America. Mrs. Hilliard has taught school almost steadily for over two years, having only a few days’ vacation during the latter part of December and first part of January. She is in fair health, and says that she enjoys the work. Our new schoolhouse was completed nearly six months ago, and was built with money earned in the field.”

The Sabbath School International Series

Lesson VII.—Sabbath, May 14, 1898.

Paul Before Felix and Festus.

(Acts 24: 24 to 25: 22, R.V.)
24 “But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, which was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned of righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me. 26 He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul; wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. 27 But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
1 “Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Cæsarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they besought him, asking favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying wait to kill him on the way. 4 Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Cæsarea, and that he himself was about to depart thither shortly. Let them therefore, saith he, which are of power among you, go down with me, and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse him.
6 “And when he had tarried among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down unto Cæsarea; and on the morrow he sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded Paul to be brought. 7 And when he was come, the Jews which had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him, bringing against him many and grievous charges, which they could not prove; while Paul said in his defense, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Cæsar, 9 have I sinned at all. But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? 10 But Paul said, I am standing before Cæsar’s judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged; to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou also very well knowest. 11 If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if none of those things is true, whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up unto them. I appeal unto Cæsar. 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Thou hast appealed unto Cæsar; unto Cæsar shalt thou go.
13 “Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Cæsarea, and saluted Festus. 14 And as they tarried there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix; 15 about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for sentence against him. 16 To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him. 17 When therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat down on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to be brought. 18 Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed; 19 but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20 And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. 21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept till I should send him to Cæsar. 22 And Agrippa said unto Festus, I also could wish to hear the man myself. To-morrow, saith he, thou shalt hear him.”

Questions.

1. Who was Felix? How did it come to pass that Paul appeared before him?
2. With what was Paul charged? Give the substance of his defense.
3. How was Paul treated while in confinement?
4. On what occasion, and for what purpose, did Paul appear before Felix the second time? V. 24.
5. Of what did Paul reason? With what result? What did Felix say to Paul? Verse 25.
6. Did he ever send for Paul again? What for? What was the only thing that stood in the way of Paul’s release? Verse 26.
7. How long was he thus unjustly kept a prisoner? For what purpose did Felix leave Paul in bondage upon his going out of office? Who succeeded him? Verse 27.
8. What was the first act of Festus in coming into the province? Chapter 25, verse 1.
9. By whom was he at once beset? Verse 2.
10. What was their petition? What was their object? Verse 3.
11. What did Festus reply? Verse 4.
12. What did he say Paul’s adversaries should do? Verse 5.
13. How soon was this opportunity given them? Verse 6.
14. What did the Jews do as soon as Festus opened his court? What was lacking in their accusations? Verse 7.
15. What did Paul reply to all this? Was anything more necessary than this simple statement? Verse 8.
16. What question did Festus put to him? What was the object of this question? Verse 9.
17. What did Paul say as to the irregularity of such a procedure? By what statement did he show the injustice of Festus’ proposal? Verse 10.
18. How did he show his entire willingness to suffer any just punishment? By what statement did he at once put an end to the sham trial? V. 11.
19. What did Festus then do and say? Verse 12.
20. Who came to visit Festus some time afterward? Verse 13.
21. How did Festus bring Paul’s case before Agrippa? Verse 14.
22. What did he say of the demand of the Jews, and of his reply? Verses 15, 16.
23. What did he say as to his disappointment when the case came up for trial? Verses 17, 18.
24. In what words did he put the whole of the real case of the Jews against Paul? Verse 19.
25. For what purpose did he say he was now keeping Paul? Verses 20, 21.
26. What wish did Agrippa express? When did Festus say that his curiosity should be satisfied? Verse 22.

THE HELPING HAND AND MEDICAL MISSION.

By S. N. Curtiss

We have just put in forty more beds in order to accommodate the increasing number who come to the Mission for lodgings. Some nights we have been obliged to turn away men, as we had no room for them, and some nights a dozen or more have slept in the chairs in the chapel.
Now the Mission is in need of more sheets, pillowslips, and blankets. Each bed and mattress cost $3.50, and the blankets, sheets, pillow, and pillowslips cost about $3.75 more for each bed, making the total cost of a bed (without an extra change of bedding), $7.25. Are there not forty people who would esteem it a privilege to furnish one bed each complete for the Mission? If so, let us hear from you at once. Perhaps some can afford to pay for bedding alone, or for bed and mattress, and if so, their donations will be very acceptable.
Cash donations reported April 6 . . . $1,561 75 “ “ received to April 20 . . . 95 75 Total . . . $1,657 50
S. N. CURTISS, Secretary and Treasurer.

PERIODICALS WANTED.

ANY of our periodicals will be used in missionary work if sent post-paid to J. S. Heisler, box 173, National Soldiers’ Home, Va.
CLEAN copies of the SIGNS, Instructor, Sentinel, and German papers. Please send post-paid to Mrs. J. J. Faucher, North Enid, O. T.
THE Fort Worth, Texas, Tract Society desires clean late copies of any of our denominational papers or tracts (especially SIGNS, Review, and Sentinel) sent post-paid to James T. Lynch, 810 Monroe Street.

CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS.

By W. T. Knox; J. J. Ireland

The twenty-seventh regular annual meeting of the California Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists will convene at 9:30 A.M., Friday, June 3, 1898, at St. Helena, Napa Co., California, for the purpose of electing the officers of the conference, directors of the California Conference Association of the Seventh-day Adventists, a corporation, and to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. W. T. KNOX, President.
J. J. IRELAND, Secretary.

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Lesson VII.—Sunday, May 15, 1898

Watchfulness.

Note.—The full import of this lesson, the “meat in due season,” can be appreciated only by a study of this whole chapter and the next. These two chapters, beginning with verse 4 of chapter 24, are Christ’s answer to three questions propounded by His disciples. They had spoken to Him of the greatness and grandeur of the temple, and He had replied, “Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Then, “as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” His reply to these questions, of which the present lesson is a part, is full of warning and earnest instruction, which is of the utmost importance to-day. That these warnings are for us is stated in Mark 13:37: “What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”

Lesson Scripture, Matt. 24: 42–51, R.V.

42 “Watch therefore; for ye know not on what day your Lord 43 cometh. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken 44 through. Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye 45 think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath set over his household, 46 to give them their food in due season? Blessed is that servant, 47 whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath. But 48 if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord tarrieth; and shall begin to beat his fellow-servants, and shall eat and 49 drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he 50 knoweth not, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites; there shall be the weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Golden Text: “Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Matt. 24: 42.

Suggestive Questions.

(1) What injunction is here given by our Lord? Verse 42. (2) Why are his disciples to watch? Same verse. Note 1. (3) How is the importance of watching illustrated? Verse 43. Note 2. (4) What is the conclusion from this parable? Verse 44. Note 3. (5) What pointed question follows this repeated warning? Verse 45. Note 4. (6) What is said of such a servant? Verse 46. Note 5. (7) What reward shall that servant receive? Verse 47. (8) What does an evil servant’s course virtually say? Verse 48. Note 6. (9) What is an evil servant? Note 6. (10) Into what grievous error is he liable to fall? Verse 49. (11) What grave consequences are sure to follow such a course? Verses 50, 51.

Notes.

1. Watch therefore.—Why watch?—Because “ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” The Lord is coming again. He was explaining this fact to them, in reply to their question about this very thing. But people who do not believe in the second, personal, visible coming of the Lord (as promised in John 14:1–3; Acts 1:10, 11; 1 Thess. 4:14–18) will not watch for it. A very small proportion of the professed disciples of Christ believe these scriptures in a practical way; therefore they do not watch for His coming. And some who profess to believe in the second advent say, “We do not know the day or the hour, therefore we need not spend time considering the matter.” But that is the very reason why the Lord says, “Watch.” We may know when “it is nigh, even at the doors” (Mark 13:29), and the signs by which we may know this, are already in the past. The importance of watching lies in the fact that “unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Heb. 9:28.
2. If the good man had watched.—He was a “good man,” but that did not avail him anything in his dilemma, because he had not watched. He learned when it was too late that for which he might have been prepared if he had watched. So the professed Christian who fails to look for the Lord’s coming will be taken unawares, and lose all, because of his unbelief and consequent lack of preparation.
3. The warning repeated.—The reason for watching, for being always on the alert, always obedient, ever awake to opportunities to do good, is so important that it is repeated in verse 44: “In such an hour as ye think not,” etc. A neglect of the commandment of the Lord, a neglect of the truth, always leads to a false conclusion, and therefore to disappointment.
4. Meat in due season.—Fruits raised out of season by artificial means may look well, sell well, and be highly prized, but they are never so well flavored as those grown in their natural season. The Lord has told us when His coming is near, therefore at that time the proclamation of His soon coming would be “meat in due season.” At a later date it would be valueless, as at an earlier date it was misguiding. See 2 Thess. 2:1–5.
5. The servant who receives blessing.—The profitable servant is one who works as his employer directs. Especially in tilling the ground, various kinds of work must be done in the proper season or it is of no use to do it at all. The master is the one who is supposed to know best what is to be done, how to do it, and when to do it. The servant who disregards his directions, and does work at the wrong season, or in the wrong way, can not meet the approbation, or blessing, of the master. When the Lord comes, His blessing will be upon the servant who has been engaged in proclaiming His coming, and in endeavoring to prepare the people for that glad event.
6. The result of not giving spiritual meat in due season to the church and to the world is very disastrous. This is what the Jewish teachers refused to do prior to and at the time of the first advent of Christ. Hence the rejection of Him by that people, and His subsequent rejection of them. The popular church of to-day assumes much the same attitude toward the second advent that the Jewish Church did toward the first advent. Their teaching is so freighted with the traditions of men that the plain Word of God is to a great extent hidden beneath the rubbish of “philosophy and vain deceit.” Like causes always produce like effects. To withhold the message that “the coming of the Lord draweth nigh” (James 5:8), which is “meat,” or “food,” spiritual food, “in due season” at this time, is virtually saying, in practice, “My Lord delayeth His coming.” To such teachers apply the words of Jesus: “Wo unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” Matt. 23:13. An evil servant is one who disobeys his lord’s command, either by express purpose or neglect.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS.

1. What striking comments have we in this lesson on “Roman justice”?
2. Note how lightly Festus put the cause of contention between Paul and the Jews. It was concerning “one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.” How much more, if any, is there to the Gospel than the statement of this question? Is Jesus alive? How do you know?

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The Kansas Worker

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The Kansas Worker

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