p. 15 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 52. (12/27/1905)

HE HAD BACKBONE.

Not all boys would have done as did Harry Shepler, who was in the signal service. Harry was ordered one morning, by a sergeant, to report for duty at the canteen. He refused to do so, and the sergeant threatened to report him to the officer of the day. "All right," said Shepler, "go ahead. I did not enlist to be a bartender, but a soldier, and I will not report at the canteen." He was duly reported to the major, who sent for him. Shepler went with trembling knees, but with a steady heart, for he knew he was right. When he came before the major, that officer said to him:

"Are you the young man who disobeyed orders this morning?"

"Yes, sir; I am."

"Why did you do it?"

"Simply because I do not believe it is right to do what I was asked to do. I enlisted to be a soldier, and not a bartender."

The major arose quickly from his stool, and, extending his hand, said:

"Shepler, you are the kind of man we want. I am glad to see a fellow who has the courage of his convictions. You are not obliged to report to the canteen."

NEVER KNEW HIM.

A touching story is told of the child of a well-known French painter. The little girl lost her sight in infancy, and her blindness was supposed to be incurable. A famous oculist in Paris, however, performed an operation on her eyes and restored her sight.

Her mother had long been dead, and her father had been her only friend and companion. When she was told that her blindness could be cured her one thought was that she could see him; and when the cure was complete, and the bandages were removed, she ran to him and tremblingly pored over his features, shutting her eyes now and then and passing her fingers over his face as if to make sure that it was he.

The father had a noble head and presence, and his every look and motion was watched by his daughter with keenest delight. For the first time his constant tenderness and care seemed real to her. If he caressed her or even looked upon her kindly, it brought tears to her eyes.

"To think," she cried, holding his hand close in hers, "that I have had this father so many years and never knew him!"

How many of us are like the little blind girl! The heavenly Father is so near in Jesus Christ, but our "eyes are holden."—Selected.

A SILVER COIN WORTH A THOUSAND TIMES ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD.

The Standard, one of London's very interesting papers, states on the authority of its Berlin correspondent that an archeological find of the greatest interest has just been made by Pastor Lohmann, chairman of the German Society for Scientific Research in Anatolia. During his recent journey in North Syria a coin of pure silver, excellently preserved, was offered to him, which, on examination, proved to bear a perfect Aramean inscription of Panammu Bar Rerub, King of Schamol, who reigned eight hundred years before Christ. It is the oldest known coin in the world. Up to the present the Lydians have always been regarded as the inventors of money, but this new find shows that the Semitic Arameans, who lived two centuries before the Lydians, are the oldest known coiners of money. —Christian Advocate.

LITERARY NOTICES.

By Editor

"The Twentieth Century Chronology of the World." Being a Digest of Universal History from Earliest Times to the End of 1903, A.D. Compiled after the most careful and thorough research, and containing a complete alphabetical index, tables of rulers, notes, etc., with dates computed according to eras of before Christ and Anno Domini, Julian Period, Anno Mundi, Olympiads, Year of Rome, Roman Indictions, and Hegira. By Carolyn Norris Horwitz. Over 120 illustrations, many from rare old French and Roman plates, collected in Europe many years ago. 560 large pages, printed on good paper with clear type. Prices, cloth, $3.00; half-bound, marbled edges, $4.00; a still finer binding, gilt, $5.00; full morocco, $6.00. Publishers, Grafton Press, New York. For sale by the author, 830 Hamilton Terrace, Baltimore, Md.

This great work of industry, toil, and patience is divided into six periods as follows: From earliest times to the first Olympiad, B.C. 776; to B.C. 1; to the flight of Mohammed, A.D. 622; to the Reformation, 1550; to the Independence of America, 1776; to 1903.

The Biblical chronology is that of Archbishop Usher's, with a few modifications. It is less satisfactory than the civil-historical. For instance, Belshazzar is made identical with Nabonadius, when in reality, as clearly shown by archeology, he was the son of Nabonadius; the crucifixion is placed in A.D. 33, instead of A.D. 31, as it seems to us clearly fixed by Hale. But as a reference work, as set forth in form above stated, the book is immense, and is the fruit of arduous research and patient toil for years. It is a condensed encyclopedia. The work grows fuller as we near our own times. It is of great value as a quick reference in matters chronological. The long tables of kings, popes, rulers, the chronological, alphabetical indexes are of great value. We hope the book will have a large sale. If any of our readers desire it, we will order for them.

"The Story of the Seer of Patmos." By Stephen N. Haskell, author of the "Story of Daniel the Prophet." Illustrated, cloth, 424 pages. Southern Publishing Association, Nashville, Tenn., Fort Worth, Texas.

The arrangement of the book is unique. The page is in two columns; about two-thirds of the page is occupied with the author's text; in the one-third are texts of scripture paralleling or explaining the scripture under consideration. The character of the work is that of an intensely spiritual story of the Revelation, rather than an exposition. For those who wish to study the book, suggestive questions on each chapter are given in an appendix at the close. Its reading will, we are sure, bring all to see much more light in the Word of God, and a greater love for its precious truth.

"Did Daniel Write Daniel?" The Genuineness and Authenticity of the Book of Daniel, Discussed by Joseph D. Wilson, D.D., Professor of History in the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Episcopal Church. Charles C. Cook, 150 Nassau Street, New York.

In this little work, the author reviews the contentions of the higher critics, and shows them, when properly understood, to make for, rather than against, the genuineness and authenticity of the book. While we do not agree with him in all his interpretations of prophecy, as, for instance, that the everlasting kingdom of God on earth is set up among the ten horns, and that the "little horn" of chapter 8 refers to Antiochus, we are glad for the good word he speaks for one of the most important books of the Bible. The book of Daniel, traced again in fulfilment, is evidence which can not be overthrown.

"How to Use the Voice in Reading and Speaking." With selections for practise. By Ed. Amherst Ott, Principal of the Drake School of Oratory. Cloth, 275 pages. Price, $1.25. Hinds and Noble, 31-35 West 15th Street, New York.

The design of the book is twofold: a text-book of elocution for colleges and high schools, and a helper in self-instruction. The writer's object is to explain vocal phenomena and teach students how to build up a voice that will meet the demands of the platform. And he feels the more confident in the success of this object because the teaching of the book is fortified by actual practise and experiment. It has not been the purpose of the author to make the work exhaustive, but suggestive and instructive along the more important phases of the subject. The work is illustrated by many diagrams, and will prove a help to him who is willing to work.

Quality instead of Quantity

By Editor

This is our last issue of the year. Many friends have been with us all through months and weeks and days of 1905. They have found the Signs of the Times what it ought to be, a blessing. Some of our readers have been with us only for a little time. They are still unacquainted, to a great extent, with the paper, its aim, its purpose. We invite them to stay with us in the year to come. There are other good papers, many of them; but there is no other paper which deals with the great questions before the world as the Signs of the Times does—from the standpoint of the "sure Word of prophecy." We believe, as has been stated, that "the Bible is the most up-to-date book in the world to-day. It meets all the world's needs, in warning, in instruction, in comfort and consolation, in strength and support." This great federation movement of the churches of Christendom, the peace congresses, the spread of Socialism, the advance of the Papacy, and their meaning, are all foretold in the Word of God, and the Signs of the Times will lay all these before its readers. It will be a pure, strong, home paper, a help to mothers, a strength to Christian young men and women, a steady, advancing light by the highway of righteousness. It has but one interest to serve, that of the cause of Christ—the salvation of souls by the living truth of God in Christ Jesus. Such we hope by God's grace to make it. For this purpose we ask your prayers. For its wider circulation we ask your co-operation. And for the future, we wish all our readers the perennial blessing of God.

Quality instead of Quantity

Quality instead of Quantity is what tells in the work of God. The world generally looks upon it otherwise. It works for the mighty army to fight its military battles, for millions of dollars to fight its financial battles. The same idea possesses the great worldly churches. In fact, it has always been the case that as the church departed from God, she set greater store by mere numbers. The more she increases her membership roll, the better. Consequently she compromised truth, made the way of the cross easy, tried to avoid the Hill of Difficulty and the Valley of Humiliation, fixed up an excursion railway with Apollyon for engineer, and as many of the world on board as could be induced to sacrifice their ideal of the eternal fitness of things. Numbers have increased marvelously; but what of piety and righteousness and integrity and purity of heart and life, and power to save souls from sin? Our modern engineers would question the advice of the Lord to Gideon. Thirty-two thousand would seem too small an army to our modern reformers to meet a force spread throughout the land and dominant in every phase of life. But the Lord says, "Gideon, they are too many. Say unto the fearful hearted, Go home." And the thirty-two thousand were cut down to ten thousand. "Once more test them, Gideon; find out the eager and earnest ones, and those who dally by the way." The test is made and only three hundred remain. By three hundred God saved Israel and destroyed the power of the enemy. It is not quantity which God wants first, but quality. Given quality, and quantity will follow. Place quantity, numbers, first, and inevitable backsliding, worldliness, and ruin is the result.

"Courage" or "Stupidity"?

Discussing the revelations of corruption as manifest in the rascalities of the insurance companies, President Butler, of Columbia University, says: With all this shameful story spread before us, it takes some courage to follow Emerson's advice not to bark against the bad, but rather to chant the beauty of the good.

To this that noted observer and critic, Ambrose Bierce, responds that one must have "more than courage;" he "must have a good equipment of stupidity." And in cutting language he refers to those who are uttering inane platitudes of peace in the face of strife, who are "hailing the dawn of a new era" which never comes. And Mr. Bierce is right. It is worse than folly, it is senseless stupidity to blind one's mind to the undermining destructive evils which confront us on every hand. It would be well if some of the old prophets could arise. But, like his compeers, he would be stoned for his message.

It is now considered settled that there will be two new states organized by Congress this winter. The caucus of Republicans in the lower house have decided to report such a bill, which is said to be sure of passage. Oklahoma and Indian Territory are to be united, and Arizona and New Mexico will also come in as one state. The people of both the latter territories are opposed to the union, but national politicians want it so, and have the power to so order. The burning question in Indian Territory is, Can the Indians maintain the prohibition protection which is now enforced for them by the national government? If not, the fate of the Indians is sealed. Intoxicating liquor is the most destructive foe of the red race, and if the white man be allowed free access with his soul- and body-destroying traffic, the Indians will soon succumb, and their property will become a prey to their white fellow citizens. It is easy to see who is behind the union motive in this case.

Appreciative.

Most people take the blessings of life and the conveniences of invention as merely a matter of course. Others ponder the benefits and express appreciation and thankfulness. A judge of the Supreme Court of Mexico recently told a correspondent of the California Christian Advocate that he felt very grateful to the Americans for three inventions in particular—the sewing machine, the typewriter, and the bicycle. He also stated that a number of years ago his grandmother secured a sewing machine, and ever after, when she said her prayers at night, she would add, "And Lord, bless the Americans for inventing the sewing machine." Would that Christians would be as thankful for greater gifts.

"McClure's Magazine"

McClure's Magazine for December has a tremendously strong article by Ray Stannard Baker on "Railroad Rebates." The scope of the discussion is indicated in the subhead, "What Rebates Are, How They Are Paid, and How They Affect Industry." He calls attention to the fact that while for the running of the entire Federal Government, including army, navy, post-office deficiency, Panama Canal, and all, costs each inhabitant an average of $7.00 annually, the railroad tax in freight averages over $26.00 a year for every man, woman, and child, nearly four times as much. He also shows that notwithstanding the Elkins law, the criminal work is going on all the time, more, even, than before the law was enacted. It is a tremendous arraignment.

An educational program

An educational program for Christmas week from the state university at Berkeley comes to us too late for prior mention. We should have been glad to have noticed the State Farmer's Institute and the discussion of the question, "Why the friends of agricultural progress believe that agriculture should be taught in the public schools." Professor Hilgard led in the discussion, and Governor Pardee also addressed both teachers and farmers on the same subject. Back to the land in a more intelligent way ought to interest many more.

A Fiendish Act

A Fiendish Act is reported from Warsaw, Russian Poland. Some workmen in a chicory factory were holding a meeting, when the soldiers appeared and ordered them to disperse. The workmen refused to do so, and the soldiers did not urge the demand, but remained near the building. The meeting was held in the factory, where the workmen also slept. In the middle of the night, when the men were asleep, the soldiers set fire to the building. Hundreds of men jumped from windows, many of them being more or less injured, while about forty were burned to death in the factory.

Two Russian Provinces

Two Russian Provinces, Livonia and Courland, have rebelled against the imperial rule and set up an independent government, declaring the independence of the Lithuanian people. Many of the imperial troops are said to have sympathized with the movement, and the former governor and other imperial officers of high rank were held as prisoners at the time of the report.

Good words come to us from our school in Healdsburg.

Students are enthusiastic and making splendid progress, and the spiritual influence in the school is good. There is one thing lacking; not more; there is a double need: the college needs more students, and there are scores of boys and girls in this state who need the very instruction and discipline the college can give.

"Street Trees in California."

The California Promotion Committee (25 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco) is sending out a little booklet with the above title which is full of helpful suggestion in the beautifying of streets; and it offers good counsel as to the kinds of trees to plant. The publication is one of their excellent little "Hand Book Series."

Praying for Blessings

Praying for Blessings.—Most of those who pray for blessings desire some tangible benefit, something which makes peaceful and happy, something which will affect the feelings, the sensuous life. The feeling comes first, when it ought not to be considered at all. Our English word "bless" goes back in its origin to blood. It touched the idea of sacrifice, of consecration. It took hold of the life. To be blessed was to be consecrated, to be sprinkled with the blood, to be dedicated to God and accepted of Him. This is a blessing which all may claim. It will bring joy and happiness, and they will be the effect, not the blessing; the fruitage, not the tree. O Christian brother and sister, let us seek for this blessing in the year to come.