p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 4. (1/23/1896)

THREE MESSAGES OF REVELATION XIV.

This is a pamphlet of 140 pages, giving in a brief and concise manner the character and importance of the warning messages now going to the world. Price, 15c.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.,

Kansas City, Mo. Oakland, Cal. New York City, N. Y.

Illustrated Tract.

One of the late issues of the Bible Students’ Library, entitled “The Seal of God and the Mark of the Beast.” Contains 4 original illustrations. The subject is one of vital interest to all, and now is an opportune time to circulate this tract widely. Order B. S. L. No. 130. Address your State Tract Society, or PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.; Kansas City, Mo.; New York City, N. Y.

CHRIST, OUR ADVOCATE

His Ministry in the True Tabernacle

An up-to-date pamphlet on the work of Christ in the sanctuary in Heaven. Bible Students' Library No. 128. Fully illustrated. Paper covers. Price, 10 cents.

Address,

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO,

OAKLAND, CAL.

News and Notes

FOREIGN.

—The volcano of Kilauea, Hawaii, is again in active eruption. The flow began on the 3d inst., without the usual warning, after a lull of about thirteen months.

—A Lima, Peru, despatch of the 16th inst. says: “The mayor of Miguel to-day seized and caused to be burned in the public square of the city all the Bibles and stock of the local agent of the American Bible Society.”

—Late advices from Japan indicate that the government ministry, of which Count Ito is the head, is doomed to overthrow, the Diet showing a strong opposition to his Corean policy and neglect of government interests in the Liao Tung peninsula after the war.

—The principal steamship company of Japan, the Nippon Yusen Kaisha, having made 3,500,000 yen profit by chartering steamships and transports to the government during the war, has decided to open up a line to Europe. Agents have been sent to England to procure five first-class ships for this purpose.

—A late Madrid despatch states that a general gloom prevails there in regard to the prospects in Cuba. Military operations are severely criticized, and the resignation of the Cabinet is predicted in the near future. The latest news from Cuba states that the insurgents have cut off all communication between Havana and the interior, excepting two short railroads.

—A letter has been received in London from a reliable source in Harpool, containing a complete collection of the facts and figures regarding the recent atrocities in Asiatic Turkey. From these figures it appears that 176 places have been plundered, and that out of 15,250 Christian houses 8,054 have been burned. The death list foots up 15,845 persons killed. This estimate is looked upon as being correct in every particular.

—A Berlin despatch of the 15th inst. announces the intention of Emperor William to grant amnesty to a large number of political offenders serving sentences in German prisons. It is stated that nearly all the editors and socialists who have lately been convicted of lese-majesty will be released. This move is for the purpose of conciliating all parties in the empire on account of the government’s strained relations with Great Britain.

—Mr. J. H. Mulligan, American Consul at Apia, Samoa, arrived in San Francisco last week, on a business visit. He reports very hard times in the Samoan Islands; says there is but one successful crop (coconuts) grown there, and this year even that is very short. Cotton has been abandoned, sugar is a failure, and tobacco can not be grown with any degree of success. The people complain of the heavy burden of a foreign treaty government, and are very anxious to be allowed to manage their own affairs.

—During the recent invasion of the South African Republic by a number of British subjects under Dr. Jameson, a Committee of Safety was formed for the protection of Johannesburg, which is mostly composed of foreigners from various countries. The invaders were defeated with heavy loss, and the leaders arrested. These have been sent to England for trial, as the British Government disclaims responsibility for the rash act. But the Boer government also arrested the committee at Johannesburg, on the ground that it was also hostile to the government. Among the number were a few Americans, four of whom are Californians. Late despatches to their friends indicate that they are in a most critical position, and in imminent danger of severe sentences. Urgent appeals are made to the State Department at Washington to intercede in behalf of the prisoners, with assurances that all possible effort is being made for their relief.

—Dr. F. E. Clark, president of the United Societies of Christian Endeavor, who recently traveled through Turkey, gives the following as his experience: “No sooner had I set foot on Turkish soil than every scrap of printed matter in my possession was taken away from me—every book, pamphlet, newspaper—and I saw none of them until I had shaken the dust of Turkey from my feet. Moreover, as it was known that I was to address public audiences at various places throughout the interior of Asia Minor, I was cautioned that there were some words which I must not use, such as, ‘fellowship,’ ‘union,’ ‘brotherhood,’ ‘Christian Endeavor,’ etc. Very often my interpreter would tell me that there was a Turkish spy in the audience, and would imply in the polite language of the Orient that I must mind my p’s and q’s if I did not wish to find myself in a Turkish jail before night, with half of the congregation to whom I was speaking.”

—It is reported that the long-standing boundary dispute between Chile and Argentina has culminated in the occupation of the Cordilleran passes by Chilean soldiers.

DOMESTIC.

—The total number of business failures in the United States in 1895 was 13,013, about three hundred more than in 1894.

—Recent copious rain showers in this state have changed the agricultural prospect from gloomy forebodings to hopeful expectations.

—The next Democratic National Convention will be held in Chicago, beginning July 7, and the next national gathering of the W. C. T. U. has been set for San Francisco in November.

—On the 16th inst. thirteen Italian counterfeiters were arrested in New York City. An important feature of the raid is the capture of the United States chief of the famous Mafia, the assassination society now so well known by its name and deeds. A large amount of counterfeit money was also secured.

—As a means of reducing the expenses of the government, Congressman Skinner proposes to cut one third from the salaries of all government employees until such time as the mints are open to the free coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to 1 of gold. It is safe to say that Congress will not vote a reduction of the salaries of its members.

—According to the census of 1890 there were at that time 7,470,000 persons more or less tinctured with negro blood in the United States. Of these all but 581,000 were in the old slave states. At the present time a recent report gives the following estimate of the religious standing of this people: Methodists, 1,190,000; Baptists, 1,403,000; Presbyterians, 30,000; Disciples, 18,600; Episcopal, 5,000.

—The total indebtedness, public and private, of the United States for 1890 is placed by the official bulletin at a minimum figure of $20,227,170,546. Over five and one-half billion dollars represents the debt of railroad companies alone, while real estate mortgages foot up $6,019,679,985. Against these figures is the estimated total wealth of the country, $65,000,000,000, which from 1880 to 1890 increased over twenty billions.

—A Rome correspondent announces that the pope, through Cardinal Satolli, has made a proposal to President Cleveland to arbitrate the dispute between England and Venezuela. It is further stated that the pope was much hurt last year, when England refused the offer of Venezuela to submit the matter to his arbitration. It is announced in Caracas that the reason of England’s refusal was the fact that in the Vatican are documents showing that Venezuela’s claim is just.

—Japan is looming up as a formidable competitor in various articles of manufactured goods, notably of cotton. Every steamer from San Francisco goes out laden with raw cotton, which is taken to Japan and returned in cloth at prices very much below anything that American manufacturers can afford. In ten years the cotton cloth industry in that country has grown to 700,000 spindles. In the article of matches, also, the Japanese imports are sold at rates here that would prove ruinous to our home manufacturers.

—Dr. John Rusk, of the Militant Church, Chicago, has invited Colonel Ingersoll, the noted infidel, to preach in that church some Sunday morning. In addressing the invitation Dr. Rusk says: “The Militant Church is organized for the purpose of bettering the conditions of mankind, regardless of creed or lack of it. The motto of our men’s club is, ‘Act in this world, theorize in the next.’ Some of our most earnest workers hold your views, while others are devout Christians. All work together, however, think for themselves, and no criticism of creed is exchanged.”

—The Good Roads Parliament at the Atlanta Exposition recommended the construction of experimental steel-track highway at various points throughout the country. The track submitted, and which was approved, is the patent of Hon. John O’Donnell of New York. It is five inches broad on the bottom, with half-inch raised sides, in which all vehicles may run. The ties and timber, with track, will cost about two thousand five hundred dollars per mile, and the roads will need to be macadamized, but the increased weight that might be hauled, and increase of speed, it is figured out will earn millions to the country if widely extended.

—While there is a strong and growing sentiment in religious circles in favor of settling national controversies by arbitration, there is also a feeling of distrust on the part of the governments that the judgments of the arbitrators are not certain of execution. There is no means but force for compelling execution when the judgment of arbitrators is not satisfactory to both parties. Of the proposition to arbitrate the Venezuela difficulty the London Globe says: “How could a court be constituted whose decisions would be sure to command equal respect from both sides? To this day the Americans have not carried out the Bering Sea award, and the arbitrators have no means of enforcing it.”

—The latest war scare in this country is the outgrowth of a mysterious naval movement on the part of Great Britain. A flying squadron sent to sea with sealed orders was interpreted to mean concentration of a strong naval force at the Bermudas, as a menace to the United States pending the controversy over the Venezuela boundary question. In reply to inquiry of our State Department, the assurance has been received that the British Government has not the remotest idea of sending a fleet to any point that might be construed as a threat to the United States. A Washington despatch says that positive assurance has been given that Great Britain is willing to settle the Venezuela question upon a basis satisfactory to this country, provided it shall not put that government in the attitude of backing down.

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS

BY JOHN BUNYAN

A new, clear-type edition of convenient size. Nearly bound in cloth, cover design in colors, 240 pages, size 5×7½ inches.

Price, 50 Cents

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PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO., Oakland, Cal.

43 Bond St., New York. 18 W. 5th St., Kansas City, Mo.

SURE WORD OF PROPHECY. A study of the book of Daniel.

A concise study of this important prophetic portion of the Bible. Fully illustrated. Paper covers. 96 pages. Bible Students’ Library No. 131. Price, 10 cents.

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PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

Kansas City, Mo. New York City, N. Y.

ANGELS, Their Nature and Ministry.

Revised by the late J. H. Waggoner.

In two parts. Part Two considers some hints on the Origin, History and Destiny of Satan, as gleaned from the Scriptures. Bible Students’ Library No. 83. 140 pages. Paper covers. Price, 20 cents.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

Kansas City, Mo. New York City, N. Y.

THE ATONEMENT.

AN EXAMINATION OF A REMEDIAL SYSTEM, IN THE LIGHT OF NATURE AND OF REVELATION.

By Eld. J. H. Waggoner.

THIRD EDITION, REVISED AND GREATLY ENLARGED.

This work is a critical and exhaustive treatise on the plan of salvation as revealed in the Scriptures, showing its harmony with the principles of justice and mercy, its consistency with reason, and its final results as affecting the destiny of the human race. 368 pp.; cloth, $1.00.

Address. PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

Abiding Sabbath and Lord’s Day

By Alonzo T. Jones

By ALONZO T. JONES

A pointed review of two prize essays which are, without doubt, the best contributions to the defense of Sunday as the Sabbath. Those desiring to find some $1,000 reasons for keeping the first day of the week will find them in this work. Bible Students’ Library No. 2. 173 pages. Paper covers. Price, 20 cents. Address

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.

Kansas City, Mo. OAKLAND, CAL. New York City, N. Y.

THE JUDGMENT

By John Nevins Andrews

By the late J. N. ANDREWS

The Events of the Judgment and their Order. Following are principal chapter headings: The Investigative Judgment, Examination of the Books, God the Father the Judge, Offices of Christ, Messages to the World, The Sanctuary in Heaven, The Crowning of Christ, The Executive Judgment, The Saints Sitting in Judgment. Bible Students' Library No. 55. 136 pages. Paper covers. Price, 15 cents.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

Kansas City, Mo. New York City, N. Y.

THE SPIRIT OF GOD

By Joseph Harvey Waggoner

ITS OFFICES AND MANIFESTATIONS TO THE END OF THE CHRISTIAN ERA.

BY ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.

THIS is a brief but comprehensive argument on the solemn and important subject of the Spirit of God. Its chapters embrace the following heads: The Holy Spirit of Promise; The Power from on High; Circumcision of the heart; The Unity of the Faith; The Law and the Testimony; Try the Spirits; The Great Commission; Gifts in the Reformation; In the Present Century; Spirit of Prophecy Restored. These are subjects of vital importance to all and especially to those who are looking for the return of their Lord. 144 pp. Price, 15 cents.

Address,

PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

What Next?

The whole Sunday-sabbath question from the beginning has been bolstered up by a tissue of theological falsehoods and subterfuges and perversions of Scripture. Generally, however, the business world has been honest enough to admit ordinary facts regarding the matter, but it seems now as though Satan was manufacturing blind guides here also, in order to lead astray the simple. N. A. Walcott & Co. publish an Oakland Business Directory, on the last page of cover of which is a “Business Calendar.” If the “directory” is as erroneous as the calendar, it is not to be depended upon; for the calendar is false in that it represents Sunday as being the seventh day of the week. The publisher may believe this, and so may ten thousand others, but this does not alter the fact that the assumption is false. A counterfeit bill never becomes genuine. A lie never becomes truth. Sunday is the first day of the divinely ordained week, always was, and ever will be. Do not be deceived.

ARTICLES ON THE SABBATH QUESTION.

By Editor

AMONG the articles which our next issue will contain are the following:—

“The Creative Power of God—His Memorial,” by Elder D. T. Jones, superintendent of Medical Mission, Guadalajara, Mexico.

“The Institution of the Sabbath,—When? How? By Whom?” by Elder E. E. Andross, of Healdsburg Bible School.

“The Sabbath as Related to Fallen Man,” by Elder F. M. Wilcox, editor of Home Missionary.

“Jesus and the Sabbath,” by Elder J. H. Durland, editor of Youth’s Instructor.

“The Apostles and the Sabbath,” by Elder H. P. Holser, superintendent of European Missions, Basel, Switzerland.

“Mystery of Iniquity and the Sabbath,” by Elder W. Covert, president of Vermont Conference.

“False Reform on the Sabbath,” by Elder W. N. Glenn, editor of Our Little Friend.

“It Is Lawful to Do Good on the Sabbath Day,” by Mrs. E. G. White.

“True Reform on the Sabbath.”

There may be some little change in the above, which we do not now anticipate. The reader will see that all great phases of the Sabbath question are fairly well covered. The next number of the SIGNS will be most valuable, and should help in extending its circulation. Extra copies may be secured at the rate of $2.00 per 100.

Offer of Valuable Books with Signs of the Times

READ the offer on another page of valuable books with the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

Interesting Facts from the Septuagint

THERE are some interesting and instructive facts illuminated in the article “Thoughts from the Septuagint,” in another column.

The Signs of the Times Unsigned Communications Policy

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES has a place large and capacious for all unsigned communications; the plain English of this place is wastebasket.

Europe and Christianity: A Sobering Outlook

READ the short article in the Outlook from a secular paper on “Europe and Christianity.” What a picture it presents, and, sad as it is, it is true!

Erratum on Price of Rights of the People

Erratum.—It was recently stated in the SIGNS that “Rights of the People,” bound in cloth, is 75 cents. This is a mistake. The prices are 40 cents paper covers, $1.00 cloth.

Sabbath School Lesson and the Babylon of Revelation

By Editor

MAY we not ask our readers generally to read in connection with the first-page articles, the Sabbath school lesson on page 13? It may help them to see more clearly what the Babylon of the Revelation means.

Index for 1895.

By Editor

There has been a little delay in printing the index for volume 21 of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, but it is now ready, and will be sent to all those who desire it and will inform us. It will be of little use to those who do not bind the paper.

Our Next Issue: Special Matter on the Sabbath

By Editor

Our Next Issue.—Our next issue will contain special matter on the Sabbath question, the great religious question of the day in religio-political circles. It is a great and prominent truth of God’s word. In all the great epochs of man’s probation it has been a testing truth. It is testing individuals and nations to-day. What does the Lord say respecting this great question? Where does the truth lie as respects days? This the SIGNS OF THE TIMES will seek to give in part in the next number.

PRICE OF SYMPOSIUM NUMBER OF "SIGNS."

By Editor

The chief object in issuing the symposium, or one-subject, numbers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES was not to sell those special numbers, but to increase the circulation of the paper of each and all issues. We felt sure that with from 8 to 12 such special numbers during the year the paper would be much more valuable, and that there would be a generous response to this on the part of our friends in increasing the general circulation.

In order to advertise our purpose extra copies of the special numbers were offered at one-half the regular rates. For extra copies of ordinary issues we have asked $2.00 per 100. We have sold our extra copies of our special numbers at one-half this rate, or at the rate of $1.00 per 100 copies. This has been below cost, and, of course, at a loss to the publishers. Do our friends realize this? Some of them have not realized it; for if they had, they would not have taken advantage of the generous offer, nor would we have received request for the special or symposium numbers of the year alone. The special numbers are certainly as valuable as the ordinary number. The paper is very cheap at one dollar a year. We shall, therefore, in the future charge at the same rate for the special numbers as for the ordinary. The price will be at the rate of $2.00 per 100. In other words, this places the special numbers just where the ordinary numbers are. Terms of subscription, single, in clubs to societies, and to agents, are not by this affected in any way.

Special Back Numbers.

We have on hand some extra copies of Nos. 49 and 50 which we will furnish at half price, $1.00 per 100 copies. No. 49 is the issue containing the Declaration of Independence, with cuts of the house in which it was written and the Sabbath-keeping press on which it was printed. It contains other important matter also. No. 50 is the most valuable number of last volume, the subject of which is "The Great Threefold Message of Revelation 14." We have no tract on this great subject. The matter in the SIGNS would make a small pamphlet of fifty or more pages, costing from five to ten cents. We offer it to our readers at one cent a copy. Never was more fresh up-to-date matter offered so cheaply in connection with our work. Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

Submission to God and Its Peace Through Faith

Submission to God.— To submit is to place ourselves under. James 4: 7 has been freely rendered: “Arrange yourselves under God that you may array yourselves against the devil.” Submission, or yielding to God, means to put ourselves on the Lord’s side. It places us where his grace may be bestowed upon us freely. We are then in harmony with his righteous law, the law of the operation of his grace. It is his will to bestow it; he gave his Son that he might bestow it; and as we have submitted to his will, his grace is freely bestowed upon us. As it is his will that we shall be saved through faith in Christ, we accept, yea, gladly embrace, the gracious Redeemer, our righteousness, our life, our peace. True submission brings peace through faith in Christ as a personal Saviour; for true submission to God always embraces the Gospel—God’s only plan of saving men. True submission not only places a man where he may see Christ as a Saviour, but where he must see him as truly as he with healthful open eye must see the sun when his sight is turned toward that great luminary. He has opened his heart toward God as the flower is opened toward sun and refreshing shower, and God’s grace flows in giving peace and life and power. As Christ is made to us by the will of God “wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1: 30), faith embraces him as such to us personally, so that as he was perfect before God in all these qualities, even so are we in God’s sight. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Rom. 5: 1, 2. As before remarked, so this text teaches that submission to God opens to us, gives us access to, his grace—not only grace to forgive or justify, but continuous grace to keep us, to enable us to stand to the end.

TO OUR SABBATH-KEEPING READERS.

By Editor

WE would be glad to know how many of our readers have accepted the Sabbath and kindred truths as taught by the SIGNS OF THE TIMES through reading matter, whether by paper, pamphlet, tract, or book. If such ones will write to A. O. Tait, Battle Creek, Mich., stating what publication it was that first called attention to our work, it will greatly oblige us.

If they have not seen the two new tracts “America’s Crisis” and “The New Testament Sabbath,” and will so state to Mr. Tait, he will be pleased to send them sample copies. Only those should respond who have accepted the views represented by this paper, stating through what publication they first became interested.

Religious Agitation in the Secular Press

By Editor

WE are glad to see the agitation on religious questions, especially in the secular press. Some honest soul who is willing will thereby be led by the Spirit to the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. For instance, the San Diego Tribune of recent date comes to our table with a well-written column article on the Eastern question, by Mr. Arthur C. Everett. This is good. Let there be much more done in this line. The secular press is generally willing to admit, candid discussions if not too long, and is fair enough to print all sides.