The Sabbath-school lessons have been discontinued. The Lesson Quarterly may be obtained, containing three months' lessons and notes, for five cents. Address, Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal. The Sunday-school lessons will continue.
THE NORTHWESTERN LINE RUSSIA-JAPAN ATLAS.
Send ten cents in stamps to R. R. Ritchie, No. 617 Market Street, San Francisco, for Russo-Japanese War Atlas, issued by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, three fine colored maps each 14x20, bound in convenient form for reference. The Eastern Situation shown in detail with tables showing relative military and naval strength and financial resources of Russia and Japan.
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Testimonials From Everywhere.
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5 gal. can $3.50; 10 gal. can (75 lbs. 9c. per lb.) $6.75.
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Address O. C. GODSMARK.
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This is not an inferior compound, and we can not pay the freight or compete in price with cheaper goods.
TO CONVINCE YOU.
"Alfred Mallett,
"Elkridge, Baltimore, Md.,
"Dear Sir: I sent you ten cents for samples of E-Z Washing Tablets over a year ago. I was a little disappointed in the way the Tablets were to be used, so I never tried them till last week. I had a great big wash, and I used one of your Tablets. I was surprised and delighted with the results."
We have thousands of testimonials which would fully convince YOU, if YOU could read them. Samples free for two-cent stamp. Address, Alfred Mallett, Elkridge, Baltimore, Md.
NOTICE.
By Mary E. Hall
The undersigned would like to correspond with an elderly Seventh-day Adventist couple who are able and willing to work on a small ranch in return for a good home.
Miss Mary E. Hall,
Nevada City, Cal.
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Remember these cars run through to above named cities without a change from Oakland or San Francisco. Our fast limited trains in connection with the above mentioned service.
G. T. FORSYTH
Div. Pass. Agent
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PHONE MAIN 543
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Loss to Our Pitcairn Island Friends.
By Editor
A note from Captain Edward Stubbs of the English navy informs us that the Pitcairn Islanders "have lost their cutter in which they traded to Tahiti. Only one man was drowned; but they lost everything; cargo, clothes, nautical instruments, and books all gone. I am trying to raise a fund to assist." We have not learned full particulars.
Certainly this is a worthy cause. The Pitcairn people are on a little island of very limited resources, far from other islands, and outside of the lines of regular shipping. This little cutter connected them with the world and its supplies, often greatly needed. Any funds sent us by those disposed to help in this worthy enterprise will be forwarded to Captain Stubbs. In sending to this office be very particular to specify, "For Pitcairn Islanders."
A Word to Our Correspondents.
We wish that we could reply personally to all the kind letters of appreciation which have come to us relative to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. We are glad the paper has been to them what it has, glad of the light and truth and cheer and courage it has brought to the hearts of our readers; but to God be all the glory through Jesus Christ our Lord. His is the truth, the light, the power, and to Him be the glory. He has given us the privilege of bearing the simple message of truth for this time—a message to the child of faith, potent with all the possibilities of life everlasting.
SHIRKING MORAL RESPONSIBILITY.
By Editor
THE agitation by leading representatives of the churches in Washington, D. C., as portrayed in our Outlook department, reveals an admittedly sad social condition—the saddest part being the tacit admission that the churches and the families composing the churches have utterly failed in the matter of imparting moral and religious instruction to their children. Then to add absurdity to the situation, wise churchmen—some of whom are recognized statesmen—propose to compel the world to do for them what they have failed to do for themselves. The proposition is virtually this: As churches we have failed to inculcate morality and religion in the minds of the young; as parents we have failed to teach our children their duty to God and to their fellow-men; and because this is a Christian nation, such a condition ought not to exist.
Therefore, for the purpose of having these children taught morality and religion, we will turn them over to the schools of the world, and have laws enacted compelling the world to teach these necessary principles. What a bold stroke of piety and wisdom! We will relieve ourselves, as churches and as parents, of the responsibility of teaching morality and religion to the rising generation, and also atone for past laxness in this regard, by compelling the world to assume our responsibility, through the instrumentality of the state. Now if compelling the state to teach religion is not church and state union, with the church in domination, where would we look to find such a condition? All that Rome ever did, in her darkest age, was through making a bondservant of the state.
Pacific Coast Japanese Exclusion Movement
A movement is being started on the Pacific Coast for an exclusion law against the Japanese laborers similar to that now enforced against the Chinese. The California Legislature has passed a bill memorializing Congress to enact the legislation desired in this matter.
The Witness of Christianity
"Evidences of Christianity!" exclaims Coleridge; "I am weary of the word. Make a man feel the want of it, . . . and you may safely trust it to its own evidence." Truer thing was never spoken. Not all the logical treatises ever written can turn a skeptic from dead works to serve the living God; but when the soul grows weary with its burden of sin, and hears the voice of Jesus saying, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest," he knows that Christianity is true. "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself." 1 John 5:10.
Be Not Deceived
"Be Not Deceived."—That the embellishment of error adds nothing to its value, but only to its power for deception, is tersely stated by the prophet Habakkuk: "What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?" Chapter 2:18. Not only is the ornamentation worse than superfluous, but believing in them makes them no better. There are two points worthy of note: (1). While false doctrine is more attractive and more seductive when presented in flowery language and accompanied by brilliant display, its power for good is not thereby enhanced; but only made more productive of evil. (2). Belief in false doctrine, however conscientious or deeply grounded, is no evidence of the value of the doctrine, or of virtue on the part of the credulous believer. The law of God is the truth (Ps. 119:142), and that is the "way" of Christ (John 14:6; 15:10; 17:17). Any departure from this Way of Truth is falsehood, and leads to death, no matter how fluently or earnestly it may be expressed, or how beautifully its temples may be garnished.
Encouraging Satan's Work.
By Editor
The Spokane (Wash.) Chronicle, of December 16, announced that a call had just been issued for a meeting at Astoria, Ore., of all the seiners on the Columbia River for the purpose of "considering proposed changes in the fishing laws of the states of Washington and Oregon at the next session of their legislatures, the particular object desired being that there shall not be a closed fishing day on Sunday." It seems that this desire is due to the shortness of the fishing season and "the difficulty the seiners have of holding their men together when given a Sunday holiday, it being necessary to hire a new crew nearly every Monday." This item shows how the enforced observance of Sunday encourages intemperance and its consequent evils through the medium of enforced idleness. It is a true proverb that "Satan always finds some work for idle hands to do," and he never suggests any good employment. So, when the state or municipality compels men to be idle on Sunday, or on any other day, the work of Satan is thereby encouraged.
Where are the Days?
By Editor
Every evangelical Christian who sings—and all do, in the heart at least—have been encouraged and helped heavenward by the sweet songs of Fanny Crosby. Many of these have appeared over her own name; many over some nom de plume, and some of them have been translated into many languages. Miss Crosby is now eighty-eight, but strong and well, and goes about the country, speaking to large audiences. Many do not know that those sweet hymns of light and love have been born in physical darkness; for Miss Crosby is blind physically, but her hymns do not show it. "Safe in the Arms of Jesus" was written, under pressure, in twenty minutes; but it lives. Miss Crosby's birthday is March 24, but her friends are suggesting the making of Sunday, March 26, "Fanny Crosby Day." All honor to the sweet singer, whom the Lord has given to His church; but we can not believe that it would be pleasing to the aged Christian to take one day which ought to be given to Christ for any individual, however worthy. Where would we get our days, if we set apart one for every instrument that God had specially used for His glory? We praise God for Miss Crosby, but all the glory is His.
The fine poem on the first page from Mr. T. Shelley Sutton appeared in the Los Angeles Sunday Times, of March 5. We beg Mr. Sutton's pardon for changing "envy" to "honor." Mr. Sutton envies the character he portrays. We believe also that he honors it. Honor would lead to aspiration and imitation, but envy to bitterness and despair.
Bible Readings for Second Quarter 1905
By Editor
Beginning with the next issue we shall publish thirteen Bible readings or articles on the same subjects as those covered by the International Sabbath-school lessons for the second quarter of 1905. These will be as follows: Four on the Nature of Man, the Resurrection, and the Destiny of the Wicked; three on Angels, good and evil, and their work; three on the Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts; three on the Ordinances of the Church. These will be full of interest and instruction.
WORDS OF CHEER.
By Editor
FROM one of our valued correspondents, and oft-times contributor, comes a copy of Faber's grand old hymn, with parts underscored, beginning,—
"Workman of God, O lose not heart,
But learn what God is like,
And on the darkest battle-field
Thou shalt know when to strike.
"Thrice blest is he to whom 'tis given
The instinct that can tell
That God is on the field, when He
Is most invisible."
Another copies Whittier's "Angel of Patience," and sends it to us, with helpful, encouraging words. The said helpful poem appeared in the SIGNS of March 1.
Another, a mourning, suffering one, trusting in the strength of God, quotes this from Maltbie Babcock,—
" 'Be strong in the Lord, and the power of His might,'
Be strong.
We are not here to play, to dream, to drift,
We have hard work to do, and loads to lift.
Shun not the struggle, face it; 'tis God's gift.
"Be strong.
It matters not how deep entrenched the wrong,
How hard the battle goes, the day how long;
Faint not, fight on! to-morrow comes the song."
These are truly words of cheer. May God bless those who sent them, and others for whose good words we can not find space.