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Signs of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 21.

THE CITY OF OUR GOD
Earlier text: ELEVATING THE THEATER

Niagara Vapor Baths

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In Buying a Vapor Bath

Get one with a steel frame that stands on the floor. If a manufacturer does not show you a cut, you may take it for granted that his “steel frame” is a wire hoop that rests on the shoulders of the bather.
Get one that is covered with proper material. Insist on seeing a sample of material before ordering.
Get one with a thermometer attachment. Don’t go it blind. A bath that is too hot or not hot enough will be of no benefit to you.
Get one that you can return and have your money back, if not satisfactory in every way.
Send for sample of material and interesting booklet that will tell you all about Vapor Baths.
Price of Niagara Baths, $5.00
Jones & Co. Manufacturers
DEPARTMENT K. T.
Niagara Falls, N. Y.
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TESTIMONIALS

I HAVE become much interested in the SIGNS and what it teaches, and would like to investigate for myself, so inclosed find my subscription.—Joseph Reed.
A METHODIST this evening congratulated me on the value of the SIGNS, by saying that it breathes the greatest amount of spiritual life of any paper he reads.—A. O. Burrill.
A CERTAIN person has been so kind to me as to send me the SIGNS during the past year, and I have found it to be a good paper. I like it because it preaches Jesus and Him crucified to lost sinners, and because it stands by the Word of God.—Wilburn Goodman.
I AM a strong believer in and supporter of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. We have a little church here, consisting of two hundred members; but they are greatly scattered. Hence we do not have the financial support of the entire membership; but we take in this church 1,000 copies weekly, and have been doing so for the past three years. We shall work for the SIGNS to the best of our ability, all other lines of work considered.—H. W. Cottrell.

PERIODICALS WANTED.

LATE clean copies of SIGNS and other of our denominational papers for missionary work. Please send post-paid to Joseph Carr, Clarington, Forest County, Pa.

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.

CALIFORNIA STATE CAMP-MEETING.

This annual camp-meeting and conference will be held in Hunt’s Grove, St. Helena, Napa Co., June 2–12. Special rates will be granted by the S. P. Co., notice of which appeared in this paper of May 5. Tents will be rented at the following prices: 10x12 tents, $2.50; fly or burlap, 50 cents extra; 12x16 tents, $3.50; fly or burlap, 75 cents extra. Orders should be sent to J. J. Ireland, 1059 Castro Street, Oakland, Cal.

PRINTERS’ INK

For People Who Spend Money For Advertising

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A practical publication on advertising, containing more information in its 52 issues per year than can be learned by experience in twice that time.
Printers’ Ink is issued weekly, is known as the “Little Schoolmaster” in the art of advertising, and costs only $5 per year. A sample copy will be sent upon receipt of 10 cents.
Address
PRINTERS’ INK,
10 Spruce Street,                         New York
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AMERICAN NEWSPAPER DIRECTORY

The Standard Authority on American Newspapers.

AMERICAN NEWSPAPER DIRECTORY

Published 30 years, and containing the most reliable statistics pertaining to all newspapers published in the United States and Canada, together with valuable gazetteer information about the region in which the various papers are published.
The papers’ Politics, Religion, Class, Nationality, Days of Issue, Editors’ and Publishers’ Names, Size, Subscription Price, Date of Establishment, and Circulation, are all told in this Directory.
A publication that is found to be worth many times its price by business men generally.
GEO. P. ROWELL & CO., Publishers.
$5, CARRIAGE PREPAID. 10 Spruce St., New York.
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Laconic Publishing Co., 123 Liberty St., New York.
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NUT FOODS.

We manufacture these goods and sell so low that you can not afford to be without them. We sell mill outfits, nuts, malt, and all material used in these foods. Nut Butter made and shipped day order is received. Recipes free with Mills. Write for prices of foods, mills, etc. KNAPP BROS., 71 N. 11th St., E. Portland, Oregon.
When you write, please mention the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

Jesus Christ Our Righteousness

“Jesus Christ Our Righteousness.” (Spanish.) A translation of Bible Students’ Library No. 71; 8 pp.; price, 1 cent. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.

PREACHING THE GOSPEL IN ROME

Lesson XI.—Sabbath, June 11, 1898.

PREACHING THE GOSPEL IN ROME.

7 “Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius; who received us, and entertained us three days courteously. 8 And it was so, that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery; unto whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and 9 laying his hands on him healed him. And when this was done, the rest also which had diseases in the island came, 10 and were cured; who also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board such things as we needed.
11 “And after three months we set sail in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the island, whose sign was The Twin 12 Brothers. And touching at Syracuse, we tarried there three 13 days. And from thence we made a circuit, and arrived at Rhegium; and after one day a south wind sprang up, and on 14 the second day we came to Puteoli; where we found brethren, and were entreated to tarry with them seven days; and so 15 we came to Rome. And from thence the brethren, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius, and The Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
16 “And when we entered into Rome, Paul was suffered to abide by himself with the soldier that guarded him.
17 “And it came to pass, that after three days he called together those that were the chief of the Jews; and when they were come together, he said unto them, I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into 18 the hands of the Romans; who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because there was no cause 19 of death in me. But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Cæsar; not that I had aught to accuse my nation of. For this cause therefore did I entreat 20 you to see and to speak with me; for because of the hope 21 of Israel I am bound with this chain. And they said unto him, We neither received letters from Judea concerning thee, nor did any of the brethren come hither and report or speak 22 any harm of thee. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest; for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.
23 “And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers, saying, 26 Go thou unto this people, and say, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in nowise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in nowise perceive; 27 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them.
28 Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God 29 is sent unto the Gentiles; they will also hear. And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much disputing among themselves.
30 “And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, 31 and received all that went in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him.”

QUESTIONS.

(1) Relate as many of the particulars of Paul’s voyage and shipwreck as you can. (2) Describe the escape. Where did the party land? What took place after they landed? (3) What influential man lived in the neighborhood? What did he do for Paul’s company? Verse 7. (4) What blessing came to his house for this kind act of hospitality? Verse 8. (5) What followed this case of healing? Verse 9. (6) Of what were Paul and his companions the recipients? What did they receive on departing? Verse 10. (7) How long a time were they on the island? On what ship did they sail? Verse 11. (8) Where did they break their journey? Verse 12. (9) From there what was their course to the mainland of Italy? Verse 13. (10) Whom did they find on landing? How long did they remain with them? Verse 14. (11) When the brethren in Rome heard of Paul’s coming, what did they do? How far did they go? What effect did the sight of these brethren coming to meet them have on Paul? Verse 15. (12) What was done with the prisoners on their arrival in Rome? What special privilege was granted to Paul? Verse 16. (13) What did he do after three days? How did he address the Jews? Verse 17. (14) What statement did he make as to his conduct? What had the Romans not found? Verse 18. (15) Notwithstanding all that the Jews had done to him, what did he say? Verse 19. (16) What did he say was the cause of his present bondage? Verse 20. (17) What did the Jews say they had not heard? What did they desire? What was the only thing they knew of the sect to which Paul belonged? Verses 21, 22. (18) What did they therefore do? What did Paul do when they came to him? For how long? Verse 23.
(19) What was the result? Verse 24. (20) What did Paul say to them before they departed? Verse 25. (21) Repeat the words from Isaiah. Verses 26, 27. Where are they found? (22) Of what did Paul assure the Jews? Verse 28. (23) What did the Jews do as they left Paul? Verse 29. (24) How long did Paul remain at Rome this time? Under what circumstances? Verse 30. (25) How did he employ the time? How free was he to do this? Verse 31.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.

(1) “Made a circuit.” “Fetched a compass,” this is given in the Revised Version. (2) What is the hope of Israel? Is there any difference between the hope of Israel and the Christian’s hope? (3) What books did Paul use in the preaching of the Gospel? (4) “Castor and Pollux,” known as the “Twin Brothers,” and the Dioscuri, or sons of Jove. They were regarded as tutelary deities of sailors, those having a care over them.
PAUL'S ARRIVAL IN ROME AT THE “THREE TAVERNS.”
PAUL'S ARRIVAL IN ROME AT THE “THREE TAVERNS.”

JESUS CRUCIFIED

Lesson XI.—Sunday, June 12, 1898.

JESUS CRUCIFIED.

Lesson Scripture, Matt. 27:35-50, R.V.
35 “And when they had crucified Him, they parted His garments among them, casting lots; and they sat and watched Him there. 36 And they set up over His head His accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38 Then are there crucified with Him two robbers, one on the right hand, and one on the left. 39 And they that passed by railed on Him, wagging their heads, 40 and saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself; if Thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41 In like manner also the chief priests mocking Him, with the scribes and elders, 42 said, He saved others; Himself He can not save. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe on Him. 43 He trusteth on God; let Him deliver Him now, if He desireth Him: for He said, I am the Son of God. 44 And the robbers also that were crucified with Him cast upon Him the same reproach. 45 “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? 47 that is, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? And some of them that stood there, when they heard it, said, This man calleth Elijah. 48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave Him to drink. 49 And the rest said, Let be; let us see whether Elijah cometh to save Him. 50 And Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.”
Golden Text: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” I Cor. 15:3.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) What was the last formal act in the condemnation of Jesus? V. 35. Note 1. (2) What was done with His garments? Same v. Note 2. (3) What scripture was thus fulfilled? Ps. 22:18. (4) Then what did the guards do? Verse 36. (5) What inscription was placed over Him? V. 37. (6) Who were crucified with Him? V. 38. Note 3. (7) What was done by the people who passed by? V. 39; Ps. 22:7, 8. (8) What did they say? V. 40. Note 4. (9) Who else mocked Him? V. 41. (10) What did these officials say? V. 42. Note 5. (11) With what other taunt did they revile Him? V. 43. Note 6. (12) What did the thieves say to Him? V. 44. (13) What phenomenon occurred at noon? and how long did it last? V. 45. Note 7. (14) At the close of this dark period, what did Jesus say? V. 46. Note 8. (15) What then did some of the spectators say? V. 47. (16) What did one of the men do? V. 48. (17) What did the rest say? V. 49. (18) What was the last act of the suffering Christ? V. 50.

NOTES.

1. “They crucified Him.”—The cross was a heavy piece of timber, with a shorter piece fastened crosswise near one end. The victim was laid on this timber, the arms stretched upon the crosspiece and made secure by thongs or bands, but in the case of Jesus by nails driven through the hands. Then, as a further support to the body, the feet were bound, but in the case of Jesus, nails were driven through the feet into the main timber. Then the structure was raised to an upright position and planted in the ground. The body was sufficiently elevated to make it a conspicuous spectacle. The position caused the most excruciating pain, but Christ’s suffering in spirit because of the doom that His persecutors were bringing upon themselves was greater than His bodily pain.
2. “They parted His garments.”—The garments were the perquisites of the soldiers who did the cruel work. Here the prophecy was fulfilled to the letter, “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” Ps. 22:18. John (chapter 19:23, 24) says, “The coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout;” for this reason they said, “Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be.” Of course they did not know that they were fulfilling the scripture.
3. The two “thieves” (or “robbers,” Revised Version) were men who had been engaged with Barabbas in his “sedition,” and were condemned with him. By request of the people, at the instigation of the priests, Barabbas had been released, and Jesus crucified in his stead. Thus was Christ “numbered with the transgressors.”
4. “Thou that destroyest the temple,” etc.—This was a perversion of His own words, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John 2:19. “But He spake of the temple of His body.” Verse 21. The perversion of His words by applying them to the temple building was the accusation brought against Him by two false witnesses at His trial before the high priest. Matt. 26:61.
5. “He saved others, Himself He can not save.”—In this saying the revilers of Christ unwittingly uttered a great truth. That they did not understand the mission of the Messiah, is shown in their railing sarcasm, “If He be the King of Israel, let Him come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.” This demonstrates the extent of their deception. They would believe one who could save himself; but if Christ had saved Himself, He could not have saved anybody else. The fact that He could save others and not Himself, was proof that He was the Saviour and the King of Israel.
6. “He trusted in God.”—That was because He knew God. So will the true follower of Christ trust in God, no matter what the circumstances or the trial. The true Christian has no thought of self-defense. It is the world’s maxim, “Self-defense is the first law of nature,” but the spiritual man trusts in God for defense. “He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.” Ps. 62:2. “Yea, tho I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” Ps. 23:4.
7. “Darkness over all the land.”—It was not an ordinary eclipse of the sun; it was a sudden darkness.
8. “Why hast Thou forsaken Me?”—It was part of the penalty of sin which He was bearing for the whole world. “His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” 1 Peter 2:24.
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