The World's Dark Night Is Almost Spent — Signs That Show the Morning — Get Ready for Its Joys
“THE night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” Rom. 13: 12.
In a recent article, it was shown that this is nighttime, and that the day is before us. Let us now consider the particular time in which our lot is cast. This question seems to be settled by the apostle Paul when he says, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand.” It appears that the apostle saw our times, and wrote of them.
Jesus came once to suffer and die for sinners, to provide a full and free pardon for those who were under sentence of death, and who would accept Him as their personal Saviour. He arose from the dead, and ascended to heaven, a mighty conqueror over man’s last enemy, death; and “He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Heb. 7: 25.
BUT ONE THING YET TO DO
All has been done that could be done for a lost race, save one thing only — the finishing of the work of proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom to all the world12for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24: 14.
THE MIRACLE OF MODERN MISSIONS
One of the prominent signs of the second advent of Christ was to be the preaching of the gospel to all nations. In his “Hundred Years of Missions,” Dr. D. L. Leonard says:
“The closing years of the eighteenth century constitute in the history of Protestant missions an epoch indeed, since they witnessed nothing less than a revolution, a renaissance, an effectual and manifold ending of the old, a substantial inauguration of the new. It was then that for the first time since the apostolic period, occurred an outburst of general missionary zeal and activity. Beginning in Great Britain, it soon spread to the continent and across the Atlantic. It was no mere push of fervor, but a mighty tide set in, which from that day to this has been steadily rising and spreading.”
CAREY
After this mighty movement was fairly begun from Basel, Switzerland, German believers sent the following message to England:
“It is like the dawn promising the beautiful day after the dark night. It is the beginning of a new epoch for the kingdom of God on earth. Your undertaking and its success fill our hearts with joy and our eyes with tears. . . . You call on the wise and good of every nation to take interest in the work and bear a part. Such a call was never heard of before. It was reserved for the close of the eighteenth century to be distinguished by it.”—“Hundred Years of Missions,” page 91.
This wonderful miracle of modern missions, begun in 1792 with the organization of the Baptist Missionary Society by William Carey, has continued to spread, till to-day doors once securely barred in nearly all non-Christian lands are wide open for the entrance of the gospel. Surely this “is like the dawn promising the beautiful day after the dark night.” “The night is far spent, the day is at hand.”
PERILOUS TIMES
Another herald of the coming dawn is seen in the spiritual declension that is becoming more and more manifest. The love of money and the love of pleasure, with their attendant evils, seem to be making terrible inroads among God’s professed people. Sad though it be, this condition is one of the signs of the approaching end.
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Tim. 3: 1-5.
The reason for the existence of this sad condition among those who have “a form of godliness” but deny “the power thereof” is evidently stated in the succeeding chapter thus:
“The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Tim. 4: 3, 4.
FALLING AWAY
That these conditions now quite largely prevail in the professed Christian world seems apparent. The Rev. P. Gavan Duffy, in an article that appeared in the January, 1915, number of the Century Magazine, entitled “The Bondage of Modern Religion,” says:
“If one permitted one’s self to catalogue the signs of bondage to the mammon spirit in our modern ecclesiastical life, from the dollar appraisement of spiritual values to the six-thousand-dollar-a-year apartments which deck the splendor and success of some who preach the gospel of the penniless Christ — well, where would one stop? Yet, leaving the extremes, and coming down to what represents the norm of corporate religious attitude and conduct, there is much that tells, free from sensationalism, of an atmosphere in which it is evident that conception of spiritual potentiality is stifled in an exaggerated world-dependency that holds in bondage.”
Left to right: J. P. Casey, secretary South African Union Conference; W. A. S. Hyatt, vice president; W. B. White, president; and W. B. Commin, treasurer.
Further the writer of the article says:
“We must be courageous to face the truth, and realize that too large a part of its [Christianity’s] time has been consumed in seeking to save its own life by an appeal to the patronage of the powerful to guarantee its existence.”
Frequently of late years such articles as the above have appeared in the magazines, and especially since the great war in Europe began. The question has repeatedly been asked, “Has Christianity broken down?” To see the great nations of Europe, professedly Christian, and yet ruthlessly violating every principle of Christianity so beautifully exemplified in the life of its Author, and so clearly set forth in the New Testament Scriptures, surely demonstrates that a great change, but not for the better, has come over the professed Christian world.
TRUE CHRISTIANITY LIVING AND ACTIVE
Real Christianity has not failed nor broken down. Only the counterfeit article has failed, while the prophecies that spoke of the falling away in the last days are accurately fulfilled, thus clearly demonstrating that God still lives, and that He is ruling in the affairs of men. True Christianity is making its conquests to-day as verily as in the days of the apostles. While “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3: 13), some, even amid the perils of the last days, will be true to God. Of such the Lord says, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14: 12. And again we read, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12: 32.
When the Saviour was born in Bethlehem, the multitudes were unprepared to receive Him, although Moses and all the prophets had written concerning His coming; yet a few “just and devout” souls, who were “waiting for the consolation of Israel,” and upon whom the Holy Ghost rested, were ready to welcome His advent with joy.
So at His second appearing, while the multitudes, including the great majority of those who bear His name, will be wholly unprepared to meet Him, yet from every nation will come forth a loyal band of believers, who, with faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, and with glad voices, join in the mighty shout of triumph: “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”
And from the lips of their glorious Redeemer they hear the words of perpetual bliss, “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Isa. 25: 9; Matt. 25: 34.
INCREASE OF RICHES
The apostle James speaks of another sign that points unerringly to the fact that we are now living in the last hour of the night, and that the day is dawning. He first speaks of13the miseries that are to come upon the rich who have laid up “treasure in the last days,” and then of the fraudulent methods employed in the accumulation of such vast fortunes, and of the wantonness of these unfortunate victims of covetousness. The righteous are exhorted to patience under oppression and injustice, knowing that “the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James 5: 1-8.
Speaking of the things that would “come to pass in the last days,” Isaiah says: “Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots.” Isa. 2: 2, 7.
According to statistics from the year 1492 to 1850, a period of three hundred fifty-nine years, the world’s production of gold was $3,051,477,000; while from 1851 to 1899, a period of forty-nine years, it was $6,498,990,225. In other words, in the fifty years preceding 1900, it was more than twice as much as for the preceding three hundred fifty years.
An abnormal amount of the world’s vast wealth has in recent years found its way into the hands of a few astute manipulators of civilization’s rapidly developing industries. A few years ago, the world’s finances were controlled by the millionaires; to-day this monopoly is reserved for the multimillionaire.
The statement of the prophet, “Neither is there any end of their chariots,” is certainly literally fulfilled to-day. First came the railway carriage, then the street car, followed later by the automobile. Surely we are not mistaken in the conclusion that the morning comes, the day breaks.
A WORLD-EMBRACING CONFLICT
Another sign that we are far along in the last watch of the night, and that we have nothing to expect now but the sunrise and the morning, is seen in the marvelous fulfillment of the words of the Saviour Himself concerning the signs of His coming and of the end of the world. “Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Matt. 24: 3, 7, 8.
To-day the most sanguinary conflict in the history of the world, involving twelve of the great nations of earth, and more than half its population, is being waged in three continents, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Since it began sixteen months ago, the destruction in both life and property has been absolutely beyond computation. With millions of the very flower of the nations that are involved slain, and other millions maimed or afflicted for life, with unnumbered newly made widows and fatherless children, with practically entire nations decimated, who can measure the sorrows that have already come to this dark world as a direct result of this awful war?
“All these,” says Jesus, “are the beginning of sorrows.” Soon, however, the cloud will be lifted, never more to cast its dark shadow upon this now stricken, sin-cursed, but then newborn, beautified, glorified earth. Redeemed completely, perpetually, from the curse of sin, populated by the nations of the saved, ruled by the King of righteousness, King of peace, the earth will then have entered upon its day eternal, with its joys unspeakable, ineffable. “In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” Ps. 16: 11.
“PUT ON THY BEAUTIFUL GARMENTS”
Obviously we ought to prepare for the breaking of the day. As says the apostle, “Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” It is high time that the church of God should awake out of sleep, and with oil in her vessel and her lamp trimmed and brightly burning, go forth to meet the Bridegroom. It is surely time that the sinner should, by repentance and confession, quickly put away his sins, and by daily consecration to the Lord and prayerful study of His word, prepare to meet his God. At such a time as this, why should any delay? “The night is far spent, the day is at hand.”
Whatever your state, dear reader, do not fail to make every preparation to be ushered into the presence of the holy God. Let not this thought discourage you, for the Saviour of sinners died that you might live eternally in His presence. He wills that you should be with Him, and waits not to condemn, but to wash you from every spot and stain of sin, and cover you with His own robe of righteousness. Give your heart, your affections, your life, your all, to Jesus, this very hour. None are so sinful that they cannot find strength, purity, and righteousness in Jesus, who died for them.
One has truly said: “If you give yourself to Him, and accept Him as your Saviour, then, sinful as your life may have been, for His sake you are accounted righteous. Christ’s character stands in place of your character, and you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned.”
Thus prepared, you will be ready to hail the new day, and with the redeemed of the Lord, “come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” Isa. 51: 11. E. E. A.
The Power of Divine Gentleness
David said of God, “Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation: and Thy gentleness hath made me great.” 2 Sam. 22:36. There is mighty power manifested in true gentleness. He only is truly great who is made so by the power of divine gentleness.
Signs of the Times Magazine
By Editor
From the Front
It will surprise some to learn of the success of Signs of the Times Magazine agents.
The fact that the magazine, with the aid of Bible prophecies, explains the great happenings of the day, and treats all other great, widely discussed religious questions, makes it comparatively easy to sell.
An agent in Minnesota sold 1,500 copies of the December number. Another agent, who works part time only, sells from 25 to 50 whenever she goes out. One down in Texas, who specializes on subscriptions, sent in 66 by a single mail. Large lists are frequently received nowadays.
If you wish to enlist as an agent, write to our representative in your state. See address on page 15.
Signs of the Times Magazine
Mountain View, Cal.
WINTER READING
Consider how well informed on great religious subjects your neighbors might be if you would provide them with tracts from the $1.00 package.
NOW is the time.
Plan a campaign, select your readers, and arrange to give them a new tract each week until the supply is used up.
In the spring, your readers will have a good understanding of these important subjects, and you will have the satisfaction that comes from doing for others.
They will then know about—
The second coming of Christ, the immortality question, the Sabbath and the law, prophecy, and health and temperance.
26 varieties — 12 subjects — nearly 2,000 pages
ALL FOR $1.00, POSTPAID
The tracts come in a neat box, as shown in the accompanying illustration. This makes them easily accessible, and keeps them clean.
Our representatives in your state will give good attention to orders sent them.
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION, Mountain View, California
THE SUNSHINE HABIT
By Mary Alice Hare Loper
Do Your Share of the Smiling—Learn That
"Thorns Have Roses"
By MARY ALICE HARE LOPER, M. S.
If a meal's a little late,
Smile!
If you somehow break a plate,
Smile!
If the world seems upside down,
And you feel just like a frown,
Smile!
If you find the baby cross,
Smile!
If your business suffers loss,
Smile!
If grim disappointment stings,
And you feel like throwing things,
Smile!
A HUMOROUS author has tritely said,
"Can't none of us help what traits we
start out in life with, but we kin help
what we end up with." It is well, therefore,
to heed the advice of Alice Cary:
"Look for goodness, look for gladness,
You will meet them all the while;
If you bring a smiling visage
To the glass, you meet a smile."
There is nothing so essential to the maintaining of a happy home as heaven-born cheerfulness on the part of the members of the household. It requires only that the moon get between our earth and the great luminary of day, to effect a total eclipse of the sun. It requires but a small dissension to eclipse the sun of domestic happiness, or extinguish its rays forever. Cheerfulness or moroseness may become epidemic in the home; therefore "children have more need of models than of critics." The small members of a household are reflectors of the words, acts, and facial expressions of those of older years.
Those who delight in taking the opposite side in the consideration of life's questions, large or small, in the home, carry this same disagreeable trait with them into the wider sphere of life's activities, and by holding tenaciously to their own pet opinions, become cloud producers on the social, business, and religious canopy of life. Implicit belief in the infallibility of one's own opinion in the little details of everyday experience, argues a narrow mind.
THE CONTENTIOUS MAN AND THE ANGRY WOMAN
Solomon well knew whereof he spoke when he said: "A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike." "It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman." "As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife."
It is the little sands of discord which cause the wheels of the domestic machinery to grate, and wear out prematurely. But the "oil of gladness" keeps everything running smoothly, accomplishing the work of the home in the very best manner. Some one has beautifully said:
"The thing that goes the farthest toward making
life worth while,
That costs the least, and does the most, is just
a pleasant smile."
It is a matter of much consolation to know that the blessed gospel, with all that pertains to it, is free. The only difference between a becluded home and a home where there is always light and cheer, is the appropriating, by the latter, of the free gift of the Sun of righteousness. The individual who lives up to his privileges in the
gospel, lives in the divine sunlight of hap- piness. "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."
That member of a household who is so wrapped up in himself that he imagines he is having more trials and disappointments to bear than anybody else, needs to become generous enough to take a broader view of life. Optimism is sunshine, but pessimism is cloud.
"It's easy enough to be pleasant when life flows
along like a song,
But the man worth while is the one who will
smile when everything goes wrong."
"The blues" is an imaginary malady that is easy to catch, but hard to cure when it becomes chronic. Still it is possible to dwell with a "patient" thus afflicted, and yet be immune from the "disease." Henry Ward Beecher once said, "There are many troubles which you cannot cure by the Bible and the hymn book, but which you can cure by a good perspiration and a breath of fresh air." This remedy, however, is found in Bible principles.
WHEN YOU FEEL "THE BLUES" COMING ON
If you feel an attack of "the blues" coming on, get busy, so busy that you have no time to nurse your symptoms. Think of the needs of others, and leave yourself out of your thoughts until you become possessed of a sunny atmosphere. It is just as much your place to do your part to make the home happy where you dwell, as it is that of other members of the household to do their part; and although you may have petted your troubles until you think differently, it may be just as easy for you to be pleasant and cheerful, as it is for other members of the family circle who practice "letting a little sunshine in" to cheer the home life.
One person never bears all the domestic aches and pains of a household, although one may do all the complaining. It is well to learn the blessedness of looking at the home problems from the viewpoint of others, and be sure to be willing to yield cheerfully any pet theory which is proved to be undeserving of consideration. It is well always to remember that commas are not so important in life's sentences as the thoughts which they punctuate. Be broad-minded enough to see a thought when it is presented, and do not be contentious over the commas. Little contentions cause the clouds to thicken, and obscure the smiling sunshine which is essential to the thrifty growth of the plant of happiness in every home.
OUGHT NOT TO WED
Grouchiness should have no place in the home life. The chronic grumbler, who expects to keep on grumbling, would better never wed. It is all right that people should wed cheerfully; but it is much more essential that they make sure that they are being wedded to cheerfulness, if they wish to have a prosperous outlook for the future, no matter what may be their experiences.
Paul could joy in tribulation, rejoice in trial, sing in prison; and even in the face of execution, he cherished the sweet assurance, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteous-
ness." The secret of Paul's good cheer
under severe persecution for the sake of
Christ, is found in his own words: "I have
learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith
to be content."
What a blessing in the home is that individual who never pouts, never scolds, never contends, never makes others wish that either they or he were somewhere else! It is our privilege to "consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works." Smiles, also, may become contagious. It is easy to smile at the one who always greets us with a smile; who trains the corners of his mouth to go up instead of down; who cherishes the somethings rather than the nothings of life; who loves life's splendid harmonies, but avoids its discords. How much better it is to be happy in the thought that "thorns have roses," than to be found "grumbling because roses have thorns"!
"When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by
one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has
done."
Smile!
Law and Love
By M. G. Conger
JESUS said: “I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Ps. 40: 8. In this passage, our Lord teaches that the keeping of the commandments should spring from an inward consent and the delight of the heart to keep the law. Then there will be no thirsting for that which one knows is wrong, but the whole heart will be in full harmony with the commandments, and obey them because of the desire to do so. Perfect peace, joy, and contentment will reign supreme; because this is an inward obedience, prompted by love.
Christ declared that to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind, and our neighbor as ourselves, constitutes obedience to the two commandments on which hang the law and the prophets. Matt. 22: 36-40. Those who contend that they are therefore excused from keeping the law, show a lack of thought and comprehension; for this is simply a summing up of the whole law.
Our Lord kept the entire law—all the15commandments. John 15: 10. The Bible tells us that he who claims to abide in Christ, ought to follow our Lord’s example. 1 John 2: 6. It also states that the proof of one’s being saved is that one loves the brethren. 1 John 3: 14. By ascertaining whether we love God, we may know whether we love the brethren. 1 John 5: 2. And “this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” 1 John 5: 3; 2: 4.
M. G. CONGER.
Molding Power of Criticism
By J. W. Lowe
Do not allow yourself to get into the habit of talking about the wrong traits and deeds of other people, and setting yourself up as their judge. Remember that if you have not the same faults and evil propensities they have, you may have others that are just as bad. Even if we ourselves were without fault, it would not be right or profitable to talk about the evil doings of others. But we know, from the teaching of the Bible, that of all who have lived on this earth, Jesus was the only one whose life was free from sin.
Instead of spending our time and energy criticizing other people, it would be more reasonable and profitable to criticize ourselves. Besides, the habit of criticizing and judging others is not according to the Golden Rule. None of us enjoy being the object of criticism. Then let us treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves. “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Matt. 7: 2.
Furthermore, much is lost to ourselves in allowing our minds to dwell upon the wrongdoings of others. It is a law of nature that our minds are molded after the things they dwell upon. Thinking of the evil that is in others, tends only to deteriorate us; but dwelling upon the good that is in others, elevates and ennobles us. This is the reason why we, by constantly beholding Christ, are changed into His image. J. W. Lowe.
A Worth-While PREMIUM
By Editor
“Hard” texts and difficult Bible questions explained — nearly 300 of them.
Don’t be unsettled; find the answer in “QUESTIONS and ANSWERS”
Not sold. A premium with subscriptions to the Signs of the Times Magazine or this journal. The magazine one year, with a copy of the book, $1.50. This journal one year, with a copy of the book, $2.00.
If desired, the subscription may be sent to one address and the book to another. Order of our representative in your state.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Mountain View, Cal.
Dear Editor:
By Editor
I greatly enjoyed reading the first article in the magazine for January.
While on the train en route to Loma Linda last night, I went over the article on Revelation 17. It appears to me that you have made a very strong argument from your viewpoint—really the best treatment I have yet seen.
Signed
Part of a letter from a leading contributor to religious periodicals.
It has been some time since an article in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES MAGAZINE has called forth so much favorable comment as the article above referred to, entitled “The Prophecy of Revelation 17.” It appeared for the first time in the January issue of the magazine named.
There are twelve other good reasons why you should get a copy. They are:
Are the Dead Alive?
Purgatory Precedes Death
Purpose of Scientific Attainment
Religious Tyranny
Turkey and the East
The Messiah of Prophecy
The Beginning of Sin
The Tragic History of Liberty
The Sure Word of Prophecy
The Sabbath of the Apostles
Constantinople the Goal of Ages, and an even dozen of the leading current events of the day.
Ten cents a copy; $1.00 a year; five or more to as many different addresses, if desired, 60c each for a year.
We are looking for agents to sell the magazine and take subscriptions for it. Liberal commissions. If interested, write to our representative in your state. See address in list on this page.
Signs of the Times Magazine
Mountain View, Cal.
Wanted for Missionary Work
The Bible Tract and Christian Help Association, 2337 Cross Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, desires a continuous supply of SIGNS OF THE TIMES and all our denominational periodicals and tracts; also a supply of foreign literature, especially Italian.
Mrs. Stella Wise, 150 Elizabeth St., Shelbyville, Indiana, desires late, clean copies of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Life and Health, Youth’s Instructor, and tracts, for free distribution.
First in Safety
4 Gateways
Between theEASTandSAN FRANCISCOandLOS ANGELES
NEW ORLEANS EL PASO
OGDEN PORTLAND
Trains of Highest Standard
Best Dining Car in America
Oil-Burning Engines—
No Cinders, No Smudge
No annoying Smoke
Automatic Block Safety Signals
Protecting more miles of Railroad than on any other line in the world
Awarded Grand Prize for Railway Track, Equipment, Motive Power, and Safety-First Appliances, San Francisco Exposition, 1915
