Preparing for Armageddon—Fifty Years of Naval Progress—Astronomy: Arcturus, an incomprehensibly big star—The Great Reformation—Shall Meat Be Abandoned?
These are some, not all, of the articles appearing in the September Signs of the Times Monthly.
THINK OF IT! for 10c, the price of a single copy, one may become quite well informed on any one or all of these subjects. The yearly subscription rate is $1.00.
Some of our agents are earning from $1 to $5 a day. They pay 4c a copy for 50 or more copies and sell the magazine for 10c, thus netting 6c a copy. They enjoy this clean, dignified, soul-winning work. There is room for others. We help you get started.
The September number with its beautiful cover and excellent contents is a good number to begin with. Why not write to your tract society secretary about it today?
Signs of the Times
Mountain View, California
Ten Commandment Cards
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A Visit to Nanking, the Ancient Capital of China
By F. E. Stafford
The first National Industrial and Educational Exhibition—Provincial Opening of a Mission Station
AFTER riding all night on the train from Shanghai, it was my pleasure, one bright, warm morning in June, to find myself in Hsia Gwan, which is the river port of Nanking. I was accompanied by Brother R. A. Caldwell, from Manila; and together we started out to see the sights of this ancient city, which was once the stronghold of the Chinese nation under the first emperor of the Ming dynasty, who reigned from A. D. 1368 to 1399.
From the moment we entered the north gate, where the wall towers above for about fifty feet, we realized that we were in a large city. The walled city itself is twenty-five miles in circumference, and is in a very good state of preservation, even to the massive iron gates, which are closed every night, in much the same way as they were hundreds of years ago, when the numerous civil wars made it necessary for every city to be able to protect its inhabitants in the event of attack or siege.
One of the first things we noticed was the presence of many little donkeys, which are patient little burden-bearers of both men and freight. The constant little tinkle-tinkle of the bells on the donkeys’ necks gives a quiet pastoral air to the place which was quite refreshing after leaving the crowded, noisy streets of Shanghai.
However, it was a laughable sight to see the little beasts carrying men whose feet almost scraped the ground as they rode along. Then again we would see a big load of wood or rice straw walking along the street with no motive power visible to the eye except four small hoofs at the bottom.
Inside the city are acres and acres of ruins,—old temples, pagodas, arches, and monuments of every description. I call it the relic hunter’s paradise, and would like to spend a month there studying the construction and architecture of these old places, as the size and extent of them clearly indicate the immense amount of labor and material it took to construct them.
One of the old arches in the city of Nanking, very picturesque in its partial decay, with the green grass and moss growing at the top. Brother Allum stands at the right.
However, our time was limited to two or three days, so we went direct to find our mission station, which was only opened a few weeks before.
Here we found that Brother Pilquist and family and Brother F. A. Allum, with their native colporteurs, are doing a splendid work. Indeed, we all feel that it was in the providence of God that the high waters in the rivers kept Brother Allum from going to Szechwan in May as he had planned; for he was then sent to Nanking; and the way he is conducting the work, and the success that is attending their efforts, and the record-breaking sales of literature made, lead us to believe that this summer’s work at Nanking will accomplish more than any previous effort in China for such a short time. Brother Allum is himself an excellent canvasser, having made some record sales in Australia, and having a fine command of the Chinese language, and being of a sunny, genial disposition that the Chinese people love.
The north gate of the city of Nanking, the entrance from Hsia Gwan. The wall is very high and wide at this point. Two men at the left are riding donkey-back.
He has carefully studied the field, and prayerfully, systematically sent his men out, in a way that marked success has attended their every effort.
They have sold, in about three weeks, 2,600 papers, and are just now commencing to sell our Nanking special number, of which they have ordered 10,000, and without doubt will sell them all.
Each paper that goes out is read by at least ten persons, and each paper has an invitation stamped on the front page, inviting the reader to our chapel, where interesting meetings are held every night.
Already the fruit of their efforts is appearing, and every day Brother Allum is called upon to give Bible readings to interested parties who have read the paper and desire more truth.
I might mention one case of a bright young man from Hangchau who asked for a reading on the Sabbath. Brother Allum studied with him, and gave him a Sabbath tract;
The front of our chapel in Nanking. Brother Pilquist and family in the center, Brother Allum at the left. Others are native colporteurs from Homan for this occasion. They are all hard workers and earnest Christians.
As he was able to read some English, when Brother Allum showed him that it is eight days in the English version, and the same in the original, he was astonished and grieved to think that the Christian translators had actually changed the wording of the Bible in order to bolster up their weak Sunday institution.
He was convinced of the truth, and took away a number of the Sabbath tracts, saying he would go back to Hangchau and tell this to his friends.
Thus is the seed sent to all parts of China, just as we hoped it would be, on account of the attendance at the exposition of the best educated men representing every province in the empire.
F. E. STAFFORD.
(Concluded next week)
An Experience
By GEO. O. STATES.
DEAR EDITOR: I have been a reader of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES much of the time since its publication. About six years ago my health failed through nervous breakdown, and since that it has been little I could do by way of interesting people in the grand truths which the SIGNS is carrying to the people. For the past few months my health has been improving, and tho not able to do much public speaking, yet I have been out nearly every day among the people for miles around with the SIGNS and other reading. O, I have had such grand experiences. Several miles from my home, I have visited a family and each time had to stay over night. I found there a father who never made any profession, the mother who nearly twenty years ago, when quite young, had been baptized and united with the church. For about sixteen years she had been living in the Wild West, and married, and was rearing a family. The oldest child is a girl of fifteen, who told me, as I walked with her over two miles on her way to school, that she wanted to be a Christian, but did not know just how to be.15The next visit I had, Bible study in the evening and a good talk with the whole family, and prayer before breakfast. The father gave me a year's subscription for our good church paper.
Not long after, I had the joy of seeing the man and his wife earnestly listening to my talk one Sabbath. In my last visit I made a personal appeal to the mother and the three children who were old enough to accept Christ and live Christian lives. The youngest boy said, “I will if mama will.” The next Sabbath I had the joy of seeing the mother with her four children in the Sabbath-school. O, I do believe that by faithful labor in time the father, mother, and three children will be living Christian lives.
Another lady to whom I had given papers twice, told me how much she enjoyed reading them. I asked her if she was a Christian. She said, “No, I never made any profession; there are so many churches I don’t know which is right.” We had a good talk, and the next visit I gave her a copy of the SIGNS, which answered a question that was bothering her. O, there is such a satisfaction in getting right into the homes of people and telling them the Lord is coming, and that they must be Christians to be ready.
GEO. O. STATES.
Our Work and Workers
ELEVEN Germans were baptized in Baltimore, Maryland, July 16.
BROTHER L. H. PROCTOR announces the baptism of six at Elmira, New York.
TEN efforts and Bible work have brought ten souls into the truth at Cincinnati, Ohio.
TWELVE have taken a firm stand at Crowder, Oklahoma, where Brother W. F. Talburt has been laboring.
NINE baptisms were the result of a series of meetings at Frankfort, Michigan. Two of these were the fruit of seed sown twelve years previous.
AT Keeler, Michigan, four adults have taken their stand for the truth, as a result of tent meetings conducted by R. U. Garrett and J. M. Hoyt and wife.
A SCHOOL for workers at Tacubaya, Mexico, is to open September 21, with accommodations for twenty or thirty young persons. May it qualify many workers for that needy field.
ON the L’Anse Reservation of the Chippewa Indians, in Michigan, a series of tent meetings are being conducted by R. J. Bellows and E. F. Peterson. The interest is good, and sixteen have already taken their stand to keep all the commandments of God.
A RECENT article in the California Weekly calls attention to the evil effects of the great sacrifices young people often make to obtain their degrees. Four years of semi-starvation, hard physical labor, and midnight study, have wrecked many a life. How much better is the practical plan of getting one’s scholarship in the summer, perhaps even in three weeks or less, by selling our denominational books.
THE annual calendar of Emmanuel Missionary College, Berrien Springs, Michigan, for the school year 1910-1911, has just come to our notice. The courses of study offered by the college are as follows: Literary and Scientific College Courses, Ministerial, Bible Workers’, Preparatory Medical, Advanced Normal, Elementary Normal, Academic, Accounting and Stenographic Courses, besides the school of Art and Music. There is also a large industrial faculty teaching agriculture, horticulture, printing, carpentry, gardening, proof-reading, etc. The college opens September 14, 1910. Address as above.
Is It Wise?
THERE came to us a few days ago an appeal “To My Fallen Sister,” written and published by an earnest-hearted man who wants to help all souls. His first publications, gotten out a few years ago, were simply frights etymologically, grammatically, rhetorically; but he kept on. His efforts have improved as the years have gone by, and his zeal has not abated. He asks of the paper referred to above, “Is it wise?”
We do not know. It treats on a delicate subject. We would not have written it in the way he has; we might not have written it as well; perhaps we would not have written it at all. We will not criticize this. If it was written in humility of heart, if the writer was moved upon by God's Spirit to help this class (and we so believe), it is wise. God may use it more effectually than He can much more finished productions. May its words of caution, advice, and appeal take hold of the hearts for which it was penned. Copies may be had by addressing Tom C. Hege, Newbern, North Carolina. Send postage.
A California Home for Sale
By E. F. Counter
Six room house with large cellar and bath, complete modern fixtures, electric lights; lot 50 by 150, fenced, 15-foot alley along one side, nice family orchard partly bearing, berries, etc. Near church and two room graded church school. If interested write for particulars and picture of the house.
E. F. Counter, Mountain View, Cal.
IN THREE DAYS
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Luxurious High-class EquipmentElectric Lighted Throughout
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Careful and Attentive Dining
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Parlor Observation-car with
Library and Cafe
Ladies' Reading-room
Gentlemen's Smoking-room
Daily News Bulletins
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An Illustrated Paper for the Smaller Men and Women, for the Children and Little Ones
Instructive and entertaining, clean, wholesome, sensible. It is a character builder, a helper to father and mother. Our Little Friend would plant seed in the joyous life of the children in the Present, that it may bear blessed fruitage in the Harvest of the Future. Respect your child's individuality. Take the paper for him or her. Only 60 cents a year.
Address, OUR LITTLE FRIEND
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Our Cooperation Corner
By Editor
There are many great public libraries in the United States which contain many useful books, and also plenty of books and periodicals teaching error and effecting the ruin of moral fiber. There is room in these libraries for antidotes, and one of the most effective is the “Signs of the Times,” fresh every week with its messages of light and truth and salvation. We want help: (1) From those who would like to contribute to such a fund; and (2) For addresses of libraries which will keep the paper on file. Let us hear from you. Editor “Signs of the Times,” Mountain View, California.
Four Gospel Songs
Mr. Chas. P. Whitford, who has for many years been connected with the Adventist people as a singing evangelist, has just published four favorite Gospel songs entitled, “In His Likeness,” “When the Saviour Shall Come,” “The Lamb of Calvary,” and “The City of Light.” The many friends of Brother Whitford who know so well his musical taste and ability will welcome these new contributions to musical literature. Properly rendered through the subduing melodies to which they are attached, they will prove a power in the conversion of souls. Let a grateful public to which these songs are now given, catch the inspiration which they breathe, and go “forth into the wilderness of Tekoa,” as did the singers of Jehoshaphat, and “see the salvation of the Lord.” Twelve cents will purchase the entire set. Address, Chas. P. Whitford, Miami, Florida.
Life and Health
A PRACTICAL health journal, published with a view of meeting hygienic needs in every home; teaching how to care for the health and how to preserve life; prescribing simple home treatments to assist nature in throwing off diseases rather than adding more poison by using drugs or unnatural stimulants as remedies; teaching how to avoid disease so far as possible, how to manage in the home when sickness does come, and how to combat the disease by simple remedies which nature provides.
Send for sample copy and special rates to agents. Price 10 cents per copy or $1.00 per year.
Address, LIFE & HEALTH, Takoma Park, D.C.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
By C. H. Jones
N. B. We send no papers from this office to individuals without pay in advance. When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the SIGNS are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon to pay for them. Please read the papers you may receive, and hand them to your friends to read.
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Sample copies sent on application.
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DATE OF EXPIRATION
The SIGNS wrapper bears date of last issue due on your subscription. Unless renewed in advance, paper stops with expiration date.
If herewith is an order-blank, you will know you have overlooked sending renewal. You will not wish to miss a single issue. Back numbers often can not be furnished.
C. H. Jones, Circulation Manager.
It Means Sacrifice
“It Means Sacrifice.”— Yes, it does. Everything in this world which is of worth demands sacrifice. If one is poor in this world's goods, he may have to pinch and save. It is worth it. He may have to deny himself in appetite, in pleasures; he may have to wear cheaper clothing and for a longer time. He may not be able to dress in the latest fashion, wear dollar ties, or five-dollar shoes. He may have to eschew the society of some young woman who would waste his time and money. These are not only a part of the price, but a part of the education, a part of the invaluable discipline of life. We know one young man who wore in his school days trousers (“pants” perhaps would be better) pieced down at the bottom. We know another who blacked over his stockings so that the holes in his shoes would not show on graduation day. These little things would be mountains to the boy whose heart was set on fashion with its conventionalities; they were partial payments for tuition in a working education to the young men who experienced them. Such self-denials are mighty helpers in making the man.
Safeguards.— Then, too, plain dressing and limited income and forced economy save not only in expense, but in time. Such economy does not make for fashionable friends, does not receive invitations to parties, soirées, clubs, entertainments, demanding wasteful extravagance of time and means. It may seem hard at times to the human heart which loves them all; but if the true metal be there, earnest, whole-souled study will take their place, and from the more studious, less too public life there will come clearer visions of duty and possibilities. We bid good cheer to the young man who must economize, but we do not pity him. He does not ask for it; it does not fit him; some day many will envy him that experience. Let him not look back nor look down, but look up and look on, and trust God. The eternal future will vindicate any sacrifice for a noble cause, for a worthy object.
Reported Death of Brother Little
An indefinite report has come to us that a Brother Little of India is dead from cholera. We know of but one Brother Little there, namely, J. C. Little, editor of the Oriental Watchman. We sincerely hope that it may not be he. Poor India needs all her laborers and many more.
Our Funds
By Editor
We are grateful that our readers are remembering our needy fields. Our next month's report will we expect show a decided gain for the China press and the Tokyo church fund. In our last China mail, Dr. Selmon writes but not for publication:
“We are just finishing the largest edition of our paper that we have ever put out. We have orders for the whole issue of twenty-two thousand. The average monthly issue of the paper for the first six months of this year is almost two and a half times the average monthly issue of last year. We have installed a small gas-engine, and so can get twice as much work out of our presses as formerly; but notwithstanding this we can not do the work. We are working under serious difficulties in an old Chinese building, and can not print fast enough now to supply the demand. Our literature sales are growing; and if the growth continues at anything like the present rate, I do not know what we will do in six months more. The news just received, that we can not expect any funds to start our printing work this year, makes us sick at heart. The demand for literature containing the message for this time grows apace, while our facilities for providing literature for a field of over four hundred thirty millions is still limited to a Diamond cylinder press (hand-power series) that takes a form 20 by 29, and two job-presses.”
Do not these simple facts clutch your heart? Our readers will help on this press, we know they will.
One poor sister shows the spirit of true sacrifice and helpfulness. With a heart for $30,000 she sends what she calls her “meager thirty cents,” dividing it among the China press, the Tokyo church, and fruit for India. God bless her abundantly according to her motive, for so He measures gifts rather than by quantity. The China press fund is still open.
Volume Two of The Fundamentals
We have received volume 2 of “The Fundamentals,” “a Testimony,” sent out by the compliments of two Christian laymen in Chicago. They are published by what is called The Testimony Publishing Company, 808 La Salle Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. There are seven chapters in this book, as follows: 1, “The Testimony of the Monuments to the Truth of the Scriptures,” by Prof. G. F. Wright, of Oberlin; 2, “The Recent Testimony of Archeology to the Scriptures,” by M. G. Kile; 3, “Fallacies of the Higher Criticism,” by Franklin Johnson; 4, “Christ and Criticism,” by Sir Robert Anderson; 5, “Modern Philosophy,” by Philip Mauro; 6, “Justification by Faith,” by H. C. G. Moule; 7, “Tributes to Christ and the Bible by brainy men not known as active Christians.” The pamphlet contains some most excellent things indeed, and ministers who have not received one may obtain one by sending to the address above given.
God Does Forgive
God Does Forgive.— His mercy reaches as far as sin has blasted. “Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.” Matt. 12:31. There is the sin of ignorance; there is the sin of yielding to temptation, knowing it is wrong, but too weak to resist; there is wilful, deliberate sin. For the first two there is abundant forgiveness; for the last there is no forgiveness, because there is no repentance. When God’s very means of healing is rejected, He has no remedy left. The failure is on the part of the sinner. God’s “mercy endureth forever,” but the rejected sinner will have none of it. He identifies Himself with sin, and with sin must suffer the consequences.
Legitimate Fruitage.—
A young man died in Newark, New Jersey, the other day, and he deserved to die. It was but the fruits of his seed-sowing. He wagered that he could drink seventeen whiskies straight without feeling any ill effects. He did it, and a little after, died, tho physicians did all in their power to save him. Even drunkards would call it folly, and yet the man who drinks less, often is doing the same kind of work that this young man did; and when the end comes to thousands of them, it will be whisky that killed them just as truly as it was whisky that killed this young fellow. Sometimes the crop is slower in maturing, but the harvest is just as sure, for “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
Vatican-Spain Relations Unchanged
The latest despatches are that the attitude of the Vatican toward Spain is unchanged. Re-opening of official negotiations is considered impossible unless the government of Spain manifests a desire to reach an understanding by acting in a way which will satisfy the Vatican. On the other hand news from Madrid is that the Spanish Government can not retract any actions which it has taken.
Eighteen thousand telegrams of loyalty have been sent from Spain to the pope from Carlists. We hope that Spain will weather the storm for liberty.
California Blue Book
By Editor
Our thanks are due to Hon. Charles Forest Curry, Secretary of State, California, for the last California Blue Book, our State Roster of 1909. Mr. Curry has done excellent work in the codification and compilation of laws and records of the state. He has made important information accessible, in concise form and presentable volumes. The illustrations in this volume are excellent. The various maps, showing political division, are very clear and illuminating.
Bible in Every Hotel Guest Room
An effort is being made to place a Bible in every guest-room of every commercial hotel in America. To the present time over 30,000 Bibles have been arranged for. One hotel man even says that the light bill has increased since the innovation. It is certainly a splendid idea.
Tokyo Floods Claim Hundreds
Tokyo, Japan, has been a sufferer from serious floods. Heavy rains have caused great inundations. Nearly five hundred are reported drowned and as many more missing, while property loss climbs into the millions. The last report was that starvation was threatening many of the homeless ones.
Brussels Exposition Destroyed by Fire
The great exposition at Brussels, Belgium, went up in flames August 14. The fire was kindled by a spark falling upon inflammable material. Panic reigned among the 100,000 visitors. Seven were killed, and many were injured. The loss is said to aggregate $100,000,000.
British Fleet Review
July 26 the king and queen of England reviewed the British fleet. There were eight columns of battle-ships and cruisers, and an average of nine vessels in each line, the ships placed two cables apart, covering approximately an area of five square miles.
Storm Kills Fifty in Milan
A violent storm over Milan, Italy, the last days of July, caused the death of fifty persons and the injury of several hundred.
Bible Versions and Quotations
Our authority is the Bible, the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. When the Common ("King James" or "Authorized") Version or the American Standard Revised Version is used, the version will not generally be designated in reference. Any Bible quotation in this paper, therefore, differing from the Common Version, unless otherwise indicated, will be almost invariably from the American Standard edition of the Revised Bible, copyright 1901, by Thomas Nelson & Sons.
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