The address of Elder W. C. Grainger is 8 Nishi-Machi Azabu Ku, Tokio, Japan.
Signs of the Times Subscription Nears 35,000
By Editor
The actual subscription list of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES is now nearly 35,000. About 2,500 extras have been printed for several weeks past, but the demand has made this supply insufficient, and new numbers have had to be printed. For this we are grateful to our friends in the field, and more than all else to God, who is leading in his work.
Signs Extra on the Sunday Issue
By Editor
A SIGNS EXTRA of eight pages was issued, under date of February 11, for the purpose of more fully setting before the leading men in California the present Sunday issue. Donations are desired to enable us to place it in the hands of many. Will our California friends respond? Send remittances to J. J. Ireland, 1059 Castro Street, Oakland, Cal.
Walla Walla College Correspondence School
The new term of the Walla Walla College Correspondence School will begin the 1st of March. There is now an enrollment of over two hundred, and good work is being done. Those wishing information concerning the school should address the president, Prof. E. A. Sutherland, College Place, Wash.
Christianity as a Life to Be Lived
MERELY to wish to be like Christ, to practise what Christ practised, is not Christianity. Christianity is a life to be lived. Christ emptied himself and God filled him with his fulness. If we would be a Christian we must yield up self, and let the Spirit of Christ in to convert, change, regenerate the entire man. His coming in brings life and power.
Delegates Leave for General Conference
A PARTY of our friends, delegates to the General Conference, at Lincoln, Nebraska, left Oakland for the east, on the fast mail, Sunday, 6 P.M., February 14. The party consisted of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Jones, Elders N. C. McClure, M. H. Brown, W. H. Maxson, M.D., and the editor of this paper. Others had gone on before to be present at the institute preceding the conference.
The Signs of the Times Printing Speed
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES of last week was printed in thirty-two hours, including stops. The actual number of papers printed was 39,759. The SIGNS press for the entire run turned out an average of nearly 1,250 papers per hour, or, to be more exact, 1,242½ per hour for thirty-two hours. This is a remarkable showing, as the SIGNS is not printed from a continuous roll on a perfecting press, but from flat sheets on an ordinary four-roller Cottrell press. The sheet is 41x59 inches, and when printed on both sides makes two complete papers.
The American Sentinel, Volume II
By Editor
“The American Sentinel” is well known to many of our readers. For eleven years it has faithfully stood for the defense of liberty of conscience and uncompromising opposition to anything tending to a union of Church and State either in name or in fact. Volume II, bound in neat black roan, corners and back leather, has been received from the publishers, for which they will please accept this our thanks. It is filled full of good matter, the enunciation of principles which will never grow old. May its circulation ever increase till its faithful warning has reached every soul in its field. The Sentinel is issued in modern and improved form the present year, and with 16 pages. Price, the same as of old, $1.00 per year.
Colorado Sanitarium
We have received a beautiful catalog or prospectus of the Colorado Sanitarium at Boulder, Colo., giving medical faculty, description, surroundings, arrangements, appliances, general methods of treatment, rates, etc. There is a freshness and freedom in the mountain scenes illustrated in the catalog that are cheering to the sick and weary. One can imagine how fresh and invigorating and buoyant the mountain air is, how soft and pure and sweet the cool snow waters from the snow-capped heights must be. But the reality of all good things is more than fancy or imagination. And such we must believe, from many friends whose veracity can not be impeached, the health-giving and health-conserving qualities of Colorado climate to be. And when we add to this a medical faculty like Doctors W. H. Riley, G. W. Burleigh, W. F. Hubbard, Eva A. Reed, who work in harmony with nature’s laws and surroundings, we know that a sojourn at Boulder can not be otherwise than beneficial. The institution is not a money-making concern. It is founded on philanthropic and scientific principles. No one connected with it derives any dividends from its income. Located at the altitude of a mile, near the enterprising and healthful city of Boulder, the seat of the State University, with good railroad facilities, less than thirty miles from Denver, with climatic advantages unsurpassed for many diseases, with everything which can be done in the way of medical science and professional skill, the Colorado Sanitarium ought to have on its merits an unexceptionably good patronage. But this catalog will tell you all about it. Address the superintendent, W. H. Riley, M.D., Boulder, Colo.
WAXING WORSE AND WORSE.
We are frequently told on every hand that the world is growing better; but the Word of God tells us that the last days will be perilous because of apostasy, and that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” See 2 Tim. 3:1-5, 13. The sins mentioned in the first four verses are among those professing godliness. Here is the testimony of Dr. A. T. Pierson, editor of the Missionary Review of the World, a man who has exceptional advantages of observation:—
“It is but too sadly obvious that never in the history of these nineteen centuries has the world more encroached upon the church or the church been more assimilated in the world. The amazing decline in doctrinal soundness, the decay of vital piety and spirituality, the godless extravagance prevailing even among disciples, the abounding conformity to the world, the practical denial of Christian stewardship, the neglect of private prayer, the growing indifference to public worship, the vastness of the unoccupied field of missions, and the utter inadequacy of present means and methods to overtake this destitution—these, and many other evils and perils now confronting us, demand such a new standard of holy living and giving, praying and preaching, denying of self and serving of God, as can never become actual without a new Pentecost from above.”
But all this is just what our Lord foretold would come. Matt. 24:12-14. It is a precursor of his coming.
Petitions and Public Clamor
By Editor
THERE are a vast number of petitions pouring in upon the U. S. Senate, asking that the treaty of arbitration between this country and Great Britain be ratified. We do not offer an opinion as to the expediency of this measure, but mention it here to note an expression of Senator Stewart in calling attention to these petitions. In doing so, he said, “I think the Senate has on too many occasions yielded to public clamor and passed measures which have not been beneficial to the country, and which many senators undoubtedly regret to-day.” The same is true of State Legislatures and municipal councils. Petitions are poured in upon these bodies in the heat of excitement, purporting to be the deliberate judgment of the people, when nine out of ten of the signers have been actuated by the enthusiasm of a few leading agitators. The modern National Reform scheme of representative petition, wherein a small minority of a church or society may indorse a measure and be counted as the whole body, is sheer deception rather than an expression of popular sentiment.
Alarming Tendencies in Methodism.
A writer in the Christian Advocate, W. L. Davidson, D.D., sees, notwithstanding the wonderful growth and marvelous strength of Methodism, some tendencies which, if not checked, will tend “to disrupt the church.” Among these are (1) the extension of the “time limit” to pastorates, which has served to bring in a spirit of criticism against many pastors; (2) “special transfers” of ministers from one conference to another without an exchange of a minister in the same grade, thus crowding out other ministers; (3) “lack of scrutiny at the door,” that is, the admission of men as ministers who are unfitted, and who always remain weak men; and (4) “committee interference,” by which is meant committees from various churches, formerly only city churches, now from nearly all, selecting their minister, and interfering with the work of the cabinet which appoints. It seems to us that the lesson taught by this is to return to the simplicity of the Gospel ministry and plan.
Pouring Out of Treasure for Naught.
This may be truly said of the Bradley-Martin ball soon to be given (we do not remember the date, it matters not) in New York. The estimated cost is $236,625, nearly a quarter million. The regular supper will cost $10,000. Other refreshments, $6,000. The costumes of 600 women are estimated at $120,000, and of 600 men at $45,000. Much has been said and written about the extravagance, especially in view of the hard times, the many in want, and the social discontent, which such things will increase. The best question, however, for each one to ask is, What is my duty to God and the poor in view of what I possess?