p. 12 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 39. (9/27/1905)

Earlier text: TRIALS AND DIFFICULTIES NECESSARY TO DEVELOP FAITH

OUR WORK AND WORKERS.

By Editor

FROM Indianapolis, Ind., Brother O. S. Hadley writes that he and Brother A. W. Bartlett, with their wives, are holding tent-meetings in that city with fair success. They live in tents, and are laboring as self-supporting missionaries.

IN the Northern Illinois Recorder we note this item: "Elder Kauble reports that they have an application for entry as a student in the school at Berrien Springs from a young man in Thessalonica, Macedonia. He expects to arrive soon to take up his studies."

IN the Tennessee River Chronicle, Brother G. W. Berry reports the organization of a church of eight members at Eddyville, Ky. There were seven others who had accepted the Sabbath of the Lord, that were expected to unite with the church very soon. Brother Frank Mosebar and wife had labored there with Brother Berry.

IT has been decided that Brother E. W. Farnsworth will not take the position of Bible teacher at Union College, as previously announced. It is thought best not to tie him to any institution, but to leave him free to labor in the general field, wherever he may be most needed in the ministry. Prof. M. D. Mattson, who has filled that position at South Lancaster Academy for several years, will go to Union College.

OUR brethren often speak and write about giving the last message—the "Gospel of the kingdom"—to the world in this generation. If this is done by Seventh-day Adventists, they will have to do it through vigorous circulation of message literature. Moreover, they will all have to go to work. There are not, and there is no prospect that there will be, enough preachers and other conference workers to do it. But experience proves that, whoever the workers be, the product of the press is the more effectual instrumentality.

IN Chicago we have four tent companies at work: English, on Lincoln Avenue; Swedish, on Belmont Avenue; Danish, on Ohio Street; German, on the North Side. Besides these there are ten more services each week in the various churches and two sermons a week at the Brookline Mission. These are in addition to the work of Bible-readers and the training-school. Yet there is room in the midst of that variegated mass of humanity, hurrying on to destruction, for several times the number of laborers. Everywhere, "the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few." And the apostle Paul says, "We walk by faith, and not by sight."

WANTED FOR MISSIONARY WORK.

(Always prepay postage.)

ANY of our denominational literature, in any language. Address, Esther Levy, Matteawan, N. Y. care P. M.

LATE, clean copies of SIGNS, Review, Watchman, Bible Training School, Life and Health, Life Boat, and tracts on the Sabbath. Address Mrs. A. T. Squires, Hildebran, N. C.

The Gospel Series, SIGNS OF THE TIMES,

By Editor

To Be Published Oct. 11 and 25; Nov. 8 and 22.

WHAT WAS DONE LAST YEAR

New ground was broken last Fall in the publication of the Special Gospel Series of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. It was broken in a fruitful field, however, as is shown by the words of commendation that came from every side, and the hundreds of orders that licked up the 420,000 copies as fast as they came from the presses. And after the date of publication had passed, orders continued to come for thousands of additional copies that could not be sent. Scores of letters were sent to those who purchased the largest quantities, asking if they could spare a portion of their papers to those whose orders had arrived too late to be filled. Only a very few copies could be obtained even in this way, however. They were not lying about on the shelves. THEY HAD BEEN USED.

And the influence of these papers was truly remarkable. For example, we recently received the following letter from a Presbyterian minister who had in some way gotten hold of the first number in the series:

Enclosed find 20 cents, for which please send me, as per enclosed slip, the series of articles thereon described. (A description of numbers 2, 3 and 4 of the Gospel Series of the SIGNS was enclosed.) I am a Presbyterian minister, but I wish to study your teachings more fully. My field of work is a large district in the mountains, covering half a county, and there is no other religious worker in this section. I try to distribute religious literature in every home, to all ages—from the little child to the grandfather. If you will send me a few intelligent, reasonable booklets, stating your faith clearly and fully, I shall be glad to distribute them. Sincerely yours, (Signed) Pastor Presbyterian Church.

As an indication of the interest manifested in these papers, and in the plan as a whole, by the denomination itself, we quote the following from the actions taken at the last General Conference:

We approve of the plan to publish four special numbers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES and "Watchman," two special issues of "Life and Health," and such issues of the foreign papers as their publishers may deem best.

PLANS FOR THIS YEAR

Ever since the above action was taken, our editors and artists have been busily at work securing articles and illustrations with which to strengthen and beautify the series to be published this Fall.

Contents—No. 1—PROPHECY AND CHRIST'S COMING

Among the prominent articles in the first number will be the following:

Object of Prophecy, by Elder R. A. Underwood.
Prophecy May Be Understood, by Elder W. S. Sadler.
Importance of Prophecy, by Elder S. H. Lane.
Christ, Our Life, by Elder Wm. Covert.
Nearness of the End, by Mrs. E. G. White.
What Christ's Coming Means, by Dr. B. Franklin Richards.
The Second Coming of Christ, by Elder Geo. B. Thompson.

"The unvailing of the future in prophecy is designed as a beacon of warning to the children of God who would otherwise be unable to escape danger and ruin." "This," says Elder Underwood, in the opening article, "is one of the great objects of prophecy." He cites many examples to show that this has been true in the past, and that as a result God's children have escaped many perils. He then points out the prophecies relating to our day and how we may by heeding them escape the dangers overshadowing the world at the present time.

The opening sentence of Brother Covert's article is, "Man formed from the dust of the ground was told that perpetuity of life depended upon obedience to his Creator." The subject of life through Christ is presented in a beautiful way in this article.

Sister White has presented with even more than ordinary clearness and strength the terrible conditions of the times that are right upon us.

Dr. Richards takes up the subject of "What Christ's Coming Means" in a very striking manner indeed. He says: "Millions of busy toilers who will be employed in office, factory, railroad, store, or farm, on that day will stop work. Great railroad trains will be in transit on that day. Some will be carrying living freight, eager to reach home or stopping-place. But each train will stop, for the earth will reel with fearful commotion, and no wheel can hold to the rail."

In that portion of his article in which he treats of what Christ's coming means to the righteous, he says: "It will be a day when the millions of the saved will meet and see their Saviour face to face. Wonderful day! when this frail body, so subject to disease and suffering, will give way to an incorruptible one fashioned to bear close resemblance to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords." We would be glad to quote more from this and other articles of this number, but space forbids.

NO. 2—THE SANCTUARY—THE GOSPEL IN TYPE AND ANTITYPE

Some of the leading articles are—

The Gospel in Type and Antitype, by Prof. J. A. L. Derby.
Before the Supreme Court, by Elder F. C. Gilbert.
A Wonderful Book, by Milton C. Wilcox.
The Sanctuary and Its Lessons, by Mrs. S. N. Haskell.
Signs in the Heavens, by Prof. Geo. W. Rine.
A Message of Preparation, by Mr. L. A. Phippeny.

We give a single quotation from the opening article by Professor Derby:

Thus for twenty-five hundred years were faith and hope and reconciliation expressed. Then came Moses and the exodus from Egypt and the church-nation and a fuller symbolism. Types, rites, ceremonies, were greatly multiplied, but still the only approach to the Presence, whose dwelling-place was the holy of holies, the second apartment of the sanctuary, was by the altar of burnt-offering and its victim's blood. A cure for sin, a healing of conscience, peace with God—this was the purpose of all. Amidst the terror of Egypt's darkest night, while the destroying angel wrought in silence its appalling slaughter of the first-born, Israel learned the one great lesson, including all that followed, namely, that in the blood of the passover Lamb alone was safety.

Vaguely through succeeding years the seers caught glimpses of the grander time when type should meet Antitype. David hinted it, Isaiah almost described it, Daniel affirmed it and told its times, the minor prophets had twilight visions of the brighter day. A dead monotony of four hundred voiceless years to make the nation feel its need, years cheered only by the sad traditions of a glory gone and a hope of dawn engendered by the deepening night of political subjugation,—then broke the morning with an angel-song, "Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

NOS. 3 AND 4

The titles of numbers 3 and 4 are, The Law, Gospel, and the Sabbath, and the Church Triumphant. Next week we will give a list of the leading articles to be presented by these special numbers; also quotations from some of them.

Illustrations

Each of these four papers will have an original first-page engraving, prepared by Mr. Charles Mente, of New York City. They are peculiarly appropriate to the themes presented by the several papers. Special attention is also being given to the headings and the illustrations for the articles themselves. These will emphasize the truths of the text in a striking manner.

How Published

As the articles in this series are links in a definite chain of truth, no one will be satisfied by simply reading a single number. Therefore the series will be published in sets only. No orders will be accepted for single numbers.

When to Order

TO-DAY. By the time you read this notice we will be nearly ready to go to press on the first number. The quantity ordered will determine the number printed. Please, therefore, order early, so that we may supply you with papers promptly, and not disappoint any one, as we were compelled to do last year because their orders came after our stock was exhausted.

Prices

1 to 4 sets to one or more addresses	$0.20
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Quantity Orders

Perhaps some of our readers may be so situated as to use several thousand sets. We will be glad to correspond with such, as we have special inducements to offer them.

Where to Order

Order from your state tract society or the publishing house in your vicinity, or direct from SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Mountain View, Cal.

EDUCATION IN THE HOME. NO. 20.

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

BY MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE.

The night which followed this Bible-reading—which concluded the studies concerning the Sabbath—was one long to be remembered by Mrs. Wilbur. Every one of her objections had been answered candidly and Scripturally, and long before the conclusion of grandma's story, Mrs. Wilbur saw the Sabbath of Jehovah as never before, occupying its rightful place in the heart of God's great moral code—the "law" by which we are to be judged. Will she have the courage to obey? Over and over again she asks herself: "How can I give up my own will? How can I sunder the ties which bind me to my church,—the church to which I have belonged ever since my girlhood, and whose teachings were as sacred to my mother as the very Word of God, and in the firm belief of which she died? How can I unite with a few humble men and women whom the world ridicules, and upon whom I have been accustomed to look with pity, if not with scorn? And then, there is our daughter; I have great hopes for Josie. She must make her mark in the world. How can I, for her sake?"

Mr. Wilbur is silent and thoughtful; and for some reason, they, like Grandpa and Grandma Hartman, did not speak to each other of the subject which on this night was being driven home to the heart of each by the convincing Spirit of God. Before Mrs. Wilbur slept, she had almost decided to obey,—almost. But alas! that little word, "almost," has been the ruin of many a soul since the days of the proud Festus, who tremblingly declared while the wonderful pleading of the great apostle to the Gentiles rung in his ears, "Almost thou persuadest me." Almost; but pride is not yet conquered. The enemy never lets go his hold upon a human soul without a mighty struggle. And while we leave Mrs. Wilbur and her husband to visit the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jones, we can only pray that the pitying Christ may not take away from them His Spirit.

Unlike Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur, Mr. and Mrs. Jones talk the matter over freely, together.

"Really, I am surprised," said Mrs. Jones, "at the amount of plain Scripture which has been read in favor of the seventh-day Sabbath. Aren't you, my dear?"

"Well, yes; I'm quite willing to acknowledge that it's plain enough. But you see, it's impossible, absolutely impossible, for us to keep it. I would lose my position at the mills the first thing, and then what would become of us? We have no children to whom we can turn like most people, and you know what the Bible says about providing for your own.—"

"Yes, I know," replied Mrs. Jones quietly. "But there is another passage that reads: 'He that saith I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.'"

"O well, of course I don't say I shall never obey; and I hope I am candid enough to admit that I see the point. If you care to attend these readings hereafter, I shall certainly go with you, and we will learn all we can."

"I am so glad," replied Mrs. Jones. "I feared you would decide that we must give them up. I wonder if the Wilburs will be there next reading, which is to be the nature of the soul, I believe, isn't it? I think Mrs. Wilbur, at least, is deeply impressed."

"She certainly is; but not more so than her husband. Mr. Wilbur is more quiet, perhaps, but I think he is deeply interested for all that. But as for me, I don't think it's best to run the risk of losing my position."

Mrs. Jones only sighed as she answered, "I am sure it must take a deal of moral courage and much of God's good grace to unite with a company whose views are so different from other people—so unpopular."

But as Mrs. Jones sought her pillow and tried to sleep that night, certain words from the good Book kept repeating themselves over and over in her dreams:

"Come out from among them, and be ye separate."

Nor were the older members of Brother and Sister Hartman's reading circle the only ones who were deeply impressed with the beautiful and harmonious truths to which they had listened.

Walter Gray had decided more fully than ever that he would study the Word more earnestly, so that some day he might be able to explain it to others. The next morning, at the breakfast table, he repeated Grandma Hartman's story to a group of interested listeners, and closed by saying:

"I hope, father, you will not object to my attending these readings, I am learning so much, and really, father, I wish you and mother would go. The next reading we are going to settle the question by the Bible, 'What is the condition of man in death; and is the soul immortal?' and we are going, each, to tell a Bible story about some one whom Christ or His apostles or some holy prophet raised to life from the dead. I'm thinking it will be very interesting."

"Well, my son," replied Mr. Gray, a kindly, intellectual-looking man, "if that is to be your study, I think we will try to attend, will we not, mother?"

And so, much to Walter's delight, it was settled that his parents would accompany him to Brother Hartman's on the occasion of the next reading.

Nor must we forget a word about Billy Black. Over in the humble cottage where lived the blind old woman and her grandson, and which sheltered the poor, drunken father when he was not at the saloon, a young lad with a very serious face sought his bed that night. He had heard strange things at Brother Hartman's,—things of which he had never thought before. He had learned that the great God in heaven loves and cares for the humblest of His children; and ever since the recitation of that beautiful psalm of David, by the sweet-faced, innocent child, little Beth Hartman, the lad could not forget the first verse, which had so impressed him, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." And all unconscious to himself his heart was growing purer and tenderer, and more susceptible to the influences of the purifying Spirit of Christ.

HAD MADE A GOOD POINT.

By Editor

EXPERT horsemen are quick to discover good points in horses, and proud of their ability in that direction; but we are told of a stage-driver to whom was pointed out a good point in one of his horses, which he had failed to notice, tho he had driven him several years.

It was in this way: Dr. Plummer was once riding on the box of a stage-coach alongside of the driver, who was a Jehu in his line of no common order. He was profuse in his praise of his team, and especially of one of the horses, interlarding his praises with oaths. "You have omitted one good point,"

said Dr. Plummer, with a twinkle in his eye.

"What is that, sir?" said the driver. "What is that? I have studied that horse over and over, and I did not think there was anything about him I did not know. What is it you have discovered?"

"Well, sir," said the doctor, "it is this: We have ridden so many miles, and up to this point I have not heard a profane word out of his head." The driver looked at the doctor in surprise, and there was that same demure look, with a twinkle in his eye. "Thank you, sir," said the driver, "thank you. You have made a good point, and I think I will try to go as long without swearing as my horses will."

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.

"PROVE ALL THINGS."

By Frances Eugenia Bolton

BY FRANCES EUGENIA BOLTON.

("Be ye . . . tender hearted, forgiving, . . . even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.")

You have heard a gossip's story, And the tale was dark and gory, Growing worse as it grew hoary. Bring the criticized before thee. We will prove the words so spoken, Give the story seal and token, That it spread as truth, invoking Justice. Lest a heart be broken, Prove all things.

Perhaps it half in jest was started, May be falsehood with it darted, Truth long since from it hath parted, It may wrong one broken hearted. If for justice only, let us Prove all things that come to fret us, Prove all things that come to set us Heart from heart. Lest we regret this, Prove all things.

But if weakness hath so riven, If the soul long, long hath striven, Yet hath fallen, think how Heaven Gave its all to say "forgiven." Then, considering thine own weakness, In sweet pity, and in meekness, Go to give a comfort token To a heart that may be broken, Prove all things.

Suddenly my heart is weeping, There's a vision upward sweeping, 'Tis the cross with arms outfaring, 'Tis the Christ His bosom baring, And a tide of love, pain-riven, Pours for us, for us, aye, even For our sins. Since we're forgiven, Can we shut this soul from heaven? Prove all things.

A FEW UNRECOGNIZED CAUSES OF BAD TEETH.

DENTAL decay among the youth, according to statistics gathered in many European cities, is still on the increase. In Germany, out of the many thousands of children between the ages of eight and thirteen examined, only two per cent. had perfectly sound teeth. Forty per cent. of all the teeth examined were bad. Qualified dentists have been appointed to extract or fill the teeth as may be necessary. The following extract gives some idea of what has been done in this direction during the year.

"In the Darmstadt schools 1,376 children were examined, and 1,561 teeth were filled, while 1,871 were extracted. In Strassburg 2,666 children were examined, 699 teeth were filled, and 2,912 were extracted."

One of the commonest causes of bad teeth is that of taking very hot food. Hot food and very hot tea or coffee causes the enamel on the teeth to expand, and breathing cold air afterward causes it to contract. When the enamel cracks, as it soon does, the inner part of the tooth soon crumbles away. Acids formed by the decomposition of food within the mouth, or acid regurgitation due to fermentation of food in the stomach, are always waging war upon the teeth by breaking down their enamel. To guard against this evil, care should be taken in the selection and combination of food, and thoroughly to cleanse the mouth at least night and morning, even if it be not possible to do so after every meal. More dangerous than naturally-formed acids is the more powerful acid of vinegar. Place an egg in a cup of diluted vinegar, and in a few hours the shell will be entirely dissolved. Vinegar exerts a similar influence on the teeth. Yet foolish girls, to make themselves pale, often drink vinegar; the teeth pay the penalty. If one desired to ruin his teeth, he could not choose a surer way of doing it, and it is a well-known fact that the dentist's most profitable patients are those who indulge in the use of vinegar in their food.

If such a state of things existed among the choice colts of Australia, a diligent search would be instituted and vigorously prosecuted till the offending causes were discovered and removed. It is recognised that a toothless horse is a worthless creature. We give less thought to the rising generation than we do to our colts, and yet the future of our country depends on the boys and girls that fill the schools of to-day.—Australasian Good Health.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS

LESSON 2.—OCTOBER 8.—DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN.

Lesson Scripture, Dan. 6:10-23, A. R. V.

(10) "And when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his chamber toward Jerusalem); and he kneeled upon his knees three times a day and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. (11) Then these men assembled together, and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. (12) Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's interdict: Hast thou not signed an interdict, that every man that shall make petition unto any god or man within thirty days, save unto thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. (13) Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the interdict that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day. (14) Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to rescue him. (15) Then these men assembled, together unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no interdict nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

(16) "Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee. (17) And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. (18) Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting; neither were instruments of music brought before him; and his sleep fled from him.

(19) Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. (20) And when he came near unto the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice; the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? (21) Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live forever. (22) My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. (23) Then was the king exceeding glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he had trusted in his God."

Golden Text.—"The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them." Ps. 34:7.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) Why did Daniel's fellow officers desire to have him put out of the way? What course did they take to accomplish this purpose? Note 1. (2) When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, how did he plan to continue his worship? Verse 10. (3) How was he detected by his enemies? Verse 11. Note 2. (4) To whom did they go to report their discovery? What inquiry did they first make of him? What was the king's reply? Verse 12. (5) Then what did the informers tell the king? Verse 13. (6) How was the king affected by this report? How earnestly did he seek to rescue Daniel? Verse 14. (7) What argument did Daniel's enemies present? Verse 15. Note 4. (8) What then was done at the king's command? What words of assurance did the king speak to his persecuted servant? Verse 16. (9) What was done to make the imprisonment sure? Verse 17. Note 5. (10) Then how did the king pass the night? Verse 18. Note 6. (11) What did the king do in the morning? Verse 19. (12) What showed his agony of mind? What did he say to Daniel? Verse 20. (13) With what salutation did Daniel reply? Verse 21. (14) Then what further testimony did he give? Verse 22. Note 7. (15) What change of feeling came over the king? What command was given by the king? What was Daniel's condition when taken out? Why? Verse 23.

NOTES.

1. Daniel had been prominent in the kingdom of Babylon, and was so well known for his integrity that when the Medes and Persians came into power, King Darius retained him as his chief counselor. The other high officials were jealous of Daniel's position and authority, because he was a captive Israelite, and because he was so careful that justice should be done to the government and to the people, that scheming governors and others had no opportunity for dishonest gains. Daniel's enemies first thought to find some fault with his conduct of his office; but in this they failed. Then they proposed to make his very integrity a trap for him. Knowing his zeal for the God of Israel, they sought to make him appear as disloyal to the Persian religion. So they flattered the old king into passing a decree that no one should make any petition to any god but the king for thirty days. So he signed the decree, not realizing the covert purpose of his flatterers. But Daniel went on praying to his God, not withstanding the decree, just as he had done before.

2. Daniel was not hard to detect in his praying, for he did not change his custom in the least. Evidently he had not aimed to hide his religion before, and he would not compromise with the enemy of truth now, altho the penalty was that he should be thrown into the den of lions. Daniel was true to the principle maintained by his fellow-captives who disregarded Nebuchadnezzar's decree (Dan. 3:16-18), and afterward enunciated by the apostle Peter, that "we ought to obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29.

3. When the king heard the report concerning Daniel, he saw through the scheme for his destruction. Then he was "sore displeased" because the decree had been issued. When Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego disobeyed Nebuchadnezzar's order to worship the image he had set up, he was furious against them, and all the more determined to carry out his purpose. But Darius saw that his decree of the same character was foolish, and that obedience to it was not evidence of loyalty on the part of those who had instigated it.

4. King Darius' impotence to defend a faithful servant against the consequences of a manifestly unwise decree, and against the machinations of his own subjects, was certainly proof that he did not rank very highly as a god. He could not even pardon one who had transgressed the law. And it further illustrates the vicious use that designing persons may make of unjust laws, especially unjust religious law. And there never was a religious law enacted by any civil government that was not unjust.

5. The precaution of Daniel's enemies to have the covering of the den of lions so sealed that no one would dare to open it, only emphasized the power of God to preserve the life of His servant in spite of the authority of the government.

6. The king's night of fasting and remorse wrung from him the confession that the God of Daniel was "the living God," and he afterward made proclamation to that effect throughout the empire. So the wrath of man was made to praise God, and that which could not be made to do so was restrained. Ps. 76:10.

7. Daniel showed no ill feeling against the king. He was satisfied that the name of the God of Israel had been vindicated, and that the king had been brought to recognize "the living God." This, no doubt, would have been deemed enough for Daniel, even if it had been at the expense of his life.

SUNSET MAGAZINE

By Editor

DESCRIBES

California

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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.

TEN DOLLARS A WEEK.

SOME agents are making as high as $10 a week selling E-Z Washing Tablets. Why not you? Sample bar sufficient for a month's washing for 10 cents post-paid. TERMS FREE. Address, Alfred Mallett, Elkridge Sta., Baltimore, Md.

BROWN'S MILLENNIAL TEXT-BOOK.—500 texts and diagram. Aid to ministers, workers, everybody. Quick seller for agents. Copy prepaid, one dime. Eugene A. Brown, Phoenix, Ariz.

The Patent Medicine Curse

By Editor

The Patent Medicine Curse is mainly due to newspaper notoriety, and is the result, both in manufacture and in publication, of that "root of all evil," the love of money. It is encouraging to note that some editors are coming to realize their responsibility in the matter. So Collier's Weekly says:

Newspapers have done so much to create the success of fakes in medicine that their duty is clearly to help remove them. While a few are harmless, the only safe course is to exclude them all, and we have made a rule against any patent medicine whatever appearing in our columns hereafter. Refusing to countenance the evil however is not sufficient. We shall also do what we can to make the public a less easy mark.

The Ladies' Home Journal and Everybody's Magazine also decline patent medicine advertisements. With all the praise that is ascribed to the press, it is responsible for the dissemination of much that is evil, directly and indirectly for money. The advertising of all kinds of intoxicants and tobacco, and the advocacy of the interests of those engaged in the traffic, is doing untold evil in the way of corrupting the world.

The Choice Between Life and Death

God has set before you, dear reader, the way of life. You must make the choice; you must make it; and you will do this, even tho you refuse to choose. By not choosing it you refuse it; and accept the way of death.

The Christian Record for the Blind

By Editor

The "Christian Record" is an excellent journal with which to do missionary work among the blind—a class too long neglected. It is devoted to the proclamation of the Third Angel's Message among the blind. If there are any blind persons in your circle of acquaintances who understand the Braille system of printing, you can do no better work for them than to induce them to subscribe for this paper, or furnish it to them, if they are unable to pay for it themselves. It is published at College View, Neb., and the subscription price is $2.00 a year.

Exemption of Church Property

A press correspondent says that "a certain piece of property in the District of Columbia owned by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, and used by them as an academy for young girls, was recently exempted from taxation by the district commissioners. This is, of course, but an instance of which there are many. In this instance the tax assessor stated to the commissioners that the case seemed to come within the same catalog as others in which exemption had been granted."

OUR FOUR SPECIALS.

By Editor

ON account of various delays and the crowding in of other work, of which we need not speak, it has been thought best to delay the first number of the Special SIGNS one week. Number 1 will be dated October 11; number 2, October 25; number 3, November 8; number 4, November 22.

The articles promised are nearly all in. We have four cover drawings which are pronounced to be the finest we have ever had. Every one is a sermon in itself. The articles in the first number are as follows:

"Object of Prophecy," by R. A. Underwood.
"Prophecy May Be Understood," by W. S. Sadler.
"Importance of Prophecy," by S. H. Lane.
"A Threefold View of Prophecy," including (a) "As God Sees Man's View of Earthly Kingdoms," Daniel 2; (b) "As Man Sees God's View of Earthly Kingdoms," Daniel 3. By Abdiel; and (c) "God's True View of Human Rule," by Francis M. Wilcox.
"Christ Will Come Again. How? When?" by George B. Thompson.
"What His Coming Means," by B. F. Richards, M. D.
"Christ Our Life," by Wm. Covert.
"The Nearness of the End," by Mrs. E. G. White.

We think that it has invariably been true of our Specials, at least that is what our readers have said, that they have always been better than promised. We believe that this will be the case. The above are only the main articles of the first issue. There will be others of value which will make number one worthy the very largest circulation possible. See other announcements by the publishers on our Missions page.

The Poor Apology of Millionaires

By Editor

A certain trust magnate (not Mr. Rockefeller), for a few years past has been giving away perhaps a tithe of his income lest he should die rich. He has received a vast amount of fulsome praise, from the people who have been forced to contribute to his wealth, because of little bestowments here and there—gifts which have been saddled with conditions that have in several communities entailed real burdens. We would suggest to such men that a better way to diminish their abnormal fortunes, and to benefit in an equal manner the greatest number of people, would be to abandon their methods of extortionate profits on the commodities that are necessary to the comforts of life. Giving a little sop to communities where it will make the most show, or be likely to elicit the best returns, is a poor apology to the general public who are systematically robbed that these monuments may be erected in honor of individual extortioners.

Hardly Consistent

By Editor

Hardly Consistent.—The Church Advocate and Holiness Banner closes a long article on the Sabbath question with this exhortation and assurance: "Keep the first day of the week. It is the Christian Sabbath." But a little way back in the article it is argued that latitude and longitude so interfere that a day can not be kept definitely, and therefore the particular day is not essential. But the C. A. and H. B. has lots of company in such arguments. It is impossible generally to present more than one argument for Sunday without contradiction. It is all theory and not truth.

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