Earlier text: He Is RisenTHE Roman Catholic Church professes to be the chiefest preserver of law and order. As an illustration of this we quote from an editorial on “Civic Reform” in a recent issue of The New World (Catholic) as follows:— But for the reform work of the Catholic Church in this city [Chicago], the trebling of saloon licenses and the honest payment of taxes by millionaires and corporations would not suffice to secure a tithe of the policemen needed to preserve public order. As a plain matter of fact the Roman Catholic Church is the most lawless organization in the world. It defies all law which may conflict with its own decrees, and claims authority to change even the law of God. Just lately there have been riots in the churches of France, mobs of Catholics resisting the officers of the law who were carrying out the provisions of the recent legislation separating church and state. A word from the Vatican would have put an end to these outbreaks, but the pope issued no instructions. Why?—Because this lawlessness was regarded as in the interest of the Roman Catholic Church. The loyal adherents to the Roman Catholic Church are law abiding when so directed by ecclesiastical authority, but perfectly lawless where the same authority either encourages it or winks at it. The Roman Catholic Church will preserve public order when the laws can be dictated by her authority. This is the very essence of lawlessness. Women and the Cigarette Habit
THE addiction of women to the cigarette habit is now added to other indications of the degeneracy of the times. Recently the subject has been quite fully discussed among women in this country, and by some the practise has been frankly indorsed. This has called out from the head of the Anti-Cigarette League, Lucy Page Gaston, an open letter, in which she says that though “it has been denied repeatedly by those jealous of the good name of American women that cigarette smoking prevails to any considerable extent among respectable classes,” nevertheless the practise “by American women is unfortunately no longer an open question. Recent developments have brought prominently to the front existing conditions.” “Are we as a nation,” she inquires, “ready to face the fearful consequences of the wide-spread use of cigarettes by women?” Tobacco, cocaine, alcohol, opium, and other drugs are steadily gaining a hold upon the human race, which, in time, unless some miraculous power should intervene, would result in its extinction. God Made a Minister of Sin
THE modern claim that each man has within him a sufficient light to guide him, without being compelled to appeal to any external revelation, is simply the ancient doctrine of self-assertion in a new guise. The real nature of this teaching has been well shown by Dr. C. H. Parkhurst in a recent sermon, in the following words: Whether acknowledged or not, the tendency that is operating, and with exceeding vigor, is to allege for ourselves a good deal of subjective infallibility, with only enough reference to the eternal and divine fitness of things to throw upon the situation a tint of religiousness, but not so much as to be inconvenient or to interfere with our doing substantially as we would prefer to do. When a man once believes that it is God within him who is responsible for all that is done by him, it becomes an easy matter for him to have his own way without assuming any responsibility for his conduct. Thus is God made a minister of sin. The Roman Catholic Church Never Changes
NEARLY all the Protestant religious papers have commented unfavorably upon the profession of faith made with much ceremony by Princess Ena, of Battenburg, who was required to abjure Protestantism in order to become the bride of King Alfonso of Spain. After quoting the form of words used in the ceremony, the Baptist Standard says:— It will be noticed that modern Roman Catholicism still requires its devotees to believe that no one can be saved outside of the Catholic Church; that a faithful Romanist must believe only what the church teaches; that those who accept the faith of that church must also accept the infallibility of the Roman pontiff, and that a confession of faith requires a Romanist to detest and abjure every sect opposed to the Catholic Church. It is difficult to understand how such a church with all its claims can be in possession of the spirit of Christ or safely teach his truth to the world. It is further difficult for us to understand how it is that professed Protestants, in the face of these facts, can think that the Roman Catholic Church has become more liberal, and can deem it desirable to seek for a union of Protestantism and Catholicism. The Roman Catholic Church never changes. Labor Unrest Over Miners’ Arrests
THERE can be no doubt that the sentiment expressed by socialist and labor organizations in this country regarding the arrest of the president and secretary of the Western Federation of Miners, represents a condition of affairs which may lead to very serious trouble. There is a wide-spread and powerful sentiment in favor of rebellion against the authority under which that action was taken. Pres. Samuel Gompers of the American Federation of Labor is quoted as saying:— The entire proceedings in this case thus far have been characterized by such high-handed outrages against the rights and guarantees of statute law, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, that no self-respecting citizen who loves his country and its institutions, who loves justice, and has a decent regard for the safeguards in defense of the rights of man, can remain indifferent. The whole procedure is repugnant to the Anglo-Saxon conception of human justice. This view is no doubt indorsed very largely by the powerful labor organization of which Mr. Gompers is the head. The Western Federation of Miners of course regard the arrest of their president and secretary on a charge of murder, in a no more favorable light. The Socialists, if Mr. Debs speaks for them, favor open resistance. The Socialists and labor unions who view the arrest of these officials of the Western Federation of Miners as a high-handed outrage contrary to fundamental provisions of American law, and as done at the dictation of plutocratic power which cares nothing for constitutional provisions or for the rights of the people, constitute a force capable of very seriously disturbing the equilibrium of civil government, even to the extent of civil war. Will future events bring harmony between this force and the government? LET no strange fire be kindled
On the altar of the Lord!
Or oil, unbeaten, mingled
In sacrifice be poured;
For God most high is jealous
Of wisdom man assumes,
His righteous wrath is zealous
Lest human pride presumes. All hail the blessed Jesus,
Earth's lowly paths that trod.
Who died, from death to save us —
Now on the throne of God!
Go, go proclaim his glory —
The cradle, cross, and crown;
Go tell the old, old story,
Till all the Saviour own. Behold! the day is breaking —
The glory shining forth!
The Gentile nations shaking
Through all the wide, wide earth!
What fills the world with glory,
Makes human wisdom dross?
The same, the old, old story
Of Jesus and the cross! Depending on Christ
By Ellen G. White
LET not those connected with the Master's service look to men of large ability to do their work for them. God stands behind the one who does his best. Let the workers rely on divine power, and God will impress the hearts of those for whom they labor. Great good may be accomplished by the sincere, humble worker, who realizes that success does not depend on appearances, but on the One who has given him his commission. The reason that the number of workers is so much smaller than it should be is that men are looking at their supposed weakness, and putting their trust in those whose appearance and capabilities will, they suppose, bring success. Thus spiritual consumption is brought into the church, and souls are dying because the spiritual life-blood is poisoned. Men have depended on men till they are strengthless. God desires a different mold placed on his work. Let men go forth to labor, trusting in the Lord, and he will go with them, convicting and converting souls. One worker may be a ready speaker, another a ready writer; another may have the gift of sincere, earnest, fervent prayer, another the gift of singing. Another may have special power to explain the word of God with clearness. And each gift is to become a power for God because he co-operates with the worker. To one God gives the word of wisdom, to another knowledge, to another faith. But all are to work under the same head. The diversity of operations, “but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” Let no man despise the supposed lesser gifts. Let all go to work. Let no one fold his hands in unbelief because he thinks that he can do no mighty work. Cease looking at self. Look to your Leader. In meekness, sincerity, and love do what you can. Do your best in faith, and out of weakness you shall be made strong. God will certainly bless whole-hearted workers. The world is enshrouded in the darkness of error. Satan and his angels are urging on their warfare against the truth. We must have help. But the help we need will not come from human beings. We must look to him who has said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” “These signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Claim this promise, instead of going to men for help. There stands among you the Mighty Counselor of the ages, inviting you to place your confidence in him. Shall we turn from him to uncertain human beings, who are as wholly dependent on God as we ourselves are? Have we not fallen far below our privileges? Have we not been guilty of expecting so little that we have not asked for what God is longing to give? In a variety of figures matters have been presented to me regarding the church-members who are dwarfed in spirituality because they do not look to Jesus, their ever-present help in time of trouble. I see men bearing a heavy burden of responsibility, but they are not gaining the strength of hope and courage, by exercising faith in God. The promise is, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” But when in trouble they think that they must go to earthly friends, telling them their troubles, and begging for help. Under trying circumstances, unbelief comes in, and the way seems dark. And all the time Jesus, the great Burden-bearer, stands beside them, saying, Come unto me, and I will give you the rest for which you are longing. Why do we turn from him? My brethren and sisters, show more confidence in Jesus. Turn not from the waters of Lebanon to seek refreshing at broken cisterns, which can hold no water. Have faith in God. Praise him with heart and voice. God demands heart and life service. Reach higher and still higher, and catch divine rays from him who is light and peace and joy and gladness. Do not wait for some one more ready of speech, but do what you can in the meekness of the great Master, who gave his life for you, that his joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. There are many souls in the darkness of error. There is abundant work for all who know the truth. Approach the people in a persuasive, kindly manner, full of sympathy and love. Christ is ever passing by, with grace and power that will enable you to present the gospel of salvation. Reach out after the souls ready to perish. Call the attention of the people to the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. No human words can express the preciousness of the ministration of the word and the Holy Spirit. No human tongue can portray to the finite mind the value of receiving by living faith the blessing that is given as Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. Many have a deep sense of need,—a need that earthly riches or pleasure can not supply; but they know not how to obtain that for which they are longing. The gospel of Christ is from beginning to end a gospel of saving grace. It is a distinctive and controlling idea. It will be a help to the needy, light for eyes that are blind, and a guide to the souls seeking for the sure foundation. Full and everlasting salvation is within the reach of every soul. Christ is waiting and longing to speak pardon, and to impart the freely offered grace. He is watching and waiting, saying, as he said to the blind man at the gate of Jericho, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? I will take away your sins, and wash you in my blood. In the highways and byways of life there are souls to be saved. The blind are groping in darkness. Give them the light, and God will bless your efforts. Christ is our Leader. He presents before his soldiers the plan of the battle. He points out the imminent peril of the conflict, and enjoins every one to count the cost. As he shows us the preparation that we must make for the battle, he assures us that we shall have divine assistance. In our human weakness, we shall be enabled to do the deeds of omnipotence. Christ takes his soldiers to an eminence, and shows them the vast confederacy arrayed against them. He reminds them that they are not warring against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. He reminds them that they are fighting for eternal life. The heavenly universe are marshaled for the conflict, with Christ, the Commander of the forces of heaven, at their head. Infirmities compass humanity, but in the strength that Christ gives, we may be more than conquerors. “Be of good cheer,” he declares; “I have overcome the world.” “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long;9 we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The First Apostasy
By G. B. Thompson
Sin had its origin with Lucifer, the light-bearer and attendant of God's throne. It originated with one who was a leader, a commander among the angelic host, and who stood next in power and authority to the only begotten Son. The heart of this exalted angel became lifted up because of his beauty. Though perfect from the day he was created, there came a change. He began to admire himself. Pride and self-exaltation came into his heart, and becoming dissatisfied with his exalted position, he sought equality with his Creator. And the disaffection which was in his heart he spread among the angelic host, and nearly one half this sinless company, sympathizing with him, were cast out of heaven. Here is a mystery no human mind can understand. How sin could thus originate is inexplicable; but the fact remains, nevertheless. It is exceedingly interesting, as well as timely, to trace the working of this subtle and mysterious apostasy in its incipient stages. The Spirit of God has opened before us some of the steps taken by the covering cherub in instigating this terrible rebellion. I will quote a few extracts:— “But little by little, he [Lucifer] began to seek his own honor, and to employ his powers to attract attention and win praise to himself.”—“Great Controversy,” page 317. As stated, selfishness and pride lay at the bottom of the strife and commotion which had entered to mar the harmony among the angelic host. Yet while fomenting discord and strife, and seeking to overturn the government of heaven, and set up a government of his own instead, Lucifer denied that he had any such intentions. “He had artfully presented his side of the question, employing sophistry and fraud to secure his objects. His power to deceive was very great. By disguising himself in a cloak of falsehood, he had gained an advantage. All his acts were so clothed with mystery, that it was difficult to disclose to the angels the true nature of his work. Until fully developed, it could not be made to appear the evil thing it was; his disaffection would not be seen to be rebellion. Even the loyal angels could not fully discern his character, or see to what his work was leading.” “Lucifer had at first so conducted his temptations that he himself stood uncommitted. The angels whom he could not bring fully to his side, he accused of the indifference to the interests of heavenly beings. The very work which he himself was doing, he charged upon the loyal angels. It was his policy to perplex with subtle arguments concerning the purposes of God. Everything that was simple he shrouded in mystery, and by artful perversion cast doubt upon the plainest statements of Jehovah.”—“Patriarchs and Prophets,” page 47. This tells the story in brief. Lucifer's tremendous powers of deception were largely increased by the artful disguise with which he clothed himself. Though at war with his Creator, he posed as a loyal angel. He denied the charges preferred against him, and claimed that he had in no way changed, but was seeking to have such improvements made in the management of the universe as would tend to a better form of government, and he was therefore in no way responsible for the discord and strife which had come in to mar the serenity of heavenly affairs. With high and pretentious claims he concealed the iniquitous designs which filled his heart. But while openly professing loyalty to the truth, secretly, and with mysterious sophistry, he continued sowing the seeds of rebellion, and strengthening his hold on the sympathies of the angels. And under this mask he was able to lead millions of the holy and pure angels, with clear intellects and minds capable of penetrating deep problems, into open revolt against God. We are also instructed concerning the charges which he preferred against the Creator. “The discord which his own course had caused in heaven, Satan charged upon the government of God. All evil he declared to be the result of the divine administration. He claimed that it was his own object to improve upon the statutes of Jehovah.”—Ibid., page 48. The real reason for the discord was his departure from the divine precepts. But this Lucifer denied, and, blinded by sin, he assigned another reason. He set forth as the reason for his actions that there was a great wrong in the organization of the government of heaven. The plan in the heavenly court, it seems, was for some one to stand at the head of administrative affairs, and the Son had been placed in this high position. This system of organization was contrary to Lucifer's ideas, so a difficulty developed in heaven. “As one aggrieved, he related the preference God had given Jesus to the neglect of himself. He told them that henceforth all the sweet liberty the angels had enjoyed was at an end; for had not a ruler been appointed over them, to whom they from henceforth must yield servile honor? He stated to them that he had called them together to assure them that he no longer would submit to this invasion of his rights and theirs; that never would he again bow down to Christ; that he would take the honor upon himself which should have been conferred upon him, and would be the commander of all who would submit to follow him and obey his voice.”—“Spirit of Prophecy,” Vol. I, page 19. Disguising the fact that in his heart he coveted the position held by the Son of God himself, he represented to the angels that this form of government was monarchical, and an absolute tyranny. That which we now call the papacy he claimed had been established, in principle, in the management of the heavenly government, and that to submit to this arrangement would be to have their liberties abridged. “The Son of God warned and entreated him not to venture thus to dishonor his Maker, and bring ruin upon himself. But instead of yielding, Satan represented to those who loved him, that he had been wrongly judged, that his dignity was not respected, and that his liberty was to be abridged.”—“Great Controversy,” page 317. While in his heart envy and jealousy were urging him on in his rebellious course, he stood before the heavenly family as the great exponent and defender of liberty. It was liberty he wanted for himself and those with whom he had been associated in the work of the divine administration. But while disguising himself under the mask of standing in defense of the rights of the angels, and against a system of tyranny which he claimed was in heaven, he himself had in his heart the seeds of all the despotic power which has cursed the earth since the introduction of sin. The preceding paragraphs from the spirit of prophecy, studied in the light of the following, which has recently come to us from the same source, are exceedingly interesting: “God calls upon all his ministers and all his medical workers to be on guard. Those who are following the devising and the plans and the subterfuges of the one so determined to have his own way are misrepresenting their Heavenly Father; for God is not instructing him. Evil angels are leading him on to do a work similar to that which was begun in heaven.” What God Requires of His People
By C. M. Snow
We have long been looking for a time to come when the work of the enemy would be so systematized and centralized that the forces of this world and the numerous Christian churches could be directed by one head. We have come to a place now where we can see that this very work is being rapidly wrought out. We see the backward movement along religious liberty lines that foretokens the religious persecution which the book of Revelation tells us will be brought to bear upon all of God’s people in the close of this dispensation. There is a great upheaval in the religious affairs of the Old World at the present time; and while, at times, it may appear that religious liberty principles are triumphing in certain parts, we can see underneath and through it all the masterful manipulations of our great enemy.10 We see at the same time a culmination of the forces in those very countries whose purpose it is to put religious matters more prominently before the legislators of those countries. At the same time, America’s influence on those countries has a tendency to turn them backward, even while they imagine they are taking forward steps. They have looked to America as a country of religious progress. The people have emigrated to America to get to a country of freedom; and naturally in the present breaking up of the crust there, they will take America as their example in what they should do. America’s earlier position in this matter will then work as a bait to draw them after the example which she is setting now. In the matter of church federation we see the same deep purpose being wrought out. At the November Inter-Church Federation Congress in New York City there were certain churches which were not admitted. Now these churches themselves are planning a federation of their own at their proposed meeting in 1908. There will be representatives from these churches from all over the world. In Canada the same federation work is being carried on among the churches there. The purpose of it all is to bring all church organizations under one management, under one control; so that when the time shall come for them to make their demands known, they will have united Christendom behind every demand which they make in the matter of religious legislation. Then there will probably be no opportunity for the favorable hearings by congressional committees which have in the past been granted to those who opposed such measures. Practically the only opposition then will come from Seventh-day Adventists. The matter of Sunday observance as a reflex action of what is being done in America, is already receiving more attention in foreign countries. The whole world is thus being made ready for the decree which shall say to the people of the whole world that they shall worship the beast and his image and receive his mark. It is wonderful to a person who is watching the culmination of these things to see how literally, how rapidly, and how systematically it is all coming about. Now in view of these things,—because these things are facts, not theories,—we must each ask ourselves the question, Do I propose to stand among that company which shall be found doing its utmost to enlighten the world, or shall I finally be found among that company which would not come up to the help of the Lord against the mightiest array of the forces of the enemy that this world has ever seen? Surely there is no hope for any of us in these times in anything except complete conformity to the will and plans of Him whose we are, and whom we profess to serve. At a certain time in the history of Israel, when God was requiring the performance of a certain work, it was found that only a small proportion of those who should be in the front ranks were willing even to enter into the contest. The rebuke of the Lord rested upon those “who did not come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.” It is the purpose of The Signs of the Times to give the utmost publicity to every move of the enemy in this direction, while declaring fearlessly the whole message, that the people may be enlightened while yet there is time to accomplish anything along this line. One day all our opportunities will be ended, and there will be persons going to and fro in the earth, seeking for God and his word, and they shall not be able to find either. It will be a terrible experience for any of us to be at that time in a position where any can bring a just accusation against us, that we knew the truth and did not make it known to them. This is actually what is before us, and we have no time to lose if we are to receive the final approbation of God and hear the “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Let each ask himself, What am I doing to enlighten those around me at the present time—friends, relatives, neighbors? In view of the fact that the Signs was established for the accomplishment of this very work, am I doing all that is in my power to do to give it the circulation which it ought to have? Let us each weigh these matters in our own hearts, and then decide before God that we will do his work; let come what may. Forgiveness of Sin
By J. S. Washburn
THERE is one channel which we must keep open between us and God, or we cut ourselves off from the base of supplies. The Scripture says, “Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it can not save; neither his ear heavy, that it can not hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Isa. 59: 1, 2. Our sins alone can come between us and God. Neither the sins nor the evil influence of any other man can separate us from God. Satan may seek to come between us, and throw his hellish shadow over us, hiding from our eyes the light of Jesus' countenance that has shone upon us, and for a time we may be in heaviness, in tribulation, and our way may seem clouded; but if we trust on through the darkness, there will come seasons of clear shining after the rain. He who is faithful through trial, even in the trial, may have the consciousness that his record is clear, that his sins are forgiven. Nothing else—no memory of good and great deeds accomplished—will comfort and strengthen us in the hour of peril, in the moment of anguish, in the instant of crisis and fear, as the one thought, My sins are forgiven, my record is clear. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1: 9. Then, indeed, whether we are tossed on the sea, whether our craft is sinking, whether we are dying of some dread disease, or struck down by a cruel enemy—whatever the danger, we may have perfect peace. There came a time in the experience of a certain individual when he fully expected to die. He looked for nothing else. All of this world and those whom he loved were slipping from his grasp. He stood alone before the great white throne,—stood, not upon land, but out in clear, empty space. There was with him none to help or to speak a word of favor for him. The eyes of all men and of angels were upon him, and upon the great white throne sat the Judge of all the universe. How solemn was the piercing gaze of him who reads at a glance every secret of the life! But in that awful, that solemn hour, in that vision of the moment when he must give an account to God for the deeds done in the body, he stood, thank God, without fear, trusting not in any works of righteousness, although he had been a minister of the gospel for years, but in the mercy and in the forgiveness of him who said, “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out;” and he said, “Dear Father, in thy mercy, in thy forgiveness, I trust, I rest, I hope. On that I rely without fear, in the perfect confidence and assurance, not of my goodness, but of thy love, and of thy blessed forgiveness.” Forgiveness! O the power, the hope, that is in that word! There is no other way for us to reach heaven. That channel must be kept clear. Whatever we may be doing or have been doing or expect to do, whatever our plans or purposes, however high and noble they may be, one channel must be kept clear—my sins have been forgiven, and as often as I have committed sins, I have confessed them, and they are forgiven, each one, all. And the light shines in my soul because of this one thing—he forgives even now and saves to the uttermost those who come unto God through Jesus Christ the Saviour. Have your sins been forgiven, and then have you permitted, since that glad day, other sins to come between you and God, and to block the channel? If so, confess them and forsake them, and receive forgiveness. Forgiveness! Have you, dear reader, received it this day? Every night and every morning let us make sure that every sin is forgiven. Let us keep the channel open, and we may shine as lights in the world, and in his heavenly kingdom as the stars and sun. Truth Above Political Greatness
“MEN are willing to climb the stairs to political greatness, they will go to all lengths to attain fame, they will even risk their lives and their fortunes for gold; but few, few indeed, are willing to give up all these for truth.” In speaking of a person's faults,
Please, don't forget your own—
Remember those with homes of glass
Should seldom throw a stone. If we have nothing else to do
But talk of those who sin,
'Tis better we commence at home,
And from that point begin. We have no right to judge a man
Until he's fairly tried;
Should we not like his company,
We know the world is wide. Some may have faults—and who has
not?—
The old as well as young;
Perhaps we may, for aught we know,
Have fifty to their one. I'll tell you of a better plan,
And find it works full well—
To try my own defects to cure
Before of others tell; And though I sometimes hope to be
No worse than some I know,
My own shortcomings bid me let
The faults of others go. Then let us all, when we commence
To slander friend or foe,
Think of the harm one word may do
To those we little know. Remember, curses sometimes, like
Our chickens, “roost at home;”
Don't speak of others' faults until
We have none of our own. Danger in the Use of Salt
THAT there is much more harm than most people suspect in the free use of common salt, is asserted by a writer in Physical Culture, who substantiates the assertion by the following reasons:— “1. Unorganized minerals (salt, iron, lime, etc.) can not be assimilated by and used in rebuilding the body. Only when organized into living grains, fruits, nuts, and other foods can these minerals become a vital part of our organism. “2. On the other hand, we can not live long, perhaps only a few weeks, unless the exhausted salts of our systems are renewed. This is a vitally important necessity, though the amount needed is small. All the minerals which the body can utilize to any advantage are abundantly supplied in natural foods. “Hutchinson’s Physiology says: ‘Salt is usually taken into the system in sufficient quantities in our food. Even the water we drink has traces of it. The habitual use of much salt in cooking or as a seasoning at the table is a bad habit in itself, and leads to the desire for other and more injurious condiments.’ “M. René Laufer, in Revue Scientifique, writes that, ‘the taste for salt is not innate or instinctive; it is acquired. The mother’s milk contains very little salt. Cow’s milk has at least four times as much, but even with this amount the adult who should live on milk alone—say three quarts a day—would take more chlorides than he needs. Man in a state of nature does not salt his food. Primitive people who lead a pastoral and nomadic life do not add salt to what they eat. The same is true of animals. Dogs and cats do not like salt. Even the domestic herbivores get along very well if salt is not added to their food. The tales of disease resulting from lack of salt are not trustworthy.’ (From translation in Literary Digest.) “3. Salt destroys the natural delicacy of taste, as does alcohol. The palate becomes so dulled that no food seems to have any taste without high seasoning. This entails the loss of much real pleasure in eating, for the divinely imparted flavors are perfectly delicious, but the salt- or pepper-depraved tongue is too numb to enjoy or even detect them. “4. The use of salt with food tends strongly to overeating. More food is eaten because it is ‘salted to taste’ than the system requires. “5. Salt has a specially harmful effect upon the blood and its circulation. On a damp day observe the moisture on the metal cap of your salt shaker. Witness, too, how a brick of salted butter will ‘sweat.’ Salt has the property of drawing the moisture from the air to the perforated cap; out of the butter to the surface of the mass, and it draws the moisture from your blood, and leaves it far too thick to circulate freely through the infinitely small capillaries that connect the arteries with the veins. These capillaries are so minute that it takes three hundred and thirty-five of them to make an inch. They are finer than baby’s softest hair, and hollow, too. The blood flows through the arteries to the capillaries; but it must be thin enough to go through easily. Then it goes back to the heart by the venous circulation. But the blood is too thick. It does not pass from artery to vein readily. The hands and feet grow cold. The heart wearies of trying to force it through, and the whole being, clogged and impure, cries out, Water, water! That is exactly why you are so thirsty after eating heartily of salt fish. “Try this experiment: Take the brightest red piece of beefsteak you can buy. Salt it thoroughly. Now look at it in three days. Where has all the redness gone? Precisely where the rosy complexion of your childhood has gone, my dear salt seasoner. It takes the healthy redness from the beef blood, and from yours, too. “6. Salt interferes with digestive processes. Vinegar and salt are good embalmers—the first of vegetables, the other of dead carcasses. A piece of meat salted so that it will keep is simply embalmed. It keeps well out of the stomach. It keeps better inside of it than were it unseasoned. Any food treated to a fixation of its condition is thereby made less digestible. It is preserved, pickled, cured, embalmed (or anything you please) against the atmosphere and against the gastric juice.” A Good and Cheap Disinfectant
THE direct rays of the sun are among the most powerful of germ-destroying agents. The most deadly germs perish within a few minutes under the direct rays of the sun. Most germs are also killed by the action of diffused light. The spores of germs, however, are quite resistant even to the direct solar rays. Hence other disinfecting agents are necessary for the complete eradication of germs. The value of the sunlight as a disinfectant, however, is above estimate, hence the importance of admitting the sun to every portion of our dwellings. For sanitary purposes, an ideal house should be constructed of translucent glass, so that the sunshine might penetrate to every corner. Dark closets are hotbeds for germs.—Selected. WE should remember the skin is not only a covering for the body, but a most important depurating surface as well; that is, it serves a very important part in the work of carrying out of the body certain impurities of a very poisonous character. When the skin ceases to act, serious symptoms soon make their appearance. Experiments have been made with animals, in which the varnishing of the skin resulted in producing death in a few hours. If frequent bathing is neglected, especially in summer-time, when a large amount of poisonous matter is eliminated through the skin, this very important eliminative organ becomes clogged, or rather, so covered over with impurities that its work is necessarily interfered with. A daily, or at least a tri-weekly, bath will be found to add much to the comfort, as well as to the cleanliness and health, of the person. The skin also breathes. A dirty skin necessarily breathes bad air, and unquestionably absorbs back into the system impurities which are allowed to accumulate upon it.—Selected. Wealth and Human Happiness
“ANDREW CARNEGIE,” says a recent London press telegram, “has written to a newspaper here, declaring that the advantages of wealth are trifling. He says:— “‘Beyond a competence for old age, which need not be great and may be very small, wealth lessens rather than increases human happiness. Millionaires who laugh are rare.’”