p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 15. (4/11/1911)

Earlier text: The Meaning of the Resurrection

Fulfilling Our Mission

By Editor

The Message for To-Day

It was 37 years ago that the Signs of the Times first began silently, fearlessly, and convincingly to herald the Message for To-Day. Passing, significant events,—great way-marks,—have strengthened its confidence in the Lord's soon coming, and added power has attended its circulation. Its success, if measured in dollars and cents, would be unmarked; but as a soul-winner to God's truth, it has made a notable record. Hundreds, yes, thousands of earnest seekers after light on God's Word have found this journal a great help to them in their study of the prophecies and the other Bible questions which perplex so many. Our friends and patrons have shown such a keen interest in the Present Truth Series, which ends April 24, that we have decided to issue another special series commencing with the issue of May 9, 1911, to be known as the

Message for To-Day Series

OF THE

Signs of the Times Weekly

CONSISTING OF

25 Special Numbers

And it will be the Message for To-Day. The first number of the series is to be the Tercentenary Memorial of the Authorized Version of the Bible, and will be an important number. Then will follow the helpful, uplifting, and timely articles and studies as outlined. Brighter, better, and more important. More important because of the shortness of time.

The World to-day is in need of a Message There is only One Message The "Signs of the Times" Carries That Message

Special inducements to our subscribers who desire to send the paper to friends and others. 1 Subscription to the Series of 25 Special Numbers $0.90 5 or more Subscriptions " " " to one name and address, each .62½ 5 or more Subscriptions mailed direct from the office of publication to separate names and addresses, each .65 Send orders to your Tract Society, or Signs of the Times, Mountain View, Cal.

The Excellence of Labor

By K. B. W.

(An Echo of the Mutual Edification Club)

THE subject of labor and its excellencies is one that has furnished material for author, poet, musician, artist, and sculptor for ages, for we may trace its existence back to the creation of our world.

It is quite natural for us to associate labor only with sin and weariness, to think of it as a curse instead of a blessing; but it would be of interest, to ourselves at least, to prove by actual experience, if we have not already done so, that labor is not without its excellencies; that it is a blessing to mankind rather than a curse—yes, one of the greatest blessings to which mankind is heir, a means to an end, a panacea from sorrow, "the true alchemist which beats out by patient transmutation the baser metals into gold."

According to the Standard Dictionary, labor is physical or mental effort, particularly for some desired or useful end. And we find that away back in the Garden of Eden man was not left in idleness—he was given work to do; he was to dress and care for his Eden home. That work was to be to him a pleasure, a delight, teaching him of God. By his contact with nature, he would learn precious lessons of life and love, and of his Creator's wisdom and goodness; he would better understand His tender care and wonderful power.

But man fell and the earth was cursed—it would not henceforth yield of its fulness to man. In the sweat of his face he was to eat his bread. He must toil for his daily food.

But even this curse may be made a blessing. The loving Father saw that His children would not be happy in a life of idleness. They must have work to do to help them to drown, in a measure, their sorrow, to forget their trouble. And so He wisely planned that the highest joys, the truest happiness, should be found in service, in labor for others. Thus self would be forgotten and God exalted.

Our bountiful Father, in His great system of law and order, has made ample provision for all His creatures, but He has also given to every man his work. As Holland says: "God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest. He does not unearth the good that the earth contains, but He puts it in our way, and gives us the means of getting it out for ourselves."

All nature is a workshop. One author says: "Work is the key that has unlocked all the treasures throughout the centuries. Work is the divine test of greatness. It is a quaint old law of the New Testament that the chiefest must serve most. We honor the men that serve most. The one thing that is always sure to be appreciated is work."

Labor is life; 'tis the still water faileth; Idleness ever despaireth, bewaileth; Flowers droop and die in the stillness of noon.

Labor is glory; 'tis the flying cloud lightens; Only the waving wing changes and brightens; Idle hearts only the dark future frightens; Play the sweet keys, wouldst thou keep them in tune.

What a picture idleness presents before us—desolation pervades everything. The idle man is the most miserable of creatures, weak, selfish, morose, good-for-nothing; as Brooks expresses it, "An idle person is the devil's tennis-ball, tossed by him at his pleasure."

But come with me to the home of industry. Up in the morning early, catching the first sweet notes of the song-birds, as bright and happy as they, the glow of health in his face, the light of happiness in his eye, the blood coursing through his veins, the vigor of life in his footsteps—his whole being testifying of the power within to accomplish a desired end. It is his to learn from nature lessons of industry, from the bird, the bee, the ant—all created things testifying of the beautiful plan of the gospel of labor.

With Christ the most menial tasks become a blessing, for we are co-laborers with Him. Jesus said, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." We as Christians are laboring not for a generation, not for a century, but for eternity, laboring for the joy to be found in the labor, and for the glorious reward of souls saved through our labors. Then let us work "while it is yet day: the night cometh, when no man can work." As one author has said, "He only is truly wise who lays himself out to work till life's latest hour, and that is the man that will live the longest, and live to the most purpose."

From the particle of dust at our feet to man, the last stroke of God's handiwork, all bear the impress of the law of labor. The earth is one vast laboratory where decomposition and re-formation are constantly going on. The blast of Nature's furnace never ceases, and its fires never burn low. The lichen of the rock and the oak of the forest each works out the problem of its own existence. The earth, the air, and the water teem with busy life. The world is animated with the same spirit. Onward unceasingly, unwearied, age after age, it pursues its course, itself, with all it contains, a perpetual lesson of industry to man. The joyous song of labor sounds out from the million-voiced earth, and the rolling spheres join the universal chorus.

Labor is alone noble, true, uplifting, a joy, a blessing, "the grand conqueror, enriching and building up nations more surely than the proudest battles," and, as Johnson says, "statues in every public place should record its wonders, oratorios should be composed in its honor, its insignia—the plow, the spade, and the loom—should decorate State carriages, and ornament public halls; while its successful votaries should wear the honored decoration of 'the Order of Industry.'"

Then—

Work—and pure slumbers shall wait on thy pillow; Work—thou shalt ride over Care's coming billow; Lie not down 'neath Wo's weeping willow, Work with a stout heart and a resolute will.

Work for some good, be it ever so slowly! Cherish some flower, be it ever so lowly! Labor! All labor is noble and holy. Let thy great deeds be thy prayer to thy God.

K. B. W.

A Boy Who "Stood By"

By Sir Wilfred Grenfell, M.D.

(Sir Wilfred Grenfell, M.D., in Sunday School Times)

I KNEW a boy last fall, a boy of about fifteen. He was one of a family of five. His mother was dead; his father had had a bad fishing and hunting season; they were on the verge of starvation. The boy had no possible means of helping his father and little brothers and sisters. He begged the doctor — who is serving as a volunteer, paying his own way like others on the coast — he asked the doctor if he would not allow him to be his dog driver last winter. He was rather young, but his keenness and earnestness made the doctor yield at last, and he took the boy.

They made a good northern trip, had changed their dogs and driven the last two hundred miles with new dogs, and had just taken up their own dogs to go south; they had a big neck to cross, the distance between them and a place of shelter being about fifty miles. They had only just started when the doctor decided to give at least one hour in an attempt to get some fresh meat for both men and dogs, as some deer had just crossed the trail. Telling the boy to stand by the teams, the three men started off, one of the doctor's companions being a guide who had been two or three years up the coast and who said he knew the way.

The three men lost their way, a blizzard came on, and the men wandered in circles and kept coming back near their starting-point. The blizzard kept up all night; they sat down and made a fire, but had neither food nor covering. The next day was the same; they wandered round and round all

day long. Their boots had been partly eaten, they had grilled and chewed their gloves, and at night again sat down, wet and discouraged — no nearer to getting back to the teams. However, they now started due south, hoping to strike an inlet and then by following the northern bank of it to find a little village they knew to be there. They walked all night, and as morning broke they could see away in the distance the smoke from a tiny cottage. They made for that cottage and reached it, utterly played out. The first thing they did was naturally to ask whether any news had come of the boy — as he was only a boy of fifteen and able to do very little. No word had been received.

A party was quickly organized to go back, the doctor telling them where the boy had been left. They fully expected that either the dogs had turned on him or that he would naturally get on the sled and let the dogs go, for they could at least find for themselves the habitation they had last left. They little expected to find the boy, yet as they drew near the place, they saw some black dots on the snow. When they reached the spot, there was the boy “standing by” the two komatiks, walking up and down for the third day. That was all. That is exactly what Christ wants of us.

The Old-Fashioned Bonnet

By George E. Langdon

How DEAR to my heart are the scenes of my childhood — The old-fashioned bonnets our girls used to wear; No spears, fierce and warlike, nor birds from the wildwood, No murd'rous reflections those bonnets did bear. The wide, spreading hat-rims that thrust you aphelian, The peach-basket headgear with ratty, puff'd hair, May be "all the rage," a la mode, not plebeian; But give me the hats that the girls used to wear,— The neat, modest bonnets, the ribbon-tied bonnets, The plain, spearless bonnets that girls used to wear.

College Place, Wash.

Approximate Chronology

“Type and Antitype”—a booklet giving the Scriptural and historical facts, physical and climatic conditions, and astronomical calculations, that enable us to establish in our own modern calendar time the exact date of the Passover, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus. Price 25 cents. Address H. H. Perry, 67 19th St., San Diego, California, or your tract society secretary.

The Youth's Instructor

By Editor

Special Temperance Number for 1911

THE publishers of the Youth's Instructor have just issued a very strong Temperance number, beautiful in appearance and strong in contents. Many of its articles have been written especially for the Instructor by some of the strongest and most popular temperance workers and authors. In addition to these masterly presentations of great temperance themes, the editor has compiled many of the best things printed on temperance, in the form of statistics, reports, experiences, and stories, nearly all being illustrated with drawings or attractive pictures. Taken all together, this Temperance number of the Youth's Instructor comprises the most effective collection of temperance matter ever printed, in an attractive form, suitable for general circulation. It will be a strong factor in a successful warfare against the great national curse of liquor.

Among the contributors to this special Temperance number are George T. Donehoo, David Starr Jordan, Rosa M. Barrett, A. A. Hopkins, W. T. Grenfell, Lewis E. Simes, William DeLacy, Dr. L. Bremer, Ex-Governor R. B. Glenn, John G. Woolley. Their contributions to the 1911 Temperance Instructor are very strong and practical. Send for sample copies and special rates to agents.

Youth's Instructor, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C.

The Protestant Magazine

By Editor

First Quarter for 1911

THE first issue of the Protestant Magazine for 1911 comes forth with a powerful appeal for a revival of true Protestantism. This issue of the Protestant is of itself a weighty testimony in favor of the Christianity of our forefathers and their constant fidelity to principle. It contains a convincing exposure of the claims of the Papacy, and the special shipwreck of modern Protestantism.

Among the topics treated in this issue of the Protestant are:

“A Vigorous Protest,”—a plain statement of the real meaning and tendency of Higher Criticism, and an appeal from it to the old-fashioned faith; “Modern Philosophy,”—a remarkable contribution to the discussion of the present condition of the religious world, by a New York attorney—his searching analysis of the teaching of religious philosophers, and a startling warning of the inevitable results, must be read to be appreciated at its true value; “Lying for the Glory of God,”—an answer to the charge made by a Catholic editor that lying is considered a legitimate weapon of defense in Protestant polemics. With this article are associated two other articles, “Immoral Moral Theology,” and “The Development of the Papacy,” all of which makes very interesting and instructive reading.

Sample copies of the Protestant will be sent on application. Address Protestant Magazine, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C.

Hygienic Vegetable Shortening

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The Test of an Education

A PROFESSOR in the University of Chicago told his pupils that he should consider them educated, in the best sense of the word, when they could say yes to every one of fourteen questions that he should put to them. It may interest you to read the questions. Here they are:

Has your education given sympathy with all good causes, and made you espouse them? Has it made you public-spirited? Has it made you a brother to the weak? Have you learned how to make friends and keep them? Do you know what it is to be a friend yourself? Can you look an honest man or a pure woman straight in the eye? Do you see anything to love in a little child? Will a lonely dog follow you in the street? Can you be high-minded and happy in the meaner drudgeries of life? Do you think washing dishes and hoeing corn just as compatible with high thinking as piano-playing or golf? Are you good for anything to yourself? Can you be happy alone? Can you look out on the world and see anything except dollars and cents? Can you look into a mud puddle by the wayside and see anything in the puddle but mud? Can you look into the sky at night and see beyond the stars? Can your soul claim relationship with the Creator? — Young People's Weekly.

The Resurrection Life

Sin in this world is an ever-present fact. It abides with us. It is incarnate — infleshed. We must meet its influence and power within, without, constantly. If we are Christians, we must under Christ endeavor to become saviors to those under its power. To do this we must have life, life that sin does not possess, life that the devil and his agents do not know. We must have the resurrection life of Christ. Without that life, religion becomes a mere choice of theories. For "if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain." "If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." "But now is Christ risen," and He gives constant, daily power. The resurrection life is constant. It is as full in winter as in spring.

Our belief is largely influenced by our desire; for desire oftentimes closes the mind to evidence as it closes the heart to truth. He who desires above all things else to do God's will, assuredly will be led to the knowledge of His will. With all the mighty evidences of the Messiahship of Jesus before the Pharisees, Jesus intimated that it was not possible for them to believe, because they sought their own honor, not God's. John 5:44. Then, too, some little near-by thing hides all the grandeur and glory of God's eternal truth.

The Doctrine of God

A fire which got beyond the control of the firemen destroyed the State capitol building at Albany, New York, March 29. The structure cost $27,000,000, besides the books destroyed in the State library.

God's doctrine is singular, not plural. There are doctrines of men and doctrines of devils; there is but one doctrine of God, established in His righteousness, bound together with His truth, every fiber athrob with His life and love.

Contained in This Issue

By Editor

General

Daniel an Example of Faithfulness - - - - 3 Protestantism Drifting - - - - 4 The End of the Reign of Sin - - - 6 "Here Am I; Send Me" - - - - 8 Polygamy: Is It of God or the Devil? - - 8 The Test of an Education - - - 15

Editorial

The Meaning of the Resurrection - - - 9

Question Corner

Questions Nos. 3407 to 3413 - - - 2 Our Bible Band - - - - - 2

Our Bible Reading

The New Jerusalem - - - - - 9

The Outlook

The Moslem Conference, Lucknow, India - - 10

The Home

The Excellence of Labor - - - - 14 A Boy Who "Stood By" - - - - 14

Poetry

The Resurrection Morning - - - - 5 Meditation - - - - - 6 What Will Be Its Fruit? - - - - 7 The Place Beautiful - - - - 8 The Old-Fashioned Bonnet - - - - 14

Chinese Famine Fund Contributions

By Editor

Up to this writing — March 29 — there has been received on the Chinese Famine Fund $210.80. Credit will be given to individual donors by name, initial, or other designation, in our next.

Israel’s Rejection of God

One lesson of very great importance was Israel's practical rejection of God in asking for a king. Its climax was reached when they said of God's only-begotten Son, "Away with Him," "we have no king but Cæsar."

The Great Moslem Missionary Conference

By Editor

The report on the great Moslem missionary conference, beginning on page 10, is long, but it is worth reading from beginning to end. It is proper outlook matter as well as missions; for the Mohammedan religion is decidedly political.

Winning Man Back to God

From the dim dawn of this old earth's day of sin God has been doing all that Deity could do consistent with man's freedom, to win man back to his allegiance. But man must listen, man must choose, man must yield all. There is no other way to unite with God.

A Supreme Court Justice and the Sabbath.

By Editor

Justice Harlan of the United States Supreme Court ought to have spoken on the constitutional side of the Sabbath question at the Presbyterian Alliance banquet in Washington, D. C., March 2, instead of making the remarks he is reported to have made. He said: "Here in Washington you can find a transgression of the sabbath everywhere you look. It is a shame that certain people from New York with big bank rolls should be allowed to come to Washington and give Sunday dinners and supper parties, when that day should be devoted to the work of God. I wish there was some way to stop this unwelcome influx into the capital. It is an outrage that dinner parties are given by these predatory rich persons on Sunday evenings, which should be devoted to other and higher things."

Now the divine law of the Sabbath is the fourth commandment of the Decalogue. Ex. 20:8-11. Justice Harlan ought to know that that section of God's constitutional code calls for the observance of the seventh day of the septenary cycle, not the first. This is too plain to admit of construction. And then, too, the learned jurist ought to know that the keeping of the Sabbath is not a matter of civil law or civil-law regulation. It is a matter which lies wholly between the individual soul and its God. If Justice Harlan is pleading for God, he ought to plead for what God's law demands, the seventh day. If he is pleading for his church, he ought to appeal to the conscience. If he is pleading for his country, he ought to keep in mind the fundamental rights of its citizens regarding religious freedom. Every soul, rich or poor, has equal rights with Justice Harlan as to his choice of spending Sunday.

Wanted, Very Much Wanted

By Editor

Bound or unbound, for our library, the following volumes of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES: 4 (1878); 13 (1887); 15 (1889); 16 (1890); 17 (1891); 23 (1897); 24 (1898). There may be those in possession of one or more of these volumes who do not need them, and who would gladly donate them as a gift to our library. If not, will they sell or loan them? Before sending, address the editor, stating what you have, its condition, and the terms upon which you will let us have the volume or volumes.

America and Persia

America and Persia.—It is a strange occurrence that one of the oldest nations of earth—Persia—should ask one of the youngest—this country—for five financial experts to assist in organizing a financial system. Persia has little money and an utterly inadequate system of taxation. Germany, it is said, will help, but she wants great concessions. Russia and England would help, but each wished control over expenditures. American financiers, if they would lend their services wholly in Persia's interests, could doubtless help the ill-governed country. Unfortunately, she lies along the line, perhaps in the way, of tremendous ambitions on the part of great European powers. It will be of interest to watch developments in that ancient land.

The Thin Crust of Civilization

"The Thin Crust of Civilization," in the American Magazine for April, presents a fearful picture of an American town, an illustration of many others. The crime of Newark, Ohio, Mr. Ray Stannard Baker lays at the door of the corrupting power of the saloon, and that seems to have been the chief agency in Newark; but history is not wanting in illustrations of the same unreasoning, mob-mad spirit aroused by mere suspicions or false charges. The boy who was killed in Newark was killed by a mob in sympathy with men in the liquor business. The boy was innocent, merely doing his duty. But there have been other instances where innocent men standing for order and due process of law in defense of a suspected victim under arrest have been shot down by men professing Christian civilization. The simple fact is that the brute is in every man who has not been regenerated by Christ; and sooner or later, unless the man is moving upward, the thin crust, under pressure of temptation, will break through and reveal the pit of innate human corruption.

Creation versus Evolution

By Editor

Creation versus Evolution.—When ministers—who know little of science or revelation—are repudiating the Biblical idea of creation for Evolution, it is encouraging to find scientists who are defending not the Bible, but the principle for which the Bible stands. These remarks are called out by an article in the San Francisco Examiner of March 27, by Prof. E. L. Larkin, of Mt. Lowe Observatory, California. He declares that the "Creator created basic cell units for each plant, each animal. Thus if a fish appears, and another later of a little higher type, the fish lower did not merge or mutate or evolve into the higher. The higher was created as a cell. Trout may improve and evolve into a better and higher grade of fish, and so may men; but trout will be trout, and men men. No trace is had in nature where one cell 'turns into,' evolves, or appears as another. Creation reigns supreme." It does. It was the origin of the world; it is its only hope for the future. Creation was the origin of man; to be created anew in Christ Jesus is man's only hope; and resurrection power is creative power.

The Pope as Arbiter of the Nations.

The Western Watchman of March 16 remarks in an editorial "The Rod for Bad Little Nations," that "the time may be a good way off when the pope will be accepted as the universal arbiter; but all sensible men feel that that must be the ultimate solution of the question of arbitration." Roman Catholics know that when the world settles its questions by arbitration, there must be the Great Court of Arbitrament, and they hold that the logical head of that court is the pope. They have this advantage: no other power makes such claim, and many powers would recognize the papal claim. When that time comes that Jerusalem is made the seat of the Papacy, as Samuel Garrat contends "many Roman Catholics advocate," then we shall have the fulfillment of Isa. 2:2-4, the siren cry of the world's peace, and immediately thereafter Armageddon.

A Balanced View of the Bible

Shun one-sided, one-phased views of the Bible. They almost invariably lead to fanaticism or disappointment and discouragement, or to an unbalanced character. We have examples of this in the "speaking with tongues" movement, and various faith healing cults. Both speaking with tongues and faith healing may be parts of a Bible experience; but the Book makes neither nor both prominent. God wants well-balanced men and women of well-balanced faith in the Mighty One. And His whole truth, if received, will develop just such characters as that. Gather all God's truth; balance its various parts by the equity of His complete Word.