p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 44. (11/8/1910)

Next Week

By Editor

“May We Know When Christ’s Second Coming Is Near?” Mr. Taylor answers this important question in our next number.

“Bible Beneficence,” by Mrs. White, will show the better, Bible way of doing duty and showing gratitude to God, and thus sustaining the work committed to His church.

Chapter 1, verses 4 to 8, the great Threefold Divine Greeting to His people, will be the ground of our study in the Revelation.

Mr. Stafford’s interesting and well-illustrated article on China will conclude.

Is there but one law of duty mentioned in the Scripture, and is that law abolished? This question will be illuminated by a Bible Reading on “The Two Laws.”

Then there is the Outlook, the Editorial and Question Corner departments. The story tells us in a touching way the healing of the demoniac at Gadara.

It will be an excellent number.

The Influence of the Bible in Literature

In an article on "The Influence of the Bible in Literature," in the October Century, Henry Van Dyke well says: "Tho there have been many brilliant censors and assailants [of the Bible], no one has surpassed or even equaled, in the estimation of the world, the literary excellence of the book which they attacked." And he further says, "No other book in the world has had such a strange vitality, such an outgoing power of influence and inspiration."

Good Tidings

By Editor

Good Tidings.—We forget the meaning of “Gospel” too often. In other words, we use it as a mere technical Bible term. But “Gospel” means “good tidings,” and that is what God has given His servants to proclaim to the ends of the earth. Then preach the good tidings of the cross, the resurrection, the word of life, the second coming of the Master.

It Does Not Bode Well

By Editor

It Does Not Bode Well.—A recent statement, the truth of which will not be denied, is that “cities everywhere are gaining more rapidly [in population] than rural districts.” In Rhode Island, for instance, 95 per cent of its people are classed as “urban” and five per cent rural. In the United States 35 per cent are city dwellers, and the urban population is rapidly growing. The great nerve centers are becoming congested, and that, too, with not the best material. This abnormal increase in urban population has always worked ill for any country. America will not find it an exception.

The Letter of Scripture and the Sabbath

By Editor

The “letter” of the Scriptures does not seem to trouble our A. C. brethren on the nature of man and state of the dead, nor our Baptist brethren on the matter of baptism; but it becomes a very serious difficulty when the law is involved. The “letter” of certain doctrines is worth insisting upon, but one must never think of such a thing in connection with the Sabbath. We wonder why, when God gave the “letter” and filled that letter with His Spirit.

Postal Rates and the Farm Journal

By Editor

"The Farm Journal" for October reminds us that it is well for papers to remember the postal question when Congress meets. Altho Postmaster-General Hitchcock has brought the deficit of $17,000,000 down to probably $6,000,000, and would doubtless wipe it all out in time, the old clamor and demand for increased postage will again come up. There are some things besides increased postage in the proposed law which ought to be eliminated.

Human Tissue Kept Alive After Removal

By Editor

It is announced that a process has been discovered by Dr. Alexis Carrell, of Baltimore, by which parts of the human body, severed from the person, have been kept alive as long as three days after removal. The portions are nourished by culture material in somewhat the same way as disease germs, in sealed receptacles. In this medium they grow. We wait for fuller confirmation.

Vesuvius Eruption and Naples Bay Damage

An eruption of Vesuvius, accompanied by a cloudburst, wrought considerable damage in Naples Bay and on the slopes of the mountain on the night of October 23. The government has sent three battle-ships and four cruisers with provisions and medical assistance to Ischia, where it is reported two hundred persons have drowned in a seismic wave.

The New Vice of Ether Taking

A newspaper report says, "A new vice has broken out in France, compared to which drinking absinth and injecting morphin are comparative virtues." The new vice is ether taking and is assuming abnormal proportions. Consumers begin by breathing its vapor, but soon this pleasing effect wears off, and they drink it.

Monarchy, Revolution, and Republic in Thirty-Six Hours

By Editor

An article received too late for this issue from our Portuguese correspondent entitled “Monarchy, Revolution, and Republic in Thirty-Six Hours,” will appear next week.