p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 21. (5/26/1909)

Story of Pitcairn Island

Told by a Native Daughter

THIS fascinating story begins with the mutiny on the sloop-of-war Bounty in 1789, when Captain Bligh was dragged from his bed and cast adrift in an open boat with eighteen unfortunate companions.

From murderous mutineers to peaceable Christians, faithfully observing the commandments of God, is the wonderful history of the settlement of Pitcairn Island by the Bounty's mutinous crew.

In simple but beautiful language the writer of this tale, Miss Rosa Young, a native daughter, unfolds the story of love and hate, crime and its punishment, and the development of a happy race of islanders.

266 pages, tastily bound in cloth. Price, post-paid, $1.00.

Pacific Press Publishing Association Mountain View, Cal.

Portland, Ore. Regina, Sask., Can. Kansas City, Mo.

THE BOY PUZZLE

By Joseph F. Flint

A Picture Book for Mothers

By Rev. Joseph F. Flint

BUT this book is not written alone for mothers. Every father, in fact all who have an interest in the welfare of the boys of this nation will find a wealth of help and encouragement in this presentation of the boy question. The author goes to the bottom of things and shows very clearly where the trouble lies if your boy or your neighbor's boy goes wrong.

As the hope of this Republic lies in our boys a careful reading of “The Boy Puzzle” will do much to help solve the difficulties that confront us.

217 Pages, beautifully bound in cloth, post-paid, 75 cents.

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Abdul Hamid Deposed.

On April 27, Abdul Hamid was dethroned, and his younger brother, Mohammed Rechad, made Sultan. The deposition was duly effected according to the forms of Moslem law by fetwa, or legal decision, by the Sheik-ul-Islam in response to the following hypothetical question:

“What becomes of an Imam who has destroyed certain holy writings and who has seized property in contravention of the Sheri, who has committed cruelties and ordered the assassination or imprisonment of exiles without justification by the Sheri, who has squandered the public money; who, having sworn to govern according to the Sheriat, has violated his oath; who by gifts of money has provoked internecine bloodshed and civil war, and who is no longer recognized in the provinces?”

“Answer of the Sheik-ul-Islam: ‘He must abdicate or be deposed.’”

The notification was conveyed to Abdul Hamid at 3 P.M. by a committee of two officials, two deputies and two senators. As they entered the Yildiz Kiosk, they looked for arms, fearing an outburst of murderous rage from the Sultan. He was brought out from the Harem carelessly dressed, pale, and trembling. As soon as he was informed of the fetwa, he begged for his life, and when assured that his life was not in danger he protested that he had deserved better treatment from the nation, that he had defended his country against the Greeks, that he had kept his oath to support the constitution, that he had refused to sign many death sentences, and even spared the life of his brother Mohammed and treated him well. “Any other Sultan,” he said, “would have had him killed.” Finding the committee reticent and exorable, he said: “It is fate. I will do whatever you desire. Only protect me and my family and permit me to retire to the Cheraghan Palace, where I was born.” The Young Turk leaders, believing that it would be dangerous to allow the dethroned Sultan to live near Constantinople, sent him to the center of their power, Salonika, where he is lodged in the country house of a Jewish banker. He left by train on the following day with eleven of his wives, a son and two daughters and a few servants. It is uncertain whether he will be tried by court martial or left undisturbed. That he was the instigator of the recent mutiny has become evident. Many of the soldiers and minor officers concerned in it were found when taken prisoners to be well supplied with gold coin. The mutineers are being tried by court martial, and 250 of them have been found guilty and shot. Nadir Pasha, the second eunuch of the palace and favorite of the late Sultan, was hanged on the Galata bridge. He was a Nubian slave of gigantic stature and one of the three men on whom Abdul Hamid had relied for carrying out his secret orders and intrigues. He was active in planning the mutiny of April 13, which, it is now believed, contemplated the massacre of the foreign residents of Constantinople. This was prevented by Chefket Pasha, who took possession of the city a day sooner than had been anticipated.—The Independent.

Monthly “Signs” for June

By Editor

People did “want the May Signs magazine.” The entire edition has been sold. Here is a partial outline of contents of the June number:

CURRENT EVENTS. The Turkish Situation—the real secret of it from a prophetic standpoint.

Andrew Carnegie’s speech to the Peace Congress, April 21. One of the strongest testimonials to fulfilling prophecy on record.

GENERAL. “Voices of the Stones,” by Elder M. C. Wilcox.

Presenting descriptions and photographs of records being found in Babylonian and Assyrian cities, which verify the truth of the word of God.

“Sufferings of Christ in Gethsemane,” by Mrs. E. G. White.

A most impressive setting forth of that hour of trial which meant final victory for the sinner.

“A Change Foretold,” by Chas. L. Taylor.

This is a masterly presentation of the attempted change of the Sabbath. It places statements by Cardinal Gibbons and the record of Constantine’s edict by the side of prophecy, which most logically and forcibly makes clear the authority for the change.

BIBLE-READING DEPARTMENT. “God’s Object in Committing Life to Man.” By J. O. Corliss.

FOR THE HOME. An excellent article by Dr. Rand.

TEMPERANCE. “A Warning That Made the Town Run Dry.”

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY. Report of Significant Church Federation Meeting, by Elder Allen Moon.

One lady writes that in addition to caring for her home she is able to circulate 500 copies of the magazine a month. Perhaps all could not use this many, but thousands can be circulated by busy people if it is planned for. Order at least 25 copies with which to start. You will enjoy circulating them. Ask for the Signs Worker which contains canvass. Wholesale price on Signs Monthly: 25 to 500 copies, 4 cents each. Retail price, 10 cents.

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Bible-Readings for the Home Circle.

This book comprises 162 readings for public and private study, and answers nearly 3,000 questions on religious topics—practical, historical, and prophetical. It contains 600 octavo pages, printed on a superior quality of tinted paper, embellished with 57 full-page engravings and 170 ornamental headings, together with 10 full-page Scriptural and prophetic diagrams, 3 colored plates, and other attractive features. The bindings are elegant and substantial, the styles and prices being as follows: Cloth, gilt side title, marbled edges, $2.75; library, marbled edges, $3.75; full leather, marbled edges, $4.75. Cheap edition, 400 pages, solid type, no illustrations or colored plates, no poetry, thin paper, brown cloth, plain edges, $1.25. Address this office.

Winning and Holding the Confidence of the Children

By L. D. Avery-Stuttle

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

DID you ever notice how easy it is to win the confidence of little children? A single smile will do it; a kind word is enough; a warm pressure of the soft hand,— and —“presto!” the deed is done; the heart’s citadel is taken, and its tiny owner is ready to surrender.

It is quite out of the question for perfect love to exist in the heart of either children or grown people, without perfect confidence.

“Well,” some one asks, “what does a child know about confidence?”—Children often understand much more than they are credited with, and at a much earlier age. As soon as a child comprehends the words you speak to him, just so soon he understands whether he can depend upon you to keep your promise to him or not.

Nothing will answer in dealing with children but perfect truthfulness. How can a mother who has little regard for her own word or her own promises, expect her child to be truthful or trustworthy? When a promise has once been given to a child, it ought to be held as sacred as if it had been made to the President. No matter how apparently inconsequential, a failure to keep one’s promise even to a child, without good reason, is a serious thing. It will never do to conclude that TRUTH is a small matter under any circumstances. Perfect truth and perfect reliability are mighty factors in winning and holding the confidence of children.

“But,” somebody protests, “a promise made to a child seems such a little thing.”

Over in Montana, at a place called “The Divide,” there is a stone no larger than a man’s hat, which has actually divided a river, so that one part finally flows into the Atlantic by way of the Missouri, while the other part finds its way into the Pacific. A little thing, indeed, a small, ordinary-looking stone, but it is large enough to divide a river and place a mighty continent between.

A broken promise, a slight deceit, a small prevarication—little things, perhaps, all of them; but any one of them may be large enough to divide loving hearts, and to snap asunder the closest ties.

EUNICE AND TIMOTHY
Timothy is an example of the power of home training. Paul recognized that much of Timothy's efficiency as a worker was due to the Bible training he had received from his mother and grandmother. Read Paul's words in 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15. — EUNICE AND TIMOTHY Timothy is an example of the power of home training. Paul recognized that much of Timothy's efficiency as a worker was due to the Bible training he had received from his mother and grandmother. Read Paul's words in 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15.

True love, perfect affection without perfect confidence?—Never.

“But having already gained the confidence of the child, how are we to keep it?”—In the same manner. A confidence which is never betrayed is never misplaced.

“But,” said an unhappy mother mournfully, “I could always manage my boys and girls when they were real little,—but now they seem to have outgrown me. Really, I don’t know what the trouble is, but they ignore me entirely, now that they have grown large enough to help themselves a little. While they were quite dependent upon me, they would scarcely leave my side. In fact when my Jimmie was a little fellow not more than five years old, he would even leave his play to come in to get a kiss from me. He used to do it so often that I actually got tired of it; so I scolded him just a little for his nonsense; but even that didn’t break him; so I tried ridicule. I just laughed at him and called him a silly baby,—and that broke him.”

“Yes, my friend, and I dare say he stays ‘broke.’”

“Yes, yes; and I must say I do worry just a little about Jimmie; he’s only fourteen,— a mere child yet, but, will you believe me, he seems to think it unmanly to pay any attention to me. If I say, ‘Jimmie, I’d do this or that,’ he is sure to do the exact opposite. He’s so different from what he used to be. And as I told you, he was once such an affectionate child, but now I can’t induce him even to kiss me good night; I feel really bad about it sometimes, really lonely,” and the poor mother turned sadly away.

Indeed she is to be pitied. But what about the lad? The mother says she is lonely. But who can tell of the heart-hunger and unsatisfied longings of the little child who, when a mere babe, was driven from the arms of his unwise mother by her cruel ridicule? I had almost called her an “unnatural” mother; but undoubtedly she loves her child or she would not be grieving to-day over his cold-heartedness. So I merely say that she was unwise, wofully unwise. She had no time “to bother” with her boy when his baby heart craved attention and love; but now she has ample time to grieve over the effects of her own folly.

By the way, there is nothing which will so quickly influence most children for evil

as ridicule. Just laugh at them a little, and the mischief is done. Some children will deceive, prevaricate, or even tell deliberate falsehoods to avoid ridicule. And children are not the only ones, I am sorry to say, that meet most shameful defeat at the hands of this ungenerous and ungallant foe. Even Peter, the rock, the impulsive, the aggressive, the bold, the warlike Peter; he who quailed not in the face of an angry, furious mob; he whose ready sword dripped with the blood of one of the sleuths who was hunting his beloved Master, even Peter, the stout-hearted, shook and turned white before the outstretched finger of a simple maid. And ridicule is the cruel weapon which Satan has been using ever since the days of Peter—and long before—to the moral undoing of many a poor, irresolute soul. And in my opinion it will be responsible for the eternal loss of more men and women and children than persecution or prison or sword.

But to the point: To be able to win and to hold the confidence of little children is a great attainment, and yet it is the easiest thing in the world. How can it be a great attainment and yet an easy thing?—because children are natural detectives. They are quick to read hearts. They are keen observers. They can tell veneer from the real thing. They notice even the shadow of a frown, or the faintest twinkle of an eye. Did you never notice the quick, keen look they will give a stranger before they will confide their childish troubles to him?

O it is beautiful to win the unsullied love, the sweet confidence of innocent childhood. But how sad to lose it! Absolute integrity, absolute truthfulness, unselfish love,—without these virtues of heart and soul, the most cunning diplomacy must eventually fail.

A Home Song

By Henry Van Dyke

I TURNED an ancient poet’s book, And found upon the page: “Stone walls do not a prison make, Nor iron bars a cage.”

Yes, that is true, and something more: You’ll find where’er you roam, That marble floors and gilded walls Can never make a home.

But every house where love abides, And friendship is a guest, Is surely home, and home, sweet home, For there the heart can rest. — Henry Van Dyke.

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Our Little Friend

An Illustrated Paper for the Smaller Men and Women, for the Children and Little Ones

Instructive and entertaining, clean, wholesome, sensible. It is a character builder, a helper to father and mother. Our Little Friend would plant seed in the joyous life of the children in the Present, that it may bear blessed fruitage in the Harvest of the Future. Respect your child's individuality. Take the paper for him or her. Only 50 cents a year.

Address, OUR LITTLE FRIEND, Mountain View, Cal.

Early Writings.

By Mrs. E. G. White. A new edition of this popular work, rearranged and reprinted from new plates. This book is a compilation of the first published writings of the author, and contains many encouraging words for those who are looking for the soon return of our Lord. Cloth, 75c; limp leather, $1.25. Address this office.

Life and Health

A PRACTICAL health journal, published with a view of meeting hygienic needs in every home; teaching how to care for the health and how to preserve life; prescribing simple home treatments to assist nature in throwing off diseases rather than adding more poison by using drugs or unnatural stimulants as remedies; teaching how to avoid disease as far as possible, how to manage in the home when sickness does come, and how to combat the disease by simple remedies which nature provides.

Send for sample copy and special rates to agents. Price 10 cents per copy or $1.00 per year.

Address, LIFE & HEALTH, Takoma Park, D. C.

LIBERTY

THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF

THE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY BUREAU

AN illustrated, 48-page, quarterly magazine, published as an exponent and advocate of true religious liberty; defending Christianity and the rights of conscience; upholding the Bible as the infallible word of God; recognizing the church and state as ordained of Heaven for specific and distinct purposes, but vigorously protesting against the alliance of the church with the state in the attempt to advance religion and to promote the state. Price 25 cents per year. Liberal terms to agents.

Address, LIBERTY, Takoma Park, D. C.

“HERALDS OF THE MORNING”

The appalling loss of life by murder and suicide, political and social troubles, dissatisfaction between employer and employee, strikes and fires, wars and rumors of wars—all these are of daily occurrence. What do they mean? and is there any significance to these things at this particular time? To the close observer, all these are evidences that there is a nearing social vortex into which all unsettled factions, and the world at large, will be plunged. When and how this will be brought about is revealed in “Heralds of the Morning.” By appealing to the “sure word of prophecy,” the author clearly shows that these conditions were to exist just before the Lord’s return, and points out many other signs that the Scriptures tell us are certain heralds of the glad morning when strife shall cease, and peace and happiness reign forever. That the reader may understand these events, and be prepared for the final outcome, is our reason for calling attention to this valuable work. More than 150 illustrations vividly portray that upon which the subject-matter treats. A live book upon a live subject.

Bound in cloth, with marbled edges. Special price for a short time, $1.75.

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Education

Education.—The object of true education and how it may be realized by the youth, the parent, the teacher, the writer, the tiller of the soil, and the business man, is the great theme of this book. Its first chapter is devoted to First Principles; following that are illustrations taken from the history of Israel. Master Teacher, Nature Teaching, the Bible as an Educator, Physical Culture, Character Building, the Under Teacher, and the Higher Course, are titles of other chapters. 321 pages. Cloth, $1.25. Address this office.

The Emmanuel Church Movement.—

Boston happens to be the place where two great religio-healing movements have originated. Christian Science began its work here a number of years ago, and now more recently the Emmanuel Church Movement, under Dr. Worcester, began its work in an Episcopalian church of the same city. The Emmanuel Movement seems to have some points quite in common with Christian Science, but differs, in claiming to be strictly in harmony with “modern science,” the doctrines of Mrs. Eddy being directly antagonistic to all that is comprehended under the term “modern science.” But both claim that disease is the result of morbid mental states or ideas. The cure in both cases is by means of psychic or mental methods applied by a specially qualified or instructed healer. And furthermore each claims a healing power for the healer who applies the distinctive methods of his school.

The General Conference Delegates

The General Conference Delegates.—From letters from the editor, dated at New Orleans, we learn that the California party were enjoying a pleasant trip to Washington, D. C. They expected to arrive in time for the opening of the Conference May 13. Next week a report of the journey will be given in these columns.

A Better Boston.

The leading men of the city are planning definitely for a better Boston by a few years from now. Their sentiments are well couched in their motto, “Boston—1915—The Finest City in the World.”

The Spirit World and a Future Life

By Editor

“The Spirit World and a Future Life.”—Our readers will be glad to know that the series of articles by Prof. G. W. Rine, now running in the SIGNS, will, in all probability, be issued in pamphlet form soon. Watch for later announcements.

The Emmanuel Movement and Hypnotism.

The Emmanuel Movement depends almost exclusively upon hypnotism for its power. Now, it has been demonstrated over and over again in the past hundred years or more that hypnotism has a very unwholesome influence upon the patient. In time he comes to feel that a spell has been cast over him. He believes that another mind and will have control of him. His own mind is weakened. More than one such victim has had his mind thereby dethroned and been taken to the madhouse.

An exchange very significantly asks, “Does hypnotism in a church differ radically from hypnotism in a hospital? . . . Is a hypnotic séance begun with a hymn and a prayer and closed with the doxology less objectionable than a hypnotic séance of the common sort? . . . Is hypnotism less reprehensible and unwholesome because its horns and hoofs are concealed by an ecclesiastical halo? Finally, is the cause of religion to be in any way benefited through the substitution by its ministers of the deceptions and falsehoods of hypnotism and psychologic juggling for the simple faith of the Gospel? And has the hypnotist or the psychologist any better means of ‘suggestion’ than the divine, old-fashioned method which through all the centuries has worked and is still working wonders, when it is not relegated to the rear as out of date and unscientific—simple prayer? . . . It now looks as tho the Emmanuel Church Movement is a religio-scientific substitute for both scientific medicine and the good old-fashioned Bible religion, a new-thought religio-medico-sociological movement, a more or less orthodox rival of Christian Science, and with a foundation not much better.”

China's New Policy.

During April there became effective in China a new citizenship law, forbidding under severe penalties Chinese subjects to become naturalized in any other country. Hereafter, in reply to the statement that foreign nations will not permit Chinese to become citizens, the government at Pekin will reply that China herself does not permit the expatriation of her subjects. At the same time China is holding a firm hand in Manchuria against both Russian and Japanese control of that section.

An Australian Navy

An Australian Navy.—Australia announces a naval program that contemplates the building of four ocean destroyers and sixteen river-class destroyers within three years, all to be constructed in Australia, this flotilla to take over the entire responsibility of defending the Australian coast. With Canada and New Zealand offering to build “Dreadnaughts” for the imperial navy, this loyalty of the Australian commonwealth has made a deep impression not only upon the British people but upon all Europe as well.

Venezuelan Situation.

For a number of years Venezuela under the rule of President Castro has been a source of grave annoyance to many of the nations of the world. At times war seemed imminent. Not long ago Castro made a trip to Europe. Almost as soon as the federal court of Venezuela had decided that he was suspended from the presidency, Señor Castro boarded a steamer to return to his own country. It was evident that the nations of the world had had enough of his rule, and so many difficulties were put in his way that he failed to reach Venezuela and he was in fact deported from the French possessions where he attempted to stop for a short time. It has been quite generally believed that he had laid plans to overthrow President Gomez and regain control of the country.

Japan Educating China.

There are ten thousand Chinese students in attendance at the educational institutions of Tokyo, the capital city of Japan. These youth are studying Western progress in Japanese schools, sitting at the feet of their conqueror to learn the secret of her progress and power. There is certain to result a new China not many years hence.

The Position of Austria.

Austria-Hungary recently annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina to her territory. It seemed for a time that war with Servia would be the result, but Servia has now consented to the annexation. Austria’s triumph seems to be complete, and has almost changed the balance of power in Europe. On the other hand, however, by coercing Italy, she has virtually broken up the triple alliance. She has also cooled her relations with England and France, has made Servia and Russia bitterly hostile, has antagonized all the Slav peoples of the world, thus making possible trouble in her own parliament. She has put herself under obligations to Germany, has been compelled to pay a large sum of money for the two provinces, at the same time undergoing tremendous expense to maintain the military in those regions and suffering a very serious loss from Turkish boycott of the goods of her merchants. Incidentally also the fact that Russia failed to back Servia in her demands on Austria-Hungary proves “beyond a doubt that Russia is as yet not much more than a negligible quantity in European councils.”

The Control of Europe.

At the present time Austria-Hungary and Germany seem to hold the balance of power in Europe. In the recent unpleasantness regarding Servia the Central European powers had the decided advantage, for they were ready to appeal to the sword, while the Western nations of Europe are bound by their political and economic status to do anything for peace's sake. The whole world knows the weakness of Russia, and she knows it herself. England realizes her unprepared state. As France holds more than seventy per cent of the foreign interest-bearing securities of both Russia and Turkey, she is bound to maintain peace at any price. And thus again is war avoided. War talk hardly moves us these days; we take it for granted that the angels will “hold the four winds,” that God will restrain the nations until our work is done. Verily, the Most High rules in the kingdoms of men, but the very fact should move us to a redoubled zeal. Since God is holding all the enginery of warfare under control, it is no reason indeed for inactivity on our part.

The Gospel to Turkey.

As the following words from the Outlook give a good picture of the results of the present trouble in the East, we quote them: “By the irony of fate, the deposed Sultan has been taken to Salonika, a city known beyond any other in Turkey for its liberal views. It was there that the constitutional movement had its inception; it is there that the constitution’s greatest foe has been taken. Had he been taken to Asia instead, his presence might have excited reaction among the ignorant Mohammedan hordes. But the people of Salonika are wide awake. It is a great commercial port and an emporium for nearly two hundred thousand people. The Sultan will there be judged by the most intelligent of his former subjects. Whatever his personal fate, his political fate has now been sealed. The most shameful chapter in Turkish history has at last come to an end. It probably marks the beginning of the end of Oriental absolutism in Turkey and the beginning of Occidental constitutional democracy in that country.” And all of this is but to say that there is to be freedom for the Gospel and for those who carry the Gospel as has not been for ages. We are in the days of the third angel’s message, when the everlasting Gospel is to go to the world, and God is opening the way. He is making the highway for the heralds of the Coming One. The crooked places are being made straight, the hills lowered, the valleys and gulches filled, and on the smooth highway of personal liberty the Gospel messenger marches on to announce the way of salvation and the soon coming of the Saviour.