“The glory of our life
Comes not from what we do or what we know,
But dwells forever in what we are.”
A great opportunity will only make you ridiculous unless you are prepared for it.
Be a man whose word is worth one hundred cents on the dollar, and your reputation will be as good as gold.
“It is not the position but the disposition that makes men happy.”
Our world is a college; events are teachers; character is the diploma which God gives to man.
The way in which one spends his money is a good test of his character.
Do not serve money, but use money as a lever to help you serve something better than yourself.
“That individual and nation is hastening toward poverty, that does not love the right and hate the wrong.”
NEARING HOME.
MORE emphatically than ever before may we be able to say, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand.” The age of the kingdom can not be very far away. The many-sided and all-converging evidence forbid any other conclusion. That line, which is now like a haze upon the sea, will soon shape itself into the cliffs of the land of promise. We can almost see the ground-swell of the vessel now. The swallows are lighting upon our mast-head. The perfume of Lebanon and Gilead comes to us on the breeze from the land. We must be nearing home. Courage, then, brethren; let us keep our hearts filled with reverence to God; let us be ever loyal to His Christ. Let us keep to the doctrine, the fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayers. Let us hold fast the form of sound words, and contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, and then we shall be able to stand through any and every evil day.—The Restitution.
STIMULANTS
A PATIENT was arguing with his doctor on the necessity of taking a stimulant; he urged that he was weak, and needed it. Said he, “But, doctor, I must have some kind of a stimulant; I am cold, and it warms me.”
“Precisely,” came the doctor’s crusty answer. “See here; this stick is cold,” taking up a stick of wood from a box beside the hearth, and tossing it into the fire. “Now the stick is warm, but is it benefitted?”—Selected.
LITERARY NOTICES.
“THE JEWISH ENCYCLOPEDIA,” a Descriptive Record of the History, Religion, Literature, and Customs of the Jewish People from the Earliest Times to the Present Day. In twelve volumes. Illustrated. Sold by subscription. Cloth, per volume, $7.00; half morocco, $9.00; full morocco, $11.00. Per set, $84.00, $108.00, and $132.00, respectively. Funk & Wagnalls Company, New York and London.
The publishers of the Standard Dictionary have again undertaken a stupendous work; but it has been taken hold of in a way to insure success, if success be possible. Engaged on the work are more than four hundred scholars and specialists. Their consulting editors in America number fifteen of the best among Hebrew and Semitic scholars, both Jewish and Christian. The consulting foreign editors number twenty-nine, authorities in the Old World. The editorial board, having direct supervision, number thirteen, of which Isidore Singer, Ph.D., is the projector and managing editor, and Isaac K. Funk, D.D., LL.D., is the chairman. The secretary is Frank H. Visanth.
The first volume is before us, from “Aach to Apocalyptic Literature.” It is printed on good paper, in clear, readable type of two sizes, in two columns, on pages 7½ × 10½ inches. It contains nearly 300 illustrations, several of which are in tints or colors.
The Jew has come in contact with all nations. He has been connected with many of the greatest and mightiest events of history. In religion, in literature, in philosophy, in commerce, he has affected all nations. He is one of the mightiest of outside evidences of the truth of the Hebrew Scriptures, while in many instances he denies them. Yet he is little known and little understood. Funk and Wagnalls Company are doing a splendid thing in issuing this greatly-wanted encyclopedia, for which scholars will feel greatly indebted. We hope they will not be disappointed in the result.
“SELF-PRONOUNCING BIBLE DICTIONARY.” By James P. Boyd, A.M. A. J. Holman & Co., Philadelphia.
The above is a little gem. It is only 2¾ inches wide by 4½ long, and ⅜ of an inch thick, outside measurement. It can be carried in the vest pocket easily. It contains the proper names of the Bible, and many other words, syllabified and accented, sounds diacritically marked, Hebrew, Greek, and other equivalents given in English, concise definitions, and abundant references to texts where the word is found or light is thrown upon it. Its type is clear and distinct. It is a multum-in-parvo, a marvel of information for so small a volume, containing as it does 5,000 subjects. The bindings are neat and flexible.
“A HUNDRED YEARS OF MISSIONS; OR THE STORY OF PROGRESS SINCE CAREY’S BEGINNING.” By Rev. Delavan L. Leonard, associate editor of the Missionary Review of the World. Introduction by A. T. Pierson, D.D. Funk & Wagnalls Co., New York, London, Toronto.
This book is one that you need, tho you have many other missionary books. It gathers together the great facts of many years and many lands, and the experiences of many peoples, and places them in a convenient volume for the busy worker. Its scope is the mission world.
“NAZARETH OR TARSUS?” 12mo., 218 pages, cloth, $1.00. J. S. Ogilvie Publishing Co., 57 Rose Street, New York.
The book is an endeavor to set Paul against Christ. It is written by one who, in his infatuation for human judgment and higher criticism, understands neither Christ nor Paul. Its arguments are based on half-truths, told in an air of candor, in a way to entrap the superficial. The author has made complex that which is simple; he sees fog where the air is clear.
“THE RUBAIYAT OF MIRZA MEM’N.” A translation and enlargement of a poem by Omar Khayyam. Henry Olendorf Shepard, 212-214 Monroe Street, Chicago.
This is a paraphrase in the form of Fitzgerald’s (the finder of Omar’s), but the translator, we are told, has largely drawn his 131 quatrains from the prose versions of Nicolas and McCarthy. The poem is largely a panegyric on wine and nature, a reflection on false religions, and an exaltation of present pleasure, which does not satisfy. It is beautifully printed on fine white plate-paper. The background of the poem, printed in heavy, black type, is a pale-green tint-block, leaving a margin of white, and around the type is a set of beautiful floral borders in light purple. It is splendidly bound and superbly illustrated, a masterpiece of the printer’s art.
“THE GREAT NATIONS OF TO-DAY.” By Alonzo Trévier Jones. Review and Herald Publishing Co., Battle Creek, Mich.
This book is a presentation of the moral condition of the Roman Empire before its breaking up, and the exposition of the prophecy of the seven trumpets of Rev. 8 to 11, and the great threefold message of Rev. 14:6-14. To those who desire to understand these interesting and all-important scriptures; who wish to know what is now taking place in the light of these prophecies, this book will prove invaluable. It has an excellent map of present-day powers, and nine illustrations.
“AMERICAN PROHIBITION YEAR-BOOK FOR 1901.” Compiled by Alonzo E. Wilson. Cloth, 35 cents; paper, 15 cents; paper per dozen, $1.25; all postpaid. United Prohibition Press, 153 La Salle Street, Chicago.
This year-book contains a mass of matter helpful to all Prohibitionists, and much of it to temperance workers who may not be political Prohibitionists.
LUXOR, EGYPT.
By Louis Passebois
“GRACE be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Our hearts have recently been made to rejoice because of the marvelous workings of the Lord among us. Last Sabbath, March 23, especially, we were filled with joy, as another native minister, who has been interested in the message, and investigating for some time, confessed that he was fully convinced of the Sabbath, and was ready to join us in our work. We now have two native ministers in Egypt who can assist in proclaiming the third angel’s message. Indeed, they have already begun; “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Both have been leading workers and pastors of good congregations, so that the stand they have taken naturally creates a stir among the people, and through their resignations the present truth is being preached.
I believe there are many sincere souls in this place, who, when they see the truth as it is in Christ Jesus, will be attracted to the lovely One, and follow in His footsteps. I have been much surprised to see the earnestness of the native Christians here in preaching the Gospel to those who are in darkness. I am confident that some jewels will be gathered from this land. Shall we allow this work to languish and die?—O, no! God’s hand is in it, and He will not let it die. But we must co-operate with Him. Now is our time to work, for the doors are wide open.
From this place, when the work is established, the truth can be carried into the Sudan and other dark portions of Africa; for this language is spoken by the people in many parts. The harvest in this field is truly great, but the laborers are few. But funds as well as workers are needed, especially now, in the beginning of the work. O, that I might impress your hearts with the needs of this field. It has been neglected so long, and our debt to it does not grow less.
The hot weather is here, with prospects of still growing hotter. The people of Cairo were surprised that we should come here during the hottest season; but we felt it our duty to go where the Lord called, believing that He would give us strength and health, and we have not been disappointed.
With greetings from all, LOUIS PASSEBOIS.
Present Truth Gains a Hearing in Palestine
A Street Scene in Upper Egypt.
[A private letter from Brother Passebois to Brother T. A. Kilgore of this office has the following: “The two native ministers are now at work preaching present truth. A great stir has taken place, and the Sabbath question is being discussed all over the country. Those who, as ambassadors of Jesus, ought to welcome truth, are using strong efforts against us; but the Lord is on our side, and I do not fear. I have just returned from a week’s tour in neighboring villages, and everywhere people come running after us to inquire about the truth. After a very tiresome journey and day of labor, as we were going to sleep on the roof of the house, the best place we could find, at eleven o’clock at night, people began to come and inquire for us, and twenty of them stayed for two hours to listen to what we had to say. Thus we find souls everywhere eager to hear, and we hope some of the seed may bear fruit to the Lord’s glory. Now that two native workers are engaged with me, and Brother Baharian is soon to come from Constantinople to help in the work here, it is probable that I may go to Jerusalem and other places in Palestine.”]
RESULTS OF MISSION WORK.
By W. C. Townsend
[By Rev. W. C. Townsend in Gospel in All Lands.]
ONE result of past mission work has been the awakening of heathen nations, and advancing the processes of civilization. When the Gospel of Jesus enters the darkened nations, many of the bad and cruel customs disappear; the civilizing process begins. The examples of Christian homes and Christian lives are a powerful factor in the redemption of men.
A vast amount of geographical knowledge has come from missionary effort. Knowledge of races and languages has been added to the world's history. Compilation of grammars and dictionaries, and interpretation of unknown tongues have rapidly followed the entrance of missionaries, while the Bible has been translated into the various languages, and a large amount of information obtained regarding foreign peoples.
The case of the Hawaiians is well known, where the whole nation was civilized, and at least nominally Christianized, within the space of forty years.
The commercial advantages which follow mission work have been great, and they are still increasing.
About one hundred years ago Captain Cook was murdered by the savages in the Sandwich Islands. Now Honolulu is a most important commercial port, with a heavy trade.
Sir Thomas Foxwell Buxton said that the trade at Lagos, West Africa, of $5,000,000 or more each year, is mostly due to the industry of the natives at Sierra Leone, who have been trained under missionary auspices.
When Lord Lawrence was governor-general of India, he said, “Missionaries have done more than ‘all other agencies combined to benefit India.”
Lord Napier said, “Missionaries go hand in hand with the government in raising the ‘intellectual standard of the Indian ‘people, and in forming for the service of the state a body of public ‘servants of intellectual and moral ‘worth.”
The scientific value of mission labor is also of great importance. Dr. David Livingstone will ever be remembered for both his scientific and evangelistic work in Africa. He died on his knees, doubtless praying for the redemption of that great continent.
Henry M. Stanley, while not a missionary, was yet enabled successfully to prosecute his researches and explorations because of the previous knowledge obtained through Livingstone.
Japan, Burma, Ceylon, Madagascar, Australia, India, and Malaysia are feeling the tremendous throb of life-giving power and civilization from missionary effort.
Mission work has also alleviated human suffering and its flow of agony.
Dr. Reid says, “The advancement ‘of Christianity has extinguished the ‘fires of the suttee; babes are no ‘longer thrown to the crocodiles of ‘the Ganges. The crime of female ‘infanticide is becoming understood. ‘The horrors of female servitude are ‘passing away. The poison test for ‘criminals disappears as Christianity ‘advances.”
Mission effort has also developed a spirit of heroism and consecration which has never been surpassed, Jesus said, “The field is the world.” And John Wesley said after Him, “The world is my ‘parish.’ The heroism of William Carey yet stimulates to noble endeavor.
The picture given us of Dr. John G. Paton's heroism in the New Hebrides, the South Sea Islands, is most touching. With his own hands he dug the grave for his wife and child, and buried them; then he resumed his missionary labors till whole islands of people found Christ as a personal Saviour.
The heroism of native converts is equal to that of the missionaries. The story of the martyrs of Uganda and of Ling Ching Ting thrills all hearts.
The greatest result of all is in the actual conversion of men to a personal faith in Jesus.
There are now more than one million communicants in Protestant mission fields, with over three million adherents.
A GOOD WORK.
By Edwin S. Gray
SECULAR concerts and their concomitants were displaced in all the great parks of the Pittsburg region, Sunday, June 30.
Rev. S. Edward Young, pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, Pittsburg, enlisted seven leading pastors of the Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Baptist, Dutch Reformed, and United Presbyterian13denominations to preach at the various meetings, and it was estimated that forty thousand people, mostly non-church-goers, heard the Gospel. The plan is to be carried out more minutely in September.
At the Schenley Park Pavilion, Pastor Young preaches every Sabbath evening, and the congregations average, according to the local press, about ten thousand.
The Schenley Park services are believed to be the most largely-attended Sabbath services in the world. The excellent order and attentiveness are marked features. EDWIN S. GRAY.
[This is a far better way to solve the Sunday-observance question than civil law, and it is the Gospel way, if the Gospel is preached. Civil law to enforce Christian institutions is anti-Christian.—ED. S. of T.]
ENDURE AND HOPE.
[“Behold, we call them blessed which endured.” James 5:11.]
STAND firmly. Do not yield nor quail!
Force back the cry, let Hope prevail;
Or brace thyself the worst to meet,
Even defeat.
The victor is not always blest;
Thou canst lie down and take thy rest,
A nobleman, tho dispossessed.
Meet the fierce onslaught. See, it comes
With flashing swords and roll of drums!
Summon thy courage and thy faith
For life or death.
This is no time to faint or fear,
See how the foeman-hosts appear!
O knight of Christ, be valiant here!
Lose not thy faith in mists of night,
Keep thy face forward to the light,
The soldier must not fearful be—
Christ is for thee!
A little while be brave, stand fast,
Day breaks, the trouble soon is past;
Those who endure are crowned at last. —Selected.
OUR WORK AND WORKERS.
A NEW church building at Elwood, Ind., was dedicated July 21.
SIX candidates were baptized at Austin, Texas, June 30, by Brother E. T. Russell.
AT the last Iowa Conference session, eight persons were ordained to the Gospel ministry.
A FOUR-PAGE leaflet entitled “Is Sunday the Sabbath?” comes to us from Fiji. It is printed in English, at the Rarama office, by Brother J. E. Fulton, Suva Vou.
SIX converts are reported at meetings held in Clifton, Kansas, by Brother E. H. Curtis.
FIVE persons were recently added to the church at St. John, N. F., under the labor of Brother S. J. Hersum.
AT the last quarterly meeting of the church at Pleasant Ridge, Neb., six candidates were baptized by Brother W. J. Wilson.
AT the last quarterly meeting of the church at Baker City, Oregon, four heads of families were added to the membership.
ALL mail for Battle Creek College, or for E. A. Sutherland should hereafter be addressed to Berrien Springs, Berrien Co., Mich.
THE annual camp-meeting and business session of Tennessee River Conference will be held at Franklin, Ky., September 6-16.
THE brethren at Manhattan, Kansas, report seven new members the last quarter, the church out of debt, and a decision to have a church-school.
THE Visitor says that Brethren T. H. Watson and A. M. Dart (late of California Conference) recently passed through Portland on their way to Alaska to open the work in that new field.
BROTHER W. C. SISLEY, for several years manager of the Review and Herald Publishing Company, Battle Creek, Mich., has gone to London to connect with the work in that city, in pursuance of the recommendation of the late General Conference.
THE camp-meeting at Los Angeles, Cal., has been set for August 8-18. It will be held on Twenty-second and Vermont Streets, in the southwestern part of the city. The new Southern California Conference will be organized at this meeting.
THE Sabbath-school work in Maine, says the Vineyard, “received an impetus and momentum” at the recent convention held at Cliff Island. Professor Griggs, of South Lancaster (Mass.) Academy was present; also Brother H. C. Basney, president of the conference.
THE Tennessee Watchman says that the board of the Nashville Sanitarium Association has been organized with Brother C. P. Bollman as president, and W. O. Palmer as secretary and treasurer. This work is auxiliary to the work of the Southern Missionary Society.
ON account of the excessive heat and extensive drought, and the consequent distress among the people of Missouri, the conference committee have decided to postpone the State camp-meeting, which was to have been held at Boonville, August 1-12, to a later date, to be hereafter announced.
THE annual session of Norway Conference was held at Christiania, June 6-16. Brother O. A. Johnson was re-elected president, and the executive committee was enlarged to seven. The conference has three medical missions—at Christiania, Bergen, and Hamar. Books were sold by canvassers the past year to the amount of $7,250.
THE May number of the Workers' Educator is also the Tenth Annual Calendar of Walla Walla College. It is replete with detailed information regarding the various lines of instruction, and the general policy of the institution. The courses of study are, Scientific, Literary, Commercial, Short-hand, Normal, and Medical Missionary, or Nurses' Course. In addition to these, arrangements are being made for industrial pursuits as follows: Horticulture, floriculture, bee culture, poultry raising, dairying, carpentry, blacksmithing, and glove making. The fall term begins September 4. For catalog, or other information, address, Prof. E. L. Steward, Secretary, College Place, Wash.
AT Columbus Creek, Wyo., June 15, a church of eight members was organized by Brother O. S. Ferren. A few days after the organization was effected, a site was selected for a log church building. While engaged in the latter enterprise, an old man of 74 years made application for baptism. As the place was on a creek bank, the brethren were called together, and the candidate was baptized—and added to the church. These brethren have already employed a teacher for a short term of school. From here Brother Ferren went to Sheridan, forty miles distant, where two candidates were baptized and added to the church.
Give from the heart to God—not to the missionary—not to temperance—but give to God. Let giving become as sacred and holy as prayer. Do not give as a joke, but as a privilege and a luxury.
God’s work should be self-supporting, and not go begging. Christianity should not be a pauper, but a millionaire; then the churches would receive large dividends in the salvation of souls, and not have the largest investments in tombstones and cemeteries.
Departure from the divine plan is a foundation for lying, as with Ananias and Sapphira. Giving all is the key to victory.
To give means to live; and to live means to give. The more giving becomes practical, the more people become spiritual.
That is not a healthy church in which two or three take all the financial responsibility. Personal giving will cause a new interest in the sermon and the minister, and a new desire to attend the missionary meeting.
By person, by money or otherwise, visit some foreign field. A new interest and zeal will be given to every department of church work when disposition of this subject is made according to the divine plan.
There is a personal blessing in personal giving that is obtained in no other way. There are thousands who testify to increased life and power, when money becomes a sacred trust, and holy as the hour of prayer.
Give to God His portion, at least one tenth. Follow the Holy Ghost in this as in other service. Do not wait until you are out of debt. Give now. Give money. Promises never sent the Gospel or started car wheels.
Give not what you think you can, but all God says you can.
There are promises that are never yours until you give all to God.—Charles Stalker.
A NOTE OF APPRECIATION.
By W. F. Martin
EDITOR SIGNS OF THE TIMES:—I recently visited an aged brother at Wallula, Wash. His name is Charles Tyson; his age, I think, is 83. His sight is rather poor, and it is very difficult for him to write, so he requested me to write a few words for him. He has taken the SIGNS for twenty years, and is still a subscriber. He wanted me to say to you that he derives much comfort from the messages contained in the paper, and that in his loneliness it is a great boon to him. His days are few, almost numbered, but his hope of a future life is very bright. His best wishes go with the SIGNS, and he trusts it may be the means, in God’s hands, of bringing many souls to see the blessed truth for this time.
W. F. MARTIN.
PERIODICALS WANTED.
CLEAN copies of the SIGNS, Review, Sentinel, and tracts, to supply a ship missionary rack at Vallejo, Cal. Address, post-paid, S. Pearson, 514 York Street.
Forthcoming Numbers of BIBLE STUDENTS’ LIBRARY
By Editor
FIRST, there will be a tract by F. C. Gilbert, on the
Relation of the Law to the Gospel
Brother Gilbert is a converted Jew, and his tract is a paper which he prepared and read at the Hebrew-Christian Convention in Boston, May 21 to 24.
SECOND, we have a pamphlet which will probably be entitled
The Science of Christianity
It discusses modern marvels and occult sciences, pointing out the only means by which the false may be discerned from the true. The price will be about twenty-five cents.
THIRD, is a pamphlet of about 150 pages, and entitled
The Sabbath in History
It is an exhaustive compendium of the opinions of leading men in all denominations as to the validity and perpetuity of the Sabbath, together with historical extracts showing how the change was brought in. Notice one of its quotations:
“The selection of Sunday, thus changing the particular day designated in the fourth commandment, was brought about by the gradual concurrence of the early Christian church, and on this basis and no other, does the Christian Sabbath, the first day of the week, rightly rest.”—Christian at Work, Jan. 8, 1885.
Its price will be about twenty-five cents.
_WE CAN NOT SAY_ just when these publications will be issued nor just the order in which they will come, but we expect they will all be published this year, and by subscribing to the Bible Students’ Library now, you will get them for only twenty-five cents.
