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Signs of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 2.

The Fountain of Life
Earlier text: THE FUNERAL OF A FAILURE

APPLES OF GOLD

LIBRARY.
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver."
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
No. 39. Oakland, Cal., March, 1897. 10c per Year.

THE SEVENTH, OR ONE-SEVENTH?

A Sabbath Query.

Suppose I call on a friend who is ill, and he says that on the shelf I will find seven bottles, numbered in order from one to seven, and asks me to give him half a dozen grains of quinine from the seventh bottle. He states particularly that it is the seventh bottle; and in order to make the matter sure, he repeats that it is the seventh bottle,—the one with the number seven upon it. I go to the shelf, and pick up the first bottle, from which I give him half a dozen grains of arsenic, and the result is he dies.

APPLES OF GOLD

By W. N. Glenn

LIBRARY. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver."

"CHOOSE YE THIS DAY."

BY W. N. GLENN
CHOOSE what?--"Choose ye this day whom ye will serve." But why so urgent that the choice should be made to-day?--Because "ye know not what a day may bring forth," and the choice you make is a matter of life or death. "See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; in that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, and His statutes, and His judgments." Deut. 30:15, 16. "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live; that thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him, for He is thy life, and the length of thy days." Verses 19, 20.
This choice is set before every person in the

APPLES OF GOLD

By Ellen G. White

LIBRARY.

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver."
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
No. 13. Oakland, Cal., June, 1894. 10c per Yr.

RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS.

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Notwithstanding the boasted advancement that has been made in educational methods, the training of children at the present day is sadly defective. It is the home training that is neglected. Parents, and especially mothers, do not realize their responsibility. They have neither the patience to instruct, nor the wisdom to control, the little ones intrusted to their keeping.
It is too true that mothers are not standing at their post of duty, faithful to their motherhood. They are generally the willing servants of worldliness and fashion. Many, even among those who profess to have renounced the world, are influenced to a great degree by its customs and its spirit.

APPLES OF GOLD

By M. C. Wilcox

LIBRARY.

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver.” PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO. No. 67. Oakland, Cal., November, 1897 10c per Year.

THE GREAT THREE-FOLD MESSAGE

GOD’S REMEDY FOR THE ILLS OF CHRISTENDOM.

BY M. C. WILCOX.
GOD’S plan for saving sinful men has ever been the same. With Him “is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Human nature has ever been the same, variable, inconstant, weak.
God’s means of saving men is “the everlasting Gospel” of His grace. Whatever the condition of humanity, the Gospel of Christ has ever been effectual to save. It ever has been, as it still is, “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Rom. 1:16. It was preached to Abel, to Noah, to Abraham, to Israel of old, even as it has been preached since the first advent of our Lord. Heb. 11:1–8; Gal. 3:15; Heb. 4:2. Acceptance of that Gospel has always been manifested in “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21. The fruit of its faith is obedience; it is “the faith which worketh by love” (Gal. 5:6), the love which keeps all of God’s commandments (1 John 5:3).
Types and shadows have changed, but the holy

APPLES OF GOLD

By William Cowper

LIBRARY. "A weekly study system to help apples of gold to buckets of silver." PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO. No. 11. Oakland, Cal., April, 1894. 10c per Year

RIGHTEOUSNESS - WHERE FOUND BY WILLIAM COWPER

IN His sermon on the mount, Christ told His hearers to seek "first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness." He stated that if they did this, other necessary things should be added, for His Father knew that they needed the temporal things of life. But the first thing to be sought was God's righteousness, because it is of the most important. Matt. 6:33.
There is no way of obtaining this grace except by seeking for it. Our Redeemer says, "Ask, and it shall be given you, seek, and ye shall find, knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Matt. 7:7. In order to find that for which we seek, we should learn where to look for the object, and how we may attain it.
We learn that God's law teaches what the principles of righteousness require. Upon this point many scriptures could be cited, but we only have space for a few. "Thy testimonies that Thou hast commanded are righteous [margin, "righteousness"] and very faithful." Ps. 119:138. "My mouth shall speak of Thy word, for all Thy commandments are righteousness." Ps. 119:172. See also Isa. 51:7 and Rom. 1:26

APPLES OF GOLD

LIBRARY.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver.
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
No 10. Oakland, Cal., March, 1884. 10c per Year.

THE BENEFITS OF BIBLE STUDY.

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

APPLES OF GOLD

By Elder Isaac Morrison

LIBRARY.
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver."
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
No. 0. Oakland, Cal., February, 1894. 50c per Year.

"THE ELEVENTH HOUR."

BY ELDER ISAAC MORRISON.

APPLES of GOLD LIBRARY.

By William H. Glenn

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver."
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
No. 8. Oakland, Cal., January, 1894. 10c per Year

THE THIEF ON THE CROSS.

"And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when Thou

APPLES OF GOLD

By Mrs. F. A. Reynolds

LIBRARY.
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver."
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
No. 7. Oakland, Cal., December, 1893. 10c per Year.

HOW ESTHER READ HER BIBLE.

BY MRS. F. A. REYNOLDS.
Mrs. Leigh was the wife of a popular Congre-

APPLES OF GOLD

LIBRARY.

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver."
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
No. 6. Oakland, Cal., November, 1893. 10c per Year.

THE ELECT OF GOD.

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE

APPLES OF GOLD

LIBRARY.
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver."
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO. No. 5. Oakland, Cal., October, 1893. 10c per Yr.

THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD.

I
The Church and the World walked far apart

APPLES OF GOLD

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

EXTRA.

APPLES OF GOLD

LIBRARY.
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
No. 4. Oakland, Cal., September, 1893. 10c per Year.

HOW TO GET KNOWLEDGE

BY E. J. WAGGONER.
"Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in

APPLES OF GOLD LIBRARY.

By Charles Haddon Spurgeon

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver."
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
No. 3. Oakland, Cal., September, 1893. 10c per Year.

THE SURE PROMISES OF GOD

BY C. H. SPURGEON
Thomas Brooks reminds us that the mercies of

EXTRA

APPLES OF GOLD

LIBRARY.

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver."
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
No. 2. Oakland, Cal., August, 1893. 10c per Year.

THE CHRISTIAN'S PRIVILEGE.

BY MRS. E. G. WHITE

APPLES OF GOLD LIBRARY

By Théodore Monod

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver.”
PUBLISHED MONTHLY AT PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
No. 1. Oakland, Cal., August, 1893. 10c. per Year

“LOOKING UNTO JESUS.”

BY THÉODORE MONOD
Only three words; but those three words contain the whole secret of life
APPLES OF GOLD LIBRARY NO. 62 APRIL, 1899 The Return of the Jews
APPLES OF GOLD LIBRARY NO. 62 APRIL, 1899 The Return of the Jews

Silent Messengers

By Editor

"SILENT MESSENGERS" is the title of an attractive sixteen-page booklet, just being issued, which contains the following items of information:—
The titles and prices of all the tracts and pamphlets published in the "Bible Students'," "Apples of Gold," and "Words of Truth Libraries."
A complete subject index to these tracts and pamphlets, enabling the reader to readily determine the different tracts which have been published on any given subject.
All the data necessary to purchase tracts for sixty cents on the dollar.
Upon application, your State Tract Society will gladly send you a copy free of charge. If you do not remember their street number please refer to second cover page of the HARVEST SIGNS.

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LESSON III.—SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 1900.

THE PREACHING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.

Lesson Scripture, Luke 3:1-17, R.V.
NOTE.—This lesson may be used as a temperance lesson. Commit verses 3-6 of the lesson scripture, also Luke 3:4-6, 16, 17. John began his work six months before Christ began His ministry, in the year A.D. 26. Tiberias Cæsar was emperor of Rome; Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea; and Herod Antipas (son of the Herod who slew the children of Bethlehem), governor of Galilee and Perea. Jesus was then between 29 and 30 years of age.
1 "Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberias Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 in the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. 3 And he came into all the region round about Jordan, preaching 4 the baptism of repentance unto remission of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make ye ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, And every mountain and hill shall be brought low; And the crooked shall become straight, And the rough ways smooth; 6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. 7 "He said therefore to the multitudes that went out to be baptized of him, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to 8 flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father, for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 9 And even now is the ax also laid unto the root of the trees; every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn 10 down, and cast into the fire. And the multitudes asked him, 11 saying, What then must we do? And he answered and said unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that 12 hath none; and he that hath food, let him do likewise. And there came also publicans to be baptized, and they said unto 13 him, Master, what must we do? And he said unto them, Extort no more than that which is appointed you. And soldiers also asked him, saying, And we, what must we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither exact anything wrongfully; and be content with your wages. 15 "And as the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether haply he 16 were the Christ; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh He that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose; 17 He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire; whose fan is in His hand, thoroughly to cleanse His threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into His garner; but the chaff He will burn up with unquenchable fire." Golden Text: "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." Luke 3:4.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) How does Luke locate the beginning of John's ministry? Who were rulers of the different provinces in and near Palestine? V. 1. (2) Who were officiating as Israel's priests? What came to John the Baptist at this time? V. 2. Note 1. (3) Where did he begin his work? What was the burden of his teaching? V. 3. Note 2. (4) To what prophecy did John refer in giving his message? What did that prophecy call the one who should give this preparatory message? What would that "voice" say? V. 4. Note 3. (5) What work would be performed on the way of the Lord? V. 5. Note 4. (6) How extensive was to be the work? V. 6. (7) What straight question did John ask of those who came to be baptized? V. 7. (8) What were they to do as evidence of their sincerity? What did he tell them they were not to do? For what good reason? V. 8. (9) What searching work did he say had already begun? What would be the result to those whose lives were not in harmony with their profession? V. 9. (10) What very important question did the people then ask him? V. 10. (11) What very practical reply did he give them? Note 5. (12) Who are particularly mentioned as coming to John for baptism? What question did they ask? V. 12. (13) What answer did he make to them? V. 13. (14) Who else questioned John upon this matter? What reply did they receive? V. 14. (15) What question was agitating the minds of the people who had been hearing John's preaching? V. 15. (16) Knowing of this, what did John say of his work as compared with that of the One who should follow him? With what would that One baptize His followers? V. 16. (17) When was this baptism manifested? (18) What figure in the work of purification does John use? What disposition would Christ make of the righteous and the wicked? V. 17. Note 6.

NOTES.

1. In the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas.—Annas had been debased from the high-priesthood by the Romans, and his son-in-law, Caiaphas, had been appointed to his place by the same power; but the Jews still regarded Annas as the lawful high-priest.
2. Baptism of repentance.—The repentance was confessed openly in the act of baptism. The word rendered "repentance" does not so much apply to sorrow, as to a complete turning about, a purpose to forsake sin, a change of mind and heart.
3. The voice of one.—Note that he who should do the work John was doing had no prominence individually in the prophecy. He was simply to be a voice—the voice, the mouthpiece of God. There is power in a voice when it is giving the message of God; but when the individual becomes prominent, the message is not given, and the power wanes. Self-prominence in the work of God means leanness of soul, dearth of spirituality, and barrenness of results. Some translations render, "The voice of one crying, Prepare ye in the wilderness," etc., the wilderness referring to spiritual darkness and error.
4. Crooked (way) shall become straight.—There was much in the belief and practise of the people at that time that was crooked. They had a misconception of the coming of Christ. They were looking for the advent of a prince who would set up a kingdom then and there; but He was not even born in a house. He was a laborer among laborers, and He would refuse to be made a king by the people, for He was to receive His kingdom at the hand of the Ancient of days. They thought that, being Abraham's seed, they were bound to share in the promise made to Him. John taught them this could not be without "repentance unto remission of sins." The preparation was spiritual.
5. He that hath two coats, etc.—The giving of the coat and the food is used simply as an illustration of the unselfish acts that must characterize him who is the true child of God, and "deeds of love will flow from him as naturally as pure water flows from a pure fountain."
6. The chaff He will burn up.—The wicked are the chaff. The separation of the good from the worthless is followed by the destruction, annihilation, of the latter as shown by the figure used. The wicked are represented by the most inflammable substances, chaff, stubble (Mal. 4:1; Nahum 1:8-10, etc.), fat of lambs (Ps. 37:20); and as a result they will be reduced to "ashes" under the feet of the redeemed. "Into smoke shall they consume away." Ps. 37:20. Thus is the fate of the wicked shown to be complete destruction, not an ever-enduring torment, nor a continued existence away from God's presence. They obtain what they choose.

SECRETS OF SUCCESS

By Rev. Francis E. Clark

By Rev. Francis E. Clark
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