WORDS are inadequate to express the influences wielded by a pure home, presided over by Christian parents, whose prime object is to inculcate into the minds and hearts of their offspring the meaning of character and its worth to the world. This valuable and essential lesson learned at a pure fireside can not be overestimated.
Passing over the threshold, bidding a farewell to the heaven of our childhood to combat with life and its countless vexations, if the principles that bud and blossom in the home bloom in reality, and are our guiding star down the pathway of life, success and nothing but success can crown the efforts.
Without the home there can be no character; without its influence there can be no purity of purpose. Without the home there can be no progress toward a betterment of the land of which we are a part.
The home is a symbol of heaven. Its influence produces justice, honor, and integrity. Its non-existence, chaos. With it is taught all that constitutes perfect manhood and womanhood. Let us not fail to regard and be prompted in every thought and action by the lessons and examples of devoted parentage. By so doing we will pay a lasting tribute to the unfaltering efforts and noble sacrifices of father and mother, and give to posterity a priceless jewel—the fruits of the influences and teachings of a godlike inheritance—the Christian home.—Chas. F. Horton.
Faithfulness in Small Duties
“MANY a girl thinks she would like to go to Africa or the Fiji Islands, and die a Christian martyr; but she is not willing to wash the dishes for a tired mother, or play a rub-a-dub-dub on the washboard without getting into a temper.”
Do Not Share Brushes and Combs
THERE should be no such things as family tooth or hair brushes, combs, etc. Any member of a family may contract a disease and communicate to other members by the common use of the articles mentioned.
TO THE READERS OF THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
By S. H. Lane
THE SIGNS is certainly an able minister. It has preached thousands of sermons and gone to the homes of hundreds of thousands of readers, and many who have read it have learned to love its pages, and that love has deepened and strengthened until at the present time the face of the SIGNS seems almost sacred.
We wish to say to the readers of the SIGNS that there is an institution situated in Christiania, Norway, which publishes the same grand, glorious truths as are promulgated by the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Thru a chain of circumstances which the writer has not space to enumerate, the institution has become heavily involved in debt and would certainly go into bankruptcy if its friends do not come to its aid. Some of the means which will be necessary to liquidate its debts has already been raised and sent on, and it is desired that July 6 be set apart as a day of prayer and consecration to the Lord in behalf of said institution, and the friends of the SIGNS and the institution are requested to make a liberal donation to aid in paying the creditors the indebtedness of the institution. In all Seventh-day Adventist churches it is expected that a special donation will be taken. Are not there some, yea, many readers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES who would be willing to make a donation to aid in this noble work? If so, we shall be glad indeed to receive a donation for the institution. If you are associated with any Seventh-day Adventist church, you can pay your donation to the church librarian, or if more convenient send the donation direct to the treasurer of the Mission Board of Seventh-day Adventists, H. M. Mitchell, Battle Creek, Mich., stating that your donation is for the aid of the Christiania Publishing House.
This publishing institution has done a great amount of good in sending out religious and temperance publications to all parts of Northern Europe, Iceland and Greenland, and wherever the Swedish and the Danish-Norwegian languages are spoken, and we believe the Lord will bless any donor who will aid the Christiania Publishing House.
We would say to the readers of this paper, If you have not fully identified yourself with Seventh-day Adventists, and are in favor of the work being carried on by the SIGNS and kindred papers, we would be glad to hear from you and receive a donation thru your liberality. S. H. LANE.
OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
Our young people need to be trained and educated in our denominational schools for future usefulness in the work of God. Many more of our youths should attend these schools. The way to enter is not difficult. The money required can be earned quite easily. Do not keep your children from these schools of Christian education, but encourage them to earn the money themselves and cultivate a self-supporting spirit. They should write GOOD HEALTH PUBLISHING CO., Battle Creek, Mich., at once for a description of their scholarship offer for any school that may be preferred. Give them all the information you can, and state whether you wish to try for a three, six, or nine months' course; also which school is preferred. Former college and academy students are especially requested to write.
KEENE ACADEMY CALENDAR.
By C. C. Lewis
THE annual calendar of the Keene Industrial Academy is now ready. It is the best the Academy has issued. You will want to see the new Industrial and Canvassers' Courses. The outlook for the Academy is the best I have known. The new Board laid excellent plans. There were twenty-eight graduates the past year, representing all our courses. Six of our students go as missionaries to distant lands. School opens Nov. 6, and closes the middle of May. You can earn money enough to carry you thru. Write to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES to learn how to earn a scholarship during vacation. Begin now to plan for it. For calendars, address, Keene Academy, Keene, Texas.
C. C. LEWIS.
Midsummer “Good Health.”
By Editor
At the late General Conference this resolution was passed: “We approve of the plan of printing special numbers of health journals and ask the Tract Societies and the people everywhere to aid in their circulation.” From all reports received, those special numbers accomplish an untold amount of good. They awaken an interest in health-reform principles. Surely every one in our conference is interested in spreading a knowledge of these principles. We want to aid in the circulation of a large edition, and for this reason we ask each of our church-members to send us 50 cents for 10 copies.
It will contain most excellent articles, prominent among which will be the following: “Why Do Invalids Travel?” by J. H. Kellogg, M.D.; “Is Disease a Struggle for Life?” by D. Paulson, M.D.; “The Outdoor Gymnasium,” illustrated; “Cholera Infantum;” “The Curiosities of Common Water;” “How, What, and When to Drink;” “Food and Strength;” “Diseases in Food Animals;” “Ideal Dress,” illustrated; “A Cooling Diet;” “Summer Dishes,” etc.
The great object in these special numbers is to teach the people how to live so as to give nature a chance to remove and resist disease. Order 10 copies at once. You can sell them or give them away. But let none stop here. Sell a thousand copies if you can. Order to-day before you forget it.
SPANISH PUBLICATIONS
WE NOW CARRY THE FOLLOWING BOOKS AND TRACTS IN THE SPANISH LANGUAGE
Book
Format
Price
Agony of Christ
—
$0 25
per 100
Benefits of Bible Study
—
25
"
Christ Our Righteousness
—
50
"
Coming of the Lord
—
25
"
Great Commandment
—
25
"
Gift of God to Man
—
25
"
Is the End Near
—
25
"
Living by Faith
—
1 00
"
Price of Our Salvation
—
25
"
The Temptation
—
25
"
This Rock
—
25
"
What Must I Do to Be Saved
—
50
"
Christ Our Saviour
board
50
each
"
cloth
75
"
Gospel Primer
board
25
"
"
cloth
50
"
Steps to Christ
cloth
60
"
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
11 W. 20TH ST., NEW YORK CITY
16 W. 5TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO.
A Temperance Book
HOUSE WE LIVE IN is good temperance literature. Under the heading of “A Wicked Thief,” the evils of tobacco are emphasized; and the chapter entitled “A Cruel Murderer” illustrates the deadly character of alcohol.
In addition to its reference to intemperance in these advanced forms, it teaches how to avoid intemperance in eating and drinking, and how to take care of the body.
The third edition (32d thousand) is now going to press.
FULLY ILLUSTRATED
PRICE IN CLOTH, 75¢
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY :: Oakland, California
11 W. Twentieth Street, New York City
18 W. Fifth Street, Kansas City, Mo.
Italian Literature
We have recently put in a full stock of the Italian publications issued by Seventh-day Adventists. Following is a list of them:
Two Laws - - 2cSanctuary of Bible - - 2cElihu on the Sabbath - - 2cTrue Sabbath - - 4cSleep of the Dead - - 1cCan We Know - - 1cFirst Message - - 2cSabbath of Bible - - 2cAppeal on Immortality - - 1cMillennium - - 2cSteps to Christ - - 75c
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY, Oakland, Cal.
11 W. 20th St., New York City
18 W. 5th St., Kansas City, Mo.
ON THE WAY TO INDIA.
By G. K. Owen
At the large conference that was held in Battle Creek, Mich., April 3-23, 1901, there were delegates from all the important countries of the world, and from many of the islands of the sea. The meetings were very interesting, and afforded a rare opportunity for learning from eye-witnesses the real progress of the message of salvation among all the nations of the earth.
During our stay in Battle Creek there was held a convention of the physicians of the State. They seemed to enjoy and appreciate the hospitality and all the interesting features of the great Sanitarium, while Dr. Kellogg, the well-known physician-in-chief, seemed to be overflowing with good cheer as he led them, with hearty welcome, thru all the extensive and well-furnished departments of the institution. Visitors at the Sanitarium are naturally impressed with the thought that “the half has never been told,” as they view the great and excellent varieties of health foods, the extensive and complete facilities for preparing them, the numerous and very ingenious inventions for shaking life into every muscle of the body, and the great advancement toward perfection of all the arrangements for the most thoro treatment by the use of water, electricity, and all of nature’s remedies for the restoration and perpetuation of the precious boon of health.
During the health convention, long tables were spread with a bountiful supply of the flesh of animals affected by tuberculosis and other diseases, suggesting a caution to those who use such articles as a substitute for food.
I returned to Mississippi, expecting to spend another year in the South, and then try the climate of England; but a call came to go to India. Bidding adieu to my brother and his family, we were soon rolling northward once more, thru forests fully clothed in their new vernal robes, and by the lately planted fields of cotton, corn, and peanuts. A brief visit with friends in different parts of Michigan, and then our company of five was soon made up, our trunks were packed, our many friends at Battle Creek were assembled at the train to witness our departure; and after the farewell words were spoken, while we were taking the last lingering look at their familiar, friendly faces thru the windows of the car, their voices touched a responsive chord in our hearts as they suddenly burst forth in the farewell song of cheer:—
“Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war.”
Then our train moved quietly out of the Sanitarium city, bearing us safely thru the darkness of the night in the care of invisible protectors.
Native Women of India.
Monday, May 27, with the light of morning we found ourselves moving over the green fields of Canada, and soon the deep, swift Niagara River was flowing beneath our feet, and the bridge of wire cables held us suspended in the air while we passed safely to the other side. Then the voice of many waters sounded in our ears with increasing volume as we approached the mighty cataract. This immense sheet of water is forever pouring over the precipice with a fall of 158 feet, at the rate of 222,000 cubic feet per second. “It affords an immense water-power, of which 5,000,000 horse-power is readily available, and 85,000 horse-power has already been utilized.”
Crossing over the rapids on the foot-bridge, we had a fine view of the cascades above, and of the mountains of water tumbling together down the fearful rapids. Crossing Goat Island, we had a fine view of Horse Shoe Falls, where we took our lunch, and then returned and took the train for Buffalo. Here we enjoyed a hurried walk thru the grounds and principal buildings of the Pan-American Exposition. Our view of this expenditure of so many millions was too brief to permit us to judge of its merits. The outward appearance of the buildings seemed very characteristic of the nation that, in its extravagance, is following the footsteps of Rome on the downward grade.
Some of the exhibits were very interesting and instructive. In one department we found a large collection of pure and adulterated foods placed in contrast. In one division of this department were very remarkable samples of diseased flesh. One of the most interesting collections that we noticed was a very large and rare collection of a great variety of fishes and other inhabitants of the water, all of them living and playing about in large tanks of clear water.
Tuesday morning, May 28, we arrived in the city of New York. May 29, at 12 M., on board the steamer Teutonic, of the White Star line, we loosed from our moorings and began to move out upon the deep water. The Teutonic is 582 feet in length, 65 feet in width, 10,000 horse-power; tonnage, 9,984; speed, 19 knots per hour; and it is allowed to carry 1,521 passengers. For several days the weather had been cloudy and rainy; and as we moved out into the vapor and storm that were driven against us by a strong east wind, and the last view of our native land faded from our vision, what a multitude of thoughts came thronging into the mind! Around us are the “tumbling billows of the main” lashed into foam by the driving storm; behind us the new world and the great republic: before us the kingdoms and empires of the old world, with their various races, governments, and religions; behind us our friends and relatives, and all the scenes and walks of life from early childhood: before us the teeming millions of inhabitants of foreign countries, people with strange faces and “understanding dark sentences;” before us paths that we have not learned to tread, and perhaps trials that we have never yet had to meet.
And so, as voyagers on the stormy sea of life, we look back upon the dark shadows of the past, and from out the mists that hang over the present, we13look forward, by an eye of faith, to a brighter day, when the storms will all be past, and the Sun of Righteousness will arise with brighter beams that will dispel every cloud of darkness and heal the seasick, sin-sick soul. Behind us are our burdens of sin, and the many sad experiences and mistakes of our past life; before us experiences in life yet to be revealed, but just a little further on a world of glory now almost in sight.
Thursday, May 30, the clouds and mists cleared away, and the warm sunshine embraced the bosom of a quiet sea, bringing hope and cheer into the hearts of many who had been having an experience in seasickness.
Friday and Sabbath, the misty curtain again hung over the wide expanse of water, just lifting during the middle of the day to give us a view of three sailing vessels in the distance.
Sunday morning, June 2, our fog-horn was still sounding its frequent faithful warnings as we plowed thru the heavy cloud floating upon the sea. Services were conducted in the forenoon by Mr. Brower, an Episcopal minister from Quebec. In the evening we all united in a song service.
One of my cabin-mates is a well-educated Scotchman, but an infidel. His first sentence after our introduction was, “We’ll have a big argument on this voyage.” To-night he commenced his part of the argument by severe criticisms of those who believe the Bible. We admitted the existence of very great inconsistencies on the part of many who claim to believe the Bible; but he was soon led to see that he was only antagonizing the faith of others; and as I inquired for the foundation of his own faith, he had to admit both faith and foundation to be wanting. I also obtained his acknowledgment that a well-grounded hope of a future life of happiness would be worth everything, and that he would be willing to give such hope candid consideration. This opened the way for letting the Bible talk, which resulted in his admission that the Bible truth presented was a very logical and harmonious chain of evidence. He is willing to give further attention to the subject at our next opportunity as we continue our voyage.
Monday morning, still heavier fog, and stronger, colder wind in our faces, as we move toward the northeast. June 4, fog lifted, but strong head-wind still blowing. All with good courage, expecting to reach Queenstown to-morrow. G. K. Owen.
IN REGIONS BEYOND.
“We have the blessed Gospel;
We know its priceless worth,
We read the grand old story
Of Christ the Saviour’s birth.
O haste, ye faithful workers,
To them the tidings bear—
Glad tidings of salvation,
That they our light may share.
“Go plant the cross of Jesus
On each benighted shore;
Go wave the Gospel standard
Till darkness reigns no more;
And while the seed you scatter
Far o’er the ocean’s foam,
We’ll pray for you, and labor
In mission fields at home.”
THE NURSE.
By A. J. Sanderson, M.D.
“Love one another” was the new command given and demonstrated to the world by the divine Teacher. It is this principle, and this only, that lies at the foundation of all Christian work, and it is the only ruling force that can uplift and strengthen human life. Herein is taught the universal brotherhood of mankind and the equality of all people. Here is given the secret of real success.
A service rendered because a man loves to do it, has no ill effect upon himself or others; but the influence is life-giving to both. This principle, continuously followed, takes away the burden from the hardest difficulties of life, and leads the way securely amid dangers that otherwise might be impassable.
The man who loves himself truly will not fear to look candidly upon his own life. He will not pray for unpossessed talents; but, with correct visions of himself, will be able to choose his course in life in harmony with the established facts of his being. Love can not create taste or talent; but it effectually intensifies the activities of our own inherent qualities; it brings out and makes useful their latent forces.
In the wide field of life no calling is held more sacred or is more urgently demanded than that of the nurse. Sickness we find everywhere. The nurse is the servant of the sick, a messenger of God, to give them a helping hand to soothe and relieve. The medical missionary stands foremost in this field; for the calling is fitting only to the Christ-follower. The one who attempts such service with a lesser motive can render but partial ministry.
We live in a world where disease has almost unchecked power. While its ravages are here and there limited by quarantine and the stamping-out of epidemics, and while the sufferer finds newer and more numerous remedies year by year, yet the inhabitants who have not said, or can not say, “I am sick,” are very few. The world has something wrong at the heart of things, and diseases multiply.
The physical causes which in this fast age are undermining the material fabric of which our bodies are composed, are many and varied, and even more are the mental conflicts which sap the life of the individual. Abnormal ways of living are numerous in the habits of daily life, and disease is so common that some of its features have grown to be considered as a natural state of man. To minister simply for the relief of sickness without reference to the causes that have produced it, is but to leave an open door for the return of the disease. The nurse who fulfils all the privileges of her mission will often do the best service in turning the life of the individual away from these self-destructive influences to life-giving habits. But physical defects, with their producing causes, must be clearly discerned to make advice of any value. The fretting, chafing action of the mind must be set at rest; for the mental factors which figure in disease are far more numerous than the physical, and wiser skill and deeper tact are called for in order to handle them properly. The responsibility for the nicest of work thus rests upon the servant of the sick. The ministry of this noble work can be accomplished successfully only by one who has learned of Him who said to His disciples, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
The responsibility of the nurse is no small one. When she once takes in her hands the details of ministering to the daily requirements of the sick, she assumes an important charge; not only may life and death be left occasionally within her keeping, but always the future happiness and welfare of her patients is in a measure at her command. If in skill, tact, and Christian influence she can minister to all the varied needs of sickness, it may be her privilege to see the bonds of disease give way, and the work of physical redemption actually take place. She can watch nature in her beneficent acts, and worship God as she observes His merciful ways.
The essential qualifications of a nurse are health, adaptation, education, and training, with first and last a natural love for ministering to the sick and suffering.
The person who seeks to give health must possess health; health of body and health of mind. When the blind lead the blind, both are liable to fall into the ditch. All sickness is more or less infectious, and some diseases are very contagious. Mental ill-health has a deleterious influence that is even more far-reaching than physical feebleness. The sick should be spared, as far as is consistent, from coming in contact with sickness, and especially have they the right to expect health on the part of the attendant.
Health should be the watchword of the nurse. It is the source of her life-giving influence. Health should be cultivated at any cost, and never ought its principles to be sacrificed either for gain or pleasure.
The work of the nurse is beset with many dangers, and these increase in proportion as a person has a natural gift of giving her life for the welfare of others. Many times in her arduous duties, personal necessities would seem to conflict with the requirements of the patient; but here every individual should make the wise choice, and follow closely the right course of action. Sometimes a seeming violation made because of love unfeigned, will yield only healthful results, but human life can never be justly sacrificed on the altar of another’s need. It is a sad comment on Christianity that many of her most successful workers break down in health. This is not as it should be. Christianity possesses only life-giving principles, the pure exercise of which can have no destroying influence.
To maintain health is not the difficult problem we often make of it. The essential principles are few and simple. The person who properly feeds and clothes the body, and gives to its functions the appropriate exercise and rest, is sure to have health. An abundance of wholesome, palatable food is one of the essential conditions. The one who has not cultivated a keen relish for a simple substantial diet is not well prepared for endurance. The chronic invalid who so often suffers from a finicky, changeable appetite will be encouraged most readily by the nurse who is periodically hungry. The person who has a healthy appetite, is far more likely to eat healthfully and be well than the one who makes dietetics a burden.
Exercise in a nurse’s life is a very important factor. A person who confines herself to the sick-room needs relaxing outdoor recreation. Often the requirements of the case will seem to forbid these privileges; but nature demands that a compensating amount of physical work must be done; and where it can not be taken systematically, it should be taken at reasonable intervals. The need of rest is even more urgent. No other class of people have their sleep so broken, and one of the most necessary things for nurses to learn is to be able to sleep at any time and place that circumstances may permit. The ability to sleep should be cultivated, and the required amount should never be continually lost. Other forms of relaxation and rest should always be taken. The adjustment of one’s habits to meet the necessities of the irregular life of the nurse requires the best of judgment, but it is only as these requirements are met that the nurse will be able to endure. It is the maintenance of such consistent physical habits as preserve health that will give her the largest influence with her patient.
The mental faculties should be as accurately adjusted to right ways of thinking, as should the physical functions to the right way of living. There is no other occupation in life where adaptation is such a necessary requirement. This gift is not so much acquired; it is an endowment of nature. The education required to make one successful as a nurse is very large, and success will only crown the efforts of the student who makes the various features of her work a life-study. There is no stage in which the educational process may cease; but the more experienced the person becomes, the larger will be her conception of the requirements of the work, also larger will be the resources from which information will be gathered.
Trained workers are the ones in demand at the present day. It matters not how fully nature may have endowed us with qualifications for our work, it is only as these powers are trained to do their most effectual service that we can successfully perform the varied and difficult duties. The nurses’ training-schools of the present day have grown to be prominent among educational institutions, and the opportunities for training are open to every worker; but training is acquired only by those who are willing and anxious to do faithful and continuous service. It is actual experience under the direction of teachers that produces the highest quality of work.
One of the first principles in a course of training is to be able to do as one is bidden. There is no other occupation in the world that requires such implicit following of instruction. It may be that in later efforts the trained nurse will be able to rely upon her own judgment, as she must often do in cases of emergency; but the nurse who knows it all at the beginning will never become master of her work. The power to obey gives the power to serve; the power to serve gives the power to command. There are no short cuts in life, nor ditches that can be spanned by a deer-footed leap. The foundation must be laid from the beginning; and block by block it must be fastened firmly, before one can stand safely in a high position.
“Love one another as I have loved you” is the true rule of life, and the trained nurse who enters the sick-room in the full recognition of this divine command will have a commanding influence from the high plane of service and training which she has acquired. It may be that disease will quickly yield at her rebuke, or it may yield after long wrestling with its obstinate power, and occasionally there may be fruitless coping with the relentless power of death. Yet in it all, if she is conscious of duty well done and responsibility fully borne, there may be each day a blessing and a benediction pronounced on her work, felt both by herself and her patient, the fruits of which will be ever multiplied in the days to come.
A. J. SANDERSON, M.D.
Russian Missionary Work
The New York Examiner tells us that a feature of some Russian railroads is the “chapel car,” which it describes as follows:—
“This car is really a Greek church on wheels. Its windows are ecclesiastical in shape, its door has over it the customary picture of the Annunciation, and there is a tiny belfry with two sweet-toned bells. Within there is the eikonostasis, or wall of eikons, or holy pictures, and the seats are the usual seats in a Greek chapel. There is a priest always with the car, attired in his curious robes. The whole adornment, within and without, is very rich indeed. The little church on wheels is pulled up at the stations where there are no churches, and services are held, while the villagers fill the car. Passengers on the train may, of course, share in the service.”
[Note to the Student.—These lessons are not designed to be exhaustive, but suggestive. In references to the “Desire of Ages,” in the lessons, the subscription edition is referred to. Those who have only the trade edition will find the matter in chapters 1, 4, 11, 27, 71, 77, 78; also read “Patriarchs and Prophets,” chapters 5 and 30. “Christ Our Advocate,” Bible Students’ Library No. 129 (price, 10 cents), and “Looking unto Jesus” (price, $1.00) will be found a great help. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES will have an article on the subject of each lesson this quarter by J. Q. Corliss. Read these articles in connection with the study of the lesson. We have not space to print all the scriptures. Let the student study them carefully from the Bible. Those printed are from the Revised Version.]
24 “Seventy weeks are decreed upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy. Know therefore and discern, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the anointed One, the Prince, shall be seven weeks; and threescore and two weeks, it shall be built again, with street and moat, even in troublous times. And after the threescore and two weeks shall the anointed one be cut off, and shall have nothing; and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and his end shall be with a flood, and even unto the end shall be war; desolations are determined. And He shall make a firm covenant with many for one week; and for the half of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one that maketh desolate; and even unto the consummation, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolator.”
8 “And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.”
12 “Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, the scribe
13 of the law of the God of heaven, perfect and so forth. I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and their priests and the Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with thee.”
3 “But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house,
4 and hailing men and women committed them to prison. They therefore that were scattered abroad went about preaching
5 the Word. And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ.”
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
With what words does Gabriel begin his instruction? Dan. 9:24.
What is the meaning of the word “determined”? Note 1.
Upon whom were they cut off? What was to be accomplished during that time? Verse 24.
When were the 70 weeks (490 years) to begin? Verse 25.
When did the commandment go forth to restore and rebuild Jerusalem? Ezra 7: 8, 12, 13. Note 2.
To what event were 69 of the 70 weeks to reach?
What does Messiah mean? Ans.—“Anointed.” John 1:41, margin.
How and when was Jesus anointed? Ans.—At His baptism. See Acts 10:38; Luke 3:21, 22. See date in margin.
At what time, then, would the 69 weeks (483 years) end? Note 3.
How many weeks are left when we reach “Messiah the Prince”? What was to be done during that one week? What was to take place in the midst of the week? Dan. 9:27. Note 4.
What took place in A.D. 34, at the close of the 70 weeks (490 years)? Acts 8:3-5. See date in margin. Note 5.
Seventy weeks (490 years) of the 2300 end in the autumn of A.D. 34. How many years are still left? Ans.—2300—490 equal 1810.
To what point of time are we brought by adding 1810 years to the date when the 490 years ended? Ans.—1810 added to 34, autumn, brings us to the autumn of 1844, or the ending of the 2300 days.
What was to take place at the end of the 2300 days? Ans.—“Then shall the sanctuary be cleansed” (margin “justified”). Dan. 8:14.
Then when did Christ go into the most holy place to begin the work of cleansing the sanctuary?
NOTES.
1. The first definition of “determine” given by Webster is “to fix the boundaries of; to mark off or separate.” Thus the 70 weeks fixed the boundaries of the special work for the Jewish people. It ended with that period. The 70 weeks were also marked off or separated from the 2300 days, and they fixed the boundaries of that period by showing when it commenced, and by giving intermediate dates during the period which would test the accuracy of every exposition of it. Gesenius, in his Hebrew Lexicon, says that the word translated “determined” means “cut off.” As no other period was mentioned in the vision except the 2300 days, it must have been “cut off,” or “marked off,” from that period.
2. Artaxerxes began to reign B.C. 464. See Smith’s “Comprehensive Dictionary,” article “Artaxerxes.” The seventh year of his reign would be 457 B.C. See date in margin of Ezra 7, and “Christ Our Advocate,” page 59.
3. The prophecy indicates that 7 weeks, or 49 years, would be allotted to the building of Jerusalem. Hence the commandment could scarcely be said to “go forth” until the building was actually commenced; therefore, as Ezra and the Jews with him did not arrive till the fifth month, half of the year 457 had elapsed before the decree “went forth.” There would, therefore, be only 456½ years to A.D. 1. And as only about 6 months of the year 27 A.D. were passed when Christ was anointed, we can count only 26½ years to His baptism, when He was called the Messiah. Thus, adding the 456½ B.C. to 26½ A.D., we have just the 69 weeks, or 483 years, from the “going forth of the commandment” “to Messiah the Prince.”
4. Christ attended four Passovers, as recorded. John 2:13; 5:1; 6:4; 12:1. As He began His public ministry in the autumn of A.D. 27, the first Passover would be six months later, that is, in the spring of A.D. 28. His second Passover would be in the spring of 29; the third, in the spring of 30. At His fourth Passover, in the spring of A.D. 31, He was crucified “in the midst of the week.” After confirming the new covenant with the Jews for three years and a half, He, by virtue of His death, caused the sacrifices to cease. And during the remaining three and a half years of the seventieth week the covenant was confirmed with the Jews by the apostles. Heb. 2:3. The end of this time brings us to A.D. 34, when the Gospel began to go to the Gentiles.
5. Soon after this, Paul, the great apostle to the Gentiles, was converted, and we hear him saying to the Jews, “It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you; but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” Acts 13:46.
