p. 112 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 7. (12/18/1893)

Earlier text: REVISED AND ENLARGED EDITION

International S. S. Lessons.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8

LESSON XIV.—SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1893.

REVIEW FOR THE QUARTER.

Golden Text.—"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." Rev. 22:21.

LESSON 1.—Power of the Gospel. Rom. 1:8-17. Topics: (1) Thanks for the gospel; (2) Help and fullness in the gospel; (3) The gospel debt; (4) The gospel the power of God.

LESSON 2.—Redemption in Christ. Rom. 3:19-26. Topics: (1) All are sinners and need redemption; (2) As sin is transgression of the law, men cannot be justified by the law; (3) Justified purely by God's grace through the redemption in Christ; (4) This grace places upon all who believe, the righteousness of God.

LESSON 3.—Justification by Faith. Rom. 5:1-11. Topics: (1) Justified by faith; (2) Faith brings peace and access to God's grace; (3) Faith develops Christian experience, gives hope in God, and plants love in the heart by the reception of the Spirit; (4) God's love to man, a sinner; (5) God's love and life pledged to his people.

LESSON 4.—Christian Living. Rom. 12:1-15. Topics: (1) Yielding to God, who bought us; (2) Transformed by his grace; (3) Spiritual gifts to all God's people; (4) Duties to others, virtues, sympathy.

LESSON 5.—Abstinence for the Sake of Others. 1 Cor. 8:1-13. Topics: (1) A question of right and wrong; (2) Difference between love and mere knowledge; (3) For others' sake.

LESSON 6.—The Resurrection. 1 Cor. 15:12-26. Topics: (1) All men die; (2) No hope save in a resurrection; (3) Christ the resurrection and hope of his people; (4) Death an enemy to be destroyed.

LESSON 7.—The Grace of Liberality. 2 Cor. 8:1-12. Topics: (1) Liberality commanded; (2) Basis of true liberality, giving one's self; (3) The example of Christ; (4) How to give.

LESSON 8.—Imitation of Christ. Eph. 4:20-32. Topics: (1) Imitation in the outer life; (2) The power of Christ within.

LESSON 9.—The Christian Home. Col. 3:12-25. Topics: (1) Spirit of home; (2) How to possess it; (3) Duties of husbands, wives, parents, children, servants, or mutual duties.

LESSON 10.—Grateful Obedience. James 1:16-27. Topics: (1) All good from God; (2) Obedience is the fruit of love begotten of God; (3) Duties and dangers; (4) True religion.

LESSON 11.—The Heavenly Inheritance. 1 Peter 1:1-12. Topics: (1) The greeting; (2) The hope of the inheritance; (3) Kept by what power; (4) The inheritance, when given.

LESSON 12.—The Glorified Saviour. Rev. 1:9-20. Topics: (1) Visions out of tribulation; (2) The object and meaning of the candlesticks; (3) The risen and glorified Saviour.

LESSON 13.—The Birth of Jesus. Matt. 2:1-11. Topics: (1) Jesus before his birth; (2) After his birth; (3) Why manifested.

NOTE TO THE TEACHER.—Do not attempt too much. Better leave one good seed from a review of one lesson than to touch upon all and leave no impression.

LESSON XIII.—SABBATH, DECEMBER 30, 1893.

BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG.

RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY LIBRARY.—These books are published by the Religious Tract Society, of London, and recommended by the International Tract Society. 192 pages, 18mo. 25c each. Canadian Life and Scenery. Life on Pilgrim Street. The Life of Oberlin. Adventures in New Guinea. Olive's Story. By Mrs. Walton. Adventures in Mongolia. The Life of Latimer. Outlines of the Life of Christ. The Crooked Sixpence. Madagascar of To-day. Natural History Notes. The Orphans of Glen Elder. Cowper's Letters. With a Memoir. Great Revival of the eighteenth Century. Philosophy of Plan of Salvation. Romance of Modern Missions. The Manuscript Man; or, The Bible in Ireland. By Miss Walshe. Livingstone Anecdotes. By Dr. Macaulay. Peter, the Apprentice. A Tale of the Reformation. By Emma Leslie.

WOOD'S NATURAL HISTORY.—This is the popular "Aldine Edition" in 12mo size. Describes birds, animals, fishes, reptiles, and insects, gives sketches of their habits, etc. Cloth, 321 pages, illustrated, each 50c.

BLACK BEAUTY.—By Anna Sewell. This "Autobiography of a Horse" has become popular and well known both in this country and England. It portrays in the form of a narrative the need of kindness in the treatment of that noble animal, the horse. Every child should read it, and it should be placed in the hands of all horse owners. Paper, 25c.; cloth, $1.00.

ONE SYLLABLE HISTORIES.—These histories, written for the most part in words of one syllable, will be a valuable addition to any young person's library. They are histories, not romances, and still are written in a style to interest the young. Each book contains from 190 to 230 pages, size 6¾ x 8½ inches, is bound in boards with handsome lithographic covers. Price, $1.00 each. History of the United States. History of England. History of France. History of Germany. History of Russia. History of Ireland. History of the Old Testament. Lives of the Presidents of the United States. Address, Pacific Press Publishing Company, Oakland, Cal.

AD LUCEM.

This is a little book of consolation for those who are "afflicted in mind, body, or estate." The selections are brief, and as the compiler says, quoting from George Herbert, "a verse may finde him who a sermon flies."

The book contains 150 pages, including a complete Typical Index and an Index of Authors. It is neatly bound in morocco, has round corners and red under gold edges. Size, 4x6 inches.

PRICE, POSTPAID, $1.75. Address,

PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO., Or 43 Bond St., N. Y. OAKLAND, CAL.

News and Notes.

By Editor

FOR THE WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 11.

RELIGIOUS.

—It has been decided that the Texas Sunday law is unconstitutional because of a technical flaw in the caption.

—Official statistics give the number of native Roman Catholic priests in the Orient as follows: India, 1,401; Burmah, Siam, and Malay, 383; China, 375; Japan, 15.

—It is said that two Buddhist missionaries have begun the work of propagating their faith in Chicago. The applause accorded to the Buddhist champions at the recent Congress of Religions in that city was certainly enough to encourage missionary effort of that character.

—It is authoritatively stated that an anti-Catholic lecturer desiring to speak in Quincy, Ill., found it impossible to do so. The city authorities would not grant him a license, the newspapers declined his advertisement, and the manager of the hall which he most desired to secure refused to allow him to use it.

—The Christian Statesman says: "County after county is being captured for temperance in California." The editor evidently means captured for Sunday closing. Those counties are just as intemperate as ever. These are simply Sunday victories in the seductive name of temperance, and that is all they were ever intended for by the instigators.

—A Detroit dispatch of the 7th inst. says: "On the doors of nearly every prominent saloon and retail house in the heart of the city, between the hours of 3 and 6 o'clock, was found this startling notice: 'Closed to attend Dr. Chapman's revival meeting.'" It is also stated that over 5,000 were in attendance, among them "prominent brewers, saloonists, and rounders of the town."

—Cardinal Gibbons has issued a circular on the subject of the school question. It is said to be designed to agitate the question prior to the assembling of the Maryland Legislature, when the State will be asked to give the parochial schools a share of the school fund. The circular closes thus: "We only desire such a modification of the present common school system so that the conscience of the parents be respected, and that the State see that even-handed justice be dealt to all."

—Rev. Carroll, of this city, in espousing the cause of the workingmen, says: "They must have the right to a sabbath of rest. This right is due them under the Constitution." The trouble with most of these ministerial champions of the workingmen's rights to a sabbath of rest is that the right must be guaranteed provided they take it on a certain day. And they would secure this right to the workingman by a law compelling him to take it whether he wants to or not,—compelling him to exercise the right to rest on that certain day although he may have exercised it the day previous.

—Presbyterians are proverbially very sedate in church. A few years ago anyone who would have said "Amen" out loud in a Presbyterian Church would have been deemed very discourteous. But times (or, rather, Presbyterians) are changing. On Thanksgiving day Dr. Phraner, of Philadelphia, preached in Calvary Presbyterian Church, San Francisco. Of the sermon Dr. Hemphill, pastor of Calvary, says: "Dr. Phraner played upon the emotions of his hearers with such masterly touch that he called forth round after round of applause, and the applause was as worshipful as any part of the service." Of course it was. Pastor Hemphill further urges that every Presbyterian pulpit on the coast should be open to Dr. Phraner.

—Mr. Chauncey M. Depew, the New York railroad magnate and orator, has been visiting the pope, and according to his report the interview was quite a mutual admiration affair. However, it really represents Leo as more of a Jesuit than he is generally supposed to be. Of his flattering compliments Mr. Depew says: "The impression he intended to convey was that he knew who I was, and all about me, and had long watched with interest my career. He did it so tactfully and gracefully that I was almost convinced it was true. This same tact and courtesy predominated all through the interview." Mr. Depew's part in the play was to say that he had once lectured before Catholic students on the theme of the Papal Encyclical on the subject of capital and labor; that there are many Catholics in the employ of his company; and in his published report to draw a comparison with Mr. Gladstone favorable to Leo. But, as most other people are under the impression that the pope is tottering on the grave, both mentally and physically, it is especially flattering to have his distinguished American visitor publish to the world that the "nervous intensity, which might be casually mistaken for feebleness, indicated rather strength and vigor of mind, as well as of body."

—The Catholic News says: "Protestantism is declining to an alarming extent in France, and, to judge from the reports of Mr. Sabatier, who holds the official position of Professor of Protestant Theology at the University of Paris, there will soon be no members of the Reformed Church left in that country. The actual number of Protestants in France does not exceed 650,000, and among these the annual number of deaths exceeds that of births to the extent of 2,350. Meanwhile Catholicity is steadily advancing in the French republic."

—Thanksgiving day has been accorded a new significance. The Occident says it is "an annual reminder to all our people that this is a Christian nation." Inasmuch as gluttony and drunkenness are the principal features of the day, the so-called Christianity of the nation thus commemorated must be that which is described in Rom. 16:18: "They that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." The apostle warns us to "mark" such professed Christians and "avoid them."

—"The power of Christian sentiment is felt all over the land on this [Thanksgiving] day, just as the power of Christian sentiment was recognized by Congress when, backed by the petition of 200,000 people, that body voted to close the gates of the World's Fair on Sunday."—The Occident. It was not the petition of 200,000 people that affected Congress, but the exaggerated representation that the petition expressed the sentiment of forty millions of the people. After the work was done, one of the leading champions of the Sunday-closing movement publicly boasted that "by writing letters twenty ministers in Kentucky made the Congressmen from that State believe that the whole State was in favor of the Sunday closing of the World's Fair." It was not the "Christian sentiment" of the country that beguiled Congress in the matter of Sunday closing; it was the bland deception practiced by men claiming to be Christians. And Congressmen were so goaded by fear of defeat at the polls that they did not dare to look the facts in the face.

SECULAR.

—The Northern Pacific Railroad Company has ordered a general reduction of wages, and a general strike is threatened if the order is enforced.

—A Philadelphia dispatch says a strike of carpet weavers in the Kensington district includes between 8,000 and 10,000 employees, with a probability of spreading further.

—California's new insane asylum (the fifth) at Ukiah is now completed, and sixty patients from Stockton and sixty from Napa have been transferred to the new institution.

—A member of the British House of Commons has called the attention of the government to the fact that Germans won a very large proportion of awards at the World's Fair.

—A conference of the Michigan Federation of Labor has passed a resolution favoring the coinage of both gold and silver at a ratio of 16 to 1. It was adopted by a unanimous vote.

—Eighteen contraband Chinese, smuggled into Florida on a Spanish vessel, were arrested last week by government officials and taken to Key West. Six others evaded the officials.

—Practical measures for relieving hunger among the 117,000 destitute people of Chicago were inaugurated on the 5th inst. A leading clothing house distributed 600 loaves of bread and about 3,000 cups of coffee.

—A Socialistic riot occurred at Partinico, Italy, last week, on account of an increase in taxes. Some 4,000 men and women engaged in the demonstration, burning the municipal registers and sentry boxes. The rioters were dispersed by troops.

—About 200 Moorish Jews, expelled from Melilla recently by order of the Spanish general, arrived at Nemours, Algeria, last week, in a destitute condition. As a result an order has been issued forbidding Moorish Jews landing in Algeria.

—A dispatch from Deming, N. M., reports that last week a company of Mexican soldiers were met and attacked by a rebel force between Chihuahua and Ascension. One regular officer was killed, and twenty-five soldiers went over to the rebels.

—The fence around the Midwinter Fair ground in San Francisco has been completed, and it now costs twenty-five cents to get inside the inclosure. On Sunday last, the first paid-admission day, about 4,000 people viewed the unfinished improvements.

—Anarchy is growing bolder in Europe. On the 9th inst. an explosive bomb was thrown into the French Chamber of Deputies from the galleries, and over fifty persons were injured, but only one fatally. The bomb exploded before striking the floor, else it is thought the damage would have been much greater. A noted Anarchist named Vaillant was arrested and has confessed the deed.

—All the Spanish army, and the loyal populace generally, are said to have gone into ecstasy because the little boy king said he would go to war, if he could have a horse, and kill the Moors. Thus may a great people be moved by a childish whim.

—Judge Harris, of Fresno, Cal., in whose court a noted bandit is being tried for murder, has received an anonymous letter stating that if the defendant is convicted the judge will be murdered, but in case of acquittal, $10,000 reward will be given him.

—The Danish Consul at Kansas City is trying to interest Western millers in the new Gulf of Mexico transportation project. He is said to have secured the pledges of at least forty of them to ship their export flour by the new gulf steamers to Copenhagen.

—The British Secretary of the Admiralty has informed the House of Commons that four cruisers, two sloops of war, two battle ships, and a number of torpedo destroyers, in addition to several other war vessels, will be pushed forward with the utmost possible dispatch.

—Governor Waite, of Colorado, will call an extra session of the Legislature to convene January 10, 1894, to consider some measures proposed by him for making silver dollars of any country, if of full weight, legal tender in the State. There is bitter opposition to the call.

—In the U. S. Circuit Court at New Orleans the friends of the Italian Mafia members who were lynched three years ago are suing for damages. Last week the jury in one case rendered a verdict of $5,000 against the city. There are six other cases to be tried before the same jury.

—The proprietor and the business manager of the San Francisco Examiner have been indicted by the Federal Grand Jury at Boise, Idaho, for violation of the Anti Lottery Law. The offense consists of sending through the mails their paper containing advertisements of prizes offered to subscribers.

—The smelter men throughout Colorado are complaining that the supply of silver ore has gradually decreased since the closing of the mines in June to such an extent that, unless there is a rise in the price of lead and silver soon, which will permit resumption of the low-grade mines, there will be a famine in the ore market, which will compel most of the smelters to close down.

—The government of Chile wants $225,772 from the United States as a compensation for the capture of the Itata during the Chilean rebellion. It will be remembered that the present government of Chile was then a revolutionary power, and the Itata was trying to secure arms and ammunition in the United States to aid the revolutionist cause. At least that was the view our government took of the matter; hence the capture.

—After all the talk about restoring the Hawaiian queen to the throne, it seems that she is not yet restored. The latest news is that she will decline the throne unless by the consent of the provincial government or the assurance of the positive support of the United States. It is safe to say that she will never be restored on either of those conditions. It is generally understood that Minister Willis was instructed by President Cleveland to restore the queen's government, but it was on the supposition that the provincial government would not make any armed resistance to the President's dictum. This supposition seems to have been a mistake, and the Minister, not being empowered to employ force, was unable to carry out the program. Now that Congress is in session, that body is taking a hand in the matter, and there is likely to be a warm discussion of the whole question.

FOREIGN MISSIONS

By Editor

Of Seventh-day Adventists.

This work comprises Reports of the European Missionary Councils of 1883, 1884 and 1885, and a narrative, by Mrs. E. G. White, of her visit and labors in these missions. 296 large pages; paper covers.

Price Reduced to 60 Cents, Postpaid. Combined with the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, one year, $2.00. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO., Oakland, Cal.

THOSE TENT MEETINGS.—We have a few more copies of "Those Tent Meetings," a rhyming recital, by M. B. Duffie. Price, 25 cents, postpaid. Address this office.

Roman Catholics and Public Schools

By Editor

The Advance of December 7, in speaking of the Roman Catholics and public schools, says:—

"The new Romish assault on the integrity of our American public school system has been formally inaugurated. It started out under the distinct authorization of Cardinal Gibbons. It is said to have been undertaken at the bidding of 'American Pope' Satolli. If the circular issued from Baltimore was really framed by Cardinal Gibbons, he is not the kind of man we had taken him to be. It betrays an un-American spirit and a mental obtuseness which we had not supposed characterized him. Neither the Romish nor any other attempts to disrupt our American non-sectarian school system will ever succeed."

"Un-American spirit"! What does the Advance expect? Does it not know that every devoted Roman Catholic is Roman first, and American afterward for Rome's sake? A man's religion is worth little if it is not preferred to so-called patriotism when the choice between the two must be made. The trouble is with the religion. No true Roman Catholic can be a loyal citizen of any country which is not controlled by the Vatican. True Protestants hold no allegiance to any foreign ruler. Their allegiance to God is wholly spiritual, a distinct sphere from that of civil duty. Protestants would recognize this were they not themselves drunken on the wine of Babylon's fornication. Whether Rome will succeed in obtaining a share in the public moneys is for the future to decide. Arguments weigh with politicians which do not with the people.

Week of Prayer and Christmas Giving

By Editor

WEEK of prayer begins December 23. But do not wait till that time to seek God. Make every week, every day, every hour, weeks, days, and hours of prayer; and in the "week of prayer" you will be able to help others to get nearer the Master.

WE sincerely hope that in Christmas gifts Christ and his cause will be liberally remembered. Means for the redemption of souls first, help for the poor around us secondly, and then gifts of remembrance to those who really do not need them, last. Let the unselfishness of Christ be manifested on the part of his people.

WE hope that none pass by our News and Notes columns. Some of the best things of the paper are often found there. The reader will always find the most important facts of the news of the week, carefully winnowed of chaff, gathered from the most reliable sources we have at hand. They are written by a conscientious and experienced newspaper man, Brother W. N. Glenn, with whose writing in other lines our readers are familiar.

WE regret that the important article on "Review of Sunday Legislation in Century Nineteen" is of necessity divided. The second part will appear next week. He who reads the first will desire the second. It discusses a most important topic, "The United States Government Sold to the Papacy." Read in connection with that the article entitled, "Shall America Be Romanized?" But a modicum of evidence of Rome's power has thus far been presented; but has there not been sufficient to raise the question, What does it all mean? What does it mean to the nation? What does it mean to religion? What does it mean to you, reader?

A CORRESPONDENT writes:—

“God nowhere says, ‘He that keepeth the Jewish Sabbath shall be saved,’ but ‘he that believeth on the Lord Jesus Christ.’”

True, the Lord never says anything about the Jewish Sabbath. He does say, however, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy,” and Jesus says, “Keep the commandments.” The Scriptures also say, “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness,” or right being and right doing. How would many regard it who argue as does the one quoted, if an idolater, when told by them to cease his sinning, should reply, “God nowhere says, ‘He that worships the Jewish God, or refrains from idolatry, shall be saved,’ but ‘he that believeth on the Lord Jesus Christ.’” The two cases are parallel. He who truly believes in Christ, if instructed, will not be an idolater; and he who truly believes in Christ, if instructed, will observe his Sabbath.

A REVIVAL WANTED.

By Editor

THE Christian at Work of November 30 has an editorial headed, "Wanted—A Revival of Religion." And that paper says that others are calling for it, and mentions the names of the Congregationalist, the Presbyterian, the Interior. The Congregationalist expresses the wish that "the present stringency in the money market, and consequent losses and disasters, will not run its course without bringing to the nation and to individuals a spiritual blessing such as, perhaps, could not come in any other way." It refers to the "Great Awakening" which followed the panic of 1857, and asks, Why may history not repeat itself? Upon this the Christian at Work remarks:—

"But the fact remains that since the Great Awakening of 1858, following the panic of 1857, no general revival has been seen in this country. The revival of 1858 was indeed a spiritual convulsion."

The same paper thinks that one reason why there is no revival is "the intense materialism of the age," and says:—

"We need not turn to the last census nor to Dr. Josiah Strong's much quoted 'Our Country' to learn that never were the avenues to wealth so many and so wide; never were there seen so many gigantic corporations and syndicates, never so many manufactories and machine shops reaping the profits coming from increased demand and labor-saving machinery. Everywhere the cry 'business,' 'business,' 'business,' is heard From early morn to darkling night, and fewer men are seen in the churches than ever."

And this is doubtless true; but is there not a greater reason, namely, the fact that all this materialism, or, in other words, worldliness, is in the professed church of Christ itself? There the revival must begin if at all. It is useless to talk of a real revival of religion, of vital Christianity, through a ministry which is extolling this "Christian nation," when the great majority of their church membership know but little or nothing of the Christianity of Christ, and when that ministry is endeavoring to affect social, religious, and political reforms by an appeal to civil power instead of the preaching of Christ and his gospel of power.

Only two things are necessary to a real revival of religion: (1) Man's sense of need; and (2) simple faith in God's word. But those churches which are boasting of their attainments have no sense of need, and the higher criticism, the power of creed and tradition, have made void simple faith in God's word, as evidenced by the appeal of the churches to the civil law. Brethren in the ministry, can you not see it?

The World’s Parliament of Religions

By Editor

The Werner Company, of Chicago, is publishing in weekly numbers a report of the proceedings of the World's Parliament of Religions, held in Chicago, in the Memorial Art Palace, under the auspices of the World's Columbian Exposition. The addresses are said to be complete, and verbatim, and are illustrated with portraits of one hundred of the principal delegates and speakers. There are to be eleven parts, and the entire series cost but $1.00, postpaid. It offers a rare opportunity to those who wish to obtain these addresses cheaply.

STATE SECRETARIES TAKE NOTICE.

By Editor

WHEN filling out orders for periodicals for this office, please do not write orders for Apples of Gold, Bible Students' Library, Our Little Friend, SIGNS, Sabbath School Worker, and Pacific Health Journal on the same sheet, but write orders for each periodical on a separate order blank.

This will make it convenient for us, and save delay in filling orders.

We will supply blanks for ordering when notified.

The periodical department is in one building, the editorial rooms in another, and the book department in still another separate building. You can thus see the advantage of having your orders on separate sheets of paper, so that they can be handed to the proper clerk, and filled at once.

Sunday Is Not the Sabbath

OH, say our Sunday-law friends, if the people of this Christian country would only “remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy” (keep Sunday), then God’s favor would rest upon them, because God’s command is obeyed! But the fourth commandment of the Decalogue cannot be obeyed by keeping Sunday. Eve could as well have called the tree of knowledge of good and evil by some other name, and substituted some other tree for it, and claimed that she obeyed God. Naaman’s choice of the rivers of Abana and Pharpar in preference to Jordan River, and Nadab and Abihu’s use of the strange fire instead of the holy, were not wrong if the substitution of Sunday for the Sabbath is right. But we know they were wrong, and we know that Sunday is not the Sabbath, because God says that another day is the Sabbath.

Civil Government and Conscience

Civil government has no right to enter the domain of conscience, to define sin, or to punish sin. Every attempt to do this has always resulted disastrously to the government which has attempted it, and in the persecution of its most conscientious and devoted citizens. This is what Rome tried to do during the twelve hundred years of her triumph, and it resulted in the death of fifty millions of the saints of God. This is what the Jews attempted to do, to define sin, and they condemned the Lord's Christ, and by threats compelled the Roman governor to execute him. In thus doing civil governments usurp the place of God and become rebels to his authority. California is yet free from this curse. She has wisely left the matters of religion to the individual and dealt only with those things which pertain to civil power. Let it rest there.