SABBATH, September 7, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mountain View was dedicated. It is, as the accompanying illustration will show, a neat structure, shingled without, the inside covered with pressed steel. It has one auditorium which will seat about 250, with three vestries, used as Sabbath-school rooms, which can be thrown into the auditorium, making a seating capacity, if necessity demands, of about 400. The size of the entire structure is 56 by 56 feet, the auditorium 40 by 40. At the further corner from the entrance is the pulpit, built into a corner addition, including underneath a neat baptistry. The church is heated by a hot-air furnace. The windows are stained glass. The seats of the auditorium are assembly chairs.
At the time of the dedication, the church was packed to its utmost capacity, a number of visitors being present from Oakland and San Jose, with a large number of the residents of the town in attendance. The chairman of the occasion was the chairman of the church council, Elder M. C. Wilcox. After singing by congregation and choir, the invocation was made by Elder A. O. Tait. As chairman of the Building Committee, Elder W. T. Knox made a report of the building of the church. He stated that in the beginning of the work here the few who met for Sabbath services met in the Presbyterian Church. After the Pacific Press building was erected, the church met in the large and commodious chapel of that institution, where the church was first organized, consisting at that time of about 160. Here it continued to meet until the Pacific Press was burned by fire, July 21, 1906. After that, thru the kindness of the other churches in town, which made offer of their buildings, the church met for some time in two churches, the Presbyterian and the Baptist. This division of the congregation was unsatisfactory at the very best, and an attempt was made to crowd the whole congregation, which now numbered about 259, into the Baptist Church alone. This, of course, was impossible, resulting in many absenting themselves from the services of necessity. As soon as the temporary quarters of the Pacific Press were vacated, the church met for several weeks in the temporary structure.
For some time the question of a church building had been agitated, and on March 31 a meeting was called for the purpose of considering ways and means for the building of a church. As most of the Mountain View congregation came from the Oakland church, it was agreed when the church in Oakland was sold that a part of the money should come to the Mountain View church for the purpose of erecting a house of worship here. $2,500 was granted by the Oakland church for that purpose. The necessity of raising $4,000 was placed before the congregation at this meeting. A simple statement of facts was laid before them and various ones were asked to contribute more or less of the four hundred shares at ten dollars a share that14would be required in addition to the Oakland fund, making $6,500 in all. With no other meeting for the purpose, and no special solicitation, within one month the amount was more than subscribed, the subscribers themselves becoming responsible. After the building of the church, paying for the land, putting down the sidewalks, and building a shed for teams, it was found that there would be a deficit of $208. The chairman of the building committee felt that we did not wish to dedicate the church until the last dollar was paid or assumed, and asked if there were not those in the congregation that would help to raise the amount. Remarks were also made by Elder H. W. Cottrell. In a very few minutes $250 was pledged for the remainder of the debt, and the church was presented to the congregation by the chairman of the building committee free from all indebtedness. This was accepted by a vote of the congregation, followed by a song by the choir, "Sing unto the Lord a New Song."
The new Seven Day Adventist Church at Mountain View, Cal., dedicated Sept. 7, 1907. A part of the church-school building may be seen in the rear in the right.
Scripture reading, 1 Kings 8:22-53, followed, by Elder J. O. Corliss.
The dedicatory sermon was by Elder H. W. Cottrell, who presented the reason why this church was built, and the reasons for the faith which makes this people what they are. His text was from Ex. 12:26, "What mean ye by this service?" and in a clear, convincing manner he laid before the congregation just what that service meant, what the building of the church meant, and for what the people stood who erected the church. The dedicatory prayer was offered by Elder J. O. Corliss, and the dedicatory hymn which follows, the words and music of which were written for this occasion, was sung by the congregation.
The program was interspersed by excellent music by choir and congregation, which we have not space to give here.
Altho the services lasted two hours, very many expressed themselves concerning the benefit and pleasure that they had received, and none complained that the services were too long. Many remarked that they could have stayed an hour longer. It certainly was a good, glad day to be able to present to the Lord a new house of worship, so plain and simple, and yet so harmonious and adapted to the purpose. It was remarked again and again that it was a blessed service from beginning to end, and if the remarks of the speaker are heeded, that the congregation shall dedicate themselves to God to be used of Him, it will be only one of the many blessed days in the service of God.
It is but justice to express appreciation of the devoted, thorough, self-sacrificing, skilful, energetic work of Brother C. C. Lewis, who had charge of the building of the church, together with many others who have truly lifted till they felt it.
Very heavy burdens have rested upon the Mountain View church during the past year. It gave at the time of the earthquake $1,000 for the repair of the Pacific Press building. It sent a liberal donation for the help of the suffering in San Francisco. It has exceeded its proportion of the $150,000 Fund by nearly $100. It has built two school buildings in the meantime for church school, and supported a teacher during the last year in connection with the school, besides donating to many other enterprises from time to time. In addition to this, it paid last year a tithe of $5,500, altho it has no wealthy members. The church is taking a club of missionary papers to the extent of about 1,000, one-half of which is taken by the young people of the church; and in addition to this, the young people of the church have been supporting a native worker in a foreign field. During all this period God has blessed the church greatly. A living church is a giving church, and a church that bestows of the blessings which God gives will make room in their own hearts and lives for large gifts. The Lord loveth cheerful givers, and He is able to make all grace abound toward them in all things.
BIBLE READINGS SERIES
Twenty-five Special Numbers
Including the Great Missions Double Number
Chinese Jews
24--Special Numbers--24
November 13, 1907, to April 22, 1908
The present series of twenty-six numbers is giving such general satisfaction that the publishers have decided to issue another series to immediately follow the one. A very prominent feature of these numbers will be a series of illustrated Bible-readings covering all the leading topics of the Gospel message. These readings will occupy two pages of each issue, and will appear in the center opening of the paper, under the general heading of
"HOME BIBLE STUDIES FOR WINTER EVENINGS"
They will be in the form of illustrated studies. The subjects will be taught by questions, quotations from history, notes from authors, and a marshalling of important facts which all ought to know.
There will also be readings on the book of Romans, articles on the miracles, teachings, and life of Christ, and a series of articles on the Ten Commandments.
The regular departments of the paper, such as the "Home Department," "The Outlook," "Missions," etc., will be kept up the same as usual.
In the future, as in the past, the SIGNS will keep abreast of the times, and in the Outlook Department will give particular attention to current events which have a bearing on the fulfilment of prophecy. Send for illustrated booklet.
An Indian Homestead, India
The Great Missions Special
Bengali Sabbath Keepers, Calcutta, India
October 30 and November 6, 1907
This will be a double number (32 pages) beautifully illustrated, and covering the whole range of missionary work, its rise, progress, and what still remains to be done. The writers for this issue will be men whose hearts are burdened for the salvation of souls, men with hearts fresh and warm from mission fields, and men in those mission fields bearing the burden, seeing the misery, hearing the cry for help, and witnessing the power of the Gospel.
For many months the editors have been gathering from all parts of the world illustrations and material for this special issue, and we feel safe in saying that this will be the best missions number that was ever published by any journal on this earth.
It was first designed that this paper should have been published more than one year ago, but the great calamities which befell the Pacific Coast and the Pacific Press have prevented the consummation of our plans in this respect. Now we are planning again, at the beginning of another wonderful series of Bible-readings and articles containing the great, soul-stirring message, to give to the world the great Missions Number of the Signs of the Times.
A little booklet giving full description of this World's Missions Number will be mailed free on application.
Price for single numbers, also in quantities, is given below.
Jicrikishus
The Gospel to the World in This Generation
"The Gospel to the World in This Generation" "There Shall Be Delay No Longer"
A Dollar Missionary Package
This package is made up of
100 copies of assorted numbers from the present special series of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES; and100 copies of back numbers of OUR LITTLE FRIEND.
This package post-paid for One Dollar
That all special orders might be filled, a few more copies of almost every issue of this series of the SIGNS were printed than have been called for. These are beautiful numbers, and each preaches sermons on "present truth."
This low rate is given, and this special opportunity offered that these message-filled papers may quickly be put into circulation.
Ask for the Dollar Missionary Package. You will be greatly pleased with its contents.
===ADDRESS===
Signs of the Times
Mountain View, Cal.
Waitresses Wanted
Waitresses wanted. Address Vegetarian Cafe, 214 Union St., Seattle, Wash.
BEAUTIFUL BIBLE MOTTOES.
They are selling everywhere. Three agents ordered 5,000 each. One agent has taken, in less than eight months, 6,783 mottoes. If you send us a good recommendation from the elder of your church we will mail you one dozen on thirty days' time. 100 mottoes, as fine as you ever saw, for $6.00, by mail. Address, Hampton Art Company, Hampton, Iowa.
Beautiful Bible Mottoes
No home complete without them
There is no better time than the present to sell them. They sell readily everywhere, and agents are making good wages. An inspiration to higher living in every home. Nearly 75 styles of mottoes in English, and two each in German, Danish and Swedish. Ten dozen beauties, $7.00. Sell for $25.00. Five dozen, $3.75. Sixteen samples, all different, $1.00. All prepaid. Safe delivery guaranteed. Particulars free.
Address, Home Art Co., Box 114, College View, Neb.
DEDICATION HYMN. L. M.
M. C. Wilcox C. A. Smith
1. All things are Thine, we build to Thee, Our God, Redeemer, Saviour, Friend,
This tribute of our liberty, Where teaching, prayer, and praise shall blend.
2. The heav'n above can not confine Thy blessed presence or Thy pow'r;
Come now and fill this house of Thine, Accept it Thine, O Lord, this hour.
3. As Thine own holy presence dwelt In Israel's temple long ago,
So, Lord, let here Thy pow'r be felt, Within these walls Thy Glory show.
4. Shine Thou upon Thy people here, Shine sin and guilt and fear away,
Bend ever low a list'ning ear, O hear Thy children when they pray.
5. Thou choosest living temples, Lord, So let this people be to Thee
Built up in Christ upon Thy word; Thru time and all eternity.
A Correction and the Outpouring of the Spirit
A mistake, eternally serious if it should be taken as truth, occurred on page 8, column 2, line 10, of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES of September 4. 'Unrightly' should have been 'uprightly.' There is all the difference in the world as to which way one speaks. Fortunately, the Scripture is given, and some of our readers have noticed and kindly called our attention to the blunder.
The "Outpouring of the Spirit" will be the theme of the paper next week. Elder Daniells, president of the General Conference, will write on "The Need of the Spirit in the Church and in the World;" Elder Spicer, secretary of the foreign Mission Board, will write on "The Promise of the Spirit;" and Professor Derby, of the Washington Foreign Mission Seminary, Washington, D. C., will have an article on "The Spirit in the World and in the Church." The Spirit of God in the hearts and lives of believers is the one thing that is needed to give power and effectiveness to the great Gospel message that is to go to the world in this generation. All our readers will see the importance of this next issue of the paper, and will do what they can to circulate it.
It is worthy of note that nine to eleven young people (all are not fully decided) go out from Mountain View at the beginning of this school year to connect with Pacific Union College at Healdsburg. Most of them have earned in useful work their own scholarships. Nearly all have been connected with this office, where they have done good service. The ambition is in their hearts to fit themselves for better service in God's army. They will meet with new temptations and trials. The devil, if he can not wholly overthrow them, will seek to blind them to the important and essential things, even by the good to hide from them the better, and by the better to blind them to the best; he will place before them low standards, low, selfish aims. May they be able to discern all his devices; may they seek in all things to honor God, be true to every principle of truth, integrity, and uprightness, and so reflect honor and bring gladness to the hearts of the institution, the church, the
homes, which send them forth. In these we see types of a great army which shall enter various schools throust the country this fall. May they prove true to the hopes and expectations of their friends.
Lessons in Life.
By Kathrina B. Wilcox
Written for the dedication of the Pacific Press, and read on the occasion, Sept. 8, 1907, by Miss Kathrina B. Wilcox.
JEHOVAH is love, and Jehovah is kindness,
Whatever the record of seeming may be,
It is only the dullness of human sin-blindness
Which hides from our hearts the blessings that He
Holds out for the faith-sight forever to see.
His ways are the best, soul, whatever the seeming,
His ways are the best, and they lead to the light;
And thru the dark clouds faith sees ever the gleaming
Of rays from His presence. His way is the right;
Not of might is the right, but of right is the might.
We plot and we plan in our hoping and fearing,
And in our way, not His way, we hope to attain;
We long for His blessing, we plead for His hearing,
But we ask for them both on the plots of our brain,
And hope that our striving will gather His gain.
In mercy He leaves us to reap of our sowing,
To gather the fruitage of self-scattered seed,
To mingle the grain of His blessed bestowing
With the tare and the thistle, the cockle, the weed,
The strivings for gain, and the world's hungry greed.
Yet He points still the way, His goodness revealing,
Not willingly afflicts He the children of men;
His wounds of reproof are filled with His healing;
He would teach them by faith if they walk in His ken,
He would not have them suffer again and again.
If still they heed not, if still dull of hearing,
If still human wisdom loometh large in their sight,
If still the black shadows of men they are fearing,
If still they are fearful just to fight the good fight
And to follow the way which leads on to the right,
God shatters their idols, He crushes their pillars,
Erected by man to man's glory and fame,
Till we see that our hopes were but consummate killers
Of holiest trust in the undying Name,
And preservers of glory that leadeth to shame.
The mighty earth shook, and men's glory fell crumbling,
Unstayed by man's wisdom, unheld by man's power;
And lips that oft cursed prayed 'midst its wild rumblings,
For protection and safety in that awful hour
Which crushed mighty fanes, but harmed not the flower.
We thought we were safe, as in days long departed,
Men said, while they sinned, "We're the temple of God,
And the kingdoms topple and kings are down-hearted,
We shall not know His wrath, shall not feel His rod,
He's the gracious, the kind, the covenant God."
Aye, He is, He is kind, and in His great kindness
He seeth our folly, He knoweth our way,
He would scatter the fog that causeth our blindness,
He would strengthen and lift from the mire and the clay,
Would illumine with light of the on-coming day.
And hearts felt the impulse, eyes saw greater vision,
We reached for new power and saw larger field,
We learned to act quickly, be prompt in decision;
But we failed, and sin's wounding remained yet unhealed,
And our covenant with God on our part unsealed.
With our walls broken down, straight Egyptward going,
We leaned on their staff and hoped in their aid,
Forgetting the harvest would be as the sowing;
But we learned when too late that the price which we paid
In the scales of the world and the devil was weighed.
The staff that we stayed on, a broken reed proved it,
And pierced to our heart, and humbled our pride;
For the fire followed quake, 'twas our worldliness moved it;
We were wanderers from God, and our wish was our guide,
And His counsel of life our acts had denied.
But humbled at last in the dust and the ashes,
On our knees we saw higher and wider and true,
Receiving with meekness the loved Master's lashes,
We learned that to trust was to give God His due,
In a larger and truer and holier view.
O great was the loss if by gold it is measured;
Our beautiful house was in ashes and dust,
The cup of keen sorrow, not more has it treasured,
Yet out of the flame grew the blest flower of trust,
The glad, grateful truth that our wise God is just.
Great and blest was our gain, saw we God, clear and clearer,
For He spake to our hearts as prostrate we lay,
For the chastening love brought us near and yet nearer
To the Power that's a Staff, to the Love that's a Stay,
To the Wisdom that guides in the all-perfect way.
Yea, after the earthquake, the forked tongue's red flaming,
And fierce burned the fire with the hatred of hell;
But the Voice sweet and low with the gentlest of blaming,
Came clear as the tones of a sweet silver bell,
'Rise and build to His name, build wise and build well.
"For His work alone let the structure be builded,
Build for God, honor Him, leave the world to its gold;
With the shining of truth let its working be gilded,
'Twill be safer than steel or of stone, and 'twill hold
Till the heaven away like a scroll shall be rolled."
We heeded the Voice. To our feet stronger rising,
Built we humble and modest, sought Him as we went,
Cut loose from the world and its carnal devising,
And under the guidance He graciously lent,
Have learned precious lessons of things that He meant.
For the low earthly vision, in humble confessing,
We plead for His mercy, we hope for His grace,
We give Him the praise for the multiplied blessing,
And we humbly would walk in the light of His face,
And trust in a wisdom our souls can not trace.
May we learn, gracious Lord, learn the lesson Thou'rt teaching,
Learn it well, build upon it, a faith true and strong,
Know the worth of the labor for souls Thou art reaching;
Labor on to win souls to that blest blood-washed throng,
And sing with the ransomed the glad victor's song.
What, then, are the temblors, what, then, is the burning?
What, then, all the troubles and trials and strife?
What all, but God's teaching and character-earning,
To fit for His work in the army of life?
To fit for a kingdom that'll never know strife?
M. C. WILCOX.
A Home Helper.
The home is one of the important institutions upon the earth; none is second to it in influence. If the homes of Christendom were what they ought to be, many and mighty problems would be solved in both Church and State. Home failures are responsible for much of the intemperance, unhappiness, mismatched marriages, divorces, misery, vice, and crime of this age of abounding iniquity. True Christian homes have turned out the noblest men and women in religious and secular life. A few go to destruction despite good home influences, and a few rise above the awful influences of the travesties of homes scattered thruout the land.
We want to help the home. We desire most earnestly to make the SIGNS OF THE TIMES a mighty home helper. We believe that it will be this in the year to come. Note some of the things for the next six months. Think of the elements which enter into a home—manhood, womanhood, friendship, courtship, marriage, husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, and the elements of character-building, home-culture, and successful management. All these things will be discussed. Successful home-makers and home-keepers will contribute to make joyous, blessed homes. You and your neighbors should certainly want this instruction in the year to come.
Some of the wealthiest and most aristocratic of England's society people are taking up vegetarianism, and menus without meat are being prepared for the fall and winter dinners and entertainments. It is good to know that those who stand in high places of influence, and who do so much in molding the customs of the people are thus taking up this most excellent work.
