For sometime Mrs. — has been wanting to write you something about her work with the SIGNS, and some of her experiences with the same, but as her time is well taken up with the work I will write for her.
“The following is for five days. One hour 37 copies; four hours 130 copies; two hours 50 copies; four hours 115 copies; four hours 125 copies, making 457 copies in fifteen hours. Since the first of March she has ordered 3,500 SIGNS besides some Life and Health.”
Many of our workers are working hard, perhaps with less remarkable success than this, but this should encourage them and influence others to join the SIGNS MONTHLY corps of workers.
Note how it gives the Message for to-day
General Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition; Current Topics.
Prophetic “Westward the Course of Empire”—A review of the rise and development of nations, showing the historical and prophetic setting of the last (The United States) with its attending progress and prosperity. By Eld. M. C. Wilcox.
Bible “Needs of the Soul, and How Supplied,” by Eld. Wm. Covert; “I Am the Resurrection and the Life,” by Mrs. E. G. White; “The Law of Faith,” by Eld. S. W. Nellis; “Man’s Station Between the Present and the Future Life.”—Bible Reading—by Eld. J. O. Corliss; “Shall We Recognize Matter, or Spirit Only?”—Dealing with principles of Christian Science—by Eld. R. A. Underwood.
Religious Liberty “Fundamental Principles of Religious Liberty,” by Eld. W. A. Colcord.
Health and Temperance “Dangers in Use of Milk,” by Dr. H. F. Rand; “Prohibition Progress in Canada.”
Twenty-five copies cost $1.00; they sell for $2.50. 100 cost $4.00. You sell them for $10.00. Order of your Tract Society. Ask for the SIGNS WORKER which contains selling points and suggestive canvasses.
Signs of the Times
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA
Two Noted Examples
THERE died in France the other day a great merchant, a department-store millionaire, who had in his employ more than 8,000 men and women. His commercial work made him well known; his genius in the great department-stores which he owned and managed made him popular; he had, through benefactions in different ways, been honored by the government. His employees, many of whom received a mere pittance, were loyal to him. They had been led to expect that when he died, a part of the great wealth which he had amassed,—$20,000,000, we are told,—would be divided among them.
He lived evidently for the applause of men; he loved to be in the limelight of popularity. He was willing that the false impressions which his employees had received should keep them in expectation in order that he might be popular with them.
He planned his own funeral with that thought in mind. The casket in which his remains were enclosed was made of amaranth wood, brought from Brazil, and sculptured bronze. Its cost was $100,000. The pearl buttons on the waistcoat “in which he awaits the day of judgment,” as The Literary Digest puts it, are valued at $100,000, and the shroud which enwrapped him was made of cloth of gold. Opera singers were engaged to perform at the long service at his funeral. On a cushion before the hearse was borne the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor, which his riches had helped him to secure.
From the Madeleine (church) to the Père La Chaise (cemetery) the grand cortège moved, bearing the remains of the merchant prince. Hundreds of thousands lined the road, crushing and clamoring to see the procession.
The rich man expected all this, but in a different setting. One editorial writer in Paris remarked: “Perhaps in his selfish vanity, this multimillionaire saw, as in apocalyptic vision, the heart of each Parisian transformed into a censer from which should rise streams of incense wrapping in a glorious cloud of perfume the whole funeral cortège.”
It is certainly evident that he thought Paris would arise to do him honor because of his wealth and the magnificence of his funeral, but there were spectacles witnessed which are indeed significant for the age, and which, could the millionaire have witnessed in his life, might have taught him a lesson. Where his employees who had labored and toiled to help him amass his great wealth, expected to receive $5,000,000 divided among them as had been promised them, they received only a paltry $600,000. He left to the poor only $40,000 of the vast sum. At his funeral employees and poor joined in expressing their rage and disgust, and followed the funeral cortège to its resting-place with curses and mockery. They called it “Le Carnival Chauchard,” the Chauchard Carnival. One paper says: “Grand stands had been set up, windows hired out, and amid hisses, shouts, and cat-calls, mingled with blasts from motor-horns, sirens, and whistles, the plumed hearse swept along.” The police could not check the roar of execration, altho some arrests were made.
The death of the great man was sadly disappointing. Another editorial writer declares: “Those who had assisted in building up his fortune, the employees who sweated that he might enjoy a civil list that was almost imperial, receive from his will a paltry alms, inferior to the tips which it is the custom to dole out at the close of the commercial year. Is it conceivable that such forgetful ingratitude is likely to allay the antagonism of classes, and to bring about a good understanding between masters and men?” And so Chauchard died, and was execrated.
And that is its significance. A few more such examples as that, and we have the uprising of the laboring masses against those who are their masters.
What an opposite example was given us in the case of another wealthy man who was born in Poland in the year 1755, Stanislaus Staszic! He was truly a student, a philosopher, an educated man, a patriot, and a man of wealth. Yet he lived all his life in extreme frugality, doing all that he could to educate students, but otherwise seemingly a miser until he was so regarded by many people. Calumnies unnumbered were heaped upon him; he was ridiculed as he passed through the street carrying his frugal lunch in his hands. Jokes of various kinds were passed upon him because of what was called his penuriousness, while possessing great wealth and large estates.
He was said to be unjust because he refused a spendthrift sister the amount of money which she wished to squander yearly. So much was said against him that one of his favorite students, whom he was educating, came to him and told him that he could no longer accept his benefactions when they were wrung from those who were in need.
Staszic was at that time Prime Minister of Poland. Looking at the young man, his dark eyes filled with emotion, he told him that he must not leave school, for he was one of the most promising of his pupils; but if he could not accept the gift of education, consider it a loan and pay the debt by educating in later years some deserving student like himself; but by all means to stay with the school; and so far as he, Staszic, himself was concerned, to wait. His life, he said, was a secret to himself, a secret which he could not give to others. Wait for his death before he judged his life.
When he died all Poland sought to do him justice. It was then learned that his vast estates were divided into five hundred parts, each to become the property of a free peasant, a former serf. An admirable school was founded to teach the children of these former serfs different trades and give them a working education. These former serfs were to pay a certain small yearly rental, or tax, for the land which was thus freely given to them, for the liberation of their fellow serfs around them on every side. Six hundred thousand florins was set aside for the building and equipment of a model hospital, and quite a sum for the education of poor and studious youths. The whole fortune of the man was given for the uplifting and blessing of humanity.
The sister to whom he felt that he had given a sufficient sum yearly, received the same after his death. He felt that in justice he could not allow money which could be used for the blessing of humanity to be spent foolishly for the gratifying of mere pride, and which would bring no satisfaction to the spender.
When he was buried thousands flocked to view his remains and one writer expresses it, “sought to touch the pall, as tho it were some holy, precious relic,” believing that in that way they would gather some of the virtues of this truly great man. “The memory of the just is blessed.”
It would seem as tho from these examples, which stand out in such strong contrast, wealthy men might learn lessons. God gives men power to get wealth. Men may be equally good, equally able, equally intellectual, and yet one may have power to amass wealth, while the other may not be gifted in that way, tho having superior gifts in other directions. All these gifts should be used for humanity. Just as truly as God15has bestowed upon the preacher of the Gospel a gift to bless men, just so truly has He bestowed the gift to amass wealth for the same purpose. He will hold one as truly responsible as He does the other.
He would have these men who are amassing great fortunes use their wealth wisely for the blessing of humanity. He would not have them tempt the cupidity and strengthen the animosity that naturally arise among the poverty-stricken masses, multitudes of whom are found in discontent and misery in our great cities. Above all things else, He would have them use justice, and after justice, generosity in the largest and wisest way, by helping men to help themselves as did Staszic. Neither should they do as did Chauchard—keep their employees during life on meager wages. Justice should be done them; such treatment as would lead these employees to feel that when the life of their employer was ended, to them justice had been done, and that they had no right to expect anything in the future. There is a way of employing humans which leads them to feel and recognize their manhood and womanhood. There is another way which takes out of them all the aspirations to noble, independent manhood and womanhood. Sooner or later this breaks out in the manifestation of the brute as was seen in Paris on the day of Chauchard’s funeral. It is well for us to heed the words of Holy Writ: “Charge them that are rich in this world that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God who giveth us richly all things to enjoy that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
And we would not feel like closing this sketch without a word of admonition to those who are envying the rich. Envy them not; there are other things in this world more precious than all the wealth which men can pile up. Character is more than coin. The grace of God is more than gold. True, noble manhood and womanhood are more than riches can buy. “Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content; for they that be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.” There are riches within the reach of all, and these are the riches of God’s grace and righteousness, freely imparted without money and without price to all those who will come to Him. These riches are eternal. They give sufficient promise of the life that now is and make sure of the life to come, in which there shall never be poverty or want.
The Welcome
I LANDED on this rock, the Earth,
There met me by the gates of birth
A loving woman, great and fair,
With gentle eyes and silken hair
That seemed, with all its loosened strands,
As plaything for my baby hands.
Here for the hungered guest was food,
Divinely mingled, fit and good;
And when the wearied bairnie wept,
Her arms wound round him and he slept.
Great God, with such a welcome here,
I'll venture forth to any sphere;
Lord of the mother, I will tread
All Thine abysses without dread.
— Outlook.
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LIBERTY
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An illustrated, 48-page, quarterly magazine, published as an exponent and advocate of true religious liberty; defending Christianity and the rights of conscience; upholding the Bible as the infallible word of God; recognizing the church and state as ordained of Heaven for specific and distinct purposes, but vigorously protesting against the alliance of the church with the state in the attempt to advance religion and to promote the state. Price 25 cents per year. Liberal terms to agents.
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SOUTHERN PACIFIC
Home Wanted for Two Children
Wanted.—A permanent home with Adventist family for a motherless girl eleven years old,—a very bright child. Also her little brother, aged nine. Address, W. G. Bateman, 816 Hampton St., Scranton, Pa.
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An Illustrated Paper for the Smaller Men and Women, for the Children and Little Ones
Instructive and entertaining, clean, wholesome, sensible. It is a character builder, a helper to father and mother. Our Little Friend would plant seed in the joyous life of the children in the Present, that it may bear blessed fruitage in the Harvest of the Future. Respect your child's individuality. Take the paper for him or her. Only 50 cents a year.
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Life and Health
A PRACTICAL health journal, published with a view of meeting hygienic needs in every home; teaching how to care for the health and how to preserve life; prescribing simple home treatments to assist nature in throwing off diseases rather than adding more poison by using drugs or unnatural stimulants as remedies: teaching how to avoid disease as far as possible, how to manage in the home when sickness does come, and how to combat the disease by simple remedies which nature provides.
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The LORD'S DAY
The Test of the Ages
A Brief but Comprehensive Treatise covering the History and Doctrine of the Sabbath and Sunday Controversy from Creation to the Present. Truth supported by Scripture, Historical Fact, and Argument. A Multum in Parvo on the Sabbath Question. Illustrated; 128 pp; price, 10 cents post-paid.
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By Nellie Ellis
By Nellie Ellis. Is a story of the struggles of a family to help mother and each other during the absence of father, and pleasantly reveals the brighter side of youth where there is a worthy purpose and a will to be kind and affectionate. 160 pages, illustrated. Cloth, net, 50 cents. Address this office.
Persia’s Capital Threatened by Revolutionary Armies
The Shah of Persia is now in trouble. Three armies, two revolutionary and one Russian, are now marching against the capital, and he has no troops on whom he can rely, and no money with which to supply them. It would seem that the people no longer trust their ruler, and two revolutionary forces have risen against him. The only protection of the capital against the armed bands investing it or the disorderly element within it, is a small force of Russian and Persian Cossacks, under a Russian officer, and it is uncertain which side these would take in an emergency. On this account a considerable force of Russian troops has been despatched from Baku to occupy the capital. They landed at Enzeli, the seaport of Resht, 180 miles northwest of Teheran.
Cleansing of the Temple
The article by Mrs. White on page 3 is the second article on the “Cleansing of the Temple.” They are full of practical, needed instruction.
A Psalm for All Seasons
By Editor
We have attached one of God's flowers of literature to the beautiful bouquet of roses on our cover page. The roses are appropriate to the season, the psalm to all seasons.
The Bible, Gospel, and Prophecy Still Stand
The Bible still stands, notwithstanding its perversion by the tradition of men or its rejection by infidelity without or within the church. The Gospel is still mighty to save. Jesus Christ is still a complete Saviour. God’s great time-tables of prophecy are still up-to-date and accurate. The schedule of events is in His hands, even to the final judgment. Blessed is the man that recognizes it all in a practical way.
Prohibition in Mississippi
Prohibition in Mississippi seems assured, according to the statement of Congressman Humphreys. He says, “I am confident that the Southern states now in the prohibition column will remain there, and that others will join them. I believe that three men out of every four in Mississippi would vote ‘dry’ if the question were put to them. We have had state-wide prohibition since January 1, and it is working all right.” The penalty for violating any one of the three provisions of the new law is fixed at a fine of not less than $5,000, or imprisonment for not more than two years. It is evident that congress intends the law to be effective.
Receiving God’s Law in the Heart
The letter and nothing more of God’s word always condemns; and in such condemnation is death. It is only when it is received and welcomed in the heart, when the heart is all laid open to its purifying influences, that it becomes Spirit and life. To hold and keep it in the letter merely is the old-covenant idea, whether here or at Mount Horeb. To receive it in the heart by faith is the Gospel of life, whether at Mount Horeb or here. It makes all the difference in the world as to how we relate ourselves to God’s law.
Protestant Doubt and Roman Catholic Progress
What wonder that Roman Catholicism makes progress and is boastful, when great “Protestant” denominations are at a standstill. There are myriads of humans who long for rest and certainty in religion. Protestantism once offered that in no unequivocal terms in the word of God, the Bible. They had no doubt about it. Jesus Christ was a perfect Saviour, full of wisdom, knowledge, and power. The Gospel was “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Creative power, resurrection power, was in the Gospel to save and restore. Now the professed heralds of the Gospel question—question the Deity of the Son, question His miraculous conception, question His resurrection, question His vicarious atonement, question the Bible from Genesis to the Revelation, question the prophecies of the word, question the miracles, question the second coming of Christ, till the whole “Protestant” world is in a ferment of inquiry and drifting into infidelity. It is like a great ship at sea with captain and mate doubting chart and compass, adrift on the great ocean. If a strong ship should pass going a questionable way, yet certain of her direction, there would be found many who would prefer to change drifting to direction, questioning to positiveness. Wrong as she is, the Roman Catholic Church is positive, and she is reaping her harvest. Whose fault is it?
Proportion of Time, or a Definite Day
Proportion of Time, or a Definite Day.—The only ground Christians have for a Sabbath or holy day at all is found in the word of God, in the institution and laws of the Sabbath. As a mere physical rest, reason would dictate that man should decide that for himself, as he does the clothing he wears, the food he eats, and the hours he sleeps. But as a religious requirement, the basis must be found in the word of God. Now, if the Sabbath law is obligatory as regards the proportion of time, one day in seven, or one-seventh, is it not equally obligatory as regards the particular day of the seven? For nowhere does the word speak of the proportion of time except inferentially, while it does expressly declare, “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” The seventh day of what?—Of the seven, “of the week”; for the Sabbath comes just before “the first day of the week.” Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:1, 2. Is it not a plain disregard of the word of God to thus juggle with the plainest language? If He did not mean what He said, who is authorized to say?
Plainness of Dress.
It is a rare thing, tho it ought not so to be, to hear of a Methodist minister deploring the extravagance in dress, and declaring himself ready to preach “a new crusade for plainness and simplicity.” Yet thus did the Rev. C. B. Mitchell, of Chicago, June 14. He declared that “we should go back to a bit of the plainness of the early Methodists. We are living in an age of extravagant dress and fuss that is greatly to be deplored. . . . If the women especially keep on as they are, I don’t know what we are going to come to. . . . The plain clothing of the early Methodists was a protest against the ungodliness of extravagant dress.” And there is mighty truth in what he says. Christians ought to follow the Bible principles. If there were proper limitations in dress and appetite, there would be millions more for missions.
New Telephone Trust Organized
A new telephone trust, the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, has been organized, which is said to be the first step in merging all the 7,800 Bell companies in the country. The capital of the new concern is nearly a billion, to be exact, $970,000,000. The Bell system controls 3,215,215 of the 6,500,000 telephone stations of the country, and has connection with 1,500,000 more. There are 16,000 independent companies, but many of them are small.
Lake Champlain Ter-Centenary Celebration
The Ter-Centenary of the discovery of Lake Champlain and adjacent territory was celebrated this month at Burlington, Vt. President Taft and Ambassador Bryce both delivered addresses. A tablet to the memory of the soldiers who served in the war of 1812 was unveiled. It was placed on the main building of the University of Vermont, which was used as a barracks for troops in the second war against England. The Society of the Daughters of 1812 erected the tablet. Major-General O. O. Howard, United States army, retired, delivered the chief address.
Disorders on Morocco’s Riff Coast
The reigning Sultan of Morocco has become so weak in his rule as to be unable to prevent disorders in his realm. The difficulties are in the main confined to the Riff Coast, on the Mediterranean, west of Gibraltar. The result of the affair will be probably the extension of the Spanish power in Morocco, and the coast of Melilla to Ceuta will be occupied by Spanish troops.
A Protestant Journal Against Apostasy
Notwithstanding certain exclusive claims, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES is a Protestant journal, protesting against the apostasy in the Roman Catholic and Protestant and other professedly Christian churches, and contending for “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Thank God, there are still others. May they live and prosper.
Presidio Guns Break World Records
At a big gun test near San Francisco, July 22, the big guns at the Presidio smashed all world records. The five-inch rapid-fire rifle hit the moving bull’s eye two and one-half miles away ten times in ninety seconds; every shot told. The firing was from Presidio Heights. This is mechanical, scientific accuracy.
Wabash Train Falls Into Missouri River
On a track weakened by landslides, thirty miles east of Kansas City, a Wabash passenger-train fell into the Missouri River. Two persons are dead, fifteen missing, and many seriously injured. The accident occurred the night of July 24.
Bleriot Crosses the English Channel
One aeroplane crossed the English channel from Calais, France, to Dover, England, July 25. The time was fifty-six minutes, ten seconds; the aviator was Louis Bleriot, a Frenchman.
Camp Meeting at Santa Cruz
A local California camp-meeting is on at Santa Cruz. We did not get the news in sufficient time to give the particulars last week.
Bolivia–Argentine Diplomatic Rupture
Complete Rupture has occurred between Bolivia and Argentine Republic, diplomatic relations having been broken off.
Which Mind Have You?
“The mind of the flesh is death;” “the mind of the Spirit is life and peace.” Which mind have you?
