p. 15 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 37. (9/13/1899)

In Afric's Forest and Jungle

By Rev. R. H. Stone

or Six Years Among the Yorubans

By REV. R. H. STONE

A story of missions, giving an interesting, instructive, thrilling account of life among the native tribes of Yoruba in the work of spreading the Gospel. The book contains 282 pages, 28 chapters, and is nicely illustrated with half-tone engravings from original photographs. Printed on heavy paper, size 5x7½.

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The Winning of Margaret

How Margaret and her skeptical friend Ralph were converted. A well-told story. Price, $1.00 per 100.

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The Interlinear Greek Testament

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It is hardly necessary to enlarge upon the usefulness and desirability of this work, so well known to Bible students. It is a new Greek New Testament, containing a large, clear Greek text with the nearest literal English translation of words interlined, immediately under the Greek. The margin contains the Authorized or Common Version, corresponding verses being opposite the Greek arrangement. In addition, there are foot-notes giving readings of various Greek Texts.

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Walker's Comprehensive Concordance of the Bible

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LESSON I.—SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1899

JOY IN GOD'S HOUSE.

Lesson Scripture.—Psalm 122, R.V.

1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go unto the house of the Lord. 2 Our feet are standing Within thy gates, O Jerusalem; 3 Jerusalem, that art builded As a city that is compact together: 4 Whither the tribes go up, even the tribes of the Lord, For a testimony unto Israel, To give thanks unto the name of the Lord. 5 For there are set thrones for judgment, The thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; They shall prosper that love thee. 7 Peace be within thy walls, And prosperity within thy palaces. 8 For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within you. 9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.

Golden Text: "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." Verse 1.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) By whom was this song written? Note 1. (2) By whom were the Psalms inspired? Note 2. (3) Of what was the psalmist glad? V. 1. Note 3. (4) What hope did he express? V. 2. (5) What does he say of the holy city? V. 3. (6) Of what is it the meeting-place? and for what purpose? V. 4. Note 4. (7) What are set there? V. 5. Note 5. (8) What is the duty of God's people? V. 6. (9) What is said of those who love Jerusalem? (10) What benediction is pronounced upon the city? V. 7. (11) For what purpose is this benediction given? V. 8. (12) Why is the city's good sought? V. 9. Note 6.

NOTES.

1. Of David.—So state our English versions, tho it is not in the original. It may well be written by David for the temple which Solomon was about to build. It seems more reasonable to apply it before the captivity than after.

2. The Spirit of Christ inspired the prophets of the past, and the Psalms of the Lord. See 1 Peter 1:11; Acts 1:16; Heb. 3:7; 2 Sam. 23:2. David not only wrote his own experiences, but the experiences of Christ in human flesh, and in glory, and the experience of all who are Christ's.

3. When they said unto me.—Judging from the regular congregations of Christians, the feeling among them is not that of David, or Christ. The service and worship meant something to them. God was in His sanctuary and met with every heart which realized its need. He does the same to-day. Where two or three meet in His name, He is there in their midst.

4. Her tribes go up.—So they came to Jerusalem three times a year when the people of God were faithful. So are the true Israel of God appearing in faith before our great High Priest in heaven now. And when sin shall have passed away forever, and the New Jerusalem shall be established on the earth made new, then from month to month and from week to week will the Israel of God present themselves before the Lord to worship. Rev. 22:14; Isa. 66:22, 23. For a testimony unto Israel.—They are a testimony of God's power to redeem and save. That is true here. It will be true to all eternity. They will praise forever the name of the Lord.

5. Set thrones.—This doubtless was in a measure true in David's day, in the officers and princes who ruled under him. In Christ's work as priest (Rev. 4:4), in the work of judgment (Rev. 20:4; Dan. 7:9), and in His own glorious kingdom (Rev. 3:21), all of which are in the Holy City on high, there are the thrones of those whom Christ associates with Himself.

6. Thy good.—Jesus Christ ever seeks His people's good; nay, more, He seeks the good. It is His work to build up the church, and each one in the church; to establish His kingdom, and gather for His kingdom. He who seeks to tear down the church and work and kingdom of God is not of God; for "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His."

The Parker Jointless . . . Fountain Pen . . . .

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Will not wear out with years of constant use, and is a continual source of comfort and satisfaction to the fortunate possessor.

It is fitted with an excellent gold pen suited to your hand. All that is necessary in ordering is to state whether you want fine, medium, or coarse point. All are fully guaranteed and are returnable to us until you get one perfectly suited to your hand.

Some of the improved features of the Parker Pen are: It has no screw to break, no nozzle to get "stuck," or joint to leak and soil the fingers. These characteristics are not possessed by other fountain pens, and place the Parker Pen in the lead of all others.

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OUR "WORLD'S HARVEST" ISSUE.

By Editor

(Ready, the Lord willing, Nov. 1, 1899.)

This special number will contain:—

The Seed-Sowing of the Gospel By E. J. WAGGONER, Editor of the Present Truth, London, Eng.

The Seed-Sowing of Sin By PROF. E. A. SUTHERLAND, President of Battle Creek College.

The Harvest of Intemperance By M. E. OLSEN, Editor of the Gospel of Health.

The Harvest of Disease By DAVID PAULSON, M.D.

The Harvest of Crime By PROF. P. T. MAGAN, Dean of Battle Creek College.

The Harvest of War By URIAH SMITH, Author of "Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation."

The Harvest of Expansion and Imperialism By ALONZO T. JONES, Author of "Two Republics," and "Great Empires of Prophecy."

The Harvest of Greed By JOHN CLARK RIDPATH, America's great historian.

The Harvest of Church and State Union By LEON A. SMITH, Editor of the American Sentinel.

The Harvest of Righteousness and Life By GEORGE E. FIFIELD, Author of "God Is Love."

The Ripening of the Harvest By ALBION F. BALLENGER.

The Harvest of the World By MILTON C. WILCOX.

The Coming of the Reaper By FRANCIS M. WILCOX.

The Outlook—Prophetic By JOHN ORR CORLISS.

The Outlook—Temporal By A. O. TAIT, Author of "Heralds of the Morning."

The Outlook—European By HENRY P. HOLSER.

A Great Crisis in the Work of Missions By A. T. PIERSON, D.D., Editor of the Missionary Review of the World.

The Building of the Home By J. R. MILLER, D.D., Author of "Home Making," "The Marriage Altar and After," etc.

The Harvest of Willie Kinnear An excellent practical story By EMMA HILDRETH ADAMS, Author of "Among the Northern Icebergs," "Two Cannibal Archipelagoes," etc.

An excellent article by Mrs. E. G. White.

Beautiful and striking poems by C. M. Snow, F. T. Elkin, Hope Onslow, and T. R. Williamson.

Original song and music, full page.

Beautiful and striking illustrations by well-known artists in New York and San Francisco, under the direction of Mr. W. A. Reaser.

This issue of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES will, in the vital importance of the Gospel message it bears to the world, exceed in value any other publication of its kind ever printed. It ought to have a circulation of 2,000,000 copies.

CONTAINED IN THIS NUMBER.

Poetry.

Rejoice, FLOYD D. RAZE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2 Kings 19:35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Onward . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

General.

Christ's Word and the Work of God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Take Heed How Ye Hear, MRS. E. G. WHITE . . . . . . . . . . 2

Love and Hatred, E. S. BROOKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

The Manner of Christ's Coming, F. M. WILCOX . . . . . . . . 3

Taught to Medo-Persia, ALONZO T. JONES . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Knowing God, IRVING E. BAKER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

The Power of Opinion, HELEN ELIZABETH JEFFERS . . . . . 5

The Sabbath the Test of Obedience, G. E. FIFIELD . . . . . . 6

The Blood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

A Clergyman and the Sabbath, GEO. W. SPIES . . . . . . . . . . 7

Outlook.

The Trouble in the Transvaal—Trusts in England—The Change That Has Come—A New Religious (?) Organization—The Evidence of Immortality—Arbitration—The Drift toward Rome—Gospel Wanted, Not More Civil Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 9

Missions.

The Cleveland Helping Hand Mission, W. S. CHAPMAN—"Turning Turtle"—The Missionary Spirit of the Waldenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 11

The Home.

Too Beautiful to Kill—One Forenoon's Experience, MRS. MATTIE E. DURKEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 13

International Sabbath-school and Sunday-school Lessons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 15

Publishers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Storm Destroys Pleasant Plain

It is reported that the little village of Pleasant Plain, Arkansas, was destroyed by a storm on August 26. The town has neither telegraphic nor telephonic connection with the outside world, and so the reports are meager and slow in getting out.

Santa Ana Camp-Meeting

By W.

An excellent meeting was that camp-meeting which closed in Santa Ana, Cal., August 27, and which the writer of this note had the pleasure of attending. There were enough ministers, but not too many. All were heartily united. As they met from morning to morning to seek God and plan for the meetings, they found the One who alone can give success among them; hearts were blended in brotherly love and tenderness, and the Spirit of God assisted in the Word spoken by the ones chosen to stand before the people. Nearly all phases of the message were proclaimed. The attendance from the city of Santa Ana, afternoon and evening, was remarkable. The following ministers were present: W. T. Knox, G. W. Bagby, W. M. Healey, B. F. Richards, F. M. Burg, and the writer. Henry Scott, president of the Sabbath-school Association of the State, had general charge of that work, and Dr. Sanderson spoke in the interest of the health work. But the Lord was present with healing power, and there were some cases of remarkable healing on the ground. The weather was quite comfortable, but the dust, owing to continued rainlessness, was fearful. But the meeting was good, and if those present will follow on to know the Lord, they will find "His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth." W.

Now with Us

By Editor

Now with Us.—As we go to press, there is in session in this city a district council of our workers on the Pacific Coast. They meet here Brethren Geo. A. Irwin and S. N. Haskell, just in from Australia, the former the president of the General Conference, absent since last April, the latter, one of our oldest laborers. Two general public meetings are held, at 7 in the morning and 7:30 in the evening. At both these services there is excellent attendance, and a deep spiritual tone pervades the meetings. We welcome these ministers of God one and all, and pray that special blessings and grace may be received by them.

Our Little Friend

By Editor

Many of the readers of the SIGNS are acquainted with Our Little Friend, our child's paper. Many others doubtless do not know about it. Address Our Little Friend, Oakland, Cal., asking for sample copies, and be convinced for yourself that it is one of the best child's papers published. It contains no cheap stories, nor anything else that you would not want your little boy or girl to read. The numbers for 1898 are bound in an attractive cloth cover and may be had for $1.00. The paper being fully illustrated, this bound volume makes a beautiful and an instructive book for children.

Destructive Electric Storms

A correspondent in Northern Pennsylvania says that the summer has been extremely dry and hot, and yet severe electric storms have been frequent and destructive. Many places have been struck by lightning, buildings burned, and persons killed. August 12 a severe electric storm occurred, accompanied with hail, some of the hail-stones measuring three or four inches in circumference by actual measurement. If it is not one thing it is another in perverted nature, which shows the effect of sin. God permits all this that man's affections may be weaned from earth and transferred to a better world.

Rioting

By Editor

"Rioting."—The noted writer, Ambrose Bierce, has the following to say in the Sunday Examiner: "Rioting in America, rioting in France, rioting in Belgium, rioting in Holland, rioting in China. Is no government strong enough to get the fundamental advantages of government—public order and security of life and property? Can none protect law-abiding persons from savage mobs?" It seems not. What a sinister commentary this is on so-called "Christian" civilization! But no Christian will engage in mob procedure. Whatever wrong may be inflicted, he will trust the words, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."

Witchcraft

Witchcraft.—In a recent case for assault in Colorado, it was affirmed in the court by the assaulter that the assaulted was a witch, that she had bewitched him and his family, and that the only way he could break her spell was to draw blood from her mouth; hence the assault, which in the matter of drawing blood was successful. His testimony was confirmed by others. The judge admitted this evidence against the protest of the prosecuting attorney, under the plea that "two-thirds of the people believe in such things." The prosecuting attorney, formerly Attorney-General of Colorado, said: "Is this case being tried in Colorado in the nineteenth century, or are we baiting witches in the seventeenth century? I object to this court's turning back the clock of time 200 years."

The Sabbath and Civil Law

One of the crucial questions of the time is that of the Sabbath; not only as regards the day, but its nature and meaning. He who knows the nature of the Sabbath will never seek to secure its enforcement by civil law. He will know that it is just as impossible to do this as it would be to secure, by legislation, sight to the blind. Holiness is of God. He has made the Sabbath holy with His holiness. He commands men to "keep it holy." He who keeps it so as to please God, must keep it holy. He who does not so keep it, does not keep it at all. And no civil law can enforce such keeping. Holiness is a matter of heart relation to God, unaffected by human law. That man who sees the Sabbath in the light of God's Word, will have no question as regards the day. The way is plain to him who will do His will.

What May Be Expected.

By Editor

A valued correspondent in New York City writes that in a late conversation with a union labor man the recent trolley strike in that city was discussed, and naturally the last serious strike, about four years ago, in which there was much disorder, to suppress which the militia were called out. The labor man said that “at that time the militia fired with bullets on the strikers; but as many of the strikers belonged to the militia, the orders were not to harm the soldiers. Since then we have received orders not to join the militia, and to withdraw as soon as our terms expire; so next time the soldiers are called out to shoot the citizens, we will be prepared with our guns too.” It is not only the nations that are arming, but organizations of all sorts. God's call to the Christian is, “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”