p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 9. (3/2/1904)

LESSON XI.—THE EASTERN QUESTION (CONCLUDED).

(Study for Sabbath, March 12.)

QUESTIONS.

1. DAN. 11: 36-39. What nation have we found fulfilled the specifications of the prophecy recorded in these verses?

2. Verse 40. "At the time of the end" (1798) what attitude was Egypt, "the king of the south," to assume toward France? How was Turkey, "the king of the north," to come against France at the same time? What was to be the success of the Turkish arms in this triple war? Does history record such a triple war in 1798, in which these three powers were involved? Note 1.

3. Verse 41. How is the success of Turkey, "the king of the north," still further foretold in this verse? What three powers were to escape the conquests of Turkey? Note 2.

4. Verse 42. What land was not to escape the ravages of Turkey? Note 3.

5. Verse 43. Over what was Turkey to retain power?

6. Verse 44. By tidings from what quarters was Turkey to be troubled? What was this to incite Turkey to do? Note 4.

7. DAN. 11: 1-44. How many of the predictions recorded in these verses have been wrought out in history? What may be said of the remaining verse of this remarkable chapter? Note 5.

8. Verse 45. According to this prophecy, where must Turkey remove her seat of government? What is suggested as the reason why Turkey will come to his end in Europe? Has Turkey been upheld by other powers? Note 6.

9. Give the main facts in the rise of the Ottoman Empire. Note 7.

10. How exactly has history prescribed the date when Othman began to invade the Greek territory? Note 8.

11. Rev. 9: 10. How long were the Mohammedan invading forces to have power to hurt men? How many literal years in five prophetic months (30 days to the month, according to ancient usage)? Adding 150 years to July 27, 1299, would bring us to what date?—July 27, 1449, in which year the Greek emperor virtually surrendered to the Turkish power, occupying the throne of Constantinople only by permission of the sultan.

12. Rev. 9: 15. How much time is here allotted to the supremacy of the Ottoman Empire, following the 150 years of verse 10? Note 9.

13. What calculation was made by Josiah Litch in the year 1838? Note 10.

14. Did events transpire on Aug 11, 1840, to justify this application of the prophecy? Note 11.

NOTES.

1. On the 5th of March, 1798, Bonaparte received the decree of the French Directory relative to the expedition against Egypt. He left Paris May 3, and set sail from Toulon on the 19th, with a large naval armament, consisting of 500 sail, carrying 40,000 soldiers and 10,000 sailors. July 5, Alexandria was taken and fortified. On September of this same year, the sultan of Turkey declared war against France. Thus the king of the north (Turkey) came against him (France) in the same year that the king of the south (Egypt) "pushed," and all at the time called for in the prophecy,—the time of the end. On the 18th of March, 1799, the siege of Acre was begun. After the siege had been kept up sixty days, it was raised, and Napoleon sounded, for the first time in his career, the note of retreat, and on the 21st of May commenced to retrace his steps to Egypt. Turkey (the king of the north) came off the victor in that struggle, driving the French back into Egypt. Thus the king of the north (Turkey) "overflowed and passed over."

2. The French, after the siege of Acre, abandoned all that they had gained in the land of Judea, which is called in the prophecy "the glorious land," and it fell back into the hands of the Turks, under whose domination it still remains. Dr. Adam Clarke remarks concerning the countries of Edom, Moab, and Ammon, lying outside the limits of Palestine: "These and other Arabians they [the Turks] have never been able to subdue. They still occupy the deserts, and receive a yearly pension of forty thousand crowns of gold from the Ottoman emperors to permit the caravans with the pilgrims from Mecca to have a free passage."

3. Egypt, desiring to escape from Turkish rule, preferred to be under the domination of the French. But the tide of events turned otherwise. The English, as the ally of the Turks, determined to wrest Egypt from the French. After a series of battles, in which the French were worsted by the combined forces of the English and the Turks, the whole of the French army was shut up in Cairo and Alexandria. Cairo capitulated June 27, 1801, and Alexandria on September 2. Four weeks later (October 1), the preliminaries of peace were signed at London.

4. It is a remarkable fact that in the year 1825, twenty-eight years before the Crimean War broke out, Dr. Adam Clarke, in commenting upon the fulfilment of this very prophecy, wrote the following comment: "This part of the prophecy is allowed to be yet unfulfilled. If the Turkish power be understood, as in the preceding verses, it may mean that the Persians on the east and the Russians on the north will at some time greatly embarrass the Ottoman Government."

Just twenty-eight years after Dr. Clarke penned this suggestion, the world was amazed to see Turkey, a government which had long been regarded as "the sick man of the east," declare war against her powerful neighbor, Russia. Thus Turkey fulfilled the specifications of this part of the prophecy, which describes her as going "forth with great fury."

5. As Dr. Clarke said of the 44th verse in 1825, we can now say of this 45th verse,—it is yet unfulfilled. All except the closing verse of this remarkable chapter has now been wrought out in history. We must look to Turkey to fulfil the movement predicted in this verse.

6. The expression, "none shall help him," clearly implies that he has previously been helped by other powers. In the war with France (1798-1801), England and Russia assisted the sultan. In the war between Turkey and Egypt (1838-1840), England, Russia, Austria, and Prussia intervened in behalf of Turkey. In the Crimean War (1853-1856), England, France, and Sardinia supported the Turks. In the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78, the great powers of Europe interfered to arrest the progress of Russia.

7. Since the death of Mohammed, A.D. 622, his followers, the wild hordes of barbarians, were under no general civil government. Gibbon refers to them as "this shipwreck of nations." The first king who organized these tribes into a government was Osman, afterward called Othman. The rise and progress of Mohammedanism is the subject of a prophecy recorded in the ninth chapter of the Revelation. The first incursions of these hordes are described in verses 1-3. The beginning of Othman's reign is noted in the 11th verse, where it is stated that "they had a king over them." From this point the Ottoman Empire began to fulfil its mission as one of the scourges of the corrupt Roman Empire—the destroyer of the Greek or eastern portion of it, ruled from Constantinople.

8. Gibbon says: "It was on the twenty-seventh day of July, in the year twelve hundred and ninety-nine of the Christian era, and Othman first invaded the territory of Nicomedia, and the singular accuracy of the date seems to disclose some foresight of the rapid and destructive growth of the monster."—Chapter 64, par. 14.

9. The time allotted for the Mohammedan conquest was given as "five months," and a further period of "an hour, a day, and a month, and a year" was allotted to its supremacy. This being prophetic time, must be reckoned in the following manner, from the initial date as given by Gibbon:—

Date given by Gibbon . . . . . July 27, 1299 "Five months," 150 days—150 literal years . . . . . July 27, 1449 "An hour," 24th part of a day—15 literal days . . . . . Aug. 11, 1449 "A day"—1 literal year . . . . . Aug. 11, 1450 "A month," 30 days—30 literal years . . . . . Aug. 11, 1480 "A year," 360 days—360 literal years . . . . . Aug. 11, 1840

10. In the year 1838, two years prior to the above date, Josiah Litch, one of the Advent believers, of Boston, Mass., published the statement, based upon the above calculation, that the Ottoman supremacy would cease on the 11th day of August, 1840. Being challenged as to how much he would venture on the prediction, he said, "I will stake my belief in the inspiration of the old Book [meaning the Bible] that the event will transpire on that day."

11. It is a remarkable historical fact that the ultimatum drawn up by the great powers (England, Austria, Prussia, and Russia), dictating terms of settlement with the pasha of Egypt, with whom the Porte was then at war, was submitted to the Turkish Government for acceptance, and by the sultan's agents was placed in the hands of the opposing ruler, ON THE 11TH DAY OF AUGUST, 1840. By the acceptance of this ultimatum, the independence of the Ottoman power came to an end, and it has since existed only on sufferance of the powers.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

LESSON II.—MARCH 13.—DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.

Lesson Scripture, Matt. 14:1-12, A. R. V.

(1) "At that season Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus, (2) and said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore do these powers work in Him. (3) For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. (4) For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. (5) And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. (6) But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod. (7) Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she should ask. (8) And she, being put forward by her mother, saith, Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist. (9) And the king was grieved; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them which sat at meat with him, he commanded it to be given; (10) and he sent and beheaded John in the prison. (11) And his head was brought on a platter, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. (12) And his disciples came, and took up the corpse, and buried him; and they went and told Jesus."

Golden Text.—"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Rev. 2:10.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) What prominent man heard of the wonderful works of Jesus? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) What was his opinion concerning Jesus and of His power? Verse 2. Note 2. (3) What had Herod done to John? Why? Verse 3. Note 3. (4) What had John said about the king's having his brother's wife? Verse 4. Lev. 18:16; 20:21. Note 4. (5) What more would Herod have done to John? What prevented him? Verse 5. Note 5. (6) What occasion favored Herodias' wicked design? What unseemly act did she induce her daughter to perform? Verse 6. Note 6. (7) What rash promise did the king make to the girl? Verse 7. (8) Who advised the girl what to ask? What did she ask? Verse 8. Note 7. (9) How did the king feel about the astonishing request? What impelled him to yield? Verse 9. (10) What cruel deed was then committed? Verse 10. (11) What further was done to fulfil the king's oath and to gratify the enmity of Herodias? Verse 11. (12) What then did John's disciples do? And to whom did they report what had been done? Verse 12. Note 8.

NOTES.

1. Herod Antipas was a son of Herod the Great. He was a "tetrarch," or governor of a subdivision, of what had been his father's kingdom. He ruled over Galilee and Perea.

2. The superstition that John had risen from the dead was caused by Herod's remorse of conscience, which no doubt kept him in constant dread of some bitter judgment because of his cruelty in having the prophet put to death. His fear was all the greater because he thought John had returned with greater power than he had before possessed.

3. Herod and Herodias were both guilty of heinous crimes. Herod had put away his own wife, the daughter of Aretas, an Arabian king. Herodias was the wife of Philip, an older brother of Herod, being the niece of both men. While visiting his brother in Rome, Herod had become infatuated with Herodias and eloped with her, taking her daughter with them to Palestine. It is said that Philip had been disinherited and was poor; therefore the ambitious woman sought a more luxurious life.

4. John was preaching the Gospel of repentance, which implied confession of sin, that there might be a great refreshing from the Lord. As a messenger of mercy, he did not ignore the king. It is a mistake to suppose that John's mission was merely to rebuke and cast reproach, an attempt to drive men to repentance for fear of judgment; but he was a plain man, with a very solemn message, at a most critical moment. It was necessary that every man, high or low, rich or poor, should understand his true condition, that the way of the Lord might be prepared in their hearts. Matt. 3:3.

5. Herod's purpose to put John to death was because of Herodias' determination to have it so. He did not want to do it, as is shown in verse 9.

6. Birthday festivals do not receive much encouragement in the Scriptures. But two are mentioned, and executions were connected with these. Both of these were the birthdays of kings—one that of the king of Egypt (Gen. 40:20), and the other that of Herod.

7. "Put forward by her mother."—The whole scheme was concocted by Herodias, even the feast itself. She knew the custom of such feasts—all the men got drunk. Her own recklessness of character, her willingness (like Jezebel) to do anything to carry out her purpose, was manifest in sending her daughter in to dance before the intoxicated men, a thing which no real lady could have been induced to do. Contrast the example of Queen Vashti (Esther 1). Herodias counted on her daughter's so pleasing the drunken men that she could ask almost anything and the intoxicated king would grant it; that under such conditions, on such an occasion, he would hardly dare to refuse. It would be easy for the mother to believe, and to persuade her daughter, that if John were allowed to live, he might yet so work upon the king's conscience as to induce him to cast them off.

8. John had been in prison, according to some commentators and chronologists, about a year. It was a severe test. He was so tried that at one time he sent to inquire of Jesus if He were indeed the Messiah. The enemy would fain persuade him that if Jesus were the Messiah He would surely release His faithful messenger. But Jesus did a number of works of healing in the presence of John's messengers, and then told them to report to John what they had seen, and how the Scriptures were being fulfilled. John understood the Word of God, and it was enough for him to know that it was being fulfilled. That satisfied his faith. John had been the honored forerunner of Christ, and now he was having the privilege of being a fellow-sufferer with Him, and with all the faithful martyrs that should come after Him. He faithfully sealed his testimony with his blood.

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Some Good Books, Pamphlets, and Tracts

History of the Sabbath

An exhaustive treatise on the Sabbath and first day of the week, or Sunday. The object of the work is to give the Bible record of the Sabbath from the time of Creation, also the record of the Sabbath and Sunday in secular history. Every text of Scripture that has any bearing on the Sabbath is examined, and the complete testimony of the Fathers given. The author, John Nevins Andrews, spent ten years in careful and painstaking research of the Bible and history, and gives us the result in convenient form in this volume. The book is really a mine of information, as the writer has consulted several hundred authorities and has quoted their exact words. The index is especially valuable, as it gives a list of the authorities quoted; references to Scripture texts used, and also to any point or subject dwelt on. It contains 548 pages. Price in substantial binding, $1.25 net.

Bible Text-Book

It is in reality a Pocket Topical Concordance. Beginning with Creation, it takes up in their order, studies on: The Word, Government and Law of God; The Rebellion and Fall; Plan of Redemption; Change of the Sabbath; Faith; The Prophecies of Daniel and Revelation; Second Coming of Christ; and many other topics. The book contains 150 readings, and is especially adapted for use in home study. Leather 50 cents. Cloth 30 cents.

Back to the Old Paths

In the leaflet "Back to the Old Paths," Mr. Biggs tells in his own words how he got back to the "old paths" from which he had strayed; also why he changed his belief in regard to Sunday observance, the immortality question, and others. The price of this 16-page tract is one cent each; 70 cents a hundred.

Who Changed the Sabbath

Can you answer this question? The small pamphlet, "Who Changed the Sabbath?" will give you information on the subject. (1) It gives what the Bible has to say about the law and the Sabbath question. (2) What history reveals as to the change. (3) What prominent members of the church and other noted persons, have to say in regard to this question. Price 1½ cents each. In lots of one hundred $1.00.

Signs of the End

The question "What shall be the sign of Thy coming and of the end of the world?" was not only in the minds of the disciples as they sat overlooking Jerusalem on that day so long ago, but was, and is, the one great question which interests all. The Saviour's answer as recorded in the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew is, therefore, of interest to every individual. Its exposition as given in the work entitled "Matthew twenty-four" is complete, thorough, and readable. Bound in paper covers. Price 10 cents.

Scripture References

A valuable compilation of Scripture texts, arranged to assist the reader in the study of a large number of Bible subjects, such as: The Second Advent, Home of the Saved, Millennium, Sanctuary, Sabbath, Spiritualism, Nature and Destiny of Man, etc. The texts are used in proof of leading propositions made under each subject, and will be found a real help to Bible study. 32 pages. Price 2 cents each or $1.40 per hundred.

Testimony Vol. 8

The type is all set, except the index, and several forms are off the press at this writing (Feb. 19, 1904). The completed book will be ready for the market within a very short time. Price in cloth, 75 cents. Red limp leather, $1.25.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY 18 W. 5th Street, Kansas City, Mo. Oakland, Cal. 201 Second Street, Portland, Ore. REVIEW AND HERALD 222 N. Capitol Street, Washington, D. C. Battle Creek, Michigan

CO-OPERATION CORNER.

By Editor

HOW MANY?

WHEN the Capital and Labor number of the SIGNS came out, our company met together to see how many we should send for. Some suggested 100, while others thought that would be far more than we could dispose of in this place. We finally decided on 100 copies, however, and I started out with them. I sold in nearly every house. People seemed eager to get them, some saying, "That is just the paper I want," others taking several copies. I soon sold them all, and sent for as many more. I have now sold over 150 copies in what we thought to be a hard place, and I think I can sell many more yet. I can truly say that I rejoice in the work, and feel that behind it all is the unseen power to guide and bless us in the efforts made.

The above quotation is from a letter received from Christina Conar. However, it is only one out of many experiences which are related to us by voice and pen every day. Assuredly the Capital and Labor number of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES has been a success.

There are yet a few thousand copies on hand which will be sold at the reduced rate of one and one-half cents per copy in lots of twenty-five or more.

Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

FREE SAMPLE COPIES.

By Editor

Two OR three weeks ago we published in these columns a letter from F. W. Wheeler, in which request was made for free copies of the SIGNS, to use as samples in his neighborhood. Many letters have been written us recently, asking for papers to use in a similar way. Following is one of them:—

As I read your offer in the last number of the SIGNS, my mind and heart went out, as it has often done before, for my neighbors and friends. If my life is spared until the 19th of May next, I will be 75 years of age; yet I wish to do what I can for those around me. If you will send me twenty copies of the last number I will see if I can get some readers for you.

If there are others who wish sample copies to use in this way, kindly write to the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and they will be supplied.

NOTICE.

By Editor

Dr. G. H. Gibson, of 67 Cathedral Square, Papanui, New Zealand, desires copies of "How to live," and "An Appeal to Mothers."

These books are now out of print, but if any of our readers can assist Dr. Gibson in securing them, he will be greatly obliged. Address him as above.

God’s Time Is Now

"Any-time Saloon" is the fitting name of a liquor-selling establishment in a town in California. The devil works any time. The word smacks of evil procrastination. Satan's traps and snares are ready any time for the unwary, careless feet. He persuades the pleasure-loving soul that he can drink his fill of the lusts of the flesh, and then come to God any time and get salvation. He persuades the man of greed that he can give his heart to the god of gold, and any time when he is surfeited, he can seek God.

It is delusive. God's mercy endureth forever; but the danger to the devotee of pleasure is that he will so destroy will and purpose that he can never grasp or appropriate God's mercy. The danger to the worshiper of wealth is that his heart will become as hard as the coin he worships, and it will never respond to the impulses of God's Spirit. God's time is now; "to-day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts."

Cities and the Commandments of God

Once in a long while a joke takes the form of a parable pointing to a fact. The Yonkers Gazette is credited with this anecdote, which was probably intended for fun:—

“You know, Jessie, the Good Book says, ‘Love your neighbors,’” spoke the mother to her little girl.

“Yes, mama, but that was written before the days of flats.”

This is an apt illustration of the ways in which the devices of men have operated to make “the commandments of God of none effect.” Packing people into cities, hence into flats, and, worse, into tenements, giving them too much opportunity to gratify the natural propensity to pry into one another’s affairs and otherwise to plot mischief, is a most effectual scheme to keep people from loving their neighbors as themselves. The building of these great nurseries of crime was inspired by Satanic cunning for the very purpose of frustrating the commandments of God, and of thwarting His purpose to have every man live happily “under his own vine and fig tree.” He who knows the end from the beginning, foresaw the evils of sinful men crowding together in compact masses, and gave us a striking object lesson in overthrowing the effort at Babel, in the land of Shinar. Yet in the face of the history of this city of corruption, and in the face of present conditions patent to all, there is no one aim among men so prominent as that of building and magnifying cities. And the rivalry between these centers of population for prestige is evidence that they are in nowise helpful to the spirit of the commandment, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

The Record Written in Heaven

It is well to remember that God is writing our record in heaven; but the memory of this is but little worth unless we remember that what He writes there is what we are doing or consenting to have done here. Is there written in heaven a book of remembrance of our sins?—We have first written them in our own lives, upon the tablets of our heart, intertwined them in the fibers of our being. Will God blot out the record of sins against us then?—He must first blot out the sins from the heart and the life. There can be but one record of you retained for eternity,—He wishes to retain but the one record,—and that is the law of righteousness and goodness and love transcribed into permanent individual character.

A NEW SERIES OF ARTICLES ON CAPITAL AND LABOR.

By Editor

FROM the pen of Prof. G. W. Rine, who has for years been a student of the subject, we shall soon present the following articles under the general heading:—

THE INDUSTRIAL CONFLICT IN THE LIGHT OF REVELATION.

I. Work a Duty and a Blessing; II. Wealth and the Obligations It Imposes; III. The Demon of Avarice; IV. Monopoly, Its Nature and History; V. Present-Day Monopoly; VI. Phenomenal Increase of Wealth in the End of the Age; VII. Congestion of Wealth versus Diffusion of Knowledge; VIII. Prevalence and Duration of Poverty; IX. "Lovers of Pleasures;" X. Lawlessness of Labor; XI. What Will the Harvest Be? XII. How the Problem Will Be Solved; XIII. "They Shall Not Build and Another Inhabit."

The above are not to be considered as exact titles, but as indicating the general scope of the subject.

We know that these will be intensely interesting. The paper for this period of time ought to receive a large number of short term subscriptions. We shall endeavor to announce when the series will begin in our next.

Modern Mysteries: Their Moral Aspects

By Editor

"Modern Mysteries: Their Moral Aspects."—There are mysteries which are continually facing us, to puny mortal mind great and unfathomable. This is forever true in that border land just beyond our gross physical senses. Among these mysteries are Hypnotism, Clairvoyance, Telepathy, Theosophy, "New Thought," Pantheism, etc. Multitudes are seeking after them because they are mysterious. Some of them promise health and riches. What should guide us in this search? What test should we make before we offer them our adherence or allegiance? Shall we test them by the wonders they perform? If we do we shall accept them, for they certainly do wonderful things sometimes. Really, the only true test, the only worthy test, is the moral test. That ought to appeal to every soul. This was the dominant thought which led Prof. J. A. L. Derby, in the writing of the pamphlet named above. It discusses in a vigorous way the subjects above named, and we are sure the candid reader will justify him in his conclusions. The matter was first published in a series of articles in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Now they are placed in a neat pamphlet of 108 pages, with gilt cover design. The little work is No. 183, of the Bible Students' Library; its price is 15 cents, post-paid.

Turning to the Truth.

An evangelical clergyman of San Francisco recently read a paper on the nature of man, in which he took the Biblical ground that the wicked would finally be destroyed. The five propositions he maintained, as printed in the daily press, are as follows:—

First—I do not believe in the everlasting torment of the wicked; they will be finally destroyed, according to the teachings of the Bible. The doctrine of everlasting punishment is utterly inconsistent with our reason and best judgment.

Second—It appears to be equally inconsistent with the character of God, as revealed in both nature and Sacred Scriptures.

Third—The doctrine is not taught in the Bible in anything like a clear, direct, or prominent manner.

Fourth—It seems to me that the Old Testament, when critically examined, does not even appear to teach the doctrine.

Fifth—Those passages in the New Testament which seem to teach it are capable of other and more satisfactory explanations.

If Christ Should Come

By Editor

"If Christ Should Come."—Says Robert E. Speer, in the Sunday School Times: "If He should come, it would not lead every one to believe in Him. It did not have this effect in Samaria. Some of the townpeople believed, but not all. Of those who saw Him on the earth, and heard His words and witnessed His miracles, an insignificant few believed. Those who will not believe on Christ now would not believe on Him if He were to come to us as He came to Samaria." And it is true. Only those would believe Him who were sick of sin and self, and longed for the righteousness which He alone could give.

The World Almanac and Encyclopedia for 1904

By Editor

"The World Almanac and Encyclopedia for 1904" has come to our table. It is the completest book of information which can be gotten in the world for its price. Its 544 pages are packed tremendously full of statistics pertaining to the world, to nations, to our own land, and to New York City, with 30 extra pages officially compiled on the St. Louis Exposition. The price is only 25 cents; by mail 35 cents. Address, New York City, Pulitzer Building, New York City.

McClure's Articles on Labor and Oil

By Editor

The February "McClure's" contains a stirring article by Ray Stannard Baker on the labor situation in San Francisco. Mr. Baker has just been there, and he finds the worst monopoly in town to be "A Corner in Labor." Indeed, the situation described is more startling than that of Chicago or New York, of which Mr. Baker has already written. Miss Tarbell's article on Standard Oil methods in retail business is one of interest.

Righteousness and Righteousness Only

Righteousness and righteousness only is life; all else tends to death.

“Ill fares the land to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates, and men decay.”

The Prophetic Word and World Affairs

By Editor

In the light of affairs in the Orient, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES will soon have something to say to our readers from the outlook of the prophetic Word. The world is uncertain; God has given us the "more sure word of prophecy."

God's Gift of Forgiveness

God forgives sin. He delights to do it; for "He delighteth in mercy." Jesus Christ purchased forgiveness for all when He gave Himself. But you will not obtain, dear sinner, if you will not give up the sin and accept the forgiveness. Those who love sin better than forgiveness—on God's part, righteousness—will never obtain forgiveness. But those who love righteousness will receive the forgiveness of God.

Conscience Governed by God's Standard

Many boast that they propose to be conscience for themselves. This is good if it means that bondage to the merely human is cast aside; but more times it means that God's Book is no longer a guide. He who refuses to regulate his conscience by God's standard is like a ship on the vast ocean, without compass and shut in by impenetrable clouds. We can not pray too often or earnestly the prayer of the psalmist: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

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