Signs of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 34. (8/21/1907)

Signs of the Times

Aug 21, 1907

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Aug 21, 1907

Judgment Begins at God’s House

For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God.—1 Peter 4:17.

The Hour of Judgment

“And I saw another angel flying in mid heaven, having eternal good tidings to proclaim unto them that dwell on the earth, and unto every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he saith with a great voice, Fear God, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters.” Rev. 14:6, 7.

“I beheld till thrones were placed, and One that was Ancient of Days did sit: his raiment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and the wheels thereof burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.” Dan. 7:9, 10.

2188.—Our Neighbor.

By G. C. B.

The Bible says, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Who is our neighbor? and how are we to know him?

That is not the real question after all. One asked Jesus that question, and he was answered by our Lord's telling him whom he was neighbor to. Read Luke 10:25-37. The Samaritan's neighbor was the soul in need. Jesus asked which of the three "proved neighbor" to him who fell among thieves. The answer was, "He that showed mercy upon him." The reply of Jesus is applicable to us, "Go, and do thou likewise." Then our neighbor is the soul in need. Our neighbor is, of course, the one who helps us. For that we should not seek. We should seek to know the ones to whom we can be neighbor.

Looking Backward.

By H. H. Hall

ONE year ago the Pacific Press Publishing Company's property—its $50,000 worth of manufactured books, its $50,000 worth of paper stock, its machinery, its building, and nearly all of its furniture, was consumed by fire. This came right in the midst of our season's work, and thousands upon thousands of books were just being finished up for our agents who had deliveries already promised. Only those who have gone thru this experience, or one similar to it, can appreciate the situation and the difficulties to be faced during the next few months.

Arrangements were first made for books to be manufactured by outside concerns. Agents were asked to postpone deliveries. The books in our branch offices were sent by express to those whose deliveries were the most pressing, and no legitimate expense or effort was spared to make the loss to our men in the field as light as possible.

When our workers in the field learned that their base of supplies had been destroyed, their first inclination was to cease work and take up something else. Generally speaking, however, they overcame this temptation and went right forward with their soliciting even tho the securing of books was uncertain. All honor is due this devoted class of men and women, and especially those who were working for scholarships in our schools, for their courage in facing this crisis. Many of these workers were young men and women who had never solicited for our books before, and yet they felt they were in a good work, and remained at their posts. It is true that many of them were seriously disappointed in making their deliveries, and yet as a whole they were quite successful.

In the meantime, two or three sheds were erected and a limited amount of machinery secured, and every facility at our disposal was employed day and night. Books were shipped from far distant points by express, and in some cases by mail at enormous expense, so that deliveries might be made as nearly on time as possible. Our office rooms were in the various bedrooms of our boarding-house. The only way of keeping them heated was by oil-stoves, which at best are very unsatisfactory. Those of our employees who could be used were set to work on the cleaning up of the debris and in erecting our new building. The writer never saw more willing workers than those who put up the factory which we are now occupying.

As this factory was planned altogether from the standpoint of manufacturing our own publications rather than from the standpoint of doing the world's work, most strenuous efforts have been put forth to join with our book-men in the field in greatly increasing the output of our own publications. Nearly all the schools and colleges in the territory supplied by this Company have been visited by its representatives. Canvassing institutes have been held, strong book-men have been secured by the various union and state conferences, and increased attention has been given to preparing students for field service. In some of our schools where these institutes were held more than half the enrolment attended the canvassing classes.

But this increased interest in the circulation of our truth-filled books is not simply a students' interest, for scores of mature men and women are entering it for a life-work. Indeed, in some conferences those in charge say they will have a strong force in the field right thru the winter season. In all conferences there is a determination on the part of those in charge not to allow this work to languish after the students have returned to their desks.

The success attending these workers is phenomenal. Various portions of the field have gotten the name in one way and in another of being worked out, but it would seem that these very districts are anxious to repudiate such a reputation by granting our canvassers more than ordinary success. For example, here is a report for one week from the Western Oregon Conference:—

REPORT OF BOOK WORK FOR WEST. OREGON, WEEK ENDING JULY 26, 1907.

Name	Book	Hrs.	Orders	Value
Ray O. Deihl	Heralds	49	66	$132.75
B. O. Lockwood	"	45	37	132.25
Glenn Coffin	"	35	25	61.00
Luther Alexander	"	36	22	47.00
Madge Moore	"	12	10	17.50
Ellen Fox	"	40	31	59.25
Grace Davidson	H. & H.	23	8	26.25
Fred Larsen	Great Cont.	39	21	67.50
Wm. Heinrich	" "	37	6	33.25
Totals	10 Agents	361	254	$643.10

Average time per agent, 36 hours. Average sales per hour, $1.78. Average sales per agent per week, $64.31.

Bear in mind that this report is for all the canvassers in the conference and is not a selection of phenomenal reports from a few agents in different conferences.

Is all this the effect of a man-made campaign in behalf of the circulation of our books? Is it the result of a widespread sympathy in behalf of the Pacific Press Publishing Company because of its terrible loss? Is it because students are learning that they can more quickly secure a scholarship by selling books than by any other method?

Those who have watched its rise the most closely, who have been the most intimately connected with every feature of it, will reply with an emphatic No. The reason for all this is that the third angel's message which these publications contain is due to the world just now. The spirit of Him whose work it all is is going out before our solicitors and turning the hearts of the people in them and the message they carry. That same spirit is going from conference to conference, from school to school, from church to church, and from heart to heart, inspiring those who believe this message to carry it to those who do not. And this is why we say without hesitation that what we have seen this year is but the beginning of a universal activity on the part of this people in behalf of the publications containing the third angel's message. H. H. HALL, Manager, Book. Dept. Pacific Press Pub. Co.

2185.—Wearing Jewelry. The Graphophone.

By Editor

Do you think there is anything wrong in wearing gold jewelry, such as rings, bracelets, watches, earrings, etc.? B.

There are some kinds of things which to us seem proper to wear in gold, such as frames to glasses and spectacles. Most watches are made in gold or gold-filled cases. The prohibition of the Scripture is against the wearing of these things for adornment. Read 1 Peter 3:3, 4; 1 Tim. 2:9, 10. It is tawdry display and adornment which are condemned. Useful things can be so used. The meek and quiet spirit adorns far more beautifully.

The worst feature of the graphophone is the foolish, silly, nonsensical things which often go with it. Where good, elevating music is played, we see no harm in its use in the home; but we believe it has no place in a church. Voice accompaniments are one thing; machine singing is quite another. Use all lawful things as not abusing them.

2186.—"Even Him." 2 Thess. 2:9.

By Editor

To whom does the expression "even Him" refer? F. E. W.

Read as in the American Standard Revised Version from verse 8: "And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of His mouth, and bring to naught by the manifestation of His coming; even He whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power, and signs, and lying wonders," etc. It will be noticed that the words "even he" are in italic, as "even him" in the Common Version. This means that they are supplied words, thought to be necessary to the sense. The text would, it seems to us, be plain enough without the supplied words. They refer without doubt to Christ. One common version seems to give the idea of time, "after." That is, Christ comes after the great deception working of Satan, and this is true in fact. It is also true that His coming is according to the working of Satan. That is, as Satan has worked with such mighty power as has never before been seen, so Christ will come with mightier power, and bring to naught the working of evil.

2187.—The Beginning of the Sabbath

By Editor

I live in a cove of a bay by the sea, surrounded by mountains on the back. The sun sets on the longest days a little after seven. Shall we keep the Sabbath as we see the sun, or shall we allow for the high, near mountains? W. G.

Begin and close the Sabbath, not by the shadow of the mountain, but as near as possible to actual sunset. The Jews closed the Sabbath when the first star appeared. The rule given in Nehemiah to begin it is when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark (Neh. 13:19), that is, when the heavy shadows begin to fall. The sky will usually tell us better than the deeper shadows of earth, when it is not cloudy.

2189.—Hid in the Rock of Ages.

By B.

Where will the children of God be when the seven last vials of wrath are poured out? Rev. 16:1-14.

Physically, they will be in different places, yet doubtless forsaking the great cities as iniquity increases. Spiritually they will be hid in God, and kept by Him from all evil. "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. . . . There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling." See Ps. 91:3-14. God's truth will then be a literal shield.

2190.—The Great Harlot.

By Editor

Who is the great harlot mentioned in Rev. 19:2?

It is Babylon the great, referred to in chapters 17 and 18. It is the great apostasy from the true religion of all ages, which began with Babylon of old, and has continued among the apostasies ever since. We believe that in the last days this prophecy finds its center in the Papacy, and in all the churches that have followed the Papacy in bringing error and confusion into the work of God.

2191.—Resurrection of the Righteous.

By Editor

Do all the righteous rise at the first resurrection? B.

Yes, all who are sleeping in death when Jesus comes. See 1 Cor. 15:23, 51-54; 1 Thess. 4:15-17.

With Our Inquirers

By Editor

"If ye will inquire, inquire ye."

[All questions to this department will be answered which to the editors will seem to minister to the good of the readers and to the mission of the paper. The same question can not be answered repeatedly in the same volume. The name and address must accompany question, not for publication, but as an evidence of good faith, and that answer may be made by letter if deemed advisable. It is well always to enclose a stamp for reply.]

The Condition of the World and the Church

By Francis McLellan Wilcox

THIS is the solemn hour, even the hour of God's judgment. It is court week in heaven. Before this heavenly tribunal is passing in grand review the history of the human race. The destinies of men hang upon the decisions to be rendered. We may look back with interest upon past ages of the world's history and wonder what will be the result of this martialing of records before this august assembly; but by far the most practical and pertinent query for us to consider is the condition of the world to-day, and our relationship to the judgment hour. What is the situation presented in view of this solemn investigation now taking place? Is the world prepared to stand in the great day of the Lord? Will the nations of men pass muster in the eyes of the great Reviewer? Will the professed church of God stand the scrutiny of the great Judge? Let us glance briefly at the existing conditions.

Heathendom.

Two-thirds of the world's population are still in the darkness of heathenism. They know no God of love, they have no faith in the blood of an atoning Saviour. Their gods are but the works of their own creation, the deification of their own sinful passions and propensities. As expressed by the apostle Paul, they are "without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world." Such is the condition of those who sit in the darkness of heathenism in our own day as truly as in the days of the apostles.

So-called Christian Nations.

In turning to so-called Christian nations of the earth, to those countries which for long years have shared the blessings of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus, we might naturally expect to find a better condition of affairs. Unfortunately such is not the case. Crime has reached a higher degree of enlightenment, and carries on its work with a certain delicacy and refinement, but it is still as rampant, as insidious in its workings, as baneful and destructive in its results. In fact, among the Western nations of the Old World and the nations of the Western Hemisphere crime has reached its highest scientific development at the present time. Consider this more specifically:

Conditions in National Life.

Intensity has taken possession of the nations of men to-day: wild dreams of conquest; the creation of large standing armies; the great increase of naval armament; the vying with each other to create or secure the most effective death-dealing instruments; the diplomatic play in formation of alliances and counter-alliances, only indicate the attitude of every nation of the world toward all of its fellows. Outwardly there is a portentous calm, inwardly a smoldering fire, which, Vesuvius-like, may break forth at any time, carrying carnage, bloodshed, universal war, and destruction among the nations of men. We sleep to-day in the crater of a volcano.

Closely akin to this national conflict is the controversy now existing between the social classes. There is an arraying of class against class, organized capital on the one side and organized labor on the other. These confront each other in what promises to be the mightiest class struggle that the world has ever witnessed, compared with which the conflict between patrician and plebian in ancient Rome sinks into insignificance. The growing conditions make this conflict more and more imminent. One prominent use made of the militia to-day in many States is to suppress labor riots. Every thoughtful observer, whether he may belong to either of these classes or not, must look with grave concern upon the outcome of this industrial conflict. We know not what a day may bring forth.

Another marked feature of national life is the corruption which exists in the national, state, and municipal affairs of the several countries of the world. Even in our own country of vaunted liberty and honesty, some of the highest offices are bought and sold. The votes of state legislatures are determined by party gold. Franchises which rob the people of thousands of dollars are gained or extended as their owners are able to control the votes of those in official positions. The officers of justice close their eyes to crime, and too often connive with the law-breaker. True, there are exceptions to these conditions. God has many a noble man in high office who is using his influence against the great incoming tide of evil, and is trying to uprear the standard of truth in the midst of the gathering darkness. The situation in national life presents indeed a sad picture.

Social Conditions.

The condition of society to-day is aptly pictured by our Saviour when He likens it to the situations existing in the days of Noah and the days of Lot. In pleasure, in self-seeking, in vain, pretentious display, in eating and drinking, in wanton sin and licentiousness, in the mad, wild rush for gold and glory, the world is choosing its own way, and forgetting God. Note the great increase in intemperance, and the growth of its twin evil, licentiousness. The grog-shop and brothel travel hand in hand. Insidious and insinuating, hydra-headed and adaptable, these twin evils are making their influence felt in all grades of society at the present time. The fairest of our maidens and the flower of our young men become the prey. The satisfying of wanton pleasure in ministry to the appetite, the pride, and the passions is the spirit possessing the idle multitude at the present time.

The Home and Personal Life.

The home is the bulwark of society even as society is the bulwark of the nation. With the nation corrupt, with society far departed from God, there may yet be hope if the home life be pure, if such a condition were possible. But in tracing the effect back to the cause, we find that the departure from the simplicity of home life in the world to-day has produced the evils enumerated above. There can be no truly Christian organization without Christian experience in the lives of those who compose the organization. Society can be purged of moral corruption only as the homes and the individuals which form the foundation of society are pure and undefiled. Chief among the dangers threatening the home to-day, is that of alienation. How many homes are made desolate, how many children left without the care and protection of parents, because alienation has done its deadly work! Divorce and separation result. This is a time when natural affection is fast waning. In many of our com

munities noted for their morality and home life, there is one divorce to every four marriages. The old-time simplicity of family life is fast departing.

God's Healing Message---the Gospel

By Prof. J. A. L. Derby

THAT there is in the world to-day more liberty, more enlightenment, more material wealth, than ever before, no philosopher, reformer, or prophet will deny. Geologists tell us of the glacial age, when, they say, slow-creeping continents of ice slipped down from the north over our globe and changed the face of the earth. But mightier by far has been the change wrought by the printing-press. And not as then to chill and gore and abrade; but to enrich and broaden individual life by placing within the power of conquest of each a new world—the empire of mind, the realm of thought—a refuge from physical drudgery and carking care. In the most literal sense of Daniel's prophecy, knowledge has been increased.

The life that knows only the body and its physical needs, that labors only to supply its appetite, is brutish, animal. To enter the life of the mind, to live in the sphere of ideas, we must ascend. And this is indeed worthier of us as beings endowed with reason. Printing, public libraries, free education, and the general diffusion of the best that has been thought and said, has placed the intellectual life within a hand's grasp of almost any one.

Nobility Is Not Conferable.

That by all this our manners are more refined, we shall not doubt. But are we the more ennobled? Alas, nobility is not conferred by kings, nor is it the offspring of books or schools. The gliding of an adder or the soaring of a vulture is more graceful than the jerking, jolting method by which even the most benevolent philanthropist must move about. We need but recall that the ages of most ostentatious polish—as in Greece, Rome, France—have marked the periods of deepest corruption, to disabuse our minds of the delusion that a society enlightened and refined is necessarily the nobler. Education does not inevitably make for character.

Freedom Alone Can Not Save.

And what has freedom done for the world? Take, for example, the land of amplest liberty—America. Nothing but the profoundest ignorance attempts to deny that our public life is the basest and most corrupt in the world. Our municipal government is the despair of civilization, as it is also its shame. Look at any great city in this land, from New York with its graft ring and Tammany Hall, to San Francisco with its official thieves and plunderers, and what do we find?—Graft and boodle, and these, not as incident or accident, but as the undeviating, shameless intent. If this condition were found only in municipal circles, we should have enough to alarm us. But the Pennsylvania capitol frauds are the less numerous simply because occasions are less.

Has liberty of competition satisfied greed?—No, it must monopolize the earth. We talk of the evolution of industry. What we mean is the broadened opportunity for greed to display its nature.

What has liberty done for labor?—Given it a chance to plot murder in its secret circles; to organize incendiarism, as in almost every strike; to commission sluggers, as wherever a man tries to work independently of a union. And these not because it is labor, but because it is human nature.

It is folly to contend that either the rich or the poor, either capital or labor, are the happier for liberty. But what of wealth? Has not the astonishing, unprecedented production of supplies for our material needs, modifying the pressure of hunger and want, given our moral nature a chance to expand? A chance, doubtless. A million dollars of surplus in my bank account would doubtless give me a chance to do much philanthropic work for my fellow beings. But it would give me also a chance the easier to oppress others, to make a vulgar display, to compete with others in ostentation, to gratify my desire to have others look up to me as their superior, to feed my appetite and my vanity. Whether plenty is a blessing or a curse depends on heart condition, on what principles and motives control one. Only the mainspring of conduct can determine for us the value of liberty. If all men would rule themselves there would be no need of civil law.

Is civilization then to be regretted? Must we go back to tyranny, ignorance, and want?

Liberty should certainly be deplored, if it necessarily resulted in license and anarchy. Education should be shunned, if it inevitably resulted in sharpening men's faculties the better to contrive evil. Wealth should indeed be lamented, if individual and social decay and corruption were its only possible effects.

Liberty Not the Cause; Only the Opportunity.

But the fact is, none of these undesirable consequences are chargeable to the antecedents mentioned. A mad dog does not bite because he is at liberty, but because he is mad. If he were a normal creature, he might, by his liberty, be of the greatest service to his master. Liberty does not beget license; but man perverts liberty. Skill as an engraver does not make a man a counterfeiter; a dishonest heart misuses that skill. Education does not make for pedantry, atheism, and rascality, but men will carry out their inclinations with the best means at their disposal. Money may buy bread and the enrichment of my own life and the life of others; or it may purchase poisons for perverted and uncontrolled appetites, degradation and ruin for myself and others.

Facing the Problem.

So we stand face to face with the problem: An age with the largest opportunities for the realization of the truest, richest, completest living, yet steadily passing into degeneracy of morals, anarchy of government, the unrestricted sway of the worst passions. Society is diseased. The whole head is sick and the whole heart faint. From crown to sole there is no soundness in it, but only wounds and bruises and putrefying sores. Its education is materialistic and atheistic; its morality is a shallow ethical culture; its refinement a sterile and rampant code of forms. Are we better? Are we happier? Is there less of malice, envy, hate, unkindness, ingratitude, selfishness, grudging, ill-will, spite, bitterness, wrath, passion, suspicion, backbiting, insinuation, ruthless ambition, murder, drunkenness? Only a false and purblind optimism would pretend to answer, "Yes."

Well might we tremble and despair if left to human wisdom to devise the remedy or to forecast the end. But a Higher than man has spoken. He that knoweth the end from the beginning hath declared them both. In the volume of the Book it is written. God, who determines the limits of the nations that they may seek after Him (Acts 17:26, 27), who marks whether they fulfil this purpose or not, has foretold this age, has illustrated His method of dealing with it, and has revealed the only remedy.

An Ancient Example.

When Babylon of the ancient day had filled the cup of its iniquity, a divine message of impending judgment, of gracious warning, and of proffered mercy was sent thru the prophet Jeremiah. The record is found in the 50th and 51st chapters of his book. But the message was slighted. Why should the walls of Babylon tremble at the voice of the mournful Jeremiah brooding over the fate of his conquered country? So the warning went unheeded. But the record remains: "We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed."

The One Remedy.

There is but one specific for the moral diseases of the individual, of society, and of the race. "Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings." Jer. 3:22. When the call to a nation falls upon listless ears, then but one thing remains—to lead out the few individuals that will listen. "Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul; be not cut off in her iniquity." When the world lends but a deaf ear, we may know that the same time has arrived—its destruction is near. "For this is the time of the Lord's vengeance: He will render unto her a recompense." Jer. 51:6. That time in the earth's history has fully come. Society as a whole is beyond healing. There is no political panacea to meet the need. Philosophy is a burnt-out torch. Schemes of moral rejuvenation have been abandoned by the world itself. "Babylon is fallen" (Jer. 51:8), was the message to a doomed nation.

"Babylon is fallen" (Rev. 14:8), is the message to a doomed world. Destruction followed then; destruction will soon follow now. Individuals could be saved from the general destruction then; individuals can be saved now. God was the Refuge then; God is the Refuge now. The "everlasting Gospel" of divine forgiveness and love was the healing balm then; the everlasting Gospel will save yet a very little while; soon the offer of mercy will be heard no more forever.

Primitive Christianity

By L. A. Phippeny

THE Gospel of Jesus Christ is "good news." This means something new and good. The definition is very simple, but wholly true.

It is elsewhere defined as "the power of God unto salvation," which is also wholly true, and when rightly apprehended, equally simple. The key-word of this definition is "salvation." This is the thing for which the "power of God" is exercised, and which, in its operation, is effectual.

Salvation is saving, healing. "Thou shalt call His name Jesus [Saviour], for He shall save His people from their sins." And the reason why people should be saved from their sins is because the end of sin is death. So He also said, "I am come that they might have life." Not only is the finality of sin death, but sinners while yet in sin are already accounted dead, as one speaks of a culprit condemned to die—"He is a dead man." This is the summing up—the judgment. Viewing the spiritual man, the word speaks of sinners as actually "dead in trespasses and sins." Hence this salvation, this saving, this healing, is first of all from spiritual death to spiritual life.

A New Creation.

This great salvation is resurrection—a new creation. The saved man becomes "a new creation" in Christ Jesus. He is translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. This kind of transformation requires more than human power for its accomplishment, tho some people imagine otherwise. It requires divine power—creative power. Hence the words, "The power of God unto salvation." So, as life is better than death, as light is better than darkness, is this salvation "good news."

This is what it is intended to be, and this is what it is, for the man without hope and without God in the world, for the man alienated from the life of God—good news! GOOD NEWS! It is intended to make him dissatisfied with that which he has been accustomed to in the past, and has at present. The man who preaches the Gospel of Christ is an agitator, making people discontented with present conditions. He tells them of something better, to be had also without money and without price. This good news begets hope, and "by hope we are saved." A consistent, constant hope is somehow wonderfully linked with creative power Look out! ye ministers of Christ. Your agitation will bring upon you the wrath of the ruler of the darkness of this world. He does not care to have the condition of his subjects bettered.

Contrasts and Conflicts.

What a variety of contrasts appears the moment the Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached! What conflicts are precipitated! What profound interests are brought to light! The great search-light of truth with its illimitable candle-power is turned on, and something is made manifest—to the man in darkness. The shams and follies of earthly works and ambitions are disclosed; the futility of worldly hopes is clearly revealed. Then the unmentionable things pertaining to the realm of the prince of darkness become manifest. Then is the god of this world himself unmasked, and his great pretensions are made manifest.

Then the preacher calls out: "Slaves! this way to freedom! You have been held in bondage long enough—break away! Your master is a tyrant. Renounce your false god. Fear God who made heaven and earth and the sea and all things therein. He is your Creator; He only is God. In Him we live, and move, and have our being. He is Life and the Author of it. He will give you eternal life for the asking. Serve Him, for His service is sweet and has recompenses of peace passing all worldly understanding. Revere and honor Him, and glorify Him in your bodies and in your spirits, which are His. This way! Keep to the straight and narrow path. In it you will find righteousness and peace, true joys, purity, and rewards that endure forever. Its end is the earth made new and everlasting life. Come!"

The Call thruout the Ages.

This, in effect, has been the heavenly call and divine invitation in all ages. It seems to make little difference whether mankind has had much or little light, the call is virtually the same. True, it is varied, and certain features and outgrowths of the one call are presented for varied circumstances. The principle, however, is the same, for whenever men sin they forget God. It is an inclusive truth that sin is forgetting God; and any escape from sin must be a remembering of God. To the individual who has been overcome by Satan, who has lost sight and grasp of divine power for the moment, the actual preacher may not be necessary for his remembering. The word is brought to his mind frequently by the impress of God's Spirit, he repents, is forgiven, and rises again. He says, "Rejoice not over me, mine enemy; for tho I fall, I will rise again."

Special Epochs.

But there have been, and are, epochs of special need of the sending forth of the call, "Fear God, and give glory to Him," with the reminder of what God is meant—for there are false gods. Such had to be the simple message to Adam and Eve after the fall; such was the message of Enoch and Noah to the former world; such was the message to Pharaoh and the children of Israel in Egypt; such was the call of God thru the prophets to His people captive in Assyria and Babylon of old. In its fulness, in all manifestations of the principle, it was

the call of the Gospel of our Saviour and His early messengers; witness Paul's message to the men of Athens. And again, when the Lord sets His hand the second time to gather His people from greater Babylon, from "the four wings of the earth," in a time of great light and deep shadows, the warning call, the blessed invitation, sounds from nation to nation, to all the world of those who forget God: "Fear God, and give glory to Him, . . . and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."

And the power to fear and to worship Him goes with the call. It is the power of God unto salvation. It is good news to sin-afflicted souls; for if the message is accepted, it means eternal bliss.

No Excuse.

By Eliza H. Morton

(Heb. 2:3.)

BEHOLD, the Judgment Day is here, I see it in a vision clear, And what will sinners do? The rocks all say, "We told you plain Of Him who was for sinners slain, And yet, 'twas naught to you."

The waters roar, "It was no dream When we made known the Living Stream, Gold sands without alloy; We murmured of the way of life, We sang of peace beyond earth's strife, Of springs of endless joy."

The sun in voice of thunder sounds, "My light the truth of God expounds, I told you what would be, I shed my beams to lead your feet, In pastures green, by waters sweet, And yet you would not see."

The Bible speaks, "I gave the call And offered life to one and all, And still you would not hear. A thousand times and thousands more, I told of Christ, the open door, You answered with a sneer."

The angels say, "We watched the seed And sought thy wilful feet to lead To gardens of the Lord, And you refused and turned aside, And in earth's deserts lone and wide, Blasphemed the name of God."

And Jesus speaks with loving tone, "I tried to walk with you alone, I sought you everywhere, And now, behold, My work is done. I wrought from morn till set of sun, But you refused My care."

O awful time when speechless all, Before the throne the millions fall Who would not own the sway Of Christ the Lord; but not too late Is now to flee, escape that fate, Repent, believe to-day. ELIZA H. MORTON.

Continue reading: The Impending Judgment