p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 7. (2/15/1905)

HANDSOME BISQUE DOLL FREE

Together with a Gold Finished Necklace & Turquoise Pendant

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Understand that this is not a rag doll or a cheap plaster of Paris doll, but a real Sleeping Bisque Doll.

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Bluine Manufacturing Co., 170 Mill St., Concord Jct., Mass. (The Old Reliable Firm.)

THE NORTHWESTERN LINE

RUSSIA-JAPAN ATLAS.

Send ten cents in stamps to R. R. Ritchie, No. 617 Market Street, San Francisco, for Russo-Japanese War Atlas, issued by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, three fine colored maps each 14x20, bound in convenient form for reference. The Eastern Situation shown in detail with tables showing relative military and naval strength and financial resources of Russia and Japan.

AGENTS WANTED

For Wall Mottoes New Imported Styles Finest in the World

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35c sample and agent's terms for 15cts. Write at once to MRS. O. E. CUMMINGS, Box 114, College View, Nebraska

A Small Book with a Great Mission

A Small Book with a Great Mission.—The fact that the Bible is translated into the Chinese languages is of but little help to those who are working among the women of China. It is very rare indeed that a Chinese woman is found who can read her own language, except it be among the higher class. This makes the Bible work among them exceedingly difficult, and attended with but a small portion of the fruit that might be expected were they able to read for themselves its blessed pages. A little book has been prepared which will give to them the key to the written Word of God. It is entitled "Chinese Shorthand." In it the phonographic principle is applied to the writing of the Chinese and Japanese languages. The words are written according to their sound, instead of each word being represented by an intricate character of its own. Every sound that can be uttered by human lips is provided for in this system, and even the intonations, which have been regarded as an insuperable obstacle to the writing of Chinese in any but their own way, is provided for in this book. It is so simple that it only requires a few hours to master the entire system, and time is a valuable consideration among the overburdened women of China. Persons who are interested in evangelistic work among the Chinese or who are thinking of going as missionaries to China, should have copies of this invaluable little book. The author is Mrs. Julia A. Barrett, Sacramento, Cal. Order of this office.

Politics and the Kingdom of Christ

By Editor

The deplorable condition of present-day politics is well shown in the following conversation between former President Cleveland and Governor Bulkley of Connecticut, who aspires to be a United States senator as reported in the Springfield Republican, of January 13:

Mr. Cleveland: Do I infer that it is lawful and right for you as a candidate for office to buy a vote which is for sale?

Mr. Bulkley: I think it is right for a candidate to secure that man's vote, if he is without principle and ignorant, by any means you can use.

We have made no inquiry as to which party the last speaker seeks to represent in the Senate. It makes no difference about the particular party that is to be "honored" by such representation; but the prevalence of that ignoble conception of right among those seeking appointment to a position of such power reveals a condition that can promise little or nothing in the cause of truth or justice or moral uplift. It brings forcibly to our mind that statement which has become practically a motto for a great religious body: "The kingdom of Christ must enter the realm of law through the gateway of politics." To what terrible straits must the kingdom of man's Redeemer be driven if it must enter upon the possession of its heritage through such a sin-sodden and crime-encrusted gateway? It will not be. The only crown of human design that Christ ever wore was a crown of thorns. He eschewed politics in Judea; He will not espouse politics now in America. It is unthinkable that the King of Righteousness should ally Himself in any way with such influences. His attitude toward the whole unrighteous mass is indicated in His attitude toward the nations of this world as a whole. "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." The increasing lawlessness of the present day—the increasing lawlessness among those who would make the law—is an indication that the time is not far distant when the great iniquitous world will experience the breaking, burning, purifying power of Him who is of "purer eyes than to behold evil," much less associate Himself with its working.

Poetry

Poetry. Relinquishment, M. ELISABETH BURNS-HOWELL . . . . . 9 Not Forsaken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 My Burden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Offering To-day, MRS. SUSAN BIRDSALL ROBERTS . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Editorial.—Faithfulness—The Real and the Evanescent— The Yoke of Christ—Proving God—Sabbath in the New Testament—Immortality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5

Question Corner.—Nos. 1616-1623 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Outlook.—Maryland's Act of Toleration, JOHN D. BRADLEY —An Ideal Labor Organization—Against the Canteen— Sunday Enforcement News and Comment—"What Is Christian Citizenship?"—War in the East . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 7

General. Some Geological Definitions, GEO. MCCREADY PRICE . . . . . . . . . 8 Prayer and Home Religion, MRS. E. G. WHITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 The Oil of Gladness, H. A. ST. JOHN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 The Old and New Covenants, L. A. PHIPPENY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

How They Became Convinced (A Sabbath Symposium) . . . 11

Missions.—Bible Distribution among Japanese Soldiers— One of India's Many Curses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 13

The Home.—A Lesson in Parental Control, CYNTHIA GOOD- WIN—Experiences with Tramps, MRS. W. H. ALLERNS 14, 15

International Sunday-School Lesson.—The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Publishers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 15

Pacific Press Annual Meeting

By Editor

The Pacific Press Publishing Company held its first general meeting in Mountain View, Cal., January 23. Coming at the close of the Bookmen's Convention and the meetings of the Pacific Union and California Conference Committees, there was a good attendance and much interest. There was a deficit during the last eight months, the length of the last fiscal year, consequent upon moving from Oakland; but there was a spirit of hope and courage that, in our new home, with new and more effective organization and facilities, and especially the blessing of God, there would be success in the year to come. The personnel and organization of the board and management will be found in Our Work and Workers column. It was greatly regretted that we could not have with us in the year to come our president of the past three years, W. T. Knox. He, however, declined the burden, but assures us of his willingness to meet us in counsel at all times. The present board earnestly solicit the prayers of our brethren and their hearty co-operation in the promulgation of this last message of mercy to the world.

Severe Arraignment

Severe Arraignment.—In addressing the delegates to the Protestant Episcopal Convention recently held in San Francisco, Rev. B. M. Weeden said:

As a church we are called aristocratic, exclusive, and other abominable names. The poor won't come to us, and many of those well-to-do men and women who do affiliate with us neglect their duties. Even now, to-night, the Deaconess Home and Hospital, a project intended to be of incalculable benefit to the church, seems doomed to failure for the want of a few paltry dollars—a sum infinitely less than many of our people squander upon a ballroom's decorations for a single night, or upon the appointments of a single dinner.

This arraignment is simply one item of a very prominent sign of the times. The ministers of many churches might truthfully bring such charges against the worldly members of their flocks. It is also a fulfilment of prophecy; the apostle Paul tells us that "in the last days perilous times shall come" because of such a condition. He says that "men shall be lovers of their own selves," and that they shall be "heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." And to this he adds, "From such turn away!" 2 Tim. 3:1-5.

Trials in the Christian Life

Trials in the Christian life should be expected, and never deemed an excuse for murmuring. One who had large experience left us this admonition: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as tho some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12, 13. Let us also take courage from the Lord's assurance, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 5:10.

A Contrast

A Contrast.—When men undertake to make civil laws regulating the religion of the people, the invariable result is unequal and unreasonable burdens. The traditionary laws of the Jews, imposed by the scribes and lawyers, were grievous burdens which the people were unable to bear. They were antagonistic to the law of God, making it of no effect (Matt. 15:3, 6). On the contrary, the law of God is not burdensome; its observance is the essence of liberty. When God brought Israel "out of the house of bondage" in the land of Egypt, He immediately acquainted them with His law, which they now had the liberty to observe, a privilege of which they were deprived in Egypt. So the scripture says, "This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5:3.

Apostolic Missionary Work

Missionary activity in the apostolic age never has been equaled in any subsequent period. The missionary spirit is one of the great tests of faith, for it is the result of a spirit of obedience to the commission, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." At Thessalonica the Jews raised the cry against Paul and his companions, "These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also." Dr. Cowan, professor of church history at the University of Aberdeen, says: "Within apostolic times Christianity had been diffused from Babylon to Rome, and also, according to ante-Nicene traditions, in Scythia, Persia, and India; while a statement by Clement that Paul 'reached the farthest bounds of the West,' gives countenance to the early belief that the apostle accomplished his purpose to make a journey into Spain. See Rom. 15:24, 25. Records of sub-apostolic missions are scanty; but Pliny, governor of Bithynia, reported to Trajan in A. D. 112 that, even through the villages and rural districts the Christian contagion had spread;' and Justin testifies, rhetorically, yet significantly, that 'there is no single race of men among whom prayers are not offered up in the name of Jesus.'"

Written for Us

Written for Us.—"It is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn." 1 Cor. 9:9. Was this written only for the sake of the oxen?—No; it contains a universal principle, applying to all time; for Paul, writing in our dispensation, says, "For our sakes, no doubt, this is written." Thus God has clearly indicated that His laborers should be provided for; that they should not be hindered because of lack of temporal support. The above extract from "the law of Moses"—which was dictated by the Lord—was written "that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thrasheth in hope should be partaker of his hope." Then the apostle makes the application direct: "If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?" So all the things pertaining to the "law of Moses" were not done away at the cross—only "the handwriting of ordinances" was "against us," and that because these typical ceremonials had served their full purpose when Christ came. The "law of Moses" contained many other things besides the typical services, that were designed for our profit. So the prophet Malachi, writing concerning the very last time, says, "Remember ye the law of Moses My servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments." Mal. 4:4. "All Israel" implies all that are Christ's, the children of faith. See Gal. 3:7, 29; Phil. 3:3.