p. 15 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 37. (9/11/1901)

Earlier text: UP AND DOWN STAIRS WITH EASE

LESSON II.—SEPTEMBER 15.—JACOB, A PRINCE WITH GOD.

Lesson Scripture, Gen. 32:24-30, R.V.

24 “And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a Man with 25 him until the breaking of the day. And when He saw that He prevailed not against him, He touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was strained, as he wrestled 26 with Him. And He said, Let Me go, for the day breaketh. 27 And he said, I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me. And 28 he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And He said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel; for thou hast striven with God and with men, and hast 29 prevailed. And Jacob asked Him, and said, Tell me, I pray Thee, Thy name. And He said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after My name? And He blessed him there. And 30 Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for, said he, I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”

Golden Text.—“Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Luke 18:1.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) What was the occasion of Jacob’s being left alone? What trouble came upon him at that time? Verse 24. Note 1. (2) How did the Angel at last manifest His wonderful power? Verse 25. Note 2. (3) Then what did the Angel say? What was Jacob’s reply? Verse 26. Note 3. (4) What question did the Angel ask? What was Jacob’s answer? What is the meaning of the name Jacob? Verse 27. Note 4. (5) Then what did the Angel say should be Jacob’s name thereafter? Why? Verse 28. Note 5. (6) What did Jacob then ask of the Angel? What was the Angel’s answer? After making this reply, what favor was bestowed upon Jacob? Verse 29. Note 6. (7) What name did Jacob give to that place? Why? Verse 30.

NOTES.

1. Jacob’s Dilemma.—The events of Jacob’s life intervening between the last lesson and the occasion now under consideration cover a space of about twenty-one years. Jacob had been to the country of Padan-aram, and was returning to the land of Canaan. He had gone out alone and empty-handed; he was returning with a large family, a number of servants, and large flocks and herds. He had sent a friendly message to his brother Esau at Mount Seir, announcing his return. In response he had only heard that Esau was coming against him with four hundred men. To Jacob this was an omen of vengeance. He did what he could to avert the coming storm. He sent forward valuable presents from his herds, disposed of his people in a way that he hoped would at least spare some of them if the gifts did not avert the threatened attack, and then went alone in the night to seek God in prayer for deliverance. As he earnestly sought divine help, a strong hand was laid upon him. He at first supposed that an enemy sought his life, and wrestled with all his might until break of day.

2. The wonderful effect of a mere touch convinced Jacob that he was struggling with a more than human antagonist. He had to reckon with a mightier power than even Esau’s four hundred men. He had to make peace with the Angel of the covenant before he could be reconciled to his angry brother.

3. The patriarch was now disabled, and suffering the keenest pain, but he would not loosen his hold. All penitent and broken, he clung to the Angel; “he wept, and made supplication” (Hosea 12:4), pleading for a blessing. He must have the assurance that his sin was pardoned. Physical pain was not sufficient to divert his mind from this object. His determination grew stronger, his faith more earnest and persevering, until the very last. The Angel tried to release Himself; He urged, “Let Me go, for the day breaketh;” but Jacob answered, “I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.” Had this been a boastful, presumptuous confidence, Jacob would have been instantly destroyed; but his was the assurance of one who confesses his own unworthiness, yet trusts the faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God.—Patriarchs and Prophets.

4. The name Jacob means “supplanter.” Esau had said of him, “Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing.” Gen. 27:36.

5. The name Israel means “prevailer with God,” or “a prince of God.” “He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God. Yea, he had power over the Angel, and prevailed.” Hosea 12:3, 4.

6. The Name of the Angel was not spoken to Jacob. The reply was somewhat similar to the answer given to Manoah, Samson’s father (Judges 13:17, 18), when he asked a like question. But Jacob evidently understood who his antagonist and benefactor was, as indicated in the name he gave to the place—Peniel, meaning the “face of God.”

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The prices of all pamphlets published in the various libraries, will probably be increased October first, until that time they will be as follows:—

Pamphlet	Price each	Price for 10 copies
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Judgment, B. S. L., 55	15	94
Matthew Twenty-four, B. S. L., 58	10	62
Christ and His Righteousness, B. S. L., 72	15	93
Sunday: Origin of Its Observance, B. S. L., 80	15	93
Angels, Their Nature, B. S. L., 83	20	1 24
Sun of Righteousness, B. S. L., 97	10	62
Life: Its Source and Purpose, B. S. L., 108	10	62
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Lord’s Day, B. S. L., 134	15	92
Honor Due to God, B. S. L., 135	10	62
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Will a Man Rob God? B. S. L., 145	10	52
Natural Food of Man, B. S. L., 158	25	1 53
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Marshaling of Nations, B. S. L., 161	10	61
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Steps to Christ, Berean Library, 1	25	1 30
Thoughts on Daniel, “ ” 2	25	1 55
Thoughts on Revelation, “ ” 3	25	1 55
Christian Principles, “ ” 4	15	93
Looking Unto Jesus, “ ” 5	25	1 55
History of the Sabbath, “ ” 6	50	3 23
Great Nations of To-Day, “ ” 7	25	1 58
The Battle of the Century, “ ” 8	10	63

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CO-OPERATION CORNER.

By Editor

MANY of our faithful missionary workers would gladly use much larger clubs of the SIGNS than they are now circulating if they could afford to do so, while there are others who would be just as glad to pay for such clubs if they knew who needed them.

For these reasons we have opened the “Co-operation Corner.” It will contain requests for clubs of papers for use in various fields, short reports from those who are using such clubs, acknowledgments of money received, and such other information as will bring together those who can use papers but can not pay for them, and those who can pay for papers but are not situated so they can use them.

This week we present the case of the Free School in Calcutta, India, which has been receiving ten copies weekly, but the parties heretofore paying for them are unable to do so longer. The subscription price, including postage, is $12.00 for the year. Shall we continue sending them?

Address your answer to SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.

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NOTICE

By Editor

We are compelled to announce that our supply of the special SIGNS of July 24, the War and Wealth issue, is completely exhausted and no more copies can be had.

The friends of the SIGNS will be glad to know that this excellent number has reached the enormous sale of 85,000 copies. PUBLISHERS.

Slaves under the Stars and Stripes.

The following, in a despatch from Washington, D. C., August 20, to the San Francisco Examiner, is said to be an excerpt from the report to the war department by Major O. T. Sweet, now in the Philippines:—

Whenever a question relating to slaves comes up before me, I simply make the owners prove their slaves beyond doubt, in which case I have nothing to do with them; but in case I can pick a flaw in their title, I give the alleged slaves freedom papers. Thousands of Moros are held as slaves who are by right free people.

Surely the Constitution does not follow the flag, when an agent of the United States Government recognizes in United States possessions the titles of ownership in slaves, when men and women are held as mere chattels. It is also stated that in the islands of Mindanao and Jolo there is an infamous traffic in children. The people are improvident, and famine forces them, so they think, to dispose of their children. These things, recognized in the colonies, will ere long be recognized in the homeland. So went that other great republic, Rome. This nation is following the same path.

Be Vigilant

“Be Vigilant.” Why?—“The fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”

Go, Teach All Nations

“Go, Teach All Nations.” Why all?—Because God “hath made of one blood all nations of men,” and “God is no respecter of persons.”

Crispi and Roman Catholicism

The Independent tells us that on the death-bed of ex-prime minister of Italy, Francisco Crispi, who died August 11, “efforts were made to persuade him to accept the ‘dying offices of the church, but he refused, saying it was a matter between him and Christ.” Surely he could have no better or mightier friend.

Be Sober

Be Sober.—One paper ascribes the terrible wreck of the Islander to the intoxication and consequent recklessness of her officers. If ever an age demanded soberness it is this age of irrepressible nervous energy and constant rush. One of the greatest curses upon the world is intemperance, a curse in which society sensibly suffers much more than the debauchee.

A Queen or a Servant

A Queen or a Servant.—DeWitt Talmage says, “My chief anxiety is not that woman have other ‘rights accorded her, but that she, by the grace of ‘God, rise up to the appreciation of the glorious ‘rights she already possesses.” There are many gifted women being deluded with the thought that it is greater to be a servant in the toils and strife of public and business life than to be a queen in the realm of home life. But this delusion is the outgrowth of that last-day characteristic known in the Scriptures as “without natural affection.” 2 Tim. 3:3.

Faith Beyond Superstition

It may not be of the nature of doubt to have no faith in superstition or to turn from credulity. It is only the manifestation of faith and its reason to do this. The man who has the money, and learns of railway facilities, will not trust a cripple to carry him across the continent. His good judgment is not a product of doubt in the cripple, but of belief in the better way of transportation. The man who rejects the pilgrimages, and bones, and holy water, and priestly rigamarole of the Dark Ages, and goes forward by faith in the power of God through His Word, does not make progress by reason of his doubt; his rejection of superstition and his subsequent progress are fruits of his faith.

Trifling with the Scriptures.

The following question and answer appears in a late number of the Outlook of New York:—

14. Was the vail of the temple, which was rent in twain when Christ was crucified, ever sewed together again?

We shall probably find the answer to this question when it is explained how the bodies of the saints which came out of their graves and went around Jerusalem after Christ’s resurrection found their way back again.

The question is silly and is asked to satisfy mere curiosity, probably, the writer knowing naught of what the rending of the vail means. The answer is worse; for the record shows clearly that the “bodies ‘of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised;’” that “‘coming forth out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered into the holy city and appeared unto many.’” Matt. 27: 52, 53, R.V. When Jesus ascended, He led these forth in triumph as trophies of His victory over sin and death—“a multitude of ‘captives.’” Eph. 4: 8, margin. John sees them in heaven, assistants of our Lord in His priestly ministrations. Rev. 4: 4. Such lightness in dealing with the Bible, such trifling with sacred truth, is a characteristic of these days. What wonder that men have little or no regard for the Word of truth?

SPIRITISM

By Editor

We would call the attention of the reader this week to the article which appeared in our last issue, entitled, “Modern Spiritism—Its Origin and Manifestations.” This is the first in the series on this subject. The second in the series is presented this week.

Those who have had the privilege of examining the manuscript for this series believe it to be one of the best presentations of the subject which has yet been issued. This is just the paper to put in the hands of your friends.

The articles in this series will run for about three months. The subscription price for that period is 40 cents, but for $2.50 we will send the paper to ten of your friends or neighbors for that length of time.

Believing that many will wish to avail themselves of this opportunity, we have printed an extra supply of the first two issues and are prepared to commence subscriptions with these numbers. Address SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal. PUBLISHERS.

INCREASE OF IMMORALITY.

There seems to be no end of the means by which immorality increases, but nothing is more prolific than the calling together of great and prolonged convocations of people for mere pleasure, curiosity, and abnormal speculation. General Miles has objected to allowing the cadets to visit the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo until some of the immoral features of the “midway” shows have been eliminated, and his objection has met considerable ridicule. But there are some people who think it is well to have public attention called to the evil of encouraging these things. For instance the Commoner says:—

Immorality will grow all too fast in this country without importing so-called “Oriental” features to add to the list. The Chicago “midway” was a distinct novelty; but it can not be disputed that it pandered in many ways to the lowest appetites, and gave an impetus to immorality that has not yet been checked. Since the Chicago Exposition the country has had a surfeit of “Oriental” features that pander to the baser instincts, and the evils resulting therefrom are measured by the lowering of the moral standard. To-day men and women crowd to see exhibitions that would not have been tolerated by the police fifteen years ago.

Advertising Religion

It is estimated that a billion dollars was spent by Christians last year in business advertising. The Congregationalist asks, “Do you advertise your ‘religion as well as you advertise your business?’” This is a pertinent question; but if there should be as much misrepresentation and falsehood in advertising religion as there are in business advertisements, the religion would not profit by the publicity. There is a great deal of advertising of religion that will not be indorsed in the judgment. The Lord says: “Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, ‘Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and ‘in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy ‘name done many wonderful works? And then will ‘I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from ‘Me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt. 7:22, 23. There is a possibility of iniquity in advertising religion as well as in business advertising.

A Pleasurable Change.

One who has time and likes the sea can find pleasure, we suppose, in a ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles by sea, that is, most of the way. Many have known only the San Joaquin Valley route, which at this time of year is for much of the way almost unendurable for heat and dust. To the last-named class the “Coast Line,” via San Jose, Santa Barbara, etc., can only be appreciated by using it. This new road of the Southern Pacific Company is being greatly improved, the roadbed better ballasted, track straightened, 80-pound steel rails laid, and for some part of the way at least, double track. These improvements will soon be practically finished. In a recent trip to Los Angeles we took for the first time the “Coast Line,” and it was cool and delightful all the way. A greater part of the distance it passes through a fine fruit and farming country or skirts the sea shore. At Summerland, just below beautiful Santa Barbara, it presents a novel sight of many oil derricks erected on piers, pumping petroleum from underneath the waters of the sea. When improvements are completed, we understand that this will be made the main line to Los Angeles, and that the “Owl Train” will be sent that way. Try the “Coast Line” to Los Angeles. You will not be disappointed.

A New Beast

It seems strange indeed that in this advanced day there should be discovered a new beast—not the remains of a prehistoric animal, but a beast which is alive to-day in the African forests. McClure's magazine for September contains the first authentic account published in America of the discovery of the Okapi, the strange beast which Sir Harry H. Johnston, K.C.B., Special Commissioner for Uganda, British East Africa, found alive in the forests of Central Africa. According to the discoverer, who writes the article, the Okapi is closely related to the giraffe, altho it has not the exaggerated development of neck and limbs. The frontispiece of the magazine is a picture of the Okapi reproduced in colors, from an original sketch by the author.

Salvation’s Free Gift and Its Cost

Salvation is free, but he who fully accepts it must also accept the Spirit of Him who gave all to make it free. It is not free from the standpoint of selfishness, but in recognition of the principle that “it is ‘more blessed to give than to receive.’” It will not attach to the soul that persists in retaining all he can get of this world. The men whom Christ chose to carry on His work were men who had left all to follow Him. The apostle Paul “suffered the loss ‘of all things’” that he might win Christ. That which is free is the gift, the sacrifice, that made salvation attainable at any cost. All the world could not have purchased the life of the Son of God.

For Which We Are Glad.

By Editor

—Our sales of tracts, containing Gospel food and precious present truth, for the twelve days ending August 23, aggregated 600,000 pages, an average of 50,000 pages a day. Let the good work go on.