"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Matt. 28:19. It has been said that "God's commands are His enablings." It can be said with equal truth that His commands are also His sure promises. God does not command impossible things. He does not despatch His messengers on a fool's errand, to wander here and there in quest of they know not what. He commands them to go with a definite purpose in view,—to teach all nations the Gospel of Christ, baptizing those who believe. His command to go is a sure promise that some from among all nations will hear and believe, else why should He send messengers to them?
A companion text to the one quoted from Matthew is as follows: "For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall My Word be that goeth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isa. 55:10, 11. There is no place in the world inhabited by man, so dark and remote that the light can not penetrate to it. There is no tribe or kindred so fettered by the chains of sin, that they can not hear, accept, and go free; no race or tongue so steeped in ignorance or superstition, that they can not walk in the light and reason of God's love.
Found Wanting
India might well be called God's most incorrigible child, the darkest moral spot on the face of creation. Religious and social conditions are blended in such a manner in the lives of all her people as to make them well-nigh insensible to a need of anything better. Yet the Word of God, which carries with it a mysterious power, is cutting its way through the barriers of opposition and heathenism that occupy the hearts and minds of millions. India's greatest need is the teaching of the pure Word of God, free from all the traditions and philosophy of men. For thousands of years India has sought to her sages and philosophers for light and wisdom to lead them in the "better way," but they have been disappointed. Her gods, which are no purer nor wiser than the weakest among themselves, have been weighed in the balances and found wanting. Surely we shall bring nothing to the credit of the Gospel or the enlightenment of the people by preaching the vagaries of human tradition.
The Stupendous Task
India has a population approximating three hundred millions, or more than four times the population of the United States. If this vast multitude spoke one language and held one religious faith, the task of reaching them with the Gospel would be a gigantic one.
Tamil School-teachers and Medical Helpers
But when we consider that among these millions are spoken one hundred forty-seven distinct languages, twenty-three of which are spoken by over a million each, and that this babel of voices profess eight systems of religion, each wholly different from the other, hopelessly at war among themselves, and all bitterly opposed to Christianity, it will be seen that the task surpasses all human conceptions. Then we must remember that ninety-five per cent of the population live in the plains where climatic conditions are almost unbearable for eight months in the year, and where one is constantly subject to the ravages of plague, cholera, smallpox, and fevers.
Reader, can you realize that every time your watch ticks off a minute twenty souls have closed their earthly career? Can you realize that in one short month eight hundred thousand souls pass beyond the hearing of the Gospel? Are you sensible of what it means for more people than live in the States of Washington, Oregon, California, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas, to pass every year into eternity without light and without a Saviour? These things actually happen every year in India.
A Group of School Children Seated on the Tennis Court
"O," you say, "human life is of little value over there among so many heathen." Of little value indeed to the adversary of souls, but of untold value to Him who came to seek and save the lost. Does Christ take note of us, and not of these? Does He count the very hairs of our head, and leave their lives unnumbered? Does He have regard for the flitting, thoughtless sparrow, and notice not those who were made in His own image? Ah, no; Christ came to seek and save just such as these. It was their need that brought the Son of God down from heaven. The joy and riches of heaven were poured out in a crimson stream that those who sit in darkness in these far-off lands might share in the blessings of eternal life.
A Fruit-Bearing Seed
The apostle Paul bears record in his epistle to the Colossians that in the early days of Christian teaching the Gospel "was preached to every creature which is under heaven." Col. 1:23. This is a remarkable statement, but there is another still more remarkable one in the same chapter; one that should send a thrill of energy and courage to every toil-worn missionary in the dark places of the earth to-day. Here it is: "For the hope . . . of the Gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth." Col. 1:5, 6. Wherever the Word of God is preached, even to the ends of the earth, it will bring15forth fruit. It was so in the beginning of the Gospel. It will be so in these last days, when the final message of God's truth is carried to all nations. Hearts will respond, the shackles of superstition and sin will be riven, and souls will be converted. These statements are not intended to be prophetic in nature. Even now we see fruit appearing in all parts of this land. God's everlasting message is finding its way among the many tongues, separating the wheat from the chaff, and gathering out a people prepared to meet the Lord. What we have already seen is only the beginning of what is to follow when we throw ourselves wholly upon God's arm of strength and trust in His wisdom and keeping power.
Group of Tamil Believers Baptized in 1911
The Path of God
By Eliza H. Morton
By Eliza H. Morton
The path of God is onward, up,
A straight and narrow way;
It leads to peace and happiness,
To one eternal day.
The path of God is found by those
Who choose to walk therein,
Who will to seek a nobler life,
To leave behind all sin.
The angels tread the path of God,
And we some day may meet
Them face to face, if in that road
We set our faltering feet.
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Washing Made Easy
I want 1,000 lady readers of the "Signs" to try E-Z Washing Tablets and will send 1,000 packages free. Washing is so easy when you use E-Z Washing Tablets. Just boil your clothes in a solution of water, soap, and Tablets for 20 minutes and they are clean without rubbing. Enclose two 2-cent stamps to pay postage. Address, Alfred Mallett, 721 H St., Sacramento, Cal.
Life and Health
A PRACTICAL health journal for the home, adapted to the needs of individuals, teaching how to care for and how to preserve the health, giving simple home treatments that aid nature in throwing off diseases rather than adding more poisons by using drugs or unnatural stimulants as remedies. It helps the people to avoid disease as far as possible, and teaches how to manage the home in case of sickness, and how to combat disease by simple remedies nature provides. It is an all-around home necessity in matters pertaining to health. Issued in the special interest of the rank and file of the people. Yearly subscription price one dollar; six months' subscription 50 cents.
Address Life and Health, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C.
A Brief but Comprehensive Treatise covering the History and Doctrine of the Sabbath and Sunday Controversy from Creation to the Present. Truth supported by Scripture, Historical Fact, and Argument. A Multum in Parvo on the Sabbath Question. Illustrated; 128 pp.; price 10 cents post-paid.
The LORD'S DAY
The Test of the Ages
PACIFIC PRESS
Mountain View, Cal.
Our Work and Workers
By Editor
EIGHT have recently been added by baptism to the church in Baltimore, Maryland.
UNDER the labors of Brother Rittenhouse twelve were added to the church at Kalispell, Montana.
AT the close of a revival effort in Shelby, Michigan, thirteen took their stand to obey the Sabbath of the Lord.
FOUR have united with the church at Farmington, Washington; and ten have united with the church at Pomeroy.
ELDER W. F. SCHWARTZ on May 4 baptized nine persons at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the place of the historic flood.
BROTHER M. JONES has been recently conducting some meetings in Houston, Texas, and reports five added to the church by baptism.
A COMPANY of eighteen have recently accepted the faith in Blythedale, Maryland, and on April 1 a church was organized in that place.
FIVE have united by baptism with the church at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and a man and his wife and family have united with the church at Mason City.
OUR place of worship in Brawley, California, is nearing completion, and on April 22 Elder C. E. Ford organized a church in the unfinished building.
THE believers at Spokane, Washington, have just erected a new house of worship; and those living at Albany, Oregon, also dedicated their new meeting-house on April 23.
THE company of believers in Louisville, Kentucky, has grown until it has become necessary for them to provide a second place of meeting. At the dedication of this new place of worship five others were added to the church.
NINE have been added to the church at Sawtelle, California; six have been baptized and added to the church at Eureka, California; eighteen were baptized at Pasadena, California, on April 18; and five were baptized at Bakersfield, California.
OUR work in Africa is advancing most encouragingly. The college at Claremont has about as large an enrolment right at the beginning of the year as it had at the close last year. At the Solusi Mission twenty-five were recently baptized; and in outlying districts near this mission a number of others are reported to have accepted the faith, among the number being the native commissioner. The workers connected with the Maranatha Mission have baptized thirty-three at Grahamstown. In the Basutoland Mission six, including one of the leading chiefs, have taken their stand with those who are proclaiming the great Advent Message. This chief is very anxious to have a school established among his people, and offers to donate an abundance of land for this purpose. In addition to the above, seven have been added to the Salt River church.
THE Review and Herald board, as determined at its last election, is constituted as follows: W. T. Knox, G. B. Thompson, H. R. Salisbury, N. Z. Town, R. T. Dowsett, I. A. Ford, D. W. Reavis, S. N. Curtis, and F. M. Wilcox. The board organized by electing the following officers: president, F. M. Wilcox; vice-president, W. T. Knox; secretary, D. W. Reavis; treasurer, A. H. Mason; manager, S. N. Curtis; assistant manager, J. B. Greenwood. The Association has divided its periodical department, placing the circulation of the Review, Sabbath School Worker, Christian Education, and the Youth's Instructor under the direction of D. W. Reavis; while Life and Health, Liberty, and the Protestant Magazine have their circulation under the charge of A. J. S. Bourdeau. F. M. Wilcox was elected editor of the Review; W. A. Spicer, W. W. Prescott, and C. M. Snow associate editors. The editors elected for the other periodicals of the association are: for Liberty, C. M. Snow; the Protestant Magazine, W. W. Prescott; the Youth's Instructor, Mrs. Fannie D. Chase; Life and Health, Geo. H. Heald.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
By Editor
PUBLISHED WEEKLY
(Entered Sept. 15, 1904, as second-class matter at the Mountain View, Cal., post-office, under Act of Congress of March 3, 1879.)
Associate Editors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . { A. O. Tait
L. A. Reed
Manuscripts should be addressed to the editor. Address all business and make all money-orders, etc., payable to the Signs of the Times, Mountain View, California.
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For Sale
By J. H. Behrens
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Sparks from the New York State Capitol Fire
By Editor
"Sparks from the New York State Capitol Fire," at Albany, March 29, 1911, has come to our table from Joseph McDonough Co., 98 State Street, Albany, N. Y. There are views of the immense and beautiful structure before the fire touched it, a building that was thirty years nearly in process of erection. Its size, its symmetry, its interior decorations, gave it world-wide fame. George Augustus Sala pronounced it one of the finest State buildings in the world. Its great western staircase was a marvel of artistic and architectural beauty. But at the fire the magnificent staircase was badly damaged, part of the building is a wreck, its beauty has become ashes, and the latest is that it was damaged to the extent of $5,000,000. The capitol cost, it is said, $26,000,000. The greatest loss was in its library, the greatest law library in the country, besides priceless historic relics and collections of manuscripts. This booklet contains 58 views, and may be had of the above firm for 25 cents.
Another San Francisco Graft Scandal
By Editor
Two or three years ago San Francisco was kept constantly in the lime-light because of the graft prosecutions that were carried on there. It was fondly expressed by leading men all over the country that these "fearless prosecutions" would lead to a general house cleaning that would be permanent. But these high and worthy hopes have not been realized. Investigations now going on there before the grand jury involve some of the leading police and other officials in another "graft scandal" connected with the "social evil." It will be remembered that the "social evil" was prominent in the prosecutions that involved Mayor Schmitz, Abe Ruef, et al., when San Francisco tried to have her other "house cleaning."
Amendment to Mrs. Eddy’s Will Suit
An amendment to the plaintiff's bill in the suit brought in the United States Circuit Court, at Concord, New Hampshire, by Dr. E. J. Foster Eddy of Waterbury, Vermont, adopted son of the late Mrs. Mary Baker G. Eddy, founder of the Christian Science Church, to have the residuary clause of Mrs. Eddy's will declared illegal, has been allowed, with the provision that the defendants be allowed seven days in which to file objections to the final admission of the amendment.
The Proposed Universal Calendar
By Editor
There have been calendars and calendars. Months and dates and years have been changed, but the week has remained intact among all nations, where Biblical and Christian customs have prevailed. But now a universal calendar is proposed, which seemingly is growing in favor, that will change not only year and month, but week also. It is of vital interest to the world. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES will soon publish an important article or articles upon the subject.
Dynamite Found in Stone Crusher
Twenty-six sticks of dynamite were found in the mouth of a stone crusher that was in use in East Rock Park, New Haven, Connecticut. The machine was about to be started when the discovery was made. It is supposed that either mischievous or ignorant boys stole the explosive and placed it there.
Madero and the Spiritualist Society
It is said that General Francisco Madero, the leader of the Mexican insurrectos, is a member of a Spiritualist society, and that the society is working for peace.
A Sample Argument
A Sample Argument.—Here is a sample syllogistic argument from the Octographic Review that would make Whately turn in his grave if he could hear it: "(1) The law of the Ten Commandments was given in Horeb. See Deut. 5:1-22. (2) The law given in Horeb was called the law of Moses. See Mal. 4:4; Neh. 10:29; John 7:19. (3) Therefore the law of the Ten Commandments is the law of Moses."
The fallacy of the whole thing is shown by the simple question, Was the Decalogue the only law given at Horeb? There are eleven other "syllogisms" of the same sort.
Let Protestant Girls Beware
By Editor
Let Protestant Girls Beware.—We take the following from a strong, uncompromising Roman Catholic paper, the Western Watchman, of May 4:
Some Catholic young men now deliberately get married before a Protestant minister because they would be in a position to avail themselves of a possible divorce in the future. They know that by such a ceremony they are not married in the eyes of the church, and a divorce decree would enable them to marry a Catholic wife at some future time. A man who had gone through the, to a Catholic, mock ceremony told us some time ago that such was his deliberate purpose; and it was only when a child was born and another natural tie bound him to its mother that he asked for a Catholic ceremony. Poor Protestant girls should be made aware of this cruel deception. They think the rupture with the church is a tribute to love, and they prize it; little do they know the villainy of these renegades.
But what a basely low standard of morals these "Catholic young men" must have! It is good of the editor to warn the Protestant girls.
Peace or War?
By Editor
IN our Outlook department appear two striking sermons in art, two reproductions of modern paintings illustrative of war. They are powerful in their symbolism, and much more so considered in contrast. Is the issue of this great struggle peace? or is it Armageddon? Will the noble principles uttered by the world's apostles of peace win out? or will there come universal war? Prof. George W. Rine will soon discuss these questions in three articles entitled, "Militarism, Taxation, Poverty;" "The Peace Propaganda—a Momentous Movement;" "Will It Be Peace or War?" These articles will be of great interest. Professor Rine will bring to our attention not only the conditions, facts, and theories that confront us in this great world of ours, but will also consider the bearing of Biblical predictions upon the subject. We bespeak for them a wide reading.
Germany’s Vast Army
By Editor
At the coming summer maneuvers in Germany, Emperor William will exhibit a well-trained and disciplined army of one million men. At the close of the Civil War in this country there were under arms only a little more than that number. But that was a time of war. Why this vast army in Germany in a time of peace? There are no wars of any consequence anywhere in all the world at the present time. Men have been ardently teaching for many years that we are coming into the time when the world will have no more wars. But they do not believe their own teachings, else why should they spend so much on vast armies in these times of reputed peace?
The Los Angeles Dynamiting Trial
Both sides are preparing for the most determined efforts in the trial of the indicted men for the charge of dynamiting the Times building in Los Angeles. It is estimated by the district attorney's office, which has the prosecution in charge, that the trial will result in the expenditure on the part of both prosecution and defense of fully $2,000,000. Hundreds of thousands of dollars, it is stated, will be expended in bringing witnesses to Los Angeles, and for other necessary purposes.
Bible Versions and Authority
By Editor
Our authority is the Bible, the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. When the Common ("King James" or "Authorized") Version or the American Standard Revised Version is used, the version will not generally be designated in reference. Any Bible quotation in this paper, therefore, differing from the Common Version, unless otherwise indicated, will be almost invariably from the American Standard edition of the Revised Bible, copyright 1910, by Thomas Nelson & Sons.
For further particulars, subscription rates, etc., see page 15.
Wanted.—Can any of our subscribers furnish us with copies of the book "Facts for the Times," and the song "The Twenty-Fourth of Matthew"? If so, please drop us a post-card stating condition, edition, and price.
Surrender of Juarez
Shortly after noon on May 10 General Navarro surrendered Juarez to Colonel Garibaldi, the insurgent Mexican leader in charge of the forces at that place. The surrendered city is considered of strong strategic value, and is made the capital of the insurrectos. Large stores of guns, cavalry, etc., were captured with the city. This success is greatly stimulating the rebels, and correspondingly depressing the Diaz government.
Do You Wish Salvation?
Do you wish salvation? — It has been purchased for you by our Lord Jesus Christ. It is yours to claim. Do you wish forgiveness of sin? With all the hoarded love of eternity in His heart, He waits to forgive you. Why wait?
Let not conscience bid you linger
Nor for fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth
Is to feel your need of Him.
And there are no mightier arguments with God than our need and His mercy.
The Common Salvation
The most precious things, yet the things least prized, are the great common things. What would we do without the common air and common sunshine, the common water and common food? We take them all as a matter of course, oftentimes grumble if they do not suit our mood. Yet if we were deprived of any one for a little time we would die. A little food or air or light is more precious than all the gold of Ophir or gems of Golconda. Our continued hope of existence is in the continuation of these common things from the hand of our God. And, too, more important than all these, is "the common salvation" in Christ Jesus, offered alike to all, irrespective of race or class or age or sex. Yet that "common salvation," purchased for us at an infinite price, with its simple terms and conditions, is slighted most of all.
