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Signs of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 49.

The Fruit of the Spirit Is Love
Earlier text: JEWS IN ITALY

NEW LIBRARY NUMBERS.

By Editor

Bible Students' Library No. 142.—"Is Sunday Called the Sabbath in the New Testament?—An Examination of the Greek of Matt. 28:1 and Parallel Passages," by Uriah Smith. Price 1 cent.
No. 143.—"Truth for the Times," by G. C. Tenney. This tract shows that the coming of Christ is the special truth now to be presented. Price 2 cents.
No. 144.—"The Eastern Question; What Its Solution Means to All the World," by Alonzo T. Jones. A Boston clergyman recently purchased one thousand copies of this tract for free distribution. Price 2 cents.
No. 145.—"Will A Man Rob God?" is a scriptural question treated from a scriptural standpoint by R. A. Underwood. Price 10 cents.
No. 146.—"Rich Man and Lazarus," by W. H. Littlejohn. Price 2 cents.
Religious Liberty Library. No. 41.—"Fighting against God." Beautifully illustrated. Printed on enameled paper. Just the thing to distribute by the thousands. Contains 16 pages, seven half-tone engravings. Price 2 cents.
No. 42.—"How to Reform Society." Price ½ cent or 25 cents per 100.
Apples of Gold Library. No. 26.—"I Will Come Again." An excellent little number on the second coming of Christ. Price ½ cent or 25 cents per 100.
No. 27.—"Religious Liberty." Price ½ cent or 25 cents per 100.
No. 28.—"The Law of Liberty." Price ½ cent or 25 cents per 100.
No. 29.—"The Law of Love." Price 1 cent or 50 cents per 100.
No. 30.—"Knowing and Obeying the Lord." Price ½ cent or 25 cents per 100.
No. 31.—"Why the Earth Was Made." Price 1 cent or 50 cents per 100.
No. 32.—"Trine Immersion." Price 1 cent or 50 cents per 100.
No. 33.—"Scripture Answers to Worldly Questions." Price ½ cent or 25 cents per 100.
No. 34.—"Seventh-day Adventists and Their Work." Price 2 cents or 1 dollar per 100.
No. 35.—"The Hope Set Before Us." Price 1 cent or 50 cents per 100.
No. 36.—"The True Church." Price 1 cent or 50 cents per 100.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.,

Kansas City, Mo. Oakland, Cal. New York City, N. Y.

BIBLE SANCTIFICATION:

A CONTRAST OF TRUE AND FALSE THEORIES. By MRS. E. G. WHITE.
THIS is a pamphlet of only 84 pages, but its value is not to be judged by its size. It is just what its title indicates: a faithful presentation of Bible truth on this important subject, and an exposure of the false theories prevailing in regard to it. Every believer in Bible truth should read it. Buy it, read it, and lend it to your neighbor. Price, 10 cents.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

THE AMERICAN KITCHEN MAGAZINE.

By Editor

"Practical and Educational: the Leading Household Monthly." Edited by —MRS. MARY J. LINCOLN and MISS ANNA BARROWS.—
"Just what the progressive woman needs." —The Free Methodist, Chicago.
"A magazine for every up-to-date home-maker and housekeeper." —Syracuse (N. Y.) Herald.

HOW TO SAVE MONEY!

This magazine tells how to prepare delicious and wholesome food at a LESS PRICE than is now paid for what is unpalatable and innutritious. "The suggestions contained in a single number are worth more than the price of a year's subscription."

SPECIAL OFFER—THREE MONTHS FREE.

All new subscriptions received before January 1, 1897, will begin with October, 1896, and end with December, 1897.
SAMPLE COPIES FREE. Price, $1.00 a Year.
Published by # THE HOME SCIENCE PUB. CO. 485 Tremont St., Boston, Mass.

"LAW OF GOD AS CHANGED BY THE PAPACY."

This chart has been thoroughly revised, and contains some of the more recent utterances of this great apostate power.
The plan of the chart is the same as the old one. On either side are telling quotations from Catholic authorities admitting and boasting of the change, while the "Commandments as Changed by the Papacy" occupy a central position.
It is a forcible presentation of the subject, and will be a valuable help to Bible workers and ministers. Size 36x48 inches. Price $1.00. Printed on thin paper for inclosure in letters and miscellaneous distribution, 50 cents per 100.
Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. Kansas City, Mo. New York City, N. Y.

CATALOG

By Editor

"Will A Man Rob God?" will appear as No. 145, and all orders we now have for No. 145 will be filled with "Origin, Progress," etc. In ordering these pamphlets mention name as well as number. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. New York. Kansas City.
Geikie's Life of Christ Withdrawn.—Our stock of the above book is exhausted, and we hereby withdraw our offer to send it in connection with the SIGNS OF THE TIMES for 40 cents.
Lincoln Fountain Pen. We are constantly receiving words of recommendation for this pen, and we are thoroughly convinced that it is just as represented in every way. We are allowing special prices on orders for a dozen or more at one time.
Our offer to send the pen for only 75 cents to anyone subscribing for the SIGNS OF THE TIMES for one year, and paying the regular subscription price of $1.00, still holds good. Both the SIGNS and the pen for $1.75. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. New York City. Kansas City, Mo.

CATALOG

OF PUBLICATIONS.

Our New Catalog of English Publications is now ready. Send stamp for it.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.,

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TEACHING TRUTH

By Mary Wood Allen, M. D. National Lecturer W. C. T. U. A little brochure brimful of helpful suggestions to parents who wish to teach their children the truth in regard to the mystery of life. Price, 25c. . . PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO. Oakland, Cal.

THE CHILDREN'S BOOK.

By Editor

USEFUL as well as ornamental. Volume 6 of Our Little Friend is full of good stories, just such as children like. They can spend many an hour reading, with no danger of their minds being poisoned with such matter as many do read in other books and papers.
The bound volumes of Our Little Friend are just the books to place in the hands of our children. If we get books for our children, let us get good books for them. There are none better than the bound volumes of Our Little Friend, of which volume 6 is the latest. 416 pp., cloth; profusely illustrated.
It will be sent to any address for $1.00 postpaid.
Address, OUR LITTLE FRIEND, Box 548, Oakland, Cal.

A NEW TRACT CATALOG

By Editor

"Descriptive Catalog of the Bible Students', Apples of Gold, and Religious Liberty Libraries" is the title of this 36 Page Catalog.
It gives a pithy description of each tract and pamphlet in the above Libraries, together with their size and price. It will greatly assist the reader to select such numbers as he may desire to read and circulate; and may be obtained free of charge by addressing your State Tract Society; the Pacific Press Publishing Company, Oakland, California; 39 Bond St., New York City, N. Y.; 18 W. 5th St., Kansas City, Mo.; or Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Michigan; Atlanta, Ga.

PUBLICATIONS ON THE

SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

MATTHEW 24, OR THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST. An exposition of the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew's Gospel. 96 pages, paper covers. Price 10 cents.
SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. A brief resumé of the advents of Christ and the prophecies which cluster around these events. Two diagrams assist in the study. 80 pages, paper covers. Price 10 cents.
CHRIST OUR ADVOCATE. Showing the work that Christ accomplishes in the Sanctuary in Heaven, before his second coming. 112 pages, paper covers. Price 10 cents.
SURE WORD OF PROPHECY. A consideration of the important prophecies of the book of Daniel, the last chapter of which brings us to the "time of the end," just previous to Christ's second coming. 96 pages, paper covers. Price 10 cents.
Send for complete catalogue with description and price list of other publications on this and kindred topics.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.

Oakland, Cal. Kansas City, Mo. N. Y. City, N. Y.

LIFE OF WILLIAM MILLER,

WITH PORTRAIT.

This book contains sketches of the Christian experience and public labors of this remarkable man. No other man in this century has been more widely spoken of, and more generally misunderstood. These sketches were prepared by those who were his co-laborers, and are a true presentation of the leading events of his life and labors. In addition to the life and character of the man, the character of the Great Advent Movement, in which he acted so prominent a part, is clearly set forth. It is shown that Mr. Miller was no mere enthusiast, but a man of calm judgment, and his interpretation of the prophecies was mainly correct, his only mistake being in regard to the nature of the event to take place at the close of the 2300 days, in 1844. No one can consider himself well versed in the history of the advent movement in this country who has not read this book.
Contains 408 pp. Price, $1.00.
Address. PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE

By Alonzo T. Jones

Or Civil Government and Religion

BY ALONZO T. JONES
An Up-to-Date Pamphlet on the Principles of Religious Liberty.
"THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE" contains fifteen chapters, the following being a portion of the chapter headings:—
Christianity and the Roman Empire—What Is Due to God and What to Cæsar—The Powers That Be—How the United States Became a Nation—What Is the Nation?—Who Made the Nation?—Religious Right in the United States—Religious Rights Invaded—The People's Right of Appeal—National Precedent on Right of Appeal—Sunday-law Movement in the Fourth Century and Its Parallel in the Nineteenth—Will the People Assert and Maintain Their Rights?—Religious Rights in the States.
In the four appendixes to the book are given the Declaration of Independence—The Constitution of the United States—The Dred Scott Decision, and the "Christian Nation" Decision.
This is a book of permanent value for reference and study and one that all should possess. It contains 384 pages, with several illustrations, is issued as No. 32 of the Religious Liberty Library, and is bound in paper covers. Price 40 Cents.
A FINER EDITION on laid paper is also ready. It is neatly bound in cloth. Price One Dollar.
Address orders to
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, California.
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Instructions for Ordering.

By Editor

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OUR GENERAL AGENTS.

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WE have secured a few copies of "Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene," which will be sent by mail at regular rates, $1.25 for plain, and $1.50 for gilt. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal.

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES FOR 1897.

By Editor

What Shall It Be?

Performance Is Better Than Promise.

What Has It Been?

Other great religious journals present as a claim for public patronage prominent men, noted writers, great names, and high titles. Of that we have no criticism.
The SIGNS OF THE TIMES presents as an appeal to the public Great and Important Truths, told in simple English, and backed by the Living Word of God.
While it will have as its friends and contributors devoted servants of God, men who have made the science of Christianity their study and practice for years, and who know how to write, yet it boasts not in men. Its boast is in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In 1896 every phase of the Gospel of Christ was set forth more or less fully. The great and important doctrines which are agitating the world to-day have been discussed with lucidity and simplicity. Among these are the following:—
The Coming of the Lord and What That Coming Means, Church and State, Their Union and Separation, The Dangers That Threaten Both, Justification, Regeneration and Sanctification, The Scriptures and Their Inspiration, Life in Its Relation to Righteousness, The Sabbath in Its Various Phases, Great and Important Prophecies, Life through Christ, and Practical Christian Life.
Many of these subjects have been illustrated; and our five symposium numbers, if published in pamphlet form, would have brought at low rates one-half the price of the paper. It is safe to say that no religious weekly in the land presented before its readers more Gospel Truth than did the SIGNS OF THE TIMES during 1896.
We expect, by the blessing of God and the coöperation of our subscribers and friends, to do even better in the year 1897. It shall be our aim to "abound more and more."
The SIGNS OF THE TIMES will be published in 1897 as a 16-page, illustrated, religious weekly, for the entire family. The following departments will be maintained:—
Editorial.—In this department will be discussed from the standpoint of the word of God the living issues of the time, the vital teaching of the Gospel, as well as practical Christian truth. The constant object will be to deal, not with men, but with principles which make men what they are.
General Articles.—Under this general head will be set forth the great and vital truths of Christianity in articles on Prophecy, History, and Practical Christian life. The endeavor shall be to let the truth as it is in Jesus speak to the reader.
Outlook.—In this department will be noted from time to time some of the more striking indications of the trend of public sentiment, and here the omens of the time will be recorded.
The Fireside.—We hope to make this part of the paper more profitable than ever before. Articles on Health, Hygiene, interesting information for young and old, with occasional stories of an upbuilding tendency, will be found in the "Fireside" the year to come, and will help young and old around many firesides to pass many a pleasant, instructive, and helpful hour.
In our Missions department will be found interesting articles relative to various parts of the great harvest field, sketches of the dark and needy parts of the earth, with news from missionaries in general and from our own work and workers.
Our Sabbath School.—In this department will be printed our Sabbath school lessons. The first six months of the year these lessons will be on the latter part of the wonderful book of John, the last six months on the book of Acts. As the Revised Version is not found in every home, the SIGNS will print the "Lesson Scripture" from that translation. This will be of interest to many students.
International Sunday School Lessons.—These lessons for 1897 will be upon that most helpful and wonderful record, The Acts of the Apostles. We shall endeavor to help all Sunday school teachers and scholars to an understanding of the word.
News and Notes.—In this department will be found a digest of all the important news of the world for the preceding week. Careful news will be used as heretofore by competent writers to present facts as they are, together with brief comments concerning the meaning of these facts.
That Our Question Corner has awakened interest is shown by the fact that during the last two years over four hundred questions, principally on scripture themes, have been answered. This will be continued.
But few advertisements will be found in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and these will, so far as human foresight can see, be proper for a religious paper, and reliable.
The price of this large 16-page weekly illustrated paper is placed at the exceeding low price of only One Dollar a year. Directions as to how to send money will be found on this page. Special terms in clubs and to agents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, OAKLAND, CAL.

Editorial Notes

By Editor

SEE our prospectus on page 15.
READ the notices of our libraries on page 14. Here are valuable numbers for circulation.
OUR subscription list now numbers about 25,000. Shall we not, with the help of our friends, soon double this number? This is what some of our friends are saying. What do you say?
THERE will be two more issues of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES this year, namely, December 17 and 24. We have promised but fifty numbers to a volume, but the issue of December 24 will make fifty-one. We are sure our friends will appreciate this.
IN another column will be found an article, "Christ or Creed; Which?" This is not a mere theory which confronts us; it is a condition, vital to continued life and being. It comes home to the heart of every individual. Reader, in what is your trust—a cold, formal, dead creed? or in the living Christ?
To Our Correspondents.—We sincerely trust that our many correspondents will be patient with the editorial department over the matter of correspondence. We hope to answer all letters demanding reply in time; but of late letter-writing has seemed to be crowded out by other matters of moment which could not be neglected. That letters have not been answered has been a matter of necessity, not of choice.
It is a precious thought, beautifully expressed, in the article by Sister White on "Union with Christ," found on page 5: "As the husbandman prunes the branches of the fruit-bearing trees that they may bear more fruit, so the Lord prunes those who are endeavoring to serve him. Often by pruning away the unhealthy growth of temporal and secular interests which endanger heart and character, he causes pain. But he works with no wanton hand and indifferent heart. It is in love to his children that he cuts away the growth which threatens to destroy the health and life of the soul." Excellent indeed is the whole article. Who indeed would not have union with Christ?
HAVE you, dear reader, been interested in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES during the past year? Why not, then, interest your neighbor? Every family needs a good religious paper which is faithful to the Gospel of Christ in the presentation of present truth. Will you place before your neighbors, in a kindly way, the SIGNS? In that way we may be of mutual help to them and each other.
OUR article on United States History reveals to us some of the outward and political causes which separated the American colonies from the mother country. There was also another element involved which Professor Morris has not noted, and that was a desire on the part of many colonists, notably in Virginia, for religious freedom. They desired liberty of conscience, unfettered by civil statutes, an entire separation of church and state. This was developed more fully about the time of the adoption of the Constitution, altho its seed had been in existence from the first settlement in America.

WE MAY KNOW.

THE Catholic Mirror of October 10, in speaking of the coming of the new "apostolic delegate," Monsignor Martinelli, said:—
"There is no longer any serious dread among intelligent people, or, indeed, those of common sense, in the United States, of Rome. What the Catholic Church is, what she is doing for humanity, we see around us every day and every hour; and what the world would be without her we may in some degree imagine."
That we run the risk of placing ourselves among those who are not "intelligent," and who do not have "common sense," in what we have said and may say concerning the Roman Catholic Church we are aware; but we trust that in so doing "we are fools for Christ's sake." Against Roman Catholics as persons, as individuals, we bear no malice, ill will, or dislike. They are all the purchase of the blood of our blessed Lord, from the pope in the Vatican at Rome to the last and humblest nun just entered upon her novitiate. We condemn not one of them. That is a matter which belongs to God. But we are unalterably opposed to the principles of the Papacy, the principles on which the Roman Catholic Church is founded. We believe that they are contrary to the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,—antagonistic to the free grace of God, to personal faith and personal relation to Jesus Christ, and subversive of religious and civil liberty. That system, of which the Papacy is the wonderful masterpiece, separates God from man, puts God afar off, surrounds him with a cordon of hierarchs and lesser deities, through which it is almost impossible for the soul to break to gaze upon God's immutable love and infinite pity; and few indeed ever do. The glory of his measureless grace is bestowed upon innumerable saints, whose character is made more merciful, whose pity is made more responsive, than that of God's. We believe that God has abundantly warned us against this system from days of old in the "more sure word of prophecy;" that history furnishes abundant illustration from Babylon of old that its existence is ruinous to both church and state; that it is responsible for much of the evil of the Dark Ages; and that the world would be much better off without it. All this we believe we may know from the word of God.
At the same time we believe that there are many honest and sincere Roman Catholic Christians, not because of the system, but in spite of it. And we not only recognize, but we contend, that every Roman Catholic, so far as man is concerned, has the same right to his religion as has any one else on the face of the earth; no man or set of men has the right to compel or coerce him to believe otherwise. As to the right of the matter before God, no man or set of men is competent to judge, and all such judgment God has reserved to himself at the last day. Meanwhile we preach, as we understand it, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and beseech all, Catholic or Protestant, Jew or gentile, bond or free, to look and live, to make Jesus Christ their personal Saviour and friend.

Reason for a Sunday Law.

One of the reasons urged for a Sunday law by a writer in the Pacific Christian is the following:—
"We have laws to protect the public health. It can be shown that a day of rest promotes health."
And because a day of rest promotes health, therefore we should have a Sunday law. It can be shown that a certain number of hours' sleep promotes health; that the use of certain foods and drinks promotes health; that the wearing of woolen underclothing promotes health; therefore let the Legislature of California pass a law that all men shall retire at a certain hour, and shall remain in bed for a certain time. Let the Legislature prescribe the diet and clothing; in fact, everything else which pertains to man's health; and let the state be a great big father or mother to care for its imbecile children. So much for a health Sunday law. Here is another reason by the same writer, Mr. J. H. McCollough:—
"Good parents make their children keep still while their superiors talk; so the law ought to compel some people to keep still while good people worship."
And this gives the secret of the whole thing. Religious people are not willing to meet what they consider sinful and wrong in fair, honest, open competition. We want others compelled to silence while we talk. If Christianity can not meet men on the basis of the Golden Rule it has lost its savor. This writer—and he is not alone—would be willing to compel, if he could, some people to keep still while he worships; would he be willing that some people should compel him to keep still while they danced or played? If he is in favor of the first he should be of the second. There is no compulsion in Christianity except of love and righteousness and truth.

What Think Ye of Christ?

There are some that have very narrow views of him and his work. For instance, a "Christian" paper before us, in referring to that part of the Scriptures called the Old Testament, says, "It contained not a single command of Christ." Now the simple fact is that all the word of God came through Christ (1 Cor. 8:6; John 1:1-3); that he was the Angel, or Messenger, of God's presence in the wilderness (Ex. 23:20, 21; Isa. 63:9), and that he gave to Moses the living oracles from Mount Sinai (Acts 7:38). It was the Spirit of Christ that preached through Noah (1 Peter 3:18-20), and which testified through the prophets (1 Peter 1:10, 11). In fact, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, of all that pertains to man's salvation. What think ye of Christ? Is he merely the son of Joseph? or is he the Son of God?
THE true church (ekklesia), the called out ones, of Jesus Christ, are those who have accepted his call to separate themselves from sin and iniquity and be holy unto him. "If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." It is not fleshly descent; it is not continuity of official ministration, that makes a child of God or the true church of Christ; it is constant living connection with the True Vine which makes the living branch, and that connection is made by simple faith in God's word.
THE price of the Bible Students' Library is now twenty-five cents a year; and the publishers propose to give the subscriber his money's worth in the year to come. May we not have many subscribers to this publication at this price? The regular numbers are four, and there will be extras

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Signs of the Times · Dec 10, 1896