p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 17. (4/25/1911)

Earlier text: The Dangers of Automobiles

A Special Bible Number Ahead

By Editor

There will be no paper next week. As advertised, we give but fifty numbers in the year; and one of the best places to drop one will be between our old series and new. The new series begins in two weeks with a special Bible number, full of valuable matter on our English Bible.

God’s Message for Today

By Editor

There are many earnest Christian souls asking their own hearts, "Has not God a message for to-day as He had for times past?" And we reply that He assuredly has, clear, strong, definite, balanced, reasonable, living. It will be our effort to set forth from the Word that message, in brief, during the next six months. The series begins with a number on the Bible. Now is a good time to subscribe and to induce your friends to subscribe.

Building Character for Eternity

By Editor

Our readers will be interested in the great station which the New York Central is building, as noted on other pages. It is a great thing; but a greater thing is the saving of the least soul that passes through that mighty gateway. And the building of a character transcends in glory all the structures of earth; for all these at the best are only for a time, while that is for eternity, not to the praise and glory of men, but to the praise and glory of Christ.

Shiloh: The Man of Sorrows

By Editor

"Shiloh: the Man of Sorrows."—We have received not a few requests for the publication of the above-named serial story in book form, and many inquiries as to where it could be obtained. We can only say that the Pacific Press can not publish the book, but the author may. Will those who desire copies of it if published drop a card to Mrs. L. D. A. Stuttle, 1215 Vermont Ave., Lansing, Mich.

Our Bible Number

By Editor

Our next issue, the first of our new series, will be a special Bible number, celebrating the tercentenary of our English Bible.

It will be full of information, a number to sell and to keep. It will contain among other interesting articles and facts, the following papers:

1. "The Annals of the English Bible," by Prof. M. E. Olsen, from the earliest translations of portions of the Bible in Anglo-Saxon to the Version 1611, the so-called "Author-ized."

2. "The Effect of the Bible on the English Language," by Prof. L. A. Reed.

3. "Later Revisions," especially the Revised Versions, by the editor.

4. "The Bible a Living Present Book," by Prof. G. W. Rine.

5. "The Power of the Word to Save," by Pastor Charles L. Taylor.

6. "The Blessings of Bible Study," by Mrs. E. G. White.

7. A new fine cover design on the Word.

The paper will be splendidly illustrated. It ought to have a large circulation, and will prove a splendid number to sell. Price 5 cents.

Japanese Purchase of the Flores Estate

Later investigations seem clearly to show that a Japanese syndicate of private citizens had an option on the Flores and Hale estate for $10,000,000, but were blocked by J. Pierpont Morgan, who holds a mortgage on the property for $750,000. The Japanese purchase was for the purpose of colonization and the promotion of dyes for silk. It is thought that news of the Japanese option had much to do with President Taft's mobilization order and the Japanese withdrawal, but all these may have been coincidences. At any rate the Japanese quietly refused to complete the deal.

Most Significant.

By Editor

It is sad to find professed Christians who do not believe in the real inspiration of the Bible, the infallibility of the Word; but it is sadder still to find a whole conference of missionaries save one remaining silent when such witnesses are asked for. Read the article on page 14. What can be hoped for in real conversions when there is not positive faith in the converting message?

Sympathy for the Caribbean Watchman

By Editor

Our heartfelt sympathies are extended to the Caribbean Watchman in the loss of its printing plant in the fire which swept five blocks of Cristobal, on the Isthmus of Panama. The loss to the plant was $30,000. Brother A. F. Haines, our former fellow workman, who lost nearly all his effects, writes that they are of good courage.

Protestantism Drifting Toward Tradition

The drift of Protestantism toward Tradition is revealed in the observance of Roman Catholic festivals and holy days. For instance a "union Good Friday service," was held in Richmond district, San Francisco, by the Congregationalists, the Baptists, the Methodist Episcopals, and the Presbyterians. Christ died that we might die to sin and reckon ourselves "to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord," every hour of every day. The observance of man-appointed days and memorials of God's work of redemption blinds the soul to the real meaning of the event or work in question. All such appointments are substitutes of a formal religion.

An Ancient Object-Lesson

An Ancient Object-Lesson.—It is said of the ancient Samaritans: "They feared Jehovah, and served their own gods." 2 Kings 17:33. They did not dare repudiate Jehovah, for they feared the lions and coming judgments; but their hearts were not converted, so they worshiped and served their own gods. How many do the same now! They dare not repudiate the God of the Bible; vague fears of possible coming ill, and early education perhaps, hold them, but they serve their own gods of lust, greed, fashion, appetite, passion, false theology. But these will stand neither the time of trial nor the test of God's judgment.

You Belong to God

You belong to God. You are His by creation, His by redemption. If you acknowledge this, as every honest believer will, you owe it to Him to develop every power of mind, body, and soul to the utmost. To expend your energies in selfishness and sin, to spend your time on the unnecessary things which perish, to place at the service of lust and greed and ambition powers and faculties which belong to Him who bought us at the price of an eternal sacrifice, is ingratitude, robbery, treason. Why not yield all to Him, and find what the world can never give?

The April Life Boat

By Editor

The April "Life Boat" is an excellent number, and full of instructive, cheering words. An article on "Sane and Scientific Eating," by Dr. David Paulson, leads; "The Story of Some Prodigals" and "Ministry to the Destitute, the Downhearted and Forsaken" follow, and there are other helpful articles on rescue work at home and in India. Price 10 cents. Hinsdale, Ill.

Cyclone in Kansas and Oklahoma

A cyclone in Kansas and Oklahoma April 11, it is reported killed 23 persons and injured more than 100, besides demolishing scores of buildings and destroying many thousand dollars' worth of property. Big Heart, Oklahoma, was in the center of the storm. Deaths are reported from the Kansas towns of Lawrence, Whiting, Powhattan, Elkridge, and Hiawatha.

No Paper Next Week

By Editor

No Paper next week. Do not write and say, "My paper of May 2 did not come." There is no paper of May 3. We give 50 numbers in the year. The great Bible number to follow will be worth two numbers.

The Monthly Signs for May

By Editor

The Monthly "Signs" for May, when only three days out, had a sale of 16,000 copies, a promise of great things. Past numbers have been going well, but the May number is doing better still.

Pacific Press Publishing Association, Mountain View, California