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Signs of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 59.

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Earlier text: TERRIBLE WORK OF VOLCANOES

International S. S. Lessons.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8

LESSON I.—SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 1895.

JOHN THE BAPTIST BEHEADED.

Lesson Scripture, Mark 6:17-29.
17. For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her. 18. For John said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. 19. And Herodias set herself against him, and desired to kill him; but she could not; 20. For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous man and a holy, and kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was much perplexed; and he heard him gladly. 21. And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, and the high captains, and the chief men of Galilee: 22. And when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and them that sat at meat with him; and the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. 23. And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. 24. And she went out, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. 25. And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou forthwith give me in a charger the head of John the Baptist. 26. And the king was exceeding sorry; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat, he would not reject her. 27. And straightway the king sent forth a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring his head; and he went and beheaded him in the prison, 28. And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother. 29. And when his disciples heard thereof, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
Golden Text: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matt. 10:28.
NOTE.—The section of history which belongs to this lesson includes Matt. 14:1-12; Mark 6:12-30; Luke 3:19, 20 and 9:7-9, together with other mention of John's mission in the various gospels. The time was probably the spring of A.D. 28. He was beheaded a year later, in 29. The place of our lesson was Galilee. The place of John's imprisonment was Macherus, a strong fortress and castle at the southern extremity of Perea, near Arabia, nine miles east of the northern end of the Dead Sea. Here it is probable that the feast of Herod was held, at which Herodias demanded the head of John the Baptist.
1. When Herod heard of the fame of Jesus, what did he say? See note 1. 2. What had Herod done to John the Baptist? Verse 17. 3. For whose sake did he do this? 4. What relation did Herod sustain to Herodias? 5. How did John the Baptist regard this unlawful union? 6. How did his heaven-sent reproof affect Herodias? See note 2. 7. What did Herodias desire to do because of John's reproof? Verse 19. 8. Was she able to accomplish her purpose? 9. How did Herod regard John? Verse 20. 10. What effect did John's preaching have upon him? See note 3. 11. What did Herod do on his birthday? 12. What part did the daughter of Herodias there act? 13. How did her dancing affect the king? 14. What did he promise her? See note 4. 15. How did he confirm his promise? Verse 23. 16. What council did she seek? Verse 24. 17. What was the reply of the mother? 18. What did the daughter immediately do on receiving this reply? Verse 25. 19. How did her request affect the king? 20. What induced him to comply with this request? Verse 26. 21. What did he immediately do? Verses 27, 28. See note 5. 22. What did John's disciples do? Verse 29.

NOTES.

1. The chronological setting of our lesson is about one year after John the Baptist was beheaded. In bringing in the fame of Jesus and Herod's supposition concerning who he was, the evangelist takes occasion to give the history of John's death. It was on hearing of the mighty works of Jesus that Herodias said that it is John the Baptist risen from the dead.
2. Herod's (Antipas) lawful wife was the daughter of Aretas, an Arabian king, but he abandoned her for the sake of Herodias. Herodias was the wife of her Uncle Philip, an elder brother of Herod Antipas, but she deserted him and eloped with the younger brother. Herod was guilty of the basest treachery to his brother, for it was while visiting his brother Philip that he became acquainted with Herodias, his wife, and as a guest plotted against the honor and happiness of one who was his brother and host. Herodias is described as an "able, ambitious, unprincipled, but bewitching and ensnaring woman." She probably thought when she married Philip that he would become heir to the throne, as he was the oldest son of Herod the Great; but when she found that he was to be poor, and his brother Antipas rich, she won the affections of the latter. This sin of Herod's John faithfully rebuked. From the tense that is used, it seems that he reproved him repeatedly, but Herod seemed to be so under the power of his unlawful spouse that his heart was hardened against all reproof. On the part of Herodias the reproof seemed to bring out all the devilish malignity of her character. The only way in which she could stop the reproof was to repent, or destroy the reprover. She would not repent, but slew the reprover.
3. Peloubet says, on the expression "when he heard him," "All the verbs are here in the imperfect tense, describing actions continued or repeated from time to time." He seems to have been fascinated by John, whose strong character overawed him at times. "He did many things." "His conscience being touched, he tried to make a compromise with it," says Morison, "by doing a variety of good things from which he would have otherwise abstained." The Revised Version translates, instead, of "he did many things," "he was much perplexed," that is, whether to obey his conscience or to continue in sin. He wanted to kill John to please Herodias, and yet his conscience held him back, and he kept him safe.
4. Says Schaff: "This was not a common dancing girl, but her own daughter was put to this degrading task for the accomplishment of her malignant purpose." Josephus gives her name as Salome, daughter by Philip, Herod's brother. "Dancing women were abundant," says the American Commentary, "and in such banquets it was common for them to appear, transparently robed, and execute voluptuous and impurely suggestive dances. This was the Roman fashion." It was the work of her mother, too, who was adapting her wiles to the man she had to play upon. In all probability Herod and his guests were more than half intoxicated. Says Prof. Isaac H. Hall, "The wine and drunkenness of to-day, bad as they are, are but the preserved remnant of the ancient horrid riotous revels." And yet those ancient feasts were largely pagan. Peloubet remarks upon Herod's promise: "Herod was willing to give away half of his kingdom for the sight of an immoral dance. Poor fool! But how many in our day give away the whole kingdom of their souls, with health and hope, prosperity, peace, and goodness,—yea, the whole kingdom of heaven,—for the paltry price of a glass of wine, the pleasure of the table, the gratification of passion or pride, the acquisition of a little money. The race of Esaus still thrives who sell their birthright for a mess of pottage."
5. In this scripture we have a fearful object lesson of what it means to reject reproof which comes from God. Had the warning of John to Herod and Herodias been heeded, what a different history might have been written, not only of Herod, but of the countries over which he ruled! But he rejected the reproof, and, though he did not mean to kill John—in fact, had taken care to preserve him from the power of Herodias, with whom he (Herod) was unlawfully connected—yet, by rejecting the reproof which God sent, he placed himself in the power of the enemy. While Satan could not lead him to commit the crime when sober, he brought about the object in another way. Herod drunk promised what Herod sober would not, and then, by the false idea of pride and dignity, he was led to carry out what he had so rashly promised. Rarely, if ever, does Satan bring to bear on us the suggestion or temptation to the maximum of sin or iniquity into which he desires to lead us. It is step by step, little by little, a yielding to temptation here, a compromise of principle there, until we are so entangled in his toils that there is no hope for us. The only sure and safe way is to heed the reproof which the Lord sends when it comes.
LESSON I.—SABBATH, JANUARY 5, 1895.

THE SANCTUARY OF THE BIBLE.

OUTLINE LESSON.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]
The subject of the sanctuary is a very interesting and important one. When we remember that in it the whole plan of salvation centers, that an understanding of it is necessary to a knowledge of present truth and the work of God for this time, and that the prayerful study of it opens before us a vast and fruitful field of Bible truth concerning which the great majority of the Christian world is confessedly ignorant, then we will, perhaps, better appreciate its value and the importance of giving it careful and thorough study. For books of reference in studying these lessons we recommend "Patriarchs and Prophets," "The Atonement," "The Sanctuary and Its Cleansing," "Early Writings," and "Great Controversy," vol. 4.
NOTE.—This outline lesson is placed before the mind at the commencement of our study of the subject, believing that it will be helpful in the lessons that will follow. This lesson is short, and the student should become familiar with every text used in it, and be able to locate them without hesitation. All of them are important proof texts, and should be remembered.
1. What is the meaning of the word "sanctuary?" Ans.—"A holy place, a sacred place, a dwelling place for the Most High." See Ex. 25:8 and "Webster's Dictionary." 2. How many times is this word used in the Bible? Ans.—144 times. 3. By what other names is it called in the Scriptures? Ans.—1. Tabernacle. See Heb. 8:1, 2. Temple. See Rev. 11:19; 15:5. 4. For what purpose are the Scriptures written? Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:16. 5. What, then, must we conclude in reference to the subject of the sanctuary? 6. What has the sanctuary been from the beginning? Jer. 17:12. 7. Where is it located? Ps. 102:19. 8. What did the Lord command the people to do in the time of Moses? Ex. 25:8. 9. For what purpose was it to be built? 10. How was Moses instructed to made it? Ex. 26:30; Heb. 8:5. 11. Of what was it a pattern? Heb. 9:23. 12. What is said of the sanctuary in heaven? Heb. 8:1, 2. 13. How does it compare with the one which Moses built? Heb. 8:2; 9:11. 14. What relation does Christ sustain to it? Heb. 8:1, 2. 15. When did he begin his priestly work? Ans.—After he ascended. See Heb. 4:14; 8:1; 9:24. 16. Why did he not exercise the priestly office while he was here on the earth? Heb. 8:4. Note 1. 17. Why was there no ministration in the heavenly temple before Christ came? Heb. 9:8. Note 2. 18. When Christ finishes his work as priest, and redemption is completed, how will God dwell with his people? Rev. 21:1-3. Note 3. 19. What does John say of that city? Verse 22. 20. Whose throne will be in it? Rev. 21:5; 22:1, 3.

NOTES.

1. In the plan of God the typical services and offerings of the former dispensation were to extend to the death of Christ, which took place at the close of his earthly life. He placed before us in his spotless example "the way, the truth, and the life;" but he could not minister his blood before it was shed, and he could not officiate as priest at that time, because he was not of the tribe of Levi. Heb. 7:12-14.
2. The typical service which was performed in the worldly sanctuary was a shadow of a service which was still future. Type reaches antitype, but cannot exist at the same time. The shadow is past when the substance is reached. They cannot occupy the same space; hence Christ's ministration in the heavenly temple could not begin while the earthly sanctuary and its typical services were being carried forward under the divine sanction. It is also evident that the Lamb of God must first be slain before his precious blood could be ministered in our behalf. This did not prevent those who lived before Christ died from being benefited by his sacrifice, because by faith they grasped the saving truth that Christ was a Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Rev. 13:8.
3. From the Scriptures we learn that God will finally dwell with men indeed, not as in the days of ancient Israel, by a symbol—the shekinah—in a temple made with hands, having in it furniture which reminds of sin, and a service performed for its removal, but he will actually dwell with men by his personal presence, in the New Jerusalem, "our Father's house," with many mansions, all prepared for the eternal home of the redeemed by the One who will soon come again to receive us to himself. John 14:1-3.
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LESSON II.—SABBATH, JANUARY 12, 1895.

THE WORLDLY SANCTUARY.

INSTRUCTION FOR BUILDING.

1. Who gave instruction for building the sanctuary? Ex. 25:1, 8. 2. To whom was this instruction given? 3. Where and at what time was it given? Ex. 24:12-18. 4. What kind of offerings were to be brought for the sanctuary? Ex. 25:2. Note 1. 5. Of what were the offerings to consist? Verses 3-7. 6. For what purpose was the sanctuary to be built? Verse 8. 7. How did Moses know how to make it? Verse 9. 8. Who were called to have the direct supervision of the work? Ex. 31:1-11. 9. How were they fitted for it? Verses 3, 6. 10. Into how many apartments was the sanctuary divided, and what were they called? Ex. 26:33; Heb. 9:2 (margin), 3. See also Revised Version.

MATERIALS FOR BUILDING.

11. Of what were the sides composed? Ex. 26:15. Note 2. 12. Of what length and width were these boards? Verse 16. Note 3. 13. How many boards were there to be on the north and south sides of the tabernacle? Verses 18-20. 14. How many on the west end? Verse 22. Note 4. 15. Of what did the corners consist? Verse 23. 16. What were all these boards to have in one end? Verse 17. 17. Into what were these tenons to fit? Verses 19, 21, 25. 18. Of what were these sockets made? and how much did they weigh? Ex. 38:27. 19. By what other means were the boards held in position? Ex. 26:26-28. 20. By what means were the bars held in place? Verse 29. 21. With what were the boards and bars overlaid? Verse 29.

NOTE.

1. There is an important lesson for us in the instruction which the Lord gave his people in regard to the offerings of the sanctuary. They were to offer willingly. We are to give "not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver." 2 Cor. 9:7. We may think, perhaps, that ancient Israel was a very wicked and rebellious people (and they were at times, and especially in the time of Christ), but their liberality in making offerings for the sanctuary is especially mentioned in the Scriptures. Ex. 36:5-7; 1 Chron. 29:9-17. We cannot afford to give grudgingly, or rob God in tithes and offerings, as the Lord declares we have done, and suffer his curse as a result. Mal. 3:8, 9. He wants us to cease robbing him, that he may pour us out a blessing that we will not have room to receive. Verse 10. When we remember that the Jewish people gave about one-third of all their income to support the work of God ("Testimonies," vol. 3, page 395), and that the early church in the days of the apostles gave all to carry the gospel, we ought to be provoked unto love and good works, cheerfully give of our substance, and take joyfully the spoiling of our goods, knowing that we "have in heaven a better and an enduring substance." Heb. 10:34. And now, as we are right on the borders of the promised land, and can carry nothing over, we should sell and give alms, that we may lay up treasure in heaven, and have our affections and interests center there, instead of being dwellers on the earth. Luke 12:23-36.
2. "SHITTH WOOD."—The wood of the shittah tree. "A tree that furnished the precious wood of which the ark, tables, altars, boards, etc., of the Jewish tabernacle were made, now believed to have been the wood of the Acacia Seyal, which is hard, fine grained, and yellowish brown in color."—Webster. The original word is translated acacia in the Revised Version.
3. "CUBIT."—There is no general agreement among the authorities in regard to the length of the cubit. The variation ranges from eighteen to twenty-two inches, hence the dimensions of the sanctuary and everything connected with it can be easily ascertained approximately in feet and inches.
4. "The sides of the tabernacle westward." Of course on the west there could be but one side, more properly, end. The Revised Version renders this, "The hinder part of the tabernacle westward," which is evidently correct, as the tabernacle faced the east.

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SECULAR.

—Extensive fires are reported raging on the plains over a large section of Texas.
—Late advices state that Attorney-General Olney has dismissed the cases of railroad strikers in Missouri.
—It is reported, December 12, that M. Le Mire de Villers, French special envoy to Madagascar, has declared war against the government of that island.
—Reports from Ashtabula, Ohio, December 13, state that diphtheria in a malignant form is raging. Over one hundred cases are reported, with ten deaths.
—Late advices report the death of Robert Louis Stevenson, the well-known novelist and essayist, at Apia, Samoa, his home during the last three years.
—Andy Bowen, a prize fighter of New Orleans, was killed in a bout with Lavigne, December 15. This is No. 16 in the list of killings of this "manly" art since 1824.
—A tornado struck Forsyth, Ga., December 12, injuring several people, and destroying property to the extent of $40,000. The M. E. Church, valued at $18,000, was wrecked.
—A landslide on the Great Northern Railroad near Everett, Wash., ditched the overland December 11. A tramp had his legs badly crushed between the tender and the bank.
—Robbers held up a Rock Island train near Wichita, Kansas, December 10. Finding no money in the express car, they relieved the passengers of what money and jewelry were readily obtainable.
—Two Swedes, Charles Johnson and G. E. Wennerberg, were smothered to death in a San Francisco lodging house the night of December 10. The gas was accidentally turned on after the light was extinguished.
—Eugene V. Debs, president of the American Railroad Union, was sentenced December 15 to six months' imprisonment. His leading assistants in the strike received three months' sentence. There is the usual report of appeal.
—A Central Pacific overland train was ditched near Auburn, Cal., the 12th inst. The engine and four coaches were thrown off the embankment, but fortunately no passengers were hurt. The cause of the derailing is not known.
—A cyclone struck the town of West Berkeley, Cal., December 11, causing considerable damage and much consternation. Lumber piles were scattered, and $1,000 worth of damage was done to the Standard Soap Company's building.
—A sixteen-year-old son of Engineer Fulton, of Sag Harbor, L. I., dropped dead at the supper table December 12. The boy was an inveterate cigarette smoker, and his overindulgence in the habit is thought to be the cause of his death.
—A dispatch states that the Universal Peace Union has forwarded to the emperor of Germany a petition urging his consideration of the proposition that Germany restore to France that portion of Alsace-Lorraine whose occupants speak French.
—Sir John Thompson, the Canadian Prime Minister, died at Windsor, England, December 12. He was ill but a few hours. Sir John was a native of Nova Scotia, 48 years of age. In religious belief he was a Roman Catholic, though educated a Protestant.
—David Spragg, a farmer near Ridgeway, Mo., went insane December 11, and killed his wife, three of his children, and himself. Two other children were assaulted, but managed to escape, taking with them a babe of eighteen months. The family had lived happily together to this time.
—On the morning of December 10, three burglars drove up to the front of a leading jewelry store in Fayette, Iowa, deliberately broke the plate-glass window, blew open the safe, securing $800 in cash, loaded up their wagon with $12,000 worth of jewelry and other valuables, and drove leisurely out of town.
—The lumber schooner W. L. Beebe was wrecked on the beach near the Golden Gate the morning of December 10. The crew of nine were rescued with difficulty after several hours of clinging to the rigging. Advices from different points along the coast report considerable damage to ships and shipping during the late storm.
—A horrible state of affairs has just been brought to light through the investigations of the royal commission at the provincial insane asylum, New Westminster, B. C. Flogging, dark cells, and ice-cold plunges were among the favorite methods for subjugating refractory subjects. A reorganization will immediately take place.
—A powerful and dangerous gang of counterfeiters has just been unearthed at Guthrie, O. T. Their plant was located in a cave reached by a subterranean passage 300 feet long. When raided some twenty-five men were at work. The officers gathered in three bucketfuls of bogus dollars, besides two tubfuls of dimes, quarters, and nickels.
—Dispatches from China state that Li Hung Chang has secretly reported to the Pekin Government his inability to check the Japanese advance. He deplores the want of railways more than the lack of troops, thus getting even with the censors who formerly frustrated his schemes for development of the resources of the empire.
—A report is current of the imprisonment and beating of three American lime burners by the chief magistrate of the city of Guatemala. The only reason for the outrage was the envoy of the magistrate, who demanded a dividend of the profits of the lime business. A natural refusal led to the outrage mentioned. The matter was at once referred to the United States Minister.
—Advices by Panama, December 12, state that Santa Marta, capital of the department of Madalena, Colombia, was inundated by a tidal wave November 7. The Manzanares River overflowed its banks; houses were washed away, and the inhabitants were forced to seek refuge in steeples and lofty buildings. A number of lives are reported lost. The town of Laira has completely disappeared.
—Late dispatches from Tiflis add to the horror of atrocities in Armenia. It is stated that Armenian towns held out for nineteen days against the Kurds, and succumbed only when troops under Zekki Pasha arrived. Sixty young Armenians were then horribly tortured, one of them being flayed to the waist. The report adds that pieces of his flesh were cooked and eaten by the savage Turks while he was yet alive.
—An anti-kissing club is the latest in Detroit, Mich. Its sole purpose is to prevent the communication of throat and lung diseases through lip contact. The movement is said to have received the hearty support of many leading physicians of the city. The members propose to agitate the movement, and agree to wear a small red disk or button upon the coat lapel or dress as a mark of membership and attitude.
—A mob of 300 boys ran things with a high hand in front of a broker's office in New York, the 11th inst. The broker advertised for a boy, and boys came, taking possession of the halls of the building. The janitor, becoming tired of their noise, attempted to eject them, whereupon the crowd put him, his assistants, and bystanders to flight. They were dispersed by the police. This is a good illustration of the respect for authority cherished by the rising generation.
—News reaches us by the Australian steamer Warrimoo of violent earthquake and volcanic disturbances in the New Hebrides group, threatening the existence of several of the largest islands. A landslide on Ambrym precipitated an entire native village into the sea. New volcanic craters opened, and for weeks the islands had been covered by clouds of ashes and smoke. Traders, planters, and natives are fleeing to other islands. The loss of life is estimated at about sixty.
—Newfoundland is experiencing a financial crash. Advices dated December 11 state that the Union Bank and the Commercial Bank (St. Johns) have closed their doors. The total amount of specie in the whole colony is said to be not above $400,000, of which $300,000 is in the two banks named, while the notes of the two institutions aggregate $1,500,000. The trouble was precipitated by the failure of large business firms. The great industry is fishing, and hard times are ahead, as there will be no cod fishing next summer. These fisheries employ 8,000 men during the fishing season.
—A runaway cable train dashed into the rear of a Madison Street train in the Washington Street tunnel under the river in Chicago, December 11. The trains were packed and the crash was terrific. The result is two men dead, and a score or more injured, some seriously. The stove in the rear of the front train was overturned and added fire to the scene. The scene was afterward described as a wild and ferocious struggle. A chemical engine was taken into the tunnel and extinguished the flames. The accident was caused by a grip breaking and slippery tracks caused by the rain.
—An interesting report of the discovery of the remnants of an ancient Indian tribe reaches us from Victoria, B. C. Only twelve members remain, and they differ in appearance, measurements, history, and customs from any other Indians of America. Dr. Franz Boaz, their discoverer, who has devoted his life to the study of the Indian races of America, and makes this present trip in the interests of the Berlin Museum and British Association, states that their sociology possesses much in common with the Ancient Egyptians, and their legends are of the "Great River." Their language is remarkable in its similarity to the Egyptian. The Indians are now called the Tsoutsouts, their ancient name having been lost. They once ranged from the Nass River to Alaska.

News and Notes.

By Editor

FOR THE WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 17.

RELIGIOUS.

—Measures have been inaugurated by the clergy of San Francisco to organize a movement similar to that of the Lexow Committee of New York.
—A writer in the Canadian Magazine estimates the wealth of the Church of England at $800,000,000, yielding a yearly income of $37,000,000. Lord Beaconsfield said, "Nothing in this country [England] can resist churchmen when united." For a very potent reason, it would appear.
—Emperor Francis Joseph of Hungary has given his sanction to the ecclesiastical bills. These bills include measures legalizing civil marriages, allowing the conversion of Christians to Judaism, granting religious liberty to Hebrews, and renouncing the restrictions with regard to the children of mixed marriages. The Roman Catholics and Greek orthodox bishops bitterly opposed the adoption of the measures.
—The Literary Digest has published in several issues articles on the "theology" and "religion" of noted poets, presenting numerous excerpts from their works as indicative of such religion. It is truly illustrative of the spirit of the times that, above all else, these presentations teach to each man his own religion. The religion of Jesus Christ and the plain teachings of God's word are secondary. How much easier it is in this last age to accept the beliefs of men rather than the word of God, to look upon the serene and placid lives of some of earth's greatest as justifying a belief contrary to the teachings of the inspired page. But it was always so.
—The Occident, San Francisco, suggests an International Commission, to consist of representatives from England, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States, with power to decide all questions between those nations. By this means it is hoped that other nations would join the great "Federation of Mankind," armies and navies would be disbanded, and "thus help to usher in the day for which the Prince of Peace was born into this world." Vain hope! For the Prince of Peace has left us word that just before his coming evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, and there shall be wars and rumors of wars, nation rising against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. The world is growing better in only one way,—better prepared for war. The Prince of Peace will not wait his coming on the announcement of a congress of peace.
—Commenting on the action of President Cleveland in sending a delegate with the Turkish commission to investigate the Armenian difficulties, an editorial in a leading daily says: "If the question at issue be one of an array of Christianity against Islam, we have no concern with it; not that the prevailing sentiment of this country is not favorable to Christianity, but because the Constitution of the United States in the strictest terms forbids sectarianism or religious distinctions; and if we disclaim theology and even religion at home, it would be illogical and absurd to uphold it abroad." The conclusion is to the point, but the present attitude of this government concerning religious affairs at home makes it neither illogical nor absurd for it to take whatever steps it pleases in foreign religio-political matters. Just now the United States is a Christian nation by decision of its Supreme Court. It legislates in religious things at home, and it is perfectly consistent for it to act as a "Christian nation" in "Christian" affairs elsewhere. The absurdity began at home. The Constitution is a thing of the past; the Christian(!) nation is the present.

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WHAT THOSE WILL GET WHO SUBSCRIBE FOR THE "SIGNS OF THE TIMES" FOR 1895.

By Editor

1. A NUMBER of articles, both independent and serial, covering all phases of the Sabbath question, one of the crucial questions of the day.
2. A series of articles on the subject of Christ's Priesthood, both in type and antitype.
3. An article in each number, written especially for the SIGNS, by Mrs. E. G. White. These articles will be upon various phases of Practical Christian Life and Godliness, and the great theme of Redemption through Jesus Christ our Lord.
4. Articles treating upon the various phases of our Lord's Second Coming.
5. Life through Jesus Christ, Man's Nature and Destiny, will be fully set forth as taught in the word of God.
6. The Law of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, their relation and interrelation, will be treated.
7. Satan, His Origin and Destiny, together with the Ministration of Holy Angels, and the ministration of evil angels, as manifest in Modern Spiritualism.
8. Articles on the Prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation will be printed, opening forth to the reader the wondrous light God has thus given us.
9. A series of articles by an original investigator on the Creed of Catholicism and Early Councils. Another series on Zion and Babylon.
10. A series of independent articles on Conversion, its Necessity, How Effected, Jesus in Conversion, etc., etc.
11. Important and interesting articles on the great mission fields of the world, by one of our foreign missionaries, such as, Beginning of Modern Missions—Carey; Mission Work in Burmah—Judson, etc. The Pacific islands, Africa, South America, Madagascar, Japan, Corea, China, New Hebrides, East Indies, with the leading pioneer character in each of these fields, will be considered.
12. Articles on Health and Temperance, the present condition of the Religious World, the Drift of Protestantism, the Increase of Catholicism, the Live Questions of the day, together with all that helps in building up the Christian character and Church, will be published in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES in the year 1895.
13. The Sabbath School Lessons, with comments and accompanying articles. The International Sunday school lessons, with questions and comments.
14. News and Notes of Our Work and Workers all over the Field. Latest Important News of the world each week, both secular and religious.
Not to average more than a page of advertisements will be published in each number. Think of it—800 large quarto pages filled with the best of Biblical gospel matter, for only $1.50. Is it not worth the price? Would it not be a good investment for your home and that of your friend and neighbor?
The Ultimate Penalty.—Says the Christian Statesman of December 8:—
"The weakness of the Sabbath [Sunday] laws is their utterly inadequate penalty."
But "the adequate penalty" for Sunday transgression will not stop short of death, for the men who are behind this Sunday-law movement, and especially the National Reform Association, for which the Christian Statesman speaks, are assuming to legislate for God, to enact God's laws in the State. But the transgression of God's law is sin, and the wages of sin is death. When men put themselves in the place of God, they will presume and attempt to do just what they believe that God ought to do were he in their place. They will increase the penalty, and will at last persuade themselves, as did the Jews of old, that it is better that one or more men shall die, that the nation perish not. For be it known that there will be those who will not regard the pagan Sunday, not for the purpose of defying law, but because they cannot conscientiously bow down to Baal. All this the "sure word of prophecy" points out. See Rev. 13: 11-18.
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