p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 34, No. 13. (3/25/1908)

Reading in the Home

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

ONE day in conversation with a skilful physician, he asked me: "Do you know what I would do if I were taken down with burning fever?"

"What would you do, doctor?" I asked.

"I would drink all the pure cold water I could get. I would just keep a stream of it running down my throat. You know," he continued, "that in a fever, nature is doing her best to get rid of the impurities of the system. She is trying to burn them up. I would help her by flushing the system with pure water."

I have thought of the words of the wise doctor many times. The world is full of impurity in the form of bad newspapers, silly magazines, and worse books. And instead of improving the matter, time only adds fresh horrors to the list.

What can we do? It would take the most devoted diligence of a score of Anthony Comstocks in every city and in every village in the world to purify and to purge this ill-fated land. And even then much that is essentially evil would remain. We must flush the reeking gutter with a stream of pure literature. We must create in the children—even from their cradles—such a taste for the good that they will naturally turn away from the evil with loathing. "No fountain can yield both salt water and fresh." If a vessel is filled to the brim with pure, sweet honey, how can you fill the same vessel with vinegar? If the mind is filled with that which is good and instructive, there will be no desire for folly. But we must begin early. If pure tastes are not formed then, it is a most difficult matter to correct evil tendencies later. I suppose there are people in the world who habitually season their food with asafetida. But this grotesque and unnatural taste must be acquired in childhood.

I used to count among my acquaintances an old gentleman who was a great reader. But the character of his reading could be told by a five-minutes' conversation with him. His books had brought him no wisdom. They had merely served to amuse him. Had he only stored his mind with the beautiful precepts of "Him who spake as never man spake," or with history or useful biography, the study of years would have brought him wisdom instead of folly. His conversation would have revealed the culture of his mind which a naturally good memory would have increased. But a study of the Book of books had no charm for him. He loved better to read some exciting and improbable tale than to learn the wonderful precepts of the humble Nazarine; and he died as he had lived—without hope.

"But what shall we read?" you question. "There is so much that is evil, how can we choose the good and make no mistake?"

I will tell you what another old gentleman, a good friend of mine, once said on this subject in my hearing:

"When I was a child," he declared, "I was taught by my mother to be so careful as to the kind of books I allowed myself to read, that when I looked into a book, unless I saw the sacred name of Christ on its every page, I quickly decided that this was no book which I needed to read, and it was accordingly discarded."

It was as if he had determined, with the mighty and learned orator of Mars Hill, "not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

Well, what has been the result of a lifetime of solid, sensible reading?—the conversation of my aged friend—he has reached the good old age of fourscore and five years, is genial, intelligent, and instructive. His eyes are bright and beaming with a kindly light; and he constantly bears the testimony of that grand old hero, who, tho under dire affliction, declared loyally, "I know that my Redeemer liveth."

Let us then regard the knowledge of the Most High as all important. The word of God should be first always. It is not that this should constitute our entire library, O, no; but by its unerring rule let everything else be judged. Whatever in books elevates and refines; whatever in papers or magazines instructs; whatever makes us the better or the wiser; whatever appeals to our humanity; whatever tends to rid us of selfishness; whatever will add to our fund of useful information—finally, "whatsoever things are pure, . . . whatsoever things are of good report," read such things as these.

It is a most excellent plan to form a habit of reading slowly. Don't skim. Whatever is worth reading at all, is worth reading thoroly; and if you can not make the thought your own with one reading, read it twice—it will pay you.

Abraham Lincoln, when a boy, had few books. But those few were good books, and he read them many times over. One good book well read is worth a score of half read volumes.

Another excellent plan is to repeat to a friend the things you have read. Tell the story in your own language, but keep to the facts. You will find this an excellent exercise for the memory.

If you have not time to read much, and you must cut down your list, remember that you can afford to slight any other book better than to neglect the Bible. That is our Guide Book. It contains the most beautiful poetry, the most interesting history, the most profound logic, the most sublime description, the most thrilling tragedy, the most tender and sweet, realistic love stories, and the most important and instructive biography. Its songs are sweeter and its prayers more sublime than those of any other book in the world. It is the Book of books, both for the old and for the young. It tells us how to live simply and contentedly, and how to die happily, and, thank God, it points us to a country where death comes not, and where the cry of the mourner is never heard.

A Rule for Judging Sin

By Susanna Wesley

Would you judge of the lawfulness or unlawfulness of pleasure, of the innocence or malignity of actions, take this rule: Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off the relish of spiritual things,—in short, whatever increases the strength and authority of your body over your mind,—that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may be in itself.—Susanna Wesley.

DATE OF EXPIRATION.

By Editor

The Signs wrapper bears date of last issue due on your subscription. Unless renewed in advance, paper stops with expiration date.

If herewith is an order-blank, you will know you have overlooked sending renewal. You will not wish to miss a single issue. Back numbers often can not be furnished.

S. S. Supplies

By Editor

S. S. Supplies.—We still have a good supply of S. S. Record F at 35 cents, for schools of 20 to 90 members; class records at 10 cents; S. S. Quarterlies at five cents each. If you need a Bible, send for our “Select List of Bibles.” Address, Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal.

Colds.—By G. H. Heald, M.D. A treatise on the causes, prevention, and cure of colds. White leatherette binding. 58 pages, 25c.

Address this office.

HALLOWED HYMNS NEW and OLD

By I. ALLAN Son of IRA D. SANKEY

WORTH WHILE SEEING—EVEN OUT OF CURIOSITY

256 pages 100 new songs JUST PUBLISHED Scripture Readings

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“HERALDS OF THE MORNING”

By Editor

The appalling loss of life by murder and suicide, political and social troubles, dissatisfaction between employer and employee, strikes and fires, wars and rumors of wars—all these are of daily occurrence. What do they mean? and is there any significance to these things at this particular time? To the close observer, all these are evidences that there is a nearing social vortex into which all unsettled factions, and the world at large, will be plunged. When and how this will be brought about is revealed in “Heralds of the Morning.” By appealing to the “sure word of prophecy,” the author clearly shows that these conditions were to exist just before the Lord’s return, and points out many other signs that the Scriptures tell us are certain heralds of the glad morning when strife shall cease, and peace and happiness reign forever. That the reader may understand these events, and be prepared for the final outcome, is our reason for calling attention to this valuable work. More than 150 illustrations vividly portray that upon which the subject-matter treats. A live book upon a live subject.

Bound in cloth, with marbled edges, $2.00.

Two Republics, The. By Alonzo T. Jones.

By Alonzo T. Jones

A comparative history of the two greatest republics, Rome and the United States. The study of years and elaboration of many volumes are presented in a concise and pleasing manner. In reviewing the history of the Roman republic, the rocks upon which she stranded are clearly pointed out. It contrasts the principles underlying enforced religious observances with the true principles of religious freedom for every man, as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. One octavo volume of 899 pages, clearly printed on fine, tinted paper, beautifully and substantially bound, and illustrated with over 67 full-page engravings. Cloth, marbled edges, $2.50; cloth, gilt edges, $3.00; Library, marbled edges $3.50. Address this office.

Matthew Twenty-four

An exposition, verse by verse, of one of the most striking chapters in the New Testament; covering

Matthew Twenty-four

Second Coming of Christ

our Lord's great discourse on the destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the world, and the special signs of His second coming to reward His children. The facts of fulfilment given make this pamphlet worth many times its price. 94 pages, price 10c.

PACIFIC PRESS Mountain View, Cal.

Bibles

By Editor

Bibles.—Remember that we are headquarters for anything in the Bible line. We shall be pleased to send you our catalog of Bible selections on application. Pacific Press Publishing Co., Mountain View, Cal.

Friend in the Kitchen

Friend in the Kitchen.—This is an educational cook-book. Its object is to educate people away from flesh-eating by presenting to them a far better way. This “better way” consists of 400 thoroughly tested recipes for the preparation of good, wholesome dishes, none of which include meat of any kind. The book gives the nutritive value of foods, time required to digest various foods, rules for dyspeptics, best food for infants, substitutes for meats, and, in fact, about everything a person wishing to reform his dietary needs to study. Durably bound in flexible cloth, 25c; oilcloth, 50c.

Daniel and the Revelation

By Uriah Smith

Daniel and the Revelation.—Revised edition. By U. Smith. A history of the rise and fall of nations, being an exposition, verse by verse, of the important prophecies of Daniel and John, comparing Scripture predictions with historical facts. It follows in the track of no other commentary; but, guided by the obvious rule that the Bible should be its own interpreter, it aims to arrive at the exact meaning of the sacred writers in harmony with the great plan of redemption as presented thruout the Scriptures. The author has devoted over thirty years to the study of the Bible, and believes that the prophecies of Daniel and John were written for our admonition, and that the subjects they unfold are the coming themes for the religious world, destined to engage the attention of all thoughtful minds. Over 900 pages, with illustrations, beautifully bound. Cloth, marbled edges, $2.75. Address this office.

Letters and Letters

By Editor

Letters and Letters.—Many of them are excellent, breathing a Christian experience and sweetness in their words of encouragement and counsel. Many are for information. A few are critical. One came to-day, burning, blistering in its caustic criticism, because of a short quoted article in the SIGNS, advising girls not to marry men to reform them. The critic thought it unchristian, because it struck against intemperance, and did not take in the whole category of sins and the sinful nature. His contention is that God never helps a man to overcome only one sin; that where only one sin is overcome the individual becomes self-righteous; that the self-righteousness is more malodorous in God's sight than the sin. And this may be true in many cases. But it is also true that God helps, unconsciously perhaps, to the person involved, to overcome single sins. Later that person saw that it was God working. The sin overcome left the man where the Spirit of God could impress the person with truth, whereas if failure had come in the struggle with this one sin, never would that person have been reached. Yet we agree with our critic that God's normal method of reaching the sinner is the crucifixion of the carnal nature, and the creating of a new heart. And the soul must be so changed before man sees the inside of God's kingdom. But to bring men there, God meets them where they are, helps in every way He can consistent with man's free-will, and saves even by piecemeal if the person keeps his face toward God. If therefore we can save a man from one accursed sin, let us do it, and let us let him know that every true, moral uplift is from God, and not of a sinful heart, which must be transformed by divine grace.

Labor Troubles in Chile.

On March 11, the Norwegian steamer "Christian Bors" brought the news to San Francisco, according to the Examiner of the next day, that in strike troubles at the nitrate beds near Iquique, the soldiers fired into the massed strikers, and 2,500 were laid low, most of whom were killed. This occurred January 1. Many soldiers also have been killed. It is said that the strikers returned to work without the advance in wages they struck for.

Publication and Bible Quotation Policy

By Editor

We send no papers from this office to individuals without pay in advance. When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the SIGNS are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon to pay for them. Please read the papers you may receive, and hand them to your friends to read.

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, quotations will not be designated as 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 1901, by Thomas Nelson & Sons.

Renouncing Sin for Forgiveness

These are days of solemn decision. Men may buy lawyers, jurors, judges, in earthly courts. They may alter charges and pleadings. They may escape on technicalities. But no "immunity bath" will be given in the Court of high Heaven to the man who clings to his sin. No change will be made in the charge. God will forgive, but He demands that the one who seeks forgiveness shall renounce every sin. The smallest sin retained means disloyalty to God; for He demands, as He has the right, the abjuration, the forsaking of all sin. If, therefore, the soul chooses the sin, he by that choosing counterworks God; he becomes God's adversary, and is also working for his own destruction. But the soul who chooses God's way, renounces all sin, will have all his sins washed away in the blood of Jesus.

Bible-Reading Next Week.

By Editor

"The Seal of God and the Mark of the Beast." What are these? What do they mean to the world? What do they mean to ME? See Bible-reading next week.

To Questioners

By Editor

To Questioners.—It makes no difference what the question may be or how interesting the question may be, it is not answered, it will not be answered in the paper or by letter unless the name and address accompany the question. We do not ask this to make public the names. We never do make public the name of one asking questions unless it is requested by the questioner; but we ask the name as evidence of good faith. We have no time to give to unsigned communications of any kind, nor will the signature of initials do. This rule is invariable, works hardship upon none, and is fair to all.

Protect the Man, Not the Thing

One of the unmitigated curses which is creeping into our law-making is the demand for legislation to protect the THING instead of the man. It is not the proper object of government to protect the trust or the corporation or the labor union or the labor-union label or the Sunday or the Sabbath or baptism or the eucharist, or any other institution, thing, or fad. The true object of government is to protect MAN—all men irrespective of religion or belief—in his God-given rights. A recognition of this principle would settle in a minute many of these demands. The protection of the individual man—rich or poor, Catholic or Protestant—assures the protection of every man. The protection or exaltation of some tenet or thing or fad by law exalts in the eyes of the law the men who rally around it and proportionately degrades or discredits those who oppose it. It is not the Sunday which should be protected, but John Smith in his observance of the day, whether at work or worship.

The Worst Banking System

By Editor

"The worst in the civilized world" is what Andrew Carnegie called the banking system of the United States in an address before the Economic Club of New York, Feb. 5, 1908, and we are inclined to agree with him. United States seems to be a good place for hatching panics.

Principles of Religious Liberty

By Editor

We hope that our readers, whoever they are, will study the principles set forth in this issue on religious liberty. There are great demands thruout the nation for Sunday laws—clearly religious legislation. In the language of Rev. C. C. Bitting ("Religious Liberty and the Baptists," Am. Baptist Pub. Soc'y.), "Resist beginnings. . . . Pliancy, where principles are compromised, is sin; and the most intolerant of dispositions is that which hates because of differences."

The Power of Godliness

"The power of godliness" is power over sin. If we continue in sin, we are by that revealing that we know not the Gospel; for "the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth."

Contained in This Issue.

By Editor

With Our Inquirers	Page
Questions Nos. 2433 to 2441	2

General

| Christ the Teacher and Healer | 3 | | Church and State | 4 | | Man on Probation | 4 | | The World's Conqueror | 5 |

Home Bible Studies

| Religious Liberty | 6, 7 | | Bible Band | 16 |

Editorial

| Notes on Religious Liberty | 8 | | Studies in Romans | 8 | | Studies in the Book of Daniel (A Prophecy of the Nations) | 9 |

Outlook

| Silly Devotion to Brutes | 10 | | Subject-Matter for War | 10 | | A Shameful Condition | 11 | | Penrose Proposes a U. S. Press Muzzler | 11 |

Missions

| Young Men | 12 |

The Home

| Reading in the Home | 14 |

Poetry

| His Guiding Hand | 5 | | Duty's Voice | 5 | | True Freedom | 7 | | With Wisdom Filled | 12 | | Home, Sweet Home | 14 |

Our Bible Band.

Schedule for Week Ending April 4, 1908.

Sunday	March 29	Joshua	11, 12
Monday	" 30	" 13, 14	" 92
Tuesday	" 31	" 15, 16	" 93
Wednesday	April 1	" 17, 18	" 94
Thursday	" 2	" 19, 20	" 95
Friday	" 3	" 21, 22	" 96
Sabbath	" 4	" 23, 24
		Judges 1, 2	" 97

Joshua, chapters 11 to 21, have to do with the division and settling of the Promised Land among the tribes. There also is suggested their lack of faith and their slowness; yet chapter 21 closes with the assurance that God had wrought all that He had promised. "There failed not aught of any good thing which Jehovah had spoken."

Chapter 22 records the return of the two and one-half tribes to their chosen inheritance east of the Jordan, after all Israel had received their inheritance. When they went back, they builded an altar of witness. The nine and one-half tribes thought it first to be rival worship, but subsequently learned otherwise. The last two chapters are made up largely of the closing counsel of Joshua to Israel. This faithful servant of God died at the age of 110 years, impressing the probity of his life upon his entire generation. The last two verses record the faithfulness with which Joseph's charge was kept.

The book of Judges takes its name from the leaders whose record of work is found in it. They were not judges in the sense the term is now generally used, but really defenders, saviors, raised up in times of crises. See chapters 3:9; 2:16. Yet some of them adjudicated differences and judged between brethren, especially Deborah and Samuel. The book divides easily into three parts: (1) An introduction, showing that not all of the country had been possessed. Chapters 1; 2; 3:1-6. (2) The stories of the twelve judges. Chapter 3:7 to 16:31. (3) Two additional chapters, recording the building of the sanctuary at Dan, and the crime of the people of Gibeah, with whom the whole tribe of Benjamin identified themselves. The time it was written or its writer we do not know. Internal evidence seems to show it was written in the days of Samuel or one of his school of prophets. Its chronology is difficult. It records fearful backsliding and the great mercy and goodness of God.

Twelfth International Sunday-School Convention

By Editor

The Twelfth International Sunday-School Convention meets this year in Louisville, Ky., June 18 to 23. Great efforts are put forth to make the work a success. We hope it may have a mighty influence in stimulating souls to study the word of God. The chairman of the executive committee is Mr. W. N. Hartsthorn, 85 Broad St., Boston, Mass.

Bill-Boards

Bill-Boards.—There is a determined fight on in many of the cities of the United States, thru the American Civic Association against the bill-board in general, and especially against the indecent and demoralizing bill-board posters. Some cities have abolished them. Yet there seems to be great danger that the Civic Association may be inclined to cover a little too much ground.

Labor Days and Labor Days

There are “Labor DAYS” and LABOR Days.—On the former men do not labor. They are fined many times if they do. On the latter they do labor. The University of California has just celebrated one of the latter, in which a thousand men went to work and did a lot of splendid work on the university grounds. These are the labor days which do not breed trouble.