p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 32. (8/9/1899)

227 Styles of Bibles

By Editor

are described in our new Twentieth Century Bible Catalog. Whether, therefore, you wish a good Bible that will last a lifetime, or a cheap one for the little child, this Catalog will help you to select it.

Remember, the Catalog costs nothing but a postal card.

PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY

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Reduced cover page of Twentieth Century Bible Catalog

Instructions for Ordering.

By Editor

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Modern Education

By Editor

In another column will be found an article giving the impressions of the National Educational Association upon a conscientious Christian teacher. It will be seen by the reports of that meeting, as well as from many of our great universities and schools, that a marked feature of ethical teaching is "evolution." "Politics" under the guise of "patriotism," "expansion," and "imperialism" is poisoning and corrupting the whole educational system, and turning the minds of students to the superficial. The educators are looking for earthly results, and are obtaining them, and will obtain them. The Christian must seek a higher education. His goal must be the knowledge of God. The highest science is to know God. The noblest work, wrought only by such knowledge, is the building of an eternal character. How vastly more important is this, Christian parent, than the sophistries of uncertain "science." And, more, the science of God includes all true science.

The Brazos Flood

The portion of Texas affected by the Brazos flood is reported to be in a deplorable condition. In some sections forty-two inches of rain fell in sixty hours, resulting in the most disastrous flood the State of Texas has ever experienced. Many thousand acres of tilled land are under water, and the crops growing thereon have mostly been swept away. Fowls and great numbers of domestic animals were drowned, and buildings of all kinds totally wrecked, or carried away with the flood. The inundated section is said to have a population of 100,000, great numbers of whom have been rendered helpless. State aid has been rendered the sufferers, and an urgent appeal was sent to the Secretary of War for boats, launches, and steamers to assist in the work of providing for the victims of the flood the necessaries of life. The number of lives lost has not yet been accurately reported, but many are known to have perished.

The great French astronomer, Flammarion, has not, after all, as has been stated, renounced Spiritualism. What he doubts is the mediums. In a recent interview he declared: "Spiritualism is far from being a mental absurdity, but all experiments made through mediums are unreliable. . . . But most manifestations are conscious impostures. To this kind of Spiritualism I apply Tindall's remark, 'It is the basest delusion that ever obtained dominion over the weak mind of man.'"

"I am a firm believer in the spirit world. Space is peopled with spirits. It is not a necessity that mediums communicate with them."

"Mediums have degraded Spiritualism in France by their frauds. The well-known medium, Eusapia Palladino, is an arch deceiver."

"Communication with spirits is certain. A physical force is put into action. There is nothing supernatural or even preternatural about it. Its movements account for many phenomena. Certain unknown forces are capable of counteracting the action of gravity."

"The alleged spirit of Galileo deceived me as to the satellites of Jupiter. I say alleged spirit because, on reflection, I conclude the real spirit of the great astronomer, who suffered persecution for the sacred cause of science, would not attempt deception. It must have been a spirit of darkness."

And that is what all are that claim to be the spirits of the dead.

CONTAINED IN THIS NUMBER.

By Editor

Poetry.

What Christ Does, GERTRUDE E. M. SPIKING . . . . . 5

Let Me Win a Soul for Jesus . . . . . 10

Our Humble Kin . . . . . 12

The Good Captain, PAULINE S. FIFE . . . . . 13

Pebbles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

General.

The Lesson of Egypt, ALONZO T. JONES . . . . . 3

"The Last Shall Be First, and the First Last," MRS. E. G. WHITE . . . . . 3

Binding on Earth and in Heaven, W. N. GLENN . . . . . 4

"Together with God," ELSON J. DRIVER . . . . . 5

Hath Never Forgiveness, WM. PENNIMAN . . . . . 5

The Threat of the Germ, C. M. SNOW . . . . . 5

The Joy of a Consecrated Life, A. O. TAFT . . . . . 6

"Is It Peace?" M. C. WILCOX . . . . . 6

"An Infant of Days," F. D. STARR . . . . . 7

The National Educational Association, EMMA H. ADAMS . . . . . 7

Outlook.—"Worse and Worse"—Roman Catholics in America . . . . . 8, 9

Missions.—Waking Up the East, W. A. SPICER—Religion in Upper Burma . . . . . 10, 11

The Home.—Murderous Millinery—Fruits and Vegetables, DAVID PAULSON, M.D.—Real Friends . . . . . 12, 13

International Sabbath-school and Sunday-school Lessons . . . . . 14

Publishers . . . . . 15

WHAT IS FAITH?

By T.

FAITH is the simple and literal acceptance of God's Word. That is all there is to it, and yet it is all of that.

Faith is not some mere sentiment. Faith is not our feelings. Faith is something much more substantial than either sentiment or feeling. Faith is the mighty pillar that rests securely upon God's Word and sustains the Christian in every trial and every effort.

Faith is a contract between us and God. For whatever God may say, faith has already contracted to affirm that it is true. We say that God can not make mistakes. And it is by faith that we can always affirm that whatever the Lord reveals to us we have contracted to believe it.

Faith keeps us from contracting to do good works in our own strength. For the Master plainly tells us, "Without Me ye can do nothing." John 15:5. And, having learned this lesson, the same faith enables us to say with assurance: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phil. 4:13.

Great is the simplicity of faith! And equally great are the divine possibilities that it offers to each one. Our God is no respecter of persons, and every one who takes the key of faith may unlock all of the infinite treasures of heavenly righteousness, and power, and wisdom, and usefulness. We may ascend to the exalted heights of faithful Abraham. T.

The Kissing Bug

Of late "the kissing bug" (melanolestes picipes), has been tremendously advertised, as tho it were something new. Professor Fuchs, of the California Academy of Science, tells us that it is a well-known torment to workers in California orchards, and also one of the most dangerous insects on the coast. "Every year hundreds of farm hands are bitten." The bugs are usually found beneath stones and rubbish, tho, when plentiful, they are found on trees and bushes. "Any person bitten should apply ammonia at once and the danger will be reduced to a minimum." It is well for those in the country to keep a supply of ammonia on hand. "People whose blood is not in the best condition have the most to fear."

Oil Sprinkling on Railway Roadbeds

The Pennsylvania Railway Company are sprinkling their road-bed with oil, oiling from the center of the road-bed eight feet on either side, the rails themselves being completely protected. It is said to be much superior to water in eliminating dust, thus saving wear in cars, protecting freight from dust, and adding to the comfort of passengers. There is also said to be less danger of washout, the water running over the oiled surface. The New York Central begins experiments with ten miles of dusty track, upon which, as the first experiment, 18,000 gallons of oil will be sprinkled.

It Is Not Proof.

By Editor

One writer asks why it is that when Spiritualism offers us demonstrative proof that there is existence beyond the grave, the devout should not "accept this offered demonstration of their constant tenet with great gladness." We reply: Spiritualism offers no proof. The spirits, when there are spirits that appear and speak, are not the spirits of the dead, but lying demons, spirits of darkness. The Word declares, "The dead know not anything." The Word declares that Satan would do just the work in these days that he is doing through Modern Spiritualism. Modern Spiritualism thus bears undesigned and unwilling evidence of the truth of God's Word. There are spirits—good, the angels of God; bad, the messengers of Satan. But the dead humans live only by a resurrection. What are the proofs of this?—The resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the living Word of truth, which by faith raises men from a death in trespasses and sins to a new life, a pledge of the future resurrection to immortality.

Declining Presbyterian Churches

The New York "Sun" points out that there are ten Presbyterian churches in the borough of Manhattan, in that city, which are without pastors, or in a distracted or declining condition. Others, once notable and prosperous, are maintaining themselves only with the greatest difficulty.

What Would Jesus Do?

A writer, in that excellent little journal, the American Sentinel, in speaking of a book, over which much is being said, entitled "What Would Jesus Do?" well remarks that the best way to know what Jesus would do concerning political, moral, and other questions, is to ask, "What did Jesus do?" Jesus is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. He would do to-day, with reference to any question involving a certain principle, just what He did when here upon this earth.

Not Cross but Blessing

By Editor

Not Cross but Blessing.—There are many who look upon the seventh-day Sabbath as a "yoke" and "cross;" but such do not know the Sabbath nor its Lord. The Lord of the Sabbath is Jesus Christ, the merciful, loving Saviour of men. The Sabbath is His rest. In it is rest for every soul who comes to Him. There is blessing in it. And that person who accepts the Sabbath and its Lord with all the heart will find verified in his experience: "Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil." Isa. 56:2.

The World's Harvest Number

By Editor

Our next special number is the World's Harvest Number, to bear date of November 29. It will have articles of intense interest and infinite importance, and will be beautifully illustrated. We wish you to think about the matter. More next week.

Is It Peace?

By Editor

Read in another column the article, "Is It Peace?" This will be followed by one which will examine the prophecy of Isa. 2: 1-5.

Mauna Loa Threatens Hilo

Mauna Loa, the noted Hawaiian volcano, has been especially active of late, and its flow of lava threatens the extinction of the town of Hilo, the second city in size in the Hawaiian Islands. The flow began July 4, and has increased, traversing a distance of thirty-two miles, to within five miles of Hilo, with no barriers between. The heavens are lighted at night for many miles, and the spectacle is often grand beyond description.

The Lesson of Egypt

By Editor

Our first-page illustration, in its majestic and somber beauty, brings vividly to mind some of the greatest moral lessons of this sad earth's history. Egypt was once the greatest and most enlightened empire of earth. The other nations looked to her for knowledge, and drew from her granaries supplies for physical needs. Now she is noted for her monuments, her ruins, her memories. The reason?—She would not acknowledge Jehovah, but set herself to thwart His will. From that time she went down, till, in the words of the ancient prophet concerning her, she has indeed become 'the basest of the kingdoms.' Eze. 29:15. It is the typical kingdom of darkness, unbelief, and sensuousness. 'Out of Egypt' is out of the darkness of sin and unbelief. Read the article, 'The Lesson of Egypt,' in respect to religion and the State.

Millions of Gallons of Misery

By Editor

Millions of Gallons of Misery.—In the Fifth Revenue District of the United States, made up almost wholly of the corporate city of Louisville, Ky., a city of only 162,000 population, there are stored fifty million gallons of whisky, or three billion drinks in this city alone! Bottled destruction! But there is much more to this whisky business. We have an article on a Whisky Trust next week, worth reading.

Fourth of July Explosions

The Fourth of July explosions, in New York City alone, have resulted in nine fatal cases of lockjaw.

U.S.-France Reciprocity Treaty

A RECIPROCITY treaty has been concluded between the United States and France.