Remember these cars run through to above named cities without a change from Oakland or San Francisco. Our fast limited trains in connection with the above mentioned service. . . .
C. T. FORSYTH Div. Pass. Agent
12 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, Cal. PHONE MAIN 543
Book and Periodical Specials
Capital and Labor Number of the “Signs”
HERE are several thousand copies of this issue of the SIGNS yet unsold, which we are offering at half the regular price, viz., 1½ cents each in lots of 25 or more.
Here are some of the articles which it contains:—
“Some Representative Opinions on the Problem of Capital and Labor.” Under this Heading we have short articles by Harrison Gray Otis, David Maclean Parry, Samuel Gompers. “Wealth and Oppression in the Light of History,” by Prof. G. W. Rine. “Wealth and Oppression in the Light of Prophecy,” by the editor of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. “God’s Love for the Individual,” by Mrs. E. G. White. “What Eminent Men Have Said upon the Principles Involved.” “How Came this Great Conflict,” by William N. Glenn. “Christian Union Versus Human Unions.” “Church Unionism and Trade Unionism Coming Together.”
From the above named articles, it will be seen that this number of the SIGNS is up to date in every respect, even though more than 550,000 copies have been sold and that it was first issued some time ago. May we not expect our readers to quickly circulate these remaining copies? Remember the price is but 1½ cents each.
THE NEW TESTIMONY
VOLUME 8 of “Testimonies for the Church,” which has been in preparation for some time, is now ready. Advance orders amounting to more than a thousand copies are all filled, and we are busy filling the new ones received daily.
This volume is filled with timely warnings, counsel, and instruction to God’s people, that demands that all should have the book at once.
Cloth, 75 cents. Limp leather, $1.25.
LESSON HELPS
The Seven Churches and the Seven Seals
SUCH is the title of the pamphlet of 28 pages and cover, for the use of those studying the International Sabbath-school lessons. In addition to a very complete exposition of the subjects of the Seven Churches and the Seven Seals, the author, Eld. M. C. Wilcox, has devised a colored diagram, by the aid of which the student may more easily grasp the meaning of God’s great message to His people which these lessons contain. The price is 10 cents.
Great Nations of To-day
A book of great importance at the present time, containing a presentation of the great nations in their rise, relations, career, and their destiny, in connection with a clear and concise treatise on the “Seven Trumpets,” “The Three Woes,” “The Third Angel’s Message,” “The Threefold Message,” “Babylon,” “The Beast of Revelation 13”—its image in all its phases and workings, “The Commandments,” “The Hour of the Judgment Come, and the setting up of the everlasting kingdom of God. Paper covers, 25 cents.
Thoughts on Revelation
“Thoughts on Revelation,” by Uriah Smith, yet remains the standard exposition of the prophecies of this book. A new edition has recently been issued, bound in paper covers. Price, 25 cents.
The Seven Trumpets
We have just sixteen copies of this pamphlet left, which is an exposition of the symbols of Revelation eight and nine. It will render good service on this point in the Sabbath-school lessons. Ninety-six pages, price, while they last, 10 cents.
Pacific Press Publishing Co.
18 West Fifth Street Kansas City, Mo. OAKLAND, CAL. 201 Second Street Portland, Ore.
TO OUR PATRONS.
By Editor
Please be careful to write all names of persons and places plainly.
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When subscriptions expire, no more papers are sent to the party except by special arrangement.
You are requested to watch the date on your label, and renew early, and save the loss of papers. We can not always furnish missing numbers.
When requesting change of address, be sure to give both old and new addresses.
Important.—If you order SIGNS, Our Little Friend, books, etc., at the same time, use a separate sheet of paper for each. If this request is complied with, it will materially assist in the prompt and accurate despatch of the business.
When writing to the editor, be sure to use a separate sheet of paper.
"The Home Over There"
We have sung about it, but do we all know where it is to be? See what page seven of the "Scripture References" says about it.
The price of the pamphlet is 2 cents, or $1.40 per hundred.
1 Madeira Vine, 1 Calla, 2 Gladiolus, 4 Cinnamon Vines, 1 Anemone, 2 Hyacinth, 1 Tuberose, 1 Mayflower Lily, 1 Olympia Lily, 1 Jericho, flowers in ten minutes, 5 Choice Mixed Bulbs from Philippine Islands, 5 Bulbs for Hanging Baskets.
Will mail you FREE this fine collection of 25 packages Choice Flower Seeds and 25 Bulbs for 15 cents in silver or 8 two cent stamps.
Will send Seed Check and Catalogue free by sending your order at once.
MEDFORD SEED CO. MEDFORD, MASS.
Creation and Redemption
The power of creation is the power of redemption. The power to change chaos into cosmos in the beginning is needed, is essential, in transforming the soul from the chaos of sin to the cosmos, the order, of righteousness. Only creative power can do this. Therefore it is said, "If any man be in Christ, there is a new creation." 2 Cor. 5:17. The personal God has spoken as truly as He spoke "in the beginning," or on that first day of the creative week, when He said, "Let there be light," and light was. He speaks to the dark heart of the sinner, and light breaks in; for God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath also "shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." This is the hope of every person, that the creative power of God may be exercised to the salvation of the soul. And the only message in the world which presents this is the Gospel message of God concerning His Son Jesus Christ.
Office Notices and Bible Versions
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) Version, the Revised Version, or the American Standard Revised Version is used, quotations will not be designated in reference. Any Bible quotation in this paper, therefore, differing from the Common Version, unless otherwise indicated, will be from one of the two revised versions, usually the American Standard.
CONTAINED IN THIS NUMBER.
Poetry.
What Would He Say? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Waiting on God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
The Fame of the City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
A Song of Hope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
General.
Lessons from the Story of Cornelius, MRS. E. G. WHITE . . . 1
"Give Ye Them to Eat" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Time of the Latter Rain, H. A. ST. JOHN . . . . . . . . . . 2
The Builders, RODERICK S. OWEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Search the Scriptures, F. D. STARR . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Criticism and Bible Facts, BRYN MAWR . . . . . . . . . . 4
Life—Its Divinity, WILLIAM COVERT . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Taking God's Best or His Second Best . . . . . . . . . . . 5
How They Became Convinced (A Sabbath Symposium) . . . . . . . 5
Editorial.—Exalt the Lord our God—"Forbidding to Marry and Commanding to Abstain from Meats"—Workings of the Spirit—Repealing Law to Shield Transgressors 6, 7
To Our Spanish Readers.—We have just received from our Mexican publishing house the Sabbath-school lessons for the second quarter of the year, from the Revelation, chapters I to II. This study will be profitable outside of the Sabbath-school. Price, 5 cents. Address, Imprenta La Verdad, 1599 Ave. 22, Tacubaya, D. F. Mexico.
The Seven Churches and Seven Seals
"The Seven Churches and Seven Seals."—At the Pacific Union Conference at Healdsburg, Cal., mention was made, at the close of an evening meeting, of the little pamphlet above named, and sixty copies were immediately sold. It gives a brief exposition of the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters of the Revelation, including the first verse of the eighth chapter. The pamphlet has a neat, two-page diagram, in five colors, which gives a helpful analysis of the seven churches and the seven seals. The pamphlet is only ten cents. Address the Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal., or any of our branch offices or tract societies.
Parents, Do You Desire to Feed the Mind?
*Parents, do you desire to feed the mind of your little ones on good food?* They get enough of nonsense and foolishness, as a general thing, in the open life of the world. Their reading ought to be of the best, cheerful, helpful, hopeful, instructive in goodness and unselfishness. Do you wish to know of a paper which does this for children? It is OUR LITTLE FRIEND, published in Oakland, Cal. Its price is only 50 cents a year.
Institutions and Men
Institutions and Men.—God wants witnesses who will testify to the world that He is God, the living God. Institutions are good. The ancient tabernacle bore witness for God, as did also the temple built by Solomon. Many church buildings, colleges, hospitals, publishing houses have stood as witnesses for God throughout the centuries. But all these are mockeries unless those who conduct them are themselves living temples of God. The temple at Jerusalem was a great and costly pile, but it was only so much organized brick and stone when possessed by a backslidden and idolatrous people, and it became no longer precious in God's sight when desecrated by human selfishness. When our Lord predicted the destruction of Jerusalem and of the beautiful temple, His heart was not saddened by the destruction of the costly fane, but because His people knew Him not, and by unbelief had shut His presence out of the temple. It is not institutions which God's people so much need as the power of His Spirit. Better for God's cause a thousand times is a John the Baptist crying God's message in the wilderness than a marble temple in Jerusalem, with its thousand robed priests, destitute of the Spirit of God. What God wants as witnesses for Him is consecrated men and women who witness, in word and conduct, to the power of the living God.
Evolution and Geology
Evolution and Geology.—Perhaps nothing has done so much to undermine Biblical Christianity as have the unbiblical, false theories of geology and evolution. We do not mean that these theories have undermined Bible Christianity as such on its own merits, but in the minds of the people. One of the great reasons of this is that the mass of nominal Christians do not know the power of Christianity personally and experimentally, and this has left them open to the teachings of evolutionists, who make strong, positive assertions, often based upon entirely unproved hypotheses. But the average person who knows nothing of this receives the doctrines, and by them the truth is crowded out of the heart, and skepticism takes its place. But evolution does not satisfy. It leaves the heart as barren and hopeless of light and power as the hills of Gilboa of dew or rain; and there are many who are longing for light and truth. To help these and any others who may be troubled by these questions, Mr. George E. Price, who has studied these subjects for many years, has furnished for this paper a series of articles which presents the truth of these important subjects in a simple, understandable way, free from technical terms or technical terms clearly defined. We shall have more to say concerning these articles in future numbers.
Work and Wages
Work and Wages.—Much has been said as to the improved condition of work and wages, and doubtless this is true in many quarters; in some places, the claims of the employer may be true that there is not sufficient profit to conduct the business successfully. But the condition of both are deplorable in some quarters. The Montreal Star, in its issue of February 13, 1904, thus speaks of Canada:—
The other day the Star expressed the opinion that the wages paid to Canadian workmen were too low to give the wage-earners a decent living for themselves and their families in this age of high prices. The Star's views on this subject have not been assailed or contradicted. The cost of most of the necessary articles of food has increased at a rate out of all proportion to any increase in wages. Nobody seems to be in a position to blame the manufacturers for this condition of things, because many manufacturers are working absolutely without profit. Rubber companies, cotton companies, machine companies, and many makers of textile fabrics are passing their dividends. They keep their factories open, in hope, in deferred hope, that is fast turning to despair.
And Canada is not alone by any means.
The Meaning of Modern Civilization
The meaning of modern “civilization” has been explained and illustrated by an object lesson. Congress has passed a law, in harmony with the action of other “civilized” nations, forbidding citizens of this country to sell intoxicants or firearms in any island of the Pacific Ocean not under the government of a civilized power. So the privilege of indulging in these “civilized” luxuries is an appurtenance of the boon of coming under the control of “civilized” nations. But why should not the protection of the government against these deadly foes of humanity be also extended to its own wards? Logically, naturally, and most reasonably, government protection is supposed to begin at home.
Evidences Are Abundant Just Now
Evidences Are Abundant Just Now.—Says Samuel A. Eliot, President of the American Unitarian Association, in the Philadelphia Press—
It seems to me that the standards of business life in America are higher than they have ever been. I am able, therefore, to answer your question, "Is the world growing better?" with a hearty affirmative.
And we have been having some manifestations of increasing interest in the exhibitions of improved(?) business standards during the last few years, notably among the trusts, reaching the climax in the great steel trust. What change could there be in direction if the world should grow worse?
Preach the Word
How can ministers expect to reach souls by entertaining talks? It is not entertainment that sin-sick souls need, but the mighty Gospel of healing. What would we think of a physician who would go into a company of injured ones who had called him, and proceed to entertain them with sprightly conversation and song? It would be said that he was either insane or did not know his business; and should be condemned. But a physician of souls is much more to be condemned who deals triflingly with the needy ones before him. What God's ministers need now to do, as never before in this old world, is "Preach the Word."
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,
BUT HAVE NOT LOVE,
I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
And if I have the gift of Prophecy,
And know all Mysteries and all Knowledge;
And if I have all Faith, so as to remove Mountains;
BUT HAVE NOT LOVE,
I am nothing.
And if I bestow all my Goods to feed the poor,
And if I give my Body to be Burned,
BUT HAVE NOT LOVE,
It profiteth me nothing.
LOVE suffereth long, and is kind;
LOVE envieth not;
LOVE vaunteth not itself,
Is not puffed up,
Doth not behave itself unseemly,
Seeketh not its own,
Is not provoked,
Taketh not account of evil;
Rejoiceth not in unrighteousness,
But rejoiceth with the Truth;
Beareth all things,
Believeth all things,
Hopeth all things,
Endureth all things.
LOVE NEVER FAILETH:
But whether there be Prophecies, they shall be done away;
Whether there be Tongues, they shall cease;
Whether there be Knowledge, it shall be done away.
For we know in part,
And we prophesy in part;
But when that which is Perfect is come,
That which is in Part shall be done away.
When I was a child,
I spake as a child,
I felt as a child,
I thought as a child:
Now that I am become a man,
I have put away childish things.
For now we see in a mirror darkly;
But then face to face:
Now I know in part;
But then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known.
But now abideth
FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, these three;
And the greatest of these is
