p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 51. (12/18/1907)

“Sealskin”

By Editor

It is not often that we select any one Bible and give it the prominence we are giving the one here shown, but our judgment on many years’ experience in the Bible business is that it is worthy of it.

It is printed on the celebrated Oxford India paper.

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The type is clear-faced minion.

The chapter titles are in figures.

It contains references and twelve maps.

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Pacific Press Publishing Company

Mountain View, California 285 Salmon St. Portland, Ore. 1109 East 12th St. Kansas City, Mo.

Do Something Soon

By Carlos Wilcox

Be thy best thoughts to work divine addressed; Do something,—do it soon—with all thy might; An angel's wing would droop if long at rest, And God Himself inactive were no longer blessed. —Carlos Wilcox.

The Medical Convention at Loma Linda, Cal.

By George McCready Price

We can see evidences everywhere that medical missionary work is rising from obscurity, and taking on new life and glory. One incident in the progress of this great movement, marking a period in its history, was the medical convention recently held at Loma Linda Sanitarium. In this convention the evangelistic side of the matter was not neglected, as it so often has been, but emphasis was placed on the great need of rescuing medical work from the professionalism that has settled upon it like an incubus. Christian evangelism is immeasurably larger than professionalism of any kind, and far beyond mere humanitarianism; and this convention endeavored to place in their right relationship the ministry to the body and the ministry to the soul. The needs along both these lines were strongly presented by various speakers.

It was voted to publish, in pamphlet form, a report of the convention, and all who desire may obtain copies of it thru the regular channels, as soon as it is ready. Geo. McCready Price.

The Building of a Home

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Honorable and Proper Courtship.

"NOW," says my wise friend, "be careful, I entreat you; you have chosen a subject which, to say the least, you will do well to handle with gloves on; in fact, it seems to me the least said on this subject the better."

Begging your pardon, my nervous friend, allow me to say that this subject has been handled too long already with gloves on. So, with gloves laid aside, hands quite bare, and with reverent and honest heart, let us lay hold of our subject. Indeed, what would you think of a mechanic, a jeweler, for instance, if he undertook the making or repairing of some very delicate work with his gloves on? You would look at him in astonishment, at least, and say to him, "My dear sir, you should not undertake so fine a work as that until you have removed your gloves."

And how much more delicate a task it is to discuss those vital questions upon which hang the happiness or unhappiness of so many tender and loving hearts. And so I say, the more delicate my task, the more anxious am I to go about it ungloved.

"Very well, then," you ask, "what do you mean by honorable and proper courtship? You must believe there is such a thing, or you would not have chosen such a subject."

Most certainly I do; and I want to address, especially, two classes: parents and young people.

Come, fathers and mothers, let us have a quiet talk upon this most interesting and vital subject.

"Well," says a peevish mother, "it doesn't interest me at all. I can't bear the word courtship ever since my Mary began keeping company with that young Mr. Blank."

Pardon me, my friend, but I doubt not that you can remember the time when this very word sounded like music in your ears, and it was not so very long ago, either, now was it?

"Yes, but I thought you'd talk to Mary, and coax her to abandon this thing—she's just breaking my heart."

I will talk to the young people next; but first, let me ask you a few questions: How old is your daughter?

"O, she's old enough, I suppose—she's twenty-five; but it just breaks my heart to let her go. Why, it seems as if the home would go to pieces without Mary; she's so helpful and handy and kind and good and—well, she's the oldest, you know, and she's a great help in caring for the other children, and always has been."

One more question, if you please: Is your daughter a Christian?

"O yes, yes; and I'm glad to tell you that she is a consistent one, too; she's been a good daughter to us, never gave us any trouble in all her life till now."

O, I see; the young man is probably a wild, wicked fellow—an atheist or a drunkard. If so, most certainly I can't wonder you are uneasy.

"O no, no; he's a fine young man, and a good Christian. Mary wouldn't think of him a moment if he were anything less than that. He belongs to the same church she does, and so she urges that it must be all right—that's the trouble!"

O no, my friend, that's not the trouble. I'm greatly afraid the real trouble lies in your own selfish heart. You have certainly been describing ideal conditions for an honorable and proper courtship, and the building of a happy home, where the blessing of Him who has said it is not good for man to be alone, may continually rest.

"Well, there now!" exclaims Mrs. Reckless; "I'm so glad to hear you talk like that. Now there's my Millie. I just encourage her and always have from the time she entered her teens to keep company with any one she likes. I think it's all a mistake to disturb the young things."

So says Mrs. Reckless, who, I am sorry to say, represents too large a percentage of the mothers of our unhappy land. And the unfortunate daughters of such mothers will continue to bring their gray hairs down with sorrow to the grave, until something arouses their injudicious parents to a sense of their sacred responsibility.

Little girls in their early teens ought to be playing with their dolls and helping mother with the housework; and young boys in their teens are scarcely old enough or mature enough to understand the real meaning of the word "courtship." Yet how often nowadays one sees a silly, giddy girl, with her frock away above her shoetops and her hair hanging down her back, hanging on the arm of a foolish young dandy hardly out of his knee pants. And on this folly, fathers and mothers but little wiser than their children look with a patronizing smile. No wonder that the times are perilous! No wonder that our ears are getting accustomed to the sensational and criminal stories that flood the newspapers!

What is the reason that the church of God is so weak to-day, both in numbers and in spirituality?—Ah, the great reason is because there are so many Christless marriages. Careless, unbecoming, and unwise courtships lead to this. And Christless marriages mean Christless homes and a weak and worldly church.

Young people, I promised a word to you; well, listen: Given good health, mature age, genuine and mutual love,—mind, I say love, not passion,—and last, but by no means least, the unselfish love of God in the heart, and you have the ideal conditions for an honorable and proper courtship, and a happy and Heaven-blest marriage.

Finally, in this thing, as in all else, let this be your motto: "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

A Gingerbread Story.

By Frances Bennett Callaway

BOBBY BROWN fell ill—so very ill that his mother hurried him away to a doctor.

"What is the matter?" asked the doctor. It was just his lunch time, and he looked at Bobby as tho he could eat him up.

"He is so thin—he doesn't weigh more than a bushel of wheat, and he is so weak his legs bend under him like bow-legs, and he hasn't any appetite—he never eats anything save a bite now and then between meals—" and here Bobby's mother stopped to wipe away the tears that were springing into her eyes.

"Bite of what?" asked the doctor, rather severely.

"A ginger cookie," said Bobby's mother, sighing dreadfully. "That's all he ever eats—a ginger cookie."

"How many ginger cookies do you bake in a week?"

"Not more than a milk-pan full. It might be a hundred, or more or less."

"Do you eat ginger cookies?"

"No."

"Does your husband eat ginger cookies?"

"No."

"Then this boy eats a whole panful of ginger cookies a week!"

"He doesn't eat anything—anything else," gasped Bobby's mother, for the doctor's voice was frightful by this time, and his eyes blazing.

"Will you tell me, madam, what kind of

a body you expect this boy to build out of ginger cookies? What kind of a brain, what kind of a heart, what kind of bones, will he have made out of ginger cookies? Don't you know that too much sweet stuff softens the bones? No wonder his legs bow under him and his teeth are crumbling. They are made out of ginger cookies. Take your boy home, madam, and let him starve. When he is willing to eat regular meals of good bread and milk, oatmeal cakes, and bean porridge, he will grow strong and well, and you will be able to make a man out of him."

—Frances Bennett Callaway.

Wedding Warnings.

Do not marry without love. Do not marry the wrong object. Do not marry an idiot nor a drinker. Do not marry to please or spite others. Do not marry to get rid of anybody. Do not marry as a missionary deed. Do not be unequally yoked.

Marry thoughtfully. Marry some one you know. Marry a help meet for you. Marry a good son, a good daughter. Marry good blood and good habits. Marry character and heart. Marry only in the Lord.

—Home Sweet Home.

Strange Benevolence.

By O. F. Laughbaum

Can You Guess?

ONE day, riding with a friend in one of our leading cities, I noticed a stately and palatial residence to which I called my friend's attention. He said, "That beautiful mansion was built for its proprietor by benevolent gentlemen of this city and community." And by further conversation I learned that some men gave their own clothing, others gave their pianos and organs, and some donated their carpets, pictures, and furniture. Others sacrificed nearly all the food of pantry and cellar, and most of the clothing of the wardrobe belonging to the wife and children. Some gave their sons to dissipation, while their daughters became outcasts. The majority of these benevolent gentlemen deposited their good name, their reputation, character and all—mind, body, and soul—to erect this stately mansion for the man who occupies it and owns it. They also have given him the finest suit of broadcloth and a brilliant diamond pin, while they have dressed his wife and children in silks and satins. They also keep the pantry, cellar, and wardrobe filled to overflowing. Strange benevolence! Who are these benevolent ones, and who is the man living in the stately mansion, surrounded by every luxury? Can you guess?—O. F. Laughbaum.

Excellent Home Remedies.

By A. M. H.

THE cough-and-cold season is approaching rapidly, and some of the best remedies for these troubles are just simple things that can easily be prepared at home.

One of the best remedies for nasal catarrh is made by dissolving a teaspoonful each of boracic acid powder and salt in a half pint of boiling water, and this should be used about three times a day by drawing thru the nostrils and also as a gargle. There is nothing better for weak or inflamed eyes than warm water in which a little borax is dissolved, and for very sore eyes add a few drops of camphor to the borax water and you will find no better healing lotion than this. A soft linen cloth which is employed for no other purpose is better to use when bathing the eyes than a sponge, and it is easier kept clean. A. M. H.

Evil of Association.

By Spencer

AUGUSTINE, in his Confessions, maketh mention of his friend, Alipius, who, having resolved with himself never to look upon the fencers' prizes, was, upon a time, thru the importunity of his friends, drawn along to the theater where these bloody sports were performed, protesting that he would keep his eyes shut all the while, and not so much as once open them; yet it so fell out, that, upon a sudden great shout of the people, he looked about to see what the matter was, whereupon he became another man, and altered his former course, so that his hatred to the sport was turned into love and liking of it.—Spencer.

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By Editor

(Entered Sept. 15, 1904, as second-class matter at the Mountain View, Cal., post-office, under Act of Congress of March 3, 1879.)

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"Steps to Christ." By Mrs. E. G. White. Cloth, 164 pages; price, 50 cents; paper covers, 25 cents. Review & Herald, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C.; Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal.

A most excellent spiritual work showing the Bible steps to Christ and in Christ. It has passed thru many successive editions since 1892, and is now published in fifteen European languages. It is thoroly evangelical and mightily helpful in teaching the way of truth and life. It may be obtained of this office.

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 throuout 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. 754 pages, with illustrations, beautifully bound. Cloth, marbled edges, $2.50.

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Notes and Comments

It is stated that during the month of November more than a million dollars a day was coined by the various mints in this country.

A fearful mine explosion occurred in Monongah, W. Va., December 6. The last report stated that 373 miners were buried, and all probably killed.

The articles on the human nature of Christ on page eight were prepared entirely without reference to each other; but tho they discuss the same text, they are sufficiently different to make them both of interest to the reader.

The Goldfield troubles in Nevada promise to be serious. President Roosevelt has ordered General Funston to send sufficient troops to meet any emergency. One detachment which has gone forward has been stopped by a wreck, and an attempt to blow up the train on which the troops were was frustrated by timely discovery of watchman between Tonopah and Goldfield. The fight seems to be between the Western Federation of Miners and the mine operators. The troops are there to keep peace.

There are some words in all great languages which can be used equally in a moral, physical, or mental sense. One of these is the Greek katartizo, meaning to complete thoroly, repair, adjust. It is rendered in our common version fit, frame, mend, perfect, perfectly joined together, prepare, restore. It is used with the thought of full development. In Matt. 5: 48, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Here it is used in the sense of moral perfection, the fullest development of character. But in Luke 6:40 it is used in a neutral sense, "Every one that is perfect shall be as his master;" that is he will have the knowledge of his master, whether the master be good or evil. Vincent on 1 Peter 5:10 says: "The radical notion of the verb is therefore adjustment—the putting of all parts into right relation and connection." So God adjusted for Christ the body, perfectly prepared for Him, that He might experience in His humiliation just what the sinner himself must meet. Heb. 10:5. So also thru Christ God adjusted the ages (not material worlds) in the development of the plan of salvation, so as best to reveal the glory, the power, the love of God.

Our Bible Band.

By Editor

THERE is but one more issue of the SIGNS in the year 1907. The date of that issue is December 25. That issue will outline the Bible Band readings for the first week in January, 1908. All who design to join the Band must act at once in order to be with the Band all the way thru the year.

"But," some one asks, "what special benefit will I derive by paying ten cents, securing a card, and joining the Band, when I can get the suggestions thru the paper without doing this?"

First, your benefit will be in the formal decision you make to do something needful and worthy. No person makes such a decision and holds to it without being benefited thereby.

Secondly, there is blessing in association in a good work. When others are with us, it gives us courage and hopefulness to persist.

Thirdly, the enthusiasm of taking hold with others heartily in a good work is always helpful. How much better it is to be in the van of every good work rather than in the rear! How much better to be among the lifters rather than among those who are benefited by others lifting! How much better to be among the reapers than the gleaners!

We invite all our readers to join the Bible Band, and do it quickly. See fuller particulars in issue of December 4.

A letter comes to us from one who has received several copies of the SIGNS. He writes that he wishes it no longer and says, "I have no time to spare in going over the stories which clergymen have repeated from week to week for generations until they have become insipid, almost nauseating. Please do not send me any more."

And of course his request will be complied with. And yet we are sorry for this soul, and thousands of others, who like ourselves once did not believe in the religion of Jesus Christ. We would not argue the question with them in any way, but simply say to them this one word, that sometime perhaps they will see the futility of a purely human hope, the utter powerlessness of purely human effort, the utter worthlessness of all human goodness. Then let them turn to the Lord Jesus Christ who died for them, and they will find in Him all that He has promised in His word, a Saviour, a Friend. And then also will they know that the drinking in of that message is neither insipid nor nauseating, but the purest nectar, of which if one drinks he will never desire to drink from other fountains. We still commend them to Christ Jesus.

A large number of the "Signs" readers know of the successful work that was done by our lamented brother, Evangelist Simpson, up to the time of his untimely death which occurred a few months ago. He always had a large attendance at his meetings, and there is no doubt but his peculiar methods of advertising had largely to do with bringing the crowds to hear him. While he was living he was constantly receiving requests for outlines of his advertising methods. When he died he had quite a stock of revolving charts that he had left from one of his evangelistic efforts. These charts give quite a good idea of some of the methods he employed. Any one interested may secure one of these charts by addressing the widow, Mrs. Nellie B. Simpson, Box 7, Tropico, Cal., enclosing ten cents to pay for the same. The chart will not only be suggestive to the one receiving it, but the money received will be a help to the widow and children of our late brother.

How Shall We Witness?—A religious contemporary says:

"It is very important that Christian young people should learn to observe Sunday in such a way as to honor Christ. He says, 'Ye are My witnesses.' If worldly men see Christian young people spending the Sunday in worldly ways, they will judge at once that their profession of Christ is not sincere."

It is important. But how shall we witness? Shall it be for Christ or against Christ? Shall we witness in harmony with the commandments of God, with whom Christ is one, or against them? Shall we witness with Christ's example, or against it? The law declares, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." Jesus kept the seventh day. What, then, should our witness be?

Eleven men perished by fire in the Fremont mine in Amador County, Cal., November 30. The next day fifty perished on account of an explosion in the Naomi mine, near Fayette City, Pa.

Five persons were killed and about twenty injured on December 4 in a rear-end collision between two passenger trains on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Hanover, Md.

America has one soldier for every 732; and one missionary for every 14,700 of her people.

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