p. 15 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 15. (4/15/1897)

Earlier text: The Sabbath School

This is What They Say

By Editor

Remember the Offer of Our

Magnificent Self-Pronouncing Teachers’ Bible

WITH THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Positively Closes April 30, 1897

Until that date, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES offers with each new yearly subscription a

Self-Pronouncing Teachers’ Bible

At a Remarkably Low Figure

Here are a few of the good words we are receiving about the Bible:—

PARIS, Ill.

“Dear Friends: I received my Bible in fine condition a few days ago. I am perfectly satisfied with it. I think it far superior to what I expected. The aids are the finest I have ever seen.”

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From other letters we quote:—

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“The maps alone are worth the price. . . . . The aids and word book are worth the price. The useful information to be derived therefrom is not to be estimated in coin. I thank you very much, and hope to better repay you.”

(This sample is an exact reproduction of a quarter page of our Premium Bible and shows size of type.)

This Bible is not a cheap reprint, but a copyrighted edition from new type-set plates. It contains a complete series of Helps with Illustrations, and a “Word Book” which embraces a Concordance, Subject Index, Gazetteer, Bible Dictionary, etc., all in one alphabetical arrangement. By consulting the Word Book you can find at once what you want, and do not need to look in half a dozen places for it. Every proper name is so marked as to indicate at a glance its proper pronunciation. It is thus absolutely Self-Pronouncing.

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The Time Is Short, Improve It

Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, OAKLAND, CAL.

GRAND TRUNK RAILWAY SYSTEM

Californians Going East

WILL FIND THAT THE FACILITIES OFFERED BY THE

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See that Your Tickets from Chicago East Read via the Grand Trunk System

CHAS. M. HAYS, W. E. DAVIS Gen. Manager, Montreal Gen. Pass. Agt., Montreal E. H. HUGHES, Asst. Gen. Pass. Agt., Chicago. L. R. MORROW, City Ticket Agt., 103 Clark St., Chicago.

Publications on the Sabbath

THE LORD'S DAY, THE TEST OF THE AGES

Presents in the briefest, simplest manner a part of the Bible evidence concerning both sides of the Sabbath question. The subject is treated in a new and interesting way. Fully illustrated with diagrams and original illustrations. 128 pages, paper covers, just out, price 15 cents.

ABIDING SABBATH AND LORD'S DAY

A pointed review of two of the best recent productions for the defense of the Sunday sabbath. The best arguments in support of Sunday are undoubtedly presented in this book. 173 pages, paper covers. Price 20 cents.

CHANGE OF THE SABBATH

A brief treatise answering the question so often asked, “Who Changed the Sabbath?” 218 pages, paper covers. Price 20 cents.

NATURE AND OBLIGATION OF THE SABBATH OF THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT

A candid and thoroughly scriptural treatise on this important question. 96 pages, paper covers. Price 10 cents.

THE SABBATH AND THE LAW

This work covers the Sabbath institution from Eden created to Eden restored, and its arguments are clear and forcible and convincing. 192 pages, paper covers. Price 20 cents.

THE HISTORY OF THE SABBATH

An exhaustive treatise on the Sabbath question, in which every passage in the Bible which has any connection with the Sabbath, either in the Old or New Testament, is examined at length. It is a veritable mine of information, both Biblical and Historical, on this subject. Three volumes, paper covers. Price $1.00 per set.

. . . Send for Catalogue containing Price List of other . . . Publications on this Subject.*

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Fiestas Carnivals AND Summer Outings

A grand round of merrymaking throughout the land . . .

La Fiesta de Los Angeles

Will take place in the Southern Metropolis April 20 and continue five days. Unique day parade of Spanish caballeros, Chinese with their Great Dragon, Mexican vaqueros, etc. Beautiful electric night parade of California flowers. Great Water Carnival. Floral Parade and Battle of Flowers. Novel street-carnival at night.

Golden Gate Carnival

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BIBLE ELECTION.

By M. C. Wilcox

By M. C. Wilcox. A brief presentation of God's plan and purpose concerning man, showing that the doctrine of election, or predestination, according to the Bible, is full of comfort and instruction. It throws new light on old controversies. Bible Students' Library, No. 67; 24 pp.; price 3 cents. Address Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal.

The Only Non-Persecuting Religion

H. Dharmapala, so the Examiner tells us, delivered a lecture in San Francisco, March 20, in which he said: “The Buddhist religion, besides being the oldest faith, is also distinct in one particular,—no one can point out in the 2,500 years that Buddhism has been in the world where one drop of blood has been shed in trying to force our religion on the people at large.” This, we suppose, will be taken by many as truth, and perhaps Mr. Dharmapala believes it; but the Christian faith was held by Abel and every true Christian from that time down. It is not a system, it is a living, vital principle between man and God. As to the distinction of the Buddhist religion mentioned above, we doubt it, tho doubtless the speaker believed it. There is only one non-persecuting religion on the face of the earth—namely, Christianity. When it is said that Christianity has persecuted, it was the counterfeit, not the genuine. The genuine can not be forced upon men. Mr. Dharmapala was educated by a Christian mission. He evidently studied about Christianity instead of learning Christianity itself.

PAPACY IN POLITICS.

Rome’s Hand in the Administration.

It was a surprise to many when Archbishop Ireland last autumn threw his influence, contrary to what seemed to be the principles of his church, in favor of the Republican party. But recent developments indicate the reason of the “policy” that “shall cause craft to prosper” (Dan. 8:25), a matter in which the papal church has become skilled. The Thrice-a-Week World of March 29, in its Washington news from a staff correspondent, has the following:—

“WASHINGTON, March 28. Archbishop Ireland’s long sojourn in Washington, and his numerous conferences with the President and various Cabinet officers, have aroused much curiosity. The reason of this activity is now known. Behind the angry controversy that has recently excited the Catholic Church is a game of international politics.

“When the archbishop was called to Canton in December last, Mr. McKinley asked him what could be done to reward his services in the campaign. The archbishop requested that the ambassador to Italy should be a man favorable to his ideas. This was promised on condition that the person selected and backed by him should have the support of his State delegation.

“Former Governor Merriam was first chosen. Senator Cushman K. Davis opposed him. Then Governor Hubbard was selected, but he also lacked the support of his State. During the past week President McKinley suggested to the archbishop that General Draper, of Massachusetts, had the warm indorsement of his State delegation and was acceptable to the administration, and if he and Archbishop Ireland could agree, the appointment would be made.

“Negotiations were immediately opened between the prelate and the diplomat, with the result that a cordial agreement was effected, and the President so advised. . . .

“Another direction in which Archbishop Ireland has achieved unlocked-for success is in the matter of the appointment of Bellamy Storer as Assistant Secretary of State. It is said now that the archbishop has brought about a cordial understanding between that gentleman and Senator Foraker.”

But Rome does not “meddle” in political matters. O, no! This is only the beginning of the end. The so-called Protestant churches have opened the way, and indorsed the principle of a union of Church and State, church dictation in the affairs of government. Why should not the papal church, skilled by 1,500 years of practice, take a hand? And she will take it too.

It will be of interest to know how King Humbert will take to the minister to his government chosen by the agent of that church which is so bitterly opposed to him.

The Signs of the Times

By Editor

THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES, thanks to its friends, reaches this week almost the forty thousand mark, about 39,500. Let the good work go on. It is not the editor’s paper. It is the Lord’s, and he and all things are ours. Why should not we work for it?

Mr. Gamble’s Sabbath Discovery

By Editor

READ the article on page 7 from the Sabbath Recorder, on Mr. Gamble’s great “discovery” relative to the Sabbath. We hope that this may be the last word necessary. We have already given too much space to a “discovery” that was a fraud on its face, and so seen to be by every thorough student and believer of the Bible. Dr. Lewis’ article, above referred to, is worth reading.

McClure’s Magazine Publication Schedule

BEGINNING with the April number, McClure’s Magazine will hereafter be published on the first day of each month. April 1 the April number will be on sale at all news stands and delivered to all subscribers, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and thereafter exactly on the first day of each month a new number will be published. Heretofore publication has been made on the 25th of each month; but it is believed that the change to the 1st will be to the general convenience.

Poor Armenia

Sunday evening, March 28, we had the privilege of listening, in a church in this city, to two Armenian missionaries, B. H. Paul and A. S. Gary. They told the thrilling and affecting story of Armenian suffering, the thousands upon thousands massacred, and the more thousands still now suffering from sickness, want, and famine. They related instances of those who would rather die than deny the Lord and accept of the “Prophet.” Some of these were women, who begged their husbands to stand firm when they knew that death was the sure result. Others were little children, who preferred to die rather than prove disloyal to Christ. No doubt there were many such cases.

Mr. Paul also told his hearers the cause of the suffering. For centuries, he said, Armenians had fared as well or better than any of the subject people of the Turkish Empire, oftentimes holding high positions of trust. But with the advent of missionaries came higher ideas. Armenians began to reach out after independence. They learned of America, England, Germany, and they thought they would have the sympathy of these “Christian” powers. This feeling eventually led to two parties, one party appealing to the sympathy of these supposedly “Christian” nations (there are no such), the other party believing they could accomplish their independence by war, and, once involved in war, the powers would help them. They have been bitterly disappointed. The Mohammedan Turk, hating Christianity, could not retaliate on the great powers of Europe, but vented her spite on Armenians. The result the world knows.

Poor Armenia! Like Israel of old, she forsook God, was taught to forsake him by her self-appointed teachers, and appealed to the military powers of the modern Babylons and Egypts. They have found, as did that nation, that the staff whereon they leaned proved a reed easily broken, and that pierced them in the breaking. Poor Armenia has been pierced. She was taught to trust in the “arm of flesh,” and it has failed her. May her sons and daughters turn from her false teachers, and yield to God, in whose hand is not only this life, but the life to come.

But her suffering children need help, and let all who can help them in their extreme suffering.

SOMEWHAT CONFLICTING.

By W. N. G.

Two of the resolutions passed by the late Sabbath Convention held in Pittsburg read as follows:—

First. We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s day, made sacred by a law of universal and perpetual obligation, and that it is the will of God that the entire day should be spent in a manner to secure the physical rest and also the moral and spiritual improvement of men.

Fourth. We believe that the fourth commandment is as binding on all men to-day as any other precept of the Decalogue, and that a disregard of it is as much a sin against God and crime against humanity, as the violation of the sixth, seventh, eighth, or any other statute of that divine law, etc.

The practical result of an attempt to carry out these two resolutions must be either a conflict between the first day of the week and the Sabbath of the fourth commandment or a recognition of two days as sacred. The putting into practice of the first resolution is an attempt on the part of man to make a day sacred, and assuming that it is the work of God. God has made only one weekly Sabbath, or sacred day—at least he has not made known to man the sanctification of any other weekly Sabbath. Nor has he ever removed the sanctity which he placed upon that day in the beginning. Then for man to take that which God reckons as common and place it on a level with, or above, that which God has sanctified, is to assume the prerogative of God; it is sheer blasphemy. If the first day of the week has been “made sacred,” then the fourth commandment can not be “binding on all men to-day.” As the sanctity has not been removed from the seventh day, the sanctifying of the first day would give two Sabbath days, and the commandment would be annulled in the matter of its giving six days for secular labor. Viewing the matter from whatever standpoint, there is a conflict between the resolutions.

But the “fourth” resolution contains the truth according to the Scriptures; for Christ positively affirms that “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in nowise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Matt. 5:18. “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.” Luke 16:17. And no man has yet dared to write or print “the first day” into the commandment instead of “the seventh day.” Then if “we believe” the truth set forth in the “fourth” resolution, we must ignore the assumption contained in the “first.” Such a conflict with the law of God can not promote “the moral and spiritual improvement of men.”

W. N. G.

The Church and the World.

—The New York Journal of March 18 tells us that “what made the hit at a minstrel performance, given by the young ladies of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, of New Brunswick, N. J., in Columbia Hall, last evening, was the burlesque on the Bradley Martin ball and the representation of the Journal’s “Yellow Kid.” Blackened faces, short skirts, silk hats, various dances, and a fancy skirt dance were among the attractive features. The report says: “It was easy for the audience to imagine itself anywhere else than at a church performance.” And so it is also with the various sorts of things held in Protestant churches. The churches are coming together—with the world. Thank God, there are many in Zion who still hold to the old-fashioned religion of Jesus Christ. Would that all did