p. 751 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 47. (10/2/1893)

HERE AND HEREAFTER.

An exhaustive treatise on the “State of the Dead” and the “Destiny of the Wicked.” Has man a conscious existence in death? This is a question of the deepest interest, especially in these days when Spiritualism, in its varied forms, is spreading its deception everywhere. The subject is treated in

THIRTY-SEVEN CHAPTERS.

All the important texts bearing on man's nature and his condition in death are taken up and critically examined; as are also those which relate to soul and spirit.

THE CLAIMS OF PHILOSOPHY,

in which the immortality of the soul is discussed from a philosophical standpoint.

A chapter is devoted to a HISTORICAL VIEW of the subject, in which the history of the doctrine of the immortality of the soul is traced from the earliest ages down to the present time. The work closes with a chapter on the

INFLUENCE OF THE DOCTRINE,

in which it is shown that many have been driven into infidelity by the doctrine of Eternal Torment, a doctrine which is inconsistent with the character of God and contrary to the teachings of the Scriptures.

The book contains 443 pages, is bound in extra fine English cloth, and is embossed in black and gold.

Price, postpaid, $1.00.

Address, Pacific Press Publishing Co., Oakland, Cal, Or 43 Bond St., New York City.

CONTENTS OF THIS NUMBER.

By Editor

Editorial.—Notes and Comments—Sunday Closing of the Midwinter Fair—The Mark of the Christian—Seeking Agreement—Our Question Corner (Nos. 116, 117, 118, 119)........................................................737, 738, 752

Doctrinal.—God Will Work (poetry)—The Mystery of Iniquity and Its Development in the Church—Fallen into Sin—Philippians 3:13, 14—What a Catholic Paper Says...................................................739-741

Miscellaneous.—Sabbath Eve (poetry)—My People Have Committed Two Evils—Seventh-day Adventists—Deceptions, Their Touchstones—America's Millionaires—Our Curious Language (poetry)—Light (poetry)......................................................741-744

Home and Health.—Songs in the Night (poetry)—An Unexpected Prize (chapter 2)—Too Much " Heart Failure"—Beggars—Trial by Ordeal in Africa......745, 746

Mission Fields.—Living (poetry)—The Stundists of Russia—Drink on the Kongo—And Yet a "Heathen Chinee".........................................................................746, 747

Our Work and Workers.—The Red Sea Passage (poetry)—A Tour in Europe—A July Outing in Tahiti—Field Notes...................................................................748, 749

International S. S. Lessons.—Justification by Faith (Lesson 3, Sunday, October 15)—Love and Obedience (Lesson 2, Sabbath, October 14)...............750

News and Notes.—Religious—Secular........................................751

Religious News and Counsel

By Editor

WE call the special attention of all our readers to the article of Sister White, entitled "My People Have Committed Two Evils." It should be read and reread.

THE article in the Editorial department on "The Sunday Closing of the Midwinter Fair," will be followed by another in the same line, either next week or the week following.

THE two leading articles in our Doctrinal department are both instructive and helpful. This present article by Elder Corliss will be followed by another from his pen, on the "Mystery of Iniquity in Our Own Country."

GENERAL BOOTH has issued orders to the Salvation Army in regard to the cholera. In addition to advice in regard to food, etc., he says: "As far as possible keep a restful mind and a conscience void of offense to God and man. Be ready at all hours of the day and night, as you have opportunity, to minister to the sick and dying. Prove yourselves to be that which you profess to be,—the servants of Jesus Christ and of all men."

IN view of the soul-stirring and solemn events taking place in the physical, religious, and political world, and in view of the fact that Divine Inspiration has predicted these very things as evidences of the last days, as precursors of the coming King, does it not behoove every Christian to awake and give himself soul and body to God and his service as never before? "Awake, arise, or be forever fallen." God calls all to "awake," and to "arise and shine." Are you doing it?

A PRESS dispatch announces that petitions are pouring in upon the Senate and House in vast numbers praying for the repeal of the Chinese exclusion law. Without prejudice to the right of petition, or to the righteousness of the cause espoused, there is danger in the precedent of "petitions signed by 8,000 ministers" being counted as "representing more than 125,000 members," as stated in the dispatch. A minister's petition cannot legitimately represent anybody but himself. There has been so much of this representative phase of petitioning Congress in the last half dozen years, and the evil tendency is so marked, that this mode of expression is coming to be regarded as somewhat suspicious. It is decidedly unreliable.

Apples of Gold Library

By Editor

Concerning the Apples of Gold Library, Brother C. N. Woodward, secretary of the Minnesota Tract Society, writes: "We have long felt the need of some little leaflets of this sort that we could send to our friends or hand to them personally. Most of the tracts we now have are upon some point of doctrine, and it is hard to get people to read them when they have no interest in such things; but little leaflets upon righteousness, the sinner's need of Christ, justification by faith, the love of God, and such subjects, will many times attract them to read. Please enter our subscription for 1,000 copies."

California’s Influx of Unemployed Workers

The prospect of California becoming a rendezvous of the unemployed the coming winter is foreshadowed by the following dispatch from Hanford, dated September 23:—

If the present influx of employment seekers continues another week, Hanford's population will be doubled. Small squads have arrived each day during the past week. Most of them rode all the way from Colorado on top of box cars, having compelled the railroad employees to give them free transportation. Each squad seems to be organized, having a leader who does all the talking. On arriving the squads remain in the depot while their captain goes in search of information concerning employment. All those who are willing to work have found a market for their services, and those who refuse to work are given a floater by the officers. The demand for labor is now fully supplied, and in view of the fact that principally female help is employed in packing raisins, the newcomers will find themselves out of employment when the grape crop is picked.

SEEKING AGREEMENT.

By Editor

ONE of the most remarkable religious gatherings that has ever taken place is now in session at the World's Fair at Chicago. It embraces all denominations and all creeds. Delegates are present from all parts of the world. Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Mohammedanism, are all represented. . . . Its purpose is not to make prominent the religious differences of the various systems of faith, but to find out wherein they agree, and thus to bring nearer together all who believe in God as the Creator, Preserver, Benefactor, and Father of mankind.

"Wherein they agree," forsooth! What shall be said of the professed Christianity that takes the truly "remarkable" position of seeking among all the abominable idolatries of the world for an enchanted spot upon which they can all stand together in mutual admiration? Imagine the priests of Israel in a grand Congress with those of the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, the Jebusites, and all the other "ites" in the world, seriously seeking a place wherein they could agree. Well, Israel did take such freaks once in a while, and they invariably found places wherein they not only agreed, but became literally carried away with the infatuating alliances. And these periodic agreements with heathenism always led to captivity, tribute, and degradation, from which they could be extricated only by deep contrition of heart and humbling themselves before the God whose service they had disgraced by their unholy alliances. And these things "were written for our learning."

As we contemplate this "remarkable religious gathering," we cannot but ask: "What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?" 2 Cor. 6: 14-16.

117. DUTIES OF CHILDREN

By Editor

[From time to time we will reply under this head, if deemed advisable, to such candid inquiries on scriptural topics or moral questions as may be sent us. Questions which minister strife to no profit to our readers will not be answered here. Correspondents wishing a reply to their questions must give their full name and address, not for publication unless they wish, but as an evidence of good faith on their part, and to give us opportunity to reply by letter if deemed best. It is always well to inclose stamp. The questions will be numbered continuously.]

116. ISA. 65: 20.

Will you please explain Isa. 65: 20 and oblige? F. S. L.

The text reads as follows: “There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days; for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be destroyed.” A suggested plausible explanation is as follows: The first part of the verse, to the first semicolon, refers to the new earth (see verse 17), and simply declares that there shall be no death in that state. The last part of the verse refers to the wicked which are raised from the dead (see Rev. 20: 1-9), and remain upon the earth “a little season,” or one hundred years. During this time the wicked youth will grow up and the hardened sinner will abide, but at the end of that period sin and sinners are no more, while the people of the Lord endure forever. We present the suggestion for what it is worth.

117. DUTIES OF CHILDREN.

Is it required of children to obey their parents when the duties required are not in harmony with the requirements of God? AN INQUIRER.

The command of the Lord is, “Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Honor certainly means to obey. But the command assumes that the parent’s requirement will be in harmony with what is right. See Deut. 6: 5-9; Prov. 22: 6. It is therefore the parent’s first duty to obey God and train the child aright; and it follows that it is the child’s duty to obey the parent. But if the parent command the child to do what is contrary to God, and the child knows that it means eternal death to obey the parent, it is the duty of the child to obey God first; eternal life is worth more than this life. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” But let the child be careful that he faithfully obey whatever is not against the word of God, however great the hardship involved. God should be the first in the hearts and lives of everyone who has reached the age of accountability.

118. PAYMENT OF TITHES.

A married sister who has returned to her father’s house, receiving there no money, nothing but her board and clothes, asks if it is her duty to pay tithes. Whenever she earns money, she says, she pays tithes and offerings.

These questions of conscience are difficult to decide, and, in fact, can only be decided by the one who is involved. If the income of the father was produced by the joint labor of his family, and his tithe was a joint tithe of this joint income, of course the tithe of each member would be counted in the tithe of the father. In that case he should not call it all his, but should give his family a share in it. On the other hand, if the above be not the case, it seems to us that the clothing and board should be estimated, and a tithe paid on the estimate. God asks of no one impossibilities; that is, he will enable everyone to do whatever he asks him to do, if such an one will submit to do it. Just what her duty is in this matter our sister must decide between her soul and God. Ask him. He has promised to give wisdom to those who ask in faith. “Ask and it shall be given,” and, finding the way, walk therein with thanksgiving.

119. JOHN WESLEY’S BELIEF IN CHRIST’S COMING.

Will you kindly mention the work and page containing John Wesley’s belief concerning the second coming of Christ? E. H.

Unfortunately we do not have at hand all of Mr. Wesley’s works; but sufficient may be found to show his belief in Vol. 2 of his sermons, especially those under the title of “The General Deliverance,” “The Resurrection of the Dead,” and “The New Creation.”

Catalogue free on application to the nearest Columbia Agent, or sent by mail for two 2-cent stamps. POPE MFG. CO., 221 Columbus Ave., Boston.