FACT Or FICTION ?

Volume 68 Price 2d. Number 31 Warburton, Victoria, Australia, August 3, 1953

ECENTLY a prominent minister in El Paso, Texas, speaking before a R group of lawyers in that city, left no doubts as to his opinion of certain parts of the Bible. Referring to such Scriptural incidents as Jonah and the SIGNS whale, he asked, "Who does believe those stories that has any mind at all?" This remark, reported in Time, Janu- ary 26, 1953, aroused no small amount of debate on the part of pastors and laymen throughout the city. Countered the Rev. Harold W. Morris, "We believe all that he makes fun of." Many others replied in similar vein. Which side was right? Did Jonah exist or did he not? If he did, could he have spent three days inside a fish and have lived to tell the story? This may seem improbable, but the well-attested case of James Bartley, taken alive out of a whale's stomach in February, 1891, proves it to be possible. (The Literary Digest, April 4, 1896.) There has been a good deal of specula- tion as to exactly what kind of marine creature might have swallowed Jonah. FACT or The word translated fish (Hebrew, dag) sheds little light on the question. The word translated whale (Greek, ketos) in Matt. 12: 40 merely means a sea monster, and could be either fish or whale, or some other creature. We believe it is useless to speculate whether it was a baleen FICTION ? whale, a sulphur-bottom whale, a whale shark, or a giant squid. We think it is immaterial how many stomachs whales have, what the temperatur,e inside the stomachs may be, whether a whale's throat is large enough to swallow a man, Jonah and fhe Whale and so forth. Such disputes only becloud the issue. The record says, "Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up * RICHARD H. UTT Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights." Jonah 1: 17. Thus the issue is not whether whales have a frequent custom, or even an infrequent one, of swallowing men and vomiting them up alive on shore. The issue is, could God, if He saw fit to, and did God, prepare a fish to swallow Jonah? Let us consider the evidence:— The Book of Jonah was a part of the Jewish canon, and "unto them [the Jews] were committed the oracles of God." Rom. 3: 2. Jonah must, then, be included in Peter's statement: "The prophecy came not in old time by the will of man : but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1: 21. If the Holy Ghost dictated the Book of Jonah, let us be careful how we lightly call it fictitious. But there is another and stronger reason for believing the Jonah story. It should make a lot of difference to any Christian what Christ thought about the

A modern "ship of Tarshish" entering Newcastle harbour to load wheat.

{Registered at the G.P.O., Melbourne, for transmission by post as a newspaper} involved in the Ei Paso minister's chal- ward heaven for one ray of light from lenge, "Who does believe those stories the throne of God, only to have his that has any mind at all?" If we under- preacher serenely waft dark clouds of stand the tenor of that question, it was doubt across his sky—doubt as to God's not aimed alone at Jonah, but at all existence, doubts as to His power, doubts miracles and at all who believe in them. as to the truth of His Word. Since the Bible records miracles from be- In this heaven-defying challenge, "Who ginning to end, the whole Bible is his tar- does believe those stories that has any get. In the same speech he denounced mind at all?" and other statements like fundamentalist camp meetings as "emo- them, we have the explanation for certain LETTERS TO THE EDITOR tional whingdings that provide a vacation riddles which perplex many devout from thinking." churchmen today. One of these is the We should like to ask this minister and problem of steadily advancing secularism. Stimulation! his sympathizers a few questions: Who Tens of millions of people make no pro- believes that Christ was born of a virgin, The SIGNS is the best-read denomina- fession of any religion at all, and other tional paper in our home, because of its or that the Wise Men were guided to Beth- millions are the wedding-funeral-Easter spiritual food and its stimulating inter- lehem from a far country by a wondrous variety of churchgoers. The National est. I know of no other publication to star, that has any mind at all? Who be- Council of Churches of Christ recently which we look forward so much. Par- lieves that Christ raised Lazarus from stated that our culture is in danger of ticularly do we enjoy the editorials. May the dead, or fed five thousand men besides becoming pagan. Small wonder that this the Lord richly bless your work to the women and children from one boy's lunch is so when many a pulpit orator allies salvation of many souls. A. G. F. basket, gathering up twelve baskets of himself with the already strong secularist fragments afterward, that has any mind forces in destroying faith in Christ and High Opinion at all? Who believes that Christ rose the Bible, offering in its place a formal, from the tomb, ascended to heaven, and pseudo-intellectual creed. "I write to say how much I appreciate will come to judge the quick and the dead, "Who does believe those stories that your paper the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and that has any mind at all? derive much food for earnest thought has any mind at all?" We believe the from it. I was particularly impressed Let's come a little closer home yet: Apostle Paul has the answer: "Let this with the articles 'Will Wonders Ever Who believes in the power of prayer that mind be in you, which was also in Christ Cease.' I am an Anglican, but have a has,any mind at all? Do those ministers Jesus." Phil. 2: 5. We believe that any- high opinion of the Seventh-day Adventist whose minds are too sharp to permit them one who has the mind of the indwelling body, and have relatives as members of to believe in Jonah practise prayer in Christ will have no difficulty believing it. They bear it credit." A.E.C. their churches? We think they do. If so, with both heart and intellect in the won- why? To test the acoustics of the church? drous, miracle-working power of God. To be heard for their much speaking? Or Of the Holy Bible, Thomas Kelly because they believe God hears and wrote :— answers prayer? If they pray for the matter, and Christ believed in Jonah. third reason given, then they believe in "Within thy sacred lids is found "For as Jonas was three days and three something far more mysterious and im- A transcript of my Maker's will; nights in the whale's belly; so shall the possible, humanly speaking, than the ex- Treasures of knowledge here abound, Son of man be three days and three nights perience of Jonah. The deepest, loftiest mind to fill." in the heart of the earth." Matt. 12: 40. If religion is to be worth anything it Thus Christ staked the truth of His must have a God, a God who is something resurrection on the truth of the story of more than mere man. If God can do Jonah. If Jonah was not in the whale nothing man cannot do, then He is no three days, neither was Christ in the Snow-storm God at all, certainly not the God of the tomb three days. If Jonah d:d not come Bible. The Bible begins with a miracle : forth alive from the whale, neither did W. SCRAGG, JR. "In the beginning God created the heaven Christ come forth alive from the tomb. and the earth." Gen. 1: 1. The Bible Up from the glowing, silver-clouded morning, "And if Christ be not raised, your faith closes with another miracle, that of space On the swift, while wings of sun and light, is vain. . . . We are of all men most mis- flight to earth from an infinitely remote Growing and billowing from the storming erable." 1 Cor. 15: 17-19. The original place: "Surely I come quickly." Rev. Of the gum-riven, wattle-bright Greek (hosper gar) says "just as," "like 22: 20. Between those two, many scores East, go the flying snow winds of dawning. as," Jonah was in the whale, so Christ of other miracles are recorded. We see was to be in the tomb. According to no reason why God, if He had any reason Then, over the fire-tarred, summer-scarred Jesus. the two incidents stand or fall for so doing, could not send a whole school Earth, spread out the snowy, cold, white together. of whales in which a thousand prophets fingers; There is no escaping the simple fact could live in comfort with their families And, like down on the wattle bloom, lingers that Christ believed the story of Jonah. for fifty years. On the human level any The white flake, the light flake. Against the He even relates the sequel: "The men of chemist knows that wine cannot be made grey-barred Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this from water. Yet Christ did that very Bark-bearded gums, gather the wind-driven generation, and shall condemn it: because thing because Christ was God. "Great clusters of snow they repented at the preaching of Jonas things doeth He, which we cannot com- Till all is a tree-divided blanket of white, and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here." prehend." Job 37: 5. "Is anything too Under the blue-divided clouds swinging low. Matt. 12: 41. Continuing His sermonette, hard for the Lord?" Gen. 18 : 14. "Ah Christ referred to the "queen of the Lord God! . . . there is nothing too hard So in the heaven-shaking, silver-bright coming, south," the Queen of Sheba, who came to for Thee." Jer. 32: 17. When, out-shining the sun and splitting the sky, hear the wisdom of Solomon. If Jonah Strange indeed that Christian minis- was a fictitious character, so was Solo- Come, winging and singing, all the summing ters, men who are supposed to be mouth- Of heaven. Glorious then the seraphs who mon. Christ endorsed them both as pieces for God, who are exhorted to genuine. fly: "preach the Word." (2 Tim. 4: 2) , and But, more glorious and fairer than they If the story of Jonah were not true, to "feed the flock" (1 Peter 5 : 2), will Rides forth the Son o'er the welcoming earth; then Jesus was either lying or He was spend their time tearing the Word of God Gathers His own with the power of His love; deluded. In either case Jesus could not to pieces. And spread over all, with rejoicing and singing, have been the Christ, the Son of God. Small comfort must it be to that soul The blood-white, love-bright robe of His love. Christianity itself, then, would be a hoax. who, almost crushed by worry, stress, But more than Jonah's reputation is guilt, or bereavement, looks anxiously to- Page Two August 3, 1953 :: SIGNS OF THE TIMES the last judgment, and the resurrection AN EDI T,'' L SURVEY of the body, except in so far as these ideas are capable of a highly spiritual interpre- OF Cif RENT tation? Have they any word of comfort for a disillusioned and distressed generation? "St. Luke ends his eschatological dis- course in the words: 'But watch ye at every season, making supplication, that ye may prevail to escape all these things that shall come to pass and to stand before the Son of man.' Luke 21:36. 23s. 9d., postage 1s. 1d. The following `Watch,' says Christ in St. Mark's dis- two are written from another viewpoint course, 'for ye know not when the Lord Atheist Converted that has been effectual in helping men of the house cometh, whether at even, or "Prophecy at midnight, or at cock-crowing, or in the MUCH study may be a weariness of the to believe in the Bible : Speaks," 2s. 6d., postage 5d.; "New Dis- morning; lest coming suddenly He find flesh, and it is certainly true that there you sleeping.' Mark 13: 35. What is is no end to the making of books. What coveries in Babylonia about Genesis," 10s. 6d., postage 7d. the alternative to the advent hope?" might Solomon say today if he were to Confronted with the grim conditions have the privilege of beholding the out- The editors are always interested to hear from those to whom the SIGNS OF prevailing today, and with yet more ter- put of the modern publishing world? Mil- rible threats for the future, the Christian lions of pages in book and periodical THE TIMES has been the minister of salvation. Through the years it has estab- realizes that human wisdom and effort form pour yearly from the presses of are utterly incapable of bringing peace this house alone. Sometimes folk have lished a high reputation as a winner of men for God. Ministers and church and prosperity back to the world. Unless marvelled at the quantity and regularity God intervenes in the near future, it of our output, and asked, "What good does members with a burden to help their friends and neighbours to a better and seems inevitable that the world will crash it all accomplish?" to its destruction, pushed on by hatred Our "reader's pulse" gives a fairly saving knowledge of Christ and His salvation, are enthusiastic distributors of and suspicion. steady indication. The other day we had Why should it be thought a thing in- a visit from a business man who is now this up-to-the-minute weekly newspaper. Rather than leave it to those who are credible in so many Christian circles that a fellow believer. He said that for years God should bring a supernatural ending he had been a convinced atheist. The anxious to help, many are building a lending library of the books afore men- to human affairs? As Creator, God has doctrine of evolution had fully captured power over every natural law that He his thinking, and consequently there was tioned. We are glad to record this by the established. More than that, as Saviour no room for belief in the God of the Bible. way of suggestion, and trust that it may and Redeemer, He came to this world at Charles Darwin himself expressed it that be of service. R. P. B. Bethlehem two thousand years ago, and the Bible and evolution are absolutely in- He promised to come again in glory to compatible. One must have faith in one complete the work which He then in- or the other. There is no middle ground. What Alternative ? stituted. At times we have correspondence with In the eschatological discourses of those who consider our publication of OUR heart was warmed as we read in Matthew 24, Luke 21, and Mark 13, our scientific evidence, which corroborates the the editorial columns of the Australian Lord outlined the course of history, and scriptural record of the Flood and the Christian World a doctrinal pronounce- indicated the signs by which men would Creation, superfluous. One such accused ment quoted from the Expository Times. know when His coming was near. Wars, us of making of evolution a straw man. Believing that a subject of such vital im- famines, pestilences, earthquakes; dis- The articles he thought were like straw portance should reach the widest possible tress of nations, fear, and perplexity; re- to masticate and digest. Perhaps some audience, we also quote it:— ligious persecution, and the preaching of others of our readers have felt the same "In the troubled and, as many would the gospel in all the world, were given as way. Our friend's experience may alter add, the menacing world of today, in omens of His coming. During the past the complexion of the subject for them. which it is easy for imagination to hear hundred years these things have been He was totally unaware that there was the rumble of mechanized armies and to seen to a degree hitherto undreamed of. another side of the ,question. Then he see the flash of the atomic bomb, we turn made the acquaintance of a young man As we watch for the first signs of wistfully to any courageous Christian who kindly passed on the SIGNS OF THE spring that betoken the end of the long thinker who dares to forecast the future. TIMES every time it contained an article winter, let us not fail to read into them "Many have found a new meaning in on geology, or a reference to other scien- the significance our Lord would have us the eschatological elements in the Chris- tific data proving the Bible true. The find:— tian message, in the thought of the return atheist became keenly interested and read "When these things begin to come to of Christ, the last judgment, and the the voluminous evidence available on the pass, then look up, and lift up your renovated earth. Heaven also has gained subject. Result is that now he has an heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. a new significance, and no less the down- implicit faith in God and the good news And He spake to them a parable; Behold fall of Satan and the final destruction of of Christ for today. His suggestion to the fig tree, and all the trees ; when they evil. What, however, can be said by those us was that for the benefit of others, we now shoot forth, ye see and know of your who reject the idea of the second coming, make it known that much more factual own selves that summer is now nigh at evidence is available than can be packed hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these into our short articles. things come to pass, know ye that the In accordance with this practical sug- kingdom of God is nigh at hand." Luke gestion, we have pleasure in recommend- 21: 28-31. ing the following works by authoritative There is no alternative to the second scientific writers, available from the coming of Christ. Through the long ages Signs Publishing Company, Warburton, of sin and rebellion, God has looked and Victoria: "Studies in Creationism," 35s. planned for the unmasking and the down- 6d., postage 1s. 7d.; "Genesis Vindicated," fall of Satan, and the final destruction of 22s. 6d., postage is. 5d.; "Evolutionary- evil. As we look for and haste toward Geology," 21s. 3d., postage ls. ld.; "Evo- that great day, may our lives and our lution, Creation, and Science," 26s. 3d., witness be in harmony with our pro- postage 1s. id.; "Commonsense Geology," fession. M. M. H. SIGNS OF THE TIMES :: August 3, 1953 Page Three II' _11 1.1111111,‘WITEITIJI! III .1"11M1V1174. kJ) , 1..1)]. The Promised Blessing

Chapter 1.—Does God Know?

Betty Stirling

Next Week:

"WHY READ THE BIBLE?"

OM JEFFREY tossed restlessly on the hard bed in the crowded ward T of the country hospital. The more ' he turned, the more the heavy cast on his leg pulled and hurt. He groaned bitterly. Finally, in desperation, he rang for the nurse. "Can't you give me something so I won't have to feel or think?" he de- manded. "The doctor said you might have a pill to stop the pain, sir," she said. She left the ward, and returned with a small pill. Mr. Jeffrey swallowed it quickly. If only he could have a few drinks to make Tom Jeffrey wants you to know that the gospel "is the power of God unto salvation to every one him forget everything; but the only thing that believeth." Rom. I : 16. in sight was water. Bah! He settled down to wait impatiently for the pain in his leg to subside. knew that he was responsible for the come to be far enough from all taverns Several hours later he turned over change. He had begun to drink. Not to stop drinking. But it was no use. He drowsily, and a sharp pain in his leg much at first, but soon he couldn't stop. had to drink. Now, to make matters awakened him. He groaned. Why He had lost his home and one job after worse, he had broken his leg during his shouldn't a person sleep for ever, with another. Memory showed him vividly the last drinking spree. no miseries, no pain, no memories? In- many places to which he had moved his At least, his two boys were with him. voluntarily his thoughts turned to his past family as money became scarcer, places Having them was the only thing that kept life. Twenty years ago he had been that could never have been called "home" him sober at any time. Della had decided happy. Yes, twenty years ago on this had it not been for the patient work of that it would be better for them to be in very day he had been married to the his long-suffering wife. Only a few the country with him than to be roaming best girl in the world. Life had been months ago her patience had at last been the city streets while she worked. rosy. His job paid well, and he and his exhausted, and she had told him that he He wondered what they were doing now bride, Della, had bought a neat little could either stop drinking or leave. He while he was in the hospital. It helped to house. had left. know that they were good boys after all. All that had soon changed. This mem- He began tossing again. He thought of He began to toss again, and had almost ory was even more painful because he the shack in the country to which he had decided to ask the nurse for another pill, Page Four August 3, 1953 : : SIGNS OF THE TIMES when she came toward his bed, followed address. Mr. Arnold left, promising to drunkenness, a broken home, a neglected by a short, pleasant-faced man. return in a few days. family, and a good-for-nothing life. "Mr. Jeffrey," said the nurse, "this is After Mr. Arnold had been gone for a As he read on, his long-neglected con- Mr. Arnold, a Christian worker who visits while, Tom began to worry. Suppose the science began to stir within him. The the wards each week." man weren't a Christian. He wished he tract presented the love of God for sin- "How do you do, Mr. Jeffrey?" Mr. hadn't given him the address. Finally, ners, even sinners such as he. Finally he Arnold extended his hand. to keep from thinking, he picked up the threw it down in disgust and tried to put Tom Jeffrey looked the man over sus- leaflet and began to read. it out of his mind entirely. But no matter piciously. A Christian worker, eh? Soli- An incident in the experience of the how he turned, the throbbing of his leg citing funds, no doubt. He tried to think Israelites was related in the tract, and spoke the words, " 'turned the curse into how long it had been since he had last he particularly noticed a sentence from a blessing,' because the Lord thy God contributed anything to his wife's church. Deut. 23: 5: "The Lord thy God turned loved thee.! " Did God really know about Many years, he supposed. Well, the man the curse into a blessing unto thee, be- him? Could the Lord turn even this might as well try elsewhere. He certainly cause the Lord thy God loved thee." curse into a blessing? had no money to give to any church, or Surely he was under a curse—a curse of (Continued next week) to anything else, for that matter. Mr. Arnold drew a small paper from his pocket and handed it to him. Mr. Jeffrey glanced at the title: "Does God Care?" He certainly knew the answer to that. God, if there was a God, had no use for him. Furthermore, he had no use for God. "We sometimes think that God doesn't care for us," said Mr. Arnold, as if read- ing his thoughts. "But He is watching us. He knows all about our troubles, and He wants to help us." "I don't believe in God." Mr. Jeffrey 74 Xessem. twos Utz Stouts, tossed the leaflet on to his bedside table. "At least, I don't believe that God sees or cares about poor fools like us down INEZ BRASIER here." HE lake nestled among the Galilean Mr. Arnold took a New Testament from shore saw those fear-stricken men bat- hills was beautiful that spring twi- tling with the tempest. his coat pocket. "Would you mind if I T light as the chosen twelve disciples read you a verse from the Bible? Matt. "Not for a moment did He lose sight of stepped into their boats. Little breezes 10: 29-31 says: 'Are not two sparrows His disciples. With deepest solicitude His rippled its calm surface patched with sold for a farthing? and one of them shall eyes followed the storm-tossed boat with jacinth. The boats with slanting sails not fall on the ground without your its precious burden; for those men were and high red rudders moved slowly as the Father. But the very hairs of your head to be the light of the world. As a twilight deepened into the warm dusk of are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, mother in tender love watches her child, night. ye are of more value than many spar- so the compassionate Master watched His rows.' " But to those twelve men, as they cast disciples. When their hearts were sub- "Well, maybe so," conceded Mr. Jef- off from shore, there was no beauty. dued, their unholy ambition quelled, and frey; "but that doesn't mean me. The Bitterly they resented being sent across in humility they prayed for help, it was world would be better off without me, and the lake just when they, with the joyous given them. I'd never be missed." But the cheerful multitude, were eagerly acclaiming the "At the moment when they believed face and hopeful words of this unusual Master, Deliverer and King. Had they themselves lost, a gleam of light reveals visitor were making him feel better in not seen worn bodies throb with health at a mysterious figure approaching them spite of himself. His touch? Had not their hearts thrilled upon the water. But they know not that to the gracious words which fell as hea- "Do you have a family?" inquired Mr. it is Jesus. The One who has come for ven's benediction? and, as the crowning Arnold. their help, they count as an enemy.. . . act of a blessed day, had they not fed "Yes." Tom Jeffrey sighed. "Two They think it is a phantom that omens that great throng with bread supplied by their destruction, and they cry out for boys—Danny, who is twelve, and Bill, a word? Why, 0 why had the Master fifteen." fear. Jesus advances as if He would pass sent them away when He might have been them; but they recognize Him, and cry "They surely must miss you." king and they His courtiers, His inner "Possibly." Mr. Jeffrey was cynical out, entreating His help. Their beloved council, His ministers of affairs for the Master turns, His voice silences their again. "But not in the way you mean. kingdom? They are glad to see me gone. It makes fear, 'Be of good cheer : it is I; be not The blessings ot a long day were for- their home life more peaceful." afraid.' " gotten as unbelief and distrust filled their "Do you ever take them to church?" How often the plans we make are not hearts. Perhaps, after all, they were mis- asked Mr. Arnold. the best! How often our unyielded wills taken and the Master was only an im- Mr. Jeffrey snorted. "I have no use cross the Master's will for us, making a postor. Darkness, far blacker than that for church. They go to Sunday school cross He never planned! How often we over the lake, was about them. some of the time. If they want to go, are unreasonable, creating only troubles they are old enough to decide for them- For a time they did not heed the rising and burdens which were never meant for selves." wind and the roughening water. Then, us! "Are they staying alone while you are with a roar, the hurricane bore down Then the Father sends real storm to here?" from the hills. Great waves broke over show us that the way of our choosing is "Yes." them. The wind shrieked past, carrying not His way for us. Foreboding and fear "Perhaps I could visit them, and see them far off their course. Helpless, they fill the heart and there is no soul rest. that they are faring all right," said Mr. were driven with the storm. They forgot We long for the peace of His presence. Arnold. "I'm sure you would recover their distrustful questionings of the Mas- But we shall find it only as we walk the faster if you knew they were being cared ter and longed for His presence. way to Olivet with Him. It will not be for." In the words of one who has long pon- and easy way. It was not for Christ, the Mr. Jeffrey wasn't quite sure why, but dered the life of the Master: "Jesus had Saviour of men. Self must be conquered. he gave the sympathetic stranger his not forgotten them. The Watcher on the Every desire to serve self must be ban- SIGNS OF THE TIMES :: August 3, 1953 Page Five ished from the heart. Not until we have They had a long ride, then stopped at "resisted unto blood, striving against sin" LOVE'S PRAYER a large building where wheels were going —the darling sins of pride and selfishness, round and round and where there was a of lust and greed—shall we come to know When burdens at last are lifted, The testing struggle done, lot of white dust in the air. Donnie had Christ in the heart. (Heb. 12: 4.) We How sweet will be the resting never been there before, and he wondered must breathe His prayer of submission, With victory nobly won! what it was. "Father, not My will, but Thine." The clouds that dimmed our vision, "This is a four mill," said daddy. Then When we meet Christ in the garden our The mists that bound our sight, the miller shook hands with Donnie and own ways will not be so desirable. Our All disappear for ever, asked him if he'd like to see how millers In heaven's eternal light. human nature will be seen as it is—servi- make flour and put it into bags for the tude to an evil genius. "Let this mind be With heart-aches all forgotten, baker. in you, which was also in Christ," the And tears for ever past, "From what do they make flour?" mind that "became obedient unto death, With hope's resplendent joy, asked Donnie. even the death of the cross." Phil. 2: 5, Eternally to last. 8. He is drawing us unto fellowship with No death dirge will be sounded "Come, and I'll show you," said the Himself. If we take Him at His word, To hush the joyous song, kind miller, and he led Donnie to see giving all to Him, we shall know His Gladness in place of grieving where there were great bins filled with peace, His will for us. He will fashion Will fill the ages long. grain. "We grind this wheat," said the our lives to His own glory, and then, one miller, "and after we've sifted and sifted Pain's bitterness shall never and sifted it, it is all turned into the flour day, we shall know Him in the fields of Send terror to the soul, glory. "It is I," He calls us through all Beyond time's dark repining, that makes your bread." the strange vicissitudes of these earthly The spirit is made whole. Donnie said, "Thank you, Mr. Miller." days—vicissitudes too many times of our And then in hope divinest, When they were out of the mill, he said, own making. "When thou passest Love's endless years pass by, "Where does the miller get the wheat, through the waters, I will be with thee; No heart, in all the myriads, daddy?" Will ever breathe a sigh. and through the rivers, they shall not "We're going to find that out right overflow thee: when thou walkest through Then pilgrim, catch the promise away," said daddy. the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither Faith offers unto thee, They drove to the country. Daddy shall the flame kindle upon thee." Isa. Anticipate the gladness pointed to a field of waving grain. "That 43 : 2. Of love's eternity. is wheat," he said, "almost ripe for har- There is an old story of a Scottish shep- ----Robert Hare. vest. Soon the farmer will cut it and herd and one of his sheep. It was restive get it ready for the miller to grind into under discipline. It not only strayed, but flour. Do you know how the farmer got led other sheep astray. At last the shep- the wheat?" herd broke its leg. For days it resented that may hang over us into the beautiful "It grew right out of the ground," said his tender care. As time went on it came morning of His love; and when He makes Donnie, nodding. to endure and then to accept his minis- the day of life dark with night, He will "What made it grow?" asked daddy. trations. When once more it could walk be so near to us, and speak to us in such it was his most devoted, his best sheep. a strain of tender, helpful promise, that "It must have been God," said Donnie. It looked to him, trusting his safe guiding. we shall not be afraid of the darkness; "He made my pansies grow in the flower Oh, friends, He will come to us with the nor will He fail, while we stay below, to bed." radiant glow of heaven about Him, though make our souls a fruitful field with the "So," said daddy, "God gave the farmer it be veiled with the mists of the storms genial, gentle rain of His Holy Spirit." the wheat, and the farmer gave it to the of our earthly life. "If we seek Him, He Heaven for us will begin here when miller, and the miller gave it to the baker, will turn the shadow of every trouble His will for us becomes also our will. and the baker made it into bread for you and me. We really get it first of all from God." "We pay for it," said Donnie. "Some people don't have enough money. If you don't have the money and you pray to God for your bread, will He give it to you?" "God expects people to do their part, and He expects those who have more than they need to share with those who have not," said daddy. "I'd give them some of my bread," said OUR DAILY BREAD Donnie. "But if God gives it to us, why ETTA W. SCHLICHTER don't we pay Him?" "If we share it with those who need IVE us this day our daily bread," "Lots of men make it. I saw them," it, we do, in a way," said daddy. "All G Donnie prayed. said Donnie. "They make it out of flour." people are God's children, and whenever Then he looked up at his mother "Where do they get the flour?" asked we give to those in need it is the same as and said, "God doesn't need to give us mother. giving to God." our daily bread, does He, mother? We Donnie didn't know, so mother told him Donnie thought for a long time as they get ours from the bread van." to ask daddy when he came home from drove back home, then he said: "I'll give "Where does the bread van get it?" work that afternoon. you sonic money out of my bank, daddy, asked mother. "This is a good day to find out," said and you may use it to get some bread to "At the bakery," said Donnie. He daddy, when Donnie asked his question. give to children who haven't any. Will knew, because daddy worked at the big "I'm going out for a drive this afternoon. that help God to give them their daily bakery, and had taken him there to see How would you like to go along?" bread?" the men working with the machinery and Of course Donnie was happy. "Where "Yes," said daddy, "and that will be the ovens, and the fresh golden-brown are you going, daddy?" he asked, as he one of the best gifts you could give Him, loaves of bread. skipped out to the car. too. We will take it to church, and it will "Where does the bakery get the "I'm going to the place from which the be sent with gifts from other persons to bread?" asked mother. flour comes," said daddy. help those who are hungry." Page Six August 3, 1953 :: SIGNS OF THE TIMES > THE noise produced by jet engines is a FV-1 r 11CP of eprirlrls rnnrprn qmnna aeronauticalSee?..mitmrsonimimmomiL,--.4. ••e VV scientists. Rated at 120 to 140 decibels, it is the loudest man-made industrial noise. Service crews on the ground in the vicinity IA . of a jet that is warming up may suffer from Editor - - R. PAVITT BROWN fatigue and nervous strain and also the Associate Editor - MARIAN M. HAY uZ buel" breakdown of human tissue. A safe level of sound for human beings is said to be 95 PRICE PAYABLE IN ADVANCE decibels. The noise of jet engines is in what 12 months, 10/6; 6 months, 5/3; post free in Aus- 11. THE air-line distance from Melbourne to medical men call "the threshold of pain." tralia and N.Z. and mandated territories, in- New York is now charted at 10,541 miles. cluding Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, > AN 8- to 10-horsespower Diesel engine Nauru, Papua, New Guinea, Fiji, and Western suitable for small watercraft has been de- Samoa. To all other places 21/- per year. > AN 83-year-old man, John B. Ely, is re- veloped in Norway, according to the Nor- ceiving his diploma from John Muir College wegian Information Service. This light- All orders sent direct to the Publishers or of Pasadena, California. Father of seven weight one-cylinder engine is watertight, their agents, either for single subscriptions or children, Mr. Ely began his education 45 easy to start, and operates with little vibra- for clubs, must be accompanied by cash. years ago, but in the meantime has ranched tion. It is particularly suitable for open in the "Indian country," sought gold in the boats of 30 feet in length or less. SIGNS PUBLISHING COMPANY Klondike, prL cessed cotton, tanned hides, (A.C.A. Ltd., Props.) Warburton :: Victoria :: Australia hunted ostriches in Patagonia, and worked > THE 22,835-foot-high Mount Aconcagua, as a telegrapher. He hopes to enrol in the loftiest peak in the South American Andes, University of California at Los Angeles this was conquered early this year by a five-man • When forwarding Money Orders or Posta, semester to seek a Doctor of Philosophy Chilean mountain-climbing team. In, ad- Notes, please make same payable to SIGNS PUB. degree. LISHING COMPANY, WARBURTON, and no' dition, Japanese, Brazilian, and Argentine to individuals. All New Zealand remittance: teams have also claimed reaching this sum- should be in the form of Money Orders, as Posta 1110 SOMEONE may claim that it will take all mit in recent months. Notes or stamps are not negotiable in Australia the fun out of skiing, but Stanley Van • OUR GENERAL AGENTS: Write your near Voorhees, of West Lcs Angeles, California, > THERE were advantages and disadvantages est Book and Bible House:— has invented a tractorlike device to be at- in being a musician in the Aztec Empire. Victoria: 8 Yarra Street, Hawthorn. E.2. tached to skis so that they will carry you up- Although a drum specialist was exempt from Tasmania: 5 Jordan Hill Road, North Hobart. hill as well as downhill. Power to drive the taxation, if he made a mistake in the per- Greater Sydney: 84 The Boulevarde, Strathfield -tractorlike belts is supplied by a motor car- formance of ritual music, such as a missed North N.S.W.: 21 Gordon Avenue, Hamilton. ried on the sportsman's back. When he beat, he faced death. South N.S.W.: P.O. Box S78, South Wagga. wants to go uphill he turns the skis over, Old.: 37 O'Connell Ter., Bowen Hills. Brisbane North Old.: 61 Sturt Street. Townsville. turns on the m tcr, and off he goes, reports > LOBSTERS are so frightened by the ap- South Australia: 82 Angas Street, Adelaide. Science News Letter. When he wants to ski pearance of even a dead squid that they are West Australia: 62 Clotilde Street, Mt. Lawley back down the hill he Ieverses the position an easy catch for divers wearing goggles and North N.Z.: 27 Esplanade Road, Mt. Eden of the skis and is ready to go. gloves and working with a pole on which Auckland, C.3. a dead squid is tied. South N.Z.: 40 Bealey Avenue, Christchurch. > HANDMADE stainless-steel clamps are 1. A MILLION people throng through the old credited by United States Army surgeons if THE "SIGNS" SHOULD COME TO with saving the arms and legs of many city of London during the day, but it is * 1 YOU UNEXPECTEDLY! servicemen in Korea. The special feature practically deserted at night. Only a few We never send out papers that have not been of these clamps, according to Science News thousand persons live in the business heart ordered. Should you therefore be receiving the Letter, is their 20 small and perfectly of the British capital. "SIGNS OF THE TIMES" without ordering it aligned teeth. The teeth are so arranged yourself, it is being sent by a friend with the > HALF the world's 11.5 million Jews live in hope that you will enjoy it. If for any reason that when the clamp is closed over a blood- you should prefer not to accept, would you kindly vessel, bleeding is stopped, but there is no North and South America, according to a advise the Publishers by letter. The wishes of injury to the delicate walls of the artery census reported in the American Jeu ish all are respected. or vein. Because these clamps are not mass Ycar Book. Another 12 per cent now live produced, they are in short supply. When- in Israel. ever a few are ready to be shipped overseas, Printed and published by they are given to the next medical officer > EIGHT-INCH-LONG humming - birds, the SIGNS PUBLISHING CO. (A.C.A. Ltd., Props. flying over. Even the Surgeon General is largest known, are found in the South Warburton, Victoria, Australia pressed into this kind of messenger service. American Andes. and registered as a newspaper in Victoria

— You get all the natural goodness of wheat

• in EET-81 Vitamin Fortified breakfast biscuits

SIGNS OF THE TIMES :: August 3, 1953 Page Seve a "AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT." This brief but simple phrase sounds the climax of the parable of the ten virgins. (Matt. 25: 1-10.) "And the door was shut." Does the sound of it leave you with a queer feeling you cannot explain? Maybe it makes you feel lonely and friendless, or is it one of terror at being left out? I am sure the five foolish virgins felt like this as all hope of eternal life was shut out from them. But think of the many doors we close ourselves, which keep us from God. oors Consider one labelled "Disguised Selfishness." Many of us, when we do things for others, pat ourselves on the back for doing it, and it really becomes a form of self-flattery. Even in our prayers we think mainly of our- ARE MADE selves, and we want God for what we can get out of Him. Another is "The Secret Love of Sin." No matter how much we love righteousness, we seem to have that one little sin going hand in hand with righteousness. We only hate it with half our mind and not with our whole being, which we would do . if the door of our hearts were open to let Christ fully in. Opeit What of the door, "Worldly Desires"? A man can only have one master, the Scriptures tell us, and we have to choose between God and Satan, or the world of God and the world of Satan. Yet how many professed Christ- ians are trying to be neutral or in between God's and Satan's standards. G. F. SMITH There is the professed Christian, who criticizes the worldly man and yet (colloquially speaking) goes around with a "face as long as a fiddle," and is generally known as a "wet blanket." If he were entirely surrendered to God, would his attitude be one of criticism? No! It would not, for he would have a longing in his heart to tell people of the hope within him, of the peace of mind he has found. Another door we shut against God is "The Fear of What People Say and Think." We want to be Christians, but do we, when in the presence of worldly people, keep to Christian standards? When a very crude joke or story goes around, do we laugh (maybe shamefacedly, but nevertheless laugh) at it, because of what others might think? Or, just to be a sport, we buy a ticket in a raffle, put a shilling on a horse, have one drink with the boys, and so on. Yes, there are many doors we can keep closed against God, unconsciously so, and if we keep them closed much longer it may be too late to open them. Beware lest you shut GOD out by the door of "Sel- fishness," "Criticism," "Fear of What the World Thinks," and others too numerous to mention.. Come to God, asking Him to show you your faults, and asking Him for help to overcome them. Do your part by studying and following the life of Christ, and centre your every thought on God and His plan for you. Then as all thought of self leaves you, your life will be unconsciously transformed to reflect the character of Christ. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock." Will you open the door wide?

(" ("•°c"

Page Eight August 3, 1953 :: SIGNS OF THE TIMES