SIGNS 'nF TH. TIMES THE WORLD'S PROPHETIC WEEKLY

ROBERTS July 10, 1945 Vol. 72, No. 27 GOD BLESS AMERICA! See page 2 Millions look to America American soldiers on the for food, clothing, and a new world battle fronts have given life after the war. food to hungry women and children.

INTERNATIONAL GOD BLESS AMERICA!

HILE returning to the United A Timely Challenge a thing of which we are personally States in 1942, after twelve years guilty, and to suggest reforms we are not Win the Orient, I heard for the willing to make ourselves. first time the song, "God Bless America." by Would you truly like to see reforms in Both the words and music greatly im- this nation? Would you like to see a gen- pressed me. "God bless America, land H. H. MATTISON uine house cleaning? How about set- that I love." Sitting out on deck of a ting your own house in order, and mak- large transport with nearly two thousand people we are conscious of God and of ing it in miniature all you would like other Americans, we sang that beautiful our need of Him. We profess to trust to see in the nation? Someone has well song night after night. We were travel- in Him and to seek His blessings. Cer- said that people get the kind of govern- ing in total blackout. The use of flash- tainly we need His blessings. We need ment they deserve. I believe that is true. lights, lighting of matches, smoking of that light from above to guide us out of I believe that the government we have is cigarettes, were strictly forbidden except the present moral and political darkness the expression of the majority. If it is inside the ship. which has settled down upon us. But not what it should be, it is because the Out there in the darkness, with only the question comes to me with great majority of the citizens are not what they the moon for a light and the stars to force: Are we living so that we can re- should be. This nation is as strong as guide us, we sang: "Stand beside her, ceive the blessings of God in our lives ? the homes composing it, but no stronger. and guide her, through the night with We are prone to criticize the government I am persuaded that the greatest weak- the light from above." We . were con- and are quick to say what reforms are ness facing us as a nation today is the stantly reminded that we were passing needed. At times the government merits weakness of the home. That is where through the night, a night of thick dark- criticism, and it is our democratic duty the breakdown has taken place, and un- ness. We were reminded that we were and privilege to try to reform it. Let less we do something to strengthen what in constant peril of submarines, or enemy us keep in mind, however, that this na- remains of the home, and to repair the raiders. The sight of any vessel caused tion is composed of individual citizens. damage already done, we can but expect great apprehension. It is so easy to blame the government for a breakdown in every phase of our America is still passing through that society. night, and today even more than then The Bible has a great deal to say she needs the light from above. 0 that about God's blessings. The Book is laden we could grasp the full significance of Today, in many countries, millions with the promises of God, yet each that lovely song, and realize that unless of people liberated largely by Am- promise carries with it a condition to be erican arms, and fed by American God leads us with the light from above, food, are saying in their hearts: "God met. Notice the way the Lord put the we will remain in darkness! . bless America!" matter to ancient Israel. "Behold," said In this article a patriotic citizen After landing safely, we noticed in the raises the important question whether He, "I set before you this day a blessing windows of homes, stores, and on the or not God can continue to bless and a curse; a blessing, if ye obey the back of cars, the motto: "God bless America if certain abuses are not commandments of the Lord your God, corrected and a fundamental refor- America." On every American coin are mation of character brought about. which I command you this day: and a similar words: "In God we trust." With —EDITOR. curse, if ye will not obey the command- --hese mottoes it would seem that as a • ments of the Lord your God, but turn

Page Two SIGNS of the TIMES aside out of the way which I command the first reading. In 1944 this country would have a figure even more stagger- you this day." Deuteronomy 11 :26-28. spent .$7,000,000,000,000 for alcoholic ing. The Bible says that if we sow to the This is not an arbitrary statement. beverages. flesh, we "shall of the flesh reap corrup- Rather it is one based upon the laws of If we should add to that the amount tion." In plain language what does it sowing and reaping. Disobedience brings spent for tobacco in all its forms, we mean to sow to the flesh? Here it is de- scribed in Galatians 5:19-21: "Now the a curse; obedience brings a blessing. 4— "The wages of- sin is death." Romans works of the flesh are manifest, which 6:23. "Sin is the transgression of the are these; Adultery, fornication, unclean- law." John 3:4. Disobedience brings ness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, death, obedience brings life. It is not Are YOU hatred, . . . envyings, murders, drunken- possible for the citizens of a nation to LONGING ness, revelings, and such like: of the disobey God and at the same time re- which I tell you before, as I have also ceive His blessings. It is not possible for told you in time past, that they which us to sow the seeds of rebellion and law- for do such things shall not inherit the king- lessness, and reap a harvest of law and dom of God." order. HOME? In r Corinthians 15:50 we find the rea- "Be not deceived," writes the apostle son why such shall not inherit the king- under inspiration, "God is not mocked: dom of heaven. This verse says: "Neither for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall by doth corruption inherit incorruption." he also reap. For he that soweth to his B. E. SPARROW According to the Bible, liquor is a seed flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; of the flesh, and $7,000,000,000 worth but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of constitutes a lot of seed. What will the the Spirit reap life everlasting." Gala- A COUPLE of weeks ago, in a foreign harvest be? Ask the welfare workers of tians 6:7, 8. Let us for a moment analyze land, I met a hitherto unknown, khaki-clad your city. Ask the juvenile judges. Ask this verse. God says, Be not deceived for friend-from U. S. A. "How long have you the workers at detention centers. Ask I cannot be mocked. It is sheer mockery been over here?" I asked. "Ten months the city police. Ask the highway police- too long!" was his spontaneous reply. to ask God to preserve our health if we men. I am sure they will all agree that I tactfully changed the subject, and dissipate all the strength He gives us. started to do a little thinking. I thought the seed sown produces a harvest of It is mockery to ask God to give us peace, about "distance," and decided it was an broken homes, sad hearts, and wrecked if we employ the peace He gives us in awful thing. If that medical man's home bodies. self-seeking. It is mockery to ask God had been round the corner, he would not For many decades the Constitution of to prosper us when we waste that wealth have looked so glum; but it was six thou- the United States lay in an old leather in riotous living. sand miles away, and that vast distance trunk in the War Building in Washing- Let us get some things clearly in mind. made all the difference. ton. Today a magnificent building holds God has blessed us abundantly with the I then remembered other exiles of whom in security America's greatest docu- material things of life. He has prospered I had recently read: ments, the Constitution of the United America until today it can boast of the By the rivers of Babylon, States, and the Declaration of Independ- highest standard of living in the world. There we sat down, yea, we wept. ence. This building is known as the Na- But our future will be determined by the Poor souls! They were captive in Baby- tional Archives Building, and in it these use we make of that prosperity today. lon, seven hundred fifty miles away from safeguards of American liberties are now Our harvest of tomorrow will be in ac- home, with but little chance of a quick enshrined. The building itself can never cord with our sowing of today. If we return. No wonder they wept when they decay, for it is built of rustless steel, and sow to the flesh we "shall of the flesh reap "remembered Zion"! the finest marble. _There is not an inch corruption." If we sow to the wind we My thoughts then went to the prodigal of combustible material in the entire shall reap a whirlwind. Hosea 8:7. son who "took his journey into a far coun- structure. All drawers and shelves are try." Distance, "far" distance, separated I was born and brought up on a farm. made of steel, and every page of the him from his home, but it had an altogether many tons of documents that are stored My father was a truck gardener, and at different effect on him. He dropped the an early age I was taught to choose seed reins on the neck of desire, and rushed in the three million cubic feet of space . for the next year's planting. My father madly into every pleasure. The captive has been coated with a transparent, fire- taught me how to choose seed corn, to- Jews, on the other hand, took a firmer grip proof substance, so that it can never be mato seed, watermelon seed. As we on themselves and lived more godly lives destroyed by fire, rust, or moth. would search through the ears of corn, than when they had dwelt in ease at home. The safety devices in the building are he would say: "Son, remember you can't How is distance affecting us? Does it so mechanically perfect that the great get good corn from poor seed." Farmers help or hinder? The reins now lie within door will never close as long as any per- know that to be true of garden seed. Do our hands; either we can let them go, or son, whether of evil or good intent, re- tighten our grip, keep strictly to the right we know it to be true of spiritual seed? road, and soon get home. mains near the place where these- treas- Mr. Wise expressed it thus: "Every The latter course will certainly help our ures are stored. Even the presence of a young man is now a sower of seed on the safe return to the homes from which we rat or mouse on the marble floor will agi- field of life. The bright days of youth have been unwillingly taken, and will even tate electric currents that will instantly are the seedtime. Every thought of your more surely guide us to our heavenly home. flood the building with red lights, sound intellect, every emotion of your heart, warning bells, and call the guards. Here in this body pent, every word of your tongue, every prin- Absent from Him I roam, Yes, all this has been done to protect ciple you adopt, every act you perform, is Yet nightly pitch my moving tent the Constitution of our nation. But a seed, whose good or evil fruit will prove A day's march nearer home. would you say the Constitution is safer the bliss or bane of your afterlife." now than then, when it lay in its old Our heavenly home may seem a great Recently there appeared in the news- way off at present, but fear not, keep right leather trunk in the War Building? paper one of the most startling bits of on to the end of the road, and soon the Without doubt it is safe from physical news I have read in a long time. I had to golden gates will uprear themselves before destruction, but there are forces at work read it twice, yes, three times to convince our eyes, "and so shall we ever be with today which endanger the future of the myself that I had not made a mistake at the Lord." (Continued on page 5) for JULY 10, 1945 Page Three Will Christ Return in Our D ay? by W. G. WIRTH

of modern neopaganism, religious indif- ference and skepticism now abound? But not all is dark today, for our pres- ent civilization, as destructive as it is On the Mount of proving itself to be, has surpassed all Olives overlooking Jerusalem, Jesus previous times in its world evangeliza- told His disciples of the events that tion. Christian missionary societies and should be omens Bible societies have carried the good of His second advent. news of salvation to every part of the world. It is with the prophecy of this glorious fact that Jesus closes this first O ONE can read the four Gospels and advent, is to emphasize the time of avenue: "And this gospel of the king- of the New Testament without Jesus' return. Let us at once get this dom shall be preached in all the world N being deeply impressed by the straight, that this does not mean that for a witness unto all nations; and then emphasis and attention given by our Christ indicated the very day and hour of shall the end Come." Verse 14. Lord to His return to this earth in what His appearing; in fact, He cautioned Our Lord's second prophetic avenue we commonly call the second advent, or against this, knowing full well that such of signs includes verses 15-28. It begins second coming. So important did He a revelation would but engender fanati- with the destruction of Jerusalem, which consider this event that in Matthew a cism. It is for us to heed His words: "But weighed so heavily on His disciples' whole chapter is given to it, the twenty- of that day and hour knoweth no man, hearts (see verses 1, 2), graphically sug- fourth. See also Mark 13 and Luke 21. no, not the angels of heaven, but My gesting the sorrows that would come to Let us at once stress the fact that when Father only." Verse 36. the besieged Jews as the result of their Jesus spoke of His second coming, He If Jesus condemned our looking for lack of faith in Christ as their Messiah. meant this to be understood as a literal the exact time of the second coming, He See Matthew 23 :37, 38. But God's believ- event, and not in any purely metaphori- as truly commended our expecting the ing people would be saved from the fury cal or spiritual sense, as is the tendency approximate time of this event; else these of the Romans, since they would remem- of much interpretation today. When the words in this same chapter are without ber Jesus' caution : "Pray ye that your closing book of the Bible declares in its meaning: "Now learn a parable of the flight be not in the winter, neither on the opening chapter, "Behold, He cometh fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, Sabbath day." Matthew 24:20. It is not with clouds; and every eye shall see and putteth forth leaves, ye know that difficult to understand why the Master Him" (Revelation 1:7), and ends its summer is nigh: so likewise ye, when ye moved next from this pagan Roman per- final prophetic assurance of the second shall see all these things, know that it secution, with its attendant deliverance advent with the sealing words: "Surely is near, even at the doors." Verses 32, 33. of the true followers of Christ, to the I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, "These things" plainly have to do with papal Roman persecutions of the Dark Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20), it con- the signs which the Master gave in this Ages, with the corresponding deliver- firms the ultimate truth of the real discourse as steps from His day two ance of those who held firmly to the literal, personal coming of our Saviour in thousand years ago to His return. Let word of God. This is the "great tribula- . glory. And when the Lord Himself u5 consider them. tion" of verses 21, 22. This second ave- in His own prophecy of that blessed Through three avenues of prophetic nue of signs closes with admonitions of happening states unequivocally: "Then signs Jesus leads us unmistakably to the Jesus against the many deceptive teach- shall appear the sign of the Son of man nearness of the second advent. The first ings regarding the second advent so cur- in heaven: and then shall all the tribes includes verses 4-14, and presents us with rent in modern times. of the earth mourn, and they shall see a few of the most important historical In His third avenue, which covers the Son of man coming in the clouds of happenings from His day to His reap- verses 29-31, Jesus begins with an event heaven with power and great glory. And pearing. In verses 6-8 He sweepingly that occurred "immediately after the He shall send His angels with a great covers the military successes of the Ro- tribulation," and here we have a remark- sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather man Empire, hinting especially at the able fulfillment of prophecy and a clear together His elect from the four winds, destruction by the Romans of the city indication of the fact that we are now from one end of heaven to the other" of Jerusalem in A. D. 70. The persecution living in the time of the soon coming of (Matthew 24:30, 31), the case for our of the Bible Christians during the Dark our Lord. The "great tribulation" was Lord's real, literal coming is closed. Ages, following the days of imperial completely stopped in 1773 with the dis- It is precisely because Jesus taught that Rome, is set forth in verses 9, to. Mod- solution of the order of Jesuits. Shortly His return to this earth will be visibly ern history begins to dawn in the elev- after that, May 19, 1780, "the sun" was perceived that He left certain historical enth verse, with the many false religious "darkened," and "the moon" did "not indications whereby men might know cults that recent centuries have produced give her light," in such supernatural when that coming would be near at to "deceive many." The twelfth verse fashion as to be explained only as a ful- hand. Indeed, the very purpose of Mat- brings us decisively to our present pe- fillment of Jesus' prophecy. thew 24, that entire chapter on the sec- riod; for who can deny that because "Almost, if not altogether alone, as the

"Signs of the Times," July 10, 1945. Vol. 72, No. 27. $1.50 a year in the United States. Printed and published weekly (50 issues a year) by the Pacific Press Publishing Association at Mountain View, California, U. S. A. Entered as second-class matter September 15, 1904, at the post office at Mountain View, California, under Act of March 3, 1879. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, and authorized September 18, 1918. Page Four SIGNS of the TIMES most mysterious and as yet unexplained God Bless America! your heart, and with fasting, and with phenomenon of its kind, in nature's di- weeping, and with mourning: and rend versified range of events during the last (Continued from page 3) your heart, and not your garments." Joel century, stands the dark day of May 19, Constitution. It was drawn up to gov- 2:12, 13. "Seek ye the Lord while He 1780,—a most unaccountable darkening ern a righteous people. Men whose may be found, call ye upon Him while of the whole visible heavens and atmos- hearts were full .of Christian love and He is near: let the wicked forsake his phere in New England,—which brought grace drew it up. Let the sinister forces way, and the unrighteous man his intense alarm and distress to multitudes now at work in our midst destroy those thoughts: and let him return unto the of minds, as well as dismay to the brute noble graces in the hearts of men and Lord, and He will have mercy upon creation, the fowls fleeing, bewildered, women, and this Government and all it him; and to our God, for He will abun- to their roosts, and the birds to their stands for will crumble. dantly pardon." Isaiah 55:6, 7. nests, and the cattle returning to their Is there a remedy to arrest the evil? Yes, God ever stands ready to bless. He stalls. Indeed, thousands of the good There is always a remedy not only to longs to demonstrate His power in be- people of that day became fully con- arrest evil, but to repair the damage al- half of those who serve and obey Him. vinced that the end of all things terres- ready done. "Therefore also now, saith But He cannot bless where men are re- trial had come."—R. M. Devens, Our the Lord, turn ye even to Me with all (Continued on page 9) First Century, page 89. As to the moon, the darkness of the following night, May 19, 178o, was as unnatural as that of the day had been. "The darkness of the following evening PROPHECY LIGHTS THE was probably as gross as ever has been observed since the Almighty fiat gave birth to light. . . . I could not help con- FUTURE ceiving at the time, that if every lumi- nous body in the universe had been by ROY F. COTTRELL shrouded in impenetrable shades, or struck out of existence, the darkness N separations, sacrifices, suffering, hard- modern age. In fulfillment, behold the could not have been more complete. A I andship, blood, war has exacted an in- peace palaces and organizations, the sheet of white paper held within a few describable toll. leagues, treaties, pacts, and covenants of inches of the eyes was equally invisible A high Government official estimates that the last fifty years. with the blackest velvet."—,-Letter of Dr. values exceeding a thousand billion dollars In contrast, consider God's. forecast of Samuel Tenney, dated Exeter, New will have gone down in the maelstrom of conditions to prevail in the world just prior Hampshire, December, 1785; cited in ruin before the war's end. This amount, if to earth's final harvest: Collections of Massachusetts Historical expended for a nobler cause, would provide "Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Society, volume 1, 1792. for each family of earth a five-room house, Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, educate 400,000,000 children for twenty- let all the men of war draw near; let them Jesus continues: "And the stars shall come up: beat your plowshares into swords, fall from heaven." "Extensive and mag- five years, equip 500,000,000 students' with a college training, erect throughout the and your pruning hooks into spears. . . . n'ificent showers of shooting stars' have world a million-dollar hospital in every Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe." been known to occur at various places town and city having a population of two Joel 3:9-13. in modern times; but the most universal thousand or more, and build 25,000,000 This graphic prophecy with its view of and wonderful which has ever been re- miles of four-lane cement highways. the "sickle," the "harvest," and "the day of the Lord," establishes the time of fulfill- corded is that of the 13th of November, Surely this is the greatest crisis in human ment as immediately preceding the second 1833, the whole firmament, over all the history, the most tragic hour that ever faced United States, being then, for hours, in coming of Christ. Observe also that this the human race. paradox of Bible prophecies finds its coun- fiery commotion! No celestial 'phenom- Stunned by the cruel events taking place terpart in the paradox of the twentieth cen- enon has ever occurred in this country, about us, a distinguished editor recently tury. While some of the world's most illus- since its first settlement, which was cried out: "If ever the• world needed a trious statesmen have contributed their su- viewed with such intense admiration by prophet, an interpreter, and an interpreta- preme efforts and noblest ideals to the one class in the community, or with so tion, it is now." world's greatest peace and security organi- much dread and alarm by another. . . . Thank God, the prophecies of the Bible zations, maddened nations have plunged During the three hours of its continu- provide an unerring and satisfying preview onward in their greatest, deadliest race for ance, the day of judgment was believed of these chaotic times. Inspiration pre- world supremacy. to be only waiting for sunrise."—R. M. sents two seemingly paradoxical forecasts John the revelator also forecast this reign which vividly paint the international pic- Devens, Our First Century, pages 329, of frightfulness, and said: ture of our day. The first of these delineates "The nations were angry, and Thy wrath 330. the attitude- of "many people" in the fol- is come, and the time of the dead, that they Thus the Saviour closes His prophetic lowing language: should be judged, and that Thou shouldest waymarks toward His return, for He "Many people shall go and say, Come ye, give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, immediately adds: "The powers of the and let us go up to the mountain of the and to the saints, and them that fear Thy heavens shall be shaken: and then shall Lord... . . And He shall judge among the name, small and great; and shouldest de- appear the sign of the Son of man in nations, and shall rebuke many people: and stroy them which destroy the earth." Rev- - heaven." What this all means to one they shall beat their swords into plowshares, elation IT:18. who believes the Bible to be the inspired and their spears into pruning hooks: nation Never before were the nations so "angry." word of God we shall leave for every shall not lift up sword against nation, But though the lights of civilization have neither shall they learn war any more." dimmed, the lights of prophecy shine . That Christ has individual to determine. Isaiah 2:3, 4. brighter and brighter. Soon the righteous brought us by this cumulative prophetic Such has been the ardent desire and goal Judge will arise to "destroy them which de- evidence to our own time is indicated by of "many people." This prophecy, penned stroy the earth." This hour of earth's great- the conditions of wars and woes in the more than twenty-six centuries ago, fore- est calamity is also the Christian's greatest world. May our own hearts be ready for cast the extensive peace efforts that are one opportunity to broadcast the message, "Pre- the great issues before us. of the remarkable characteristics of this pare to meet thy God." Amos 4:12. for JULY 10, 1945 Page Five "We learn from unquestionable au- thority (says the Bee,) that the most san- guine of the Millerites in Groton, Massa- chusetts, are busily engaged in making their 'ascension robes!' "—Maine In- quirer (Bath), Jan. 18, 1843. A Portsmouth, New Hampshire, pa- WILLIAM per in February of 1843 quoted the MILLER Nashua (New Hampshire) Telegraph 1781-1849 as stating: "We have seen going the rounds of the newspapers, statements that many of the Millerites have provided themselves with white robes in which to ascend to meet their Lord, but have regarded them only as the invention of the enemy. We are assured, however, that not a few of them in town, have actually provided them- selves with long white robes for the ex- pected occasion."—Portsmouth Journal Ascension Robes (New Hampshire), Feb. II, 1843. These are typical of the newspaper Did the Millerites Really Wear Them? stories on Millerite ascension robes in the opening months of 1843. No writer by said that he saw anyone in an ascension robe, much less a group of people. In F. D. NICHOL fact, the charge is only that the Millerites Author, The Midnight Cry were making robes, or had provided themselves with robes. And what is the authority for the stories? "It is now well More than a hundred years ago someone investigations are found in his remarkable known" is the guaranty for one story. started the story that the Millerites, or Ad- new book, The Midnight Cry. By permis- And what better guaranty would any- ventists, of that day made and wore "ascen- sion of the publishers we reprint here (and in sion robes." The story grew and spread, and a subsequent installment) a brief digest of one ask for a good story! "We learn from today is found even in sober works of refer- the extraordinarily interesting material on unquestionable authority" also leaves ence. But is it true? F. D. Nichol, for some this subject to be found on pages 370-474 of years associate editor of the Signs of the this volume. No one can study the evidence nothing to be desired, even though the Times, now associate editor of the Review presented without obtaining an entirely new writer forgot to tell us who his "author- and Herald, set out to probe the story to understanding of the advent movement of ity" was. "We have seen going the the 1840's.—EDITOR. its beginnings. The results of his exhaustive rounds of the newspapers," is rather roundabout proof, which the newspaper honestly confessed was not sufficient, so O STORY of the Millerites is more year of the end of the world. In other it added, "We are assured." widely known nor more firmly words, the Millerites first thought that An interesting side light on the early N believed than that of their wear- sometime during that twelve-month pe- controversy between the Millerites and ing ascension robes on the momentous riod the Lord would come, though there the public press regarding ascension day when they expected Christ to come was no general agreement among the robes was a comment that appeared in to this world. Just what these ascension believers as to any particular date within the Boston Investigator. This was an robes were supposed to look like no one that year. We therefore look for the as- ably edited weekly, devoted to the pro- has ever said with any great definiteness. cension robe story to begin to have cur- motion of infidel principles, as it boldly A researcher receives only the vague im- rency as the year of the end of the world declared. No religious leader or move- pression that they must have looked like drew near. And this is the case. ment Was exempt from its critical anal- old-fashioned, oversized nightgowns. We do not know the date when the ysis and comment. But it must be said The most specific thing said regarding story was first published, nor is this to the credit of the Investigator that it them is that they were white and gener- knowledge necessary to our investiga- displayed a certain element of fair play, ally that they were of muslin. tion of the charge. We do know that in that was strikingly absent from most of Now, if the Millerites wore such robes, the very opening weeks of 1843 various the press, particularly the dogmatic and they would stand convicted of something newspapers were carrying news items often intolerant religious publications of far more grave than simply displaying about Millerites and ascension robes. that time. Though the Investigator had silly ideas in dress. They would be guilty For example, a leading Philadelphia no love for the Millerites, it was outraged of holding silly ideas on religion. A per- newspaper quoted the Bay State Demo- by the way the religious press attacked son could fall into no more foolish error crat of Boston as its authority for the fol- this new movement. When the ascen- than to think that by robing himself in lowing news item: sion robe story was started, the Investi- some special white garment he was thus "It is now well known, that in this gator noted what the Millerite 'papers fitted for entrance into heaven. Were the city [Boston], many of the believers in said in reply, and remarked: religious ideas of the Millerites this the doctrine that the world will come to "The story of the 'ascension robes' gross? an end this year, are having ascension turns out to be what we thought it was, The reader will recall that while the robes made, with which to mount up to when we first heard of it—a hoax. in- great day of the expected advent was Oc- the regions of bliss."—Philadelphia Pub- vented by Christians to bring contempt tober 22, 1844, there had earlier been a lic Ledger, Jan: 16, 1843. upon those who believe in the second ad- whole year, beginning with March 21, In January also a Maine newspaper vent. Any way to put the Millerites 1843, which could be described as the declared, quoting the Boston Daily Bee: down, appears to be the motto of their Page Six SIGNS of the TIMES Christian oppose-rs, and they act upon it These ascension robe stories in the most faithfully."—Boston Investigator, public press are found not infrequently March 15, 1843. in the newspapers and the religious press In March of 1843 the public press in the first few months of 1843. In other changed from its vague stories and ru- words, a crop of such stories sprang mors about Millerites' preparing their at the beginning of the year of the end robes, or groups of them allegedly sitting of the world. That, of course, was the at midnight on hilltops or in graveyards, very time for such stories to spring up. and gave circulation to a story about a But as suddenly as the stories appeared, specifically named individual. Here is they disappeared, or virtually so, for af- the story as it appeared in the New York ter the spring of 1843 we find scarcely a - Observer, under the head "Distressing Faith in Action reference to ascension robes in the public press until the fall of 1844. Why these Effects of Millerism": by H. W. LOWE "We find in the New Hampshire pa- stories so suddenly disappeared we know not. Perhaps they collapsed of their own - -pers an account of the death of Mr. E HAVE to live and act if we would Shortridge, aged fifty-five. He was for- W shine for God. When I first lived in absurdity. merly a merchant of respectable stand- the tropics, not far from the equator, I was But before these fantastic stories had ing in Portsmouth, but, by misfortune in amazed to find the night air so full of died out of the newspapers, the yarn took business, had been several years reduced shooting, darting lights. Myriads of bril- on new life in a pictorial form. in his pecuniary affairs, and suffered liant fireflies filled the air, yet they never If the public had begun to doubt the much from an almost incessant mental seemed to strike anyone. Then I thought newspaper stories concerning ascension derangement. At the day of his death I'd like to see and handle an insect that is robes, they were now given visual proof he was imagining the time of the second all alight, but I left the tropics without ever that the Millerites wore such garments. advent was to take place. He had made having this luminous insect in my hand. The moment the firefly settles, its glory The cartoonists set out to draw pictures a garb for the occasion, and with this he goes! It shines in activity but not in repose. of them. If one picture is worth a thou- was waiting; until, becoming impatient, As another has said: "There is a firefly in sand words, then these numerous carica- he climbed to the top of a high tree. the southern clime which shineth only when ture prints ought to have fastened quite There, mantled in his long white ascen- upon the wing; so it is with us: when once firmly on a multitude of minds the gen- sion robe, he made one aspiring effort, we rest, we darken." eral impression, at least, that Millerites but was precipitated to the ground, and Yes, it's the motion, the aggressiveness, wore robes—an impression that memory instantly died from a broken neck."— of religion in action, the coming and going long years afterward could easily trans- Quoted in The Midnight Cry, March among men, that supplies the inspiration form into a sure conviction that the Mil- 24, 1843, page 80. of the genuine Christian. lerites did wear ascension robes. There are those who decry emphasis on Now even if this story were true, why activity, because it savors of salvation by In April 7, 1843, the editor of The should Millerism be held accountable works; but we should long since have Midnight Cry quoted a varied array of for the deeds of a man who "suffered learned that God's grace saves us by a faith stories in the press concerning ascension much from an almost incessant mental that works. We believe God, and therefore robe preparations by the Millerites, in- derangement"? The story does not even we work with God. Our hearts are stayed cluding the report that "$5,000 worth of suggest that his insanity was produced on Christ, and by Him our lives are moti- silk" had been ordered by the Millerites by Millerism. Rather we are permitted vated. in one town to be used for ascension to believe that it was the result of misfor- robes, and then added this comment: tune in business. Yet the death of Mr. "We trust our readers will pardon our Shortridge is described as one of the have heard from another source that seeming insult to their understandings "distressing effects of Millerism." this same Mr. S. was crazy ten years in publishing these weak inventions of But is this story true? Did this man ago." those who love lies." really jump from a tree and die froth a We agree with the Tribune editor that By the middle of 1843, as already broken neck in the spring of 1843? Not Mr. Shortridge himself was probably stated, the ascension robe story had quite long after this news item was published the best authority on the subject of his run its course, and the press turned to there began to appear retractions of it. alleged death. And if he was insane other rumors about Millerism. In its The New York Daily Tribune thought "ten years ago," his insanity began when first issue in 1844 The Midnight Cry de- its retraction worthy of an editorial note, Millerism was scarcely known in New voted a column to "Errors Corrected" in which it said, under date of March Hampshire. and summed up certain of the principal 24, 1843: The New York Observer of April T, false stories concerning • Millerism that "We lately published a statement that 1843, also printed a retraction in which had had currency up to that time. One a Mr. Shortridge, of New Hampshire, is found this statement: subhead in this column is entitled "The had run mad with Millerism, and at- "He has been insane for years, but the Fiction About Ascension Robes." The tempted to ascend to heaven from an report of his death has been contradicted paragraph that follows refers to some of apple tree, but found the attraction of in the Portsmouth Journal, and has since the forms in which the story had ap- gravitation too strong for his celestial as- been proven false by a letter from the peared in print, and concludes thus: pirations, and came to the ground with man himself." "From such weak falsehoods multi- such momentum as to cause his death. Apparently Mr. Shortridge had lucid tudes have formed their opinions re- We have just seen two letters of late intervals and took direct action against specting a subject of momentous inter- date from different sources in Ports- the papers that had published the story est. Large rewards have been offered for mouth, New Hampshire, stating that of his death. He wrote to them to deny the sight of an ascension robe, but none letters have been received there from this it and presumably to demand a retrac- have been produced, for none existed."— same Mr. Shortridge, making no men- tion. The very fact that this man wrote The Midnight Cry, Jan. 4, 1844, page 189. tion of his 'ground and lofty tumbling' letters to the papers probably explains Two weeks later this same Millerite or death circumstances so remarkable why we have a retraction of a really paper published a letter from a Sarah T. that they could hardly have escaped his "good" Millerite story, something rare in Bolton, of Indianapolis, who describes a notice had they actually occurred. We the press. (Continued on'page 14) for JULY 10, 1945 Page Seven CAN THE SABBATH BE KEPT ON A Round Earth?

ROPONENTS of the new "world Does the International Date Line calendar," in order to confuse the unin- formed, intimate that it is impossible to Destroy the Seven-day Weekly Cycle? observe the same identical day each week upon a round earth. "World Calendar" Arguments Answered Such an argument is equivalent to saying that God did not know that He was making it impossible to observe the seventh-day Sabbath when He created a round earth, and yet requested the peo- by ple to keep it. As a matter of fact, each day of the C . S. LONGACRE week is twenty-four hours in length at a given or fixed locality upon the surface of the earth that is governed by a rising and a setting sun. But it is also a well- known fact that each day of the week from the time that day begins on the of. the international date line, begin its the argument of the calendar reformers west side of the international date line observance at the setting of the sun, to the contrary, it is possible to observe in the Pacific Ocean until it ends on the twelve hours earlier than the people in the same identical day of the week on a east side of the date line is exactly forty- Greenwich, England, who live 18o de- round earth, even though there are forty- eight hours in length instead of twenty- grees of longitude west of the date line. eight hours of difference in the time it four. It takes twenty-four hours for the It takes twelve hours for the beginning begins on the west side until it ends on beginning part of the day to travel of the Sabbath to travel from the date the east side of the same date line. around the earth, and it takes twenty- line to Greenwich. The people who live Another argument that the propo- four hours for the end of the day to in Washington, D. C., do not begin their nents of the world calendar bring up to travel around the earth to the east side Sabbath until seventeen hours later than justify the insertion of blank or zero of the date line. the people in New Zealand, the people in days, and to confuse the public mind, is Each day begins just one hour later Los Angeles twenty hours later, the peo- that in traveling westward around the than it did at the date line as the sun ple in Honolulu twenty-three hours earth and crossing over the international passes over fifteen degrees of longitude later; and the people on the island of date line in the Pacific Ocean, you add a on the surface of the earth. Since there Samoa, who live just east of the date line, day to the weekly cycle; and when you are 36o degrees of longitude, it takes celebrate the beginning of the Sabbath travel eastward over this same date line, twenty-four hours for the beginning of day just twenty-four hours later than the you subtract a day from the weekly cycle. the day to make its circuit from the west people in New Zealand, who live on the To prove the utter fallacy of such an side of the international date line around opposite, or west side, of the date line. argument, let us employ an illustration. the earth until it reaches the opposite, or Likewise the people of New Zealand end Let us suppose that in a family there are east side, of the date line. As the begin- the observance of the Sabbath twenty- triplets born on the same hour, the same ning of the day reaches the east side of four hours earlier than the people on day, the same month, and the same year. the date line, the end of the same day the island of Samoa end the same identi- When these triplets are twenty-one years leaves the west side of the date line, and cal Sabbath. Thus we see that it is forty- of age, on their birthday, two of them it takes another additional twenty-four eight hours from the time the people of decide that they are going to take a trip hours for the last part of that same day New Zealand begin the observance of around the earth,—one going westward to make its circuit around the earth until the Sabbath day on the west side of the and the other going eastward,—while it reaches the opposite, or east side, of date line, until the people on Samoa, the third triplet decides to remain at the date line. Thus it is true that each just east of the date line, end the observ- home. Both of the triplets who travel identical day of the week, from the time ance of the same Sabbath day. Yet all around the earth decide to take airplanes the day begins until it ends is forty- these people on all parts of the earth, that make the circuit in thirty days' time. eight hours instead of twenty-four. - whether west or east of the date line, In thirty days both reach their home, To illustrate: the people who observe observe the same identical seventh day where the triplet remained who did not the Sabbath in New Zealand, just west of the week. Of course, notwithstanding travel. If the argument is sound, as the Page Eight SIGNS of the TIMES proponents of the new "world calendar" weekly cycle. If he had not added the assert, that the triplet who traveled west- day at the date line, he would have been ward over the date line gained a day of observing a different day of the week time and the triplet who traveled east- than the triplet who stayed at home. ward over the date line lost a day, then Likewise the triplet who subtracted a the triplet who .traveled westward day at the date line by traveling east- would, on his return, be a day older than ward, also found when arriving home the triplet who stayed at home, and the that he was not a day younger, nor did other would be a day younger, and each he observe a different day of the week of the triplets would be observing a dif- than the triplet who remained at home, ferent day of the weekly cycle. but the same identical day of the week. But now let us suppose that these two triplets decide to make these respective trips around the earth each month of the gternal Home God Bless America! year. At the end of twelve months, the N. P. NEILSEN (Continued from page 5) triplet who traveled westward would be I-have often read bellious against Him. "Behold, the twelve days older than the triplet who What the prophets said Lord's hand is not shortened, that it can- remained at home, and the other triplet Of the blessed home above, not save; neither His ear heavy, that it would be twelve days younger. But, you Where the saints will meet, cannot hear: but your iniquities have say, that is impossible, because all three Each other to greet, separated between you and your God, were born the same hour of the day, and And bask in the Saviour's love. and your sins have hid His face from their ages could never be more than you, that He will not hear. For your I've read of the gate one hour apart no matter how often they Where the angels wait; hands are defiled with blood, and your traveled around the earth. You are right. Of the crowns the righteous win. fingers with iniquity; your lips have This being so, what becomes of the ar- I have read it oft, spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered gument of the "world calendar" propo- But it's not enough; perverseness. None calleth for justice, nents who say that theSe blank days they I love to read it again. nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust propose to add to the weekly cycle of in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive I've read of the song mischief, and bring forth iniquity." seven days each year are like the days By the ransomed throng, you add or subtract as you pass over the How the vaults of glory ring! Isaiah 59:1-4. date line? They argue that if Adventists Till my heart would fill The Lord can hear, and He can help. object to adding an extra day to the With a holy thrill; He is able, but He is hindered by the seven-day weekly cycle, why do they not I could almost hear them sing. perverseness of mankind. Long ago He object to adding an extra day when they said: "If ye be willing and obedient, ye travel westward over the international I've, read of the land shall eat the good of the land : but if ye date line ? The reason why Adventists, On the golden strand, refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured Of the place so free from pain. with the sword: for the mouth of the and other conscientious Christians who I have oft been told, believe in preserving the original days of But it ne'er grows old, Lord hath spoken it." Isaiah 1:19, 20. the weekly seven-day cycle, do not object I love to hear it again. The Lord has told us what to do. Let us to adding a day as they pass westward do it. Let us heed the admonition given over the date line in the Pacific. Ocean, in mercy, recorded in Hosea 1o:12: "Sow is that by so doing they do not disrupt to yourselves in righteousness, reap in the original seven-day weekly cycle, but the triplet who stayed at home. He ac- mercy; break up your fallow ground: preserve it. If the triplet who traveled tually found that he was observing the for it is time to seek the Lord, till He westward over the date line had not same identical day of the week as the come and rain righteousness upon you." added a day to his reckoning he would triplet who remained at home, and that It is time to seek the Lord. It is time have discovered soon that he was no by adding a day as he crossed the date to sow in righteousness. It is time to longer observing the same day of the line he actually preserved the days of the put first- things first. We still call our- weekly cycle as the people did in the selves a Christian nation; let us put "the countries west of the date line, nor would kingdom of God, and His righteous- he have been observing the same day as ness" first.

for JULY 10, 1945 Page Nine "God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so." Genesis 1:24. "After His Kind"

Latest Scientific Discoveries Support Variation WITHIN THE KIND Nega- the Bible Story of Creation tives Evolution Theory

FRANK L. MARSH Professor of Biology, Union College, Lincoln, Nebr. Author of "Evolution, Creation, and Science"

HEN Charles Darwin was grad- cial creation, Darwin found the theory a medium-sized tail, while the Kodiak uated from Cambridge University, he impractical. He seemed incapable of Island red fox is larger, much darker, was a firm believer in the theory of spe- conceiving of a broader interpretation of and the possessor of an enormous tail? cial creation. Furthermore, he was a cre- creationism. The amazing thing is that This mosaic pattern in distribution is the ationist of the most conservative sort. he forsook one absurdly narrow expla- rule among all forms except a few more This extremely narrow view of special nation of origins for another of equally 6r less cosmopolitan kinds which are creation caused him 'a great deal of men- absurd breadth, which recognized no. great wanderers, for example, the Amer- tal conflict during a period of about thir- law-bound force whatsoever. ican eel, the bobolink, and the short- teen years following his graduation. The This mosaic pattern in the distribution eared owl. conflict began when, as naturalist with a of any given organism is one of the most The special creationist who accepts the group of map makers, he made a lei- obvious phenomena among-plants and literal reading of the story of creation surely circuit of the globe on the English animals today. For example, H. E. An- and of the Deluge, learns from Genesis cruiser "Beagle" in 1831-35. thony states, on page 66 of his Mammals 7:21-23 and from Genesis 8 that all land At the beginning of this voyage, it was of America, that on the North American animals, with the exception of those in Darwin's opinion that the plants and continent there are no fewer than twelve the ark, died in the waters of the Flood. animals of his day were the same in ap- to fourteen "species" and "subspecies" of Then, after the Deluge, all land forms . pearance as when created at the begin- coyotes. The same authority says (page of animals started out over the surface ning of the earth's history. However, on 72) that some sixteen "species" and "sub- of the earth from the mountains of Ara- his voyage around the world he observed species" of the red fox occur on this con- rat on a quest for homes beyond the hori- that the distribution of any one kind of tinent. These "species" of coyotes and of zon which has not since ceased. Each plant or animal was not as it most likely foxes are geographically isolated under succeeding generation pushed farther would be if these forms had been created natural conditions, but are cross fertile, out over the earth. If these forms had and put in their respective places. In- respectively, when brought together; been constructed as Darwin at first as- stead, the appearance was exactly as it that is, coyotes with coyotes, and foxes sumed they were, so that no variation would be if distribution from common with foxes. The only differences be- could occur, we would find the individ- centers had occurred, accompanied with tween these "species" are those of size uals of a kind of identical appearance more or less variation. and coloration, often rather minor de- wherever present. In some cases, at least, To illustrate: on the Galapagos Is- tails. it should be possible to find such identi- lands, 558 miles west of Ecuador, he The student of distribution of coyotes cal individuals living along the distribu- found that the genera of the animals and foxes must face the problem of why, tion paths from Ararat. were distinctly South American al- for example, the "species" of red foxes However, a study of distribution re- though the "species" were different. are obviously blood related, yet different veals that although individuals of a sin- Furthermore, each of the widely sepa- in appearance. Why should the New- gle kind may, in many cases, be traced rated islands of the group had its own foundland red fox be small, of a yellow out over the earth, still these individuals peculiar "species." That the Creator and buffy to light straw color, and have in one geographical area actually differ should form a different "species" for each in superficial characters—as in the foxes small island seemed irrational to him. mentioned above—from those which live But how, then, had the different "spe- in other areas. The only logical conclu- cies" arisen, and why did they belong to sion from these facts of distribution is the South American genera? that, as animals have scattered over the Darwin continued to puzzle over these circle of the earth since the Deluge, more problems after he returned from his voy- or less variation from the original pat- age. Finally, in 1844, he wrote in a letter tern of each kind has occurred. to his botanist friend Hooker: "I have The question naturally arises here, read heaps of agricultural and horticul- How far can this variation go in the tural books and have never ceased col- production of differently appearing or- lecting facts. At last gleams of light have ganisms? Can the natural processes of come, and I am almost convinced (quite change in animate forms produce new contrary to the opinion I started with) kinds of animals and plants? Darwin, that species are not (it is like confessing who did not have the advantage of pres- a murder) immutable." Thus, as a re- ent-day facts regarding variation, con- sult of the adoption of an impossibly nar- cluded that these processes were capable row interpretation of the theory of spe- of producing an evolution of complex WIDE WORLD Page Ten SIGNS of the TIMES from simple. Evolutionary scientists of known natural processes of hereditary ber of hereditary units and which may today, although refusing Darwin's sug- change in organisms may be grouped give rise to variations in such external gested mechanisms, agree that through into three general categories: (I) recom- characters in plants as size of flower and the operation of natural forces, evolution binations, which include those throw- leaf, and be the cause in animals of such from simple to complex has occurred. backs which manifest characteristics that a change as the gait irb mice where the Creationists, in a few cases, refuse to rec- have already appeared in the line some- individual carrying the change waltzes ognize any development of geographical time in the past and which reappear in circles instead of running in a straight races since the Deluge. However, in when the right combination of factors line as does a normal mouse. most cases, recognition is given by them occurs at the fertilization of the egg to Recombinations can never produce ev- to this obvious change, although they permit the appearance of recessive char- olutionary changes because they merely stress the importance of observing that, acters: (2) gene mutations, which seem recapitulate some character which has al- after all the variation that can occur has to result from chemical changes in the ready appeared in the family line. Muta- occurred, still the organism is obviously genes and which give rise to some truly tions give rise to refreshing variation the same kind that it was before the proc- new character, as, for example, red sun- among plants and animals but, from esses had operated on it. It is entirely flowers from yellow ancestors, hornless laboratory study, appear to be powerless fitting to consider for a minute the kind cattle from horned ancestors, variations to produce anything basically new. To and magnitude of known processes of in coat color among mammals, and dif- illustrate : more than one thousand muta- change in plants and animals. ferences in the proportionate size of ex- tions have been studied in the vinegar According to the accepted classifica- tremities, such as ears, tail, neck, or legs; fly, but all this change has done nothing tion in Principles of Genetics by Drs. and (3) chromosomal changes, which more than produce variation within E. W. Sinnott and L. C. Dunn, all result from changes in the order or num- (ContinuM on page 14) va GM

HALF HOUR THE BIBLE

1. CAINITES AND SETHITES on in their rebellion, then they and the beauti- ful earth must perish. Genesis 4:8, 16. Cain the murderer went away from the presence of 4. NOAH AND THE ARK the Lord. Genesis 4:17-24. The wicked de- Genesis 6:8, 9. Noah was a righteous scendants of Cain. . Before the Flood man. Genesis 4:25, 26. Seth was a true 2 Peter 2:5. Noah preached to the people. servant of God. Genesis 5. The righteous descend- ALMA E. McKIBBIN Genesis 6:14. Noah was told to build ants of Seth. an ark. Hebrews 11:7. He built by faith. After Cain killed his brother Abel, he could the wicked, and the sons of God married Genesis 6:15, 16. The ark was a boat not remain near the cherubim-guarded gate the daughters of men. Their children were having three stories. of Eden, where the presence of God was man- men of renown, but, alas! it was an evil Genesis 6:17-20. Noah made places ifested. He went to the land of Nod, where fame, for they all became wicked together, for the animals. he tried to forget God and all his obligations until even their imaginations were only evil Genesis 6:21. He stored food for the to Him. Instead of a garden home, he built continually. We can understand the wicked- animals and for his family. a city. His descendants were skilled in the ness of that time only by comparison with the arts and sciences, but they were wicked men present time, for "as it was in the days of Noah means "rest," or "comfort" (Genesis and women who practiced polygamy and Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the 5:29), and surely he was a comfort to those murdered at will with no fear of punishment. Son of man." who loved God, for by faith he "prepared an Seth, the child who was given to Adam and ark to the saving of his house." And he Eve in place of Abel, was a noble, God-fearing 3. GOD'S DECISION preached to the people, though they would man who became the progenitor of the holy not believe. It had never rained, and it line through Which Jesus came. The Sethites Genesis 6:3. A probation of one hun- seemed absurd to build a boat on dry land. were called the sons of God. Among them dred twenty years. Doubtless some of the righteous helped him was Enoch, who walked with God and who Genesis 6:6, 7, 13. The earth and its to build the ark, but these all died during was translated, and Methuselah who lived un- wicked inhabitants must be de- the hundred twenty years. til the very year of the Flood. stroyed. 5. NOAH ENTERS THE ARK Adam lived until Lamech, the father of We remember from a former study the Noah, was fifty-six years old. So for nine beauty and perfection of the first earth. Genesis 7:1-9. Noah, his family, and generations the people had the privilege of Though it was now about fifteen hundred the animals enter the ark. hearing from the lips of Adam the story of years old, it had not greatly changed. But the Matthew 24:37-39. The wicked con- creation, of the garden in Eden, of the dis- people had used its treasures only to glorify tinued as before until the Flood obedience, and of the wonderful plan of sal- themselves. They returned no praise or grati- came. vation. tude to God. Romans 1:18-32 describes their condition. If they had been allowed to con- So when the ark was finished, only Noah's 2. GREAT WICKEDNESS tinue indefinitely, everyone would have be- own family went into the ark. Then God come wicked and wholly under the control shut them in. The wicked continued in all Genesis 6:1, 2, 4.. Marriage of the sons their evil ways until the rain began to fall. of God with the daughters of of Satan. Then the plan of salvation could not men. have been carried out. ADDITIONAL REFERENCES: Genesis 6:5, 11. 12. "The earth was So in mercy, even to the chief of these sin- filled with violence." ners, God determined to give them only one Hebrews 11:6 1 Peter 3:19, 20 hundred twenty years more of life and oppor- Ecclesiastes 8:11-13 Habakkuk 2:4 For a long time these two classes, the tunity. During this time His Spirit would Luke 17:26, 27 Romans 1:18-32 Cainites and the Sethites, remained apart. But strive with their hearts to turn them to re- 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Luke 3:38 later the righteous began to associate with pentance. If they refused to repent and went Hebrews 11:5 for JULY 10, 1945 Page Eleven HE greatest charac- ter of all time is Jesus, and His words to men are the most important teaching we can ever know. When He says that a person ought to do this or ought not to do that, we may be sure that He is tell- ing the truth. Our Saviour used this word "ought" a number of times, and it is interesting to read the Scripture passages where it occurs from His lips. "Ought" comes from the word "owe," and implies obli- gation or responsibility.

I. First of all, we have a promise that HALL Paul presented the gospel story to King Agrippa, and the ruler cried out: has been blessedly fulfilled to believers "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." in many a time of need. We are told that when called to witness for the faith be- fore the powers of this world, we are not to worry about what we are to 'say. If we are living as God's people, we shall be led in our testimony. Jesus says in Seven "OUGHTS" of Jesus Luke 12:11, 12: "When they bring you unto the syna- gogues, and unto magistrates, and pow- What the Master Expects of-His Followers ers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall International Broadcast by say: for the Holy Ghost shall teach you THE VOICE OF PROPHECY in the same hour what ye ought to say." The apostle Paul was guided by God in his words before the governor so that, "as he reasoned of righteousness, temper- derful occasion, the ruler of the syna- Jesus did not condemn His contempo- ance, and judgment to come, Felix trem- gogue found fault with Jesus for per- raries for observing the Sabbath, but for bled." Acts 24:25. The Holy Spirit forming this mighty act of healing on the way they did it. They made it a bur- pierced the heart of Felix with the ar- the Sabbath. He thought that it should den by human rules and the traditions rows of conviction. be done, if done at all, on a weekday. of the elders. Jesus swept away these And later, as the apostle bore his per- So Jesus questioned this stickler for mere man-made burdens and restrictions and sonal testimony before another court, formality: If you loose your ox from his made the Sabbath a blessing as it was King Agrippa cried out: "Almost thou stall and lead him out for water, ought in the beginning and as it is now to those persuadest me to be a Christian." Acts not this daughter of Abraham to be who accept it from the hand of Christ. 26:28. loosed from her bondage to pain on the Sick, sorrowing, suffering, sinning peo- From our text it is clear that there are Sabbath? You hold it perfectly proper ple ought to be helped. Let us do our some things that we ought to say. Words to relieve the thirst of beast. Isn't it right part as the followers of Christ! are important. They go on influencing to deliver a child of promise from the 3. We find the third "ought" of Jesus others for good or for ill as long as time bondage of Satan? in Matthew 23:23, where He says to lasts. The answer was obvious, for "when some of the religious people of that day : 2. The second "ought" of Jesus we He had said these things, all His adver- "Ye pay tithe of mint and anise and find in Luke 13:16: saries were ashamed: and all the people cumin, and have omitted the weightier "Ought not this woman, being a rejoiced for all the glorious things that matters of the law, judgment, mercy, daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath were done by Him." Luke 13:17. and faith: these ought ye to have done, bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed The Sabbath had been made by Christ and not to leave the other undone." from this bond on the Sabbath day ?" Himself in the beginning, and it was a They were doing part of their duty, Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on memorial of His creative power. It "was but not all of it. They were careful to the Sabbath day, and right in the service made for man" (Mark 2:27), for his pay tithe on garden herbs, but they He saw this poor woman who "was blessing and benefit; and what could be omitted some greater things. It was right bowed together, and could in no wise more appropriate than that our Saviour, to pay the tithe, but it was not right to lift up herself," and He called to her, the Lord of the Sabbath (verse 28), neglect other things. "Woman, thou art loosed from thine in- should honor that holy day by exercis- So you see, Jesus said: Ye "ought" to firmity." Verses II, 12. He laid His heal- ing His creative power in healing the pay tithe. Do you? "But," you say, "that ing hands upon her, and instantly she sick? This is proper work for the Sab- was only for people back there." Are you stood up straight and began to glorify bath—ministering to the sick, relieving sure? Jesus said: Ye ought to do it. Were God. human pain, and helping our fellow men mercy and faith only for the people in Instead of being happy on this .won- in need and sorrow. those days and not for us? Surely no one Page Twelve SIGNS of the TIMES would take that position. Remember: need of wisdom, pray. "Call upon Me in feet. This was not merely a lesson in hu- Judgment, mercy, faith, and the tithe all the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, mility. It was more, for He said: "What go together in Jesus' "ought," and so we and thou shalt glorify Me," the Lord I do thou knowest not now; but thou really ought to give heed to His com- says in Psalm 5o:15. shalt know hereafter." Verse 7. mand. Do you pray? No? Christ says you It was an act of spiritual significance, Love expresses itself in giving, in sac- ought to pray. a preparation for the table of the Lord's rifice. It is said that when the wife of The Western Union Telegraph Com- Supper. This Bible custom was prac- Dr. Orlando Scott, well-known surgeon pany has more than 125,000 clocks all ticed in the early church, but was gradu- of Chicago, was hurt in an automobile over the United States which are regu- ally forgotten. The Waldenses practiced accident, he cut strip after strip of skin lated by the time signals sent out every it, so did the Greek Church, and the frum his own thigh and grafted them hour from the United States Naval Ob- Church of England at first, and many upon her. He couldn't use a general an- servatory at Washington. If it is impor- others observe it today. Christ's words esthetic because he himself was the sur- tant to keep all those clocks in time with are: geon; and, because of certain unfavor- the stars and with each other every hour, "I have given you an example, that ye able results sometimes occurring with how much more necessary it must be for should do as I have done to you. Verily, local anesthesia in such cases, he did not God's children, amid the distractions verily, I say unto you, The servant is not use even that. Yet, time after time, he and jars of life, to readjust their lives to greater than his lord; neither he that is drove the knife into his own flesh with- His Holy Spirit! sent greater than he that sent him. If out any sign of pain. As the nurses 6. The sixth "ought" of Jesus is found ye know these things, happy are ye if watched his heroism, there were fre- in John 13:14: ye do them." Verses 15-17. quent sobs. The brave surgeon was un- "If I then, your Lord and Master, have 7. And now we come to the seventh der the influence of a power which is washed your feet; ye also ought to wash and last of these "oughts" of Jesus. Let stronger than pain—the power of love. one another's feet." US read Luke 24:25-27: If we love, we will give with joy and It is well known that, after celebrating "Then He said unto them, 0 fools, without regret. the Passover supper with His disciples, and slow of heart to believe all that the 4. The. fourth "ought" is found in our Saviour instituted the Lord's Supper. prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to en- Matthew 25:27, where our Lord gives the But it is not quite so well known that ter into His glory? And beginning at parable of the talents to illustrate the after the PaSsover supper was finished, principles of the kingdom of heaven. To and before Christ sat down to break the Moses and all the prophets, He ex- the man who had not used or developed bread in the new communion of the pounded unto them in all the Scriptures the talent given him, but had buried it Christian church, He girded Himself the things concerning Himself." Walking along the road as the sun was instead, these words came: with a towel and washed His disciples' "Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury." THE MIDNIGHT CRY Every gift or talent that we have comes from God, and it is to be used to glorify HE narrative of a man whose name was a household term by Him. It is not to be buried, neglected, Tin America in the early 1840's. Every newspaper talked unused, forgotten, or unappreciated. But about him. Ministers inveighed against him. Jokesters made F. D. NICHOL it is to be developed—it is to grow—so cartoons of him. He was variously described as a fanatic and that when the Master comes from the far a fool, and as deluding multitudes. William Miller had been a captain in the War of 1812. Later he came to believe that country we may present fruit for our the end of the world would take place in 1844. About seven life's harvest and may have a reward for hundred ministers and lecturers joined with him in preach- our labors. ing. They built the largest tent ever seen in the country and All our abilities, physical and mental, held mammoth mass meetings. are from God. Our power to obtain Miller and his associates were accused of filling the asylums wealth, to get an education, to do things, with their preaching, and of causing suicides and murders. The stories about this movement have enriched the folklore to grow, to accomplish—all of it is God's of America, the choicest story being that Miller's followers gift to us, rather, His loan to us to be dressed in ghostly ascension robes on the great day they used and multiplied in blessings to oth- expected Christ's advent, and climbed to mountaintops and ers. And God will call for an audit when housetops, or perched watchfully on tombstones. the day is over and life is completed. We This is the first book prepared from original sources which gives the history of this religious phenomenon. ought to use our talent or talents for good Factual but fascinating. More than an interesting his- and for God. tory—a case study in how "good" stories grow. Pic- 5. The fifth "ought" is found in Luke tures, 21 pages of them, 18:1: including many source "He spake a parable unto them to this documents. end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." Bound in Cloth It is certain that if we do not pray when troubles come, as troubles will, we shall faint. We shall lose courage '150 and drift away into doubt and darkness (HIGHER IN CANADA) if we do not pray. In the dark days Published by that come to all, prayer to God is a mighty help. So do not stop praying. When we can't see the way out, it is REVIEW and HERALD Publishing Assn., time to pray. When money is low, prayer Takoma Park, Washington 12, D.C. is in order. In ill-health, pray. When in for JULY 10, 1945 Page Thirteen about to set, with two of His disciples go until the Lord says that it is finished, who did not recognize Him, Christ and the gospel is gone to all the world showed them that the prophecies of the for a witness to all nations. Matthew IGNS Old Testament clearly predicted that 24:14. Advocating a return to the simple when the Christ should appear He Yes, if the prophecies of God's ancient gospel of Christ, and a preparation for His imminent second appearing would be rejected and put to death and Scriptures were true, Christ ought to rise from the dead. These disciples had have suffered "these things." The things EDITOR . . . . ARTHUR S. MAXWELL nearly lost their faith when they saw all which had baffled the faith of the disci- ASSOCIATE EDITOR . . MERLIN L. NEFP hope of an earthly kingdom fall in ruin, ples were the very things that made their CIRCULATION MGR. . H. K. CHRISTMAN saw their loved Master put to death with faith sure when they saw that their dis- RATES in U. S. A.: Single copy, one year . . . $1.50 Clubs of five or more to one address, each . . 1.?5 cruelty and scorn. And when that great appointment was God's appointment. To Canada and other countries taking extra postage: stone was rolled against the door of Friend, do you know that according Single copy, one year (U. S. funds) $2.00 Clubs of five or more to one address, Joseph's tomb, it seemed to seal all their to these same prophecies Christ ought each, (U. S. funds) 1.50 Please make all checks and money orders payable hopes forever. to enter into His glory? And that will to "Signs of the Times," Mountain View, California. But now this stranger repeats the be fully true only when He comes again In requesting change of address, please give both prophecies of Scripture. The disciples old and new addresses. the second time "to be glorified in His No papers are sent except on paid subscriptions, so are well acquainted with these words, saints, and to be admired in all them that persons receiving the "Signs of the Times' without having subscribed may feel perfectly free to accept it. but in some way they had never seen the believe." 2 Thessalonians i:io. light in them before. How clear it is Yes, He ought to come, and He will now that all this terrible experience of come. "After His Kind" that dark crucifixion day was actually a (Continued from page 11) matter of Scripture prophecy! It was all well-defined limits. The most severely foretold. Christ was to suffer. It was all Ascension Robes mutated form is unquestionably still in the divine blueprint. He was to be (Continued from page 7) a vinegar fly. Chromosomal changes "wounded for our transgressions, . . . Brother Stevens that had come to their would seem the most likely as a process bruised for our iniquities." Isaiah 53 :5. city to preach: which might produce evolutionary He was to die on a cross for the iniquity "It had been represented to us, changes, but here again all plants or ani- of men. He was to be stricken. He was through the public prints, that the second mals which have been demonstrated to to "make His soul an offering for sin." advent believers were a set of deluded have experienced such variation are still Verse io. Like the Passover lamb, He fanatics, better fitting a lunatic asylum, manifestly the same kind of organism was to be slain "between the two eve- than society. It was reported that they they were before the change occurred. nings" (Exodus 12:6, margin), and then have prepared ascension robes, in which Thus, at the present time, it still re- He was to enter into His glory. to meet the Saviour, and that the howl- mains to be demonstrated that evolution- He was to ascend to the city of God ings of the deluded creatures might be ary change—that is, the appearance of and be welcomed by the heavenly hosts heard for miles. After having heard all new kinds of organisms—could result with the glad anthem of victory: this, imagine my astonishment if you from these natural processes of change. "Lift up your heads, 0 ye gates; and can, when I saw how Brother Stevens Such change apparently could not occur be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and conducted his lectures. There was no at- even if a million million years were avail- the King of glory shall come in." Psalm tempt to create excitement through the able, because these known types of 24:7. feelings or imagination of the people."— changes are not of the right quality to They saw it all then,—that the proph- Ibid., Jan. 18, 1844, page 207. bridge the gap which actually exists in ecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled In March, 1844, Himes wrote a letter nature between two different kinds of by the events of their day, — and it to The Midnight Cry, telling of Miller's plants or of animals. The entire depend- changed life for them. And, as they lectures in Baltimore, and of the opposi- ence in the proof for evolution upon to eat the evening meal, they recog- tion they met in the form of a printed inferential nized this stranger of the highway, their sermon that was widely circulated. The evidence leaves the open- minded student of theories of origins blessed Lord Himself. What joy! What author of it was evidently engaged in holy zeal! What self-sacrificing service! promoting many of the discredited amazed that practically all the science texts of our country treat the evolution What fearless martyrdom the clear light stories about Millerism. Himes re- of prophecy fulfilled brought into the marked: "His taunts about 'ascension theory as if it had been actually demon- world! The gloom and doubt and fear robes!' etc., show that he is very ignorant strated. Evolution is said to be occur- all changed to conviction, and the little or wicked. Any man of common sense ring right under our eyes today, but the band of disciples went forth from Jerusa- ought to know better."—Ibid., March best proof for it that can be obtained has been exhibited in these scientific texts, lem and stirred the world. The messag 21, 1844, page 273. and, behold, it merely consists of the var- is still going, and it will never cease to (Concluded next week) iations which have occurred in ferns, or CUT HERE sweet peas, or snails, or pigeons, or dogs, or man. It requires no great power of FILL IN - - - - MAIL TODAY observation to see that all these organ- isms, after the greatest possible variation CIRCULATION DEPT., PACIFIC PRESS has occurred, are still the same kinds they Mountain View, California Date were before the changes began. The same open-minded observer of PLEASE send the Signs of the Times for one year nature is nonplused again when he hears to the following address. I enclose $1..5o ($2.00 in Canada and foreign). the dogmatic statements of evolutionists that such evidence as can be marshaled NAME in the fields of paleontology, comparative ADDRESS morphology, physiology, and geographic distribution conclusively prove evolu- tion. He sees the totally inferential qual- ity of all this evidence and recognizes Page Fourteen SIGNS of the TIMES that it may be bent this way or that de- pending upon the particular tastes of the manipulator in the matter. The degree to which a scientist is convinced that such evidence unequivocally proves one+ or the other theory of origins merely portrays the degree to which he is wed- ded to his particular theory. At the present stage in the scientific in- vestigation of processes of change in na- ture it has become evident that each kind of organism is separated from every other kind by a very real abyss which cannot be crossed. All variation merely achieves a greater complexity within al- ready existing groups and never pro- duces new kinds. This situation is ex- actly what is portrayed in the first chap- ter of Genesis, where it is stated that or- ganisms were created in separate kinds and made in such a way as to be capable of reproducing only according to their kinds. The Biblical fact which Darwin over- looked in his interpretation of special creation was the fact that all land ani- mals have come from a single point, the Mountains of Ararat. His first great rtls- take was to overlook this vitally impor- tant fact of distribution. The first great mistake of modern evolutionists is to observe the variation in forms which has actually occurred as animals have repop- ulated the earth, and then conclude that this change has no limitation—this was Darwin's second .great mistake. The modern scientist who keeps his feet solidly on the ground of demon- strated fact finds that variation without limit has no basis in nature. All ob- served variation has achieved nothing COMMANDER LAWRENCE E. C. JOERS (Medical more than to produce complexity within Corps), USNR, draws upon his wide experience in writing previously established and discrete units or kinds. Every new individual, born or hatched, testifies to the fact that our "GOD IS MY CAPTAIN" modern fauna is composed of units He started the manuscript before war came, with the aim of which, as Genesis states, bring forth after presenting a physician's view of Christian living and Bible doc- their kinds. trine. He knew the meaning of full dependence upon God Thus, while the theory of evolution, when he and his wife were struggling through medical college. as set forth by its proponents, must de- He depended much on God's guidance when, as a doctor, he pend entirely upon inferential evidence, the theory of special creation is sup- ministered to the physical and spiritual needs of his patients. ported by real evidence, the manifest When the tragedy of Pearl Harbor plunged the nation into fact that each does bring forth after its global war, Commander Joers was called to give his services to kind. Natural processes of change in his country as a physician. His manuscript went with him on conjunction with geographical distribu- the high seas. In tropical lagoons, in arctic moonlight, in the tion have accomplished the pleasing di- smoke of battle, in the crisis of the operating room, this book Versity exhibited in the mosaic patterns had its origin. of distribution today, illustrated by the God Is My Captain is a timely answer to the questions of amazing variety to be seen around the world today in such forms as the red fox. faith, by a man who has put God to the test and found Him The evidence in the natural world today true in his own experience. thus indicates that present processes of change, operating at present rates, or pos- 0 Add sales tax where required. sibly at accelerated rates in the earlier Bound in cloth, postpaid, Higher in Canada. centuries after the Deluge, have resulted, not in evolution of new kinds, but rather Order from our representative; or direct from in the present delightful variety now ob- PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION, Mountain View, California servable within originally created units. for JULY 10, 1945 Page Fifteen Many a brave man is asking, as he goes into combat: "What is a fellow going to do when he is afraid of tomorrow?"

OFFICIAL U. S. NAVY, INTERNATIONAL "A If he is not killed, will he be maimed and crippled fraid of Tomorrow" for life? Furthermore, millions are scanning the horizon by FRANCIS A. SOPER for some gleam of hope that will promise a post- war world in which their fears of war, pestilence, famine, and death will be allayed and there will be a never-ending era of prosperity and peace. But the prospects for such a world are poor indeed IN ONE corner of the from the human standpoint. Yes, as never before, railroad coach in which I was riding stood two men are "afraid of tomorrow." soldiers, conversing. One, a sergeant, had several Jesus predicted that such a spirit of fear and campaign ribbons, indicating extensive overseas alarm would take possession of the hearts of men service on various fronts; the other had no insig- just before, His second coming. He said: "There nia of rank, he was a private on his way to the shall be . . . upon the earth distress of nations, embarkation port. with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; The older serviceman, a burly, muscular fellow, men's hearts failing them for fear, and for look- was describing some of his thrilling experiences ing after those things which are coming on the in the great battles of the South Pacific campaign earth." Luke 21:25, 26. to his new-found acquaintance. Obviously, the But the Christian has no need to fear. He who younger soldier was extremely interested, for he, walks with God is not afraid, for he knows that before long, would be in similar circumstances. One who keeps the worlds in their places will There was a slight pause in the conversation. protect and guide him. Every detail of his fife Soon I overheard the words: "Say, sarg, I don't is in the keeping of an all-powerful God. He know what I am getting into when I ship out, claims the precious promise: "Fear thou not; for and, between you and me, I'm a bit fearful. What I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy is a fellow going to do when. he is afraid of to- God : I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; morrow? yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of Most of the conversation from this point was My righteousness. For I the Lord thy God will lost to me in the rumble of the rolling wheels, but hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; those three words, "afraid of tomorrow," were I will help thee." Isaiah 41:1o, 13. indelibly impressed on my mind. The child of God, in times of distress and dark- "Afraid of tomorrow." What a description ness, can echo the courageous confidence of the of our world! On every hand we see fear in the psalmist David when he said: "What time I am hearts of men as to what a day will bring forth, afraid, I will trust in Thee. In God I will praise for the entire world is in the grip of uncertainty His word, in God I will put my trust; I will not and anxiety. Never were the words of the prophet fear what flesh can do unto me." Psalm 56:3, 4. Jeremiah truer than now: "Fear is on every side." In spite of threatening disaster all about us in Jeremiah 6:25. these days of peril, the Christian will hear the In countries where bombs are falling and can- voice of his Master speaking above the storm, as nons are roaring, people fearfully wonder: When Jesus spoke to His disciples who were in danger will it strike me? Will I lose everything, eyen of their lives on the Sea of Galilee: "Be of good my life? Am I going to be the next victim? cheer: it is I; be not afraid." With this assurance, Anxious parents and relatives inquire: Will .he will trust his heavenly Father; he will not be my son, or loved one, be cannon fodder today? "afraid of tomorrow."