Volume 73 Price 3d. Number 26 Warburton, Victoria, Australia, June 30, 1958

Britain recently placed her aircraft industry on display at Farnsworth. Here pictured is her Vickers-Armstrong "Valiant" bomber.

THE SHAPE OF TO COME

Are We Entering a Millennium of Peace? What the Bible Says About the Future.

S the whole world in trouble?" asks VIRGIL C. BECRAFT things begin to come to pass, then look the heading of an article in a recent up, and lift up your heads; for your re- I issue of U.S. News and World Report. demption draweth nigh." In answer the article declares, "Suddenly, this earth. He said there would be "upon All the unrest, suspicion, distress, and the world is out of kilter. . . . It's a time earth distress of nations with perplexity ; the highly explosive international situa- when anything can happen." On the . . . men's hearts failing them for fear, tions that bring nations to the brink of next two pages, a double spread describ- and for looking after those things which war are soon to be things of the past. ing the dismal outlook presents twenty- are coming on the earth : for the powers Jesus will come to reign as "King of seven trouble spots around the world, of heaven shall be shaken. And then kings, and Lord of lords." Indeed, we with the comment, "Everywhere you shall they see the Son of man coming live at the time when we may expect the look the earth is beset with worry and in a cloud with power and great glory." fulfilment of the prophecy of Daniel, "In strife." (Luke 21: 25-27.) He told His followers the days of these kings shall the God of Such conditions are none other than that when they would see such world ten- heaven set up a kingdom, which shall the fulfilment of Jesus' words describing sions they were to recognize them as signs never be destroyed: and the kingdom the world situation before His return to of His imminent return. "When these shall not be left to other people, but it ( (Registered at the G.P.O.. Melbourne, for transmission by post as a newspaper} shall break in pieces and consume all After this, the Bible says, God will hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have these kingdoms, and it shall stand for "create new heavens and a new earth." entered into the heart of man, the things ever." Dan. 2: 44. Isa. 65: 17. See also Rev. 21: 1. "He which God hath prepared for them that The setting up of the kingdom of Christ will make an utter end: affliction shall not love Him." 1 Cor. 2: 9. will not be accomplished by human legis- rise up the second time." (Nahum 1: 9.) Then this glorious promise will become lation or by a resolution passed at the In that renovated earth, freed from all reality : "Behold, the tabernacle of God United Nations. Contrary to the widely trace of sin, "Death shall be no more, is with men, and He will dwell with them, prevalent conception, there is not going neither shall there be mourning nor cry- and they shall be His people, and God to be a millennium of peace and good will ing nor pain any more, for the former Himself shall be with them, and be their before the advent of Christ. The word things have passed away." Rev. 21: 4, God. And God shall wipe away all tears "millennium" is not found in the Bible at R.S.V. from their eyes; and there shall be no all, although in the Book of Revelation The righteous dead will be raised at the more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, there is reference to a thousand-year first resurrection to receive "a crown of neither shall there be any more pain : for period when Satan will be bound and not righteousness." (2 Tim. 4: 8.) "On the former things are passed away. And permitted to deceive the nations. such," we are told, "the second death He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, Christ's second advent will be the hath no power." (Rev. 20: 6.) They I make all things new. And He said unto consummation of the history of the world reign with Christ as priests of God dur- me, Write : for these words are true and and will bring to realization the brightest ing the thousand years, and at the end faithful." Rev. 21: 3-5. hopes of mankind. Eternal life will then will receive their eternal inheritance when This eternal abode will bring to realiza- be bestowed upon both the righteous liv- "the kingdoms of this world . . . become tion all the hopes and aspirations of man- ing and the righteous dead who will be the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His kind. You may be there to enjoy it. The raised incorruptible and immortal. 1 Christ; and He shall reign for ever and invitation is given to you personally, Cor. 15: 51-55. ever." Rev. 11 : 15. "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. What will become of the wicked when Peace and security will no longer be And let him that heareth say, Come. And Jesus comes? The Bible says that they subject to the caprice of men and the let him that is athirst come. And who- will be destroyed by "the brightness of domination of Satan. All that will be soever will, let him take the water of life His coming." 2 Thess. 2: 8. past. Of that happy state, we read, "Eye freely." Rev. 22 : 17. The righteous, both those living when Christ comes, and the resurrected dead, will then be "caught up . . . in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air : and WEIGHED. NOT COUNTED so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thess. 4: 17. They will live and reign The Supreme Importance of Unselfish Love with Christ a thousand years. Rev. 20: 4. ARTHUR L. BIETZ This is the time commonly called "the millennium," because it refers to the HERE is a wall in the lobby of an Whether one believes this or not would period when Satan is bound "that he American hospital which bears make a great deal of difference to his should deceive the nations no more, till T this inscription : "God does not life, for to capture the meaning of these the thousand years should be fulfilled." count your good deeds; He only weighs words and to incorporate them into real- Verse 3. them." The nurses, doctors, and patients ity is to accept the Master's way. The destruction of the wicked at who pause long enough to interrupt their On one side of the ledger we have a Christ's coming, and the removal of all busy schedules and read this simple motto feverish compulsion which may whip a the righteous from the earth, will leave are very often struck by the undisguised person on and on—to organize charities, only Satan and his evil angels. This con- truth which it proclaims. to donate vast sums of money to the stitutes the "binding." under-privileged, even to build institu- In speaking of the wicked, the revelator tions—all of which is beautiful, but not says, "The rest of the dead lived not unless it is inspired by unselfish love. If again until the thousand years were fin- it is done merely to pacify a conscience or ished." Verse 5. Satan will be confined to benefit self-admiration, then it is a puff to this earth, which by then will have of smoke—coming out of nowhere and become "empty," and "waste," and "up- disintegrating into nothingness. side down." Isa. 24: 1. On the other side we have the story of Satan will be released from his "prison" the three mighty soldiers in the service by the resurrection of the wicked, of The Lord Is My Shepherd of King David. The Philistines were be- whom it is said, "The rest of the dead sieging Bethlehem; but when David ex- lived not again until the thousand years Pearl Waggoner Howard pressed the desire for just one drink from were finished." Rev. 20 : 5. Then all the well of Bethlehem, these three men those who have been his followers through The Lord is my Shepherd—He knoweth the way risked their lives, broke through the ranks the ages will again be gathered under I see not, when tears my eyes dim; of the Philistines, and brought their king his malevolent leadership, "the number He promises strength shall be mine as the that for which his heart had longed. It of whom is as the sand of the sea." day. was merely a cup of water—that is all; Verse 8. I have none at all save in Him. but in it was mixed the lifeblood of The Holy City and "the camp of the The Lord is my Shepherd; He makes us friends who were devoted and fearless. saints" which will at that time descend to lie It avails nothing to think of accom- "from God out of heaven" (Rev. 21: 2) Where He in His wisdom sees best. plishment in terms oa _lumbers. As soon will then be surrounded by the originator He promises all of my need to supply, as we begin to count our increase, our of evil and his followers, and fire will In midst of affliction gives rest. talents, our clothes, or even our friends, come down from God out of heaven and we move out of the shadow of unselfish destroy them (Rev. 20: 9). The Lord is my Shepherd and I am His sheep, service into the glaring limelight of self- That will be the end of Satan. "And For whom He has paid matchless price. advancement. Rather, from henceforth the devil that deceived them was cast into By day and by night He vigil doth keep. let it be the weight of a completely dedi- the lake of fire." (Rev. 20: 10.) As God His grace and His promise suffice. cated heart which tips the balance of the judges "every man according to their true Christian life. works," the wicked followers of Satan The Lord is my Shepherd! His love I may trust "And though I bestow all my goods to will receive their death sentence, which To save me from enemies bold. feed the poor, and though I give my body is called "the second death," in the lake By mountain or valley still follow I must, to be burned, and have not charity, it of fire. Rev. 20: 13, 14. Then nightfall will find me in fold. profiteth me nothing." 1 Cor. 13: 3. Page Two June 30, 1958 SIGNS OF THE TIMES to decide whether a person has made a success of life and has made such a con- AN EDITORIAL tribution to society as to justify his inclu- sion in this elite group? Why, the whole SURVEY CURRENT EVENTS idea is a piece of monstrous impertinence. If we go back in history we can easily of see the absolute impossibility of deter- AND OPINIONS mining who is, or is yet to be, the most important person. Take, for example, Am••=m0 INEEN..•••••=.0 the close of the eighteenth century and the commencement of the nineteenth. Who was the most important person eager seeker for some way of life that then? Napoleon, someone declares. But will assure strength and poise and hap- what about a young lad born in a one- Packaging Miracles piness in the menacing environment of room log cabin in one of the southern states of America, just about the time A SILENT revolution is going on behind this world. Napoleon was at the zenith of his power? the scenes in industry and commerce, a If the observer .sees sweetness under You couldn't convince any American that revolution financed by sums that would provocation, love in return for malice, Abraham Lincoln was not a greater man have paid for a major war a few cen- courage in the face of loss, trust in the than Napoleon. Or from the viewpoint turies ago. The revolution is in the midst of adversity, his attention will be of spiritual values, who is to determine vastly increased importance of the con- irresistibly caught and held. The pack- tainer in marketing a product. Last year age will recommend the product as no whether John Wesley who laid down his life a few years previously was not in America the astonishing sum of rival package can possibly do. greater than both these combined? £10,000,000,000 was spent in wrapping As Christians, let us remember that the products of the myriad industries. we are always on display. Our neigh- The most important person today may This packaging was not haphazard, bours and friends, our business associ- be a baby just a few hours old, lying but the result of intensive study of the ates, the tradesmen who call, even every contentedly in some hospital, farmhouse, psychological reactions of the purchaser chance contact, is summing up and weigh- or city dwelling. Remember that was to various colours, patterns, and slogans. ing the advantages of the faith that we true once before in the history of the The background of preparation before a profess by the way we show it in our world—round about 4 B.C.—when the new carton for a cake-mix is launched on daily lives. Pettiness, dishonesty, fret- most important Baby was born in a the market is seen in the description of ting, unkindness—these things will turn manger in Bethlehem. Yes, great events how cakes from the test kitchens were away the one who is seeking for a better and great persons have a way of coming photographed repeatedly until the ad- way of life. on quiet feet. vertising men were satisfied. Is the package of our outer life worthy But suppose God was making such a "It took us two years to work out a of the inestimable treasure it contains? list. Of course the idea is foolish, for special photographic process that would we all are precious in His sight. But just "I am my neighbour's Bible. capture just the right fluffy and granular suppose. Who would be on God's list of He reads me when we meet. feeling we wanted in the picture. We the "100 Most Important People"? We Today he reads me in the home, didn't want to leave anything to chance. no doubt would be in for some surprises Tomorrow in the street. So we went over the cake crumb by at His selection. He may be relative or friend, crumb." We are given some clue as to God's Or slight acquaintance be, The care must have been worth-while, order of importance, and this is found in He may not even know my name, for after seeing the new picture on the the otherwise unnoticed people who re- Yet he is reading me." package, one chain of supermarkets ceived the special attention of Christ. raised its initial order by several million M. M. H. When there was a contention amongst dollars. the disciples as to who was to be the Attractively coloured plastic squeeze greatest in the coming kingdom, Jesus bottles, pressure-packs that dispense set a little child up before their startled their treasure with a touch of the finger, Who's Who gaze and stated: "Whosoever therefore colours, designs, ideas that suggest a shall humble himself as this little child, subtle and irresistible lure to the pur- THE wisest man who ever lived, Solo- the same is greatest in the kingdom of chaser are on the market designed to mon, made a very profound statement heaven." Matt. 18: 4. Then there was catch the eye and outsell rival products. when he declared: "Of making many the Roman centurion, a man heartily For with the growth of self-service books there is no end." Eccl. 12: 12. In despised by the Jews, who was accepted stores and supermarkets, the selling ap- our respective lifetimes we all have made by Christ as being truly great, for He peal passes from the salesman to the the acquaintance of many different and said: "I have not found so great faith, article itself, and the more attractively widely varying types of books, all the no, not in Israel." it is packaged, the better it will sell. way from the cheap paper-back through And then there was the widow who un- As we read and pondered on these mys- to the expensively bound reference book. ostentatiously slipped two small coins in teries, the thought came to us that as And these books differ just as much in the alms box. Contrasting her act with even the highest quality product needs their content as they do in their binding. the pretentiousness of the proud and an attractive container if it is to succeed, Not without some justification, we had wealthy Pharisees, Christ elevated her so Christianity needs to be attractively the feeling that we had been introduced to her true position when He declared : presented by individual Christians if it is to most types of books that had been pub- "She has put in more than them all." to influence and attract the milling crowd lished—that, however, was before we re- Nor must we forget Mary—poor sinful shopping around among the philosophies ceived the advertising folder the other Mary—whose many sins Jesus had so and ideals that are being offered today. day announcing the latest publication to graciously forgiven. Not counting the The self-service habit has led many to be foisted on a credulous reading public. cost, she broke that alabaster box of resent the presence of a salesman recom- It bears the pretentious title of "The priceless perfume over His feet. When mending this or that; they want to make 100 Most Important People in the World she was rebuked by her carping critics, their own choice. Similarly, a minister Today." Jesus revealed her to be a Very Import- of the gospel is looked upon with distrust Just stop to think this idea through for ant Person indeed, when He declared that by those who wish to choose for them- a moment. Who is competent to judge wherever the gospel story would be -told, selves. who are the 100 most important people her act of devotion would be recounted as Here is where the individual Christian now living? By what scale of values an everlasting memorial in the minds of can present an irresistible appeal to the should these people be judged? Who is men. (Concluded on page 6)

SIGNS OF THE TIMES :: June 30, 1958 Page Three * With Many Today Reaching for the Moon in a Very Real Way, Fresh Attention Is Being Given to the THRILLING WONDERS OF THE SKY What Do You Know of God's Great Universe?

OBODY would think seriously of H. W. KINGSTON the terrifically hot sun, so hot that if it. suggesting that the famous were only one mile from earth instead of N "Mona Lisa" by Leonardo da ninety-three million miles, it would in- Vinci, hanging in the Louvre in Paris, "Silently one by one stantly dry up the oceans, melt the rocks, painted itself, or that Rembrandt's In the infinite meadows of heaven and transform the earth itself into gas. equally noted "Anatomy Lesson" hanging Blossomed the lovely stars The sun radiates the equivalent of 77,000 in the Mauritshuis of Den Haag was an The forget-me-nots of the angels." horsepower per square yard of its entire accident of chance. Behind the beautiful —Longfellow. surface, enough energy to melt in one art was the master touch of the artist. hour a layer of ice 3,300 feet thick over Similarly the great cathedrals that beau- No wonder is it that as he watched his all the earth. When the astronomer tify the English scene, like York Minster father's sheep out in the hills of Judea turns his telescope toward the sun he or Canterbury Cathedral were the product the sweet singer of Israel was inspired to sees a writhing mass of white heat shoot- of thought and careful architecture. write :— ing fiery clouds from its surface; some of Every day on every side we are con- "The heavens declare the glory of God, which are 1,000 times as large as the fronted with evidence of the Master and the firmament showeth His handi- earth. Artist in the beautiful sunsets that light work. Day unto day uttereth speech, and Next is the planet of Mercury with one the western sky, or the graceful lines of night unto night showeth knowledge. side always shyly turned from the sun the sweeping hills, or the rugged coast There is no speech nor language, where as it makes its 88-day trek round the hot of a storm-lashed promontory. And each their voice is not heard." Ps. 19: 1-3. centre. Venus is so named by the ancients night as the light of another day fades, In imagination let us board a beam of after the pagan goddess, because it is the and we see the stars come out one by one, light travelling at 186,000 miles a second brightest planet in our sky. Located we are reminded of the Master Architect and tour the planets that make our own some six light minutes or 671 million who designed the Universe. solar system. Beginning at the core is miles from the sun, this brilliant straw- Page Four June 30, 1958 :: SIGNS OF THE TIMES coloured body is about the same size as berless satellites flying eternally round it. now been revealed that there are at least mother earth, but has a shorter year as Being almost ten times further from the 200,000,000 island universes of which our it swings on its orbit around the sun once sun than the earth, Saturn has an enorm- Milky Way galaxy forms but one unit. every 225 days. Third out from the sun, ous orbit, which it covers at six miles a As our solar system is a harmonious unit, covered by a layer of atmosphere, and second and takes 29.46 years to complete. so these numberless island universes form two light minutes from Venus, spins the Discovered more or less by accident, a harmonious whole. Said Isabel Lewis earth, so perfectly balanced and marvel- Uranus, some 1,783,000,000 miles from of the United States Naval Observatory, lously powered that it spins its 24,000- the sun, and about 31,000 miles in "All known objects in the heavens belong mile equator at 1,000 miles per hour on diameter, was observed to have a slightly to one enormous unit." More and more its axis. It also circles the sun at irregular movement in the heavens, lead- scientists are coming to acknowledge that eighteen miles per second with never a ing astronomers to make mathematical the universe is not just a mechanical delay or jolt. Concerning the earth there calculations based on Newton's laws of machine but is the outworking of a are three highly interesting texts to motion, resulting in the conclusion that master mind. The Bible reveals that ponder at this stage. another planet further out in space was Supreme Architect as God. Writing on Job 26: 7: "He hangeth the earth upon responsible for this irregularity. Accord- this matter, the late Sir James Jeans, who nothing." ingly the Berlin Observatory telescope was one of the greatest scientists of his Isa. 40: 22: "He that sitteth upon the was trained on the suspected position, and time, said: "Today there is a wide mea- circle of the earth." Neptune was discovered. Some eleven sure of agreement, which on the physical Isa. 45 : 18 : "God that formed the years later by similar methods Pluto was side of science approaches almost to earth . . . to be inhabited." found. Though covering millions of unanimity, that the stream of knowledge Written centuries before the birth of miles, the marvellous mathematical pre- is heading towards a non-mechanical real- Jesus, these statements indicate the in- cision of the universe demonstrated by ity; the universe begins to look more like spiration of their authors. The same these discoveries reveals a master Plan- a great thought than like a great God who formed the world must surely ner at work, balancing and maintaining machine."—"The Mysterious Universe," have revealed these facts to the Biblical the mighty worlds of space. page 137. writers. How else would they have But our vast solar system is but a small "There must have been what we may known? The ancients taught that the speck of dust when we look beyond it. describe as a creation, at a time not in- earth was flat like a great level plain; Our sun with its attendant planets is but finitely remote. If the universe is a uni- that it rested on the back of an elephant one of countless millions of suns. Con- verse of thought, then its creation must which stood on the back of a tortoise; sider the cluster system formed of thou- have been an act of thought. Indeed the or that it was supported by a weary sands of suns moving in the immensity of finiteness of time and space almost com- giant named Atlas. space like a swarm of bees, each inde- pel us of themselves to picture the crea- pendent in its motion, but all travelling Modern science, of course, teaches the tion as an act of thought. . . . Modern same truth as the Bible, but how won- the same general direction, like the clus- scientific theory compels us to think of ter of Hercules. This mighty cluster is derful that centuries ago, when men had the Creator as working outside time and said to be about 33,000 light years away, no telescopes to probe the heavens, the space, which are a part of His creation. and is so wide that travelling at eleven writers mentioned believed as they did. just as the artist is outside his canvas." million miles a minute, it would take the Id., page 123. The Scriptures reveal a most unique light from the outer rim one hundred Thus science has reached the same story about this old planet which we in- years to cross to the opposite side. It conclusion as that revealed to David long habit. In Matthew 18 Jesus told the par- is composed of a million stars, 100,000 of ago when he said, "By the word of the able of the shepherd' who left the ninety- which are giant suns, and though these Lord were the heavens made ; and all the nine sheep safe in the fold to seek the one are separated by an average of one tril- host of them by the breath of His mouth." that was lost outside. Luke reports Jesus lion miles it is so far from the earth that "For He spake, and it was done; He com- as saying, "For the Son of man is come to it appears merely as a single star to the manded, and it stood fast." Ps. 33: 6, 9. seek and to save that which was lost." unaided eye! Should we then not reverence the Luke 19: 10. "I am the Good Shepherd," Since the completion of the great 200- Almighty? Should we not read and study spoke Jesus in John 10: 11. This world is inch telescope at Mount Palomar, it has His revealed Word? the stage on which the greatest drama of the ages is being enacted before men and angels. (1 Cor. 4: 9.) To this world seduced into sin by the devil, God sent His only begotten Son to lead us back into the fold of purity and truth. (John 3: 16.) The Beauty of Jesus "Every soul is surrounded by an atmos- Four light minutes from the earth, or phere of its own. . . . It may be heavy 141 million miles from the sun, lies an- P. K. PETERSON and chill with the gloom of discontent other planet called Mars. Though smaller and selfishness, or poisonous with the than the earth, it spins on its axis about HAD never seen mountains as beau- deadly taint of cherished sin. By the once every twenty-four hours and com- tiful as those Himalayan peaks—the atmosphere surrounding us, every person pletes a full revolution of its orbit every Ilofty 28,146-foot Kanchenjunga and with whom we come in contact is con- 687 days. the peaks around it. I saw them for only sciously or unconsciously affected."— Way out in space and beyond the aste- a few hours on a beautiful October morn- "Christ's Object Lessons," page 339. roids is the mighty Jupiter, largest planet ing, but the memory of those glittering of our system, and 1,312 times as big as peaks will long remain. When the mist and clouds have van- the earth. If it were as close to us as One of the local inhabitants told me ished, the everlasting snow on those our moon, it would appear 1,000 times as that those peaks are visible from mid- Himalayan peaks glows in unforgettable large as the full moon. Yet, because it is October to the end of January, for and inexpressible beauty. When we be- so far away, some 400,000,000 miles from during that period the sky is unusually come possessors of that purity which only us, it appears merely as a pin point of clear. They are more than five hundred Christ can impart, our neighbours will light, as it spins at a giddy pace to take miles from Jowai, but are visible on days not be disappointed when they look to us one turn approximately every ten hours, when the haze and mist are absent. to see Jesus. and at the same time races around the People all about us today want to catch There are thousands who "just do not sun once every twelve years, at the speed a glimpse of Jesus' beautiful face. They have the time" to learn of the life and of some 500 miles per minute. have heard of His wonderful life, and power of Jesus, but there are not many Focussing a powerful telescope on they long to see His face reflected in the who have not seen a Christian. Many Saturn reveals a glorious sight of the life of the Christian. Do others see Jesus have seen you. Have they seen Jesus in "rings" that surround it, made by num- through you? I hope they do. you? SIGNS OF THE TIMES :: June 30, 1958 Page Five the principle of interpretation whereby details in allegories or parables should not be stressed, any difficulties in this divine love song are dissolved.

WATER TO WINE Recently we were invited to a birthday party where we knew that alcohol would be drunk freely. When we refused we were told that Jesus turned water into wine, and besides this, He ate with publi- The Prodigal Bird cans and sinners. It was also suggested DORIS MILLER and MARGARET D. CLARKE that everything in moderation was all right. What texts could be used in reply ICKY was the Johnston's pet par- At once Nicky set off for home. It to such casuistry? K. R. rot. He had lived with them ever seemed such a long way for indeed it was There is no evidence whatever that since he had been rescued, an ugly, many parrot miles, and with each step Jesus made intoxicating wine at the almost featherless little creature, after a Nicky grew more and more tired. feast of Cana. The verse quoting the storm had blown him out of his nest. Two days later, as Mrs. Johnston words of the Master of Ceremonies— Now he was a handsome young lorikeet stood in the doorway she saw a funny "when men have well drunk"—has fre- with a deep red face, a green tail and a creature walking up the path. It had quently been misunderstood. These words touch of brown behind his neck. He was only a few feathers, was painfully thin, mean no more than "when the guests have well fed and loved. He knew Mrs. John- and was staggering with weariness. Sud- drunk to the full." This refers to the ston loved him because she often called denly she realized it was her lost bird large quantity consumed and not to any him "her pretty boy," and talked baby come home. inebriating effect. Indeed these words talk to him. He would answer back in of the governor of the feast strongly im- parrotese, which is, of course, the lan- "Nicky," she cried and ran down the ply that the "good wine" usually provided guage of the parrots. path and picked him up. at feasts was of a kind that could be One day there was a screeching in the Nicky made a weak attempt to tell her abundantly used without ill effect. It gum trees by the river and Nicky flew up he was sorry, but Mrs. Johnston knew certainly is not credible that 120 gallons on a window ledge to see and to hear how he felt and forgave him straight of intoxicating liquor should have been what it was all about. He looked first away because she loved him so. provided by Christ for one wedding party, with one eye and then with the other and She took him inside and put him by and at the end of the drinking. What then marked time swaying from one foot the fire and fed him. He ate and he Christian would do so now? The process to the other in a parrotty sort of way. ate and he ate until he almost ate more of fermentation is one of decay and sym- "Now then Nicky," called out Mrs. than he could swallow. bolizes the work of sin. It is a passage Johnston, "don't go out away from home. Now this story is a true one. Maybe it from more complex to more elementary Those are not the kind of birds for you reminded you of the story Jesus told of form—in fact, from diet to dirt. Christ to mix with." the prodigal son. If you would like to did not act contrary to His own instruc- Nicky stood poised for a moment, but read that story you will find it in Luke tion given through Solomon centuries just before he flew away he shrieked chapter 15, verses 11 to 24. earlier: "Wine is a mocker, strong drink over his shoulder (in parrotese), "I'm a is raging: and whosoever is deceived big boy now. I can look after myself. thereby is not wise." Prov. 20: 1. Can't stay tied to your apron strings all As regards Christ's mixing with publi- the time." It really was a most ungrate- BIBLE QUESTION SERVICE cans and sinners, it must always be re- ful speech, but Nicky didn't care. membered who was leading whom. In such Mrs. Johnston called and called but Conducted by Pastor D. Ford, A.M. gatherings as you refer to, followers of Nicky did not return. College, Cooranbong, N.S.W. Christ are not looked to for leadership. Out in the gum trees the screeching "If sinners entice thee, consent thou not." suddenly stopped. If a bird from Mars Prov. 1: 10. "Enter not into the path had suddenly arrived they could not have of the wicked." Prov. 4: 14. "For the been more startled. time past of our life may suffice us to "Hullo," said Nicky. SONG OF SOLOMON have wrought the will of the Gentiles, The whole flock rose up in startled when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, What is the main significance of the flight and fluttered down again. Then excess of wine, revellings, banquetings. "Song of Solomon"? the leader began to question Nicky. The A. . . ." 1 Peter 4: 3. bush birds held a conference. Finally, no one really believes that Unquestionably the book is allegorical everything in moderation is acceptable. "He looks like us," someone said. "He in significance, portraying the love of Who would apply such reasoning to the has a deep red face and a green tail and Christ for His church and vice versa. consumption of deadly poisons or the re- a touch of brown behind his head, but he From Genesis to Revelation the spiritual ceiving of unnecessary pain? doesn't belong to us." union between Christ and His people is They whispered a while and then with symbolized with similar imagery. (Ps. one accord they attacked poor Nicky. 45, Ps. 72, 2 Cor. 11: 2.) It is signifi- They clawed him and picked him and cant that in Eph. 5: 23-32 Paul does not pulled out his feathers. go from the marriage relation to the WHO'S WHO Poor Nicky was very unhappy. He union of Christ and the church, as if the (Concluded from page 3) was cold and hungry and miserable. He former were the first; but instead he You and I might never find our names couldn't fly and he couldn't get food and comes down from the latter as being the recorded in "Who's Who," or "The Social he shivered on the cold ground. primary and the best recognized fact Register," or much less in "The 100 Most Then he had a thought. upon which the marriage relation is Important People in the World," but the "What a silly bird I am! At home based. Thus it would seem that marriage Bible tells of a book in which we all there is food and water and warmth and is the transcript of an original plan in should aspire to have our names regis- love. I'll go back home and I'll say to the mind of God, namely the union be- tered. It's called "The Lamb's Book of Mrs. Johnston, 'I know I've been a bad tween Him and His people. The imagery Life." Have you as yet done anything bird. Will you forgive me and take me of Oriental poetry may sometimes seem about ensuring that your name is written back and love me? I'll be really good.' " indelicate to Westerns, but remembering there? R. C. P. Page Six June 30, 1958 :: SIGNS OF THE TIMES II' GETTING a child to brush his teeth right after eating—especially after eating sweets— may be a hard job, but it is one of the most important means for helping to make sure he won't wind up as a dental cripple. A prominent dentist states, "Much of the wide- Editor - - - ROSS C. PIPER spread dental disease among adults today Associate Editor - MARIAN M. HAY can be attributed to parents who took the view that so-called baby teeth were not worthy of attention." IP. MORE than 200 United States daily news- PRICES PAYABLE IN ADVANCE papers refuse all alcohol ads. O' "AIR CURTAINS," such as those used by 12 months, 12/6; 6 months, 6/3, post free in Aus- tralia and N.Z. and mandated territories, includ- 11. IT is estimated that at least 200,000 teen- the Myer Emporium in Melbourne, are walls ing Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Nauru, agers contract venereal disease each year of air used to replace conventional doors in Papua, New Guinea, Fiji, and Western Samoa. in the United States of America. buildings that have heavy traffic during To all other places 23/- per year. business hours. The air curtain eliminates [Price in N.Z. currency: one year 10/6, half year P. A NEW family of materials made from entrance traffic jams and accidents, forms 5/3; outside Australia and N.Z., 19/-.] glass are harder than high-carbon steel, a barrier to dust, dirt, rain, sleet, snow, fumes, and animals. Yet a person passing All orders sent direct to the Publishers or lighter than aluminium, and as much as nine their agents, either for single subscriptions times stronger than customary plate glass. through the curtain of air feels only a gentle or for clubs, must be accompanied by cash. breeze. • When forwarding Money Orders or Postal 10.THE planet Venus, earth's closest neigh- Notes, please make same payable to SIGNS bour, perpetually veils its face beneath a sea 10' WITH no engineering experience, Ferdin- PUBLISHING COMPANY, WARBURTON, and of clouds. At intervals of- about a year and and de Lesseps planned, promoted, and built not to individuals. All New Zealand remittances the Suez Canal. He talked Turkey's viceroy should be in the form of Money Orders, as Postal a half, Venus draws close to earth and be- Notes or Stamps are not negotiable in Australia. comes the evening star, bright enough to of Egypt into giving right of way in 1854, but four years passed before he raised the cast a shadow. • OUR GENERAL AGENTS: Write your near- capital. Successful in building Suez, he est Book and Bible House:— 11.THE doldrums are stretches of ocean, be- failed when he tackled the mountain- Victoria: 8 Yarra Street, Hawthorn, E.2 blocked, fever-ridden Isthmus of Panama. Tasmania: S Jordan Hill Road, North Hobart tween trade-wind belts, where the air is Greater Sydney: 84 The Boulevarde, Strathbeld quiet and sultry. Cyclones and squalls North N.S.W.: 21 Gordon Avenue, Hamilton originate there. The horse latitudes, calms ANTARCTICA covers more than six million South N.S.W.: P.O. Box S78, South Wagga ► Queensland: 31-33 Coronation Drive, Brisbane near the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, square miles, is larger than Europe or Aus- North Qld.: 61 Sturt Street, Townsville are regions of light, variable winds. tralia, and is nearly twice the size of the South Australia: 82 Angas Street, Adelaide United States. It contains 86 per cent of Western Australia: 48 Havelock Street, Perth North N.Z.: 27 Esplanade Road, Mt. Eden, 0. NEAR-SHORE depth of the ocean can be the world's glacial ice. Auckland, N.Z. determined by night aerial photography. South N.Z.: 40 Bealey Avenue, Christchurch An intermittent light source is dropped into II. THE rings around the planet Saturn are the water, and the surface image of the composed of tiny, highly reflective solid light cone emanating from it is photo- particles, or "moonlets." * A publication of the Seventh - day Adventist graphed. By measuring the diameter of this Church, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES is printed image on the photograph, a remarkably pre- O. A "HEATWAVE" at the South Pole last and published weekly by the SIGNS PUBLISH- ING CO. (A.C.A. Ltd., Props.), Warburton, Vic- cise indication of the water depth is ob- January included a high temperature read- toria, Australia, and is registered as a newspaper tained. ing of 5.5 degrees above zero. in Victoria.

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HE was an elderly woman of fine features and reserved manner. Exceedingly kind, there S was always an atmosphere of peace and cheer- fulness about her. One day I learned the secret of her serenity. In her late teens she married a worthy young man, and they made their home on a farm. Faith- fully she went to the little country church every Sabbath; although, aside from saying grace at table, she spent very little time in prayer during the week. Then came the greatest trial of her life. Her little blue-eyed daughter died. For a time she was inconsolable. Then, one afternoon as she sat alone, she was led to take up her Bible and read the words of eternal reassurance: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me." With tears streaming from her eyes, but with new courage in her heart, she walked quietly out into the near-by orchard and there, kneeling be- neath an apple tree fragrant with pink blossoms, mer, when the pleasant shade was like the dimness poured out her heart to God, pleading for His com- of a wayside chapel; and even in winter, when the fort and forgiveness. She felt that she had failed trees were bare, she was there. to trust Him, and that she had failed to be the Thus we called her "The Apple Tree Saint." comfort she might have been to her husband, who This she was to those who knew her best and who also sorely grieved the loss of their child. found inspiration and encouragement in her life At last she had turned to the One who alone and character. could bring solace. She arose with a heart at peace This is the secret known to all Christians: and full of trust. that God is a God of the living; that He may be From that time on she learned to come into the found of those who seek Him; that in any trial, any presence of the living God, to offer to Him her danger and emergency, He is there. We may find problems, and to find comfort and strength for all instant response and immediate help if we but call her cares. upon Him. She formed the habit, whenever especially tried The way to the mercy-seat may be found, not or troubled, of leaving whatever she was doing and only in the solitude of a remote farm, but in the stealing out to that certain apple tree where she had midst of the crowded city. We may even find Him first found a sure retreat. in the noisy factory. He is there to heal and to bless. There, in solitude and quiet, she would kneel in What a privilege beyond the right of kings! prayer. Sometimes it was in springtime, when the Through this power of prayer, life is transformed soft pink blossoms would fall upon her like heavenly and made a blessing to others. dew; sometimes it was in autumn, when the frag- rance of ripe apples filled the air; sometimes in sum- FLORA J. SEAMAN Page Eight June 30, 1958 :: SIGNS OF THE TIMES