JANUARY, 1971 50c

Arthur S. Maxwell, 1896-1970 See SIXTY YEARS WITH GOD, Page 3 Children arotnd the world loved to sit in Uncle Arthur's lap. BY C. MERVYN MAXWELL Sixty Years WITH GOD

"Destiny will preserve me until my job is done!" This buoyant declaration of faith in God was Arthur Maxwell's confident assurance to concerned friends last August as he set out for Europe on a strenuous tour to promote the distribution of gospel literature. Earlier in the year he had retired from his thirty-four- year editorship of Signs of the Times and offered himself for service wherever his church might need him around the world. He returned home in all his usual vigor, dictated hun- dreds of letters, and completed his 112th book in less than a month. Then sudden illness struck. Within a week—as the sun was setting at the beginning of the Sabbath—he fell asleep. Arthur Stanley Maxwell was born on January 14, 1896, in London, England, and passed to his rest on November 13, 1970, in Mountain View, California, at the age of sev- enty-four years and ten months. On May 3, 1917, he was married to Rachel Elizabeth Joyce, and during the course of their years together four < sons and two daughters entered their home. Two years after • their golden wedding anniversary Rachel preceded him in death on July 23, 1969. • Having commenced his life at the close of the Victorian era, young Arthur Maxwell was early impressed by a wall- size map of the British Empire and by the oak-framed por- z • traits of Roman emperors which his mother had hung all • about the house. Every time he used the stairs, he read her Z motto, "Learn to Think Imperially." When he was thirteen, his mother initiated procedures to 6 z enroll him as a midshipman in the British Navy; but his father's death brought many changes into her plans. About this time his mother was attracted to the preaching of J. D. Gillatt and was converted to the Seventh-day Adventist faith after hearing his sermon on the four empires of Daniel 2 that are to be followed by the fifth empire of Jesus Christ. Three years of vigorous resistance later, during which he once climbed out a second-story window to avoid the pastor's visit, Arthur submitted to his mother's persua- sion and entered Stanborough College, a Seventh-day Ad-

Arthur grew up in England, loving the sea, studying in a boys' boarding school, and worshiping in the Episcopal church each Sunday.

JANUARY, 1971 3

ventist institution. In due course the ship he had been scheduled to sail on was sunk by enemy action. An intense study of the last-day signs in Matthew 24 at last arrested his attention, and from then on he dedicated his remarkable energies with ever-increasing devotion to the proclamation of the good news that soon all earthly em- pires will cease and the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. He sold his first religious books as a student canvasser at the age of sixteen. Caught by the incoming tide while walk- ing between two islands, he attributed his escape to a direct act of providence and thereafter lived convinced that God held a special destiny for him in His hands. This escape from the sea was only one of many experi- ences in his early years that laid the foundation for his later vibrant faith in God. As a rebellious teen-ager he had an incident with a flat tire miles from home on a stormy night; as an overwhelmed young editor, an unforgettable moment with God under the stars. As a child in elementary grades he found when he prayed for help to stop swearing that the help came, and to the end of his life the words recurred in the Bedtime Stories: "God loves to answer little children's prayers." At nineteen he joined the editorial offices of the Stan- borough Press, beginning as copyreader for an attractive proofreader whom two years later he married. Children's stories he wrote at this time were eagerly accepted by the editor of the British Present Truth, but adult articles were uniformly rejected. Convinced on one occasion that he had His vigorous preaching always warm with Christ's love and confident something particularly good, he mailed a manuscript to dis- of His coming, Maxwell led "Signs" circulation to a sixfold increase. tant California and was delighted to see it published at once on the front page of Signs of the Times. present particularly appreciated his persuasive presentation. In 1920 Arthur Maxwell became the editor of Present Some of them came up and embraced him. Truth, a post he held for sixteen years—for seven of which In 1936 Arthur Maxwell emigrated with his family to he also doubled as manager and treasurer of the Stan- California to edit the magazine which had so graciously borough Press, pastor of a nearby church, official Adventist published his first adult article nineteen years before. At spokesman for church-state affairs in Britain, and editor, in that time the circulation of the Signs stood at 55,000. Un- addition to Present Truth, of a health journal as well. In der his energetic leadership it soon rose to 335,000. He 1931 his concern for religious freedom reached a climax in continued as editor for thirty-four years, completing before his appearance, with others, at the League of Nations to his retirement the volume for 1970, the December issue of oppose a reform calendar that would have imposed a great which contains his final editorial, "Task Accomplished." hardship on Sabbath keepers. The large delegation of rabbis Arthur Maxwell was known affectionately around the

A publication of the Seventh-day Advent- / <-1 OF THE CONTENTS ists, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES is ✓ TIMES printed and published Sixty Years With God 3 C. Mervyn Maxwell monthly (twelve issues a year) by the Declaring the Glory of God 7 Gustav Tobler Pacific Press Publish- ing Association at The Religion of Evolution 10 W. L. Emmerson 1350 Villa Street, Mountain View, Cali- Keep Life Simple! 14 Arthur Hedley fornia 94040, U.S.A. Vol. 98, No. 1 Jan., 1971 Second-class mail When Sex Is All Right 16 J. R. Spangler privileges authorized Christ Coming Soon 18 Lawrence Maxwell at Mountain View, LAWRENCE MAXWELL California. Form Get Acquainted With God! 21 H. L. Rudy 3579 requested. Allow EDITOR thirty days in All Systems Go! 26 Harold Shryock, M.D. requesting change of T. R. Torkelson Associate Editor address; give both old Howard C. Larkin Art Director Where Some Mothers Fail 29 Pat Hoyt and new addresses and zip numbers. In Eric Kreye Layout Artist Test Your Bible Knowledge 17 placing orders for A. R. Mazat Circulation Manager your personal and gift Can You Answer This? 24 C. Mervyn Maxwell subscriptions, please Your Health Questions Answered 31 Harold Shryock, M.D. include zip code num- Rates in U.S.A. its possessions, and bers. The post office Canada: Your Bible Questions Answered 32 Kenneth Wilson requires this on all second-class mail. One-year subscription . . $6 00 An Ever Brighter Hope 34 Lawrence Maxwell Only paid-in-advance Single copy 50 subscriptions entered. Member of Associated Church Press and Re- To other countries requiring extra ligious News Service. COVER: © REVIEW AND HERALD Copyright, 1970, by postage: the Pacific Press Pub- One-year subscription . . $6.50 PAGE 2: ERIC KREYE lishing Association. MN/NO J14. .4.441• Pr•

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Selling gospel literature in his teens, Maxwell was caught by the tide and attributed his deliverance to providence. Ever after he believed God held a special destiny for him.

H. BAERG. ARTIST; © R4 world as "Uncle Arthur." Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Stories He died not only full of days but also full of praise. In were born in 1924 as the young father told them to little the last years of his life he was awarded an honorary Doctor Maureen and Graham to put them to sleep at night. The of Letters degree from Andrews University and found as he Stanborough Press reluctantly consented to print a limited traveled vigorously on four continents that he was wel- edition of 5,000. But the stories proved successful beyond comed everywhere with open arms and kindled hearts. He even Uncle Arthur's wildest dreams. Total distribution now moved freely not only with children but also with gover- approaches 35 million copies, and the initial volume has nors, prime ministers, and the highest clergy. Long ago he been succeeded by many more. On November 6, one week had learned to "think imperially," not for the advancement before his death, he completed Volume 48. of an earthly nation but for the forward march of the king- In the 1950's came the writing of The Bible Story, dom of God. which has found so ready a popularity among families of He is survived by his elder brother, Spencer George Max- every denomination and a distribution of over 10 million well of England, for forty years a missionary to Africa; by copies. two daughters, Rachel Maureen Maxwell and Patricia Deir- Like his first adult article, published by the Pacific Press dre Woosley; by four sons, Arthur Graham, Cyril Mervyn, in 1917, his first book was also published by the Pacific Spencer Lawrence, and Donald Malcolm; and by eight Press, in 1920. Although he became most widely known as grandchildren. a children's author, through the years he wrote many adult He rests in hope—as he expected to when he wrote these books, the best-known of which—and the one he considered lines for Your Bible and You: his major single volume—is Your Bible and You. Altogether When Jesus comes, " 'we which are alive and remain he wrote 112 volumes, which have seen a total circulation shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to of over 50 million copies in twenty-seven languages. meet the Lord in the air.' ... He lived life to the full. He considered his career a part- "Here indeed is rich comfort for the sorrowing.... The nership with God and often quoted as a favorite text, "Not righteous dead will be raised and the righteous living will be one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord translated, and so together they will be caught up to meet your God spake." He believed that God had made his life the Lord in the air. "a pageant of triumph" and gladly gave Him the credit for "Together! Parents and children, brothers and sisters, it. friends and loved ones. All who have been separated by the He gladly gave credit also to the publishing house em- cruel hand of death. Raised or translated, they will go to- ployees who produced his books in such large numbers, and gether into the kingdom of God.... to the thousands of literature evangelists who placed them "Thus has God planned in tender love for the happiness in so many millions of homes. of His people in the great hereafter." ❑

SIGNS OF THE TIMES 5 Children of all races loved to hear Maxwell tell stories, and he was as happy as the children! Youngsters of three gen- erations have gone to sleep listening to his "Bedtime Stories."

Children of Australia press close around their Uncle Arthur as ...

At grave of first Epic film creator Cecil B. DeMille ad- Queen Elizabeth Adventist mired "The Bible Story" and told said "The Bible missionary to Maxwell, "If you have done nothing Story" would else, ... you have not lived in vain." the heathen. "give the Maxwell urged Duke of Cornwall young people to and Princess enter overseas Ann everlasting mission work. pleasure."

JO FIN I _ arm sou , 'ti' S< A793 , 1.* Columbia Union College THEOFIELD G. WETS LIBRARY

AN INTERVIEW WITH ARTHUR S. MAXWELL BY GUSTAV TOBLER

Arthur S. Maxwell completed fifty-five years of a religious editor's career when he wrote his final editorial for the December issue of "Signs of the Times." A few weeks before his unexpected passing and still apparently full of health and vigor, he willingly agreed to be interviewed by his friend Gustav Tobler, editor of "Zeichen der Zeit," the German-language "Signs." Here transcribed from the tape recording are the goals that guided Maxwell in a lifetime of religious writing and editing together with some of Maxwell's final observations on world conditions and God's plans for solving them. THE Ci )1ZY OF C'

As you have prepared issue after turn to the Lord, they could find Take the development of science issue of "Signs of the Times" during peace; but they won't find it other- and technology, for instance. Fifty the past thirty-four years, what has wise. years ago people were talking about been your main editorial purpose? Your editorials show that you have great inventions, mentioning the tele- It has been to acquaint people with been both a critic and a sympathetic graph and the telephone and things the Word of God, and with the fact observer of, and even a participant in, like that—and they were wonderful at that the world is coming to its climax, the ecumenical scene. How do you ex- the time. Today they are something which means that the coming of the plain these opposite approaches? we use all the time and nobody dreams Lord is getting nearer all the time. As a matter of fact, I'm very ecu- of saying that they are signs of the That was the main purpose for the menical. I think the true Christian times. Fifty years ago nobody knew founding of this magazine. should see the good in everybody—in we would ever be able to get to the But in addition its purpose is to de- Protestants and Catholics and Jews. So moon, or develop atomic energy. clare the glory of God. The basic text I have fraternized with them and have There are new developments in which authorizes its publication is, found great joy in being with them. social problems too. Take lawlessness "Fear God, and give glory to Him; for That doesn't mean I agree with their for example. True, there was lawless- the hour of His judgment is come." attempt to bring about a union of all ness a hundred years ago, and half a Revelation 14:7. Today we can see so the churches. Many of these leaders century ago, but today there is a new much more meaning in that than when are submerging all differences. And attitude toward law. Nobody wants to we started. The world does not fear there are differences; there are bound keep the law, it would seem. God today, the multitudes don't give to be. If you take a stand for the There's another thing we didn't see. glory to Him, and they certainly don't Bible, for instance, and other people It's quite obvious today that man is care anything about a divine judgment. don't, you have conflict. The Catholic polluting the planet. That is a very The purpose of the "Signs" is to de- believes in the pope's infallibility. The important sign that things are finish- clare the will of God today in the hour Protestant doesn't, and cannot. What ing, that history is coming to its cli- of judgment. are you going to do? How can you max. Then take the population explo- Since you have dealt with many make all of these religious people sion. I think Dr. Paul Ehrlich of Stan- social problems in your editorials, arti- come together? All through these de- cles, and books, could you give your nominations there are certain elements ford University is correct. The popula- comments on some of them? For ex- which will never blend. So although I tion explosion is going to create so ample, what are the prospects for a see these basic weaknesses in the ecu- many mouths to feed that there will lasting peace in the Middle East? menical movement, at the same time I be mass starvation. I would say that they are most re- love the people in it. That's my type Put it all together and you see mote because the antipathy between of ecumenicity. everything moving to a climax. That's the Arabs and the Jews goes back for You believe in the nearness of what we didn't see fifty years ago. millenniums, and only the grace of Christ's return and have written about Do any of your editorials stand out Christ would bring a change in the the signs of His coming. Have these from the others in your memory? people's hearts—which would bring signs remained the same all these Yes, there is one that stands out peace. The natural man will not find years? above all others. The second world war the way to peace. And the Jews and We see others that we didn't see had been running for some time and Arabs have been antagonists for so half a century ago. We may have seen Hitler was overrunning all of Europe. many years that I don't think any them in embryo, but we didn't under- His troops had reached the Channel, treaty is going to solve the problem. If stand what was coming. I don't think and a great many people in this coun- there should come a mighty conver- anybody envisioned the greatness of try thought that the Allied cause was sion on both sides and they were to the signs as our Lord saw them. lost, that he would only be a few JANUARY, 1971 1,70 6661W" 7 9NeIlo0 cvsial I 213W 0_131103K

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moments crossing the Channel and then, of course, he would subdue England with his air force. And I had to write an editorial in that dark mo- ment of history. I chose to write on Daniel 2, which deals with the image that Nebuchadnezzar saw and Daniel's interpretation of it. You may recall that Daniel said the broken elements of the Roman Empire would never permanently unite. "They shall not cleave one to another," meaning that Europe would never be united as it was in the days of the Roman Empire. I had always preached that, and I had always written that, but, lo and behold, here was Hitler almost at the gates of England and people all around me saying, "Well, it's almost over now." But I plucked up my courage and wrote an editorial to say that Hitler would fail. I sent it out to the type room, and somebody went to the manager of the Pacific Press and begged him not to print that editorial

because he thought Hitler was going to Maxwell with the Archbishop of Canterbury. He walked with great and succeed. The manager called me up small and knew no difference. about it. My reply was, "I'm going to print that." It was printed. And Hitler got the idea of writing a set of stories Finally, as a result of my efforts, he lost. that were true, with every story teach- said, "Oh well, we'll print 5,000 copies You have written a great many ing some uplifting, character-building and let it go at that." books. What are they about? lesson. That was the beginning of The response to that first volume A great variety of subjects. The ac- "Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Stories." was astonishing. It went out of that tual number at the present time is 112. What made you change your ap- place not only by the thousands, but About 79 of these are for children and proach? by the tens of thousands. I never had 33 for adults. Among my books for It could well be that I now had two any difficulty persuading that man to adults is "Your Bible and You," which little children of my own and was print Volume 2, and then 3 and 4. shows the love of God as revealed in beginning to look around for some- How many are there now? the Bible and which changes lives. thing to read to them. I found it was There are now forty-eight. Many of my other books for adults very difficult to find any publication How did you come to write "The deal with the prophecies of the Bible in those days that was spiritually up- Bible Story"? and the second coming of Jesus. lifting. After I had written a large number My first writings were for children, When I took my first little manu- of "Bedtime Stories," I wrote a series but there was a monumental change in script to a Christian publisher, he said called "The Children's Hour," and, by my approach to children in 1924. In to me, "Nobody will want to read request of the publishers, I put about my earlier writings I tended to make the that. The children want Westerns. ten Bible stories into each of those vol- stories up. That is, they were about true They want exciting things." I had umes. I had never written a great many things and living things, but they great difficulty in persuading him to Bible stories. I had written some, of didn't actually happen. But in 1924 I print the first "Bedtime Stories." course, but now I put more time and

8 SIGNS OF THE TIMES Many "Signs" readers and other friends of Arthur Maxwell will want to help forward the work he loved so well. Gifts addressed in his memory to "Signs" World Ministry, Mountain View, California 94040, will be used to help fill the thousands of requests for the "Signs" that keep coming to us.

thought into it and as the publishers cision to become ministers. We never ber grows daily. Would you care to read these, they came to me and said, urged them to. They made up their comment on this development? "Well, if you can write like that, why own minds on that. Gradually they de- This getting "high" on drugs is one don't you write the whole Bible for cided on their own that they wanted of the great horrors of the time. It's children?" to serve the Lord and enter His work. such a tragedy that young people are spoiling the greatest gift God ever gave How did the public respond to Which among the many issues them—misusing and wrecking it with "The Bible Story"? that are agitating the world today these chemicals. When they get "high" The interest is amazing. I don't do you think Christians and Chris- they are causing a maladjustment of think anybody ever dreamed that they tian churches should be most con- their mind, this marvelous computer would become so popular or be so well cerned about? that God has given them which enables received by all denominations. I have felt that if this is indeed the them to exercise judgment, to think time of the end, as the Bible describes Would you be able to give a figure and study and pray and worship. it, if the return of Christ is near, "even of how many sets have been distrib- Actually the Christian gets "high" at the door," if all the great signs are uted so far? too, but he gets high on the Word of being fulfilled now on a global scale, Well over a million sets. The total God and the glorious truths that God then the greatest issue of the hour is number of individual volumes is in reveals. He can become excited over this matter of the imminent appear- excess of 10 million. Of the "Bedtime the vista of the future that the Word ance of the Lord. The most urgent Stories," the total is approximately 35 of God reveals. He can get excited over thing that Christians could do today is million individual volumes. the greatness and the wonder of the to proclaim that He is coming soon. You have written articles and book power of God. He can get excited over And as they do so they will carry an chapters about the home, and you and the transformation that the power of appeal for conversion and preparation Mrs. Maxwell have raised successfully God can make in a human life. That's to meet the Lord when He comes. six children. As you look back, what the most wonderful thing that can hap- do you think were some of the keys to A great many people—not only pen. And this is the greatest stimulus success? young people—are looking for some- that can ever come to the human mind. I have always given my wife the thing to get "high" on, and the num- (Continued on page 30) credit for bringing up the children Andrews University recognized Arthur Maxwell in June, 1970, by awarding him the degree loyal to Christ and the Christian faith. Doctor of Letters. Still wearing his doctoral robe, he was congratulated by his four sons. She was always at home to answer their questions when they came back from school having been introduced to the theory of evolution, Biblical criti- cism, and things like that. They would come home to find someone who knew good answers and who was al- ways ready to take the time to answer their questions. That is very impor- tant. Then there's another thing. The children learned to pray when they were very little. They were led to pray and to study the Bible for themselves every evening, and it became a habit that they never broke. I have a feeling that this proved an anchor for them through all the experiences they had in later life. As they grew up we encour- aged them to go to Christian schools, and our four sons made their own de- JANUARY, 1971 9 I!though Darwin's theory Of mind from the merely living gested. Thomas H. Huxley (1825- of evolution, as ex- was, to such men, even more un- 1895), in one of his Edinburgh lec- pounded in "The Origin thinkable. Much to Darwin's an- tures, warned his hearers that "the A, of Species," took the noyance, Alfred Russell Wallace, one missing link in the chain of evi- scientific world of the contemporary discoverer with him dence" was "the fact that selective mid-nineteenth century by storm, it of the principle of natural selection, breeding has not yet produced spe- did not at once achieve universal asserted that the emergence of the cies sterile to one another." The acceptance. Indeed, it was vigor- human soul could only be attributed doctrine of descent, he said, was ously opposed by some of the most to direct creation. "I hope," Darwin "adopted as a working hypothesis distinguished scientists of the day. wrote to him, "you have not mur- . . . subject to the production of And the reason for this was that, dered too completely your own proof that physiological species despite Darwin's twenty-five years child and mine."—"More Letters," may be produced by selective of fact-finding, he had still not been Vol. 2, p. 39. breeding." And unfortunately for able to produce the "basic facts" Quite apart from the question of the hypothesis, the work of Gregor that were absolutely necessary to whether a purely materialistic view Mendel (1822-1884), on the genet- the establishment of his theory. of the origin of life was acceptable, ics of the cell, administered a final Pasteur, for example, had just there were biologists also who se- coup de grace to that possibility proved conclusively that life could riously questioned the mechanism before the century was out. proceed only from preexistent of evolution which Darwin had sug- Furthermore, the geological rec- life, and there were many like him ord, which Darwin was relying on who refused to accept any mecha- to provide "plain evidence of the nistic explanation of the origin of mutation of species," never did so. life. The evolutionary development "Geology," he wrote to Quatre- fages, "assuredly does not reveal any finely graduated organic chain, and this is perhaps the most ob- vious and serious objection which can be urged against the theory. . . . The arguments from geology "The one missing link in have always seemed strongest to me." the chain of evidence," "Paleontology," asserted Oswald Spangler in "The Decline of the said Thomas H. Huxley, West," "furnishes the most conclu-

"is the fact that selective

breeding has not yet

produced species sterile

to one another." The

link is still missing.

BRILLIANT ANALYSIS OF DARWINISM, THE THEORY THAT HAS NO FOUNDATION phenomena of humanity." "That in bring together all the knowledge our day," he says, "a system desti- scattered over the surface of the tute of any shadow of proof, and earth and thus build up a general Why Evolution Carried supported merely by vague analo- system of thought," and Darwin's the Day gies and figures of speech . . . book "seemed to be the key for Why then, we may well ask, did should be accepted as a philosophy, which the whole world was wait- Darwin's theory go over in popular and should enable adherents to ing."—J. T. Bouner, "Ideas of Biol- thinking against some of the great- string upon its thread of hypotheses ogy," page 45. est scientists of the day? The an- our vast and weighty stores of Herbert Spencer used the evolu- swer is that the growing climate of knowledge, is surpassing strange." tionary theory to support his doc- doubt fostered by English rational- trine of the social progress of man Extension Into Every Field ism, German naturalism, and and society by "laissez-faire" eco- of Human Development French atheism was turning the nomics and competetive individual- minds of men more and more But so it happened, and since the ism. "Progress," he said, "is not an against supernaturalism as an ex- publication of "The Origin of Spe- accident, but a necessity. . . . It is planation of the universe and leav- cies," Darwin's evolutionary con- certain that man must become per- ing them ready to accept any ception has been extended into fect. The ultimate development of alternative, however weak, to the every field of human development. the ideal man is certain." creationism of the Bible. Thomas "The conception of evolution," says On the same basis of evolution Huxley, "Darwin's bulldog," con- Sir Julian Huxley, "was soon ex- Friedrich Nietsche reached very dif- fessed that for years he had been tended into other than biological ferent sociological conclusions, turn- searching for some hypothesis "to fields. Inorganic subjects, such as ing upside down all moral virtues replace the untenable separate the life histories of the stars and the and advocating the "will to power" creation theory." Yves Delage, in formation of the chemical elements 1903, admitted that he was an evo- on the one hand, and on the other, lutionist, not on "the exclusive subjects like linguistics, social an- ground of facts," but for "personal thropology, and comparative law philosophic reasons." and religion began to be studied The triumph of the evolution doc- from an evolutionary angle, until him:: was thus the direct conse- today we are enabled to see evo- quence of what Father Wasmann lution as a universal, all-pervading has called "Theophobia"; and, as process."—"What Is Science?" page 272. a result of this, and in spite of the facts of science, the Bible doctrine The French encyclopedists of the of creation was almost universally eighteenth century had planned "t . rejected in favor of a naturalistic theory of evolution from nebulae to man. No wonder Sir J. W. Dawson re- marks that the rise of the evolution doctrine is "one of the Stricrn()est

by W. L. ERIC KREYE as the supreme virtue driving man win shortly after the publication of by struggle for survival to the "su- the Origin, he said that Christians perman." Out of Nietsche's phi- had "learned to see that it is just as losophy arose German militarism noble a conception of Deity to be- which culminated in the era of lieve that He created primal forms Hitler and Mussolini and World capable of self-development into all War II. the forms needful pro tempore and "Revolutionary socialists," says pro loco, as to believe that He re- R. E. D. Clark in Darwin: Before quired a fresh act of intervention and After, also "saw in evolution a to supply each of the lacunae which way of stifling their consciences. He had Himself made."—Darwin's The new doctrine justified men in Life and Letters, Vol. 2, p. 287. struggling for their rights—even On the other side of the Atlantic though the struggle involved a Asa Gray ( 1810-1888 ), Presbyterian denial of Christian virtues."—Page professor of natural history at Har- 113. Karl Marx wanted to dedicate vard, wrote similarly to Darwin, his book Das Kapital to Darwin. He arguing that there was no need for The Religion was not permitted to do so, but his conflict between Christianity and doctrine of evolutionary struggle Darwinism because the divine cre- of Evolution went on to bear fruit in the Lenin, ative fiat did not exclude secondary Trotsky, and Mao versions of athe- causes, which was what evolution istic Communism which today con- was all about. "The Darwinian sys- trol nearly half the world's land tem, as we understand it," he de- surface and population. clared in his book Evolutionary In the realms of morals and re- Teleology, "coincides very well with ligion, George Romanes said in the theistic view of nature." 1882: "In our day there are very So by the early twentieth century few . . . strongholds of the miracu- a very large number of Christian lous (supernaturalism) left." And so theologians on both sides of the At- confident were the "reductionists" lantic had accepted the compromise that John Tyndall, in a Belfast lec- and were engaged in discussion ture in 1874, boasted: "We shall among themselves as to where the wrest from theology the entire do- defensive line should be drawn. main of cosmological theory." With the encouragement of the encyclicals of Pius XII, evolution Theistic Evolution Holds came to be cautiously accepted by Back the Tide the Roman Catholic Church on the However, as the all-conquering basis that while man's body was doctrine of evolution swept on its the crowning achievement of the way, some theologians, afraid that evolutionary process, Adam's soul Tyndall's prophecy was soon to be was directly created by God. fulfilled, decided to take the line, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" and The Faith of the "Liberals" set themselves the task of working A similar line of thinking devel- out an alternative to godless evolu- oped among Protestant scientists. tion in the form of "theistic evo- The Bible ceased to be regarded as lution." To them, says Randall in an "inspired" revelation of God, but The Making of the Modern Mind, rather was an "inspiring" record of evolution became "merely a more man's search after God. The idea exact description of the way in grew of "levels" of truth in the Bi- which God's creative acts took ble, and the account of creation in place."—Page 554. Genesis was progressively demy- The Anglican high churchman thologized to fit in with the evolu- Charles Kingsley ( 1819-1875 ) was tionary theory. one of the pioneers of this effort to The "liberals," who took an in- save Christian theology and the termediate position between the Christian church. In a letter to Dar- traditionalists and extreme modern-

12 ists, became popular in the Prot- part of nature, that matter is not "is an object of genuinely religious estant churches. They accepted the ultimate, and that everything is the devotion, because they regard it as higher critical interpretation of the result of the creative power of God, a supreme integrative principle." Bible in the light of comparative while leaving science completely Von Uexhull similarly insists that religion and regarded Christianity, free to show "how" God worked. Darwinism today "is more a reli- not as revealed doctrine, but as Christ fits into this evolutionary gion than a science." primarily subjective experience. interpretation of religion as the su- Friedrich Schleiermacher, "the preme interpreter of the way God Back From the Abyss father of liberal theology," de- acts and the source of what White- Yet even in this time of triumph scribed it as a "feeling of absolute head calls "creative persuasion," profound doubts are arising in the dependence" on the Infinite. Lyman while Christianity is man's volun- minds of many of the high priests Abbott in The Theology of an Evo- tary response to the rulership of of evolution, whether theistic or lutionist defined God as the "In- God in Christ. humanistic. Renan, who in the first finite and Eternal Energy from edition of his book L' Avenir de la which all things proceed," and The Religion of Humanism Science asserted that science could Henry Ward Beecher, in Evolution In the early days of the evolu- "say the last word on human des- and Religion, described religion as tionary conflict, Professor Sedgwick tiny, and teach mankind how to the "unfolding of the best nature said that, in his experience, "the reach its goal," confessed in the of man towards God." transformation theory" ended "with preface to the second edition: "The Eventually, declares Richard nine out of ten in rank material- collapse of supernatural belief will Hofstadter in Social Darwinism in ism." This is not so common today, be followed by the collapse of American Thought, "there re- the alternative to the halfway house moral convictions." His forecast has mained not a single figure of out- of theistic evolution being a vague proved only too tragically true. The standing proportion in Protestant humanistic evolution which rejects dogma of evolutionary progress has theology who ventured to dispute" theism but does not swing to the dissolved in the catastrophes of the the evolutionary interpretation of other extreme of out-and-out mate- atomic age, and the world finds the Christian religion. "Evolution," rialism. Typical of this trend is Sir itself today poised on the brink of he said, "has been translated into Julian Huxley's conception of "re- a precipice looking into the abyss divine purpose." ligion without revelation." In The of destruction. Evolutionist H. G. Humanist Frame he admits that Wells saw the point which the Existentialism and Neoorthodoxy while "science has removed the ob- world of self-willed men had Today the terms "liberal" and scuring veil of mystery from many reached when he wrote his last "modernist" are out of fashion, and phenomena . . . it confronts us with book, Mind at the End of Its in their place we have various a basic and universal mystery—the Tether. And for others like him evo- brands of existentialism and neo- mystery of existence in general and lution has proved a "false fideism." orthodoxy, all agreeing, however, the existence of mind in particular." Many, in fact, are now beginning that, in the objective realm of time While to him the evolutionary pro- to turn back from the road which and space, the Creator works by cess seems "blind and purposeless," seems to be leading to inevitable remote control through naturalistic he admits that nature manifests a destruction. causation, while direct divine ini- mysterious "trend toward sentience, This observation has led Sir Alis- tiative occurs only in the subjective mind, and richness of being." And ter Hardy to ask in The Divine world of personal existence and so he said in a letter to Sir Alister Flame, "Is it just possible that many "selfhood." Hardy, "I am not a materialist, but of the leading minds of today may L. Gilkey, in Maker of Heaven a monist, in the sense that I believe now be swinging to an opposite ex- and Earth, asserts that creation is that we and the rest of life are treme?"—Page 18. an existential term not defining products of and agents in a sin- It is perhaps too much to hope temporal origins, but the relation gle cosmic process."—The Divine that science as a whole will come of God to the world as transcen- Flame, page 14. out into the open and say that the dent, sovereign, free, and purpose- If, therefore, atheistic evolution whole area of theism, creationism, ful, and about the world as the real, is less popular today than in the and revelation needs to be reex- orderly, and spiritual creation of days of Charles Bradlaugh and the amined. But certain it is that more God. The Genesis "myth," accord- Secularist Society, it is, in its hu- and more scientists are doing so; ing to him, does not "tell us about manist version, a religion without they are retracing their steps to the the first moment of time any more God and without revelation in op- fork of the road where they took than the myth of the Fall tells us position to the revealed religion of the fatally wrong turn. 0 about the first human being in it." the God of the Bible. As W. R. (Final article: "The Great Evo- It simply asserts that God is not a Thompson says, evolution to many lutionary Confidence Trick")

JANUARY, 1971 13 ■ The apostle Paul did not like to In spite of their shameful treat- boast about himself—though he did ment of him, Paul was concerned so frequently! only for their highest good. He was keep With perfect sincerity he said, moved by a divine jealousy im- "God forbid that I should glory, planted in his heart by God. 2 Co- save in the cross of our Lord Jesus rinthians 11:2. He was jealous for Christ." Galatians 6:14. But the sin- the Corinthians' moral and spiritual growth. The believers in Corinth life ister tactics of his enemies and the base slanders of certain professing were his "work in the Lord." 1 Co- believers compelled him to boast for rinthians 9:1. He was privileged to the glory of God. (Compare Gala- be their spiritual father, for "in simple tians 1:24.) He asked the church at Christ Jesus I have begotten you Corinth to bear with him though through the gospel." 1 Corinthians they might count him a "fool." 4:15. He regarded them as God's Though the conceit of some of seal confirming his apostleship. his critics had led them to treat 1 Corinthians 9:2. him lightly, Paul wrote, "Do bear Paul was deeply grieved to think with me!" 2 Corinthians 11:1, RSV. that the Corinthian believers might Both Christ and Paul Dedicated In a tone of irony he said in his first lose their early faith and loyalty to Their Lives Christ. "I have espoused ["be- epistle to the Corinthians, "We are to But One Great Purpose fools for Christ's sake, but ye are trothed," RSV] you," he says, "to wise in Christ." 1 Corinthians 4:10. one husband"—the emphasis is on Paul knew that men follow only "one"—"that I may present you as by Arthur Hedley persons they think highly of. When a chaste virgin to Christ." 2 Corin- edged Jesus of Nazareth to be the he "boasted," he was merely list- thians 11:2. Compare Philippians head of a Jewish kingdom; but ad- ing reasons why he deserved re- 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20. This mission to that kingdom was, ac- spect. He had been teaching the was in keeping with Christ's ulti- cording to them, not by faith but Corinthians that Christianity is a mate purpose for the church. Ephe- only by circumcision and the strict simple, uncluttered way to obtain sians 4:12. He "loved the church, observance of all the ordinances of salvation. Other men had been and gave Himself for it; . . . that He the ceremonial law. Paul knew from telling them that religion is a com- might present it to Himself a glori- painful experience that it is impos- plicated thing, cluttered with in- ous church, not having spot, or sible to be saved by works. Gala- numerable rules and regulations; wrinkle, or any such thing; but that tians 2:16; Philippians 3:4-9. and Paul saw that some of the it should be holy and without blem- believers were so impressed that ish." Ephesians 5:25-27. What Paul feared was the apos- they were about to reject the simple A careful reading of Paul's epis- tasy of the church in Corinth, the gospel of Christ. He boasted so that tles to the Corinthians shows how loss of their love and devotion to they would continue to follow him wisely and patiently the apostle Christ. He says, "I am afraid that and be saved. dealt with the Corinthians in spite just as the serpent by cunning de- of the unchristian attitude of some ceived Eve, your thoughts will be HARRY ANDERSON, ARTIST; PPPA within the church. Opponents from led astray from their single-hearted Jerusalem had dogged his footsteps fidelity to Christ." 2 Corinthians and mingled with his converts. 11:3, Goodspeed. The serpent's They were preaching another gos- agents, the servants of Satan, dis- pel about some Jesus who was not guised as "ministers of righteous- the Lord Jesus Christ, the incar- ness" ( verses 14, 15), were at work nate, crucified, risen, exalted Son in their midst, moved by sinful, of God, the sole Saviour of man- selfish motives. These seducers pro- kind and Lord of all. See 1 Timothy fessed to be believers, just as many 4:10; Acts 10:36. These heretics do today. They exalted themselves, were tolerated and even welcomed claiming to be superior to Paul in by some professing believers at knowledge and spiritual attain- Corinth. They were intent on draw- ments. Read also Paul's warning ing believers away from the "sim- in Colossians 2:8. plicity that is in Christ" ( 2 Corin- If these deceivers had succeeded, thians 11:3 )—away from simple the "gospel of the grace of God" saving faith in Christ's atoning ( Acts 20:24) preached by Paul blood as man's only hope of salva- would no longer have found accept- tion. Instead of preaching justifica- ance among believers. Their love tion by faith in the all-sufficient to Christ would have grown cold blood of Christ, they substituted and died. Instead of possessing the a gospel of works. They acknowl- simplicity and devotion of the

14 SIGNS OF THE TIMES "chaste virgin" to her betrothed sermon that might be beyond her they would have been guilty of dis- understanding and any sentence too loyalty and infidelity. Then Paul's long and complicated for her to hope of presenting them with joy follow. Like his Master, the com- to Christ at His coming would have mon folk heard him gladly. been in vain. How grave was the We think also of the simplicity danger of apostasy is seen in the in worship which Christ recom- fact that, near the end of the second mended. He loved worship that was epistle, Paul asked all professing simple and sincere. He condemned believers in Corinth to put them- the theatrical religiosity of the selves through a heart-searching Pharisees. They wore long fringed test before God to prove whether robes and uttered long prayers they were really in the faith: "It is where they would be seen of men. your own selves you must test to Their hyprocrisy was repellent to discover whether you are true be- our Lord. Against it He used His JOHN STEEL, ARTIST; © PPPA lievers: examine yourselves." 2 Co- sternest language. See Matthew 23: rinthians 13:15, Weymouth. those who put self first. A divided 23-33. When criticized for not fol- Life is simplified and enriched life, like a divided house, can know lowing the "tradition of the eld- when there is a deeply sincere love nothing of true joy and peace. ers," He silenced His critics by between husband and wife. There "The simplicity that is in Christ" citing a verse from Isaiah ( 29:13 ): is harmony and happiness when is seen not only in Christ's single- "This people," He said, "honoreth there is love at home. Then hus- heartedness and His utter devotion Me with their lips; but their heart band and wife have a single pur- to His Father's will; it is seen also is far from Me." Matthew 15:8. It pose to love and serve each other in His teaching. Though His mes- has been said with much truth that —to live for each other's good. How sages were often profound, He used the simple worship instituted by complicated and unhappy life be- simple, homely language and illus- the Redeemer has been so cor- comes when this single-hearted de- trations so familiar to all that even rupted today that all that was gor- votion to each other is lost. Then the most illiterate peasant could geous in pagan ceremonies and there is strife, bondage, separation, follow Him. The common folk, de- splendid in Jewish ritual has been estrangement, divorce. Children are spised by the intellectuals of that introduced as a part of Christian bewildered and robbed of the good day, "came to Him from every worship. Jesus taught that the thing that should be theirs. quarter" and "heard Him gladly." of vital importance was not the The simplicity of mind and heart, Mark 1:45; 12:37. They were "as- situation, prestige, or ritual of the the childlike docility and freedom tonished at His teaching," it was so sanctuary where man worshiped, from guile ( see 1 Peter 2:22) that simple yet authoritative, so differ- but the sincerity of his worship. characterized the Lord Jesus, we ent from the long, complicated dis- John 4:21-24. are enjoined to copy. Christ had one courses of the scribes. "Never man Our Saviour also gives us a per- single aim in life: to do the will of spake like this Man" ( John 7:46 ) fect example of simplicity in His His heavenly Father, to be abso- was the verdict of the officers sent manner of living in respect to food lutely loyal to Him, however great to arrest Him. and dress. Although He was the the cost. It was His "meat and The supposedly learned men of King of glory, He worked at a car- drink" to do His Father's will and that day regarded Jesus as un- penter's bench, wore the dress of to accomplish the redemptive mis- learned, as lacking the collegiate a village peasant, and was content sion for which God had sent Him training of which they were so with a simple meal. He appreciated into the world. John 4:34; 5:30; proud and boastful. See John 7:15. the thoughtfulness of Martha in 6:38. He was loved of the Father Our Saviour rejoiced because the preparing a varied, appetizing because of His perfect obedience, simple-hearted were able to under- meal; but it was unnecessary for even unto death. John 10:17. He stand and profit by His teaching. "I her to be so anxious. One simple enjoyed the perpetual presence and thank Thee, 0 Father, . . . that dish would have met His need. See friendship of the Father because Thou hast hid these things from Luke 10:38-42. Prophets and apos- He could truly say, "I do always the wise and prudent, and hast tles called for simplicity in out- those things that please Him." John revealed them unto babes." Luke ward adornment. Rather than dec- 8:29. 10:21. If only more ministers today orating our bodies, the followers of Life becomes simplified when practiced the simplicity that is in Christ are to "adorn the doctrine of there is a full commitment to God's Christ, many more hearers would God our Saviour in all things" ( Ti- will. This singleness of heart may be blessed and grateful. Dr. John tus 2:10) by our Christlike behav- mean sacrifice, trial, and misunder- Watson ( Ian Maclaren) tells in his ior in all we say or do. How differ- standing; but it gives a sense of autobiography how, when he re- ent life becomes when we follow peace and security. In our undi- vised his sermons on the eve of the Paul's advice! How much simpler, vided loyalty to Christ and to His Sabbath, he kept in mind a godly fuller, richer, and freer it is when will lies our security against all the old lady who sat in a front pew. our will becomes one with the will dissatisfaction and restlessness of He would simplify any word in his of Christ. ❑

JANUARY, 1971 15

••=, ...um ca. „,A vh,, • co ol't ,,,,, • ' II.. Lotus ,r,_ t-iy41::,,., -- pi t•ote ,Ae° ntki oi 1.e",,i. 40 0.'7; (4'"` t., ev,. Prattie ye the ot t..„ - ki, r. .0,- tt- et.,tott. ccV Loat, i, ‘,.. o' Mune t fl' 0- t 0-- -go- tic' ..a'Ag'4 to "i',. zx '4,thACt*uvt. t .ccetpl.tt thl incs.ttY .,itb I, It' P 4,,,,,,, the h.,,,,, „- ,tb444._ ti,,i ,ei'\ 4.,t rot fit. 01/ sett ov 1 0, II`V, t,'" . .,..1,., ,.... ,,,,,. v , ,,,.,. , T, , ,hcle 7 t°( .i IVI.: t • _,, II • , • . A. av e ir, Or ' ,,,i 14,1%' ,„ ' 1 t ti ev Ai t .0tic‘ i tit v.1.. 1 'l BIBLE DIALOGUE / BY J. A. SPANGLER ',..c..- ,„e ,-;,,,. , ,. . , el' ; ' ,, ..,....,,, , . ,, . ' ' ,t• . , „,„: coo" 1 L ' 't, , l'` ,P to' ..," 11' 1'' ..."' VS too .., VA* l it ' e"t it t' toin't ll % v'' a t'' eiV4 Y. that In tt% "I* -'s - lt 1 0 t t° sito the let.- g'll'etatTt.ed b., at a t ' 1 P•t' t at tllt V ti‘7 tY*• l'" - "'14 1,..; !IO fe s° a• t'il e l.'" {Qt teitt5 A th name of the LoinIvt.. us,.--....1 .. -A ' iii1 A4 st1oil1teth .401 i tho I cc'A*V 1,,,f ')'' P 641" i We nub 1641Y. toot Iv ., 11. ...0 tewpr ),.. _,‘ou _ 00. ,, t...,...0 ov•t usAt d Cg er-, gstU bel ' 01 ht.; III et.. ol the, ht„,”,o,,,,-.'1.4,0,1.' tta,..;4Thi`'', • et taw tittt` called 27 C' t‘..41-t elco°,:i-V to the ' 4-4 tes"t-,e '• u in disitres‘t % th.-1 ' t"' A be CiZhli " 11:',ffivi thl t -- Lout, tut hen; la t,'"„'',.: A. v 4 - 4 00' tits %an, n' for na ' 44. antsweted tne, and sct toe in a ' A-tt,". - -`1 l' i.tto OA tit c. . I. Oi• - 0, 14'.,A 0 ,,. 0.1r 4t . viten unto :1,1 t,-t-e. `stict:t''v1!.-...!1,..'. ,.,„,' ,- err ' Bpd „, x.--,. eV-i.ea.' A YO. tog.— %W."( r, r /0 t tc ao - to'.- toe'u.' -- The LORD is on lily ht ht i rrtyntlf 1_,._‘ 41 _. 0* l'IN,4',A, r.,0 110.0(.0 ecicu°'„cetit1111° vr-cffi . 0--- At' - ve 01 fade; 1 will not thee.. f ?“, ..,pc';- lb.`1,, t, *...0 4‘;‘,p.-11; I it:\ Atli e 1 f'. what ran IT1 lily I, 1, 11 , 0. "c" "fl -rtVi ' '"' (:„i3. u"' 1'1'4 ''.- 'I' 0 10- c t ‘11Y - no rue'''. "-i i ..1 t :.,_ '. I' il/P045, 0 01,0 ..t %id - tc .. l %"'" 9.41,c- .HAV ittaq ,... The L..: th. thank.% pt.,' mid tt:. . 15° tcts ' ' Intl'''. ;1. tif SO. it° e 1 ,..pt. 41 .,..110 ott, tilt' t hell* - , ' tut but "ItU th.'14,,f,., ( .,C 0 „0 ...1. ,1,4.... r ri' 0 .30i, „Au. .. IV% ,,t, , •41 1to,1_,,, WI ,1/.. %.14. r4ettl, - 14,;;'1.... r 04' tli° 1 "-IllS'io ' . roY sit tay ..,,e. to I t t, A.. ''''"4, ''" ., Ai; goto %Ott ,.#1.- 11 Iti, , fe.,,, ,t_fe.L (C4ot_. 0 MO.o te6 • I. 0 '1" 0 ....Cal t NIS t a WI put CUI VS _s a, `off ... M ti f.t: tv.;..- vio t c, 4 /I 1%1 " ":r - l'': 01).:0°C ao a , Ole l'ALtS put t ,, ' l n M 7,31t1" Ay- lc it the wer • lbe-, OW° 10 All , RIGHTT ur,,4.tui 0 tl" st3e 1.1-j ollt° %hod ginle ,tittc" . in °tot it0 g• Ms,.' .' r'• It t° liatoira', 4° 000 tot • 1 ,ut tn t? "+ 14 ,j 44 chi) otetitt wo ' s• of t . ool ko tToy tl, ot - .01. gia MI ',. ., toy c tot' a at e 009 .1,y.Kalube 41ay.ow tioP ,his ttt t to 1 1 Tic ' " .'' 0 0 tit _vet' me 1- a tot %,,,e ot they r ,. • ,,4- - ovy - f,o - ..vot 0,i.t ,i'e t PANEL MEMBERS: MOSES, PAUL, JESUS, ADAM \ ,1/4ti ,tkoa,cu'rts ';,c6,0‘wot 0 natty' t,', ' ' dl ,6 tot 11,1;,c co .t to , ir, , , , ,,,,,,,,,,.„,.. ..",44 1.t0 •e - te 1 t3 aville it.! Miley comp, '. toe zif....ut lii“. t,...... -...... „ 1c-np,oe.,. ‘0 .,-;),, he .., i bl 51 _,„tv. 0' _A ti*0 t.

The marriage union, we discov- our decadent society. No nation for all flesh had corrupted his way ered in our last panel discussion, ever rises higher than the quality upon the earth. And God said . . . , was made sacred by God Himself. of the homes established by its citi- The end of all flesh is come before He created man, not after the order zens. Me; for the earth is filled with vio- of the lower animals, but "in His Moses, what important factor led lence through them; and, behold, I own image." Adam's companion to the decay of the marriage union will destroy them with the earth."' was his counterpart mentally, spir- prior to the Flood? Now, Moses, after the Flood did itually, and physically. The delight- Moses: "When men began to mul- God take any precautionary mea- ful union was designed by God to tiply on the face of the earth, and sures to prevent sin from becoming last eternally. daughters were born unto them, . . . so widespread again? Did He pro- Adam, I understand that God the sons of God saw the daughters hibit marriages between believers made your wife from one of your of men that they were fair; and they and unbelievers? own ribs. What did you say when took them wives of all which they Moses: "Neither shalt thou make God introduced her to you? chose."' marriages with them [unbelievers]; Adam: "This is now bone of my Undoubtedly, these "sons of God" thy daughter thou shalt not give bones, and flesh of my flesh."' were the descendants of righteous unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son."' How significant that she was Seth while the "daughters of men" made not from a bone in your foot. were descendants of idolatrous Why? Ribs lie so close to the heart, the Cain. Thus marriages between be- Moses: "For they will turn away seat of affection, that they symbol- lievers and unbelievers, the godly thy son from following Me, that ize love and equality. Woman was and the ungodly, gradually brought they may serve other gods: so will made not to dominate her husband the human race into a state of moral the anger of the Lord be kindled or to be dominated by him, but to collapse. In fact, men became so against you, and destroy thee sud- love him as an equal. Together hus- vile and sinful that their minds were denly."? continually filled with thoughts of band and wife with God's blessing Master, didn't you say some- were to complement each other. immorality and evil. Isn't that right, Moses? where that conditions at the end of Paul, what attitude should a per- the world would be similar to those son take toward marriage? Moses: "The wickedness of man just before the Flood? was great in the earth, and . . . Paul: "Marriage is honorable; let Jesus: "In the time of the coming every imagination of the thoughts us all keep it so, and the marriage of the Son of man, life will be as it of his heart was only evil contin- bond inviolate: for God's judgment was in the days of Noah. People ate ually."4 will fall on fornicators and adul- and drank, married and were given terers."2 Moses, if I didn't know you were in marriage,. right up to the day In other words, marriage is seri- talking about conditions before the when Noah entered the ark—and ous business. Much misery and great world deluge, I would think then came the Flood and destroyed unhappiness result from unions be- you were describing today's society. them all."8 tween men and women who give By the way how did God react Of course You are not saying but little thought to the sacred re- to these conditions in your day? there is anything wrong with the sponsibilities involved in setting up Moses: "God looked upon the right kind of marriage, so you must a home. The results are evident in earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; be referring to unions between be-

16 SIGNS OF THE TIMES lievers and unbelievers or to those married? Well, don't try to be sepa- other unions that leave God out of rated. Are you unattached? Then the picture entirely. don't try to get married. But if you, Test Your Bible Knowledge Paul, do you have any comment a man, should marry, don't think to make on this point? that you have done anything sinful. And the same applies to a young Bible Dialogue Quiz Paul: "Do not unite yourselves woman. Yet I do believe that those with unbelievers; they are no fit who take this step are bound to find The quiz below is based on the Bible Dia- mates for you. What has righteous- the married state an extra burden logue on these pages. If you have not al- ness to do with wickedness? Can in these critical days, and I should ready read this unique presentation of light consort with darkness? Can like you to be as unencumbered as the Holy Scriptures, we suggest you read it Christ agree with Belial, or a be- before beginning to answer the quiz. You possible."' 2 liever join hands with an unbe- will also find it helpful to study the texts ac- liever? Can there be a compact Just why is marriage an extra companying each question. Check the between the temple of God and the burden in these critical times? phrase which accurately completes each idols of the heathen? And the tem- Paul: "The married man is sure to sentence. ple of the living God is what we be concerned also with matters of are."9 this world, that he may please his 1. God originally intended men and women to live in That's clear enough; but what wife. You find the same difference ❑ about husbands and wives who in the case of the unmarried and celibacy ❑ didn't know about these principles the married woman. The unmarried marriage ❑ when they got married and now concerns herself with the Lord's af- polygamy find themselves united with unbe- fairs, and her aim in life is to make (Genesis 2:18, 23, 24; Hebrews 13:4) lievers. Do you have any advice for herself holy, in body and in spirit. 2. Ideal marriage fell into decay when But the married woman must con- them? ❑ money became an issue cern herself with the things of this ❑ divorce was legalized Paul: "My advice (though this is world, and her aim will be to please not a divine command) is this. For ❑ followers of God married unbelievers her husband."' 3 a brother who has a non-Christian (Genesis 6:1, 2, 5; Deuteronomy 7:3, 4) wife who is willing to live with him In short, an unmarried Christian 3. Paul advises the Christian spouse of an he should not divorce her. A wife can find fulfillment in life, and there unbeliever surely is no stigma on him just be- in a similar position should not di- ❑ cause he is single! But if Christians to get a divorce vorce her husband. For the unbe- ❑ to get a legal separation lieving husband is, in a sense, con- insist on marriage, you feel it is per- ❑ fectly all right for them to marry to remain faithful to him or her secrated by being joined to the (1 Corinthians 7:12-14) person of his wife; the unbelieving —is that correct? 4. To Christians everywhere Paul's counsel wife is similarly 'consecrated' by Paul: "If any man feels he is not the Christian brother she has mar- behaving honorably toward the is ried."19 woman he loves, . . . and the emo- ❑ to try to get married ❑ to try to be separated What attitude should a Christian tional strain is considerable, let him do what his heart tells him to do ❑ to serve God, whether married or assume if his non-Christian com- single panion decides to leave him? —let them be married; there is no sin in that."14 (1 Corinthians 7:26-31) Paul: "If the unbelieving partner Thank you, panel members, for decides to separate, then let there WHAT TO DO NEXT be a separation. The Christian this profitable and enlightening dis- When you have answered the quiz, cut it partner need not consider himself cussion. out, fill in your name and address below, bound in such cases. Yet God has ----- and mail it to "Signs of the Times," 1350 called us to live in peace, and after References: Villa Street, Mountain View, California all how can you, who are a wife, 1. Genesis 2:23. 94040. We will return it to you duly know whether you will be able to 2. Hebrews 13:4, NEB. marked, together with additional material save your husband or not? And the 3. Genesis 6:1, 2. 4. Genesis 6:5. —all free, of course. This offer limited to the same applies to you who are a hus- U.S.A. and Canada. band."11 5. Genesis 6:12, 13. 6. Deuteronomy 7:3. Name Paul, you are a most competent 7. Deuteronomy 7:4. marriage counselor. Perhaps you 8. Luke 17:26, 27, Phillips. Street have some advice for Christians 9. 2 Corinthians 6:14-16, NEB. who are not married. 10. 1 Corinthians 7:12-14, Phillips. City State Paul: "My opinion is this, that 11. 1 Corinthians 7:15, 16, Phillips. amid all the difficulties of the pres- 12. 1 Corinthians 7:26-28, Phillips. Zip ent time you would do best to 13. 1 Corinthians 7:33, 34, Phillips. remain just as you are. Are you 14. 1 Corinthians 7:36, Phillips. L

JANUARY, 1971 17 CHRIST ■ It is nearly 100 years since the Signs of the Times began to announce that the end of the world was at hand and Christ was coming soon. As editors changed, the Signs continued to proclaim the same startling mes- COMING sage. Some readers may think that now that another edi- tor has arrived to guide the journal, the time has come to soft-pedal the coming of Christ and lay greater SOON emphasis on other topics. The new editor intends to proclaim the nearness of the end of the world and the imminence of the sec- Christ's Promise ond coming of Christ with greater urgency than any of his predecessors. And he will do so with greater More Certain confidence. Looking back over the years, it is clear that neither Now Than the Signs of the Times nor the Seventh-day Advent- Ever Before by Lawrence Maxwell ist Church, which sponsors the Signs, has been misled. signs by which we would know when His coming is Thirty years before the Signs was founded—in 1844 near, and these we can see around us today; but He —there was great excitement around the world as a never said He was coming in 1844. large number of preachers of many faiths pointed their The second factor frequently overlooked about the congregations to certain passages of Scripture that 1840's is that that would have been altogether the seemed to indicate that Christ was coming in 1844. The wrong time for Christ to come. Almost no one was precise day—October 22, 1844—was even pinpointed ready to meet Him. On the contrary, most of the peo- when the world would come to a blazing, fiery end. ple, especially in America, were quite sure they could When the day passed without Christ's return, almost get along without Him. everyone ridiculed the whole idea and then tried to Not that they were satisfied with the way things forget it. were going. Not at all. But they were quite sure they There are two factors about those predictions of the had the answer to the world's needs, and if only they second coming that are frequently overlooked. The had time to put their ideas into practice, the age of first is that Jesus never said He was coming in 1844. bliss would be established permanently on earth with- The idea that He was coming then was a mistake made out any special help from heaven. by men, not by God. Jesus did say that there would be Indeed, the most characteristic trait of Americans has been their penchant for trying to solve the world's ills. When the first Puritans settled at Boston in 1629 their clearly stated purpose was to demonstrate to all nations just how the world should be run. They even called their little colony the new Zion, a "City set on a Hill" for all the world to see and copy. Unfortunately, plans did not work out quite so well as the founders had intended, but the children did not give up. In 1787 the new country's leaders came together in Philadelphia to draw up a constitu- tion that would create a perfect society. Members of the Constitutional Convention saw the convention as the world's last best chance. Americans were the new Adam taking possession of the vast virgin territory lying to the west—the new Garden of Eden that hope- fully would not be tainted by mistakes and errors as was the first. With John Adams's valiant help, conven- tion members studied many earlier forms of govern- ment and out of them devised a system that would show the world how nations ought to conduct them- selves. It was a noble attempt, and time has shown how remarkably right those forefathers were—and how tragically inadequate was the brilliant instrument they devised. But if the framers of the Constitution were only partially successful, America has not lacked for other men eager to repair their mistakes. The nineteenth century was full of them. In the early decades, many religious methods were tried. There were tract societies, home missionary societies, Sunday School societies, abolition societies, temperance societies, and others. There were so many fervent evangelistic revivals in upstate New York that the area was called the Burned-over District. All these pious movements did a certain amount of good, but all fell short of their goal. Still, very few Americans were willing to ask God to set up His government on earth. There were still too many other ideas they wanted to try out first. Like the experiments in community living. How many of these there were in those days! For instance, there were the Fourierist communities. Under this plan there would be erected in each community a large

JANUARY, 1971 19 building where just the right number of teachers, doc- him after the disappointment. Clearly they were not tors, farmers, and artisans would live together in trou- ready to have Christ come and set up His kingdom. ble-free harmony. Unfortunately, people in the right Many quickly swung over to Swedenborgianism, number and of the right types were never brought and when that faded, to spiritualism. Neither pro- together at any one time, and none of the Fourierist duced the long-sought panacea, but into the breach communities lasted more than a few years. But that came Karl Marx teaching new ideas of financial and didn't end the experiments with communities. Several social equality that, he proposed, would end discord of the brightest intellects of the day—including Na- forever. Millions believed him. Americans and many thaniel Hawthorne, Charles A. Dana, and John S. others rejected Marxism, but there were other new Dwight—chipped in $500 apiece to organize Brook ideas. It was at this very time that Spencerianism and Farm, which would show the world that the proper Darwinism won immense popularity in Europe and combination of high thinking and plain working would America because they promised that perfection, how- transcend all of life's problems. Unfortunately, after ever difficult to achieve, was inevitable. Spencerianism about five years the barn burned down. Even with the applied evolutionary concepts to society and claimed help of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Orestes Brownson, that some men rose above others because they were the Brook Farmers were unable to cope with this small inherently better. Andrew Carnegie was convinced difficulty, and the idea that was to solve the whole that his own life proved the accuracy of the theory, world's problems quickly disintegrated. But there were for he had risen from obscure poverty to immense other experimenters in that period! wealth. He was so carried away with the idea that the Mr. Robert Owen, a successful industrialist, came world was getting better that he donated vast sums over from Scotland to organize the community of New to the peace movements that proliferated in the early Harmony; but sadly that community, too, broke up in 1900's. He personally paid for the Peace Palace at The the same old discord that had destroyed the others. Hague in the belief that all the world needed to assure Mother Lee set up a community in which men and permanent peace was an opportunity for national lead- women would receive inspiration directly from God ers to dialogue. The entrance of the United States into —no need for the Bible—and where no one would World War I is said to have been such a blow to his marry. The Shakers lasted longer than most other expectations that he went into a physical decline and groups, but eventually withered. John Humphrey was dead in a few months. Noyes tried a different approach. Many families have Many more illustrations of man's attempts to im- used Oneida Community silver plate without realizing prove the world could be cited. But surely we have that the Oneida Community was not originally founded listed sufficient to show that the middle of the nine- to produce silverware but for the much higher pur- teenth century was no time for Christ to come. If He pose of demonstrating to the world the one truly suc- had shown up then, with His answer to men's needs, cessful way to solve all problems. John Noyes reasoned the bulk of the world's population would have re- that since everything that belongs to Christ belongs jected Him as quite unnecessary since they had solu- to every Christian it follows that every Christian tions enough of their own. woman belongs to every Christian man; he tried to But as we look around us today there is a changed prove that a careful matching of a variety of mates attitude. More and more, men are coming to see that would improve the human race to the point of perfec- the world's problems are beyond human solution. Even tion. After fewer than forty years, family quarrels in ebullient, optimistic America there is an increasing broke up his model home, and he took off for Canada, realization that the world is plunging downward to leaving the world worse than he had found it. So more self-destruction at an alarming pace. Crime, poverty, experiments were tried and failed, and still but few war, and pollution are all out of control; and no one people were willing to try God's way. seems able to slow the swift pace to utter ruin. Control In the 1830's Joseph Smith claimed to have found is all anyone hopes for; that these problems might several golden plates, which, according to some stu- actually be eliminated—a prospect that seemed so dents of the period, offered solutions for all the most hopefully possible a hundred years ago—is now con- pressing problems of that time. The Mormons have sidered quite unrealistic. proved to be a clean, upstanding people; yet they A group of distinguished scientists, historians, and would be the first to agree that their system of belief economists gathered in Colorado just a few weeks ago. has not brought in the perfect society nor established Describing the meeting for the New York Times, James lasting peace. Reston wrote: "All insist that the human family is ap- After Mormonism moved west, William Miller proaching an historic crisis which will require funda- preached that Christ would come "about 1843." Stu- mental revisions in the organization of society." But dents of economics can show that there was a financial though there was agreement about the problem, what depression in the early 1840's. To hundreds of thou- to do about it produced "a babble of disagreement." sands of poor people with pinched pockets, Miller's Henry Steele Commager, the famous historian, pro- prophecy offered instant Utopia, the quickest route to posed giving heavy jail sentences to polluters of the permanent peace yet proposed, and they flocked to environment. Dr. Jonas Salk urged that ethics and him in great numbers. But that they didn't really care values be advanced so as to keep pace with scientific for the spiritual message Miller preached is convinc- and technical knowledge. Harvey Brooks, engineering ingly demonstrated by the speed with which they left (Continued on page 25)

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ittliffro •o```° n \kw by H. L. Rudy Most people would listen on their knees to anyone who could make God real to them. But no one else's knowledge can be a substitute for one's own. The truth for me must be the truth I discover, not something that I am told other people believed many years ago. As George MacDonald has said, "Each generation must do its own seeking and finding. The fathers hav- ing found is only the warrant for the children's search." The truth is that man is enveloped with the presence of God. The apostle Paul testified, "God that made the world and all things therein" is "not far from every one of us: for in him we live, and move, and have our being." Acts 17:24, 27, 28. The story is told of a visitor on the coast of Maine who started a Sunday School on one of the islands. "How many of you," he asked the children, "have ever seen the Atlantic Ocean?" There was surprising silence. Those children had never heard of the Atlantic Ocean, yet they could see it from every part of their island; they bathed in it, and they heard the sound of its waves day and night. Nobody had ever named it to them nor inter- preted it to their minds. So it is with the surrounding presence of God through His Spirit. Many people do not realize that their Get Acquainted With God! little island of existence is ringed cover the foul form of adultery; the there. He pointed up the lasting about by the Spirit of God, in whom sharp thrust of God's lancet when consequences of this evil, the dark they "live, and move, and have their Nathan the prophet drove it into shadow that would rest on David being." David's conscience; and the king's throughout the remainder of his If our search for God is to be re- confession. life: "The sword shall never depart warding, we must look for God in Months passed between the crime from thine house. . . . Thus saith the realm of the spirit. The knowl- and the appearance of Nathan in the Lord, Behold, I will raise up edge of God is spiritually discerned. the palace. What sort of time it had evil against thee out of thine own It comes to man as a spiritual ex- been, David tells us in two of the house, and I will take thy wives perience. Every seeker after God psalms, the fifty-first and the thirty- before thine eyes, and give them must "taste" to "see that the Lord second. After the coarse satisfaction unto thy neighbor, and he shall lie is good." Psalm 34:8. No one can of sin the voice of conscience arose with thy wives in the sight of this taste food for us; tasting is a per- and kept on speaking in ever-in- sun. For thou didst it secretly: but sonal experience. So learning about creasing volume. The music of Da- I will do this thing before all Is- God must be a personal experience vid's soul became silent. He could rael, and before the sun." for each of us. not speak to God of his sin. Day David was now ready to hear But there is a condition that must and night the hand of God was God's sentence. The dike that had be met before man can know God. heavy upon him. The "moisture" of held back the confession of his great We must let go self, let go our pride his spirit became as the "drought transgression had melted away. He and our self-sufficiency, before we of summer." See Psalm 32:3, 4. Ap- saw the awful wickedness of his can grasp the nature and character parently the "bread of deceit" was deed. He caught a glimpse of his of God. Jesus left no doubt about sweet for a moment, but soon his shameful ingratitude toward God's this when He told His followers: mouth was "filled with gravel." See goodness. Remorse filled his heart. "Except ye be converted, and be- Proverbs 20:17. David learned what Without delay and in true repent- come as little children, ye shall not every sinner experiences: that the ance "David said unto Nathan, I enter into the kingdom of heaven." satisfaction of sin always has in it a have sinned against the Lord. And Matthew 18:3. This condition im- nauseous drug that spoils the fun. Nathan said unto David, The Lord plies childlike faith and trust. As Life became so dreary for David also hath put away thy sin; thou the little child believes and trusts that he felt as if the bones of his shalt not die." 2 Samuel 12:13. its loving parents, so man must be- body had been broken. See Psalm How short the confession! The lieve and trust God. He must put 51:8. sinner was too deeply moved to aside all fear and fretfulness and It was at this low point in the multiply words. More was not nec- allow God to take over the direc- king's life that Nathan the prophet essary. God understood. And how tion and leadership of his life. appeared with a message of mer- brief was the prophet's response: This is not an easy step for self- ciful rebuke. First the prophet "The Lord hath put away thy sin." willed man to take. It was not easy pressed home the charge: "Thou The estrangement was ended. The for David of old to learn complete art the man." Then followed the transition from abject misery to submission. David did not really enumeration of the benefits that peace with God had been made. know God until after his confron- God had bestowed upon David The full turn in this sinner's life tation with Him when he faced the throughout his reign. Thereupon toward God was negotiated. Divine foul sin he had committed against came the solemn question: "Where- pardon had been received. Then one of his loyal soldiers. In the fore hast thou despised the com- followed the penitent's prayer: "Be- second book of Samuel, chapters mandment of the Lord, to do evil in hold, Thou desirest truth in the in- eleven and twelve, the story of this His sight?" 2 Samuel 12:9. With the ward parts: and in the hidden part evil deed and the consequent expe- question came the unvarnished de- Thou shalt make me to know wis- rience that came to David is told in scription of the sin: "Thou hast dom. Purge me with hyssop, and I all its hideous details: Bathsheba's killed Uriah the Hittite with the shall be clean: wash me, and I shall willing complicity; the murder of sword, and hast taken his wife to be whiter than snow. Make me to Uriah the Hittite in an attempt to be thy wife." Nathan did not stop hear joy and gladness; that the

22 SIGNS OF THE TIMES bones which Thou hast broken may he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy man glory in his riches: but let him rejoice. Hide Thy face from my shall compass him about." Psalm that glorieth glory in this, that he sins, and blot out all mine iniqui- 32:10. understandeth and knoweth Me, ties. Create in me a clean heart, 0 So when future trials and afflic- that I am the Lord which exer- God; and renew a right spirit within tions came to him, David cast cise loving-kindness, judgment, and me. Cast me not away from Thy himself upon the mercies of his righteousness, in the earth." Jere- presence; and take not Thy Holy God. He continued to dwell in the miah 9:23, 24. Spirit from me. Restore unto me atmosphere of grace, "surrounded The ancient prophet was speak- the joy of Thy salvation; and up- with a bodyguard of mercies," as ing to God's chosen people at a hold me with Thy free spirit. Then Spurgeon put it. When the burden time of great crisis and peril. The will I teach transgressors Thy ways; of sorrow became heavy and the Chaldeans were preparing to take and sinners shall be converted unto venomous head of discouragement Jerusalem and carry its inhabitants Thee. Deliver me from bloodguilti- raised itself against him, he knew as captives away from their homes. ness, 0 God, Thou God of my sal- that the Lord would strengthen What was the defense of God's vation: and my tongue shall sing him. Psalm 27:14. Centuries later people? Some trusted in their wis- aloud of Thy righteousness." Psalm Paul penned the reassuring prom- dom, that they could outwit the 51: 6-14. ise of Christ: "My grace is sufficient enemy. Others trusted in their God answered that heartfelt for thee." 2 Corinthians 12:9. strength, forgetting that the battle prayer for cleansing and inward By grace the pardoned sinner is is not always to the strong. And revival. In the thirty-second psalm enveloped with the abiding Spirit others trusted in wealth, that money David gave glorious expression to of God. By grace the evil that is would buy them safety. But the the blessedness and joy that filled always pressing for entrance is kept people soon discovered that all his life after he had been delivered out. Of all the gifts that can be these resources failed when they from "bloodguiltiness." His confes- bestowed upon man, God's "grace were needed most. Nor can they be sion and the reconciliation with and regard are the inheritance that relied upon with certainty today. God that followed were all the more lasts forever," as Luther said. "In The only comfort and assurance moving and wonderful because giving us gifts, He gives us only in the time of trouble is to know David not only recognized his what is His, but in His grace and in and understand the God of heaven, great guilt but was also reconciled His regard of us He gives His very that He is the Lord and will be our to the fact that the dark shadow of self. In the gifts we touch His hand; rejoicing in the day of evil. We may his evil deed would follow him but in His gracious regard we re- glory in this, that wherever we are, throughout the remainder of his life. ceive His heart, Spirit, mind, and or whatever the circumstances sur- The evil results of his sin dis- will."—Luther's Works, 7:571. rounding us, we have acquaintance graced his family, his household, How rich and beautiful life be- with a God who exercises "loving- and his realm. All that God said comes when it is touched by God kindness, judgment, and righteous- would follow in consequence of and His marvelous grace! A true ness, in the earth," who is just to David's sin came to pass. Neverthe- knowledge and understanding of all His creatures, kind to all His less, deliverance from his guilty God is greater than all the gifts the children, and will protect and pro- conscience and the blessedness of world has to offer. It is the one ob- vide for them. forgiveness were sweet in compari- jective that modern man has so It was in the possession of such son with the sorrows David en- sadly lost sight of in all his striving knowledge of God that David dured. In place of the earthly suf- for knowledge. There is nothing wrote, "This poor man cried, and fering that was the natural result more urgent for our generation the Lord heard him, and saved him of transgression, God restored to than to give serious attention to out of all his troubles. The angel of him the joy of salvation and com- God's Word in this regard. Through the Lord encampeth round about passed him about with "songs of Jeremiah the prophet the Lord said, them that fear Him, and delivereth deliverance." David was thinking "Let not the wise man glory in his them. 0 taste and see that the Lord of himself when he wrote: "Many wisdom, neither let the mighty man is good: blessed is the man that sorrows shall be to the wicked: but glory in his might, let not the rich trusteth in Him." Psalm 34:6-8. ❑

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LONG-HAIRED CHRIST? raisins, grape juice, or wine. See can give them is surely to practice My parents are forever making Numbers 6; Judges 13. Jesus was the golden rule. Imagine you are cute remarks to their friends about sometimes called a "Nazarene" their age. Think what questions you the length of my hair. It nearly (Matthew 2:23) because He grew would have about your child and cracks them up, but it makes me up in Nazareth, but we know He how you would worry about him as mad. Why can't they lay off for a was not a "Nazirite," for He drank you read in the papers about other while? They claim to be Christians; some form of grape juice on occa- young people. don't they know that Jesus Christ sion. Matthew 11:19; 26:29. Teach them about yourself, and wore long hair? But if you should say that Jesus about your dreams, and friends, and must have worn His hair at least dates. Don't be in the least phony If I were writing your parents I medium-long because that was the with them. They'll see through you would quote Ephesians 6:4, "Fath- custom in His day ( whether it was and become all the more tense. ers, provoke not your children to or not ), wouldn't you have asserted Don't be tense yourself. Talk wrath." I would ask them, "Where more than you wanted to—namely, quietly, conversationally, so as not does the Bible say your children that Jesus had more sense than to to upset them. must have short hair?" I would urge upset people by defying custom Signal "over" occasionally and them only to ask you to honor your over so inconsequential a question give them a chance to explain their body as a temple of God (1 Corin- as the length of His hair, and that hang-ups and fears about you. thians 6:19, 20) and keep it neat and He kept his powder dry so He Communicate. clean. could make an issue out of other Pray for them. Pray with them But since I am writing to you, things that really mattered, like let me ask, "How do you know that when it's appropriate. Let them loving your neighbor as yourself? hear you saying, "Dear God, help Jesus had long hair?" Do you real- If your parents should make love ize that the Bible nowhere says He Mother and Dad to be good par- not war over the rights and privi- ents. Help them to understand me had, and that we have no contem- leges of your scalp, shouldn't you? porary account outside the Bible and to be the kind of parents You would like them to be. Help me to that says He had? I am always PARENTS TOO OLD amazed when I hear people say understand them and to be the kind that hippies look like Jesus. Who This may sound corny—but if my of son You want me to be." knows for sure that they do? parents were the same age as my On the other hand, we have friends' parents, my life would be ADVENTIST EXPLOSION very different. I was born when pretty good evidence that Jesus, I notice from various contacts they were middle-aged, and I'm even if He may have worn His hair with Seventh-day Adventists that longish, did trim it so as to keep it their only child. I know most teen- they still hope, as they did decades agers think their parents are too neat. Among the Jews of His day ago, to get their "message" to the old to understand, but mine really only the relatively scarce Nazirites whole world. I hope they can, for are. They're nearly sixty! refused to cut their hair at all—as I think the world needs it; but with a religious duty—just as they also Why not come to their rescue? the population explosion producing refused to partake of any product At their age they need all the help each year 70,000,000 new people, of the vine, whether fresh grapes, they can get; and the best help you how can it ever be done?

24 SIGNS OF THE TIMES 1. However long or short a time it may take to present Christian- ity to the world, Christ will not come till it is done. Jesus said, "This (Continued from page 20) gospel of the kingdom shall be professor at Harvard, proposed that man's best hope preached in all the world for a wit- lay in "continuing economic growth." No one hoped ness unto all nations; and then shall to reach anything better than "modest goals." the end come." Matthew 24:14. There is a beautiful verse in the Psalms that says 2. Jesus said only that the good that when men are "at their wit's end," the Lord "bring- news was to be preached to the eth them out of their distresses." Psalm 107:27, 28. The whole world; He did not say every- margin puts it, when "all their wisdom is swallowed one would accept it. We need not up." How accurately those words describe the situa- expect the second coming to be tion in the world today! But note, it is then—when all delayed until the world has been men's wisdom is swallowed up and they are at their converted. "Evil men . . . shall wax wit's end—that Jesus comes. worse and worse" until the end. Repeatedly Jesus followed that pattern when He 2 Timothy 3:13. lived on earth two thousand years ago. Although He was always willing to help, He usually stayed away 3. Modern technology makes the until His services were asked for. distribution of news fantastically The second chapter of John says that He visited a rapid. Transistor radios are ubiqui- marriage feast in Cana. His participation in that social tous; 90 percent of all Americans event was the same as that of any other guest as long knew of President Kennedy's death as the people in charge were handling the various within twenty minutes, and 90 per- problems that came up. But when the supply of wine cent of the rest of the world within ran out and the woman in charge of the refreshments forty! admitted that the problem was beyond her, Jesus 4. The population is exploding at sprang into action. He solved the problem quickly and 2 percent a year. Adventists, at 6 completely, and in a way far better than anyone had percent a year, are "exploding" dared to hope for. three times as fast! By God's grace Mark tells us that Jairus's twelve-year-old daughter they earnestly expect to complete fell ill. Jairus did not immediately call for Jesus, and their part of the great commis- the little girl grew worse. Only when she was "at the sion. point of death" ( Mark 5:23) did the father set out to find the Master Healer. While he was on his way, the MAN'S OR GOD'S? girl died, passing beyond all human aid. And that's when Jesus came. When all men's wisdom was "swal- The Sabbath is not the day of the lowed up." And again His solution was better than Lord. Jesus said it was "made for anyone had dared to hope for. man." When He said "the Son of It was the same with the man at the pool of Be- man is Lord of the Sabbath" (Mark thesda. See John 5. For many years this old man had 2:27, 28), He meant that the Son of been sure he could take care of himself, one way or man as a human was superior to another. But after thirty-eight years he finally realized the Sabbath. that he couldn't. His problems were too much for him. All his wisdom was swallowed up. He was finally A few years ago I bought a home. ready to let God take charge. And that's when Jesus It is my home. came and healed him. It is also the home of my wife Because Jesus is the same today as He was then, we and child. have greater confidence now than ever before that I bought it "for them"—and also Jesus is coming soon. The whole appalling mess the for myself. world is in today and man's increasing realization The Bible says "the seventh day of his impotence to solve his mounting problems is is the Sabbath of the Lord." Exodus sure and certain evidence that Jesus will be here soon. 20:10. It also says that the Sabbath Happily, He will not solve the world's problems in was made "for man." This is the any human manner. What He will do with this old polluted world will be better than anything anyone ultimate genius of the Sabbath; it has dared to hope for. He will make "all things new." is a day for unique spiritual fel- "There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor lowship between God and His hu- crying, neither shall there be any more pain." Revela- man creatures. "God's day"—"for tion 21:4. man." Should the Signs of the Times still preach that Let's honor God by observing the Christ is coming soon? Certainly it should. And it day He set aside for us. will continue to do so in clear and unmistakable terms. His coming is nearer than it has ever been. And thank JANUARY, 1971 God it is! ❑ Go! I Who would deny credit to our astronauts for their superb perfor- mances in the Apollo spaceships? Surely not I. And yet I am about to contend that they were only the technicians in missions that were masterminded from earth. We have honored our brave as- tronauts on many occasions. The President of the United States has personally congratulated them. They have ridden in the place of honor in many parades. They have

made speeches and prepared arti- UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL cles for national journals. We con- Apollo 11 taking off on the historic mission that first placed men on the moon . . . David sider them to be national heroes, Scott and Neil Armstrong in training . . . Chris Craft, director of Apollo flights. . and rightly so. The astronauts have been se- various parts of the world; some nauts themselves, but they would lected from a large group of quali- were on communications ships, re- be the first to pay him high tribute fied men. Their bodies are near- covery ships, and recovery aircraft; and to say that without him the perfect; their intelligence ranks others were at the computer center flights would have been impossible. high; and their emotional control at Goddard, near Washington, D.C., And now we come to our reason is the best. They have undergone or at the Mission Control Center at for referring to the Apollo flights. months, even years, of specialized Houston, Texas. We are speaking primarily, in this training and have come through For every organization there must article, of the manner in which the with skills such as no other human be a headquarters and some person human brain provides a unified con- beings possess. Yet, of themselves in charge. For the Apollo flights, trol for the entire body and, at the and without the sustained help of the headquarters has been at Hous- same time, maintains a conscious others, they would not have been ton's Mission Control Center, and awareness of what is taking place. able to accomplish their missions. the person in charge at the time of The brain serves the human body Space travel requires the coordi- the first manned moon landings was in much the same manner as the nated effort of hundreds of people, Chris Kraft, a skilled aeronautical Mission Control Center has served most of whom are specialists in engineer who gave the orders at the Apollo missions, and so we are their own fields. Some have to do each step of the flights. using this as an illustration. with the fuel which the spaceship Kraft had available to him all This is the first of a series of ar- carries; others, with the controls; data relating to each flight as it ticles which will appear in the Signs many are concerned with commu- progressed. The computers digested of the Times throughout 1971 on nications; and others, with the the various items of raw informa- various aspects of the human per- recovery of the astronauts after re- tion and fed them continuously to sonality. We will consider such mat- entry. There are some who simply the control center where Kraft held ters as the development of personal do standby duty, being available in forth. Once he made a decision, his traits, factors that modify the per- case they are needed. word became law, and all parties sonality, the influence of a person's Many of these participating per- followed his instructions without thoughts and emotions on his state sons were stationed at Cape Ken- question and without deviation. of health, and the means of preserv- nedy, the site of the blast-offs; oth- We would not say that Kraft de- ing good mental health. As a pre- ers operated tracking stations in serves more credit than the astro- lude, this first article provides a

26 SIGNS OF THE TIMES definition of consciousness and an ruled by the brain, they act inde- understanding of how the brain is pendently as circumstances require. related to all other parts of the hu- Next in the hierarchical organiza- man organism. tion of the body's control system is You Can Be the Person Each of the body's parts is mar- the so-called brain stem which is the You Want to Be velous and is capable of performing upward continuation of the spinal its particular function somewhat cord and is located inside the skull. autonomously and in the best way Here we have the nerve centers by Harold Shryock, M.D. possible. Note how the eyes trans- which control the functions of the form the energy of light into ner- body's organs as well as certain of First of a New Series on God's vous impulses that are relayed to the complicated movements of the Design for Human Personality the brain. The stomach aids in the head and eyes as they keep a mov- Development chemical transformation of food ing object constantly in view. into substances of simple composi- Then come the important control tion which the body can use as areas located near the center of building materials and for the pro- the head—the thalamus and hypo- duction of energy. The heart pro- thalamus. In complexity these ex- pels the blood which carries oxygen ceed the brain stem. They regulate not act promptly. Here there can be and nourishment to every living the amount of water which is re- delay before a decision is reached cell throughout the organism. tained within the body, adjust the and before a course of action is But the functions of the body's production and dissipation of heat, determined. It is in the cortex that various parts must be coordinated. manage the other metabolic pro- the highest intellectual functions There must be a headquarters and cesses, and also help to coordinate occur. It is by action in the cortex a boss. This headquarters must be important body movements. that a person understands what in communication with all parts of There is still one more level of he reads and the words he hears the body so as to know everything control in the nervous system. This spoken. It is here that words are that is taking place at all times. It is of the highest order and is the chosen and speech is initiated. must be informed of changes as most complicated. All of the con- But the cortex is more than a they occur, and it must be capable trol centers mentioned thus far can dominant control center. Just as the of issuing orders for making adjust- be dominated by this highest cen- Mission Control Center at Houston ments to these changes. ter. It is located in the cortex ( sur- consists of more than instruments Of course it is the brain which face layer) of the brain. Inasmuch with dials and lights, so the human serves as the body's headquarters. as it can dominate all other levels cortex provides that mysterious ele- Through millions of nerve con- of control, it necessarily receives ment which forms the basis for per- nections, the brain is constantly nerve impulses from all of these. sonality. The electronic equipment informed, either consciously or un- All of the body's sensations are reg- at Houston cannot, of itself, make consciously, of the condition of all istered here. The interpretation of decisions and issue orders. It takes parts of the body. Furthermore, vision, hearing, and the other spe- a Chris Kraft to do that. And it is the brain is able to issue orders cial senses is accomplished in the because Chris Kraft is a human be- which pass as nervous impulses to cortex. Memories are stored here; ing with a brain of his own that he the body's muscles and glands so evaluations and judgments occur was able to provide that crucial that they can cooperate in the ac- here. It is here that all of the body's link in the system of communica- tivities of the moment. purposeful movements are initiated. tions and control that was so essen- But just as in the organization When a person decides to walk, the tial to the success of the program which has made space flights pos- decision occurs in the cortex, as for space travel. sible—where we have many subor- does also the activation of the lower In the nervous systems of higher dinate headquarters which are re- control centers for moving the mus- animals there is the same plan of sponsible to the Mission Control cles that are involved in walking. organization, from lower to higher Center—so in the human body there In carrying out our comparison levels of control, that exists in the are substations at various levels of with the system of controls for space human. There is even a certain ca- control. The body's simplest control travel, the cortex of the brain is pacity for memory and for making centers operate automatically and comparable to the Mission Control minor decisions—witness the refusal provide reflex responses. This is the Center at Houston. All data is avail- of the riding horse, when so in- kind of response that causes a per- able here. At every moment of clined, to ford a rocky stream. son to withdraw his finger instan- wakefulness, the cortex is aware of But only in the human brain do taneously when he touches some- present circumstances both inside we find the capacity for con- thing hot or when he is pricked by and outside the body as reported by sciousness developed to the ulti- the point of a pin. Most of these the nerve circuits that reach the mate. Here it is possible for the lowest level reflex centers are lo- cortex from the skin, the tendons individual to lay aside personal in- cated in the spinal cord. They are and muscles, the internal organs, terests, if he will, and give consider- equipped with two-way connections and the organs of special sense like ation to the welfare of others. Here with the brain; but, unless over- the eyes and ears. The cortex need it is possible to engage in abstract

JANUARY, 1971 27 All SystemsGo! thinking, to consider cause and ef- functions, we come to realize that ity. Each person possesses capabili- fect deliberately, to make plans for what really makes the brain so val- ties and assets which enable him to the distant future and carry these uable to us is that it possesses two accomplish great things in life if he out, even at the price of present in- outstanding capacities: the capacity only chooses to do so. To whatever convenience or discomfort. It is only for consciousness and the capacity extent he comes short of develop- in the human brain that we have for making choices. Human con- ing the best that is in him, to that the capacity to use intelligible lan- sciousness has breadth and depth extent he has failed to take full ad- guage either written or spoken, to and meaning far beyond that pos- vantage of his inherent resources. communicate thoughts and senti- sessed by any of the higher ani- To whatever extent he chooses self- ments. It is in the human brain only mals. It embraces not only a full ishly rather than being willing to that we have the full-blown capac- awareness of present circumstances use his talents and abilities for the ity to love and be loved—to experi- including the state of comfort or good of others, to that extent he ence and exert the kind of love discomfort, the view of surround- has failed in his life's mission. which is unselfishly concerned first ings, and the touch and sound of As we have just observed the or- with the interests of the one who what is outside, but also the per- derliness in the organization of the is cherished and only secondarily spective of one's position in the human nervous system, let us now with one's own welfare. It is only in stream of time as provided by mem- turn our attention, as we conclude the human brain that matters of ories of past events. A person can the article, to the orderliness in the ethics take on significance and, ulti- direct his thoughts to the future universe about us. The astronauts mately, the control of conduct. It and experience, through imagina- and their confreres who planned is only here that the individual is tion, a consciousness of things the Apollo flights relied completely able to direct his course of action which have not yet taken place. on their understanding of certain in harmony with what he considers The other capacity, that for ex- "laws of nature" such as those re- to be right and proper rather than ercising choice, enables the human lating to gravitational influences because of his fear of consequences. being to rise above his circum- and inertia. If there is orderliness It is only in the human brain that stances and determine not only in that portion of the universe of there can develop questions and what he is going to do today which we have knowledge, is there answers on the origin and destiny and tomorrow but also make of not a system of control which is of the human race and of the uni- himself the kind of person he over and above that which we can verse as we know it. chooses to be. And with this exer- touch with our fingers and see with As we analyze the brain's unique cise of choice comes a responsibil- our eyes? Note what the Scriptures tell us in this matter: UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL "Before anything else existed, there was Christ, with God. He has always been alive and is Himself God. He created everything there is—nothing exists that He didn't make." John 1:1-3, Living NT. "Christ Himself is the Creator who made everything in heaven and earth, the things we can see and the things we can't; the spirit world with its kings and kingdoms, its rulers and authorities: all were made by Christ for His own use and glory. He was before all else began and it is His power that holds everything together." Colos- sians 1:16, 17, Living NT. "God's Son shines out with God's glory, and all that God's Son is and does marks Him as God. He regu- lates the universe by the mighty power of His command." Hebrews 1:3, Living NT. 0

28 SIGNS OF THE TIMES here is very little hope for some the standards—how often it should be nothers; most of them are bound to done or how well it should be done— Tfail. They have some inner compul- have gone up. This is especially true in sion to set their standards constantly the care of our children. beyond what they are capable of doing. In the days of our grandmothers, As each laborsaving device appears, whenever there was a baby in a house, and one job becomes a little easier, they the house was entitled to smell like wet add on something else they must do to here diapers and sour milk. Then when our prove they are good mothers. No, being mothers had children and automatic good mothers is not enough; they must SWome washing machines, the time saved from each be a little better than every other washing diapers and dresses and sheets mother. Mother could now be used to wash blankets, Women have always served as moth- pads, her own clothes, the whole crib, ers, cooks, nurses, carpenters, plumbers, et cetera. If she really put her mind to psychologists, teachers, seamstresses, Fail it, she could keep things fresh and and in many other capacities. Some are smelling clean. But to do this, she must good at one job and some at another. work just short of exhaustion, so it was Most women who cannot cook freely THEY REACH acceptable for her to look unkempt and admit that they are poor cooks, and the TOO FAR! worn-out. Mothers of small babies usu- same is true for clumsy women carpen- ally looked as if they needed an ap- ters and queasy nurses. But no woman pointment with the hairdresser and a will sit still if she is called a poor good nap. mother. Laugh at the shelf she nailed But now, even this is unacceptable. up, and she will laugh with you; make The fact that the house is clean and fun of her new dress she sewed, and sterile is taken for granted. The time she will admit that it does not fit. But saved by not ironing no-iron clothes, criticize her abilities as a mother, and and by bottle feeding instead of nursing, she will defend herself to the bitter endl can now be spent combing, curling, The job of a mother has always been powdering, and moisturizing. While the time-consuming. Some years ago the dirty clothes are being washed and standards a mother had to reach were baby is bottling, mother can set her hair fairly elementary. She had to love her and change her clothes. Then by the children, feed them, clothe them, pro- time she has zipped through the house vide them with a warm place to sleep, with the vacuum, her hair is dry and she and not work them too hard. But during is ready to go to the grocery store, both those years this took all the time she herself and the baby clean, combed, had. and powdered. She painstakingly made her family's Things could get a little easier as clothes and saw to it that everyone had babies grow up and walk alone. Can an everyday outfit and a Sunday outfit, you remember walking home from plus the outside extras like coats, hats, school on a cold day? Your hands were and mittens. Then the sewing machine numb, and you could hardly talk be- appeared and sewing became faster. cause your face was so stiff with cold. Surely when many a husband bought I would walk into a warm house with one he was thinking that now his wife a smiling mother ready to help take off could have some time to rest at the end my coat and rub my hands. There would of the day. Since she would now be able be fresh cinnamon toast and hot choco- to provide everyone with clothing so late waiting for me. Nothing felt so good much quicker, she need not look so as that warm kitchen and cocoa. rushed and tired. But somebody started Just enough mothers started carting using the spare time to make her chil- their kids back and forth to school in dren two everyday outfits so they could bad weather that soon it was obvious always be clean and ironed. Mistaking to the kids that some mothers loved their this act of pride for an act of love, all children better than others. These moth- the other mothers scrambled to make ers would smile pridefully as they said extra outfits, worried that their children with a fake apology, "I just worry so might appear unloved and uncared-for. about little Annie getting her feet wet. Only too soon three outfits were stan- I know I'm oversolicitous, but—" dard, with red mittens to go with the The other mothers seethed inwardly Sunday outfit, or a pink hat to wear to —and started carting their ownl Then birthday parties. Mothers with four or they carted their kids to school on the five children really had to scramble. And nice days as well as on the bad ones. once again the husband would see his They could smile back now, patting wife at the end of the day frantically Jerry's little head and saying, "Of course trying to catch up, to keep her children it is not necessary, but I always worry in striped pants or lace petticoats. until I know he's safe at school." Through the years, washing machines, Encouragement Very few mothers can hold out against gas stoves, detergents, and cotton knit this kind of pressure. They may not be clothes have appeared to help cut down Worried Mot taken in by the motives of the solicitous the work load of the housewife. Every- mothers, but their children are; and the one agrees that nowadays it is not so children do not hesitate to tell fathers hard to wash clothes, prepare a meal, Pat Hoyt and friends and grandparents how nice or clean a house as it used to be. But some mothers arel So the more ener- unfortunately as the amount of time getic mothers retaliate by driving young- necessary to do a job has gone down, sters to Scout meetings, music lessons, D. TANK JANUARY, 1971 29 basketball practice; they even load was always added to the diet of grits When children start experiencing bikes into the car with the kids to haul and meat. Then a few women who felt things away from home—school, Scouts, them where they meet for bike hikes. (It pretty grand, added a vegetable and et cetera—a mother is more important wouldn't be safe for the children to ride salad to every meal. This could only be as a loving guide and a mature coun- their bikes to the bicycle meets.) The outdone by adding doughnuts or apple selor than as a quick and efficient trans- mothers who have only a few children pie or tapioca pudding. Soon every meal portation system. Guiding and counsel- are usually the leaders in the battles. was expected to be a balanced master- ing others takes thought and knowledge The mothers of many trudge wearily piece, balanced but constantly changing and planning—all things which need along, trying to keep up without losing and varied. Today a woman has no ex- time to read, listen, and learn. Maybe their grip on sanity. cuse for not setting a daily banquet on someday enough women will begin to In our neighborhood, jackets and hats the dinner table, but there goes all the realize that a certain amount of time and raincoats are anachronisms. Chil- leisure time made available by pre- should be kept for themselves, and they dren think they are ornamental wear pared foods. will start the trend moving in the oppo- like pompoms on their shoes or tassels Outside jobs are easily found to fill site direction. on their zippers. They have no idea in the spare time of all those mothers We need a large number of mothers what their real purpose is. Hot cocoa is whose families need more material who will do what is necessary for their just a sweet drink. They are never cold goods. Sewing machines have made full children and who will firmly refuse to enough or wet enough to appreciate closets for every member of the family do what is not necessary. If you and I being warm and dry. They step from mandatory. Washing machines, which make our stand today, that will be a house to car to school in a pouring rain I consider the greatest invention of all start. We can let our children put on and do little more than dampen the soles time, have made any article of clothing their raincoats and walk home in the of their shoes. Even on an icy day they with a single dirty spot absolutely un- rain so that they will enjoy the dryness greet hot chocolate with indifference. acceptable. Vacuum cleaners and air of the house after the wetness of the After stepping from a heated school into conditioners have made it possible—and rain. We can let them learn to ride the a heated car and then into a heated therefore necessary—for a home to be buses instead of always expecting us house, they look for something cold to dust-free at all times and clean at any to be at their beck and call. We can be drink. hour of the day or night. Cars have satisfied with a less-than-neat house so Our ancestors ate what they could made it impossible for anyone to walk. the whole family can look forward to grow and when it was in season. If the They have also made it intolerably self- coming home to a relaxed atmosphere lettuce was eaten by rabbits, the people ish for any mother not to appear at all where mother has time to listen. We did without salads. When wheat did not class functions or not to volunteer to must realize that a spotless house and grow, they cut down on bread. If only help in all childhood activities. a four-course dinner can never take the potatoes and meat were available, sup- Women will keep on having less time place of a welcoming smile. per was fairly easy to prepare. instead of more if the present trend con- Breaking our necks is not absolutely Canned and frozen foods appeared, tinues. For some reason it seems to be necessary to being good mothers. We and nutrition became a year-round deeply ingrained that the mother who must judge our success by how well we thing. Preparation time was cut to a gives her children the most and who use our own capabilities rather than fraction, so here again a little extra does the most for them is the one by how well the neighbor next door time was available. First a vegetable who loves them the most. uses hers. ❑

Declaring the Glory of God about it. It is a tremendous book. that their lives have been changed or Then in the New Testament there's that they've been encouraged in a dark (Continued from page 9) the whole story of the life of Christ moment. Then I feel that it is really told in different ways by four differ- worthwhile. Which book or chapter of the Bible ent writers. Besides being an editor and writer, means the most to you? In Psalm 147 is a passage I love. you are also an evangelist. What would "His understanding is infinite." What a The Bible becomes illuminated ac- you like to see done to strengthen the glorious text! In times of sorrow, in cording to circumstances. Something impact of Christ's message of hope to times of perplexity—"His understand- happens in your life, and you go to the the world? ing is infinite." What a marvelous, Bible and see something entirely new The finishing of His work on the comforting thought it is! that you never saw before. For the mo- earth must come from the Word of And so you go through the Scrip- ment that chapter is the most wonder- God. It must come through contact tures and, as the light flashes, suddenly ful chapter because it fits into your per- with God and living with Him. I don't you see the jewel in a new setting that sonal need or present circumstances. think that anybody could organize you never saw before. I remember once reading Deuter- that. It springs spontaneously out of onomy, and as I read it I said, "I never What are some of the special joys hearts that have found God and want dreamed that there was such a wonder- you have experienced as a writer and to serve Him and see His work fin- ful book in the Bible." I thought be- editor of Christian literature? ished. Out of that experience will fore that Deuteronomy was a pretty Letters coming in from readers all come a devotion and an enthusiasm to dull thing, but there's nothing dull over the world, from people saying see that work completed. ❑

30 SIGNS OF THE TIMES be hard, but after that you will fall the use of the new medicine. It is into the routine quite easily. You not contended that L-dopa is cura- have had willpower enough to quit tive or that it even retards the usual smoking; surely you will be able to progression of Parkinson's disease. master the "hold your weight" pro- It is confidently hoped, of course, gram. that as more is learned about the For some, the hardest part is to drug, its proper use will make life eat a good breakfast. So often the more tolerable for those who are person who gains weight is one afflicted with this disease. who eats only a doughnut for break- As far as your father is concerned, fast, nibbles all day trying to satisfy I suggest that you contact the head your health his continuing hunger, and then of the neurology service at your tops it off with a big meal in the nearest university hospital and de- questions evening. It is this evening meal, termine whether your father might answered following which there is very little be eligible for treatment with L- physical activity, that puts on the dopa on an experimental basis. by Harold Shryock, M.D. pounds. If you have no appetite for break- SAFETY OF "THE PILL" fast, try getting up twenty minutes earlier than usual. Take some vig- Recently I have seen several ar- ticles which state that it is danger- EX-SMOKER GAINS WEIGHT orous exercise for a few minutes, and follow this with a hot shower, ous to take "the pill." I have been I quit smoking two months ago a cold shower, and a vigorous rub- taking it for two years now and after having smoked for twenty down. Each day, on such an early- have had no problems. Please tell years. Within these two months I morning exercise program, you will me what are the dangers. have gained twenty-two pounds. find your appetite improving until There is now available, free Please advise me on how to keep soon you will be looking forward through your doctor, a brochure from gaining weight. to breakfast. entitled What You Should Know There are several reasons why After thoroughly satisfying your About "the Pill." It has been pre- many people gain weight after they increasing appetite at breakfast pared by the American Medical As- quit smoking. Food tastes better time, it is not hard for you to keep sociation in cooperation with the and smells better and so it is natural your appetite within bounds for the American College of Obstetricians for one to eat more of it. Also, dur- rest of the day. and Gynecologists and the Food ing that early period when one still and Drug Administration. It points craves a cigarette at frequent in- out that, when taken according to L-DOPA tervals, having a snack provides directions, "the pill" is by far the something for one to do until the I hear there is a new medicine most effective means of birth con- urge weakens—but snacks contain for Parkinson's disease. My father trol short of surgical sterilization. calories! has this disease, and I would like As with other potent drugs, side There is an easy way for you to to know how effective the medicine effects occur in some users. Some of keep from gaining more weight. is and how I can arrange for him the unwelcome symptoms are harm- Then, once you have become ac- to receive it. less and some are indications of se- customed to it as well as to doing The new medicine which has rious complications. For the most without smoking, you can eliminate raised hope of symptomatic relief part, the harmless symptoms resem- all desserts and sweets. That, in in cases of Parkinson's disease is ble those that may occur in early addition to the four points I am designated as L-dopa. It has been pregnancy. The more serious ones, about to suggest, should help you used cautiously in certain approved which should prompt the woman to lose about a pound a week—and research clinics beginning in 1967. to see her doctor at once, are severe this is fast enough to lose weight. It is not yet available for general pain in the legs or chest, coughing The four points of the basic "hold use. of blood, severe headache, and your weight" program are: A great deal is yet to be learned blurred vision. 1. Eat a good breakfast. Make it about the effects of this medicine. Serious problems associated with the hearty meal of the day. Thus far, more than half of the taking "the pill" are relatively rare. 2. Take no snacks between meals cases of Parkinson's disease treated The proper precautions in using or even at bedtime. with it have experienced some im- "the pill" are these: ( 1 ) take it only 3. Eat an average meal at noon- provement in symptoms. In a few if your doctor approves it for you, time—not too much and not too cases, the improvement has been ( 2 ) report to your doctor regularly little. dramatic. In most cases, however, for check-up examinations while 4. Eat not more than one apple there are troublesome side effects, you are taking "the pill," and ( 3 ) for supper—or even go without sup- and in these a decision has to be report at once should you develop per. reached on whether the amount of any of the serious symptoms men- The first two or three days will improvement in symptoms justifies tioned in the previous paragraph.

JANUARY, 1971 31 Jerusalem has remained largely, if Our questioner objects to the use not entirely, under Gentile control. of Leviticus 11 or other Old Tes- . . . Though recently the new State tament texts; so let's see what the of Israel has secured control of a New Testament has to say. portion of the city, Old Jerusalem We must frankly admit at the is still [in 1956] not a Jewish city, outset that no one earns heaven by and the former temple area remains what he eats or refrains from eat- in non-Jewish hands." ing. Romans 14:17 tells us that "the In 1967 the State of Israel oc- kingdom of God is not meat and cupied Old Jerusalem. But much of drink; but righteousness, and peace, Your Bible Questions Jerusalem still remains the property and joy in the Holy Ghost." Answered of numerous Arabs and other Gen- But proper eating and drinking tiles and Moslem mosques still have a great deal to do with health- stand on the temple area. ful living, and health is of prime concern. "Beloved, I wish above all But what about this "times of by Kenneth Wilson things that thou mayest prosper and the Gentiles"? The commentary be in health, even as thy soul pros- equates this with the period fol- pereth." 3 John 2. And we are told: "TIMES OF THE GENTILES" lowing the final rejection of the "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, Jewish nation as God's chosen peo- The Bible says that "Jerusalem shall or whatsoever ye do, do all to the ple. But it does not specify what is be trodden down of the Gentiles, until glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31. the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." meant by the words "be fulfilled." Also Romans 12:1 and 1 Corinthi- Luke 21:24. And the Adventist Com- And it does not make any predic- ans 6:19 make it clear that Chris- mentary says that Jerusalem shall never tion that Jerusalem would never tians should keep their bodies clean be ruled by Jews until Christ comes the be reoccupied by Jewish forces. second time. Are they both wrong in and healthy—fit for the dwelling of Could it be that the "time of the the Holy Spirit. the light of what happened in June, Gentiles" has been fulfilled? Could 1967? There is no valid reason for be- the return of Jerusalem to Israelite lieving that 1 Timothy 4:1-5 teaches The words quoted are part of control be another of the many that it is all right to eat anything. Christ's outline of the events which signs that Christ's coming is near, Some things are deadly poisons, like would be signs of the destruction "even at the doors"? When we see certain mushrooms, and one must of Jerusalem and of His second that almost all the other signs have be careful in choosing only what is coming. appeared, this event should come safe. Paul was warning against arti- Any commentary on the Scrip- as no surprise to the careful stu- ficial restrictions by false religious tures might be wrong in its inter- dent. Jesus said, "When these things teachers. See verses 1-3. Notice that pretation of a given text. But the begin to come to pass, then look he includes "forbidding to marry" Bible—never! "The Word of the up, and lift up your heads; for your along with "commanding to abstain Lord endureth forever." 1 Peter redemption draweth nigh." Luke from meats." These practices were 1:25. So maybe we should see just 21:28. urged by the Gnostics in Paul's what the Seventh-day Adventist time and later perpetuated in the Bible Commentary, published in PORK—TO EAT OR NOT monastic system. 1956, has to say about the text you In this age of scientific investiga- mentioned. In 1 Timothy 4:1-5 Paul says that tion we can know why some foods On "trodden down" it points out "commanding to abstain from meats" is wrong because "every creature of are worse than others. And one of the historical facts that the city was God is good, and nothing to be re- the most dangerous of all popular destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70, fused." Why, then, is pork not all right foods is the flesh of swine. It teems "and ever since that fateful year to eat? with parasites, and its fat is higher t; 0, 0 0 0 in cholesterol than any other com- cially for those of his own house, mon food. he hath denied the faith, and is Notice that the verses under worse than an infidel." 1 Timothy question specify that the food is to 5 : 8. be "received with thanksgiving" and that it is "sanctified by the CHRIST'S BIRTHDAY Word of God and prayer." Do you I know that Jesus was not born on think it is fair to ask God to sanc- December 25. I'll gladly go along with tify something He has condemned? any church that can give a straight- Can you give thanks for something forward answer to the question, When was He born? Give Bible texts please. that will harm your body? There is so much good, nourish- It would be nice to say that evi- ing food that we do not need to dence from certain texts proves settle for inferior food of any kind. that Christ was born on October "Therefore glorify God in your 16, 4 B.c.—or September 30, 5 B.C.— body, and in your spirit, which are INTERNATIONAL SERVICE or— But there is no such specific evi- God's." 1 Corinthians 6:20. To meet the needs of the millions in the United States and Canada who dence. The best we have is Luke GAMBLING speak languages other than English 2:1, 2. And the best we can do from What is morally wrong with gam- and prefer to read magazines in their this record is to say that many care- bling? A member of my family sees no own mother tongue, the publishers of ful scholars agree that it was prob- moral issue involved in betting on the the "Signs of the Times" issue similar journals in the following languages: ably at some time in the autumn of horses. 5 B.C. Is there any real difference be- French: "Mieux Vivre" No doubt God saw that it would tween betting on the horses or put- German: "Zeichen der Zeit" be best that people, because of Spanish: "El Centinela" their tendency to overdo anniver- ting a stake on a poker game—or Ukrainian: "Oznake" rolling dice, or trying to outguess saries of important events, should a roulette wheel, or going for the Should you wish a free copy of not know exactly when this one oc- jackpot in a slot machine, or any one of these journals, either for your- curred. Look at what they have self or for a friend, address your re- done with a traditional date that other form of gambling? Perhaps quest to Frank L. Baer, Manager, there is a slight difference: One Foreign Language Division, "Signs of almost everyone agrees is not cor- can get tips on the horses! the Times," Mountain View, Cali- rect! No, the Bible does not say, "Thou fornia 94040. Much more important than know- shalt not gamble." But it does say, ing about the facts of the life of "Thou shalt not defraud thy neigh- Christ is believing in Him as the bor." Leviticus 19:13. And it spells Saviour. Paul told the convicted out certain principles that apply to One of the Ten Commandments jailer, "Believe in the Lord Jesus gambling as well as to other vices. says, "Thou shalt not steal." Exodus Christ, and you will be saved." Acts Have you ever seen a compulsive 20:15. Now, whose money does 16:31, RSV. "To all who received gambler stake his week's paycheck the winning gambler carry away? Him," says the apostle John, "who on a dice game—and then go home Whose money does a father give believed in His name, He gave penniless to a hungry and ragged away in a dice game? Only his? Do power to become children of God." family? I have. You hear about the not a large share of his earnings John 1:12, RSV. lucky gamblers who come home belong to his hungry family? So, although we cannot ferret out with the jackpot. Do you hear about Paul gave some inspired counsel the fine details about His earthly the many more (usually many more that applies here. He said, "If any life, we can accept His gracious than 100 to 1) who lose? provide not for his own, and espe- offer of complete salvation.

But suppose he could have pur- ENGLISH ❑ Junior E Youth 0 Senior chased some miracle drug to Check study guides and mail to: Signs of the Times, keep him alive temporarily. Dept. RW, Mountain View, CA 94040. What then? Even a miracle drug Check for Senior course in another language: can't provide immortality. But Fifty thousand dollars cash. Of- wait. The Bible does say that it 0 Chinese Ej Hungarian ❑ Portuguese fered by a man who had every- 0 Finnish 0 Italian 0 Russian thing—land, stocks, insurance, is possible to live forever, that 7 French Japanese EI Spanish mountain cabin, and all the rest. eternal life is offered to every- 0 German ❑ Yugoslav Swedish [ Greek 0 Polish ❑ Ukrainian Dying in a hospital, his desperate one. But it can't be bought. It's offer of $50,000 was made to free. A gift. Learn more about anyone who could keep him this free gift. Now. Without cost Name Please print alive. Accustomed to buying or obligation. Just mail coupon. whatever he desired, he only You will receive a set of easy-to- Street now realized that life was understand Bible study guides one thing without a price. to help you as you study. City State Zip Signs EDITORIAL

An Ever Brighter Hope In Which the New Editor Tells a Few of His Plans for the "Signs"

Whenever a new editor takes the Bible offers the best solution to the the breakup of the family unit. The helm of a great magazine, a sense of world's problems. Sabbath is a day of rest—the perfect anxiety grips the journal's friends. Will Millions are concerned—and rightly answer to the killing tensions of mod- the new editor continue the journal in so—about the breakdown of law and ern living. The Sabbath, moreover, is its established course, or attempt to order. The Bible describes a standard the world's best answer to drug abuse strike out in some new direction of his of conduct that, if adopted, would and sexual promiscuity, for, properly own devising? quickly put an end to crime and law- understood, it provides basic meaning For nearly one hundred years the lessness, and offers individual help in and value to life. So we shall have a Signs has been confidently proclaiming living up to that standard. "I will put good deal to say about the Sabbath. that the Bible contains the answers to My laws into their mind, and write And about God's forgiveness—the man's problems and that Christ's sec- them in their hearts," God says. He- perfect answer to man's guilt. ond coming is the world's brightest brews 8:10. In the pages of the Signs About prayer too—the answer to hope. Since 1874, when James White we will be talking about that standard loneliness and our need for guidance. founded the journal, the Signs has and the wonderful help God offers. And about creation—God's answer interpreted world events as proof that Death and bereavement bring sad- to evolution. Christ is coming soon. ness to countless homes every day. Through all these topics and many Readers who fear that the new Can we hope to see our loved ones more we will speak again and again of editor may change this inspired per- again? In the Bible Jesus said, "He that the heartwarming love of God, the spective can set their fears at rest! believeth in Me, though he were dead, most effective force for good the The new editor grew up in the yet shall he live." John 11:25. We will world has ever known. home of Arthur S. Maxwell, Signs be examining death and the glorious We will be conscious that a very editor through thirty-four years, and prospect of the resurrection. large number of Signs readers are not it would be impossible to be so long We are going to be talking about members of the church that sponsors or so closely associated with that the Saturday-Sabbath too. We find the the Signs. When we print anything great Bible student and not be thor- Sabbath to be the happiest day of the about God that goes beyond what oughly convinced that world events week and wish our friends were enjoy- other churches teach, we will remem- do indeed signal our Lord's immi- ing it with us. The Sabbath is a day for ber our own immense debt to Wesley, nent return. families to be together—the perfect Calvin, Luther, Augustine, and a multi- It is our conviction, too, that the answer to the problem of divorce and tude of other dedicated Christians who were never members of our church, Lawrence Maxwell discusses plans for future issues of the "Signs" while on a relaxed but whose knowledge of God has outing with his father, Arthur S. Maxwell, on a happy afternoon just a few weeks ago. greatly enriched our own. We hope we can repay some of that debt. We have had to report in this issue the passing of Arthur Maxwell, a loss that will sadden Signs readers every- where and no one more deeply than myself. But Dad was always confident that though leaders might change, the work of God would never falter. It would move steadily forward to sure and certain triumph. Rarely has the world situation been darker or more threatening. Never were the promises of God more mean- ingful. As the gloom deepens, the sure certainty of Christ's soon coming is a hope that shines ever more and more brightly. What a message to give to the world! What a glorious time to be editing the Signs! L. M.

34 SIGNS OF THE TIMES