June 2007 Signs of the Times Newsletter

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une 2007 Signs of the Times Email Newsletter

The Signs of the Times newsletter is a collection of stories and quotes from past issues of Signs and These Times.

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At one time it was very popular in some of the leading colleges of our country for the young men to organize themselves into “infidel clubs.” They usually met once a week and discussed the demerits of the Bible, using all possible arguments to prove its fallacy.

It was in one of these colleges, an eyewitness tells us, that several young men met in such a club for the first time, and they chose for the leader one of the most advanced students.

The duty of the “leader” was to read the Scripture, after which the others were to discuss the Word, in the attempt to pick it to pieces.

Strange to say, the young man selected the wonderful fourteenth chapter of John, which has been such a comfort to so many Christian hearts. With a sneer on his face and a contracted brow, he commenced to read.

Very soon one of the students exclaimed, “That is wonderful!”

The reader looked up in surprise, but continued to read.

It was not long before another said, “That is beautiful!”

Again the reader elevated his eyebrows superciliously, but at once a third exclaimed, “That is grand!”

A new spirit was manifested, for the great Searcher of hearts was busy probing the consciences of these young men.

The Holy Spirit was setting their hearts and intellects on fire!

At last, with a look of mingled joy and shame on his face, the leader closed the Book, laid it on the table, and said in tones of intense earnestness, “Gentlemen, that Book is divine.”

The consequence was that the following week the club was disbanded and nearly all the members accepted the Word of God as truth, and gave their hearts to the Saviour.—Young People’s Weekly, Signs of the Times, January 16, 1896.

Quote: “The true Christian is like the sun, which pursues his noiseless track and everywhere leaves the effects of his beams in blessing upon the world around him.”—By Luther, Signs of the Times, August 18, 1890.

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Don't miss the July 2007 issue of Signs of the Times: Articles include: “The Bible: Where It Came From”, “How Man’s Words Became God’s Words”, “You Shall Not Murder”, “John Huss: Bohemian Reformer” and “Violence: Will It Ever End?” To order Signs, call: 1-800-765-6955 or online at http://www.AdventistBookCenter.com

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Fred Hollomon, chaplain of the Kansas Senate, delivered an invocation that drew sympathetic nods.

His session-opening prayer:

“Omniscient Father:

“Help us to know who is telling the truth. One side tells us one thing, and the other, just the opposite.

“And if neither side is telling the truth, we would like to know that too.

“And if each side is telling half the truth, give us the wisdom to put the right halves together.

“In Jesus’ name. Amen.”—These Times, June 1979.

Quote: “Virtues are learned at your mother’s knee; vices at some other joint.”—Selected, These Times, July 1963.

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Once a man who was being urged to become a Christian offered these objections: “It seems highly contradictory, and Christ must have overestimated Himself when He said that He would draw all men and yet hasn’t done it. Men read the Bible and listen to radio sermons and go to church and then go out and live the opposite way, devoting their time to money-making and sensuality. At least not more than one in a hundred is Christ’s true follower.”

The preacher who was listening to him asked: “Do you believe there is such a thing as gravitation?”

“Certainly, I do.”

“Well, what is it?”

“The scientists tell us that it’s an invisible force by which all matter is drawn to the center of the earth.”

The preacher stepped to the window. “Come over here,” he said. “Look at those gilt balls,” and he pointed to the sign of a pawnbroker’s shop across the street.

“Yes.”

‘How about the power of gravitation, now? You say it draws all matter to the center of the earth, but those balls have been hanging there for twenty years.”

“Oh, well!” said the man, with a little irritation, “they are fastened to that iron rod.”

“Yes,” said the preacher, “and the men you speak of are like that. One is chained to the lusts of the flesh, another is tied to his business, another is welded to his ambitions, another is anchored to old associates. It is true that Christ draws men, but it is also true that they can resist Him if they will.” Jesus said: “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24.—By H. M. S. Richards, Signs of the Times, January 13, 1948.

Quote: “Often our trials act as a thorn hedge to keep us in the good pasture, but our prosperity is a gap through which we go astray.”—By Spurgeon, Signs of the Times, June 15, 1948.

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Place this in your church bulletin or newsletter: This year, give your friends and loved ones a gift subscription to Signs of the Times. Order from your Adventist Book Center. To order call: 1-800-765-6955 or online at: http://www.AdventistBookCenter.com

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A young man left the parental roof to wander in the mire of sin and dissipation. His father’s yearning heart moved him to place in every den of iniquity a picture of himself with the words underneath, “Son, come home.”

After the lapse of four long years, on one dark night the young man entered a gambling-hell; he saw the picture, and read the words. Memory was aroused; the hapless wanderer burst into tears, and he determined to return to the home of his childhood.

When he reached it, about three o’clock in the morning, he found the door unbolted, and a light burning in the window. He asked his father why the door was left unfastened at such an unseasonable hour. The father explained, “During these four years that I have lost your track, the door has always been left open, and every night the lamp has been burning; for I knew that some time you would come back to me.”

Why wander longer in exile, when a royal welcome awaits your return? The Father has left His light burning, the door is still open wide.—By Thoro Harris, Signs of the Times, January 14, 1903.

Quote: “Whosoever would be sustained by the hand of God, let him constantly lean upon it; whosoever would be defended by it, let him patiently repose himself under it.”—By Calvin, Signs of the Times, May 27, 1903.

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“Renewed and Ready”—A new monthly magazine produced by Pacific Press has just been released. For a free sample copy, send your name and mailing address to: becbin@pacificpress.com before June 15.

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A religious man was guiding an infidel across a desert. Every so often the guide would get down on the sand and pray. It disgusted the infidel, and after awhile he said, “How do you know there is any God?”

And the guide answered, “How do I know that a man and a camel passed by our tent last night? I know it by the footprints in the sand. And you want to know how I know there is any God? Look at the sunset! Is that the footstep of a man?”

And by a similar process you and I have come to understand that this is the footstep of a God.—Unknown, Signs of the Times, November 13, 1901.

Quote: “No lessons are so impressive as those our mistakes teach us.”—By Woolsey, Signs of the Times, February 3, 1888.

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Looking for ways to share your faith? We’ve got a great list of sharing ideas for you. For a free copy, send your name and mailing address to: dalgal@pacificpress.com

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Questions for Christians

Does your milkman know that you are a Christian?

Does your newsboy suspect that you belong to the church?

Has your washerwoman discovered that she is toiling for a child of God?

If you had to go to heaven on the testimony of your dressmaker, could you do it?

Have your wife and children gained anything by your joining the church?

What kind of church would yours be, if the members were all just like you?—By Chimes, Signs of the Times, July 31, 1901.

Quote: “A man can no more take in a supply of grace for the future than he can eat enough today to last him for the next six months, or take sufficient air into his lungs at once to sustain life for a week to come. We must draw upon God’s boundless stores of grace from day to day as we need it.”—By D. L. Moody, Signs of the Times, April 22, 1903.

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Compiled by Dale Galusha. Please pass this newsletter on to others. If this FREE newsletter was forwarded to you by a friend, and you would like to receive it directly on a monthly basis, email: join-signsnews@lyra.pacificpress.com