June 2005 Signs of the Times Email Newsletter

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June 2005 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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The brothers, John and Charles Wesley, with Richard Pilmore, were one evening holding a twilight meeting on the common, when they were attacked by a mob and fled from its fury for their lives. The first place of refuge that they found, after being for some time separated, was a hedge-row near at hand, behind which they hid a few minutes, protecting themselves from injury by the missiles that fell like hail about them, by clasping their hands above their heads as they lay with their faces in the dust.

As night drew on, the darkness enabled them to leave their temporary retreat for a safer one at some distance. They found their way at last to a spring-house, where, in comparative security, they waited for their pursuers to weary of seeking them. Here they struck a light with a flint stone, dusted their soiled and tattered garments, and, after quenching their thirst, bathed their hands and faces in the water that bubbled from the spring and flowed away in a sparkling streamlet.

Then it was that Charles Wesley was inspired to write “Jesus, lover of my soul,” with a bit of lead which he had hammered into a pencil.

These circumstances beautifully illustrated the hymn, giving to almost every line a reality that makes it peculiarly significant to every loving, Christian heart. They had fled before their enemies, and found shelter from danger; he sang,

“Jesus, lover of my soul, Let me to thy bosom fly.”—Christian Guardian, Signs of the Times, January 25, 1877.

Quote: On the tombstone of Dr. Morrison, the renowned Chinese missionary, is the following characteristic epitaph: “I have sinned; I have repented; I have trusted; I have loved; I sleep; I shall rise; and through the grace of Christ, though unworthy, I shall reign.”—Signs of the Times, January 6, 1881.

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Don't miss the July 2005 issue of Signs of the Times: “Universe at War,” “The Secret Behind The Da Vinci Code,” “The Privilege of Prayer,” “Is Heaven Where You Thought It Was” and other important articles. To order Signs, call: 1-800-765-6955 or online at http://www.AdventistBookCenter.com

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John G. Paton, pioneer missionary to the South Sea Islands, undertook to translate the New Testament into the native tongue. He was having great difficulty in finding a word in the native tongue to express clearly the meaning of faith. No word in the language conveyed the real sense of this word so necessary to the Christian life.

Paton’s problem was solved in an unexpected way when one of the natives who had been doing some work in the garden came up on the veranda where the missionary was writing and as he sat down heavily in the big wicker chair said a word in the native tongue which meant “I am resting all my weight here.”

Paton seized on the phrase at once as the best possible translation for the English word “faith”—“I am resting all my weight here!”

The faith that brings salvation is the faith which rests all on Christ.—By C. E. Bradford, These Times.

Quote: Thomas Jefferson was asked to write the son of a dear friend something which might be of “favorable influence in his life.” This was the brief message: “Adore God. Reverence and cherish your parents. Love your neighbor as yourself. So shall the life into which you have entered be the portal to one of eternal and ineffable bliss.”—These Times, February 1961.

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NEW from Pacific Press—If God could sleep, what would keep Him up at night? What would move Him to tears or cause His heart to ache? Dwight K. Nelson’s new book, “Pursuing the Passion of Jesus”, shows us how helping others in need is God’s passionate plea. He longs for us to care about things He cares about. Through these pages, we can be blessed by a faith that works, a joy that lasts, and a heart like Christ’s.

Read the first chapter of this book online at http://www.AdventistBookCenter.com Order online or from your local Adventist Book Center--1-800-765-6955.

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Infidels hate hypocrisy, and find great fault with hypocrites in the church. Here is a short question and answer for them, with answers:

“Did you ever see a counterfeit banknote?”

“Yes.”

“Why was it counterfeited?”

“Because the genuine note was worth counterfeiting.”

Did you ever see a scrap of brown paper counterfeited?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because it was not worth counterfeiting.”

“Did you ever see a counterfeited Christian?”

“Yes.”

“Why was he counterfeited?”

“Because he was worth counterfeiting.”

“Was he to blame for the counterfeit?”

“Of course not.”

“Did you ever see a counterfeit infidel?”

“Why, no.”

“Why not?”—Selected, Signs of the Times, November 22, 1899.

Quote: “The best day in the whole year for duty is today.”—Unknown, Signs of the Times, November 22, 1899.

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Place this in your church bulletin or newsletter: Signs of the Times continues to show individuals the way to understand salvation. Send a subscription to a friend today. Order from your Adventist Book Center. To order call: 1-800-765-6955 or online at: http://www.AdventistBookCenter.com

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Old Deacon Jonathan was a man of practical piety, and religion was with him, a thing of everyday life. Much of his time was spent in visiting the sick and needy of his parish. It was on his way to pay one of these visits that he came in contact with a man who boasted loudly of his religion, and its advantages. “I have had religion,” he said, “for the last sixteen years, and it has only cost me twenty cents.”

We do not wonder the old deacon was rather puzzled over a religion that could call forth so little sacrifice. Looking at the man, he replied, “I will not say you have not religion, but I will say it is only a twenty-cent religion.”

The old deacon was right, and the profession that could call forth no greater sacrifice, may be justly termed a twenty-cent religion.—By R. Hare, Signs of the Times, August 19, 1886.

Quote: “Every chance to speak a word for Jesus, or to do a kindness for His sake, is a talent that He has left in our hands to be occupied for Him.”—Unknown, Signs of the Times, April 15, 1886

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Read selected articles from Signs of the Times online at: http://www.SignsTimes.com

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On March 10, 1974, while we were living in the Philippines, the Japanese Army straggler Lt. Hiroo Onoda came out of the jungle of the island of Lubang, just south of Manila Bay, and surrendered.

The war between the Philippines and Japan had ended on September 2, 1945, but Onoda had derived no benefit from the peace. To profit from that peace, he had to believe that peace had been concluded and personally accept it.

For almost three decades Onoda had refused to believe the reports of peace he repeatedly received through public Japanese language broadcasts made on the island and through Japanese newspapers left for him on the beach. He thought all these were just ruses to lure him to surrender. So he had continued his one-man war.

During those long years he had been constantly harassed by Filipino soldiers and others who had tried to find his hideaway. Every day he had waited for the Japanese Navy and Army to return to aid him in recapturing the Philippines.

Onoda’s situation on the island of Lubang is comparable to the unconverted sinner’s state before God. Christ’s death for him on the cross does not bring him peace and salvation; God’s announcement of reconciliation as a result of Christ’s death does not profit him. It does not automatically bring the sinner peace and save him, any more than the peace concluded between Japan and the Philippines had brought peace to Onoda.

No, Onoda had to believe that peace had been concluded, and he had to accept that peace. So we must personally accept the peace God has already made and provided for us through Jesus.—Arnold Wallenkampf, Signs of the Times, January 1991.

Quote: “No flower can bloom in Paradise which is not transplanted from Gethsemane.”—By Dean Stanley, Signs of the Times, April 5, 1899.

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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[/]