August 2016 Signs of the Times

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August 2016 Signs of the Times Email Newsletter The Signs of the Times newsletter is a collection of stories and quotes from past issues ofSigns and These Times. ***************************      In the spring of 1871, a young man picked up a book and read twenty-one words that had a dramatic impact  on his life. At the time he was a medical student at Montreal General Hospital, and he  was worried about passing his final medical exams and how to build up a practice.      Incredibly, the  twenty-one words this young medical student read helped him to become the most famous physician of his generation. He would go on to organize the world-famous Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Oxford University would bestow on him the  highest honor that can be given to any medical doctor in the British Empire, making him the Regius Professor of Medicine. The King of England knighted him for his accomplishments. And when he died, two huge volumes totaling 1,466 pages were required to write the story of his life.      The man was Sir William Osler. The twenty-one words that transformed his life were Thomas Carlyle’s: “Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.”—By Victor M. Parachin, Signs of the Times, November 1997. Quote: “Be earnest, and you will be eloquent.”—By H. R. Salisbury, These Times, August 1958. *************************** Don't miss the September 2016 issue of Signs of the Times: To order Signs, call: 1-800-765-6955 or CLICK to online. ***************************      One day last summer (written in 1948) while we were on our vacation, our family, along with friends, took an all-day voyage to Nantucket Island. My son, aged twelve, and his friend, aged fifteen, decided to have a good time together on the island while waiting for the boat to leave. We had been told that at four o’clock the last boat would leave, so we gave the boys strict orders to be at the dock by that time.      A little before four all of our group were on the boat ready to leave—all, that is, except the two boys, who, we learned later, were enjoying a soda in one of the village drug stores. The boat was loaded, the whistle blew, and still there was no sign of the boys. We were frantic by that time. They had return tickets, but they would have to wait on the island overnight. I had visions of their sleeping in a jail—they had no money for lodging—and they were entirely without friends!      My husband talked with the gatekeeper and asked him to give the boys some money which he would leave with him. They simply couldn’t hold the boat any longer. The gate was closed, the last whistle blared, the gangplank was pulled up—then two boys were seen running as never before toward the ship! They saw the door was closed, but someone called them to a small side door that they could still use. So the frightened boys made it—but only by the “skin of their teeth.” Everyone aboard breathed a sigh of relief.      I often think that this experience is very much like our Christian life. Our loved ones and friends are all waiting for us to board the “Good Ship” which will take us to heaven. We have our tickets ready, because Jesus died to save us; but we neglect to prepare in time. We let the cares and pleasures of this world lure us away until the “whistle blows,” and it is then too late. We have ample time to prepare and have the things necessary to make the trip to heaven a real success if we will only use them.—By Etta Mae Crawford, Our Times, February 1948. Quote: “During a long life I have had to eat my own words many times, and I have found it a very nourishing diet.”—By Winston Churchill, These Times, October 1966. *************************** NEW from Pacific Press— Persuasion by Mark Finley. Persuasion is all about how to preach life-changing, effective sermons and make powerful personal appeals. As you read this book and put Jesus’ principles of reaching others into practice, your effectiveness for Christ will be significant and lives will be impacted for Him. CLICK to read the first chapter of this book online. CLICK to order online or from your local Adventist Book Center--1-800-765-6955. ***************************      A boy about sixteen years of age had been seeking employment in one of our large cities. He looked vainly for two weeks, and was well-nigh hopeless of getting any work to do, when one afternoon he entered a store kept by a gentleman whom we will call Mr. Stone.      The lad asked the usual question, “Can you give me anything to do?”      Mr. Stone, to whom he appealed, answered, “No; full now.” Then, happening to notice an expression of despondency on the youth’s face, he said, “If you want to work half an hour or so, go downstairs and pile up that kindling wood. Do it well, and I’ll give you twenty-five cents.”      “All right, and thank you, sir,” answered the young man, and went below. As the store was about closing for the afternoon, he came upstairs and went to Mr. Slone.      “Ah, yes,” said the gentleman somewhat hastily. “Piled the wood? Well, here’s your money.”      “No, sir; I’m not quite through, and I should like to come and finish in the morning,” said the young fellow, refusing the silver piece.      “All right,” said Mr. Stone; and he thought no more of the affair till the next morning, when he chanced to be in the basement, and, recollecting the wood pile, glanced into the  coal and wood room. The wood was arranged in orderly tiers, the room was cleanly swept, and the young man was at the moment busy repairing the coal bin.     “Hello!” said Mr. Stone. “I didn’t engage you to do anything but pile up the wood.”      “Yes, sir, I know it,” answered the lad; “but I saw this needed to be done, and I had rather work than not; but I don’t expect any pay but my quarter.”      “Humph!” muttered Mr. Stone, and went up to his office without any further comment. Half an hour later the lad presented himself, clean and well brushed, for his pay.      Mr. Stone passed him the quarter.      “Thank you,” said the youth, and turned away.      “Stop a minute,” said Mr. Stone. “Have you a place in view where you can find work?”      “No, sir.”      “Well, I want you to work for me. Here,” writing something on a slip of paper, “take this to the gentleman standing by the counter there; he will tell you what to do. I will give you six dollars a week to begin with. Do your work as well as you did that downstairs and—that’s all,” and Mr. Stone turned away before the young man recovered from his surprise sufficiently to speak.      This happened fifteen years ago. Mr. Stone’s store is more than twice as big as it was then, and it’s superintendent today is the young man who began by piling kindling wood for a quarter. Faithfulness has been his motto. By it he has been advanced, step by step, and has not yet, by any means, reached the top-most round of success. He is sure to become a partner someday, either with his employer or in some other business house.—Youth’s Companion, Signs of the Times, December 29, 1890. Quote: “Of ninety five great men I have known, eighty seven have been followers of the Bible.”—By William Gladstone, Signs of the Times, February 1, 1938. *************************** Place this in your church bulletin or newsletter: Signs of the Times® makes it easy to share your faith. Sending a Signs subscription is the perfect way to share Jesus with friends and neighbors. Order from your Adventist Book Center today. To order call: 1-800-765-6955 or online at: http://www.adventistbookcenter.com/signs-of-the-times-magazine-yearly-us-subscription.html ***************************      In  the early days of automobiles an old man in northern Minnesota bought a small car. A friend asked how he liked it. “Oh, it’s a nice little car,” the old man replied. “It has lots of pep and power, but the motor races so fast and the car has no speed.”      “That’s strange,” replied his friend. “I’ve never heard that complaint against that make before. Let’s take a ride and see.”      They climbed into the car and started the motor. The old man shifted into low. Then he pushed the lever into second and stepped on the throttle. “You see,” he shouted above the roaring motor, “this is the way it always runs.” His friend laughed as he realized that there was nothing wrong with the car. The old man was driving in second gear.      Many of us are running along with a second-gear Christian experience. We belong to the church and feel that we are traveling to the kingdom. WE make a great deal of noise, but don’t get very far. Let us shift into high gear spiritually! Let us completely accept and follow Jesus. Jesus gives us power and progress in the Christian life.—By Jerry Lien,Present Truth, Vol. 26, No. 11. Quote: “Some men roll up to church in a Rolls-Royce, and then drop a quarter in the collection plate.”—By Charles G. Bellah, Signs of the Times, March 4, 1930. *************************** Share health-related material in your community. CLICK  to see a wide-variety of material available. http://www.adventistbookcenter.com/featured/health-books.html ***************************      Lady Huntingdon was seeking one day to lead a man to the Lord Jesus Christ. However, to her urgent entreaties he only replied: “It’s no use. I’m lost, I’m lost.”      “Thank God for that!” was her astonishing reply.      “Why?” the man inquired in amazement. “I thought you wanted me saved.”      “Because,” was her answer, “Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost. That means you. He, and He alone, is the One who can save you.”—From The Pilgrim, These Times, April 1960. Quote: “Faith is a belief in testimony. It is not a leap in the dark. God does not ask any man to believe without giving him something to believe. You might as well ask a man to see without eyes, as to bid him believe without giving him something to believe.”—By D. L. Moody, These Times, January 1965. *************************** NEW eBooks added each week! CLICK to see the largest selection of Adventist eBooks anywhere! www.AdventisteBooks.com ***************************      An old-time storekeeper was watching a lad dipping his hand in and out of the apple barrel.      “What are ya doin”? Tryin’ to steal my apples?” demanded the storekeeper.      “No, sir,” replied the boy, “I am trying not to.”—By Walter Raymond Beach, These Times, April 1967. Quote: “The greatest fault, I should say, is to be conscious of none but other people’s.”—By Carlyle, These Times, September 1966. *************************** CLICK here for a FREE sample copy of Signs of the Times! Offer good in the US and Canada! *************************** Principle Versus Policy      It has been said that “Honesty is the best policy,” but if a man’s honesty is a matter of policy at all, he will be honest only so long as the policy holds out. True honesty is  not policy at all. It is an everlasting principle that holds good through all conditions of life.      Policy put Daniel in  the lion’s den, but principle went in with him and brought him through unharmed. Principle is fireproof. It goes through the fiery furnace and comes out unsinged, while policy is often burned in the effort to throw principle in the fire.      Policy schemes in his easy chair, while principle prays in a prison cell.      Policy is the wolf that lies down with the lamb after the lamb is inside of the wolf. Principle is the faithful dog that lies down with the lamb to keep the wolf away.      Principle is oft derided           While a cruel crown of thorns      Shaped by policy’s devising,           Her pale, bleeding brow adorns.      Principle is oft uplifted,           Nailed upon a rugged cross,      Buried in the earth’s cold bosom,           While we mourn our fearful loss.      But the day is fast approaching           When true principle will rise,      Over policy triumphant,           And be carried to the skies.—By George A. Snyder, Signs of the Times, June 17, 1903.    *************************** Compiled by Dale Galusha. Please pass this newsletter on to others.