Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 89

Some of the princ.i.p.al inventions and discoveries of modern times are the following:-

The balloon in 1798.

Gas for lighting purposes in 1798.

Cast-iron plow in 1800.

Steel pen in 1803.

Steamboat in 1807.

Steam printing-press in 1811.

Revolver in 1818.

Railroad-cars in 1825.

Lucifer-match in 1829.

Reaper and mower in 1833.

Electric telegraph in 1837.

Electrotyping in 1837.

Photography in 1839.

Sewing-machine in 1846.

Anesthesia by ether in 1846.

Anesthesia by chloroform in 1847.

Submarine cable in 1851.

Gatling gun in 1861.

Monitor war-ship in 1862.

Typewriter in 1868.

Automatic air-brake in 1872.

Telephone in 1876.

Phonograph in 1877.

Electric railway in 1879.

Modern seismograph in 1880.

Linotype in 1885.

Steam-turbine in 1888.

Roentgen or X-ray in 1895.

Wireless telegraphy in 1895.

Motion pictures in 1895.

Monotype in 1896.

Radium in 1902.

Aeroplane, first successful flying, Dec. 17, 1903.

It will be noticed that none of these inventions antedate 1798. Go back a little over a century and we find the world about where it was in the days of the patriarchs. For thousands of years there seemed to be scarcely any advancement or improvement in knowledge. But suddenly with the opening of the nineteenth century, the world awoke from its long sleep, and a new era dawned,-the time of the end, when knowledge was to be increased.

5. What did the Saviour say should precede the end?

"And _this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations_; and then shall the end come." Matt. 24:14.

NOTE.-Luther, the Wesleys, and others could not, in their day, proclaim the Lord's coming to be at hand, as the signs heralding this event had not taken place. But now, the sun and moon have been darkened, and the stars have fallen, as predicted by the Saviour knowledge has most wonderfully increased, as stated by the angel to Daniel; and the gospel has gone to nearly every kindred, tribe, and people in the world. Therefore we may know that the end is near.

6. When we see all these things, what are we to know?

"When ye shall see all these things, _know that it is near, even at the doors_." Verse 33.

Lift up the trumpet, and loud let it ring; Jesus is coming again!

Cheer up, ye pilgrims, be joyful and sing; Jesus is coming again!

Echo it, hilltops, proclaim it, ye plains; Jesus is coming again!

Coming in glory, the Lamb that was slain; Jesus is coming again!

JESSIE E. STROUT.

Conflict Between Capital And Labor

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Race For Supremacy. "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee." Luke 12:20.

1. What is one reason why the last days were to be perilous?

"Men shall be _lovers of their own selves, covetous_." 2 Tim. 3:2.

2. When, according to prophecy, were men to ama.s.s great wealth?

"Go to now, _ye rich men_, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.

Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. _Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days._" James 5:1-3.

NOTE.-We have reached the age of vast acc.u.mulations of wealth, when there seems to be a mad rush for making money quickly, and the millionaire and the multimillionaire are much in evidence.

Speaking on this subject, Rev. H. W. Bowman, in his work "War Between Capital and Labor," says: "Such colossal fortunes, such h.o.a.rding of treasures, such combinations of wealth, with such rapid increase in poverty, were never witnessed before. Our age alone fits the prophetic mold."

3. Why did Christ, in the parable, reprove the man who hid his talent?

"Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: _thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury_." Matt. 25:26, 27.

NOTE.-"Servility to wealth," says J. S. Mill, "is a social curse."

Vespasian spoke truly when he said, "Riches are well, if gotten well and well spent;" and Peter Cooper likewise uttered a great truth when he said, "A man of wealth is but a steward for the good of mankind." James A. Patten, the retired Chicago millionaire wheat broker, announcing his intention to give away his fortune to charity, said: "I believe a man should give away a good share of his wealth while he is living. He can't take a dollar out of the world with him, although I know some men who seem to believe they can. Personally, I mean to get rid of the most of my fortune. I hope to help many charitable inst.i.tutions before I die. I doubt the advisability of leaving any great sum of money to one's children. Many lives have been ruined by large bequests. The offspring of a rich man are better off if they are required to hustle for themselves."-_Washington Times, Nov. 5, 1910._

4. What did Christ tell the rich young man to do?

"Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, _go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor_, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me." Matt. 19:21.