Earlier text: Publishers' PageSanitarium Interests at Washington
By Arthur G. Daniells
THE same instruction which indicated so clearly that the headquarters of our denominational work should be established near Washington declared that a sanitarium should be opened here, with land for cultivation, and amid rural surroundings. The providence of God has opened the way for this counsel to be followed. What will hereafter be known as the Washington (D. C.) Sanitarium will be located on a tract of land containing forty-seven and two-thirds acres on the eastern side of the town of Takoma Park, a suburb of Washington. The avenue running along the eastern side of our ground marks the town limits in that part. The situation is such that, although we are within the limits of the town, we are entirely cut off from buildings, and are surrounded with forests. Takoma Park lies almost due north of the city, between five and six miles from the Capitol building. It is connected with Washington by both steam and electric railways. What is known as the “District Line” runs through Takoma Park, so that as a residence town it lies in both the District of Columbia and the State of Maryland. The corporation, or municipality, is in Maryland. The post-office is in the District, and is known as Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. Takoma Park has a population of from fifteen hundred to two thousand. It is a residence suburb of the city. Its elevation above the Potomac River near the city ranges between three hundred and four hundred feet. The town is in a forest. The pines, oaks, chestnuts, and other trees have been preserved as far as building operations will permit. The elevation and forest combined give a temperature from ten to fifteen degrees cooler than Washington proper. The town obtains its water-supply from Sligo Creek, which flows through the entire length of our tract of land. The analysis given by the government pronounces this water as nearly pure as can be found. It comes from springs, and is cold, clear, and soft. The dam of the pumping station is within a few feet of our north line. As the stream is kept pure above this plant, it comes to our ground free from any contamination. In order to supply our institutions with this water, the town council has agreed to extend one of its present water pipes to and along the southern boundary of our land, which will bring it within easy reach of the proposed buildings. This will give us all the benefits of the town water system, including the proper number of fire hydrants. The problem of providing suitable sewer facilities has been a serious one, as the sewer system had not been extended to that part of the town. Takoma Park has two sewer outlets. One of these is located one thousand feet from our western boundary line, fifteen hundred feet from our stream of water, and two thousand feet, or more than one third of a mile, from the nearest point where any of our buildings would be erected. It is a small sewer plant, and if kept reasonably clean, it is exceedingly doubtful whether its presence would ever be detected from our location. But at best, even a drain-pipe has its dangers. While this small sewer plant might not do our enterprises actual harm, yet any one opposed to our work could easily arouse a sentiment concerning it which would make us trouble. For the purpose of providing our place with a suitable sewer, we have arranged with the town for the extension of its sewer system, and the removal of this sewer outlet. The pipe will be extended from its present outlet down to the western side of our land, thence passing near our building sites, it will be continued to its new outlet three quarters of a mile below our nearest building, with a heavy forest between it and our property. There the town will install the most modern sewer plant known. The system will be as perfect as has yet been developed. This change will be a great benefit to our enterprise. First, and most important of all, it will give our sanitarium and school buildings perfect sewer advantages. The fall from our buildings to the sewer main which will extend twelve hundred feet through our ground, is about seventy-five feet. And the new sewer plant will be about two hundred feet below the lowest level of our land. The advantage of draining alone in this change will be of great value to our work. In addition, it removes whatever danger there is, and all the unpleasant sentiment connected with the present outlet. The town council and the Sanitarium trustees have agreed upon all the details connected with this change, and the mayor is authorized to execute the papers. The sanitarium and school are to pay the sum of $1,200 without further assessment for the sewer. In consideration of this sum, the town removes the sewer outlet, as stated above, lays the sewer main along twelve hundred feet of our land, furnishes the sanitarium with three hundred thousand gallons of water a month, free, for a period of five years, and supplies the school at a cost of seven cents a thousand gallons (the mere cost of pumping), for a period of five years. Thus we are able to tell all our people that, although the location of the sewer outlet seemed unfortunate at first, the problem has been worked out to our very great advantage and entire satisfaction. Had the sewer been located where it is now to be placed, without passing through our land, it would have cost us a very considerable sum to have reached it. In making this statement it is due the mayor and council, and the citizens of Takoma Park as well, that we recognize their deep interest in this matter, and their earnest efforts to effect the change. Difficulties of a perplexing character have presented themselves, but the council has surmounted them all. It will cost the town from eight to ten thousand dollars. Of course it benefits the town as well as ourselves. To show how the council were supported in the move, as well as in their entire administration, it will only be necessary to relate that while these sewer negotiations were pending, the town election was held, and all of the council except one were re-elected. The mayor did not have one opposing vote. One rather remarkable fact regarding this Council is that not one of its members uses either liquor or tobacco. These gentlemen appreciate our decision to locate in their town, and are doing everything they can to aid us. In the last council meeting final arrangements were made for expending $16,500 in laying new cement sidewalks in the town. This work has already begun. With all candor, we can say to our people7 that no mistake has been made in selecting Takoma Park for our buildings. The providence of God brought us here, and that same providence has been with us in a signal manner since coming here. The outlook is cheering, and our courage is good. Motor-Cars in British Central Africa
THE motor-car is rapidly making its way to the most remote regions of the earth. Speaking of the motor-car as a means of travel in British Central Africa, an English journal says:— Before many weeks have passed, a motor-car will be running on the so-called road in Uganda. Mr. George Wilson, the energetic deputy commissioner of that protectorate, who is on his way back to Africa, is taking with him a twenty-five-horsepower motor, which he intends to make use of in his tours of inspection throughout Uganda. There are now nearly six hundred miles of road in country good enough to run a motor on. The question of fuel might seem to present a difficulty, but Mr. Wilson has surmounted this by arranging for a regular supply of petroleum from Bombay, which can of course easily be sent up country to Mombasa by the railway. In the near future motor-cars will probably be running from Uganda to the head waters of the Nile. ACCORDING to the Catholic Mirror, one of the most famous Catholic shrines in the world — the Grotto of Lourdes — is to be closed up. The French government, which is not on good terms with the papacy, has laid its hand on this Catholic Mecca with a view of putting an end to the numerous pilgrimages of which it is the goal, whether on the ground of its fraudulent character or because of the disorder and hostile demonstrations to which such gatherings might lead, is not stated. The Mirror says:— It is announced that Lourdes will be closed, and the grotto that has been the scene of such miraculous cures in the past will be erased from the map, to remain but in the memory of man. It seems more and more probable also that the abolition of the Concordat, the century-old agreement between France and the papacy, is about to follow. The Mirror says that Pope Pius X has already “repudiated” this agreement, to the surprise of the church. He is willing that it should be annulled. The recent visit of President Loubet to the Italian king, against which Pope Pius protested, has further widened the breach between church and state in France. Evidence of the intention to use political power for the advancement of the Catholic Church in this country, crops out occasionally in the utterances of the Catholic press. The Freeman's Journal recently published the following:— At the general election which has recently taken place in “Protestant” Prussia, ninety-seven Catholics have been elected to the chamber of deputies. American Catholics, please note the fact. ACCORDING to a statement quoted by the April Missionary Review of the World, China is the greatest slave country in the world. It is asserted that “of a population of four hundred million, over one-fortieth are slaves. Every family of means keeps its girl slaves, and a man’s position is gauged by the number of slaves he keeps. At any age from three to fifteen girls are sold, seven or eight being the age at which most of them change hands. The unfortunate slaves vary in price. The average is from two pounds to four pounds. The girls are mostly purchased to do housework, it being cheaper to buy than to hire.” Vatican Claims for Philippine Priests
The Vatican is still assiduously cultivating relations with the United States. The Catholic Mirror says:— The diplomatic machinery of the Vatican has moved in a new direction within a few days, and negotiations have been opened with the United States government in an effort to secure pecuniary indemnity for the relatives and families of priests who have been killed by American soldiers in the Philippines since the American occupation. Mgr. Guidi, the apostolic delegate in the islands, has been instructed to look up the claims, which will be submitted in Washington by Mgr. Falconio. Threatened Violence at Garrett Mines
A SERIOUS outbreak of lawlessness is threatened in the mining town of Garrett, in Somerset County, Pa. A reduction in wages at the mines was followed by a strike; non-union men filled the strikers' places. The strikers assuming a threatening attitude, the mine owners set up a search-light on their property, mounted a Gatling gun, and gave out that they were ready to give the strikers all the trouble they wanted. The strikers surrounded the mines with pickets, and a serious conflict was averted only by the presence of armed deputy sheriffs, who acted as peacemakers. The president of the Garrett local union of the United Mine Workers said he had received instructions from President Mitchell that the union miners should arm themselves, and be ready for defensive action when it shall be necessary. If it is true that the United Mine Workers of America contemplate the use of arms to secure their ends, the peace and prosperity of the country are in a state of very unstable equilibrium. The Consolidation of Churches
By L. A. S.
THE well-known Brooklyn clergyman, Rev. Newell Dwight Hillis, is urging a “consolidation of churches,” as the next great step in religious progress. In an article contributed to Everybody’s Magazine Mr. Hillis says that “the epoch of church unity has fully come.” It is to be brought about by “the men who have simplified business, reorganized the banks under one management, reorganized the factory, and the store, and the shops.” They are to apply the same principle of reorganization and elimination in religious affairs, and secure “church unity,” or in other words, a religious trust. At the present time there is in Dr. Hillis’ view a great deal of needless church competition, resulting in a decline in religious interest and in church attendance. He believes that “either the Christian forces of the ten thousand small towns and villages of the country, must unite, or the churches will perish, and one half of the ministers die or resign, with broken hearts.” His idea of what the proposed church trust should accomplish is stated thus:— The ideal church would be one noble building centrally situated, crowded from Sunday morning until the next Saturday night, a church that would be the center of the social, the musical, the literary, the ethical life of the community; the home of light and joy; the pride of all the people. With numbers come enthusiasm, economy, emulation, efficiency. When all the musical talent of the community is organized and unified, music, the highest of the fine arts, will become a great moral force. When all the teaching forces—and the art of teaching is a great gift, and there are only a few teachers out of two thousand that know how to impart wisdom—are united, the Sunday-school will again become popular. Instead of ten preachers there ought to be three. There would be left, after the consummation of this great church “merger,” Dr. Hillis says, “perhaps one great Protestant church, one Roman Catholic church, and one church named the Quaker, that would not believe in any form.” The small church which might refuse to come into the trust, or which the trust might refuse to accept, would, we may infer, go the way of the smaller business concerns which attempt to do business independently of the controlling trust in their line of industry. It is a scheme that promises well from a human standpoint, but does not take into account the means of Christian unity ordained by God. L. A. S. THE settlement in England of many of the Catholic religious orders which have recently left France, is regarded as a menace by English Protestants, who are planning means of resistance to this undesirable invasion. Fifty-eight “congregations,” seven Jesuit schools, and twenty-nine Catholic mission residences are among the visible results of this movement within the brief period since the migration from France was begun. UNDER an Eastern sky,
Amid a rabble cry,
A Man went forth to die
For me. Thorn-crowned his blessed head,
Blood-stained his weary tread,
Cross-laden, on he sped
For me. Pierced were his hands and feet,
Three hours on him beat
Fierce rays of noontide heat,
For me. Thus wert thou made all mine.
Lord, make me wholly thine;
Grant grace and strength divine
To me. In thought and word and deed
Thy will to do,— O, lead
My soul, e’en though it bleed,
To thee. Into Clearer Light
By Ellen G. White
Cornelius, the Roman centurion, was not even accounted a disciple of Christ; but he had faith in God, according to the light that he had, and he was reaching out for more light. The Lord saw this man would do honor to the church, and he brought him into connection with the apostle Peter. He sent a special message from heaven to him, and by another message directed Peter to visit him, and give him light. That is God's way of working. Daily prayers for light and guidance will surely be answered. In our world there are many such men as Cornelius, and for them the Lord desires his servants to make special efforts. The Lord showed Peter, the Jew, that there were Gentiles who were serving God as acceptably as he was. There are to-day many in the world who are nearer the kingdom of God than we suppose. They are walking in all the light they have, and in the future they will be led into clearer and still clearer light. In this dark world of sin the Lord has many precious jewels, to whom he will guide his messengers. God will use his believing ones as his instrumentalities, through them ministering to souls fainting for the bread of life. Words of hope and cheer falling from lips that have been touched by a live coal from God's altar, will revive and comfort those who are weary and distressed. There are many who are represented to me as being like Cornelius, men whom God desires to connect with his church. Their sympathies are with the Lord's people. But the threads that bind them to the world hold them firmly. They have not the moral courage to take their position with the lowly ones. We are to make special efforts for these souls, who are in need of earnest labor because of their responsibilities and temptations. We talk and write much of the neglected poor; should not some attention be given to the neglected rich? Many look upon this class as hopeless, and they do little to open the eyes of those who, blinded and dazed by the power of Satan, have lost eternity out of their reckoning. Thousands of wealthy men have gone to their graves unwarned, because they have been judged by appearance, and passed by as hopeless subjects. But, indifferent as they may appear, most of this class are soul-burdened. There are thousands of rich men who are starving for spiritual food. Many in official life feel their need of something which they have not. Few among them go to church; for they feel that they receive no benefit. The teaching they hear does not touch the soul. Shall we make no personal appeal in their behalf? God calls for earnest, humble workers, who will carry the truth to the higher classes. It is by no casual, accidental touch that wealthy, world-loving, world-worshiping souls can be drawn to Christ. Decided personal effort must be put forth by men and women imbued with the missionary spirit, those who will not fail nor become discouraged. There are some who are especially fitted to work for the higher classes. These should seek the Lord daily, making it a study how to reach these persons, not to make merely a casual acquaintance with them, but to lay hold of them by personal effort and living faith, manifesting a deep love for their souls, a real concern that they shall have a knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. In order to reach these people, believers themselves must be living epistles, "known and read of all men." We do not represent as fully as we might the elevating, ennobling character of the truth. We are in danger of becoming narrow and selfish. With fear and trembling lest we fail, we should ever remember this. Let those who work for the higher classes bear themselves with true dignity, remembering that angels are their companions. Let them keep the treasure-house of mind and heart filled with "It is written." Hang in memory's hall the precious words of Christ. They are to be valued far above silver or gold. There are miracles to be wrought in genuine conversion,—miracles that are not now discerned. The greatest men of the earth are not beyond the power of a wonder-working God. If those who are workers together with him will be men of opportunity, doing their duty bravely and faithfully, God will convert men who occupy responsible positions, men of intellect and influence. Through the power of the Holy Spirit many will accept the divine principles. Converted to the truth, they will become agencies in the hand of God to communicate the light. They will have a special burden for other souls of this neglected class. They will feel that a dispensation of the gospel is committed to them for those who have made this world their all. Time and money will be consecrated to God, means will be brought into his treasury, talent and influence will be converted to the truth, and new efficiency and power will be added to the church. Everywhere there are those who will take their stand for present truth. Beside all waters we are to sow the seeds of truth. Let us never allow ourselves to be controlled by feelings of hopelessness. God's work will be done. The Lord knows those that are his. In his providence he will direct them as he directed Cornelius. Have we not a work to do for the Lord? and should we not labor more intelligently, more earnestly, than we have labored in the past for those who need help? Let us remember that we are God's helping hand. With the Bible as our guide and counselor, let us go forth to work for the Lord, serving him in the way he has appointed, proclaiming the message of present truth in a way that will make it impressive and acceptable. We are weak, but if we will but believe, God will give us his enduring strength. Sunday Legislation in Canada
By George B. Thompson
At the present writing I am unable to find that anything further has been done by the Dominion Parliament to promote the desired Sunday legislation. Some of the members of Parliament have expressed themselves as being desirous of not meddling further in this matter if not urged to it by their constituency. The Lord's Day Alliance, however, is not idle, and its agitators, who are principally preachers, are doing what they can to stir up the people and influence Parliament to give the matter consideration. They express themselves as determined to enforce the laws already in existence, and to use every available means of securing more stringent enactments. Rev. T. Albert Moore, field secretary of the Alliance, held a meeting at Woodstock, Ontario, recently. The following item gives the attitude of the Alliance:— “Before the evening sermon, Rev. Mr. Moore took occasion to make a short explanation of his connection with the Lord's Day Alliance. In their work of preserving the integrity of the Lord's day they have been able to prevent two hundred and fifty companies obtaining permission to work on Sundays. There were one hundred and fifty thousand people at that time working on the Sabbath, and it was their aim to prevent such desecration. It had been whispered to him that there might be work of that kind going on soon not very far from Woodstock. This would be investigated at once. If street-cars were to run, or any other form of Sunday labor were to be contemplated, the Lord's Day Alliance would put a stop to it.” The Sentinel-Review from which I quoted the preceding paragraph, pertinently asks, “What was Mr. Moore's meaning? Whether he had reference to9 a brother who quietly works on his farm outside of the city, or to some one else, in his reference to work near Woodstock, is not known. It sounds similar to statements we have read of the Inquisitors of the Dark Ages. It certainly is the same method they used to exterminate the heretics, and the results will be similar.” One of our brethren who is himself a laboring man prepared an able paper setting forth the evil results of Sunday laws, and presented it to the labor union in Guelph, Ontario. The following, taken from a daily paper in the city, states the result:— “A letter was read with regard to the co-operation between the labor men and the Lord's Day Alliance in Sunday legislation. It was overwhelmingly agreed that the legal observance of one set day for rest was greatly in the interests of the working men. The chief of police was asked to look into some complaints of unnecessary Sunday labor.” This gives some insight into the spirit behind the movement for the most rigorous Sunday legislation. It may be delayed now, that a further opportunity may be given to educate the people concerning the results of the thing when once it is done, but the delay is only temporary. Now is the time to work. The question is still agitated in the press. The Hamilton (Ontario) Spectator, commenting editorially recently on an article in the Toronto Star, said:— “And it is also true that no clique should be permitted to impose its notions of Sabbath observance upon the people. It is also true that no man should be permitted to dictate to his followers his notions of Sabbath observance. The demand for strict observance of Sunday comes from a small but active clique, the officers of which are paid to make and keep up the agitation. They are zealous and aggressive, and work without ceasing to secure their object, while the great bulk of the people mind their own business, and are content, so long as they have the liberty to observe the Sabbath as they will, to allow the same liberty to other people as they claim for themselves—the liberty to observe the Sabbath as they like, so long as they do not interfere with the right of others. “The Sabbatarians [by Sabbatarians the editor means those who keep Sunday] are not suffering in this country. They are entirely at liberty to apply the Mosaic law to the observance of Sunday; they may be as strict in the observance of that law as they will, and no man interferes, either by word or by deed, with their right to do so. But the Sabbatarians are not satisfied to enjoy the privileges which perfect freedom gives them; they must agitate and seek legislation for the purpose of compelling others to do as they do! “The anxiety of the Star grows out of the fact that in Quebec Sunday is observed in a rational way. The people attend church in the morning, and amuse themselves in the afternoon. Quebec will never consent to a Sabbatarian Sunday, and it has been demonstrated— by the prohibition plebiscite—and that when Quebec objects to something, no matter how much the other provinces may favor it, that something is not inflicted upon the people of Canada.” Faithfulness Rewarded
By Wm. Covert
THE following is a copy of a letter from Elder Harrison Grant to Brother A. C. Woodbury, of Darlington, Wis., written in answer to inquiry made by Brother Woodbury about the incident described in the letter:— “COLLEGE VIEW, NEB., Aug. 10, 1897. “DEAR BROTHER: I received yours of August 1 in due time. I will say in regard to your inquiry about the grasshoppers in the year 1876-77, that the grasshoppers were in Minnesota so vast in numbers that they ate and destroyed every green thing, such as grain, grass, and vegetables, except in low, wet, marshy places. In some places, large wheat-fields from one to two feet high, and all vegetables, were eaten up as clean as if the fire had burned them. “At that time, a family by the name of Calkins lived in the town of Tenhassen, Martin Co., Minn. They were very poor, so the mother and two small boys did what they could to provide for the family. “She was a member of the Tenhassen church. This mother was a very devoted, conscientious woman, and very particular to pay her tithe, or systematic benevolence, as we called it at that time. “She had a garden—about two acres—which she and her two boys worked. God seemed to bless and care for that garden in a most wonderful manner, and saved her fruits from the destroyer. The grasshoppers came up around that garden fence, and piled up, one on top of the other, in places from one to two feet high. “Once in a while one would fly over the garden, but not light to do any damage. So she had plenty for herself, and sold some to her neighbors. “If we expect to be cared for through the perils of the last days, and be able to escape the seven last plagues and to stand in the judgment, we must be honest with God, and bring all our tithe into the storehouse, and then hear it said, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant.’ “In hope of eternal life, Read the Promises
By F. A. Zappe
WHEN the Christian pathway looks dark and discouraging, get your Bible and read the following precious promises which God makes to his tempted children. I know they will strengthen and encourage you to take a new stand for Jesus, and press forward toward the promised land:— “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor. 10:13. “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” Rev. 2:7, 11, 17. “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” “To him that overcometh will I grant10 to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Rev. 3:5, 12, 21. Truly, these are cheering and encouraging promises to the tempted child of God, who is wrestling “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” They do buoy us up while passing through this wilderness of temptation and sin. It would be well for every tempted child of God, especially in this trying time when Satan is doing his very best to overcome God’s people, often to read and meditate upon these comforting and strengthening promises. “The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.” Dear, tempted, discouraged brother, read these precious promises carefully and often: “The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.” “He will not suffer thy foot to be moved.” “The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil.” Trust in Jesus fully. Believe the promises which God makes to you. “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage,” brother, “and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” The Sabbath
By Carlos Wilcox
SABBATHS, like way-marks, cheer the pilgrim's path,
His progress mark, and keep his rest in view.
In life's bleak winter, they are pleasant days,
Short foretaste of the long, long spring to come. To every new-born soul, each hallowed morn
Seems like the first, when everything was new.
Time seems an angel come afresh from heaven,
His pinions shedding fragrance as he flies,
And his bright hour-glass running sands of gold. In everything a smiling God is seen.
On earth his beauty blooms, and in the sun
His glory shines. In objects overlooked
On other days, he now arrests the eye.
Not in the deep recesses of his works,
But on their face, he now appears to dwell. While silence reigns among the works of man,
The works of God have leave to speak his praise
With louder voice, in earth, and air, and sea. His vital Spirit, like the light, pervades
All nature, breathing round the air of heaven,
And spreading o'er the troubled sea of life
A halcyon calm. Sight were not needed now To bring him near; for faith performs the work;
In solemn thought surrounds herself with God,
With such transparent vividness she feels
Struck with admiring awe, as if transformed
To sudden vision. Such is oft her power
In God's own house, which, in the absorbing act
Of adoration, or inspiring praise,
She with his glory fills, as once a cloud
Of radiance filled the temple's inner court. A Minister's Experience
By Rev. G. P. Mackay
SOME years ago a friend of mine in Yorkshire wrote to me saying he had heard I had taken hold of some strange views regarding the doom of the finally impenitent, and he would like to know what these were. I replied that it was quite true that my mind had been changed on this sad subject. I no longer believed in the eternity of future torment, but held that the wicked would be cut off everlastingly after the judgment of the great day. I said that this light that had broken out upon me from God's Word had made our Father in heaven dearer to me than ever, and the Bible a clearer book than it had been before. My friend immediately answered that he was satisfied with the orthodox belief upon the matter, and he was sure I ought to be. In order to win me back to the old path he would like to have a debate with me by correspondence. And as I much appreciated his candor, kindness, and Biblical knowledge, I at once asked him to begin the discussion by proving from the Bible the natural immortality of man. This would be the right course, I said, as he was going to take the side of orthodoxy, and that affirmed that all men shall live forever. In a day or so a note came informing me that my proposal was accepted, that there were many passages in God's Word which stated man was an immortal being, and that he would prepare a list of them for me. I knew full well that he could not produce such a list; however, I waited patiently to see what he would further say. About a fortnight after, I received a letter inviting me very urgently to go to see my friend, for he found himself in dreadful difficulty regarding the task he had undertaken. Being able to arrange it soon, I paid the requested visit; and never shall I forget his look when he said that, to his amazement, he could not find a single verse in all the Book which declared man to be immortal; on the contrary, in his search many turned up which taught the mortal nature of mankind. He further said that the few passages which at all gave plausibility to the ordinary view of future punishment appeared now most unsatisfactory to him; and a little further conversation revealed to me the fact that he already had received the truth of immortality in Christ alone. How Had He Come to See It?
Simply by searching the Scriptures on the subject. “These,” said Jesus, “testify of me.” My friend had gone to them with the theory that he had received from the instructors of his childhood, and had searched for it in vain. Then throwing all prejudice overboard, he had sought for truth, and was rewarded. He was by the truth made free from former error, and is now rejoicing in the knowledge that the God of love shall mercifully prevent the wicked living forever, but proffers immortality to those who obey the gospel. Now Why Tell This to You?
First, because truth on all subjects should be published. The world is not suffering from an overstock of knowledge, and he who has any word to speak that will benefit his fellow men should out with it. Truth may at times be unfamiliar and unpalatable to the hearers of it, but he who knows he has it must still not keep it back. In the second place, if you are a Christian, you will be thankful to have this truth presented to you; because it vindicates your God, and mightily exalts your Saviour. By unbiased study of the Word of God you will find—- That man is nowhere styled immortal.
- That he is always represented as frail and perishing.
- That to prevent him from perishing, our Lord appeared.
- That life and immortality are brought to light through the gospel.
- That these are granted on condition of repentance and faith.
- That the disobedient shall, after judgment, die eternally.
The whole is presented in that well-known passage: “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23. Again: if unconverted yet, I tell it you that you may perceive your danger, and flee from it. So long as you think yourself immortal, you are inclined to hope that somehow or other you will get out of future retribution. I tell you, Nay; except you believe upon the Son of God, you shall surely die, and that forever. O, accept him as your Saviour, now, and rejoice with us in “life in Christ.”—Rev. G. P. Mackay. It is a delightful thought that the love of God is personal. It is not a general beneficence, but a direct personal love. “Who loved me, and gave himself for me,” said Paul. The thought of the immediate and direct love of his Lord was ever present with him. Jesus declared his love for his disciples, and of one it is written, “The disciple . . . whom he loved.” And everywhere in the Scriptures the thought is the same. God loves the world, his care is for all; but that is so because he loves and cares for each one. As soon as we recognize the personality of God, we become conscious of a personal relation to him; and when we receive the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, we know the relation is one of tenderest love. This sense of the personal love of God, so that we can say as Thomas did, “My Lord and my God,” brings us into close relation with the whole administration of God. All power in heaven and earth is given to Christ, and we are, therefore, allied to the whole universe of God. We look up to the heavens, they are ours; we look abroad over the earth, it also is ours; we think of the angels, they are ours—the servants of Christ to go forth as ministering spirits to minister to the heirs of salvation. What a wonderful love! What a wonderful sweep there is in this love! All things are yours, and ye are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s! The assurance of this personal love gives us confidence in the providence of God. “Thou . . . holdest me for thine enemy,” said Job. It seemed to him that God regarded him as a guilty one to be tracked and seized and punished; everything was against him. He never forgot those days of fearful trial, but there came a day when he praised the Lord, and lived in the assurance of his wise care. Since it is the pierced hand that holds the scepter, we may be sure that the love which redeemed us when we were enemies will govern the administration of the kingdom. He “loved me, and gave himself for me;” I know that he will make all things work together for my good.—United Presbyterian Over and Over
By Juliet Sill
Over and over God paints the skies
Over and over he makes the sun rise,
Over and over he tints the flowers,
Over and over he sends the showers,
Over and over he guides the stars,
Over and over the dawn unbars.
If over and over God deigns to work,
Why should we faint — one duty shirk?
— Juliet Sill. HE who never connects God with his daily life knows nothing of the spiritual meaning and the uses of life; nothing of the calm, strong patience with which ills may be endured; of the gentle, tender comfort which the Father’s love can minister; of the blessed rest to be realized in his forgiving love, his tender fatherhood; of the deep, peaceful sense of the Infinite One ever near, a refuge and strength.—Canon Farrar. I LOST a very little word
Only the other day;
A very naughty little word
I had not meant to say.
If only it were really lost,
I would not mind a bit;
I think I would deserve a prize
For really losing it. But then it wasn't really lost
When from my lips it flew;
My little brother picked it up,
And now he says it, too.
Mama said that the worst would be
I could not get it back;
But worst of all, it seems to me,
I'm always on its track. Mama is sad; papa looks grieved;
Johnny has said it twice;
Of course it is no use for me
To tell him it's not nice.
When you lose other things, they're lost;
But lose a naughty word,
And for every time 'twas heard before
Now twenty times 'tis heard. If 'twere only really lost,
O, then I would be glad
I let it fall so carelessly
The day that I got mad!
Lose other things, you never seem
To come upon their track;
But if you lose a naughty word,
It's always coming back.