p. 9 | Review and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 31. (6/24/1915)

Established in the Present Truth

By F. M. W.

DECLARES the apostle Peter: “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.”

God has given to his church in nearly every period of its history special truths particularly applicable to that period. These truths have usually been unpopular, believed in by the few, rejected by the many; but they have nevertheless been the messages of God which he designed his church to proclaim to the world. Such was the message which Noah proclaimed to the antediluvians. For one hundred and twenty years he bore his testimony of the coming flood. But few accepted his word. Some doubtless believed who died before the time of the great overwhelming disaster; but when Noah entered the ark provided for his salvation, only seven others were prepared to embark with him.

It was such a message that Jonah proclaimed to wicked Nineveh. The response, however, in this instance was most gratifying; for the record is that from the king on his throne to his humblest subject, the people engaged in fasting and humiliation, seeking God to forgive their sins and to avert the threatened calamity.

John the Baptist was the voice of one crying in the wilderness, preparing the people for the reception of Christ at his first manifestation. Upon Luther and his colaborers was placed the responsibility of proclaiming the doctrine of free grace through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ as against the teaching of the minions of Rome. The Wesleys and Whitefield served a divine purpose in the work which God accomplished through them. William Miller and his associates, by the message they bore, awakened the world to a realization of the proximity of the last great judgment.

To the people connected with this movement there has been committed a special message constituting the present truth for this day and generation. It hardly seems necessary that we enumerate the specific truths embodied in this message,—the truths relating to the coming of the Lord, the perpetuity of the law of God, the priestly work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, the life that can be found only through Christ, the condition of man between death and the resurrection, the final rewards which will be meted out to the impenitent and ungodly, the eternal home of the people of God in the earth made new, the proper support of the gospel ministry, the change which must be wrought in the physical life as represented in the principles of health and temperance, the work of the spirit of prophecy in connection with the remnant church, together with the warning to be sounded against the beast and his image and the religio-political combinations which will be arrayed against the truth of God in the last days.

There is need that the members of this church be established in the present truth for this time. We can become established in it only as we become acquainted with it, only as we learn by personal study and investigation that it has been founded upon the Scriptures of Truth.

We can say, as did Peter, “We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Where we possessed one evidence of the truthfulness of our positions twenty-five years ago, we possess one hundred evidences today. We know that earth’s history is fast hastening to its close, that soon the Lord Jesus Christ will return to earth and take his children home unto himself.

God’s providence has been seen in the evolution of this movement. We cannot for a moment doubt that it exists in his order. We know from the assurances of the Word of God that it will triumph in the end, and its triumph may be our triumph as members of the church.

A mere profession of the truth will not assure us victory. It is only as the power of the message which we are endeavoring to give to others sanctifies our own lives that we shall be saved. And no theory of the message, no versatility of discussion or power of argument, will enable us to withstand the forces which will be arrayed against us. He only will stand who makes God his trust, who walks humbly before him, who puts out of his life every sin, and places himself under the constant guidance of the Holy Spirit.

There is need today that Seventh-day Adventists study anew the principles of the faith in order that they may obtain that individual knowledge and experience which will enable them to stand. There should be organized in all our churches a systematic study of the special truths for this time. Either the church should meet together as one company under competent leadership for this purpose, or there should be formed little companies, several families uniting. And if this is not possible, then earnest study should be taken up in every family and by every individual.

I have been shown that many who profess to have a knowledge of present truth, know not what they believe. They do not understand the evidences of their faith. They have no just appreciation of the work for the present time. When the time of trial shall come, there are men now preaching to others, who will find, upon examining the positions they hold, that there are many things for which they can give no satisfactory reason. Until thus tested, they knew not their great ignorance. And there are many in the church who take it for granted that they understand what they believe, but, until controversy arises, they do not know their own weakness. When separated from those of like faith, and compelled to stand singly and alone to explain their belief, they will be surprised to see how confused are their ideas of what they had accepted as truth. Certain it is that there has been among us a departure from the living God, and a turning to men, putting human in place of divine wisdom. . . .

Agitate, agitate, agitate. The subjects which we present to the world must be to us a living reality. It is important that in defending the doctrines which we consider fundamental articles of faith, we should never allow ourselves to employ arguments that are not wholly sound. These may avail to silence an opposer, but they do not honor the truth. We should present sound arguments, that will not only silence our opponents, but will bear the closest and most searching scrutiny.—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. V, pages 707, 708.

Let us study to know for ourselves what the Word of God teaches, so that we may be able to give a reason of the hope that is within us, with meekness and with fear. Then we shall not believe this message because others believe it, or because our fathers and mothers before us were members of the

church, or because some minister in whom we have confidence has taught us, but because we know for ourselves what the Word of the Lord teaches. In this way only can be obtained that knowledge of the Word of God, that experience in him, which will establish us in the present truths for this time, and enable us to stand in the evil day.

Says the servant of the Lord, 'None but those who have trained the intellect to grasp the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict.' Now is our day of opportunity to secure this training. Let us improve it.

F. M. W.

Signs of the Approaching End

By W. A. S.

Part 2. The Coming of the Latter Days

HAVING foretold the destruction of Jerusalem, and given to the believers signs by which they might find deliverance in the day of its overthrow, Christ yet more fully answered the second part of the disciples’ question, “What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Matt. 24: 3.

The Period of Papal Persecutions

Quickly he passed to the events of the latter days. But first he sketched, in few words, the tribulations through which his church was to pass during the intervening centuries. Daniel the prophet had written of this experience, foretelling the long prophetic period during which the papal power was to “wear out the saints of the Most High.” Dan. 7: 25. Of these times, Christ said in his prophetic discourse:—

“Then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Matt. 24: 21, 22.

It is evident that Christ referred to the same time of tribulation foretold by Daniel. His words could not refer to the trials attending the flight of the Christians from Jerusalem. Their flight was a deliverance of the elect from trial, however much the weak may have suffered temporarily in fleeing from their homes. The great suffering of that time came upon the unbelieving. They had no shelter.

This prophecy of our Saviour’s presents the picture of long-continued persecution of his own elect, and foretells the shortening of the allotted time. God was to intervene in some special way to save his people. Even so the elect suffered through the centuries of papal supremacy, until the rise of the Reformation and the spreading abroad of God’s Word broke the power of the Papacy, shortening the days of their bitter tribulation.

The End Drawing Near

According to Daniel’s further prophecy, the period of trial and tribulation was to reach “even to the time of the end.” Dan. 11: 35. Naturally, then, we should look for the signs of the latter days to begin to appear following these days of tribulation. And, sure enough, the next words of Christ’s discourse introduce the topic of Christ’s second coming. The prophetic outline has now to deal with events leading on to the end of the age.

First the Saviour utters a warning against false ideas concerning his second coming. That no theories of a secret coming or of a mystic coming might deceive the unwary, he says in plain words:—

“Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matt. 24: 23-27.

We see the need of the warning today. Some of the most subtle deceptions are found in the teaching that Christ has already come, secretly; or that he comes in the chamber of death or in the spiritualistic séance. Against all these errors we are forewarned, as well as against any agencies that may come showing even marvelous signs and wonders. The close of human probation, the coming of the day of God, will be as a thief in the night; and Christ’s coming itself will overtake the unwatchful all unprepared. But when he comes, “every eye shall see him,” and all the glory of heaven will burst upon the quaking world.

Signs in the Heavens and the Earth

Now the Saviour’s outline of prophecy presents the signs to show when the coming of the Lord is drawing near. Referring again to the days of tribulation foretold by the prophet, Christ says:—

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven.” Matt. 24: 29, 30.

In Luke’s record of the same prophetic discourse, additional signs are given, describing conditions in the earth as Christ’s coming draws near. His account reads:—

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity: the sea and the waves roaring: men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21: 25-28.

Yet again, the prophet John, in the Revelation, foretells these signs in the sun and moon and stars, as they were shown to him in a vision of the last days. But his record shows that this series of signs was to be preceded by a great earthquake. He describes the order of events as follows:—

“And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake: and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.” Rev. 6: 12.

In these scriptures four great signs of Christ’s approaching advent are listed for our study, as follows:—

The great earthquake.
The darkening of the sun and moon.
The falling of the stars.
Distress of nations, and other signs.

The Time When the Signs Begin

Christ’s prophecy points out approximately the time when the first of the signs that he gave, the darkening of the sun, should appear—“Immediately after the tribulation of those days.” And the “great earthquake” of John’s vision, was to precede this sign in the heavens.

The Reformation of the sixteenth century began to cut short the days of tribulation. But some countries shut out the liberalizing influences of the Word of God. There persecution continued.

Even as late as near the end of the seventeenth century, in 1685, France revoked the Edict of Nantes, that had granted toleration, and persecution raged as of old. The church was driven again to the desert. Speaking of the early decades of the eighteenth century, Kurz says:—

In France the persecution of the Huguenots continued. . . . The “pastors of the desert” performed their duties at the risk of their lives.—Church History, Vol. III, page 88.

There was severe persecution of the Moravians, in Austria, in these times, many of the persecuted finding refuge in Saxony. It was in 1722 that Christian David led the first band of Moravian refugees to settle on the estates of Count Zinzendorf, who organized through them the great pioneer movement of modern missions.

But by the middle of the century, the era of enlightenment and the force of world opinion, in the good providence of God, had so permeated the Catholic states of Europe that general violent persecution had ceased.

One incident suffices as evidence of this. The scene was in France, where alone, of all the Catholic states, there were any great numbers of Protestants. In 1762 a Huguenot was put to torture on the rack by the authorities of Toulouse, under the influence of the Dominicans. Voltaire took up the matter, and so wrought upon public opinion that the Paris parliament reviewed the case, and the king paid the persecuted man a large indemnity.

This shows that about the middle of that century, the days of any general persecution had ceased. In the nature of the case, we may not point to the exact year, and say, Here the days of tribulation ended.

From these times, then, we are to scan the record of history to learn if the appointed signs began to appear. As we look, we find the following events recorded, following on in the order predicted:—

The Lisbon earthquake, of 1755.
The “dark day,” of 1780.
The falling stars, of 1833.
General conditions and movements betokening the end.

“There shall be signs,” the Saviour said. We are to study the record of events, watching to catch the signs of the approaching end as earnestly as the mariner watches the beacon lights as he nears the longed-for haven on a dark and stormy night. W. A. S.

The Social Volcano

By C. M. S.

WE consider it nothing strange that the forces of nature, among which the motions of a certain antagonism have been operating for many centuries, should occasionally burst the crust of this world and scatter devastation and death broadcast. That is a material volcano. In it is demonstrated the antagonistic operation of natural forces, blind forces, shunted off the main line of the Creator’s purpose as the outworking of the anarchy of sin, which has affected the material as well as the social system.

Satan claims the sovereignty of this world; but his system is founded upon self-service, jealousy, and hatred. Every calamity that has befallen the race and the world which it inhabits has come as a result of accepting Satan’s program instead of God’s. When Satan defied the government of God in heaven and set himself against it and established himself in this earth, he set at defiance God’s government in material as well as social and spiritual things. From that day there has been trouble in the temporal and material affairs of this world as well as in the social and spiritual affairs. Calamity has followed on calamity, disaster on disaster, and famine, pestilence. and death have been close on the heels of the human family through all the centuries that have passed. Mountains have blown their heads off and overwhelmed the people. Earthquakes have shaken down the dwellings of the rich and the poor, and buried the inmates in the ruins. Fires, floods, and tornadoes have swept over the world and left desolation, ruin, and death in their path. These demonstrate antagonism in the domain of material nature—the laws of nature to a certain extent counterworked by another power that has been given scope to demonstrate itself.

For years scientists have noted a marked tendency toward the increase of those occurrences which demonstrate this condition of antagonism among the laws of nature. Earthquakes are more numerous, the earth’s crust more “nervous” and treacherous, symptoms of an impending terrestrial calamity.

Exactly the same condition has been noted in the social system. The social fabric has also become more “nervous,” more treacherous: The formation of organizations antagonistic to each other and threatening each other, and occasionally clashing with each other and declaring each other’s extinction, is symptomatic of the same dangerous condition in the social world that we have observed in the material world. This clashing of interests has shown no abatement in its insistent aggressiveness. The interests of one organization have clashed with those of another, and the compromises effected between them have been the compromises of expediency, and all know them to be but makeshifts and temporary in their tenure.

What we have seen among organizations within the nations we have seen growing with equal aggressiveness and insistence between the greater organizations—the nations of the world. They assumed monstrous burdens to keep other nations from breaking down their national boundaries and spoiling them of their possessions; and while arming for their own defense, they have made themselves dreaded by others, who have likewise armed for defense, and have thus passed on the spirit of dread and distrust and aggressive defense.

These were the smoldering fires, the subterranean rumblings, that forewarned of the volcanic outbreak so soon to be. The strain upon the social earth crust became greater than the resisting strength of the material, and the crash has come; the social volcanic mountains have blown their heads into the air, and destruction and death are raining down upon the people. This is the greatest social outbreak the world has ever seen. Every international upheaval of the past has made this one more certain, more deadly in its workings, and more provocative of that bitterness which will yet fling the whole world into one field of carnage.

This crash has set the “peace propagandists” at work more eagerly than ever before. We admire the spirit which actuates them—that is, their desire to see peace reign in this world, to see the afflictions of war stayed, and the flow of blood stanched. But God has given us no ground of hope that peace will ever reign here until the work of the gospel has been consummated, and every vestige of sin has been burned out of this world by the renovating fires of the last great day. Much as we oppose war and deplore the spirit of hatred which nerves men to incite nation against nation, we feel that it is worse than a waste of time to prophesy the age of peace this side the second coming of Christ. It raises hopes which will never be fulfilled, and encourages men to trust in human means of achieving peace, when there is no peace for those outside of Christ.

We find no scripture which warrants us in believing that mankind will grow better and better, more careful of one another’s rights, more tender of one another’s feelings. On the other hand, we are positively instructed that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” The greatest deception that will come to this world will be that which will be found in a false peace movement. A human arrangement will undoubtedly be perfected which will cause the majority of Christendom to feel that now the victory of peace is complete, that the battle against war has been fought and won, and that the kingdom of righteousness has at last been ushered in. And then the crash will come. A world satisfied and at ease and resting in the confidence of peace accomplished, will become a world disappointed and distressed, and terrified at the fearful reality of a world engulfed in the horrors of most bitter warfare. The awfulness of the present war is tempered somewhat by the fact that some of the nations are still neutral; that there is comparative peace in a portion of the world; that there are states which can act as mediators between the warring nations; but when the greater war is on, the wounds of civilization cannot be mollified even to that extent. The present social volcano is sufficiently terrorizing the world; but when every nation is drinking its cup of distress, the people will realize the bitterness of the deception bound up in the present peace propaganda.

In a world war is demonstrated the final result of the principles of Satan’s rule applied to the dealings of man with man. That social volcano was germinant in Satan’s conquest in Eden as truly as

was ever the oak tree germinant in the acorn from which it sprang. The Christian’s comfort and assurance are not in plans of human devising, but in the sure Word of God, that lamp of the Christian’s pathway which shines brighter and brighter as the journey nears its end. “For we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end.” Heb. 3:14. Peter closes his admonition thus: “Knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own steadfastness.” 2 Peter 3:17. With every evil device of Satan working in our day, we have need of this inspired admonition. While the spirit of war is from beneath, and the spirit of peace is from above, let us not be deceived by a false peace, and so hurled into the maelstrom of earth’s final and most bitter disappointment. C. M. S.

Through Korea

By Arthur Grosvenor Daniells

Our journey from Tokio to Shimonoseki, the port of departure from Japan to Korea, gave us an excellent view of the beautiful scenery of Japan. For seven hundred miles the railway winds around the foothills of mountain ranges and through beautiful valleys, giving new views of magnificent scenery at every turn. The railway almost encircles the world-famous, snow-capped Mt. Fuji. This journey also gave us a better understanding of the density of the population of this country. Cities, towns, and villages line the route all the way, and everywhere one sees these active, energetic, and self-reliant people forging ahead with their various lines of work.

On arriving at Fusan, at the extreme southern point of Korea, we were met by Elder C. L. Butterfield, the superintendent of the field. I am sure our brethren in the homeland will be interested to know that during this long journey from country to country, we have been met by warm-hearted, loving Seventh-day Adventists at every port we have entered. Here is the list: Honolulu, Hawaii; Suva, Fiji; Auckland, New Zealand; Sydney, Australia; Launceston, Tasmania; Freemantle, West Australia; Colombo, Ceylon; Danooshkoda, India; Rangoon, Burma; Singapore, Malaysia; Hongkong, China; Manila, Philippine Islands; Nagasaki, Japan; and Fusan, Korea. Meeting our dear people at all these ports, emphasizes the world-wide character of this movement. It is truly marvelous how this message has spread out over the world, and taken root in so many places. Wherever the seed falls, it seems to spring up and bear fruit. Like the leaven in the meal it is leavening the mass. And in all these places, the message has the same regenerating, transforming effect in the hearts of the people. Seventh-day Adventists are alike the world over. National boundaries and racial peculiarities seem to be obliterated; at least they are not noticed in our association together. The one thing that stands out most prominently is that we are one in Christ, believing the same things, rejoicing in the one joyous hope, and living and working for hearts, the one great purpose,—the finishing of our Lord’s work in the whole earth.

Brother Butterfield took us to the train, where we began a journey through the entire length of Korea—six hundred miles. We had scarcely left Fusan when he began to point toward villages some distance from the railway line where we have little companies of Sabbath keepers.

A ride of sixty miles brought us to Keizan, where Brother and Sister R. C. Wangerin are located. We left the train here, to spend a day at their station. Brother and Sister Wangerin have been living and working alone at this station the most of the time during the last five years. Their district embraces the southern end of Korea, and includes about six million people.

In the afternoon, Brother Wangerin took us to the top of a high peak in the ranges back of his house to show us a hundred villages that can be seen dotting the valley and hills from his station. Over the ranges and in valleys beyond, are hundreds more. After scanning this great stretch of territory, and hearing him tell of the believers that had been won to the message in villages in all these sections, and then listening to his request for just one couple to join him and Sister Wangerin, we all bowed in prayer on the hillside, asking God to send these dear workers help. They are the only Europeans in the village. Sister Wangerin stays here year after year, caring for her two little girls, and encouraging her husband in his work. Should either of them fail in health, and they be compelled to leave the field, we should surely sustain great loss while waiting for some one to take up this work. We believe that at least two families should be associated in a district containing six million people, and we felt the blessing and approval of the Lord of the harvest while praying for another family to come to their help.

Our next stop was at Seoul, the headquarters of our work in Korea. Here we met Sister Butterfield and Brother and Sister Oberg, who do the clerical work of the mission, and made the acquaintance of the Korean brethren engaged in the work of the printing office. In the morning we spoke to a company of brethren and sisters in their neat chapel in the city, and in the evening to a larger number in the chapel of the printing office. Our church membership at Seoul at the present time is one hundred and twenty.

Our mission compound is about two miles from the city, and seems to be as well located for health and other advantages as it could be. The homes of the workers and the printing office are neat, creditable buildings. It was certainly a pleasure to go through this printing

office, meeting workers and inspecting work and literature—all Korean. We are now circulating the following lines of literature in the Korean language: one monthly magazine with an edition of 5,000, three different bound books, and fifteen different tracts. During 1914 the value of literature sold by the fifteen agents in the field was $2,400.

From Seoul we hurried on to Soonan, one hundred and seventy-five miles north, where our Korean school is located, and where a general meeting of our foreign and native workers was in progress. We were glad indeed to greet dear friends at this place—Dr. Riley Russell and wife, Sister Mimi Scharffenberg, and Sister May Scott, whom we had known so well in former days. These workers are all looking well. They love the people and their work in Korea, and would not choose any other place on earth to work for lost souls. Brother and Sister Smith had come over from Wonsan, their mission station on the northeast coast. For years they have been toiling in this section, alone much of the time. Brother Smith has a long stretch of country along the coast to visit. As there are no good roads in that part, traveling is very wearing. But they feel repaid for their toil and sacrifice by seeing others brought to the light and joy of the truth that is so dear to them.

Our Korean school has forty acres of land for cultivation. Part of this is in the valley, where good crops of various kinds are raised to profit, and part is on the hillsides, where excellent fruit can be grown. All the ground that can be cultivated is being worked. The buildings already erected are the main building, a dormitory for boys, another for girls, a dispensary, two cottages for teachers, and barns and sheds for cattle and grain. These buildings are located well up on the hillside, which gives them a good appearance from the village lower down. All except the teachers’ cottages are well built and present a neat appearance. I was sorry to have missed seeing Professor Lee, who has had charge of this school for several years. He had just returned to the States on account of Sister Lee’s health. The attendance at the school the past year was ninety-five—fifty boys and forty-five girls.

The general meeting held at Soonan while we were there was most enjoyable and encouraging. The daily attendance was about three hundred. On the Sabbath four hundred crowded into the school chapel. We considered the room well filled with three hundred, but it was packed to the limit by the addition of another hundred. In view of the steady growth of the membership in this section, it was decided to enlarge the chapel.

I think I may truthfully say that I have never met a more appreciative congregation. They were hungry, and received the word with gladness. One sister about fifty years old walked nearly four hundred miles over high hills and across narrow valleys to attend this meeting. She sold literature on the way. Another sister walked two hundred miles. It was a joy to preach God’s message to such hearers.

The reports presented by the workers were very encouraging. The Lord’s work is going forward in Korea. The lack of workers is the one serious drawback. We now have six hundred church members, and nearly six hundred others are keeping the Sabbath and awaiting baptism. The tithe for 1914 was $1,392. The offerings to missions amounted to $1,350. There has been a steady increase in these funds from 1908, when they began to be paid, showing loyalty to the cause and steady growth in funds.

As we saw what the third angel’s message has done for these people, and measured the working strength of our staff in the field, it made us sad to see how far we come from meeting the situation. The doors are wide open to us. Wherever our workers go, they find people ready to listen, to investigate, and to obey. Korea has not yet turned from Christianity as it is reported Japan is steadily doing. With Japanese rule complete, and with her influence so dominant in Korea, no one can foretell the swing back that may take place among the Koreans during the next few years. Today the whole field is most favorably wide open to us.

From the top of the range of hills back of our compound, Dr. Riley Russell pointed to scores of villages he is working as a medical evangelist. The calls from these villages are so numerous and pressing that the doctor can spend but little time in the dispensary connected with the school. Sister Russell, with native workers, attends to the dispensary work. In addition to treating hundreds of people for all kinds of ailments and diseases, Dr. Russell preaches God’s message of salvation to thousands, leads them to the obedience of the truth, baptizes converts, and cares for churches. He told me he knew of no greater joy, and cared for no greater honor in this world. And what can bring a greater blessing to lost, suffering humanity? Dr. Russell is the only foreign evangelist in that region. Brother Smith is the only one we have on the northeast coast, and Brother Wangerin is the only one at work in the southern part of the country. Elder Butterfield is kept busy with the general work and with the special interests of the printing office and the school. We have two ordained native ministers and twenty native evangelists working under our four foreign ministers. We had the privilege of joining in the ordination of Brethren Chyong Mun Cook and Ne Keun Ok at this meeting. These brethren have been doing faithful work as licensed preachers for several years, and all were united in recommending them for ordination.

Korea is a truly interesting field. The providences of God have opened it to his church, and precious jewels are being found and gathered for the kingdom. I was sorry to leave these workers and people, but our appointments made it necessary to hasten on.

A. G. DANIELLS.

“Which Have Received the Holy Ghost as Well as We”

By William Ambrose Spicer

OVER a hundred Kafir believers, and a few Europeans, were standing up before the Lord at the Maranatha Mission, consecrating their lives anew to God, and to the bearing of the witness to all Kafirland.

God had blessed in the preaching service. Agrippa, one of our teachers in the Fish River outschools, had acted as translator. Even though I knew no Kafir, I could feel that he had the Spirit of the Lord with him in turning the word spoken, sentence by sentence, into the vernacular. Our hearts had been made tender. Then as we stood before God, Brother Moko, our oldest Kafir laborer, spread our needs before God in prayer, and asked him to accept this consecration to a life of victory over sin and to the finishing of the work in Kafirland and all the world.

As he began to pray, there swept over the entire congregation, like a wave, the spirit of contrition and supplication and surrender. There was the sound of suppressed sobbing, and of entreaty of soul among the little company. It was no outburst of mere emotion, but the tender and subduing work of God’s Spirit melting all our hearts. Brother Moko, for the moment, was unable to continue praying, and we all, Europeans and natives, knew that of a truth the Spirit of the living God was witnessing to the consecration of these believers.

There they were—a good proportion of them but a year or two or three out of raw heathenism. Like old-fashioned Seventh-day Adventists they were making the surrender of every sin, laying hold of the keeping power of Jesus, and dedicating their lives to service.

As the presence of the Holy Spirit filled the church and melted all hearts, I thought of those words of Peter as the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentiles at Cæsarea, as he preached the remission of sins through Jesus. “Can any,” he said, “forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?”

The Holy Spirit is falling upon waiting souls in Kafirland to fit them for service, as well as on us. W. A. S.

Kafirland.

Continue reading: It Is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive