p. 12 | Review and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 53. (12/31/1908)

Food for the Sick

By Mrs. Edith E. Bruce

MRS. EDITH E. BRUCE

“I HAVE been thinking,” said Aunt Mary, thoughtfully, as she opened the meeting of the Good Housekeeping and Cooking Club, “that it might be well for us to-day to consider the subject of food for the sick.

“Oftentimes it is our privilege to visit the sick. Many times we find people in perplexity concerning the feeding of their sick, or find them giving foods that tend to intensify the illness. If we are able to prepare a wholesome diet for the sick, we certainly can be a great blessing to our families and neighbors.

“Of course there are many conditions to be taken into consideration, which would cover many lessons, and which we have not time to take up in detail; but I think we may be able to consider a few general principles that will be helpful to us and to them.

“First, we must remember that a person who is ill (in most cases at least) is without appetite, and can not relish food as when well; so the utmost care should be taken to have everything dainty and appetizing. The tray should be set with the cleanest, whitest linen and the daintiest dishes that the house can afford. A sprig of fresh flowers or a small bouquet laid on the side of the tray will often cheer the heart of the patient, and will actually stimulate an appetite. Only the freshest flowers should ever be left in the sick-room, and only the ripest fresh fruits chosen when fruit is used.

“Foods that are to be served hot, such as gruels, eggs, cream toast, etc., should not be allowed to cool before being served. To this end have all dishes that are to contain these foods thoroughly warmed, and have warm dishes to turn over them. Have the patient ready for the food, and everything ready on the tray except the hot foods, so that no delay may occur. By taking these precautions, the patient will have no occasion to turn in disgust from lukewarm, insipid food.

“Where there is fever to any extent, the food should be liquid, grape-juice, orange-juice, barley-water, plain cereals, and egg albumen being about the best. Grains prepared for gruels should be well cooked and strained, and may be seasoned with two tablespoonfuls of cream to the half-pint to make them more palatable, using care not to make them too thick. A good gruel should be as thin as thin cream. Rice, barley, oatmeal, cream of wheat, and gluten, also granose flakes or any wheat flakes, make excellent gruels if well cooked and seasoned. Eggs, too, are very nourishing, and if rightly prepared, can easily be digested.

“Before closing, I will give you a few simple recipes for preparing eggs for the sick:—

Curdled Eggs

“Eggs prepared in this way are easily digested. Take perfectly fresh eggs, and drop into a vessel of boiling water removed from the stove, and let them stand about five or six minutes.

Poached Eggs

“Poached eggs are very wholesome if nicely done. Many cooks keep the water boiling when poaching eggs. This is a great mistake. Carefully drop the eggs into hot water (use plenty of water), and move the vessel to one side of the stove to prevent boiling. When done, remove with a skimmer.

Egg-Nog

“Beat the yolk and white of the egg separately. To the well-beaten yolk add the juice of one large orange, a little sugar, a little lemon-juice, and a spoonful of the white of the egg. Mix, place in a glass, and put the white, which has been beaten to a stiff froth, on top. Other fruit juices may be used instead of orange-juice, or milk may be used; in the latter case a little vanilla may be added to flavor. This is very palatable, and also nourishing and easily digested.

“These are only a few recipes for eggs. Perhaps next week we will again take up this subject, and talk of some other foods for the sick.”

Mussoorie, India.

What Does It Mean?

It does not matter what it means, poor heart; The dear Lord knows; to bear it is your part, Nor think some strange thing happens unto you, Which he would not allow so, if he knew. He does know. In his all-wise Fatherhood He knows it, and allows it for your good. He is not hard; you do not think he is When in the dark you find your hand in his. When it was light, you tried to walk alone, And thought the strength he gave you all your own; You did not ask what that last blessing meant, Just smiled and took it, satisfied, content. You did not think it strange; you thought he knew, And planned the sweet surprise that came to you. Tried one, then do you take life's sweet and good, Yet can not trust his loving Fatherhood, But think he makes mistakes whenever he sends Some hindrance which your eager haste offends? Or when he lets the wicked plot you harm, And stir a whirlpool when you seek a calm; You think it strange, this trial swift and keen, And in your weakness ask, “What does it mean?” I think the language of God's heart would read; “I love my child, I note his slightest need; I long to prosper him in all his ways, To give him quiet nights and peaceful days; But if I do, he'll loose himself from me, My outstretched hand he will not wait to see; I'll place a hindering wall before his feet, There he will wait, and there we two will meet. I do it not in wrath for broken laws, Or wilful disobedience, but because I want him nearer, and I can not wait For him to come, for he might wander late; My child will wonder, will not understand, Still, half in doubt, he'll clasp my outstretched hand; But when at last upon my heart he leans, He will have ceased to wonder what it means.”

—Selected.

Kept, Hour by Hour

He was a tall, powerful Scotchman, and had held the position of “boss striker” at the steel works for years. Nearly all the men in his department were hard drinkers, and he was no exception to the rule.

But one day it was announced among the workmen that he had become religious; and, sure enough, when pressed to take a drink, he said: “I shall never take a drink mair, lads. Na drunkard can inhabit the kingdom of God.”

A knowing one smiled, and said: “Wait a bit; wait a bit. Wait until the hot weather—until July. When he gets as dry as a gravel pit, then he will give in. He can’t help it.”

But right through the hottest months he never seemed to be tempted to drink.

Finally, as I was taking the men’s time one evening, I stopped and spoke to him.

“Stowe,” said I, “you used to take considerable liquor. Don’t you miss it?”

“Yes,” said he, emphatically.

“How do you manage to keep away from it?”

“Well, just this way. It is now ten o’clock, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Well, to-day is the twentieth of the month. From seven till eight I asked that the Lord would help me. He did so, an’ I put down a dot on the calendar right near the twenty. From eight till nine he kept me, an’ I put down another dot. From nine to ten he’s kep’ me, and noo I gie him the glory as I put down the third dot. Just as I mark these, I pray: ‘O Lord, halp me; halp me to fight it off for another hour.’”—Selected.

The Rich Young Ruler

By Mrs. Edith B. Goodrich

MRS. EDITH B. GOODRICH

The rich young ruler! how our sympathy Goes out to him as e'en the Saviour's did!

In fancy we behold the youthful form, The graceful locks by silken turban hid, The velvet robe, token of wealth and power,— O rich young ruler! O momentous hour!

“What must I do eternal life to gain?” This was the burden of his youthful soul.

“If thou indeed the priceless pearl seek, wouldst win, God's laws regard. Observe and do the whole.”

Two rulers—face to face—O touching scene! With holy angels hovering between!

“His precepts have I kept from youth till now.” Then Jesus, gazing on him, loved him much; He yearned to break base mammon's powerful snare, And draw the rich young ruler by his touch.

*“One thing thou lackest; thy possessions sell,— Then come and follow me; and all is well.”*

The ministering angels now their influence lend. 'Tis mercy's hour—'tis Christ himself who pleads! A universe awaits the drama's turn; O rich young ruler! wilt thou sense thy needs?

No! sad, sad hour! Behold, he turns away,— The price desired, the price too great to pay!

Rich rulers of the modern world to-day, O men of rank, of station, wealth, and power, The gracious Ruler of the universe Pleads with you now in mercy's lingering hour! What your decision? Choose, O choose to-day, Nor let base mammon o'er your lives hold sway!

Meadow Glade, Wash.

En Route to Rio de Janeiro

By H. S. PRENER

H. S. PRENER

A German liner left the New York City wharf on August 20, bound by direct route for Brazil. The first eighteen hundred miles of the trip brought us close to the Lesser Antilles. The most important to us was the island of Martinique.

Mt. Pelee

Martinique came within sight on our seventh day out. Our first view showed us the northern end, with a heavy thick growth of tropical trees, shrubs, and sward. The famous Mt. Pelee could be seen in the distance, piercing the clouds, and hiding its summit. Little huts, here and there, dotted the landscape. Immediately behind the green hills alongshore were mountains, which plainly showed volcanic disturbance. A survey of the ground revealed death reigning on all sides of the crater. Great flows of lava could be traced their full length to the sea. Although years have passed since the noted eruption, the grass and trees are sparse.

A large, dry river-bed was plainly seen, the course of the waters having been diverted by the upheaval and led into other channels. To the right of the immense lava flow and shore impressions in the layers of pumice made by the washing of the breakers, we passed the forsaken harbor and ruined city of St. Pierre. The marine glasses revealed dismantled houses and crumbling walls. The many buildings of the once crowded city still stand without roofs. All is silent; all teaches the utter insignificance of man. Above, a majestic mountain, below, a crushed city.

Prosperous towns and villages, amid luxuriant tropical foliage, may be seen within a few miles, and on the very edge of a vast area of wilderness.

Barbados, British West Indies

The break of day, one week from our departure, found us in an English harbor—Bridgetown, Barbados, British West Indies. The ferryman arrived early, soliciting passengers. Pickaninnies were anxious to dive for coins. We went ashore, glad for an opportunity to set our feet on land again. The houses are low, quaint, wooden structures, covered with cement. The predominant colors are pink, light-blue, gray, and orange. The small island is thickly populated by poor, but very intelligent negroes,—two hundred persons on an island lacking enterprise,—a multitude without work, with a wage scale as follows: carpenters, twenty-four to fifty cents a day; masons, forty-five to ninety cents. Some women work all day for six cents. The street railway is narrow-gauge. The cars are drawn by two little mules. Fares are charged according to distance. Instead of numbering the cars and dwellings, pretty names are displayed. Fire brigade and police department are manned by prim black men. Rich, gorgeous flora, ebony-trees, breadfruit-trees, bananas, tamarinds, cacti, etc., abound. Colored women are seen unloading a coal steamer, with little tubs perched on their heads. These are some of the many odd sights seen on this little island in the tropics.

Burial at Sea

One of the passengers, a Greek, after several days' illness, died on the second Sunday out. The officers, desiring to give him an immediate burial, called at midnight, and asked us to attend the service.

The body was wrapped in two small berth mattresses, and iron bars, weighing about three hundred pounds, were placed at the feet. It was then covered with heavy canvas, sewed at the ends, and the whole was tied up with rope, and, draped with a German flag, was placed upon a plank which extended beyond the side of the ship. All was done very quietly, with few words spoken. The light was dim, and the few chief officers in full dress added to the impressiveness of the scene. Mrs. Prener was the only woman present. The captain's shrill whistle broke the silence. All uncovered their heads, as the machinery gradually slowed down. The ship stopped. All present listened intently as we bowed in prayer. Then the plank was tipped, causing the heavy load to disappear in the black ocean.

A PORTION OF THE RESIDENTIAL SECTION OF RIO DE JANEIRO

Brazilian Cities

Pernambuco, Bahia, and Rio de Janeiro were the three other places where our ship stopped. These cities are the New York, Philadelphia, and Washington of the Brazilian republic, respectively.

Pernambuco lies in a strategic position for commercial intercourse with the European and American ports, situated as it is on the extreme eastern portion of the South American continent. Bahia, meaning “The Bay,” has a most beautiful horseshoe harbor, and is built the full length of a range of hills facing the water. Rio, the capital city, in the Federal District, with a population of nearly a million, is favored with one of the most beautiful harbors in the world. This, with its natural surroundings and recent improvements, makes it a surprisingly beautiful city for so undeveloped a country.

Visit to the American Mahratta Mission

By GEO. F. ENOCH

GEO. F. ENOCH

On being graduated from one of our colleges some twelve years ago, the writer thought that, for him, the day of examinations and examination papers was past. It was accordingly with strange feelings that he found himself, after so long a time, seated at a school desk in the roomy high-school building of the American Board Mission in Ahmednagar, India, with pen in hand, and large sheets of foolscap before him, and a professor writing a list of examination questions on the blackboard. Were it not for strange-looking Mahrati characters, so unlike anything of the old school-days, one might almost imagine that time had actually slipped backward in its flight. But as one proceeds with the questions, having to write (or more properly speaking, to draw) the answers in the strange character, expressing one's self backward and in a roundabout way, as compared with the mother tongue, to decline nouns and pronouns in eight cases, to conjugate verbs in the fourteen tenses of the indicative mode, not to mention the tenses of the four other modes,—well, it would seem easier to have an examination as in the old days. The matter was made a little more difficult as the writer had had only seven months in which to prepare the year's work.

TEACHERS OF THE NORMAL SCHOOL AT AHMEDNAGAR

Some may wonder why such an examination is necessary. Our Indian committee, as well as almost all Indian mission committees, has found it best to outline a course of study for the first two years of missionary life in India. Those who have been years in the field know what will be required of the newcomer before he can do his work properly. That no time might be wasted, a syllabus is drawn up, and an examination is held at the end of each year. From the standpoint of the learner, this is a great help. He has a standard to work to. In the first days of discouraging struggle with the difficult language, it is helpful to have the work so outlined that one can see that he is making progress. Then a mission committee places a worker many miles away from the committee, where the only thing the worker can do is to study, and it is just that the committee shall require evidence that substantial progress is being made.

As we are the first of our workers to enter the Mahrati-speaking country, it was necessary to take the examination from some board operating in the field. Accordingly, the American Board kindly consented to allow the writer to sit with their missionaries who were taking their first year's examination. There were five of us, and all passed successfully. One of the examiners who has been on the board for years, said that it took much courage to try the examination after only seven months' study, as a full year's work was outlined. I felt that the work was accomplished in so short a time only by the special blessing of God, through the principles of healthful living, and in answer to our daily plea for the language of the people.

There are four tests in the examination as held by the American Board, with four hundred possible marks, two hundred of which are required for passing: Test (1) in ability to write; (2) in ability to pronounce and understand; (3) in ability to use matter studied; (4) in ability to converse, in which the one taking the examination must carry on a conversation, in the presence of the examiners, with a native who does not understand English.

I was glad for the opportunity of meeting the missionaries of the American Board. They were most friendly and cordial to me. Ahmednagar is their headquarters. Here they have a high school, with an enrolment of five hundred; a girls' school, with an enrolment of four hundred fifty; a normal school, with an enrolment of one hundred sixty; and a theological seminary, with a smaller enrolment. Connected with these educational institutions are industries, which were of great interest to the writer. In the heart of the native city they have a fine new church building, with over one thousand communicant members. In the entire Mahratta country they have nearly seven thousand communicant members. It was a great encouragement to see these fine-looking young men and women of India so enthusiastically engaged in training mind, and hand, and heart, and what has been accomplished here is an earnest of what can be done even in the darkest lands by faithful toil and sacrifice in the Master's name.

It was a pleasure to attend the graduating exercises of the theological seminary, at which the principal address was delivered by Prof. E. D. Burton, of Chicago University. The faculty, graduates, and alumni marched while singing a Mahrati tune in native meter, accompanied by the Indian little brass cymbals. It seemed a little odd to see the graduates deliver their addresses and receive their diplomas barefoot, and dressed in dhotars (the Indian substitute for trousers).

By conversation with the missionaries, I learned that the great political agitation that is now in progress in India, of which those in other lands may have heard something, is creating a state of mind that is rendering mission work more difficult year by year. The same ferment that is unsettling the minds of all the East, is working rapidly even in the recesses of these mountains. The powers of evil are intensely busy, preparing even the remote portions of earth for the last great struggle. O that God's people would so surrender to him that the power from above could make itself felt mightily just as far, and before it is too late!

Poona, India.

Conversion and Christian Work in Hunan

THE first Protestant missionary to enter Chang-sha, the capital of the long-closed province of Hunan, China, was a Mr. Dick, who, in 1886, actually succeeded in entering the city, but was compelled to leave a short time afterward, under official escort. No other foreigner visited this city again for ten long years. Christianity first obtained a foothold in the province of Hunan at Hankow. Here, in 1892, a church was organized, and Dr. Griffith John baptized about twelve Hunanese. Among these converts was a very wild and wicked native of Chang-sha, named P'eng. He returned to his home in Chang-sha, and began work for his relatives and friends. So remarkable was his conversion and the fruits from it, and so earnestly did he labor, that he was likened unto Paul by his brethren, and so effective was his labor and influence, that one of his old companions in vice, a publisher of vile pamphlets, left Chang-sha and journeyed to Hankow expressly to make inquiry of Dr. John what it was that had produced such a great change in his friend. It matters not what the past life may have been, if the conversion is genuine, the greater the sinfulness, the greater the redemption, and more the glory to come to Christ.

The Work in Japan

By I. H. Evans

It was my privilege to spend a few weeks with the brethren in Japan. I arrived the second day of October, and left the first day of November. I found the laborers in good health, and anxious to plan for the progress of the message in Japan. It has been twelve years since Prof. W. C. Granger came to this field to start the work. From time to time new workers have been added to those who first came here.

Brother Granger died in Tokyo only three years after coming to this country. It was with keen regrets that he was compelled to lay down the work to which he had so joyfully consecrated his life. It was my privilege, in connection with Brother W. D. Burden's family and other brethren and sisters, to visit the grave of this highly esteemed brother who now sleeps in Jesus.

Our work in Japan has progressed but slowly during these twelve long years. The Japanese are Buddhists in religion. Shintoism is also either a part of their religion or is a respect for the spirits of the dead, which is most difficult to separate from religion itself. At one time many supposed Japan looked with great favor on the Christian religion. To-day Christianity is tolerated, liberty of worship is maintained, any creed is free to preach its gospel and to propagate its religion, but a combination of Shintoism and Buddhism is the prevailing religion, from the emperor to the humblest peasant.

The educated classes are fast becoming agnostic. The Higher Criticism is rapidly destroying faith in the infallibility of the Scriptures. Many of Japan's best scholars have finished their education in the higher universities of Europe and America. Thus Japan, instead of rapidly turning to Christianity, is really becoming more and more difficult to reach with Christianity.

Our force of workers in Japan is very limited. For a population of forty-five million people, we have but six American families for all lines of work, with three lady workers. These few workers are compelled to carry on evangelical, medical, publishing, and educational work. It must be patent to all that the work is greatly crippled because there are so few workers.

There are several promising Japanese who are engaging in the work, and rendering valuable help; but the forces in Japan must receive new recruits. The field work is greatly crippled because of the scarcity of helpers.

We had a council meeting for twelve days at Kobe, which was attended by most of the Japanese and foreign workers. The Lord blessed us much, and many actions were taken, some of which were as follows:—

As the lease on the Kobe Sanitarium property expires the last of next May, it was voted that this property be surrendered at the termination of the lease, and that the committee look up a suitable site in or near Tokyo for the accommodation of the sanitarium. It was decided that the new sanitarium should be primarily for the Japanese, rather than for foreigners; that the building be furnished in Japanese style, with a few rooms fitted up in foreign style, in which guests may be accommodated without elaborate service.

A resolution was passed requesting the Mission Board to send to Japan, at the earliest possible date, another earnest Christian physician to connect with this work.

It was also resolved that in connection with this sanitarium, a suitable school building be provided for the accommodation of Japanese students, and that the school be conducted according to the policy of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination in the United States, modifying it to meet the needs of the work in Japan.

Elders F. W. Field and H. Kuniya were selected as delegates to the General Conference, and Elder W. D. Burden as Elder Field's alternate, and Elder T. H. Okohira as Elder Kuniya's alternate, in case they should not be able to attend.

Action was also taken that in securing grounds for the sanitarium and school sufficient ground be obtained to accommodate the publishing work, and that the Mission Board be requested to send to Japan, at the earliest possible date, two bright, capable, Christian men, one to act as business manager of the enlarged publishing and institutional work, the other to take charge of the circulation of our literature in Japan. It was also requested that an experienced, capable man, not too far along in years, be sent to act as superintendent of the Japan mission field, so that Elder Field can devote his time to the school work.

While working and praying with these dear brethren and sisters, our hearts were bound to theirs by chords of sympathy and esteem. We could appreciate their burdens and responsibilities as never before. The laborers were of good cheer, and all took hold of the work with enthusiasm. The utmost harmony prevailed during the entire council. The future progress of the third angel's message in Japan is promising. The needs are great, and the laborers are few, but our God is a “God that performeth.” The time has come for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. For this refreshing we prayed daily, that with great power the Word may be preached throughout this needy field. We hope all readers of the REVIEW will unite in earnest prayer that God's work may prosper in Japan.

I. H. EVANS.

Hiroshima

By H. F. Benson

HIROSHIMA.—Five members of the Kobe church are residing in Hiroshima, and as three of them were new converts, I visited them in October, celebrating the ordinances with them. Dr. Tatsuguchi and his wife have been in Hiroshima for about four years; and as he is the only foreign trained dentist there, he has had a good opportunity to preach our truth to the most prominent natives as well as foreign residents. As the foreign population, about thirty in number, is composed mostly of missionaries and practically all of them are his patients, he has been able to reach a class of people doubtless the most reserved when approached with the special message for this time.

Dr. Tatsuguchi has taken several young men into his family, and is giving them a training in dental practise; three of these have accepted the truth, and one of them is now ready to go out and set up in practise for himself. Besides this, the doctor is holding weekly health lectures for the teachers in the higher normal school; this gives him an excellent opportunity, which he is improving, of acquainting these men with the gospel that is able to save their souls as well as preserve their bodies.

When we celebrated the ordinances, we had with us the former elder of the Nihon Kurisuto Kyokwai (native Presbyterian Church) and his wife; this was the first time they had ever observed the command regarding the ordinance of humility, but after a study with them upon the subject, they were ready to take part willingly and intelligently. Because this man and his wife have been attending the Friday evening meetings which the doctor has been holding, the church to which they belonged appointed another to take the eldership; but the church attendance and membership have dwindled down to almost nothing since he has ceased to be their elder. This man accepted Christianity about twenty-five years ago; at that time the conditions in Japan were much different from the present. He was persecuted by the people of the town in most cruel ways; his house was attacked, and his life was more than once in danger. He says that Christianity is dying out in Japan because there is no longer strong persecution.

Hiroshima is a city of one hundred fifty thousand inhabitants, situated on the famous Inland Sea of Japan, and is the point from which all soldiers and supplies are shipped in the event of an invasion of a foreign country. The hospitals,—countless low, one-story frame buildings with metal roofs,—which were filled to overflowing during the late war, and the thousands of small, thickly set stones in the military cemetery, tell an awful tale of destruction of life. In the harbor lies the island on which the Russian prisoners were kept, and in one corner of the military cemetery a few stones bear an inscription in Russian, and a cross,—all silent reminders of the terrible struggle between the armies of two great nations for the possession of the Liaotung Peninsula.

One of my purposes in going to Hiroshima was to look over the place with the view of locating there (since returning it has been voted that we make Hiroshima our field of labor). The city is one of the most formidable Buddhist strongholds in Japan, and without doubt there will be some time between our arrival and the baptism of our first convert. But many honest-hearted souls are waiting for the truth, and will accept it when it is presented to them in the right way; and as the violent, Christian-persecuting Pharisee, Saul, became the meek, non-resisting, persecuted Christian, Paul, so we may expect to see some of these most zealous Buddhists become staunch Christians. The work in Hiroshima needs your prayers. H. F. BENSON.

A Worthy Institution

By Mary A. Moesmer

Will you kindly give a little space for me to say a few words to the readers of the REVIEW? I have been a reader of its columns for many years. I am nearly eighty-two years old, but am still trying to do a little good. I have come to the Toluca Orphans' Home to assist in sewing, making clothing for the children. I had an accident nearly five years ago, and now have to use crutches to get around, but I feel so thankful that my health is good, and I have an opportunity to do something for my Heavenly Father, whom I have tried to serve these many years; for he has said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” I am glad to be able to help here in this home, which I had heard so much about. The half has never been told, but seeing with my own eyes is believing. It does my soul good to see these children from different families live together so harmoniously, forming a Christian character. I feel that it is a work that many of our people could enjoy. I have been acquainted with Elder D. T. Shireman many years; he is not able to work any more as in bygone days, and his means is limited, but I believe the Lord, whom he and his wife have served so many years, will impress the minds of many to assist him in his noble work. If you can not take the poor into your own house, or make a home for the homeless, you can assist those who are doing this work, and thus become a partaker of the blessing promised. I hope to hear from some of my home church-members at Mount Vernon, Ohio. Be assured that all donations sent to Elder Shireman will be used to the glory of God. His address is Toluca, N. C.

MARY A. MOESMER.

Russia

By Guy Dail

RIGA.—Elder J. T. Boettcher and I arrived here a few days ago, and are to leave this evening for the tour among the fields, where we expect to have the annual meetings in East Russia, in the Caucasian and South Russian conferences, and in the West Russian Mission.

We had a good Sabbath and Sunday in Riga, where there is now a growing church of one hundred eighty members, the majority of whom are Lettonians, with a large number of Germans, and a few Russians. Services for strangers are being carried on with a good interest. It is surprising how the people come out to hear, even where we are so well known as we are in this place. There is an excellent class of people in the church, and among those who are deeply interested are some talented men and women, such as lawyers, teachers, officers in the army, etc., as well as prosperous business men.

We have a brother here who is in the electrical business, employing eighteen men. He has other departments, aside from the electrical work, and has more to do since he accepted the truth than ever before. As his employees are not Sabbath-keepers, it is sometimes a little hard for him to get them to stop their work just at the beginning of the Sabbath. Before he was an Adventist, sometimes his men wanted to work on Sunday; but he would not let them. Now he has told them they may do so, but they will not. Such is human nature.

On Sabbath I was also able to visit the young and growing church at Mittau. They had just had fifteen additions through baptism. It made my heart glad to see how happy these people, mostly Lettonians, are in the faith. Nothing cheers one's heart more than to be out in the regions beyond, and have actual, visible proof of the way the Lord is doing his work in these needy fields. I find that an Adventist among the Lettonians is the same as one in Norway, Denmark, Sweden, England, Germany, or America. GUY DAIL.

Turkey

By ROBT. S. GREAVES.

SMYRNA.—The prospering hand of God is with us here. All our brethren rejoice in the liberty which prevails throughout the country; though we regret that the spirit of freedom which has been felt since the granting of the constitution has not always led the people to act wisely, and at times they put on a boldness which formerly they did not dare to do.

The other day we had the election for the members who are to form the new government; and the Greek element in this city, being dissatisfied, assembled the next day in large numbers, with many of their nationality from the surrounding country, armed with revolvers, and demanded what they considered their rights. The principal thoroughfare where they had gathered was lined with Turkish soldiers, with fixed bayonets, and the bazaars and shops were all closed, in expectation of trouble. The Turkish officials seemed to show a commendable forbearance in dealing with the loud and threatening manner of the Greeks, and apparently are determined not to do anything which might bring them into disrepute abroad, during this present crisis. While the government has its hands full in dealing with many perplexing questions, we, in the Lord’s name, are trying to draw people’s attention to things which are more important than those of this earth.

As one or two of our brethren have moved into Smyrna, we have been able to organize a small company of six members, with two other Sabbath-keepers who attend our little gathering regularly. Formerly one of these, who has kept the Sabbath for years, was not fully in harmony with us on the tithing question and the spirit of prophecy. But I think it was mostly through lack of knowledge; for now he is doing very well, and has requested baptism. He is able to earn only about twenty-five or thirty cents a day, but a short time ago he paid eighty-two cents as tithe. When we remembered how hard this brother has to work, and how his meals must often consist of but a piece of bread with a few grapes, we looked upon this money as indeed sacred to the cause of God, and could not help contrasting his case with that of some of our brethren in America, who, while having a greater abundance than this poor man has ever dreamed of, yet think they are too poor to pay their tithe.

About two weeks ago it was my privilege to baptize two of our sisters, who, though they have observed the Sabbath for a long time, had never had the opportunity

of obeying this command of the Lord. We found a quiet spot on the bank of a clear river, and the divine presence was certainly with us as these dear souls were buried in the water. Our little company attracted the attention of a soldier and a boy, who came up, and, standing on the opposite side of the river, witnessed the ordinance. Perhaps it all seemed very strange to them; but I hope the scene may be recalled by them whenever they hear the gospel. One of those who recently accepted the truth has had to leave Smyrna, but I hear he is doing a good work where he is now living, and has the missionary spirit to labor for others.

I hope to see a mighty movement sweep over this country, with its millions of unwarned souls. Just how or when it will take place I do not know; but as we have only a few more years, the work must be done quickly.

My wife and I are trying to do what we can in spreading the glad tidings of a soon-coming Saviour. I should have to write a longer article than this were I to tell of all the blessings we are enjoying; but among them are good health, the Lord’s presence with us, and glad and thankful hearts for the privilege of a part in the work here.

Sister Kalfa is helping us, and is very useful in interpreting, as she speaks several languages. We are getting on nicely with the Greek language, but we feel the need of the Lord’s help, in order that we may learn quickly, and thus be of more use in the work. In the past we have been greatly blessed in many ways, and feel that much of this has been due to the prayers of our brethren. For these we are grateful, and shall be very thankful for their continuance; for our hope and joy is to see souls saved for the kingdom. It is for this purpose we are here; and when we hear how the message is spreading in other parts of the earth, it increases our happiness, and we give thanks to our kind Father, who has given us this oneness of spirit in his work. ROBT. S. GREAVES.

Continue reading: An Explanation