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PERSECUTED FOR CHRIST'S SAKE IN INDIA.
By Miss Grace Stephens
BY MISS GRACE STEPHENS.
THE Nicodemus Cottage of the Methodist Mission in Madras is where women go who long to learn more about Jesus, and who are able to reach this haven of refuge. There are terrible difficulties in the way of these "Purdah ladies" openly confessing Christ.
One native lady in the zenanas whose heart opened to receive Jesus, said, "I must now put Jesus first," but her husband, and mother, and friends were very angry. After a time she came to the Nicodemus Cottage, saying, "Jesus must be first; I must give up all for Him who died for me." Her friends followed her, and besought her with wailings and entreaties to come back; they scolded, they petted, they used every means in their power to induce her to give up Christ, and return to them, and their foolish and abominable idolatries. But she kept firm, saying gently, "Jesus must be first, I am a Christian, and Christ must be first." Then they put into the mother's arms her sweet little boy of three, her only child; but as she clasped him to her breast, and caressed him with kisses, still she said, "Jesus is first." Then they tore him from her, and showered down oaths and curses and imprecations and insults upon her and upon the Saviour she adored.
The next day they came again, and the missionary, not apprehending serious danger, had them admitted to the compound. Such a crowd poured in that police followed, but they were powerless to help, for among the crowd were many Sepoys—some dressed in women's clothes, but others in military uniforms. Then again, as this dear Christian woman stood before them (for they demanded to see her, and threatened to break down the cottage, if denied), the friends called and entreated her to come back to them. Finally, finding all their entreaties and threats were unavailing, one among them held out her little son, bidding her come and take him. Suspecting nothing, the mother stepped forward with outstretched arms, and, at that instant a dozen hands clutched at the poor woman's throat and throttled her; then tore off her dress, threw her against a pillar, and swiftly carried her off. The missionaries followed down the street, in the hope of rescuing her as she was borne aloft on the shoulders of the frantic crowd. No chance, alas! for rescue; for sharp knives were flashing in the sunlight.
Now let me give you over against this a bright picture.
The Convert's Home at Baranagore, six miles from Calcutta, has fifty-two widows in it, who have come out from the darkness and dreariness of heathen widowhood, into the light and love of God. They are willing to work hard to support themselves and their children, and to be trained for Bible women and Bible teachers.
One day, some time ago, an educated Bengali lady came with her husband and little boy. The husband said, "My wife can not find any peace in the Hindu religion, tho she has tried many ways; she says if she comes here she knows she will get what she wants." This gentleman was agent for a wealthy Bengali, but as he really loved his wife was willing to part with her in the hope that she might find the peace she longed for. Only a few days passed by before this Bengali lady found "joy and peace in believing;" at once she sent the good news to her husband, and kept writing to him. In a little while he came back to say that his wife's letters had made him want to be a Christian. So we put them into a little mud-built cottage (very poor compared to his bungalow) outside the compound, and provided a teacher to instruct him in "the way of life." After a few days he came, saying, "I find I can not be a Christian, and tell lies or take bribes, so I must throw up my position." This he did, after some plain talks, for we had nothing to offer him except to go into the brass workshop among the boys, and earn, when competent, four annas a day. This Bengali gentleman, who had never soiled his fingers, cheerfully blackened them every day for some weeks for Christ's sake.
After this testing-time we put him and his wife as teachers in a mission school in one of the villages near, and there they, with their little son, are still happily working. Praise God!—Bombay Guardian.
A MISSION AMONG THE AFRICAN PYGMIES.
ON the western side of the snow-capped Ruwenzori Range, in Central Africa, are found a group of many tribes who have never yet taken one step from their savagery and cannibalism. One can scarcely imagine that there ever could have existed a more primitive and unenlightened race than this which in this twentieth century is to be witnessed among these distant subjects of the British Dominion. But even here, where the world's clamoring voice has not yet penetrated, is to be heard "the still small voice," and it might be written thus: "The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the deep."
For nearly three weeks my husband and myself have been staying at the furthermost of our Toro mission stations, and have been making minute inquiries as to how far it is possible to reach these wild races. As one stands on the brow of the mission hill, no fewer than seven distinct tribes, each with its own peculiar customs and dialect, lie within view, while at this particular spot are to be found representatives of other tribes from more distant parts. Having fled from the hands of plunderers and raiding tribes, they have come to settle down under the peaceful rule of the Christian chief, and many of them have not only learned to read, but have professed the Christian religion.
Stanley's Great Forest is within a few hours' march of the mission hill, and within its almost impenetrable depths are to be found the Bambuba and the Batwa (pygmies). The former is a strong and sturdy little race that never reaches a stature beyond four to five feet. They live in wattle huts, and have not yet learned the art of cultivating. Felling the trees and undergrowth, they sow maize and beans and potatoes in rough unprepared soil. Like the other surrounding tribes, their custom of marriage is an exchange of a man's sister for that of his neighbor's, or where this is impossible, goats are demanded. This latter exchange is absolutely binding on the wife, and should she run back to her people war ensues, which results in a big feasting on each other's foes who have fallen. When one of their number dies, a deep pit is digged, and he is placed in a posture, with hands crossed on his breast. They bury him no further than the shoulders for six days, when the friends gather round to take parting glances. At the end of that period the burying is completed, and his grave is swept daily till the relatives move into another district.
A number of these people are living here; five of them have been baptized, and others are reading as catechumens.
Their smaller neighbors, the pygmies, lead a roving life through the forest. They have no settled homes, but build tiny grass booths, which only remain standing for a few days, and then the signal for removal is given. Expert with the bow and arrow, they are thus able to keep themselves well supplied in meat, and the remainder of their spoil they exchange for the Bambuba's grain and potatoes, when they do not stealthily appropriate these like the wild pigs. Very few of these little folk will venture forth from their forest security; howbeit, no less than seven are now under instruction here, and two have been already baptized.
The Bahuka are a cannibal tribe, living within sight, at a distance of about three miles. They live in the Semliki Plain, and extend westward to Belgian territory. Not only do they feast on their foes' flesh, but sell their dead for four or six goats. Altho they have no scruples on eating human flesh, they bury their goats and sheep with due honor.
The Balega are a populous race inhabiting the coast and hills west of the Albert Lake. They worship evil spirits, and build their tiny temples in the long grass. Only the men and very old women are allowed to visit these shrines, but a horn is blown to inform the other women when they perform their ceremonies. Scarcely recognizing the authority of chiefs, practically each man is the lord of his own household, and as a man's family often numbers a hundred, who do not leave the parental roof as is the custom elsewhere, his one-roomed house has to be of considerable dimensions, and his rule is not always of the simplest. The church at Toro has sent out to this tribe two Batoro teachers, who have been kindly received.
In giving this faint insight into the dark corners of the earth, I trust it will awaken the prayers of Christians, that from the center of Mboga, where there are now over two hundred professing Christians, and sixty communicants, may irradiate such a clear, irresistible light that the darkness of the ages shall be rolled away by its brightness. "And God said, Let there be light; and there was light."—Church Missionary Intelligencer.
HOW MUCH FOR THE LORD?
WE heard a story the other day of a man who passed a criticism upon a sermon by facetiously asking at the close of the service that the penny he had put in the collection be returned, since he had not secured the worth of his money. Whatever point there may have been in that story it is only necessary to note what occurs in connection with the average "collection" at a religious service, to see that men are more likely to give the Lord the least thing they can find at hand, rather than the greatest or than anything adequate to the circumstances. Many a man with a roll of bills in his pocket hunts about for a nickel that he may seem to give the Lord something, or may appear to pay for what he secures in connection with the church service. The amount thus given is often less than the "tip" which the same man would give to a waiter who serves him at dinner, and not greater than the amount he pays a street boy for polishing his shoes. The barber, who shaves his face and cuts his hair is likely to get more than the Lord does at church service.13
It must be that such men have so little acquaintance with God and righteousness, and with the purpose of the church of Christ and its mission in the world, that they are practically strangers to all larger and better conceptions. If they were not, they could not search for a nickel, putting aside the dollar which comes to their hand first, in making gifts to the Lord. Men always invest money in proportion to their desires for any given thing, or in proportion to the value of the investment because of what it may return to them.
If the truth were known, all forms of business owe an immense debt to the church of Christ, because of its conservative influence in the matter of moral character, commercial honesty, social purity, and the general well-being of society. Imperfect as the church of Christ is—because all human organizations are marked by human limitations and imperfections—it is the representative of God and righteousness among men, in a far greater degree than any other organization. As such, it has the right to ask for liberal support, and the men who receive its benefits are under obligations to grant that support.
The man who refuses to pay just taxes on his property, when the city in which he lives has given protection to him, and by good order and general improvements has increased the commercial value of his property, is looked upon as niggardly and mean. If Christianity and its influence in the world be considered from the standpoint of business alone, it has the right to demand far more liberal support from men outside the church than it receives. Those who put a nickel upon the plate at church service, when they ought to put $5.00, are men who deliberately appropriate the benefits which come from the existence of the church, without recognizing their value by courteous thanks, or corresponding financial support. If such men's estimate of God and righteousness is to be judged by the amount of their contributions to the church of Christ, they must hold Him and His church in very low esteem.—Sabbath Recorder.
THIS WIDE, WIDE WORLD.
By Thoro Harris
By Thoro Harris
THERE are many snares and dangers
That beset my feet untried,
Ere I reach the golden city,
Just beyond the swelling tide,
But my Saviour walks beside me,
Through the desert wilds unknown;
For I'd never dare to journey
In this wide, wide world alone.
O, I seek a better country—
'Tis so weary waiting here!
But through all the toilsome journey,
I can feel His presence near.
Day by day the path grows brighter,
Upward leading to His throne;
Jesus will not leave His pilgrim
In this wide, wide world alone.
Take the Saviour for thy comrade,
Let thy heart on Him be stayed;
He will never leave thee lonely,
He will give thee strength and aid.
Christ will dwell with thee forever,
Make thy heart His royal throne;
Child of grief, why wilt thou wander
Through this wide, wide world alone?
"WORKING FOR GOD."
UNDER the above head, Dr. H. F. Carpenter, in Messiah's Advocate, truly says:—
Do not mistake us. Working for God means more than working for societies; more, even, than working for church. There is much society work and much church work that entails upon the workers much physical and mental fatigue, and when done there is nothing in it for God because there is no salvation for anybody in it. God's work is a man-saving work. To save a soul from eternal death is the work of God, and we may have a joyful part in it, and perhaps a heart-burdened part in it. Blessed promises there are to inspire our hearts to work for God. "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength"—be changed from mortal to immortal strength. They that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars forever and ever.
But promises of future good alone will never enable us to work for God. No one ever yet worked effectually for God who had not first experienced God's work within and upon themselves. Jacob wrought with God in taking murderous hate from the heart of Esau, but Jacob approached his brother with a heart prepared by a mighty work of God in an all-night wrestling for personal blessing. No one person stands before us, in Sacred Writ, as such a worker for God as Paul; but his work for God did not commence till he himself had experienced God's wonderful work in his own behalf and upon his own heart. He could appreciate the divine power which delivered him from physical darkness and restored to him his sight; he could also appreciate that mercy that had delivered him from mental blindness into the clear vision of a "sound mind"; but above all, he prized the joy and the power of the Holy Ghost, with which he was filled at the visit of Ananias. This enduement of power took all the shrink out of him.
Serving God can only follow a conscience purged from dead works.
"We are His workmanship, created in Christ unto good works." Eph. 2:10.
Good works do not precede but follow God's creative work in our hearts.
"It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." Phil. 2:13.
God's work in us must precede our work for God. How effective the exhortations, the personal entreaties, of a new creature in Christ Jesus! How tender the appeals, how fervent the prayers, of one "filled with the Holy Spirit"!
Those "filled with the Holy Spirit" may not, in these gleaning times, gather multitudes to Christ, but they will reach some fruit on the outermost and topmost branches, while, if strangers to God's in-working, they will reach no one, and possibly hinder the work which others are doing. Do you wish a revival in your district, or in your church? Let God work first in your individual heart, and the joy and power of that work some one will get interested in, and inquire where and how you got it.
Perhaps God did once open and fill a well of living water in your heart, but the Philistines have filled it up, as they filled up the wells which Abraham digged. Let the seed of Abraham help you to clean out the old well, throw the dirt and débris far away, and don't stop till you have digged deep and removed every obstruction to the living flow, and the power to testify, to exhort, and to pray, and to rejoice, shall return to you, and with joy ye shall draw water from the wells of salvation, and others shall be watered by your heart's overflow, and ye shall abound in the work of the Lord.
OUR WORK AND WORKERS.
By Editor
Six candidates were baptized at Stevensville, Mont., by Brother W. A. Gosmer, on the 3d ult.
THE Dakota Worker says that Brother Conrad Reiswig reports the baptism of six new Sabbath keepers at Hosmer, S. D.
THE Canadian Publishing Association is now established at 167 Dundas Street, Toronto, Ont., where all Seventh-day Adventist publications can be procured.
THE Mount Vernon (Ohio) Academy announces a summer school from June 8 to July 20. Those interested can learn further particulars by writing to the academy.
WRITING to the Union Conference Record, from South Australia, Brother Wm. Woodford notes the organization of a church of twenty-nine members at Black Swamp.
THREE converts to the truth at Collins Center, N. Y., are reported in the Indicator, by Brother D. A. Ball. In Newfane he spoke twice in the Free Methodist church and once in the Baptist church.
Six new members recently united with the church at Birnamwood, Wis., as a result of meetings held by Brother Swin Swinson. He also notes that a family in another part of the country had accepted the faith through reading the SIGNS.
THE book business and stock of the Kansas and Missouri tract societies have been transferred to the Pacific Press Publishing Company. A full stock of the denominational publications is kept at the branch office, 18 W. Fifth Street, Kansas City, Mo.
THE managers of the International Publishing Association, at College View, Neb., announce that they have now ready a number of tracts in various foreign languages. These ought to have a large circulation among the millions of foreigners in this country.
ON taking up the duties of president of the Pacific Union Conference, Brother W. B. White expects soon to move his family from Montana to Oakland, Cal., the headquarters of the Union Conference. Brother J. A. Holbrook, of College Place, Wash., is acting as president of Montana Conference, to fill the vacancy caused by Brother White's transfer to the Union Conference.
IN the Minnesota Worker Brother H. F. Phelps says: "Inasmuch as the evangelization of the world is to be an accomplished fact in this generation," more work must be done by the rank and file of the army of the Lord than has ever yet been done. Not any less work by the ministry; but far more by the laity. "Every member must become a worker, a paying member. Every member must bring in dividends for the Master."
WE have received a four-page sample of the special Southern Watchman for May. It is printed in two colors, is profusely illustrated, and the reading matter is "present truth" of a very important character. It will contain twenty-four pages; prices as follows: 5 to 24 copies, 4 cents each; 25 or more copies, 5 cents each. Address your state tract society, or the office of publication, 1025 Jefferson Street, Nashville, Tenn.
FROM a letter from Brother E. H. Wilbur, in the Workers' Bulletin, we learn that Brother J. N. Anderson is now holding meetings in Canton, China, speaking to the people in their own language. He also notes that Miss Ida Thompson is now conducting a school for girls. Brother Wilbur and wife, with others, are studying the Cantonese language at Hong-kong, preparatory to entering upon labor with the natives in Canton. In the meantime they canvass for our publications among the English-speaking people, of whom there are about 13,000 in Hong-kong.
WRITING from Norwood, N. C., where he has been conducting a school, to the Wisconsin Reporter, Brother E. R. Allen says: "If some who have them to spare would send us late, clean copies of the Review, SIGNS, Youth's Instructor, and Good Health, we could use many to good advantage. Every town here has from one to one-half dozen cotton mills that employ a great many hands. There is only one mill in this town, but its capacity will be doubled this summer. I go through it nearly every week, and when I have papers to give away all seem glad to get them. Three men in the mill are taking the SIGNS each week and paying for it. We hope soon to start a night school among the factory hands, many of whom can read only a little."
WHAT is represented as an unusual spirit of unity among missionaries in China is really an agreement by which all the denominations unite and divide the territory so that no one will be permitted to go onto another missionary's ground. On this point Dr. H. W. Miller, our medical missionary, says, in the Welcome Visitor: "But God has assigned us the world for our field, and we could not consent to be assigned a portion only of this earth as our field by a set of men who know not the truth we teach, nor keep God's holy Sabbath. But in our disregard for their plans they will eventually turn on us. We need not be aggressive to become conspicuous, but by standing firm by this truth we will become conspicuous, and we may expect persecution even from missionaries. But we have a God that is able to carry us through to the end, and He will do it."
The doctor is right in this matter. "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof," and the message we have to deliver—the Gospel of the coming kingdom, together with the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus—is for the whole earth, "every nation and kindred and tongue and people." Therefore the earth is not ours to divide with those who ignore the message. Faithfulness to our trust demands that we see to it that the world be warned of coming events, and advised of the Lord's soon coming to redeem His people, and to execute judgment on the ungodly. The promulgation of a full Gospel is especially our work, because no others are as yet willing to espouse it, and "the King's business requireth haste." "The coming of the Lord draweth nigh."
THY WILL.
By John Hay
Not in dumb resignation
We lift our hands on high;
Not like the nervous fatalist,
Content to do and die.
Our faith springs like the eagle's,
Who soars to meet the sun,
And cries exulting unto Thee,
“O Lord, Thy will be done.”
Thy will! It bids the weak be strong,
It bids the strong be just;
No lip to fawn, no hand to beg,
No brow to seek the dust.
Wherever man oppresses man,
Beneath the liberal sun,
O Lord, be there, Thine arm made bare,
Thy righteous will be done.
—John Hay.
ANOTHER TEST OF ROMAN CATHOLICISM.
ROMAN CATHOLICS have been present in the semi-Chinese country of Annam for three centuries, says the French Journal des Missiones. Their numerous missionaries are settled in the most fertile regions, and occupy themselves with trading much more than with gaining converts to the Lord Jesus Christ. They "baptize" great numbers of natives, but these so-called Christians do not differ from others. Truly regenerated souls are rare.
In writing to the Journal, M. Bonnet, a colporteur, thus describes the condition of the women of Annam:
"The young girls have no names; they are designated by number and in the order of their birth. When married, they are known by the name of husband or son. They do the hardest of the work in the house and the field, and in the boats they do the rowing, while the husband holds the helm."
When in his tours, M. Bonnet invites the inhabitants of a village to hear the Gospel story, the men come; the women remain at their work. Having never been the objects of any attention, they do not imagine that the invitation is addressed to them.
WANTED FOR MISSIONARY WORK.
(Always prepay postage.)
CLEAN copies of the SIGNS, Pacific Health Journal, Life Boat, and Good Health. Address Wm. C. Hopkins, Bishop, Cal.
(11) "AND He said, A certain man had two sons: (12) and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of thy substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. (13) And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living. (14) And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want. (15) And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. (16) And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. (17) But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger! (18) I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: (19) I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. (20) And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. (21) And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son. (22) But the father said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: (23) and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry: (24) for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."
Golden Text.—"Come, and let us return unto the Lord." Hosea 6:1.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What three parables are recorded in the fifteenth chapter of Luke? What are they designed to teach? What specially called out these parables? See Note 1. (2) What is the opening statement of the parable of the prodigal son? Verse 11. (3) What did the younger son demand of his father? How did the father respond to the demand? Verse 12. Note 2. (4) What course did the young man then pursue? How did he invest his means? Verse 13. Note 3. (5) When he had spent all, what trying conditions confronted him? Verse 14. (6) What did he do in this emergency? What occupation was allotted to him? Verse 15. Note 4. (7) What was his experience in this situation? Verse 16. (8) What was the effect of this experience? Then what was his reflection? Verse 17. Note 5. (9) As he reflected upon his folly, and upon his far-away home, what did he resolve to do? Verse 18, first clause. (10) What confession would he make? Verse 18, last clause, and 19, first clause. (11) What petition would he offer? Verse 19, last clause. (12) After his resolution was formed, what action did he take? Before reaching his father's house, what unexpected encouragement did the prodigal meet? Verse 20. Note 6. (13) What penitent confession did he make? Verse 21. (14) What order was then given to the servants concerning clothing for the needy one? Verse 22. Note 7. (15) What provision was ordered that the hungry man might be fed? Verse 23. (16) What reason did the father give for his action? Verse 24. Note 8.
NOTES.
1. "The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son [recorded in Luke 15], bring out in distinct lines God's pitying love for those who are straying from Him. Altho they have turned away from God, He does not leave them in their misery. He is full of kindness and tender pity toward all who are exposed to the temptations of the artful foe. In the parable of the prodigal son is presented the Lord's dealing with those who have once known the Father's love, but who have allowed the tempter to lead them captive at his will."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 198. The three parables mentioned here were spoken in reply to the criticism of the Pharisees and scribes that Jesus received sinners and ate with them.
2. "The youth acknowledges no obligation to his father, and expresses no gratitude; yet he claims the privilege of a child in sharing his father's goods."—Id. In like manner the ungrateful sinner claims the blessings of his Creator as a matter of right, without any recognition of obligation on his part.
3. "With money in plenty, and liberty to do as he likes, he flatters himself that the desire of his heart is reached."—Id., p. 199. Paul tells of those who turned away from God, and says: "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." Rom. 1:21, 22.
4. Joined to a "citizen" of the world, and reduced to the companionship of swine! The imagination can go no farther, but how many are unwittingly in the same position! "Whatever the appearance may be, every life centered in self is squandered. Whoever attempts to live apart from God, is wasting his substance. He is squandering the precious years, squandering the powers of mind and heart and soul, and working to make himself bankrupt for eternity. The man who separates from God that he may serve himself, is the slave of mammon. The mind that God created for the companionship of angels has become degraded to the service of that which is earthly and bestial. This is the end to which self-serving tends."—Christ's Object Lessons, p. 200.
5. "He came to himself."—"The deceptive power that Satan had exercised over him was broken. He saw that his suffering was the result of his own folly."—Id., p. 202. He remembers the home of plenty from which he had recklessly turned away in quest of imaginary pleasures. He has reached that really blessed point in the backslider's experience where he begins to appreciate the Father's house, and longs to be there. It is at this point that the Spirit of God can begin to give practical encouragement; hence the decision that follows.
6. "What assurance here of God's willingness to receive the repenting sinner! Have you, reader, chosen your own way? Have you wandered far from God? Have you sought to feast upon the fruits of transgression, only to find them turn to ashes upon your lips? . . . Do not listen to the enemy's suggestions to stay away from Christ until you have made yourself better; until you are good enough to come to God. If you wait until then, you will never come. . . . Arise and go to your Father. He will meet you a great way off. If you take even one step toward him in repentance, He will hasten to enfold you in His arms of infinite love."—Id., pp. 205, 206.
7. The son expressed his penitence, but apparently he got no opportunity to offer his service as a common servant, as he had designed to do; or, his recognition as a son was so prompt, and his reception so cordial, that he found no occasion for such offer. A somewhat similar lesson is taught in Zechariah 3, where the people of God are represented as "Joshua the high priest," resisted, or accused by Satan. Altho "Joshua" was clothed in "filthy garments," he was clothed with a "change of raiment," and a "fair miter" set upon his head. See, also, Isa. 64:6-8, and Phil. 3:7-11.
8. From the joy of this father and his servants, we may get a faint idea of the joy in heaven over even one sinner that repenteth. Luke 15:7, 10.
