p. 11 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 47. (11/20/1901)

A MOTHER'S LOVE.

By L. M. Chase

[L. M. Chase, in Our Dumb Animals.]

I AM told by Hon. Lewis McLellan, of Gorham, Me., that while fishing for land-locked salmon in Sebago Lake last May, he was surprised to see a loon with her young one near his canoe.

The anxious mother was employing every artifice to call her child away, but the little one swam so near the fisher that he easily took him aboard in his landing net, and holding him on his knee gently stroked his downy coat to the little fellow's evident satisfaction. Meantime the mother was in an agony of distress. At first, forgetting her native wildness and timidity in her mother's love, she boldly approached the canoe, and, rising in the water till she appeared to stand upon it, furiously flapped her wings, uttering menacing cries. Finding this of no avail, she pretended that she was wounded, rolling over in the water and finally lying still as if dead, evidently to attract attention to herself and from her young one. The fisherman, touched by these displays of motherly affection, put the young loon into the water, which perceiving, the distressed mother instantly came to life and again tried to entice her little one to go with her; but he liked his new acquaintance so well that he remained near the boat, until the fisherman, with a compassion worthy of good Saint Isaac himself, rapidly paddled away for a considerable distance, when he waited to see the outcome of this adventure.

As he withdrew, the mother, with cries of joy, swam to her little one, dove beneath him, and taking him on her back quickly bore him to a safe distance, when she stopped and seemed to be talking to her truant child in very different tones from the “wild, strange hoarse laughter by day, and the ‘weird, doleful cry at night” which John Burroughs attributes to this bird. The fisher says he never imagined the loon could produce such soft, sweet, melodious notes as he then heard. Doubtless these notes seemed not less sweet because the hearer's spiritual senses had just been quickened and purified by a merciful act.

What earthly sounds so sweet as those prompted by a mother's love?

LOVE'S SERVICE.

By John Greenleaf Whittier

HOPE not the cure of sin till self is dead; Forget it in love's service, and the debt Thou canst not pay the angels shall forget; Heaven's gate is shut to him who comes alone; Save thou a soul, and it shall save thine own! —John Greenleaf Whittier.

What Doest Thou Here?

Wherever you go, never go where you fear God's question being asked you, “What doest thou here?” Whatever the pastime in which you engage, For the cheering of youth or the solace of age, Turn away from each pleasure you'd shrink from pursuing Were God to look down and say, “What are you doing?”

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THE MISSIONARY OUTLOOK IN ALASKA.

By T. H. Watson

To those living away from this land of the north, the name “Alaska” seems a reminder of ice and snow. This is true in part only.

The country is far from being understood by the outside world, and the development of Alaskan resources in the near future will prove a surprise to many. From the standpoint of climate only, this is not a California, neither is it a land like unto Florida. It is far from being a land of sunshine, nevertheless in certain seasons of the year there are many beautiful days.

The name Alaska is taken from the aboriginal word “Al-ak-shak,” which signifies “a great country.”

Within its present boundaries lie six hundred thousand square miles of territory, awaiting the sturdy pioneer to develop its resources and carve out its future history. There is very little doubt but that the United States land laws will soon be extended to meet the wants of this old, yet new country. The early spring of next year may perhaps open up a substantial growth and development of the public lands by way of permanent settlement.

Alaska as a country is at the present time noted for its “gold and its glaciers,” and we might add its wild and beautiful scenery. In southeast Alaska, magnificent forests of spruce, hemlock, and red and yellow cedar are found, which will afford an abundant supply of lumber for domestic use. Hundreds of verdant islands cluster along this coast. The influence of the warm Japan current greatly modifies the climate here, and this, together with a soil extremely rich, offers every inducement for the cultivation of vegetables and berries.

The census of 1890 gave the white population at 4,300, but the wonderful gold discoveries of the last few years have greatly added to this number. At present perhaps it would be safe to estimate an increase of 10,000. The native population is hard to compute, owing to the divided state of the many tribes.

As a missionary field this is most needy, and difficult as well. Among the whites a state of almost complete indifference to anything religious is found. Many professed Christians, having a “form of godliness without the power,” assist in making the darkness more dense. This condition is all the more sad when we note the influence it exerts over the native mind. Naturally the natives of this country are anxious to learn, and advance to a higher life as a people. They look to the white race for an example; but that race, that has been so favored with heavenly light, has most miserably betrayed this God-given trust. Everywhere can now be seen the awful trail of the white man, along which has been sown the seeds of vice in every form. The harvest is fast ripening. “It is time for Thee, Lord, to work; ‘for they have made void Thy law.” This is true. The wicked white man, with no profession aside from unbelief, has by his life of debauchery made void every law of morality. The poor natives have fallen victims to the snare, and physical wrecks are seen on every hand. Now in this fast-darkening hour, when heavenly light is needed, many of the professed Christian ministers and missionaries are preaching from the pulpit, and teaching in every way possible, that the law of God is void. The natives are apt students, and again are being led into a snare more deadly even than the first. Already spiritual wrecks are being developed. Therefore as a mission field this is a most needy one; and “the night cometh, when no man can work.”

There is a work that must be done, for this mission field as well as every other. Will not the brethren and sisters help with their means to establish a school and small sanitarium for these dying people? Some beautiful locations are now open; but it will not long be so. The way is fast becoming hedged up. Now is the time to plant the standard of truth in this section of the vineyard, and both means and energy will be required. Brethren, let us hear from you. Who will respond?

The natives of Alaska are well worthy of labor. In the first place, Christ died for them, and in the great commission He tells us to go to them as well as to all others, and teach them. Matt. 28: 19. Again, they are a people apt to learn, and who will fully appreciate any kindness shown them. As already mentioned, they are quick to imitate, and care must be used in guiding them, as they watch every move, and make quick application. They are very industrious as far as they understand their resources. Fishing and hunting are their chief employments, and it is nothing unusual to meet with native families who during the year make as high as $2,000 dollars. What is needed to make this income a blessing to them is to teach them to use it in the proper way, and to the glory of God. There is no reason that I can see why this field should not soon be made self-supporting.

To accomplish a successful work here, it must be taken up as a life-work; in other words, Alaska is a small world in itself that must be warned. As far as climate is concerned, this is not a pleasant field by any means. Those dedicating themselves to the Master’s call must fully expect to meet many trials, and the test may prove severe when they come in contact with the storms of Alaska. However, the Lord has many precious souls in this north country, and He is calling for volunteers. Who will count the cost and say, “Here am I; send me.”

Up to this writing there have been several urgent calls from chiefs and leading men of different tribes to come and teach them and their people. If I had time and space, I could tell a most interesting story of my (only short) experience here. It is because of what I have seen and heard that I now plead for this field and its people. Any information as to present needs or future efforts and requirements will be cheerfully furnished by the writer to any interested friend who will write for the same.

May we, as God’s people, stand ready to be used in this trying hour of the sealing time. Brethren, the testing time is here, and we can not afford to take any chances now. The great sieve of God is working; but praise the Lord, the promise is that not the least grain shall fall upon the earth. Amos 9: 9.

Our first public effort has lately closed, and we have victory to report. One splendid worker has been developed, and has taken a firm stand for the message, a living interest has been aroused, and we have faith that several others will step over the line on the Lord’s side. With the Lord’s help, the sisters have done a wonderful work with the SIGNS, and the good work is still going on. The sower has gone forth to sow. The seeds of truth are falling as the “leaves of autumn,” and we are trusting in the promise that some at least will fall into good soil, and bring forth fruit. Pray for a harvest of souls in Alaska.

Douglas, Alaska.

T. H. WATSON.

THE SOURCE OF POWER IN MISSIONS.

By J. Hudson Taylor

[Rev. J. Hudson Taylor, founder and director of the China Inland Mission, in The Gospel in All Lands.]

GOD Himself is the great source of power. It is His possession. He manifests it according to His sovereign will, according to His declared will. Truly our opponents and hindrances are many and mighty; but our God, the living God, alone is mighty. It is with Him we have to do; on Him alone we have to wait; from Him alone cometh our salvation and our sufficiency. God tells us through His prophet that the men that know their God shall be strong, and they that understand the people among men shall instruct men. If it be true that knowledge is power, this is supremely true in the case of the knowledge of God. God’s commands are always absolute. If we believe the commandment to be from God, our only rule is to obey. Further, God’s power is available power. We are a supernatural people, born again by a supernatural birth. We wage a supernatural fight, and we are taught by a supernatural Teacher. In our supernatural fight we are led by a supernatural Captain in right paths to assured victory.

Not many days after the risen Saviour ascended on high, the Holy Ghost came upon the disciples and

followers, and they were all filled; and He remains with them still; and He is to-day as truly available and as mighty a power as He was on the day of Pentecost.

In November, 1886, we spent eight days in waiting upon God. We spent days of fasting, alternated with prayer, and we were led to pray to God to send one hundred missionaries. We were led to pray for one hundred missionaries to be sent out by our English board from January to November. We were led to ask God to give £10,000 in addition to the income of previous years, and we asked for it to be given in such a manner—in such large sums—that the force of our staff might not be occupied in keeping accounts. God answered our prayers wonderfully. He sent us offers for more than six hundred missionaries, and at the end of the year over one hundred had gone.

You ask, What about the income? God did not give us exactly the £10,000 we asked for, but He gave us £11,000; and the £11,000 came in eleven contributions.

The living God is an available power. We can call on Him in the name of Christ with assurance that if we call on Him in the spirit of prayer, these prayers will be answered.

How important is faith! and what is this so-essential faith? Is it not simply a recognition of God’s faithfulness? We are living in days of wonderful success. But we may see far more wonderful things in days to come.

Only prayer can overcome the appalling doctrines of heathendom. One great power is the Gospel itself. It is my privilege to know hundreds of native Christians, who accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour the first time they ever heard of Him.

The Chinese are dying a million a month without God. Those only who have seen know the darkness of a heathen death-bed. With what despair do they look forward to the judgment, which they know is coming. They know they are sinners, and, as their proverb puts it, “Evil doing brings the evil ‘reward.’” They know nothing of God’s atonement, nothing of the forgiveness which He has provided.

“GIVE TO HIM THAT ASKETH.”

O, stay not thy hand when the winter winds rude Blow cold through the dwellings of want and despair, To ask if misfortune has come to the good, Or folly has wrought the sad wreck that is there.

When the heart-stricken wanderer asks thee for bread, For suffering he bows to necessities' laws; When the wife moans in sickness—the children unfed; The cup must be bitter—O, ask not the cause.

When the Saviour of men raised His finger to heal, Did He ask if the sufferer was Gentile or Jew? When the thousands were fed, was the bountiful meal To be given alone to the faithful and true?

O, scan not too closely the frailties of those Whose bosoms may bleed on the cold winter's day, But give to the friendless who tells thee his woes, And from him that would borrow, O, turn not away.

—Selected.

THE BIBLE AS A MISSIONARY.

One day a colporter entered the village of Montalborejo, in the Province of Toledo, in Spain, and offered his goods for sale. Among others he also sold a large Bible. Already the priest had been informed of the transaction. He rushed out of the church standing in the market-place, swiftly approached the colporter, tore the book out of the buyer’s hand, cast it upon the ground, and angrily exclaimed, “These books of the devil shall never enter my parish.” He roused the people, and especially the pious women, to anger, and they took up stones and cast them at the inoffensive man, causing him to flee, thankful to escape with his life.

Six weeks later the colporter was again on the road to the self-same village. To his astonishment, the first man he met at the gate detained him with the question,— “Are you not the man who sold the Bible?” With fear and trembling he answered, “Yes, I am the man.”

“Then come to our village; every one of us desires to purchase your book,” was the amazing reply.

This was how the change was wrought. A merchant of the village picked up the book in the market-place, concluding that the paper might be used. Accordingly leaf after leaf was torn out to serve as wrappers for salt, sugar, rice, or other groceries, thus entering every hut. And so it was that when the leaves were scattered throughout the village, the pages were eagerly scanned, and one by one the people came to the merchant, requesting additional stray leaves to satisfy their thirst for knowledge concerning the Bible. The joy of the man as he heard this wonderful tale may well be imagined. In less than two days he had disposed of all his books, and was even compelled to tarry some time longer in order to teach the people the way of salvation.—Missionary Review of the World.

OUR WORK AND WORKERS.

On the 30th ult. Dr. R. H. Habenicht and family sailed for Argentina, South America.

Three accessions to the faith at Mars Hill, Me., are reported by Brother J. B. Goodrich.

Six more converts among the Oneida Indians of Wisconsin are reported by Brother Matthew Hill.

The brethren at Hickory, N. C., are preparing to build a house of worship, with a basement school-room.

At Dickinson Center, N. Y., October 20, three candidates were baptized by Brother F. H. DeVinney.

An excellent interest is reported at Maxwell, W. Va., by Brethren W. R. Foggin and C. B. Rule, and a house of worship is under consideration.

Reporting to the Review, Brother A. G. Christiansen notes the organization of a church of twelve members (since increased to fifteen) at Logan, Utah.

The work in the island of Sumatra is to be reinforced by the addition of Brother George Teasdale and wife, of Australia, who is to assist Brother R. W. Munson at Padang.

Two of our Healdsburg College boys, J. E. and F. S. Bond, have been doing some very successful canvassing in Arizona with “Desire of Ages” and “Christ’s Object Lessons.”

Of the recent colored camp-meeting held at Edgefield Junction, Tenn., the Watchman says it was well attended and the interest was most excellent throughout. The meeting was a grand success.

At Elk Garden, W. Va., where Brother J. W. Lair has been laboring, fifteen persons have decided to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. In the face of many other attractions in the town, there is an unusual interest in the meetings.

At the last quarterly-meeting of the church at Shamrock, Wis., three persons united with the church. Brother T. B. Snow was there to officiate. He also reports for the quarterly-meeting at Marshfield, where two were added to the membership, with another to follow on the next Sabbath.

A new house of worship was dedicated at Rose Lawn, Wis., October 31. Brother Wm. Covert, president of the conference, and Brother C. J. Herrman conducted the services. The Reporter says that requests have come to the Conference Committee for the dedication of three other churches this fall,—at Burnamwood, at Almond, and at Pound.

From the Texas Reporter we learn that in connection with the Keene Industrial school a bakery company for the manufacture of health foods has been organized. A good substantial amount of capital has been subscribed and operations will be commenced as soon as possible. It is the intention also to operate a canning factory another season.

The secretary of the Sabbath-school Department of the Pennsylvania Conference, has suggested to the schools that they hold harvest ingathering services, representing the feast of tabernacles of the Israelites, which was a joyous commemoration of the blessings of God. The feast in ancient times was an acknowledgment of God’s bounty in the products of the orchard, the olive grove, and the field. The harvest ingathering has been celebrated by some schools in other States with encouraging results. There is no danger of being too thankful or too liberal in dealing with the Lord.

Reporting to the Southern Watchman, Brother R. T. Nash says: I came to Waynesville October 7 for the purpose of building a house in which we have planned to prepare one room for a school-room until we are able to build larger for that purpose. A number of families here who are not Adventists are already asking for admission of their children to this school. The prospect is very encouraging. Since coming to Waynesville [N. C.] I have suddenly changed into a combination of stone-mason, brick-mason, carpenter, and in fact everything that goes to make up a house-builder. The Lord is blessing and prospering in all my labor with Him; and why not, when we are partners?

HOW THEY BURY IN BURMA.

A Burmese paper of Mandalay contains a long account of the preparations that are being made for the funeral of a much-revered Buddhist bishop who died, or, as the Burmese express it, “returned,” some time ago. It is well known that in such a case the body is kept in the monastery for weeks, months even, until all the funds necessary have been collected, and the preparations for the cremation brought to a close. In Dalla, some time ago, an old phoongyi was thus kept several months, gilt all over, just like a statue. In the present instance the elders and other influential persons in Mandalay decided at a recent meeting to have a coffin made, the cost of which is to be above Rs. 3,000. It is to be covered with pure gold and ornamented with silver designs. It will be placed on the representation of a white elephant, made according to the ideal type described in the Buddhist scriptures. There is probably no other nation in the world so lavish of their money on things useless as are the Burmese; and if they could be induced to spend it for humanitarian purposes, Burma would certainly be one of the richest of countries in useful public institutions.—Indian Witness.

THE GOSPEL OF HEALING.

THERE are 1,100 hospitals connected with Protestant missions in foreign lands, treating over 2,500,000 patients yearly. This ministry of healing is a most effective and practically irresistible means of gaining entrance into the homes and hearts of the heathen. It removes prejudice, inspires confidence and hope, and reveals the true genius of Christianity as perhaps nothing else can.—Missionary Review.

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Continue reading: LESSON 8.—NOVEMBER 24.—WORLD'S TEMPERANCE LESSON