p. 12 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 28. (7/10/1907)

India Mission Field.

By G. B. THOMPSON

INDIA is an empire, with a history reaching back for twenty centuries, and more. It is some 1,900 miles in length, and, including Burma, has a total width of nearly 2,500 miles, and a total area of more than one and a half million of square miles. It reaches from the cool and rugged range of the Himalayas to the hottest regions near the equator.

This entire territory swarms with human beings. Here is found nearly three hundred million souls enslaved and shackled in heathenism. And these twenty centuries of darkness and superstition have done a terrible work; their baneful effects can not be truly pictured; they must be seen to be fully understood. Then, too, covetous rulers, ruthless conquerors, revolution, famine, and pestilence have each done their work, and thousands have fallen victims to their terrible visitations. Tho there are many wealthy people, it is a land of poverty. Between the rajah and the ryot, or peasant, there is a tremendous step. One writer says that hunger is chronic. In some places it would seem that this might be true.

Caste, religion, language, wealth, and poverty separate the people. The principal religions are Mohammedanism and Hinduism—sixty millions of the former and one hundred and eighty millions of the latter.

"India" a Cosmopolitan Term.

The term “India” should really convey to our minds a cosmopolitan suggestion, something the same as European. It is a designation under which are grouped many distinct races and various languages. The people differ widely. This has been one thing I have noticed in riding thru the country. Those who live in the Himalaya hills are brawny, muscular races,—the strongest in physique I have ever seen. They are the common carriers. Baggage, fuel, lumber, iron girders for buildings, etc., are carried from the plains up into the hills, and the loads they carry almost surpass belief. Leaving the hills and coming down thru the plains for nearly two thousand miles, a difference is seen; the races taper off almost with the regularity of a chromatic scale down the burning plains and under the terrific heat of the tropical sun.

Weather and Crop Conditions.

The people mostly all live in villages, which as a rule are small. Paddy, or rice, is one of the staple productions. If the proper amount of rain falls during the monsoon period, the ryot, or peasant, is happy, as a crop is thus assured. But if rain is withheld, as it sometimes is, the terrors of a famine are threatened. Anxiously they scan the heavens for signs of rain, and the blue sky above may have written on it the doom of thousands.

British rule, however, has as in other countries done much for this land. Extensive irrigation schemes have been pushed thru, and barren regions of territory have been transformed into fertile country.

Religious Idolatry.

Many of the people worship the rivers, the principal one of which is the Ganges. In the darkness of the mind this is not so much to be wondered at. When famine has threatened they have seen the river, fed from the melting snows of the Himalayas (Himalaya means the abode of snow), rise and water their fields and give them food.

Gradually they have been thus led to worship water. To bathe in the waters of Mother Ganges, as the river is called, is supposed to purify from sin during life, and the wish of the devoted Hindu is that he may have the privilege when dying to be on the banks of the sacred river that his body may be consumed in the burning ghats (the Hindus burn their dead), and his ashes borne by her waters to the ocean. O, how much these dear souls need the Gospel, that they may know that holiness and purity of life can be obtained only thru faith in the atoning blood of Christ.

A Babel of Tongues..

There are many languages and dialects in India, and missionaries who come to this field must in order to do successful work for the millions of the Indian population acquire a language. Out of the entire population it is estimated that not more than 5,000,000 speak the English language, and only a small percentage of this number are Europeans. In 1901 the number of languages spoken by more than a million was eighteen. The language most widely spoken is the Hindu. More than 87,000,000 speak this tongue. This is equal to the entire population of the United States. As yet we have only a few workers who speak this language, and who are able to give the last message of salvation to the people in their own language. We must have many educated young men and women sent to this field, who come to stay, and master this language. Of other leading languages spoken are the following:

| Bengali, spoken by | 44,000,000 | | Telugu, " " | 20,000,000 | | Marathi " " | 18,000,000 | | Punjabi, " " | 17,000,000 | | Tamil " " | 16,000,000 | | Rajasthani, " " | 10,000,000 | | Kanarese, " " | 10,000,000 | | Gujarati, " " | 10,000,000 | | Burmese, " " | 8,000,000 |

Need of Consecrated Workers.

I have been greatly impressed during my visit to this field with the need of consecrated workers to pioneer the work of the third angel's message in all these languages. Literature must also be prepared on the fundamental points of the message and circulated everywhere. The end is near at hand, yet a tremendous work remains to be done. Why, if we believe that the Lord's coming is at hand, should there be so many workers in the home land, and so few in India? We thank the Lord for the consecrated band of workers already in the field and for the work already begun, but we must have many more to join them. Reader, are you ready to devote your life to the work in this field? If not, why not?

India needs the Gospel, not in some adulterated form but in its purity and power. They need to be taught the true Sabbath, not a heathen festival day,

that they may indeed remember the God who is the Creator of all things.

Then again, the entire system of false religions, with all their attendant superstition and abominations, is permeated with the false dogma of the immortality of the soul. Remove this from their idolatrous forms, and they would indeed collapse. India's millions need a Gospel free from this satanic falsehood, that will teach these poor souls that eternal life comes only by faith in the Son of God. In fact, as I mingle with the people, and study the situation, I can see how the truths of the third angel's message are peculiarly well adapted to the needs of the people of this land as well as others. May the Lord speedily raise up workers clothed with the power of the Holy Spirit who will carry this glorious message with power to the people of India.

G. B. THOMPSON.

Ship Missionary Work in Singapore.

By W. W. Fletcher

(Delayed in Transmission.)

IN January of this year, a church missionary society was organized in Singapore, with Brother Mills as leader, and with leaders for the various branches of missionary effort we are planning to carry on in this city. These comprise ship mission work, hospital visiting, missionary correspondence, industrial department, tract loaning, and selling and distributing periodicals.

Having been appointed librarian for our society, I am confronted with the problem of how to obtain supplies of literature for our ship mission work. As a port of call, Singapore is one of the most important in the world. In the daytime our harbor presents a forest of masts and spars, and at night the countless lights give it the appearance of a thickly populated city. Think of the thousands of men "that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters," that call here in their journeying. Vessels come here from every nation under heaven, and to those countries they return. Singapore is one of the corners of the earth.

We have here a great opportunity to scatter Gospel seed to the ends of the earth.

Now there are thousands of good missionary papers in the homes of our people, "hiding their light under a bushel," that might easily be proclaiming their message on all the high seas. If our dear brethren and sisters will cooperate with us, this will soon be accomplished. Send us back numbers of the Signs, Watchman, Instructor, Life Boat, and our health papers, and you will help us in this effort to give light to the sailors. It does not matter how old the papers are so long as they are clean. Neither does it matter what language they are printed in. Literature in foreign tongues will be especially useful.

Remember that here is a golden opportunity to dig up the buried talent and set it to work somewhere in the Lord's vineyard.

Some of the bravest and warmest-hearted men of this generation are those who are continually facing the perils of the deep. These will also endure much for the Lord's sake when they learn the truth. Let us do what we can to give them the opportunity. Just recently two British men-o'-war's men visited us, who accepted the message thru ship-mission work done at St. Lucia, W. I. I am sure that if the readers of these lines could meet these brethren, and know how they are holding up the light before hundreds of their shipmates, it would kindle a burning desire to see many more such lights. This one means of supplying the seamen with our literature is within our reach. Let us use it faithfully.

Address all papers to Elder G. F. Jones, "Villa Hatsu," 12 Dhoby Ghaut, Singapore, Straits Settlements.

W. W. FLETCHER.

Our Work and Workers.

By Editor

THE friends in Nunda, N. Y., have just dedicated a new church. Six members have been added, four by baptism.

BROTHER T. W. FIELD baptized six at Richland Springs, Texas, June 8. The same day Brother D. U. Hale baptized three at Dallas.

THE brethren in Oklahoma have seven tent companies in the field this summer. Surely a good work should be accomplished for the truth in these efforts.

ON Sabbath, June 1, Brother C. E. Ford baptized eleven candidates in the Carr Street (Los Angeles) Church.

SISTER KATHERINE E. MILLER-WEAVER, who has been laboring in Springfield, Ohio, recently had the pleasure of seeing four of her readers follow their Master in baptism.

AN eight-page monthly paper has been started for the natives of Tahiti, called Te Maramarama. Brother B. J. Cady writes that a live interest is taken in the paper and that the subscription list is growing. Much is hoped for it tho the people are all very poor.

SOUTH LANCASTER ACADEMY has issued a neat, thirty-two-page calendar, the twenty-sixth annual announcement, giving the history, object, scope, etc., of the institution. It is planned to make the coming school year a strong one for Christian education. Those interested would do well to correspond with William J. Fitzgerald, the president.

SISTER LILY M. WILLIAMS-THORPE, writing from Tonga, Friendly Islands, says, "This is recognized as a very difficult field for many reasons, but the light seems to be breaking thru, and we are believing for great things." Their school had fifty-seven pupils last year, while the year before there were only twenty-four.

THE second annual calendar of the Meadowglade Intermediate School, Battle Ground, Wash., has just come to hand. This academy was founded by the Western Washington Conference in 1903 on a well-located farm of twenty acres, twenty miles northeast of Portland. Information concerning the school can be obtained of the principal, G. E. Johnson, Battle Ground, Wash.

New Books and Publications

Colds.—By G. H. Heald, M.D. A treatise on the causes, prevention, and cure of colds. White leatherette binding. 58 pages, 25c.

Early Writings.—By Mrs. E. G. White. A new edition of this popular work, rearranged and reprinted from new plates. This book is a compilation of the first published writings of the author, and contains many encouraging words for those who are looking for the soon return of our Lord. Cloth, 75c; limp leather, $1.25.

Education.—The object of true education and how it may be realized by the youth, the parent, the teacher, the writer, the tiller of the soil, and the business man, is the great theme of this book.

Its first chapter is devoted to First Principles; following that are illustrations, taken from the history of Israel. Master Teacher, Nature Teaching, the Bible as an Educator, Physical Culture, Character Building, the Under Teacher, and the Higher Course, are titles of other chapters. 321 pages. Cloth, $1.25.

The Vegetarian Cook Book. By E. G. Fulton. Pacific Press Publishing Company, Mountain View, Cal. Price, 75 cents. For sale at the Vegetarian Cafe, Sixth Street, Portland, Ore.

This book contains over 200 pages of recipes for meatless dishes, not strictly vegetarian, however, as they include cheese, milk, and eggs. There are many recipes for fruit and vegetable salads which are of especial value at this season of the year. Following the salads and salad dressings are soups, including ten varieties of fruit soups. After this follow 48 pages of entrees, among which is a "New England Boiled Dinner" without meat. Nuts are freely used in these preparations, and there are several good ways given for the use of macaroni. Then come vegetable recipes, among which one notices "Creamed Chestnuts."

Beverages, desserts, and special methods for cooking eggs follow, with general directions and pertinent information of value to one in search of simple and healthful, yet appetizing foods.—Portland, Ore., Evening Telegram.

Studies in the Christ-Life at Brother Eldred's

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Tenth Evening's Study.

"Tom, my son," continued his father, "what other prophet of the Bible gives a very clear history of Satan, and the story of his fall, besides the prophet Ezekiel?"

"I think you refer to the fourteenth chapter of Isaiah, father; for Isaiah and Ezekiel tell very much the same story."

"Good; now let us see if we can discover, beyond a doubt, where Satan's original home was. Alice, do you think—"

"Please pardon me," interrupted Mr. Field, "but surely you don't mean to tell me that there is anything really definite in the Scriptures as to the original home of Satan?"

"Just listen to the testimony of our Saviour, as recorded in Luke. Alice will please read the eighteenth verse of the tenth chapter."

" 'And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.' "

"That's plain, isn't it? Now Jack, you may read Rev. 12:7, 8."

" 'And there was war in heaven; Michael and His angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.' "

"Then where did Satan dwell before he made this earth his home?"

"Why, if his place was not found any more in heaven, he must once have been there, of course," admitted Mr. Field.

"But surely there is no means of telling where he is now," exclaimed Mrs. Field, excitedly, "you speak of this earth being his present home,—now, can you prove this from the Bible? can you, really, Mr. Eldred?"

"O papa! let me read this verse!" said Alice, without waiting for her father to answer. She had been busily examining a text of Scripture, while the others were talking. "I believe I've found the very verse that tells the whole story,—shall I read it?"

Brother Eldred smiled assent at once, and the little girl read slowly and distinctly:

" 'And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.' "

"A very plain text, little daughter," declared her father, "but since it is the confession of Satan himself, who is the father of lies, we will add the testimony of John the Beloved. Jack, will you read Rev. 12:9?"

" 'And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.' "

"Well," said Blanche, turning to her father, "that seems to be pretty plain, doesn't it?"

"I'll give it up," replied Mr. Field, "I'll yield the point; but I don't see how to find such information!"

"The Bible is a Book which may be most diligently studied with great profit," replied Mrs. Eldred modestly; "we ought all to study it far more than we do."

"I'd like to know something about his looks—his personal appearance," said Mildred. "He is always represented as a very hideous being; do you think we have any certain way of knowing even this, Mr. Eldred?"

"Certainly; the Lord does not leave us in the dark, even concerning the personal appearance of our wily foe. The Lord well knew that Satan would try to deceive poor humanity into the belief that there was no such personage, and so inspiration gives us a vivid description of him,—"

"Yes, Mildred," interrupted Alice, "I'm thinking you have a wrong opinion of him."

"Please read last clause of verse twelve, Ezekiel 28; and we shall see," responded Brother Eldred.

" 'Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.' "

"But," objected Mrs. Field, "I see that the first part of the same verse calls him the king of Tyrus."

"But," replied Brother Eldred, "on account of the extreme wickedness of the city of Tyre, or Tyrus, and her king, this title is used as a synonym of Satan. My proof?—Certainly. Miss Mildred will you please read the first clause of the next verse,—the thirteenth?"

" 'Thou hast been in Eden, the garden of God.' Why how plain that is, father," said Mildred, turning to Mr. Field. "Of course, the king of Tyre was never in Eden, the garden of God."

"Why!" interrupted little Margaret, "that's where Satan was when he tempted Eve."

"True enough, little girl," replied her father. "Now, Jack, will you turn to a scripture which will tell us very plainly the primary cause of Satan's sin, and his consequent fall from his high estate?"

"I think it was all caused by pride, father. He was vain and lifted up, because he was so bright and beautiful. O, here is the verse I am looking for. Eze. 28:17: 'Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty; thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness.' "

"Mrs. Field, do you think there was ever a time when even this arch-rebel was a perfect and sinless being?"

"I think not, Mr. Eldred; for I remember there is a verse somewhere, which says, 'Satan was a liar from the beginning;' this is one of the few verses which I learned when a child."

"But what beginning was here spoken of? Please read Gen. 1:1."

" 'In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.' "

"Then it is plain that from the time of the creation of our world and the heaven, or space, which surrounds it, to the present, Satan has been a cruel foe. But beyond and before that time. Kindly read Eze. 28:15."

" 'Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.' "

"He wasn't satisfied with his position," interrupted Tillie, "and his unholy ambition grew and grew and spurred him on, till, as the prophet declares, he fell from heaven because he said in his heart 'I will exalt my throne above the stars of God,' 'I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High;' and I sometimes think," continued Tillie, "that when we become discontented in the humble sphere in which the Lord has placed us, and begin to try to exalt ourselves, that we are somewhat like Satan."

" 'He that exalteth himself shall be abased,' " quoted Sister Eldred.

(To Be Continued.)

Hints to Young Married People With Children.

By Christian Advocate

ACCEPT a friendly suggestion. Carefully store your minds with personal, town, and city important events, all changes and great events in your own church, and all such discoveries as are made in your time, particularly what goes on in your own beloved country and in the great nations of the world. Pay little attention to gossip in newspapers. It makes no difference to you what the man's name is that killed his wife a thousand miles from where you live. As Emerson says in substance, what difference does it make to you what the names of people are that are doing what has been done from the beginning of the world?

Why do we give you this hint? Because you will be able to interest your children when they are little, and in every stage you can make home pleasant to them by telling them in your own language the important things that you have learned or heard. Then your boys and girls will pass out of the childish state, and before you and they know it, you and they will be companions. But there is something more. You will have so many things to think of that your minds will not grow weak in advancing years so soon as otherwise they might.

There is no more beautiful spectacle than grandparents interesting their grandchildren by their reminiscences and the light they can show upon many things that interest young folks; and there is not a much more melancholy spectacle than that of persons who have never treasured up anything. Too often they are peevish and prematurely dull. The exceptions are when the disposition was extremely good, or when—tho they do not store up

anything in memory—they have a sure hold on God and a bright hope of everlasting life. That is the only thing that can make happy those whose lack of ideas and facts is small when they are thru with business and practically confined to the house or its vicinity.—Christian Advocate.

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Religious Book Notices

"The Mysteries of God." By W. J. Dalmage, Milsap, Ontario. Forty pages, bound in light green cloth with gold title.

The plan of this book is to present the mysteries of the plan of salvation from creation to final restoration. It is given in verse, and is fairly well told, tho the rhythm is not always the best, being mechanical and occasionally ungrammatical. Barring a few theological errors, the work is readable and of interest, tho not from a strictly poetical standpoint.

Christ Our Saviour.—By Mrs. E. G. White. We have in this book the life of Christ our Saviour from His birth to ascension, given in simple and direct language. It is printed in large, clear type, and is finely illustrated by engravings made especially for it. The simplicity with which this "Old, Old Story" is told, the aptness of the illustrations, and the general appearance of the better-bound styles, will attract and hold the reader's attention to the very close. 182 large octavo pages, and bound as follows: Fine English cloth, 75c; cloth back, board covers, in colors, 50c.

Also in German, Danish, Spanish, and Swedish at same prices. Address this office.

Bible-Readings for the Home Circle. This book comprises 162 readings for public and private study, and answers nearly 3,000 questions on religious topics—practical, historical, and prophetic. It contains 600 octavo pages, printed on a superior quality of tinted paper, embellished with 57 full-page engravings and 170 ornamental headings, together with 10 full-page Scriptural and prophetic diagrams, 3 colored plates, and other attractive features. The bindings are elegant and substantial, the styles and prices being as follows: Cloth, gilt side title, marbled edges, $2.25; library, marbled edges, $3.25; full leather, marbled edges, $4.25. Cheap edition, 400 pages, solid type, no illustrations or colored plates, no poetry, thin paper, brown cloth, plain edges, $1.00. Address this office.

Home and Health. Prepared and edited by a competent committee of home-makers and physicians.

"Home and Health" is a household manual containing two thousand recipes and helpful suggestions on the building and care of the home in harmony with sanitary laws, the preservation of health by clean, consistent living, and the home treatment of simpler ailments and diseases by use of natural, rational remedies instead of drugs.

It contains six sections as follows:

The Home: Its Location, Suggestions on Building, Sewerage, Healthful Surroundings, Water Supply, etc.

General Housekeeping, including all the general features of the housekeeper's work, such as care of the rooms, Laundering, House Cleaning, Fruit Canning, Pests, etc.

Diet.

Care of the Body.

Care and Training of Children.

The Home Treatment of Disease.

The object of this work is twofold:

(1) The prevention of disease by teaching the principles of life and health.

(2) The classification in convenient form for reference of such recipes and items of information as are most needed in the home.

The book contains nearly six hundred pages; is fully illustrated, and bound as follows:

Cloth, marbled edges, $2.50; library style, $3.50; full leather, $4.50. Address this office.

Wonders of the Deep

"Wonders of the Deep." Original poem and illustrations by Johnny Jones. Paul Elder and Co.

A cute little production, especially in its drawings. Here is a verse taken at random: The starfish has a lot of feet; And yet he's very slow. If any of his arms break off, Another one will grow.

Books in Spanish.

By Editor

THERE have been printed and are now in stock at Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal., the following books in Spanish:

"The Gospel Primer," board binding, 25 cents; in cloth at 50 cents.

"Steps to Christ," cloth, 50 cents.

"Christ Our Saviour," board binding, 50 cents; in cloth at 75 cents.

"The Coming King," in durable cloth binding at $1.50, post-paid.

There is a great Spanish-speaking world needing these books. Dear friends, what are we doing for them? Have we not friends and neighbors in whose hands may be placed, to the salvation of their soul, mayhap, some of the above books?

Mount of Blessing.

By Editor

We have a limited number of that grand book, "Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing," by Mrs. E. G. White, bound in paper covers, which we can sell at 30 cents net, post-paid.

It is printed on a fine grade of book paper, and nicely illustrated, but the printed sheets were rescued from our fire and were slightly damp and wrinkled. But the print is nice and clear, the books are neat and clean, bound in paper covers, and just splendid for missionary work, to loan to friends and neighbors, or to read and study in your own home.

It is a valuable, beautiful, and instructive present to give to the older children and youth, or to mail to a friend. While they last, we will send them, post-paid, for 30 cents net, or six for $1.50. Address, Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal. "Do it now."

Beautiful Bible Mottoes

No home complete without them

There is no better time than the present to sell them. They sell readily everywhere and agents are making good wages. An inspiration to higher living in every home. Beautiful floral designs with motto in silver and gilt letters and cord for hanging, and many other styles. Send $1.00 and name of express office and we will send prepaid sample order, $2.00 worth of mottoes. Particulars free. Address Home Art Co., Box 114, College View, Neb.

Just to Start You.

By Alfred Mallett

And to get E-Z Washing Tablets introduced, I will send you a case of 100 packages if you will promise to sell them and send me my share received for them. Give references, and send one dollar to pay freight or express charges. E-Z Washing Tablets retail at ten cents the package. This offer is only good in states west of the Rockies. Address,

E-Z WASHING TABLET CO. Alfred Mallett, Mgr. 920 Fifth Street - - Sacramento, Cal.

SPECIAL RATES.

By Editor

1. One new yearly subscription and one renewal, or two new yearly subscriptions, sent at one time, $2.50.

2. Two new yearly subscriptions and one renewal, or three new yearly subscriptions, sent at one time, $3.25.

3. Three new yearly subscriptions and one renewal, or four new yearly subscriptions, sent at one time, $4.00.

Sample copies sent on application.

DATE OF EXPIRATION.

By Editor

The SIGNS wrapper bears date of last issue due on your subscription. Unless renewed in advance, paper stops with expiration date.

If herewith is an order blank, you will know you have overlooked sending renewal. You will not wish to miss a single issue. Back numbers often can not be furnished.

Continue reading: FROM THE SUBSCRIPTION DEPARTMENT.