Earlier text: TO KNOW JESUSOne Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar Fund
By I. H. EVANS
For Special Work at Home and Abroad Received on the $150,000 Fund up to March 10, 1908 [ ^1]Atlantic Union Conference
[ ^1]Central New England ........$ 2,772.18
Greater New York .......... 1,496.31
Maine ..................... 836.51
[ ^1]New York ................ 2,326.50
[ ^1]Southern New England .... 1,210.50
[ ^1]Vermont .................. 1,331.74
[ ^1]Western New York ......... 2,071.09
Total ..................... 12,044.83 Canadian Union Conference
Maritime .................. 317.43
Quebec .................... 155.84
Ontario ................... 803.58
Newfoundland .............. 20.15
Total ..................... 1,297.00 Central Union Conference
Colorado .................. 4,518.19
Kansas .................... 3,698.05
Missouri .................. 1,965.12
[ ^1]Nebraska ................ 5,817.68
[ ^1]Wyoming ................. 808.00
Total ..................... 16,807.04 [ ^1]Columbia Union Conference
Chesapeake ................ 615.28
[ ^1]Eastern Pennsylvania .... 2,548.91
[ ^1]New Jersey ............... 1,199.95
[ ^1]Ohio ..................... 6,300.43
[ ^1]Virginia ................. 1,034.77
West Pennsylvania .......... 1,905.67
[ ^1]West Virginia ............ 558.86
Total ..................... 14,163.87 [ ^1]District of Columbia
[ ^1]Washington churches ...... 1,384.54 Lake Union Conference
East Michigan ............. 3,155.46
[ ^1]Indiana .................. 5,243.02
North Michigan ............ 1,705.22
[ ^1]Northern Illinois ........ 2,913.36
Southern Illinois ......... 1,425.71
[ ^1]West Michigan ............ 8,730.70
Wisconsin ................. 5,044.25
Total ..................... 28,217.72 North Pacific Union Conference
British Columbia .......... 216.00
Montana ................... 630.54
[ ^1]Upper Columbia .......... 3,036.43
[ ^1]Western Washington ....... 3,254.83
Idaho ..................... 1,019.40
Western Oregon ............ 2,928.34
Hawaii .................... 16.05
Alaska .................... 20.00
Total ..................... 11,121.59 Northern Union Conference
Iowa ...................... 7,444.63
[ ^1]Minnesota ................ 5,723.28
[ ^1]South Dakota ............. 2,664.47
[ ^1]North Dakota ............. 2,134.93
Conference not specified ... 73.82
Total ..................... 18,041.13 Pacific Union Conference
Southern California ....... 2,858.63
[ ^1]Arizona .................. 466.79
[ ^1]California-Nevada ........ 10,249.03
[ ^1]Utah ..................... 434.58
Total ..................... 14,009.03 [ ^1]Southern Union Conference
Conference not specified ... 70.82
[ ^1]South Carolina ........... 266.09
Alabama ................... 613.14
[ ^1]Tennessee River .......... 1,405.01
[ ^1]Florida .................. 951.48
[ ^1]North Carolina ........... 953.70
[ ^1]Cumberland ............... 1,347.32
[ ^1]Louisiana ................ 572.54
Mississippi ............... 413.08
[ ^1]Georgia .................. 457.97
Total ..................... 7,051.15 Southwestern Union Conference
Not specified ............. 22.82
Arkansas .................. 894.63
Oklahoma .................. 3,924.79
Texas ..................... 2,285.24
Total ..................... 7,127.48 Western Canadian Union Conference
[ ^1]Alberta .................. 1,203.80
Manitoba .................. 336.55
Saskatchewan Mission Field . 59.60
Total ..................... 1,599.95 Unknown
Unknown ................... 161.70 Foreign
[ ^1]Algeria .................. 13.33
Australia ................ 178.71
Bermuda .................. 36.00
China .................... 165.60
South Africa ............. 430.02
Jamaica .................. 66.01
Yukon Territory ........... 20.00
England .................. 278.61
[ ^1]West Africa .............. 50.00
Mexico ................... 65.97
Costa Rica ............... 6.25
India .................... 187.50
South America ............ 76.43
Switzerland .............. 9.69
Panama ................... 27.11
Nicaragua ................ 9.00
Central American Mission .. 26.00
Trinidad ................. 28.69
Norway ................... 25.00
Japan .................... 12.50
Hayti .................... 5.00
[ ^1]Egypt .................... 51.55
Palestine ................ 2.00
Tobago, W. I. ............ 1.22
Cuba ..................... 8.00
Hungary .................. 3.00
Tahiti ................... 14.88
France ................... 6.80
Philippine Islands ....... 1.00
Samoa .................... 8.00
Barbados ................. 5.00
Portugal ................. 1.00
Straits Settlements ...... 10.08
Pitcairn Island .......... 20.00
New Zealand .............. 1.52
Fiji ..................... 4.87
St. Kitts ................ 7.51
Total ..................... 1,872.85 Grand Total ................ $134,899.88
I. H. EVANS, Treasurer. We clip from the Saturday Evening Post the following item, which strikingly portrays some of the delinquencies of this generation in the matter of securing justice for the poor, oppressed, and afflicted:— In September, 1902, a railroad employee in Michigan had both legs mangled while coupling cars. In February of the next year his attorneys commenced suit for damages. The case was tried in October, a little over a year after the injury. The jury awarded $15,000 damages. The railroad appealed to the supreme court, which tribunal, in March, 1904, remanded the case for new trial. This new trial was held in February, 1905, and the jury gave a verdict of $20,000. Again the railroad appealed to the supreme court, which in May, 1906, again ordered a new trial. But on rehearing, the supreme court changed its mind and affirmed the judgment of the lower court. Meanwhile, the railroad had been reorganized. So, in January, 1907, it was necessary to begin suit against its bondsmen to collect the judgment. In April, 1907, the trial jury gave judgment against the bondsmen, and the defendants promptly appealed to the supreme court. Five years and one month after the injury this judgment was affirmed by the court of last resort, and the injured man sees some ground for hoping that, after the usual argument for a rehearing and appeal to the United States Supreme Court, he may receive enough money to pay his law expenses and have a little left. The court records of every State in the Union are actually loaded with cases just like this. This reads very much like a fulfilment of Micah's prophecy of the time just prior to the return of our Lord. He says:— They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net. Their hands are upon that which is evil to do it diligently; the prince asketh, and the judge is ready for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth the evil desire of his soul: thus they weave it together. . . . But as for me, I will look unto Jehovah; I will wait for the God of my salvation. Micah 7:2-7.
The Time Is Short
By Archer Wright
BROTHER, the time is short,—
Not many years to teach the Word
Which millions yet have never heard:
Be faithful to exhort.
O leave not now the gospel field!
Soon will the last saved soul be sealed,
“The Son of man shall be revealed:”
The time is short. Brother, the time is short,—
Not many years of giving now.
O keep your hand firm on the plow,
Christ’s precious cause support.
God’s closing work is moving fast,
And soon the harvest will be past;
This call for means may be the last:
The time is short. Brother, the time is short,—
Not many years to win the fight.
The battle now is at its height,
But soon the last report
Shall ring out from the gospel fort,
Defeating Satan’s last resort,
Be valiant; for the time is short,
The time is short. A Message to the Churches
By Ellen G. White
SANITARIUM, CAL., Feb. 10, 1908. “Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. For thus saith the Lord, Ye have sold yourselves for naught; and ye shall be redeemed without money.” The Lord has instructed me to say to our churches: There is no safety in placing confidence in human wisdom or strength. “Whom shall he teach knowledge?” the prophet Isaiah asks; “and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breast. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: for with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. “Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place.” The figures here used by the prophet are representations of spiritual things. “Who among us,” he asks, “shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.” The government of the kingdom of Christ is like no earthly government. It is a representation of the characters of those who compose the kingdom. “Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God?” Christ asked, “or with what comparison shall we liken it?” He could find nothing on earth that would serve as a perfect comparison. His court is one where holy love presides, and whose offices and appointments are graced by the exercise of charity. He charges his servants to bring pity and loving-kindness, his own attributes, into all their office work, and to find their happiness and satisfaction in reflecting the love and tender compassion of the divine nature on all with whom they associate. “Look unto Zion, the city of our solemnities,” the prophet continues; “thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken. But there the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us. . . . The inhabitants shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.” “Be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create,” the Lord exhorts; “for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. “And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them. “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.” The power of Christ alone can work the transformation in heart and mind that all must experience who would partake with him of the new life in the kingdom of God. “Except a man be born again,” the Saviour said, “he can not see the kingdom of God.” The religion that comes from God is the only religion that can lead to God. In order to serve him aright, we must be born of the divine Spirit. This will purify the heart and renew the mind, and give us a new capacity for knowing and loving God. It will give us willing obedience to all his requirements. Privileges and Duties of Believers Every converted soul should labor for unity of spirit and action with the One who prayed that he and his disciples might be one. The followers of Christ do his cause decided injury when they follow the customs and habits of the world. Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted to others, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Every one must learn to work, and to stand in his place as a burden-bearer. Every addition to the church should be one more agency for the carrying out of the great plan of redemption. The entire church, acting as one, blending in perfect union, is to be a living, active missionary agency, moved and controlled by the Holy Spirit. Having acknowledged Christ as the Saviour of the world, the disciples were charged to prove before men their claims, by representing in their lives the beauty and purity of his character. They had been called to repentance, and had been baptized in his name. In his name they were to call others to repentance. And all who would accept the offer of forgiveness were to be baptized in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. By this ordinance believers were to be admitted to church-fellowship; and from this time of open profession, a divine change was to be revealed in their lives. As members9 of Christ’s church on earth they represent the principles of his heaven. Speaking to his church, Christ said, “Verily I say unto you, That if two of you agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” The professed Christian who is not a Christian in practise, is not included in this promise. It is only when the voice of the church becomes the voice of Christ, that the promise can be received in its fulness. The upbuilding of the kingdom of God is retarded or urged forward according to the unfaithfulness or fidelity of human agencies. The work is hindered by the failure of the human to co-operate with the divine. Men may pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven;” but if they fail of acting out this prayer in their lives, their petitions will be fruitless. Let none speak lightly of the duty of the church to administer censure and reproof; neither let them criticize the action of the church when this painful task becomes necessary. Christ has given plain instruction regarding the duty of the church toward those who, while professing to be loyal members, are bringing dishonor to the cause of God by their course of action. “Every plant, which my Heavenly Father hath not planted,” he says, “shall be rooted up.” God has commanded that those who prove themselves unworthy of church-fellowship shall be separated from his body. Those who speak against the exercise of this authority, speak against the authority of Christ. The one who first brought temptation into the courts of heaven is constantly working against the peace and prosperity of the church on earth. To those who will listen to his words, Satan represents the authority of the church as harsh and lacking in sympathy, because it seeks to free the members from corrupting influences. It was Satan’s purpose in heaven to dethrone God, and himself take the place of the Most High. He failed in this purpose, and was cast out from the heavenly courts; and since that time he has tried to instil in the hearts of men and women the belief that God is arbitrary and harsh in his dealings with his creatures. The church does injustice to God when it allows to exist as part of itself elements that are bringing dishonor to his cause. In the responsibilities God has laid upon his church, he gives to each individual a part to act, with encouragement to draw upon the wisdom of God for his help. But there are those who depart from the way of the Lord, and who take sides with the tempter and his sympathizers; and there should be those in the church who in the fear of God will act with justice and righteousness and faithfulness in administering reproof. A Last-Day Sign
By E. H. GATES
While passing through the Strait of Sunda on a recent trip from Singapore to Sumatra, I sighted the island of Krakatoa but a few miles away, the scene of one of the most violent volcanic eruptions of the latter days; in fact, it is said to be one of the greatest of the kind in history. This event took place in 1883, and is known in history as the “Java Earthquake,” the island being not many miles from the coast of Java, Sumatra being on the opposite side of the island. In 1680 there was an eruption at the same place, but less severe than the one under consideration. The convulsion of which I shall write took place Aug. 26-28, 1883. Three months before this the volcano began to show signs of activity by throwing up steam, pumice stone, and dust. August 26 a fearful explosion took place. As a result of the openings made, the sea rushed into the bowels of the earth, and coming in contact with the intense heat raging there, produced other most terrific explosions, which blew away the whole side of the island, leaving a vertical cliff in place of the rounded outline that existed previously. Other islands were formed in the vicinity from the material thrown away from Krakatoa. Stones, dust, and ashes were shot into the air to the height of seventeen miles. The finer and lighter dust reached the higher layers of air, and by these currents was carried to every continent on earth. This red dust suspended in the air produced for many months remarkably brilliant sunsets. At Batavia, one hundred miles away, the air was darkened by the great amount of ashes thrown up, and lamps had to be lighted in the daytime. Such vast quantities of pumice stone were vomited up, that it floated on the sea for hundreds of miles. In fact, when I passed the island, I saw this stone still floating in small quantities. The air disturbance was world-wide. On this point the Encyclopedia Britannica says: “The culminating paroxysm of Krakatoa on the morning of August 27 gave rise to an atmospheric wave, which, traveling outward from the volcano as a center, became a great circle at 180° from its point of origin, whence it continued traveling onward and contracting until it reached a node at the antipodes to Krakatoa. It was then reflected or reproduced, traveling backward again to the volcano, where it once more returned in its original direction. In this manner its repetition was observed not fewer than seven times at many of the stations, four passages having been those of the wave traveling from Krakatoa, and three of the wave traveling from its antipodes, subsequently to which its traces were lost.” The noise of the explosion was perhaps heard at a greater distance than that of any previous convulsion of nature. The sounds were heard at Batavia, one hundred miles away; at Sourabaya, Java, three hundred fifty miles distant (as the captain of our ship informed me); at Bangkok, Siam, 1,413 miles; as well as in South and West Australia. It was also heard at the Philippine Islands, 1,450 miles distant; at Ceylon, 2,058 miles away; and at Rodriguez, nearly 3,000 miles distant. The effect of the eruption on the waters of the ocean was equally as remarkable, and was the most disastrous on the near-by shores of Java and Sumatra. The successive explosions raised seas that swept over the land, engulfing and utterly blotting from existence whole towns and villages, with all living creatures in them. In Java 3,600 persons lost their lives. The total loss of life was probably not far from 50,000. The captain of our ship told me that a vessel at anchor at Telok Betong, Sumatra, was carried ten miles inland, and left on a hill forty feet above sea-level, where it can be seen to this day. Even at Cape Horn, nearly 8,000 miles away, the waves were felt. Within the last two or three years these earth tremors have become more and more frequent, and will in the future constitute one of the most prominent of the last-day tokens. These will culminate in the last “great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.” Then every island (not Krakatoa only) shall flee away, and the mountains shall not be found. Then the cities of the nations shall fall, and great Babylon shall come in remembrance before God to receive from his hand the cup of wrath. At that time the heavens shall depart as a scroll, and the islands and mountains shall be moved out of their places. In the caverns and chasms formed by these mighty convulsions, kings and great men shall vainly try to hide from the face of the Son of God, whose truth they have rejected. Then happy shall be the man who has learned from the lessons of the present disasters the meaning which God intended they should convey. Lessons from Past Experiences
By GEO. O. STATES
The light on health reform has come to us step by step as we were able to stand it. In 1865 this word came to us: “The health reform, I was shown, is a part of the third angel’s message, and is just as closely connected with it as are the arm and hand with the human body. I saw that we as a people must make an advance move in this great work. Ministers and people must act in concert. God’s people are not prepared for the loud cry of the third angel.” It is over forty years since this counsel was given. In that same testimony we were told that we should provide a home for the afflicted, where they may learn how to take care of their bodies that they may prevent sickness. Our people should have an institution, of their own, under their own control, for the benefit of the diseased and suffering among us who wish to have health and strength that they may glorify God in their bodies and spirits, which are his. Such an institution, rightly conducted, would be the means of bringing our views before many whom it would be impossible for us to reach by the common course of advocating the truth.”10 Acting in harmony with this counsel, Brother White and other leading brethren began agitating the matter, and soon secured property north of the Review Office, and started the old Health Institute. All connected with the Institute were impressed that it was a solemn work, and the dangers which would beset them were pointed out: “Well-regulated labor gives the invalid the idea that he is not totally useless in the world, that he is, at least, of some benefit. This will afford him satisfaction, give him courage, and impart to him vigor, which vain mental amusements can never do.” Those who have watched the development of the health work among us can see how the Lord has led at every step. As there was danger, we were told: “I saw that in an institution established among us, the greatest danger would be of its managers departing from the spirit of present truth and from that simplicity which should ever characterize the disciples of Christ. A warning was given me against lowering the standard of truth in any way in such an institution, in order to help the feelings of unbelievers, and thus secure their patronage.” In those early days we appreciated the counsel in these matters, for we all believed it was light which the Lord was sending this people through the gift of prophecy. In the evening we read these Testimonies in our homes, and talked about the Lord’s goodness in sending us such wonderful light. From the very start, the institution prospered, for the doctors and helpers all believed in the Testimonies, and tried to follow the counsel given. Because of the danger of lowering the standard, a few years after the opening of the institution we were told: “God would have a health institution established which will, in its influence, be closely connected with the closing work for mortals fitting for immortality; one that will have no tendency to weaken the religious principles of old or young, and which will not improve the health of the body to the detriment of spiritual growth. I saw that the high standard should not be lowered in the least in order that the institution may be patronized by unbelievers. If unbelievers choose to come while its conductors occupy the exalted spiritual position which God designs they should, there will be a power that will affect their hearts. With God and angels on their side, his commandment-keeping people can but prosper.”
I know that as our people tried to follow the counsel given, the blessing of God attended the work, and many were brought into the truth through coming to the sanitarium for treatment. We all believed that the sanitarium work was a part of the message, and felt a deep interest in its prosperity. As we learned how the leading hygienic doctor of the United States had said that the principles advocated by Sister White were in harmony with physiology and hygiene, and how surprised he seemed on learning that she had never been graduated from any medical college, but was simply telling what had been presented to her in vision, we all felt that surely the Lord was favoring this people above any on earth, giving us light directly from heaven. As our people continued to heed the light given, the blessing of the Lord continued upon the work. Fear and Fear Not
By A. J. BRISTOL
When we consider the many devices so well calculated to absorb the whole attention, and remember that our “adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,” we are sometimes filled with foreboding lest we be taken in some of his snares, and finally fail of the kingdom. In our experience we may have passed the point where temptations to open and outbreaking sin have any weight with us, but so many things which in themselves are right, and need attention, seem to press themselves upon us for consideration, that we are fearful lest we be buried under the cares of this world. But our God is good, and has given us many warnings of the particular dangers that we shall meet in these last days; especially is the experience of the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the earthly inheritance held before us as an object-lesson of warning concerning the special obstacles to entering upon the eternal inheritance. “To whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that were disobedient? And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief. Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard.” It seems that the chief fault lay in their not making the word of promise which they heard a part of themselves,—“it was not united by faith with them.” And we are admonished to give diligence so “that no man fall after the same example of disobedience.” There really seems to be no excuse for falling, “for the Word of God [that which by faith is joined with us] is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.” This last-mentioned prerogative is especially comforting to contemplate; for, while many temptations and snares may be laid in vain for our feet, “the heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt.” But having this word, which is so quick to discern our thoughts and motives, really united with us, and ever present to reveal any deceptions, we may hope to escape. And what gives still greater confidence is the assurance that “we have not a high priest that can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” We are also told that “he is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” So in the light of the provisions that have been made for us to overcome “the world, the flesh, and the devil,” it is not surprising that this chapter which begins with an admonition to fear lest we fail, closes with an equally strong assurance that we may “draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need.” If we by faith have his word abiding in us, and see Jesus interceding for us, we may take to ourselves that comforting word, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Our Prayer-Meetings
By Ernest Lloyd
To the prayer-meeting service we should attach an ever-increasing importance. As a means of public testimony for God “in the land of our pilgrimage” it is important; but it has a value of its own for ourselves. We hurry away from necessary contact with the world lying in wickedness, to hear what God the Lord will speak. “Tempted, harassed, sometimes overcome by danger without and within,—fresh from discovering once more that the friendship of the world is enmity with God,—we find ourselves suddenly in smooth waters,” in his very presence, approaching him in prayer, hearing his word, and showing forth his praise. We feel it good to be there. It is like oil to the machine; every part works the better for it. Less noise and more work is the result. It is as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land—cool and pleasant shelter. Sincere prayer from the hearts of God’s people, in these services, will greatly assist in bringing about that oneness of heart and mind which we long to see among us. The love of God, “shed abroad” in our hearts, is the only love that will cause us to love our enemies, and will give us the desire to save souls. Prayer opens our hearts to this supreme love, and all bitterness11 melts away before it. We need power to overcome. Prayer means power. There is no strength without it. Praying together enlarges our vision. Let us not limit God’s power of giving. There is no limit after God has written “whatsoever,” except his will. He is simply waiting for the personal holiness of the individual believer. “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” This is God’s seal, put upon them whom he knows to be his; and wherever this seal is seen, there the foundation standeth sure. 2 Tim. 2:19. Let the love of Christ constrain us to entire consecration to his service. Let us encourage others, in our week-day gathering, to take the same step. “The light of the world,” “the salt of the earth”—so the Master describes them of his household. Can you read the description, my friends, and still count yourselves his? He asks, “What do ye more than others?” Let us work for more successful prayer-meetings. Others, by your example and attendance, will be led to set a greater value upon the service. May it please God to direct the feet of his children to the prayer service, and allow it to become and continue for them all one of the sweetest spots in the Christian experience. Christ the Way
By D. H. KRESS, M. D.
To be a follower of Christ means to walk in his footsteps, to live the life he lived as our Example while on earth; it means to follow him in his walk of self-denial and prayer. As he overcame, so we are to overcome. As he overcame on the point of appetite in man’s behalf, thus conquering where man fell, so we must gain the victory over appetite and passion, and bring our bodies into subjection to the will of Christ, for “he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” This is the way, the only way, that leads to the Father and the heavenly home. There is none other. While we are reconciled to God by the death of his Son, we are saved only by his life. His life must be made our life, that is, we must be made partakers of the divine nature. Daily we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Daily we are to be changed as we behold that life. To become like him in all respects is not the work of a moment; it is the work of a lifetime. Near the close of his life, Paul, as he beheld the life of Christ, did not feel that he had yet attained unto it. He said, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect.” The fact that he had not attained his ideal as found in Christ did not discourage him, for he added, “But I follow after.” “I press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Then he urges, “Let . . . as many as be perfect, be thus minded.” The one thus minded, even though he has not yet attained perfection, is acknowledged by heaven as a perfect man; for to be perfect is to be “thus minded.” But the one who is pressing toward the mark, as did Paul, does not consider it a hardship to practise temperance and self-denial, for he sees before him that which his soul longs for—perfection of character. Having put his hand to the plow, he does not look back. He is not troubled with homesickness, neither is he mindful of that country whence he came; he is not looking backward to the things he has left behind, but forward and upward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. He has forsaken all; his eyes are fixed upon the prize—the crown which is incorruptible. Even afflictions which may be necessary to work for us this far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, will appear light. This is what it means, and nothing short of this, to be “thus minded.” In running a race the athlete keeps his eyes fixed on the goal; his attention is not attracted by little happenings or amusements by the way. As many as are perfect are “thus minded,” and of those who are thus minded it can be said, It does not yet appear what they shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, they shall be like him; for they shall see him (not through a glass darkly) as he is. “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he [Christ] is pure.” Shall we not count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, our Lord, and value highly this divine and only way to the Father as revealed in the life of our Redeemer? Let us in all humility study that life and behold it until it becomes our own life.