Is there that about the gospel that has modified the tithing system? Has the gospel of Christ made void this requirement that had so evidently existed throughout all the patriarchal and Levitical dispensations? These are questions that demand most careful and unprejudiced considerations. It can not be contended that the tithing requirement passed away at the cross because of its being a Levitical requirement, for it antedated the Levitical priesthood. Neither can it be maintained that because it was a part of the so-called Mosaic law, in contradistinction to the moral law, of necessity it passed away at the cross.
Col. 2: 16, 17, gives us the key to determine what regulations of the Old Testament were nullified by the death of Christ. “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” The features of the ceremonial law that passed with the cross, were those requirements that were of a shadowy nature, which found their substance, or body, in the work of Christ; such as, the requirements of meat- and drink-offerings; holy days or feast-days; ceremonial sabbaths,—the sabbaths of the feast of Pentecost, the Passover, etc. These were all types, or shadows, which met their body, or substance, in Christ. But by no stretch of the imagination or reasoning can we persuade ourselves that these characteristics are to be found in either the Sabbath, God’s holy day, or in the tithe. On the other hand, Christ declared that there should be a faithful observance of the tithing. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
Perhaps in the years immediately following the crucifixion of Christ, the support of gospel workers was not derived from the tithe. Doubtless many of the Christian converts continued for a time to pay tithe into the temple treasury, leaving the support of the gospel teachers somewhat uncertain, dependent upon gifts and offerings and the work of their own hands. Acts 2: 45; 20: 34. But later, Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, taught his followers that this was not right, that the things that belong to the altar—the service of God—were for the support of its ministers. “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” 1 Cor. 9: 11-14.
Thus Paul, speaking by inspiration, declared that the work of the Levitical priesthood having ceased, the ministry of the gospel, with all the Lord’s regulations pertaining to it, save those that had met their fulfilment in the body of Christ, reverted again to the Melchizedek priesthood, of which Christ was the high priest. “So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Heb. 5: 5, 6. “For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest, who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Heb. 7: 14-17. “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” Heb. 8: 1, 2.
It is evident, therefore, that the Aaronic priesthood was temporary in its duration, ceasing at the cross; that during its life it executed certain duties, carried certain responsibilities, and enjoyed certain privileges that before its existence had pertained to the Melchizedek priesthood, among which was the receiving of the tithes from their brethren. It is equally evident that the Melchizedek priesthood is eternal in its nature, made so by “the power of an endless life,” and by the oath of God (Heb. 7: 16; Ps. 110: 4), and that upon the termination of the existence of the Aaronic priesthood, all its duties, responsibilities, and privileges not of a typical nature and terminating in the cross of Christ, reverted again to the Melchizedek priesthood, from which they originally came.
In Hebrews 7 there is a plain setting forth of the priesthood of Christ, and his relationship to the work of God in the earth, also his superiority as high priest to the high priests of Levi. The tithing question, and Christ’s right to the tithe as high priest of the order of Melchizedek, are the leading features of this argument. It is made plain that that regulation, which from the beginning God exacted from his people,—the tithe,—had by him been placed in an eternal priesthood, of which now Jesus Christ his Son is high priest; that this now, as in the beginning, belongs to the altar, or service of God, being one of the holy things of the altar; and that of it “they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar.”
Every student of denominational finance recognizes that this simple plan devised by the Lord and enjoined upon his people contains the perfection of divine wisdom. Wherever it has been heartily adopted, there financial problems and difficulties cease. There will be found a ministry free to proclaim untrammeled the messages given it of God, and a church with ample means to meet all its proper necessities.
On the other hand, where this plan has been abandoned or never adopted, there will be found all manner of financial problems and difficulties; there will be found a ministry harassed with debt, and many times unduly influenced in its ministerial work by questions of policy and expediency; and there generally will be found a church in perpetual financial difficulty, too many times seeking escape from it by questionable methods, those not in harmony with its high and holy calling, and leading it to adopt methods that degrade it in the eyes of the world.
Are we not warranted in expecting that God will give to his church in this dispensation as wise and effective methods and regulations as were given her in the Levitical and patriarchal dispensations? W. T. KNOX.
Note and Comment
The Passing of the Old-Time Home
OLD-TIME home life is beginning to sadly suffer from the innovations of modern living. In the large cities especially, the old-fashioned detached home is giving place to the modern flat or the modern apartment-house. Speaking of the opening of a large family hotel in Philadelphia, the Lutheran of Dec. 19, 1912, says:—
While hotel accommodations and apartment-houses are growing apace, the voice is heard pleading for the restoration of the home, with all its attractions. And the voice protests the multiplication of lodges and clubs for men and for women and the hundreds of other influences which are converting the average American home into a mere sleeping bunk. The decay of religion, the decrease in the number of candidates for the ministry, and scores of other tendencies of which Christians rightly complain, may all find a basic cause in the breaking down of true family life. We know of men who, through the stress of business and the demands of social and club life, pass days without even seeing their children. Under such conditions there can not be much love to lose. Less money, less society, and less societies will make better homes for many men and women. After all, the home is the bulwark of the nation. Philadelphia welcomes her fine, palatial hotel. Every city boasts of the fine hotels which it may possess; but in passing we pride ourselves rather in Philadelphia’s long rows of humble homes. May their ratio to the hotels and the apartments never grow less.
In the Land of Egypt
By L. R. CONRADI
L. R. CONRADI
LEAVING Brindisi on the Austrian Lloyd steamship “Goritia,” October 22, Brother Guy Dail and I reached Alexandria Friday afternoon. The early part of the trip, along the coast of Greece and Crete, was somewhat rough, but the nearer we came to Africa the more quiet was the sea and the warmer the weather.
The great topic of conversation among the passengers seemed to be the war in the Balkans, and it is very evident that the Greek Catholic element is pushing the “holy” conquest against the Turk, and will not rest till he is crowded out of Europe.
Early Sabbath morning, October 26, we had reached Assiut, Upper Egypt, where we found assembled all the workers of the Syrian and Egyptian fields. Assiut is a city of about fifty thousand inhabitants. It is the headquarters of the Presbyterian mission, which has a large college and hospital here. We have rented a roomy house for holding meetings, which accommodated our meetings during our conference. Right in front of our mission building the Holiness people have their place of meeting, and we found several of their American workers there. Not far from us, right across from the Presbyterian church, the Copts are erecting one of the finest churches in Egypt.
The six days spent at our council were taken up very fully with instruction and in seeking the Lord together. Sunday night we had a public service in English, which was translated into the Arabic. From fifty to one hundred attended the evening lectures. One Greek sister, who had recently embraced the truth at Jerusalem, but who had to leave there because of the opposition of her relatives was baptized by Elder W. C. Ising. Three natives from a neighboring town, who, with a fourth, had become interested in our work and were already keeping the Sabbath, were with us most of the time. Elder George Keough expects soon to baptize them. Not only are our foreign workers acquiring the Arabic language, but we are also securing more native laborers, so that the way is open for the advancement of the cause among the native element. As yet we have not realized the great importance of the Arabic language and field, which stretches from the borders of India on the east to the Atlantic on the west, and from the Mediterranean to the very heart of Africa. Thus far we have only three missions in this great field—the North African, where we have three workers and twenty-five members in Algeria; the Egyptian, with two ordained ministers, one Bible worker, four canvassers, two nurses, and eighteen members; and, lastly, the Syro-Arabic field, with one ordained minister, one Bible worker, one Bible worker and canvasser, and three nurses, with a membership of twenty-four. That makes for the whole Arabic-speaking field eighteen laborers among fifty millions of people.
WORKERS IN THE SYRIAN AND EGYPTIAN MISSIONS
The workers seemed to appreciate the instruction given them, and realized to a far greater extent the importance of doing all they can to develop their latent talents. Two of our Sabbath-keepers formerly were Mohammedans. One of these is engaged in the work, and the other, very much interested in the truth, became a member of the Coptic Church, but is now nearly ready for baptism. The languages represented are the Greek, Arabic, Armenian, Persian, and Turkish, besides the European languages—French, German, and English—which are spoken by our workers and members in these three fields.
At present our literature consists of eight Arabic tracts; but “His Glorious Appearing” will soon be issued from the press in this tongue. Several canvassers have begun to labor, and we hope that as soon as we have this new book the canvassing work may take a good step in advance. It is planned to publish a health book in the Arabic for the canvassers, and perhaps it will also appear in other tongues. It will contain about two hundred fifty pages.
In view of the urgent need of soon opening up Mesopotamia, it was the mind of the brethren at the meeting that we should make a call for another ordained minister for these fields by next spring, and then we shall open up that great country where we already have two Sabbath-keepers,—one at Mosul and another at Bagdad,—both of whom are earnestly calling for help. Skodsborg Sanatorium has recently supplied a nurse for Jerusalem.
Brother George Keough is to labor in one of the villages near Assiut; Brother A. A. Elshaheed will open an effort at Arment; and Brother H. Piotrowsky will continue in the work at Assiut, assisted by a native helper. Brother Ising will carry on operations in and about Beirut, assisted by a native helper. Brother Fr. Gregorius will labor north of Jerusalem; our nurses of Palestine will continue with the work of our health institution there, while the native canvasser and Bible worker will also labor in and about Jerusalem for the winter. The canvassers in Egypt will work in and around Cairo mostly.
Before we took leave of Assiut, twenty of us celebrated the ordinances of the Lord’s house. November 1 we were in Cairo.
The following incident illustrates the spirit prevalent in these lands. One of the old tombs in Cairo where a Mohammedan saint is buried, fell into decay and was about to tumble down. The Greek Catholics are putting up a new church in the neighborhood. The Mohammedans were much troubled as they saw that their building about one of their tombs must be torn down, and some fanatic suddenly saw the spirit of the entombed Mohammedan saint in the confines61of the Greek Catholic church. The news spread among the lower elements of the Mohammedan portion of the population, and a mob of about twenty thousand gathered to take possession of the Greek church, in behalf of their saint. The chief of police was informed, and quite a squad of policemen and officers of the fire department came; so the worst was avoided by a well-directed stream of cold water among the excited people. It is very evident that there is intense feeling between the Greek Catholics and the Moslems, and a very small incident would now be sufficient to set the whole country on fire. Of course the Balkan war has a strong influence in producing this state of affairs just at present.
What this great field needs is more consecrated workers, who will study the language, stick to the country, and not give up until the work advances. Let us all hope and pray that workers may be found to answer these great needs.
Greece
By Robert S. Greaves
[Seventh-day Adventists do not believe in war. To the people of every nation they are seeking to give the gospel in its purity, which is not the spirit of war and strife, but of peace through our Lord Jesus Christ. One of our laborers, Elder Robert S. Greaves, being located in Greece and thus situated within the recent war zone, gives some interesting facts in connection with the trouble between Turkey and the nations in the Balkan States, which may be of interest to the readers of the REVIEW.—T. E. BOWEN.]
It is now over four years since the eyes of the world were turned on Turkey, as amid general rejoicing the constitution was proclaimed, and people were surprised to find Moslem and Christian calling each other brother. For a brief moment religion and nationality seemed to be forgotten, as amid the general excitement each vied with the other as to who could seem the most patriotic toward his country. It was an immediate emancipation from many heavy burdens and restrictions, and everywhere there seemed a spirit of greater liberty and freedom. For a time all went well, but little by little we could notice the reaction setting in.
The Turks did not do all that was expected of them, and on the other hand the Christians were not slow to find fault, and felt greater liberty to air their grievances than formerly. It was not long before it could be seen plainly that the Turks and Christians no longer considered themselves brothers; and as the Turk had power on his side, it is not difficult to see how things went generally. From petty things hard feelings often arose, until it was a common saying that whereas under the old régime they had one master, now they had a dozen. Personally, I have failed to find this true, for under the new administration I have seen many improvements that were never thought of formerly.
In the country places and small towns, perhaps, the people have had the most cause for complaint, and often their position has not been an enviable one. At times there have been reprisals, with the natural consequences, until hatred for the Turkish rule has spread everywhere.
The Christian people do not by any means always agree among themselves, and the name is often the only thing that reminds one of the Saviour of mankind. Many of the priests know practically nothing of the Word of God; but they are able to perform the rites of the church, and they can baptize the babies, marry the people, and bury the dead. There is one subject, however, on which these people have perfect agreement—thorough detestation of the Turk. It is this, rather than love or religion, that has bound them together during the present crisis. A Greek or Bulgarian may be an Ottoman subject, but his heart is with his own nation, and his fellow countryman across the border has always had an open ear for his troubles, until sympathy has taken the form of strong action; and the outcome of the whole thing is the present war.
In the press one sees the opinion of writers divided; some speak of the Turks as brave and honorable men, while others describe them as a lot of barbarous people. If we could divide them into two classes, and place each man with the class he belongs, undoubtedly we should find gentlemen who earnestly and sincerely desire the good of their country, while on the other hand we should find a rabble that are ready for any work, no matter how inhuman.
A Turk is looked upon as being fanatical, and he certainly regards his religion as superior to all others, and is not willing to allow any Mohammedan to change his faith; yet he allows Christians to have their own forms of religion, and also extends the same privilege to the Jews. It is well to note that this latter race of people have no complaint against Turkey from a religious standpoint, and it is the Mohammedan soldier who has often protected him from an infuriated Christian (?) mob, especially on such days as Good Friday, when certain demonstrations are held. In certain parts of Turkey, had the Greeks been the rulers, probably most of the Jews would have had to leave, exactly as they have had to do under the same priesthood in Russia. Even in Greece itself, where the people are better educated than the Christian element in Turkey, one can visit Athens and other principal cities and find almost an entire absence of Jews.
In the dividing of a portion of the Turkish Empire, nations acquiring new territory will have to face new duties, for races will come under their rule with different ideas and conceptions of religion than they themselves hold. In what spirit are these nations going to meet their new subjects? Also, how are the different missionary societies going to be dealt with, who under the Turkish government had much freedom? Only a few months ago a Protestant missionary in Greece was sent to prison because he preached things out of harmony with the Greek Orthodox Church. Such things are against Greek law. Also, the Bible is allowed to be printed only in the ancient language, and as the common people can neither read nor understand this language, they practically are without the Bible, and know nothing except what they hear from the mouth of the priest.
The Turkish government made no such restrictions, and the agents of the American and British Bible Societies carried on their work for the benefit of the people. In one of the principal cities of Greece a Bible agent was recently arrested because a lawyer thought he had some Bibles in his possession which were translated into the modern language. The agent was bound with a rope and led publicly to the station, where he was taken by train to Athens. The accusation was entirely false, and the colporteur was given his liberty.
Much of the territory formerly governed by Turkey now falls under Greek rule, and it certainly would be very regrettable if the spirit of religious intolerance should be exercised in the newly acquired land. It would mean that the people could no longer hold the Bibles they now possess, and that henceforth the Bible colporteurs must sell no Bible not printed in the ancient language,—a language even less comprehensible to the inhabitants of Epirus than to those of Greece.
Let us hope that with the enlargement of territory there may be a corresponding enlargement of ideas, and that every person who is willing to conform to the government in temporal matters, may be allowed perfect religious freedom. This would be a good way of celebrating the new rule, and of showing good intentions toward the various peoples who have been brought under it.
Surely, the war ought not to be without its lessons, as we see the once-proud nation getting ready to leave the territory over which it has ruled for five hundred years. Christians and Mohammedans have not equally enjoyed the same benefits, while on the other hand, in certain matters of religion, Turkey has given some privileges which have been much appreciated.
There have been some men in the empire who have urged reforms, but Turkey has been slow to listen to advice, and failed to do to others as he would have been done by. The rule of the sword has not been a successful rule, and in the hour of calamity Turkey has stood as a stranger even in his own country. The inhabitants have ever been more ready to help the invader than their own ruler, and the conquering armies have been hailed with delight and glad shouts as soon as the people thought it was safe to show their real feelings. In his dying moments his own subjects have left him, and would gladly help to thrust him deeper into his grave.
The Turk has been proud of the fact that he is not only a soldier, but also a conqueror. During the Albanian troubles I have seen troops with long lines of62cannons and machine guns march to the front, the officers giving sharp orders here and there. I have seen armed soldiers leading rows of chained captives to prison. I have seen policemen roughly dictating what must and must not be done; but never until the last few days have I seen the Turk with his sword and rifle taken from him, being compelled to march along as a prisoner of war, with naught left of his manly bearing, being governed by the men he formerly despised and looked upon as weaklings. It was a pitiful sight to see long processions march along between two rows of glistening bayonets, and behind these, huge crowds of people.
And now as this part of his history is drawing to a close, let us hope there may be a good future for him, a future that will bring him far more happiness and peace than he has ever known in the past. This war may have a bearing on the greatest of all missionary problems—the conversion of the Mohammedans. The proud warrior may find that the dead prophet has been unable to help him in his struggles, and may turn to the One who is not dead, but alive forevermore; and the Turk's closing battles may be far more glorious than any of his former ones—he may learn to get the victory over himself. At least, let us not only hope so, but try to do our part toward helping him.
Patras.
Influenza
By Charles Henry Hayton
CHARLES HENRY HAYTON, M. D.
Influenza in its true medical sense is an infectious and contagious disease, caused by a specific bacillus, which finds access to the body through the mucous membrane of the nose and pharynx, and which generally manifests itself in epidemic form. The term is applied more commonly, however, to every form of mild indisposition connected with the respiratory tract. A cold is spoken of by some as an attack of influenza. All wide-spread epidemics of colds should be looked upon as attacks of influenza. How often factories have been closed, society, schools, and neighborhoods quarantined, and commerce injured by these epidemics of influenza.
History
Influenza has a history, and a very sad one. More rapidly than any other disease has it spread throughout the country. Every known part of the world has been visited by its epidemics, and very few families escape.
It is carried mainly along the lines of human travel. The poisons are airborne, or may be carried by clothing, as they cling for some time to infected articles or persons.
Generally beginning somewhere in the East, Russia for instance, it spreads through the country, and then travels in a westerly direction, not spending itself until the whole globe has been well-nigh compassed. It is a winter disease, being most prevalent in December and January. It attacks large numbers of the population. Few die of it, however, as it is a disease not attaining, per se, a very high mortality. The great number of deaths result from the serious complications which frequently follow. In the epidemic of 1903, which swept over most of Europe, the deaths in England and Wales numbered 6,322.
Symptoms
Adults between the ages of twenty and forty are more often attacked, young children and the aged less frequently. Certain occupations tend to predispose one to the disease, indoor and sedentary occupations especially so. One attack seems to make a person more susceptible to other attacks. The debilitated in general, and those who have any catarrhal condition of the respiratory tract, such as weak throat, winter cough, or asthma, are especially prone to the disease. It must not be forgotten that influenza hastens the progress of any preexisting disease, so that a person with heart-disease, Bright’s disease, or chronic bronchitis should be very careful of exposure. In the extreme of ages, influenza is most serious.
The mucous membrane of the nose is the first to be attacked. The inflammation is then most likely to spread to the pharynx, then travel up the Eustachian tubes to the middle ear. A great number are deaf as a result of a previous attack of influenza. The air canals which open into the nose also become diseased, and serious results follow. The influenza causes a swelling of the tonsils, and may travel down the throat to the lungs. Pneumonia is likely to follow, or if the influenza finds its way to the stomach gastritis results.
A running from the nose and eyes is first noticed, then constant sneezing, sore throat, bronchial cough, and thick sputum follow. Loss of appetite, headache, backache, and a feeling of general discomfort and depression, with slight fever, are some of the common symptoms of an attack. These are due to the effect of the poison in the system, every organ of the body being more or less congested and inflamed. Oftentimes the influenza poison assumes a chronic form. One does not feel sick enough to be in bed, but complains of poor appetite, weariness, headache, has a coated tongue, and is unable to attend to regular duties. Some when having these chronic attacks believe they have malaria, and not infrequently15tuberculosis is suspected. Change of climate and of food will greatly improve these invalids.
Prevention
At the present time many look upon the fact of catching cold as a trivial matter; but when one realizes that it is often a predisposing factor in influenza, it behooves one to take every precaution to avoid taking cold. Catching cold is a process that takes place through some irritation of the skin, sitting in a draft, or going out unduly clad. The skin reacts in such an unhealthful way that when increased demands are made upon it, a cold results. The preventive measures therefore should be to harden the skin against such irritation by a systematic course of training. Fresh air, and plenty of it in the sleeping-rooms, keeping the bedroom cold, a cold sponge-bath in the morning before dressing, or better still a cold spray or plunge, followed by a good rub with a coarse towel, is a splendid tonic for the skin, and is also a hardening process through which the skin becomes immune to colds.
The selection of proper clothing is also a preventive measure in colds. Underwear made of light wool should be worn, especially during the winter months. This protects the body from the effects of the sudden changes in the weather. Exposure of any kind should be avoided, and the body should be kept warmly clad. How often one sees his fellow creatures going about during winter weather with low shoes and insufficient outer covering.
The upper portion of the respiratory tract, the nose, and the pharynx especially, should be kept in a healthy condition. Always breathe through the nose. If this is impossible, see your physician and have the obstruction removed. Everything depends upon keeping the filtering functions of the nose up to their highest efficiency. A nebulizer or an atomizer is a good instrument to have at home. Use it two or three times a day as a preventive measure.
A good solution can be had at any chemist’s, made up as follows: Menthol, 30 grains; camphor, 20 grains; eucalyptol, 10 drops; olei pini Sylvestris, 30 drops; liquid paraffin, 2 ounces.
These measures are especially valuable where there is any danger of fine particles of foreign matter being deposited upon the mucous membrane of the nose. The dust that is daily breathed up the nostrils in the crowded and busy cities is a menace to health. With children special precautions should be taken against dust inhalation. The attention of parents should be called to the dangers arising from this source. When there is a strong wind, an infant should be carefully veiled when he is taken out.
Curative Measures
The mild, uncomplicated variety of influenza lasts but a short time, two to five days at the most. The fever is not high, but the prostration is sufficient to keep one in bed for a few days. Good, plain, wholesome food should be eaten.
A purge is in order, as this helps to drain the system of the toxic poisons. Drinking hot lemonade, with a hot foot-bath, or better still a warm full bath, tends to eliminate poisons through the sweat-glands and also through the urine. The aim in all the treatment is to prevent as far as possible any complication that may arise, and to rid the system of the bacterial poisons which have accumulated in the body. The complications are to be feared for they are numerous. What are known as sequelae often follow an attack. The commonest is debility, frequently extreme and of long duration. Rest is of great importance in the treatment, and one with an attack should immediately take to bed till the acute symptoms are over.
The convalescent period is often very slow, and it may be months before the full effects of an attack have passed away. A recurrence before full recovery is not uncommon. Relapses are often brought about by slight exposure before the symptoms have fully passed away.
The influenza bacillus is very easily destroyed. The milder antiseptics, as five-per-cent lysol, saturated solution of boric acid, or ten volumes strength of hydrogen peroxid, are fatal to it. Have plenty of these at hand, and disinfect all the eating utensils after each meal. It is only by keeping the health up to the standard that the body is able to resist the influenza bacillus. A frugal but nourishing diet, total abstinence from alcohol, tea, and coffee, and a normal, regular, healthful outdoor life are the best aids in resisting influenza attacks.
The Chain of Truth
By ELIZA H. MORTON
ELIZA H. MORTON
WHEN came this earth from God's own
hand
In beauty dressed,
He flung a chain among its hills
From east to west,—
A wondrous chain with shining links,—
The chain of truth;
It falls low down within the reach
Of age and youth.
This chain was seen in Eden fair,
Destined to last;
'Tis fastened to the throne of God,
And held there fast.
Its links, all through the Word divine,
Are clear and bright.
They make connection with the heart
In rays of light.
O Truth, we welcome thee on earth!
Welcome to-day.
No bondage from thy chain is felt,
But rest for aye.
We reach our hands and clasp thy links;
They lift afar,
From sordid things of time and earth
To heaven's Star.
Portland, Maine.
Appeal for Argentina Training School
An earnest appeal intended for our Sabbath-schools prior to the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering, is just received from Prof. H. U. Stevens, in charge of our training-school in Argentina, South America; but it comes too late to make use of more than a paragraph or two. He says: “The dormitory in use is an old, unfinished building after the Spanish style, with the rooms opening independently into a patio, or closed court. The students are packed into this house, four in a room; and the absence of any means of heating the building makes it trying on the health, as well as on the patience, when the thermometer hangs around the freezing-point or the air possesses a chilling dampness which pierces to one's very bones. A new dormitory is needed to relieve the congestion in the school building as well as in the home. If this building can be constructed and the school building completed, the institution will be able to look its broader problems squarely in the face, and a new era of progress and usefulness to the work at large will be inaugurated. Whether this can be done or not will be answered by our Sabbath-schools in the United States on December 28. A vigorous campaign will be conducted throughout the South American field in the interest of our training-school on the same Sabbath that the Sabbath-schools in the United States are giving to the work. Thus while we are tugging away at the load with all our might, may we not hope that your more powerful efforts may suffice to lift the burden, and together we shall raise the shout of victory?”
The Noon-Hour Prayer
“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends.”
PRAYER is the mightiest force in the universe—the means by which the boundless resources of an omnipotent God are brought into direct contact with the needs of man. True prayer never fails, because God’s promises are never broken. He always keeps his word. If you and I pray definitely, persistently, simply, and in perfect faith, we can trust our Father for the answer. But before we can pray thus, every known sin must be put out of the life; “for prayer is more than asking, though it is that. It is more than pleading and claiming, though it includes these. It is the putting of one’s self in simple, full touch of heart and spirit and life with our Lord Jesus. . . . That close touch of our spirit with his is the very heart of prayer.”
Requests for Prayer
26. Writing from Oklahoma, a sister asks prayer for the healing of her husband and herself. They are both afflicted with cancer. She also requests us to pray for the conversion of their only son.
27. A mother in New Jersey desires prayer for her little daughter who must submit to an operation for the straightening of her spine unless the Lord sees fit to heal her.
28. A sister who is not strong requests prayer that her health may be preserved so that her daughter, who is now in one of our schools, will not have to return home.
29. An anxious mother in Manitoba wishes us to pray for the conversion of her two sons, one of whom is about to marry a Catholic girl, and also for a grandson who is drifting away from God.
30. A Vermont brother, who accepted this truth years ago, is passing through severe trials and suffering from partial paralysis and a nervous breakdown. He desires the prayers of God’s people for deliverance and restoration both spiritually and physically.
31. “I earnestly desire the prayers of this people at the noon-hour for the healing of my daughter who is now in an asylum for the insane,” is the request of a sister who writes from Oregon.
32. A Texas brother asks prayer for the conversion of his wife, and for his oldest son, who has left home and given up the truth.
33. A mother desires us to pray that the hearing of her twelve-year-old son, who is deaf as the result of scarlet fever, may be restored.
34. An afflicted sister requests prayer for healing, and also for the conversion of her son.
35. From Illinois a friend writes asking that prayer be offered for the restoration of her sister, who is very ill.
36. An Indiana sister, whose health is broken, desires to be healed so that she may be able actively to engage in missionary work.
37. A sister in Florida asks our prayers for the conversion of her brother, and for herself, that the way may be opened for her to attend school.
38. An afflicted brother, writing from Missouri, requests that we pray for his healing, and also that God will give him strength to overcome every besetting sin.
The Cause of Warts
By Douglas W. Montgomery
DOUGLAS W. MONTGOMERY, M. D.
A SIMPLE injury may give rise to a wart provided the tissues are in a favorable condition. Moist heat, causing maceration of the epithelial cells, furnishes the favoring condition. The presence of warts on the soles of flat-footed persons is frequent. These patients almost always have moist feet. And their troubles do not come singly,—first the broken arch, next the sweating feet, finally the warts to add to the agony.
But warm water alone may cause maceration of the cells. A patient with recurring warts on the soles of his feet was found to be in the habit of soaking his feet in warm water every night because of the pleasure it gave him. Removal of the warts and stoppage of the warm-water application resulted in cure.
It is possible that an injury alone, especially among the young when the cells are more active, may cause warts.—Present Truth.
