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Signs of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 12.

A LIFE OF HELPFULNESS
Earlier text: THE SENATE SUNDAY-LAW DISCUSSION

MISSIONARY NURSES.

THERE will be needed at the Battle Creek Sanitarium the coming summer at least two hundred able-bodied young men and women to help take care of the thousand or more sick people who will be coming for treatment. Patients are already arriving at the Sanitarium at the rate of more than one hundred a week, and nurses and doctors are already taxed to the utmost in caring for them. A new nurses' training class will be started soon. The course is two years and includes a thorough course in Bible doctrines, and personal work under Professors A. T. Jones, G. C. Tenney, and W. S. Sadler, two classes daily, besides practical work, and weekly clinics for advanced nurses. Board, lodging, washing, books, uniforms, and shoes the first year; wages after the first year. Diplomas are given at the end of the course which are recognized by the medical profession in all parts of the world.
Boys and girls are not wanted, but here is a splendid opportunity for young men and women of mature age and mature minds, established character, sound religious experience, fair education, good health and a missionary spirit.
Those interested should address the Battle Creek Sanitarium, Training School Department, Battle Creek, Michigan.
The Battle Creek Sanitarium Training School for Missionary Nurses offers special advantages to those who desire to prepare themselves for useful work for God and humanity.

Lamp Chimney Index

Our "Index" describes all lamps and their proper chimneys. With it you can always order the right size and shape of chimney for any lamp. FREE. Macbeth, Pittsburg, Pa.

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EASTERN EXPRESS, Vestibuled. Leaves San Francisco at 6.00 p. m. Through Standard and Tourist sleeping cars to Chicago. Dining cars, free reclining chair cars.
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Mason & Hamlin Church Organ

$225.00 Fine Mason & Hamlin Church Reed Organ, in perfect order, good as new. Original Cost, $600. Easy Monthly payments. Address, G. H. McGrew, Secretary Unitarian Church, Berkeley, Cal.

Parasites Resembling Tigers

In speaking of the minute parasites which are found in the hairy part of a tiger’s foot, a scientist says: “They constitute one of the most wonderful curiosities I know of in the animal world. The parasites are so small as to be almost invisible to the naked eye, and yet each is a perfect counterpart of the tiger. Head, ears, jaws, legs, claws, body, tail, are all there.”

BIBLE DISTRIBUTION IN CHINA.

THE total circulation of Scriptures by the American Bible Society in China has been over 8,000,000 copies, of which number more than 60,000 were complete Bibles and 400,000 New Testaments.
In early days the work of Bible distribution was exclusively done by the missionaries, and they have never wavered in their faith in it as an indispensable part in their work. When their operations were restricted to Canton and its immediate vicinity, they regularly visited the hamlets and villages for the purpose of circulating the Scriptures. At that time the missionary had to give the Book away, and he was happy if, during an afternoon, he could find half a dozen people willing to accept. I have seen in the records of one of the oldest American missions covering this period, a report from one of its members of an itinerating tour which he had taken, in which it was stated, as a matter for devout thankfulness to God, that he had been able to give away more than twenty portions of Scripture during a week. One of the most interesting, and, as it was regarded at the time, important missionary journeys was the remarkable voyage of Dr. Gutzlaff along the coast from Canton to Shantung for the purpose of distributing tracts and portions of Scripture. The treaties of 1842, which made "open ports" of Amoy, Foo-chow, Ningpo, and Canton, opened up a wide field for missionary operations, and resulted in a corresponding extension of this great work. So,
after the treaties of 1860 had opened a number of other ports to trade and residence, the missionary always carried a supply of gospels with him on his preaching tours, and they were exposed for sale in front of many of the chapels and "preaching halls." At this period a change took place in the policy of the Bible societies. It was found that in China, as elsewhere, a man prizes what has cost him something, and just in proportion to the personal sacrifice which it has cost him to obtain it. The giving away of Scriptures was discouraged and gradually almost discontinued. They were sold at a nominal price, which did not place them beyond the reach of the poor, and this policy has been found to be eminently satisfactory.
Immediately upon the opening of a new station the missionary selected a district for his operations, and, in imitation of the early Methodists in this country, became "circuit riders." They sold Scriptures far and wide over the country accessible to them, and the Bible societies owe much to these early missionaries for their gratuitous circulation of the Bible.—Dr. John R. Hykes, agent American Bible Society for China.

THE FURNACE FIRE.

BY FRANCES E. BOLTON.
"When I am tried I shall come forth as gold."
"I WILL refine you," said our God, "As silver and gold are tried." The fining-pot and the furnace strong With inventions of men abide. For other metals are other triers; But for silver and gold are the furnace fires.
"I've chosen you," saith the Lord of Hosts, "In fire that melts the mould." Then is suffering yours? You are thought of cost; For the furnace was made for gold. Mere tin and tinsel are counted loss; But the gold is precious when freed from dross.
"Tis whom He loveth He chasteneth; The fire of trial endure. Think it not strange He fashioneth; The furnace will make you pure. When thou'rt tried, He high will hold, In crown of glory, a jewel of gold.
Dross must die in the fiery test; Selfishness must subside; Thou must be called by the Israel name And imaged to long abide. When on thy soul is His love's fair mould, Thou shalt come forth as the precious gold
Battle Creek, Mich.

THE INFLUENCE OF A CHANGED LIFE.

BY MRS. EMMA THOMPSON ANDERSON.
PERHAPS in no part of the world does one see more striking examples of the wonderful power of the free salvation of God than in heathen lands. As a lighted candle brought into a dark room appears to shine the larger and the brighter because of enclosing darkness, so a life illuminated by the divine kindling of a new life appears most lustrous when seen on the dark background of heathen superstition and degradation—the transforming power of redemption the more potent because of the impotence with which it is contrasted in its surroundings. Then may it truly be said, "The Lord hath made known His salvation; His righteousness hath He openly showed in the sight of the heathen." Ps. 98:2. And while these unbelieving heathen may often at first regard the spectacle of transformation as a piece of necromancy or conjuration, in time, as the substantial fruits of righteousness appear, they are forced to admit the facts, as were those of their class who watched the unusual course of events bringing about the restoration of the people and kingdom of Israel: "Then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them." Ps. 126:2.
While visiting a mission station up the great West River, more than one hundred and fifty miles inland, on the very western border of the province of Kwangtung, I one day noticed a group of five or six men gathered about the native pastor, in the reception room off the mission chapel, with open Bibles, engaged in earnest conversation. From the rustic appearance of their garments, I knew they had come from an interior country village, and suspected the object of their visit to be the contents of the books with which they were at that moment so intently engaged.
"Yes," said my hostess, a young woman of less than twenty-three years, and the only foreigner living at the station, "they are inquirers from a village about twenty miles farther up the river, and back in the country." Then she proceeded to relate to me the story of the way in which the winged seed of the Gospel had made its way into a place where no messenger had been sent. Some months before, a man in a rather hapless state found his way through the street door of this same little chapel into the lighted room where the pastor was seeking to exalt Jesus as the Friend of the friendless, the Saviour of the helpless. Something that was said stuck fast, and he came again, and again the next day in the afternoon, and to all the meetings, and at the end of four or five days went away.
A taste, however, had proved to him that the Lord is good, and in about a month's time he came back, in a much better state, both of mind and body. After a week spent in earnest study, he requested baptism and admission to the church; but, as he lived at such a distance, and was so little known to the church, he was requested to wait till some one could visit him at his home. He readily consented, and returned to his family. A few weeks later his eldest brother, with a friend, called on the pastor, and asked to be allowed to purchase at any price some of the magic potion which they supposed the Christians had given the converted man.
"Why," they said, "he is a new man! Before, he smoked opium, was indolent, and left his family to its own support, was blasphemous, and a bad man among his neighbors."
"I did not know what to do with him," said the elder brother, with a paternal air. "But he is all changed since his first visit to the Christians. He has left off his bad habits, tends to business, and cares for his family, while he continually labors to teach his neighbors to follow his good example."
A mandarin with his family in their drawing-room. He is a state official, but his official dress has been laid aside.
A mandarin with his family in their drawing-room. He is a state official, but his official dress has been laid aside.
It was no magic potion administered by the Christians, the pastor assured them, which had wrought this great change in their brother, but the power of a crucified and risen Saviour, as set forth in the little book which he would give them. And then, as time was limited, with the New Testament Scriptures in their pockets, they resumed their journey homeward, more astonished than when they came, by the things they had heard. Several weeks had now elapsed since their visit, and this company of men had come on foot, as a representative delegation—the best-educated men of the village, selected by the community to visit the mission, and if, after investigation, the new doctrine met their approval as sound, to invite a teacher to proclaim it among them. Such was the benign influence of one thoroughly-changed life.
Did I say no messenger had been sent there? Let us not think that in dark China the only messengers carrying the glad news of salvation from self and sin are the authorized supported agents of societies; for even yet Jesus calls to Himself whom He will, and, having filled their souls from the fountain of living waters, sends them home to bless kinsmen and friends with the overflowings of the welling fount. Every one who heareth is permitted to say, "Come." It had happened to this man according to the words of Zechariah (8:13): "And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, . . . so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing." Tho we may have been indifferent, the Lord has never forgotten the heathen. "For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same My name shall be great among the Gentiles [heathen]; and in every place incense shall be offered unto My name, and a pure offering; for My name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of Hosts." Mal. 1:11.
Canton, China.

PILGRIMS AT THE JORDAN.

EVERY year a strange sight is witnessed on the banks of the River Jordan. It is the gathering of pilgrims from all parts of Christendom, who, going to the Holy Land, are attracted by the river made memorable by so many revered associations. The Jews reverence it because of the eventful time when their ancestors crossed it dry-shod, under Joshua, as he led them to the promised land. There, too, Elijah and Elisha worked their miracles. Christians also have their pretexts for reverencing it, for in it Christ was baptized. So many people came to see the river and bathe in it, that the Knights of St. John built a monastery at the supposed site of Bethabara, to accommodate members of their order whose duty it was to conduct pilgrims to the bathing place. The Turkish governor of Jerusalem annually recognizes the custom by sending, on the Monday following Palm Sunday, a guard to escort the pilgrims and superintend the bathing. The most picturesque company, however, are the Russian peasants, who time their journey so as to reach the Jordan in the first week of the year. Their quaint attire, their heavy garments, and their uncut beards attract general notice. They are conducted by one or more of their priests, and are very devotional.
They spend a day or two in holding services, sleeping at night in tents or on the bare ground. On Epiphany day, the traditional anniversary of the visit of the wise men to the divine Babe, which is celebrated on January 6 (or January 18, new style), they gather for service on the river bank. When the priest concludes the ritual, the water is specially “sanctified,” and then the whole crowd descends into it. Having dipped themselves, they climb out and resume their journey.
Last year the caravan numbered more than a thousand. The weather was cold and wet, and the pilgrims suffered severely. A large number of women collapsed by the way, and lay half dead by the roadside. The Russian consul at Jerusalem, hearing of their plight, sent fifteen carriages to bring them in. The worst sufferers were sent to the hospital, but four of them died and seven had a severe illness. It is a pity that, in spite of Christ’s direct teaching, such pilgrimages should survive.—Christian Herald.

OUR WORK AND WORKERS.

ON the 20th inst. three members were added to the church in Indianapolis, Ind., by baptism.
A REPORT of Brother C. H. Bates notes the baptism of five candidates at Cripple Creek and Victor, Col.
DURING a general meeting at Muscatine, Iowa, five persons gave themselves to the service of the Lord.
THE church building owned and occupied by our brethren in Pueblo, Col., was destroyed by fire February 23.
IN the Minnesota Worker Brother S. E. Jackson reports the addition of six converts to the truth in Fergus Falls.
AT Calhan, Col., where Brother J. F. Jenson has been laboring, four new Sabbath-keepers were recently added to the list.
IN the church in this city, on the 5th inst., eight candidates were baptized by Brother Andrew Brorsen. These were all from Vallejo, where he has been laboring.
IN Echoes from the Field, Brother C. A. Frederick notes that the minister of the Christian Church at Paonia, Col., has begun the observance of the Sabbath of the Lord.
MEETINGS held at Kilbuck, Ohio, by Brother B. L. House, have resulted in the addition of eight persons to the Lord’s cause, five of them being heads of families.
THE brethren in New York Conference are raising means to purchase a small printing plant for Brother B. E. Connerly, a missionary of that conference to the island of Porto Rico.
THE brethren of the church recently organized at Rocky Ford, Col., are planning for the erection of a new house of worship. Three members were recently added to the church by baptism.
AT the recent session of the Natal-Transvaal Conference, Brother H. J. Edmed was re-elected president. A department for the circulation of our literature was organized, with Brother J. H. Camp as secretary.
FROM the Indiana Reporter we learn that Brother R. S. Donnell has accepted the invitation of the presidents of the Southern Union Conference and the Tennessee River Conference to labor in Nashville, Tenn., and he has moved his family to that place.
BROTHER J. H. KRAFT reports to the Workers’ Bulletin that a Presbyterian minister and his family, in Davenport, Iowa, some time ago began to observe the Lord’s Sabbath—the seventh day—from home study of the Bible, not knowing that there were any others of that belief in the city. Now one of the daughters is giving Bible readings to several persons.
AT a recent meeting of the Atlantic Union Conference Committee, it was recommended that there be inaugurated a vigorous health and temperance educational campaign throughout the conference. Amongst other means to this end, there were proposed the circulation of efficient, up-to-date health and temperance literature, and conducting schools of health as opportunities may make it advisable. Also the starting of small treatment rooms in different centers, and the sale of health foods.
AFTER a year’s labor in what is now the Republic of Panama, Brother I. G. Wright and wife report that there has been an increase in church membership from twenty to ninety-seven, besides a company in Costa Rica ready for organization. This will make four churches in that field, with three church buildings. They have now a new launch, in which to visit the different islands, of which there are about four hundred. In response to a call for help, the mission board is sending Brother Lee Wellman from the East Caribbean Conference.
THE General Conference Board of Management at Washington, D. C., is now ready to receive donations to carry out the plan of establishing the work in that city. Aside from the publishing plant, there is to be a General Conference building, a sanitarium, and a school. The publishing house is to be established by the Review and Herald Publishing Company, and for the other three enterprises a call is made for $100,000. The president of the General Conference says: “Those who have had experience in establishing school and sanitarium enterprises will say at once that the amounts named for these are not enough. It is not all that will eventually be required if the blessing of God attends the work. But it is all that has been voted, and it is sufficient to start with. We shall thank God for this much.” A strong public proclamation of the truth for the last days is to be made in Washington, and the training of workers for all parts of the great harvest-field is to be a prominent feature of the work there. The first pressing need, however, is money. Brother J. S. Washburn has been appointed soliciting agent, but he does not receive the funds. These go direct to the General Conference treasurer, Brother I. H. Evans, 222 North Capitol Street, Washington, D. C.

BEARING THE MARKS.

THE editor of the Gospel in all Lands publishes the following extract from a letter written by a Wesleyan missionary in India:—
Our Bengal missionaries are much encouraged by the success which is being seen in the work among the Santals, an aboriginal race largely found in our Bankura field. For many years we were unable to do more than barely to keep the work in existence, for lack of men and means. We have now entered upon a more hopeful condition of things. We have a village work of an excellent kind, and a growing community of people, who have been brought out of darkness into light. They are in all stages of development as Christians, and some have not yet got very far, but they have turned from the worship of dumb idols and shadowy demons to serve the living God. There is one village which was a notorious haunt of evil and violent men, which has become quite changed in character as the result of the work. We have a mud church at Kuldea, where the congregation sit on the floor. The other day, as we knelt in prayer, I noticed a double line of scars on either side of the back of one of our members. To the uninitiated this would not have revealed much, but it taught me that this man, now bowing humbly at the foot of the cross, had, on nine separate occasions, swung aloft, suspended on two hooks inserted in his flesh, in order to propitiate some imaginary demon god. As we rose from our knees, I said, "Ojob, what do all those marks mean on your back?" These marks were once his glory, and I expected to find that even now he was rather proud of them. But the man was confused with shame, and covered with self-reproach that ever he had been so enslaved by superstition as to lead him to thus abuse his manhood and dishonor his God. This shame was to me an evident token of a change deep and real, wrought in him by the Spirit of God.
When a disciple of Christ is obliged to bear the marks of his devotion to the religion he professes, there is no reason of his being ashamed of them. See 2 Cor. 11:24-30; Gal. 6:17.

A LIVE ISSUE.

ABOUT the first of May, the Southern Watchman, of Nashville, Tenn., will issue a special number on the "Second Coming of Christ and the Signs Just Preceding It." This number is to contain 24 pages, printed in two colors. There will be an appropriate and striking cover design, and the issue throughout will be profusely illustrated.
Some of the special signs that will be considered are, "Among the Nations," "War Preparations," "The Eastern Question," "Capital and Labor," "The Trusts," "The Money Problem," "Troublous Times," etc.
A few of the other articles will be: "Can the Revelation Be Understood?" "The Three Messages of Revelation 14," "The Book of Daniel, the Saviour's Testimony," "A Message of Warning," "Close of Probation," "Present Truth," "Manner of Christ's Coming," "The Judgment," "The Resurrection Morning," "How Does the Second Advent Affect the Wicked?"
It will be a brief, clear-cut presentation of the live issues of the hour from a prophetical standpoint; and, in view of the present difficulties in the Far East, it will be of the keenest interest to all. The publishers will spare no pains in making this a most timely, interesting, and valuable number in every respect.
Altho, as stated above, this Special Number will contain 24 pages and be printed in two colors, yet it will be furnished at the following low rates: Single copy, 5 cents; 5 to 24 copies to one address, 4 cents per copy; 25 or more copies to one address, 3 cents per copy.
Those who can not go out with the paper, but desire to send it to some of their friends, may forward a list of names to the office of publication, and single copies will be sent direct from this office to the individuals, as follows: 1 to 24 copies, 5 cents per copy; 25 to 99 copies, 4 cents per copy; 100 or more copies, 3 1/2 cents per copy. This includes wrapping, addressing, and mailing.
Orders may be sent at once to the Southern Publishing Association, 1025 Jefferson St., Nashville, Tenn.

ANNUAL MEETING.

THE regular annual meeting of the Society of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Oakland, Cal., will be held at the house of worship, corner of Twelfth and Brush Sts., Wednesday evening, April 6, 1904, at 7:30 o’clock.
E. A. CHAPMAN, Sec.

NOTICE TO PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE DELEGATES.

Delegates coming to the Pacific Union Conference meeting, held in Healdsburg, March 18-27, ’04, please notice. On arriving in Healdsburg, all come directly to the reception room located in the north vestry of the church. Escorts will from here take delegates to their place of entertainment. The college bus will meet all incoming trains and carry delegates to the church.
G. W. MILLS, Chairman of Com.
A. L. LINGLE, Secretary.

PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE.

THE regular biennial meeting of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is called to convene at Healdsburg, Cal., at the hour of 9 A.M., March 18, and to continue until the 27th, 1904, for the purpose of selecting the officers and the executive committee of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, who will serve during the next biennial period, and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting. Each local conference and mission field is entitled to one delegate in the sessions of the conference, without regard to numbers, and an additional delegate for every three hundred church-members.
J. J. IRELAND, Secretary. W. T. KNOX, President.

LESSON 1.—APRIL 3. JESUS VISITS TYRE AND SIDON.

Lesson Scripture, Mark 7 : 24-37, A. R. V.
(24) "And from thence He arose, and went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered into a house, and would have no man know it; and He could not be hid. (25) But straightway a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of Him, came and fell down at His feet. (26) Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. And she besought Him that He would cast forth the demon out of her daughter. (27) And He said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread and cast it to the dogs. (28) But she answered and saith unto Him, Yea, Lord; even the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. (29) And He said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the demon is gone out of thy daughter. (30) And she went away unto her house, and found the child laid upon the bed, and the demon gone out.
(31) "And again He went out from the borders of Tyre, and came through Sidon unto the Sea of Galilee, through the midst of the borders of Decapolis. (32) And they bring unto Him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech Him to lay His hand upon him. (33) And He took him aside from the multitude privately, and put His fingers into his ears, and He spat, and touched his tongue; (34) and looking up to heaven, He sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. (35) And his ears were opened, and the bond of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. (36) And He charged them that they should tell no man: but the more He charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it. (37) And they were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well; He maketh even the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak."
Golden Text.—"Without faith it is impossible to please Him." Heb. 11: 6.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) Where does our lesson say that Jesus went? What did He desire on arriving there? Why was not this desire fulfilled? Verse 24. Note 1. (2) Who learned of His arrival? On finding Him, what did she do? Verse 25. Note 2. (3) Of what nationality was the woman? What did she ask of Jesus? Verse 26. Note 3. (4) What then did Jesus say to the woman? Verse 27. Note 4. (5) How did the woman further plead her cause? Verse 28. Note 5. (6) On account of this expression of faith, what favor did Jesus grant? Verse 29. Note 6. (7) What did the woman find on going to her house? Verse 30. (8) On leaving the region of Tyre, where did Jesus go? Verse 31. Note 7. (9) What special case of affliction was brought before Him? What request was made in behalf of this man? Verse 32. (10) How did Jesus proceed in his ministration for the afflicted one? Verse 33. Note 8. (11) After this ceremony, what did He do? Verse 34. (12) And what was the result? Verse 35. (13) What charge did Jesus give the people? What was the effect of this charge? Verse 36. (14) How were the people affected by this miracle? Verse 37.

NOTES.

1. "From thence," that is, from Capernaum, on the Sea of Galilee, where a fierce opposition had been waged against Jesus by Pharisees and scribes who came from Jerusalem for that special purpose. The opposition of this class sometimes so affected the people, and even those who had accepted Christ, that it was not profitable to carry on a controversy with them. They were able at times to greatly hinder His work, altho they could not gainsay the logic of His words. Multitudes of people refrained from accepting Jesus as the Messiah because they feared the rulers. Under such circumstances Jesus would pass on to other fields. This was one of those occasions, and the Spirit led Him to the region of Tyre, which was only about thirty-five miles distant. Sidon was twenty miles farther up the coast. Jesus was seeking retirement, the "rest" of which He had been deprived when He sought it on the Bethsaida coast of the sea. But "He could not be hid;" for He was the "light of the world," and "as a city set on a hill." See John 8: 12; Matt. 5: 14.
2. A woman, who was in deep sorrow and whose daughter was in great affliction, sought and found Him. Of course she was led by the Spirit to seek Him out. And the Lord, by the same Spirit, is still saying to us, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Matt. 7: 7.
3. Matthew tells us that when the woman first made her petition, Jesus did not answer her at all, and further illustrated the natural Jewish disposition by saying to the disciples, "I was not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." This apparent indifference led the disciples to request that He send her away. They did not want the company to be annoyed by her. See Matt. 15: 23, 24.
4. Verse 27 of the lesson chapter is a further emphasis of the Jewish idea of their exclusive right to favor from God. The Jews did not consider the Gentiles as any better than dogs, and often referred to them as such. In all this Jesus was not only testing the woman's faith, but He was laying out a very important lesson for His disciples. It was a leading feature of His work as a teacher to prepare missionaries to carry the Gospel to the world after His departure.
5. The sorrowing Gentile woman had grasped the great Gospel principle which even the learned Jewish rabbis had failed to comprehend. We have also the record of a Roman centurion, of whom Jesus said He had not found the like in Israel. See Luke 7: 1-10.
6. The granting of the woman's request contained the lesson that, while the Jews had been the recipients of great privileges, yet God is not a respecter of persons. Peter learned the difficult lesson more fully at a later date, at the house of Cornelius, in Cæsarea. See Acts 10. The lesson to us is, that the greater the privileges that we enjoy, the greater our obligation to minister to those who have not such privileges.
7. Decapolis means ten cities, in the region east of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan. Among them was Gadara, the place where Jesus permitted the devils whom He cast out of an unfortunate man to go into a herd of swine, which ran into the sea and were drowned. It will be remembered that the people requested Jesus to leave their country, and He went away. It will be remembered also that the man whom He had healed wanted to go with Him, but Jesus told him to return home and declare how great things God had done for him. See Luke 8: 26-40. He did so with wonderful faithfulness, and no doubt his experience and work had much to do with the reception Jesus received when He came around the next time. So much for home mission work.
8. The unusual ceremony in healing this man may have been on account of his deafness, and the fact that he had been brought to Jesus instead of coming himself. In going apart with Jesus alone, he did a voluntary act, showing personal faith; and, owing to his deafness, signs were used instead of words.

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Continue reading: LESSON I.—THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST