THE work of God is missionary work. The true missionary spirit is the spirit of Christ. It is laboring unselfishly for the salvation of our fellow-men. The cause of Christ cannot be over-estimated. The price paid for the salvation of man is more than the finite mind can comprehend. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. "We love him, because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19.
It was this voluntary love on the part of Christ toward rebellious man that brought him from glory to die for a fallen race. His life was one of toil and suffering. "He was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." His life was a missionary spirit exemplified. An unselfish spirit is in direct opposition to the spirit of this world. So of the Christian it is said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another." It leads men to go without the camp bearing the reproach. It induces men and women to make the cause of God theirs. They value it, as did their Master, of greater importance than their own interests, and therefore will not count their lives dear if they can but forward the work of God upon the earth. They will seek to scatter the seeds of truth where they have never been sown, and lead those to Christ who before have had no practical knowledge of him.
This work is an aggressive one. It makes advances upon the enemy. It goes into new fields—into the regions beyond—and there plants the cross of Christ; and when a victory is gained, and the truth is there established, it goes farther and continues to make inroads upon the enemy. It requires men of God, men of nerve, men of consecration and devotion to do this—men who value the truth of God more than their own personal interests. Some men in every age have exemplified this spirit. They have taken their lives in their hands and have ventured out on the promises of God, and upon the enemy's ground have preached Christ and him crucified. They have dared to believe because it was truth, although in many instances it has severed friends and associations, and led them to sacrifice upon the altar of truth every worldly prospect.
There stand upon record many noble examples of this. The apostle Paul speaks of his former standing as follows: "Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more; circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith; that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." Phil. 3:4-11.
It is not necessary that we go back to the days of the apostles to find such examples. In every age God has had witnesses of this spirit, and in every work of reform that has been of God there have been furnished a Huss, a Luther, a Zwingle, a Farel, and scores of others who might be mentioned, some of whom have sealed their testimony with their blood. They chose to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.
There was a time when God would have the gospel of Christ planted in Burmah. Adoniram Judson gave himself to the work. In 1812, he set sail under the auspices of what is now the American Board of Missions. Mr. Judson, like those who pledged him his support, was a believer in sprinkling for baptism. There was existing, at this time, a strong feeling of sectarian antagonism between the Congregationalists and the Baptists. Mr. Judson, knowing he would have to meet some Baptists, sought to prepare himself by re-examining the subject. As the result he embraced the view that immersion was the only Scriptural baptism. He and his wife were soon to land in Burmah without the slightest knowledge of the language. His change of views would sever his connection with those that had pledged him their sympathy and support. He was wholly unconscious that the Baptists had any organization whereby they could support him, provided they would receive him.
To be left upon a heathen shore, without sympathy or support from his former friends, being counted as a heretic by them, was his future prospect, if he was true to his conscience; or he could return to his native land, and enjoy the society of those who would sympathize with him in his present views. He at once decided the question. His love for the cause of Christ led him to renounce all, and cast himself upon the promises of Christ for protection. He was baptized and proceeded on his way. Although it was many long months before he could speak a word in the Burman language, in due time success attended his labors.
Twenty-one months he was a prisoner, and seventeen months bound with irons. He suffered everything but death. When he was released from prison his friends advised him to return to America to recruit his wasted energies. But he would not retire from the field, nor engage in visiting among friends. "Some regretted," says his biographer, "that so agreeable a man should become a mere devotee; others believed that sorrow for the loss of his wife had made him mad; while others, who understood him better, honored what they considered his self-immolation in a good cause; and, on the whole, he was regarded with a sort of reverential sympathy." See his life by Frances Wayland, vol. 1, page 447.
His wife was of the same spirit as himself. She died in his absence from the mission. "Her last words were spoken of him, and her last request to Dr. Richardson, her medical attendant, was, that he, Mr. Judson, would never consent to enter the service of the British Government [at this time he was seeking to negotiate for the British Government with the Burman Government], but confine himself exclusively to the duties of his religious mission." Ibid. 414.
When a few had embraced the gospel in one place he left them in care of a proper person, and explored a new field. This he understood to be the apostolic method of conducting the missionary enterprise. It was thus that he was the means in the hand of God of sowing the seed of gospel truth over quite an extensive portion of the Burman Empire, and of witnessing251at the close of his life very many who had embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ.
It is such a life of consecration and devotion to the cause of God that is fruitful. We may never be called upon to go to a heathen land; neither is it necessary to have an unfruitful life. But the same spirit that characterized Mr. Judson in his labors must characterize every person who enters the missionary work. Self-denial is the first religious duty. The heart needs to be changed. A stream can rise no higher than its fountain. If the motive that actuates the professed Christian be selfish, then the fruit he bears will be of the same character.
To-day the calls for men to go into new fields are very numerous. They are continually increasing on every hand. Where are the self-sacrificing men who will heed these calls? Where are the men who will venture out, take their lives in their hands, sacrifice friends, worldly interest, and count not their lives dear unto themselves, if they can but win Christ? This work commenced and prospered in the hands of those who possessed that spirit. It is the only spirit that is recognized in Heaven as being the genuine article. It is the only one that God owns. It is the only one with which God's Spirit witnesses.
God is jealous for that spirit, for it brought Christ from Heaven to die upon the cross. It originated in the bosom of God and his Son Jesus Christ. It unites the soul with God. And it were better that a millstone be hanged about the neck and man be cast into the depths of the sea than to offend one possessing it. Its fruit is only good. It will lead men to bear all things, endure all things for Christ's sake and his truth's sake. He that possesses it will go forth weeping, bearing precious seed, and he will doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Rural Health Retreat Association.
THE fifth annual meeting of the Rural Health Retreat Association convened at the Retreat according to appointment, April 8, 1884.
Upon examination it was found that the majority of stock was represented by the following stockholders present, viz.: W. A. Pratt, John Morrison, A. B. Atwood, Eld. W. C. White, Eld. J. H. Waggoner, Eld. Sanford Rogers, and Eld. H. A. St. John.
Prayer by Eld. White.
Eld. H. A. St. John was called to act as Secretary pro tem.
Minutes of last annual meeting were called for, and read.
The Treasurer's report was read, as follows:—
FINANCIAL REPORT.
Cash on hand May 2, 1883, . . . $ 41 00
Expenses during the year, . . . . 3,753 35
Receipts “ “ “ . . . . 2,845 05
Expenses above receipts, . . . . 908 30
SANFORD ROGERS, Treas.
St. Helena, April 8, 1884.
The report was accepted.
Moved by Eld. White, and seconded by A. B. Atwood, that Eld. J. H. Waggoner, Eld. H. A. St. John, and W. A. Pratt constitute a committee to endeavor to secure medical aid.
Moved by Eld. Waggoner, that the name of W. C. White be added to this committee. Carried. The motion as amended was then adopted.
The stockholders then proceeded to ballot for directors for the ensuing year, resulting in the election of the following Board: W. A. Pratt, Eld. H. A. St. John, Eld. J. D. Rice, Eld. J. H. Waggoner, Eld. W. C. White, A. B. Atwood, and Eld. Sanford Rogers.
Adjourned to 7 A. M. next day.
SECOND MEETING.
Convened at 7 A. M., April 9. Prayer by Eld. J. H. Waggoner. Minutes of previous meeting read and accepted.
The new Board of Directors then proceeded to organize by electing W. A. Pratt, President; Eld. H. A. St. John, Secretary; and D. B. Carver, Treasurer.
Moved by Sanford Rogers, and seconded by A. B. Atwood, that Eld. H. A. St. John act as Superintendent of the Rural Health Retreat for the ensuing year. Carried.
The following preambles and resolutions were then presented by Eld. W. C. White, and after due consideration, were adopted by unanimous vote:—
WHEREAS, We believe that there is a good opening for a health journal on this coast; and whereas, the Rural Health Retreat needs an organ to bring its facilities and advantages before the people; therefore,
Resolved, That we proceed at once to secure the publication of a bi-monthly journal.
WHEREAS, The PACIFIC PRESS has every facility for the publication and circulation of such a journal; therefore,
Resolved, That we propose to the PACIFIC PRESS to enter equal partnership with them in publishing the journal, the Retreat to pay for editing, the Press to furnish business management; and all other expenses and receipts to be equally divided.
Meeting adjourned.
W. A. PRATT, President.
H. A. ST. JOHN, Secretary.
A Heathen Lady's Triumph.
A MISSIONARY lady in China who realized that the souls of the rich were of as much value as those of the poor, lamented her inability to reach them.
You may imagine her joy at seeing a finely-dressed lady enter her compound one evening, followed at a respectful distance by a servant. The hair of the visitor was piled half a yard high on top of her head, and was stiff and heavy with perfumed oils, and decorated with great-headed gold pins; and her silken robe was covered with embroidered flowers and birds and butterflies.
Drawing the missionary aside for secrecy, she said, "Lady, I have despised you and the low people you teach, and I know but one person who loves your God. I have a sore heart and am bowed down very low. I have been to our temples with offerings of fruit and flowers; but my gods do not help me. I have gone day after day to the shrine of my ancestors; but no one, not even my tender mother, answers when I call. I want to find the God. I want his love. He comforted my one friend over the coffin of her sweet child. I want him, but he will not come to me."
The missionary sat down beside her visitor, and told her that the God whom she sought, so loved the world as to give his only begotten Son for the salvation of all who believe on him, and that Christ so loved the world as to give himself for its redemption. She told her how Christ bears our griefs and carries our sorrows, and how he invites all troubled ones to come unto him for peace.
"Yes," said the visitor, "my friend who knows God told me all this, but I cannot find him."
"Your friend found God true to his word," said the missionary. "He was a helper to her in time of trouble. Go to her and she will help you to find him."
After receiving a portion of the New Testament in her own language, and listening to a fervent prayer, the Chinese lady went away, promising to repeat the visit.
The missionary at once sought the Christian Chinawoman of whom her visitor had spoken, and begged her to encourage and help her neighbor.
"Oh," said the Chinese lady mournfully, "God cannot take her. She is the rich and amiable wife of a Government official; but she is a drunkard, though no one ever sees her shame; for she hides herself away. Christ will not have drunkards for his friends."
When the heathen lady came again she was still "wanting to find the God." The missionary asked her if she was willing to give up everything for Christ. She hesitated a moment, and then replied, "Yes, everything but—but—"
"But your wine?"
"Yes, all but that," she tearfully replied. "And I will drink at night and sleep off my disgrace, and never disgrace him; then he will not be ashamed of his new disciple—will he?" she asked.
The missionary explained to the poor heathen lady that hidden sin is just as offensive to Christ as that which is open to the world.
For some time she wept and fell back on her promise. "I will never, never shame my new God by open drunkenness." When the missionary told her what Christ says about bearing the cross for him, she trembled like a slave before a tyrant. Only God knows what that woman endured before she came off conqueror over her besetting sin. But she did conquer at length, by the power of the Highest. And to-day she and her friend are moving about like angels of mercy, among the poor, degraded women of their native land.—The Friend of Missions.
Interest Among the Germans.
BRO. R. CONRADI sends to the Review an encouraging report of labor among the Germans in Minnesota. At Good Thunder he reports an addition of ten commandment-keepers, and twenty new members to the Sabbath-school. Had taken twenty-one subscriptions for the German paper, Stimme der Wahrheit. He adds: "The work among the Germans is onward. Have lately received good news from Dakota, also from far-off Russia. One brother writes for laborers, more tracts and papers, and also for bound volumes of the Stimme. Will the brethren and sisters still remember the work among the Germans."
Malagasy Christians During the French Invasion
The conduct of the Malagasy Christians during the trying times of the French invasion and attempted subjugation has been beyond all praise. The Rev. T. T. Matthews, of the London Society, says that "anything more creditable to the spirit of true Christianity than the conduct of the Hovas toward the French subjects has been seldom seen." The church at Ambatonakanga, with which Mr. Matthews is connected, has improved the past year in nearly every aspect. For the support of the gospel it raised $100 more than in the previous year, and has agreed to help support five evangelists.
Be Not Weary in Well-Doing.
AND when all has been done that can be done, then what? "Be not weary in well-doing." So far as yourself is concerned. In the endeavor to lead the life of a Christian, persevere, no matter whether there are many to help you or not. In the endeavor to present yourself unblamable and unreprovable in the sight of God and men, no small perseverance is needed, no slight inward conflict is before you, no light struggle with sin. Continue on, even if alone—keep on in spite even of opposition. For one with God is a majority, and through Christ one can become more than a conqueror.
So far as others are concerned. Do not become weary in well-doing for others, though very many prove themselves to be unworthy. Do not turn away a brother to-day because one yesterday was shown to be a fraud. Do not let distrust so take the place of confidence as to cheat of all opportunities of doing good. Be on guard against imposition, but do not give up trying to benefit others because you have been imposed upon. A life redeemed from evil may sometime reward your efforts. A single life redeemed is ample compensation for a thousand efforts that have been thrown away. "Let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."—The Lever.
Dining in the Orient.
By C. H. Wheeler
We have been invited to take tea, or, in their phrase, to dine, with an Armenian family, who wish in this way to testify their joy at our arrival. In the Armenian family you will see the customs of this part of the Orient as they are, while among the Protestant Armenians some customs are more or less changed through missionary influence.
As we enter the house, our host or one of his family meets us at the door with, "Welcome! A thousand times welcome! A thousand times welcome!" and, after removing our shoes,—or overshoes, if we have on two pairs, as we will take care to do,—we are ushered into a room partly filled with members of the family and other guests, all of whom at once rise to their feet and offer us the "chief seats," which we may as well take, since a refusal to do so would only cause them to insist the more. No one takes his seat till we do, upon the low divan, a wide cushioned seat which extends around three sides of the room, our places being at the head, at the end opposite the door. Take care now not to sit as if the divan were a real sofa, sticking your feet out in front of you, for, though nobody will say anything, they will call you either a "green" or a rude fellow. So draw your feet upon the cushion under or behind you, and look about to receive and return the salutations which all are ready to give.
Beginning with the chief men, and so going down the seats on each side of the room, they touch their foreheads, saying, in Armenian, Parre ye-gar, or, in Turkish, Hosh guel-din,—"Welcome,"—to which we, in turn touching our foreheads, must reply, "Glad to see you," in the same tongue. The female members of the family will soon enter, each one kissing our right hands and bidding us welcome, and we must make some suitable reply, which is different for different persons.
And now they begin to set the table, and as in Turkey most things go by opposites, so this. The first thing laid is the table-cloth, which is spread upon the floor, being large enough to extend into our laps when we sit about it. Perhaps you feel like smiling, but don't do it, for it would be both impolite and uncalled for. In fact this Oriental position of the cloth is more sensible than its position with us, where it sometimes only serves to hide a poor table, and leaves the crumbs to fall upon the floor beneath it, while this cloth gathers them all within itself. A small, four-legged stool is placed on the center of the cloth, and on this a large round copper table, tinned to make it white and neat. Broad thin loaves of bread are then placed all around upon its outer edge, and a spoon and fork for each guest, and dishes of salt and pepper, and in the center of the table a dish of sood-loo, which is rice cooked in milk and sweetened. Sweet things come first here. With this are small copper dishes of soured milk (called madzoon in Armenian; yoghoort in Turkish, and leb-bin in Arabic), and the table is ready for us men to sit down around it upon our heels, though probably, in deference to our known preference for sitting on chairs, they will place the table so near to us that we may retain our seats on the divan, and extend our feet beneath the table-cloth. The sood-loo being eaten, waffles, a sort of fried cake, are brought in, and perhaps helva, a preparation of flour, butter, and honey, or molasses, made from mulberries. This helva you will soon learn to like, especially a kind which is made in Aleppo from sesame seed and grape syrup, and brought to Harpoot in winter.
This over, a dish of some kind of soup, hot from the fire, and still hotter with pepper, is brought, we all, of course, eating from the same dish. Next succeeds a dish "fit to set before a king." A whole lamb stuffed with rice and baked makes his appearance, with some green parsley in his mouth, and we green ones are taught how to carve mutton, and to eat it too, in a cheap, simple, expeditious, and satisfactory way. The "satisfactory" applies to the eating,—for the mutton is really delicious,—and the other three adjectives to the carving. Our host, having previously washed his hands, and dispensing with such occidental luxuries as carving-knives and forks, soon resolves the intruder into his elements, bones, meat, and rice, giving to each of us a piece of meat, while we use our wooden spoons on the rice. Next come perhaps dolemas, and minced meat, or rice and meat made into balls, and boiled or fried, and with them cucumbers, quinces, or tomatoes.
Mutton, or fowl cooked in different ways perhaps succeeds, egg-plant, apples, quinces, onions, and garlic being added to all the meat, and sometime during the meal cheese is given. Then follows the pilav, or a preparation of cracked or hulled wheat boiled, called bulgoor. Then follow fruits; after which we resume our seats, and a servant enters with a sort of wash-bowl and pitcher in hand and a towel upon his shoulder, and beginning with the chief person present, setting the bowl with a piece of soap in the center of its cover upon the floor, pours water upon his hands, and then gives him the towel to wipe them. They think our way of washing hands, by dipping them repeatedly in the same water, very uncivilized.
Hand-washing over, a cup of coffee is offered to each one, and we continue the conversation. All are eager to learn all they can about our country; and, while telling of its, to them, wonderful houses, roads, railroads, steamboats, printing-presses, schools, colleges, seminaries, and churches, and its benevolent institutions, we must not fail to impress upon them the fact that all these, together with all which makes our country different from Turkey, are the fruit of the open Bible in a tongue which the people can read and understand. Before leaving, we read a chapter, sing a hymn, and pray. When we rise to depart, all the company rise also, and say; "May you go in peace!" to which we reply, "May you remain in peace!" and go home and to bed.—Letters from Eden, by Rev. C. H. Wheeler.
The Home Circle.
HELPFUL LITTLES.
I'm only a little stray sunbeam,
I can't do much, you know,
To brighten the world as I pass along,
But I'll do what I can as I go.
Perhaps some little corner
Would be darker without my light;
If that be true, it's my duty to try
To make that corner bright.
Such a wee, wee little birdie,
And my voice is not very strong;
No doubt, in a crowd of singers
You would scarcely hear my song;
For it's only a feeble effort
When I do my very best;
But if I can't sing to the wide world
I can sing for my home nest.
Just a little drop of water,
What good can one drop do?
But the blade of grass it fell on
Was refreshed, and greener grew.
Then little drops, you know, make up
The rivers and ocean wide.
Though only a drop, I, too, must help
To swell this wondrous tide.
Such a tiny wayside flower,
'Most hidden among the grass,
Men go on hurriedly by me,
Nor notice me as they pass.
But then, if this spot is gladder
For my growing here, I know
It is just what God designed for me,
And so I'll continue to grow.
Just a little boy or girl
Doing the best they can.
She grows up to thoughtful womanhood,
And he to an earnest man.
But all along life's journey
Heart and hand find work to do,
For the "fields are white to harvest,
And the laborers are few." —Sel.
Why Borrowed Books Are Seldom Returned
By Montaigne
THE reason why borrowed books are so seldom returned to their owners is that it is much easier to retain the books than what is in them.—Montaigne.
God Can Make a Fine Point
At a microscopic exhibition in Boston lately, the sting of a honey bee was thrown upon the screen, the point of which was so sharp as to be hardly distinguishable. At the same time the finest of fine needles was shown under the same power of the microscope, and the end of the needle measured five inches across. Said the exhibitor, "God can make a fine point, but man cannot."
Did She Love Him?
A boy fell from one of the high beams of a barn, and was carried to his mother, sadly crushed and broken. A skillful surgeon was called. He came, looked the boy over, and only gave him a soothing dose.
"You are doing nothing to cure him," said the mother. "Why don't you set his bones?"
"It would be useless, madam. Your son has received fatal injury; we will not add to his sufferings by useless treatment of his fractures."
"Fatal!" cried the mother, indignantly; "To what purpose then is your skill? Set every bone in his body."
The surgeon obeyed. It was before the use of anæsthetics, and when many mechanical surgical appliances now in use were unknown. The boy was tortured, but the mother looked on, aided and abetted in the torture, denied all her son's piteous pleadings, yet shed not a tear. She nursed him with almost superhuman patience and endurance through months of misery, during which he lay bound, and often reproached her that she did not let him die of his pain. He did not die, nor become a helpless cripple, but recovered the full use of his entire body. And that body had no common mind. He was a genius, a well-known American author, who lived seventy-eight years.
A thought awakened by these facts, however, not the man's history, is our subject.
We suffer; in our agony we wish we were dead, or had never been born. We cry to God for help, and think he does not hear us because our pain is not removed. Again, we behold the suffering of those we love better than ourselves, and our heart's wail for their anguish is more piteous than for our own. We say, "How can a God of love, a heavenly Father omnipotent, see it without interposing; nay, more, order it, and deny our pleadings?" Satan tempts us, "Can there be a God of love?" and we are in danger of saying in our heart—like the fool—"There is no God."
Is there a suggestion of help for all this in the history of those broken bones and that mother's relation to them? Has our heavenly Father taken the desperate cause of our fallen, disjointed humanity in hand, because he would have life, not death, our portion? Can Omnipotence, even, interpose? That mother could have interposed to save her son from suffering, yet did not. Did she love him? Answer, every mother who has stood beside a son's cross, with the sword "through thine own soul also." Does God love us though we suffer, though we cry and he is silent? Let his word answer:—
"God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son;" "The Lord is not willing that any should perish;" "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth;" "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted."
Oh, well is it for us, with our broken bones, that we have a Father whose love, tender as a mother's, is wiser for us than are our doctors, or than we are for ourselves!—Christian Weekly.
Wealth and Meanness.
By Joaquin Miller
IN nine cases out of ten, great acquired wealth lifts up in monumental testimony the meanness of its possessor. I knew two neighbors, old Californians, who had about equal fortunes. They were both old settlers, both rich, and both much respected. In that fearful year, 1852, when the dying and destitute immigrants literally crawled on hands and knees over the Sierra, trying to reach the settlements, one of these men drove all of his cattle up to the mountains, butchered them, and fed the starving. He had his Mexicans pack all the mules with flour, which at that time cost almost its weight in gold, and push on night and day over the mountains to meet the strangers there and feed them, so that they might have strength to reach his house, where they could have shelter and rest. The other man, cold and cautious, saw his opportunity and embraced it. He sat at home and sold all his wheat, and mules, and meat, and with the vast opportunities for turning money to account in the new country, soon became almost a prince in fortune. But his generous neighbor died a beggar in Idaho, where he had gone to try to make another fortune. He literally had not money enough to buy a shroud, and as he died among strangers by the roadside, he was buried without even so much as a pine-board coffin. I saw his grave there only last year. Some one had set up a rough granite stone at the head. And that is all. No name—not even a letter or a date. Nothing. But that boulder was fashioned by the hand of Almighty God, and in the little dots and seams and mossy scars that cover it, he can read the rubric that chronicles the secret virtues of this lone dead man on the snowy mountains of Idaho. The children of the "prince" are in Paris. Upheld by his colossal wealth, their lives seem to embrace the universal world. He is my friend. He buys all my books, and reads every line I write. When he comes to this sketch he will understand it. And he ought to understand, too, that all the respect, admiration, and love which the new land once gave these two men gather around and are buried beneath that moss-grown granite stone, and that I know, even with all his show of splendor, that his heart is as cold and as empty as that dead man’s hand.—Joaquin Miller, in the Californian.
Meanwhile.
"I REALLY cannot take the class," answered Mr. Nelson, with the reins hanging loosely in his hands.
"I am sorry; we need teachers," said the superintendent, disappointedly.
"Yes I suppose so. I am sorry too, but lack of time is the trouble. I haven't time to prepare the lesson each week."
Down the road carrying a basket of flowers for the town market, and finishing his lunch as he walked, was Rob Greyson. The carriage overtook him, and Mr. Nelson, noticing the basket and guessing his destination, called out pleasantly:—
"Jump in and ride, Rob."
Rob accepted with evident satisfaction, and answered cheerily all questions concerning the garden and farm; but when Mr. Nelson dropped the conversation, he drew a book from his pocket, and was soon deep in its pages. "A story," thought the gentleman, and smiled; but a second glance told him that it was a school-book.
"You are industrious," he remarked.
Rob looked up and laughed.
"This is one of my 'meanwhites.'"
"A 'meanwhile?'" repeated Mr. Nelson, bestowing a more curious gaze upon the volume.
"Oh, the book is only a physiology but I call it a 'meanwhile' this term, because I am just studying it in odds and ends of time," explained Rob. "I always have my 'regulars' and my 'meanwhiles'—things that there is a regular time and place for, and other things that I want to do you know, but can't unless I crowd them in around the edges. You see, the class is taking this study this term, and I don't want to be behind them; but the garden takes a good deal of my time out of school. I thought I'd keep the book at hand, though, and work away at it when I had a chance. There are so many waiting times when somebody or something isn't quite ready to go ahead, or a few minutes here and there when it doesn't seem worth while beginning anything, unless one has something like this all ready. But it is strange how much it counts in a day. I've kept up with the other boys so far."
"You are industrious," said Mr. Nelson again, but as if he scarcely thought what he was saying.
"Oh, it happens to be study this term, but sometimes it's only fun," answered Rob, with his eyes once more on his book. "My 'meanwhiles' are for any extras that may come along."
Mr. Nelson did not interrupt him. He was beginning to wonder whether it was not possible himself to find room for a certain "extra;" and he decided to stop again at the house on the hill, on his homeward way, and give the superintendent of the Sunday-school a different answer.
Rob saw a new teacher in the school the next Sunday, but he did not dream that it was because more lessons than one had been crowded into his "meanwhile."—Forward.
LIFE SKETCHES.
By Editor
THE EARLY LIFE, CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE, AND EXTENSIVE LABORS OF
ELDER JAMES WHITE,
AND HIS WIFE,
MRS. ELLEN G. WHITE.
The production of this book was the last literary labor performed by Elder White. As nearly the whole of his active labor was performed in connection with the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, which he was largely instrumental in founding, the work is necessarily quite a complete history of that people.
The book abounds in interesting incidents, personal sketches, and religious experiences, some of which are quite remarkable, and altogether it forms a volume at once instructive and interesting.
416 pp. Price, $1.25.
Address SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
LIFE OF WILLIAM MILLER, WITH PORTRAIT.
By Editor
This book contains sketches of the Christian experience and public labors of this remarkable man. No other man in this century has been more widely spoken of, and more generally misunderstood. These sketches were prepared by those who were his co-laborers, and are a true presentation of the leading events of his life and labors. In addition to the life and character of the man, the character of the Great Advent Movement, in which he acted so prominent a part, is clearly set forth. It is shown that Mr. Miller was no mere enthusiast, but a man of calm judgment, and his interpretation of the prophecies was mainly correct, his only mistake being in regard to the nature of the event to take place at the close of the 2300 days, in 1844. No one can consider himself well versed in the history of the advent movement in this country who has not read this book.
408 pp. Price, $1.00.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
SABBATH READINGS
FOR THE HOME CIRCLE.
COMPILED BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
THESE are some of the few really good books. For twenty years Mrs. White has been selecting choice, interesting, and instructive stories, the best of which are presented in these four volumes of 400 pages each. It would be difficult to find a better collection. The selections have been carefully made, and none need fear to place them in the hands of the young. They are not, however, designed exclusively for the young, but are adapted for general home reading. All the members of the family circle will find something in them to entertain and instruct. They are just the thing for holiday or birthday gifts. Price per set, neatly put up in box, $2.25.
Address,
SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
EARLY WRITINGS OF MRS. WHITE.
By Editor
Comprising "Experience and Views" and "Spiritual Gifts, Volume One," bound in one volume. This makes a neat and attractive book of nearly 200 pages, and should be read by old and young. The matter and the style in which it is presented are so interesting that no one who has read one chapter will forego the pleasure and profit of reading the remainder. Price, 75 cents.
Address, SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.
THE YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR.
By Editor
AN ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY, PAPER FOR YOUTH AND CHILDREN, DEVOTED TO MORAL, MENTAL, AND RELIGIOUS CULTURE.
This paper is not devoted to insipid stories and religious fiction, but is filled with a great variety of that kind of reading which tends to the healthful development of the youthful mind. Its pages are made bright by the choicest illustrative pictures, and its columns are always full of useful information.
As a Sabbath-school and Lesson paper, it is suited to the wants of scholars and teachers, and is calculated to increase the interest of all who read it, in thorough Bible study.
The Sabbath-school Department contains two series of lessons, one for children and one for youth.
TERMS, ALWAYS IN ADVANCE.—Single copy, 75 cents a year; Five copies to one address, 60 cents each; Ten or more copies to one address, 50 cents each.
SPECIAL PREMIUM OFFER—THE SUNSHINE SERIES.
For every new subscription, accompanied with 85 cents, we will give "The Sunshine Series," consisting of a package of ten beautiful pamphlets of 32 pages each. These comprise a choice collection of sketches, stories, poems, etc., adapted to the wants of children, and contain more reading matter than can be found in many dollar books Remember, the whole series, 320 pages, and the INSTRUCTOR for a year, for 85 cents.
Pleasant intercourse with the members of the family, a good book read aloud, a song or chorus that all can join in, will afford a very cheap means of making happiness for one evening. These can be varied so as to be attractive many other evenings.
Remember They Are Children.
How easy it is to forget that the little folk are only little folk, after all, and to treat them as if they were grown up, and ought to know as much about behavior and self-control as ourselves. The plea for the children that follows ought not to be necessary, but what parent can conscientiously say it is not?
"Don't expect too much of them; it has taken you forty years, it may be, to make you what you are, with all your lessons of experience; and I dare say you are a faulty being at best. Above all do not expect judgment in a child, or patience under trials. Sympathize in their mistakes and troubles; don't ridicule them. Remember not to measure a child's trials by your standard. 'As one whom his mother comforteth,' says the inspired writer, and beautifully does he convey to us the deep, faithful love that ought to be found in every woman's heart, the unfailing sympathy with all her children's griefs.
"Let the memories of their childhood be as bright as you can make them. Grant them every innocent pleasure in your power. We have often felt our temper rise to see how carelessly their little plans were thwarted by older persons, when a little trouble on their part would have given the child pleasure, the memory of which would last a lifetime.
"Lastly, don't think a child hopeless because it betrays some very bad habits. We have known children that seem to have been born thieves and liars, so early did they display these undesirable traits; yet we have lived to see those same children become noble men and women, and ornaments to society. We must confess they had wise, affectionate parents, and whatever else you may be compelled to deny your child by your circumstances in life, give it what it most values, plenty of love."—Sel.