THOSE who have followed us thus far through the northern and central portions of Africa, will be prepared to follow to the west coast—Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Senegal, where the gospel has been planted many years, and with most encouraging results. From the coast to the eastern boundary is about 100 miles.
Liberia contains about 14,300 square miles, and has 400 miles of coast line. It is estimated that there are 18,000 Americo-Liberians, and 1,050,000 aboriginal inhabitants. The government is republican in form, and the constitution is on the model of that of the United States. This is not a country of wealth, but rather of poverty. The Episcopalians, Lutherans, and Presbyterians, have had manual labor missions that have given a healthful mould to the work. They have taught the people to build houses, etc. The Methodist missionaries are also at work in this place. In former times our publications have gone to this place from New York.
Considering the relation between the United States and Liberia, and the many negroes that have emigrated from the former to the latter place, and the nature of the government, it should be one of the best mission fields in all Africa. Senator Morgan, of Alabama, has written much to show that Liberia, as a distributing point, possesses advantages over any other portion of Africa. He argues that it might be a country of wealth and power, and has recommended the establishment of a steam line to the west coast, and especially to Liberia, from the United States. But the alcoholic drinks shipped there ruin the people. This has been the greatest evil that the missionaries have had to contend with. They find it even more difficult to cope with than any one evil that existed among the heathen themselves. Certainly Christian nations will have an account to render to God in the day of judgment, for the liquor that has been sent to Africa. On those tribes of heathen who have never experienced the blessings of civilization, and who have never learned to control their appetites, the effect of intoxicating liquors is fearful.
In Sierra Leone, Gambia, Gold Coast, and Lagos, the Wesleyan Methodists and other missions are at work. Including their native and foreign preachers, they have nearly 800 at work. They have numerous schools and chapels, and many thousand members. The Gold Coast has an area of 15,000 square miles, and 400,000 inhabitants. Sierra Leone has 468 square miles, and 60,548 inhabitants. Lagos is an island of 73 square miles, and has a population of 75,270. Senegal is a French colony on the Senegal River.
Many of the readers of the Signs are familiar with the name of Hannah More, who embraced the Sabbath while a missionary in Africa. She afterwards returned to America, was baptized, and fully identified herself with our people. She visited the church at Battle Creek, Mich., and then went to the house of a missionary friend, a Mr. Thompson, who lived in the northern part of the State, where she died. It was in 1861 when she first heard the subject of the prophecies, and the Sabbath question explained. At the beginning of the American Rebellion, General Lion was killed in Missouri, but was taken to Eastford, Conn., to be buried. At this time we were holding meetings in a school-house at the place, and Sister Hannah More, having attended the funeral, came to our meetings. Providentially, we stopped at the house where she was visiting, and she became deeply interested in the Sabbath, the prophecies, and other truths connected therewith. Not long after, she returned to Africa, and held a prominent position in the Mendi mission. Our correspondence continued, and we sent her publications from time to time. About this time many missionaries left the mission on account of a contagious disease that seemed to be fatal in that section of country. She was advised to leave, but her reply was that the providence of God had placed her there, and she would trust him to care for her while she continued about the work he assigned to her.
A few years subsequent to this she embraced the Sabbath. The mission was carried on by friends in England. They learned of her change of views, and wished to be informed why she had adopted such a strange belief. The books she had received she forwarded to these friends in England, but they did not have the same effect on them that they had had on her. The result was that others were sent to take charge of the mission, and she left. She visited other missions on the coast, and finding among them no place to work, returned to the States. Here she was healed, in answer to prayer, of a disease that had been preying on her for many years, and at the same time sight was restored to one of her eyes, in which she had been blind a long time.
During the time that she was in Africa we had sent her a small paper pictorial chart; this she had given to a friend who was going to Senegal; there was another who embraced the message through her influence, a Mr. Dickenson, by birth an Australian. He also was excluded from the mission and returned to his home in Melbourne. We afterwards found him in San Francisco, and whilst relating his experience he said that he had published the Sabbath truth all through the colony of Victoria, but had failed to interest others in it. Discouraged in this attempt, he renounced his views, and embraced those held by Swedenborgen. When we went to Australia, some years ago, we learned the effect of his work.
While holding meetings among the French in Illinois, Elder D. T. Bourdeau came across a young man who offered himself as a candidate for baptism. His story was something as follows: During the war between France and Germany, some years before, a part of the French territory fell under the German rule. The French offered transportation to the colony of Senegal to those who wished to go. He went among the number, and there he found a small company observing the Sabbath, who had a pictorial chart similar to that which Elder Bourdeau used. It was here that he received the light of the Third Angel's Message. He left Senegal for France, but was shipwrecked, picked up by an American vessel, and landed in New York. From there he worked his way to Illinois, where he met Elder Bourdeau. He said that he wanted to join the church, and learn all that he could about the doctrines held by the Seventh-day Adventist people, that he might return to Senegal and better instruct those whom he had left there. From this point, we are sorry to say, we lost all trace of him, and whether he ever returned to Senegal or not we cannot tell.
In Africa there are between thirty and forty different missionary societies, with over 732 foreign workers, and over 9,293 natives. Then there are other missionaries who are doing an independent work, and are not connected with these societies. With some of these we have a personal acquaintance. They have left home, friends, and, to all outward appearances, have sacrificed all for Christ.761Is there not a providence of God in all this? Is it not partly by this means that the Lord intends to have the earth lightened with his glory? Oh, that we had hearts capable of taking in more of God's wondrous power to work! If God has honored us to fill some little place in his cause, praise and gratitude should fill our hearts for the privilege. The Lord has a world-wide work, and that portion which has been committed to our care to perform, is only to give the finishing touches. It is our duty to put them on with care, but we must never discard the efforts that others are putting forth; for they too are instruments in the hand of the Master.
JEROBOAM, like Saul and David, was elevated from obscure life. And, like both these, he had some natural qualifications that were in his favor. But, like Saul, his ambition rendered him impatient; he could not, like David, bide the Lord's time, and in his rashness finally lost all the honors that God had designed to bestow upon him and his house. It is a significant expression of the text, after stating Jeroboam's plebeian position, that "even he lifted up his hand against the king." One of the "three things" for which "the earth is disquieted" is "a servant when he reigneth." Prov. 30:21, 22.
JEROBOAM'S advancement by the king contained a valuable lesson for young men. It seems that he was among the workmen engaged in repairing the defenses of Jerusalem, "and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph." That is generally understood to mean that he was made foreman, or overseer, over that part of the work assigned to Ephraim, or the house of Joseph, to which Jeroboam belonged. Commenting on this instance, Dr. Pentecost says: "Energetic and industrious young men are always in demand, and are sure to be found out. They need not of themselves seek recognition. It will come to them unsought. A man's work is his best recommendation."
THE Lord gave precious promises to Jeroboam, even such as he had given to David, but told him plainly that Solomon should reign all his life for his father David's sake. But Solomon sought to kill Jeroboam, who fled to Egypt and remained till after Solomon's death. Here he married a sister of the Egyptian queen, and learned the idolatrous worship of that country, which he afterward set up in Israel. So, with all his splendid prospect, he departed from the Lord, who had so highly honored him, forfeited his dynasty, and ignominiously passed into history as "Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin."
THE "golden text" connected with this lesson is a fitting comment upon the lives both of Solomon and Jeroboam: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." Eccl. 12:13. It is a fitting injunction for each one who studies the lesson to apply to his own life; and to it is inseparably added the verse which follows: "For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."
It may be easy for us to look back and reproach the follies of these men, and of a host of others before them, in whose path God laid golden opportunities, to be lost through disobedience and selfish lust. It may be easy for us to say, "If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them" in many of their foolish actions. But this generation may well take to itself the words of Paul in Rom. 2:1: "Thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest; for wherein thou judgest another thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."
THE present generation has light and privileges unknown to any in the past. We have before us all the wisdom of our predecessors, as well as the knowledge of their experiences. We can see in the past history of the race, all the results of every phase of conduct and principle. "Whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning." Why?—"That we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Rom. 15:4. We may learn lessons of great value by contemplating not only the successful lives portrayed in the Scriptures, but also the failures. Even the turning of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes made them "an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly." 2 Peter 2:6.
THE examples of individuals and nations uniformly teach the one great fact that "the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish." Ps. 1:6. "For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be; yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Ps. 37:10, 11. If even those of antediluvian days were without excuse because they believed not the preaching of Noah, what shall be said of this generation, with evidence piled on evidence of God's inexpressible mercy, and his unfailing justice and judgments? For "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.
THIS lesson ends the series for 1889, that for December 29 being left for the schools to supply as they think best, either in review or by special topics. There will therefore be no lesson notes in next week's issue of this paper.
1. To whom was the priesthood given in the law of Moses?
2. How strict was the law on this subject?
3. How, then, could Christ become a priest?
4. How were the first priests said to be made?
"Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life." Heb. 7:16.
5. What is meant by a carnal commandment? See notes.
6. How was Christ made a priest? — Ib.
7. Why was the former commandment disannulled?
"For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof." Verse 18.
8. Why was it unprofitable?
"For the law made nothing perfect." Verse 19, first part.
9. What was brought in when that was disannulled?
"For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God." Verse 19. See note.
10. How did the Father declare the priesthood of his Son?
"And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest (for those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedec)." Verses 20, 21.
11. What did this indicate? Ans. — The oath of God, from which he would not turn, indicated the honor and dignity of the priesthood of Christ, to show which is, indeed, the object of this entire chapter.
12. Of what did he become surety?
"By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament." Verse 22.
13. What is meant by his becoming surety of a covenant? See note.
14. Why were there many priests under the old covenant?
"And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death." Verse 23.
15. Why is the priesthood of Christ perpetual?
"But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood." Verse 24.
Perpetual, not transferred from one to another, gives a better idea of the fact stated than the word unchangeable.
16. What further assurance does this give to us?
"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Verse 25. See note.
17. How is it that such a high priest became us?
"For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens." Verse 26.
This means that he is a high priest in every way suited or fitted to our wants. The Aaronic priests could not meet our necessities — could not take away sin.
18. What is the character of our high priest? — Ib.
19. Did any of the Levitical priests resemble him in this respect? Ans. — The laws concerning the purity, in both person and character, of the high priest, were very strict. But no man ever bore the character here described.
CARNAL means fleshly; a carnal commandment means a commandment pertaining to the flesh. Carnal does not always nor necessarily mean sinful or evil. The Levitical system was not spiritual; perfection was not by nor in it. The word seems here to have reference to the frailty and mutability of mortal priests. This is rendered quite certain by the contrast, they were made priests by a carnal commandment; he after the power of an endless life.
Of course the commandment that is disannulled is the same as the law of Heb. 7:12. There was a disannulling of the entire ecclesiastical law of that dispensation, of which the priesthood was the center. Verse 19 is obscured by the common rendering. The first clause should certainly be in parentheses. "For there was verily a disannulling of the preceding commandment for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof (for the law made762nothing perfect), but [there was] the bringing in of a better hope, by which we draw nigh unto God." The actual contrast in the passage is destroyed by the introduction of the word "did," in our version. There was a disannulling of the one and there was a bringing in of the other. The first made nothing perfect — by the second we draw nigh unto God. The first had to be taken away, that the second might have place. There is a force to the expression "by which we draw nigh unto God," that is generally overlooked. Thus it is said that Moses drew nigh unto God, while the people stood afar off. Ex. 20:21; 24:1. And so the priests drew nigh unto God in his sanctuary, even into his presence, but it was death to the people to come near. But under the intercession of our high priest we are all said to draw nigh unto God. See the same contrast presented in 2 Cor. 3:12-18. What gracious privileges are conferred through the gospel of Christ.
BECOMING the surety of the covenant is a strange expression; such an idea is nowhere else found in the Scriptures. Jesus is not only the mediator of the better covenant, but he becomes surety — he seems to assume the responsibility of seeing that the object of the covenant shall be accomplished. This is an additional assurance to those who place their cases in his hands. But in this word, or in this transaction, there is no room given for presumption. It may not be said, I will do nothing, or, I have nothing to do; Jesus is my surety, and he will do all in my behalf. In any transaction no one would become surety for another who made no effort to be just. The first covenant had no surety, for the priests could not insure perfection, either in obedience, or by virtue of their offerings. How great reason have we to be thankful, for, with such a high priest as we have, there can be no failure in this covenant, unless it be through our own neglect or willfulness.
BECAUSE Christ has unending life and a perpetual priesthood, he is able to save completely — to the uttermost — them that come to him. No case can be forgotten or neglected in the transfer of office from one to another, or by reason of the infirmity and inefficiency of the advocate. Everything connected with his priesthood is calculated to give encouragement and assurance to those who put their trust in him.
ADDITIONAL NOTES.
THE answer to question 7 can only be understood by keeping in mind the comparison which is being drawn between the priesthood of Christ and the priesthood of Aaron. It is of Christ that Heb. 7:16 speaks. It can be paraphrased thus: "Who [Christ] is made, not after a law of a carnal commandment [as were the Levitical priests who, being 'compassed with infirmity,' were weak and short-lived, and therefore were not efficient helpers], but [he, Christ, was made] after the power of an endless life."
IT is well for the student to remember that "testament" and "covenant" come from the same Greek word, "diathēke."
THE high priest here on earth was "compassed with infirmity" while he was high priest. He was mortal, fallible, imperfect. If he undertook the case of a sinner, what could he do? — He could sympathize with the sinner; he could bear with his failures (Heb. 5:2) to some extent; he could learn where the sinner most needed help; he could point him to God; then he might die. The poor sinner falls again, and the priest who had helped, pitied, befriended, consoled, is dead. He must go to another, just as weak, just as much compassed about with infirmity. Truly in man there is no help.
BUT how different with our great High Priest. Once he was compassed with infirmity, but not now; that was before he became a high priest. He was made flesh, he met man's trials and temptations, realized their power, suffered but yielded not for one moment; but in the enduring, in the suffering, he was "perfected forevermore" (Heb. 7:28, margin); "made perfect" (Heb. 5:7-9); therefore while he can sympathize with and pity those who are in the flesh, he stands in all helpfulness, "higher than the heavens," in whom is all power, all fullness. And this precious, mighty Redeemer will dwell in our hearts by faith and enable us to overcome, even as he overcame.
"HIGHER than the heavens" means that he is above all creatures, however high they may be. All power was given him not only in earth but in heaven. He sat on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. The intelligences of heaven, who once with surprise and grief saw him made lower than themselves, and sympathized with him, are now far beneath him, counting it the highest privilege even to adore.
The Missionary.
SAMOA.
THE Samoan Islands, which, owing to German aggression, have lately attracted such widespread attention, are no less interesting to those who anxiously await the gathering of the "isles of the sea" under the blood-stained banner. They lie in the great Pacific Ocean, about six or seven hundred miles northeast of Fiji and three thousand east of Australia. They are of volcanic origin, lofty, productive, and beautiful, while their climate rivals that of Italy in its balmy loveliness. They have been known since 1722, when Roggeivein visited them and gave them the name "Navigators' Islands." Other navigators also visited them, one of whom, La Perouse, in 1787, lost twelve of his men by the hands of the natives, thus giving rise to the appellation "blood-thirsty savages," which, whatever the cause of the massacre, certainly does not describe their natural propensities now.
The population is estimated at from 35,000 to 40,000, of which one-third live on Savaii, the most important island.
The natives are of a superior class, have a fine physique, and are rather prepossessing in appearance. They are hospitable to a fault, peaceful and cleanly, while their rigid conscientiousness and forgiving disposition may well be copied by more favored nations.
Some of the Samoan customs are at least interesting; for example, the gathering of all marriageable maidens in each village into separate communities; the tattooing of the men, without which no young man can expect to be successful in winning for himself a wife; and the obligation on all ladies to chew kava at the invitation of any man.
In former times their dead were buried near their lately-occupied abodes, and their spirits were supposed to travel to the extreme end of the island of Savaii, and there, from a stone, leap into a circular pool, which they believed to be the entrance to their hades.
Their houses are built in a bee-hive shape, and consist of one room—often very large. They cook in a separate house, and still prefer their ancient custom of a fire in a hole in the ground to the more modern method of civilization.
The London Missionary Society was the first to carry to these islanders the gospel, though early missionaries are said to have visited them from New Zealand.
In 1830, John Williams, the "martyr missionary," accompanied by Mr. Barff and eight Society Island native teachers, in The Messenger of Peace, touched at Samoa. Their advent was hailed with delight by the Samoans, who greatly desired teachers, with which they were then supplied.
Two years later Williams again visited the islands and was astonished to find the extent of the gospel's influence. Having no strongly-defined religious convictions, and being favored with dispositions more susceptible to divine virtues than the aborigines of many of the South Sea islands, the hearts of these simple people formed fruitful soil for the gospel seed, and far and wide the blessed tidings had been spread, and everywhere received with joy.
In 1836 Mr. Murray, with five others, arrived, and the work of translating the Scriptures began. Within thirty years from the landing of Williams and Barff, idolatry had entirely disappeared, and the natives were all nominally Christians, possessing a beautiful reference Bible in their own language.
On the island of Upola, forty-five years ago, the late Rev. Charles Hardie and the Rev. G. Turner, LL.D., under the direction of the London Missionary Society, laid the foundations of Malua, the Samoan missionary seminary of the society.
They began by selecting thirty acres of land, which they begged to be allowed to pay for, put up temporary houses, selected twenty-five youths for instruction, gave each a plot of ground for his support, and began work.
Now they have 22 stone cottages, a classroom 60 feet by 30, with all necessary appurtenances, 300 acres of land, a hundred students, and a glorious record of self-support. One day a week is set aside for industrial pursuits; thus the building and repairing is done by the students.
At the seminary they observe the "week of prayer," and have a monthly missionary prayer-meeting, at which a collection is taken from the students.
The course of study occupies four years, which is often supplemented by another four years, when students are placed on the teacher's staff.
These students are the men who shepherd the flocks in the two hundred Christian villages on the islands, and some of them are even doing missionary work in New Guinea.
Besides the London Missionary Society, the Wesleyans and Roman Catholics have missions in Samoa, with some thousands of adherents.
The Samoans are strict Sabbath observers. They are a Bible-loving people, and their children are early trained in its precepts. Their sympathies are not confined to themselves, and for the last twenty years, besides supporting their own pastors, they have contributed to the funds of the London Missionary Society annually an average of $6,000, while the only expense that society has in connection with the islands is the support of the seven763missionaries who have not yet been withdrawn.
To sum up in the words of the late British Consul: "Taking the Samoans for all in all, and judging from their past history and present condition, there is not a people more worthy of consideration and preservation, more susceptible of improvement, or more willing to be taught to take that position amongst the enlightened races that they have so often and so earnestly sought our help to win."—Missionary Echo.
CONDENSED REPORTS FROM THE FIELD.
By Editor
SINCE we last gave a condensed report of our work, the General Conference has been held, and reported in various journals. Some of its most important actions have been given to our readers. The work in the field has made about the same progress as heretofore. Interesting State meetings have been held of Conferences, Tract Societies, and Sabbath-school Associations in a number of States, and all report progress.
An interesting report from Brother James Harris, of New Zealand, reviews the history of the cause in that island since 1885, when Elder Haskell planted the truth there. Growing churches exist at Auckland and Napier. At the former city the first Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Southern hemisphere was erected. The Tract Society is doing excellent work, and the canvassers, only partially organized, sold over $4,500 worth of publications. Since Brother E. M. Morrison reached there instruction has been given, and the canvassers start out with better courage.
In our own America, where so much prejudice does not exist, the work is as ever onward. From various States and ministers, the following definite reports have come:—
T. M. Steward reports considerable interest in Nova Scotia, eight having accepted the truth. Brethren Henderson and Martin have raised up a company of twelve at Rogers, Arkansas. In this State but a short time ago Sabbath-keepers were persecuted almost to the death. Two have been added to the church in New Orleans, by B. F. Purdham. Elders Rosseau and Morrow have gathered out a company of fourteen at Leavenworth, Kansas. W. C. Wales reports baptizing four at Fredericksburg, Indiana. Missouri reports some twenty who have accepted the truth, some of whom have been baptized. At Rock Springs some members of a Baptist Church accepted the truth. Not daring to bring them to trial before the church, as they had no Scripture against the course they had pursued, the minister called a meeting of the church (five were present out of eighty) and disbanded the church, 'Friendship' by name, and organized the church of 'New Hope.' This they did to cast out without a trial their former deacon and wife, the postmaster and wife, and other good members. Partly on account of their unscriptural course another embraced the commandments of God. Two ministers—I. H. Evans and C. B. Childs—report twenty-two having embraced the truth in Michigan, sixteen in Bien Town and six at Windover school-house. At Onawa, Iowa, nineteen have signed the covenant, under the labors of Brethren Hancock and Watson. Brethren J. S. Washburn and C. M. Gardner report from Hawleyville, Iowa, ten who have accepted the truth. At another place twelve have accepted the last message, under C. A. Washburn and co-laborers. Among many interesting visits in the vicinity of Boulder, Colorado, Geo. O. States baptized seven. A. J. Breed and E. W. Webster report a company of twenty-eight at Boscobel, Wis.
An interesting report from I. Sanborn states that he assisted in organizing the first church in Wisconsin, thirty years ago. There are now in that State 2,000 Sabbath-keepers and sixty churches. Others have gone to other Conferences. He had labored in fifteen different States and had baptized 1,500 persons. He had recently baptized five at Fish Creek and three at La Grange. Thirteen have accepted of the last message at Nashua, N. H.; twelve are reported the past year from Black Jack Grove, Texas. The church at Atlanta, Georgia, has had four accessions despite the cruel Sunday law. There are some others reported in various parts of the country. Brother C. M. Kinney is laboring among the colored people, and reports interesting experiences.
This does not embrace all of the work done, but it is the greater amount reported in the three weeks past. The truth of God for these days will do its work, and gather out a people prepared for the Lord.
THE HAMBURG MISSION.
By Louis Richard Conradi
SLOWLY at first, yet steadily, the truth progressed in this section of the field, until November 9 we could, with the blessing of God, establish our first church in Northern Germany, and the third and largest in the empire. Some four years ago a brother commenced to observe the Sabbath just by reading a pamphlet written against us; he closed his eyes in rest just the day before we organized the church. About the same time a brother near the Danish border was also convinced of the Sabbath by reading some of our publications, which a Danish family left when they moved to America. He came over one hundred miles to be baptized and to join the church.
For six weeks we had meetings, in which we considered all the principal points of our faith, before we organized. As we could not baptize publicly, being forbidden, as bathing, we procured a fine bath-house in the most beautiful spot of the city, on the Alster, and here I buried twelve willing souls on Sabbath morning. One old lady upward of seventy seemed the bravest of all. In the afternoon these, with three others who had never belonged to any of our churches, and ten of us who were already members of our churches, united together in one church. Besides these twenty-five, there are five more good names on the covenant, and with the grown youth there are now some twenty-five new Sabbath-keepers here. Yet we have not given any course of lectures thus far.
Our readings are well attended, and new ones are becoming interested. Sister Ohm has good success in the Bible work. We have six canvassers at work in the city now, and have over one thousand orders, a good share being delivered. The pastors begin to warn, yet our canvassers stick to their work faithfully. We have also in the country five more canvassers, and they do quite well for this country. The best barely make their living, yet we find that the books and pamphlets do a good work. We have also four sisters at work in Southern Germany, and there a lady has commenced to observe the Sabbath through our reading matter, the third thus far.
Our Tract Society numbers thirty members, and we have seventy-five Herolds; in all, our mission uses some four hundred journals in their work; and only the day of judgment will tell how far the truth has gone from here. The young man who intended to become a Lutheran missionary, has let his place, given us $12.50 toward meeting the expenses of baptism, and now, after visiting his friends in Central Germany, has commenced to canvass for us. We have commenced our daily instruction again, and have prospects that the dozen workers here will soon be doubled.
We have also good news from the field. Brethren Ertzenberger and Böttcher are holding a course of lectures in Barmen, a city of over one hundred and twenty-five thousand, and report good interest. Brother Laubhan has baptized several of late, and will labor in Southern Russia this winter. Brother Klein had to send his passport clear to Western Russia, to the border, to get his goods, and as it takes weeks to get it back, could not leave during that time. The little Russian Sabbath tract was given by one of our friends to a Russian, and he barely escaped imprisonment.
L. R. CONRADI.
Hamburg, November 15, 1889.
WALNUT GROVE, SACRAMENTO CO., CAL.
By E. A. Briggs
For seven weeks past I have been laboring in or near this place. The almost constant rain-storms which have prevailed have much interfered with the attendance at our meetings; so the most of my labor has been done by visiting individual families, and searching the Scriptures with them. Seven adults have taken a firm stand to keep all the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Several of these I expect to baptize in a few days. Though these brethren and sisters are too much scattered to all meet together each Sabbath, yet there seems to be among them such a spirit of faith and earnest consecration that I trust each will do his duty where he is.
My post-office address will be, hereafter, Isleton, Sacramento Co., Cal.
E. A. BRIGGS.
December 3, 1889.
MISSIONARY MURMURINGS.
GATHERED FROM VARIOUS MISSIONARY JOURNALS.
ONE-TENTH of a cent a day is the average contribution of the members of the Christian church in the world for carrying out the last command of the Master.
THE American Presbyterians have in Brazil 63 churches, 32 ministers, and 2,966 members; the Methodist Episcopal Church South has 16 preachers, 20 preaching places, and 346 members; and the Baptist Church in the United States has there 12 missionaries, 5 churches, and 341 members.
THE recent famine in China has had the effect of dissipating much of the prejudice of the Chinese in the afflicted district to foreigners. There is now an open door to the entrance of the gospel, where relief was distributed by missionaries, that should not be allowed to close again through neglect.
THE BIGGEST EARTHQUAKES.
HOW THEY SWALLOWED UP LARGE CITIES AND HOSTS OF PEOPLE.
ONE of the most remarkable earthquakes of antiquity overthrew many cities of Italy but did not interrupt the battle of Thrasimene, which was raging at that time. This was in the year 217 B. C. Byron sings of the event in "Childe Harold:"—
"And such the storm of battle on this day,
And such the frenzy whose convulsion blinds
To all save carnage, that beneath the fray
An earthquake rolled unheedingly away!
None felt stern nature rocking at his feet
And yawning forth a grave for those who lay
Upon their bucklers for a winding-sheet;
Such is the absorbing hate when warring nations
meet."
In 365 A. D., the greater part of the Roman world was convulsed by an earthquake, which was followed by tidal waves. For a long time afterward the city of Alexandria annually commemorated the fatal day when 50,000 citizens lost their lives in an inundation. Two centuries later the Roman Empire again was shaken, and credulity is staggered by the statement that 250,000 lives were lost.
One shrinks from enumerating many of the great earthquakes of history, for to attempt the task is to sup full of horrors. In the early history of America the disappearance of whole cities was not unusual. In 1456, 60,000 persons were killed in Naples. In 1759 there were destructive shocks in Syria, and at Balbec 20,000 perished. In 1783 Guatemala, with all its riches and 8,000 families, was swallowed up. In Sicily and Calabria, from 1783 to 1786 the victims reached a total of 80,000. China's capital was destroyed in 1833, and multitudes were killed in a series of shocks that were distributed through ten years. And so on until the statistics become sickening.
The great Lisbon earthquake of 1755 will be remembered as the one in which the good Dr. Johnson refused to believe, although he pinned his faith to the story of the Cock Lane ghost. This shock extended over a surface of the globe four times greater than that of Europe, destroying the cities of Fez and Mesquinez in Morocco, with 15,000 persons; and affecting the coasts of Greenland, the Isle of Madeira, and the West Indies, nearly 4,000 miles away. In Lisbon it was All-Saints' Day, the hour of high mass, and the churches were crowded. There were three shocks, and then the city was in ruins. The earthquake was followed by the horrors of a conflagration.
In the Caracas earthquake in 1812 the people were praying, like those of Lisbon, when desolation came upon them. It was Thursday of Holy Week and great numbers were in the churches. At least 4,000 people perished in the downfall of the sacred edifices. One cathedral only held out.—Boseowitz, on Earthquakes.
HOW TO REAR CHILDREN.
CHILDREN cannot be reared by rules, but the following may be suggestive:—
One great point is to treat them kindly.
Do not preach politeness and propriety to them, and violate their laws yourself. In other words, let the example you set them be a good one.
Never quarrel nor have any unpleasantness between yourselves, or with others, in their presence. If you must quarrel, wait till the children are gone to bed. Then they will not see you—and perhaps by that time you may not want to quarrel.
Never speak flippantly of neighbors before children. They may meet the neighbors' children and talk about it.
Teach them to think that the little boy in rags has a heart in spite of the rags—and a stomach, too.
Teach them, as they grow older, that a respectful demeanor to others, a gentle tone of voice, a kind disposition, a generous nature, an honest purpose, and an industrious mind, are better than anything else on earth. Teach them these things, and self-reliance and intelligence and capability will come of themselves. Teach them these things, I say, and your boys and girls will grow up to be noble men and women.—Exchange.