The most diligent of all the scientists who have devoted their lives to the bee—and this wonderful insect has been more written about and studied than any other member of the animal kingdom, with the single exception of the egoist, man—have not been able to fathom the mystery of the production of the wax of which the symmetrical walls are composed, nor to understand the mental process by which the little workers are able to perform the mathematical wonder of the cells, every advantage that could possibly be desired with regard to the stability of the structure and the strength of each cell being procured by its own formation and its position with reference to the others.
Reamur, who was particularly interested in this aspect of the extraordinary intelligence of the bee, gave a problem to Koenig, the celebrated German mathematician: Of all the possible hexagonal cells with pyramidal base composed of three equal rhombs, to find the one whose construction would need the least material. Koenig calculated that the cell that had for its base three rhombs whose large angle was 109 degrees and 26 minutes, and the small 70 degrees and 34 minutes, met the requirements proposed.
Then at Reamur’s request Maraldi, another eminent savant, who was unaware what were Koenig’s figures, measured as exactly as possible the angle of the rhombs constructed by the bees, and found the larger to be 109 degrees and 28 minutes, and the other 70 degrees and 32 minutes. Maeterlinck says that the error, if there is one, should be attributed to Maraldi rather than the bees, since it is impossible to measure the angles of the cells with absolute precision.—Pearson’s Magazine.
ARE WE BOUND TO HELP A BROTHER IN HIS NEED?
HOW READY we are to ask ourselves the question whether we are under any special obligation to help a brother, or a neighbor, in distress or need! And if we can not find the duty laid down specifically in the law which we are under, we are prone to count ourselves entirely free to do according to our ease and liking. A correspondent actually asks this question, as if he were in doubt on the subject:—
After Abraham and Lot’s separation, was Abraham under obligation to help Lot to success?
There certainly was no statute law making it a State prison offense for Abraham to stand idly by when Lot was in danger or need. But Abraham was a man who was quite as desirous to do a proper thing when he could do it as he was to conform to the letter of the law. Moreover, Abraham was of the Hebrew, or Jewish stock, and all of that race feel bound to help one another in time of need. There are Christians who feel the same way about their brothers or neighbors, but there are others who are asking whether they are really bound to be decent and neighborly. After all, the real question is, How loving and helpful can we be? not, How much are we bound to do for a brother, or a neighbor, in his need? There is no law so all-inclusive as the law of love.—S. S. Times.
DISAPPOINTMENTS
DISAPPOINTMENT—His appointment.
Change one letter, then I see
That the thwarting of my purpose
Is God's better choice for me.
His appointment must be blessing,
Tho it may come in disguise,
For the end from the beginning
Open to His wisdom lies.
—Anon.
DEATH ON THE RAIL—A COMPARISON.
In a recent editorial, The World referred to a record of “no passengers killed in train accidents,” made by the railways of Great Britain for the year ending Dec. 31, 1901.
From the Interstate Commerce Commission there now comes a statement of the work of slaughter done by American railways, not for a year, but during the three months ending on the above date. In this short period 51 passengers were killed and 751 injured in train accidents. Fatalities otherwise classified brought the number of dead up to 85, the injured to 1,383.
Including employees, passengers, and other persons, the American trains killed 274 people and injured 2,089 in three months; in British train accidents for a whole year 15 persons were killed and 637 injured.
We have more than eight times the railway mileage of Britain, but the figures show twice as heavy a passenger traffic on the British lines. Evidently it is not so much a matter of mileage as of some fatal fault in conduct which has left for the American roads a three-months' record of 1,481 collisions and 877 derailments. We surpass the Britons in every form of railway equipment—and simply overwhelm them in the work of smashing, killing, and maiming on the rail.—N. Y. World.
RATE AT WHICH INFANTS SHOULD GROW.
“An infant should double its weight in six months, and treble it in a year, provided it is a healthy child, and its nutrition is in every way satisfactory,” says a writer in the Journal of Hygiene. “If a child does not increase at the rate of one pound a month during the first year of life, and twelve ounces a month during the second year, its nutrition is not satisfactory. If a child does not grow nearly three-quarters of an inch every month during the first year of life, and half an inch a month during the second year of life, it is not satisfactory. The latter is, of course, not of the same importance as the former. Clearly, premature children would not be so large, tho they should increase at about the same ratio.”
LESSONS BY MAIL ON MEDICAL ELECTRICITY OR HOW TO USE THE BATTERY
By G. L. Abell
By Prof. G. L. Abell, Member of the Board of Directors of the Electro-Medical Society of San Francisco
Learn how to use the battery and treat yourself. Many diseases are quickly cured by the proper application of electricity. The course embraces the treatment of every organ and part of the body. The lessons are written in plain language and are illustrated. Course, five dollars. Send for circular. Address,
PROF. G. L. ABELL
School of Chemistry and Electro-Therapeutics, 36 Geary St., San Francisco, Cal.
PURE FOOD MAKES PURE BLOOD
PURE FOOD MILL
A mill that enables your cook to do the work of three mills on one combination mill, is up-to-date and economical. It grinds grains, makes nut butter, cuts up meats, figs, dates, pulverizes coffee, drugs, salt, etc.
Price $4.00
For circulars, terms, etc., address
W. T. DAWSON
308 Ottawa Street, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Also Memphis, Tennessee
I Can Sell Your Real Estate
By W. M. Ostrander
no matter where it is. Send description, state price and learn how. Est. ’96. Highest references. Offices in 14 cities. W. M. Ostrander, 1900 N. A. Bldg., Philadelphia.
THE NEW GOOD HEALTH BATH CABINET
ONLY $5
A portable appliance for stimulating the activity of the skin by hot vapor, causing profuse perspiration. Beneficial for “breaking up a cold,” “breaking chills,” relieving soreness of the muscles, rheumatism, inactivity of skin, diabetes, and disorders of the liver, kidneys, and other chronic ailments.
Full directions for use sent with each cabinet. Our cabinet is well made, and we guarantee satisfaction in every way.
THE NEW GOOD HEALTH BATH CABINET
Sold by the Good Health Publishing Company, is the only cabinet indorsed or used by the physicians of the Battle Creek Sanitarium. Order to-day.
Write for descriptive circulars with full information. Agents wanted to represent us.
GOOD HEALTH PUBLISHING CO.
Dept. A Battle Creek, Mich.
African Children of the Niger Region.
A GREAT MISSION IN CENTRAL AFRICA.
ONE of the most interesting and successful missions in Africa is that of the Church of England in Uganda, on the shores of the great inland sea, the Victoria Nyanza. It will be remembered that when Stanley first visited that region old King Mtesa was reigning. Stanley was so much attracted to him and his war-like, but intelligent and self-reliant, people that he made an appeal for missionaries for Uganda. The Church Missionary Society quickly responded and sent a force of men to Mtesa’s capital. It was a long, costly, and perilous journey by a caravan route of about eight hundred miles.
Mtesa was pleased at first with the missionaries and their teaching, but he was unstable, and his son, Mwanga, who succeeded him, was cruel and inclined to persecute the Christians. The mission was founded in blood, the noble bishop Hannington being one of the martyrs.
Now a railroad six hundred miles long has been completed from the coast to Uganda by the English Government, and a remarkable civilization is to be found where barbarism reigned not many years ago.
A more wonderful story of success of the Gospel in Africa has never been told than that which Bishop Tucker, of Uganda (Anglican), has to tell.
After sowing with patience and pain, in tears and blood, the reaping time for Uganda began about ten years ago. Then there were three hundred baptized Christians, now there are thirty thousand; then there were a few communicants, now there are ten thousand; then there were only twenty native evangelists, now there are two thousand. Then the name of Christ was known in Banyoro to the north, Busoga to the east, and Toro to the west, and missionaries of the infant church are also carrying the good news to the pygmies, among whom the first Christian baptism recently occurred.
There are also Christian schools and a press, and intelligence is being disseminated. The chiefs who a few years ago were worshiping the lubari, or spirits of the lake, and planning cruel wars, now carry on correspondence like statesmen by the use of the typewriter!
How was so great a work accomplished? Bishop Tucker says by self-extension, self-support, and self-government. The policy was in the beginning that the missionaries were to do nothing that the native preachers could do, to grant no money which the native Christians could raise, and to take no responsibility which could be laid upon the native churches. The work of the missionary was to train native evangelists and teachers; the latter were to do the rest.
Not a dollar of European money goes to support the two thousand native evangelists. The native Christians provide it. Natives build, support, repair the churches, and also the schools. Converts are from the first impressed with the sense of the duty, privilege, and responsibility of supporting and spreading the Gospel, and one in every five is doing some kind of work.
Self-support, in Bishop Tucker’s opinion, entitles to self-control. So in Uganda there is self-government.
Is there not a lesson in this Uganda history worth studying.—World Wide Missions.
LETTER FROM MEXICO
By George E. Henton
Editor Signs of the Times: The recent issue of the Signs containing Brother Jones' plea for funds for this field has just reached us, and you may be sure we are much interested in it. I am sure if those of our brethren who are in possession of surplus funds could but look upon the conditions we find here, and realize as we do that this country with its millions of inhabitants must be largely warned by the printed page, then, and only then, would they properly appreciate the fact that God had loaned them these means He is now calling upon them to place in mission funds.
I am strengthened in my opinion regarding the necessity of establishing the work here, by the united voice of our corps of laborers who have been here for a number of years. It is generally believed that the ordinary plans used in our home land are of but little practical use here. The grown people, so steeped in ignorance, vice, and Catholicism, can rarely be helped. And wherever any fruits are seen, or hopes of fruit felt, it is among the young children and youth. For many years the administration has been putting forth earnest efforts for better educational facilities. Schools are being established everywhere, and compulsory education laws have been passed. The young people take kindly to education, and seem eager to grasp anything along the lines which will raise them above the life of the peon. What better method could we employ than the establishment of a printing press on such a scale that it would be at once employment and a means toward learning methods of self-support, and what is far better, the truths of the Gospel?
We see a practical application of this thought among the different denominations. They find their greatest success along these lines. Where our Spanish paper is now printed, the Methodists employ nothing but Mexican help from the foreman down. Of course I do not think their work is beyond improvement, but I have been agreeably surprised at what they can be taught to do. As a rule, they readily fall into the habits of their employers. They may not so readily grasp all we do, but they are so grateful for employment, that they are usually ready to do all you ask of them.
Whenever employed they usually conform to all rules and regulations, and in this way we would hope to bring them under the influence of church and Sabbath school. Then it is not unreasonable to hope that our business might grow so large as to make13a night school necessary. And in this we could wield a greater influence over the young. These few reasons are only secondary to the great work before us—that of publishing present truth.
A few items may strengthen the interest of our people in this field: Mexico claims thirteen millions of people. Then there are the Spanish speaking countries lying south of us, and most easily reached from this country, whose millions (I have not the data at hand to state numbers) must also have the truth in their own tongue. In order that it may reach them in the idiom of the language it must be published in their country. Hence the importance of establishing an office here that will supply the great need.
We have a man who has spent five years in the study of the language, and is eminently fitted for the work of editing, and the translation of our books into Spanish; and with those already on the ground to set the machinery in motion, you can see how urgent is the plea.
We have seen some of the leadings of the Master already. Had the money been at hand we could have purchased a plant admirably suited to our needs, nearly new, and complete as far as printing goes, at less than half the cost. With the addition of bindery and foundery we would be in a position to turn out complete books in the excellent style and finish of our literature. Does not this stir you to contribute, and thus share in the work outlined above?
The writer never before so longed for ready means of his own. The plant would surely have been purchased, and the Lord and His people trusted for the rest. I have reason to believe that there are those upon the Pacific coast alone who could individually furnish sufficient to start this work off. And I believe with such commercial work as we could obtain without detriment to the message, we could make the publishing work self-supporting. And yet, if after our best efforts we found it impossible, who would say withdraw, and abandon the field? No one, I am sure.
So, while we are thankful for the donations already reported, we trust that others will come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty, and enable us to get the plant we need and begin in earnest the publishing work in this great Republic.
Fully believing that the Lord can and will move upon the hearts of a sufficient number of His people to meet this demand, we are confidently trusting Him. And while we may not be able to secure the office mentioned above, yet our God is abundantly able, and what we finally have to pay more must serve as a penalty for being dilatory. And He may have other openings in store. Who knows? Yours in the hope of His soon coming kingdom, GEO. E. HENTON.
NATIVE TRIBES OF SOUTH AFRICA.
THE native tribes in South Africa are the Hottentots, Bushmen, and the various Bantu or Kafir tribes. The word Hottentot is a foreign term, and the people to whom it is applied call themselves “Khoi Khoin,” which means “Men of Men.” They are yellowish brown in color, under medium height. They generally live in small communities in kraals, or villages, in huts of wickerwork covered with reed and grass mats. They practise polygamy, believe in ghosts and witchcraft, and have a form of ancestor worship.
The Bushmen are pygmies, about four feet in height, and resemble the Hottentots in many respects. They are a race of hunters.
The word “Bantu” means “people.” The Bantu vary from black to brown in color, and comprise all the Kafir and Zulu tribes of South and Central Africa. They have a belief in departed spirits and spiritual agencies, chiefly evil, whom they seek to propitiate by sacrifices. The detection of so-called witchcraft is practised by a host of witch-doctors, and is the cause of great cruelty and injustice. Those declared guilty have their property confiscated, and are put to death by torture. Wives are purchased with cattle, and vary in number according to buying power of purchaser.
HOW TO PRAISE.
By Margaret E. Sangster
Out of our pain and struggle,
Up from our grief and dole,
We are swift to cry to the Healer
For the touch that makes us whole.
Alas! we are not so ready,
In the day of our joy and crown,
With the palms and the fragrant incense
Laid at His altar down.
And how it must grieve the Master,
That His own are so slow to praise,
In the flush of their peace and gladness,
The goodness which brims the days!
—Margaret E. Sangster.
EDUCATION IN GIRL'S MISSION SCHOOLS IN AFRICA.
THE object in a mission school is to send out a girl educated above, but not away from, her people. Accordingly she is generally kept in touch with her home surroundings, by practising in school the characteristic household duties which she will perform all her life.
In South Africa the Zulu girls, who have been accustomed to open-air life, would pine in the school-room, were it not for the trees to be planted and the garden-digging to be done.
This story is told by Bishop Crowther:—
At Bonney, in the Niger Mission, it was agreed by the chiefs that £2 a year should be paid for each boy and girl that attended the school. When the time came, the chiefs objected to paying for the girls, as they could not afterward earn money like the boys. The Bishop himself then agreed to pay for the girls, who were trained to read, sew, knit, and make bread.
A certain day came when the chiefs were entertained, and Miss Susan Jumbo, daughter of Oleo Jumbo, made the bread, which her father praised without knowing who had made it. When informed, he was greatly pleased; and from that time native scruples as to the utility of investing money in the education of girls disappeared in that mission.
Pitcairn II.
By Editor
We congratulate our friends of Pitcairn Island on the completion of their new boat, “Pitcairn No. 2.” Brother L. A. Roth of Papeete, Tahiti (to whom we return our thanks), sends a photograph from which the accompanying illustration is made. On the back of the photo is the following: “Pitcairn No. 2 arrived at (from?) Pitcairn and Manga Riva safe.” The little vessel is a fifteen-ton cutter furnished by the English Government. She will ply between Pitcairn Island and Tahiti, a distance of about 1,400 miles, by the way of Manga Riva of the Gambier group. This will give our brethren and sisters and friends on Pitcairn Island more regular and certain connection with the great trade and mail routes of the Pacific. We get anxious at times when we do not hear from them for months, and they must be a little lonesome. May God bless them, and bless the little vessel, Pitcairn II. May she indeed be a Gospel messenger, ever freighted with spiritual blessings to the needy; and may she be so used as to prove not only a blessing to the Pitcairn Islanders, but to all where her influence may extend.
OUR WORK AND WORKERS.
A CAMP-MEETING for the southwestern part of Iowa will be held at Carbon, Adams County, September 30 to October 5.
THAT August temperance issue of the Life Boat reached a circulation of 50,000, just double the circulation of the June “special.”
DR. J. E. CALDWELL, who returned during the summer from the South Sea Islands, has connected with the new sanitarium enterprise at Graysville, Tenn.
THREE general meetings are appointed for Montana Conference this fall: At Hamilton, October 3-12; Great Falls, October 31 to November 9, and Red Lodge, November 11-17.
THE church-school in this city was opened for the second year on the 15th ult., with 85 pupils. One week later the attendance was 97. Prof. U. T. Cady is principal, with Miss Luella Reed and Mrs. P. Castle as assistants.
MEETINGS held at Plains, Mont., by Brethren R. D. Quinn and W. D. Emery, have resulted in the baptism of eleven persons. A deep interest is reported in the community, and a new house of worship is under consideration.
ALL the Sabbath-schools in Montana are to have ingathering service November 22. The children are being encouraged to earn their own donations, if possible. The object of the donations is the Matabele Mission, South Africa.
THE recent camp-meeting at Helena, Mont., tho not large, is noted as of great influence for good to all present. Seven candidates were baptized at the close of the meeting. The West Side Christian Church was used for the occasion.
THE Des Moines, Iowa, church-school was opened for its fifth year's work on the 15th ult., with Miss Nellie Countryman in charge. The church-school question is now more than ever an urgent issue since compulsory education is a State law.
BROTHER W. H. WAKEHAM, one of Ohio's well-known laborers, accompanied by his family, goes to Egypt this fall, to enter permanently upon the work in that historic field. Sister Nellie Stevens, also of that State, goes to Canada, to engage in Bible work.
“STEPS TO CHRIST,” by Mrs. E. G. White, is printed in eighteen different languages, and has been commended by leading men of all Christian denominations. Price, cloth, 60 cents. Address any Seventh-day Adventist publishing house or tract society.
THE tenth year of Walla Walla (Wash.) College was opened September 3, with 119 students. A new feature of the school is the model church school, comprising grades one to six. There were 39 scholars the first day. Prof. C. C. Lewis, formerly of Keene (Texas) Academy, is now in charge of the College, and Mrs. Lewis has charge of the model church school.
At the Iowa Conference session, recently held in connection with the camp-meeting at Ames, it was stated by the president that fifteen laborers had been sent abroad during the year, and eighteen had taken up self-supporting work. Four new churches were added to the conference. Brother L. F. Starr was re-elected president, and Brother L. F. Trukey was elected vice-president.
OHIO CONFERENCE has nine tent companies in the field. At its recent annual session the following persons were ordained to the Gospel ministry: M. C. Kirkendall, N. W. Lawrence, J. O. Miller, C. C. Webster, F. M. Fairchild, W. H. Granger. Officers of the conference were elected as follows: President, H. H. Burkholder; vice-president, D. E. Lindsey; missionary secretary, N. S. Miller; auditor, W. H. Edwards; State canvassing agent, G. P. Gaede.
A WRETCHED home is a greater curse than a saloon, a brothel, or a gambling den; for it promotes the business of them all. Every home was intended by God to be a small edition of heaven on earth. We must have better homes before we can have better churches, better institutions, and better communities. The October number of the Life Boat will be a special Home and Purity number, and will be for that cause what the August number was to the temperance cause. Some of the greatest workers in these lines will contribute their choicest thoughts for this number. Many of those who have made the greatest failure in home making will take fresh courage as they study the simple principles underlying true home making and as they read the inspiring accounts of how God has transformed other homes.
Order at once, at 2 cents per copy, a liberal supply for personal distribution, and send us in addition the names and addresses of all the homes within the range of your acquaintanceship, with a two cent stamp for each, of those you feel impressed should receive it, and we will send them all a copy, and then pray that God may use it to speak to that family. Address the Life Boat, 28, 33rd Place, Chicago. DAVID PAULSON, M.D.
OPENING OF THE GERMAN DEPARTMENT OF WALLA WALLA COLLEGE.
By C. C. Lewis
The German Department of the Walla Walla College will open Wednesday, Oct. 1, with Pastor H. J. Schnepper as teacher. Classes will be organized in reading, writing, spelling, grammar, history, Bible, and rhetoric, as the needs of the students who are present may require. We trust our German brethren throughout the Northwest will give this department their hearty co-operation and support, and that they will send us as students, a goodly number of young men and women, also of older persons, who can be fitted in a short time for acceptable service in the Master's cause among the German population of this Northwestern country. Those who desire further information concerning this department may correspond with the undersigned, or with Pastor Schnepper at College Place, Wash.
C. C. LEWIS, Pres.
REDUCTION OF FARE FOR FRESNO CAMP-MEETING.
By M. H. Brown
To secure reduction of fare in attending the camp-meeting, the following instructions and conditions must be carried out:
1. Tickets for Fresno may be purchased now at any time, and tickets for returning must be bought not later than October 14.
2. A certificate, or receipt for your money, must be secured from the agent of whom you purchase your ticket.
3. All certificates and receipts must be signed on the camp-ground by the conference secretary, M. H. Brown, before you start for home. You can then purchase your return ticket at one-third the regular fare by presenting your certificate or receipt to the agent.
4. There must be fifty buying tickets to the meeting over any railroad in order to secure the reduction over that road.
Directions for Reaching the Fresno Camp-Meeting.
All who come from the north by way of Stockton with teams, will find better roads if they come from Stockton to Oakdale and on to Merced by Hopeton Bridge. From Merced to Fresno the road is good, but along the S. P. Railroad between Merced and Modesto, the road is quite sandy much of the way, and tho it is the most direct route, loaded teams especially will find the Oakdale road preferable.
On nearing Fresno, all teams from the north will keep the wagon road east, after crossing the S. P. Railroad till they reach the camp, which is in the northern part of Fresno.
On reaching Fresno by rail, take the street-cars for the camp-ground. Those coming over the Southern Pacific will find the street-car service the most direct to the camp-ground. We hope the electric cars will be in operation before the meeting closes, but at present only horse cars are used. The location of the camp-ground is on the corner of Blackstone and Belmont avenues; the cars run to the corner of the grounds.
Baggage will be transferred by our people who are in the business here. Give your checks to those only who have the words, “Camp Ground” on their hats. We are sure of quick and Christian service in handling the baggage.
All the principal trains of the day will be met, and night trains if notice is given in advance.
All communications relative to these matters should be addressed to H. G. Thurston, Fresno, Cal.
Tents.
Tents will be rented for the Fresno camp-meeting as follows: 10X12, $2.50; fly, 50 cts; burlap, 50 cts. 12X17, $3.50; fly, 75 cts; burlap, 75 cts; double wire springs, 75 cts; three-fourths wire springs, 60 cts.
Please order at once. M. H. BROWN.
Living by Faith
“Living by Faith.” (Spanish.) A translation of Bible Students’ Library No. 75; 16 pp.; price, 2 cents. Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO., Oakland, Cal.
WALLA WALLA COLLEGE
Is A Training School for young men and women who have a Purpose in Life and who desire to fill useful positions. Practical, Thorough Courses, giving a Well-Rounded Education, are offered to Ministers, Bible-Workers, Teachers, Medical Missionaries, Commercial Students, and Canvassers.
Short Courses in Medical Missionary Work, Canvassing, and Methods of Labor, are offered during the winter, for the benefit of those already in the work.
The Scientific and Literary Courses embrace all the features of a Liberal Education, and young people are advised to choose one of these.
The College Year began Sept. 3, 1902, and ends May 12, 1903. For information address, Walla Walla College, College Place, Wash.
