Earlier text: The December Number of Life and HealthMRS. E. G. WHITE
By Ellen G. White
The Work in Oakland and San Francisco — No. 1
EVER since the close of the camp-meeting held at Oakland, Cal., July 19-29, 1906, aggressive labor has been put forth in that city. For a time, the large tent and about twenty of the family tents were left standing, to accommodate the workers that remained. Elder S. N. Haskell, assisted by Elder E. J. Hibbard, had charge of the company of laborers. Sabbath and Sunday, August 18 and 19, I spent in Oakland. The meetings were still in progress. Elder and Mrs. Haskell were conducting Bible studies in the forenoons, and in the afternoons the workers in training were going out and visiting from house to house. These missionary visits, and the sale of many books and periodicals, opened the way for the holding of Bible readings. About forty men and women were attending the morning classes, and a goodly number of these students engaged in the afternoon work. While in Oakland, I had the privilege of speaking to these workers, and to our brethren and sisters from the Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, and San Francisco churches. All assembled in the large tent for a union service. The Lord gave me freedom in the presentation of truth. The labors of Elder and Mrs. Haskell have been greatly blessed of God. One day a woman, a stranger, slipped two coins into Sister Haskell’s hand. Sister Haskell thought them to be two twenty-five-cent pieces, but when she looked, she saw that they were twenty-dollar gold pieces. Sister Haskell asked the stranger if she had not made a mistake, but she replied that she had not. The woman refused to give her name, but it has since been learned that she is not of our people. A few days later, our brethren were obliged to vacate the place they had been occupying with the tents, as a circus was coming to occupy the grounds. Friday, August 31, I made another trip to Oakland. As the large tent had been taken down, our people secured the use of the Congregational church, corner Eighteenth and Market Streets, for our Sabbath services. A few months ago our own church building in Oakland was sold, and our brethren and sisters are meeting in this rented church until some more permanent arrangement can be made. On Sabbath morning Elder Haskell spoke in the Laguna Street church in San Francisco—the church that was not destroyed by the earthquake; Elder Hibbard spoke in Oakland, others in Alameda and Berkeley. In all these churches the appointment was given out that I would speak in the afternoon. When I reached the church, I found the room crowded. I felt impressed to urge upon all our people present the necessity of taking a decided interest in working Oakland. We must not allow the enemy to come in and sow his tares among the precious seeds of truth that have already been sown. There are many religious movements, many “isms,” but Christ will identify himself with the needy souls who are seeking after truth. We need true workers,—workers whose hearts and minds are imbued with the truth, workers who will act a part in bringing the truth to other minds. Every Christian should be a missionary, working for the salvation of souls. The children in our families need thorough instruction in the Bible. Let every soul put his talent of means, and his talent of speech, into the service of God. We are not to condemn others, but we must win them to a knowledge of the truth. Because of the importance of this work, I have urged that Elder Haskell and his wife, as ministers of God, shall give Bible instruction to those who will offer themselves for service. God will use humble men. He will make of every consecrated man a light-bearing Christian. Not the most eloquent in speech, not those who are the best versed in so-called theology, are always the most successful, but those who will work diligently and humbly for the Master. The blessing of God rests upon those who are meek and lowly,—upon those who have the faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Before the close of the discourse, I asked all to arise who would stand faithfully by Elder Haskell and his wife, by Elder Hibbard, and by those who were laboring with them. I urged the brethren and sisters to consider that now is the opportune time to work Oakland, and that to every man is given his work. I asked, “How many will pledge themselves to be in earnest in this work?” The whole congregation responded by rising, and we were encouraged to hope that much good would be accomplished by their united efforts. On Sunday afternoon, I spoke again to our people assembled in the Congregational church. A short time later, a vacant lot was found in a good residence district; and here a large tent and several smaller tents were pitched. The Bible training-school was continued daily, and evening services were held. During the month of September I made two more visits to Oakland, speaking to our people in the Congregational church each time, and also speaking in the tent. I have felt stirred with an intense desire to do all in my power to encourage the faithful workers in Oakland, as I have realized that many souls in this city and in near-by cities are in great peril. Satan is doing all in his power to make of no effect the merciful warnings of Jehovah. Notwithstanding the heavy judgments of God, the wickedness in San Francisco and in Oakland is increasing. Thursday, October 18, I visited Oakland for the fifth time since the close of the July camp-meeting. The California Conference had just perfected all arrangements for beginning a series of tent-meetings in the very heart of the city, on Broadway, half a block south of the post-office. Elder Wm. W. Simpson is bearing a large share of the burden of these meetings, and is doing everything in his power to present the third angel’s message in such a manner that all who hear may understand that the Bible lies at the foundation of all his statements. His strongest arguments are based on the plain words of the Old and New Testaments. Brother Simpson’s first meeting was held in the First Congregational church, corner Twelfth and Clay Streets, Thursday evening, the eighteenth. An intelligent class of people listened attentively for a full hour, as he spoke on the Millennium. Friday evening his first meeting was held in the large tent. The attendance was good. Saturday night the attendance was considerably larger, and many for the first time listened to an exposition of the first two chapters of Daniel. These evening discourses have been continued regularly, and the attendance8 is reported to be on the increase. Brother Simpson dwells especially on the significance of the prophecies in the books of Daniel and the Revelation. By means of ingeniously contrived charts and symbolic representations, he holds the attention of the people, while he endeavors to preach the word. Through this effort hundreds will be led to a better understanding of the Bible than they ever had before, and we trust that there will be many conversions. Those who attend his lectures and are not converted, must practically reject the Word of God. Elder Haskell and his wife, with some helpers, have just opened a Bible training-school in San Francisco, with headquarters at the Laguna Street church. The Lord blessed their efforts in Oakland, and they helped lay the foundation for a broad work to be carried forward in that city. Now, they enter San Francisco to do a similar work. From town to town, from city to city, from country to country, the warning message of present truth is to be proclaimed, not with outward display, but in the power of the Spirit, by men of faith. In the golden censer of truth, as presented in the Scriptures, there is that which will convict and convert souls. As the truth that our Saviour came to this world to proclaim, is presented in the simplicity of the gospel, the power of the message will make itself felt. In this age, a new life coming from the Source of all life is to take possession of every faithful laborer. O, how little do we comprehend the breadth of our mission! We need to have earnest, determined faith, and unshaken courage in the Lord. Our time to work is short, and we are to labor with unflagging zeal. An Important Question
By C. D. M. Williams
“WHAT shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” We all love to think of the grace of God, and wonder that he could so love the world as to give his only begotten Son to save us. This has filled the world with astonishment, and around it cluster the hearts of the Christian people. Upon the thought of God’s love, his forbearance, his long-suffering, Christians have come to dwell so fully that they continually say, “God will forgive if I do make a mistake. He ‘so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.’ I believe; so he will forgive me my shortcomings, and finally in his own good time I shall come to be what he wants me to be; so, although I know that I am not what he wants me to be now, finally I shall be saved. His grace is abundant, so I know that he will forgive me now for these little things.” But the Word of God says, “What shall we say then?” Is this the thing that we shall say? The Lord would have us consider the answer carefully; for he says, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” His grace is abundant, he is long-suffering, he does love; but shall we continue in sin, that this may be so? This is the question that the Lord asks, and most forcible is his answer: “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” First, God forbids such a course in life; therefore as a commandment-keeping people we must not do this; for if we do, we cease to be a commandment-keeping people, and are no longer to be numbered with the saints. Second, “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Is it possible for one who is dead to anything to do that thing? The very fact of his doing it shows that he is not dead to it. Therefore, what shall we say, brethren? Shall we continue in sin? Is it not time for every soul of us to lay aside every weight and sin, even though it has in the past easily beset us? Is not the inheritance reserved for those who are kept by the power of God? Before his translation, Enoch had the testimony that he pleased God; and as he is a representative of those who will be translated when the Lord comes, is it not time that we separate ourselves from all sin, and come out and walk with God in such a way that we may also have this testimony that we please God? One More Victory
By W. S. Ritchie
“In all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin,” is the statement of the Sacred Word regarding our Saviour’s life in human flesh. Let us study, then, the temptations that came to him. First, he was tempted on appetite: “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” That is where we all begin the battle with temptation. The church of God has had to struggle there, and thank God, has come off victorious. Let us hold fast the victories we have gained. Next came to our Saviour the temptation of presumption. “Cast yourself down,” the tempter said. Has not God given his angels charge concerning you to bear you up? Here in the sacred precincts of the temple, surely he will allow no harm to come to you even if you depart somewhat from the written word and launch out into space. How exhilarating it will be to find yourself borne through the air, overcoming the natural law of gravitation to which you have so long been subject. The church has had its experience here, too. It has been tempted with false theories and speculations, to accept which would have been like walking off into the air. But, thank God, the church has again gotten the victory. But there still remains another temptation; and can we say that the people of God have gotten a complete victory over it? If so, then the work is about to be finished, for it is the last temptation and trial that is to come to the children of the kingdom to fit them for their return home. The glory and riches of the kingdom of this world were as a crowning temptation held out to our Elder Brother. What charming scenes of riches and glory passed before his vision as the satanic moving pictures merged one into another in the bewitchery of the deceitfulness of riches. Our Saviour seemed for the first time fully to recognize in this temptation who it was that was seeking to lead him astray, for he addressed the enemy directly, “Get thee behind me, Satan.” And the great deceiver, being fully discovered in this his last temptation, and having no other temptation by which he might hope to achieve success, departed from the Saviour, leaving him exhausted, but victorious. Is it not significant that there should be so much pertaining to financial affairs in the closing up of the work of God on earth? Is it not to give his people an opportunity to become victorious over this last great temptation of earthly riches that the many openings to invest means in the cause appear around us? The church of God, following its Saviour, must be wholly victorious here also. Its means will be consecrated and laid upon the altar. The deceptive inventions of the enemy as he presents to us the desirability of retaining them will be fully discovered. The veil will fall from our eyes in this temptation more than in all the others; and we shall be victorious, though exhausted; and the holy angels will come and minister to us, and the work will close with the power and glory and love they bring to us. The Sunday Crusade in Canada
By H. I. Morse-Farnum
An idea of the aims and the actuating spirit of the Lord’s Day Alliance of Canada may be obtained from a few of the statements of one of its representatives, Rev. T. Albert Moore, given in a recent address at Peterboro, Ontario. The following were some of his most striking utterances:— “A ‘nation’s progress depends upon the observance of Sunday. We Canadians have much to be proud of as we now have the strongest and best Sunday law of any country in the world. Let us hand down to posterity this great boon—a sacred regard for the Sabbath—which has been handed down from generation to generation until it is our own. Since the Lord’s Day Alliance has conquered in the late legislative fight, what is our present work? Answer.— To arouse public sentiment, for without it laws are not worth the paper they are written on. “Public sentiment is a mighty power, as the following incident shows: A certain member of Parliament was opposed to the Sunday bill; but I arranged with persons of his constituency to write fifty letters the next week urging him to represent9 them by a zealous support of the Sunday bill. Subsequent acknowledgment proved that his constituency had been a compelling force. “It is saying much for Canada that the socialists of France sent over here to the Canadian Lord’s Day Alliance for points and for counsel as to Sunday legislation, and we responded liberally.” At the conclusion of Mr. Moore’s address, while responding to a vote of thanks, he added the following:— “There is cause for congratulation that our strong Sunday law contains no exemption clause for those who claim to observe another day.” This finale of the lecture reveals intolerance, and is a fitting forecast of the religious persecution contemplated by that Alliance which Mr. Moore represents. Yet it was evident that the greater portion of his audience accepted the sophistry as logic, the assertions and alleged coincidences as evidence and proof, and the whole scheme as an outgrowth of true Christian zeal; so dependent are the majority in this land upon the dictum of religious overseers, who are paid for supposed Biblical research. Few, indeed, are searching for truth as for hid treasures, to know the revealed will of God and the strait and narrow way to eternal life. The persecuting mantle of the “beast” is falling upon its “image.” Rev. 13:11, 12. Obedience is the highest form of worship. The counterfeit sabbath being an institution of the papacy (the beast power), compulsory conformity thereto is compulsory worship of the “beast” and his “image;” hence the relevancy of the third angel’s warning message which is now encircling the world. The harvest of earth is almost ripe, and gleams of eternity’s morning brightens. Rev. 14:9, 10, 18. Our Greatest Needs
By H. J. Farman
No doubt in God's sight all his people are very needy; but to the writer's mind there are four things that we are especially in need of in a greater measure; namely, more of Christ, the Holy Spirit, faith, and love. The reason for this conclusion is because of a personal knowledge of a personal need. Of the first, Christ said: “For apart from me ye can do nothing.” Without Christ we are as helpless as babes to do any good thing. In this connection Christ is speaking of our bearing fruit as Christians. He says: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch can not bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me.” Therefore apart from Christ all our efforts to win souls to him are fruitless. But he says: “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” What a blessed promise to the faithful laborer! “Ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” This must be understood in the light of his promises and our faith. “And this is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.” 1 John 5:14, 15. There are two other conditions to be complied with before confidence can be assured to the individual; namely, a clean heart and obedience to all God's commandments. “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God; and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.” 1 John 3:21, 22. The one thing that will please him most is our abiding in him and bearing much fruit. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and so shall ye be my disciples.” John 15:8. “And he that keepeth his commandments abideth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he gave us.” 1 John 3:24. Of the second, the Holy Spirit, we are told: “If any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Rom. 8:9. Therefore the measure of the Holy Spirit which we possess, is the measure of Christ which we have, and vice versa. I do not mean that we are entirely without the Holy Spirit, by any means; but that we have too little of it is apparent. This, however, is not God's will concerning us, for he says he “hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” and that we are to “be filled with the Spirit.” Eph. 1:3; 5:18. Having been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ, and commanded to be filled with the Spirit, he further encourages us with this blessed promise: “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being grounded in love, may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God.” Eph. 3:16-19. To be thus “filled unto all the fulness of God,” means the receiving of all the power which the Holy Spirit has promised by the mouth of all the prophets, apostles, and the Lord Jesus. His closing promise was and is: “All authority [“all power,” A. V.] hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” “And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high.” Matt. 28:19, 20; Luke 24:49. This thought of heavenly power to carry forward the gospel of Christ was again emphasized while the disciples were waiting for the fulfilment of the promise. Acts 1:5. “But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Verse 8. When the Holy Spirit's power did come as recorded in the second chapter of Acts, great was the fruit borne. We read: “They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls.” Neither did they backslide: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need. And day by day continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved.” Verses 41-47. Soon the number of male believers was “about five thousand.” Chapter 4:4. Neither did the work stop here: “And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.” “Now in these days, when the number of disciples was multiplying. . . . And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly: and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.” Chap. 5:14; 6:1, 7. The power of the Spirit, accompanying the preaching of the word by the disciples in their day, enabled them to carry the good news to every creature under heaven. Please read carefully Rom. 10:16, 17 with Col. 1:6, 23. So it is to be with this great advent message that began to be proclaimed prior to 1844, as described in Rev. 10:1-7, and is to close with great power, or authority, as set forth in Rev. 18:1-4, in this generation. The real cause of our limited power doubtless is because of a lack of unity as prayed for by the Saviour in John 17:20-22, and experienced by the disciples at Pentecost. But this must be attained to by the remnant church. 1 Cor. 1:10; Rev. 12:17; 14:12. That which hinders the unity of believers will be considered in the next article. Satan Cannot Roof Us In
By J. Hudson Taylor
SATAN the hinderer may build a barrier about us, but he can never roof us in, so that we can not look up.—J. Hudson Taylor. MRS. E. J. S. KEEN
By Mrs. E. J. S. Keen
IDLE in the morning, unsown the seeds
of kindness,
Idle in the noontide and the dewy eve;
Soon will come the harvest and the time
of reaping;
Canst thou come rejoicing with no
golden sheaves? Idle in the sunshine, idle in the shadow,
Dreading threat'ning clouds and win-
ter's chilling breeze;
By and by the harvest and probation
ended;
Canst thou come rejoicing with no
golden sheaves? Then go forth, though weeping, toiling
for the Master,
While a few short hours the Lord in
mercy leaves;
Then to heaven's mansions he will bid
us welcome;
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in
the sheaves. The Cooking Class
By F. O. Raymond
Composition of the Human Body
As we learn the wonders of our human frame, we are led with the psalmist to exclaim, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” Ps. 139: 14, 17. Professor Atwater, the chemist, finds the average man of 148 pounds to be made up of— |
POUNDS |
|
POUNDS |
|---|
| Oxygen |
92.40 |
Potassium |
.34 |
| Carbon |
31.30 |
Sulphur |
.24 |
| Hydrogen |
14.60 |
Chlorin |
.12 |
| Nitrogen |
4.60 |
Sodium |
.12 |
| Calcium |
2.80 |
Iron |
.02 |
| Phosphorus |
1.40 |
Fluorine |
.02 |
Into this wonderful organism of inanimate atoms, God breathed the breath of life, and man became a living soul, henceforth to live, not by virtue of his own inherent life, but because constantly supplied from that one great Source of all life, “for with thee is the fountain of life.” Ps. 36: 9. “Not only is he the originator of all, but he is the life of everything that lives. It is his life that we receive in the sunshine, in the pure, sweet air, in the food which builds up our bodies and sustains our strength. It is by his life that we exist, hour by hour, moment by moment.”—“Education,” pages 197, 198. In the natural products of the earth an all-wise Creator has placed all the elements necessary for the growth and repair of our bodies and the maintenance of normal heat and strength. These elements of nutrition are for convenience divided into four great classes, or groups,—the proteids, the carbohydrates, the fats, and the mineral salts. The proteids include albumen, gluten, casein, and fibrin. These, also known as albuminoids, or nitrogenous elements, are similar in that all perform the same office in the body,—that of building and repairing living tissues—the muscles, skin, brain, nerves, etc. The carbohydrates include all starches and sugars, also the indigestible cellulose, or woody fiber, of our food. From two thirds to three fourths of all the food we eat is some form of starch. Natural sugar is really only so much digested starch. Upon these substances we depend mainly for our daily supply of strength for life’s duties. The cellulose, though indigestible, is useful, not only for bulk, but also to stimulate peristaltic activity of the stomach and bowels. The fats and oils by their oxidation in the body are really the fuel which keeps us warm, though the carbohydrates and other elements also contribute to the same end. Because starch, sugar, and fat all contain a very large percentage of carbon, they are by some authors designated as the carbonaceous elements. The mineral salts include combinations of calcium, phosphorus, chlorin, sodium, iron, sulphur, and other substances entering into the composition of bones, teeth, muscles, nerves, blood, indeed into every tissue of the body. Though important, these are all supplied in comparatively small quantities. In future lessons we shall make a careful study of each and every one of these food elements. Pettijohn with Cream
Poached Eggs on Toast
Potato Balls
Corn Puffs Bread
Apples Stewed Pears Pettijohn’s Breakfast Food
Into the inner cup of a double boiler pour one quart of water, salt to taste, and when boiling introduce one-half quart of the flakes. Boil until the porridge is thickened or “set,” then place in the outer cup of the boiler (also supplied with boiling water) and cook for at least an hour without stirring. Serve with cream. Pettijohn, Quaker oats, and similar preparations are better cooked for several hours, and we would recommend starting the same on the afternoon of the previous day. In the morning simply set on the stove to reheat. Take light bread, preferably twenty-four hours old, of a nice spongy texture, cut into uniform slices about three fourths of an inch thick, and place in large pans in a cool oven to dry out before it begins to brown. At first the slices (or half slices) will show a tendency to curl, which may be corrected by turning them several times. After about thirty minutes slightly increase the heat, and the bread will toast to a light brown through and through. Zwieback thus made is the basis of all our sanitarium toasts. It is perhaps the most valuable of all our cereal health foods, yet easily prepared in any home. Upon a slice of the zwieback moistened with hot milk or cream, place a nice soft-poached egg, and serve hot. Take cold nicely mashed potato, seasoned with salt and cream or a lump of butter, and perhaps a little grated onion, form into flattened balls, or patties, dip first into beaten egg, then into toasted bread crumbs, place upon oiled pie tins and brown in the oven. Take 1 pint milk, 2 eggs (separated), 1½ cups corn-meal, 1½ cups white flour, and ½ teaspoonful salt; put milk, egg yolks, and salt into a crock or basin, then sift in the corn-meal and most of the white flour, and with a wire beater (the flat spoon-shaped egg whip is very convenient) whip in as much air as possible. After beating for perhaps five minutes, add remainder of flour, fold in the beaten egg whites, pour into an oiled gem pan, and bake in a rather quick oven for about forty minutes, or until well browned and crusted on bottom and sides. Puffs with large holes or tubes indicate too hot an oven, or possibly too thin a batter. The batter should be quite thick, yet thin enough to flow freely as poured into the gem irons, of which the cast-iron variety is most satisfactory. These puffs, light and well baked, are greatly appreciated as a wholesome warm bread for breakfast. The above menu is intended as a liberal, carefully prepared, nutritious breakfast, suited to the requirements of varied conditions and tastes of the different members of the family. The grain preparations are rich in carbohydrates and mineral salts, the cream and eggs in fat and proteid, potatoes are twenty per cent starch, and the fruits supply natural sugars and acids. From the menu one might select an excellent fruit breakfast of porridge, toast, bread, and fruit, or a vegetable breakfast of toast, potato balls, puffs, and cream. A simple meal of three or four well-selected dishes is far better for one than a greater variety at one time, but let there be a change from meal to meal. NOTHING on the earth is more beautiful than a Christian home. No place on the globe is so near to the gate of heaven. It may be in the country or in the city; it may be in a cabin or in a palace; the structure matters not if the souls that dwell there are in Christ. Father, mother, sons, and daughters, living in peace and harmony, bound together, not by outward constraint or artificial ties, but by the bond of love, all acknowledging allegiance to one God, and serving him in sincerity and truth—such a home is a blessing to the community and to the world. It is worth more than the largest factory, the most flourishing commercial house, or the best college. Out from this home will shine a light more bright, more warm and beautiful, than the light of the sun, and it may penetrate to the ends of the earth. If every home where Christ is named were truly and altogether a Christian home, the problem of the evangelization of the city and the reformation of society and the conversion of the world would be a simple problem. This leaven would soon leaven the whole lump. Many homes are divided. Christ has a foothold in them, but is crowded into a narrow corner. In one home the wife is a Christian, while the husband is an infidel or an atheist or an agnostic. Why will Christian women marry unbelievers? It is easy to understand why an atheist or an infidel will seek a Christian woman for his wife. He knows she is the best kind of woman and will make the best kind of wife. He does not want one of his own kind. But why a Christian woman will give her hand and heart to one who does not believe in God nor live a life of prayer, to live together with him till death shall part them, is hard to understand. In this home there is no prayer, except the secret, silent prayers which the Christian wife offers with a heavy heart. The Bible may be hid away lest the sight of it should kindle the wrath of the man who hates it. No Christian minister is welcome in that home. In one such home the sons and daughters all grew up without God, although their mother was a Christian, and it may well be believed that they all died without hope. In another home the husband does not oppose religion, but he is utterly indifferent with regard to it. He says: “The Bible is a good book, the church is a good institution, and religion is a good thing. I never hinder my family from going to church, but as for me, I have no personal interest in it.” But he does hinder his family by his example. He is a tremendous stumbling-block. If that Christian wife goes to church, she goes alone, sadly thinking of the awful chasm which separates her and her husband. For the most part she does not go at all. This is what her minister has heard her say: “I should like to be at church every Sunday and at prayer-meeting every week, but my husband is not a Christian. He does not oppose me in my religion, but Sunday is the only day he has at home, and when I leave him, he is so lonesome, and the day is so dull, that I feel called upon to stay with him and make the day and the home as pleasant to him as possible.” Can it be expected that children brought up in this home will become Christians? Nay, rather the Christian wife may lose her faith and hope in such an atmosphere ere she is aware of it. It is a sad thing when the head of the house is an unbeliever, a scoffer, or utterly indifferent to the claims of religion. Some Christian parents are skeptical about the conversion of children. They discourage their own children from seeking the Lord when their tender hearts are touched by the Spirit of the Lord. They say the children are too young. They do not understand what they are doing. Wait till they are older. This pernicious sentiment has been used with deadly effect by the enemy of souls. Many children have been hindered by their own parents when they earnestly desired to seek the Lord, and afterward when the parents longed to have them come into the kingdom, they had no such desire. If parents knew how much evil their children would escape by seeking the Lord in the morning of life, surely they would not rest day nor night until they should lead them all to Christ. It is the duty and privilege of every man who enters into the kingdom of God to take all his family with him. How old must a child be before he should be encouraged to seek the Lord? Some children are older at five than others are at ten. But this much is certain: as soon as a child begins to feel his need of Christ, let no time be lost in leading him to Christ. As soon as children feel that hungering and thirsting after God, which young people brought up in a Christian home are sure to feel keenly at a very early age, lead them at once to the fountain of living waters. But they are too young to understand what they are doing, says one. Fear not. Dr. Watkinson beautifully says: “Children can not understand botany, but they can enjoy the beauty and fragrance of the lily. They can not understand the deep things of theology, but they can enjoy the love of God.” There will come a time when the child must choose for itself. Be watchful when that time comes. See to it that Satan does not take advantage of that crisal day when you are asleep. The spiritual life begins easily and beautifully in the soul of a young child. The bud of grace is already in his heart before he knows his right hand from his left. Teach him not to crush it, and it will open before the atmosphere of a Christian home as the rose will open before the breath of spring. The flame of grace is already in his heart before he can speak one articulate word or think one intelligent thought. Teach him not to quench it, and it will burn brighter and clearer there than in the soul of a converted prodigal. This is the Lord’s way of raising up a holy seed in the world and filling the whole earth with the knowledge of the Lord.—The Christian Advocate. We are under law. We are constituted to be in harmony with law. He who gave us our being gave us our place in his kingdom of law, in obedience to which there is the completeness of life and the fulness of enjoyment. In that kingdom there is no surplusage of law; there are no unnecessary obligations, for life is its center, and in all its domain every appointment ministers to life and happiness. God enters into all and uses all as means of access to the heart of man and the most perfect ministry to his highest good. While the universal obligation of law is recognized, strict obedience to it in all lines is often regarded as an evidence of weakness. Transgression is supposed to give a certain flavor to life, and is regarded as evidence of manly independence. The young man is encouraged to disregard parental instruction, the young woman is invited to enter the world in which there are fewer restraints. Of the church it is said that its demands are unreasonable, and disregard for them is applauded. Careful, conscientious obedience to law is the foundation of character. This is the sphere of conscience, and obedience to the moral dictator within is essential to development into perfect manhood. There is no exemption from law. Even to the hidden, and, we may say, the obscure parts of life, the obligation extends; into the secret chambers of the soul the voice of conscience penetrates. “Do this and live.” So far is such a life from being narrow and unresourceful, that it is in touch with every part of the universe of right, and from every part draws ministrations to happiness. The broadest, best, and happiest man is the one who makes obedience to law—the divine as well as the human—the controlling power of his life, and the best and most prosperous community is the one where all recognize the same obligation to obey the supreme will of God.—United Presbyterian. HEAT one cup of honey to the boiling-point, add half a cup of butter, let stand ten minutes. Add the grated rind and juice of a lemon, one-half teaspoonful of soda, and flour to make very stiff dough. Roll out as thin as possible, cut into little oblong pieces, and bake ten minutes. When done, they should not be over a quarter of an inch thick, and as crisp as “ginger snaps.”—Selected. Concentrate Your Best Effort
“CONCENTRATE your best effort in whatever you undertake; if it is school, go at it with a determination to win out; if it is work, do it so cheerfully and well that the one you are working for will be sorry to part with you when the time for your release comes.”