The region now included under the common name Abyssinia has been called, most appropriately, the “Switzerland” of Africa. It consists, for the most part, of a mountainous plateau, averaging 10,000 feet above sea-level, precipitous on the east, and falling away more gradually in other directions, everywhere being intersected by profound ravines, and dominated by lofty, snow-capped peaks. A desert, stretching from the Red Sea to the base of the mountains, still further isolates this Alpine region. Abyssinia, made up of the various provinces of Tigré, Lasta, Amhara, Gojam, Shoa, and adjoining lands, covers 244,000 square miles (a little larger than France). The average climate on this lofty plateau is delightfully temperate, the depths of the ravines being thoroughly tropical, while the higher mountain shoulders are decidedly Arctic. The soil is fertile, and supports a great variety of vegetable and animal life. Rich mines of great variety abound, and the country furnishes every necessity for a highly-developed civilization.
The people of Abyssinia, numbering from 6,000,000 to 7,000,000, are much superior in every respect to their African neighbors. As indicated by the Arabic designation, Habash, the population is “mixed.” The racial element that predominates is doubtless Turanian, and not dissimilar to the Egyptian, but with a considerable infusion of negro blood. However, since historic times the Semites, originally immigrants from the Arabian peninsula, have had political ascendency, and have imposed upon the country, for the most part, their language, laws, and religion. There are 70,000 Falashas who were converted at an early date by Jewish missionaries, and still practise the Jewish rites. The Abyssinians are a tall, athletic, bold race, with keen intellects, polite in ordinary intercourse, yet with savage outbursts of brutality. As they are the only “Christian” nation in Africa, so they are the only savage Christian race in the world. All indications point us to the conclusion that the Ethiopians were once a mighty race of conquerors, a constant menace to ancient Egypt, and holding the gateway of commerce for all central and southern Africa. Since historic times internal discord and powerful enemies without have weakened their power, and hedged them in their mountain retreats. For centuries the devotees of Islam have swarmed about the base of this isolated plateau, occasionally successful in penetrating the desolate ravines, but eventually being driven back to reform their ranks, and prepare for another raid.
Abyssinia has been called the first and only mission field of the Coptic Church. It was “converted” to the Christian faith early in the fourth century.
In 1490 A.D., the Abyssinian Christians were rediscovered by the naval officers of John II., of Portugal, who had sailed all the way around Southern Africa. The Christian world thought that at last the famous “Prester John” was found away up in the Abyssinian Mountains. The king of Portugal sent Petro Cavilham, the Jesuit, to push the interests of Portugal in Africa. This interference was resented. The Abyssinians came to blows with the Portuguese soldiers, who worked under orders from the Jesuits. At one time these zealous churchmen were victorious, and 8,000 enemies lay dead upon the battlefield. As the young Abyssinian Prince Facilidas, whom the Jesuits had half won over, walked through the heaps of slain, he is reported to have come to this conclusion: “A religion which causes so much bloodshed can not be good. We had better, tho victorious, return to the faith of the conquered, and remain faithful as they were.” When he became king he expelled the Jesuits, and all further attempts on their part to get a footing in the country failed. The attempt, in 1621, when the Jesuits installed a patriarch in Abyssinia, was especially disastrous. Over a century later (1750–1754) a third attempt was unsuccessful.
In 1830 Bishop Gobat and Mr. Kugler were sent on a mission to Abyssinia by the Church Missionary Society. The work began with bright prospects. Bishop Gobat travelled extensively, and learned the Amharic, the common language of the people, a dialect of the ancient Ethiopic, which, tho still used in church services, has become a dead language, even to many of the priests who go through the ceremonies. Bishop Gobat broke down in health, and had to leave the country. Mr. Kugler died. Later, Mr. Isenberg and Dr. Krapf took up the work. The Jesuit cloud again appeared on the horizon in the shape of Sapeto, who was sent out by the Propaganda. His intrigues aroused the old suspicions of foreign interference, and all foreigners were expelled from the country in 1838. Krapf and Isenberg went to Shoa, and were received in a kindly manner by the king. There they compiled an Amharic dictionary, as well as a geography and prayer-book. Before this the Bible had been translated at Cairo, in 1808, into Amharic by an Abyssinian monk, Abu Rumi, assisted by the French Consul Asseline. In 1840 the manuscript was bought and revised by the British and Foreign Bible Society.—Cyclopædia of Missions.
BOSTON TENT-MEETINGS.
By Lee S. Wheeler
The summer tent effort for the Boston field will commence on Sunday evening, July 10, at 7:45, and continue during the season.
The tent will be located in Melrose, on Main Street, between Wyoming Avenue and Grove Street. The Boston cars of the Malden and Melrose line pass in full view of the tent.
The meetings will be in charge of the writer, and Elder K. C. Russell, whose condition from overwork during the winter is now improving with rest and treatment.
A force of Bible-workers and visiting nurses from the Sanitarium will also assist in the effort.
Those having friends in Boston or vicinity should correspond with them urging them to attend the meetings. Invitation cards and circulars concerning the services will be sent upon application, to any address, to use in such work. LEE S. WHEELER.
Sanitarium, Melrose, Mass.
THE HARVEST OF THE LORD.
By C. M. Snow
BY C. M. SNOW.
Sleep not, sleep not!
“He that sleepeth in the harvest is a son that causeth shame.”
Sleep not, O sleep not now!
Go forth to the field, for the harvest is great;
Go forth for the laborers are few.
Pray the Lord of the harvest that He send forth men;
Shrink not when He calls for you.
’Tis the souls of men He is harvesting now
From the seed of the Word long sown;
And we must not shrink nor sorrowfully think
We are reaping in the field alone.
Sleep not, sleep not!
For the harvest soon is ended, and the summer will be past.
Sleep not, O sleep not now!
The vintage is ripe, and the branch bendeth low with the load of the fruitful vine;
Go down, get you down, for the press is full,
The vats overflow with wine.
’Tis the eve of day, and the night draws on,
The wickedness of earth is great.
There’s a sickle bright that will flash ere night;
For that harvest will not wait.
Sleep now, reap now!
Get you down unto the harvest, for their wickedness is great.
Sleep now, O reap ye now!
Go forth to the field, for the harvest is ripe,
Thrust in thy sickle and reap;
For the time has come for the reaping to be done—
Thrust in thy sickle and reap.
’Tis the heavenly call to the reapers all;
’Tis the last in the waning day:
And the angels reap while the slothful sleep,
And they bear the ripened sheaves away.
Men work for the Lord in the harvest of the world,
Heed not, tho the sinful scoff;
For the Lord Himself is reaping, and the harvest of the world—
The harvest—is the end thereof.
OUR WORK AND WORKERS.
FOUR candidates were baptized at La Grange, Wis., May 7, by Brother F. F. Petersen.
BROTHER A. O. BURRILL, in the Indicator, notes the addition of four members to the church at Jeddo, N. Y.
AT a quarterly-meeting conducted by Brother L. W. Felter, at Houston, Texas, June 25, five members were added to the church.
THE brethren at Prentice, Wis., have purchased a house of worship, all furnished, which, after receiving some necessary repairs, was rededicated June 26.
TWO MORE laborers have entered Alberta, the fast-developing province of the Northwest, the new accession being Brethren H. E. Shelstad and Gust Henrickson, of Minnesota.
IN EDINBURG, Scotland, the city of John Knox, a tent furnished by the New York Conference is being utilized for meetings conducted by Brethren W. A. Westworth and F. D. Gautereau.
WORD from India informs us that a native of the southern part has translated several of our tracts into the Canarese language, and has printed them at his own expense. It is said that this man never has seen any of our people.
IN THE WEST MICHIGAN HERALD we notice reports of the baptism of four candidates at Shelby, by Brother W. C. Hebner, and six others at Wright, by Brother A. G. Haughey. The last mentioned were all members of the church school, ranging in ages from thirteen to eighteen.
THE Colorado Sanitarium at Boulder, Colo., graduated on June 14 a senior nurses' class of seven members, and a Christian-help class of three. An interesting and instructive program was rendered on the occasion. May God make these young people blessings to humanity.
IN THE WISCONSIN REPORTER, Brother Wm. Covert tells of the baptism of twenty-three students at Bethel Academy, June 11. On the same day Prof. H. A. Washburn was ordained to the Gospel ministry, previous to his leaving that school for his new duties in connection with the Emmanuel Missionary College, at Berrien Springs, Mich.
OF THE WORK IN Vicksburg, Miss., Brother James Bellinger and wife report to the Minnesota Worker: “God has richly blessed our efforts here. Ten have decided to obey God. The people are mostly addicted to the tobacco habit, which is hard for them to give up. We ought to have many more workers here. The work is greater than we can do.” But in face of it all, they add, “Our courage is good, and we are looking for the Lord to come soon.”
MR. F. W. BARTLE, of Oxford, New York, is collecting some books for one of our missionaries in Australia. He desires to secure the following:—
“Lectures to Young Men,” by Sylvester Graham.
“Exhausted Vitality,” by E. P. Miller.
“Hints to the Young,” by Dr. Woodbridge.
“Lectures to Ladies on Anatomy and Physiology,” by Mrs. Gove.
If any of our readers have copies of the above, Brother Bartle will be glad to correspond with them.
INFORMATION WANTED.
Mrs. M. Corwin, 341 Preston Street, Dallas, Texas, desires information concerning her son, who is about twenty years of age. She does not give his name.
WANTED FOR MISSIONARY WORK.
(Always prepay postage.)
Any of our denominational papers and tracts. Address, Mrs. Wm. Semple, 26 Clay Street, San Jose, Cal.
(1) “And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace at Jerusalem. (2) And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the wicked, and love them that hate Jehovah? for this thing wrath is upon thee from before Jehovah. (3) Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast put away the Asheroth out of the land, and hast set thy heart to seek God.
(4) “And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again among the people from Beer-sheba to the hill-country of Ephraim, and brought them back unto Jehovah, the God of their fathers. (5) And he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, (6) and said to the judges, Consider what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for Jehovah; and He is with you in the judgment. (7) Now therefore let the fear of Jehovah be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with Jehovah our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes.
(8) “Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites and the priests, and of the heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel, for the judgment of Jehovah, and for controversies. And they returned to Jerusalem. (9) And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of Jehovah, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. (10) And whensoever any controversy shall come to you from your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, ye shall warn them, that they be not guilty towards Jehovah, and so wrath come upon you and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not be guilty. (11) And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of Jehovah; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all the king’s matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and Jehovah be with the good.”
Golden Text.—“Deal courageously, and the Lord shall be with the good.” Verse 11.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What is said of King Jehoshaphat in verse 1 of this lesson? From what did he return? Note 1. (2) Who went out to meet the king? What question did the prophet ask? How did the Lord regard Jehoshaphat’s action? Verse 2. Note 2. (3) Notwithstanding Jehoshaphat’s great mistake, what did the prophet say was found in him? What had been commendable in his life? Verse 3. Note 3. (4) Where did the king continue to dwell? What indicated that his repentance was sincere? Verse 4. (5) What further precaution did he observe? Verse 5. (6) What instruction was given to the judges? For whom were they really performing their duties? From whom were they to expect wisdom in judgment? Verse 6. (7) Whom were they to fear in passing judgment? Why were they to take special heed in this respect? Verse 7. Note 4. (8) Whom did the king specially set in Jerusalem to carry out this good work? Verse 8. (9) What emphatic charge was given to those who were set to judge in Jerusalem? Verse 9. (10) What warning were the judges to give those who brought controversies before them? Verse 10. Note 5. (11) Who was set as the head of these priests and Levites in the city? Who was appointed as judge in civil matters? What was to characterize all their dealings? Verse 11. Note 6.
NOTES.
1. In order to fully understand the import of this verse, it is necessary to note what it was that Jehoshaphat returned from “in peace at Jerusalem.” On the death of his father Asa, Jehoshaphat began to reign in Judah, and prospered exceedingly for about twenty years. He was pious, prudent, and enterprising. Then he made the great mistake of entering into an alliance with Ahab and Jezebel, the wicked king and queen of Israel, and his son and heir to the throne, Jehoram, was married to their daughter Athaliah. Then Ahab felt himself strong enough to recapture Ramoth-Gilead, which had long been in the hands of the Assyrians. The Lord’s prophet Micaiah foretold disaster to the expedition, but his counsel was not heeded. So the allies were defeated, Ahab was killed, and Jehoshaphat barely escaped with his life. The Syrians did not follow up their victory, so Jehoshaphat returned to Jerusalem in peace.
2. Jehoshaphat was no doubt actuated, in his alliance with Ahab, by reasons of a political nature which seemed to justify his course. While the Syrians held the stronghold of Ramoth-Gilead, east of Jordan, they were a standing menace to both Israel and Judah. But the Lord took no account of that; it would have been a small thing for Him to protect His people from their Syrian foes, and to have utterly destroyed any and all enemies. Judah was safe as long as she obeyed God and trusted in His defense. The Lord never justifies any alliance with the world, or compromise with error, no matter what the ostensible advantage to His cause. He is able to care for His own. Such alliances or compromises can only result in evil.
3. The good that was found in Jehoshaphat was his personal piety and otherwise commendable rule, especially in removing idolatry, to which the people were always inclined, and too often yielded. “Asheroth” was a name given to the shrines or groves dedicated to the Phoenician Venus.
4. Judgment that is in the fear of the Lord is sure to stand every test; for “the law of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.” Ps. 19:9.
5. “Between blood and blood.”—To decide the degrees of crime where blood had been shed, as in cases of manslaughter, or murder, or assault, or killing in self-defense. “Between law and commandment,” etc.—Decision as to what particular law or ordinance had been violated in any given instance. The warning was to remind litigants that they should aim to be guiltless before God, as they might bring wrath not only upon themselves, but upon their brethren. Persistent evil-doing might bring wrath upon the whole nation, as in times past.
6. These two courts would cover all manner of controversies ecclesiastical and secular. Amariah, being a chief priest, would be a proper head of an ecclesiastical court, and Zebadiah, being the tribal head of the house of Judah, would be a logical judge in secular matters. This seems to have been the first time in the history of the kings when the king delegated his judicial prerogative to a court. “Deal courageously.”—The Lord always wants His people to be courageous. That was the word to Israel as they stood trembling on the banks of the Red Sea. Ex. 14:13, 14. The same exhortation was given as they were about to enter the promised land (Deut. 31:6, 7; Joshua 1:5–9); and it is just as needful to His people to-day, who stand on the borders of the heavenly Canaan. “Be ye of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” Ps. 31:24. “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32.
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LESSON IV.—THE VICTORY OF THE REMNANT.
(Study for Sabbath, July 23.)
QUESTIONS.
1. With what powers were God’s people in conflict in our last lesson?
2. What severe measures were being taken to compel all to worship this beast and his image? Rev. 13:16.
3. Do all worship the beast and his image? Rev. 13:8.
4. What will be the experience of those who do not worship the beast? Rev. 15:2; Dan. 12:1.
5. After beholding the remnant under sentence of death for refusing to bow to the decrees of men, what next attracted the attention of the prophet? Where did they stand? How many were delivered? Whose name did they bear? Where was it written? Rev. 14:1.
6. How many were sealed under the message presented in Revelation 7? Where was the seal placed? Verse 3. At what period is this sealing work completed?
7. Are the companies mentioned in chapters 7 and 14 the same? What comes next? Rev. 8:1.
8. What did the seer hear in heaven? Rev. 14:2. Note .
10. Has this song ever been sung on the sea of glass before? Rev. 14:3. Can any others learn this song? Why?—They sing a song of an experience that no others have ever passed through.
11. From whom are they redeemed? Are they defiled with the sins of Babylon? To whom are they the first-fruits? What exalted privilege have they? Rev. 14:4. Note .
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Remember these cars run through to above named cities without a change from Oakland or San Francisco. Our fast limited trains in connection with the above mentioned service.
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