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Review and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 36.

TO-DAY
Earlier text: TO-DAY

Provision for Our Schools

By Ellen G. White

An Appeal to Ministers, Physicians, and Teachers in Southern California

MRS. E. G. WHITE
The men who stand as leaders in any part of the solemn work of the last gospel message must cultivate and cherish broad views and ideas. It is the privilege of all who bear responsibilities in the work of the gospel to be apt learners in the school of Christ. The professed follower of Christ must not be led by the dictates of his own will; his mind must be trained to think Christ’s thoughts, and enlightened to comprehend the will and way of God. Such a believer will be a follower of Christ’s methods of work.
Our brethren should not forget that the wisdom of God has made provision for our schools in a way that will bring blessing to all who participate in the enterprise. The book, “Christ’s Object Lessons,” was donated to the educational work, that the students and other friends of the schools might handle these books, and by their sale raise much of the means needed to lift the school indebtedness. But this plan has not been presented to our schools as it should have been; the teachers and students have not been educated to take hold of this book and courageously push its sale for the benefit of the educational work.
Long ago the teachers and students in our schools should have learned to take advantage of the opportunity to raise means by the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” In selling these books the students will serve the cause of God, and, while doing this, by the dissemination of precious light, they will learn invaluable lessons in Christian experience. All our schools should now come into line, and earnestly endeavor to carry out the plan presented to us for the education of the workers, for the relief of the schools, and for the winning of souls to the cause of Christ.
In the cities of Riverside, Redlands, and San Bernardino a mission field is open to us that we have as yet only touched with the tips of our fingers. A good work has been done there as far as our workers have had encouragement to do it; but there is need of means to carry the work forward successfully. It was God’s purpose that by the sale of “Ministry of Healing” and “Christ’s Object Lessons” much means should be raised for the work of our sanitariums and schools, and that our people would thereby be left more free to donate of their means for the opening of the work in new missionary fields. If our people will now engage in the sale of these books as they ought, we shall have much more means to carry the work in the way the Lord designed.
Wherever the work of selling “Christ’s Object Lessons” has been taken hold of in earnest, the book has done good. And the lessons that have been learned by those who have engaged in this work, have well repaid their efforts. And now our people should all be encouraged to take part in this special missionary effort. Light has been given me that in every possible way instruction should be given to our people as to the best methods of presenting these books to the people.
I have been instructed that at our large gatherings, workers should be present who will teach our people how to sow the seeds of truth. This means more than instructing them how to sell the Signs of the Times and other periodicals. It includes thorough instruction in how to handle such books as “Christ’s Object Lessons” and “Ministry of Healing.” These are books which contain precious truths, and from which the reader can draw lessons of highest value.
Why was not some one appointed at your camp-meeting [in 1907] to present the interests of this line of work to our people? In your failure to do this, you lost a precious opportunity to place large blessings within the reach of the people, and you also lost an opportunity of raising means for the relief of our institutions. My brethren, let us encourage our people to take up this work without further delay.
There are some who have had experience in the sale of health foods who should now interest themselves in the sale of our precious books; for in them is food unto eternal life. Los Angeles has been presented to me as a very fruitful field for the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” and “Ministry of Healing.” The thousands of transient residents and visitors would be benefited by the lessons they contain, and those who bear responsibilities in our sanitariums should act wisely in this matter, encouraging all, nurses, helpers, and students, to gather by this means as much as possible of the money required to meet the expenses of the different institutions.
Why are our people so slow to understand what the Lord would have them do? Our leading workers should prepare beforehand to use their opportunities at our large and small gatherings to present these books to our people, and call for volunteers who will engage in their sale. When this work is entered into with the earnestness which our times demand, the indebtedness which now rests upon our schools will be greatly lessened. And then the people who are now being called upon to give largely of their means to support these institutions, will be free to turn a larger part of their offerings to missionary work in other needy places, where special efforts have not yet been made.
Great good will result from bringing these books to the attention of the leaders in the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. We should invite these workers to our meetings, and give them an opportunity to become acquainted with our people. Place these precious books in their hands, and tell them the story of their gift to the cause, and its results. Explain how, by the sale of “Ministry of Healing,” patients may be brought to the sanitarium for healing who could never get there unaided; and how through this means assistance will be rendered in the establishment of sanitariums in places where they are greatly needed. If our sanitariums are wisely managed by men and women who have the fear of God before them, they will be a means of bringing us in connection with workers in the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, and these workers will not be slow to see the advantage of the medical branch of our work. As a result of their contact with our medical work, some of them will learn truths that they need to know for the perfection of Christian character.
One point that should never be forgotten by our workers is that the Lord Jesus Christ is our chief director. He has outlined a plan by which the schools may be relieved of their indebtedness; and he will not vindicate the course of those who lay this plan aside for lack of confidence in its success. When his people will come up unitedly to the help of his cause in the earth, no good thing that God has promised will be withheld from them.
In places like Los Angeles, where the population is constantly changing, wonderful opportunities are presented for the sale of our books. A great loss has been sustained because our people have not more fully embraced this opportunity. Why should not the teachers and students from the San Fernando School make Los Angeles a special field for the sale of ‘Object Lessons’? If with earnestness and faith they will work out the plan that has been given us for the use of this book, angels of God will attend their steps, and the blessing of heaven will be upon their efforts.
It would have been an excellent thing if the teachers of the San Fernando School had, during the vacation, availed themselves of this opportunity to push the work with ‘Christ’s Object Lessons.’ They would have found a blessing in going out with the students and teaching them how to meet the people, and how to introduce the book. The story of the gift of the book and its object would lead some to have a special interest in the book and in the school for which it is sold.
Why have not the teachers in our schools done more of this work? If our people would only realize it, there is no more acceptable work to be done in the home field than to engage in the sale of ‘Object Lessons;’ for while they are thus helping to carry out the Lord’s plan for the relief of our schools, they are also bringing the precious truths of the Word of God to the attention of the people.
The indifference that has been manifested by some toward this enterprise is displeasing to God. He desires that it shall be recognized by all our people as his method of relieving our schools from debt. It is because this plan has been neglected that we now feel so keenly our lack of means for the advancing work. Had the schools availed themselves of the provision thus made for them, there would be more money in the school treasury, and more money in the hands of his people to relieve the necessities of other needy departments of the cause, and, best of all, teachers and students would have received the very lessons that they needed to learn in the Master’s service.
I send you these lines because I see that there is need of a deeper intuition, a wider perception, on the part of our medical and educational workers, if they would get all the benefit that God intends shall come to them through the use of ‘Object Lessons’ and ‘Ministry of Healing.’ I ask you, my brethren, to read these words to our people, that they may learn to show the spirit of wisdom, and of power, and of a sound mind.

Confession

By Eugene B. Kuntz

God told some one to soothe an aching heart, To wipe somebody’s tear of bitter pain, To heal a gaping wound with love’s restoring art, To sing to weary ones a sweet refrain; But, lo, the heart has not been soothed, The tears have not been wiped away, The wrinkle of pain has not been smoothed, And no one’s sung that cheering lay.
God sent some one to give a beggar bread, To put new garments on the destitute, To watch with those who weep their precious dead, To visit shut-ins in their solitude; But O! the beggar goes an-hungered yet, The destitute are still unclothed, unshod, And mourners weep alone in sore regret, And sick ones yearn to rest beneath the sod.
God bade some one; but lo, that one forgot,— Forgot the aching heart, the wretched pain, Forgot the gaping wound, remembered not The singing of the sweet refrain.
God sent some one; but he forgot it, too,— Forgot the beggar and the destitute, Forgot the quaffers of life’s rue, Forgot the sorrow-stricken multitude.
God sent—was’t you or I whom he did send Into the feverish world of deepest care? God told some one—was’t you or I, my friend, Whom God commanded life to share? We need not ask: God sent both you and me To do love’s kindly deed each day, But we forgot: too occupied were we With self, to ease the want and misery.
—Eugene B. Kuntz, in the Westminster.

Visiting

By C. McReynolds

C. MC REYNOLDS
The great apostle to the Gentiles laid down a principle concerning visiting that should be studied and applied by gospel workers to-day. The messenger of God, the man or woman sent of the Lord to labor in his great harvest-field, has a special purpose to accomplish, a definite work to do. It is pleasant to enter a neat, well-kept home, and enjoy the hospitality there afforded by the thrift of the diligent husband and the faithfulness of the frugal wife; but these hearts are longing to be fed also. In Rom. 1:11, Paul says, “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established.”
What was the purpose of his visit?—To “impart some spiritual gift,” of such a nature as to build up the spiritual life. It is well to be acquainted with the current news of the day, and to have a general knowledge of most lines of ordinary business, so that we can converse intelligently on such topics as occupy the minds of the people. In that way we can come close to them. A social spirit breaks down the barriers that Satan has reared in their minds. But all of this is only a means of approach. The purpose of your visit is to give spiritual instruction. If you fail to impart that, you may have lost the last opportunity you will ever have to bring to those souls what God has for them. He has chosen you for a channel through which the light of the gospel is to flow to them.
You may be sure Satan will work hard to prevent the conversation from being turned into the line of spiritual things. But if our hearts are all aglow with the light of heaven, possessing the glory of Immanuel, we shall see an opportunity to turn the conversation to the things in which we are most interested.
In this same letter Paul assures the church of the purpose of his visit, of what they may expect him to bring to them (Rom. 15:29): “And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.” “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” If our own lives are filled, and our hearts are overflowing, with the blessings of the gospel of Christ, we shall not be able to leave a home without having made an impression for good. The soon coming of Christ will become the theme of our conversation when it becomes the one purpose of our lives.
A lighted lamp shines; and the greater the darkness, the brighter the shining. In the REVIEW of April 30 the servant of God, speaking of the provision that Christ has made for his people says: “It is his purpose that every Christian shall be surrounded with a spiritual atmosphere of light and peace.”
The most important part of the work of the evangelist, the preacher, or the Bible worker is visiting,—visiting to impart spiritual life. “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” “There is no limit to the usefulness of one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon the heart, and lives a life wholly consecrated to God.”—REVIEW, April 30. What encouragement! Let us labor and pray to become good visitors.
“If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?” If we carry to the people God’s truth by the power of his Spirit, the heart-strings will be touched, the purse-strings will be loosened, voluntary gifts of means will flow in to support God’s work, and we shall be able to say, with Paul, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place.”
Grand Rapids, Wis.

Lessons From the History of the Levites

By David Ostlund

DAVID OSTLUND
“But who may abide the day of his coming? . . . And he shall purify the sons of Levi.” Mal. 3:2, 3.
In the history of Israel we find a special record of the tribe of Levi, and of this it is written, as of the Old Testament writings as a whole, that “whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Rom. 15:4.
When God called his people out of Egypt, we learn that he looked on his people as a son. This we read in Ex. 4:22, 23, where the Lord says to Moses: “And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my first-born: and I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy first-born.” We all know that the Lord slew all the first-born, whatsoever openeth the womb born out.
The Lord instituted a holy custom among the Israelites, in order to remind them that the whole people was, or, rather, ought to be, to him the “first-born son.” “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Sanctify unto me all the first-born, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast: it is mine.” Ex. 13:1, 2. As this was done in every family in Israel, it should remind them all of the great privileges that were given them as God’s chosen people, and of the most holy responsibility that they had to meet.
In Ex. 19:4-6 the Lord speaks of his care for the “first-born son,” and of the work he had appointed for him: “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagle’s wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.”
Israel as a whole did not meet these conditions. When Moses went away up on the mountain, in order to fully establish this covenant for the people with God by receiving the holy commandments, they turned away from the Lord, and had the golden calf made; so that Moses found them dancing around that calf, and worshiping it as their god, when he returned from the mount.
In his great distress he broke the two tables asunder. The covenant itself was also broken by this gross idolatry.
Had all the tribes gone astray into this great falling away? Was there not one who still recognized the Lord’s call, who would be his on the conditions before mentioned?—Yes. We read: “Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, Who is on the Lord’s side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.” Ex. 32:26.
This response of the sons of Levi meant much for them. In Num. 3:41 the Lord says to Moses: “And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the Lord) instead of all the first-born among the children of Israel.” See also verse 45. Not only were the Levites taken instead of all the firstlings, or instead of all the people; but they had conferred upon them the work of the priesthood, which at Sinai was designed for all the people, if they had remained true and loyal to the Lord. In Deut. 10:8 we read: “At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister unto him, and to bless in his name unto this day.”
One item more: When the land of Canaan was divided among eleven of the tribes of Israel, the sons of Levi, on account of their faithfulness to the Lord, received no inheritance in the land. “Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the Lord is his inheritance, according as the Lord thy God promised him.” Deut. 10:9. Blessed was Levi! high was his calling! great was his inheritance!
“These things . . . are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” The people who are going to stand in the great day of the Lord will be true Levites. Mal. 3:2, 3. In our day there is a great falling away from the covenant. The commandments of the Lord are trodden under foot. Holy Writ has long ago foretold this state of things. Matt. 24:12; 2 Tim. 3:1-5. Men, who clothe themselves with the name of the Master, are dancing around the golden calf as actually as did the Israelites in the days of Moses. As the Lord then, by Moses, called on those that were the Lord’s, so he is calling now on every sincere man and woman to come out and take a stand for him and for his truth. The message is still more solemn now than it was in the antitype: “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come.” The falling away from the true God is just as actual now as then. Therefore the message is: “Worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Rev. 14:6.
God had some part of his holy work to give to every one of the sons of Levi. So to-day he has a special work for all who respond to his call. He says to them all: “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9.
Levi received no earthly inheritance. So in our time God is calling us to loosen ourselves from the possessions of earthly things, that he himself may be our inheritance. Shall we respond to his call? Shall we do the holy work that he has for us? Shall we be true Levites? “Who may abide the day of his coming?” “He shall purify the sons of Levi.” Are we to be numbered among them?
Reykjavik, Iceland.

Our Church Services

By E. K. SLADE

E. K. SLADE
“Let us all bear in mind that in every assembly of the saints below are angels of God, listening to the testimonies, songs, and prayers. Let us remember that our praises are supplemented by the choirs of the angelic host above.” These words, quoted from “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 367, indicate the sacredness that should characterize all the services in our churches. While they may primarily refer principally to the Sabbath meetings, they without doubt have reference to all meetings connected with our churches, whether of a business character or otherwise, and whether of the local church or more general in their nature.
The following words from page 362 of the same volume strongly indicate that we come far short of meeting the mind of God in our public services. “We do not obtain a hundredth part of the blessing we should obtain from assembling together to worship God.” There are many things that contribute to this sad failure which should lead us carefully to examine our ways, and endeavor earnestly to have everything connected with our meetings such as to permit the free bestowal of heaven’s gifts. The fact that heavenly intelligences are present in our assemblages is well known to all, yet it seems evident at times that many fail to bear this in mind. It is the privilege of every worshiper not only to place himself before God in a way that will be pleasing to him in the services of the church, but it is his privilege to contribute much to the conditions that should exist in all our services. “We must carry to every religious gathering a quickened spiritual consciousness that God and his angels are there, co-operating with all true worshipers. As you enter the place of worship, ask the Lord to remove all evil from your heart. Bring to his house only that which he can bless.”
It is not our purpose to enter into a lengthy consideration of this matter in this article, but merely to present the subject, and to ask our church elders especially to consider carefully the thoughts suggested by these brief quotations. If we were receiving but a hundredth part of the blessing that should be enjoyed in our meetings, it is certainly high time that we carefully inquire to know what God’s will is, and to understand, if possible, what our failures are in this respect. There are two extreme conditions, either of which may prove equally fatal in connection with our church services. We have reference to formality and the extreme absence of formality. Doubtless opinions will differ as to which of these extremes prevails the most extensively in our churches. There may be some question, too, as to which would most effectually defeat the object of our public worship. We believe that it is possible for us to have a pretty good understanding of what the Lord’s way is, that both extremes may be avoided. We may be permitted with his help to present some thoughts on this subject in the future that may be of help to our leaders and elders in the churches.
The sacredness of the place of worship, and of all connected with the services and the house of God, should ever be borne in mind. It is not a time or a place for carelessness or indifference or unbecoming manners of any character. Children should be led to understand that the time and place of worship will not admit of some of the freedom that they enjoy in their homes or on the playground. It is not a time or a place to take a nap. The services in our churches are not bettered by those who merely desire to have a place to go, or who attend to see and be seen. Visiting and freedom of manners should not characterize any part of the services in our churches.
Shall we not aim by every means possible to know the will of God concerning our church services, and so to perform his will that we may receive the fulness of his blessing rather than to have it said that we did not obtain one hundredth part of the blessing that we should have obtained from assembling together to worship God?
Holly, Mich.

My Comforter

By Samuel Longfellow

I LOOK to Thee in every need, And never look in vain; I feel thy strong and tender love, And all is well again; The thought of thee is mightier far Than sin and pain and sorrow are.
Discouraged in the work of life, Disheartened by its load, Shamed by its failures or its fears, I sink beside the road; But let me only think of thee, And then new heart springs up in me.
Thy calmness bends serene above, My restlessness to still; Around me flows thy quickening life, To nerve my faltering will; Thy presence fills my solitude, Thy providence turns all to good.
Embosomed deep in thy dear love, Held in thy law, I stand; Thy hand in all things I behold, And all things in thy hand; Thou leadest me by unsought ways, And turn'st my mourning into praise.
— Samuel Longfellow.

Recognizing the Voice

By WM. COVERT

WM. COVERT
Jesus teaches that his followers hear and follow his voice, but that they refuse to follow strangers. And this peculiarity of hearing and distinguishing voices is noted by one who says, “Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” Isa. 30: 21. A high degree of attainment in spiritual matters is required to know this voice at times. There are many sounds which claim to be the voice of God, and many trumpet calls are blown which are of such a nature as to deceive the ear of all but the very elect.
In the days of their gladness and on all occasions of joy, the musicians of ancient Israel were instructed by Moses to blow with a trumpet certain calls which were rendered in strains of rejoicing, and the ears of all the people were expected to recognize the true significance of every one of these calls.
Two trumpets of silver were provided for this service. A certain call with one would assemble the princes. The same call with both trumpets would gather the whole people at the door of the tabernacle. To blow an alarm was equivalent to marching orders. All these were understood by the people; for they were trained to distinguish one from another as readily as the veteran soldier can tell the morning “reveille” from the evening “taps,” or the long roll from the marching step.
The calls of gladness in the days of their worshipful assemblies, with the joyful strains of music rendered on these occasions, were designed to fill the hearts of the people with courage and confidence in the Lord’s work. It was with reference to this ancient custom of glad trumpet calls that David wrote those parts in the eighty-ninth psalm in which he said, “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day; and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted. For thou art the glory of their strength.”
Elijah could hear a “still, small voice” and understood its teaching, and because he heeded the lessons it gave, he was kept in the way which led to translation. 1 Kings 19: 12. Job admonishes us to “hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.” Jesus heard a voice which spoke to him and some others when he came from the water at his baptism; and on other occasions during the ministry of Christ on earth a voice from heaven spoke audibly to him in the hearing of the people.
But apart from the audible is a voice which speaks to the heart, and eyes of the heart, which see things invisible to optical nerves. Abel’s blood had a voice which cried, and his life is yet speaking for the Lord to instruct the people. Also the Spirit of God teaches, and the voice of the Spirit is heard by those who are of quick understanding in divine things.
Concerning the manner of communication Christ said to Pilate, “Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” It is of this manner of communication that Christ is speaking when he says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Rev. 3: 20. The hearing of the voice and the opening of the door, are done through the Spirit’s working, which the natural man can not discern. The voice of God is mute to him, and the wisdom which comes from above he does not understand. But he who sups with Jesus is taught of the Holy Ghost, and listens to the voice of the Teacher, thus learning things which none of the princes of this world know.
Chicago, Ill.

Ten Ways of Praying

1. The formal way — when prayer is a mere form of words, with little or no heart; or when it is simply due to the force of a habit which has lost its real motive-power.
2. The hurried way — hastening through it as a disagreeable and irksome duty — a duty indeed, but not a delight, and to be dismissed as quickly as may be.
3. The selfish way — when the real motive is to consume the coveted blessing upon ourselves — in some way to promote our own selfish advantage or pleasure.
4. The impulsive way — praying as the feeling prompts, and when we feel so inclined — without any definite plan of prayer in our lives, or devout habit.
5. The faithless way — with no real dependence on the promises of God, or confident expectation of receiving what we ask or seek.
6. On the contrary, there is the thoughtful way, seeking to meditate upon God and intelligently understand both the nature of prayer and the good we seek.
7. The earnest way — with the attention of the mind and the desire of the heart absorbed in asking, with a determination to persevere.
8. The trustful way — coming in the spirit of a child; first believing that God's promises justify prayer, and then that we are coming to a Father, both able and willing.
9. The consistent way — that is, living as we pray, and so walking with God as to be in the way of blessing, and by fellowship with God inviting it.
10. The spiritual way — so cultivating acquaintance with the Holy Spirit that he can and does breathe in us first the desires we breathe out in prayer.
It is easy to see why we so often fail, and how we may succeed. — Missionary Review.

Possibilities Everywhere

WHATEVER kind of life you are to live must be lived amid precisely the experiences in which you are now moving. Here you must win your victories or suffer your defeats. No restlessness or discontent can change your lot. Others may have different circumstances surrounding them, but here are yours. You had better make up your mind to accept what you can not alter. You can live a beautiful life in the midst of your present circumstances.—Selected.

The Sabbath in the Bible

By A. H. Lewis, D. D.

OUR readers who desire to see the Sabbath as it appears in the Bible will be aided by the following references. These can be followed easily: they show how the Sabbath, like a thread of gold, runs through the Book. It is better to know just what the Bible teaches than to know what men say about it. One of the most important features of this picture is seen in what Jesus, the Christ of God, said and did about the Sabbath. His authority as teacher, interpreter, and guide, ought to settle any questions that may arise in the minds of those who follow him. We ought to rejoice in following Christ who is “Lord of the Sabbath” and “Head of the church:” —
—A. H. Lewis, D. D., in the Sabbath Recorder.

Aunt Mary's Second Meeting

By Mrs. Edith E. Bruce

MRS. EDITH E. BRUCE
ON the day set for the second meeting of the Good Housekeeping and Cooking Club, the seven original members were joined by three others who were anxious to learn improved methods for their daily work.
Aunt Mary was made very happy to see the interest manifested, and her heart was often lifted to God for help to know just the right course to pursue. She noted with satisfaction that most of the women were particular in their personal appearance, and each appeared happy, and contented. “Now,” said Aunt Mary, in her usual business-like yet pleasant manner, “let us begin by taking down in our note-books a few principles that we shall need in preparing our every-day bill of fare; for I believe we decided at our last meeting to take up the subject of cooking to-day.
“Many people think that, in order to live hygienically, they must have all the manufactured health foods; but this is a mistaken idea. While health foods are good, they are not within the reach of all, and a perfectly wholesome and nutritious diet may be had without their use. God has given us a complete and perfect diet in the vegetables, grains, fruits, and nuts, if we but know how to prepare them, and how to make good food-combinations. There is much in the combination of foods, you know. Good foods may be so combined as to be very unhealthful. Our daily meals need much thought. Too many women cook just anything they happen to think of, or that which is most easily prepared, without reference to the needs of the family, or the food value of the material to be cooked.
“I am glad to see that you all have your note-books, and I’m going to ask you to copy in them some tables that show the relative food values of the more common articles of diet. If you will copy these on a large piece of heavy paper, when you get home, and hang it up in your kitchens, it will help you to remember the value of different foods, and also their combinations when you are preparing your meals. You know that the body demands certain substances to nourish it properly.
“The nutritive food elements are classified into three groups,—the nitrogenous, or tissue-building; the carbonaceous, or heat- and energy-producing; and the mineral, or bone- and nerve-building.
“Albumen, gluten, and casein belong to the nitrogenous; starch, sugar, and fats to the carbonaceous; and salts, cellulose portions, and inorganic substances to the mineral. The nitrogenous elements are of greatest importance, as they nourish the brain, nerves, muscles, and the more highly vitalized tissues of the body. The carbonaceous, however, are required in much larger quantities, the correct proportion being about eight or ten carbonaceous to one of nitrogenous.
“Now it will take a little time to copy this table, but I believe you will find that it will repay you in the days to come.”
For a few moments there was a busy scratching of pencils, as the ladies copied neatly the following tables, which had been placed on a blackboard:—

Combinations of Foods

GOOD COMBINATIONS.—Grains and fruits; grains and milk; grains and vegetables; grains and eggs.
BAD COMBINATIONS.—Milk and vegetables; fruits and vegetables; acid fruits and milk; milk and meat.
FAIR COMBINATIONS.—Grains, sweet fruits and milk.
FOODS NITROGENOUS CARBONACEOUS MINERAL TOTAL NUTRITIVE VALUE
Wheat 10.8 72.5 1.7 85.
Barley 6.3 76.7 2. 85.
Oats 12.6 69.4 3. 85.
Corn 11.1 73.2 1.7 86.
Rice 6.3 80.2 .5 87.
Potato 2.1 22.2 7. 25.
Sweet Potato 1.5 27.5 2.6 31.6
Peas 23.8 60.8 2.1 86.7
Beans 30.8 50.2 3.5 84.5
Lentils 25.2 58.6 2.3 86.1
Peanut 23.8 60.8 2.1 86.7
Walnut 15.8 60.4 2. 88.2
Almond 23.5 60.8 3. 87.3
Hazelnut 17.4 60.8 2.5 89.7
Banana 4.8 20.2 8. 25.8
Dates 9. 58. .0 67.
Grape .8 14.3 .3 15.4
Apple .2 10.3 .4 10.9
Pears .2 10.2 .3 10.7
Peach .4 7.8 .4 8.6
Cherry .9 15.3 .6 16.8
Lean mutton 18.3 4.9 4.8 28.
Lean beef 19.3 3.6 5.1 28.
Pork 9.8 48.9 2.3 61.
Poultry 21. 3.8 1.2 26.
Salmon 16.1 5.5 1.4 23.
Egg 14. 10.5 1.5 26.
Milk 4.1 9.1 .8 14.
“And now I see,” said Aunt Mary, “that our time has nearly expired, but I want to give you a few don’ts before we close:—
“Don’t worry!
“Don’t do things haphazard, and then say you had bad luck.
“Don’t look untidy before husband and children.
“Don’t wear a greasy dress or apron. Print and gingham are cheap; so are soap and water.
“Don’t forget that you should be an example to your neighbors in home-making as well as in Christianity.
“Next Thursday we will have something real practical in cooking.”
Mussoorie, India.

My Fireless Cooker

By MRS. M. E. STEWARD

MRS. M. E. STEWARD
I took a typewriter box, and put three inches of paper trimmings in the bottom, pressing down hard. Hay, straw, excelsior, or fine shavings would have answered instead of the paper. I placed on this, in the middle of the box, a round of thick paper, which had been cut a trifle larger than the bottom of my kettle.
This kettle is heavy graniteware; an iron kettle would do as well, but all kinds of food can not be cooked in iron. My kettle is flat on the bottom, with a tight-fitting cover, and a bale; a handle would not pack well.
I tied heavy paper round my kettle, then cut it off even with the bottom and the top of the kettle, and placed the kettle on the round of thick paper in the box. When the kettle is removed, this makes a nice nest, and keeps the filling in place.
I then took oat straw, which had been cut while green, wet it lightly in water, and packed it as tightly as I could around the kettle, till it reached the top of it. Over this is placed a cheese-cloth pillow three inches thick, filled firm with excelsior and straw. The “hay-box” closes with a cover as nearly air-tight as possible; mine is hung on hinges. It was now ready for cooking.
I bring my food to a brisk boil over a fire; let potatoes cook there five minutes; oatmeal twenty minutes. Rice, after soaking in water half an hour, can be put into a smaller dish,—water added as in common cooking,—and placed in the kettle with other foods filled around it. It takes just as long to cook as potatoes; other things accordingly. One can soon learn how long to cook different articles.
I am delighted with my fireless cooker. The food is better, as all flavors are retained, and everything is in better shape than when cooked over a fire. I can heartily recommend it to all. It saves fuel, heat, and trouble, for nothing ever burns, and it requires no attention. Should food be underdone, it can be brought to the boiling-point again, and replaced in the cooker.
A candy-pail, or a deep box with a close fitting cover, can be used for the cooker.
Sanitarium, Cal.

The Joy of Worthy Occupation

CHRISTIANITY brings the pure joy of worthy occupation. Worthy work gives one of life's greatest incomes of happiness. The three great fundamental laws of the kingdom of heaven are service, sacrifice, and love.—Selected.
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