A CATHOLIC priest of Chicago, Peter O’Callaghan, speaks as follows in reference to his church’s attitude toward the commandments of God:—
The enemies of the Lord’s day are the enemies of the Lord. “Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day” is a commandment of God that will never become obsolete or suspended. The church will never abrogate, nor can the church abrogate, the commandments of God.
It is true that the church can not abrogate the commandments of God, nor can any other power that may attempt to set its will up against the will of God; but the church for which the above-named priest speaks attempts to do that very thing by putting the first day of the week into that law in place of the seventh day. She then stigmatizes as enemies of God those who keep the commandments as they read, and refuse to accept that church’s substitution and her interpretation. The issue grows more clear-cut and striking with each new day.
Caricaturing God’s Law
LEADERS in the religious world have sought to nullify God’s law by declaring it abolished; higher critics have sought to prove it a copy or a modification of some earlier code of pagan origin; the schoolmen have tried to belittle it, and have made light of the idea of its having been given by the Almighty; certain church leaders have been trying to improve upon it by abbreviation; but within the past few months we have seen numerous caricatures of the great “ten words.” There have been published “ten commandments for wives,” “ten commandments for husbands,” “ten commandments for miners,” and “ten commandments” for this class and for that class, all of which are written up in a language of pseudo-sanctity. It is perfectly apparent that there is in this a deliberate attempt on the part of the enemy of souls to bring the law of God into disrepute, and to lessen its convicting power upon the hearts of men and women. In that Satan strikes at the basis of God’s government, and at the same time seeks to sear the hearts and consciences of individuals, so that the code of Christ’s kingdom may not be permitted to do its appointed work for them. It is an indication that the conflict is nearing the climax.
Armenian Mission Field
By Z. G. Baharian
Z. G. BAHARIAN
ON Sept. 12, 1911, I left Mush for Diarbekir. It took seven days to make the trip. On my way I stopped over Sabbath in Lidja, where I found several disciples. This company had several years ago drawn away from the work in Turkey, and they were left in a pitiful condition. They could not conscientiously unite with the Congregationalists, and could not keep up their position as a separate church. I had interesting talks with them in those two days, and tried to encourage them with the present truth. I will follow them with correspondence.
Diarbekir is a city of medium size, situated on the river Tigris. The Congregationalists have a church here, and schools for boys and girls. One morning as I was having my breakfast in my room, the door opened, and a well-dressed young man entered. He was looking for another preacher. Seeing that I also was a minister, he sat down and for several hours listened to the truth. I found that he is the pastor of the Congregationalist Church in a village near by. He preaches in Arabic, and as he showed much interest, I ordered several tracts for him in that language.
I found Diarbekir a fruitful province. The shores of the river Tigris produce plenty of large, sweet watermelons and muskmelons. An ordinary watermelon weighs thirty pounds, and some weigh sixty pounds. I was told that some kinds weigh as high as one hundred eighty pounds. Two watermelons would make a heavy load for a camel. Bread is cheap.
Traveling on horse four days, I arrived at Mamuret ul-Aziz, the capital of Kharput province. Here I remained five days. I went to Malatia in three days. Malatia is the first city of Armenia where our message entered. In 1898 when I visited Adana, one young man had accepted the truth, and our Brother Alexan Buzugherian, taking from him the address of a noted Protestant in Malatia, had sent the latter several Armenian tracts. This man and about forty other persons at once obeyed the commandments of God. This new and strange doctrine when practised enraged the people, especially the Protestants, and they stirred up the government against the believers, causing the noted ones to be arrested and imprisoned. Seeing this danger, many turned back; but the three imprisoned ones and two others stood fast in the truth.
God delivered them from prison, and they were sent to Mamuret ul-Aziz. The government found them faultless, but in order to quiet the wrath of the people, ordered them to close their shops on Sunday. These brethren have continued in the truth until now, except the first one, who sleeps in Jesus. In 1907 I visited them and baptized four brethren, and in 1910 two sisters were baptized.
This time I found the situation wholly different. The Protestant church was without a pastor. Sunday, October 1, I was invited to preach. The people were so affected that they began to beseech me to remain and help them. They were very willing to give me the pulpit Sundays. They were so earnest in their proposal that I was thinking of changing my field of labor to Malatia for the next winter. Just at this critical moment, Brother Bedros Tousdjian, a man of talent, whom we had called to be a worker, arrived from Albistan. After consulting about the situation, it was decided that he remain at Malatia. The burden left me, and with a glad heart I went on to Eghian.
Since leaving there I have received two letters from Brother Tousdjian. He has found much favor with the Protestants, who have willingly given their pulpit to him. He is preaching to them on Sundays, and holding another meeting on Thursdays. He also visits their homes and holds Bible readings, and in his own room he is giving a special course of Bible study. This seems a wonderful miracle. God has changed the times, glory to his name! We expect a good harvest from Malatia. Remember this field in your prayers.
Takat, Turkey.
The Work in Burma
By J. L. Shaw
J. L. SHAW
Dr. V. L. Mann, Brother and Sister C. E. Weaks, Mrs. E. E. Bruce, Mrs. Shaw, and the writer sailed from Calcutta for Rangoon, Dec. 15, 1911. On reaching Burma, we spent one day in Rangoon, and then proceeded up country with the object of visiting the Meiktila Industrial School, and also Mandalay, where work has been recently started.
Nearly four years had elapsed since we had visited Meiktila, and in the meantime an industrial school for Burmese boys had been started. Twenty-five acres of land was purchased, and a very creditable school building has been erected. Meiktila is one of the most healthful stations in Burma. The school land is situated about a mile from the center of the station, near a beautiful lake, toward which the school land gradually slopes. The soil seems quite fertile, and with abundance of water near at hand, we feel certain that fruit and vegetables in abundance can be raised. All the money obtained for buying the land and putting up the school building has been given by the people of Burma, who are interested in the enterprise. More money is in sight, and with five thousand rupees from the $300,000 Fund, it is hoped that a workshop may be built and equipped, a means of irrigating provided, and a house erected for Brother Thurber and his family. Fences are also required.
We saw some very promising-appearing boys at the school. Brother Thurber is sparing no effort nor pains to make the school a great success. He has some good teachers assisting him, and all we13saw gave evidence that every one is making favorable progress. We were very much interested in the furniture which is being made at the school. Under the direction of a Christian Chinaman, the boys are already making and caning chairs. They are made of teak, mission style, are nicely put together, and are a great credit to the school.
While there are many problems yet to be solved in building up the Meiktila school, a beginning has been made, good judgment has been shown in the work thus far, and with the Lord’s continued guidance we look to see an excellent school built up, and later young men going from it to the Master’s work in Burma.
We spent several days at Mandalay. It is a city of more than one hundred thousand inhabitants, the streets are well laid out, houses are sufficiently far apart so that the city is not congested like most Eastern cities. Brother and Sister R. A. Beckner, who are located there, have been engaged principally in studying the language, but have also sold some literature. Our tracts and pamphlets meet with ready sale. We hope to see Mandalay prove a very fruitful field of labor. Burma is a wonderful province of the Indian empire, and the Burmese and their good-natured independence always appeal to me.
We are now in the midst of the Burma general meeting. Concerning it and the work at Rangoon, I shall write at another time.
In Memoriam
By L. D. Santee
L. D. SANTEE
CALL them not back to earth’s weariness now;
Blossoms unfading will circle each brow.
Dim eyes are weeping, and fond hearts are sad;
But when Heaven calls, they’ll awake and be glad.
Angels watch over each earth-pillow as pressed;
They need no lullaby now for their rest.
Sweet is their resting, and dreamless their sleep,
Never hereafter in sorrow to weep.
Call them not back to earth’s wearisome shore;
Sorrows are ended, and burdens are o’er.
Blest are their slumbers, and calm their repose,
Clear from earth’s sorrows, and free from its woes.
Quiet the rest where the tears never fall;
God sends the blessings of peace unto all.
Storms are unheeded, their slumbers are deep,
Never hereafter in sorrow to weep.
Call them not back; there’s a seal on each brow
Resting in stillness and quietude now.
Pale lips are kissed with the quiet of peace;
They from life’s burdens have endless release.
Solemnly resting through earth’s passing years,
Waiting the day when the Master appears,
When the loud trumpet shall waken from sleep,
Never hereafter in sorrow to weep.
Call them not back to the valley of tears,
Soon they’ll awake to life’s radiant years,—
Only to sleep until Jesus shall come,
Then to rejoice in the gladness of home.
Far-away graves by the sad, restless sea,
Precious the dust that is resting in thee,
Peacefully sleeping where storms come no more.
Call them not back to earth’s wearisome shore.
Moline, Ill.
Prayer Wins the Victory
THE sultan of Turkey in 1839 passed a decree that not a representative of the Christian religion should remain in the empire. Dr. Godell came home to Dr. Hammond with the sad news: “It is all over with us; we have to leave. The American consul and the British ambassador say it is no use to meet with antagonism this violent and vindictive monarch.” The reply of Dr. Hammond was, “The Sultan of the universe can, in answer to prayer, change the decree of the sultan of Turkey.” They gave themselves to prayer; the next day the sultan died, and the decree has never been executed.—Selected.
British Guiana, South America
By E. C. BOGER
E. C. BOGER
Six months have passed since we arrived here from the States. It does not seem long, for we have been very busy. Soon after the news of the death of Elder O. E. Davis came from the interior, we began meetings in the Georgetown church. For a time they were held Sunday nights. Then a call came for tent-meetings.
After obtaining permission from the town council, we pitched our tent, Oct. 4, 1911, on the Bourda Green, one of the squares in the center of the city. From the very first we had all that the tent would hold. The interest was good, and the people would stay after the services to talk on the subject, sometimes until eleven o'clock. I finally asked Elder T. L. M. Spencer to come from New Amsterdam to assist in the work. The meetings continued for thirty-seven nights, during which time we had splendid weather. Best of all, about thirty took their stand for the third angel's message, nearly all adults. For this we praise the Lord. The people were sorry when the time came for the tent to be taken down.
After the close of the tent effort, those who had taken their stand were formed into a class, and continued to study the blessed truths of the Bible until they were established. On the last day of the old year, we assembled in the church for a baptismal service. It was a solemn occasion. Seventeen brethren and sisters followed their Lord into the watery grave, coming forth to walk with him the new life. There are about fifteen others who were not ready to take this important step at that time. These will soon follow the Master all the way. We praise the Saviour that we can have a part in gathering with him. The work throughout the colony is taking a new start, and this year we are looking forward to gaining many souls for Christ.
The Indians in the interior are calling for help, and we should have some one to go up there and live among them, teaching them the precious truths that have done so much for us. Who will go? It will take means also. Who will give? They have never heard the gospel except what was taught them by Elder Davis, and there are a great many Indians who have never even heard of the Bible. Does not their need appeal to you? I hope to take a trip among them this spring.
Over one half the population here is East Indian, and they must have the message. We have only one worker among them now, with seven believers. We have received some literature from India lately, and it takes well with the people here. God certainly must have some jewels among the East Indians of British Guiana.
We are of good courage in the Lord, and as we see the great controversy closing and the forces of evil being revealed, we pray that God will arouse his people to a realization of the times in which we are living, that they may give of their means for the closing up of this work.
We are enjoying good health so far, but this climate is very treacherous, and one must be careful. We are trusting all to His care.
Constantinople
By E. Frauchiger
E. FRAUCHIGER
THIS winter we are working in four different places in Constantinople. Among the Turkish-speaking people in Stambul, Brother V. Pampaian is holding meetings. On the Pera side Brother A. J. Girou is giving a series of special lectures to the French-speaking people. In our own church hall I am speaking to the German and the French people, while to the Greeks Brother Girou and I speak alternately by translator. The meetings have been well attended. At present we have snow about one foot deep.
OUR CONSTANTINOPLE TRAINING SCHOOL
Since introducing systematic canvassing, we have sold twenty thousand piasters' worth of literature in the city of Constantinople. Our canvassers have been arrested week after week for knocking at the doors. It is an entirely unknown custom in the Orient to enter the house of a stranger for the purpose of selling anything. Only the overcoming faith of our canvassers makes them able to endure all the hardships of being beaten and put in prison. They know that this message must be carried to every one.
The accompanying picture shows the progress of our school. We have at present fourteen in attendance. They come from Konia, Smyrna, Brusa, Kaiseri, Adana, Magnesia, Nicomedia, and one even from Bagdad, in Mesopotamia. We have to teach in three languages,—Turkish, Armenian, and Greek. By educating the youth, we hope to get some good help to work among the natives in a more direct way in the future.
We expect this year to be a year of progress. I believe the tithe will increase to nearly ten thousand piasters. In the last nine months of last year we received in tithes as much as for the whole of the previous year. While figures14are dead, they show the spiritual life of hearts in the message. Our members are scattered from the coast of the Adriatic Sea almost to Mt. Ararat, to Nineveh and Bagdad in the east, the Sudan in the south, and Adrianople in the north.
The new constitution has brought some sadness to our hearts on account of the military question. Many young men leave the country for Egypt or America for fear of the military service.
Things look really very serious and dark for the future of Turkey. The parliament has been dismissed, and the patrols are going through the streets.
A TURKISH SOLDIER
Many thousands of Turkey's young men are in the military camps to-day.
It is feared that revolution may break out at any time. Confidence in the management of the city is lacking. The city remains under war rules. There is a great deal of animosity among the Moslems, as they see that the Christians are taking Turkey piece by piece and putting it under Christian rule.
Our prayer is that the Lord may hold the winds until we are able to finish the work, that soon all nations may be united under one King. Pray for the work in Turkey.
British East Africa
By A. A. Carscallen
(Concluded)
A. A. CARSCALLEN
WE are indeed glad to report the first baptism in this part of the Dark Continent. On May 21, 1911, we had a baptismal service at Gendia Mission. All our workers were present, also Brother B. Ohme, our superintendent for German East Africa. Sixteen boys followed their Lord in baptism, and in the afternoon joined in partaking of the Lord’s Supper.
All who have had experience in working for others, and seeing them leave the world for Christ, will understand our joy in seeing these sixteen boys, the first of the million Kavirondos, take their stand upon the principles of the third angel’s message. We often wonder where these boys get the courage to step out against the teachings, customs, and influence of all their own people. One of the sixteen is a little boy of only twelve years, but he is one of the most earnest and sincere of all. He took his stand alone in his family. He is now anxious to take the message to others. Once a week I read a few items to the boys from the REVIEW, translating as I read, and it is encouraging to see the interest they take in the spread of the message. They really feel as much a part of that message as any of our people. We have other boys who are almost ready to be baptized, and we hope to have another baptismal service in 1912.
We have just started three out-schools, and we are planning to open two more in a short time in connection with the Gendia Mission. Brother J. D. Baker is now opening his first at Wire Hill, and we trust others may be started there soon. We also hope it may be possible to begin work for the Kisii people by starting out-schools among them. The Wire Hill station is near the Kisii border, and we shall try to get some boys from that tribe to come to our schools. Brother Baker has been teaching several who know that language; and just as soon as we have a teacher ready, we are going to make use of him among the Kisii tribe.
We are sorry to report some sickness during 1911. Brother Baker has been ill since April. We were afraid for a while that we would have to send him home, but he took a decided turn for the better, and so stayed. He is not able to do much in the sun, but can work at the language in the house. To remain in the house is one of the hardest things to do out here. One always wants to move about, and that makes this a hard country in which to be ill. Brother H. H. Brooks was also very ill for several months. He developed abscess of the liver, and we sent him to the hospital in Nairobi. When he came out, we thought he would be quite well again, but as he had another bad turn and kept getting worse, we were compelled to send him home. He left us the first of November. He is the first worker who has had to give up his post in this field. We sincerely hope it will not be long before he will be strong enough to return to the work he so reluctantly laid down.
In the previous issue, we referred to the opposition of the government to our work in this place during the past four years. During that time I have talked with every official who could in any way help us, but the provincial commissioner has always said that the Seventh-day Adventists could not have any more sites. A short time ago he came to see us, and before going away, told us that from this time on he would treat us in a different manner. He said he had been against us because he had always been given to understand that we were working against the government, but that he had not been in our house long before he knew this was not true. He also spoke about our work, our principles, and our plans, and then gave us ten acres of land, the very best in our district. Quite naturally we could not understand this change in one who had done all he could to oppose us. We therefore did not wish to say much until we should see if things would take another turn. We are glad to say that all the letters from the provincial commissioner since then have caused us to believe that there is indeed a change for the better for us in this field. The provincial commissioner is a strong man in the government, and if he really understands that we wish to do what is right, we think he will help us. We know that the country must be opened up for the message, and God can open it at his pleasure.
We indeed have much to be thankful for. God has not forsaken us, and his hand has not been withdrawn from us. We thank him for the progress during 1911, and trust that he will help us to accomplish more during the coming year.
A few days ago one of the men who comes to church every Sabbath, spoke out in the meeting, and asked, “If Jesus is to come as soon as every one hears, why do not a lot of your people come and tell our people the story of Jesus? Then it would be finished quickly.” Our boys are regularly praying for God to send more workers to spread his Word. Will our people at home remember these calls, and think of us and our work in this field? Your prayers will help in two ways: First, sincere prayer will be answered; and second, your interest in our work will deepen, and perhaps some will feel called to come and help in bearing the message to these who sit in darkness.
Moslems
By T. E. BOWEN
T. E. BOWEN
JAMES P. McNAUGHTON, in the Moslem World, touches the root of the weakness of the Mohammedan faith to uplift the soul, in the following:—
“Although ninety names are used in characterizing God, Father is not one of them. Moslems have no conception of God in the capacity of fatherhood; their idea is more that of an Oriental despot, — merciful, if you will, but arbitrary to the last degree. It offers no hope of salvation except through personal merit; no Saviour, no atonement. . . . Lying, licentiousness, cheating, polygamy, divorce, and heaven are a program that so completely suits fallen man that it is no wonder Islam is gaining followers rapidly.
“The Moslem problem is difficult of solution on account of its strong points. A religion containing some of the cardinal truths of our faith is much harder to influence than that which is burdened with the crude conceptions of fetishism or crass idolatry. The Moslem holds much truth mixed up with much error. He believes in one God, maker of heaven and earth; he believes that Christ was a prophet, but not divine; he believes in the forgiveness of sins, in the resurrection15and life everlasting. Now, a man holding in firm conviction so much that is strong can not be expected to abandon his fortress without a struggle; indeed, he thinks his fortress stronger than ours. We find men in the home land who say, ‘Why do you not leave the Mohammedan alone? His religion is good enough for him.’ Is it? Hear what Schlegel, the German scholar, has to say of it: ‘A prophet without miracles, a religion without mysteries, and a morality without love, which has encouraged a thirst for blood, and which began and ended in unbounded sensuality.’ ”
It is the incarnation of Christ—the divine Son of the living God, the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth—that tolls the death knell of Mohammedanism.
“Now why does not the Moslem accept Christianity that presents so much richer a monotheism, not only a God of infinite power, but a God of infinite love, interpreted to us through the blessed incarnation? It is just here that the difficulty appears. The presentation of Christ in his divinity is a direct attack upon monotheism. The Trinity to the Moslem is tritheism. It is the disintegration of the great thought of God’s oneness.”
“Christ in you, the hope of glory,” is a statement wholly incomprehensible to a Moslem mind. What avail is it to him that the Holy Spirit penned, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”? Thus the very hopelessness of the Moslem faith should be the strongest appeal possible to lead those who know the living Christ, who have experienced the blessedness of his love, to seek to win to him the followers of Mohammed. The third angel’s message has power in it to win Moslems. And it has already won some to Christ, the living Leader of this movement which is going to the nations of the earth to-day.
The Sleep of the Sleepless
By David Paulson
DAVID PAULSON, M. D.
MODERN civilization is developing an alarming number of people who are almost entire strangers to the luxury of sound and refreshing sleep. The amount of sleeping powders and other nerve-quieting remedies that is sold is enormous, and is rapidly increasing year by year. All drug sleep is, however, a wretched substitute for the real article. Sleep-producing remedies induce a stupor by a species of intoxication. That is why the insomnia patient so frequently remarks after such sleep, “I feel as if I had been on a drunken spree.”
Thirty centuries ago the Scriptures declared that “the sleep of a laboring man is sweet,” and to-day it is the sedentary man, or he who earns his bread by brain work instead of by the sweat of his brow, that is a candidate for insomnia. This only confirms the inspired declaration that “the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.” Eccl. 5:12. And this applies quite as well to the entire stress and strain of our modern business system.
A recent editorial on this subject in the New York Medical Record gives the following additional common causes for the prevailing sleeplessness:—
“Perhaps the second most efficient reason why we sleep too little is the general use of gray-matter stimulants—coffee, tea, cocoa, tobacco, alcohol, all or one or more in a day. Largely because at times they have enjoyed good sleep immediately after taking these stimulants, when, in reality, as a rule they are. Of course, at times one may sleep in spite of them, for reasons that no one can as yet explain. As it is, throngs of sedentary people are kept from feeling normally sleepy at the proper time by these stimulants.”
“A third reason obviously is the evening-entertainment habit, despite the necessity of early rising for work. How numerous are the theater-mad and the opera-mad and the bridge-mad in our day! And they unduly waste the sleep-time.”
Our city population, who must almost constantly endure the clanging of the street-car, the “honk” of the auto, the rattling of the heavy truck, and a thousand other artificial sounds, scarcely knows what a quiet sleep is except when a night is spent in the country with some friends.
In addition to these ordinary causes may be mentioned the uncertainty of business affairs, the remorse of a guilty conscience, and the despair of one who is not at peace with God.
How to Coax Sleep
It has been said that you may lead a horse to water, but you can not make him drink; so you may go to bed and close your eyes, but you can not force yourself to sleep. From a somewhat extensive experience in dealing with nervous patients, the majority of whom were more or less sleepless, I offer the following practical suggestions:—
1. Don’t worry because you can not sleep. Some remarkable experiments made by Edison in his electrical laboratory show that very little sleep suffices for a time, provided the waking hours are not spent in worry. Remember that just lying in bed and enjoying the rest is a fair substitute for refreshing sleep.
2. All means that tend to relieve the congested brain are sleep producers; for instance, a short warm bath just before retiring, which draws the blood into the skin. Sometimes a long lukewarm bath is even more soothing. A fairly good substitute is a warm foot-bath, or even a hot-water bag or hot brick to the feet or to the spine after going to bed. Raising the head of the bed by putting two bricks under it works like magic in some cases. Occasionally, wrapping the head in a light towel wrung out of cold water will also encourage sleep.
3. The drinking of a cupful of hot water or hot milk is a reliable remedy for many a sleepless patient.
4. Moving the bed out on the veranda not only tends to induce sound sleep, but to improve the general health as well. Extensive experience has convinced me16that the “sleep-outs” actually require less sleep than the “sleep-ins.”
5. Avoid, as far as possible, all exciting work, reading, or games in the evening. Some moderate but agreeable physical exercise is the ideal thing if nothing else is available. A pleasant walk may be indulged in often with the most happy results.
6. Sleeplessness is sometimes merely a bad habit, which can be broken most successfully by some decided change, like a brief visit to agreeable friends, a week’s camping out, a little trip to the seashore or mountains. When planned sensibly, such an outing may easily be taken without any great outlay of either time or money, while the benefit to be derived from it generally far exceeds the actual expense.
7. Sleeplessness is sometimes caused by a heavy heart instead of a congested brain. Such cases require intelligent spiritual treatment rather than the most expert physical remedies.
The assurance of sins forgiven; the knowledge that divine grace not only can but will restore fully “the years that the locust hath eaten” (Joel 2:25); that the domestic sorrow or other heartaches, when committed to the great Burden-bearer, will in his hands be transformed into a sweet blessing instead of a grievous curse,—such assurance I can say from abundant personal observation will enable many a poor, nerve-racked, sleepless sufferer to exclaim, “Thou hast put gladness in my heart. . . . I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.” Ps. 4:7, 8.
Hinsdale, Ill.
A Constant Miracle
THE Bible itself is a standing and an astonishing miracle. Written fragment by fragment, throughout the course of fifteen centuries under different states of society and in different languages, by persons of the most opposite tempers, talents, and conditions, learned and unlearned, prince and peasant, bond and free; cast in every form of instructive composition and good writing,—history, prophecy, poetry, allegory, emblematic representation, judicial interpretation, literal statement, precept, example, proverbs, disquisition, epistle, sermon, prayer; in short, all rational shapes of human discourse,—and treating, moreover, of subjects not obvious, but most difficult; its authors are not to be found, like other writers, contradicting one another upon the most ordinary matters of fact and opinion, but are at harmony upon the whole of their sublime and momentous scheme.—Maclagan.
My Heart’s Desire
By Maggie A. Pulver
MAGGIE A. PULVER
Give me, O Lord, a faith that clings
When darkness hides my Saviour’s
form,—
A faith that ’mid life’s conflicts sings,
And bides with me in calm and storm.
Give me, O Lord, a faith that feels
That thou hast portioned me my lot
According to my mortal needs,—
My weakness thou hast not forgot,—
A living faith, a perfect trust
That fails not till the crown is won,
That lays my loved ones in the dust,
And calmly says, “God’s will be
done,”—
A faith that grasps the Infinite,
And lays my treasures up on high;
That guides my footsteps day and night
To mansions waiting in the sky.
