p. 24 | Review and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 37. (9/3/1914)

Earlier text: Ministerial Reading Course

Self the Same in Every Age

In every age and in every nationality human nature has manifested the same characteristics and the same tendencies. When the prophet of God centuries ago wrote, “The human heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” he referred not alone to the heart of the Jew; he referred to the heart of every human being that dwelt upon the face of the earth.

What an example we have of this in the warring nations of the Old World at the present time! So-called Protestant Germany,—the home of the Reformation,—with its famous universities of learning, its scholars and scientists of international reputation; England, the center of the world’s commerce, the country which has done so much to promote civilization, Christian missions, and stable government in the world; France, with its boasted chivalry, its esthetic tastes,—strange indeed it is to see these leaders among the nations of men waging a bloody conflict in which there is portrayed all the passions of human nature. The world may be more highly civilized today, more broadly cultured, more refined in its tastes, but it has not yet reached that place, with all its vaunted civilization and Christianity, where the leading nations of men can keep from flying at each other’s throats for the sake of national honor or selfish aggrandizement.

What a commentary conditions today afford upon the world’s great need! Truly without Christ the nations of men are lost and undone. Their tendencies are downward. Outside of Christ there is no salvation. Stable governments, just and equitable laws, scientific research, great universities, noted statesmen and scholars, chivalry, refinement,—these cannot change the human heart. There must come into man a power outside of himself, even the mighty power of God. By this power alone can he overcome the natural ferocity, the selfish propensities, the jealousies and animosities, which exist in the hearts of the human family.

Realizing this, let us seek to lead our fellows, whatever may be their station in life, their position, or their environment, to the one true source of salvation. Christ is needed today by the king upon the throne, by the serf in the field. He is needed by the captain of industry and by the prince of finance equally with the humble laborer in the field or on the street. The salvation of every individual depends upon his acceptance of the blessed Master.

We learn from the West Indian Messenger that Elder S. A. and Mrs. Oberg, formerly of Porto Rico, have reached Venezuela, Elder Oberg having taken the superintendency of the work there in place of Elder F. G. Lane, who was compelled to return to this country on account of Mrs. Lane’s health.

News from India and Belgium

THE little workers’ organ of the India Union Mission, the Eastern Tidings, has a note from Prof. H. R. Salisbury, speaking of the good influence of the Mussoorie treatment room work. Our sanitarium workers particularly will be interested in some of the figures. In June 425 treatments were given. Among those who were treated were quite a number of native princes, “the maharaja of Kapurthala, the maharani of Tehri, rana sahib of Nepal, the prince of Kapurthala, and three physicians, besides lawyers, professors, army officers, and forest officers. The income for the month was Rs. 1,400, $466.” Mussoorie is a hill station, in the Himalaya Mountains.

THE General Conference had a letter from Elder R. G. Klingbeil, written from a suburb of Brussels, August 9. He says: “We hope that the Lord will make an end of this trouble, and give us a little more time to bring the message to these poor people. Pray for us and for the work here in Belgium. We are full of courage, and our trust is in our God amid all this trouble.”

Missions “Review”

By D. W. Reavis

BELIEVING all our subscribers would appreciate having their copy of the Ingathering number of the REVIEW in advance of its date of publication (October 8), we mailed a copy to each subscriber last week. There will be no other issue of the REVIEW of October 8.

We are sure that all will be pleased with this year’s Ingathering REVIEW. It is by far the best we have put out. The sample copy will not appear at its best on account of its being folded, but all copies sent out in bulk will be mailed flat. They will not be wrinkled or soiled.

Now is the time to send in orders for the Ingathering REVIEW. All churches, companies, and isolated members should decide how many they will use, and place their orders at once with the conference tract society. The orders should be liberal, and plans laid for the most vigorous effort ever made in behalf of our missions, now more than ever in great need. D. W. REAVIS.

“Review” War Extra

By D. W. Reavis

ORDERS for the REVIEW Extra increased day by day during the past week. On Tuesday, the twenty-fifth, 101,000 copies were ordered. The total number ordered up to the time of going to press with this issue of the REVIEW was over 800,000, and still the orders are pouring in faster than the papers can be printed with the presses running all day and all night.

The orders are filled as promptly as possible, each being sent out in the order of its arrival, with the exception of those required for a special limited period. These are advanced promptly.

Those who have ordered may be assured that their papers will be sent at the earliest possible date. Those who have not yet ordered, but expect to place an order soon, should get their orders in as soon as circumstances may admit, so they will not be far removed from an early date of mailing by many others whose orders are hurried in.

D. W. REAVIS.

Elder Votaw Returns to America

WE learn from India that Elder H. H. and Mrs. Votaw sailed July 1 for America, we should think probably by way of Europe, but where they may be held up on the journey we do not know. Elder Votaw is returning under medical counsel for a little time, fully expecting to go back to Burma at an early date.

Correction Regarding “If They Only Knew”

MRS. GRACE TWING FULTON writes us that the poem published in the REVIEW of July 30, “If They Only Knew,” was credited to her by mistake. She did not write the poem, and does not know the name of the author.

Slow Mails From Europe

MAILS are still very slow from the troubled portions of Europe. The last letter received from Germany was dated July 26 (before the outbreak of war), coming in only a few days ago.

Forty Baptisms in the Philippine Islands

IN a recent business letter from the Philippine Islands, Elder L. V. Finster reports forty baptisms. Thus from all the outlying places comes in news of progress in soul-winning effort.

Elder Allen Moon’s Present Address

CORRESPONDENTS of Elder Allen Moon will make note that his present address is 1159 East Indiana Ave., South Bend, Ind.

Liberal Mission Offerings in Ohio

A NOTE from Elder B. G. Wilkinson, president of the Columbia Union Conference, tells of the very liberal response made by our brethren in Ohio to the call for mission offerings. He says: “In response to our call the brethren at the camp laid on the altar in cash and pledges $11,000. Five men gave $500 each, several $250 each, and many $100 each. Others laid on the altar houses and lots, thoroughbred horses, etc. The blessing and power of the Lord rested upon the camp. This was Ohio’s response to the emergency call growing out of the European situation.” Elder A. R. Sandborn, president of the New Jersey Conference, writes similarly of the hearty response made by some of the churches in that field in an effort to bring up their mission offerings to the full quota, and we learn from other fields that the same spirit is working. When men give themselves to God, the giving of their possessions will follow as a natural consequence.

Interrupted Mail Service to South America

By cable from South America the Mission Board treasury department learns of interruption of regular mail service on which that field depends for its appropriations from the Mission Board treasury. Apparently, from the newspaper reports, South America feels the war in Europe almost as if its own ports were under blockade, so much of the business in that country being dependent upon the European steamship lines.