Earlier text: The Passing of Halley's CometCheering Tokens and Providences
By William A. Spicer
Go where you will, and wherever believers in this third angel's message are devoting themselves to the work, you will hear testimonies that show that the Lord makes bare his holy arm in behalf of those who trust him, and go forth in his service. The good Swedish conference session is just closing, as I write. From first to last the manifest influence of the Holy Spirit has been with these Swedish brethren and sisters, about two hundred assembled. It is blessed to find this everywhere, and to know that God is preparing the hearts of his people as one, for the finishing of the work. There is a great work to be done in this northern land. Eight hundred believers in a country with six million people have a great responsibility. Three tents are to be put into the field this season, and our general workers in Europe are cheered to see the tokens of a revival of yet more aggressive work in Sweden. It is my first visit; and this I see, that our brethren and sisters here love the Lord and the message. I hear testimonies of confidence and joy and penitence, and of courage and determination. Here are believers grown gray in this faith, thanking God for the hope of soon seeing the triumph; young people, and students from the school, giving voice to their devotion as they go out into the field, and, in fact, just the same coming into line for the finishing of the work that we hear of in all lands. The book work has gone with special strength in Sweden. This morning the committee on credentials and licenses read the names of forty-six colporteurs, mostly sisters. And as I hear of the experiences of these pioneer workers, I thank God that everywhere he is sending his angels before the faithful laborers. Some Providences on the Swedish Frontier
Why should we not place on record some of these special providences? Some might call them fortunate experiences; but the workers who go out for the love of Christ to meet experiences that no other motive could constrain them to encounter, believe that the Lord Jesus does fulfil his promise, “Lo, I am with you alway.” The Bible, tells of deliverances and overshadowings of divine care, and says: “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord.” Ps. 107: 43. The same divine watch-care and the same angels of God's providence are with the workers to-day. During the conference, Brother E. Lind, of the Swedish publishing department, has told me several incidents of the book work in Sweden. Our sisters have done loyal service even on the wild frontiers in this land. They have taken orders away beyond the railway lines, carrying books on their backs and placing the truth before those who have few religious privileges. In the northern part of Sweden, a sister had a delivery of “Great Controversy” to make, fourteen miles from the railway, far back in the mountains. She carried about fifteen books on her back. The Swedish “Great Controversy” is a large book, and fifteen of these volumes is a heavy burden for a long mountain journey. But she said she seemed to make that fourteen miles, with her burden of message-filled books, scarcely feeling weary under the load. So marked was the strength she received, that she said she felt sure that an angel must have helped her to carry the books up into the mountains; and in the simplicity of her faith, she praised God for sending her special help. Why should it be thought a thing incredible that God should send an angel to strengthen a struggling child of his to carry a burden? “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” When this sister reached the mountain district with her books, the people joyfully received them, and declared that the Lord had surely sent her up there with the truth that their souls needed. Weary paths these are over the mountains; but, as it is written, How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet that bring good tidings! At another time, in this same wild region, the sister had run out of money, and for two days had had nothing to eat in her travels by foot. She turned aside into a wood, and in her need prayed the Lord to help her to get something to eat. Then as she came down into the road, immediately a man met her with a loaf of bread. Holding it out, he said, “Do you want this?” With thanks she took the bread; and turning aside again into the wood, she sat down to eat by a mountain stream, and gave thanks to God for his answer to her cry, sending her bread and water in her sore need. As for the man who brought the help, she had never seen him before, and never saw him after. Whether man or angel, she could not tell; and it mattered not. The answer and the deliverance had come from God.12 Another sister was canvassing close to the Norwegian border, in the north central part of the Scandinavian peninsula. She lost her way in the forest. Farther and farther she wandered, wading rivers above her waist. Night came on, and she was in distress, and cried to God for help. Just as she felt it impossible to go farther, she saw a light, and came upon a hunters' camp. They treated her with kind hospitality. She received food, dried her clothing by the fire, and with blankets loaned her, slept at one side of the camp in peace and thankfulness. Next morning a hunter led her to the road leading to a settlement, gave her the name of a family to inquire for, and said, “Stay there until we come home.” Next day the hunters returned, and told the story of the sister's wandering and deliverance. The story passed from lip to lip through the whole region, and awakened so great an interest in our sister that, as she went about, the people would ask, “Are you the woman who was lost in the forest?” And nearly every family was eager to order one of her books. “So getting lost,” said Brother Lind, “really was the means of leading her to the right place in which to sell books.” But this must suffice. During the last year, $25,482 worth of our books have been placed in the homes of Sweden. Pray for the work in this prosperous-looking land of the Baltic and the Bothnia, and for Elder S. F. Svensson, the president, and all his fellow workers and believers as they face a new year of service. Sweden is interested in the regions beyond, and is already represented in the Abyssinian Mission by two workers. For this mission an offering of over one hundred dollars was taken up on Sabbath afternoon, and several strong young people volunteered for the mission fields. The Danger of This Time
By C. M. S.
THE great religious world is drifting away from the fundamentals of true Christianity. Many who consider themselves Christians are free to admit that they do not believe now in the Christianity which they embraced at conversion; that they have discarded as non-essentials those things which they then considered fundamentals. This is not simply a broadening of view, but a departure from very first principles in such matters as the atonement of Christ, salvation through him alone, the fall of man, the personality of God, and the penalty for sin. These are Scripture truths; yet there has crept into the popular church theories that are steadily undermining belief in these truths. Souls are drifting away from these saving truths to pin their faith to theories that are of human invention — theories that leave Christ out of the plan of salvation. Because of this condition, which God knew would exist in the last days, he caused these words to be written: “We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation?” Heb. 2: 1-3. Here is brought to view something that is in danger of drifting, and something that is steadfast. God designed that we should cling to that which is steadfast, and so become established ourselves. His injunction to us is: “Be ye steadfast, unmovable.” And again: “As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and builded up in him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ: for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Outside of him there is none of that fulness which makes for eternal life; and outside of him are all those philosophies and vain deceits, inventions and traditions of men, and rudiments of this world — all those subtle powers that are working together to cause souls to drift away from the foundations of faith. So the Word admonishes us to give heed to the truths of the gospel, lest we drift away from them, and allow ourselves to become spoiled through human schemes, which are to-day being put in the place of the truths of God. A ship is in grave danger when it begins to drift away from its course. It is in greatest danger when, near its journey’s end, it begins to drift. With propeller and rudder gone, with the rocks at hand, and the wind and waves urging it on, its doom is sealed. We are warned of a time when there will be a form of godliness in the world, but destitute of vital power. That time is now. The powerless and rudderless ship of many a soul is surely drifting upon the rocks of ruin, because the admonitions of the Word have not been heeded. While there are still many souls anchored to the steadfast Rock, the great church body is surely drifting. It is a time to “give heed” and “watch unto prayer,” to examine ourselves whether we “be in the faith,” to put no trust in the arm of flesh or the philosophies of men, but rather take the Word of God as the “man of our counsel,” and put our trust in that Name through which alone we must be saved. “As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” WORK is the panacea for a multitude of spiritual as well as physical ills. Stagnation and death result from inactivity in both realmes of operation. Exercise is life. Work takes the mind away from self and self-centered interests. It leads one to forget his woes and worries. It drives away his pessimism, and makes him hopeful and happy. No Christian can thrive without maintaining an active state of existence. The Christ life was a life of earnest, active, persistent labor. The record of Christ is that he “went about doing good.” Those possessing real spiritual power are always earnest workers in the Master’s vineyard. And the reverse is also true. In every church the men and women who are sour and critical, who are narrow-minded and pessimistic, are those who do nothing. If this class could but realize the sweetness of labor, could enter into this spirit of earnest work for others, it would bring a joy into their experience which perhaps they never knew before, and certainly a joy which far surpasses anything which they now feel. Work for others not only does the recipient good, but it returns with tenfold reactive power to bless the participant. As we seek to help others, our own souls are lifted out of the clouds of darkness and discouragement. We are elevated from the lowlands of doubt and uncertainty to the highlands of faith, praise, and joyfulness. Poor, discouraged one, would you seek relief from your depression, go to work for some one else. Cease to turn your eyes inward, forget self, forget your own pains and unfavorable environment, consider the less favorable surroundings of some poor unfortunate. Do not wait for a flight of feeling, for some mighty impulse which will take you out of yourself. This may never come. Do what you know God wants you to do, what your own judgment tells you you ought to do. Reach out to help others. Talk faith, and faith will come to your own heart. This is our hope in the times of darkness thickening around us. Amid the enshrouding gloom we must fix our eyes upon God, and look upward instead of downward. There is a rift in the cloud overhead. By faith our eyes can catch the gleam that comes from the open door of God’s grace; and by reaching out the hand of helpfulness to our unfortunate fellows, we may be enabled to draw their gaze to the great Source of power. Let us find in work for others the remedy and solace for our own spiritual ills. Lifting Up a New God
By C. M. S.
THE present condition of this world is as true a fulfilment of prophecy as any fulfilment of prophecy that has ever come to pass. Even men of the world realize that a climax is approaching, though they may not believe that climax has been long foretold in the Word of God. The words, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come,” are intended to prepare a people now living to stand in the times of deception that now exist. Those “perilous times” are not simply times when it will be dangerous to walk abroad for fear of robbers, or of those who would take life; but, rather, days in which the very soul itself is in danger through the falsehoods, deceptions, and soul-snares that will be everywhere prevalent; a time when Satan will be working with “all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish.” He will be using human instrumentalities; for the words, “them that perish,” refer to human beings, as well as to Satan and his fallen angels. So human beings, who are themselves deceived, will in turn become the deceivers of others, “blind leaders of the blind,” who will “fall into the ditch” together. We are seeing more and more of this very work as we draw closer to the end of the age. Men are taking up the work of advancing the most subtle deceptions that have ever been promulgated in the earth—deceptions designed by the great deceiver himself, and intended to undermine, in the minds and hearts of men, all respect, reverence, and regard for, and all trust in, the Holy Scriptures. With that accomplished, it would be—and so far as it has been accomplished it has become—a much easier matter to introduce all kinds of specious reasonings, all kinds of deceptive doctrines, all kinds of groundless plans of salvation, until the whole world should become a confused whirl of speculation, doubt, deceit, and vaporings of “science falsely so called”—a babel indeed. Looking down through the ages upon the conditions that now exist and will increase to the end, our Saviour exclaimed, “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” It would seem as if that were an impossibility; that the great flood of deception and false doctrine would sweep over and submerge the last vestige of the true faith; that the mists of doubt and “science” would quench the last spark of true Christian belief. But no; in spite of all the enemy has done or can do, there will still be found in the earth a people doing the will of God, reverencing the Word of God, and refusing to yield to any of the commands, or to heed any of the threats, of that power which is defying God and his work, and setting up himself and his work in the hearts of the people—and doing so much of it, too, in the name of God and Christianity. “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12. This is what the prophet sees after looking upon the great host of this world’s inhabitants, who have forsaken the true God and the true faith, and have yielded to the commands of the “beast” power, doing its will and receiving its mark. At the time when the prophet sees this small company standing for God, the whole world has made its decision; the whole world has decided which power it will obey. The line is clearly drawn. The one company is marked; the other is sealed. Following this there is seen in the heavens “a white cloud.” Upon that cloud sits the Son of man, “having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.” Rev. 14:14. To that One a voice from heaven cries, “Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” That is the second coming of Christ and the judgment of the earth. The great work of the deceiver on the one hand, and the great work of the last threefold message on the other, have brought out these two classes,—the one sealed to God and eternal life, the other marked with the mark of God’s enemy, and destined to go with him into perdition. Now, at the present time, both of these great works are going on in the earth. The closing work of the gospel is calling out the people who will “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” At the same time Satan’s work is progressing in and through those who have forsaken the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. As already stated, this work of the enemy will be carried on in the name of Christianity—in the name of God. It is now being so carried on. Men standing in Christian pulpits are heaping discredit upon the Holy Scriptures, the plan of salvation, the commandments of God, and faith in Christ as man’s Redeemer, and are setting up in their place a god of their own conception, their own plan of salvation, their own redeemer; and this is not confined to one pulpit, or to the pulpits of one country, but has become the popular teaching of these times. A popular preacher has given his estimate of Jesus of Nazareth. He was condescending enough to admit that Jesus was a good man, and probably the greatest teacher the world had known up to that time, but stated that there were defects in his ethical conceptions; and then this popular preacher declared: “In these matters I could have given him some important pointers myself.” While extolling “the manliness of Jesus,” this blind leader of the blind went on to speak of the mistakes which Jesus made in his ministry. Another such preacher laughs at the idea of asking people to come to Jesus, stating that all that is required of Christians is to do the best they can in their own circumstances, and that this is all that Jesus did. Add to such work as this the destructive work of the higher critics, and the preachers and teachers who are declaring the law of God null and void, and then can we wonder that the Word has warned us of these times as “perilous times,” times when the souls of men are in peril? A new god is being held up before the people. It is the god of self, and its worship is self-worship. Its commandments are simply the dictates of human desires, and obedience to them is obedience to him who first set up his own selfish desires against the word and will of the Most High. The service of self is the service of Satan, who is the god of selfishness. Every instrumentality not yielded to God will be impressed into the service of his enemy. They are being so impressed now, and soon the line will be drawn between “him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.” It is a time of peril. It is also a time of great privilege for the faithful child of God. In these days of sensational stir many preachers have adopted the methods of the world in seeking to secure a hearing. Leaving the simplicity of gospel methods, they employ some of the strenuous, spectacular plans of the sensational advertiser and traveling showman. Dr. Thomas E. Green, in the June number of Hampton's, discusses the methods of some of these strenuous preachers, and speaks of some of the after-effects of their revival work. He cites a recent spectacular parade in the city of Chicago, where a revivalist led his followers on a midnight march through the tenderloin of the city. Of the results of this unusual performance, he says:— All Chicago flocked early to see the show. Five thousand marchers, four abreast, many of them boys and young women, devout old men and grandmothers, inspired by an earnest notion that they were doing something heroic, marched through the section where the worst dregs of Chicago's vice are segregated. The streets were jammed with multitudes of the curious, from theater parties in evening clothes and automobiles, to boys and girls for whom it was an astounding lark. All the other resorts were closed by order of the police, but14 the morbid throngs filled the saloons. Barkeepers were exhausted with the effort to serve their patrons. Cafés were thronged with men and women drinking at the tables. Young men and girls everywhere showed the effect of undue indulgence during the long wait for the show. The instant the marchers had passed beyond the district, the resorts threw open their doors, and police and dive-keepers gave unanimous testimony that there never had been a night of such business as was transacted from that hour until daylight. The estimate of some of the onlookers of this performance was given by a veteran policeman, who said: “It drew a lot of people to the tenderloin who never saw it before, but I haven't yet heard a word about religion.” In closing the recital of this Chicago effort, Dr. Green justly raises the question, Was it worth while? Did it pay? We do not believe that the best results can follow the preaching of the gospel by such methods, nor do we believe that the influence of the tenderloins of our cities can be counteracted, or their residents or patrons particularly helped, by exposing the young and innocent to direct contact with their influence. We need, in the preaching of the present day, greater simplicity, simplicity of faith and simplicity of method. These, accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit, will convict men of sin in a way that can not be done by the blare of trumpets. WITH feverish excitement the nations of earth are vying with one another to-day in the increase of their army and navy equipment. During 1908 Great Britain spent upon her army and navy nearly three hundred fifty million dollars, Germany spent approximately two hundred forty million, and other European nations in like proportion. We have not at hand the figures for 1909, but they will show a material increase over those given. All this means an increase of national debt, and greatly increased burdens of taxation, which fall with double weight upon the poorer classes. In consequence a condition of unrest and discontent is created, which of itself, even without other predisposing causes, in order to afford relief to the overburdened people, tends to precipitate war. Says the Washington Post:— Russia is resolved to expend $1,000,000,000 for the army and navy as fast as the work can be accomplished. Of course that means that Japan must prepare to strengthen her army and navy correspondingly, as must Germany and Austria and also England and France; and thus does every laborer of Europe have a soldier or a sailor on his back. The Post argues that if these great armies could be disbanded, and the rank and file return to their homes, and engage in commercial and industrial pursuits, the cost of living, the world around, would be decreased one half. In view of the situation confronting us, the editor suggests: “Maybe Armageddon is just ahead of us.” In this he suggests only that which the prophet of the Bible declares to be true, and which the political situation confronting the world requires us to believe. We have reached a time in this earth’s history when the nations are angry. This also is the time when the dead are being judged, and the wrath of God is about to be poured upon a guilty world. The symbolic stone of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, which was cut out without hands, is soon to smite the nations of gold, and silver, and iron, and clay, and they are to be broken in pieces, and become like the chaff of the summer threshing-floor; but the stone is to become a great mountain, and fill the whole earth. These are the thrilling times in which we live to-day. From the strife of men and the war of nations may we turn our minds to the eternal kingdom of peace. A WRITER in a recent number of the Christian Work and Evangelist sees many indications of what he terms “signs of decay of the moral sense.” He feels that the great need to-day is “a sweeping revival of just common, decent honor and honesty,” and a “sweeping sense of sin and its horror.” He sees signs of this moral decadence in the conditions prevailing in the great Christian church. He says that men and women profess Christianity and unite with the church, they pledge themselves to support the church activities and ministries, they assume solemn obligations to manifest the Christ life in all their relationships; but they signally fail in carrying out these pledges. And not only are vows to serve the church broken, but vows to moral and ethical laws; vows to live Christ’s life as far as in them lies; vows to purely serve the country they have made their own; vows they have made to wives and husbands,—these seem to be very loosely held in our day. But the sense of obligation to vows is the mark of all true, strong, worthy, and worthful men. Let us get back this mark of true manhood. Proceeding further, the writer discusses the corruption which has crept into national, state, and municipal administration. He cites the wholesale bribery which has been carried on in connection with the city administration of San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, and other centers, and says:— The horror of all this is that many of these men have not moral sense enough to realize that they are both dishonest and dishonorable! They are surprised that such a turmoil is aroused over the mere giving and receiving of bribes. Now, these men are our so-called respectable men. They are the men who wear high hats and frock coats, and go to church, and have boxes at the opera or symphony concert. The writer recites how this moral degeneracy is pervading all classes, and is affecting mercantile dealings, and even the relationship of the young in their service to their employers. He inquires:— If this goes on much longer, where can we issue except in moral chaos? We need a new sense of honor; we need a new generation of men, with such a sense of honor that they will despise and turn from anything that deprives them of pure hands and clean hearts,—men who will hate a lie in any form. This side of the coming of the Lord, conditions will not be bettered. “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse.” But out of these unfavorable environments there will be gathered “a new generation,” even those who, through the work of divine grace, will hate a lie, and stand with clean hands and pure hearts to welcome the Prince of Peace and his reign of righteousness. His coming will prove the only remedy for these malefic influences. The question of church federation is a living one, and is eliciting much discussion throughout the world at the present time. In the Baptist Standard of June 2, the editor, while favoring church unity, is filled with some concern over the direction which this sentiment is taking just now. In concluding he says:— A vapid, doctrineless, compromising church is worse than worthless. It will cumber the ground, misrepresent Christ, and die for the want of life. In the present situation, so full of possible good or of evil, what is the duty of every thoughtful Christian? The answer is easy: Seek the right ways of the Lord, and walk in them. A religion without authority is no religion. The world confronts two propositions touching authority in religion. One is the Catholic contention that supreme authority is in the Pope. The other is that supreme authority, undelegated, is in Jesus Christ, and the Holy Scriptures are the law of his kingdom. All who would get together must accept one or the other of these propositions. The constitution of Christianity is in the great commission. The message for this generation is a faithful preaching of the Word, and the highest service we can possibly render the world is to stand by the form of sound doctrine in the spirit of Him whose we are and whom we serve. He who takes the Scriptures of truth as the law of his life will seek for no unity save such as is found in the Lord Jesus Christ and in conformity to the standard of his divine Word. The unity which requires the sacrifice of faith in, and practise of, essential doctrines of the Word, is wrong in its conception, and only evil results can follow in its path. Porto Rico
By Mrs. Wm. Steele
It has been some time since anything has appeared in the REVIEW in regard to the work in this field. We desire to say that our courage is good, and our hope grows brighter day by day. We thank God for a part in his work; there is nothing that gives one spiritual life like working for the souls of others. Six weeks ago our hearts were made glad by the arrival of the two brethren who have come to take up the canvassing work; we believe they will make efficient workers. At present, they are studying the language, in which they are making progress; they have also sold something like forty-five copies of Señales de los Tiempos. Yesterday they met a man who has known some of our people in the Hawaiian Islands, and has been favorably impressed; he promised to come to Sabbath-school. While we do not as yet see any immediate results, the seed is being sown, and here and there we see slight evidences that it may produce fruit. Our trust is in Him who has promised that his word shall not return unto him void, and we believe that in his own good time he will give the increase. Mr. Steele is away almost continually, looking after the interests of El Centinela. He is having good success. I also have done a little in the way of selling the Spanish Life and Health (one morning I sold twenty-two copies); but as I have no suitable person with whom to leave my little girl, I can not work very regularly. However, I often find opportunities for sowing the good seed here and there. The more we talk of Jesus and tell of his wonderful love, the warmer our hearts grow toward him, and the more we desire his presence. Who among us longs more earnestly for his coming than the foreign missionary? O, that all might have just one taste of foreign mission life! Then would the work soon be finished. The needs are so great, the work before us is so vast, and the time so short! How eagerly we ought to improve our opportunities! A world is to be warned. This is no time to surround ourselves with luxuries, and sit comfortably in the midst of them. What value have words, when actions deny them? It will take all to buy the field.
MRS. WM. STEELE. Korea
By Mimi Scharffenberg
SEOUL.— After a six weeks’ absence from home, I found, on my return to Seoul, that Brother and Sister Howard Lee had arrived. We were glad indeed to welcome them to Korea, and the Koreans also rejoiced that some one has come to look after the school work. The first thing the Koreans call for, after they become believers, is a school for their children. While at Chinnampo this last time, I wished some of our people at home could see how the girls who come to this school have to live. Some are there whose parents are not Christians, and therefore they have very little or no money from home. They can not work to earn their living, as no work has as yet been provided for them. All are anxiously waiting for the time when we can have some industrial work connected with the girls’ school. One mother, who is a widow and works very hard to make a living, sent her thirteen-year-old daughter to the girls’ school in Chinnampo. I was there when a friend brought the girl, with her belongings, and gave instruction to the teacher about her money. Besides her bundle of clothes, she brought twenty sen (ten cents) for her food, and forty half-sen (four half-sen equal one cent) to be used only for Sabbath-school donations. She also brought two silver rings, and asked the teacher to sell them for her, so she could buy food. The value of these two rings, when new, is two yen, or one dollar. Many others come to school with less than this girl brought. Our two Korean teachers are doing well, but have many perplexities in helping the students to get along financially. I hope we may soon have a dormitory for our girls, so that we can see that they live as they ought while in school. From two to three dollars would pay one student’s entire expenses in school for one month. The girls are very willing to work, and anxious that a way may be provided for them to have some employment. One fourteen-year-old girl who desires to be a Christian ran away from home to attend school. Her father died, and the rest of the family, taking part in ancestor-worship, tried to compel her to partake of the food offered to idols. This she refused, and ran away. She is a bright little girl, and studies her Bible well. I was surprised at all the questions she asked me about the different points of truth. Another little girl of about the same age attended the women’s institute at Chinnampo last month. Her father is dead, and she is faithfully helping her mother with the farm work. It is said that every Sabbath morning she visits the neighbors’ houses and invites them to come to Sabbath-school. In one meeting I asked that some one should tell me a verse that spoke of Christ’s second coming. This little girl kept on quoting scripture after scripture, together with the references, on the subject of Christ’s coming. She was never idle; when she had nothing else to do, she was studying her Bible. Her prayers and testimonies are always full of real experiences. These younger girls are the ones who grasp the truth most readily. The older ones have to be taught over and over again before they understand, and often we think they are making progress when they are not. Still, the honest in heart will be gathered out here in Korea, and I am glad to have a part in this work. A Call From the Blind
By L. N. Muck
Of the many calls now coming to us from the dark corners of the earth, there is none more urgent or more important than the call from the blind. We are face to face with the problem of giving the message to the blind. This problem can be solved in just one way,—by raising money with which to meet the demands made upon us by this neglected class. Many of our people know but little of the work now being done for the blind. A small publishing house has been established by the General Conference, and the Christian Record, printed monthly, is carrying the message of life and peace to hundreds of those in double darkness. Our work as a people at this time is to go out in the byways and hedges, and bring in those who are starving for the gospel. We are urged to go forward and proclaim the message to a dying world—and the blind are among the dying ones. They are appealing to us for the gospel. When a call for funds comes from distant lands, our hearts go out in sympathy, and we respond with our means, not as liberally as we should, perhaps, but the call is answered. Now we are called upon to answer a call from the blind. Nearly a hundred thousand helpless souls are perishing within our reach, and to save them means a sacrifice of but a few dollars. Are you not willing to make a16 little sacrifice for the blind? If we are willing to answer this call, God will give us the means. He has already given us enough so that we may give to those in need. These unfortunate ones are among us, within our reach. What is our duty to them? In the Testimonies we read: “God places upon us the responsibility of caring for the unfortunate, the blind, the lame, but many make no effort to regard it.” This shows that we have a duty to perform toward the blind as well as many others who are helpless. This year began with some interesting events. Many encouraging letters have been received from our blind readers by the editor, Chas. N. Miller, promising us a successful year. Among the inspiring letters is one from a blind brother in the East:— “NEW ROCHELLE, N. Y., Feb. 28, 1910.
“I have been reading the Record for about four years. I am not a subscriber, but Mr. Hicks gives me his copy to read. I have read it to my sister who lives in New Rochelle, and both she and her daughter have accepted the truth. I have accepted, but not fully decided on all points. The Record gives me a great deal of pleasure and profit. I am glad to find that you have tracts printed in the New York Point, also in the American Braille, as I read them both. Please send me all the tracts you have; that is, send one each month.
“Wishing the blessing of God upon you and your work, I remain,
Since receiving the foregoing letter, we have word that this brother has fully taken his stand on the side of present truth. This is a source of encouragement to the management and to those connected with the Record work. We believe that it is a signal for us to press forward as never before. Not only has this blind man read the Record himself, but he has read it to his sister and her daughter, and they have accepted the truth. Let us not give sparingly to the cause of the blind. We have a number of energetic blind men and women working hard to carry the message to the blind. In Seattle are two men in feeble health who have sold our literature in more than half of that city. Brother and Sister Smith, of Iowa, both blind, are engaged in similar work. Brother and Sister A. O. Wilson, who started the work, have given the best of their lives for the blind. In Los Angeles, Cal., we have a blind sister, who is actively engaged in scattering present truth. At times she busies herself by knitting, and again by reading her Bible of raised print. Hundreds of persons pass the busy street corner where she works. Some pause to toss her a coin, in return for which she promptly hands out a tract on some phase of the message. Who can measure the influence of this work in scattering literature? She will some day be permitted to see the fruits of her labors. Those wishing to answer this call should send their gifts to Miss Mettie E. Cornell, College View, Neb., secretary of the Christian Record, and all funds will be placed in the hands of B. M. Emerson, treasurer. IN pastures green? — Not always; sometimes He
Who knoweth best, in kindness leadeth me
In weary ways where heavy shadows be. Out of the sunshine warm and soft and bright,
Out of the day into the scowling night,—
I oft could faint, with sorrow and affright, Only for this; I know he holds my hand;
So whether in a green or desert land,
I trust, although I may not understand. And by still waters? — No, not always so.
Ofttimes the heavy tempests round me blow,
And o’er my soul the waves and billows go. But when the storms beat loudest, and I cry
Aloud for help, the Master standeth by,
And whispereth to my soul, “Lo! it is I.” Above the tempest wild I hear him say,
“Beyond this darkness lies the perfect day;
In every path of thine I lead the way.” So, whether high upon the hilltop fair
I dwell, or in the sunless valley where
The shadows lie — what matters? He is there. And more than this — where’er the pathway lead,
He giveth me no helpless, broken reed,
But his own hand, sufficient for my need. So where he leads me, I can safely go;
And in the blest hereafter I shall know
Why in his wisdom he hath led me so.