Earlier text: EditorialABOUT the first of October, 1911, I wrote from Chowkiakow. At that time I was traveling from station to station, making the usual round. I came in to Chowkiakow for a day or two before going to visit the stations to the south. While on the way I heard rumors that in Hupeh, the province south of Honan, a rebellion against the government had arisen. I thought little of the matter at the time, but on reaching home I found the report to be true, though no one thought it would immediately interfere with our work. As I was preparing to continue my visits to the out-stations, our leading Chinese evangelist came to my room, and said he thought I would better remain at the station a few days longer, until we could learn the real condition of affairs, and that he would go out in my place to the companies. His suggestion was followed, and I waited two weeks for some news regarding the situation. During this time mail and telegraphic communications were cut off. One or two telegrams reached us four or five days after they were sent, but no news regarding the rebellion was allowed to go through. Finally a mail came through, containing one or two letters written some three weeks before. Two Chinese newspapers also came, from which we were able to get some information and a little idea of the gravity of the situation. The same mail brought a letter from the American legation at Peking, containing permits for the women to board troop trains returning northward, and stating it was apprehended that it would become advisable to remove women and children to a place of safety. This was Friday. Sabbath passed, and we had given the matter no thought. Sunday morning rumors came of acts of lawlessness not far from Chowkiakow, and also of threats to cut off the railway connections to the north. The entire company was unanimous in the opinion that the women and children should leave at once for Shanghai. They could not undertake this difficult journey alone; and Brother Allum, not being able to leave the school, felt that I, with one of the Chinese evangelists, should go with them, procure a supply of money, and return, that we might go on without any break in our work. As we proceeded north, we found those from other missions leaving for Tientsin, having been notified from Peking to remove from inland points immediately. Much excitement was manifested all along the line to Peking. Train-load after train-load of cavalry, infantry, cannon, provisions, etc., impressed one deeply with the fact that he was in the midst of a great battle-field. On reaching Shanghai, we learned that the situation was much worse than we had thought, and the brethren felt that it would be both dangerous and unprofitable for me to return to Honan, as it would be impossible to remain there long. The other workers from the interior were advised to come to Shanghai. All workers from Mandarin-speaking China are here. It is almost unbearable to have to be here away from our stations, and unable to carry out our plans for the fall and winter work; but the Lord knows best, and can turn all this to his glory. We were unable to hold our yearly meeting, as planned, which was a great disappointment to us and to the people. While here we are endeavoring to improve our time in language-study. We have daily class work, in which Dr. Selmon gives us profitable instruction. Three evening prayer-meetings are appointed for this week, in which we may unitedly seek the Lord that the winds of strife may be held and such conditions of peace concluded as will give greater freedom for the proclamation of this message. We are expecting a blessed season next week during the week of prayer. In China we have not had the privilege of spending a week of prayer together, so we are looking forward to it with great expectations. While this trouble has brought a sort of gloom over our spirits, we are not discouraged; for we know God can cause light to spring out of the darkness, and bring forth good where only evil seems to prevail. There are many lessons we can learn while we wait, and we desire faithfully to learn each one.13 sands of men from southern India clearing the land on each side of the railway. There are seen well-ordered plantations of pineapples, coconuts, peppers, and more abundant than all, rubber. During the late rubber boom in this country, valuable fruit-trees were cut down in order that rubber-trees might be planted on every available piece of ground. A gambling epidemic seemed to take possession of the people. Men and women were in feverish haste, running about and inducing every one, rich and poor, to put his last cent into rubber shares. It was, “as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower.” It seemed difficult even for the missionaries to keep themselves from entanglement with this last-day snare. I was told that a number of missionaries were as much under the excitement as were the populace. A few became suddenly rich; but the majority, especially the poor who had by hard earnings and difficult savings been able to invest, irretrievably lost their all. The jungle of the Far East has become the speculative object of the gambler of the cities of the Far West; and the scripture is undoubtedly fulfilled, which likens the present age to the time of Noah,—“they bought, they sold, they builded, they planted.” About half way up the Malay Peninsula, among the hills, is Kuala Lumpur, a modern city of beautiful suburbs and pretty bungalows. Here are the headquarters of the federated Malay states government. In this important place Brother and Sister R. P. Montgomery are located. They report an interest among some of the better class, and also among the Tamil people. From time to time hundreds of our large subscription books have been sold in Kuala Lumpur, as well as in most other parts of the Malay states and Straits Settlements. We expect in due time a rich harvest as the result of the canvassers’ faithful work. Their work will live, and be the means of bringing many into the kingdom of God, though they have been obliged to return to home lands in order to build up broken constitutions, caused by the enervating and malarial climate of this land. They did what they could at the expense of loss of health, and the Lord has promised not to forget their labor of love. We desire your prayers for the prosperity of the work and workers in this trying climate. British Malaya
By G. F. JONES
A LITTLE over a month ago I returned from a trip up the Malay Peninsula, having visited several important places of interest. Since the new railway has been constructed through the state of Johore, we are able to take train from Singapore to Penang, a distance of about six hundred miles, crossing by railway steamers the narrow strait between the island of Singapore and the mainland, also the strait between the mainland at Province Wellesley and the island of Penang. This railway will soon be extended through to Siam and Burma. The railway through the Malay states passes through dense jungles, the home of the tiger and other wild animals of the peninsula. Here also, until this modern intrusion of the white man, the wild people of the jungle have roamed undisturbed; but now they have been obliged to retreat farther and farther away in order to still follow their nomadic life. Being of an extremely shy nature, they prefer the retirement of the jungle among the wild beasts to modern life and customs. They are called Sakey, and it is supposed that there are about twenty thousand of them scattered through the peninsula. From among these strange, wild people we are to find some who will walk in the full light of the third angel's message,—chosen ones who will sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Incomprehensible is the power of our gospel message, that can quickly transform the lowest species of the human race so that they may have a place among the highest of the redeemed. As our train whirls along through many miles of jungle land, it also passes through sections where there are thou- Barotseland Mission, South Africa
By Mrs. W. H. Anderson
I HAVE been in the mission field one year and a half, and I will try to tell a few of my impressions concerning the field and the work here. One’s first impressions usually change after a year or two in the field. We count it something of a sacrifice to leave the pleasant associations of friends and loved ones at home, and we have to learn to meet patiently and cheerfully the little privations and inconveniences that come in the mission fields; but to my mind the greatest sacrifice and the greatest heartache come when one is compelled by illness to lay down his burdens for a while; not that the Saviour in his great love for suffering humanity, does not willingly and lovingly invite his worn warriors to rest when fatigue comes, even in the heat of the battle, but because there is so much to do and so little time in which to do it. If one were to compare the burdens that he carries the first six months he is in the field with his usefulness after a year or so, there would be a vast difference. We generally think at first that we are quite a boon to the work; but when the burdens get heavier, we feel quite insufficiently prepared to do the Lord’s work as it ought to be done. We feel that if we only knew what to do and when to do it, it would be a great satisfaction. Dealing with the minds of the heathen is a different proposition from dealing with those of civilized people. Their minds have not been trained along the same line, or in the same channels as ours, therefore they look at things differently, and it is hard for them always to comprehend our motives. It is said out here that “a white man can never know the working of a native’s mind.” There is no question but that it works. The native has a keen mind, and a very clear conception of justice on his side, but it is so hard to make him feel the necessity of standing to principle. He always works from impulse rather than from principle; but the Spirit of God can remedy this defect for him. The best and easiest way to reach the native’s heart is through his own language. It is hard for the worker at first, but he soon sees results if he perseveres. When Dr. Moffat was feeling a bit discouraged over not seeing any results from his work for the natives, his good wife told him it was because “they have not the gospel in the tongue in which they were born.” It would be rather difficult for us to comprehend the gospel in its fulness if a Frenchman or a Dutchman brought it to us in his language, if we knew only a few sentences of French or Dutch. And usually the native learns but little of the English language. The sentences are constructed backward to him and according to his language. The beautiful phrases in our language are not found in his, and he does not understand them. We are told by those who are educated in other tongues than the English that it is a very difficult language. Therefore it is easier by far for us to learn the native language than for the native to learn ours. We have been greatly blessed in our work here during the past year. Our work is gradually increasing each year, and sometimes it seems imperative that we should have more help. Just recently Brother C. Robinson was called from our station to the work in Nyassaland, and Brother and Sister E. C. Silsbee went to take charge of the medical work at Kimberley, so that it leaves only Brother J. R. Campbell and Mr. Anderson to carry the heavy burdens here. But help has been promised us, and we hope soon for some relief. Brother Campbell is away at present, looking after the new out-stations which have been opened this year along the Zambesi, the nearest one being eighty miles from here. We are hoping for a good report on his return. Mr. Anderson has just returned from a trip around the old stations. He found the boys all doing good work. We feel so thankful for the faithfulness of our boys. We are greatly encouraged by the way the work is progressing here this year. The Lord has especially blessed us with rain. I say especially blessed because we have had hard rains on several occasions when adjoining farms had none. We long for the time to come when this message will have reached the uttermost parts of the earth, and all be ready to go home. Brethren and sisters, we need your prayers. Pray for the work in these dark fields. Rome and the Bible To-day
IN the greater part of the Austrian dominions, in the beautiful Tyrol, in magnificent Vienna, and in Bohemia, with its Carlsbad and Prague, the circulation of the Bible is practically prohibited. In a word, the sale of the Bible is treated as some American States treat the sale of intoxicating liquor. No sale of Bibles is permitted without a license. After weeks of delay, if this is granted at all, a colporteur slowly trudges through the country, from door to door, exhibiting Scriptures, but never allowed to do more than take orders for them. Next, he goes over the same route, to fill these orders, only to find that a priest has in most cases succeeded in getting each purchaser to cancel his order, thus frustrating all his labors. In some provinces, even such licenses are forbidden altogether. This barbarous tyranny is not known in savage Africa, over vast areas of that Dark Continent, nor in China, nor in Russia, nor in Turkey, nor in Italy. But here it is, in Austria, in the very heart of European civilization. Romanism still has a strangle hold on Austria. Spain is even now attempting to throw off the yoke. How long will Austria bear it? — Lutheran Witness. Gratitude for Anticipated Blessings
ANSWERS to unformulated and unuttered prayers, equally with expressed petitions, call for gratitude to the Giver of all good. But thankfulness for anticipated blessings and for blessings not even thought of until received is possible only to implicit trust in God’s goodness that does not wait to know what his determination toward us may be, but, with confidence, declares beforehand, “He doeth all things well.” “The Lord Thinketh Upon Me”
How wonderful that thou, my Lord and King,
Dost think on me;
That from thy throne, where halleluiahs ring,
Thou art quick to see
My smallest need, and send a full supply
Of grace and help ere I have ceased my cry. So often, when I do not lean on thee,
But feel quite strong
And confident of my sufficiency,
And so go wrong.
Thou thinkest on me, and in perfect love
Dost let me stumble my weak self to prove. Thou thought upon me ere thou left thy throne
On earth to die;
Thou thought upon me in the garden lone,
With Calvary nigh.
My sins have pierced, my guilt been laid on thee;
In overwhelming mercy I go free. Now fill my mind and heart each passing hour
With thought of thee;
And let the Holy Spirit's love and power
Abide in me;
Bring fruit unto thyself from all my ways,
And let me daily live unto thy praise. LITTLE Carl stood by his mother’s bed and cried bitterly. “My boy, the doctor says I have not a long time left to live. I have nothing to give you except my Bible. Promise me that you will keep it and read it every day. Put the faith of your whole soul in our dear Saviour, who died on the cross for our sins. Then we shall meet in heaven.” “When I am dead, there is nobody to take care of you here. Therefore take your Bible and go to Uncle Wilhelm in the next city, and ask him to take care of you.” When his dear mother’s remains rested in the churchyard, Carl started for his uncle’s home. It was a hot day, so he soon grew tired, and sat down under a tree by the road to rest. After a while he opened his Bible and began to read. While he was reading, a man came up to him, and said:— “What book is that you are reading?” “What do you want to sell it for?” “If I give you five dollars?” “No, I will not sell it.” “You shall have ten dollars, thirty dollars, if you will let me have it.” The boy looked down upon his poor clothes and thought how much he could buy for thirty dollars. So large an amount he had never had. But he remembered his promise to his dear mother, and bursting into tears, said:— “I will not sell it even if you give me a hundred dollars.” Surprised at the boy’s words and tears, the stranger sat down beside him and let him tell his story—his mother’s death, his promise to her, and that he was on his way to his uncle’s home. “I shall go with you,” said the kind gentleman. The boy soon got to know that his uncle Wilhelm had six children and did not care for another one. He was glad when the stranger wanted to take care of the orphan. With this friend Carl had a good home. He grew up true to his promise, read his Bible and prayed every day, and received strength to overcome all temptations that came to him.—Selected. An essential condition of the perfect manner is the absence of self-consciousness. There is a kind of self-consciousness that is most excusable, and sometimes pretty and attractive. It is the shyness of the young. This often comes from the feeling that they are not understood, and they have not the means of making themselves understood. They do not possess, or at least they do not know how to handle the weapons of society. Sometimes it has a less worthy source. It springs from a great egotism. Young people should be quick enough to see that their elders are not scrutinizing them and judging them as they imagine. Elderly people who retain their shyness are, as a rule, distinctly disagreeable. When great personages who have been unpopular through life, on account of their rude, brusque manners, pass away, the newspaper explains that they meant very well, but that they were shy. These explanations are seldom felt to be satisfactory. Egotism is inconsistent with good manners. I need hardly to say that a person who is always thinking about etiquette is sure to make blunders, and to convey an impression of vulgarity. The true gentleman is infinitely above such paltriness. He is not thinking about himself; he is thinking about others. He is not miserably comparing his station and his fortune with those of the people he meets. He meets them as a gentleman meets ladies and gentlemen, and his business is to give and receive what pleasure he can. It is an essential of good manners that they should always be maintained. I do not say that we can always be quite the same. We should try to be constant in our ways. If we have taken what we think reasonable offense at the doings of a friend, we ought not to show it by an icy manner. It is our business to explain to our friend where he has apparently come short, and to hear what he says about it. In all probability with his explanation, the misunderstanding will pass like a summer cloud.—Selected. More About Fuel
By MRS. D. A. FITCH
More might have been said about economical fuel in my former article; but even now some housekeeper may be helped, and those who have not been so successful as they expected, may find advantages in these added suggestions. Put an inch or more of coal-oil in some vessel, then fill it with upright portions of the “paper wood” described in the previous article. In a few minutes it will be ready for an extremely hot fire. When the weather is not propitious for drying the wet papers as directed before, they may be closely rolled dry, tied with any kind of string, and treated to oil as above suggested. An old magazine partially moistened with coal-oil makes a good fire, and leaves less of refuse and ashes than is left by the ordinary method of burning the papers. The following terse reference to the subject of criticism is worthy of attention, as published in the Western Recorder:— “A minister was being discussed by members of his church, in his absence, and, of course, the weight of criticism was unfavorable to him. Finally an old lady, being asked her opinion, said: ‘Well, the poorest preacher I have ever heard could preach so much better than I can live that I never feel like criticizing any of them.’ And silence fell upon the company of critics. . . . “While it is true that a minister is a public character, and therefore subject to comment and criticism, it is equally true that he is often unnecessarily and harshly criticized, and that by those whose duty it is to strengthen his hands. “The indifference of many of the young people to the church and its minister often arises from an unfavorable criticism of the preacher. “It may also be said that those who indulge in this sort of thing hardly realize the extent of the injury they are committing, though this in no wise atones for the wrong. “If we would pray for and praise the preacher as much as we criticize and cauterize him, there is little doubt that his ministry would be far more effective. At least, let us give it trial and see how it works.” AND one gives wealth, and one gives rank,
And one gives pleasures rare;
And one gives naught but a loving heart,
And a life of loving care. And ever one finds the diviner trace,
Or in earth or in skies above,
The fairer, rarer, heavenly grace,
In the glad free gift of love. Sunday-Law Agitation in South Carolina
By William Henry Branson
A BILL was introduced recently in the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina now in session, providing for an amendment of the present Sunday law, increasing the penalty for Sunday labor to a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars or imprisonment not to exceed thirty days. Under the present law the highest fine that can be imposed for a single offense is one dollar. The bill was presented before the House by a Mr. Osborne, of Spartanburg. Petitions have been printed against the passage of the bill, and are now being circulated. Judging from an article published in one of the Spartanburg papers by a friend of the bill, it is not difficult to see at whom the bill is aimed. The article begins as follows: “Seventh-day Adventists, who have obtained much free advertising for their faith in Spartanburg County by being prosecuted for working on Sunday, may not find conviction on such a charge so trivial a matter if a bill introduced in the legislature by Representative H. K. Osborne, of this county, becomes a law.” The bill has been favorably reported by the judiciary committee of the House. Plans have been laid to supply all the legislators with literature on the principles of religious liberty, and to send memorials from our leading churches against the bill. If it passes the House, we are promised a hearing before the judiciary committee of the Senate, where it must next be considered. The Vistula Conference, East Germany
By Guy Dail
THE first annual session of the Vistula Conference was held here in Bromberg Dec. 27-31, 1911. Nearly two hundred of our own people were in attendance. The local workers were assisted by the same visiting brethren who were at the Konigsberg meeting. Because of the interest in the public illustrated lectures, it was necessary for us to secure a larger hall, and also to request our people to absent themselves from the public evening meetings entirely, and attend the overflow meeting held specially for them in our own rented chapel. The good interest awakened will be followed up by a new series of lectures for those not of our faith. The night of the first lecture, after Elder O. Luepke and I had gladly given place to the strangers who were trying to get into the lecture, we attended a prayer-meeting in one of the churches of the city. After we both had said a few words of good cheer at the pastor’s request, we were greatly surprised and pleased to hear him make the following announcement: “As you have no doubt noticed, there is a series of lectures being held in this city, and I judge from the posters that they are of a decidedly religious character. I would invite you to pray for the success of these lectures, to attend them yourselves, and to invite others to attend them. I myself expect to go.” At the close of the meeting, the minister offered a prayer in which he asked God to be with the brethren who were conducting the meetings at the place mentioned on the handbills, and to give them much of his Spirit and success. This gentleman did not know that the meetings had anything to do with our people, and therefore, of course, he did not pray for them on account of the two strangers who had dropped in to hear him that evening, and had taken part in the services. This experience greatly rejoiced our hearts, and made us feel that the Lord of hosts is working for his children in more ways than we realize; we are convinced that the God of heaven is anxiously waiting for his servants to humble their souls before him, and to clear the King’s highway, that he may do a short work in the earth. The president’s report of the year’s work shows that during 1911 ninety-seven persons were received into church-membership in this field. Ten workers are employed here. There was a net gain of sixty-seven, giving a membership of 499 at the close of the year. The tithe averaged forty-three marks a member. At the meeting 1,349 marks (263 marks of which was cash) was given for the work in the regions beyond. In spite of the fact that there were only twenty-three canvassers engaged in the territory of this conference during 1911, which was one less than during the previous year, the sales for 1911 amounted to 6,000 marks more than the sales for 1910,—being 18,468 marks,—and the prospects for future success in the canvassing work are bright. The delegates were glad that they could comply with the recommendation of the East German Union committee, and release the province of Posen, which is to become a part of a new conference, beginning with Jan. 1, 1912. The Sabbath day was one greatly blessed of the Lord. Brethren Andreas Krautschick and Otto Kapitz were set apart to the gospel ministry. The brethren and sisters in this field go forth to their homes with renewed strength and courage for another year’s earnest labor in the Master’s vineyard. The Armenian Mission Field
By Z. G. Baharian
AFTER our general meeting at Friedensau, Germany, I returned to my field of labor. There being cholera in the western part of Armenia, I visited the eastern part. August 10 I took the boat for Trebizond (Pontus). On the way, I stopped at Samsun to see our brother, M. Azkabadian. After holding a Bible study with him, he told me of his willingness to enter God’s work. He said that his present business was very promising, and the future looked prosperous, but that he could not have rest because of the great need of this Armenian field. I gladly accepted his proposal, and told him to put into order his affairs with his master merchant while I was finishing my tour. As he was a faithful clerk, his master would not let him go without an earnest effort to retain his services. August 13 I landed at Trebizond, where I found the interested Greek family who were in correspondence with us. I encouraged them to hold to the truth. Passing through this province, I arrived at Erzoum in six days, where I stayed only three days. Then I continued my journey south six days on horse, and arrived at Mush on August 28. This small town has been built on the top of, and16 around, a hill. It is composed of Moslems, Turks, Kurds, and Armenians. Many having migrated because of massacres, I found but few Armenians. I was told that there were only from six to seven thousand people in the place. To the north and east of Mush there is a vast, fruitful plain, where may be seen small villages, mostly Armenian. I visited several of the villages, and saw the poor, miserable, neglected, and uneducated condition of the people. Though missionaries of the American board began there an evangelical work about fifty years ago, they have not been able to reform the condition of the people. At present the evangelical work is in the hands of a German society, which has established two orphanages for boys and girls, and five common schools in as many different villages. One of these villages is Havadvorig, where there is a Seventh-day Adventist. I went there to find him, and stopped several days in the building used as church and school by the Protestants. The teacher-preacher treated me kindly, and invited me to preach twice on Sunday. This opened the way to become acquainted with the people. I also met a teacher of another village, together with his wife. He had been interested in our truths while he was in Russia, and was glad to study more now. I helped him as much as I could. After I left them, I received a letter from him manifesting increased interest. Even the Gregorian priest of his village has been interested. In Mush there is a Protestant pastor who showed love and kindness to me. He invited me to preach in his church, and I did so. There were about fifty hearers. Three teachers were there, and showed much interest. We had several talks together on different Bible subjects. They bought our tracts and books. I tried to call their attention to the prophecies of the Bible. Through correspondence I shall follow the interest awakened. Some wanted me to stay there and labor among them, but it was impossible for me as I had planned to labor in western Armenia, probably in Bitlis. At present our brother in Mush will do a little canvassing work with our few tracts in the Armenian language. I received a letter from this brother saying that it has been very difficult and dangerous to travel in the villages, on account of Kurdish invasions. They have again begun to pillage and murder Armenians since the war between Tripoli and Italy began. May God yet give us a little quiet time in order to gain souls from this corner of the field. Seeing the situation, I entreat you to raise your voices to God for us. Z. G. BAHARIAN. Southeastern Union Conference
By Carlyle B. Haynes
THE Spirit of God continued to bless this meeting from the day of its opening, Sunday, Jan. 7, 1912. A spirit of the utmost unity and harmony was noticeable from the beginning among all the delegates. Sabbath, January 13, was a day of great blessing. Elder W. T. Knox preached at the morning service on the promises of God; and when the appeal was made for renewed consecration, scores came forward, among them a large number of the students of the Southern Training School. Another consecration service was held in the afternoon, at which Elder K. C. Russell spoke to the young people. Elder Chas. Thompson was reelected president of the union; Elder C. B. Stephenson, vice-president; W. H. Williams, secretary-treasurer; Prof. H. M. Hiatt was chosen for educational secretary; Dr. A. L. Gregory, medical secretary; Chas. Thompson, religious liberty secretary; V. O. Cole, general field agent; Prof. H. M. Hiatt, Missionary Volunteer secretary; and W. H. Williams, missionary secretary. During the conference, the daily newspapers of Chattanooga and Knoxville gave many columns of space to the reports of the meetings furnished by the writer. A most enthusiastic class in newspaper reporting met for daily instruction in this most important work. The ministers and other workers in this class expressed a determination to engage more extensively in this work when they return to their fields of labor. The brethren from outside the union who attended this meeting were Elders W. T. Knox, K. C. Russell, E. R. Palmer, A. J. Haysmer, C. F. McVagh, and the writer. CARLYLE B. HAYNES. The Time Now to Work for the Jews
By F. C. Gilbert
THE Lord has told us that this message must be proclaimed to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people; and the word of the Lord must be fulfilled. True it is that many of God's people have wondered at times how this message would go to all the nations of the earth, but we are agreed that the Lord has ways and means to carry on his work which most of us know very little about. There is no doubt but that one of the most difficult tasks connected with this work of God has been to know how to reach the Jewish nation. These people for centuries were the chosen people of God, and were the depositaries of his sacred truth. On account of their rejection of light and of the Saviour, their light was extinguished, and for nearly two thousand years they have been groping in the dark, as sheep without a shepherd. The professed Christian world has in the main treated the Jew very unkindly and very harshly; and as a result, he has come to the conclusion that the Christian religion is a cruel, hard, and persecuting religion. The rabbis have forbidden the Jew to read the New Testament; as a result, for the centuries during the last two millenniums, the Jew has known practically nothing of the Christian religion only as he has seen it illustrated by those in Russia and in Rome who have professed to follow the Christ. But we are glad that the Lord has raised up a people who have the blessed truth of God, and through that special people the Lord will bring light, truth, and comfort to the Jews. We believe that God has given this people a key whereby they are able to unlock the Jewish heart, and they will be helped by the Holy Spirit to show the Jew that Christ is the Messiah, the Bible is the truth of God, the New Testament as well as the Old, and that there is hope for the Jews to-day as well as for all people. The Jews are bitterly opposed to missionary work. The minute you speak the word missionary to the Jew, he thinks of all the horrors and cruelties practised on his ancestors for many centuries at the hands of Russia and of Rome. Missionary work to the Jew means everything that is bad, and he fears to have anything to do with a missionary. But the Jew appreciates sympathy; the Jew feels that he is a man, and likes to be treated as such. We know that the acme of the religion of Jesus is kindness; therefore the pure and the true gospel of Christ must find an entrance into the heart of the Jew when it is presented to him in a right and proper way. Some time ago, the Greater New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventists passed a set of resolutions sympathizing with the Jews touching the bitter persecutions waged against them by the professed Christian world; and they also entered a protest against such conduct as being unchristian. The following are the resolutions:— “Whereas, The Jewish people for centuries have believed, and the larger number still believe, that the Christian religion is a persecuting religion; therefore,—
“Resolved, That this body of Christian people, the Greater New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, in conference assembled, place itself on record as protesting against such conduct toward the Jewish people as antichristian; and affirm that the teachings of Christ and of the New Testament are opposed to any such course by the followers of the meek and lowly Jesus; and further,—
“Resolved, That we believe according to the teachings of the New Testament as well as of the Old, the Jewish people have the right to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences.
“We recommend, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to every Jewish organization, rabbi, periodical, and synagogue in this conference.” In harmony with the last recommendation a number of letters have been sent to different editors and rabbis throughout the country, as well as to many of the laity, and the responses which have come to us as a result of this sympathy have been encouraging. It indicates to us that we are on the way to find the key whereby the Jewish heart may be unlocked. As a sample of the feeling of some of the Jewish newspapers toward this attitude on the part of the Seventh-day Adventists, we insert the following letter, which appeared in the Hebrew Standard of New York, Sept. 8, 1911:— “Seventh-Day Adventists and the Jews
“EDITOR Hebrew Standard: At a recent conference of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, held in New York City, the following set of resolutions were passed. [Then follow the resolutions as given above.] “These people are a very loyal people to the Bible, and are strong advocates of civil and religious liberty. By the reading of these resolutions you will at once recognize that they are not only a Christian people, but they also believe that the teachings of Christ and of the New Testament condemn any such acts as have been perpetrated against the Hebrew people in Russia, and by Rome. “It is to be regretted that the professed followers of Christ have so grossly misrepresented him, since he was the Sent One of God to declare to all men the kind and benevolent character of God. The holy Sabbath of the Lord, the dietary laws, the pure and holy principles of civil and religious liberty, all the divine and fundamental Bible truths as given to the world by Moses and the prophets, are still observed by this body of Christian Sabbath-keepers, and they wish to place themselves on record as having no sympathy with any class of people who, even though they call themselves Christian, would persecute the Jewish people. Such persecution is antichristian, and reflects upon the cause of the Master whom they love and serve. “These people believe that the true and pure Christian religion, as taught in the New Testament, still confirms the truth of the Old Testament, that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord, and should be so regarded by all men. “Yours very truly,
“F. C. GILBERT.
“South Lancaster, Mass., Sept. 3, 1911.” If any one had told the writer five years ago that such an article would appear in a Jewish newspaper, it would have been almost impossible for him to believe it. The Jewish papers formerly would not even allow the word Christ to be mentioned in their columns, neither would the readers tolerate such a thing. But we see that times and conditions have changed; not only has this paper inserted this letter with the set of resolutions, but as far as we are able to learn, at least twelve of the most prominent Jewish newspapers in this country, from Massachusetts to California, have given great prominence in their papers to this matter, and it has called forth some very encouraging statements from the Jewish editors and from the Jewish people. This is truly encouraging; this is an omen of good. We believe that the Lord is going to work for the lost sheep of17 Israel, and we must be ready to do what we can to present the truth of Christ to these people in its clearness and in its purity. The Lord has surely given to us that we should give to others, and may he help us to do so in love and in power. In another article we shall notice more of the sentiments of the Jews toward the Seventh-day Adventists, and we believe that the readers will be encouraged. Let us ask God to help us remember the poor lost sheep of the house of Israel.