p. 24 | Review and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 51. (10/12/1916)

Eastern Question

Present Truth Series No. 22 This page is made up of the nine impressive paneled quotations which are set in bold type and used with other good illustrations in making this issue of the Present Truth Series the climax in the presentation of this leading question of the day. It contains the message due the world now. Thousands are being ordered. Millions will be circulated.

THE VITAL ISSUE

Briefly and simply stated, the Eastern Question is, What power shall control the territory along that natural waterway connecting the Black Sea and the Mediterranean? “Access to, free passage through, or control of, the Mediterranean is the permanent objective behind the foreign policy of all the greater European powers. . . . It is an objective, however, that lies at the very industrial and commercial life of Great Britain and Russia; that is bound up with all the ambitions of Germany, and that underlies the industrial and financial aspirations of Italy and the Balkan States. For the Mediterranean is the greatest trade route in the world. It is the gateway from the Occident to the Orient.”—Frederic C. Howe.

THE BONE OF CONTENTION

“Constantinople is the bone of contention between Christian and infidel, between Teuton and Slav. It is a stupendous drama that is being unrolled at the Golden Horn—a modern scene of the most vivid nature, with a background crowded with memorable figures and historic events. Whatever the climax, the tumultuous happenings of these current months stir the imagination of the world, and will powerfully affect its future.”—Washington Post.

ENGLAND’S RIGHT-ABOUT-FACE

“After laying down millions in treasure and many thousands of lives in the Crimean War in 1853-1856, and after the immense and costly coups of Disraeli’s statesmanship in 1878, it is now England herself who batters down the gates of Constantinople, in order that Russia may come in and possess it. Has there ever been so strange a right-about-face in the history of the nations?”—J. Chamberlain.

TURKEY TO PERISH BY THE SWORD

“It is not the Turkish people, it is the Turkish government, that has drawn the sword, and I do not hesitate to predict that that government will perish by the sword. It is they, and not we, who have rung the death knell of the Ottoman dominions, not only in Europe, but in Asia.”—Mr. Asquith.

GOD’S PEOPLE DELIVERED

“At that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book”—the book of life. Dan. 12:1.

CONSTANTINOPLE A KEY-CITY OF THE EARTH

The roads of the European nations cross at Constantinople; and on that cross “the peace of Europe was crucified.” The sword will never be sheathed until Constantinople, the Bosporus, and the Dardanelles pass from Turkey into the hands of some other great power or combination of powers. “Since its foundation sixteen centuries ago, Constantinople, by position and natural destiny, has been one of the key-cities of the earth. It has been many times attacked and twice conquered. Its second conquest, like its foundation, marked the end of an epoch and changed the history of the world. Its third conquest can do no less.”—London Saturday Review.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

“Writers who can tell a stupefied world what this fearful portent means, who can throw light on the great fundamental problems of the race, and give some hint as to its destiny, will have an attentive and even anxious audience.”—Springfield Republican. Unquestionably this great war belongs to a series of epoch-making events which lead toward one great culminating event in the history and destiny of the human race. “It is not in reality one event that has changed the world. It is a world-change that has culminated in a great event.”—Dr. Hobhouse.

RUSSIAN HOPES

“The radiant future of Russia on the Black Sea is beginning to dawn near the walls of Constantinople.”—Mr. Sazonoff. “Constantinople and the strait must be Russian. Every other solution, whatever its nature, is impossible of acceptance by us, because every other would only make the position for us worse than it was before the war began. . . . Nothing less than the independence of Russia is bound up with this question of the strait.”—Prince Troubetskoi.

HANDS WIDE OPEN TO CATCH THE PRIZE

“The real bone of contention in the present struggle is Constantinople. The day of the Turk in Europe is practically at an end. In the minds of rulers—kings, emperors, presidents, chancellors—and in the minds of the leaders of the armies, ‘Constantinople’ is probably the slogan sounded deep down in their hearts, and kept tightly bottled up in the backs of their heads. . . . There is the real impulse of the present war. Constantinople, a position of wonderful advantage, must fall into new hands, and all are wide open to catch the prize.”—Los Angeles Times, Aug. 8, 1914.

Missionaries Escape War in East Africa

A MOST interesting communication comes to the Mission Board office from Brother V. E. Toppenberg, formerly of the Boulder-Colorado Sanitarium, a member of the mission staff in German East Africa, who writes from a British camp on an island in the Victoria Nyanza: “Finally, after two years of waiting, the way opens so that we can get in communication with the outside world.” His letter, from which we shall later be allowed to print extracts, reports that he and his wife and little one are well. Brother and Sister Toppenberg, being citizens of a neutral country, were able to remain on their station near the lake when other stations had to be abandoned by the workers. In July, however, the retirement of the local officials and the excitement of war let loose native tribesmen to rob and kill, and Brother Toppenberg and his family made their way, amid the peril and confusion, to the refuge of the advancing British lines, where they were kindly received. He hears that all the buildings of the mission station have been destroyed, and all their contents evidently looted. Let us pray God to protect the other missionaries in this region and their native Christian converts.

A Hospital for the Loma Linda Medical College

By A. G. Daniells

RECENT articles in these columns have presented the call that is now being made for means to establish the new hospital in Los Angeles, to be operated in connection with the College of Medical Evangelists, at Loma Linda.

The action authorizing this movement was taken only after the most careful study of the matter, with days of consideration and discussion. This attitude on the part of our responsible men was in harmony with the position they have ever held toward the Loma Linda work. Recognizing its necessities, they have from time to time endeavored to meet them as far as possible and consistent with our ability and the needs of the work in other places. Much thought and effort have been given to plans for this school.

In placing this new enterprise before our people, we do it with the thought that this hospital is a real necessity. The need of a strong training center for medical workers is emphasized the more as we view the needs of our mission fields, and note what is already being accomplished by this class of workers in these fields. No one finds more ready access to the homes and hearts of people than the medical missionary, and no one finds more opportunity to make practical use of his training. With hearts set on soul-saving, and with every effort bent to that one thing, such workers add many sheaves to the garner.

In our determination to press our gospel message to the ends of the earth in the Lord's appointed time, we must give earnest heed to the instruction we have had relative to the kind of work that must be done. We must plan for the strong development of those features that show good returns. Our dispensary work in mission fields is accomplishing a great work, and the results give encouragement for stronger outlay in similar enterprises.

These medical centers in mission fields must be manned by men and women whose hearts are in this message, and whose lives are devoted to making its furtherance the one thing before them. The work requires men and women who have been trained to it, and whose skill is secured in an atmosphere of loyal adherence to the truth and all its needs. We must depend upon genuine Seventh-day Adventists to push our work at the front. We must give proper spiritual fitness a place of paramount importance.

At the same time we must recognize that medical practice and nursing in mission fields call for the exercise of the very best skill and training possible. Maladies of grave character and great in number are to be treated. A few workers must care for many people. Facilities are limited, and conveniences are wanting. Tact and training must make up for much that is lacking. Emergencies on every hand must be met. We must prepare these workers as far as lies within our power to meet the varied needs of these fields, and to make their services as efficient as possible. A. G. DANIELLS.

The Secret of Overcoming

By G. B. Thompson

I AM convinced that one of the real secrets of defeat in the Christian life is that we do not hate sin as we should. Temptation comes, in one guise or another, because there is something in the heart that responds to it, some wishing that yielding to the temptation were not wrong, some hankering after the evil thing. So we yield, and commit sin. Temptation itself is not sin; Christ was tempted. It is the yielding to temptation that is sin.

Christ “hated iniquity.” The apostle exhorts us to “abhor that which is evil.” Rom. 12:9. This is the secret of overcoming. We must abhor evil. We do not fellowship and keep company with those whom we dislike. We are not found walking the streets with them arm in arm. The thing we hate we shun; we let it alone. We have nothing whatever to do with it. So with sin. When we hate it, we shall separate from it.

The truly converted heart feels a spontaneous abhorrence of sin. The vile and evil suggestions which come from the flesh are repugnant, and will be spurned like the slimy, venomous coil of a viper. We loathe the sin, and flee from it. Here is where many fail, and are overcome by some temptation of the adversary. Instead of prompt rejection, they make some favorable response.

Suppose some dangerous and unprincipled villain comes to your home and seeks admittance. You recognize him as a scoundrel of the most depraved and degraded class, the ringleader of a band of cutthroats, and know that he is seeking your ruin and the destruction of others. It is one thing to shut the door in his face, bidding him depart; but quite another thing to invite him in, bidding him welcome, and expressing your pleasure at having such a man come and become your guest. It does not in any way compromise your character to have him come to your door unsolicited and knock for admittance; but your character is compromised when you invite him in, and make him welcome in your home.

So it is with sin. Temptations, evil thoughts, and wrong suggestions will come into the mind. If we repudiate them and put them away, we do not sin. But if we harbor them, are glad they have come, wish that yielding to the evil temptation were not sinful, we are overcome. Another writer has said: “Thoughts of evil become evil thoughts only when they are pleasing to us. Joseph had thoughts of evil suggested to him by the temptress. He could not help thinking about the sin; but he had no desire—it was abhorrent to him. Hence they were not evil thoughts. A Greater than Joseph, when tempted of the devil to make stones into bread in the wilderness, to cast himself down from a pinnacle of the temple, and to worship the devil, could not refrain from the mental act of thinking of these sins; but he did not dally a moment with the thought, but said, ‘Get thee behind me, Satan.’”

Truly one important thing in overcoming sin is to hate that which is wrong, and love that which is pure and holy. Then, by faith in Jesus, through the Spirit we shall triumph. Our daily prayer should be that the Lord, through the indwelling power of the Spirit, will give us a new mind, created after the image of him who created us. Then we shall hate sin, and love righteousness, and from the fire of temptation come forth victors. G. B. THOMPSON.

Another Word from Persia

By post card dated August 4, Brother F. F. Oster gives us another word from Persia. He says: “We were expecting to leave Tabriz on our return to Maragha ere this; but we shall delay a little time yet. This week there has been another general flight of the Christians from Maragha, on account of invasion by Kurds and Turks. Practically all the Christians fled in great haste. Great privations were endured. The Russians have the situation well in hand, though great fear still prevails. This makes the third general flight, besides numerous scares in which small companies fled. We really thought things were getting a little safer, but there is nothing to depend upon. We have been here now six weeks. Several have begun keeping the Sabbath.” He reports all well and of good courage.

Return from South Africa

We learn from South Africa that early in September Sister J. V. Willson and Elder and Sister W. H. Anderson were sailing for America by way of Australia. Sister Willson returns to this country following the recent death of her husband at Kimberley. Brother and Sister Anderson are returning on furlough, the medical counsel having insisted upon an entire change of climate for Sister Anderson, after the years spent beyond the Zambesi.

General Conference Correspondence School

Not least among our schools is the General Conference Correspondence School. Its territory is certainly the largest of any of our educational enterprises. Prof. C. C. Lewis reports that the year's enrolment has listed students from China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Java, Singapore, West Africa, Orange Free State, Brazil, Argentina, Hawaii, Belgium, England, Scotland, all of the Canadian provinces, the island of Malta, and of course the United States.

Workers Sailing for Haiti

By Editor

THIS week by steamship from New York, Brother and Sister A. G. Roth, of South Lancaster, Mass., are sailing for Cape Haitien, Haiti, having accepted appointment to the work in that French-speaking republic. We are glad to see these strong young workers entering that fruitful but needy field.