On Sunday, July 17, I spoke in the M Street Memorial church to the company of workers who have gathered in Washington to hold a tent-meeting and to do Bible work. My heart is filled with a longing desire that all who connect with this important work shall themselves have a daily experience in the things of God, that they may fill the place assigned them in a way that will win the Lord's approval. On this point we can not be too urgent. Each worker should feel that he is on trial, and should strive to do his work in a way that will stand the test of the heavenly watchers.
I wish to express my gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the work that is being done on the school land at Takoma Park. I recently drove over the ground with my son and Brother Baird, and they explained the plans to me, and showed me the buildings going up. All who were on the ground were working diligently and earnestly.
We have an excellent company of workers here. If they will walk with God, they will gain a precious experience; for God takes a special interest in his faithful laborers. The work that they are doing is the Lord's work, and his angels are round about them. We certainly see the hand of the Lord in the establishment of the work in this place. The message received is that many years ago this work should have been done. The call for help that is being made now should have been made long ago.
“The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. . . . And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.”
“And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made him willing, and they brought the Lord's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.” And the work went forward according to the word of the Lord.
We would now stir up the minds of our people in America to give willingly to the work that is being carried forward in Takoma Park. A school and a sanitarium are to be established in this place. A building in which publishing work can be done is to be erected. As soon as possible, school and sanitarium work should be set in operation.
We hope that no one will become weary in the special effort that is being made to erect memorials for God in this important place. All our churches are to show an unselfish interest in this work, doing all in their power to hasten it forward. Let church officers counsel together, and present to the church the importance of prompt action, and let the prayers of the church ascend to heaven, that all may see that it is their duty to help.
If there are those who are tempted to be extravagant in dress or in other things, let them restrain their desires, and remember that God calls upon them to show a special interest in the work in Washington. Let them be careful not to set an example that would lead others into extravagance.
The means that is sent in is to be used in the most careful, economical way. The buildings are to be put up and furnished without display, and without an unnecessary expenditure of means.
The Lord expects his people to take hold of this work with willingness, and with a ready mind. He is willing to give wisdom to those who are engaged in the erection of the buildings, and to those who shall be chosen to carry forward the work in these buildings. He now asks his people to offer willingly of their means, that the work on the buildings may be hastened forward.
God will surely bless those who will aid in carrying out the command, “Arise, and build for me a memorial in Washington.” Let all his people take an active, unselfish interest in the advancement of the work that the Lord has declared should be done. Let no one yield to selfishness, or give with a grudging spirit. Let all give liberally, that the work may make rapid advancement.
Those who are working on the ground are doing their best. We pray that the Lord's blessing may rest upon them all, that everything may be done in accordance with his will. As the work advances, the workers will gain great blessings in seeing that the Lord answers the prayers ascending to him. His name is to be glorified. His truth is to find standing room here. The Lord God of Israel is in the work in this place, and we acknowledge it.
I call upon every church-member to remember that those who are working in Washington are in need of your stretching your hands toward heaven, and pleading with the Lord to put his Spirit upon every worker, imbuing him with his rich grace. Elder Daniells is bearing heavy responsibilities, and is putting to the tax every power of mind and body to advance the work. He needs each day the healing, reviving power of the Holy Spirit. It is your prayers we need, brethren and sisters, as well as your gifts. Both are essential, but your prayers are needed constantly.
Let every believer ask God to give special help to the workers in Washington, that no wrong moves may be made, that there may be no extravagance in the outlay of means. We need the meekness of the Redeemer. I pray that we may all put on Christ, wearing the robe of his righteousness.
Let us trust in the Lord, and pray earnestly that we may be kept by his power. Looking to human agents for help is very poor policy. We must put our entire trust in God, and exercise faith in him, depending upon his wisdom. Unless we do this, we shall surely err; for Satan is watching every chance to take advantage of us.
We must plan wisely. God will go before us if we will look to him as our counselor and our strength. We need to get away from our selfishness, and begin to work for the Lord in earnest. When he girds us with his strength, we shall have power to rise above the discouragement that the enemy seeks to bring upon us. We are to move guardedly, walking in wisdom's way, true to the Lord God of Israel, glorifying his name in all that we do and say.
“Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, . . . and all the flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.” “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Early Methods of Labor
By J. O. Corliss
The Experiences of Former Days—No. 9
Early Methods of Labor
J. O. CORLISS
IN the early days of the message, no local “pastors” of churches were recognized, but every preacher was an evangelist, pure and simple. Public meeting rooms, indeed, were scarce. The first company of Sabbath-keepers to possess a house of worship was the one at Buck’s Bridge, in western New York. Theirs was erected in the summer of 1855. The following year a small house, eighteen feet by twenty-four feet was erected in Battle Creek, Mich. The walls of this structure were about ten feet high, and were formed of upright boards, having the openings between covered with battens.
Most of the preaching services of that time were held either in private dwellings or in country schoolhouses. When a “messenger” came into the neighborhood where a family of Sabbath-keepers resided, the largest room in the house8was generally fitted up for an evening meeting, by resting the ends of planks on chairs, or blocks of wood, thus providing seating accommodation for all who might come to the meeting. Every other business was then laid aside, and a personal invitation was extended to every one for miles around, to come and hear about the Lord’s coming.
Few fine-spun theories were then brought forward; for they were unknown. But in the most simple manner attention was called directly to the prophecies, tracing events from ancient times to the present. By the aid of a chart illustrating the prophetic symbols, which every preacher carried with him in those days, these things never failed to create a deep interest. If more than one meeting was held, the signs of the times were canvassed, bringing the little audience to see themselves facing a crisis which could be met only by a great moral reform. The results following those meetings were generally good. For example: One minister, whose name may properly be withheld for the present, had, on one occasion, a regular nightly attendance of eleven persons for two weeks. On Sundays thirteen were present. Yet a company numbering fifteen souls was organized soon after at that place. Glorious days! May the power then attending the message soon return to lighten the earth with glory.
There were men among those pioneers who occasionally dreamed to some purpose, in the Lord’s work. Many illustrations of this might be given from the experience of Elder White and others; but for the intent of these articles one case must suffice. In the year 1852, Elder Joseph Bates was holding meetings in South Bend, Ind., and as his work there matured, he dreamed of going northeast by stage to a village the name of which was not revealed to him in the dream. He awoke, however, with the impression that he must go there immediately, as the Lord had precious souls there who would thus hear the truth. Suiting his actions to his impression, he left the next day on the stage going to the northeast. He told the stage-driver that he did not know how far he wanted to go, but would pay the amount demanded when he arrived at his destination. The driver accepted the peculiar situation, keeping his eye, however, on his eccentric passenger. At every village of prominence along the route Brother Bates was asked if that was the place where he wished to stop. He would then get out of the stage, look around, and return a negative answer. But upon coming in sight of Jackson, Mich., he said, “This is the place where I wish to stop.”
Having paid his fare, he soon found the home of Brother Dan R. Palmer, a blacksmith of the village, and meetings were started in his house. At that time Brother M. E. Cornell and his wife were passing that way, with horse and buggy, to some point where he was to be the pastor of a First-day Adventist company, on a salary of three hundred dollars a year. He heard that Brother Bates was holding meetings there, and determined not to hear him. But after driving through the town, he became so troubled over the matter that he turned about, and went to the meeting. It happened that Brother Bates was just talking on the Sabbath question. After listening for a few minutes, he turned to his wife, and said: “Angie, this is the truth; I must obey it.” “But,” she said, “what about your engagement for the year to come?” “That will have to be canceled,” he said, characteristically, and so the matter was settled.
He then started north for Tyrone, the residence town of Sister Cornell’s parents. Arriving in the neighborhood, he saw John P. Kellogg (the father of Dr. J. H. Kellogg) in the field raking hay. “Hold the horse,” he said to his wife, “while I go and give Brother Kellogg the light.” Jumping over the fence, he ran to the place where Brother Kellogg was working, exclaiming, “I have light for you, Brother Kellogg.” “Well,” said Brother Kellogg, as he leaned on his rake, “what is it?” In a few moments the simple story was told, Brother Kellogg was convinced, and had resolved to obey.
Turning as abruptly as he had come, Brother Cornell rejoined his wife, telling her of the victory just gained for the truth. Before reaching home, another neighbor was met, and he also promised to obey the truth. Arriving at the parental home, nearly the first thing was to repeat the simple message to the inmates, with the result that the next Sabbath quite a company of the neighborhood met together for worship.
God Sees
By A. E. Hamilton
Where we but see the darkness of the
mine,
God sees the diamond shine;
We only see the rude and outer strife,
God sees the inner life;
Where we our voice in condemnation
raise,
God may see fit to praise.
— A. E. Hamilton.
M. E. KERN
By M. E. Kern
The School, the Young People’s Work, the Homes—No. 2
M. E. KERN
A RECENT writer says that the American people have made a success of every business except the business of training children; that in the mad rush for gold and glory the average father turns his children entirely over to the mother and the schools; and in the recent days of woman’s clubs and conventions and business activities, the mothers in turn are giving over their sacred charge to the servants and the street. It is unfortunate that many Seventh-day Adventist fathers and mothers are doing practically the same thing.
The Saviour, in his tender love, has given us the warning: “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” Many parents will be asked in that day, “Where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?” We must see more earnest study and prayer before the hearts of the fathers and children are turned to each other.
“It is the nicest work ever assumed by men and women to deal with youthful minds,” yet many are ready to assume such sacred responsibilities without any preparation, while men are required by law to spend years in preparation to deal with the physical being.
The home is the unit, and our churches and institutions will be largely what our homes make them. “Happy the home when God is there.” Shall we not pray for a reformation in our homes, that the message of Elijah may be received?
Our schools are inseparably connected with the young people’s work. They are, or should be, centers of influence in the important mission of inspiring and training the youth for definite work. But the schools, however good, will fail to accomplish proper results with the young people, when their training as children has been deficient.
The great and dominating purpose before all our teachers, from the primary to the training-school, must be, first of all, “the restoration of the image of God in the soul.” A secondary purpose will naturally follow; namely, a preparation of workers for the cause of God.
In behalf of our young people, two great objects must be kept before us in respect to education; first, to educate our people to appreciate the value of Christian education; and, second, to make the schools what they ought to be for the symmetrical development of the minds and hearts of our youth. To accomplish the great purpose for which our schools are founded, they must be taught by men and women who understand young people, whose whole hearts and lives are in this message, and who are willing to spend and be spent in this service. What, in all our work, is more important than the mold that is placed upon our workers?
In the REVIEW of Oct. 15, 1903, Sister White says, “The work of our colleges and training-schools should be strengthened year by year.” And in a recent testimony this striking statement is made in reference to the most urgent need of the hour: “We first have a work to do at home. All our institutions—our sanitariums, our publishing houses, and our schools—are to reach a higher standard. Then workers sent to the foreign fields will reach a higher standard. They will be more earnest, more spiritual, and their labors will be more effective.” If the students that are sent out from the institutions are to be more earnest and spiritual, I take it that the institutions themselves are to be filled with a new life and power from God. To this end we must all work and pray.
When the schools are doing what God desires them to do for those in their care, when all the workers arouse to the needs of the children and youth, and encourage our people to give all their children the benefits of a Christian education,9some of the perplexities of the young people’s work will be solved.
Organization Called For
About ten years ago we were clearly instructed to take steps to organize companies of young people for such service as they could perform. The young men and women who really love Jesus are called upon to organize somewhat after the order of the Christian Endeavor Society, to see what can be done by each accountable human agent to save souls from ruin. One result of this work is to be the preparation of missionaries to give the warning to the world. Ministers have been instructed to “use all their ingenuity in devising plans whereby the younger members of the church may be led to co-operate with them in missionary work.” This is not to be done by long sermons, but through fertile plans for enlisting the young in the work. “Train the young to do what is appointed them.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, pages 35, 36. This work, one of our State workers suggests, has not been done. In reply to the question, “What is in your mind the greatest hindrance to the progress of the young people’s work?” this same worker says, “I am convinced that the greatest hindrance in our State is the condition of the churches, and their attitude toward the young people. The young people are simply ignored by the officers and members of the church. There are some exceptions, but this is the general rule.”
There is no question in my mind but that our people need to be aroused as to the dangers that threaten the young, and the need of more vigorous and sympathetic efforts to save them from the world, and to enlist their efforts in the cause of God. I firmly believe that the time for the message of Elijah has fully come, that the hearts of the fathers may be turned to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers.
In “Christian Education,” pages 45, 46, we read: “There are numbers that ought to become missionaries who never enter the field, because those who are united with them in church capacity or in our colleges do not feel the burden of labor for them, to open before them the claims that God has upon all the powers, and do not pray with them and for them; and the eventful period which decides the plans and course of life passes, convictions with them are stifled, other influences and inducements attract them, and temptations (to seek worldly positions that will, they think, bring them money) take them into the worldly current. These young men might have been saved to the ministry through well-organized plans.”
There is great need of consecrated men and women who have a burden for this work, and who shall find relief only in faithful, earnest labor for the lambs of the flock. I do not understand that our young people are to imitate the form of the organization of any of the young people’s societies, but proposed to conduct a young people’s training-class in connection with the special course offered by Union College next winter.
Intelligent Faith
By Daniel H. Kress
D. H. KRESS, M. D.
“Ask, and it shall be given you.” This is God’s promise to all; and what he has promised he is both able and willing to perform.
Why do men so often ask and not receive? The fault certainly is not with God’s promises. If there is any fault, it must be on the human side. It must be due to ignorance or unintelligent asking. “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss.”
An intelligent faith asks, and always receives what it asks.
In the Bible we have many precious promises. Many see these promises and claim them, unaware of the fact that there are conditions which must be met in order to obtain the blessings promised. Faith will lead a man to comply with the conditions; in other words, true faith will lead to obedience, or will claim the blessing promised, only in God’s way. Many ignorantly or knowingly ignore the conditions, yet talk much of faith. But these ask, and receive not; they may create a few sparks of their own kindling, and imagine they are in possession of the blessing, but sooner or later disappointment will surely come. After several such experiences they become discouraged, and say, as they did anciently, “Wherefore have we fasted, . . . and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our souls, and thou takest no knowledge?”
We have promised to us the blessing of health. God wishes above all things that we should be in health. We forget sometimes that the same God has also called our attention to the reforms that are needed in order to receive this blessing. True faith will lead a man to meet these conditions.
Anciently, the people asked for God’s blessing as earnestly as we do to-day, but they did not receive—the curse rested upon them in spite of their asking. Then they said, “It is vain to serve God.” But the conditions had not been met. God said: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, . . . and prove me now herewith, . . . if I will not open to you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” He made known to them the fact that this blessing could not be received by the mere asking—the asking or petition must have in it sufficient faith in the promises to lead to the paying of an honest tithe. Those who possessed sufficient faith to meet the conditions did not say, “It is vain to serve God.”
To pay our tithes and offerings with the expectation of receiving the blessing promised may be branded by some as attempting to obtain God’s blessings by works. But this is not the case;10it is merely claiming the blessing in God’s appointed way instead of our own, and an intelligent faith will always lead a man to do this. God has not changed in his dealings with men. He says now, as he said anciently, “I set before you . . . a blessing and a curse; a blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, . . . and a curse, if ye will not obey.” It is only the faith that leads to obedience that can claim the blessing.
The works of obedience testify that the faith possessed is of the right kind. “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he [met the conditions demanded of him and] had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God.” A faith that will lead to reformation of habits, or a faith that will lead to obedience, in order to claim God’s blessing in God’s way, will never be denied. It will ask and receive. A few experiences in the exercise of such a faith instead of leading to discouragement, will increase our faith in God’s promises.
The true child of faith will cheerfully comply with every condition laid down in God’s Word, and when he has done so, it is his privilege to expect—and God desires him to expect—the blessings promised; for he says, “Prove me now herewith.” This is not an effort to obtain righteousness by works, but the works testify that the faith is genuine. The true child of God in asking for the blessing of health will at the same time diligently seek to bring his habits of eating, drinking, dressing, etc., into harmony with right principles. He will cheerfully make reforms, with the expectation of receiving the blessing of health. This is true faith.
True faith will seek God’s blessing of health in God’s appointed way. Such a faith asks and receives. Faith does not lead to carelessness in these matters. Faith is not designed as an opiate to say “Peace” to those whose habits are such as to lead to sickness and destruction.
A faith, so-called, in God’s promises that leads a person to become careless and to pay little attention to the laws of health, is a suicidal faith; it is the kind of faith Satan tried to have Christ exercise in God’s promises when he said to him on the pinnacle of the temple, “If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.”
Let us be content with nothing less than a faith that will lead to a diligent study of God’s Word and the Testimonies of his Spirit in order to ascertain where wrongs exist; where our habits of living need correction. This faith will usher in the time when there will not be one feeble person among God’s people.
Need of Suitable Local Leaders
that they shall manifest the spirit and energy and enthusiasm in behalf of the advent message which we see the Christian Endeavor and other like organizations manifest in their work.
The first and fundamental part of their work, as indeed of all Christian work, is personal, heart-to-heart effort for the salvation of souls.
“Young men and young women, can not you form companies, and, as soldiers of Christ, enlist in the work, putting all your tact, and skill, and talent into the Master’s service, that you may save souls from ruin?” “The formation of small companies as a basis of Christian effort has been presented to me by One who can not err.”
Thus “the restless energy that is so often a source of danger to the young, might be directed into channels through which it would flow out in streams of blessing.” We recognize that because of a lack of some outlet for their youthful energy, many of our young people never advance beyond the A B C of Christian experience.
Need of Suitable Local Leaders
Many of the workers who have studied this problem of the young people’s work regard the question of suitable local leaders as one of the greatest needs. This was the conclusion reached at the Central Union Conference Young People’s Convention held this year. To be able to do the work designed for them, our young people must be “directed and encouraged.” One State worker says: “It seems to me that the great reason of failure in this work is the lack of persons who are really able to lead out and instruct the young people; many start well, but are unable to hold the interest of the youth.” Another says that the majority of the leaders lack stick-to-it-iveness, not having been taught to bear responsibilities.
Proposed Remedies
Different plans have been suggested to supply suitable leaders for our churches. One State worker suggests that some successful worker visit each company where there are young people, and labor long enough with them to know that the society is not being organized out of unorganized material, and to become so well acquainted that he can select the most suitable leaders. He should afterward keep in close touch with that leader by correspondence.
Another worker suggests that we must “select, educate, and train live, tactful, all-round leaders for this work.” It was because of a feeling that we must go about this young people’s work with a spirit and energy that we have not yet manifested that led to the holding of the young people’s convention.
One of the resolutions passed by this convention was “that an earnest effort be made at our camp-meetings this summer to train leaders for the home churches by instruction and actual work in the art of soul-winning.” It is also
Sabbaths, Divine and Human
WHY make so much ado over a question of days? Isn't one day as good as another, providing it is properly observed? Surely God will not expect us to keep Saturday as the Sabbath when it is much easier to do as other people do.
The Real Question
In reply to such representations, which are frequently made in these days of easy-going superficiality in religious matters, it is only necessary to point out that the real issue is not one of days but of institutions. It is the failure to grasp the real meaning and design of the Sabbath as a divine institution that lies at the root of much of the neglect of the fourth commandment so palpable to-day.
The Sabbath was given primarily to serve spiritual and not mere physical ends. It was to be the grand memorial of God's creative work,—a weekly reminder to the human race that God had created the world in six days, and rested on the seventh. Idolatry would have been impossible had men kept the Sabbath, for every week would come the reminder that one creative hand had fashioned every living thing, and as mankind lifted their hearts in thanksgiving and praise to the divine Author, they would have received fresh grace and strength.
But men fell away from the worship of God and the keeping holy of his Sabbath. They chose to render homage to the creature instead of the Creator. Naturally the sun, as the most powerful object within the range of human vision, became the center of the idolatrous system, and in course of time the day especially devoted to the riotous orgies connected with such worship, came to be known as Sunday. Thus a writer in the North British Review calls Sunday 'the wild, solar holiday of all pagan times.'
Origin of Sunday Observance
It may naturally be asked how a day with such unfavorable antecedents, and without a single trace of divine authority as a day of rest, came to displace the Sabbath of Jehovah, the day which he expressly blessed, and hallowed, and commanded mankind to keep holy.
The answer, to be very brief, is that Sunday-keeping came into the church along with the heathen customs, which, taken all together, brought about an era of apostasy and high-handed bigotry, known as the Dark Ages. Sunday observance and the elevation of the bishop of Rome to the chief place in the church, grew up side by side. The papacy in reality established the rival sabbath as an institution peculiarly its own, though taken originally from a heathen source, and the Roman Catholic Church to-day glories in the general observance of Sunday as an evidence of her power even to change God's law.
Not a Divine Institution
Only the most superficial suppose Sunday to have a New Testament standing as a divine institution. Careful readers of the Bible know that, searched from cover to cover, it does not afford even so much as a hint that the first day of the week had any sacredness attached to it. Everywhere it comes to view as an ordinary working-day, and such it must still remain to those who found their belief and practise on the Holy Scriptures.
That Sunday has been observed as a day of rest for centuries, does not make it a holy day, nor in any sense transfer to it the divine blessing which was placed on the seventh day. The Sabbath of creation is a divine institution, occupying an honored place in the great moral law of the ten commandments, and as such having binding claims on all Christians. The sabbath which Rome proudly boasts that she has given the Christian world in place of that Bible rest-day is a purely human institution, having its first origin in the pagan ideas and customs which, in the days of the corrupt but professedly Christian Constantine, became largely embodied in the church.
The Sign of a Rival Power
Knowing these facts, how can one reject the true Sabbath, and observe Sunday as a day of worship, without thereby dishonoring the God of the Sabbath, and yielding traitorous homage to a rival power? Surely such an important matter as the observance of the fourth commandment can not be set aside on the mere ground of inconvenience. No doubt it was something more than inconvenient for the early Christians to refuse, at the cost of their lives, to offer up a handful of incense to the emperor: but their loyalty was at stake; and, rightly viewed, it is our loyalty which is at stake in this question of Sabbath-keeping. Shall we honor God or honor the papacy? Shall we obey the commandment and keep holy the day which God has made holy? or shall we yield sinful homage to a rival power by observing the day which it has boldly put forth as the sign, or mark, of its authority?—Present Truth.
The Higher Life
By William P. Merrill, D. D.
WALK in the light! In darkness there is fear,
The way is dim, and evil shapes appear;
Choose thou the sunshine, for it is thy right;
He knows no fear whose path is in the right.
Build on the heights! Below, in every breath,
Lurk germs of listlessness, disease, and death;
Life-giving air, bright days, and star-lit nights—
These are for him whose home is on the heights.
Live near to God! In him is strength and peace,
Joy that abides, and life that will not cease;
Too long thy feet the path of doubt have trod;
Leave thy low life! Rise up, and live with God!
— William P. Merrill, D. D.
Why So Much Indifference?
By G. H. Heald
G. H. HEALD
IN my study of the lives of men who have given much attention to the subject of healthful living, I have been led to ask myself why we as a people have been so indifferent regarding this important topic.
Professing to have special light on this point, we are permitting other reformers to push far ahead of us in health lines, both in the matter of zeal in teaching others and in the real results of the system in improved health.
To quote the words of another: “Guilt rests upon us as a people, because we have not appreciated nor improved the light given upon health reform.”
No doubt it is the failure on our own part to reap the benefits of true health reform in increased vigor of muscle and mind that has dampened our ardor in presenting this truth to others.
I would hesitate to go to Neighbor Brown with instruction on health lines, if my family were about as sickly as his. The most sensible course for me to pursue would be to keep silent regarding health principles until I understood them well enough to get results in my own family. The next thing in order would be to go at it in earnest, to learn the real causes of the sickness (for causes there are, you may be sure), and get rid of them. Then I would be in a better position to help my neighbor.
Especially should our light shine in the direction of helpfulness, and not in the direction of unfriendly criticism. As we are admonished: “Do not catch hold in a of isolated ideas, and make them a test, criticizing others whose practise may not agree with your opinion, but study the subject broadly and deeply.”—“Christian Temperance,” page 19. The more thoroughly and completely we master the underlying principles, the less disposition we shall have to criticize others.
We are told that “much of the prejudice that prevents the truth of the third angel’s message from reaching the hearts of the people might be removed if more attention were given to health reform.” “This branch of the Lord’s work has not received due attention, and through this neglect, much has been lost.”
The quotation does not say that much of the prejudice would be removed if we were more vigorous in pushing our views on our neighbors, but “if more attention were given [by us] to health reform”—more study of the real principles, more earnest effort to carry them out in our own lives, and get improved health as a result, and possibly less preaching to our neighbors of things not borne out by our lives.
As we know from experience, health reform as it is often taught increases prejudice. As it should be taught, after proper study by ourselves to master the principles, it will remove prejudice.
Before we can enter this work consistently and heartily and intelligently, before we can carry a message that will go with the influence and power that it ought to go, we must first make a practical application of the health principles to our own lives, and demonstrate in ourselves, to our own satisfaction and that of our neighbors, that “there is real common sense in health reform.”
Then, having ourselves proved in our own bodies the correctness of the principles, “we should be very cautious not to advance too fast, lest we be obliged to retrace our steps. In reforms, we would better come one step short of the mark than go one step beyond it. And if there is error at all, let it be on the side next the people.”
We should avoid, on the one hand, that “zeal which is not according to knowledge,” which always accompanies a hasty and superficial adoption of the health principles, and, on the other hand, we should avoid that indifference to the principles which have been growing upon us.
If we were carrying out real health reform by example, showing the results in sounder health, better brain power, etc., the health reform would indeed prove to be as it was designed, the right arm of the message,
The Health of the Household
Long-Standing Infection
Few understand how unsafe it is to use articles which have been exposed to the infection of a contagious disease. Articles shut up in a chest or confined in a dark closet retain infection for many years.
The secretary of one of our State boards of health quotes a case in Ohio where the clothing, toys, etc., of a child, dead of diphtheria, were carefully packed away in a chest. Fifteen years after, the mother died, and the chest was opened by her relatives; the contents were handled freely, and the result was an attack of diphtheria in this family, though no cases had been seen in that village for some time.
In such instances all clothing, toys, etc., should be destroyed, unless of great value, then nothing should be packed away before the most complete disinfection has been accomplished.
He says further: “I have known of a similar instance of the clothing and toys as well as the cradle used by a child that died of scarlet fever, acting, after nearly thirty years, as the means of conveying this disease to a later generation. So many instances have been brought to our notice while acting as medical inspectors of the State board of health, where toys, books, and clothing have been the agents of distributing disease, that we feel we can not be too urgent in the demand for the burning of everything so infected, unless for some important reason such articles must be preserved, when the most careful disinfection must be made, and also long exposure to the air.
Every well-regulated household will have seasons for house cleaning. The good housewife will remove every particle of smoke and dirt from the ceiling. The floors will be washed, the rooms dusted, the whole house put in perfect order, yet all this work will not kill these little microscopic bacilli, the danger germs of disease. To do this the house must be thoroughly disinfected, and this disinfecting should precede or immediately follow house cleaning, that the house be put in proper sanitary condition until the next house cleaning takes place. To disinfect a house is a very simple matter. A few pounds of sulphur burned in each room is a safe and sure disinfectant. Take a large iron kettle, put four inches of sand in the bottom, set the kettle on four bricks, put in the kettle a shovel of live coals, throw on three or four pounds of powdered sulphur, shut up the room tight, and let it remain for twenty-four hours, then open and air for forty-eight hours, and the room will be ready for use. This will not only kill all the germs of12disease, but also those pests more annoying than dangerous,—moths, roaches, and bedbugs.
A more modern way of disinfecting is by the use of formaldehyde. Boards of health in towns and cities have large and expensive machines for producing the vapor, but these are not absolutely necessary, excepting after very malignant and contagious diseases. By the use of a small kerosene stove the evaporation can be produced, and is sufficient to meet all requirements in dwelling-houses. Use formaldehyde eight ounces mixed with sixteen ounces of water, in each room. Formaldehyde candles are on the market, and are sufficient for small rooms and closets.—American Motherhood.