“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Not in vain: and yet there is many a mother and many a father who is looking about in sorrowful amazement, and saying, “But my labor is in vain. I have labored, but it has come to naught. I have done a great deal, but the very work that is the nearest is not done.”
I fully believe that this sense of failure in the home life is at the foundation of more invalidism than any other one thing. Many are looking about, trying to find something to do for the Lord, and are perplexed, and are losing their faith and hold upon God, simply because they can not find the Lord’s work, when it is lying all about their feet in the family life.
The staying of your feet at home need not prevent you from going; for there is more than one way of going. The little circuit of the home is large enough for all the going that God requires of a woman with a family of young children; and any going that would for a moment cause her to neglect this work would be equivalent to the gadding about, which is denounced in Jer. 2: 36.
To “go” is not necessarily to put one foot before another, to take a train and put miles between you and your home. The first going must always be out of self; and one can do that without stirring a foot. By that going out first to the limits of the home by every impulse, thought, and word, by all of Christ that one can know, the home will become a reservoir of holy, health-giving atmosphere, from which all who come within its influence will be refreshed.
Get out to the limits of your home first. Get out to your husband and the children; wife, husband, and children, go out after one another; go out to those in the neighborhood, go out to the grocer’s boy who delivers the goods that you have purchased,—go out covered, as it is your privilege, with that luminous spiritual garment woven of the word of God, and all your going will be a continual giving out of Christ.
Out of self, it is not far into the fullness of the Holy Spirit, and there is health and vigor and all things that are needed to make Christ visible. You may be, in yourself, both an intake and an outlet of that power which has its depository in him, and for lack of which the world—maybe that part of it which you call your own family—is dying.
There is one most wonderful assurance in the word of God, folded up within which is hidden every promise that has ever been given: “For the promise [of the Holy Ghost] is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2: 38, 39.
It may be that some have wandered so far from every true principle that they are exposed to every evil influence. These must be brought in; for, as in the time of the Egyptian plagues, so now, “upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die.” “But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, . . . that ye may know that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.” Ex. 9: 19; 11: 7.
That “all power” is given that you may be able to go out and bring all your children home out of the hail that will soon begin to fall, and protect them from the tongue of any dog. “Hear ye the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel.” Jer. 2: 4. “Behold, the whirlwind of the Lord goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked. The fierce anger of the Lord shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.” Jer. 30: 23, 24. “At the same time, saith the Lord, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.” Jer. 31: 1.
S. M. I. H.
A Godly Woman’s Work at Home
The following is quoted from the department of Woman’s Work in the Union Conference Record, published in Australia. This department is conducted by Mrs. V. J. Farnsworth, who is carrying on the work with the Australian sisters, with encouraging results:—
One dear sister’s experience illustrates the simple, effectual way a godly woman may work for Christ in her own home. She says: “I don’t know why God saw fit to let me see this precious truth when so many good people, better than I am, can not see it. From the first, I have felt that my married daughter, and my sister, who is a Catholic, must experience the blessings that have come to me. I have other relatives and friends in whom I feel as much interest, especially my husband and my eldest son, who have not a Christian experience; but for some reason I have been led to pray more earnestly for my daughter Mary and for sister Jennie than for the others. I have formed the habit, though it may seem a foolish one, of talking to God when I am about my daily work. One morning I was washing, and must have been making considerable noise, and I was saying to the Lord, ‘O, joy! joy! what joy we shall have when we all are saved! Mary will be there, bringing her sheaves. Jennie will come bringing her sheaves; and I can say, Lord, here am I, and the children thou hast given me.’ I forgot everything else in my happiness while thinking about the reward of the righteous, and Mary came in without my seeing her, and heard all I was saying. She asked me who I was talking to, and so I told her all about it. She said very little, and after a time we went out to take a walk. On the street I told her how often I prayed for her and also for her husband. She simply answered, Yes, yes, to it all; but finally she said, ‘Mother, I have a confession to make to you now. Fred and I have talked much lately of our duty to obey God, and not long ago he said that he would do so sometime. I asked him why not now, and, mother, I want you to keep right on praying for us with all your might.’ I know God will bring my children to him in his own time, and I shall see his salvation.”
Go at Once
By Josephine Pollard
O how many hearts are aching,
O how many hearts are breaking,
For the loving touch and token,
For the word you might have spoken!
Say not, in a time of sorrow,
I will heal their grief to-morrow.
Prove your friendship lest they doubt it:
Go at once: be quick about it.
— Josephine Pollard.
EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.
I AM trying to learn to discern the Saviour's voice and be obedient to his calls. Last week I felt a burden of prayer for a sick man,—a neighbor, five miles distant,—who, the doctors say has cancer of the stomach, which, having eaten through his spleen and liver, is working toward his heart. His case was given up as incurable. I went to his home early in the morning, so as to be there in time to do the housework for the day. Upon arriving I found that his wife had more help in the kitchen that day than was needed, so it was evident that I was not sent there for that purpose. I waited all day for them to ask me to pray with them, although I never had had prayer at a neighbor's house. I came home with the burden of prayer still on me, and really felt disappointed because they had not asked me to pray.
On my way home I stopped at the post-office to get the mail, and upon looking it over, found some circulars from the Pacific Press. I read: “We are told a death-like slumber is upon the human agents, and the work is hindered by failure of the human to co-operate with the divine. All heaven is activity, and the angels of God are waiting to co-operate with the human agent who will devise plans whereby souls for whom Christ died may hear the glad tidings of salvation.” I felt that I was one of the human agents whom the angels were waiting for. Our lesson around the family altar that evening was the second chapter of Revelation. Verses 2-5 seemed to be directed to me, especially the words, “will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” The burden of my prayer now was that I might be forgiven; that this man's life might be preserved until I could prepare food for another day, so as to leave my family again; and I promised the Lord that I would go and do the work that he bade me do.
Having no one-horse rig, I went on horseback, so there would be only one horse to care for during the night. I was impressed to take with me several articles for the sick, which I put in my satchel. Just before I started, I took some light graham bread from the oven, and something told me to take a loaf of it to them. But I recognized the voice of Satan suggesting, “Oh, it is hot! You can not carry such a load. You will have four wire gates to open on the way, and how will you mount the horse again with two great bundles? You will look like old Mrs. Mc Nally.” You see I could not put the hot bread in the satchel, as it would melt the butter. The fact was, I did not know how I could carry the things; but your idea flashed through my mind,—“God will lay no burden upon us without giving strength to perform;” so I answered, “I never started with a load yet that I did not go through with.” I had promised the Lord that if I was impressed again to take anything to them, I would do it; so I took the bundles and started. Fortunately, near the first two gates there was convenience for getting on my horse again, and the two last gates on my road had been accidentally (?) left open. When I reached the place, the woman said: “There now is Mrs. ——. I will rest to-night. I will go right to bed. When some one comes in that I can trust my husband with, I can rest.” In the morning the opportunity came to have prayer, and I did my duty the best I could. They seemed very thankful for what I had done, and I leave the result with the Lord. S. M. I. H.
REQUESTS FOR PRAYER.
PRAY for a son who is being ensnared by the influence of infidelity. He has a Christian mother, who asks the prayerful interest of our sisterhood in his behalf.
“Please request all the faithful to pray for my husband. He has contracted the drink habit, and it seems impossible for him to control himself any more. Temptation lies in his path. He keeps a soda factory, and all his customers are saloon keepers, and of course he has to associate with them at all times. He is a good man, charitable and kindhearted. Pray that our Heavenly Father may open the way for him to sell out his business. I am not discouraged; for my faith looks up to the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world; but the word of God says that the prayer of the righteous availeth much.”
NOTICE!
By Editor
A FEW weeks ago we made mention of a brother who agreed to be one of twenty to give twenty-five cents a week for the support of one of our “shut-ins.” A note from the same brother says: “I have heard from the shut-in,” and such a sweet letter! In it he gave praise to our Heavenly Father for eight who have responded. Eight out of twenty! Where are the twelve? Let us not forget that our love must not be in word only but in deed. Let twelve more of God’s able ones say, “Here am I.”
TO THE GIRLS.
By Jennie L. Lyall.
I’LL tell you a story, my girl, to-day,
And the story I tell is true;
There is not a power on earth to win
So strong as the power in you.
Hold firm to the beautiful things in life,
Learn both to work and to pray,
Let holiness have its royal place,
And the world is yours to sway.
The power of right is more than might:
The weakest ones are strong
When they reach above to the hand of love;
And goodness conquers wrong.
The ages in passing have garnered their store,
Have brought things good and true;
But time’s unfolding has left no gift
Like the gifts he has left for you.
For you, my girl, who, more than queen,
May hold a royal place
By the winsome charms of beauty and youth,
And the power of goodness and grace;
For hearts are breaking, and souls are sad,
There are lives to brighten and cheer.
There’s hope in the touch of a kindly hand,
And a smile may dry a tear.
And, remember, your right of dower, my girl,
Is gaining a world from sin,
Is strengthening manhood’s noblest aims,
Is womanhood’s crown to win.
Then strive, my girl, for all that’s pure,
And seek for all that’s true.
Be thoughtful, and loving, and gentle, and kind;
For the world has need of you.
— Jennie L. Lyall.
THE CITY OF TIENTSIN.
TIENTSIN is situated at the junction of the Huei River, sometimes called the Grand Canal, with the Peiho River in latitude 39° 3′ 55″ north, and longitude 117° 3′ 55″ east. It is distant from Peking by road about eighty miles. Formerly, it was a military station only, but toward the end of the seventeenth century it became a city of great importance. To-day it is the home of one million persons, with an annual import and export trade aggregating sixty-five million taels, or $42,250,000. In former years, steamships landed their passengers and cargo at the bund in Tientsin, but for the last three years the Peiho River has been unnavigable, except for boats of very light draft, since which time cargoes have been shifted to lighters at Tangku (mouth of the river), and thence hauled to Tientsin by tugs, a necessity that adds greatly to the cost of transportation.
At one time, the volume of water flowing down the Peiho was vast; but many canals have been constructed, causing the river channel to become so shallow as to create consternation among shippers and property owners, who supplicated the consular body to devise some means for improvement. After many meetings and much consideration, it was determined to raise a fund of 250,000 taels, or $162,500, to be expended in improving the water course. The viceroy assumed the responsibility of raising 100,000 taels, or $65,000, and the consular body the further sum of 150,000 taels, or $97,500, by means of a loan to be repaid out of a bund or landing tax, levied by authority of the French and English municipalities—a scheme approved by the diplomatic body at Peking. The money has been secured, and is now in bank, and the work of improvement will begin immediately, and, it is hoped, will be successful.
The growth of Tientsin within the last few years is most astonishing. The mud holes and swamps of a few years ago have been filled in; one-, two-, three-, and even four-story brick buildings erected; streets macadamized, trees planted, gas works constructed, and now pipes, from New York, for a very elaborate and perfect water system are being laid—all due to foreign enterprise. On the other hand, the Chinese authorities have been seized with the spirit of progress, and to them is due the building and furnishing of the Imperial Military College, the Imperial University, arsenals for the manufacture of guns and ammunition, a mint for the coinage of silver, and last, but not least, three hundred and twenty miles of excellent railway. Machinery has also been purchased for a complete woolen mill, and many other improvements are now under consideration.
THE POOR.
By Daniel H. Kress
D. H. KRESS, M. D.
While delivering lectures recently at Belfast, Ireland, my attention was called to the extreme poverty that exists there. I do not know that I have ever visited a city where more street meetings were held by well-meaning and devoted Christian workers. As I watched their methods of work, and studied the condition and needs of the people, I was fully convinced that these efforts alone will accomplish little good. The results of the work also testify to the fact that little headway is made.
At one time the Saviour was surrounded with a multitude of hungry people, who had been without food for some time. The disciples, no doubt, were in favor of having a good meeting, and of hearing the impressive and wonderful words as they fell from the lips of him of whom it is said, “Never man spake like this man.” Christ viewed matters differently. He saw before him a people upon whose faces he could trace evidences of hunger. He knew something of the pangs of hunger himself, and was able to sympathize with the people. He understood the craving of their nerves; he was acquainted with their needs. To his surprised disciples, who had only been thinking of having meetings, he said, “Give ye them to eat.”
It was food the people needed, not a discourse; and God supplied their needs by Christ Jesus. Many of the poor of our large cities are in the very condition that these people were in. Eating buns made out of white flour; the little nutriment the flour contained destroyed by fermentation; drinking tea, etc., has caused an impoverished condition of the whole system, shown by the decayed teeth, etc. In fact, we can not look upon their countenances without observing evidences of poor nutrition. Their hungry nerves are crying out for food, but in their ignorance they stupefy the nerves, or satisfy this craving, by drinking whisky, using tea, tobacco, or opiates of various kinds. There is no doubt in my mind that real hunger is the cause of more drunkenness than any other one thing. The nerves are in this way paralyzed, the craving ceases, and the persons imagine that they are fed. They are spending the little they are able to earn or steal for that which is not bread.
What do these people need? is it street meetings, or wholesome, nourishing food? It seems to me that if Christ were here, he would say to his followers to-day, “Give ye them to eat”—supply their needs. I do not mean to convey the idea that we should in a wholesale manner supply them with food, and thus encourage idleness, which is responsible for all kinds of iniquity. They, at least most of them, are able to pay for their food; for do they not manage to buy whisky and tobacco? But we can plan to supply them with wholesome foods—food that contains the requisite elements to supply the needs of their systems. In this way we may carry out the command, “Deal thy bread [the nourishing and cheap food to which God has called our attention] to the hungry.” The promise is, “Then shall thy health spring forth speedily,” etc. Small shops could be opened up, where the poor may come to buy foods already prepared from beans, peas, lentils, and the various grains. Many of these persons do not know how to prepare foods, nor do they understand the need of knowing. So they must at first be supplied with foods already prepared, and taught afterward. Equal parts of rice and beans, with the addition of peanut butter, may be baked, or boiled in tin cans under pressure by closing the cans tightly. After opening the cans, this may be cut into thin slices, and sold at a small price. Such food is as wholesome as the more expensive nut products. This is merely suggestive. Innumerable healthful combinations may be made of these wholesome, non-stimulating, and satisfying products of the earth.
Shall we not begin to plan for the poor, and develop means and ways of supplying their needs? When their needs are once supplied, their nerves will cease to cry out for food; and when this craving ceases, the whisky habit, tobacco habit, etc., will not be so difficult to overcome. When clothed and in their right minds, they may be reasoned with, and taught the way of life more perfectly.
THE COUNTING LESSON.
By Abbie E. Cooper
ABBIE E. COOPER.
(Birmingham, Ala.)
AUNT PATIENCE had just made a hot fire; for she was in great haste to finish the ironing before dinner.
Johnny wished to go with the other children, but could not. His cries grew louder and louder, as if he desired to make such a loud noise, and so much of it, that those interested would do anything for peace.
At first Aunt Patience was moved forcibly to demand silence, but “a more excellent way” appeared to her. She thought of one who suffered these little ones to come to him. “O Johnny,” said she, in an animated tone, “come quick! quick! I want to tell you something.”183
Johnny came slowly. That cry was under too much headway to be checked at once, or to admit of much speed in any other direction.
“I want to tell you about a time when God made a man. His name was Adam. There wasn’t any other man, so he was alone—only one man. God was sorry for him.”
“Is God sorry for me when I have to play ’lone?” mournfully asked poor Johnny.
“I think he wants me to tell you about him, so you will not miss the other children,” said Aunt Patience. “God made a woman to live with Adam. Her name was Eve. How many persons were in that family? There were Adam and Eve.”
“Two,” said Johnny, as he took a swing on the door knob.
“When one went away, there was only one,” said Aunt Patience.
“Only Adam was one, and only Eve was one, too,” thoughtfully rejoined Johnny.
“God came and talked with them. Then how many could talk together? Think,” said Aunt Patience, holding up her fingers. “God and Adam and Eve. God is one; Adam, two; and Eve—”
“Three,” said Johnny.
“God told Adam how he made air, land, and water. What lives in the water?”
“Pollywogs,” was the prompt reply.
“Yes, and what did you see in the window at the drug store?”
“Fishes in a ’quarium,” said Johnny.
“What do the fishes live in?”
“Water.”
“What is that flying down on the barn?”
“That’s nothin’ but a pigeon.”
“What does Aunt Helen have, to sing for her?”
“Birds,” responded the boy, as he picked up his cat.
“Birds fly in the air, fishes swim in the water, and some animals walk on the ground.”
“Like kitty!” exclaimed Johnny.
“Let us count how many places for the animals—water, land, and air.”
“Three,” said Johnny, as he looked at her extended fingers.
“Let’s see how many kinds of animals—fishes, birds, beasts.”
“Three,” said Johnny. “And they can do three things.”
“God made different kinds of plants—grasses, herbs, and trees.”
Johnny put up one finger, saying “grasses,” then another finger, as Aunt Patience said “herbs;” and as the third finger was extended, she said “trees.” Thus Johnny recognized three distinct kinds.
“God made different lights—sun, moon, and stars. The sun and moon make two great lights.”
“Aunt Patience, the stars are little wee bits of lights. And sun, moon, and stars make three kinds of light. The sun is day-light, and the moon and stars is night light,” proudly affirmed the child.
“So we have two to shine for us at night, and that leaves just one to shine by day,” said Aunt Patience.
“After Adam and Eve lived together for some time, they had a baby boy. Then how many were in that family?”
“Adam and Eve and the baby—three,” and Johnny clapped his hands.
At the dinner table Johnny said to his father: “I’ve got kitty, Will’s got Rover, and Mary’s goin’ to get a bird; then there’ll be three animals in our family. There are only two now. God did make the most things—light, and air, and land, and water, and fishes, and plants! He can make so many things, and nobody else knows how!”
Cold-Water Bath for the Eyes
“Few persons are aware what an excellent tonic a cold-water bath is for the eyes — not the ordinary sponge-bath, with closed lids, but opening the eyes and holding them open for a minute or more, in clear, cold water. If they are weak, put a pinch of salt in the water. Take a teacupful of water, and hold it to the eye, against the face, and open the eye in it. Open and shut two or three times, to wash out the eye. Then dry with a soft towel. Never rub your eyes.”
A VALUABLE HELP.
Some of the Berean readers are saying that they have read “Thoughts on Daniel” so much in years past, and are so familiar with it, that the studies are not so interesting as they wish they were. Well, dear ones, enlarge the scope of your reading in the field of the lessons. The “Great Empires of Prophecy” treats of the book of Daniel in a way that exactly meets the needs of all such as are here referred to. If all those who are so familiar with “Thoughts on Daniel” that they find the lessons not sufficiently interesting will study the Berean lessons in connection with “Great Empires of Prophecy,” they will find all the lack fully supplied. In proof, read the following experience of one circle:—
“The experience we have had in our home in studying the Berean lessons has led me to think that many others may be battling with the same difficulties. While the text-book has furnished valuable assistance in understanding the prophecies, we have felt the serious need of becoming familiar with the history of the empires in a connected and tangible form. But this we found difficult to do, as those works that are condensed are not complete enough to give the points we especially desire; and to delve into those volumes of Gibbon, Rollin, etc., that would give us what we are after, requires more time than we (mothers at least) can find to give to it, especially as there are constantly so many good things that we must read and study in order to ‘redeem the time.’ And so we felt that our most earnest efforts were far from satisfactory, until our attention was called to the book entitled, ‘The Great Empires of Prophecy,’ by A. T. Jones; and in this we have found just the help we need. The contents of this book have been carefully gleaned from the cream of historical works; and they are so compiled as not only to give invaluable information, but also to be intensely interesting and even fascinating. I truly believe it is the book for all who wish to get the most possible out of these studies.
“A BEREAN.”
The price of “Great Empires of Prophecy” is only two dollars, postpaid. Address Review and Herald Publishing Company, Battle Creek, Mich., or its branches; or Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal., or its branches.
BRIGHT EYES.
By Margaretta A. Kerr
Ah, those bright and sunny faces,
How they chase dull care away!
Lighting up the gloom and sadness,
Turning all my night to day.
Now and then I catch the smiling,
As I mingle with the throng,
Of those happy, heaven-lit faces,
Turning all my life to song.
Sometimes on a bed of sickness,
Radiant faces have I seen;
Oft I marveled at the shining,
Till I saw the Christ within.
Tune this heart, O Lord, to praises,
Fill it with thy heavenly grace,
That my face may be a mirror,
To reflect thy radiant face.
— Margaretta A. Kerr.
BEREAN LIBRARY STUDY.
(March 25-31.)
Try to learn the essential points so thoroughly that you can lay the text-book aside, and from the Bible alone state the historical event that answers to each statement of the prophecy. Do not be discouraged if you can not do this as readily as you wish, but keep trying. A most profitable and interesting family review may be held by reading a portion of the prophecy, and each member of the family telling all the details that he remembers of the corresponding history.
Lesson 17.
(Dan. 11:20-27; “Thoughts on Daniel,” pages 239-250.)
1. Identify the Roman emperor referred to as a “raiser of taxes,” and also his successor, “a vile person.”
2. What most important event occurred during the reign of Tiberius? What essential dates may here be established as authentic?
3. What power is referred to in verse 23? To what league is reference made? What were the provisions of that league?
4. Note the peculiar policies of Rome foretold in verse 24.
5. What circumstances led to the conflict between Rome and the king of the south? Describe the battle of Actium.
6. When does the prophetic “time” of verse 24 begin and end? What event marked the close of that period?
7. What was the final result of the war, and the fate of the rulers of Egypt?
Review Topics.
1. Review that portion of Dan. 9: 25-27 which is touched upon in this lesson.
2. Give a brief but connected outline of the prophecy of the lesson.
3. Spend a short time in fixing the geography of this and previous lessons in mind, in drilling on the correct pronunciation of the proper names, and in memorizing essential dates.
MARCH STUDY OF THE FIELD: PART IV.
“Among the People of Italy.”,
(Text-book, March Magazine.)
1. WHERE is Italy? How is it bounded? What is its area? the number of its inhabitants?
2. Speak of the origin and growth of the city of Rome. When did this city attain its greatest size?
3. Name some of its public edifices. What was the use of the Coliseum?
4. What work did Garibaldi accomplish in 1879? How has this change in the government been favorable for the introduction of the gospel?
5. Briefly relate circumstances and experiences which show that there are ways whereby the truth of Christ may have access to hearts in this kingdom.
6. Do we have any representatives in that city? What work have they endeavored to accomplish?
7. Among what class has missionary labor been put forth?
8. Why is Rome an important missionary center?
9. As shown by Elder Westphal’s article, what advance step has been taken in the work in Argentine? Having read Brother Kelley’s paper on Puerto Rico, what would you say about that island?
10. In view of the work yet to be accomplished, what does God seem to demand of you?
Work Only for the Glory of God
“WORK only for the glory of God and the good of man.”