Earlier text: Question CornerHOW THEY EXCHANGED NEWS.
By Parrie L. H. Roberson
BY PARRIE L. H. ROBERSON. “Why, how are you, Brother Mason? I’m glad to see you again.” “Well, Brother Wright, I’m always glad when I find time to come over and chat with you awhile. I’ve been quite busy of late, hence my protracted absence; but this afternoon, as I had a little time to spare, I thought I would come over and exchange news with you.” “Yes; well, I’m real glad you came to that conclusion, for it does one good these dull times to find something new and interesting to talk about; and what news have you, Brother Mason?” “Well, I’m sorry to say it is no very good news; perhaps you have heard of that young lecturer down town, how he is stirring up the people, and even some of our own church members are getting unsettled, so that they feel dissatisfied with their religion.” “You mean Elder Cutter, down at the big tent on Oak Avenue.” “Yes, I believe that is his name—he’s nothing but a smooth-faced stripling, however.” “Well, yes, his face is quite youthful, but his tongue rattles off discourses which tell of a pretty well-matured brain; and it is no wonder if his hearers are stirred.” “Ah! so you’ve ventured in to hear him, have you?” “Certainly, Brother Mason, have you not been down to hear for yourself?” “No; Dr. Smythe advised me to remain away from that tent, and to read none of the literature which those people are scattering about.” “Well, Brother Mason, I have always believed that every man would be accountable to God alone for his religion; and I had heard so much about these peculiar seventh-day people and of their being persecuted for following out their religious convictions, that, just through curiosity, I went down to see and hear what they preached anyway.” “Yes, I have heard that they claim to be orderly, law-abiding Christians; but it puzzles me to see how they can make such claims, while at the same time they refuse to obey whatever laws do not agree with their narrow8 religious belief. Then, because our courts take measures to enforce the laws of the state, they cry out persecution for conscience’ sake, as tho any Christian’s conscience would tell him to refuse loyalty to his country. It is too provoking to see how thoroughly inconsistent they are!” “Well, perhaps it looks that way to you. I used to see it that way too; but as it has always been my plan to hear before I condemn, I said but little about it; but now, since taking in some of the lectures, and reading up a little on the subject, things appear somewhat different to me.” “Why, Brother Wright, what has come over you?” “Nothing, only the scales have begun to drop from my eyes, and I now see this unpopular little sect as a very conscientious, quiet, law-abiding people, and thoroughly consistent. True, they do refuse obedience to the Sunday laws, laws which any free-born American should declare unreasonable, unjust, tyrannical.” “Brother Wright, you shock me. How can you speak so favorably of this little band of Anarchists who openly declare rebellion to the laws of our noble government? And how dare you, a Christian, speak of our grand Sunday laws as unjust and tyrannical? Don’t you believe the Bible, wherein God has commanded all to keep holy his Sabbath day? Has he not threatened all who transgress his holy law with the terrors of the judgment?” “Yes, indeed, Brother Mason, I do believe the Bible, and in the keeping of God’s holy law; and all who knowingly transgress this law shall be damned.” “And yet you have no condemnation for those who persist in desecrating the Christian sabbath. Now, Brother Wright, let me give you some advice. Keep away from that tent and stop reading their literature. You seem to be losing your reason. It seems to me the Sunday laws are the noblest laws we have, and, if promptly enforced, would accomplish more toward preparing this world for the millennium than any other work we have power to do.” “Brother Mason, the millennium will not be enjoyed in this world; but Christ is coming soon to gather the faithful to himself, and return unto his Father, there to remain a thousand years. But we will discuss this question another time. Did you ever, when reading the fourth commandment, notice that it is the seventh day and not the first day of the week that God set apart and sanctified and commanded us to keep holy?” “O yes, yes; but the Sabbath has been changed, you know!” “Pray tell me when the Sabbath was changed? Who changed it? God did not change it. When did the Creator of the heavens and the earth give finite man power and authority to strip his Sabbath, the day which he set apart to commemorate the completion of the work of creation, of its sacredness, and transfer it to the first day of the week, the day upon which he had begun his work?” “Well, Brother Wright, I don’t see the need of sifting it down so fine. Really it does not make so much difference which day of the week we keep, just so we keep one day in seven holy.” “Do you mean to say God is not particular? Will he justify us in polluting his holy Sabbath, which he set apart and sanctified, and commanded us to keep holy, simply because man has chosen another day for our sabbath? God was particular to give us a certain day as his Sabbath; and can you not see that it is we and not those seventh-day people who have been desecrating the sacred Sabbath of the Lord?” “Now I presume you think, Brother Wright, that you have given some pretty strong points; but you will please take your Bible and turn to the thirteenth chapter of Romans, and read the first few verses: ‘Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.’ That sounds pretty strong on my side, don’t it? Now, what do you say to these Saturday people resisting the powers that be?” “Brother Mason, I will repeat that I believe the Bible, the whole of it; and I believe its Author to be just and holy and good, for my Bible says he is. Therefore I can not believe that he would write a law, and command us to keep it, and then set up rulers over us, and require us to obey them if they command us to break his own holy law. The Lord has at various times in the past called the rulers of this world his anointed, his shepherds, and his servants, tho they often proved to be wicked men. They broke God’s law, and sought to cause others to do the same; yet they were ordained of God.” “In Jer. 25: 9 you may read that God called Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, his servant. Now in Dan. 3: 4-6 we read of this mighty king setting up a great image for all to worship. Death in the fiery furnace was the penalty for all who should dare to disobey his commandment. We may read in Ex. 20: 4-6 what God’s law is concerning the setting up and worshiping of graven images. Had God abolished his law so that Nebuchadnezzar’s law was the ordinance of God? In Dan. 3: 16-18 we may read of three brave souls who dared not to obey this powerful king’s command to transgress the law of their Creator. Were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego anarchists? I’m sure you will not agree to that, for I have heard you speak of them as noble examples for all Christians. Then there was the case of Daniel, another of our Bible heroes, who, after he knew that the decree spoken of in Dan. 6: 7 had been established, continued praying and making supplication to the God of heaven just as he had done before. You know how he was found guilty of opposition to the powers that be, how he was cast into the den of lions, and God miraculously delivered him from harm, because he trusted in him. It seems to me it looks pretty strong on Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego, and Daniel’s side.” “I hope, Brother Wright, you are not trying to make a comparison between those seventh-day keepers and these noble Hebrew children. These were exceptional cases; and then we do not read of them going about trying to influence others to resist the ordinances of the king; but, unlike your Sabbatarians, who are busy teaching their peculiar doctrines to others, they quietly obeyed all the king’s laws until they came in conflict with the law of God.” “Just so, Brother Mason; and wherein have these despised seventh-day Christians ever refrained from obeying the laws of our country until there were laws enacted which came in direct conflict with the law of God, wherein he says, ‘Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work’? And, tho we may not read of these servants of God influencing others to resist the king’s unholy ordinances, yet we can not doubt their faithfulness in telling all who would hear of the true God and his requirements.” “Then we have the example of the apostles. After the scribes and rulers had commanded them to speak no more in the name of Christ, Peter and John were imprisoned for disregarding this command; but the angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, and, in direct opposition to the scribes and rulers’ charge, told them to go and stand in the temple and speak as they had done before. In this the Lord again showed his approval of disregarding the powers that be when they come in conflict with our duty to him.” “Furthermore, neither did the prophets and apostles, nor do these seventh-day Christians, ever resist civil power. They do not trust in carnal weapons. They believe, with the apostles, that they ‘ought to obey God rather than men.’ If the law conflicts with God’s law, they will not obey it; but they will not resist it by force, nor will they teach others so to do.” “It appears to me, when I think of this little band of Sabbath-keepers meekly yet bravely bearing persecution for disregarding a law which insists upon compelling the conscience, that they compare perfectly with those faithful men spoken of in the Bible who dared to obey God rather than men. You see the true, humble children of God have ever been a constant rebuke to those who cry, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not the things which he says; so there must be some scheme invented to get rid of these worthies who insist upon obeying the law of the Lord in letter and in spirit, that they may feel better satisfied with themselves.” “Well, I must be going. I didn’t think of finding you in such a mood as this, Brother Wright. I know Dr. Smythe will be grieved to hear of your unsettled state of mind; for he was telling me last evening that some of his flock had become so mixed up that they hardly knew what they did believe. And they have troubled him with so many hard, unreasonable questions, and annoyed him in various ways, until he is somewhat muddled up himself; and now he will have to send off for help, and start up a revival, in order to draw the church members back; and that little upstart of a Cutter is the cause of it all. For my part, I feel sorry for our minister, and would not be guilty of adding a straw’s weight to his burden.” “Well, I am sorry, too, if he is being worried so; but why should he be annoyed or muddled up if he is walking in the light? If he would cast his burden upon the Lord, and take the word of God as it reads, he would soon be all straight without the help of man. And, Brother Mason, if our pastor is so easily bewildered, is it not time that we were looking higher, to the great Shepherd of Israel, for guidance? He has left us a guide-book for our instruction. He has shown us that there is but one door, one strait and narrow way, and through this the true Shepherd will lead his flock. All that would climb up some other way are thieves and robbers. Let us not follow a blind guide, lest we all be lost.” “Well, Brother Wright, you seem to be capable of giving some good advice. Perhaps you had better set us an example by practicing what you preach. You seem to9 think you have found the right way, now let us see you dare to walk in it.” “Brother Mason, allow me to thank you for these words of encouragement, for before talking this important subject over with you, I had not wholly determined to lift the cross. But now I am fully convinced of what my duty is; and, by the grace of God, I will keep the first Sabbath that I have ever kept in my life next Saturday, regardless of results. If I would reign with Christ, I must be ready to suffer with him. I have seen the truth, and not to obey would be sin.” “I am astonished at your decision, Brother Wright, but it is late, and I must be going, for I want to drop in and see Dr. Smythe on a little business this evening.” “Don’t be in a hurry, Brother Mason. Your visit has been very profitable to me, and I trust to you also. I shall be pleased to have you call again.” “Thank you, but I must bid you good-evening.” “Good-evening, Brother Mason.” And that evening, after Brother Mason left Dr. Smythe’s study, the poor pastor found himself “muddled up” worse than ever. And who knows what results may follow “that little upstart of a Cutter’s preaching down town”? FAITHFULNESS IN LITTLE THINGS.
By Eliza A. Chase
"Is Mr. Harris in?" inquired a plainly but neatly dressed boy, twelve or thirteen years of age, of a clerk, as he stood by the counter of a large bookstore. The clerk regarded the boy with a haughty look, and answered, "Mr. Harris is in, but he is engaged." The boy looked at the clerk hesitatingly, and then said, "If he is not particularly engaged, I would like to see him." "If you have any business to transact, I can attend to it," replied the clerk. "Mr. Harris can not be troubled with boys like you." "What is this, Mr. Morley?" said a pleasant-looking man, stepping up to the clerk; "what does the boy want?" "He insisted on seeing you, tho I told him10 you were engaged," returned the clerk, a little abashed by the manner of his employer. "And what do you wish to see me about, my lad?" inquired Mr. Harris kindly. The boy raised his eyes, and, meeting the scornful glance of the clerk, said timidly: "I wish you to look at the bill of some books which I bought here, about three months since. There is a mistake in it, which I wish to correct." "Ah, my boy, I see," replied Mr. Harris; "you have overpaid us, I suppose!" "No, sir," answered the boy. "On the contrary, I purchased some books which are not charged in the bill, and I have called to pay for them." Mr. Harris looked at the boy earnestly for a moment, and then asked, "When did you discover this mistake?" "Not until I reached home," replied the lad. "When I paid for the books, I was in a great hurry, fearing the boat would leave before I could reach it, and I did not examine the bill." "Why did you not return before, and rectify the mistake?" asked the gentleman in a tone slightly altered. "Because, sir, I live some distance from the city, and have not been able to return till now." "My dear boy," said Mr. Harris, "you have given me great pleasure. In a long life of mercantile business I have never met with an instance of this kind before. You have acted nobly, and deserve a recompense." "I ask no recompense," returned the boy. "I have done nothing but my duty—a simple act of justice—and that deserves no reward, but itself." "May I ask who taught you such noble principles?" inquired Mr. Harris. "My mother," answered the boy, bursting into tears. "Blessed is the child who has such a mother," said Mr. Harris, "and blessed is the mother of such a child. Be faithful to her teachings, my dear boy, and you will be the staff of her declining years." "Alas, sir," said the boy, "my mother is dead! It was her sickness and death which prevented me from coming here before." "What is your name?" inquired Mr. Harris. "Have you a father living?" "No, sir. My father died when I was an infant." "In the town of Linwood, about fifty miles from this city." "Well, my boy, what are the books which were forgotten?" "Tacitus and a Latin dictionary." "Let me see the bill. Ha! signed by A. C. Morley. I will see to that. Here, Mr. Morley," called Mr. Harris; but the clerk was busily engaged in waiting on a customer at the opposite side of the store, bowing and smiling in the most attentive manner. "Edward," continued Mr. Harris, "I am not going to reward you for what you have done, but wish to manifest my approbation of your conduct in such a manner as to make you remember the wise and excellent precepts of your departed mother. Select from my store any ten books you choose, which, in addition to the two you had before, shall be a present to you; and henceforth, as now, my boy, remember and not 'despise the day of small things.' If you ever need a friend, call on me, and I will assist you." The grateful boy thanked his kind benefactor, and, with tears in his eyes, bowed and left the store. Edward Delong wished for knowledge, and, tho the scanty means left him by his mother could hardly satisfy his desire, by diligence and economy he had advanced far beyond most boys of his age. By working nights and mornings for a neighbor, he had amassed what seemed to him a large sum of money, and this was expended in books. Edward's home was now with a man who regarded money as the chief end and aim of life, and severe and constant physical labor as the only means of obtaining that end. For two years Edward struggled with his hopeless condition, toiling early and late to obtain a livelihood. Edward now resolved to go to the city to seek some employment better adapted to promote his education. He entered the same store where he purchased the books, and inquired for Mr. Harris. "He is engaged," replied the polite clerk. "If you will wait a moment, he will be at liberty." "Did you wish to see me?" asked Mr. Harris of the boy, whose thoughts were so intense that he had not noticed the approach of his friend. "Mr. Harris!" exclaimed Edward, and it was all he could say, for the remembrance of past favors bestowed on him by his kind benefactor so filled his heart with gratitude that further utterance was denied. "My noble Edward," said the old gentleman. "And so you needed a friend. Well, you shall have one." Five years from that time Edward Delong was the confidential clerk of Mr. Harris, and, in three more, a partner in the firm. The integrity of purpose which first won the regard of his benefactor was his guide in after life. Prosperity crowned his efforts, and happiness blessed his heart,—the never-failing result of faithfulness in little things.—Eliza A. Chase. We need not say that crime is increasing; every one who reads the newspapers knows it. A thoughtful article in the Wave of February 29 opens thus:— “The tendency towards crime seems of late to have received a mysterious quickening into action. When the perpetrators of evil deeds often go undetected, and, in any case, the deeds multiply, thoughtful men begin to study the situation, to wonder at it, but they can not explain it. Whence comes the sudden impetus to violence and crime? It can not be ascribed to any sudden change in social conditions, to any unparalleled laxness on the part of the police. Yet the hand of the law seems often powerless. Ready to grasp an offender, the offender slips away in the darkness, and the old belief that murder will out is no longer accepted as a truism. “A casual glance at the daily press shows that elsewhere murder in its most brutal form is alarmingly prevalent, but there is no necessity for looking away from home.” After referring to some of the more brutal, revolting, and mysterious crimes of San Francisco, committed within the last years, the Wave concludes:— “Police activity may do something to lessen the prevalence of crime, but it can not dam the flood of it. Courts can do something, but in the place of the criminal they punish two criminals spring up. The suppression of the criminal is not a mere matter of punishing him. In the light of the apparent fact that the world is growing worse, it stretches into a broad and deep economic and social problem.” But in the light of God’s word all this “mysterious quickening” of the “tendency towards crime” is explained. May we suggest one of the great causes? According to the prophecies of the word of God and the facts of history, the law of God, which has been changed and trampled underfoot during the Dark Ages, is to be restored. Prophecy predicts the reform, in Rev. 14: 6-14, and in other places. But the sad fact is that a great multitude of professed Christian ministers not only trample on the law, but justify its transgression. They tell us that the law which Christ kept, which was inwrought in his character, which was his character in words, is “Jewish,” abolished, changed, subject to man’s whim. The very precept which reveals who the Author of the law is has been set aside, and in the place of the day which God set apart has been placed one of pagan origin. But the pago-papal substitute has been adopted and fostered; men are taught that God’s law may be changed at will by men, set aside, disregarded in one of its vital points; and the mass of men have come to the conclusion that if so in one respect it is so in all. The murder, the theft, the blasphemy, are the legitimate fruits of the attitude of the professed ministers of Christ respecting God’s law, the law which Christ kept. Read Ps. 50: 16-21; Eze. 22: 23-31. “Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them; but the transgressors shall fall therein.” Hosea 14: 9. “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Tim. 3: 13. THE SECTARIAN SCHOOL QUESTION.
The following resolutions were adopted by the Baptist Pastors’ Conference held at Louisville, Ky., on the twentieth day of January last, and have been indorsed by the Baptist ministers of New York City and vicinity, and by the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Richmond and Manchester, Va.:— “WHEREAS, The United States Government during the last eleven years has paid out of the public treasury the sum of $3,430,157 to the Roman Catholics, to aid them in carrying on their missionary work among the Indians; and, “WHEREAS, For the year ending June 30, 1896, while less than $6,000 are set aside for other churches, the sum of $308,471 is given to the Roman Catholics; and, “WHEREAS, It is the declared policy of the government to discontinue Indian contract schools as early as practicable; and, “WHEREAS, It is entirely feasible to make provision in government schools for all Indian children now enrolled in contract schools before the beginning of the school year of 1896-97; therefore, “RESOLVED, That we earnestly urge upon Congress the importance of discontinuing at once the contract school system, and we hereby protest against the appropriation of further sums from the public treasury in the aid of contract schools. We do this for the following reasons:— “First. The appropriation of public money to any church or religious denomination is plainly in violation of the spirit of the Constitution, which prohibits the establishment of any form of religion. “Second. It is contrary to public policy, causing as it does religious jealousies, and injecting into our politics the animus of sectarian controversy. “Third. The giving of so large a sum to one sect, while others doing the same kind of work among the Indians receive nothing from the public treasury, is unwarranted favoritism on the part of the United States Government, which is in duty bound to treat all its people alike. “Fourth. It is a serious menace to the integrity of the public-school system, since the same reason urged in behalf of this action of the government may be urged with equal potency in behalf of the division of the public-school fund of the several states. “Fifth. It is detrimental to the cause of Indian education. It is better for the Indians in preparation for American citizenship to be trained in public schools, where all the influences tend to foster patriotism and to prepare them for a speedy absorption into national life.” In forwarding the resolutions to Congressman W. S. Linton, the editor of the Western Recorder wrote as follows:— “MY DEAR SIR: I inclose copy of preambles and resolutions as below, adopted by the Baptist Pastors’ Conference of this city (Louisville). I assure you that these are the sentiments of the 230,000 Baptists in Kentucky, as well as nearly all the 4,000,000 throughout the entire country. I can assure you also that these are the sentiments of five-sixths of the American people. I earnestly hope that this stain upon our government may be speedily removed.” The Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Atlanta, Ga., also sent a protest, accompanied by the following sentiment:— “In entering this protest we are guided by a regard for the sacred principle of separation of church and state, so prominently characteristic of our constitutional system, and wholly uninfluenced by disproportionate favor shown to any church.” OUR FUTURE HOME.
By Mrs. M. S. Barton
Before the great white throne of God
In rapturous joy we stand;
Upon our heads gleam starry crowns,
Gold harps within our hand;
We sweep the harps; melodious strains
Now float upon the air,
And heavenly hosts with one accord
Give praise to Jesus there. The Lamb of God for sinners slain,
For us he bled and died,
Jehovah, mighty, glorified,
With him we now abide;
Our feet stand on the sea of glass;
Our robes are spotless white;
Adoring love in every heart,
Which beats in pure delight. By faith I pierce the dark, dark mists,
Gaze on the shining shore,
Obtain a view of God's abode,
The God whom I adore;
O'er pearly gates and jasper walls
A golden glory falls,
The glowing light of Salem bright
My heart and soul enthralls. I see the mansions, gleaming fair
With many a precious gem,
Flash in the light like diamonds bright,
The home of ransomed men.
I see life's river, tree of life,
Streets of transparent gold,
The waving grass, the pastures green—
All wondrous to behold. Resplendent in its glory bright,
Transcendently sublime,
Regal in all its loveliness,
My Saviour's face divine;
All else he far outshineth there,
As on the great white throne
Jehovah, mighty, our loved Lord,
We know him all our own. O joy of joys, enrapturing thought,
We 'mong the blood-washed bands
Now stand upon the sea of glass,
Gold harps are in our hands,
We touch the strings, melodious strains
In notes of praise arise,
Rolls on, through endless ages rolls,
Rolls on, and never dies. A DROP OF WATER.
By Chas. S. Whiting
The water which is now in the ocean and in the river has been many times in the sky. The history of a single drop taken out of a glass of water is really a romantic one. No traveler has ever accomplished such distances in his life. That particle may have reflected the palm trees of coral islands, and has caught the sun ray in the arch that spans a cloud clearing away from the valleys of Cumberland or California. It may have been carried by the Gulf Stream from the shores of Florida and Cuba, to be turned into a crystal of ice beside the precipices of Spitsbergen. It may have hovered over the streets of London, and have formed a part of murky fog, and have glistened on the young grass blade of April in Irish fields. It has been lifted up to heaven and sailed in great wool-pack clouds across the sky, forming part of a cloud mountain echoing with thunder. It has hung in a fleecy vail many miles above the earth at the close of long seasons of still weather. It has descended many times over in showers to refresh the earth, and has sparkled and bubbled in mossy fountains in every country in Europe. And it has returned to its native skies, having accomplished its purpose, to be stored once again with electricity to give it new life-producing qualities and equip it as heaven's messenger to earth once more.—Chas. S. Whiting. Not to tease girls or boys smaller than themselves. When their play is over for the day, to wash their face and hands, brush their hair, and spend the evening in the house. Not to take the easiest chair in the room and put it directly in front of the fire, and forget to offer it to their mother when she comes to sit down. To treat their mother as politely as if she were a strange lady who did not spend her life in their service. To be as kind and helpful to their sisters as to other boys’ sisters. Not to grumble or refuse when asked to do some errand which must be done, and which otherwise takes the time of some one or other who has more to do than themselves. To take pride in having their mothers and sisters for their best friends. To take pride in being gentlemen at home. To cultivate a cheerful temper. To learn to sew on their own buttons. If they do anything wrong, to take their mothers into their confidence, and, above all, never to lie about anything they have done. AT Warsenstein, in Germany, there is perhaps one of the most curiously original collections of books extant. This consists of a botanical collection. Outwardly the volumes present the common appearance of a block of wood, and that is the first impression; but a minute examination reveals the fact that each is a complete history of the particular tree which it represents. At the back of the book the bark has been removed from a space which allows the scientific and the common name of the tree to be placed as a title for the book. One side is formed from the split wood of the tree, showing its grain and natural fracture; the other shows the wood when worked smooth and varnished. One end shows the grain as left by the saw, and the other the finely polished wood. On opening the book, it is found to contain the fruit, seeds, leaves, and other products of the tree, the moss which usually grows upon its trunk, and the insects which feed upon the different parts of the tree. These are supplemented by a well-printed description of the habits, usual location, and manner of growth of the tree. In fact, everything which has a bearing upon that certain tree secures a place in this wonderful, useful, and valuable collection.—Selected. AN ACCOMMODATING EMPRESS.
THE following pleasant story comes from across the Atlantic:— The celebrated Dr. Metzger, of Amsterdam, who last year successfully treated the empress of Austria, has only one waiting room for all his patients, whatever their rank and condition. Each has to wait his turn. Some time ago a poor woman who happened to be there turned to her neighbor, a lady of distinguished appearance, notwithstanding the simplicity of her attire, and said:— “How long we have to wait, to be sure! I dare say you have got a little child at home, too?” “But when you get back, you will have to sweep out your rooms?” “No; I have folks to do that for me.” “Indeed, but you’ll want to get dinner ready?” “Not even that, for I dine at the hotel.” “Very well, as you have nothing particular to do, you might let me have your turn.” “Very willingly,” replied the lady, who was the empress of Austria.—Selected. When Chrysostom was threatened with banishment by the Roman emperor, should he persist in adhering to the Christian faith, he replied, “The world is my Father’s house; thou canst not banish me.” “But I will slay thee,” said the emperor. “Thou canst not,” said the heroic man, “for my life is hid with Christ in God.” “I will take away thy treasures.” “Nay,” was the answer. “In the first place, I have none that thou knowest of. My treasure is in heaven, and my heart is there.” “But I will drive thee away from thy friends.” “Not so,” answered Chrysostom. “I have a Friend in heaven from whom thou canst not separate me. I defy thee; there is nothing thou canst do to hurt me.”—Ram’s Horn. A BIBLE SHOP AT AMARA, ARABIA.
By S. M. Zwemer
[Missionary of the Reformed (Dutch) Church.] THE village of Amara is located about one hundred and fifty miles north of Busrah, on the Tigris, and has, especially within the last five years, become an important center of trade for the Arab tribes of Mesopotamia. With a population of over 9,000, among whom are 600 Chaldean Christians, 900 Jews, and 1,000 Sabeans, the place is a natural center for mission work between here and Bagdad, the nearest other mission station, 500 miles away by water route. The village had, therefore, frequently been visited by our colporters on their river journeys for the last four years. It seemed wise to establish a foothold there, and so one of our most efficient helpers was sent with instructions to rent a small shop and begin the sale of Scriptures and other books. Hitherto in our work in Arabia we have found a book-shop a sort of multum in parvo, which, altho it makes no great display, and is apparently only a means of livelihood to the man in charge, and is therefore not a stone of stumbling among a fanatic population, yet is practically a center for every kind of evangelistic work. Here education is sold in books without there being a school; there is vigorous preaching—thank God, also at times praying—yet we can truly say it is not a chapel—debates and controversy enough with little groups of Moslems, yet never technically “street preaching.” Hitherto we have opened such “shops” (not depots for storing the word, but workshops to use the sword of the Spirit) at Busrah, Bahrein, and Muscat, with encouragement. All these were, of course, opened under difficulties; but even in Busrah it was never hinted that a book-shop required a license from the Sublime Porte. But a shop is not always a shop in Turkish Arabia. Trouble at Amara began very soon. All the books taken by our colporter were of the “allowed” kind, and had, in addition to the censorship of the press, also passed under the approval of the censor at Busrah. A shop was selected, rent paid for six months in advance, shelves put up, and the colporter exposed his wares. On the second day the local authorities came, and, under plea that an order from Stambul was required, closed and sealed up the shop. Our agent notified me, and I presented the case to the Wali at Busrah, who, after long argument, granted us the right to sell books on the streets, but not in a shop at Amara. His excellency sought in vain through old and new editions of the Ottoman code for the ground for his decision; but he told me, with smiles, that it was final, promising, however, to order by telegraph that the books be restored. This was on a Thursday. Electricity travels, when properly manipulated, at à la Turque speed. We waited patiently five days. A private message reached our colporter on the same day, but the official telegram was still panting along the wires, because there were absolute proofs at Busrah that it had left, and equally strong proofs at Amara that it had not yet arrived. We waited impatiently two days; then I went to Amara. On the second day after my arrival the delayed message came, and the books were restored to us. They were taken to the khan, sold on the streets, and examined by all who visited us. Every night scores of Moslems crowded into our little room and heard the Gospel. One day good news came from Busrah by wire privately: “The governor here has given permission to open the shop.” Again, alas, the official telegram made no appearance! The wire might be broken, our news be false, or Allah knows what; but no message has come, they said. We waited four days, and then went back to Busrah. The message needed an escort; it was afraid to travel alone. At Busrah we learned, not to our surprise (one should never be surprised at Turkish duplicity), that it had left officially five days ago. And again the proofs were so many and strong of the wires being unbroken and the message delivered that—well, I was speechless. Forsooth, some clerk was to blame, and a new telegram would be sent immediately. This I saw carried to the office and heard ticked on the instrument. The escorted message reached Amara undamaged. Two days later the American book-shop was opened. It is open still. The camel’s neck has entered a new tent. God’s light is now on a candlestick. Two Arabic texts, prepared in beautiful script by our industrious colporter during the days of waiting, tell the story of our victory and adorn our “shop:” “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” “Be wise now therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the earth.” How matters changed so suddenly is a mystery to us, unless, as we believe, it was a direct answer to prayer.—N. Y. Independent.