In Bulletin No. 44, Bureau of Animal Industry, United States Department of Agriculture, some information is furnished which ought to interest the general public.
A highly fatal disease appeared among the cattle in the dairy herd belonging to the government asylum for the insane at St. Elizabeth, D. C. In the course of two weeks from the beginning of the outbreak eighteen animals had died, when the disease suddenly stopped. From the nervous symptoms manifested by these cows before death, and from the fact that a rabid dog had been seen among them a few weeks before, evidence pointed strongly to the epidemic as being rabies, or hydrophobia. Post-mortem examination of the carcasses seemed to confirm the diagnosis. But it was also manifest from this examination that of the eighteen cows at least twelve of the dead animals showed extensive tuberculous lesions.
This was a startling discovery, inasmuch as this herd was high bred, great care having been taken in their selection as well as in their care and stabling.
But in order to determine the extent of this tubercular infection it was decided to subject the whole herd of one hundred and two cows to the tuberculin test. Imagine the surprise when it seemed evident that seventy-six of the one hundred and two cows were far advanced in tuberculosis. Post-mortem examinations afterward confirmed the reliability of these tests.
Previously to the slaughter of these animals it was decided to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the department that milk from such animals would transmit the disease. Taking advantage of the fact that guinea-pigs are as susceptible as man is to tuberculosis, a number of these animals were selected for the experiments. Several of them were killed and examined to preclude the possibility of a previous infection. After having fed the guinea-pigs upon this infected milk for only a few weeks, the animals were killed or otherwise examined, and over twenty-one per cent were found in various stages of the disease. In the light of these figures is it any wonder that so many artificially fed children die from summer complaint or some form of bowel trouble?
Six months after first testing the herd, the remaining twenty-six cows were subjected to a second tuberculin test, resulting in eight of the number being condemned. These were afterward proved to be infected, although most of them were not far advanced in the disease.
But here is the part that should interest flesh-eaters: being only slightly infected, it was deemed too much of a loss to condemn the meat, hence they were passed to the butcher. Here is the post-mortem report of one so passed:—
“One small focus in right retropharyngeal gland, one nodule size of a pigeon’s egg in right cephalic lobe, and four foci containing cheesy deposit in ventral lobe of left lung. Carcass passed.”
This, with a number of others, was considered worthy of a better burying place than the “cold, cold ground,” so was turned over to the butcher, who, for so much a pound, agreed to deposit the remains in a style that would compensate for the untimely end of the deceased.
As a result of these investigations, the following are the conclusions arrived at by the department:—
1. The tubercle-bacillus may be demonstrated in milk from tuberculous cows when the udders show no perceptible evidence of disease, either macroscopically or microscopically.
2. The bacillus of tuberculosis may be excreted from such an udder in sufficient numbers to produce infection in experimental animals both by ingestion and by inoculation.
3. That in cows suffering from tuberculosis the udder may, therefore, become infected at any moment.
4. The presence of the tubercle-bacillus in the milk of tuberculosis is not constant, but varies from day to day.
5. Cows secreting virulent milk may be affected with tuberculosis to a degree12that can be detected only by the tuberculin test.
6. The physical examination or general appearance of the animal can not foretell the infectiveness of the milk.
7. The milk of all cows which have reacted to the tuberculin test should be considered as suspicious, and should be subjected to sterilization before using.
8. Still better, tuberculous cows should not be used for general dairy purposes.
Progressive Diet Reform
By Ellen G. White
IT would be well for us to do less cooking, and to eat more fruit in its natural state. Let us teach the people to eat freely of the fresh grapes, apples, peaches, pears, berries, and all other kinds of fruit that can be obtained. Let these be prepared for winter use by canning, using glass, as far as possible, instead of tin.
Concerning flesh-meat, we should educate the people to let it alone. Its use is contrary to the best development of physical, mental, and moral powers. And we should bear a clear testimony against the use of tea and coffee. It is also well to discard rich desserts. Milk, eggs, and butter should not be classed with flesh-meat. In some cases the use of eggs is beneficial. The time has not come to say that the use of milk and eggs should be wholly discarded. There are poor families whose diet consists largely of bread and milk. They have little fruit, and can not afford to purchase the nut foods. In teaching health reform, as in all other gospel work, we are to meet the people where they are. Until we can teach them how to prepare health reform foods that are palatable, nourishing, and yet inexpensive, we are not at liberty to present the most advanced propositions regarding reform diet. Let the diet reform be progressive. — Mrs. E. G. White.
Death in Patent Medicines
DR. BAUMGARTNER, in “Transactions Colorado State Medical Society for 1902,” says that the following patent medicines contain the percentages given of alcohol:—
Green’s Nervura ....................18.2
Hood’s Sarsaparilla ................18.8
Schenck’s Seaweed Tonic ............19.5
Brown’s Iron Bitters ...............19.7
Kaufman’s Sulphur Bitters ..........20.5
Paine’s Celery Compound ............21.0
Burdock’s Blood Bitters ............25.2
Ayer’s Sarsaparilla ................26.2
Warner’s Safe Tonic Bitters ........35.7
Parker’s Tonic .....................41.6
Hostetter’s Stomach Bitters ........44.3
Think of a crusade against beer, which contains only from two per cent to five per cent of alcohol, while allowing the free sale of “bitters” containing ten times as much! The “bitters” are stronger than whisky, far stronger than sherry, port, etc., and claret and champagne far behind.
Is it beyond the truth to say that alcohol causes from one third to one half of all criminals, defectives, insane, and dependents, which the state is compelled to support? What proportion of these are the products of these patent-medicine syndicates no one can tell. It is surely large.—American Medicine.
Let the Children Help
“How can the mother of eight children look so young?” asked a friend who found her time fully occupied in caring for her little ones. The lady in question was a fair-faced matron of forty-five, who looked at least five years younger.
“She teaches the children to help almost as soon as they can walk,” was the reply, and this was the secret of her management.
A mother should not be a slave to her children; for it makes them selfish and exacting. Laziness is almost a crime in this busy world, and if the mother will teach them to bear their part of the burden of housekeeping early in life, it will develop industrious habits, and they will always like to work. It also teaches them to appreciate her and her work for them as they never will do if they know nothing about it. Look around you and see what mothers are loved and honored most in their old age; almost invariably it is those whose children have been taught to work, instead of those who have willingly made drudges of themselves to spare the children.—Selected.
The Secret of King Edward’s Good Health
“THE reason for the remarkably good health which King Edward has enjoyed since his coronation,” says the London Daily Telegraph, “has at last been allowed to transpire (says a home paper). The secret is found in the fact that for many months past His Majesty has been indulging in a systematic course of electric-light baths. One of King Edward’s firmest resolves is to maintain the wholesome dieting to which he has for a long time past restricted himself. Few people are aware, perhaps, that His Majesty will never partake of butter under any circumstances.”
An English health journal adds: “It is said that the king, as a result of careful dietetic habits, is to-day in enjoyment of all the elasticity and robust health of a man twenty years his junior, and is able to get through a surprisingly large amount of work.”
The Treatment of Severe Burns
THE burned surface should be carefully cleansed, then washed with a three-per-cent solution of carbolic acid, or a thirty-per-cent solution of salicylic acid. After all the blisters are opened, the entire surface is covered with powdered bismuth, then with a layer of absorbent cotton, and finally with a light bandage. The cotton absorbs any discharges, and fully protects the burned surface from the air. The dressing should be allowed to remain from one to three weeks as the case may require. In using the bismuth there is no danger of poisoning from absorption, even in cases where the burn is extensive. By means of this method of treatment, the amount of secretion is greatly diminished.—Selected.
Living Grace and Dying Grace
WE sometimes ask ourselves if we should be willing to die, or should we be willing to live in hopeless suffering, or should we be willing to put the fire to our darling ambitions. It is easy to answer such questions. We determine the future by the present. If to-day we do to-day's duty, to-morrow we shall be able to do to-morrow's duty. If to-day we are willing to live for God, on some to-morrow we shall be willing to die for him. To-day we do not receive dying grace, for God does not call us to death. To-day he calls us to live, and therefore he gives living grace. To-morrow he will call us to death, and to-morrow he will give us dying grace.—Pittsburg Christian Advocate.
Courtesy to Children
A WRITER in the Hearthstone has this to say: “One afternoon recently I stepped into a store to purchase some needed articles; there were customers already in the store, and immediately after my entrance the door opened to admit two tiny mites of humanity, who came in timidly, holding each other’s hand. The clerk in charge had just finished with the first customers, and, turning to me, courteously inquired if I would excuse him if he waited on the children first; “for,” said he, “I always feel anxious to send children home as soon as possible, so their mothers won’t get worried about them.” I gladly excused him, and I thought, How much better it would be if every clerk and store-keeper were as thoughtful as the one referred to; they would not think of keeping the fathers and mothers waiting; then why should they not show care and consideration when serving the little folk who represent them?
Older people can look out for themselves, and make themselves heard, but every one should seek to help the children. They should be treated with extra care and consideration, waited upon as soon as possible, their bundles done up safely, and their pleased and smiling little faces and grateful looks will warm your hearts more than you may realize.
There is another class that should be considered—the old people. They are generally low of voice, timid and shrinking, and the clerks often overlook them and disregard their wants, treating them with cool—oftentimes offensive—indifference, and impatiently turning away from their shrinking hesitancy, until, with a look of patient pain on the faded old faces, they go out without purchasing anything, grieved and disappointed by the treatment they have received. Sometimes their clothing is as faded and old-fashioned as their faces, and this only adds to the discourtesy with which they are treated. I wish I could prevail upon you to remember that they are God’s “little ones,” and to treat them as they deserve.
Our Work in Sumatra
By R. W. Munson
R. W. MUNSON
I REGRET that so long a time has passed since my last letter to the REVIEW, but we have had much to try us, and no little sorrow to bear; this must be my apology. We love the dear old REVIEW and all who read it, and sincerely desire an interest in the prayers of God's children, not for ourselves simply, but for this great East Indian field. For some months past Sister Marcelia Walker's health has been showing unmistakable signs of giving way. So intensely was she devoted to her work as a nurse, that she kept on long after she should have stopped.
EUROPEAN RESIDENCE QUARTER, PADANG
She had to give up her medical work in December and go to the hospital. After six weeks it was decided by the doctors that her case was so serious that she must go for some time to the hills in Java, to a beautiful town which is the residence of the governor-general. It is considered the most beautiful and salubrious spot in the whole East Indies. The physicians think that she will stand a good chance there to recover her health sufficiently to make the homeward journey.
It is a matter of considerable uncertainty just how long she must tarry in Java before she will be able to travel, but everything that can be done to contribute to her rapid recovery is being done. Her friends in America need feel no anxiety about her being in the very best circumstances it is possible for her to be in this part of the world.
We are going forward as best we can in the work of proclaiming the third angel's message to the people of this land, and, thank God, we are meeting with some cheering experiences.
Our hearts have been greatly encouraged recently by articles in the REVIEW telling of tokens of the latter rain that have been vouchsafed to our brethren in different parts of the world, and it has intensified our longing for similar manifestations in this field, and for the baptism of the Spirit which we are told will accompany, and in fact constitute, the latter rain. We have been earnestly praying for this, and God has graciously given us some droppings of the bountiful shower which I trust we shall yet receive.
We are in a peculiarly difficult situation. We can not preach to the Dutch; for we do not know their language. We are not allowed to preach to the Malays; for they are Mohammedans, and the government does not allow any missionary work to be done among them. The baba, or Malay-speaking Chinese, are very proud and self-righteous, and think and care only for the things of to-day. The Singke, or China-born Chinamen, are therefore the only considerable number among whom we can work. Here again we are handicapped by the language difficulty. We do not know Chinese, and must work at a great disadvantage because these men, although they have been here for many years, do not know enough Malay to make it possible to readily bring to their understanding the truths of the gospel.
Still we have been greatly encouraged by some singular events in connection with this class of men. They are poor men, and so fall under the category of those to whom Christ said the gospel should be preached. They are not proud and self-righteous, and so are much more ready to listen to the gospel. They are men of more character than the babas, and look further into the future, and are able to see spiritual truths more quickly.
Last June or July when we had but recently come down from Fort de Kock in the highlands, one of these men came to our house one day selling provisions in tins and bottles, such as are imported from Europe, and he asked the privilege for himself and three friends of attending our Malay service, as they could not understand the German missionary who spoke only in Nias, a language which they knew but very little of. I could hardly believe my own ears, and I must add that I was rather suspicious of the motive that prompted the man to make such a request. However, I gladly welcomed them, and these brought others. I think I have already told this part of the story to the REVIEW readers. Their attendance has been regular, and their interest very genuine so far as we are able to discover. I am persuaded that in most of them it is sincere.
This interest on the part of the Hokien Chinese—the men from the neighborhood of Amoy, China—led us to pray for a native preacher who could speak fluently both Malay and Chinese, so that we might be able to speak to them through an interpreter. I have often spoken of our young baba preacher, Timothy, but he knows only Malay. He is perfectly at home in that, however, and so the idea occurred to us that the Lord would put his Spirit upon him and enable him to learn the Hokien, and so give us a splendidly equipped helper; for he knows English very well, and can interpret for me from the English. Accordingly I called him from Fort de Kock, where he had remained after we left, and hired a house in the very center of the Chinese quarter. He began at once to pick up Chinese words and expressions, and to mingle with these China-born Chinamen. When they saw his interest in the language and in them, they showed great kindness to him, and assisted him in many small ways, and best of all, listened with interest to his presentation of the gospel truth. Now and then there would be a man who would offer some word of criticism, but the bulk of the crowd would soon silence him by pointing out his error, and endorsing Timothy's statement. Such experiences tended to deepen his interest in the Word, and quicken his zeal in preaching it. He is a true man of God. Though young, he has a winning way, and gains a hearing where one less wise would be denied a hearing. He found that with his small house and three small children it was impossible to pray and study the Bible during the daytime, and so on going to bed he would often ask the Lord to waken him at two o'clock so that he might pray and study in the quiet of the early morning hours. He has often of late come up to our home at half-past six, and eagerly told us what rich treasures of truth were to be found in Ephesians or James or some other of the epistles or books of the Bible. He found the book of Psalms especially interesting14and “filling.” His desire to learn the Hokien Chinese became so strong that he offered to travel deck passage to Amoy if I would consent to his going, in order that he might learn the language. I gave my consent, for it is quite impossible to get a start in the language without going to Amoy. Chinese is the most difficult of all the languages of earth I suppose, and can be properly learned in most cases only by going to China, where every possible advantage is obtainable.
On Thursday, February 18, twelve or more of the men who attend our services regularly, and whom we have come to regard as in a sense belonging to us, and for whom we feel a genuine affection, attended Timothy to Emmahaven, the harbor of Padang, which is four or five miles distant, and must be reached by rail. They brought him presents of food and fruit, and showed such a heartfelt interest in him that it was a pleasure to us to behold it. We also accompanied him, and he seemed very happy in prospect of the privilege he was to enjoy of learning the Hokien. The spirit of brotherly feeling and regard these men showed greatly cheered our hearts, and strengthened our faith that we should yet see an abiding work of grace among these humble people. They are liberal also for their circumstances. They average about six dollars a month in wages, out of which they must live, and yet every week they bring a small offering of from two to five cents toward the little church building we hope to see built ere long.
The last few months' experience has greatly broadened Timothy, and his visit to China and his stay of six months or a year will work wonders in him. He will be a far more valuable man when he returns in more ways than in his knowledge of the Chinese language, for I am sure that he will make rapid progress in it.
There is a baba Chinese widow, to whom he is remotely related, who has been taking a very deep interest in the gospel, and he has frequently visited her and expounded the Word of life to her, showing the folly and uselessness of very many of the Chinese customs. She had a heart like that of Lydia, which the Lord had opened, and she, and her sister and her husband, who live in the same house with her, would sit for hours listening to Timothy as he testified to the grace of God in Christ which is able to save the sinner who submits his ways to him. He often told me how she seemed to be glued to her seat as long as he would remain and talk to her of the love of God in Christ Jesus.
(To be continued)
The Missionary Duty of Every Christian
ALTHOUGH the command, “Go ye into all the world,” was given so many centuries ago, there are still one thousand million non-Christians in the world. And this appalling condition exists because we have not had true views of our place in the fight. We have looked upon mission work as work for men specially called of God, and toward which it was a pious thing to contribute some small part of our surplus means. But we have never realized that it was a fight into which we were to put ourselves and all God gave us. The idea that it is as much the duty of every Christian to be entirely in the campaign as it was the duty of Livingstone, Paton, Moffat, Mackay, Clough, Judson, and a host of others, has not dawned on us, and so the centuries have told the dreary tale of failure, and two thirds of the race have not yet heard the sweet story of Christ.—China’s Millions.
The Sabbath Question in Rome
By Chas. T. Everson
CHAS. T. EVERSON
At the present time both the Sabbath question and the agitation in favor of Sunday legislation are receiving considerable attention in Rome. In this article we shall say a few words concerning the Sabbath question, while the Sunday legislation will be treated in a future article.
We concluded a series of sermons on the Sabbath question at our hall last Friday evening. As is customary in a presentation of this question, we showed that the Bible teaches the observance of the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath. Furthermore, we adduced the proofs that Christ and his apostles never kept any other day than the seventh day as the Sabbath. And consequently in the Bible we do not find the least intimation of a change of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week. Having demonstrated that the Bible makes no mention of any change of the Sabbath, we then showed that the Church of Rome, according to Biblical prediction and its own claims, substituted Sunday observance for that of the Sabbath.
And the very next Sunday after we had concluded our series of sermons on the Sabbath question, a meeting was held, in which one of the leading priests of the city spoke on the Sabbath question. This meeting was held in the largest Jesuit church in the world. It is richly embellished, and is the largest of the churches of Rome where preaching services are held. It is especially noted because of the fact that under its altar is buried Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. The priest that delivered the sermon on the Sabbath question is a leading Jesuit. He chose for his text the words, “Remember the Sabbath day that thou keep it holy.” He began his discourse by showing the benefits that accrue from Sabbath observance. Then he called the attention of the people to the fact that the Bible teaches that the seventh day of the week is the Sabbath, and that Christ and his apostles never observed any other day but the seventh. He demonstrated that there is not the slightest authority in the Bible for the observance of Sunday, nor any attempt made on the part of either Christ or his apostles to change the Sabbath from the first to the seventh day of the week. He then raised the question as to how this change of the Sabbath came about, and proceeded to show that the Catholic Church had effected the change of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week. He explained that it was the prerogative of the Church of Rome to change the commandments of the Bible when the church deemed it necessary. The church had this right, he said, because she is infallible, having derived her authority directly from Christ through the apostle Peter. Therefore it is the duty of all Catholics to observe Sunday, since it is commanded by the church. In conclusion he spoke concerning the practise of Sunday observance by the Protestants, and showed their inconsistency in professing to follow the Bible as their sole guide, and at the same time keeping Sunday. For if they would be consistent in following the Bible, and the Bible only, they must keep the seventh day as the Sabbath, as that is the only day commanded by the Bible; but in keeping Sunday they obey a commandment of the Church of Rome, for Sunday observance rests entirely upon a precept of the Catholic Church for its authority.
JESUIT CHURCH, ROME
So we see that right here in the seat of the “beast” the truths that we as a people are preaching all over the world concerning the change of the Sabbath, are being verified as true. Some may have thought that it is only in Protestant America that the Catholic Church proclaims that she has changed the Sabbath. But we notice that here also in Catholic Italy, and, in fact, in Rome itself, she preaches the very same doctrine. As soon as we presented the Sabbath question in Rome, and showed that the Catholic Church changed the Sabbath, the Church of Rome stepped right forward and substantiated our claims.
An ex-canon of the Catholic Church was present at this service, and heard this priest make substantially the same declarations, as we have noted, that he had heard presented by us at our hall, and it made a great impression upon him. This ex-canon attends our meetings regularly, and seems deeply interested in the truth. We hope that he will unite with us. He would be a valuable worker should he become wholly convinced of the truth; for he is well educated and has great ability, having been a professor and a canon in the Church of Rome. A canon ranks next in the priesthood of the Catholic Church to a bishop. He has also been an editor of a journal in Rome. As far as he has heard, I believe that he is convinced.
The meetings at the hall are progressing with good interest and attendance. Next Sabbath we shall begin our Sabbath-school and Sabbath service at the hall for the interested ones.
Brother Lattoni, the young man whom I mentioned in my last article as the first convert as the result of our work here, is making splendid progress in the truth, and is working faithfully in interesting others in this message that is so dear to him. He is presenting these truths in a remarkable manner for his short acquaintance with the message. Thus we see that the last message of mercy is finding its way into honest hearts right within the shadow of the Vatican.
Mission Notes
HUNDREDS of peoples and tribes still remain without a single Gospel in their own tongue.
BROTHER JOHN WOLFGARTEN writes from Duisburg, Prussia, that he and Brother Schubert have been holding meetings in several cities in the Rhenish provinces. A church of nineteen members has recently been organized in Duisburg, and ten or twelve more will follow in a few weeks. He also had the privilege of holding meetings in his native city, Cologne, where quite a number have accepted present truth.
FOR centuries a colony of Jews has been known to exist in China. In 1850 native messengers sent to ascertain something about them found them in Kaifongfu. Their ancient temple was in ruins. The messengers brought back many rolls of the law. Each of them contained a complete copy of the books of Moses, on white sheepskin, cut and sewed together, twenty or thirty yards long, and many smaller manuscripts. In 1868 the colony was found in a wretched condition, and in 1902 eight of the Chinese Jews made the long journey from their home to Shanghai. While they do not observe the idolatrous practises of the heathen, they do not observe any of the ordinances of Judaism. The whole number left in the seven clans is now one hundred and forty. Four of these eight Jews went back to their homes with copies of the Old Testament in Chinese.
THE story is told of an old Chinese woman who came into a missionary hospital, saying that she would like to see the doctor. On his asking what she wished, she replied that the mandarin of her town had lately been at his hospital. Before he came, he was a very bad man. He abused his children, wasted his money at play, and had so foul a mouth that all the waters of the world could not have made it clean. “But since he has been with you,” she continued, “the tiger is transformed into a lamb, and his wife is full of joy and astonishment. He no longer gives her an unhandsome word; and they live in peace together.” “Good news!” replied the doctor. “But what do you wish, my good woman?” “Well,” said the woman, “you are to tell nobody, but I, too, have an unhappy mouth, and I am afraid my daughters-in-law find it none too easy to live with me. Therefore, I have come to beg you to give me some of the medicine that has cured our mandarin.”
TO-DAY as of old, there sits One over against the treasury, who notes the gifts cast therein; and he has what to us is a curious system of mathematics. His reckoning defies all our rules; for with him two and two do not make four, neither is a penny less than a pound. According to his arithmetic, two mites, about one quarter of a cent in value, are more than the great gifts cast into the treasury by the rich. Comparing the widow’s quarter cent and the rich man’s great gift, he says: “They all did cast in of their superfluity; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” Applying to our time the same system of arithmetic, for Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever,” how he must reverse the judgments of earth. Men reckon gifts by their size, God reckons them by what it costs to give. Not the amount given, but the amount left, is what God looks at. This is why the quarter cent was more than the great gifts—they were given out of superfluity; it out of want.—China’s Millions.
Recovering the Remnant
By E. H. Gates
E. H. GATES
THE last great threefold message of God’s truth was shown to John as being carried by angel messengers with a loud cry “to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.” Rev. 14:6-9. In Christ’s sermon on the second advent, he said, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24:14. Isaiah saw the triumph of the gospel, and wrote, “The isles shall wait for his law.” Isa. 42:4.
At the time when the great nations of antiquity shall hear the last warning cry of the gospel, the people inhabiting the islands of the sea shall also hear the living invitation, and a remnant will be recovered. “The Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, . . . from the islands of the sea.” Isa. 11:11.
Almost every month brings word of some new nation entered by the messengers of truth, or of representatives of foreign nations who are hearing and embracing the testing truth. The following extract from a letter written by one of our Australian ministers, shows how God is finding willing hearts to respond to the gospel invitation:—
“Just a few lines to let you know about a young islander who has accepted the Sabbath truth. His name is Kaiatoa, and he was born on Peru Island, connected with the Gilbert Island, Caroline group. His age is about twenty-six. He left home when his mother died, for foreign countries, to seek a fortune, and then return, but he has not been very successful financially. He labors, sells fruit, catches rabbits, etc., for a living. He has no means, but is an intelligent, earnest Christian. He has been a Salvationist for a year. When I talked seriously about his giving his remaining life to telling his people the real Sabbath truth, he wanted time to think. Last Sabbath he said he was willing to return without money, but with the truth, to his people. It seemed quite a decision for him to return without money, but he made it understandingly. I think he might be used to carry this message to his people, if trained for a time at school.”
We have no representative of present truth in the Gilbert Islands. In 1895 I became acquainted with the translator of the Bible into that tongue, and ever since have had an interest to see the message carried to that group.
A Medical Missionary's Experiences
ABOUT ten months ago a zemindar (native prince) brought his wife to Madura for treatment. She had not walked for about four years. The trouble was rheumatic paralysis, a form of paralysis often amenable to treatment. It is a long, long story, how hard we tried to put her right, and she herself was faithful in every detail of treatment.
Various aches and pains first of all began to disappear. I was delighted at this, because I felt certain that if a little would go, all would go. For four years she had been carried wherever she went. Little by little she began to bear a little weight on her feet; then she began to walk with two canes, then with one cane, and finally without any.
This has been the most gratifying case in some ways that I have ever had. Her husband came to Madura the other day to take her home, and gave a thank-offering of eighteen hundred rupees to the hospital.
What endless pleasure in this work — how absorbing, how awfully, fearfully living! But I would like a man who does not think much of a missionary's life to have a month of it. He would never do anything else.—Selected.
Costa Rica
By I. G. Knight
PORT LIMON.—The work in Costa Rica is progressing. The local elder here has baptized ten since I visited them last, and another brother has raised up a company of about fifteen Sabbath-keepers, who are ready for organization. Last Sabbath I organized a church of thirty members at Pancarito, where Brother M. I. Gnott has already labored. Some have moved from Port Limon to that place. They are building a church. This will soon be completed. The other company of fifteen expected to complete their church building next week. We have just dedicated a church building twelve miles from Bocas. So the work is advancing. I have helped each church in securing the lumber to complete its building. They had done quite well in selling books and in offerings. I have received books and offerings amounting to a little over two hundred dollars.
I. G. KNIGHT.
Virginia
By T. H. Painter
EPHESUS, JUNCTION SCHOOLHOUSE, AND LYNCHBURG.— The work is still onward at these places. I was sick for three weeks in March, but am now well, and have been holding meetings at the places mentioned above since March 24. I am holding meetings at Ephesus and Junction Schoolhouse each night, dividing the time between the two. They are about two miles and a half apart. We have a good Sabbath-school at Junction schoolhouse. The work is growing at both places. Seven have promised to obey the Lord by keeping his Sabbath. Some have been observing it for several weeks, and others are deeply stirred. Those who have taken this step are giving up tea, coffee, tobacco, and pork. Most of these are farmers, and are heads of families. We expect to begin building a house of worship soon. We have some pledged on it already.
I also held the quarterly meeting with the Lynchburg church, April 2, 3. It was an occasion long to be remembered by this church, it being their first meeting of the kind. The Lord blessed in all the meetings here. Enough money was raised at this meeting to repaint the church building and repair it some. Brother C. B. Rule was present, and assisted in the work, and his remarks were timely. I also met with them April 15 and 17, and expect to meet with them every two weeks. Brother Rule is visiting in Virginia, and is helping me in the work here. There are many other places open for the truth in this part of the old dominion. Let us have your prayers.
