Do the converts of the Lord Jesus who are brought into the third angel's message direct from heathenism bear the test of discipleship? Yes; they do. So say our missionaries everywhere in heathen lands. Disappointing experiences there are, as in every land; but souls being won out of the darkness of heathenism are enduring hardness and bearing witness in a way to inspire us all to more earnest, self-denying service. In a recent letter, Elder I. H. Evans, of the Asiatic Division, writes from China:
Here is our little church in the bamboo forest at Mokanshan, China. Note the size and height of these trees.
"It is wonderful the depths of love some of these poor souls have for God when they once get a glimpse of the love of Jesus for them. There is nothing they will not cheerfully suffer for Christ. Life, physical suffering, money, all, they give and endure for the sake of Him who loved them. Brother Oberg writes of a young man and his wife in Korea who accepted Christ. They were maltreated by the young man's father. Food was taken from them, and they nearly starved. Then the parents beat the young people and drove them from home. The young man came to Brother Oberg, and he has taken them both in, and is now putting them through school out of his own meager salary.
"From Japan one of the workers tells of the heroic struggles of a young man who had accepted the truth in Hiroshima. So angry were his people that they tried in every way to compel the young man to work on the Sabbath. When he steadfastly held to the truth, they shut him up and took all food from him, leaving him in this condition for several days, until he became unconscious and they thought him dead. Then they gave him food and nursed him until he recovered, expecting him to surrender his faith. His father made it so hard for him that he was finally compelled to leave home and seek work elsewhere. Of him Brother Foster says, 'He, like many others in Japan, is ready to die by cold, fire, hunger, or the sword for this message.'
A fountain in Asakusa Park, Tokyo, Japan. The figures in front are Brother and Sister Sparks.
"The other day I received a letter from a young man in Japan who desires to go to America to secure a medical education. He has the funds, and comes from a high family. His uncle is a great naval officer, and one who helped in leading the Japanese fleet against the Russians when they so completely demolished the Russian fleet. He had planned on taking a medical course at the Imperial University, in Tokyo. When he found he had to work on the Sabbath if he made his grades, he declined to go. Then he tried to get to America, and they would not give him a passport. The young man is working and planning, and says, 'Undeterred by derision, and undismayed by opposition, I will concentrate all my thought and energies to hasten to become a medical missionary, and to propagate the Gospel even among the poorest.'
This is the viceroy's Yamen gate, Nanking. Notice its elaborate decorations.
"Elder R. F. Cottrell, of China, in speaking of the experiences he had in visiting the Sabbath-keepers in Hunan, says: 'To a great majority of these people it takes much more faith to step out on the promises of God and keep His commandments than is needed in many more favored countries. Take the teacher class, for example. He is practically fitted but for one kind of work. As soon as he becomes a Christian, he can neither study nor teach in a government school. Nor can he open and conduct a school of his own, for he would not be wanted. He is usually quite ostracized from home and friends. Seemingly he has but little chance for earning enough to support himself and family if the mission does not, in some way, lend him assistance. With other classes it seems almost equally perplexing.'
"Thus you will see," Elder Evans continues, "it means something for these dear people to accept Christ. It means for them all they possess in earthly goods, position, and friendship. It takes all here to buy the field. Yet we hear only the most cheering news from every land. Word just reached the brethren in Honan of a company of twenty-one who are keeping the Sabbath without help. In the South is another company of seventy waiting to be taught more fully. Six precious souls were baptized at the Canton meeting, and others will wait a little before receiving the ordinance. In Korea a splendid work has been done this fall. Japan has taken on a new impetus and the work is moving in the land of the rising sun. Elder Finster reports converts in the Philippines; and tho he is practically alone, yet he is doing well. I believe we shall have a bountiful harvest of souls here in these Oriental fields."
The Plague in China
By Editor
THOUSANDS and thousands are dying of the plague in the north of China, and hundreds of thousands are dying in the south of China. The plague, especially in Manchuria, is of a very malignant form, and15nearly all cases prove fatal in a very few hours. It is spread from rats by fleas to humans; and dogs and cats and squirrels and gophers are said to be purveyors of the disease. There have been 6000 to 8000 deaths in Harbin, and most of the Russian physicians and nurses fled. There are not enough men in Harbin to care for the sick or to bury the dead. It is said that “stacks of bodies are burned daily outside the city.”
Starvation in the south of China is a result of floods. More than a million, it is feared, will starve. The United States Government has authorized the transport Buford to carry supplies. It was supposed to sail from Seattle February 27, laden with supplies collected by the Red Cross Society. If any of our readers desire to contribute to China’s need, for the weary, suffering months to come, let them send it to us and we will forward it.
A Wandering Son's Return
By Milt. Bertron, Jr.
He has come back. Repentantly he yearned
For rest and fond forgiveness in the home
Whose threshold he in angry scorn had spurned
When he went forth the unknown world to roam.
He has come back. The world had used him ill;
He found no friend such as he left behind;
And shamed and sorrowing, but hopeful still,
His feet turned back forsaken love to find.
He has come back. There is the humble room;
Its dear and homely features all are there;
His mother's loving face is all abloom,
While from her lips there breathes a thankful
prayer.
O, many tears and weary nights she spent
In fear and prayer for her lost, wandering son,
But now, with heart of joy for blessings lent,
They thank their God for blessings grace has won.
— Milt. Bertron, Jr.
IN THREE DAYS
SAN FRANCISCO
Overland Limited
TAKES YOU
To Chicago
ACROSS GREAT SALT LAKE
AND
HIGH SIERRA BY DAYLIGHT
Luxurious High-class Equipment
Electric Lighted Throughout
Pullman Drawing-room
Stateroom
Vestibuled Sleeping-cars
Careful and Attentive Dining
Service
Parlor Observation-car with
Library and Cafe
Ladies’ Reading-room
Gentlemen’s Smoking-room
Daily News Bulletins
Latest Papers and Magazines
Southern Pacific
LIBERTY
By Editor
THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF
THE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY BUREAU
AN illustrated, 48-page, quarterly magazine, published as an exponent and advocate of true religious liberty; defending Christianity and the rights of conscience; upholding the Bible as the infallible word of God; recognizing the church and state as ordained of Heaven for specific and distinct purposes, but vigorously protesting against the alliance of the church with the state in the attempt to advance religion and to promote the state.
Price 25 cents per year. Liberal terms to agents.
Address, LIBERTY, Takoma Park, D. C.
Matthew Twenty-four Second Coming of Christ
An exposition, verse by verse, of one of the most striking chapters in the New Testament; covering our Lord’s great discourse on the destruction of Jerusalem, the end of the world, and the special signs of His second coming to reward His children.
Matthew Twenty-four Second Coming of Christ
The facts of fulfillment given make this pamphlet worth many times its price. 94 pages, price 10c.
PACIFIC PRESS
Mountain View, Cal.
Colds
By George Henry Heald
Colds.—By G. H. Heald, M.D. A treatise on the causes, prevention, and cure of colds. White leatherette binding. 58 pages, 25c.
Address this office.
LIBERTY
By Editor
THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY BUREAU
An illustrated, 48-page, quarterly magazine, published as an exponent and advocate of true religious liberty; defending Christianity and the rights of conscience; upholding the Bible as the infallible word of God; recognizing the church and state as ordained of Heaven for specific and distinct purposes, but vigorously protesting against the alliance of the church with the state in the attempt to advance religion and to promote the state.
Price 25 cents per year. Liberal terms to agents.
Address, LIBERTY, Takoma Park, D. C.
Life and Health
A PRACTICAL health journal, published with a view of meeting hygienic needs in every home; teaching how to care for the health and how to preserve life; prescribing simple home treatments to assist nature in throwing off diseases rather than adding more poison by using drugs or unnatural stimulants as remedies: teaching how to avoid disease as far as possible, how to manage in the home when sickness does come, and how to combat the disease by simple remedies which nature provides.
Send for sample copy and special rates to agents. Price 10 cents per copy or $1.00 per year.
Address, LIFE & HEALTH, Takoma Park, D.C.
Mrs. Stuttle's
HOME
SERIES
These three books by Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle furnish to the parent a much-needed help in the instruction and entertainment of their children.
Making Home Happy
Pictures before the reader in interesting story form the relations that should exist and the lines of influence that should be guarded and cultivated in every home. (200 pp.)
Making Home Peaceful
Is the sequel to the above, and every one reading the first book will want to learn more about “Deacon Beardsley’s” family, and how an unhappy home was made peaceful. (227 pp.)
Those Bible Readings
While especially suited to the needs of the young, there is an attractiveness in the arrangement and presentation of these readings that will hold the interest of all, old and young. (206 pp.)
These books are beautifully bound and may be obtained singly at 75 cents each, or the entire set of three for $2.00.
Pacific Press Publishing Assn.
Mountain View, California
Portland, Ore. Calgary, Alberta Kansas City, Mo.
Questions and Answers
By Editor
"Questions and Answers" is ready, a book of more than 250 pages, answering nearly 300 questions, with table of contents and topical and textual indexes. It can be had with a subscription to this paper for one year at $2.00; or for a subscription for two years at $3.50, payable in advance. It can be obtained in no other way. See advertisement on page 13.
Postal Troubles
Postal Troubles.—The World's Work sums the whole matter of postal deficits up in a single common sense paragraph: "The remedy for the postal deficit is good business management divorced from politics; and there is no other remedy. Tinkering with it by complicated and discriminating patchwork legislation is simply dodging a plain duty and is adding more complications to an already complicated wrong method."
The Magazines and Mormonism.
The Mormons—perhaps we ought to say Mormonism—are receiving determined and persistent attack just now—big guns, eight-pounders, hot shot, explosive shells, chain-shot, grape and canister. The efforts of the antagonistic religious press are eclipsed by the popular magazines. In the Cosmopolitan of March, Alfred Henry Lewis writes on the polygamous side of Mormonism under the heading of "The Viper on the Hearth," profusely illustrated by vipers in various forms, but always with open mouth. Mr. Lewis shows how Mormonism is entering politics. In McClure's Burton J. Hendrick writes on "The Mormon Revival of Polygamy," but he clearly shows from indubitable evidence that the practise has been continuous, and the "manifesto" a farce in the church, a blind to the world. Mr. Hendrick also shows why the young women generally favor polygamy. Pearson's December issue shows how that church is a great grasping monopoly of which the head is president of not less than thirteen great financial money-making schemes, and director in others, among which is the Union Pacific Railway Company. The criticizers are just and the warnings needed.
Corruption in Senatorial Elections
Senator Bristow of Kansas stated in the U. S. Senate that "during the last forty years the Senate has had under consideration fifteen cases where corruption was charged in the election of Senators, while during the preceding eighty-four years of our history there had been but one such case."
Not “Thy” but “Our”
By Editor
Not “Thy” but “Our.”—If the American Episcopal Church should adopt the plea of Bishop Williams to revise the Decalogue, and especially the fourth commandment so as to take the fact of God's creatorship out of it (see article page 10), and if both Church and State interpret the Sabbath day, as they have done, to apply to the first day of the week, we may expect, as suggested by a friend, to hear this in the church service: Reader: “Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.”
Response by the congregation: “O Lord our God, have mercy upon us, and incline our heart to keep our law.”
It certainly will not be God's law.
Higher Criticism in the Episcopal Church
By Editor
We do not charge the great Episcopal Church with the teaching of Bishop Williams regarding the Decalogue as quoted on page 10. We wait with interest as to how they regard it. However, his attitude shows the unmistakable trend and influence of Higher Criticism upon that church. Bishop Williams would not have dared to speak quite so boldly if he had not felt that behind him were many supporters.
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Jesus Christ is not the way alone, nor the truth alone, nor the life alone. Some accept Him as the way, and out of this perversion we have Christ in politics, Christ a Saviour in sin, Christ condoning error. Some accept Him as the truth apart from the Word, a sort of abstract truth gathered from a brief account of character reflections, not seeing that He is the author of the Word itself. Some believe in Him for life regardless of character, not knowing that only in righteousness is life. In all that is implied, carried back to the very root and substance, Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. He who truly accepts Him receives Him in His fulness.
| Many Shall Turn Away | 5 |
| Balm of Gilead | 9 |
| A Wandering Son's Return | 14 |
Held Responsible
Held Responsible.—In the settlement of the collapsed Northern Bank of New York under control of Joseph G. Robin, the directors, W. F. Havemeyer, J. H. Flagler, C. M. Schwab, John W. Gates, Robert M. Thompson, pleaded ignorance as to the conduct of the bank's affairs. But the court held them responsible for the debts of the bank to the extent of $240,000. The World's Work well says: "The principle is, that if one becomes director in a bank, he must also assume responsibility for the management. It is a sound principle—that directors must direct or suffer the consequences."
The Foundation of God’s Word
How good it is to stand on a foundation—God's Word—which can not be criticized for its morality! It may be called out of date, antiquated, superstitious, Jewish, and so forth, but it can not be condemned for its morality or its beneficent results. If that Word is received, it makes men, molds characters, transforms lives, changes hearts. It can make the drunkard sober, the libertine and harlot pure, the covetous man liberal, the profane reverent, the cruel kind. Upon that foundation there is room for all.
The Worldwide Fight Against Tuberculosis
The fight against tuberculosis is extending round the world. Organized work is being done in Cuba, Porto Rico, Trinidad, Denmark, Italy, Syria, Hungary, Japan,—in fact, there are more than thirty national and provincial associations formed to fight tuberculosis.
Guatemala Considers Loan Offers
The New York "Independent" of February 16 says: "Guatemala, desiring to negotiate a loan of $30,000,000, is considering the offers of three New York syndicates."
Sunday Work for Mail Clerks
The Christian Endeavor Union of Chicago is pushing a movement started by one hundred clergymen of that city to relieve mail clerks and carriers of Sunday work.
How to Draw.
By Editor
Jesus said, "And I, if I be lifted up, . . . will draw all men unto Me." But there are many who do not know this scripture, or if they know it do not believe it. For instance, a news item declares that the First Congregational Church of Winnetka, Ill., has decided to build a $40,000 theater as an annex, under the personal supervision of the pastor, J. W. Davies. And he expects to make his theater "spiritual and elevating." It will take all the spirituality that is left, out of his church.
The King’s Declaration
The King’s Declaration.—On February 6, with the usual ceremonies the British Parliament was opened by King George V and Queen Mary. The old Royal Declaration, with its words concerning the idolatry of the mass, was omitted. The revised declaration thus reads:
“I do solemnly and sincerely, in the presence of God, profess, testify, and declare that I am a faithful Protestant, and I will, according to the true intent of the enactments which secure the Protestant succession to the throne of my realm, uphold and maintain the said enactments to the best of my powers according to law.”
The English monarch is still legally Protestant.
The Postal Department’s Deficit
By Editor
We commend as worth reading and consideration the article, "The Post-Office, and Obstructive Monopoly," by Don C. Seitz, in the World's Work for February. The Postal Department is set forth as "the only corporation in the world that does 224 million dollars worth of business in a year and loses money." Worse than all, it is endeavoring to lay that deficit to the door of the second-class publications it carries, the very things which make business for it. There is at this writing a bill before the Senate to increase the postage on advertising pages of magazines to four cents a pound, instead of one cent a pound now paid. It is claimed that the cause of the deficit is the carrying of so much second-class matter, and President Taft has spoken of these publishing interests as being "subsidized." But Wilmer Atkinson has shown that the deficit decreased as the publications increased. One advertiser has shown that one page of advertising in a magazine brought the Government, largely through letter postage, on which there is an immense profit, more than $864. The proposed law is class legislation, un-American, and short-sighted.
