We are penning these lines on the day on which our last paper was dated—Oct. 22, 1901. Fifty-seven years ago to-day an event took place that more intimately concerned the people of this world than any that has taken place in the memory of any living man. On that day the longest prophetic period in all the Scripture calendar, the one earliest and most definitely made known, came to an end; and the great movement which it was given to mark was left standing upon the naked promise of God.
Did that movement take place? Whatever it was, it surely did. It becomes us, then, to devote to it a little careful study, that we may understand what it was, and what God designed we should learn from it. We may be sure that whatever God sees fit to note on the pages of His revealed will, He designs for us to study and understand. “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever.” Deut. 29:29.
And what is here revealed? We have said that the longest prophetic period in all the Scripture calendar came to an end. That period was the long period of two thousand three hundred years, prophetic days in Scripture phraseology; and the event to take place at that time was, “Then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” How rapidly the subject expands. Here we have the sanctuary and its cleansing introduced. Not all of any one subject is revealed in any one place. It is by comparing scripture with scripture that the whole truth is brought out. The first inquiry then is, What is the sanctuary?
It is first introduced when God in His intercourse with men needed a visible habitation and location. It was the dwelling-place of God. “Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Ex. 25:8. Of course it must have been a holy place, a sacred place. But it was subject to imperfections; for man cannot construct a suitable dwelling-place for the Almighty. More than this, it was located in the midst of corruption and sin; and how could it be kept holy? Moreover it was placed in conflict with sin. Its object was to present to men an object lesson showing how sin is to be taken away. Thus it was used for the nearly 1,500 years till Christ appeared upon earth, and for the nearly 1,900 years since He ascended to minister in the sanctuary in heaven; but the plan of salvation has been developing and unfolding, and it will accomplish its work, and present at last a world redeemed from sin and the curse. Then the tabernacle of God—the true tabernacle—will be with men, and He personally, not in clouds and thick darkness (2 Chron. 6:1; Ps. 97:2), will be their God, and they shall be His people and dwell with Him, and see His face. Matt. 5:8; Rev. 21:1-5.
But great epochs in this work are marked as milestones along the way. One of these is the cleansing of the sanctuary spoken of in connection with the twenty-three hundred days: “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” To locate the end of this period, we must fix the beginning. This point is marked by the going forth of the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem. Dan. 9:25. This was the decree granted to Ezra (Ezra 7), which went forth in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes Longimanus, 457 B. C. The twenty-three hundred days would reach from that point, and end in the year 1844 A. D.; and the law of the type for the cleansing of the sanctuary on the tenth day of the seventh month (Lev. 23:27) fixed the day to October 22, of our calendar. It is not necessary to repeat the argument on the dates. The cleansing of the sanctuary intensifies other points for consideration. The shadow of this work was enacted in the type every year. The tenth day of the seventh month was the chief of the annual sabbaths in the Jewish system. On that day all the people gathered around the sanctuary, and every man was required to afflict his soul. He who refused or neglected this was cut off from the people; in other words, he forfeited his life.
That day was a solemn day. It was a day of judgment in type: only here there were no books to be examined and no infallible decisions passed upon character, from the fact that men are not competent to read character in reference to one another. But in the antitypical cleansing of the sanctuary, the shadow gives place to the substance; what was type then, becomes reality now. So when the prophet opens this scene, he speaks of books being opened, and the judgment set. Dan. 7:9, 10. By the ten thousand times ten thousand ministers of His these books are to be examined, and the judgment is rendered on the lines of the records contained in the books. Rev. 20:12. On the day of atonement the high priest passed into the second apartment of the sanctuary, and stood before the ark of the testament containing the law of God, which the people had transgressed, and the transgression of which they repented and made confession by afflicting their souls outside the sanctuary. The high priest had in his hand the blood of the offering for the people, which he sprinkled on the cover of the ark, as a testimony to the law reposing beneath, that life had been taken, and its demands complied with.
In the antitype, Christ our great High Priest changes the place of His ministry from the holy to the most holy place. In no other way could the sanctuary be cleansed; and at the end of the days the prophet said, “Then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” Christ enters into the most holy place with His own blood, for that is all He has to minister in the sanctuary. His entrance into that place before the ark is noted in Rev. 11:19. Under the sounding of the seventh angel, the seventh in the series of the seven trumpets, we read: “And the seventh angel sounded; . . . and the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament.” Previous to this the Father was in the holy place, and Christ was there at His right hand (Heb. 8:1; Rev. 4:1-5), but they move from that place when the time comes for the cleansing of the sanctuary, as noted by the prophet Daniel (Dan. 7:13, 14); and the fact that the Father took a new position at this time is mentioned (verse 9) in the words, “The Ancient of Days did sit.” The word “sit” here means that He took a position as judge in a court of justice. This position He did not before occupy. He was seated on the throne of the Majesty (the throne of universal government) on high; but here He takes a position in which it is designed that He shall pass decision on the work of Christ as Mediator for the world.
Christ is set forth as the Sacrifice for the world. By virtue of what He has done He has provided means which will always be acceptable to the Father in behalf of men. The penitent comes to the Father in the name of Christ, accepts Him as his propitiation, and pleads the merits of His blood in his behalf, as the penitent did in the type. This process goes on till the account is closed, or, in the case of the living, till probation ends. And when the whole matter comes up in review, God alone sits as judge, and accepts or rejects as each case passes before Him, accordingly as each one has accepted Christ and been true to Him, or not. Only those come into this judgment who have at some time had a connection with Christ. If they have never had such connection, no decision is to be rendered in their cases. They are condemned already. So the only question this judgment is to take into consideration is the question of the faithfulness of those who have once made a profession of Christ. After this, the only question to be acted upon is the execution of the judgment according to the decisions rendered. To this situation applies the declaration of Christ that the Father hath committed all judgment to the Son. He will execute the condemnation pronounced against the wicked, by the seven last plagues and the final judgment upon living sinners.
This is the fifty-seventh anniversary since these solemn scenes in the heavenly world were inaugurated. But how many are aware of it? The few who are aware of these great truths wonder at the indifference of one another in regard to them. How, then, must the heavenly world, all absorbed in the majesty and glory of these movements, wonder at the ignorance of men in regard to these things, and at their indifference.
If the world continues as it is till a year from to-day, then fifty-eight years of this judgment scene will have passed. And how much longer can it continue? How much longer shall we stand in our own light? How much longer shall we by our own course of action delay the coming of that day, and thus give the lie to our profession that we desire it and long for it? If we would rather be here than in the kingdom, then we have no faith in what the word of God declares that kingdom is to be, or we have no love for that state. Remember that according to Paul’s words it is only for those who love His appearing that the crown of righteousness is laid up, which shall be given to them at that day. 2 Tim. 4:8.
But fifty-seven years ago to-day the seventh angel sounded; for then the temple of God in heaven was opened,—the first event after the sounding of that angel (Rev. 11:15, 19),—and the voices were heard in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ.” The title has passed out of their hands. They continue only by sufferance. The scene of Dan. 7:9, 10, 13, 14, has opened, Christ with over two hundred millions of angelic assistants is ministering in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, the nations are angry, there is on earth distress of nations with perplexity, men’s hearts are failing them for fear, the elements are all ready to be let loose, which will cause the heavens, being on fire, to be dissolved, and the earth to be burned up; but the winds are being held, to give time that the servants of God may be sealed in their foreheads. All heaven is waiting for us. Get ready for the culmination of the work. Make more of this anniversary. Study upon it. See what is involved in it. And be ready for the crown of life which the Lord is waiting to bestow.
DENYING GOD.
By L. A. S.
If we deny God, He also will deny us. So wrote Paul to Timothy. 2 Tim. 2:12. God will deny men in the same way that men deny Him.
How do men deny God? The atheist says, There is no God; but God is denied by church members as well as by atheists. In this same epistle to Timothy the apostle enumerates the evil traits which will be characteristic of men in the last days, one of which is that while men will have a “form of godliness,” they will deny “the power thereof.” The power of godliness is the power of God. It is the power which manifests God to the world; which declares that there is indeed a God of sovereign power in the heavens, whose kingdom ruleth over all, and who is working out His eternal purpose for the salvation of men in this world, according to the word which He has spoken. Whoever knows God must know the power of God; and whoever denies the power of God denies God himself.
The men of the last days have a form of godliness,705but deny the power thereof. They are lovers of self, covetous, proud, boasters, etc., exhibiting that which is directly contrary to the power of godliness. Thus they declare that they do not have the power of godliness, and do not know anything about it. So far as they are concerned, no such power exists. And thus they virtually say to the world by their lives, There is no God.
Peter denied his Lord by saying, “I know Him not.” Luke 22: 57. And all who know not the power of godliness, though their pretensions as followers of Christ may be great, bear the same testimony. “They profess that they know Him, but in works they deny Him.” But the sequel is that in the day of Judgment there is another denial made, this time on the part of God. “When once the Master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and He shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But He shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.” Luke 13: 25-27.
In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul tells what it is to know the Lord: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places.” Eph. 1: 17-20. We also, if we know that power, have been raised up together with Him to sit also with Him in the heavenly places. Eph. 2: 5, 6.
Do we know these things? or do our lives reveal no knowledge, no manifestation, of them? “If we deny Him, He also will deny us.” The Lord has introduced himself to us here; He will not do it in heaven. If we say to Him now, by word or act, I know you not, we shall hear an awful echo of these words in the Judgment day. L. A. S.
Daily Prayer and Study of the Word
“Our convictions need daily to be reinforced by humble, sincere prayer and reading of the Word.”
THE SANITARIUM WORK AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE GOSPEL.
By Carl Ottosen
What We Need.
How often, when considering what is said in the Testimonies concerning the sanitarium being an illustration of the gospel, I have felt like seeking God most earnestly in order to receive that blessing that fits one for conducting the sanitarium work in such a way that God’s choicest blessing may be upon the work, that souls may be blessed for both time and eternity. I have felt deeply the need of seeking God for help to improve our work and make progress in the divine life. I feel grateful to-day that God has so abundantly blessed us in our endeavor to lead souls to Christ. It is also with real joy and thankfulness to God that I remember the many instances in which it was evident that He sent souls to us in order that they might be led to Him. But of course we must always consider every patient who comes as sacred and worthy of our best attention and care, so that we, if possible, may lead him into the way of life.
I thank the Lord that He permitted me to get an experience as a gospel minister before He gave me the position as superintendent of our sanitarium, for I find that the experience which I gained while preaching and giving Bible readings for years has indeed been very helpful to me in my work in the medical profession. But while God in the years past blessed me much in preaching the sacred truths to large congregations, still I must admit that the blessings I have experienced in talking about Christ to sin-sick souls are dearer to me than anything else I have found in life. And so to-day I esteem it a privilege above all things else to be permitted to have a part in this grand and glorious work. And it might be of interest to hear of just a few instances as to how the Lord is leading. Just to-day a patient, after speaking earnestly about the possibility of being restored to health, said to me, with faltering voice, “Do you really believe that I can get well?” I answered, “I dare not say positively; but I do know that you will receive a great blessing, for I believe God sent you here for that purpose, and He is willing to give it to you.” Then tears came into her eyes as she said, “Yes, I believe God sent me here, and I am so thankful for it.” I then took the Bible and read some encouraging promises to her, and she said, with tears rolling down her cheeks, that she would commit herself to God, and trust in Him who has tender care for the fatherless and the widow. She took special pains to notice from what portions of the Scriptures I read these texts, as she wanted to meditate upon them.
Half an hour later I found another patient folding her handkerchief as I entered the room, and her red eyes told me that she had been weeping. I asked her the reason, and the result of it was a long talk about God and His promises, for which she thanked me, and said that she would take courage and believe in God. On my afternoon visit I found a patient in bed, and partly discouraged, having an attack of her old, severe illness. I spoke encouraging words to her, and read some of the promises of God to those who seek Him with their whole heart. When I closed the Bible and stood up to leave, she said, with trembling voice, “O Doctor, will you not please pray for me before you go?” I knelt down and offered a prayer, the patient following my example, and we both received a great blessing.
Many of the guests make it easy for us to work for them in spiritual matters, declaring that they came here because they heard that we work on Christian principles, and that the men conducting the institution have faith in God. And only those who have had the privilege of leading such souls to peace and rest in the promises of God can understand the joy that fills our hearts when we receive letters from different ones, saying, “How often my thoughts go back to the time I spent at the Skodsborg Sanatorium! I can never forget that place where my soul found peace with God, and where I received so many blessings both spiritually and physically.”
Since the last General Conference the words sound constantly in my ears, “The gospel of this kingdom shall be preached as a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come.” And when I long for that blessed time, and wish it were already here, it encourages me to push the work of witnessing for the people about the truth. The sanatorium has already been a means of spreading the knowledge of the truth far and near in these countries, and will, I am sure, accomplish much more in the future. If I could not believe that by my work in connection with the sanatorium I can preach the gospel more effectually than when I went out as a minister of the word only, I should surely resume ministerial labor at once, for God blessed me much when in that work. But I have seen many marked evidences of God’s favor in the work in which I am now engaged, and I can also see that by this kind of work I can reach a class of people that I might not reach in any other way.
There is no end to the amount of work that may be done in medical missionary lines here in Europe, and much more may be accomplished by starting the work on a small scale in many different places than by establishing a number of large institutions. In this respect we have of late had some wonderful experiences here in Scandinavia, of which I shall speak more in detail in a later article. These show how some of our faithful, devoted nurses have succeeded in their work, starting out to work in the cities, without any money whatever, yet accomplishing a splendid work, and coming out with a small gain after paying their expenses and for all their appliances. And yet they have preached the truth very effectually to a high class of people. How much we need, first, the Spirit of God and the divine guidance that we may experience more of this in the future than we have in the past. I ask the dear brethren and sisters in America to pray for us. Second, we need whole-hearted, devoted laborers; and for their education we need just such an educational institution as the sanatorium. We are indeed glad for the existence of this institution. First of all, the sanatorium must be a school for the education of medical missionaries who shall go out, not to establish new sanatoriums, but to bring the blessed gospel of Jesus Christ, the gospel of soul and body, to every one who is sitting in darkness.
Dear brethren and sisters, Europe is a large field, and it is white for the harvest. Pray that God may raise up a large number of workers to labor faithfully that the perfect gospel may be proclaimed, and the end come, when we shall all meet Him in glory. Pray also that we all who are connected with the medical missionary work here in Europe may have wisdom and grace so to illustrate the gospel in our work that hundreds and thousands of souls may be turned into the light and rejoice in the salvation of their God. I feel truly thankful that God has put it into the hearts of so many to donate to this work. We need money, and we are glad for every one who feels a burden to come to our assistance in this respect. But I feel that we especially need the prayers of God’s people to undertake the great work before us, and do it in such a wise and safe way that the cause of God may be honored in everything that we undertake. CARL OTTOSEN.
In the Question Chair.
[Designed for the consideration of such questions as will be of interest and profit to the general reader. All correspondents should give their names and correct post-office address, that queries not replied to here may be answered by mail.]
Will you please explain Mal. 3: 1-5? You will notice in the 5th verse the word “sorcerers.” Is that word equivalent to pharmacist in the Hebrew and Greek languages? Also, please explain Mal. 4: 5, 6. I understand this was partly fulfilled by John the Baptist, but that it is being more completely fulfilled in the threefold message of Revelation 14. But who gave us light on this message, but Sister White? Did she not come in the spirit and power of Elias before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord?
J. F. B., Chicago, Ill.
ANS.—“Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me.” This “messenger” was John the Baptist, and is so applied in Matt. 11: 10. He prepared the way before the Lord by proclaiming the truth. He disclaimed the idea that he was the Christ, but said he was the “voice” of one crying in the wilderness, and he testified of Christ as One whose shoes he was not worthy to unloose, who should baptize them with the Holy Ghost and with fire. John 1: 20-27; Matt. 3: 11, 12. He (Christ) baptizes with the Holy Ghost those who acknowledge Him, and receive of His Spirit. He will baptize with fire those who prove at last but “chaff,” which is to be burned up “with unquenchable fire.” But before this point is reached, we must pass the test of the judgment at the conclusion of His mediatorial work, when all cases are decided, and eternal decisions rendered. The prophet jumps to this scene, when in the next sentence he exclaims, “And the Lord, whom ye seek [whose work of grace they desired], shall suddenly come to His temple [to the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, where His priestly work is to be finished]. . . . But who may abide the day706of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth?” Who shall be able to endure the searching test of that day? “For He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap.” Every particle of dross must be purged away, and every stain thoroughly cleansed. “And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” The refiner subjects the metal to the closest scrutiny. So the Lord will at this time search His people. This is the time when the King comes in to examine the guests. Matt. 22: 11. This is the time when the Laodiceans, instead of being wretched, miserable, poor, and blind, and naked, and being unconscious of their condition, must apply the eyesalve that they may see, and procure the gold and white raiment that they may be rich and clothed. Rev. 3: 18. This is the time when the householder comes to reckon with his servants. Matt. 25: 19. It is the close personal relation of the householder to his servants that causes the expression to be used, “when He appeareth,” which is usually applied to His personal presence. Short of this, here the closest relation of any time is entered into. The ones who put their talents to use are approved, commended, and rewarded. But those who are careless, unbelieving, and slothful are pronounced unprofitable, and cast into outer darkness.
“Who shall stand when He appeareth?” By implication, the psalmist states who shall stand: “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.” The converse of this follows: that the godly shall stand in the judgment, when Daniel stands in his lot (Dan. 12: 13), and those who are not sinners shall stand in the congregation of the righteous, when the Lord shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied. Isa. 53: 11.
The word “sorcerers” according to its use in the Scriptures seems to be inseparably connected with evil arts, enchantments or jugglery; and they used to use enchantment with drugs; hence the name pharmacy was associated with it. But the word by present usage is divorced from that meaning.
In regard to the application of the last two verses of Malachi: the objection to applying it to a person is that it has once had such an application to John the Baptist. To apply it again to a person would be confusing, besides giving countenance to the numerous pretenders that assume to perform that office. The statement of Luke 1: 17 shows that any work manifesting the spirit and power of Elijah would be sufficient to fulfill the prophecy. Great movements and events, rather than personal agents, are now called for. The great and dreadful day of the Lord includes the last days of time and the opening scenes of eternity. To prepare the world for this event, prophecy outlines a movement symbolized by the active participation of angelic agencies. But no individual engaged in this movement can claim to be an angel. So no one can claim to be the antitype of Elijah the prophet; but the whole movement does just that in reference to the second coming of Christ which the ministry of John the Baptist did in reference to His first coming. As society was then constituted, and the condition the world was then in, the voice of a solitary individual crying in the wilderness would be enough to arouse the attention of the world to the subject. But now all enrolled under the three messages will not be sufficient for the work unless they awake and take a new and more determined hold of the work.
Veils Upon the Face: Sympathy With the World
“Many to-day have veils upon their faces. These veils are sympathy with the customs and practices of the world, which hide from them the glory of the Lord. God desires us to keep our eyes fixed upon Him, that we may lose sight of the things of this world.”
The Return of Christ Will Not Be Delayed
“The return of Christ to our world will not be long delayed. Let this be the keynote of every message.”
HAWAII
By B. L. Howe
HONOLULU.—When I left Oakland for home, I brought with me about fifty dollars' worth of books. We have disposed of most of these in our visiting and Bible work. Sister Healey, who distributed the first literature on present truth in these islands, has been doing some good work selling “Great Nations.” She met with a serious accident a few days ago, while at work, in which one of her legs was broken. She is doing nicely, and bears her affliction very patiently. The day before the misfortune came to her, she sold twelve books in one hour. Sister Healey is in her seventy-fifth year, but she does not want to be excused from active service.
Brother Da Silva has been giving most of his time to canvassing for some time past, and has met with very encouraging results. He has taken nearly sixty orders for the Portuguese paper, over eighty for Good Health, besides a few for several other papers. He is using fifty copies of the Signs each week, selling and delivering on short subscriptions. I hope our people will make use of the Portuguese paper where there are any of these people. They like it very much, and are quite willing to pay for it.
I have tried to stick by the contract we all entered into at the California camp-meeting, and have carried some of the printed truth with me everywhere I have been called. I have had many interesting experiences, and have planted some seeds of truth that would have remained between the covers of the book if I had not had it with me.
We have felt very anxious to get the truth to the people scattered over the island. This is nearly impossible without some kind of a conveyance. A few days ago Brother Lyle kindly gave us his horse and cart to use for the day, and my wife and I left home before seven o’clock in the morning. During the day we drove twenty-five miles, canvassing at the Honolulu plantation and at a small town. The Lord blessed and prospered us. Although the houses were much scattered, and we had to do a great deal of running about, we sold and took orders for $15.15 worth of books. We used “Christ’s Object Lessons” and small books. The people received us kindly, and we had many opportunities to tell them of the soon-coming Saviour. The coming week we intend to canvass three plantations and a settlement. This will finish up the territory on this side of the island.
I had the means for purchasing a tent to use in the islands before leaving California, but it was so late in the season before we could arrange for the work that we were afraid that the rains would interfere. I have been sorry since returning that I did not bring the tent, as the season has been delightful for two months. I think Brother Carey would have stayed to help if we had brought the tent. We will do all we can with the books, and take up the tent work as soon as the rainy season is over.
B. L. HOWE.
200 D Karratti Lane.
ALASKA
By Dora E. Henton
SKAGWAY.—I thought it might be of interest to you to know the amount of literature distributed by us, which is as follows:—
This is for ten quarters, and, of course, is not nearly as large as it should be. But you know we are both wage-earners, and what we do must be done outside of our regular work and house cares.
In the Y. M. C. A. library we have placed a full set of our bound books, and given a copy of “Christ’s Object Lessons” to the Presbyterian and Baptist ministers and the secretaries of the Y. M. C. A., respectively.
In addition to this I have had a class of bright young people in the union Sunday-school for nearly two years, where many opportunities are given for sowing the seeds of truth, as well as at the weekly teachers’ meeting.
I find there is a growing interest in favor of our methods of treating the sick, and I am often called upon to give treatment.
This field is so different from most fields, in that the population is so shifting. Most of those who come are here for the purpose of getting rich as quickly as possible and returning to their homes. But we know that, if the seed is sown here in faith, the Lord of the harvest will have a loving care over it, and ripen it in other fields.
We find many earnest Christians among the other denominations, with whom it is a pleasure to associate, and some of whom we fully expect to see accept the truth when the time of real testing comes.
There is not much encouragement for work among the natives. They are a low class, and have become so contaminated from their association with worse white men that it seems an almost hopeless task to try to do anything for them. The Catholic Church and the Salvation Army are about all that appeal to them in a religious way, the first because it gives them nothing to do, and the second because of its noise and display.
There is a blessing that comes from being alone with God, and if our people could only realize, for one week, the joy and comfort that comes from getting out into places where the truth is not known, and letting their light shine, they would not be content to remain congregated in large churches in careless indifference. Mrs. Dora E. HENTON.
ARIZONA
By C. D. M. Williams; Mrs. C. D. M. Williams
BISBEE.—This is a mining camp of about 6,000 inhabitants, full of sin, infidelity, and backsliding. Some are ready to listen to the truth, but very few are ready to leave all and follow the Lord. We hold both Sabbath-school and Sunday-school.
The town is a narrow canyon about five miles long, with several little spur canyons. The mountains are quite steep. Most of the houses are built707on the mountainside, with stairs to go up to them. Yesterday we visited a sister, and went up only one hundred and sixteen stairs.
We hold Sabbath-school in one end of town and Sunday-school in the other. We have between twenty-five and thirty Bible readers, several of whom are keeping the Sabbath.
The miners work night and day, having three eight-hour shifts, consequently one third of them are asleep all the time, so in some places we have to change shifts when the men change. In other places we are compelled to stop the readings for one or two months, because the interest is not so good, and the work goes slowly. Our schools are also crippled in the same way, some not being able to attend for months at a time.
We need your prayers that we may be given great wisdom to know how to conduct the work in the right way, so as to reach as many as possible.
C. D. M. WILLIAMS,
MRS. C. D. M. WILLIAMS.
Sept. 21, 1901.
The Bible as God's Voice to Us
“The Bible is God's voice speaking to us, just as surely as though we could hear it with our ears. If we realized this, with what awe would we open God's word, and with what earnestness would we search its precepts! The reading and contemplation of the Scriptures would be regarded as an audience with the Infinite One.”
Side Shows on the Pathway to Heaven
THE pathway to heaven is lined with countless side shows set up by the devil to divert the traveler and delay him until some catastrophe shall end his further progress.
A SUCCESSFUL CAMP-MEETING.
By C. P. Bollman
A most successful camp-meeting for the colored people has just closed at Edgefield Junction, Tenn.
The location of the camp was near the Cumberland River, ten miles above Nashville. The meeting was held under the auspices of the Tennessee River Conference and the Southern Missionary Society.
The camp-meeting proper lasted for only five days, ending on Sunday night, October 20, but the interest developed is such that two colored laborers, Elder Barry and Brother Warnick, remain to continue the work. Preaching services will be held evenings and on Sundays, and the people will be visited in their homes.
This is the second meeting of the kind ever held, so far as the writer is aware, and it was not undertaken without some misgivings. But the circumstances seemed to demand that such a meeting should be held, and it was accordingly decided upon, believing that God would bless the effort.
The meeting was a grand success. It is candidly believed that it marks the beginning of better days for the work among the colored people in Nashville and vicinity.
Elder Kilgore was present, and assisted in the meeting from Friday noon until the close. Elder White was also present a part of the time. Elder Stone, president of the Tennessee River Conference, was engaged in a tent effort in Franklin, Ky., which he could not leave, but the vice-president, Elder Burrow, was present during the entire meeting, and rendered excellent service, which I am sure the colored brethren greatly appreciated. Elder Halladay also assisted in the meeting.
A noticeable feature of the meeting was the presence of quite a number of white people at nearly every service. In the evenings nearly one third of those present were whites. The tent was well filled every night except that on which the meeting was opened.
Brethren, the Lord is going out before us. Let every lover of present truth rejoice that this is so, and pray “the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest.”
C. P. BOLLMAN.
CARTHAGE (MO.) CAMP-MEETING.
By C. McReynolds
This meeting opened on time as appointed, October 8th. A most beautiful location, Carter’s Park, on the east side of the city, was secured. Twenty tents, including the two large tents, constituted the camp. About 175 of our people attended the meeting—some of the Carthage church attending, but not tenting on the ground. The ministerial help present was Elders Rees, Porter, Scoles, and Millman, and the writer; also Elder Willis a part of the time.
The preaching was exceedingly practical all through, while the night sermons were of such a nature as to interest those not of our faith, and to give them the truths of the message for to-day, yet it was all so purely practical, containing the gospel of salvation, that it was “meat in due season” for all. The weather was fine the first days of the meeting, but the last part was very rainy and cold. Although quite uncomfortable outside, the Spirit of God came into the meeting, and many hearts were touched and deeply stirred—this was especially true on the Sabbath. Several were moved to seek the Lord,—some for the first time,—and as they yielded to God, the joy that comes by believing was given. Five were baptized. Many confessions were made of a neglect to return the full tithe to God, and quite a good sum was paid in on the camp-ground. Book sales were very good, amounting to $93.40.
The interests of the canvassing work were especially looked after by Brother Mays, who served in the place of the State Agent, who could not be present.
Prof. C. C. Lewis spent Sabbath and Sunday with us, and gave some very timely instructions on the subject of Christian education, especially in the church-school work, which is rising every day; and is destined to become a leading feature of the work in our churches throughout the world.
The interest is such that the meetings will continue. The brethren and sisters return home much encouraged to take hold of the work anew.