It was my privilege to attend the Oakland camp-meeting from beginning to close, July 19-29. The meeting was held on a large block in a residence district of Oakland, within easy access of San Francisco and neighboring Bay cities, by trolley and railway. It was reported that there were about two hundred tents pitched, for the accommodation of over six hundred campers. The attendance of our brethren and sisters from the surrounding towns was good, and on Sabbaths and Sundays the large pavilion was well filled.
For several weeks prior to this meeting I had been somewhat feeble. But I went trusting in God, and he wonderfully sustained me. I spoke seven times, with no feeling of weariness. Despite the fact that the congregations were often large, and I was under the necessity of speaking so as to make all hear, I was refreshed physically, and was able to do much writing every day. A feeling of peace seemed to take possession of mind and heart from day to day.
The closing Sabbath was a day marked by many rich blessings. At the morning service, the large tent was literally packed with people. Every seat was taken. Elder S. N. Haskell opened the meeting with prayer. I then spoke for about forty-five minutes, on the privileges and the responsibilities of the Christian life, as brought to view in the first chapter of Paul's epistle to the Colossians.
This scripture very clearly teaches us that we may constantly grow in spirituality through Christ our Lord. "To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse," the apostle Paul wrote: "Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth."
Paul rejoiced in the fact that the church-members at Colosse manifested a spirit of brotherly love toward one another. "For this cause we also," he declared, "since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."
To every one who constantly yields his will to the will of the Infinite, to be led and taught of God, there is promised an ever-increasing development in spiritual things. God fixes no limit to the advancement of those who are "filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding."
Through prayer, through watchfulness, through growth in understanding, we are "strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness." Thus we are prepared to communicate the word of the living God, the truth for this generation, acceptably to all with whom we are brought into contact. O, let us give "thanks unto the Father," who, in the language of the inspired apostle, "hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son."
God's plan for us is so broad, so full, so complete, that we have every reason for co-operating whole-heartedly with him in carrying it out. There is no reason for hesitancy on our part. The sacrifice of Christ atones for every sinner. Christ is the One "in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." All that is required on our part is a complete surrender of our thoughts and purposes, our will, all that we have and are, to God, to be used as he may direct.
It matters not how great the sin: he who returns to God, with full purpose of heart, is assured of pardon and peace. "You, that were sometime alienated," the apostle continues, "and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death."
And what rich assurances are given to the steadfast,—to those who remain true to their allegiance to the God of heaven! "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled," the promise reads, "and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven," the Redeemer will "present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable" in the presence of his Father in the kingdom of glory. Wonderful, wonderful assurance! How cheering, indeed, is the hope of the Christian! Naught in this world can compare with the reward set before those who will "be not moved away from the hope of the gospel."
As these thoughts were dwelt upon before the great congregation Sabbath morning, my heart was moved with an intense desire that not one soul in that vast assembly should fail of appropriating the rich promises of the gospel. I appealed to the parents to unite with their children in making sure work for eternity. In these closing hours of probation, none can afford to be listless or half-hearted. A world is to be warned. To every Christian God has given some work to do for the saving of souls. O that every one who claims to be a follower of Jesus, would labor as the Saviour labored for mankind! This would bring untold blessing both to the laborers and to those whom they would be able to lead to the foot of the cross.
To every one who has named the name of Jesus, is given the commission to go and tell others that which they have learned of the way of salvation. As they go, Jesus declares, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Anointed by the Holy Spirit, as were the disciples of old, they are to labor in tender sympathy and love for souls ready to perish.
I appealed to the brethren and sisters in Oakland and in the surrounding cities, to rise to their opportunities, gird on the Christian armor, and labor for8God in whatever way he may direct. If the members of the Oakland church do all that it is possible for them to do through the power imparted by the Holy Spirit, a great missionary work will be done in this city—a work exceeding anything that has ever been done heretofore in this portion of the Lord's vineyard.
A work of this character must necessarily be accomplished through daily consecration and earnest prayer, through faithful and continued searching of the Scriptures, and through obedience to all the divine commands. We need to draw fresh supplies daily from the great storehouse of God's Word. This will give no time for novel reading, or for anything else that does not edify and strengthen for every good work.
May the Lord help us to choose this day whom we shall serve. Let us make our decision now, at this meeting, to serve God forevermore. The riches of heaven are at the command of God's children. There is set before us the hope of a life, that measures with the life of the Eternal. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Make thorough work for eternity.
After I had finished speaking, the order of the meeting was changed, and Elder G. B. Thompson led out in an earnest revival effort. He appealed most urgently to the unconverted and the backslidden, and called upon all who had not made a full surrender, but who today desired to stand wholly on the Lord's side, to come forward.
The response was most encouraging. The front seats were vacated, and a large number who desired special prayer and help came forward. Every vacated seat was filled. A second move was made to make room for others coming to the front. Several more rows of seats were rapidly filled. I was so thankful to God for this evidence of the working of his Holy Spirit upon hearts.
While the people were coming forward, there was singing by the choir; then several prayers were offered. The Lord Jesus was in our midst. While praying, I felt that it was my privilege to lay hold on the arm of the Infinite, and to cling fast in behalf of the ones who so much needed divine help and blessing. I pleaded for a full surrender on the part of all who signified their determination to leave the ranks of the enemy and to take their position henceforth under the standard of Prince Emmanuel.
Many children and youth were among the number who bowed low before God in repentance and confession of sin, while God's servants offered prayer in behalf of these trembling souls. Afterward, the general congregation was dismissed, and those who had come forward were separated into two groups,—the children, and the older ones. A special season of prayer and of counsel was held with each group. Of the children who gathered in the kindergarten tent, thirty gave in their names for baptism the following day. Several of the older ones, including some whose heads were gray, also followed their Lord in baptism.
Those who bore the responsibilities of this camp-meeting felt as if the good work begun must not be allowed to remain unfinished, and so they decided to leave the large tent standing, and continue evening meetings. A company of workers remained encamped on the grounds, and have daily engaged in house-to-house labor.
At the urgent request of the California Conference Committee, Elder S. N. Haskell and his wife consented to conduct a Bible training-school for workers while this special effort is being put forth for Oakland. They are now training a group of workers for effective service.
It is planned that Elder W. W. Simpson shall begin a series of meetings in Oakland within a very few weeks. With him should be associated a strong force of house-to-house workers. Bible readings should be held in the homes of the people, and our literature should be circulated. Truth, precious truth from the Word of God, is to be presented, both in public and in house-to-house visitation. We have a message that is to prepare a people to stand amid the perils of the last days, and in proclaiming this message we need many men and women filled with the Holy Spirit and with a knowledge of God's Word.
Only a little time remains in which to labor. Now is our golden opportunity to give the third angel's message in the large cities. This is especially true of Oakland. Nothing of an ordinary character will be effective in awakening the people of Oakland to a realization of the times in which they are living, and the meaning of signs rapidly fulfilling. A powerful message must be borne, and faithful house-to-house work must be done by consecrated laborers. May the Lord lay upon many the burden of service.
Work Among the Jews
By F. C. Gilbert
F. C. GILBERT
We are glad to state that not only is the Lord working upon the hearts of the Jews in Boston and its vicinity, but in other places also we hear of their inquiring concerning the teachings of this people, and why we believe so nearly as they do. At a number of the camp-meetings in the Lake Union, as well as in the Atlantic Union Conferences, we have seen many of the Jews present. Some of them seemed very anxious to know about these things, and if it is really true that Jesus is the Christ. It seems so strange to the Jews to find a people so like themselves. They almost feel as if we were brethren. A canvasser called on a Jewish family, and told them, among other things, that he was a Sabbath-keeper, and did not eat pork. The Jew held forth his hand, and said to the canvasser, “We are brothers.”
At the eastern Pennsylvania camp-meeting which was held at Sunbury, there were present some of the time as many as one hundred Jews, and some of the young men would come and stay one or two hours at a time to listen to what was said from the Word of God. They literally begged for reading-matter, saying they really wanted to know. Some of the poor Jews are so discouraged that they say it is no use any more. They feel that the Lord has been away from them so long he will not hear their cries, and therefore it is no use hoping that he ever will hear again.
While at the Chicago camp-meeting it was blessed indeed to see one Jewish man, after a hard and bitter struggle, give in, and accept the Lord Jesus as the Christ.
At the camp-meeting recently held at Lawrence, Mass., there were quite a number of Jews present, and we had two meetings for them. The Lord indeed blessed us, and his Spirit moved upon the hearts of many of them, so that some actually confessed that it was the truth. But their experiences of the past with those whom they considered Christians, came up before them, and it seemed hard for them to yield. The great need in this work is the mighty power of the Holy Spirit to convince the hearts of the Jews so that they will readily see that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
One sister who lives in Pennsylvania recently came in contact with some Jews. They soon found out her belief, and were quite surprised to learn that she was a Sabbath-keeper, and did not eat swine’s flesh. As a result seven Jews drove over one evening to have an interview with her, and to find out what her belief was. They were very much interested, and desired to know more about this. Is it not true, as the spirit of prophecy has said, “The time has come when the Jews are to be given light”?
The work in Boston is encouraging, and we are looking to the Lord to greatly bless the work this fall and winter.
Some weeks ago we took the children of the sewing school for an outing. They had looked forward to this with much pleasure; and their hearts were made glad when they had the opportunity given them to actually see flowers, and be able to pick them as their very own. They greatly enjoyed the day, and we were certainly blessed as we endeavored to tell them some things about the blessed Lord.
We expect to start our sewing school again soon. We would like to have twice as many children this winter as we had last spring, and we are sure the blessing of the Lord will attend the work. Of course we have to furnish everything free, material, needles, etc. It would be greatly appreciated if any one would assist in securing materials necessary for this branch of the work, as it would give us many more opportunities to go into the people’s homes.
While at the camp-ground at Lawrence, Mass., four little Catholic girls came, each with a penny. I asked them what they wanted done with the pennies.9They said that they might be used to help some little girls. I told them about our little Jewish girls, and they said they would like the pennies to help them. May God bless the dear people everywhere, and lead them to pray and to desire that the children of Abraham in the flesh may become the children of Abraham in the Spirit.
107 Staniford St., Boston, Mass.
A Message From Our Most Aged Minister
[At the ripe age of ninety-five, Elder Frederick Wheeler sent the following message to the believers at the New York camp-meeting. It was dictated to Brother F. W. Bartle, who allows us to pass on the testimony of good cheer and confidence to all our readers. Elder Wheeler was born March 12, 1811. As a Methodist minister he was convinced of the advent truth by reading Wm. Miller's works in 1842, and joined in preaching the first message. In March, 1844, he began to keep the true Sabbath, in Washington, N. H. The accompanying photograph of our aged brother was taken Aug. 31, 1906.—Ed.]
DEAR BRETHREN: I am deprived by the infirmities of age from meeting with you, so I send a few words of testimony in writing.
I wish to bear witness to the infinite love of God in the gift of his Son to open the way of salvation to the lost, and especially to give thanks for his love toward me, in leading me to accept salvation in Christ, and for the joy and peace and love that I have enjoyed these many years in believing in him. I rejoice that he has seen fit to give me a humble place in connection with his work in these last days.
I was converted to the advent faith in the closing days of 1842. My conversion was not a conversion to a mere theory, but it was the power of God sending home the truth and filling my entire being with his presence, making the truth a living reality in my soul.
From that day to the present my faith in the way that God has been leading his people has been unshaken. Although we have passed through trials and disappointments, yet I praise God this morning that a glorious light shines all along the pathway he has led us, giving us the assuring hope that a little way in the future we shall reach the grand and glorious consummation, and Christ will be revealed in all his glory, and gather his elect to their long-sought rest.
I pray that the blessing of the Lord may be with you in your meeting in large measure, inspiring fresh hope and courage to go forward in the work. Let it be a time of renewal of our consecration to God and his service.
Nothing but a living faith in the truth and in Christ, that makes him our present personal Saviour, connecting us with him as the living branch is connected with the living vine, will enable us to endure the conflict and stand firm amid the perils and dangers of these last days.
I praise God that I have ever been permitted, not only to believe the truth, but to labor somewhat in connection with the work, and that through God's blessing on my feeble efforts some have been led to rejoice in the light and in hope of eternal life through him.
We need to be grounded in all the truth, and all the help that God has seen fit to give for the carrying forward of his work in these last days we should gladly receive and use to the best advantage.
ELDER F. WHEELER
I would refer especially to the gift of the spirit of prophecy, the Testimonies which God has seen fit to give us through Sister White. The Testimonies which God has given are a part of the work, and can not be separated from it. You destroy the one, and you destroy the other. They are needed by the church to help them through to the end of the journey.
I know by my own experience the help that those Testimonies are calculated to afford us. They have been a great blessing to me, and they will be a help to each and all who accept the light given through them. It would appear that some are wavering with regard to the Testimonies, but I would earnestly exhort all to accept them, and to receive the benefit of the light they may receive through them.
I would be glad to enjoy the privileges of your meetings, and be there to bear testimony to the love of Christ to me, and to the love that I have for the truth of God. The truth was never more precious to me than now.
I love my dear brethren in the Lord. I rejoice in the hope of by and by meeting with them and the dear Saviour, and having a place with them in the earth made new.
I rejoice in the prosperity of the work and its progress, believing that erelong it will be finished, and the glorious reward be given. I believe the time is near when Christ will be revealed. Although on account of my advanced age I can hardly expect to witness the glorious consummation of the work, yet I know by faith it is near at hand.
Praying that the blessing of the Lord may be with you in all the meetings, and that heavenly wisdom may be given in all your plans for carrying forward the work, and asking that I may be remembered in your prayers, I remain,
Your aged brother in the truth,
F. WHEELER.
*West Monroe, N. Y.
The Coming of Christ
By J. N. Cross
(Concluded)
J. N. CROSS
Let us notice the manner of Christ’s coming. This is very important; for Satan will have power to imitate every work of Christ, as the Egyptian astrologers did that of Moses and Aaron, except the manner of his coming.
We have already noticed the words of the angels at the ascension of Christ, and also his own comparison to a flash of lightning from a heavy cloud on a dark night. Now listen to the words of John in Rev. 14: 15: “I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.”
First, let us notice the words of Christ himself, the best of all witnesses: “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” And again: “Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn. And they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matt. 24: 30, 31. And Paul says, in 1 Thess. 4: 16: “The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Thus we see that the second coming of Christ will be on the clouds of heaven, that he comes with power and great glory, that he comes to raise the righteous dead and translate the righteous living.
Let us pause a moment to consider the scene. The investigative judgment, beginning in 1844, has determined who are dead in Christ, and who are dead in sin; then Christ will come with the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels, to give reward to every man according as10his work has been; but he does not set his foot upon the earth; the righteous dead of all ages and nations are raised from their dusty beds, and the righteous living are “changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye;” the corruption of the dead has been changed to incorruption, the mortality of the living to immortality; then all are lifted by angels’ arms to meet the Lord in the air; and with the glory of the Father, and of the Son, the glory of ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of angels (Rev. 5: 11), they ascend, with hallelujahs and songs of praise and thanksgiving, to heaven, the paradise of God.
Well may we pause to contemplate this scene of glory, for “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Cor. 2: 9. We must not pause in our upward flight, but a backward glance shows the wicked, slain by “the spirit of his mouth” and “the brightness of his coming.” 2 Thess. 2: 8. The whole land is desolate, and there is no man. Jeremiah 4. Satan and his fallen angels are bound for a thousand years, for there is not a man on earth for them to tempt, and they are not permitted to go to any other world. During this thousand years, the righteous are in heaven examining “the books” to determine the amount of sin each of the wicked has committed, and the punishment due to each, not of men only, but of the fallen angels also. 1 Cor. 6: 3.
The millennium past, the holy city, New Jerusalem, comes down from God out of heaven. Its streets are of pure gold, clear as crystal; its walls of most precious, transparent stones, mingling the colors of the rainbow; its gates of solid pearl, through which no one can ever enter save as a child of Abraham, and a member of one of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. The city is three hundred and seventy-five miles square, and would cover a space equal to two and one-half times the State of Iowa; yet it is only called “the camp of the saints.” The wicked dead are now raised to see the glory of the redeemed, and to realize what they have lost—eternal life in such a city! Satan persuades them that they can easily break through such seemingly thin and brittle walls, take the city, kill its King, and possess the earth forever. The last, vain hope of the great deceiver! Fire comes down from heaven and destroys them all. Rev. 20: 9. They are “ashes under the soles of your feet.” Mal. 4: 3. Like “the fat of lambs” they are consumed, “into smoke” have they consumed away (Ps. 37: 20), and are as if they had not been. Christ has accomplished his mission, and through death has destroyed “him that had the power of death, that is, the devil,” and has delivered “them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Heb. 2: 14, 15.
The earth is purified from every stain of sin. The garden of Eden, a little corner of the great world field, is restored, enlarged, yea, beautified, till the whole earth exceeds the original, for Christ has set up the throne of his father David in the capital city of the whole earth, and to his reign there shall be no end. Isa. 9: 7. Then, and not till then, can “the meek inherit the earth, and delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Ps. 37: 11.
The Father can not leave his Son, so he, too, comes to earth, and we read, “The tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” “The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven,” has then been “given to the people of the saints of the Most High.” Satan, with all his host of fallen angels and wicked men, is forever destroyed. The whole universe has seen the terrible consequences of sin to such an extent that none will ever desire or dare to sin again, but every thought and word will be in strict harmony with the will of God; and that glad time will have come of which the seer of Patmos says, “Every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.” “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
An Encouraging Outlook
By Charles P. Bollman
C. P. BOLLMAN
We are glad to be able to tell our people, just upon the eve of the October collection for the work among the colored people in the South, that the work is in a prosperous condition, and the outlook very encouraging. Notwithstanding the difficulties encountered, and the lack of funds, a good work is being done.
The Lord is going out before his people and preparing the way for the workers, whether they are canvassers, colporteurs, teachers, or ministers.
The mission schools established by the Southern Missionary Society are all again in successful operation. One school that was started last January with only six pupils, closed the first of June and with eighteen pupils. It opened a few days ago at the beginning of the present school year with eighteen pupils, and now reports an enrolment of twenty-three.
There are numerous openings for the establishment of new schools. Some of these calls will have to wait, but we hope to be able to respond favorably to several.
Memphis is appealing to the Society for aid in erecting a small school building and establishing a mission school in one of the colored quarters of that city. We know of no place where the need is greater, or where access can be had to a larger number of Afro-Americans, than in that important city.
This Society has been advised by the General Conference Committee to confine its operations as far as possible to the establishment and maintenance of mission schools for the colored, and to providing school and church buildings whenever demanded by the interest of the cause. This we are trying to do, but have recently yielded to the force of circumstances and have undertaken the partial support of a colored minister in Atlanta. This brother will work under the direction of the Georgia Conference, but will be paid in part out of the funds of the Southern Missionary Society. This for the reason that Georgia is unable to support, wholly, another worker, and there is crying need for a colored laborer in that State, especially in the important city of Atlanta, which has a large colored population.
Those who have charge of this branch of the work intend to push it forward just as rapidly as possible. We are dependent, however, upon the liberalities of our people, and can go only as fast and as far as means are provided for carrying forward the work.
The Society has suffered the loss of four of its ablest teachers this fall. They have been called to labor as ministers in three of the local conferences. We have been able to supply the places made vacant by the withdrawal of these experienced teachers. We are sorry to lose them from our school work, but glad indeed to see them enter what promises to be larger fields of usefulness.
These are only a few of the interesting facts that might be given in regard to the work we are trying to do for the colored people. We believe that the past neglect of this field has been due very largely to the fact that but few of our people have understood the needs and opportunities presented. There is no branch of this cause that enlists the sympathies of Seventh-day Adventists more than the work for the colored people. We confidently believe that a liberal offering to this branch of the work will be given on the sixth of October. Remember that the Lord loves a cheerful giver, and that he holds every service rendered to his cause, even if it be the most humble part of it, as rendered to himself.
Nashville, Tenn.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
THE gift of the Holy Spirit is the greatest blessing that can come to the child of God. It was the only thing the disciples needed to wait for after their Lord’s ascension. It means power. It means usefulness. It means consolation and helpfulness. It means reconciliation to the will of God. It means heartiness in service. It means the best of one’s self farmed out for the good of one’s fellow men. It means the fullest possible understanding and application of the mission of life. It means victory for two worlds and over all worlds. And this gift the humblest may have as well as the most exalted. It is reserved for no rank or station. The rich and the poor share, and share alike.—Selected.
— Adelaide A. Procter
Submission
I do not ask, O Lord, that life may be
A pleasant road;
I do not ask that thou wouldst take from me
Aught of its load.
I do not ask that flowers should always spring
Beneath my feet;
I know too well the poison and the sting
Of things too sweet.
For one thing only, Lord, dear Lord, I plead:
Lead me aright,
Though strength should falter and though heart should bleed,
Through peace to light.
Joy is like restless day; but peace divine
Like quiet night:
Lead me, O Lord, till perfect day shall shine,
Through peace to light.
— Adelaide A. Procter
Keeping the Children
By C. M. S.
C. M. S.
SOME one will be the confidant of our children. It is largely for the parent to decide who that shall be. It is not difficult to win the confidence of a child. That is shown every day in the success of those evilly inclined who lead young feet into the traps and pitfalls of sin.
The child whose confidence has been completely won by a Christian parent carries about with it the strongest possible shield against those who would lead it astray. The basis of that confidence must be the absolute faith of the child in the truth of every statement which the parent makes. There must be no juggling with the child's trust, no juggling with the truth, no misstatement to tease or confuse the child for fun. Such fun is obtained at a terrible cost to both parent and child. If the child is put in a place where he must question the truth of one statement, he will soon come to question them all, and the outsider will then have the advantage of the parent, for the child has, perhaps, not yet learned that the outsider is a deceiver, and that his statements are likely to be untrue.
The parent who has, through such a course, lost the confidence of his child has weakened that child's ability to discern the untrue, as well as having failed to give the child the shield that only a parent can give.
Every day we see in the public prints the record of some child mistreated, ruined, or killed because some person with an evil heart had won its confidence to work out a wicked purpose. Of course, in many cases children become the victims of the vicious by direct attack which they have no power to resist; but in very many cases they are enticed into company or into places where that same wicked purpose is worked out immediately or gradually as the evil-disposed person may choose.
The following paragraph, made up of headlines from the daily press, is but a sample of the terrible and continuous work that is going on in the world:— “Young girl murdered, mutilated body found in a pit near her home, no clew as to the murderer.” “Body of young boy found under pile of bushes, after lad had been missing several days.” “Abducted and murdered; mutilated body of eight-year-old boy found by his father; was stolen by a tramp.” “Young girls leave home; had displayed interest in the performances of a hypnotist; left after Sunday-school; found later under compromising circumstances.” “Held for killing boy; little body found under sacks of oats; mother supposed he had run away, as he had done so before.” “Runaway girl arrested; offended at mother's reprimand for waywardness.” “Girl murder victim; body found in lake, and man companion missing; all evidences point to murder.” “Boy stabs his father; was attacked by parent in the home of the youth's fiancée.” “Dozen saw her attacked; men rushed to aid of little girl, but were too late; she was enticed to the city park by a stranger.” “Girl dies in priest's home; the abbé and his sacristan placed under arrest.” “Boy bandits oathbound; ‘Jesse James Gang’ swore to be true to the black flag; candidates placed hands on skull as they took solemn pledge to obey captain's commands.”
Day after day these evil records are piling up, and we shall not see less of them while time lasts. Every evil device the enemy of souls can employ will be employed to ruin our children, covertly as well as openly. The above are but the most open and glaring accomplishments. Only the records of heaven will show what is being done insidiously to turn our children into paths that will make the truths of God distasteful to them.
The time has come when all Christian parents should seek to break down every barrier of distrust between them and their children, and to erect a strong bulwark of trust and implicit confidence around the little ones that will strengthen them and protect them in these evil times. It can not be done by stern dictation and reprimand. It must be preceded by a deep, earnest heart work and direct counsel from God in answer to prayer. The terrible work brought to view above reveals, perhaps in every case, a lack of that loving, trusting confidence and companionship which should exist between the Christian parent and the child. With that as an evidence of what is being done openly, we can realize something of what is being done secretly by the evil one himself for the capture of the children.
The time has come when the following prophecy should be working out in every Seventh-day Adventist family: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Jehovah come. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers; lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” Mal. 4:5, 6. Let us take up this work in the fear of God, and for the love of those whom he has entrusted to our keeping and guidance.
One Glass too Much
THE Duke of Orleans was the eldest son of King Louis Philippe, and the inheritor of whatever rights his father could transmit. He was physically noble. His generous qualities made him universally popular. One morning he invited a few of his companions to breakfast, as he was about to depart from Paris to join his regiment. In the conviviality of the hour he drank a little too much wine. He was not in any respect a dissipated man. But in that joyous hour he drank just one glass too much, and slightly lost the balance of his body and mind. Bidding adieu to his companions, he entered his carriage, and presently alighting at his destination, leaped from it and lost his balance. His head struck the pavement. Senseless and bleeding, he was carried into a beer-house close by, and died. That extra glass of wine overthrew the Orleans dynasty, and sent the whole family into exile.— Selected.
The Hardest Fight
By T. L. Cuyler
THIS grace of silence under trial is one of the most rare and difficult graces; but it is one of the most pleasing to God and most conducive to strength and beauty of Christian character. None of us loves to suffer, and we all shudder at the sight of the probe or the amputating knife. But when the infinite love is engaged in cutting out a selfish lust or cutting off a diseased limb, our duty is to submit. Ah! the battle-field often requires less courage than the hospital! The onset of service, with drums beating and bugles sounding, does not so test the mettle of our graces as to be thrown down wounded, or to be commanded to lie still and suffer. To shout a battle-cry at the mouth of the cannon is easier than to put our hands on our mouths and be silent because “God did it.” If he is silent as to explanations of trying providences, let us be silent in our final submission. God knows what is best for us; that is enough.— T. L. Cuyler.
