Is there a person who says all manner of false things about you; one who ever seems to delight to do you some injury; one who is decidedly your bitter enemy? The thing for you to do is to kill him, but not with a revolver, not with a shotgun, not with a sword. No, no!
You ask, “How, then, shall I do it?” Why, heed the Great Teacher: Heap coals of fire on his head.
“Well, how can I do that? I should like to scorch him till I had burned him up.”
You have the wrong kind of fire in mind. You must not burn his life out of him, but burn the enemy out of him, and thus leave a kind friend.
“How can I do that, pray tell?”
Why, watch your opportunity, and if he gets hungry, feed him; if thirsty, give him drink. Watch to do him good in some way; let not an opportunity escape. Love him. Pray for him. Do him good whenever possible. By so doing you may kill your enemy, and make of him a dear friend. And when you get your crown of glory, he may be with you, and O, how he will rejoice to meet you, and will love you through the eternal ages!
Sanitarium, Cal.
“Rejoice Evermore”
By C. H. Bates
C. H. BATES
THE Christian life should be a life of rejoicing. The Word of God tells us to “rejoice evermore.” Ps. 34:1. We have this inspired statement, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
I see no reason why the Christian should go round bowed down as a bulrush, always discouraged and complaining, when there are so many precious promises in the Word to encourage and strengthen him. Notice the wording of the scripture quoted above. It is a continued praise, not an occasional one. It is a rejoicing that is to last forevermore after we once take upon ourselves the life of the Christian.
The Christian life will not be free from trials and disappointments. The Word tells us, “In the world ye shall have tribulation,” but these tribulations should only make us take a stronger hold of the power of the Infinite One. As the tree swayed by the wind sends down its roots and takes deeper hold of the elements, so the Christian after every conflict should come forth stronger for the next trial.
It has been a saying among the Indians for generations, that “the strength of the slain enters the life of the slayer;” so we may come forth from every conflict stronger for the next encounter.
Some of our most noted men have come to the place where they could be of the greatest service to mankind under the most adverse circumstances. Milton, one of our greatest poets, wrote his best lines when he was blind, poor, and sick. “Who best can suffer,” he said, “best can do.” Bunyan wrote “Pilgrim’s Progress” while he was in prison. Walter Raleigh also wrote his “History of the World” in prison. Helmholtz dated his beginning in science to an attack of typhoid fever. While recovering he purchased a microscope. This proved the opportunity of his life. Alexander Pope was deformed in body, but consciousness of his misfortune made him strive the harder to equal other men. Homer wrote the Odyssey after he was old and blind.
Let us seek to learn out of every trial the lesson God would teach.
Creation; Its Divine Author and Spiritual Significance
By C. F. Campbell
C. F. CAMPBELL
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Gen. 1:1. This record is given us by the great Architect, Creator, and Builder, for “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” 2 Tim. 3:16. And well might he say to some of the modern skeptics who doubt his word, “Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof?” Job 38:3-6.
In Ex. 20:11, we have the positive statement that “in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is;” and in Ex. 31:17, the same statement is repeated: “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested.” So when we say that the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all things in six days, we have the highest authority in the universe. For “if we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater.” 1 John 5:9. “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.” Isa. 40:8.
Then we turn to the first of Genesis, and the Lord tells us what he did on each day. “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.” Verses 3-5. This statement that the evening and the morning constitute the day is predicated of each of the remaining days of the week.
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” Gen. 2:1-3. Here is the origin of the weekly cycle and of the Sabbath of the living God. It rests on the facts of creation, and no power in the whole universe can change a fact. We have every reason to believe that the days were the same length as now, for they were composed of evening and morning, or darkness and light. God made the sun to rule the day, and the moon to rule the night, and he made them to be for signs and for seasons. Thus the great timepiece of Jehovah was set in motion.
Who was the divine Author? “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” To whom was he talking? The words “us” and “our” signify the presence of more than one holy being. In our search to find out who was associated with God in the work of creation, we turn to John 1:1-4: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.” This we know refers to Christ our Lord.
Then we turn to John 17:5 and find our Saviour’s own words: “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”
He is the express image of his Father. Jesus said, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” John 14:9. Then again in Heb. 1:8-12: “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever. . . . And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: they shall perish; but thou remainest.” What a comfort this statement is to the weary pilgrim! He who made the worlds and whose handiwork are the heavens, upholds all things by the word of his power. They may perish, but he remains. He is our Saviour, able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him. We certainly can trust our all in his care. See also Col. 1:14-19.
So it was Christ, or God the Son, to whom the Father said, “Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness.” As Christ was the agent through and by whom all things were created, so he is the one through and by whom redemption, or re-creation, is accomplished. “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.” 2 Cor. 5:17. “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” Gal. 6:15. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again.” John 3:7. Also Peter said, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” 1 Peter 1:23. How is it all accomplished?—By the word of God. How were the heavens and earth and all things created?—By the word of God; “for he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.”
Both creation and redemption come through Christ, “for it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.” Col. 1:17-20. He upholds all things by the word of his power. He is our advocate to plead our cases in the courts of heaven, there to appear in the presence of God for us. Our cases are safe in his hands. “Let us therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help8in time of need,” casting all our care upon him; for he careth for us. Heb. 4:16; 1 Peter 5:7. Let us have firm, unwavering faith in God’s word; accept his unfailing promises; believe firmly in the march of his providences, and on some bright tomorrow we shall anchor in the haven of eternal rest, sing the song of eternal victory, and reign with Jesus through the endless ages, world without end. Amen.
Perth, Ontario.
“Seek Righteousness”
By G. B. Starr
G. B. STARR
RIGHTEOUSNESS is not something which may be wrought out or attained by individual effort on the part of sinful man; but it is something real, to be sought for and obtained from God. “Seek righteousness” is an invitation from God, designed to awaken in individuals the hope of obtaining from the Lord that which they are powerless to work out for themselves.
Jesus Christ came into our world “to make an end of sins, . . . and to bring in everlasting righteousness.” Dan. 9:24. This he accomplished. He brought it in and commanded that it be offered as his free gift to all the world. The commission, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” embraces the carrying to all the everlasting righteousness wrought out by Christ. For the gospel is the power of God unto salvation from sin “to every one that believeth;” and “therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Rom. 1:16, 17. The only righteousness obtainable is “the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.” Rom. 3:22.
This is the very righteousness which was imparted to righteous Abel, to Abraham, and to all the saints and seers of old. There is no other, and it is the gift of God to fallen man, the free gift of righteousness, the righteousness of One, the only One who could work righteousness on our behalf. It is the real, the genuine righteousness which works mightily in man to the producing of works of righteousness; and it is obtained by faith, and only by faith. It is not given to man because of anything he does, any service rendered in the cause of Christ, even. It is God’s free, unmerited gift, given royally, without money and without price, to every believer who by faith reaches out the hand for the gift, and by faith takes it. Being a free gift, given solely on the merits of Christ, it is obtainable today—now. Long waiting, long failing to work righteousness on our part, does not make us more fit to receive it, nor make it more easy for us to believe.
The purpose and glory of the gospel is the transfer, the impartation, of the righteousness of Christ to all who receive the gospel. He was made “sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Cor. 5:21. The reality of the transfer of our sins to him, the sinless One, is clearly seen in its effect on him. The wages of sin is death, and his death attested the reality of the transfer of our sins to him. He was assuredly made sin for us and suffered the result in order that as assuredly we might be made the righteousness of God in him, and reap the happy results of transferred righteousness. “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.” Isa. 32:17. We are safe in his righteousness. We can rest secure forever in its blessed effects. By it we are made eternally secure against sin. Covered with his everlasting righteousness, we are made ready to be presented to God the Father with exceeding joy. In the plan for man’s redemption, “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Ps. 85:10.
“Through Jesus, God’s mercy was manifested to men; but mercy does not set aside justice. The law reveals the attributes of God’s character, and not a jot or tittle of it could be changed to meet man in his fallen condition. God did not change his law, but he sacrificed himself, in Christ, for man’s redemption. ‘God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.’ 2 Cor. 5:19.
“The law requires righteousness,—a righteous life, a perfect character,—and this man has not to give. He cannot meet the claims of God’s holy law. But Christ, coming to the earth as a man, lived a holy life, and developed a perfect character. These he offers as a free gift to all who will receive them. His life stands for the life of men. Thus they have remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. More than this, Christ imbues men with the attributes of God. He builds up the human character after the similitude of the divine character, a goodly fabric of spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ. God can ‘be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.’” —“The Desire of Ages,” p. 762.
“The burdened heart must seek in vain
For merit of its own;
There’s freedom from each crimson stain
In Thee, and thee alone.”
Loma Linda, Cal.
Further Incidents of the Early Days
By George Ide Butler
GEO. I. BUTLER
As we carefully consider the various movements in this great message, we can discern the wisdom of God in molding the work. It was very important that experienced, devout believers should form the nucleus of this great movement. Novices would hardly meet the demands of so difficult an undertaking. The last days are the most perilous days of all the ages. Every wind of doctrine is blowing, and most trying experiences must necessarily be met. Satan’s power is wonderfully manifest.
Where should we look for more suitable ones to meet such a crisis successfully than those stanch, faithful believers who could hold steadfastly to the truths of the first message in one of the most terrible disappointments that ever befell God’s people? They were experienced, devout Christians. They had faced a scoffing world. They had been slandered, ridiculed, cast out of the popular churches, considered foolish fanatics, and despised beyond measure. Every ridiculous charge imaginable was hurled at them. One of them which was generally believed, was that they had made ascension robes to go up in when the Lord should come. What could be more preposterous? In many places preachers of the gospel hurled this baseless charge from their pulpits. Our people, to show its malice and folly, offered a reward of hundreds of dollars for a single instance of making ascension robes, but such an instance has never been found.
The true believers patiently bore all this slander and abuse in a Christian spirit, and still walked on in humility, rejoicing in God’s blessing and favor. They lived down these slanders and showed themselves to be honest, faithful Christians; earnest, devout followers of Christ. They formed a splendid nucleus for a mighty movement, seeking precious souls all over the world, and warning all of the coming of Christ. Well do I remember the passing of the time when these believers looked for their Lord. I dreaded to go to the village post office for the mail. The urchins along the way would cry out, “When are you going up?” “You haven’t gone up yet.” To a boy of ten years these cries were not inspiring.
In the early days of the third message great efforts were made by the pioneers to hunt out the old advent believers everywhere. Father Bates, Elder and Mrs. James White, Elder J. N. Andrews, engaged in this work. Long trips were taken to find here and there one who clung to the belief that the first angel’s message was of God, and to explain to such the certainty of the third angel’s message following the first and second messages. The words of Scripture are positive on this point: “And the third angel followed them [that is, the first and second], saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image,” etc. Just as surely as the first and second had been given, the third must follow. They were all one series, and a great work must follow, for the angel spoke “with a loud voice.” Thus began the third angel’s message, the closing work to prepare a people for the coming of Christ.
And so the work of gathering out the old, faithful, much-tried believers went on. Fresh courage came into their hearts, and all their past was made plain. In this work Elder and Mrs. White were conspicuous. They worked very hard, in much poverty, and under very discouraging circumstances. Elder White saw the necessity of publishing a small9paper. It was very small at first, and it might truly be said of it that it was issued semioccasionally, so great was the poverty of that little company of scattered believers. But it grew, and continued to go forth on its errands of love and mercy, until it finally developed into our grand old REVIEW AND HERALD, our oldest periodical, known to every Seventh-day Adventist. Our little band of believers were encouraged by the visits of this paper, filled with present truth from warm hearts. They contributed small sums as they could from their own meager funds, till after a while the paper came out weekly. It was not long till the Youth’s Instructor began its visits.
In those days whenever a little company of believers was raised up, they were sure to be soon visited by Elder and Mrs. White. Through their faithful labors these believers became established in the faith. In the very earliest period of this movement the doctrine of the perpetuity of spiritual gifts was firmly believed and taught. The Scriptures clearly teach that the gifts of the Spirit will be continued in the true church of Jesus Christ when it stands in the light, humble and devoted to Christ.
It is well known that the visions of Mrs. E. G. White have been believed among Seventh-day Adventists from the very first existence of this people. This gift of the Spirit was one of the most powerful agencies connected with the beginning of this work, and did much to unify the faith of the believers. Sister White’s labors and her writings have helped to establish thousands in the advent message, and are a source of spiritual strength to large numbers of our people.
Bowling Green, Fla.
Cheerfulness and Expression
By Emma Marie Harris
EMMA MARIE HARRIS
A cheerful spirit is a sunshiny one. No one denies the necessity and benefit of sunshine to our physical well-being. There are those who are willing to give decided testimony to that effect. “Twelve years ago,” says one writer, “I came to Camden to die.” But every day I went into the country, and bathed in the sunshine, lived with the birds and squirrels, and played in the water with the fishes. I received my health from nature.” “It is the unqualified result of all my experience with the sick,” said Florence Nightingale, “that second only to their need of fresh air is their need of light, that after a close room what most hurts them is a dark room, and that it is not only light but direct sunshine they want.”
Sunshine is necessary, and cheerfulness is necessary, for best results in our life work. “Be of good cheer,” was the admonition Jesus gave his disciples. It serves to lift the shadows cast by fear, and shed the light of hope into their hearts. Cheerfulness has an agreeable air when lacking direct expression, but and “the grand secret of a happy home lies in the expression of the affection you really have,” and no member of the family is so small that his influence is not felt.
A mother weighed down with grief and trouble, while passing from one room to another in the performance of household duties, was met in the doorway by her little Leila of four years, who stood with her sweet face, full of love and sympathy, uplifted to offer her mother a caress. Oh, the sweetness and the comfort of it for that burdened mother! In a few short years the little one was laid away, but memory holds for that mother no dearer treasure than this expression of her little daughter’s love. It is well said that “to love and to be loved is the greatest happiness of existence.”
The expression of the love of God for us was in the gift of his Son that we might be redeemed from sin and death and become his sons and daughters; and the coming of Jesus into the world was fittingly announced to the wondering shepherds upon the Judean plains by heaven’s own choristers, who joined heaven and earth in their song of rejoicing. Let us cultivate expression of love and praise to God, in song, for this is acceptable to him, for praise is comely; then shall we be better prepared to diffuse good cheer to our fellows, many of whom stand sadly in need of the help and encouragement in their conflicts with evil which we can give and be blessed in the giving.
Takoma Park, D. C.
W. S. CHAPMAN
By W. S. Chapman
Rendering to God His Own — No. 4
W. S. CHAPMAN
We as a people have always believed and taught that the message from God to the Laodicean church recorded in Rev. 3:14, finds its application in the denomination which is delivering to the world the warning message of Rev. 14:6; in other words, the Seventh-day Adventists. We have looked on the Laodicean message as a sifting process that will remove from the ranks the wrong-doers, while preparing the true in heart for participation in the message of the loud cry.
For many years we have looked forward to the reformation that will be wrought by this message, but time and again we have been told by the Spirit of prophecy that the message was not yet doing its work. In 1873 the servant of the Lord stated plainly the preparation that must be made before the result presented in that message can be realized:—
“The people of God must see their wrong, and arouse to zealous repentance, and a putting away of those sins which have brought them into such a deplorable condition of poverty, blindness, wretchedness, and fearful deception. I was shown that the pointed testimony must live in the church. This alone will answer to the message to the Laodiceans. Wrongs must be reproved, sin must be called sin, and iniquity must be met promptly and decidedly, and put away from us as a people.” “I saw that many who profess to be keeping the commandments of God are appropriating to their own use the means which the Lord has intrusted to them, and which should come into his treasury. They rob God in tithes and in offerings. They dissemble, and withhold from him to their own hurt. They bring leanness and poverty upon themselves and darkness upon the church, because of their covetousness, their dissembling, and their robbing God in tithes and in offerings.
“I saw that many souls will sink in darkness because of their covetousness. The plain, straight testimony must live in the church, or the curse of God will rest upon his people as surely as it did upon ancient Israel because of their sins. God holds his people, as a body, responsible for the sins existing in individuals among them. If the leaders of the church neglect to diligently search out the sins which bring the displeasure of God upon the body, they become responsible for those sins.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. III, pp. 260, 269.
These statements lose nothing of their force because of the years that have passed since they were made. Their application and necessity are more evident now than they were forty-three years ago. That the revival of the straight testimony will do its work and prepare a people to give the warning to Babylon, is clearly shown in the description of a vision given to Sister White. In this vision a great reformatory movement passed before her. The people of God were aroused from their lethargy, and were hastening in every direction, engaged in various lines of missionary labor. They were so spiritually minded that the sick were healed at their solicitation, and miracles witnessed to the genuineness of their work, while the covetous, refusing to be converted, were sifted out. See “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, p. 126.
From this it is evident that this reformatory movement will be the result of the application of the Laodicean message, and according to the Testimony just referred to, it will be accomplished by the revival of the pointed and straight testimonies.
A careful study of the Testimonies will show that one of the main reasons, if not the principal one, for unfaithfulness in the payment of tithe, lies in the lack of systematic methods for its collection. God holds the church officers responsible for the collection of tithe, and the presidents of the conferences responsible for the faithfulness of the officers. The elders and church officers are expected to visit and labor with the delinquents. Briefly presented, the instruction is as follows:—
“Ministers have neglected to enforce gospel beneficence. The subject of tithes and offerings has not been dwelt upon as it should have been.”—Id., Vol. V, p. 382. “Many presidents of State conferences do not attend to that which is their10work,— to see that the elders and deacons of the churches do their work in the churches, by seeing that a faithful tithe is brought into the treasury.”—“Special Testimonies for Ministers and Workers,” No. 7, 1897.
In an article published in the Church Officers’ Gazette for January, 1915, Elder G. B. Thompson quotes from the Supplement to the REVIEW AND HERALD of Dec. 1, 1896, the following from the servant of the Lord:—
“Let the church appoint pastors or elders who are devoted to the Lord Jesus, and let these men see that officers are chosen who will attend faithfully to the work of gathering in the tithe. If the pastors show that they are not fitted for their charge, if they fail to set before the church the importance of returning to God his own, if they do not see to it that the officers under them are faithful, and that the tithe is brought in, they are in peril. They are neglecting a matter which involves a blessing or a curse to the church. They should be relieved of their responsibility, and other men should be tested and tried.”
Elder Thompson then comments as follows:—
“I hope this instruction from the servant of the Lord will not fall on stony ground, but bear fruit. If all the officers in our churches will take up this burden, many thousands of dollars of tithe will be gathered for the work of God. This means greater blessing to those who are faithful, more laborers sent into the fields, and more souls saved. Shall not this long-neglected matter receive attention without further delay?”
No one, however, can be compelled to obey God, neither can any be questioned as to the amount of income or increase to be tithed. The individual is to be left free to tithe his income, but God requires a tenth to be turned into the treasury. If he makes a false statement, it will appear in the judgment against him; it is a personal matter between God and the individual.
“Men are not naturally inclined to be benevolent, but to be sordid and avaricious, and to live for self. And Satan is ever ready to present the advantages to be gained by using all their means for selfish, worldly purposes; he is glad when he can influence them to shirk duty, and rob God in tithes and offerings. But not one is excused in this matter.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. V, p. 382.
“Systematic benevolence should not be made systematic compulsion. It is free-will offerings that are acceptable to God.”
“As to the amount required, God has specified one tenth of the increase. This is left to the conscience and benevolence of men, whose judgment in this tithing system should have free play. And while it is left free to the conscience, a plan has been laid out definite enough for all. No compulsion is required.”—Id., Vol. III, pp. 396, 394.
“Voluntary offerings and the tithe constitute the revenue of the gospel. Of the means which are intrusted to man, God claims a certain portion,— a tithe; but he leaves all free to say how much the tithe is, and whether or not they will give more than this. They are to give as they purpose in their hearts.”—Id., Vol. V, p. 149.
“The first Christian church had not the privileges and opportunities we have. They were a poor people, but they felt the power of the truth. The object before them was sufficient to lead them to invest all. They felt that the salvation or the loss of a world depended upon their instrumentality. They cast in their all, and held themselves in readiness to go or come at the Lord’s bidding. We profess to be governed by the same principles, to be influenced by the same spirit. But instead of giving all for Christ, many have taken the golden wedge and a goodly Babylonish garment, and hid them in the camp. If the presence of one Achan was sufficient to weaken the whole camp of Israel, can we be surprised at the little success which attends our efforts when every church and almost every family has its Achan?”—Id., pp. 156, 157.
“As a people professing to be reformers, treasuring the most solemn, purifying truths of God’s Word, we must elevate the standard far higher than it is at the present time. Sin and sinners in the church must be promptly dealt with, that others may not be contaminated. Truth and purity require that we make more thorough work to cleanse the camp from Achans. Let those in responsible positions not suffer sin in a brother. Show him that he must either put away his sins or be separated from the church.”—Id., p. 147.
In a Testimony concerning the guilt of Achan, and its effect on the camp of Israel, the following statements are made:—
“I have been shown that God here illustrates how he regards sin among those who profess to be his commandment-keeping people. Those whom he has specially honored with witnessing the remarkable exhibitions of his power, as did ancient Israel, and who will even then venture to disregard his express directions, will be subjects of his wrath. He would teach his people that disobedience and sin are exceedingly offensive to him, and are not to be lightly regarded. He shows us that when his people are found in sin, they should at once take decided measures to put that sin from them, that his frown may not rest upon them all. But if the sins of the people are passed over by those in responsible positions, his frown will be upon them, and the people of God, as a body, will be held responsible for those sins. In his dealings with his people in the past, the Lord shows the necessity of purifying the church from wrongs. One sinner may diffuse darkness that will exclude the light of God from the entire congregation.”—Id., Vol. III, p. 265.
St. Petersburg, Fla.
The Way of Righteousness
“IN the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.”
I Peter 3:22: “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God.”
“Hallowed be thy name.”
Deut. 5:11: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”
“Thy kingdom come.”
Rev. 11:15: “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.” Rev. 22:12: “And, behold, I come quickly.”
“Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
Phil. 2:13: “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
Matt. 4:4: “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
Luke 6:36, 37: “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.” Matt. 6:14. “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
“Lead us not into temptation.”
2 Peter 2:9: “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.”
“But deliver us from evil.”
Jer. 1:8: “Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.”
“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.”
I Chron. 29:11: “Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.”
“Amen.”
Matt. 21:22: “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
“Prayer in the hand of faith is the key that unlocks the storehouse of heaven,” but there are many who are careless as to the manner of their praying. In giving us an example of a perfect prayer, the Saviour left this word of caution: “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” And then he adds, “After this manner therefore pray ye.”
Syracuse, N. Y.
Advance in Central China
By A. C. Selmon, M. D.
A. C. SELMON, M. D.
DURING the last quarter of 1915 there were one hundred and thirty-four converts baptized in the provinces of Honan, Hupeh, Hunan, and Kiangsi. The membership of the Sabbath schools in these four provinces at the close of the year was larger by three hundred and forty-two than at the close of the third quarter.
The work of the colporteurs and of Evangelist Djeng has stirred up such an interest in the southern part of the province of Kiangsi that it will soon be imperative that we open a station in that part of the province.
The interest in the province of Shen-si, to the north of the capital, centers in a place known as Gospel Village. If such an interest existed in any State in America, workers would be sent there immediately. The interest demands the attention of a foreign worker. But in all central China we have but two ordained foreign ministers and two licensed foreign ministers who can itinerate, and their hands are already more than full with the many interests to be looked after in Honan, Hupeh, Hunan, and Kiangsi.
Victories in Szechuan, China
By F. A. Allum
F. A. ALLUM
OUR mission work in this great province, with its 68,000,000 people, is moving along slowly but surely. We do not find this an easy field, for Satan has securely bound the people in chains of sin that are not easily broken. There is more drunkenness and smoking and immorality here than in other parts of China where we have worked. Since our chapel was opened, a little over a year and a half ago, more than five hundred robbers have been executed just outside the Tung Yuan gate. Executions have also taken place in other parts of the city, but of these we have no record. Similar conditions prevail in all the large cities of Szechuan, and one would think that the robbers would soon be exterminated; but rather they seem to multiply, terrorizing the villages and market towns.
However, in spite of these difficulties, God’s Spirit is gathering out from the darkness of heathenism persons who, we think, are going through to the kingdom of God; and a church is being built up which will, we believe, stand the “test of fire.” Our present church membership is fourteen. This number could have been much larger had we baptized all who were desirous of baptism, but we have tried to receive into the church only those who manifest that the Spirit of God is working upon their hearts and changing their lives. Another class will shortly go forward in baptism, perhaps six or seven. None of these have been members in any other church, but are those who formerly bowed down to heathen idols.
We have recently secured a new chapel, in the center of Chungking, on a very busy street. Day by day the hall has been crowded to its utmost capacity with interested listeners. As we have appealed to them to give their hearts to God, and receive salvation through Christ’s atoning sacrifice, many have given in their names, stating that they were desirous of studying further the gospel message. We hope to see some become true, loyal Christians. We have chapels in two other towns where good interests are being developed.
THE CHUNGKING BOYS' SCHOOL
We are operating this year three day schools, with an enrolment of seventy three. In Chungking we have one boys’ school with thirty-one students and a girls’ school with twenty-five. We have another school at a near-by town, opened after repeated requests from the parents. We are earnestly praying that through these schools many of these bright Chinese children shall be led to give their hearts to Jesus, before they become hardened by the sin and wickedness around them. Mrs. Allum, in addition to the care of her own three boys, is carrying a burden on her heart to make these schools soul-saving agencies. We should receive help soon, and we trust that some consecrated single woman or women will come here and devote their lives to this important work.
Brother M. C. Warren has reported the splendid success of our canvassing work, which is self-supporting. We now have three colporteurs in the field, and hope soon to have a fourth. Two of these have just started for the city of Hochau. This city, only a few days ago, was in the hands of brigands, who burned part of it. However, our devoted workers, fearing none of these things, are on their way to this city with our truth-laden literature. Later they will canvass all the cities which are situated on the three rivers that enter the Kialing River at or near Hochau.
We earnestly request all to pray for the work in these far-off fields, first, that our workers, both native and foreign, may have added consecration in their work; and second, that God will soon give us additional workers, that we may be able quickly to spread the message of a soon-coming Saviour to the remotest parts of Szechuan, and even to the borders of Tibet.
