The master is very patient,
And over and over again
To the mocking-bird he whistles
The notes of the same refrain.
But when the sweet bird-carols
Break forth in joyous song,
There are notes of the meadow-lark in it,
That she sings when the days are long.
There’s a bobolink’s lilting lyre
When the apple blossoms are sweet,
There’s a strain the yellowbird warbles
At the time of the ripening wheat.
There’s the tinkling fall of the water
Rippling along the ground;
So the music is only a medley,
A medley of beautiful sound.
Then the room is shrouded in darkness,
The glorious sunlight’s gold
Is shut away from his vision;
The soft, white mists that rolled
Each morning above the meadows,
The sound of the brooklet’s fall,
The call of the happy wild birds —
Ah, how he misses them all!
How lonely he is in the darkness!
But he hears the beautiful strain
Of the one song over and over;
He tries it again and again,
Until at last he has learned it,
Alone in the darkness there,
And ever after can sing it
Whether skies are dark or fair.
Ah, heart, has the patient Master,
Who would teach thee a wondrous
song,
Shrouded thy life in darkness,
All other sweet sounds withdrawn?
O listen, then, to the music
Till the song fills all thy soul,
Then life and lips shall sing it
While the ceaseless ages roll.
East Burke, Vt.
The Little Housekeepers’ Club
By Hilda Richmond
“It worries me more than I can tell you, mother, to have to leave you with all this responsibility,” said Mrs. Packer, as she nervously wrote down necessary directions about her household in a small note-book. “If father didn’t absolutely need me, I don’t see how I could go away just now. Mattie! come right back here with that brush and do the work right. You will find the children like to sneak out of their tasks,” she went on, as ten-year-old Mattie sulkily went at the carpet-protector under the stove again, “but you must be firm. It really seems to me that I have less trouble when I do the work myself, but I think they must learn all these things. What is it, Carl? No, you can not go off to play till every bit of the wood is piled up in the shed. It doesn’t make a bit of difference if they are waiting. You should have done it this morning, as I told you.”
“We’ll get along first-rate,” said old Mrs. Packer, cheerfully. “You don’t worry the least bit, or you will not be able to help take care of your sick father. The children will be a great help with the work.”
“I don’t know about that,” said her daughter-in-law, doubtfully. “I am afraid they will impose upon you. Yes, you may go, Mattie; though you don’t deserve to, for banging the door when I called you back. Aren’t you ashamed to show grandma what a naughty girl you can be?”
Mattie did not reply, and presently her mother was deep in the list of things the children would have to do during her absence. She did not say to the peaceful old lady knitting by the fire that she expected the entire routine of the household to be upset while she was away, but in her heart she confidently expected this result, for her mother-in-law was too easy-going to keep the four lively children within bounds, she feared. Her father had suddenly been taken ill, and she was summoned to her old home with scarcely a day to get ready or make plans for the well-being of her family. Between anxiety for her father and worrying about her family, she departed, and Mrs. Packer, senior, was left in charge of things at twilight of a cold winter day.
Every letter Mrs. Packer wrote home during the anxious days that followed was filled with directions and exhortations to the children to “mind grandma and be good,” while old Mrs. Packer was urged to be firm and not let the boys and girls impose upon her. “It is very kind of you, mother, to assure me that everything is getting along all right,” she wrote, “but I can not help feeling worried, for I know how the children are. They do not mean to be disobedient and careless, but are like all boys and girls. You must make them mind and do their work if you expect any peace.”
It was a solemn and joyful moment when the doctor said, “Your father is on the road to recovery, Mrs. Packer. In a few days he will be out of all danger.”
“I am so glad,” said Mrs. Packer, with happy tears. “I feel that I must go home as soon as possible, for my children will be utterly spoiled if I stay here much longer. They have been six weeks in the charge of the most indulgent grandmother that ever lived, and I am afraid it will take a year to undo her work. She is a dear old lady, but her ideas of discipline have changed wonderfully since she brought up her own boys and girls.”
“Maybe they have changed for the better,” said the doctor, quietly. “You mothers have not enough patience with the children, while grandmothers are mellowed by age and experience till they are better fitted to guide and control the restless bodies and minds.”
“That sounds very well, but in actual life it will not do,” laughed Mrs. Packer. “My husband thinks I am too firm with our children, but I tell him he ought to be shut up in the house some rainy day with them to see what I endure. If my children are changed for the better through their grandmother’s mild methods of dealing with them, I will gladly follow her plan; but don’t count on hearing that they are.”
“Well, we doctors would have less to do if mothers governed less—or rather, talked less about governing,” said the wise doctor. “They spend their energy and strength scolding and arguing, instead of ruling their little kingdoms by love.”
“A beautiful theory,” said Mrs. Packer, “but as I said, entirely out of place with noisy boys and girls.”
It was late in the twilight of another cold day that Mrs. Packer arrived at her home and found a warm supper waiting for her. “It is so good to be home,” she said, looking at the dear, familiar faces once more. “Mother, your biscuits are just splendid. I never feel the least bit jealous when James praises them, for I know you make better ones than I can.”
“Thank you, Maggie,” said Mrs. Packer, senior, with a kindly smile, while Fred choked over his glass of milk, and Mattie looked resolutely at her plate to hide a smile. “How do you like the baked potatoes?”
“They are delicious—everything is perfect,” said Mrs. Packer. “At father’s they have to depend upon the housekeeper for everything, and the cooking doesn’t taste the same. I enjoy your baked apples so much, and all the good things you prepared. I am afraid you did too much while I was away.”
“The children got supper,” said grandmother, with a twinkle in her eye. “They prepared everything themselves.”
“The children! Impossible! They always hated to do the little tasks about the kitchen, so I put off teaching them to cook even simple things.”
“Grandma started a Little Housekeepers’ Club for us, and it’s the most fun, mama,” explained Esther. “Carl is president, and I am secretary. Mattie made the biscuits this evening, and Carl the coffee, and Fred baked the potatoes. Grandma didn’t do a thing but sit in a rocking-chair and tell us a few things.”
“I had to tell them very few things,” said grandma. “Esther forgot to say that she made the gingerbread. You may sit in the rocking-chair after supper, and see how we manage the evening work. The treasurer and the vice-president are to do the dishes this evening, I believe.”13
Everything went well till the vice-president broke a saucer in her anxiety to show how well and rapidly she could wipe the dishes. A sharp reproof rose to Mrs. Packer’s lips, but before she could say a word, grandma spoke cheerily, “Never mind, dear. Accidents will happen.”
“Yes, and it was only an old saucer,” said Mrs. James Packer, wondering why sharp words came so readily to her lips. “I think you have done very well this evening—all of you.” The look of grateful surprise that came into her little girl’s eyes brought quick tears to those of the mother. “The poor little thing seemed to expect something in the way of punishment,” she thought, as the evening work was speedily finished. “Perhaps James and the doctor are right, and I am too severe.”
After the children were in bed that night, Mrs. Packer heard all about the Little Housekeepers’ Club. “The children really enjoy doing their work, Maggie, and they do it well for little folk. You must remember that Mattie is only ten, and the rest younger, so they can not be perfect. They have broken a few dishes, and have done some things entirely wrong, but it doesn’t pay to find fault. I always try to find something to praise, even if only the endeavor to work. You have very good children, and they love you sincerely,” said the wise old lady.
“I don’t believe in hiring children to do things,” said the younger lady, feeling the foundations of all her cherished theories crumbling. “Esther said you gave them little prizes for their cooking, and Carl showed me a new jackknife you bought for him when he put the woodhouse in good order and split all the kindlings without being reminded.”
“That isn’t hiring them,” said the old lady, promptly. “Maggie, do you like to have your cooking praised?”
“Certainly, mother. I think all housekeepers have that weakness, so I might as well confess.”
“Well, then, what praise is to you, the bright pennies and little prizes and permission to make their favorite dishes are to your children. Just suppose you were hurrying to go shopping or attend a meeting, and slighted some of your tasks a little to get an early start, and some person bigger and stronger made you come back and do everything over again. I have seen you call Mattie back to some tasks when her schoolmates were waiting, and then wonder why she pouted and slammed the doors. I did give the children little prizes, and they enjoyed them wonderfully. I can see now how many things I might have done for my children, but it is too late, so I am trying all my new plans on my grandchildren. Forgive me, Maggie, if I have spoken too plainly. I hope you will not find the children spoiled by having me with them six weeks.”
“The children are all right; it is their mother who needs reforming,” said Mrs. Packer, with tears in her eyes. “You did not speak too plainly, mother. I think we will continue the Little Housekeepers’ Club, and I will join it myself. Sometimes my cakes fall and my biscuits are heavy, so it will do me good as well as the children.”
“The offices are all gone,” laughed the old lady, much relieved, “but you can come in as the only plain member. I am sure you will find life much better and happier for our little club, my dear.”
And when friends and neighbors remarked about the fondness of the Packer children for their home, and the ease with which their mother guided and trained them, that happy woman gave grandmother and her club ample credit.
—Hilda Richmond.
Household Helps
Buy flake camphor (five cents a pound), and to every pound add two bags common table salt, mix thoroughly and sprinkle thickly all over the floors where fleas are.
Bird seed is sure to attract mice. A deep ruffle tied tightly under the cage and held over the feed cups by an elastic will help appreciably. When a new box of seed is opened, it should be emptied into a clean tin box, and the seed poured into the cup through a large funnel. In this way none is wasted, and there is no invitation to four-footed partakers.
An effective implement for removing the burned crust from a cake so unfortunate as to require treatment is a flat grater. It is far better than a knife in that it does the work more evenly, and leaves a smoother surface for the all-enveloping mantle of the charitable icing.
Books with delicate bindings, which have become soiled through much handling, can be satisfactorily cleaned by rubbing with chamois skin dipped in powdered pumice stone.
As the leaves from the lawn are raked up, they should be put in a large wooden box; a layer of dirt, one of leaves and some well-rotted manure with a little sharp sand. In the spring the leaf mold will be ready and superior to that from nature’s own hand.
When the lace curtains are ready to be washed, baste a narrow strip of muslin along each outer edge, and let it remain until the washing and drying process is completed, and you will find your curtains are straight, and do not sag as usual.—Selected.
The Baby’s Comfort
A WRITER in an exchange says, most sensibly: “If babies could speak, how many piteous complaints we should hear of the annoyances given them by well-meaning visitors! So many people rush up to an infant, talk nonsense in a loud voice, or cover him with kisses. Sometimes the tiny victim will scream and refuse to be pacified until the mother or nurse rescues him from his tormentor; sometimes he stands it in silence. But very few babies like sudden familiarity from strange persons. By the end of the fourth month, they can generally recognize people, and while it is well to accustom them to the sight of strangers, they should not be subjected to the shock of being caught into unfamiliar arms, or shouted at by unfamiliar voices. Do not allow the little baby to be violently tossed into the air in order to make him laugh and crow. Baby is a very delicate creature, and should be handled very delicately and gently. Do not allow ‘romps’ with the baby just before bedtime. His playtime should be just after his morning nap. We are warned that babies should not be kissed on the mouth. Consumption, diphtheria, throat diseases, mouth diseases, and many other dreadful things may be contracted—and frequently are—in this way. It is very hard to resist kissing a baby, but the baby has rights of his own, and his health and happiness are of far greater importance than our pleasure. Be good to the baby.”—Selected.
A Costly Drink
EVIDENCE was presented recently, in the probate court of Des Moines, Iowa, of an act which changes the ownership of an estate. A wealthy citizen of Des Moines made a will bequeathing one of his farms, said to be worth about four thousand dollars, and a legacy of twelve thousand dollars in cash, to a citizen of Bethlehem, N. Y., who married a relative of the testator. The one condition attached to the bequest was that the beneficiary should become a sober man, and should continue sober for a specified time. The time was approaching for a settlement of the estate, and the executors were preparing to install the legatee and pay over the legacy, when news reached them that he had indulged in a protracted drunk. An investigation was made, and the news was confirmed. They accordingly laid before the surrogate the evidence of forfeiture, and the bequest was declared canceled. How the man must reproach himself for the weakness and evil propensity which have entailed upon him so heavy a loss in money and property. It ought to prove a lesson to him, and lead him to reform. Lest a still more serious calamity befall him, as the apostle warns: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived; neither . . . thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards . . . shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Cor. 6: 9, 10.
— The Christian Herald.
The Meaning of Good Night
CHILDREN who are taught to say “A good night” to one another are likely to be better friends during the day. This practise is sometimes omitted, even in families where children are careful to say “good night” to their parents. It has been suggested that if children were taught the meaning of the phrase “Good night to you,” they would appreciate its value, and it would come more readily to their lips. “God” and “good” have the same root, and “Good night to you” is “God guard the night to you.”—Selected.
The Latin Union Field
By Louis Richard Conradi
L. R. CONRADI
OUR Latin Union Committee had its annual session at Gland, Switzerland, February 13-16. We were glad to have with us Elder Dexter, superintendent of the French Mission; Elder Tieche, president of the Roman-Swiss Conference; Elder Curdy, director of the French-Belgium Mission; and Dr. De Forest, Brethren J. Roberts, and J. Vuilleumier, together with the leading brethren of the Roman-Swiss Conference Committee—in all about twelve brethren.
As we reviewed the growth of the Latin Union field for 1906, all felt grateful for what the Lord had done, considering the difficulties under which our workers have been laboring.
The Roman-Swiss Conference had, during 1906, forty-eight additions. Of their nine evangelical workers, only two are ordained ministers, and one of these has had to give considerable time to school and editorial work. The tithe was $1,500 less than during the previous year, but in reality it showed a gain of $500 over 1905, as that year $2,000 had been given by one sister as extra tithe. Their other gifts have also risen. Small as the Roman-Swiss Conference is, it pays two tithes to the Latin Union, toward missionary operations in the union mission fields, and it supports the editor and teacher; and still that conference had a slight surplus when it closed its accounts for 1906. What this field lacks is more bright, promising young help, to go forth and extend the message. Now, for the first time since its separation from German Switzerland, the Roman-Swiss Conference has a membership of over five hundred.
France proper has also had quite a prosperous year. There were thirty-eight additions, and the membership rose to two hundred and two. Their tithe and offerings also show an increase, and Elder Dexter is of good courage in the work. The growth is not simply confined to the southern part of the country, but we are thankful that God has blessed the efforts of Brother Augsbourger in Paris, so that quite a good, solid company is growing up in that great city. We have thirteen evangelical workers, and five canvassers in the field.
As for Spain, we can also see God's hand in the progress of the work there. Last year there were eight additions in that country. Our membership arose from six to eighteen. There are now the two Brethren Bond and three canvassers at work there. We have a good start in Barcelona, and are beginning at Valencia. Their tithe and offerings show a gain.
As for Portugal, that mission had its first baptism last year, and no less than six were baptized by Elder Schwantes, so that, including the increase in membership made by the arrival of Elder Schwantes' family, the number of believers in the Portuguese field arose from two at the beginning to eleven at the end of the year. Their tithes and offerings also materially increased. We are located in Oporto and in Lisbon. There was one canvasser at work the latter part of the year.
There were two additions to our membership in Italy, bringing their total up to forty. There is a decline in their tithe, but an increase in their offerings. Important changes have taken place here. While Elder Everson is working with several other laborers in Rome, and a school has been opened there, Brethren Fant and Benezet are laboring in Turin and in the Waldensian Valleys. We have five gospel workers in Italy.
In French Belgium there were three baptisms during the year, and their membership was increased to twenty-seven. There is also a nice growth in tithe. Besides Elder Curdy, there is one canvasser there.
In Algeria Brother and Sister Jesperson have been trying to scatter the seeds of truth, and several persons have begun to keep the Sabbath, and expect soon to become members. At the time of the council, the committee thought it might be well for Elder Dexter to visit Algeria soon, to baptize those who are ready for baptism, and to see what further ministerial help should be provided for the field.
If we consider the Latin Union as a whole, during 1906 there were 105 additions in the field, bringing up their membership from 730 to 801, with a tithe of $8,172, or over ten dollars a member. Their offerings amounted to about $1,800. There are now thirteen gospel workers and thirteen canvassers in the field. Their sales have been rather small ($1,775), but several of the canvassers began late in the year, and, aside from the work done in French Switzerland, most of the canvassing will bring in small returns.
Our school at Gland, in charge of Elder Vuilleumier, has had about twelve students; but all these young people went out into the field as nurses, Bible workers, or colporteurs, at the close of their school year. With the development of our work, of course we expect that the school will also grow; but as we receive word from young people in Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal who desire an education, but have not the means to pay their way, we see that there is great need of our securing some way whereby we may help these worthy young people to get such a training as will fit them for the service they can render in the waiting harvest-fields of the world.
Although we are but fairly starting, yet the sanitarium has had the best patronage it ever had, even including its history in Basel. After paying its rent to the Philanthropic Society (which owns the Gland property), the loss of the sanitarium proper was the smallest it ever has been, amounting to about $600. After meeting all the current expenses from the gain of the health food factory, there was still a surplus of about $500. The Philanthropic Society as owners of the property were also able to gain a little over $1,000. While our total investment at Gland is about $95,000, we have been able to bring up our capital to about $38,800, so that we still have quite a task before us in bringing our institutional work there onto the proper financial basis.
As to our publishing work, we are thankful to our brethren for their efforts in behalf of the circulation of our literature. The French paper now has a circulation of about five thousand, and, as we are getting out suitable books, we find that there is also an increase in our book sales. Although the International Tract Society, at Geneva, has a capital of only a little more than five thousand dollars, yet it shows a gain of over $300 last year.
The Latin Union Committee was very harmonious and united in all its actions, and all the brethren feel hopeful for the outlook before them during the coming year. In all the fields a beginning has now been made.
The total expenses of the union and the mission fields for 1906 were about $13,100, $5,650 of which was made up by the income of the union, while the appropriation called for from the States was $7,458. If we remember that this money was to help forward the third angel's message in the missions in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Algeria, France, and Belgium, with a population of nearly 110,000,000, it would seem that surely the help rendered is small in proportion to the number of people who are to be reached. We are thankful that the force of workers is gradually increasing, and that the prospects for the future are brighter than ever before. Let us all remember the Latin Union in our prayers, and by our hearty support.
Hamburg, Germany.
C. D. AC MOODY
By C. D. A. Moody
Turkey
C. D. AC MOODY
The writer has now been in Turkey three months. Turkey is a country in which the nations of the world are especially interested. Constantinople, its capital, stands as a great divide between the obscure and distant East and the enlightened, expansive West. Here is where Oriental and Occidental life meet. No place stands as so impressive a landmark of political and ecclesiastical struggles. It has been the objective point of the world's greatest generals. Nature has endowed it with surroundings which make it a natural stronghold.15
The accompanying illustration is that of the main bridge across the mouth of the “Golden Horn,”—a projection from the Bosporus,—with part of the Turkish, or Stambül section of Constantinople—the site of the ancient city of Byzantium. Probably in no place in the world is there a greater number of nationalities represented, and a greater variety of costumes seen at any and all times than on this pontoon bridge. Constantinople is classed as one of the most picturesque cities in the world. Her many Mohammedan mosques, with their massive domes and spiral minarets looming up before the eye, present a most fascinating view. But a great contrast is presented to all this when her dirty, narrow streets are traversed, most of which are but little better than alleys. On either side of the Bosporus loom up mountains whose tops and sides are strewn with ruins of the past. These are interspersed with modern villages and suburbs of Constantinople. Along the shores, mostly on the European side, the summer homes of many Europeans are located; also the summer residences of the principal foreign ambassadors.
While the nations in their race for supremacy are focussing much attention upon the Ottoman field in the interests of empire, there is an organization on earth which is, or to say the least should be, vastly more interested in the things relating to Turkey's present and future. That organization is the church of God that bears to the world the message of the second advent of the Messiah. We are proclaiming this advent message to the world solely upon the authority of God's prophetic word. And the last earthly power depicted in prophecy is that power of which it is said, ‘He shall come to his end, and none shall help him.’ The nation over which floats the crescent banner of the sultan is that power. Not only do Seventh-day Adventists believe in the early departure of the Turkish authority from Constantinople, but some of the Mohammedans themselves look for this. Everything shows that these final acts in earth's drama will soon take place.
A thing worthy of notice in this connection was brought to the attention of the writer upon a recent trip into the edge of Asia Minor. Within the past few months quite a company of people from the Transcaucasian district between the Black and Caspian Seas have come to Ismidt,—old Nicomedia,—bringing with them all they possess. Some of them have considerable wealth. When asked if they were going to settle in Ismidt, they replied that they would settle nowhere at present permanently. They stated that they had come to be prepared to go with their leader when he leaves Constantinople to go to Jerusalem. As they are faithful adherents to the Mohammedan faith, the sultan of Turkey is their spiritual head. In fact, it is quite generally believed by many Mussulmans that the seat of government is to go to the south country soon.
In the February number of the Contemporary Review, Mr. Edwin Pears, in an article entitled “Macedonia and the Neutralization of Constantinople,” speaks in the following peremptory terms regarding the relation of Turkey to the powers of Europe:—
MAIN BRIDGE ACROSS THE GOLDEN HORN, CONSTANTINOPLE
“Once it is understood that England has a definite policy in Constantinople, of which neutralization forms an essential part, I should anticipate that all the Western powers, and sooner or later Turkey and Russia themselves, would recognize its reasonableness. The time is rapidly approaching, whether a conference be called shortly or not, when Europe will be compelled to assist in making new arrangements for Turkey.”
In view of all these things, it is high time we were availing ourselves of every opportunity and resource to impart to the millions of Mohammedans this last message of salvation. We of all people have something to impart. I shall not speak of the many obstacles to be encountered in pursuing aggressive work in this country. I shall speak only briefly of personal experiences in the field since coming here, of the evidences of God's leading, and of some of the great needs here.
The strongest constituency of our people in the Turkish Mission is in the edge of Asia Minor within a radius of ninety miles of Constantinople. After passing through customs and Turkish passport “red tape,” the first company I visited was our church at Bardizag. This is the largest church in all the mission field. Bardizag is located across the bay (which is an arm of the Sea of Marmora) from Ismidt. Ismidt is upon the site of the old Nicomedia, which was the first Roman capital in the East.
I found that the dear believers in this place had for some time been anxiously waiting for some one to come to them. The way I was welcomed by them can be appreciated only by those who have gone on a similar mission to isolated companies in the mission fields. I found them for the most part strong in the faith. About two hours' journey on horseback from this place, at Ouajük, is another company of believers whom I visited later. Being reasonably near together, these two companies are under one church organization, having a total membership of seventy. It is likely that in a very short time they will be divided, and each have its own organization. Bardizag is an Armenian village of ten thousand inhabitants. All these people live within the limits of the space required for a village of that many hundred in America.
The trip from Bardizag to Ouajük, with my interpreter, was made on horseback over the rough mountain path; for there is not a wagon road leading to the latter village from any direction. This seems all the more strange when we find that the village has a population of three or four thousand. We carried with us on a packhorse sufficient charcoal for fuel to last us ten days, as there was none to be had at Ouajük. Be assured it was a new experience for the writer, who, with the other laborers in the home land, has been used to steam railroads, or at least a carriage of some description. It was extremely novel and interesting however. Two of the brethren accompanied us to look after the horses and luggage.
This was a very profitable trip. All had many questions to ask, and each seemed anxious to know the truth. We were with them over two Sabbaths. The second Sabbath communion service was held, and all expressed a desire for reconsecration to God. It is touching to see these poor believers, some of whom have to labor hard all day for four or five piastres (sixteen or twenty cents), contribute of their means as best they can for the furtherance of the gospel message, which they love.
My first experience in conducting a communion service in this country was at Ada Bazar. This is located on the railroad about twenty-five or thirty miles east of Ismidt. At this place there is a good little company of believers, which, with several families from a neighboring village, numbers twenty-one. On Friday the brethren from this latter village came to Ada Bazar, and all remained together over Sabbath and Sunday. Sabbath two meetings were held, besides the communion service. But what a strange communion service it was to me! About me the sisters were seated on rugs16thrown upon the floor, while most of the brethren were on a kind of settee which is a permanent fixture in the houses of most villagers, and which extends across two sides of the room.
It was a blessed occasion to all of us. With great reverence these dear people ate of the bread and drank from the cup upon which we had asked the Saviour's blessing. They were much encouraged, and were determined to press forward. At all the places visited many an hour has been spent after the evening study answering their eager questions; sometimes till late into the night.
For nearly three weeks I have been in Constantinople. A blow has come to the work here in the death of Dr. A. W. George, who established our medical work in this city, and who also had the burden of looking after the field work in Asia Minor. He is another standard-bearer fallen. We feel keenly the loss. At present there is no one to pick up his branch of the work and carry it forward. We are seeking God earnestly for light and help at this time, and that he will open the way that means and the proper person may be supplied to take up the work of the one who has fallen at the post of duty.
Here in a field with a population equal to that of the five Lake States comprising the Lake Union Conference, with South Dakota added, there are but seven workers, including the writer. And this is only one of the three divisions of the Levant field. Beyond Turkey stretches Persia, whose borders have not been crossed. Though I have not been long enough in this field to write intelligently of work in detail, enough has been seen and experienced to make me believe that the recent move on the part of the Mission Board to make a special effort for the whole Levant field has not come too soon. A few days ago a letter was received from a city in Armenia, southwest of the Transcaucasus, pleading for some one to come to them. They report some to be baptized, and an interest among the people. This field is ripening for the final harvest.
There is a great work to be done for the people who speak the language of the Koran—Arabic—and the languages akin to it—the Turkish and Persian. I do not believe I am speaking untimely in urging upon some of our bright young people the idea of preparing for work in these fields. May the present move result in a speedy opening up of all parts of the vast territory now within the pale of Mohammedanism. Within these confines the early church had its beginning. And so surely in this territory earth's history shall close, and that, when this gospel of the kingdom shall have been preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations. Let no man turn his back or lay down his armor, till the victory is won, and the last page of earth's history is completed.
Constantinople.
Mission Notes
A common practise of self-torture in India is to pierce the body with large needles.
When a missionary gospel is preached in the pulpit, then the people will give, and their sons and daughters will go.—Mateer.
In speaking of the slave traffic in the Pacific islands, John G. Paton estimates that seventy thousand of these islanders have been taken for slaves.
When Mackay went to Uganda, in company with other missionaries, in reply to the chairman’s farewell address, and he said he wished to impress on the minds of the committee the probability of their hearing within six months that death had removed one of their number. The words were startling in solemnity, and amid profound silence he went on to say, “Yes, is it at all likely that eight Englishmen should start for Central Africa and all be alive six months afterward? One of us at least—it may be I—will surely fall before that. But what I want to say is this: When that news comes, do not be cast down. Send some one immediately to take the vacant place.” Within three years, seven of the eight had either died or been invalided home, and Mackay was the only survivor of the band.
