Earlier text: QUESTION CORNER“CAN’T BUY FOR CASH.”
By H. F. Phelps
Certain Master Plumbers in St. Paul Can Not Secure Supplies. Master Plumbers’ Society Said to be at the Bottom of a Combine to Freeze Out Non-members. SUCH were the prominent headlines of a two-column article in a recent morning paper in the city of St. Paul, Minn. It appears that some nine years ago the master plumbers of the city formed an organization for the laudable purpose of mutual benefit, such as might accrue to members of the organization in legitimate trade. In course of time new measures were adopted, till it has become a combine by which prices have advanced nearly one hundred per cent., which increase, of course, came out of the consumer. All seemed to go well until certain leaders who were deepest in the plot, determined that it was the duty of all master plumbers in the city to become members of the organization. This led to the resolution to drive all who refused to let others dictate as to their duty, out of the business. In order to accomplish their purpose, they entered into a further combine in a grand boycott, not to sell goods to non-members, even for the cash. This last move resulted in an explosion, the end of which is not yet. But the movement has a moral, to which the writer would call the attention of the reader and student of the Bible. For more than fifty years Seventh-day Adventists have applied the symbol of Rev. 13:11–17, to the Government of the United States, claiming that, according to the indications of the prophecy, this government would yet become a persecuting power, in the making of an image to the beast, and enforcing Sunday observance by authority of statute laws. They no longer say these things are coming, but they are now here. The very embryo, at the least, of the image to the beast, is in the Supreme Court decision that “this is a Christian nation.” And life has been given to the image, by that national edict of the congress of 1892, in proclaiming to the world that the papal Sunday is the Sabbath of the nation, by that noted act forbidding the opening of the gates of the World’s Fair on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday. And recent experiences of Seventh-day Adventists, in at least ten different states, suggest that persecution may yet become general without a national Sunday law. In all this it becomes quite evident that the demands of the National Reformers for an amendment of the national Constitution and a national Sunday law, may never be realized. This is to say that their schemes may not be crystallized into national laws; for the machinery is all here by which they may accomplish their desires, and the prophecy be completely fulfilled without that. These men have themselves said that “all that the National Reform Association seeks, all that this department of Christian politics works for, is to be found in the development of that royal truth, ‘This is a Christian nation.’” In other words, let that Supreme Court decision be carried to its ultimatum, and the prophecy will be fulfilled to its utmost, even so far as that no man shall buy or sell, even for the cash, except he shall have the mark of the beast. Some have thought that there would be a change of the national Constitution; but it is all in the development of that “royal truth.” Some have reasoned that probably the time would never come when men could not purchase the actual necessities of life for the cash, but that the rights of citizenship would be taken away, so that they could not buy or sell real estate. But the reader will notice that there is no such limitation indicated in the prophecy. It evidently covers the whole ground, “Can’t buy for cash,” except those who shall belong to the great combine, and receive the mark of the beast. Now let us see what the probabilities are before us, and the moral of the tale at the beginning of this article. A decision has been rendered that “this is a Christian nation.” Next the Congress of this “Christian nation” has decided by solemn legislative enactment that the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, is the sabbath of this “Christian nation,” and the “Christian courts” are enforcing its observance. In line with all this we see certain great organizations of Christians, organized before the nation was declared to be a legal Christian nation, organized for Christian purposes, working for Christian temperance and for the advancement of the cause of Christianity. All these were laudable objects, and their efforts worthy of encouragement so long as they adhered to first principles, that of advancing Christianity by Christian methods. But contemporary with and following the legal acts of making this a legal Christian nation, all of these great organizations at once partook of this legal spirit of a legal Christianity becoming religio-political; and every one of them have declared themselves in favor of the legal Sunday sabbath, and its enforcement by statute laws. Thus they are a unit in the work, and, inasmuch as there is a united sentiment among them, how easily they could enter into a grand combine to boycott, refusing to sell, even for the cash, to any one who will not become a member of the organization and keep the nation’s Sunday sabbath. Then what do we have?—A complete fulfillment of the prophecy. Not even the actual necessities of life can be bought under such a general boycott, even for the cash. It is suggested that such a thing can not be; look still further at the inspiration of such a movement. There is nothing within a man so strong as religious sentiment. If men will combine and refuse to sell, even for cash, when prompted with the desire of gain, what will they not do when prompted by religious enthusiasm? Let all these great organizations which have allied themselves to the nation’s sabbath, and who are moved with an intensity of desire to make the nation truly Christian according to their ideas of Christianity, and believing that in the observance of the nation’s sabbath is salvation to the nation, and that alone of all things will9 go far toward making the nation Christian, and stay the tide of evil that is constantly on the increase; let them meet the constantly increasing influence of those who keep the commandments of God, as by their life and example they are testifying to the world that there is no salvation in such a course, but only ruin to the nation and to all who are combined with such a course; let these, fired with a religious zeal bordering on fanaticism, and with a determination bent on securing the accomplishment of that which they really believe to be the only right and true course to pursue; let these decide that only one obstacle is in the way of the realization of their hopes, turn their efforts against this obstacle,—the commandment keepers, those who observe the true Sabbath,—and a general boycott in order to coerce the obstinate, would not be impossible, but would be a logical result of the course they have entered upon. When this course would fail, as it would, then they would be ready for the death decree. And that finale is not far away. Who will be ready? READY FOR THE MATCH.
By W. N. G.
In a recent brief report to our church paper, the Review and Herald, Elder N. W. Kauble, president of Colorado conference, says:— “Some months ago it was thought by some of our brethren that Colorado would probably be among the last of states to persecute, but to-day, in the city of Denver, we have one of the most wicked of Sunday laws; and while it is in a measure inoperative, we do not know how soon persecution may break out in great fury. One thing seems certain, and that is that Satan is now marshaling his hosts for the battle in Colorado. Among other things that lead us to anticipate that such is the case, is the fact that in the metropolis of the state he is now operating through the ‘healer,’ and by this means is casting an influence which tends to lead many souls to array themselves against the truth. How much we need the power of God to enable us to counteract this subtle influence of the enemy of all righteousness!” There is a volume in that paragraph, were it expanded to express all that it contains. The attention of the reader is called to these prominent points:— 1. Few of those who advocate, and still fewer of the legislators who enact, Sunday laws have any desire to persecute any class of people; therefore it is difficult for them to realize that they are furnishing the weapons to those who may at any time be wrought up to the pitch of vicious espionage of their neighbors, or a fanatical zeal for the “majesty of the law.” 2. Many advocate the enactment of Sunday laws merely from a sentimental idea that this “form of godliness” adds to the dignity and respectability of the state or municipality. They look upon such measures as a kind of advertisement of the moral status of the people, commending the locality to favorable consideration by the “better classes” seeking a change of residence. It is thought by many that the mere fact of the existence of a legal recognition of Sunday will give a good name abroad, and as this is one of the great ambitions of “public-spirited” men in these days of sectional or municipal rivalry, the Sunday law or Sunday-closing ordinance, as the case may be, is seized as one means of commendation. Men advocate and pass such measures who have not the least idea of their having any effect beyond the voluntary recognition of the people. Many advocates of such laws are actuated by political or business or social advantage, who have no idea themselves of adhering to them practically. Others seem to think them justifiable if only a few saloons may be closed upon that day, or part of the day, and they can not see, or refuse to see, the deep-seated possibilities of persecution that are hidden beneath. 3. The Sunday law, as has been the case in many states, may lie dormant for years, an apparently innocent ornament to the reputation of a community or state; and so long as public sentiment does not demand its active execution, it may be practically harmless. But it lies there like the charge of giant powder or dynamite, waiting the match or concussion, and sooner or later the explosion must come. Sometime zealous (or jealous) religionists, wanting in other available resources, will appeal to the law. They will want to find occasion against some other class whose ways are offensive to them, and they will find the Sunday law their most convenient resort. A vicious neighbor may desire to gratify a vindictive disposition and to annoy someone on account of a grudge or fancied injury, and the Sunday law is found a ready implement of revenge. The courts may see and acknowledge the injustice of the action, but the plea will be, We are here to execute the law, and we have no alternative. 4. “Satan is now marshaling his hosts.” It is now preëminently a day of deception. The very spiritual blindness that leads the multitude to seek the fraudulent “healer,” and to seek communion with the dead, and to seek moral reform by means of civil law, will also lead to the folly of enforced Sunday observance as evidence of marked social, political, and religious advancement. And such deception naturally leads to that last resort of religious despotism, “The end justifies the means;” so, when other means fail, persecution must follow. W. N. G. THE EVIDENCE THAT “THIS IS A CHRISTIAN NATION.”
By W. N. G.
Although in common parlance the word “Christian” is understood to mean one who professes to follow Christ, it is generally conceded that a true Christian is one who does follow Christ. He may not have attained perfection, but he is a willing learner, and by faith walks in the light as far and as fast as truth is revealed. To be a Christian there must be a yielding of the individual heart to Christ in response to the drawing influence of the Spirit of God. “No man can come to me,” says Christ, “except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” John 6: 44. When we see the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5: 22, 23), or the Spirit of Christ exemplified in any individual, we may safely say that he is a Christian. Of an association of such persons we may say that it is a Christian body. But the mere assertion by any human authority that any person, or any body of people, is Christian does not make it so. In fact, where the fruit is lacking, where the conduct is at variance with the profession, it is generally admitted that an assertion of Christian character is a false assertion. The Supreme Court of the United States has asserted that “this is a Christian nation.” The National Reform Association—whose aims are at present sustained in the main by all the religious reform associations and nearly all the churches—has seized upon this declaration of the Supreme Court and made it a kind of watchword in its work of so-called reform. This dictum of a human court is the crowning evidence adduced that this is a Christian nation. When we look for evidence of a practical nature, such as would be admitted in the case of an individual, the president of the association gives us the following:— “The Constitution of the United States is the first instrument of government in American history framed without any distinct acknowledgment of Almighty God. The silence of the Constitution at this point has tended to the practical exclusion of God and his law from the realm of political life. Recent revelations of municipal iniquities have astonished the world. Vice is shielded for a price. Many officers of the law are accomplices of criminals. Few, if any, of our cities are free from these developments of political corruption. Other departments of government are also infected. Bribery vitiates the purity of elections and purchases legislation from lawmakers. Both the state and the national governments are in league with the liquor traffic. We license it for the revenue it yields, and fill our treasuries with the price of blood. We have deeply corrupted the family. More than twenty thousand divorces are granted every year in the United States, most of them on insufficient grounds; and both for these unlawful separations and for the adulterous marriages which follow them, the state assumes responsibility by placing upon them the sanction of the law. Laws for the protection of the sabbath and for the suppression of blasphemy are openly and shamelessly violated. In many cities, and in some whole states, the word of God has been banished from the public schools, and a purely secular plan of education, with its atheistic tendencies, has been adopted. These facts are not denied. They are known of all intelligent men.” The foregoing is taken from a published “Call for a National Reform Convention to be held in Baltimore, Md., in the North Avenue Baptist Church, on December 12 and 13, 1895.” It is signed by the president and twenty-one prominent representatives from different sections of the country, all but one (Anthony Comstock) being ministers of various denominations, several of them college presidents, and all but three bearing the title D.D. Yet these men hold up to the world a “moral agent” with the above admitted characteristics, and proclaim it Christian. And in doing so they accept the word of a human tribunal in preference to the testimony of the word of God. W. N. G. TEMPORAL POWER OF THE POPE.
The Catholic Mirror of October 26 says that “the Holy Father does not wish territory in order to make converts by force of arms, but, merely, in order to be independent. . . . The temporal power and the independence of Italy are incompatible. The Holy Father is head of the whole church, and can not sacrifice her rights in the interests of one particular state.” The Mirror then quotes from the London Spectator, a supposedly Protestant paper, that which we print below. It will give our readers an idea of how some Europeans look upon the temporal power of the pope, and how at last its restoration may be considered necessary. “It is next to impossible that the pope should cease to desire an earthly sovereignty in the interest of his spiritual position. Signor Crispi’s notion that the inspiring motive of that desire must be ‘lust of power,’ or vanity, or greed, is utterly unfair. Leo XIII. may have any foibles the Italian Premier likes; but if he is faithful to his office, he must desire, wholly apart from the immense influence of tradition on his mind, what may be called physical independence, inviolability for himself, a punitive power over the great ecclesiastical establishments, and, moreover, a place in which he can set forth his idea of the right way to govern men. It is asserted every morning that he is independent now; but is that strictly true? Suppose the pope settled in Avignon, or Bonn, or Toledo, would the world regard him as independent of France or Germany or Spain? Yet, if invested with the privileges of an ambassador, he would be no more at the mercy of any of those states than he is now at the mercy of Italy. At this moment he is specially guarded by Italian police during the fêtes, lest the Anarchists or fanatic Liberals should make an attempt upon the Vatican or upon his personal safety.” “It is quite true that Italy, for the time, protects the pope conscientiously; but suppose the Great War to end to the disadvantage of France, and Italy to develop anti-clerical feeling—both of them at least possible occurrences—what would the independence of the pope be worth then? It would in Catholic eyes, at all events, be worth nothing at all, and it is Catholics, not Protestants, who are anxious that it should be preserved. It would be simply impossible under such circumstances for the pope to lay an interdict on Italy, so that his independence in the exercise of at least one spiritual power would be gone, probably forever. Popes do not nowadays lay interdicts. Quite true; and the British Parliament does not nowadays pass ecclesiastical laws; but suppose Parliament were forbidden by France, Germany, or America to pass them any more! Should we think the independence of Parliament unaffected?” “The desire of the Papacy for a kingdom of its own, beyond the possibility of justifiable human interference, seems to us perfectly natural, and from the papal standpoint perfectly justifiable. It can not be gratified because of the opposing conditions, just as the desire for Christian unity can not be gratified because of the opposing conditions; but it gives no just occasion for either anger or mockery, and it will not die away.” HER CRUSE OF OIL.
By Davis Dayton
My bitter cup to sweetness turn’d
When I had full submission learn’d. Mrs. Russell had been out to prayer meeting. It was Sabbath evening, and of late she had not often enjoyed this service; ill health and household duties had detained her at home. And now she threw aside her hat and wrap and sat down to meditate. A brother had spoken of the “widow’s cruse of oil” and how it was increased by the using thereof. And he commented thus: “We all have our cruse of oil,—abilities and opportunities that may be increased by the using of them. Nothing doubting, pour out the oil, and there will be enough to fill all the vessels at our command.” “What is my cruse?” asked our friend. “My talents are all used up right here at home. Our children are so young and so numerous, and we are so straitened in means, that I have no golden opportunities. The oil in my vessel is so far spent that it can not be increased.” And this truly highly favored servant of the Lord went into her prettily furnished room, and from thence to her comfortable bed, without one thought of gratitude to Him who had given it all. She fell asleep with the feeling that injury had been done her, and awoke in no better frame of mind. The gift of sleep, of watchful care, the comfortable home, the husband and children, and the ability to minister to these dear ones, were all counted as nothing so long as every circumstance was not moulded to suit her. There were daily annoyances, little everyday trials that must be removed ere she could be contented or appear so. And she went about the house with a gloomy countenance, a forbidding mien, and an unbridled tongue. “Circumstances are all against me,” she would exclaim. “If circumstances were different, I should be pleasant.” Ah, friend, if you wait for circumstances to be favorable to duty, you will wait forever! The Lord calls you to duty just where you are and just as you are situated. There were five children in the Russell household, naturally a bright, merry crew; but the mother, who should ever have been the guiding star of these children, was by her fretting and harshness continually doing them damage. Harold, the eldest, the one boy, was growing morose and silent and tyrannical with his sisters, and the younger ones were learning to quarrel, principally because their mother’s spirit was contagious. Arthur Russell, the husband and father of this flock, genial and pleasant in disposition and home-loving in nature, was now learning to like evenings spent at the club or other resort. Home was not pleasant when its presiding genius was ever out of tune. He was also growing less considerate of her to whom his sacred vows were plighted. To sum up all, when our friend began to cultivate a cross, grumbling spirit, she had little to grumble over; but thankfulness increases our hoard of blessings, while murmuring and discontent fast diminish them. We will give you a glimpse of this family as upon a bright October morning they sit at the breakfast table. Mr. Russell, a pleasant-faced, fine-featured man, sits opposite his companion, whose countenance is at present full of frowns. Her complexion is good, her features passable, but that true adornment, a smile, is wanting; therefore her face is unattractive. She is silently sipping her coffee, pausing now and anon to chide one of the children. These children—what a beautiful group! From fifteen-year-old Harold down to three-year-old Mabel we might almost say there is no blemish. Was not here wealth for any woman,—a good husband and this band of fine-looking children, and this in a comfortable home? Our friend is indisposed this morning, and ever makes indisposition a plea for ill-nature; and, as if this were not enough, she has discovered that Harold has injured his new suit. Therefore this Christian woman, with her casket of precious jewels before her eyes, comforts and luxuries all about her, and the golden sun kissing the bright heads around her and flooding the room with light, glorious light, sits in morose silence at her well-spread breakfast table, thus darkening the room despite Sol’s efforts to cheer her. The two younger children prattled over their food, but the mother’s gloomy mien affected all the other members of this group, bidding them feel that they were guilty or accounted thus. The father at length, addressing his boy, said, “Well, my hopeful, can you take charge in my absence?” The words were purposely cheerily spoken, that they might serve to break the reigning oppressiveness. Before the boy could frame an answer, the mother, in a surprised, injured tone, cried:— “Arthur, your absence? are you going off on another pleasure trip when you know how I dislike them?” “Why, Emma, dear, you know I told you yesterday that Youngs and myself were going out on a quail hunt and would be absent until to-morrow evening.” “You told me no such thing. I am positive you did not, Arthur.” “O, yes, I did, my dear! I would not go without consulting you, no, indeed.” “You never told me a word of the matter,” retorted Mrs. Russell sharply, “you did not think it worth while to tell me. You do not speak to me so often but that I can recollect what you do say. You have words of cheer and kindness for every one but your wife,” and here tears of self-pity coursed slowly down this misguided woman’s cheeks. Mr. Russell in distress exclaimed: “My dear one, how can you speak thus? You know I do not want to neglect you.” “Neglect me? you never take me out anywhere. In all of our sixteen years of married life you never planned a trip for me. I can stay at home and be nurse to your children while you go off on pleasure; other women can go, other wives have husbands to think for them, but I am simply a drudge, a nurse and servant, kept at cheapest rates. You never tell me anything you can keep from me, except something to trouble me, and you never do anything to please or even comfort me,” and Mrs. Russell’s tone was suited to her words. Without a word Mr. Russell sprang from his chair, snatched his hat, and hurried from the room, and an hour after, without a farewell to his wife, went away on the train. In consequence both were unhappy, he because he had not relented, she because her inward monitor accused her of unreasonableness. And yet when they again met, Mrs. Russell mingled reproaches with her greeting—his was all the blame, hers all the suffering. The cruse of oil was often before her mind; “I can do nothing that counts,” she would fretfully say, “shut in almost like a criminal; ill health and children are the chains that bind me. I can not increase my usefulness,” and these thoughts would make the poor woman more dissatisfied than before. When with wintry breath December came, another infant opened its eyes in the home; and just here the mother found great cause of complaint. “There was anything needed more than a baby in that house; and then another girl—a boy might have been welcomed, but they had more girls than their share prior to this arrival.” Was there no thankful cord struck in that mother’s heart? Did she feel no gratitude to Him who had guided her past danger and placed the gift of a well-formed infant in her arms? It seemed not, and when her husband strove to comfort her, he was reproached because he knew nothing of a mother’s cares, and therefore could not give sympathy. The new baby was not to be looked upon as a gift, but as a trial. Each new event was a matter of fault-finding, and this to the husband was an impetus in a downward stream. It defeated its own aims, added to his growing indifference. How could he have the same solicitude for his companion as if she were gentle and lovely? Alas, she wasted the oil in her cruse! The new baby proved to be a fretful child, and, with the added care and labor, the mother seemed to have scarce a pleasant word left for her dear ones. And the husband and father found home a dark, unattractive place, and the club room bright and pleasant. The wife fretted and censured and daily widened the breach between them. Mr. Russell was not a strong man where temptation was concerned, and in seeking outside of home for pleasure he fell into that alluring vice, gambling, in a small way, ’tis true, but dangerous, because his fondness for it rapidly increased. The wife could11 have held him to her with the strong chain of love, but in her blindness she drove him far from her. If he spent an evening at home, the time was occupied in hearing detailed accounts of his companion’s grievances—her trials with the children and servant, her deprivations, her poor health, and her unsympathizing husband. This was her daily theme, her evening plaint. And Russell fled the sound which so grated upon his ear. Though well meaning, he was not a Christian man, therefore in the more danger. Matters rapidly grew worse, the wife more rebellious and fault-finding, and the husband more engrossed with his vice. And Harold, the truly promising lad, was being led into bad company because not well guarded. A crisis came here, and all unexpectedly. It had been ascertained that somewhere in the vicinity a gang of counterfeiters were at work at their unlawful business, and the detectives were on their track. Mr. Russell had heard of this but had given it but little heed; it didn’t seem to concern him. At length, however, it was brought to his mind with keenness not to be forgotten. One evening it happened that as he and two of his friends were engaged in a game of win and lose, two strange men entered their rather private resort, making all apologies for so doing. “They were visitors in town, liked a game of cards, and had heard it could there be enjoyed.” They were cordially welcomed, staked large sums, lost, and yet seemed ever anxious to play again. Upon this evening of all others, Arthur Russell was the winning party. No one seemed so fortunate as himself; and he was induced to drink more freely than his wont. In the midst of the absorbing excitement of the game, the officers of the law came upon them and arrested the whole party, as being in connection with the counterfeiters. Russell was confounded; he was forced to spend the night with a set of ruffians, thieves, drunkards, and the like, and matters did not improve with morning light, for, when searched, in his overcoat pocket was found a great roll of counterfeit bills, and a small stamp recognized as a tool of the vile trade. The bills were the gains of the previous evening, but the stamp, he could give no account of that. He had never before seen it. It was vain to protest his innocence, evidence was strong against him, and, while his companions were set at liberty, he and the two strangers were lodged in jail. As soon as possible the poor man despatched a messenger to his wife, who in great trepidation hastened to his side. As soon as she understood matters, she sought for a friend to stand her husband’s surety, and, being successful in her quest, he was allowed to accompany her home. And now what did Mrs. Russell do—storm and rave as over small matters she was wont? Did she in bitterness complain of her hard lot and her wicked husband? Did she feel that the Lord had been unjust in thus dealing with her?—No; in distress and contrition she went to the Lord, and to him she told how she had driven her husband from home to spend his evenings where he could find a place more genial. She wept and lamented, ’tis true, but it was over her own sinfulness, her own rebelliousness. She asked her husband’s pardon, and tearfully promised to try to do better, and by the heavy stroke at length learned that her cruse of oil was submission, that by her want of submission she had greatly wasted the oil at her command. And when by grace she determined to be submissive to circumstances as they were, they changed as if by magic. The dear boy Harold was brought back to home influences; and the husband and father sought the Lord now that his chastisements were upon him. And when the all-important trial came, friends were raised up to help Mr. Russell, and he was acquitted—proven innocent. And when the overjoyed and grateful wife could unobserved do so, she, with her head upon her husband’s shoulder and her voice choking with emotion, said: “O my dear husband, help me to thank the Lord that he has been merciful to me in spite of my vile ingratitude! With my husband and my children about me I will henceforth strive to do good at home. If the Lord shuts me in from outside work, I still have my field of labor right here in the sweetest of all places, my home. I will henceforth pray that I may be filled with a spirit of thankfulness. I wonder that the Lord has spared my children to me: I have never been thankful for such precious gifts, but termed them ‘trials.’ They were placed in my arms by my heavenly Father, and I have forgotten to be grateful—grumbled over my God-given wealth. May Heaven pardon me.” Our friend strove to put down the fault-finding spirit as a base enemy, and cultivated a spirit of thankfulness and cheerful submission—thankfulness in prosperity and submission in trial.—N. Y. Observer. DON'T FORGET TO GREET THE LOVED ONES.
By Eliza Jones
WHEN the morning sunlight gleaming
Wakes each sleeping bud and flower,
And your own eyes ope' from dreaming,
Glad to greet the morning hour,
Take the sunbeams for your motto,
Greet the loved ones, one and all;
Never mind the trials coming,
God can sift them very small. Don't forget to greet the loved ones,
Every morning, noon, and night;
These are treasures bound for heaven;
Moth and rust can never blight. Kiss the lips of her who ever
Bears the burdens of the day;
Better that she sees you cherish
Such a tender, thoughtful way.
See the baby's bright eyes dancing
As they speak its fond delight;
Kiss the rosy lips at parting;
You may find them cold at night. And at noon and still at evening
Greet the loved ones, one and all,
From the aged mother, bending,
To the grandchild, timid, small;
Boisterous boy and smiling daughter,
All will bear a happier day,
All will sleep a sweeter slumber,
For this tender, loving way. Don't forget to greet the loved ones,
Morning, noon, and dewy eve,
Treasures bound on earth for heaven
Angels' fingers gladly weave. THE LITTLE MAN OF PAO-TING-FU AND THE GOSPEL.
By Albert P. Peck, M.D.
Years ago, while living at Pao-ting-fu, a little man made his appearance at my hospital with a large tumor on his neck. He had never seen a European before, but came with his mind fully made up for an operation, owing to reports he had heard of us in his country home from patients who had been at the hospital. Against the remonstrances of his friends and neighbors, he had sold his little property in order to get money to live on. His simple reply to these remonstrances was that his life was made a burden to him by his tumor, and he was going to try the foreign doctor, and, in the expressive idiom of his language, if he was “cured well” he could earn some more money, and if he was “cured dead” he wouldn’t need it. The foreign doctor tried to persuade him against so formidable and risky an operation, but without avail. Fortunately, he lived through it, and the healing of the wound went on normally until delayed by a rather severe attack of erysipelas. Before this danger had passed, he sent word by the gate keeper that he must go home, as his money was spent. I replied that he must on no account go then; that I would feed him myself; but the next morning he was missing. The gate keeper said he went with his little roll of bedding at daylight, saying that he was already greatly indebted to us for what we had done for him, and could not think of burdening our hospitality by eating our food. So he vanished into the unknown, from whence he came, and we concluded that he would probably die. Months afterward one of our colporters, reporting the incidents of a tour in a region seldom visited, asked me if I remembered such a man. I said I did, but supposed he was dead. He said no, he had found him alive and well, and preaching the Gospel at a fair. While in the hospital he had seemed very stupid; no one thought he had taken in much of the truth; but he had bought and paid for a little elementary book, and had learned to read it. The simple explanation had remained in his memory, and after his recovery at home he had taken his book with him when visiting the little fairs where all the business of neighboring villages is done; he had been notable as the man with the large tumor, and now when he came around without it he was naturally an object of curiosity. They said he kept a kerchief around his neck, and when the crowd gathered around, he would say: “My friends, when I was in the hospital they taught me of a religion there that is far more precious than the cure of my body. I have a little book here which tells about it, and if you will sit down and let me12 read and explain it to you, then I’ll show you my neck.” And so, a self-appointed evangelist, he had been telling his little story. His cup was small, but it was just as full as though it were an ocean brimming over. That place is now one of the most encouraging of the outstations around Pao-ting-fu; a circle of believers is gathered there, and the little patient remains a humble and consistent Christian.—Missionary Herald. ALWAYS look at the person you speak to. When you are addressed, look straight at the person who speaks to you. Do not forget this. Speak your words plainly; do not mutter nor mumble. If words are worth saying, they are worth pronouncing distinctly and clearly. Do not say disagreeable things. If you have nothing pleasant to say, keep silent. Think three times before you speak once. Have you something to do that you find hard and would prefer not to do? Do the hard thing first and get it over with. If you have done wrong, go and confess it. If your lesson is tough, master it. If the garden is to be weeded, weed it first and play afterward. Do the thing you don't like to do first, and then, with a clear conscience, try the rest. —Selected. ARIZONA wants to be a state. She is knocking already at the door of the capitol, and the probability is that she will be quickly admitted, and become the forty-fifth state. What has she to show?—She has 77,000 people, an assessed valuation of over $27,000,000 ($350 to each), 579,000 acres under cultivation, 750,000 more in process of reclamation by means of irrigation, 10,000,000 more capable of cultivation, 40,000,000 acres of grazing lands, 8,000,000 to 10,000,000 feet of standing lumber, yearly mining products worth $12,000,000, and 37,000 Indians who have lost all love for fighting. What is more, she has a governor (Hughes by name) who dares to say, in an official report, that the liquor business is a crime against humanity, and ought to be abolished by Congress in that territory. Arizona has, under his administration, reduced the number of saloons 37, and of wholesale houses 3, and as an accompaniment has for the second time in the last 17 years reduced her indebtedness instead of adding to it. Let Arizona come in.—The Voice. Tranquility of Soul and Thanksgiving
I love tranquillity of soul in which we feel the blessing of existence, and which in itself is a prayer and a thanksgiving.—Longfellow. There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
Like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in his justice,
Which is more than liberty. There is welcome for the sinner,
And more graces for the good;
There is mercy with the Saviour;
There is healing in his blood.
—Faber.