Earlier text: Publishers' Page“Ministers,” “Men of Means,” “Brethren and Sisters,” Attention!
By Arthur G. Daniells
EVERY believer in the third angel’s message should read Sister White’s appeal in this number of the REVIEW, entitled, “An Open Letter.” This letter is addressed to our brethren and sisters, and it appeals to us to promptly provide the means required to properly establish our headquarters in our new location, the capital city of this nation. Surely those who believe that the providence of God is still directing and shaping the affairs of this cause, should take hold of this work just as this communication from the servant of the Lord directs. We should not dally; we should not permit the work to lag for want of funds. Look the situation squarely in the face. First, it was the instruction that came through the spirit of prophecy that directed the committee on location to give Washington any consideration. The study of this place as well as of several others gave the committee personal convictions that this was the place. Thus they had double assurance that this city should be selected. Second, from the day the vote was cast to locate here, what had before seemed to be insurmountable obstacles, were swept away. The change from the place where our headquarters had been established for half a century was made without any confusion to our work. Not a single number of either the REVIEW or the Instructor was omitted; our great bulk of mail of every sort changed routes like magic, and from the entire denomination there came one harmonious expression of approval of the location selected. In our new location every requirement fundamental to the welfare of our work was secured. Third, we had no more than completed the arrangement of our affairs for work, when an opportunity was presented for very practical service, by the stealthy passage through the House of Representatives of a dangerous Sunday bill. After one year of vigorous opposition, which extended from Washington to every State in the Union, this bill came to grief by the adjournment of Congress without its passage through the Senate. While this bill was pending, the ministers of Washington brought forward a proposal for a great campaign for better Sabbath (Sunday) observance. This called forth our Open Letter, which has given a prominence to the Sabbath truth in this city which it has never had before. And like the protest against the Sunday bill, this has reached out to the uttermost parts of the country. And now we are obliged to take our stand against another measure proposed by the ministers of the District of Columbia; namely, to introduce into the public schools specific religious instruction taught from a religious text-book to be prepared by some committee of religious leaders. Our reasons for opposing this measure are clearly set forth in the protest which appears in this issue. I wish that every believer in this message could have been present when Professor Prescott read this unanswerable remonstrance to about eighty ministers of this city. A silence that could be felt prevailed, and every eye was riveted upon the speaker. These men never listened to a document of this character before. In the discussion that followed, one of the ministers present declared that to all who believed in religion as a supernatural revelation, this protest was unanswerable. The leading minister of the Baptist denomination took an open stand against the measure, and stated that he did not know of one of the ministers of his denomination who would support it. Thirty-nine voted for the measure, and twenty-two voted against it. At the close of the meeting one of the ministers present came to us and subscribed for the REVIEW for six months. Now the question goes to the people, and now we turn to the people to arouse them to the real meaning of this movement. We should bear in mind that each one of these measures is wholly local, applying to the District of Columbia, and that we would in all probability never have met them had we not been located here. But while the measures were started here, they were designed to mold affairs throughout the nation, and for this reason our efforts to meet them have really become national. And are not these protests7 the very message of warning set forth in the third angel’s message of Rev. 14: 9-12? In view of all these considerations, who can doubt the wisdom of making the capital of this nation our headquarters? If this is right, who can justly withhold what God calls upon him to give to properly establish our work in this place? Please note the following statements in the “Open Letter” from Sister White: “Just now is the time for a deep, earnest effort to be made in Washington, the capital of our nation.” Brethren, if there is any meaning in the cause we are carrying forward in the earth, this statement is the solemn truth. Then it is clearly stated that the gifts to establish the work here should grow “larger and larger,” that “men of means among us should bestir themselves,” that our “reputation is at stake” because “unbelievers are looking on and forming their opinions by the representations made.” O that our brethren of means could see and keenly sense the meaning, the weighty meaning, of these statements! One-thousand-dollar donations would come in by the score to place this work on vantage-ground. Once more: “Let our ministers arouse, and fully realize the importance of the situation. Let the work in Washington become a matter of the first interest now.” Brethren in the ministry, we should give diligent heed to such statements. They mean something. This is the second time a message of this kind has come to us. Now let us as one man spring into line, and do just what we are directed to do. Experience has taught us that glorious victories follow such a course. Finally: “Come to the front, my brethren and sisters, with your gifts and offerings. Awake to the responsibilities of the hour. We plead with the Lord to work upon minds, and to lead those who have means to realize that now is their time to help liberally in a most important crisis.” “Ministers,” “men of means,” “brethren and sisters”! It is to these that our blessed Lord, who is ordering the battle and leading his forces, appeals for the means required to erect the necessary buildings to suitably represent and perform his work at its headquarters. Our gifts up to the present time to the Washington work amount to seventy-eight cents a member for the entire denomination. Much of this has come from foreign lands. An average of only seventy-eight cents a member is nowhere near the line of our ability. Ministers, men of means, brethren and sisters, let us take hold of this blessed work vigorously, and meet the expectations of our Lord. Are there not twenty-five five persons who will send in one thousand dollars each? Are there not twenty-five more who will send in five hundred dollars each? We all know this can be done without distressing any one. May our divine Lord be glorified by his people at this time. A. G. DANIELLS. Ten Million People in Extreme Poverty
FIGURES which have just been made public by Mr. Robert Hunter, of New York City, formerly head worker of the University Settlement, and chairman of the New York Child Labor Committee, present a picture of American life which may be put in the balance against the oft-made statements about present prosperity and the increase of wealth per capita. After exhaustive research, Mr. Hunter finds that ten million people in this country—one eighth of the entire population—are in extreme poverty; that is, are more or less dependent on charity. Regarding the meaning of this statement Mr. Hunter says:— The fact that ten million people are in this condition now in fairly prosperous times is appalling for the future. Of these, seven million work when they can get it, but they are living on wages which will barely support them when they are at work, and any slight misfortune makes them dependent upon charity. Children to the number of three million three hundred thousand are included in the figures. This class live in tenements which are positively dangerous to life. . . The masses of the poor are getting worse in the country to-day. Special conditions have greatly changed in the past thirty years. A few men are amassing enormous wealth. The middle class is disappearing, and the conditions in the slums are rivaling the worst in the great cities of Europe. This change in American life represents an appalling aspect. Never before in our history have we seen a large proportion of our people condemned to a life of pauperism permanently. One of the worst features of the situation, according to the figures given by this authority, is the number of children in the great cities whose lives are hopelessly blighted at the outset. Of such children there are, Mr. Hunter says, in Boston twenty thousand, and in New York seventy thousand. Of conditions in Chicago he says:— In the Chicago stock-yards are fifty thousand on the verge of pauperism. They are in practical slavery. I have seen children of ten years of age working all day in great vats of blood. Incurable rheumatism before the age of twenty-five is reached as a common result, and tuberculosis even among the children is extremely prevalent. They have nothing to look forward to but death. All this is but one feature of the great world-wide picture of misery which calls loudly to-day for the coming of Him who shall create new heavens and a new earth, wherein shall dwell righteousness and peace. Revelations of Municipal Corruption
By L. A. S.
REVELATIONS of municipal corruption in American cities which have often of late years been the theme of newspaper and magazine writers, have accustomed the American people to startling statements on this subject; but a considerable stir has been created by the following recent statement by District Attorney Jerome, of New York City, relative to prevailing conditions there:— There is not a place in the city of New York where street-cars run that the pickpockets are not working under distinct contract with the central office men. There is a crook in the Tombs now whom I asked about the division of the spoils, and I want to say right here that I believe what he told me. He said that the whack-up was made on a basis of fifty per cent for each side, except in some cases where the pickpocket gets an unusually fine stone, and then the officer takes it all. The district attorney of New York City is the leading figure among several millions of people in the business of prosecuting criminals, and may properly be supposed to know fully whether such a statement is warranted by existing facts. If it is, then government in the nation’s metropolis has seemingly about reached the possible limit of corruption. From almost any other source, such a statement would be considered a gross exaggeration of the truth. But coming from Mr. Jerome, and made by him, as it was, at a public meeting, there must be behind it evidence at least strongly tending to establish its correctness. It seems incumbent on the district attorney to produce the evidence. L. A. S. A MOMENTOUS question has been sprung upon European statesmen by the Russian reverses in Manchuria, says a London, England, dispatch. A new situation in world politics has been created, Russia being now so weakened as to “release China, Turkey, Germany, and Great Britain from enormous pressure.” Political revolution may set up a new government in Russia, which would certainly concentrate its energies on securing a commercial outlet in the Mediterranean, which would mean “the driving of the sultan out of Europe.” Abdul Hamid, however, it is stated, will not wait for such a crisis, and “European diplomacy is anxiously occupied at the present moment with the problem of how to prevent him from seizing the opportunity of Russia’s embarrassment to settle old scores in Macedonia and against Bulgaria. It will be one of the greatest of modern diplomatic achievements,” says the dispatch, “if the spring passes without seeing a Turkish army marching against Sofia, or perhaps Athens.” Jesus Comes!
By Theodor Hanson
Lo, the morning bright is dawning,
And the shadows pass away;
All the signs are now fulfilled,
And at hand is God's great day. Waiting have the saints looked forward
To the day of victory,
When the sorrows and temptations
Shall forever ended be. O what joy when death and darkness
And the cry of battle cease,
And instead there comes the kingdom
Of the glorious Prince of Peace! Though the night was long and dreary,
Lo, the sun is on the hill!
Let us lift our heads, rejoicing,
And await a moment still! Jesus comes as he has promised,
And our hope was not in vain.
Jesus comes! O, are you ready
When the Saviour comes again? Jesus comes! Awake and hasten!
Lo, the dayspring from on high!
Jesus comes! Sing Hallelujah!
Our redemption now is nigh. An Open Letter
By Ellen G. White
SANITARIUM, CAL., March 6, 1905. DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: There is a great work to be done in many cities. Just now is the time for a deep, earnest effort to be made in Washington, the capital of our nation. I feel somewhat disappointed that the gifts that are being made toward the work in Washington do not steadily increase. The remarkable developments in the work in Washington, showing the importance of our moving there, should lead the people of God to make their offerings toward the One Hundred Thousand Dollar Fund larger and larger. The present showing should be decidedly different. My brethren and sisters, do not allow the large gifts for the work in Washington to be so few. We thank the givers of the small sums. And we know that there are those who can make larger gifts. The occasion demands that the men of means among us should bestir themselves. Our reputation is at stake. Now is the time for all to act a part. Unbelievers are looking on, and forming their opinions by the representation made. Let our ministers arouse, and fully realize the importance of the situation. Let the work in Washington become a matter of the first interest now. Let every believer in every place feel called upon to help. Let all feel that the work in Washington belongs to them, and let them do their utmost toward its advancement. Come to the front, my brethren and sisters, with your gifts and offerings. Awake to the responsibilities of the hour. We plead with the Lord to work upon minds, and to lead those who have means to realize that now is their time to help liberally in a most important crisis. The Takoma Park Sanitarium
We have purchased land in Takoma Park, not for the purpose of building up commercial enterprises, but for the purpose of establishing institutions in which workers may be prepared to go out into the great harvest-field. The school has made a humble beginning. A sanitarium must be established there. The ground is ready for the building. Who will now bring their hundreds and their thousands for the help of this enterprise? And let not those who can afford to give but little withhold the smaller sums. Our sanitariums are one of the most successful means of reaching all classes of people. Christ is no longer in this world in person, to go through our cities and towns and villages healing the sick. He has commissioned us to carry forward the medical missionary work that he began; and in this work we are to do our very best. Institutions for the care of the sick are to be established, where men and women may be placed under the care of God-fearing medical missionaries, and be treated without drugs. To these institutions will come those who have brought disease on themselves by improper habits of eating and drinking. These are to be taught the principles of healthful living. They are to be taught the value of self-denial and self-restraint. They are to be provided with a simple, wholesome, palatable diet, and are to be cared for by wise physicians and nurses. Our sanitariums are the right hand of the gospel, opening doors whereby suffering humanity may be reached with the glad tidings of healing through Christ. In these institutions the sick may be taught to commit their cases to the Great Physician, who will co-operate with their earnest efforts to regain health, bringing to them healing of soul as well as healing of body. There is most precious missionary work to be done in our sanitariums. In them Christ and the angels work to relieve suffering caused by bodily disease. And the work is by no means to stop there. The prayers offered for the sick, and the opening of the Scriptures to them give them a knowledge of the great Medical Missionary. Their attention is called to him as the One who can heal all disease. They learn about the great gift of eternal life, which the Lord Jesus is longing to bestow on those who receive him. They learn how to prepare for the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for those that love him. If I go away, he said, “I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” In the Word of God there are gracious promises, from which those who are suffering, whether in body or in mind, may receive comfort and hope and encouragement. The plan to provide institutions for the proper care of the sick originated with the Lord. He has instructed his people that these institutions should be established. With them are to be connected intelligent, God-fearing physicians, who know how to treat the sick from the standpoint of the skilful Christian physician. These physicians are to be earnest and active, serving the Lord in their activity. They are to remember that they are working in the place and under the oversight of the Great Physician. They stand as guardians of the beings that Christ has purchased with his own blood, and it is therefore essential that they be governed by high, noble principles, carrying out the will of the divine Medical Missionary, who is ever watching over the sick and suffering. He who is set as a guardian of the health of the sick should understand by experience the soothing power of the grace of Christ, so that to those who come to him for treatment he can impart in words the uplifting, health-giving power of God's own truth. A physician is not fit for medical missionary work until he has gained a knowledge of him who came to save perishing, sin-sick souls. If Christ is his teacher, if he has an experimental knowledge of the truth, he can hold up the Saviour before the sick and dying. The sick note carefully the looks and words and acts of their physician, and as the Christian physician kneels beside the bedside of the sufferer, asking the Great Physician to take the case into his own hands, an impression is made upon the mind of the sick one that may result in the saving of his soul. A sanitarium building is to be erected at Takoma Park, that this work may be carried forward. Will not those who have means feel it a privilege to give something toward this work, that the needed fund may be raised soon? The Lord will certainly bless those who will cheerfully return to him his own. Doors that were once fast closed are now opening wide for the entrance of our workers. I call upon our people, while the way is open, to do earnest work, to rally round the standard, to answer the call that has been made for the completion of the One Hundred Thousand Dollar Fund. Come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty. This work is the Lord's, and he calls upon those who have means to place it in the treasury for the advancement of his work. Send in your offerings for the buildings to be erected at Takoma Park. We are praying that the money buried in lands and houses may now be called in, because it is the Lord's money, and he needs it. It is to our honor to send in large and small sums, so that, when the next General Conference shall assemble, we can say that the fund needed has been raised. We call upon those who have invested money in worldly interests to withdraw9 it, and place it in the Lord's cause, where it is now greatly needed. Show your gratitude to God by the liberality of your offerings. Thus you may give evidence that you appreciate the mercies of the gospel. To the workers in Washington, I would say: We have faith, my brethren and sisters, that if you will walk humbly with God, you will see of his salvation. It is the desire of my heart that you shall know the power of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have an all-sufficient Helper. He understands our weakness and our needs. Let there be fasting and prayer. Let self be humbled. Let the heart be cleansed from all impurity. Confess your sins, and plead with God day and night for the victory, and you will walk in the light as Christ is in the light. ELLEN G. WHITE. Apostasy and Reformation
By R. A. Underwood
SINCE the fall of man and the promulgation of the gospel, God has reserved holy unto himself not only the seventh day, but the tithe of all man’s income. Man has no more right to use the tithe or the seventh day, only as directed by God, than had Adam to use the forbidden tree in Eden. All can see that in both the Sabbath and the tithe, man is brought to the same test on which Adam failed. Hence it has been on the same line of deception and transgression that Satan has led the world away from God into apostasy in all ages. The fall of Lucifer himself came because he coveted the position and power bestowed upon Jesus Christ. He dared to question the right of the eternal God to bestow upon whomsoever he would his own free gifts. Isa. 14:12-14. All can see that with the power to bestow there is power and right to withhold. It was this right of the Lord to do with his own what he chose, that Lucifer disputed in heaven. Therefore it is but natural that all departures from God should involve the same principles. Thus the gospel may be said to be the power of God to proclaim the sovereign right of God’s ownership. In all the reformations brought to view in the Bible, the proper observance of the Sabbath, and the acknowledgment of the tithe as being holy unto God are the leading questions under consideration. This was so in the work of God by Moses. See Ex. 9:29; Lev. 27:30; Ex. 16:28-30; 20:8-11. Nehemiah’s reformation was upon these two great questions. See Neh. 8:8; 9:13, 14. It will be noticed that when Nehemiah read the law distinctly and gave the sense, the people “confessed their sins” (Chap. 9:2), and began the proper observance of the Sabbath and the paying of tithes. See Neh. 13:10-21. Hezekiah was led to take a similar course. The record says: “And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the first-fruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. . . . Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the Lord hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store. Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the Lord; and they prepared them, and brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully.” 2 Chron. 31:5, 9-12. In apostolic times the same truths were received by those that accepted the gospel. See Acts 4:32, 33; Heb. 7:8. In the last days the Sabbath and the tithe stand out in the work of reformation, under the closing work of the gospel. See Rev. 12:17; Isa. 56:1; 58:1-13; Mal. 3:1-18. In the past, as now, the tithing system tested men’s souls. In “Gospel Workers,” page 269, I read: “This tithing system, I saw, would develop character, and manifest the true state of the heart.” The tithe is one tenth of all man’s income. What is the meaning of the word “income”? Webster defines it as follows: “That gain which proceeds from labor, business, or property of any kind; the produce of a farm; the rent of houses; the proceeds of professional business; the profits of commerce or of occupation; the interest of money or stock in funds, etc.; revenue; receipts; especially the annual receipts of a private person or a corporation from property; as, a large income, a limited income.” This is a very different word from “increase,” which means to “become greater in bulk, quantity, number, degree, value, intensity, authority, reputation, etc.; to grow; to augment; to advance.” The definition of income is very clear. Man’s income is what comes in as gain from all sources,—rents, labor, business, or property, interest, proceeds of stock, salary, etc. One tenth of all that income God claims as his own, with which he proposes to sustain his ministers who give their lives to his cause, and renounce the world. Some think it a difficult matter to determine just what is the tenth of their income. Suppose you should rent your farm for one half of all its produce, the renter to have the other half for his labor in working the farm; would you consider it a hard task to determine what your share of the proceeds of that farm were? The renter who would not think carefully enough to divide the proceeds of your farm with you, according to the contract, in every item of product from that farm, you would soon judge unworthy to act as a steward of your goods, and he would be asked to vacate. It is true that we can not enter into a single transaction or enterprise that brings into our hands gain, but what God is to be considered in the dividends. This is one of the blessed fruits of tithing. But many think they are paying tithes when they come far short of doing so. They freely consume from the farm, milk, butter, eggs, vegetables, fruit, and the bread they eat, and simply pay a tithe on what they sell. This is not tithing. Jacob said, “Of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.” Our living is to come out of the nine tenths after the tithe has been taken out for God. Not only does God ask for a tithe of the grain, cattle, horses, sheep, fruit, vegetables, but of honey, oil, etc., a tithe of all. See Matt. 23:23; Lev. 27:30-33; 2 Chron. 31:5, 6. But some will say it is hard to know the cash value of the garden, the fruit we consume, milk, butter, etc., that we daily eat from the farm. I have known brethren to estimate the value of their garden from ten to sixty dollars, according to its size. If the garden is worth twenty dollars in the support of the family, we can easily find what the tithe would be. I have known the sisters to test the amount of butter and milk used in the family, by weight, for a few weeks, and then pay a tithe on the same amount for each week during the year. It is such as “thought” upon the name of God and acknowledged him in all their ways, that will be gathered with the jewels to adorn the everlasting kingdom of God. Mal. 3:16, 17. The Message Closed
By T. E. Bowen
A DAY is coming when the third angel's message will be finished. That angel sent out of heaven to warn earth's inhabitants of the coming destruction from the Almighty, foretold by the prophets in the Old and New Testaments, will have completed his work, and winged his way back to heaven to announce his mission accomplished. That will be the most important day for this earth—with perhaps the exception of those of the death and resurrection of the Son of God—ever experienced. The doom of every living soul will that day be sealed either for life or for death. The mad strife among nations will no longer be held in check. The servants of God will have no further words of warning and comfort from heaven to impart. There will be no further calls for men or means for the cause of God. All the presses turning out the printed pages of truth will come to a standstill. God's work is done. This day is surely coming. “I was pointed down to the time when the third angel's message was closing. The power of God had rested upon his people; they had accomplished their work, and were prepared for the trying hour before them. They had received the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and the living testimony had been revived. The last10 great warning had sounded everywhere, and it had stirred up and enraged the inhabitants of earth, who would not receive the message.”—“Early Writings,” page 140. Notice the use of the little word “had.” The power of God had rested upon his chosen ones; because of this, they had accomplished their work; the latter rain had fallen as promised, and the living testimony had been revived among the remnant; the great warning had sounded everywhere, and had stirred the world. Some tell us the work is so mighty, the people so feeble and financially poor, that it is a question whether it will be accomplished within the limits of “this generation.” But this language contains promises that the message will not only not fail, but that it will triumph most gloriously. It will accomplish its work. Had it been born on earth among men, then we might question its ultimate success. But it will mean something to triumph with it. It is no path of luxury. It is a way of self-denial; therefore but few find it. Some may be clinging to their earthly treasures in the hope of having them devoted to the message before it shall close. There were such persons back in 1844, even with an announced, definite date fixed for that great message to close. Upon this point the testimony of one who saw it is given in “Rise and Progress,” page 57, as follows: “There were, however, men who held onto their means, struggling all the while under the conviction that they would use it to advance the work, until it was too late to invest it. Such came to those engaged in printing the message, urging them with tears to accept their money, but the reply was, ‘You are too late! We have paid for all the printing matter we can possibly circulate before the end. We have hired several power-presses to run night and day; we do not want any more money.’ An eye-witness testified to me that he saw men lay thousands of dollars on the desk before the publisher of the Voice of Truth, and in anguish of spirit beg of him to take it and use it. The reply was, ‘You are too late! We don’t want your money now! We can’t use it!’ Then they asked, ‘Can it not be given to the poor?’ The answer was the same, ‘We have made provision for the immediate wants of all such that we can reach.’ In distress of mind the men took away their money, declaring that the frown of God was upon them for their lack of faith and for the covetousness which led them to withhold means from the cause of God when it was needed and would have been gladly used.” This experience should be a warning to us now. There will be no future work in which to invest our talents of intellect or means when this message is done. To be too late when it shall close, will be a terrible thing. While it is yet going, let us consider no sacrifice too great, no task set by the Master too hard; for surely there is nothing more important in all the world than this grand, searching message of the truth of God going to the inhabitants of our world. May the glad day hasten when the latter rain truly will fall, the living testimony indeed be revived, and God's “little flock” complete their earth work, and enter upon their heavenly reward. In the midst of his great personal trials, and the desolation of Jerusalem, which he loved, Jeremiah exclaimed: “It is good that a man hope.” There is a bright side to all trial. It is God's tool to sharpen the saints. Untilled ground goes to weeds. The prosperous Christian soon forgets God and his manifold benefits. Edmund Burke became the chastened, softened, eloquent orator that he was through the death of his only son. There is a legend of an artist who had found the secret of the wonderful red which no other artist could imitate. The secret of his color died with him. But after his death an old wound was discovered over his heart. This revealed the source of the matchless hue in his pictures. Affliction brings out the heart's blood, which gives color and life and attractiveness and power and successful achievement in all the work of life. The sepulcher in the garden may yet become the place of the soul's resurrection, and thus transform the whole into something more than Edenic beauty and loveliness. Expect great things to be wrought out by trial, by him who maketh all things work together for good to his people. Don't demand of God untimely deliverance, lest he grant it, and with it send leanness to the soul. Be willing to endure the thorn in the flesh continually if your suffering may be an example to others, and if “the power of Christ” may be more fully upon you, and if thus you may hear as not otherwise the inspiring words, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” But be hopeful at all hazards. . . . Also quietly wait for deliverance. “Wait on the Lord, . . . and he shall strengthen thy heart.” “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” A great painter in time of sore trouble went to his friend for comfort. Good advice was given, but it brought no help. He then went to another, who said, after hearing his story: “We sha'n't be disturbed, and I think I can put you in the way of the desired help you want.” Then he fell upon his knees, asking his friend to do the same. When they arose, the troubled man said: “You have put me in the way of getting, yes, and obtaining, the very comfort that I stood in need of. God, bless you!” “John Brown, of Haddington, said: ‘No doubt I have met with trials like others, yet so kind has God been to me that I think if he would give me as many more years to live, I would not desire a single circumstance in my life changed, excepting that I wish there had been less of sin. On my coffin might be inscribed, ‘Here lies one of the cares of Providence, who early lost both father and mother, and yet never wanted for the care of either.’” A commander of a victorious army gave to each one of his soldiers a medal giving the time and place of the great battle, having underneath it the inscription, “I was there.” So when we reach glory, and look back upon the battlefields of life, if we have carried ourselves nobly and fought successfully and mastered all the trials, we shall be glad to say of every one of them, “I was there.” Better still, we shall be able to say, “Jehovah Shammah, the Lord was there.” Then we shall see that these “light afflictions” of earth have worked out for us “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”—The Christian and Missionary Alliance. _How the Bible Creates Languages_
The Bible societies by no means rest contented with their present horizons of conquest. Both the London and New York societies are very much engaged upon translations and revisions, and missionaries throughout the world are busy with similar tasks. In scores of instances the Bible is the only literature of a language. Often a language is first reduced to literary form in order to produce a Bible. Often, also, the Bible actually creates a language, in the proper sense of that term. The ideas, the topics of thought, the point of view, are not in the local speech. Take, as an example, the translation just made for the Sheetswa tribe in East Africa. They had no word for Supreme Being, or home, father, heaven, house, and other ideas equally fundamental. “Our Father which art in heaven” was absolutely unintelligible to them. Yet, little by little, the missionaries persevered till they have now compiled a dictionary of eighteen thousand words, a grammar, and a translation of the New Testament that can be used by three million people. Other recent translations have been into Mare (one of the French Loyalty Islands), Uganda, Persian, Labrador-Eskimo, Kongo Baldo, Murray Island (Torres Straits), Wedan (New Guinea), Fang, Madarese (South Malaysia), Nogogu (New Hebrides), etc. That much work still remains to be done, however, appears from the statement that in the borders of the Indian empire alone one hundred and eight languages, in use by seventy-four million souls, have as yet no version of the Scriptures. Translations and revisions are now going forward in over one hundred languages.—The Century.