Earlier text: Abide God's TimeOpening New Missions in the Lake Titicaca Region
By F. A. STAHL
SINCE the first of the year two new mission stations have been opened among the Aymará Indians. On the peninsula, at a place called Whatta, we have been able to place Juan Huanka, a good native worker. The people of this place have been waiting four years for help. Many have come the eighteen miles Sabbath after Sabbath to Plateria, the main station, to hear and learn the way of life. Returning at night, they have at times been overtaken by fierce storms, for which7 this part of the country is noted. Some of these people have been baptized, and have stood by the truth very faithfully, pleading that a work be started among them. So Juan Huanka, one of our best native workers, was moved with his wife and two children to the peninsula, Brother Howell going with them to help open the school. It began with forty pupils, and has since reached an attendance of ninety-two, with a large Sabbath attendance. This is really remarkable, as it is the time of harvest. The large attendance has made it necessary to send an assistant, one of our more advanced and fully consecrated pupils of the Plateria school, a young man by the name of Ascensio Sosa. Quite a number are ready for baptism, and they have asked that a church be organized in their district. Some of our best Indian brethren say that that place will yield, by the blessing of God, a church of two hundred members. It was here that the priests worked so very hard to discourage the Indians, and in their zeal accused them of being Adventists, thus arousing their interest to such an extent that they decided to become Adventists in fact. After one of our large meetings at this place our native worker said, 'You see all these people so interested in the truth? Well, most of them were in that raving mob of three hundred who started for the mission one night five years ago for the purpose of killing you. I was one who tried to persuade them to desist from their evil purpose. Some did return, but others went on, and were met by more of our brethren, with the result that all finally returned to their homes.' As I saw the many bright faces, so hopeful and glad because of the precious gospel, I silently thanked God for revealing his truth to these people and for protecting us. The prospect is bright indeed for a rich harvest of souls. The other place where a work has been started is Esqueñas, about twelve miles north of this mission. We have stationed here Martin Velasquez, a native worker. He is a very trusty man. It was quite a trial for Martin and his wife to give up their little farm, with their sheep and cow. He thought to go alone first, but we persuaded him that to have the proper influence in the work it was necessary for him to take his family. Mrs. Stahl and I went to open this station, and on the way we overtook Martin and his family. It was a touching sight to see them. Three donkeys were loaded with their household effects, with their eldest son, three years of age, seated on top of one of the loads, and Sister Velasquez with the baby on another, while Martin, with a large load on his back, drove the donkeys. As we neared Esqueñas, we were met by some of our brethren with flags. On arriving we sang some hymns, and after prayer we opened the school. Then we helped Martin settle. The Indians had put up a nice school building, and also gave the teacher a house, all without any expense to the mission. Forty children are attending this school. It was a real pleasure to see their happy faces. They seemed to say, 'Just to think that we have a real school among us now!' Twenty-three persons are ready for baptism here, and they also want a church organized. Near this place is a town with three large Catholic churches. Already the influence of the new mission is being felt there. On our way to the station we had to pass through this town, and we stopped to visit the governor. We informed him of our purpose of beginning work near his place, and he quickly asked if we had a license to open a school. We smilingly told him that we had received a license from the mayor of Puno. He then told us that in a few days one of the priests would be elected mayor of their town, and that we could hereafter get our licenses from him. We thanked him, and assured him that we should try the priest for our next license. As we left his office, we came face to face with the head priest of the town. He extended his hand, which I shook very heartily. He asked us anxiously where we were going. We told him, and he nervously said, 'Ah, very good! Very good! Felicidades [Congratulations].' The priests of this town, and their assistants, have tried to avert the opening of this mission, thus working to keep out the Lord's message for this time. They have tried to have the Indians themselves refuse to receive us; but they failed, as all do fail who try to impede the work of God. While the Indians of two out of the three districts did give us to understand that they feared to have the work started among them, because of the terrible curses that the priests said would fall upon them if they consented to our work, this one district, in the face of all this and even of open persecution, sent us a written invitation signed by over fifty Indians, to work among them. The Indians of the other two districts, now seeing that none of the predictions of the priests are being fulfilled, are sorry that they did not encourage us to come to them, as they have to send their children a greater distance than they would had we opened a school in one of their more central districts. There is general satisfaction among the Indians at Esqueñas. All appear to be happy, and here we also expect a rich harvest of souls and much glory to the God of heaven. Just a week ago from this writing (April 26), while Elders Prescott, Town, Montgomery, and Maxwell were with us, it was decided to answer a most pressing call that came from the high mountain region two days' journey from this place. It was decided to take the assistant, Ascensio Sosa, who had been doing splendid work at the peninsula, to fill this place. We asked the peninsula brethren to release him, which they did rather reluctantly, and on the promise of receiving another man at once. Brother Sosa was willing to go. And as, among other advantages, he was born and brought up in the high mountains, we thought that he would be able to stand the hard work in that very high region, an altitude of from fifteen to sixteen thousand feet above sea level. While our visiting brethren from the States were with us, many calls came in to them. They experienced for a few days what we had been passing through for some years,—hearing the pleas of a needy people for the truth and for workers to be sent among them. We all received great good from the visit of these dear brethren, profiting much by their counsel, prayers, and good cheer. We felt very lonesome when they had gone, but soon the press of work made us forget ourselves. We beg our brethren and sisters to remember this work and us in their prayers. THERE are many in the world today who desire advancement, or profit, or accomplishment, but who are unwilling to pay the price to secure the desire of their hearts. Men are unwilling to toil, as their fathers used to do, for long years in securing a competence. They are endeavoring to seek some royal road to wealth, to find some method whereby they may achieve riches in a day. This is true also of many Christians. They pray for deliverance from some sin; for endurance, for patience, for resignation, but are unwilling to pay the price which the acquirement of these graces involves. How few realize that when they pray for patience, they pray for tribulation, for, says the apostle, “tribulation worketh patience.” We pray for the grace of meekness in the home, for sweetness of disposition, for kindness of spirit, and then chafe because we cannot have our own way. O if we could only see in life’s trials God’s means of purifying us and of molding us into his own divine image, how differently we should regard them! When brought into strait places, instead of chafing over personal discomfort, we should rejoice that God has taken us by a hard way, in order to develop in us the graces of his Spirit. Had Israel of old, instead of murmuring at the bitter waters of Marah, waited patiently for God to work their deliverance, how much pleasure they might have taken in watching the ways and means by which this deliverance should be wrought for them. The man in the parable who found the pearl of great price sold all that he had and bought the field. It will take the consecration of our all to obtain the pearl of Christian character. BROTHER F. A. DETAMORE, in a letter dated May 10, says that the workers have purchased a good location in Batavia, Java, for their headquarters, and desire to build as soon as the money reaches them. “The next day after we bought it,” he writes, “the owners were offered more for it; and if we had not bought it, I do not know where we could have found a suitable place. We feel that the Lord guided us in the matter. More than forty houses are under construction in that part of the city now, and land is selling every day. Our place is about six feet above the level of the streets, and on a good corner.” MUKDEN, Manchuria, had a bomb throwing, Sabbath, May 27. The military governor was out, and two bombs at two different places on his route were hurled. He was not hit, however, and escaped to his palace unharmed; but at least three soldiers escorting him were blown to atoms, and quite a large number were wounded. Mrs. Grundset was coming home from Sabbath school in a jinrikisha at the time, and was near the first bomb when it exploded. A great tumult at once ensued, and she rode into an alley, passing near the place of trouble without knowing what had happened. It was not far from the mission that the tragedy occurred. An interesting providence in connection with the war internment camps in Australia is the case of Brother E. Bernoth, a teacher in the church school at Wahroonga, New South Wales. Brother Bernoth is of German parentage, and on account of residing in British territory was required to report periodically to the military authorities. Having neglected to do this once, he was suspected of disloyalty to the British government, and was arrested and sent to a German detention camp. He was later released, however, on the ground that, his father having been naturalized, his children would be British subjects; and also because of the good report of the police in his district. While he was in the camp, he interested two young Germans—And brothers—in the truth, and they decided to keep the Sabbath. It was at Brother Bernoth’s request that he was permitted to spend the first Sabbath with them. “No Other Gods Before Me”
By Ellen G. White
- (Republished by request, from Review and Herald, June 6, 1907)*
EVERY true child of God will be sifted as wheat, and in the sifting process every cherished pleasure which diverts the mind from God must be sacrificed. In many families the mantelshelves, stands, and tables are filled with ornaments and pictures. Albums filled with photographs of the family and their friends are placed where they will attract the attention of visitors. Thus the thoughts, which should be upon God and heavenly interests, are brought down to common things. Is not this a species of idolatry? Should not the money thus spent have been used to bless humanity, to relieve the suffering, to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry? Should it not be placed in the Lord's treasury to advance his cause and build up his kingdom in the earth? This matter is of great importance, and it is urged upon you to save you from the sin of idolatry. Blessing would come to your souls if you would obey the word spoken by the Holy One of Israel: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Many are creating unnecessary cares and anxieties for themselves by devoting time and thought to the unnecessary ornaments with which their houses are filled. The power of God is needed to arouse them from this devotion; for to all intents and purposes it is idolatry. He who searches the heart desires to win his people from every species of idolatry. Let the Word of God, the blessed Book of life, occupy the tables now filled with useless ornaments. Spend your money in buying books that will be the means of enlightening the mind in regard to present truth. The time you waste in moving and dusting the multitudinous ornaments in your house, spend in writing a few lines to your friends, in sending papers or leaflets or little books to some one who knows not the truth. Grasp the Word of the Lord as the treasure of infinite wisdom and love; this is the guidebook that points out the path to heaven. It points us to the sin-pardoning Saviour, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” O that you would search the Scriptures with prayerful hearts, and a spirit of surrender to God! O that you would search your hearts as with a lighted candle, and discover and break the finest thread that binds you to worldly habits, which divert the mind from God! Plead with God to show you every practice that draws your thoughts and affections from him. God has given his holy Law to man as his measure of character. By this law you may see and overcome every defect in your character. You may sever yourself from every idol, and link yourself to the throne of God by the golden chain of grace and truth. The apostle writes: “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” There is none too much self-denial, none too much self-sacrifice, none too much overcoming evil with good. If all the inclinations to gratify the taste for frivolous things were firmly resisted, there would be more money to use for God. Shall we not make decided changes in this respect? Shall we not set money flowing in channels where it will glorify God? When I see families poorly clad, and houses destitute of those things that are necessary for comfort, and then visit the homes where every niche and corner is filled with useless ornaments, I am tired of the sight of my eyes. Let us search the Word and see if there is not some instruction there that will teach us how to relieve the maladies that have become chronic in the spiritual life of many. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen?” God asks, “to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. . . . If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity,” Paul declares, “I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.” The Son of the infinite God came to this earth, and honored it with his presence. He emptied himself of his glory, and clothed his divinity with humanity, that humanity might touch humanity, and reveal to fallen man the perfect love of God. Christ did not come to earth to live a life of pleasure, of self-indulgence. He lived not to please himself. “The Son of man,” he said, “is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” We have great changes to make before we reach perfection. God calls for complete self-surrender. We must guard diligently our lips, lest they speak guile. We must be strict with ourselves, that we bring not false principles into our dealings with others, and lead souls from the safe path. We must work the works of God. Adhere to correct principles, whatever the cost to yourself. In appeals and warnings let your light shine forth to others. Economize your pence that you may have pounds with which to help the cause of truth. Keep your tables free from many pictures and ornaments, which are as nothing in comparison with the Word of God. Let your holy example lead the sympathies of your friends heavenward; “for he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Jesus Christ: that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” “It is not so much the hardness of the way to heaven as it is the softness of our feet that makes our trouble.” Aged Persons Through Whom God Has Wrought Mightily
By George Ide Butler
It is interesting to reflect upon and carefully consider God’s methods of doing things. His ways are not our ways, and his thoughts are different from our thoughts. Man takes a superficial view of many things. God’s all-seeing eye takes in every motive, every particular, even the minutest influences, affecting human conduct. He sees the end from the beginning. In the ordinary course of service in the cause of God, persons labor according to their strength and powers of endurance. Many drop out in comparatively brief periods. Others have been preserved by the Lord to do important work for God till of a great age. Let us notice some of these interesting cases. Noah was six hundred years old when the flood was upon the earth. Gen. 7: 11. He had spent about a century in preaching to the antediluvian sinners and preparing for the flood. ‘Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.’ Gen. 6: 9. Noah lived to be nine hundred and fifty years old. He was really the last of the long-lived generation of the antediluvians. In about nine generations from his time the length of human life had decreased from nine hundred and fifty to one hundred and seventy-five years, the length of Abraham’s life. The Bible nowhere tells us of the cause of this remarkable reduction. It would seem that Abraham lived much longer than many others at that time. He was considered an old patriarch when he died. He was a prophet of the Lord, and had visions of God’s glory, in which were revealed to him many things concerning his posterity. The case of Moses is remarkable. He lived one hundred and twenty years. His life was very eventful. God chose him as the leader of his people, and his ability is manifest from what Stephen declares: ‘Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds’ (Acts 7: 22); that is, he was eloquent and a great general in military lines, and he retained his prominence with the Egyptians till he was forty years of age. Then the lessons his godly mother taught him in his youth came forcibly to his mind. He had had his fill of earthly glory, had seen its emptiness, its vanity, and nothingness. He wanted something better. He ‘refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.’ Though his people were a race of slaves, he preferred the destiny God had promised them above ‘all the treasures of Egypt.’ He chose ‘rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.’ ‘By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.’ Heb. 11: 24-27. Eighty years of Moses’ life passed before he came upon the stage of action as the leader of the hosts of Israel. Very likely most of them thought he was too old to be their leader, yet he carried that great multitude upon his soul. Uncomplainingly he bore tremendous burdens, — burdens that were enough to crush an ordinary mortal. Powerfully he impressed upon their minds their obligations to God. The book of Deuteronomy is a rehearsal of the law and of God’s dealings with Israel. The Lord so sustained Moses that he did not die of old age. When at last he climbed Pisgah’s height, ‘his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.’ Deut. 34: 7. He led the people to the border of Canaan, and then the time came for this grand and noble prophet to close his ministry. The Lord showed him the Promised Land to its utmost borders, and then Moses died in the land of Moab. But it was not long that death held him. The Son of God came down and rescued the man of God from Satan’s power, and he has been glorified in the heavenly Canaan for thousands of years. He appeared with Elijah on the mount of transfiguration when the Son of God was glorified. Here certainly was an old man who was most useful in the service of God. Joshua and Caleb were highly honored of God. In one of the great crises of the exodus they acted a noble part. Sent with others to spy out the land, they brought back a good report, while their companions talked discouragement and created rebellion. All above twenty years of age died in the wilderness, except Caleb and Joshua. They helped to conquer the land of Canaan. What a wonderful thing this was! Of all the thousands of adults who left Egypt, only Caleb and Joshua reached the Promised Land, and lived there for many years in excellent health. Is it not evident that God preserved their lives, and cannot he do the same for his faithful children in our times? He ‘changeth not.’ We cannot doubt that our God preserves men’s lives many years to serve his high purposes. Joshua and Caleb with their long experience were invaluable in the conquest of Canaan. The people looked up to them, and they were a source of great strength to the whole congregation. To show his faith in God, Caleb chose for his portion of the country to conquer the very place where the mighty giants lived. His strength for war when he was eighty-five was as great as when younger. He made short work of those giants, for God was with him. Joshua, the successor of Moses, was a faithful ruler of the people, and lived to be one hundred and ten years old. What an illustrious example was that of Daniel, the man of God, the great statesman of two great kingdoms — prime minister of Nebuchadnezzar, the great king of Babylon, and of Darius and Cyrus, rulers of Medo-Persia. He was a wonderful prophet of the Lord, and lived a full century. God was constantly with him, and not a flaw can be found in his life. No prophecies in the world’s history excel his. Of all the disciples and apostles who gave their lives for the Master, the beloved John continued much the longest. He lived about a century, faithfully following his blessed Lord and laboring for men’s salvation. According to the best light obtainable, his Gospel and that wonderful book of Revelation were both written very near the close of his life. The latter book closes the canon of the New Testament, and is one of the most remarkable of all for the important facts it makes known concerning the times immediately preceding Christ’s return. John’s life was evidently preserved by the Lord for an important purpose. Once more, in the final work, true visions are seen in the remnant church. God gives special light for the guidance of his true people. The work of warning the world is to be accomplished in one generation. ‘This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.’ Matt. 24: 34. This great closing work of preparing a people for translation, requiring special light from heaven for its accomplishment, must in the nature of things take some time. The servant of God inspired to help accomplish this work, must have a long life, to fill up and complete the lessons of instruction to be given. Like Moses just before the chosen people entered the Promised Land, worn and weary with the toils and labors of a long life and many cares, she could lie down and rest in blessed hope and peace, soon to awaken when the Master shall call for his own. That long life has ended, and that mother in Israel sleeps in Jesus. None who know all the facts can doubt that over and over again God sustained her and prolonged her life. It is only reasonable to suppose that God has servants who know all the history of this work from the early days, and who will act an important part in the final work in these last days. The writer knows of one who was among the earliest workers in this cause, whose labors have been continuous, who has written valuable books, who was especially acquainted with all the important facts connected with the life of God’s dear servant now at rest. The Lord has remarkably sustained him, and his testimony is yet heard among us. His labors and travels have been numerous. His life has been an honor to this cause. We cannot doubt but that God especially preserves it. Another comes to mind whose labors have been most arduous and taxing, who has also written valuable books and held very high positions in this cause. The writer was present on a very interesting occasion, over thirty years ago, when, in the Tabernacle at Battle Creek, in the midst of a sermon, this dear brother became so weak in physical power that he broke down, and another had to finish for him. Our brother was carried to a place of retirement. While lying down, his form was shaken by the deepest emotion, and in anguish of spirit he said, ‘Lord, let me die if I can no longer work in thy vineyard.’ Our eyes were filled with tears of sympathy for our dear brother. God supported and sustained him.10 Since that time he has done much most valuable work in this cause, and still remains to cheer our hearts and encourage God’s faithful people. Who can doubt that God has been sparing these devout men for still more work before the end shall come? We have a mighty God, dear brethren and sisters, and he can do great things. It can be plainly seen that the Lord often uses very old men for most important work. Let those of us who are old thank God for the privilege of working for the Master, even in our old age.