Earlier text: Life's PromiseBuild on a Sure Foundation
By Ellen G. White
THE story of a crucified and risen Saviour is the great central theme of the Word of God. In the Psalms, in the prophecies, in the gospels, and in the epistles, God has by revelation made prominent the vital truths concerning the agreement between the Father and the Son in providing for the salvation of a lost race. Christ was crucified to save the world. For his enemies, for a race in rebellion against God, our Saviour suffered the most excruciating agonies that human flesh could endure. He has made ample provision for sinners, that they need not perish. In the light of his death-agony on the cross, we may know that whosoever will truly repent and receive him as a personal Saviour will receive everlasting life. Our highest privilege is to honor Jesus Christ. We need now, in this year 1908, a continual spirit of submission to the will and requirements of God. His Word is plain. If we will seek for a personal experience in submitting to its requirements, we may appropriate the promise, “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.” As we study the Word prayerfully, with an obedient heart, the Holy Spirit will be with us to make upon our minds the correct application. This is a privilege that the world can not receive or understand; for they have not the “Spirit of truth, whom,” Christ declared, “the world can not receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him.” But to his disciples he says, “Ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” You have the mind of Christ. In the parable of the marriage of the king’s son, Jesus relates how, after earnest efforts, “the wedding was furnished with guests.” He continues: “When the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding-garment: and he said unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.” It has been repeatedly revealed to me that many professing Christians will, in the time of the final test, be greatly disappointed. Many, many will fail to provide themselves with that righteousness of Christ represented in the parable by the wedding-garment. They have trusted in their own righteousness, and have not manifested the humility of Jesus Christ. They may be seated at the supper table with others, but Christ will recognize them, and will say to them, “How camest thou in hither not having on a wedding-garment?” Unless those who profess to be Christians become sanctified through the truth, and learn to reveal the likeness of Christ in words, in deeds, in spirituality, in their relation to their fellow men, the great day of test and trial will find them unprepared to enter through the golden gates into the city of God. And unless they can now be made to feel their great need, they will not have a spirit to seek for the essential righteousness of Christ. When called before King Belshazzar to explain the mysterious writing on the wall, Daniel reminded the king of matters with which he was familiar, but which had not taught him the lesson of humility that might have saved him. “O thou king,” said the prophet, “the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honor: and for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: and he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.” Then the enormity of Belshazzar’s guilt was thus emphasized: “And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knowest all this; but hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. “And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” The Lord does not suffer wicked practises to go on without sending reproof and warning. There are men in high places who know of the reproofs, of warnings, of judgment sent, who know the example of God’s dealings with others who have been disobedient, yet who have not sought to correct their ways before God. They have endeavored rather to make of none effect the messages that God has sent. They have continued to exalt themselves, and to carry out their own ways in defiance of the words of God. They have not been ignorant of the right way, but they have allowed their eyes to be blinded. In pronouncing judgment upon these, God will say, as he said to the wicked king, “Thou . . . hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this.” Many have continued in a wicked course of action, until the Lord Jesus can not accept their services unless there is a genuine conversion. His people to-day have no excuse for turning away from the counsels of his Spirit. In his Word, he has given us examples that should be warnings to us, yet although we have known all this, many of God’s people have not taken heed to the warnings of God. “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written8 for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Among the many discordant elements, some have been unable to discern the voice of God in the messages of warning and reproof that have been sent for the guidance of the church. Men who have refused to walk in the plain counsel of the Lord, are not the ones who should be entrusted with the care of his sheep and lambs. Those who, while professing to believe the truth, resist the Holy Spirit, making light of the message from heaven, will surely be punished for their transgressions. They will not in the future have greater evidence of the truth of these messages than has been given in the past. The Lord forbids that they should be entrusted with responsibilities that they might have borne, had they heeded the messages that the Lord in mercy sent them. The angel of the Lord instructed me, “Go, stand before my people, and speak to them the words that I will give you for church-members and for unbelievers. I will give you tongue and utterance. You have been called from the needy field in Australia to bear a living testimony that, if heeded, will be the salvation of many souls. New agents must occupy the field you have left. I have a work for you among a people, many of whom have followed their own evil course, and refuse to come to the light.” Christ was the greatest missionary this world has ever known. The Word has been made flesh, and dwelt among us as a minister of healing to both soul and body. His work is to be carried forward in the earth to-day. The only work worthy of our attention in this world is the advancement of the kingdom of God. To those who will unite as agents of Christ in the carrying forward of his work in the earth, the promise is sure that they shall receive souls for their hire. The salvation of fallen and sinful humanity is a grand co-operative work, in which every being from the loftiest angel to the lowliest saint has his appointed place. The innumerable company of angels are united with us, in co-operation with God and Jesus Christ, in the work of saving souls. Think of this, you who feel no burden to be united with Christ, that his church may be revealed as a body of laborers together with God. Let all draw together in unity, their dependence placed upon Christ Jesus. “Ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” The truth is a sanctifying, unifying power. We are baptized into one body, and united through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. In carrying forward the work of the Lord, there will not be one indifferent member. If one member suffers, all the others will suffer with him. If one member receives a rich blessing, all the members will rejoice with him. The Lord of heaven and earth is the strength of his people. He is the light and life of every truly converted soul. His Spirit, working with its quickening power, will be recognized by its inspiration, and its abiding influence. Christ our Lord identifies himself with the members of his church. It is this union of the human and the divine that convicts the world. Through the blessed union of those who are sanctified body, soul, and spirit, the truth is magnified. All are to blend in keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace. To the principalities and powers in heavenly places is made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God. Were all who profess to be church-members truly converted, what a power for truth and holiness would be manifested. They would be laborers together with God in leading souls to Christ. There can be no rejoicing when Christ is formed within, the hope of glory. The message I have to bear is that a much higher standard must be reached by God’s people. I entreat all to heed this warning. I dare not cease to “cry aloud,” and “spare not,” and show God’s people “their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” It is time that we all understood our true position, and that we give, in righteous characters, the evidence that we possess the truth. The Point of View
By Edith Virginia Bradt
A PESSIMIST, we're told,
Is one who sees the cloud that lowers,
But not its fringe of gold;
Blind to the silver lining,
We hear his sad repining;
E'en through the sun's clear shining
He sees the distant showers. An optimist, they say,
Finds rainbow tints in any sky,
Let storms beat as they may;
What if the dark cloud lowers!
He knows the cooling showers
Will bring the fruits and flowers
In God's good by and by. Life may be gold or gray;
Aflame with light or overcast
May be our pilgrim way,
As we may choose to view it;
Trouble—well, why pursue it?
A cloud—why not look through it?
The storm will soon be past. YEARS ago we were told by the spirit of prophecy that if all would faithfully pay a full tithe into the Lord’s treasury, there would be no lack of means with which to carry on the work. The writer is fully persuaded that if “the whole tithe” were brought into the “store-house,” there would be no need of funds from other sources to support the work in all parts of the world. He is also convinced from the following incident that only a few, comparatively speaking, pay a full tithe:— Jan. 1, 1905, a worker in this cause, who has a family of four to support, began to keep an accurate account of all tithes and offerings paid by him. This man had no support other than that paid him by the conference. His wife kept a cow, some chickens, and a small garden on a city lot. The amount of tithe and donations paid by this worker up to Aug. 1, 1908, is $439.50,—an average of $10.22 a month for the whole time. The tithe alone amounts to $317.35, which equals $88.56 a year, or $7.38 a month. Nor is this in any way an extraordinary showing. This man, before he entered the ministry, was a mechanic, earning much more than he has since. He simply did what every Seventh-day Adventist ought to do—honestly paid a tithe of his income. Not counting the two small children, the average annual tithe for each church-member in this family is $44.28, which, if equaled—as it should be—by all the people of this denomination, would every year amount to over three millions of dollars, — enough to support three times as many foreign missionaries as we now have, at the same time caring better for our home work. Suppose we each try the plan of keeping an accurate account of our income, and find how much tithe we should pay during the next year. Such a plan would result in doubling, or even trebling, the average annual tithe as now paid, and would clear us of the charge of robbing God by not bringing in the whole tithe. Self-Supporting Missionary Work
By E. A. Sutherland
“There is a much greater work devolving upon the individual members of the church than they realize. They are not awake to the claims of God. . . . Many of the members of our large churches are doing comparatively nothing.” Do the lay members of this denomination comprehend the full meaning of these sentences? What is the cause of the people of this denomination falling into the condition where these words must be said of them? Is it not a failure to understand the meaning of the words of the great apostle Paul to the individual Christian church-member: “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier”? Have not many of our people lost sight of the fact that they are to prepare themselves personally to be soldiers of Jesus Christ, to go warring for him? They have fallen into the same error that many have in the past; that is, that there are two classes in the church,—one the soldier, or missionary class, and the other the lay-member, or stay-at-home class. To the latter belong the great majority of Christians. They are willing to aid with gifts and contributions the soldier class who are supposed to go out and fight the battles of the Lord. But it is fatal to spirituality to attempt to fight the battles of the Lord through a substitute. Every Christian must learn to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ, to endure hardness, not to entangle himself with the affairs of this life, and to go to war for the Master. Let us consider the part that lay members had in the beginning of this great message. In 1844 during the midnight cry we read that the work did not stand in the wisdom and learning of men, but in the power of God. “It was not the most talented, but the most humble and devoted who were the first to hear and obey the call. Farmers left their crops standing in the field, mechanics laid down their tools, and with tears and rejoicing went out to give the warning. Those who had formerly led in the cause were among the last to join in this movement.” We know that the third angel’s message will close with the same manifestation of power, and also by a movement9 of the lay members. Concerning the final warning we read: “The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of his Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal declaring the words God gives them.” “In the future, men in the common walks of life will be impressed by the Spirit of the Lord to leave their ordinary employment, and go forth to proclaim the last message of mercy. As rapidly as possible they are to be prepared for labor, that success may crown their efforts. . . . No one is authorized to hinder these workers. They are to be bidden Godspeed as they go forth to fulfil the great commission. No taunting word is to be spoken of them as, in the rough places of the earth, they sow the gospel seed.” Our lay members should understand that they can no longer please God, and refuse to take an active part in this great Advent movement. They can not prosper spiritually without having an active experience in working for souls, any more than they could prosper physically by allowing a substitute to eat their daily food. It would be physical death to them if they allowed some one to eat their daily food; it is spiritual death to a lay member to endeavor to have all his missionary work done by some professional missionary. These words from the servant of God should arouse thousands of lay members to begin active missionary work: “The lay members of our churches can accomplish a work which as yet they have scarcely begun. None should move into new places merely for the sake of worldly advantage; but where there is an opening to obtain a livelihood let families that are well grounded in the truth enter,—one or two families in a place to work as missionaries. . . . They should feel a love for souls. . . . They can distribute our publications, hold meetings in their homes, become acquainted with their neighbors, and invite them to come to these meetings.” “The most successful methods are to encourage families who have a missionary spirit to settle in the Southern States, and work for the people without making any noise. . . . The words of truth can not go forth with great publicity, but schools should be started by families coming into the South, and working in schools, not with a large number congregated in one school, but as far as possible in connection with those who have been working in the South.” “Some may be reached who would not listen to a minister or a colporteur.” “To every man is given his work,—not merely work in his fields of corn and wheat, but earnest, persevering work for the salvation of souls. Let the laymen do all that they can, but as they use the talents they already have, God will give them more and more ability. Many of our missionary enterprises are crippled because there are so many who refuse to enter the doors of usefulness that are open before them. Let all who believe the truth begin to work. Do the work that lies nearest you. . . . If the lay members of the church will arise to do the work that they can do, going on a warfare at their own charges, each seeing how much he can accomplish in winning souls to Jesus, we shall see many leaving the ranks of Satan to work under the banner of Christ. . . . Wonderful revivals will follow; sinners will be converted, and many souls will be added to the church. When we bring our hearts into unity with Christ, and our lives into harmony with his Word, the spirit that fell on the disciples on the day of Pentecost will fall on us.” After reading these words, any one with ordinary spiritual discernment must understand what must be done by the lay members of this church before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit can come. God is calling the lay members into active service. He is also placing before thousands of them a definite field. We are told: “In the South there is much that could be done by lay members of the church,—persons of limited education. There are men and women and children who need to be taught to read. These poor souls are starving for a knowledge of God. . . . Let Sabbath-keeping families move to the South, and live out the truth before those who know it not. . . . The Lord desires the desert places of the South, where the outlook appears so forbidding, to become as the garden of God. Let our people arise and redeem the past.” During the last four years, to our knowledge, over one hundred of our people have left the North, and have become self-supporting missionaries in the South. Many of these will come together at Madison for a two weeks’ convention, beginning October 15. The object is to relate their varied experiences, to study what God has said about this great Southern field, and to learn better methods of self-supporting missionary work. A number of our leading men who are deeply interested in this kind of work will attend. “What Readest Thou?”
By Ivar F. Witting
This question is one of real importance just now. There is much more involved in it than we might be disposed to admit. It is a common saying, “Show me your company, and I will tell you what you are.” It may with equal truth be said, “Show me your library, and I will tell you where you stand.” Our reading may be taken, as a rule, as the great indicator of our moral, intellectual, and spiritual condition. Our books are our mental and spiritual food, the material upon which the inner man feeds. Hence the seriousness of the whole question. In that great catalogue of evil practises found in 2 Timothy, chapters 3, 4, we find: “And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” Was there ever a time when there was such an enormous deluge of novels and similar inferior literature flooding the world? We observe with deep concern a growing dislike for solid reading, especially among young Christians, though, alas! this condition is not confined to them. Newspapers, religious novels, sensational tales, love stories, all sorts of poisonous and trashy literature, are eagerly devoured, while volumes of weighty and precious truth lie uncut and neglected on the shelf. There are some of our own young folks who prefer the reading of the latest novel to the study of such precious books as “Ministry of Healing,” “Early Writings,” “Education,” “Desire of Ages.” How many of us, old or young, have read all these important books? These conditions are an indication of a low spiritual condition savoring of Laodicea. Indeed, it is difficult to conceive how any one possessing a single spark of divine life can find pleasure in such defiling rubbish as one sees nowadays in the hands of many who occupy high ground in the Christian profession. The inspired apostle exhorts all Christians, as new-born babes, to desire the sincere milk of the Word, that they may grow thereby. How can we grow, if we neglect the Word of God, and devour newspapers and light, worthless books? How is it possible for any Christian to be in a healthy condition of soul who can barely find a few hasty moments to run his eye over a verse or two of Scripture, but can give hours to light and desultory reading? We may depend upon it, our reading proves beyond question what we are, and where we are. If our reading is light and frivolous, our condition is light and frivolous also. It is also evidence of a low spiritual condition when we hear a professed Christian say, “How can I be always reading the Bible?” or, “What harm is there in reading a story-book?” All such questions give sad evidence of the fact that the soul has wandered far away from Christ. This is what makes it so very serious. Spiritual decay must have set in, and made alarming progress, ere a Christian could think of asking such questions. Hence there is little use in arguing about the right or the wrong of things. There is no ability to argue aright, no capacity to weigh evidence. “There is death in the pot.” What is really wanted is a thorough cleansing of the soul. You must “bring meal,” or, in other words, apply a divine remedy, to meet the diseased condition. It is the Christian’s duty to call attention to this practical question. It is a matter of deepest concern. We can not doubt that the extremely low standard of perfection that we are satisfied with, is responsible for the reading of light and worthless literature. Because we have been admonished to “raise the standard of truth higher and still higher,” many consider that we have done very well; that we are so far ahead of the popular churches, that we can take things10 a little easy. Let us wake up, and look this question in the face! The moral effect of all light and sensational literature is most pernicious. How can a soul prosper on such food? How can there be any growth in the divine life, where there is no real love for the Bible, or for the grand books which our loving Father has so plentifully given to our people, throwing such a clear light on the precious contents of the Bible? Is it possible that a Christian can be in a healthy condition of soul who really prefers some light work to a volume designed for true spiritual edification? We are fully persuaded that all true-hearted, earnest Seventh-day Adventists, all who really love Jesus, who long to become like him, who love the present truth, who love his holy law, who have a burning desire to warn their friends and neighbors of the approaching end of all things, who long and yearn for the coming Saviour, and for our glorious home and country,—all such will be found diligently reading the Holy Scriptures, and thankfully availing themselves of any good, helpful books, periodicals, or pamphlets that may come within their reach. We entreat all Seventh-day Adventists to shun and discountenance all light reading. It does positive damage to the soul, not openly, but in a treacherous, subtle way. It is the way Satan works. The soul is marred, and will never get back its original sweetness. Let us each, when about to take up a book or a paper, ask the questions, “Would I like my Lord to come, and find this in my hand? Can I take this into the presence of God, and ask his blessing upon the reading of it? Can I read it to the glory of the name of Jesus?” If we can not answer, “Yes,” to these questions, then by the grace of God let us fling the paper or the book away, just as we would throw away a venomous serpent. Let us devote our spare moments to reading the blessed Word of God, or some spiritual volume written thereon. Then shall our souls be well nourished and strengthened, we shall grow in grace, and in the knowledge and love of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and the fruits of righteousness shall abound in our practical life to the glory of God. PRAYER is one of the greatest privileges that man can enjoy. It is like the pipe which conveys air to the diver at the bottom of the sea. If that pipe be severed, he must hopelessly perish. The Christian in this sinful world, surrounded by temptation, will quickly be overcome if he ceases to breathe the air of heaven. It is by means of prayer that he does so. Prayer bridges the space between man and the throne of God. Prayer enters the heavenly courts, and stands among the angels to plead its requests before the face of Jehovah. Prayer is the channel by which the fulness of heaven can be poured into the empty soul. Prayer is the discipline which deepens our shallow natures. A hundred trifling interests float on the surface of our minds, lightly entertained, easily forgotten. These do not enlarge our hearts; they rather dwarf our natures to their own insignificance. But when some ray of light from heaven shines upon us, and by its light we see some blessing greatly to be desired, and when we begin to pray for that which we desire, our nature is stirred more deeply. Latent sympathies are aroused; new spiritual energies awaken within us. More and more the soul is quickened by presenting itself at the mercy-seat, and it begins to grow toward God as flowers grow toward the sun. When we read of the holy men of old who learned to pray with strong faith, we see that the answer to their prayer was not always sent immediately. But they kept on praying, because, though the answer was not yet given, in the very act of prayer they had taken a firmer hold of heaven, and their faith was stronger to endure. They saw a deeper meaning in their own petition, and pressed it with a new sense of need, and a larger expectation from God. Thus they were led into a deeper experience, and the very delay made the answer fuller when it came. Moses and Paul, praying for their kinsmen according to the flesh, were led into deeper and deeper desire until they were willing to be themselves cut off if only those whom they agonized for might be saved. Thus their prayer wrought in themselves a fitness to be the agents of its fulfilment, which was the best possible answer to their petition.—A. W. Bartlett. “When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.” Job 22: 29. God has here put a word in our mouths that we are to speak to souls that are cast down,—a word of courage, a message of hope. “Thou shalt say there is lifting up.” No discouraging, disheartening word is to be spoken. Souls cast down and depressed are not to remain in that condition. God has made bare his holy arm, his strong arm, his long human arm, in the person of Jesus, in the sight of all the nations, to lift up the fallen, the cast down and discouraged. Jesus has a firm hold upon the throne of God, and by the tenderest of ties, in taking our own nature, he has linked himself to the human family, for the express purpose of lifting us up. God’s arm is for the mighty uplifting of weak humanity. The first time the word lifted is used in the Bible is in connection with the lifting of a soul out of trouble: “They drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit.” Gen. 37: 28. Joseph’s fine coat had brought him into trouble, or rather the pride of heart fostered by his father’s partiality, of which his long-sleeved tunic was an evidence, had angered his brethren. They were to wear the short-sleeved working coats, while he, the gentleman, in long sleeves, was destined for a higher position. Then those dreams,—the eleven sheaves bowing down to his sheaf, and the sun and moon and eleven stars all making obeisance to him,—added to their resentment. He evidently made a mistake in wearing his best coat on this journey to his brethren; and others since that day have made the mistake of wearing their dress suits when they ought to have had on their working clothes. But the time had come when God saw best to deal with both Jacob and Joseph. The offending coat, dipped in blood, brings grief to the father’s heart, and Joseph’s experience in the pit converts and humbles him. God, who saves the humble person, began then to lift up the prisoner of the pit. God had first lifted him out of himself while dealing with him alone in the pit, and then he so ordered it that the same men who had put him into the pit must lift him out. God kept right on lifting Joseph until he placed him next to the king upon the throne. So in like manner will God lift every soul who will submit fully to his dealings. From the horrible pit and miry clay (Ps. 40: 1-3) of sin, he will lift us and continue to lift us, until he places the “overcomer” upon his throne, next to the King, as he did Joseph. Rev. 3: 21. “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3: 14, 15. In order that sinful man might be lifted up, Jesus, the sinless substitute, must first be lifted up on the cross. “I, if I be lifted up, . . . will draw all men unto me.” He will draw them up to his side upon his throne. There is mighty lifting power in the cross of Jesus. “Lift him up,” and he will draw and lift the beholder. “In loving-kindness Jesus came,
My soul in mercy to reclaim,
And from the depths of sin and shame
Through grace he lifted me.
“He called me long before I heard,
Before my sinful heart was stirred;
But when I took him at his word,
Forgiven, he lifted me.
“His brow was pierced with many a thorn,
His hands by cruel nails were torn,
When from my grief and guilt forlorn
In love he lifted me.
“Now on a higher plane I dwell,
And with my soul I know ’tis well;
Yet how or why, I can not tell,
He should have lifted me.
“From sinking sand he lifted me;
With tender hand he lifted me;
From shades of night to plains of light,
O, praise his name! he lifted me!” “Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance; feed them also, and lift them up forever.” Ps. 28: 9. “I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up.” Ps. 30: 1. Wahroonga, N. S. W., Australia. THE little resting-spots of men
That creep along Time’s wall
Like shadows in the noonday glare
Are kindest, after all;
When wearied by the morn of toil,
Burned with Ambition’s flame,
’Tis sweet to seek the humble spot
Where some one breathes your name.
— Selected. Eating for Strength
By W. M. Scott
THE human body is constantly expending the solids, liquids, and gases of which it is composed; and hence their renewal is indispensable for the maintenance of health and life. We furnish the so-called aliments thus required in the shape of food, drink, and air, the first two being received into the system by the stomach, the last by the lungs, and thus introduced, they are applied to different purposes. The first grand health rule laid down was that which prescribed fruits, grains, and herbs (vegetables and salads) as an important part of man’s diet. These things are both food and medicine for our bodies; and the more we rely upon them for our sustenance, the healthier we shall be. Our food should be of good quality. Healthy blood and strong muscles can not be formed out of inferior materials. Common sense will teach us that unwholesome food must have a bad effect upon our health. “The staff of life” is bread. In its natural state the kernel of wheat contains, in about right proportions, all the elements necessary for building and repairing the body, giving energy and heat, and supplying food for brain and nerves. In removing the bran, or outer covering, some of the most important elements of the wheat are sacrificed; namely, the nitrogenous portion and the medicinal salts, both of which lie near the surface. The modern bakers’ loaf, made from highly refined white flour, can not be called a “staff;” it is often a “broken reed,” upon which many are leaning with disastrous results to their health. Put good, wholesome, well-baked loaves of Graham bread upon your tables; and then mark the improvement that will soon exhibit itself in the health of yourself and family. A handful of currants and raisins added to the flour will make a very appetizing and nourishing fruit bread, costing little, and far more wholesome than rich cakes. Dates, raisins, currants, figs, and prunes, as well as other dried fruits, all stand very high in nourishing and healthful properties. Then comes the abundant variety of fresh fruits,—apples, oranges, grapes, plums, pears, strawberries, gooseberries, currants, etc.,—our mouths water as we think of them. All of these contain grape-sugar, a highly nutritious food element, which gives energy and heat; but the pure, distilled water which they contain, and the valuable acids and mineral salts, are of even greater value. If you suffer from constipation, try what one or two “Golden Pills,” taken in the morning before breakfast, will do for you (we refer to oranges). More of the herbs, in the form of tender green salads and vegetables generally, ought to be eaten. They contain in large measure those valuable salts and alkalies which feed our nerves, and give energy and vitality to our blood. Many persons are really suffering from “saline starvation” (of which anemia, or bloodlessness, is one symptom) through lack of these valuable salts, which we find contained in vegetables, salads, fruits, and in the whole-wheat flour, oatmeal, rye, and in the cheaper varieties of good rice. The finely polished and glossy-looking rice is not nearly so valuable for health as the cheaper “unpolished” varieties. Three meals a day are ample for all. Late suppers are a fruitful cause of headache, coated tongue, and bilious attacks. If you feel hungry in the evening, after having partaken of three meals, try eating a few apples or oranges, or simply sipping a glass of pure cold water. Your sleep will be sweet, and you will rise refreshed and vigorous in the morning; that is, of course, provided your room is well ventilated. An excellent way of providing your family with the very essential saline elements contained in the vegetables, is to make a thick soup, or Scotch “broth,” of various vegetables, chopped fine, a handful of rice, a cupful of lentils, and a pinch of salt. No meat will be required, as the lentils take its place. Cook slowly for two or three hours, and serve with stale bread and butter. There is ample here to constitute a good, nourishing meal, upon which hard work can be accomplished. Graham bread and butter, stewed currants, raisins, or prunes, and a glass of milk or cocoa, make an excellent breakfast or tea meal, and will build healthy bodies and give pure, red blood. Tea is not a food. It is simply a stimulant and nerve-poison. Tea and coffee are undoubtedly common factors in bringing on an attack of the “nerves,” as well as many obstinate forms of indigestion, the tannin they contain preventing the digestion of portions of our food. If luscious, juicy fruit is taken in abundance, the desire for drinking at meals will gradually disappear, and we shall be all the healthier for it; for overloading the stomach with liquid is also a source of trouble. But drink plenty of pure, cold water between meals, allowing two or three hours to elapse after a meal, and then sipping it slowly, small quantities at a time. Drinking large quantities of cold liquids reduces the animal heat, and often results in disastrous consequences, especially when one is heated from exertion. Do not swallow anything until you have tasted it, chewed it, and reduced it to the fluid state of milk. You will find that added enjoyment of your food, and increase in health and happiness, result from this custom.—W. M. Scott.