"WELL, Herbert, I've got everything fixed exactly to suit me through the summer."
"Have you, dear?" Ethel's brother spoke with his usual tone of kindly indulgence, but with a manner which showed that his thoughts were far away.
"Yes," she went on, "it just lets me out having Aunt Anna take a fancy to spend the summer among some of her own friends. If she had remained with us, I should, of course, have felt it my duty to go out to the farm—nice and wholesome and all that, but poky. The next thing which offered to me was cousin Helen's invitation to go there—far better, pleasant place, boating, and some good, staid, proper, old-family country society. But now this invitation from Alice Phillips meets my need in every way. Don't you think so, Herbert?"
"Certainly, dear," with an evident effort at recalling what his sister had been saying.
"A delightful round—up the St. Lawrence, with a stay at the Thousand Islands and somewhere up the Saguenay, into the Adirondacks, camping, and wind up with the White Mountains as long as we please; you, as you say you can't be gone very long, to join us at the Adirondacks."
"Oh, I certainly didn't agree to that, Ethel!"
"No, you didn't. But I agreed for you, and that means just the same, you know—doesn't it? You have been looking so doleful lately, and that would put some spirit into you."
He smiled at her coaxing tone.
"No doubt of that. But there won't be much summering for me."
"Why?"
"Difficulties and complications in business which you could not understand, employees clamoring for higher wages, while prices are going down and profits shrinking. No, dear, I must try to keep down expenses instead of incurring new ones."
He left the table before Ethel had time to offer her protest.
"It is too bad," said the young lady to herself impatiently the next morning on finding that her brother had taken an early breakfast and gone down to the factory. "Here's a letter from Alice, and she wants an immediate answer to it. I'm sure that Herbert, when he sees how she depends on just the number to make up the party, will consent to shake off business onto his partner for a while. I do believe I'll go down to the factory and have a talk with him."
Accustomed, since the death of her parents years before had left her to the indulgent care of her older brother, to act on her impulses, Ethel took her way, for the first time in her life, to the factory, bent on carrying her point in the matter of the summer pleasuring.
It was a long way from the portion of the city in which she lived. One or two friends met her by the way, and noon was striking before she had penetrated into the precinct given up to the city toilers.
She had never realized before that there were such places as she passed through. She would have given up her purpose had she not been very anxious to send prompt answer to her friend's letter.
Did people live in such places? How could they? How could such sights and smells as these, among which she saw poverty-stricken women and squalid, uncared-for children, be borne for a day or a night?
Farther down still were the factories, just letting out their crowd of operatives. She saw girls of her own age, but like her in nothing else—girls upon whom life had turned its dark side; who, far from thought of pleasure in the opening summer, bore only a weight of concern as to whether strength would last through it to win by unceasing toil a poor support for their wasted bodies.
Curious eyes gazed at her as she hurried by. She was glad when at last, through a maze of drays and heaps of merchandise, she gained the huge, dingy building in which she was led to her brother's office.
It was plain that the junior partner in the concern did not share the leisure hour enjoyed by the operatives. Unseen by him, Ethel caught sight of his face as he sat leaning his head on his hand, and she stopped short at his careworn expression. Once or twice she had seen something like it before, but always modified by the smile with which he had forced himself to listen to her gay, rattling talk.
For a few minutes Ethel stood, taking in with keen eyes all the surroundings. This was the place where her brother spent his days making the money which she spent so freely and with so little thought. Slowly at length she turned away, feeling years older than when that morning she had read Alice Phillips' letter.
She did not stop for a dainty lunch down town and a round of shopping, but made her way home at once. Seated alone in her own room, a host of new thoughts crowded upon her.
"Why am I so unlike those girls? Ought I to be? Ought I to have so much and they so little? And Herbert! Why have I never stopped to think what a hard-worked life he has had, while I am of no more use than a butterfly? Oh, what a vain, trifling thing I have been! I profess the name of Jesus, but I have never for one moment thought of denying myself anything that I might share with those who have so little. If mother had lived, I believe I should have been different. But I can be different now—if I will."
It took hours of thought and prayer to settle the "if." The summer full of delightful self-seeking was hard for a young girl to give up. But the thought of those other young girls brought continually before her awakened heart the question:—
"Who maketh thee to differ?"
The letter which went to Alice Phillips bore a message very dissimilar from that which had been intended in the morning.
"Herbert," said Ethel in the evening, "what are your own plans for outing this summer?"
"Why, little girl, I haven't formed any yet. In fact, I do not see any time or money for me to spend on outings."
"Let me plan for you," she said. "You will come out to the farm and stay over Sunday with me; and in August you will stay there two or three weeks. How will that do?"
"But what would become of your fine journey with your fine friends?"
"That's given up. O Bert, I know you think me the most silly, selfish trifler in the world—and you're about right. But I took a peep at you when you didn't know it, and at some of those poor work girls, this morning. I guess it does one good to look at the other side of things once in a while. Bert, would my trip have cost much?"
"A good deal, dear."
"And do you think it might be spent in giving some of those girls a bit of the country?"
"It would go a long way among poor girls, Ethel, if you lay your plans well."
Ethel's plans were carefully considered. Would any of you girls, thoughtless, yet well meaning, like to know to how many were brought a taste of the Lord's gracious gifts through her self-denial? It is an experiment, absorbing in its carrying out, delightful in its results, which many may try.—Selected.
HAPPY HOMES.
By The Southland
HOME life ought to be the happiest part of living, and yet it seems to me with many people it is the most miserable.
Many men who are pleasant and affable at their places of business, grow cross and irritable as soon as they cross the threshold of their homes and shut the world outside.
Many women who are gay and good humored to all the world beside, are peevish and disagreeable to everybody at home.
Many boys and girls who play merrily and happily with other children and at other places, have never a pleasant word for brother or sister or parents at home. This is exactly the reverse of what it should be.
If you must be cross and peevish and irritable and unpleasant, let it be with the world at large. There, if people find you disagreeable, they can get away from you. If you can be pleasant only a part of the time, let it be602that part which you spend at home, for the members of your family must endure your presence; there is no escape.
Husband, if business is bad and things at the store do not go to please you, shake off the bad humor at the gate and enter your home with a smile.
Wife, if the cook is stupid and everything goes wrong in the kitchen, and you lose your temper and scold and cry, get over it, if possible, before your husband comes home, and meet him with unwrinkled brow and eyes not red with weeping.
Children, make it a rule, as soon as you are old enough to make a rule, never to go home angry or ill tempered, and you will find it easy to keep home happy and beautiful, and to dwell there in content.—The Southland.
A BIT OF EXPERIENCE.
I HAVE met with a good many people,
In jogging o'er life's varied way—
I've encountered the clever, the simple,
The crabbed, the grave, and the gay;
I have traveled with beauty, with virtue,
I have been with the ugly and bad,
I have laughed with the ones that were merry,
And wept with the ones that were sad.
One thing I have learned in my journey,—
Ne'er to judge one by what he appears,—
The eyes that seem sparkling with laughter
Oft' battle to keep back the tears.
And long, sanctimonious faces
Hide often the souls that are vile,
While the heart that is merry and cheerful
Is often the freest from guile.
And I've learned not to look for perfection
In one of our frail humankind;
In hearts the most gentle and loving
Some blemish or fault we can find.
But yet I have ne'er found the creature
So low, so depraved, or so mean
But had some good impulse, some virtue,
That 'mong his bad traits might be seen.
And, too, I have learned that most friendships
We make are as brittle as glass—
Just let a reverse overtake us,
Our "friends" on the other side pass.
But, ah! I have found some few loyal,
Some hearts ever loving and true,
And the joy and peace they have brought me
Will cheer me my whole journey through.
—Selected.
THE USES OF LEMONS.
EVERY part of the lemon tree is valuable in medicine, though we rarely employ any of it but its fruit—that is, of the lemon itself. Lemonade is one of the best and safest drinks for a person, whether in health or not. It is suitable to all stomach diseases, and is excellent in sickness. It is a specific against worm and skin complaints. The pippins crushed may also be used with water and sugar and taken as a drink. Lemon juice is the best anti-scorbutic remedy known. It not only cures the disease, but prevents it. Sailors make a daily use of it for this purpose. Rubbing the gums with lemon juice daily will keep them in perfect health. The hands and nails are also kept clean, white, soft, and supple by the daily use of lemons instead of soap. It also prevents chilblains. Neuralgia may be cured by rubbing the part affected with a cut lemon. It is valuable also to cure warts and to destroy dandruff on the head by rubbing the roots of the hair with it.—Selected.
NORTH CHINA MISSION.
MR. CHAPIN, writing from Lin Ching, April 8, reports a visit made by himself and his medical assistant, Mr. Chou, at two villages to which they went for the purpose of looking after some patients who had been in the Lin Ching Hospital, and who had manifested some special religious interest. At one of the villages they met two of their former patients who now manifested no special interest, but at Wang-kuang-Tun they were surprised and delighted at the attitude of some of the patients who had been treated and also at the hundreds and even thousands who came to see and hear and be cured. Mr. Chapin says:—
"In many respects this tour was the most remarkable that I ever made. Mr. Chou, a keen, shrewd young Chinaman, who usually takes in the situation at a glance, here failed to show his wonted sagacity by predicting that we would remain there at the longest not more than two days, whereas we stayed nine days, and then came away only because we had an engagement to fill elsewhere. It should be said here that many from this region have come to our hospital for treatment and consequently these were prepared to give a welcome. But not these alone; everywhere I went, in place of the reviling sure to be heard in a new place where foreigners have been but seldom, there were shown the utmost kindness and courtesy. The villages around Pang Chuang, where the missionaries are held in such high estimation, are not wont to display more good feeling than I received on this occasion.
"Owing to this attitude of the people we were able to do more than the usual amount of preaching. Services were held every evening at the inn, and our room was crowded with listeners. Mr. Chi, who joined us the second week and who remained to carry on the work after we left, soon preached himself hoarse. Tracts sold readily. Many knew something of the gospel before we went there, having heard it from those who had been at the hospital. One of the latter devoted the entire time while we were there to hunting up those who were interested and persuading them to accept the truth.
"As a result of this visit, upward of forty men have expressed a wish to join the church. That, however, must come later. Most of these inquirers are unable to read, and with our limited force of workers it will be a matter of great difficulty to give them the necessary instruction; but in one way or another it must be done. Another feature of the work was the number of patients, more than double the number treated at Chung Meng in the same time."
"On this trip I learned for the first time that there are in this part of China a number of 'counterfeit' foreigners. I was myself taken to be one of that class, because of an ability to make myself understood in Chinese. It seems that one or more enterprising Celestials have gone into the work of dispensing medicines, after the manner of the American physician. Usually two or three men go together. One of these dresses in foreign costume and talks a gibberish which is not understood by the natives and so passes for a foreign language. In imitation of American physicians all medicine is given away, but unlike that fraternity the bogus representative of America is quite willing to receive contributions of grain to feed the animal which helps convey him from village to village. In consequence grain pours in upon him by the quantity. This is disposed of by a confederate at the nearest fair, and then Ah Sin departs 'for fresh fields and pastures new.'"—Missionary Herald.
THE FLOWER OF DUTY.
By Virginia Bioren Harrison
BY VIRGINIA BIOREN HARRISON.
IN silence, and with progress all unseen,
Throughout the cycle of a hundred years,
The century plant attains its daily growth,
Until at last the gorgeous bloom appears.
So, when some glorious deed for duty done
The world with admiration stirs, we know
That through a life of little tasks fulfilled
Was formed the bud whose bursting thrilled us so.
—S. S. Times.
DOING ALL SHE CAN.
By Dr. W. A. Spencer
TWENTY-TWO years ago a German moved up the Ohio River, and had only seven hundred dollars and an interest in a superannuated sawmill. That man has been so blessed of God for his generous giving that to-day he is worth thirty millions of dollars. He has a beautiful young daughter, who is a graduate of the best woman's college in this country, a master of Latin, Greek, German, French, Italian, as well as being very proficient in music and art. What is she doing? Is she dawdling about in fashionable society, or running from resort to resort, crossing the water every summer to pick up some dude or some sickly foreign count or some pseudo prince, that she may bestow her fortune on him and share the disgrace of his name? Hear what she is doing. If her father should die to-day, her check would be worth at least ten millions of dollars. She is the unpaid missionary of the Presbyterian Church in the city of New York, down in the lowest and most neglected part—climbing up the stairs of tenement houses, three, four, five, six stories, to minister comfort and salvation to those who are in want and sickness and sin. She is searching there for jewels for her Master's crown. She is a lineal descendent of the Son of Man, who left his glorious home on high to come down on earth and win men to God.
BATTLE CREEK SANITARIUM HEALTH FOODS.
The unequaled health foods manufactured by the Sanitarium Health Food Company are neither made nor sold by others than their authorized agents. The Rural Health Retreat, St. Helena, Cal., is authorized to manufacture our granola and most of our other health foods for the Pacific Coast. The Union College is authorized to manufacture granola in Lincoln, Nebraska, and to supply members of the Seventh-day Adventist Conference living in that State. Our granola and other special health foods are not manufactured by any other parties.
SANITARIUM HEALTH FOOD CO.,
BATTLE CREEK, MICH.
THE MEDICAL MISSIONARY.
By Editor
(J. H. KELLOGG, M. D., EDITOR.)
A TWENTY-FOUR page monthly journal, devoted to the various phases of medical missionary and benevolent work. It contains each month also articles of general interest on mission fields, and items of missionary intelligence. Each number is illustrated.
Published by S. D. A. Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association.
Price, 25 cents per year. Address Medical Missionary, Battle Creek, Mich.
UNION BETWEEN PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS. Some prominent points showing the prospects of such a confederacy. 8 pp.; $1.00 per hundred. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal.
BAPTISM: Its Significance, Its Nature, and the Necessity for It. By E. J. Waggoner. Bible Students' Library, No. 79. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. 16 pp.; 2 cents.
The Beautifying Power of Kindness
By Ralph Waldo Emerson
THERE is no beautifier of complexion, or form, or behavior, like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us.—R. W. Emerson.
THE JOURNEYING OF A POEM.
RECENTLY the New Orleans Times-Democrat published as original, without giving credit to Mr. Dodge, a type picture poem entitled "A New Argument against Corsets." Its merit was recognized, and it was reprinted by The Sun, and is as follows:—
This
is the
shape of
a woman's waist
on which a corset tight
is laced. The ribs, deformed
by being squeezed, press
on the lungs, till they're
diseased. The heart
is jammed and
cannot pump;
the liver
is a
tor-
pid lump;
the stomach,
crushed, cannot
digest; and in a mess
are all compressed. There-
fore, this silly woman grows to
be a beautiful mass of woes,
but thinks she has a lovely
shape, though hideous
as a crippled ape.
This is
a woman's
natural waist,
which corset never
yet disgraced. Inside it
is a mine of health. Outside,
of charms it has a wealth.
It is a thing of beauty
true, and a sweet joy
forever new. It
needs no artful
padding vile
or bustle big to
give it "style."
It is strong and solid,
plump and sound, and
hard to get one arm around.
Alas! if women only knew
the mischief that these corsets
do, they'd let Dame Nature
have her way, and never
try her waist to "stay."
Now it appears that the piece was written by Mr. Dodge eight years ago for The Sun, and was originally published in these columns. It has evidently been the rounds of the press for nearly a decade, and had lost its identity. Probably it is still traveling.—N. Y. Sun.
ACROSS THE PACIFIC.
By Anna L. Ingels
AS THE Australasian mission field is the subject under consideration in the missionary societies in August, I thought that a brief sketch of my trip from San Francisco and arrival in Australia might be of interest. In accordance with the action of the late General Conference, I sailed for my new field of labor on the steamship Mariposa, April 27. Brother A. S. Hickox, one of the laborers designated for the opening of the work in Queensland, Australia, also sailed on this boat. A number of the dear friends with whom we had been so long and so pleasantly associated in the work in the years that are past, accompanied us to the boat. Soon the sad leave-taking began, and the last good-by was said to relatives and friends, whom we never again expected to see in the flesh, and we were loosed from our moorings and passed out into the great deep. Never before, I am sure, in all our lives, did the shores of our native land look half so dear as on this occasion, as, with straining eyes, we watched them receding from us, until the distance and the shades of night hid them from our view. I thank God that he has implanted within the human heart this love of home, even though the broad ocean, or the great continent, separates us from it; else how could we look with glad anticipation to the home beyond, that blest haven of rest, to which our feet are tending.
We soon directed our attention to the land to which we were going, and even in that sad hour, and at so great a cost, it seemed an exalted privilege to go on such a mission for Him who left His home in glory to come to this dark world for us. All regrets for the past, and all anxiety for the future, were laid at the feet of Him who "upholdeth all things by the word of His power," and who is mightier "than the mighty waves of the sea."
During the greater part of our voyage we were favored by wind and wave, and our passage was a smooth and most prosperous one. A week from the day we sailed we reached Honolulu, and remained over one day. Brother Burgess and his son were waiting at the wharf to meet us, and took us to their pleasant home, where we spent the day enjoying their kind hospitality, and seeing some of the points of interest in Honolulu and vicinity. This beautiful isle seems to be well termed the "Paradise of the Pacific." The luxuriant tropical vegetation that grew in such profusion everywhere was of great interest to us. Almost everything we saw in this line was different from what we were accustomed to at home.
As is well known, the government of these islands is at the present time in a very unsettled state. We were shown the private residence of the queen, Liliuokalani, who there awaits her uncertain future. American flags could be seen floating from many of the houses, indicating that their inmates were in favor of annexation to the United States.
Soon after we arrived, a number of the Sabbath keepers gathered at the home of Brother Burgess, and we enjoyed a most precious season together. It seemed to us, as well as to them, a privilege to be again permitted to join with the children of God in thanksgiving for his unspeakable love, and in supplicating his blessing. In the evening Brother Hickox spoke to this little company on the love of God, and the privilege of being colaborers with him. A Norwegian brother who had accepted the truth but a few weeks before, as the result of Brother Burgess' ship work, listened for the first time to a Seventh-day Adventist sermon, which he seemed greatly to appreciate. He was contemplating going to Battle Creek to prepare himself for some part in the work.
Another week brought us to Samoa. As we reached here late in the evening of a dark, rainy night, we were deterred from going ashore, which we had greatly hoped to be able to do. Many of the natives came out in their rowboats and remained alongside of our ship for hours. Many of them presented an intelligent appearance, and some were of fine physique. A goodly number were able to speak the English language to some extent. They seemed to be a good-natured people. They were of a rich copper color. Some wore but little clothing, while others were dressed, as are many of the white inhabitants of these tropical regions, in white. Some of the passengers of our ship were rowed ashore by the natives, and returned under the influence of liquor. We felt for the missionaries, who have to battle against all these adverse influences brought to bear upon the natives by the more enlightened nations. In the day of final reckoning, when all shall be called to give an account for "the deeds done in the body," surely these things will be seen in their true light.
At the end of the third week out we reached Auckland, New Zealand. We entered this port in the early morning. The city is built upon rolling hills and can be seen to good advantage from the harbor. Large, fine houses are built right down to the water's edge, and the beautiful foliage towering above them and waving to the breeze presents a most pleasing picture to one who, for days, has had nothing to rest the eyes upon but sky and ocean. Here we again enjoyed the hospitality and association of Sabbath keepers, who did much to make it pleasant for us during our stay of a few hours. Up to the time we reached Auckland we had an exceptionally smooth passage, but between this port and our destination we encountered head winds and a heavy swell. Many of our fellow voyagers were prostrated with seasickness during this part of our trip, and, in fact, some were ill almost constantly from the day we sailed. But neither Brother Hickox nor myself suffered in the least from this dread visitant of the sea. We felt to praise the Lord continually for his prospering hand, that was ever over us, and that during this long, and otherwise tedious, voyage we were able to concentrate our minds to read and study. We suffered but little inconvenience from heat in the tropics, and as the sea was smooth during this part of our trip, we were privileged to have our windows open, and enjoy an abundance of fresh air. Within two days of our arrival at New Zealand, on Monday night, May 15, we crossed the day line, the next day being Wednesday, the 17th. This was a novel experience, but would have seemed more strange had not all the days on shipboard been so very similar. But
little occurred to break the monotony. We saw a great many flying fish in the torrid zone. Some were no larger than butterflies, while others were a foot in length. We also saw great balls of sparkling phosphorus in the water as it was stirred by our ship's prow, or glistened in its wake. Some of the sunsets were most beautiful. Almost did it appear that the glories of heaven were shining through, so dazzling was the brightness, while at other times the shades and tints were exquisitely soft and delicate, presenting a great variety of hues. As I witnessed these scenes, and beheld the myriads of stars shining in all their splendor, I was led to realize as never before that "the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handiwork."
Most of our fellow voyagers were of a worldly class and were much given to wine drinking and to novel reading. Some opportunity was afforded to sow seeds of truth. We were especially interested in an elderly gentleman, who was a freethinker, and with whom we had frequent conversations upon the subject of religion. He had been reared a Catholic, and having been led to see the inconsistencies of their belief, and their evil practices, and supposing other adherents to Christianity to be as false as they, he had renounced all. A few days before we landed, he asked, with the tears coursing down his cheeks, how he might come to Christ. He was directed to that word which is able to build him up and to give him an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. "Steps to Christ" was loaned to him, and used in other instances to good advantage. I thank God for this little work. It seems to me that too much could not be said in its praise. It is so admirably adapted for use in missionary work, and contains rich gems of thought for all.
On the evening of May 22, having been twenty-four days out, we steamed into the magnificent harbor of Port Jackson, and landed upon Australian soil, in the city of Sydney. We were met at the boat by Elder Daniells and wife, and Brother and Sister Reekie, from whom we received a most cordial welcome, and who have spared no pains in contributing to our comfort, and causing us to feel at home in our new field of labor.
Sydney, the oldest settlement in Australia, has a population of about 400,000. Owing to the numerous coves and bays formed by the harbor, the city seems built upon a number of peninsulas, and the large amount of water frontage thus afforded constitutes one of the greatest advantages of its position. The city is built upon the English plan, and many of the customs and characteristics are patterned after the mother country. Its streets are not as wide as in more modern towns, and many of them are quite irregularly formed. The houses are of stone or brick, and well constructed, although, generally speaking, of plain appearance. The city is adorned by some beautiful and stately buildings, among which are the town hall and the general post office. Sydney does a very large shipping business, and has steamship communication with various countries of the world. Excellent opportunity is thus afforded for ship missionary work. The greater part of its trade, however, is carried on with London.
We are just entering upon the winter season, and are having considerable rain at the present time, although during the first week of our arrival the sun shone out as warm and bright as in our finest summer weather in Oakland. New South Wales, the colony of which Sydney is the capital, is noted for its few gray days and its abundance of sunshine. The newly appointed governor of New South Wales arrived from England May 29, and was received with great demonstration. Thousands of people thronged the streets to do him homage. He was escorted from the boat by the members of Parliament, and other government12officials and men of rank, and attended by the militia.
My impressions of this country as a missionary field are most favorable. Of the middle classes, of which a large proportion of these cities are composed, there are large numbers of intelligent, temperate-looking people, who seem ready for the Third Angel's Message. Individuals are accepting the truth here from time to time under the most interesting circumstances. Although there has never been a series of meetings held in this city, we have a church organization, with a membership of sixty-seven. There are wide-open doors for missionary work in its various phases as carried on in the home field, and, as far as I am able to judge, efforts put forth here are attended with greater results. The canvassing work has been greatly prospered. Many have become interested in the truth, and a goodly number have taken their stand for it, through this means alone. A large field has been opened by the canvasser for missionary correspondence with those living in localities far removed from the centers of our work, and who cannot be reached, at the present time, in any other way. What little has been done in this line has met with most encouraging results. I feel truly thankful, and account it the greatest privilege, to be permitted to labor in this country. To this field the words of our Saviour are most applicable, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few." ANNA L. INGELS. Sydney, Australia, June 17, 1893.
Begin Without Delay
By Goethe
Lose this day loitering, 'twill be the same story
To-morrow, and the rest more dilatory.
Thus indecision brings its own delays,
And days are lost tormenting over days.
Are you in earnest? Seize this very minute;
What you can do, or dream you can, begin it;
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it;
Only engage, and then the mind grows heated;
Begin, and then the work will be completed.
—Goethe.
TO-MORROW.
By Orphan's Friend
I HAVE nothing to do with to-morrow;
My Saviour will make that his care;
Should he fill it with trouble or sorrow,
He will help me to suffer and bear.
I have nothing to do with to-morrow;
Its burdens, then, why should I share?
Its grace and its strength I can't borrow,
Then why should I borrow its care?
AN APPEAL FROM TAHITI.
By Elliot C. Chapman
PAPEETE, Tahiti, June 5, 1893.
DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: While the Lord is blessing all over his wide harvest field and is calling the millions of the great nations of this world to look and live, he has not forgotten the dark-skinned natives of the islands of the sea. Additional evidences are continually occurring to show us that a Master hand is ruling and shaping the destiny of this people, and leading out a company to stand at last complete before God's throne.
The Tahitians are a bright, intelligent looking people, and are not held in superstitious bondage to the Papacy nor in the fear of the wrath of some idol, as they once were. The Bible is quite generally circulated and is looked upon with reverence by many of the natives. As one observes the faces of the restless natives in the market place, who are journeying through life without any special object, the same traces of sin are manifest as exist all the world over. Many have sown tares in their youth, which have borne a harvest of pain and suffering, while others, whose days are well-nigh spent, continue to serve the enemy of all righteousness. Satan is busy at work, and is doing a large business in the liquor traffic, and sending many a poor native down to a drunkard's grave. He also has many agents to ensnare the young, and lead the boys and girls to destruction. We feel thankful for the glorious promise in the Scriptures connected with that statement that "darkness shall cover the earth and gross darkness the people," and it really seems as though we can see some of the droppings of those showers of blessing that betoken the latter rain.
The company at Arue, where Brother Paul Dean preaches, are busy at work building a church. They have continued to increase in numbers until his congregation often numbers seventy or eighty. Since they have been turned out of their old church, they have been meeting in Brother Dean's house, which, fortunately, is quite roomy. Chairs are not a necessity with the native people, for they will often sit for two hours on the hard floor in Turkish style without any apparent discomfort. It is a real encouragement to see how they drink in the truths which Brother Dean gives them from the word of God. We always attend their Sabbath service and also the district meeting which they have every Wednesday evening. This evening meeting consists of prayer, singing, reciting verses of Scripture, and a Bible reading by Brother Dean. This approaches the nearest to a social meeting of anything that they ever have. Hand shaking is general before and after meeting, accompanied by Iorana, the native word of greeting. Even the little children do not forget to be courteous, and are always ready with a smiling face and outstretched hand to greet us with Iorana. Sometimes I think our good people at home, young and old, could learn a lesson from these people in this line.
A real good feeling prevailed among the natives as Brother and Sister Dean went forward in baptism a few weeks ago, and others are anxious to follow. There is on our premises a fine pool in a beautiful stream, where the baptism took place. I have recently printed with a stencil some large law charts in the native language for use in public meetings.
Nearly one month ago the Pitcairn sailed from here, with Elder Read and wife on board, to visit Raiatea and Huahine, islands that are out a day's sail from here. Since their safe arrival there we have been cheered by letters that have come from different individuals on Raiatea. It seems that the Pitcairn has met with such a reception as should make every lover of truth rejoice and take courage. The people there have been believers in what they supposed to be truth, and have not allowed the Catholics to establish themselves there, as they saw their doctrines to be unsound. But now, as they have seen that the day which they supposed to be the true Sabbath rests upon a wrong foundation, they have become all astir, and when we last heard from there, there was much talk of a general move to let go of the Sunday and come over in a body to the observance of the true Sabbath. One of the leading French missionaries is on the field, and is trying to quiet the natives by telling them that the law of God is abolished. But this they cannot accept as truth, for only a few months ago he taught that the law was good, and had it read every Sunday in church. He is there for the purpose of gathering up donations for mission work, which the people are accustomed to give yearly. Some of the people have told him that they were going to give their donations to the Pitcairn this year.
To what extent these reports are true I do not know, and as the mail to San Francisco goes earlier this month than usual, it is not likely that you will hear much direct from there this month. They are calling loudly for a missionary at Raiatea, and can the Pitcairn turn a deaf ear to their cry and not leave one? Truly the harvest is great and the laborers are few. The island of Raiatea has had an interesting history, it being the center of John Williams' labors for many years, and it having sent out some of the most successful native workers that the cause of missions has ever seen. There are about 6,000 people on Raiatea and adjoining islands, and how greatly they need the help which they are so anxious to receive! The package of tracts which Brother Read took along were eagerly received. A man from there told Brother Bambridge that there were lots of natives on board the Pitcairn, and that each one went away with one of the leaflets in his hand.
We are very anxious for a printing press, as things are widening out so all around us, and the demand for literature is so increasing, that we realize more and more the need of a printing plant. A new missionary has just been appointed to Raiatea, and is already at the island. He has a small printing outfit. Shall we have to be silent while he scatters literature telling that the law of God is abolished? No, brethren, the cause of God is onward, and its messengers must be at the front. We want to let this people know what truth is, and now, while there is an interest, is the best time to do it. A letter from Sister Read, written May 24, says: "The work here is progressing; we have meetings two or three times each week on the ship. This morning Mr. Read and I go in the open boat to Huahine. Oh, how I dread it, I shall be so sick! We hope to be home in about two weeks."
Sister Read
One thing is certain, that the Lord is working for this people, and we trust that the brethren at home will remember the work here in their prayers, that the truth may triumph, and many of those who now sit in darkness may walk in the light of life.