SINCE our last report to the REVIEW there has been considerable change in the appearance of our sanitarium. It is rapidly nearing completion, and we expect to be ready to receive patients in about two weeks. Those who are already coming in are being treated in an adjoining cottage, and many others are waiting till the bath-rooms are ready and the rooms finished in the sanitarium building.
The work has progressed quite slowly in the past, and it was very trying on the nerves of any one wishing to see things move rapidly, but of late the work has gone much faster, the plastering on the bath-rooms and the two floors above is completed, and the finishing work by the carpenters is well under way.
We have a beautiful location in the suburbs of Nashville, just far enough out to escape the noise, dust, and smoke of the city, on an elevated portion of land where, from the spacious verandas, the entire city can be seen spread out like a picture, and also the country for many miles around, with its hills and valleys, dotted here and there with farmhouses, and from the groves near by can be heard the songs of the birds, the whole presenting a scene of restfulness and peace that it is better than medicine to the weary and sick.
We hear many favorable comments concerning the location and appearance of the sanitarium from the neighbors, doctors, and business men of the city, and all say that we shall have all we can do when we are ready to receive patients.
We hope that our brethren and sisters will not only remember us in their prayers, but will also remember us to their friends who live in, or think of coming to, the South, and we will do the best we can for them both physically and spiritually.
DR. F. A. WASHBURN.
Medical Missionary Department
Conducted by the Medical Department of the General Conference
W. A. GEORGE, M. D., - - - - Chairman
W. A. RUBLE, M. D., - - - - Secretary
Religious Liberty Notes
By K. C. R.
THE following statements made by President Wheeler in his address to the graduating class of the University of California are worthy of being passed on to the readers of the REVIEW to be considered by any who may be tempted to slacken their energies because of the victories the Lord has given them thus far in defeating the foes of religious liberty: “When an army has captured the enemy’s camp, it is better not to fall upon the spoil, but to continue falling upon the enemy. When a man has achieved something, it is better not to stop for congratulations, but to move on. The achievement is to be treated as so much gathered headway, and the moment of victory is the moment of opportunity. . . . The leading runner in the dash dare not turn to watch his antagonist without periling the victory. Eyes were with purpose set in the front of heads, and they that make for the mountains must waste no time in gazing back toward the cities of the plain, or measuring the way they have passed. Salt is good, but salt is the pillar and emblem of the static, not the strenuous life. Remember Lot’s wife. They that really run the race, they that really live the life, set their eyes on the goal, and press on toward the prize of their high calling.”
Brother J. J. Nethery, of Alexandria, Egypt, sends the following interesting extract, entitled “The Sunday Drink,” which he found in an English paper: “The Sheffield licensing magistrates declared that persons whose three-mile walk on Sunday is taken with the object of obtaining a drink, are not entitled to the drink. Only those who walk for the sake of walking are entitled to a drink.” This is indeed a unique ordinance. One can but query how the magistrate will be able to determine whether the offending person walked to obtain the drink, or for the sake of walking, unless a little inquisition is established.
Colonel Glenn, commander of the Columbus, Ohio, Post, at the first dress parade of the spring, insisted that the civilian spectators should remove their hats in salute to the national flag. The Washington Post, of April 24, 1907, comments editorially on the incident as follows:—
“On what meat does this Colonel Glenn feed? Does he not know that the most precious thing that flag typifies is the liberty of the citizen to wear his hat in its presence, and the moment the citizen is coerced to do it homage, the flag is degraded to the hated and loathsome category that was held by Gessler’s cap? What would be a greater insult to the stars and stripes than to hail a free man before it and force him to do obeisance to it? Who but a man made for slavery would submit to the petty tyranny of an upstart army officer who orders him to bow to the flag or doff his hat to it?
“The liberty of the citizen adds a million times more glory to the flag of our country than all battle-fields over which it ever waved in victory—aye, the liberty of the citizen to stand covered in its presence. What is a patriotism that has to be coerced?—More worthless than a love that has to be bought.
“Understand us; we think it perfectly proper for the citizen to pay respect to the flag by uncovering in its presence, if he does it spontaneously, and without cant. That is all right; but to be forced to do it is as degrading as it is to the slave of the sultan to fall prostrate in his sovereign’s presence. A pretty citizenship we would have if the army is to be employed to harry the people and round them up and make them uncover in the presence of the flag, which typifies nothing if not the liberty of the citizen to wear or doff his hat as shall please him, and him alone.
Patriotism is something of a matter of taste; it is always spontaneous if it be genuine, and it is no business of an army officer to prescribe a patriotic code for a free American citizen to observe. Mr. Secretary Taft is now at home, and he might do his country a very great service if he should teach army officers that the flag is for the citizen, and not the citizen for the flag.” K. C. R.
Current Mention
— One hundred thousand people are estimated to have been driven from their homes by the overflowing of the Dnieper, Dniester, and Divina. The inundations have caused extreme distress.
— Some wealthy American Catholics propose to purchase a strip of land sixty-five miles long from the Vatican to the Mediterranean, and add it to the pope's temporal domain. The initial cost will be about $1,000,000.
— A hurricane swept over parts of Campeche, Mexico, the night of April 30, causing the loss of millions of dollars' worth of crops and some lives. It is feared there may have been heavy loss to shipping in the Gulf.
— By the rush of water from an abandoned shaft seven miners were entombed near Johnstown, Pa., for four and a half days before sufficient water could be pumped out to allow the rescue party to reach the entombed men. All survive.
— Two encounters have recently occurred between the Cuban police and unarmed seamen of the cruiser “Tacoma,” stationed at Santiago. The seamen were returning to the boat at the expiration of shore leave. The authorities are investigating.
— Trouble has arisen in Montenegro, because the cabinet has inaugurated a campaign against the Radicals. They are accused of instigating the destruction of the printing-offices of two Radical newspapers. Anger is aroused throughout the country, and armed bands are marching on the capital.
— By the breaking away of a large part of the pier being constructed by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Baltimore, eight persons are known to have lost their lives, and it will not be possible to tell the exact number of fatalities until pay-day, as many were known only by number.
— A cyclone accompanied by heavy rain and hail destroyed every house but one in the little town of Henning, about sixty miles from Fort Worth, Tex., April 27. Ten persons are known to have perished, and as many others were injured. The direct path of the storm was about 500 yards wide, and the whole area affected was about ten square miles.
— If he might be granted immunity from prosecution, Mayor Schmitz, of San Francisco, has proposed to the prosecutors to resign the office of mayor, make a full confession to the grand jury of his knowledge of municipal graft, and join the ranks of the reformers. Although he could doubtless furnish much desired information, as yet his proposal has not been accepted.
— The relations between the governments of Guatemala and Mexico are very much strained, and an open declaration of war against Guatemala by Mexico is believed by some to be imminent if General Lima's extradition is refused. More than 10,000 of the Mexican troops are mobilized on the Guatemalean frontier. The U. S. gunboat “Paducah” has sailed to Puerto Barrios, Guatemala.
Christian Liberty
Reports, Notes, and Comments Pertaining to the Current History of the Rights of Conscience
Conducted by the Religious Liberty Bureau
K. C. RUSSELL, — — — — — Chairman
W. A. COLCORD, — — — — — Secretary
A Convenient Time
By K. C. R.
THERE will not be a more convenient time for the friends of religious liberty to exert themselves in enlightening the people regarding the dangers which threaten the rights of conscience than during this present season. From the work that has already been done by the so-called reformers, whose efforts can only logically result in a complete union of church and state in this country, we feel that this season will be no exception to previous ones, in their determination to secure their desired ends.
Their attacks during the summer months will doubtless be aimed at all forms of popular amusement taking place on Sunday, but which are considered legitimate on all other days. It should be made plain to all that we are not championing theaters upon any day of the week; but, on the other hand, we should make it equally as plain that the state has no right to deprive people of the opportunity of doing on Sunday that which is considered proper on other days of the week.
Let every loyal Seventh-day Adventist plan at once to improve every opportunity in the community where he may reside, to educate the people concerning the principles of Christian liberty, as the Sunday closing crusades arise.
The following is a list of some of the new religious liberty tracts which can be used to good advantage in our work this summer: (1) Principles Too Little Understood, (2) Sunday Laws, (3) Logic of Sabbath Legislation, (4) The Civil Sabbath, (5) Civil Government and the Church, (6) Religious Liberty—What Eminent Authorities Say, (7) The Church’s Greatest Need To-day, (8) Church Federation, (9) Limits of Civil Authority, (10) A Vital Question, (11) What Are Works of Charity and Necessity? (12) “Backward States.”
All orders for tracts should be sent to the Review and Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. K. C. R.
The Educational Missionary Movement
By C. C. NICOLA
Get into Line
I ONCE stood before the Washington Monument, that colossal finger of stone pointing up into the very sky; but of more absorbing interest to me than the immensity of this monument to the greatness of the past, was the study of the people who crowded its base. The whole throng was moved with a single desire, and that was to enjoy the great expanse of vision which could be had only by reaching the top of this monument. This end could be achieved in two ways. One was to patiently and laboriously plod up the hundreds of steps that led to the top. The other was to take the elevator, which would rapidly and easily lift the visitor to the very pinnacle. Naturally everybody chose the elevator route. But this was not so easy as it sounds; because of the hundreds of people already in waiting, who had formed a line reaching around the entire side of the monument and far beyond. The forty people nearest the elevator door would be taken. The rest must wait and slowly move up in turn to the place nearest the door.
The spirit with which the different visitors met this obstacle was a good index to their character. As I waited, I watched. One young man rushed up, and regardless of the line, marched straight to the entrance. “You will have to take your place in the line,” said the guard. The visitor looked down the long line, which did not appear to be moving. “How long will it take?” said he. “Perhaps an hour, maybe two,” said the guard, carelessly. “But I am in a hurry and can not possibly spend so much time,” said the visitor, edging up toward the line nearest the door. But the guard was relentless. “Go to the end of the line,” said he, and he meant it. Slowly the visitor started for the rear. In the meantime twenty or thirty more had arrived, and, taking in the situation, had gone directly into line; so that he was now just so much farther away. He finally got into line, and after what seemed an intolerable waiting, the line had moved by almost imperceptible advances until he could see the door. But there is still waiting ahead, and nervously looking at his watch, he sees the afternoon is going. His impatience gets the better of him. He decides that if he ever reaches the top of that monument, he must do it in some other way. He leaves the line and tries the guard at the door once more. This time with the purpose of persuading the guard by his importunity, or by money considerations if necessary, to allow him to enter the next car-load. But the guard is no respecter of persons, and apparently money is no temptation. When the young man, frustrated in his attempts at last thinks to return to his place in the line, he finds the gap has closed in and refuses to open to him. His attempts to enter only call the guard, who coolly explains that, having lost his place, his only chance now is to again go to the farthest end of the line. The young man grows angry. He storms and fumes at the guard, at the unjust arrangement, at the very government that is responsible. But all this does not disturb the guard, and only makes the crowd smile as they move up another step. The young man is certainly to be pitied in his confusion and distress. He can not go back to the end and start all over again, and he can not go away without visiting the top of the monument. At last, in sullen despair, he starts to climb the steps. Half an hour later as we are returning from the top, we see our unfortunate friend slowly descending after having climbed about one third of the way. He had given up the attempt.
This incident has an application to the life of every young man and woman. They all wish to rise in life,—to reach the pinnacle of success,—and it is a worthy ambition. Education and training is the elevator which is to lift them up. But to obtain an education of either the head or the hand, means long years of waiting and work. There is no short cut. The guard is unmoved by pleadings. He is indifferent to wealth or rank. There is but one way; that is to get into the line that is advancing toward an education. How many view the length of the line and declare they can not spend so much time in waiting! How many spend enough time waiting, waiting about the gate for an easier way, or in complaining at fate for making23it so hard, to have started at the very end and have worked up. How many who are well started drop out of the line and lose their place because the line does not seem to move fast enough! Many turn away in despair, while others endeavor to retrieve their mistakes by trying to climb to the top without the needed education and training.
Young man, young woman, are you in the elevator line? Are you working toward an education? I see a young man doing some menial labor which may be well enough in itself, but there is nothing beyond it. It leads nowhere. The young man gains nothing in skill or education from it or by means of it. Another is doing something no less menial, but is in the line of events that is moving. By study or by manual training he keeps his place in the line, and is prepared to move up when the time comes. Young friend, it matters not how long the line may be; how many years of pushing and waiting there are ahead, there is but one thing to do. Get into line as soon as possible. It matters not how handicapped you may be by poverty or circumstances, how slowly you appear to be moving. You are better off so long as you are in the line of education than the man on the outside of the line who appears to enjoy more freedom at present, but who can never hope to rise, because he is not in the line that leads to the elevator.
My appeal to every young person is to determine to advance by getting an education or a training of some kind. Study the work you are doing to-day. What does it offer for to-morrow and future years? If it does not give a training or provide a means for a training that will prepare you to advance, you can not afford to continue it at any price. Best of all, try to enter a school or college regularly. If you do not have the means, then find a place where you can attend school in connection with your work. Your progress may be slow, but you are in line. The young person at work in a shop or in a kitchen may master one or two studies at a time, which in time will fit him to enter college or a training-school. A young lady unable to complete a college course may become a trained nurse or a secretary or may enter one of the many other places which afford opportunity for continuous advancement. A young man who can not take a degree in college, may still work his way into one of the mechanical arts where increased experience with diligent study will be a continuous promise of advancement. The demand in the Lord’s work, as in the work of the world, is for trained workers. There is always a call and an opportunity for a mind and a hand that is trained to think and to do. The youth who improves every opportunity of the present, no matter how small it may be, will in a few years from now find himself far up the line toward the gateway of success. Begin now. Get into line. When once there, let nothing tempt you to step out. C. C. NICOLA.
Possibilities
By F. G.
POSSIBILITIES become realized facts only by the constant exercise of consecrated energy. This can not be exercised by another, but must be employed by the one who is undergoing change. Wishing for the change without an untiring effort seems only to put it off. The possibility of change is a gift from God. This possibility is what to a great extent differentiates man from the lower orders of the animal kingdom. It is next to impossible to make a good driving horse out of a heavy draft horse, but it is not impossible to make an alert, active, and keen-minded man out of a slow, stolid boy.
One can not tell by the appearance of a boy what possibilities there are in his life, nor measure the heights of usefulness to which he may attain. The homely, awkward, backwoods boy becomes a president, and guides the nation through the greatest crisis of its history. Scores of examples might be given of men and women who, in childhood and youth, gave no evidence either in their appearance or in natural ability of the usefulness and importance which they afterward attained. In the selection of David as king of Israel, by Samuel, God taught the lesson that we are not to judge of the possibilities which lie in the lives of the young by their appearance. God sees the heart, while man looks on the external.
It therefore becomes our duty to strive to bring out all the possibilities of every young life, paying no regard to any preconceived opinion which we may have formed. This applies with particular force to parents. It is imperative that high ideals for their children should be formed by them; for these ideals to a great extent measure their children's usefulness in after life. It is very easy for parents to become so engrossed in the getting of a living or the acquiring of more than they need, that the energies which should be given to the development of the possibilities that lie in their children are spent upon that which is of far less value. The degree of importance which parents attach to this question is generally the measure of importance which the children themselves attach to it. Occasionally we see children who push on and secure an education even though their parents may oppose, but generally speaking, this is not the case. It is true that the destiny of the child is largely in the hands of the parents.
God expects that every child shall have all his possibilities developed to the fullest extent, and he holds parents accountable for not doing their part in this development. Perhaps your child, parents, may be the one to fill a most important place in God's cause. He may be of great service in a great crisis; and all eternity may speak of his loyalty to truth, and so of your unfeigned faith and devotion to the discharge of your responsibility.
F. G.
To Students Preparing for Work in China
By H. W. MILLER
(Continued)
It has been found that those who are good singers and distinct readers in English are also good singers and readers in Chinese. The same is true of writing, therefore all these talents should receive due attention.
Knowing the geography of Asia, and especially of China and Palestine, well before coming will not necessitate re-learning it here, where all the time will be needed for language study. Unless a good atlas is accessible, it would be well to send to our mission here for a map of China and its provinces (price, seventy-five cents). When the worker comes to these fields, he finds himself interested in other mission fields more than ever before; and in all cases where one has no atlas, it will be found a great satisfaction to be conversant with the position and location of all our missions, as well as to have a good thorough knowledge of the geography of the whole world. The sciences—such as physics, botany, zoology, and chemistry—are of value mostly, as simple illustrations can be drawn from them, also in educating the mind to make contrivances. However, an extensive knowledge of these subjects is not required. Perhaps the most interesting of the sciences is astronomy. To relate some of the wonders in the heavens is of intense interest to a people who believe the stars to be lanterns, the sun to be six hundred and sixty miles in circumference, and the moon six hundred and eighty miles, as was told me by a so-called educated Chinese teacher. Mathematics in China is mostly mental except what can be calculated with the abacus. The average boy of a civilized country, with only a common school education, is far in advance of the most educated Chinese student in this branch of study. In the three years we have been here, we have not been called upon once to solve a problem in algebra, geometry, or trigonometry. Our problems, which are many, can not be solved in this way, but only through a knowledge of the Chinese, their manners and customs. It is a surprising fact that students well informed in ancient and modern history, who can give detailed accounts of Babylonian and Assyrian history, kingdoms that have passed out of existence, are totally ignorant of the history of China, Japan, and Korea, countries containing nearly one third of the population of the world, and which are now coming into prominence as great powers. While some of the ancient history of these countries is mythical, still the history of the last century has been one of great moment to China, and worthy of a place in modern history. The important and essential facts of Chinese history are clearly set forth in a small book entitled “A Sketch of Chinese History,” by F. L. H. Pott, costing about one dollar. The reading of this book would commend itself to any one desiring to become better acquainted with the great political events which have led up to China’s present state, and it should be especially studied by those expecting to come to this land.
This building is located in the center of the examination halls of Peking, and contains the throne of the Emperor Kang Hsi, who was one of the greatest scholars among the emperors of the present dynasty, and reigned from 1662 to 1723. It was erected over three hundred years ago.
Those wishing to become acquainted with the characteristics and manners of the Chinese people will find A. H. Smith’s two books, “Chinese Characteristics” and “Village Life in China” (published by Revell, and for sale in nearly every bookstore), what they want. As yet, the best missionary books out are “Life of J. Hudson Taylor” and “Life of Pastor Hsi.” These can be greatly added to, and should any be interested in reading further, we shall be glad to furnish information.
A good knowledge of English facilitates learning this language, as learning Chinese is a slow process, and if it is necessary to look up the meaning of both the English word and the Chinese character in the dictionary, it becomes a very tedious process. Another subject, a good knowledge of which is of special value in a country like this, is bookkeeping.
Where native teachers, evangelists, and other helpers are associated with a foreign worker, he is constantly handling mission funds in disbursing and receiving remittances in large or small amounts, and is supposed to give a clear statement at the end of each month. It is also important that in a land where money has the complication it has in China, the missionary keeps an account of his private expenses so that he may be able to compare his expenses; and knowing where the greatest leak is, he can, in many cases, reduce this greatly.
As an illustration of the complex system of Chinese currency, we give the following: Money as received here is in drafts for either gold dollars or pounds. These are deposited at the bank and exchanged in taels (a tael is supposed to be an ounce of silver, but its actual weight varies in every city), ordinarily equaling about seventy cents gold; but the tael is not a coined piece, so that we must draw out a piece of silver weighing about four pounds, English weight, which contains fifty odd taels according to the foreign banks’ scales. This money is taken into the interior in these heavy24shoes of silver, one hundred dollars gold weighing about twelve pounds. But this is too large a denomination to use, and so must be sold to a native bank for copper cash, which, like silver at a foreign bank, has no constant value, but is continually varying in price. On an average an ounce of silver sells for twelve hundred and fifty copper cash, which weighs about nine or ten English pounds. A dollar gold exchanged in copper cash weighs about twelve pounds. One hundred dollars would equal twelve hundred pounds. As reports are kept in gold, and the expenditure is in cash, a knowledge of bookkeeping will prove a time saver as well as a system of accuracy.
H. W. MILLER.
(To be concluded)
A Word with Our Young People
By NED S. ASHTON
It has been said: “Wherever in history we mark a great movement of humanity, we commonly detect a young man at its head or at its heart.” And some one else has written: “Youth is one of the talents that heaven has bestowed on all of us, and to us who have it still to enjoy and improve, comes the question, What are you doing with it? Are you wrapping it in a napkin of worldly ambition, only to bury it where neither God nor humanity can receive its increase? The great Judge will surely ask, What didst thou do with those precious years?”
The thoughts here expressed may well come to every young man or woman with startling force; but to those of us who know this precious message, and where we are in the stream of time, it should come with a power that will send us to our knees and wring from our lips the sincere question, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” and to us is given the blessed assurance that the loving Master will not send one earnest inquirer away with that question unanswered.
There has never been a time in the history of our world when any body of young people has been called to a grander work than confronts the young people of this denomination to-day; and never can a time come when we shall need to be filled with more earnest, yes, eager activity than in this time when God himself has said, “There shall be delay no longer.” Come, haste, young people, we can not afford to be left out!
What sweeter message could our King send than this he has sent to us, that a large part of the burden of this closing work will fall upon our youth? And yet sometimes it would almost seem as if even these words from Heaven had fallen upon ears deadened by the music of this world. The King sends word that he needs you, and what reply have you made?
In the work of the third angel's message to-day there are offered to our young people opportunities before which the world's brightest inducements sink into utter nothingness,—the opportunity of having as memorials of their work souls to praise our Heavenly Father all through eternity; and as a reward, when the labor is ended, to hear those sweetest words that can ever fall on mortal ears, “Well done; thou good and faithful servant; . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
But you say, I must have a preparation. Yes, indeed; the best it is possible to get. And God, knowing this, and knowing, too, that which we have sometimes failed to realize, that the world with all its boasted wisdom can not give the needed preparation, has had schools established right among us whose sole object is to furnish to our youth that fitting up for the Master's work which is necessary,—not only a making ready of the head, but also of the hand and of the heart,—preparing us truly “not to be ministered unto, but to minister.”
Let no one say the way is hedged up to him. Satan with all his forces can not, and God will not, prevent you from obtaining the true education the Lord wants you to have; and it will be worth to you far more than it can possibly cost you to secure it.
The Lord by his Spirit led his servant to donate “Christ's Object Lessons” to our schools; and the same Spirit is leading numbers of our brethren and sisters to pay for copies of this book, and turn them over to the schools, that young people who desire an education may sell the same and have the proceeds for that purpose. The Signs of the Times is offering its scholarship. Some energetic young people are taking advantage of these things. Are you? if not, why not? What excuse will you offer the King?
NED S. ASHTON.
A Wrong Education
By D. C. Barcock
The result of a wrong education has not had a greater effect upon any country in all the world, probably, than on dark Africa. It has left her with scarcely a ray of the true light.
To find the origin of this wrong education, and its baleful effects upon the natives of this great continent, we must go back to the early history of the settlement of this country. We can not, in this connection, take into consideration the names and the respective location of the sons of Ham, who was the son of Noah, but we may see what their condition must have been, as they migrated southward from Egypt, and are now to be found in every part of this vast domain.
Shortly after the death of Noah, the tower of Babel was built, and the confusion of tongues resulted. Here Nimrod established the capital of the first earthly government, after the pattern given by the great arch-deceiver, Lucifer. This kingdom reached the height of its glory in the days of Nebuchadnezzar. The city of Babylon became the great center of education for that time, but that education was not of the right kind. It also was planned by Satan. It had a semblance of a right education, but did not reveal the true God as he is, while, on the other hand, it bore the marks of an apostate power. I would be glad to draw here a contrast between the education of the Hebrews and that of Babylon, but space will not permit.
As Babylon became universal in her power, other kingdoms bowed at her feet. Her influence, both civil and religious, was felt everywhere. She was the model for all other governments. That same telling influence is felt to-day in every government on the face of the earth. Babylon’s ideas of God were pantheistic. In Eze. 31:1-8 the prophet of God announces to the king of Egypt that the king will become subject to the mighty monarch of Assyria. By that subjugation, Egypt imbibed all the Babylonian ideas of government, religion, and education.
For centuries Egypt was the gateway to this great continent. She also became the great center of education. The influence of this wrong education is felt in Africa to-day. A wrong conception of God—the prevailing idea that God is found in everything, animate and inanimate—has led on step by step, until every form of worship imaginable is seen. And this idea of the gods they retained, gradually dropping their literary attainments, as they migrated to the south. The awful results of a wrong education can not be sketched. Words can not describe the situation. The grandeur and greatness of Niagara can not be appreciated until one stands upon the very brink of that mighty cataract; neither can one realize the situation of Africa, until he faces personally its present condition. May we not expect that our young men and women, who are in training, who are preparing to give this last message of warning, who are not filled with pantheistic ideas and higher criticism, will place themselves on the altar for perishing souls in this dark continent?
I fear there is a wrong conception, on the part of some at least, of the preparation necessary to meet the demands of this dark field. We need thoroughly trained men and women for this work. The darker the soul, the greater the help needed. We need young men and women of tact and ability, ready to meet every emergency. Let it ever be remembered that our work is not to be patterned after a fallen world. The light shining from Eden should be brought into our school work in dark Africa. I have always believed that the commission given Adam, “Subdue the earth,” is applicable to us to-day. While we have but a short time in which to finish the work allotted us, I believe we should be as thorough in what we undertake, as if we expected the whole world to be made one grand Eden.
May the Lord help our young people to make full and complete consecration of soul, body, and spirit, and get ready for finishing the work.
D. C. BARCOCK.
_The Value of Education in Our Work_
THE degree of a man's success in this world in any line of work depends, as a rule, upon his education in that line. This education may come to him as the result of much hard thinking, it may be the result of costly experience, or it may come without much effort. But the education he must have. All the means to gain the desired success may be placed in his hands, but without the education to use them, the success sought will remain in the dim future. Whatever the trade or business of life, he must be educated for it. He may gain the education while working, but it is the education that brings success. He can not use his powers without it.
Even among our animals the same rule holds good. The horse gives us a good example. The same powers are in the horse wild that are in the horse broken to use. But until educated to use those powers, he is useless to man.25It is the breaking, educating, that makes him useful.
A man is not equally successful in all lines. He is not equally well educated in all lines. In some lines he is not given the power of gaining an education easily. By birth, inheritance, a man is given the power to gain easily an education in some certain lines. Other lines of education demand much hard work. All are imperfectly educated by reason of this inheritance. It is this birthright which we call a bent in a certain direction. But to all is given the power of gaining an education in any line if they are only willing to do some hard work.
In all men God places the ability to gain a knowledge of him, to become educated in his ways. To all his servants he gives this ability according to his promise in James. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
To work for God we must have this education. We must know God and fear him, for Solomon says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” We must know his mercy, know his goodness which leads us to repentance, know the power of his love which saves us. This education is not gained from books. It is learned only by companionship with God.
The most of the disciples of Christ were unlearned men. They had not the education necessary to make a great success of their occupations. As they were, they started with Christ, and by his companionship during three and one-half years they became so well educated that they were enabled to preach their message to the world, and their wisdom enabled them to stand before the great men of earth and successfully defend their cause. This education enabled them to exert an influence so great that it has been felt in every age and every clime.
But we must not think from their example that God endows us with all the education necessary to work for him. God does not do for people what they can do for themselves. If we lack wisdom which we might gain for ourselves by our own efforts, we can be certain that God will not fulfil to us the promise of James 1:5. When we have reached our limit, then it is that God works for us. As the old adage puts it, “Man's extremity is God's opportunity.”—Selected.
