Earlier text: The Father’s VoiceOne Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar Fund
By John S. Washburn
For Special Work at Home and Abroad We were recently greatly refreshed to know that a brother and his wife had made a donation of five hundred dollars to the $150,000 fund. Before this we had not known of a larger donation than one hundred and sixteen dollars made by any single individual to this fund. This was made by a brother in the South who has recently come to the truth. Such gifts are an inspiration. Such examples ought to be contagious, and if the people are made acquainted with them, they will be. These gifts must come freely, as unto the Lord. Go thou, and do likewise. This may not mean that every reader of this article can give five hundred dollars, or even one hundred to this work, but you can make the same gift in proportion to that which God has given you. We call to remembrance, while the $100,000 fund was being raised for the work in Washington, a brother in New York State who gave something like $1,100 to the $100,000 fund; and we understand that this gift represented nearly all the worldly goods this brother possessed. Such gifts preach a powerful sermon. How much owest thou? You can never measure your debt by that of another. To whom the Lord has given little, of him but little is required. To whom he has given much, of him much shall be required. Shall we not have during the raising of the remaining two thirds of the $150,000 fund, a large number of gifts which recognize the principle that we owe our all to him who gave us in the beginning our life, and finally gave us his life to redeem us? How much owest thou? We meet people who complacently tell us by word and action that they have no burden for the needs of our various institutions, as if this settled the matter, and they should be excused. The fact that we have no burden should alarm us. If a starving man is at our door, and we have no burden for his pangs of hunger, it shows that we possess not the spirit of the Master. There may never be the need for another $150,000 fund. The Lord, true to his word, is “cutting short the work.” The remnant church of which we are members, calls loudly for means now, that the message may quickly go to the world, and that we may go to the home Jesus has prepared for us. Can it be that we have “no burden” to give! “No burden” to go home! Truly the Laodicean message is due to this people now as never before. If we have no burden now when needs are so great, we shall have a burden of remorse when we come to offer our means too late. It is time that those of us with no burden should go to our closets and mightily cry to the Lord that we may get a burden. It may be the weight of money and business cares has so deadened some of us that we could not feel a burden if the Lord himself were throwing one upon us. Then let us get rid of our benumbing load, and we shall not “turn away sorrowful,” as the rich young ruler did whom Jesus admonished to sell all that he had, but will be joyful in the consciousness of obedience to our Lord’s command. Atlantic Union Conference
Received on the $150,000 Fund up to May 28, 1907
Atlantic Union Conference
Central New England .......... $2,108.47 Chesapeake ................... 225.66 Eastern Pennsylvania ......... 1,272.65 Greater New York ............. 415.75 Maine ......................... 344.94 New Jersey .................... 550.63 New York ...................... 1,020.17 Southern New England .......... 850.23 Vermont ....................... 738.06 Virginia ...................... 260.67 Western Pennsylvania .......... 822.57 West Virginia .................. 211.67 Western New York .............. 970.02 Total ..................... $9,791.49 Canadian Union Conference Maritime ...................... $281.43 Quebec ........................ 33.78 Ontario ....................... 298.42 Total ..................... $613.63 Colorado ...................... $877.19 Iowa .......................... 2,167.97 Kansas ........................ 1,244.90 Missouri ...................... 495.80 Nebraska ...................... 4,779.63 Wyoming ....................... 403.87 Total ..................... $9,969.36 Washington churches ........... $1,150.24 East Michigan .................. $1,082.86 Indiana ........................ 4,237.00 North Michigan ................. 120.51 Northern Illinois .............. 1,108.69 Ohio ........................... 2,661.61 Southern Illinois .............. 709.63 West Michigan .................. 2,802.36 Wisconsin ...................... 1,680.37 Total ..................... $14,403.03 North Pacific Union Conference Conference not specified ....... $315.30 British Columbia ............... 57.80 Montana ........................ 172.90 Upper Columbia ................. 1,195.37 Western Washington ............. 932.79 Idaho .......................... 844.90 Western Oregon ................. 785.66 Total ..................... $4,304.72 Northern Union Conference Alberta ........................ $139.10 Manitoba ....................... 238.70 Saskatchewan Mission Field ..... 34.85 Minnesota ...................... 3,480.50 South Dakota ................... 2,104.10 North Dakota ................... 1,681.23 Total ..................... $7,678.48 Arizona ........................ $177.87 California-Nevada .............. 4,584.16 Southern California ............ 460.79 Utah ........................... 205.46 Total ..................... $5,417.28 Southern Union Conference South Carolina ................. $67.88 Alabama ........................ 200.63 Tennessee ...................... 444.76 Florida ......................... 233.75 North Carolina .................. 151.97 Kentucky ........................ 30.36 Cumberland ...................... 315.98 Louisiana ....................... 313.51 Mississippi ..................... 149.14 Georgia ......................... 160.55 Total ..................... $2,068.53 Southwestern Union Conference Arkansas ....................... $213.64 Oklahoma ....................... 1,248.05 Texas .......................... 762.38 Total ..................... $2,224.07 Unknown ........................ $149.20 Algeria ........................ $13.33 Australia ...................... 132.19 Bermuda ........................ 25.00 China .......................... 3.00 South Africa ................... 128.16 Jamaica ........................ 13.41 Yukon Territory ................ 10.00 England ........................ 256.32 Gold Coast, West Africa ........ 10.00 Mexico ......................... 2.00 Costa Rica ..................... 2.00 India .......................... 12.48 South America .................. 23.35 Switzerland .................... 5.81 Panama ........................ 4.00 Nicaragua ...................... 2.00 Trinidad ....................... .34 Central American Mission ....... 17.00 Norway ......................... 25.00 Japan .......................... 12.50 Hayti .......................... 5.00 Total ..................... $702.89 Grand Total ............... $58,472.92 All remittances should be made to the treasurer of the State conference wherein the remitter resides. If, for any reason, this is not possible, then remittance should be made to I. H. Evans, Treasurer, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C., and not to the Review and Herald Publishing Association. The Skodsborg Sanitarium
By J. S. Washburn
This is an institution most beautifully located, and one that has been the means of bringing the light of the last message of mercy and blessing to many people of note and distinction in Denmark. Two thousand dollars has been appropriated by the General Conference to this institution. This is a small gift, and it is not money lost or thrown away. The patronage of the institution has been altogether too great for the capacity of the buildings, so that heavy rents have been paid for unsuitable buildings, some of them located at quite a distance from the sanitarium. The Danish brethren have themselves given four thousand dollars to provide a suitable building. The General Conference gives half of that amount in the $50,000 fund. This is one of the smaller divisions of that fund, and yet one that is of great importance, and will be a great blessing to the thrifty, substantial people of Denmark.
J. S. WASHBURN. God’s Law Set to Music
By Eliza H. Morton
Set to music is God’s law,
Music sweet and clear.
When I keep its precepts all,
What have I to fear?
Glad with notes of tuneful love
Pilgrimage below,
Statutes of the Lord my song
From the long ago. How I love that precious law!
Joyful is my heart,
For the will of God is there
Of my life a part;
O the glory of that love,
Spring of life and peace,
House of pilgrimage made glad,
Freedom,—full release! Strike the key-note loud and long,—
Hear, obey, and live.
Angels with their harmony
Tones of rapture give.
Jesus kept that holy law,
Doing nothing wrong.
Reconcilement is for me,
Law of God my song. “No Other Gods Before Me”
By Ellen G. White
Every true child of God will be sifted as wheat, and in the sifting process every cherished pleasure which diverts the mind from God must be sacrificed. In many families the mantel-shelves, stands, and tables are filled with ornaments and pictures. Albums filled with photographs of the family and their friends are placed where they will attract the attention of visitors. Thus the thoughts, which should be upon God and heavenly interests, are brought down to common things. Is not this a species of idolatry? Should not the money thus spent have been used to bless humanity, to relieve the suffering, to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry? Should it not be placed in the Lord’s treasury to advance his cause and build up his kingdom in the earth? This matter is of great importance, and it is urged upon you to save you from the sin of idolatry. Blessing would come to your souls if you would obey the word spoken by the Holy One of Israel: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Many are creating unnecessary cares and anxieties for themselves by devoting time and thought to the unnecessary ornaments with which their houses are filled. The power of God is needed to arouse them from this devotion; for to all intents and purposes it is idolatry. He who searches the heart desires to win his people from every species of idolatry. Let the Word of God, the blessed book of life, occupy the tables now filled with useless ornaments. Spend out your money in buying books that will be the means of enlightening the mind in regard to present truth. The time you waste in moving and dusting the multitudinous ornaments in your house, spend in writing a few lines to your friends, in sending papers or leaflets or little books to some one who knows not the truth. Grasp the word of the Lord as the treasure of infinite wisdom and love; this is the guide-book that points out the path to heaven. It points us to the sin-pardoning Saviour, saying, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” O that you would search the Scriptures with prayerful hearts, and a spirit of surrender to God! O that you would search your hearts as with a lighted candle, and discover and break the finest thread that binds you to worldly habits, which divert the mind from God! Plead with God to show you every practise that draws your thoughts and affections from him. God has given his holy law to man as his measure of character. By this law you may see and overcome every defect in your character. You may sever yourself from every idol, and link yourself to the throne of God by the golden chain of grace and truth. The apostle writes: “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil: cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; not slothful in business: fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” “The night is far spent; the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day: not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” There is none too much self-denial, none too much self-sacrifice, none too much overcoming evil with good. If all the inclinations to gratify the taste for frivolous things were firmly resisted, there would be more money to use for God. Shall we not make decided changes in this respect? Shall we not set money flowing in channels where it will glorify God? When I see families poorly clad, and houses destitute of those things that are necessary for comfort, and then visit the homes where every niche and corner is filled with useless ornaments, I am tired of the sight of my eyes. Let us search the Word and see if there is not some instruction there that will teach us how to relieve the maladies that have become chronic in the spiritual life of many. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen?” God asks, “to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. . . . If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness shall be as the noonday: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity,” Paul declares, “I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.” The Son of the infinite God came to this earth, and honored it with his presence. He emptied himself of his glory, and clothed his divinity with humanity, that humanity might touch humanity, and reveal to fallen man the perfect love of God. Christ did not come to earth to live a life of pleasure, of self-indulgence. He lived not to please himself. “The Son of man,” he said, “is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” We have great changes to make before we reach perfection. God calls for complete self-surrender. We must guard diligently our lips, lest they speak guile. We must be strict with ourselves, that we bring not false principles into our dealings with others, and lead souls from the safe path. We must work the works of God. Adhere to correct principles, whatever the cost to yourself. In appeals and warnings let your light shine forth to others. Economize your pence that you may have pounds with which to help the cause of truth. Keep your tables free from many pictures and ornaments, which are as nothing in comparison with the Word of God. Let your holy example lead the sympathies of your friends heavenward: “for he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written9 aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Jesus Christ: that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Faith and Works, or Faith That Works
By W. H. GRANGER
Although the Scriptures say, plainly as words can, that we are justified by faith without works; yet the opinion generally prevails that it must be by faith and works, because there is another text that says just as plainly, that “faith without works is dead.” Then again, the Bible teaches that eternal life is a free gift from God to those who believe in Jesus. Over against this is the text that says, just as plainly, that he will reward every man according to his works. Are these texts harmonious, and if so, how are they to be understood? They are perfectly harmonious when rightly divided. In the first place, it must be understood that these texts are not speaking of the same thing, but are teaching on two widely separated phases of the one great subject—salvation. I will state the difference by saying that eternal life is indeed a free gift to those who believe in Jesus, and that it is obtained by faith alone without works. The reward for works is not eternal life, but degrees of honor in the kingdom. Hence it is true that eternal life comes to the believer without works, and it is also true that all will be rewarded according to their works. Had man never sinned, then eternal life would have been his as a reward for obedience. But when man sinned, he forfeited his right to life, and excluded the remotest possibility of his ever enjoying it thereafter, except as a free gift from the Author of life. The life which we now enjoy is not ours by right of merit, but is a free gift to all, both good and bad alike, through Christ. In the first place, since we have already sinned, and thus forfeited our right to life, if the Lord were now to reward us with life in proportion to our works, is it not clear that life would simply be a wage paid in return for works, and hence not a free gift? Furthermore, inasmuch as we have all sinned, and since eternal life can come only as a reward to those who yield absolute, perfect, and eternal obedience, it is evident that no human being would have a sufficient store of good works with which to secure eternal life. To illustrate: say, for instance, here is a man who by his works has earned one thousand years of life in the kingdom; another has earned ten times as much; another one hundred times as much; it can plainly be seen that when the time paid them in wages for their works would expire, God must either come to their rescue with a gift of life, not in exchange for works, but absolutely free forever, or they would perish when their wages in life would expire. Hence man's only hope of securing eternal life is as a free gift from God. It is wholly by that grace through faith; otherwise it would not be of grace, but of debt. Works have their place, not as a means of justification, but as the fruit of it. It is not by faith and works, but rather, by faith that works that we are to be justified unto eternal life.