Earlier text: The Book Department MirrorOur Saviour speaks of leaders whose inability to perform the work of leading aright lay in their blindness in spiritual matters. He calls them “blind leaders of the blind.” We see frequent illustrations to-day of men attempting to lead, who are blinder than those whom they set themselves to guide. The following incident, as related by one of our exchanges, will illustrate the point in this matter:— A New Jersey minister, in an effort to induce the male members of his congregation to attend church more regularly, recently announced that he would have a service for men only, during which they might smoke their pipes and cigars. Last Sunday was the day on which the first service of the kind was to be conducted, and the minister and his supporters expected a large audience. When the church-bell had ceased tolling, however, there was present even a smaller number of the male members of the congregation than usual, and the pastor was compelled to admit that the experiment was a failure. The experiment may have been a failure so far as the New Jersey pastor’s scheme was concerned, but not wholly so, for it demonstrated the fact that even men who do not regularly attend church have more respect for the house of God than they are given credit for. The inconsistency of appearing in a place of worship while indulging in a habit which merely gratifies the appetite, for the purpose of obtaining spiritual assistance and guidance, evidently appealed to the men who stayed away, if not to the minister. And this phase of the matter is emphasized by the refusal of those who did attend, to smoke when they were invited to do so. The incense of the pipe and cigar are as much out of place in the house of God as was the strange fire which Nadab and Abihu sought to offer in the sanctuary of old. The Lord’s rebuke to them ought to have taught that pastor and all pastors that the Lord looks with abhorrence upon all efforts to mingle the sacred and the profane. The church of God never should be regarded as a rendezvous for the gratifiers of carnal appetite. Thoughts of Heaven
By Ella M. Robinson
SWEET seemed the vesper hour as we heard
The minister read from the Holy Word
Of the celestial city, bright and fair;
And as we knelt in solemn, reverent prayer,
We felt and knew the blessed Lord was there.
We lingered there a while, loath to depart: The preacher spoke: “It hath not entered heart
Of any man, the rapture and delight,
The peace and joy, the glory and the light,
Of our blest home; still let us tell tonight
What we most long for in that home of love,
Our best conceptions of the joys above.” The artist rose: “Ah, this were heaven for me,
To gaze upon the landscape ever free
From taint of sin, and pure and good, the same
As first from the Creator’s hand it came.
I’d paint no drooping flower, no fading leaf,
No sights of sickness, dying, sin, or grief.
I’d watch the glowing sunsets stretch away
With sevenfold the brightness of our day.
But O, the rapture when my eyes behold
The walls of jasper and the streets of gold!
The crystal sea! the throne of dazzling light!
The hosts of saints all robed in spotless white!” The student spoke: “Through all eternity
This boon alone were heaven enough for me:
The power to study without weariness,
The power to learn the mighty mysteries
Of time and space, of suns and worlds untold,
The mysteries millenniums unfold,
The mysteries eternities still hold.” A little child spoke next: “It seems to me
To have a pair of wings would really be
The very best of all; for then I’d fly,
Just as the birds do, up into the sky.
I’d learn to call each one of them by name;
No one would harm them, and they’d be so tame.
I’d lead the wolves and lions with my hand,
They would not hurt me in that heavenly land.” And next a woman, worn and pale and weak:
Her voice was feeble, and she scarce could speak
Above a whisper; but her radiant eyes
Gave meaning to her words: “Ah, this my prize,—
To feel no more of pain and sickness there,
To grow each day more beautiful and fair,
To feel the vigor of eternal youth—
Ah, this were joy! yea, this were heaven in truth!” Then spoke the youth whose voice led our praise:
“I wonder often if the endless days
A sweeter bliss will bring than joyful song,
A rapture more profound than with the throng
To join in David’s choir, with heart and voice—
Of all the joys of heaven, this were my choice.” The teacher rose: “O may it ever be
My lot, my joy, through all eternity
To tell the wondrous grace that ransomed me
To sinless angels who have never known
What it could mean to have a heart of stone,—
What it could mean to feel the pangs of woe,
Of doubt and sorrow, and of sin below.
I’ll tell the grace, the love, the power divine,
That melted even this hard heart of mine.” There was a pause, the minister spoke low:
“ My children, one and all, pray would you know
The joy that thrills my heart, that dims my eye,
That fills my soul with sweetest ecstasy,
With longing and desire, and yearnings sore,
Each time I think of heaven’s blessed store
Of joys? ’Tis this—nor wisdom’s mystery,
Nor glory, beauty, sweetest rhapsody;
Though every one a part of heaven’s bliss,—
One joy alone makes heaven for me; ’tis this,—
To lean upon the blessed Saviour’s breast,
Like that disciple whom he loved the best;
To know and feel that he is ever near,
To pour my heart-felt praises in his ear—
A blest reward for life’s small sacrifice—
’Tis this alone I ask for as my prize.” Our Publications
By Ellen G. White
THE great and wonderful work of the last gospel message is to be carried on now as it has never been before. The world is to receive the light of truth through an evangelizing ministry of the Word in our books and periodicals. Our publications are to show that the end of all things is at hand. I am bidden to say to our publishing houses. Lift up the standard; lift it up higher. Proclaim the third angel's message, that it may be heard by all the world. Let it be seen that “here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Let our literature give the message as a witness to all the world. Our workers should now be encouraged to give their first attention to books that deal with the evidences of our faith, which teach the doctrines of the Bible, and will prepare a people to stand in the trying times before us. Having brought a people to the enlightenment of the truth by prayerful labor in Bible instruction, and through a wise use of our publications, we are to teach them to become laborers in word and doctrine. We are to encourage them to scatter the books that deal with Bible subjects, and whose teachings will prepare a people to stand, having their loins girded with truth, and their lamps burning. We have been asleep, as it were, regarding the work that may be accomplished by the circulation of well-prepared literature. Let us now, by the wise use of periodicals and books, preach the Word with determined energy, that the world may understand the message that Christ gave to John on the Isle of Patmos. Let every human intelligence who professes the name of Christ testify, The end of all things is at hand; prepare to meet thy God. Our publications should go everywhere. Let them be issued in many languages. The third angel's message is to be given through this medium and through the living teacher. You who believe the truth for this time, wake up. It is our duty now to bring in all the means possible to help those who understand the truth to proclaim it. Part of the money that comes in from the sale of our publications should be used to increase our facilities for the production of more literature that will open blind eyes and break up the fallow ground of the heart. There is danger of our brethren entering into commercialism, and becoming so engrossed in worldly business that the truths of the Word of God in their purity and power are not brought into the life. The love of trade and gain is becoming more and more prevalent. My brethren, let your souls be truly converted. If ever there was a time when we needed to understand our responsibilities, it is now, when truth is fallen in the streets, and equity can not enter. Satan has come down with great power, to work with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; and everything that can be shaken will be shaken, and those things that can not be shaken will remain. The Lord is coming very soon, and we are entering into scenes of calamity. Satanic agencies, though unseen, are working to destroy human life. But if our life is hid with Christ in God, we shall see of his grace and salvation. Christ is coming to establish his kingdom on the earth. Let our tongues be sanctified, and used to glorify him. Let us work now as we have never worked before. We are exhorted to “be instant in season, out of season.” We are to make openings for the presentation of the truth. We are to improve every opportunity of drawing souls to Christ. As a people we are to be reconverted,9 our lives sanctified to declare the truth as it is in Jesus. In the work of scattering our publications, we can speak of a Saviour's love from a warm and throbbing heart. God alone has the power to forgive sins; if we do not speak this message to the unconverted, our neglect may prove their ruin. Blessed, soul-saving, Bible truths are published in our papers. There are many who can help in the work of selling our periodicals. The Lord calls upon all of us to seek to save perishing souls. Satan is at work to deceive the very elect, and now is our time to work with vigilance. Our books and papers are to be brought before the notice of the people; the gospel of present truth is to be given to our cities without delay. Shall we not arouse to our duties? If we are making the life and teachings of Christ our study, every passing event will furnish a text for an impressive discourse. It was thus the Saviour preached the gospel in the highways and byways; and as he spoke, the little group that listened to him swelled to a great company. Present-day evangelists are to be workers together with Christ. These, just as verily as the first disciples, have the assurance: “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” The work to be carried on by the people of God is declared in the words of inspiration: “Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare the way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” “Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my Spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth; and the isles shall wait for his law.” God invites all men to the fullest investigation of the claims of his law. His Word is sacred and infinite. The cause of truth is to go forth as a lamp that burneth. Earnest study of the Word of God will reveal the truth. Sin and wrong will not be sustained, but the law of God will be vindicated. “Thus saith the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth bread to the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light to the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house.” Christians are to seek their light from the Word of God, and then in faith go forth to give that light to those who sit in darkness. S. N. HASKELL
By Stephen Nelson Haskell
The character of Nehemiah stands forth as a beacon-light in a stormy sea. Israel had lost faith in the literal statements of the prophets concerning the building of the wall of Jerusalem. They little realized that their own course for scores of years had stood in the way of their seeing accomplished what they most desired. They were confused and disheartened, and blinded by sin. Nehemiah was a thorough business man. He did not set forth the claim of being a prophet, priest, or king; he did not sit down and complain because of Israel’s sins; but, in the name of the Lord, he arose and demanded that they put away their sins. When he called upon the people to arise and build, there was a great cry from the people and their wives against their brethren, the Jews, because of oppression. They were held in bondage by financial claims of their brethren on lands and other property; even their sons and daughters were held in bondage by their brethren. This stirred the very soul of Nehemiah with anger,—not an anger born of self-interest, or because of a desire to retaliate, but because the spirit of oppression prevented the blessing of God from resting upon their efforts. This spirit of oppression God hates, and he will not suffer it, even when it is exercised upon those not of the household of faith. See 2 Samuel 21. God’s message is, “Unto the heavy burdens, and let the oppressed go free; and . . . break every yoke.” Isa. 58: 5-7. Nehemiah feared the effect of this sin among the people of God more than the work of all the hosts of hell, or all of Satan’s emissaries. His first business was to purge the camp from the sin of oppression. This led to the work of restoring lands, vineyards, and olive yards; houses and money; corn, wine, and oil. When this was done, the people entered into a solemn covenant with God and with one another. This covenant they promised to keep, and, as afterward in the days of Zacchaeus, it brought to them the salvation of God. Luke 19: 1-9. Nehemiah was a noble and generous-hearted man. He did not seek the highest place, or demand the highest wages. The former governors had been chargeable unto the people, and took from them bread, wine, and silver, and allowed their servants to rule over the people. Nehemiah purchased no land for himself, but fed at his own table one hundred fifty of the Jews and rulers, besides those who came unto them from the heathen. He required not the bread of the governor because the bondage was heavy upon the people. He then could pray, “Think upon me, my God, for good according to all that I have done for this people.” “Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the office thereof.” Neh. 5: 19; 13: 14. There is a marked contrast between the character of Nehemiah and that of Ezra; there were elements in Nehemiah’s character which Ezra did not possess. When Ezra saw the sins of the people that would separate them from God, he rent his own garment and mantle, and plucked off the hairs of his own head and beard, and sat down astonished until the evening sacrifice. He then arose and fell upon his knees and plead with God in behalf of the people; he was grieved because of their sins. Another element was needed in the character of their ruler in order to bring forth repentance on the part of these hardened Jews. When Nehemiah was sent to them he was more like Joshua, when on a certain occasion the Lord commanded him saying, “Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them.” Joshua 7: 10, 11. Because Israel had intermarried with the heathen around them until their children spoke both languages, and could not discern the purity of the Jewish tongue, Nehemiah contended with them. He plucked the hair from their heads, and “made them swear by God, saying, ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.” They had even defiled the priesthood, and Nehemiah felt that something should be done before God could pour out his Spirit upon them. Neh. 13: 25. The walls of spiritual Israel are now to be built, and it becomes each one to build over against his own house. Only those who have clean hands and a pure heart will stand in this trying time. Now is the time for the law of God to be in our minds and written in our hearts. If worldly thoughts and interests, and the cares of this life, absorb the mind, we shall lose our interest in present truth; and the reading of other books will take the place of reading the Bible. We will look afar off for the coming of the Lord; Satan will enter the heart and erect his idols, which we will be led to worship. Those who receive the seal of God in their foreheads will be protected in the time of trouble. It is now that we must reflect the image of Jesus fully. Now is the time to prepare to give the loud cry of the third angel’s message, “The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of deceitful hearts or10 false tongues. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God.” “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. V, page 216. The work of Nehemiah was not only to restore downtrodden truths, the importance of which had been lost sight of, but the restoring of those principles of righteousness that made them acceptable in the sight of God. He realized that it would be a fatal mistake for the Jews to even think they would have a part in the worship of God unless they first put away their sins, and had taken a part in the building of the wall. In “Early Writings” we read: “O, how many in the time of trouble I saw without a shelter! They had neglected the needful preparation, therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God. Those who refused to be hewed by the prophets, and failed to purify their souls in obeying the truth, and who are willing to believe that their condition is far better than it really is, will come up to the time of the falling of the plagues and then see that they need to be hewed and squared for the building. But there will be no time then to do it, and no mediator to plead their cause before the Father. Before this time the awfully solemn declaration has gone forth, ‘He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still.’ I saw that none could share the ‘refreshing,’ unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action. We should, therefore, be drawing nearer and nearer the Lord, and be earnestly seeking that preparation necessary to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. Let all remember that God is holy, and that none but holy beings can ever dwell in his presence.” The rank and file of our people are called to action in this time of preparation to meet God. The living, straight, testimony is to be revived; and the spirit and characteristics of Nehemiah and Ezra combined, must characterize the remnant, if they ever enter in through the pearly gates, into the City of God. The Book of Daniel
By Editor
The Reward of Faithfulness
Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshiped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odors unto him. The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth your God is the God of gods, and the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou hast been able to reveal this secret. Then the king made Daniel great, and gave him many great gifts, and made him to rule over the whole province of Babylon, and to be chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon. And Daniel requested of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel was in the gate of the king. Dan. 2: 46-49. The Testimony of Josephus
THERE is an interesting passage in the writings of Josephus relating to the dream of Nebuchadnezzar and its interpretation, with a clear intimation as to the application of the symbol of the stone “cut out without hands.” From his chapter, “Concerning Daniel, and What Befell Him at Babylon,” the following quotation is taken:— “Wherefore as thou [Nebuchadnezzar] in thy sleep wast solicitous concerning those that should succeed thee in the government of the whole world, God was desirous to show thee all those that should reign after thee; and to that end exhibited to thee the following dream: Thou seemedst to see a great image standing before thee; the head of which was of gold, the shoulders and arms of silver, the belly and the thighs of brass; but the legs and feet of iron. Thou then sawest a stone broken off from a mountain, which fell upon the image, and threw it down, and brake it to pieces, and did not permit any part of it to remain whole; but the gold, the silver, the iron, and the brass, became smaller than meal; which, upon the blast of a violent wind, was forcibly carried away, and scattered abroad; but the stone increased to such a degree that the whole earth beneath it seemed to be filled therewith. This is the dream which thou sawest, and its interpretation is as follows: The head of gold denotes thee, and the kings of Babylon that have been before thee. But the two hands and arms signify that thy government shall be dissolved by two kings. But another king that shall come from the west, armed with brass, shall destroy that government. And another government that shall be like unto iron, shall put an end to the power of the former, and shall have dominion over all the earth; on account of the nature of iron which is stronger than that of gold, or silver, or brass.” Daniel also declared the meaning of the stone to the king; but I do not think it proper to relate it; since I have only undertaken to describe things past, or things present; and not the things that are future. Yet if any one be so desirous of knowing truth, as not to waive such points of curiosity, and can not curb his inclination for understanding the uncertainties of futurity, and whether they will happen or not, let him diligently read the book of Daniel, which he will find among the sacred writings.”—Antiquities of The Jews, Book 10, Chapter X, paragraph 4. From this quotation it is evident that Josephus understood that in his time the dream had been fulfilled so far as the four earthly kingdoms were concerned, and it seems altogether likely that he regarded the stone as the symbol of the Messiah, whose coming was still future according to the belief of the Jews. The whole course of history from the time of Nebuchadnezzar until the present bears unimpeachable testimony to the truthfulness of the simple statement made by the youthful captive in Babylon: “The great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.” But this revelation was not given for the benefit of Nebuchadnezzar alone. The events of more than twenty-five centuries have been filling in the details of this brief outline of the world’s history, until, according to the clear fulfilment of other prophecies, the time is just at hand for the setting up of the fifth kingdom. What an opening up of the future to the mind of the king of Babylon! What a strange providence that such a foreview should be given, not to some representative of the chosen people but to a heathen king. The purpose, however, is clear. The chosen people had failed to communicate to the world that gospel of the kingdom which had been committed unto them. But the purpose of God was not thus to be frustrated. Having given into his hands all the nations of the earth, the God of heaven now made himself known to Nebuchadnezzar, in order that the heaven-sent message might thus reach all peoples. The method employed was a most convincing one. The dream which the king could not recall, and which the wise men of Babylon were unable to make known to him, was related by Daniel, who took no credit to himself for his ability to do this, but repeatedly pointed out that the God of heaven was dealing with Nebuchadnezzar. The dream was doubtless recognized by Nebuchadnezzar as being the very one which troubled his sleep, and thus was furnished a basis of confidence in the truthfulness of the interpretation. That the God of heaven, who had thus made himself known, was far superior to all the gods of Babylon was at once recognized by Nebuchadnezzar, who paid special honors to Daniel as the instrument used, but recognized Daniel’s God as the one who had made known to him the mysteries of the future and as worthy of all exaltation. “The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth your God is the God of gods, and the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou hast been able to reveal this secret.” Although this acknowledgment of God is not sufficient evidence that the heart of Nebuchadnezzar was converted, and that he yielded himself as a servant of the Most High, yet it was a great step for the Babylonian monarch to take in the face of all the traditions of his realm, and, as the sequel proves, was one of the experiences which contributed directly to his complete conversion. The experience of Daniel is a notable illustration of the principle that a right personal relation with God is of the first consideration, and that such an experience is the best preparation for discharging the highest responsibilities of life. The unswerving loyalty of Daniel to the King of heaven, and the unbroken fellowship maintained with him, which prepared the way for the revelation in himself11 of the mystery of the kingdom, and that through him this mystery should be made known to Nebuchadnezzar and the world, brought to the young Hebrew captive the first position of influence in the greatest kingdom of earth, and furnished him with that wisdom which enabled him to discharge his important duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to the king. The responsibilities which rested upon Daniel as ruler “over the whole province of Babylon” may be more fully appreciated by noting the extent of territory included in this expression. Of this Rawlinson says:— “From these sources [the books of Jeremiah, Daniel, Kings, and Chronicles] we learn that the Babylonian empire of this time embraced on the one hand the important country of Susiana or Elymais (Elam), while on the other it ran up the Euphrates at least as high as Carchemish, from thence extending westward to the Mediterranean, and southward to, or rather perhaps into, Egypt. The Apocryphal book of Judith enlarges these limits in every direction. That the Nabuchodonosor of that work is the reminiscence of the real Nebuchadnezzar there can be no doubt. The territories of that monarch are made to extend eastward, beyond Susiana, into Persia; northward to Nineveh; westward to Cilicia in Asia Minor; and southward to the very borders of Ethiopia. Among the countries under his sway are enumerated Elam, Persia, Assyria, Cilicia, Cœle-Syria, Syria of Damascus, Phenicia, Galilee, Gilead, Bashan, Judea, Philistia, Goshen, and Egypt generally. The passage of Berosus is of a more partial character. It has no bearing on the general question of the extent of the Babylonian empire, but, incidentally, it confirms the statements of our other authorities as to the influence of Babylon in the West. It tells us that Cœle-Syria, Phenicia, and Egypt, were subject to Nabopolasar, and that Nebuchadnezzar ruled, not only over these countries, but also over some portion of Arabia.”—Seven Great Monarchies, Three Volume Edition, Vol. II, pages 123, 124. The remarkable change from Daniel the captive in Babylon, to Daniel the ruler “over the whole province of Babylon,” and the “chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon,” can perhaps be paralleled only by the experience of Joseph, who was taken from the prison to be chief ruler over Egypt, and in both cases the ability to tell and to interpret a dream was the direct cause of the promotion. Although thus suddenly elevated to high position, Daniel did not forget his companions who had united with him in prayer to the God of heaven, and at his request the king “appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon.” Thus these four young men whose loyalty to principle had prevented them from defiling themselves “with the king’s dainties,” and “with the wine which he drank,” occupied leading positions in the administration of the government of Babylon, and had the widest opportunity afforded to them to reveal in the practical affairs of life the superiority of that wisdom which is imparted through personal fellowship with the God of heaven. Although these young men were in Babylon, they were not of Babylon, and thus were they fitted to proclaim in Babylon the principles of the kingdom of heaven. The influential positions which they occupied did not lead them to exalt themselves, but rather to make known in all the province of Babylon the meekness and righteousness of a true servant of the living God. The Silver Lining
By W. R. Rutherford
No moral person can be content who has not a task to do. Idleness is a great curse. When one's thoughts and energies are not made to expend themselves upon some outside interest, the mind and heart will turn inward, and become self-consuming. “There is no poison like an ingrowing soul,” which consumes itself in fret, worry, lamenting, or remorse. Worry kills more people than work; better to wear out than to rust out. All human experience goes to indorse the maxim that would bid us ever have a task to do. “A clean inside” may be, and should be, both physical and moral. Disease is a poor concomitant to cheerfulness, and a poor stepping-stone to success; not that a person can not maintain a cheerful disposition in spite of a sickly constitution, or make a brilliant success of life notwithstanding the heavy handicap of ill health; but the sound body is essential to the best development of the sound mind. Hence the advisability of shunning all habits that tend to make the body in any part less sound, in any organ less efficient, than it might be. And what applies to the cleanness of the inside physically, applies with even greater force, if that can be, to its cleanness mentally and morally. Ignorance and vice are implacable foes to real cheerfulness and genuine happiness. He who would have friends must show himself friendly. Who would not have friends must be of a warped or evil nature, shunning the light of companionship, the gleam of recognition and appreciation in the eyes of friends, because of evil ways that love to shrink into the darkness. But every naturally-disposed man and woman desires and enjoys friendship. What a selfish thing it would be to expect others to be friendly with one who would not go out of his way, or one who would not exert himself gladly, to be on friendly terms with those among whom he mingles. As for “the sunny side,” any one who did not believe in that would scarcely be reading this article, so it appeals to every reader. How often you and I have proved the worth, the advantage, the helpfulness to ourselves and to others, of looking on the sunny side of even the darkest clouds.—W. R. Rutherford. Thirty-Nine Stars
By W. H. THURSTON
In looking over the $150,000 fund, as reported in the REVIEW of July 9, I observe that thirty-nine conferences and mission fields have stars. This indicates that they have paid their membership share of the fund. There are sixty-nine without stars. Some, no doubt, have almost reached the star line, while others are afar off. What a jubilee there would be if all would quickly come into the star line, complete the work, and finish the fund without longer delay. We began the raising of this fund with courage and hope, and ran well for a season, but some are getting weary before the end is reached. Why is this? It is not because there is no more money, but it must be that we are losing interest in the task undertaken, and are slowing our pace. If in some way we could be revived once more, and make another run, we could all come into line, and be crowned with stars, as our sister conferences and mission fields have been. This would complete the fund, and the money could be sent on to the fields, where it has been assigned and is much needed. If any of the conferences that have already received their stars should become weary in waiting for us who are following on, they may be at liberty to give us a financial push toward the star line. Let us who are still under the burden renew our strength and lift to the finish. It can be done, and will be done if all unite in doing, and it may be done promptly. Why not take hold anew and finish this undertaking? We have never failed yet in accomplishing any task that we have undertaken, and we should not tarry longer with this, when we are so near the realization of our hopes. Let us all pull once more, and not give up until we reach the star line, and complete this fund. We should do it, and we can do it. All should deem it a privilege to have a part in finishing this work now. So may it be. TAKE away the element of personal criticism, and conversation, one must admit, would lose a great deal of its interest. Yet it is not a little disturbing sometimes to reflect, after leaving a house where you have been entertained for half an hour by sprightly and witty comments on mutual acquaintances, that in all probability your own personality is furnishing the text for a similar entertainment with the next group of callers. After all, it is better to be kindly than amusing.—Christian Guardian. The Father at the Table
By Rev. John L. Sewall
WE all agree in theory with the suggestion of a quaint little book on domestic life: “The right administration of the table is an important item in home education. The meals are more than means for sustaining physical wants; they are opportunities of improvement and social happiness. Is there danger of affixing undue importance to that which may teach, at the rate of three lessons a day, punctuality, order, neatness, temperance, self-denial, kindness, generosity, and hospitality?” If these lessons are to be taught, some one must give thought to preparing and impressing them, and this burden should not be put upon the mother alone. Table manners indeed must be taught, line upon line, but there are other lessons than those of forks and spoons, and the proper dimensions of a mouthful. In many of the homes where these words will be read, meal-time is the father’s only week-day chance for genuine acquaintance with his children, following their daily work and play, keeping in touch with their progress, and sharing their ideas and purposes. Unrecognized, this chance will pass unimproved; appreciated, it may become a priceless opportunity. The father may direct and not simply drift upon the stream of talk, which with five vigorous children around him, is not likely to suffer from feebleness of volume, and may easily pass into uselessness or ill-tempered disputation. Let the father plan somewhat for topics, and skilfully bring them forward in a natural manner. Above all things, let him thus drive out personal and petty discussion of neighborhood affairs, which are unworthy of minds having or hoping for any greatness. One lovely home has its meal-time spoiled, according to my thought and feeling, by perpetual attention to minute details of the affairs of other people. As a result a large circle of bright and otherwise finely trained children are being taught by their elders some sad lessons of petty gossip. There is no reason why large themes should not have brief and bright discussion at the table. In these days, when current events are so engrossing, when the doings of our own nation and of other lands have so much which children ought to know and in which their schools are now frequently trying to interest them, the father’s duty at the table is a plain one. Each child’s progress in school work, favorite lines of study, questions of school ethics, kindly and just judgment of the traits and deeds of schoolmates, reports of one’s reading items in the daily press worth noticing—here are a few of the directions in which a father may turn the thought and conversation at meal-time, so that it shall be equally pleasant and profitable. Success in this, however, means earnest thought, hard work, constant struggle against absorption in one’s personal moods, and unwearying patience. One more privilege and duty of the father at the table deserves emphasis. It is here that the Christian father’s priestly function may reveal itself, not with unnatural obtrusiveness, but with great and vital power. The blessing at the beginning of the meal must be thoughtful and not mechanical; and there is, in my judgment, no such hour or place for week-day family worship as at the breakfast table, when all the family are together for the first (and sometimes the last) time in the day. The waiting fruit or cereal will suffer no harm while there comes a reading from the Sabbath-school lesson study, or a familiar psalm recited in unison, and a prayer, in which the family gratitude shall be voiced, with specific petitions for daily needs. There is no father so hurried by the approaching train or the electric car that he can not, under ordinary circumstances, accomplish this, maintaining thus the reality of family worship, while escaping the formalism which has had so much to do with its disappearance. If to these things the father is willing to give thought and persistent effort, great will be his reward.—Rev. John L. Sewall.