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Review and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 24.

He Watches Over Israel
Earlier text: The More Important Question

Note and Comment

Freedom of the Press

It is interesting to note some of the comments which have been made by leading journals regarding bills, recently introduced into Congress, having for their aim the restriction of the liberties of the press, and the estimate these journals place on the attitude of Seventh-day Adventists toward these measures. The San Francisco Examiner ridicules the idea of danger. In its issue of February 11, which has an editorial under the heading “Adventist Friends Unduly Alarmed,” it says this of the bills which were introduced:—
There are no more alert and constant defenders of religious liberty than our friends of the Seventh-day Adventist persuasion. They watch with hawk eyes for legislation that might trench on that freedom.
At present the Adventists are disturbed by House Bill No. 20780, which would direct the Postmaster-General to exclude from the mails any book, periodical, pamphlet, picture, or publication whatever which reflects upon or criticizes any form of religious belief practiced or held sacred by any citizen of the United States.
We think our friends are unduly troubled by this bill. It is hardly conceivable that it will pass, in the first place, and if it did the courts would not permit it to be enforced. One of the few fundamental guaranties of the Constitution is the liberty of speech and publication.
Of course, the bill is ridiculous in itself, and would meet as much opposition from church men of all creeds as from believers in no creed.
Our Seventh-day Adventist friends should save themselves worry. A law so absurd will never be enforced while the American people retain their distinguishing characteristic, which is a keen perception of the ridiculous.
The San Francisco Chronicle in its issue of February 14 deals with the question more seriously. Under the heading “Freedom of the Press,” it makes the following sensible observations regarding the character of the bills:—
There is a bill before the House of Representatives at Washington which, if passed in its present form or in any form preserving its spirit, would strike a more serious blow at the freedom of the press than anything which has ever been formulated with a view to restricting human liberties.
As the president of the Adventist conference now being held in Oakland, observes, if such a law were enacted even the Bible would be excluded from the mails, because it reflects upon many forms of worship. Similarly, every other sacred volume could be objected to, since every declaration of a specific form of faith or religion is a reflection upon some sect claiming exclusive possession of divine truth.
Within the limits of Christianity there are many published rituals, prayer books, hymn books, and other compilations which could be construed as reflections upon other varieties of belief within the same faith.
In short, there is practically very little that is written which could not be interpreted as a reflection upon some peculiar religious people. Peace advocates could object to those who use the name of God in connection with military declarations, while the militants might object to those who preach peace in the name of religion.
But why multiply the possible absurdities when the basis of criticism of such a foolish law should be that religion is not a state department, and certainly not a subject for regulation by the post office?
And here is the great anomaly of the proposed law. Designed to prevent reflections upon particular religions, it is itself the greatest of all insults to religion, since it implies that the spirit of toleration cannot coexist with the spirit of faith. It is a blow at all criticism from the higher to the comment of one church upon another.

Returning Good for Evil

“If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.”

“What Are Amusements For?”

REPLYING to this question the editor of the Sunday School Times, in his issue of February 6, makes these sensible comments:—
We need amusements in life. We ought not to try to get along without them. But what are amusements for? They are for re-creation: they should re-create our strength, mental and physical; and they should do this in a way that harms no one. They are not the chief business of life; they have a place in life in order that we may turn from them better able to do our best.
There are plenty of amusements that fulfill these conditions. But card playing and dancing are not among them. Card playing, while perhaps innocent in itself, has two objections. It is a game of chance. Skill enters into it also. But chance is a chief factor in the game; and card playing tends to place an unhealthy emphasis upon chance as a factor in life. Moreover, card playing has associations that are demoralizing. It is a game that, while played in all classes of society, is peculiarly appropriated by the most disreputable. It would surprise everybody to see such men as D. L. Moody, or J. Wilbur Chapman, or Billy Sunday, or John G. Paton, or Robert E. Speer playing a game of cards. Are the card players in any community conspicuous for their active, evangelistic Christian service?
Dancing is openly disreputable. It sanctions physical liberties between men and women that would not be tolerated under any other circumstances. It would at once lose its grip on society if there were no dancing between the sexes,—men dancing only with men, and women only with women. Can we imagine our Lord Jesus Christ, while on earth as a man, dancing?

In the South American Union Conference

By J. W. WESTPHAL

J. W. WESTPHAL
I AM glad to say that the work here is onward. We have many reasons to believe that the Lord is working with us. In various departments we see improvements. Our missionary paper is continuing to have a good circulation. People are more ready to buy our literature now than ever before. We are hard at work translating the new book “The World’s Crisis,” and within a few weeks we hope to have it ready for circulation.
The last of December, sixteen believers were baptized at Rosario, the second city of Argentina, and a number of others will be baptized soon. A year ago we had in that city only our workers. Now we have a church of more than forty members.
I have been engaged for several weeks in a public effort with Elder Casebeer in the city of Buenos Aires. Our location has not been the most favorable, but there has been a fair attendance. One person has begun the observance of the Sabbath, and others are very deeply interested.
Brother Sherman has just returned from selling our missionary paper in the vicinity of that city, and is greatly encouraged over interested persons whom he found. One aged woman who had been to the meetings but twice, was greatly interested in what she heard; but on account of determined opposition on the part of her husband to anything religious, she cannot attend regularly. She said that we are different from other people; that there is a different spirit among us, and that there is power in our message. Thus the truth is finding its way into the hearts of the people.
From Chile reports come of continued progress, converts being baptized every month.
The workers in our publishing house are kept very busy. The sanitarium has the largest patronage in several years. Our school is to open in two weeks. Our two principal teachers were occupied in public efforts during the summer. In the Alto Parana Mission there were more baptized than during the previous year. So we have every reason for encouragement.
But we have many needs. Our working force is small. The Argentine Conference is greatly in need of a president. I have taken this responsibility until a new man arrives; but as I shall have to leave early in March for the west coast, to be away some months, Argentina will be practically without a director, and that at a time when faithful work should be done in our churches to unite them in active missionary work. Our brethren are much more active than in the past, but a greater work remains to be done.
Our Indian work in Peru greatly needs additional help. Elder Pohle, of Bolivia, is also earnestly calling for more help. In these high altitudes we should have sufficient laborers to be able to send part of them to the lower altitudes without injury to the work. There are a great many possibilities among this downtrodden people.

A Missionary’s Passport

By S. G. WHITE

S. G. WHITE
A PASSPORT is issued by a country to one of its citizens, giving his nationality, stating the name of the country or countries through which the recipient expects to travel, and making known what purpose the person has as the object of the journey, and the length of time for which the permit is issued. If properly signed and stamped, it permits the holder to travel through the specified countries with the assurance of a safe conduct while engaged in the pursuit of the business named on the passport.
Should one holding a passport meet with misfortune, it enables him, on the credit of the country to which he belongs, to receive necessary succor with the assurance that such help will be repaid by his government. It has behind it all the power of the holder’s country to protect, but in no case does it give the person, while in a strange land, the right to deal with insults received or with hindrances placed in his way to retard his progress. All these have to be referred to his home government for redress. Abuse inflicted upon a member of one country while traveling in a strange land has to be answered for by the offender as if the slight was offered to the country. In just so far as the country visited respects or fears the power which issues the passport will it allow passage and make sure that all hindering causes are cleared away.

Love Our Passport

Jesus commanded his disciples that they should “love one another.” By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,” citizens of heaven. See John 13:34, 35. God so loved that he sent my Jesus; and as Jesus was sent, so he sends us into the world to proclaim the same message, and with the same credentials, love. John 3:16; 17:18.
After we have received our passport, we hear our King saying, “Go ye . . . and teach all nations.” Matt. 28:19. It matters not where, how great the difficulties, or what the danger, we go fearing nothing, as our passport, perfect love, “casteth out fear” (1 John 4:18), and we realize that behind that word “go” is “all power . . . in heaven and in earth” to protect and guide, “even unto the end of the world.” If we are called upon to suffer abuse, it is not an individual matter. We refer it all to the government sending us, knowing that all will be settled; for the Lord has said, “I will repay.” Rom. 12:19.
Make a study of your passport. Does it reveal your citizenship? Has it imprinted not only a little picture of yourself in one corner, but across the whole face of it a likeness of your King? In order to be genuine, it must reveal God. God is love.
Changsha, Hunan, China.

Literature Work in Uruguay

By JAMES T. THOMPSON

JAMES T. THOMPSON
In order to acquire the language more quickly, and become acquainted with the people and country, I am selling literature, going into the country far from railways, where I hear and speak nothing but the Spanish. With horse and cart the long distances between the estancias (ranches) are covered, and the people visited in their homes. Some of the large estancias have large, well-built houses. The more ordinary houses are built of sod, with thatched roof, and the bare earth for floor, while the peon often lives in a place that in the homeland would be deemed poor shelter for animals. When not at work, the peons spend their time largely in gambling and drinking, and it is very rare to find one who can read. Even among them the stranger is cordially received.
We have long looked upon South America as the stronghold of Catholicism in the Western Hemisphere; and so it is. But here it cannot be said that Catholicism has a very strong hold on the people. Instead, we have a situation that is a result of Catholicism, and much more difficult to meet; namely, infidelity, and antagonism to everything religious. Nevertheless, events taking place in the world today lead many to ask, “What do these things mean?”
A few days ago I stopped at a pulperia (grocery store), and canvassed the proprietor for my book. He listened respectfully until I had finished, and then asked, “This is Protestant propaganda, is it not?”
“Its principles are believed by all Protestants,” I answered, “for it is all founded on the Bible.”
“What is the difference between Protestantism and Catholicism?” was the next question.
“To tell all is more than I can do with my limited knowledge of the language,” I answered; “but here are some of the fundamental differences,” and I proceeded to explain.
“Well, I want to know,” he said, “so bring me one of those books and I shall read it.”
His neighbors expressed surprise that he ordered the book, and are unanimous in saying that he is a bad man. Later I delivered the book, and he seemed anxious to know if the end is near. A conviction that it is seems to have filled his heart with fear. May the presentation of Jesus the Saviour lead him to repentance and give him peace.
By what means shall the message be brought to these people, who seem to be too indifferent to attend a meeting, and who live so far apart that it would be out of the question to get them together? No other way seems possible than through personal visits to their homes, and leaving the message with them in books and papers.

Japan

By F. H. DE VINNEY

(Concluded)
F. H. DE VINNEY
LAST spring we leased nearly three acres of improved land in Tokio Ken, within six minutes’ walk of Ogikubo, a station on a steam railroad, about five miles from one of the important centers of the city. The electric cars now come within a little more than two miles of us. And as the city has secured a natural park two and one-half miles beyond our compound, and is now improving it, and will extend the electric car line to it, this will give us a five-minute service to any part of the city in the near future.
During the summer there has been erected in the mission compound an office building of brick, twenty-five by thirty-six feet, of two floors, with rear extension, thirty-six by forty-seven feet, for the printing plant, and a schoolhouse and dormitory combined, of wood, thirty-six by sixty-six feet. The first floor of the latter consists of a roomy front hall, chapel, and four classrooms, two of which can be used for the church school.
There are also three foreign houses of wood, twenty-four by thirty-six feet, including front porches, the upper being inclosed in glass for sleeping purposes, with rear extension, Japanese style, for servants’ quarters, bath, etc. These houses are the homes of the superintendent, principal of the school, and field agent, who will always be connected with the headquarters. Then there are eight Japanese houses, for the editors of the papers, translators, printers, and other mission employees.
SCHOOL BUILDING, JAPAN MISSION COMPOUND First floor — Front, hall; center, chapel; rear, class rooms. Second floor — Dormitory.
SCHOOL BUILDING, JAPAN MISSION COMPOUND First floor — Front, hall; center, chapel; rear, class rooms. Second floor — Dormitory.
One more foreign building, for the manager of the printing plant, who will also act as the secretary and treasurer of the mission, a small church building, and a dormitory for the young women attending the training school, will be needed to complete the headquarters plant. We have the money to build; but on account of the war and its influence on the price of building material, it was thought best to defer building until later, when prices settle down to normal again.
The mission’s compound and its buildings give it a standing with the government and the people that it has not had in the past. It has been urged upon those under conviction, that we had nothing permanent and were liable to get discouraged, give up our work, and leave the country at any time; and if they cast their lot with us they would be left alone, without help, advice, or sympathy—a laughingstock. But now they see that we have come to remain, and that in dealing with us they are dealing with responsible persons.
The work of the Lord is now going on in its own buildings, upon its own land, and we are settled in our new homes. The surroundings are quiet and pleasant. Our homes are healthful and convenient, and the mission workers contented and happy. We have every reason daily to thank God, who has made all this possible; the generous brethren and sisters at home, who have been mindful of our lives, health, and comfort, and have given by sacrifice the means which has enabled us to buy and build; and the brethren of the General Conference, who have never failed to stand by us with counsel and encouragement through the trying times of uncertainty and waiting which are now past.
JAPANESE HOUSES, JAPAN MISSION HEADQUARTERS These houses face the west, and are across the compound from school building and foreign houses shown in last week's issue.
JAPANESE HOUSES, JAPAN MISSION HEADQUARTERS These houses face the west, and are across the compound from school building and foreign houses shown in last week's issue.
Now is the time for work, and we are hopeful for the future in Japan, and determined not to be found lacking with all these splendid facilities at our hand, nor to depend upon or expect that now they will do the work that can be accomplished only by a personal connection with the power of God, and with the personal touch with the sin-sick souls in this great, darkened nation, so in need of Christ and his divine compassion and healing.
Tokio.

The Great Gospel Commission

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15.

Life Sketch of Mrs. C. C. Lewis

By LORA E. CLEMENT

LORA E. CLEMENT
The Review last week announced to its readers the passing to rest of Mrs. C. C. Lewis. We are sure that this word carried sorrow to many hearts. It seems fitting that we should present in this department, which Sister Lewis has conducted with such loving, sympathetic ability during the past year, a record of her life experience.
Elizabeth Ann Wiley was born in Camilla, near Toronto, Canada, Aug. 11, 1857. When she was eleven years old, the family moved to Cuba, Mo., and nine years later moved by wagon to northwestern Kansas, the deceased driving one of the teams. They settled in Long Island, Phillips County. This is still the family home, and several brothers and sisters, as well as other relatives, reside in the vicinity.
During these strenuous pioneer days on the Western plains the subject of this sketch worked out to help support a large family of younger children, and enjoyed but few school privileges until she had grown to young womanhood. However, she always had an earnest desire for an education, and encouraged by a woman for whom she worked, studied privately, and later attended school for a short time at Republican City, Nebr. Struggling along in this way, she prepared herself to teach a small country school.
About this time, through the efforts of Elder C. L. Boyd, she was led to accept the third angel's message; and although the way seemed hedged about with impossibilities, she determined to attend Battle Creek College. From her slender salary she managed to save enough to pay railroad fare, and the fall of 1877 found her in school.
Returning home after two years, she took up a claim near Oxford, Nebr., and this she held until it was sold for enough to enable her to return to college, where she spent a large part of three or four years. During this time she supported herself by teaching in the summer and working in the Review and Herald bindery on Sundays of the school year.
MRS. C. C. LEWIS
MRS. C. C. LEWIS
The deceased was married to Charles C. Lewis Dec. 12, 1882, at Sumner, Mich. There they taught a winter school, and in the summer assisted Elder A. O. Burrill in the conduct of a tent effort in St. Louis, Mich.
During the following four years Mrs. Lewis was connected with Battle Creek College as teacher and preceptress. As a worker in the Battle Creek church she assisted in organizing the first kindergarten Sabbath school conducted by Seventh-day Adventists.
The scene of her next labor was the Minnesota Conference school at Minneapolis, where for two years she had charge of the girls' home. The five years following were spent in College View, Nebr. Here she was able to do but little public work, as her own children claimed her care; but she introduced the kindergarten method into the Sabbath school, and edited a little monthly paper entitled Early Education. This was discontinued when the family moved to Texas and connected with the Keene Academy. There she sacrificed the joy of private home life to answer the call of duty, and took her children into the dormitory, serving as preceptress and matron until five years later, when Professor Lewis accepted the presidency of the Walla Walla College. During their two-year stay there Mrs. Lewis had charge of the church school. The next six years were spent at Union College, where she was preceptress in the ladies' dormitory, and taught a number of classes.
At St. Helena, Cal., she enjoyed for three years a rest from public labor, but shortly before coming to Takoma Park about two years ago, at the earnest solicitation of the General Conference Educational Department, she became editor of the Home Education department in Christian Education. Her work closes with the current issue of that magazine.
Mrs. Lewis also had charge of the Mothers' Normal Course of the Fireside Correspondence School. From her own wide and varied experience she had a wealth of material for use in the preparation of lessons, and the second series of the course was more than half finished when sickness seized her pen and laid it down. Her efforts were deeply appreciated by our mothers the country over, and many drew upon her sympathetic interest in the problems of young and old, and the sound, candid advice she was able and willing to give regarding their solution.
Nine months ago she was requested to take charge of the Home department of the Review and Herald. It is through her work in this capacity that a large number of our readers have learned to know and love her. The work for our homes lay so very near her heart that she found it difficult to believe she must soon lay it aside. Only a few weeks after entering upon her duties the first symptoms of her disease appeared, so subtle in their working that the true nature of her malady, cancer of the right femur, was not discovered until the beginning of the present year.
Earnest prayers were offered for her recovery, and with steadfast faith and earnest pleading she claimed the promises of God. "I am not afraid," she often said, "and it is all right if my work is done, but I do not believe it is finished." Her heart yearned to serve a little longer, and the loving Father granted this boon. She rallied and for three months, although confined to a bed of suffering, was able to continue her literary work. The messages received from her friends during this time of waiting were appreciated; and aside from the preparation of articles, she wrote and dictated many letters, remembering with special solicitude young people whom she had "mothered" during the years of her preceptress work. Life was sweet to her, and the future held bright promises, but with unwavering trust and a courage that never faltered, she bowed with reverent submission to the will of an all-wise Father. In one of her last intelligent moments she sighed: "I am so tired. I long to be at rest. Tell the dear people that all is well."
"If charity, unselfish giving, If noble life be worth the living; If eager helpfulness unbought, If kindly deed, if loving thought; If gentle wish to soothe or share Another's sorrow, pain, or care; If cheerful word, if sunny smile, In this sad world are worth the while; If heart from pride and envy freed, If quick response to every need, If outstretched hand, if willing feet, If love, if sympathy, be sweet; If shining attributes like these Entitle one to sweet surcease Of toil, to lasting joy and peace, Then surely, dear, dear friend of mine, Such blessed recompense is thine."
Mrs. Lewis died at her home in Takoma Park, Md., April 22, 1915, aged 57 years, 8 months, and 11 days. Her devoted husband, one son, and two daughters sorrow with us, but the poignancy of their grief and ours is lessened by the assurance that her hope, "both sure and steadfast," is anchored within the veil; and that she will awake to see the King in his beauty when he comes to claim his own.

He Giveth His Beloved Sleep

Of all the thoughts of God that are Born inward unto souls afar, Along the psalmist’s music deep, Now tell me if there any is For gift or grace surpassing this: “He giveth his beloved sleep.”
“Sleep soft, beloved,” we sometimes say, Yet have no tune to charm away Sad dreams that through the eyelids creep; Yet never doleful dream again Shall break the happy slumber when “He giveth his beloved sleep.”
His dew drops mutely on the hill, His cloud above it saileth still, Though on its slopes men toil and reap. More softly than the dew is shed, Or cloud is floated overhead, “He giveth his beloved sleep.”
And friends!—dear friends!—when it shall be That this low breath is gone from me, And round my bier ye come to weep, Let one, most loving of you all, Say: “Not a tear must o’er her fall”— “He giveth his beloved sleep!” —Selected.

Conducted by Mrs. C. C. Lewis, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C

By Mrs. C. C. Lewis; Miss Lora E. Clement

Assisted by Miss Lora E. Clement
Through the columns of this department, hints will be given on all matters pertaining to the home life. Short articles and letters are solicited from home makers, telling of their everyday experiences,—their joys and sorrows, their failures and successes.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

By Harold Mayer

THE statement made in the spirit of prophecy that children would yet take up the message of the third angel and proclaim it with wonderful power, is having a striking fulfillment in New York City. A little eleven-year-old Jewish girl who has been converted to the truth through the efforts of one of our sisters, is going about among Jews, Protestants, and Catholics, telling them with earnest conviction of the soon coming of her Messiah a second time to bring judgment with him. She has already given the message to the scholars and teachers of the public school she attends, and has created quite an interest on the part of many to know more about these things. Many persons are asking her questions; they want to know who these Christians are that keep the Jewish Sabbath, about whom she talks so much.
The child has been able to grasp very quickly the truths in the Old and New Testaments concerning Christ; and all she talks about is Jesus and his soon coming and the Sabbath truth. She is a bright, pretty child; and when she is speaking about her faith, an animated, intelligent look shines out of her eyes that makes one forget she is only a child. When I saw her at the Washington Heights Lecture Hall Sunday evening, she was up in the very first row of seats, taking a prominent part in the song service.
The little girl's parents are bitterly opposed to Christianity, and are doing everything to discourage her. However, she is remaining firm in the love of the truth. Remember her in your prayers.
HAROLD MAYER.

“The Call of the Hour Is Answered by the Coming of the Man”

By V. O. COLE

In every crisis in the history of the world, the Lord has had a people willing to meet the issue. “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.”
Before the flood, when “the wickedness of man was great in the earth,” and “every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually,” a crisis arose: God found in Noah a man whom he could trust to meet the issue; and as a result of his efforts, a remnant was saved.
Soon after the flood the world was again found in wickedness. The people began the erection of the tower of Babel. Confusion of tongues and a scattering of the people resulted. Later, idolatry became well-nigh universal. Abraham was called out, to begin a new order of things. He was a keeper of God’s law, and he knew when God spoke.
A few hundred years later we find the servants of God in Egyptian bondage, greatly oppressed. Moses appeared on the scene, called of God to meet the crisis; and although he was permitted to lead Israel only to the border of Canaan, yet at this point God found in Joshua one who would lead them across Jordan, and before whom the walls of Jericho would fall.
Little more than two hundred years after this, the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian. They were in great distress, and earnestly poured out their hearts to God for help. A poor farmer’s boy was chosen to free them from Midian. In trembling modesty he hesitated until the Lord gave him a sign that he would be with him. God chose only three hundred men out of thirty-two thousand to help Gideon fight the battle, but these were men that had no divided interest,—men who depended, not on the strength of man, but on the power of God. A great victory was gained. Thus it can be seen that with every call, God gives his Spirit to accomplish the object of the call.
Later, Nineveh was about to be destroyed, the wickedness of that great city having come up before the Lord. Jonah was called to give the warning message, but he rose up to flee from the Lord’s presence. In turning aside, he had a hard experience. He was delivered from the sea only to hear the same call to service. The warning was given, the Spirit of God was in the message, and a great city of six-score thousand people who knew not their right hand from the left was saved. Thus a great work and a quick work was accomplished through the efforts of frail humanity coupled with the power of God.
In a later period all the Jews were under sentence of death. Esther and Mordecai were present to meet the issue and to cause the guilty Haman to hang from his own gallows. We are told that the “decree which is to go forth against the people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews in the time of Esther.”
Next, the time came for the Redeemer to appear. Although the church as a whole was asleep, yet the Saviour had a few humble souls to make the announcement to the world. This offended the Jews, who felt that God had passed them by, to communicate with ignorant shepherds and uncircumcised heathen. The time came when Jesus was to begin his ministry. John the Baptist appeared on the scene, to introduce him to the world.
Afterwards came the long struggle of the Dark Ages, but God preserved such men as the Waldenses, Wyclif, Huss, Jerome, and Luther, to meet every issue that Satan was able to bring upon the world.
Now, at the close of this great drama, the real climax of all ages and the culmination of the gospel work in the earth, when the last great issue is on, cannot we believe that God will have a people who will meet the demands of the hour? Or, to put it in other words, Would it not be a strange thing if God had not a people at this time to meet the present issue? Surely God still has power in the earth, and he says, “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power.” The great questions for us to settle are, Who is that people? Am I one of them?

Methods That Will Be Largely Used in This Closing Work

“In a large degree through our publishing houses is to be accomplished the work of that other angel who came down from heaven with great power, and who lightens the earth with his glory.” But, says one, We believe the Lord calls the ministers, but do you really believe that he calls the canvasser? Listen! “The canvasser is engaged in an honorable business, and he should not act as though he were ashamed of it. . . . He who is called of God to so sacred a work should feel that its accomplishment demands all his energies.”
We know that God will not slight us in this call, and for our encouragement I wish to say that nothing but sin can prevent us from hearing this call to service. When Isaiah got a new glimpse of the Lord, and his iniquity was taken away, he heard the call, and quickly sent back the response, “Here am I; send me.” “The call of the hour is answered by the coming of the man.”
V. O. COLE.

The Source of Patience and Courage

“The only way to be patient, to be calm, to be ready for all effort and all endurance, is to hold in the soul the thought of the great truths of God, greater than any passing event or crisis. To live thus in the presence of eternal laws and lofty ideals is to have power, and conquer.”

Our Epitaphs

We are all very busy—busy writing epitaphs. We do not let a day pass without doing something in this line, and we are all busy, not in writing epitaphs for others, but in writing our own. And we are making it very sure that people will read what we have written when we are gone. Shall we not be remembered? If not by many, we certainly shall by a few, and that remembrance we are making sure of by the tenor of our lives.
Our characters are the inscriptions we are making on the hearts of those who know, and who will survive us. We do not leave this office to others. We are doing it ourselves. Others might falsify and deceive by what they might say of us. But we are telling the truth. The actions of our passing life are facts visible, plain, undeniable. We engrave them on the minds of all observers. How interesting the question, What kind of epitaphs are we writing? Will they be read with joy or sorrow? Remember the epitaphs we write are not for the marble that tells where we lie, but for the memory of every one that knew us. —“Great Thoughts.”
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