p. 664 | Review and Herald, Vol. 78, No. 41. (10/8/1901)

Automobiles Reduce Pacific Coast Harvest Costs

THE use of automobiles has so lessened the cost of harvesting wheat on the Pacific Coast, that “a greater amount of grain can be produced at the same actual expense than in the Argentine Republic, where labor costs only a fraction of a dollar a day. The large automobile traction engines, now used in California, are of fifty-horsepower, and are provided with driving wheels sixty inches in diameter. They do the plowing, planting, and harvesting, in their proper seasons. One traction engine performs the triple work of plowing, harrowing, and planting, in one operation.”

Running To and Fro

Speaking of the time of the end, the prophet Daniel wrote that “many shall run to and fro.” Dan. 12: 4. Is there much running to and fro in the earth to-day? Everybody knows that there is. The following forcible statement on this point was made recently by the Scientific American:—

“In every sense of the word, we are living in an age of locomotion. A very large proportion of the people are on wheels the greater part of their time, and traveling to an extent undreamed of by those who lived but a generation ago. If, at any given hour of the day or night, on any day in the year, every train of cars, every surface car in our cities, and every vessel on the oceans, lakes, and rivers in the world, could be stopped, and a census taken of people on board, and if to this number were added those who were waiting at depots or docks to get on board, there would be found enough people to populate a nation.”

Christian and Buddhist Life Assessments

CONTRASTING the spirit actuating so-called Christians and that manifested by Buddhists, in China, a contributor to Japan and America says: “The Christians have levied assessment for loss of life; the Buddhists have refused to demand payment for blood shed in anger and blind fury. The Christians, according to General Chaffee, who fears nothing save a lie and dishonesty, have a sliding scale of these life assessments. In one town the assessments for indemnity exacted, or sought to be exacted, with the approval of the American commander, was $17.50; in another it was $48; in a third, it was $157; and in a fourth it was as much as $350.” Who has commissioned these so-called Christians to place any valuation upon the life of any other human being, Christian or not?

Faithful Preaching.

To a large congregation, in the Tabernacle, Sabbath, October 5, the word of life was faithfully expounded by Elder A. G. Daniells. He first called attention to a striking peculiarity of the present time. We are in the time pointed out by the prophet, when darkness was to cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but while such unprecedented darkness prevails, rays of gospel light are shining upon the world with greater clearness than ever before in the history of the world—greater darkness; but for our benefit greater light! As setting forth the attitude which the Church should maintain toward the Lord and His truth and work in the earth, the sixty-second chapter of Isaiah was read entire, and a close and searching application of all its statements made to our own personal experience and purity of life. The burden on the speaker’s mind seemed to be similar to that of others who have recently spoken in the Tabernacle,—the necessity of that intense personal consecration to the work of the Lord, on our part, which will enable Him to establish the relation between us so graphically described in verses 4 and 5, and fulfill the promises of verses 2 and 3. Those who receive the light of truth will recognize that they have been set as watchmen on the walls, and feel under obligation to hold not their peace day nor night, and keep not silence, but go through the gates and prepare the way of the people. Such will not be spewed out of the mouth of the faithful and true Witness, as lukewarm servants (Rev. 3:14–18), but will proclaim to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, thy salvation [Christ] cometh; behold, His reward is with Him;” and they shall be called, “The holy people, The redeemed of the Lord,” and “be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.” Verses 11 and 12. These people are prepared to fulfill Isa. 33:14–16. They can dwell with the devouring fire and with everlasting burnings. Having assimilated the character of God, who is a “consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29), they are prepared to endure His presence. They can abide the day of His coming, and stand when He appeareth. Mal. 3:2. The whole exposition proceeded on the ground that we are approaching a grand crisis in the work of the Lord, which will bring its conclusion in this generation—a consummation devoutly to be wished. It was calculated to promote hope, confidence, and courage in all who heard.

Church Elders, Notice!

As all have no doubt noticed, no second Sabbath reading has been sent out this month. The reading for the missionary service on Sabbath, October 12, will be found in the Supplement of the REVIEW AND HERALD of October 1, page 647, entitled, “The Call to Prayer for Missions.” If this paper reaches the hands of any member of a church who knows that his church elder does not have the REVIEW, kindly call his attention to the notice, and supply him with the reading. It should be read in every church and company of Sabbath-keepers.

The Marvel of Nations Now Ready.

IN the first notices of the “Marvel of Nations,” the size was estimated to be about 320 pages, and it was so advertised. On completing the book, it is found to contain 324 pages. But more than this. It is decided that the complete book in prospectus form will be better to canvass with than the prospectus we now have. Being more full, it will give a better idea of the work. Therefore to all who have purchased the first Prospectus, the Office will give a complete book in prospectus form with which to continue their canvass, without expense to themselves, on the condition that the first Prospectus be destroyed.

Ancient History Repeated in America

It is not alone Seventh-day Adventists who discern that the history of ancient nations which have passed away is being repeated in this great republic of to-day. At a convention of ministers held in the old Moody church in Chicago, October 1, the Rev. A. T. Pierson, editor of the Missionary Review of the World, and Rev. R. A. Torrey, superintendent of the Moody Bible Institute, drew the attention of the audience by statements setting forth their conviction that conditions in the spiritual world were never less hopeful than they are now.

“Three years ago,” said Dr. Torrey, “we were told that there could be no more wars. We were told that men had become so enlightened and intelligent that there would be no more warfare. Since that time we have had some of the cruelest wars in history.”

Some of Dr. Pierson’s statements were the following:—

“Three out of seven Presidents, including Lincoln, have been assassinated. That shows four out of seven have the assurance that they will complete their term of office. And this is in the land of freedom, where we indulge in spread-eagle oratory on the Fourth of July. The only parallel in history is in the days of the pagan Roman Empire. It indicates the conditions abroad in the land. The only hope is that the days now are the gloomy ones in which the Lord works. Events portend either a great revival or the second coming of the Lord.”

There are a good many Seventh-day Adventists who cannot see that ancient Roman history is being repeated to-day in the United States. But the fact is plain enough to be discerned even by some who have not the light of the truths we are now giving to the world. Now is the time to proclaim the coming of the Lord.