It has been demonstrated many times that puny man can build nothing of a material nature that will be permanent. Everything that bears any mark of the merely human touch has in it the element of decay. The ruins of ancient structures, and, indeed, the fading glory of many edifices of quite recent construction, manifest this tendency to crumble or fade away. A New York paper tells of a famous mansion, erected only a few years ago on Long Island, that is disappointing its owner, as well as the architects, by showing signs of premature collapse. It was erected on the site of a former edifice which was destroyed by fire in 1899. The millionaire owner was greatly mortified by its destruction, and determined to build an indestructible house in its stead. He gave orders to his architects that it must be absolutely fire-proof, and that object was steadily kept in view. But the great weight of stone and steel, and other heavy materials supposed to be fire-proof, have exposed it to another danger. Although the builders dug deep for a supposedly-firm foundation, the massive structure is settling and cracking. Cracks in the walls, ceilings, and roof show that it is settling unevenly, and there are grave fears that nothing can save it. Now people are wondering that the architects or the builders did not foresee the danger; but, alas, for human foresight! Everything "earthly," even man's highest hopes and aspirations not based on the sure Word of God are doomed to decay. And "as is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy." A future permanent life is dependent upon a resurrection from the death that is sure to follow the present sinful existence; and that resurrection is based on the fact of Christ's resurrection, and not upon any virtue or feature of this "earthy" creation. "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
Looking upon the uncertainty of things earthy, or rather upon the certainty that these things all must eventually return to the dust, our Lord has left us the warning: "Every one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man which built his house upon the sand." So, in giving counsel concerning a permanent building, the same Counsellor, through an inspired apostle, has assured us that "other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN JAPAN.
A false report was given world-wide circulation not long ago to the effect that a state church might be established by the Japanese Government. A denial came from the prime minister himself, Count Katsura, who desired that the contradiction be made to travel as far as the untruthful story. The premier called special attention to the religious clause of the Japanese Constitution, in order to show that a state church under government patronage is out of the question. This gives us an interesting insight into the modern constitutional law of the “Yankees of the East.”
Article 28 of the Constitution covers the question in this style: “Japanese subjects shall, within limits not prejudicial to peace and order, and not antagonistic to their duties as subjects, enjoy freedom of religious belief.” That is not so definite and precise as the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, which declares that “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” But the Japanese clause is interpreted so that practically the result is the same. Marquis Ito, who is reputed to be the chief compiler of the Constitution, has written and edited commentaries upon that instrument, and the following extract represents his views:
To force upon a nation a particular form of belief by the establishment of a state religion is very injurious to the natural intellectual development of the people, and is prejudicial to the progress of science (knowledge) by free competition. No country, therefore, possesses by reason of its political authority the right or capacity to enact an oppressive measure touching abstract questions of religious faith.
That the Japanese deliberately chose to follow the American, rather than the English or European, model in this particular tends to confirm the American conviction that the principle of complete separation between church and state is sound and lasting. The liberality and breadth of the Japanese view, moreover, helps one to understand the better the brilliancy of the national genius, which is now being displayed so astonishingly in the Russian War.—Springfield Republican.
THE PROBLEM OF CRIME.
WITH the rising tide of criminality in Chicago and other large cities of the world, those whose duty it is to apprehend criminals and prevent their work are anxiously considering what can be done. The remedies of the law and the prison are becoming less and less adequate for the work expected of them. The flood of evil continues to rise, and officers of the law are at their wit’s end—those who are desirous of doing their duty—to devise some plan to check the increase. They do not expect to be able to stop crime. It is the steady increase of it that is causing the worry and apprehension.
William Pinkerton, chief of detectives, while discussing Chicago’s increasing criminality, declared that imprisonment had no terrors for the ordinary criminals. He said: “The Chicago thug has no fear of hanging or being shot, but he has a terror of work or publicity. The whipping-post or pillory; hard work on the street in the sight of everybody—this is the only cure for foot-pads, burglars, thieves and criminals.” He further states that the most dangerous and reckless element of the criminals is spreading rapidly, and that the helpless condition in which Chicago finds herself will soon find a reflection in other cities. He holds that the best remedy lies in the old fashioned whipping-post. Mr. Pinkerton thinks that while criminals will take the risk of being imprisoned or shot at, few would risk a chance of being whipped in the presence of others, or being locked in a pillory where they may be jeered at. And yet, were the pillory and whipping-post as common now as in years past, the criminal element would soon grow to look upon it as they now do upon the punishments which they risk in committing their offenses against law and order. The trouble is in a general, gradual deterioration in the moral fiber of the race, which can not be checked by any manner of punishment that man can devise. We return to the lash, the pillory, and the chain-gang, but we can not, by that means, cure the disease that is working in the vitals of the unregenerate soul.
California Land Opened to Public Entry
More than one million acres of land in the northern part of California have been opened to public entry by the Land Commissioner at Washington.
One of the most terrible train wrecks of the year is that reported from Hodges, Tenn., which occurred on September 24, and in which 62 persons met death and 112 were injured more or less seriously. The only cause of the accident, so far as known, was either the carelessness or forgetfulness of one of the train crews. Day after day for a long time these two trains had been meeting at a certain point. One of the engineers ran by the regular place of meeting, and the two trains loaded with passengers came together on a curve with a terrible crash. The scene following the collision is said by eye-witnesses to have been most appalling. Both engines and all the cars, save the sleepers, were completely demolished, and human beings, dead or wounded, were almost inextricably mingled with the mass of wreckage.
The great butcher’s strike inaugurated several weeks ago at Chicago has been officially declared ended. The men have lost—not only lost the strike, but in a great portion of the cases have lost their positions as well. The strike involved about 53,000 men, 26,000 of whom were in Chicago. Many of the strikers had simply struck in sympathy with the butchers, and the strike of these men has also come to an end. It is estimated that the strike has cost the workmen $5,000,000 and the packers about $7,500,000. Only a portion of the skilled workmen will be taken back by the packers, and no positions are promised to any of the unskilled workmen, nearly all their places having been filled.
One of the most sorrowful incidents of the Oriental War is the great amount of sickness reported to be prevalent at Port Arthur. Reports brought out of the besieged fortress by those who have succeeded in running the blockade indicate that there are 15,000 sick and wounded in the hospitals of the fortress. The task of attending to the wants of such an army of sick is an enormous one, and there is no doubt that the sick and wounded suffer greatly from lack of proper food, as well as from the terrible bombardment to which the place is almost constantly subjected.
Professor Niels Finsen, the discoverer of the so-called Finsen rays of light for the cure of lupus, and head of the Finsen Ray Institute in Copenhagen, died in that place on September 24. The work of Professor Finsen has been recognized all over the civilized world, and his discoveries are generally regarded as of inestimable service to mankind. The light ray has also effected cures of cancer. None of the apparatus was patented by Finsen, as he desired that it be used in the service of mankind.
When it was decided to pay the Philippine friars for their holdings in the Philippines, arrangements were made for paying them at Manila, so that the money, or a portion of it, might remain in the islands. The friars are not satisfied with this arrangement, and have demanded that payment be made to their representatives in London. The government has now made arrangements to comply with their desires in this particular, and the representatives of the Augustinians will receive their portion, $2,000,000, in London.
Nature’s storehouse of provision for human wants is still greater than the ability of man to utilize its treasures. For some years past an excellent cloth has been obtained from the fiber of the pineapple, which is represented to be superior to the cotton fabric. Now the American Consul at Rouen reports the discovery of a process for the manufacture of artificial cotton from the cellulose of the fir tree, which is flexible and well adapted to the uses to which natural cotton is put.
The eastern portion of North America was visited by an exceptionally cold wave on September 22, which is reported to have done much damage to late crops. At the same time a storm of unusual violence swept over a large part of the Pacific Coast. In San Francisco and Oakland much damage was caused by the large amount of water which flooded the streets and overflowed into basements.
At Wilmington, Delaware, criminals are now being punished with the lash before entering upon their terms of imprisonment. They are given a number of lashes in accordance with the enormity of their crimes. Some of them are placed in the stocks or pillory before the application of the lash.
The Hungarian Minister of the Interior has rendered a decision prohibiting the preaching of the doctrines of Mormonism in that country. This decision is rendered as the result of the expulsion of certain Mormon missionaries from Hungary something over a year ago.
Reports from Italy state that while there has been a cessation of the general strike, there is still a strike of 2,325 engineers and firemen, and as a result many of the trains have ceased to run.
It is reported that China has yielded to the pressure of the Russian Government and has refused to ratify the treaty made between her province of Tibet and the English Government.
At the annual convention of the Lawrence County, Pa., W. C. T. U., one of the principal speakers advocated that women should strike for the right of suffrage.
PARENTAL DELINQUENCY.
The painstaking work of the Juvenile Court of Denver has brought out some interesting facts in connection with youthful criminals. All children who have been started on the road toward crime are classed as delinquents, and dealt with accordingly. Having been caught in some malicious act, the court is given jurisdiction over them. It not only deals with them, but also with those who may have influenced them on the downward path.
One of the features of the Denver Juvenile Court is its dealings with what is termed “delinquent parents,” and of that feature the San Francisco Chronicle has the following to say:—
The judge uses his discretion, and virtually makes his own law, just as a father might do. But the Colorado law also gives him authority to deal rather summarily with delinquent parents. For example, the child who enters a saloon or a recognized vicious resort of any kind is a delinquent. But if he is sent there by parents, guardian, or employer, that person becomes the delinquent instead of the child. Or if a parent sends his child to “sneak” coal from a coal-yard, it is the parent, and not the child, who is dealt with. This is not a special effort of society to save a merchant or railroad company from losing a few baskets of coal, but to prevent the child from being educated as a thief. During the year 1903 there were 197 parents and fifty persons other than parents dealt with by the Denver Juvenile Court for “contributing” to the delinquency of children, of which number forty were committed to jail. Of course, not a single child has been committed to jail. They are committed only to schools. Besides this, there was a much larger number fined in substantial sums.
But the class which sends their children to the saloon for beer, or to the coal-yards and new buildings for coal and wood, by no means contains all the people who contribute to the delinquency of children. “In fact,” says Judge Lindsay, “in my experience the most blameworthy of such parents are among the so-called business men and prominent citizens. They seem to think their duty ended when they have debauched the boy with luxury and the free use of money. They permit him to fill his life with a round of pleasure, and let him satiate his appetite without knowing what he is doing or whither he is drifting.” As a result there is a constantly-increasing number of embezzlements of small sums by clerks in business houses, whose fathers make good the loss, and nothing is heard of it. The judge states that a police captain in one large city told him that within a single six weeks he had investigated twenty-four such cases, in all of which the delinquents were of respectable families and the embezzlements “hushed up.” This is going on and increasing in all large cities. We know very little of what takes place all about us. Judge Lindsay regards this class of well-to-do parents who do not control their children as the most dangerous elements of society to-day. They are rearing a class of citizens without moral principle, prone to vices which sap their moral and physical stamina, and which involve the expenditure of money which they can not honestly obtain. In the course of his three or four years’ experience in the Juvenile Court, it is said that Judge Lindsay has had many such parents before him with their children, where, with the assistance of the probation officers who had been investigating their children, such a complete “show down” of their doings was effected as covered their parents with horror and shame.
One thing that is contributing to this deplorable state of affairs as much, perhaps, as anything else, is the present-day craze for riches that is robbing the children of the attention they should have from their parents. When we see a change in the human heart in respect to the accumulation of wealth, then we may expect to see an improvement in the children; but no sign of this is yet apparent.
WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY.
PERHAPS the one invention of this generation which is being utilized with the greatest rapidity is that of wireless telegraphy. Its usefulness was so apparent that no time has been lost in making experiments to develop its possibilities to the fullest extent. There have been a number of modifications in the method of producing the wireless current.
Military men, ever quick to realize the importance of new inventions that can be turned to a military use, have seized upon the wireless telegraph with avidity, and are now exploiting its powers with great rapidity. The Oriental War is the first in which it has been used, but it has proved to the belligerents a valuable means of maintaining communication during times when no other means were available. The naval squadrons of both nations have found it of great value in their operations, and it has occupied a prominent place on land as well. The fleet commanders have used the wireless telegraph to direct operations of individual vessels during an engagement. Besieged Port Arthur was able to keep in communication with the outside world by that means until the wireless station at Chefoo was compelled by the Chinese Government to dismantle. It is evident that the wireless telegraph, like the telegraph and telephone, has come to remain. It will, of course, be greatly improved, and will come to have a much wider field of usefulness than that which it now occupies.
THE WAR IN THE ORIENT.
SINCE the reports of last week, there has been no important battle fought, tho there have been many minor engagements between the outposts, and some flanking movements have been made by the Japanese. At Da Pass, the Japanese army, which has been pressing the retreating Russians, is reported to have been repulsed with heavy loss in two different assaults. In attacking this pass, they were attempting to turn the flank of the Russian army, which is now centered in the vicinity of Mukden. It is admitted to be in the plan of the Japanese campaign to capture Mukden, Harbin, and Vladivostock, and thus shut Russia entirely away from the sea. The Russian penal colony of Saghalin is also one of the Japanese objectives.
The Russians are said to be making great preparations for a stubborn battle at Mukden. The Russian general is not willing to suffer the loss of prestige which would result from an abandonment of this place. General Kuroki is reported to be moving on the Russian position with a very strong force, and another great battle is imminent.
The Japanese bombardments of Port Arthur continue unabated, and for several days a terrible series of assaults was kept up. No particulars of these attacks have been allowed to pass the military censor; but it is believed that the attacking parties have suffered greatly. Of what is taking place inside the besieged town but little is actually known. The Japanese have been attempting to capture the redoubt protecting the Port Arthur waterworks; but all their attacks have been repulsed with loss. Notwithstanding the stubborn defense of the Russians, the Japanese are reported to have captured two more of the important forts around Port Arthur.
In regard to the continuance of the war, there is not so much heard now of international influence to bring it to a close as in weeks past. Russian officials declare that the war will continue until Russia wears out Japan; but men who are in position to speak for Japan declare that Russia will never be able to accomplish that; that Japan can hold out indefinitely. No one can say when the terrible business will be done.
Appreciation in the Home.
By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle
BY MRS. L. D. AVERY-STUTTLE.
The summer sun streamed hot into the little kitchen. The old clock struck the hour of two, and still the little girl in the big brown apron kept bravely at her task; those dishes,—and there were heaps of them,—must be washed.
Mrs. Gray had been called away to the home of a sick neighbor, directly after dinner; and when Marjorie had asked her mama what she should do all alone till her return, mama’s only reply had been: “O, play with your dolls or gather flowers; I shall be home in an hour or so.” But ten-year-old Marjorie had no idea of allowing the table of dirty dishes to stand, while she spent the time playing with Diana, her newest doll. “Surely mama will be tired when she gets home from attending the sick lady.” So the little sleeves were tucked up bravely, and mama’s apron tied about the tiny body, so to make her a “big woman.”
One by one the great plates and the cups and saucers were washed and carefully wiped. O, how many there were of them! and how the little back ached with weariness. Finally the self-imposed task was all done except two or three very dirty kettles. She was so anxious to play with Diana, that she had almost decided to leave the kettles for mama to do. Then she remembered how tired poor mama seemed every night, and so, after a short battle with herself, she bravely resumed her task; so that it was not until almost three, that the last kettle had been nicely washed and set away. Of course Marjorie was very tired, but the joy of having done what she could to help mama, was sweet to her heart, and then, how she would enjoy mama’s pleased surprise.
But I am most sorry to say Mrs. Gray was not an appreciative woman,—and that means, O, so much! It means that she was an unwise mother, a cold and careless mother,—in fact, a selfish mother.
At last, two eager little eyes saw mama coming and two eager, tired little feet sprang to meet her.
“O mama, mama! I’ve done all the dishes, every one; it took me an awful long time, but I got it done at last,—’cause I knew you’d be tired.”
“Well, I declare! how like a little fright you look! You’ve spilled the greasy dishwater all over your dress, and I dare say it is ruined. Strange I can’t leave home a minute but you are sure to get into mischief. Now I’ve got to wash out your dress,—if it isn’t ruined quite.”
“I didn’t mean to, mama; I only tried to help you, but the pan was so heavy, I just couldn’t keep from spilling some. I—I—hoped you would be glad, mama,” and the soft, innocent eyes filled with tears.
Mrs. Gray turned away carelessly, and paid no further attention to the child. The dishes were set, neat and shining, upon the dining-room table, and a little while later, when she went to prepare supper, she found the kettles and frying pans as nicely washed as she could have done it herself. Really, in her heart, she acknowledged that her little ten-year-old daughter had done well, and that it had been a great help to her. But it would never do to tell her,—she might be spoiled. And so, instead of a word of hearty appreciation and a motherly kiss on the dear little lips, there was nothing but harsh and bitter words of reproof.
Is it any wonder that to-day, in her lonely home, Mrs. Gray weeps hot tears as she looks over toward the small mound where lies the little daughter, whom she never appreciated until it was too late? O! the pity of it!
But it is not alone toward the children that we manifest a lack of appreciation. Sometimes there are the grandma and the grandpa in the home. O how many little things grandma is constantly doing to lighten the labor of the family and to add to everybody’s comfort! Precious grandma!
Susie is in a hurry to dress for company, and finds her stockings neatly darned, tho she remembers well enough that there were holes in the toes when she took them off. Whose patient, loving fingers mended those holes and folded the stockings neatly away in the drawer?—Grandma’s. I wonder if Susie ever thinks to repay her with a loving kiss and a gentle word of appreciation. Perhaps, sometimes; but I am afraid not often.
The other day Jennie was in such a hurry to get ready for a picnic, that it seemed she never could get those “hateful” dishes washed. Whose gentle voice was it that called from the bedroom: “I’ll do the dishes for you, girlie; go on!”
I listened, hoping to hear at least, a “thank you, grandma,” but I only heard the little girl say to the playmate who was waiting for her: “Goody! now I can go; I’ll be ready in a minute!” and off she ran without even a good-by to grandma.
“I could go skating with the boys if I only had my chores at the barn done,” complained Harry.
“I’ll do them for you, my lad,” smiled grandpa. “I’ve not forgotten how I felt when I was a boy.”
“All right, be sure to give Prince his oats,” and away runs Harry.
“Wait a moment, my boy, you’ve forgotten something,” calls mama.
“What is it, mama? I’ve got my comforter and my mittens and my skates and my leggings—”
“Yes, I see you have, and you’ve got something else too,—the best grandpa that ever lived,—but you’ve forgotten to thank him,—see, there he is leading your pony to water.”
“O, grandpa don’t care, do you grandpa?—much obliged, tho!”
Now Harry is not the only boy who thinks grandpa “doesn’t care” for appreciation, is he? Did you ever see any other boy who acted as if he thought so, too?
I remember reading in a very old Book about a man who was beautifully appreciative. He was a great king and a mighty warrior. One day after a battle he became very thirsty and said: “O, that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is at the gate.”
Then three of the soldiers went and brought it to him, at the peril of their lives. But the king appreciated their kindness too much even to drink the water. “Be it far from me, O Lord!” he exclaimed, “that I should do this; is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives?”
O, appreciation is a beautiful virtue,—a heavenly grace.
When the poor woman broke the alabaster box of ointment on the sacred feet of her Lord, some criticized her action. But O, the blessed Christ appreciated the deed of love; aye, and He expressed His appreciation in the most tender manner: “Wherefore, I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much.”
O, the heart of the Nazarene knew what it was to hunger for human love and appreciation. His sad, sad life, and His tragic death, form a page in human history which chronicles the most deplorable lack of appreciation which it has ever been the lot of any historian to pen. Yet even under the cruel shadow of the cross, where He gave His precious life even for His murderers, that wonderful prayer than which more divinely beautiful was never breathed, was poured forth from His breaking heart: “Father! forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
He came to His own,
But they would not receive Him,—
The King of all truth,—
But they scorned to believe Him,
Rejected His mercy—
O! terrible blindness!
They slighted His love,
And they mocked at His kindness.
THE LAMP—AN OBJECT-LESSON.
By Walter E. Gillis
BY WALTER E. GILLIS.
“For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead.” Rom. 1:20.
“Oh, here comes Uncle Ithiel!” and a band of boys and girls bounded down the roadway to meet the genial old gentleman who had caused the general exclamation.
The sun is just setting, as the group approach the house, youth and old age blending in a comradeship that is pleasant to see. Uncle Ithiel is plainly a follower of Jesus. His influence appeals to the children, who evidently hold him in high esteem. A heavenly peace lights up his face, and joy sparkles from the eyes,—truly windows of the soul in this man.
As the twilight deepens, and lights begin to glimmer from the windows, the young folks persuade their guest to tarry yet awhile, and, by the cheery grate, weave for them a story such as they love.
Uncle Ithiel.—Well, Lorena, what shall it be? I've told you young folks a good many stories, and it seems to me we will have a time securing a subject of interest, and simple enough for all.
Lorena.—That's so, uncle; but, do you know, I have been thinking a great deal about fairy stories of late. At school we hear many of them, but when the teacher finishes telling them, or reading them, she always says, “Now, this is not a true story; it is just make-believe.” The last one we heard was about Aladdin and his magic lamp. It was interesting, but what's the good, when it isn't real, and we can never have an experience like that? Now, couldn't you tell us a true fairy story? Something that we can hope to be some day? I would like to be a princess, and bring joy to many a sorrowing heart,—something that will last, and not fly away home as soon as the sun appears in the morning.
Uncle Ithiel.—Yes, my child, you shall have your wish. I will tell you of a lamp that far surpasses that of the nursery-famed Aladdin. But first bring a lamp and the Bible.
Lorena.—Good! now I know it will be true, for the Bible is God's Word, and God never tells anything but the truth, does He?
Uncle Ithiel.—You are right, my child. This story will be all true, for it will all be taken from the Bible. Now, you must all be sure to pay good attention, and try to remember it, so that you can tell it to others some day. Here comes grandma. Suppose we get her to read the Bible texts for us, while you listen, and answer my questions. And now we are ready for our little study, for I am going to let you help me tell the story this time. Before we light the lamp, we will examine it, and find out all we can about it. I wonder if little Helen can tell us what a lamp is for!
Helen.—Yes, of course, uncle, it is to give light.
Uncle Ithiel.—How much light?
Many voices.—All it can be made to give.
Uncle Ithiel.—Now, let us examine the lamp, and see of what parts it consists, and how it burns. Let us have Peter point out, and tell what the different parts are for.
Peter.—Very well. This is the bowl, to hold the oil; and this is the burner, to hold the wick; and here is the wick, to convey the oil up to the flame; and this11the globe, to protect the flame, and cause it to shine brighter.
Uncle Ithiel.—But where is the light?
Children.—O! there is no oil in the lamp.
Uncle Ithiel.—All right, we will have Peter put some oil in the lamp. Now, where is the light?
Children.—You must light it.
Uncle Ithiel.—But you said the lamp was to give light.
Varda.—Yes, but you must light it first.
Uncle Ithiel.—Quite true. Now we will light it. How is this? It won't burn. Let us see what is the matter. See, the wick is too short. Well, let us make the oil go up into the wick. It lights all right now.
Children.—Yes, but it won't last long. See, it is burning down already.
Uncle Ithiel.—To have a good steady light, what must we have?
Children.—The wick in the oil all the time, and plenty of oil in the lamp.
Uncle Ithiel.—You are right, but (smutting the chimney) what is the matter now?
Tirzah.—The globe is dirty.
Uncle Ithiel.—So then, it is also necessary to have a clean globe. Does it make any difference what color or shape the lamp may be?
Peter.—No; for I have seen hundreds of different kinds, and, so long as the same oil and wick were used, the same bright light resulted.
Uncle Ithiel.—Now, let us see if this little study will help us to understand about the wonderful lamp that I said would outrival the fabled lamp of Aladdin, and still be strictly real and true. Now listen while we have grandma read from God's Holy Word. But first let us pray that God will bless us as we study, and give us His Holy Spirit to teach us. Grandma, please read to us what Solomon learned about the just.
Grandma.—“The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Prov. 4:18.
Uncle Ithiel.—You see here that people are likened to lamps that give light.
Laura.—It just calls them lights; it doesn't say they are lamps.
Uncle Ithiel.—Well, let us hear what it says about the wicked man.
Grandma.—“The light of the righteous rejoiceth; but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.” Prov. 13:9. “Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.” Prov. 20:20.
Uncle Ithiel.—Now, if men are lamps, where is the bowl for the oils? Where is the wick, and how do they get lighted in the first place? First we will find out what the oil is.
Grandma.—“Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” Heb. 1:9. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power.” Acts 10:38.
Uncle Ithiel.—So you see the Holy Spirit is the oil. Now, we will learn of the vessel to hold it.
Grandma.—“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God [Acts 5:32], and ye are not your own?” 1 Cor. 6:19.
Varda.—Are the negroes, Indians, Japanese, and all those other foreign people as good as white men in God's sight?
Grandma.—“God that made the world and all things therein . . . hath made of one blood all nations of men.” Acts 17:24-26. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.” Acts 10:34, 35.
Uncle Ithiel.—Now, we have our lamp. Shall we light it?
Grandma.—“For Thou wilt light my lamp [margin]; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.” Ps. 18:28. “Wherefore He saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and rise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” Eph. 5:14. “The entrance of Thy Word giveth light.” Ps. 119:130. “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. . . . That was the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1:4-9.
Tirzah.—Isn't that plain! But where is the wick and the globe?
Uncle Ithiel.—We will find them, too. What did we learn was the oil?
Children.—The Holy Spirit.
Uncle Ithiel.—So, if we can find out how to get the Holy Spirit, we will have the wick, won't we? For the wick conveys the oil to the place where the light is seen.
Grandma.—“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” Luke 11:13.
Uncle Ithiel.—What is the name we give to asking God for things?
Varda.—Prayer, or talking with God.
Uncle Ithiel.—Yes. And how long did we find that the wick had to remain in the oil to give a good, steady light?
Children.—All the time.
Uncle Ithiel.—And does the Bible say we should pray all the time?—Yes; just listen.
Grandma.—“And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Luke 18:1. “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thess. 5:17.
Uncle Ithiel.—Does that mean that we must always be asking for the Holy Spirit?—Yes, I think it does. But there is more than one way of asking, and I believe I have found a better way. You know that the wick in the lamp does not ask for oil, but just as long as the wick is in the oil, and the light is burning, the oil comes right up to the flame. It is the light that asks for oil. If there were no light, there would be no need of oil. And so it is with us. So long as our light is burning, pointing souls to Jesus, the oil will come to the burning, and our wick will be thanking and praising God “for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men.” And this the Bible teaches, for we have the record of the first Pentecost, when the Spirit was given, of which time the record says: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. . . . Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:41-47. You see we take up so much time with our own little cares and pleasures that we forget to praise God, and to seek to win souls for Him, and so, while there is no light, there is no need for the oil. If every day we remember and live for the Lord, and study His Word, our light will shine, pointing all with whom we have to do to “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
And now we will have grandma read for us what the good Book says about the globe.
Grandma.—“A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.” Eccl. 8:1. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Prov. 9:10.
Uncle Ithiel.—Please read, also, how we are to shine.
Grandma.—“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the Word of life.” Phil. 2:15, 16. “It is the Spirit that quickeneth [gives life]; the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63.
Varda.—O, Uncle Ithiel, can we be a beautiful lamp by praying to God, and reading the Bible? And how can we know when we are shining?
Uncle Ithiel.—Listen. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22. God says, “Let your light so shine before men.” Matt. 5:16. If we put nothing in the way, the light will shine.
But look, what is the matter with our lamp? See, the wick has formed a crust, and is burning up the oil without giving us the benefit of a good light. Now that is called a “thief in the candle.” Misusing a thing is stealing honor from the owner. And here is a good lesson for us. When the Lord very graciously gives us His Spirit to direct our lives, and we do nothing to help others to become Christians, self becomes a thief, and robs God of the glorious fruit He has a right to expect. So we become wicked. And what did we learn would happen to the wicked?
Children.—“The lamp of the wicked shall be put out.” Prov. 13:9.
Uncle Ithiel.—And now, children, I must hasten home. Some other time I may tell you some wonderful things about the oil for our living lamp, and how to keep the globe bright and clean. Won't you sing me that pretty little song about “You in your corner, and I in mine.”
Children (singing).—
Like a Little Candle.
“Jesus bids us shine with a pure, clear light,
Like a little candle burning in the night;
In this world of darkness, we must shine,
You in your corner, I in mine.
“Jesus bids us shine through the gloom around;
Many kinds of darkness in this world are found;
Sin, and want, and sorrow: so we shine,
You in your corner, I in mine.
“When we shine for others, we shine for Him,
Well He sees and knows it, if our light is dim;
He looks down from heaven to see us shine,
You in your corner, I in mine.
“Jesus is a bright light of love divine,
When on Him we're looking, then it is we shine,
Like the silver moon, with borrowed light,
Each in his corner, doing right.”
Uncle Ithiel.—Thank you. How nice it is. Now, you must remember, Jesus is still a man (1 Tim. 2:5) in heaven, the Lamp that lights the universe, and as His lamp lights you, so you may lead others to be lighted by that lamp everywhere you go. Now, good-night.
Mountain View, Cal.
KINDNESS
“Over a winding, wayside wall,
Ragged and rough and gray,
There crept a tender, clinging vine,
Tireless, day by day.
At last its mantle of softest tint
Covered each jagged seam;
The struggling wall, half broken down,
Became, with that leafy, tinted crown,
Fair as an artist’s dream.
“O for the kindness that clings and twines
Over life’s broken wall,
That blossoms above the scars of pain,
Striving to hold them all!
O for the helpful, ministering hands,
Beneficent, willing feet,
That spread rich mantles of tender thought
O’er life’s rough places, till time has wrought
Its healing—divine, complete!”