“For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.” Mark 13:34.
In the chapter from which the above text is taken, the subject introduced is the signs of Christ’s second coming, and the condition of those who will be found ready for his coming. They are not represented as waiting in idleness for his coming, but as they watch they work. The master “gave to every man his work.” They are working watchers.
The signs of Christ’s coming are fulfilled. We are near that event, and are in the very time marked in the above parable when the Lord has committed to his people the work of giving the warning, and preparing a people for his coming. For a number of years the cry has been raised and preparations have been going forward for a rapid conclusion of the message.
Plans have been laid wisely and well to secure success and permanence to the work. What has already been accomplished is one of the best guarantees of what we may expect in the near future, when a wider application is made of these same principles and plans.
For a number of years Elder White has plead for “broader plans” to spread the truth of the third angel’s message. After awhile, a few others joined him in his plans. They said, “Publications must be produced in different languages. Presses must be established in different parts of the field. Missionary workers must advance, in an aggressive movement all along the line. Young men must be urged into the field. Old hands in the cause must be making the best use of that experience they have gained while this message has been rising. Schools and Institutes must be established, in which, in a space corresponding to the shortness of time, men and women can be prepared to preach and teach these solemn truths.”
To the inexperienced these things sounded strangely, but these leaders, feeling that the Lord was calling them to a great work, moved on with their plans. Lack of faith on the part of some who might have aided the cause but did not, and the comparative poverty of those who had a mind to the work, rendered the situation one of perplexity and embarrassment. Patiently with great sacrifice they toiled on till complete success has crowned their efforts in every department of the cause. The Lord has truly been with his truth, and it is his guiding hand which has carried the message thus far up the hill of difficulty. What has already been done should inspire us all with confidence in the stability and permanence of the message, and show us the fitness of those means God in his providence has connected with the message. What a vast amount can be done in a short space of time if all who profess the truth will take hold to labor as some are laboring. What the times and the truth demand now is that we all dedicate ourselves to the cause as though its advancement was the real business of our lives, and not treat it as a matter of minor consequence.
There are two classes who profess the truth. The one class in all their actions show that they believe with all their hearts that the Lord is coming, while the other class, by their actions at least, say they expect to remain on earth many years and lay up treasure for another generation. The first class rejoice in every new enterprise for the advancement of the truth, and aid in the same according to their ability, while the second class live to themselves, study their own interests, and plan to do as little as possible, shunning meetings where there is any liability of their being called to devote their means or time in the cause.
The one class are studying where they can deny themselves or sacrifice so as to aid in the cause, while the other class act and sometimes talk as though what they gave to advance the truth was about so much thrown away, while in reality what is given in sincerity to the Lord’s work on earth is so much treasure laid up in heaven.
The self-sacrificing workers are firm in the truth, rejoicing in its prosperity; happy in the Lord, while the selfish and inactive are murmuring, complaining of every advance move, finding fault with the work generally, and usually complaining of their lack of enjoyment in the assemblies of the saints.
The one class are heeding the admonition of Paul to “be ready to distribute.” They are putting their worldly affairs in such a shape that they may have wherewith to help in the cause. The other class tell us they might help, they wish they could help, but their hands are tied. They have tied their own hands, and in some instances point to the tied-up condition of their worldly affairs as an excuse for not paying pledges they have already made. It certainly looks sometimes, as though some tied their hands that they might present a plausible excuse for inaction.
These are times that call for an untying of hearts, hands, and purse strings in order that we may ever be faithful at our post of duty, doing all in our power to forward the light of the third angel’s message.
The work here in California is only a small part of the great cause which is advancing through the earth, yet it is important to us that we do all in our power to make our work a success.
As we look at the work committed to us here in this State, there are three important branches that claim our special attention. These are, 1. Our publishing house. 2. The work of the ministry. 3. The missionary work. Each and all of these continually demand aid in point of means that the work may go forward unembarrassed.
When, over three years ago, Elder White suggested that the SIGNS OF THE TIMES be published on this coast, and a publishing house erected, some thought he was too fast. “A paper might be needed here some time, but not yet.” Facts since developed have proved that Elder White was right, and that the move was made none too soon. Times were much easier when this move was made than now. All can easily see that our advancing work now demands such a paper.
In the fall of 1874 about $20,000 were pledged for the publishing work; all of these pledges are not yet paid. Then, again, last fall, at Fairfax camp-meeting, pledges were made of new stock and donations to the SIGNS to relieve it from indebtedness on its past publication. One year was given to redeem these pledges, so they will be due about the middle of September. An effort should be made to meet all unpaid pledges by camp-meeting time.
To those who had pledged, we mailed a few weeks since a list of all the pledges made in the fall of 1874 and those made last fall, with the amount paid, so that all our people can see just how their cases stand. We hope all will make an effort to pay their pledges. Let those who design to pay respond immediately. We hope to hear from every one. Those who are unable to pay can say so. It is time these old pledges were straightened up in some way.
The publishing work, as the cause advances, will ever be in need of funds. Those newly embracing the truth will of course esteem it a pleasure to take stock to the extent of their ability that they also may be fellow helpers to the truth. The Lord is coming and we want to be found investing our substance here in that manner that we shall be laying up a treasure in the heavens. The way to do this is to do all in our power to forward the cause of truth on earth.
I have feared our people on this coast did not realize what an instrument of good is furnished us in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. Hundreds, in different parts of the land, have already been brought to embrace the truth simply by reading this paper. One church in the East commenced to mail papers to their friends, sending them three copies and then writing them a postal card inviting them to subscribe. They not only obtained many subscribers, but in a six weeks’ effort twenty persons commenced the observance of the Sabbath as the result.
We should do everything in our power, at all times to circulate the SIGNS. Some of our churches on this coast have taken clubs of SIGNS, from 8 to 80 copies per week, according to the size of the church. These they have handed out from week to week to those willing to read, or mailed them to their friends. By this means many have become acquainted with the paper, subscribed for it, and embraced the truth.
Some of our churches have taken no SIGNS in clubs. We urge them to do so, and hope all our people will do all in their power to increase the circulation of this excellent paper.
The churches of San Francisco and Oakland decided to send out single copies of the SIGNS with prospectus, thus soliciting subscribers. The SIGNS Office offered the papers with prospectus if our people would do the work of mailing, and pay the postage. By the aid of a State Business Directory, and the Great Registers of some counties a large amount of names have been obtained. The work of wrapping, writing, and stamping these papers has been done by volunteers in the churches of San Francisco and Oakland. To pay the postage on 11,000 papers has required $110 worth of stamps. Districts No. 1, 3, 7 and 9, in their district quarterly meetings voted to pay the postage on all these single copies that were sent into their districts.
At the State quarterly meeting a vote was passed requesting each district to raise a sum equal to the postage paid in mailing these SIGNS for their respective districts. The president was requested to apportion to each district the amount of postage paid for said districts. The apportionment has been made, and the directors in each district are requested to apportion the amount for their district to their respective churches in the district and see that the money is raised for the State T. and M. fund.
THE MINISTRY.
As we contemplate the work of the ministry on this coast, we have reason for gratitude to God that a few men have been raised up here who are giving themselves to the work. The Biblical Institute held in Oakland last spring developed some talent, and the end of that does not yet appear. We have seven men who are giving their whole time to speaking the truth, and more who expect to enter the field after camp-meeting.
Besides our ministers we have two missionaries in San Francisco who are giving their entire time to the work, and others in other places who are doing something in the cause. These men who are giving their time must all receive some help from the Conference. To effect amicable settlements our Auditing Committee will not wish to simply say: “Thank you. Depart, be ye warmed and filled.” They must have means at hand with which to settle with these men.
Every member in all our churches should exert themselves to pay up their pledges on S. B. to Oct. 1, before going to the camp-meeting, so that every church in California can pay their pledges to the State Treasury at the time of the conference meeting. The S. B. treasurers must not wait for members to come to them. The S. B. treasurers are also collectors, and they should immediately make out bills of indebtedness of each member to the S. B. and see that all is collected. Do the work of the Lord faithfully.
THE MISSIONARY WORK.
Much has been done in this State in the missionary work. More has been done the last year than in any two preceding years. There are some difficulties, however, under which we labor that should be remedied. Our State T. and M. Society is in debt to the SIGNS Office about $800, and a large part of this sum is due to the State Society from the different districts. These districts should immediately take measures to cancel their indebtedness to the State Society. Some of our churches have not met their one-third which they pledged as T. and M. fund, and considerable is due for periodicals ordered.
It does not seem right to embarrass the SIGNS Office with our debts, when it would be so small a matter to make up this indebtedness if each individual would take hold proportionately.
There should be a State T. and M. fund of $1,000 to enable the State Society to pay the SIGNS Office for documents at the time of purchase, and not keep them embarrassed to accommodate us.
It is the purpose of our directors to make a strike this fall for $1,000 T. and M. Fund, for California. I propose as an individual to pay $50 toward this fund, and I want to find thirteen more who will pay the same amount. This will make $700. Then there are those who can give $25 each, perhaps enough to make $150 more. We hope to find volunteers who will give $10 and $5 each, enough to make up the $1,000 without embarrassing any one, or diverting means from other channels.
If we really believe the Lord is coming, shall we not take hold in earnest of the work he has committed to us, instead of devoting all our thoughts to ourselves, and the groveling things of earth? If we once get our missionary fund free from embarrassment, and then keep up the one-third, with judicious management it will keep free.
Shall we not come up to our yearly gathering paying our vows in the past, and consecrating ourselves with new offerings to God? If we, on our part, bring all our tithes into the store-house the Lord has promised to open the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it. So may it be. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.
The Discreet Use of Wealth
It is not the plenty of meat that nourishes, but a good digestion; neither is it abundance of wealth that makes us happy, but the discreet use of it.
The Punctuation of the Bible.
By B. A. STEPHENS
The Bible was originally written without punctuation marks of any kind. Only so many letters were allowed to a line, and so many lines to a page; and these were all very carefully counted, and the number recorded. “The modern system of punctuation was invented by Manutius, a learned printer, who flourished in Venice at the commencement of the sixteenth century.”—Quackenbos’ Rhetoric, p. 81. When applied to the Bible there were occasionally passages that, differently pointed, would present very different meanings. Their proper sense had to be determined by the context, or by other passages bearing upon the same subject; and, as succeeding generations have enjoyed increased light from the word of God, it has been necessary to have the punctuation of the Bible changed since it was first printed. “Punctuation is not inspiration; and, therefore, the Bible is by no means responsible for the manner in which man has punctuated it.”—Bible Triumphant, p. 116. But it must not be so punctuated as to cause contradictions, for the “Word is truth,” and truth cannot be contradictory.
An instance of the change in punctuation since the Bible was first printed is found in Heb. 10: 12. This passage now reads thus: “But this man [Christ], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God.” Previous to 1860–4, all editions of the Bible had the comma before, instead of after, the word “forever,” totally changing the meaning of the sentence. Thus the Douay Bible, edition 1853, reads: “But this man [Christ] offering one sacrifice for sins, forever sitteth on the right hand of God.” The word “forever” here taken in its unrestricted sense, as it is by many, would show that Christ would never return! But Heb. 9: 28 plainly says that “unto them that look for him [Christ] shall he appear the second time.” The Lord himself had said, “I will come again.” John 14: 3. While the angels had said, “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1: 11. Undoubtedly the agitation of the doctrine of the second advent of our Lord had something to do towards influencing the removal of that comma to its proper place, and the taking away of an objection from the infidel.
The comma has also been taken away from after the word “regeneration” in Matt. 19: 28 since 1860–4.
According to the present reading of 2 Cor. 5: 1, “We have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” On all sides this is admitted to be the “spiritual body” that will be given to the righteous, when they shall be “clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life,” verse 4, which will be at the resurrection of the dead. 1 Cor. 15: 51–56. And as it will be “eternal in the heavens,” it is claimed it will never return to this earth. But many scriptures testify that the “meek shall inherit the earth,” “and dwell therein forever.” Ps. 37: 9, 11, 22, 29; Prov. 2: 21; Matt. 5: 5. And in the new song of the redeemed, is heard, “We shall reign on the earth,” Rev. 5: 10. If the saints were not finally to have the earth as their home, then God’s plan would be frustrated, for he has said that he “formed the earth and made it; he hath established it; he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited.” Isa. 45: 18. If it read, “an house not made with hands [which is] eternally in the heavens,” then the adverb “eternally” in its strictest sense, qualifying the verb “is,” supplied, would convey the meaning that the “house which is from heaven” would eternally remain there, and man would doubtless inherit heaven instead of the earth. But it does not so read. “Eternal” is an adjective qualifying the noun “house.” It is the “house, not made with hands,” that is “eternal,” immortal, incorruptible. 1 Cor. 15. To harmonize this passage with the scriptures above referred to, there should be a comma after “eternal.”
Many suppose from a careless reading of 2 Pet. 3: 10, that “the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” The word of the Lord never speaks of “The wreck of matter, and the crush of worlds,” of which the poet sings, but that “the earth abideth forever.” Eccl. 1: 4; Ps. 104: 5; 119: 90. The meek are to inherit this same earth, which is to be the territory of the kingdom of God, which shall never pass away, nor be destroyed, of which they will be the subjects, as they now are the heirs. Jas. 2: 5; Dan. 7: 14, 27. This change will be brought about by Christ. “The works that are therein shall be burned up.” “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3: 8. These are death, sin, and sinners. These will all be cast into the lake of fire, the second death, and burned up root and branch. Rev. 20: 14; Mal. 4: 1. The word “also,” in 2 Pet. 3: 10, shows that reference is made to something preceding, viz., “The elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also [shall melt with fervent heat], and the works [of the devil] that are therein shall be burned up.” Thus harmony is again restored. A comma inserted after the word “also” obviates the difficulty. The earth, being melted with fervent heat, and cleansed by its baptism in fire, will, then, by the power of God, be renewed. “Nevertheless we according to promise look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.” Verse 13. “The righteous shall inherit the land and dwell therein forever.” Ps. 37: 29. So the earth will never be annihilated.
Some think that the punctuation of Rev. 5: 1 should be changed. “Bloomfield says, ‘The long rolls of parchment used by the ancients, which we call books, were seldom written but on one side; namely, that which was, in rolling, turned inward.’ So doubtless this book was not written within and on the backside, as the punctuation of our common version makes it read. ‘Grotius, Lowman, Fuller, etc.,’ says the Cottage Bible, ‘remove the comma thus: “Written within, and on the back (or outside) sealed,” etc.’”—Thoughts on the Revelation, ed. 1875, p. 91.
The most serious misplacement of the comma is found in Luke 23: 43. It should be after instead of before the word “to-day.” Christ said it to the thief that “day” that he should (future time) be with him in paradise. This form of expression gives emphasis. For an example see Zech. 9: 12.
The thief did not ask to go to paradise that day with the Saviour, but to be remembered when he came into his kingdom. Verse 42. Christ will not receive his kingdom until after the investigative judgment. Dan. 7: 9–14. This will be before he returns. Luke 19: 15. At his second appearing, and the appearing of his kingdom, he will remember all the righteous, who are hidden in the grave (hades); and, as he shall call them forth, they will awake and be raised out of their sleep of death, and with the living be caught up in the air to meet the Lord, to be the immortal subjects of his kingdom. 2 Tim. 4: 1; Job 14: 13; Ps. 13: 3; 1 Thess. 4: 16, 17; Dan. 7: 27.
Then the Saviour’s promise to the thief will be fulfilled; he with all the saints will be taken to paradise. This is the third heaven. 2 Cor. 12: 2, 4. The tree of life is in its midst, on either side of the river of life, which flows softly, down through the midst of the golden street, as its “streams make glad the city of God.” Rev. 2: 7; 22: 1, 2; Ps. 46: 4.
Besides this when the Saviour died he did not go that day to paradise, taking the thief with him, but went body and soul into the grave (hades), where by his resurrection his soul was not left, neither did his flesh see corruption. Acts 2: 31. The thief also went there when he died, for after man lives he goes to the dead. They are in hades, where there is no work, device, knowledge, nor wisdom. Eccl. 9: 3, 10. But Jesus says he holds the keys of death and hades, and at his glorious appearing the blessed hope of the dying thief will be realized when Jesus will unlock the doors of his prison-house, call him forth, and give him a crown of righteousness at that day. Rev. 1: 18; Titus 2: 13; 2 Tim. 4: 8. “And death and hell (HADES) delivered up the DEAD which were in them.” Rev. 20: 13.
So by correctly punctuating this much disputed passage there is no quibbling, nor corrupting the word of God, but only “rightly dividing the word of truth,” at the same time sweeping away the defenses of infidelity, and causing the light of truth to shine with greater brilliancy than ever.
If we purify our souls in obeying the truth, it will be effective as “a shield and buckler” to preserve us amid the perils of the last days until we shall raise the song of Moses and the Lamb upon the sea of glass before the throne of God in heaven.
“And when the last loud trumpet
Shall rend the vaulted skies,
And bid the entombed millions
From their cold beds arise,
Our ransomed dust revived
Bright beauties shall put on,
And soar to the blest mansions
Where our Redeemer’s gone.
“Our eyes shall then with rapture
The Saviour’s face behold;
Our feet no more diverted
Shall walk the streets of gold;
Our ears shall hear with transport
The hosts celestial sing,
Our tongues shall chant the glory
Of our immortal King.”
B. A. STEPHENS.
Home Thoughts.
By Ellen G. White
LIFE is a disappointment and a weariness to many persons because of the unnecessary labor with which they burden themselves in meeting the claims of custom. Their minds are continually harassed with anxiety as to supplying wants which are the offspring of pride and fashion. Jesus, in his sermon on the mount, strikes a direct blow at this engrossing care for the things of this world. He says, “Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?” “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they toil not, neither do they spin, and yet I say unto you that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” All the efforts of humanity cannot approach the beauty of Nature. The simple flowers of the field put to shame the robes of royalty. And Fashion, with her endless changes and eccentricities, presents the very opposite of that simple loveliness with which the lilies of the field are clothed, and which Jesus declared exceeds the glory with which Solomon was arrayed.
The expense, the care, and labor, lavished on that which, if not positively injurious, is unnecessary, would go far toward advancing the cause of God if applied to a worthier object. People crave what are called the luxuries of life, and sacrifice health, strength, and means to obtain them. A lamentable spirit of rivalry is manifested among persons of the same class as to who shall make the greatest display in matters of dress and of household expenditure. The sweet word, Home, is perverted to mean something with four walls, filled with elegant furniture and adornments, while its inmates are on a continual strain to meet the requirements of custom in the different departments of life. It is necessary to give due regard to the clothing, to the table, and to the pursuits by which we gain a livelihood; but there is danger of carrying this zeal to an extreme. In the days of Noah they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, buying, selling, and building, till the flood came and destroyed the people who had been so overzealous in the things of this world that they forgot God, and became abominable in his eyes. It was lawful for men to eat and drink, plant and build, marry and give in marriage, in the days of Noah; but the sin was in carrying these lawful things to extremes, to utterly fill their minds with them to the exclusion of all noble thoughts. Depravity, violence, and all manner of sin was the result. The great danger of these days is in devoting too much time to merely temporal matters, and making it the great aim of life to provide for the temporal wants, many of which are perverted and unnatural. In order to gratify a weak and sinful pride, people sacrifice comfort, peace, and the love of God.
Happiness is not found in empty show. The more simple the order of a well-regulated household, the happier will that home be. The courtesies of every-day life, and the affection that should exist between members of the same family, do not depend upon outward circumstances. Much of the restless longing and seeking for “that which profiteth not” is due to wrong training in youth. Each child in the family should have a part of the home burden to bear, and should be taught to perform his task faithfully and cheerfully. If the work is portioned out in this way, and the children grow up accustomed to bearing suitable responsibilities, no member of the household will be overburdened, and everything will move off pleasantly and smoothly in the home. A proper economy will be maintained, for each one will be acquainted with, and interested in, the details of the home.
In some families there is too much done. Neatness and order are essential to comfort, but these virtues should not be carried to such an extreme as to make life a period of unceasing drudgery, and to render the inmates of the home miserable. In the houses of some whom we highly esteem, there is a stiff precision about the arrangement of the furniture and belongings that is quite as disagreeable as a lack of order would be. The painful propriety which invests the whole house makes it impossible to find there that rest which one expects in the true home. It is not pleasant, when making a brief visit to dear friends, to see the broom and the duster in constant requisition, and the time which you had anticipated enjoying with your friends in social converse, spent by them in a general tidying-up, and peering into corners in search of a concealed speck of dust or a cob-web. Although this may be done out of respect to your presence in the house, yet you feel a painful conviction that your company is of less consequence to your friends than their ideas of excessive neatness.
In direct contrast to such homes was one that we visited during the last summer. Here the few hours of our stay were not spent in useless labor, nor in doing that which could be done as well at some other time; but were occupied in a pleasant and profitable manner, restful alike to mind and body. The house was a model of comfort, although not extravagantly furnished. The rooms were all well lighted and ventilated, and every one, including the bed-rooms, was furnished with an open grate that the occupants might enjoy the healthful warmth and glow of an open fire, which is of more real value than the most costly adornments. The parlors were not furnished with that precision which is so tiresome to the eye, but there was a pleasing variety in the articles of furniture. The chairs were mostly rockers or easy-chairs; not all of the same fashion, but adapted to the comfort of the different members of the family. There were low, cushioned rocking-chairs, and high, straight-backed ones; wide, capacious lounging-chairs, and snug little ones; there were also comfortable sofas; and all seemed to say, “Try me, Rest in me.” There were tables strewn with books and papers. All was neat and attractive, but without that precise arrangement that seems to warn all beholders not to touch anything for fear of getting it out of place.
The proprietors of this pleasant home were in such circumstances that they might have furnished and embellished their residence expensively, but they had wisely chosen comfort rather than display. There was nothing in the house considered too good for general use, and the curtains and blinds were not kept closed to keep the carpets from fading and the furniture from tarnishing. The God-given sunlight and air had free ingress, with the fragrance of the flowers in the garden. The family were, of course, in keeping with the home; they were cheerful and entertaining, doing everything needful for our comfort, without oppressing us with so much attention as to make us fear that we were causing extra trouble. We felt that here was a place of rest. This was a Home in the fullest sense of the word.
The rigid precision which we have mentioned as being a disagreeable feature of so many homes is not in accordance with the great plan of Nature. God has not caused the flowers of the fields to grow in regular beds, with set borders, but he has scattered them like gems over the greensward, and they beautify the earth with their variety of form and color. The trees of the forest are not in regular order. It is restful to eye and mind to range over the scenes of nature, over forest, hill and valley, plain and river, enjoying the endless diversity of form and color, and the beauty with which trees, shrubs, and flowers are grouped in nature’s garden, making it a picture of loveliness. Childhood, youth, and age can alike find rest and gratification there.
This law of variety can be in a measure carried out in the home. There should be a proper harmony of colors, and a general fitness of things in the furnishing of a house; but it is not necessary to good taste that every article of furniture in a room should be of the same pattern in design, material, or upholstery; but, on the contrary, it is more pleasing to the eye that there should be a harmonious variety.
But whether the home be humble or elegant, its appointments costly or the reverse, there will be no happiness within its walls unless the spirit of its inmates is in harmony with the Divine will. Contentment should reign within the household.—MRS. E. G. WHITE, in Health Reformer.
“What Are those Scars?”
“What are those scars?” said Mary Lannan to her Father, as she sat in his lap, holding his hand in her own little hands.
“Those scars! my dear? If I were to tell you the history of them, it would make a long story.”
“But do tell me, papa,” said Mary, “I should like to hear a long story.”
“These scars! my child, are more than forty years old. For forty years they have every day reminded me of my disobedience to my parents and my violation of the law of God.”
“Do tell me all about it, father,” said Mary.
Her father then related the following story:—
“When I was about twelve years old, my father sent me one pleasant autumn day into the woods to cut a pole to be used in beating apples off the trees. It was wanted263immediately to supply the place of one that had been broken. I took my little hatchet and hastened to the woods to execute my important mission. I looked in every direction for a long, slender tree that would answer the purpose; and every time I stopped to examine a young tree, a taller and straighter sapling caught my eye farther on. What seemed most surprising to me was that the little trees that looked so trim and upright in the distance, grew deformed and crooked as I approached them. Frequently disappointed, I was led from tree to tree till I had traversed the entire grove and made no choice.
“My path opened into a clearing, and near the fence stood a young cherry-tree loaded with fruit. Here was a strong temptation. I knew very well to whom this tree belonged and that it bore valuable fruit. I knew too that I had no right to touch a single cherry. No house was near, no person was in sight. None but God could see me, and I forgot that his eye looked down upon me.
“I resolved to taste the tempting fruit. I climbed the tree and began to pick the rich, ripe cherries. I found no pleasure in the taste of them, I was so fearful of surprise and detection. Some one might come and find me in the tree. I therefore resolved to break off some richly-loaded boughs, and feast upon the cherries as I hastened home. The top of the tree was bowed with the weight of its fruit. I climbed as high as I could, and bending down the top, attempted to cut it off with my knife. In my eagerness to secure my prize I did not guard my left hand which held down the top of the tree. My knife slipped from the yielding wood to my fingers and passed with unspent force across all the fingers of my left hand, cutting the flesh to the bone. I never could look at fresh blood without fainting. My eye caught sight of the red drops that oozed from every finger, and my heart began to die within me. I slipped through the limbs of the tree to the ground. The shock of the fall drove away the faintness, and I soon stood upon my feet. I wrapped my handkerchief about my bleeding fingers and hurried home. My mission was worse than useless; I had not accomplished the purpose for which I was sent, I had committed a crime and disabled myself for work; I was wanted as an apple-picker.
“I found no sympathy from anybody; my father reproved me, and threatened chastisement when my wounds were healed. My mother, who dressed my aching fingers, looked very sorrowfully upon me, and I knew that I had grieved her deeply by my disobedience. I assisted in picking the apples, but I was compelled to work with one hand, while the other hung in a sling. That was a sad day to me. It required some weeks to heal the deep gashes made by my knife, and the scars are as bright, after forty years, as they were when the wounds were first closed. If the scars in the flesh were all it would be comparatively a trifle. The soul was wounded as well as the body. The conscience was defiled with guilt which no human agency could remove. Tears of repentance could not wipe away the stain. Nothing but the blood of Christ could give health to the wounded spirit.”
“As wounds leave scars, so my dear child do youthful sins leave the traces of their existence. Like the scars of the healed wound, they disfigure and weaken the soul. Every sin of childhood hangs like a weight upon the neck of manhood. The blood of Jesus Christ alone cleanseth from all sin.”
RELIGIOUS NEWS AND NOTES.
—Twenty-two churches in the city of New York are now without pastors.
—A Chinese hymn-book, in the Mandarin character, has been published at Hangchow.
—The Christian population of the province of Janina are fleeing to escape the Turks.
—There are in the United States 177 Indian churches, with 27,215 Indian church members.
—There are four Protestant Sunday-schools in the intensely Catholic city, Lisbon, Portugal.
—Six hundred missionaries are said to have died in India, and the present number there is six hundred.
—In Persia, where there is less restraint than in the Turkish Empire, unusual interest in the gospel is now shown by the Moslems.
—The International Conference of the Young Men’s Christian Associations of all lands will probably be held next year in Paris. Brussels was first thought of, but the Association there thinks it inadvisable, on account of the strong Catholic element in Belgium.
—Three new Sunday-schools have been organized in Saxony. As the result of seven years’ work, there are in that kingdom thirty-seven schools, with 358 teachers and 6,463 scholars. These Sunday-schools are now becoming more important than ever, as religion and Bible lessons are no more to be taught in public schools.
—The Irish Presbyterian church has a mission in India which during the last three years has numbered about 400 conversions, or as many as during the thirty previous years. Its field embraces six principal and six branch stations, at which ten European missionaries are laboring. There are more than 1,700 scholars in the mission schools.
—The right reverend abbot of the community of Trappists at Gethsemane, Ky., has extended to President and Mrs. Hayes an invitation to visit the monastery under his charge during their proposed visit to Louisville. By the rules of this rigorous order no woman is allowed within the walls of their monasteries, unless she be “the wife of the ruler of an empire, kingdom, or republic;” and should Mrs. Hayes accept the invitation, it is said that she will be the first American woman who has ever seen the inside of such an establishment.
—Dr. Sloane of Allegany, at the Pan Presbyterian Assembly, presents a horrid catalogue of inebrious details. The doctor says: “It was estimated that there were 160,000 shops for the sale of intoxicating liquor in the United States, $500,000,000 spent in drink annually, 500,000 habitual drunkards, and at least 50,000 annually going down to drunkards’ graves and the drunkard’s doom. The evil was a terrible one, and the church in the United States had come to realize its importance, for three-fourths of the Presbyterian ministers there had become total abstainers. The church, he submitted, must utter her protest against the drinking usages of society.”