Earlier text: —“Christ’s Object Lessons.”One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar Fund
By I. H. Evans
For Special Work at Home and Abroad Received on the $150,000 Fund
up to Sept. 24, 1907 Atlantic Union Conference
Central New England ........ $ 2,635.61
Chesapeake .................... 480.29
Eastern Pennsylvania ........ 1,793.50
Greater New York .............. 462.07
Maine .......................... 563.78
New Jersey ..................... 552.63
New York ..................... 1,626.50
Southern New England ........ 1,138.50
Vermont ........................ 922.83
Virginia ....................... 468.58
West Pennsylvania ........... 1,376.84
West Virginia .................. 351.86
Western New York ............ 1,675.50
Total ........................ 14,048.49 Canadian Union Conference
Maritime ........................ 317.43
Quebec ........................... 63.64
Ontario ......................... 716.58
Total .......................... 1,097.65 Central Union Conference
Colorado ...................... 2,391.57
Iowa .......................... 4,087.23
Kansas ......................... 2,558.89
Missouri ....................... 1,279.39
Nebraska ....................... 5,394.82
Wyoming ........................ 740.94
Total ........................ 16,452.84 District of Columbia
Washington churches .......... 1,325.94 Lake Union Conference
East Michigan ................. 1,824.77
Indiana ....................... 5,177.27
North Michigan .................. 422.57
Northern Illinois ............ 2,378.74
Ohio .......................... 4,602.50
Southern Illinois ............ 1,060.08
West Michigan ................ 3,577.34
Wisconsin ..................... 3,038.07
Total ........................ 22,081.34 North Pacific Union Conference
Conference not specified ...... 429.66
British Columbia ............... 122.80
Montana ........................ 452.48
Upper Columbia ............... 2,286.53
Western Washington ........... 1,807.37
Idaho .......................... 857.90
Western Oregon ............... 1,925.35
Total ........................ 7,882.09 Northern Union Conference
Alberta ........................ 156.10
Manitoba ....................... 239.70
Saskatchewan Mission Field ..... 34.85
Minnesota ..................... 5,129.95
South Dakota ................. 2,645.47
North Dakota ................. 1,768.66
Conference not specified ....... 73.82
Total ........................ 10,048.55 Pacific Union Conference
Arizona ........................ 387.74
California-Nevada ............ 7,764.09
Southern California .......... 1,169.61
Utah ........................... 395.08
Total ........................ 9,716.52 Southern Union Conference
South Carolina ................ 135.69
Alabama ........................ 264.05
Tennessee River ................ 723.55
Florida ........................ 551.77
North Carolina ................. 455.50
Kentucky ........................ 30.36
Cumberland ..................... 732.74
Louisiana ...................... 390.61
Mississippi .................... 252.76
Georgia ......................... 357.89
Total ........................ 3,894.92 Southwestern Union Conference
Not specified ................... 20.18
Arkansas ....................... 374.86
Oklahoma ..................... 2,562.23
Texas ........................ 1,200.41
Total ........................ 4,157.68 Unknown
Unknown ........................ 158.20 Foreign
Algeria ......................... 13.33
Australia ...................... 163.84
Bermuda ........................ 35.00
China .......................... 31.60
South Africa .................. 278.16
Jamaica ........................ 13.41
Yukon Territory ................ 20.00
England ....................... 256.32
West Africa .................... 14.06
Mexico .......................... 2.00
Costa Rica ....................... 6.25
India .......................... 18.88
South America .................. 40.95
Switzerland ...................... 9.69
Panama ......................... 19.00
Nicaragua ....................... 4.00
Central American Mission ....... 26.00
Trinidad ......................... .34
Norway ........................ 25.00
Japan .......................... 12.50
Hayti ........................... 5.00
Egypt .......................... 51.55
Palestine ....................... 2.00
Tobago, W. I. ................... 1.22
Cuba ............................ 8.00
Hungary ........................ 3.00
Tahiti ......................... 11.88
France .......................... 6.80
Philippine Islands .............. 1.00
Total ........................ $ 1,080.78 Grand Total .................. $91,945.00 The Need of a Revival of Piety
In a recent issue of the Wall Street Journal, New York, appeared the following editorial utterance, especially striking because of the place of its appearance:— What America needs more than railway extension, and western irrigation, and a low tariff, and a bigger wheat crop, and a merchant marine, and a new navy, is a revival of piety, the kind father and mother used to have—piety that counted it good business to stop for daily family prayer before breakfast, right in the middle of harvest; that quit field work a half-hour early Thursday night so as to get the chores done and go to prayer-meeting. That’s what we need now to clean this country of the filth of graft and of greed, petty and big, of worship of fine houses and big lands, and high office and grand social functions. The appearance of such expressions in worldly journals is taken by some to indicate the growth of moral aspirations and religious sentiment on the part of the people generally, heralding better days and greater things. The need is real, but the world generally does not sense it or seek to have it supplied. Conferences Completing Their Fund Allotments
The following conferences or districts have finished their allotments in the matter of the $150,000 fund:— District of Columbia, Arizona, Nebraska, Southern New England, Central New England, Egypt, Indiana, Utah, Ohio, Virginia, West Michigan, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Wyoming. It has been a source of encouragement to those carrying the burden of the general work to know that so many of the conferences are determined to continue their efforts toward the completion of the $150,000 fund, even after their individual allotment had been raised. It indicates a spirit of loyalty that will not allow self-interest to stand in the way of the success of this work. Alone With God
By John M. Morse
ALONE with God! O trusting heart,
Seek thou the place for secret prayer:
The inner room, the busy mart,
The mountain top—where'er thou art,
Thy God will meet thee there. Alone with God! There thou shalt find
The blessings only he can give:
A will subdued, a lowly mind,
A loving heart by grace refined,
And strength for him to live. Alone with God! Communion sweet
With him shall cheer thee all the way.
Though weak, thou art in him complete.
His power alone can make thee meet
For heaven's unending day. Alone with God! O Father mine,
Let me thy love and mercy share,
Guide thou my steps and keep me thine;
Let love in every action shine,
O Father, hear my prayer. MRS. E. G. WHITE
By Ellen G. White
“HONOR the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” “The liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.” Divine wisdom has appointed, in the plan of salvation, the law of action and reaction, making the work of beneficence, in all its branches, twice blessed. He that gives to the needy blesses others, and is blessed himself in a still greater degree. God could have reached his object in saving sinners without the aid of man; but he knew that man could not be happy without acting a part in the great work in which he would be cultivating self-denial and benevolence. That man might not lose the blessed results of benevolence, our Redeemer formed the plan of enlisting him as his coworker. By a chain of circumstances which would call forth his charities, he bestows upon man the best means of cultivating benevolence, and keeps him habitually giving to help the poor and to advance his cause. By their necessities, a ruined world are drawing forth from us talents of means and of influence, to present to them the truth, of which they are in perishing need. And as we heed these calls by labor and by acts of benevolence, we are assimilated to the image of him who for our sakes became poor. In bestowing, we bless others, and thus accumulate true riches. It is the glory of the gospel that it is founded upon the principle of restoring in the fallen race the divine image by a constant manifestation of benevolence. This work began in the heavenly courts. There God decided to give human beings an unmistakable evidence of the love with which he regarded them. He “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The spirit of liberality is the spirit of heaven. Christ’s self-sacrificing love is revealed upon the cross. He gave all he had, and then gave himself, that man might be saved. The cross of Christ appeals to the benevolence of every follower of the blessed Saviour. The principle there illustrated is to give, give. This, carried out in actual benevolence and good works, is the true fruit of the Christian life. The principle of worldlings is to get, get, and thus they expect to secure happiness; but, carried out in all its bearings, the fruit is misery and death. The light of the gospel shining from the cross of Christ rebukes selfishness, and encourages liberality and benevolence. It is not to be a lamented fact that there are increasing calls to give. God in his providence is calling his people out from their limited sphere of action, to enter upon greater enterprises. Unlimited effort is demanded at this time when moral darkness is covering the world. Many of God’s people are in danger of being ensnared by worldliness and covetousness. They should understand that it is his mercy that multiplies the demands for their means. Objects that shall call benevolence into action, must be placed before them, or they can not imitate the character of the Great Exemplar. The Blessings of Stewardship
In commissioning his disciples to go “into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” Christ assigned to men the work of spreading the gospel. But while some go forth to preach, he calls upon others to answer his claims upon them for offerings, with which to support his cause in the earth. This is one of God’s ways of exalting man. It is just the work that man needs; for it will stir the deepest sympathies of his heart, and call into exercise the highest capabilities of the mind. Every good thing of earth was placed here by the bountiful hand of God, as an expression of his love to man. The poor are his, and the cause of religion is his. He has placed means in the hands of men, that his divine gifts may flow through human channels in doing the work appointed us in saving our fellow men. Every one has his appointed work in the great field. The all-wise God knew that man must have something to do in order that life might be a blessing to him. The gold and silver are the Lord’s, and he could thus rain them from heaven if he chose; but instead of this, he has made man his steward, entrusting him with means, not to be hoarded, but to be used in benefiting others. He thus makes man the medium through which to distribute his blessings on earth. God planned the system of beneficence, in order that man might become, like his Creator, benevolent and unselfish in character, and finally be a partaker with him of the eternal, glorious reward. The love expressed on Calvary should be revived, strengthened, and diffused among our churches. Shall we not do all we can to give power to the principles which Christ brought to this world? Shall we not strive to establish and give efficiency to the benevolent enterprises which are now called for without delay? Christ’s believing people are to perpetuate his love. This love is to draw them together around the cross. It is to divest them of all selfishness, and bind them to God and to one another. Meet around the cross of Calvary in self-sacrifice and self-denial. As you stand before the cross, and see the Royal Prince of heaven dying for you, can you seal your heart, saying, “No; I have nothing to give”? God will bless you as you do your best. As you approach the throne of grace, as you find yourself bound to this throne by the golden chain let down from heaven to earth to draw men from the pit of sin, your heart will go out in love for your brethren and sisters who are without God and without hope in the world. Who Are Missionaries?
By Mrs. Luella L. Harmon
Noah Webster says a missionary is one sent to propagate religion. He evidently had in mind the sending of a person by a church or conference. A real missionary is sent by the One who said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” The conference or church is his helper, his coworker. Christ was the greatest missionary ever sent into this world, and as every true Christian must be a close follower of him, he must be a missionary. As the true follower of Christ is always a Christian, so is he always a missionary. We habitually speak of those who teach of Christ in heathen lands, or in the wicked cities, or from the pulpit, or from door to door, as the missionaries, forgetting that all who have a mission from Christ are missionaries. The Redeemer of Israel, but a helpless babe in the manger in Bethlehem, began his missionary work by drawing unto himself three philosophers from the East, and the shepherds from the plains of Bethlehem, and bringing joy to Joseph and Mary, and Simeon and Anna in the temple. Without doubt the pure, beautiful child-life he lived in the wicked little valley called Nazareth caused some sinful9 soul to live nearer God. When he reasoned and talked with the learned men in the temple at Jerusalem, he perhaps brought condemnation to more than one proud Pharisee’s heart. All this was missionary work done before his great work of preaching and healing began. Every child who, by just living its sweet, pure life, puts a desire to live nearer God into the heart of father, mother, brother, or sister, is a true little missionary. The wife is a missionary when she lives so pure and holy a life that the unbelieving companion sees daily and hourly in her a manifestation of the life of Christ, and decides that her God shall be his God. Likewise is the husband a missionary when his Christian life leads the unbelieving wife to accept his Saviour. Perhaps none of these preach the gospel except by living it, and there is a saying which is true, that the actions speak louder than words. Talking may be missionary work, though many souls who do much talking would do better work for the Master if they would take up the bodily living. When a true follower of the great Missionary talks, his words are “like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Like him, they speak no idle words. The pure, holy life; the calm, peaceful face; the sweet smile; the warm hand-clasp; the true gentleness; the never-failing courtesy; the unselfish thought for others; and the modest apparel of all Christians in their daily walk, are silently but surely preaching the gospel to some creature in some part of the world. Moses led his brethren from the enemy’s land. Noah built an ark, and preached to sinners. Job caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy, and searched out those who were in need or in distress. The Levites did service in the Lord’s temple. Sarah cooked food for the angels and her family. Paul and the apostles preached the gospel of Christ, going from city to city and from door to door, carrying the precious light to Jew and Gentile. The Samaritan traveler ministered unto the wounded man by the wayside. Dorcas made garments for the widows and orphans. The widow in Sarepta divided her handful of meal with the prophet Elijah. These all were missionaries, for they were doing something for God and their fellow men. This is what Christ did every hour of his life upon earth. He lived, and finally laid down his precious life, for his brethren. Every time we send an earnest, fervent prayer to God for those dear ones we have encouraged to go into lands of darkness, or for the heathen souls they seek to save; every time we send them of the gold and silver God has placed in our care, but not our keeping; every Sabbath when we put our coins in the Sabbath-school collections, we are in truth doing foreign missionary work. The true Christian need never do anything that is not for the Master, or, in other words, he may always be a living missionary. Signs Everywhere
By A. J. Bristol
In these days of strenuous competition in trade one is frequently impressed with the ingenuity manifested by the venders of various wares. Wherever we go, advertising signs meet our eyes, as if the merchants were determined that we should not forget them. The writer recalls a striking illustration of the enterprise of a certain jeweler in Wheeling, W. Va., who had placed great sign-boards upon the hills overlooking the city. Being against the very skies to all beholders, this bold piece of advertising called to mind the signs that God himself has hung in the heavens. He has placed signs of the coming end of the world in so many conspicuous places that men can not avoid them. The unaccountable darkening of the sun and moon on May 19, 1780, occurred according to the word of Jesus “in those days [of papal supremacy], after that tribulation,” and was followed by the falling of the stars Nov. 13, 1833, “even as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.” Thus all the heavenly bodies are made to tell of the approaching end; and there is no place among them where a sign could be hung that has not been used for that purpose. In addition to the “signs in sun and moon and stars,” there was to be “upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows.” While there have been some great disturbances of the sea in the past, yet the great waves and storms, causing such enormous loss to shipping as has occurred within a few months, ought certainly to be recognized as God’s sign in the waters. Likewise the appalling earthquake disasters of St. Pierre, San Francisco, Valparaiso, and Kingston, to say nothing of the hundreds of lesser ones within a short year, certainly meet the specification that “there shall be earthquakes in divers places.” The very air we breathe has, in the last few decades, shown such freaks of destructiveness in cyclone and typhoon as to remind us of the “stormy wind fulfilling his word.” So air, land, and sea proclaim his coming near. The disturbed atmospheric conditions are largely responsible, through crop failures, for the famines which are classed among the signs; and the recent appeals of the starving millions of Russia, China, and India bear mournful witness to the fact that this sign has been hung out plainly in the world. Pestilences were also enumerated among the signs. Of these there is no lack, whether we apply the term to the deadly diseases that afflict both man and beast, or to the many pests with which we must contend in raising any crop. It seems that in the last few years they have multiplied so rapidly that almost every fruit, grain, and vegetable has its particular pest. But not only were there to be signs in the physical heavens and earth, but among the different classes of its inhabitants God has placed the unmistakable evidences of the end. The twice-told prophecy of Isaiah and Micah says that “in the last days . . . many nations shall come and say, . . . Let us go up to the house of the God of Jacob;” “and he shall judge among the nations, . . . and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” How plainly is this being fulfilled in the growing movement for universal peace! Notwithstanding all these pretentions of friendliness, the nations are acting exactly contrary to their words, by which they are fulfilling that other word of God which finds its application in the last days: “Prepare war; stir up the mighty men; let all the men of war draw near, let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Haste ye, and come, all ye nations round about, and gather yourselves together: . . . let the nations bestir themselves.” Never before were such preparations10 made for war; and it will finally result in the “battle of that great day of God Almighty.” The growing oppression of the poor by the rich who “have heaped treasure together for the last days,” constitutes another in the series of pointers to that time of deliverance for which the “brethren” are to wait patiently. There is still another evidence of the hastening end apparent to all who have to do with “this present evil world.” The prevailing iniquity of almost every type is foretold in that summing up of Paul’s which says that “in the last days grievous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof.” Without noticing in detail this long list of evils, we call particular attention to the disobedience to parents, which is so frequently remarked upon as characterizing the children of this generation. The oft-recurring waves of crime which shook the world, and their wide publication in all their horrid details, are proving true that statement of Scripture which says that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse.” Not only in the social, business, and family relations of men, have the signs been placed, but in the church as well, for “the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” By these few words is pointed out the condition that we see so largely prevailing in the professed church of Christ. The doctrines of heathenism (devils) have been by many substituted for the gospel which is “the power of God unto salvation.” So wherever you look among men, there is seen a sign of the end. Sun, moon, stars, air, sea, earth, inhabitants, animals, nations, rich men, poor men, criminals, families, churches,—all have been used to advertise the coming of the just One to rule. Seemingly every conspicuous object has been made to bear silent witness to this fact; and one wonders how it can escape the attention. But despite these many evidences, we not infrequently hear people ridicule the idea of the coming of Christ. But, as a crowning evidence of the fact, the Lord has used this very scoffing, for he says that “in the last days mockers shall come with mockery, . . . saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” In view of all the evidence mentioned above, such persons can be compared only to a blind “sandwich man” carrying about two flaming advertisements of some pageant which is being heralded by flash lights upon the clouds, by banners across the streets, by bill-board posters, by advertisements in the newspapers, and by handbills distributed in every home. Although he can not see any of these things, nor read the signs which he is bearing upon his own shoulders, yet he is the most conspicuous sign of all. Blindness has sealed his eyes. Such are they who to-day say, “I can not see these things.” The darkness of blindness has settled upon them. “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, . . . and they shall in no wise escape.” “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for these things, give diligence that ye may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in his sight.” T. E. BOWEN
By T. E. Bowen
ETERNAL consequences are wrapped up in simple obedience. God told Saul one day to go down and utterly slay the Amalekites. Nothing was to be spared. Saul killed the people, but saved alive Agag, their wicked king, and the best of the cattle. But God counted nothing he did that day as obedience, although Saul maintained that he had “obeyed the voice of the Lord.” And because he failed to perform his plain command, God removed him from being king. Cain did the same thing. He counted that it as unimportant, and really an evidence of weakness, to do exactly as God said. He understood what the Lord meant, but wanted to have his own way, and so he set up his will against the Lord’s. “Cain came before God with murmuring and infidelity in his heart in regard to the promised Sacrifice and the necessity of the sacrificial offerings. His gift expressed no penitence for sin. He felt, as many now feel, that it would be an acknowledgment of weakness to follow the exact plan marked out by God.”—“Patriarchs and Prophets,” page 72. This same wicked thing is very apt to get into the hearts of God’s people to-day. It may be one point with one, and something else with another. It makes no difference with the devil what the thing is, just so God is not obeyed. This done, the devil’s point is gained. But when we follow the plain directions of the Lord, how good it is! Prosperity follows. How carefully should all, especially those connected with God’s cause as workers, seek to know his will, and knowing it, obey. We shall see wonderful things take place as this “weakness” of having our own way is purged. The New Theology
By C. H. Bliss
That the religious views of many high in authority as regards church matters is changing, is very evident to all who follow the trend of modern religious literature. “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” This question of our Saviour’s implies a negative answer. A noted preacher in England said, “The church is honeycombed with infidelity;” and it is often found in the pulpit. In a late copy of the Inter-Ocean I find some quotations from Dr. David J. Burrell, with comments, under the heading, “Why the Ministry Lacks Recruits.” The sum of it all is that many of the ministers of the present day teach that the Bible is a very good book, but not essentially different from other good books. Inspired?—Yes, but the same as many good men are inspired to-day; no personal God; God is life, and life is God. “God is an essence pervading all substances that have life,” as one minister expressed it. The fruit of such teaching is painfully evident in the lack of vital Christian experience in the churches of to-day. Not long ago a lady, fresh from the study of Christian Science, came into one of our social services. She improved the opportunity to offer her testimony with others, as follows: “I am very happy since I have become conscious of the fact that God dwells in me. The life in me is God’s life, and I know he will not destroy it, as he would not destroy a part of himself.” But the Bible plainly declares that the wicked shall be destroyed. However, if the Bible is simply the opinion of good men, it is very easy to dispose of its statements. Now if there be no personal God; if Christ be not divine; if the atonement be a myth; if all are to be saved—what shall a man preach? Dr. Burrell asks the question, “Shall I invest the assets of my life in a profession which has no object but to persuade a man to believe what pleases him, to be what he would like to be, and to do what in his opinion, without any reference to authority, is right?” The Bible exhorts us to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints”—faith in a personal God, a divine Christ, a present salvation from sin and its consequences, which is death. These are some of the foundation stones on which the church is built. Take these away, and the structure falls. No wonder the church is losing its power. There is but one remedy for all this—to receive and preach the message which will prepare a people for the second coming of the Messiah. When he comes, he will restore all things, and his kingdom will fill the whole earth. May that glad day soon come. GEO. O. STATES
By GEO. O. STATES
Lessons from Past Experiences — No. 19
In 1874 and 1875—I was attending the school in Battle Creek when it was held in one of the Office buildings. I well remember the night of Jan. 3, 1875, when a meeting was held in the church, and it was reported that Sister White was very sick, and her life was despaired of. The elders met and followed out the instruction of James, and she was healed, and was taken off in vision. I think perhaps the meeting was about half over, and I shall never forget the thrill that went through the large congregation when Brother White walked up the aisle with Sister White leaning on his strong arm. As they walked up to the front, we could feel the presence of the angels. It has been my privilege to be present where the special presence of God was manifested, but never was I in a meeting where we so strongly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit as we did at that time while Brother White told us how, in answer to prayer, Sister White had been healed. Sister White then arose, and for twenty minutes related some things that the Lord had just shown her in vision. There was a power accompanying her words as she said: “As the time draws near for Christ to be revealed in the clouds of heaven, Satan’s temptations will be brought to bear with greater power upon those who keep God’s commandments; for he knows that his time is short.” It has been my privilege to know of the influence accompanying the Testimonies these many years, to see the terrible results of rejecting the warnings sent. Others have received the light, confessed their wrongs, and the blessings of God have been upon them and their work. We shall have to come to the place where we shall stand firmly on the Word and the Testimonies that God has been sending us for so many years. In “Spiritual Gifts,” Volume I, the servant of the Lord tells us that “Satan has power to bring before us the appearance of forms purporting to be our relatives11 or friends who sleep in Jesus.” In the terrible scenes before us we must stand firmly on God’s Word, not trusting even our own sight. “We must examine well the foundation of our hope; for we shall have to give a reason for it from the Scriptures. This delusion will spread, and we shall have to contend with it face to face; and unless we are prepared for it, we shall be ensnared and overcome. But if we do what we can on our part to be ready for the conflict that is just before us, God will do his part, and his all-powerful arm will protect us. He would sooner send every angel out of glory to make a hedge about faithful souls, than have them deceived and led away by the wonders of Satan.” We should all study the counsel the Lord has sent his people. CHAS. A. BROWN
By Chas. A. Brown
"For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." Heb. 10: 36. THE church of Christ in every age hath need
Of all God's blessings,—all the Christian graces,—
But patience is the special grace to heed
While all the world is given to haste and speed,
And anxious care is furrowing many faces. Patience that after ye have done the will
Of God, ye may the promised good receive;
Patience, that all his law ye may fulfil,
That under trial ye may serve him still,
And spite of outward ill, his Word believe. Patient unto the coming of the Lord,
Knowing that his long-suffering is salvation,
That grace in tribulation he affords;
That every omen with his Word accords,
In social life, in church and state and nation. Patience, the all-supporting staff of sorrow!
Through toil and persecution, scorn and hate,
She leads us to a heaven-ordained tomorrow,
And teaches our sad hearts no care to borrow,
And points our vision to the pearly gates. Patience! sweet angel of the shadows, keep
The portals of our hearts amid the strife.
O guard and guide us lest we sleep the sleep,
And in our murmurings find a grave too deep
To be illumined by the Light of life! A Letter to a Young Girl
By Mrs. Luella B. Priddy
My dear young friend, I understand that you are going away from home, out into the great wide world that is more wicked than you imagine. You may, if you will, be like the white lily that grows in the mud and slime and still retains its purity and sweetness. A quiet, modest manner will be a wall of protection to you. Do not let the customs of a world sunken to the depths in evil be your standard. You call yourself a Christian. The people you meet will be very apt to judge of the religion you profess by the way you live it. “Young people will be young people,” said a young lady in apology for her rude and boisterous conduct. Many youth have the idea that their earlier years are to be spent in “having fun,” and that when they get a little older, they will naturally settle down into sober, sensible people. Instead of this view of life being true, youth is a time when habits are formed which often continue through life. Be slow to make the acquaintance of young men, especially when you know nothing of their history. Do not call them by their given names. You may not see the need of this caution, but a little formality has a tendency to check overfamiliarity. Avoid making acquaintances while traveling. I am sure you would not accept the company of young men merely for the doubtful honor of being considered a girl who has many admirers. Girls often make mistakes in such matters because they do not foresee the results of their conduct. If you allow a gentleman to pay you marked attention, you encourage him to expect that, should he offer his hand in marriage, he would not be refused. If your judgment convinces you that he would not be a suitable life-companion, it is unkind to let matters drift along, allowing him to believe his suit is being received with favor. Accepting gifts from him puts you under obligation to him, and he will so understand it. Marriage is a divine institution, and under proper circumstances is a blessing. But it carries responsibilities with it. It means the founding of a home which should be a copy of the one in Eden. Education, culture, and practical domestic training will broaden and enrich the home life, and will add greatly to one’s usefulness and influence. It is a serious mistake for young people to enter upon matrimony at so early an age that they lose their only opportunity of acquiring a thorough education. When a man makes an offer of marriage to a lady, he means to confer upon her the greatest honor that he can bestow. And when he does so in an honorable way, he should be treated in a considerate manner. No kind-hearted girl would wish to wound the feelings of another person. If a gentleman’s attentions are unwelcome, tell him so, kindly, but plainly. There are occasions when one should sacrifice inclination to duty. A mother died, leaving a household of little children to the care of an older sister. The sister, instead of cheerfully lifting the burden, and helping her father keep the family together, deserted them, to establish a home of her own, and the little brothers and sisters were scattered12 wherever homes could be found for them. Do you think that she did right? Do not make the mistake of trying to do missionary work with young men. The results are not satisfactory. A young Bible worker was out one day distributing tracts. At one house where she called, she met a man who appeared to take a great interest in the subject of religion. In subsequent calls he always appeared anxious to talk on Bible topics. One evening, to the young lady’s surprise, he called at her boarding-place, and stayed until a late hour. He began to press his attentions upon her, until she did not know what to do to get rid of him. She was advised not to call at the house where he lived, when working on that street. She heeded the advice, and had no further trouble. You have but one youth, my girl. Let that be spent in doing good. You will thus prepare for a useful womanhood. “Unless a tree has borne blossoms in the spring, you look vainly for fruit on it in the autumn.” Justification by Faith
By J. Q. FOY
The important subject of justification by faith is made so plain by a few texts of Scripture that it is necessary for little else to be said in order that thoughtful minds may comprehend it. Here are the texts: “Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom. 5:1, A. R. V. In connection with this read Rom. 2:13. “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” Since according to the second text only the doers of the law are justified, and from the first text it is equally clear that we are justified by faith, it follows that we are made doers of the law by faith; and reading these two texts into one, we have the following: Being therefore made doers of the law by faith, we have peace, etc.; and this is in harmony with the psalmist: “Great peace have they that love thy law; and they have no occasion of stumbling.” Ps. 119:165. The apostle James makes the subject equally clear, as follows: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect. . . . Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith [a dead faith. See verse 17].” James 2:21, 22, 24. From the above texts the conclusion is evident that we can be justified only by living faith, of which works is an essential part. “Do we then make the law of none effect through faith? God forbid: nay, we establish the law.” Rom. 3:31. Let Your Light Shine
By Dwight L. Moody
It is a great deal better to live a holy life than to talk about it. We are told to let our light shine, and if it does we won’t need to tell anybody it does. The light will be its own witness. Lighthouses don’t ring bells and fire cannon to call attention to their shining—they just shine.—Dwight L. Moody.