Plan for a New Birth — Pardon and Regeneration on Condition of Obedience — Provision Made Before Creation
The new life must begin with a new birth. "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5. The returning sinner must begin life over again. He must begin to learn the ways and will of God as a little child learns the will and ways of its father. "And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 18:2-4.
REPENTANCE AND OBEDIENCE IMPERATIVE
Repentance is the prodigal returning. It is the rebel grounding his arms and accepting peace terms. It is the wicked restoring the pledge, giving again where he has robbed, and returning to walk in the statutes of life without committing iniquity. Such shall surely live. Their sins shall no longer cast shadows like a pall of darkness to distress them. "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; if the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live." Eze. 33:14-16.
REBELLIOUS SUBJECTS SWEARING ALLEGIANCE
Obedience is the family rule. It is the child learning the father's will. It is the rebellious subject swearing allegiance to the laws of the kingdom of God. It is the disciple following his Master, walking even as He walked. "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth." 1 Peter 2:21, 22.
Do you inquire if there is not some other way? Jesus answers: "I am the way." John 14:6. "By Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." John 10:9. "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." Matt. 19:17. "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." Prov. 28:9.
FOLLOWING SERPENT'S TRAIL
Christ recognized turning away from the law of the kingdom on any pretext as following the abominable trail of the serpent that beguiled Eve into rebellion. He said of those who sought pardon apart from the law in His time: "Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? . . . In vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matt. 15:3, 9. Pardon can never be granted to disobedient subjects. "The doers of the law shall be justified." Rom. 2:13.
Since Christ, the sinner's voluntary substitute, obeyed the law and suffered its death penalty, it is plain that unqualified obedience to the whole law as God gave it is required of sinners suing for pardon. It can not be too often repeated that "whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10.
ACCEPT THE CONDITIONS, ELSE REBELLION
These are some of the fundamental conditions of pardon. The sinner must accept, not make, conditions. If he fails to accept pardon on the conditions upon which it is offered, he remains a rebel against God's government still. The true nature of sin is seen only in contrast with the holiness of God. God's holiness is seen in the righteous demands of His holy law. Without that rule of measurement, the sinfulness of sin can not be shown. "The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law." 1 Cor. 15:56.
Christ's life was the reflection of the law of God. In His life "the law appears, drawn out in living characters." In His life there was no compromise with sin. Christ's uncompromising fidelity to the whole law appears in His statement, Satan "cometh, and hath nothing in Me." He robbed death of its sting when, in the hopeless darkness due to sinners, He died in their stead. In virtue of His death in darkness, the sinner may die in the triumphs of faith.
"Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:57. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12. There can be salvation in no other name, because no other being lived a sinless life for sinners and died under their death penalty.
UNIVERSAL PARDON PROCLAIMED
The love and justice of God is manifested in that there is no respect of persons in any of His plans. Characters, not persons, are respected. "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23. All mankind are therefore in need of pardon. From the very depths of the heart of infinite love comes the proclamation, "Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth." Isa. 45:22.
The seeming delay in terminating the reign of sin is not an oversight. It is not God's forgetfulness, but man's tardiness in accepting the salvation that has been offered. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. . . . Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. . . . And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation." 2 Peter 3:9, 13, 15.
NOT ALONE FOR THIS WORLD
Universal pardon has not been proclaimed alone for sinners in this world. God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit regard the whole universe as one family. "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." Eph. 3:14, 15. In creation, the entire universe was included as one common brotherhood, in the plan. All were alike created free, and had the right of choice. With all, therefore, God took the risk of sin. For all He must therefore provide a plan of pardon, or be unjust.
PARDON PROVIDED BEFORE THE CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE
The plan to pardon sinners was devised when, in creating intelligent beings, the risk of sin was taken. The very day Adam sinned, the plan of pardon was offered. Gen. 3:15. It was a part of God's eternal purpose. Eph. 1:4-9. It was therefore devised before the creative act was performed. "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began." 2 Tim. 1:9. "Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you." 1 Peter 1:20.
It was kept in silence a long period after being devised. "Now282to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest." Rom. 16:25, 26.
From creation this plan of pardon was hid in the Godhead. "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ." Eph. 3:8, 9. This divine foresight reveals God's manifold wisdom. "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God." Verse 10.
PARDON FOR FALLEN ANGELS
That the plan to pardon sinners was designed to embrace the lost in heaven as well as the lost on earth is plain from the following statements: "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him." Eph. 1:10. "And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." Col. 1:20.
ACCEPTANCE OF PARDON VOLUNTARY
Although universal pardon, embracing all sinners throughout God's universe, has been provided, not all will be saved, for not all will accept the conditions. As God left all free when He created, He will not now enforce acceptance of pardon. To enforce acceptance of pardon would rob love's sacrifice of its savor, and establish hypocrisy in the heart where God seeks to reestablish His throne of love. Isa. 57:15. Christ's invitation was ever, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28.
O weary heart, do you not want rest? God loves you, and has sacrificed His own dear Son to save you. Christ loves you, and has freely given His life that you may live. Will you not accept love's offer of pardon, and be at rest? R. C. P.
1. One new yearly subscription and one renewal, or two new, sent at one time, $3.00.
2. Two new yearly subscriptions and one renewal, or three new, sent at one time, $4.00.
3. Three new yearly subscriptions and one renewal, or four new, sent at one time, $5.00.
Five or more copies to one person, six months, each $0.60.
Five or more copies to separate addresses, six months, each $0.65.
Weekly and Monthly SIGNS one year, $2.25.
G. C. HOSKIN, Circulation Manager.
A WORD TO OUR READERS
By Editor
We send no papers from this office to individuals without pay in advance. When persons receive copies without ordering them, they are sent by other parties, and we can give no information in regard to them. Persons thus receiving copies of the SIGNS are not indebted to the office, and will not be called upon to pay for them. Please read the papers you may receive, and hand them to your friends to read.
DATE OF EXPIRATION
The SIGNS wrapper bears date of last issue due on your subscription. Unless renewed in advance, paper stops with expiration date.
If herewith is an order-blank, you will know you have overlooked sending renewal. You will not wish to miss a single issue. Back numbers often can not be furnished.
SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS
Our authority for the doctrines we teach is the Bible. Quotations are usually from the King James Version or the American Standard Revised.
POPULAR LITERATURE AS AN INDEX
A WRITER in the New York Independent recently devoted a very interesting page to the changes that have come about in periodical literature, particularly the magazine, during recent years.
The magazine editor of yesterday is pictured as one who stood for certain ideals in literature, and he was usually a man of ripened experience. But a great change has come about. One magazine after another is mentioned as having given way to the popular demand for light, fictitious reading.
There is still much solid, wholesome literature, and most magazines still have in each issue one or two articles upon some theme or problem in human life that could not be classed as fiction, but the magazines of the time are devoted almost wholly to stories and other kinds of light reading. Scores of books of a similar character are coming from the presses every year.
A great deal of this class of literature is not only trifling and fictitious, but is also pernicious. It panders to the sensuous and the depraved. The fact that so much matter of this kind is printed, shows unmistakably the great demand there is for it. And incidentally this demand shows the general condition of the public mind; and if there were no other factors at work to degrade society, this one thing in itself would be sufficient to bring about eventually decay and ruin.
There are many people who think that it is necessary for them to have some light reading-matter occasionally as a diversion, but in the main they are readers of substantial articles and books. This class of people do not select for their light reading anything that is low and degrading. But there is another class — and it is growing every year — that never read anything to speak of that is solid.
There never was a greater truth uttered than the statement that the books we read, the songs we sing, and the pictures we look at, mold our characters, and are largely responsible for making us what we are. If we will take time to consider seriously the class of reading-matter that this age is producing in order to supply the demands of the time, our eyes ought to be opened to one of the most serious problems that confront the world. It is a problem that carries with it that of almost every form of vice, debauchery, and degradation.
The problem of pernicious literature is connected with every other problem that is before us.
This objectionable literature comes to us in so many forms and, under so many disguises, the danger is that the mind will become confused — that it will be intoxicated with that upon which it feeds, and not realize that it is going to pieces under this baneful influence. And sadder still, many who are destroying their minds by what they read are under the hallucination that they are making progress in culture and refinement.
INDEPENDENT THOUGHT AND PRESENT ISSUES
By J. O. C.
The Unthinking Mass and the Power of Their Numbers — Greeting the Sun on Easter Morning
TIME was when not so many complicated ideas were before the people for decision as at the present. There was then less reason for criticizing those who followed popular sentiment without personal investigation. Now, however, some very questionable steps are being taken, and some debatable acts compassed, without apparent thought of why these things are done, or what the probable influence will be upon the masses. As expressed by one newspaper writer: "The great unthinking mass of humanity, in vast majority, are the shallow, superficial materialists, who are wearing themselves out chasing something they foolishly imagine is fashionable and popular."
POWER OF THEIR NUMBERS
The same author goes on to say that while this class have no constructive thought power to become leaders in social or civil lines, "yet by sheer force of numbers they secularize the church, discredit education, corrupt politics, and degenerate society."
This is indeed a serious charge, because its logical order of succession presents a very depressing view of life; but when viewed from an unprejudiced standpoint, is it really so very far wide of the mark?
GREETING THE EASTER SUN
Take, for instance, the rapidly growing practise, now in vogue, of observing a certain part of Easter service. From every quarter comes the report that large crowds of people assembled on high hills the last Easter morning, to watch the rising sun, and at its appearance to bow before it in prayer. From Pasadena three hundred are reported to have met on Monk’s Hill for such a ceremony. A large company of Christian Endeavorers from Pomona were also reported in the same sort of service on the summit of Ganesha Park.
But the most notable gathering of the kind recorded for southern California was on the peak of Mount Rubidoux, near Riverside. This assemblage was estimated to number six thousand. Gathered about a huge wooden crucifix, this multitude awaited the first beams of the rising sun, which were duly heralded by a cornet solo, covering the notes of "The Holy City." This was the call to acts of devotion, in which the great assembly joined, consisting of singing, responsive reading, and prayer.
ORIGIN OF THE CUSTOM
The gathering of so many for early worship is not of itself so very remarkable; but to leave their churches, and assemble in a mass on some high hill, there to await the sun’s appearance, that they might face it with strains of song and prayer, as to a divinity, does seem really significant. History records that this custom originated among heathen sun-worshipers, as one of the prominent forms of pagan deific reverence. It is, however, not to be presumed that the rank and file of those who took part in these pagan rites last Easter morning were informed regarding the significance of the act in which they engaged.
The growing practise of this pagan imitation is, nevertheless, an indication that the church is gradually receding — not intentionally, perhaps — from its apostolic teaching, and is therefore slowly but surely secularizing its methods and formulary. By this, too, its adherents are laying themselves, and others as well, liable to be caught in the toils of theories by which they may be used to the advantage of selfish promoters.
CREATING POPULAR DEMAND FOR SUNDAY
To illustrate: Let this form of near sun-worship, now so freely indulged by a thoughtless crowd, become thoroughly established as a necessary part of the church ritual, to the degree that its neglect283is considered reproachful, then it will be another direct step in the chain of reasoning for enforcing the sun-day by civil law upon all recalcitrants. Indeed, this last is now become almost the supreme effort of a church stepping secularward.
To prevent the unthinking masses from being exploited in this, and in similar directions, which tend to "discredit education, corrupt politics, and degenerate society," the supreme duty of the hour is to teach the common people to think, and to weigh alleged reasons for doing or refusing to do the things required of them.
J. O. C.
SYSTEMATIC BIBLE STUDY
By Editor
Our reading for this week brings us into the first part of the last book of the Pentateuch. The book of Deuteronomy is packed full of the most important instructions. There are many people who believe that the Golden Rule was first enunciated by Christ when He was here in person. But we should know that such is not the case. We have found, from the nineteenth chapter of Leviticus and the eighteenth verse, that Christ had already announced the Golden Rule through Moses; and it is a remarkable fact that when the Master met the tempter in the wilderness, each time when He said, "It is written," He referred to a scripture found in the book of Deuteronomy. Those who have not found the gospel in the Old Testament Scriptures have not learned how to search properly. The Master would seem to emphasize particularly the value of the book of Deuteronomy, while at the same time no portion of the Old Testament Scriptures is to be passed by lightly.
Read one chapter in Numbers or Deuteronomy each week-day and two on the Sabbath. Read one psalm each day. Read one chapter in 1 Corinthians or 2 Corinthians each week-day and two on the Sabbath.
IS IT CREATION OR EVOLUTION?
By L. A. R.
Do We Have a Reminder of Actual and Infinite Creative Power?
The Efficiency of This Power in Conversion
A NOTED geologist has said that there are two possible explanations for all phenomena which take their origin in the far backward abysm of time. One explanation is of a great power working through a short period of time. The other is that of a lesser power working through a proportionately greater time. We recognize the first of these as the explanation given in the word of God, of creation by the mighty mandate of Jehovah. The second is the teaching of evolution in which eons of ages are needed in which to produce the world by purely natural power.
SMALL CONCEPTION OF POWER
This geologist has stated the point exactly. If we accept evolution, we have a very small conception of the power of creation. If we accept the doctrine of creation, as given in the Bible, we have a conception of a tremendous power, so great that it could speak all things into existence. "He spoke, and it was; He commanded, and it stood fast [endured]."
We have illustration of this in the record of creation. God had but to speak, and all things stood before Him. He said, "Let light be," and light was. He said, "Let there be a firmament," and it was so. He said, "Let the waters gather into one place," and it was so. He said, "Let the earth put forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and fruit-trees bearing fruit after their kind," and it was so. God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven," and it was so. God said, "Let the waters swarm with living creatures, let birds fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven," and so it was. God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures," and it was so.
Therefore we believe even as inspiration states it, Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which previously did not appear, by that word came into existence. Heb. 11:3.
Truly this was a mighty power that God exerted. Just as inspiration said, He did it with the breath of His mouth, mere breath; yet it was God's breath, and accomplished the purpose.
THIS MIGHTY CREATION COMMEMORATED
It is such a creative work that the Sabbath commemorates. This is what we read in the opening verses of the second chapter of Genesis, and this same thing we read in the fourth commandment. God blessed the seventh day, hallowed it, set it apart for holiness, because in it He rested from all His creative work. He who observes God's Sabbath, commemorates God's mighty power, and trusts in that power to save him from sin, and to place him at last on the right hand of God.
Thus it is that God has made His mighty works to be remembered. Ps. 111:4. And by means of the Sabbath, we remember His mighty works. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, because in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day. Wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it.
L. A. R.
4304 — JESUS BEFORE HIS MINISTRY
By Editor
Can you give me Scripture evidence where Jesus was between the age of twelve years and the time He started to preach? How did He spend this time?
Practically nothing is said in the Bible about this period in the life of Christ; and since divine inspiration has passed it by in silence, there is not much to be said. But without question He was at home helping His father in the carpenter shop. The Scripture says, "He went down with them [His parents], and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them." Luke 2:51. He obeyed His parents in all things, and stayed at home until His heavenly Father indicated that it was time for Him to commence His work of ministry. He was doubtless studying and becoming acquainted with the Scriptures, and preparing for His work.
4305 — SHALL HE BREAK HIS CONTRACT?
My husband is convinced that he should obey God by keeping the seventh-day Sabbath of His word, but he is under contract to work for a man the rest of this year. What ought he to do?
Obedience to God presents the highest claim that can rest upon any individual. The apostles recognized this when they said, "We ought to obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29. In freeing one's self from the unfortunate situation of being under a contract that involves the violation of one of God's plain commandments, we should remember that He is our mighty Helper. The hearts of kings are in His hands. Prov. 21:1. He can influence the mind of this man for whom your husband is working, so that he will see the reasonableness of withdrawing any objection to his following his conscientious conviction. In making such changes, God requires that we consider the influence that our action will have upon the other individual; and if we go about it in the right spirit, we will find very few men, in this day and age of the world, who will undertake to block the way of a person who desires to take his stand to do what he considers to be right in the Christian life. God gives no one any authority to continue in violating His commandments. At the same time, the whole tenor of His word shows that we should take a discreet, consistent, tactful course; for the God who gave His Son to die for one individual, also gave Him for each and every other individual in the world, and He is desirous of winning all men to Himself.
4306 — ANOINTING OF JESUS
I am puzzled over the difference in three different texts, namely, John 12:3-8; Luke 7:36-50; Matt. 26:6-13. In Matthew the head of Jesus is anointed, but in St. Luke and St. John the feet only are mentioned as being anointed. Would you please enlighten me about this?
There is no inharmony in these texts. One of the apostles gives one feature, and another adds an additional feature. Matthew says that the woman poured the ointment on Christ's head; and Luke and John tell, in addition to this, of the anointing of His feet. The ordinary anointing of honor and hospitality was of the feet; but Mary did both, investing the anointing with the deeper meaning of the preparation of His body for burial.
Thus it is all through the four Gospels. No one of them tells all the incidents connected with the life of Christ, but each writer tells, under the inspiration of the Spirit, the features that appealed to him, one account being added to another to form the complete whole, and all of them in perfect harmony.
Question Corner
By Editor
WE can not answer repeatedly in the same volume questions upon the same scripture. The name and address must accompany question. It is well always to enclose stamp for reply.
CHEERING NOTES OF PROGRESS
By Editor
SUCCESSFUL AND BUSY WORKERS IN MANY LANDS
With Earnest Perseverance They Proclaim
the Message of His Coming
PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND, SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH JUST COMPLETED
their hands are full. Let us pray that God will raise up workers to fill this and many like calls.
TWELVE at Cape Town, South Africa, have decided in favor of the message, and eight have been baptized. Others are in the balance. A school with an enrolment of forty-two pupils, located at Parow, has just been taken into the conference organization. At one of the schools in the Blantyre district, thirty-five or more have joined the class for baptism, and it is hoped that many of these will enter our school at Malamulo next year pursuant to receiving training in teaching.
ELDER L. V. FINSTER writes from the Philippines: "With the help that has been sent us from the home land, we have been able to open missions in three new languages this year. Elder Roy Hay has gone to the Ilocano people, in northern Luzon; Elder E. M. Adams to the Hoilo-Visayan people, on the islands of Panay and Negros; and Dr. Carlos Fattebert and Brother Robert Stewart to the Cebu-Visayan people, on the island of Cebu."
DURING April the following missionaries left Europe for Africa: Brother Matter and wife, to British East Africa; Sister Barho, Brother and Sister R. Lusky, and one other brother, to the Victoria Nyanza Mission, in German East Africa. On March 24 Elder R. S. Griggs sailed from England for Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa, where he will aid in the opening of new territory in Nigeria and the Gold Coast.
BROTHER W. C. WALSTON, of the Solusi Mission, South Africa, reports regarding the work there: "We recently baptized twelve candidates, and there will be others in the near future. We have sent out one of our older native teachers to do evangelistic work among the native villages. He reports a good interest where he has been."
PASTOR A. H. PIPER tells of the dedication of a newly erected church at Narrogin, West Australia. The brethren in charge of the tent mission at Bayswater report that several persons have taken hold of the truth. At North Perth there have also been encouraging indications that the Spirit of the Lord is at work, and a number have given their hearts to God. Several in Osborne Park have been converted.
IN spite of revolution and turmoil, the message is progressing in Mexico. Brother G. W. Caviness, on a recent trip in the southern part of the republic, baptized eleven on the isthmus of Tehuantepec. Letters from Torreon and Monterey state that the brethren there are still alive and well, and several persons at each place desire baptism.
IN addition to the work in the foreign field, we note the baptism of 197 persons in this country, 45 added to the church, and 337 conversions in the past six weeks. Ten church buildings have been dedicated, seven churches organized, one church building erected, and six Sabbath-schools organized.
ELDER R. C. PORTER, of the Asiatic Division, writes that on account of the appointment of the goodly number of new recruits to that field at the time of the last General Conference, it has been possible for the division to open six new mission fields during the last year.
FROM Fiji word comes from one of our workers that the "buli" of his district, and his family, have accepted the truth, and are now waiting for baptism. The "buli" is the head man in a district, who has a number of town chiefs under him.
OUR little church in Nassau, Bahama Islands, are just completing the erection of a house of worship. Although they are but nineteen in number, they hope to dedicate their building free from debt. This property is valued at $1,350.
WE learn that five persons on the island of Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean, off the east coast of Africa, have commenced to obey the message. It is expected that a worker will be sent there soon to labor for a time.
FROM the Maranatha Mission, in Africa, comes the news that eight converts have been baptized and united with us; and twenty-six at Tsungwezi Mission, in southeastern Rhodesia, Africa, have received this rite.
AT the recent New Zealand camp-meeting, six souls took their stand for the truth. Since the camp-meeting of the year previous, ninety-one persons in that field have been baptized.
THE work among the Indians around Lake Titicaca, Peru, South America, is growing very rapidly, seventy-one having been baptized at our mission there since the first of the year.
REPORT of the work for the past two years in Arkansas shows the addition of seventy-two members to the churches in that state. During this same period in Iowa the addition of 176 was noted.
IN Alberta, Canada, during the last biennial period, one hundred received baptism, and an equal number professed faith in this message.
ONE of the members recently added to the church in Denver, Colorado, is a sister ninety-nine years and three months of age.285
BROTHER G. A. HAMILTON reports the baptism of four more persons in Rangun, Burma. Two others expect to be baptized.
A NEW mission station has just been opened in Lagos, in Nigeria, West Africa.
A CHURCH and a school building have been erected at Atchin, in the New Hebrides.
FROM Apia, Samoa, comes the report of the baptism of four persons.
DURING 1913 baptism was administered to thirteen in Oporto, Portugal.
Progress of the Work in China
FROM Amoy, Fukien Province, China, Brother B. L. Anderson reports the following: "On my last trip in the interior there was a splendid opening. Eighty-nine persons enrolled their names, signifying thereby their faith, and willingness to obey the message. I was much encouraged." Pastor J. J. Westrup writes from Lo Wan Ho, Yen-Cheng station, Honan, that sixty-eight persons have been baptized in Honan this year. At the close of the Bible school which he is conducting at that place, a number of new native laborers will enter the employ of the mission. Property has been procured in Chang-Sha, the capital of Hunan, for use in the evangelistic work in that city. At one of our out-stations in this province, the native church has just procured land on which to erect church and school buildings. During his visit to this place, Pastor R. F. Cottrell buried nine candidates in baptism. He says that including these, he has during the year administered this rite to 144 persons. These converts are, with rare exceptions, the fruit of the native workers' efforts. During 1913, 270 persons have been welcomed to church fellowship in central China through baptism, most of these coming to us directly from heathenism.
ON March 5 Elder J. S. and Mrs. Yates, of Kansas, sailed for Sumatra, responding to an urgent call from the Malaysian Mission for help. About the middle of March C. E. Moon and wife and Miss Jessie Butler sailed from New York for Porto Rico, to engage in medical missionary work. Elder W. G. Kneeland left about the same time for Panama, where he will connect with the West Caribbean Conference. Later in the month Mr. and Mrs. F. O. Stuckey started on their journey to South Africa, to enter the Cape Sanitarium, in response to a pressing call from that institution for additional help in their nurses' department, because of the increasing patronage. On April 4 Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Hiner sailed from New York for Kingston, Jamaica, where they will assist in conducting treatment rooms. On the eleventh of the month Mr. and Mrs. Allen Thompson and Mr. and Mrs. Roy Mershon, new recruits to the Malaysian Mission, sailed from San Francisco to Singapore.
THE names of seven persons in the New South Wales Conference have been passed in for baptism. On Sunday, March 1, in the Windsor church, Victoria, Australia, baptism was administered to six persons, and they, with three others, united with the church at Richmond. There are ten new believers as a result of the recent effort at Richmond. At Warburton four have received baptism. Four at Oakleigh have taken their stand to obey all the commandments of God. At Colac five souls have taken a decided stand for the message, one of whom is the owner of a large sawmill.
A LETTER from one of our native teachers in Fiji tells of another high chief's having embraced the message for this time. The chief requested that a preacher be sent to his island, as he wanted a school started there. He said if our workers would give the teacher, he would give a piece of land, planted with coconuts, for school purposes, and would also guarantee fifty students as soon as the school was ready for opening. Much as our workers would like to help, they can not, as
The Norwegian Fourth of July
By L. H. Christian
THE Scandinavians are a liberty-loving people. Still their freedom is of quite recent date. Denmark was an absolute monarchy with an intolerant state church until 1848. I have often heard my father and uncle tell how, during their boyhood days, the Baptists, for instance, were persecuted in that country. The Norwegians secured their constitution earlier. On May 17, 1814, just one hundred years ago, a form of government was adopted in Norway that granted the people civil and religious liberty.
That date became the great national holiday; and this year there will be not only an annual but a great centennial celebration of freedom's birth in the northland. A large exposition is to be held in Christiania, Norway, in honor of the event. Thousands of Scandinavians from America will this year visit Europe. Special cars and special trains are leaving the central states these days, loaded with people bound for Norway. For years May 17 has been very largely celebrated by the Norwegians in America. This year it will be marked by large gatherings in many places. Minneapolis is planning on a three days' celebration.
We have thought that we should take advantage of this celebration. Our Danish-Norwegian paper, "Light over the Land," a quarterly about the size of Liberty, is devoted to questions of temperance and religious liberty. The International Publishing House at College View has printed a special issue of this paper. This number contains good articles on such subjects as "The Catholic Question," "The Danger of National Reform," "True Temperance," etc. The Minnesota Tract Society has ordered 1,500 of them. The price is five cents a copy for orders under fifty copies, and four cents for orders of fifty or more. Two dollars will buy fifty papers. We hope our brethren will help us in giving this number a very large circulation. Please see to it that every one of your Norwegian or Danish friends gets a copy. Order of your tract society or from the International Publishing Association, College View, Nebraska.
L. H. CHRISTIAN.
A New Life Each Day
By John Ruskin
LET every dawn of morning be to you as the beginning of life, and every setting sun be to you as its close. Then let every one of these short lives leave its sure record of some kindly thing done for others, some goodly strength or knowledge gained for themselves.—Ruskin.
Wanted for Missionary Work
By Editor
Late, clean copies of Seventh-day Adventist periodicals or tracts, to Emma Kincaid, 615 South McLean Street, Lincoln, Illinois.
A continuous supply of Signs of the Times, both weekly and monthly, Watchman, Instructor, Little Friend, Life and Health, and tracts and pamphlets, to H. M. Whalen, Route 3, Chestnut Hill School Farm, Fountain Head, Tennessee.
Late copies of our denominational papers and magazines to C. V. Achenbach, 827 Fourth Street, Columbia, South Carolina.
A continuous supply of late, clean copies of our denominational papers, magazines, and tracts, to Mrs. S. M. Housler, 1523 Eighth Street, Santa Monica, California.
A continuous supply of our denominational papers, magazines, tracts, etc., to Elsie F. Henry, 1155 Grand Avenue, Carthage, Missouri.
