“Don’t forget the old folks;
Love them more and more
As they with unshrinking feet
Near the shining shore.
Let your words be gentle,
Loving, soft, and low;
Let their last days be the best
They have known below.”
Mary’s Sacrificial Service
By J. R. Miller
MARY’S ointment was wasted when she broke the vase, and poured it upon her Lord. Yes; but suppose she had left the ointment in the unbroken vase? What remembrance would it then have had? Would there have been any mention of it on the Gospel pages? Would her deed of careful keeping have been told over the world? She broke the vase, and poured the ointment out,—lost it, sacrificed it,—and now the perfume fills all the earth. We may keep our life if we will, carefully preserving it from waste; but we shall have no reward, no honor from it, at the last. But if we empty it out in loving service, we shall make it a lasting blessing to the world, and we shall be remembered forever.—J. R. Miller.
Politeness in the Home
A WRITER in the Watchman says that several years ago he was a guest for a day or two in a family in which there were four boys from eight to twenty years old. The charming thing about the household was the deference the boys showed their mother. When she entered the room, they stepped aside to let her pass in first. In the table conversation she was never interrupted when she was talking, and what she said was treated with respect. The visitor could see that she held a unique place in the household. She was mistress, and the boys gave her the deference that they would have conceded to a queen. There was no lack of genial temper and bright sally and rejoinder. It was evidently a happy household, but the note of affection and honor for the mother was unmistakable.
The explanation was not difficult to discover, for it needed only slight observation to detect that the attitude of the sons toward their mother was only the reflection of the attitude of their father toward his wife. Her personal authority and precedence in the home were emphasized and enforced by her husband's unfailing courtesy toward her.
One could but think how much could be done to prevent children from falling into habits of disregarding their parents' rightful claims to honor, if husbands and wives would honor each other with considerate courtesy.
An Important Lesson
By Mrs. M. J. Bremmer
MRS. M. J. BREMMER
ONE of the first lessons the wise mother teaches her children is orderliness. We all know that “cleanliness is next to godliness,” and surely orderliness must rank next to cleanliness. The children should be taught to keep their playthings where they belong. Even when very young, they know whether they may leave their toys scattered over the floor, or whether they must put them back in their places. If they learn to put these things where they belong, they will find it easier when a little older to keep their clothes and rooms in order. Then, when they are grown, there will be no lesson of orderliness to learn—the habit will have become established, and will be a real benefit, a saving of time, temper, and, in many cases, money.
It is so easy for the boy to throw his hat on to the floor or hang it on a chair, and then the hat cannot be found. Try the plan of giving him a hook or a nail in a convenient place for his hat, another for his coat. Impress on his mind that these are for his own individual use. Give the rest of the family to understand that they are private property, and one, only one, may use them. It will soon be an understood fact where the hat and the coat belong, and this will do more toward making the boy neat and careful with his belongings than would any amount of preaching.
This is for the girls, too. Let the parents show no partiality. Our girls must also be taught orderliness.
A Little Sanctuary
“ALTHOUGH I have cast them far off among the heathen, . . . yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the “countries where they shall come,” Eze. 11:16; see also Heb. 9:2-5.
A holy place! Shut in alone with God
“Far off among the heathen.” Precious word!
We claim it for each gospel messenger
Sent forth to tell the story of Christ’s love.
A holy place! Without—the heathen world,
Waiting and hungry for—they know not what;
Blind souls that wander in the darkness drear;
The vain and empty worship of a stone.
Within—for hunger, satisfying bread;
The light of life that never more goes out;
The incense altar, where the loving soul
Pours out its offering of prayer and praise.
The holiest place, beyond the riven vail!
Without—the bustle of a careless world;
Temptations to be met and burdens borne;
Sin and disease, and days of weary toil.
Within—a holy hush, the mercy seat,
Where Jesus waits the burden to receive;
Communion sweet with One who understands;
Forgiveness full and free, grace for each need.
“Far off among the heathen,” close to God.
“Lo, I am with you alway, to the end.”
His own he thrusteth forth, but goes before,
And waits to welcome, stays to keep and bless.
— Selected.
St. Andrews Island
By S. PARKER SMITH
S. PARKER SMITH
St. Andrews is a small island, about seven miles long and three miles wide. The land is mostly low, with a ridge a few hundred feet high about half the length of the island. The whole is covered with tropical vegetation, consisting chiefly of cocoanut trees. The nuts from these trees constitute the chief wealth of the island. Tropical fruits, such as oranges, limes, mangoes, plantain, bananas, breadfruit, papaws, and such vegetables as yams, cassava, cocos, and sweet potatoes are produced in abundance. There are also pumpkins, squashes, watermelons, corn, beans, tomatoes, etc.
The people vary in color, from white to black, the latter predominating. Very few know any trade. There are a few carpenters, but scarcely one who can be called good. Pulling, husking, and the “droaging” cocoanuts constitute the only trades with which the young men are familiar. Starch making is carried on to quite an extent, but in a crude way, and chiefly by the women. The cassava root supplies the starch, and cassava-grating “bees” are quite common in the dry season. These are occasions of much sport for the youth, as the “trash” left after the starch is washed out is used to throw at one another and unlucky passers-by.
The people have an idea that every kind of living thing was made to eat, and so live mostly on fish, pork, turtles, crabs, and lizards. The few vegetables they eat, such as cassava and potatoes, are coarse and fibrous. No attention is paid to gardening. Plantain is eaten green. Oranges, which are abundant and of the finest quality, are not eaten, as they are believed to cause malaria. Few of the natives have the remotest conception of physiology or hygiene and the proper habits of living. For treating disease, drugs, “bush” medicine, and magic are the chief agencies employed. Water, especially if warmed, is regarded very dangerous. However, we have given a few sweats and foot baths, with gratifying results, and many are beginning to see the advantages of the water treatment.
The language is a nondescript, neither Spanish nor English, though it approaches the latter. The children know few words, and have few ideas. They will not say much to a stranger who speaks good English.
The way the women wash clothes is interesting, but does them no credit as good housekeepers. They are frequently seen standing waist-deep in stagnant, malarious pools of water left from the rainy season, with a bundle of clothes, doing their washing. As the pieces are washed, they are placed on the head, which serves as a clothes basket. The clothes are not rubbed on a board, but beaten with a paddle on some flat rock. To vary the process, they gather a bundle of garments by one end, and smite the rock furiously, sending buttons, bits of cloth, soapsuds, and doubtless some dirt, flying in all directions.
Nearly all agricultural operations are performed with the machete. Every man has one of these, even though he has nothing else. Traveling and transportation on land are accomplished slowly by means of horses and pack saddles. There are no roads,—only paths,—no carriages, no wagons. Much traffic is carried on by water in small sailboats and dories.
Altogether, the island itself is a beautiful, healthy location, and a fine place in which to live; but dishonesty, immorality, and all the last-day sins abound; yet the people are no more hopeless, from the standpoint of salvation, than are those of other and larger fields.
When I returned from Bocas del Toro, where I went at the time of Brother Eccles’s sickness and death, we found the house which we were to occupy about half finished, and the repairs and painting waiting their turn on the school building. So it was about four weeks later before school was opened again. Our house is neat and comfortable, and the schoolhouse has been put in first-class order. The gentleman who owns the building is very earnest over the school work, and untiring in his efforts to make it a success. I hope to see him take his stand publicly for the truth. He donates the rent of our house, and nearly always refunds a good percentage of the rent of the other building, which is only eight dollars a month, Colombian money. The school numbers thirty-six at present, and will probably soon number between forty and fifty, as others are expected in a short time. The children do remarkably well, considering their parentage and environment. One of them has decided to be on the Lord’s side, and studies his Sabbath-school lesson and bears his testimony better than many of the older ones.
The company here now numbers fourteen, besides ourselves, and with the exception of a few difficult cases, is making advancement spiritually. Two are canvassing, and have been much blessed. We expect others also to engage in this work. There are many who are interested, and believe the truth, but are deterred from taking their stand through fear of ridicule.
Our Work in the Austria-Hungarian and Balkan States Mission Field
By J. F. Huenergardt
J. F. HUENERGARDT
THE readers of the REVIEW will doubtless remember having read an article or two some time ago in the Missionary Magazine about our work in Rumania and Bulgaria. We now wish to add to this something concerning our work in other parts of this mission field.
First comes Bohemia, a country with six and one-half millions of people, mostly Catholic. During the last few years there has been a move ‘away from Rome.’ In Bohemia there have been several Sabbath keepers for some time; but there was no real effort to advance the cause of present truth until a few months ago, when Elder J. P. Lorenz was sent from Germany to begin the work in Prague, the capital city. The provinces of Schlesien, Steiermark, Mähren, and Tyrol, with millions of inhabitants, have not even been touched.
In Vienna, the capital of Austria, other denominations have made considerable progress, in spite of the opposition of the ecclesiastical powers, which have, to a great extent, control of the civil power in Austria. As a rule, the people are14stanch Catholics; but many are hungering for something better, and when they are instructed in the simple gospel of righteousness by faith, they are willing to leave ceremonialism and follow the truth. It is impossible to get permission to sell religious literature, if it is non-Catholic in nature. The Bible worker, however, in laboring in a quiet manner in the family circle, would find no obstructions in his way. We pray that the Lord may send us the proper workers for this needy field.
In Hungary we enjoy more liberty than in Austria proper. The Hungarian loves liberty, which he has often bought dearly in days that are past. The population is of several nationalities, ranging as follows: Hungarians, about eight and one-half million; Slavs, six and one-half million; Rumanians, three million; Kraats and Serbs, three million; Germans and Saxons, two and one-half million. Besides these, there are Poles, Russians, and Bulgarians.
These people have their various confessions. The Hungarians are divided, some belonging to the Catholic faith, while others are Protestants. The Germans and Saxons, principally of Transylvania, are Lutherans. The Rumanians belong to the Greek United Catholic and to the Greek Oriental churches. Besides these there are the Jews and the Militarians.
Hungary was undoubtedly first settled before the time of Christ. During the decline and fall of the Roman empire, its soil was trodden by many different nations. The Rumanians claim to have been here before the Hungarians, who, according to history, took possession of the territory in 896 A. D., under their leader, Arpad. About the year 1000 A. D. the Hungarian tribes were converted from heathenism to Catholicism, by their king, Stephen. For that great act he was classed among the saints by the people at that time.
As the government became more and more settled, the rulers decided to people some of the uninhabited districts of the country. The soil being rich, and the climate favorable, it was not difficult to persuade the inhabitants of the more populous countries of Europe to immigrate; and so it came that in the eleventh and twelfth centuries the Germans, Saxons, and Flemings established colonies in the fertile valleys of Transylvania. Later, other nations came in,—the Slavs, Armenians, etc. This intermingling of nationalities caused much strife and bloodshed, and so the country has developed very slowly.
The people in the villages are uneducated, very few being able to read and write. Rapid strides are now being made toward civilization, and the young people are better educated than those who are older. Judging from the condition of the people and their circumstances, we must acknowledge that the government is faithfully doing its duty in the upbuilding of the nation.
AN OLD STYLE SAXON TOWN
The light of the Reformation, which was kindled in Germany and other countries also, threw its rays into darkest Hungary. Honterus, a disciple of Luther, after gaining his education in Germany, where he also accepted the principles of Protestantism, returned to his native country, and proclaimed the simple gospel, which resulted in winning the entire Saxon nation to Protestantism. The work of reformation also spread among the Hungarians, and many noble families accepted the new faith. The Bible was translated by both Catholics and Protestants, but the translation of Károly Gáspár was regarded the best. The first edition was printed in 1587.
Transylvania.
Medical Missionary Work in Brazil
When Dr. A. L. Gregory and his wife set sail for Brazil last year, no one knew just what the prospects might be for medical missionary self-support. These workers, however, went out believing that somehow the way would be opened for them to maintain themselves while qualifying for practice in Brazil. The following letter to the Mission Board tells something of their experiences and of the field:—
Our trip to Rio was very pleasant, the sea being smooth and the weather agreeable. We found the city not so hot as we had expected, and not at all a bad place in which to live. It will be a long, hard task to secure the right to practice either medicine or dentistry around Sao Paulo, Santos, Rio de Janeiro, or other cities in these states.
Even in the interior, without a Brazilian diploma one practices at a risk. The state government requires an examination in the Portuguese language, as well as in medicine, the latter being somewhat behind the times. However, if a man passes a good examination, such is their dislike to foreign medical men, it is said, that the Brazilian Medical Board will scarcely allow him to pass. But if a man is determined and has patience, he will secure a diploma in time.
Nurses must also pass an examination, but it is much easier. Without a medical diploma one cannot give even baths for medicinal purposes. But we are confident that when the time comes to open treatment rooms, the Lord will open the way. In the states controlled by the Germans the restrictions are not so severe. We are studying the language, and hope to be able to pass a Brazilian examination some day.
The Brazilian people are very hard to reach with a new truth. The majority of them are ignorant even of reading and writing, and many of the women are habitual users of great quantities of tobacco and liquors. The most common form of wines and other liquors and a native drink made from sugar cane are used almost universally, on all occasions. A kind of tea, called mate, and very strong coffee are partaken of freely, the coffee several times a day. As a result of bad moral conditions, the race, although increasing rapidly in numbers, is deteriorating very fast. The men especially are small and slight, pale and emaciated, with their minds beclouded and their reason and judgment undeveloped. Disease, as the result of uncleanliness and immorality, is exceedingly prevalent.
Industry is not a prominent characteristic of the Brazilians. The women seem even more lazy than the men. The house of the lower class contains very little, and that little not neatly kept. We greatly need workers for the Portuguese. A few of them have accepted the truth, but they need training, and we have no place to give it to them. We need persons to assist us in their training.
Brazil is an immense field. Its territory equals that of the United States, and its population is estimated at fifteen million. This, however, is only an estimate; for it is impossible to know exactly. The country districts are as thickly settled as the more sparsely settled districts in the United States. The greater portion of this territory is untouched, for want of workers. Would that God would put it into the hearts of some of our people to come here and live the truth, and help these people to find Jesus Christ.
Since beginning this letter we have come to Alto Gaspar, where the school is located, waiting for the general meeting which soon convenes here. We are staying temporarily in a board shanty, in which the circulation is excellent, the wind inside at times being almost equal to that on the outside. It is thatched with leaves, and has small doors for windows. The ceiling is minus, except in one room; we have two rooms and a kitchen. Our floor is warped boards,15unnailed, which spring and move around at every step. Our stove is a pile of bricks in one corner of the kitchen, with a cast-iron door built into one side and another of cast iron fitted into the top. Our bed, tables, and benches are all homemade. This is the sum total of our furniture; but we get on very nicely. I suppose we are far more comfortable than our Saviour was, and, perhaps, than some of our brethren are.
This place is in the state of Santa Catharina. Nearly all the people here are German, as are most of our brethren; so we are studying that language also at present. Wherever we are in Brazil, a knowledge of the German language will be very useful; for there are many Germans here who cannot speak Portuguese. Some of these are at the school with Brother Lipke. He is doing a grand work for his students and the brethren in the vicinity. We know that you will not forget this field, but will remember us at the throne of grace.
LULA CORLISS GREGORY.
Sao Paulo, Brazil.
General Mission Notes
Miss Ellen M. Stone has returned on a furlough to visit her parents in Roxbury, Mass. She has been a missionary in Bulgaria and Macedonia for nearly twenty-four years. The proceeds from her lectures in America will be used to repay her ransom.
The native churches of Basutoland have recently raised ten thousand francs, toward the debt of the French Missionary Society. This offering was not asked for by the society, but was a spontaneous offering of affection and gratitude, arranged by the native churches themselves.
“What are churches for but to make missionaries? What is education for but to train them? What is commerce for but to carry them? What is money for but to send them? What is life itself but to fulfill the purpose of foreign missions, enthroning Jesus Christ in the hearts of men?”
The Moravian Church has missions to-day in twenty different provinces in Canada, the West Indies, South America, Africa, Australia, and Tibet. The number of mission stations is 131, with 460 missionaries, besides the large corps of native assistants, the total number employed being 700.
In northern Bastar encompassed by unroaded hills, are one hundred thousand of the wildest people yet left in India. Shy, brave, strong, worshipers of the hills that surround them, they must be won. To go and settle among them would be to be misunderstood; they would flee from us, forsaking, if need be, their own villages. These people must be sought in their homes, and their friendship won, and they won to Christ.
From the Bible society’s missionary report we note that Mr. M. A. Allen, the colporteur whom Dr. Caldwell and Elder E. H. Gates met during their visit to the Maoris, has completed a journey of fifteen hundred miles, during which he sold the Scriptures in scores of widely scattered native hamlets, for the most part non-Christian, where such sales had hitherto been impossible. He disposed of three hundred and forty-four volumes in Maori, and one hundred and twenty in English.
Again in Porto Rico
By Mrs. Ida M. Fischer
MRS. IDA M. FISCHER
In company with my little daughter, I left the port of St. Thomas, Sunday, May 4, at 8:30 P. M. Monday morning at half-past seven our steamer anchored at Ponce, Porto Rico. We remained there only two hours, and at 4 P. M. we entered the harbor of Mayaguez. The first familiar faces we saw were those of Dr. Mellorit and his two boys. He came aboard to examine the passengers, and greeted us very cordially indeed, inquiring particularly after our health, and if we planned to make Mayaguez our home. He invited us to call on his family, with whom we are personally acquainted.
A VIEW IN PORTO RICO
On landing we were beset on every side by coachmen and cartmen who could not understand one word of English, and who thought me an American who knew nothing of their business dealings. Learning that I had been in Porto Rico before, and was somewhat accustomed to their ways, they began to lower their prices; then I began to talk business. My goods were stored in the customhouse until the next day. Before night we found rooms with an American family, and in a few days were settled.
Friends seem glad to have us with them again. I have made a few calls, looking up those who seemed interested, and have introduced health foods into several homes.
The interest has increased. The Christian influence of my companion, and our faith and confidence in God during his sickness and death, have left an indelible impression upon the minds of the people. Homes and hearts are opened to us where we could not enter before. The wealthy are constantly sending us invitations to call on them. I have a regular appointment for Bible readings with a family that speak both English and Spanish. Just before my husband's death a call was made for a mission Sunday school in their neighborhood. Much disappointment was expressed by both parents and children when they heard of Mr. Fischer's death. I have investigated the matter since returning, and find them just as anxious as ever for the school, so plans are being laid to open a Sunday school in that neighborhood. We hope by this means to introduce a Sabbath school.
We plan to push the book work, and sow the island with our Spanish literature. The work is not dead in Porto Rico by any means. God may see best to lay his workers to rest, but the third angel's message moves on. I am glad I am able to take up my work again. Although my usefulness has been crippled by the fearful inroads the fever made upon my health, I am glad we remained here. The fever has left me entirely, and I am daily improving in health. God has strengthened me, and I have the assurance from his Word that angels will constantly go hither with me in my work for this people.
The work is great, the field is a hard one. We have to use different means by which to meet the people, but I am indeed thankful that there will be a people saved in the kingdom of God who have lived and accepted the message in Porto Rico.
Remember the work here in your prayers. We need workers who are not afraid to sacrifice their lives if necessary for the advancement of the work here. Those who come need not expect an easy time. It is much more pleasant to remain in the home field, but God says: “Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes.”
