p. 16 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 28. (7/18/1911)

Faith Against Anxiety

ANXIETY does not empty to-morrow of its sorrow, but it empties to-day of its strength. It brings a double weakness; for it makes us feeble in to-day's endeavors, and faint-hearted for the future. Jesus warns against thought as one of the insidious dangers to which we are constantly exposed. Faith in God furnishes the great defense against the gnawing and destructive effects of "carking care." Thoughts of God's sovereignty, of His love, of His grace, and of His power, will steady the heart and stay the soul against the ravages of anxiety.—Selected.

Burma — Its Religions

By H. H. Votaw

THE religion founded by Buddha is so highly extolled in these days in many places in the West, it may not be out of place to give a little attention to it as we see it in its stronghold. Many of the things commanded by this system are good.

To term it a religion is hardly correct. It is a system of philosophy. It may be fitly called a protest against the grosser forms of Hinduism, as they were practised in the Gautama. It is infinitely superior to Hinduism. Comparatively it is pure. It is tolerant. It enjoins kindness to the brute creation, but because it teaches transmigration of souls. Admitting freely all that can be said in its favor, the conviction is strengthened that it has no good thing that is not found more explicitly in the Word of God, while the religion of Jesus Christ towers above it in a multitude of ways that indicate superiority.

And one thought forces itself insistently into my mind as I study Buddhism: Much is read into the teachings of Gautama by advocates who have been reared in Christian lands and apostatized from the faith of their fathers, that is not warranted by the original writings. And, too, I see that the adage is true which says that those who have least faith are most credulous; for men who stumble at the Bible, being unable to believe it, because they think it may have been changed in translating, or parts of it have been lost and other matter inserted, yet believe implicitly all the supposed writings of Buddha, when it is known that they were not written for a century, at least, after his death, and many able scholars think that three or more centuries passed ere his teachings were reduced to writing.

In one or two points, let us compare the founders of Buddhism and Christianity.

Gautama, a prince by birth — a prince of an earthly kingdom, a son of an earthly king — was shielded from every sight of sickness or infirmity or death, till he had reached manhood. Seeing, at last, a sick man, he asked if he would become thus. Seeing a dead man, he asked if he would come to such a state. Being informed that all flesh is subject to such things, he left his heritage to seek some way to escape them. He was impelled by a desire to save self.

Jesus Christ, a Prince — not of the world or a lone kingdom of the world, but of the universe — a Son of the most high God, looked with compassion upon a fallen race, and forsook all that He possessed, that He might rescue them. He was impelled by a desire to save others.

Buddha taught that every desire is wrong, that the highest good has been attained when we lose all desire of whatever nature. He taught temperance; yet he died from eating too much pork. Jesus, taking up the fight at the very place where the first man had been defeated, overcame appetite at the beginning of His career.

In order to win salvation, Buddha taught his disciples that they must leave home and friends and become recluses. Their wives and children might starve, but it should not concern them. They should not work, but give their whole time to meditation, depending upon others for their food. Jesus shows that the best way to help ourselves is to help others, for this leads to the forgetting of self. The lazy man is not encouraged in his sloth by Christianity. “Not to be ministered unto, but to minister,” is the motto of the real follower of the Nazarene.

Further, mankind as a whole has far less need of more knowledge of the right, than of more power to do what we know. This power Christianity gives, while Buddhism leaves its devotees to depend upon their own feeble efforts.

In outward form the religion of Burma is like Roman Catholicism. There are priests and nuns in distinctive garb in each. There are candles and incense and images in the pagoda and in the cathedral. Rosaries aid in counting the prayers said, and merit is gained by the repetition of set phrases, according to the teaching of both.

Before the advent of the missionary, the Buddhist priests did practically all the teaching of the youth. While but little education beyond indoctrinating in the tenets of their religion was given, it taught all the boys to read. A very high percentage of the population can read some. We take advantage of this ability in giving the Gospel message.

Brother Maung Maung, my Burmese fellow laborer, and I, go to a village, bearing a tract treating upon the subject of the second coming of Christ. We pass rapidly through the streets, leaving a tract in each home. This subject always arouses an interest, for the Buddhists believe that it is almost time for another Buddha — “enlightened one,” this term means — to appear in the world. As we return through the town, we see in at least half the homes some one reading and from one to a half dozen persons listening. By the aid of that great agency for good, the British and Foreign Bible Society, we can secure a Gospel for a pice — a half cent. These Gospels we sell, usually using the Gospel of Luke for our first visit. Occasionally we get letters from interested ones asking for more literature. After having gone over the territory with reading-matter three or four times, we aim to hold preaching services.

The Buddhists are a hard people to reach with the Gospel. The Burmese race are so well content with themselves, that they seem to say, “We are rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing.” But there are some truth seekers. And when they become Christians, they are creditable ones. We have no “rice Christians.”

The present year we have entered the city of Mandalay, Brother and Sister R. A. Beckner have begun labor there.

Prof. R. B. Thurber and family are in Meiktilla. We have begun an industrial school. The Lord has given us the favor of the people, and about $1,500 has been given outright by those not of our faith, and most of it has come from non-Christians. We have the assurance that more will yet come. Some of the boys of the school give promise of being a great help to us in giving the warning to Burma.

In Rangun we preach to all classes. The European and Eurasian communities furnish the larger number of attendants at our preaching services; yet educated Burmans and Karens and representatives of the many tongues of India come also. Our little hall is well filled every night. Last night there was not a vacant chair. Some are now in the valley of decision. We see evidences all about us that the Lord is preparing the way for the closing of the earth’s history, and we can see how many things here will be turned to account in heralding the approach of the King.

H. H. Votaw. Rangun, Burma.

Hasten, Reapers

By Mrs. M. C. Sollars

Longing to meet the loved ones Who have journeyed on before, Hearts are growing weary waiting, Looking to the other shore.

O, for power to carry quickly God's last message on its way, Speeding quickly, O, so quickly, Bringing in the longed-for day.

See! the fields are white for harvest, Calling you, young man, away. Maidens, too, go work for Jesus; Be a reaper, now, to-day.

For your gold and for your silver, For your houses and your lands, He is calling, calling ever. Come and lend a helping hand.

Is your heart and all your treasure Anchored here with love to stay? O, remember, He is coming His loved ones to bear away.

Ballard, Washington.

This Striking Magazine

By Editor

From an Oil-Painting, to be reproduced in Original Colors

Readers of this journal will be interested in the August number of the Signs Monthly, especially the article on the Beginning of the Modern Health Movement, or the Origin of Graham Bread, by David Paulson, M.D.

Our Work and Workers

By Editor

TWELVE have been baptized and joined the church at Shelby, Michigan.

SIX have been baptized and added to the church at Rochester, Indiana.

TEN have been baptized at Coy, Oklahoma, where a series of tent meetings has been held.

FOLLOWING the camp-meeting at Hutchinson, Minnesota, thirty-eight souls were baptized.

THREE souls were baptized by Elder N. T. Sutton at the close of a canvassers' institute at Liberal, Kansas.

FOUR or five have lately taken their stand for the truth at El Paso, Texas, and others are interested.

THE result of a tent effort held last summer at Lake View, Ohio, is the organization of a church of ten members.

TWENTY-SIX were buried with Christ in baptism in the Wisconsin River at the conclusion of the camp-meeting there.

AS a result of a series of meetings held at Poplar Bluff, Missouri, six persons have been added to the church at that place.

A CHURCH has recently been organized at Reed City, Michigan, taking in the members of the Chase and Baldwin churches.

SIX persons were recently baptized in Muncie, Indiana, two of them joining the Muncie church, and four joining the New Hope church, near Eaton.

AT Aledo, Illinois, eight persons were baptized at the conclusion of a series of meetings there. Seven of them have become members of the Aledo church.

SEVEN persons have been baptized at Joliet, Illinois, and a church of eleven members has been organized, with the prospect of a half dozen more uniting soon.

AT the camp-meeting in South Dakota, forty-eight persons were baptized, as the result of the revival work there, and hundreds came forward and renewed their consecration.

A SERIES of meetings held at Gifford, Indiana, has resulted in the organization of a Sabbath-school of fifteen members, and four adults are for the first time keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

A LITTLE item comes from Shanghai, China, from Sister Roberts, formerly of this office, saying, "You will be interested to know that Brother Harlow was recently at Brother Bach's station, Bakhoi, and organized a church of forty-one members." This is the place where Brother Bach stayed so bravely through the terrible time of the plague last summer. Everything indicates that it is a most promising field.

Uncle Ben's Cobblestones. Familiar talks with boys and girls about the common articles of everyday use, such as air, water, sunshine, fire, smoke, glass, coal, salt, paper, matches, etc.

Uncle Ben has a very pleasing way of telling about the origin and use of these various things. There is a ray of sunshine streaming throughout the book, and yet it does not touch the fickle so prevalent in books for children.

The purpose of the book, aside from the useful information given, seems to be soul-culture, for we observe on every page a moral fragrance that will impress young minds in the right way. Uncle Ben tells about more than one hundred different things in all, and intersperses with happy thoughts that bring good cheer to young and old. 221 pages, price, $1.00. Address this office.

Books and Tracts for Sale

By Editor

The Ten Commandments.—We have a beautiful four-page folder, tastily printed in blue and gold on tinted cardboard, giving the Commandments as found in the Authorized Version. This attractive little folder makes a very desirable gift for birthday or Sabbath-school class. Price, postpaid, 5 cents. Address this office.

Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing.—An exposition of Christ's Sermon on the Mount. It has 218 pages and six chapters: On the Mountainside, The Beatitudes, The Spirituality of the Law, The True Motive in Service, The Lord's Prayer, Not Judging but Doing. A new edition just printed on fine enameled paper, new type, and reillustrated with 27 beautiful half-tone engravings specially prepared for the book by eminent New York artists. It will be found full of comfort and blessing by all fortunate enough to obtain and read it. A beautiful gift book. Fine cloth cover, 75 cents.

Those Bible Readings. Mrs. Stuttle's latest and best book. It is a compilation of the series of home Bible studies which appeared in the Signs of the Times' Home Department. In this book, many vital points of Bible truth are discussed and studied. Just the book to send to your friends. It is present truth in a nutshell, simplified and made attractive and easy. Price, 75 cents.

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A Reasonable Faith

A Reasonable Faith.—A reporter in a daily paper, speaking of the great Bible parade in San Francisco, said of the men who carried the Bibles, "Their religion was grounded in faith, not reason; and their appeal to other men was an appeal to faith, not reason." But this is a misconception of Christianity. Altho we hear Christians sometimes talking that way, God gives His children reasons, the very best of reasons, for believing; and Christian faith is one of the most highly, strongly reasonable things there is in this world. This same reporter said: "Probably there are other religions as good as the Christian religion, and other books that are as good as the Bible. There are many millions of people who hold this view." But the reason why the people hold this view is that they do not know the Bible. Other books teach ethics, other books say good things; but the Bible brings to the man of faith, who will yield himself to its teachings, the very life of God in the soul. "If any man willeth to do His will," said Christ, "he shall know of the teaching;" and he shall know it not in form, but in life.

Heat Wave and Its Fatalities

By Editor

While we are having uniformly temperate weather on the Pacific Coast, the East is sweltering under a great blanket of heat which refuses to lift. In some places the thermometer has registered as high as 120. In two days—July 4 and 5—the prostrations in less than a score of cities aggregated nearly 1,000, while the number of deaths ascribed to the torrid temperature were about 200. One recalls the prophecy of the Revelation that the sun shall have power to scorch men with fire. Not a few have gone insane or committed suicide.

Educational Conventions in California

By Editor

As we write, our own educational convention for this union conference is in session in Oakland, and the great convention of the National Educational Association is gathering in San Francisco. Reports will be given of the salient and new features.

Articles on the Revelation

By Editor

We again call attention to the articles on the Revelation. They are important. Criticism is invited.

Contained in This Issue

By Editor

Our Question Corner 3507—Faith and Works; 3508—A Tithe. Deut. 14:23; 3509—Binding and Loosing. Matt. 16:19; 3510—Deut. 13:6-10 and the Sermon on the Mount; 3511—The Picture of the Cross; 3512—Regarding the Bible; 3513—Shall Pass Away; 3514—Matt. 24:30 ... 2

Our Bible Band ... 2

General

The Coöperation of the Human and the Divine ... 3 The Gospel in Type and Antitype (Concluded) ... 4 The Vision of Chapter 17 (The Revelation Series) ... 6 Christianity in Business Life ... 7 His Opportunity ... 8

Our Bible Reading

Man in Death ... 8

Editorial

Overcoming Sin ... 9 The Religious Trend ... 9 Drugs and Doctors ... 9

The Outlook

A Lowered Church Standard ... 10

Notes ... 11, 16

Home

Letters to a Daughter ... 12 How We Take Trials ... 12 Blessed Secret ... 12 Quiet Workers ... 12 Should Tired People Go to Church? ... 13

Missions

Burma—Its Religions ... 14

Our Work and Workers ... 15

Poetry

Psalm 67 ... 1 Prayer ... 8 A Name in the Sand ... 13 Hasten, Reapers ... 14

A Character Factory

A “Character Factory.”—A Michigan millionaire is planning to build what he calls a great “character factory” on the shores of Lake Michigan at Three Oaks. One hundred acres of beach and woodland near Benton Harbor, Michigan, have been secured for the purpose. Mr. Edward K. Warren, the promoter, wishes there to found a great evangelical, interdenominational school, conducted by some such an organization as the Moody Institute, and fostered by the International Sunday-School Association.

The Lumber Trust

In the changes taking place in politics some facts are coming into evidence before the American people. Take, for instance, the great lumber trust, owning more than four fifths of the standing timber of the United States. A great deal of this was purchased from the Government at $2.50 an acre. This lumber trust is now in the control of less than 200 men, owning over 1,000,000,000,000 of feet of lumber. Less than 2,000 persons hold title to 88,579,000 acres. When that timber is gone, the land still remains averaging to each owner 49,000 acres. There is 77 square miles. It holds the standing timber of Florida, and sixty-five per cent in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. That is one of the reasons why they are opposing the reciprocity plan of the President. They wish to compel the people of this country to purchase lumber from them, with prohibitive duties on the lumber which might come from the north.

Monarchy, Republics, and True Freedom

In an article on the coronation, by Marie Corelli, the famous author whose books have been honored by having a place on the Index Expurgatorius, declares that, democratic as England is, there was unmistakable loyalty to the throne emphasized again and again; and she quotes this sentence from the coronation service: "The Lord give you a fruitful country and healthful seasons, victorious fleets and armies and a quiet empire, a faithful Senate, wise and upright counselors and magistrates, a loyal nobility and a dutiful gentry, a pious, learned, and useful clergy, an honest, peaceful, and obedient commonalty;" and she asks, "Could any nation desire more?" She also intimates that America would go wild over such wonderful magnificences as there represented, and would be a finer nation even than it is under one sovereign; "as an empire the United States would be superb." She says a republic is never really popular. People try to put up with it, and pretend they have more liberty, but they know they are only playing. Of course, tho England is a monarchy, she has large liberty for her people, and it is also true that Americans more and more are aping royalty and its magnificence. The freedom of a people — the true freedom — is measured by the distribution of the true principles of Christianity.

The League of Medical Freedom

It has been charged by "Collier's" and by Senator Owen that the League of Medical Freedom is working in the interests of drugs, but an article in the Los Angeles Express of June 28 declares that the National League of Medical Freedom has absolutely nothing to do with the drug business, nor is it connected with it in any way. They are simply standing for that freedom of physicians, which they believe to be the right granted under the Constitution of the United States, subject to no one medical school.

Homicides in Chicago

In the 601 days since October 22, 1909, there have been 548 homicides in Chicago, and of these 223 were outright murders. This is an un-enviable record. The chief of police feels that it is owing largely to the ease with which one can secure a pistol or a revolver.

Labor Contributions for McNamara’s Trial

It is said that each union laborer throughout the United States will be asked to give twenty-five cents to aid in the trial of McNamara at Los Angeles. This will amount to about $500,000. There has also been devised a stamp which sells for one cent each, to aid them in their trial.

Germany and France Dispute Morocco

Believing that Morocco may be divided, or its government destroyed, Germany is sending one of her war-ships to stake out a claim in that country. This is resented by France, and there is possibility of trouble between the two powers. The situation is viewed by some of the great papers of Europe as decidedly serious.

Tree Planting in Kansas

Kansas is doing a work that most farmers in the United States ought to do; namely, planting trees. Western Kansas, once nothing but a desert, is becoming a region of forests and orchards. In the last year the farmers planted two million catalpa-trees, which in six years attain a growth large enough for fence posts.

Eternity Is in Today

Eternity is in to-day. You may not see it or hear it or feel it or know it; but the seed you are sowing to-day will bear crop for weal or wo, for time, for eternity. The look, the word, the act is not only chiseling deeper the impression of the motive thought in your own character, but some other soul may be influenced thereby for eternal bane or bliss. The safe way, the only safe way, is to live for eternity this day, this moment.

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life."

California Resources and Possibilities

"California Resources and Possibilities" is the title of an eighty-page book just off the press. It is the Twenty-First Annual Report of the California Development Board, giving the growth and development of California by population, by manufactures, by agricultural industries, and by trade. The cover is in colors, the design being a relief map of California with a red arrow showing the "Exposition City 1915," and bears the legend in another space, "California Welcomes the World to the Exposition City." The booklet is all that its name indicates, and speaks well for the California Development Board. Copies may be secured by addressing the above at San Francisco.

Pan-American Commercial Conference Proceedings

By Editor

We have received from the Hon. John Barrett, Director-General of the Pan-American Union, the proceedings of the Pan-American Commercial Conference held February 13 to 17, 1911, at Washington. The report contains 330 pages, and is packed full of information concerning the countries which compose the Pan-American Union. Those who think of doing business with any of the South American countries, who are interested in their products, or in visiting the various countries which make up the continent south of us, would do well to study the proceedings of this great conference. The report is fifty cents a copy, and can be obtained by addressing the Pan-American Union, Washington, D. C.

Earthquake on the Pacific Coast

By Editor

On the afternoon of July 1 a very sensibly felt earthquake shock occurred throughout the Pacific Coast. It is the hardest for years, with the exception of the one of 1906. In Mountain View its vibrations seemed to be from north to south, very slow and quite regular. But very little damage was done. Some buildings in San Jose, we understand, were cracked, and other smaller towns suffered a little, but nothing very serious. The only noticeable thing in our office was the stopping of the clock in the engineer's room. There were no preliminary tremors; it came with a startling suddenness. It is said that the total duration of motion as shown by the seismograph records was about 27 minutes. It was perceptible, however, to people ordinarily, from 15 to 25 seconds.

And when it is found, he lays the weary, exhausted sheep on his shoulder,

Faith Against Anxiety

Burma — Its Religions

Hasten, Reapers

This Striking Magazine

Our Work and Workers

OTHER ARTICLES

Books and Tracts for Sale

IN THREE DAYS

SAN FRANCISCO

Overland Limited

To Chicago

ACROSS GREAT SALT LAKE

HIGH SIERRA BY DAYLIGHT

Luxurious High-class Equipment

Electric Lighted Throughout

Southern Pacific

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

DATE OF EXPIRATION

A Reasonable Faith

Heat Wave and Its Fatalities

Educational Conventions in California

Articles on the Revelation

Contained in This Issue

General

Our Bible Reading

Editorial

The Outlook

Home

Missions

Poetry

A Character Factory

The Lumber Trust

Monarchy, Republics, and True Freedom

The League of Medical Freedom

Homicides in Chicago

Labor Contributions for McNamara’s Trial

Germany and France Dispute Morocco

Tree Planting in Kansas

Eternity Is in Today

California Resources and Possibilities

Pan-American Commercial Conference Proceedings

Earthquake on the Pacific Coast