THE SAN FRANCISCO HELPING HAND AND MEDICAL MISSION.
By B. F. DeBow
WE are pleased to furnish our friends with another report of our work through the columns of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. We say, If any one has doubts in regard to the success of this work just come and see. Could the heartfelt expressions of gratitude, from beneficiaries of the mission be heard, it would indeed be considered a privilege to contribute to its success.
We were visited a few days ago by a man who had been with us last fall. He was full of expressions of gratitude for the kindnesses shown, and the wonderful truths of God's Word he had learned while here. He gave us a dollar to be used in assisting some other poor man; and left word for Brethren Richards and Dexter that he was "living a Christian life," and that truths learned while here had made him "a new man."
From another who called to-day we were told of the gratitude of one of our old acquaintances. He came here about a year ago, and we assisted him for a few days until he secured employment. He added force to the expressions of gratitude by leaving five dollars to help in the work.
These are not exceptional cases, but are mere types, and many similar instances could be mentioned. However, "when the roll is called up yonder" we expect to see many familiar faces from this mission.
While we do not see large numbers accepting Christ, and taking a bold stand for the truth, yet we know that we have the power of God mightily in our midst. Good seed is being sown that will yet bear a rich harvest. Men are learning the way to God. We thank God daily for the privilege we have of working among this class. We would also express our thanks to the Oakland and San Francisco friends who have been coming in to assist us in the conduct of the meetings. Let our church people lend assistance to this work by their presence—these poor people need assistance. Come, then, that by the united power of faith, and prayers of God's children, the powers of evil may be destroyed and many captives set at liberty.
How good it is to know that when we give ourselves to Christ in whole-hearted devotion, angels rejoice that they may speak through our voices to reveal God's love!
B. F. DEBOW.
As CONSIDERABLE has passed through your columns as to the size, position, and population of these islands, I need not recapitulate. But as one gets better acquainted with their inhabitants, his ideas broaden. The Lord, through Wesleyanism of the past, has done a great deal for this people, but alas! to-day it stands as a barrier to advance light. But thanks be to God, we fight not with carnal weapons, but with the Word of God, which is mighty in tearing down strongholds, and bringing to light the hidden things of error.
The language of some, if not many, of the white missionaries here is, that these people are only niggers, and that they do not possess much intellect.
A kind of caste relation exists. An ordained minister (native) is not allowed the full title of preacher, but only, "a helping preacher." How glad I am for a truth that makes us all brethren, with no exceptions as to color, race, or intellect, and that we can by faith see in the vilest a son of God in glory.
This people are by no means low in intellect; they may seem at times childish to us who have had an education in higher schools of learning, but they are the children of nature, and as such have a clearer and purer conception of truth, which is evidenced by their regard for the Word of God, and a teachable spirit.
They are hospitable above the average, and as the old saying goes, "The latch-string hangs at all times on the outside of their humble dwellings," thus fulfilling, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me."
Suva Vou, May 28, 1899. C. H. PARKER.
VALUABLE TRACTS AND PAMPHLETS.
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Benefits of Bible Study.—The design of this excellent tract is to awaken people to the importance of Bible study, and show the great benefits to be derived therefrom. Price, ½ cent.
Christ Tempted as We Are.—Full of instruction and encouragement to the tempted and tried. Price, 1 cent.
Christians' Privilege.—This number will inspire hope and courage to many a struggling and way-worn traveler to Zion. Price, ½ cent.
Elect of God.—Shows who are the elect, how and when they were elected. Price, ½ cent.
Home Missionary Work.—A compilation of inspired appeals in behalf of home missionary efforts. Every one should read and carry out its instructions. Price, 2 cents.
Justified by Faith.—The kind of faith necessary to justification, and how it accomplishes that end, are the principal thoughts in this most valuable tract. Price, 1 cent.
Privilege of Prayer.—Precious privilege, indeed! A privilege that few of us realize in its fulness! Yet we may. To enable all to become more intelligent upon this vital point, this tract is presented. Price, 1 cent.
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AN AGED VEGETARIAN OF A ROYAL LINE.
By Editor
[Note.—For years the editor has been in correspondence with the aged brother, the sketch of whose life is given below. We believe this brief account of actual experience will be of value to others. Some never get old in heart; they are ever ready for advanced steps in the way of true reform.—THE EDITOR.]
THE subject of this sketch, James Lunney, is the descendant of Luigi Lunney, one of the kings of Connaught, Ireland. He now claims membership in a higher Royal Family, the child of the King of kings.
He was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, July 21, 1811; converted in his nineteenth year; became a total abstainer by signing the total abstinence pledge in 1837; emigrated to Ontario, Canada, 1870; embraced the Sabbath and advent truth in 1878, abandoning the use of swine's flesh as food at the same time.
In 1893 he became well-nigh helpless, confined most of the time to his bed, unable to get in or out of a carriage. His heart was so affected that life was despaired of, and he gave himself up to die, asking the Lord that his life might be spared if he could be of use in His service. God wonderfully raised him up, and used him in the conversion of others.
Up to 1894 he used beef once a day, when he read in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES of a family which had eaten no flesh for fifty years, yet having the best of health. Mr. Lunney, having serious stomach and intestinal trouble, believed the article contained a message for him. Tho having good beef for dinner, he did not taste it, but adopted henceforth a vegetarian diet at the age of eighty-three. In his own words: 'In a short time I began to improve; my bowels did not trouble me, nor my stomach either. The doctor's medicines lay untouched, and I got able to do some work for the Great Physician, not only the Healer of the body, but of the disease of sin.' And his advice to all is in favor of a vegetarian diet and foods prepared from grains and nuts.
This information we obtained last year while this aged brother was in an old people's home in Battle Creek, Mich.
During the later years of his life he has done much missionary correspondence, house to house visiting, and street preaching. And this year of grace, 1899, in his eighty-ninth year, improved in health on a truly reformed diet, he goes out again to labor for souls for whom Christ died. He writes a plain, readily readable hand, which shows very little of the tremors of age.
Such are the blessings of a temperate, Christian life, good health, a clear mind, and a happy, cheerful heart, burdened only for others' good.
James Lunney, in his 88th year.
FORECLOSING THE MORTGAGE.
By A. Smith
Mr. Justin was a wealthy man, mostly in real estate. Among the many people to whom he sold his land was one Vere Slack, who made a small payment, and gave a mortgage for the balance of the purchase price. He, confident of meeting his payments, built a comfortable house and barn, and otherwise improved the farm. After a time, falling into intemperance and consequent shiftless ways, he failed to make his payments, and, instead, increased his indebtedness by occasional loans of money, which Mr. Justin granted out of pity to the family, until he thought he could bear it no longer. About this time Mr. Slack died. Mrs. Slack, who was a devoted Christian woman, had about all she could do to support her family of four young children.
Soon after this, Mr. Justin entered a suit of foreclosure on the Slack homestead. The act excited universal comment and condemnation. Mr. Justin was branded as "an old skinflint;" and denounced as a robber of the widow and the fatherless. They thought that he might at least pay her something for the little value she had in the place, or give her a house and lot out of his great abundance of such property.
Mrs. Slack continued to steadfastly trust in the promises of God to the widow and fatherless, tho the continual clamor of her neighbors almost made her feel hard toward Mr. Justin, notwithstanding he had always been kind and generous toward her, except in the matter of the mortgage.
The day of sale finally came, and the land was sold for less than the face of the mortgage; Mr. Justin securing the title.
The news caused the widow's heart to sink within her; but with tears she sought the Lord, and in a true Christian spirit she prayed that Mr. Justin might be forgiven a wrong he could not really have intended; never having personally experienced the distress of the poor and homeless.
Soon after the sale Mr. Justin was seen going toward the widow's home. Fingers of scorn were pointed at him by some, and others, passing, would not notice or speak to him.
Arriving at the widow's, he knocked at the door, in response to which it was opened by Mrs. Slack.
On seeing Mr. Justin her heart stood still, and she had to clutch at a chair to keep from falling. She could only motion him to a seat. Her children clung to her, seeing her evident distress. She could not weep.
He drew from his pocket a paper—some legal notice, of course, she thought—and handed it to her. It was a warranty deed to her in her own name, of the forty acres on which stood all the farm buildings, with not a dollar's incumbrance. Her tears came now, and she cried like a child. She knelt down, and encircled her children in her arms; with choking utterance she poured forth a fervent petition to God to be forgiven for allowing herself for a moment to distrust Him, and for feeling unkindly toward her benefactor. She prayed that her neighbors might be forgiven for so cruelly misjudging Mr. Justin.
In the meantime Mr. Justin slipped away, thinking: "I intended, like Job, to make the widow's heart sing for joy; but she cried instead for joy. She will do her singing by and by."
The story was soon noised abroad, and resulted in a complete reversion of feeling.
As for Mr. Justin, he had all along intended to befriend the widow, and at the same time teach public gossipers to forbear criticisms and harsh judgment based upon appearances only. Besides it gave him a good opportunity to study the characteristics of many persons. It is safest to judge nothing from mere appearances.
A. SMITH.
Grandville, Mich.
HOW A SANDWICH ISLANDER QUIT EATING PORK.
By H. B.
THE Bible had been presented to her as God's Word, and she had accepted it. The Lord had wonderfully enlightened her mind on many points. She had been invited to attend a native luau, together with those who had taught her the first principles of the Gospel. The principal article of the native feast is pork. The story begins the evening before the luau, and is told by the lady herself, as follows:—
"I open my Bible to Leviticus, and I am much surprised. The Lord says there the pig not good to eat; you must not touch him. Now I been lay off for a long time how I eat lots of pig at this luau. I want him awful bad, but the Lord says pig not fit to eat, so I say, 'No, I won't eat any more.' I go home. My husband he bring home one big ham. I say, 'You bring13no more ham home. I don't want no more ham.'
"He say, 'O, this no ham, this goat, this good beef.' He try to fool me, but I say, 'You no fool me; I want no more pig.' I cook it for him. He eat it; I eat none.
"One day I say to him, 'You bring no more ham; I have to cook it, and the Lord says I touch it it make me unclean.'
"He says, 'Alright, you help me eat this I never bring any more home.' So I cook all the rest of that ham, and I eat all I can. I eat so much I get awful sick.
"I go to the window and throw up all that pig; not one small piece stay in my stomach. My husband say, 'Goodness me! what for you waste all my good pig?' O, I been so sick! I eat no more pig."
HE SHALL PROSPER WHO OBEYS.
By Mrs. Frank A. Breck
[Mrs. Frank A. Breck, in the Advance.]
THERE is no royal road to right;
No victory comes at idle call;
Prosperity is not for might;
Fair Wisdom's way is free to all.
This grand old law forever stays:
That he shall prosper who obeys.
Old Israel heard with trembling awe,
Proclaimed from Sinai's mount sublime,
The dictates of that righteous law
That echoes on throughout all time.
God taught them in a thousand ways,
That he shall prosper who obeys.
Wo unto him who dares to spurn
The truth Jehovah maketh known!
Too late, alas! he yet shall learn
That right must not be overthrown.
Tho retribution long delays,
He only prospers who obeys.
The cattle on a thousand hills,
The sunset's mystic glory-bars,
The cataracts and mountain rills,
The sun and moon and rolling stars,
All show—yea, heaven itself portrays—
That he shall prosper who obeys.
Let nations fear the Almighty God,
Repenting humbly in the dust,
Nor stand beneath His lifted rod,
But make His age-tried Word their trust.
Let us remember all our days,
The nation prospers that obeys.
SENSITIVENESS OR SELFISHNESS?
By George H. Hubbard
[Rev. George H. Hubbard, in S. S. Times.]
SENSITIVENESS is a Christian grace; sensitiveness is an unchristian vice. The sensitive person is a blessing to society; the sensitive person is a nuisance in any community. The sensitive spirit should be assiduously cultivated by all; the sensitive spirit is by all means to be striven against and conquered.
It all depends upon what you mean by “sensitiveness.” There is a true sensitiveness, which implies great delicacy of feeling and perception; and there is a false sensitiveness that should be spelled “selfishness.” What a pity that one name should be applied to two qualities so nearly opposite!
There is the “sensitive plant.” How it shrinks from every rude touch! Just brush its leaves carelessly with your hand, and straightway they fold themselves close together and droop downward, a touching picture of hurt feelings.
Society abounds in sensitive plants. They grow luxuriantly in the church. Everywhere we may find them. They are always on the lookout for slights and criticisms. They think a great deal about their rights and dignities. They may be good workers, but they must be appreciated. Their feelings are very tender, and they wear them where they will be exposed to the most violent shocks. A suspicion of neglect, a word of opposition or criticism, and they are offended. They stop work at once, and will not do anything more till they have been duly flattered and cajoled. And even then they often assume the air of martyrs.
But are they as careful of the feelings of others as they expect others to be of their feelings? Very rarely. As a rule, your sensitive soul is quite careless of the rights and feelings of others. When you hear one say, “I am exceedingly sensitive,” it is safe to conclude that he is exceedingly selfish.
True sensitiveness, on the other hand, is that delicacy of spirit and quickness of perception that makes us very tender in our treatment of others. It does not make us more ready to take offense, but it saves us from giving offense. It makes us considerate of the weaknesses and prejudices and foibles of our neighbors. It restrains us from trespassing on their rights and prerogatives.
Jesus Christ was the most truly sensitive of men, yet He never took offense. His own feelings were entirely consecrated to His work. He never “stood on His dignity;” He never claimed His rights; He never fretted because He was not appreciated. But how tenderly He treated the feelings and rights of others! how patient with Samaritan prejudice! how gentle toward Galilean ignorance and stupidity! how careful at all times to treat even bigotry and superstition in such a manner that the smallest bud of faith should not be blighted!
Of such sensitiveness the world can never have enough. Quickly to perceive that we are hurting another's feelings, or that we are touching an unwelcome topic; to avoid all words or actions that might make others unhappy; to have the faculty of soothing ruffled spirits and relieving the friction and jarring of life,—this is a great gift; it is a most Christly grace. But he who possesses it will never be heard saying, “I am exceedingly sensitive.”
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By Editor
REFERENCE TEACHER'S BIBLE
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The Bible is substantially bound in morocco, divinity circuit, leather lined to edge, round corners, red under gold edges, minion type, and contains over 650 pages of finely illustrated Helps to the study of the Bible.
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DICTIONARY OF THE BIBLE
BY DR. WM. SMITH.
Size 6¼ x 9½ x 2½ inches,
Cloth bound.
Dr. William Smith's Dictionary of the Antiquities, Biography, Geography, and Natural History of the Bible is admitted by those most competent to judge to be the best of its kind in the English language. Its editor and his associate contributors are well known as among the most eminent Biblical scholars of our time, in both Europe and America.
The book contains over one thousand pages, is illustrated, and gives a full and accurate account of every name and place mentioned in the Bible, which can possibly need explanation; of every animal, plant, or mineral alluded to by the Sacred Writers; and of every custom and article of use among Jewish and contemporary nations.
This Dictionary is published by Scranton & Co., of Hartford, Conn., and sells at $4.50.
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HEART-LIFE CLASSICS
By Editor
A choice line of devotional story books bound in cloth, size 6½ x 4½ inches. Excellent books for Sabbath-school libraries. Will be read with much interest and profit by both old and young.
Pilgrim's Progress, Jessica's Prayer and Jessica's Mother, Nobody Loves Me, Olive's Story, Helps over Hard Places—for Girls, Helps over Hard Places—for Boys, Line upon Line, Heart-Life, A Bag of Stories, Shepherd Psalm.
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ADDRESS
SIGNS OF THE TIMES, OAKLAND, CAL.
THE GREAT PILOT.
By Nels Anderson
O God in heaven, pilot me,
As when I was new-born,
Across this trackless, bourneless sea,
By storm and tempest torn.
Full well my ship Thou then didst guide,
Past rock and treacherous shore,
Till, boasting in my scornful pride,
I sought Thine aid no more.
For then to me the gray-haired head
Was but the sign of age;
As when the morning's face burns red,
' Tis with the tempest's rage.
But now I know not whence to steer,
' No guiding star there is
That, dancing, shines with hope and cheer
Beyond this black abyss.
O then, my God, my vessel guide,
For Thou alone canst show
The haven where those vessels ride
That pass this sea of wo.
NELS ANDERSON.
Fort Robinson, Neb.
A MENU WITH RECIPES.
By J. E. Paterson
Spring Soup,
Nucose Croquettes, Sugar Corn,
Wheat Mold with Whipped Cream or Fruit Dressing.
SPRING SOUP.—One pint of asparagus tops, one pint green peas, one-quarter of a small cabbage, one small carrot, three or four green onions, two tomatoes, four quarts of boiling water and flour to thicken. Cook the peas in water until tender, then rub through a strainer. Chop the remainder of the vegetables fine and add them to the pease broth. Cook on a slow heat one hour, then bring to a boil; thicken and serve with sippets.
NUCOSE CROQUETTES.—One-half pound of nucose, one-half pint granose, two stalks of celery, one small onion, one pint of water and a speck of sage. Salt to taste.
Peel and slice the onion, the nucose and the celery; put them in a sauce-pan; add the sage, salt and water. Cover and cook for thirty minutes, then rub through a soup strainer with a wooden potato masher. Add the granose, mix well and shape into balls. Roll them in egg and bread crumbs, and bake ten or fifteen minutes. Serve with sauce (tomato).
MACARONI IN CREAM.—Cook six ounces of macaroni twenty minutes in four quarts of water, to which has been added a tablespoonful of salt. Strain off the water and use it for soup stock. Return the macaroni to the sauce-pan and add two quarts of boiling milk and cook on a slow heat for thirty minutes longer. Five minutes before serving move the sauce-pan to a warmer part of the stove and add two well-beaten eggs and a half-pint of cream. Take care that the egg does not curdle. Serve hot.
WHEAT MOLD AND WHIPPED CREAM OR FRUIT DRESSING.—Cook one cup of cracked wheat in six cups of water until done. Half fill six teacups with the wheat and leave to cool until time for serving, then turn into saucers with cream or fruit dressing.
For fruit dressing, rub one quart of cooked raspberries through a strainer and serve a little around each mold.
J. E. PATERSON.
Sanitarium, St. Helena, Cal.
POLITICAL SPEECHES and DEBATES OF LINCOLN AND DOUGLAS...
A BOOK FOR THE TIMES. The following is one reason why this discussion by these two able lawyers and statesmen should find a large place amongst the people of this country to-day: Another attack is made upon the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution in an attempt once more "to turn a free people back into the hateful paths of despotism." Then, the attack was upon the clause which declares that "all men are created equal." Now, the attack is upon that clause which declares that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. Then, there was rendered a decision of the Supreme Court of the United States which perverted the Constitution in the interests of that attack. Now, there is a decision of the Supreme Court of the United States which perverts the Constitution in the interests of this attack. The careful study of this history-making discussion and of the principles involved will prepare the people successfully, and in the right way, to meet all attacks upon the immortal Declaration, and to correct any and all perversions of the Constitution.
Buckram Cloth, 555 pages - - - - - - - - $1.75
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