Earlier text: The Nation’s CorruptionA Word to Our Tent-Laborers.
By Geo. I. Butler
As the season for tent labor is now past, I desire to present a few thoughts to our brethren in regard to properly following up the labors bestowed in the tents the past summer. There has been in some Conferences quite a gratifying accession to our ranks, of those who have been brought to see the light upon the Sabbath, and kindred truths, the past season. In Missouri and Kansas, the increase, according to the reports, has been quite gratifying. Those laboring in the southern tent report some eighty, and in the northern tent, also quite a number. If these can be wrought into working members of the cause, they will greatly add to the strength of this weak Conference. The same is true in principle in other Conferences. Many of our ministers who are young in experience need to learn the importance of properly following up the labor bestowed in bringing companies into the truth. Some seem to think if they accept the Sabbath the work is done, and all they have to do is to go to another place, leaving those beginners mainly to look out for themselves. This is a great mistake, and often results in great loss to the cause. Bringing people to keep the Sabbath, is but a link in the great work preparatory to Christ’s coming. Those who embrace it, are thus brought where they can be affected properly, and induced to reform their practice in many things which the Bible teaches. If this first labor is not properly followed up, these are very liable to form an entire misconception of the true nature of the work for the last days, and to settle into that condition where it will be harder to reach them than if they never heard present truth at all; for, feeling that they have now the whole truth, they are not as easily made to see the importance of that which remains. When individuals first take their stand upon the Sabbath truth, their hearts are tender and they more readily receive impressions from God’s truth than ever after. There is always a great danger that many will give up entirely, and go back to the world, if not properly instructed when they first commence. The course of lectures to which they listened seemed clear, as point after point was brought out before them. The minister was there to explain everything in private. A strong influence was brought to bear upon their minds, by means of the strong appeals to their consciences which were being made. As much that they heard was entirely new, and covered over much ground, it could not be expected that every point would be distinct to their minds, and its relation to other points remembered. A degree of vagueness would of course prevail. All their early associations and prejudices would be liable to have an influence more or less. The inconvenience of keeping the Sabbath, and the separation in feeling from friends and acquaintances would exert a powerful influence to make them feel keenly. At this point the tent leaves the place. And as soon as this takes place and the coast is clear, a large number, who have hardly dared to confront the minister, venture to act more openly and decidedly. Ministers come in from all directions to preach against and ridicule the truth, and present their theories in the most plausible light, against the new doctrines. The converts are hardly well enough posted to know how to answer every point, and it is not strange that, in many cases, persons who lack stability go back. It speaks well for the clearness and force of this doctrine that so many stand, under such circumstances, in spite of the current against them. I think it is too bad to leave young converts in this way for long periods. I think the better way, when it is possible, is for laborers to remain in the vicinity, so that they can meet with them from time to time, and lead them on from one point to another, and thoroughly instruct them in the great practical principles of the Christian religion. They should not long be left until all who can be influenced have become converted in heart, and know for themselves what the blessing of God is. Regular religious meetings should be established and all induced to take part in them. Systematic Benevolence should be organized, and all made to feel the importance of sacrificing to support the cause of truth. The great principles of health reform should be set before them, and tobacco, tea, coffee, and pork, routed as far as possible from the camp. All should be made to feel that this is the special work of God, for the last days. It is this, or a terrible deception. If the latter, the sooner we all quit preaching it the better for ourselves and the world. But if, as we believe, it is the former, we cannot impress too strongly the fact upon the hearts of all who embrace it. Very little strength will they ever have in this cause, if they do not believe this. Let them really believe this, and they will attach some importance to the work and the agencies which have carried it on. New converts must be made to feel this in order to be reliable. This is the vital point. We know this by experience. And here is where Satan will contest with us more strongly. We believe every one of our preachers should instruct the people who embrace the Sabbath thoroughly in regard to spiritual gifts, and give them the reasons why we believe God is speaking to us as a people. Some of them will find it necessary to post themselves first, before being able to post others. They will never be full-grown laborers in the cause till they do. **It is too late in the day for us, as a people, to be fearful on this point. Our enemies will force the issue upon us, whether we will or no; and let it come. For one, I do not fear to meet it. Those who embrace this message should everywhere know our views on this subject and the reasons for them. There is no doctrine in the Bible more plainly taught than the perpetuity of spiritual gifts, and their manifestation in the last days. I have no sympathy with the squeamishness of some upon this subject, which arises largely from its being so unpopular. These and many other points should be set before the minds of those who embrace the Sabbath and kindred truths, the first thing after they become thoroughly established in the fundamental positions of our people. And the minister who neglects to do this will greatly endanger the usefulness of his labors to the cause, and run a great risk of losing all he had gained in tent season. Our people, when they become thoroughly established upon the whole truth, are not in danger of being easily overthrown. They can then stand against great opposition. The time of greatest trial is at first, and all our ministers should realize this. When they are first obliged to leave, it should be only for a short time. They should then return and encourage and instruct them. Then perhaps they can safely be absent a longer time. And thus these young converts can be gaining an experience for themselves. In some places I have known a neglect of these obvious suggestions to result in great loss to the cause, and a going back of almost all who come out, when there was no necessity for it at all. Ministers, if possible, should labor for months in the vicinity of these new churches, where they can have a watchcare over them, and help them in the truth of God. Battle Creek, Mich., Nov. 6, 1873. PURITY is the feminine, truth the masculine, of honor. The Straight Testimony.
By C. Lawton
While listening to the straight and pointed testimony from Brn. Butler and Haskell at our camp-meeting, I thought I never heard the truth presented so close and searching before, and although I felt distressed when I saw my own imperfections, yet I felt a hearty response for the plain testimony; and that it met the approval of God was evident by the spirit of conviction which rested on his people. And I believe it will be seen to bring forth fruit unto righteousness, at least, I intend it shall in my own case. Bro. White’s earnest appeal is right to the point. He says that a fearful crisis is just upon us; a testimony is ripening among us that will find a hearty response from those whose highest ambition and greatest desire is to be right before God. This I believe with all my heart. I believe the time is near, when it will be known and seen who are fully on the Lord’s side, and who are not. Those who are, will take a decided stand for God and his truth, while others will fall back. God is testing his people, and characters are developing. Every test may come more close and searching. But is not this just what we need to fit us for the Judgment, and the trying scenes just before us? So it seems to me. Brethren and sisters, will we stand these tests, or will we rise up against them? I fully believe if we reject them, we do it at our peril. God is in earnest with his people, and it is time we were in earnest, and deeply humbling ourselves before him, putting away all unbelief. I believe if we had the right view of this work we would readily and cheerfully endeavor to live up to all the light given, feeling it to be for our highest interest to do so. If we have doubts, we know it is against the strongest evidence, and they are from the enemy of all unrighteousness. How can we doubt against so clear evidence? How dare we be unbelieving in so dangerous a time? We should not for a moment parley with Satan. We know his power, and the danger to which we are exposed if, in any measure, we get on the enemy’s ground. I thank God I can say my heart is in full sympathy with the servants of God who are called to take the charge of this work, and that God has chosen them for this purpose. I have never had a doubt, and when I think of the great responsibility and the weight of care and anxiety that rests upon them, I feel the tenderest feeling and love for them, and I believe God will sustain them, and give them wisdom to accomplish the work he has called them to do. Let none of us rise up against the straight testimonies, but let us rather tremble at the word of the Lord. Do we wish to have our character such as will stand the test of the Judgment? Then we should be thankful and rejoice that God in mercy points out to us our faults through the Spirit of prophecy and the straight testimonies of his servants. Does not this show the love God has for us, and his tender care over his people? Oh! the love and goodness and wisdom and power of God; who can fathom it “Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise him all creatures here below,
Praise him above, ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.” J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH
By John Norton Loughborough
In reading Bro. Butler’s report of the Indiana Camp meeting, I saw an item that reminded me of one on our own camp-ground at Yountville. He spoke of the man who the minister said would be disgusted by attending the camp-meeting, and who, on attending, embraced the truth. A good, spirited meeting, where the people take hold with a will, and show indeed that they are terribly in earnest, and withal where the power of God is manifest, is one of the most effective means on earth to break down prejudice. When we pitched our tent in Napa, a number of Baptists attended our meetings, and became deeply interested in the truth. They had three deacons in their church, two residing in the place, and one living at Yountville. The two residing in Napa heard attentively, embraced the truth, and signed their names to a covenant to keep the Sabbath. The other deacon who resides at Yountville did not have the privilege of attending the meetings at Napa, and he, according to his own confession afterward, was somewhat prejudiced against this work—by hearsay. He concluded to attend the camp-meeting. The power of God, and earnest godliness manifested there, broke down his prejudice. He listened with attention, and the Sabbath following the camp-meeting, in the tent, upon the camp-ground, he confessed the truth, and took his stand with us to keep the Sabbath and all of God’s commandments. On first-day, he signed his name to the covenant, with the Napa company. These things remind me forcibly of the scripture, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.” Since my report last week, I have had six interesting meetings here in Oakland. A few, as I mentioned in my last, have taken their stand here. At our meeting three weeks since in San Francisco, they earnestly requested me to visit them. I have taken this first opportunity to do so. I find here six or eight persons keeping the Sabbath. Most of these have taken their stand on the truth as the result of reading our publications, and explanations and conversations on the truth by lay members of our church. I gave four discourses in Library Hall, held a good social meeting on the Sabbath, and a business meeting on first-day afternoon. A goodly number of the brethren and sisters were over each day from San Francisco, which was encouraging to the few here, as not very many from without came in. Outside parties who did attend were deeply interested, and we trust some more of them will yet take their stand with the humble few. We are already instructed by the General Conference and leading brethren how such “world’s thoroughfares of travel” should be entered, so did not expect great things as the result of this meeting; but we desired to strengthen and encourage the few who had come out, and do what could be done at this time. In the business meeting, the covenant was presented, which several signed, and we trust others will be ready to sign soon. A Sabbath-school and Bible-class were also organized. These few manifested a desire and a will to do what they can. We expect to see their numbers increase, and trust, in the Lord’s own good time, to see even a large company raised up in Oakland. Next Sabbath and first-day, we have an important quarterly meeting at Bloomfield, which, in fact, will amount almost to a quarterly Conference, as our State officers of Conference and Missionary Society are to be together to deliberate on the best ways and means to advance the interest of the cause in all its departments in this State. We expect immediately following that meeting to be favored with the presence of Bro. and sister White upon this coast. May they enjoy a peaceful winter in our mild climate, make further advancement up the hill of health, and be prospered in all their labors and efforts to do good while with us. And may we in California be prepared and willing to second their efforts to advance the cause of truth. “Behold, I Stand at the Door, and Knock.”
By Elmira O. Davis
O CHURCH of Christ! Thy Saviour agonized, and poured out his soul unto death, that he might redeem thee unto himself, a glorious church. What vails from thee the light and glory of the Saviour’s love? Why has thy light become so dim? Why art thy garments soiled? thy banners in the dust? I think I hear his voice float past on the chill, midnight air: “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God.” Thou art groping amid their shadows, and dost find no light. Thou art poor, and sick, and blind; is there no healing balm? no kind physician, that thy health may be restored? Yes, even Jesus, the light of life. He stands at the door, and knocks. Already he has stood till midnight dews are dripping from his locks. He longs to hold communion sweet with thee, and thus impart to thy poor soul a rich foretaste of the joys he has reserved for those he loves. He knocks and waits, then knocks again, and cries, How long? In vain he listens for a glad response from thee. To some he comes when daily cares are laid aside; at the calm twilight hour, when worldly friends are passing in and out to while away an hour in social chat, unnoticed and alone he stands; no heart is turned to him with warm and friendly welcome; he sadly turns him from the light, warm room, its music, mirth, and cheer, into the darkness, to the mountain top and midnight air. He comes again at morn with accents sweet, and he wakes thee from a night’s repose. He warns thee of the world and all its charms. Its great pretense of friendship deep and strong will prove so false to thee. Son, daughter, give me thine heart, and I will keep the trust secure until the last, great day. I have wept and prayed, I have bled and died for thee, and now I seek to win thee from all these, and lead thee to the home I have prepared for thee above. The siren’s song, so soft and sweet to a perverted ear, is often heard above the Saviour’s voice; her throngs press in, and gain an entrance to that inner temple’s shrine. He turns away, that meek, calm, patient Friend! In pity still he comes. At busy noon, amid the bustle and the whirl of life, above the sound of worldly din and strife, hear ye not that deep, clear note from this, thine injured Friend? Oh! let me in, he cries; I will still the tumult in thy breast; I will give thee joy and peace and rest. The stubborn heart replies, Nay, nay; he, broken-hearted, turns away. No rest has yet the Saviour found, save the mountain top and the cold, damp ground. I think I hear his voice abroad, above the multitude: “If any man will hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and sup with him.” He hastens to the court of kings and to the peasant’s humble cot; with master and with slave alike he pleads: “Come, learn of me, and I will teach you how to rule and to obey. Ye rich and poor, all, come, buy the pure gold tried in the fire, that ye may be rich in faith; buy robes made white in my all-cleansing blood.” O child of earth! where will thy Saviour go? What if he leave thee to the dreadful woe of lukewarm souls? With all thy boasted love and zeal for him, thou hast proved faithless to thy trust; in selfishness and pride, thy heart is closed against the Crucified. But Jesus will yet see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied. A faithful few will follow their Lord whithersoever he goeth. The time speeds on, when Zion’s light will shine. She will come forth fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. Her children will be more than conquerors through him who hath loved them and hath redeemed them unto God by his own blood, out of every nation, tongue, and people. Then every heart will unite in the grand anthem that will arise, ascribing glory and honor, praise and thanksgiving, unto our God and the Lamb forever. But from some, dear reader, perhaps even now Jesus is turning hopelessly away. Not one short hour in all thy wasted years didst thou devote to entertain thy Lord. Remember, in the darkness of that coming night when earthly props will fail, trembling and shelterless thou wilt stand, and taste the bitterness of that awful storm that is soon to engulf the world. How wilt thou, in thy soul’s deep agony, then long to have thy slighted Friend twine his strong arms about thy shrinking form and bear thee to those realms of light! Alas! before the throne he will plead no more for thee. Thy days of grace and mercy will then be over. When, with the unnumbered company of his redeemed, he serves at the great marriage feast, he will not heed thy cry. Accept him now. Present Truth Practical.
By R. A. Morton
There was a time in the morning of creation when all things were in perfect harmony with the law of Heaven. The earth was luxuriantly crowned with beauty, and innocence rested upon every created thing. Every animated being was satisfied with life. The voice of crying was unheard, for there was no death there. Love was the life of everything and glory to God was the first impulse of all nature. It was in this world of beauty, this Eden of life and peace, that God placed our first parents. God gave them dominion over all this fair creation. God was their Father. He loved them. He cared for them as a father careth for his children. He told them his will. No calamity could befall them so long as they were obedient. They were surrounded with all things that were beautiful to the eye and pleasant to the taste. The Father gave them all but the fruit of one tree, which he reserved, that they might be tried. Of this they were not to taste. They were to respect their Father's claims. To take of this tree would be taking that which did not belong to them. It would be manifesting more love for self than for God. Yes, it would be stealing from the Father, and thus breaking his holy law in the most flagrant manner. The Father had told them the result of this. It was death. By one act, death's gloom would settle upon all things, and the mantle of the Father's glory would be withdrawn. The act was done. A pall of guilt came over man. The Father withdrew his immediate presence from him. Love of self, covetousness, and theft, declared the holy law of God broken, and the Paradise of Eden contaminated. “Whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10. Here was the first instance of sin. “Sin is the transgression of the law.” “The wages of sin is death.” Hence the law existed before sin and death. In all ages of the world there has been but one definition of sin; which is the transgression of the law. If the antediluvians were sinners, whom had they offended but Him whose law they had broken. If the Sodomites, whose unlawful deeds Lot hated, were sinners, it was because they had broken God's law. If we of this age are sinners against God, it is because we are condemned by his law as being covetous, and lovers of self more than lovers of God. Our first parents broke this law by being covetous. Dr. Dick says, under section, “Evils of Covetousness”:— “The covetous man is, to all intents and purposes, a thief and a robber. 1. He robs his Maker. 2. He robs the poor, the distressed, the widow and the fatherless. 3. He robs his family. 4. He robs society. “Covetousness destroys natural feeling and tenderness of conscience. Covetousness uniformly leads to falsehood and injustice. Covetousness leads to murderous wishes and even murder itself. “Covetousness has produced all the public evils, wars, and devastations, which have happened in every age of the world. “This vile affection may be considered as the first which was made in our world of sin or rebellion against God. Our first parents commenced their apostasy from their Maker by coveting the fruit of the tree of knowledge, which he had expressly interdicted under the highest penalty.” Thus with our first parents began rebellion against God by breaking his law. Here was the conception of sin. How awful have been its results! It has dwarfed man and driven him farther and farther from the Father, till in these last days there are those professing to be his children who declare that he has no law. Oh! woful condition! How blind! How far from the truth! It is his law that condemns the world. “Now we know that what things the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God . . . for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 3:19, 20. How is the world condemned? By the law. Before whom is it condemned? Before Him whose law it is, who is God. No law could condemn the world in the sight of God but his own law. Before Paul concludes this comment on the law, he says: “I had not known sin but by the law, for I had not known lust except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” But Paul was not the first who was found to be covetous. This dark stream of sin had its source far back in the garden of Eden. But what did the law do for Paul? It showed him his sin. He does not, therefore, conclude that the law is done away, and is not good, being a burden; but he says: “Wherefore [i. e., for the reason that it has shown me my sins] the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Rom. 7:12. Again, in the fourteenth verse, “For we know the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin.” With this burden of guilt pressing down his penitent soul, penitent because the law condemned him in the sight of God, he exclaims: “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” If the law which thus condemns the world is Christ's law, then Christ is against the Father, “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17. Again, the world was condemned long before the Father sent his Son to die. It was this condemnation that caused the Father to send the Son to die. Condemnation came by breaking the law in the first act of rebellion. Christ did not come as a law-giver. He came to vindicate the justice and immutability of the law of God. Upon him our transgressions of the law were laid. They caused his death. Thus is shown the eternal duration of the law. But Jesus now mediates between an offended Father and the sinner. It is God that has been offended. It is his law by which the world is to be judged. The whole work of Jesus is that of a mediator. “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1. Soon Jesus will finish his pleading. Soon he will come with the glory of the Father and all the holy angels, to unlock the gates of death and give life and immortality to the loved ones of all ages. Death, which is the wages of sin, and sin, which is the transgression of the law, will then be destroyed. The rebellious heart will forever cease to pulsate. The whole realm of God will be in harmony with the eternal principles of his law. The first four precepts of his law enjoin supreme love to God, who created all things. The last six enjoin love to his creatures. John says, “This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3. In the description of the two classes that are to be living when probation's scenes close, we read concerning one class that they are to receive an antichristian mark, the consequence of which is that they shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is to be poured out without mixture. The other class are to be keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev. 14:9–12. The commandments of God are those proclaimed upon Mt. Sinai and engraven on tables of stone. These are they that constitute the law of God. This law is holy, just, good, and spiritual, says Paul. The Sabbath is one of its precepts; therefore it is holy. But the carnal-minded fight against it; for the carnal mind is enmity against God, and is not subject to the law of God. The Sabbath is called “holy, the honorable of the Lord.” The reason of its existence is immutable, and will be sung by the redeemed when there are no carnal dwarfs to oppose the authority of the Father. Rev. 4:11. A blessing of eternal endurance is promised to those who keep the Sabbath. It is based upon a reason founded in nature, and must exist as long as the reason lasts. Alex. Campbell’s comments on the Sabbath are to the point: “But, say some, it was changed from the seventh to the first day. Where? When? and by whom? No man can tell.” “No, it never was changed, nor could it be unless creation was to be gone through again; for the reason assigned must be changed before the observance, or respect to the reason can be changed.” “It is all old wives’ fables to talk of the change of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day. If it be changed, it was that august personage changed it who changes times and laws ex officio.” “I think his name is Dr. Antichrist.”—Christian Baptist, vol. 1, p. 44. “THERE REMAINETH A REST.”
By S. B. S. W.
Weary pilgrim, disheartened and faint,
Toiling up the rugged steep,
There is One who hears thy low complaint,
There is One who sees thee weep;
And he looks with a pitying eye,
He feels with a heart of love,
And he hears ev’n thy faintest sigh,
From his glorious throne above. And he says, “There remaineth a rest”
For all the weary above,
Where they shall be forever blest
In the fullness of his love;
A rest that remaineth forever—
No more toiling, no more pain,
And the tear of sorrow never
Shall bedew thy cheek again. No more weariness, no more sighing,
No more temptation and sin;
No more suffering, no more dying,
And no more conflicts within.
Then cheer up, fainting one, and depressed,
And “fight the good fight of faith;”
“Labor to enter into that rest.”
For the faithful after death. Rest eternal—oh, joyful thought!
When our labors here are done;
When the last battle with sin is fought,
And the crown of victory won;
Then we’ll cast our crowns before the Lamb,
Who prepared for us this rest;
Ascribing glory and praise to Him,
Who is worthy to be blest.
—S. B. S. W. in Christian Press. Wisdom Springs from the Heart
Wisdom is the olive which springs from the heart, blooms on the tongue, and bears fruit in the actions. Money Does Good Only When Distributed
Money, like manure, does no good till it is spread. There is no real use of riches except in the distribution; the rest is all conceit. Great Things Done Little by Little
ALL great things are done little by little. Atoms make worlds. The greatest fortunes consist of farthings. Life is made up of moments. “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth.” Died, near Mannsville, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Oct. 1, 1873, of typhoid fever, my dear husband, George S. Gardiner, aged twenty-nine years. He chose Jesus as his guide in early life, and has ever tried to live a consistent Christian.
ELLEN GARDINER. Died, at Mapleton, Grand Traverse Co., Mich., Oct. 15, 1873, our oldest son, Alva P. Trotman, aged nine years and six days, after a sickness of four days, of scarlet fever and putrid sore throat. He was a good boy, and loved the Sabbath and the present truth, as far as he knew. We expect to meet him again when Jesus comes. Remarks by Bro. Corliss from Rev. 1: 18. Also our little one, Urban U. Trotman, aged two years, two months, and twenty-eight days, Oct. 20, of the same disease. Remarks by Bro. Corliss from 1 Pet. 1: 24, 25.
JOHN TROTMAN,
MARY TROTMAN. SOME time ago, a lady in London was trying to get a girl to help her in doing housework. Her name was Mrs. Levy. One day while walking in the street she met a friend, and asked if she knew of any good girl that she could get. Said her friend, “Why don’t you get one of Aunt Betsy’s children?” “Aunt Betsy’s children? Pray who is Aunt Betsy?” “She is an old Scotch woman who lives in Bird’s Alley. She adopts poor, homeless children; teaches them, takes care of them, gets them into good habits, and then puts them out in good places. I have had one of her children for a good while, and she is the best girl I ever had.” “That is very singular,” said Mrs. L. “This woman must be a curiosity. I would like to see her for her own sake. I’ll go.” The next day Mrs. Levy went to Bird’s Alley to find Aunt Betsy’s home. As soon as she entered it, she saw a large, tidy-looking room. The floor was as clean as hands could make it. She saw eight or nine girls from three years old to fifteen. They were all busy. Some of the oldest were ironing clothes, others were sewing or knitting, and the youngest were twisting up slips of paper to make lamp lighters. While she was looking at them, an elderly Scotch woman came in. She wore a plain gingham dress, with a white apron and a large broad-frilled cap. She made a courtesy to the lady, and her face lighted up with a smile that made it look quite beautiful. “I am looking for a girl, my friend,” said Mrs. Levy, “and your home has been recommended to me as a good place to get one. Are these your own children?” “Oh, no! ma’am, I’m not so rich as that. But let me see; there’s Lizzie, she’s been here long enough for a recommend. She’s a strong, hearty girl, ma’am, and never will trouble you with any mean, low ways. Come here, Lizzie. Now look in her face, ma’am. That’s how I choose my children.” “Then, are none of them yours?” “Never had one in my life, ma’am,” said Aunt Betsy with a smile. “You are paid, then, for taking care of these children, and providing them with a home?” “Not a stiver, ma’am; who’s to pay me? They are all poor orphans, not one of them has a father or mother, except me, and I am both to them, they think,” she said, as she looked around affectionately at them. “Sometimes I feel half sorry that I took the wee things, but what could I do? They’d honest parents as was taken off with heavy sickness, and I couldn’t see them left to suffer. True, it’s but little I can do, for there are thousands of such poor creatures in the world, but I’ll do what I can. I’ve put thirty-one into good places.” “What!” cried Mrs. Levy, “do you mean to say that you have taken care of and provided for thirty-one children besides these that are here now?” “Yes’m, and the Lord’s blessed me to do it with my own hands, for more than fifteen years back. I’ve never wanted, neither have they; and whether it’s knack in me, or goodness in them, I don’t know; but they’ll all mind me, that they will, ma’am with lifting up a finger.” What a beautiful, sheltering cloud Aunt Betsy was! She was working for Jesus, all alone in that little alley, while nobody in the busy world knew what she was doing. But God knew it all. Without husband or children of her own, without any church or committee to help her, without any means but what she earned with her own hands, she had been a bright, sheltering cloud to thirty-one poor children, besides the eight or nine then in her house. She had clothed them, and fed them, and taught them the best she knew how, and then had found good homes for them where they could be useful and happy.—Christian Press. Encouragement to Christian Mothers.
By Nathaniel Purdy Bailey
Some time since, there were held in the First Presbyterian church, Warren, Ohio, a brief series of union meetings. At the opening of the service on the second afternoon, the first fifteen minutes were devoted to praise meeting, the object being to give every person present an opportunity to mention something for which he desired to praise God. Among the many blessings named, several persons wished to praise God for a Christian mother. One of the pastors present noticing the repetition of that subject, requested Mr. Douglas, who had charge of the meeting, to ask all in the audience, who felt that they could praise God for a pious mother, to hold up the hand. Instantly, nearly, or quite, every one in that large congregation raised his hand. In the front seat was an old, grayheaded man, an elder in the church, loved and honored by all. At first he raised his hand as high as his head; then he stretched it as far as possible above his head; then he rose to his feet and reached up on tiptoe; then he sprang upon the seat, and stretched his hand as far as possible toward heaven. By this most impressive action he declared the impossibility of expressing his thanks to God for such a pious mother as had blessed his early life. When that venerable good man took his seat, there were many, many tearful eyes all over the house; and many a young mother, doubtless, sent to Heaven a fervent, silent prayer for grace so to live and train her children that, when she should lie in the quiet grave and her sons should be old and grayheaded, they too might be unable to reach up high enough to measure their praise to God for a pious mother. That scene will never be forgotten by those who witnessed it. One of the pastors afterward remarked that “it was the most impressive and eloquent sermon he ever saw.” There is no earthly power so great, so sweet, so lasting, as that of a pious, devoted, Christian mother. Yet it is a power within the reach of every mother. It is a power worthy of her highest ambition and effort. To secure it, she can afford to sacrifice all else. Such an incident is full of encouragement. It bids praying mothers toil on, for in due time they shall reap. Surely, there is not on earth a higher womanly honor than that which comes from rearing up children in an atmosphere of prayer and love to Jesus, so that when the mother's lips lie cold in the grave, the sons, even the old and grayheaded, shall be unable to express their debt of love to God for a praying mother. A mother may have wealth, beauty, social position; she may be an eloquent lecturer; she may be able to moderate a convention or govern a State, but none, nor all of these, will fill the hearts of her sons and daughters with such happy reflections, and with so much thankfulness, as the recollection that she was a praying, Christian mother.—Rev. Nathaniel Purdy Bailey. At burning noon, with weary frame,
To “Jacob’s Well” Emanuel came;
No kings, in state, their visits paid,
Nor were the sick around him laid. No works of might could there be done,
No fame secured—no laurels won;
No crowds were there to learn his will,
And thus his highest joy fulfill. But still, that hour he would not waste,
For, lo, one hearer comes in haste!
The precious truth he doth impart;
Deeply his words affect her heart! That well no more is in her mind,
Her pitcher, too, is left behind!
Swift hies she to the city’s walls,
And thence, the men of Christ she calls! Now flow they forth, with rank on rank,
Where, erst, from Jacob’s Well they drank;
But, there, to hear the Saviour speak,
And, thence, the “living waters” seek. Thus, from the teachings of that hour,
Were many saved from Satan’s power,
And all the world in some good measure
Has been enriched from that same treasure! No little duties, then, neglect—
Though nothing thence the world expect,
For richest mines are often found
In sterile sands, or barren grounds! “Now Barabbas was a robber.” John 18: 40. The people incensed and urged on by wicked leaders, had become clamorous for the life-blood of the Man who went from place to place healing the sick, restoring the blind to sight, healing the deaf and the lame, and every species of disease of mind and body. He whose wondrous power could with a touch raise the dead, or heal disease, had a still more important mission: this was, to rebuke sin and to encourage innocence. Barabbas was a robber. How different the two individuals! Jesus, who knew no sin, was constantly employed in doing for others. Self he did not serve; the man, Christ Jesus, had no earthly home; slept, if he could find time to sleep, wherever night overtook him; and ate his daily food (while toiling for others) by the seashore, or at the humble board of his lowly followers, or often, perhaps, he fasted. Barabbas served himself. Not caring for others, he went so far as to appropriate the hard earnings of others to his own use, without their knowledge or consent; and yet the people preferred him to the noble man of Calvary. Mankind are divided into just two classes: one class, like Jesus, are continually doing good to others, and are never offended when neglected or slighted. If they can only benefit others, and serve God, they are happy. The second class serve themselves. If they are not robbers, they rob God of his glory by idolizing self. They seem born to be served. Reader, to which class do you belong? or which do you prefer? Which, by your influence, do you favor and uphold? You cannot be neutral. If you are not decidedly for Jesus, doing all you can to aid and comfort him, and to maintain his cause among men, you are aiding Barabbas in his iniquity. Both Christ and Barabbas have their representatives among us, and we are following one or the other of these classes. Where do we stand? “Who is on the Lord’s side? Who?” Jos. CLARKE.