ALREADY our people are uniting their efforts to raise the $150,000 fund. It has often been stated that $50,000 of this fund was to be used in the construction of a sanitarium building at Takoma Park, D. C. Some may question the advisability of erecting this sanitarium building at this time, when the calls for money are so numerous for pushing the work in other lands.
WASHINGTON SANITARIUM (IN PROCESS OF BUILDING), EAST FRONT AND SIDE VIEW
It may not be amiss to quote here a few extracts from the pen of Sister White, whose instructions are prized so highly by this people. These excerpts are brief, and taken from extended communications sent to different persons during the last few years, since the location of our General Conference at Washington, D. C.
From a careful reading of these instructions, it will be plainly observed why the leading brethren of the General Conference are making the effort to erect the sanitarium building at Washington, D. C. They did not see how they could be true to the spirit of prophecy if they longer remained inactive.
Here are a few of the statements referred to:—
Extracts from Testimonies Concerning a Sanitarium in Washington, D. C.
If there is any place in the world that should have the full rays of present truth, it is Washington, the city that is the very heart of the nation. . . . God has looked with displeasure on the neglect that has been shown to this city.
No Time to Be Lost
May God help us to develop plans so that our youth can become genuine medical missionaries. . . . We have before us the work of establishing a medical institution near Washington.
No time is to be lost. Call for the best talent, and make arrangements for conducting a nurses' training-school. All that can be done, should be done, to make a deep impression in favor of the truth for this time. Place at the head of this institution one who can be trusted. Obtain facilities for giving treatment, and secure God-fearing youth as your helpers.—Letter of Instruction, dated Aug. 27, 1903.
Time Already Lost
If there is one place above another where a sanitarium should be established, and where gospel work should be done, it is Washington. We can not estimate how great an influence would have gone forth from Washington in favor of the truth, had a sanitarium been established there twenty years ago. Above all places, this place should be worked. Satan is working there with all his might.
I present this to you as a matter that is stirring me mightily. One thing is certain: we shall not be clear unless we at once do something in Washington to represent our work. I shall not be able to rest until I see the truth going forth as a lamp that burneth.
Our people far and near need to ask themselves how the Lord regards their neglect of important centers in America. There are many places in this country in which the truth has never been proclaimed. Many years ago there should have been a sanitarium in Washington, D. C. But men have chosen their way in many things, and the places to which the truth should have found entrance by the establishment of medical missionary work, have been neglected. . . .
Again and again, the Lord has presented Washington to me as a place that has been strangely neglected. In looking through my diaries I have found some things that I wrote more than twelve years ago in regard to the work in Washington, and the necessity of establishing there some memorial for God.
The Work Begun
I thank the Lord that the work is begun in Washington. I am glad that the publishing work has been moved from Battle Creek to Washington, and that plans are being laid for the establishment of a sanitarium in Washington. We see the alpha, and we know that Christ is also the omega.—Extract from Testimony, written Dec. 2, 1903.
My brethren and sisters, take hold without delay to supply the means needed for the completion of the work at Washington. If you will open your hearts to the influence of the Holy Spirit, this work can soon be accomplished. Let your piety and liberality be shown just now in the accomplishment of the work that must be done in Washington, and in sending forth missionaries to all parts of the world. Put your hearts into the effort, that soon the word may go forth that the needed means has been supplied, and that the work may go forward with joyful dispatch.—Extract from Testimony, written March 30, 1905.
At Once
SANITARIUM, CAL., Jan. 26, 1906.
Months ago I sent the light that I had received in regard to the Sanitarium,—that its erection should be begun at once. . . .
The best thing to be done now, as far as I can see, is to begin at once to put up the building. Erect a moderate-sized building, using the money you have. There are necessities to be met in the South. Keep in operation the raising of means for the Washington Sanitarium without making a public call through the papers. I do not think that fifty thousand dollars would be any too much to expend on the Sanitarium, to put up and equip the building that will be needed. I am disappointed that there is so little means left for the Sanitarium, but there should be no further delay. A beginning on the institution should certainly be made at once. Use the money that you have and go as far as you can. . . .
That which I have said over and over again regarding the necessity of erecting the sanitarium building has seemed to have little influence. I trust that this will have more influence, and that work on the institution will soon be begun.—Ellen G. White.
The accompanying cut will give an idea of how the building will look when finished. This photograph of the building was taken about four weeks ago, when it was not so near completion as it is at the present time. Most of the windows are now in, and nearly all the outside work is finished. We are already plastering the third and fourth stories.
The main building is forty-four by one hundred and twelve feet, with an annex on the rear, forty-four by fifty-two feet six inches. The whole building is three stories high besides the attic. Underneath is a ten-foot basement.
Up to date we have spent about forty-five thousand dollars in the construction of this building, which will include the heating apparatus. Its estimated cost is fifty-five thousand dollars.
The Iowa Circle Sanitarium
The readers of the REVIEW AND HERALD will be glad to know that the little sanitarium known as the Iowa Circle Sanitarium is enjoying a good patronage this winter. I. H. EVANS.
How Shall We Observe the Holidays?
By Ellen G. White
MRS. E. G. WHITE
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
Shall we follow Christ as our pattern? In his life of self-sacrifice was seen not one jot or tittle of selfishness. He who had been rich in the heavenly courts, left all his wealth and power, and came to this world, clothed in the humble garb of humanity. For our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich. Like him, his followers are by lives of self-denial to be a blessing to the world. If in the lives of all God’s people the character of Christ were revealed, we should see thousands more converted to the truth.
If men would only remember that every favor they receive is a gift from God, would they not do very much more than they are now doing to relieve his work of the embarrassment of poverty? Would they not act a noble part in rendering to the Lord that which is his own?
Wealth hoarded will become a curse. Often the Lord can not preserve and bless the possessions of men, because the owners feel little or no obligation to assist in the great work of proclaiming the truth in new fields. Their substance, generously divided with their brethren who are laboring with meager facilities in destitute fields, would bring in return rich blessings from God.
No charity is complete unless it reveals an appreciation of the gospel. Those who now, in this time of emergency, selfishly hold on to their means, will soon suffer the loss of all they have. Those who are truly converted, and who have more than sufficient for their immediate necessities, will freely impart of their abundance to help those who are poorer than they.
All should feel an intense interest in the advancement of the third angel’s message. The work of proclaiming this message has already grown to large proportions; but it is to advance still more rapidly. We need many more laborers, and God’s loyal people, filled with a spirit of self-denial, should now give cheerfully and liberally, in order that facilities may be provided for the entering of new territory. In many places the work has been retarded because of the scarcity of means. The rebuke of God will rest upon those who do not come up to his help against the mighty powers of darkness.
Shall we not, as a people, refrain from following the custom of the world in unnecessary indulgence during the present holiday season? O how much might be accomplished in needy mission fields with the money that is squandered in various ways at this season of the year by those who profess to be Christians!
Will not the Seventh-day Adventists in every place first consecrate themselves to the Lord, and then do their very best, according to their circumstances, to advance his work, by gifts and offerings? Will they show that they appreciate the blessings of the Lord, and that they are grateful for his mercy? Will they not now consider their obligations to God, at a time when the world especially seeks for pleasure, and expends large sums of money for gifts to those who are not needy?
I have said to my family and my friends, I desire that no one shall make me a birthday or Christmas gift, unless it be with permission to pass it on into the Lord’s treasury, to be appropriated in the establishment of missions.
I will greatly praise the name of the Lord if his people, at this time, by the exercise of benevolence, will increase the facilities for successful work in many needy fields. I long to see among Seventh-day Adventists an increase of faith and courage, and more praise and thanksgiving to God, so that where in the past there has been a withholding of means, there shall from henceforth be seen the evidences of a grateful heart, —the faithful bestowal of gifts and offerings, to supply the needs of many destitute fields.
GEO. B. THOMPSON
By George B. Thompson
Millennial Dawn—No. 2
GEO. B. THOMPSON
As before stated, the central idea of the “Millennial Dawn” belief is that of a second probation. The following quotations state their position on this matter:—
“During the millennial age, there will be a restitution of all things lost by the fall of Adam (Acts 3:19-21), and before its close all tears shall have been wiped away.”—“Plan of the Ages, Vol. I, page 73.”
“Those who do not receive a full knowledge and, by faith, an enjoyment of this favor of God in the present time (and such are the great majority, including children and heathen) will assuredly have these privileges in the next age, or ‘world to come,’ the dispensation or age to follow the present.”—Id., page 129.
“And why should not the Sodomites have an opportunity to reach perfection and everlasting life as well as Israel, or as any of us? . . . Thus our Lord teaches (Gen. 19:24; Luke 17:29; Matt. 11:23) that the Sodomites did not have a full opportunity; and he guarantees them such an opportunity when he adds (verse 24), ‘But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.’”—Id., page 110.
These quotations are sufficient to show their positive teaching in reference to a second probation. At the risk of being thought harsh, we must say that Satan never invented a doctrine better calculated to ensnare souls than that of a “second chance,” another “probation” in the millennial age. Here we are told that the besotted inhabitants of the city of Sodom, whose deeds were so revolting and wicked that the long-suffering God could no longer permit them to curse the earth, are to have another probation. What teaching is better calculated to confirm men in sin than this? It says to all who hate God, to the profane and wicked of every class, whoremongers, harlots, thieves, murderers, thugs, and sinners of every description which now defile the earth, Live on in the haunts of sin, and debauch yourselves amid the gilded halls of shame and infamy. Do despite to the Spirit of God as much as you please. Take your fill of iniquity; drink the cup of sin to its very dregs. Reject every overture of mercy. Mock at the pleadings of Jehovah, and despise his loving counsel to repent and turn from your infamous revelings. ‘You will have another chance. I will give you another trial when circumstances are more favorable!’ Such a heresy is well pleasing to the unregenerate heart, and is calculated, as nothing else ever can be, to lull sinners to sleep in carnal security, and land them in gehenna at last.
Temptation Removed, and Righteousness Compulsory
In the millennial age, we are told that sinners will be placed under “favorable opportunities” for attaining perfection. The literal description of the9new earth in Isaiah 35 is given a symbolic explanation, and made to teach how men will be enabled to live a righteous life in the millennial age.
“Of that highway it is significantly stated in symbolic language that ‘no lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there.’ Isa. 35:9. How many frightful lions are now in the way of those who would be glad to forsake sinful ways, and to pursue righteousness! There is the lion of a degenerate public sentiment, which deters many from venturing to obey the dictates of conscience in matters of every-day life—dress, home, and business arrangements, etc. The lion of temptation to strong drink hinders thousands who would be glad to see it removed. Prohibitionists and temperance workers now find a herculean task on their hands, which only the authority and power of the next age can remove; and the same may be said of other worthy efforts at moral reform. ‘Nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon.’ No giant corporations, organized to advance selfish, individual interests at the expense of the general good, will be tolerated. ‘They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain’ (kingdom), saith the Lord. Isa. 11:9. Though there will be difficulties to labor against in overcoming propensities to evil, etc., yet, in comparison with the narrow way of this age, that will be an easy way. The stones (stumbling-stones) shall all be gathered out, and the standard of truth shall be lifted up for the people. Isa. 62:10. Ignorance and superstition will be things of the past, and righteousness will receive its due reward, while to evil will be meted out its just deserts. Mal. 3:15, 18. By wholesome chastisements, fitting encouragements, and plain instructions, as returned prodigals, mankind will be trained and disciplined up to the grand perfection from which father Adam fell.”—Plan of the Ages, Vol. I, page 217.
We will give one more quotation on this point:—“Many erroneously suppose that when Christ’s millennial kingdom is inaugurated, every one will be pleased with its ruling. But not so. Its regulations will be far more exacting than those of any previous government, and the liberties of the people will be restricted to a degree that will be galling indeed to many now clamoring for an increase of liberty. Liberty to deceive, to misrepresent, to overreach and to defraud others, will be entirely cut off. Liberty to abuse themselves or others in food or drink, or in any way to corrupt good manners, will be totally denied to all. Liberty or license to do wrong of any sort will not be granted to any. The only liberty that will be granted to any will be the true and glorious liberty of the sons of God—liberty to do good to themselves and others in any and in every way; but nothing will be allowed to injure or destroy in all that holy kingdom. Isa. 11:9; Rom. 8:21. That rule will consequently be felt by many to be a severe one, breaking up all their former habits and customs, as well as breaking up present institutions founded upon these false habits and false ideas of liberty.”—Id., page 302.
With all the strong temptations of this life taken away, with no liberty to deceive, with all opportunity to misrepresent “entirely cut off,” many would no doubt cease to do wrong. The devil himself could be a Christian under such circumstances as these. The Lord gave to man the power of choice in the beginning, and will never take from him the opportunity to sin if he chooses to do so. Such teaching utterly ignores the power of the gospel of our Lord and Saviour. The gospel of Christ is able to give a man the victory over sin, and enable him to live a pure and upright life in the midst of all the wickedness of this earth. It changes the corrupt passions of the heart. Noah was a righteous man even in the degenerate time in which he lived. Lot also walked with God in the midst of Sodom, and perfected a righteous life. This will ever stand as a proof that the inhabitants of Sodom had the opportunity to be saved. Only when men have lost sight of the power of the gospel, will they claim that in order to attain unto holiness it is necessary to remove temptation. Those who enjoy the bliss of the eternal ages will be those who have come up out of great tribulation, and perfected holiness in the midst of temptation.
A Delusive Hope
We are told that in the millennial age opportunities will be “favorable” for holy living. But read this:—
“When men come to life in the next age, they will come with the same characters and tastes and desires they had in this life. ‘In the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.’ Eccl. 11:3. That means that no change will have taken place in men while they are dead. And when they come to life, they will attempt to live as they did before; liars and thieves will still be inclined to lie and steal, but they will find a new power in control; no policemen, no magistrates, no judges as we have them at present, no jails, and yet they will be punished by an invisible power, which they will strive in vain to resist.”—Millennial Hope and Prospects, page 6.
“Favorable opportunity” indeed! The wicked, we are told (and this is doubtless true) will come forth from the tomb with the same wicked desires which controlled them when living. Picture this terrible scene if you are able. The long-lived giants who defiled the earth so dreadfully before the flood are all to live here again. Then the Sodomites, whose evil deeds have been a synonym for sin from their time till the present, are all to live again on the earth; the Amalekites, Canaanites, Jezebel and all the prophets of Baal, with the entire heathen population who have lived since the fall of man; the crucifiers of Jesus, and all the persecutors of the church who have lived since Calvary; all the murderers, harlots, and drunkards, and those monsters of cruelty whose inhuman deeds, perpetrated during the Dark Ages in the name of Christianity, made savages shudder,—all these multiplied millions of rebels against the government of heaven are to live here during the millennial age, and to have the same ‘desires’ as before. And this is to constitute the ‘favorable opportunity’ for sinners to repent! What folly!
But we are told that there is to be a “new power in control,” which this wicked host will “strive in vain to resist.” What “new power” is this that is to be in control? There is no power in the universe stronger than the power of the gospel. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Rom. 1:16. What agency is there then which is more potent than this to save souls? To men now the Lord says, “Behold, I have given you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19. To souls now, who are struggling to overcome the dark passions of sin, our Lord says, “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” Jude 24. Thank the Lord, there is a power now before which the powers of sin must yield. The believer allies himself to a power which the hosts of darkness can not overcome. We do not have to look forward to some “millennial age” for a power to overcome sin. That power is here. The Holy Spirit has come, and through this agency the Lord is able to save to the uttermost, and those who disregard its powerful entreaties in this life will have no opportunity to be saved in a future age.
The fact that all are not saved is no evidence that the gospel is not able to save all. It is an omnipotent power, but the Lord does not force any. He has given to all the power of choice. To angels was given this power. Some of them chose to rebel, and fell from their first estate. Adam was left free to choose. And there will never come a time when some power will seize hold of men, which they will “strive in vain to resist.” This is no part of the plan of God. He draws all, but compels none. The Spirit strives with all now, and those who resist it shut themselves away from life. They can yield and be saved, or resist and be lost.
The Coming of His Feet
IN the crimson of the morning, in the
whiteness of the noon,
In the amber glory of the day’s retreat,
In the midnight, robed in darkness, or
the gleaming of the noon,
I listen for the coming of His feet.
I heard his weary footsteps on the sands
of Galilee,
On the temple’s marble pavement, on
the street,
Worn with the weight of sorrow, faltering
up the slopes of Calvary:
The sorrow of the coming of his feet.
Down the minster-aisles of splendor;
from betwixt the cherubim,
Through the wondering throng, with
motion strong and fleet,
Sounds his victor-tread, approaching
with a music far and dim:
The music of the coming of his feet.
Sandaled not with sheen of silver,
girded not with woven gold,
Weighted not with shimmering gems
and odors sweet;
But white-winged and shod with glory,
in the Tabor-light of old—
The glory of the coming of his feet.
He is coming, O my spirit! with his
everlasting peace,
With his blessedness, immortal and
complete;
He is coming, O my spirit! and his com-
ing brings release—
I listen for the coming of his feet.
—Selected.
Church Letters
By John Norton Loughborough
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH
That church letters of commendation are in harmony with New Testament usage is apparent from the following texts: “Need we as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?” 2 Cor. 3:1. “Whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will we send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.” 1 Cor. 16:3. In harmony with this, in the order that has been established among Seventh-day Adventists, two kinds of letters10have been suggested that should be used:—
First, when a person is to journey from place to place, and wishes to associate among our people, but without changing his residence, there is given what is called a “traveling letter,” which simply states that the brother or sister is a member in good standing in the church which gives the letter.
Second, it has several times been advised by the General Conference that persons changing their residence from one place to another have letters of commendation sent to the church where they are going, and that they unite at once with that church. Such a letter is valid for only three months. When the person is voted into the church, the matter is reported to the clerk of the church whence he came, and his membership ceases in that church.
Some peculiar cases have arisen to which we will call attention. In one instance a person presented a letter to the writer, wishing to unite with the church. It was a year since the letter was given. According to the general usage of our people that letter had ceased to be of force nine months before. Again, the letter should have specified some church to which the individual was recommended, and should not have been given to the person himself. The individual, on being thus informed, wished us to accept him on profession of faith, as recommended by that letter. In the course of inquiry it was ascertained that during six months of the time since that letter was given he had been breaking the Sabbath.
Another case was that of an individual from another State who enjoyed the church privileges of one of our churches in California, but when asked in reference to his tithes, or any help in church matters, he invariably replied, “My membership is in another State.” Finally matters so developed that he saw it necessary for him to change his membership to this State. On applying for a letter, the church clerk here was informed that the man “had been away three years, and had not reported to them, and they could not report him in good standing.” As is proper in any such doubtful cases, the matter was referred to the president of that conference where the person’s name appeared as a member. He replied that this member left the place with unsettled difficulties in the church, that he had not reported to the church or paid any tithes or rendered other help to the church in that three years. He further said, “You there of course know of the man’s present standing. If your church decides to receive him on profession of faith, we will take his name off our church book.” Of course we decided not to receive the man until his wrongs were righted. It seems to me that the proper course to pursue in such cases is to lay the matter before the president of the conference from which the member comes. In no case should a church give a member a letter of “good standing” when such is not known to be true. Doing this is committing a trespass on the church to which the erring one is recommended.
Mountain View, Cal.
Type and Antitype
By L. D. Santee
Wandering in the Wilderness
L. D. SANTEE
The book of Deuteronomy is a rehearsal of the forty years’ wanderings of Israel in the wilderness. To the thoughtful reader of the Bible, it is a record of remarkable interest. Indeed, we can never exhaust its treasures of instruction, and its lessons of experience. The second verse of the book is worthy of much more attention than it generally gets. It is given in parenthesis, and reads as follows: “(There are eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir unto Kadesh-barnea.)” From Horeb, which is but another name for Sinai, or else another peak of the same mountain, to Kadesh-barnea, which was close to the border of the promised land, there was a distance of eleven days’ journey for the host of Israel.
They remained at Sinai nearly one year, receiving the law, constructing the tabernacle, and organizing the camp of Israel. Then, in the second year (Numbers 10), the pillar of cloud removing, they followed its guidance to Kadesh-barnea.
There were some hindrances and much that was evil in their conduct by the way, yet eleven marching days brought them to the land which God had promised. That they were not fit for it, had been made painfully apparent. Had they entered the land in their present condition, God would have had to drive them out as he did the nations before them. So it was proper at this point that they should be tested, subjected to a trial that would show how they had profited by the wonderful dealings of God with them, that would, in a word, show just what they were. The report of the spies, at this point in their history furnished just the trials they needed. Numbers 13, 14. So upon the very border of the land of promise, the people, almost as one man, broke out in bitter rebellion against God. They bade to stone Moses, and rebelled against his leading. They broke out in such rebellion that with a solemn oath the Lord swore that they should never set their feet upon the soil of that good land. The spies who visited it, had spent forty days in examining it, and God fixed the period of their wanderings in the wilderness at forty years, each day of the spies’ examination of the land being answered by a year of wandering in the desert.
What a terrible sentence to be pronounced upon a people just ready, as they supposed, to enter the land! They must wander forty years; but that was not the worst of it, for when that time should expire, it was not the purpose of God that they should enter the land. On the contrary, all that host of men and women, with almost the smallest possible exception, knew that they should die before that period expired; and they did die. The second numbering of Israel attested the fact that not one of the vast host of rebellious men and women remained alive. Num. 26: 63-65. And now, at the end of their forty years’ sojourn, Moses rehearses their long and weary wandering in the wilderness.
How much time had they spent from Sinai to the promised land?—About thirty-nine years. How far was it actually from the one point to the other?—Only eleven days. No wonder that Moses could not enter upon this forty years of needless wandering without pausing to tell his hearers that it was a distance of eleven days’ march. Had every day been a day of overcoming, every night would have seen their tents pitched a day’s march nearer the land of promise. But they went on day after day, yielding to the power of Satan instead of resisting it, and instead of a brief journey to the land of promise, they (with two exceptions) never crossed the Jordan at all, but found their graves in the wilderness. God was not pleased with this failure. It was his wish to lead his people into the home land, instead of giving his “rest” to their children. The Holy Ghost was there with them, but they hardened their hearts against its pleadings. “Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness.” Heb. 3: 7, 8. In the last verse of the chapter is given the cause of their failure: ‘So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.’
Now I come to a startling proposition. “All these things happened unto them for ensamples [“type,” margin]: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Cor. 10: 11. With their history written out before us, are we going to fail as they did? In an experience of forty years, how many find that they are nearer Egypt than Canaan? How many, like Israel of old, have spent as much time in traveling from the promised land as toward it? What a miserable deception to call that Christian experience! Christian experience is nothing more nor less than forming an acquaintance with Christ that every day becomes more intimate and precious. It is “following on to know the Lord;” it is adding grace to grace; it is “walking with God;” it is resisting the devil; it is humbling ourselves before God; it is overcoming temptation; it is keeping our face toward Canaan all the time; it is bearing the cross of Christ; it is denying self; it is dying daily; it is not living ourselves, but having Christ live in us.
An experience of this kind is worth more than forty years in the wilderness. It is easy to know where we are; Canaan is before us, and just ahead is the swelling of the Jordan. The “pillar of fire” is leading; the judgments of God are in the earth; the investigative judgment is closing. Are you keeping step11with the armies of the Lord? The search-light of prophecy shows us where we are, beyond a doubt. Signs on every side tell us that it is the beginning of the end. Inspiration calls to us with no uncertain voice: “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Rom. 13:11. And again: “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” 1 Peter 4:7.
Are we gaining ground day by day? If not, it may be set down as a certainty that we shall never enter the kingdom.
We have reached Kadesh-barnea. Which way are we going?
