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Review and Herald, Vol. 77, No. 43.

THE YOKE OF RESTRAINT AND OBEDIENCE
Earlier text: THE YOKE OF RESTRAINT AND OBEDIENCE

Sowing for Physical and Spiritual Health

By David Paulson; W. S. Sadler

David Paulson W. S. Sadler

FRUIT IN HEALTH AND DISEASE.

(Concluded.)

FRUIT IN FEVERS.

Ordinary fever is not a real disease. It is a series of symptoms, indicating the accumulation of poison in the patient’s system, and an abundance of water is needed to assist in washing out the poisons. Fruit-juices are grateful to such a patient; and the digested starch, or sugar, in the fruit is readily absorbed, and furnishes the needed nourishment.
Typhoid fever is not likely to occur unless infection enters the system through the food or water. Someone has said that whenever a person dies of typhoid fever, somebody ought to be hung. While this may be stating the matter too strongly, it is nevertheless true that thousands of deaths are annually caused by the drinking of water infected by the excrement of typhoid-fever patients. Reliable observation has shown that it is possible to contaminate the entire water supply of a town by throwing out upon the banks of a stream, from which the water supply is drawn, the stools of a few typhoid-fever patients. Milk is often contaminated by washing the milk cans in infected water. The route of such a milkman can be definitely located because of typhoid-fever patients along his trail.
The old-fashioned method of giving typhoid-fever patients beef tea was erroneous in the extreme; for beef tea, in addition to being the waste products of animal tissue, and therefore containing no nourishment, furnishes a paradise for germs, and is the agent universally used in the laboratory to encourage their growth. Milk, which was next substituted, is much better, as it contains nourishment; but the terribly coated and slimy tongue, which fever patients fed on milk invariably have, is sufficient proof that milk is also a favorable soil for germ activity. The coating on the tongue will largely disappear in a few days, if fruit is substituted for milk; and many of the distressing symptoms of typhoid fever will be so largely modified that, if it were not for other absolute signs, the correct diagnosis might be doubted.
It is well to remember, however, that a perfectly healthy person is not subject to typhoid fever. A perfectly healthy stomach will destroy typhoid-fever germs. It is he whose stomach has been already exhausted by the effort to digest unnatural foods, who falls an easy prey to typhoid-fever germs.

MALARIA.

One of the common ways in which malarial infections enter the system is through drinking-water. It has been found that large companies of soldiers, and others, in an intensely malarial district, when careful to boil their water, or to secure it from non-infected districts, were comparatively free from the fever, while those who neglected this precaution suffered more or less with chills. However, if the habits of life are erroneous in other respects, the vitality becomes so low that many seem to become infected by the atmosphere itself; or, as is now beginning to be recognized, from the sting of mosquitoes. To use a large amount of fruit, which will tend to keep the alimentary canal in such a condition that it will be able to destroy any malarial germs or organisms that may find an entrance, to live upon a natural dietary, and obey nature’s laws in other respects, are the best precautions for those living in malarial districts.

SCARLET FEVER.

Professor Gautier, an eminent French investigator, has called attention to the fact that just before an attack of scarlet fever the system is saturated with poisons that are naturally formed by the muscles,—creatin and creatinin. And these are precisely the two substances that largely enter into the solids of beef tea. This ought to be sufficient to show the folly of feeding beef tea to a scarlet-fever patient. One of the most serious complications of scarlet fever is Bright’s disease, which is liable to follow it, on account of the kidneys being overwhelmed with poisons. Undoubtedly, thousands have gone to untimely graves with this disease, simply as a result of the folly of trying to make the kidneys carry off not only the poisons naturally formed, but also those formed in the ox, and administered in the form of beef tea.
Good, ripe, mellow fruit, cooked fruit, and fruit-juices are among the best articles of diet for a scarlet-fever patient; and, with the addition of a little thoroughly toasted, starchy foods, should form his principal diet, even for a week or two after he has apparently recovered. In many of these cases the kidneys have been so crippled by the fever that Bright’s disease may be produced by even a slight indiscretion in diet.

CHRONIC ALCOHOLISM.

Inebriety is usually the effect of a deeper cause, and is often not so much the evidence of total depravity as the result of a general physical craving, which is created by unnatural habits of life. When the blood is literally filled with spices and condiments and other smarting and burning substances, every nerve cell has, as it were, a mustard plaster applied to it, and the whole nervous system cries out for something to satisfy this fiery thirst. In such a case the town pump does not give the satisfaction that the village saloon does. Some one has well said that the kitchen is frequently an annex to the saloon. It is certainly too often true that the cooks and undertakers seem, in this respect, to be in partnership.

RHEUMATISM.

Rheumatism is a filth disease. It means that the ashes from the fires of the system, instead of being taken away, are interfering with tissue changes. In acute rheumatism there may be some specific germ as the cause, but nevertheless the way is first prepared by wrong habits of living. The joints become inflamed, and are as tender as a boil. All movements are extremely painful, and a high temperature accompanies these symptoms. The same kind of poison that is enlarging the joints, often attacks the delicate lining of the heart and other organs, leaving sad scars behind.
The best way of treating such a patient is to put him to bed, and induce profuse sweating. Apply hot fomentations for a few minutes on each of the sore joints. Then put on a cool, moist compress: this is best done by applying to the joints a thin cloth moistened in cold water, well covering the same with cotton, next papers, and then flannel. Leave the compress on continually, except when occasionally applying hot fomentations. For diet, give nothing for several days but an abundance of hot water and a little fruit. Encourage the drinking of a large amount of fluid. This will so aid the rapid elimination of poisons that often the patient will have but little after-effects.
Such patients will almost invariably beg for morphine; but while this substance paralyzes the nerves, and in this way allays the pain, it likewise paralyzes the nerves of elimination, so that the poisons largely remain in the body, and continue to cause damage. Thousands of persons who are going around with stiffened joints could undoubtedly have been saved a large share of their misery had they been willing to endure a little pain as the harvest of their wrong sowing, at the same time being treated in the right way. As soon as possible begin to apply short, cold treatments, immediately following the hot applications, so as to build up the power of resistance against future attacks.

CRIPPLED LIVER.

The liver is one of the organs that especially guards the health of the body. It is a closed door, to keep from the circulation many of the poisons that are habitually taken into the stomach, or are generated in the alimentary canal as the result of various fermentations and decompositions. The kidneys are open doors to allow these poisons to escape from the circulation; but when the liver is crippled by being constantly overwhelmed by various poisons, then it will begin to allow these toxic substances to drift into the circulation, and sooner or later the kidneys become similarly overwhelmed, and do not properly eliminate these poisons. As a consequence, the poisons accumulate in the system, poisoning the nerve centers, and laying the foundation for chronic diseases.
A torpid liver is not a lazy liver; it is a worn-out and tired liver; and the rational treatment for such a condition is to cease to take into the system irritating poisons, which may awaken the liver from its death-like slumber, and by so doing perhaps extort from it a little more work, thus affording a sense of relief to its possessor. The proper way to treat such a liver is to put the patient to bed, allowing him to eat nothing but fruit four times a day, with perhaps the addition of a few toasted crackers. The best crutch for a crippled liver is an aseptic dietary, such as fruit, and it is marvelous how soon such a liver will begin its normal work.
Copyrighted, 1900, by David Paulson and W. S. Sadler.

A FLY TRAP.

By Mrs. W. S. Larkin

SOME of our sisters may have had the troublesome experience of contending with the large green fly found upon our windows early in the spring and late in the fall. To such I would say, Place in the window a small dish containing a little kerosene, and in a few hours you will be pleased with the success of your fly trap. MRS. W. S. LARKIN.

IN BUSINESS PREFERRING ONE ANOTHER.

Northwestern Christian Advocate.
MANY office-holders know from experience that there is wisdom in Paul’s injunction to the early Christians—“in honor preferring one another.” They have tasted the apples of honor, and have found that many times they are like ashes in the mouth. Pleasure comes from the knowledge of duty done or labor performed, rather than from “honors.” It is not so difficult, therefore, as many may suppose, in honor to prefer others, especially in those cases in which emoluments are not a factor. In business, however, it seems to be different. The whole spirit of business competition is to look out for No. 1. Men who have made a success of business are frequently generous in distributing their gains for the benefit of their fellow men, but in the transaction of business itself they usually prefer themselves to their competitors.
There are exceptions, however, though they are comparatively rare. One came within the observation of this writer a few days ago. Having occasion to buy a daily paper, he beckoned to a newsboy. Two boys, one of whom was lame, saw the signal, but did not see each other. As the one who was perfect in body reached his prospective purchaser, and had offered his paper for sale, he noticed the lame boy a few feet distant. The latter stopped when he saw that he had lost in the race; but the other, observing him, withdrew his paper, and said, in a tender tone, which was itself as striking as his act, “Buy your paper of that lame boy, mister!” and then turned and went away, apparently unconscious of the fact that he had performed as noble an act as if he had rescued some one from peril.
The boy lost nothing by his self-sacrifice, nor would business men lose by manifesting the same spirit toward each other. It is not the way of the world, but it is the practical application of the spirit of Christ’s teaching in the golden rule.

PHONETIC SPELLING.

If you and I and ewe and eye And yew and aye (dear me!) Were all to be spelled u and i, How mixed up we should be! — Harvard Lampoon.

Americans Distinguish Themselves in Heidelberg Music Studies

AMERICANS are distinguishing themselves in the University of Heidelberg, Germany. Instructors of music there say that “pupils from the United States are surpassed, perhaps, only by Poles, in delicacy of touch and fineness of ear.”

LIGHTS IN THE WORLD.

By Lephia May Bryant

LEPHIA MAY BRYANT.
(Aberdeen, Wash.)
I WALKED through the town one evening, And saw the brilliant glare Of the lights that lure men's souls from God, To the depths of black despair. I heard the barkeeper's words of cheer As he greeted Robert and Clem; And the very best cigars and beer Were none too good for them. Oh, the glittering barroom lights! How they sparkle and shimmer and glow! How warm is the fire these chilly nights! Does it ever burn dim and low?
Then Satan whispered in both my ears: “Though often quenched with woman's tears, I've kept those fires a great many years; They seldom burn low,—no, no!— They seldom burn low.”
I walked through the town one evening, To the steepled house where prayer Is made in Christ's name to the Father. But few were kneeling there; And they prayed without the Spirit, Their words lacked the ring of faith; They thought to win souls for Jesus, While they themselves played with death.
And as I pondered the reason for this, I heard this word, with an evil hiss: “You think too much of me and my ways; There are few really faithful these last days. Your lights are dim, and your fires are low; While the young need a cheerful welcome, you know; Your far-fetched sermons freeze ardent youth, And harden their hearts to the gospel truth. You are tinkling cymbals, do you not see?— And then, ha! ha! they turn quickly to me. I stir them up swiftly to evil deeds, While you go on sowing your careless seeds.”
Alas and alas! it is so, it is so! May our dear Heavenly Father forgive; And revive in each heart the warm spiritual glow By which alone our souls may live. Let us give of our very best to God,— Best word, best thought, best deed,— Let us walk in the path that Jesus trod, And sow true gospel seed. Let us keep our lamps brighter than Satan's lamps, Let us feed on the holy Word, Till we feel the heart-throb of the Saviour's love, And become like our blessed Lord.

A CONFUSION OF PRINCIPLES.

By Geo. B. Wheeler

GEO. B. WHEELER.
(South Lancaster, Mass.)
SELF, which is the fundamental principle of the kingdom of Satan, and therefore entirely antagonistic to the controlling principle of Christ’s kingdom, which is love, is now held up before the world by the leading Christian denominations as a Christian principle. That which is satanic, and which represents Satan, is virtually declared to be Christian, representing Christ.
The pope claims to represent God in the world, thus exalting self to God’s place, and as God claiming authority over all mankind. Archbishop Ireland was recently invited by the pope to address an assembly at the Vatican on matters in America and the relations of the outer world to the Holy See. An evening paper says of it: “Monsignor Ireland, who was frequently applauded during a speech of twenty minutes, spoke glowingly of the fidelity of American Catholics to the Roman Church and the Holy See. He described liberty under the American flag, and set forth the necessity of the pope, as the head of Christendom, being free and independent of any one civil power, so as to be, in fact as well as of right, the sovereign teacher and ruler of all nations and peoples.”
According to this statement, it is a necessity that no restraint whatever be put upon whatever the pope may wish to do, in order that he shall be the sovereign teacher and ruler of all nations.
All the leading religious denominations of America are demanding the enforced observance of Sunday as the Sabbath, by the nation. God declares that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord; while Sunday is the first day. They demand practically that God’s will shall be put aside, and theirs be recognized in the place of it. This is the same principle as is that of the papacy—self exalted to the place of God. And yet all this, which is satanic in character, is declared to be pure Christianity, representing Christ! And not only this, but to be the most prominent feature of Christianity!
Satan destroys multitudes by making them believe that the things which belong to his kingdom, and which gratify self, are Christian in their character. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Now as never before ought everyone to learn to distinguish clearly between the things of God and those of Satan.

HOSPITALITY

By Mrs. Geo. A. Irwin

MRS. GEO. A. IRWIN.
The meaning of the word “hospitality” signifies love to strangers, expressed in entertaining and using them kindly. We are commanded to “use hospitality one to another without grudging.” We have many examples of hospitality exercised by the patriarchs, some of whom have entertained angels unawares; and we are admonished not to be unmindful to entertain strangers.
“The primitive Christians made one principal part of their duty to consist in the exercise of hospitality, and they were so exact in the discharge of it that the very heathen admired them for it. They were hospitable to all strangers, but chiefly to those that were of the same faith and communion. Believers scarce ever went without letters of communion, which testified the purity of their faith. This was sufficient to procure them reception in all those places where the name of Jesus Christ was known.”
As a people we are becoming somewhat negligent of our duty in this respect, compared with the spirit manifested in the early days of the message. I know that many doors stand wide open to brethren and sisters, and to all in need, and such homes are seldom without a guest. But this work and its blessed results should be more evenly divided.
It is difficult for those settled in pleasant, quiet homes to realize what such a life as that of many of our ministers, our Bible workers, and our canvassers means. It is truly woman’s gospel work to make a home for these laborers when they come within reach. Let it be known that your home is open to them, and that you will make them welcome while they work to spread the truth in your locality. During this time let your home be a little training school, in which you can get information and experience to carry on the work when they are obliged to go to other fields. If you are an isolated Sabbath-keeper, correspond with the canvassing agent in your State, and I am sure he will gladly arrange, if possible, to have some of the canvassers spend some time with you.
In the sacred record we read of one noble woman who said to her husband, “Behold, now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God which passeth by us continually. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick; and it shall be when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.”
If you are not familiar with the incident, read it, in the fourth chapter of 2 Kings, and see the blessing that came to this household for this act. Would that there were many more humble chambers consecrated to the Lord in this way. The Saviour said to his disciples, “He that receiveth you receiveth me;” and surely any home is blessed with such a guest.

WHY ARE WE STUDYING THE MESSAGE?

By L. Flora Plummer

MRS. L. FLORA PLUMMER.
It has been thought best to reprint a few quotations that were published in this department last year when the Circle work began. We need to have our attention called to this instruction many times, that we may realize its force.
On page 213, “Testimony for the Church,” No. 32, these statements are made: “The people who claim to obey the truth are asleep. They could not be at ease as they are if they were awake. The love of the truth is dying out of their hearts.” With the double hope of reviving the love of the truth in the hearts that have lost it, and keeping other hearts from losing it, this study is urged upon all.
More than this: We have direct statements in “Testimony for the Church,” No. 33, pages 235, 236, concerning such study: “The Lord calls upon all who believe his word to awake out of sleep. Precious light has come, appropriate for this time. . . . This light should lead us to a diligent study of the Scriptures, and a most critical examination of the positions which we hold. God would have all the bearings and positions of truth thoroughly and perseveringly searched, with prayer and fasting. Believers are not to rest in the suppositions and ill-defined ideas of what constitutes truth. . . . As a people we are called individually to be students of prophecy.”
And still more than this: In “Gospel Workers,” page 170, we read: “The minds of all should be stored with a knowledge of the truth of God’s word, that they may be prepared, at any moment when required, to present from the storehouse things new and old. Minds have been crippled and dwarfed for want of zeal, and of earnest, severe taxation. The time has come when God says, ‘Go forward, and cultivate the abilities I have given you.’”
But especially applicable to our present study is the following, from one of the Special Testimonies: “The books ‘Daniel and the Revelation’ and ‘Great Controversy’ are the books which above all others should be in circulation now.” Another word from the same source is: “God has a special message of warning for this last generation, and he gave wisdom to his servants who studied the prophecies, and especially to Elder Smith, to write ‘Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation.’” Another extract, referring to the books mentioned above, says: “Of all the books that have come forth from the press, those mentioned are of the greatest consequence . . . at the present time.”
Then, too, we have a suggestion for the present plan of the Reading Circle work, in the following from “Gospel Workers,” page 242: “When the harvest is gathered, and the sowing is over, it is a favorable season for religious work. During the long evenings the lessons of the Scriptures should be carefully studied. Precious opportunities may be improved in conversing and praying together, in relating experiences, in making diligent search of the Bible; by such Christian association we may build up one another in the most holy faith.”
Surely no one who reads these extracts will now ask, “Why are we studying the message?”

I Will Commit My Way to Thee

I WILL commit my way, O Lord, to thee, Nor doubt thy love, though dark the way may be, Nor murmur; for the sorrow is from God, And there is comfort also in thy rod.
I will not seek to know the future years, Nor cloud to-day with dark to-morrow’s fears; I will ask a light from heaven, to show How, step by step, my pilgrimage should go.
— Selected.

EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.

I RECEIVED a letter from Sister Henry when the Woman’s Gospel Work was first started, but did not answer it; for I had nothing to say. I was doing nothing among my neighbors, and felt as if I could do no missionary work; but last winter I began work, and now there are several families reading. My two daughters and I are the only Sabbath-keepers within several miles, and there is a great field for missionary work.
My heart goes out to mothers who are sick or poor, and I try to help them when I can. At one time we had two little girls in our home for some time, whose mother was in the Catholic hospital, with an incurable disease. Through our kindness to her little girls she was drawn to the Saviour, and asked for the prayers of the elders, and was healed and restored to her family. Another little girl, after returning to her home, when asked to have some meat, said, “No, thank you. Mrs.— does not eat meat, and I don’t want any more.” Truly, we are to win the parents through the children.
I am a farmer’s busy wife, and must write you when I have a moment to spare at different times. Life on a farm at this season of the year is a ceaseless round of duties, beginning at 4 A. M., and not ending until 8 P. M. My only helper is a son of thirteen years. But it matters not how full of work the day may be, there is always time to praise the blessed Lord for his many mercies; and I feel that the day has been lost if I have not spoken a word of sympathy or done a kindly deed to a neighbor or friend. My whole heart is in the work, and I have no ambition but to hasten the spreading of the message. I long to visit every home in the township where I live, and drop a leaflet or some of our publications, as the Master shall direct.

NOTICE!

By Editor

WE are pleased to state that we have received the following-named books as additions to our Circulating Library. Many of them are given by our sisters, with a prayerful wish that they may bring to others the help given them:— “Gospel Workers;” “Testimony for the Church, No. 31;” “Rise and Progress of Seventh-day Adventists;” “Steps to Christ;” “The Great Controversy;” “The Desire of Ages;” “The Marvel of Nations;” “Thoughts on Daniel;” “Thoughts on the Revelation;” “Life of Joseph Bates;” “His Glorious Appearing;” “Geikie’s Hours with the Bible,” Nos. 3 and 4; and fifteen small volumes of the Testimonies. These are the same as the bound volumes, but each Testimony is in separate pamphlet form, and so is much more convenient to send through the mail. They are very old, and we request those receiving them to be especially careful to preserve them.

REQUESTS FOR PRAYER.

“I ask that you will assist me with your prayers. I am all alone, with only the REVIEW to give me a word of cheer. My husband was wishing this morning that he could stop using tobacco, but was afraid to attempt it. My son in the city often goes to our mission for his meals. My daughter is a strong advocate of health foods and appliances. I believe it is only a question of time, but time is flying, and there is so much to be done. Pray for us, dear sisters.”
“Please pray for a friend of mine, that she may be relieved of a terrible malady. Whenever there is a thunderstorm, she is prostrated. The electricity appears on her body and arms in flashes, such as are produced by rubbing a match in the palm of the hand. Each flash of lightning causes such pain that she screams, and sometimes is unconscious. She never takes medicine, as she believes there is no help; but I believe the Lord can heal her. She is not an Adventist, but pray that she may be healed, and see the truth.”

BEREAN LIBRARY STUDY.

Revelation 3; “Thoughts on Revelation,” Pages 363–383.

DAILY READINGS, OCTOBER 28 TO NOVEMBER 3.

Sunday, “Thoughts on Revelation,” verses 1–6.
Monday, “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” 7–13.
Tuesday, “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” 14 to p. 375.
Wednesday, “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” pages 375–380.
Thursday, “ ” “ ” “ ” “ ” 380–383.
Friday, article on Reading Circle Study in the REVIEW AND HERALD of Oct. 25, 1900.

QUESTIONS.

1. What is the meaning of “Sardis,” and what period of time is covered by this church?
2. What was the spiritual condition of the Sardis church? V. 1.
3. What admonition does the Lord give them? V. 2.
4. Does God expect us to keep in memory past experiences? Mark 6:48–52. Is neglecting to remember, the same as failing to watch? V. 3.
5. What is the white raiment? Rev. 19:8; Isa. 61:10.
6. Are there any other books connected with the judgment besides the book of life? Rev. 20:12; Mal. 3:16; “Early Writings,” Experience and Views, page 43.
7. Give definition of “Philadelphia,” and period of time covered by this church.
8. What is the significance of Christ’s having the “key of David”? Isa. 22:22, 23.
9. What has Christ set before us? V. 8. What do we learn from the open and shut door?
10. What kind of people belong to the synagogue of Satan? V. 9.
11. What will enable us to be kept from the trials of the last days? V. 10. How many will be subjected to these trials?
12. What is the significance of the word “behold”? What had this church received that should be held? V. 11.
13. What is the promise to the overcomer?
14. Give the meaning of “Laodicea.” What period of time does it cover?
15. What is the condition of this church? V. 15. Why is a cold condition better than lukewarm? What will become of them? V. 16.
16. How do the people describe their own condition? V. 17. How does God describe it?
17. What does “gold tried in the fire,” “white raiment,” and “eyesalve” symbolize? Who will make this a personal matter, and individually open the soul-temple to the heavenly Merchantman, and buy his precious wares? What will he take in exchange for these heavenly treasures?—Our sins. Gal. 1:4.
18. When we come to the point where we know that God loves us, what will we expect? V. 19.
19. Who are invited to open their soul-temple? What is the significance of supping together?
20. What is promised to the overcomer?

READING CIRCLE STUDY.

By Stephen N. Haskell

S. N. H.
The third chapter of Revelation is especially applicable to the time in which we live. It covers the period of time embraced by the three messages of Revelation 14. The church had come out of the wilderness, leaning on the arm of her Beloved. The twelve hundred and sixty years of papal persecution were in the past. Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun was darkened. Matt. 24:29. The Saviour had said, “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:25-28. The signs in the sun, moon, and stars introduced the period covered by this chapter.
During the fifth church the Lord called his people “Sardis,” or Prince of Joy. The olive branch of peace and freedom of conscience waved over the world. The message comes from him “that hath the seven Spirits of God.” The seven Spirits of God represent “the eyes of the Lord [which] run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” 2 Chron. 16:9.
Verses 2, 3, explain what it is to watch. Mark 13:32-37. “The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.” 1 Sam. 2:3. It is he who says, “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” He alone knows the thoughts of the heart. 1 Kings 8:39. God judges according to the thoughts and purposes of the heart. 1 Cor. 4:5.
The strength of the church is not in her opportunities, nor in the light that shines upon her, nor in her facilities, which appear to make her invincible; neither is it found in her boasted greatness. That which alone makes individuals or the church strong is the power of God, manifested in the accomplishment of his own purposes in Christ before the foundation of the world. Eph. 1:4, 5. Our attitude toward this purpose measures our strength and decides our destiny. It becomes all to be watchful, and strengthen every good purpose; for this is God’s leading.
In every church will be found those who will respond to the call, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” It is not the common sinner, nor he who makes no profession of piety, who is here addressed. When pride and contempt of God’s holy law and his service are expressed by those who profess to be God’s people, the Lord declares that, unless they repent, he will punish them. There are true and false worshipers in all the churches of to-day.
Many claim to be Christians when their hearts are set on worldly pleasure and gain. A witness is present in all the scenes of pleasure and mirth; and in an unconscious moment an unseen hand writes “TEKEL,” and the features of the scene change, as on the night of Belshazzar’s impious feast.
The warning must go forth. Meetings must be held everywhere. In large pavilion tents the people are to be gathered, also in halls and schoolhouses, where all classes of people, rich and poor, high and low, are made welcome. Those in the most isolated places must be searched out by fishers and by hunters,—Bible readers, canvassers, and colporteurs. Jer. 16:16. Those who have not defiled their garments with known sin will leave the evils and corruptions of Babylon, and take their stand with those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Those who overcome will be clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and he will not blot out their names, but will confess them before the Father.
The Philadelphia church, or the church of brotherly love, is recognized in the Advent movement that culminated in 1844. As the door in the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary opened, and the one in the outer apartment closed, at that time, so on earth there was a corresponding movement. The doors of access to the churches, which had hitherto been opened, were now closed; but the door in the heavenly sanctuary, from which came the Third Angel’s Message, was opened, and none can shut it. It is the only door of hope. God has prepared hearts everywhere to hear the solemn message, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Rev. 18:4.
He who denies the experience gained in that movement under the first angel’s message of 1844, will one day acknowledge that God honors those who have kept his commandments and the faith of Jesus. Isa. 60:10, 11, 14, 15. In the hour of temptation that will come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth, they will be kept when thousands fall at their side and ten thousand at their right hand. No plagues will come nigh their dwelling. Psalm 91. The end is near, and a crown of life awaits the faithful. Those who are true to principle will be pillars in the church upon earth, labeled with the name of God, the city of God, the New Jerusalem, and with Christ’s new name.
The Laodicean church brings us to the investigative judgment. Laodicea signifies “judging the people.” Christ is the True Witness, whose message is a clean-cut warning, like a sharp two-edged sword. Because the people have so great satisfaction in their own human endeavors, they are miserable, poor, blind, and naked. The Saviour’s counsel is, “Buy of me gold tried in the fire [faith and love], that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” The righteousness of Christ will result in enlightening the whole earth. The heavenly Merchantman addresses those who have lost their first love, those who have lost their first zeal and interest in spiritual things, and urges them to buy of his wares. This message must come to those who are in the highways of Christian experiences.
It is true conversion of the whole being that God requires. “Behold,” says Christ, “I stand at the door, and knock.” He longs to come in and sup with us. If we let him in, a union will be formed that will not be broken in this world nor in the world to come. This precious experience is within our reach. See 2 Peter 1:19; Hosea 6:3; 2 Sam. 23:4; Judges 5:31. It will cost all to buy the field. But it will pay.
The commission which Christ gave to the disciples will be revived. Mark 16:14-18. Every means of grace will be brought into the field to meet Satan, who will work with “ALL power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish.” 2 Thess. 2:9-11. The message will draw the dividing line in the world. Its proclamation culminates in the loud cry of the loud cry of the Third Angel’s Message. “Come out of her, my people.” To the overcomer is the precious promise of sitting with Christ upon his throne, as he overcame and sat down with his Father upon his throne. “He that hath an ear, let him hear.”

Bishop Moore's Letter of Introduction to Asia

At the late General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, David H. Moore was elected bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church for Eastern Asia. August 29 Bishop Moore sailed from San Francisco to Nagasaki, Japan. Before he started, he received the following letter of introduction:—
To the Naval and Military Commanders of the United States in China or on the Asiatic Station: This will present the Right Rev. David H. Moore, bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church for Eastern Asia. He is one of the most distinguished divines in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and worthy of the highest confidence. I bespeak for Bishop Moore any courtesy which can consistently be shown him.
WILLIAM McKINLEY.
Upon this the Christian Advocate remarks: “One so occupied as the President—especially in times like these—must often have to avail himself of an amanuensis or typewriter. No doubt this accounts for a title in the letter which is unknown to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Bishop Moore we know, and love to honor; but Right Rev. Bishop Moore we know not.”
The insertion of this title, unknown among Methodists, makes it certain that the actual writing of that letter was not done by William McKinley, who is a Methodist. The insertion of that title also makes it practically a certainty that the amanuensis or the typewriter who did actually write the letter is a Catholic. Who but a Catholic—one who from infancy had been trained to speak of a bishop as “Right Rev.”—could possibly have attached to a Methodist such a title? To one to whom the principal thing known of a bishop is that he is “Right Rev.,” it was easy to conclude, if he thought at all, that since Mr. Moore is a bishop, he must be “Right Rev.;” and to such a one it would be perfectly natural, if he did not think, to write inadvertently the phrase “Right Rev.” in connection with the title “Bishop.”
And this almost certainty that the said amanuensis, typewriter, or secretary, who is so close to the President of the United States that he can frame for him the wording of his letters, is a Catholic, carries with it also some very important considerations. If that is a certainty, then it is also a certainty that the Catholic Church has, in the most inner circle of official confidence of the President of the United States, the means of knowing what is passing in that innermost circle. And if this is not the certainty that thus is caused to appear, then it is one of the most peculiar mysteries of the day how, in a letter from William McKinley, a Methodist, there could have been written concerning a Methodist bishop the words “Right Rev.”
Continue reading: THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE