Earlier text: JEWISH CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS(1) WHO are the four and twenty elders of Rev. 4:4, and for what purpose were they around the throne? (2) What are the "four beasts" of Rev. 4:6? Do they have special power or work under the sixth trumpet, the sealing work or judgment of the righteous? (1) The twenty-four elders were doubtless among those raised from the dead when Christ rose (Matt. 27:53), ascended with him to heaven (Eph. 4:8, margin), and are Christ's assistants in his priestly work. Compare with the twenty-four courses of priests in the type. 1 Chron. 24:1-19. (2) The four "beasts" should be "four living creatures," or "four living ones." From Ezekiel, chapters 1 and 10, it would seem that they constitute God's living throne. By some it is thought that they represent attributes of the character of God—the lion, power and might, majesty; calf, patient kindness; man, wisdom; and eagle, glory. They evidently have to do with all the work of salvation, but nothing special concerning the things named. “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will look forth to see what He will speak with me.” How rapidly Modern Spiritualism is building up as an organization we do not know, but we do know that its principles and doctrines are making rapid headway among religious classes, who would repudiate the name “Spiritualists.” However, there are those who come out openly, as, for instance, the popular Dr. R. Heber Newton. In a sermon February 21, on “The Truths of Spiritualism,” he is quoted by the New York Journal as saying:— “‘Whatever may be the truth of Spiritualism,’ he said, ‘there are certain truths which are coming to the world through Spiritualism. It is a fact concerning modern Spiritualism that through it the conviction of the life to come is taking a new hold of man’s mind and heart. Orthodoxy has never denied Spiritualism; it has constantly asserted it. “‘Spiritualism has restored to millions of men a vital faith in Christianity. Instead of impugning the sources of this renewed faith, let orthodoxy make more real to those who abide within its folds this ancient, fundamental and vital faith of men.’ “The clergyman next related the experience of a friend whose faith in Spiritualism had assured him that his dead wife existed in a new life. “‘Spiritualism,’ he went on, ‘is a truth which is embodied in the records of the very beginning of our Christian religion—in those gracious stories which embalm the memory of the sacred experiences of the disciples through which they came to believe that their Master was alive, and that He had manifested himself to them. To-day we find ourselves in the singular position of theoretically believing in the possibility of intercommunication between those who live in the flesh and those who live out of the flesh, and yet utterly skeptical towards every experience which is an expression of this belief.’” But Spiritualism, instead of restoring “to millions of men a vital faith in Christianity,” is turning men from Christianity; for two of the vital truths of Christianity are life only in Jesus Christ, and the necessity of a resurrection in the last day. Spiritualism makes void in the mind of him who receives it both of these grand truths. It opens the way for the revival of demon worship, and all the ancient falsehoods of paganism, not perhaps in the gross forms of ancient times, but modified by modern and advanced ideas. Spiritualism may be called Christianity or an aid to Christianity, but to those who read and love God’s Word it is seen and known to be a direct feeder of infidelity. Christian Citizenship and State Churches
"State churches may not directly persecute to make converts, but find it an easy matter to move the State authorities to make the elective franchise, the holding of office, and other important rights of citizenship, depend on membership in the State church. This is a first-rate way to make hypocrites and infidels, but will never make true Christians or good citizens. Moral: Beware of Rome and her aims at State churchism in this country."
But the true moral is to go farther than this. All this "Christian citizenship" idea is in the same line as a State church. It will result in the manufacture of hypocrites, and in the persecution of honest dissenters, and the putting of the government in the place of God. THE wind was out for a frolic. It danced lightly over the mud and slush of the city streets, determined to act the scavenger in this one night no more than it could possibly help. It took a rollicking delight in carrying away hats, and blowing inside out the umbrellas of the hurrying people. It rose to the buildings, and made the signs creak and bang again, as it rushed on its way out of the great city, gaining force with every rod. It tore among the empty freight cars standing idly in the yards, and came at last to a long level of curveless railroad track. Now for a rush! No horrid odors and filthy moisture to be carried from here! As it paused to gain force, a suburban train shot past. The wind started after it, and sang through the ventilators to the home-bound men within. They frowned through the windows at the tossing willows and bending oaks that flew past in huddling clusters, and turned again with shivers to their evening papers and the temporary comfort within. "A dreadful night!" What cared the wind for their opinion? Wasn't it doing with all its strength what it could to make the world a healthful place for those very grumblers? It good-naturedly pushed against the back of the rear coach, and tried to coax on the snorting engine. 'Twas no use. That train would not be hastened. So, with a sigh for those who must be so slow, it swept on, making the wires moan and seethe in its hurry. As it sped round the houses grouped on the bleak prairie, it came to one pretty little cottage with only a flickering light at its front windows. Surely, having but little light, they needed some air. So round and round the house it went, vainly seeking a place to enter. All was tight. How did people expect it could do its duty by them if they shut it out so completely? At length an angry gust against the front door pushed away the mat, and in swept the wind with a joyful whistle. Whew! how warm! It crossed the hall, and crept softly along the floor to the fire on the grate. One moment it stopped about two little figures at play on the rug, then up the chimney with a roar, making the flames flash broadly up with it. Baby gave a weak little sneeze as the draught struck him, rubbed his pug nose with the back of his little hand, sneezed again, and went on with his play. The echo of those familiar sounds brought mama quickly to the door. Had Fred taken another cold? There he sat, beaming on his faithful black-and-tan, and feeding him his own precious sugar pills, one by one.10 Mama's eyes flew open. This was a great sacrifice on baby's part. Not that he loved Tip less, but pills more. He really doted on those little sweets that she had dealt out in such small quantities so regularly all winter. Well, doggie liked them too. He sat there uttering little short barks, his head to one side, his right ear knowingly up, and his eyes on every pill, which he would eagerly swallow before it really came to him; and, like "Oliver," beg for "more." The smile died on mama's face as she went thoughtfully back to the dining-room. She wondered if Fred had not found the best use for that medicine after all. She had literally fed him on it all winter; and in spite of it, one cold had trodden upon another's heels, so fast they followed; and now her boy was only a relic of the hearty babe he was last summer. What a disappointment the year had been! It seemed an age back when she had grown so tired of the confinement of boarding-house life, and longed so for a home, no matter how tiny, just so it was her own. Was it only last spring? What fun they had house-hunting! And they had chosen this, it was so cute. The little rooms, with their pretty grates and large windows, had promised such cozy freedom. What if the yard was small? It was decidedly better than none, and seemed the model of a safe, healthful play-room for baby's coming summers. But the straw that had turned the scale in favor of this, above all other houses, was such a gem of a cellar. Under the whole house it was. The front part, with its soft ground floor, proved, as she had expected, a splendid place for old barrels, boxes, invalid chairs, discarded toys, and wash-tubs—and rats. True, Nellie had not counted much on the rats, they were entirely an "extra." Under the kitchen was a true cellar, with brick walls and floor, swinging shelves, and cupboards. Every one knows how much cheaper it is to buy provisions at wholesale, and here was room to store more than they could use during a whole winter. And it was just the place to keep them from Jack Frost, who seemed to inexperienced Nell to be the enemy of housewives. And so, when that cellar was their own, the cell-like windows were tightly shut, and all made close and warm to guard those precious stores that Charlie—bountiful fellow!—bought at wholesale, indeed. And now, in March, had the experiment proved a failure?—N-o! The home was a little haven, with its simple furniture and little nothings she knew so well how to make the most of. Nothing had frozen in the precious cellar. No, O no! she certainly would not board again. But— The clock struck seven as she went for another peep at Fred. She was just in time to see him flying toward the ceiling, and safely caught in a pair of rough-sleeved arms, and to hear a hearty—"Ha, ha! Trying to kill the dog, now, are you, you young rascal?" Baby smiled as he was playfully shaken and rolled in mid air, but he was too miserably sick to enjoy the romp. He cuddled down against the rough collar, and stroked the big face with his little hot hand. Papa walked about, petting him until he slept. Then, tucking him snugly under an afghan, he went in search of mama. The two were soon seated with the dainty supper table between them, trying to believe it was not dull without baby. Charlie rattled on gaily about the weather, his business, anything to make Nellie forget her trouble, and look more like the girl he had married a few years ago. He made her laugh merrily over his description of the way he scampered about State Street after his vanishing umbrella, and how, in spite of his hurry, he just missed the early train. Very soon they left the table, and found Fred sleeping uneasily, and little rest did they get that night. In the morning their worst fears were realized. Good old Dr. Knox—who had always been Nellie's physician and her mother's before her—came, and gently called it "diphtheria." A very, very sick baby was their little sunshine. Mama cooled the hot face, and lovingly held the baby hands that clung to her through all. Must her darling die? She bowed her face down to his, her heart to Him who gave him, and moaned a mighty prayer that he might yet be spared to her. The doctor patrolled the pleasant rooms, with hands clasped firmly behind him, and quiet, thoughtful steps. Charlie stood at the window, anxiously awaiting the verdict. "Have you a cellar?" came suddenly in Charlie's astonished ears, as the doctor halted before him. "Yes, indeed; Nell's favorite song used to be, 'What is home without a cellar?' It is the pride of her life, next to the boy." He took the candle to light the doctor through that favorite spot, chatting all the while about the advantages of having things convenient. "Humph!" came abruptly from the M.D. as he slipped on the last step, and stood peering into the dark, disdainfully sniffing the thick air. "It is rather damp; be careful, there's a pool; don't slip again. This candle seemed good enough up in the sunshine, but it doesn't give much light here in the dark," apologized Charlie. The old gentleman kept on poking his cane into every box and bin, and his nose into every corner. Each movement was more energetic than the one before it. "It is not a very inviting place to come into," admitted the host; "but it's a splendid place to keep things." "Keep things!" thundered the doctor, "I should say so! Where else have you kept your boy's colds and diphtheria, and your wife's pale cheeks? Right here where you'd have them handy, to be sure. You had only to open the door, and they'd obligingly come out by themselves, right into your living-rooms. Why, man, you have diseases enough here to send the entire community to eternity, if you only give them time; and they won't take much time either," he growled, as he kicked aside a barrel of those "provisions," and stepped toward the window. Charlie's mouth and eyes gradually closed to near their natural size, after the doctor's cane had smashed through the dingy glass. After thus admitting all the air he could, the somewhat subsided physician turned to his dumbfounded host, and advised him to "have that place disinfected like a smallpox hospital, and waste no time about it, either." Charlie gave a hostile look toward those stores, of which he'd been so proud. Anyway, it was fine to know the cause of all their sickness. He felt brighter already; and so did the candle. It burned clearly as he mounted the steps, seeming to be a shining example of what his loved ones would be when they, too, could get away from that cellar. It was hard for Nellie to believe that her troubles had come from her precious cellar. But when the doctor had explained it beyond a reasonable doubt, and told her she must choose between her two pets, she was not long in deciding in favor of the baby. Well, when Fred grew better, and the cellar had been cleaned, and scoured, and cemented, both within and without, Charlie proudly took them down to view that now airy retreat. Standing in the cool breeze between the open windows, he playfully vowed on baby's bobbing head, that no damp should invade his future stores, and that Zephyrus might have full liberty to carry away every germ of disease he could find.—Minnie Marsh. USE OF CIGARETS BY GIRLS.
By Christian Citizen
THE girlhood of Illinois, as well as the boyhood, is being sacrificed by the use of cigarets. Distressing facts are coming to light as the discussion of the proposed law goes on. A Chicago member of the State Legislature advised those working in the interests of the cigaret bill to visit the low dance halls in the city on Saturday night. Here girls are to be found from fifteen to eighteen years of age. At least seventy-five per cent. of the hundreds frequenting these places, he says, are cigaret smokers, a majority of whom find the need of something stronger, and become addicted to the use of liquor, opium, cocaine, and other drugs. One young woman of whom he told, who began on cigarets, now requires $1.60 worth of drugs a day to satisfy her craving. "Inside of ten years," he said, "at the present rate of increase of the use of cigarets by boys and girls, the parents of the children born will be themselves imbeciles." The girls frequenting places of evil resort are not alone guilty. Schoolgirls, even high-school girls, in a spirit of bravado, often try to smoke, and soon crave the mild exhilaration. From many sources we learn of daughters in respectable homes who are bound by this habit. "Have you any little girls at your house?" asked "Buck" McCarthy of another member of the Chicago City Council, who was opposing in the Judiciary Committee the proposed action of the council in indorsing the bill before the Legislature. "Yes," said the member. "Well, so have I," said this somewhat noted member, "and I heard only yesterday of three little girls living near us who have been ruined by the use of cigarets, and I propose to help these people abolish them, so our little girls, as well as the boys, may be safe." The strong plea made from this unexpected source helped secure a favorable report from the committee. Some heroic measures must be taken, and at once, to help those who are slaves to break the habit, and every help should be given. May God help fathers and mothers to wake up to the danger from this habit among their children.—Christian Citizen. Famine and Pestilence.—Among the many signs of the nearness of the end of this age and the earth's dissolution, are "famines and pestilences," and with these, "distress of nations, with perplexity." While distress of nations exists in greater or less degree throughout the inhabited earth, it seems that the great famine and pestilence countries are China and India. Now it is India. In 1877 fearful famine stalked abroad unhindered. At that time the government (British) set apart £20,000,000 as a reserve fund to meet future famines. The people, being nearly all agriculturists, are dependent on the soil for almost daily bread. This last year the crops failed, and when there was a call for funds from the $100,000,000 which had been set apart from taxes paid by the people for the last twenty years, there was but a paltry million dollars. The rest had been "diverted," it is reported, in making plethoric the purses of British officials. So a writer in the Sunday Examiner says, and his information, we are told, comes from the missionaries. Sir Edwin Arnold tells us that unless the whole world helps, ten millions of people will die, instead of six millions, in 1877. People are dying by thousands; the famine district covers an area of 160,000 miles; the population of the district is 44,000,000; and the territory involved extends from the north of India, in Lahore, down through the Punjaub, Delhi, Oudh, Jabalpur, Benares, Orissa, and to Bombay. Fifty million dollars are needed to save India from the most terrible famine it has ever known. And much of this might have been saved if men had been honest. And yet British officials are no worse than the selfish, heartless princes of India. The spectacle is simply men acting out human nature without restraint. Even professed Christian people will spend hundreds, thousands, and millions for pleasure even in the face of such misery; and yet the spectacle should move the hearts of all. Needless Expense.—According to the Examiner and medical experts, San Francisco consumes more drugs proportionately than any other city in the Union. She has 247 drug stores in a population of 300,000, while Detroit, with a population of 370,000, has but 180. Cleveland has a population of 352,000, and only 120 drug stores. The ratio is about the same in cities great and small. The principal drugs consumed are nerve stimulants, blood purifiers, tonics, pills, and opiates, in quantity in the order named. One doctor says that "nerve stimulants are sold by the ton, as well as quinine, tho this is not a malarial country. People will dose themselves before they go to a doctor. The first thing a doctor has to do to half his patients is to get the drugs out of them," and in nine cases out of ten he probably does it by giving some other drug. "To find what it does to them [those who use drugs], one has only to walk along Market Street and mark the sallow complexions and sunken eyes of a fair proportion of passers-by." It is a foolish, needless expense. Drugs kill more than they ever save. They can not cure. Nature must herself cure. Assist nature, but not with poisonous drugs. Starvation and Rebellion in Spain
The excessive taxes upon the peasants of Spain in consequence of the Cuban war, following droughts which have made crops a failure, are driving the inhabitants of the southern provinces to desperation. It is reported that hundreds have died of actual starvation, and that the situation in many sections is bordering on rebellion. Bands of brigands are scouring the country, pillaging farms, burning buildings, and looting shops, and yet the government can not spare soldiers to suppress these ravages, or money to succor the starving. TOIL AND TRUST.
By Anna J. Granniss
O, WE are of those who toil and trust!
Others may, too, but the toiler must;
God has not gone to some distant star,
He's in the mill where the toilers are.
We know He smiles on us every one
For the sake of Christ, the carpenter's son;
None other could hear in the noisy mill;
But "God hears a thought," and heaven grows still
While He measures the tears and counts up the sighs
Of the anxious hearts lifting up their cries—
O, what shall we do when our loved ones fail?
O, what shall we do when their cheeks grow pale?
And how shall we buy them fresh fruits and flowers,
If we 'tend to their wants in the working hours?
But how can we leave them sick and alone?
O, how we toilers do love our own!
All we can do is to toil and trust!
Others may, too, but the toiler must.
And God remembers, and He is just.
—Anna J. Granniss. If people would wash out their mouths twice or three times a day with an antiseptic solution, says a St. Louis doctor, there would not be near so much sickness. In the last ten years I have never had a cold, sore throat, or fever, and I ascribe this immunity solely to the fact that I follow this plan rigidly. There are any number of proprietary antiseptics that are excellent for this purpose, but many more simple agents that are as good or better. One of the best of the latter is carbolic acid. A very weak solution of this gargled and held in the mouth two or three times a day will work wonders. Immediately after using, one will find that the mouth feels cleaner. I believe that a great majority of the common throat and lung troubles come from the lodgment of disease microbes within the mucous membranes of the mouth. The free use of antiseptics will kill these germs. THERE is a story of a man who spent his days and nights lounging about grog-shops, drinking and gambling. One day, while he and his cronies were employed as usual, his wife entered the tap-room, bearing in her hands a dish. He looked up with surprise, while she said:— “I thought, husband, that, as you were so busy, and had no time to come to dinner, I would bring your dinner to you;” and, setting the dish upon the table, she quietly retired. Calling his associates around him, he invited them to partake with him of the repast. Lifting the cover from the dish, he found in it simply a piece of paper, on which was written: “Dear husband, I hope you will enjoy your dinner. It is of the same kind as your wife and children have at home.” The discomfiture of the husband may be imagined. The subject was too grim for mirth. The hungry wife and suffering children stood in vivid relief before the idle and shiftless man. How many men there are throughout the length and breadth of our land who are daily pursuing the same wretched course! O, that the voice of God speaking within their souls may awaken them to their sins, and turn their feet into the right way! How many weary hearts and desolate homes would thus be made glad! How many sad and tearful wives would sing for joy! How many children, alas, would rejoice in comfort and plenty, who are oppressed with poverty, want, and wo!—Selected. Faithful Friends and Bitter Enemies
"It was a saying of Socrates that every man had need of a faithful friend and a bitter enemy—the one to advise, the other to show him his faults." But a faithful friend will do the latter. Teaching Children Obedience
“The best way to make thy children to love thee when thou art old, is to teach them obedience in their youth.” GREECE has a population of 2,187,208. No part of Greece is forty miles from the sea. Greece is a little larger than West Virginia. Hellas is the name by which the Greeks call their country. The royal palace at Athens, built by King Otto, cost $2,500,000. Greece has a longer coast line than that of Spain and Portugal together. About one-half of the population of Greece are shepherds and agriculturists. The present king of Greece, George I., came to the throne in 1863, at the age of seventeen. The Greek flag is a white cross on a blue ground, the Bavarian colors and the Greek cross. King George of Greece is a brother of the princess of Wales and of the mother of the czar of Russia. The standing army of Greece consists of 16,800 infantry, 3,120 cavalry, 3,842 artillery, 1,308 engineers and trainmen, and 3,400 officers. Total war strength, 215,770. Men capable of bearing arms, 495,000. The legislative power of Greece is vested in a single body, called the Boule. The members are elected by the people every four years. The present boundary limits of Greece were determined by an arrangement by Great Britain, France, Russia, and Turkey, July 21, 1832. THIS is a part of what Mrs. Anna de Koven has to say in the New York World of the moral and social condition of Haiti:— "There is a singular and farcical attempt at civilization in the place,—street-cars drawn by kicking donkeys, electric lights, and an attempt at schools. Over the gateway to the cemetery there is the motto, Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori, but next door, in full blast, and the only prosperous institution in the place except the lottery, rise the chimneys of a brewery, and all over the streets roam a degraded lot of negroes, ragged, half dressed, and many of the children naked. "And, altho there is a semblance of Christian government and Christian churches, it is well known that every few months the negroes all disappear into the woods, where they practise voodooism, and all their ancient heathen rights, not omitting cannibalism. "At Port-au-Prince, in the province of Haiti, the conditions are still worse. Not only are the streets in a much worse condition of filth and neglect than in San Domingo, if that is possible, but cannibalism is practised with far greater openness and atrocity. "The story of a white man who left his home for a few hours and returned to find his wife and child departed, and who received the next day the bones picked and done up in a basket, is well known and authenticated. "Travelers will also tell one how, in what is called pickled pork, they have discovered the arms and bones of children. These things are unspeakable, and certainly demand the attention of America and the adjoining English colonies. "The cruelty and tyranny of the president is scarcely less atrocious. When any one of his subjects becomes too rich, or has annoyed him in any way, he gives a banquet, to which the notable men of San Domingo are invited. They all know what it means, but do not dare refuse. They all dine pleasantly together, and when the coffee arrives, the president points to one man or another, saying, 'That gentleman desires no coffee.' The unfortunate is taken forthwith down into the cellar and shot. "And these things exist in the greatest openness, unrebuked by any one, and this in the nineteenth century, and within a few miles of Trinidad and Barbadoes." A CALL FROM KOREA.
By Isabella Bird Bishop
BY MRS. ISABELLA BIRD BISHOP. I CAME here to Korea a fortnight earlier than I had intended, in order to attend the Presbyterian Annual Meeting, and I am very thankful that I did so, for I have not elsewhere seen such an earnest, cheerful, whole-hearted body of men and women, with so completely one aim in view and so much in harmony in the way of carrying it out. The accounts of work, specially of that in Pyeng Yang district, were absorbingly interesting. The harvest so far has fulfilled the promise of a year ago. The hearts of all present burnt within them as we heard these reports, and the feeling of gratitude found fitting expression in the hearty singing of the Doxology, "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow." But I confess that I feel very bad about the prospects for Korean work unless the church awakes to a sense of what the situation really is. I have no special interest in Korea, and in the three years of travel now drawing to a close I have visited over one hundred mission stations, and am not conscious of having felt a greater preliminary interest in the work at one than at another. But I am bound to say that the needs of Korea, or, rather, the openings in Korea, have come to occupy a very outstanding place in my thoughts, and I should not be justified in withholding my view of them. The Pyeng Yang work, which I saw last winter, and which is still going on in much the same way, is the most impressive mission work which I have seen in any part of the world. It shows that the Spirit of God still moves on the earth, and that the old truths of sin, judgment to come, of the divine justice and love, of the atonement, and of the necessity for holiness, have the same power as in the apostolic days to transform the lives of men. What I saw and heard there has greatly strengthened my own faith. But it is not in Pyeng Yang only, but here in the capital, and especially through the women's work, of which Mrs. Gifford is such a noble and faithful representative, that the seed sown so long in tears is promising to yield a harvest, if the reapers come. And tho in lesser degree, there are signs elsewhere that the leaven of the Gospel is working. A door is opened wide in Korea—how wide only those can know who are on the spot. Very many are prepared to renounce devil-worship and to worship the true God, if only they are taught how; and large numbers more who have heard and received the Gospel are earnestly craving to be instructed in its rules of holy living. I dread indescribably that, unless many men and women experienced in winning souls are sent speedily, the door which the church declines to enter will close again, and the last state of Korea will be worse than the first. The methods of the mission are admirable in the training of the Christians to self-help. They are helping themselves to the limit of their means. Also admirable are the methods used for fitting the Koreans to carry the Gospel intelligently to their brethren. This work alone requires four times the number of men already in the field to carry it on. Yet, on it, perhaps, more than on any other agency hang our hopes for the advancement of Christ's kingdom in Korea. Truly "a great door and effectual" is opened; I sadly ask, Is it to close again? Your church is rich in the silver and gold which are the Lord's. The abandonment of a few luxuries on the part of your members, with an increase in the spirit of self-sacrifice, might mean eternal salvation to many in Korea, but what a fearful responsibility it will be if the door closes. There are men and women willing to come to Korea if a moderate sustenance be provided. The money value of a ring, of an evening dress, of a carpet, of a seaside trip, would support a laborer for a year; I write strongly, I dare not apologize. I have been compelled to feel strongly by what I have seen and heard in Korea.—Letter to Dr. Ellenwood, of New York. OUR WORK AND WORKERS.
By Editor
Six converts are reported at Beverly, Kansas, as a result of the labors of Bro. E. A. Morey. THREE members added to the church at Emporia, Kansas, April 18, is the report of Elder W. S. Hyatt. BROTHER A. E. FIELD reports fourteen converts in meetings held in a schoolhouse near Spring Hill, Kansas. APRIL 18 a church of nineteen members was organized at Miltonvale, Kansas, by Elder W. W. Stebbins. ELDER R. M. KILGORE has entered upon his duties as superintendent of General Conference District No. 5, with headquarters at No. 18 W. Fifth Street, Kansas City, Mo. A SISTER over 107 years old recently united with the church at Topeka, Kansas. She retains clearness of mind, altho her hearing is somewhat defective. She attended meetings all day on Sabbath, April 10. AT the recent quarterly meeting of the church at Graysville, Tenn., six members were added to the church. Seven were baptized, all but one being students of the academy at that place. There were present Elders G. A. Irwin, N. W. Allee, and R. M. Kilgore, all of the General Conference Committee. The meeting-house of this church is to be enlarged to more than double its present capacity. A CHURCH of twenty-five members was organized at Morgan Hill, Cal., on the 24th ult., by Elder E. E. Andross. This company is the result partly of brethren moving in from other localities, and partly of the labors of Brother J. G. Smith. A new house of worship is already under way, and nearing completion. Elder Andross also visited San Jose on the 1st inst., and baptized six persons, five of whom had previously been admitted to the church, subject to baptism.12 FROM the recent State meeting in Ohio there went out forty canvassers, about thirty of whom expect to devote their entire time to the work. DURING two visits to Con Cow, Cal., one in March and one in April, Elder H. F. Courter baptized ten converts. These, with two others, were added to the church. HEADQUARTERS of the Southern Tract Society have been removed from Chattanooga, Tenn., to Atlanta, Ga., 243 South Boulevard. Edgar Allee has been appointed secretary. CANVASSERS in Jacksonville, Fla., a city of 35,000 inhabitants, report that they have placed an average of one book to every six families. They have also organized a Sabbath-school among the colored children. ELDER WM. HUTCHINSON recently began work in Lurgan, Ireland, amid great prejudice, finding it difficult even to secure ground on which to erect a tabernacle building. And even after securing a lot, the owner was so deluged with false reports that he tried to retract the permission. At last report, however, this prejudice was giving away, and there was a fair attendance. IN the Review of April 27, Elder J. N. Loughborough makes this statement: "At the last General Conference, I was released from district and local work, that I might be free to go and bear my testimony of the rise of the cause, etc., wherever the providence of God may indicate, and such labor be called for. . . . The forepart of the summer I expect to be in district No. 4, as shall be arranged by the superintendent of the district." THAT the lines are being drawn on the people who "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus," was recently demonstrated in the vicinity of Oxford Mills, Iowa. There is a "union church building, erected for the use of all denominations," to which Adventists were contributors. The deed contains a clause stating that the church is for the use of any Christian denomination, without hindrance or objection, when not used by those to whom it is deeded. But when a Seventh-day Adventist minister wanted to use it, objection was made on the ground that the minister was "not a Christian," and the Adventists "not a Christian people." This is in harmony with the words of the Master. "Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake." The casting out in this instance was done in the name of Christianity, but the blind people who do such things do not realize that the rejection of the people who stand on the Word of God is the rejection of the Lord himself. This thrust at the Seventh-day Adventists is designed as a thrust at the law of God, of which Christ himself said, "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in nowise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." And the apostle Paul says that God's purpose in "sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh" was "that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." It must not be supposed, however, that the brethren who were shut out of the "union church" gave up in despair, or were permanently hindered in their work. No, they have secured another place, and fitted it up for themselves. ELDER C. A. HALL writes as follows to the Kansas Worker, concerning his new field of labor, Jamaica Island:— "The past few months have brought many changes to us, both in our homes and in our labors and experiences. At present, my children are living in a cottage of our own in the northwestern portion of the island, twenty miles from the ocean, and over a thousand feet above it. The boys have a couple of acres of land, which they are digging and planting to tropical fruits and vegetables, among which are one hundred bananas and plantains, one hundred pineapples, and seventy-five orange trees, besides coconuts, breadfruit, yams, cocos, sweet potatoes, etc. All are enjoying good health and are becoming attached to their mountain home. Hattie opens a school today in our home, which will be an uncommon mixture of age and condition. The school starts out with the following pupils: Our three boys, an orphan boy that we have taken in, a girl whose parents wish to give us, and a girl whose parents desire us to take into our family to board and teach. These are of all shades. There are others to come in later. We expect to gather up more of the homeless orphans that are growing up in ignorance and crime, and try to save them for the kingdom of God. We have tried to interest our friends in America in behalf of these, but so far without success; so we will gather what we can feed and clothe, trusting in God for grace to train them in such a way that they may shine among the jewels in his kingdom. I go to the interior soon, to begin work with my tent again. The message is onward in this island. On every hand there are calls and entreaties for us to come and teach them the truth, and in every place where labor is bestowed there are honest ones who receive it. Our permanent address is Catadupa, Jamaica." A MESSAGE OF LOVE.
By Ella Dorland
TELL me, pilgrim, as you journey,
What it is you have in view.
Are you seeking out the lost ones
As your journey you pursue? Do you point them to the Saviour,
Who has died their souls to win?
Do you tell them He is waiting
Now, to wash away their sin? Are you looking, as you journey,
For the ones who chance to stray?
Do you lead them to the pathway
That will lead to perfect day? Do you love to talk of Jesus,
Of His kindness and His love?
And is all your fond ambition
Fixed on heaven and things above? Are you living every moment
With your eyes fixed on that shore?
If your all is consecrated,
Then the Saviour asks no more. There are many other pilgrims
Journeying to the same sweet land;
Some are dreary, faint, and weary;
Give to such a helping hand. Some have had a long, lone journey,
Life's dark waves oppressed the soul,
Aged, weary, yet still trusting,
Soon they'll reach the promised goal. Some, just starting on the journey,
Need a strong and loving hand;
Go, assist them in their weakness,
To press on to Canaan's land. Thus, O pilgrim, as you journey,
Help the weary ones who fall;
Lead them gently to the Saviour,
Who has promised rest for all. ELLA DORLAND.
Bronte, Ont. Religious Revolution in Ecuador
THE last six months have witnessed a remarkable change in Ecuador. For more than three hundred years, since the invasion and conquest by Pizarro and his Spaniards, Ecuador has been under almost exclusive priestly rule. The only religion tolerated has been the Roman Catholic. The dominant political party—the conservative—was simply the clerical party. But a curious incident of the late war between China and Japan led to a revolution against this clerical party, and last summer this revolution was successful. The leader of the liberal or revolutionary party, General Alfaro, was chosen president. He is in favor of religious liberty; the constitution has been revised, and the first Protestant missionaries have been permitted to enter the country. Almost simultaneously with this revolution, a body of Christians in Kansas, known as the Gospel Union, sent out four missionaries to Ecuador. They have been cordially received by President Alfaro, and have begun work under favorable auspices.—Missionary Review.