p. 455 | Review and Herald, Vol. 77, No. 29. (7/17/1900)

SOWING FOR PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALTH

By David Paulson; W. S. Sadler

David Paulson · W. S. Sadler

THE STARCH FAMILY.

(Continued.)

MORAL OPPORTUNITIES CONSTITUTE OUR SPIRITUAL EXERCISE.

Heaven-sent opportunities to uplift, or better, the condition of fallen man constitute the Christian’s gymnasium, whose apparatus, in the form of divine opportunity, is carefully arranged by an infinite hand to meet the varied needs of each and every child of God. To neglect these God-given opportunities is but to weaken, while to improve them is to strengthen, the characters we are building for eternity.

The opportunity to work for the betterment of man—physically, mentally, and morally—constitutes the great opportunity we have in this life, of working for God. The Creator of the universe is to-day in no need of our service, except in the person of his needy, fallen creatures. Therefore it is that every opportunity we have for working for fallen man, is an opportunity to work for God.

Thus divine opportunity becomes heaven’s gymnasium on this sinful earth. When we, as Christians, fail to recognize, appropriate, and utilize heaven-sent opportunities in our spiritual experience, we are doing just what the diabetic is doing physically in failing to utilize starch: he eliminates the digested starch unused, untouched, unappropriated; we, Christians, by our moral inactivity, are day by day eliminating from our experience heaven-sent opportunities unimproved, untouched, yea, often even unrecognized.

SIGNIFICANCE OF OUR INABILITY TO RECOGNIZE AND UTILIZE GOD-GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES.

Diabetes indicates a physical condition in which the cells that make use of starch have their intelligence so perverted as to be unable to recognize, appropriate, and use this material. This is but an illustration of the spiritual condition of those persons who have rejected light and truth, or neglected their opportunities to do good. Spiritual diabetes (this term is used for the sake of clearly bringing out the force of the comparison) is the result of having had the spiritual intelligence, or discernment, befogged or muddled by the presence of moral poisons (error, etc.). If this condition is allowed to exist, by and by it develops into a chronic state; day after day the one so afflicted will go on grumbling and finding fault with God because of his condition. Before long the grandest possibilities and the greatest opportunities will be passed by wholly unrecognized, owing to this spiritual blindness, or loss of moral sight, which has developed as a result of the accumulation of spiritual poisons in the soul, which in turn owe their existence in the soul to moral inactivity.

“QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT,” OR THE FIRES OF SPIRITUAL ECONOMY.

It has already been stated that all starch taken into the system must ultimately be burned up, or oxidized. The human body is a living furnace, in which the fires are ever burning; the furnace, as it were, being replenished by the food taken at each meal. Just so with the soul. This in the physical life is but an illustration of the thing that is actually taking place within the moral nature of every growing Christian. The Spirit of God, “the Spirit of burning” (Isa. 4:4), is within the soul, to consume the dross, the selfishness, and the sin. David said, “My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned” (Ps. 39:3); speaking of a walk with Jesus, the disciples said, “Did not our heart burn within us?” (Luke 24:32); and with cloven tongues of fire the Spirit was made visible on the day of Pentecost. As a devouring fire, it descended to accept the burnt offering of old; and to-day, as the fires of spiritual purity and moral fervor burn and rage within the soul, let every Christian take heed that he does not, by selfishness, compromise, or by indifference to light, quench the Spirit, which burns within for the purification of soul, body, and spirit.

This, while it is one of the shortest verses in the Bible, is one that means much to us: “Quench not the Spirit.” 1 Thess. 5:19. To extinguish the physical fires in the body results in disease: to extinguish the fires of the soul can but result in the production of a spiritual condition unfavorable to moral growth, or the development of Christian character. All truth and spiritual food must be acted upon by the Spirit—must be vitalized by the Spirit—before the soul is able to derive full benefit from it. Truth, like physical food, must be burned up within us; and, like the energy of the food, it must be liberated,—liberated as spiritual heat and moral energy. Eze. 2:9, 10; 3:1-4; Jer. 15:16; 20:9.

HOW STARCH IS DIGESTED.

The saliva meets the starch as soon as it enters the mouth, and at once it begins its work of transforming soluble (cooked) starch into sugar, and it does not cease its activity until after it has been in the stomach for almost half an hour. The salivary glands manufacture about a quart of saliva every twenty-four hours, but this amount is increased or decreased by various circumstances. It is increased by partaking of dry food, also by the various natural flavors contained in the food substances, thus actually proving the truth of the saying that certain foods make the mouth water.

The flow of saliva is decreased by rapid eating. When food is swallowed too quickly, it does not remain in the mouth long enough for a sufficient amount of saliva to mingle with it to completely transform all the starch into sugar. The production of saliva is also decreased by the drinking of fluids at meals, or by the use of liquid or semiliquid foods. Nature is never wasteful; and when the salivary glands find that there is already an abundance of fluid in the mouth, they do not propose to go to the trouble of manufacturing saliva. An actual experiment demonstrated that there is twenty times as much saliva manufactured when eating a dry food substance, as granose, as when eating a liquid or semiliquid food.

Nature evidently expected that many would err in the proper use of the saliva, and so she has arranged, farther along, a digestive process for starch, which is not so directly under the control of man’s will. One of these starch-digesting fluids is the pancreatic juice. This fluid has various functions. It has the power of digesting not only starch, but also albumen and fat. It has more marked activity than saliva, although secreted in a much smaller quantity.

Nature, recognizing the great importance of having the starch thoroughly digested, furnishes it a still further opportunity of being acted upon by the intestinal juice, which also possesses the power of converting starch into sugar. So all the way along the alimentary canal, this process of starch digestion, which was begun in the mouth, is being continued to completion.

SPIRITUAL LESSON FROM STARCH DIGESTION.

Just as the saliva can take the cooked starch submitted to its action, and transform it into a form of sugar that is in every way suited to the nourishment of the body, so the Spirit of God, when allowed to have free access to our hearts, there to carry on his work of transformation, will be able to take us, our characters, and by his transforming power, convert them from the earthly into the heavenly, from the sensual into the spiritual. Just as the saliva is ever ready and ever able to change starch into sugar, so the Spirit of God is both willing and able to carry forward the wonderful work of changing the character of fallen man into that divine similitude that will entitle him to an eternal place in that everlasting building,—the temple of God. “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

If the starch is not in a suitable condition to be digested, or transformed, when it comes in contact with the saliva, does it then have to pass on through the system with no further opportunity of being digested?—No, there is yet another opportunity for the digestion of starch.

This second opportunity is when it comes in contact with the pancreatic juice, and possibly a third opportunity is afforded by the action of the intestinal juice. We see the same great principle of divine opportunity extended to man in his spiritual experience. God does not always cast us aside because we are not in a suitable condition to hear his voice the first time. Just as the starch has a probation, as it were, after passing the sphere of the saliva, so the sinner is usually given at least more than one opportunity of turning to God. “For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night. . . . He openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. . . . He is chastened also with pain upon his bed.” Job 33:14-19.

God speaks once to man to show him the error of his way, and even a second time he makes an effort to show man the folly of his course; and if these opportunities do not accomplish the purpose of changing his mind, of transforming his character, the loving Father gives yet another opportunity, and this he represents as the last; it is the voice of pain, it is the language of disease: through affliction God seeks to make his last appeal to erring man. What a beautiful lesson! Even as the starch may be digested by three distinct fluids in the body, so the man himself is represented as having three distinct opportunities to recognize the necessity of a transformation of character, from pride to humility, from his purpose to God’s purpose; for God says that his object in all his speaking to man is to “hide pride from man,” and to “withdraw man from his purpose.”

Copyrighted, 1900, by David Paulson and W. S. Sadler.

Receiving Christ as an Abiding Guest

“When we receive Christ as an abiding guest in the soul, the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Christian Endeavor Delegation Delays Sunday Train Departure

The Christian Endeavor delegation from Cleveland, which made a Sunday train wait an hour or so, and start one minute after midnight, doubtless held that the fourth commandment (which is so commonly transferred without authority to the first day of the week) goes by railroad time. By local time it was still Sunday in the city when they started.—Springfield Republican.

THE PLACE OF CHRIST’S MINISTRY.

By C. H. Keslake

C. H. KESLAKE.

(New Brunswick, N. J.)

In studying Christ as our high priest, we shall fail fully to appreciate his work if the place of his ministry is not borne in mind. In fact, it is of the highest importance that this point be recognized.

Christ’s ministry is for us; and that we might fully receive the blessing of his mediatorial work, the Holy Spirit has caused to be written all that was necessary for that purpose. And that being so, it must be clear that only so far as we study to comprehend every detail given relating to the priestly ministry of Christ shall we derive the fullness of the blessing that God has for us. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit has caused to be written that which pertains to the place of Christ’s ministry, it is important that this phase be studied.

When God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt to bring them into the land promised to Abraham and his seed, he said to Moses, “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Ex. 25:8. “For the building of the sanctuary,” a description of which is found in the book of Exodus, “great and expensive preparations were necessary; a large amount of the most precious and costly material was required.” Care was to be taken that it be made strictly according to a pattern that was shown Moses when he was communing with God in the mount. Verse 40.

This sanctuary was a miniature representation of the sanctuary in heaven, in which Christ ministers for us as high priest. For thus we read, “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched and not man.” Heb. 8:1, 2. And then, to show further that the sanctuary built in the wilderness was a type, or shadow, of the one already referred to, speaking of the service of the priests, the apostle says, “Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.” Verse 4. The object of this article, however, is not to speak at length of the sanctuary in heaven, but to call attention to another “house,” in which Christ ministers through the Holy Spirit.

While in the plainest manner possible it is shown that the sanctuary built by man was a type of the sanctuary in heaven, which was built by God, it is no less true that it also represents another, which is referred to in the Scriptures in such a way as to make it impossible to separate it from the sanctuary in heaven; and that while the Lord is engaged in his priestly work in heaven, a similar work is being done in this other place, and so closely are they related that the work in both is practically one work.

What this other “house” is, is told us in Heb. 3:6: “But Christ as a Son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” This is the house—the people of God, in whom and for whom Christ ministers.

Before the establishment of the Levitical priesthood, “every man was the priest of his own household. In the days of Abraham, the priesthood was regarded as the birthright of the eldest son.”—“Patriarchs and Prophets,” page 350. This will make more clear the beautiful truth taught us in the scripture already quoted. Christ was faithful, as a Son, in God’s house, or family, “whose house are we, if”—In a former article we have shown that it was because of his perfect obedience and faithfulness in the flesh, that Christ was ordained high priest. But now we see further that it was his prerogative—his birthright, as the eldest Son in God’s family—to exercise the office of high priest. Christ is our own kin—related to us by the closest of blood ties.

By the sacrifice of himself “hath he appeared to put away sin.” Heb. 9:26.

There are few Seventh-day Adventists who do not realize that we are now living in the time of the cleansing of the sanctuary that is in heaven. But how many of us have sensed as we ought that the cleansing in heaven means a corresponding cleansing in us? If we are saved at all, the cleansing of the sanctuary within us must be accomplished before the sanctuary in heaven is cleansed. Moreover, the solemn truth has come to us by the testimony of God’s Spirit that the work in heaven is nearly completed. And that being so, it means that little time remains for the perfecting of God’s character in us. But thank God, short as the time is, it is abundantly sufficient for the work to be done. It took but an instant of time for God to create a world, and that is all that is needed to create a new heart.

I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED.

You ask me how I gave my heart to Christ? I do not know. There came a yearning for him in my soul So long ago; I found earth's flowerets would fade and die; I wept for something that would satisfy; And then — and then somehow I seemed to dare To lift my broken heart to him in prayer. I do not know — I can not tell you — how; I only know He is my Saviour now.

You ask me when I gave my heart to Christ? I can not tell. The day, or just the hour, I do not now Remember well. It must have been when I was all alone The light of his forgiving Spirit shone Into my heart, so clouded o'er with sin; I think — I think ’t was then I let him in. I do not know — I can not tell you — when; I only know He is so dear since then.

You ask me where I gave my heart to Christ? I can not say. That sacred place has faded from my sight As yesterday. Perhaps he thought it better I should not Remember where. How I should love that spot! I think I could not tear myself away; For I should wish forever there to stay. I do not know — I can not tell you — where; I only know He came and blessed me there.

You ask me why I gave my heart to Christ? I can reply. It is a wondrous story; listen while I tell you why: My heart was drawn at length to see his face. I was alone; I had no resting-place. I heard of how he loved me with a love Of depth so great, of height so far above All human ken; I longed such love to share, And sought it then Upon my knees in prayer.

— Guild Life and Work.

Through Humility and Self-Surrender

“THROUGH humility and self-surrender we may become heirs with Him, when ‘the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.’”

A PLEA FOR MOTHER.

By E. B. M.

E. B. M.

YOUNG friend, you seem merry, and that is quite right; Your laugh rings out cheerful this soft summer night; But list while I ask you a question the while— Did you think, when at home, to give mother a smile?

I have watched you to-night from the place where I stand; You've a kind word for all, ever lending a hand: But stop, let me ask you, before I forget— Did you ask if your mother has her work done yet?

Your cheeks glow with health, and are unmarred by care; No gray locks yet sprinkle your beautiful hair: But let me ask you (I'll whisper it low)— What has made mother's tresses as white as the snow? What has traced those deep furrows so thick on her brow? Was it kind words and actions? Ah! answer me now.

I passed by her window, as hither I came: She was working and weeping. Now where lies the blame? “I can't help you, mother, for I must away; The young folks are coming, and what will they say?” Oh, how the words grieved her, like sharp-pointed dart! Each one seemed to sever a cord at her heart.

Do you stop to ponder what seed you now sow? Or think of the harvest sure from it to grow? Her feet, so work-weary, halt now in the gloom; Erelong they'll be resting all cold in the tomb.

Young friend, I entreat you, before ’t is too late, To go to your mother, and change her sad fate. Give to her the sweet greetings thrown lightly away, And with kind words and actions support her each day. Then a change soon will come o'er that sad, weary face, And in your own bosom sweet peace will have place.

Dear friend, will you listen—once more I entreat— Nor thoughtlessly trample that heart ’neath your feet?

“MY MOTHER SCRUBBED WHILE I STUDIED SHAKESPEARE.”

By Mrs. W. S. Sadler

Mrs. W. S. Sadler, in Life Boat.

“My mother scrubbed while I studied Shakespeare!” These words were spoken recently by a bright young woman, with whom we came in contact in our work. After she had finished Shakespeare, and had come face to face with the stern realities of life, she found herself in a strange and wicked city, and compelled to earn her own livelihood. We questioned her concerning her knowledge of practical work, and her answer was: “My mother never taught me to work; I grew up with the idea that I should never be called upon to perform menial labor. I loved my books, and mother permitted me to become wholly absorbed in them. She scrubbed while I studied Shakespeare. Was I to blame?” Was she? How often in the home we see the mother rising early to prepare the breakfast for the father and brothers, and after they are off to work, calling the daughter just in time to make preparations for school, and then congratulating herself that her daughter, “dear bright girl!” shall not be taxed with household cares and duties, but shall save all her strength for her studies. O mother, do you not know that while the mind is being taxed with the problems of school life, there is nothing so beneficial, healthful, and helpful for your daughter as practical housework with you as her companion? The faithful performance of the simplest domestic duties brings a satisfaction and a blessing which nothing else can. That is just why God has given us this work in the sacred realm of the home.

THE VALUE OF HOME TRAINING AND HOUSEHOLD DUTIES.

There is something sacred about the household duties of a happy home. If mothers could only realize how much this simple training means to the daughter after she leaves the home nest, they would cease to rob their daughters of this most important part of their character building. It is this part of the training, mingled with the divine thought of pure religion, that serves as a rudder to many a girl’s bark when she finds herself out in the stormy ocean of life. On every side are swift and dangerous currents. The young woman in question had received some religious training in early youth, and this held her in the trying hours of this experience. She had said that she would not learn to do practical domestic work, but after a few moments of deep and careful consideration, she decided to take up the simplest duties, and do her best. We have only to relate the following sad incident, to show you what this young woman escaped, and we hope that it may serve as a beacon of warning to indulgent mothers and indolent daughters.

SHE WAS A STRANGER TO BOTH CHRIST AND COMMON WORK.

One Saturday night, a few weeks ago, a young girl called on us, and told this sad story: “I was told that if I came here, you would help me.” We assured her that we would certainly help her if it lay in our power. She continued, “I have been away from home and work for four days, during which time I have not had my clothes off. To-night I had to give an answer about a great step I was asked to take, and instead I have come to you. I do not want to become a bad woman, and I want you to help me. When I was young, I went to school, had a good time, and was never made to work. I grew up with the idea that I would never have to work very hard. My mother washed and ironed and sewed and mended my clothes, while I did nothing but go to school and read books. I began reading novels when I was a little girl, and I grew up enjoying excitement. When I was thirteen years old, I ran away from home. My parents then decided to take me out of school, and give me a business training. I went to a school of shorthand and typewriting. I did well for a short time, but one afternoon one of the girls induced me to remain away from school, and accompany her to see some friends. That was a sad day for me.”

THE AWFUL PRICE OF LOST CONFIDENCE IN MOTHER.

“The story of my sad experience I never told to mother; in fact, I never told her anything about myself. I told her something once, when very young, and she scolded me, and told me never to tell her anything like that again, and I never have. From that time friendship between myself and mother gradually lessened.”

In a few moments, we were down on our knees praying. On arising, the first thing she said was, “I want to go home to-night; will you go with me?” In a short time, in company with Mr. Sadler, I accompanied this poor girl to her home, which is several miles from the training-school. As we left the street-car and drew near her home, she began to grow timid, and several times came near turning back, but we urged her on, feeling sure that the mother would receive her with open arms. Her father met us at the open door. Poor old man! he invited us in; but the mother did not take her in her arms; she did not even call her “daughter.” She simply said, in a heart-broken way, “Laura, where have you been?” After a short conversation, it was decided that she should return to the training-school with us. We did everything we could to help her; but the third morning, on going to her room, we found it vacant. She had arisen at an early hour, and left the training-school; no one knew where she had gone. Poor Laura! it was too late. The religious training had been left out in her youth; and having no education in practical work, her ship was left, in this great city, without a rudder. It was too late to mend matters. The mother through all the youthful experience of the girl, had been very indulgent, and had shielded her from work. She no doubt thought she was doing her daughter good instead of harm. The poor old couple have been looking and waiting for their daughter’s return; but alas! in vain.

The first young woman mentioned might have turned out the same way, had it not been for the religious training she had received.

A WARNING TO MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS.

My dear young sister, if it were your privilege to meet the girls I meet here each week, in this great city of Chicago, and hear their stories, you would certainly feel it to be your duty to learn to do practical work. Dear mothers, while you have an opportunity, won’t you, for the sake of your daughters, before they are thrown upon their own resources teach them the fundamental principles of housework, etc.? A great many girls who have left a life of sin and shame, on being asked what they can do, will say, “Would to God my mother had made me work. I am willing to learn now; but to tell you the truth, I do not know how to cook a meal. I do not know how to do housework.” These girls look upon housework as drudgery. The home can be a little heaven here on earth, if we will but let Christ come in and help us with the training of our children, and teach them to be willing to work. Many a story, just as true as this one, might be told; but we hope that these two experiences will serve to arouse every mother and daughter who reads them, to sense the importance and value of practical household education.

Recipe for Mending Broken Chinaware

The following recipe for mending broken chinaware is found in Table Talk: “If you break a piece of china, you can mend it so that it will not show, and can not be broken again in the same place. Make a solution of gum arabic, into which stir plaster of Paris until it becomes a thick cream. Apply to the broken edges with a brush, hold together for a few minutes; set away for three or four days, when the mended place will hardly be seen, and will be perfectly firm. The mixture when made must be used at once.”

SIMPLICITY IN DRESS.

Mrs. E. G. White, in “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IV, pages 628-630.

As we see our sisters departing from simplicity in dress, and cultivating a love for the fashions of the world, we feel troubled. By taking steps in this direction, they are separating themselves from God, and neglecting the inward adorning. They should not feel at liberty to spend their God-given time in the unnecessary ornamentation of their clothing. How much better might it be employed in searching the Scriptures, thus obtaining a thorough knowledge of the prophecies and of the practical lessons of Christ.

As Christians, we ought not to engage in any employment upon which we can not conscientiously ask the blessing of the Lord. Do you, my sisters, in the needless work you put upon your garments, feel a clear conscience? Can you, while perplexing the mind over ruffles and bows and ribbons, be uplifting the soul to God in prayer that he will bless your efforts? The time spent in this way might be devoted to doing good to others, and to cultivating your own minds.

Many of our sisters are persons of good ability; and if their talents were used to the glory of God, they would be successful in winning many souls to Christ. Will they not be responsible for the souls they might have saved, had not extravagance in dress and the cares of this world so crippled and dwarfed their God-given powers that they felt no burden of the work? Satan invented the fashions, in order to keep the minds of women so engrossed with the subject of dress that they could think of but little else. . . . The reason so many are not desirous of attending prayer-meeting and of engaging in religious exercises is that their minds are devoted to other things. They are conforming to the world in the matter of dress; and while they are so doing, souls whom they might have helped by letting their light shine in good works, are strengthened in their unbelief by the inconsistent course of these professed Christians.

God would be pleased to see our sisters clad in neat, simple apparel, and earnestly engaged in the work of the Lord. They are not deficient in ability; and if they would put to a right use the talents they already have, their efficiency would be greatly increased. If the time they now spend in needless work were devoted to searching the word of God, and explaining it to others, their own minds would be enriched with gems of truth, and they would be strengthened and ennobled by the effort made to understand the reasons of our faith. Were our sisters conscientious Bible Christians, seeking to improve every opportunity to enlighten others, we should see scores of souls embracing the truth through their self-sacrificing endeavors alone. Sisters, in the day when the accounts of all are balanced, will you feel a pleasure in reviewing your life? or will you feel that the beauty of the outward man was sought, while the inward beauty of the soul was almost entirely neglected?

Have not our sisters sufficient zeal and moral courage to place themselves without excuse upon the Bible platform? The apostle has given most explicit directions on this point: “I will therefore . . . that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” Here the Lord, through his apostle, speaks expressly against the wearing of gold. Let those who have had experience see to it that they do not lead others astray on this point by their example. That ring encircling your finger may be very plain, but it is useless, and the wearing of it has a wrong influence upon others.

Especially should the wives of our ministers be careful not to depart from the plain teachings of the Bible on the point of dress. Many look upon these injunctions as too old-fashioned to be worthy of notice; but he who gave them to his disciples understood the dangers from the love of dress in our time, and sent to us the note of warning. Will we heed the warning and be wise? Extravagance in dress is continually increasing. The end is not yet. Fashion is constantly changing, and our sisters follow in its wake, regardless of time or expense. There is a great amount of means expended upon dress, when it should be returned to God, the giver.

Ellen White's Plea at a Methodist District Meeting

For several days such scriptures as the following have been ringing in my ears: “If thou take forth the precious from the vile, . . . I will make thee unto this people a fenced brazen wall;” “Join thyself to this chariot.” About 2 A. M. last night I awoke, and went to my “cave,” where I go to seek the Lord. A long time I prayed, till at length a calm settled upon me; and coming forth, I found that the day had dawned, so I went about my daily duties, until suddenly I conceived the idea of going to a city twelve miles away, with my husband, to do some business. On my way I stopped at the home of one of the members of the Methodist Protestant Church, of which I was once a member, and under which, at one time, I had license to preach. Before I left her home, she said to me, “Come and go with me to district meeting next week. I have to read a paper on the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, and I wish you would help me out.” I saw in a moment an opportunity for the truth. The subjects assigned for discussion were, the Millennium, Intermediate State of the Dead, Exposition of Luke 16, and Our Inheritance in Christ. After the reading of the papers, an open discussion is to follow. I ask prayer that I may be used of the Lord in his own way, and that points of doctrine brought out may be gracefully, but forcibly, met by the Word, as evidently the Lord designs to be done by myself. I feel that the truth is on trial, and it is for the truth I plead.

EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.

I FEEL this morning, as I go about my work, that perhaps it will do some mother good to know of my experience. I stand alone for the truth in this town, but He who cares for his children strengthens me as is needful. I am indeed thankful for the assurance that “all things work together for good to them that love God.” It gives me courage many times. I have four little boys. The oldest is eight years of age, and the baby is seven months. It is my earnest desire to raise them as the Lord would have me, and I believe I can; for his Spirit is teaching me as I go on trusting him, and looking to him for wisdom. How true the words, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” My husband is not a Christian, but my heart goes out in gratitude to God for the blessed assurance that he will be. God has promised to give us the desires of our heart if we walk in his ways.

I seldom see any of like faith, and have been permitted to hear very few sermons by our people. I take the REVIEW AND HERALD, and it is a spiritual feast to me every week. I also take the Little Friend, and find it very helpful in teaching the children.

I take a little time to read every day. The Spirit of the Lord has shown me unnecessary work that I was doing; and in place of that I study the Bible, read good literature, visit a sick neighbor, amuse the children, or do something that the Lord indicates he would have me do. I make my little boys’ waists of dark material, and do not ruffle them. I use oilcloth on the table, and fold a great many of my clothes, and so do not spend time in ironing.

I wish my husband to be remembered at the noontide hour of prayer, and also myself, that I may live every day and every hour in such a way that God’s Spirit may work through me. If my husband would step into the vineyard, I believe many souls would be gathered in. I know that the Lord wants him, and can make use of him; but Satan is working with all his power. Please pray earnestly.

If the sister who sent in the preceding will write again, giving her full name and address, we shall be glad. We desire to come in close touch with such courageous and true gospel workers. We assure her of our prayerful interest.

REQUESTS FOR PRAYER.

“PLEASE pray for my nephew, who has turned from the observance of the Sabbath.”

A mother requests prayer for her prodigal son, who has left his family and gone West, and is living an evil life. She writes: “Pray for my son’s conversion, and for his restoration to his wife and little ones. I feel as if nothing will avail for my boy but the prayers of the saints.”

“I request that you remember my youngest daughter at the throne of grace, that she may be truly converted. We have prayed and labored for her. While she is steady, truthful, and virtuous, she is not a Christian, and is surrounded with worldly influences in her work. I feel very anxious for her.”

Pray for a husband and father, who is untrue to his family, and is following a careless and shameful career. He says that he has not long to live, and wishes to have a good time. He was once a lover of the truth, but now he has turned away, and his conduct is influencing the lives of his three sons, who were also in the truth. The request comes from a daughter.

Pray for the husband of one of our sisters. He has given up the truth in discouragement. He started out with strong determination to serve the Lord; but soon after, he was dismissed from the firm where he had been employed for eighteen years, and then was driven from place to place, with little work, and sometimes no pay. He suffered loss of money and property, and finally gave up in discouragement and despair. He will not listen to God’s word; nor go to church.

The Triumph of Christian Faith

“THE triumph of Christian faith is to suffer, and be strong; to submit, and thus conquer; to be killed all the day long, and yet to live; to bear the cross, and thus win the crown of immortal glory.”

Holiness and Fruit: The Priestly Vest

With golden bells, the priestly vest, And rich pomegranates bordered round— The need of holiness expressed, And called for fruit as well as sound. —Cowper.

Continue reading: A Sister's Letter on Home Burdens and Faith