“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matt. 28:18-20.
These are familiar words, but has the commission set forth in them been fully appreciated by us? The power is promised to us—“all power;” the direction to go to all the world is clearly commanded us; and the promise of the abiding presence of the first Great Missionary is assuringly made to us—“Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” The scope of our work is also set forth—“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.” In another place the Saviour says:
“And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24:14.
Again through the prophet John the same truths are thus set forth:
“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come; and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Rev. 14:6, 7.
With this follows a second message and a third, and then what?—The coming of the King, the reaping of the harvest of the earth. This is the end.
Let us gather up the thought of the scriptures cited: The Saviour’s commission to His church was a world-wide commission and was not to be inoperative till the work was all done at the end of the world. With the command He assures the Holy Spirit’s power to do the work; and altho the task seems an almost insurmountable one, the power promised is “all power,” sufficient for the work. When the complete Gospel, including the “Gospel of the kingdom,”—that which proclaims the coming of Christ the King,—is fully preached “in all the world” and “unto all nations,” “then shall the end come.” And there is not a land but that this last great message must be preached there; this “everlasting Gospel” will be proclaimed in no uncertain voice, to “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.”
Malay Village.
Could the commission to us be more plain? Our work is set out before us. God has spoken to us. We are called by a divine voice to service. But the Lord who has spoken by the mouth of His prophets in past times, has also in the last days spoken many times along these same lines, and specifically He has set before us this commission as it relates to the
Australasian Field.
In the providence of the Lord, upon the Australasian Union Conference rests the burden of carrying the third angel’s message to the islands of the Pacific. It seems right that we should do that, but how assuring it is for the Lord to tell us! But one reason that the Lord so frequently tells us the same thing is to impress us. Are we being impressed with what the Gospel commission means? When God has set before us our duty in a general way so frequently, and then speaks to the people of the Australasian Union Conference and tells them specifically what their work is, shall we not now arise to do the work? But let us for a moment look at
The Scope of Our Work.
As the message is to go to all nations, and to every tongue and to every tribe in all these nations, it is sure, then, that this message must go to every island in the Pacific, great and small. It is a vast work and attended by many difficulties. But the difficulties are no encumbrance. They are to be overcome. They point forward to a greater fulness of power. But this has all been taken into account and has been provided for.
The work in our field is one of great magnitude. We have over 50,000,000 people to warn of the “Gospel of the kingdom.” How few missionaries we have in the great East Indian field! Had we 4,000 missionaries here alone, each missionary would have 12,500 to whom he must minister! Had we 500 missionaries here, each missionary would then have 100,000 to teach! If we had 50 missionaries, each one would have 1,000,000. But in Java, where there is an estimated population of 32,000,000, we have four missionaries, or one missionary to every 8,000,000 souls! Are not our hearts burdened as we see how large the task is? Let us remember that the work committed to us demands haste. It is all to be done
In “This Generation.”
And let us not forget that a large part of “this generation” has passed, and much of the work is yet to be done. The signs are many which show us where we live. We know that He is near, “even at the door.” Signs have been given us in the heavens, and long ago most of these have been fulfilled. The generation that saw these signs in the preaching of the first message is passing away. There have been signs upon the earth, and they have been thickening about us; they are too numerous even to mention. These have a double purpose: they are meant to warn the world, to cause the ungodly man to call a halt, and they serve to awaken God’s people to their God-given duty to carry quickly to the sinking nations the last warning message. Shall we wait till God speaks in still more terrible tones than He has in some of the extraordinary signs of the last few years? We have a duty to perform; we are to be
Lights to the World.
The world is in darkness and needs the light we should be giving. Men are looking to us as tempest-tossed mariners look for a light as they near a dangerous coast. Shall we fail to set the light on high that it may be seen? “Ah, sir,” said a certain lighthouse keeper, his face shining with intensity as he spoke, “sometimes in the dark13night, and in the stormy weather, I look out upon the sea, and feel as tho the eye of the whole world were looking at my light. My light go out? Burn dim! That flame flicker low or fail? No, sir, never!”
And shall Christians, shining for tempted sinners, allow their light to fail? Forever out upon life’s billowy sea are souls we see not, strange sailors in the dark, passing by, struggling amid the surges of temptation. The ocean is vast, its dangers are many, and the eyes of far-away voyagers are turned toward the lighthouse—the church of Jesus Christ. Shall we fail at such a time as this? O, then “arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” And why should we shine? “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people.” And this is the condition to-day. The world is in darkness. In this great East Indian field millions are in the darkness of Islamism and millions are in the darkness of heathenism. The situation is certainly one that calls for
Prayer and Definite Consecration.
The Master stated the situation when He said, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth laborers into the harvest.” We need to look upon the fields which are “white already unto harvest.” Study of mission fields will beget a burden for the fields. Let us study our great field as we have never done before. But we should pray not only that God will raise up others to be laborers, but each individual should ask himself, “What can I do?” And many should be saying, “Here am I, Lord, send me.” All should be consecrated for this work. Many can not go, but all can give of their consecrated means.
J. E. FULTON.
His Going Forth.
By E. C. Silsbee
“His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us.” Hosea 6:3.
As the dawn of day approaching
Overcomes the darker shades,
Puts to flight their gloom encroaching
On the realm where life pervades,
So His Spirit, soft, subduing,
Darkest doubts soon puts to flight,
As the Daystar, e’er renewing
In us life, increasing light.
Then behold the beauteous morning
In His glory going forth
With his mellow light adorning
All God’s works in heaven and earth;
So in us is shown His going
As His glory bids depart
All our errors, and more glowing
Is the light that fills the heart.
Soon the sun bursts forth in splendor,
Filling all the land with day,
And as we to God surrender,
All our sins are put away;
So His grace and glory fill us,
Purify our hearts with light,
Sun of Righteousness, prepare us
For Thy coming, glorious, bright.
E. C. SILSBEE.
Our Work and Workers.
Brother W. C. Hankins, writing from Kulangsu, Amoy, China, tells of the baptism of two converts from heathenism at To Kang.
Brother F. M. Oliver reports from Pomeroy, Wash., that five have taken a decided stand for the truth. In the country two more have decided to obey.
C. L. White recently conducted a series of meetings at Greendale, Mich. Twenty earnest ones covenanted to keep all the commandments of the Lord. Others are interested.
A church of twenty members was organized by Brother M. N. Campbell, March 5 to 7, at Hawarden, Iowa. Eleven were baptized as the fruit of the labors of Sister Minnie Syp.
Through the labors of Brother G. E. Peters at Gadsden, Ala., the little company at that place has been increased by ten new members. Brother T. B. Buckner baptized them.
On the island of Fiji there are several companies of believers. Brother A. G. Stewart reports a visit with eleven of these companies recently. He organized one church, baptizing three brethren.
Writing of meetings held at Nanty Glo, Pa., Brother J. W. Watt says: “Four adults and a number of youth and children have decided to obey God. Others are convinced of the truth, and still others are investigating.”
There is a sanitarium in Jerusalem. Brother Ludwig Krug, who conducts it, says that while the natural-cure method of treating disease is not so popular there as in Europe, the people often turn to the moye hakim, or water-doctor, when drugs fail. Their patronage comes from Russians, Arabs, Mohammedans, Greeks, Italians, French, Africans, Austrians, Jews, Spaniards, Germans, and English.
Wanted for Missionary Work.
LATE, clean copies of all Seventh-day Adventist periodicals, also tracts and Family Bible Teacher in large quantities, in any language. E. W. Wolfe, 117 N. Adams St., Mason City, Iowa.
CLEAN copies of all of our periodicals, tracts, and books, for ship-work and reading-rack work; books for libraries on steamships. Ship to Chas. W. Peter, Melrose, Cal., or mail to 1454 Pomona Ave., Fruitvale, Cal.
The Temperance “Instructor.”
The educational feature of the temperance campaign has proved to be one of the most effective means of furthering the temperance cause. As a part of this educational work, the temperance number of the Youth’s Instructor has been issued, with the hope that the friends of temperance will place it in the hands of the pupils of every public school and reformatory in our land. It would be well also to give every prisoner the opportunity of reading it. If requested to do so, newspaper stands might keep it on sale.
The Youth’s Instructor, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C.
March “Life and Health.”
By Editor
The cover design is beautiful. Any one of the nine leading articles is well worth the amount asked for the magazine. Our agents are reporting excellent success in its sale.
What husband would refuse to spend a dime in order to have his spouse read that practical article on the making of good “soups”? And those temperance articles will appeal to live W. C. T. U. members and other temperance folk. Likewise, thousands of over-weight ladies will buy this number for the information given concerning “Garments for Stout Women.”
Send for our list of ten pointers, entitled “Sales Talk—No. 1.” Rates: Yearly subscription $1.00, six months 50 cents. Special rates in clubs.
Address your state tract society or write to Life and Health, Takoma Park, D. C.
Life and Health
A PRACTICAL health journal, published with a view of meeting hygienic needs in every home; teaching how to care for the health and how to preserve life; prescribing simple home treatments to assist nature in throwing off diseases rather than adding more poison by using drugs or unnatural stimulants as remedies; teaching how to avoid disease as far as possible, how to manage in the home when sickness does come, and how to combat the disease by simple remedies which nature provides.
Send for sample copy and special rates to agents. Price 10 cents per copy or $1.00 per year.
_Address, LIFE & HEALTH, Takoma Park, D. C._
LIBERTY
THE OFFICIAL ORGAN OF
THE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY BUREAU
An illustrated, 48-page, quarterly magazine, published as an exponent and advocate of true religious liberty; defending Christianity and the rights of conscience; upholding the Bible as the infallible word of God; recognizing the church and state as ordained of Heaven for specific and distinct purposes, but vigorously protesting against the alliance of the church with the state in the attempt to advance religion and to promote the state. Price 25 cents per year. Liberal terms to agents.
Address, LIBERTY, Takoma Park, D. C.
Do You Realize
how much of the truth is presented in each number of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES MONTHLY? Here are a few of the more important subjects appearing in the April number: Sabbath Question, The Four Monarchies in Prophecy, Spiritualism, Temperance, Healthful Living, and The Resurrection, the latter predominating. The beautiful cover picture, representing the risen Life-giver with Mary bowing at His feet, is a beautiful work of art, and is likely to prove attractive to the reader.
It may be had by addressing your tract society, or the publishers at Mountain View, and at different prices, according to quantity. 5 to 25 copies, 5c per copy; 25 to 500 copies, 4c per copy; 500 to 1,000 copies, 3½c per copy; and in lots over 1,000 copies, 3c per copy. Are sold at 10c per copy. Try a few; they sell well. Workers wanted everywhere.
Besides the opportunity that is thus offered for doing effective missionary work,
You Do Realize
A Good Margin of Profit for Yourself
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SOUTHERN PACIFIC
Governor Vardaman on Prohibition.
Ex-Governor Vardaman, who preceded Governor Noel, of Mississippi, as the chief executive of that state, and who recommended the passage of the state-wide prohibition law to the last Legislature, in a recent interview spoke very highly of the conditions in the no-license territory of Mississippi.15
The state prohibition law of Mississippi will not go into effect until Jan. 1, 1910. All but seven counties, however, of the state are now under no-license, through the operation of the county local option law. Governor Vardaman praised the no-license regime in the local option counties and spoke of prohibition as follows:
“There is no doubt that it is better than the open saloon. Of course there are blind tigers, but it is not necessary to have them. Whenever the people decide to get rid of them it can be done, because the laws that the people get and the enforcement of the laws is no better than those they demand.
“I think that the shipment of liquor into dry territory should be prohibited. My record on this has been consistent. Ever since I was old enough to vote I have voted against the open saloon, and in my message to the last Legislature, the one that put the saloon out of Mississippi, I recommended the prohibition law.”
Living Above Disease.
By O. C. Godsmark
By O. C. Godsmark, M.D.
THE reported custom among the Chinese of paying their doctor to keep them well, is one that more enlightened people might do well to consider. There is a great deal of good, sound sense in the idea of living above disease, of keeping oneself well.
The great majority of mankind simply live along in about the same rut in which their fathers lived, and when they succumb to the ravages of disease, they feel that some wind of ill luck has blown their way. When some member of the family sickens and dies, it is looked upon as a strange, unaccountable, almost unjust dispensation of Providence.
Now, the whole truth of the matter is just here: In the majority of these cases, the cause of the sickness and death may be easily discovered. We each of us have a certain amount of vital energy, with which to run our human machine, perform our various duties of life, and also to ward off the ravages of disease. When we spend all our strength in our work and worry, especially the latter, we so rob our system of its share of vitality that it can not properly digest our food, and thus our machines become weakened and open to the inroads constantly being made upon them by the millions of disease germs that surround us everywhere. We must keep our machines clean and in splendid working order, or they will become clogged with impurities and will break down under the attacks of germ diseases that we can not wholly avoid coming in contact with. The secret of the whole thing is in living above disease, and being able, at all times, to resist and throw off its constant attacks.
Some have more physical force than others. We each have a certain, definite amount of vitality with which to get along through life, and there is also a definite limit to that force, or vitality, granted to each of us. We can no more go beyond that limit without suffering the consequences, than can a man having a definite deposit in the savings-bank, drawing a specified amount of interest each year, check out from that bank more than the accumulating interest without drawing directly upon the principal and thus cutting down his future income and usefulness. Suppose he goes on drawing upon his principal, he must know that sooner or later that fund will be exhausted, his checks no longer honored at the bank, and his standing lost in the business world. This is very plain and simple. We all understand it and see financial wrecks all about us.
But is this any more serious, is it as disastrous to life and well-being, as for us to go on continually overdrawing our account in the bank of health, where we each have a certain definite amount deposited to our credit by the great Father of us all? The man who continually uses up his vitality, often going beyond what he well knows he should in his drafts upon that most precious deposit in the bank of health, need not be surprised if some day he comes to the end of his account and finds his checks no longer honored there. When we find ourselves going beyond our limit, stop and consider that the reckoning day will come, and it may not be far away. It is much easier to earn more money to again deposit to our credit in an earthly bank than it is ever to regain our health and lost vitality when that is once exhausted.
We have doubtless all heard of the man who foolishly
“Spent all his health
In order to get wealthy,
Then spent all his wealth,
But he could not get healthy.”
There are other drafts upon our stock of vitality besides our work and worry that may not be so easily recognized. These are the invisible forces all around us tending to destroy our every energy. The air becomes heavily laden with the poisonous odors arising from cesspools, decaying garbage, and filth of all kinds. When these are allowed to remain about our premises we openly invite disease into our families. The dark corners and damp rooms in our homes are excellent breeding-places for the germs of disease that abound in such places.
Open the windows; if necessary, take down the shades and let the blessed sunshine come in. There is healing in its wings. It is a true statement that where the sun does not enter, the doctor must. Sunshine and pure air in abundance are Heaven’s great restorers. If we will but quit our worry, stop our overworking, take an abundance of sleep at regular hours, breathe deeply of the pure air God has so freely given us, live in the sunshine, and continually let our hearts go out in praise to our blessed Redeemer for all these privileges, we may live above disease. We may be where the ravages of sickness will have but little effect upon us. We may have health for sickness, strength for weakness, hope for despondency, and usefulness for — well, let’s be well, and be thankful for the privilege of being of some help to others, and of helping others to be well also.
A Pathetic Appeal, “Write Soon.”
By Fred A. Davis
LONG parting from the hearts we love
Will shadow o’er the brightest face,
And happy they who part and prove
Affection changes not with place.
A sad farewell is warmly dear,
But something dearer may be found
To dwell on lips that are sincere,
And lurk in bosoms closely bound.
The pressing hand, the steadfast eye,
Are both less earnest than the boon
Which fervently the last fond sigh
Begs in the hopeful words, “Write soon.”
“Write soon!” O sweet request of truth,
How tenderly its accents come!
We heard it first in early youth,
When Mother watched us leaving home.
And still amid the trumpet joys
That weary us with pomp and show,
We turn from all this busy noise,
To hear this sweeter cadence flow.
We part, but carry on our way
Some loved one’s plaintive spirit-tune,
That as we wander seems to say—
Affection lives on faith—“Write soon!”
FRED A. DAVIS.
Taking in a Partner.
TWO men were driving through the streets of a manufacturing town, when one of them stared in amazement at a large building from which came the whirr of machines and the sound of belts and pulleys.
“What’s this?” he cried. “I thought Smith’s mill was stopped; somebody told me that he had gone under. Taken on new life, hasn’t it? Seems to be something doing here now, I should say!”
His friend explained the secret readily. Nothing was changed but the management. The man had taken a new partner, giving him chief interest. “Place always was all right. What it needed was a live man to run it. Wise fellow—that Smith—wasn’t he?”
“Brainy! Pity half the concerns in the country couldn’t do the same thing — take in somebody for a partner who could make it worth while running the business. It’s the secret of a new life, if they did but know it.”
There are men, as well as mills, going on at a poor, dying rate for lack of just such partnership. There are young men, just starting their life business, who would show themselves wise by taking in Christ as chief Partner. The old “plant” is well enough. It needs no special new equipment. A new spirit is needed — wisdom, energy, and executive ability. All these Christ stands ready to put into any business that gives Him first place and runs on His principles. He demands a controlling voice, but it is a partnership for all that. The fine thing about it is that success is sure from the start on that basis. There is no uncertainty, no luck, about it. People will often stand and look and wonder. The hum and joy and movement of new life will make people ask questions, as they did of blind Bartimaeus, when he was sitting by the wayside.
Successful? A new man? Indeed, yes! He’s taken in a new Partner. He’s a Christian.—The Wellspring.
Personal Purity.
(National Purity Federation.)
THE editor of a vigorous medical periodical, in writing of the education features of personal purity, says:
One of the most favorable signs in the present tendency of education is the awakening interest in the vital questions pertaining to the moral training of our children. This part of the child’s education has usually come from an improper source.
A feeling of false delicacy or prudery stands between most parents and their children on these vital questions. This criminal neglect is doing more to retard the moral progress of humanity than most any other thing.
If parents and teachers will unite in this important work, much will be done for the physical, moral, spiritual and intellectual advancement of the youth.
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Our Little Friend
An Illustrated Paper for the Smaller Men and Women, for the Children and Little Ones
Instructive and entertaining, clean, wholesome, sensible. It is a character builder, a helper to father and mother. Our Little Friend would plant seed in the joyous life of the children in the Present, that it may bear blessed fruitage in the Harvest of the Future. Respect your child's individuality. Take the paper for him or her. Only 50 cents a year.
