It had been one of those days of rare loveliness in late autumn, not Indian summer, but almost akin to it in beauty. All day long my cousins and I had been wandering in the woods, gathering pine and hemlock cones, mosses and lichens, and bright autumn leaves, and had returned at nightfall richly laden with treasures and thoroly tired out. We were recounting, with animated voices, the day's adventures to my aunt, who always listened to our recitals, and entered into our little plans for happiness, with a zest which showed that her heart had not grown old, tho here and there a silver line might be traced in the dark brown waves that rested so peacefully upon her forehead, when Uncle Norman came in from the barn, swinging his lantern.
"Why are you not out-of-doors, girls?" he asked. "Aurora borealis is holding a grand parade and exhibiting her most brilliant colors to-night."
In a moment we were out upon the broad veranda, and, sure enough, the whole heavens were in one blaze of glory. A royal rainbow arch of deepest red spanned the whole southern portion of the vaulted sky, while in the north, broad columns of light, of ever-varying tint, and assuming the most fantastic shapes, shot up to the zenith.
For a time we gazed in silent awe and admiration upon the sublimity and grandeur of the scene, and then a chorus of voices simultaneously exclaimed, "How grand! How charming! How very, very beautiful!"
"It is, indeed, a grand sight. It is many years since I have seen such a magnificent display of northern lights," said Uncle Norman, who had been standing unobserved beside us. "Many have been the nights, Maggie, that your mother and I have stood out under the star-spangled heavens, gazing with ecstasy upon their lofty heights, and wishing that we knew more of the hand which created them, and holds them in their places. But that was when I was a child, and now I am old, but my eye has not grown dim, neither is my heart closed to the rich scenery of nature. The beautiful things which God has made and scattered all about us, have power to stir my heart to its lowest depths, and call forth emotions of adoration to the beneficent Giver. But this evening reminds me of an evening long ago, the thoughts of which always awaken tender and glad emotions," he said, musingly, and with a soft cadence in his voice, as tho some far-off sweet remembrances hovered around and nestled down into his heart like a flock of singing birds.
"Tell us about it, please," we entreated; and seated in his favorite armchair, he began:
"I was just a month past my thirteenth birthday, and Brother Tom was two years older. It was in the latter part of the month of December. I remember the snow was a foot deep, and we had been riding down a steep hill back of the house on our hand sleds for two hours or more. It was a merry party. There were Joseph and Archie Bently, and my two cousins, Sam and Fred Rivers, and several other boys. We were full of fun and had noticed nothing unusual till Cousin Sam exclaimed, 'See here, boys; what does this mean?' and, looking round, we saw the snow covered with a deep red tinge, resembling blood. Some of the boys were frightened, but Brother Tom, who was always a resolute, stout-hearted boy, said, 'It is the northern lights;' and, looking up, a scene in the heavens presented itself like that we have witnessed to-night, only, perhaps, more marked and striking."
"I knew it was as light as day, but I thought it was the moon," said Tom. "I am sure I never saw anything half so beautiful before."
"Beautiful! Then it strikes you different from what it does me," said Cousin Fred. "I've seen the northern lights often enough, but I never saw anything like this before. It fills me with a sort of dread, as if something terrible was about to happen. I don't believe it is the northern lights."
"What else can it be?" asked Tom, who never in his life knew a fear. "It is certainly the grandest sight I ever saw; and if you will go down to the house with me, father will explain the phenomenon to be the result of natural causes."
"So we went to the house and found father and mother standing without, gazing with rapt delight upon the wonderful illumination. Finally we went in, and Tom told father what we had come for. He smiled, and was just going to begin an explanation, when there came a hurried knock at the door, and little Johnnie Stannard came bursting in, looking terribly frightened, as he exclaimed:
"Mrs. Bradford, mother wants you to come over to our house right away. She is afraid the judgment-day is coming, and she isn't prepared. Do, please, be quick; she is taking on dreadfully. Will you come, Mrs. Bradford?"
"Yes, tell your mother that I'll be over directly."
"O, mother!" exclaimed Tom, impetuously, as soon as the door closed behind Johnnie, "I wonder if she really thinks that you could postpone the judgment-day supposing it had come. It is really too bad for you to go over there in the cold, just to humor that superstitious woman's whims. If I had lived in the world as long as she has, I think I should know better than to be frightened to death at such a common occurrence."
"The present illumination can hardly be called common. I do not remember to have seen anything approaching to it in grandeur but once in my life before," said my mother, gently, and with just a shadow of reproof in her tones. By this time she was cloaked and hooded for her walk, and I was standing, hat in hand, beside her.
"O, if Norman isn't going, too! That is rich," said Tom, with a scornful little laugh.
"Do you suppose I would allow mother to go alone?" I answered, indignantly; "that is, if she will accept my company," I added, as I looked proudly up into her face.
"I shall be most happy to do so," she answered, with one of her sweetest smiles, as she took my proffered arm.
"When we were out again under the blazing canopy of heaven, a sickening sense of awe came over me. I had not Brother Tom's bravery, and the present display in the heavens above me seemed to my excited mind but little short of the miraculous."
"We were soon at Mrs. Stannard's, and the sight of her distress made me forget, for the time, everything else. Some time elapsed before my mother succeeded in quieting the poor woman's fears, but at last she seemed satisfied, and almost overwhelmed mother with thanks for her kindness in coming to her."
"If my poor husband had been alive," she said, "I should not have given way to my fears, and made you so much trouble. He was a good Christian, and often tried to persuade me to become one, and now, when I imagined that danger was near, I could not help being frightened, for I knew that I was not prepared."
"I remember that mother tried to point the poor woman to the Saviour as a refuge from all her fears; but the way seemed dark and gloomy to me, and I could not understand it. As soon as we had set out upon our homeward walk, I asked, 'Mother, does any one know when the last day will come?'"
"No, my son," she replied.
"But might it not come at any time?"
"Yes, I suppose so."
"Then I do not wonder that Mrs. Stannard was alarmed. Do you think, mother," I added, after a pause, "that you would have been so frightened, had you known that the last day had really come?"
"I do not think I should," she answered. "I have stood face to face with a great danger. You remember when I was returning from my visit to your uncle's, last summer, that the steamboat took fire, and it was not till all hope seemed cut off, and several were suffocated with the heat, that I was transferred to the vessel that had come to our rescue; but through all that dreadful scene, my mind was kept in perfect peace. I expected every moment to be enveloped in the flames, but these sweet words kept revolving over and over in my mind:
'See the Lord, thy Keeper, stand
Omnipotently near;
Lo! He holds thee by thy hand,
And banishes thy fear;
Shadows with His wings thy head;
Guards from all impending harm;
Round thee and beneath are spread
The everlasting arms.'
and I was sweetly kept from all fear. I have never been able to narrate the circumstance with half the composure which I possessed at the time. I often praise God for the incident, for I never before knew what a strong anchor the Christian's hope is."
"I held my breath hard while she was speaking, for a great sob was trying to escape me; and when I had composed myself so that I dared to trust my voice, I said, softly:
'O, mother! I wish I could feel so. I wish I had this hope, for do you know I was afraid to-night? I am always afraid when there is any danger. If the Lord should come, I am afraid I should be lost. O, what shall I do?' I had not meant to commit myself so far, but my agitation had increased every moment while I was speaking. I felt the hand tremble that rested on my arm, and an earnest, tremulous voice answered out of the stillness:
'Thank God! thank God! that He has shown my dear boy his danger.'"
"We were at the door, now, and it was a relief to find that the boys had withdrawn, and the family had retired; for I was in no mood to meet Brother Tom's lively sallies of wit; the arrow had entered too deeply my soul."
"When mother had laid aside her things, and stirred up the fire, she invited me to sit down beside her; and O, how sweetly she talked to me of a Saviour's love and compassion, and of His willingness to receive sinners, even the worst and most hardened! She told me of the love that prompted Him to take upon Himself our nature, to live, to labor, to suffer want and hunger, persecutions and threatenings; and how He wept over and prayed for His enemies, and spent His life in doing them good. She spoke of His dreadful agony in the garden, His arraignment and mock trial, His scourging and painful sufferings upon the cross, and how He willingly and patiently suffered all this, and more than human tongue can tell, that sinners might live; and that all He asks in return for this great love is that we give Him our hearts; turn away from a life of sin, and keep His holy commandments. She told me of His brief rest in the sepulcher of Joseph, of His resurrection and glorious ascension, and how He ever lives at the right hand of the Father to make intercession for us."
"I had often heard this story from her lips, but had never before taken in its meaning; and as she proceeded with tender earnestness, and with choked utterance, to portray in living colors the wonderful love of the world's Redeemer, a cry of anguish15came welling up from the depths of my heart, that I had ever grieved this Saviour; that I had never learned to love Him; and when she bade me kneel beside her while she craved for me His forgiveness, I obeyed, nestling close to her side, with my hand in hers, just as I used to do when, a little child, she taught me to say, 'Our Father which art in heaven,' and 'Now I lay me.' And O, the sweet peace that took possession of my soul while she prayed! I have never yet found words to express it. But, my dear girls, in that precious, ever to be remembered hour, my young heart surrendered itself a willing captive to the love of Jesus; and when we arose from our knees, I clasped my mother's hand in mine, and covering it with tears and kisses, exclaimed, with all the joy of a newborn soul, 'The precious Saviour, how I love Him!'"
"My dear mother held me closely to her bosom for a few moments, while the glad tears fell upon my upturned brow like showers of summer rain; and then we carried the glad tidings to my father's room. O, there were rejoicings that night in that humble Christian home! and, I am persuaded, 'joy among the angels in heaven,' over a sinner saved by grace."
"Brother Tom, tho he looked incredulous at first, made no disparaging remarks, as I had supposed he would; and a few months only had elapsed before the dear boy had himself learned to trust in Jesus for salvation."
"That was many years ago," uncle continued, after a few moments' pause, "and I was very young then; too young, some would tell us, to become a Christian; but my experience has taught me that a child may, by faith and prayer, find the blessing, aye, and retain it, too; for in all these years I have found in my heart no disposition to turn away from the Saviour."
We had been deeply interested in my uncle's story, and when it was finished we all sat without speaking, till uncle broke the silence by asking, "Has my story been too sober for you, girls?"
"Father has been telling us his Christian experience," said Ellen, the eldest of my cousins, herself a Christian, "and I'm sure it is far more rich and beautiful than any story he could have told us."
Her voice trembled a little, and her eyes were filled with unshed tears, as I looked up wonderingly into her face, for at that time I did not understand the "mystery of godliness," tho I had been deeply touched by the story; and, years afterward, when I had learned to love the Saviour, and to claim my right in the redemption which He had died to purchase, I traced my first permanent religious impressions to that pleasant evening and Uncle Norman's story.
Sabbath
By Editor
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Signs of the TimesMountain View, California
The Perturbed Earth
LOOK which way we will, there is fear and anxiety on the part of the people of the world. As expressed in the North American Review for July, "The very air is laden with apprehension of startling and grievous happenings." And the editor summarizes the tangible fears as follows: (1) Apprehension of War; (2) Oppression of the Poor by the Rich; (3) The Tariff and the Trusts; (4) Common Extravagance; (5) The Disestablishment of Credit; and (6) Effects of Popular Agitation. The editor endeavors to take a sunshiny view in all these matters. But the real student of human affairs, guided by the prophetic word, can not see the roseate beyond that Mr. Harvey sees. There is a fear of war,—not simply a war between Mexico and the United States, but there is a decided fear on the part of many in the United States of war with Japan. And this is not a matter of fear in this country alone, but men in other lands are looking upon it in the same way.
For instance, F. Di Palma, editor of the Nautical Review, a deputy in the Italian parliament, and Italy's foremost naval expert, points out that there is a real basis for fear of war with Japan. He goes on to say that Japan is building up a great navy more rapidly than America is building. She builds quietly and steadily, and he asks, What can be her purpose but to control the Pacific Ocean, with no foes on the other side of her, and with her resources in the condition that they are? He also points out the fact that when America annexed the Hawaiian Islands, Japan was the only one that protested against it, and she has never withdrawn her protest.
Japan seems also to be standing with Mexico in her difficulties. European powers are demanding that the United States shall protect European interests there, or take such a course that they shall be protected; and the latest rumors are that this government is entering into an agreement with England, and perhaps other European powers, to step in together and control things in our troubled neighbor's household at the south. At the same time, England will give assurance that she will not stand with Japan as against the United States. Whether this is entirely rumor, or has some basis in fact, we do not yet know. One learns not to depend upon newspaper reports too strongly.
The labor troubles are also assuming very serious aspects, with one hundred thousand trainmen, on several of the great roads, threatening to strike. It is hoped, of course, that the troubles will be settled and the strike averted, but this is quite uncertain. From all parts of the country come reports of ebullitions of lawlessness, and the investigators in public affairs are continually opening up new chapters of dishonorable action on the part of trusted servants of national, state, and municipal governments.
Mr. Bryan is perfecting his peace plans for the nations, all of which will be heartily endorsed, and yet go unheeded. There is too much jealousy between the great nations of the world to expect combination on any peace plan that will abolish war, or greatly reduce war expense. France, it may be remarked, is finding it very difficult to pass her war bill, but it will pass.
Added to all this, there is the distrust in commercial lines, and losses by drought and storm in various parts of the world. The horizon does not show a promising outlook. There are tremendous portents on every side, which vividly recall the words of our Lord in Luke 21, referring to the days of His coming: "And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows; men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world." Certainly we are in the times of fear and perplexity. Thank God there is One who rules above all the nations, and who will see that in all the turmoil not one of His children shall perish.
4141 — The Old and the New Covenant; 4142 — Redeemed from the Law; 4143 — Leaven of the Pharisees; 4144 — Building and Restoration of Jerusalem; 4145 — Hardening His Heart; 4146 — The Last Supper
Our Bible Band ............................ Page 2
General ................................... Pages 3-6
The Outlook ............................... Pages 10-13, 16
History Making in China F. E. Stafford
California the World's Playground — Ghosts — Notes
The Home .................................. Pages 14, 15
Uncle Norman's Story
Bible Versions Used
By Editor
Our authority is the Bible, the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. When the Common ("King James" or "Authorized") Version or the American Standard Revised Version is used, the version will not generally be designated in reference. Any Bible quotation in this paper, therefore, differing from the Common Version, unless otherwise indicated, will be almost invariably from the American Standard edition of the Revised Bible, copyright 1910, by Thomas Nelson & Sons.
For further particulars, subscription rates, etc., see page 15.
Independence Declared in China
By Editor
Those who read will be interested in the article in our Outlook department on China. This is scarcely in type when news comes that several provinces in China have declared their independence of the Peking government; also the city of Shanghai. The provinces are in Central China. Efforts are being made, it is said, to organize an independent government in Nanking, and this probably will cause the nations who have made the recent loan to China to interfere, and China will be the one that will suffer.
A Visit From Korea
The church at Mountain View had another privilege of a visit from a returning missionary. Pastor C. L. Butterfield, superintendent of the Korean mission work, was with us Sabbath and Sunday, July 19 and 20, speaking to us three times. It seemed good to hear again of the wonderful work of God in heathen lands. In Korea there are many turning from unholy superstitions, from demon-worship, "from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven." 1 Thess. 1:9, 10. Brother Butterfield is on his way back to Korea. May God be with him and his coworkers abundantly.
Be Comforted in God
"Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God." "Comfort" comes from "co," with, and "fort," strength. It does not mean mere sympathy or pity, or mere words spoken in sympathy. It does not mean that the sorrow or trouble is taken away. It means that the comforter goes with us in the trial, the struggle, the sorrow, goes with us strongly, goes with us to strengthen us. It is helpful to have a human comforter; but to His children God gives the assurance, "I, even I, am He that comforteth you." And again in infinite solicitude He whispers: "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted." "Lo, I am with you always." He is with us to make us strong, to lift us up, to give the assurance of strength to the fainting heart. With what wonderful skill and tact and tenderness the mother comforted! But she too was mortal. The Infinite One does not die, can not fail. He will strengthen us with the tenderness and sweetness and power of His presence to the end. Be comforted in God.
The Very Best Way.
By Editor
One of the questions asked of the Circle and Success Magazine in the June and July numbers is, "What is the best workable substitute for a church fair or supper as a money raiser?" After three suggestions, the minister who answers the question says: "Of course, the tithing system is the safe, Scriptural method, which would make an appeal for money never necessary." Then why not advise that and that alone? The tithing system is the safe, Scriptural method, and the church that truly adopts the tithing system will not only pay God the tithe which belongs to Him, but it will be glad to give more as thank-offerings; for among the Lord's people are "tithes and offerings." The tithing system is simple, clear, just, bringing men into a personal partnership with God in their business, and helping in all things to properly balance life.
Errata on Mission Funds
By Editor
Errata on Mission Funds.—In reporting the money to us, three weeks ago, there were several mistakes made, as follows: Geo. W. Rich, Jr., $.25, and Mary R. Smith, $5.00, should have been credited to the China "B" mission, through Our Little Friend. This would reduce our total on the China Training School to $728.36, and increase receipts of the "B" mission to $171. The donations to Burma—$20.30—should be credited to "Through Our Little Friend." We regret these errors, but correct them by request.
In the Balkans
By Editor
In the Balkans. — One of the first thoughts that comes to one as he surveys the troubled territory of the Balkan peninsula is, "Poor Bulgaria!" If she had been willing to listen to reason and diplomacy, she would have saved much more than she is getting now. It would look as if she might lose all that she had won and more. Rumania is pressing in from the north, Servia and Greece and Turkey from the south and west. Even Sofia, her capital, is threatened. She is now to accept the terms of peace offered by Rumania, Servia, and Greece. The Turks entered Adrianople after a brief struggle, July 20. It is a strange turn of war that after Bulgaria had almost driven the Turk out of Europe, he should turn and recover quite a part of his lost realm, and especially one of his most ancient seats of government in Europe. The powers will not permit him to hold it. When, however, the little states have weakened themselves enough, the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente may come to an agreement and settle the affairs as may suit them best. Just now it is an interesting national chess-board. How the game will end it is impossible to say.
Learning to Fly
Learning to Fly.—What a hopeful little lesson there is to the observing Christian in the story of a bee! First the egg is placed in a hexagonal cell, where there is food enough stored for its use till that bee reaches maturity. That is sealed over with wax. There is just enough to develop that bee, and no more. If that wax should be taken away and the honey eaten out, that egg would not develop into a full-fledged bee. The bee could never fly. But in that sealed hexagonal tube, when the time comes for the bee to emerge, there must be struggle and wrestling and straining to get through that capsule of wax. It is a strait gate for the bee, so close and narrow that in the agony of outgoing he tears away the membrane that enclosed his wings, and on the other side of the struggle he is able to fly. If the capsule had been eaten off, as a moth sometimes eats them off, the wings would never have been opened, and the bees would have stung the poor mummied young one to death. Do not worry because the hard things come in the Christian life. If there is no cross, there will be no crown; if no struggle, there will be no strength. If we want a time of ease, we will have to reap its fruitage. God knows that we need the struggle, or He would not give us the trial.
