Your ShelfYour Projects

Review and Herald, Vol. 54, No. 8.

CHOSEN VESSELS
Earlier text: CHOSEN VESSELS

ON THE STUDY OF PROPHECY.

A LATE religious paper holds the following language:—
“We once heard the venerable Dr. Archibald Alexander remark that an absorbing study of the unfulfilled prophecies was somewhat dangerous ground for unsteady people to tread; that it had unsettled some minds and wrecked others. This remark was made to the students of the Theological Seminary, at a time when the gifted but erratic Professor George Bush was lecturing in Princeton and ventilating some of his peculiar views on the prophetic scriptures. His remarkable career, so brilliant in the opening, and so sad in the ending, well illustrates the danger of going beyond what is written as it regards the things of the future.”
In this statement of Dr. Alexander—if he ever made it—there is but one truth, and that is that there is some ground dangerous for unsteady people to tread; it would have been still truer if he had said that all ground is dangerous for unsteady people to tread, both of which the students probably knew before they went to Princeton.
But again: it is the study of “the unfulfilled prophecies” that is so dangerous; but how can one tell which are fulfilled and which are unfulfilled, till he studies them all? Put the Bible into the hands of a man who has just come to Christ, but who has never read the book, and caution him against reading “the unfulfilled prophecies,” and what will he make of it?
It may be objected to this, that the Doctor was talking to theological students. Well, is the matter so clear that all theological students can tell (which are fulfilled and which unfulfilled)?
It certainly is not so clear to all theological professors, for it is not long since one asserted that the predictions of Christ’s second coming were all fulfilled at the siege of Jerusalem, though the last prediction of his second coming was made some years after that siege.
History does not warrant the assertion of the professor. Joseph, Moses and Daniel were clearly all students of the “unfulfilled prophecies,” not to mention any others, and it did not seem either to “unsettle” or “wreck” them.
But it may be objected that this is not quite fair, as the doctor was speaking of unsteady people.
This is a vague expression, and we regret its use. It admits of an infinity of interpretations, for which we have no space; we will merely show who are not “unsteady people,” and such may study even the unfulfilled prophecies.
  1. Those are not unsteady who are anchored, as are all who trust in Christ. Heb. 6:19.
  2. Nor those who are “taught of God.” John 6:4, 5.
  3. Nor those who study the word with the purpose of doing what they are taught. John 7:17.
The study of “the unfulfilled prophecies” will not hurt those having these qualifications, and those who have them not will derive but little benefit from the study of any part of the word.
Furthermore, the Saviour very sharply rebukes his disciples as “fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken,” Luke 24:25, whence we should conclude that “the fools and slow of heart to believe” were just the ones that needed this very study of all the prophecies—fulfilled or unfulfilled.
Finally, we are told, 1 Tim. 3:16, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Who shall venture, then, to build a wall around any part of the word of God and put up over the gateway, “Dangerous ground”?
The closing sentence speaks of “the danger of going beyond what is written as it regards the things of the future.” We heartily join in reprobating any study of any prophecies not “written” in the word of God, and as heartily join in reprobating the course of all—especially religious teachers who say, “Here is a part of the word of God which I will neither study myself nor permit any one else to study, if I can help it.” This truly is “dangerous ground” for unsteady people and all others; such would do well to study Rev. 22:19.
It is just such assertions as these that have brought so many unbelievers into the church—and not a few into the pulpits even—that have given infidelity such a vantage ground. Were the church true to its trust, did it study the whole Bible and live up to its teachings, the world would be presented with evidences of Christianity which no one would dare to gainsay.—Faith’s Record.

TRUSTFULNESS

By Hubert Bower

LORD, let me rest as sleeps the child A mother sings to rest, Safe in its utter helplessness Upon her sheltering breast; Then shall this restless heart of mine In thee be fully blest.
Lay thou thy hand of tender love Upon my feverish brow, And as the Master healed of old, So heal the suffering now; Speak, and the deep unrest shall flee, And I in reverence bow.
Teach me that helplessness is strength, United to thy might; That some may see thy glories best In sorrow’s darkest night; That we must pass the land of shades To reach the land of light.
—Hubert Bower.

WHY NOT BELIEVE IT?

By M. Wood

“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa. 1:18.
Oh, why can we not believe the word of God? We are not slow to believe what an earthly friend tells us. The physician tells his patient he is sick; he believes it, and takes the remedy administered, although it may be poisonous, and may result in serious injury. But why distrust God, when he has shown such infinite love and unfailing wisdom in providing the plan of salvation. Your heart may be covered with the foul stains of sin; yet there is a remedy in Calvary’s fountain, where every shade of pollution may be washed away.
But, sinner, you must go to the fountain for yourself; you must accept the proffered pardon; you must step into the troubled waters of your own free will, if you would be made clean. Only believe you are accepted, put away your sins, turn with deep abhorrence from your former course of life, and come to Christ as your Saviour. He saveth unto the uttermost. Jesus says, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.” Do not wait for a more convenient season; but come now, and accept of salvation on Christ’s own terms. Come, without money and without price.
M. Wood.

GIVE US SOMETHING BETTER.

I REMEMBER, when a boy, going one day to Hoboken with our Professor to collect mineralogical specimens. What I learned of minerals that day is not very fresh in my memory just now, but I learned one lesson that I shall never forget. The boys were constantly plying the Professor with this question, “Is this a good specimen, Doctor?” to which he frequently replied, “Well, no, not a first-rate one.” “Shall I throw it away, then?” “No, keep it till you get a better.”
I have seen many opportunities, since that day, to use this wise advice; but it never seemed wiser than it does to-day, when we are urged, from many quarters, to give up all that we have ever held dear—all, in fact, that makes anything dear, or even desirable, and when many, not only of the world, but of the church, are yielding to the clamor. If one asks me to give up the Bible, I reply, “Never, till you give me something better. Write me something that contains more wisdom, more comfort, more peace, more joy, something better suited to my needs in this world, more inspiring with hope as regards the world to come, something more evidently from God than is the Bible.” This I must have before I can listen for a moment to this demand. But who can do this? Who ever attempted it? There has been no lack of those who have decried and derided the Bible from the earliest days of the Christian church to the present, but who ever attempted to supply its place? Who is ready to do it now? If the vast army of infidels, skeptics, and doubters can devise anything better, let them produce it. D’Alembert, or Diderot, it matters not which, said to his infidel comrades one day, “Gentlemen, you may deride the four Gospels as much as you will, but you all know very well that there is not one of you who can write anything comparable to them.” If an infidel exists to-day capable of doing this, let him show it. Till he does, we may be excused for saying we will hold to what we have till we get something better.—Selected.

Our Casket.

“A little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts and almonds.” Gen. 43:11.
—THE mind of youth cannot remain empty; if you do not put into it that which is good, it will gather elsewhere that which is evil.
—THE rude man is contented if he but sees something going on; the man of more refinement must be made to feel; the man entirely refined desires to reflect.
—THERE are two ways of going through this world; one is to make the best of it, and the other is to make the worst of it. Those who take the latter course work hard for poor pay.
I JOURNEY through a desert drear and wild, Yet is my heart by such sweet thoughts beguiled, Of Him on whom I lean, my strength and stay, I can forget the sorrows of the way.
—THE late Dr. J. W. Alexander observed the Moravian custom of selecting a “year-text” or motto. In one of his letters he wrote: “My sentence for 1859 is, ‘God, my exceeding joy.’”
—WHEN a father takes up a child to show him pictures, ten to one he holds the book at such an angle as to suit his own vision, and not that of the little one. Yet the little one’s sight is the one to be favored. How true it is that the preachers and teachers of religious truth too often hold that up where they can best see it, and not where those of whom they have charge can best see it.
—BE loyal to the nature you bear; consecrate your lives to every good and noble work, faithfully labor for the elevation and perfection of our common humanity, and the angel will sweetly smile upon you, and you will be happy, both in this life and in that which is beyond the grave. If you would be happy, you must do all within your power to bless others. By making others happy, you fill your own lives with sunshine and happiness.
—A STRAW will make an impression on the virgin snow; let it remain there but a short time and a horse’s hoofs can scarcely penetrate it. So it is with the youthful mind. A trifling word may make an impression upon it; but after a few years the most powerful appeals cease to influence. Think of this, ye who have the training of the infant mind, and leave such impressions thereon as will be safe for it to carry amid the follies and temptations of the world.
—THE mother’s smile gives her child the first glimpse of Heaven, as the tenderness of her affection awakens the first conception of an all-bountiful Providence. Women dwell with patience upon the trifles that make up the lives of their children; and it is on the direction of these seeming trifles that their future greatness will depend. “A kiss from my mother,” said Benjamin West, “made me a painter.” When yet a child, he had drawn a rude sketch of an infant relation sleeping in a cradle. His mother chanced to see his childish production, and was so well pleased with it that she took the young artist in her arms and rapturously kissed him. That mark of maternal delight fixed his choice for life.

HOW A CHRISTIAN SHOULD NOT WALK

“As many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” Gal. 6:16.

HOW A CHRISTIAN SHOULD NOT WALK.

He should not walk in the counsel of the ungodly. Ps. 1:1.
He should not walk in the way of sinners. Prov. 1:15, and 4:14.
He should not walk any more after the imagination of his evil heart. Jer. 3:17, and 9:14.
He should not walk in lies. Jer. 23:14.
He should not walk in pride. Dan. 4:37.
He should not walk in rioting and drunkenness, or in chambering and wantonness, or strife and envying. Rom. 13:13.
He should not walk in craftiness. 2 Cor. 4:2.
He should not walk according to the course of this world, as in time past. Eph. 2:2.
He should not walk as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their minds. Eph. 4:17.
He should not walk disorderly. 2 Thess. 3:6.
He should not walk in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries. 1 Pet. 4:3.
He should not walk after his own ungodly lusts. Jude 18.
“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isa. 40:31.

CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE.

By James White

The movements and organizations on the temperance question have accomplished great good. Among these are the Washingtonian movement, the Murphy movement, the Good Templar organization, the Reform Club, and the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. Intemperance is an evil terrible beyond description. Men may debase themselves, disgrace their God-given powers, and bring upon themselves great physical suffering, by indulging the appetite for strong drinks; and their miseries may end only in a premature grave. But their sufferings can hardly compare with the physical and mental wretchedness of the innocent parties they call wife and children.
There is a class of men who regard themselves as the world’s preservers, the salt that saves society from extremes. These conservative inspectors of propriety, who have neither eyes to see nor hearts to feel the human agony caused the unfortunate women of our world who are linked with drunken husbands, may coolly criticise the woman’s temperance movement with all its prayers and tears, yet the hand of God may have been in it all. The nature of the case called for vigilant, decided action. Have these good women erred in a few instances? When men, who have handled less responsible matters, can show no errors, then they may become their critics.
Perverted appetite is the greatest earthly power known to man. There is power in money; but appetite swallows wealth. Many a farm, fine house, horses and carriages, or the proceeds of them, have gone down the poor inebriate’s throat. There is power in education and position; but this, too, is debased by the power of appetite. There is power in love; but this has often been crushed out of the loving heart of the tender, confiding wife by the power of appetite in him who at the matrimonial altar pledged his life and sacred honor before God to honor, love, and cherish her. There is power in arms; and yet brave officers who lead men under their command in the face of loaded batteries without fear or the flinching of a single muscle, will surrender their manhood before a glass of whisky or a plug of tobacco.
In meeting such a force as that of perverted appetite, the friends of temperance should first count the cost, lay their plans wisely and well, then move forward with faith, hope, and untiring energy. The slave to vitiated taste must be treated as a man. If his moral sense can be aroused, his manhood awakened from the death-like slumber of debasing indulgence, there is hope. Temperance lecturers who indulge in the relation of anecdotes at the expense of the drunkard, and call down upon his pate the heartless laugh of those who listen to their wit, might put their time and breath to a better purpose. Such efforts may tend to shame the youth out of the thought of entering upon the slimy path of inebriety; but you might as well undertake to shame the hungry tiger out of his prey, as to shame a confirmed inebriate out of the path of indulgence.
The cause of Christian temperance is that which appeals from the Bible, and reaches down the hand of pity and help to the poor victim of appetite, as Christ in mercy and in love stooped from his exaltation in Heaven to save sinners and place them by his side in Heaven. This movement that has recently taken form among Seventh-day Adventists, under the able and energetic leadership of Dr. J. H. Kellogg, of the Battle Creek Sanitarium, is the same that has been making headway among us for thirty years. And as the result we are a denomination of the most strict temperance people on the globe. With very few exceptions all are taking the total pledge of abstinence from the voluntary use of strong drinks, tobacco, tea, and coffee. The good work is going on rapidly, not only among our people, but hundreds from the outside are joyfully taking the strongest pledge.
Our ministers will, from this time onward, carry the banner of temperance with them, and incorporate the temperance work with their other labors, so that when believers are brought out they will be clear from tobacco and other defilements, ready for baptism and organization. God speed the good and great work to its consummation.
As a denomination of health and temperance reformers, we are a happy people. In this movement we avoid sickness, disgrace, and poverty on the one hand, and on the other gain health, position, and means to use in the cause of God. The amount saved to the cause is much larger than our people have any idea of. Let us calculate on the supposition that there are in our ranks three thousand families who, if they were not health and temperance reformers, would each expend and lose annually not less than fifty dollars for tobacco, coffee, tea, drugs, doctors’ bills, and time lost in sickness. The total amount in one year would be one hundred and fifty thousand dollars! And this sum worse than lost! This amount is greater by one-half than all our liberalities in support of the gospel of the Redeemer at home and abroad, including the support given our institutions and missionary operations. We repeat the remark that as a denomination of health and temperance reformers, taking the lead in Christian temperance, we are a happy people. J. W.

SIGNING NOTES.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

AGAIN we feel constrained to call the attention of our brethren to the great risk which they run in signing notes with friends.
First, it is entirely unscriptural, as has been frequently shown through the REVIEW, the Lord strongly advising us not do it.
Secondly, in a large number of cases it proves the utter ruin of the brethren who thus sign for others. I think I can truthfully say that not a month passes but I learn of very sad cases of brethren who have lost from one hundred to a thousand dollars, and frequently all they have in the world, by thoughtlessly signing a note with some friend. Just now a good honest brother, with simply means enough to buy a little home, has involved all he possesses by signing for an unworthy brother. I know another case of a brother who has just lost six hundred dollars by signing a note. Indeed, we can scarcely go into a church where cases like this do not exist. Our brethren have been warned against this danger time and again. If a man comes to you to sign with him, no matter who it is, you should not do it. You have no right thus to hazard the property God has placed in your hands, and bring distress into your family. It very generally happens that it proves an injury to the man with whom you sign, as it enables him to take risks which he would not otherwise.
Some of our leading brethren say that they will never sign a note with any one, not even their own father or son, and we think this is the correct principle. If they are so needy as to require help, give it right out, or hire the money on your own responsibility, and lend it to them; but remember that if you put your name to another man's obligation, you will quite probably have to pay it. Of course you do not think so at the time, but it will turn out so, and then you will never recover from it while you live. The best way to avoid the difficulty is by attending to your own matters, and letting others do the same. D. M. CANRIGHT.

COME TO THE ILLINOIS CAMP-MEETING.

By Daniel T. Bourdeau

The time for this meeting is near. The officers of the Illinois Conference have spared no labor nor expense to make it comparatively easy for all to attend. A car has been chartered for district No. 9, to take passengers from Gilman to Bloomington and back, a distance of nearly two hundred miles, for the small sum of $2.00 each. How can any who have the least degree of interest in the truth neglect to avail themselves of so liberal an offer? I am informed that similar measures have been taken in other parts of the State. With such facilities may we not expect that at least three-fourths of the Sabbath-keepers of Illinois will attend this camp-meeting? To fail to do so would evince a lack of interest in the advancement and triumph of the best of causes.
A little extra effort, economy, energy, (borrowing a little money, if need be), will enable those in the poorest circumstances to command the small sum necessary to attend this important gathering. Who has not ventured ten times this amount in worldly enterprises, some of which have proved a failure? How many now keeping the Sabbath have, before embracing the truth, invested hundreds of dollars in tobacco, spirituous liquors, and other injurious articles, or in attending parties of pleasure. Now that such have commenced to save in these directions, how proper to spend a part of the means saved in going up to this feast to worship the God of Heaven, to show our appreciation of the truth, to get a more thorough knowledge of the work of God for these times, and thereby be better prepared to act a part in carrying it forward. A mingling of new converts with those who have long walked in the way of truth cannot fail to be profitable, as those newly converted to the faith need the experience of their older brethren, while those who have long borne the burden and heat of the day need to be refreshed by seeing the fruits of their labors in those who have lately been brought into the truth. Again, old believers are in danger of losing their first love, and there is nothing so well calculated to warm the cold heart of the backslider as the fervent love and praise of the new convert. Let us all seek the Lord together, and we shall certainly be benefited.
The Lord anciently established yearly gatherings, with wise regard for the good of his people Israel. This gave them periods of rest from wearisome labor, kept them from worldly-mindedness, and gave them opportunities to cultivate spirituality. These gatherings also tended to prevent party feelings among the tribes, who would naturally break away from each other if they did not have these frequent assemblies to worship and unite their interests and efforts to advance the common cause. And if they could afford to break away from their business three times a year for as many general meetings, can we not leave our homes and occupations once a year to seek together the needed blessing?
What is spent in going to such gatherings is not lost, as some esteem it who look at things from a narrow, selfish standpoint. We can afford to make some efforts to secure the rich blessing of God. Each one of my readers can call up occasions in the past where losses have been sustained, great weariness experienced, sickness contracted, etc., in struggling for a livelihood. And is not eternal life worth suffering for? If we do not prize the offered blessing of God enough to undergo hardships and make sacrifices that we may obtain it, we are certainly unworthy and cannot expect to receive it.
Experience has taught us that the work of God could not be successfully carried on without these gatherings. The cause of God must be represented in its different branches, that its wants may be known and supplied, and that all may have clearer ideas of the nature and magnitude of the work. In a certain sense it may be said that the blessing of God is wealth or temporal advantage as well as health. There is nothing gained in temporal things by raising the steam to such a pitch that the boiler will burst. Poor economy that. The repairing will cost more than the extra profit up to the point of the break-down. Such things are of very frequent occurrence. Men will rush on in business, and will not take time to pray and reflect, and give God a chance to help them, and the result will be accidents, bad bargains, bad moves, and heavy losses. Let us remember the words of the wise man: “There is that scattereth and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.” Prov. 11:24.
Let us not look forward to the camp-meeting as though a work was to be done for us there without our co-operation, and without our previously seeking God. We need home blessings, and we also need the great blessings and victories that God grants to the many who seek him together. “One shall chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight.”
Who can say that the work of our camp-meetings is not embraced in the following injunction? “Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly; gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children; . . . let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?” Joel 2:15-17.
Let us bring our friends and children. How can we bear the thought of having our children lost through fear of losing financially? Many are going to ruin through over-anxiety in worldly interests. Let us wake up, and view things in the light of eternity. D. T. Bourdeau.

OUR COLLEGE AND EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.

By S. N. Haskell

About twelve years ago, when Eld. Stephen Pierce was in New Hampshire, he was asked when he thought the Lord would come. The reply was, “I don’t know; the truth must go to the different nations of Europe, and we must have some place to educate men and women in other tongues.” Some of the brethren thought, and it was whispered around, that he had not much faith in the near coming of the Lord; but only twelve years have passed, and what he anticipated has been accomplished. We may well say, “See what the Lord hath wrought.”
The object which our College has in view is to fit men and women for usefulness in the cause of present truth. In this its success thus far has been wonderful. Individuals of different nationalities have gone from it, and are laboring with success in the cause of God. God’s providence has attended it. It has all the advantages of any worldly institution in teaching the sciences and common branches, and is especially adapted to those who design to labor in the cause of God. Such will find this College a means well calculated to prepare them for their work.
The commercial department will be an important addition, and will constitute a great inducement to those who may be called to act as secretaries, clerks, librarians, or to fill any position in the cause requiring a knowledge of business matters. The business done by our Conferences amounts to many thousand dollars a year, in some as high as thirteen thousand; and as our Conferences are enlarging, this business is increasing.
Our Conferences are suffering for want of those who know how to do business correctly. The Iowa Tract Society never made a better investment than when it sent Sr. Lizzie Hornby to Battle Creek to learn how to do the tract and missionary business.
Kansas is pursuing the same course with its recently elected secretary. A correct understanding of the principles of book-keeping, and how to apply them to the different branches of this work, is absolutely essential, in order to make a success of sustaining any business relation to this cause. We have long seen and felt the need of it. There are scores in every Conference who might be of use in the cause, did they know how to correctly relate themselves to the work. We hope this department will prove a blessing to hundreds who hitherto have had no special interest in the College. May God bless the College and its Faculty, is my prayer.
S. N. Haskell.

GOING WITH THE CROWD.

By E. H. Gates

“I believe they are right about the Sabbath; but I am going with the crowd.”
These words were spoken by a man who professed to be a follower of Christ. Not being able to get around the strong proof for the Sabbath, he excused himself in this way. Is it possible that he realized the full import of his words? The crowd is going down the broad and easy way that leads to eternal death. “Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matt. 7: 13, 14.
Those who are unwilling to meet with opposition here, will certainly have the privilege of going with a large crowd at the second resurrection. Rev. 20: 8. But then they will “see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God,” and they themselves cast out. Luke 13: 28. Then it will not seem so agreeable to be with the crowd. Christ never promised his followers that they should be in the majority in this world. He said to them, “Fear not little flock.” True, John saw “a great multitude which no man could number” before the throne; but they were the few out “of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues.” Rev. 7: 9.
It is now very convenient to go with the crowd; it saves so many unpleasant experiences, such as being laughed at for being “peculiar,” or perhaps being scoffed at and ridiculed. In all the great reforms of the world but a few have moved out, while the masses have gone “with the crowd.” Noah gave a solemn message to the world, which was scoffed at and derided by all. They wanted to go “with the crowd;” and certainly they did; for “the flood came and took them all away.”
The same class of people have been in existence ever since that time. If the rest of the world would be obedient, they would. The wicked Jews killed the prophets of God, because their message was unpopular. When Christ was on earth the question was at one time asked, “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?” John 7: 48.
If the rulers did not receive Christ, that was deemed sufficient reason for others not doing so. The same ones who asked that question, believed that the prophets who had been slain were men of God. It was very easy to believe it then, for every one else believed it. The burden had been borne, and time had demonstrated that the work was of God. Then the Pharisees garnished the sepulchers of those good men, and said, “If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.” Matt. 23: 29, 30. At the same time they were plotting how they might put the Son of God to death.
Men do not love to be opposed and laughed at for their religious belief. But such men should remember that the reason why we have religious liberty, and are not blind followers of a corrupted priesthood, is that a few noble men have dared to stand up for the right, in spite of what the “crowd” may say. Many at the present time reverence the names of those great men; but they show by their actions that the principles which governed the lives of the reformers have no place in their hearts.
E. H. GATES.
Staunton, Ohio.

AND

By C. W. Stone

This is a very useful word, serving as a ligature to bind ideas together. It should not be used by a speaker until he is sure he has an idea to put beyond it. It is not intended to serve as a hotel or waiting-room in the line of language, into which the speaker may noisily rush, to pause while he manufactures the next idea. It rarely requires emphasizing.
Public speakers, unless they are capable of criticising themselves, or unless they have some friend who will carefully criticise them, are almost certain to acquire some very bad habit. One will smack at every paragraph. One will go through with the noise of clearing the throat at every long pause, albeit his throat was perfectly clear before. Another will make a catch of the voice about half the length of the above, at every point where the next word is not right at the tongue’s end. But the principal object before me is to notice a common faulty usage of the word and.
Occasionally a speaker acquires the habit of speaking the word “and” with considerable emphasis. I have heard that word loudly emphasized in connection with some very important idea, while the word expressing the idea was left to languish in weakness.
One error in the use of this word is closely allied to a certain faulty management of the voice, or rather, to a certain lack of its management. A speaker starts out on a high key. When he gets well warmed up, his voice runs on a very level course, lacking terribly for modulation and inflection. For an emphatic word he may possibly increase the force, and raise the key about a minor third; and when he should let his voice fall, he drops it only about half way down. He is going on like a runaway engine, and he can’t make a full stop. He gets clear to the end of a sentence before he thinks where his voice is, when he is frightened to find his voice away up among the clouds. How shall he get it down? If he were reading, he might repeat the last word; but it will not do now,—it would sound like a school-boy’s declamation. There is only one way,—launching out upon an emphatic and, he adds another sentence, unconsciously hoping that the wording of it may aid him in making a better period.
Generally a short sentence is better than a long one. Look ahead for a period. If you get to one before you think of it, leave your voice up there once or twice as a sort of penance upon yourself, and spare the ears of the audience from the ringing of that monotonous “and.”
C. W. STONE.

KNOW

By B. F. Merritt

God has ever given due warning to the children of men before he has suffered his judgments to fall upon them.
Of three of the most important events of time, he has admonished men to know. Daniel records the words of the angel Gabriel thus: “Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince, shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks.” Dan. 9:25. But the great majority of men would not know it, and so they rejected the Saviour.
Luke records the words of Christ thus: “When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.” Luke 21:20. But the mass of the inhabitants of that city would not know it and escape.
Matthew records the words of Christ, for a later generation, thus: “When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” Matt. 24:33. He spoke this concerning his second coming. But who will know it? I think there is evidence showing that no greater proportion of men will know this truth than know the truth with reference to the other two events. But if those to whom this truth is apparent do all they can to promulgate it, some will sense it, and the portion of the unfaithful watchman will not be theirs.
B. F. MERRITT.

A NEAT LITTLE THING.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

This is what all will say of our new little tithing box. It is a small wooden box, strongly and neatly made, five inches long, and three inches square. It is covered over with a deep blue paper, ornamented with gilt borders and scriptural texts in gilt letters. On the top is an opening set with brass, large enough to admit a silver dollar. Above this opening is the following:—
“S. B. Treasury. ‘Lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven.’”
Below the opening is the following appropriate text:—
“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.” 1 Cor. 16:2.
On another side of the box is this text in large letters:—
“But this I say, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Cor. 9:6.
On a third side in small letters are the following appropriate headings and texts:—

DUTY OF TITHING.

“And of all that thou shalt give me will I surely give the tenth unto thee.” Gen. 28:22. “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord.” “And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord.” Lev. 27:30, 32. “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Mal. 3:10. “To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all.” Heb. 7:2.

GIVING OF THE FIRST-FRUITS.

“Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase.” Prov. 3:9. And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the self-same day that ye have brought an offering unto your God: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.” Lev. 23:14.

COVETOUSNESS FORBIDDEN.

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Heb. 13:5.

SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRY.

“The laborer is worthy of his hire.” Luke 10:7. “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” 1 Cor. 9:14. “And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.” Num. 18:21.
On one end in larger type, is the following:—
“Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” Ps. 50:5.
And on the other end is this:—
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor. 9:7.
Here are several brief sermons, all plainly in view and easily read. On the bottom is a little trap-door, with directions about opening.
This neat little box is designed to be put by the owner in a convenient place where he can deposit his tithes each week, or as often as he receives anything of the Lord. It is to be opened at the end of each quarter, the contents counted and given to the treasurer. Nothing could be better adapted to the purpose for which it is designed. When our offering is thus deposited, we shall be less liable to be tempted to use it for our own purposes.
Children, particularly, will appreciate it. Here they can lay by their little offerings. It would be an ornament to any room, and a silent monitor admonishing us of our duty. It is just the thing for class collections and penny contributions in the Sabbath-school. Every school should have one or more, and every family should have one. Indeed, it would be well for each person to have a box of his own.
Send in your orders to the REVIEW Office, Battle Creek. Price, post-paid, only 25 cents. In quantities of ten or more, by freight or express, 20 cents apiece. D. M. CANRIGHT.
Continue reading: THE BIBLE STANDARD OF PATIENCE