Earlier text: ABIDE IN MECHINA: A MISSIONARY'S VIEW.
Mrs. S. L. Baldwin, in the Outlook of Sept. 8, 1900. The world stands aghast to-day at the great upheaval in China, and asks persistently, What could have produced such a convulsion? Among the various causes given of late we have the assurance, from sources by no means well informed, that the missionary is the chief cause of all trouble. Without a doubt the missionary factor is in the situation, but there are more factors than one, and they have been doing their fruitful work for years. The only marvel is that the revolt did not come sooner. . . . The Chinese have ears to hear, eyes to see and read, and hearts to feel, and are by no means lacking in mental strength. The effect of actual robbery by some nations, and the monstrous proposal to dismember and appropriate the whole country, should not surprise anyone by natural results. The assumed wonder of nations at the present Chinese uprising only illustrates how hardened national conscience may become. The personal attitude of many foreigners in China toward the native people is irritating in the extreme. Eastern people have a very strict code of etiquette. China had her books on etiquette when our ancestors were the grossest heathen. The lowest workingman in China has his idea of courtesy. But our Western men are, in the majority of cases, utterly regardless of any sort of courtesy toward the Chinese in general. They go about with a lordly, superior air; deal out cuffs and kicks and contempt upon servants and workmen, and even to those they meet in the street, if they regard them as in their way. The prevailing attitude of the foreigner toward the native is too often that of assumed superiority and contemptuous command. The immoral lives of so many prominent foreigners in China also make a most unfavorable impression upon the natives, and are a sad comment upon the purity of life that the foreign missionary ever exhorts the native to follow. It is not uncommon for the native listener to reply to the preacher and say, “Teacher, I see your own people do not follow their own doctrine.” I look back over thirty-five years, twenty in China, of close knowledge of and touch with this great empire and its wonderful people, and so far as governments, trade, and persons are concerned, I see brutality, greed, and the most bitter wrongs ever perpetrated against a people. After years of absence in our homeland, we recently returned and made a twenty-eight-thousand-mile tour through China, Japan, and Korea. I earnestly hoped to find an improvement in the manners of foreigners in China, but I found only the usual exceptions, and I have ever been grateful for them; but cuffs and kicks and abuse and immorality still prevailed, while the “great Powers” had grown more impudently insulting in their greedy projects; and in all that great tour I breathed the air of a coming struggle, and returned home to declare it certain in the near future. It is here! . . . Suppose we try to put ourselves in the place of the Chinese. Imagine ourselves the weak—heathen, if you please—country. Imagine all the various deeds perpetrated in our land that I have written as having occurred in China—and I have by no means exhausted the subject, even in this long article. After all these irritating experiences, would it be surprising if we in our weakness should dub all foreign peoples “foreign devils”? Finally the “great Powers,” looking around for “more worlds to conquer,” light upon our country as just the territory they want. Our country is rich with mineral wealth undeveloped, our land ought to be honeycombed with railroads, our millions ought to buy their goods, that they may grow richer and greater; so, while watching one another with jealous care, they publicly and with no shame discuss the monstrous project of carving us up, and each stealing a portion, their only concern being how to do it without a fight among themselves! Russia says, “I’ll take all down to Massachusetts.” Germany says, “All right, I am content with Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.” England says, and truly, “I do not want a foot of the territory of the United States, but if ‘spheres of influence’ are to be [a polite term for stealing], I, in self-defense, must have mine; and, with Germany between me and my ancient friend Russia, I will just take New York and Pennsylvania.” Next comes little Japan,—little in size,—and she speaks up honestly and says, “I am too little; I have been swelling out, and want more territory; so I will have New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland!” Last comes France, with a swing of satisfaction, and exclaims, “My brothers, your robberies suit me exactly; Germany is well up there at the north, and she and England are between me and my dear but ambitious friend Russia. I am more than content with what you have left me, especially as I begin with the seat of government, Washington, and the District of Columbia! The Vatican will lend me all aid in ruling—the whole South is mine!” My patient readers, would we be “anti-foreign” under such conditions? Would our Masonic and other secret societies have any Boxer tendencies? Would there be any little row over here? or would we, having received a blow, not on “one cheek” only, but all over our body, just lie down and say, “Tramp us out of existence. Come! Take!”? What shall the end be? Who can tell? The merest spark of jealousy and selfishness between the “great Powers” may precipitate a conflagration that shall burn around the world. . . . Let nations unite to cut and carve, and a struggle is ahead such as the world has never seen. DO WE KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS?
By J. G. Wilson
The evil habit of judging and criticising and condemning others comes not from hearts filled with the love of God. It is of the works of the flesh, and comes under that head, as stated in Gal. 5:19-21. Notice the contrast between these things and the fruit of the Spirit, in verses 22, 23. “He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.” James 4:11. Are we keeping the commandments? “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Respect of persons, partiality, a thing very common, is not consistent with our profession of keeping the commandments. James plainly declares that if we have respect to persons, we sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. James 2:9. Do transgressors keep the commandments? If we offend in one point, we are guilty of all. Verse 10. We claim to keep the Sabbath, but if we violate any other commandment, of what value is our profession? Are we willing to stand before the Judge with our record of Sabbath-keeping? Read Isa. 58:13. We are not to speak one word of our own, not to seek our own pleasure, not to do our own ways. Surely, what the law says is sufficient to “stop every mouth,” and show the whole world to be guilty before God. Rom. 3:19. “But that no man is justified by the law in the SIGHT OF GOD, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” Gal. 3:11. The gift of tongues, the gift of prophecy, the giving of all our goods to feed the poor and to clothe the naked, unless love is the source of such gifts and such benevolence, amount to nothing. The way of love is the perfect way, and this love is of God, and is shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost. This love alone fulfills a perfect law. We have desired to fulfill the law. We have longed to do good; but try our best, we have failed completely. We can not hope to do better than we have done, and to try again is but to fail again. Yet there is hope set before us. Let us all lay hold upon it. Let us look no longer to our fruitless efforts, neither consider our own weakness and failure, but consider Him faithful who has promised. He laid on Jesus Christ all the iniquity of us all (Isa. 53:6); and he who knew no sin became sin for us. 2 Cor. 5:21. He exchanged places with the human race, and by his death, the wages of our sins, paid the full penalty for every soul. He died for all, and his death was the death of all (2 Cor. 5:14), and “he that is dead is freed from sin.” Rom. 6:7. This has been accomplished for all. It is good news, glad tidings, for all; but all will not believe it. Isaiah foresaw it, and asked the question, “Who hath believed our report?” Paul wrote, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Let us thank God for a full and COMPLETE and FREE salvation, a fact for all, that is only waiting to be received by all. And let us remember that commandment-keeping flows only from hearts renewed by the Spirit of God, and that, without such renewing, all our efforts to keep the commandments will be of no value. Trusting God in Everyday Difficulties
“EVERY one needs a practical experience in trusting God. . . . Let no man become your confessor; open your heart to God; tell him every secret of the soul. Bring to him your difficulties, small and great, and he will show you a way out of them all.” THE SAVIOUR retired to a mountain apart,
And called twelve apostles to be near his heart;
That they might go with him, and gather his truth;
Then as they had freely received, give it forth. First came Simon Peter, impulsive, yet true,
And with him his fisherman brother Andrew;
And then from the same fisher firm came two more,—
James and John left their father and nets on the shore. Next, Philip the preacher, Bartholomew bold,
Thomas the doubter, and Matthew, we're told;
Then James, son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus next;
And Simon Zelotes, as found in the text. The last one was Judas Iscariot by name,
Who for pieces of silver his Lord put to shame;
By a kiss he betrayed him in Gethsemane —
Oh, may we from greediness ever be free! Few Willing to Bear Christ's Cross
“Jesus hath many lovers of his heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of his cross. He hath many desirers of his consolation, but few of his tribulation. He findeth many companions of his table, but few of his abstinence. All desire to rejoice with him; few are willing to suffer anything with or for him. Many follow Jesus into the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of the cup of his passion. Many reverence his miracles; few follow the ignominy of his cross.” EAT FRUITS FREELY.
By D. H. Kress, M. D.
What can be more luscious than a thoroughly ripened peach? If man should be deprived of hearing, seeing, and feeling, so that God’s character could not be revealed to him through these avenues, by eating fruits he could still taste and perceive that God is good. I recently heard a child offer this prayer: “Lord, I thank thee for the beautiful grass and the leaves.” It is evident that this child saw and appreciated in the grass and leaves some things about God’s nature to which most men and women are blind. The same child was heard to say, in her evening prayer: “Lord, I thank you for the watermelon you gave me to-day.” It seems to me that our hearts should likewise well up with thanksgiving to God for supplying us so abundantly with the numerous fruits. In some parts of the earth, as in England, Ireland, and Scotland, peaches are sold at from eight to ten cents a piece; other fruits are also expensive. Notwithstanding these conditions people manage to dispense with animal foods. Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and some other States are really gardens, in which are grown all manner of fruits pleasant to the eye and good for food. There can be no more excuse for a man to subsist on dead animal tissue and animal products than there would have been for Adam in the garden of Eden. The one who fails to be a vegetarian under such conditions must certainly be a hopeless case, and belong to the mixed multitude in the rear of the camp: even the restored garden of Eden could offer no inducement to lead him to forsake his Egyptian habits. Heaven itself could not supply his unnatural cravings and supposed needs, without a slaughterhouse. Do not be afraid to eat peaches, or to allow the little ones to eat an abundance of them, because there is nothing at all harmful about thoroughly ripened fruits, for either adults or children. I know of no fruit superior to the peach as a tissue cleanser or remedy for physical and mental ills. Away with the nauseating patent medicines and drugs! Save your doctor’s bills by supplying your families with peaches, and do not be afraid to say to the children, “Of these you may freely eat.” The One who understands our needs has said it before you; you are merely repeating the words after him. I have examined many chronic cases of indigestion and dyspepsia, but have never found a case that could not be benefited by the use of fruits. I have heard many say, “I can not eat fruits, they distress me,” etc.; but in every case I have been able to satisfy the patient in a short time that the distress was not due to the fruit. Sometimes people eat ham, eggs, milk, cheese, butter, ice cream, mustard, pepper, etc., etc., closing the meal with an innocent peach; and if indigestion follows, the peach is blamed for it all. So they say, “Away with it.” They continue to cling to the harmful and dangerous, and throw aside the innocent and harmless. Good is called evil, and evil is pronounced good. When fruits disagree with a person, it is due to one or more of the following causes:— - The fruit is unripe.
- The pulp is hard, and is swallowed in chunks, not being properly chewed.
- The fruit is eaten with the skin, which is indigestible, and often has adhering to it a great many germs, which produce fermentation.
- The fruit is eaten with other foods, such as potatoes, breads, or cereals, which make a poor combination.
- The food is moistened with fruit juice instead of nature’s digestive, and the action of what little saliva is present is neutralized by the acid in the fruit.
Eating fruit with starchy foods, which require the presence of saliva, is probably one of the most common and prolific causes of starch indigestion, fermentation, and the numerous ills that arise from stomachic and intestinal disturbances. Adhere as close as possible to the following principles, and you will find that fruits will not disagree with you; that they are not a curse to humanity, but one of the greatest blessings. - Eat only thoroughly ripened fruits.
- If the meat is tough, masticate it thoroughly before permitting it to enter the stomach.
- Remove the rind, or skin, which is usually covered with germs.
- Do not eat fruits with coarse vegetables; as, beets, turnips, cabbage, greens, etc.
- Use fruits sparingly or not at all if soup or other liquid or semiliquid foods are eaten at the meal.
- Eat fruits at the close of the meal, when through with the starchy foods.
If starchy foods are well masticated, and mingled with the proper amount of saliva, they digest in a very short time. Fifteen minutes after food enters the stomach, the starch digestion has been completed as far as the saliva is concerned. By eating the fruit at the close of the meal, neither the liquid nor the acid it contains can interfere with digestion; in fact, the fruit acid eaten at the close of the meal will get into the stomach just in time to aid in the digestion of the proteids, and there will be no need of prescribing hydrochloric and other chemical acids, as a relief from indigestion. Incidentally, I might state that even soups or semiliquid foods are better eaten at the close of the meal. Those accustomed to having every mouthful of dry food moistened with fruit juice or other liquid will, at first, find it a little difficult and disagreeable to learn to eat properly. Adopt that course of living which is best, and habit will soon render it the most enjoyable and agreeable. One more suggestion,—dispense with the evening meal of solid foods; and substitute fruit in its place. Let all eat as heartily as they wish. Evening meals, as usually taken, create dyspepsia, and form poisons which are a source of great physical harm. Fruits, on the contrary, cleanse the tissue and brain; their soft, distilled, pure liquids sweep out the poisons that have accumulated during the day. Feed your children on fruit, and in a short time you will observe a change in them. Ode to the Culinary Muse.
By H. K. Harris
Let poets all rave of the beauty of spring,
And talk of the heart’s hopeless pining,
But I’ve found with most mortals in this weary world,
There’s nothing that quite equals dining. The artist may dwell with his head in the clouds,
In an atmosphere pure and refining,
But in everyday life you will hear him admit,
There’s nothing that quite equals dining. My sweetheart, just eighteen, fair, fond, and petite,
Talks sentiment when the moon’s shining,
But man can not live upon moonbeams and love,
And there’s nothing that quite equals dining. Though youth’s fond illusions are withered and blighted,
Yet life’s disappointments are scarce worth repining.
To heal broken hearts and make life worth the living,
There’s nothing that quite equals dining. — H. K. Harris, in Good Housekeeping. God’s original plan for a man, after sin entered the world, was that he should work hard enough to cause him to sweat. Man, however, has sought out many inventions, and a most pernicious one is the determination to get through this world without working enough to induce perspiration. But a human being instinctively feels the necessity for perspiring, and so it has come to pass that Turkish bathrooms without number, and endless contrivances substituting the same to be utilized in the home, have been established; and man imagines that he is getting as much good from sweating this way as he would if he induced perspiration by substantial labor; but experiments have demonstrated the fact that nature can not be outwitted so readily. The sweat induced merely by applying heat to the skin contains but a small percentage of waste matter as compared with that which is eliminated during vigorous exercise. The obese person who flatters himself that he can sweat away his flesh instead of honestly working it off, will find, sooner or later, that his theory is a delusion and a snare. However, it must be admitted that there are some beneficial results obtained by vigorous hot treatments in certain forms of disease, and in this way the individual may do penance for what he neglected to do in the right way during health. But, as a general principle, hot treatments are weakening and enervating; while short, cold treatments are tonic in their nature. Hot treatments feel pleasant while they are being taken; but too often they leave a listless, all-gone feeling when they are discontinued. It requires moral courage to take a cold spray or sponge, but the beneficent after-results remain with the individual all day long. The man who forges some one’s name upon a note is generally a legitimate product of the idea that there is a better way of getting through the world than by working. “Abundance of idleness” was one of the reasons for Sodom’s overthrow, and it lies at the foundation of the moral and physical decay of thousands to-day. Give Work-Horses a Fair Rest at Noon
“The work-horse should be permitted to have a fair opportunity to rest,” says the Michigan Farmer, “during the hour or so at noon, when the man who works him is resting. This he can not do if he is turned in to feed with the harness on. Strip him when taken to the barn or feed-lot; let him have a little water, cleanse his shoulders well, and give him enough grooming to remove the soreness of labor. When he has cooled enough, let him have what water he wants, and feed him where he can stand in comfort.” BIBLE READINGS WITH FAMILIES.
By Mrs. S. N. Haskell
If you long to work for your neighbors, but fear to begin, we beseech of you not to hesitate; for while you are hesitating, Satan may be hedging up the way. Below is part of a letter just received from a sister who, a few months ago, determined with the help of the Lord to do something for her neighbors. She has family cares, but God helped her so to arrange her work that she was able to prepare a Bible reading each week, and give it in his name. God has given her fruit for her labor. “I am still giving Bible readings, with good success. The glory is all due to the Lord, for I know that without his presence I could not give a reading. I hold two meetings a week, and the Lord comes very near to us. I praise God that he led me to begin this work, but I wish to keep humble, that God may use me as he desires. The two young persons who took their stand for the truth have remained loyal. Praise the Lord. We are indeed living in solemn times. Let us be faithful a little while longer. I long to be the means of helping others to reach the goal.” There are many sisters who could have a similar experience if they would only begin and go forward. We have been sending a list of simple texts to you each week through the REVIEW, and praying that God would incline your hearts to give them to your neighbors. Study them over carefully and prayerfully until your mind is full of them, then go to your neighbor and tell her that you have enjoyed studying a line of texts on the subject,—whatever it may be,—and that you think she would enjoy it. Ask her if she will let you come over and study them with her, praying all the time that God will open her heart. If you will only do this in the fear of the Lord, you will find people all around you who are hungry for the truth. Either open or close your reading with prayer. Prayer at the close helps to seal the truth upon the heart. Don’t fail to kneel and pray with your neighbors, even if they do not kneel at first. God will bless you if you go forward; but if you stand back and only wish to work, without doing anything, you do not give the Lord an opportunity to help you. EXTRACTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE.
I AM doing what I can by taking papers and books with me when I call on my neighbors. I have given away five hundred and sixty-eight pages, and loaned eight-hundred and forty-nine. One woman has taken the REVIEW AND HERALD two months, and has read “Steps to Christ,” and thinks them good reading. I have loaned another woman “Steps to Christ,” “Life of Elder Bates,” and copies of the REVIEW and the Gospel of Health. I love the truth, and feel that each of us has a work to do. I have always felt the burden of work, but was at first determined to work in my own way, and according to my own mind. Now I am ready to be used as God desires, in my home, my neighborhood, town, or State. God has given me two children, and I feel, first of all, responsible to him for their spiritual and physical welfare. Then my husband needs some one to hold up his hands. I am glad the women have been aroused to a sense of their responsibility and of their opportunities. I shall ever feel grateful for the last personal letter I received from Sister Henry. It seems providential now. She told me she was glad to know that anything she had written me had helped me over my difficulties, but she wished to assure me that it was my privilege to get it first-hand, right from the Fountain. And when she was taken away, I could hear her saying these precious words, and I have found by blessed experience that God is not dead, but is an ever-present help, and can show me my faults and errors so kindly and faithfully that I love him more and more. YOU inquire about the work I am doing. Last year I saw in the Life Boat a request for those who could to open their doors for a month or six weeks to the homeless children of the Children’s Christian Home of Chicago. I sent for six, and obtained places for others. Seventeen children came. After much prayer we decided to open our doors this summer, by giving part of our house, and land for garden and small fruit, for a branch home. At present we have four workers and sixteen children. Four or five children are away visiting just now. So you see I am interested in this work. My husband and I have been looking for the coming of the Saviour for over forty years. We have received the following letter, without signature, from a sister who requests that it be answered through the REVIEW:— I am the only one in the neighborhood who keeps the Sabbath. My husband will not let me talk to him about the truth, and does not like Seventh-day Adventists. He threatens to leave me if I work on Sunday, and I do not feel that it would be right to cause him to do this. Please tell me if it is right for me to work when he is not present. I ask the prayers of God’s people for him. I must not give my name, as it would cause trouble if I received letters from you, but I have the REVIEW AND HERALD, and should like a reply through our Woman’s page. I would suggest to you, my dear sister, and to all others who are similarly situated, that, after keeping the Sabbath of the Lord as you believe it, you devote yourself to making Sunday just as pleasant a day as possible for those in your family who have a special regard for it. If they wish you to go to church with them, do so. If your husband invites his friends home with him, be as cordial to them as possible, and serve as nice a dinner as you can prepare. Perhaps this is the only day that your husband is home with you, and surely you should do your part to make the day enjoyable. There is plenty of work that a woman can do on Sunday, which will not give offense to anyone, and yet not be a denial of the true Sabbath principle. Take that day for additional reading and studying, visit the sick, distribute reading-matter, and fill the day with genuine missionary work. It is not necessary or advisable to hang out a washing, or purposely to do such work as would annoy those who observe Sunday as a day of rest, even if the work itself would not be a sin to you. I would not advise any woman to deceive her husband even in doing work on Sunday. Let us be true and loving wives, “giving no offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed.” In all these things wherein we lack wisdom, let us go to God, who has promised to supply us liberally, and we shall know what we ought to do. Read James 1:5, 6; 1 Cor. 7:13–16; 1 Peter 3:1–4. We sisters would so much like a household department in our Woman’s page in the REVIEW. Many of us are too poor to take other papers containing these subjects, and besides they are nearly always spoiled for lovers of truth by light, trashy reading. I noticed one sister asked for an anti-rust remedy for smoothing irons, but got no reply. I think she would find linseed oil, boiled, excellent. We are very glad indeed for the preceding suggestion, and will make it just as practical as possible. If any of the sisters have questions to ask concerning domestic affairs, we hope they will feel free to send them in, and we will secure the best answers possible, and publish question and answer for the benefit of others. Or it may be well to publish the questions, and call for answers from any sister who can give the desired information. We wish to make this department of our paper very practical, and if it is our sisters’ request, space for these household hints should certainly be given. If you sit down at set of sun,
And count the acts that you have done,
And, counting, find
One self-denying act, one word
That eased the heart of him who heard,
One glance most kind
That fell like sunshine where it went,
Then you may count that hour well spent. But if, through all the livelong day,
You've cheered no heart by yea or nay;
If, through it all,
You've nothing done, which you can trace,
That brought the sunshine to one face;
No act most small
That helped some soul and nothing cost,
Then count that day as worse than lost. “I PLEAD earnestly for the sincere prayers of the sisterhood for my sister, who is afflicted with epileptic fits, and also for a friend whose mind has been afflicted for years, and who is earnestly pleading for the Lord to heal him.” “Do remember my dear husband in your prayers, that he may be led to see the need of family unity, and that there is a great responsibility resting upon him as a father of sons and daughters, and also that he may be led to see the need of an education for these children, so that they can be used in the Lord’s work.” “I ask for the prayers of the sisterhood for the conversion of my four children and my divorced husband. I do not know where he is. He was, and perhaps is, a drunkard, and you know what that means. I see that I took the wrong course in getting a divorce, and no one but the Lord knows how sorry I am. I have tried to find my husband, that I might ask his forgiveness and make amends for the past.” “I have been thinking of writing to this department ever since it started, but, feeling myself unworthy, have kept putting it off. Now my heart is so burdened for one of my boys, who smokes cigarettes, that I ask your prayers for him. He is not able to work much, and his affliction and the cigarettes wholly unfit him for labor. None of my family are Christians, and I ask that you will remember us all in your seasons of prayer.” “I wish to have prayer for my husband and my son and for myself. My loved ones are not within the fold of Christ, and my health is much impaired. I am isolated from church privileges, but I am glad there are praying women who are interested in the trials and difficulties of others. There is no human help for me and mine, and that is why I ask your prayers; for nothing is impossible with God, and only divine help will satisfy my despairing soul.” “Since my mother’s death, last February, I have lived on a farm with my stepfather and youngest half-brother and his family. They are all worldly. The men swear, and do things that make it very disagreeable for me. My stepfather is a drinking man, and will not provide for me. I ask you to remember my loved ones in prayer at the noontide hour, that they may be led into the truth, and be saved in the kingdom. They heard the truth at the same time I did, but did not accept it.” The Mission of Women as Wives and Mothers
GREAT is the work and mission of women, especially those who are wives and mothers. Women can have an influence which will tend to refine and elevate those with whom they associate. God has assigned woman her mission; and if she, in her humble way, yet to the best of her ability, makes a heaven of her home, faithfully and lovingly performing her duties to her husband and children; continually seeking to let a holy light shine from her useful, pure, and virtuous life to brighten all around her, she is doing the work left her of the Master, and will hear, from his divine lips, the words, Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. These women who are doing with ready willingness what their hands find to do, with cheerfulness of spirit aiding their husbands to bear their burdens, and training their children for God, are missionaries in the highest sense.—“Testimonies for the Church.” The Work of Beneficence Is Twice Blessed
“THE work of beneficence is twice blessed.”