Earlier text: Three Good BooksThe Adversaries of Judah and Benjamin
By Ellen G. White
Return of the Exiles—No. 4
The Adversaries of Judah and Benjamin
FROM the time the foundation-stone of the second temple was laid, Satan brought to bear upon the builders many influences that greatly hindered the rapid prosecution of the work. The enemy did not have far to go in order to find men through whom to carry out his evil designs. Close by the Israelites, a few miles northward, dwelt the Samaritans. More than a century before the beginning of the Babylonish captivity, the Assyrian kings had devastated Samaria and Galilee, and had taken into captivity many thousands of Israelites belonging to the ten tribes. The conquering kings repopulated Samaria with colonies of heathen peoples from widely separated parts of the Assyrian realm. These heathen intermarried with the Israelites who had been allowed to remain in the land; and thus originated a mixed race known as the Samaritans. In later years, the Samaritans claimed to worship the true God; but in heart and practise they were idolaters. It is true, they held that their idols were only to remind them of the living God, the ruler of the universe; nevertheless the people were led to reverence their graven images. These idolatrous Samaritans were “the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin.” About the time of the laying of the corner-stone, they “heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of Israel.” Coming “to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers,” they expressed their desire to join them in its erection. “Let us build with you,” they proposed, “for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.” This privilege was refused them. “Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God,” the leaders of the Israelites declared; “but we ourselves together will build unto the Lord God of Israel, as King Cyrus of Persia hath commanded us.” In the light of the circumstances surrounding the remnant people of God in the days of Zerubbabel, this decision reveals the character of the leaders of Israel at that time. Only a feeble remnant had chosen to return from Babylon; and now, as they undertake a work seemingly beyond their strength, their nearest neighbors come with an offer to help. The Samaritans refer to their worship of the true God, and express a desire to share in the privileges and blessings connected with the temple service. “We seek your God, as ye do,” they declared. “Let us build with you.” Had the Jewish leaders accepted this offer of assistance, they would have opened a door for the entrance of idolatry. They discerned the insincerity of the Samaritans. They realized that all the help that could be gained through an alliance with men, would be as nothing in comparison with the prosperity that would accompany strict obedience to the plain commands of Jehovah. Regarding their relations with surrounding peoples, the Lord had declared to ancient Israel through Moses: “Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto them: neither shalt thou make marriages with them; . . . for they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.” “Thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: but because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations. . . . Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.” The result that would follow a breaking of their covenant with God, and an entrance into covenant relation with surrounding nations, was plainly foretold through Moses: “The Lord shall scatter you among the nations,” he declared, “and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the Lord shall lead you. And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” Precious assurance! Then follows the promise to the penitent, that God would not forsake them, nor forget the covenant that he had made with their fathers. Zerubbabel and his associates were familiar with these scriptures. Their fathers had lost sight of the sacred relationship that should ever exist between God and his chosen people. Forgetting their solemn covenant with the Lord of hosts, they had entered into covenant relation with heathen nations. The prophecies of Moses were literally fulfilled. The chosen nation was scattered among heathen nations. And only a remnant, “few in number,” had repented and turned to God. Only a few had renewed their covenant with him, and had returned to restore that which had been destroyed because of the disobedience of their fathers. And now, having solemnly rededicated themselves to the Lord at the ancient altar set up before the ruins of his temple, should they, at the very beginning of their work, enter into a covenant with a people who worshiped idols? “Thou shalt make no covenant with them.” God’s servants in responsibility realized that the line of demarcation between his people and the people of the world is ever to be kept unmistakably distinct. They refused to be guided by the counsel of those who for years had known the requirements of God’s law, but who had refused to yield to its claims. The principles set forth in Deuteronomy for the instruction of Israel, are to be followed by God’s people to the end of time. Our prosperity is dependent on the continuance of our covenant relationship with God. In no instance can we afford to compromise principle by entering into covenant with those who fear not God. There is constant danger that professed Christians will come to think that in order to have influence with worldlings, they must conform to the world to a certain extent. But although the propositions of Satan may appear to afford great advantages, as did the offer of the Samaritans to assist in the construction of the temple, they always end in spiritual ruin. God’s people must guard against every subtle influence that is seeking entrance by means of flattering inducements from the enemies of his truth. We are pilgrims and strangers in this8 world, traveling a path beset with dangers from those who have rejected the only One who can save them. Ingenious subterfuges and scientific problems will be held out before us, to tempt us to swerve from our allegiance, but we are not to heed them. Every one must seek God for himself. It is not always open and avowed enemies that are most to be feared. We shall have enemies who come, like “the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin,” with smooth words and fair speeches, and who would deceive if possible the very elect. It is thus that Satan often works; and again, when it suits his purpose, he goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Let every soul be on the alert. The adversary is on your track. Vigilantly watch lest some carefully concealed and masterly snare take you unawares. Let the careless and indifferent beware lest the day of the Lord come upon them as a thief in the night. Many will wander from the path of humility, and, casting aside the yoke of Christ, will walk in strange paths. Blinded and bewildered, they will leave the narrow path that leads to the city of God. A man can not be a happy Christian unless he is a watchful Christian. He who overcomes must watch; for with worldly entanglements, error, and superstition, Satan strives to win Christ’s followers from him. It is not enough that we avoid glaring errors and perilous, inconsistent moves. We are to keep close to the side of Christ, walking in the path of self-denial and sacrifice. We are in an enemy’s country. He who was cast out of heaven has come down with great power. With every conceivable artifice and device he is seeking to take souls captive. Unless we are constantly on guard, we shall fall an easy prey to his deceptions. In the closing scenes of this earth’s history, when intensity is taking possession of every earthly element, the Lord requires of us a vigilance that knows no relaxation. But we are not left to struggle alone. Amid the dangers increasing on every hand, those who walk humbly before God, distrustful of their own wisdom, will have angels as their helpers and protectors. In times of special peril they will know the power of God’s keeping care. Those who do not realize their danger because they do not watch, will pay, with the loss of their souls, the penalty of their presumption and their wilful ignorance of Satan’s devices. Let us trust fully, humbly, unselfishly, in God. We are his children, and he deals with us as such. When we draw near to him, and renew our covenant with him, he mercifully preserves us from the assaults of the enemy. Never will he betray one who trusts in him as a child trusts in its parents. He sees the humble, trusting souls drawing near to him, and in pity and love he draws near to them, and lifts up for them a standard against the enemy. Touch them not, he says; for they are mine. I have graven them upon the palms of my hands. He teaches them to exercise unquestioning faith in his power to work in their behalf. With assurance they say, “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” J. S. WASHBURN
By J. S. Washburn
A great battle was being fought. The nation so recently delivered from slavery was fighting, under the leadership of the God of battles, against cruel Amalek, led by the enemy of God and his people,—crafty, cruel Amalek, who had distressed the children of Israel, who had been a terror to them, who had cut off the weak and the weary ones straggling in the rear of the long line of march in the dusty, burning wilderness. Now, with determined malice, they had planned by one decisive blow to cut off and blot out the people of Israel from under heaven. The mighty soldier, Joshua, was leading Israel against Amalek. Back and forth upon the plain the battle lines wavered, Israel sometimes advancing triumphant, then again retreating. A wonderful secret was revealed in the alternate partial defeats and victories of Israel during that long, fierce fight. Moses, Aaron, and Hur were upon a high hill, watching the conflict. Moses, with the rod of God in his hand, was regulating the battle. “When Moses held up his hands, . . . Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.” Ex. 17:11-13. What a lesson to all God’s people in every time of conflict to support those whom God has placed in positions of responsibility! What a lesson in sympathetic loyalty! Moses’ hands were weary, but his associates held up his hands, and the very question of victory or defeat hung on the loyal support of the co-workers of Moses. We know that “whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning.” My brother, if any man among us has been placed in a position of responsibility, are we not bound loyally to support him? It is true our loyalty is to the cause of God, and not to any man, as such; but when the people of God, guided by his Spirit, have laid burdens upon any individual, is not every one in duty bound to support with heart as true as steel the worker who is bearing heavy burdens? It would seem that the very question of the defeat or victory of our work hangs upon the loyal support of those who are aging fast, who have grown old within four or five years in the conflict. Will not every true believer in this mighty cause rally to the support of every man placed by the people under the guidance of the Spirit of God in a position of responsibility? If you do not agree in every particular with these brethren, will you not, nevertheless, give them your sympathetic and loyal co-operation, refusing to speak against them, or to pull down their hands? Oftentimes a word or a letter of good cheer and courage, a reference to some comforting promise of God, will bring cheer and help, and lighten the load, and bring victory. A greater conflict than that between literal Israel and literal Amalek is raging to-day. The very death-conflict of the ages is upon us. Let us be loyal to God and his Word, the Holy Spirit, the gift of prophecy, and to our organization, and the brethren placed in responsible positions. Many of the victors over Amalek afterward fell in the wilderness, and never saw the promised land. The victors in the conflict to-day will be crowned by the King of kings, and sit upon his throne. Shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart, true to God and to one another, let us fight the good fight, and win the crown. GEO. O. STATES
By GEO. O. STATES
Lessons From Past Experiences—No. 15
Over thirty-five years ago, in one of our Eastern conferences, a man very zealously accepted the truth, and soon began preaching. He preached about five years, but was of a very independent nature, desiring to be first in importance, and unwilling to bear counsel or reproof. When he first came among us, he had much to say about the great sacrifices he had made for the truth’s sake. He dwelt much upon the fact that he had given up a very lucrative position in order to preach the truth. After a time he engaged in some great speculative scheme, borrowed money from poor invalid widows and others to carry it through, and then left the truth and the country. It must have been over twenty years ago that a business man in Delta, Colo., said to me, “I want you to come to the hall to-night and hear a smart man lecture. He used to be one of your ministers.” I went, and was surprised to learn that he was the one who some fifteen years before had given up the truth. His whole talk consisted in ridiculing the Bible, and showing up its supposed inconsistencies. A few years before this man came among us, we were told by the servant of the Lord that “in rebuking the wrongs of one, he designed to correct many. . . . He makes plain the wrongs of some that others may thus be warned, and fear, and shun those errors. By self-examination they may find that they are doing the same things which God condemns in9 others.”—“Testimonies,” Vol. II, pages 112, 113. This man professed to believe that these words of counsel were from the Lord, and yet at the same time failed to heed the counsel which says, “Not all who preach the truth to others are sanctified by it. Some have but faint views of the sacred character of the work. They fail to trust in God, and to have all their works wrought in him. Their inmost souls have not been converted. . . . Not all the ministers are devoted to the work; not all have put their hearts into it.”—Id., pages 334, 335. In 1870, in counsel given to those who were in danger of going into infidelity, we were told that “some are not naturally devotional, and therefore should encourage and cultivate a habit of close examination of their own lives and motives, and should especially cherish a love for religious exercises and for secret prayer. They are often heard talking of doubts and unbelief, and dwelling upon the wonderful struggles they have had with infidel feelings. . . . “At times they seem to really enjoy hovering about the infidel’s position, and strengthening their unbelief with every circumstance they can gather as an excuse for their darkness. To such we would say, You would better come down at once, and leave the walls of Zion, until you become converted men and good Christians. Before you take the responsibility of becoming ministers, you are required of God to separate yourselves from the love of this world. The reward of those who continue in this doubting position will be that given to the fearful and unbelieving.”—Id., page 513. This man had evidently gotten hold of a theory of the truth, but it had not transformed his life. He had not experienced its transforming power in his heart, and so had passed along, having a form of godliness, but in his daily life denying its power. If such timely counsel was given to God’s servants thirty and forty years ago, and was needed, how is it with us now when we are that much nearer the closing up of the work, when Satan is working with such power, knowing that he has but a short time in which to lull God’s servants to carnal security? There is plenty of counsel in the volumes given to this people to shield us from the deceptions of Satan, and what is needed is to heed all this counsel, and thus be kept in the hour of temptation. A. L. MANOUS
By A. L. Manous
“We . . . are the children of promise.” Gal. 4:28. “We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Ps. 100: 3. “We are his witnesses of these things.” Acts 5: 32. “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” Eph. 2: 10. “We have a great high priest.” Heb. 4: 14; see chapter 8. “We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2: 1; read context. “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Rom. 8: 9, 14; see John 1: 12. The Coming Universal War
By F. L. Richardson
The Eastern Question—No. 3
PREPARATIONS for war among all the nations have made such mighty strides that it can almost be said that the world is one vast military camp. The war spirit seems to be in the very air. From the crowned head down to the tramp we hear the cry of war, war. Even ministers of the gospel are advocating the deadly conflict from their pulpits. Furnaces and machine shops are running day and night, and thousands of busy hands are fashioning the most murderous implements of warfare. Some are asking, with deep concern, What do these things mean? and what is going to be the outcome of these conditions? The answer comes, It is the preparation for the final conflict that is to take place just before the great and terrible day of the Lord shall come. That there will be a great, decisive battle just before the second coming of Christ and the end of the world, in which all nations will be engaged, is plainly foretold in the prophetic word; also the place where it will be fought: “For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. . . . Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles: Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. . . . Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: . . . for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” Joel 3: 1, 2, 9, 10, 12-14. Here it is plainly stated that the armies of all nations will be gathered at Jerusalem when the day of the Lord is near. The Russians will be one of the leading nations in the conflict. We read: “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord God, . . . Thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army; . . . it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.” Eze. 38: 14-16. They (the Russians) are already making preparations for the mighty conflict. It will evidently be a religious war; for we read: “I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon [paganism], and out of the mouth of the beast [the papacy], and out of the mouth of the false prophet [Protestantism]. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. . . . And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” Rev. 16: 13-16. From the above we learn that the various religious bodies having a form of godliness, but in reality controlled by the spirit of Satan, go forth unto the kings of the earth and influence them to send their armies against Palestine, to recover that coveted land—the burial-place of the kings and the prophets. The prophet also informs us that these various religious bodies will unite under the leadership of the papacy. Rev. 13: 3, 8. “And all the world wondered after the beast. . . . And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” From the early centuries of the Christian era, the Roman Catholic Church has sought to control the world. “All the inhabitants of the earth belong to her,” said Julian; and Claudian declared her to be “the fountain of laws.” “If Rome is the queen of cities, why should not her pastor be the king of bishops?” was the reasoning the Roman pastors adopted. “Why should not the Roman Church be the mother of Christendom? Why should not all nations be her children, and her authority their sovereign law?” (See History of the Reformation.) The papacy did rise, and for many years kings and princes were submissive to the decrees of the pope. His will was virtually sovereign law. In A. D. 1798 he was taken prisoner by Berthier at the head of the French army, and lost that temporal power, and it has not yet been10 restored to him; but the prophet said the deadly wound should be healed, and all the world should wonder after him; and we have reached the time when the attention of the world is being drawn to the pope. The statesmen are talking of making him the arbiter of the nations. Protestants are fast dropping their differences, and advocating union with the mother church. The pope has invited the Greek Catholic (Russian) Church to return to the fold, granting liberty to their priests to marry; but we will let the Catholics themselves tell the story, as given in the Ave Maria, a Catholic magazine published in Notre Dame, Ind.:— “It is an incontestable fact that while other religious societies are fast losing their vitality, and fast lapsing into an indifference which must soon lead to infidelity, the Catholic Church has imbibed new life, and is making rapid progress all over the world. Since the beginning of the century the church has made giant strides among the people of the future,—the Anglo-Saxon race. Not only has it made itself acknowledged in North America and Australia, but in England itself its progress has excited the greatest alarm among the most vigilant sentinels of Anglicanism. Once more from the far East the murmur of supplicating voices is heard turned toward Rome. Regardless of old tyrannies and traditions, they turn a deaf ear to the thunders of the Muscovite Caesar. Even the Lutherans, obstinate as they have always been, are drifting toward Rome; and at this acceptable time, in this day of salvation, the scattered lines of Protestantism are all turning to the grand highway of the Vatican.” Thus we see that the world is rapidly falling into line under the leadership of the papacy. But, says one, if all the world is wondering after the beast, where will the opposing army come from at the great battle of Armageddon? It would seem that “all the world” in John's vision was the territory occupied by the dragon (pagan Rome), the beast (the papacy), and the false prophet (Protestantism). Rev. 16:13. Then if we can find outside of that territory an opposing power, the prophecy would be complete. And we do find just such a power, in the great Mohammedan world, with the sultan of Turkey at its head. And the following ominous words from a Turkish editor, in the Vakit, published in Constantinople, Turkey, are startling evidence that they understand, and are already preparing for the mighty struggle:— “We shall do our utmost in order to keep England's support; but at last if we do not succeed in it, then it is very easy to know what we have to do. When Europe will not look at us, then we shall lay aside all the European customs which we have lately adopted, and shall enter on our old way; from the boy of thirteen years to the old man of seventy-five, every one of us will be armed, and we shall defend by the aid of God, and by the daring of the old days, the country we have held for five hundred years. And if the issue should come to this, as Islamism is not limited to Turkey, then we will blend all the different Moslem races into one. The Moslems of India, of Central Asia, of the Caucasus, of Africa, and of Algeria will come forward, and we shall again take measures which we adopted once for the conquest of Jerusalem. We shall send proclamations everywhere, and declare a general war against the whole world. . . . If the Moslems rise to defend their sacred religion, and if the treasure accumulated every year at Mecca is disposed of for the protection of the Mohammedan faith, then the scenes of the ancient European wars, where the Moslems were both victorious and destructive, will be repeated, and will destroy the progress and civilization of an entire century.” Another writer says: “Is it not true to-day that what all the nations of Europe, nay, of the whole earth, most dread is the proclamation by this same terrible Turk of a holy war?” Also consider the following, written by a Turk in the Cape Times published at Cape Town, South Africa: “One after another events have occurred during the past few years that have aroused hostility to England and the English in all parts of India and the East, especially among the Moslem peoples. Europeans generally have no idea whatever of the influence those Turkish victories in Greece have had throughout Islam. They have awakened hopes and aspirations that have long been dormant, and have given a wholly new direction to Moslem thought. . . . There is one thought more to which I would refer—the growing tendency of the Hindu and Mohammedan peoples of India to combine and co-operate.” Again we quote from the REVIEW AND HERALD: “Sheik Abdul Hagk, of Bagdad, who is the head of a ‘Holy Islamic League,’ an organization embracing all nations in its scope, and designed to guard and foster Mohammedan interests in general, has issued a document addressed to the Christian people of the world, which is in the nature of a Mohammedan declaration of war on Christianity. It bears the title, ‘Islam's Last Word to Europe.’ We quote a few characteristic statements from an English translation made for the Literary Digest:— “Christian peoples! it is time we should be heard. The hatred entertained by the people of Islam for Christianity is irreconcilable. After centuries of hard work spent in the attempt to make us friendly toward you, the only result has been that we now despise you more than was ever the case in the annals of history. . . . The whole structure of the Mohammedan faith is based on the doctrine of the unity of the one god, who is absolute, without limitations or restrictions, eternal, who has never been begotten, and who has begotten none other. This article of our faith is in direct opposition to Christian teaching. Throughout this article the Christian dogma of a trinity becomes the sworn enemy of the god of Islam. The absolute hostility of these two fundamental doctrines is a cruel trial to the patience of every Mohammedan. . . . To this we must add a second indisputable point: between our faith and yours there is an impassable and eternal gulf fixed, on account of your concept of the divinity of Christ. . . . Then, too, we have not forgotten the Crusades. These are being continued in a hundred accursed forms even now. You have contended against us and humiliated us with all your power. You have forced back the boundaries of Islam in all corners of the globe; but what is left of the Mohammedan nations you are seeking to disintegrate through your diplomats and your missionaries. Your scheme has been systematically devised. You make no secret of your intentions to annihilate Islam. Instead of excusing yourselves for your aggressive and hostile policy, you boldly declare that we are rebels against your civilization. Yes, we are rebels, and will remain rebels until death. . . .” “Ye Christian conquerors, know well that no skill or science, no money or treasure, no miracles, will ever reconcile us to such a godless supremacy. Know ye that the very sight of your flags flying in our land is a torment for the soul of a Moslem. . . . We know that we are three hundred million strong: we have needed organization and concentration, and you have forced us to take these steps. Islamic unity is now becoming a reality from one end of the earth to the other, and a holy zeal is uniting us, and driving us to our inevitable destiny. We do not fear your threats or your arms. What do we care for the things of this world? Victory or defeat are in the hands of god alone. It is our duty to die rightly, and the world has learned during the past thirteen centuries that the Moslem knows how to die.” Dear reader, are not the foregoing evidences sufficient to convince any candid mind that the preparations for the battle of the great day of God Almighty are fast, being completed, and that in a short time the clash of arms will be heard in the Holy Land? What a battle that will be! Two colossal armies, inspired with the most deadly hatred for each other (for there is no more cruel or bloodthirsty hatred than that inspired by false doctrine), contending for their religion, urged on by their fanatical priests, the restraining power of God withdrawn, and with the terrible death-dealing instruments of warfare of the present day in their hands, the loss of life will be appalling. The Turk will be wiped out. “He shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” Then Jesus himself will suddenly appear, followed by the armies of heaven, and the remnant (the rest of the wicked) will be “slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth.” Rev. 19:11-21. Then will be heard that clarion voice ringing through the vaulted arches of heaven, calling together the faithful ones to accompany him to that home of bliss where the clash of arms will be heard no more. It's not myself I'm grieving for, it's not that I'm complaining
(He's a good man, is Michael, and I've never felt his frown),
But there's sorrow beating on me, like a long day's raining,
For the little wrinkled face of her I left in Kerrydown. It's just herself I'm longing for, herself and no other —
Do you mind the morns we walked to church when all the fields were green?
'Twas I that pinned your kerchief, O me mother, mother, mother.
The wide seas, the cruel seas, and half the world between. It's the man's part to say the word, the wife's to up and follow
(It's a fair land we've come to, and there's plenty here for all);
It's not the homesick longing that lures me like a swallow,
But the one voice across the world that draws me to its call. It's just herself I'm longing for, herself and no other —
Do you mind the tales you told me when the turf was blazing bright?
Me head upon your shoulder, O me mother, mother, mother.
The broad seas between us and yourself alone to-night. There's decent neighbors all about, there's coming and there's going;
It's kind souls will be about me when the little one is here;
But it's her word that I'm wanting, her to comfort I'd be knowing,
And her blessing on the two of us to drive away the fear. It's just herself I'm longing for, herself and no other —
Do you mind the soft spring mornings when you stitched the wedding gown?
The little careful stitches, O me mother, mother, mother.
Meself beyond the broad seas, and you in Kerrydown. — Toronto Mail and Empire. Parents and Children
By G. W. ROGERS
1. What words are addressed to the young in Eccl. 11: 9, first part? “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes.” 2. What statement is made in the last part of this verse? “But know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.” 3. How are parents to teach their children? “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children.” Deut. 6: 6, 7. 4. In what way should children be trained? “Train up a child in the way he should go.” Prov. 22: 6. 5. Trained in this way, what will children bring to their parents? 6. When a child is neglected, what will be the result? “But a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” Verse 15. 7. Should a child be corrected? 8. If a child is corrected with the rod, from what will it deliver him? “Thou shalt beat him with a rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.” Prov. 23: 14. 9. When should a child be corrected? 10. What will love for their children cause parents to do? “But he that loveth him [his son] chasteneth him betimes.” Prov. 13: 24. 11. What effect does it have upon the child to chasten him in anger? “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” Col. 3: 21. 12. Does God know who are faithful to their children? “For I know him [Abraham], that he will command his children and his household after him.” Gen. 18: 19. 13. What must be the attitude of a dutiful child toward its parents? 14. How are the aged to be regarded? “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man.” Lev. 19: 32. 15. How long does this duty last? 16. What is a sign of the last days? “Disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.” 2 Tim. 3: 2. 17. What work will take place in the hearts of parents and children before the Lord comes? “And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” Mal. 4: 6. 18. What are parents to present to the Lord when he comes? “Behold I and the children which God hath given me.” Heb. 2: 13. 19. What is the first commandment with promise? “Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise.” Eph. 6: 2. “That thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Ex. 20: 12, last clause. 21. What are parents to teach their children? “Come, ye children, harken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” Ps. 34: 11. 22. What is the fear of the Lord? “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Ps. 111: 10. 23. When should the Lord be remembered? “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” Eccl. 12: 1, first clause. 24. Why remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth? “While the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.” Verse 1, last clause. 25. What conclusion does the preacher come to? “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments.” Verse 13. 26. Why keep the commands of God? “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Verse 14. OLD age is a part of the scheme of life, which was designed to be beautiful from beginning to end. It is the close of a symphony, beautiful in its inception, rolling on grandly and terminating in a climax of sublimity. It is harmonious and admirable according to the scheme of nature. The charms of infancy, the hopes of the spring of youth, and vigor of manhood and the serenity and tranquillity, the wisdom and peace of old age—all these together constitute the true human life, with its beginning, middle, and end a glorious epoch.—Henry Ward Beecher.