Earlier text: Seeing the BloodA Revival
By J. S. Washburn
WE earnestly pray, we confidently hope, we firmly believe, that there will be a great revival of the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons;” and that as far as the first plans are concerned, it may be nearly finished this winter,—that the debts on the schools may be paid, and the full quota sold in every conference,—and that then the good work may go on—that “Christ’s Object Lessons” may be sold, and similar books as well, not simply for the purpose of stopping the yawning mouths of hungry debts, but to provide means for building institutions without debt, to be free, to be kept free till the Lord shall come. This people belong to the royal family. The heavenly King is not in debt to the world. Surely it is a sad disgrace on the reputation of the Father in heaven that any of his family institutions should be in debt. The Lord is coming soon; shall we not hasten to make these crooked things straight, and then until he comes, keep them straight? “God signified that this book should be given to our schools to be to them a continual blessing. . . . The plan for the circulation of ‘Object Lessons’ is not of human devising; it is God’s plan. . . . Until the Lord shall come, and our present system of school work shall be ended by our entering the higher school, ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ is to stand as a gift to our educational institutions.” “My brethren and sisters, I ask you to give the school work your sympathy and support. Do not become weary in well doing. In carrying forward the work of selling ‘Christ’s Object Lessons,’ you will receive a most precious blessing.” It is intended from this time on that this work shall be under local control, under the management of union conference presidents and conference presidents, and that the managers and the teachers in our colleges and schools are to take an active, leading part in carrying this work forward. But I earnestly request all who are interested in this work to write to me, at 222 North Capitol St., Washington, D. C., stating the exact condition in their territory, and their past and present experiences in this work, that we may co-operate with them in carrying forward this good work till the grand purpose for which it was instituted is accomplished. J. S. WASHBURN. Discrediting Religion
By L. A. S.
CHRISTIANITY does not mean religious excitement or hysteria. There is with Christianity, always, as one of its chief characteristics, a “peace” which is greater than any peace which is of the world, and effectually holds in check any tendency of the mind to hysterical outbursts or unseemly exhibitions of emotion. It must have been something else than a genuine Christian revival which took place at a West Virginia town recently, if the following from a “special” to the Washington Post is a correct report:— HUNTINGTON, W. VA., JANUARY 12.—At a protracted revival meeting, which was in session for nineteen hours, beginning at seven o’clock yesterday evening, at Mount Vernon, many women and children were prostrated from hysteria, and grave fears of insanity are entertained for several of those who were most fervent in their worship. . . . Hours passed with men, women, and children acting like wild. Repeatedly did the preacher attempt to adjourn the congregation, but without avail, although many of the audience were prostrated. When daylight dawned, the meeting was still in progress. Not until two o’clock this afternoon did the meeting adjourn, none of the audience having taken food or drink in the nineteen hours that the demonstration continued. . . . Nothing similar was ever before known in the history of the State. And nothing similar was ever known in the history of Christian preaching. Nowhere is it recorded that any such demonstration ever attended the preaching of Jesus to the multitudes that followed him. Nowhere is it recorded that the preaching of his apostles produced any such results. On the day of Pentecost, when Peter spoke under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit, and three thousand of his hearers were converted, the record is that they were “pricked in their heart,” and inquired, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter7 instructed them to repent and be baptized, and “they that gladly received his word were baptized.” They did nothing at all hysterical or not comportable with reason and soberness. The same may be said of the apostle Paul’s preaching; but a hysterical outbreak did occur at Ephesus, under the pagan influence associated with the worship of the goddess Diana. It is some other spirit than that of Christianity which gets control of people on such occasions. There is no better safeguard against insanity than the possession of the “peace of God,” which “shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:7. Nobody ever went insane while his mind was being “kept” by the peace of God. But such occurrences as that here noted remind us that these are times when evil spirits, whose work is characterized by “intensity,” are abroad, and only those are safe who are “kept by the power of God.” L. A. S. A Traditional Policy Broken
By L. A. S.
AN article contributed to the Independent (N. Y. City) of January 7, by James A. Le Roy, private secretary to a member of the Philippine Commission, states that “the Catholic schism in the islands [the Aglipay following] is by no means the unimportant, even amusing, movement that might have been expected from the character of the men who organized it in August, 1902. To be sure, the Associated Press has practically ignored it [under Catholic influence], and one might well gather, from the hiatus of information upon it for nearly a year, that it had come to naught; but this is not the first time the Associated Press has committed serious errors of omission in regard to the Philippines. Plainly told, the truth of the situation is that the Catholic Church in the Philippines is literally rent in two.” Under the conditions which now exist in the islands, there being two rival Catholic parties, one of which is supported by the authorities at Rome, the United States government, which is called upon to decide the disputed question of the title to much of the church property in the islands, will have no small difficulty to avoid interfering in religious affairs, and becoming an ally of the papacy. Indeed, such interference is already an accomplished fact, and Mr. Le Roy sees it. He says:— Confining ourselves entirely to our Philippine difficulties, we might as well frankly realize that, on our own part, we have practically broken with our traditional policy of non-intervention in church matters, and that we may have to go still further in this direction before our hands are again entirely free. Governor Taft was not formally an “ambassador to the Vatican,” . . . but, far from being merely a business negotiation about friars’ lands, his mission was really a diplomatic mission, by whatever phrase we may choose to call it. The fact is recognized that this nation has “practically broken with” its “traditional policy of non-intervention in church matters,” and even that it may have to go further in this direction before it can see the way open to return to its former position. It means to return, of course; who ever knowingly ventured a little out of the right path without meaning to return? And now it seems necessary to go on a little further in order to return, to get back safely without unpleasant consequences. That is the old story. It is much easier to venture into the wrong path than to get back again from the wrong path to the right one. It is much easier to get entangled in the meshes of papal diplomacy than to get out of the tangle after Rome has drawn the lines to cut off retreat and make further advancement in her pathway appear the only feasible course. L. A. S. Note and Comment
By Editor
Is there such a thing as a national right of “eminent domain” to which portions of the earth not belonging to the nation asserting such a right may be subjected? In what has been said in defense of the present administration’s course touching the issue between Panama and Colombia, the idea has been put forward that since the building of the Panama canal would be for commercial and other reasons of great benefit—an apparent necessity, in fact—to the world in general and the United States in particular, the latter government is justified in employing force to secure the construction of the canal, by the right of eminent domain. That is, just as a State can exercise this right to secure the building of a railway through any private property, or a city can exercise it to secure land for an approach to a bridge or for a public building, giving just compensation to the owners of the property, so a nation can exercise such a right for the construction of a national or international utility within the territory of another nation. Of course such a case would arise only where one of the nations was strong, and the other weak, for the attempted exercise of such a prerogative against the will of a strong nation would mean war. The setting up of such a principle would obviously be of great use, in an ethical way, to the empire-building nations of the world to-day. A PRESS cablegram from London, dated January 16, says that a special dispatch from St. Petersburg quotes a leading Russian diplomat as saying: “Let all those who are adding fuel to the fire, which means war, remember that no possible power can limit that war to Japan and Russia. Its extension to other countries is certain, with results too terrible to consider.” “This is taken to mean in diplomatic circles here,” adds the London dispatch, “that both England and the United States, as well as China, will be drawn into the quarrel,” so that on the part of these powers, and possibly of others, there will be no way to avoid “active participation in the conflict. In other words, it is implied that a war of the world is imminent.” This general talk of the imminence of a “world war” is wonderfully in harmony with the view of those who, enlightened by the third angel’s message, believe that this is the time when the four angels are standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds, that these should not blow upon the earth till the servants of God should be sealed with the seal of God, as described in Rev. 7:1–4. In other words, God is now holding in check the threatening winds of commotion and strife that the work of gathering out his elect may go forward, which, when it is finished, will be immediately followed by world-wide war and destruction. When the restraining influence of the Prince of Peace shall be withdrawn from the earth, its inhabitants, left wholly to the influence of carnal propensities, will have no other instinct but to fight and destroy one another. ACCORDING to figures given by the Philadelphia Public Ledger, church membership in the United States “is just about keeping pace with the population in the matter of growth.” The Methodists are “the largest single religious body in America which bases its numbers upon actual communicants.” The Methodist Church, North, with a membership of 3,010,560, gained in 1903 29,265 converts, and the Methodist Church, South, with a membership of 1,518,854, gained 41,674 converts. The Ledger adds:— The population of the United States on Jan. 1, 1904, was 81,804,861. On Jan. 1, 1903, the population must have been, on the same basis, 80,233,011. The ratio of growth during the last year is almost exactly the ratio shown by the Presbyterian and Protestant Episcopal bodies [about two per cent]. Disciples of Christ surpass the ratio by a very small fraction, and Methodists North do not quite equal it. The smaller bodies, for the most part, fall behind it. Some, however, exceed it, and on the whole it can be stated that Protestant bodies, in growth in membership, just kept pace with the growth of population. They certainly do not gain any upon the 52,000,000 people in these United States who do not admit membership with them.
The Catholic population in the United States at the beginning of 1903, according to official statistics, was 11,289,710. New York is the largest diocese, with an estimated Catholic population of 1,200,000. Practical Christianity
By Ellen G. White
I HAVE been impressed with the subject of the influence of the church—what this influence should be. By earnest prayer the members are to obtain power that will make their influence a savor of life unto life. What is needed to-day is practical Christianity, not merely for a day or a year, but for a lifetime. The man who professes to be a Christian, and yet reveals in his life no practical godliness, is denying Christ. Opposite his name in the books of heaven are written the words, Unfaithful steward. How is the world to be enlightened, save by the lives of Christ’s followers? You profess to believe in Christ, to be a follower of his. Do you do his works? Can the world see plainly that you have been with Jesus, and learned of him? How are unbelievers to know that you belong to Christ if you show no zeal in his service, but instead cherish worldly ambition and follow worldly plans? Christ declares, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” God can not prepare for the day of trial before us those who are careless and indifferent. With those who are neither cold nor hot he has nothing to do. “I would thou wert cold or hot,” he says. “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.” The half-hearted Christian exerts an influence more harmful than the influence of the avowed infidel. There are many whose lives are but a pretense of godliness. They are a law unto themselves, and they always will be, unless the grace of Christ subdues their hearts. They lift up their souls unto vanity, and God has no use for them in his service. The Will of God Concerning You
Our sanctification is God’s object in all his dealing with us. He has chosen us from eternity that we might be holy. Christ gave himself for our redemption, that through faith in his power to save from sin, we might be made complete in him. In giving us his Word, he has given us bread from heaven. He declares that if we eat his flesh and drink his blood, we shall receive eternal life. As Christians we have pledged ourselves to fulfil the responsibilities resting on us, and to show to the world that we have a close connection with God. Thus, through the good words and works of his disciples, Christ is to be represented and honored. God expects of us perfect obedience to his law. This law is the echo of his voice, saying to us, Holier, yea, holier still. Desire after the fulness of the grace of Christ, yea, long — hunger and thirst — after righteousness. The promise is, “Ye shall be filled.” Let your heart be filled with a longing for this righteousness, the work of which God’s Word declares to be peace, and its effect quietness and assurance forever. God has plainly stated that he expects us to be perfect, and because he expects this, he has made provision for us to be partakers of the divine nature. Only thus can we gain success in striving for eternal life. The power is given by Christ. “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” God’s people are to reflect to the world the bright rays of his glory. But in order for them to do this, they must stand where these rays can fall on them. They must co-operate with God. The heart must be cleansed of all that leads to wrong. The Word of God must be read and studied with an earnest desire to gain from it spiritual power. The bread of heaven must be eaten and assimilated, becoming part of the life. Thus we gain eternal life. Thus is answered the prayer of Christ, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” “This is the will of God, even your sanctification.” Is it your will that your desires and inclinations shall be brought into harmony with the divine mind? Godliness in the Every-Day Life
Christ declares, “By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” The talent of speech was given to be used for the benefit of all. Pleasant, cheery words cost no more than unpleasant, moody words. Sharp words wound and bruise the soul. In this life every one has difficulties with which to wrestle. Every one meets with grievances and disappointments. Shall we not bring sunshine instead of gloom into the lives of those with whom we come in contact? Shall we not speak words that will help and bless? Such words will be just as verily a blessing to us as to those to whom they are spoken. Parents, allow no faultfinding in your home. Teach your children to speak pleasant words, words that will bring sunshine and joy. Angels are not attracted to a home where discord reigns. Bring practical godliness into the home. Prepare yourselves and your children for entrance into the city of God. Angels will be your helpers. Satan will tempt you, but do not yield. Do not speak one word of which the enemy can take advantage. Let the determination of each member of the family be, I will be a Christian; for in the school here below I must form a character that will give me entrance into the higher grade, even the school above. I must do unto others as I desire them to do to me. Make the home life as nearly as possible like heaven. Let the members of the family forget not, as they gather round the family altar, to pray for the men in positions of responsibility in God’s work. The physicians in our sanitariums, the ministers of the gospel, those in charge of our publishing houses and schools, need your prayers. They are tempted and tried. As you plead with God to bless them, your own hearts will be subdued and softened by his grace. We are living amid the perils of the last days, and we are to cleanse ourselves from all defilement, and put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness. The work of God is to be steadily carried forward. We are to bring ourselves, body, soul, and spirit, into subjection to Christ. Unless we do this, the health of both body and soul will be endangered. God desires his workers to gain daily a better understanding of how to reason logically from cause to effect, arriving at wise, safe conclusions. He desires them to add to the strength of the memory. We can not afford to make mistakes. As little children we are to sit at the feet of Christ, learning of him how to work successfully. We are to ask God for sound judgment, and for light to impart to others. There is need of knowledge that is the fruit of experience. We should not allow a day to pass without gaining an increase of knowledge in temporal and spiritual things. We are to plant no stakes that we are not willing to take up and plant further on, nearer the heights we hope to ascend. The highest education is to be found in training the mind to advance day by day. The close of each day should find us a day’s march nearer the overcomer’s reward. Day by day our understanding is to ripen. Day by day we are to work out conclusions that will bring a rich reward in this life and in the life to come. Looking daily to Jesus, instead of to what we ourselves have done, we shall make decided advancement in temporal as well as spiritual knowledge. The end of all things is at hand.9 What we have done must not be allowed to place the period to our work. The Captain of our salvation says, “Advance. The night cometh, in which no man can work.” Constantly we are to increase in usefulness. Our lives are always to be under the power of Christ. Our lamps are to be kept burning brightly. Prayer is a heaven-ordained means of success. Appeals, petitions, entreaties, between man and man, move men, and act a part in controlling the affairs of nations. But prayer moves heaven. That power alone that comes in answer to prayer will make men wise in the wisdom of heaven, and enable them to work in the unity of the Spirit, joined together by the bonds of peace. Prayer, faith, confidence in God, bring a divine power that sets human calculations at their real worth,— nothingness. In all ages God has given human beings divine revelations, that thus he may fulfil his purpose of unfolding gradually to the mind the doctrines of grace. His manner of imparting the truth is illustrated by the words, “His going forth is prepared as the morning.” He who places himself where God can enlighten him, advances, as it were, from the partial obscurity of dawn to the full radiance of noonday. My Prayer
By M. A. Creeper
I stood on my balcony musing;
The earth lay in white at my feet,
Beautiful white, not marred nor broken,
Wrapping the earth in wintry token.
And from the depth of my heart I prayed:
O, make me white, like the snow Thou hast made! I lifted my eyes toward heaven,
Full studded with glittering lights;
They all are God’s glory reflecting,
The greater the lesser protecting.
And from the depth of my heart I prayed:
Make me a light, like the stars thou hast made! I looked all around me, watching
The landscape, tranquil and calm;
Not a breath was stirring the mantle white,
Not a cloud was crossing the golden light.
And from the depth of my heart I prayed:
O, grant me such peace that never will fade! A Definite, Testing Message
By J. B. Blosser
The amazing love of God for the purchase of the blood of Christ leads him to send his children a definite message to help them in their need, and he always employs the plainest manner possible to give them that message. It is so plain that “he may run that readeth it.” The painstaking efforts of a fond mother to shield the child of her love from harm only faintly illustrates the care of our Heavenly Father for his children who are exposed to the plottings of a wily foe. With infinite wisdom he devised a plan of salvation from sin, and with sleepless vigilance he works with his divine power to deliver them from special dangers, and to lead them forth in paths of righteousness to glorify his name. Through his servant Noah he sent a message that exactly met the needs of the people that were to see the world deluged by a flood. The message was given in such a plain, definite manner that none could misunderstand it. As they heard the stirring message from that “preacher of righteousness,” announcing that a flood was coming upon the earth, and exhorting them to turn to God in repentance, and so be ready for that awful time, they could at the same time see the great ship in building that was to sail upon a flood of water. No one need misunderstand what his message meant. In it was salvation from sin, and a definite warning of the impending doom of the wicked. To fail to give the warning, or to fail to build the ark would have been alike fatal to those who had the message committed to them at that time. The blood of the souls who would have been lost would have been upon their garments. Moses had a definite message to give to Israel when the time had come to leave Egypt, and with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, the Lord led his people in the way he would have them go. No one could mistake the message: by word of mouth and by the glory of his presence the way was shown. Moreover, this message was destined to reach all parts of the world, “that all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty; and that ye might fear the Lord your God forever.” Joshua 4: 24. Therefore God moved upon Moses to write out their experiences, and the truths that had been committed to them, that “all the people of the earth” might know the certainty of those things. Whether in Isaiah’s denunciations of the prevailing iniquity, or Jeremiah’s warnings of the impending destruction of Jerusalem, or Daniel’s visions of the conflicts of the future, or John’s startling announcement of the “kingdom of heaven at hand,”—all have in them a definite message, and it is given in a manner that all may understand it. It is adapted to the time and needs of the Lord’s people, and those who heeded it were delivered from the impending peril. Now that we have reached the time when God’s people are to pass through the last conflict with the enemy, and when the solemn scenes of the judgment are passing in the courts above, to be followed by the coming of Christ in glory to welcome his faithful remnant, a definite message is due to the world concerning these things, and it should be given in the plainest and most positive manner possible. When Job had a view of this time, he uttered the following earnest prayer: “Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! that they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever! for I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.” Job 19: 23-27. The certainty of the coming of Christ and of Job’s resurrection from the dead so fastened itself upon his mind that he desired to proclaim it in a way that no one could possibly misunderstand it, so he wished it “printed in a book,” and “graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever.” In this way all who desired could know what the message was that he had to proclaim. They could read it again and again. It is plainer and “more sure” than seeing with the eyes or hearing with the ears. This fact is testified to by Peter when he rehearsed the experience of those who were with Christ on the mount of transfiguration, and saw the exceeding glory of Christ, and heard the words of God. He says, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy.” Men may be mistaken in what they see or hear when it is only seen and heard once, but when written out and “printed in a book,” they can see it as often as they wish, hence they are “more sure” of understanding it. Luke also emphasizes this fact in his introductory words to his record of the gospel. He says that he wrote it “that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.” Luke 1: 4. So, having committed to us the definite message that is designed to deliver his people in the “time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation,” to prepare them to stand in the judgment, and meet him in peace at his coming, should we not, like Job, pray that these truths be “printed in a book,” and then these books be “scattered like the autumn leaves”? This is the way that God would have us pray and work. This earnest prayer of Job will be answered, and now is the time to expect it to be answered, for now the people are living who should receive these messages and prepare to meet the Lord. God would have all know the message for this time, and in no plainer manner can it be given than by scattering the printed pages containing it. The words of the living messenger may be heard, appreciated, and may make their impression; but there is danger that they will not be fully understood, or be forgotten, hence the necessity of printing them in a book, that the interested soul may read them again and again, that they may become, as it were, “lead in the rock forever,” graven there by the Spirit of the living God. Where are the faithful in Israel to-day? They are those who are holding fast to the definite message committed to this people, and laboring hard in a definite manner to give that message to the people. God is calling for an army of men and women to take these pages of truth, as they come from the press and place them in the homes of the people. The call for canvassers is timely, and their work will be blessed of God; and when the harvest is over, the faithful canvassers will hear the “Well done” spoken to them. A. E. LEMON, M. D
By A. E. Lemon
THE temple is where God dwells. And where does he dwell?—In the mind (Eph. 3:17); for it is the mind that makes the man. “As he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Prov. 23:7. “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Sam. 16:7. Then if we are to keep the temple holy, it is the heart that we must watch. It is in the mind that sin originates. All law-breaking and disobedience to God come from within. And so it is the mind rather than the physical body that should receive our first attention; for if the mind is conquered and under the control of the Spirit, then the care of the physical body, which is temperance, will appear in its proper place as one of the fruits of the Spirit. Gal. 5:23. Much attention is being paid to the10 study and adoption of what is called an “Edenic diet.” Diet reform is of God. He has graciously given us much light on this subject in the Testimonies. But the Testimonies repeatedly state that they do not teach principles and truths in addition to the Bible, much less contrary to it. In fact, if the Testimonies need proof that they are genuine, there is no more positive proof of their genuineness than the fact that throughout every volume they are continually calling our attention to Christ as our example, and the Holy Scriptures as our guide. Then if we know what the Bible teaches in regard to the true position and office of health reform, we need have no fear of conflicting with the Testimonies. And if we know what Christ taught on this subject nineteen centuries ago, we know what he would teach to-day; for he is “the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.” Heb. 13:8. Now his teaching on the subject of defiling the man is very plain. All of Christ’s lessons were suggested by some incident or object. His talk on humility was suggested by the striving of the disciples for first place; his talk on the resurrection was suggested by the question of marriage in heaven; and his talk on defiling the man was suggested by the Pharisees’ complaint that the disciples did not wash their hands before eating. And when he had answered their question, “he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand.” Surely a subject worthy of such an introduction from him is well worth our serious attention. He “called the multitude,” as if he were about to utter a great truth. Hear him: “Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth the man.” Matt. 15:10, 11. “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts. . . . and defile the man.” “Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it can not defile him?” Mark 7:14-23. No amount of reasoning can confine this plain teaching of the Saviour’s to the mere subject of washing of hands. Verse 19 shows that it covers “all foods.” † Now this doctrine of Christ’s is certainly not meant to teach us that we should eat all kinds of unwholesome foods. Such a conclusion would be simply flying to the other extreme, equally as false as the one the parable seeks to correct. But it does certainly teach that no amount of dieting will keep us from defiling the human temple. It teaches that the temple is defiled not by eating and drinking, but by thinking impure thoughts. And it teaches that if our hearts are right with God, we can eat the most wholesome food to be found in the circumstances in which God has placed us, without fear of being defiled. Well might the Saviour say to many of us now, as he said of old, “Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink.” “But seek ye first the kingdom of God.” Luke 12:29; Matt. 6:33. “The kingdom of God is not meat and drink.” Rom. 14:17. Brethren, we have the message of the coming kingdom. Let the proclamation of the message as the third angel delivered it to us, receive our undivided attention. Let us preach the message. Only a Mirage
By S. Thurston
It was in midsummer, and we were out from Los Angeles, Cal., one day's ride on the south-bound train. The orange and olive groves, interspersed with vineyards, had all been left far behind, with nothing to greet the eye but the arid wastes of southern Arizona, when to my surprise there appeared in the distance a lake with portions of its banks skirted with trees and rocky cliffs, casting their shadows into its placid waters. I thought, Surely the train will soon make a curve, and we shall at least make a brief halt at what seems to be an oasis in the desert. But no, on rushed the train in its forward course, and if possible with increasing speed, though it did seem to me that a great mistake was made in not touching at the one refreshing spot. Stations and side-line roads had been passed as indicated by the folder-guide. These and the direction indicated by the unfailing compass, all gave sure evidence that this was the right train on the right road, and would in due time reach the city of New Orleans at the end of the journey. I continued to gaze with intense interest upon the lake scene, when, to my surprise, it began to vanish, and soon it had given place to only barren waste. The on-speeding train had carried me to a point from which I was able to discover the deception, and in broken tones I could only say, Surely it is only a mirage. My remaining on the train was the very means by which its fraudulent nature was discovered. I had witnessed many mirages, but never one so thoroughly deceptive. Had I been with private conveyance, doubtless, like many others before, I should have driven weary miles in search of leafy shade and rocky shore, lured on to lose my way, and perish in the desert. I thought, O, how many during the ages have left the car of salvation propelled by redeeming love, to follow some satanic mirage, only to perish in dry places! And it is a sad fact, that, with all the human wreckage of the past strewn along the sandy waste of time, it is even as the Lord hath said, “In the latter times some shall depart from the faith.” Yes, just now when God’s great, threefold, closing message is fast filling and lighting the earth with the glory of God, some mirage will suddenly flash up, in some respects closely resembling the work of God, and some will see great light in it, and immediately forsake the train of truth, leaving behind their first love with all its rich experience, and soon they will be added to the wreckage on the desert waste. Brethren, we had better stay with this great central line of truth, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in due time, like the railroad train, it will carry us to a point where we shall be able to detect every passing latter-day error. Already Sinai and Calvary have been left far behind, and we are nearing the very borders of Canaan. Everything about the construction of the road has been carefully examined again and again. The gospel rail has been found to be securely spiked by the prophets to the foundation law-tie. All side lines of truth merge into this great straight-forward line. The desert waste is around us; the deceptions of Satan are more cunningly wrought than ever before, hence the more deceptive. To the already delayed train, the word is, “Delay shall be no longer.” The lever is being turned; the Spirit’s power, the unfailing compass, the increasing speed, all are sure indications that this is the right train, on the right road, cutting short our pilgrimage to the much-desired New Jerusalem at the end of the journey. Brother pilgrim, this is not a city amid the miasms of a sluggish, muddy, swamp-banked Mississippi River,—not a city with funeral car, or marble slab and monument. No, no! but a real, golden city, with gem-set wall and pearly gates, with on-flowing river, made broad with crystal life water. Its banks are skirted with life’s tree of trees, all making glad the city and people of God. “But of all the joys beyond the tide,
The welcome on that golden strand,
The best shall be from Him who died
To bring us to that shining land.” If We Had But a Day
By Mary Lowe Dickinson
WE should fill the hours with the sweetest things,
If we had but a day!
We should drink alone at the purest springs
In our upward way;
We should love with a lifetime’s love in an hour,
If the hours were few;
We should rest, not for dreams, but for fresher power
To be and to do! We should guide our wayward or wearied wills
By the clearest light;
We should keep our eyes on the heavenly hills,
If they lay in sight;
We should trample the pride and discontent
Beneath our feet;
We should take whatever the good God sent
With a trust complete! We should waste no moments in weak regret,
If the day were but one,
If what we remember and what we forget
Went out with the sun;
We should be from our clamorous selves set free,
To work or to pray,
And be what the Father would have us be,
If we had but a day!