p. 12 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 46. (11/14/1900)

"GOD BLESS OUR INTERRUPTIONS."

By Elizabeth Preston Allan

An old friend who was once staying with me, in conducting our morning worship, used this singular form of petition: "Lord, bless our interruptions to-day, and use them in Thy service, and for Thy glory." I was amused at the rather odd conceit; but hardly a day has passed since then that I have not had occasion to make my own this serviceable prayer.

I have known men and women who showed heroism under sharp trial who could by no means stand having their own plan for the day's doings broken in upon. And yet how can we be sure that the chart we draw for ourselves at the beginning of the day is the track over which our Pilot means us to sail between sunrise and sunset?

Of course there are some interruptions against which it is right and wise that we guard ourselves; people who have engagements to meet, and certain hours set apart in which to prepare the sermon or the address or the editorial, must decline to be interrupted except, as the saying is, "in matters of life and death."

But when we have set these bondfolk off to themselves, there remains a large constituency, of women especially, whose time, however busily occupied, is more or less at their own disposal. They may be eager to finish tucking the petticoat, or putting down the carpet, or studying a Bible lesson, or writing a letter, but it can be put off until to-morrow, and, when the interrupter comes, it must be.

And the claim that I want to set up here is that in many cases the interruption is more important than even the Bible lesson. The Bible lesson, or the pot of preserves, was your own plan; but solemn experience has taught us that the interruption is sometimes straight from God. I would like to ask the best rememberer among us how often she has said to herself, with a sigh of relief, "I was very near missing such and such a chance," when it was sometimes a chance of helping and sometimes of being helped.

I am far from being a good rememberer; I am one of the worst, but even I can recall a long list of "interruptions," some of which I accepted patiently and some fretfully, but all freighted with serious responsibilities and opportunities.

One was a proposal on a busy day (when the weather was bad) to do some visiting of poor people; it meant the rescue of an ill woman and hungry children.

One was a call away from a kettle of jelly (and every housekeeper knows how jelly must be timed), which resulted in getting work for a woman almost in despair; work which tided her over despair and gave her the hope necessary to success.

Another brought an opportunity for prayer and a simple offer of the great Saviour, to a woman whose last chance it was to hear the message.

But you have all had such interruptions and such consequences, calls that seemed unreasonable, from work that seemed important. Doubtless you will all agree with me in general terms that these things are sometimes in deed and in truth "matters of life and death."

I only ask you to remember—because I need so much myself to be reminded—that when the door-bell rings and the day's scheme of work falls to pieces, our heavenly Father may be sending you the fulfilment of His promise, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go."—Elizabeth Preston Allan.

VIRGINIA HOMES.

You learn all about Virginia lands, soil, water, climate, resources, products, fruits, berries, mode of cultivation, prices, etc., by reading the Virginia Farmer. Send 10 cents, for three months' subscription, to FARMER CO., Emporia, Va.

Spencerian Steel Pens

GOLD STANDARD NO. 27.

This pen is made from the best pen steel by the most experienced workmen. The coating with real gold prevents rusting, gives a smoothness to the points, and can easily be kept clean and bright, as the ink does not adhere to the metal as with plain steel pens.

Sample box, 12 Pens, sent post-paid on receipt of 10 cts. Ask for No. 27.

SPENCERIAN PEN CO. 349 Broadway, New York.

FLY SHUTTLE

The best, handiest, easiest running, cheapest, and most durable

FLY SHUTTLE

CARPET LOOM

In the world,—100 yards a day. Catalogue free. EUREKA LOOM CO. 5018 Main St., Battle Creek, Mich.

When you write, please mention the SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

Praise for Power for Witnessing

By Editor

One of Our Customers in a letter ordering twenty-five copies of "Power for Witnessing" says: "I LIKE THE SOUND OF IT."

Yes, and its "sound" does not contain a single uncertain note.

Another Customer says: "The book presents a very pleasing appearance. Will say that, personally, the writer thinks it has the most artistic cover which has appeared during the present year. We have an order with you for three hundred copies, some of which are already on the way. Please send us two hundred additional copies at your earliest convenience."

Says the Editor of the "Review and Herald": "'Power for Witnessing' is the title of that new and excellent book by Brother A. F. Ballenger, on the Holy Spirit. It is now out, ready for delivery for all orders. Of all the books written on that subject this is decidedly the best. Every one should have it. It is handsomely bound in cloth, has two hundred and one pages, and costs only seventy-five cents."

The "Workers' Bulletin," under date of October 16, has the following editorial concerning its merits: "The book 'Power for Witnessing,' by Elder A. F. Ballenger, is now off the press, and is receiving words of commendation from those who have read advance proofs. Of it one has said: 'I have never read anything on the work of the Holy Spirit which seems to be so clear, reasonable and interesting.' Especially will those who have heard the author, be interested in this book, and its low price, seventy-five cents, places it within the reach of all."

The First Three Tract Societies who were shown partial advance proofs ordered one hundred copies each, thus indicating their faith in its selling qualities.

PACIFIC PRESS

Cloth, Seventy-five cents

PACIFIC PRESS

Publishing Company Oakland, California 39 Bond Street, New York City 18 West Fifth Street, Kansas City, Mo.

ALASKA INDIAN FETES.

By Editor

IN the southeast part of Alaska it is the universal custom among the Indians to give entertainments about the time of the holidays, consisting of feasts, potlatches, and dances. Following is a description of one held last year. It was written for the Parish (N. Y.) Mirror, by Mrs. Adah Sparhawk Young, who was formerly a resident of this city:—

"It was held in a building about thirty by forty feet, built especially for the occasion. A ten-foot square in the center contained a fire on the ground, with an opening in the roof for the smoke to escape, or at least a part of it escapes. A large feast was given each day, with a dance and potlatch at night, which sometimes continues until the small hours of the morning.

"Previous to the feast a few of the Indians went down to Seattle and purchased about three tons of provisions, beside purchasing about two tons here at the store, also a quantity of calico, blankets, etc. The big feast is given about noon each day. Just before it is ready the loud boom of the cannon is heard to call them together. Sometimes a young man goes through the principal part of the town ringing a bell, after the manner of an auctioneer. It reminds one of the parable where the servant was told to go out into the hedges and highways and compel them to come in.

"Each one carries a large dishpan or large earthen wash-bowl, and a teacup for their coffee. The food usually consists of pilot bread, or 'hard tack,' candy, apples, and coffee, which is passed around to each guest (all seated on the floor, as they prefer that way to sitting on chairs). Then the large vessel of each guest is filled full to take home. Each meal lasts about three hours, during which time they converse, tell stories, and give toasts, and loudly and briskly the speaker is cheered.

"The potlatch is a part of the regular program, or entertainment. It is a ceremony to which invitations are issued the same as to any social event.

Totem-posts, emblems of nature-worship, usually connected with some animal believed to have kinship with man.

"Personal property of every description is given away. By giving away his property the host hopes to attain a reputation of liberality, and increase his chance of one day becoming chief. The distribution takes place in true Christmas style. The blankets and goods to be given away are stacked in a heap near the fireplace, just opposite the door. The host holds up the presents and calls the guest's name who is to receive it, and an attendant, who stands ready, delivers them. Each guest is remembered according to his own distribution in the past, or those which he is expected to make in the future. It is one man's duty to tear the rolls of calico, muslin, flannel, or whatever cloth it be, into strips about a yard long. Previously it was the custom to also tear the blankets into like pieces, but the missionaries have persuaded them to abandon this practise, so they only cut them apart into single blankets. On this occasion the potlatch consisted in giving away cigars, guns, blankets, money, and bleached muslin (or sail as they call it). One afternoon provisions were given away, nearly every one carrying home a large box of things, beside a gunny sack full, the women carrying their own share.

"One evening I had the pleasure of attending one of their dances. As I entered the room a hideous sight met my gaze. Three or four young men were dressed in their paraphernalia, with their faces painted in black streaks. The head-dress was a marked feature of their grotesque attire. It was trimmed with ermine skins, pending from the band, nearly covering the head and face, flying in every direction when in motion, with a girdle of sea-lion's whiskers about the top, pointing upward. The hollow in the crown was filled with swan's-down and feathers, which were showered about the room while dancing, as blessings upon their guests. Each one dresses as gorgeously as he can afford, in robes, furs, blankets, etc.

"Their peculiar costumes, fierce gestures, and monotonous singing were a scene of barbaric gorgeousness, which can not well be described. Louder and more exciting the singing and dancing go on. Wilder and more frantic grows the chanting; swifter becomes the motion of the dancers, and faster is the oil poured upon the burning heap. With frenzied yells and whoops they leap into the air, then suddenly crouch on the floor. They keep time to the drum with violent jerks and motions of the body. Their movements become more convulsive, until they become hoarse and exhausted; then they suddenly stop and face the host, who makes a sort of speech. The singing ceases, and all eyes are directed toward the speaker with utmost reverence, as the tradition or history of the tribe is rehearsed, after which another set of dancers takes their place.

"I do not think I will ever forget the strange sensation or spell which took possession of me during this gruesome and exciting scene. It was all my past imaginations about these strange people made real. Sometimes the beating of the drum and on the floor and the dancing are almost deafening. During these entertainments a few neighboring tribes were invited. They came in large canoes, fifty or sixty feet long, with the Stars and Stripes waving above them. They were welcomed by the firing of a cannon.

"All the Indians attending this entertainment were well dressed, many of the women being gorgeously attired. One young girl wore a

bright purple velveteen dress and fancy ribbons. Another wore a white dress with a red sash and neck ribbon. One young woman wore a black brocade silk dress. Most of them have nice jackets or capes, or very nice, heavy shawls and gay-colored, beaded fascinators, with an abundance of jewelry, usually silver. I have counted as many as fourteen rings on the fingers of one woman, beside a half dozen bracelets. They are all manufactured by native jewelers.

"An entertainment is sometimes given by one man and sometimes by several, all belonging to the same totem, who seek to strengthen their influence among distant tribes, as well as their own."

ADMONITION.

Do NOT glory if another From the path of right has gone; Lead him gently, as a brother, Safely from the path of wrong, Till he, all his sins confessing, Seeks and finds the Saviour's blessing.

Do not scorn the lowly outcast, Stained by sin, by vices marred; Tell of Him who saves the vilest, How with thorns His brow was scarred, And His blood, a cleansing river For his sins, flows fresh as ever.

Do not shun the poor and friendless; Ever help where'er is need; E'er to prove us they are with us, If in word, and thought and deed We shall love the poor and lowly, As our Saviour, Christ, so holy.

Do not waver when temptations Fierce and dark thy path surround; Look to Christ, whose sure salvation Firm can keep, tho storms abound. In His arm is strengthening power, Which can shield in danger's hour.

Do not weary, tho the darkness As a cloud o'erspread thy way; Light shall dawn, and gloomy shadows Soon shall flee beneath its ray; Christ Himself, the Light, is shining Through each cloud, a golden lining.

Thus in all be true and steadfast; Do as Jesus would have done,- Lead the erring, love the outcast, Help the fallen, warn the wrong. In His footsteps ever follow, Healing hearts and easing sorrow. —Selected.

LESSON IX.—SABBATH, DECEMBER 1, 1900.

GOING BACK INTO BONDAGE.

Lesson Scripture, Gal. 4:6-11, R.V.

6 “And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. So that thou art no longer a bond-servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. 8 “Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them which by nature are no gods; but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known of God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments, whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again? Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years. I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.”

NOTE.—Be sure that you have the preceding verses clearly fixed in your mind, before you proceed with these, and then note the connection. If those have been well learned, it will be no task, but a pleasure, to include them in the present lesson.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) In what condition were we all in former times?—“In bondage under the rudiments of the world.” (2) What are the rudiments of the world? See 1 John 2:15, 16; Eph. 2:1-3. (3) With what are they not in agreement? (4) What, therefore, did God

do in the fulness of time? (5) How was Christ sent forth? (6) For what purpose was He thus sent forth?—“To redeem them that were under the law.” (7) What purpose did this serve for us?—“That we might receive the adoption of sons.” (8) Since we are sons, what has God done?—“Sent forth the Spirit of His Son in our hearts.” (9) What does the Spirit of Christ in our hearts cry? (10) What change has therefore taken place?—“Thou art no longer a bond-servant, but a son.” (11) And what is every one who is indeed a son? (12) At the time when the Galatians were bond-servants, to what were they in bondage?—“At that time . . . ye were in bondage to them which by nature are no gods.” (13) What was the cause of their being thus in bondage?—“Not knowing God.” (14) What was their present condition?—“Ye have come to know God.” (15) What is even better than this?—“To be known of God.” (16) Yet, in spite of this, what were they doing?—“Turning back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments.” (17) What were they deliberately choosing?—“Ye desire to be in bondage over again.” (18) What was the evidence that they were turning back to heathenism?—“Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.” (19) What fear did the apostle express for them?—“Lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.”

NOTES.

1. THE Holy Spirit is the seal of sonship. The Spirit is the agent of the new birth, and is continually sent forth into our hearts, abiding there as the necessary consequence of our adoption as sons. This is the infallible sign. “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” Rom. 8:9.

2. CHRIST is the Son of God; both have one Spirit, one mind. It is by the Spirit that Christ abides in us. In promising to send the Comforter, the Spirit of truth, He said, “I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you.” John 14:16-18. Therefore when the Spirit comes into our hearts, He cries, “Father, Father,” for it is Christ Himself speaking to the Father. Thus we see that our relation to God, when we receive the adoption of sons, is the same as Christ’s. It is not we that live, but Christ liveth in us.

3. THE Hebrew word for Father is Ab, as we have it in Abraham, father of many people. The word “Abba” is a strengthened, emphatic form of this word. “Abba, Father” is, therefore, the same as “Father, Father,” with emphasis.

4. THERE is a difference between a bond-servant and a son. Read John 8:31-36. The slave can not be an heir; he can not own anything, not even himself. He has no control of himself, much less of anything else. But the sons of God must be as free as He is, for they are heirs, not only of all that God has, but of all that He is; they are heirs of God Himself. They are rulers with Him, set “far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion.” Compare Eph. 1:17-21 and 2:1-6. As sons of God we are masters, not slaves. No enemy can have power over the soul whose life is hid with Christ in God. Luke 10:19.

5. COMPARE verse 8 with Eph. 2:11, 12. That is all the comment that need be made upon the state from which the Galatians were delivered on accepting Christ. Compare also verse 9 with verses 6 and 7 of chapter 1. The same wonder is expressed in both places, and for the same reason. What a strange thing it is that people after having a glimpse of heaven will turn back to the world; after having known freedom in God will deliberately put themselves under the burdensome bondage of sin!

6. DO NOT fail to note that the “rudiments” spoken of in verse 9 are the same as those mentioned in verse 3,—the rudiments of the world. We have already learned what they are. What are they? and where do we find the statement? What is friendship with this world?

7. COMPARE verse 10 with Deut. 18:9-12. The observation of times, that is, the practise of augury, a common thing among the heathen, was expressly forbidden by the Lord. Note in Isa. 47:10-14, with margin, the vanity and wickedness of observing months.

8. SOME will ask, “How could it be that the Galatians were going back into heathenism, when the ‘false brethren’ who were perverting them were Jews?” The answer is easy. That they were relapsing into heathenism is evident from the fact that they were turning back to the things to which they had formerly been in bondage; and they had formerly been heathen. They never were Jews. Remember that they were being led by false brethren into “another gospel,” which was not a gospel at all. They were being led away from Christ. The real Gospel is “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” The false gospel,—the substitution of one’s own works for faith in Christ,—is the power of man, not to salvation, but to destruction; for there is no help in man. Now when men lose their faith in Christ, they have no power to hold them to God, and they invariably drift back into their former habits of life, no matter who their teachers may be. So the Galatians, being taught by Jews to put their trust in their own works, were naturally taking up the works to which they had previously been accustomed.

9. OBSERVE that Paul expresses no concern for himself, but only for the Galatians. His fear was for them lest his labors had been in vain for them. He did not mourn lest he had wasted his time upon them; he did not regret the time and strength he had spent, but only feared lest they should lose the benefit of it.

THE SABBATH SCHOOL

By Editor

LESSON VIII.—SABBATH, NOVEMBER 24, 1900.

THE ADOPTION OF SONS.

Lesson Scripture, Gal. 4: 1-5, R.V.

"1 BUT I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bond-servant, tho he is lord of all; but is under guardians and stewards until the term appointed of the father. 3 So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world; but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that He might redeem them which were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."

NOTE.—The thoughtful student can not fail to see that there is no real division between these verses and the closing verses of the third chapter. It is, therefore, self-evident that the preceding chapter must be very fresh in our minds before we can understandingly begin the study of this.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) By being baptized into Christ, what have we put on? (2) What do we then all become? (3) Being Christ's, whose seed are we? (4) And what then? (5) With whom are we joint heirs?—"Joint heirs with Christ." Rom. 8:17. (6) What is true of the heir while he is a child? (7) With what is he identical? (8) Notwithstanding what? (9) Under what is he placed? (10) Under what time? (11) When we were children (under age) in what condition were we?—"We also, when we were children, were held in bondage." (12) Under what were we held in bondage?—"Under the rudiments [elements] of the world." (13) What took place when the fulness of time came?—"God sent forth His Son." (14) How was the Son of God sent forth?—"Born of a woman." (15) In what condition?—"Born under the law." (16) Why was He born under the law?—"To redeem them that were under the law." (17) To what end?—"That we might receive the adoption of sons." (18) Whom does Christ redeem?—"Them that were under the law." (19) And as the result, what do we receive?—"The adoption of sons." (20) Then under what must we also have been? (21) Where has the Scripture—the law—shut up all men?—"The Scripture hath shut up all under sin." "The law worketh wrath; for where no law is, there is no transgression." "By the law is the knowledge of sin." (22) Why has it done this?—"That the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe."

NOTES.

1. IF these verses are somewhat difficult to comprehend at first, the comfort which they contain is so much the greater. Wherever there is difficulty there is treasure; and in these verses there is a glorious message of mercy for all mankind.

2. THERE is no difference between the heir, so long as he is under age, and a bond-servant. That means, just as the apostle says in verse 3, that the child is in bondage until he comes into the possession of his inheritance.

3. WE were, as children, "held in bondage under the rudiments of the world." Do not for a moment entertain so dishonoring a thought toward God as that these "rudiments of the world" have anything to do with Him. "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of the world." 1 John 2:16. "Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Col. 2:8, R.V. The "rudiments of the world" are totally opposed to both the Father and the Son.

4. CHRIST redeems us from that to which we were in bondage. We were in bondage under the rudiments, the principles, of the world; then Christ was manifested "to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Thus we see that to be in bondage "under the rudiments of the world," is the same as being "under the law." "Aforetime ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; among whom we also all once lived in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath." Eph. 2:2, 3. But it is the law that worketh wrath, for where no law is, there is no transgression. Sin is bondage, and the law holds us in that bondage (compare Gal. 3:22), because it will not compromise with sin.

5. CHRIST was "born of a woman, born under the law." Therefore every person born of a woman is redeemed by Christ. Whether every person will accept the redemption or not, it is for him to say for himself. Christ has purchased the freedom of every person. This constitutes the good news of the Gospel.

6. NOTE from the text that God considers every person in the world as an heir, no matter how much he may be the slave of the world of sin. The heir, while he is a child, differeth nothing from a bond-servant. Even so with us; while we were children, we were in bondage under the rudiments of the world, yet we were heirs of all God's possession—of God Himself. This is true of every man on earth. Everything is for him, if he will but accept it. Yet there must be a coming back, a change so great that it is a new birth. Since we differed nothing from bond-servants, we were bond-servants; in Christ we receive the adoption of sons. Recall the parable of the prodigal son. During his absence from his father's house, he was a bond-servant, yet he was his father's son. So God regards all sinners as wandering prodigal sons. But, notwithstanding this, unless, like the one in the Scripture, they come back to the Father, they will die as slaves.

7. SEE how the apostle Paul classes himself with the Galatians. We were in bondage; those under the law are redeemed, that we might receive the adoption of sons. We may also class ourselves with them, not only as having been, or even now being, in bondage, but also in the adoption.

8. REMEMBER that the Galatians were heathen before they heard the Gospel at the mouth of Paul. All unbelievers are of course heathen; but the Galatians were what is generally known as such. They were among the class that were ready to worship even Paul and Barnabas, holding them as gods because of the miracles that they saw. Acts 14:8-13. Therefore, it is again evident that the things to which they were aforetime in bondage could not possibly be any precepts given by God; for they knew nothing of God.

9. IN this chapter we have simply an extension of the thought presented in chapter 3. Both speak of the bondage of sin, in which the law holds us fast, and of the deliverance. We were, as all unbelievers are, in bondage under the rudiments of the world; but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son to deliver us. Even so in the preceding chapter we read that the Scripture hath shut up all under sin, the law being our jailer; but now that faith is come, we are no longer in prison. But there is no fixed time for faith to come. It is an individual matter, and comes to each one as he is ready to exercise it.

10. "Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." But we do not all become the children of God at the same time; for all do not believe at once. Faith is an individual matter. As soon as faith comes to any man, so that he takes hold of it, he is free from his bondage; he is no longer under a pedagog; he is then of age, and ruler instead of servant. It will be seen that the time "when we were children" (verse 3) is entirely different from "the adoption of sons" (verse 5). Of course, when we receive the adoption of sons we are the children of God; but the apostle first carries out the figure that he has adopted, and considers the unbelieving sinner as a child yet under age. When we come of age, when we believe, we become sons indeed; but the change is wholly in us, not at all in God. The change in us is a radical one—from slavery to sonship, from death to life—but God remains the same; His love toward us is the same first as last. The Lord loves sinners, and "will not cast off forever." Lam. 3:31. No one can be lost unless he runs away from the Father's house, and stubbornly stays away, resisting the drawing power of God's everlasting love and mercy. Jer. 31:3.

OUR WORK AND WORKERS

By Editor

SINCE July 12, sixteen members have been added to the church in St. Paul, Minn.

FOUR new Sabbath-keepers are reported by Brother C. H. Bliss, in connection with his work at Salem, Ill.

AN important dedication service was recently held at Alexandria, S. D., visitors being present from ten other towns.

ON the 6th ult., eight members were added to the church at Decatur, Ill., by baptism. Brother E. A. Curtis administered the ordinance.

A NEW house of worship is nearing completion at Grand Junction, Colo. Brother J. Wibbens reports good prospects for the church school.

AT Genoa, Neb., October 13, at the quarterly-meeting service, three members were added to the church. Brother George H. Smith officiated.

THE brethren at Cotton, Mo., have a new house of worship about completed, which will be dedicated free from debt. The brethren at Appleton City have also begun the erection of a new church building.

THE Reporter says that the brethren at Grand Island, Neb., recently purchased a church building from the Baptists, which will furnish room both for the Sabbath meetings and a church school.

BROTHER DAN. T. JONES and family, after a few months' sojourn at their old home in Missouri, have returned to their post at Guadalajara, Mexico. The Record states that Brother Jones' health has materially improved.

AT the country residence of a Brother Mauk, in Box Butte County, Neb., October 7, the brethren from twenty miles around were gathered in by Brother O. S. Ferren, and the ordinances were celebrated. A few meetings had been held in a schoolhouse previous to this occasion. Ten persons united with the church. Eight were baptized, two having received baptism before. Two sisters will canvass the country and towns for the World's Outlook number of the SIGNS. The brethren also decided to erect a church and school building, and the work is being rapidly pushed forward.

WRITING from Port of Spain, island of Trinidad, to the Dakota Worker, Brother L. M. Crowther gives some items that indicate a great need of missionary work, and a field that only a love of souls would induce a Christian to enter. He says:—

“All the abominations forbidden in Deut. 18: 10, 11, are practised here. We have seen great crowds of people witness the pouring out of libations to the sun, and heathenish incantations to frighten away the evil spirits. They passed through the fire, and did many other like things. There is more vice, profanity, drunkenness, and general degradation within a block of our mission than you could easily gather together in all Sioux Falls. More fights and arrests occur before our hall than in any ward of your city, to say the least. We hear more cursing and loud, angry talk in a week than I ever heard in five years in America. True, this is one of the worst places in the city, and this city is the worst place on the island; but it is all vile enough. Yet our people live in the midst of this, and live as close to the Lord as many in America. The truth has power to keep from sin, if we only receive it. We are trying to raise money to build a church, and in three weeks it has reached the sum of $2.40. Some of them make three or four dollars a month, and pay tithes of that, and then put a little into the box for that prospective building. . . . And Venezuela is just opposite to us, and must be worked from here. This is the place to teach us to pray the Lord of the harvest to send more laborers into His field.”

THE TALENTS. By M. C. Wilcox. A brief essay on “The Parable of the Talents,” showing that the talents represent the various gifts of the Spirit which God bestows as he will upon those who are consecrated to him, with the duties and blessed privileges involved therein. Bible Students' Library, No. 77; 16 pp., price 2 cents.

Continue reading: LESSON VIII.—SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1900