Earlier text: Love Never FailethOur July Offering
By Arthur G. Daniells
WHY should Seventh-day Adventists make a July offering to mission fields instead of spending money in Fourth-of-July festivities? A number of good reasons could be given, but there is one that includes all. It is this: There are thousands of men and women dying without hope of a future life because they do not know the truth of the gospel as it has been made known to Seventh-day Adventists in the third angel’s message. They never can know this truth until it has been proclaimed to them, and this can not be done without money. Therefore it is plain and consistent that we should contribute our means to the cause of missions instead of wasting it in the festivities of the Fourth-of-July celebrations. The third angel’s message lights up the past, present, and future. Those who know this message look at the affairs of this world in an altogether different light from those who do not know the message. The object of life, the meaning of all that is taking place,—everything has a different and a deeper significance under the light of this message. How glad we are that the light of this message has come to us. There is nothing fanciful nor fanatical about it. We have not followed cunningly devised fables. If there is anything in the realm of the spiritual of which men and women may be certain, it is the truth as revealed in the third angel’s message. If we do not know these truths, we do not know anything about spiritual matters. But the knowledge we have of this message makes us debtors to our fellow men who know it not. “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10. One way of ministering this blessed gift to others is by giving our means to the cause of missions. This is as practical, effective, and acceptable a ministry in its way, and as far as required, as any that can be performed. The apostolic church recognized this when they laid down all that they had at the apostles’ feet for distribution to others. This important part of Christian missions must be more generally and keenly realized by our people. We must fully appreciate the fact that the missionary operations of this denomination are not the affairs of the Board alone. They belong to the whole body. They are an inseparable part of the great movement with which we are connected. We can no more conceive of this movement without missions than without a message. When the pioneers began this work, they scarcely realized the proportions to which it would grow. It is one thing to read that the message must be given to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, and quite another to actually give it. To give it means the consecration of life and possessions to the service of God. To give the message means sacrifice and toil. There is no other way. And the consecration, the sacrifice, the toil, must be continuous and expansive. Not until the work is finished may our labor and gifts cease. And until it is finished, our service and gifts must enlarge. The work started in a little corner is to expand until it encircles the earth. Hence every step taken prepares the way for another. Every missionary sent abroad is a sure token that two more will be called for. Every dollar given to missions is a signal for five more. This must be so in the very nature of things, and it is true in our experience. To change this would be to destroy the movement with which we are connected. We thank God for the greatness and vitality of his cause. He foresaw all this, and will supply us with all the resources to meet the demands. Let us, then, renew our consecration of all we are and all we have to the finishing of this work. We believe every intelligent, true-hearted Seventh-day Adventist will be glad that an arrangement is made by the General Conference Committee to take a Sabbath offering for missions at a time when the masses will be spending their money so foolishly. Shall we not decide now, before Sabbath, July 2, the day appointed for the offering, to make our gift at this time in harmony with the greatness of the needs? The Call for Means
By S. H. Lane
As our papers and ministers call for means, some inquire why so much money is required. Such do not seem to realize that our message is a world-wide one,—a message that must be carried to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. We are engaged in a campaign which7 will last until final victory is gained for the cause of God. Satan, the leader of the host of sin, does not propose that his vast army shall stack arms and display the emblem of surrender until he has contested each inch of ground with every soldier, who, in these last days, belongs to the blood-washed army of Prince Emmanuel. In order to spread abroad the glorious truths of these last days, couched in the threefold message of Rev. 14: 6-12, the Lord has ordained certain agencies which shall constitute powerful means to proclaim and publish broadcast the truth which is to purify and sanctify a people who, without a sin, spot, or wrinkle, shall be prepared for translation. Prominent among the agencies are publishing houses, sanitariums, treatment rooms, and training-schools. These will, if managed by judicious, converted individuals, accomplish much good. In order that the work may be carried on, buildings must be erected or rented at various important centers of population. It seems that through the leading of Providence, our work is to be established in Washington, D. C. Certainly, as this nation has become a world power, and is to-day exerting a powerful influence which pulsates throughout the commercial, political, social, and religious world, it seems most fitting that the last world-wide message should spread abroad its truths through the printed page from its capital city. To accomplish this most glorious result, and aid in finishing the gospel work in the world, a publishing house, sanitarium, and school are to be established in Washington. In order that such may be the case a fund of at least $100,000 must be raised. The buildings should be erected soon, therefore the money should be raised immediately. This can be readily accomplished if all composing our ranks will donate as God has prospered them. Why not contribute now? Why wait until camp-meeting or some other time for some one to come and arouse an enthusiasm, and then give on the spur of the moment? Let us deliberately study the situation now, and give as we are able, and as the circumstances demand. Because we can not give ten, one hundred, or even one thousand dollars, let us not conclude we can do nothing. Every dollar will aid. We should be thankful that there are those who can and are willing to send smaller amounts. Remit to your tract society, or directly to the treasurer of the General Conference, 222 N. Capitol St., Washington, D. C. The brethren are ready to proceed with the work at Washington, so send in immediately. The Declaration of Independence Misquoted
By L. A. S.
Is it any wonder that the Declaration of Independence is being discounted and belittled in this country when there is so much ignorance concerning its principles and even its phraseology on the part of prominent Americans, who assume to be leaders and teachers of the people? For example, consider the following exhibition made by the Rev. F. W. Gunsalus on the occasion of a recent baccalaureate address in Chicago. Under the heading “God not a Socialist,” the following press dispatch appeared in the Washington Post:— CHICAGO, June 13.—Dr. Frank Gunsalus delivered the baccalaureate address at the Auditorium to the graduating class of Armour Institute to-day. “There was never a more interesting falsehood than ‘All men are created free and equal,’” said he. “The Declaration of Independence was the work of an hour of intense excitement, and on every national anniversary this phrase is misquoted, because, when it is taken from its context, it is false. Freedom is something to be won. Men are not born free. Every power into whose control a man comes is a conquered freedom. There are no equals in this universe of God’s. God is no Socialist.” As Dr. Gunsalus would have known if he had recently read the Declaration of Independence, or remembered it from past readings, there is no such expression in it as, “All men are created free and equal.” It is true indeed that “this phrase is misquoted,” and it is for the reason apparently that men do not now care enough about the Declaration to read it and find out what it says. “All men are born free and equal” is a common expression used when men think they are quoting from this Magna Charta of American independence. But what the Declaration says is, “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal,” etc. Nobody claims or ever claimed so far as we know, that all men are born free. It was true, however, when the Declaration was written, and is equally true now, that all men are created equal. They are not equal so far as the things of this world—its laws, privileges, wealth, stations, etc.—are concerned, but they are equal before their Creator, equal as he sees them, equal as regards his purposes for them. The same gospel provisions apply to all; Jesus Christ died for one no more than for another. And because all men are equal in this sense, it follows that they have been “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” and “that to preserve these rights governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” This is as true as the gospel, for it is gospel truth. It states a necessity growing out of the right of every man to think for himself, without which conscience would amount to nothing, faith would be impossible of exercise, and God would be unjust in requiring each individual to answer for himself at the final judgment. The Declaration of Independence is all right; the difficulty is with those who in their ignorance misunderstand, misquote, and misrepresent it.
L. A. S. A GREAT deal has been said in this country in recent years about the divorce evil. Numerous organizations have passed resolutions condemning it and demanding a remedy, and legislatures have been importuned to put a stop to it by the enactment of laws. The Episcopal Church is now agitating this subject in the District of Columbia. The District law recognizes only one ground of divorce, but clergymen of various denominations are willing to unite in marriage persons divorced on grounds not deemed sufficient, and an effort is being made to “bring about some concerted action among the various Protestant bodies, whereby every Christian minister will agree to refuse to solemnize the marriage of any person who has been divorced for a cause other than that which the civil law now allows.” We have nothing to say against any action that will lessen the evil of lax divorce; but may it not be true that the real evil that needs attention is not so much improper divorce as improper marriages? If there were no improper marriages, the divorce evil would not exist. The beginning of the trouble is not in the action for divorce, but in the marriage which precedes it. So long as marriages are entered into in the hasty, light, inconsiderate manner so common at the present time, there will be a fountainhead of evil calling for such relief as a divorce affords, and it will accomplish little to try to dam the stream by prohibitive legislation. The stream will simply rise till it breaks over the barrier. Society has not much to gain by laws consigning mismated couples to the unhappiness of going through life together, except from the possibility that such legislation might operate to deter young people from hastily entering the marriage relationship. If clergymen and others qualified to speak would take more pains to impress upon youthful minds a sense of the solemnity of the step taken at marriage, of the weighty duties and responsibilities which it involves, and its possibilities of unhappiness, a great deal would be done to check the divorce evil, and to prevent much unhappiness and many tragedies as well. If the marriage relationship is not to be lightly dropped, it must not be lightly entered into. An ounce of prevention here is truly equal to a pound of cure. The Money You Give to God
“The money you give to God will be yours forever, and the rest you will lose forever.” “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Rev. 22:20. COME, Lord Jesus, quickly come;
All creation groans for thee,
Sin abounds from sea to sea,
Millions grope in misery;
Even so, Lord Jesus, come. Come, Lord Jesus, quickly come;
Death and darkness everywhere,
Satan’s legions fill the air,
E’en elect ones to ensnare;
Even so, Lord Jesus, come. Come, Lord Jesus, quickly come;
Burdens, heartaches, tears, and strife,
Shedding blood, and taking life,
Through the whole of earth are rife;
Even so, Lord Jesus, come. Come, Lord Jesus, quickly come;
Erring daughters throng the way,
Dearest sons from homes astray,
Weeping mothers watch and pray;
Even so, Lord Jesus, come. Come, Lord Jesus, quickly come;
Helpless millions cry for bread,
Robbed by ruling ones for greed,
Heeding not though loud they plead;
Even so, Lord Jesus, come. Come, Lord Jesus, quickly come;
Men blaspheme thy holy name,
Live in wanton sin and shame,
Mock the words, “He’ll come again;”
Even so, Lord Jesus, come. Come, Lord Jesus, quickly come;
Come and claim thy ready bride,
Call her safely to thy side,
E’er thy wrath this world betide;
Even so, Lord Jesus, come. —M. W. C., in The Vanguard. Our Work
By Ellen G. White
I HAVE been instructed to direct the minds of our people to the fifty-sixth chapter of Isaiah. This chapter contains important lessons for those who are fighting on the Lord's side in the conflict between good and evil. “Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.” “Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.” “Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called a house of prayer.” “And taketh hold of my covenant.” This is the covenant spoken of in the following scripture:— “Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed,”—in truth, earnestness, and sincerity,—“and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me . . . for all the earth is mine: and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” “And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the Lord commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do.” This is the pledge that God's people are to make in these last days. Their acceptance with God depends on a faithful fulfilment of the terms of their agreement with him. God includes in his covenant all who will obey him. To all who will do justice and judgment, keeping their hand from doing any evil, the promise is, “Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.” “The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, besides those that are gathered unto him.” “Seek ye out of the book of the law, and read.” “In that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” These words outline our work. This scripture is to be received by our people as a message for to-day. The glad tidings of salvation are to be carried to those who have not heard them. Among the people of God there is to be no colonizing. The word of the Lord to them is, “Thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left.” They are to make plants in all places. Everywhere the truth for this time is to be proclaimed. Those into whose hearts the light has shone are to remember that they are God's workmen, his witnesses. To serve and honor him is to be their science. They are to call upon others to keep his commandments and live. To all people and nations and kindreds and tongues the truth is to be proclaimed. The time has come for much aggressive work to be done in the cities, and in all neglected, unworked fields. This the enemy knows, and he tries to keep the minds of those to whom this work has been committed, occupied with non-essentials. Thus he seeks to lead them to neglect the precious opportunities that come to them to present the truth to those who know it not. Shall those who know the truth, and who ought to be filled with zeal for its advancement, allow Satan to turn their thoughts from the great truth that has been given them to give to others? The enemy is determined to place God's people in a false light before the world. He is pleased when their lives reveal defects, when they cherish objectionable traits of character. These traits of character he uses in his service. Many yield to his temptations, and the time and influence of God's servants, which should be used in making known to unbelievers the truth for this time, is used in efforts to recover professing believers from Satan's snares. Thus the way of the advancement of the truth is blocked. God sees the struggle that is to take place in our world, the whole progress and outcome of which has been traced in the pages of his Word. He sees also the diseased, defective eyesight of his people, which prevents them from discerning their own deficiencies, and from taking an earnest interest in the things of eternity. Christ calls upon the members of his church to cherish the true, genuine hope of the gospel. He points them upward, distinctly assuring them that the riches that endure are above, not below. Their hope is in heaven, not on the earth. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness,” he says, “and all these things”—all that is essential for your good—“shall be added unto you.” With many, the things of this world obscure the glorious view of the eternal weight of glory that awaits the saints of the Most High. They can not distinguish the true, the real, the enduring substance, from the false, the counterfeit, the passing shadow. Christ urges them to remove from before their eyes that which is obscuring their view of eternal realities. He insists upon the removal of that which is causing them to mistake phantoms for realities, and realities for phantoms. God entreats his people to give the strength of body, mind, and soul to the service that he expects them to perform. He calls upon them to9 be able to say for themselves that the gains and advantages of this life are not worthy to be compared with the riches that are reserved for the diligent, rational seeker for eternal life. He does not leave us in ignorance of what is before us. He shows us the vast confederacy arrayed against us. He tells us plainly that we are battling against a mighty foe. But he assures us that we shall not be left to fight alone. Angels are in the ranks of God's soldiers. And One more powerful than angels is there. The Captain of our salvation leads the way, saying, “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” The Second Coming of Christ
By Stephen N. Haskell
Six thousand years ago sin entered this world. At that time the robe of light and glory which had enshrouded Adam departed from him, and he began to realize the truthfulness of the words of God, “In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” The death was of a twofold nature, being both spiritual and physical. The instant that he disobeyed God, he died to all righteousness, and as the result of being deprived of the tree of life he began to die physically. Gen. 2:17, margin. In the following there was hope, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” When Eve gave birth to her first-born, she exclaimed, “I have gotten the man, the Lord” (Spurrell). She thought the promised seed had come. When Cain rose up and slew his brother, then darkness and gloom settled over her hopes. The apostle to the Gentiles gives a short comment in saying, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Heb. 9:27, 28. It is, first, death; second, judgment; and third, the second coming of the Lord. The hope of the church is to look for this coming. The same apostle declared, “Now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” So, in looking for the second coming of Christ, the thought is grasped that in the shedding of his blood upon the cross a cleansing fountain is opened to prepare the one who looks for his second coming, to reign in the kingdom of glory. In this atoning work we notice four steps. Two have passed, and two are yet future. First, Christ’s death upon the cross because man had sinned, and he must die. “His own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24. An acceptance of these two steps, and the receiving of Christ’s righteousness, is a pledge of what follows—salvation, at his second coming, if our faith grasps it, and we look for it. And in this promise is more than we lost through Adam; for it not only destroys sin and the sinner, but restores the believer and saves him from the effects of sin. “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8. The restoration begins even in this life by restoring the image of God in the soul, and at the second coming of Christ the original image of God will be restored in the body. “As we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.” 1 Cor. 15:48. When the first man came from the hand of his Maker, he bore both the spiritual and the physical image of God. “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Gen. 1:27. This restoration has ever been the hope of the church. Job, who lived in the days of Moses, wrote, “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; though my reins be consumed within me.” Job 19:25-27. The sweet psalmist of Israel exclaimed, “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” Ps. 17:15. The prophet Isaiah said, “He will swallow up death in victory, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth, for the Lord hath spoken it.” Again, “Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust; for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.” Isa. 25:8, 9; 26:19. Hosea takes up the strain: “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.” Hosea 13:14. This has been the faith of God’s people from the earliest times; and will be till the end. The disciples were greatly disappointed when they saw their Lord helpless in death. But among the last words of Christ before his ascension were the following: “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:2, 3. Thus from the first book in the Bible to the seer of Patmos is this hope echoed and re-echoed, that Christ will come again, and wipe from creation this blot of sin. And he that hath this hope will purify himself even as He is pure, and so will see him as he is and dwell with him forever, even forever and ever, on the earth made new.—S. N. Haskell, in Southern Watchman. There Is a Vast Difference
BETWEEN being sorry for sin and being sorry you are “caught.” Between confessing your sins and confessing some other fellow’s. Between seeing your own faults and seeing some other person’s. Between conversion of the head and conversion of the heart. Between being led by the Holy Spirit and led by your own imagination. Between being persecuted for “righteousness’10 sake,” and being persecuted for “foolishness’ sake.” Between “contending for the faith” and striving “for your opinion.” Between preaching the Word and preaching some other man’s opinion. Between real testimony and making a speech. Between a “heart” hallelujah and a manufactured one.—Selected. DISOBEDIENCE to God was the sin by which our first parents fell. Before God's work is finished in the world, he will reverse Satan's success, and confront the adversary with a people that, under every test, display a perfect obedience to God. “The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Rev. 12:17. This obedience will not be a partial one governed by human reason or expediency. God himself will pronounce the remnant church without spot or blemish. “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12. The call is now being given to the world. The time for the message of Rev. 14:6-12 is here. Unbelief says that the commandments of God are a burdensome yoke, that to keep them is impossible in these days of competition, and that to turn from Sunday-keeping to the Sabbath-keeping of the fourth commandment would be equal to suicide. Faith recognizes that when God speaks, there is but one thing to do. All consequences of obeying God can be left with him. If he is calling out a people yet to be an example of obedience to the world, through whom he may vindicate his name, and put to silence the adversary, the true believer wants to be among them. He counts not his life dear if he may honor God by showing confidence in him before the world. Those that honor God he will honor. Soon the gates of glory will swing back, and “the righteous nation which keepeth the truth” will enter in. Isa. 26:1-4. They may be reproached for their obedience in this life, but it will not move them; for they know that very soon every adverse verdict will be silenced, and that, through their obedience, the Lord can take away the reproach of his people from off all the earth. Isa. 25:8. Then it will be seen that “blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev. 22:14.—Present Truth. The center of the whole universe is the cross of Calvary.—Maclaren. Preparation for Service
By Mary E. Kenniburgh
CHRIST’S preparation of thirty years fitted him for his short ministry of three and one-half years. Yet the sacred record tells us that if all the acts that Christ performed were recorded, the world itself, perhaps, would not contain the books. Where was his education obtained? In the lowly town of Nazareth, in the humble home of Joseph and Mary, he toiled patiently at his trade; and though his mission was to redeem a fallen world, he patiently waited until his preparation was complete before leaving his quiet home to carry salvation to a fallen race. The artist, in the untouched block of marble that lies before him, sees as it were the perfect form that he purposes to make from it. God sees in each one of us, misshapen and distorted blocks of marble though we be, the perfect form of a Christian character which he will perfect in us if we only submit ourselves to him. As the artist hews the stone and carves it little by little, spending many weary hours of labor upon it, polishing and finishing it to conform with the creation in his mind, so God will fashion and mold us. Often the preparation is painful: we must pass through the fiery furnaces of trial till all the dross is consumed, and God can see in us the perfect character he wishes us to possess; until he can look upon us as he did upon his works of old, and say, “It is very good.” As the vine must be pruned almost to the ground, and the branches cut away, and even many of the buds nipped off, that more strength and better life may be given to those remaining, so our lives must be pruned and pared: we must put away all our heart’s idols and desires. All our ambitions except the one that prompts us to be a true missionary must be laid at the foot of the cross. Christ lived his whole life in close communion with his Father. Many hours were spent in earnest petitions and agonizing prayer, and in Gethsemane Christ bared his heart to the Father, and strength was granted for his trials. Prayer is the most necessary part of our training. We must live so close to God, and yield ourselves so entirely to him, that our lives may truly be hid with Christ in God. Prayer is the bond that unites us with heaven. The Father’s ear is ever willing to hear our petitions, and to send us strength in our time of trial. We must realize more fully the power of prayer. We must go to Gethsemane, and there with Christ battle with self and all our weaknesses until we become conquerors as he did; for strive as we may, we can not miss it in our way. All paths that have been or shall be,
Pass somewhere through Gethsemane.
All those who journey soon or late
Must pass within the garden’s gate,
Must kneel alone in darkness there,
And battle with some fierce despair.
God, pity those who can not say,
“Not mine, but thine,” who only pray,
“Let this cup pass,” and can not see
The purpose in Gethsemane. Many noble characters have passed through that garden, have received their preparation, and have laid down their lives for the hope that was in them. After many years of toil among the South Sea Islanders; Bishop John Patteson at last gave his life for them; and “it is hardly possible to read the record of his sacrifices, his labors, his perils, and his cares without being vividly reminded of Paul, the prince or model of all missionary laborers.” The bishop landed on the shore, and was seen alive no more. Mr. Atkin, another missionary, was struck with an arrow from the islanders in a canoe; but in spite of suffering and weakness he crossed the reef to seek the bishop. A canoe drifted toward them; the body of a man was seen in it. They came up to it and lifted the body, with the placid smile still upon the face, into the boat. The next morning the body of Bishop John Patteson was committed to the waters of the Pacific; and Joseph Atkin, reading the burial service, even then recognized his own doom in a body stiffened from a poisoned arrow, which soon after caused his death. A group of humble Moravian missionaries were asked, when nearing the West India Islands, “What will you do on landing if you find that all your brethren who came here months ago to work among the slaves have perished?” They answered, “We will take their places.” Part of William Carey’s training was received at the shoemaker’s bench, but it helped fit him for his forty-nine years of labor for the good of India. The memory of such men as John Williams, the martyr missionary of Polynesia; Judson; Bishop Hannington, the martyr of Eastern Africa; and Livingstone, who cheerfully gave their lives for the cause of Christ, shall live forever; and we who are left have the same privilege of carrying the gospel message to those who are still groping in darkness. “Many never attain the position they might occupy, because they wait for God to do for them that which he has given them power to do for themselves. All who are fitted for usefulness must be trained by the severest mental and moral discipline; and God will assist them by uniting divine power with human effort.” “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” Heb. 12:11. “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Tim. 4:8. Who is there that would grow faint, even though the way be rough and thorny, with such a reward in view? Now, the sowing and the reaping,
Working hard and waiting long;
Afterward, the golden reaping,
Harvest home and grateful song.
Now, the pruning, sharp, unsparing,
Scattered blossoms, bleeding shoot;
Afterward, the plenteous bearing
Of the Master’s pleasant fruit.
Now, the long and toilsome journey,
Stone on stone to carve and bring;
Afterward, the perfect beauty
Of the palace of the King.
Now, the spirit conflict riven,
Wounded heart, unequal strife;
Afterward, the triumph given
And the victor’s crown of life.
Now, the training, strange and lowly,
Unexplained and tedious now;
Afterward, the service holy,
And the Master’s “Enter thou.” IN the Bengali language, which is spoken by thousands of people in far-away India, there is no word that has the meaning of our English “Thank you.” Now there was once a little heathen boy in that country, who had been told in the mission school about God’s love in sending Jesus Christ to die for him, that his sins might be forgiven. As he listened, his eyes filled with tears, and his heart grew big with gratitude. After the morning school, the missionary went out alone to take a walk in his garden. Just as he was passing a quiet corner, he observed something moving among a clump of bushes. Looking cautiously through the leaves, he saw the little Bengali boy who had listened so earnestly. He was on his knees on the ground, his hands were clasped, his lips were moving, and the missionary could just hear what he was saying. The lad was not praying, but he was repeating over one by one the letters of the Bengali alphabet. The teacher asked him gently what he was doing. The child answered that he wanted to thank God for the wonderful love of which he had just heard, but he knew no word in which to express his thanks; so he was saying the letters over to God, and asking God to take the letters and make a word for himself. All which would express the thanks the child could not say.—Selected. A GREAT many people purpose to do right, but the trouble with them is that they purpose in their heads, and that doesn’t amount to much. If you are going to be a Christian, you must purpose to serve God away down in your heart. “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.” — D. L. Moody. Trust the children. Never doubt them.
Build a wall of love about them;
After sowing seeds of duty,
Trust them for the flowers of beauty. Trust the children. Don’t suspect them,
Let your confidence direct them;
At the hearth or in the wildwood,
Meet them on the plane of childhood. Trust the little ones. Remember
May is not like chill December;
Let no words of rage or madness
Check their happy note of gladness. Trust the children. Gently guide them,
And, above all, ne’er deride them,
Should they trip or should they blunder,
Lest you snap love’s cords asunder. Trust the children. Let them treasure
Mother’s faith in boundless measure,
Father’s love in them confiding;
Then no secrets they’ll be hiding. Trust the children just as He did
Who for “such” once sweetly pleaded—
Trust and guide, but never doubt them;
Build a wall of love about them.