“TRULY God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” Ps. 73:1-3.
The experience of the psalmist is of great value to the people of God. In this psalm, he tells us of a great trial he had passed through. Here he shows us the danger of backsliding by looking at the ways of the wicked. He says his feet were almost gone; his steps had well nigh slipped, because he was envious at the foolish, when he saw their prosperity. He noticed that they are “not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men;” that “their eyes stand out with fatness; they have more than heart could wish.”
He heard them speak loftily, and “set their mouth against the heavens.” He said, “Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.”
These things nearly overthrew him; for he said, “When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me.” And thus he was in doubt as long as he let his mind dwell on these things. But he said, “I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.” He learned here that the words and deeds of men are all recorded; that “God shall bring every work into Judgment with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Like Isaiah, he must have seen into the sanctuary of God when the intercessor's work is over. Of this time, Isaiah thus speaks: “And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor; therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. . . . And he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak. According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies.” Isa. 59:16-18.
David continues: “Surely thou didst set them in slippery places; thou castedst them down into destruction.” He could now see that the situation of the wicked was not desirable. Although they have a pleasant time here while living in wickedness, their sure end is destruction. These things he understood when he went into the sanctuary of God. And now he looks back where his steps had well nigh slipped, and says, “Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. So foolish was I, and ignorant.” Yes, it is foolishness to envy the wicked and doubt God's goodness because of afflictions. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” Heb. 12:6. David learned this; for he says (Ps. 119:71), “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” If we could always have prosperity, and no trials or afflictions, we would be in danger of thinking this world good enough for us. And we would be very likely to set our affections on the perishable things of earth, and perish with them.
After David had considered the end of the wicked, he turned to the Lord. “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in Heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.” Oh, that we could all say so! And why can we not? David tells how he arrived at this state of mind. “But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God.” God is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. . . . He also will hear their cry, and will save them.” Ps. 145:18, 19.
Let us draw nigh to God and call upon him in truth, and we too may receive his blessing.
“Though the way of the wicked may prosper,
And be sprinkled with flowers so gay;
Though wide be the path that they travel,
And pleasant and easy the way;
Though no troubles their path may encompass,
And triumphant through life they may go,
I'll envy them not; for their journey
Ends only in sorrow and woe.”
“Dear Saviour, thy promise is precious,
Thy guidance I evermore crave.
Oh! help me to walk in thy footsteps,
And trust in thy power to save.
Oh! give me a place in thy kingdom,
When life with its turmoil is o'er;
Let me dwell with the King in his beauty,
And I ask, oh! I ask for no more.”
G. V. KILGORE.
Centerville, Kansas, Oct. 2, 1875.
Believest Thou This?
By M. Wood
“THE great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord.” Zeph. 1:14. Yes, I believe this, say my brethren and sisters. I believe that we are nearing the close of probation, and that the vials of God’s wrath will soon be poured out upon the defenseless heads of those who transgress his holy law. But we ask, What are you doing toward saving precious souls from this merciless storm? Do you truly believe that the day is fast drawing to a close? that the shadows of evening are fast lengthening? and that time for labor in the vineyard of the Lord will soon be among the things that were? Do you know that members of our own families are gliding down the stream of time unconscious of their peril, and unwarned of the approaching judgments of God?
In view of the calamities about to fall upon our world, what is the duty of every member of the Tract and Missionary Society? Let the great apostle answer: “Now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” Rom. 13: 11, 12. The apostle would have us realize the importance of immediately engaging in the work connected with the cause of God. If we have greater light than those around us, then we should disseminate that light that it may shine upon the pathway of the weary pilgrim and lead him to Christ.
The third angel’s message is to go with a loud cry. It is no local affair. Had it been the work of man it would have come to naught long ago; but it is the work of God which man cannot overthrow. It is his truth. It is not to be locked within our own breast—to be shut up in secrecy. The truth never has been confined to individuals. It is for the world. And it is not reasonable to suppose that the closing work is an exception to this rule. It courts publicity. It invites all to come to the light, and accept of proffered mercy. And the command from the Captain of our salvation is, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” It is not necessary that we should all be preachers in order to obey this divine command; for if all were preachers where would be the hearers? But we can go out into the white harvest field, and gather sheaves for the Master’s garner.
Now is the time for us to work energetically. Soon it will be too late; do not wait for a special manifestation of God’s Spirit upon you, and think, because you are not what you ought to be that you have no burden to bear, no part assigned you in the cause of truth. There is room and work enough for all, if we will avail ourselves of the opportunities which the Tract and Missionary Society offers. It may to some persons seem like a very small thing to be a colporteur. But to be engaged in the service of God—to be a servant to the most high God, exceeds all earthly honors. Instead of shrinking from the duties naturally devolving upon Christians, especially those making such a high profession as S. D. Adventists, we should deem it a privilege to be co-workers with the Son of God—no matter how humble the sphere in which we move. Oh, for more courage in God, and more faith in his work!
My heart is made glad from week to week by a perusal of the Signs, especially the page devoted to the Tract and Missionary work; for scarcely a week passes that we do not read of some precious soul that has embraced the third angel’s message, simply from reading our publications. And while the work is moving with such alacrity upon the Pacific coast, we must not settle back, and rest content upon the laurels already gained in the Tract and Missionary enterprise. We should buckle on the armor anew, and re-enlist for life under the banner of King Jesus. Why is it that some cannot see the importance of entering upon the work of tract distribution as though it was ordained of God? I believe God is willing to bless the labors of those who will consecrate themselves to him. We are not doing one twentieth that we ought to do. Still, with all our indifference in this glorious cause, we expect to hear it said, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” M. Wood.
Mighty in the Lord.
History in all its strata is full of the fossilized and rusty weapons formed against the truth which have not prospered. In the very first stratum, we find the club of Cain, which was raised against the faithful disciple of God's truth, but only scarred the forehead of him who raised it so deeply that centuries have not one whit healed the scar. A little higher, we find the rusty spears and chariots of Egyptians lying with the white bones of the warriors as tiles of the sea floor. They were formed against the truth of God to defy the command, “Let my people go;” and when their bearers found God's people flanked by mountains, confronted by the sea, and followed by their armed hosts, they thought God's truth was surely thrust into the inner prison, and its feet made fast in the stocks; but like an earthquake came the rush of many waters, and “the horse and his rider were drowned in the depths of the sea.” Their weapons only hastened God's people “forward” toward Canaan, and then were wrenched from them by the waves of God's wrath.
As God's truth “was upon Jeremiah,” that he might declare it with his words, so the Spirit of God “was upon Samson,” just as directly, that he might show forth that truth by his deeds. Men tried to fetter it with withes, and he broke them with laughter; with cords, and he snapped them with scorn; with the brazen gates of Gaza, and the gates were borne away upon his shoulders. Haman built a lofty gallows, cruelly perfect, to hang this truth, and found God's power could make the man who thought to handle the rope dangle upon it.
God said to Jeremiah: “I have put my word into thy mouth.” Men said, “We will put you and your message into silence.” But God's power made the prison walls a reflector to send forth his light to the ends of the world, and in that light every tear of the weeping prophet shines like the stars forever and ever.
The scribes and Pharisees had seen Jesus laid in the tomb, but they remembered, even better than his disciples, that he had said he would rise again, and they wished to seal the stone and set a guard about the tomb, and the governor said: “Make it as secure as ye can.” There was a big stone at the door; they added the seal, and stationed the guard; but when they have made it as sure as they can, and have, as it were, cast the truth as it is in Jesus into the inner prison, and made its feet fast in the stocks, suddenly there is a great earthquake, and the sealed stone door is opened, and the bands of death are loosed, and the cry goes forth, “He is risen.”—Sel.
A PSALM OF LIFE.
By Sel.
TELL me not in pleasing numbers,
Death is but a phase of life,
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And death ends its weary strife.
He who reads the word in earnest,
Finds in searching for the goal:
“Dust thou art, to dust returnest,”
God has spoken to the soul.
Man was placed upon his merits,
With an endless life in trust;
Failing that, his seed inherits
Sickness, death, decay and dust.
At the portals of the garden,
When the hapless pair went by,
God had placed a faithful warden,
Guarding immortality.
And the punishment as given,
Dying, thou shalt surely die,
Sealed their fate ’gainst life in Heaven,
Nailing fast the serpent’s lie.
But the blessed Father left them
Not alone in Satan’s power;
For when sin of life bereft them,
’T was of hope the natal hour.
In the fullness of the ages,
Christ, the Lord, was born to earth:
“Search the word,” its holy pages
Tell you of his wondrous birth.
He in whom the graces blended—
Mercy, truth and perfect love—
Suffered, died, arose, ascended,
To his Father’s courts above.
In our faith we hail him Saviour,
Promised help from days of yore,
On whose merits our behavior
Seals our fate for evermore.
If we trust him, though this mortal
Wither, die, and turn to earth,
From the grave we’ll rise, immortal,
Quickened by the second birth.
When he cometh in his glory,
His reward is in his hand;
Then will close probation’s story,
Abraham’s seed possess the land.
—Sel.
Just Such Neighbors.
A MAN stopping at a tavern for rest and refreshments began to talk about his journey. He had come from a neighboring town; he was moving away, and glad enough to get away, too. Such a set of neighbors as he had there, unkind, disobliging, cross and contrary, it was enough to make any one want to leave the place, and he had started, and was to settle in another region, where he could find a different set of inhabitants.
“Well,” said the landlord, “you will find just such neighbors where you are going.”
The next night another man stopped at the inn. He, too, was on a journey—was moving. On inquiry, it was found that he came from the same place from which the former traveler had come. He said he had been obliged to move from where he lived, and he did not mind leaving his home so much as he did leaving his neighbors; they were so kind, considerate, accommodating and generous, that he felt very sorrowful at the thought of leaving them and going among strangers, especially as he could not tell what kind of neighbors he would find.
“Oh, well,” said the landlord, “you will find just such neighbors where you are going.”
Does it not seem possible that men will generally find such neighbors as they are looking for? Some people are always in trouble; others “follow peace with all men.” Who knows but we can have just about such neighbors as we wish for, simply by treating them as we ought to?—Sel.
Rest Awhile.
COME apart and rest awhile, men of business; believe me, there is now and then a profitable venture in doing nothing at all—in the power to put business aside, and abiding now and then in a perfect quiet. Things sometimes solve themselves, when we give them that advantage, which refuse to come clear for all our trying. We all know how, by simply taking some perplexity into the deepest silence this side of death—a good night's sleep—we can do better sometimes than if we sat up and wrought at a task all night. When Matthew Murray, of Leeds, wanted to see his way through some sore perplexity in his inventions, and all other effort was of no use, he rested day and night from all noise, and all effort, except the effort an active man has to keep himself quiet; and then the thing he wanted would steal in and look at him, and light on him, and stay as birds used to light on the old hermits, no more afraid of them than of the trees under which they sat.
And, mothers, you too may care and toil incessantly for your little ones, never resting a moment in your devotion; and then because you never do be quiet, but enter into your very closet with a little frock to mend, you shall never be quite able to take the whole sunlight and sum of your motherhood into your heart. You will be so full of care about the bread that perisheth as to miss the bread that cometh down from Heaven. No person in the world needs so much now and then to be still, and open her soul only to the silence, as an earnest, energetic, whole-hearted mother. This eternal activity is almost sure to run at last into shallowness, and cheat the soul of its just and right inheritance, the presence of the Heavenly Master, the strength and joy which flow from calm and secret fellowship with God.—Sel.
Love for the Word of God
If we love the Bible as we ought, it is dearer to us than life, nearer to us than any of our relatives, sweeter to us than our liberty, and more pleasant than all earthly comforts. All arguments against the word of God are fallacies, all conceits against it delusions, all derisions against it blasphemy, and all oppositions against it madness. We speak to God in prayer; he speaks to us in his word. We should take the candle of God's word and search the corners of our hearts.
Appointments for Fall Meetings in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois
Appointments.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
** Services in Chicago, every Sabbath (seventh day), at 269 West Erie St. All Sabbath-keepers spending a Sabbath in Chicago are invited to attend.
Napoleon, Jackson Co., Mich., Oct. 16, 17, 1875. Mattawan, Van Buren Co., Mich., Sabbath and first-day, Oct. 30, 31. Hope to see a general attendance at this meeting as the matter of organization will be considered. Fennsville, Allegan Co., Oct. 23, 24. I shall come prepared to remain here a short time if the interest demands. There will be opportunity for baptism at each of these meetings. H. M. Kenyon.
The Lord willing, I will meet with the brethren in Trempealeau Co., Wis., at Plum Creek, near White Hall, Oct. 30, 31. At Burnside, Buffalo Co., Nov. 6, 7. We hope to meet a general gathering of the friends of Buffalo and Pepin Counties at Burnside. O. A. Olsen.
The next general meeting for the T. and M. Society of Wisconsin will be held at Hundred-Mile Grove, November 12–14. Let all the directors see that the Missionary work in their several districts is reported to the secretary, E. H. Gillett, Monroe, Green Co., Wis., in time for this meeting.
This will be a meeting of much importance. We wish to consider the wants of the cause in our State and lay our plans for winter operations. We hope every district will be represented, and that our preaching brethren, as far as consistent with their work, will be present and as many others of our people as can come. Let us seek the blessing of God in view of this meeting, that we may have a sense of the times in which we live and of our duty. O. A. Olsen, Pres.
Dedication of the Seventh-day Adventist church at Serena, Ill., October 23, 24. Brn. Haskell, Colcord, Andrews, and Steward are invited to attend. George Foreman, Clerk.
The next quarterly meetings of the Vt. T. & M. Society will be held as follows:— Dist. No. 1, Berkshire, Oct. 30, 31, 1875; “ ” 2, Westmore, Nov. 6, 7, “; “ ” 3, Johnson, “ 6, 7, “; “ ” 5, Jamaica, “ 6, 7, “; “ ” 6, ———, “ 13, 14, “. The quarterly meeting for Dist. No. 4 will be held in connection with the general quarterly meeting at Jericho, near West Bolton, Nov. 20, 21. Let the reports for each one of these meetings be made to the secretaries suitably early. Will try to attend each one of the above meetings except at Johnson and Jamaica. A. S. Hutchins, Pres.
The general quarterly Tract Society meeting will be held at Greenville, Mich., Nov. 12, 14, 1875, instead of Bushnell, unless it should be held in Dist. No. 3. If for any reason it is thought best that it should be held in Dist. No. 3, then making the change will please give notice accordingly. E. H. Root.
Quarterly meeting of T. & M. Society, Dist. No. 3, Mich., at Mattawan, Oct. 30, 31, 1875. Librarians will forward their reports to J. Warren Wright, Battle Creek, Mich., in season for this meeting. I. A. Olmstead, Director.
Monthly meeting for Dist. No. 11 at Cottage, N. Y., Oct. 16, 17. S. Thurston.
If nothing in the providence of God prevents, there will be a general meeting at Bro. Charles Coming’s, Cornish, N. H., Oct. 16 and 17. This meeting will be of especial interest to all of our brethren and sisters. Tract and Missionary operations for the coming fall and winter will be considered, and other matters that pertain to the interests of the cause in New England. Come prepared to spend the two entire days in the service of God. S. N. Haskell.
A general meeting of the church at Bowersville, Ohio, Oct. 23, 24, 1875. All the Sabbath-keepers are invited to attend, as there is important business to be attended to. Wm. Cottrell, Elder.
No preventing providence, I will meet with the churches and Tract Societies as follows:— Leighton, Oct. 21, at 10 A. M.; Monterey, Dist. No. 4, “ 24; Kendall, “ 25, at 7 P. M.; Mattawan, “ 26, “ 7 “; Bronson, “ 28; Quincy, “ 30, 31; Napoleon, Nov. 2, at 7 P. M.; Eaton Rapids, “ 4, “ 7 “; Hastings, “ 6. E. H. Root.
I design holding meetings in Saunders Co., Neb., commencing fifth-day evening, Oct. 14, and continuing over the following first-day. There will be opportunity for baptism and church organization. Meetings to be held at the school-house on Sec. 8, Tp. 13, R. 6, E. The scattered friends are invited. Chas. L. Boyd.
A BLUE CROSS on the margin of your paper signifies that your subscription will expire in two weeks, and that an earnest invitation is extended to you to renew at once.
RECEIPTS
For Review and Herald.
Annexed to each receipt in the following list, is the Volume and Number of the REVIEW & HERALD to which the money received pays—which should correspond with the Numbers on the Pastors. If money for the paper is not in due time acknowledged, immediate notice of the omission should then be given.
$2.00 EACH. Mrs Joseph F Davis 48-14, Mrs H D Randall 48-13, Alfred Nettingham 48-14, H S Vedder 48-14, Mrs N J Lovejoy 48-13, John Fullmer 48-23, A Atwood 48-14, M Lamphere 48-15, Geo Foreman 48-14, M C Holliday 48-14, Ira Gardner 48-13, S Sellers 48-13, Lydia Brewster 48-16, Cornelia Bezette 48-14, Thomas Hibben 48-14, D Whitney 48-14, S N Walsworth 49-11, Mrs L J Worden 48-12, Lola M Reynolds 48-22, Otis D Morey 48-14, Wm A Greer 48-14, P L Cross 49-1, Mrs M Wilkinson 48-14, Joseph Smith 48-14, J F Cowey 48-14, L McCoy 48-14, Mason Hoyt 48-17, Carroll Uhler 47-10, John G Stapp 48-1, Mrs E J Marden 48-15, Emeline H Wilson 48-14, J R Lewis 46-6, Truman Atherton 45-1, Eld Thomas Fisher 48-16, Mrs H E Colby 48-14, John A Hatch 48-14.
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Pacific Mission.
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Review to Poor.
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Book Fund.
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Cash Received on Account.
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General Conference Fund.
Emma G Foster (s. b.), $4.12.
S. D. A. Educational Society.
J. T. Richards $20.00, Anna Rasmussen 20.00.
Life more than Death.
[THE following from the Working Church seems so in harmony with truth, and contains such a rebuke upon the prevailing tendency of the age in the direction indicated, that I send it for publication in REVIEW. S. B. W.]
Every careful reader of the Scriptures must have observed how little is said in regard to the deaths of those whose history is there recorded. We have an account of the death of one apostle, and only one—James—who perished by the sword; and his martyrdom occupies only one verse (Acts 12: 2), and seems to have been recorded only because it was followed by an attempt upon the life of Peter that did not succeed. Nothing is said of John, or Paul, or Peter. The volume which records their deeds “does not sing their requiem;” it is the record of the noble efforts which they made to preach the gospel of Christ while they could travel from one country to another, and could endure hardness as good soldiers, and could offer themselves up a living sacrifice; and does not contain, as we might have fancied it would, any account of the manner in which they left this world, or of the hopes or fears or degree of assurance with which they passed from hence. Of the emotions of Paul in anticipation of death, we have some knowledge from his language in the second epistle to Timothy (chap. 4: 6-8). But of his feelings when the hour arrived, and the Roman lictors led him forth to die, no account is given. In all of the cases where the death scene is described, special reasons can be seen for making them exceptions to the general rule. In the case of Stephen, for instance, nothing that he did in the living discharge of his diaconate could have been so specially important as the testimony which he gave in the dying hour, as the first of the army of Christian martyrs, to the truth and power of the gospel.
This prevailing silence of the Scriptures in regard to the death scenes of those whose history is preserved for all time, is a significant and very instructive fact. The Bible nowhere makes dying emotions important. It is the living sacrifice that we are called to render. The call of Christ is to service, to work in his vineyard. More important by far is our work while the sun of life is up than our emotions amid the shadows of the setting sun. It is not the death but the life to which we must look for proof of the divine life in the soul. Many physical causes affect the mind in the dying hour. If we have witnessed a consistent, godly work in a professed Christian, we cannot call in question the genuineness of his piety, even though his death-bed experiences may not be what we desired or expected; and on the other hand, we may well tremble for the issue of a life, in a professed Christian, who has not proved his sincerity, however the death scene may seem gilded with glory.
The New Office.
By James White
WE are happily disappointed in the appearance of the Signs of the Times building which is nearly finished. The presses are running in excellent condition. No certificates of stock will be issued to eastern brethren who have liberally furnished the Office with presses, &c., at present. Meantime we wish to be considered personally responsible to the donors for all funds forwarded to purchase presses, &c., for the Signs Office. J. W.
Correction to Report of Baptist General Conference
By Uriah Smith
CORRECTION. The name, L. Andrews, in our report of the S. D. Baptist General Conference, should be L. Andrus. U. S.
German Empire Peace: Krupp Gun at Philadelphia
THE BAVARIAN Vaterland says that, as a proof of the truth of the saying, “The German Empire is Peace,” the crowning article representative of German industry at the Philadelphia Great Exhibition will be an immense Krupp gun, for the transport of which it has been found necessary to construct a special vessel. What an emblem of an empire that is peace!
What to Give Children.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
Parents who wish to please and also benefit their children are often perplexed to know just what to do for them. They are willing to work hard, and to deny themselves for the benefit of the children who are so dear to them. But yet sad mistakes are often made. I was forcibly impressed with the following words from a mother upon this point:—
“When my children were young, I thought the very best thing I could do for them was to give them myself. So I spared no pains to talk with them, to teach them, to read to them, to pray with them, to be a loving companion and friend to my children. I had to neglect my house many times; I had no time to indulge myself in many things which I should have liked to do. I was so busy adorning their minds and cultivating their hearts’ best affections, that I could not adorn their bodies in fine clothes, though I kept them neat and comfortable at all times. I have my reward now. My sons are ministers of the gospel; my grown-up daughter is a lovely Christian woman. I have plenty of time now to sit down and rest, plenty of time to keep my house in perfect order, plenty of time to indulge myself in many ways, besides going about my Master’s business whenever he has need of me. I have a thousand beautiful memories of their childhood to comfort me. Now that they have gone out into the world, I have the sweet consciousness of having done all I could to make them ready for whatever work God calls them to do. I gave them the best I could—myself.”
“I gave them myself;” that is often the last thing a parent thinks of doing; but this is just what the dear little ones need the most, just what they will prize the most. Take time, then, parents, and make this offering to your children when they are young, and they will then give themselves to you when you are old.
D. M. C.
Step by Step.
Samuel Burnham’s life was one of constant disappointments. He would no sooner begin a course of action than sickness would thwart him. He was in this way kept from college. Because of this he was compelled to give up teaching. By this his literary labors were impeded, and yet his patience was wonderful, and he was never heard to complain. The secret of his endurance and cheerfulness is found in a passage in his diary written twenty years ago, at a time when physicians despaired of his life. He wrote: “If I get well, to God will be all the praise; if not, I hope and pray that I may be prepared to submit cheerfully to anything he may have in store for me.” His own life was an exemplification of the advice which he himself gave to a young man before whom the way looked dark: “God will point out the path he wishes you to take. God always makes the next step clear. We are apt to trouble ourselves about the future, but we forget that one step at a time is all we have to take, and that we usually have light enough for that one.” And so, whenever the path of his choosing was hedged up, he only said, “God wishes me to do something else,” and he did it.—Sel.
Destruction of Property by War.
War is the grand impoverisher of the world. In estimating its havoc of property, we must inquire not only how much it costs and how much it destroys, but how far it prevents the acquisition of wealth; and a full answer to these three questions would exhibit an amount of waste beyond the power of any imagination adequately to conceive.
The annual productiveness of the United States is probably at least $3,500,000,000. A war of any magnitude would decrease that production one-fifth, or $700,000,000. This is in addition to the direct cost of the war and the property destroyed.
The waste of property by war is dreadful. The track of an army is worse than the track of a tornado. Before it are fruitful fields, thriving villages, and happy homes. Behind it are devastated farms, forsaken dwellings, and smoldering ruins. Armies seize not only what is necessary for their own support, but destroy, out of mere wantonness, whatever may be of use to the people whose country they are ravishing. Splendid mirrors and costly pianos are dashed to pieces with the ax, and the brand of fire ignites the comfortable farm-house or the costly mansion, and leaves nothing behind but a heap of ashes.—Sel.
The Importance of Scriptural Exposition in Ministry
Every year's experience in the ministry of this country shows the vast importance of scriptural exposition. Let ministers be encouraged to discharge this duty from the advantages to be derived from it, as stated by Dr. Dwight. He says, “I took up the practice of expounding the Scriptures when I was a minister of a parish. I never was thanked so much for any other sermons as for those. For this reason, I think it is necessary to explain the plainer truths of the Scriptures as well as the more intricate.”—Sel.
The Happiness of Doing Kindness
The happiness derived from doing deeds of kindness is the highest, the purest, and the most lasting of all human enjoyments. The vilest sinner breathing, if he has ever performed a benevolent act in the course of his life, knows this to be true. How strange, then, that so many thousands should ruin health, fortune, and reputation, in pursuit of pleasure that turns to ashes in the end, while they utterly neglect this source of enjoyment, which not only brightens life, but softens the sting of death.
Guarding the Heart in Questions of Duty
In deciding questions of truth and duty, remember that the wrong side has a crafty and powerful advocate in your own heart.
Learning to Command the Passions
THE happiness of the human race in this world does not consist in our being devoid of passions, but in our learning to command them.
The Follies of Youth
THE follies of youth become the vices of manhood and the disgrace of old age.
Good Deeds as Present Pleasure and Future Support
EVERY good deed that we do is not only a present pleasure, but a prop for the future.
Notice to Kansas Conference Sabbath School Treasurers
By Andrew J. Stover
Notice.
THE S. B. treasurers in the Kansas Conference will please send money in drafts or money orders payable to Andrew J. Stover, Treasurer Kansas Conference, Oswego, Labette Co., Kansas. Andrew J. Stover.