IT is certainly more than inducing a person to unite with the church. . . . The real convert has become a partaker of the divine nature. 2 Peter 1:4. He has been "born from above." John 3:3. There will be conviction of sin. Sinai must strike with its lightning before Calvary will glow with its light. . . . The patient must realize that he is sick before he will take the physician's medicine. Every one must see his guilt before he will cry for pardon. Unless there is real penitence, there will not be perseverance. Be greatly encouraged, therefore, in trying to win a soul to Christ when you find that he is burdened with a sense of guilt. Do not try easily to dispel it.
I heard of a dilettanti preacher delivering a sermon on the new birth. After the sermon, a man came up and said that he was greatly troubled, for he was certain that he had not been born again. "O," said the preacher, "I am sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable. I did not so intend it." "But," said the anxious inquirer, "I have not been born again, and you said that one must be." "Do not be troubled about that," continued the preacher, "do your duty, be honest and upright as you have been, and you will be all right."
Now that preacher was guilty of murder. Not the murder of the body, but, what is infinitely worse, the murder of the soul. Why did he not point to the Lamb of God and thus let the burdened heart find rest by believing in Him who bore the guilt and washes away the stain of sin?
Trouble on account of sin, however, is not enough. "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." John 1:12. There must be acceptance of Jesus Christ. Even turning from sin is not sufficient. God did not tell the bitten Israelites simply to look away from the bite of the serpent, but to look to the serpent of brass uplifted in the camp. Reformation is simply turning from sin; regeneration is turning from sin to Christ. Not to reform is to remain deformed; to be born again by faith in the uplifted Jesus is to take into our hearts the life that will sooner or later make us absolutely like Him. When a man confesses that he has sinned, and is sorry for it, and tells you that he has accepted Jesus Christ as his Saviour, you may then rejoice that you have won a soul for heaven.—A. C. Dixon.
AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST.
By A. C. Anderson
An ambassador is one with full power to do business for another, one who is sent to a foreign country to transact business with a foreign government for the government which sends him. To this end he must first be qualified, and a knowledge of the law and loyalty thereto are a basis of qualification. He must have his credentials, and they must be signed by the king or governor of the territory or government which he represents, that will give him credit; and the people will have confidence in him and in whatever business he may have to transact.
An ambassador for Christ is sent on the same conditions, but he has much greater responsibilities and a higher mission; for he is an ambassador for a much greater government, one having a holier law, a law that is unchangeable, like the Maker Himself, who said, "I am the Lord, I change not." He is "the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever." God's law is the foundation of all righteousness, and the condemnation of all unrighteousness, expressing in its wonderful comprehensiveness the duty of all men. Eccl. 12:13, 14.
Above all things an ambassador for Christ must himself be converted and be reconciled to God. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Cor. 2:14. "The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh can not please God." Rom. 8:7, 8. Therefore an ambassador for Christ must be a converted man, with the law of God written in his heart. A theoretical knowledge of the law as written with ink, or on tables of stone, is not sufficient; it must be written by the Spirit of the living God in the fleshy tables of the heart. 2 Cor. 3:3; Heb. 8:10. He must also have a thorough knowledge of God's government as revealed in His Word.
The Holy Scriptures are the credentials of an ambassador of Christ. These are signed by God the Father and sealed by the blood of His Son. He who faithfully proclaims this will have his seal of ambassadorship in the fruits of his labors. Thus he has all heaven back of him as long as he is loyal and true to his office. Christ has committed unto His ambassadors "the Word of reconciliation." 2 Tim. 2:15, 25; 3:15-17; 4:1-6; 2 Cor. 5:19, 20. It is the duty of every one of Christ's ambassadors to beseech the transgressors, "in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God;" also to tell all who have revolted against the government of God and His law, that their only hope from the destruction of sin lies in yielding to Christ Jesus.
All who will turn, and in Christ keep His law, which is the foundation of His kingdom, shall have a "right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. 22:14. The principles of the kingdom must be implanted in men's hearts now, while in this world, for this is the preparatory age for that beyond the grave. The kingdom of God is one of purity and righteousness and truth, and the people who desire to become His subjects must by His grace become pure and righteous and true. They must turn from sin and build characters for His kingdom.
The Jews, at the time of the first advent of Christ, were very zealous for the law of God, but they rejected the Lawgiver.
The majority of professed Christians in this generation are very zealous for Christ, but turn from the law of His kingdom. Yet the law of God must reign supreme in men's hearts while here in this world; it must have dominion over the passions of the carnal heart, and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, or they can have no place in His eternal kingdom. The place where Christ preeminently rules and reigns will always be in perfect harmony with the law of God.
At all times and in all countries an ambassador is a person who is very highly regarded. No greater insult could be given to a nation than to put its ambassador to death or to cast him into prison.
Ministers of the Gospel are ambassadors for Christ, and are sent to do what He would do were He personally present. They are not to negotiate any new terms of salvation, nor to change those which God has proposed; neither must they follow their own plans or devices. They are simply to urge and explain God's appeal to men to become reconciled to Himself. They are not to seek to promote their own welfare, but to transact the business which the Son of Man would engage in were He again personally on this earth.
God's ambassador speaks in the name of Christ, and on His authority, and should be received with the respect due to His position. It is an awful thing to reject the message of mercy which God in love is sending to a dying world.
We pray you in Christ's stead, "Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come." Rev. 14:6-10. This is the burden of the message which every true ambassador of the Gospel bears to his fellow men. This implies that man has something important to do in the Gospel work. Therefore he must become obedient to the will of God, give up His own opinions, submitting himself to the terms of mercy. All the change is to be in the sinner's heart, from which spring the motives of his action. God can not change; and His law, like Himself, is also unchangeable. God has done all that He can do, and now it remains for man to abandon his sins, embrace the terms of mercy, and become wholly in harmony with the divine law.
There are many professed ambassadors in the world at the present time who do not regard the law of God, which is the rule of the kingdom they profess to represent. Eccl.1112:13; Isa. 8:20. These false ambassadors claim there has been a change in the law of God, altho the King of Kings has declared it unchangeable. But in the judgment His law will condemn all such ambassadors. James 1:22-25; 2:10-12; Matt. 5:17.
The ambassadors who do not regard the law of God are false, and we find them crying, "Peace, peace," when there is no peace, lulling the people to sleep in the cradle of procrastination, when sudden destruction is right upon them. These are "the ambassadors of peace [which] shall weep bitterly" when the gates of mercy are forever closed, and the wrath of God is visited upon them. "A wicked messenger falleth into mischief; but a faithful ambassador is health." Isa. 33:7; Prov. 13:17. A. C. ANDERSON.
MANY years ago, an old man, well versed in the knowledge of the Word of God, entered a store to make a few purchases. As he stood at the counter watching the shop-keeper, he thought he detected a dishonest action on the dealer's part. Lifting his hand warningly, he looked with serious earnestness into the store-keeper's face and said, "Mr.—, thus saith the Word of God, 'As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.'"
The words, as they fell from the old man's lips seemed to inspire almost a feeling of awe in the breast of some of the bystanders, but how little they dreamed that the prophecy would have such a literal, such a terrible fulfilment.
As the years sped on, gain in this world's riches seemed the controlling thought, and 'field was added to field,' etc. But in the 'midst of his days' reason became dethroned, and after long confinement as a hopeless maniac whose cries were fearful to hear, the once rich man left all, and died another witness to God's unfailing Word.
ROSALIND A. YOUNG.
Papcete, Tahiti.
GOD'S WORD AND PLAN.
By Cowper
O, how unlike the complex works of man,
Heaven's, easy, artless, unencumbered plan;
No meretricious graces to beguile,
No clustering ornaments to clog the pile;
From ostentation as from weakness free,
It stands like the cerulean arch we see,
Majestic in its own simplicity.
Inscribed above the portal, from afar,
Conspicuous as the brightness of a star,
Legible only by the light they give,
Stand the soul-quickened words—Believe and live.
—Cowper.
FALSE "REFORM" ON THE SABBATH.
By W. N. Glenn
THE Scriptures teach that just before the coming of the Lord will be a time of great deception. His coming is "after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." 2 Thess. 2:9, 10. They are to be deceived into acknowledging the "mark of the [Roman] beast," even great miracles being wrought to accomplish this purpose. See Rev. 13:13, 14. There is no means of deception more effective than the cunning imitation of something genuine, especially of something that is good and right. So when Satan would deceive "if it were possible" even "the very elect" (Matt. 24:24), he adroitly turns to counterfeiting the institutions or work of God.
He instigated Cain to disobey God and dishonor the prescribed sacrifice by means of a counterfeit offering, and Cain was deceived into believing that one offering is as good as another, so long as it is offered to God. Later, men were led, in imitation of the worship and sacrifice which God had instituted, to worship false gods and make offerings to them. Even those who had not yet come to believe that a common object or creature was really the true God, were deceived into using such objects merely to represent God, deeming it necessary to have something visible before them in order to fasten the attention. Men do not jump into apostasy suddenly; estrangement from God is always the result of a gradual process.
The Crowning Deception.
But the crowning deception of all the ages is the attempt to destroy the law of God by taking out of it the seal, the Sabbath day, and causing men to honor a rival institution dedicated to the honor of a false deity. And when God would send a last message to the church and to the world, to incite a true Sabbath reform and preparation for the judgment, there is interposed a false Sabbath reform. This false Sabbath being always a state-supported institution, both under heathen auspices and as an alleged Christian memorial, any so-called reform with reference to its observance must needs be through the medium of the state.
And this is just what is being attempted all over the professed Christian world at the present time. The National Reform Association has for years been urging the recognition by the United States Constitution of all Christian laws, institutions, and usages. But in their work the enforcement of Sunday observance by law has been the first and foremost effort. At first this movement was sustained by a single denomination, but now the national conventions of the association are composed of representatives of a majority of the alleged Protestant churches, besides those of the popular reform societies.
This false Sabbath reform is being tacked onto almost every reform now being agitated, religious, political, and social. Even the laudable temperance reform is made to carry it so conspicuously that temperance laws are allowed to go by default in many places unless they can be made to subserve the interest of the Sunday institution. It is put forward in all manner of seductive guises,—as a sanitary measure, as a commendable industrial measure, as a holiday recreation, as a religious measure first and foremost, when it is thought that plea will win, and as a political measure when its votaries appear sufficiently strong to influence voters and politicians.
Congress after Congress is besieged to further the Sunday institution, till at last that body has recognized it as the Sabbath of the Decalogue in lieu of the day especially mentioned. This action being hailed as a great victory for Sabbath reform, national enforcement receives a new impetus. Dormant and well-nigh obsolete state Sunday laws are dragged forth from their slumbering repose and set to work at their historic duty of persecuting dissenters. Everywhere we hear the cry for "better Sabbath observance," and the people are being deceived by the assurance that it means the honor of God and respect for His law.
The Effect of Alliance.
Alliance of reform societies with the original National Reform Association has swelled its influence until to-day it maintains "Christian lobbyists" at Washington, and essays to distribute its literature in the colleges and seminaries of the land. The Sabbath Reform department of the W. C. T. U. is doing likewise, as also the Sabbath Unions, the Sabbath Leagues, and the Christian Alliances. So also the Y. P. S. C. E., and other societies and confederacies by the score, great and small, are set for the exaltation of the false Sabbath. The great "Christian citizenship" movement, having for its purpose the control of the state by the church, puts forth the recognition of Sunday by municipalities and counties as its opening wedge to further the aggression. The public is being roused in every quarter by glowing representations of the great importance of the Sunday in all matters of life. And in it all is made prominent the ostensible duty of the state to sustain this man-made Sabbath by stringent laws.
The work of creating sentiment in support of this covert tyranny under the pretext of Sabbath reform is growing apace. In the very near future it will be a leading political issue. For the last decade prominent politicians of the most irreligious character have foreseen the expediency of standing with this Sunday legislation, and it will be but a short time when the national Legislature will be ready to do all that is predicted of it in the prophetic Word. See Rev. 13:11-17. There are many honest-hearted people who are deluded by the siren song of the deceiver, just as our mother Eve was "beguiled" by his wily assurances. There are others who see the iniquitous tendencies of current movements, but are confident that a vigorous showing that the tyrannies of past centuries are concealed beneath the "reform" cloak, will be sufficient to turn the tide. But they, too, are deceived. The testimony of the "more sure Word of prophecy" is against their sanguine expectations. They think it impossible that such things can be done in this "enlightened nineteenth century," but if they would only contemplate current events in the light of the Word of God, they would soon see their mistake.
It is not only in the United States that this false Sabbath reform is pressing rapidly to the front in face of the true Sabbath reform, which is supported solely upon the authority of God's Word, and hence is unpopular with the world, but it is also being pushed in other lands. In Great Britain, France, India, Cape Colony, Russia, Canada, Australia, and Switzerland, the government authorities are either becoming more zealous, or are being importuned to become more active in hindering the true Sabbath reform and in encouraging the false reform.
May the minds of the people be turned to the Word of God, and thus be saved from the deceptions of the last days, which are now upon us.
A Lifelong Study of Scripture
By Daniel Webster
From the time that at my mother's feet, or at my father's knee, I first learned to lisp verses from the Sacred Writings, they have been my daily study and vigilant contemplation. If there is anything in my style or thoughts to be commended, the credit is due to my kind parents in instilling into my mind an early love of the Scriptures.—Daniel Webster.
"Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man." Eccl. 12:13.
3. The recognition of this law gives men wisdom and understanding.
"Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon Him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?" "And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even Ten Commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone." Deut. 4:6-8, 13.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do His commandments." Ps. 111:10.
4. The law of God has no defect; it could not be improved.
"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." Ps. 19:7.
"My tongue shall speak of Thy Word; for all thy commandments are righteousness." Ps. 119:172.
"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." Rom. 7:12.
5. The law of God was the "delight" of David, of Christ, of Paul, and John.
"I have longed for Thy salvation, O Lord; and Thy law is my delight." Ps. 119:174.
"Then said I, Lo, I come, in the volume of the Book it is written of Me, I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart." Ps. 40:7, 8.
"I delight in the law of God after the inward man." Rom. 7:22.
"This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5:3.
6. The law of God can not be changed, not even in the fraction of a letter.
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in nowise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matt. 5:17, 18.
"It is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail." Luke 16:17.
7. In both Old and New Testaments, blessing is attached to keeping the law.
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night." Ps. 1:1, 2.
"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.
8. The law of God is the special feature of the new covenant.
"This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord: I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts." Heb. 8:10; also Jer. 31:31-34.
9. The majesty of the law is emphasized by the Gospel.
"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the law." Rom. 3:31.
A FIESTA IN PORTO RICO.
By Ida M. Fischer
NO month in the year is so filled with festivities and holy days as the month of December in our fair island. It is during that month that we see many of the poorer class of people (with small houses, or boxes, in which are found three small images mounted on three mules nicely decorated) walking in the streets soliciting alms.
These images are called, Los Tres Reyes, "the three kings." Usually a company of people follow the bearers with guitars and the güiro, which is a gourd, and when used with a tined fork produces a scraping sound, which the people accompany with some of their weird songs.
On the 8th of December they celebrate El dia de Concepcion, "the conception day." It was my privilege this year to view the celebration of this fiesta. At 4:30 P.M., I stepped inside of the cathedral in Arecibo. About half-way down the middle aisle was the figure of the Virgin, an image about five feet two inches tall, with black, curly hair falling over the shoulders, and dressed in a handsome robe of light blue satin and silver lace. The image stood upon a globe, representing the world. Large vases containing flowers were also on the pedestal, and many large candles.
Procession in Front of Cathedral, and Image of Virgin in the Door.
Taking my position on one of the seats near the center front door, I felt perfectly safe, thinking I would have a good opportunity to see the procession form in the church. Unfortunately, about a dozen little native children had gathered around me, some sitting by my side, and others in front of me, asking me questions in Spanish. This was too much for the Spanish priest, as he came out of the vestry and took a view of the congregation, which was then beginning to gather. Fastening his eyes on me from the time he left the altar until he finished his mission, at the same time mumbling his prayers, he walked solemnly down the aisle, out the center front door and came in through one of the side front doors.
In order to make my explanation plain, I will state that the cathedral has large folding-doors, which usually are so closed that they form two front side doors, but on extra occasions may be opened so as to form one large center front door. Coming directly to my side the priest leaned over my shoulder and said in an undertone, "Pongad la cubierta, pongad la cubierta," at the same time showing me what he meant by patting his head. I was somewhat amazed, and began questioning in my mind what I ought to do, as I had entered the church without a hat, and it is against the rules for a woman to enter the church without some sort of covering on her head, and that day of all days, when the Virgin was to be carried through the streets.
Street Scene in Cayaguas, Porto Rico.
The priest took my look of amazement and questioning for one of ignorance of the Spanish language. Turning to the children he asked if I was English, then repeating the command, he passed on, leaving the children to explain to me. To their repeated questions, I told them I could not for I was a Protestant missionary. Seeing that I was the center of attraction for the congregation, because of this, I quietly stepped outside, and waited the coming of the procession with my kodak in hand, determined if possible to get some good photos.
The sun was sinking rapidly, and at 5:30 P.M., as they left the church, it went behind a cloud.
Slowly they passed out the door, a man in front with a silver whip and cord clearing the way. Next followed three altar boys, bearing large silver rods with crosses at the top. Six of the prettiest young ladies of the city dressed in white, with white veils, bearing a beautiful banner with heavy silk cords attached, followed these boys. Thirty-two children on each side of ropes which were attached to a car carried on the shoulders of strong men, and which held the Virgin, came next. In the center, in front of the Virgin, were six more young ladies, who kept their eyes constantly on the children to see that they were faithful in holding onto the ropes. Back of the Virgin followed the priest with his rosary of large beads, and his assistant by his side.
The priest was dressed in his customary black robe, with a beautiful embroidered white satin sack, richly trimmed in gold lace, with the characteristic colors of the "woman" noted in Rev. 17:3, 4. How forcibly this text came to me as I saw all of that show and pomp. The city band followed with appropriate music. When they stopped playing, the priest would repeat a prayer as he changed or passed on to another bead in his rosary, to which the people would say, "Amen." I was much impressed as I saw one of the men, who followed closely and kept his eyes on the image, step out from the procession and in angry tones command one of the natives to remove his hat.
All along the way the hats of the men were removed and those who followed kept them removed. Slowly the procession wended its way up the main street, turned to the left, and passed down the second principal street to the cathedral.
Selling Fresh Milk in Porto Rico.
Living in a land with the freedom which is found in the States, we hardly realize Rome's power. "Rome never changes." Whatever her attitude toward men or governments, her one object is supreme—to hold full control of all. She does not plan to bow to governments or individuals. "The Church," first and last, is her prime purpose. In the act in which she caused the native to bow to her, and in which she would have forced me, had she had the power, reveals only too strongly what awaits us as commandment-keeping people of Jehovah. Nothing but a firm trust in and hold on God will ever keep us in the trial which is just before us. If the Church will cause such force to be used in a part of the country which is under United States rule, what will she not do later on, when more power shall be given her?
I have not overdrawn any of these facts. Quietly I have been watching the rapid strides which are being made by this power. In some of the larger cities, where Protestant influences have been felt and seen, Rome has awakened, as it were, from her slumber, and is pushing forward her work rapidly. Schools and colleges are being erected. In the city of Mayaguez the Spanish sisters of charity tell me that already they number six hundred pupils under American teachers; this does not include the old Spanish Catholic schools. Families who have had their children in Protestant mission and the public schools, are watching carefully the work which will be done this year by these Catholic teachers from the States. And, should it reach the standard of the other schools, there is no question that the preference will be given the Catholic schools. What this effect will have upon the Protestantism of Porto Rico can readily be seen.
Reader, if you think Catholicism is dying in this island, you ought to live among the people, and teach them. It was my privilege to act as English teacher in the school of Las Hermanas de Caridad of Mayaguez. For two hours, five days in the week, I taught English to the children and mother superior of the school. During that time, I made it a special13study to gather what information I could respecting Rome and her missionary zeal. It is a fact that she puts us to shame who are looking for the soon-coming of our Lord. Rapidly, but silently, she is working away, using every means within her power to gain entrance to the hearts and homes of the people. She has no scruples whatever, she stoops to anything to accomplish her purpose.
I remember a statement which was made to me by one of the Catholic public school teachers over two years ago. She claimed to be a friend of the bishop here, and these are the words she said, "I believe what Bishop — says is true concerning the people of this island. 'That they will be Catholics or nothing.' Now you Protestants need not think that you will make any headway." But I am glad that I can say that I know of some who have cut entirely loose from Rome, and whose neighbors and families can testify that the Third Angel's Message is working a miracle in their lives. They actually seem hungering and thirsting for the truth of God.
Surely we must awaken to the needs of God's work in the needy fields. Time is fast hastening on. Another year has been ushered into eternity, and still mercy's door has not yet closed, but the angel of mercy is fast preparing to take her departure from this earth. Souls are dying all around us. As I see the funeral trains several times a day pass our home, I can not help but think, another soul has passed away without a knowledge of the soon-coming of Jesus.
May God help us to fulfil our mission faithfully and thus soon close this life of sin.
IDA M. FISCHER.
Mayaguez, Porto Rico.
LABOR SONG.
By L. D. SANTEE
WORK for God, to-day and not to-morrow,
For the hours are swiftly passing by,
Yield no place to fear, or idle sorrow,
Soon will Christ appear in yonder sky,
Earth is fading and her flowers are dying
Life is short, existence but a span,
But love's heralds through the world are flying,
Offering life through Christ to sinful man.
Prophet pens have told the matchless glory,
Of the "King of Kings" upon His throne;
Now with joy we tell the thrilling story,
That the Saviour comes to claim His own.
Life is strangely blended, joy and sorrow,
And its hours are swiftly passing by;
Work for God to-day, and not to-morrow,
Soon the Saviour cometh in the sky.
Work for God, to-day and not to-morrow,
Souls for whom He died are perishing,
Lifting pleading hands in hopeless sorrow,
Christ would have them shout for joy and sing;
Raise the fallen, loose the heavy burden,
Tell of Jesus, and His death of shame;
Tell the weary world there's hope and pardon
Through a risen Saviour's holy name.
L. D. SANTEE.
OUR EXPERIENCE MEETING
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord harkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name." Mal. 3:16.
DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS: I was left an orphan when a babe; my father's people were Catholics, and they trained me very strictly in that creed. But when about ten years of age I became dissatisfied, and wanted to understand better what I was professing. Of course they gave me no satisfaction, all was a dark mystery to me. Once my uncle found an old Bible and brought it home. I picked it up one day to read for curiosity, and my aunt snatched it from me, saying that it was not fit for me to read. I had not yet read one word, as it looked so queer, like some foreign language. I have not seen it since.
Two years after, when eighteen years of age, I found the blessed truth. The seventh chapter of Daniel was a great revelation to my soul, and O, the peace and rest I have enjoyed since! It seemed as tho I had been lifted out of a great dark pit into a beautiful, bright world. All things are lovely, even trouble is a joy; for I feel the presence of God, and have no fear, even when my life has been threatened for the sake of Him who died for me.
My life has been one of hardships and trials, but I fly to Him of whom it is said, "He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust; His truth shall be thy shield and buckler." Ps. 91:4. I have no fear for what man can do unto me, but I do fear the wicked one, enough that I cling to my Saviour, who only is my defense. He will make a way of escape to those who trust Him. "He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." "Seek, and ye shall find." "Search the Scriptures."
O my Catholic brothers and sisters, if you would only search, as I have done, the beautiful light would dawn on you, too. If any of that faith should perchance read this, and would be pleased to write to me concerning these things, I would gladly correspond. I have been in the light six years, and the Lord has blessed me with rich experiences and knowledge of truth. Praise His holy name.
Calistoga, Cal. CLARA FRANKLIN.
THROUGH the goodness of God the past year leaves many pleasant memories. In the middle of the year I had a glorious experience which made a great change in me. To look back on the year it seems there have been innumerable blessings. There has been a continual dropping of His mercies. "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." I have been so restful; in a waiting mood continually. O how I do praise Him! I feel my own nothingness, and feel that I have been a very unprofitable servant, yet He especially guards my way.
Every night of the past year has been pleasant, knowing He had guided me through each day and satisfied me with His mercy. I can look back over my long life and see so many places where God has guarded and protected me, while I knew it not at the time. I can say with the apostle Paul, "Neither count I my life dear unto myself so that I might finish my course with joy." O Lord, help me to glorify Thee, and bring me to my journey's end in triumph. I kept watch-night alone in my room with Jesus, and received a great refreshing, and felt prepared to enter the new year rejoicing in God my Saviour.
Your sister in Christ,
Morgan Hill, Cal. S. B. CASTERLINE.
DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS: I have always been a Methodist or Presbyterian. I became much exercised about certain questions in Daniel and Revelation, and wanted light, but was told that the time had not come for us to know these things. However, I could not be satisfied, and turned to the Seventh-day Adventist books that Providence seemed to put in my way just then. I yearned for the truth, and now I have it. Friends have turned from me, believing me to be a heretic. But my Saviour says: "He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; . . . and he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me."
DEAR FRIENDS: I rejoice because I have received a blessing from the Third Angel's Message. Let us pray that we may be able to keep the commandments of God, and have a right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city. I have been doing all I can for the SIGNS, and will take it myself another year, as I can not do without it.
