Earlier text: His Heart's DesireThe coming of the great international system of cheap postage is one of the providential factors of the missionary age. The President’s message suggests that rates on periodicals be increased now, to make up a large postal deficit. We hope some other way out will be found. Mrs. White’s Labors in Illinois and Wisconsin
By William C. White
From August 4-13 Mrs. E. G. White and her party were entertained at the Hinsdale Sanitarium. The main building and all the cottages were full at the time of our visit, but just across the road a beautiful residence was vacant, its occupants having gone for a few weeks’ outing, and Dr. David Paulson secured for us the privilege of occupying this residence during our stay in Hinsdale. Sabbath and Sunday, August 7 and 8, were spent at the Elgin camp-meeting. There Mrs. White met many old friends, and spoke to large congregations each day. Wednesday afternoon, August 11, she spoke to a full house in the South Side Chicago church. She spoke four times to the helpers and patients at Hinsdale. Work was being hastened on the large new building, which will double the size of the Hinsdale Sanitarium. There is a company of earnest and faithful workers in the institution, some of whom are in training for foreign fields. Mrs. White took a deep interest in the work of the sanitarium and its allied institutions. Besides the main building, she visited the Good Samaritan Inn and the Life Boat Rescue Home. To the workers in the Home she said:— “It gives me great pleasure to know that there are some who are carrying forward such a work as is being done here. If we see those who have been unfortunate in falling under the power of the enemy of souls, we are not to push them out into the darkness, but we should help them to find a connection with Christ. Those who are united in this work will see that the Lord will bless the efforts put forth in kindness and tenderness. He would have us claim the promises that are found in his Word. For those who have sinned and have made mistakes, there is a Christ to pardon and forgive. Let us lift him up as the Redeemer of mankind.” “Why did Christ come to this world? He saw that humanity was separated from divinity. Therefore he laid aside the glory he had in heaven, and came to this world to unite in himself divinity and humanity. With his divinity he could grasp the throne of the Infinite, while with his humanity he could reach fallen man. It is by our humanity laying hold upon his divinity that we can be saved. We thereby become ‘partakers of the divine nature.’” Friday morning, August 13, the physicians and heads of departments gathered at the cottage where Mrs. White was staying, and she said to them:— “The opportunities which you possess here seem favorable for the carrying forward of the medical missionary work as God would have it. If the workers will faithfully act their part, angels of God will make impressions of truth upon the hearts of those who come here. It is not by chance that this work was taken out of the city of Chicago. Our medical institutions can not work to the best advantage in the cities. From the instruction I have received, I counsel our brethren, wherever possible, to locate in the country. These large cities will soon be visited with the judgments of God. “The situation of this sanitarium is a great help in the bringing of many to a knowledge of the truth. In its surroundings I see many advantages. The patients need not suffer from impure air. They can sit outside under the trees, surrounded by the beauties of nature. God has had a purpose in bringing his workers to this place. “It is not by persistent arguments that souls will be won to a knowledge of the truth. Let the workers manifest in their words and actions the simplicity of true godliness, and heavenly agencies will make the right impression upon the minds of those with whom they associate. Just as surely as we shall walk in humility, honoring God as the one who must convict the heart, we shall see the results of our labor for souls, even in the cities. I have the courage to hope that there will be a greater work done in Chicago than we have yet seen. To those who place themselves in right relation to God it is said, ‘Ye are laborers together with God.’ That assurance is worth everything to us; for if we are in union with God, we have back of us a power that is irresistible. “Whatever may arise, never be discouraged. The Lord loves us, and he will perform his word. Try to encourage in the patients a trust in God. Bid them be of good courage. Talk hope, even to the last. If they are to die, let them die praising the Lord. He ever lives; and though some of his faithful followers may fall in death, their works will follow them, and theirs will be a joyous awakening in the resurrection morning. “Let us not be discouraged. Let us not talk doubt, but faith; for faith brings infinite power. If we lay hold upon this power, and do not trust in our own human strength, we shall see the salvation of God. There are many who are hungering and thirsting for a better knowledge of spiritual truths, and it is the privilege of those in this institution to impart to them that which will satisfy their longing.” Visit to the Madison Sanitarium
Elder C. McReynolds, of the Wisconsin Conference, had requested us to spend Sabbath and Sunday, August 14 and 15, at the Madison Sanitarium. On arriving there we were pleased to find a small camp-meeting on the sanitarium grounds. An appointment had been sent out hastily, and a number had gathered in from near-by churches. There was a full program of meeting each day. Mrs. White remained at the sanitarium for six days, during which time she spoke twice to the brethren assembled from the churches, and three times to the sanitarium family. This was the first time she had visited the Madison (Wis.) Sanitarium. She was much pleased with its beautiful location by the lakeside, and believed it is destined to become a very popular institution. Monday afternoon, August 16, the helpers assembled in the gymnasium, and Mrs. White addressed them. “I can not feel free to leave this sanitarium,” she said, “without speaking to you of the necessity of earnestly seeking the Lord. This must be done by the workers in all of our institutions. A position in a sanitarium is a place of great responsibility. You are not to go on in carelessness and indifference, thinking that because this is the Lord’s institution, therefore he will work it for you, regardless of your manner of life. Let each one seek for a daily, living experience in the service of God. Unless you have such an experience, patients that come here unconverted will ask why those professing to believe in the binding obligation of God’s law, do not walk in obedience to his commandments. “Now is your time to say, Let us seek the Lord with all our hearts, that we may find him. Let us humble ourselves before him, that he may teach us. He can not teach you his way unless you8 have humility of heart, and are daily converted to his will. “In our institutions, we should take pains to make everything harmonize with the principles that the Lord has outlined before us in his Word. The work should be educational, preparing the workers for the transfer to the higher courts above. This education is highly essential. Our sanitariums, which are established at large expense, are to be places where character is molded. In them should be laboring a class of people who have especially consecrated themselves to the service of God, and who seek him daily for guidance. “We should be careful that we connect with all our sanitariums those who will give a right mold to the work. Characters are to be formed here after the divine similitude. It is not the expensive dress that will give us influence, but it is by true Christian humility that we exalt our Saviour. Our only hope for success in doing good to the people of the world who come to our sanitariums as guests, is for the workers, each and every one, to maintain a living connection with God. The dress of sanitarium helpers is to be modest and neat, but the dress is not so important as the deportment. The matter of greatest consequence is that the truth be lived out in our lives, that our words be in harmony with the faith we profess to hold. If the workers in our sanitariums will surrender to God, and take a high position as believers in the truth, the Lord will recognize this, and we shall see a great work done in these institutions. “It is not the wisest course to connect with our sanitariums too many who are inexperienced, who come as learners, while there is a lack of experienced, efficient workers. We need more matronly women, and men who are sound and solid in principle,—substantial men who fear God and who can carry responsibilities wisely. Some may come and offer to work for small wages, because they enjoy being at a sanitarium, or because they wish to learn, but it is not true economy to supply an institution largely with inexperienced helpers. “If the right persons are connected with the work, and if all will humble their hearts before God, although there may now be a heavy debt resting upon the institution, the Lord will work in such a way that the debt will be lessened, and souls will be converted to the truth, because they see that the workers are following in the way of the Lord, and keeping his commandments. This is the only hope for the prosperity of our sanitariums. It is useless to think of any other way. We can not expect the blessing of God to rest upon us, if we serve God at will, and let him alone at pleasure. “It is not necessary that we should cater to the world’s demands for pleasure. There are other places in the world where people may find amusement. We need at our sanitariums substantial men and women; we need those who will reveal the simplicity of true godliness. “When the sick come to our institutions, they should be made to realize that there is a divine power at work, that angels of God are present. I wish to emphasize one point: Do not permit yourselves to wear a sour countenance or a desponding look. There is danger of getting a sour spirit, and of speaking harshly. Remember that you are dealing with invalids, and that invalids watch the countenances of those who are about them. They watch to see if they are going to be spoken to encouragingly or discouragingly. “Your work is not to be confined to this institution. There are surrounding places where your influence should reach. If this sanitarium is conducted as it should be, its influence will grow. Similar institutions should be established in other places. This is why the Lord is laying upon his people the burden of establishing sanitariums, that his name may be glorified. “Will you not all put on Christ, not to lay him off again, but to let his Spirit stamp your mind and character? When all in this institution are truly converted, there will be just as surely a wonderful work done as when on the day of Pentecost the disciples received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Lord himself will be with you, to teach and to lead and to guide. You will see of the salvation of God. You may be disheartened at times. Discouragements may arise, but it is your privilege at all times to lay hold of the hope set before you in the gospel. Watch unto prayer. Believe that God will help you to speak words that will cheer and encourage and increase the faith of those with whom you associate.” Building the Temple
By Worthie Harris Holden
Build thou a temple for thy God;
Build thou with greatest care,
That so the presence of thy Lord
Daily abideth there. Search from the quarries of his Word
E'er for foundations true,
Then let his Spirit all unheard
Square thee and trim and hew. Build thou with hands well washed and
clean,
Stained not with act of sin;
Build thou in quiet all unseen,—
Earth builds with noise and din. Build with a mind intent to be
What the true Pattern shows;
This on the mount he gave to thee,—
His will his words disclose. Ever thine incense burn in prayer.
Always be clean and pure;
God finds a dwelling only where
Sinfulness can not endure. Thus shall thy temple stand for aye,—
Stand when earth's mansions fall:
Haste to be like thy Pattern, then,—
The Christ, thine all in all. T. E. BOWEN
By T. E. BOWEN
Events Between the Close of the Gospel and the Second Coming of Jesus — No. 1
In a recent article the point was made clear from the Scriptures that the expressions of the Lord to the disciples on the Mount of Olives, which speak of the suddenness of his coming, applied to that time when the work of the gospel should close, rather than to his second appearing on the cloud. We learned that the passing of this hour would come upon us as the approach of a thief in the night—unheralded. But that all will know soon after the passing of this important event, is very evident from events that will begin to take place here upon the earth at that time. We shall not attempt to go into the details of this subject, but there are a few events which stand out so clearly as meeting their fulfilment during this time, that we feel sure we can with profit give this subject some study. No More Forgiveness of Sin
When Jesus ceases his work as high priest, there can be no more forgiveness of sin. We might therefore safely conclude that when the Lord announces in heaven that his mediatorial work is done, at the same time the Holy Spirit will cease to entreat sinners. This time will be known. While salvation lingers, “the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” But an hour cometh when the Spirit pleads no more. As it was in the days of Noah, so again at that time will it be true, “My Spirit shall not always strive with man.” Then very likely will be fulfilled that passage of Scripture which says, “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.” Isa. 26:20. Here is portrayed that time foretold by many prophets, when God, during a little moment, is wroth, and arises to punish the inhabitants of the earth. During this time God’s people are hidden under the special protection of the Almighty, as were the Israelites in Egypt when terrible plagues were falling upon the disobedient Egyptians, but not without trial to the saints. During the time that God draws his covering, or protection, over his people who have kept his commandments, after the close of Christ’s ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, the seven last plagues come upon earth’s inhabitants. These are recorded in Revelation 16. In them is filled up the wrath of God. It is very evident that this wrath—unmixed with mercy—could not be poured out until the work of the gospel ceased. A time is appointed the angels for pouring out these vials of wrath. A command comes from the throne to them “out of the temple,” saying, “Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.” Rev. 16:1. Until that command comes, they wait. And to make clear that all ministration in the heavenly sanctuary had ceased during this time, we read: “And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.” Rev. 15:8. Thus just after the close of probation, when Jesus ceases his mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuary, it will be known upon the earth that God is dealing in judgment, and that probation has closed. But then it will be too late to obtain eternal life. Hence, the knowledge brings no comfort to the lost, and only reveals to those whose sins have been covered, that just before them is an hour of great trial before actual deliverance will come to them, and they can be with their Lord. This is a day of distress to all flesh, a day not to be desired by even God’s people. Amos bears testimony: “Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord! to what end is it for you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light. As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear9 met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. Shall not the day of the Lord be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?” Chap. 5:18-20. Zephaniah, in speaking of those who had not hearkened unto God, wrote: “That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, and they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.” Zeph. 1:15-18. Of this time we read in “Early Writings,” old edition, page 141: “It was impossible for the plagues to be poured out while Jesus officiated in the sanctuary; but as his work there is finished, and his intercession closes, there is nothing to stay the wrath of God, and it breaks with fury upon the shelterless head of the guilty sinner.” “Some were denouncing God, and cursing him. Others rushed to the people of God, and begged to be taught how they might escape his judgments. But the saints had nothing for them. The last tear for sinners had been shed, the last agonizing prayer offered, the last burden borne, the last warning given.” Daniel, in vision, saw a time when Christ ceased his work of ministry. He wrote: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” Dan. 12:1. Of all the troublous times the prophet in vision had beheld, here is one that eclipses them all. Since nations had their birth, no such scenes had been experienced. Upon this point the testimony of another writer is given: “When he [Jesus] leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the inhabitants of the earth. In that fearful time the righteous must live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. The restraint which has been upon the wicked is removed, and Satan has entire control of the finally impenitent. God’s long-suffering has ended. The world has rejected his mercy, despised his love, and trampled upon his law. The wicked have passed the boundary of their probation; the Spirit of God, persistently resisted, has been at last withdrawn. Unsheltered by divine grace, they have no protection from the wicked one. Satan will then plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one great, final trouble. As the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce winds of human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. The whole world will be involved in ruin more terrible than that which came upon Jerusalem of old.”—“Great Controversy,” page 614. Christmas; Its Origin and Character
By S. MORTENSEN
The fabled Santa Claus also deserves our attention. The “Library of Universal Knowledge” says:— “Nicholas Saint (St. Claus), a highly popular saint of the Roman Catholic Church, and reverenced with still greater devotion by the Russian Church, which regards him as a special patron, was one of the early bishops of Mysia, in Lysia. The precise date of his episcopate is a subject of much controversy. Of his personal history hardly anything is certainly known, and the great popularity of the devotion to him wrought through his intercession. He is regarded in Catholic countries as a special patron of the young, and particularly of scholars. On the vigil of his feast, which is held on December 6, a person in the appearance and costume of a bishop assembles the children of a family or a school and distributes among them, to the good, gilt nuts, sweetmeats, and other little presents as the rewards of good conduct; to the naughty ones, the redoubtable punishment Klaubauf. The supposed relics of St. Nicholas were conveyed from the East to Bari, in the kingdom of Naples, toward the close of the eleventh century.” Thus the fable is a part of the old relic-worshiping traditions of a corrupt church. The nearness of his feast, in December, to the Christmas festival, led to associating the saint and the present-giving idea with the feast of December 25. We must admit, in the light of the Bible, that it is very foolish and wrong to teach little children the tales of Santa Claus. “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” It is plain that the extravagant follies, the Christmas candles, the Christmas boar, the Christmas goose, the Christmas decoration of the churches, gluttony and drunkenness, yes, even the date of the festival, the twenty-fifth of December, are not only of Roman Catholic, but also of a decidedly pagan origin. Is it not reasonable to demand that Protestants should protest against superstitions which have no foundation in the Bible? The Lord certainly demands it. “Well, that may be right,” I hear some one say, “but you are too extreme; many good Christians before our time celebrated Christmas, and even the Reformers did so.” But that is no reason why we should continue the practise. Those who began the Reformation could not in such a short time break away from all these traditions. The Lord demands more of us than of them, because we have come into existence in the age of wonderful research and discovery, when knowledge should increase (Dan. 12: 4), and the Bible has been in our mother tongue several centuries. In the light of this situation, we would certainly deserve severe criticism for our ignorance if we should continue to honor old traditions of relic worship. Many upright Christians in the past have taken part in the old festival to some extent, and such we will not criticize, because they did it in ignorance. But in this enlightened age it is indeed high time to inquire: “What concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?” 2 Cor. 6: 15, 16. But still many Christians, not only Catholics, but also Protestants, continue year by year at the Christmas festival to honor the old idol relics under a Christian garb. This is indeed very unfortunate, and it is going so far that entrance fee is demanded in many Protestant churches. O, what a dishonor to our dear Saviour, who has pointed out a distinct line between the holy and the profane! In this age when the blessed gospel is to be preached to the whole world, according to the prophecy (Matt. 24: 14), it is far better to donate our savings to that good work, so that the poor heathen, in dense darkness and untold suffering, may share the blessings of heaven, rather than to spend our means in celebrating an old festival that has no foundation in the Bible. There are also many other good purposes for which we can use the money in a sensible way. May the God of truth sanctify you wholly, and at last “present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” Jude 24. “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” The Home Land is Calling for Me
By L. D. Santee
O, I LONG for one glimpse of life's river,
Whose waves beat the bright golden shore;
Where flowers are fadeless forever,
And friends will be parted no more!
And prophecies glad are revealing
The joys that in heaven I'll see;
But deep in my heart is the feeling
That the home land is calling for me. That city of love, sweet and tender,
Gleams bright in the highlands of heaven;
Within rules the King in his splendor;
By him will the “white robes” be given.
No shadows e'er fall on that city,
From the gloom of the earth it is free;
And I feel in my heart that in pity
The home land is calling for me. Above are the evergreen mountains,
Enwrapped in the azure of heaven,
While the music of pure, crystal fountains
Speaks peace to the nations forgiven.
Their praises to Jesus are pealing,
They will stand on the shores of life's sea;
And deep in my heart is the feeling
That the home land is calling for me. Why Be Discouraged?
By Daniel Nettleton
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance,” or, as in the margin, “for his presence is salvation.” Ps. 42: 5. The Bible has much to say about the necessity of the Christian’s having faith, hope, patience, and courage. Our Heavenly Father knew that his children would have trials and difficulties; therefore these encouragements and exceeding great and precious promises. If we were never cast down, why this question in our text? We can not assure the little child when he is learning to walk that he will never fall, but we can encourage him, when he does fall, to arise and try again. We are God’s little children. The prophet Micah says: “My God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be light unto me. . . . He will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.” Jesus says, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” “We glory in tribulations,” says Paul, “knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.” Peter says, “Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers in Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, we may be glad also with exceeding joy.” Earth’s greatest conqueror, Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God,” had trials and temptations similar to ours; but of him it is said, “He shall not fail, nor be discouraged.” In speaking of the persecution of God’s people, the angel said, “They shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days,” “but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” Our troubles and temptations, and even our defeats and failures, may prove a blessing in developing sturdy and hopeful character. I have found it a great help to go through my Bible and select some of the great and precious promises, then to take them to the Lord in secret prayer and lay them before him and ask him to remember the word upon which he has caused his servant to hope. Ps. 119: 49. I have said to him, as Jeremiah said to him (Jer. 14:21), “Do not abhor us, for thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.” And as I have thus prayed, the peace and joy of God have filled my heart, and I have gone on my way rejoicing. “Lord, what a change within us one
short hour
Spent in thy presence will prevail to
make! What heavy burdens from our bosoms
take,
What parched grounds revive, as with
a shower!
We kneel, and all around us seems to
lower;
We rise, and all the distant and the
near
Stand forth a sunny outline, brave
and clear.
We kneel, how weak! We rise, how
full of power!
Why, therefore, should we do ourselves
the wrong,
Or others, that we are not always
strong;
That we should ever weak or heartless
be,
Anxious or troubled when with us is
prayer,
And joy and strength and courage
are with thee?” O, defeated and discouraged brother, hope in God! He will send his angels to lift you out of the pit and the miry clay, and place your feet upon the rock, and establish your goings, and put a new song in your mouth. When thus you have come up through great tribulation, and have entered the city of pearly gates, your eyes will see the King in his beauty, and you will hear his “Well done,” and will join in the song of eternal victory. “Ten thousand times ten thousand
In sparkling raiment bright,
The armies of the ransomed saints
Throng up the steeps of light.
’Tis finished, all is finished,
Their fight with death and sin;
Open wide the pearly portals
And let the victors in.” Look Up and Rejoice
By Mrs. Luella B. Priddy
In the midst of the sin and darkness that surround us, there is danger that we take our eyes off from Jesus and the reward he has promised, and thus become discouraged. The discouraged man is on the road to defeat. Like David, we may encourage ourselves in the Lord. Even Christ, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross. God’s people will meet with difficulties, and these can not be entirely ignored. They must be surmounted. But we need often to turn our eyes from them, and look beyond to the glorious results of our work. Otherwise the prize will lose value in our sight, and we shall be overwhelmed by difficulties and perplexities. The patriarchs of old passed through trying experiences, but they ‘looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.’ Many of these pilgrims have been sleeping in their lowly beds through long centuries, waiting for that ‘blessed hope.’ We, the most privileged of all people, are permitted to live when eternity is almost in sight. We have seen nearly all the prophecies fulfilled. Luke says, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28. We ought to be the happiest people that have ever lived. Just as a scrap of paper a few inches wide placed over our eyes, may exclude from our sight the whole world, so the little insignificant, transient things of this life may blind our eyes to the unspeakable glory that is just before us. We are almost home. By faith our Father lifts us up that we may see the most encouraging sign of all,—the one that comes from the end of the way, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the reviving drops of the latter rain. The Lord is coming near to his people to strengthen them for the last great conflict. Eternity is long enough for every pleasure. There are the countless legions of the angelic hosts, and, best of all, Jesus himself is there. “From one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.” Isa. 66:23. They will come with songs of praise on their lips, and everlasting joy on their heads. But we must turn for a time from this pleasing picture to the great unwarned world perishing in their sins. We must push the work a little faster, that we may go home the sooner, redeeming the time because the days are evil. We must endure the trials of this sin-cursed earth a little longer, and then—home! home! How our hearts throb in anticipation at that reality! “Home, home; beameth before us!
When, when, shall we be there?
Long, long, here we have wandered,
Burdened with sorrow and care.
Home, home, home, home,
Sorrow breathes not in the air.” The Widow’s Mite
By George B. Thompson
It would seem that such a simple transaction as the widow casting two mites into the treasury would be clearly understood. But it seems not to be. The stingy seek to make it an example for penurious giving. A gentleman called upon a wealthy friend for a contribution for missions. “Yes, I must give you a mite.” “You mean the widow’s mite, I suppose?” replied the other. “To be sure I do.” The gentleman continued, “I will be satisfied with half as much as she gave. How much are you worth?” “Seventy thousand dollars,” he answered. “Give me, then, a check for thirty-five thousand, that will be just half as much as the widow gave; for she gave all she had.” Doubtless this was a new idea to the one who was intending to give a “mite.” The value of a gift is estimated on the basis of what is left. The sacrifice is what weighs in God’s sight. The truly converted soul will not ask. How much of God’s money ought I to give, but how much of God’s money ought I to keep for my own purposes? Talking Before Children
By Max Hill
WHY will mothers talk so much before their children? Why will they repeat the sayings of gossiping neighbors before them? Why will they repeat the “smart” sayings of the children themselves to others before them? All unconsciously, the little one makes a remark which is funny, or wise, or “cute.” The very first one who comes in is told the story, and mother and listener laugh at it. The next one who comes hears the story, too, with all the amusing details; and the child, standing by with eyes and ears open, realizes that he is the cause of the interest and amusement. Watch him and you will note that very soon he is trying hard to live up to the reputation the fond, though foolish, mother has given him—he is being funny. And O how pitiful it is to see a self-conscious child! Better never noticed at all than made too much of. He lingers near when callers come, to make sure that his sayings are being repeated in proper form and detail. We have known of a child thus afflicted who, coming into the room where company was being regaled with some recent happening, inquired, “Have you told her what I said, mama?” And that, too, was “so funny” to the mother! A little boy of three heard some workmen swearing, and naturally he picked up the very words his mother most desired that he should never know. What was her confusion to hear him use the words in his conversation! A visiting uncle, who was not any too careful of his own language, noticed it immediately, and laughed heartily. But the mother was a wise one. With a firm glance and a few quick words she commanded the uncle not to notice the child’s speech at all. All the other members of the family were firmly admonished in the matter. In a few days the boy had forgotten his new words. He never knew that any one heard him use them; and not hearing them repeated or laughed at, they soon slipped from his mind. And that wise mother was the victor in a peaceable warfare in which there was no long-remembered battle. IZA E. CLEMENT
By Iza E. Clement
“SCOLDING” may be an unpleasant theme for contemplation, but it is an evil so common, so fraught with weighty consequences, that to ignore it because of its offensiveness would be a sin, when to properly consider and expose its pernicious influence would be a step toward eliminating it from the home. Webster defines it as “finding fault, railing with rude clamor; chiding sharply, brawling; uttering rude, harsh, boisterous rebuke; reproving or rebuking with severity.” What a category of unlovely words is contained in this definition! What an unpleasant picture is here presented before the mind! One can almost hear the harsh, disagreeable tones, and see the lowering frown of the scolder. Yea, more than that, one can easily imagine the grieved look and quivering lip of the little child, the quick, resentful glance of the husband or wife, or the sullen, indifferent gaze of the servant. To be sure, reproof is sometimes necessary in the home, but never with severity, if the lessons of love and right principles have been properly taught. To correct a child by firm, uncompromising reproof, when milder methods have failed, is commendable; but to scold him is a sin. It is an offense against his whole future existence. It belittles him in his own estimation, and discourages him. It robs him of his God-given right of self-respect and true dignity, and lessens his chances for forming a strong character. Children have tender consciences and sensitive hearts, and have just as much right to the respect and polite regard of their elders as their elders have to demand these considerations of them, and to assume an attitude of authoritative superiority over them is a mistake. It instils into their minds an element of fear, which always genders deceit and dishonesty. Scolding is harsh, authoritative rebuke. It renders the scolder unlovely, and creates in the scolded a feeling of contempt, and in the course of time nullifies even the tender, filial regard which God has placed in the breast of every child. It drives the child from the parent, and hardens its heart, making it cold and unresponsive. A gentle reprimand, a loving look, a grieved tone, will live with one and influence him for good as long as life shall last; but a scolding tone, a frowning countenance, and rough, uncouth words provoke scorn and hatred, and blunt the tender sensibilities and impressionable minds of children and youth. The mind of a child naturally loves to dwell on the beautiful, and this element of its nature may, in the hand of a discreet and loving parent, prove a most potent instrument in helping the little one to develop a noble character. On the other hand, a child may form such a habit of disregarding words, looks, and tones, because so many of them in his home are disagreeable, that their power to influence him will be lost, no matter what their character. Sometimes, however, children may for a while show no signs of the destructive influence of scolding. They may not apparently resent it; they may always be obedient; but nevertheless, scolding is doing its baleful work, and time will make manifest its terrible results. Constant scolding will make a child either cold, hard-hearted, stubborn, and wilful, or it will make him weak, self-conscious, fearful, and characterless. To be continually found fault with kills his self-respect, and renders him distrustful of all mankind. It destroys his confidence in his scolding parent, and sends him away from home to find his friends. Scolding is a habit; it is useless; it is vulgar; it is iniquitous. It makes every one around feel like a criminal, whether he be child or man; whether he be the luckless victim, or only an unfortunate hearer. The sound of a scolding voice has the same effect wherever it is heard. The wise man says in Prov. 21:9 that “it is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman12 in a wide house.” Many a home has been wrecked by a scolding wife. Scolding has its influence not only on the other members of the family, but on the scolder herself. It makes her deceitful. She would not have her neighbors know how she treats her family, consequently she has two sets of manners, one for company and another for her family. For company she wears her most inviting smile; for her family, the ones nearest and dearest to her, she wears a frown, and exercises her tongue in sharp, stinging words. But hypocrite though she may be, her neighbors are not long deceived. That frown worn so constantly in the home becomes stamped on her face, and appears when she is abroad; for Time, that stealthy old “avenger of blood,” tracks her down and seals her with her own guilt. Scolding is disastrous. Its results are inevitable; and it would be well for all who are inclined to indulge in this “bugbear” of the home to consider carefully their words, and seek for the daily grace that will silence the scolding tone and the bitter words.