On autumn’s eve when nature sinks to rest,
And all the tumult of the day is done,
And crimson hues are darkening in the west,
And darkness follows the retiring sun,—
Then, fond as mother’s prayers for those she loves,
Pure as the hearts of children in their play,
Our hearts ascend to that dear home above,
That blessed land of everlasting day.
Dear is the promise of that heavenly home,
In the eternal gardens of the sky;
Sweet is the land where death can never come,
And quivering lips ne’er breathe a last good-by,
That home where fadeless flowers nod and swing,
That “summer land” where crystal waters play,
Rich with the verdure of a thousand springs,
Sweet with the fragrance of eternal day.
Mid gathering gloom, our hearts ascend above,
To that dear land of light and joy and song,
Where glad responses meet the lips of love,
And “white robes” clothe the everlasting throng,
Where toil and pain and sorrow are no more,
But every wrong, forgotten and forgiven,
There, happy on the everlasting shore,
We’ll breathe the air, and sing the songs of heaven.
Moline, Ill.
How a Missionary's Wife May Labor
By Hulda J. Westrup
HULDA J. WESTRUP
The first thing necessary in order to be able to help her husband is that she love God, love her husband, and love the people among whom they both have come to work. The wise man tells us what kind of wife can best help her husband, when he says, “A prudent wife is from the Lord.” “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord.” Webster defines prudent as meaning “practically wise.” This brings us to the Fountain of all wisdom; as David says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments.” Hence the first step is conversion, for it then comes natural and is our greatest joy to lead souls to Christ.
Indirect Missionary Work
I believe I can safely divide “active missionary work” into two parts—direct and indirect missionary work. By direct, I mean all missionary work outside the home circle; and by indirect, all our work as missionaries’ wives in the homes; and I believe that one is as important as the other, and that neither can be neglected by a good missionary wife.
I will speak of the indirect first, as our work as wives and mothers lies nearest at hand. “Great is the work and mission of women, especially those of wives and mothers; much of the burden of training the children rests upon the mother, and she has much to do with molding their minds.” As an example, I will relate an instance that occurred in my own country. There was a godly mother who had six sons, whose husband was a drunkard. When he came home with his friends to drink and play cards, he often ridiculed religion, but this wise mother never argued with him in the presence of the children, but took the little ones with her to the bedroom, and there she read a chapter from the blessed Bible, explained it in a simple way, and then had prayer with them. When the sons grew up, they saw for themselves who was right, without the mother telling them; and as a result they all became Christians; yes, missionaries among the heathen. One went to Africa, another to China, and the other four to other countries. This shows how a mother’s indirect missionary work may turn into direct missionary work through her children.
When a wife works for the best interest of the family, and seeks to fashion the characters of the children after the divine Model, the recording angel writes her name as one of the greatest missionaries in the world. Sisters, solemn is your calling. We can be a great blessing to our companions. We can cheer them when despondent, comfort them when cast down, and encourage them to look up and trust fully in God when their faith fails. We may have a transforming influence, if we will only consent to yield our will and way to God, and let him control our minds and affections.
Taking care of her home and preparing wholesome food, simply but thoroughly cooked, is not the smallest part of her missionary work. I once heard a noted minister say, “If you have a sour stomach, you will have a sour religion.” Hence as far as the body is concerned, one of the necessities for a sweet religion is a healthy stomach. And this reminds us of the importance of well-prepared food. Thus the wife will enable her family to eat and drink to the glory of God.
In regard to economy I read recently this statement: “A good housekeeper is known not so much by her buying of provisions as by her use of the fragments left over from each meal.”
Direct Missionary Work
When I first came to China, I thought that the missionary wife’s public work was not so important as her husband’s, because I imagined that the poor women in China had no influence in the home; but if the father of the family believed the gospel, he would have a strong influence over his family, and the wife might thus be led to Christ. But I soon learned that many of the unconverted women are ignorant, and stubborn, and very devoted in their worship of idols. So it is doubly true here in China, as Mrs. S. M. I. Henry said, “The women have a work to do that the men can not do;” for example, holding meetings with the women, training Bible women, and conducting schools for girls and women, and giving treatments to women and girls, etc. I believe that I can truly say that a gentleman missionary without a wife can not do as good a work even among the men as can a married man.
A noted writer says that all men and women who are Christians in every sense of the word, should be workers in the vineyard of the Lord. They should be wide-awake, zealously laboring for the salvation of men, and should imitate the example that the Saviour of the world has given them in his life of self-denial, sacrifice, and faithful, earnest labor. If a wife accompanies her husband in his mission to save souls, enters heartily into his labors, seeking every opportunity to unite her interest and labor with his, she will feel from day to day sweet satisfaction as a reward for her unselfish labor.13She may also be a help to him by conversing with others and being social. We who have sacrificed homes and friends in every sense of the word to aid our companions in the work of enlightening those who sit in darkness, and to reveal to them the hidden mysteries of God, will be sure of our reward, and will have stars in our crowns according to the number of souls we have been instruments in leading to Christ.
When the solemn, important truth gets hold of us, self will die; then the language will not be: “I will go there; I will not stay here.” But our earnest inquiry will be: “Where does God want me to be? Where can I best glorify him? And where can our united labor do the most good?” This lesson of fully yielding to God is sometimes learned by hard experience, as I heard an elderly missionary’s wife relate. She said: “When my husband first asked me to take the children, and with him travel from place to place, doing active missionary work, I did not think it wise to do so, as I would not be able to give them the proper care, but would expose them to all kinds of disease, besides neglecting their education while on the road. Although my husband fixed up the wagon as comfortably as possible in inland China, and pleaded with me to go with him, still I refused to go. So he went alone. He had not been gone very long before one of the children became sick, so ill that his life was in danger. Then the Spirit could plainly show me my mistake in thinking that I was my children’s keeper, and I humbled myself before God, and asked his forgiveness for not obeying the Holy Spirit’s voice, and for my lack of trust in him who is both willing and able to keep. Right there and then I told the Lord that if he would hear my prayer and raise up our dear son, I would never refuse to go with my dear companion when the Holy Spirit influenced me to do so. The Lord heard my prayer, and healed our son. Then when my husband asked me to go with him out in active missionary work, my will was submitted, and we took all our children, the evangelist, Bible woman, cook, and packed and filled several wagons, and went in the name of the Lord. The result was that all the children kept well and strong. We had good meetings, winning many precious souls for the heavenly garner.”
When we as missionaries’ wives learn to lean confidently in childlike trust upon God, and have our affections centered in Jesus, deriving our life from Christ, the living vine, what an amount of good we may do, what a help we may be to others, what a support to our husbands! And to us the words, “Well done,” will sound like sweet music. The invitation, “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord,” will repay us a thousand times for all sacrifice and trials endured to save precious souls.
Yes, the victory will be won by devoting to the work moral courage, ardent love for souls, and untiring, unwavering zeal. I am indeed glad, dear sisters, that we have this great privilege.
A Prisoner's Fine Paid
Two men who had been friends and companions in their youth met in the police court, the one on the magistrate's bench, the other in the prisoner's dock.
The case was tried, and the prisoner found guilty. Would the judge, in consideration of their friendship years before, forbear to pass judgment?—No, he must fulfil his duty; justice must be done, the law of the land be obeyed. He gave out the sentence—fourteen days' hard labor, or a fine of ten pounds.
The condemned man had nothing to pay, so the prison cell was before him. But as soon as he had pronounced the sentence, the judge rose from the bench, threw aside the magistrate's robes, and stepping down to the dock, stood beside the prisoner, paid his fine for him, and then said, “Now, John, you are coming home with me to supper.” It is just so with the sinner; God can not overlook sin; justice must be done, and sentence pronounced; but Christ himself pays the fine, and the sinner is free.—Selected.
The Potato
An Australian agriculturist, Mr. Krichauff, has called attention to the fact that the potato will celebrate the three hundred thirteenth anniversary of its introduction into England this year. It was in 1596 that Sir Walter Raleigh returned to England from America with the first tobacco and potatoes, which originally grew in Peru. Although the potato, it is estimated, now furnishes one sixth of the nourishment of the human race, for a long time it was a delicacy for the rich alone. Even at the beginning of the seventeenth century noblemen paid two shillings a pound for potatoes, and seasoned them with sherry. People often visited the gardens of the botanist Gerard at Holborn to see the plants in bloom.—Selected.
The Solusi Mission
By M. C. Sturdevant
M. C. STURDEVANT
During the past two months our school has been full of new students. Also, many girls have come to the school. So our hearts and our hands, as well as our rooms, are all full. We praise the Lord.
The last two months, Mrs. Sturdevant and I have been alone, Brother Willson having gone to the Cape for a short vacation, after a year and a half of hard and faithful labor.
After Brother J. R. Campbell and wife were taken from us to go to help Brother W. H. Anderson in Northwestern Rhodesia, Brother H. C. Olmstead and wife came to take their place.
They entered heartily into their duties, and were doing well, but in one month he was taken with the fever. He was confined to his bed for over a month, then had to go to Kimberley. Thus ended their labors at this mission.
NATIVE MOTHER GATHERING KAFIR PEAS
So we are still left alone, praying for more help. Nevertheless, the dear Lord has blessed us greatly during the past season. Nine have been baptized and added to the church, and we have another good class to start at once, the members of which will be baptized in due time.
During the past few months there has been the best spirit we have ever enjoyed at this place. A band of earnest students seems to have come to us. For this we praise God, and for all his mercies. Our out-schools never did so well as at present. We now have seven, all quite full. Our courage is good.
Our last report showed that our school seemed to be falling behind in numbers, and we began to fear for the future. It set us to praying and seeking God. He heard our prayers, and sent us a full school again. Should more come, I do not know what we should do with them. We hear of more who desire to come.
BROTHER AND SISTER CAMPBELL LEAVING SOLUSI
The field is white, and the work is far from being finished. Last week I made a trip of over one hundred miles, to our out-stations. The darkness in which we still find the people is appalling. As I lay at night at one of our stations, I could hear the natives praying to and praising the demons. This is now the spring-time of the year. The leaves are coming out, and soon the planting time will be here. It is the custom at this season for the women and girls to gather at the rising of the sun, and at its setting, to dance and make a great noise, crying to the devils, entreating their favor, asking their blessings upon their gardens in the sending of much rain. They think that if they please the devils, they will have good crops. Dreadful is the noise they make, and dense the dust that rises from the dance, in which all the women and girls participate.
Then they have another dance, in which only girls from eight to eighteen take part. This is to bring rain only. They think it will greatly please the demons, and that much rain will come.
I said to my native teacher, as we listened to the noise,—for it was only a little way from one of our schools,—“I think the devils are well pleased.” And these things are going on close by our schools, under the light of the gospel. O, when will the people learn right-cousness? You see our work is not yet done. Still the call is for more to come over and help. We are pressing forward as best we can alone, and are seeing fruit for our labors. Many of these dear children are turning away from their follies and sins. Pray for us.
Bulawayo, Rhodesia.
The Lord’s Best Soldiers
“THE Lord gets his best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction.”
Your Life Is Somebody’s Bible
“YOUR life is somebody’s Bible — a ‘living epistle known and read.’ What is being read in you?”
In the Turkish Mission
By Guy Dail
GUY DAIL
Friday, October 22, we were able to meet Brother Frauchiger and family, Brother and Sister Scior, and Brother Voigt (all of whom have but recently arrived from the German Union Conference) at the home of Brother Z. G. and Sister Baharian, here in Stamboul.
Sabbath, the twenty-third, the Armenian, Greek, and Jewish brethren came to Brother Baharian’s house to attend the regular services. A friendly Turk was also present. In all there were about forty-five persons present. It was a great13
She may also be a help to him by conversing with others and being social. We who have sacrificed homes and friends in every sense of the word to aid our companions in the work of enlightening those who sit in darkness, and to reveal to them the hidden mysteries of God, will be sure of our reward, and will have stars in our crowns according to the number of souls we have been instruments in leading to Christ.
When the solemn, important truth gets hold of us, self will die; then the language will not be: “I will go there; I will not stay here.” But our earnest inquiry will be: “Where does God want me to be? Where can I best glorify him? And where can our united labor do the most good?” This lesson of fully yielding to God is sometimes learned by hard experience, as I heard an elderly missionary’s wife relate. She said: “When my husband first asked me to take the children, and with him travel from place to place, doing active missionary work, I did not think it wise to do so, as I would not be able to give them the proper care, but would expose them to all kinds of disease, besides neglecting their education while on the road. Although my husband fixed up the wagon as comfortably as possible in inland China, and pleaded with me to go with him, still I refused to go. So he went alone. He had not been gone very long before one of the children became sick, so ill that his life was in danger. Then the Spirit could plainly show me my mistake in thinking that I was my children’s keeper, and I humbled myself before God, and asked his forgiveness for not obeying the Holy Spirit’s voice, and for my lack of trust in him who is both willing and able to keep. Right there and then I told the Lord that if he would hear my prayer and raise up our dear son, I would never refuse to go with my dear companion when the Holy Spirit influenced me to do so. The Lord heard my prayer, and healed our son. Then when my husband asked me to go with him out in active missionary work, my will was submitted, and we took all our children, the evangelist, Bible woman, cook, and packed and filled several wagons, and went in the name of the Lord. The result was that all the children kept well and strong. We had good meetings, winning many precious souls for the heavenly garner.”
When we as missionaries’ wives learn to lean confidently in childlike trust upon God, and have our affections centered in Jesus, deriving our life from Christ, the living vine, what an amount of good we may do, what a help we may be to others, what a support to our husbands! And to us the words, “Well done,” will sound like sweet music. The invitation, “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord,” will repay us a thousand times for all sacrifice and trials endured to save precious souls.
Yes, the victory will be won by devoting to the work moral courage, ardent love for souls, and untiring, unwavering zeal. I am indeed glad, dear sisters, that we have this great privilege.
The Open Door in the East
By William D. Burden
W. D. BURDEN
DAILY I am led to thank God for the wonderful way in which the far East is opening up for missionary effort. The recent meeting which we have held at Wakamatsu illustrates this. We could not begin until Brother H. Kuniya returned from the United States to help with the meetings, and, on account of other plans, we could not continue as long as we felt we really should. With so much to do, and so few to do it, we often have to cut efforts short.
The man in whose yard our little tent was pitched, has been reading our paper, and is quite favorable toward our people. We paid him five cents a day land rent. From the first, the tent was filled. Even on rainy nights, we had all we could seat, and on other nights the tent would not hold half of those who wished to hear. But, though they could not obtain seats, many would stand and listen through the entire service. It was a continual source of wonderment to the other churches that we should have so large an attendance. They said they secured well-known speakers, and advertised, but they could not get the people to come out that way. We tried to put the truth in just as plain, simple language as possible, so that they might understand it, and this was appreciated. We estimated that some nights there must have been as many as eight hundred out. What a pity that we could not have had a larger tent, so as to accommodate all who wished to hear! Perhaps there are some of our people at home who would like to donate us this. If there are any, let them correspond with us or with Elder I. H. Evans. The one we now have was contributed by the Healdsburg school. It has been a great help, and can still be used in small places; but we need one larger, with seating capacity for six or seven hundred.
In connection with this Wakamatsu meeting, we held a forenoon service for our own people. About forty were present. In the afternoons all went out to distribute literature and invite the people to the evening service. This proved a great blessing to our people, and they went home determined to do more faithful work with their neighbors and friends.
During the services, we prepared cards, and passed them through the audience, asking those who would like to study these things more carefully, to write their names and addresses. More than eighty responded to the call, and for these we shall now work especially. We hope that many of them may be led into the truth.
TENT-MEETING IN JAPAN; CONDUCTED BY ELDERS W. D. BURDEN AND H. KUNITA, STANDING IN CENTER OF BACK ROW
For several reasons, it seemed best that we should close one night earlier than had been advertised, and it was so announced. But after the talk that night, the people seemed reluctant to leave, although we had dismissed. Nobody moved. Seeing this, the workers questioned whether they ought not to continue another night, but being unable to settle it among themselves, it was decided to ask those in the audience to rise who wished to come and hear another night. Instantly every one was on his feet.
The next day a company with moving pictures came to town, and put out its advertisements. Some feared all the people would go there, instead of coming to the tent. But not so. It served to draw away only the children and the careless ones. Our tent was crowded, and the meeting proved the best of the series.
Twice during this effort, in answer to calls, we went out into the country and held meetings. In one place we were given the free use of the village schoolhouse. This is very uncommon. The Buddhists are allowed such privileges, but the Christians are not. However, this time the head man of the village was there to welcome us, and presided.
The day after we closed at Wakamatsu, Brother Kuniya and I went to Ibaraki, a place about one hundred fifty miles distant. There we organized the little company of fifteen into a church. This is our fifth church in Japan. A year ago we had not a single believer in that section. Now we have these fifteen, and several others expect to be baptized before long. Here again we see evidence of the advance the message is making.
Tokyo.
Meetings and Missions in Turkey
“YOUR life is somebody’s Bible — a ‘living epistle known and read.’ What is being read in you?”15
joy to greet the more than twenty members at Constantinople, especially in view of their steadfastness amid persecution and imprisonment.
Thursday, the twenty-ninth, after the arrival of Brother Robert S. Greaves from Smyrna, Elders Frauchiger, Baharian, Greaves, and the writer took passage for Bardizag, near the Bay of Nicomedia. The brethren of this region came together for a three-days' meeting. They manifested a deep interest in the word spoken, and were very much concerned about the education of their children. During our stay at Bardizag, we experienced two earthquake shocks, each of which was so strong as to thoroughly shake the houses, which are generally quite large. They are constructed of wooden upright- and cross-pieces, filled in with a mixture of mud and straw. For the culture of the silkworm, it is necessary for our brethren to have such roomy dwellings.
Returning to Constantinople on Monday, November 1, we met Elder L. R. Conradi, who arrived from Odessa on the Russian steamer, en route to Alexandria. He was accompanied by Dr. V. Pampanian, and Dr. F. W. and Mrs. Vasenius. The first named will remain in Turkey, laboring around Adana in the neighborhood where our brethren were massacred, among whom were two promising young men who were on a missionary tour. Brother and Sister Vasenius have gone to the Abyssinian Mission with Elder Conradi. They left here November 4.
Brother Conradi was able to remain here with us two days, attending important committee meetings. Plans were laid for aggressive work among the many thousands of Europeans on the Galata and Pera side of Constantinople, where Brethren Frauchiger and Scior will be located. As Elder Frauchiger and wife speak French, German, and English, they will find many opportunities to present the truth here. French is understood and spoken by most of the educated Europeans and Asiatics in the city. Brother Scior will also take instruction in the Greek language, as he is expected to devote his time especially to that people, and will probably enter Macedonia next spring. Elder Baharian will devote his strength this winter especially to the Armenians of this city. Elder Greaves continues his work in Smyrna, and will probably conduct a series of meetings in Albania later on. The three other native workers will be more in the interior, where an interest to hear exists.
Wherever there are Greeks, Armenians, and Turks, we would recommend our people to take an interest in them, and seek to secure publications for them, either from the Constantinople Branch of the International Tract Society, Deutsche Post, Galata, Constantinople, or from the New York Branch of the Review and Herald, or from the Hamburg House.
Where to educate our youth of this land is an important question, and it seems best to the committee that suitable and tried young persons be trained in our European schools for the present. Our Turkish Mission Educational Fund must be continually strengthened, that this plan may be carried out. At present several young people from here are in training in America. Of course, we hope that when we have a stronger constituency in these parts, we may be able to educate workers in the field itself. Too much stress can not be laid upon the proper home training, for already the higher criticism is infecting the Levant, so that there is not now among professed Christians that respect for the Bible which was found here in former times. The home must ever be the cradle of genuine Christian experience and culture.
Our people here express their appreciation of the help rendered them, and extend Christian greetings to their brethren in all parts of the world.
We bespeak for Brother Frauchiger, who is the mission superintendent, and for all his fellow helpers, a hearty interest in the prayers of our Sabbath-keeping friends everywhere. He finds the circumstances quite different from those which he was accustomed to as a conference president in Germany, but is of good cheer, knowing that the same God who has helped him in the home land all of these years, will remain his strength and stay here. The Turkish Mission has a membership of about two hundred thirty. God grant that the future may give us “much people” in this place.
Constantinople.
The Solusi Mission
By M. C. Sturdevant
M. C. STURDEVANT
During the past two months our school has been full of new students. Also, many girls have come to the school. So our hearts and our hands, as well as our rooms, are all full. We praise the Lord.
The last two months, Mrs. Sturdevant and I have been alone, Brother Willson having gone to the Cape for a short vacation, after a year and a half of hard and faithful labor. After Brother J. R. Campbell and wife were taken from us to go to help Brother W. H. Anderson in Northwestern Rhodesia, Brother H. C. Olmstead and wife came to take their place. They entered heartily into their duties, and were doing well, but in one month he was taken with the fever. He was confined to his bed for over a month, then had to go to Kimberley.
Thus ended their labors at this mission. So we are still left alone, praying for more help. Nevertheless, the dear Lord has blessed us greatly during the past season. Nine have been baptized and added to the church, and we have another good class to start at once, the members of which will be baptized in due time.
NATIVE MOTHER GATHERING KAFIR PEAS
During the past few months there has been the best spirit we have ever enjoyed at this place. A band of earnest students seems to have come to us. For this we praise God, and for all his mercies. Our out-schools never did so well as at present. We now have seven, all quite full. Our courage is good.
Our last report showed that our school seemed to be falling behind in numbers, and we began to fear for the future. It set us to praying and seeking God. He heard our prayers, and sent us a full school again. Should more come, I do not know what we should do with them. We hear of more who desire to come.
BROTHER AND SISTER CAMPBELL LEAVING SOLUSI
The field is white, and the work is far from being finished. Last week I made a trip of over one hundred miles, to our out-stations. The darkness in which we still find the people is appalling. As I lay at night at one of our stations, I could hear the natives praying to and praising the demons. This is now the spring-time of the year. The leaves are coming out, and soon the planting time will be here. It is the custom at this season for the women and girls to gather at the rising of the sun, and at its setting, to dance and make a great noise, crying to the devils, entreating their favor, asking their blessings upon their gardens in the sending of much rain. They think that if they please the devils, they will have good crops. Dreadful is the noise they make, and dense the dust that rises from the dance, in which all the women and girls participate.
Then they have another dance, in which only girls from eight to eighteen take part. This is to bring rain only. They think it will greatly please the demons, and that much rain will come. I said to my native teacher, as we listened to the noise,—for it was only a little way from one of our schools,—“I think the devils are well pleased.” And these things are going on close by our schools, under the light of the gospel. O, when will the people learn righteousness? You see our work is not yet done. Still the call is for more to come over and help. We are pressing forward as best we can alone, and are seeing fruit for our labors. Many of these dear children are turning away from their follies and sins. Pray for us.
Bulawayo, Rhodesia.
The Lord Gets His Best Soldiers
“THE Lord gets his best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction.”
