"Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire." Isa. 29:6. The foregoing pronouncement of judgments from the Lord were made about 700 years before Christ. But there are records of but very few earthquakes until we come well down toward the present time. This, however, does not invalidate the prediction. What the Lord has spoken will surely be fulfilled.
Rear End of Building Owned by Mr. Johnson, in Hemet.
The time when this prophecy applies is very clearly set forth in other scriptures. In answering the question, "What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?" the Lord says, among other things: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken; and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." Matt. 24:29-31.
Luke, in giving account of the same things, presents the matter thus: "And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven." "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." Luke 21:11, 25-27.
Most graphic are the foregoing scriptures in describing the scenes that shall immediately precede the coming of the Son of man. And it is expressly stated that "great earthquakes shall be in divers places." And not only that, but there will be "famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven."
God makes it perfectly clear to the inhabitants of earth that He is about to send His Son to destroy sin, and gather His own followers to Himself. He tells in the plainest language what will be seen in the world just before the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And prominent among these signs He mentions earthquakes.
Isaiah tells how extensive this shaking of the earth will be, in the following words: "The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again." Isa. 24:19, 20. God has spoken these
words. Study them carefully; for they will be fulfilled to the letter.
We see only the beginnings of their fulfilment now. The earthquakes in various parts of the world, some of them in places where such things have never been known before, are as nothing when compared with that time just before us when the earth shall be "clean dissolved," "moved exceedingly," "utterly broken down," and when "the earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage."
The scenes on this page are photographed from the wreckage of the earthquake that shook the whole of Southern California on December 25. What will be the condition when the whole earth is "utterly broken down"? Are you prepared for that time? Do you know the shelter from the coming storm? The Lord has promised to preserve all who will intrust themselves to Him. Do you know these promises? and are you feeding upon them and resting in them day by day? T.
THE "UNITED CHRISTIAN PARTY."
By W. N. G.
THIS is one of the latest schemes of men to bring about a much-talked-of Christian unity. But it is only another proof of the truth of God's Word: "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."
Building Owned by Mr. Rouengia, Chinese Laundry in Lower Story.
God's way of uniting Christians so that the world might be influenced by them for good, is to sanctify them through His Word. John 17:17. Jesus says positively, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." Verse 16. Again, "As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world." Verse 18. But He did not send them into the world to form political parties, nor to contend with evil by means of worldly schemes. His way is higher than that.
Christ wanted, and still wants, His people to be united; but His prayer, and therefore His purpose, is that they all may be one, as He and the Father are one. "I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one." There is nothing of the spirit of human political party union in that.
The further purpose is "that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me." Verse 23. When the professed Christians set up a political party and enter into political strife with the world for the world's honors, the world's advantages, and the world's emolument, will such a contest be liable to engender love in the world for those who thus contend with them? Will it inspire a love for the One in whose name such selfish contest is waged? Did worldly contest ever engender love? If the world should imbibe any reverence for the God of heaven, would they know that He had sent Christ to love them, if Christ should send His followers to contend with them for the world's honors and possessions? Such a course on the part of Christ or His disciples would not be proof of love for those with whom they waged such a warfare.
The unity which Christ designed for His disciples was a union in Him, by the Holy Spirit, not to contend with the world for the things of the world, but to show to the world a spirit of sacrifice, and to manifest the life and charity of Christ in the daily walk and conversation. He did not plan to have His people govern this world; His commission to them bears no such idea; He set for them no such example. He did not in any sense indicate that they were to be the lawmakers of the world.
It was centuries after the earthly ministry of Christ and His apostles before the church actually undertook to rule the world politically, altho the spirit of political religion (the "mystery of iniquity") had begun to work in Paul's day. See 2 Thess. 2:7. The "United Christian party" came into power and began active operations when Rome was nominally "converted" to Christianity by imperial decree in the time of Constantine. It had always been the custom among nations who knew not the true God, as well as in apostate Israel, for the government to dictate the religion of the people. Rome had always done so, and in such dictation, policy (politics) was the ruling influence. When the Christian church had grown numerically, and had fostered the political spirit of the heathen, to such an extent as to wield a great political influence, the emperor and the Senate deemed it good politics to cater to the Christian element. Hence the policy of declaring the Christian religion to be the religion of the government. To carry out this policy, the principal offices were, to a great extent, filled by men who were influential in the church. Thus the "United Christian party" principle had a practical test in the government of Rome, and, as Rome was a universal government, the test was world-wide. The power of political Christianity grew till the political church fully dominated the government, and the many centuries of that domination are now known as the Dark Ages.
It was fully demonstrated that the policy of a "United Christian party" as a political scheme was a disastrous failure as far as disseminating the truth of Christianity was concerned. It was fully demonstrated that such a scheme is not God's way, not His idea of Christian union. However, as a means of getting churchmen into office, it was a great success. But the true church of God—those who realized the fact that "we ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29)—had a hard time of it, as the record of millions of martyrs to God's way of uniting Christians for practical Christian work amply shows.
The Coffman Building in San Jacinto, Main Street, Looking East.
Looking Past.
The Reformation was a protest against this Christian party political régime; and, in so far as the true spirit of the Reformation was maintained, there was a reaction. To this extent there was relief for the downtrodden disciples of Christ, and great light dawned upon the world. But, alas! too many who connected with the reform movement conceived the idea that, in order to overcome Roman influence, Protestantism must wield not only spiritual influence but political power as well. And where nominal Protestants, working on that principle, succeeded in wrenching the political power from the Catholics, the same spirit of intolerance and persecution was continued. So that from every standpoint the idea of advancing the interests of Christianity by political means has been shown to be a failure, utterly inimical to the work of the Gospel.9
There can not be a united Christian party unless there be first united Christians; and the professed Christians who advocate Christian party politics are not by any means united Christians. Therefore any party assuming to form a united Christian party of persons who are not united Christians must necessarily fail; for at best the union would only be a union of politicians. Add to this the fact that there is no attempt to unite Christian factions in the matter of doctrine on the basis of truth, and the purpose is reduced to a mere scheme for union of professed Christians on political lines for political advantage. In purpose Christianity is left out of the party program; therefore the name "Christian" is manifestly a deception. If divided Christians form a united political party, surely it is not a Christian party at all. It is evidently an attempt to pose as righteous above their fellow-men, and is taking the name of the Lord in vain.
W. N. G.
A FALSE HOPE.
By T.
AMONG the papers found on the person of a man who recently committed suicide in New York City was an editorial on death. One sentence in the editorial said, "You die and are immediately transported to your happy home in some distant star."
How much influence this editorial had in causing the man to commit self-murder we know not. But this we do know, no man is transported anywhere at death. Death is not life; and the idea that a man is possessed of an immortal spirit, that leaves the body when it dies, and that this spirit knows more after the body is dead than it ever did before, is a relic of heathenism. It is no part of Christianity, and is nowhere to be found in the Bible.
The Word of God plainly says, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36. Then only those who believe on the Son of God have everlasting life. And when men do not have everlasting life, they do not, in the very nature of things, possess an immortal spirit that can leave the body at death. This one plain scripture makes that fact perfectly clear.
Sin brought death into the world. But "our Saviour, Jesus Christ" "hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel." Then the light of life and immortality is seen only in the Gospel. Men may seek for it elsewhere, but they only grope in darkness. And every believer has everlasting life given to him, because Christ has abolished the death that is leading him on to destruction. And this life that Christ gives us is eternal life, because He has no other kind of life to give.
The interval between death and the resurrection is spoken of as a sleep, and those who are believers are made fully immortal at the last great day. Paul sets this forth fully in the following words:—
"Behold, I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" 1 Cor. 15:51-55.
Note some of the clear statements in the foregoing text. "We shall not all sleep." That is, the believers who are alive on the earth when the Lord comes, will not go down in death. But even tho we do not all sleep, yet "we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump." And observe again the positive promise, "The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we [that is, the living] shall be changed." Then this change from mortality to immortality, from corruptible to incorruptible, is "at the last trump."
The Scriptures plainly show that the wicked have no life aside from this transient mortal life of the present, and, therefore, they can not possess an immortal spirit. And the righteous receive their immortality and incorruptibility at the coming of Christ and the resurrection.
How much misery and error men would be saved from if they would only believe the Bible! T.
A CHRISTIAN PARTY.
THE Young People's Temperance Federation decided, at a meeting in Willard Hall, Chicago, on December 31, to form a Christian party. The real Christianity does not concern itself in seeking to make men better through politics. Men can be made truly good only by divine power. And the Christianity which is Christianity in deed and not in name only, seeks to draw men into contact with the power of the Gospel so that they may be made truly good. And there is so much of this work to be done that Christians have not a moment's time to spend in forming political parties or in trying to manage them.
Any one who has read the story of the work and teaching of Christ, as recorded in the four Gospels, must be aware of the fact that the Master gave Himself solely to the work of His Father's kingdom. He spent no time in trying to remodel or purify Cæsar's political system. And surely the politics of the Roman Empire were sufficiently vile in the time of Christ to have caused Him to establish a "Christian political party" if such a thing could have been used in His work. But He had nothing to do with either forming or manipulating political parties. Would it not be wise and right for professing Christians in these times to follow His steps?
Signs of War and Wealth
By Editor
MUCH anger is expressed in all parts of Germany because of the seizure of the German merchant vessels by British men of war. And the emperor does not seem to be slow in making capital out of it in favor of his pet scheme of greatly increasing the German navy. Many of the people have been bitterly opposed to carrying the burdens incident to the building of more war ships. But, speaking of the present complications, a Vienna paper says, "It looks as if Great Britain cared less for the cargo in question than for demonstrating before the world that, altho most unlucky on the land, she is the unchallenged mistress of the sea, a demonstration which will do more for the German navy than all the efforts of Emperor William." Everything that can be turned to account in goading the people on to more extensive preparations for war is being vigorously made use of. Surely these are no times of peace. The very air is surcharged with the murderous spirit and din of war.
APROPOS of what has been said in these columns in reference to the rapid heaping together of treasure in these times as a sign of the last days, the amount of trust capitalization in Delaware and New Jersey, from March 10, 1899, to the close of the year, is evidence to the point. During that time there have been incorporated in Delaware 365 trusts, with a total capitalization of $457,580,000; and in New Jersey 20,000 corporations, with a total capitalization of $4,403,400,000, making a grand total for those two States of $4,860,980,000. This immense sum in stocks and cash has been heaped together in less than one year in two States, for the purpose of accelerating the heaping power of money. Certainly no argument is necessary to show where we are, with such bold landmarks as this in plain view.
A STRONG effort is being put forth in New Jersey by the W. C. T. U. against the sale of "brandy drop candy." A little boy only six years old was recently found helplessly inebriated on the street at Arlington, after indulging in these seductive sweets. It is said that there is a very brisk trade in this stuff among children, and the W. C. T. U. are going to prosecute the dealers. With what ingenuity are the powers of darkness sowing the seeds of evil! And what an awful harvest must soon be produced! How appropriate is the admonition of the Saviour to those living just before His coming! He exhorts them to "take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares." Luke 21:34.
IT is reported that the United States, France, and Great Britain have reached an agreement in regard to the Chinese question. But in these days it is hard to tell how soon any international agreement may be overthrown. So it may not be very long before some trivial matter may arise that will set these nations strongly at variance again over Chinese matters.
THERE is trouble in Swaziland, a petty kingdom in the vicinity of Delagoa Bay. It was recently reported that King Bunu was dead, but refugees now assert that it was the queen who died. They say that Bunu's brother, Necocco, has assumed the power, and is killing the population of entire villages. There is a reign of terror in the country.
A DESPATCH says: "British difficulties are multiplying at Delagoa Bay, where Krupp and Creusot guns are put on shore in piano cases, and where a regular liner like the Bundesrath is now described as carrying 50 tons of shells, 5 big guns, 7,000 army saddles, and 180 trained artillery men."
THE gunboat Machias has been ordered to Santo Domingo. The French naval commander at Santo Domingo is pressing a claim for $60,000, and trouble is feared. So it is deemed advisable to have another American war ship there to protect American interests.
THE British are still fearful of a Dutch uprising in Cape Colony, and extraordinary precautions are being taken to suppress anything of the kind should it occur.
THE subscriptions to the fund for a home for General Lawton's widow have now reached about $85,000.
Earthquakes in California
The San Francisco Chronicle says that "several deaths occurred as the result of the recent earthquake in Southern California." It further adds that "it had been many years since any life was lost from earthquake in California, or any serious injury done to property." Then follows a list of casualties from lightning and other storms in the East, and these are set over against the small number killed by earthquake in California; and the conclusion is drawn that, "upon the whole, California seems to be about the safest place there is." But this delusion is to be dispelled; for the Word of God particularly mentions earthquakes as among the disturbances that will fill the world with terrors in these last days. Earthquakes in California are not to be brushed aside in so easy a manner. When God has spoken upon a subject, it is well for mankind to stop speculating and carefully consider what He says.
The Bubonic Plague
By Editor
NEW cases of the bubonic plague are being reported in Honolulu, and the military authorities there are burning numerous buildings that have been infected by the disease. It is most remarkable how this dreadful plague is breaking out in all parts of the world. And yet when we study the prophecies we may know that such things should be expected in these times; for we are in the last days, and the Word of God informs us of the "noisome pestilence" that shall sweep away multitudes of people in these times. This destructive work comes from Satan, but the Lord has warned us about it and provided a sure protection against it for all who will accept this proffered help. We are only in the beginnings of these pestilences. The whole world will soon be stricken by every form of devastating scourge.
England’s Gloomy Outlook
SAYS the New York Sun: 'Not since the year of the Indian mutiny have any twelve months opened for Great Britain under such gloomy conditions as those which encompass her to-day. Her claim to rank as a great power is at stake, the rejection of which would probably involve the quick disintegration of her world-wide dominion.' England recognizes this, and she is stirring herself to see to it that such a calamity does not come upon her. And the spirit with which she is met by the continental powers shows the temper of this age. It is that of bitter war, and not of peace. God says of these times, 'And the nations were angry.' Who is telling the truth? Plainly it is God, and not those who are saying peace, when there is no peace.
Disease and the Decline of the Race
About one-fourth of the deaths occurring in Europe are due to tuberculosis, or what is commonly called consumption. In this country one death out of every seven is caused by consumption. Medical experts also tell us that cancer is greatly on the increase. There are many other diseases that are becoming more and more prevalent, and new diseases, or new forms of disease, are constantly breaking out. And this, too, when the knowledge of physicians was never so great, and when their ability to combat disease was never equaled. Sin is rapidly destroying the race, and any one ought to be able to see it.
ANGLO-SAXON SUPPORT TO ISLAM.
By Editor
A STRANGE movement is in progress, which may have more important bearings on the future of missions than is now apparent. The founding of the Gordon College at Khartum, which in some respects is at least negatively a bolstering up of Islam, has now been followed by what appears to us to be a positive uplift of the whole Moslem system in West Africa. On August 7 a Mohammedan school with accommodations for 300 children was opened at Freetown, Sierra Leone, under the auspices of the acting governor, Major Nathan. Among those present was Dr. E. W. Blyden, an ardent promoter of the Moslem faith.
The whole ceremonies at the opening seem to be significant of a new departure. A prayer was offered in Arabic by Alfa Oumaru, the imam of the mosque; and the same gentleman followed with a brief address, tracing the history of educational efforts among the Sierra Leone followers of the prophet. He contrasted the years 1839-1841, when the Moslem believers were persecuted, and the mosques destroyed by mobs, because the Mohammedan faith was thought to be a menace to the colony, with the more enlightened and liberal policy of the half century succeeding, when the British Government had given the adherents of the prophet both protection and toleration. He referred to the festival of the Lesser Bairam, in 1872, when Governor Sir John Pope Henessy had attended with a military escort, and to the action of Governor Sir Samuel Rowe, seven years later, when, at the Government House, he entertained, during the same festival, 700 Moslems. Then, twelve years later, Governor Hay had conveyed a fine property with ample buildings to the Moslems for educational ends, with a grant for paying instructors. These were marked stages in the advance of Islamism in West Africa, and the present elementary school is the first step toward a college.
Major Nathan in reply emphasized the advantages of educational training, particularly the effect of teaching English, in fitting young men for administration in the colony, instancing Mohammedan judges in India and similar magistrates in Egypt. He counseled those present to get a good knowledge of the Arabic, in order to know the real merits of Mohammedanism. When they understood the Koran, he added, they would see that their religion was one telling them how to live, and not a religion of charms and gewgaws. Knowing English, they would have the literature and wisdom of the white man open to them; and with Arabic, they would be able to read not only the Koran, but the "Makamát" of El Hariri, known already to some of them, and the "Alif Lailat wa Lailah," the translation of which English people read with pleasure. In concluding, Major Nathan urged them not to rest content until they had in Sierra Leone a Moslem college, whence wisdom and knowledge might go forth over the whole of West Africa.
It is perhaps too soon to forecast the possible effect of such a movement as this. But one thing is certain,—official sanction and positive aid are now given to the Arabic tongue and the Koran. British influence will undoubtedly be much enhanced in North and West Africa, among the millions of Mohammedans that crowd that part of the Dark Continent. But the question is whether such political ascendancy is not too dearly bought by the sanction given to the religion of Mohammed. And, as to the bearing of this and similar steps of governmental policy upon missions among the Mohammedans, there seems to be no doubt that, for a leading and so-called Protestant nation, whose network of missions enwraps the globe, to assume such an attitude of patronage toward Islam, makes Christian missions so far incongruous. We see no reason why other nations which seek to rival Britain in political and social influence should not pursue a similar course. Why should not France thus propitiate the Algerian Arabs, and Belgium the Arabs of the Kongo district? As another has said, it is a strange spectacle when two western nations that a few centuries since led on the Crusades, now unite in promoting the creed they then tried to crush, and educate the people they then sought to exterminate. It becomes a serious question what is to become of Christian missions if such a policy as that of the Sirdar and of Major Nathan is to prevail.
American Protection to Islam.
A similar objection is made to the protection guaranteed to Islam in the Sulu Archipelago by the treaty made by General Bates with the sultan of the Mohammedans in that portion of the Philippines. This treaty grants the sultan an annuity from the United States Government, and permits established institutions—including slavery and polygamy—to continue unmolested. A provision is made whereby a slave may purchase freedom by paying his owner $20, but there seems to be little reason to believe that Sulu slaves have any means of obtaining the wherewithal. We believe that these provisions of the treaty are entirely against the letter and spirit of the Constitution of the United States, the Thirteenth Amendment to which distinctly says that "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude . . . shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction."
It is also difficult to reconcile the express provision made against polygamy in Utah and that permitting it in the Sulu Islands. We grant that these are some of the knotty problems which are bound to arise from the extension of the jurisdiction of the United States to include distant peoples with established institutions so contrary to the beliefs of the American people. Should the present policy of the government be continued, it will be necessary either to "expand" the spirit and the letter of the Constitution, or to prepare for endless trouble in our dependencies. The problems are similar to those faced by England in Zanzibar slavery and Hindu polygamy. We trust that the United States Government will grapple with them promptly, and settle them righteously.
—Editorial in Missionary Review
DESTRUCTION OF IDOLS IN AFRICA.
By Editor
WE find in the Church Missionary Intelligencer an account of a remarkable movement in abolishing idolatry at a place named Ugbolu, in the Niger Mission. The story is so interesting that we give it in full:—
“After one of the meetings a man named Maduagu remained behind. This man is noted as the greatest hunter of the place, and is reputed to have killed ten hippopotami, ten buffaloes, an elephant, and a vast number of wild boars, deer, porcupines, monkeys, etc. Altho not a native of Ugbolu, yet he has attained such power and influence as to take precedence of even some of the kings. He asked what was to be done with the idols. I told him they were to be taken out of his house and publicly destroyed. To this he agreed, and we arranged that it was to be done at 3 P.M., when those who went to farm would have returned. An hour afterwards one of the young men brought us his idols and told us to come into his house in the afternoon and see if there was anything else that should be removed. Charles and I then sought a quiet corner and poured out our hearts in gratitude to God for such signs of encouragement. At 3 o’clock11we assembled all the young men and some of the children who were learning to read, and went to Maduagu's house. Many of the heathen, drawn together by curiosity, came also to see. After singing and prayer, the work of destruction began. Maduagu's Ikenga—the chief idol, that was believed to have endowed him with power to become a famous hunter—was brought out. It was armed with knives and matchets, with which it was to execute vengeance on Maduagu's enemies. It had also ornaments of several strings of cowries, horns of buffaloes, tusks and teeth of hippopotami, making it, on the whole, a hideous-looking object. The helpless idol was very soon deprived of these paraphernalia and put into a basket, together with a number of other smaller ones, and sent to the mission yard to await the public burning. From Maduagu's house we were invited to another, and then another, and another, to our greatest astonishment and gratitude. In every house to which we were invited not only did we remove the wooden idols and destroy those of earth, but also every vestige of superstition, be it only a little horn and a piece of rag tied together. I can not state correctly the number of medicine pots that we smashed into atoms, but forty would be the lowest number. These had been prepared by the country doctors for various purposes, some for driving away witches, some for good luck, and some for driving away enemies in time of war. The horrible stench emitted from some of these medicines was enough to cause malarial fever, and the wonder is that our deluded brethren could have believed that these abominable things could have helped them in any way.”
BE STILL.
By Lura Brower
Be still, and look within;
There, hushed from worldly din,
The voice of Love speaks low
All that the soul need know.
Be still—and seek His will
In all things. He can fill
Thine inmost soul with calm,
So deep no false alarm
Of danger can decrease
Thine inward sense of peace.
Fast folded in His love,
From harm thou art secure;
And, like the rocks above
The waves, canst storms endure.
Oakland, Cal. Lura Brower.
HEATHEN MEDICINE.
Dr. Willard Parker used to say, "Medical missions are clinical Christianity." The first thing an embryonic Chinese medical student does is to commit to memory the three hundred places in the body where skewers may be driven through with safety. Some of these so-called safe places are through the abdomen and lungs. Suppuration is treated by dabs of tar-plaster. A favorite remedy for anemia is a jelly made from the bones of a man recently killed. A criminal execution is largely attended by practitioners, to obtain this valuable ingredient. Ophthalmia is still treated in some parts of China with a lotion of boiled monkey’s feet, pork, and alcohol. In Korea the bones of a tiger are considered a specific for cowardice. A strong tiger-bone soup will make a hero of the most arrant coward. They argue thus: The tiger is very strong; his bones are the strongest part of him; therefore a soup of his bones will be pre-eminently strengthening. Superstition is paramount. In China charms are worn to expel evil spirits; gongs are beaten and firecrackers ignited. Imagine the state of mind of one sick unto death surrounded by a crowd who are vying with one another as to how much noise they can make to frighten away the demon causing the illness. Cruelty is practised. In Arabia an ingenious expedient for relieving a patient is to burn holes with red-hot irons ‘to let the disease out.’ Dr. Hall gives an account of a visit to a child by a Korean physician, who first made some pyramids of brown powder and set them on the chest and ignited them until the skin became raw. Then he thrust a long needle through each foot and the palms of the little hands and into the thumb-joints and through the baby’s lips. Imagine, if you can, the agonizing screams of the child while this barbarous and useless treatment was being practised.—China Medical Missionary Journal.
CHINESE EVANGELISTS.
IN a certain village, called San Yuam, which is known as the “Gospel Village,” the native converts were anxious to secure a room to hold services in, and so they undertook to build a place themselves, and also find the material. A chapel was in this way erected to accommodate 300 or 400 persons, and the cost to the Baptist Society was only £15. When Mr. Shorrocks was returning to England the people presented him with a silk
banner, bearing the inscription in Chinese characters, “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord,” and their spokesman said, “We can't give you a big present, but we will contribute 500 days' labor in building a school where our leaders can instruct us.” “On one occasion,” narrates Mr. Shorrocks, “my colleague and I were much surprised to see some men coming toward us with wheelbarrows. We soon discovered that they were bringing a number of petitions from 200 villages, urging the missionaries to go out to teach them.”
