We note in the Review that Brother Wm. Guthrie has been elected president of the Maritime Conference.
The addition of three to the company at Pittsville, Wis., is noted in the Reporter, by Brother P. M. Hanson.
A new house of worship, with a special provision for school purposes, is being erected by the church at Paw Paw, Mich.
At Bareilly, India, a Salvation Army captain recently decided to use our excellent paper, the Oriental Watchman, in her work for six months.
Encouraging word comes from Brother Harry Armstrong concerning the work in Ceylon. He recently commenced labor in Colombo, with promise of good results.
Three members were added to the church at Sextonville, Wis., at the last quarterly-meeting; and the addition of two members to the Madison church is also reported by Brother W. S. Shreve.
Our brethren of the “Watchman” Press, Calcutta, India, recently printed their first Bengalee tract, “God’s Love for Man,” on their own press. They expected soon to print in Bengalee and Hindi.
A report in the Indiana Reporter, from Brother B. F. Machlan, notes the baptism, at Fairland, of eight students of the Manual Training Academy, three pupils of the church school, and two from the Rocklane school.
A letter from Brother F. D. Starr informs us that he is engaged in a tent effort at Colville, Wash. Associated with him are Brother A. D. Schlothauer and wife, and Brother C. J. Rider. At the time of writing, some had commenced the observance of the Sabbath, and others were much interested.
We invite attention to the table of contents of the August number of the Bible Training School, which can not fail to be of interest to many of our readers. This is a very interesting and helpful little journal, and this special number is unusually valuable. Price, 5 cents. Per year, monthly, 25 cents. Address, South Lancaster, Mass.
The June issue of Eastern Tidings (Calcutta) says: “Brother Shaw spent a pleasant Sabbath, June 11, at Simultala. Three Santhal students were baptized. Brother Barlow has, in all, fifteen Santhal boys in his school. They are fine-looking fellows, and are eager to learn. We are looking forward to the time when many Santhals shall accept Christ and His Word. We thank God for the good beginning which is being made.”
From Hortense, Tenn., Brother A. Barry writes: “Hortense is a small colony of negroes, most of whom are quite industrious, and have small homes of their own. I came here in February, and have in a large garden and a small field of corn. I visit among the people, holding Bible-readings, and sometimes preach. We are living the truth among them. Land is cheap here, and we could establish a school of industry, making it self-supporting in a short time.”
Mrs. J. Lyman, of Arroyo Grande, Cal., writes: “While attending the conference meeting that was considering how to teach music in the home and church schools, I told them of the simple method known as the Tonic Sol Fa system. Many wanted to know where to get the books, but I was not then prepared to give them the addresses, but promised to send them to the Signs. The books can be had of the Biglow & Main Co., 76 E. 9th Street, New York City; Oliver Ditson Co., New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, or Boston; Novello, Ewer & Co., New York.”
As our people engage in earnest work for the Master, murmuring and complaints will cease. Many will be aroused from the despondency that is ruining them body and soul. As they work for others, they will have much that is helpful to speak of when they assemble to worship God. The testimonies that they bear will not be dark and gloomy, but full of joy and courage. Instead of thinking and talking about the faults of their brethren and sisters, and about their own trials, they will think and talk of the love of Christ, and will strive earnestly to become more efficient workers for Him.—Mrs. E. G. White.
After the camp-meeting at Canton, S. D., meetings were continued in a tent. Of the work there Brother E. G. Hayes writes to the Dakota Worker: “The camp-meeting had an excellent influence upon the city in every way, but still many are afraid to attend the meetings for fear they would have to believe the message.” This is just the condition of thousands of people in the world; our people meet them everywhere—men and women who frankly acknowledge that we have the truth, but they have not the courage to step out, and live by it. They find various excuses for not obeying, but at the bottom of it all is the fear of becoming unpopular in some way, and of consequent financial or social disadvantage. It is a pitiable condition, but it is not a new thing. See John 12: 35-43.
From a letter in the Workers’ Bulletin, written by Brother T. H. Jeys, who lately went to North Carolina, we take this item: “While at Eufola, I visited the schoolhouse built by Brother J. O. Johnston on his farm. The furniture is home-made, but is comfortable and convenient, and shows a commendable zeal to rise, and do what God tells His children everywhere to do.” As an indication of his early appreciation of his new field, Brother Jeys says: “We are glad we are here. It is a needy field, and many difficulties present themselves, but thus far we have seen plainly the hand of God directing. There are some perplexities here that are never thought of by our northern brethren. The color line is a much vexed question which we must handle with great caution, or, rather, we must carefully avoid handling it at all, if it is possible to do so.”
A SUCCESSFUL REPROOF.
The following incident, says the India Witness, was related by Dr. Lambuth, secretary of the M. E. Church, South, gleaned during an official visit to Japan:—
“A foreign missionary of our church (M. E. Church, South) strongly addicted to the use of tobacco, on leaving the United States, carried great quantities of cigars with him, fearing he would not be able to secure them in Japan, and at all hours of the day he would be seen smoking. A young prince was converted under his ministry and joined the church. For several months following he seemed very happy.
“One day he went to the missionary and said: ‘Sir, something is in my heart to wish you had never come to Japan, for you are a stumbling-block in the way of my friends. There are five or six young men of the royal family (Sumari class) who are my close associates, and I tried earnestly to persuade them to accept the Christian religion, but they say they have no faith in it, for you, who are its exponent, do not live in accordance with your doctrine. You preach about Paul, who said the body is the temple of God, and His Spirit dwells in it and it should be kept pure, which is a reasonable service, but you defile it in every way by the use of tobacco. Sir, tobacco is keeping my princely friends out of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.’”
“The missionary was amazed. Looking at the young man steadily, he said: ‘If you can prove to me that this is true, I will never touch tobacco while the world stands.’”
“The prince ran from the room and quickly returned with the young men, his princely friends, who all declared that the testimony of the prince was true, that they could not accept a religion that had so little effect on its followers.”
“The missionary, convicted in such a manner, unhesitatingly brought the remainder of his cigars out and destroyed them in the presence of the young men, vowing never to touch tobacco again. The young prince hurriedly left the room again. Returning in a few minutes, he brought a package carefully wrapped up in paper, which he proceeded to unwrap, disclosing the stump of a cigar. Turning to the missionary, he said: ‘I used to watch you as you walked up and down the orchard smoking, and one day I saw you throw away a piece of your cigar. I took it up, and carried it to my room, placed it where Japanese place their gods—over the doorway—and every day I would kneel under it, and pray for my God to deliver you from your god—tobacco. My prayer has been answered.’ In the course of time the prince had the happiness of seeing all his young friends accept the religion of Christ.”—Selected.
MAKING THE BEST OF IT.
“You are building a good wall there,” said a passer-by, stopping to look at a workman by the roadside. “Some of your material looks rather poor to work with, too.” And he glanced at a pile of rather rough, jagged stones.
“I don’t choose my materials,” the man answered simply. “What I’m here for is to build as good a wall as I can with the stuff that’s brought me.”
The same is true of the life we are building. We can seldom choose our material. Circumstances we can not control bring us this or that, bring disappointment instead of the joy we look for, weakness instead of the strength with which we meant to do so much. Many a rough and unexpected thing befalls, many an occurrence which we not only did not desire, but against which we cry out in bitter protest. Still it comes to us—material that some way, for good or ill, must find its place in our building. We can not choose our material, but we can choose what we will do with it and what it shall do for us—whether it shall weaken or strengthen the character we are forming.—Selected.
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LESSON IX.—THE SONG OF TRIUMPH AND THE MARRIAGE SUPPER.
(Study for Sabbath, August 27.)
QUESTIONS.
1. AFTER the events of our last lesson, what song of triumph did the prophet hear? Where was it sung? By whom? What did they say? What caused these joyful emotions? Rev. 19:1-4.
2. What is heard from the throne? Verse 5.
3. What response is given to this command? Verse 6. Note 1.
4. What other special reason for praise is given? Verse 7.
9. What admonition is given the waiting church? Luke 12:35, 36.
10. Who received an invitation to the marriage supper? Luke 14:15-23. What did many who were bidden do? Were they excused?
11. Is it blessed to be invited to this supper? Rev. 19:9. Who will serve? Luke 12:37. What promise will then be fulfilled? Matt. 26:27-29. Have you been invited? Are you going? Note 2.
12. What garments will be worn by the saints? Rev. 19:8.
13. When the King came in to see the guests, what did he find? Matt. 22:11. What excuse was offered? Verse 12.
15. How did the view of this glorious scene affect the aged prophet? Verse 10, first part. Note 3.
16. Did the angel accept worship? What work did he say had been given him?
17. How is the “testimony of Jesus” defined? Verse 10, last part.
NOTES.
1. Christ evidently is the One who speaks from the throne. He has passed through all the experiences of the redeemed, and met the fiercest assaults of the enemy. He is still the Son of Man. “In taking our nature, the Saviour has bound Himself to humanity by a tie that is never to be broken. Through the eternal ages He is linked with us.” He still bears in His body the marks of the crucifixion. Now He beholds with supreme joy the travail of His soul, and is satisfied. Isa. 53:11. He bids the ransomed host to sing, and they respond with such a chorus of praise as has never been heard in heaven before.
2. “Soon we heard His lovely voice again, saying, ‘Come, My people, you have come out of great tribulation, and done My will; suffered for Me; come in to supper, for I will gird Myself, and serve you.’ We shouted, ‘Alleluia, glory,’ and entered into the city. And I saw a table of pure silver; it was many miles in length, yet our eyes could extend over it. I saw the fruit of the tree of life, the manna, almonds, figs, pomegranates, grapes, and many other kinds of fruit. I asked Jesus to let me eat of the fruit. He said, ‘Not now. Those who eat of the fruit of this land, go back to earth no more. But in a little while, if faithful, you shall both eat of the fruit of the tree of life, and drink of the water of the fountain.’”—Early Writings, page 15.
3. When John heard this triumphant song from all the redeemed host, arrayed in their glorious robes of righteousness, and saw them seated at the marriage supper of the Lamb around that table which is “miles in length,” he was so overcome by the sublimity and splendor of the scene, that he fell at the feet of Gabriel, who was revealing it to him, to worship him. If a view of the scene so affected the prophet, what will it be to be really there?
(1) “And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. (2) Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to-morrow about this time. (3) And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. (4) But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, It is enough; now, O Jehovah, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. (5) And he lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and, behold, an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. (6) And he looked, and, behold, there was at his head a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. (7) And the angel of Jehovah came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for thee. (8) And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the Mount of God.”
Golden Text.—“In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and He heard me.” Ps. 120:1.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) When Ahab had returned to Jezreel from Mount Carmel, what did he tell Jezebel? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) How did Jezebel manifest her anger? Verse 2. Note 2. (3) When Elijah heard of the queen's determination what did he do? Verse 3. Note 3. (4) On leaving his servant at Beer-sheba, where did Elijah then go? Under what shelter did he seek rest? How did he manifest his great discouragement? Verse 4. Note 4. (5) What indicates his depressing fatigue? Who came to nourish and encourage him? What did the angel say? Verse 5. (6) As Elijah awoke and looked about him, what did he see? What then did he do? Verse 6. Note 5. (7) What further service did the angel render? Verse 7. (8) What was the effect of this second meal? By what other name is Mount Horeb known? For what is it specially noted? Verse 8. Note 6.
NOTES.
“BIBLE TRAINING SCHOOL.”
Contents of August Number.
When I Read My Bible Through. (Poetry.)
The Two Covenants. Mrs. E. G. White.
Pioneers in the Third Message. J. N. Loughborough.
The History of the Covenants. Mrs. S. N. Haskell.
Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown? (Poetry.)
Men of Tears.
A Birthday Song. G. B. Thompson.
Live the Truth. (Poetry.)
The Covenant Sealed. Mrs. S. N. Haskell.
Christ and the Covenant. Mrs. E. G. White.
Five Books. S. N. Haskell.
The Old Covenant.
The Blood of the Covenant. S. N. Haskell.
Like Heaven. (Poetry.)
The Terms of the Two Covenants. Mrs. E. G. White.
Bondage or Freedom.
Choice Selections.
Covenants.
History of the Keene Orphanage.
When Will the Marriage Supper Be Celebrated?
Lessons from the Sun.
Bible-readers’ Class.
Wisdom. Helen McKinnon.
How God Maintains the Justice of His Government. G. T. Wilson.
Thoughts for Bible Students.
A Tribute. Mrs. Philmon.
Roll of Honor.
Address,
BIBLE TRAINING SCHOOL,
South Lancaster, Mass.
TO THE PATRONS OF EMMANUEL MISSIONARY COLLEGE.
By E. A. Sutherland
I wish to state that at the close of the summer school, August 16, I shall retire from the presidency of Emmanuel Missionary College, and Prof. H. A. Washburn, formerly of Bethel Industrial Academy, Bethel, Wis., will, on that date, assume the responsibility of this position.
I have been asked by the Lake Union Conference to spend the time, until October 1, visiting the camp-meetings in company with Professor Washburn in the interest of this institution. After that I shall devote my time to the development of the Nashville Agricultural and Normal School. Information concerning Emmanuel Missionary College should hereafter be obtained from Professor Washburn. Kindly address all communications to H. A. Washburn, Berrien Springs, Mich.
Sincerely, E. A. Sutherland.
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HOW TO PAY YOUR WAY THROUGH COLLEGE
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“Relations,” Something for All to Think About.—
That excellent paper, the Sunday-School Times, presents the following common-sense, Christian answer to a question, the principles of which should commend themselves to every Christian worker:—
“What is the relation between this organization and that?” is a favorite question these days. Sometimes it is asked as tho the bodies inquired about were distinct, as in this question from a Maryland reader:—
In brief, what is the relation the Young People's Meeting should sustain toward the church and the Sunday-school?
In brief, the “Young People's Meeting,” the “church,” and the “Sunday-school,” are one, and therefore they don't “sustain relations,” except as one's right eye and left eye sustain relations. The Christian “church” is the existing body of Christ's followers on earth. The Sunday-school is the church teaching. The Sunday morning or evening congregational service is the church worshiping. The “Young People's Meeting,” or “Society,” is the youth of the “church” banded together for work and worship and study. As well ask, “What is the relation the son and the daughter should sustain to the family?” They are the family. They each have their own work to do, and in doing that work with all their might they make the family a living power in the world. Part of their work is to help each other. How?—In every possible way that lies within reach. If they are hard enough at work they won't have time to ask about their “relations.”
To Our Correspondents.—
By Editor
We have many correspondents. Many questions are asked to be answered through the SIGNS. Many must be answered by letter. Many other letters must also be written. Besides this, the editor’s whole time may be profitably filled with other work. While we wish to help our friends and readers all that we possibly can, yet we are forced many times to neglect correspondence for what seems more important work. However, our correspondents may help us in these things. Let us ask them to: (1) Be patient at our often long delay. We will answer every letter which seems to demand an answer, and as soon as we can. (2) Be sure to give post-office directions clearly, post-office, county, and state, if a village, if the place be small; number and street, if a town or city, or, if preferred in either case, number of post-office box. If the post-office from which you write is not your permanent address, please give your permanent or future address. (3) In asking questions, let them be as brief as possible, and to the point. Do not ask an explanation, as some have, of the last eleven chapters of Ezekiel, the third chapter of Galatians, or a half dozen other Scripture texts, on which a volume might be written. Such questions must, of necessity, wait a long time, or go unanswered. (4) In asking an explanation of a text, please state the special point in your mind. Sometimes a text is very broad, and we are not mind-readers. (5) In sending a contribution to the paper, do not paste the sheets together in one continuous strip. That is the worst way possible. Do not write on close-lined or very thin paper. Some not-too-well prepared manuscript has come to us typewritten on tissue paper. Do not run the lines close together. This makes it difficult to interline corrections. Write plainly on any good paper, on one side of the sheet only, with lines not too close together, properly paged at the top, and fold them in the ordinary way, as the size of your envelope demands. (6) If you desire an answer, please inclose stamp. Is this asking too much? Also sign your name, not for publication unless you desire it. Anonymous contributions find their way to the waste-basket. (7) The Subscription, Manufacturing, and Editorial departments of the office are separate. Please do not mix business. You need not pay extra postage, but place each on a separate slip of paper, with post-office, state, date, and name of writer on each. If all our correspondents will heed these suggestions (some already do), it will greatly assist both us and them. (The proof-reader says, “Write articles in ink.”)
