ARE YOU DISSATISFIED WITH YOUR PHYSICAL CONDITION?
By David Paulson, M.D.
THE pathetic words, "O wretched man that I am!" spoken by Paul with reference to his spiritual condition, are echoed by thousands of chronic invalids all over the land respecting their physical condition. They likewise are raising the vital question, "Who shall deliver from the body of this death?" Many of these unhappy mortals flock to mineral springs, and drink large quantities of brackish water, hoping thereby in some way to atone for their physical transgressions. Others remain at home and swallow enormous quantities of various digestive tablets, which are guaranteed to cure all digestive disorders, while they give the suffering dyspeptic the comforting assurance that he can "eat what he likes," in deliberate defiance of the Scripture, which declares, "Be not deceived; . . . whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
The problem as to how to get rid of their annoying bodies will soon be solved for many; for if they continue their health-destroying habits, nature will soon give up the struggle, and they will drop into premature graves. How much better it would be to die and be resurrected on the instalment plan! This is precisely the plan nature has ordained for us. Our old body is constantly being cast off, and a new body is being ushered in. Those who become sufficiently enthusiastic and intelligent in reference to the matter, may trade off, as it were, their sickly bodies for healthy and useful bodies; in other words, they may physically "put off the old man," and "put on the new man." To facilitate this change, so as to secure the best results, pure food, vigorous exercise, and tonic hydrotherapy are as essential for the body as faith, hope, and charity are for the growth of the soul.
DAVID PAULSON, M.D.
TONGUE AND EARS.
SOME one has said that a tongue alone works little mischief. When willing ears listen to what a tongue may say, and move other tongues to repeat what they hear, then evil begins. If one is not absolutely deaf, it is often wise to become so, so far as listening to what may be said that ought not to be said. Write it down in your memory that evil speaking is powerless unless willing ears wait that they may give currency to the evil words.—Sabbath Recorder.
Repentant Sinners Victories for Good
EVERY sinner that turns to God proves another victory for good over the powers of evil. The angels see in each repentant sinner another proof of the ultimate victory of righteousness over sin.
HORSES ONLY TWO FEET HIGH.
PERHAPS the most remarkable discovery ever made in America was the diminutive race of horses found recently near a great lake in the wilds of Wyoming. The tiny equines, tho less than two and a half feet high, were perfect specimens of fully-matured horses. Exact images of fine horse flesh as seen to-day, they were, nevertheless, smaller than any pony living at present. Amazement filled the minds of the scientific men who found the little animals.
Thousands of them inhabited the shores of the lake, yet they have never been found elsewhere. Perhaps some choice food peculiarly adapted to their needs grew only along its shores. It is doubtful if they were ever ridden by man, and certainly a human of normal size would never have attempted to bestride so small a creature. If dwarfs rode upon the Lilliputian steeds, no traces of their presence have yet been found.—Selected.
God Claims You
It is told of the late Earl Cairns that when he was a little boy he heard three words which made a memorable impression upon him: "God claims you." Then came the question, "What am I going to do with the claim?" He answered, "I will own it, and give myself to God." He went home and told his mother, "God claims me." When he was appointed lord chancellor he was teacher of a large Bible class, and his minister, thinking now he would have no time to devote to that purpose, said to him, "I suppose you will now require to give up your class." "No," was the reply, "I will not; God claims me."—Exchange.
Scene on 24th Street, Galveston, Texas, after the Storm.
AN APPEAL
By Clara Barton
To the Manufacturers of and Dealers in Lumber, Hardware, Builders' Materials, and Household Goods, and to the Business Men in General of the United States.
GALVESTON, Texas, Oct. 7, 1900.
GENTLEMEN: By the conditions which surround us, conditions which only those seeing them would be likely to conjecture, and none so likely as yourselves to comprehend, we are constrained to address you.
This unfortunate seaport island and town had four weeks ago a population of about forty thousand persons. In one day and night it is estimated that approximately ten thousand of these were either drowned or killed by the fury of the storm. The buildings were largely slate or metal roofed; this broken rock must have been hurled through the air like cannon shot. The bodies found are badly mangled.
We believe it is reliably stated that there is not one house in the area of the storm undamaged by it. A large proportion of those persons formerly occupying them are entirely without homes, or even shelter, save such as persons nearly as destitute as themselves can offer them temporarily, to their own great inconvenience and cost.
The number of this homeless class is estimated at eight thousand or more. Winter is less than two months away. Altho a mild climate, still snow and ice are known here. If tents would protect, which they would not, the sea sand and the quicksand would not hold them down; the first norther would leave their occupants as unsheltered as before, and hardships, colds, pneumonia, and consumption would finish what the storm has left.
Some substantial shelter must be had at once for these people, and it would seem to be the duty of those on the ground to put the facts in an intelligent form before the people of the country, who are not here and can not see for themselves, and who could not comprehend without seeing.
With this view the National Red Cross has, with the co-operation of the general committee, obtained estimates of the best-known architects of the vicinity regarding the material needed for the construction of the necessary number of houses, tenements, or homes for the suitable sheltering of these now unsheltered thousands of suffering people.
The following is a summary made up from these joint plans, and represents substantially the lumber and building material that would be required to shelter about eight thousand people in the most ordinary one-story, weather-proof houses, built singly, or in blocks of tenements.
25,000 pieces 2x8, 16 feet long.
10,000 pieces 2x4, 16 feet long.
90,000 pieces 1x6, 16 feet long.
50,000 bricks for chimneys.
7,000 squares of felt roofing, 3-ply.
50 kegs 8-penny nails.
17 kegs 20-penny nails.
Carpenter's tools for 100 carpenters.
Bedsteads, bedding, chairs, tables, stoves, crockery, cutlery, and sewing machines sufficient to furnish about 700 four-room houses in a modest, comfortable manner.
Some 4,000 dwellings and all their contents were absolutely washed away or lie in the piles of wreckage—a worse than worthless mass, a menace to the safety of the remaining portion of the city.
The havoc wrought by the storm in Galveston alone was much larger in loss of life and property than at Johnstown, but the donations in money thus far have aggregated one-third less for both the city and the mainland than was given at Johnstown.
Wreck of Hotel and Post-office, Galveston, Texas, after the Storm.
While the bountiful outpouring of the people's generosity enabled the general relief committee and the Red Cross to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and render the streets of Galveston partially passable, nothing has yet been done toward reinstating the impoverished survivors in houses where they can escape disease and enjoy a slight measure of the comforts of which the storm deprived them.
It is for the purpose of awakening the sympathies of the American people, and further appealing to their bountiful instincts to rescue these sufferers from the hardships still confronting them, that the above statements have been put forth.
Of the material named, it is believed that Texas and Louisiana would prefer to furnish a large portion of the lumber. The other building material and household goods must come from those States which produce such articles.
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS,
CLARA BARTON, President.
STEPHEN E. BARTON, 2nd Vice-Pres.
BE GLAD.
Be glad when the flowers have faded?
Be glad when the trees are bare?
When the fog lies thick on the fields and moors
And the frost is in the air?
When all around is a desert,
And the clouds obscure the light,
When there are no songs for the darkest day,
No stars for the longest night?
Be glad when the world is lonely,
And the heart has been bereft?
When, of all the loves of the young springtime,
Scarcely a friend is left?
Be glad in the desolate valley,
After the sunny hills?
When the joy of the morning is far behind,
And the gloom its task fulfils?
Ah, yes! for the truest gladness
Is not in ease or mirth?
It has its home in the heart of God,
Not in the loves of earth.
God's love is the same forever,
If the skies are bright or dim,
And the joy of the morning lasts all day,
When the heart is glad to Him.
—Selected.
THE ABBOT'S CROP.
A STORY is told of an abbot who wanted to buy a field near his monastery. The owner would not sell it, but at last he consented to lease it for the growth of one crop. The abbot planted it with acorns; with oaks growing on it, he was sure of the land as long as he and his fraternity might want it. Satan outwits good people sometimes in a similar style. He gets the first planting of children's hearts, and he has them for life.
BRITISH CENTRAL AFRICA.
THE degeneracy of the human race has reached a low degree in this region, according to accounts written by missionaries. Mrs. George H. Babcock, a missionary of the Seventh-day Baptists, tells of their condition, in the Sabbath Recorder. Here are some extracts:—
'Their custom of living is in a nude state, and they will remain for weeks on the top of high mountains, where the temperature may be 40° in the daytime and 29° at night, and yet wear nothing but the usual loin cloth in the daytime, and consider themselves well shielded by a thin covering of calico at night, provided they can light a fire and go to sleep with their feet toward the blaze.
'For their houses a wooden frame is formed in a circle made of strong poles. Around these split bamboos are bound crosswise and tied tightly, by wetted bark rope, on either side of the pole they clasp. The bamboo ribs are close together, and the structure appears like the beginning of a huge hamper. In between the split bamboo, mud is squeezed. This mud is made by the women carefully pudding it with their feet, and the mudding is nearly always done by women. Joined to the house there is a yard, inclosed by a reed fence about six feet high, and connected with the veranda. In this yard the women do most of their cooking.
'They are early risers. At 4 o'clock in the morning, women can be seen hurrying to a fountain, hoping to find water before the others come and get it all. This they carry in large earthen pots on their heads. The women gather fire-wood, pound the maize in a wooden mortar, grind it into flour, and also find the green herbs which are used in place of meats. These, with the stiff maize porridge, is the chief food. In the rainy season they have to work in the garden, in addition to their household duties.
'From early childhood they are taught impurity; but, notwithstanding this, we learn from all historic records that when taught the love of God and Christianity, this vileness leaves them, and they are as strongly moral and pure as they have been deep in impurity and vice.
'Polygamy is one of their greatest evils. The rich hold the power to purchase the greater number of wives. A certain number of cattle will purchase one wife. 'Women are often bargained for by their parents before they have entered their teens.' If her husband should drive her away by his cruelty, she could claim these cattle as her own. We are told that it is no uncommon thing to find gray-headed men, with half a score of wives already, choosing, bidding for, and securing, without the women's consent, the young girls of the tribe. These are often cruelly treated by the older wives, and their lives are one continuous quarrel and jealousy, followed by the most cruel treatment, that only the uncivilized could think to practise. The husband may have several villages where these wives live, as many as his riches may allow.
'Their most powerful belief is witchcraft. If a person is sick, the main question is, Who has bewitched him? If his plans have failed to mature, What evil spirit has been working against him? The witch doctor lives upon the fear of the people, and his power for evil over the people is unlimited. Wicked men and chiefs make use of him, and for punishment he can remove any person who is disliked or accused. They believe him to be the agent between them and their ancestral spirits, whom they believe in and worship, and who, they think, give him power. The knowledge of medicine is considered to be an heirloom. Each house has a family spirit to whom they sacrifice, but the itshanusi, or witch doctor, must first be consulted.
'They believe in hades. Women are often found wandering about the country, smeared with white clay and fantastically dressed, calling themselves 'chiefs of hades.' They are greatly feared, for the natives believe that they can change themselves to lions and other wild beasts, who can devour any one who may not treat them well.'
Yet Christ died for even these, and we who know the way of life are debtors to take the word of truth to them.
OUR WORK AND WORKERS.
By Editor
THE annual week of prayer will be observed December 22-29.
THE Gleaner reports the baptism of three candidates at Williamsport, Pa., October 14.
AT Connellsville, Pa., Brother C. S. Longacre reports six persons observing the Sabbath of the Lord as a result of the faithful labors of the canvassers.
A VERY interesting and profitable Sabbath-school convention was held in the church in this city on Sabbath, October 20. Two sessions were held, and both programs were filled with pointed subjects and excellent music. There was a good representation from both the San Francisco churches and from Alameda.
IN the Wisconsin Reporter Brother J. C. Neilson notes the addition of two persons to the company at Baldwin, and a full organization of the Sabbath-school; also one new member added to the church at Poy Sippi, and the near completion of their new church-school building; also the addition of four members to the church at Linwood.
BROTHER B. O. WADE, of Tokyo, Japan, when sending to this office an order for books and tracts, speaks encouragingly of the progress of the work in that country. He also mentions the fact that Sister W. C. Grainger has joined her daughters, who have found it necessary to go to the mountains on account of their health. Brother Wade finds that even in Japan "the harvest is ripe."
AT the last annual meeting of Ohio, conference officers were elected as follows: President, A. G. Haughey; vice-president, H. H. Burkholder; secretary, E. A. Merriam; treasurer, A. A. Lander. The tract society officers are the same, excepting that the secretary is also treasurer, and Clara V. Radabaugh is corresponding secretary. Sabbath-school officers were chosen as follows: President, Ida M. Walters; vice-president, Katherine E. Miller; secretary and treasurer, Clara V. Radabaugh.
GOLD STANDARD
NO. 27.
This pen is made from the best pen steel by the most experienced workmen. The coating with real gold prevents rusting, gives a smoothness to the points, and can easily be kept clean and bright, as the ink does not adhere to the metal as with plain steel pens.
Sample box, 12 Pens, sent post-paid on receipt of 10 cts. Ask for No. 27.
SPENCERIAN PEN CO.
349 Broadway, New York.
Church Growth and Missionary Mothers
At Osceola, Iowa, three visiting brethren—F. L. Moody, C. W. Neal, and Chas. Heald—gave much encouragement to the church. An invitation being given to those who desired to unite with the church, twelve persons made application for membership. Five were children of members, and others had attended tent-meetings at Weldon last summer.
We are now in the midst of the last great missionary effort that will ever be made in this world; therefore missionary effort must be made in every department of life. Hence a "training class for missionary mothers" need not strike the public as simply a novelty. The following from Mrs. E. H. Whitney will be read by many with suggestive interest:—
"So little has been said about this class and its work that doubtless few know of the excellent work it is doing. The course of instruction comprises regular lectures, recitations, and practical instruction and work throughout the year, with advanced work for any who may take a second year's instruction. The instruction is given by those who have made a special study of the work, and have had practical experience in their several lines—members of the Sanitarium Nurses' Training School faculty, teachers trained in the best methods of kindergarten, sloyd, kitchengarden, grade work, etc. The following are among the subjects taught: Kindergarten, child nature and character building, the training of children, physiology and hygiene, a short course in practical treatments, physical culture, hygienic cookery, domestic economy, sloyd, primary sewing as adapted to children's classes and city mission work, Bible study. The above courses vary in length from a week to ten months. To those whose proficiency during the first year makes further study seem advisable, courses are open for more advanced work—special studies in kindergarten work, the study of child nature and methods of training, normal methods of teaching, hygienic cookery, Bible study, kitchengarden, simple dressmaking, nursing, etc. As will be seen from the above program, the course offers an excellent preparation for missionary work, either home or foreign. Opportunity is given at the Haskell Home for a limited number of students to meet expenses of board, room, and tuition by work. For further information address Mrs. E. H. Whitney, Sanitarium, Battle Creek, Mich."
PERIODICALS WANTED.
CLEAN copies of SIGNS, Review, Sentinel, etc., for missionary work. Address, post-paid, Mrs. E. Foltz, 841 East Park Street, Butte, Mont.
"WHY BRAINS GET MUDDLED."
By Editor
SUCH is the partial title of one of the seven excellent general articles which will appear in the Educational number of the Pacific Health Journal. Some of the others are: "Education vs. Cramming," by the president of Battle Creek College; "Hygiene of the Mind," by the superintendent of the St. Helena Sanitarium; and "Heating and Ventilation of Public Schools," by a prominent St. Louis architect. This number of the Journal will be well worthy of careful study and a wide circulation.
The price will be only $2.25 per 100, and it will readily sell at 5 cents each. It will be ready early in November. Address Pacific Health Journal, St. Helena, Cal.
BABY'S FIRST WARDROBE.
Hygienic patterns for complete outfit, based on healthful principles. Twenty-two patterns, together with a beautiful booklet on the proper care of infants, sent post-paid, for 50 cents. Full directions for making, showing necessary material, etc.
Mrs. F. M. Kellogg, Battle Creek, Mich.
38 Washington Avenue.
Strength for Today
By Christian Advocate
God's promise of daily strength is like a sure anchor, which holds even in the most terrific tempests of life. That anchor never fails; that cable never parts.
The Christian must not expect exemption from the cares, burdens, and disappointments of this life. They will come; and they may come like an avalanche. "Many," says the psalmist, "are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivereth him out of them all." And the way of deliverance is frequently through the acceptance of the strength which He gives to meet the daily need. In view of these things, the child of God should take courage, and bear with patience whatsoever burden may be placed upon his shoulders. Bear the burden just for to-day, and let the strength which God imparts help you to bear it.—Christian Advocate.
China’s Disturbance and Prophecy
MANY hearts bleed for our poor missionaries in China. In our estimate, the present disturbance in China is the beginning of the greatest war that the history of the world has ever known. In the light of scriptural prophecy, it may be the "last dark night before the dawn of eternal day."—Western Christian Union.
SATAN AND HIS ANGELS.
By Mrs. M. C. Burnham
1. ARE there such beings as angels?
"And the Angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham; and he said, Here am I." Gen. 22:11.
"Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared." Ex. 23:20.
"My God hath sent His Angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me." Dan. 6:22. See also Luke 2:9-15.
2. Are these angels higher than man?
"What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? . . . Thou madest him a little lower than the angels." Heb. 2:6, 7.
3. Are these angels mightier than man?
"Angels, which are greater in power and might." 2 Peter 2:11.
4. What else does the Bible call the angels?
"Who maketh His angels spirits; His ministers a flaming fire." Ps. 104:4.
5. Have all the angels always remained without sin?
"God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment." 2 Peter 2:4.
6. What should we do in regard to the spirits?
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God." 1 John 4:1.
7. How should we try them?
"To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20.
8. What is the commander of the fallen angels called?
"Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." Matt. 25:41.
9. In what other ways is he designated in the Bible?
"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan." Rev. 12:9.
10. What did Jesus say He saw Satan do?
"And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." Luke 10:18.
11. What was the position he once occupied in heaven?
"Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth." Eze. 28:14.
12. What was then his name?
"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!" Isa. 14:12.
13. What are the evil angels able to do?
"For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles." Rev. 16:14.
14. Of what did Jesus warn His disciples?
"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Matt. 24:24.
15. In whose name will they perform these signs and wonders?
"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?" Matt. 7:22.
16. What may we expect in the last days?
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." 1 Tim. 4:1.
17. How will Satan have power to appear?
"For Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." 2 Cor. 11:14.
18. How will Satan be able to work?
"Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish." 2 Thess. 2:9, 10.
19. What will be the effect of these miracles?
"And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do." Rev. 13:14.
20. What kind of spirits are they?
"For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles." Rev. 16:14.
21. Why will people be deceived by these things?
"Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." 2 Thess. 2:10.
22. What is the truth?
"Thy law is the truth." "All Thy commandments are truth." Ps. 119:142, 151.
HAVING studied the whole of the third chapter of Galatians, it will be well to pause and take a comprehensive view of it. As a preliminary step, however, read carefully through the first two chapters, so as to have clearly in mind the foundation of the third. If you can read and think through those chapters without the book in your hand, so much the better. Then read the third chapter through as a whole several times, noting carefully the connection of all the various parts as you pass along. The following questions may serve as a guide to the study, and may be suggestive of many more. Be careful, however, not to wander off into speculation. It is not by wandering, not by dreaming, or fancying, or guessing, that we arrive at an understanding of the Sacred Word, but by meditating upon it. Consider what it says, and the Lord will give you understanding.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
What does the apostle call the Galatians?
What does he indicate has been done to them?
By what question does he remind them of how they had received the Spirit? By what means was it?
In what did their foolishness consist?
How had the Spirit been ministered unto them, and miracles been wrought among them?
With whose experience was this work of faith in harmony?
Whose children, then, are they who hold to faith?
What was foreseen in Scripture?
What proof did God give that He would justify the heathen through faith?
In what words was the Gospel summed up to Abraham?
What, then, do all who are of faith receive? Who are blessed? With whom are they blessed?
What of those who propose to save themselves by the law?
Why are they cursed?
Who are cursed?
Is the curse for doing the law?
Then what would follow if any one did the law?
But is anybody made righteous by the law?
What is the evidence?
Who only can live in the law? Has anybody done it? Then in what condition are all men by nature?
What has Christ done for us?
What is the curse of the law?
How has Christ redeemed us from its curse?
In what way was He made a curse?
Why did He thus redeem us from the curse?
What is the blessing of Abraham?
What have we seen the curse of the law to be?
Since the curse comes from not continuing in the law, to what condition must the redemption from the curse bring us?
Being redeemed from the curse, what do we receive?
What is true of even a man's covenant?
To whom did God make promises?
How explicit is this statement? Who is the Seed?
How was the promise of God confirmed to Abraham?
How long was this before the giving of the law?
Then what could the law not do?
If the inheritance were to come through the law, what would become of the promise?
But how was the inheritance assured to Abraham?
What, then, was the use of the law?
What purpose does it serve? For how long?
In whose hand is it?
Who is the Mediator?
What great comfort do we get from the fact that the law is in His hand?
Is the law then against the promises of God? Why not?
How does it stand related to the promises?
What must that which gives righteousness also be able to give? Who only can give life? Then from whom alone can righteousness come?
What has the Scripture done to all men?
Where has it shut them up? What for?
What is the only door of escape?
What office, then, has the law? To whom does it drive men?
When we accept Christ by faith, what do we find?
What do we become? What about putting on Christ? Who put Him on?
What is it to be baptized into Christ?
What, then, becomes of all national and social distinctions?
If we be Christ's, what are we? If children, then what?
Then who constitute the one Seed?
And when will be the time when the Seed comes to whom the promise was made?
The Winning of Margaret
How Margaret and her skeptical friend Ralph were converted. A well-told story. Price, $1.00 per 100.
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING CO.
New York City
Oakland, Cal.
Kansas City, Mo.
