The mothers, sisters, and daughters of India's higher classes, both Hindu and Mohammedan, live in seclusion, like nuns in a convent. They are called "purdah-women," and their home, a "zenana." The word "purdah" means veil or curtain, and does not apply to any article of apparel, but to the curtains that screen them wherever they go. Little girls enter strict purdah at an average age of ten years, and after this, whether married or not married, are never allowed to go out for fresh air, pleasure, or exercise, except in their own tiny, private gardens. They are so trained by their elders that they cover their faces, and run or hide, if there is a possibility of their being seen by any man other than their husband.
One could live in India years, and never be greeted save by the toil-worn faces of working women of the low classes, if there was not a way into the homes of these secluded ones. The way is open. Praise the Lord! Hundreds of lady missionaries are at work all over India visiting the imprisoned ones, and the Lord has of late laid this work specially on our hearts.
Some interesting times have been had. We entered a Mohammedan's home, that of the governor of the state. The mother and daughters appeared, and conversation began. They knew little of the world. They admitted they were in prison, but laughed at the thought of ever going out, this being their custom.
It would be as difficult to bring the imprisoned women of Hindustan out, and do away with the purdah system, as to abolish the liquor traffic. We asked if they would not like to call at our home, and suggested they accompany their father, brothers, and husbands in their evening outing for fresh air; but they laughed again, and said, "It is our custom." One little girl looked thoughtful and wistful, as if she wondered what the world was like, but an older daughter, who undoubtedly had taken a look at the world in some journey, bore a more independent air, as if she would come if she could, but laughed, and said, "O, I'm in jail; we stay in prison till we die, then we are carried out to the grave." How sad and how true are these words!
At the king's palace a score or more of women came to the drawing room to see us, the king's two wives and their children being among them. We felt it a privilege to be summoned before the queens to bear witness of the wonderful love of Jesus, but it was very little they understood of the songs we sang, and much less of our blissful freedom. We asked if it were possible for the queens to come out, but the superintendent said, "No, they are in jail." This was the home of a Hindu king, and people would laugh if the king should take his wives out.
At a Hindu schoolmaster's home we were welcomed so warmly, and bright, broad smiles covered their faces as we explained to them more of the way of life, of which they had heard some at the chapel services, and it was evident that "almost" they were persuaded to be Christians. The people are coming out, as we go from house to house, and we are expecting a revival among them. The caste rules are rigid, but not stronger than God's mighty power. The purdah system seems the most cruel of all.
OBSTACLES TO CHRISTIANITY IN THE PHILIPPINES.
By Editor
[By the editor of the New York Observer.]
“THE Spaniards were Christians,” said a leading Filipino, “but we like the Americans better, because they are not Christians.”
“I do not care to go to church,” said an American girl in Manila, “because one meets such an indiscriminate gathering there.” The young lady had been to a cock-fight on the previous Sunday afternoon, but she showed plainly the irritation she felt at being invited to attend a religious service.
If the question were asked, “What is the greatest obstacle to Christian work in the Philippines?” probably every clergyman in that archipelago would say:—
“The Example of Americans.”
The gross violations of financial confidence by Americans in civil, military, and business life, resulting in newspaper exposures and terms of imprisonment; the indulging in customs which offend the Filipinos, and which fill the society columns of the newspapers, lead the natives to reject that form of religion which the Americans represent. . . . The friars do not let an opportunity slip for deepening or creating the impression that the Spaniards, and not the Americans, are the real Christians.
The attitude of the American Government is strictly non-partisan. Any man may worship God as he pleases. A Roman Catholic, an Aglipayan, a Protestant, or an infidel, will be protected equally in his worship or non-worship. At the same time, there is an impression among the American teachers and civil government employees that their superiors will be better pleased if nothing is done by Protestants which serves to emphasize their religious tendencies, such as the entertainment of missionaries or Bible agents, or the attending of Protestant services.
Aside from the attitude of the government, whose non-Catholic representatives have not been openly in favor of Protestantism, the social customs of many Americans do not aid the missionaries, who ought to be assisted by the people from the home land. The Filipinos drink their native wines, but seldom to excess. After weeks of travel throughout the provinces and of residence in Manila, I have seen only one native who seemed to be under the influence of liquor.
Montigo Girls, Malutca, Philippine Islands.
“I do not know what your custom is,” said our American host in a provincial town, as we were on our way to call upon the Filipino priest, “but unless you are strongly opposed to drinking wine or beer, I hope you will not refuse it. The priest will not understand your refusal; but if, on principle, you can not take anything, it will not matter so much, as I will take a glass of everything that is offered.” Not only did he keep his word, but his wife also took both beer and American wine, and gave each of the children a sip or two from her glasses, and later, at another home, took a cigaret, when they were passed, not to smoke, as she admitted, but because she was afraid to offend her neighbors, whose customs meant so much to them.
It seems pitiable that Americans consider it necessary to sacrifice their own sense of right in order to conform to the customs of those whom they should teach Christian principles. When a Filipino calls upon another native, the host never thinks of offering him beer or whisky, but these are considered necessary when an American calls.
The church-going habit by Protestants seems to have been well-nigh forgotten. With thousands of Americans in Manila not Roman Catholics, the three small Protestant churches are never full. The Methodist, Presbyterian, and Protestant Episcopal bodies all contemplate the erection of new church buildings, but not because the present ones, seating from one to two hundred each, are ever crowded. On a recent Sunday, at the second service, fifteen persons were in the audience, including eight who were in some way connected with the church and its official work. The sermon would have done honor to a Philadelphia or a New York audience.
It is not infrequent to hear a person say: “I have not been to church in a year, or more than twice in two years,” adding, as if there were some virtue in the confession, “I would never think of staying away from church so long at home, nor would I have supposed it possible that I could do so before I came to the Philippines.”
In the provinces, outside of one or two cities and army posts where there are chaplains or association secretaries, there is practically no church attendance on the part of the Americans, Protestants or Catholics. A mission to the Americans in the Philippines is quite as necessary, perhaps more so, than a mission to the Filipinos. The clergymen in Manila and Iloilo, and in one or two other places, are doing all that they can to help their countrymen who are willing to be helped.—Missionary Review.
A SONG OF HOPE.
By Mary A. Lathbury
CHILDREN of yesterday,
Heirs of to-morrow,
What are you weaving—
Labor and sorrow?
Look to your looms again;
Faster and faster
Fly the great shuttles
Prepared by the Master.
Life's in the loom,
Room for it—room!
Children of yesterday,
Heirs of to-morrow,
Lighten the labor
And sweeten the sorrow.
Now—while the shuttles fly
Faster and faster,
Up and be at it—
At work with the Master.
He stands at your loom,
Room for Him—room!
Children of yesterday,
Heirs of to-morrow,
Look at your fabric
Of labor and sorrow.
Seamy and dark
With despair and disaster,
Turn it—and lo,
The design of the Master!
The Lord's at the loom,
Room for Him—room!
—Mary A. Lathbury.
Half a Mind
“ Nothing of worth or weight can be achieved with half a mind, with a faint heart, or lame endeavor.”
OUR WORK AND WORKERS.
AVONDALE SCHOOL, Cooranbong, N. S. W., reports 140 students the present term.
AT Ridgefield, Wash., two candidates were recently baptized by Brother W. F. Martin.
TWO CONVERTS to the truth are reported by Brother Jacob Hoptra, who is laboring among the Hollanders, at Grand Rapids, Mich.
FROM the Welcome Visitor we learn that the English Lutheran church at Defiance has been opened to our brethren for meetings, which are conducted by Brother G. P. Gaede.
MEETINGS held in Great Falls, Mont., in February, by Brethren W. B. White and Paul Iversen, resulted in the baptism of six persons, who were united with the church.
IN Halifax, N. S., February 9, after a discourse on the Sabbath question by Brother Wm. Guthrie, six persons expressed their conviction of duty to observe the seventh-day Sabbath.
A COMPANY of ten Sabbath keepers was organized at Apollonia, Wis., February 27, by Brother Swin Swinson. A leader, clerk, and treasurer were chosen, and they design to organize a church school this summer.
THE officers of the Sanitarium Board for Washington, D. C., are as follows: President, W. C. White; vice-president, G. A. Hare, M. D.; treasurer, J. N. Nelson; secretary, J. R. Scott; business manager, A. P. Needham; financial secretary, J. S. Washburn.
TWELVE converts, in connection with meetings held at Midland Junction, West Australia, by Brethren J. Pallant and N. J. Walldorff, is the substance of a report in the Record. Brother Pallant also notes the baptism of nine candidates at Newcastle, W. A.
In the Wisconsin Reporter, Brother J. Kloss says:
"At Mattoon I found a man and his wife keeping the Sabbath. They have had no connection with our people, but learned the truth some years ago through Brother Plante and the books he sold them, and now desire baptism."
IN the Reaper Brother J. A. Holbrook reports that in February four persons at Twisp, Wash., took their stand for the truth. Also, in March, thirteen persons were added to the church at Pomeroy. The brethren at this place are planning to erect a house of worship.
UNION COLLEGE, of College View, Neb., is to be represented at the St. Louis Exposition. President L. A. Hoopes is preparing an exhibit, together with written information concerning the institution. Many views of the internal workings and of the surroundings will be included. The student enrolment for this year numbers 362.
THE Canadian Union Conference Committee recently adopted a resolution to remove headquarters from Montreal to Toronto. This means also the removal of the Canadian Publishing Association, a branch of which is to be established in the Maritime Conference. The change of headquarters will take place about May 1.
IT has been decided to locate the headquarters of the Religious Liberty Department of the General Conference at Washington, D. C., and Brother W. A. Colcord has been appointed secretary. Aggressive educational work is to be the policy of the department, which should receive the hearty support of all lovers of the Golden Rule.
THREE ladies in the town of Prentice, Wis., have recently taken their stand with those who "keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." Sister Martha E. Kinne also notes in the Reporter that a German family of six, living seven miles from the place, have commenced the observance of the Sabbath. Some of them walk to the meetings every Sabbath.
"TESTIMONIES FOR THE CHURCH," Vol. 8, No. 36, is now ready. The volume is divided into five sections, as follows: Present Opportunities, Counsels often Repeated, Letters to Physicians, Be on Guard, The Essential Knowledge. The subdivisions number forty-four. The instruction given in this volume is both important and timely, and, as in the past, it ever brings the reader back to the sure foundation and the vitalizing truth of the Word of God. The prices are as follows: Flexible russia, $1.25; cloth, 75 cents. Address, The Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal., or any of our branch offices or tract societies.
IT seems that Emmanuel Missionary College, at Berrien Springs, Mich., is really a college of missionaries. Writing to the West Michigan Herald, Brother Wm. Covert says that on February 9 thirty new students arrived, and ten more were to come a week later. The letter says:
"The facilities for students, lodging and comfort in this institution are not yet perfected, and there was some questioning as to whether such a large addition to the school could be made comfortable. But the faculty and pioneer students were quite equal to the occasion. It was a true inspiration to learn that those who had been in the school could and did give up their rooms to the new arrivals, so as to extend to them the best possible welcome and comfort. The welcome given and the beautiful spirit in which it was received made the occasion very profitable and pleasant."
The reader will not fail to note the wonderful contrast between this reception of new students and such an occasion at some of the popular world's colleges. Imagine, if you can, the "seniors" of a popular college giving up their rooms to accommodate a lot of "freshmen" and make them comfortable!
THE Riverside (Cal.) Enterprise of March 2 devotes a column and a half to a notice of the Adventist faith and the new Seventh-day Adventist church building in that city. It speaks very highly of the new building, and of the ministration of Pastor Wm. W. Simpson. We clip the following interesting paragraph:—
The building of the church edifice was a marvel of "faith with works," for it was just a month from laying the first brick of the foundation till services were commenced in the building, and yet only one man was hired, a carpenter, on the construction, all the rest being volunteer work by members of the church, with the exception of the plumbing and the wiring for lighting. One feature of this rapid construction was that no work was done on Saturday, their Sabbath, but the orthodox Sunday, when the members could work nowhere else, they gathered here and put in good work "for the Lord" on what is usually called "the Lord's day." The very handsome front doors and the three large plate-glass windows came from the Dyer Bank building when it was remodeled, and in this way this church could afford to have plate glass windows, where other churches are content to use the common article. The bell tower at the corner of the building over the entrance is topped with a very handsome ornament, presented by a member of the Catholic Church, who attended services one night in the tent and became much interested in the doctrine preached there. The finishing of the auditorium inside is very neat and handsome, and when the folding chairs now in use give place to the pews that are in course of construction, and the elegant cement bridge across the canal in front, which is to lead directly up to the front doors and vestibule, is completed, with the proposed improvements of the grounds, this society will have one of the neatest churches in Riverside.
POVERTY AND SIN.
A MISSIONARY of the Wesleyan Mission in India writes to Christian Work from Karur that the Hindu women are generally very ignorant as to the real nature of sin. “One poor woman the other day told me, ‘O, yes; I know I am a sinner, and I go every day to the temple, and pray to the gods, because I am such a sinner!’ I thought I would find out what it was that made her feel herself such a sinner, for, as a rule, these people have no sense of sin. So I said: ‘In what have you sinned? What is sin?’ She held up a ragged part of her very old, torn garment, and said with astonishment, ‘Is not this sin enough? and I tell Him I want rice and money, I am a sinner.’ She really meant that she was poor, and that to be poor, to be in want, to suffer, is sin. They know no sense of guilt before God, because they have not seen Him.”
Thus the enemy of truth has deluded millions with the idea that poverty is sin, and that their poverty makes them unworthy of the favor of God. What they need to learn is, not the sin of poverty, but the poverty of sin. The Lord of glory became poor in order to make poor sinners rich. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, tho He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.” 2 Cor. 8:9. “Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?” James 2:5. The really poor man is he who is not “rich toward God,” no matter how great his worldly wealth.
MASHONA PRACTISES.
By Rev. R. Emory Beetham
Not long ago the community was shocked by an outrage which took place among the natives near Umtali. It was perfectly proper in their own eyes, but to civilized Christians it was blood-curdling. A Mashona woman gave birth to twins. A few minutes after, the mother placed the infants in a pot, and scattered some red-hot coals over them, and with a stick in her own hands poked the fire down into the children until they were dead. It is a native custom to destroy all twins at birth. Of course, the method will vary according to circumstances.
The "rain-making custom" is equally heathenish. When the natives are suffering from drought, they have been known to frequently resort to the following method of making rain: A boy and a girl are caught, killed, quartered, and placed in vessels. An ox is treated in the same manner, and mixed with the human flesh. Then these vessels are set at various places about the villages, and the rain is supposed to come soon.
And yet there are people who do not believe in missionary work.—Rev. R. Emory Beetham.
Mission Work in Morocco
Mission Work in Morocco.—The editor of Gospel in All Lands says that the Central Morocco Mission at Rabat, North Africa, reports that the work of the past year has been fruitful, especially the medical part. Over 9,000 patients, including 1,000 women, have been treated at the dispensary, and 965 visits paid to the sick at their homes. In his report Dr. Kerr speaks of the work among the women as particularly interesting. "We have had visits from the beggars of the street, and from ladies belonging to the best families in the city. Ladies of the upper class do not wish their neighbors or the general public to know that they have consulted the Christian doctor. Hence, as they are always veiled when out-of-doors, they can come with more secrecy to the mission house than I could go to visit them in their own homes. Usually a day is fixed for a consultation, and, when the time arrives, a faithful slave is sent on to see if the way is clear, while another remains at a safe distance with the lady. When the signal is given, the patient enters the mission house, and, after I have seen her, Mrs. Kerr carries out the prescribed treatment in the lady's home." Thursday is always a busy day, as students and teachers are then free. Many journey from the surrounding districts for books, some a distance of thirty miles. The number of books sold and circulated this year among Jews and Moslems has been considerably greater than in previous years. Dr. Kerr is frequently cheered by visitors asking for gospels and New Testaments.
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Mrs. W. T. HICKLIN requests those who send our periodicals to her for missionary work, to address Dayton, Ore., instead of Willamette, as before requested.
Back numbers of any of our periodicals or tracts. Address, Mrs. A. E. Dickerson, 508 S. Third Street, Temple, Texas.
NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS OF THE PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY.
NOTICE is hereby given to all whom it may concern, that the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Pacific Press Publishing Company, a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the state of California, will be held at the office of the company on the southwest corner of Twelfth and Castro Streets, in the city of Oakland, county of Alameda, state of California, on Monday, the twenty-fifth day of April, A. D. 1904, at 9:30 o'clock A. M.
The election of directors for the ensuing year, the advisability of amending, repealing, or adopting new by-laws, of changing the principal place of business of the corporation to the town of Mountain View, in the county of Santa Clara, of selling the property of the corporation, of re-organizing the corporation, and such other business as may be necessary or proper to be transacted, will come before the meeting.
By order of W. T. KNOX,
President of the Pacific Press Publishing Company.
A. G. MILLER,
Secretary of the Pacific Press Publishing Company.
Special Notice.
In view of the important questions that are to be considered at the next annual meeting of the stockholders of the Pacific Press Publishing Company, it is not only desirable but necessary that there shall be as large an attendance of stockholders as possible. To this end it has been thought best to postpone the meeting and hold it in connection with the California Conference and camp-meeting, which is to convene in Berkeley, the first of June.
But in order to comply with the law, it will be necessary to call the first meeting of the stockholders at the regular time and place prescribed by the by-laws. This meeting, however, will be adjourned (no objection being offered) to meet on the camp-ground at Berkeley, Tuesday, June 7, 1904, at 10 o'clock A. M.
Stockholders who can not be present at this adjourned meeting are requested to have their stock represented by proxy. Blanks and all necessary information will be furnished by the secretary. Address, A. G. Miller, care Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.
By order of the directors. A. G. MILLER, Secretary.
(2) "AND after six days Jesus taketh with Him Peter, and James, and John, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves: and He was transfigured before them; (3) and His garments became glistering, exceeding white, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them. (4) And there appeared unto them Elijah with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. (5) And Peter answereth and saith to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. (6) For he knew not what to answer; for they became sore afraid. (7) And there came a cloud overshadowing them: and there came a voice out of the cloud, This is My beloved Son; hear ye Him. (8) And suddenly looking round about, they saw no one any more, save Jesus only with themselves.
(9) "And as they were coming down from the mountain, He charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, save when the Son of Man should have risen again from the dead. (10) And they kept the saying, questioning among themselves what the rising again from the dead should mean. (11) And they asked Him, saying, How is it that the scribes say that Elijah must first come? (12) And He said unto them, Elijah indeed cometh first, and restoreth all things: and how is it written of the Son of Man, that He should suffer many things and be set at naught? (13) But I say unto you, that Elijah is come, and they have also done unto him whatsoever they would, even as it is written of him."
Golden Text.—"A voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son; hear Him." Verse 7.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What three disciples did Jesus take with Him for a walk on a mountain side? What occurred as He was praying with them? Verse 2. Note 1. (2) What is said of His appearance? Verse 3. Note 2. (3) Who else appeared at the same time? What were they doing? Verse 4. Note 3. (4) What did Peter say to Jesus? Verse 5. (5) Why did he make such a proposition? Verse 6. Note 4. (6) What other strange phenomenon then appeared? What came from the cloud? What did the voice say? Verse 7. Note 5. (7) Soon afterward how were the disciples again surprised? Verse 8. Note 6. (8) As they were returning down the mountain, what charge did Jesus give the three disciples? Verse 9. Note 7. (9) Did the disciples heed the Master's charge? What question greatly perplexed them? Verse 10. Note 8. (10) What inquiry did the disciples make in regard to Elijah? Verse 11. (11) How did Jesus answer this question? What did He add concerning Himself? Verse 12. Note 9. (12) What further reference did He make to Elijah? Verse 13. Note 10.
NOTES.
1. Six days after the occurrences noted in the last lesson, Peter, James, and John were several times favored with special privileges. This was not because Jesus was partial in His favors, but because these three seemed to grasp the lessons of the Gospel more readily than the others, and were therefore better prepared for advancement. These three were taken into the room where the daughter of Jairus was healed, and later they were chosen to be with Him in His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. The apostle Paul also recognized them as "pillars." Gal. 2:9. Luke (ch. 9:28, 29) says that Jesus went up into the mountain to pray, and that as He prayed the transfiguration took place.
2. Not only was His raiment as "white as the light," but "His face did shine as the sun." Matt. 17:2. Thus it was indicated that the divinity within shone through the veil of humanity to unite with the glory from above. Compare Acts 9:3 and Rev. 1:16.
3. Moses had been resurrected by the Lord (Jude 9), and Elijah had been translated without seeing death (1 Kings 2:11). Moses had been a type of Christ (Acts 3:22; John 1:45), and Elijah a type of the forerunner of the Lord (Mal. 4:5, 6; Luke 1:13, 17). Luke says Moses and Elijah were talking with Jesus about His death. This visitation in response to the earnest nocturnal prayer of Christ on the lonely mountain was evidently for His encouragement, and to give Him renewed strength for the approaching ordeal.
4. This remark of Peter's was altogether out of place; we might say, impertinent. But Peter was wont to deem it incumbent upon him to say something on nearly all occasions. And there are other "Peters" who are prone to think it will not do to allow any occasion to pass without a word from them, even if it be irrelevant. Too often such speakers, like Peter of old, do not know what to say.
5. A cloud of angels, the token of the presence of God, whose voice was heard from the midst. "Hear Him."—This exhortation from the Father Himself is to us who study this lesson to-day, as well as to the disciples of old. We are to get our instruction direct from His Word. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.
6. When they heard the voice, the disciples "fell on their faces" (Matt. 17:6, 7), and did not dare to look up any more till Jesus touched them and told them to arise. During the time they were hiding their faces, the heavenly visitors had departed.
7. There was good reason for the Lord's not wanting the disciples to tell at that time what they had seen. They did not sufficiently understand the event to tell it intelligently. At first they were asleep, then so bewildered that they did not know what to say, and at last they were too much afraid to even look on the scene. Under such circumstances they could not well comprehend the situation. Besides this, the people would not be likely to believe their story. But in his after ministry Peter made a good practical use of this transfiguration scene, which is also written for our benefit. See 1 Peter 1:16-18.
8. The questioning as to what the rising from the dead should mean, was evidence that the disciples had not believed, and therefore had not comprehended, His former lesson on that subject. Mark 8:31-33. This was another reason why they were not prepared to make known the strange fact of the transfiguration; for there was Moses, who had been resurrected.
10. The "Elijah" that had come was John the Baptist. See Matt. 11:7-10. No greater than he ever had been born of woman. Verse 11. He verily came "in the spirit and power of Elijah," as the angel of the Lord had said. Luke 1:17. And as it had been done to the Lord's special messenger, so it would be done to the Lord Himself.
LESSON III.—THE SEVEN CHURCHES—PERGAMOS AND THYATIRA.
(Study for Sabbath, April 16.)
QUESTIONS.
1. TO WHAT period were we brought in the last lesson?—To the days when, under the patronage of Constantine and the great of earth, the apostate wing of the church and the world joined hands and the Roman Empire was said to be "converted."
2. Under what name does the Spirit address the loyal church in this third period? Rev. 2:12, first part. Note 1.
3. How is the speaker described? Verse 12, last part. Note 2.
4. What words of approval are spoken? Verse 13. Note 3.
5. What words of censure? Verses 14, 15. Note 4.
6. What warning is spoken? Verse 16.
7. What exhortation and promise is addressed to those who have compromised with evil? Verse 17.
8. By what church is the next, or fourth, period represented? Verse 18. Note 5.
9. Who speaks, and how is He described? Verse 18. Note 6.
10. What does He first mention?—The virtues. In what terms? Verse 19.
11. What is the reproof? Verse 20. Note 7.
12. What threat is uttered against the apostate power? Verses 21-23.
13. How does the Lord encourage His own, but erring, church in days of apostasy? Verses 24, 25. See Isa. 42:3, 4.
14. What promise is made to the faithful under oppression? Verses 26, 27. Note 8.
15. What pledge of victory has the believer? Verse 28. Note 9.
16. With what call does the message close? Verse 29.
NOTES.
1. "Pergamos" means height or elevation. The so-called conversion of the Emperor Constantine took place in A.D. 323. The same power which had been used to persecute and put to death millions of the Christians was now turned in their favor. Thus a flood of worldliness and pagan doctrines was brought into the church.
2. The description suggests the need of discipline by the hewing of the Word of God. Rev. 1:16; Heb. 4:12.
3. "Where Satan's seat ^is.* It was following the supposed conversion of Constantine that the flood-gates of error were opened, and every form of false doctrine was brought in. Constantine was nothing but a heathen to the day of his death. His so-called conversion was wholly an affair of political policy. Nearly every false doctrine in the Roman Church to-day, and very many still retained in Protestant churches, came direct from paganism, and were brought into the church at that time. Truly it was where Satan's seat was.
4. The apostate Balaam having failed by direct attack to bring a curse upon Israel, counseled Balak to seduce them into sin and so indirectly accomplish the end. Num. 31:16. Here the church that had withstood the pagan persecutions was weakened by popularity, and the compromise with worldly principles, evil and falsehood springing up within. It is still the greatest danger of the church.
5. "Thyatira" means "sweet savor of labor," or "sacrifice of contrition," appropriately suggesting the torn and bleeding church of Christ in the dark days of papal rule. This period of the church may be said to begin about A.D. 538, the date marking the political supremacy of the Papacy, and introducing another distinct era in church history, namely, the 1260 years (538 to 1798) of Dan. 7:25.
6. The feet of burnished brass (see Rev. 1:15) are evidence that Jesus still walks the fiery furnace of trial with His loved ones.
7. "Jezebel is a figurative name, alluding to Ahab's wife, who slew the prophets of the Lord, led her husband into idolatry, and fed the prophets of Baal at her own table. A more striking figure could not have been used to denote the papal abominations. See 1 Kings, chapters 18, 19, and 21. It is very evident from history, as well as from this verse, that the church of Christ did suffer some of the papal monks to preach and teach among them. See the 'History of the Waldenses.'"—William Miller's Lectures.
8. The smiting of the nations (Ps. 2:8, 9) is performed by Christ, but associated with Him in the final judgment are all the saints. Ps. 149:5-9. During the thousand years they sit with Christ in judgment upon the wicked.
9. In that darkest hour of the church the Lord gives the assurance of the coming dawn. See Luke 1:78; Rev 22:16; 2 Peter 1:19. The light shed abroad in the believing sinner's heart by the Holy Spirit, Christ's representative, is assurance of the dawn of eternal day to those who "hold fast."
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25c. a cake at drug stores or mailed for 30c. by The Chas. N. Crittenton Co., 115 Fulton Street, New York.
NORTHFIELD HYMNAL
The long looked for hymn book
Just issued.
NORTHFIELD HYMNAL
By GEO. C. STEBBINS
For use in Evangelistic and Church Services, Conventions, Sunday Schools and all Prayer and Social Meetings of the Church and Home.
It contains a very large number of most useful and singable sacred songs, both new and old, among which are MANY of the favorite “Gospel Hymns” and “Sacred Songs.”
MANY NEW SONGS soon to become FAVORITES.
MANY Church Hymns and tunes, new and old, from the best American and English composers.
MANY pieces especially useful for Evangelistic and Convention Choirs, and many for Solo, Duet and Quartet purposes.
Substantially bound in cloth, $25.00 per 100.
5c. each per copy extra by mail.
Before deciding on the new hymn book for your church you had better see
## NORTHFIELD HYMNAL
A returnable copy for examination sent free to any earnest inquirer on application.
THE BIGLOW & MAIN CO., New York and Chicago.
AGENTS' BONANZA.
If you live in a manufacturing town, send 5 cents for a sample of AMERICAN HAND CLEANER. Removes all dirt and stain from the hands in an instant without injury to the skin. Prevents chapped hands. An agent wanted in every town. Fifty per cent profit for the agent. Circular will explain.
Address, ALFRED MALLEY, 907 Second Ave. Baltimore, Md.
