Singing birds are esteemed in all countries, but it is only in Japan that the musical sounds emitted by certain insects are appreciated.
Listening to these minute singers is, and has been for many centuries, a favorite pastime of the Japanese, and has given birth to an original commerce.
At Tokyo, toward the end of May and the beginning of June, one sees suspended under the verandas of houses beautiful little cages of bamboo, from which break upon the silence of the fresh twilight strange little whistlings of metallic modulations, of light trills, which fill the air with a delicate music. It is habitually in the evening, after the hour of the bath, that the people of Tokyo seat themselves and listen with delight to the shrill concert.
The most prized of these singing insects is the suzumushi. Its name means “insect bell,” and the sound which it emits resembles that of a tiny silver bell. It is a tiny black beetle, of a flat body and very vulgar appearance. The kutsuwa-mushi is so named because its cry resembles the sound made by a horse in champing his bit. There are two species of it, the one a light yellow, and the other a pale green. Really this insect is none other than a kind of winged grasshopper, of fat body and common in many countries.
Another singing insect much esteemed is the kiri-girisu, which is but a very large grasshopper, producing varied, strident sounds. Then there is the enamkorogi, which is a kind of cricket; the kusa-hibari, a minute grasshopper, which has a sound of remarkable clearness; the kantan, originally from China, and which sings only at midnight; the kane-tataki, whose song resembles the far-away sound of a clock. In Tokyo alone there are over forty merchants dealing in singing insects. This commerce is of relatively recent origin, but for centuries the Japanese have been fond of the music of these insects. Formerly they would go in parties to places where the little musicians abounded, pass the night there extended upon mats, drinking tea or sake, and listening to the harmony of the suzumushi and kutsuwa-mushi.
It is only about one hundred years ago that an amateur named Choso had the idea of capturing one of these insects for his own particular diversion. Then, the singing season over, he forgot a certain number in a closed vase. Great was his surprise, on opening it the following year, to find it filled with newly-hatched young. After that he gave himself up to the raising of singing insects, and so founded a trade which has become flourishing. Actually the greatest number of singing insects are artificially raised, by certain proceedings, so that their hatching corresponds to the seasons when their admirers love to listen to them and to combine their sounds.—St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
The Consequences of Transgression
“THOUSANDS of people are sowing the seeds of ill-health day after day. Because they do not reap an immediate harvest of disease, they flatter themselves that the immutable laws of nature do not apply in their cases. Be not deceived. Nature suffers long, and is kind; but every transgression brings in time its own recompense of physical suffering.”
A Sunny Spot
By Phoebe Cary
THE clouds may rest on the present,
And sorrow on days that are gone,
But no night is so utterly cheerless
That we may not look for the dawn;
And there is no human being
With so wholly dark a lot,
But the heart, by turning the picture,
May find a sunny spot.
—Phoebe Cary.
THE INFIDEL WOMAN.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox
[By Ella Wheeler Wilcox, in San Francisco Examiner]
A widower with four little girls thinks of marrying. He says: “What I want is a true, virtuous woman, if I should remarry; and I do not care whether she is an infidel or a Christian; for my four girls would at least be taught that virtue was the price of their inheritance.”
To me the most repellent object on earth is a woman infidel. She is as unnatural as a flower which breathes poison instead of perfume; as a child which curses instead of prattles.
Were I a man, I could contemplate any existence, however lonely or desolate, in calmness, rather than accept life-companionship with a woman devoid of religious belief. I do not understand how any human being faces life without faith.
It is easy enough to face death, if you believe it ends existence; but to face the vicissitudes of life and the death of those who make earth beautiful to you, with no strong divine arm on which to lean—it is an awful thought.
The woman who is to assume the care of four step-daughters will need the most devout faith in God and His guardian angels to sustain her. She will need to believe in the efficacy of prayer, and to send her troubled spirit to God on the wings of prayer every hour of every day, if she would meet the demands upon her patience, judgment, and good nature.
The woman who does not know the wonderful healing and helping influence of prayer, has not yet entered the anteroom of joy.
We do not always get that for which we pray. But we get much more than we pray for in the long run. We get inexpressible comfort and untold strength and fortitude, besides clearer vision and increased patience and wisdom.
Every woman needs all these in her relations to the ordinary events of life. She needs them to impart to men, who are dependent upon her for their best strength and highest attainments.
To be chaste is only one of the feminine virtues.
I have encountered chaste women whom I wanted to flee from as from a bed of snow. To remain meant to be chilled to death.
It is only where chastity is the white flame from the divine fire of the soul that it is beautiful.
The infidel woman must lack warmth and sympathy—that highest form of sympathy which is not pity, but love and understanding.
To understand our fellow-beings we must love them, and love the Source from which we all sprang. It was not chance or accident. One who studies even the rudiments of the marvelous construction of the universe must feel the magnitude of the great Intelligence which conceived it, and must thrill with reverence for something we call God. Not the petty, spiteful little being many churches worship as God—but the great All-soul of love. No, no, my mistaken friend, do not marry an infidel woman. Marry a wife whose heart is full of divine love.
Good Health
By Editor
Everybody wants it who hasn't it, but it is not always easy to get it.
GOOD HEALTH is the leading health journal of the world, and no household should be without it. It is the purpose of this magazine to give scientific instruction to those who are well whereby they can keep well; to the sick whereby they may be able to get well. Subscribers are at liberty to ask questions, which are answered in the correspondence department by the editor.
A special offer is made to subscribers for the next sixty days. Send us a year's subscription to Good Health, $1.00, and the names of five persons who ought to be interested in the question of diet, and we will send you Good Health for one year, postage prepaid, and our
FAMILY BOX FREE
Just think of it! $1.50 worth of Battle Creek Sanitarium Food Co.'s and Sanitas Nut Food Co.'s cereal and nut foods, and other household necessities, and a year's subscription to Good Health, a 64-page magazine, 800 pages a year, all for $1.00. We could not do this only that the manufacturers have made us a present of these articles to use for this purpose, well knowing that the merits of the foods will secure for them sufficient trade to pay their expense. Cut out this clipping and send to us with $1.00 and we will do the rest.
N. B.—We do not pay freight or express charges. Have the goods go by freight. Our Family Box weighs 14 pounds. Get six persons to join with you, which will make 100 pounds. Have all shipped to one address, and the expense will be but a few cents each.
GOOD HEALTH PUBLISHING COMPANY
Battle Creek, Michigan
EGGS
By C. H. Tyrrell
EACH VARIETY $1.00 AND $2.00 PER 15
Fancy Black Langshans, White Wyandottes and Barred Plymouth Rocks
Illustrated Price-list and Valuable Information free for stamp
C. H. TYRRELL
SIOUX RAPIDS, IOWA
SANTA FE ROUTE
ONLY LINE WITH ITS OWN TRACKS FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO CHICAGO
THE CALIFORNIA LIMITED
The Santa Fe new and sumptuous train, through to Chicago in 75 hours. Leaves every morning at 9 o’clock.
OVERLAND EXPRESS, with through Palace and Tourist Sleepers, to Chicago, every evening at 8 o’clock.
BAKERSFIELD LOCAL leaves every morning at 7.20, and STOCKTON LOCAL every afternoon at 4.20, giving best service through the San Joaquin Valley.
PERSONALLY CONDUCTED Tourist Excursions every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, in Vestibuled Tourist Cars.
The service on these Personally-Conducted Excursions, is all that counts for comfort and convenience. Clean linen and bedding, the proper lavatory and toilet accommodations are provided. The aisles are carpeted and the windows double, to keep out the dust, and wide to allow an unobstructed view of the scenery en route. Full information regarding the Santa Fe Route, with handsome folder and correct map of the section through which it runs, may be had at the Company’s offices.
CALL OR WRITE
1118 BROADWAY, OAKLAND
641 MARKET ST., SAN FRANCISCO
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.
MISSION WORK IN BRITISH GUIANA.
By Estella Houser
One hundred years before that hero of the cross, Captain Allen Gardiner, had conceived the idea of carrying the Gospel to the natives of Patagonia, the United Brethren and Moravian missionaries had entered the Guianas in the northern part of South America, and were teaching the bush negroes and Indians the way of salvation. Many were converted, and for more than 150 years this little spot in the “neglected continent” has radiated with light and hope.
The Boat Used by Missionaries on the Essequibo River. Mr. Daniels, the Owner, Sits in the Back End of the Boat; the Others Are Natives Going Out with Him for a Sail.
Its missionary history is one of thrilling interest. First victory, and then seeming defeat,—over and over again was this experience repeated. For many years it seemed that every convert would cost the life of a missionary; but another was always ready to take the place of him who fell, and hundreds are to-day sleeping in the Guianas who will respond to the Master’s call at the first resurrection.
British Guiana, the most northern of the three colonies, has a population of about 300,000. Of these almost one-third are Hindus, who, since the abolition of slavery, have been brought out from India under five and ten-year contracts, to labor on the large sugar plantations. The major part of these remain after their contract expires, and many have little homes of their own and are engaged in some line of trade. The remaining two-thirds of the population is divided among the negroes and aborigines, with a few English, Portuguese, Chinese, and mixed races.
A House in Bootooba.
The aborigines are remnants of various Indian tribes, such as the Arawaks, Warraus, Caribs, and many others, scattered in the interior.
The country is level for one hundred miles back from the seacoast, when it becomes very rugged and mountainous. It is interspersed with a perfect network of streams, navigable and very deep. Many not more than fifteen or twenty feet wide are found, on examination, to be as many feet deep. Every village and hamlet can be reached by boat. Indeed, at least one-third of the population can not be reached in any other way. Besides this, often during the rainy season the towns become so submerged that boats must be used as the people go from one part to another. One of our missionaries relates the following incident: Riding one day, during the rainy season, along the graded road (these are covered with burnt clay and earth, and are built above the high-water mark), he heard some one singing. At first he could not locate the voice; but on looking closer, he saw a black girl about sixteen years old, in the draining ditch beside the road. She was bringing in a load of wood, and having thrown it into the water, was wading along pushing it ahead of her. The water came to her chin, and as she moved slowly along, she was singing, “Peace, be still.”
The scenery on every hand is magnificent. The earth is clothed with living green, interspersed with flowers of various hues, while their fragrance and the songs of the many birds fill the air with delight. Were it not for the sin and degradation on every hand, it would almost seem that here the earth had again been restored to her Edenic beauty.
None of the Guianas can really be called heathen; the professing Christians can be counted by thousands, but the faithful missionary can find much to employ his time. A mission was opened in Georgetown, British Guiana, in 1887, which has now developed into several mission stations, with work among the negroes, Indians, and Hindus. The experiences of the laborers have been varied. The climate in many parts is unhealthful, and, being compelled to travel by water, frequently in open boats, the missionaries have endured much discomfort as well as ill health. The little vessel which we have illustrated is the one usually furnished by a Christian Indian to carry the missionaries up the Essequibo River, where they visit the Indians at several points. The other illustrations have been taken by the missionaries while in the field.
After ten years the mission of which we write was apparently abandoned, all the laborers having been compelled to leave; and the work was cared for by two natives. The converts were praying for a minister, and urgently calling on the home board to send them help. About this time a missionary who had formerly labored in West Africa was assigned to the British Guiana field. He arrived in Georgetown before the little church at that place had been apprised of his appointment. Imagine the joy of these Christians to find the answer to their prayers right among them.
The first missionary effort was to build up the little company of believers in Georgetown; but in a short time the outside interest grew to such proportions that the congregation became a crowd. The little church was seated to its utmost capacity, and some nights numbers were turned away because they could not find standing-room. The congregation has since grown until the church-building must now be enlarged.
The Lord has blessed in this effort; but the work for the Indians is of deeper interest. Generally speaking, the Indians are totally ignorant of God’s Word, and have but a vague idea of worship, even the worship of their heathen gods. They are timid; but they appreciate kind treatment, and will faithfully serve one who is their true friend. They seem to have but little mental capacity, yet they are capable of understanding God’s Word.
Seba, Once a Dutch Settlement, about 105 Miles up the River.
The first mission was opened on the Essequibo River in 1894. They met for worship under the spreading branches of a large mora-tree. Soon a building became necessary to accommodate the Indians that began to attend these services, and a small house 12x20 feet was erected to be used as a dwelling and meeting-house combined. This very soon proved inadequate for the attendance; and in the fall of the same year, 1896, land for a mission farm was leased, and in December a church 18x30 feet was ready for dedication. This is known as the Bethany Indian Mission.
The Lord not only blessed in bringing these people to a knowledge of their sins and giving them hearts to confess and forsake them, but several were healed of serious maladies; and this has had a permanent influence for good on the community. One was a girl who had been forsaken by her friends, even her mother having left her to die. She had heard that Jesus was a good “doctor,” so she requested that prayers be offered for her. It was done, and she recovered, to the astonishment of all and to the glory of God. Their old custom of making a hideous noise in the night calling for demons to heal the sick, has since that time been abandoned in this region.
The susceptibility of these people to the influence of truth is illustrated by the efforts of one young Indian lady. With but a limited and self-acquired education and with defective hearing, she supported herself while devoting one-half of her time to missionary work. As a result a company of twenty-one have been converted, among whom are her father and mother, four sisters, and two brothers with their wives. Besides these, many others are studying the Bible with her.
View of Dord, the Church of England Mission.
These innocent folk love the house of worship.13
On one occasion when our missionary visited them after several weeks’ absence, they received him most enthusiastically. In the Sabbath meeting one of the Carib Indians said: “I am so glad to come back to this God’s house [place of worship]. Beforetime when I come nobody here. I just come in here, and sit down and cry. My wife come with me, and we just cry. And when we are in the bush, I cry many times for God’s house; but now, praise God, we are here in God’s house once more.” These Indians know very little of how to work; and when told how we do in the United States, they plead for some one to come and teach them. Not one man in one hundred even owns an ax; the cutlass is the universal tool. They use it to cut brush and clear land, to plant all their fields, to gather their crops, to cut grass; indeed, it is almost their only farming implement.
There are thousands of these simple children of the forest roaming about like sheep without a shepherd. This is not only true of British Guiana, but of other parts of South America as well. They need help. Self-supporting missionary farmers would here find a fruitful field. Missions must be established among them, and faithful men sent to teach them the way of life.
Another important phase of the missionary enterprise in British Guiana is the evangelization of the Hindus, inasmuch as the increase of population is quite largely due to immigration from India. Thus far the little that has been done for the Hindus has yielded excellent fruit. Two brethren, who are truly converted, have united with our laborers, and are doing what they can for their own people. One of our missionaries writes: “As I have bowed in prayer with these two Hindu brethren, and heard their petitions in behalf of their own people, and seen their hearts become so full that they could scarcely utter a word, I must assure you that my heart went out in sympathy for them.”
Kawio Women and Child in Native Dress, Making Cassava Bread.
One of these, who has been laboring as a self-supporting missionary, was unable to make sufficient to pay his rent, and was ejected from his home before the missionary learned of the situation. With his family he had been sleeping in an old cow-shed. When asked where he was staying, he replied: “In the same place that the Saviour stayed when he came to this world. When I lie down at night, I look up to my Father, and remember that my Saviour was in this same kind of place when He was here.” Although his wife was sick and his son in need of clothes, yet he gladly sacrificed to labor for his people. Such love and devotion has not been lost. The few who have been converted give evidence, by the marvelous change in their lives, that a work of grace has been begun in the heart.
But much more must yet be done for the Hindus as well as the Indians. The work seems but begun. No Christian is released from the responsibility of carrying the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth. What has been accomplished is but an earnest of what we shall see when God’s people awake to a sense of their relation to Him in this world-wide work.
ESTELLA HOUSER.
THY CROSS.
By Lucy Burt
TAKE up thy cross, go forth and live.
What is thy cross? What must thou give
'Tis not of wood, heavy with woe,
That was thy Saviour's cross below;
'Tis not of jewels dark or fair,
That on the breast a priest might wear,
'Tis not a temple's trimming high,
That's viewed by every passer-by:
It may be only felt, yet known
To be Christ's will crossing thine own,
Thy will must then be crucified,
Or else for thee Christ has not died.
Take up thy cross, go forth, uplift;
Thy cross His will, thy heart thy gift.
'Tis thus our poor crossed wills define
The freedom of a will divine.
Henry, Ill. LUCY BURT.
AN APPEAL FOR OUR SCANDINAVIAN INSTITUTIONS.
FINANCIAL matters in Scandinavia have been passing thru a crisis. One business house after another has failed, and our own publishing house and sanitarium became involved thru the indebtedness of those that failed.
These institutions were founded for publishing the truth of the Gospel, the healing of the sick, and the instruction of all. For many years they have been a blessing to many precious souls. Now they are in peril, and the privilege is given all who can do so, who sympathize with their work, to come to their assistance. Their credit is still good; let it not fail. We quote the following from an appeal by Mrs. E. G. White, which has been sent out to our churches:—
“Those who love and serve God should feel the deepest interest in all that concerns the glory of His name. Who could see the institutions where the truth has been magnified, where the Lord has so often revealed His presence, where instruction has been given by the messengers of God, where the truth has been sent forth in publications that have accomplished great good,—who could bear to see these institutions used for common, worldly purposes? God would certainly be dishonored if His institutions were allowed to fall into decay for want of the money which he has entrusted to his stewards. Should this happen, men would say that it was because the Lord was not able to prevent it.
“These things mean much to our brethren and sisters in Scandinavia. They will be sorely tried if their facilities are cut off. Let us make an effort to prevent them from falling into depression and discouragement.
“Promptness of decision and action are necessary in this work. This is absolutely necessary when our institutions are in so great peril. Do what you can now to help those who need help. Those who do this work with faithfulness will be among the number to whom the Saviour’s words apply: ‘Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice.’
“One part of the ministry of heavenly angels is to visit our world and oversee the work of the Lord which is in the hands of His stewards. In every time of necessity they minister to those who, as co-workers with God, are striving to carry forward His work in the earth. These heavenly intelligences are represented as desiring to look into the plan of redemption, and the angelic hosts rejoice whenever any part of God’s work prospers.
“Angels are interested in the spiritual welfare of all who are seeking to restore the moral image of God in man; and the human family are to connect with the heavenly family in binding up the wounds and bruises that sin has made. Angelic agencies, tho invisible, are co-operating with visible human agencies, forming a relief association with men. The very angels who, when Satan was seeking the supremacy, fought the battle in the heavenly courts, and triumphed on the side of God; the very angels who shouted for joy over the creation of our world, and over the creation of our first parents to inhabit the earth; the angels who witnessed the fall of man and his expulsion from his Eden home,—these very heavenly messengers are most intensely interested to work in union with the fallen, redeemed race for the salvation of human beings perishing in their sins.
“Human agencies are the hands of heavenly instrumentalities; for heavenly angels employ human hands in practical ministry. Human agencies as hand-helpers are to work out the knowledge and use the facilities of heavenly beings. By uniting with these powers that are omnipotent, we are benefited by their higher education and experience. Thus, as we become partakers of the divine nature, and separate selfishness from our lives, special talents for helping one another are granted us. This is heaven’s way of administering saving power.
“Is there not something stimulating and inspiring in this thought, that the human agent stands as the visible instrument to confer the blessings of angelic agencies? As we are thus laborers together with God, the work bears the inscription of the divine. The knowledge and activity of the heavenly workers, united with the knowledge and power imparted to human agencies, bring relief to the oppressed and distressed. Our acts of unselfish ministry make us partakers in the success that results from the relief offered.
“With what joy and delight heaven looks upon these blended influences. All heaven is watching those agencies that are as the hand to work out the purposes of God in the earth, thus doing the will and purpose of God in heaven. Such co-operation accomplishes a work that brings honor and glory and majesty to God.
“O, if all would love as Christ has loved, that perishing men might be saved from ruin, what a change would come to our world! Christ’s life was a life of pure benevolence, of disinterested labor. He assumed human nature for no other purpose than to display the glory of God in the happiness of man. To accomplish this He gave His life. All that Christ is, He is to the true believers. All that Christ has, He has for us. We are heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. How, then, can we hesitate and draw back when Christ asks for our co-operation in His great work? The Lord is giving us opportunity to manifest our faith and our love for Him by making a sacrifice for the relief of His institutions.
“My brethren, the Lord is soon to come, and every talent He has intrusted to us is to be returned to Him with usury. He calls upon His people to use for His glory the goods He has lent them. Let those who have means at once return to the Lord His own, to help the institutions out of their embarrassment. Let those in responsible positions set a right example. Every noble, Christian instinct in the men in responsible positions should lead them to plan and work with greater earnestness for the relief of our institutions than they would for the saving of their own property. Let all try to do something. Delay not for a day or an hour. Look over your affairs, and see what you can do to co-operate with the Lord in helping His suffering institutions.
“Let the people of God think of the eternal consequences of rightly employing their property. Let them bring their means to the Lord, saying, ‘Lord, we who have been intrusted with Thy goods freely give Thee Thine own.’
“Large sums are needed; but if you can give only a small amount, remember that the Lord will accept your gift. Remember that you are placing this money in the hands of Christ in the person of His afflicted brethren. Thus God regards it.
“Since God sees fit to delegate angels to minister unto all who are in need of help, we know that if we do our part, these heavenly representatives of omnipotent power will be commissioned to help in this time of special need. I hope and pray that everything which can be done may be done. If all will now do what they can, the difficulty will soon be in the past, no more to harass the cause of God.
“Let us now be God’s helping-hand to relieve our institutions in Scandinavia.”
Civilization in the South Seas
Civilization in the South Seas.—Sixty years ago who would have thought it possible? Tawhiao is the name of a native king in New Zealand, who edits a small eight-page paper, printed in English and the native tongue, and called the Pleiades of Seven Stars. And Fiji, which once disputed with New Zealand for the primacy in all things horrible and hellish, has to-day more than 30,000 in Christian churches.—Selected.
EXPECTANT FAITH.
HUDSON TAYLOR was a man of great faith in God, as well as a great missionary. When he first went out to China, it was in a sailing vessel. Very close to the shores of a cannibal island the ship was becalmed, and it was slowly drifting shoreward, unable to tack about, and the savages were eagerly anticipating a feast. The captain came to Mr. Taylor and besought him to pray for the help of God.
“I will,” said Taylor, “provided you set your sails to catch the breeze.”
The captain declined to make himself a laughing stock by unfurling sails in a dead calm.
Taylor said, “I will not undertake to pray for the vessel unless you will prepare the sails.”
And it was done. While engaged in prayer, there was a knock at the door of his stateroom.
“Who is there?”
The captain’s voice responded, “Are you still praying for wind?”
“Yes.”
“Well, said the captain, you’d better stop praying, for we have more wind than we can well manage.”
And sure enough, when but a hundred yards from shore, a strong wind had struck the sails of the boat, so that the cannibals were cheated out of their human prey.—Christian Budget.
QUEER KOREAN CUSTOMS.
All things in Korea are strange to foreigners. Thimbles are of cloth, beautifully embroidered. There are no buttons or pins, and garments are tied on with ribbons. Soap is sold in the form of a powder, and the only matches are shavings tipped with sulphur. These have to be put into the fire to light them. The market scenes are interesting. You see pompous men in long gowns and high hats, poor women with green cloaks over their heads, and scores of boys carrying vegetables.
The people are early risers, and the best time to market is between five and six in the morning. Two hours later the stands are all cleared away, and you have to rely on the retail stores or little shops. Eggs are bought by the stick, and are stacked up like knitting-wood. Ten eggs are laid end to end, and they are then wrapped about with straw, so that they stand out straight and stiff, and look more like clubs than eggs. In the stores these sticks of eggs are piled up crosswise, and the price is about three cents a stick.—Selected.
Scatter Joy, Not Pain
By Emerson
THERE is no beautifier of complexion, or form, or behavior like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us.—Emerson.
John G. Paton's Gift to Foreign Missions
JOHN G. PATON has contributed $70,000, the profits of his biography, to foreign missions.
