p. 15 | Review and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 14. (4/4/1912)

The Heavens Bear Witness

By C. M. S.

MEN may seek by every subterfuge of subtle reasoning to prove the non-existence of God. But God has his witnesses in the heavens, the work of his hands. The critics of the Word of God, for instance, are stumbling over a dead fish, — not a whale, for Inspiration does not call it so,— and of their own doubts are forming weapons with which to attack the citadel of God's truth.

That criticism of the Word of God which seeks to take away its vitality and its inspiration, and every claim it has to being the light of the world,— that criticism is filling the pulpits of a multitude of churches to-day with a Christless gospel, a Spiritless Bible, and a Godless creation. The acceptance of those theories is shriveling the spirituality of the churches as an early frost sears the autumn leaf; it is drying up the fountain of missionary contributions; it is taking the love of the foreign mission work out of the hearts of the people; and as a result of this, the desire of worship in the human heart is expressing itself in self-worship and the worship of gold. It is stealing away the faith of the people as the stealthy thief deprives the thoughtless householder of his jewels and his wealth. When he awakes, they are gone. He had them, now they are not.

But in every part of the universe God has his witnesses, and they are testifying to his existence, his power, his wisdom, his care, and his undying love. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language; their voice is not heard.” Ps. 19: 1-3.

All the creations of God are bearing witness of him — in their own language, it is true, but speaking in a voice that can be heard by all, and in a language which all who will may understand. The stars that twinkle to us through infinite space are telling us of the wisdom and power of him who made them and gave to each its orbit and the glory of its radiance, and set a bound for its habitation which it might never pass. The mind may think out into space until it reaches the faintest star that glitters into our view; think out into the great depths through which the radiance of mighty suns wearies in its flight, and sinks just as its trembling waves have touched the shore of our vision; think out and out, till thought itself, like a fledgling sparrow, flutters and falls in the impossible purpose; and still we are in the workshop of the Almighty, whose works are sounding the praises of the common Maker. The great audience-chamber of the Infinite is peopled with his witnesses. In the presence of such a concourse, presumptuous indeed is the human atom that comes to the bar of eternity to present his little brief upon the non-existence of him by, and in, and through whom all these consist.

Truly, it is wisdom's voice which says, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” His works are his witnesses. Let us become more familiar with the testimony they are bearing for our benefit.

In the midst of the jangle of voices that are seeking to cast discredit upon the Word of God, it is our privilege to know in our heart of hearts that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. C. M. S.

The Pioneer Agency — the Book Work

By William Ambrose Spicer

HERE in the sessions of the South American Union Conference, I hear constant emphasis given to the importance of the book work as the pioneering agency.

All about are unentered portions of the field, perhaps fanatically anti-Protestant, where something must be done to plant the standard of the truth. Every time it is the worker with the literature who is looked to to break through the barriers. And the reports show that in many places where the bookmen have pioneered the way, there are now interests calling for the evangelist.

The efforts made to train colporteurs and to organize this department in Spanish South America are bearing splendid fruit. In 1910 the sales amounted to $19,260, and that was an achievement that gladdened all hearts; but during 1911 the sales reached $31,630.

In many parts the priests resolutely oppose the colporteur’s work; but the testimony is that generally the Lord works deliverance, and the efforts of the priests are frustrated in one way or another.

The pioneer bookmen are sowing the seeds in most-out-of-the-way places. At La Paz, Bolivia, for example, we had expected to find Brother O. H. Schulz awaiting us, as our party came down from Lake Titicaca. But he had failed to get through from Cochabamba, in central Bolivia, where the only means of travel is by horse. At last he came, a few hours before we had to leave for Chile; and we were all glad to hear his report of book work in the interior. He had been delayed by floods that washed out mountain roads and raised the rivers. A number of travelers had lost their lives in attempting the same journey. But with a horse to ride, and one or two others as pack animals to carry the books, our pioneer bookmen are pressing into the most remote parts, wherever men dwell who can read this message of the Lord’s soon coming.

Brother Schulz has just sent a message to the union conference session, from which I quote as follows:—

During the year and a half that I have been in Bolivia, many a time it has looked as if the heavens were shut out with dark clouds; especially when taken to the police office in some fanatical town, or when the books were prohibited by some bishop, after many orders had been taken, or when the poor people talked of burning or stoning me. But all this is nothing. The truth goes forward anyhow. Bolivia is not a hard field any more for me. I have been tried many a time in it, under various circumstances, and I must say that there is no other field dearer to me than Bolivia. My motto is, “Steadfast and sure while the billows roll.”

So divine grace ministers courage and love for the work as difficulties are met and overcome. Let us follow the pioneers with our prayers as they push forward the frontiers of our work. The union conference is looking for bookmen to go into Patagonia and the Falkland Islands, and to establish a work along the Straits of Magellan. Chile has the city farthest south in all the world — Punta Arenas. As our brethren here see that the message is bringing forth fruitage in Alaska and in Iceland, they feel that, as keepers of the southernmost outpost, they must make definite efforts to establish permanent work in the far South. And it is to the bookman that they look to lead the way.

W. A. S.

Santiago, Chile.

Note and Comment

The Cigarette Menace

MULTITUDES recognize the fearful inroads being made upon the mental and physical vitality of the race by the deadly cigarette, and yet, through the lust of perverted appetite on the part of the individual and the greed for gold on the part of the tobacconist, the evil grows and its debasing work increases from year to year. Concerning this evil the Christian Advocate (Methodist) says:—

In spite of all efforts made by many organizations, and in spite of the disfavor in which cigarettes are held by many people, cigarette smoking gains steadily year by year. The total number made in factories last year was nearly ten billion, not counting the innumerable cigarettes made one at a time by those who smoked them. The total consumption probably amounts to two hundred cigarettes a year for each person in the United States. When it is considered that these are not distributed per capita, since cigarette smokers are a small minority of the whole population, the grip of the habit upon its victims, for such they are, is seen to be almost unbreakable. At the same time the cigarette is becoming more fully recognized as a fire menace. The other day a big automobile fire-engine was sent through the streets of New York equipped with a sign reading “Throwing away lighted cigars and cigarettes and so endangering life and property is now a misdemeanor and will be prosecuted.” The great Equitable fire in New York was probably due to a cigarette, thrown carelessly into a pile of inflammable material.

The worst phase of the matter is not the destruction of property through fires started by cigarette stubs, but the destruction of the higher instincts in the souls of the smokers, the blunting of conscience, and the evil tendencies passed on to the next generation.

A Striking Demonstration

THERE is being furnished the world at the present time a little foretaste of what is certain to come in the future when labor, internationally federated, will make its demands upon organized industry. The present situation is summed up by one of our exchanges as follows:—

With one million coal-miners on strike in England; a similar number of Englishmen out of employment because of lack of fuel; one hundred seventy-five thousand miners walking out of the German mines, to be followed in all probability by a similar number before the end of the week; all French miners out for one day as a warning to both government and people that they are dissatisfied with conditions; and a strike pending in both anthracite and bituminous mines of the United States,—the world is facing perhaps the most gigantic labor upheaval of modern times.

This great strike has brought uneasiness in all parts of the world, and has already caused distress and unparalleled inconvenience in Great Britain. There is probability that the strike in Germany will grow, strong possibility that the French miners will join the striking Germans and British to force a change in wages and conditions through the instrumentality of general distress; and added to this is the ominous indication that on April 1 the coal-miners of the United States will lay down their tools, and add to the general unrest and misery. Already there is a complete paralysis of many lines of industry; and employees, with little or nothing ahead and families depending upon them, are facing a dark situation. The consequences of this strike have ramifications that are almost endless. In England train service has been curtailed for over two weeks, and gas and electric companies have notified their customers of reduced service. Factories are shutting down, and the ranks of the unemployed are growing every day. The world is only beginning to realize the meaning of the words of Scripture, “Distress of nations, with perplexity.” What we see now is only an indication of what we shall see as these forces grow in power and confidence, operating in unison in the various nations of the world.

Rome's Difficulties

THE Northwestern Christian Advocate of March 13 makes the following comment on decrees which the Roman Church has issued concerning marriage and the exemption of Roman priests from trial in civil courts:—

The Vatican is having a hard time getting recognition for its decrees. A recent decree declaring illegal marriages between Protestants and Roman Catholics unless celebrated by a Roman Catholic priest, has been denied by the higher courts of Canada; and the decree forbidding the summoning of Roman Catholic ecclesiastics before civil courts has been disallowed by the German government.

More than this, the government of Hungary, although dominantly Catholic, has successfully resisted the promulgation of the decree concerning marriage in that country. But the government of the United States has not as yet given any indication of an intention to express its disapproval of either of these decrees, although both are plain violations of the rights of the citizens of any country wherein they may be promulgated. Neither is it likely that the government will take any action in the matter. The present attitude of official America toward Rome would seem to preclude the possibility of any action on the part of the national government which might cause disappointment at the Vatican.

The Spirit of Unrest

WE are not alone in believing that the times are ominous, nor in refusing to believe that a time of peace and safety is near at hand. A recent issue of the Bible Standard has the following concerning the present situation:—

The wide spirit of unrest is manifested in military and diplomatic circles, and there is no government at the present but has its difficulties which seem to be chronic. Not long ago Portugal had its revolution, and now Spain has to make the most strenuous efforts to defend its monarchy against the aims of those who would have it follow the example of its neighbor. The repression of this spirit means present bloodshed, but it is doubtful if it can be more than a staving off of a change that is certain to come. That same spirit of unrest has been exhibited in England in the recent strikes that have paralyzed industry and have brought suffering upon thousands. Labor and capital are more and more taking the position of armed camps, ready at the least impulse to fly at one another. And this, while there is more boasting than at any time before of the advance toward the “brotherhood of man.” To us it seems that the outlook is becoming more and more serious, and that the efforts made by man for betterment are involving humanity in a hopeless tangle.

Sydney to Norfolk Island

By C. H. Parker

C. H. PARKER

AFTER spending a few pleasant days with friends and fellow laborers at Sydney and Avondale, we placed our daughter, Ramona, in the care of Pastor B. F. Machlan and his wife, and then we took the steamship “Makambo” for Norfolk Island. The first two days were very unpleasant, as there was a heavy gale. For a time the boat could make only two miles an hour. Most of the passengers, ourselves included, had to keep their berths. Sunday night we received a very unwelcome start. While our ship was being tossed about as a cork, the seas rolling over her from both sides, the quarter bell was rung furiously, and the whistle blew long blasts. All seemed to indicate that our boat was in distress, or that we were being run down by another boat.

We waited in suspense, but as nothing seemed to take place, a happier thought took possession of our minds; and looking at our watches, we found that it was just twelve o’clock, and that the captain was ringing out the old year, while the wind was blowing in the new.

Tuesday morning, January 2, we anchored at Lord Howe Island. On going ashore, I found Brother A. H. Ferris, our missionary to Norfolk Island, waiting for me. It was a happy meeting, as Brother Ferris and I had labored for a year together in Victoria, before he was appointed to the Norfolk Island Mission. He had been on Lord Howe Island for a fortnight, and had held seven public services. These had been attended by most of the people on the island, which has a population of about ninety. He took me around and introduced me to the people. They spoke in the highest terms of the studies that had been given, and expressed themselves as having never heard such good instruction before from the Word of God. They said they were sorry that Brother Ferris was leaving, but hoped he would come back again. It is planned that, after attending to a few matters at home, Brother Ferris will return and hold meetings for some time. Pray for this effort, that the people there may be like the noble Bereans of old.

Lord Howe Island is about seven miles long by one and a half wide. The people are very thrifty, and their island will produce almost everything that is grown in New South Wales, with the addition of some other fruits, such as the mummy-apple, banana, etc. A palm producing a seed that is in much demand in Europe grows there. These seeds bring all the way from six to twenty-four dollars a bushel. This gives the people about thirty-five dollars a month for each individual. With such an income, they should not need for anything, as their soil produces all that they need for food. This island lies four hundred twenty miles northeast of Sydney.

Leaving Lord Howe Island on Tuesday at noon, we took our course to Norfolk Island, which lies four hundred forty miles farther to the northeast. The weather was all that could be wished, and the most pleasant associations were formed with the officers of the ship and with the passengers. We reached Norfolk on Thursday night at ten o’clock, and landed Friday morning at nine. Brother Christian McCoy sought us out and took us ashore, where quite a number of our people were waiting to give us a welcome. This was given in a most warm-hearted way. Here we met our dear Sister Ferris and her little family. They were all looking well and happy. In a short time they had us out to the mission, which is located on the hill at the back of where the steamer anchors. It is a beautiful place, and has a commanding view of the country round about and of the ocean. The mission owns twenty-five acres of land, and has a large, roomy house built upon it.

On Sabbath I spoke to our people at their church, which was built and used by the Catholic denomination in the time when Norfolk Island was a penal station. It is built into the old prison wall. It is a large building, and the brethren have it well fitted up and seated. A beautiful organ, which would do credit to our larger churches, leads the voices in their praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.

Sunday night, January 7, I spoke again at the church. There was a good attendance of those not of our faith, and at the close of the service many expressed their appreciation of what they had heard.

I must not fail to mention a most important and interesting meeting,—the young people’s meeting,—held Sunday afternoon. There are only a few young people who belong to the society, but they are something akin to Gideon’s band. They gave a splendid report of work, and seemed eager to gain any help that would make them better workers for the Master. They are only boys and girls, but they love the Lord and the souls for whom he died. Brother Ferris gave them an excellent talk on David and Goliath, placing some of our Goliaths on the blackboard.

I was pleased to see the respect which is paid to Brother Ferris by the people of this island. From all that I have yet seen, I feel sure that he holds their confidence. This speaks for itself in regard to the labors of Brother and Sister Ferris.

Java, East Indies

By P. Tunheim

P. TUNHEIM

Recently I had a reading with a Mrs. Courant. Her husband died from heart failure just before I returned to Java. He was a well-educated man, an editor of the Malay paper. Brother Teasdale had given him Bible studies, and he knew the truth well, and several times was on the point of yielding obedience to it, but waited for a more convenient time. What a warning this should be to others! His wife often seems deeply impressed, and to-day I told her the danger of delaying as her husband did.

Not long ago the other churches had a missionary feast outside of Surabaya, on a small hill, a very pretty place. We all attended the services, to show the people that we were interested in them and in their work. I know most of the missionaries and also the church-members, and they are very friendly toward us. A number spoke in Dutch, Malay, and Javanese, telling some interesting experiences they had had in their work.

A week or two was taken up with Bible readings, visiting, lending and selling tracts. Each Monday morning I go out with Dutch tracts to lend among the people. I usually visit about forty homes. Through this work quite an interest has been aroused, and several are now having Bible readings in their homes, and some come to our home. I am to begin readings in a new home next Sunday, where the husband is a Freemason, and his wife a Spiritualist medium. They seem like nice people, and I believe the Lord is working with them. Most of the

people here are more or less mixed up with Spiritualism. Surely the evil one is busy, and the end is near, so we need to work as never before.

Each Sabbath we have a Sabbath-school in the morning for the Dutch people, and in the afternoon we have a Malay and Javanese Sabbath-school for Chinese, Javanese, and Eurasians who can not speak Dutch. The latter mixed school is usually quite interesting. A young Chinaman, who has not attended regularly for some time, told me last Friday night that he had asked his manager to let him have the Sabbath free. This has been granted. On Sunday, when he came to a Bible reading, he said, “Yesterday was our first Sabbath in our home,—mother, my sister, and myself.” They are indeed a nice family. The young man seems very earnest, more so than any other Chinaman I have seen. He is well educated in Dutch, Malay, and Javanese. I believe he will become a faithful worker. His mother also seems very earnest. She has often told me that her only desire is to hear the gospel and follow the Lord.

Another regular attendant of our Sabbath-school in the afternoon is a Javanese tailor, also an educated man. I feel sure he, too, will decide to obey. This man always makes me think of the Ethiopian who went from Gaza to Jerusalem, to whom Philip was sent to preach. The other night I let him read the account of Philip and the eunuch, and he said: “I am just like that man; I have often read and not understood, but now the Lord has sent you here to teach me, and I am glad for the light.”

I have also started readings with a Dutch widow and her daughter, and with one or two others. This widow is a Christian, and she told me that she had been wishing for a long time that some one would tell her more about the gospel. She is so interested that she writes down the texts as we read them. Surely the Lord is visiting those who are sighing and crying for light.

Psalm 23

By Elizabeth Mc Hugh

ELIZABETH MC HUGH

May be sung to tune No. 686 in “Christ in Song.”

THE LORD’S my shepherd; I abide In pastures green, close to his side, By waters still; My soul restored, he leadeth me In paths of right, so glad and free To do his will.

CHORUS:

His voice leads on through all earth’s ills, Up to the heavenly hills.

Yea, though I walk through shadows drear, I fear no ill, for thou art near To comfort me; A table is before me spread, Thou givest me my daily bread Where foes may see;

My head with oil thou makest shine; My cup runs o’er with choicest wine— Eternal love.

Goodness and mercy all my days Have followed me; I’ll dwell always With him above.

Anderson, S. C.

Caucasia, Russia

By J. T. Boettcher

J. T. BOETTCHER

From Dubno, a city near the border of Austria, I bought a through ticket to Baku, a distance of over two thousand miles. If it were not for the comfortable Russian cars, in which each passenger has a place to lie down, it would be almost impossible to endure the long distances we must frequently travel in Russia.

After traveling nearly a week, I arrived in Chasaw-Jurt, Caucasia, Friday morning. Here I had expected to meet Elder K. A. Reifschneider, who was to accompany me on my trip through his field; but sickness kept him at home, and Brother Schaat arranged to go with me until Brother Reifschneider should recover.

The church at Chasaw-Jurt is composed entirely of Russians. About fifty miles from Chasaw-Jurt we have a church of German Sabbath-keepers, who, on learning that there would be preaching in the German language, came with their teams through mud and slush to attend the meeting. The Lord blessed them; and when we parted, they begged me with tears to go home with them, saying they would gladly travel twice the distance if I would only go. This, however, was impossible.

There were also quite a number of mountain Jews at the meeting. Although the weather was very warm, they wore fur caps indoors and out, nor did they take them off during the services. The ancestry of these Jews dates back to the captivity in Babylon. They did not return with Ezra and Nehemiah to help rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. They live in Caucasia and Persia, differing from the Western Jews in both looks and language, although their religion is the same. They were especially interested in the study of the prophecies.

With thankful hearts for the good meetings we had enjoyed with these faithful Russian brethren, we continued our journey Sunday, reaching Baku the following day, where we were made welcome at the home of Elder A. Osol and wife.

Baku seems to have taken its name from the Persian word badkube (windstorm), on account of the strong northwest winds which are so frequent. I soon had opportunity to experience such a storm. In the morning the sun shone warm and bright, but in a few hours it became cold enough for a fur coat, and the air was so full of dust that one could scarcely see the houses. The wind grew to such a velocity that not only sand but also pebbles flew through the air. People who must venture out are obliged to wear goggles. In the evening the rain came and laid the dust. In spite of such weather, there was a good attendance at the meeting, of Germans, Mohammedans, and Russians. The Lord blessed the word.

Brother Osol began the work in Baku under great difficulties. He was all alone, and had to serve as preacher, organist, sexton, and doorkeeper. Now that he is married, his wife is faithfully helping him in all his missionary work. One young man has decided to go to Friedensau to attend school. Already there is quite a company of Sabbath-keepers here. But there is missionary work enough for five or six workers. What can one minister do in such a city? Still, faithful work, performed in love, can accomplish much.

The city is quite Oriental in appearance. It is surrounded with the naphtha wells which make Baku so renowned. Brother Osol climbed with me, through storm and rain, to the top of a mountain, from which we could see thousands of oil-shaft towers standing so closely together that they almost touch. These shafts are sunk from four hundred fifty to two thousand feet. Through a refining process, the crude naphtha, a thin, greenish fluid, is converted into clear petroleum, and shipped to all parts of Europe and Asia. Nearly all the ships on the Black Sea and on the river Volga, as well as the railroads in Caucasia, use naphtha to fire their engines. Many rich treasures lie hidden deep in the earth, not yet found. If only men would sink their shafts as deep for the everlasting treasures, they would find inexhaustible, living springs.

Not far from Baku are a number of Molokan villages. These people are much interested in the Sabbath truth. We planned for Brother Osol to visit them. Since my return he has done so, and has organized two companies. He writes as follows:—

“I have now been here five days in the mountain, not far from Lake Gokcha. There is a great stir among the Baptists and Molokans. Twice each day I preach to an audience of about four hundred persons, who stand, listening earnestly to the truth. I work from early morning until midnight. Sometimes as many as one hundred fifty men and women prostrate themselves before God, lamenting and confessing their sins, and at times praying or praising God in chorus.”

From Baku we went to the village Prochladnaja, which is really a Kasack-stanize, that is, a settlement of Cossacks. Here we have a flourishing church, with a church building, paid for by the members themselves. The world in general thinks of the Cossack as being very cruel, ready to plunder and torment wherever he gets a chance. But whoever forms an acquaintance with our Cossack brethren gets an entirely different impression of them. It would be hard to find a more tender-hearted people anywhere in the world. One brother said: “As long as I live, I shall work, that my children may be educated for God’s cause. All that I have belongs to God.” He has one daughter in Friedensau, and is planning to send another. The son of another brother is also in Friedensau, and will finish school this summer. These fathers are praying earnestly that their children may become workers among the Cossacks. Already, one brother who has gone out from this stanize is having good success, selling our literature and preaching in other stanizes. Recently, in one village where he was working, he was arrested, had his head shorn, received convict’s clothing, and was left in jail for ten days. He was then set free to await his trial. But this does not discourage him in his efforts. We pray that God may raise up other laborers for this people.

After this, in company with Elder Reifschneider, who had recovered sufficiently to join me, I visited a number of German and Russian churches. Sometimes we had to travel long distances by team over good and bad roads, in all kinds of weather. But when we reached our destination and saw the interest manifested, we felt well repaid for all the hardships. In some of the churches we found active young people’s societies, taking clubs of our papers and doing good work.

My visit in Caucasia convinced me that our people there are willing to press the work to the finish; and though we dare not hold camp-meetings or conference sessions, we are sure that these local meetings have been a source of strength to them.

Baku.

The Little Things

THE little things of life for you and for me, for our friends and associates, compose the whole. Large joys and large sorrows do not ordinarily enter into the lives of “common people”; but, as one has expressed it, “the little things we do and the little things we say are the warp and woof which, when woven and interwoven in the great loom of life, come out the finished fabric—character.”

It is demanded of us that into our characters shall be woven certain essential qualities if we attain the goal of every true Christian, which is a Christlike character. It is demanded of us that we be constant in purpose; that we be courteous, thoughtful, cheerful, under all circumstances; faithful in the performance of duty,—those “little things” which oftentimes we scarcely notice.

These little things of life may often appeal to us as drudgery. To the teacher it may become drudgery to be obliged to appear before her pupils every school-day morning at a certain hour, and to remain at her post of duty until a certain time. To the housewife it may become drudgery to find the same routine of work greeting her morning after morning. To the clerk it may become drudgery to stand behind the same counter, within the same four walls, day after day. To the mechanic it may become drudgery to enter the same shop, to use the same tools, week in and week out, month after month.

But in this very so-called drudgery may be hidden the discipline that is sowing the seed for a bountiful harvest in character, if we do not permit the little annoyances and perplexities of life to crowd out the joy and pleasure of living.

Some of the most essential qualities of character are acquired by attention to small things.

Having to be at a certain place to perform a certain duty at a certain time, day after day, tends to develop promptness and faithfulness,—requisites so essential to success in this busy age.

Having to appear cheerful and greet one’s friends courteously under all trying circumstances, develops genuine, heartfelt cheerfulness and kindness, which bring a store of good things in their trail,—health, happiness, contentment, an influence for good over those with whom one comes in touch.

The effort to rise above the little things which perplex, and to overlook in others the little things—so often really non-essentials—which may annoy us, helps us to keep more clearly in view our desired goal. It is our privilege, and duty, too, to rise above such things; for—

“The little worries which we meet each day May lie as stumbling-blocks across our way; Or we may make them stepping-stones to be Of grace, O Christ, to thee.” —Ada M. Learned.

Humor in the Family

GOOD humor is rightly reckoned a most valuable aid to happy home life. An equally good and useful faculty is a sense of humor, or the capacity to have a little amusement along with the humdrum cares and work of life. We all know how it brightens up things generally to have a lively, witty companion who can turn an annoyance into an occasion for laughter. It does a great deal better to laugh over some domestic mishaps than to cry or scold over them. Many homes and lives are dull because they are allowed to become so deeply impressed with a sense of the cares and responsibilities of life as not to recognize its bright, and especially its mirthful side. Into such a household, good but dull, the advent of a humorous friend is like sunshine on a cloudy day. It is well to turn off an impatient question sometimes and regard it from a humorous point of view, instead of becoming irritated about it.

“Wife, what is the reason I can never find a clean shirt?” exclaimed a good, but rather impatient husband, after rummaging all through the wrong drawer. His wife looked at him steadily for a moment, half inclined to be provoked, then, with a comical look, she said: “I never could guess conundrums,” and then

she felt happy; and so what might have been an occasion for unkind feelings and hard words became just the contrary, all through the little vein of humor that cropped out.

Some children have a peculiar faculty for giving a humorous turn to things when they are reproved. It is just as well, oftentimes, to laugh things off as to scold them off. Laughter is better than tears. Let us have a little more of it at home.—The Lutheran.

Mission Notes

As an object and incentive for the raising of funds for missions, the Baptist Laymen’s Missionary Movement has adopted for its motto, “Ten cents per week per member as the minimum for missions.”

CHINA now has the Scriptures translated into about twenty of her languages and dialects. Just recently two new versions were brought out, one in Lisu, the other in Laka, spoken in Yun-nan, a province in southwestern China adjoining Tibet and Upper Burma. The Gospels of Matthew and Mark only have as yet been printed.

A CHIEF near Lake Tanganyika, Africa, in order to vex the missionary, cut off the ears, nose, and lips of an old woman, and sent them to the station, with his compliments. Later his headsman, with a raiding band, descended upon the mission garden and beheaded three of the men peacefully working there. This headsman is now a Christian, and sits at the Lord’s table with those he once persecuted.

A NEW mission boat is to ply the Nile. The American Mission has purchased a boat, the “Alleghany,” for five thousand dollars. It is seventy-four feet long; has a deck of sixty feet, suitable for meetings; a dining-room, a kitchen, and a bath-room. A barge will be secured to tow with the boat, to be used for clinic and doctor’s office. Through the means of a smaller boat operated last year, the British and Foreign Bible Society distributed twenty-eight thousand copies of the Bible or portions of it.

WRITING of “Woman’s Work in Home Missions,” Frances M. Schuyler, in Missions (Baptist), has this to say of the tasks lying close at home for American womanhood: “Why are the millions of aliens permitted to come to us? Why has God placed the black man in our midst? Why are we given centers in which poor, struggling women and helpless little children suffer and die in tenements and sweat-shops? Why, but that we shall rise above the self-excusing attitude of regarding them as insoluble problems, and in the name of the all-conquering One give to the alien our glad songs of victory and hymns of praise to the world’s Redeemer; to the black man, through the training of head, hand, and heart, a perfect manhood and a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ; to the cities the gentle touch of the Great Physician to make them clean and bright—‘cities of refuge’ indeed?”

Wait on the Lord

By Charles E. E. Sanborn

CHARLES E. E. SANBORN

WHEN the mists have cleared forever, And the Saviour calls us home On the resurrection morning, We shall know as we are known.

In my flesh, like Job, I’ll see him. Blessed privilege! Face to face, I shall know his full salvation, Through him I’ll have won the race.

Now the heart with toil grows weary, And the trials press us sore; How we long for Jesus’ coming, Which is even at the door.

Courage, courage! O, be faithful! Soon the battle will be o’er, And with Christ, our blessed Saviour, We shall dwell forevermore.

St. Louis, Mo.

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