On Sinim’s Altar by James E. Shultz

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 13, 1916

On Sinim’s Altar

By James E. Shultz

ELSIE MARY MORGAN was born in Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia, June 21, 1893, and died in Nanking, China, Nov. 12, 1915, after an illness of but ten hours. About two years ago she first learned of the doctrines held by Seventh-day Adventists, and despite strong opposition, for she was the only one of her family that received the message gladly, soon thereafter identified herself with our people. About one year ago she was married to Clarence H. Davis.

Very soon after their marriage, Brother and Sister Davis were asked by the Australasian Union Conference to make China their field of labor, to act as leaders in the sale of our literature. Having ever been willing to suffer hardness as good soldiers, they responded to the call, and accordingly reached this field Sept. 30, 1915, immediately thereafter locating in Nanking, where Brother Davis entered the language school, little thinking that they would be permitted to live together but six weeks in the mission field of their choice, for both were buoyant in faith, and daily sought God for a heart preparation for his work; but the summons came suddenly for Sister Davis, and she laid her life on the altar of sacrifice for China’s millions with the triumphal assurance, “Jesus knows it all, and it’s all right.” Her life had been one of daily surrender to God, and death had no terrors for her; and while her sorrowing husband feels the hand of affliction heavy upon him, yet he is comforted by the assurance that in the morning of the first resurrection she will “come again from the land of the enemy.”

Nothing could have been more beautiful than the attitude of the language school on this occasion. When it was learned that Sister Davis had died, the president of the class wrote a letter of condolence to Brother Davis, and assured him that the entire class stood ready to help him in any way possible. School was adjourned, and the principal, Professor Keem, and the wife of the secretary of the Nanking Y. M. C. A., assisted in making the casket, as it was impossible to buy one; while the class secured beautiful floral tributes from Shanghai and Nanking. The language school marched to the chapel in a body, headed by the president of the Nanking University and their principal, while many other missionaries from Nanking were in attendance. Appropriate music for the occasion was furnished by the school. At the close of the service at the chapel, members of the school tenderly bore the casket a distance of one and one-half miles to the grave, while the remaining students acted as an escort. After the committal, Brother Woodward, on behalf of the Asiatic Division Mission, publicly thanked the members of the language school and others who had so kindly assisted in the burial of our dead. Then just as the golden sun was setting behind the ancient hills of China on that sad Sabbath afternoon, the students gently covered the grave, concluding by earnestly asking God to consecrate those who remained, to the great task before them.

By request I took charge of the service, being assisted by Brethren Woodward and Blunden, and spoke from Jer. 16: 19 to those assembled: “O Lord, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth.”

Surely this is our “day of affliction,” for death has again entered our ranks and stricken down a promising worker. But we rejoice to know through it all that the sacrifice is not in vain, for the promise to the afflicted is, “The Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth;” and while the silent watchers who guard the sacred dust of God’s sleeping saints are multiplying in dark China, and the lonely mounds look forbidding to us, yet they mark the advance of Christ’s conquering army, that shall know no defeat.

There’s a lonely grave in Sinim’s land, In the country of deep superstition, Where Satan rules with relentless hand, And his cohorts move at his command, As they rush men on to perdition.

There’s a lonely grave in Sinim’s land, And the servants of God are lamenting; For one has been lost from the little band, And their heads are bowed, though they fearless stand, Since their message permits no relenting.

And the grave so new marks the steady advance Of that message now soon to be finished; Though halted a day, by death perchance, Or wounded are some by the enemy’s lance, Yet their ardor is never diminished.

By that grave today have we pledged anew, As we pledged when God called us to service, Our strength and our talents, however few, In his work to cast, with a will to do Anything, from which nothing can swerve us.

And we look from the grave ’cross the sea so wide, Where our brethren who sent us are waiting To give of their means and their sons beside; For the word has been sent, “Naught to you is denied, Since our message must know no abating.”

Then, O heart, be brave! and O hand, be strong! Though today earth’s fond ties we must sever; For the promise is sure, it will not be for long, Till we all reunite in the victor’s song, When are banished death’s terrors for- ever.

JAMES E. SHULTZ.