In a recent issue of The Independent reference is again made to the atrocities reported from the Kongo Free State, which come based upon evidence that can not be disregarded. This journal says:—
Notwithstanding all the efforts made to blind the public as to the atrocities committed by the Belgian authorities in the Kongo State, they seem to be proved beyond all question, and they have been of a horrible character. It is not sufficient to say that atrocities are likely to occur sporadically in a settlement of any new country. That is true, and yet there seems to be a system about this which indicates heartless management. The Kongo Free State is not a free state at all. There is absolutely no freedom in it. It is the most extreme example of government by a single man, and that man the king of the Belgians. He rules everything, makes all laws, executes them at his own will, owns personally all the land, unless it be such as has been previously cultivated by natives, and is in possession of all its products, and has the profits of all its exports. Nothing like it is known in human government within regions familiar to civilized men. It is required that there should be a profit from this vast estate, and that profit comes from the sale of rubber. Horrible cruelties have been committed in compelling men to bring in rubber, even to the extent of mutilation, destruction of villages, and the existence of practical slavery.
But when the matter of these atrocities was under consideration by the recent Peace Congress in Boston, it was Cardinal Gibbons, the head of Roman Catholicism in this country, who came forward with a laudatory defense of King Leopold, because the latter is a “most Christian prince” of the Catholic Church. In this incident the papacy appears in its true character.
The subject is to be brought before the United States Senate by petition from various organizations, and the Senate will be asked to urge upon the powers responsible for the existence of the Kongo State such action as will at least mitigate the evils which oppress that land.
L. A. S.
Note and Comment
A MASS-MEETING to promote the cause of international peace was held in New York City, December 6, under the direction of the New York executive committee of the American Conference on International Arbitration. A number of speakers were heard, but the only speech reported was that of Archbishop Ireland, who uttered a eulogy on peace, but closed his address by saying:—
Meanwhile let us be practical. We are yet far from the ideal. America may strive for the best, but until the best is secured beyond peril, she must be ready for the worst, and so long as war is still possible, so long as it remains the sole arbitrament in defense of vital interests, so long must America put faith in her army and navy.
The thing which the nation is urged to do just now, therefore, is to provide an army and navy which can be depended on to do good service in case of war. To get ready to fight is, in spite of all the peace talk, the practical thing. The nations of the Old World started out on this pathway to peace a long time ago, but peace is still far off. They created armies and navies to be “prepared for the worst,” and to-day Europe is likened to a powder-magazine which requires only a spark to produce an explosion. The equilibrium of peace in Europe is exceedingly unstable. America, it would seem, might learn from Europe the lesson that armies and armaments do not tend to put international peace on a secure footing. They do tend, on the other hand, to make a nation feel ready for war, and therefore more likely to trust to the arbitrament of the sword.
The World’s Stock of Money
The following paragraph is taken from the forty-second report of the Comptroller of the Currency, just prepared for transmission to Congress:—
Statistics relating to the aggregate stock of money in the principal countries of the world at the close of the calendar year 1903 have been received and compiled by the Bureau of the Mint, from which it appears that the aggregate is $12,313,100,000, the amount of gold being $5,628,200,000, of which $2,892,600,000 is held in banks and public treasuries, $2,526,000,000 being in general circulation. The stock of silver aggregates $3,201,400,000, of which $2,268,700,000 is “full tender” and the remaining $932,700,000 limited tender. Uncovered paper currency is stated as amounting to $3,483,500,000. Of the total stock of money in the world $2,500,200,000, or approximately one fifth, is held in this country. The stock of gold of the United States, $1,320,400,000, is greater than that of any other country, and is nearly one fourth of the world’s stock. The amount of silver is $679,200,000.
When reading the statement that approximately one fifth of the world’s stock of money is held in the United States, we should remember that a comparatively few men control the finances of this country. This is the oligarchy of wealth—almost immeasurable money power in the hands of a limited number. The possibilities of such a situation are tremendous. It is one of the signs of the times.
Protestants and Catholics Unite for Sunday
An indication of the readiness of Protestants and Catholics to join hands in the cause of Sunday enforcement, appears in a recent issue of The Defender, organ of the New England Sabbath Protective League, which quotes from a strong “pastoral letter” against Sunday desecration, written by Archbishop Bruchesi, of Montreal. Among the reasons given by the archbishop and published by this Protestant journal against such desecration is the following:—
Do you not see that these amusements organized by greedy speculators lead hundreds of people to the desertion of the mass, the abandonment of the sacraments, to ignorance of the truths of faith, to the destruction of the family tie, and to the weakening if not extinction of good morals?
The class of Protestants for whom The Defender speaks are apparently ready to indorse the papal institution of the mass and the religious system centering around it, if the cause of Sunday observance is to be served thereby, and Roman Catholics are ready to co-operate with them upon this basis.
“In the Time of Trouble He Shall Hide Me.” Ps. 27: 5
Lay not, my soul, thy grief too much to heart;
When God doth empty thee, he doth impart
Himself, in place of earthly joys removed;
When he thy love and trust in him hath proved,
Lie still, my soul, nor dare to think him hard,
Lest thou, by murmuring, his work retard.
Think'st thou thy God can ever make mistake?
Or cause thee needless sorrow to partake?
Is this thy Father's love which once did give
His Son to die, that thou in him might'st live?
In this, and all his dealings of to-day,
He only seeks to burn thy dross away.
Return, my soul, “return unto thy rest,”
And trust thy God to order what is best;
To his kind arms thy welcome is most sure,
His heart of love hath solace firm and pure;
Therein, e'en now, thy faith can surely read
In “paths of righteousness” thy God doth lead.
And when thou knowest as thou here art known,
In deep humility thou then shalt own
That what in time was grievous unto thee
Exceeding gain hath wrought eternally.
Then rest thee in thy Father's choice to-day,
To guide thy steps in his appointed way.
— Selected.
Words to Ministers
By Ellen G. White
MRS. E. G. WHITE
IF the one who feels that he is called of God to be a minister will humble himself and learn of Christ, he will become a true gospel teacher. There should be among our ministers less sermonizing and more tact to educate the people in practical Christianity. The people must be impressed with the fact that Christ is salvation to all who believe. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” There are grand themes on which the gospel minister may dwell. Christ has said, “He that believeth on me, hath everlasting life.”
If the minister’s lips are touched with a coal from the altar, he will lift up Jesus as the sinner’s only hope. When the heart of the speaker is sanctified through the truth, his words will be living realities to himself and others. Those who hear him will know that he has been with God, and has drawn near to him in fervent, effectual prayer. The Holy Spirit has fallen upon him, his soul has felt the vital, heavenly fire, and he will be able to compare spiritual things with spiritual. Power will be given him to break down the strongholds of Satan. Hearts will be melted and subdued by his presentation of the love of God, and many will inquire, “What must I do to be saved?”
My brethren, seek God in earnest prayer, that when you stand before the people, you may realize the solemnity of the message that you are about to bear. Talk simply and to the point. Let your discourses be short. Handle only a few points, saving your strength for house-to-house work. Ministers too often give lengthy discourses. The minds of the people are wearied by such discourses, and the truth loses its effect upon them. Let the teacher of the Word first talk with God. Then he can stand before the people with the Holy Spirit working upon his mind.
The Lord desires that the truth shall come close to the people, and this can be accomplished only by personal labor. Much is comprehended in the command, “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” There is a work to be done in this line that has not yet been done. Let God’s workers teach the truth in families, drawing close to those for whom they labor. If they thus co-operate with God, he will clothe them with spiritual power. Christ will guide them in their work, entering the houses of the people with them, and giving them words to speak that will sink deep into the hearts of the listeners. The Holy Spirit will open hearts and minds to receive the rays coming from the source of all light.
There are families who will never be reached by the truth of God’s Word unless his servants enter their homes, and by earnest ministry, sanctified by the indorsement of the Holy Spirit, break down the barriers. As the people see that these workers are messengers of mercy, the ministers of grace, they are ready to listen to the words spoken by them. But the hearts of those who do this work must throb in unison with the heart of Christ. They must be wholly consecrated to the service of God, ready to do his bidding, ready to go wherever his providence sends them, ready to speak the words he gives them. And if they are what God desires them to be, if they are imbued with his Spirit, they co-operate with heavenly agencies, and are indeed “laborers together with God.”
When such a worker offers prayer to God in the family where he is visiting, the hearts of the members are touched as they would not be by prayer offered in a public assembly. Angels of God enter the family circle with him; and the minds of the hearers are prepared to receive the word of God; for if the messenger is humble and contrite, if he has a living connection with God, the Holy Spirit takes the word, and shows it to those for whom he is laboring.
Light, light from the Word of God,—this is what the people need. If the teachers of the word are willing, the Lord will lead them into close relation with the people. He will guide them to the homes of those who need and desire the truth; and as the servants of God engage in the work of seeking for the lost sheep, their spiritual faculties are awakened and energized. Knowing that they are in harmony with God, they feel joyous and happy. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they obtain an experience that is invaluable to them. Their intellectual and moral powers attain their highest development; for grace is given in answer to the demand.
I was shown two Bible workers seated in a family. With the open Bible before them, they presented the Lord Jesus as the sin-pardoning Saviour. Their words were spoken with freshness and power. Earnest prayer was offered to God, and hearts were subdued by the softening influence of the Holy Spirit. As the Word of God was explained, I saw that a soft, radiant light illumined the Scriptures, and I said softly, “Go ye out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”
These workers were not boastful, but humble and contrite, realizing always that the Holy Spirit is the efficiency of every worker. Under the influence of the Spirit, indifference vanished, and an earnest interest was manifested. The precious light was communicated from neighbor to neighbor. Family altars that had been broken down were again erected, and many souls were won to the truth.
Teaching the Scriptures, praying in families,—this is the work of the evangelist, and this work is to be mingled with preaching. If it is omitted, preaching will, to a great extent, be a failure. Come close to the people by personal efforts. Teach them that the love of God must come into the sanctuary of the home life.
Take no glory whatever to yourself. Do not work with a divided mind, trying to serve God and self at the same time. Keep self out of sight. Let your words lead the weary and heavy laden to carry their burdens to Jesus. Work as seeing Him who is at your right hand, ready to give you his efficiency and omnipotent power in every emergency. The Lord is your counselor, your guide, the captain of your salvation. He goes before your face, conquering and to conquer.
Persist in Spite of Everything
By Maltbie D. Babcock
The man who never makes any mistakes never makes anything. Many chips, broken instruments, cuts and bruises, belong to the history of any beautiful statue. Persist in spite of everything.— Maltbie D. Babcock, D. D.
The Sanctuary
By S. N. Haskell
(Concluded)
The lamb offered had two lives. It was as innocent when it was before the priest as when it was gamboling upon the mountainside. But when the sinner confessed his sin upon its head, it was transferred in the type to the animal. The sinful life was imputed to the animal. So he had two lives,—the life of innocency, and the life of sin that had been transferred to him by the confession of the sinner.
So Christ had a divine life when he came to this earth. He was as sinless when he hung upon the cross as when he came to this world, and yet he bore our sins in his own body on the tree. From the cross he entered heaven with his own blood, there to appear in the presence of God for us. He died for us in our stead, that he might pay the penalty for all. By faith the sinner sees him within the veil. The sins are carried there. The life of faith transfers the sin. Christ is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. Christ is our life. He is our salvation. Ever since man fell, he has been bearing the sins of the people, but the time comes when, in the investigative judgment, he will bring out these sins. When I think of it in this light, I feel like falling, trembling, before God and lifting up a prayer that he would discover to me everything that is unlike my Saviour; because I see plainly that unless I have an interest in this work and meditate upon it, I am likely to pass over wrong traits of character that will be seen by God, but not by me. I am anxious to have my sins forgiven, every one of them. Let me give you a text in the New Testament on confession: “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.” Matt. 5: 21-25. If, when I pray, I remember that my brother has aught against me, even if I have given him no occasion to have anything against me, it is my duty to go to him and make everything right. If we do not do our part, the Lord will straighten it out. When it is left entirely with the Lord, and the Lord begins to take the matter up, he will come closer and closer until there will be a crisis in that soul, and the sooner we can learn to humble ourselves before God, the sooner we shall be brought into the place where God can magnify himself through us.
When the Saviour was reviled, he “reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” Let God manage matters; and if there is a wrong on either side, the Lord will bring it around all right, and there will be a confession. He will come closer and closer until a man will find himself cast into prison, and he can not get out until he confesses everything, and then God will forgive the sin, and bring him into favor with himself.
In the sixteenth of Leviticus we have the typical work illustrating the final disposition of sin. The sinner brought two goats. One of them was the Lord's goat, and was to be slain for the people; the other was called the scapegoat. The scapegoat was to bear off the sins on the day of atonement, which was a type of the day of judgment. An individual might have served the Lord faithfully the three hundred and sixty-four days in the year, but when the tenth day of the seventh month came, he must afflict his soul, with fasting and prayer, and must examine his own heart. He must also refrain from doing any work on that day. His appetite must be brought under complete control. It must be a day of holy convocation. In the New Testament we have a warning given to us in the closing of this work when our High Priest is in the heavenly sanctuary. He urges us not to forget the assembling of ourselves together, but to exhort one another, and so much the more as we see the day approaching. How is it in our churches, when our prayer-meeting comes? Do we forget the assembling of ourselves together? Has our love grown cold? I want to tell you, my brethren, our love must be revived. We are to repent and do our first works, and be more earnest as we near the approaching day.
Well, says one, what about eating? Does not the Saviour warn the people against eating and drinking as they did before the flood? In the twenty-first chapter of Luke, when he speaks of the time of the day of atonement, he says, “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” We are not to let the cares of life take the time we should spend in serving God. The testimony of the spirit of prophecy says that God can make twenty acres more productive than a hundred. Why not try it? Why not be in earnest in studying the Bible and in having our case presented to the Father, so that we shall take more time for the service of God than we have in the past? There needs to be a reviving in the service of God.
I can not tell you how happy we used to be when we obtained a knowledge of these things in the time that I received them. About fifty years ago, I remember one time a little boy was in a meeting that we were holding in a private house, and a report of the work of Elder Andrews, in Maine, was being read, and when about half-way through, the reader stopped. This little fellow was listening with intense interest. Finally he said, “How many Sabbath-keepers were there?” He was watching to see what had become of the pennies he had given to support the ministers, and he wanted to know the results. We want to know the results, and we want to realize the blessing of God.
This deep searching of heart must come first right home to ourselves; and when we get a fresh experience continually, and learn the art of trusting in God and hiding in him, we shall have something sweet in the third angel's message. We shall find that our great High Priest, who is ministering in the court of heaven, will regard us; for I read that he sees every soul on earth, he numbers the hairs of our head, and knows every sorrow, and every tear that is shed. May God help us, brethren and sisters, that we may get a fresh hold upon heaven.
Now, I have made up my mind that if I fail of going through to the kingdom, it will be because I lose my interest, which I never mean to do. Well, says one, what do you do when difficulties come?—Hide under the shadow of the wings of the Lord; try to get a little closer to the Lord; commit all troubles to him. Lay the cross and perplexities at his feet, and leave them there; and when I do that, I find that God takes care of it all. Most wonderful answers to prayer we have had when difficulties came, and it seemed as if every way possible was hedged up. We would take the matter to the Lord, and what appeared to us to be miraculous openings would come all at once. We have a God that is in heaven, and at his right hand is our Saviour, who ministers in holy things. He has a tender care for his people. I wish I could tell you how, at times, it seems that the love of God has been manifested to us. Of all the people on the face of the earth, we ought to be thankful. Thank the Lord for trials. You would not know whether you trusted in God or not if you did not get into straightened places where it required an infinite arm to lift you out. I need strength every moment of my life. I need a blessing continually to keep me on the way to heaven, but I know we have a High Priest in heaven.
Now let me suggest one more thought: Some of the most remarkable instances of answer to prayer that are to be found in the Bible, were when prayer was offered toward the sanctuary, as mentioned in the twentieth chapter of Second Chronicles. Why was Daniel cast into10the lions' den?—For praying with his windows open toward the sanctuary in Jerusalem. He turned his face to the Saviour, who sits at the right hand of the Father, by recognizing the sanctuary on earth. Do you have temptations that you are not strong enough to withstand? Go with them to the Lord. Turn your face to the Saviour of the world, who sits at the right hand of the God of the universe.
A sermon preached by Elder S. N. Haskell, at College View, Neb., Sept. 24, 1904.
Tithes Under Two Priesthoods
By WM. COVERT
WM. COVERT
When Abraham met Melchisedec, priest of the most high God, “he gave him tithes of all.” Gen. 14:20. The Aaronic priesthood, with its theocracy and its Levitical services diverting a large share of the tithe from the direct evangelistic work, had not then been inaugurated; therefore Melchisedec, the priest, received it all.
Under the Aaronic priesthood the Levites received the tithe, and then carried a tenth part of that which they received up to the storehouse. The following scripture tells how this matter was managed under the instruction of Nehemiah: “And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure-house.” Neh. 10:38.
There was much work done by the Levites under the theocratic government and in the temple service from Moses to Christ, which did not have a parallel in the Lord’s work in the days of Melchisedec; nor does it have a counterpart in the Christian age. The distinction between the two priesthoods relative to the gathering and handling of the tithe is noted in the Hebrew letter, especially in chapter seven. There attention is called to the fact that “Abraham gave a tenth part of all” to Melchisedec, who was the Lord’s priest at that time. It is also shown that the Levites, through the transaction of an ancestor, paid tithes to Melchisedec, and yet under the terms of the Aaronic priesthood the Levites received the tithe from their brethren. These statements are made to show a contrast between the two priesthoods regarding the payee of the tithe. “And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, paid tithes in Abraham.” Heb. 7:9.
The prophet Malachai, who wrote prophetically with reference to the financial obligations which would rest upon Christians at this time, gave definite advice relative to tithe gathering and storage. As it applies to conditions that prevail under the priesthood of Christ, it eliminates a Levitical feature of appropriations which was advised both by Moses and by Nehemiah. The advice and promises now are, “Bring ye all the tithes [the whole tithe, R. V.] into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
All can see there is a difference between bringing a tenth part of the tithe into the treasure-house, as advised by Nehemiah, and bringing all the tithes, or the whole tithe, into the storehouse, as required now by the Lord’s prophet.
The missionary spirit under the Aaronic priesthood was generally allowed to run very low. During that period the priests and Levites gave much attention to building up their “state and nation,” but usually excluded the Gentiles from their religious services. About a tenth part of their tithe was expended in their evangelistic work, but the other part of mankind was for the most part excluded from a share in that. Following what they evidently supposed was proper, they appropriated almost the entire tithe of the nation upon themselves. Is there not danger of Seventh-day Adventists in some measure doing the same thing now? We must guard against this by going right out among the people with the message for this time. We should seek God unceasingly until we are unified with the love of Christ in hunting for the lost. The church of Christ should bear within its bosom a mighty burden for the unsaved. Those whose minds enter within the veil to counsel with our High Priest will become imbued with the spirit of holy zeal, and will proceed to do something definite and decisive in the way of saving souls. Our Priest and Captain commands, saying, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” His priesthood, work, and method is “after the order of Melchisedec, and not . . . after the order of Aaron.”
The tithe which Abraham brought to Melchisedec, besides that which was from his personal account, was practically the tithe of property by right belonging to various Gentile tribes of Palestine. The recital of the account indicates that the king of Sodom joined with Melchisedec and Abraham in a divine service wherein “bread and wine” brought by Melchisedec was used in the ceremonies of the occasion.
Since it is clear that the whole tithe of God’s people should be brought into the Lord’s storehouse, or treasury, it follows that no individual or church has any right to appropriate the tithe for any purpose. It must pass through the regular channels which the Lord has prescribed for it. If churches or individuals are using their tithes in paying church expenses or in paying the salary of teachers, they are out of harmony with the Lord’s plan, and should correct their course without delay. It is dangerous to be found robbing God. Whoever is withholding his tithe from the treasury of the Lord is doing that which is displeasing to God, and that person will some time wish that he had been a faithful steward of the Lord’s means.
The Doctrines Advocated
By J. O. CORLISS
History of the Early Advent Awakening in China—No. 2
The Doctrines Advocated
J. O. CORLISS
The followers of Hung-sew-tseuen called themselves at first Shangte-hwein, that is, the “Society of God.” So long as they retained this name, their work was wholly religious; but through an unfortunate train of circumstances, they were led to seek the government of the empire, and for two reasons: First, they gathered from the study of the prophetic scriptures that a Tien-Kwor, or heavenly kingdom, was soon to come, which would transform the kingdoms of this world into the kingdom of Christ. So anxious were they to see this accomplished, that they sought to assist in its realization.
In order to bring this about they believed that their first step should be to secure the expulsion of the hated Manchu tyrants, who, for two centuries, had usurped the throne of their nation. This accomplished, they believed the way would be open to subvert the idolatrous system then in vogue, and to incorporate the whole nation into one empire of “universal peace.” This led them to adopt the name, or style, of Tae-ping-teen-kwoh, which means, “Celestial Kingdom of Universal Peace.”
The second reason for their attempt to change the form of civil government, was to secure the privilege of meeting for public worship, which had been denied them shortly after the opening of their persecution, which was briefly referred to in the preceding article of this series. To secure what they believed to be their rights, an extensive organization was finally effected in 1850, and Hung-sew-tseuen was named king, with the title of Tae-ping, or “Grand Pacificator.”
Their general organization was maintained much the same as was that of the early apostles of Christ. They had a common fund, a common table, and a common object. Their earlier movements were directed to the gathering of their scattered adherents from the mountain fastnesses of surrounding regions, and to collecting funds for their cherished object. Their moderation and courage at first brought them considerable success. At least one viceroy of great influence was induced to join them in their work.
Notwithstanding the mistake the Tae-pings made in attempting to overthrow the civil government, they tenaciously held the Bible to be supreme, and manifested a desire to follow its teachings. Indeed, they attempted to follow the very letter of the Old Testament in dealing with those whom they believed to stand in the way of their establishing a theocracy in the earth.
But for all this, those who have written concerning this people, agree that their morals were unimpeachable. Sir George Bonham relates that in a conversation11with one of their princes, he asked the Englishman if he knew the “Heavenly Rules.” Sir George, not being sure of his ground, asked if they were ten in number. An affirmative answer was given. Sir George then began to repeat some of the commandments, when the prince laid his hand on the Englishman’s shoulder, exclaiming, “The same as ourselves! the same as ourselves!”
After the capture of Nankin by the Tae-pings, it was reported that the imperial troops had recaptured the city. Dr. Medhurst met a man of that region and asked him, “Is it true that the imperialists have retaken Nankin?” With a derisive smile, he answered, “No! they will never take it!” “Why?” asked the missionary. “Because,” was the reply, “those who have taken Nankin are Sabbath men.” “But what has that to do with it?” “Why, they worship Yesu.” “Where did they learn this?” “Do you know Luslaff?” (the name by which Gutzlaff, the great missionary, was known) asked the native. “Yes, I know him.” “Well, you know we used to go to his house and hear him talk; and there are many people in Quangshi and Quang-tung, worshipers of Yesu, ready to join them.”
“But,” said the missionary, “how is it that these men are so cruel as to destroy the priests at Nankin? That is not like worshipers of Yesu.” “Why should they not destroy them?” asked the other. “You know there is not such a set of vile scoundrels in the world as they are. They corrupt our women and children, and no good can come while they are allowed to live.”
As to the meaning of the expression “Sabbath men,” Dr. Medhurst says that they kept their Sabbath on Saturday. Mr. E. C. Bridgman, also, in writing of these peculiar people in the North China Herald of July 22, 1854, says: “Our Saturday we found observed by them as a Sabbath day.” He refers also to their forms of worship, saying that some of the people were exceedingly reverent in their devotions.
The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus seem to have been firmly fixed in their minds, even though they made the fatal mistake of attempting to be National Reformers. But more of this in the next.
Do I Find Delight in Work?
By D. H. KRESS, M. D.
D. H. KRESS, M. D.
CHRIST said what every child of God will say, “I delight to do thy will.” So fully was his heart in his work, that on one occasion when his disciples prayed for him to take time to eat, he said, “I have meat to eat that ye know not of.” “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”
The spirit of the world has in a great measure been brought into the Christian church and into Christian institutions.
Many there are who are following, not because they take delight in service, but because of the loaves and fishes. Of the redeemed it is said, “They serve him day and night in his temple.” The question with them is not, “What shall we have therefore?” Their delight is in service, and their reward is the blessing found in service. They ask for no greater reward than the privilege to serve. They seek the kingdom of God, making it first; and what the world seeks for and works for God adds.
When labor is a delight, men and women will find it an act of self-denial to take a day off occasionally, even when necessary; for it is their meat to do the will of him that sent them, and to finish his work. To this class will be afforded the privilege of serving him day and night in the temple. Only those who would take delight in serving him day and night here will be given the privilege of serving him day and night there.
When labor becomes a delight, there is recreation in it; there is health in it. Unwilling workers can never be in possession of the best of health. There is weariness and death in drudgery. Only those who do with their might what their hands find to do, and do it heartily as unto the Lord, can experience the blessing there exists in labor; for “he giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” There exists no excuse for any Christian to be idle. There is work in abundance. Only hirelings experience difficulty to get work, because it is not work they are after.
My Experience
By M. HARRISON
M. HARRISON
Having received much valuable assistance from time to time by reading the reports of the dear REVIEW family, I feel impressed to send a testimony of the wonderful way in which the Lord healed me in a recent illness. I trust the recital of this experience may increase the faith of many in the never-failing word of our tender, loving Lord.
In the early part of March I was traveling, when an accident occurred as the train passed through a long tunnel. The vibration caused a large boulder to be dislodged from the mountain, and it fell nearly at the mouth of the tunnel. The engine and two carriages were thrown off the track. When the carriage came to a standstill, we could see what a merciful interposition of Providence it was that we had not all been hurled over a fearful precipice. I could only praise God. Of course there was quite a shock when the train stopped; but it was in being transferred from the wrecked train to another that I received the injury to my left side.
When I arrived at the house to which I was going, I was in much pain, and was also suffering from the shock to my nervous system. I returned to my home in Kingston, Jamaica, and although I was up and about for a few days, I suffered all the time, till the fifth of April. The pain in my side was excruciating. The part was so swollen that I could not put on my clothing. I tried hot fomentations, but consulted no doctor, as I could not afford one.
The fifth of April I seemed to be dying, and my family was sent for. The physician was called. Prayer was offered incessantly for me by our beloved Elder Tanner and by the members of our church, and I was spared at that time. For weeks I was confined to my bed. There were days when it seemed that the agony was more than I could bear. I could not sit up, nor hold up my head. It seemed as if the spine were affected; and the severe swelling, almost dropsical in appearance, did not subside.
I called in the doctor one day, and pleaded with him to help me. He told me that nothing could be done. When he left, I was depressed for a short time. Then I remembered the words of the blessed Bible, “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man,” and, believing that the Great Physician could heal, I cried to him.
My friends were solicitous about my suffering so much, and called another doctor. He came two days later, and examined me, but did not say much. The next day he sent medicine; but it brought no relief, and I continued to grow worse. For two days and nights the pain was incessant, and hot fomentations, poultices, and mustard plasters were of little avail.
On Thursday evening, the second of June, I thought of asking for a physician, but did not do it. It seemed impossible to stand the pain. My heart was weak, and I could scarcely speak. Elder Tanner had prayed for me in the morning. Elder Beckner came to see me. He had just returned from his journeys around the island. After a little conversation with me, he asked if I did not believe in the healing power of the Lord. I answered, that I surely did. He spoke of Peter’s wife’s mother, and gave these texts: Matt. 7:7; 18:19; 1 John 3:22; 5:14, 15. There were four in the room—one of our sisters, my youngest daughter, Elder Beckner, and his wife. They knelt around the bedside. I was weak and exhausted. The poultices and plasters were removed. I heard Brother Beckner’s pleading prayer for me, a mother in Israel, that if it was God’s will, I should be healed now. I took up the prayer in a distinct voice.
After prayer Elder Beckner said, “Sister Harrison, do you believe in the healing power of the Lord?” I answered, “Yes, I do.” He then took my hand, and said, “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, Sister Harrison, I desire you to show your faith by rising.” It seems wonderful, but I rose to a sitting posture, and all my weakness, all the soreness, and the swelling were gone. It was indeed a miracle that the Lord had wrought for his unworthy servant, and I was healed. I have not words to express my gratitude to him. O, the wonderful power of the Lord! Shall we not trust in that12Almighty power? Shall we not walk so closely to him that in the time of need we may call upon him, and he will hear?
The first doctor who had visited me called in the evening, and I was able to tell him of my deliverance. I wrote to the other physician, and he said he joined with me in praising the Lord, for my case was hard to diagnose, and still more difficult to treat.
The day after I was healed, I read the account of Sister Pilquist’s healing, as given in the REVIEW, and I felt that the Lord was mighty. The one hundred and forty-fifth psalm conveys the sentiments of my heart.
Gospels Published for the Quechua Indians
The Rev. Andrew M. Milne, the La Plata agent of the American Bible Society, whose work covers the Pacific Coast countries of South America, has long been intensely interested in the Quechua Indians, and has longed to reach them with the gospel. At last, by the generous help of a gifted Peruvian lady, Madame Turner, as translator, he has published for these people the Gospels of Mark and Luke and John and the Acts of the Apostles.—Exchange.