The backslidden church behaves very much like the backslidden individual. It prefers to be let alone, to stay where it is. The Lord, speaking through Jeremiah, says even of Babylon: “We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed.” She did not want to be healed. She preferred to go in the way that carnal desire dictated; and so the Lord was compelled to abandon her.
Just so will it be with the “daughters of Babylon” in the last days—the creed-bound, world-loving churches. The Lord will be compelled to leave them to their own ruin, even as he was compelled to leave the great mother in ages past. Occasionally one of the Lord’s servants speaks out in warning. A few may hear; but the pleasure-loving throng press on, and not infrequently they seek to hush the voice that sought to warn them.
An instance of this kind was witnessed in the setting aside of Bishop Foster of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He did not take a roseate view of the spiritual conditions in that church body, and, in the hope of bringing the people to a sense of their true condition, he published a warning in the Methodist Journal. There is food for thought in what the bishop said to his fellow church-members; and the fact that he was set aside when he had given his warning, makes the hopelessness of the conditions all the more apparent. He said:—
The church of God is today courting the world. Its members are trying to bring it down to the level of the ungodly. The ball, the theater, nude and lewd art, social luxuries, with all their loose moralities, are making inroads into the sacred enclosure of the church; and as a satisfaction for all this worldliness, Christians are making a great deal of Lent and Easter and Good Friday and church ornamentations. It is the old trick of Satan. The Jewish church struck on that rock, the Romish Church was wrecked on the same, and the Protestant church is fast reaching the same doom.
Our great dangers, as we see them, are assimilation to the world, neglect of the poor, substitution of the form for the fact of godliness, abandonment of discipline, a hireling ministry, an impure gospel, which, summed up, is a fashionable church. That Methodists should be liable to such an outcome, and that there should be signs of it in a hundred years from the “sail-loft,” seems almost the miracle of history; but who that looks about him today can fail to see the fact?
Do not Methodists, in violation of God’s Word and their own discipline, dress as extravagantly and as fashionably as any other class? Do not the ladies, and often the wives and daughters of the ministry, put on gold and pearls and costly array? Would not the plain dress insisted upon by John Wesley, Bishop Asbury, and worn by Hester Ann Rogers, Lady Huntingdon, and many others equally distinguished, be now regarded in Methodist circles as fanaticism? Can any one, going into the Methodist church in any of our chief cities, distinguish the attire of the communicants from that of the theater- and ball-goers? Is not worldliness seen in the music? Elaborately dressed and ornamented choirs, who, in many cases, make no profession of religion, and are often sneering skeptics, go through a cold, artistic or operatic performance, which is as much in harmony with spiritual worship as an opera or theater. Under such worldly performance spirituality is frozen to death.
Formerly every Methodist attended class, and gave testimony of experimental religion. Now the class-meeting is attended by very few, and is, in many churches, abandoned. Seldom the stewards, trustees, and leaders of the church attend class. Formerly nearly every Methodist prayed, testified, or exhorted in prayer-meeting. Now but very few are heard. Formerly shouts and praises were heard; now such demonstrations of holy enthusiasm and joy are regarded as fanaticism.
Worldly socials, fairs, festivals, concerts, and such like, have taken the place of the religious gatherings, revival meetings, class- and prayer-meetings of earlier days.
How true that the Methodist discipline is a dead letter. Its rules forbid the wearing of gold or pearls or costly array; yet no one ever thinks of disciplining its members for violating them. They forbid the reading of such books and the taking of such diversions as do not minister to godliness, yet the church itself goes to shows and frolics and festivals and fairs, which destroy the spiritual life of the young as well as the old. The extent to which this is now carried on is appalling. The spiritual death it carries in its train will only be known when the millions it has swept into hell stand before the judgment.
This bishop’s statement of conditions in his own church is just as true of the other large church bodies in general. It is the condition of the great church world today,—a form of godliness with the power lacking, and the zeal and love that once were so evident now waxing cold, while the easy professor turns to pleasures and pursuits of his own liking. Seeing the conditions as they exist now, and knowing that they were divinely foreshown as indications of the last days, how can the child of God turn to the allurements of the world, and refuse to believe that the coming of our Saviour is drawing nigh? When God sends reproof for coldness and worldliness, it is not because he desires to condemn, but because he desires to save us from the awful consequences of our own course. We must heed his warnings; we must push the battle to the gates; we must divest ourselves of every clog of selfishness and every tie that would bind us to the service of the world.
C. M. S.
The Harvest Ingathering Campaign
How many members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church will engage in the Harvest Ingathering campaign for 1913? How many through indifference or fear of failure will hold back and refrain from making any effort? We probably shall never be able to furnish an accurate estimate of the number of either class. While this knowledge would be interesting, it is by no means essential. The really essential question for each one to determine is to which class he will belong. Dear reader, to which class will you belong?
Here is a plan which has been set in operation for the entire membership of the church. It is a plan which has been successfully worked, and that, too, with increasing efficiency, for several years. The plan has accomplished much in the way of beneficial results:—
1. To those who have engaged in this work there has come a rich personal blessing. Nothing so brings strength to the soul as labor for others. Engaging in this service has brought many rich personal blessings throughout the time the plan has been in operation.
2. It has been the means of bringing to thousands of people a knowledge of our work as a denomination. They have come to recognize that this movement is not one of local influence. Its operations are world-wide. This people, in place of confining their missionary efforts to Christian peoples, are reaching out to earth’s remotest bounds and are putting forth earnest, sacrificing labor for those in the darkness of heathenism. The way has been opened by this introduction to bring to interested ones a fuller knowledge944of the system of truths which we hold as a people.
3. We never can estimate the good which has been accomplished by the means gathered in these campaigns. From thirty to forty thousand dollars each year have been added to our mission funds. By this addition scores of laborers have been enabled to go out into the mission field and receive support. Eternity alone will reveal the good which has been accomplished as the result of this gathering.
Dear reader, will you not have a part in the accomplishment of this threefold result in the campaign of 1913? You may confidently expect that God will go before you and open hearts and homes to your visit. You will be engaged in the great concert of effort which is going on throughout the entire field. In this feeling of community interest with other believers there is strength and inspiration. Let all rally this year to an active part in the Harvest Ingathering campaign.
Roman Riots in Canada
THE Liberator, published at Ottawa, Canada, for September, 1913, contains an article by G. R. McFall, M. A., under the above heading. He gives an account of a number of the riots which have been inspired by Roman influence since 1800. Among these he places the attack recently made upon the tent-meetings conducted by Brother Jean Vuilleumier. Of this the writer says:—
In July, 1913, some weeks ago, Rev.945Jean Vuilleumier rented a lot on Northern St. Hubert Street, and erected a tent, with a view of holding some meetings. The Daily Telegraph of July 25 contains a picture of the tent after the mob had torn it down. A large mob gathered, tore down the tent, attacked the preacher, fired shots, and injured a newspaper man who was present. The Daily Telegraph said: “The Rev. Jean Vuilleumier yesterday, with the assistance of members of his flock, erected the tent that on the previous evening had been torn down by the crowd, and at eight o’clock began the usual service. Soon the gang of toughs gathered outside. After attempting to carry on the service for about fifteen minutes, the pastor found it was impossible to make himself heard above the shouting, the lewd singing, and other noises of the crowd. He closed the service, and after speaking quietly with his friends, started with his wife for the sidewalk. The crowd contented itself with hissing and booing. Then the pastor turned up St. Hubert Street, when the mob, which numbered some four hundred, most of whom were young men, started a terrific roar. ‘Kill him! kill him!’ they yelled. Suddenly the mob began to pursue him, and had it not been that they mistook a newspaper man, who was fleet of foot, for the pastor, and pursued him instead, the Adventist minister might have lost his life.” This happened in free Canada, in the year of our Lord 1913.
Let Us Love One Another
By F. M. W.
Writes the apostle John to the church in his day, and to the church in every age, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” As a reason why this love should exist in the church, the apostle cites the wonderful love of God manifested in the gift of his Son for the salvation of the world, and concludes his argument, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” 1 John 4:7, 8, 11.
The Great Teacher taught the same lesson to his disciples. “A new commandment give I unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34, 35.
The church of God through all ages has afforded many beautiful instances of this love among brethren. Many have adorned the profession of Christ by lives of sacrifice in the ministry of loving service. This bond of love has kept alive the torch of truth in many dark, trying periods of church history. But how many in every age have refused to allow this blessed principle to control their relationship to their fellows! The disciples needed the admonition of the Master. The early church needed the exhortation of the apostle. The church of God in this age—the Seventh-day Adventist Church—needs the counsel as well.
How the enemy delights to sow among brethren the seeds of doubt, distrust, jealousy, and malice. The most trivial incidents are magnified to bring about good alienation. A man is made an offender for a word. Let us today heed the divine admonition. Let us seek to come near to one another; to enter into one another’s hopes and plans and purposes; to bear one another’s burdens. Love will turn the words of criticism, gall, and bitterness into words fitly spoken, like unto “apples of gold in pictures of silver.” It will give us smiles instead of frowns; words of cheer and encouragement for our brethren instead of silence and coldness.
True love is not a matter of sentiment, nor is it sentimental in its exercise. It does not condone sin nor excuse wrong-doing, but it says to the sinner, “Go, and sin no more;” it reaches down the hand to those fallen into the pit, and bids them rise in the name and strength of Jehovah; it seeks not only present pleasure, but, above all, the eternal good. The need of the church today is for this spirit of love in its members. “Beloved, let us love one another.” F. M. W.
Human Wrong in Church Disunion
UNDER this head the Continent (Presbyterian) of August 21 discusses editorially the question of the separation of Christian believers into denominations. As to the origin of these denominational divisions, the editor says:—
The denominational divisions of the church have all come out of human failings, errors, and misdeeds.
If all followers of Jesus Christ from the time of the apostles until now had understood his message in perfect simplicity and had followed his will with perfect devotion, there would still today be just one undivided Christian church in the world as there was on the day of Pentecost.
So every cleavage in the church and separation between brethren that has happened among Christians from their Lord’s departure until this day has been the fruit of somebody’s sin or somebody’s blunder.
Denominational differences and distinctions are badges of human frailty, signifying always somebody’s fault somewhere of either insufficient understanding or insufficient consecration, and therefore as the church goes on to perfection in knowledge and grace, these badges of frailty must gradually disappear.
Commenting upon this editorial, the Word and Way (Baptist) of September 18 makes the following pertinent remarks:—
The Continent editor is unquestionably right in charging that division of Christian people into denominations is due to “somebody’s sin or somebody’s blunder.” This is the only reverent and rational position to take on this question. God is not the author of confusion. The Bible is not an ambiguous oracle. The message of the New Testament is one. There is absolute unity in its teaching. Otherwise it could not claim or hold the position of authority. A self-contradictory revelation cannot be a revelation in fact. The Scriptures do not teach—cannot and hold the place of a divine revelation—that a sinner is saved by grace, saved by works, and saved by grace and works. . . .
Then men have misinterpreted the Scriptures. And for this misinterpretation they are wholly responsible. They have handled the Word of God deceitfully. They have been prejudiced, ambitious, and self-willed. They have not sought with absolute devotion to know and do the will of Christ. They have not been guided by the Spirit. Where the Spirit interprets and leads, the same lesson is learned and the same practise adopted. So it may be affirmed that the existence of a multitude of different and distinct religious bodies is due solely to the sins and blunders of men.
Denominationalism is a monument to persistent and insidious perversion of the Scriptures.
The apostle Paul declares that there is “one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” The prayer of Christ for his disciples was that they might be one, even as he and his Father were one. This unity can be maintained only by recognizing Christ as the divine teacher and by a return to the pure, unadulterated teaching of the Word of Truth.
Note and Comment
What College?
THE following word of good counsel to young men and women seeking an education, is contained in the Religious Telescope of September 17:—
Lots of young people are now asking, “What college shall I attend?” Indeed, many parents, fathers and mothers who are wisely concerned for their children, are raising the same query. To all these inquiries there is but one answer: Go to a Christian college—your own church-school, if you have one. The true training is of head and heart, neither of which can be neglected without permanent injury to the life of the individual.
We commend this counsel to the readers of the REVIEW AND HERALD.
The Butcher Contest
THIS is one of the latest forms of amusement for the gratification of the insatiate desire for excitement which is possessing thousands of people at the present time. Recently, in one of the amusement parks in the city of Chicago six steers were hoisted to a platform, and there in the presence of eight thousand men and two thousand children were slaughtered, skinned, and dismembered in record time. This butcher contest was advertised weeks ahead, and drew this immense crowd.
It is gratifying to know that many who witnessed this inhuman spectacle denounced the management for presenting before the public this bloody exhibition of amusement. Of course, the purpose of the management was to draw the crowd and so make money out of the enterprise. This commercializing of sports and games is one of the banes of our present civilization. The love of money on the one hand and the desire for new forms of excitement on the other form a combination that leads to the production of many things in the world of sports which are highly questionable. Speaking of this tendency, the New York Weekly Witness of September 10 says:—
For years we have looked on at the commercialization of play with indifference. Dancing in time past has been a healthful, pleasant, and wholesome amusement (?). Today dancing, in the poorer sections of the big cities, has become synonymous with debauchery and immorality. Why?—Because men of low character have commercialized dancing and made the dance-hall an adjunct to the saloon, to the drink-selling business. The same is true of the moving-picture theaters. In themselves the “movies” may be made of high value as an educational aid. Commercialized by unscrupulous men, the moving-picture theater is too often exercising a hurtful and depraving influence. The public has not been in ignorance regarding the character of the men who purvey amusement to boys and girls. Repeatedly they have been shown up by men and women interested in the welfare of our boys and girls, as vultures with no education, no culture, and no æsthetic sense, absorbed only in private gain. Still we have allowed the commercialization of play to proceed without making any efforts to counteract its sinister influence. Perhaps the “butcher contest” in Forest Park will finally wake up the public to the need of bringing fun and play to our children through other channels than the present commercial agencies which mix fun with degradation and depravity.
Noise
This is the term by which the Lutheran Witness of September 11 characterizes the statement made by Archbishop Keane before the American Federation of Catholic Societies, regarding the decline of Protestantism. The archbishop is quoted as saying:—
The Protestant system of religious truth has collapsed. It was unable to and abide the successive strokes of Biblical criticism, or to survive longer the killing analysis of its fundamental principles.
The masses of men in non-Catholic communities and countries recite no creed and own no church affiliation. They have pushed the fundamental principles of the system—the denial of doctrinal authority, and the adequacy and the right of self-guidance in religion—to their logical issues.
While the Witness feels that this statement is far from the truth, it adds this caution:—
Rome must be watched and opposed in every legitimate way now, even more closely than in the past, by go-easy Protestants and Americans.
We do not believe that Protestantism is dead, and yet the leaven of disintegration is at work. It has largely ceased to protest against Rome and Roman errors. Indeed, it cannot well consistently do so and still hold as a part of its cherished faith doctrines which have their origin in the Roman Church. It is for Protestantism today to take its stand on the Bible and the Bible alone as its rule of faith, discarding tradition, standing boldly and fearlessly against every doctrine which has no foundation in the Scriptures of Truth. Doing this, Rome will have little occasion to claim that Protestantism is on the wane.
A Vain Hope
MANY have cherished the hope that we have reached an era of peace and good will among the nations of men, but the continued preparation for war on every side seems to give little foundation for the realization of this desire. The dedication of the Temple of Peace and the agitation connected with this movement have awakened hopes in many hearts. Many statesmen are exerting themselves to the utmost to bring about treaties which will insure the world's future peace; but even many of these peace advocates contend that the best guaranties are strong navies and well-trained armies. Regarding this anomalous situation, particularly as applied to the United States, the Independent of September 11 says:—
We had hoped that with a Christian scholar for President, and an advocate of peace for Secretary of State, we might have a moderate naval program, one even more peaceable than what we had under President Taft. But Secretary Daniels of the Navy Department wants three or four of the biggest vessels of war to be built every year, and money put thus into fighting ships on the water rather than into any equipment on shore. Secretary Meyer was satisfied with two battle-ships and the required accessories, but Secretary Daniels seems to smell war ahead, and accepts all the General Naval Board asks for.
The North American Indians
The Indians of North America, it is claimed, are not decreasing, but they are slowly mingling with other races and being absorbed by them. We are indebted to the Christian Advocate of September 11, for the following facts regarding this interesting people:—
There are said to be in the United States 280 Indian tribes, of which about 77 have more than 500 members each. The largest tribe is the Cherokee, which has more than 31,000. The next largest tribe is the Navajos, with upward of 22,000; then the Chippewa, with about 20,000; then the Choctaw, with nearly 16,000; then the Teton Sioux, with over 14,000.
Oklahoma contains more than one fourth of all the Indians in the United States. There are seven other States which have more than 10,000 Indians apiece, but these, with the exception of Wisconsin, are west of the Mississippi. There are Indians in every State in the Union, but less than fifty are accorded to each of four States—Delaware, New Hampshire, Vermont, and West Virginia.
While the Indians are not actually disappearing, the proportionate increase of half-breeds is considerably larger than the increase of full-blooded Indians. The total number of Indians in the United States as given by the late census is 265,683, with 25,331 more in Alaska. Fifty-six and one-half per cent of all the Indians in the United States are full-blooded, while a little over thirty-five per cent are of mixed blood. Reliable information concerning eight and one-half per cent could not be obtained.
Missionaries Are Closely Observed
By M. D. Wood
M. D. WOOD
A FEW days ago my wife stood on the platform of a small railroad station, talking to one of our Christian young men who lives at that particular place. The sun was hot, the wind was blowing, and as the engine passed by the smoke and cinders blew in the faces of the people. For several minutes my wife in earnest tones talked on with the young man, quite unconscious that every move she made was being carefully observed. Presently we noticed a fine-looking old gentleman, well dressed in European costume. He passed up and down the platform again and again, and probably overheard a few words of the conversation. Then as if pent up with a desire to speak, he came up to Mrs. Wood and said, “Pardon me, madam, but I wish to treat you to a cup of tea. You look tired and I am sure it will refreshen you.”
But my wife said she was not in the habit of drinking tea, and that she did not know to whom she was talking. “O,” said the gentleman, “I observed you talking with that young man, and I was sure you must be a Christian missionary. I have observed them for many years, and admire the noble efforts they put forth for all classes. They are a good people, and are doing a good work in India.”
He also went on to say that he had been so changed by observing them that he had in a way become a sort of missionary among his own people. The gentleman in question was a fire-worshiper, a Parsee. He has gathered a lot of poor Parsee boys and girls and is giving them a free education.
The most noble example of true kindness and love has been given to this world by our Master—and example—Jesus. Missionaries endeavor to follow in his footsteps.
German East ‘Africa
By A. C. Enns
A. C. ENNS
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
The Christian is always happiest when he is doing his duty, regardless of the results. The knowledge of being at his post is a satisfaction to him, and leaves him in a state of peace at heart, which results or conditions cannot alter. It is the duty of each one who is called to missionary work to go and preach the gospel, and he will never be deprived of the presence of the Commander. This we can verify very easily by a few words regarding the work in our field.
Last year was a year of preparation and sowing; this year we reap. Although we were not missing results last year, we have more than five times as many baptisms the first quarter as we had the whole of last year. We thanked God last year for the four stations, Kihuiro, Mauiba, Vunta, and Suihi, and that we could baptize fourteen believers. With the close of the first quarter of 1913 the reports show that at the four stations we had about eighty baptisms, and we have hope that the next quarter will, with God’s help, show fully as encouraging a report as this quarter.
THE MEN WHO ARE MAKING ALASKA
Now, brethren, is it not best to be at our work? “Winning souls” is the motto of the Kihuiro Young People’s Missionary Society. We are all young, and all are aglow with the idea of winning souls for Jesus. We have newly organized our society, and the groups are going from place to place holding meetings, singing, praying, and preaching the gospel. Every Sabbath, each village has its group holding services, so that where formerly only five to ten per cent heard the sermon on a Sabbath, each one of the two thousand inhabitants of Kihuiro hear the gospel now in his own village each Sabbath. Taking Isa. 55:11 literally as it says, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it,” we can look forward to the harvest of the great Sower.
Now as the fields are white, pray the Lord to send reapers to gather in the wheat into the great garner of heaven.
FRED W. TEMPLE
By FRED W. TEMPLE
Alaska
FRED W. TEMPLE
This morning I find on my desk a little pamphlet written by John L. Myers, M. D., of Ketchikan, Alaska, and believing it will be of interest to the readers of the REVIEW, I have secured his permission to copy a portion of it and send it along with some photographs that I have.
“Alaska! The meaning of that word is ‘Great Land.’ Like Caesar’s Gaul, it is divided into three parts, Southeastern, Central, and Western. Not only is the land divided into three parts, but the inhabitants embrace three classes, native, American, and foreign. People from every part of the world are found here, globe-trotters, gold-hunters, home-seekers.”
“Mission work in this country is radically different from what it was even ten years ago. Today there are more whites in this country than there are natives, and to work among the natives and neglect the whites would be doing less than half the work, for the natives are influenced by the non-Christian white as well as the Christian, and at times I think they follow the former more readily than the latter. Not long since a good-intending native said: ‘Too lonesome to be a Christian all the time.’ The vice and immoral practises of these whites have brought much sorrow, disease, and even death to the natives. We must save the native, but in reaching for him we must not neglect those of our own flesh.”
“The natives of Alaska are far different today from those of a century ago. Then they lived in crude houses with an open fire in the center, and they were clad in furs; now they more and more affect our manner of life and are clothed as we are. Then they spoke a language of dialects, varying according to the tribe and their location; now most of the younger generation speak English. Then they lived by hunting and fishing; now many are more or less steadily employed in sawmills, canneries, and other industries of civilization. Sturdy, stolid, stoic were those of old, and their characteristics have been passed down to those of today. Natural imitators they are. By watching a white man or woman perform a piece of work a few times the art is readily acquired.”
“A hundred years have made a great change among the natives. It has produced a great change among the white people also. The change which has come over the civilized world in the last century is sufficiently amazing to races who have lived in and progressed with it. But the native Alaskan has not even such an advantage. All that the civilized world has to offer has been thrust upon him, not during a century or centuries of progress, but within the last twenty-five years, and most of it within the last ten years. His bewilderment is not surprising. Think of flashing a searchlight in the face of one whose only artificial light has been the rays from a burning11pine knot. Imagine his consternation as he is dazed with the brilliancy, and you may have some idea of the bewilderment of these people.”
“In place of their old ideas of spirits, and of a something, they knew not what, which after the death of a friend haunts them with a dread fear, to be taught that there is a God who loves them and a heaven awaiting them, is an exceedingly bewildering experience. And the doctrine is the more strange that the white man teaches it. He also teaches that there should be no more feuds and fightings, no more murder and immoral practises, that kindness is due to all; yet there are more white men who belie these doctrines than there are who support and exemplify them. I know very few natives who do not profess Christianity, but I know very few who are Christians. Yet what may be expected of an imitative race, where example so slightly supports theory and teaching?”
“What we need in Alaska is more Christian men and women, not necessarily missionaries, as we usually consider them, but men and women who can make Christianity practical by living the every-day life and doing every-day duties. Missionary work in Alaska is the reaching for all mankind to the exclusion of none,—not native alone, not white alone. One thing that makes the work all the more difficult is that there are so many here who in the States were active workers in the church, but since coming here have allowed their desire to secure wealth to take precedence over all other considerations.”
Dr. J. L. Myers is connected with the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, and is an active and sincere worker. He has assisted us in many ways, and showed himself a missionary indeed this past winter during our family sickness.
Ketchikan.
Canvassing in the Philippines
By Elbridge M. Adams
ELBRIDGE M. ADAMS
SHOULD you like to canvass in a foreign field? Before you answer, count the cost. It is true that Brother Ashbaugh since he entered the Visayan field has scarcely had a half-dozen weeks when he has taken less than $100 worth of orders in one week. And one week his sales amounted to even $243. I am sure that his average will stand considerable over $100.
But there is another side to view. The difficulty is not chiefly in the number of orders lost, for some of his deliveries have been one hundred per cent, but rather in the time that it takes to make the delivery. In his last letter to me he made this remark, “It takes almost as much time to deliver as to take the orders.”
The means of transportation is often very slow. Sometimes it is a sailboat or a rowboat, sometimes walking; possibly you may be fortunate enough to secure a one-horse vehicle; or if your customers are near the railroad, you may take the train. To enlarge this difficulty, only the better classes can buy the books, and they are the few, hence the amount of territory to cover. Still worse than this is the fact that it is a rare thing to find a Filipino who has sufficient business principles to keep his money, even for one day, to pay for the book if he takes a notion to buy something else before the book comes. You may send him a notification card and call according to appointment, only to hear him say, “I had the money yesterday, but I have spent it, and I cannot pay for the book.” All that you can do is to set another time as near to the next pay-day as possible and overtake him with the money in his pocket. If you have so succeeded, you are fortunate.
VIEW OF THE NORTH END OF KETCHIKAN, ALASKA
There are still other things that must be encountered in these fields that are not found at home. Usually there is no great trouble in getting a place to stay, but for the most part you must either carry your bed with you or sleep on the floor. All the bed most of the people have is a thin grass mat, which they throw down at night, and then roll it up in the morning. It might not be appetizing to one used to the well-spread American table to be served with dry rice poorly cooked, with a little fish and possibly some bananas. You may be given a spoon, but usually the rest have no difficulty in eating with their fingers. Do not be surprised if you are passed the rice plate whence they have taken their share with their fingers. And if you should chance to have any dessert, it might be served as it was once when I was eating in a native home out in the province. The man who sat across the table from me had eaten his rice and the waiter brought a saucer of gelatin and a glass of water. The man took the big spoon from the saucer and filled it with the dessert. He bit at the spoon several times to get all the delicious morsel off. When he succeeded, he laid the spoon back on the saucer and took a sip of water. The one sitting next partook in the same manner. And so around the table.
It must be remembered that you are practically alone so far as society is concerned. The language may be learned, but there is such a vast difference in your ideas and theirs that it makes companionship rather imperfect.
With all of this, Brother Ashbaugh has not sent in one word of complaint. But rather has found joy in the difficulties. The following is a part of one letter that he wrote me: “Sunday I left Capiz for Silay by Parao. It cost me $1.50, but I could get no other; I was paying fifty cents a meal at the mess. It was a hot, dangerous trip. I got sunburned, the skin peeled off my nose, and my under lip blistered and swelled up. I am much better now. Monday afternoon I got a lorcha for Iloilo to get books for first delivery. We left at four o’clock Tuesday for Saravia. On account of contrary wind, it took us all the afternoon, all night, and until twelve o’clock Wednesday to reach Saravia. I delivered my books at this place, and left for Vicorias about eight o’clock at night, and stayed at the home of a Filipino teacher. I delivered all my books and left on foot for Silay, reaching there Thursday night. I stayed at the home of an American teacher, and delivered my books on Friday, having good success. All who ordered for March 30 have paid with the exception of a few who were on ranches.”
Now I hope that after reading this many will count it a privilege to leave the quietness of home and come out to the frontier and fight the battles of the Lord. I can assure you that we who have ventured out are glad that we did, and hope that we may be privileged to stay until the battle is fought and the victory won. And who can count the joy of those servants when Jesus shall say to them, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
The Bible Guides Man
WITHOUT the Bible, man would be in the midst of a sandy desert, surrounded on all sides by a dark and impenetrable horizon.—Daniel Webster.
