WAR is always the most expensive way of attaining the end sought by the successful party, and not always does it happen that the anticipated result is realized after the awful cost of war has been paid. The recent South African War may be cited as an illustration. At the time of that war it was commonly said, both in England and in Cape Colony that it would result in making South Africa a “white man’s country.” But we are now told that “the census which has just been completed does not bear out this expectation. In Cape Colony, Natal, the Orange River Colony, and the Transvaal, there are one million one hundred and fifteen thousand whites, a little more than four million native blacks and one hundred and one thousand East Indians. Compared with the census of 1891, this shows an increase for the blacks of nearly eighty per cent, while the whites in the same period have increased only about sixty per cent. In Cape Colony, where the actual number of whites is largest, the blacks outnumber them by more than three to one.”
Another and more surprising result of the war, if we may credit figures and statements given by the well-known English writer, W. T. Stead, in an article contributed to the Saturday Evening Post (Philadelphia), is that British supremacy in South Africa is no nearer to being established than before the war was begun. “The net result of the three years’ war” says this authority, “has been to establish beyond all gainsaying the fact that, in the contest between British South Africans and Dutch South Africans, the balance of strength is so overwhelmingly on the side of the latter, that if they were left to themselves the Boer supremacy would not be challenged.” The Uitlanders, who, under the Boer republic, complained that they were deprived of the franchise, are still waiting for the franchise. Attempts to settle the country with English colonists fail, because farming in South Africa is a laborious occupation, beset by such drawbacks as locusts and drouths. “The English will be, as they have been, mostly dwellers in towns, speculators in mines, tradesmen and managers of transport. The immense preponderance of the white men on the land will be in the future, as in the past, men of Dutch descent. The Boer cradle is constantly refilled. The old Continental sneer at the dimensions of English families has lost its point. It is the Boer, not the Britain, who has his quiver full of children.”
How much better in any case to settle international differences by arbitration, but especially when the fearful price of war is paid without securing the end that is sought. L. A. S.
The Value of Christlike Love
By Ellen G. White
MRS. E. G. WHITE
The Lord desires me to call the attention of his people to the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians. Read this chapter every day, and from it obtain comfort and strength. Learn from it the value that God places on sanctified, heaven-born love, and let the lesson that it teaches come home to your hearts. Learn that Christlike love is of heavenly birth, and that without it all other qualifications are worthless.
“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love,” Paul declares, “I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing.”
How beautiful the earth was when it came from the Creator’s hand! God presented before the universe a world in which even his all-seeing eye could find no spot or stain. Each part of the creation occupied the part assigned to it, and answered the purpose for which it was created. Peace and holy joy filled the earth. There was no confusion, no clashing. There was no disease to afflict man or beast, and the vegetable kingdom was without taint or corruption. God looked upon the work of his hands, wrought out by Christ, and pronounced it “very good.” He looked upon a perfect world, in which there was no sin, no imperfection.
But a change came. Satan tempted Adam, and he fell. He who in heaven had become disloyal and had been cast out, made lying reports of God to the beings he had created, and they believed his lie. Sin entered the world, and death by sin. The consequences of our first parents’ disloyalty we now have to meet as we work for God, and until the close of this earth’s history our labors will become more and more trying.
I entreat the members of our churches not to make the work more trying than it necessarily is by watching one another for a word or an act upon which to comment unfavorably. Let them, if a report is brought to them about some one, make it a rule to do just as Christ has said should be done in such cases. Let them follow the counsel of the Great Teacher, who gave his life for the life of the world. His directions are plain. “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.” “Tell him his fault between thee and him alone.” Without delay make every effort to heal the wrong that exists. Do not, by speaking unwise words, give the enemy opportunity to arouse suspicion and evil-surmising in the mind of your brother. Be determined to do all in your power to make the wrong right. Do not tell to a third person the story of the difficulty. Go directly to the one who has erred, and “tell him his fault between thee and him alone.” Go to him, not to condemn, but to seek for reconciliation, because Christ has told you to love one another as he has loved you.
Our gifts, our prayers, are not acceptable to God while we leave this duty undone, and let the poison of envy and evil-surmising take possession of our souls, to destroy our union and happiness. O, how much unhappiness would be saved, how many evil thoughts would be quenched, if believers would take up the work that Christ has said must be done to prevent evil speaking! We pray, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us.” Do we do our part to remove every stumbling-block from before the feet of our brother? Too often our prayers are hindered by our pride of heart, by our refusal to confess faults and to remove wrong impressions. Let us remember that our prayers are not acceptable to God while we suffer a fellow worker to misapprehend us. If we are not to blame for the misunderstanding that exists, we can, perhaps, make an explanation that will remove the misunderstanding. If we are to blame, if we have left a wrong impression on a brother’s mind, we are certainly under obligation to do all in our power to remove this impression.
Let the suspicious ones, who think and speak evil of their brethren, remember that they are doing the devil’s drudgery. Let every one pass over little differences and mistakes without comment. Do not magnify the small mistakes made by some one, but think of the good that is in him. Each time mistakes are thought of and talked about, they grow larger. A mountain is made out of a molehill. Ill-feeling and a lack of confidence are the result.
To many these words are applicable: “Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”
So great is the intemperance in speech that much instruction has been given on this subject by the Great Teacher. He has given special directions for the discipline of the tongue. Study and obey these directions. Check the harsh words that, if spoken, would create difference and alienation. Speak words that will cement hearts, not estrange them,—words that will heal, not wound. When difficulties arise among church-members, let them be cleared away before the Sabbath comes. This should be regarded as a Christian duty by every church-member. “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, . . . and be ye thankful.” Are you troubled and perplexed? Sweep away the rubbish that has been accumulating before the door of the heart, and open the door, inviting Jesus to come in and abide as an honored guest. Bring peace and comfort into your own heart and the hearts of others. This is most blessed missionary work.
The Lord has instructed me to say to his people, Work for perfection. Do nothing that will cause disaffection to spring up in hearts. Do not serve the enemy. Overcome your inclination to find fault and condemn. Give no place to him whose delight it is to accuse. Remember, my beloved brethren and sisters, that you are pleasing and helping Satan by every word you utter that disparages another.
I greatly desire that you shall follow the directions that Christ has laid down. As you do this, he will certainly help you to adjust the difficulties that exist. He will help you not to make dissension by magnifying little mistakes. The light that the Lord has given me is that he will greatly bless his people, if they will not think or speak evil of one another, but go directly to the one they think is in the wrong, and in a kind, compassionate manner point out his mistake. May the Lord help those who have learned to criticize, to learn to think no evil, and to speak only good words,—words of comfort and healing. Then they will rejoice; for they will have evidence that they are laborers together with God.
Christ loved the church, “and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy, and without blemish.”
My brethren and sisters, I beseech you to give diligent heed to these words, because the day of the Lord is right upon us. You have no time to lose. Do not neglect the word of God to you.
“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith,8I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee.)”
Will you not, as servants of the Most High God, give heed to these words? Will you not respond to God’s mercy and compassion and love toward you by loving one another as Christ has loved you?
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Giving no offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed.” Remember that when you speak words that disparage one another, the ministry is blamed. The lack of power in the church is charged to the ministry, when often it is directly chargeable to the members, because they do not mix faith with their hearing.
The ministers are to be men of faith, men who give expression to the pure love of God. And the members are to give no offense in anything, “that the ministry be not blamed.” No unkind dealing or harsh words are to find a place in their experience.
“In all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings.” We should be preparing for these things; for they will come. Those who share in Christ’s glory must share in his sufferings.
May the Lord lead every minister and every lay member to turn to him with full purpose of heart, and make diligent work for repentance. Thus only can they obtain the sanctification of the Spirit. How true are the words of Paul: “Ye are not straightened in us, but ye are straightened in your own affections.” Many complain of others because their own hearts are not in unity with the Spirit of God. When self is crucified, Christ will take possession of the soul-temple.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters.”
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Let every one humble his heart before God, and make a surrender of body, soul, and spirit to him, that he may give his people his rich grace abundantly. Let the heart be closed against selfishness. Let us follow the example of Christ. If we fail of doing this, we shall fail of receiving a welcome into the city of God. He who continues to be a transgressor of the law of God, even though he break but one precept, can have no place in the royal family.
I entreat those who have given so much time to talking of the faults of others, to cease this cruel work, and obey the words, “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life.” The divine directory, God’s holy Word, is in our hands. In the toil of business and the unceasing activity of daily life, this Word is to be our guide. This Word is appreciated by him who is striving to overcome. It is to him as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
Let God’s people set a perfect example, honoring Christ in every place, in every difficulty following his directions. Then at last they will be received into the family of the redeemed, and there will be given unto them a crown of immortal life.
Alone
By E. M. Exton
“Alone with God!” the keynote this
Of every holy life,
The secret power of fragrant growth,
And victory over strife.
“Alone with God!” in private prayer
And quietness we feel
That he draws near our waiting souls,
And doth himself reveal.
“Alone with God!” earth’s laurels fade,
Ambition tempts not there;
The world and self are judged aright,
And no false colors wear.
“Alone with God!” true knowledge gained,
While sitting at his feet;
We learn life’s greatest lessons there,
Which make for service meet.
— E. M. Exton.
Is Our Work Disintegrating?
By I. H. Evans
I. H. EVANS
How many times we have heard it said within the last eighteen months, “It looks to me as though everything was going to pieces,” or “I think our future is pretty dark,” or again, “I have lost my courage. I think we are disintegrating, and will soon go to pieces!”
Now remember, no one ever makes such remarks until he, himself, is in the dark, when he at once concludes that every one else must be in the same condition.
There are many souls losing their hold on God, and wrecking their faith in the final success of this work. But is this any argument that the cause of God is not onward?—None, whatever.
Long have we known that the time must come when many who once loved the truth and had even sacrificed for its advancement, would lose their zeal, and become lukewarm,—“neither cold nor hot.” What means the Laodicean message, if it does not apply to such times as we are now entering? We expect that many will give up the truth, and even become our bitterest opposers, but all this signifies nothing as regards the progress of God’s work. Man may often erect barriers against the truth, but truth will triumph still.
Nor is the third angel’s message losing its power to affect hearts. It may not stir our own hearts as it once did, but that may signify that our hearts are hardened, and that we have lost our first love, instead of the power of the message being lessened. Never in the history of our work has there been such marked progress along all lines, as during the last ten years.
Look at ten years of growth in this work, and then ask the question, Is God’s work stagnated, or has my own heart become paralyzed?
In 1893, our reported total membership was 37,404. In 1903, just ten years later, our reported membership was 77,736. A gain in ten years, of 40,332. Or, in other words, we had gained in ten years 2,928 more Sabbath-keepers than we had gained during all our previous existence. Is that stagnation and death?—Nay, verily; it is growth, not equal to our desires, but a growth hardly equaled in per cent by any other denomination.
In 1893, our offerings for mission work had averaged for the previous five years, $70,240.72. In the five years preceding 1903, our offerings for mission work averaged $131,166.96, while in the 1903 donation, it reached a grand total of $184,026.58.
Our annual offering for 1903 exceeded the high-water mark of all other years, by more than $10,000.
In 1892, the total tithe of all our people aggregated $302,310.19, while in 1902, it reached $643,747.83.
Besides this, look at the institutions planted during the last ten years. When did the church-school work make its growth?—During the last ten years. When did our conference schools, which are now in nearly every conference, get started?—During the past decade. When did our numerous sanitariums, vegetarian restaurants, etc., spring up?—Nearly all, except the Battle Creek and St. Helena Sanitariums, have sprung up within ten years.
Look at the mission fields we have entered during this time. All of South Africa except Cape Colony, Nyassaland, the Gold Coast, German East Africa, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, India, China, Japan and nearly all the Pacific Islands, South America, West Indies from Bermuda to Guiana, Central America, Mexico, Alaska, Manitoba, and nearly all of our mission stations outside of portions of Europe, have been entered during the past ten years. Never has there been such progress in all lines of the work as we can now behold. Nearly every nation of earth is now opened to the truth, and many are pleading for help.
Has the third angel’s message lost its power? Never was it so strong to win souls as now. Behold! brethren, the whole mount is aflame with the chariots of God’s messengers. The battle cry is “Onward; God’s message to all the world!” Shall we see such overwhelming evidences of God’s leading, and still remain a prisoner in doubting castle? Are we to see with our eyes the “fine flour and the barley sold for a shekel,” but not taste its sweetness ourselves?
If the next ten years sees the same marked progress, and there is an equal increase in membership, there will be living on earth then more than 144,000 Seventh-day Adventists, scattered among the nations of earth. Our tithes will then have reached over $1,280,000 a year, while our offerings will have reached nearly half a million dollars per annum.
Is it a time now to sit in ease and quietness, or shall we join the workers’ ranks, and become one of the Lord’s host that goes up to possess the goodly land?
“Hide a Multitude of Sins”
By D. T. Bourdeau
D. T. BOURDEAU
THESE are the last words of the epistle of James. They set forth one of the things that one will do who really takes part in restoring a brother who has erred from the truth. James 5:19, 20. One who succeeds in restoring an erring brother or sister “shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” The second death is here referred to. The vast importance of saving one soul from that death will be more fully seen than it can now be, when those who have died in their sins, shall experience the awful second death in the final conflagration of our earth beyond the resurrection of the ungodly which occurs at the close of the thousand years that are to intervene between the resurrection of the just and of the unjust. Revelation 20; 2 Peter 3.
But saving a soul from the second death is not the only object that those shall gain who succeed in this important work of restoring the erring. They shall hide the many sins and errors that have caused the fall of the person exposed to the much-to-be-dreaded second death. It is absolutely necessary to kindly, tenderly, lovingly, and mercifully show the erring his sins, that he may confess them, repent of them, and reform. But when once this has been done, and the doing of it has brought about the desired results, the duty to hide the sins committed and the errors fallen into, becomes imperative. God has forgiven the one who has confessed, repented, and reformed. His attitude toward him has changed; he does not hold up his sins before him through his word, spirit, and chosen human agents, as he did before his repentance; and should we not follow his example in this respect? Christ has washed the sins of this repenting believer in his own precious blood; and should we dwell upon them as if to revive them again and make them a present, existing reality? Shall we continue dwelling upon them as if they had not been forgiven, and as if the blood and intercessions of Christ had not removed them from the person who has committed them?
Of backsliders who turn unto the Lord and forsake their sins, it is written: “Thou [God] will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19. Is that continually calling up those sins, bringing them in sight, speaking of them to others, and accusing those who committed them? To do this would be taking sides with Satan as “the accuser of our brethren” (Rev. 12:10), and with the Pharisees, who were noted for accusing publicans and sinners who had confessed and forsaken the transgressions that had characterized and stained their lives and characters. Such a course is not only out of harmony with, but diametrically opposed to, the course of God the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ; is against the salutary workings of the Holy Spirit, those of holy angels and of human beings who are earnestly laboring for the salvation of sinners; and has for animus and first cause, Satan’s hatred of Christ, of the plan of salvation and its application to those whom he has led to connect with his kingdom; and his desire to discourage those who have left his ranks, and to retard the gospel work in the earth.
Can a person who is constantly dwelling upon and exposing the confessed and forsaken sins of others be walking in the light? — Certainly not. There is surely something wrong in one’s pursuing this course. He will certainly by so doing, either imitate the very sins he is exposing and dwelling upon, or himself commit sins that are more grievous; if, indeed, he has not already done this. There is generally selfishness or envy, or both, at the very root and basis of such a course. The sooner this thing is known and realized the better, the more hope is there for a reform of those who are so noted for flippantly talking about the sins and errors of others.
“But,” says one, “the individual who has erred has again fallen into the same errors and made the same mistakes; and are you sure that he will not again do the same thing?” That may be true, or partially so. But have you never fallen into errors and made mistakes after making progress in the good way? If not, cast the first stone. If you have, be merciful, that you may obtain mercy; and be careful lest the judgment that you pass on others shall be passed on your own soul. How much better it is to cultivate and cherish that charity or love that “suffereth long, and is kind,” that “envieth not,” “vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,” “doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil,” “beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” 1 Corinthians 13. Even by the discipline for the church that Christ has left us, we are encouraged to pursue a course in laboring for the erring that will favor the plan of giving the least possible publicity to the sins they have committed. Matthew 18.
Let us in this matter, by grace divine and by a consistent course, place ourselves on the side of God the Father, God the Son, the Holy Spirit, the heavenly host, and with wise and faithful workers on earth, and not give way to the accuser of the brethren and the infernal spirits and human agents who aid him in the criminal work of annoying, discouraging, and destroying souls for whom Christ died. Then shall we save many souls from the awful second death, and hide a multitude of sins.
Morning Prayer
By Spurgeon
The morning is the gate of the day, and should be well guarded with prayer. It is one of the threads on which the day’s actions are strung, and should be well knotted with devotion. If we felt more the majesty of life, we should be more careful of its mornings. He who rushes from his bed to his business and waiteth not to worship, is foolish, as though he had not put on his clothes or cleansed his face, and unwise as though he dashed into battle without arms or armor. Be it ours to bathe in the softly flowing river of communion with God before the heat of the wilderness and the burden of the way begin to oppress us.—Spurgeon.
Patience With the Faults of Others
A Golden Rule Meditation
LET me not require perfection in my brother till I am somewhat near it myself. O what a hypocrite I am to be enraged at faults in others that I cherish in myself; to call them sins in others, and in myself peculiarities! I frown upon their frowns as if my face were smiling. I am harsh with their harshness, exaggerate their exaggerations, and insincerely reprimand their falsehoods.
I will no longer judge my brother; I will begin to judge myself. Shall I close my eyes to his grievous errors?—Yes, until I can open them upon my own sins. While the beam is in me, I will not play surgeon for their motes.
Then, too, what love have I for men when a single fault in them can check its course? How shallow is it when the wind of criticism can make it muddy! How sluggish it must be when even their indifference can turn it from its course!
Let me love others as I would have them love me. I am wrong to-day, but to-morrow I repent and forget it, and expect my dear ones to forget it, and to love just the same. So let me love them with a love that seeks excuse for their evil, rather than an increase of condemnation; with a love that is eager to forget, rather than tenacious to remember; with a love that goes more than half-way to meet repentance; that goes all the way, and pleads for it.
O I fear that every bitter judgment of my brother’s faults, that all impatient anger at my brother when he sinned, has become stern condemnation of myself in heaven! For I that knew so well how another should live, why did I not live better myself? I that was so strict to mark iniquity in others, why was I so lax with my own grievous sins? Ah, forgive me, thou who didst wear the crown of thorns, and help me to forgive men when they only throw a bramble in my way. Be gracious to me, thou who didst love them as they nailed thee to the cross, and teach me to be patient when men but brush my garments rudely. Amen.—Anon.
Better to Be the Man That Daily Strives
By Jane Greenough Avery Carter
BETTER to be the man that daily strives,
Though humbly poor, to uplift human
lives,
Than he whose hand, though heaped
with shining gold,
Is reached to shield no outcast from the
cold;
Who drags out life in dull and dark
unrest,
And leaves the world unblessing and
unblest.
— Jane Greenough Avery Carter.
Home
By Charles Swain
HOME’S not merely four square walls,
Though with pictures hung and
gilded;
Home is where affection calls,
Filled with shrines the heart hath
builded!
Home! go watch the faithful dove,
Sailing ’neath the heaven above us;
Home is where there’s one to love!
Home is where there’s one to love us!
Home’s not merely roof and room,
It needs something to endear it;
Home is where the heart can bloom,
Where there’s some kind lip to cheer
it!
What is home with none to meet,
None to welcome, none to greet us?
Home is sweet—and only sweet—
When there’s one we love to meet us.
— Charles Swain,
Zeal Not According to Knowledge
By GEO. H. HEALD
GEO. H. HEALD
An earnest brother one day said to me, “I like Brother D’s testimony: it has the old-time ring so seldom heard nowadays. He says ‘Some people are becoming discouraged in their attempt to live health reform, but I am not. I have started to live health reform, and I shall stick to it, if I die in the attempt!’ This reminds one of the earnestness of the early church.”
This is no doubt an extreme case. Few people express themselves this way in words, though numbers do mentally and in their actions. The above sentiment involves, as one may readily see, two errors: first that health reform is a certain formula of life, a collection of rules,—“Thou shalt,” and “Thou shalt not,” similar to that given in the eleventh chapter of Leviticus; second, that it is an act of merit to observe these rules whether they tend to improve or impair the health.
The spirit manifested is good, the willingness to sacrifice is praiseworthy, but is it not in a wrong cause? Does true health reform ever cause people to die or fail in health in the attempt to live it out? We can honor the man, who, knowing that shortly he will be cut down in the midst of his usefulness, goes to the Gold Coast or to a leper colony to spread the gospel. He counts not his life too dear to sacrifice on the altar for souls purchased by his beloved Master. If as a result of his labor one soul is turned to Christ, he will count that his life has been well spent.
But those who adopt a so-called health reform and become thinner, weaker, less efficient and possibly shorter lived,— there have been many such,—what do they gain for themselves or for the truth? Do they recommend to others the truth they profess to believe? Will such a health reform prove to be an “entering wedge” to lead people to investigate other phases of the message?
Doubtless many in reading the thrilling story recounted in the first chapter of Daniel, have been led to believe that if they should conscientiously adopt a diet which they believe to be right, God would bless them with increased health and strength and with greater power in presenting the gospel of truth.
Now, of all things, one should not violate his conscience by eating what he believes to be wrong or injurious, for “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”
On the other hand, a food is not necessarily the best for a person because he believes it is. Suppose, for instance, that as a result of the study of the Testimonies I conclude that I should confine myself to fruits and grains; suppose, again, that these foods do not happen to agree with me. May I, reasoning from the first chapter of Daniel, conclude that there will be divine interference with the laws of nature in my case so that the foods will be beneficial to me? Has the Lord laid down a fiat that these foods shall be eaten, purposing that as we comply with his requirements, he will bless us with better health, or has he pointed out the foods which were originally given to man as best, and which, as man becomes more normal will be found now to best serve the purpose for which food is intended?
As we study the question more at length, it will appear that the Lord has dealt rather in principles than in specific details to be blindly followed by each individual, regardless of his heredity, training, and idiosyncrasies.
One principle which has been given us, and which should govern all our study of this subject is, “What is one man’s meat is often another man’s poison.” If we attempt to live by any code of health precepts, we may find that “the commandment which was ordained unto life” is “unto death.” As in spiritual matters, so in the matter of diet, it is often the case that “The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”
The Lord has directed us to make a close study of physiology. He has even said that it should be taught to children from the time they are able to understand, and that it should be made the basis of all educational effort.
Why is this? In order that they may know how to care intelligently for their own bodies; how to avoid the indifference of ignorance on the one hand, and the tendency to follow fads on the other. He wants his people, by a careful study of foundation principles, to be level-headed.
Many people,—among those usually accounted well educated as well as among the ignorant,—are not so well able to select a proper dietary as an ordinary animal. The Lord desires better things of his people. He would have his people use not only the specific directions he has given, but also the facts learned from an intelligent study of physiology, and from observation of the effects of foods on themselves and others.
The Care of the Baby in Hot Weather
UNLESS the baby is under six months old, take off his flannels when sultry days come.
When you take him for an outing, with the thermometer climbing toward the nineties, leave his coat and veil at home.
If you have a feather pillow in his coach, smooth it down as flat as possible, and tuck a thin quilt over it tightly.
Take off that starched, ruffled dress and the furbelowed petticoat.
Substitute socks for stockings, or leave the tiny feet bare.
Put on him a simple cambric slip plainly made and laundered without starch.
See to it that he has frequent drinks of cool water, not iced, but not of a warmish temperature that is quite nauseating.
If he seems irritable and cries easily when his general health is good, be sure that he is not too warm.
To make him very happy, take off all his clothes but his underwear, and lay him in the center of the bed or upon some outspread quilts upon the floor. In a second he will be gurgling and kicking and cooing in delight.
A small hair pillow is better than a feather one for hot weather. Trained nurses say, however, that no pillow at all is the correct thing for a small baby.
After having found the correct food, do not experiment with the baby’s menu. Give him that which suits him, and nothing else.
Do not give a child under one year of age crackers, mashed potatoes, or bits of bread. It may seem to be digested and kept down without trouble, but as the summer progresses you will probably have a case of cholera infantum upon your hands.
It seems almost unnecessary to say, do not give him cakes or candy, ice cream or strawberries, or any of the summer fruits, for these things mean most serious trouble for an infant and his stomach.
As stated before, the mischief may not show immediately. But be sure that you will reap a terrible harvest from your folly. A disordered stomach kills nine tenths of the babies that die, and the ignorance or carelessness of the mothers is responsible for it.
“Indigestion consequent upon teething,” “convulsions incident to teething,”11“summer complaint caused by teething,” with all these phrases laying the blame upon the circumstances of teething, are generally at fault.
Why is the teething such a hard matter? Why do convulsions and indigestion manifest themselves when the teeth are being cut? Very often it is because so many mothers feed their babies miscellaneous food, food just about as digestible to their tiny stomachs as would be ground up brickbats, just previous to the teething period, which commences at about the seventh or eighth month.
The cutting of teeth in a healthy, vigorous child which has been fed properly, is as natural and easy as the growing of its hair or fingernails.
Dress the baby simply, keep him clean and quiet, let him have frequent drinks of cool water, and feed him regularly with the food which has been found best suited to him, keeping all utensils used in its preparation scrupulously clean and well sterilized.
On such a regime you can face summer and its changes with the utmost cheerfulness. Even if you stay in the city, the child should keep well and happy.—Michigan Christian Herald.
Queen of the Household
By Andora
I KNEW a beautiful and wealthy woman who, as a girl, had been a reigning belle. Her old friends crowded about her, but she had no time for worldly amusements. She literally never lost sight of her children. She nursed the baby and bathed it herself. She inspected every meal the older children ate, and talked and played with them constantly. Her friends protested.
“You are degenerating into a mere nurse-maid! You give yourself no chance to grow!” they said.
“God just now has given me nursing to do,” she said quietly, “and I can grow in that line.”
I lost sight of her for three years. Then her husband moved to the country, where I lived. Her children were at school, but she still kept close to them. She took drawing lessons with Mary, studied mathematics with Joe, and taught Jim history, coloring the dull dates with vivid stories of battles and heroes. Her mother-eye was on each child, and when the teacher drove one of them too hard, the child was promptly brought home and turned loose on the farm for a few months.
Her friends protested that she took no part in the modern affairs of women. She belonged to no clubs.
“I must be about my own business,” she said.
Her husband was a large cattle-grower. She knew his affairs to the least detail.
When Joe was ordained a minister she threw herself into his parish work. When Jim became a magazine editor she plunged into the works of modern writers and poetry and read scores of manuscripts for him.
She is still living, still keeping step with her boys and husband. They carry all their worries to her; they consult her in all their plans.
Her life was broadened in their lives. Her friends still complain that she does no public work.
But, “her children rise up and call her blessed.”—Andora.
Teeth and Digestion
THE close connection between decayed teeth and diseases of the digestion is pointed out by a writer in Guy’s Hospital Gazette.
The presence of free acids in the mouth is particularly harmful. These may come from various sources, but most commonly from the acid fermentation of the carbohydrate food lodged on or between the teeth at the gums, and due to the action of micro-organisms present in the mouth.
Normally the saliva is alkaline, and any acids produced in the crevices of the teeth are thus neutralized and decay prevented. There are two conditions under which the saliva is unable to neutralize the acids produced locally, namely: (1) when it is deficient in alkalinity, and (2) when it is deficient in quantity. As to the former, it is well known that the saliva becomes less alkaline, or even acid, in any condition of prolonged gastric digestion, a phenomenon which occurs in nearly all cases of dyspepsia. Moreover, the teeth when decayed further tend to keep up the state of chronic dyspepsia by rendering mastication imperfect. A vicious circle is thus established.
To obviate this form of dental disease the teeth should be washed frequently with a solution of which one of the ingredients is bicarbonate of soda. This may prevent one of the most disagreeable results of the disease—facial neuralgia.—The Commoner.
A Little Poem of Life
By John Oxenham
I,—
Thou,—
We,—
They,—
Small words, but mighty.
In their span
Are bound the life and hopes of man;
For, first his thoughts of his own self are full,
Until another comes his heart to rule.
For them life's best is centered round their love,
Till younger lives come all their love to prove.
— John Oxenham.