Earlier text: Portals of Prophetic SignificanceLATEST advices from Russia point to the conclusion that the long-deferred day of popular liberty has at last dawned, and that the people of that country are henceforth to have constitutional government. This is really a triumph of Protestantism over the papacy, for it was the Russian orthodox church, the Greek Catholic, which held most strongly to the old despotic regime, and it is the essence of Protestantism that people should be free to think and to believe for themselves, and to govern themselves, subject as citizens only to such laws as are necessary to safeguard natural rights. With the passing of autocratic rule in Russia a change comes which means much for future religious development and the progress of the gospel message in that vast section of the world. Catholics and Sunday Enforcement
AMONG five great evils enumerated by Cardinal Gibbons as the chief ones by which society is at present confronted, he mentions “the desecration of the Christian sabbath, which tends to obliterate in our adult population the salutary fear of God and the homage we owe him.” From this and similar statements which come occasionally from leading papal spokesmen, it is evident that Catholics will be ready to join hands with Protestants in the movement to enforce Sunday observance, when the opportune moment arrives for such a union of the forces supporting that institution. There is no visible means other than legislation by which it is proposed to arrest the tide of Sunday desecration; and when Catholics speak of the duty of checking this alleged evil, they have reference to the use of the civil power to enforce upon the people this institution of the papal church. Plans for a National Reserve
“The general staff of the United States army,” says the Northwestern Christian Advocate, “is said to be perfecting plans for the increase of the country’s military forces, providing for the creation of two or three lines of reserves, one being a ‘regular reserve’ of forty thousand men, and the other a ‘national reserve’ of one hundred thousand men. Both bodies would be under the control of the national government, subject to the call of the President at any time for service either at home or abroad. The scheme in its entirety would place at the national government’s disposal for foreign service at least two hundred and forty thousand soldiers, every one of them a man who had received military training.” There is much more probability, in view of the prevalent industrial disturbances, that this strong army would be used for service at home than that it would be required abroad. The Call of the Hour
By A. T. ROBINSON
Brief Messages From Conference Presidents The Issue Pressed Upon Us
NEVER before in its history has this country been blessed with more abundant harvests than is the case this year. Surely nature, with lavish hand, has been bestowing her best gifts in nearly every part of the land. The growing and ripening fields of grain have been graciously protected from damaging frosts and destructive storms, while in many parts of the country the farmer smiles through the copious autumn showers, foreshadowing next year's harvest. How fitting, at the close of such a season, that a special time be set apart to express our gratitude to Him who gives us “rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” How fitting that our expressions of gratitude should be accompanied with free-will offerings. “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?” The next occasion for making special offerings to the foreign mission work will be during the “week of prayer.” It is none too early now to begin to think and plan for the occasion. That which we think the most about comes to be of the most importance to us. Think of the hundreds of workers who love home and native land just as much as we do, who have responded to the Master's call, and are laboring in distant parts of the earth. Think of the open doors, from which has been heard repeatedly the “Macedonian cry,” and of the Mission Board, which was compelled to refuse so many of these calls during 1905. Think of the millions of honest souls, nigh and afar, whose ears have never yet heard the sound of this blessed message. Think of the fact that sixty-one years of the generation that is to witness the accomplishment of this work are already in the past. Think of these things, dear brethren and sisters. Make them the theme of conversation in the home. Make them the subject of special mention, frequently, at the season of family worship. Let earnest prayers be offered that the Holy Spirit may revive the true missionary spirit in the hearts of all our people, prompting them to make liberal offerings. This matter is worthy of our highest and best thought. If we will give it the attention it deserves, the coming week of prayer will prove the richest season of blessing ever experienced in the homes of this people. The hearts of all who participate in this movement will be drawn closer to Him who gave himself and all he possessed, “to seek and to save that which was lost.” The hearts of our youth and children will be bound to this message in ties that all the fascinating charms and allurements of this world can not sever. Let me, in the name of the blessed Master, appeal to our dear people to make the coming week of prayer a glad “surprise” in our homes, to the Mission Board, to our laborers in far-away lands, to those who are longing to go to foreign fields, and through them to many hungering souls who are waiting, amid the moral darkness with which they are surrounded, for the light of the third angel's message to shine upon them. A. T. ROBINSON, of Nebraska. Infinite Riches on Demand
By A. E. Place
WHAT a cause of thanksgiving it should be to each one of us that the Lord has given us another year of life, with its many opportunities and blessings, and that we are so near to another annual feast—“the week of prayer”! During the past year many dear souls have accepted the message and joined our ranks, even in dark lands across the seas. Thus there are more lovers of this message than ever before to unite in this special season of seeking God. I have more than once asked myself the question, Will this coming week of prayer be more longed for, more appreciated, and more sacredly and thankfully observed when it comes, by those who have accepted the advent faith the past year, than by us who for years have known this last great message? Doubtless every one of us would feel quite sensibly the loss of even a ten-dollar note. Can one of us knowingly and willingly or carelessly lose our right to the notes on the bank of heaven—of infinitely greater value—which are “awaiting our demand and reception” during the week of prayer? How much better for us to reach for and hold the heavenly note, and freely give the United States note, in the name of God, for the doubling of the work in the earth the coming year? The issue before us is too great, the loss too infinite, to allow us to think of failure! Let us, therefore, as never before, make the determination of the whole-hearted Joshua, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” We will see that this coming week of prayer shall mean more, and be more to us, than any like season in past years. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”
A. E. PLACE, of Central New England. Seek His Face
By J. H. Wheeler
Another year is almost in the past; another week of prayer is just before us. The Lord has been very kind to us in Wyoming during this the first year of our existence as a separate field. The coming week of prayer should be a time for special seeking of his face and favor for an outpouring of his Holy Spirit and a fresh baptism of his power. We need9this, dear brethren, in order to keep pace with the rapid advancement of the third angel’s message. As the Lord has greatly blessed us in basket and in store, let us remember the great and needy fields, and be liberal in our donations. In view of the fact that the Lord has given us such a bountiful harvest, the donations should be largely in excess of last year’s. J. H. WHEELER, of Wyoming Mission Field. In This Generation
By B. F. PURDHAM
If we as a people have no definite message for the world, then we have no good reason for our denominational existence. But if we have a definite and pointed message to bear to the world, then we have good reason for our existence, and the Lord of that message will hold us to a strict account for the use we make of that message. Beyond the shadow of a doubt we have such a message, and it can be summed up in these few words: Christ will come, and the work will be finished, in this generation. According to Matthew 24 “this generation” is quite far advanced in point of time, hence the important and timely message to “rise and finish the work.” Thanks be to God for the assurance that “there shall be delay no longer.” B. F. PURDHAM, of West Virginia. Time to Seek the Lord
By L. F. STARR
“It is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness.” “Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favor her, yea, the set time, is come.” The keynote of the coming week of prayer will be the finishing of the work. The time has come for the reign of righteousness and for God to favor Zion. For years God’s faithful ones here and there have been, during the week of prayer, crying to God for a revival of the work. We believe that God is working mightily, and what we have seen and heard is but the cloud like a man’s hand in token of that which is to follow. We are convinced that the call for the week of prayer, December 9-16, has been wrought out by the Holy Spirit. Surely as we look around us and see the spiritual dearth and the world’s great need, we can but feel the need of prevailing prayer! What is needed? Is it not that we prevail with God for more of the convincing, converting, saving power of the Holy Spirit? O that God may mightily and speedily bring his people into such oneness with himself and with one another that the very flood-gates of heaven may be opened in answer to their united cry for his righteousness and for liberal gifts with which to forward the work! Shall we not more than ever before take upon our hearts the sins of God’s professed people, and weep and pray for Zion? Come, beloved, let us covenant that for Zion’s sake we will not hold our peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake we will not rest until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. “Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, and give him no rest till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” The Ark of the Covenant
By Ellen G. White
Lessons From the Life of Solomon—No. 9
BEYOND the inner veil of the wilderness-tabernacle built in the time of Moses, was the holy of holies, where centered the symbolic service of atonement and intercession. In this apartment was the ark, a chest of acacia wood, overlaid within and without with gold, and having a crown of gold about the top. It was made as a depository for the tables of stone, upon which God himself had inscribed the ten commandments. Hence it was called the ark of God's testament, or the ark of the covenant, since the ten commandments were the basis of the covenant made between God and Israel. The cover of the sacred chest was called the mercy-seat. This was wrought of one solid piece of gold, and was surmounted by golden cherubim, one standing on each end. One wing of each angel was stretched forth on high, while the other was folded over the body in token of reverence and humility. The position of the cherubim, with their faces turned toward each other, and looking reverently downward toward the ark, represented the reverence with which the heavenly host regard the law of God, and their interest in the plan of redemption. Above the mercy-seat was the Shekinah, the manifestation of the divine presence; and from between the cherubim, God made known his will. Throughout the times of Moses and Joshua, and of the judges and kings of Israel, the ark of the covenant was regarded as a symbol of God's presence among his people. It was the ark that led the way for the hosts of Israel when they crossed the Jordan and entered the promised land. Surrounded by a halo of glory, the ark was borne around the walls of Jericho by priests clad in the dress denoting their sacred office. During the conquest of Canaan, Gilgal was the headquarters of the Jewish nation and the seat of the tabernacle. Afterward, Shiloh, a little town easy of access to all the tribes, was chosen as a place most suitable for the tabernacle of the congregation. The ark remained at Shiloh for three hundred years, until, because of the sins of Eli's house, it fell into the hands of the Philistines, and Shiloh was ruined. Through the providence of God, the ark was returned, uninjured, to the Israelites, and was placed in the house of a Levite at Kirjath-jearim, nine miles distant from Jerusalem. There it remained for many years, until David, at the head of a triumphal procession, with sacrifices, and dancing, and music, brought the ark to Jerusalem, and deposited it in the tent that had been prepared for its reception. The Transfer of the Ark to the Temple
After Solomon had finished building the temple, he assembled the elders of Israel, and the most influential men among the people, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David. These men consecrated themselves to God, and, with great solemnity and reverence, accompanied the priests who bore the ark. “And they brought up the ark of the Lord, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring up. And King Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.” Solomon followed the example of his father David. Every six paces he sacrificed. With singing, and with music, and great ceremony, “the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims. For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.” A most splendid sanctuary had been made, according to the pattern showed to Moses in the mount, and afterward presented by the Lord to David. In addition to the cherubim on the top of the ark, Solomon made two other angels of larger size, standing at each end of the ark, representing the heavenly angels guarding the law of God. It is impossible to describe the beauty and splendor of this sanctuary. Into this place the sacred ark was borne with solemn reverence by the priests, and set in its place beneath the wings of the two stately cherubim that stood upon the floor. The sacred choir lifted their voices in10praise to God, and the melody of their voices was accompanied by all kinds of musical instruments. And while the courts of the temple resounded with praise, the cloud of God's glory took possession of the house, as it had formerly filled the wilderness-tabernacle. “And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord.” A “Shadow of Heavenly Things”
Like the earthly sanctuary built by Moses according to the pattern shown him in the mount, Solomon's temple, with all its services, was “a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices;” its two holy places were “patterns of things in the heavens;” Christ, our great High Priest, is “a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” As in vision the apostle John was granted a view of the temple of God in heaven, he beheld there “seven lamps of fire burning before the throne.” He saw an angel “having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.” Here the prophet was permitted to behold the first apartment of the sanctuary in heaven; and he saw there the “seven lamps of fire” and the “golden altar,” represented by the golden candlestick and the altar of incense in the sanctuary on earth. Again, “the temple of God was opened,” and he looked within the inner veil, upon the holy of holies. Here he beheld “the ark of His testament,” represented by the sacred chest constructed by Moses to contain the law of God. In the ministration of the earthly tabernacle, which served “unto the example and shadow of heavenly things,” the holy of holies was opened only upon the great day of atonement, the typical day of judgment, set apart for the cleansing of the sanctuary. Therefore the announcement, “The temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament,” points to the opening of the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, at the end of the twenty-three hundred days,—in 1844,—as Christ entered there to perform the closing work of the atonement. Those who by faith followed their great High Priest, as he entered upon his ministry in the most holy place, beheld the ark of the testament. The sanctuary in heaven is the very center of Christ's work in behalf of men. It concerns every soul living upon the earth. It opens to view the plan of redemption, bringing us down to the very close of time, and revealing the triumphant issue of the contest between righteousness and sin. It is of the utmost importance that all should thoroughly investigate these subjects, and be able to give to every one that asketh them a reason for the hope that is in them. We are now living in the great day of atonement. In the typical service, while the high priest was making the atonement for Israel, all were required to afflict their souls by repentance of sin, by humiliation before the Lord, lest they be cut off from among the people. In like manner, all who would have their names retained in the book of life, should now, in the few remaining days of their probation, afflict their souls before God by sorrow for sin, and true repentance. There must be deep, faithful searching of heart. The light, frivolous spirit indulged in by so many professed Christians must be put away. There is earnest warfare before all who would subdue the evil tendencies that strive for the mastery. The work of preparation is an individual work. We are not saved in groups. The purity and devotion of one will not offset the want of these qualities in another. Though all nations are to pass in judgment before God, yet he will examine the case of each individual with as close and searching scrutiny as if there were not another being upon the earth. Every one must be tested, and found without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Solemn are the scenes connected with the closing work of the atonement. Momentous are the interests involved therein. The judgment is now passing in the sanctuary above. For more than sixty years this work has been in progress. Soon—none know how soon—it will pass to the cases of the living. In the awful presence of God our lives are to come up in review. At this time above all others it behooves every soul to heed the Saviour's admonition. “Watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” “If therefore, thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” When the work of the investigative judgment closes, the destiny of all will have been decided for life or death. Probation is ended a short time before the appearing of the Lord in the clouds of heaven. At that time, Christ will declare: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” The righteous and the wicked will still be living upon the earth in their mortal state—men will be planting and building, eating and drinking, all unconscious that the final, irrevocable decision has been pronounced in the sanctuary above. Before the flood, after Noah entered the ark, God shut him in, and shut the ungodly out; but for seven days the people, knowing not that their doom was fixed, continued their careless, pleasure-loving life, and mocked the warnings of impending judgment. “So,” says the Saviour, “shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Silently, unnoticed as the midnight thief, will come the decisive hour which marks the fixing of every man's destiny, the final withdrawal of mercy's offer to guilty men. “Watch ye therefore, . . . lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.” Perilous is the condition of those who, growing weary of their watch, turn to the attractions of the world. While the man of business is absorbed in the pursuit of gain, while the pleasure-lover is seeking indulgence, while the daughter of fashion is arranging her adornments,—it may be in that hour the Judge of all the earth will pronounce the sentence, “Thou art weighed in the balance, and art found wanting.” The One Most Needful Thing
By H. H. BURKHOLDER
The coming week of prayer and what it should mean to Seventh-day Adventists this year is a question that should appeal to us with greater force than any similar event of the past. Called as we are to give to the whole world in one generation the most solemn message ever committed to mortal man, there is a demand for greater earnestness on our part than has ever yet characterized our work. I do not mean by this to cast reflections upon the consecrated laborers of the past who have studied and prayed and labored hard to unfold the glorious truths we now have all arranged in one grand system. God did bless the faithful pioneers of this message, and is still blessing the efforts of his people. But I would like to ask, Has the spirit of devotion, consecration, and sacrifice grown in intensity with the passing years? Are we standing to-day equipped for the service our times demand of us? Do we really believe that the end of all things is at hand? And are we revealing this faith to the world in a convincing way? These are serious questions. It seems to me that the one thing most needful in the prosecution of our work now is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. While our proofs are clear and the arguments convincing, we fail to realize from the efforts put forth the results that should follow. It is true that by the written Word we can convince men of sin, but we greatly lack the convincing and converting power to bring men back to God. Why is this lack? We have been told that “the power of the Holy Spirit awaits our demand and reception.” The trouble, then, is with us, and not with God. Because of the unfitness of the human instrument, the power is withheld lest the work should be marred, and the cause suffer a greater loss. Brethren and sisters, how long shall we hinder the progress of the cause we profess to love? Should not the coming week of prayer mark a new era in the history of our work? What greater blessing could come to us and to the cause of God than the baptism of the Holy Spirit for service? This would bring with it every other essential to a speedy close of the message, and secure for us a part in the final triumph. For this let us pray. H. H. BURKHOLDER, of Ohio. Where Faith Begins, Anxiety Ends
“WHERE faith begins, anxiety ends; Where anxiety begins, faith ends.” Toil and Rest
By Duncan J. McMillan
O LORD, I lay my idols down
At thy dear feet,
And toil through life from cross to crown,
Though rest is sweet. I do not ask that thou wouldst make
That cross a toy,
Nor that my weary heart should find
My toil a joy. Thou hast not said my burdens great
That press me so,
Nor that my crosses' galling weight,
Should lighter grow. But thou wilt help me in the toil
Till work is done,
The tempter's every effort foil
Till victory's won. Then I shall see in clearer light
That it was best
To be with Jesus day and night,
In toil and rest. — Duncan J. McMillan, D. D., in N. Y. Observer. Former Experiences Recalled
By A. F. HARRISON
Some time has elapsed since I have written anything for our dear old REVIEW, but my burden for the work here in this great Southern field leads me to hope that some one is anxious to know more of how the message is progressing here. It was the first of December, 1888, almost seventeen years ago, when the General Conference placed a company of canvassers in Shreveport, La. We were mostly sent from Kansas. It was a splendid time to sell books, and in one year we sold 2,300 volumes; 1,700 of these were “Bible Readings,” and 600 “Marvel of Nations.” We were all enthusiastic, worked hard, and put in good time. Little did we think that we should be here so long. No, indeed! we were all sure that in a few years at most the Lord would come, and we should all go home. I thought every other Seventh-day Adventist felt just the same way, and I know there was much praying and working. Why, at that time there were one thousand canvassers scattered in different parts of the world, and almost a million dollars’ worth of books was sold each year. Here in this Southern field a tithe of all the Sabbath-keepers, counting men, women, and children, were engaged in the work. Had we kept on at this rate, what might have been accomplished! But a sad change has come. There is not the burden for souls there once was. A spirit of worldliness seems to have crept in. I wonder if it is so in other places. Let me see, in “Early Writings,” page 128, we find these words: “I saw that Satan bade his angels lay their snares especially for those who were looking for Christ’s second appearing, and keeping all the commandments of God. Satan told his angels that the churches were asleep. He would increase his power and lying wonders, and he could hold them. “But,” said he, “the sect of Sabbath-keepers we hate; they are continually working against us, and taking from us our subjects, to keep the hated law of God. Go, make the possessors of lands and money drunk with cares. If you can make them place their affections upon these things,11we shall have them yet. They may profess what they please, only make them care more for money than for the success of Christ’s kingdom or the spread of the truths we hate. Present the world before them in the most attractive light, that they may love and idolize it.” After this conference between Satan and his angels, I wonder if they were slow to begin their work. Did they engage in a more lucrative business for a time?—I think not. I can imagine each one selecting his victim, and going about his deceptive work with much care and skill. Are you one of those who are being bound? Can you feel the meshes of worldliness drawing closer and closer about you, and your love and zeal for the truth leaking out? Have you thought many times that you would break loose and enter some branch of the Lord’s work, but soon gave it up and settled back in ease, to be more closely bound? There is only one thing that will loose us, and that is the power of God coupled with a real love for this truth and a desire to see the Lord come. O that some would break the ties that bind them, and come to this needy field and help us! Crops are comparatively good, and there is nothing in this mild climate to hinder the sale of many books. The people are kind and hospitable, and treat strangers with kindness and courtesy. A good, energetic worker can work the year round here with but little inconvenience. Can not a good, strong corps of workers from some of our old conferences come and sell as many books as did the laborers who came in 1888? I will be glad to correspond with all who will come, and will gladly do what I can to help them get located and started in the work. Now is the best time of year to take orders and deliver books. Co-operating With Rome
By GEORGE W. SPIES
WHEN Rome held her national temperance convention at Wilkesbarre, Pa., in August, the daily papers had much to say of the wide-spread influence of that event in favor of temperance. Rome suggested “co-operation with non-Catholic organizations to secure and enforce” temperance legislation, and counted much upon it. How well the so-called Protestant forces have since co-operated with Rome in enforcing such legislation, is shown by the following facts: In Wilkesbarre, where the convention was held, scores of arrests have been made for selling liquor on Sunday; in Schuylkill County, on the south, one hundred and fifty saloons have been closed, and nearly one hundred arrests were made, for Sunday selling; and in Lackawanna County, on the northeast, over two hundred arrests have been made for selling liquor on Sunday. Thus in less than three months from the time that Rome called upon non-Catholics to co-operate with her, about three hundred arrests were made in the three adjoining counties referred to; and the end is not yet. Surely Rome must be highly gratified with the success of her temperance scheme, and with the fact eager co-operation she is receiving from the various “Protestant” denominations in enforcing temperance legislation, which makes so prominent the “mark of the beast,” the badge of Rome’s authority. “Be Ye Also Ready”
By T. E. Bowen
At the close of that wonderful prophetic discourse recorded in Matthew 24, when Jesus briefly reviewed beforehand the history of the world and the church to the close of time, he said to his people who should then be living, “Be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” We shall not attempt to say whether or not this exhortation applies to the actual appearing of the Son of God in the clouds of heaven with all his glory. It may refer to this occasion, but before this day of actual revealing will pass a day that will, if possible, be of greater consequence to the church than that day of the awful appearing of the great God and our Saviour in the clouds. This day is the day when the door of mercy shall close, the day when man’s probation ceases, and our Lord rises from his mediatorial work in the holy of holies on high. Then even back of that last day that forever fixes the destiny of every soul, comes a day that to us as individuals, those who constitute the remnant,—believers in the third angel’s message,—will certainly be the day of all days. This will be that day when your name and mine come before that heavenly court (in which no mistakes are made) to determine the worth of character. When in the balances of the heavenly sanctuary our lives in their entirety are weighed by the standard of God’s Word, my brother, my sister, much will depend upon the decision of that solemn hour. Christ in foreseeing what it would mean to us, warned us beforehand by saying, “Be ye also ready.” But that which makes this exhortation still more forcible is the truth that this important day may come and we know it not. There is no record that there will be a blowing of trumpets to warn us. No, the solemn message is, “Be ye also ready.” This denotes a condition of readiness. Not “say” ye are ready, but “be” ready; for this hour comes at a time “ye think not.” That day may be one when the common things, such as have before occupied us, shall engage our attention. Nothing particularly unusual may happen here, and yet our case may be decided for life or for death. This is certainly no idle pen-picture. That day to us will surely come. Is it not, then, very important that we carefully study the motives of our hearts, the tenor of our lives, right now? These precious hours are golden. It is not the great events of the future which should engage our attention so much as the fact that we are now in the time of judgment. Probation’s hour gone, and the door of mercy shut, will reveal that many who have passed as sincere believers in this message have been so only in name. The oil of character found only in Jesus Christ had not been obtained, and the hour of trial having struck, their lamps begin to go out, and frantically they begin to knock upon a closed door, seeking in vain for admittance to the marriage feast. Well does Satan know the worth of these days of probation to souls; therefrom he exerts himself with all his power to bewitch not only the world, but believers in the third angel’s message, with some allurement until the day of mercy is over. “The time in which we live is a time of intense excitement. Ambition and war, pleasure and money making, absorb the minds of men. Satan sees that his time is short, and he has set all his agencies at work, that men may be deceived, deluded, occupied, and entranced, until probation shall be ended, and the door of mercy be forever shut.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 31. “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” If we are not overtaken and surprised, as one whom a thief visits, we must vigilantly “watch;” for with a muffled tread this solemn day is fast approaching, and it is important that we “be ready.” It is no time now for becoming bewildered and lost in money-making schemes, in the drowsiness of excess in cares of this life, in foolishness and pleasure-seeking. It is high time that we awake; for our salvation is nigh at hand. The world soon will be appalled with the falling judgments of God, but should we?—Ah! no. Instead we must be prepared to give others the warning of these things coming on the earth, and as we do this, we shall keep ourselves alive to the responsibilities and perils of the hour. When the last day of mercy dawned for the world in Noah’s day, the people heard from his lips the most solemn entreaty they ever heard to come into the ark and be saved. It was while he was thus engaged that God bade him go into the ark. “As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” “Be ye also ready.” Patience and Long-Suffering With Joyfulness
By F. S. Arnot
AFTER such an expression as we find in Col. 1:11, “Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power,” we might expect to read, “Unto the working of some miracle,” or, “To the accomplishing of some great work;” but it is, “Unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness.”—F. S. Arnot. The Kindergarten at Home
By L. Arnet Shiffert
To the mothers whose little ones come with the oft-repeated questions, “What shall I do?” “What shall I play?” let me whisper a few words of help. Children are always active, always seeking employment when left to themselves, and they should be given some busy work which will turn their thoughts into right channels and strengthen their little minds. This right kind of busy work they are given in the kindergarten schools, but there are hundreds of children who can not attend these schools, and it is the mothers of these little ones who will be helped by these suggestions. We all agree that children should be happy, busy, and orderly; but how to make and keep them so is a question which many mothers find hard to solve. Pin your faith to the kindergarten, and you will not be disappointed in the results of this system. Mothers with the care of the household upon them can not give their children the time and attention in this line that they would receive in a kindergarten school, but they can give them suggestive answers to their question, “What can I do now?” A few minutes spent in showing the children how to do something along the right lines will be considered well spent when mama sees the little ones happy and busy for hours. For instance, nearly all the tiny girls want to sew “just like mama.” It takes but a few minutes to perforate, by running through the sewing-machine (with the longest stitch and no thread) objects on the advertisement cards so freely distributed, or the outlines of chairs, stools; tables, lamps, cups, fruit, flowers, animals, etc., drawn on stiff paper and perforated. Then you have the sewing cards which are used in the kindergarten. Sets of these cards can be bought, together with colored threads, but the home-made ones answer every purpose, and can be made simple or complicated, to suit the ability of the child. After the cards are ready, take bright-colored thread and a blunt needle and teach the children to backstitch the outlines, or let them go in and out all around the design, then go back and “shut up the gates,” as some little ones say. Good results in teaching the alphabet and figures have been obtained by having the letters and figures on these cards. It impresses the forms on the mind, at the same time giving the child pleasure. When the children become proficient in following the straight lines, they can be taught to make the alphabet in cross stitch, and then it will be a proud day when the little miss marks mother’s towels. It is surprising how quickly they will learn to thread the needle, make the knot, and fasten the ends; and not only this, but a few remarks dropped now and then about their work will train them to observe form and color, and help them later on in the work in school. — L. Arnet Shiffert, in Good Housekeeping. The Art of Growing Old Gracefully
By Dr. Madison C. Peters
Do not speak mournfully of old age. It is beautiful. Welcome the snow. It is the emblem of rest. It is but a temporal crown which shall fall at heaven’s gates, to be replaced by an eternal one. Most people have a dread of growing old. They regard old age as a dreary season, admitting of nothing that can be called pleasure. They look forward to it as in the autumn we anticipate the approach of winter, but winter terrifies us only as we think of it afar off. When it arrives, it brings with it different enjoyments which are none the less pleasant than those of other seasons. In like manner old age, frightful as it may seem to the young, has no terror to those who experience it, but they find it abounds with consolations and compensations never dreamed of as they viewed it from a distance. The illuminated faces and hoary heads resemble one of those pleasant days in winter in our boyhood days in the country, when a bright sun darted its beams on a pure field of snow. It has been beautifully said: “If one can grow old gracefully, can ripen like an apple which is ruddy with sunshine and dew, and at last drops into the basket of the fruit gatherer, then the sunset of life is more beautiful than its sunrise.” How to grow old gracefully! Observe these simple rules:— Accept the inevitable fact that you are growing older every year. To become old is not necessarily to grow “old.” There are young old people as well as old young people. Don’t brood over the past. It is gone. Let it go. The only proper use of the past is to get a future out of it. Take hopeful views. Have eyes only for the pleasant things. Think of all the blessings which have come into your life on so many bright days. Syndicate your sorrows. Organize a trust; control it yourself, and keep every one from getting any of your misery. Some people study their lives with a microscope, and then throw enlarged views of their misery on a screen, and lecture on them. Live a useful life. Do something for somebody. Do it now.— Dr. Madison C. Peters.