p. 7 | Review and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 35. (7/15/1915)

The Covetous Heart and Its Remedy

By E. Hilliard

E. HILLIARD

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jer. 17:9. The Lord alone knows the selfish, deceitful heart of man. It was said of Jesus that he “needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.” John 2:25. He knows the origin of sin; for he said, “Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” Matt. 15:19. All have inherited these sinful propensities; “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” It is true that social environment and the fear of punishment often restrain men from committing criminal deeds. But such restraint does not contribute to true character building. The would-be transgressor who is restrained by law is not a whit better at heart than he who commits the overt act and takes the risk of penal infliction.

It is the evil thought that leads to the evil deed. The sin of covetousness is so deeply rooted in the natural heart that, if indulged, it leads to dishonesty, theft, and murder. A dishonest deal may not come under the ban of civil law, but in the books above it is registered under the heading of lying and stealing. This sin grows rapidly in the soil of the unconverted heart. Men who are controlled by it devise wicked schemes. They will “work evil upon their beds. When the morning is light, they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand.” This reveling in covetous thoughts leads to acts of violence. Says the prophet, “They covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his heritage.” Micah 2:1, 2. Upon such God has pronounced a woe. “Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth.” Isa. 5:8. All this is wrapped up in covetous thoughts. It is the climax of sin that reveals the iniquity concealed in the germ. We should not know the exceeding sinfulness of unobstructed covetousness if the Bible did not reveal it to us. Truly the unregenerate heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. No one but God, who knows the full results of sin, can reveal to us its enormity. How willingly we should submit to his remedy, no matter how severe the trial required to eradicate sin from the heart!

Covetousness is a dangerous soul-malady. It is a sin through which Satan will especially work to ensnare and destroy many of God’s remnant people. We read in “Early Writings” that Satan has instructed his angels to lay snares, especially for those who are looking for Christ’s second coming and are keeping all the commandments of God. “Go,” said he, “make the possessors of lands and money drunk with cares. If you can make them place their affections on these things, we shall have them yet. . . . Present every plausible excuse to those who have means, lest they hand it out. Control the money matters if you can, and drive their ministers to want and distress. This will weaken their courage and zeal.”—Pages 266, 267.

Can it be that any man of means who is looking for the soon return of our blessed Lord is now being ensnared by increasing his earthly possessions? Has not the time come for such to deposit their means in the cause of God, without interest? Whoever is greedily adding to his possessions in these perilous times is under the influence of the prince of darkness, and is being led captive by him at his will.

Feed covetousness and it will thrive. The remedy for this soul-destroying disease is the starvation cure. Starve it out by giving. “Freely ye have received, freely give.” Free, systematic giving is all that will, through the grace of Christ, keep this sin from controlling the man.

Spasmodic giving will not eradicate greed from the heart. On this point we read:—

“The grace of God and the light of truth may melt away their covetous, selfish feelings for a little, but if they do not obtain entire victory, Satan comes in when they are not under a saving influence, and withers every noble, generous principle, and they think that too much is required of them. They become weary of well-doing, and forget the great sacrifice which Jesus made to redeem them from the power of Satan and from hopeless misery. . . . God requires a constant doing on the part of his people; and when they become weary of well-doing, he becomes weary of them. I saw that he is greatly displeased with the least manifestation of selfishness on the part of his professed people, for whom Jesus spared not his own precious life. Every selfish, covetous person will fall out by the way.”—Id., pages 267, 268.

We are instructed by the spirit of prophecy that some will come when it is too late and offer their means to the servants of God. But when they learn that their means cannot be used, they will turn away in anguish of soul. O, how much better to come now with joy of heart, and by selling our possessions and giving alms, transfer our possessions to the kingdom of God! If those who selfishly withhold their means from the cause of God when it is so sorely needed, should be permitted to enter heaven and

there behold the great sacrifice made for their redemption, they would be miserable. The selfish, covetous heart would not enjoy that unselfish, holy place. Now, just now, is our time to follow the example of him who was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich. 2 Cor. 8:9.

Who will deposit their property in heaven by giving it to the cause of God on earth? Better, far better, be unselfishly poor than selfishly rich. “Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” If we love him, we shall willingly give to save those for whom he died.

St. Paul, Minn.

The Infinity of God and His Word

By Frank M. Wilcox

THERE is an infinity in God and his Word which the human mind will never be able to fathom. Never by study or searching can we fully comprehend the ways of the Most High. That study will bring to us constantly fresh revelations of his character and of his grace. Every turn will present a revelation of new beauties, but these we shall find will lead us to the study and contemplation of new and deeper mysteries. And this revelation will last not only during the short span of time, but through the endless ages of eternity. One pleasure of the eternal ages will be the constantly unfolding revelations of God. Eternity itself will not suffice to exhaust the divine and infinite subject.

The Word of God is an inexhaustible storehouse in which every one of God's children may dig and delve, and find therein some gem of thought, some precious promise, particularly suited to his need. Indeed, the same scripture may convey a thousand different ideas to as many different seekers after help. There may not be found in it opposing views,—for God never contradicts himself,—but a great variety of ideas, each harmonizing with every other. It is as if a multitude of people stood upon a lofty mountain and looked out over the surrounding landscape. One lover of nature would find some special object to invite his attention and engage his thought. Another looking on the same scene would fail to see the particular feature to which his fellow was attracted, but would see some other equally as engrossing to his mind; and thus every one of the multitude might look upon the scene and be attracted by a different phase of the great picture.

God speaks to the little child in words suited to its capacity. Perchance in the same text he may give to the man of broad intellectual training the very help he needs. And in this way God works through an infinite number of means and providences which his grace employs. Some can read the messages of his love in the shining orbs of the heavens. To others he speaks in humble ways and through incidents so trivial in their character that one who is not acquainted with the circumstances would consider them most commonplace.

True faith not only mounts up to the assurance of seeking great things of God, but it recognizes his working in most trivial incidents of human experience. The sublime faith of the prophet Elijah brought down fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice on Mt. Carmel. The sons of the prophets, in childlike faith, sought the interposition of God in bringing the lost ax to the surface of the water. It is the recognition of God's providences even in the small things of life that brings us into constant fellowship with him. May he anoint our eyes that we may see more and more the infinite measure of his love, and the unnumbered multitude of ways in which he seeks to reach and aid the children of men. F. M. W.

“Kind the Storm”

By W. A. S.

WHAT battles are being waged all over this world, and what victories won! I am jotting down these notes in the beautiful home of an ostrich farmer, on the edge of Kafirland.

One seldom meets any persons happier in the truth than this brother and his wife, at whose home we have spent the night, on the way to an outschool. Two years ago the brother refused an offer for his place that would have made him wealthy. He meant to make yet more. “I have been a worldly and wicked man,” he said; “and I was speculating, and intended to make money.”

Now it is all gone. The slump in the ostrich feather trade and then the war in Europe crowded the man to the wall; and the home and farm and all they have on earth are to go. They do not know what lies before them.

But in the calamity, the brother’s heart turned to God and to the truth, from which he had departed years ago. In

brokenness of spirit he gathered courage to tell his wife about it, and she, too, laid hold of the blessed hope. Now they are able to sing from the heart,—

“Blest be the sorrow, kind the storm, That drives us nearer home.”

When all our hearts were too full for utterance, as we rejoiced in the blessing of the Lord and the presence of his tender Spirit, the brother said, “We cry, but we are happy.”

Through all kinds of experiences, over all manner of paths, and in the most remote corners of the earth, the Lord is calling his children home. W. A. S.

Kafirland.

He Leadeth Me

IN pastures green? — Not always; sometimes He Who knoweth best, in kindness leadeth me In weary ways where heavy shadows be.

Out of the sunshine, warm and soft and bright, Out of the sunshine, into darkest night; I oft would faint with sorrow and affright.

Only for this: I know he holds my hand; So, whether in a green or desert land, I trust, although I may not understand.

And by still waters? — No, not always so; Ofttimes the heavy tempests round me blow, And o’er my soul the waves and billows go.

But when the storm beats loudest, and I cry Aloud for help, the Master standeth by, And whispers to my soul, “Lo, it is I.”

Above the tempest wild I hear him say, “Beyond this darkness lies the perfect day; In every path of thine I lead the way.”

So whether on the hilltops high and fair I dwell, or in the sunless valleys where The shadows lie, what matter? He is there.

And more than this: where’er the pathways lead, He gives to me no helpless, broken reed; But his own hand, sufficient for my need.

So where he leads me I may safely go; And in the blest hereafter I shall know Why in his wisdom he hath led me so.

— Selected.

The Peace That Is the Cure of Care

“May there rest upon us that peace which is the cure of care, taking from love its anxiety, from bereavement its anguish, from desolateness its loneliness, resting upon human hearts as sunlight upon all the land this day.”

Faithfulness in Duty

At the end of life's brief day we shall be rewarded, not according to the work we have done, but to the faithfulness with which we have endeavored to do our duty in whatever sphere.—F. B. Meyer.

The Bible Sabbath

By F. M. W.

The discussion over the rest day for the human family is becoming world-wide. This is indicated in the agitation over the question of the national rest day in our State legislatures and national Congress, and in the space devoted to the consideration of the question in the various church assemblies and religious journals. Which day should be observed as the Sabbath of the Lord? Taking the Word of God as a guide, this is a question which admits of but one answer. Many reasons might be given from the Scriptures of Truth as to why the seventh day only should be regarded as the Sabbath of the Lord. The following considerations afford sufficient basis for this conclusion:—

1. The seventh-day Sabbath is the Lord’s day. “Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:28. The Sabbath became the Lord’s day by virtue of his great creative act. Jesus Christ is declared in the Scriptures of Truth to be the Creator of all things. See Col. 1:15-18; John 1:1-3. After he had finished his labor in the creation of this world, and pronounced everything that he had made good, he chose one day out of the weekly cycle and set it apart as a memorial of his creative work. By three distinct acts this memorial was established. These also three acts are recorded in Gen. 2:1-3. “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” (a) God rested on the seventh day. This constituted the seventh day his rest day; (b) God blessed the seventh day. His blessing upon it made it holy time; (c) after resting on the day and making it holy time, he then sanctified it and set it apart for the human family. Thus our Saviour declares in Mark 2:27, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” This creation of the Sabbath constituted the Lord Jesus Christ its Lord.

2. The Sabbath commandment was made a part of the great moral law. Ex. 20:8-11. The Creator descended upon Mt. Sinai, and with the greatest display of celestial glory which the world ever beheld, he spoke with his own voice these great ten words. In the very bosom of this law, buttressed before and behind by the other commandments, as if to guard it from the attacks of the fallen one, the Sabbath commandment was placed. This commandment, with the other nine, was written with the finger of God on tables of stone, an implication of its enduring nature. This law, including the Sabbath commandment, is of perpetual obligation upon the children of God in all ages.

3. The Lord constituted the Sabbath institution a sign between him and Israel forever. Ex. 31:13-18. The term Israel applies not only to God’s people of the Jewish race, but to his children in all ages. Rom. 2:28, 29; Gal. 3:29. The Sabbath was therefore made a sign of sanctification between God and his children in all ages of the church.

4. Christ not only created the Sabbath and thus became its Lord, but during his earthly ministry became man’s example in Sabbath observance. Read Luke 4:16; Matt. 12:1-12.

5. The Sabbath was observed not only by Jesus Christ, but by his disciples of the early church as well. After his death, those who were most intimately associated with him prepared spices and ointments on the sixth day; but the Sabbath drawing on, the record states that they left off their work and “rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.” Luke 23:56. On the first day of the week they did the work which they would not do on the Sabbath. Luke 24:21.

6. The great apostle to the Gentiles also observed the Sabbath of the Lord. It was customary for him to make this his regular day of public worship. Acts 17:1-3; 18:4, 11.

7. Finally, the Sabbath of the Lord, that same institution which was instituted in Eden before man sinned, will be observed in the future state when Eden is restored. Isa. 66:22, 23. Thus the original purpose of God with respect to his holy day will be carried out. He designed that the Sabbath should be kept by a holy nation, giving it to Adam in his innocency. Sin came in and perverted the truth of God and turned aside for a little time God’s purpose. While sin may apparently delay the action of God’s plans, it can never defeat them. The arrow of God’s truth will reach the mark at last. Every purpose of God will carry through the eternal ages. Thus the Sabbath, like a golden arch, spans the abyss of sin and reaches from Paradise in the beginning to Paradise restored. Through the Scriptures of Truth it is recognized emphatically as a Christian institution, and as Christians we should observe the day which the Lord has made holy, and rejoice therein. F. M. W.

Signs of the Approaching End

By W. A. S.

Part 4. “The Dark Day” of 1780

(Concluded)

Not only over the land but out at sea also the unnatural darkness of the day and night of May 19, 1780, was observed.

In the Boston Independent Chronicle (of June 15) a correspondent, telling of interviews with various observers, wrote:—

I have also seen a very sensible captain of a vessel who was that morning about forty leagues southeast of Boston. He says the cloud which appeared at the west was the blackest he ever saw. About eleven o’clock there was a little rain, and it grew dark. Between one and two he was obliged to light a large candle to steer by. . . . Between nine and ten at night, he ordered his men to take in some of the sails, but it was so dark they could not find the way from one mast to the other.

Thoughts Turned to the Judgment

This writer commented as follows concerning the feelings awakened by the event:—

Various have been the sentiments of people concerning the designs of Providence in spreading the unusual darkness over us. Some suppose it portentous of the last scene. I wish it may have some good effect on the minds of the wicked, and that they may be excited to prepare for that solemn day.

The Independent Chronicle (of June 22) printed a letter from Dr. Samuel Stearns, who had been appealed to because of his knowledge “in philosophy and astronomy.” First of all he disposed of one suggestion that had been made:—

That the darkness was not caused by an eclipse is manifest by the various positions of the planets of our system at that time; for the moon was more than 150 degrees from the sun all that day.

Then, in the rather heavy language of the science of that period, this writer told how the action of the sun’s heat was continually projecting into the atmosphere particles of earthy matter; and in his opinion it was some “vast collection of such particles that caused the late uncommon darkness.” But as to the real accounting for the phenomenon he wrote:—

The primary cause must be imputed to Him that walketh through the circuit of heaven, who stretcheth out the heaven like a curtain, who maketh the clouds his chariot, who walketh upon the wings of

the wind. It was he at whose voice the stormy winds are obedient, that commanded these exhalations to be collected and condensed together, that with them he might darken both the day and the night; which darkness was, perhaps, not only a token of his indignation against the crying iniquities and abominations of the people, but an omen of some future destruction.

Thus men’s minds were exercised by this sign “in the sun, and in the moon.” The early records of New York City tell of the interest excited there, though evidently the darkness was not so marked as farther north.

In the Connecticut Legislature

The Connecticut Legislature was in session when the supernatural darkness came on. The following extract from the Journal of the house for May 19, 1780, tells the story:—

A solemn gloom or unusual darkness before ten o’clock—a still darker cloud rolling under the sable curtain from the time north and west before eleven o’clock—excluded the light so that no one could see to read or to write in the house, even at either window, or distinguish persons at a small distance, or perceive any distinction of dress in the circle of attendants; wherefore, at eleven o’clock adjourned the house till two in the afternoon.

On the proposition to adjourn, in the senate, we are told, one member, Abraham Davenport, arose in his place and said:—

“Mr. Speaker, it is either the day of judgment, or it is not. If it is not, there is no need of adjourning. If it is, I desire to be found doing my duty. I move that candles be brought, and that we proceed to business.”— History of the Town of Antrim, New Hampshire, by Rev. W. R. Cochrane, 1880, pages 58, 59.

It was this striking incident that Whittier described with the poet’s pen:—

“Meanwhile in the old Statehouse, dim as ghosts, Sat the lawgivers of Connecticut, Trembling beneath their legislative robes. ‘It is the Lord’s great day! Let us adjourn,’ Some said; and then, as if with one accord, All eyes were turned to Abraham Davenport. He rose, slow cleaving with his stately voice, The intolerable hush. ‘This well may be The day of judgment which the world awaits; But be it so or not, I only know My present duty, and my Lord’s command To occupy till he come. So at the post Where he hath set me in his providence I choose, for one, to meet him face to face,’— No faithless servant frightened from my task, But ready when the Lord of the harvest calls; And therefore, with all reverence, I would say, Let God do his work, we will see to ours. Bring in the candles.’”

Thus, in a manner that arrested the attention of men and put awe and solemnity into their hearts, with thoughts of the coming of the great day of God, the first of the predicted signs in the heavens was revealed.

It was more general at a later time—when students of the Bible seemed moved upon simultaneously, in both Europe and America, to give attention to the doctrine of Christ’s second coming—that these signs were seen to have come in fulfilment of the prophecy.

As we look to the past, we see how truly the tokens of the coming King began to appear as the church of Christ came fully out from the long, dark period of tribulation. A new era was at the dawn, in which the Lord was to fill the earth with light before his second appearing, according to his word to Daniel the prophet:—

“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Dan. 12: 4.

At last the time of the end was at hand, and the signs of the latter days began to appear in the earth and in the heavens. The Lord was preparing to send to all the world the closing gospel message of Christ’s soon coming in glory. W. A. S.

A Visit to Japan

By Arthur Grosvenor Daniells

As Brethren Fulton and Johanson had consented to comply with the earnest request given them to attend the workers’ meeting and biennial conference of the Asiatic Division Mission to be held at Shanghai, May 1-14, they joined Elder Porter, Professor Salisbury, and me on our return to China. At Hongkong, Professor Salisbury left us, to return to his work in India. Personally, I felt this separation very much. It had been five months since Brother Salisbury met me on my arrival in India. He had traveled with me over his large field, acquainting me with its conditions and needs, and counseling with me regarding various plans for the more rapid advancement of the work. These associations in gospel work bind hearts together in strong, close bonds of brotherhood. I shall ever remember with pleasure this visit to India.

From Hongkong, our company journeyed north to Japan, spending one day at Shanghai on the way. As soon as we could get ashore, we were bundled into jinrikishas and hurried out to our mission compound, the headquarters of the Asiatic Division. Here we had the pleasure of meeting a large number of former acquaintances and fellow workers,—Sister Porter, the Drs. Selmon, Brother and Sister Woodward and their daughter Mary. Brother and Sister Gillis, Brother and Sister Wood, Brother and Sister Blunden, Sister Shull, Sister Hall, and Brother and Sister Stafford.

Dr. Selmon gathered the students in the chapel that we might meet them all together, and speak a few words of greeting. Time did not permit of anything like a close inspection of our buildings and facilities at this headquarters; a closer examination will be made on our return to the conference, but the general appearance seems good.

Our first sight of Japan was at Nagasaki, which presented a beautiful view. We were met here by our Japanese minister, Elder Kuniya, and a number of Sabbath keepers living in the city. Word from Elder DeVinney, superintendent of the Japan Mission, made it seem best for Elder Porter to leave our boat and hasten on by train to Tokio. Our ride through the Inland Sea, of Japan, must be placed among the most interesting and beautiful sea voyages we have ever made. Hundreds of beautiful islands, covered with dark-green foliage, rise from the water in every direction.

At Kobe, Dr. Noma and her sanitarium family came onto our boat to give us a warm Japanese welcome to their city and country. Here I left the boat; and after an hour’s visit at the sanitarium, Elder Kuniya and I hurried on by train to Tokio.

Once more we were made glad by the sight and the handshake of fellow workers, who had been together some days attending a workers’ meeting. After a long effort, our brethren in Japan have succeeded in securing a block of land in a suburb of Tokio, where they have erected good buildings for their headquarters. They have a neat, well-planned printing house, a good school building, and a number of residences for those whose duties make it necessary for them to live at the headquarters. They ought to have more land, but on account of prices they purchased only what they actually need for their buildings.

It gave me pleasure to meet our Japanese workers. Elder Okohira is located at headquarters, doing editorial and school work. Elder Kuniya is located at Kobe, and is doing evangelistic work in different parts of the kingdom. These are earnest, loyal men of good influence in Japan, and their wives are fully united with them in their work. In the printing office, the school, and also in the field work, we have promising young men helping to advance the cause in their native land: and this is what I find in every country I visit. God is raising up efficient, reliable, consecrated men and women wherever his cause is established, to join in quickly finishing his work throughout the world.

It is a remarkable and significant fact that as soon as people in these lands accept the third angel’s message, a great

desire fills their hearts to make it known to others. They are ready to cut loose from any work in which they have been engaged, to give their lives to the advancement of this cause. So I find them in the ministry, in the schools, and the printing houses, in the Bible work, in translating and editorial work, in the canvassing work, and in every other kind of endeavor. Each one seems suited to some special work, and is happy to take up that which it is thought he can do best; and the blessing of the Lord attends their efforts. Through them God is causing his work to advance in all directions.

Our message has not made the progress in Japan that it has in most other countries of the Far East. From the general reports of missionary endeavor in Japan during the last fifty years, we should naturally expect our work to make greater headway there than in these other countries, but in this we have been disappointed. Whether this failure is mainly due to lack of workers and facilities and to defective methods, or to conditions and influences in Japan, it may be impossible to say. But one thing seems certain now, and that is that a change of religious sentiment has taken place in Japan that will make our work much more difficult in the future than it has been in the past. This change is very pronounced, and is clearly recognized by all gospel workers in Japan. It is expressed by those who are studying the trend of affairs there in such statements as, “reaction against Christianity and Christian civilization,” and “a natural swing back of the pendulum from an excessive estimate of everything Western to an equally excessive estimate of everything Japanese,” including the “discount of foreign missionaries and of their message.”

A book just published, written by one of the most hopeful, optimistic workers in the Far East, warns the missionary boards of America of the dangers that threaten the cause of Christianity in Japan. This writer says: “Two forces are at present contending for the possession of Japan—the one pagan, the other Christian; the one material, the other spiritual; the one for Christ, the other against him.” In speaking of the attitude of the leading young men of Japan toward Christianity, this writer says: “According to a careful estimate concerning the religious beliefs of the students of the Imperial University of Tokio, made by one familiar with their religious life, four hundred and fifty are said to be adherents of Shinto and Buddhism, and sixty of Christianity, while about one thousand five hundred are said to be professed atheists, and about three thousand agnostics.” In his endeavor to trace the causes of this reaction in Japan, he says: “The church also must bear its full share of the responsibility, in that it did not adequately press its advantage in the days when Japan was so marvelously open and responsive to Christian missions.”

In seeking to discover some way by which the Christian church may regain what has been lost by this backward swing, he says: “The striking need of Japan for Christian effort in the untouched interior, which missions have heretofore left to the Japanese church, forms one of the most significant elements in the religious situation in Japan. The rural population forms eighty per cent of the whole. . . . Both men and money must be sent, with larger consecration than ever before. . . . Of 772 towns, with a population of over 5,000 each, there are foreign workers in about one hundred, and Japanese workers in about one hundred more, while over five hundred towns and thousands of surrounding villages are untouched.”

I think it is the feeling of all our brethren in Japan who are best acquainted with the situation, that we, as well as other denominations, have lost much by failing to take full advantage of the opportunities that have been ours during the last twenty years. Our staff of workers has been too small and our facilities too inadequate for a strong advance. From now on, we shall work against a much stronger current of opposition than we have had to meet in the past.

In talking with Elder DeVinney regarding the future of our work in Japan, he pointed to the rural territory hardly touched as yet by any of the other missionary societies, especially to that in the north, as the place where he believed we ought now to press our work with great earnestness. Thus far our efforts have been confined chiefly to the large cities, where the indifference and opposition are the greatest of anywhere in Japan. But in order to make a very strong effort in the untouched territory of the north, it will be necessary to strengthen the staff of workers in the field.

We now have a printing house with facilities for doing a good work. We have young people at work selling our literature, and others who can be trained to sell it. We also have a good school in which our young people are receiving the education they need for efficiency in the work. We are now better equipped for an advance move in Japan than we have been at any previous time. Our young men who have gone to Japan during the last few years are learning the language. Elder Benson speaks it well. He has charge of the school in Tokio. Elder Hoffman is able to preach freely in Japanese. He is carrying on evangelistic work in Kobe. Brethren Webber and Anderson, who have recently gone to Japan, are making encouraging progress in the language school in Tokio. Our position will be greatly strengthened in this field when our missionaries are in good command of the language.

As we reviewed our present situation at the closing meeting of our council, all the workers unitedly and feelingly covenanted together before the Lord to endeavor, by his grace, to make the fullest possible use of every opportunity and facility within their reach for the advancement of God’s cause in Japan. The consecration of body, life, time, and all to the speedy finishing of the work was whole-hearted and sincere, and was accepted, I am sure, by the Lord.

A. G. DANIELLS.

The Midsummer Offering

By William T. Knox

Greater Difficulties, Greater Opportunities, Greater Demands

THE General and Division Conferences have requested the membership in North America to make a special offering to foreign missions on Sabbath, July 24. This will be the regular Midsummer Offering usually received the first Sabbath of July. In view of the present fearful conditions existing in the greater part of the world, and the crying need of the work of God in all lands, it would seem that every Seventh-day Adventist should at this time seriously inquire concerning his individual responsibility in the maintenance of the work of the gospel.

Seven great nations are now engaged in the most deadly war the world has ever witnessed. Belgium as a nation has been well-nigh destroyed. Daily we are expecting to hear of some if not all of the Balkan States being drawn into this terrible carnage, and there is none too much assurance that the United States may not become involved in the struggle. Day after day and night after night, from fifteen to twenty million men stand arrayed against one another, each side striving for the advantage that can be gained only by untold loss of life and property and unimaginable human suffering. To bring this about, resort is made to every deadly agency that can be produced by the inventive genius of man. The brightest intellects and the highest genius of every land have been requisitioned by these great nations, not to minister to human suffering nor to contribute to the welfare and enjoyment of mankind, but to destroy life and property in the most effective manner possible. It is almost beyond human imagination to conceive of a worse situation short of the fearful Armageddon.

Entire provinces of the fairest and most fruitful portions of Europe have been utterly destroyed. The toll in human life to each of the contending nations has already run into the hundreds of thousands, while the financial loss is beyond computation, and the end is not yet in sight.

While the nations are angry, and are, as a result, entailing upon mankind such cruel suffering, men and women in every land are blindly seeking for that relief that can be found only in the Prince of Peace. From India, China, Japan, Korea, and the islands of the sea, their cries come to us for that help that can be found only in that gospel in whose benefits we now rejoice. In all the history of the denomination, there have never been such great demands made upon us for workers and facilities for the great mission fields as at present. The laborers we have already sent to these distant lands are working to their limit; but what are these few to the vast hosts that are in darkness, and are groping for light? From these mission fields our brethren send us the urgent assurance that we must immediately strengthen their forces and greatly enlarge our work. To do otherwise, will be to ignore the manifest providences of God, and in not a few instances, actually endanger the work we have already established at such great labor and sacrifice.

In presenting this appeal, therefore, it is with confidence that it will meet with a hearty response from our brethren. If opportunity were given, all would surely say to the General Conference Committee that every possible provision must be made to meet these demands. The Lord in his wisdom and love has given to us the privilege, and honored us with the responsibility, of carrying this message in person, or by other means, to all that dwell upon the earth. We cannot all go in person, but every one can have some part in this great work. We are told to honor the Lord with our substance, and with the first fruits of all our increase. We as a people have endeavored to do this in the past, with the result that a strong financial policy for foreign mission work has been created. This has been accomplished without loss to any of us, and surely the present is no time to slacken our efforts. Our expanding work with its increasing demands is the harbinger of that glad day that will end the reign of sin and reveal to the faithful, expectant ones the King of kings coming in the clouds of heaven to reward his followers.

While doubtless with our present plan for raising funds for foreign missions, it will be impossible for the Mission Board to accomplish very much in enlarging our foreign work during the present year, or at least until after the autumn council, yet progress may be greatly hastened and assured by placing the General Conference treasury in as favorable a condition as possible.

The last report issued from the General Conference treasury, covering the first five months of the year, showed that in our Twenty-cent-a-week Fund we had in that time created a shortage of $116,775. The offering for July 24 should go a great way in making up this amount. The action of the fall council in appropriating for foreign missions for 1916 will doubtless be greatly influenced by the volume of offerings received between now and the convening of that council.

With the greatest ease the Lord could supply funds in abundance for all the necessities of this work and meet every proper desire of his workers, for he reminds us: “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine;” “every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills:” but in his infinite wisdom and kindness of heart a better way for man has been devised by the Lord. A portion of the wealth of God has been placed in the hands of his children as his stewards. He requests us to provide for his work on the earth, thus appealing to our liberality and love of souls. By yielding to the Spirit’s suggestions in these matters, our covetousness will be overcome, our liberality will be increased, and treasure will be laid up by us in heaven.

Last year we were requested to make up a Midsummer Offering of not less than $30,000. This year we cannot, in view of the existing conditions, ask for a less amount.

W. T. KNOX.

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