UNDER this title the Catholic journal America publishes the following piece of news and comment:—
The entrance of Italy into the war has greatly intensified the national patriotism of the Hungarians. Attacked by their former ally, they have been roused as never before. Subscriptions to the war loan at once poured in from all sides, and men asked to be sent to the Italian frontier. A big religious procession was held at the capital “for the victory of our just cause and our honest weapons and for an honorable peace.” The right hand of the saintly King Stephen, the famous national relic of Hungary, was carried through the streets, and it is estimated that one hundred thousand persons took part in the imposing Catholic demonstration. At its head was the imperial representative, the oldest son of Archduke Joseph. Then followed the Cardinal Prince Primate Csernoch with a majority of the bishops, government representatives, and state and municipal officials. The scene vividly suggested to the onlookers of many creeds that the Catholic traditions of Stephen the Saint were again renewed throughout the land, that Hungary is a Christian state, and that its people are resolved that it shall remain a Christian kingdom. “Our good sword will lead us on to victory,” a press correspondent writes from Hungary, “and the cross will preserve for us the fruits of this victory. No apprehension is felt about the outcome of the war, since it is believed that the entrance of Italy into the great struggle cannot change the situation. The Tyrolese Alps, it is argued, are far more impregnable than the Carpathians, which even the overwhelming Russian forces with their strong artillery could not cross.
This “new awakening” seems to be under religious auspices. It was a “religious procession;” a relic of the “saintly King Stephen” was a conspicuous addition to the demonstration; it is designated as an “imposing Catholic demonstration;” the second figure in the procession was the highest representative of the Pope in Hungary,—“the cardinal prince primate,”—followed by the “majority of the bishops;” through this demonstration “Catholic traditions” were being renewed again throughout Hungary; and “the cross”—the organized religion of the Roman Church—was to be the preserver of the victories won by Austrian swords. Such a demonstration, under such auspices, and such declarations, make the church’s protestations of neutrality impossible of proof, and may have been the occasion of recent interference with Vatican mail, and suggestions of the possibility of the Pope’s removal to the neutral country Switzerland.
Capitol Bombing and Morgan Attack
About midnight on July 2, a time bomb exploded in the Senate wing of the Capitol at Washington, D. C., causing damage to the amount of several hundred dollars. The following morning J. P. Morgan was attacked at his home in Glen Cove, L. I., and in the fray which followed several shots were fired, two of which wounded him, though not seriously. His assailant, one Frank Holt, an instructor in the German department of Cornell University, was captured by Mr. Morgan with the help of servants, and to the police he confessed placing the bomb in the Capitol. He claimed to have performed this act as a protest against the exportation of ammunition and war supplies to the Allies, for which trade he believed Mr. Morgan to be largely responsible. On the Tuesday following his arrest Mr. Holt committed suicide in his cell.
A Visit to the South Side of Guatemala
By J. B. Stuyvesant
J. B. STUYVESANT
We recently received a letter from an old neighbor in Lamar, Mo. (our old home), stating that he thought we had been killed in the earthquake which destroyed Cartago, Costa Rica, some years ago, as he knew we had lived there for a time. This thought may have been due to the fact that we have had no report in the REVIEW for a very long time. Therefore, since we have also been urged to write a report of our recent trip through the southwestern part of this republic, we take this opportunity of letting all our friends know that we are still among the living, for which we thank God.
With the threefold object of getting acquainted with the richest and most populous part of our field, distributing our Spanish translation of the REVIEW AND HERALD War Extra, and testing the territory on book sales, we left Guatemala City, Friday, December 11, with a steamer trunk and a large grip full of books, and two large grain sacks full of papers in rolls.
On leaving the capital, which has an altitude of 4,775 feet, the railroad makes a rapid descent to Escuintla, forty-seven miles to the south, with an altitude of but 1,108 feet. For a few miles we travel across a gently sloping plain, when suddenly we are confronted with a deep depression, and we seem about to plunge over the high bluff to the deep valley below. But our train swings off to one side, and we begin to wind our way down and around many short curves to the lower level.
Soon we cross the upper end of the beautiful little Amatitlan Lake, on a long embankment and bridge, then follow its winding shore for four or five miles, filled with admiration for this gem of beauty, whose waters reflect the rugged mountains which shut it in, and which slope to the water's edge. From its western shore Mt. Agua rises to an altitude of 12,300 feet, towering in grandeur like a mighty sentinel keeping vigil over the many cities and towns visible from its summit, from which, we are told, both the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean may be seen in clear weather.
Here, they tell us, we are in an old crater, and as we smell the sulphur and see the steam rising from the various hot springs, which issue from the slopes and find their way into the lagoon, we are prepared to believe it true. Several old volcanic mountains are near this spot.
The lake soon narrows down to a small stream running between fields of sugar cane in the narrow valley. We continue to follow its leading for a little while, when suddenly a magnificent view presents itself. We have come forth from the deep valley in the heart of the mighty hills, and are starting down the steep southern slope of the Sierras. On the west, near by and towering high above us, is the familiar Mt. Agua, from whose high summit there is a steep slope of about 11,000 feet to the wide plains below, which in their turn drop gently off to the sea, about thirty miles to the south, and extend farther than the eye can see to the west.
Behind us on the highlands all is dry and dusty, for it is the dry season; but below, all is a rich tropical green. To the west of Agua we see the old volcanoes (now inactive), Fuego and Acatenango, rising to 12,600 and 12,900 feet, and beyond them Atitlan reaches up to 11,600 feet, while still beyond, Mts. San Pedro, San Tomas, Zumil, Santa Maria (the terrible destroyer of 1902), Tajumulco, and Tacana wait to greet our vision as we journey westward to the Mexican boundary.
About 2 P. M. we reach the station for Santa Lucia, where all is hot and dusty. Two Indian women take our heavy grips on their heads and deliver them in the town about two miles distant, for the sum of four pecos (about twelve cents gold), while we are given one of the most violent shakings that we ever enjoyed in a coach, as we travel over the rocky road.
We are to spend the Sabbath in this town, and are met by our only native brother, who, while visiting here, is trying to interest some friends in the truth. We are soon out in town with the papers. In the evening we have a small meeting in a private house, and the next night another in the same house, which is followed by one in the house where we stay, lasting till late at night. Several Catholics are present, and also a few Protestants.
(To be continued)
An Itinerating Trip Through Basutoland
By E. C. Silsbee
(Concluded)
E. C. SILSBEE
AGAIN our course lies to the eastward and over still more mountains; and after days of climbing up and scrambling down, through sweltering heat and soaking rain, we come to Qacha’s Nek, the southeastern commercial outlet of Basutoland. Here we are again treated to the pleasure of traveling along a wagon road for a few hours, although it is a rough mountain road.
We then take up the trail to the northward, still following the general course of the Orange River, which traverses the entire length of Basutoland from north-east to southwest. From Qacha’s Nek nearly a week in the saddle brings us to the eastern part of the country, where there is no wagon road, magistrate’s camp, or other sign of civilization, except the comparatively new tent-store of a trader. It is interesting to note how these traders overcome almost insurmountable difficulties in order to establish a store in these uncivilized, mountainous districts for the prospect of a little worldly gain. They stay often for months without seeing a white person’s face. The boards and corrugated iron for their houses must be carried in from the “white man’s country,” on the heads of women; their goods must be packed in, and native produce packed out, on the backs of oxen, donkeys, and horses; and here in the mountains the snow in winter is from six to ten feet deep, with cold weather in proportion. Brother Campbell and I have both been at death’s door because of the perils and difficulties attending the gospel worker. in these lands; but as we are laboring for the eternal riches which fade not away, our sacrifice must be infinitely greater than that of those who labor only for the perishable things of this world; and so we take a lesson from these worldly men, and go on to renewed activities in the work of our Redeemer.
Chief Rafalatsana, the big chief of these parts, lets us have a large hut to ourselves, and is glad to see us, especially when he knows the object of our visit. He wants us to promise to have a mission in or near his village. This we cannot promise, so his representative asks us to stay and teach them the way of everlasting life. But we can tell them only a little, and promise to come or to send some one to teach them as soon as we can find help.
Now our way lies back across the mountains again, to Emmanuel Mission and Kolo; so we leave the thinly populated parts for the mountains, where there is only a village here and there. Although we are nearly two hundred miles nearer the source of the Orange River than a few days ago, it is with no little difficulty that we ford it on our horses, with a native guide to show us the best ford. High up the mountains we climb again till we are among the clouds, then down to the bottom, where we find a river which our horses must swim. We are fortunate, however, in finding an old leaky boat and a native to row us across, while I work “bailing out” the boat. Nearing the other shore, we strike a submerged rock, which comes near sinking our frail craft, but we succeed in landing safely, and are soon on our way.
Again the mountains rise before us, but we see no villages. Here we find the grazing place of many thousands of cattle belonging to the people who live where it is too thickly settled to have much grazing land. The only sort of13habitations we find are the very small herdboys’ huts, which are also few and far between. As night comes on, it is raining again, as often it has done before since we started, only this time there are no villages near to offer us shelter. Both our horses are very tired from climbing the slippery path, and we are well-nigh soaked. We climb up to a hut, and find two other huts near by. We ask for shelter, and the herdboys crowd together in two of the huts, and give us the other. Entering, we find we cannot stand upright; and when we spread our blankets down, all four corners touch the walls. The door is the only opening in the low wall. Nevertheless we are glad for even this shelter; and after offering our thanks to our Father, who always protects his children, we are soon enjoying a well-earned rest.
In the morning we find that the herdboys have dried our clothes by a fire which they had in one of the huts, and we are soon on our way again, though it is raining as we start out. Up and up we climb, until we are more than 10,000 feet in the air. There are no villages here, nor even herdboys’ huts; and antelopes, having full possession, bound leisurely across the path, or graze on the mountain side, quite oblivious of our presence. There is most delightful and sublime scenery among these heights. Truly has Basutoland been called the “Switzerland of South Africa.”
As we come down from the heights, we enter what proves to be a beautiful cañon, at the bottom of which is a mountain torrent. The different streams which feed this torrent form a great variety of waterfalls as they come tumbling down the mountain sides at different places. We find it a bit dangerous to cross this small river, the recent rains having greatly increased its volume; but there is no choice for us if we would proceed, so we cross and re-cross it again and again, safely though with difficulty. Our native guide, however, is less fortunate, for he loses his horse and his hat, and also my blankets which he was carrying for me. (Later he recovered his horse, but the blankets and hat are still missing.)
As we follow down this cañon, we come out into the open country, where there are many villages scattered over the broad valley as far as we can see; and soon we are made glad as we look away to the right and see the familiar lower peaks near Emmanuel Mission in the distance. We jog along joyfully across country, only to be confronted before long with another river to cross. This river is also greatly swollen by the recent rains, but there is no way but to cross it. Brother Campbell succeeds with great difficulty in crossing on his large horse, which he had hired fresh that morning; but when I make the attempt, my smaller, tired pony is quickly carried down by the swift current; and as he goes under, I scramble from his back and swim for the shore. With the timely assistance of Brother Campbell, both I and my horse land safely, and we are soon on our way again. One more river to cross and our troubles will be over for this tour. We come to it and ride in. The water comes well up on my horse’s back, but he manages with my weight to keep his footing. Soon we are safely across, and thankful to God, who has kept us all along our journey.
We arrived at Emmanuel Mission late in the evening, wet and chilly. A good hot bath, and a hot lunch provided by Brother and Sister Olmstead, help to restore our physical equilibrium, and we are soon rehearsing our experiences to our interested host and hostess.
A Great Missionary Gathering in China
By John E. Fulton
J. E. FULTON
Over one hundred and twenty delegates from Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, Korea, and ten of the provinces of China, and a few members of the General Conference Committee came together at Shanghai, May 1-15, for an institute and council meeting. There were two Japanese, two Koreans, one Filipino, and a much larger number of Chinese workers and evangelists listed among the delegates who attended this important meeting; but the greater number present were the foreign missionaries, making altogether the largest company of Seventh-day Adventist workers ever gathered in the Orient. Pastor R. C. Porter, president of the Asiatic Division, presided at the meeting.
The presence of Pastor Daniells greatly cheered our missionaries. For years they had hoped he might visit them. During this meeting Brother Daniells labored incessantly for the good of the workers, presenting to the missionaries their high calling and ministry, the devotion and consecration needed, and how all can unite in the finishing of the work. The benefits of proper organization to meet the needs of an expanding work in this great Eastern field was also a topic of interest and importance. Pastor Daniells’s long experience with the development of the world-wide work gave added force to his words in the presentation of this timely instruction. Doubtless the presentation of these principles will prove of great value to the young men in these fields, upon whom circumstances have quickly thrust the burdens of a mighty work.
Lessons on the work of the Holy Spirit in connection with missionary effort were also given. The greatness of the work in these lands, and the many apparently insurmountable obstacles, make manifest to all the great need of this promised blessing which gives power and efficiency to all our work.
The Sabbath morning heart-to-heart talks and devotional services conducted by Brother Daniells will long be remembered. God blessed the word and drew near to his servants.
A more perfect organization of the work in the Far East, and a more authoritative body of advisers close at hand would, it was felt, greatly facilitate the work. The cause is growing rapidly, and problems to be met only in this field can better be decided here than by brethren far away. The greatness of the work to be done, and the extreme lateness of the hour, deeply impressed those present at this meeting with the necessity of planning for a mighty forward movement. This is the hour of opportunity. The door is swung wide open, bidding us enter now. Peace reigns at present in this part of the world, but now and then ominous clouds arise upon the horizon, warning us that our time is short, and that we must hasten while the day lasts.
For the strength of the work and for facility in carrying it forward, it was felt that our brethren in the homelands should place a larger number of aggressive young people in the Far East to learn languages and enter new fields, and also some men of experience to help in counsel, so as to have in the East a responsible body of advisers who can administer and direct to the satisfaction of both those at home and those on the field. Such a great work, it was felt, can no longer be so well directed at so long a range. This feeling grew upon the missionaries assembled at the Shanghai meeting to such an extent that they were constrained to draw up an appeal to our American brethren, setting forth this important question.
When the vast area within the boundaries of the Asiatic field is taken into account; when we realize the need of constant and careful supervision, and remember the terrible barriers of racial differences, caste, and the babel of difficult languages and dialects; when we realize that here live nearly two thirds of the human race,—it must appeal to all that this is the battle ground of the greatest missionary conflict ever yet fought; and as this battle is now being waged, we must send forward without delay adequate forces and equipment, and place leaders upon the ground who can have authority to make strategic moves. In the Far East we shall ever of necessity be dependent on a strong home board, composed of our oldest, wisest, and most sympathetic leaders, to rally and train forces, raise funds, and dispatch the same. Without such co-operation we could not hope to win; but at the same time there must be more leaders at the battle front to do and to dare, to fill gaps quickly, to counsel and appeal.
This was one of the matters which stirred the hearts of our workers in attendance at this great meeting, and which was no doubt the most important recommendation brought before the council of one hundred and twenty-six delegates. Simultaneously, the workers from India, the Far East, and other parts conceived the idea of a more perfect bond of union in order to insure the success of the work in the Asiatic field. With a cause so great, with the time so short, we must not delay. Now is our14time, “Forward” is our watchword, and union is our strength. All present agreed that to maintain the ground already taken, to facilitate movements for future aggressive work in all parts of the Far East, there must be always present on the field a strong body of responsible advisers and leaders.
The missionaries plead for a plan of reorganization which shall give the field closer supervision and a more effective administration. To do this they request that a new Asiatic Division be organized, to include the following countries, and to be subdivided and named as follows:—
1. The Australasian Union Conference, with its six million people.
2. The India Union Mission, with 326,000,000 souls.
3. The Northeastern Union Mission, comprising Japan, Korea, and Manchuria, totaling 85,000,000 persons.
4. The North China Union Mission, embracing the provinces of Chi-li, Shan-si, and Mongolia, 36,000,000 persons.
5. The East China Union Mission, which includes the provinces of Shantung, Kiang-su, Anhuei, and Che-kiang, with 88,000,000 Chinese.
6. The Central China Union Mission, taking in the provinces of Honan, Shen-si, Kan-su, Hupeh, Hunan, and Kiang-si, 138,000,000 souls.
7. The West China Union Mission, made up of the provinces of Szechuan, Kweichow, Yun-nan, and Tibet, supporting a population of 95,000,000.
8. The South China Union Mission, with the provinces of Fukien, Kwang-tung, Kwang-si, the country known as Anam, south of China, and the islands of Formosa and Hainan, making altogether a population of 70,000,000.
9. The East Indian Union Mission, within the borders of which is to be found the Straits Settlements, the Federated Malay States, the Dutch East Indies, Siam, British North Borneo, and the Philippines, containing altogether a population of 60,000,000.
It will be readily observed that each union represents large areas, difficult to travel and to administer, and many millions of persons to reach in each division. Against this plan it is impossible to urge that the field has been divided into too many parts.
But what may our brethren in the homelands hope for from this field, and what encouragements now appear? It will give joy to our brethren across the waters to know that there has grown up a native constituency of over four thousand Sabbath keepers in the Asiatic Division mission, and from their ranks is fast developing a strong body of native evangelists and colporteurs, numbering three hundred strong.
Just before our general meeting, with great joy the writer assisted at the ordination of two Korean ministers, and also a few days later at the ordination of two Chinese ministers in Central China. These native workers are loyal and efficient, and more and more confidence is reposed in them, and it is seen that they will not betray this confidence. Native evangelists and delegates sat in the council with us, while interpreters conveyed to their appreciative minds the subjects under discussion. The daily studies also were thus given them. Their hearts were touched, and they were often melted to tears by the same truths and by the same appeals. They were led by the same Spirit to make the same humble confessions as their white-skinned brethren, and to claim the same great pardon. They are also ready to volunteer with their western colaborers for hard and difficult places, and so, standing together before the stupendous task that confronts us, we all felt that we were one. God’s truth is adapted to every country and to every climate and to every people, breaks down every wall of opposition, and makes of diverse races a common brotherhood.
Literature was a mighty factor in the establishment and dissemination of the truth of God during Reformation days, and has contributed enormously in Western lands in the spread of the third angel’s message during the past few decades especially, and we feel sure that the printed page must play a most telling part also in the finishing of the work in the Far East. Already China, so long the seat of an ancient literature, reads now in her own characters a new message. The Chinese Signs of the Times has the largest circulation of any paper in the denomination, and the greatest circulation of any religious paper in the East. Steps were taken at this council to inaugurate a subscription book business, looking forward to putting five hundred native canvassers into the field upon a self-supporting basis.
Printing plants in China, Japan, and the Philippines are being enlarged, more fully equipped, and better manned. Ten thousand dollars is requested for a printing office and equipment in the Philippines, where native canvassers are meeting with phenomenal success with our books translated into the vernaculars. Experienced evangelistic canvassers from Australia were called for at this meeting, to train and lead out in the great forward movement. While Christianity is repulsive to millions of the people, yet the facts of the prophetic word will appeal to the native curiosity of the Oriental mind, and many through this means will be won to Christ.
To meet these many missionaries on the field was a great pleasure and inspiration, and to attend their meeting a great blessing. They are serious, earnest, capable men and women, upon whom God has laid great responsibilities, and who sense the seriousness of the situation. Brother Johanson and the writer bear back to our home field the record of the proceedings, and the requests made of the brethren in Australasia for men and means, believing that our constituency will not disappoint the brethren out on the firing line, who look so longingly for help in prosecuting a work that staggers the imagination, and calls for the consecrated effort of every one who believes that the message is to go to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people in this generation.
Spain
By Frank S. Bond
FRANK S. BOND
We are thankful to be able to report progress in the work in Spain. God is surely working upon hearts in this land by his Holy Spirit.
For a number of years we have been distributing thousands of copies of our missionary paper Senales de los Tiempos, and we have believed from the beginning that this would be an important factor in the advancement of God’s message of truth in Spain. “We shall reap, if we faint not,” is just as true today as when Paul wrote that letter to the Galatians.
Recently a man in the province of Tarragona sent to our mission treasurer 338 pesetas (about $67) tithe, stating that this was his tithe for the last two years. He also said that by the Lord’s help he would at the end of this year give the Lord his own.
A woman in the province of Lerida has also lately sent some money to help the work, and she calls for some one to come to her place to teach the truth. She has been reading our paper for about two years. We are not personally acquainted with her.
God is blessing the reading matter in Spain. We expect many and great results from this means. We need many consecrated paper workers in this field.
Our paper is a good seller, and one can obtain yearly subscriptions for it if he will only make the effort. Last Sunday morning, in a neighboring town, the Lord helped me to sell seventy-three papers in about two hours, and this week he helped me get several yearly subscriptions on our list.
Yesterday I received a good letter from one of the believers at Baeza. He tells of five there who are awaiting baptism. I am planning to go to Baeza within a week or two, and hope that by further effort others may unite with those five to follow their Master. Baeza is where my brother Walter last labored, and where he is now sleeping. Brother Nicolas and family also labored faithfully at this place.
At Albacete, capital of the province of the same name, some have begun to keep the Sabbath, and are very anxious that we open up work in that city. My plan is to visit that place on my way to Baeza. There are several new Sabbath keepers in the province of Saragossa.
We ask an interest in the prayers of God’s people for the advancement of his work here. Pray for additional laborers for Spain.
The Pleasures We Give
We enjoy thoroughly only the pleasures that we give. — Dumas.
Home Ideals — No. 3
By Mrs. I. H. E.
NEXT to love, cheerfulness is one of the most essential qualifications for those who would build an ideal home. It dissipates gloom, it radiates sunshine, it imparts peace, it sheds fragrance everywhere. Like mercy, cheerfulness is “twice blessed;” it blesses those who come under its beneficent influence, it returns in showers of joy to the heart that sends it forth. “Blessed are the happiness makers,” said Henry Ward Beecher; and he might well have added, “for theirs is the kingdom of home.”
There is no other place where good temper counts for so much, or where its lack may work such ill, as in the home. There the mother spends her days—with joy to herself and her family if hers be a cheerful, sunny heart. There her husband finds rest and peace; in her happy smiles his own perplexities take wing. “What does it matter how things hurt abroad, so long as we are happy and cheerful at home?” he says, and returns to his burdens refreshed and encouraged.
The children of a cheerful-hearted mother may not be able to put their feelings into words, but their lives tell the story to all who will read. To her they bring all their sorrows, their troubles, their misunderstandings and hurts, and are soothed and comforted. And how often they are able to smile, with mother, over what was so hard to bear alone!
Unless home is to come far short of its ideal, there must be in it at least one cheerful, pleasant, happy presence,—a “heart at leisure from itself,” to drive away care and depression, and bring smiles and laughter and singing in their place. Was it not such a heart as this that wise Solomon had in mind when he said, “A merry heart hath a continual feast,” “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance,” and, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine”?.
Nor should the duty of cheerfulness be laid entirely on the mother. Father as well as mother should contribute to the good cheer of the family life. A surly, critical attitude on the part of either parent will neutralize all the efforts of the other to maintain a cheerful home.
A Christian home, a cheerful home—the terms should be synonymous. All the precious graces of human character—goodness, gentleness, truthfulness, purity, reverence, honor—unfold their tender petals in its atmosphere; while their very opposites, like rank and noisome weeds, spring to life in the dwellings where ill temper, discouragement, selfishness, and evil speaking are found. A fretful, nagging temperament will nip and blight all the buds and blossoms of joy and happiness.
Some persons are temperamentally cheerful. They are “born cheerful,” we say. No matter under what circumstances they are placed, they can find something to be happy over; it is easier for them to be happy than not. They “have the gift of finding joy everywhere, and leaving it behind them when they go.” Others are naturally gloomy and sad. Often they are not satisfied with things as they are, and their inability to bring about the changes they wish makes them discontented and unhappy. They magnify the ills of life. Yet there is no healing in mourning and repining. Cheerful Heart is halfway up the hill while Sad Heart sits grieving at its foot.
One can discipline himself never to let a complaining word pass his lips. To be sure, “to be bright and cheerful often requires an effort; there is a certain art in keeping ourselves happy; in this respect, as in others, we require to watch over and manage ourselves almost as if we were somebody else.” And those who, facing life and its problems with a naturally gloomy disposition, have the strength of character to overcome it, are the real joy givers of the world. To their gift of imparting happiness is added the sympathy that can come only from those who have suffered.
What a joy to enter a home where cheerfulness reigns! Better than a money millionaire’s palace is the home of a “millionaire of cheerfulness.” It is like a taste of heaven. Then let us smile, and be happy in our hearts. Even in sorrow and loss we need not yield to depressing influences, but by faith look up to the blue beyond the clouds.
MRS. I. H. E.
EDITH M. GRAHAM
By Edith M. Graham
Growing Up in the Message — No. 2
EDITH M. GRAHAM
In order to train children to take an interest in working for the Lord, they should be given some definite object for which to work, something that their minds can grasp, and something that can be accomplished in a reasonable length of time. It may be the support of some missionary, for which a number of youth and children may club together. This is particularly helpful when the missionary will write from time to time a letter to his supporters, which can be duplicated in the conference office, and sent to the societies and isolated children.
It may be some appliance, some machine, some building, or some other aid to the mission work; or it may be some definite sum of money, which, put with like definite sums, will accomplish some purpose. Children can grasp these things, and by them they are helped to realize that their efforts really are accomplishing something in the work of the Lord.
The methods by which the children earn their money should be in the line of their natural tastes and abilities, to a reasonable extent. Some children have a love for gardening, others enjoy the care of animals, others like to work with tools. Some girls have a taste for sewing, others prefer other kinds of work. The wise mother will turn these tastes and preferences to account in work for the Lord. Where children show no preference, the mother may let them try something she thinks they can do; if that does not succeed after a reasonable time, she should suggest something else.16
In order to keep children interested in their work, it is necessary for the parents, and especially the mother, to take a genuine interest in it, and help the children to make a success of what they attempt. This does not mean to do the work for them, but to teach them how to do it well, and to show them ways of improving their methods. It means to listen attentively and sympathetically to what the children have to say about their work, to rejoice with them as their store of money grows, and to tell them missionary stories and experiences that will give them new inspiration.
It must also be remembered that children should not work long at any one thing, because they soon become tired. The length of time will naturally vary according to their age. It is therefore well for the mother to see that in their first enthusiasm the children do not work so long that they become exhausted, and so lose their love for the work.
Children may be taught to work for the Lord from very early years. I have known some enthusiastic little missionaries of three and four years, whose money would come in regularly quarter after quarter.
As they grow older, children may be taught to circulate literature in various ways; they usually enjoy this, especially if the mother will do it, too. Often they can reach those who would not take reading matter from the grown folks. I remember one little boy of six years who for months regularly delivered a copy of the Signs every week to a woman who was quite bitter against the truth. She would tell him each week not to bring it again, but he would take it the next week, and she never had the heart to refuse to take it from him.
The busy mothers may think of the amount of time it will take to train their children in this way. It will take some time, but, when carefully planned, not so much as might seem likely at first. In any case, it will be far better to spend time now in training the children in the message than to spend it later in mourning because their unguided feet have wandered into the world. In these days of perils and temptations on every side, the children cannot be saved without special effort and labor on the part of their parents.
Takoma Park, D. C.
The Mother
By Hester I. Radford
You struggled blindly for my soul,
And wept for me such bitter tears,
That through your faith my faith grew whole
And fearless of the coming years.
For in the path of doubt and dread
You would not let me walk alone,
But prayed the prayers I left unsaid,
And sought the God I did disown.
You gave to me no word of blame,
But wrapped me in your love's belief,
Dear love, that burned my sin like flame,
And left me worthy of your grief.
— Hester I. Radford.
A Good Foundation
By Mrs. O. A. Olsen
MRS. O. A. OLSEN
Of all the work a mother has to do in this world, the most important is the training of her children. This she cannot do in her own strength. She needs heavenly wisdom. She must read God's Word, and ask the Lord to teach her just what to do in every time of need. She must seek his counsel. The Lord has promised to hear, and to give wisdom to every one who asks him in faith. I am so glad we can take everything to him in prayer. If the mother neglects to read God's Word, and to seek him in earnest prayer, the training of her children will be a failure.
She should not neglect to have family worship. No matter how busy she is, she should not fail to gather her little ones around her, and read God's Word and pray with them. Thereby she will gain strength, and her efforts in doing what is right will be blessed of the Lord.
Conducted by Mrs. I. H. Evans, Takoma Park, Washington D. C
By Mrs. I. H. Evans; Miss Lora E. Clement
Assisted by Miss Lora E. Clement
Through the columns of this department, hints will be given on all matters pertaining to the home life. Short articles and letters are solicited from home makers, telling of their everyday experiences,— their joys and sorrows, their failures and successes.