Earlier text: DedicatoryOne Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar Fund
By T. E. BOWEN
For Special Work at Home and Abroad The New Washington Sanitarium
A FEW words about this new institution, now rapidly nearing completion, may be of interest to the readers of the REVIEW. One pleasant afternoon last week it was my privilege to visit this institution. I had not been through it since soon after the work was begun last fall. It was certainly a pleasure to go through the different halls upon the three floors above the basement, catching beautiful, restful views from the verandas and patients’ rooms, which will greet those confined within, too sick to be out, or the convalescent, who can come so close in touch with nature from his wheel-chair from any side of the building he chances to visit. Dr. Kress and wife were busily engaged arranging the new furniture in the offices, and directing, here and there, the corps of helpers at work preparing not only the building itself, but the grounds outside, for dedication. Being built entirely on virgin soil, much work is required to grade and properly prepare the lawns and road approaches. Four wheel-scrapers were hard at work grading; men were finishing the concrete walks about the building, others busily putting down sods, which must be drawn from some distance; others putting on the finishing coats of plaster, or cement, upon the large cement pillars. Our brethren may feel that fifty or sixty-five thousand dollars is a large amount of money, and, really, it is. But when one stops to consider that carpenters charge four dollars a day, and other laborers’ rates are as high proportionately, with materials advancing all the time, and then counts the weeks that go by with the large pay-roll necessary to pay these laborers and meet other bills, it will be found that even such a modest, plain institution as is this one, requires no small outlay of means to prepare it to bring anything in the way of earnings. It certainly will be a happy day here when this new institution, erected at God’s own bidding, manned by loyal, God-fearing physicians, who are as true to the third angel’s message as any who can be found anywhere, shall be opened to the people of this influential city. We believe our loyal brethren and sisters throughout the whole field can, with us, see a wonderful providence in shaping the medical work just as it is. All through the recent crisis which has come to our work by the turning away from the truth of those upon whom God had placed important responsibilities in connection with this part of his closing work, until the present, there has been some degree of uncertainty, in the minds of some, with regard to this part of God’s cause. Some have almost lost heart. But we can now begin to see how the Lord is working out his own unerring designs, and placing, or, more properly speaking, keeping, the medical missionary work in its appointed place of being the right arm of the message. We must go right forward with our God-appointed work, and the Lord will provide himself with loyal servants. That this institution should not be crippled for means, it has been necessary for the General Conference to advance some money, in view of that which would come in from the $150,000 fund. It has come to that place where funds are greatly needed; and it is somewhat doubtful if the General Conference itself can continue this assistance, unless that already advanced is quickly returned by greatly increased gifts to the big fund. Here is an opportunity to invest means where it will yield rich returns; and, more, show our loyalty to the principles of the message itself. Through the spirit of prophecy God has said: “Medical missionary work is the right hand of the gospel. It is necessary to the advancement of the cause of God, as through it men and women are led to see the importance of right habits of living, and the saving power of the truth will be made known. . . . The Lord will give to our sanitariums whose work is already established an opportunity to co-operate with him in assisting newly established plants. Every new institution is to be regarded as a sister helper in the great work of proclaiming the third angel’s message. God has given our sanitariums an opportunity to set in operation a work that will be as a stone instinct with life, growing as it is rolled by an invisible hand.” We believe the “invisible hand” has guided in the erection of the Washington Sanitarium, and also that God’s loyal people will see that it is not crippled by lack of means.
T. E. BOWEN. Received on the $150,000 Fund
Atlantic Union Conference
Central New England .......... $ 2,270.61
Chesapeake ................... 225.66
Eastern Pennsylvania ........ 1,272.65
Greater New York ............ 415.75
Maine ....................... 344.94
New Jersey .................. 552.63
New York .................... 1,025.17
Southern New England ........ 850.23
Vermont ..................... 812.15
Virginia .................... 260.67
Western Pennsylvania ........ 822.57
West Virginia ............... 211.67
Western New York ............ 970.02
Total ....................... $10,034.72 Canadian Union Conference
Maritime .................... $281.43
Quebec ...................... 33.78
Ontario ..................... 298.42
Total ....................... $613.63 Central Union Conference
Colorado .................... $ 878.19
Iowa ......................... 2,167.97
Kansas ...................... 1,244.90
Missouri .................... 850.45
Nebraska .................... 4,779.63
Wyoming ..................... 403.87
Total ....................... $10,325.01 District of Columbia
Washington churches ........ $1,157.74 Unknown
Unknown ..................... $149.20 Lake Union Conference
East Michigan ............... $ 1,082.86
Indiana ..................... 4,237.00
North Michigan .............. 120.51
Northern Illinois ........... 1,108.69
Ohio ........................ 2,661.61
Southern Illinois ........... 709.63
West Michigan ............... 2,802.36
Wisconsin ................... 1,745.37
Total ....................... $14,468.03 North Pacific Union Conference
Conference not specified .... $ 315.30
British Columbia ............ 57.80
Montana ..................... 175.15
Upper Columbia .............. 1,195.37
Western Washington .......... 932.79
Idaho ....................... 844.90
Western Oregon .............. 788.16
Total ....................... $4,309.47 Northern Union Conference
Alberta ..................... $ 139.10
Manitoba .................... 238.70
Saskatchewan Mission Field .. 34.85
Minnesota ................... 3,480.50
South Dakota ................ 2,113.19
North Dakota ................ 1,681.23
Total ....................... $7,687.57 Pacific Union Conference
Arizona ..................... $ 177.87
California-Nevada ........... 4,564.16
Southern California ......... 479.79
Utah ........................ 205.46
Total ....................... $5,427.28 Southern Union Conference
South Carolina .............. $ 67.88
Alabama ..................... 200.63
Tennessee River ............. 444.76
Florida ..................... 233.75
North Carolina .............. 151.97
Kentucky .................... 30.36
Cumberland .................. 315.98
Louisiana ................... 315.01
Mississippi ................. 149.14
Georgia ..................... 160.55
Total ....................... $2,070.03 Southwestern Union Conference
Arkansas .................... $ 213.64
Oklahoma .................... 1,251.05
Texas ....................... 762.38
Total ....................... $2,227.07 Foreign
Mrs. Albert Vuilleumier, deceased ........ $ 3.88
Algeria .................................. 13.33
Australia ................................ 132.19
Bermuda .................................. 25.00
China .................................... 3.00
South Africa ............................ 128.16
Jamaica .................................. 13.41
Yukon Territory .......................... 10.00
England .................................. 256.32
Gold Coast, West Africa .................. 10.00
Mexico ................................... 2.00
Costa Rica ............................... 2.00
India .................................... 12.48
South America ............................ 23.35
Switzerland .............................. 5.81
Panama ................................... 4.00
Nicaragua ................................ 2.00
Trinidad .................................. .34
Central American Mission ................. 17.00
Norway ................................... 25.00
Japan .................................... 12.50
Hayti .................................... 5.00
Egypt .................................... 51.55
Total ................................... $758.32
Grand Total ............................. $59,228.07
I. H. EVANS, Treasurer. “No Other Gods Before Me”
By Ellen G. White
During the night I was sorely distressed. A great burden rested upon me. I had been pleading with God to work in behalf of his people. My attention was called to the money which they have invested in photographs. I was taken from house to house, through the homes of our people, and as I went from room to room, my Instructor said, “Behold the idols which they have accumulated!” As I visit the homes of our people and our schools, I see that all the available space on tables, what-nots, and mantelpieces is filled up with photographs. On the right hand and on the left are seen the pictures of human faces. God desires this order of things to be changed. Were Christ on earth, he would say, “Take these things hence.” I have been instructed that these pictures are as so many idols, taking up the time and thought which should be sacredly devoted to God. These photographs cost money. Is it consistent for us, knowing the work that is to be done at this time, to spend God’s money in producing pictures of our own faces and the faces of our friends? Should not every dollar that we can spare be used in the upbuilding of the cause of God? These pictures take money that should be sacredly devoted to God’s service; and they divert the mind from the truths of God’s Word. This making and exchanging photographs is a species of idolatry. Satan is doing all he can to eclipse heaven from our view. Let us not help him by making picture-idols. We need to reach a higher standard than these human faces suggest. The Lord says, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Those who claim to believe in Christ need to realize that they are to reflect his image. It is his likeness that is to be kept before the mind. The words that are spoken are to be freighted with heavenly inspiration. Christ looks upon a world filled with the din of merchandise and trade, with the dishonesty and scheming of buyers and sellers. In their desire to get gain, men have lost sight of the laws of justice and equity. “It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.” Satan has devised a multitude of ways in which to keep men from serving God. He has invented sports and games, into which men enter with such intensity that one would suppose a crown of life was to reward the winner. At the horse races and football matches, which are attended by thousands and thousands of people, lives for which Christ shed his blood are thrown away. What will become of the souls of the men and boys whose lives are thus extinguished? Will they be counted worthy of the redemption which Christ died to secure for them? Looking upon these God-dishonoring scenes, Christ asks, “What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” He calls the attention of men to the nobler world which they have lost from view. He points them to the threshold of heaven, flushed with the glory of the infinite God. Those who have taken part in the solemn rite of baptism have pledged themselves to seek for those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God; pledged themselves to labor earnestly for the salvation of sinners. God asks those who take his name, How are you using the powers that have been redeemed by the death of my Son? Are you doing all in your power to rise to a greater height in spiritual understanding? Are you adjusting your interests and actions in harmony with the momentous claims of eternity? Let there be a reformation among the people of God. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Those upon whom the Lord has placed the burden of his work are struggling to proclaim the message, that souls perishing in ignorance may be warned. Can you not, by self-denial, do something to help them in their work? Arouse, and show by your unselfish zeal and earnestness that you are converted. Every dollar is required in the work of saving souls. The money invested by the professed people of God in getting pictures made of human faces would support several missionaries in the field. Many small streams, when put together, swell into a large river. We embezzle our Lord’s goods when we use for selfish pleasure the means which should be used to proclaim the last message of warning. If you spend the Lord’s money for self-gratification, how can you expect him to continue to bestow his goods on you? How does the Master regard those who selfishly invest his money in photographs? That very money could have been used to purchase reading-matter to send to those in the darkness of ignorance. The truth that God has given us must be heralded to the world. We have been given the privilege of doing this work. We are to sow the seed of truth beside all waters. The Lord calls upon us to practise self-denial and self-sacrifice. The gospel demands entire consecration. The necessities of the cause demand all that we can give. Our indulgence in photographs has been a selfish gratification on our part, which bears silent witness against us. By this indulgence a large amount of wood, hay, and stubble has been brought to the foundation, to be consumed by the fires of the last day. After going from home to home, and seeing the many photographs, I was instructed to warn our people against this evil. This much we can do for God. We can put these picture-idols out of sight. They have no power for good, but interpose between God and the soul. They can do nothing to help in sowing the seeds of truth. Christ calls upon those who claim to be following him to put on the whole armor of God. Our educational institutions need to feel the reforming power of the Spirit of God. “If the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” Those who are engaged as teachers in our schools and sanitariums should reach a high standard of consecration. And the students in these institutions, who are fitting themselves to go forth as missionaries, should learn to practise self-denial. We are God’s stewards, and “it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” The money that God has entrusted to us is to be carefully husbanded. We are to increase in efficiency by putting to the best use the talents given us, that at God’s coming we may return to him his own with usury. Linked With God in Danger
In an hour of danger a Christian minister prayed this prayer: “O Lord, we are imperiled, but thou art imperiled with us, and our deliverance is thy deliverance too.” O to be so linked with God and his cause that we can not either suffer or triumph apart from him! The Beauty of Holiness
By Eliza H. Morton
WHAT makes the beauty of the cloud,
The beauty of the rose?
What makes the heavens awe the mind
With their deep, calm repose?
It is the unity that's there,
The order of our God.
All nature is a system grand,—
The beauty of the Lord. The beauty of his holiness
He would behold in us,
In word, in deed, in kindly tone,
In all that's generous,—
A well-developed character
As white as snowy dove,
And shedding forth a steady light
Made wonderful by love. The beauty of his holiness
Upon his church should rest,
And orderly his worship be
In Christ made manifest.
Most beautiful that union is
In God's own house of prayer,
For then the angels from the heights
Delight to linger there. The beauty of his holiness
Through flesh at length shall shine.
Immortal in its loveliness
May be this flesh of mine.
The Spirit of the living God
In every pulsing vein
May lift my body from this earth
To heaven's own lofty plain. The beauty of his holiness
Will make the desert bloom;
'Twill rest on every barren place,
And drive away earth's gloom;
'Twill draw deific glory down
Till heaven and earth are one,
And in them both forevermore
God's will be fully done. Peace or War
By W. M. Adams
While in Washington, D. C., attending the General Conference, I had the privilege of visiting the United States Navy-yard. There I saw the mammoth twelve-inch cannon, also many other weapons of death, in process of construction. As I looked upon the cannon piled up like cord-wood, I said to the guide, “This does not look much like the millennial age of peace, does it?” “It does not,” he answered; “in fact, it is a preparation for the opposite.” We hear much about “The Hague Peace Conference,” the “International Parliamentary Peace Association,” the “International Peace Association of Jurists,” etc. Some are taking a very optimistic view of the outcome of the combined efforts of these and similar bodies. Others view the situation more seriously. The Winnipeg Free Press, of November 30, in an editorial, makes the following comments on the peace program:— “There will be no lack of peace talk during the coming twelve months. Likewise we shall see France, Germany, the United States, Japan, and Italy mobilizing the most powerful armaments in their history, and voting new increases for the edification of their neighbors, while Great Britain strictly adheres to her set purpose of having enough ships and to spare to meet the two most powerful fleets of the world combined. . . . So that while peace-makers talk, governments seek practical means of protecting themselves in the event of war.” Comment is unnecessary. Peace talk is not “practical.” President Roosevelt in his last message to Congress makes the following statement: “The United States Navy is the surest guarantor of peace which this country possesses.” He further says, “Our regular army is so small that in any great war we should have to trust mainly to volunteers who should already know how to shoot. We should establish shooting galleries in all the large public and military schools, should maintain national target ranges in different parts of the country, and should in every way encourage the formation of rifle clubs throughout all parts of the land.”—Free Press. When Japan’s present program is completed, she will be able to place an army of one million men in the field. Her standing army now numbers four hundred thousand. She recently launched the two largest war-ships in the world. In view of these facts, it is not hard to understand Isa. 2: 3, 4, which says: “And many people shall go and say, . . . they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Here is a prophecy that is being fulfilled to-day by the Peace Congress and the “peace-and-safety” cry. “Many nations shall come, and say,” etc., says Micah 4:2, 3. Another prophecy sets forth the true situation: “For the Lord hath spoken it. Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles: Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.” Joel 3:8-10. The nations are crying, “Peace, peace; when there is no peace,” saith the Lord. Jer. 6:14. “When they [the people] shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them. . . . But ye, brethren, are not in darkness. . . . Let us watch and be sober.” 1 Thess. 4:3, 4, 6. Short Sermons on the Ten Commandments
By W. A. McCutchen
“THOU shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” Ex. 20:16. Among the things which God says he hates is “a lying tongue.” Prov. 6:16, 17. To God and decent men it is one of the most abominable things. Perhaps equally with stealing, it shows the perverseness, the low moral status, of the individual given to it—how far removed he is from God and his standard. Equally with stealing, this sin of lying shows one up in his true character, and shows it to be no better than that of the thief. And to the man of truthfulness, integrity, and honor, no character is more contemptible or excites more disgust than the thief and liar. But we are not so much concerned as to what man thinks of this. It is not this which determines the right or wrong of a thing. The question is, What does God think of lying and the liar? See with what characters he classes them, and what is to be their lot at last. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” “And there shall in no wise enter into it [the city] anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie.” Rev. 21:8, 27. “For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” Rev. 22:15. From the last quotation we see that the classification and condemnations belong to him who “loveth” a lie as well as to him that “maketh” it. In fact, he who loves a lie will not be long in learning to make it, for one will generally make what he loves, if he can. There are many persons who think they would not tell or originate a lie for any consideration, and who in their minds and intentions are really above it, and yet they may hear one started by some one else, and be very active in repeating it without stopping to ascertain whether it is a lie. Especially is this true if it is something sensational or wicked against another, and whose repetition will hurt or injure him. And why? It is because of his “love” for that kind of abomination, and his lack of regard for his fellow man. As shown above, God holds him who loves a lie equally as guilty and as unrighteous in character as he who “maketh” it. If a man is not absolutely truthful in his heart, and does not love the principle of truthfulness, he is the opposite, and has a spirit hated of God. One of the things said of him who shall at last dwell with God is, He “speaketh the truth in his heart.” Ps. 15: 2. It is in his heart to do it everywhere and all the time, and to speak nothing else, it matters not what the circumstances are. “Speaketh the truth in his heart”—not simply in words when he doesn’t want to, but which he is forced to by circumstances for fear of detection in a lie if he does not. This scripture suggests the idea of having the very principle of truthfulness and integrity in the heart; and when such is not the case, one is a liar—on occasion. And there are so many ways one can tell a lie—by a nod of the head, by a wink of the eye, by silence when that silence may be taken to mean the opposite of what you know it ought to mean, and when a word is needed to correct and disabuse a wrong impression, or by speaking when silence ought to be maintained—any way that we give or allow another to receive a wrong impression from us. “He that speaketh the truth in his heart” is the Scriptural standard. It is bad enough to lie under any circumstances, and with reference to anything; but the form of lying the commandment deals with is that “against thy neighbor.” This is the greatest of all evils of its class; and as the greater always includes the lesser, so the Lord simply names that lying which stands at the head in wickedness, in mischievous abomination, and of course the prohibition of that covers all other lying. What mischief is wrought by a disregard of this command—by doing the thing it forbids. How the neighbor’s interests are overlooked, his good name assailed, his character dissected, and his mind disturbed by the “lying tongue” which God and true men hate. No wonder the Lord speaks of this kind of tongue as “a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” James 3:6. “A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Prov. 6:19), are in the list of the things God hates, and are coupled by this language inseparably together. The foul tongue of the liar has no more right to try to take away the good name and tranquillity of a neighbor, or tell falsehoods that are prejudicial to his interests, than the common thief has to steal his property; for every man has a right to enjoy these until he forfeits them himself. Thus we see that this command also is based on the natural rights of man, and he who would try to10deprive him of these rights by lying against him not only shows himself cowardly and base, but extremely wicked. At any rate, the Lord counted it so sinful that he thundered from Sinai, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.” Let not decent men, and especially professed Christians, be guilty of it in any form. The Change of the Sabbath
By ARTHUR L. MANOUS
Dr. Lee: “There is no express command for observing the first day of the week as a Sabbath.”—“Lee’s Theology,” page 562. Dr. Binney, Methodist: “There is no express command for this change recorded in the New Testament.”—“Binney’s Theological Compend,” page 133. Another, Methodist: “There is no positive command for . . . keeping holy the first day of the week.”—“Methodist Theological Compendium,” page 103. Dr. Fausset, of the Church of England: “The Lord’s day [meaning Sunday] superseded the Jewish sabbath, without our having express command for the transference.”—“Bible Cyclopedia,” art. “Baptism.” Dr. Buck, of the Independents: “It must be confessed that there is no law in the New Testament concerning the first day.”—“Buck’s Theological Dictionary,” art. “Sabbath.” Dr. Dwight, Congregationalist: “The Christian sabbath [meaning Sunday] is not in the Scriptures, and was not in the primitive church, called the Sabbath.”—“Dwight’s Theology,” Vol. IV, page 401. Dr. Binney, Methodist, again says: “It is true there is no positive command for infant baptism; . . . nor is there any for keeping holy the first day of the week.”—“Binney’s Theological Compend,” page 140. Dr. Watson, Methodist: “There is not on record any divine command to the apostles to change the Sabbath from the day on which it was held by the Jews to the first day of the week.”—“Watson’s Theological Dictionary.” Again Dr. Watson says: “If children are not to be baptized because there is no positive command for it,” neither “ought we to keep holy the first day of the week; neither of these being expressly commanded.”—“Watson’s Theological Dictionary,” art. “Baptism.” Dr. Coleman: “No law or precept appears to have been given by Christ or the apostles either for abrogation of the Jewish sabbath, or the institution of the Lord’s day, or the substitution of the first for the seventh day of the week.”—“Ancient Christianity Exemplified,” chap. 26, sec. 2. Dr. Woffle, Baptist: “Up to the time of Christ’s death no change had been made in the day. The authority must be sought in the works or example of the inspired apostles. . . . So far as the record shows, they did not, however, give any explicit command enjoining the abandonment of the seventh-day Sabbath.”—“The Lord’s Day,” pages 186, 187. Object and Importance of Our Literature
By R. F. COTTRELL
If the question is asked, “Around what book does all our denominational literature cluster?” all will agree in reply that the Great Book alone is entitled to that central position. I desire to take another step, and assert that the Bible is essentially and in reality a denominational or sectarian book; for in it are found the principles and doctrines of the true people of God. On the other hand, just so far as our books contain the eternal principles of Scriptural truth, they are no more denominational than the Bible itself. “The Bible has a fulness, a strength, a depth of meaning that is inexhaustible.” Dr. Adam Clarke says: “From this Word all doctrines must be derived and proved.” “The Word of God alone contains my creed.” And Chrysostom’s testimony has gathered strength as it has rolled down through the centuries: “An intimate acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures is a secure haven, an impregnable bulwark, an immovable tower, an imperishable glory, an impenetrable armor, an unfading joy, perpetual delight, and whatever other excellency can be uttered.” The question may then be asked, “If the Bible contains all that is essential, would it not be well for us to devote our entire energies to its publication, circulation, and study?” We grant that we should do a great work in this direction; but there are in the providence of God important crises when an especial message is to be given. Noah’s preaching differed materially from that of any other period of earth’s history in that it proclaimed a flood of waters as present truth. Many other examples might be cited. Now the Scriptures clearly show that— “We are living, we are dwelling,
In a grand and awful time;
In an age on ages telling—
To be living is sublime.”
As anciently the servants of God used the best means at their command for the furtherance of the gospel, so the advantages and facilities of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries have been harnessed for the great advent movement of the last generation. The one mighty object of our literature is to simplify and emphasize God’s message for to-day as contained in Holy Writ. Is it saying too much that any publication failing to accomplish this end fails in the great and vital object of our denominational literature, and should have no place in our catalogue of books and periodicals? We believe not. For a moment let us view the development of our publishing work. In the year 1855 a person could purchase all of our books and tracts, and subscribe for all our periodicals for one year, for the sum of three dollars. In the year 1862 the same could be secured for seven dollars and a half. At that time we had but one publishing house; to-day twenty-two publishing houses are in operation, publishing the third angel’s message in fifty-one different languages. About thirteen hundred books, pamphlets, and tracts are printed, and ninety-eight periodicals are in circulation; and should one desire to purchase a complete set of these publications with a yearly subscription to each of our papers, it would cost about four hundred dollars. Thus we are constrained, as we see how our work has grown from obscurity to its present dimensions, to say with Moses, God’s servant of old, “What hath God wrought!” The foregoing covers a wide range of subjects. Of primary importance to us as a people, are the writings of the spirit of prophecy. Through them God has told us that every family should possess an entire set of the Testimonies. These are not to take the place of the Bible, but to magnify the beauty and importance of that inspired Word. Regarding the works for circulation among the people of the world, the servant of the Lord has spoken as follows: “Instruction has been given me that the important books containing the light that God has given regarding Satan’s apostasy in heaven, should be given a wide circulation just now; for through them the truth would reach many minds. ‘Patriarchs and Prophets,’ ‘Daniel and the Revelation,’ and ‘Great Controversy’ are needed now as never before. They should be widely circulated because of the truth they emphasize.” Again, in speaking of “Great Controversy:” “I am more anxious to see the wide circulation of this book than for any other I have written, for in the ‘Great Controversy’ the last message of warning to the world is given more distinctly than in any of my other books.” Mention is also made that “The Desire of Ages” should receive attention; also that the Lord especially blessed his servant Uriah Smith with wisdom from above in the preparation of “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation.” Later on, the message was borne that other books should be written upon the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation which would present the truth in story form, and our beloved brother, Elder S. N. Haskell, was seen as the proper person to do the writing. As a result of his effort, we have the “Story of Daniel the Prophet,” and the “Story of the Seer of Patmos.” Because some books have been mentioned by the spirit of prophecy, we would not take the position that they should be handled to the exclusion of all others, but their great importance is certainly unquestionable. Neither should our health and temperance literature be neglected. “Wherever the canvassing work is presented among our people, let the health books11and the religious books be presented together as parts of a united work. The relation of the religious and health books is presented to me as illustrated by the union of the warp and the woof to form a beautiful pattern and a perfect piece of work. In the past the health books have not been handled with the interest which their importance demands. Though by a large class they have been highly appreciated, yet many have not thought it essential that they should go to the world.” “The indifference with which the books have been treated by many is an offense to God.” Thus the “Testimonies for the Church” should be given their proper place in the families and homes of God’s people. Our books, pamphlets, tracts, and periodicals, both of a religious and of a temperance nature, should be placed in the hands of the people of the world with all our energies. “In this age the trivial is praised and magnified. There is a call for anything that will create a sensation. The country is flooded with worthless publications, which were written for the sake of making money, while really valuable books are unsold and unread.” “My heart aches as I see those who profess to be looking for the Saviour devoting their time and talents to circulating books that contain nothing concerning the special truths for this time,—books of narration, books of biography, books of men’s theories and speculations. The world is full of such books, they can be had anywhere; but how can the followers of Christ engage in so common a work, when there is crying need for God’s truth on every hand? It is not our mission to circulate such works. There are thousands of others to do this, who as yet have not sufficient knowledge of anything better. We have a definite mission, and we should not turn from it to side-issues. Men and means are not to be employed in bringing before the people books that have no bearing upon the present truth.” “The world is deluged with books that might better be consumed rather than circulated. Books upon Indian warfare and similar topics, published and circulated as a money-making scheme, might better never be read. There is a satanic fascination in these books. The heart-sickening relation of crimes and atrocities has a bewitching power upon many youth, exciting in them the desire to bring themselves into notice, even by the most wicked deeds. There are many works more strictly historical whose influence is little better.” “We have no permission from the Lord to engage in either the printing or the sale of such literature, for it is the means of destroying many souls.” But in this wonderful age of book-makers and book-making, our literature holds a unique position. We could dwell at length upon the richness and true literary excellence of many productions; as we study, we can but sense the deep spiritual breath of life they impart; the power and force of expression carries with it the conviction of eternal truth. This we state without boasting. It is precisely what should be manifest in a movement that is heaven-born. Running through it are seen the silver threads of principles everlasting; upon it are visible the finger-marks of a hand unseen, credentials divine. May God impress us with its object and importance. Courage in the Lord
By J. S. Washburn
When God was about to lead the children of Israel into the promised land, he said to Joshua, “Be strong and of a good courage: . . . only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law. . . . Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1: 6, 7, 9. One of God’s commands is, “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed.” There are many people who break this command. Brethren, let us remember that to be of good courage is a duty, a very pleasant duty, a very helpful duty. It means more than feeling; it means determination. It means absolute confidence in the Captain of our salvation, who never lost a battle; in God, who can not fail, who never has been unfaithful to those who have been true to him, who never has failed to forgive those who have fallen, and yet have come back asking forgiveness. Have you stumbled? Rise up again. Be of good courage in the Lord. The whole Scripture record shows that there is but one thing that can separate us from the Lord, and that is sin; and if there is sin upon us, he will take it away, casting it into the depths of the sea, placing it behind his back, remembering it against us no more forever. We have no excuse to be weak and fearful. The fearful at the last terrible day are outside the city of God. Be strong and of a good courage. He is with us wherever we go. He will never leave us nor forsake us till he has brought us home, where we shall see his face, and be beyond the danger of falling, forevermore. ‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither life, nor death, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ MAY G. COLE
By May G. Cole
Two artists were asked to paint pictures illustrating “Rest.” One pictured a quiet lake amid the mountains. Not a ripple disturbed the clear surface of the blue water. Cattle grazed peacefully on the green slopes, and the summer sky looked softly down with no cloud to mar its serenity. The second artist pictured a roaring, rushing cataract. White foam dashed against the rocks that edged the river. A tree bent over the water, its branches just escaping the rapids. Among the farthest branches was a nest where the mother bird hovered over her little ones. Which was Rest? Are we at peace with Christ amid the storms and strife of sin, or are we in a state of stagnation? Are we resting in the cross, or are we asleep in Satan’s easy chair?