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Review and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 52.

Just Wait

Review and Herald

Oct 19, 1916

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 19, 1916

Just Wait

By R. HARE

R. HARE
Be still, my heart, the darkness only veils Bright purposes that ever round us spread The promise of returning day; Be still, His whisperings come from far away.
Be still; deem not the tumult overgreat; The storm, the tempest, with their bitter rage, May break in fury, but his hand Rises above them all in every land.
Earth has no resting place for thee, but heaven Can well supply the spirit’s deepest need; In sweet forgetfulness the tried Must share, and love will then be satisfied.
Be still, and know it is the “still small voice” That speaks, and thou must silent be to hear; Wait wistful, then the voice will come, Maybe when other sounds are hushed and dumb.
Be still, my heart, and contemplate His praise Who rides upon the tempest and the wave— Fierce winds his herald, flaming fire A chariot whence Jehovah mounts up higher.

The Door of the City Work

By Mrs. S. N. Haskell

THIS is a door that many have been seeking. Some say it takes talented speakers to hold large audiences; others say if advertising is done properly, an ordinary speaker can carry on the work. Large sums of money have been expended in renting expensive halls and in paying for extensive advertising, and yet the results have not been satisfactory.
Christ has left us an example that we should follow in his steps. He drew large crowds. Whether by the seaside, in the country, or in the temple, the people thronged to listen to his gracious words. What element in the Saviour’s work was the strongest in drawing the crowd—his gracious words, or the medical missionary work which he did? The lepers that had been cleansed, the blind that had received their sight, arrested the attention of the masses; and because of this work, thousands wished to hear the words spoken. No human being can speak as Christ spoke, for the Divine Record says, “Never man spake like this man.” Neither can humanity heal all who present themselves, as Jesus did. But he left the example for us to follow. He gave a perfect pattern, and we should take it as our guide.
Seven years ago the servant of the Lord, in the large assembly tent at the General Conference, delivered the following message: “Henceforth medical missionary work is to be carried forward with an earnestness with which it has never yet been carried. This work is the door through which the truth is to find entrance to the large cities.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, p. 167.
Can a new impetus be given to the medical missionary work while our medical workers receive their education in worldly schools, where the aims set before the students are wealth, worldly fame, and the praise of men?
Much thought has been given and many prayers offered that the best methods might be used in advancing the work in our large cities. The statement is very plain: “This work [medical missionary work] is the door through which the truth is to find entrance to the large cities.” Why not believe it and begin to work according to God’s plan? Why not quickly equip our medical school “so that the door will be closed for any sensible physician to fear that we are not giving in our school the instruction essential for the proper qualification of a physician” (“Medical Evangelistic Library,” No. 6, p. 31), and then fill the school with a band of earnest workers, and train them to do the work to which God calls them?
A great work must be done in a short time; the Lord of the cities has given instruction how we may enter them. Precious souls, time, and money will be saved by following the instruction he has given. Many may say they cannot see how the medical work can be “the door through which the truth is to find entrance to the large cities.” Jesus told the sorrowing sisters of Lazarus, “Thy brother shall rise again,” but Martha could not comprehend how one dead four days could rise again. “When the Lord is about to do a work, Satan moves upon some one to object. ‘Take ye away the stone,’ Christ said. ‘As far as possible, prepare the way for my work.’ But Martha’s positive and ambitious nature asserted itself. She was unwilling that the decomposing body should be brought to view. The human heart is slow to understand Christ’s words, and Martha’s faith had not grasped the true meaning of his promise.”—“The Desire of Ages,” p. 633, trade edition.
The stone at the door of the city work is a lack of properly trained workers in the line of work which God says will “find entrance to the large cities.” Let us as a denomination arise and by our liberal offerings equip our one medical school so that workers may be properly trained to carry forward the work in our large cities.
The Lord says, “Take ye away the stone. . . . As far as possible, prepare the way for my work.” When we do our part, God will fulfil his word, and the large cities will be reached with the message. It may be that from many of them, like Sodom of old, only a very few will be gathered; but they will rejoice throughout eternity that we rescued them from great darkness.
Let us as we decide what our offering will be for The Ellen G. White Memorial Hospital, which is being built to better equip our medical school, ask the Lord to help us roll away the stone from the door of the work in the great cities. Think of the millions in the cities waiting for light! Let us quickly prepare the facilities, that an army of soul-winning medical workers may be trained to do the work God has said should be done.
May God help us to take away the stone, and as far as possible prepare the way for the work to be done in the Lord’s appointed way.
MRS. S. N. HASKELL.

Heaping Together Treasures

Many indeed have been the plans by which men have in recent years gained great fortunes. Almost every day sees a fortune made or lost in Wall Street and Board of Trade. One of the most spectacular cases, however, of these operations occurred recently when two men bought up wheat to such an extent that they finally had 5,000,000 or more bushels. This they held until the terrific heat in the Northwest, and the rains, followed by chinch bugs and drought, made a great drop in the wheat production for the year. Jim Patten and Arthur Cutten still held their wheat until last month after the government reports showed a world shortage. The price of wheat rose. Only the two men were able to sell, one netting $1,000,000, and the other $1,250,000.
In belligerent countries many are taking advantage of the war conditions to gain wealth for themselves. In Italy speculators had stored up 10,000,000 eggs, holding them for such a time as the price might rise, so as to enable them to make a fortune on their investment.
It became necessary for the government to seize these eggs and sell them publicly at two cents each, which was only half the market price. The government hoped in this way to aid in reducing the cost of living, which is estimated to have increased twenty-five per cent during the last six months. It is surely lamentable that in countries which are suffering untold miseries from war and all that war brings, there should be men desirous of making fortunes from the poor by cornering the necessities of everyday living.
This method of accumulating fortunes by increasing the price of the necessities of life, which must be bought by the common people although they have less means with which to pay now in war time than in the past, is truly a sign of the greed which is becoming the prevalent motive in the commercial world.

Special Mention

By Mrs. G. A. Irwin

The Los' Angeles Hospital

THE time is drawing near for the collection for the hospital. I am sure almost every one has heard of The Ellen G. White Memorial Hospital that our sisters have asked to have a part in.
Now that the fourteenth of October is the day set apart for every one to help, let not one of the sisters be wanting, old or young; all should be able to give something.
I think of the great general who, on the eve of a great battle, said, ‘England expects every man to do his duty.’ The Lord expects every woman in the Seventh-day Adventist ranks to do all she can to help put up this building for the care of the poor and afflicted, where they may be given the last message of mercy. A great many may never hear of this message in any other way. Come, sisters, shall we not put our shoulders to the wheel and lift all we can? Let us sit down and commune with ourselves, and say, ‘Heart, how much shall I give?’ MRS. G. A. IRWIN.

The Presidential Election

By F. M. W.

This country has entered upon a period of political discussion and consequent excitement. Probably not since the days of the Civil War has a Presidential election been more earnestly contested than the election this year will be. The contending parties have nominated excellent men as candidates. The canvass is unusually free from personalities, but great issues are involved, and there will be aroused in the discussion much bitter animosity and strife.
It is but natural that every citizen of the commonwealth should be interested in those questions which affect to a greater or less extent the prosperity of the country. Perhaps it is right that all should feel thus concerned, provided the interest in the governments of earth does not eclipse the interest which should be felt in the government and work of God. Sad indeed would it be were the temporal to supplant the eternal in the devotion and regard of any soul.
As to how Seventh-day Adventists should vote, or whether they should vote at all, is a question for every individual to determine for himself. If one of conscientious convictions desires to exercise his right of franchise, then it is his privilege to do so. On the contrary, if any one from a like motive entirely refrains from all part in the affairs of state, this likewise is his privilege. I may determine my duty, but it is not for me to act as conscience for another. I may judge myself, but it is not right for me to stand in judgment of the motive of another.
Where the question of prohibition is before the people, we have received plain, definite counsel to cast our influence by voice and pen and vote on the side of temperance reform. We are, however, definitely warned to guard ourselves against being carried away with the spirit of political discussion.
But whether it is right or wrong to take part in questions of this kind, there certainly can be no question in any mind as to the relative value of civil questions as compared with questions relating to the work of God and the salvation of souls. The earthly should not supplant the heavenly, nor the human be regarded paramount to the divine. The children of the kingdom should be careful that the spirit of political excitement, discussion, and debate does not fill their hearts and minds to the exclusion of the spirit of grace. Of this there is great danger. The representatives of God's work in the earth should ever keep in mind that the Lord is soon coming, and the world is to be warned of its impending doom. The long battle between truth and error is soon to be consummated, and this earth and our age are to witness the final scenes. We shall be participants in those scenes.
We stand in this conflict either for or against the rule of the Prince of Peace. To stand stiffly for the truth; to lift up the crucified and risen Saviour; to manifest in our lives the principles of the gospel of Christ,—this is our work as Christians. It transcends in importance every other issue which the world has ever seen. If we realize the greatness of the work and the dignity of our high and holy calling, the Book of God will have more attraction than the newspaper reports of political speeches and conventions. The words of God will appeal more sensibly than words of any political orator. Prayer will not become distasteful, nor the service of God a lifeless, meaningless ceremony. If the trend of our political interests and alliances is to lessen our love for God and our labor for souls, then better, far better, sever such relations than permit ourselves to be drawn away.
Our workers, particularly, should be careful in their teaching and personal work among the people to guard against the spirit of political discussion. They cannot become partisans in the world's strife and maintain that influence which should accompany their high calling as ambassadors of the heavenly government. Against the exercise of this spirit the servant of the Lord gave definite warning to our ministers in a communication addressed to the General Conference of 1896, and printed in No. 8 of “Special Testimonies for Ministers and Workers.” She says:—
“Would we know how we may best please the Saviour? It is not in engaging in political speeches, either in or out of the pulpit. It is in considering with fear and trembling every word we utter. Where the people assemble to worship God, let not a word be spoken that shall divert the mind from the great central interest, Jesus Christ and him crucified. The third angel’s message is to be our burden of warning. The side issues are not for us to meddle with. The burden of the work is, ‘Preach the word.’ . . .”
“I was surprised as I saw men who claimed to believe the truth for this time, all excited in regard to matters—which relate to the Lord Jesus and eternal interests?—No; but they seemed to be wonderfully excited in regard to the currency. Some ministers were distinguishing themselves by weaving these subjects into their discourses. They were excitably involving themselves, taking sides in regard to these questions that the Lord did not lay upon them the burden to engage in. . . .”
“When the speaker shall in a haphazard way strike in anywhere, as the fancy takes him, when he talks politics to the people, he is mingling the common fire with the sacred. He dishonors God.”
We are coming into times of great unrest. It matters little to Satan as to the means he employs to divert our minds from the great work which God has committed to us, provided only he can accomplish his purpose. If he can fill our hearts with the spirit of partisan politics, with feelings of unwarranted sympathy for some of the participants in the great war, or with the spirit of antagonism against others of the warring nations, so that our hearts shall become charged with the spirit of the contestants, he is well pleased. Let us guard against his specious devices.
It is necessary for us to keep in touch with the great world events. We must do this in order to recognize the fulfilment of prophecy and where we are in the great stream of time. But let us seek to view the happenings of this world from the perspective of eternal things, from the standpoint of God’s great eternal purpose, and not from the standpoint of worldly statesmen and politicians.
Let the work and the truth of God and their interests be the great central truth and the all-absorbing purpose of every follower of Jesus. Then we may be assured that every other question in our consideration will assume its proper and consistent place and relationship.
F. M. W.

Twenty-five Years

By W. A. S.

GOING through some old papers, evidently, Brother C. C. Crisler, of California, came across the program of study of the foreign fields presented in the Home Missionary just twenty-five years ago. He sends us a few pages torn from the old number, writing on the margin as follows:—
“Here is the China symposium as arranged a quarter of a century ago. Not a line could be given of our work in China save that of our duty to become acquainted with the field in order that we might intelligently spread its needs before the Lord in prayer.”
Twenty-five years ago the foreign department in the above periodical corresponded to the Second Sabbath Reading. Concerning the proposed review of the fields, month by month, it was then declared:—
“We want to get so acquainted with the great fields that we can spread their needs before the Lord in prayer, as Hezekiah spread out Rab-shakeh’s letter in the temple.”
It is encouraging to look back to that milestone of twenty-five years ago, and consider how the work has spread under the blessing of the Lord during these swiftly passing years. Then, never a word could be said of our work in China. But we know the brethren and sisters were praying for that great field. In the program of study at that time was printed Dr. Guinness’s trumpet call for China’s millions, two stanzas of which are as follows:—
“O church of the living God, Awake from thy sinful sleep! Dost thou not hear yon awful cry Still sounding o’er the deep? Is it naught that one out of every three, Of all the human race, Should in China die, having never heard The gospel of God’s grace? Canst thou shut thine ear to the awful sound, The voice of thy brother’s blood? A million a month in China Are dying without God!”
“O speak not of the noble few Who the gospel sickle wield, And reap some sheaves with weary hand On the edge of the harvest field; For beyond their utmost efforts Four hundred millions lie, And a thousand preachers were all too few To reach them ere they die. But hear, O, hear ye for yourselves The voice of your brother’s blood! A million a month in China Are dying without God!”
As we read the appeals of twenty-five years ago, thank God we do not now find ourselves related to China in just the same way. Today we have among China’s millions a membership of nearly two thousand, with over three hundred and fifty workers, Chinese and foreign, engaged in the service, with publications spreading through the field by many thousands each month. Pitifully small this little force is as compared with the vast field; but still we thank God for the change that has come. We are there, in the midst of China’s needs.
Twenty-five years has indeed made a difference in the scope of our mission work. At the week of prayer season twenty-five years ago we were hearing of the first voyage of the “Pitcairn.” Elder I. J. Hankins was the one minister in South Africa; and it was stated that three canvassers had doubtless just begun work in South America. This year South America was organized as a division conference, with a membership of 4,903. Appeal was made that week of prayer for funds to help Europe in starting institute work for the training of laborers. Today the European Division lists its gospel laborers as numbering 1,253.
Twenty-five years ago our total membership in all the world was 31,665. A number equivalent to more than half of that total membership were baptized into the faith of this message last year. Then, the membership in lands outside of the United States was 3,427. Today, the membership outside this country is 59,144.
One other item witnessing to increased activity in missions may well be noted. In 1891, the total funds for missions were $61,325. Last year, the report shows $872,667 contributed by all our fields for mission work in the regions beyond.
Notwithstanding the great work before us, we may well thank God and take courage for yet more earnest service as we see how rapidly the Lord is leading the forces on.
W. A. S.

The Resurrection Already Past

By G. B. T.

ONE instance of apostasy and disaffection in the apostolic church is stated in the following words,—
“Shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenæus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” 2 Tim. 2:16-18.
There were leaders in this apostasy—Hymenæus and Philetus. The Hymenæus here mentioned is doubtless the same one referred to in 1 Tim. 1:20, where with him is associated another leader named Alexander. Hymenæus being first mentioned in each instance, it is reasonable to conclude that he was the leader in propagating the errors which they were seeking to bring into the church.
The damaging effect of departing from the truth and becoming an advocate of some error is very clearly and forcefully stated in this connection. The “faith of some” was overthrown. “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.” Verse 19. Shipwreck is a strong figure. It is always a sad picture to see a great ship, which left some port under full sail, with passengers and valuable cargo and with the well wishes of those on shore, lying crushed and torn upon some rock-bound shore, with loss not only of the cargo, but of the lives of passengers and crew.
That the error which was here taught and received into the heart greatly blinded the spiritual perception is evident from the statement that they not only lost their faith in God, but “put away” a “good conscience” as well. Their moral perception seemed to be deadened by the apostasy, to what extent we do not fully know. It is stated however that Hymenæus and Alexander were “delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” Verse 20. The conclusion is warranted therefore that while claiming to be the promoters of additional light for the church, and naming the name of Christ (2 Tim. 2:19), they were at the same time blaspheming God. It is not to be supposed that they got so far from God as this all at once. Departure from God is a gradual process. Doubtless they began to misstate the truth; to prevaricate in various ways. The teaching and conclusions of their former brethren were ridiculed and misrepresented. Their motives were denounced, and untruthful reports circulated. Having put their conscience to sleep, they could misstate, prevaricate, and falsely insinuate without being bothered by any conscientious scruples. If their attention was called to the fact that, either intentionally or otherwise, they had not stated the facts correctly, they had no conscientious misgiving, and made no efforts to correct that which did an injustice to their former fellow laborers. The darkness which surrounded them deepened, and they finally reached that place in their experience when it is said of them that they blasphemed God, whom they claimed to worship. This is the sad lesson before us of those who failed to “depart from iniquity,” lost their spiritual eyesight, and began the work of sowing error among former brethren.
But what was the heresy being taught? It was “that the resurrection is past already.” Going back to the time when this heresy was taught, we can see how they could build up an argument that looked plausible, and was calculated to deceive the unwary. We read, “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” Matt. 27:50-53.
Here was a partial resurrection. These resurrected saints, we are told, went into the city of Jerusalem, where the Roman guard had spread their lying report about the theft of the body of Jesus, and “appeared unto many.” It must have been somewhat startling and disconcerting to have a stalwart resurrected saint appear before some proud Pharisee judge or accuser of Christ, and state that Jesus had come forth from the tomb, and as direct proof claim that he himself had been resurrected. We are told there were “many” such witnesses, and they were seen by many. These could not be bribed. Later they ascended with Christ.
Now, when the heresy that the resurrection is past already was taught in the days of Paul, no doubt some were living who saw these resurrected ones and conversed with them. These stood up, and confirmed the heresy taught by Hymenæus' and Philetus, saying they knew these brethren were teaching the truth, that the resurrection had already taken place, for they had seen in the city of Jerusalem some of those who were resurrected. This was a strong heresy. It was a counterfeit with a semblance of the truth. There had been a resurrection. The failure to distinguish between a partial resurrection and the general resurrection at the last day, and the acceptance of these words of men who had seen something, instead of the plain teaching of the Word of God, laid the foundation for a heresy which wrecked the hopes of some.
The lessons which may be drawn from these experiences of the apostolic church should be carefully studied. Satan is still in the field destroying souls. Every error and device used to delude and ensnare and beguile souls is being brought to the front in a last mighty effort to destroy God’s people. He hates the remnant people, and centers upon them his fiercest assaults. False teachers will be used to confuse and mislead today as truly as in apostolic days. Truth mixed with error will be taught in the name of Christ and set forth as advanced light. There will be circulated counterfeits so nearly like the genuine that only those who have their eyes anointed with eyesalve will be able to distinguish the true from the spurious. If possible, even the very elect will be deceived. These things “are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” Our only safety is in keeping the heart clean, in studying the Word diligently, and in prayer.
G. B. T.

The Wonderful Book of God

By G. B. T.

TRULY the Bible is a wonderful book. Its sublime utterances take hold on the soul as do the words of no other book. Other books become antiquated, but not the Bible. Men write books on various subjects, and in a few years others produce writings on the same subject far in advance, and previous writings are out of date. But the Bible is never out of date. Its words are equally true in all ages. When men have established, as they think, the fact that some statement is historically inaccurate, the spade of some explorer digs up a tablet, and the Scriptures of truth are found to be correct.
Men advance theories concerning science, and others come along with theories which devour these as fast as they are born. But the Word of God stands the acid test of all time and of all theories. While men are floating rudderless on the sea of speculation, wondering what is coming to pass, those enlightened by the Word, casting aside vague and uncertain theorizing, are guided by a sure chart and compass.
“O holy Book of truth divine! Eternal as thy Maker’s name; Through countless ages of decline Thy glowing truths have stood the same.”
Skeptics have done their worst to destroy the Scriptures, but at no time in the history of the world were so many copies of the Bible, in so many different tongues, being circulated. On one occasion when some skeptics were railing at the Christian religion and the Bible, James Russell Lowell said to them:—
“When the microscopic search of skepticism which has hunted the heavens and sounded the seas to disprove the existence of the Creator, has turned its attention to human society and has found a place on this planet ten miles square where a decent man can live in decency, comfort, and security, supporting and educating his children, unspoiled and unpolluted; a place where age is reverenced, infancy respected, manhood respected, womanhood honored, and human life held in due regard,—when skeptics can find such a place ten miles square on this globe, where the gospel of Christ has not gone first and cleared the way, and laid the foundations and made decency and security possible, it will then be in order for the skeptical literati to move thither and there ventilate their views.”
The Bible has stood and will ever stand impregnable against all the assaults of its enemies. There is, of course, a reverent criticism to which it is proper to subject the Scriptures. This has to do with authorship of writings, the date of manuscript, and correct translation. But though infidel criticisms may impeach the Word of God, and throw uncertainty over all it contains, and seek to rob man of the hope which it holds out, not only for this life, but for the life to come, it cannot take from the world the light and influence of God’s Word. It is much to be regretted that in addition to the infidels, and unbelievers, and free-thinkers, and deists, and atheists, and skeptics, and agnostics, who have rejected the supernatural inspiration of the Scriptures, we have come to a time when there must be added higher critics, who are professed Christians, but are sowing doubts regarding the authenticity of much of the Bible. But the Bible will withstand the assaults of all. God’s Word is here to stay. Heaven and earth may pass away, but God’s Word will remain, to bless and enlighten the world. A writer states it in this way:—
“If men should try to put it away from us, they would be obliged first of all to get rid of all the copies in all the languages—there are 160,000,000, say of the Old and New Testaments in one book and in portions of the Book. You must have all these piled together in a pyramidal mass and reduced to ashes before you can say you have destroyed the Bible.
“Then go to the libraries of the world, and when you have selected every book that contains a reference to the Old and New Testaments, you must eliminate from each book all such passages; and until you have so treated every book of poetry and prose, excising all ideas of grandeur and purity and tenderness and beauty, for the knowledge of which the poets and prose writers were indebted to the Bible,—until you have taken all these from between the bindings and turned them to ashes, leaving the emasculated fragments behind, not until then have you destroyed the Bible.
“You must then go to the galleries of art throughout the world, and you must slash and daub over and obliterate the achievements that the genius of the artist has produced. Not until then have you destroyed the Bible.
“Have you done it then? What next? You must visit every conservatory of music, and not until the world shall stand voiceless as to its masters—not until then have you destroyed the Bible.
“Have you done it then?—No. There is one thing more you must perform. There is one copy of the Bible still living. It is the cemetery of the Christian. The cemeteries, while they exist, are Bibles; and to suppress the Book, to let not a trace of it be discovered, you must pass from gravestone to gravestone and with mallet and chisel cut out every name that is Biblical and every inspiring passage of Scripture graven thereon. To destroy the Bible you must also blot from the memory of every Christian its promises and comforts. Not until you have done all this can you destroy the Bible.”—“Another Mile,” pp. 28, 29.
“Word of the everlasting God, Will of his glorious Son, Without thee how could earth be trod, Or heaven itself be won?”
G. B. T.

A Contagious Case of Religion

BEFORE you can get religion into any one else, you have got to have a contagious case of it yourself.—Henry Sloane Coffin.

Reforms Begin Within

“REFORMS always begin within. Those who ignore this are like the sick man who puts his medicine in a side pocket.”

Religion and Perception of Others

“THE more religion one has himself, the more he is apt to see in others.”
Continue reading: “Let Both Grow Together”