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Review and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 21.

The Sabbath and Service
Earlier text: The Sabbath and Service

Atlantic Union Conference

By I. H. EVANS

Received on the $150,000 Fund up to May 14, 1907

Atlantic Union Conference

Central New England .......... $1,828.79 Chesapeake ................... 160.75 Eastern Pennsylvania ......... 904.25 Greater New York ............. 415.75 Maine ......................... 305.33 New Jersey ................... 343.42 New York .................... 1,020.17 Southern New England ......... 850.23 Vermont ....................... 738.06 Virginia ...................... 214.12 Western Pennsylvania .......... 699.83 West Virginia ................. 189.07 Western New York .............. 920.02
Total ......................... $8,589.79

Canadian Union Conference

Maritime ...................... $281.43 Quebec ........................ 25.78 Ontario ....................... 298.42
Total ......................... $605.63

Central Union Conference

Colorado ...................... $877.19 Iowa ........................ 2,167.97 Kansas ...................... 1,214.03 Missouri ...................... 465.80 Nebraska .................... 4,779.63 Wyoming ....................... 378.87
Total ......................... $9,883.49

District of Columbia

Washington Churches .......... $1,150.24

Lake Union Conference

East Michigan ................. $1,082.86 Indiana ...................... 4,011.00 North Michigan ................. 66.23 Northern Illinois ............ 1,102.69 Ohio ......................... 2,658.61 Southern Illinois .............. 660.68 West Michigan ................ 2,802.36 Wisconsin .................... 1,601.37
Total ......................... $13,985.80

North Pacific Union Conference

Conference not specified ...... $315.30 British Columbia ............... 57.80 Montana ....................... 172.90 Upper Columbia ............... 1,195.37 Western Washington ............ 932.79 Idaho ........................ 829.90 Western Oregon ................ 785.66
Total ......................... $4,289.72

Northern Union Conference

Alberta ....................... $111.00 Manitoba ...................... 238.70 Saskatchewan Mission Field ..... 34.85 Manitoba ...................... 238.70 South Dakota ................. 2,104.10 North Dakota ................. 1,681.23
Total ......................... $7,305.38

Pacific Union Conference

Arizona ....................... $166.87 California-Nevada ........... 2,744.76 Southern California ........... 321.94 Utah .......................... 111.01
Total ......................... $3,344.58

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 .................... 282.38 Louisiana ..................... 313.51 Mississippi ................... 149.14 Georgia ....................... 160.55
Total ......................... $2,034.93

Southwestern Union Conference

Arkansas Tract Society ........ $213.64 Oklahoma .................... 1,245.05 Texas ........................ 762.23 Indian Territory ................. 3.00
Total ......................... $2,223.92

Unknown

Unknown ....................... $149.20

Foreign

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 .......................... 1.50 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
Total ......................... $702.39
Grand Total ................... $54,265.07
I. H. EVANS, Treasurer.

J. S. WASHBURN

By J. S. Washburn

THE sum of six thousand dollars has been appropriated from the $150,000 fund for the publishing work in Nashville. The following instruction from the spirit of prophecy is very clear on this point:—
There is no place in the South better suited than Nashville for the carrying forward of the publishing work. It was in accordance with God’s purpose that the publishing work was started in Nashville.
At this place there is now a little company of earnest workers who are striving with all their power to carry forward the Lord’s work. A publishing house has been established in Nashville for the printing of literature suitable for the different classes of people in the Southern field. This work will need to be sustained, for a time, by gifts and offerings, just as the publishing work in Battle Creek and the publishing work in Oakland were sustained when they were first established.

J. S. WASHBURN

The Touch of Jesus

By Henry Burton

Touch Thou my tongue, so strangely still When all thy works show forth thy praise; May I some grateful song upraise, Sweet echoes from thy holy hill.
Touch thou my feet, that they may keep Thy forward step; teach me to run With sacred haste till tasks are done, And, wearied, I sink down to sleep.
Touch thou my hands, that they no more May tighten in their selfish greed; But, open to the sorer need, May some of thy great gifts outpour.
Touch thou my heart, and all on fire Its every beat shall be for thee; Thy love shall make it glad and free, Thyself its one supreme desire.
— Henry Burton.

“Your Reasonable Service”

By Ellen G. White

MRS. E. G. WHITE
WHAT shall we render to God for all his benefits to us? We are to acknowledge our dependence upon him by returning to him a portion of the bounty he has bestowed upon us. At a stated time each week we are to lay by in store, as God has prospered us, something for the advancement of his work.
All that we have is lent us by God, to be used in his service. Were this more faithfully remembered, the selfishness which exists in so many hearts would be uprooted. But men refuse to give themselves to God. They forget that they have been bought with the blood of his only begotten Son; forget that they are indebted to him for every breath they breathe, for every dollar they possess. They use his money in building houses and adding acre to acre, solely for self-gratification. A just God will call them to account for misapplying his means, robbing his needy children of the necessaries of life in order to gratify their expensive tastes.
Those who refuse to place themselves on the Lord’s side are robbing him of the service he claims. What rent are they paying him for living in his house, this world? They act as if they had created the world, as if they had a right to use their possessions as they please. God marks their misuse of his talents. He graciously permits the unrepentant sinner to live out his probation; but his time is appointed. He is wasting his physical, mental, and moral strength. He is squandering his God-given opportunities. Instead of using brain, bone, and muscle in accomplishing all he can for the advancement of the kingdom of God, he is studying how he can please and glorify self. He is closing the door to the improvement of his capabilities. The adoption of false theories has placed him in opposition to the law of God.
The Scriptures speak of the large class of professors who are not doers. Many who claim to believe in God deny him by their works. Their worship of money, houses, and lands marks them as idolaters and apostates. All selfishness is covetousness, and is, therefore, idolatry. Many who have placed their names on the church roll, as believers in God and the Bible, are worshiping the goods the Lord has entrusted to them that they may be his almoners. They may not literally bow down before their earthly treasure, but nevertheless it is their god. They are worshipers of mammon. To the things of this world they offer the homage which belongs to the Creator. He who sees and knows all things records the falsity of their profession.
From the soul-temple of a worldly Christian, God is excluded, in order that worldly policy may have abundant room. Money is his god. It belongs to Jehovah, but he to whom it is entrusted refuses to let it flow forth in deeds of benevolence. Did he appropriate it in accordance with God’s design, the incense of his good works would ascend to heaven, and from thousands of converted souls would be heard songs of praise and thanksgiving.
To advance God’s kingdom, to arouse those dead in trespasses and sins, to speak to sinners of the healing balm of the Saviour’s love,—it is for this that our money should be used. But too often it is used for self-glorification. Instead of being the means of bringing souls to a knowledge of God and Christ, thus calling forth praise and gratitude to the Giver of all good, earthly possessions have been the means of eclipsing the glory of God and obscuring the view of heaven. By the wrong use of money the world has been filled with evil practises. The door of the mind has been closed against the Redeemer.
God declares, “The gold and the silver is mine.” He keeps a strict account with every son and daughter of Adam, that he may know how they are appropriating his means. Worldly men and worldly women may say, “But I am not a Christian. I do not profess to serve God.” But does this make them any less guilty for burying his means, his resources, in worldly enterprises, to advance their selfish interests?
I speak to you who know not God, who may read these lines; for in his providence they may be brought to your notice. What are you doing with your Lord’s goods? What are you doing with the physical and mental powers he has given you? Are you able of yourself to keep the human machinery in motion? Did God speak but one word to say that you must die, you would at once be still in death. Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, God works by his infinite power to keep you alive. It is he who supplies the breath which keeps life in your body. Did God neglect man as man neglects God, what would become of the race?
The great Medical Missionary has an interest in the work of his hands. He presents before men the peril of closing the door of the heart against the Saviour, saying, “Turn ye, turn ye; for why will ye die?”

Church Order

By H. W. COTTRELL

H. W. COTTRELL
According to the Bible, Christians should form themselves into local church organizations. “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, . . . unto the church of God which is at Corinth.” 1 Cor. 1:1, 2. “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians.” 2 Thess. 1:1. The apostle addressed an epistle to the church in the house of Philemon: “To the church in thy house.” Philemon 2.
These quotations show the local nature of these churches. There was, however, in some of them a lack of complete order and organization; so Paul set Titus and himself to the task of completing the work of local church organization, and thus introducing order, as may be observed from the following quotations of Scripture. To Titus Paul said: “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting [“left undone,” margin], and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.” Titus 1:5; 1 Cor. 11:34.
Their undertaking to bring about order in the churches was in harmony with the will of the Lord. And, seeing the great Head of the church changeth never (“I am the Lord, I change not”), such work is still in harmony with his will. “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” “Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1 Cor. 14:33, 40.
The people of God were also organized, originally, in a larger, broader, and more complete manner than simply the church local. For we read, “And he [Christ] is the head of the body, the church.” In this we find a blending of all local churches, isolated individuals, and the organization of the general body, or church, and Christ proclaimed its head.
Notwithstanding, every local church should have its special servants,—elder and deacons,—and each of the larger formations of the church, as the State, union, and General Conferences, should have its chief servant, or president; yet that church, be it ever so local, or more general, that does not “reckon” Christ as its head and itself a part of the larger church, has not for its head the head of the body, hence is only weakness and darkness, and will crumble in the end.
The admonition, “Feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood,” and the assurances, “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it, . . . that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish,” have evident reference to the church general.
The first general council of the church was held at Jerusalem, with delegate representation, to consider and decide a question that was unsettling the minds of disciples.
After the opening of the first meeting of that, the first general session of Seventh-day Adventist Christians, the question at issue was placed before the conference by Paul and Barnabas in their recital of their experiences in the Master’s service. Acts 15:4, 5. Then followed a free discussion, after which Peter recited how God had wrought for the Gentiles through him. Barnabas and Paul followed with a similar statement, which closed the discussion. Verses 7-12. James, who was the presiding officer, made a statement of certain facts, then concluded his remarks by rendering the decision of the conference in session. Verses 19-29. The brethren who were disaffected, and all the disciples, gladly accepted the counsel of the general conference. Verses 30, 31.
A few years later, Paul succeeded James in the chief servantship,—general president,—as appears from his own statement in 2 Cor. 11:28: “Besides those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” With these duties came the added responsibility of counseling the workers. “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting . . . as I had appointed thee.” Titus 1:5.
It was not the will of the Lord that each local church should choose individual workers from its local membership and send them forth to labor, independent of the conference of churches. When Titus, Paul’s “partner and fellow helper,” went to Corinth to engage in labor, Paul, who was in general charge of the work, said, “We have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; and not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind.” “And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.” 2 Cor. 8:18, 19, 22, 23.
Be it further carefully observed in verse 19 that this “brother” was not chosen by the local church with which he may have held local membership, but was “chosen of the churches,” which is simply a conference of churches, or the conference church, the general conference church. It is emphatically stated in verse 23 that these brethren “are the messengers of the churches.” That is, they are the messengers of the conference of churches,—the church in its larger organization. This “brother,” having been chosen by the conference of churches, was sent out by the conference executive—“We have sent with the brother.”
Our system of organization is of Bible order, and was also adopted by us under the direct counsel of the spirit of prophecy. It has withstood all the attacks made upon it.
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” The “overseers” are to serve, to “feed” the children of God. Hence it would be well for us and all others, if, when we, who have been chosen as “overseers,” speak of ourselves, we do so as “servants,” and not as “officers.”
There may be little tracts written, declaring the local church to be independent and the highest order of organization among God’s people on earth, but the large Book—the Book of God—recognizes the conference of churches, with its servants, or presidents, and Christ the supreme head. To reason otherwise in the face of these scriptures is either to “wrest the Scriptures” or to show a sad lack of careful Biblical research.
Mountain View, Cal.

Short Sermons on the Ten Commandments

By W. A. McCUTCHEN

The Sixth Commandment

W. A. McCUTCHEN
“Thou shalt not kill.” Ex. 20:13. It would seem that there is little to be said about this commandment. It is brief, its language plain and unambiguous, and its meaning obvious. It is simply a command against man’s taking the life of his fellow man. And this command finds its basis in the natural rights of man.
The ten commandments, of which this is one, are recognized throughout Christendom as the moral law. A moral law, or command, in contradistinction to positive law, is one whose principles are right within themselves, independent of any exterior or surrounding circumstances, and not dependent upon special enactment and promulgation for its force or rightfulness as is the case with positive law. The command against killing is right, and the act of taking a man’s life is wrong, because the one whose life is taken has as much right to live as has the one taking it; and in the taking of it the slayer would be depriving the slain of his natural right—the right to live. It would be just as great a wrong or injustice to the one killed to have his life taken without a command against it as to have it done in the face of the prohibition, though the degree of sin might not attach to the slayer that would after he is forbidden by command to do it, and is made aware in this way of the wrong of it. Understand, the wrong would be there just the same, but the one doing it might not see it in the absence of the command against it. Since sin has entered this world, men do not always look far enough into the principles that should govern their lives to see and recognize their neighbors’ rights; hence the giving of the law. Since the beclouding and darkening of the human mind by the entrance of sin, man needs light; hence David says, “The entrance of thy words giveth light,” and Solomon declares, “The law is light.” When the patriots of 1776 declared among the “inalienable rights” of man, that of life, they were only stating what had always been true, and had been recognized in this command long antedating the declaration of these noble men.
And now as showing the far-reaching nature of God’s law, the scope and breadth of this command, and what it is to be a violator of it, take the Lord’s definition of murder as given through John: “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:15. From this we see that the overt act of actually taking the life is not required to transgress this command and be a murderer. Hatred is the spirit that is back of murder; it is that which, cherished and carried out to its full promptings, leads up to and results in murder. Hence when hatred toward another is in the heart (where all sin starts with the individual), the man is in God’s sight a murderer; for he has that spirit which will eventuate in actual murder if not checked or eradicated.
This divine comment upon, and interpretation of, the sixth commandment, illustrates, as stated above, the nature of God’s law, and shows how broad its commands are. People are sometimes wont to characterize the religion of God’s people of old, based upon the ten commandments, as “narrow” and “mere legalism,”—a strictly legal religion with no breadth nor spirituality in it. Whatever may be said of people’s “religion” because of their failure to measure up to the standard set for them and supposed to govern them, this certainly can not be said of God’s law; it was and is full of spirituality, holiness, and significance, without which it would be of little value to any one. “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin,” says Paul. Rom. 7:12, 14. And it is this deeply spiritual significance of the law that we are dealing with in these studies, and that concerns us. We do not wish to take just a surface view of God’s law as a system of ethics and pharisaical legalism, but wish to get down to the vital spirituality of it; because they who worship God acceptably must worship him “in spirit and in truth.” This command, with its divine interpretation and application, begins to give us an insight into this feature of God’s law.
Because so much emphasis is here placed upon the spirituality of the law and the fact of its having deep “spiritual significance,” we must not get the idea for a moment that that invalidates or dispenses with the letter of the law.The spirit of a thing may be higher or deeper than appears on the surface in the mere letter, but never contrary to it. We may have the letter of a thing without the spirit, but not the spirit without the letter. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” -Ps. 19:7. May our conversion be deepened by it, and in harmony with it.
Keene, Tex.

Are You Using the Right Arm?

By J. R. LEADSWORTH

J. R. LEADSWORTH
In looking through a popular monthly magazine lately, we saw it quoted with evident satisfaction that Adventists were a non-flesh-eating denomination. We have wondered if it were true. Is it as true to-day as it was twelve years ago? If the diet reform is still a much-needed reform, we wonder if as much energy is being expended in advocating it as was done some years ago. Then, it was a very unpopular truth. People cared little, and thought less, of what was suitable food for brain and blood. But the health work was then considered the strong right arm of the message, and “great was the company of those that published it.” Ministers, doctors, lay members, and all seemed to feel the importance of practising and preaching these cherished precepts. And it was not long till many of the educated people in the world began to recognize in this gospel of health a pearl of great price. They regarded its principles as a safeguard against sickness and disease, and as capable of furnishing clearer intellects and stronger muscles to meet the battles of life. Not only did they consider it necessary to discard flesh foods as a part of the daily ration, but tea, coffee, and injurious drugs were likewise given up as not only unnecessary, but as absolutely injurious.
To-day, the vegetarian is a factor important enough to be considered. On steamships and dining-cars, provision is made for catering to his requirements. To fail to include flesh as a part of your order in any of the popular dining resorts does not now give rise to a suspicion that you are a “little off.”
But, in spite of this, the great mass of people have little definite knowledge as to proper habits of eating and drinking. With no other subject can one gain such ready access to the public ear. The most elementary principles on the subject of foods and proper living are eagerly sought for by them. And yet, I fear that Seventh-day Adventists are largely holding their peace. It is a regrettable fact that in many Sabbath-keeping homes where health principles were formerly highly regarded, they are now largely ignored.
A few days ago a prominent business man came to make inquiry as to where he could go to get rid of the uncontrollable desire to go on periodical sprees. He said: “This drink habit has grown on me until I just feel that something desperate must be done to get rid of it. It is now or never. I have tried all the drug cures, but they do not pan out. Can not you tell me of a place where I can go on a treatment cure and have a diet cure at the same time? It just seems to me that I must change my way of living.” And until one does change his habits of eating, there is little hope of overcoming the drink habit.
But is there any relation between a flesh diet and liquor drinking? Listen: “That the man with carnivorous instincts should want liquor is not surprising. He fills his stomach with tissue-building elements, and, naturally, craves for stimulants to take the place of force-producing or heat-furnishing carbohydrates,” says Dr. Jeuttner, in his book on physio-therapy. The experience of Lot illustrates the same truth.
We wonder if parents who are blessed with the light of present truth realize the importance of becoming well informed upon the subject of dietetics. Do they appreciate that it is an essential part of the message that is calling out a people for his name? If there ever was a time when the people of God needed unclouded minds to detect the delusions and snares of these last days, it is just now. And that necessity promises to grow more and more intense until the end.
Some years ago a long-distance running contest was arranged between two German cities. A score or more of active young men from various countries were eager for a chance to prove their power of endurance. They represented the strength and vigor of the country whence they came. One of these contestants had been an easy victor in several previous contests. He had learned the value of being temperate in all things. For this trial of endurance, he had spent days in systematic training, and had exercised the greatest care relative to his diet. It had resulted in putting him in the pink of condition. But, just before the signal was given for the start, when every nerve and muscle would be put to its limit of endurance, this trained athlete acceded to the urgent request of an interested friend to be a little more liberal in his abstemious diet at this time. Instead of refusing on the same ground as did David for not accepting the armor of Saul, he acceded to the request. And that simple indiscretion proved his undoing. It brought upon him ignominious defeat. He did not finish first, nor second, nor third. In fact, he did not finish the race. The “more liberal diet” produced an acute indigestion which prevented his continuing in the race. All the previous days and weeks of discipline and training and endurance tests were brought to naught by this simple indiscretion.
In view of the fact that we are in the race for that incorruptible crown, ought we not to be even more particular in experimenting with “the king’s meat”? Says the apostle, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”
The many advantages of a fleshless diet may not be apparent to us at all times, but in the end we have the assurance that because we have kept the word of his patience, he will also keep us in that hour of temptation that shall come upon all the world. Then, when “a thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand,” it shall be discerned why the plague does not come nigh thee.

Relation of the Young People's Society to the Church

By R. T. EMERY

R. T. EMERY
The church and the Young People's Society have the same object. Perhaps that may best be expressed in the motto which the young people have adopted—“The Advent Message to All the World in This Generation.” The church has been preaching it for years, and has been working steadily to accomplish it. From the labors of a few pioneers the believers in this message have rapidly increased in number until now they are scattered in all parts of the world. Our Young People's Society has arisen to fill a definite place in God's closing work—a God-given place. It might be profitable to consider for a few minutes just what that place is.
What reason does the Young People's Society have for existence?—To help finish the work; to prepare workers to take the places and to assume the responsibilities necessarily given up by the older men. Yes, and in doing this the society will also fulfil another mission. The number of Adventist young people has constantly increased, until now they form a large army. Many of these are the children of faithful parents, but they themselves do not have the same aspirations, are not guided by the same Spirit which directs their elders. To aid in the salvation of these young people is a great object with the society. No matter how good the home influences may be, the members of a consecrated band of young people are of great service to one another. Out of these needs have grown many enterprises. Active work is everywhere recognized to be necessary for healthy growth. Just so, spiritual work is necessary for spiritual growth, and young people are no exception to the rule. Many missionary enterprises adapted for the young have been introduced. To-day we have a well-organized, progressive society, constantly aiming to do better and more efficient work for the God of heaven.
This being the object of the young people's organization, there is no reason why there should not be perfect harmony between it and the church. If both are in the right place, there can be nothing else. I am thankful that to-day the two are working more harmoniously than ever before; that we can see a constantly strengthening bond of union between them. It would seem that both are striving to get nearer the place God designs for them to fill.
But there are many ways by which harmony may be secured. We should never think ourselves independent of the church, or possessed of privileges which the church as a whole does not enjoy. We must always remember that we are only a small part of the church, a weak and inexperienced part at that, and we must not forget the respect due from our Young People's Society to the parent organization. Our attitude in this will affect our work in all its branches.
We are told in 2 Tim. 3:2 that one of the signs of the last days is disobedience to parents; and another, given in the succeeding verse, is a lack of natural affection. We see these fulfilling in the world around us. To-day we see mere children despising all authority, and growing up to follow their own unbridled passions. The same spirit may be seen trying to gain a foothold in our own church, and even in our own individual lives. May God grant that the Spirit which is from above may defeat any such attempt. It is well for us to study to see what the Bible teaches regarding respect due to our elders, and then to practise it in our every-day lives. And in our Young People's Society we can gain much by paying proper respect and deference to the advice of the church. We should always consider it as coming from the older members of the Lord's great family upon this earth.
But now this advice would not be needed if the society was not doing something; for where nothing is being done, there is no danger of doing any positive wrong. We as young people need to keep constantly at work, and we should try, so far as practicable, to cultivate the habit of working out our own problems, always, of course, with God's aid. Young people who are wanted now, who can be of most service in God's cause, are those who have met and conquered difficulties. God wants experienced young men and women to-day.
God has delegated one church to carry his message for to-day to all the world. All classes and all ages are united in one common working force. To aid some of them to do better work the Young People's Society has been established; but never is it designed that the society shall take the place of the church to any class. There are not two organizations—one for the young, another for the older people; there is but one, the church. We young people are first members of the church, and then of the Young People's Society.
It is important for us to remember that the aim we should set before us is to fit for service, and serve. The society members need to be faithful in church duties,—to remember the Sabbath-school, church, prayer, and missionary meetings. The inspiration they will gain from a live organization seems certain to fit them for better church work. And then they can be a benefit to the church. There is no provision for any figure-heads in God's great organization. There is no one who has nothing to do. And if each has a place, he certainly helps the whole whenever he tries to fill that place. There is, moreover, no reason for idleness or misunderstanding between workers, for there is an abundance of work to be done, enough to cause us to wonder how it will ever be accomplished. One great help will be for all to try to place the church in a position where it may be said of it,—
‘Like a mighty army Moves the church of God; Brothers, we are treading Where the saints have trod; We are not divided, All one body we, One in hope and doctrine, One in charity.’

“Prepare War . . . Let the Heathen Be Awakened”

By F. A. ALLUM

F. A. ALLUM
A FEW YEARS AGO STUDENTS OF PROPHECY and others were accustomed to see and hear many statements made regarding the partitioning of China among the Western powers. The “kings of the East” referred to in the prophecies of Revelation were supposed to be the Western powers in the East, and not the Eastern powers themselves. To-day such references are very infrequent, and the student of prophecy knows that when God’s Word speaks of the “kings of the East,” it means the Eastern powers themselves, and thus added force is given to such prophecies.
At the present time the consensus of public opinion is that China will be able to maintain her integrity. It might naturally be asked, What has brought about such a change? Was the opinion which was expressed so freely and so recently entirely without foundation?—No, for at that time China was viewed in all her weakness, and that weakness was revealed by such conflicts as the despicable Opium Wars, and later, by the Chino-Japanese War. But since that time China has been slowly awakening out of the sleep of centuries, and now, like a giant refreshed, is bending all her energies to the task of modernizing her army and navy that she may be prepared for the great battle of the future. Perhaps nothing has given more impetus to this movement than the success of the Japanese arms against the “Colossus of the North.” Then it was seen that Oriental forces, when well-trained and equipped, were more than equal to those of Russia.
China was not slow in learning the lesson in all this, and we are not to suppose that Japan was behind in helping China to realize the importance of her victory. The result is that the lessons taught by that war have been well learned, and to-day those who have the privilege of living within the borders of the “Middle Kingdom” see on every hand signs of a wonderful activity. China has learned that that which made Japan successful in her late war was her Western methods. Probably the Celestial, with his hatred of the foreigner, would not allow that this is so; nevertheless, it is acknowledged by the feverish thirst which is manifest in even the ordinary Chinese scholar to learn Western languages and methods. At the present time a knowledge of the English language is required of every official applying for office.
This movement is embracing many things that were once thought to be too ancient to be moved. Foot binding, the queue, and education, have become subjects of popular discussion. And the latest development is the promise of a constitution. That many of these reforms are genuine can not be doubted; for the evidence is abundant. Take, for instance, the question of education; on every hand we see governmental schools being erected, and many of the teachers receive from ten to twenty pounds a month. During the last two years thousands of students have gone to Japan to study. One of our missionaries states that there are fifteen thousand Chinese students in Tokyo alone.
Nowhere, however, is China’s reformation more apparent than in her remodeled army. When one compares the present up-to-date, well-equipped soldier with the sloucher of a few years ago, the contrast is vivid. This was apparent to all who witnessed the recent maneuvers held at Chang Te Fu. At this place from twenty-five to thirty thousand troops were assembled, and the display was witnessed by the representatives of all the powers. For three days a sham battle was fought, and the troops were engaged in all the movements of actual warfare. To the non-professional the scene was one of intense excitement, especially when the maneuvers culminated in a grand bayonet charge, and thus a glorious victory was won for the northern army. When one remembers that these foreign-clad, well-equipped men are Chinamen, and belong to the most conservative of all nations, then, and not till then, does the full meaning of all this flash across the mind. And what does it all mean? When read in the light which is shed from the prophecies of God’s Word, it will be seen to be full of moment to all. It is the fulfilment of the words of the prophet Joel, written so many years ago: “Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: beat your ploughshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves round about. . . . Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.” Joel 3:9-12. To-day, the last of the great heathen powers is being “wakened,” and is coming up. Yes, and coming to what?—To the valley of Jehoshaphat, where the battle of Armageddon is to be fought, and that battle ushers in the end of all things. Then the opening heavens will reveal the Son of man coming in all his glory, and happy will be that person who can in that day look up and say, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us.”
Honan, China.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

By Frank Dempster Sherman

In the grove's green temple he Preaches to us pleasantly, Happily interpreting The sweet gospels of the Spring. For his choir he has the birds, And their hymns of wonder-words; And the wise musician, Breeze, On the leaf and blossom keys Plays his preludes, deftly spun Out of dreams of dew and sun.
In his pulpit there he stands, With a sermon in his hands; It is from the Book of May He selects his text to-day. What a fragrant verse it is! What convincing truths are his! Joy, quoth he, is everywhere,— Sea and earth and sky and air, Forest great and wild flower small,— God with gladness touches all!
— Frank Dempster Sherman.
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