ADDRESS AND APPEAL, SETTING FORTH THE IMPORTANCE OF MISSIONARY WORK
Page 1
Review and Herald
Dec 12, 1878
Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 12, 1878
ADDRESS AND APPEAL, SETTING FORTH THE IMPORTANCE OF MISSIONARY WORK.
By Ellen G. White
BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.” Dan. 12:3. “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Rev. 22:12.
There is a constant conflict between the two great armies led by the Prince of life and the Prince of the powers of darkness. The devil, assisted by his angels, is constantly engaged in the most determined effort to gather souls under his banner, while Jesus Christ and holy angels are diligently at work pressing back the powers of darkness, rescuing souls from the grasp of Satan, and gathering them under the blood-stained banner of Prince Immanuel. Those who are truly soldiers of the cross of Christ will not be indifferent spectators, but will take an active part and manifest a personal interest in this conflict. They will “know the fellowship of his sufferings,” being co-laborers with Jesus Christ in disseminating light and truth to redeem the purchase of his blood from the slavery of sin and death.
There is now the same call for disinterested workers as when Christ gave his commission to his disciples before he was taken from them into Heaven. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” is our Lord’s command. Self-sacrificing labor is wanted in every part of the harvest-field. Men and women may be co-workers with their self-sacrificing, self-denying Redeemer. In their unselfish efforts to do others good, they will be bearing his yoke and lifting his burdens. Thus they will find pure happiness and rich joys. Whoever accepts the invitation of Christ to bear his yoke and share his burdens will not only find the yoke easy but the burden light. Rest and peace is found in forgetfulness of self and in earnest, persevering efforts to save souls from the darkness of error. Those who shirk the responsibilities which Jesus would have them bear, choosing a life of self-indulgent ease, will be destitute of spiritual joys and divine peace, and cannot be partakers with Christ of his glory. Selfish enjoyments will never satisfy the cravings of a soul whom God has qualified for a higher sphere and nobler mission.
That church only is strong that is a working church, whose members feel an individual responsibility to act their part in strengthening, encouraging, and building up the church by their personal efforts. These workers will extend their influence and labors in doing all that they can in every branch of the work. The truth spreads when living, active workers commend it by personal effort, characterized by piety and the beauty of true holiness.
We are a people whom God has favored with special privileges and blessings in making us the depositaries of his law. None of us are to be idlers in the vineyard of the Lord. We are not all qualified to do the same kind of work; all cannot be ministers, to labor in word and doctrine; but there are other parts of the work, fully as important as this even, which have been fearfully neglected. Men and women are needed to act a part in this great work, in spreading the light of truth by circulating our publications. This work has not been taken hold of as it should have been by those who profess the truth.
The larger part of the members of our churches are not working Christians; they are living as if there was no great emergency, no fearful danger of their fellow-men losing eternal life. Many fold their hands at ease, yet profess to be followers of Christ. The burden of the work has been left principally upon ministers, while many of the church have stood looking on to see how matters were coming out. There are not only men but women who should set their hearts and minds to become intelligent in regard to the very best manner of working for the Master, qualifying themselves to do that part of the work for which they are best adapted. All will, if connected with God, see something to do, and will do it. They cannot be soldiers in the Lord’s army unless they shall obey the call of the Captain and bear responsibilities which some one must bear.
There are fields of missionary labor which have been open for years, calling for workers, and yet many have not seen or realized the necessity of their doing anything. The work, they thought, was for some others, but not for them. There are hundreds and thousands who can work if they are so disposed. Up to the present time they have done nothing but serve themselves. This class of do-nothings and know-nothings, as far as the work to be done in God’s cause is concerned, will never hear the well done from the lips of the Majesty of Heaven. They have not taken any interest in the many branches of the work. They have not learned how to work for the Master to advance his cause in doing to the utmost of their strength and ability to save souls from error and death. I was shown that there must be with men and women a general waking up to the needs of God’s cause. The minds of our sisters may be expanded and cultivated. If they are devoted to selfish interests, the soul will be left dwarfed. Emptiness and unrest will be the result.
A solemn responsibility rests upon the ministers of Christ to do their work with thoroughness. Many have left some portions of the work undone because it was not agreeable, expecting the next coming minister to finish it up for them. They had better not engage in the work unless they can bind it off thoroughly, so that it will not ravel out. There are many ministers who do not connect so closely with God that they can feel and realize the wants of the people and give them meat in due season. They should lead the young disciples along wisely and judiciously, step by step, onward and upward, until every essential point has been brought before them. With the burden of the work upon them, it is their duty to lead the people along until they can present every man perfect in Christ.
A mere assent to the truth is not enough. There must be prayerful labor with those who embrace the truth, until they shall be convicted of their sins and shall seek God and be converted. Then they should be instructed in regard to the claims of God upon them in tithes and in offerings. They must learn that the tithing system is binding upon God’s people in these last days as truly as it was upon ancient Israel. The tract and missionary work should be presented before them. Nothing should be kept back. But all points of truth should not be given abruptly in the first few lectures; gradually, cautiously, with his own heart imbued with the spirit of the work of God, the teacher should give meat in due season.
Ministers frequently neglect these important branches of the work,—health reform, spiritual gifts, systematic benevolence, and the great branches of the missionary work. Under their labors large numbers may embrace the theory of the truth, but in time it is found that there are many who will not bear the proving of God. The minister laid upon the foundation, hay, wood, and stubble, which would be consumed by the fire of temptation. Some proved to be gold, silver, and precious stones; these from principle would cling to the truth. But if the teacher of truth had brought these converts along as he should have done, presenting before them the obligation which rested upon them, many who afterward drew back to perdition, might have been saved.
Another minister follows the first, and in the fear of God presents the practical duties, the claims of God upon his people. Some draw back, saying, “Our minister who brought us the truth did not mention these things. We have been deceived. These things were kept back.” And they become offended because of the word. Some will not accept the tithing system; they reject systematic benevolence, and become offended, turn away, and no longer walk with those who believe and love the truth. When the tract and missionary field is opened before them, inviting them to work in it, they answer, “It was not so taught us,” and they hesitate to engage in the work. How much better it would be for the cause, if the messenger of truth had faithfully and thoroughly educated these converts in regard to all these essential matters, even if there were less whom he could number as being added to the church under his labors.
Ministers must impress upon those for whom they labor the importance of their bearing burdens in connection with the work of God. They should be instructed that every department of the work of God should enlist their support and engage their interest. The great missionary field is open to men, and the subject must be agitated, agitated, again and again. The people must understand that it is not the hearers of the word but the doers of the word that will have eternal life. Not one is exempted from this work of beneficence. God requires of all men to whom he imparts the gifts of his grace to communicate, not only of their substance to meet the demands for the time in successfully advancing his truth, but to give themselves to God without reserve.
Self-denying benevolence characterized the life of Christ. He came not to seek his own. He identified his interest with the wants of his people. He went about doing good. Our sisters who have hitherto lived for self and have cherished habits of indolence and self-indulgence, can now, through the grace given them, imitate the life of Christ. The exercise of disinterested benevolence will strengthen in their own hearts the principles taught by their divine Master.
God gives regularly and freely to bless man. His gifts are not only rich and munificent but systematic. The light of day, the recurring seasons, the dew and rains causing vegetation to flourish, are blessings of God unceasingly flowing to the children of men. And God requires of those whom he blesses beneficent efforts in conformity to the divine Model. Our liberalities are never to cease; our charities must be regular and constant; and order must be observed in the work. It is not a trait of the natural heart to be beneficent; men must be taught, giving them line upon line and precept upon precept, how to work and how to give after God’s order.
We are required to do good and bless others by our labors and prayers as well as by the gift of means. In order to be Christians and to gain Heaven we must imitate the great Exemplar. He cheerfully gave his life to ransom an apostate world. Selfishness and worldliness were condemned by the daily life of Christ; and none of us can live for ourselves and yet enjoy the approval of God.
“Our sisters have been too willing to excuse themselves from bearing responsibilities which require thought and close application of the mind; yet this is the very discipline they need to perfect Christian experience. They may be workers in the missionary field, having a personal interest in the distribution of tracts and papers which correctly represent our faith. All cannot go abroad to labor, but all can do something at home. Many occupy their time in needless stitching, and trimming, and ruffling of their own and their children’s clothing, and thus lose golden moments in which they might improve their talents by efforts to get the truth before others. We should, as Christians, have an abiding sense that our time, our strength and ability, have been purchased with an infinite price. We are not our own to use our moments in gratifying our fancy and our pride. As children of the light we should diffuse light to others. It should be our study how we may best glorify God, how we can work to save and bless souls for whom Christ died. In working to bless others we shall be gathering strength and courage to our own souls, and shall receive the approval of God. Hundreds of our sisters might be at work to-day if they would. They should dress themselves and their children with simplicity, in neat and durable garments free from adornment, and devote the time they have spent in needless display to missionary work. Letters may be written to friends at a distance. Our sisters may meet together to consult as to the best manner of labor. Money can be saved to present as an offering to God, to be invested in papers and tracts to send to their friends. Those who are now doing nothing should go to work. Let each sister who claims to be a child of God feel indeed a responsibility to help all within her reach. The noblest of all attainments may be gained through practical self-denial and benevolence for others’ good.”},{
THE PEACE OF GOD.
By Eliza H. Morton
Adown the mountain far away,
A tiny stream there flows,
And dashing on with hasty speed,
It wider, deeper grows.
Until it glides in wondrous might
Over the quiet land,
And lo! its waters, pure and bright,
Cover the shining sand.
So like a river vast and grand
The peace of God doth flow,
But richer, sweeter, is the love,
The saints are yet to know.
And grander, higher, is the life
That springs from Christ the Head,
And fuller, freer, is the stream,
By living fountains fed.
The fleeting sands of life are hid
And sheltered by the cross;
The heart that's fixed on things above
Looks not at earthly dross.
O peace serene! O rest complete!
O growth in grace divine!
O may that joy, that love, that bliss,
Forever, Lord, be mine!
ELIZA H. MORTON.
Allen's Corner, Me.
What Ought Not to Be Done
WHAT ought not to be done, do not even think of doing.
Reason Reflects the Light of Divine Truth
By John Foster
POLISHED steel will not shine in the dark; no more can human reason, however refined and cultivated, shine efficaciously but as it reflects the light of divine truth from Heaven.—John Foster.
Atheism as an Escape from Sin
SOME people would like to be atheists because that would be the easiest way to get rid of their sins. They are not only afraid of God, but they are also afraid that he will deal justly, in which case it would go hard with them.
THE ANCIENT GREEKS AND ROMANS DID NOT BELIEVE THE SOUL IMMORTAL.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
We shall now show by overwhelming evidence that the doctrine of the immortality of the soul, as at present held, has not been generally believed by the human race.
Let us bear in mind, however, what the present orthodox doctrine of the immortality of the soul is, for which universal belief is claimed. It is that every man is born with an immaterial, spiritual, immortal soul, which simply lives in this body as in a house or cage. This soul, whether righteous or wicked, will live eternally as an individual, personal, conscious soul. It will never die, neither will it lose its personality. Such a doctrine, it is claimed, has been the common sentiment of mankind. This we deny, and now offer the proof. Paul says of the Gentiles that they were without God, and having no hope. Eph. 2:12. Had they believed the soul immortal, they would have had a hope of a future life. But they had no such hope, hence no such faith.
THE IDEAS OF THE ANCIENT GREEKS AND ROMANS.
When we go back to a period a few centuries before the birth of Christ, to the early ages of the world, we find no evidence that in the infancy of such nations as the Greeks and Romans the doctrine of the immortality of the soul was believed among them. It cannot be proved that they did believe it. All their ideas and traditions of a future world, so far as they had any, represented it as a material place, and the people as material, corporeal beings, the same as in this world.
On this point the learned Dr. Priestly says: “It is expressly asserted by Aristotle and others, says Mr. Toland (Letters to Serena, p. 22), that the most ancient Greek philosophers did not dream of any principle or actuating spirit in the universe itself, no more than in any of the parts thereof; but explained all the phenomena of nature by matter and local motion, levity and gravity or the like; and rejected all that the poets said of gods, demons, souls, ghosts, Heaven, hell, visions, prophecies, miracles, etc., as fables invented at pleasure, and fictions to divert their readers.”
Says a learned author: “The Greeks sometimes depicted death and sleep as twin boys, one black, one white, borne slumbering in the arms of their mother, night.” This was their idea of death,—a deep sleep. But many ages, even thousands of years, passed away before we learn of any one who had any notion of the doctrine of the immortality of the soul. It first originated with a few priests and lawgivers, was taken up by poets and philosophers, and finally was acknowledged by the people.
THE EGYPTIANS.
Herodotus, the oldest historian, says: “The Egyptians also were the first who asserted the doctrine that the soul of man is immortal.” Other nations did not believe it till they learned it of the Egyptians, as I show in another article. This was not till a few centuries before Christ, about the time of Socrates and Plato, both of whom advocated that doctrine. They lived about B. C. 400. These philosophers confessed that their doctrine was not generally believed. One of Socrates’ disciples, Cebes, told him that the doctrine he taught concerning the immortality of the soul and a future state, “met with little credit among men;” that “most men seemed to think that the soul was immediately dissolved at death, and that it vanished and was dissipated like the wind or smoke, or became nothing at all; and that it needed no small persuasion and faith to believe that the soul exists and has some power and intelligence after the man is dead.” Socrates himself had said the same thing just before,—that his doctrine was not believed by the generality of the people.
Simmias, another of the dialogists in the Phaedo, represents it as the opinion of many that the soul is dissipated when a man dies, and that this is the end of its existence. And Socrates, speaking of the soul’s being blown away, and perishing with the body, declares that this was what was said by most men.
“From these testimonies it plainly appears,” says Leland in his admirable work on the “necessity of a Divine Revelation,” vol. ii. p. 383, “that the mortality of the soul was a doctrine which prevailed among the Athenians in the time of Socrates, who were looked upon as the most learned and polite of all the Grecians.”
Plato complained that his argument on the subject met with little credit. But did not Socrates and Plato succeed in converting all men to their new ideas of the soul? By no means. The above author, on page 384, continues: “There is no great reason to think that the state of things among the Athenians grew better afterward, but rather the contrary.”
IN THE TIME OF THE CÆSARS.
We come now to the time of Polybius, who was born B. C. 203. “There is a remarkable passage by Polybius,” says Leland, “which shows that the disbelief of a future state had in his time become very common and fashionable, both among persons of superior rank and among the lower kind of people.” The doctrine of the immortality of the soul was, then, far from being universally believed as yet.
We next come to the time of Cicero, who was born B. C. 107. Perhaps this doctrine had gained greater credence by that time. Hear our learned author again: “What that great man Cicero says of the philosophers in his time is remarkable. In that celebrated treatise where he sets himself to prove the immortality of the soul, he represents the contrary, as there were crowds of opponents; not the Epicureans only, but, which he could not well account for, those that were esteemed the most learned persons had that doctrine in contempt.”
Mr. Watson, speaking of the same time, says: “Both philosophers and poets regarded them as vulgar fables. . . . Nor was the skepticism and unbelief of the wise and great long kept from the vulgar, among whom they wished to maintain the old superstitions as instruments by which they might be controlled. Cicero complains that the common people in his day mostly followed the doctrine of Epicurus.” Epicurus denied the immortality of the soul. This testimony is worthy of consideration. The mass of the common people followed Epicurus, that is, they totally denied the doctrine that the soul is immortal. And the poets and philosophers taught them this! Then who believed the doctrine at that time? It was universally disbelieved.
Cæsar represents the same thing as being true in his day. So it was in the time of Plutarch, who was born about the middle of the first century. “He intimates that these things were not commonly believed.” Not only the philosophers, but the mass of the Roman people, had no faith in the doctrine of future rewards and punishments.
Of the popular religion Mr. Jones says: “The Romans in general knew the whole to be an imposition, and many of them ridiculed the pretense that the institution was divine.” Again he says: “The doctrine of the immortality of the soul, and of a future state of rewards and punishments, was but little understood, and, of course, only very partially acknowledged. Hence, at the period when Christ appeared any notions of this kind found little or no acceptance among the Greeks and Romans, but were regarded in the light of old wives’ fables fit only for the amusement of women and children.”
The learned Mr. Milman bears this decided testimony: “One class of fables seems to have been universally exploded even in the earliest youth,—those which related to another life. The picture of the unrivaled satirist may be overcharged, but it corresponds strictly with the public language of the orator and the private sentence of the philosopher:— “The silent realm of disembodied ghosts,\nThe frogs that croak along the Stygian coasts,\nThe thousand souls in one crazed vessel steer’d,\nNot boys believe, save boys without a beard.”
“Even the religious Pausanias speaks of the immortality of the soul as a foreign doctrine, introduced by the Chaldeans and the Magi, and embraced by some of the Greeks, particularly by Plato. Pliny, whose Natural History opens with a declaration that the universe is the sole Deity, devotes a separate chapter to a contemptuous exposure of the idle notion of the immortality of the soul, as a vision of human pride, and equally absurd, whether under the form of existence in another sphere or under that of transmigration.”
Gibbon, the celebrated historian, thus confirms this statement of the case: “We are sufficiently acquainted with the eminent persons who flourished in the age of Cicero and of the first Cæsars, with their actions, their characters, and their motives, to be assured that their conduct in this life was never regulated by any serious conviction of the rewards or punishments of a future state. At the bar and in the senate of Rome the ablest orators were not apprehensive of giving offense to their hearers by exposing that doctrine as an idle and extravagant opinion, which was rejected with contempt by every man of a liberal education and understanding.”
D. M. CANRIGHT.
CHARACTER THE TEST.
ADMISSION to Heaven is not a leveling process, but a recognition of individuality in its deserts and capacities. “Have thou authority over five cities?” and “thou over ten.” This does not look like a monotonous row of pictured saints staring out into vacancy, with folded hands and nothing to do.
It becomes, then, a serious question what sort of a Heaven is in our thought, and whether we are more intent to go somewhere than to be something—to go to Heaven than to be fit to go there. It is righteousness, not genius, which makes Heaven resplendent. It is not the vision of an Oriental paradise, with a profusion of bowers and flowers, pearly gates and golden streets, but that of the glory of God in the splendors of love and righteousness, which kindles the Christian soul. The man who is thinking more of an indolent eternity of sensual delights, or of clasping friends who have passed on before, than of being holy as God is holy, is certainly on the track of a lowering conception of the life of the New Jerusalem.
Still worse is the wholly mistaken notion, the utterly vague and senseless expectation, that Heaven lies just before the race as its goal, irrespective of character. What has he to do with Heaven who is not cultivating the spirit of Heaven, and enthroning righteousness in his heart and life? Let him disabuse himself instantly. There is no figure of speech to be evaded or explained away in the words which affirm that “there shall in nowise enter into it anything that defileth, neither worketh abomination, nor maketh a lie.” Were it otherwise, what would the story of redemption mean? What empty rhetoric the invitations and warnings of Jesus become! But now, from a world that sin has cursed; from hells on earth where the worm now gnaws and the fire is already kindled; from eyes blear with sin, and hearts livid with blackness; from far-off, strange lands of prodigal wanderings; from haunts lurid with evil-thinking, evil-speaking, evil-doing, and ghastly with near proximity to the pit; from heights where pride looks coldly down in self-righteousness—men are bidden to look away to the Mount of God; to flee from the wrath to come; to lay hold of eternal life; and in their impotence, their uncleanness, their pride, their madness, their despair, to look to Him, who in love and might comes forth to save that which is lost, and bring the wanderer home! Laying hold of him, following him, the defiling thing is left behind; the defiling haunts are forsaken; the true and upright life is entered upon; the righteous character is in process of formation. Think not to enter Heaven but through Christ, the door. Think not to climb up some other way. The song of sweetest note in heavenly places is in honor of redeeming love. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Let men hasten to the Fountain opened for sin and uncleanness, and wash and be clean. Let them cease to do evil, and learn to do well, who would see the face of the King in peace. Let them welcome Heaven to their hearts, who would be welcomed into Heaven when God shall bring his children home; for Heaven is a realm of righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. These are the pure waters from the celestial spring, these are the fruits of the Tree of Life. —From “Death and Beyond.”
WHAT THEY SAY.
Sister M. J. Casselman, of Jackson county, Mich., speaks as follows of her interest in the work in Europe:—
I rejoice that I shall soon be able to tell my friends living in Canada and England, that the blessed truths of the third angel’s message are printed under their own government, and that there are now missionaries in Europe teaching the same truths that we hold in America. Bless the Lord for one spirit, and a united truth all over the earth.
Although I am not acquainted with Bro. Andrews, I sympathize with him in his work. I can realize something of the opposition he has to meet, and I pray that God may strengthen and support him. I believe he will.
Since attending our camp-meeting, I feel like living this truth as never before, and doing all in my power to lead others to it.
Bro. E. H. Pullen writes from Bon Homme county, Dakota, under date of Nov. 29, 1878:—
For a short time past I have been doing tract and missionary work among the Russians here. In one locality that I visited four are now keeping the Sabbath of the Lord, and some fourteen more are deeply interested and will probably take hold of the truth, at least the four think so. This interest ought to be followed up by a live (German) teacher.
I have been trying to do something for the cause at Olivet. Four have taken a stand with the remnant people. I would have remained there longer, but the school-house was closed against me. One of the four, a young man who was a Methodist, is about to enter the ministry. If he proves faithful, he will be a help to the cause in Dakota. He has already commenced work187by following up the interest at Olivet, and is doing what he can among his friends and relatives.
I expect to labor, if the Lord will, at Bon Homme, and I earnestly hope that the friends of the cause, and especially those in Minnesota, will remember me at the throne of grace; for I am in need of your prayers that utterance may be given me.
Sister Naylor writes from Jefferson county, Ill.:—
I cannot do without the REVIEW, and although money is very scarce with us, I willingly do without something else for the sake of having it.
The following is a specimen of the “Babel” condition of the M. E. church here. They “got up” a dance for a widow in town, intending the proceeds for her use. Lo, they came out $7.50 in debt; and the joke came just here, a pious lady said she hoped the widow would not have the debt to pay.
Sister C. E. Bell writes from Waupaca county, Wis., as follows:—
I am glad to see in the REVIEW reports of the prosperity of the cause of Christ in foreign lands. I am especially glad to know that God is working in Egypt, which has so long lain in darkness though it was the theater of such mighty works in the days of Moses. May God again show forth his power in the land of the Pharaohs, and bring many souls to acknowledge his truth.
I love the truth, and love to hear of others who love it and walk uprightly before God. May God bless his work and workers.
In the Shadow
I walk through darkened paths, yet know
My Father marks the way I go;
I cannot see his tender smile,
But feel his clasping hand the while;
And since he heeds the sparrow’s fall,
I trust his love, in spite of all.
Borne through the dark by loving arms,
I sometimes shrink with vague alarms;
Yet closer cling, that I may hear
The voice that whispers in mine ear.
“O trembling soul,” it says to me,
“Rest in the love that clings to thee!”
I cannot tell if long the way
By which I go through night to day;
But soon or late I know my feet
Will walk in sunshine, broad and sweet;
And soon or late before mine eyes
The radiant hills of peace uprise.
—Selected.
IN THE FIELD AGAIN.
By J. H. Rogers
For the past two years I have been greatly hindered from the work of the Lord on account of my financial matters; but through the good providence of God I hope soon to be able to settle all my indebtedness, which has so long been a source of trouble and perplexity to me. I feel like girding on the armor anew, and consecrating myself as never before to the Lord and his cause. The experience through which I have passed has been very valuable to me. The truth never looked more clear and beautiful than now, and my heart is in perfect harmony with all the workings and means employed in the advancement of this most glorious cause. When I see its onward progress, the openings of God's providence for the truth to go to different lands and nations (see Rev. 10:11), I feel to exclaim: Surely the Lord has led us in a way we knew not, and has given us great light; wherefore we should go forth with confidence, for the victory will be ours.
Ministering brethren of Missouri, shall we longer remain idle in the vineyard? Active laborers are in demand, and shall we become dwarfed and finally lose our interest in the work of the Master? I realize that we have passed through some hardships and trials; for the Lord will have a tried and pure people, and will “purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver.” Mal. 3:3. It is the go-through spirit that we must now have. We have not time to stop to murmur at these “light afflictions” (2 Cor. 4:17, 18), nor to allow our “temporal” affairs to entangle us in the cares of this life, so that the great day will come upon us unawares.
Brethren, let us, “forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
J. H. ROGERS.
Palo, Caldwell Co., Mo.
NOTES OF NEWS.
—A church built by the American Baptists at a cost of $20,000 has just been opened in Rome, Italy.
—The value of the gold mined in this country yearly is, in round numbers, about $47,000,000.
—Lewiston, Maine, with a population of 20,000, has not had an arrest for drunkenness in 20 years.
—The parents of Bayard Taylor, our Minister to Germany, recently celebrated their diamond wedding.
—The liquor trade of Great Britain exceeds the entire aggregate of the coal and iron trade of that kingdom.
—The value of the annual agricultural products of the United States, as given in the last census report, is $2,447,588,658.
—A dangerous malarial fever has prevailed lately in Louisville, Ky., caused by defective drainage in parts of the city.
—In the Straits of Magellan new coal mines have been opened, which produce anthracite coal equal to the best in Pennsylvania.
—The last census of Palestine shows a total Jewish population of nearly 15,300; of these 8,000 live in Jerusalem.
—Elihu Burritt, while earning his living as a blacksmith, mastered eighteen ancient languages and twenty-two European dialects.
—A copy of the Mentz Bible, printed by Guttenburg in 1455—being the first book ever printed—was sold at auction in Paris last June, for $10,000. It is printed on vellum, but is not quite perfect, several portions having been restored in fac simile.
—Ostrich farming, the rearing of ostriches for the sake of their plumes, has become one of the most important industries of South Africa. In 1877 about 60,000 pounds of feathers, worth $1,967,030, were exported from the Cape of Good Hope.
—According to latest reports, there are 29,206 itinerant ministers, 74,990 local preachers, and 4,489,877 lay members of the Methodist church, of whom in this country there are 23,194 itinerant and 26,642 local preachers, and 3,896,999 members.
—The holy see has obtained from the English government an assurance that Roman Catholics in Cyprus shall enjoy the same liberties as in England. In consequence, large plans for proselytism in the island are being organized, and they hope that Cyprus may become the base for an extensive Asiatic propaganda.
—General Roberts, who commands the British army advancing on Candahar from Quettah finding the Afghans confronting him in force, delayed attacking them until he should so strengthen himself as to make victory certain. A dispatch dated Nov. 5 says that a battle has been fought, resulting in the total defeat of the Afghans. Peiwar Kotal has been taken by the British, although the Afghans fought desperately. Dec. 6, all was quiet in Khyber Pass.
—An exchange gives the following facts in regard to the Papacy:—
“The custom of kissing the pope’s toe was introduced about A. D. 708. Adrian I. caused money to be coined with his name, A. D. 780. The first pope who kept an army was Leo IX., 1054. In 1077 Gregory VII. compelled Henry IV., Emperor of Germany, to stand barefooted in the snow at the gate of the Castle of Canosa. The pope’s authority was established in England in 1079; and in 1161 Henry II. held the stirrup while Pope Alexander III. mounted his horse. In 1191 Celestine III. kicked the crown from off the head of the Emperor Henry VI., to show his prerogative of making and unmaking kings. Kissing the pope’s toe and other ceremonies were abolished by Clement XIV. in 1773. The pope was deprived of the remains of his temporal power in December, 1870.”
—At the Lord Mayor’s Dinner, London, Lord Beaconsfield was received with the utmost demonstrations of respect by the municipal authorities. His manner was of the most demure humility; his honorary decorations of ribbons, diamonds, and gold were excessively gorgeous. In his speech he deigned to inform his Queen’s subjects that the purpose of the Indo-Afghan war is to secure a “scientific rectification of frontier.” Over this piece of information the “Jingo” party were of course highly exuberant. Still, there are Englishmen and British statesmen who are apt to look facts in the face, and take fine phrases for just about as much meaning as they really contain, or seek to cover. Mr. Gladstone never rendered more sagacious, or more needed, service to his country than in this important turning-point in English history. In the open Parliament of the nation, his voice is heard, and despite the noisy jeers of a servile press, his signal wisdom and tremendous sincerity of patriotism are beginning to tell. In the spirit of one of the old prophets, he aims his appeals, straight and with overwhelming force, to the conscience of the nation, in view of the eternal principles of right and wrong. In his masterly speech of last Saturday, he compared the national conscience over an unjust war to the blood on Lady Macbeth’s hand, which the perfumes of Arabia could not sweeten, and declared that the people of England would yet discover that “national injustice is the surest way to national downfall.”—Advance.