As I landed in different places on the west coast of Sumatra, I was struck with the rare beauty of the country. Not only is it beautiful, but it possesses a variety of life that captivates the mind of the romantic person, the adventurer, the scientist, and the gold-seeker, as well as the missionary. In the cities live the intellectual European, and also the heathen. In the villages are the natives, who grow rice and other necessaries, but who live in slavish fear of the European, and are, therefore, harmless. To this class the Netherlands India government forbids missionaries. If this law continues in force, there will be need for such workers as were Peter and John when they were straitly charged by the rulers “not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus,” but when the Lord opened the prison doors, saying, “Go, stand and speak in the temple all the words of this life.” The third angel’s message, fully accepted and preached, must in this generation develop every phase of Christian experience, and the faithful must meet persecution, such as was endured by the apostles, the martyrs of the Dark Ages, and all the faithful who earnestly contended for the faith once delivered to the saints. These are trying days for the Christian worker, and glorious days, also.
PALEMBANG, SUMATRA
These humble natives, when called before any Dutch officer, remain with bended knees, and are in the habit of not passing a European without bending the body until he has passed them. As the Lord is the ruler among the nations, the strict rule of the Dutch over these people must have been necessary to keep down the fanatical Mohammedan spirit. They are now humiliated, and are doubtless made ready to receive with meekness the engrafted word which is able to save their souls and to translate them to the glorious liberty of the sons of God. We are not in these nations to find fault with their method of governing, or to offer one word of criticism, but to preach the Word. “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.” The children of Israel’s preparation for deliverance was their hard bondage in Egypt; the Christian’s chastisement is also his training for the kingdom of God.
The Chinese in Sumatra are all of the merchant, and not of the coolie, caste, and are not permitted to take the bread out of the native’s mouth by doing his work. So they are strictly shut up to their own business of getting a livelihood. But they are eager for an education and reform, and erroneously think that to become a Christian means to have the full liberty and privileges of a Dutchman. Many of them are anxious to turn Christians for this reason only. How can these poor people know what is the truth unless some one gives his time and life to help them? They would be grateful for such aid, and would give help to such an unselfish friend. I understand that the government, unlike the others, makes but few or no restrictions for the missionary to work among the Chinese, and they are eager inquirers just now. Faithful workers may from now to the close of probation be busily at work giving meat in due season. “Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing.”
Sumatra is said to have a population of three millions. It is a rich, fertile country. Its mountains are covered with tropical forests of the rarest beauty, in which are beautifully plumaged birds, butterflies in all their fascinating beauty, squirrels and monkeys, tigers and other wild animals. There are also fanatical tribes and savages, to whom our message is to be carried in this generation, and that means that faithful, fearless, and unselfish workers are to take it to them. Now indeed is the accepted time; “behold, now is the day of salvation.” “He shall cause them that come out of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.” This is an encouraging promise to the worker anywhere.
A Reaction in China
THE signs of the times indicate a halt in the reform movement in China. The stream of imperial edicts continues to flow, but for several months it has followed the channel of the reactionary party. Confucius has been deified, that is, raised to the rank of Heaven and Earth, so as to require the grand sacrifice; a school has been ordered at Chou-fu, the birthplace of Confucius, in honor of the sage, and it is directed that all schools pay special attention to inculcating his ethics; Buddhist schools are to be established in all the provinces, in order that pure Buddhism may be taught; the old Chinese learning has been reaffirmed as the fundamental factor in national education, the Western knowledge being only auxiliary thereto.
The degrees of foreign universities and colleges are now disallowed, the intention of many of the reform edicts is being ignored, and the system of awarding appointments by patronage, irrespective of fitness, is undisturbed. Yuan Shih Kai, viceroy of the imperial province of Chi-li and a leading reformer, has been shorn of many powers.
It is not clear just how seriously all these recent events are to be regarded. The fact is, no one knows exactly how to interpret them or how much weight to put upon them. Those who have known China long and well write that it is impossible to prophesy what will happen, because no one can tell with certainty what are the real opinions and motives of those who stand behind the Dragon Throne, how much is done for effect, and how much with changed purpose. It was inevitable that some reaction should follow the wild rush of reform measures in 1906. Perhaps it is desirable that there should be pause and review. It may be that missionary work will suffer again some hindrance. But no more Boxer uprisings are apprehended. And the reform movement is not overcome. It may be delayed; it can not be permanently stopped; in the end it will conquer. Young China is awake and determined. It may pause to strengthen and realign its forces.— The Missionary Herald.
Book Work in the German Union Conference
IN the great territory comprising the German Union Conference, including Germany, Russia, Austria, etc., 201 book workers labored during July, August, and September, 1906, and were successful in selling $11,839.34 worth of books in these difficult fields.
Work Advancing in Italy
A LETTER from Elder Everson, of Rome, Italy, says: “I hear from Torino that the work is moving along nicely there, and a good interest is being manifested. The people seem to be much pleased with the preaching of Professor Fant. I have just written him to go to a little town near Turin, to visit an Italian brother and wife who have recently come to Italy from South America. This brother has written me that he has scattered tracts in his neighborhood, and there is a good interest being awakened in the truth. He said that the Sabbath before he wrote, a lady who had read the tracts given her had come to inquire more about these things, so he was anxious that I should visit him. But as I am too far away, I asked Brother Fant to go, and I think he is there now. This brother said that he began to keep the Sabbath in South America simply from the instruction which he had received from a neighbor, and that after a little work done there by one of our laborers, twelve Italians began the observance of the Sabbath, and fully embraced the truth.”
San Francisco Ship Mission Work
By Chas. W. Peter
The land-locked harbor of San Francisco is one of the best in the world, for the deepest seagoing vessels can enter the Golden Gate with safety. Since April 18, 1906, the shipping to and from this port has very perceptibly increased.
While ships of all maritime nations enter here, the colors of Great Britain predominate. San Francisco is decidedly a cosmopolitan city; and to do a successful work, literature in different languages must be carried daily. Work among the ships has been done at this port for over twenty years. On an English vessel, the mate asked me how long the Signs had been published. “Over twenty years,” I replied. He said, “I have read it for thirty years.” Another man stated to me, “I have read your literature from your racks for twenty years.” Thus the silent witnesses have borne their message to those who sail the sea.
Follow the ship missionary one day. He has previously prepared rolls of reading-matter, stamped with the Society’s stamp. Each contains ten copies of the Signs of different dates, five of the Review, five of the Instructor, two or three of the Life Boat, one or more of Save the Boys, and health journals, besides tracts on twenty or more different subjects, including temperance.
On going aboard I find the captain in the ship’s cabin. I state my mission by presenting the reading-matter, and leave one roll on each ship. I make an effort to sell a book or papers to captain, mates, and sailors. I present Bible subjects when I can. Yesterday I visited twenty vessels, and sold two copies of “Coming King,” twelve copies of the Signs, Liberty, and Watchman, and placed in reading-racks eighty-five copies of the Signs, and left on sailing vessels fourteen rolls of literature. A great number of the men I talked to that day were infidels, the largest number I had ever met in one day.
Transport sailing day, from five hundred to fifteen hundred officers and men sail to the Philippine Islands. I place papers and tracts in each of the officer’s state-rooms, and hand them out to soldiers. Thus several hundred papers and tracts are distributed on each sailing day.
Allow me to suggest some of the ways you can assist in the work of giving God’s last message to these people. I am placing new reading-racks on important steamers, besides the many already installed. These have to be supplied with good up-to-date reading-matter. Thousands of tracts and papers are wanted. Send in your clean copies of literature in all languages, that you do not use. Churches should make up boxes, and send by prepaid freight. Thousands of new tracts are wanted to warn the hundreds of thousands of people coming and going. To pay for packages of these tracts, send money to the California Tract Society, stating that it is for tracts and for clubs of papers for San Francisco ship mission.
Church-schools and missionary societies can make up packages of a few selected tracts and enclose the name of the sender, requesting correspondence. These will be handed to young men sailing to the Philippines in United States service. Some mother’s son, many miles from home, will appreciate the fact that some one cares for his soul. Add your prayers to this seed sown, and you will see souls saved in the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour.
Dear reader, please remember the calamities soon to befall these cities. “Cast thy bread” now “upon the waters,” for soon the summer will be past, and the harvest will be ended.
CHAS. W. PETER.
*S. D. A. Church, Verdi St.,
Alameda, Cal.*
ED. W. THOMANN
By Ed. W. Thomann
Chile
VALPARAISO.—We have now a good cylinder press, on which we can print four pages of the Señales, at a speed of about one thousand an hour. We have many sorts of type. Our cutter is a good, large, strong machine, which we bought for less than half price. We have begun work, and I am glad that we can have these machines. I am determined to be faithful to the Lord, and make the best use of the printing plant.
The minimum loss occasioned by the earthquake is over six hundred dollars. But we had a good opportunity for aggressive work. We prepared special numbers on the earthquake, and printed thirty thousand copies of Señales in September, twenty-six thousand in October, ten thousand in November, and six thousand in December. Many of our brethren took a new interest in circulating the paper. The Lord blessed greatly. One day I sold seven hundred and forty copies, another day I sold five hundred, three hundred another day, two hundred several times, and often over one hundred. Brother Steele has also taken hold, and nearly every Sunday he goes out and sells one hundred or more.
We are glad that the General Conference decided to collect two thousand dollars for our printing plant and school. This will enable us to build a little barrack for the press, and avoid the heavy rent and the frequent moving from one house to another. We may also be able to buy some things still needed for the printing plant.
Our work is prospering here. The Lord is adding souls to his church in many places. More calls come than we can attend to. But I am glad the Lord is preparing laborers. Much is to be done, and we need more help to accomplish it.
Personally I lost very little in the earthquake, and all our brethren are happy, praising the Lord for his protection. None suffered bodily. My wife and I were at that time a little farther north, in Serena, so did not experience such shaking as befell Valparaiso.
For Bolivia we should have a young, strong, all-round worker, who could as easily canvass as give Bible readings or preach, and who would be willing to do with very few accommodations. One speaking German or French, besides English, would be best, as there are many of these nationalities in Bolivia. Traveling must be done there mostly on muleback. And as the country is so high, it is cold, and there is frequently snow or rain. So one who is accustomed to a rough climate could endure it better than a delicate person.
ED. W. THOMANN
Ship Missionary Work in Singapore
By W. W. Fletcher
About one month ago a church missionary society was organized in Singapore, with Brother Mills as leader, and with leaders for the various branches of missionary effort we are planning to carry on in this city. These comprise ship mission work, hospital visiting, missionary correspondence, industrial department, tract loaning, and selling and distributing our periodicals.
Having been appointed librarian for our society, I am confronted with the problem of how to obtain supplies of literature for our ship mission work. As a port of call Singapore is one of the most important in the world. In the daytime our harbor presents a forest of masts and spars, and at night the countless lights give it the appearance of a thickly populated city. Think of the thousands of men “that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters,” that call here in their journeying. Vessels come here from every nation under heaven, and to those countries they return. We have here an opportunity, such as exists in few other places, to scatter our literature toward the four winds.
Now there are thousands of our good missionary papers in the homes of our people, “hiding their light under a bushel,” that might easily be proclaiming their message on all the high seas. If our dear brethren and sisters will co-operate with us, this will soon be accomplished. Send us back numbers of the Signs, Watchman, Instructor, Life Boat, and our health papers, and you will help us in this effort to give light to the sailors. It does not matter how old the papers are so long as they are clean. Neither does it matter what language they are printed in. Literature in foreign tongues will be especially useful.
Address all papers to Elder G. F. Jones, “Villa Hatsu,” 12 Dhoby Ghaut, Singapore, Straits Settlements.
Remember that here is a golden opportunity to dig up the buried talent and set it to work somewhere in the Lord’s vineyard.
Some of the bravest and warmest-hearted men of this generation are those who are continually facing the perils of the deep. These will also endure much for the Lord’s sake when they learn the truth. Let us do what we can to give them the opportunity. Just recently two British man-of-war men visited us, who accepted the message through mission work done at St. Lucia, West Indies. I am sure that if the readers of these lines could meet these brethren, and know how they are holding up the light before hundreds of their shipmates, it would kindle a burning desire18to see many more such lights. This one means of supplying the seamen with our literature is within our reach. Let us use it faithfully.
The pioneer of pioneers in the third angel’s message (Joseph Bates) was a seaman. In the latter end of the message the toilers of the deep will join heartily in the sounding of it; for Isaiah, in speaking of the remnant church, says, “They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the Lord, they shall cry aloud from the sea.” Isa. 24:14. W. W. FLETCHER.
China
By A. C. Selmon
SIANG CHENG.—It is encouraging to see that the message is gaining ground in all lands. The end seems nearer when we can see such progress. For such fields as this, I have faith to believe that the Lord will raise up messengers to help. I feel sure that we shall have a large number out from the home lands in the next year or two; but in addition to this, there are some already on the field who will accept the truth and cast their lot with us, just as Brother P. J. Laird, of the English Church, has done. We are doing quite a little in the way of distributing literature, and are planning to keep at it. In addition to the Signs, we hope to get “Daniel and Revelation” into the hands of as many missionaries as possible.
There are some conditions here that must be studied in the field. We have had to begin at the very bottom in our work; and, in addition to the trouble of getting the language, there have been some other difficulties, which have been very trying. Our work in many ways is taking on a brighter aspect. We are beginning to see some fruits from the literature we have put out, and it stirs us to put greater effort forth to distribute reading-matter.
None of our literature can be translated literally into the Chinese language. It must be adapted to the people. The parts that can be understood by the native can be used. In his ignorance of history and affairs of the world, he is limited in the things that he can comprehend.
Personally, I have great cause to thank the Lord that we have had good health here at our station this summer. I have two men now who can go out to some of the surrounding territory. Before we could speak the language well or knew much of the characteristics of the people, our efforts were hindered, because we had a number of false Christians around us, who deceived us by their seeming piety. And while we have only a slight grasp of the situation now, yet China seems an altogether different place to me at the present time, compared with what it did a year ago. But some of these experiences may be of some help yet, because those who come now will not have to meet them. A. C. SELMON.
Personal Experience of a Home Missionary
By Mollie R. Miller
My husband and I came to Gastonia, N. C., last October. We have spent five weeks visiting isolated Sabbath-keepers and attending a canvassers’ institute held at Hildebran, N. C. The days have been freighted with golden opportunities and blessings. Open doors and hearts have greeted me. Aside from home duties, I have had the blessed privilege of visiting the sick and dying, selling four hundred and eighty-five copies of the Watchman and taking twenty-four subscriptions, distributing four hundred copies of the Instructor, Little Friend, and other periodicals; have made one hundred and forty-five visits, given thirty-six Bible readings, and written many missionary letters, besides giving away many tracts. To the Lord be all the praise. This report of work is given simply that it may encourage some other sister to attempt something for the Master, even though pressed with household cares.
Some personal experiences may be of interest. After buying a paper, the mistress of the house said, “I want to ask you a question. I have been reading my Bible, and find that all through its pages it teaches that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord, and I have made up my mind to obey the Lord and keep next Sabbath.” I hold readings with them each week, and never found more interested people than they. She and her aged mother have now kept the Sabbath three months. They have Sabbath-school in their home, and are awaiting baptism. The two daughters have recently begun to keep the Sabbath with their mother.
In one home where I sold a paper, I called the next week to deliver another. In the Special Watchman the gentleman had seen advertised the book, “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation.” He purchased it, and tells me he wants more literature.
One man was so interested in his paper that he took it to meeting and read a portion. The minister took him aside and chided him. Later I called at his home, and found that he and his wife were troubled over the Sabbath question. When I left them, they said, “Come again and read the Bible with us.”
At one place where I sold a paper and took a six months’ subscription and an order for “Coming King,” the husband said, showing me a copy of “Daniel and the Revelation,” “There is a book I would not take five dollars for if I could not get another like it.” At another home the lady said, “O, that is the Watchman!” She gave me her subscription, saying, “I know the truth, but do it not,” and began to cry. Just then the daughter came in and said, “Grandma keeps the Sabbath.” In another home while I was reading the headlines, the lady said, “Do you know few people keep the Sabbath?” and she gave me a number of scriptures showing that the seventh day is the Sabbath. She said she knew she ought to keep it. She bought a copy of “Coming King,” and gave me the money for a year’s subscription to the Watchman. One said, “That is no common reading,” and gave me a subscription for six months. Another said, “It makes me feel serious to read that paper.”
A blind man, living at Clifton, S. C., who was visiting at one place where I called, said, “That is an Adventist paper. It has the same sound as mine,—The Christian Record, published by your people at College View, Neb., for the blind. In a few days I expect to begin work, and I hope to aid in its circulation.” Brethren and sisters, is not this a gentle rebuke to us who are blessed with eyesight?
I called at a home where death had entered suddenly that day. I had prayer with the sorrowing wife. She said, “I believe the Lord sent you. I was wishing some one would pray for me.” I went to the next house and took two subscriptions for six months. The woman said, “Mother, who lives in Georgia, visited me Christmas, and was reading the paper you sold me, and said, ‘That sounds like old-time religion.’”
Truly there is joy and rest in the Master’s service. These lines greatly impress me: “All should endeavor to realize the shortness of time and the solemnity and importance of the period in which we live.”
MRS. MOLLIE R. MILLER.
Ministers Studying Present Truth
FROM the Pacific Union Recorder we take the following account of the experience of Brother Chas. N. Miller at Bakersfield, Cal.: “Never before have I had the experience with the ministers of other churches that I have had here. One Sabbath I had four out, not coming for controversy, but for light. I had not invited any except a Baptist minister who visited me for light on the sleep of the dead and destruction of the wicked. Since then he has been an earnest student of truth. On my last visit, he said he was convinced of the law, including the Sabbath, and he is now studying prophecy. He is a very earnest man, a minister of thirty years’ standing in the Baptist Church, but he can not conscientiously preach for them any more. The other one who is especially interested is of the Holiness Church. Elder Dart would remember him as the man who tried to refute the law one night in San Luis Obispo, when Brother Dart was holding meetings there. But he is now of a very different frame of mind. He says the Sabbath question is troubling him greatly, and he called for our best works on that question. A few days ago I was invited to visit a Presbyterian minister19in counsel. He is also troubled over the light the Lord has revealed to him, and says he can no longer preach where he can not have the liberty to teach what he sees to be truth. With such an unusual experience which I have not invited for myself, I can but hope that some may see the whole truth.”
K. C. RUSSELL
By K. C. RUSSELL
Pennsylvania
PITTSBURG.— On account of the high water which prevailed along the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers, I was hindered in reaching my appointment at St. Louis, Mo., as I had hoped; so I spent Sabbath, March 16, in Pittsburg, Pa. It was a pleasure for me to meet with this church and to see once more a number of those whom I had known in former years, when I was a laborer in the Pennsylvania Conference.
Through the earnest and persevering efforts of Elder C. S. Longacre and the members of the Pittsburg church, they now have a commodious and pleasant church building. It is evident, however, that its capacity will have to be enlarged, as it is already well filled each Sabbath.
I was also pleased to meet with our church in the city of Allegheny, during the afternoon of the Sabbath I was there.
On my return from St. Louis, Sunday, March 24, I stopped there again, and spoke on the subject of our organization and religious liberty. It was gratifying to note the interest manifested on the part of our people there, as the principles of truth on these subjects were presented.
Our prayer is that the message may go with increased power in Greater Pittsburg, which is a storm-center for National Reformism.
K. C. RUSSELL
Notes of Progress
By E. R. Palmer
It is cheering to see our fields so well represented in the accompanying summary, and yet this report would be greatly improved if there were not so many blank spaces in it. But this is the beginning of the year, when the institutes are being held, and we can not expect such large returns as later on.
However, this report is very encouraging when compared with the corresponding month for last year. Last year the summary for January stood at $21,000, and $11,000 of this was reported from Australasia. This year the summary for January stood at over $26,000. Last year the summary for February stood at $15,000. This year it is over $26,000. This year’s summary, however, is raised very materially by the large report from Germany, which was not included last year.
On the whole, we are still making a strong advance with most promising indications for the future. If the leaders in our State and union conferences will take upon themselves an active responsibility in supplying reports promptly to our department, we can report the rapidly increasing work still more perfectly.
The Foreign Work
Accompanying the summary from Germany, we have received a most encouraging statement of the steady increase of sales in those populous countries where work is much more difficult than it is here. Notice what a splendid total the summary amounts to from the German Union Conference, and how fully they have reported. On the other hand, look at the list of workers—two hundred and thirty-seven! Think of the number of consecrated men and women going from house to house in the German Union, who by their faithfulness have secured such results. It is not that the work is easier in the German Union Conferences that so many are engaged in it, for the work is very much harder than it is here, but evidently a much larger per cent of the people consecrate themselves to the service.
Notice also the excellent report from Australasia, which averages just about the same the year round.
The Atlantic Union
The report from the Atlantic Union Conference compares well with the reports of last year during the best part of the season. Concerning their work, Brother Painter, the general agent, writes:—
“The year 1907 has started off in a very encouraging way for the work here. Our report for January was more than a thousand dollars better than our report for the same month last year. Our February report is over seven hundred dollars higher than the work for January. So we seem to be still on the up grade. I hope we can continue to climb all through the year, and see no good reason why we should not.”20
In the conservative territory of the East it is not possible to secure great results from spasmodic effort. A steady advance means steady, solid growth.
The Canadian Union
We have received an encouraging report from Canada. Brother I. S. Jones, of North Dakota, was transferred to the Canadian field. He started in in the right way to establish confidence. Not finding a quick response to his efforts to secure agents, he went to the city of Ottawa and demonstrated what could be done even in mid-winter in a large city. His average sales amounted to about ten dollars a day. Let us pray for Brethren Jones and Nofinger in particular, and also for the other faithful workers who are trying to rebuild the work in Canada.
The Lake Union
Brother Blosser and his corps of field agents are more than busy early in the season, holding their institutes and preparing for a large summer’s work. They report enthusiastically concerning the prospects.
The Southern Union
Last year the Southern Union advanced with a strong, steady stride all the year, and now they are starting out most encouragingly during the first months of 1907. Notice how solid their report appears. It is very gratifying indeed to see States like Alabama, Louisiana, and North Carolina, where there are only a few Sabbath-keepers, leading out with such a fine record for February.
The Northern Union
During these winter months our workers in the Northern Union Conference can do little else than try to keep themselves warm by holding some good institutes.
The Central Union
The report from the Central Union would be much larger if it were complete. Iowa still maintains her good, strong lead of the conferences in this country. Very encouraging institutes are being held in the Central Union, and the prospects are good.
Prof. C. C. Lewis, president of Union College, writes that he has never before seen such an interest in our canvassing work as is now manifested in the college. A canvassers’ convention has been appointed there for May 3-21, which bids fair to be a very interesting occasion. It is expected that there will be more than one hundred agents in attendance.
Southwestern Union
Elder W. W. Eastman, general agent of the Southwestern Union Conference, writes that he has recently closed a successful institute in Texas, where forty promising agents were trained for the field; and at the time of writing, he was engaged in holding another institute, with twenty members, in Oklahoma City.
North Pacific Union
A letter just received from Elder W. B. White, president of the North Pacific Union Conference, states that arrangements have been perfected for securing the labors of Brother Carl Weaks, former field missionary agent of Ohio, as general agent for that union. We feel very much encouraged by this arrangement. The book work has been fostered and built up very successfully during the past two years in Ohio. Such a work always develops workers for other fields. May the Lord bless Ohio in giving, and the North Pacific in receiving.
Brother Weaks goes to a promising territory. There are five schools in that union from which to draw students. Each conference has a good field missionary agent, and the officers of the union and State conferences are encouraging this line of work. With the Lord’s blessing, we shall see results before the close of the present year.
The Pacific Union
Here again we have a small report with big prospects. We are encouraged by prospects, but we still have a peculiar liking for reports.
Brother Covell has recently closed an interesting convention in southern California. There were seventy-two prospective agents in his class. Year before last the book sales in the conference amounted to one thousand dollars. Last year they were seven thousand dollars. This year they are talking of twenty thousand dollars or more, and we shall continue to pray that the good prospects may materialize.
Thus it is all the world round. The work is growing stronger and stronger. Its strength is gauged by the strength of its individual parts. Great results are secured by the total of the faithfulness of all the individual workers. If each canvasser does earnest work; if each field missionary agent manages wisely, works earnestly, and reports faithfully; if general agents act as generals indeed under God, the united efforts will give the strength of a strong army. What a grave responsibility rests upon each one, and what cause for thankfulness as we see the closing work developing. “For that the leaders took the lead in Israel, for that the people offered themselves willingly, bless ye Jehovah.”
