Review and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 2. (1/11/1906)

Review and Herald

Jan 11, 1906

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jan 11, 1906

John on Patmos

By Esther Hooker Catlin

I am alone on the Patmos isle. No sound of voice, nor touch of human hand Is here for me; No footprints on the headland where I stand, No sail at sea,— Only the vast, immeasurable arch of blue And the eternal waves reflecting heaven’s hue.

I am bowed down and broken with my years, I, who was once the swifter in the race On the great day When I outran that other to the place Where Jesus lay. On through the city gate, and o’er the vale we sped, Not knowing that we sought the living ’mid the dead.

I am unfriended on this barren shore. But once with Him on Judah’s hills I walked Beloved the best; And oft His face shone on me as we talked, To make me blest. E’en now those wondrous words He spake come back to me, “Fear not, nor be cast down; I will return to thee.”

And only I am left of all the Twelve. I, who was last to leave Him on the tree, Alone recall His words, His voice, and how He looked on me. That look spoke all: My soul, though dull to comprehend it, lost all fears; And now I know its meaning, after many years.

I am cast forth, and into exile driven; But in my solitude there comes to me A holy dream,— The vision of a kingdom that shall be,— World-wide, supreme; And He, the Lamb that sitteth on its great, white throne That vision gives to all who wait with Him alone.

—Esther Hooker Catlin, in The Independent.

Our Publishing Work

By Editor

The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. Psalm 68:11.

Any publication mentioned on this page may be ordered through your conference tract society or from any of our publishing houses or their branch offices. See last paragraph on this page for addresses of our publishing houses.

HAVE you seen Life and Health for January? It is now ready. Read outline of contents which will be found on the last page.

“How is your cold?” is a question frequently heard at this time of the year. “What are you doing for it?” is often the next question. Some people, for lack of knowledge of proper treatment, attempt to “wear out a cold,” thus weakening the system and opening the way for some more serious malady. Dr. Heald’s booklet on “Colds” tells how to prevent them, how to “abort” or stop one when it has been taken, and also gives instructions for home treatment. White vellum, 25 cents.

“To parents, teachers, and students, all pupils in earth’s preparatory school, this book is dedicated. May it aid them in securing life’s greatest benefits, development, and joy in service here, and thus a fitness for that wider service, the ‘higher course,’ open to every human being in the school of the hereafter.” This is the author’s preface in that most excellent book “Education,” by Mrs. E. G. White. A perusal of its pages will amply repay any teacher, student, or parent. Cloth, $1.25.

THE Sabbath-school Lesson Quarterly containing the lessons for the first quarter of 1906 is now ready. The lessons are topical studies on the Word of God, the Being and Attributes of God, the Divinity of Christ, Creation and Redemption, Miracles of the Bible, the New Birth, the Obedience of Faith, Prayer, A Modern Apostasy, The Old Paths, Rewards and Punishments. In view of the present tendency in the religious world, no more important subjects than these can be studied at this time. Price, 5 cents.

Do you know of any better book to circulate now than “Great Controversy”? It contains the truth for this time, and shows the difficulties and dangers just ahead, at the same time pointing out the pathway of safety and deliverance. Seventh-day Adventist canvassers of experience who are devoting their time to the sale of books which do not contain present truth, should stop and consider whether they can be excused longer from using their talents directly in the work of the Lord. We appeal to all such to think this matter over carefully and prayerfully. We believe that “Great Controversy” should be circulated more widely in 1906 than any other one of our publications. Not only the canvassers, but all the people should engage in this work. Loan your own copies, brethren and sisters, sending them on their mission of helpfulness. Do not let them stand on your shelves covered with dust. Who will join in this campaign for 1906?

A good book for the unconverted and for the doubting church-member is that excellent book “Steps to Christ.” Keep several copies on hand to loan. Paper, 25 cents; cloth, 50 cents.

HAVE you read the latest volumes of the “Testimonies for the Church”? They contain important instruction for this time. Volume VII was published in 1902, and Volume VIII in 1904. Price, 75 cents each in cloth, or $1.25 each in flexible leather.

Do not let anything prevent you from following up the interest created by the use of the printed page or by personal visits. Don’t delay. Follow up the work before the interest wanes, or something else takes the attention. The Master expects this of you. It is “his work” committed to your hands.

“COMING KING” shows how the events that are taking place about us in the world fulfil the Scripture predictions, and indicate the near coming of Christ. Hundreds of thousands of copies have been sold, and many are the people whose attention has been called to the truth by this book. Agents are wanted everywhere to engage in its sale. Plain cloth, $1; cloth, gilt, $1.50.

THOUSANDS of Sunday-schools are now studying lessons on the life of Christ. Some of your neighbors are probably studying these lessons. Have you called their attention to “Desire of Ages,” and shown them what wonderful help it contains for them? A little booklet has been prepared which gives references from each lesson to the pages in “Desire of Ages” which treat the same topic. This booklet is furnished free to those who will use it in this way. Order from Review and Herald, Washington, D. C., or Battle Creek, Mich.

We most earnestly invite those who are engaged in the circulation of our literature in any form to send us a report of any interesting experience which they may have in their work. What results have been seen in your work with the Signs, Watchman, Life and Health, or with tracts or books? There is nothing more helpful or encouraging than to hear or read of how the Lord has blessed others in their efforts. Please consider this a personal request to you, dear reader, and let us hear from you. Address Publishers’ Page, Review and Herald, 222 North Capitol St. Washington, D. C.

Orders for any publication mentioned on this page may be sent to any conference tract society or to any of the following: Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington, D. C., and Battle Creek, Mich.; Pacific Press Publishing Company, Mountain View, Cal., also Portland, Ore., and Kansas City, Mo.; Southern Publishing Association, Nashville, Tenn., and Fort Worth, Tex.

Editorial

By Editor

Dangerous Ground

We may not be able to prevent the enemy from suggesting doubts to our minds, but he can not compel us to cherish the doubts which he suggests. We are treading upon dangerous ground when we entertain without vigorous protest the views of the enemy of God concerning God's dealings with us. What else can we expect than that he who was cast out of heaven because of his persistent rebellion against the divine government should accuse the King of heaven of partiality and injustice? The real difficulty was that God refused to abdicate his throne in favor of Lucifer—an infinitely impossible thing. Moved by satanic envy and a disappointed ambition, this same being now seeks to blacken the character of God, and to lead us to doubt, then to disbelieve, and finally to reject the loving-kindness of our Heavenly Father. What has Satan done to establish a reputation for truthfulness so that we should rely upon his estimate of God? “When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” Let us believe God and Christ.

Hidden, and Yet Revealed

The Sabbath-school lesson for January 20 deals with “the testimony of the Scriptures concerning the being and attributes of God.” In view of our recent experiences with erroneous teachings upon this fundamental subject, we have thought it advisable to present to our readers some of the late utterances of the spirit of prophecy which point out the dangers, and emphasize the fact that in Christ we have the essential revelation of the being and character of God the Father.

The following extracts are taken almost wholly from unpublished manuscripts which have been prepared during the last two or three years:—

The sophistries regarding God and nature that are flooding the world with skepticism are the inspiration of the fallen foe, who is himself a Bible student, who knows the truth that it is essential for the people to receive, and whose study it is to divert minds from those great truths relating to what is coming upon the world. Let our teachers beware lest they echo the soothsaying of the enemy of God and man. . . .

No human mind can comprehend God. No man hath seen him at any time. We are as ignorant of God as little children. But as little children we may love and obey him. . . .

After the passing of the time we had fanaticism of every kind to meet. Testimonies of reproof were given me to bear to some holding theories similar to those against which at this time I am called to bear warning. I am not surprised that I should have to meet these theories again. I have been shown that the experience of the past would be repeated, that most seducing influences would be exerted, that minds would be hypnotized. Satan will bring in his deceiving schemes. Impurity of long standing will be mingled with the presentation of the truth. Corruptions of every type, similar to those existing among the antediluvians, will be brought in to take minds captive. Placing nature as God; the unrestrained license of human will; the counsel of the ungodly,—these Satan uses as his agencies to bring about certain ends. He will employ the power of mind on mind to carry out his designs. The most sorrowful thought of all is that under his influence men will put on a form of godliness without having any real godliness. . . .

Who by searching can find out God? The theory that he is an essence, pervading everything, is one of Satan’s most subtle devices. . . . The most spiritual-minded Christians are liable to be deceived by these beautiful, seducing, flattering theories. But in the place of honoring God, these theories, in the minds of those who receive them, bring him down to a low level, where he is nothingness. . . . There is a strain of spiritualism coming in among our people, and it will undermine the faith of those who give place to it, leading them to give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. . . .

I am instructed to warn our brethren and sisters not to discuss the nature of God. Many of the curious who attempted to open the ark of the testament, to see what was inside, were punished for their presumption. We are not to say that the Lord God of heaven is in a leaf, or in a tree; for he is not there. He sitteth upon his throne in the heavens. . . . To take the works of God, and represent them as being God, is a fearful misrepresentation of him. This representation I was called upon to meet at the beginning of my work, when in my youth the Lord commissioned me to go forth and proclaim what he should command me to proclaim. And as the Lord shall direct me, I must now do what I can to counterwork all such teaching, and the theories which lead to such views. Those who hold these views do not know God; neither do they know Jesus Christ, whom he sent into the world to save sinners. They do not know whither their feet are tending. . . .

Human talent and human conjecture have tried by searching to find out God. Many have trodden this pathway. The highest intellect may tax itself until it is wearied out, in conjectures regarding God, but the effort will be fruitless, and the fact will remain that men by searching can not find out God. This problem has not been given us to solve. All that man needs to know and can know of God has been revealed in the life and character of his Son, the great Teacher. As we learn more and more of what man is, of what we ourselves are, in God’s sight, we shall fear and tremble before him.

Let every man, however talented and ingenious he may be, remember that he has a Ruler in the heavens, a God who will not be trifled with by the sophistries of Satan’s devising, which lead men’s minds away from the perils and duties of the hour. The Lord, he is God. He who puts his reasoning to the stretch in an effort to exalt himself and to trace out God, will find that he might far better have stood as a humble penitent before God, confessing himself to be only a finite, sinful man.

Guesswork has proved itself to be guesswork. Imagination may go to its furthest stretch, and talk of God being in leaf and tree and flower; but those who talk thus need to know that by searching they can not find out God. There have been professed great men, professed interpreters of God. Rival sects have clamored for the supremacy, but in their wisdom they have become fools, and the result of their arguments is but to belittle God. . . .

Christ converted all nature into an index to illustrate his greatness, his goodness, his love. Water, air, light, life,—these Christ used to illustrate his work and his character. Pointing to the sun, which had just risen above the Mount of Olives, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” The sun in the heavens represents the Sun of Righteousness. As the sunbeams penetrate to the remotest corners of the earth, so does the light of the Sun of Righteousness shine upon every soul. . . . What God desires us to know of him is revealed in his Word and his works. The beautiful things of nature reveal his character. They are his gift to the race, to show his power and to show that he is a God of love. But no one is authorized to say that God himself in person is in flower or leaf or tree. These things are God’s handiwork, revealing his love for man. . . .

God is never to be understood by any human being. His ways and his works are past finding out. In regard to the revelation that he has made of himself in his Word, we may talk. But when it comes to talking or writing of God’s person and presence, let us say, “Thou art God, and thy ways are past finding out.” . . .

No man can explain the mysteries of God. His glory is hidden from the world. Of what value are the surmisings and speculations of men concerning his personality? . . . Creation speaks to us of the skill and power of God. In his goodness God has placed on the earth beautiful flowers and trees, wonderfully adapted to the countries and the climate in which they grow. And though sin has marred the form and beauty of the things of nature, though on them may be seen traces of the work of the prince of the power of the air, yet they still speak of God, and still reveal some of the beauty of Eden.

In the heavens above, in the earth, in the broad waters of the ocean, we can see the handiwork of God. All creation testifies of his power, his wisdom, his love. Yet not from the stars or the ocean or the cataract can we learn of the personality of God. This Christ came to reveal.

God saw that a more powerful revelation than nature was needed to portray his personality and his character. He sent his Son into the world to reveal, so far as could be endured by human sight, the nature and the attributes of the invisible God.

Christ came to reveal to a fallen race the love of God. He, the Light of the world, veiled the dazzling splendor of the brightness of his divinity, and came to live on this earth as a man among men, that they might, without being consumed, become acquainted with their Creator. No man has seen God at any time, except as he is revealed through Christ.

Worship the Lord Thy God

"And the devil said unto him, To thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them: for it hath been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship before me, it shall all be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."

“Wars and Rumors of Wars”

By L. A. S.

The close of the year 1905 finds conditions prevailing in the political, industrial, social, and religious spheres of the world's life which plainly answer to the fulfilment of inspired prophecy regarding the time of the end. Just what those looking for Christ's return have said would come to pass in the world as signs that his coming is at hand, is now seen in events and conditions that are plain to all. No one can deny that things are in a general state of unrest and instability, leaving the minds of multitudes in uncertainty and anxiety. This is especially true of political conditions in the Old World. There is seen to-day the spectacle of one monarch holding in his hand the world's peace, while statesmen look on in anxiety, fearing and even predicting that a great war is about to be precipitated. Cable dispatches state that alarm for the peace of Europe is especially felt just now in England and France, in view of the belligerent attitude of the energetic and ambitious ruler of the German empire. A London dispatch says:—

The close of the most eventful year in recent history finds European opinion inclined to regard the immediate political outlook with anxiety and apprehension. It is a pleasure to be able to sincerely disagree with the prevailing pessimism, and to record a firm belief that the scarcely disguised fears of a general war in the near future will prove unfounded. It is in England and France that political alarm is the greatest, and it finds a frank expression to-day in the usual reviews of the year in the chief journals. Thus the Times declares that the year closes “with the horizon overcast with anxiety.” The Spectator says: “It can not be pretended that the new year opens auspiciously,” and “grave apprehension as to the future is entertained in Paris, not merely by the man in the streets, but by persons of knowledge and responsibility.”

The sole cause of all this anxiety is the universal suspicion felt regarding the purposes of a single individual, whose name in England and France has become a synonym for danger to the peace of the world. And yet no man in Europe protests more insistently his love of peace than the German emperor. It is literally come to pass that Emperor William is suspected and feared most when he proclaims the loudest his peaceful purposes.

The Spectator speaks the truth when it says that many well-informed Frenchmen believe the Germans have decided to attack them, and that they will be attacked with all the suddenness and overwhelming force that modern military organization renders possible. A Paris correspondent writing to-day [December 30], after consulting the French foreign office, says:—

“France is not misled by the kaiser's private pacific utterances. Nothing has passed officially to confirm the newly developed peace views of the emperor.”

A Paris dispatch says:—

Despite the improvement in the relations of France and Germany occasioned by the submission of the Moroccan controversy to a conference, there is a distinct revival of war rumors, and a considerable element of the people and a number of journals are maintaining that war between France and Germany is inevitable. Some of these reports are taking an exaggerated form, but they all tend to stimulate the public apprehension. The Patrie publishes a report that the Bank of France has taken extraordinary precautions, similar to those adopted in 1870 before the Franco-Prussian War.

Dispatches from Belgium say the authorities there are adopting precautionary measures, anticipating that a conflict would reach Belgian soil. Specials from Switzerland report that the German reservists have been summoned, and other dispatches graphically describe the activity of French and German forces along the frontier, and their extensive works and defenses.

These reports, it is said, are the outgrowth of the recent French yellow book showing the acuteness of the Franco-German issue over Morocco and the approach of the Moroccan conference, in which the issue will be renewed.

These dispatches show the general state of uncertainty and apprehension that prevails in Europe at the opening of the new year, aside from the question whether the actual weight of evidence justifies the prediction of war.

L. A. S.

Into Fields Abroad in 1905

By W. A. S.

THE movement of workers toward mission fields outside the United States in 1905 bears witness to the fact that our borders are constantly enlarging. The cords are lengthening. It was not planned to add so heavily to the force of missionaries in 1905, as the work in mission fields had so grown that it required all the normal missionary income to sustain it. But the word is given that the Lord has set his hand to the rapid extension of the work, and by help from people and conferences ways and means were found by which Providence kept the lines moving forward. Notice the distribution over the map of the workers who went out during the year, as follows:—

Miss Ida Thomason, nurse, to South Africa, January, transportation paid by South Africa.

G. Sabeff, printer, to Brazil, February.

George Skinner and his wife, to Montreal, February, under pay of Iowa Conference.

Paul Curtis and his wife, to Alberta, northwestern Canada, March, under pay of Iowa Conference.

W. H. Anderson and his wife, after furlough, to new mission in Barotseland, Central Africa, April, accompanied by Elder Anderson's mother, who went at her own charges.

W. C. Hankins and his wife, to Amoy, China, April, under pay of Iowa Conference.

J. H. Reagan and his wife, nurses, after furlough, to Calcutta, India, April.

Dr. Law Keen and his wife, to Canton, China, June.

Mrs. H. P. Holser and Olive Holser, to Switzerland, July.

Miss Carrie Segebartt, to Argentina, South America, July.

D. C. Babcock and his wife, to Sierra Leone, West Africa, July, transferred from British Guiana.

J. J. Westrup and family, to Honan, China, July.

O. A. Olsen and his wife, to Australia, August, transferred from England.

L. A. Hoopes and family, to Australia, August.

Miss Amanda Vanscoy, to Canton, China, August, under pay of the Nebraska Conference.

John Isaac and his wife, to Germany, August.

Dr. Emma Perrine, to Japan, September.

Miss Bessie Young, nurse, to Japan, September.

Miss Jessie T. Welch, to North England, September, under pay of Iowa Conference.

C. A. Hansen and his wife, to Bombay, India, September, under pay of West Michigan Conference.

W. R. Smith and his wife, to Seoul, Korea, September, under pay of South Dakota Conference.

W. J. Tanner and family, to Hayti, September, transferred from Jamaica.

J. H. Schilling and family, to Germany, October.

E. W. Snyder, to Cuba, October, transferred from Argentina.

F. L. Perry and family, to Lima, Peru, October, under pay of South Dakota Conference.

George Casebeer and his wife, to Guayaquil, Ecuador, October, under pay of the Upper Columbia Conference.

C. H. Keslake and family, to Newfoundland, October.

Dr. U. C. Fattebert, to Mexico, October, self-supporting.

Charles Enoch and his wife, nurses, to Barbados, West Indies, self-supporting, with aid from friends in getting started.

Walter Bond and family, to Spain, November, California-Nevada Conference supporting.

L. J. Burgess and his wife, after furlough, to India, November, supported by Bible Training School campaign.

During the year the Central American field of Honduras has been visited, on their own resources, by Dr. F. E. Braucht and Brethren Bellinger and Cary, the latter remaining to engage in the book work.

From the Latin Union field, S. Jesperson and his wife have entered Algeria, Northern Africa. Distribution of help from the German Union field has been made to Russia and German East Africa. A. Pages, of Hamburg, has joined the workers in Brazil. Miss Ella McIntyre, nurse, of Egypt, has gone on to India. Brother Caldwell, of Australia, engaged in pioneer canvassing has entered the Philippine Islands, where Elder Gates joined him in November.

This list represents much new territory annexed. Every year now marks great changes and advances toward a finished work. Let us follow the workers and their work with our prayers, and stand loyally by the cause of missions in 1906. With every report of new fields entered think of that text which is our watchword, Matt. 24:14—the witness borne to every land, and “then shall the end come.” W. A. S.

The National Reform Program

By E. A. S.

It is a very plain program which the National Reform party announces as its plan for making the United States a Christian nation. The speeches made and the literature circulated at the recent convention in Allegheny, leave no one in doubt that this movement seeks the legal establishment of a definite form of religion, and has a definite policy in view with respect to dissenters from its creed. We are plainly informed that the Protestant religion, with Sunday observance as a prominent feature, is to be set up by law; that the principle of majority rule must prevail in religion as in civil affairs, and that dissenters must not be allowed to stand in opposition to the plan of the majority, but must be coerced into harmony with it, or be treated as enemies of the state.

All this is plainly contrary to the republican and Protestant principles of government upon which this nation was founded, and means the overthrow of liberty of conscience, which has been regarded as immovably fixed in both popular sentiment and the fundamental law of this land. Yet there is every prospect that this revolutionary movement will succeed. Wealth, influence, and powerful organizations are to-day in alliance with it, and it is being infused with a new life. A fatal influence is upon the minds of its leaders and adherents. They do not discern whither they are going, and whither they are leading the people. What influence can lead to so complete a departure from the once firmly established and sacredly cherished ideals of American government? We answer, Spiritualism. A great wave of spiritualism is sweeping over the world. People who have lost the old-time Christian light, faith, and love are replenishing their religious storehouses with soothsayers from the East. A teaching has come in and is spreading throughout the church which envelops Christian truth in a misty haze. A spiritualistic process of reasoning is applied to the Word of God; and the law of God and the vital truths of Christianity, even the personality of God, have been spiritualized away. Messages of truth have been coming from God to the churches, but they have been rejected, and now rebellion is becoming as the sin of witchcraft. Apostate Protestantism, clasping hands with Romanism and spiritualism, will trample upon every principle of liberty which has made this nation a light to other lands, and a new haven of refuge for the world's oppressed. E. A. S.

Important Meetings in Battle Creek

By A. G. DANIELLS

Reports that have gone out from Battle Creek about the meetings recently held with our church in that place, have led our brethren in different parts of the country to write us for an accurate statement of the facts. As such a statement will be appreciated by our people generally, it is thought best to make it through the REVIEW.

While attending the Medical Missionary Convention at College View, we received from Sister White a number of Testimonies regarding our medical missionary work, the conditions existing in Battle Creek, and the question of sending our young people to that place to secure an education. In a few days after the convention closed, we received at Washington a solemn message addressed to the Battle Creek church.

As none of the communications referred to above were private, and as they were sent with instruction to place them before our people generally, it was advised by the members of the General Conference Committee residing in Washington that Elder Irwin and the writer should go to Battle Creek and read these Testimonies to the church.

We arrived in that city Thursday morning, December 14. During the day arrangements were made to meet the church board in the evening. This board was composed of about twenty of the leading brethren in the church, and included the elders of the church. These brethren received us kindly, and after hearing from us a statement of the object of our presence among them, they arranged to have the Testimonies read, first to the board, and then to the church.

When it became known that we had important messages to read, there was an earnest desire on the part of some, and a curiosity on the part of others, to hear them. Consequently the Tabernacle was well filled at all the readings. The messages were read with little or no comment by the readers. They made a profound impression. Never in all my experience in this cause have I seen the Testimonies of the spirit of prophecy lay hold of the hearts of men and women as these did. The Spirit of God accompanied the messages, and sent deep conviction to the hearts of hundreds who

heard them. In some of the meetings there was a solemnity that could be felt by all present.

The power of God that attended these fresh messages from the servant of the Lord, was a fitting rebuke to those who are influenced by the reports that the one who writes these communications is now so old and childish and is so influenced by designing men that we can not rely upon what is written as we could at one time. Notwithstanding all the rumors put in circulation to destroy the force and authority of the Testimonies, a far greater power attends them than accompanies the words, backed by the personal influence, of those who demerit the Testimonies.

As soon as we began to read the Testimonies, many persons present came and requested personal interviews with us. These interviews revealed the fact that large numbers of our people in Battle Creek were greatly confused and perplexed concerning the Testimonies. They had heard so much about the mistakes, the contradictions, and the “human side” of the Testimonies, also the inconsistencies of the one who writes them, and the human influences used in producing them, that their confidence was greatly shaken.

We visited many, but those only who requested us to do so. The burden of our work was to answer, with the information in our possession, the damaging reports being circulated against the Testimonies. From the questions asked and the difficulties related, we could not wonder that these people who have so little acquaintance with the general facts were confused, bewildered, and shaken. It was our privilege to see many come out of the mists and fog of doubt and declare their firm confidence in the spirit of prophecy as exercised at the present time, and also their determination to obey the counsels given.

When we had been in Battle Creek a week, Sister White telegraphed us to remain until the arrival of important manuscripts just mailed.

A great congregation was present Tuesday night, December 26, to hear these messages. They so graphically described the situation just as it is beneath the surface that a number of men came forward at the close of the reading and declared these must remove the last lingering doubts from every candid mind regarding the source of such writings.

The call of these messages is to our people in Battle Creek to come out just as soon as their duties will possibly permit. The warning to our brethren out of Battle Creek is not to go there to secure their education and training for service in this cause. Many who are now there intend to heed the counsel to come away. No effort was made to stampede the people. No excitement was created. There was a careful, sober, determined decision made that will cause them to move as the providence of God opens the way.

A careful study of conditions shows that all the warnings given by the spirit of prophecy were full of meaning, and that serious evils and losses would have been avoided if the warnings had been heeded. Many of our old loyal Adventists in Battle Creek testify to this, and stand with unshaken faith in this message and in the spirit of prophecy, which has been a guide to this people for more than half a century.

A. G. DANIELLS.

Recent Visit to Battle Creek

By Geo. A. Irwin

In planning to distribute the laborers connected with the general office at Washington for the week of prayer, it was arranged for Elder Daniells and myself to spend the last four days of the meeting with the church at Battle Creek, and continue the meetings even beyond that time if the interest should warrant. The receipt at this time of some very important Testimonies addressed to the brethren in Battle Creek and the physicians in the sanitarium, one of which contained the following paragraph, seemed to make our duty plain:—

Experienced men are to go to Battle Creek to exert a strong influence to undeceive our people who have been drawn there by misrepresentations. The warning voice of our ministers must be heard in the Tabernacle, giving the trumpet a certain sound, and uplifting the banner on which is inscribed, “The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

Directly after our arrival in Battle Creek, we called together the members of the church board—eighteen in all—for counsel as to time of holding meetings, and the best methods to pursue to help the people and get the truth and messages before them in a plain and convincing way. Owing to previous arrangement to divide the church into a number of districts, in which meetings would be held each night during the week of prayer, no public meeting was held in the Tabernacle until Friday night, when all met together to listen to the reading for that day. At its conclusion the leaders of the different districts gave verbal reports of the interest taken in the meetings in their several districts. Sabbath forenoon a large audience assembled in the Tabernacle to listen to the reading which was prepared and read by Elder Daniells. The offering taken at the conclusion amounted to nearly nine hundred dollars. It had been previously announced that at half-past two o’clock on Sabbath afternoon the Testimony addressed to the Battle Creek church, and possibly one or two others, would be read. This announcement brought out a very large congregation, who listened to the reading with close attention and deep interest.

The impression made by the reading of the Testimonies made it clear to our minds that we should remain and follow up the interest by holding public meetings, and reading other communications that bore directly upon the situation. After deciding to remain, we announced public meetings each evening in the Tabernacle until Wednesday night. All of these meetings were well attended. One or more communications from Sister White were read at each of these services, and remarks were made, in a general way, explanatory of our denominational policy and form of organization, and how a disregard of these principles had brought about a wrong spirit and condition of things.

In addition to the night meetings, day meetings were held in the north vestry, where opportunity was given for honest inquirers to ask questions upon any point concerning which their minds had become confused. These question, or inquiry, meetings were both interesting and profitable, as they brought out the various reports concerning the Testimonies and the constructions and interpretations placed upon them, which were deceiving the people and causing skepticism to spring up in their minds relative to the authenticity and reliability of the Testimonies. A disbelief in, and consequent disregard of, instruction given through the Testimonies has brought not only the judgments of God upon our two principal institutions in Battle Creek, but it has blinded the minds and warped the judgment of many in positions of responsibility, so that they have been walking in sparks of their own kindling, rather than in the light of the Lord. Many of the young people, and many who are past middle life, who have been looking to these as examples, and have been deceived and were being led astray, received great help at these meetings. Scores of persons came to us with joy depicted in their countenances, saying, “We are so glad you came. We believe the Lord sent you just at this time to save us from making entire shipwreck of our faith and Christian experience by inhaling the atmosphere of doubt in which we have been living. We know now where we stand, and what we believe, thank the Lord!”

After spending these few days in Battle Creek, mingling with the people, visiting and conversing with them in their homes, and seeing with my own

eyes, and hearing with my own ears, I am sure the warnings that came in the recent Testimonies have come none too soon, nor are they overdrawn or stated in too strong language. If parents could know and feel the atmosphere of unbelief and skepticism to which they subject their children by permitting them to go to Battle Creek in its present condition, I am sure they would keep them away. I would advise parents everywhere to procure at once a copy of the recently published pamphlet of sixty-four pages, entitled, “Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers,” Series B, No. 6, and read it carefully, then act upon the advice and counsel given. Better far have your children do what they can without education and training, than to receive their training under conditions and influences that destroy their faith and confidence in the third angel’s message and the spirit of prophecy connected with it.

I left Battle Creek Thursday morning, December 21, to fill a previous appointment. Brother Daniells remained to follow up the work. Later he was joined by Brother Thompson, and at this writing they are still there. A report of their labors may be looked for later. I now go to attend the Southern Union Conference to be held at Nashville, Tenn., January 4-14.

Geo. A. Irwin.

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