Review and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 37. (9/12/1912)

Review and Herald

Sep 12, 1912

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 12, 1912

The Singing Heart

By C. DuFay Robertson

C. DuFay Robertson

There are days when the breeze makes a sigh in the trees, When the rain-drops like weary tears start; But there’s never a day can be gloomy or gray Where is one with a singing heart.

There are mortals we meet in the shop or the street, With visage as dark as the cloud; But there’s never a face without beauty and grace For the one whose own soul sings aloud.

Be the sky black or bright over valley or height, Be the day short and merry or long, There is never an hour without fragrance and flower For the man whose deep heart holds a song.

O, there’s never a spot in the wide world, I wot, In the highway, the field, or the mart, Where there is not a place for the comforting face Of the one with the singing heart! — Christian Advocate.

"Get Well," "Questions," and "Mothers'" Number

By Editor

OTHER FEATURES: "Nerves," "Healthful Cookery," "Theaters," "Cancer," "Liquor," and "Infant Feeding."

BEAUTIFUL "DUTCH WINDMILL" COVER

September Edition Exhausted by August 31

PARTIAL OCTOBER CONTENTS

Aids to Health Restoration What to do for Exhausted Nerves Milk as a Health Food Simple Methods of Infant Feeding Are Theaters Innocent? Federal Children's Bureau Mothers' Congress Poison in Soda-Water Why I Am Against Liquor Stimulants and Narcotics Alcohol and Efficiency Is Cancer Preventable? There Shall Be No Grade Crossings Treatment of Intestinal Disorders Newspapers and Patent Medicines City Christian Help Work Many Other Important Articles and Items

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HISTORY OF THE SABBATH

By Editor

REVISED AND ENLARGED

THIS splendid volume by Elder J. N. Andrews, which was so highly prized by our people during the early years of this denomination, and which was the means of persuading many to accept the Bible Sabbath, has just been reissued in its revised and enlarged form.

For several years Elder L. R. Conradi, who has had access to the large libraries in Europe, has been making a thorough research in the ancient histories with regard to the Sabbath question. The information thus gained has been carefully prepared for this book, thus adding greatly to its completeness. It is a mine of useful information on the Sabbath question.

This book treats the Sabbath question from both the Biblical and the historical standpoint. Every passage of Scripture which has any connection with the Sabbath is carefully examined. The prophecies relating to the change from the seventh to the first day of the week and the history showing how and when the change was made, combine to make the study of this important subject one of great interest and profit. The various steps by which the change was made are given in detail; also the scriptures showing that the Sabbath will finally be exalted and restored to its proper place by the people of God.

A copious index enables the reader readily to find any passage of Scripture, or the statement of any historian.

The revised edition contains over 800 pages. Standard edition, full cloth binding, $1.50 Thin paper edition, flexible leather binding, $2.50

Order of Your Conference Tract Society, or of REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION TAKOMA PARK, WASHINGTON, D. C.

The Beautiful Days of Heaven

By L. D. Santee

THEY shall dawn in their wonderful brightness, Those beautiful days of peace, When the heart shall thrill in its lightness, And weariness ever cease. Past and forever all earthly night, And the sorrow that earth has given, And hope illumines with colors bright The beautiful days of heaven.

O days that shall dawn pure and holy, In the beautiful courts above, Where the pure, the meek, and the lowly Shall bask in a Saviour's love; Where pain and weeping come never, And no heart is with anguish riven! O, forever and ever and ever, Are the beautiful days of heaven!

Sweet days, which thrill in their gladness, Like the flush of a thousand springs! There is in thy hours no sadness; But angels thy raptures shall sing, While gloom folds her pinions forever, And crowns to the white-robed are given. O, forever, forever and ever, Are the beautiful days of heaven!

Moline, Ill.

Patmos

By Ellen G. White

(Concluded)

MRS. E. G. WHITE

THE history of John affords a striking illustration of the way in which God can use aged workers. When John was exiled to the isle of Patmos, there were many who thought him to be past service, an old and broken reed, ready to fall at any time. But the Lord saw fit to use him still. Though banished from the scenes of his former labor, he did not cease to bear witness to the truth. Even in Patmos he made friends and converts. His was a message of joy, proclaiming a risen Saviour who on high was interceding for his people until he should return to take them to himself. And it was after John had grown old in the service of his Lord that he received more communications from heaven than he had received during the rest of his lifetime.

The most tender regard should be cherished for those whose life interest has been bound up with the work of God. These aged workers have stood faithful amid storm and trial. They may have infirmities, but they still possess talents that qualify them to stand in their place in God's cause. Though worn, and unable to bear the heavier burdens that younger men can and should carry, the counsel that they can give is of the highest value.

They may have made mistakes, but from their failures they have learned to avoid errors and dangers, and are they not therefore competent to give wise counsel? They have borne test and trial, and though they have lost some of their vigor, the Lord does not lay them aside. He gives them special grace and wisdom.

Those who have served their Master when the work went hard, who endured poverty, and remained faithful when there were few to stand for truth, are to be honored and respected. The Lord desires the younger laborers to gain wisdom, strength, and maturity by association with these faithful men. Let the younger men realize that in having such workers among them they are highly favored. Let them give them an honored place in their councils.

As those who have spent their lives in the service of Christ draw near to the close of their earthly ministry, they will be impressed by the Holy Spirit to recount the experiences that they have had in connection with his work. The record of his wonderful dealings with his people, of his great goodness in delivering them from trial, should be repeated to those newly come to the faith. God desires the old and tried laborers to stand in their place, doing their part to save men and women from being swept downward by the mighty current of evil. He desires them to keep the armor on till he bids them lay it down.

In the experience of the apostle John during his persecution, there is a lesson of wonderful strength and comfort for the people of God. God does not prevent the plottings of wicked men, but he causes their devices to work for good to those who in trial and conflict maintain their faith and loyalty. Often the gospel worker carries on his work amid storms of persecution, bitter opposition, and unjust reproach. At such times let him remember that the experience to be gained in the furnace of trial and affliction is worth more than all the pain it costs. Thus God brings his children near to him, that he may show them their weakness and his strength. He teaches them to lean on him. Thus he prepares them to meet emergencies, to fill positions of trust, and to accomplish the great purpose for which their powers were given them.

In all ages God's appointed witnesses have exposed themselves to reproach and persecution for the truth's sake. Joseph was maligned and persecuted because he preserved his virtue and integrity. David, the chosen messenger of God, was hunted like a beast of prey by his enemies. Daniel was cast into a den of lions because he was true to his allegiance to heaven. Job was deprived of his worldly possessions, and so afflicted in body that he was abhorred by his relatives and friends; yet he maintained his integrity. Jeremiah could not be deterred from speaking the words that God had given him to speak; and his testimony so enraged the king and princes that he was cast into a loathsome pit. Stephen was stoned because he preached Christ and him crucified. Paul was imprisoned, beaten with rods, stoned, and finally put to death because he was a faithful messenger for God to the Gentiles. And John was banished to the isle of Patmos "for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."

These examples of human steadfastness bear witness to the faithfulness of God's promises,—of his abiding presence and sustaining grace. They testify to the power of faith to withstand the powers of the world. It is the work of faith to rest in God in the darkest hour, to feel, however sorely tried and tempest tossed, that our Father is at the helm. The eye of faith alone can look beyond the things of time to estimate aright the worth of eternal riches.

Jesus does not present to his followers the hope of attaining earthly glory and riches, of living a life free from trial.

Instead, he calls upon them to follow him in the path of self-denial and reproach. He who came to redeem the world was opposed by the united forces of evil. In an unpitying confederacy, evil men and evil angels arrayed themselves against the Prince of Peace. His every word and act revealed divine compassion, yet his unlikeness to the world provoked the bitterest hostility.

So it will be with all who will live godly in Christ Jesus. Persecution and reproach await all who are imbued with the Spirit of Christ. The character of the persecution changes with the times, but the principle—the spirit that underlies it—is the same that has slain the chosen of the Lord ever since the days of Abel.

In all ages Satan has persecuted the people of God. He has tortured them and put them to death, but in dying they became conquerors. They bore witness to the power of One mightier than Satan. Wicked men may torture and kill the body, but they can not touch the life that is hid with Christ in God. They can incarcerate men and women in prison walls, but they can not bind the spirit.

Through trial and persecution the glory—the character—of God is revealed in his chosen ones. The believers in Christ, hated and persecuted by the world, are educated and disciplined in the school of Christ. On earth they walk in narrow paths; they are purified in the furnace of affliction. They follow Christ through sore conflicts; they endure self-denial, and experience bitter disappointments: but their experience teaches them the guilt and woe of sin, and they look upon it with abhorrence. Being partakers of Christ's sufferings, they can look beyond the gloom to the glory, saying, "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

Healing of the Body Through the Mind

By D. H. Kress, M. D.

D. H. KRESS, M. D.

A most intimate relation exists between the mind and the body. It is impossible for one to suffer without the other's being affected.

Derangements of the body due to wrong habits of living are often responsible for derangements of the mind, and in these cases improvement in the mental condition can not be expected until the bodily conditions are improved by the correction of wrong and injurious habits. It is also known that heart-sickness is responsible for many physical ills which can not be cured by diet or treatment alone. Remorse of conscience, dissatisfied and restless feelings, discontent, mental despondency,—all interfere with, and mar, the healthful action of the vital organs. Obstinate digestive disturbances and often more serious difficulties may be wholly or in part due to a perverse mental state. When the mind is sick, the entire body is sick. Mind-cure in such cases is the only remedy.

To the palsied man, who was conscious of having brought upon himself this bodily affliction through sin, Jesus said, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." To be healed of the palsy of the body, the palsied mind must first be restored. After this was accomplished, Christ could say, "Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house."

"A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance," and "doeth good like a medicine." When the heart is cheerful, the stomach, liver, and other organs of the body are at their best. Health of body depends upon health of mind.

A violated conscience is many times responsible for serious bodily disease. It is impossible to wrong another without sustaining an injury to the health, provided the one who does the wrong has a conscience. There is but one legitimate remedy for such. It is found in the book of James: "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." If this prescription were more literally carried out, there would be many marked cases of healing.

Feelings of despondency should not be cultivated. An effort should be made by all to look upon the bright side of life. It is important to talk health instead of disease. This was very forcibly illustrated a few years ago. In Australia, at the close of a lecture, in which I dwelt upon the need of cultivating a hopeful, cheerful disposition because of our influence upon others, one of the audience, a minister of the gospel, arose and said,

"I wish to relate my experience to emphasize what has been said by the speaker this evening. Several years ago, when editor of a paper in America, I was in poor health, and one morning especially felt very much indisposed for work. A knowledge of the many papers piled up on my desk needing attention led me to make an effort to start for my office. On the way I met a friend, who said, 'Good morning, Mr. —! you are not looking well this morning.' This almost led me to turn around and start for home, but by a renewed effort I continued on my way toward the office. I met another friend, who said, 'Mr. —! you are certainly looking poorly,' etc. This was too much for me, and I turned around and started for home. The next morning I felt worse and less inclined to go to work than on the preceding morning, but I made another effort to go to my office. On my way I was just at the point of turning around and starting for home when I chanced to meet another friend, who said, 'Good morning, Mr. —! this is a bright morning; you are looking real well.' This gave me a mental uplift, and enabled me to get to my office. I worked the entire day, and started for my home at night feeling much better." Then he turned around, and to my surprise said, "The friend who spoke these encouraging words was the lecturer of the evening." This to me had been a trivial thing, and was unconsciously done; but it meant very much to my friend. I determined that night that I should continue to carry with me a good supply of good cheer with which to greet my friends.

To live to be a blessing to others is one of the paths leading to health. Giving is living; denying is dying. "Is thy cruse of comfort failing? Rise and share it with another." It was not until Job prayed for his friends that the Lord turned his captivity, and gave him twice as much as he had before his affliction.

The prophet Isaiah, in the fifty-eighth chapter, speaks of a people who were evidently seeking health, but were self-centered. The Lord said of them, "They seek me daily." This seems commendable, but the difficulty was, they were selfish. They fasted and afflicted their souls, bowing down their heads like a bulrush, and then said, "Wherefore have we fasted . . . and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge?" The reply was, "Is it such a fast that I have chosen?" God does not encourage selfishness even in prayer. Then he added, "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?" And the promise is, when you do this, "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily." Disinterested benevolence, living to bless others, brings about a wholesome condition of mind, which in turn reacts upon the entire body, carrying healthy impulses to every organ and cell. This is a remedy for want of which many are perishing. "The liberal soul shall be made fat."

Naught but Heaven

By Worthie Harris Holden

WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN

THERE is nothing certain but heaven; But that is so sure, we know, That it anchors our cable securely While we climb from the depths below; And we forward our every treasure For safety deposit there, And enter our names for enrolment On its citizens' record fair.

There is nothing more worthy of study Than the glorious theme of the cross; It exceeds all our highest ambitions, Embracing all knowledge but dross; It inspires our noblest service 'Neath the sign of Immanuel,' Fore'er in the circle of ages Its marvelous triumph to tell.

There is nothing tranquil but heaven; So we center affections above, In storms or the heat of the desert Sustained through the might of his love. Its solace alone can deliver Mid the thickening conflict abroad, For its peace is forever a river That flows from the city of God.

Portland, Oregon.

Editorial

By Editor

Pernicious Literature

THE warning against the reading of much of the literature now in general circulation can not be made too urgent. There is no question but that such pernicious literature as dime novels, cheap story-papers, reports of murders, accounts of the uncovering of crimes by detectives, the comic picture section of newspapers, and other reading of this class is responsible for much of the crime that is committed. Says the Christian Observer of Aug. 21, 1912:—

In New York City alone during a single year the Society for the Suppression of Vice seized 63,139 pounds of obscene books, 836,096 obscene pictures, 1,577,441 circulars, songs, etc., and arrested over 200 persons for connection therewith. The names and addresses of 1,102,620 persons were seized. Dealers in this class of literature use every means to get the names of boys and young men, and the business they do is tremendous.

Parents have a right to know upon what mental food their children are feeding from day to day. Says the apostle, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." 1 Tim. 5:8. Provision for one's household involves more than merely furnishing food for the physical body. The principle stated in this scripture involves the general care of the family, and the providing for all of their needs. Many parents will have a terrible responsibility to render in the day of final accounts in that they have not fulfilled their sacred commission in safeguarding those entrusted to their watch-care.

Dear parents, what account will you be able to render to the Judge of all the earth for the children entrusted to your care? Will you be able to say in that day, "Here am I, and the children which thou hast given me"? or with confusion of face and terror of heart will you be forced to acknowledge that you have been recreant to your holy trust? This is the time for us to face these questions of parental responsibility. Will you face them bravely, and in the fear of God try to shape and mold the lives of your children for the right? If so, you can confidently depend upon God as your mighty helper.

The Presidential Election

By Editor

This present year above any of its predecessors is one of stirring activity and excitement in the political world. In the United States the contending parties have increased to some half dozen, each eagerly striving for the victory of its cause. Already more or less bitter contention has been injected into the campaign that is being carried forward. This doubtless will increase to the close of the contest. Probably not since the close of the civil war has greater interest centered in the presidential election than is felt in the one now pending.

On the part of Christians, there can be no question in any mind as to the relative value and importance of civil questions when compared with the work and truth of God. The earthly should not supplant the heavenly, nor the human be regarded paramount to the divine. God's children should be careful that the spirit of political excitement, discussion, and debate does not fill their hearts and minds to the exclusion of the Spirit of grace. Of this there is great danger. Sad indeed would it be were the temporal to supplant the eternal in the devotion and regard of the children of God.

Particularly should our workers be guarded lest by some course of conduct on their part political discussion is encouraged and partizan feeling engendered. Some may hold decided opinions regarding political issues, but it is well to consider if the expression of these opinions advances the cause of Christ or increases for good the influence of the gospel worker.

God has a work in the earth; let this ever be kept in mind. The Lord is soon coming, and the world is to be warned of its impending doom. The long battle between truth and error is soon to be consummated, and this earth and our day are to witness the final scenes, and we are participants. We stand either for or against the rule of the Prince of Peace. To stand stiffly for the right, to lift up the crucified and risen Saviour, to manifest in our lives the principles of the gospel of Christ,—this is the work of Christians to-day. And it transcends in importance every other issue which the world has ever seen.

If we realize the greatness of the work, and the dignity of our high and holy calling, the Book of God will have more attraction than the newspaper reports of political speeches and conventions. The words of God will appeal more significantly and sensibly than the words of any political orator. Prayer will not become distasteful, nor the service of God a round of lifeless, meaningless ceremony. If the trend of our political interests and alliances is to lessen our love for God or our labor for souls, then better, far better, sever such relations than to permit ourselves to be thus drawn away.

May the work and truth of God and their interests become the great central thought, the all-absorbing purpose, of every follower of Jesus. Then we may be assured that every other question will take and maintain in our consideration its proper and consistent bearing and relation.

F. M. W.

The Hand of God in History

—No. 21

Notes on Important Eras of Fulfilling Prophecy

The Era of Missions

THE spreading "to and fro" of increasing knowledge of God, by the world-wide proclamation of the gospel, was to be the characteristic feature of the latter days.

The history answers to the prophecy. The last decade of the eighteenth century, that opened "the time of the end," opened also the "era of modern missions."

In his "Hundred Years of Missions," Dr. D. L. Leonard says:—

The closing years of the eighteenth century constitute in the history of Protestant missions an epoch indeed, since they witnessed nothing less than a revolution, a renaissance, an effectual and manifold ending of the old, a substantial inauguration of the new. It was then that for the first time since the apostolic period, occurred an outburst of general missionary zeal and activity. Beginning in Great Britain, it soon spread to the Continent and across the Atlantic. It was no mere push of fervor, but a mighty tide set in, which from that day to this has been steadily rising and spreading.

Hitherto all similar undertakings had been isolated, spasmodic, and lacking in reliable support. Spurts of vigor were certain to end in fatal relapse. Except in the case of the noble Moravian work, every attempt had thus sooner or later come to failure. But from this time forward it is no more to be after this discouraging fashion. Or the fact may be stated in this way: Hitherto the churches, ministers and people together, had been indifferent to the spiritual condition of the pagan world. Whatever had been done was the achievement of some single earnest soul, or some monarch, and usually in that case politics entered largely as a directing force. Only a little circle had been aroused and moved to co-operate, while all about was a dead mass of apathy. And so, naturally, the project ended with the originator. But with Carey was ushered in a more excellent way. A few elect spirits were touched,

and from them the flame was diffused to Christians of other names in all the dissenting churches and to the great establishment as well; that is, to the most intelligent and spiritual in each.

It was the plain people, the masses, that now began to pray and give and go, not tarrying in the least for king or prelate to noise the signal. Or this form of expression will fairly well complete the setting forth of the change which now transpired, so radical and sweeping as to amount to a revolution. Here and now was the beginning of missionary organization. From henceforth as never before, emotion, desire, holy purpose, were to be incarnated in constitutions and by-laws, in memberships and anniversaries, in treasuries and systematic giving, the continual offering of littles by each one in great multitudes. And Carey's Baptist society, which originated in his brain, was the model for the scores and hundreds which followed after. Thus was ushered in the happy day of voluntary societies, organizations sustained by such as are interested in the promotion of the objects sought.

And the year of grace 1792 is annus mirabilis, the famous date from which to reckon backward and forward. Well may it stand side by side with 44 A. D., when the Holy Ghost said, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them;" or 53 A. D., when in vision Paul was bidden to lay the foundations of the gospel in Europe. Whatever has been accomplished since can be traced to forces which began to operate a hundred years ago.—Pages 69, 70.

The date 1792 (May 31) marks the famous meeting in the back parlor of Widow Wallis's cottage, in Kettering, England, when William Carey, Andrew Fuller, and a few others organized the Baptist Missionary Society, which was the pioneering and inspiring agency in the great revival.

There was a compelling power upon Carey that would not allow him to cease his importunity that the time had come to begin the work. Dr. George Smith has written:—

Even Andrew Fuller, in 1787, replied to Carey's urgency for immediate action: "If the Lord should make windows in heaven, then might this thing be." The fact, published by his contemporaries in 1793, and verified by all the history since, is thus expressed by Dr. Ryland, another unbeliever in immediate duty, like Fuller: "I believe God himself infused into the mind of Carey that solicitude for the salvation of the heathen which can not be fairly traced to any other source."—"Short History of Christian Missions," page 160.

It was not because of their numbers, or of their resources, that the members of this little band were able to start a movement that has marked an era. Unbelievers of the world and of the church scoffed hilariously at the notion of a few poor men—"a nest of consecrated cobblers," they were called—setting out to proclaim the gospel to all the world. But "the time of the end" was at hand, the fulness of time for the beginning of the work, and the living God gave power to these feeble efforts to compass the launching of a mighty world-movement.

There was something decisive done in the decade of history that held those events closing the prophetic period of papal supremacy and those marking the opening of the era of increase of knowledge. The two orders of events present striking contrasts. Mr. W. Canton, historian of the British Bible Society, says:—

In November, 1793, when the Goddess of Reason, garlanded with oak leaves, was being enthroned on the high altar of Notre Dame, William Carey, the devoted Baptist missionary, was sailing within sight of the coast of Bengal. In the following year, when Robespierre, in the ghastly coxcombry of sky-blue coat, white stockings, and gold shoe-buckles, was giving legal sanction to the "existence of the Supreme Being," and to "that consolatory principle of the immortality of the soul," Samuel Marsden, the apostle of New Zealand, had begun his labors among the convicts of Botany Bay. One scheme of Christian benevolence took form after another.—"History of the British and Foreign Bible Society," Vol. I, page 2.

The Baptist Missionary Society (1792) was followed by the London Missionary Society (1795) and the Church [of England] Missionary Society (1799). Within a few years (1810) the first American Missionary Society was formed. "This was the beginning of the missionary age," said the late Professor Warneck, of Halle, the historian of missions.

One incident illustrates the powerful revolution of sentiment wrought by the Holy Spirit as the time of God's appointment came. Scotland has led all lands in missionary fervor. But in the Scottish Church Assembly, in 1796, a proposal to go to the heathen with the gospel was met by the introduction of a resolution stating that,—

to spread abroad the knowledge of the gospel among barbarians and heathen nations seems to be highly preposterous, in so far as philosophy and learning must in the nature of things take the precedence; and that while there remains at home a single individual without the means of religious knowledge, to propagate it abroad would be improper and absurd.

Then it was, we are told, that old Dr. Erskine cried out, "Mr. Moderator, rax me that Bible!" and he read to the assembly the great commission, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Out of the incident grew the beginning of the awakening in Scotland.

So, with the predicted hour, came the missionary movement to spread increasing knowledge through all the earth. It brought revival also in the home lands. In 1797 it was written of England: "Christians in every corner of the land are meeting in a regular manner, and pouring out their souls for God's blessing on the world." From Basel, over on the Continent, German believers sent the message to England:—

It is like the dawn promising the beautiful day after the dark night. It is the beginning of a new epoch for the kingdom of God on earth. Your undertaking and its success fills our hearts with joy and our eyes with tears. . . . You call on the wise and good of every nation to take interest in the work and bear a part. Such a call was never heard of before. It was reserved for the close of the eighteenth century to be distinguished by it.—"Hundred Years of Missions," page 91. W. A. S.

(To be concluded)

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