Review and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 20. (5/20/1909)

Review and Herald

May 20, 1909

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 20, 1909

To-day!

Lord, give me strength, I pray, To live my life this day; To live it right, With all my might, Without mistake, And for Thy sake.

And if the day be drear, Keep Thou me near, To hear Thy voice, And thus rejoice That I am Thine, And Thou art mine.

So when my day is done, Then to my Home I come; In Thee my trust, For Thou art just; With me Thou art, And ne'er will part.

— Selected.

The June Number of “Life and Health” Now Ready

By Editor

“The best number of Life and Health you have issued,” said Brother W. A. Spicer, secretary of the General Conference, when he saw it. And that is what every one says who has seen the June number, now ready for delivery.

The increasing popularity of this national magazine is shown by the fact that the entire May edition (40,000 copies) was exhausted May 6. Of the June number we have just printed 50,000 copies as the first edition. We anticipate that there will be a call for not less than 75,000 copies of this beautiful and useful number.

FACSIMILE OF COVER PAGE. ORIGINAL PRINTED IN TWO COLORS

The cover design, a restful nature scene photographed from life, is, if anything, even more beautiful than the much-talked-of May design. This cover, of itself, will make this number a very rapid seller.

Contents of June Number

Illustrations.— Over twenty full-page and smaller photo-reproductions illuminate the text of the articles.

General Articles.— Garden Reveries, by R. O. Eastman — Is Germ-Free Milk Always Safe for Use? by D. H. Kress, M. D. — Home Treatment and Education of the Tuberculosis Patient, by Eugenia M. Bray — Beneficial Orders and Tuberculosis, by John E. White, M. D. — The Physical Side of the Alcoholic Problem, by T. D. Crothers, M. D. — Causes of Autointoxication, by J. R. Leadsworth, M. D. — Nervous Diseases Caused by Improper Home Training, by A. J. Hetherington, M. D. — A Home Vacation; How to Keep Comfortable in Warm Weather, by D. H. Kress, M. D. — Shall We Have Foods Free From Poison? by Paul Pierce.

Rational Treatment in the Home.— Home Treatments for Common Diseases, No. 4 — Shall We Send for the Doctor? — Abdominal Pain — Relief of Colic — Chest Pain — Pneumonia — Taking the Temperature and Pulse — Significance of Swollen Feet and Ankles. Cough, Loss of Weight, Rashes and Eruptions and Dangerous Throat Symptoms, by W. A. George, M. D.

Healthful Cookery.— Cooking Lessons, No. 5 — Healthful Desserts — Cake Making (five illustrations), Cookies, Etc., by George E. Cornforth.

Current Comment.— Walking — Rabies Prevalent — Vicious Reading for the Young.

Abstracts.— Lactic Acid as an Agent to Reduce Intestinal Putrefaction — Food Intoxication in Infancy — Relation of Mouth Infection to Abdominal Disease — Poisoning by Egg.

The Medical Forum.— Proprietary “Friendly Germs;” Are They of Real Value? — Lactacid Milk for Children — What Is Success?

The Medical Missionary at Work.— From Washington, D. C., to Mussoorie, India, by Edith Bruce — The New England Sanitarium, by M. Estella Houser, M. D.

Editorial.— The Medical Practise Acts — The Vivisection Question Again — An International Opium Conference — Study of Drug Narcotics — Thirteen — Sea Water in Tuberculosis and Other Diseases.

Chats With Our Readers.— An Unsolicited Testimonial (two illustrations).

News Notes.— International Congress on Hygiene — What Is Sausage? — Fake Opium Cures — A New Cure for Tuberculosis — Opium Importation Regulated by Law — Inflammations — The North Carolina Liquor Decision — State Dispensary Work — Outdoor Sleeping for Asthma — Sour Milk for Typhoid Carriers — Good Roads Congress — Progress in the Medical Sciences — Diphtheria Spread by School-Books — Movement to Prevent Blindness — Bleached Flour Dangerous — Posture for Tuberculosis Patients — and twelve other interesting items.

You Can Sell the June Number

Any one of the “General Articles” is well worth ten cents, the price of the magazine. Note especially the two illustrated articles on the “Home Treatment and Education of the Tuberculosis Patient” and “Beneficial Orders and Tuberculosis.” Also No. 4 of that excellent series of articles on “Home Treatments for Common Diseases;” and the department of “Healthful Cookery.”

Send five cents for sample copy. If just beginning the work, ask for leaflet, “How to Sell Our Magazines.” If you desire to earn a year’s schooling, ask for leaflet, “How to Earn a Scholarship.”

Address Your Tract Society

If at all possible, please order your magazines through, and arrange for territory with, your State tract society.

If you must order direct, send cash with order. Try 25 copies for $1.

Prices

Single copies, 10 cents; 5 to 20 copies, 5 cents each; 25 to 400 copies, 4 cents; 500 to 800 copies, 3½ cents; 1,000 or more, 3 cents.

In applying for agency, kindly send a written recommendation from your pastor, teacher, banker, tract society, or leading business firm of your town. Address your tract society, or Life and Health, Takoma Park, Washington, and D. C.

THE WORK

— AND — THE WORKERS

IT will be well for you to order your supply of the June Life and Health at once, as the first edition of 50,000 copies will soon be gone.

ONE of our college students has set two weeks as the time required to earn his next year's scholarship through magazine sales. Last summer he sold more than the number required for a year's schooling, in about three weeks.

DURING the week ending May 12, Messrs. A. Sherman, F. L. Black, R. Immonen, and Samuel Paul disposed of 1,000 copies of Life and Health in the city of Baltimore, Md. They also sold over 1,000 copies of the Signs of the Times Monthly.

THE following students recently left South Lancaster (Mass.) Academy to earn scholarships through the sale of our ten-cent magazines: Cora Bowers, Helen Rice, Dorena Bailey, E. R. Cheeney, Harvey Elder, Mrs. Fannie E. Hamblin, Grace Hirst, Arthur Jean, May Johnson, Ruth Mersereau, Sidney Norton, Mrs. H. O. Stagg, Matilda Thayler, Henry Tiney, Lillian Weller, and Rachel Wendell. A number of others will also enter the field.

ELDER J. O. CORLISS recently secured 1,120 yearly subscriptions for Liberty at four general meetings in Northern California. He induced 112 persons to pay $1.50 for ten yearly subscriptions for themselves and their friends. A very simple plan, and a good one! Ten copies or more, one year, to one address or to separate addresses, cash with order, cost only 15 cents each. The leading citizens of your State and town should have this valuable magazine for a year.

A PENNSYLVANIA hardware dealer recently sent us a check for $5.10 to pay for thirty-four yearly subscriptions for our new quarterly, the Protestant Magazine. Remember that during May and June subscriptions will be received as follows: Five or more copies, one year (in one order), to one address or to separate addresses, cash with order, only 15 cents each. Some send in as high as twenty to one hundred names and addresses of their friends or prominent persons, at one time.

A SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., gentleman, not of our faith, writes us the following interesting note: “Some time ago, when coming out of a bank down-town, I was accosted by a lady who had a lot of copies of Liberty for sale, and I bought one. The contents of this quarterly respond to my views on religion, and especially on the ever-present tendency of the church to meddle in the affairs of state for the sake of gaining power rather than for the purity of government. Enclosed you will find money-order for twenty-five cents for a year's subscription, beginning with the second quarter of this year.” Truly our magazines are doing a great work. Send $1 for twenty-five copies of this interesting number to sell to your townspeople. Ask for special rates on 500 to 1,000 copies.

The Opening of the General Conference

By F. M. W.

MORE than three hundred earnest, God-fearing men and women representing a world-wide gospel message—this constitutes the personnel of the thirty-seventh session of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The delegates have come from every land and clime. They represent the millions of Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the islands of the sea. The occasion of their meeting is not one of personal moment or selfish interest. For this they would not have entailed the heavy expense and numerous inconveniences in their journeyings by land and sea. That they may exchange ideas and experiences and plan and counsel for the promotion of the message of truth in all lands is the great purpose for which they are met together. One purpose possesses every heart, one desire is paramount in the minds of all, to make this conference a potent and effective means for the speedy accomplishment of this closing work.

Together with the regular delegates, a large number of brethren and sisters are attending the meeting, so that altogether upward of one thousand believers were present at the opening service. Representing as they do many parts of the field, the presence of these believers indicates the deep and wide-spread interest felt in this important Conference.

The session opened auspiciously. Nature appeared in her happiest mood. The weather conditions were ideal. The large pavilion is pitched on the Seminary campus. The green lawns, the shady trees swaying in a gentle breeze, the merry songs of birds, the sunlight glinting through the leaves,—all presented a beautiful picture of peace, and served to create an atmosphere inviting communion with the Prince of peace and a nearer approach to the God of nature. And as the large congregation, at the opening service, united in singing, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,” they seemed but to voice the universal note of praise—ascending to God from both his animate and inanimate creation.

A special feature of the first few days has been the reports of the president and secretary, and of others representing important fields and departments, showing the wonderful progress of the work during the last four years. This has led many to thank God for what he has wrought in behalf of his own work in the earth. This Conference appears to be free from all that borders on the fanciful or sentimental in religion, but an earnest spirit of devotion is apparent. This is seen in the addresses given, the supplications and prayers presented, and in the testimonies in the early morning meetings. With all there appears to be a longing for a greater measure of spiritual power and godliness, a Spirit-filled preparation for the loud cry of the closing message.

This Conference is confronted with many questions of far-reaching importance. The determination of these questions will require great wisdom and wise counsel. As never before these representatives of this great world-wide movement will need divine wisdom for their solemn responsibilities. That they may be thus endowed, and that this session of the General Conference may mark the beginning of a great forward movement in the speedy completion of the work of the third angel’s message, should be the prayer of every believer. F. M. W.

A Lesson From History

THOSE who are substituting civilization for evangelization, and who are so interpreting the supernatural religion of the Bible as to make it wholly natural, ought to learn some of the lessons which history teaches. If there is one fact above another which stands out clearly in the records of the past, it is that mere environment and a high grade of civilization have been wholly powerless to save men from the evil of their own hearts. To reject the supernatural in Christianity, and to rely upon self-effort as the means of developing character, will bring back the morals of paganism.

These truths have been recognized by some of the best thinkers, and the case has been well stated by Dr. John Lord in his lecture on “Religious Faith.” Dr. Lord thus comments upon the conditions in the time of Abraham:—

There was even then, however, a remarkable material civilization, especially in Egypt, Palestine, and Babylon; for some of the pyramids had been built, the use of metals, of weights and measures, and of textile fabrics was known. There were also cities and fortresses, corn fields and vineyards, agricultural implements and weapons of war, commerce and arts, musical instruments, golden vessels, ornaments for the person, purple dyes, spices, hand-made pottery, stone-engravings, sun-dials, and glasswork, and even the use of letters,

or something similar, possibly transmitted from the antediluvian civilization. Even the art of printing was almost discovered, as we may infer from the stamping of letters on tiles.

With all this material progress, however, there had been a steady decline in spiritual religion as well as in morals,—from which fact we infer that men, if left to themselves, whatever truth they may receive from ancestors, will, without supernatural influences, constantly decline in those virtues on which the strength of man is built, and without which the proudest triumphs of the intellect avail nothing. The grandest civilization, in its material aspects, may coexist with the utmost debasement of morals,—as seen among the Greeks and Romans, and in the wicked capitals of modern Europe. “There is no God!” or “Let there be no God!” has been the cry in all ages of the world, whenever and wherever an impious pride or a low morality has defied or silenced conscience.

Tell me, ye rationalists and agnostics! with your pagan sympathies, what mean ye by laws of development, and by the necessary progress of the human race, except in the triumphs of that kind of knowledge which is entirely disconnected with virtue, and which has proved powerless to prevent the decline and fall of nations? Why did not art, science, philosophy, and literature save the most lauded nations of the ancient world? Why so rapid a degeneracy among people favored not only with a primitive revelation, but by splendid triumphs of reason and knowledge? Why did gross superstition so speedily obscure the intellect, and infamous vices so soon undermine the moral health, if man can elevate himself by his unaided strength? Why did error seemingly prove as vital as truth in all the varied forms of civilization in the ancient world? Why did even tradition fail to keep alive the knowledge of God, at least among the people?

Editorial

By Editor

It is not possible in this world that we should know all of God or his purposes. There is much that we can not understand even of temporal things, to say nothing of the things eternal. Eternity itself will be required to reveal to us the deep and unfathomable plans and purposes of the Infinite. Our search after knowledge here is limited by human frailty, but in the world to come limitless life and every befitting advantage in unexampled degree will be afforded our efforts. Christ and his angels will be our instructors, and the character and works of the Creator our text-book.

Rest in God

IT is the privilege of the Christian to rest in God. His invitation is, “Come unto me, . . . and I will give you rest.” This rest is the result of trust and confidence. When the child can believe with all his heart that the Father knows best, and in the darkness as well as in the light, will commit to him the working out of every perplexity, then it is that he may experience the state of rest in God, the joy and peace which come in believing. Many never come to know the peace which passeth understanding because they carry their own burdens, and continually battle with their own worries. “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.” To the humble, trusting one he will give “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.”

Unwarranted Domination

One of the departments of the papal court at Rome is called the “Congregation of the Index.” It is the business of that department to examine all books or other publications that are suspected of teaching heresy, and decide whether they are heretical or not. If found heretical, they are placed on the “Index Expurgatorius,” and thereafter to read such works is regarded as an offense against the church and against God. In the time of Pope Paul V, who styled himself “Vice-god upon Earth, the Monarch of Christendom, and the Supporter of Papal Omnipotence,” the writings of the astronomer Galileo were placed on the “Index” because Galileo taught that the earth rotated upon its axis. The teaching of the Catholic Church at that time was that the earth was stationary, and that the sun revolved around the earth. As it would never do to have the teachings of an “infallible church” contradicted, Galileo’s works were treated as above mentioned, and he himself imprisoned for publishing them. As an infallible, unerring church can not reverse itself, Galileo’s works are still on the “Index,” and the Catholic who reads them braves the anathemas of his church. Nevertheless, the world still turns upon its axis, and the obstinate sun still refuses to go around the earth.

What befell Galileo’s works has befallen those of many another since. The “Index Expurgatorius” contains a very long list of works whose influence the Church of Rome has felt herself unable to counteract by a mere exposition of their fallacies. The works that have done most to liberate the minds and consciences of men from thralldom have been those that found their way to the “Index.” It has ever proved a tempting weapon to an intolerant church. Nevertheless, there have always been some who have braved its terrors, and in spite of its repressive influence some have dared to shake off the habiliments of idolatry and superstition, and come straight to the throne of grace for pardon and blessing.

True Christians have never believed that the kingdom of God was dependent for its maintenance and advancement upon the completeness of the boycott which it was able to maintain against those who opposed it by voice and pen. In taking the position it did, the Roman Church assumed to itself a veritable sovereignty over the minds and consciences of men.

The true church of Christ has no need to jingle the chains of mental and spiritual imprisonment. Divine truth is all powerful and will prevail, and the divine Author of truth has left the mind free. He has commissioned no men nor organization to enthral it. The boycotting of books is a childish, undignified, and unauthorized weapon. The truth has thrived in spite of it, and always will. It did not stop the rotation of the earth nor the belief of men in that great fact. Error thrives under it, and truth has never been made the truer by its interposition. It needs hardly be said that the system of ethics, morals, or religion that needs such a support has a foundation too human to endure. In the truth of God there is freedom, not bondage, not subserving of mind or conscience to human control. Said Jesus: “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8: 32. C. M. S.

An Improbable Probability

By F. M. W.

THE advocates of error are often driven to illogical reasoning and strange conclusions in their efforts to defend unscriptural teaching. Especially is this true in the defense made for first-day observance. Unable to find Bible proof that Sunday was set apart for sacred use, many speculative theories are brought forth to make up the lack.

Commenting on the “Lord’s Day,” the Christian Endeavor topic for April 18, the Christian Herald speaks truly of the recognition given the weekly period and the special regard in which the seventh day was held even by the heathen nations of antiquity:—

The Egyptians divided their year into weeks of seven days each, calling the seventh the “day of Chronos;” and even among the Romans there are traces of a special regard for the seventh day. The heathen world very generally separated the year into weeks with some regard for the seventh day.

The Herald then seeks to account for the change of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week on this purely imaginative hypothesis:—

Probably, after the death of Christ, and his resurrection upon the first day of the week, that day was always observed by the disciples as the sabbath. The Jewish spirit dominated the part of the country where they lived. It was almost inevitable that they should make the day most hallowed to them into a sort of imitation of the Jewish sabbath, and apply to it the great commandment regulating that day.

That the disciples did any such thing is not only a very improbable probability, but entirely contrary to the facts in the case, as evidenced by the spirit and letter of all Bible teaching. Christ, throughout his earthly ministry, by both precept and example, showed his great regard for the Sabbath of the Lord, the seventh day of the week. He kept it himself, and enjoined its proper observance on others. He made no suggestion of a change in the day of its observance after his death. Matt. 12: 1-12; Luke 4: 16, etc. This spirit of Sabbath regard had taken fast hold of the disciples, and led them, after the death of their Master, to defer the anointing of his body, that they might observe the Sabbath “according to the commandment” (Luke 23: 56), thereby keeping the day enjoined by the commandment. On the first day of the week they went to the tomb to perform a service which their conscientious regard for holy time would not permit them to do on the seventh day. Luke 24: 1. In all their subsequent experience and teaching we do not find one suggestion of regard for the first day of the week as a Sabbath day. The apostle Paul, years after the resurrection, manifested the same regard for the Sabbath of the commandment, not only in that he used it as a day of worship in his labor for the Jews, but in his public work for the Gentiles as well. Acts 17: 1-3; 18: 4, 11; 13: 42-44. True, as the Herald says, the disciples did “make the day most hallowed to them into a sort of imitation of the Jewish sabbath, and apply to it the great commandment regulating that day,” but the hallowed day to them was the seventh day of the week, and not the first day. F. M. W.

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