Review and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 21. (4/27/1916)

Review and Herald

Apr 27, 1916

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 27, 1916

Starved into the Work

Less than a year ago the REVIEW received a letter from a brother who was blessed with a large family and harassed with many expenses. But after carefully studying all the circumstances associated with his affairs, he was constrained to admit that his embarrassing situation was providential. He believed the Lord was starving him into the work of giving the message. Those in charge of the REVIEW believed his conclusions were well founded, and wrote him the following letter:—

“We have thought carefully upon your statement concerning your being ‘starved into the work.’ If that is what the Lord is working out in your case, you may be sure you are not the only believer who has been in this way yoked up with the workers in giving the message. We have remembrance of a large number of our members who have been thus dealt with by the Lord. We say ‘by the Lord,’ because everything connected with these other cases indicated that the circumstances clustering about these individuals were providential. There could not have been any other overruling power.

“We sincerely hope you will not be hard to starve into a good work like giving the message for this day and age. In reality, every Seventh-day Adventist ought to be, in some way, connected with the work of the message. We have quite a large number of avenues through which our members can work at the present time, and when all others are closed, one of the very best is always open. That is the preaching of the message in the most effective way possible through the circulation of our literature. While this method, we admit, does not have so many attractions as other lines of work, neither are the best efforts of men put forth in this world surrounded by the flowers of life.

“Some of the best and most important work men are called to do in the world requires the individual undertaking it to pass over mountains, through hedges of thorns and meadows of thistles. It is not always by the rose-lined paths of life that the greatest opportunities lie. If we will remember this, and will lay our hands upon the first thing that comes to us, we shall be following the opening providences of the Almighty, who will finally settle our destinies, choose our vocations unerringly, and place us where we are best fitted to accomplish the greatest amount of good.

“We hope that you will surrender easily, and that you will soon find yourself in the work—in the place selected by Him who makes no errors in connection with the placing of a laborer.”

Under date of April 9, 1916, the REVIEW received a letter from this brother, in which he stated that through the reading of the REVIEW he found the help that enabled him to quit farming and enter the colporteur work. He is not starving now, physically, mentally, or spiritually. He is prospering, and is helping lead others who are having a hard time to get along, to cast about for evidences of providential guidance.

The REVIEW may be as valuable to all our members as it was and is to this one whom it encouraged to enter the work. It will be worth to the conference all the time and effort bestowed upon it. A laborer visiting a church may devote an entire meeting to getting the REVIEW in the homes of all the members of that church, and for that one hour’s time the REVIEW pays back fifty-two weeks of hours in continuous, effective work for each member of the church. Through the REVIEW the workers of a conference may multiply their personal efforts by the number of members in their conferences.

Twenty Years in a Tool Chest

Some of the most interesting, thrilling, and clearly providential instances are to be found in the experiences of some of our people when they were seeking for a fuller knowledge of God and his special message for this time.

We quote briefly from a letter just received, which illustrates how the Lord hides away his message until those for whom he has hidden it are ready for it, and how he then brings it to them. In this instance the Lord used the REVIEW to bring a knowledge of the truth to one family, and afterward used it again in reclaiming the same persons from discouragement. The REVIEW, in a much larger field, is still working in the same way.

“In 1876 my husband took up a claim in Minnesota. The first year we had but little to read except our Bible, and that was a new book to us before spring. We were ready for the truth then. We talked to our neighbors of what we had read in the Bible, and one woman said we talked like her husband's sister back in Illinois, and told us there was a paper in the bottom of her husband's tool chest which had lain there for twenty years, and asked us if we would like to see it. She said they had not read it, but that his sister sent it over twenty years before. It was the REVIEW.

“We wrote at once to see if the paper was still published. Our letter followed Brother White to Battle Creek, Mich. He sent us enough papers, books, and tracts to establish us in the truth. We kept the next Sabbath. We told the truth everywhere, and others saw it; but the church people asked us to withdraw from the church, but we would not, so they expelled us, saying it was not because we were not Christians, for they expected to meet us in heaven, but if we were allowed to remain we would break up the church. We went back to Michigan to tell our own people the good news, but we did not forget our friends in Minnesota.

“We have had the REVIEW ever since, excepting one year. I was sick and discouraged and let it drop, but a dear sister did not forget me; she sent me her REVIEW. I was reading one she sent me containing one of Brother Thompson's articles on the work of the Holy Spirit, and again the dear REVIEW brought the light of truth to me. What could we do without it! I live eleven miles from the nearest church, eight miles from the nearest Adventist, but I know a number who do not have the REVIEW, and they are mostly sisters whose husbands are not interested. I take nine of our good papers, and the most of them are sent out as soon as read. I am sixty-nine years old. I can't do much, but, thank God, this message is not dependent upon our poor efforts. Praise God for the REVIEW, which to me is next to the Bible and the Testimonies. It is dear to me, and I will do what I can to place it in the families of our dear people who do not take it.

“Yours in the blessed truth, “Mrs. L. J. VAN DOREN.”

The World is Sick

WHEREVER men dwell, thousands and thousands are suffering from all manner of disease. Sorrow, discouragement, and death have increased, until it is admitted the world is sick. This condition is the result of the transgression of the laws of life. To remedy this situation it is necessary to educate the people back into harmony with nature’s laws.

The health department of our work is “the right hand” of our special gospel message—“the entering wedge” for the complete work. Far too many are forgetting to use “the right hand” and “the entering wedge” in their attempt for the betterment of humanity. They are trying to heal the surface of the wound without removing the cause of the trouble. Being at variance with the laws of life, the people will have to be taught how to conform to these laws. Is there a way to do this? Have we a method and means by which a work of this kind can be done? We have an excellent way. We have a method of work that brings most gratifying results, and supports those who operate it. The way is “Life and Health;” the method, its circulation.

The world is sick, and in great need of the remedies we have; and we have the way and the means by which these can be supplied; shall we not merit great condemnation if through lack of discernment of our personal opportunity and exalted privilege, we fail to do what we can to help?

The Time of the End

By W. A. S.

“Thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Dan. 12: 4.

Thus the words of the angel, spoken nearly two thousand five hundred years ago, announced the opening of a new era of enlightenment when the latter days should come.

1. The Time

With the ending of the long period of the predicted tribulation of the church—the twelve hundred and sixty years of Daniel’s prophecy—the world entered upon this era of the time of the end:—

“They shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. . . . And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.” Dan. 11: 33-35.

In practically every outline of prophecy touching this time, the events of the last days are represented as following on after the ending of the prophetic period of the church’s tribulation. Christ’s prophecy of Matthew 24 so declares. Our Saviour showed that this period of tribulation would be shortened, “for the elect’s sake,” and that “immediately after the tribulation of those days” the signs of the end would begin to appear.

Thus, while the full period of the twelve hundred and sixty years ended amid the scenes of the French Revolution, which gave the papal power a deadly wound in the last decade of the eighteenth century, the shortening of the days of tribulation had begun even earlier to spread increasing knowledge and enlightenment over the earth.

2. The Prophecy Unsealed

The angel’s words to Daniel were,—“Shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Dan. 12: 4.

“The words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” Verse 9.

We are told that the Hebrew phrase indicates a “searching” to and fro, in the sealed book. The angel’s word therefore means that as the time of the end came, men would be impelled to search diligently for light in the prophetic word. Events taking place in fulfilment of the prophecy would be recognized, and with the coming of the time there would come the opening up, or unsealing, of the prophetic scriptures with their message for men in the last days.

As time drew near, Bible students were led more and more to search the word of prophecy. Sir Isaac Newton, called “the greatest of philosophers,” wrote of prophetic study:—

“The giving ear to the prophets is a fundamental character of the true church. For God has so ordered the prophecies that in the latter days the wise may understand, but the wicked shall do wickedly, and none of the wicked shall understand. Dan. 12: 9, 10.”—Observations on the Prophecies of Daniel, part 1, chap. 1 (London, 1733).

Again, this man who had delved so deeply into the laws of nature, but who bowed his heart in childlike faith to listen to the voice of Inspiration, declared his hope that the time of the end was near at hand in his day (he died in 1727). Of this prophecy of the unsealing of the book he wrote:—

“’Tis therefore a part of this prophecy, that it should not be understood before the last age of the world; and therefore it makes for the credit of the prophecy that it is not yet understood. But if the last age, the age of opening these things, be now approaching, as by the great successes of late interpreters it seems to be, we have more encouragement than ever to look into these things. If the general preaching of the gospel be approaching, it is to us and to our posterity that those words mainly belong: In the time of the end the wise shall understand, but none of the wicked shall understand. . . . ‘Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.’”—Observations on the Apocalypse, chap. 1 (London, 1733).

True to the word of the angel, the events of the ending of the twelve hundred and sixty years of papal supremacy, amid the scenes of the French Revolution, drew the attention of Bible students everywhere. It was seen that prophecy was being fulfilled before men’s eyes. It gave great impetus to the study of the prophetic scriptures. The great historic prophecies began to be opened up—unsealed—to the understanding. An English historian of that period, John Adolphus, though writing a secular history, remarks upon this awakening interest in prophetic study:—

“The downfall of the papal government [in 1798], by whatever means effected, excited perhaps less sympathy than that of any other in Europe: the errors, the oppressions, the tyranny of Rome over the whole Christian world, were remembered with bitterness; many rejoiced, through religious antipathy, in the overthrow of a church which they considered as idolatrous, though attended with the immediate triumph of infidelity; and many saw in these events the accomplishment of prophecies, and the exhibition of signs promised in the most mystical parts of the Holy Scriptures.”—History of France from 1790 to 1802, Vol. II, p. 379 (London, 1803).

From those times of fulfilling prophecy, there arose a distinct movement, reviving the teaching of the doctrine of Christ’s second coming, and directly preparing the way for the advent movement that was to come with the days of 1844, when yet fuller light was to break forth from the unsealed prophecies of the book of Daniel. Of the angel that symbolizes the special gospel work for these last days it is written, “He had in his hand a little book open.” Rev. 10: 2. The “time of the end” came, and with it has come the opening of the sealed book. The “sure word of prophecy” speaks its message full and clear to the ears of all mankind today.

3. Increase of Knowledge

“Many shall run to and fro,” the prophecy said, “and knowledge shall be increased.” It is knowledge of the prophecy and of the things of God that is primarily the topic; but the era that we are discussing has been one of general enlightenment and extension of knowledge. “The entrance of thy words giveth light,” says the psalmist: and when the Reformation of the sixteenth century broke the bands of age-long superstition and error, and set free the Word of God, the way was preparing for the coming of this wonderful era of the diffusion of knowledge. The famous and learned Francis Bacon, who died in 1626, felt in his day that the time

spoken of by Daniel’s prophecy was drawing near. He wrote:—

“Nor should the prophecy of Daniel be forgotten, touching the last ages of the world: ‘Many shall go to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased;’ clearly intimating that the thorough passage of the world (which now by so many distant voyages seems to be accomplished, or in course of accomplishment), and the advancement of the sciences, are destined by fate, that is, by divine Providence, to meet in the same age.”—Novum Organum, book I, xciii. (Bacon’s Works, Spedding and Ellis, Vol. IV, p. 92.)

When the time of the prophecy fully came, with the last decade of the eighteenth century, there was witnessed the upspringing of movements that have wrought mightily for the enlightenment and evangelization of the world. As the events of the French Revolution announced the closing of the long era of papal supremacy, so also another series of events at the same time announced the opening of the era of increasing knowledge. Speaking of these developments, Lorimer, a Scottish writer, said:—

“At the very time when Satan is hoping for, and the timid are fearing, an utter overturn of true religion, there is a revival, and the gospel expands its wings and prepares for a new flight. It is worthy of remembrance that the year 1792, the very year of the French Revolution, was also the year when the Baptist Missionary Society was formed, a society which was followed during the succeeding, and they the worst, years of the Revolution, with new societies of unwonted energy and union, all aiming, and aiming successfully, at the propagation of the gospel of Christ, both at home and abroad. What withering contempt did the great Head of the church thus pour upon the schemes of infidels! And how did he arouse the careless and instruct his own people, by alarming providences, at a season when they greatly needed such a stimulus.”—Historical Sketches of the Protestant Church in France, p. 522.

Another writer, Dr. D. L. Leonard, historian of the century of missions, 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.”—Hundred Years of Missions, p. 69.

The time of the prophecy had come, and the hand of providence was bringing into being agencies for spreading light and knowledge over all lands.

The organization of foreign missionary enterprise was quickly accompanied by the establishment of Bible societies for a systematic work of translating and world-wide distribution of the Scriptures. In 1804 the British and Foreign Bible Society was organized. Students of the prophetic word felt at the time that these agencies were coming in fulfilment of the prophecy. One writer of those times said:—

“The stupendous endeavors of one gigantic community to convey the Scriptures in every language to every part of the globe may well deserve to be considered as an eminent sign even of these eventful times. Unless I be much mistaken, such endeavors are preparatory to the final grand diffusion of Christianity, which is the theme of so many inspired prophets, and which cannot be very far distant in the present day.”—G. S. Faber, D. D., Dissertation on the Prophecies, Vol. II, p. 406 (1844).

Now the Word of God, in whole or in part, is speaking in more than five hundred languages, and it is estimated that these tongues, at least in their spoken form, can make the divine message comprehensible to ninety-five per cent of the inhabitants of the earth.

The work of modern missions, that had its birth as the time of the end came, is one of the great world-factors today. Nearly thirty million dollars a year are given for Protestant missions, and a force of over twenty-five thousand foreign missionaries are in the fields, not counting the many thousands of native missionaries and helpers. Truly the time of the end is proving to be an era of increasing light and knowledge.

W. A. S.

(To be concluded)

Signs in the Religious World

By L. L. C.

Signs of Christ’s Coming — No. 8

Signs in the Religious World

It is very proper that in bringing to a close this series of studies on the signs of Christ’s coming, we consider the signs in the religious world. The apostle Peter tells us:—

“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” 2 Peter 3: 3-7.

It is scarcely necessary to say that we see this fulfilled all about us. There are many who question the destruction of the world by the flood, whom it is impossible to convince that the world will ever be destroyed by fire at Christ’s second coming, yet this is the plain teaching of the scripture which says,—

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 2 Peter 3: 10-13.

Another sign in the religious world is pointed out in 2 Tim. 3: 1-5, which says:—

“In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, . . . having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”

Two years ago there was published in the Lutheran of Feb. 19, 1914, a Lenten message to the Lutheran churches by the presidents of the synods and the president of the general conference of that denomination, which clearly states the fulfilment of the prophecy. From this we quote:—

“We must confess, as pastors and people, that we are exposed to the danger of worldliness. We are living in an age of material prosperity and progress such as history knows not of. Men have become intoxicated with the glare and glitter of wealth, and stand aghast before the babel of human achievement in the world of industry and science. This has bred a spirit of self-sufficiency and smothered the spirit of dependence upon God. The worship of God has given way to the worship of man. This spirit has powerfully influenced the life of the church. Both pastors and people are in danger of being conformed to the fashion of this world. Pride is taking the place of self-denial, indulgence the place of discipline, and Belial the place of Christ. There is no clear line of demarcation between many professed followers of Christ and pure worldlings. The church is being tempted to make an alliance between God and mammon, and her members have ceased to be a ‘peculiar people.’ Social customs and standards destructive of spiritual life are adopted or patterned after, and soul-destroying pleasures are eating like a canker into the vitals of the Christian life. The church often seems more concerned to please men than to save them, and is adopting the spirit and ways of the world. It is a compromising rather than a conquering church. The scriptures are being betrayed and the gospel surrendered in the very citadels where the bulwarks are supposed to be thrown around them. Like a weak and foolish Samson, the church is toying with Delilah, and its strength is passing from it.”

Yet in these very days when many have the form of godliness, but deny the power thereof, a great increase has been seen in the study of the Bible. Large Bible conferences have been held in various places. Many have run to and fro, and a knowledge of the Scriptures

has been increased.

The study of prophecy has especially engaged the attention of many people. As Dr. Isaak da Costa says,—

“Among the many and manifold signs is one of the most remarkable indeed, that in our day more than ever hearts feel drawn to the study of the prophetic books. Never was the attention of Christians everywhere so directed to the study of unfulfilled prophecies as now. This interest, this searching, characterized an entirely new epoch in church history, the beginning of which can be placed at the end of the eighteenth century, and the increasing development of which one especially notices in the nineteenth. It synchronizes with the ‘period of revolution’ in secular history.”—“Israel u. d. Voelker,” p. 8.

The last century has also been marked by a great increase in the missionary activities of the Christian world. This is in accord with the prophetic statement of Christ, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” It is very striking indeed that in this very generation in which the other signs to which we have referred are being fulfilled, the motto displayed at almost every national and international convention of Christian people is, “The gospel to the world in this generation.”

The special message of warning which is to be the witness to all nations is pointed out in Rev. 14:6-12. The first angel’s message was given in the judgment-hour message of 1844. Shortly after the disappointment in 1844, the work of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination started in weakness, but has now grown and spread until at present there are four large division conferences, 33 unions, 131 local conferences, and 110 mission fields, covering the greater portion of the whole world. The appropriation for this present year totaled $853,153.57, of which $692,077.57 was for the foreign field. In 1914, 67 academies and colleges were conducted, with an estimated value of $2,163,661.96, besides 611 primary schools, with a total value of $185,557.31. The 38 publishing houses and branches publish periodicals and books in 88 languages, with a total sale of $2,109,834.60. The 32 sanitariums and 10 treatment-rooms were estimated in 1914 to have assets of $2,894,605.67. Of the 5,313 evangelical laborers in 1914, 2,927, or 55.09 per cent, were working outside of the United States. These figures are entirely inadequate to give an idea of the rapid spread of a message which God is sending to the world as a witness, that all may be warned of the near approach of the end of all things.

As we see the fulfilment of all the signs of Christ’s coming given us in the Scriptures, let us all resolve that we personally will be ready for the consummation of this work, and for a part in the eternal kingdom which Christ will so soon establish.

L. L. C.

Touched with Our Infirmities

By G. B. T.

“We have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4:15.

An infirmity is a weakness. We may not have any particular sorrow or pain, yet be troubled with some weakness against which we may have to struggle. Over our failures and defeats we may shed bitter, scalding tears.

Many, even professed Christians, make no allowance for weakness or failure in others. Cold and legal in their religion, and encompassed with infirmities of their own, they nevertheless make no allowance for imperfections in others. They see only the outward appearance; the hidden struggles and agony they know not, and apparently care nothing for. They have no patience with those who stumble.

But, struggling soul, Jesus cares. Your weaknesses touch his heart of tenderness, and he loves and pities you. He has compassion on the erring, and those who are out of the way. Though we ought to do better, and our failures and manifestation of weakness have no excuse, yet Jesus understands. He knows our struggles. His eye penetrates the closet. He knows the provocation, and understands the temptations to which we are daily exposed. He is not severe and exacting. He comes to us as a comforter, with words to cheer and console in the storm and stress of life.

A naval officer tells how he was saved from dishonor in his first experience in a battle. He was then a young midshipman, and the volley from the guns of the enemy terrified him so that he almost fainted.

His superior officer saw his frightened condition, came close beside him, and keeping his own face toward the enemy, and holding the midshipman by the hand, said in a quiet, affectionate way, “Be of good courage, my boy. You will recover in a minute or two. I was just so when I went into battle the first time.”

The young man, speaking of this experience, said that it was as if an angel had come to him and put new strength into him. His fear and anguish of heart vanished at once, and from that time he was as brave as any on the ship. If the officer had dealt sternly with him, he would perhaps have been driven to failure, but kind sympathy dispelled his fear, and put new courage into his heart.

In like manner Jesus, when we are in the midst of life’s struggle, assailed by the enemy, and tempted to desert the ship, comes close by our side, and whispers in love and sympathy, “I understand it all. I have been a soldier in the ranks. I marched in human flesh against the hosts of the enemy. I know their strength, and I know how you feel. I have been tempted in all points as you are. I have felt every weakness, experienced every fear and dread of soul that you feel. But I overcame, and now I am with you in the conflict. Be of good courage. I will help you, strengthen you, and uphold you by the right hand of my righteousness.”

How comforting to know that while we may not find sympathy and comfort in human hearts; while many, even our brethren, may be harsh in judgment and bitter in denunciation, even though they cannot understand all, Jesus understands, and is touched with every sorrow and every struggle. In the darkest hours, when all human support fails us, and we are apparently forgotten, even then we are securely enthroned in the loving heart of the Redeemer. Amid the roar of the thunder, the glare of the lightning, the swish of the angry waves, that voice which in the last day will give life to the dead, is heard saying, “It is I; be not afraid.”

G. B. T.

The Joy of Being Saved

By G. B. T.

WHILE sin has a tremendous power over the soul, and the kingdom of darkness and all the principalities of evil are using every scheme possible to destroy souls; we have one who is able to save “to the uttermost.” Heb. 7:25. He who comes “with dyed garments, . . . glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength,” is indeed “mighty to save.” Isa. 63:1.

We fight a conquered foe. In open conflict the legions of hell have been defeated for us. “Having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

The army of the enemy is indeed defeated. The destruction of the prince of darkness and all his subjects is decreed. The execution of the sentence is only stayed for a time. His kingdom will be utterly annihilated; no trace of it will remain. The curse will be no more.

The final triumph of righteousness over unrighteousness is assured, not for the future alone, but for God’s people now. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

Now, thank God, we can be saved. Today we can hear his voice, and respond. Today we can be saved from sin. God “hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” He “hath chosen us,” he “hath made us accepted in the beloved,” and “we have redemption through his blood.” Eph. 1: 3-7. The transaction is done. The eternal triumph of salvation of those who believe

is assured through Christ. It only remains for us to lay hold by faith, and rejoice now in this blessed truth.

“Thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place.” 2 Cor. 2:14. “Always causeth us to triumph”! Causeth us to triumph now, today, all this day, and tomorrow, and through life! Blessed salvation this!

And salvation brings joy to the heart. It brings joy to be saved from some great and impending danger, but much more to know that we are saved from sin.

Some years ago the great liner “Atlantic” foundered off the coast of Newfoundland, and hundreds perished in the angry icy sea. On board was a prominent business man, who was reported as among those who had perished. His place of business was closed and draped in mourning. Kind friends came to console the sorrowing ones. But a telegram came next morning to the business partner, with only one word, “Saved.” There was then great rejoicing in his home. The man himself rejoiced at his deliverance from death, and the friends who had mourned with the family came to rejoice with them.

So an assurance of salvation from sin brings joy and gladness into the heart. It makes others glad also. And in heaven there is joy. “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Luke 15:7, 10.

Let us accept this great salvation day by day, and rejoice in the blessings of deliverance from sin continually.

G. B. T.

The Panama Congress on Religious Work

By L. L. C.

The Panama congress on religious work, held February 10-20, marks a new day for evangelical work in Latin America. Representatives of all denominations carrying on missionary work in these countries were present. Our own denomination was represented by eight persons, among whom were Brethren W. A. Spicer and J. J. Ireland. Of the 304 delegates and visitors from outside the Canal Zone, 145 were Latin Americans. The other 159 came from the United States, Canada, England, Spain, and Italy.

The general purpose of the congress was to bring together all the representative denominations for the consideration of the needs of Latin America, and the best methods of missionary work for the people of these countries. It was perhaps one of the most representative gatherings held since the Edinburgh conference. John R. Mott was chairman of the business committee of twenty-five, and Dr. Robert E. Speer acted as chairman of the business sessions.

In order that the time of the congress might be spent as advantageously as possible, eight commissions, composed of more than two hundred experts in missionary affairs in Latin America, made a thorough study of special points in the task of evangelizing these people. They brought the result of a year's investigation to the congress as subject matter for its consideration. The discussions, when these reports were taken up, were very interesting indeed. Of course very little of a decisive nature can be pointed out, as the purpose of the convention was largely to unify the evangelical forces in their approach to Latin America.

Protestants may be divided into three classes with reference to their views of methods of missionary work in Roman Catholic countries. Some are so concessive toward Rome that they view with apprehension any Protestant missionary work done in Roman Catholic countries. The High Church party of the Protestant Episcopal Church are of this class, and protested loudly against the holding of the congress, and refused to have any share in it. The other two classes of Protestants are the extreme anti-Catholics, and the class that might be called moderatists. In the congress the sentiment seemed to be that little is gained by conducting an anti-Catholic campaign, but that the proper method of evangelical work is to emphasize the truths of the gospel rather than the errors of Romanism.

The work of the congress also served to define clearly the religious need and opportunity in Latin America. The published reports of the eight commissions will furnish missionary information of the highest sort. The congress was worth all it cost, and more, in giving definite information concerning the missionary problems in Latin America.

One of the most definite actions of the congress was the appointment of a strong permanent committee authorized to carry out the work which the conference had started. This committee is known as the Committee on Cooperation.

A most important result of the congress has been the acquaintance which has sprung up between religious workers, many of whom met for the first time, or who came to know one another better at this Panama congress.

We recognize that the congress recently held will be in the providence of God a means of greatly stimulating evangelical work in the Roman Catholic countries to the south of us. Let us also resolve to make this present year, marked as it is by the organization of the new South American Division Conference, the beginning of a new epoch in our own work.

L. L. C.

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