Signs of the Times, Vol. 42, No. 29. (7/27/1915)

Signs of the Times

Jul 27, 1915

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 27, 1915

Advantages and Advancement in India

By Arthur G. Daniells

Prosperity and Its Blessing—Health of the Workers Institutions Needed

By ARTHUR G. DANIELLS

Leaving Bombay, we traveled through central India northeast to Lucknow, a distance of nine hundred miles. One must travel in India in order to get anything like a true conception of its vastness in land area, population, and wealth in natural resources. In every part of the empire—in the great shipping ports along the coasts, in the large cities, and in the immense agricultural areas—there is abundant evidence of great economic development and industrial activity.

TRADE AND LAND VALUES

One finds ample confirmation of the impressions obtained by observation. The statistics reveal a marvelous progress during the last half century. In that time the ocean trade of India has increased from three hundred million dollars to nearly a billion and a half. The value of the land has increased, during the same period, by a billion and a half dollars. Writing of this industrial and commercial development, Mr. Sherwood Eddy, who has spent the last fifteen years traveling over India in gospel work, says:

OUR MISSION HEADQUARTERS AND PUBLISHING HOUSE, LUCKNOW, INDIA

India “is the largest exporter of rice in the world. She holds first place in her exports of tea, and together with Ceylon, exports more than half the tea crop in the world. Next to the Argentine, she is the largest exporter of hides, and next to the United States, the largest exporter of cotton, in the world. Next to the United States, she is the largest wheat producing country in the world, while Bengal holds the virtual monopoly of the jute trade. Her increase of iron and steel is more encouraging. The Tata Iron Works in Bengal, employing eight thousand men, have laid down iron in San Francisco at less than the price charged by the United States Steel Corporation. . . . The trade of India now holds the first place in Asia, with $595,000,000 exports, and $609,000,000 imports.

Her system of irrigation stands easily first in the world, being far more extensive than that of Egypt or America. Her more than 15,000 miles of irrigation canals have reclaimed more than 17,000,000 acres of land.”

THE BLESSING IN THIS PROSPERITY

In one way, this great prosperity is a distinct help to the cause of missions in India. It is far better so than to be on the brink of financial disaster. These blessings are from Him who has sent us to India’s teeming millions with His last message of invitation and warning.

Lucknow is the headquarters of our missionary enterprises in India. Our printing plant is located here, also our school for the training of evangelists and other gospel workers. Here I had the pleasure of meeting Pastor S. A. Wellman, editor of our Oriental Watchman, and superintendent of the North India Mission; Brother W. E. Perrin, manager of the printing office; and Sister Quantock, treasurer of the India Union Mission. I had the pleasure also of forming the acquaintance of our zenana worker, Miss Vera Chilton, and Nurse Scholtz, who has charge of our dispensary. These workers all looked well, and were of the best of courage. It is a great satisfaction to be able to give such a report

of conditions in India, where the climate is so trying.

WORKERS—THEIR HEALTH AND PROGRESS

The North India Mission embraces the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, with a population of nearly fifty millions. It touches Tibet on the north, Bengal in the east, the Central Provinces in the south, and the Punjab on the west. Lucknow is the center from which the work in this mission is carried on, and from which I visited its different stations.

At Najibabad we found an encouraging work in progress. Brother R. P. Morris and his wife, who are in charge of this station, are in good health, and want all their friends and old classmates of the Foreign Missionary Seminary, in Washington, D. C., to know that they are glad they came to India, and that they intend to remain here while there is work to be done for the Master. Nurse Kurtz, who is from Pennsylvania, has charge of the dispensary, which is operated principally for women. She is assisted by Sister Shoto Mitter, an Indian nurse. From thirty to seventy-five patients pass through the dispensary daily, giving these nurses all the work they can carry.

I was glad to find the workers in this mission very comfortably housed in the bungalow recently erected for them from funds sent out by the Mission Board. They are a mile and a half from the crowded part of the town, and have land enough to grow vegetables and fruits. There are thousands of people living in the villages all about Najibabad. The workers in this mission will itinerate among these people, giving them all the help they can. Some of the natives who have embraced the gospel in Najibabad are laboring with our European workers and rendering valuable help.

SCHOOL BUILDING NEEDED HERE

At Mussoorie we were pleased to meet Sister Bruce, who came from the Washington, D. C., Sanitarium seven years ago, and Brother and Sister R. D. Brisbin, who came from South Lancaster, Massachusetts, Academy a year and a half ago. As these workers were located in the hills away from the heat, they were looking strong and rugged, and able to do a large amount of hard work. They were in charge of a school that has been established for the children of our missionaries and our European and Anglo-Indian members. Annfield House, which was purchased a few years ago for a summer hill station for our workers in the plains, is used for the school. It was crowded to its utmost capacity when we were there. This enterprise means much to our people in India, and in the near future a permanent and suitable school building must be provided. The people of India will do their part as soon as this step can be taken.

WELL PATRONIZED TREATMENT ROOMS

During the hot season, we operate what are known as the Kirkville House Treatment Rooms in Mussoorie. These are under the supervision of Brother and Sister William Lake, who embraced the message years ago in India. The patronage is good through the summer; and by careful, efficient management, this enterprise more than pays all expenses. This institution forms a center from which rays of light are received and taken to all parts of India.

FAR UP IN THE HIMALAYAS

On arriving at Simla, we were met by our dear friends, Dr. and Mrs. Menkel, whom many in the home land will remember. Simla is located far up the Himalaya Mountain ranges. Our train meandered around the mountains so long, and traveled so far, that we really seemed to be going far away from everywhere and everybody. When we reached the station, we received more than a cordial welcome. Every hour of our stay in Simla was greatly appreciated. Dr. and Mrs. Menkel are not as robust as they should be to follow up the many avenues of service that are open to them.

Simla is in some respects the most important hill station in India. It is the headquarters of the viceroy and his administrative staff during the summer months. Large departments of the general government are permanently located here, and this gives Simla a more permanent population than is to be found in any of the other hill stations.

During the last two or three years, some of our ministers have spent their summer vacations there. While there, they have carried on evangelistic work. As a result, a small but active church has been organized. Some of those who have embraced the truth hold important positions in government departments. These members have a good, strong influence in Simla, and are earnest, active missionary workers. We found quite a number of influential persons deeply interested. A good, strong church in Simla will be of great value to our cause in India.

A SANITARIUM NEEDED

Dr. and Sister Menkel are in charge of this station, and for a time they will devote their energies principally to evangelistic work. The Lord has blessed their efforts in this line. Of course, they are very anxious to see sanitarium work established there; but while waiting for the funds necessary for this, they will do all they can to win souls to obedience to the truth. It certainly seems as though a sanitarium in Simla would be a great help to our work, and that from it the light would radiate to all parts of India. We hope that some day a good institution may be opened there.

After visiting Mussoorie and Simla, and reading about Darjiling, Murray, and other towns in this great range of mountains, I am convinced that the providence of God has placed within our reach in India means by which we can live and work in this mission field a lifetime without breaking down. This problem should have more careful study, and efforts should be made to take advantage of the favorable conditions within our reach.

Elder Wellman is superintendent of our North India Mission, and is also supervising editor of the “Watchman.”

Schwartz, Judson, Carey, and other missionaries in the pioneer days lived here twenty, thirty, and forty years without returning home. At that time, there were no railways, and hill stations were unknown. They were also deprived of many other advantages that can be secured at the present time.

CONSERVE OUR FORCES

The end of all things is fast approaching. Millions are unwarned. Much work is to be done, and all our forces are needed in the field, preaching, teaching, preparing and circulating literature, and directing the native workers every day until the end. Our workers in the field love the people and their work. They want this to be their field of labor until the end. Why, then, should we not take advantage of this great mountain range all the way from Assam to Afghanistan? We can work in the plains during the cool months, and then go to the cool, refreshing, invigorating temperature of the Himalayas during the intense heat, and continue our work there.

I am sure we have hundreds of interested friends possessing means, who would gladly unite in providing the money necessary to carry out a plan of this kind. May the Lord of the harvest direct His workers in all their plans for the hastening and finishing of His work.

Christ’s Benevolent Ministry

“THE eternal welfare of sinners regulated the conduct of Jesus. He went about doing good. Benevolence was the life of His soul. He not only did good to all who came to Him soliciting His mercy, but He perseveringly sought them out. He was never elated with applause, or dejected by censure or disappointment. When He met with the greatest opposition and the most cruel treatment, He was of good courage.”

Jesus and You and I

By Hampton W. Cottrell

The Master Declines to Crush

By HAMPTON W. COTTRELL

“A BRUISED reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench.” Isa. 42:3. In this declaration, one may behold a prophetic photograph of the character-life of our divine Lord when He was on earth clothed with human flesh.

THE BRUISED REED

Isaiah, the old-time gospel prophet, inspired by the indwelling Spirit of Christ, foresaw the Redeemer always before his face. He beheld Him, during the period of His work on earth for the physical uplift and the spiritual redemption of humanity, decline to break or crush the figurative bruised reed — the discouraged soul, who, on account of direct or indirect violation of the laws of being, or perchance because of unjust treatment, or misunderstanding with others, was heart-bruised nearly to the breaking point. His mission was to soothe and heal the afflictions made by the storm of sin, and thus strengthen the reed, not break it.

THE SMOKING FLAX

A class of men born of God, but not greatly developed, having never learned by faith the art of trusting the Saviour in time of trial, not having been strengthened by God’s might in the inner man, is pictured under the symbol of smoldering, smoking flax — spiritual life almost extinct. The Master viewed the soul-sick, disappointed, heart-bruised, and spirit-broken ones, but declined to quench, by a harsh word or an unkind act, the last semblance of spiritual life, as men often do. He fanned the one surviving spark, which caused the little remaining life, evidenced by smoke, to break forth into a brilliant, living, burning flame for Him, and to reflect His greatness, His willingness, the might of His power, the abundance of His grace, the joy of His peace, awaiting the asking and receiving when the sinner is penitent.

The Master’s spirit, prompting Him to acts of love and mercy to all, but prominently noticeable in His conduct to those who were physically bruised by bodily affliction, or spirit-broken by the inroads of doubt and sin, until but the faintest evidence of spiritual life remained, is the spirit that should possess you and me.

Let us — you and me — remember the bruised reed and the smoking flax, and ever look to Jesus, who, though the embodiment of love and mercy, never justified sin. “He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” 1 John 2:6.

Communion with God and Moral Power

By Ellen G. White

Twilight Perceptions of Character—Sudden and Decisive Steps—From a Weakling to a Prince—The Twofold Life

By MRS. E. G. WHITE

We need constantly a fresh revelation of Christ, a daily experience that harmonizes with His teachings. High and holy attainments are within our reach. Continual progress in knowledge and virtue is God’s purpose for us. His law is the echo of His own voice, giving to all the invitation, “Come up higher, be holy, holier still.”

Every day, we may advance in perfection of Christian character.

A TWILIGHT PERCEPTION

Many who are already members of God’s great family know little of what it means to behold His glory, and to be changed from glory to glory. Many have a twilight perception of Christ’s excellence, and their hearts thrill with joy. They long for a fuller, deeper sense of the Saviour’s love. Let these cherish every desire of the soul after God. The Holy Spirit works with those who will be worked, fashions those who will be fashioned. Give yourselves to the culture of spiritual thoughts and holy communings. You have seen but the first rays of the early dawn of His glory. As you follow on to know the Lord, you will know that the “path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”

“Come up unto Me into the mount,” God bids us. To Moses, before he could be God’s instrument in delivering Israel, was appointed the forty years of communing with Him in the mountain altitudes. Before hearing God’s message to Pharaoh, he spoke with the Angel in the burning bush. Before receiving God’s law as the representative of His people, he was called into the mount, and beheld His glory. Before executing justice on the idolaters, he was hidden in the cleft of the rock, and the Lord said, “I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee,” “merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in loving-kindness and truth, . . . and that will by no means clear the guilty.” Before he laid down, with his life, his burden for Israel, God called him to the top of Pisgah, and spread out before him the glory of the promised land. Before the disciples went forth on their mission, they were called up into the mount with Jesus. Before the power and glory of Pentecost, came the night of communion with the Saviour, the meeting on the mountain in Galilee, the parting scene upon Olivet, with the angel’s promise, and the days of prayer and communion in the upper chamber.

Jesus, when preparing for some great trial, would resort to the solitude of the mountains, and spend the night in prayer to His Father. A night of prayer preceded the ordination of the apostles and the Sermon on the Mount, the transfiguration, the agony of the judgment hall and the cross, and the resurrection glory. We too must have times set apart for meditation and prayer, and for receiving spiritual refreshing. We do not value the power and efficacy of prayer as we should.

Prayer and faith will do what no power on earth can accomplish. We are seldom, in all respects, placed in the same position twice. We continually have new scenes and new trials to pass through, where past experience cannot be a sufficient guide. We must have the continual light that comes from God.

Christ is ever sending messages to those who listen for His voice. On the night of the agony in Gethsemane, the sleeping disciples heard not the voice of Jesus. They had a dim sense of the angel’s presence, but lost the power and glory of the scene. Because of their drowsiness and stupor, they failed of receiving the evidence that would have strengthened their souls for the terrible scenes before them. Thus to-day the very men who most need divine instruction often fail of receiving it, because they do not place themselves in communion with Heaven.

SHORT AND DECISIVE STEPS

The temptations to which we are daily exposed make prayer a necessity. Dangers beset every path. Those who are seeking to rescue others from vice and ruin are especially exposed to temptation. In constant contact with evil, they need a strong hold upon God, lest they themselves be corrupted. Short and decisive are the steps that lead men down from high and holy ground to a low level. In a moment, decisions may be made that fix one’s condition forever. One failure to overcome leaves the soul unguarded. One evil habit, if not firmly resisted, will strengthen into chains of steel, binding the whole man.

It was through faith and prayer that Jacob, from being a man of feebleness and sin, became a prince with God. It is thus that you may become men and women of high and holy purpose, men and women who will not for any consideration be swayed from truth, right, justice. All are pressed with urgent cares, burdens, and duties; but the more difficult your position, and the heavier your burdens, the more you need Jesus.

Nothing is more needed in our work than the practical results of communion with God. We should show, by our daily lives, that we have peace and rest in the Saviour. His peace in

the heart will shine forth in the countenance. It will give to the voice a persuasive power. Communion with God will ennoble the character and the life. Men take knowledge of us, as of the first disciples, that we have been with Jesus. This will impart to the worker a power that nothing else can give. Of this power he must not allow himself to be deprived.

THE TWOFOLD LIFE

We must live a twofold life, a life of thought and action, of silent prayer and earnest work. The strength received through communion with God, united with earnest effort in training the mind to thoughtfulness and caretaking, prepares one for daily duties, and keeps the spirit in peace under all circumstances, however trying.

When we are humble and contrite, we stand where God can and will manifest Himself to us. He is well pleased when we urge past mercies and blessings as a reason why He should bestow on us greater blessings. He will more than fulfill the expectations of those who trust fully in Him. The Lord Jesus knows just what His children need, how much divine power we will appropriate for the blessing of humanity; and He bestows upon us all that we will employ in blessing others and ennobling our own souls.

The Record Holds All

By L. D. SANTEE

“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

By L. D. SANTEE

Is it true that an angel in glory, In the deathless, the beautiful throng, Is recording the pitiful story Of the things that I do that are wrong? All the sins that my spirit has tasted, All the habits that held me in thrall, All the mercies and blessings I’ve wasted— The record holds all.

And an angel as watchman and warder Of the thoughts and the deeds done by men, Is a solemn and faithful recorder. Every action is traced by his pen. Every hard word that added to sorrow, And caused the sad teardrops to fall, Every duty deferred till the morrow— The record holds all.

Ah, the record contained in its pages, Of the deeds and the words that are said— They contain an account of all ages, Till the Judgment of living and dead. All the wrath, and the strife, and the fighting, That from sinful hearts often will fall, Though the angel may weep in his writing— The record holds all.

All the sins that are never forgiven, All the wrongs that are never confessed— They close up the gateway of heaven, Debarring from home and from rest. When the saints shall the kingdom inherit, And Jesus the Judgment shall call, We may think with a sinking of spirit, The record holds all.

But, ah, there’s a thought that is glorious, Of that record made whiter than snow, Through Jesus, the Conqueror victorious, And the love He so freely does show. Thus pardoned from sin and from error, In His presence we gratefully fall, And we think with a gladness, not terror, The record holds all.

Be Not Afraid of Men

By Iva F. Cady

To Fear Reproach and Reviling, Is Not Divine—The One Thing That Endures—We May Endure with It if We Will

By MRS. IVA F. CADY

“HEARKEN unto Me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is My law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.” Isa. 51:7.

The Lord is speaking here to a people who know righteousness, and who cherish His law in the heart. The fact that God’s law is in their hearts, is an indication that they are making that law the guide of their lives, and conforming to its rules. Apparently those who do this are reproached and reviled by their fellow men; but they are told not to fear the reproach of men, neither to be afraid of their revilings.

DESIRE FOR APPROBATION

Naturally we all desire to have the favor and good will of our fellow men, and would have peace with all. But ever since the fall of Adam, there have been two distinct classes in the earth,—the servants of the Lord, and the servants of Satan; and there has always been enmity between these two.

Those who are not subject to God, being prompted by their leader, the archdeceiver, have from the first hated those who would be true to the Creator, beginning with Cain, who hated and killed his brother simply “because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.” 1 John 3:12.

Some are very fearful of what man will think and say. They cannot bear ridicule; and to avoid being thought peculiar, they feel that they must conform to the ways of the world, because to be keepers of the commandments of God brings reproach. Our only safety, however, is in making the Lord first in everything. We should fear Him, and keep His commandments, regardless of the reproach of men.

THE WEAKNESS OF MEN

Man is only a weak, mortal being. He is likened to a grasshopper in comparison with the Lord, who is almighty and all-wise, and who will abide forever. Isa. 40:22. Of men it is written, “The moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool;” while the righteousness of God shall be forever. Isa. 51:8. Much as man may desire to do so, it is not in his power to prolong his life, but death comes to all alike in this world.

“Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but My salvation shall be forever, and My righteousness shall not be abolished.” Verse 6.

The earth is now waxing old like a garment, and the time is coming when the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the people of earth shall be destroyed. The only things that are lasting are God and His holy word. And those who keep that living Word abiding in the heart will pass safely through the crisis, and come out victorious over the world, the flesh, and the devil.

THEN WHY FEAR MAN?

Knowing this to be so, why should we fear man? Instead, let us fear God, and keep His commandments, since we are told that this is the whole duty of man. Eccl. 12:13, 14. If we fear and serve the Lord, He has promised to be a Father to us, to shield and protect us, to give us wisdom, grace, and strength, and all things that pertain to life and godliness. What He did for His people in ancient times shows us what He is able and willing to do for us now, if we will but trust Him instead of looking to man.

“Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?” Isa. 51:9, 10.

INFINITY COMFORTS US

For our comfort and encouragement, the Lord says: “I, even I, am He that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; and forgettest the Lord thy Maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy?” . . . But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: the Lord of hosts is His name. And I have put My words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of Mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art My people.” Verses 12-16.

It surely is unreasonable that we should fear poor, weak man, whose days are as the grass, and forget the Lord who made us, and who has power to stretch out the heavens, and to lay the foundations of the earth. It is God, our Maker, who is to be our Judge, and He it is whom we should fear and obey. Has He not promised to care for His followers, and to cover them in the shadow of His hand?

In the day of the Lord, when “the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low,” when “the Lord alone shall be exalted” (Isa. 2:17), what great joy it will bring if the Lord can say to us before the whole universe, “Thou art My people”!

Circles of Beauty, Influence, and Forgiveness

By Eliza H. Morton

By ELIZA H. MORTON

The curved line in nature has been called the “line of beauty.” It may be seen in the outline of the forest foliage, in the shape of the fleecy clouds, and in the crest of the ocean wave. The circle is the curved line perfected. It also appears everywhere in the natural world.

The circle is manifest in spiritual things. God “sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers.” Isa. 40:22. “None of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.” Our influence for good or for evil goes on and on, in ever widening circles. What we say and do comes back to us. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Luke 6:38.

The divine circle of recompense applies to the evil as well as to the good. This is illustrated many times in the history of God’s people. For example, Jacob deceived his father, and he also was deceived by Laban.

The brethren of Joseph recognized the divine circle, as shown by their words, “We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.” Gen. 42:21. God only can break the circle of retribution. The circle of forgiveness also is divine. “If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” In this we show whether we have made the love of God a part of our lives, or whether our hearts are hardened by resisting His Spirit.

As the mist rises from the earth, and returns in refreshing showers, only to rise and to descend again, thus making never ending circles, so God’s Spirit comes to His children in blessings for them to distribute to others, completing circles of love. Some one has said,

“Did the countless earths abroad, like snails, Leave behind them shining trails, What a web of strange design Through the eternal space would shine!”

It is true that our lives are making circles on earth’s great page which God’s eye only can trace. By and by, these life circles will be seen by glorified humanity. By and by, the rainbow about God’s throne will shine upon a redeemed world, and the great circle of God’s everlasting love will unite His family on earth with His family in heaven.

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