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Review and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 44.

The Bible

Review and Herald

Sep 9, 1915

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 9, 1915

The Bible

Most wondrous Book, bright candle of the Lord, Star of eternity! the only star By which the bark of man could navigate The sea of life, and gain the coast of bliss Securely; only star which rose on time, And, on its dark and troubled billows still, As generation, drifting swiftly by, Succeeded generation, threw a ray Of heaven’s own light, and to the hills of God, The everlasting hills, pointed the sinner’s eye. This Book, this glorious Book, on every line Marked with the seal of high divinity; On every leaf bedewed with drops of love Divine, and with the eternal heraldry And signature of God Almighty stamped From first to last, this ray of sacred light, The lamp from off the everlasting throne, Mercy took down, and in the light of time Stood, casting on the dark her gracious bow: And even now beseeching men, with tears And earnest sighs, to read, believe, and live.
— Pollok.

Nearly a World War

SINCE Italy has joined in the great European war, it can be truly said that more than half the world is now directly involved in the military cataclysm. The following list will make this readily apparent:—
ALLIES POPULATION
British Empire 422,000,000
France and colonies 94,000,000
Russian Empire 171,000,000
Italy and colonies 36,800,000
Belgium and Kongo 23,000,000
Japan 67,000,000
Serbia 2,900,000
Montenegro 516,000
Total 817,216,000
TEUTONS
German Empire 78,000,000
Austria-Hungary 49,500,000
Turkey 31,580,000
Total 159,080,000
Nations at war 976,296,000
World 1,721,426,000
It is estimated that Italy’s entry into the war, with her 1,700,000 trained men, will swell the number of men engaged in the war for the first year to the enormous total of 29,950,000. Germany’s forces are estimated at 7,000,000; Russia’s, 7,000,000; Austria-Hungary’s, 5,500,000; England’s, 3,000,000; France’s, 4,000,000; Turkey’s, 1,500,000; and Serbia’s, 250,000. In case Roumania, Bulgaria, and Greece enter the conflict, this will add another 1,500,000 men, or a grand total of 31,400,000 men engaged in the terrible business of war; and all this in the age of peace societies and international compacts and treaties!

Perilous Times

By L. L. Caviness

THE very elements of destruction seem to have been let loose upon the world this year. Not only is man bringing destruction to himself in the great European war, but Italy has been repeatedly shaken by extremely severe earthquakes, millions are starving in China from the effects of great floods, and the United States itself has suffered the loss of many lives and the destruction of millions of dollars' worth of property in the great storms which have occurred this year.
The relations between capital and labor seem to be even more than usually strained. Scarcely a day goes by without an account in the public press of a prospective or actual strike in some part of the United States. But these strikes are not limited to this country. Some of the European countries which are at war have been obliged to take energetic measures to suppress strikes which might more or less cripple them in the prosecution of the war.
There is still another tendency that is very ominous. The people, perhaps because they feel that justice through legal means is too uncertain or too slow, seem disposed to take the execution of justice into their own hands. The prospect of an increase of mob violence should alarm every law-abiding American citizen; for the rule even of a tyrant is to be preferred to that of an irresponsible mob.
From every standpoint it would seem that we have come upon perilous times. At this time the promise is especially precious: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Let us be often in the secret place of prayer, and so learn to know God's constant protecting care that we may say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”
L. L. CAVINESS.

Note and Comment

Papal Diplomacy

An interesting example of papal diplomacy is seen in a letter received from Pope Benedict XV in response to a request made by the Jewish Daily News for an expression of opinion on the question of the persecution of the Jews. The letter reads:—
THE VATICAN, July 22, 1915.
SIR: I hastened to present to the Holy Father the letter transmitted to me by you, No. 18061 D. of the twenty-fifth of June, in which Mr. S. Mason, editor of the New York Jewish Daily News, asked the aid of His Highness in favor of the Jews who are persecuted, and still deprived in some countries of full rights.
The august Pontiff has graciously taken note of this document, and has desired me to request you to write Mr. Mason that the Holy See, as it has always in the past acted according to the dictates of justice in favor of the Jews, intends now also to follow the same path on every propitious occasion that may present itself.
Yours, etc.,
P. CARD. GASPARRI.
A study of the letter (published in the New York Times of August 25) causes one to wonder whether the Pope wishes it understood that Catholic Spain acted “according to the dictates of justice in favor of the Jews” when at the suggestion of Roman Catholic Church dignitaries the Jews were expelled from Spain in the time of Ferdinand and Isabella. The promise of future intention is also ambiguous, for the word propitious may really mean advantageous to the Catholic Church. If the Pope should think the present such a “propitious occasion,” they may expect his aid; otherwise their hope is vain.

Allied Against Alcohol

ITALY has not only joined the war against the central European powers, but has joined all the great warring nations in the war on alcohol, as shown by the following press dispatch:—
MILAN, ITALY, August 22.— The authorities today withdrew 1,800 licenses to sell alcoholic drinks, initiating a campaign against alcoholism. Many bars, inns, saloons, and refreshment houses have closed. Several other towns along the frontier already have taken similar action. —The Washington Post, Aug. 23, 1915.

Statistics Show Growth

The Record of Christian Work, edited by Mr. D. L. Moody’s son, has the following note concerning the growth of Seventh-day Adventists:—
The statistics of the Seventh-day Adventists are interesting. This church has grown from a body of 5,440 people in 1870 to one (at home and abroad) of 104,526 in 1910. They are tithers, and the result of their faithful giving is worth noting. In 1870 this amounted to $2,182.46; in 1913, to $1,771,989.60. This represents a total per capita gift of $23.42 (in America alone of $28.93). One of the most striking developments in this church has been its ministry through sanitariums. In 1910 Seventh-day Adventists operated seventy-four such with 1,989 employees. Two thirds of these are in the United States. Besides doing a uniquely useful work for the sick, these sanitariums provide employment for the young people of the church, who find the keeping of the Sabbath (Saturday) a bar to employment elsewhere.

Seeing God’s Prospering Hand

By W. A. S.

A BROTHER—a Dutch farmer from the Orange Free State—had borne testimony to the blessedness of the paying. “Ever since I began paying the tithe,” he said, “God has blessed me abundantly.”
As he sat down another brother stood up. “One thing,” he said, “I want to add to what our brother has just said. I happen to know that one of this brother’s farm laborers—not of our faith—said not long ago that he was going to begin paying tithe himself. ‘I have been watching Mr. ——,’ he said, ‘and I see that God prospers him. When sheep and cattle diseases are about, he does not lose his sheep and cattle as the rest of us do. God surely protects him. I mean to pay tithe, too.’”
The brother suggested that while this man’s motive was not a high one, yet his was a good testimony to the fact that the prospering hand of God was visible to the outside observer.
W. A. S.
Durban Camp Meeting.

Individual Responsibility

By C. M. S.

To each person endowed with reason God has given gifts for whose exercise and development that soul is held responsible. It matters not how forbidding the environment, there is a debt upon that soul which none but he can discharge. It matters not how humble the birth, how lowly the occupation, the demand of the Creator is upon every one of us for service. It is a just demand, for has he not purchased us with his own blood out of the very market place of death?
We rob ourselves of much that God designs should be ours when we neglect to seek a preparation for the work he designs we should do.
Because we have not the gifts another possesses does not excuse us from using to the utmost of our power the gifts God has bestowed upon us. It is not for us to choose our endowment. That is in God's hands. “All these worketh the one and the same spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.” 1 Cor. 12: 11. The gift God bestows upon you, use to his glory. You may consider it nothing. He does not so consider it, or he would never have bestowed it. Rest assured it was precious in his sight, or you would not possess it.
God's gifts were bestowed for a purpose, and that purpose cannot be accomplished while they are unused. He says they were given that we all might “attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full-grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error.” Eph. 4: 13, 14.
But it is not possible that the “gifts of the Spirit” should accomplish that work in us while we leave them unappropriated and unused. We can never “come unto the unity of the faith” while practicing idleness toward the cause of God. We cannot possess a “knowledge of the Son of God” while refusing to labor for the souls for whom he died. We can never be “full-grown” in the Christian sense until our labor for souls has taught us the worth of a soul; and “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” how can it be attained but through the school which he himself found necessary for his perfecting—the school of service?
The child is not expected to have the judgment necessary for its guidance, either temporally or spiritually. With the gifts of the Spirit unused, we are reckoned as children, “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine;” but the gifts, appropriated, developed, and strengthened, furnish sailing power, ballast, and anchoring facilities. They make our voyage straighter, steadier, and safer—and there is no safety without them.
With every professed member of the household of Christ using to the utmost of his ability the gift or gifts bestowed upon him “for the perfecting of the saints,” the cause of God presents a strong, impregnable front, the work goes with rapidity and force, and the coming of Christ is hastened. If we are not busy with the Master's business, using whatever gift it has pleased God to bestow, we may be sure that Satan will put something into our hands to take our attention and absorb our energies and means.
Then let us work. Let us lay plans to broaden and strengthen whatever work we may be doing. While praying for opportunities, let us practice on those we already have. We are in a busy world. Let us be busy about the greatest business in the world—the third angel's message.
C. M. S.

Our Institutions

By F. M. W.

ETERNITY alone will reveal the good accomplished by our institutions. We think of them sometimes as buildings, apart from the work they are doing. But it takes more than building material, bricks and mortar, to make publishing houses, schools, or sanitariums. In addition to the material equipment, it requires skilled workmen—managers, printers, editors, physicians, nurses, and teachers. It requires that there shall be rallied around these institutions a loyal constituency of faithful workers. It requires above all that these institutions shall stand for and represent principles. Indeed, institutions without well-defined principles and plans and policies are like ships without rudders.
The Lord in his providence has established various institutions in connection with this movement as no unimportant agencies in its promulgation. How this message has been spread by means of the printed page! Next to the living preacher the silent messengers of truth have borne their part in heralding to the world a knowledge of the Lord’s soon coming. And their work has but fairly begun. They are destined by God’s grace to do a still greater work in the promulgation of the message.
Similarly have our schools contributed their great power and influence to this work. Who can estimate the value of the work done by the devoted men and women who have gone out from our training schools?

South Lancaster Academy

We were impressed with this anew as we visited recently the South Lancaster Academy. From this center alone, many have gone out as active workers for God. Naturally we found that many changes had taken place in the more than twenty-five years since we had seen this institution. New buildings, increasedfacilities, and added improvements were seen in every department. Prof. B. F. Machlan and his loyal coworkers are doing faithful service at the academy from year to year.
A large attendance is expected for the next school year. We hope that the hearts of our young people in the Atlantic Union Conference will be drawn toward this institution, and that they will take advantage of the excellent opportunities it offers to obtain a preparation that will fit them for efficiency in the Master’s service.

New England Sanitarium

We were privileged to visit for the first time the New England Sanitarium at Melrose, Mass. We found here a busy company of more than one hundred physicians, nurses, and general workers ministering to the needs of the sick and afflicted.
The sanitarium was crowded to its fullest capacity, there being more than eighty guests enrolled. It was problematical as to our obtaining sleeping quarters, but, like a number of others, we were crowded into a comfortable corner, and made cordially welcome.
The location of the New England Sanitarium is unique in many ways. Within a radius of ten miles is a large number of thrifty towns—Winchester, Stoneham, Medford, Malden, Melrose, Lynn, Chelsea, Revere, Cambridge, and others. Chief among these is the great city of Boston. The institution is located in a territory of great historical and literary interest. Many places of colonial and Revolutionary fame are reached in a short time by automobile or trolley car. Well-kept roads and drives through Middlesex Park offer many diverse and interesting opportunities for drives, walks, etc. The location combines the most delightful scenery, and quiet, restful solitude, with easy access to the advantages of city market and residence.
We found an excellent family of guests. As we mingled with them for several days, we heard many expressions of appreciation of the work this institution is carrying forward. One guest prominent in the business and social life of Boston expressed his great surprise that he should find in the midst of our modern life and grasping business activities such a spirit of Christian effort and harmonious cooperation as he saw in the sanitarium. He inquired what the motive was that prompted these workers to turn from lucrative positions which they might fill elsewhere, and labor here for a mere living. We told him that, from our observation in this sanitarium and in others operated on the same plan, we believed it was a genuine spirit of doing good that actuated those connected with them. He assented that this must be true.
It has been our privilege to come in touch with a number of our sanitarium families in various parts of the country. Uniformly we have witnessed this spirit of sacrifice and earnestness in their lives, and this spirit is very apparent in the work that is done at the Melrose institution.
Three nurses’ classes are operated in the sanitarium. The medical faculty at the present time consists of Dr. W. E. Bliss, Dr. W. A. Ruble, and Dr. Ora Kress. Dr. J. W. Hopkins, who has been connected with the sanitarium, has removed to Takoma Park, where he will connect with the Washington Sanitarium. Miss Leonora Lacey is the superintendent of the nurses’ training school in this institution.
This sanitarium possesses a feature which is lacking in some of our institutions, an excellent gymnasium. Regular exercises are carried on two or three times a day. Miss Mabel Arnold has this in charge. The secretary-treasurer and manager is J. G. White. Brother White informs us that this year a substantial reduction in the indebtedness will be realized.
The sanitarium has the heartiest support of its constituency throughout the Atlantic Union Conference, and this certainly is as it should be. In the New England Sanitarium we feel that this union conference has a valuable asset. Its influence is widespread in behalf of the special message of this time. It is sowing the seeds of the message, and in many lives the seed will bear fruit. Then, too, we feel that the sanitarium is a valuable asset to our work in the Atlantic Union in the excellent training it gives to young men and women in sending them out to lives of usefulness, when otherwise many would be lost in worldly occupation. Certain it is that such institutions are established in God’s order.
An excellent spiritual influence pervades the place. Elder O. F. Butcher, the Bible teacher of South Lancaster Academy, is connected with the institution temporarily, and is looking after the religious work. His labors are appreciated by the guests and family of workers.
Our people throughout the union should give to this sanitarium their hearty support. The sick should be directed to it. The workers laboring in it should be remembered in sympathy and prayer. Our young men and women who desire nurses’ training should be encouraged to take up the work in this place.
We should encourage and promote every agency in connection with this work. Every worker and every institution has a distinct place to fill in the carrying forward of the gospel of salvation.
F. M. W.

The Prophecy of Daniel 7

By W. A. S.

Part 1. The Four Great Universal Empires

So important is it that we understand the events leading on to the end, that repeatedly the “sure word of prophecy” deals with the course of this world's history and sets up waymarks along the highway to the everlasting kingdom.
In the light of prophecy, we see the hand of God guiding and overruling through all history, shaping events for the carrying out of his purpose to end the reign of sin and to bring the reign of eternal righteousness. His word of prophecy foretells events of history, that we may know that he is the living God over all, and that we may understand that the divine purpose will surely be fulfilled:—
“I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. . . . I have spoken it, I also will bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. . . . My salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion.” Isa. 46: 9-13.
Above a wicked world there is a God in heaven, waiting only the time.
In the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, recorded in the second of Daniel, the Lord revealed in brief but graphic outline the course of history from the days of Babylon to the end. The four great universal monarchies were represented by the various parts of the metallic image—Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. That prophecy described particularly the division of the Roman Empire into the kingdoms of western Europe. “And in the days of these kings,” declared the word of the Lord, the God of heaven was to set up his kingdom, bringing an end to all earthly powers.
In the seventh chapter we are taken over the same course of history, in Daniel's wonderful vision. Here also chief attention was devoted to the fourth great kingdom and its divided state; for the events taking place here are of deepest eternal interest to all.
In the prophet's vision, as recorded in Daniel 7, he saw these four universal empires represented by great beasts. One after another, the symbolic beasts rose, did their work, and gave place to the next scenes in the history. The angel clearly explained to Daniel the meaning of the vision:—
“These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.” Dan. 7: 17, 18.
Of necessity, then, it is a repetition of the story of the four universal monarchies dealt with in the second chapter, endingwith the setting up of the everlasting kingdom.
Let us place the view given the prophet in vision alongside the record of history.
First, however, a word as to the manner in which the great beasts appeared to the prophet:—
“I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.” Verses 2, 3.
Again and again, in the figurative language of Scripture, winds are used as the symbol for wars; and the sea, or waters, for nations or peoples. The prophet saw the clashing of the nations in war, and out of the conflicts of the peoples arose the kingdoms dealt with in the prophecy.

1. Babylon

Note the prophetic picture of the prophecy and the corresponding representation in history.
PROPHECY.—“The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.” Verse 4.
HISTORY.—As the lion is king of beasts, it was a fit symbol of Babylon, “the glory of kingdoms.” The eagle's wings suggest rapidity of movement and far-reaching conquest. The prophet Habakkuk said of it, “Their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle.” This was the characteristic of Babylon under the earlier kings, but especially under Nebuchadnezzar. Berosus, the ancient Chaldean historian, wrote of him, “This Babylonian king conquered Egypt, and Syria, and Phenicia, and Arabia, and exceeded in his exploits all that had reigned before him in Babylon.” (See “Flavius Josephus Against Apion,” book 1, par. 19.) But now, at the time of Daniel's vision, degeneracy had come; the empire was tottering. The lion heart was gone, the eagle's wings were plucked, and within three years from the time the vision was given, Babylon was overthrown.

2. Medo-Persia

As the dominion passed from Babylon to the next great power, the prophet says:—
PROPHECY.—“And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.” Verse 5.
HISTORY.—The Medes and Persians overthrew Babylon. Medo-Persia was a dual kingdom, lifting itself up on one side, first the Median branch the stronger, then the Persian, under Cyrus and his successors, rising higher. This two-sided characteristic, noted as a distinguishing mark in the prophecy, was emphasized by the ancient writers also. Æschylus, the Greek poet, who lived in the days of Persia, wrote:—
“Asia's brave host, A Mede first led. The virtues of his son Fixed firm the empire. . . . Cyrus third, by fortune graced Adorned the throne.” —“Persæ.”
The word spoken in the vision, “Arise, devour much flesh,” describes the history from the time when the Persian side rose uppermost. Rawlinson says, “Cyrus proceeded with scarcely a pause on a long career of conquest.” An alliance against Persia was formed by Lydia, Egypt, and Babylon (Herodotus 1:77); and as these three great provinces were subdued, they may well be represented by the three ribs in the mouth of the Medo-Persian bear.

3. Greece

Yet another kingdom was to follow, and strikingly the symbol pictures the characteristics of the Greek conquest.
PROPHECY.—“After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.” Verse 6.
HISTORY.—The third kingdom was Grecia. Under Alexander the Great, the Greeks swept into Asia with the quickness of the leopard's spring. And the four wings on the leopard must represent astonishing fleetness. Plutarch speaks of the “incredible swiftness” of Alexander's conquests. Appian wrote:—
“The empire of Alexander was splendid in its magnitude, in its armies, in the success and rapidity of its conquests, and it wanted little of being boundless and unexampled, yet in its shortness of duration it was like a brilliant flash of lightning. Although broken into several satrapies, even the parts were splendid.”—History of Rome, preface, par. 10.
Thus the ancient Roman writer pictured the career of Grecia just as represented by the prophetic symbol—the fleetness, the great dominion given it, the division of the empire into satrapies, as suggested by the four heads of the leopard. Out of the conflicts following Alexander's death, there came the fourfold headship of the empire. Rawlinson says, “A quadripartite division of Alexander's dominion was recognized.” (See “Sixth Monarchy,” chap. 3.) The real situation is best represented, as Dr. Albert Barnes says, by “one animal with four heads,” just as the prophetic symbol described it centuries before.
Thus the course of empire followed the outline of the “sure word of prophecy” from age to age.
“Armies were ranged in battle's dread array: They fought—their glory withered in its bud; They perished—with them ceased their tyrants' sway; New wars, new heroes came—their story passed away.”
There was to be no abiding kingdom till the time came for God's glorious kingdom to be set up.

4. Rome

As the prophet watched the moving panorama of history, foretold in symbols, he says:—
PROPHECY.—“After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.” Verses 7, 8.
HISTORY.—As the iron of the image of Nebuchadnezzar's dream fitly represented the “iron monarchy of Rome,” so here the dreadful beast, with its iron teeth, can be none other than Rome, that followed Grecia in world dominion. It was the most powerful, the most dominating, of all the beasts in the prophetic series. A Roman Catholic writer, Cardinal Manning, compresses into a paragraph the correspondence of history to the likeness of the prophecy:—
“The legions of Rome occupied the circumference of the world. The military roads which sprang from Rome traversed all the earth; the whole world was as it were held in peace and tranquillity by the universal presence of this mighty heathen empire. It was ‘exceedingly terrible,’ according to the prophecies of Daniel; it was as it were of iron, beating down and subduing the nations.”—The Temporal Power of the Pope, page 122 (London, 1862).
Thus far every symbol of the prophet's vision finds its exact and clear counterpart in history. An old writer living in the third century, in the days of imperial Rome, rejoiced to see how exactly the prophecy was being fulfilled. Hippolytus (counted a saint by the Catholic Church) wrote:—
Rejoice, blessed Daniel! thou hast not been in error! All these things have come to pass. After this again thou hast told us of the beast, dreadful and terrible. It has iron teeth and claws of brass; it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it. Already the iron rules; already it subdues and breaks all in pieces; already it brings all the unwilling into subjection; already we see these things ourselves. Now we glorify God, being instructed by thee.—Treatise on Christ and Antichrist, sec. 33.
Now the prophetic outline comes to the time of the division of the Roman Empire, introducing events of deepest personal interest to us today.
W. A. S.

Approaching the Culmination

By C. M. S.

THE Word teaches that every false system will be flourishing in the last days, in the time of the Lord's preparation. The flourishing of these false systems today, from Christian Science through the whole category to the resuscitatedcause of Islam, is a striking fulfillment of the Word in this respect, and therefore an indication that we are in the last days.
Perhaps the one thing more than any other that has prepared soil and sowed seed for just such a work as the spread of these systems is the criticism of the Bible that has been going on for the last few years in the pulpits supposed to have been dedicated to the teaching of that Word. This has weakened the faith of many, overthrown the hope of some, and has led a multitude to look to the lifeless systems of paganism to find what they might have found in the Word of God. Such undermining teachings have made the way easy for the exponents of those false systems to multiply the number of their adherents.
Is there not a design in bringing together these two things — the revival of heathen systems and the attempted undermining of the Word of God, the latter opening the way for the progress of the former? Nothing is more certain than that it is the result of a long-planned and deep-laid scheme of that common enemy of God and man.
They who have maintained faith in the Word of God have looked for just such combinations as this; for that Word teaches us to expect them. They have come, and there are more to follow. Every deceptive device that Satan can invent, or has invented and can use now, will be seen in operation in these days in which this generation lives, and Satan has not yet emptied his quiver.
The calls for a holy war now on the part of Islam against Christianity are but other manifestations of the centripetal forces at work in our day to bring under control and into mobilization the forces that will oppose the gospel of the kingdom till the end. Every other system and device is likewise arousing and mobilizing its adherents and seeking recruits for the culminating struggles of the conflict. They who are not firmly rooted and grounded in the truth of God in these last days will be swamped in the great sea of doubt and deception that is rolling in upon a doomed world.
But we are not without hope even in such times as these upon which we are entering; for “the Lord knoweth them that are his;” and “he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” “It is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” The many “winds of doctrine” are blowing; the many combinations designed to bind men to this world are increasing; the forces of evil are strengthening their holdings in every possible way; the “dogmas of doubt” are being held constantly before the faces of the professed followers of the Lamb by shepherds false to their trust; the “peace and safety” cry is sounding through the world while the bloodiest battles of earth’s history are being fought, and while enlarged factories are building bigger battleships and stronger cannon and more of them than ever before, and great industrial plants are being turned into forgers of weapons of war; and at the same time the great religious world is trampling upon the Sabbath of Jehovah, and beginning its work of persecution upon those who honor it. All this is taking place at a time when the Lord is issuing his last solemn warning and his last invitation to the people of this generation. Everything indicates the close of the dispensation, and should stir our hearts to deeper piety and stronger zeal in the work to which we are called.
C. M. S.

Notes of Progress

By Irwin Henry Evans

THE progress and growth of the third angel’s message is ever good news to the remnant church. It matters not from what country nor concerning what people the news may come; the mere fact that souls have been saved, accepting Christ as their Saviour and believing in the message for this time, cheers and rejoices the heart.
Our message is clear and definite. Since apostolic days there have been no greater truths pronounced, no message in stronger setting, than the message of Rev. 14:9-12. That announcement of the third angel is clear, distinct, definite. It is set in time; it is heralded in power; it closes in triumph.
It is a thing to be coveted to have a part in proclaiming this great world-wide message. To be a worker in it means to be a worker with Heaven. It assures to the godly, consecrated workman the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It connects humanity with Divinity. It makes a weak man strong, and a strong man mighty. It unites omnipotent strength with mortal men, and, working together with God, they become instruments for Heaven to use.
In this final, closing conflict, none can afford to be onlookers. By each one there is a work to be done that means more than earthly gain or loss. In the day of God’s preparation, it means much for every man to stand at his post and do full work. It means much to the individual; it means much to the cause of God.
Some have thought the work was finished, or nearly so, in this country. But when we read the entreaties and warnings given us by the servant of the Lord upon this point, we find that our work here is far from completed. We are now in the midst of the largest ingathering of souls in our entire denominational history. Our work will not be finished in this land till we have won the last soul that can be persuaded to accept Christ and obey all his commandments. The church has never had such an ingathering of souls as now. The fields are white for harvest, and we must pray that more reapers be sent to garner in the precious grain. Let us look for a moment at the growth of our work since the beginning of 1913:—
At the close of 1912 we had 63,865 church members; at the close of 1913 our membership was 67,268. At the close of 1914 it was 72,015; and on June 30, 1915, we had 75,436 members.
In 1914 we had 7,337 baptisms; for the first two quarters of 1915 we had 4,580 baptisms. In 1914 we increased the tithe by $68,824 over the year 1913, and our offerings to foreign missions by $115,852. Our literature sales were increased by $196,221 over those for the previous year.
It is evident from these statistics that God has a great work to be finished in the North American Division Conference. Shall we now cease our labors?—No; surely the time has come when every church member should put his hand to the work and do his full share.
We have more tents in the field this year than ever before. There is reported a good attendance of those not of our faith at these meetings. The public press is more favorable to printing articles, and is giving more space to articles setting forth our views than ever before in our history; our literature is being more freely bought and distributed than in former years; our people are doing more missionary work than at any time before; the donations to foreign missions are larger than at any time since we began our work; our tithe is larger; and never before have the laity taken such an interest in winning souls to Christ as at the present time.
The North American Division workers are resolved to increase the church membership so that by Dec. 31, 1915, it will reach 80,000. This means that during the remainder of this year 4,536 must be added to our church membership, above all losses. Can this be done?—Surely it can. It is not a task too great for us to compass by the help of the Holy Spirit. But it means that every Seventh-day Adventist must do definite work for God.
Remember we want to start the new year with a membership of 80,000 souls. This does not include Europe and other fields; it is 80,000 church membership in the North American Conference. How can we reach this?
First, let every member pray for the workers in tent efforts, that God’s blessing may be with them in a very definite way in bringing souls to Christ.
Second, let every tent company set itself the task of bringing to Christ adefinite number of souls. This will help every worker to have something definite before him in his daily work.
Third, every canvasser, Bible worker, and institutional helper should plan to bring some soul to Christ this year.
Fourth, our young people should plan to work for those out of Christ. There is a mighty field for service among the young.
Fifth, teachers should plan to lead every student in their schools to Christ.
Sixth, every church member should try to win some lost soul.
This means that every church member from now on shall try under God to lead a soul to Christ. Our work is not yet finished. When the harvest is white for the sickle, we must do double work for God. Some of us can do manifold more than we have done. Prayer will do much. This is the time for prayer. It is the day of God’s power, and his people must be willing. Though the work is great, we have a mighty God as helper.
During all the past ages since the plan of salvation was laid, God has been planning for this very time. Far more prophecies reach their fulfillment in these days and at this time than in any previous period of the world’s history. We are now in the finishing of the mystery of God. All the unfulfilled lines of prophecy are fulfilling before our eyes. Never was there a time when the hand of God could be seen more clearly shaping all things according to his word. We know not how much longer we shall have time to work. It is high time that we do our full duty, that when the work is finished we may receive our reward.
I. H. EVANS.
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