Earlier text: LESSONS FROM THE CHRIST-LIFEIt Is Always Morning Somewhere
“THINK every morning when the sun peeps through
The dim, leaf-latticed windows of the grove,
How jubilant the happy birds renew
Their old, melodious madrigals of love!
And when you think of this, remember, too,
’Tis always morning somewhere, and above
The awakening continents, from shore to shore,
Somewhere the birds are singing evermore.” “NOT BY MIGHT.”
By H. J. Farman
The Holy Spirit as a precious teacher has been but little appreciated by myself, although it has often been my helper. But a personal experience gave me much joy and gratitude to God for such a teacher. In all the English colonies great enthusiasm was aroused over the “patriotic fund.” This fund, if I understand it correctly, was for the purpose of buying material and making clothes for the soldiers, and perhaps in some cases for those who were made widows or orphans by the war. This work is a commendable one, and worthy of maintenance by all those interested in war—those who are citizens of this world. But those whose “citizenship is in heaven,” who are “strangers and pilgrims on the earth, . . . make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own.” Phil. 3 : 20; Heb. 11 : 13, 14, R. V. These do not feel that they can engage in this work. When God’s people refuse to engage in this work, they may be thought unpatriotic, or perhaps, in some cases, enemies of the government under which they live. A right understanding of this matter will satisfy all right-thinking persons. Having met this question, and desiring to answer it Scripturally, according to 1 Peter 3 : 15, R. V., I was led to consider John 18 : 36; Matt. 26 : 52. If those who “take the sword shall perish with the sword,” how can I sanction the use of the sword by supporting it in a voluntary offering? Again, Christ’s reason for his disciples not fighting against his deliverance to the Jews was, “My kingdom is not of this world.” How can I support warriors who are fighting with the sword for earthly kingdoms? This seems to me a great inconsistency, especially when the commandment says, “Thou shalt not kill,” and I am teaching the people to keep, rather than to break, God’s commandments. Being asked, “What about the children of Israel whom God sent out to make war with the heathen nations? Did not he sanction the taking of life by the sword?” I answered, “No! had Israel trusted God to deliver them, he would have done so without their ever using the sword; he would have destroyed the heathen by his own mighty power, as he did the Egyptians in the Red Sea.” Not having in mind other scriptures on this subject, I was not quite satisfied with the answer, although I felt assured that it was the correct principle. While reading Elder Haskell’s article on “Israel’s Failures and Our Dangers,” in the REVIEW of February 6, I read the following references: Joshua 24 : 12; Ex. 23 : 27–30. Jacob’s only protection of life from his enemies under very trying circumstances was “the terror of God upon the cities.” Gen. 35 : 5. His deliverance from Esau was just as miraculous, and yet was effected without the use of the sword. Gen. 32 : 24–32; 33. Moses and Aaron were not called upon to take the sword to deliver Israel from Egypt. But forty years prior to their deliverance, Moses attempted to do it with the sword, and was obliged to flee for his life, and become a shepherd, till he learned the lesson that it was “not by might [“army,” margin], nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.” Zech. 4 : 6. The Lord told Israel, in the song of Moses, “The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. . . .” “The mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O Lord, till thy people pass over, which thou hast purchased.” Ex. 15 : 14–16. “I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to which thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee. I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee. I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee. By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.” Ex. 23 : 27–30. “Moreover the Lord thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed.” Deut. 7 : 20. According to Joshua’s testimony (Joshua 24 : 12), the Lord began to do this work. “I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.” God would have fought their battles and delivered them without their ever taking the sword if they had fully trusted him. But they wanted to fight, and the time soon came when they wanted to have a king and be like the other nations, and God granted their request, as he does that of the warriors in our day. But the children of God, heirs of the heavenly kingdom, can neither go to war nor voluntarily support it. There is nothing that would please Satan better than to have the children of God use the Lord’s money to support war. This would turn into Satan’s hands the money that should go to support the missionary work. But some may ask, How about paying taxes that are used to support war? In that case it is direct taxation, which, in Rom. 13 : 6, 7, we are commanded to pay; while the other is a voluntary offering that God does not require, nor would he be pleased with me if I were to make it. Caution About Flammable Cotton Fabrics
A WORD of caution is in order regarding the use of cotton flannel and outing cloth. Both make warm and serviceable sleeping garments and wrappers for persons of all ages, yet they need to be handled with care. Whether the danger comes altogether from the light, downy surface, or whether, in addition, some chemical is used in finishing them, it is a lamentable fact that these goods are exceedingly inflammable. Touch a match to a small piece of either, and you will see the fire run over the surface with inconceivable rapidity. On a small bit it is easily extinguished, but when once the flame has gained headway, there is little help for the victim. Within a few weeks three cases have come to my knowledge, where as many women, by presence of mind alone, have saved themselves from terrible catastrophes. Once, the head of a match flew off and caused the fire; a second time, the person, wearing a wrapper of outing flannel, reached her arm over a lamp chimney; and a third approached too closely to a stove. Each time the burning garment was torn from the person in time to save life. Children, and adults, too, run a great risk, venturing near a fire when clad in cotton of any kind.—Good Housekeeping. STAR OF THE EAST.
By Faith and Works
Ho, SAILOR! is the path grown dark?
“ Yes, dark as dark may be—
Dark as the glimmer of my bark
Upon a moonless sea.”
Lo, streaming from the glooms above,
Across the dusky bar,
Fair token of forgetless Love,
Beameth the Morning Star! Belated pilgrim, toiling on,
Dost hapless seek the way?
“Yea, heart be spent and courage gone,
I wait in vain the day.”
See, trembling o’er yon mountain height
That frowneth from afar,
Through the dim silences of night
Breaketh the Morning Star! And thou, beclouded in the fight,
The mists that roll and rise,
That shroud awhile the nearer sight,—
But wash thy lifted eyes
To catch the clearer, and more sure,
Through shadow-gates ajar,
Glad promise for the strong and pure—
The calm, sweet Morning Star! For ye that battle with the dark,
And ye that stem the flood,
And ye that, striving, miss the mark,
Yet do resist to blood;
For ye that stand as once he stood,
The morning-bands unbar—
The beauty of the sons of God
Is burning in the Star! Oh, brightness that our souls allure!
Oh, whiteness of yon train!
Who shall endure—what soul so pure—
Such guerdon to attain?
Lo, One who shineth as the sun,
Whose ways the lightnings are,
Unto his own alone makes known
The vision of the Star! IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
By E. A. H.
“My daughters are young and in poor health; what employment can I give them that will strengthen them physically?” Mothers should take their daughters with them into the kitchen, and patiently educate them. Their constitution will be better for such labor; their muscles will gain tone and strength.—Testimonies. “I have taken two children into my home who grow tired as soon as they begin work. Can you give me any counsel in regard to giving them employment?” Industry does not weary and exhaust one-fifth part as much as pernicious habits. If simple, well-regulated labor exhausts your children, be assured, parents, there is something, aside from their labor, which is enervating their systems, and producing a sense of constant weariness. Give your children physical labor, which will call into exercise the nerves and muscles. The weariness attending such labor will lessen their inclination to indulge in vicious habits.—Id., Vol. II, page 349. The devil always finds work for idle hands to do. “In my youth I had to work very hard; and when daughters were given to me, I resolved that they should not have to work. My neighbors say I am spoiling my daughters. What do you think about it?” I can not do better than to give you the light God has given in “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. II, page 371:— Mothers, there is nothing that leads to such evils as to lift the burdens from your daughters, and give them nothing special to do, and let them choose their own employment, perhaps a little crochet or some other fancy work to busy themselves. Let them have exercise of the limbs and muscles. If it wearies them, what then? Are you not wearied in your work? Will weariness hurt your children, unless overworked, more than it hurts you?—No, indeed. They can recover from their weariness in a good night’s rest, and be prepared to engage in labor the next day. It is a sin to let them grow up in idleness. The sin and ruin of Sodom was abundance of bread and idleness. God gave employment to the first pair in Eden, because he knew they would be happier when employed. From what has been shown me, this do-nothing system is a curse to soul and body.—Id., Vol. I, page 568. Also read from Vol. I, page 700. “Since my attention has been called to the Woman’s Ministry, especially the home work, I have been greatly exercised lest I fail to accomplish the work God would have me do with the four young, active minds he has intrusted to my care. I feel I should do more than keep them at work. How can I fill their minds with the best instruction?” It is a sin for parents to allow their children to grow up in ignorance. They should supply them with useful and interesting books, and should teach them to work, to have hours for physical labor, and hours to devote to study and reading.—Id., page 599. My mind reverts to my own childhood. The wise woman God gave me in place of the mother whom he laid to rest in my infancy, always took time to read useful and interesting books with me. The household work was always done promptly, so as not to interfere with the time for reading. She would sit down with me, and part of the hour have me read to her, while she sewed; and when I grew weary, she would take the book and read to me. She would talk of Luther, Jerome, and Huss as familiarly as if they were our neighbors, and their lives of noble faith and sacrifice were as real to me as the lives of my associates. I never had any nursery books nor fairy tales. My reading in childhood and youth was histories, and biographies of good men and women. She who guided my steps always read with me; and as we worked, we talked of the characters in the books, instead of spending time talking of the faults of those around us. She has been sleeping many years, but those reading hours, faithfully improved during the first ten or twelve years of my life, have molded my whole course in life. Seek God for help to teach your children systematic and industrious habits, and store their minds with jewels of truth instead of the dross of fiction. “My daughters are fond of helping their father in light farm work. I sometimes fear it is not best for them to engage in this kind of work. Can you give me any advice?” There is nothing that degrades except sin. Honest work is always honorable. Teach your daughters to be ashamed of nothing but sin, and always to strive for excellence in whatever they do. If they follow this course, they will have a natural dignity of soul that will make them true ladies at heart. Teach them to be ladylike wherever they are; they can be just as true ladies hoeing in the garden as playing the piano in the parlor. Never allow them to drop down to uncouth, ungainly manners at any time. Useful labor, and an acquaintance with the mysteries of housework will be beneficial to your girls, and some outdoor employment is positively necessary to their constitution and health.—Id., Vol. IV, page 97. SOMEBODY did a golden deed;
Somebody proved a friend in need;
Somebody sang a beautiful song;
Somebody smiled the whole day long;
Somebody thought, "'Tis sweet to live;"
Somebody said, "I'm glad to give;"
Somebody fought a valiant fight;
Somebody lived to shield the right.
Was that somebody you?
— Selected. The following request is made by a gentleman who is not a Christian, but who, in this hour of affliction, needs the support of all who have a hold upon God. May earnest prayer arise in behalf of him and his family, and the power of disease and of Satan soon be broken:— “My wife, two daughters, and my son are at the hospital with typhoid fever. The doctor says things look blue for all except one of my daughters, and asks me to expect a big hole in my family. Of course he can not tell for sure what the result will be. I need strength that this world can not give to help me through. I want my wife first, and my children next. I surely think the prayers of God’s people will be heard in my behalf; for he has said that the prayers of the righteous availeth much. Please wrestle with God for my wife, that she may be spared to know what the love of God is. If I knew that she was a child of God, and that he wanted her, I could give her up. Oh, do help me!” Several inquiries have been received in regard to the dress material known as Heptonette, which was mentioned in this department a few weeks ago. Several have written that their merchants know nothing about it. Since these inquiries have been received, we have investigated the matter more thoroughly, and find that the material is more generally known as Cravenette. This material was invented by Lord Craven, of England, a number of years ago; and we think Heptonette must be an imitation by a rival firm, but, no doubt, in all respects just as good as the former. We think there will be no difficulty in getting Cravenette at any up-to-date dry-goods store. It is of a fine serge twill, very wide, and thoroughly waterproof. We find it is not among the most popular dress materials of to-day, and therefore there is a special inducement in price, the best quality selling at from one dollar and fifty cents to two dollars a yard; and this, on account of the width and durability of the goods, makes a cheap and serviceable garment. Life’s Harmony and Sacrifice
“The keynote of life's harmony is sacrifice.” Light Versus Darkness.
By Mrs. Geo. A. Irwin
While at a recent camp-meeting, I was forcibly impressed with the difference in the experience of those who are active in Christian work and those who are not. In conversation with the sisters I made it a point to inquire what they were doing in Woman’s Gospel work. On putting this inquiry to one sister, she began to tell me of the wars and rumors of wars in her church. The church elder was all wrong, there was trouble about the color-line; and altogether it was a most doleful tale that she poured into my ears, with not one word to indicate that any of them were doing anything to advance the Lord’s work. The next sister to whom I put the same inquiry told me, in a bright, animated way, of the work being done in her home church. First, she mentioned the Dorcas work, telling of the large number of beds they had made for the mission, and of the garments they had made for the poor. She said that they did not give these garments away, but sold them for a small sum, which led to a better appreciation of their value. One sister in the church was having good success giving Bible readings. They have sent many tons of coal to the poor. The sisters’ husbands are much interested in this work, and never refuse financial help. All the church-members are in unity and harmony. There are many colored members, but there is no trouble on that point in this church. All work and worship together. These two answers to the same inquiry illustrate the difference in experience that I have mentioned, and the latter sister assured me of the willingness of the Lord to use us as co-laborers, if we will allow him. And when our eyes are fixed upon him, our hands working for him, and we closely following the voice of his Spirit, we shall have no time nor inclination to become entangled with the works of darkness. If you are perplexed and troubled because of misunderstandings and inconsistencies in the lives of the brethren and sisters, just open wide the windows of your soul heavenward, and let the Holy Spirit inspire your every word and thought and act, and the sunshine that you will carry with you will make a wide circle of light in the darkness with which Satan is seeking to encompass the “little flock.” THE FIRST LESSON.
By L. Flora Plummer
With this lesson upon the field begins the series of Circle lessons under the new plan are ranged for the winter's work. We hope all our people are ready to begin the study. It is an unfortunate thing for anyone to be behind-hand, and especially so with a series of lessons in which one is to be studied each week, for there is no opportunity of “catching up.” Let this lesson be studied in each home throughout the denomination; thus we shall all keep together, and be ready for advance work when it comes. I had thought of saying something about the importance of field study, but the extracts from the Testimonies, given under another heading, set before us so pointedly our duty in this matter, that nothing else is needed. As we view the situation revealed in these extracts, does it seem an unreasonable thing to ask all our people to spend one week in each month in a study that will familiarize them with the details of our work in foreign lands, and the needs of these fields? Can we do less than this? Surely no one will wish to do less. Let the field studies be a rallying point for each home and church, and each place where these lessons are studied may be a center of influence in behalf of the foreign work. The studies may be made intensely interesting. Each family ought to have the new Missionary Map of the World, which has recently been prepared by the Foreign Mission Board. This map shows the location of each foreign mission station, and, used in connection with the field studies or with the general reading of the Missionary Magazine, adds greatly to the interest. Brethren, sisters, we must wake up. We are hindering the coming of the Lord. We are restricting his work. We are endangering our own souls. “Satan is stupefying our senses, so that we shall not discern the needs of this time.” He is causing us to be so slow about taking hold of the plans of the Lord that we are well-nigh overcome. Shall we not heed the solemn admonitions given us by the Spirit of God concerning the foreign work, and take at least a step in advance by uniting heartily and enthusiastically in the study of the field? “HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH UNTO THE CHURCHES.”
A Reading in Which the Questions Are Answered by Extracts from Late Testimonies. 1. What is the present situation of our foreign missions?—“Our foreign missions are languishing. The missionaries are not sustained as God requires they should be. For want of funds, workers are not able to enter new fields.” “Think of our missions in foreign countries. Some of them are struggling to gain even a foothold; they are destitute of even the most meager facilities.” 2. Are God’s people doing all they can to relieve this situation?—“God’s people are on trial before the heavenly universe; but the scantiness of their gifts and offerings, and the feebleness of their efforts in God’s service, mark them as unfaithful stewards. If what they are doing were the best they could do, condemnation would not come upon them; but with their resources they could do much more. The world knows, and they know, that they have to a great degree lost the spirit of self-denial and cross-bearing.” 3. Why do they not do more?—“There is a stupor, a paralysis, upon the people of God, which keeps them from understanding what is needed for this time.” 4. What appeal is made to Conference officers?—“I appeal to the officers of our Conferences to make earnest efforts in our churches to arouse them to give of their means for sustaining foreign missions. . . . The last years of probation are passing into eternity. The great day of the Lord is soon to open upon us. We should now use every ability we possess to arouse our people.” 5. How urgent is the appeal to the people?—“I urge you for your souls’ sake to hear my plea for those who are missionaries in foreign countries, whose hands are tied by your ways.” 6. How is Satan endeavoring to thwart the work in foreign lands?—“Satan is playing the game of life for the souls of men. He is seeking to secure means, that he may bind it up, so that it shall not be used to advance the missionary enterprises. Shall we be ignorant of his devices? Shall we allow him to stupefy our senses, so that we shall not discern the needs of this time?” “Satan has been working with all his powers of deception to bring matters to that pass where the way will be hedged up for want of means in the treasury.” 7. How do you answer these questions?—“Do you realize that every year thousands and thousands and ten times ten thousand souls are perishing,—dying in their sins? The plagues and judgments of God are already doing their work, and souls are going to ruin because the light of truth has not been flashed upon their pathway. Do we fully believe that we are to carry the word of God to all the world? Who believes this? ‘How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?’ Who has the faith that will enable them to practice this word? Who believes in the light which God has given?” 8. How is it possible for the work of God to be restricted?—“Unless your hearts are touched as you see the situation in foreign fields, the last message of mercy to be given to the world will be restricted, and the work which God would have done will be left undone.” 9. What has delayed the coming of Christ to this earth?—“Had the purpose of God been carried out by his people in giving the message of mercy to the world, Christ would have come to the earth, and the saints would ere this have received their welcome into the city of God.” 10. What are we now called upon to do?—“Sound an alarm throughout the length and breadth of the earth. Tell the people that the day of the Lord is near, and hasteth greatly. Let none be left unwarned. We might have been in the place of the poor souls that are in the darkness of error. We might have been placed amid barbarism. According to the light we have received above others, we are debtors to impart the same to them. The Day Star has risen upon us; let us flash the light upon the pathway of those in darkness.” FAITHFUL SERVICE.
By Silver Cross
Not to be always wanting
Some other work to do,
But cheerfully to take the task
Which Christ has set for you,
And to bear the little crosses
Of humble daily life With that same dauntless courage
You meant for nobler strife;
And to share the yoke with Jesus,
Wherever he may lead—
Whether in pleasant pastures
His tender flocks to feed, Or whether upon the mountains
His bloodstains mark your way,
Only to follow him meekly,
And to follow all the day.
So, soul, you'll be the winner
When this day's work is done,
And better fitted for labor
When to-morrow greets the sun. OCTOBER STUDY OF THE FIELD.
Articles for Study in the October Missionary Magazine: Religions of China; Evangelical Work among the Greeks; The Struggle for Argentine Independence; Openings for Work in Argentina. 1. How fully does the worship of ancestors enter into the home life of the Chinese? Upon what doctrine is this worship based? 2. Describe the preference shown for a male child. What has led to such degradation of woman? See page 397, September Missionary Magazine. 3. Tell how Chinese children are taught to worship idols. Who continues to deceive the child as he grows older? 4. In what way is the schoolboy taught to reverence the gods? What practical part is he compelled to act in supporting this worship during his school life? 5. What can you say of the wedding ceremony among the Chinese? How is the celebration of these rites being modified by contact with Christianity? 6. Describe the kitchen god. The god of wealth. 7. Give a brief synopsis of Taoism. 8. When, where, and by whom was Protestant missionary work begun in Greece? 9. What was accomplished by Messrs. King and Hill and Miss Baldwin? What remarkable change has taken place in the Hill school? 10. Relate some of the trials endured by the first few workers. What can you say of the visible results? 11. How many Protestant churches are there in Greece? 12. Who are some of the most earnest native laborers? Mention some of their experiences. 13. Give some of the chief obstacles to gospel work among the Greeks. 14. Describe briefly Argentina’s struggle for independence. 15. By what events was the year 1813 made memorable? After what was the Argentine constitution modeled? Have these principles been carried out in this republic? 16. What can you say of the condition of many of the professed Christians of Argentina? 17. Mention some calls for help that have recently been made. Through what were many of these families led to investigate present truth? 18. State some results of our efforts in Argentina. THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE.
Its Basis in the Seven Trumpets; and Its Relation to the Great Nations of To-day.
We have seen how the continuance of the Eastern question, as it has centered in Constantinople since Aug. 11, 1840, has inevitably absorbed the whole East. We have seen that, with the single exception of Austria, the same Powers that were originally involved in the Eastern question in 1840, are still the principal Powers involved in the greater Eastern question, whose chief center is just now in Peking, but whose ultimate center is always Constantinople. And though these Powers, with the exception of Russia, were originally, and are still, the chief Powers of the West; yet, as the Eastern question, with which they became connected in 1840, has continued to grow until it has absorbed the whole East, these Powers of the West have, in the natural course of things, become also the Powers of the East. There are, however, two Powers reckoned among these principal ones of the greater Eastern question, which were not connected with that question originally, but have become parties to it only lately. These are Japan and the United States. In 1895 war broke out between China and Japan. Japan was everywhere and speedily victorious. When peace was established, considerable Chinese territory was ceded to Japan, and also an immense cash indemnity was agreed upon. But Russia, France, and Germany united in a protest against the cession of the agreed territory. Since the threatening protest of these three Powers was supported by the “advice” of Great Britain to the Japanese government to yield to it, Japan, to avoid a new war, did yield to the demand of the three Powers—and the territory in question fell immediately under Russian “influence.” Further, to enable the Chinese government to pay the first installment of the cash indemnity, bankers of Paris and St. Petersburg loaned about eighty million dollars to China, upon the guaranty of the Russian government. Later, China secured another loan, from English and German bankers, secured by the customs revenue of China; and, through this, Britain secured a hold upon the fortress and naval station of Wei-Hai-Wei. These transactions took from Japan all the territory that had been ceded to her by China, except the Island of Formosa, and the Pescadores group; and planted in the hearts of the Japanese a determination to be revenged upon Russia at the earliest possible moment. And thus Japan became, and stands, an integral part of the Eastern question as it is to-day. In 1898, as all know, the United States became involved in a war with Spain. The American fleet, in far Eastern waters, found and destroyed, at Manila, the Spanish fleet; and, through this transaction, the United States became possessed of the Philippine Islands, and so became an Eastern Power. Being thus an Eastern Power, the United States demanded and secured in China the “open door” for herself and all the nations, to Chinese trade. In the month of June, 1900, the legations of the Powers, in China, were attacked—that of the United States equally with the others. To rescue their ministers, each of these Powers was obliged to send an army—the United States equally with the others. This brought the United States as a Power into China, and associated her there in alliance with the other great Powers, who, from the beginning, have been the material part of the Eastern question. And in a circular note to all the Powers concerned, July 3, 1900, the United States announced to the world that “the policy of the government of the United States is to seek a solution which may bring about permanent safety and peace in China, preserve Chinese territorial and administrative ENTITY, protect all rights guaranteed to friendly Powers by treaty and international law, and safeguard for the world the principle of equal and impartial trade with all parts of the Chinese Empire.” This shows that the United States has not only become, but that she intends to remain, one of the Powers of the East, and one of the very chiefest of those concerned in the Eastern question. As was made plain in last week's study on this subject, this Eastern question as it centers in Peking is but the extension and enlargement of the original Eastern question as it centers in Constantinople. And this crisis, which brings all these Powers face to face in China, is but the logical outcome of the steps that were taken in 1840, in the crisis which brought the original of these Powers into the position of supporters of the government of Turkey. Thus the question as it relates to Turkey, is the key of the same question in its enlarged form, as just now it relates to China. Consequently, the prophecies that relate to the Turkish power in this time are the key to the understanding of the question that involves China and the world-powers. What, then, are the scriptures that relate to Turkey in this time? The last verses of Daniel 11 relate to Turkey, which, as king of the north, with its center at Constantinople, occupies, in direct descent, the place of the original king of the north in the division of the empire of Alexander the Great, as in the fourth verse and onward. And of this Power it is written: “He shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” Dan. 11:45. In these studies we have seen that a number of times in the last fifty years the Turkish government would have come to an end had it not been distinctly “helped.” Indeed, we have seen that the Turkish government could not have existed at all these fifty years if it had not been distinctly “helped” by the Powers whose relations are the substance of the Eastern question. By all it is expected that the Turkish government must leave Constantinople. Many a time in these years it has been expected that the Turkish government must certainly leave Constantinople immediately. By all it is expected that when the Turkish government does leave Constantinople, the tabernacles of his palace will be planted in Jerusalem, “between the seas in the glorious holy mountain.” And when that time comes, which must inevitably come soon,—“at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time.” Dan. 12:1. This final event in the Eastern question, with its accompaniments, is further described in Rev. 16:12: “The sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates, and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the East might be prepared.” As to the literal river Euphrates, from the beginning of history it has been crossed and recrossed, even at the flood, without any particular difficulty, by kings and their armies. It can not be, then, the literal river that is here spoken of. But since waters signify “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues” (Rev. 17:15), the “water” here signifies the Power which dominates the peoples that inhabit the territory of the Euphrates—and that is the Turkish power, which is to come to his end when none helps him. And this occurs “that the way of the kings of THE EAST might be prepared.” But, with the exception of the United States and Japan, these “kings of the East” are the identical kings that have been the principal cause and substance of the Eastern question, from its origin, Aug. 11, 1840, unto the present hour. How, then, can the Turkish government come to its end? How can thus this “water” of “the great river Euphrates” be “dried up,” except by the action of these very Powers? These “kings of the East,” whose way is to be “prepared” by the fall of Turkey, are the very Powers who are altogether responsible for Turkey. How, then, can Turkey possibly come to her end, except by the direct action of these Powers which now are “the kings of the East”?—Plainly, this is the only way in which Turkey can come to her end—the only way in which the water of the river Euphrates can be dried up. It is plain, therefore, that these Powers which are now “the kings of the East,” and which are in a vortex, whose immediate center is China, but whose original and ultimate center is Turkey, will reach the point where they will remove the Turkish government from Constantinople, and allow it to be planted in Jerusalem. And shortly after that, they will let the Turkish power “come to his end.” And when that is done, whatever the Powers may intend in it, the end of it all is that they shall be gathered at Armageddon, to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. For it is written: “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. . . . And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” Rev. 16:13–16. Notice here the striking statement in the association of the two expressions in these verses of Revelation 16: The Turkish power comes to its end,—the water of the Euphrates is dried up,—“that the way of the kings of the East might be prepared;” and these “kings of the East” are said to be “the kings of the earth and of the whole world.” Now, it is the truth that three of these Powers that created the Eastern question in 1840, with Germany and the United States, do actually control practically the whole world. And with these five Powers—Britain, Russia, Germany, France, and the United States—all the lesser Powers are, in some way, associated. So it is altogether true that “the kings of the East” are now indeed “the kings of the earth and of the whole world.” And these Powers, in centering their interests in the East, and planting their armies in the East, are but arraying themselves and marshaling their forces, in readiness to march to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. And that will be when, in their distress with perplexity, the Turkish government shall by these Powers be let fall, and so “the way” be prepared for them as “the kings of the East” to be “gathered” into that place “called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” Thus, we have fulfilled our promise made in these columns, July 17 and 31, to show the place and work of the great nations, and all the nations, of to-day, considered from the basis of the line of prophecy of the Seven Trumpets. With China as their immediate center, with Turkey as their ultimate center, their place is “the whole world,” and their work is the arraying of themselves and the mustering of their forces in preparation for the battle of that great day of God Almighty. And since this is their place and their work; and since the complication in which they are involved culminates in that time of trouble “such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time,” when there shall be delivered only those “that shall be found written in the book,” their relation to the Third Angel’s Message is that that message must now be sounded, with its loudest voice, to all the people of the whole world, calling them, by the power of the everlasting gospel, to the registry of their names in the Lamb’s book of life. All who profess to know the Third Angel’s Message, in that very profession do profess to know all these things, and to be doing just this work of calling souls to registry in the book of life, that they may be delivered in that great day. Such being undoubtedly the place and work of the nations of to-day, and this being their relationship to the Third Angel’s Message, we are thus633brought again to the consideration of the Third Angel’s Message, as it is in itself, and what it is, indeed, to-day. The time is at hand. Get ready, get ready, get ready.