"The meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Ps. 37: 11.
THERE is an objective view that stands out peaceful and calm at the end of this world's stormy history. Wreathed in eternal sunlight, it appears the supreme object of desire. In all the ocean of the ages, wistful eyes have looked longingly for the everlasting hills of home. It is sometimes called, "the first dominion;" sometimes, "the purchased possession;" but it is oftener referred to as the kingdom of God.
It is of long continuance, and of great extent. "And the kingdom and dominion and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him." Dan. 7: 27.
It existed first in Eden, and the fruits and flowers of Paradise gladdened the hearts and eyes of the king and queen of the new world. God declared of the perfection that He had created, that "it was very good." Gen. 1: 31. When He shall reward His people, He will say to them, "Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matt. 25: 34.
Adam failed to keep his inheritance, and Satan said to Christ concerning the kingdoms of the world, "That is delivered unto me, and to whomsoever I will, I give it." Luke 4: 5, 6. Christ recognizes Satan as having control, and speaks of him as "the prince of this world." John 12: 31; 14: 30.
Christ does not act as king until He has first redeemed His people, through His office of High Priest." Heb. 6: 20. He said to Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world." John 18: 36.
Restoration Sure.
But, thank God, the Eden beauty will come again. The "times of restitution" are foretold by all the prophets, since the world began. Acts 3: 21. The "first dominion" will be restored to the "Tower of the flock," and "the kingdom shall come to the daughters of Jerusalem." Micah 4: 8.
John announces voices in heaven that are saying, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever." Rev. 11: 15. There we shall sing the song of redemption together. There we shall tread eternal pathways, and drink of the river of life.
It is a matter of desire, and all over the earth longing hearts are praying, "Thy kingdom come." It is also a matter of promise; so the scripture tells of those who are "rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him." James 2: 5. And Christ says, "Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth." Matt. 5: 5.
A Matter of Prophecy.
When in vision upon the isle of Patmos, John was shown the redeemed as they will appear after the coming of Christ, and heard them singing, "Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, and hast made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth." Rev. 5: 9, 10. "We, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Peter 3: 13.
The Lord says, "Behold I make all things new." Rev. 21: 5. He did not say, I make all new things, but those things which are waxed "old like a garment" are to be renewed, or made new, and possessed by the saints forever. Thus the Bible teaches very plainly that this earth, now filled with wickedness and burdened with the curse, is to be made new, the curse removed, then filled with the glory of God, to be inherited by "the saints of the Most High" forever and ever.
A kingdom consists of a king, territory, subjects, and laws. In the kingdom of God it is easy to recognize each. Christ is the king. Rev. 11: 15. This earth is the territory, and the righteous are the subjects. Dan. 7: 27. "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." Matt. 13: 43.
The beauties of that land are beyond conception, its joys eternal. The loved will mingle in sweetest fellowship. Dear ones will clasp hands in holiest tenderness. We shall know as we are known, and the recognition will be with unspeakable joy.
The Hope of the Saints.
In hope of the kingdom of God, martyrs have trodden the paths of peril, saints have paced the cold cells, hearts have ached, souls have hungered, fires have burned around the forms of the faithful. Storms and adversities have pelted the prophets, eyes have wept tears of blood, and brows platted with coronals of persecution have endured, in view of the coming kingdom. The righteous have proven, in the words of Inspiration, that "we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Acts 14: 22.
Of the innumerable company clothed in white it is declared, "These are they which came out of great tribulation." Rev. 7: 14.
Earthly pleasures, wealth, and gain,
All I resign;
Welcome sorrow, grief, or pain,
If heaven be mine."
Well has Christ said of the immortal company, "and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy."
One woman, while listening to the gracious words of Christ, cried out, "Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God." Luke 14: 15. Its rainbows never fade, for they are woven into the foundations of the city. On every side are forms of loveliness more beautiful than islets that slumber on the ocean, and where loved ones that have left us here will stay with us forever.
When Fulfilled.
Will the kingdom come, and the prayer of the ages be answered? When Jesus commenced His ministry the burden of His message was, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand." Mark 1: 15. The prophecies of Daniel had outlined four universal monarchies, to be followed by the kingdom of God. In the days of the Saviour three had already arisen, and each in turn had been overthrown. The fourth was in its power. The world was taxed by Caesar Augustus. Luke 2: 1. The kingdom of God was then "at hand," or next to come.10Nearly two millenniums have passed since then. The signs that indicate the nearness of the kingdom of God have nearly all been fulfilled. Many are looking for the coming of the king, and "unto them that look for Him, shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Heb. 9: 28.
As the New Jerusalem is to descend to the earth, and be its metropolis, it also is included in the kingdom of God. When the Lord comes, the saints are to be taken to this city. "Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. 22: 14. They are in the kingdom, whenever they enter the pearly gates.
Cleansing the Kingdom.
When Christ shall come to take possession of the earth it will be filled with His enemies. His first work will be a cleansing work. "As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of Man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity." Matt. 13: 40, 41.
But when His work shall be finished, "the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the water covers the sea." Hab. 2: 14. It will be "the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Peter 3: 13. Then God will have a clean universe. In Rev. 5: 13 is seen this glad consummation. "And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, "Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever."
A Joyful Kingdom.
When I speak of the joys that are in that kingdom, my pen lingers. Life will be a series of glad surprises. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man, the things that God hath prepared for them that love Him." 1 Cor. 2: 9. Rev. 7: 16 speaks of the children of the kingdom: "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
Isaiah declares, "The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick." Folded under the wing of the Eternal, embosomed on the heart of the Infinite, thrilled with the pulsations of a living faith, we shall be indeed children of God, gathered into the kingdom of our Father. All that love can promise, it is ours to claim. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away." Rev. 21: 4.
We read of the city, "Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God." Ps. 87: 3. Again we read: "I will lay thy stones with fair colors and lay thy foundations with sapphires, and I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy children." Isa. 54: 11.
In holiest fellowship with the pure of all ages, and taught of the Lord, in the kingdom of God will be our rest forever.
HUNGER AND THIRST.
By H. A. St. John
BY H. A. ST. JOHN.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.” Matt. 5:6.
IN this land of plenty there are but few persons acquainted with the sensations of extreme hunger and thirst. Nevertheless all know, in some measure, what it means to be hungry or thirsty. See that man that is really hungry and thirsty. Approach him with a scheme for making money. Begin to tell him how by joining you, he may easily make hundreds of dollars for himself. And altho he has natural cravings for speculation—for money making—there is another paramount desire in his soul that seeks first for gratification. He meets your appeal with the cry, “Give me food, give me drink.”
Invite his consideration of a proposed pleasure trip, offering rare opportunities for sightseeing. Again he turns aside your proposition, with the earnest plea for food and drink. You decide to make one more effort to get his mind off that one question of food and drink. You endeavor to place before him a short pathway upon which he may enter, and very soon attain to great honor—exaltation, power, authority, even a crown and dominion. But all is futile and vain. What is all that to a hungry and thirsty man? Still he cries, “Give me food and drink, or I die, and then all else is lost.” If his hunger and thirst are intense, he will not give attention to anything else until that demand is gratified.
Now, reader, ask yourself the all-important question, Do I thus hunger and thirst after righteousness? Are you so intensely eager to obtain a fulness of the righteousness of Christ that all things else are secondary? Do you really and deeply feel that unless you are filled with this righteousness, you will eventually forever die, and then all is lost both for time and eternity? Examine yourself in the light of this great truth. How many of your conscious, wakeful moments each day are spent by a truly hungry and thirsty soul panting and pleading for the fulness of the righteousness of Christ?
If you are not filled, is it not for the obvious reason that you do not hunger and thirst for it? How sad to think there is so little desire for that upon which our present and eternal welfare and life depends. Jesus said, “With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.” His great desire was satisfied. If with like desire we shall long to be filled with the righteousness of Christ before we go hence, our desire will be fully satisfied.
Behold, Jesus with all His fulness is standing, knocking, and entreating, at the door of your heart. Bid Him enter without delay. If you are as anxious for Him to come in, as He is anxious to come in, you will open the door at once, and then He will enter and sup with you and you with Him. Then, being filled with Christ, you will be filled with His righteousness, and thus enabled to reveal Christ to the world in all that goes to make up your life. All your desires will then be rectified, justified, purified, sanctified, and eventually gratified, and forever satisfied.
TWO SERMONS.
By Louis Albert Banks
[By Louis Albert Banks, D.D., in S. S. Times.]
“Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Jehovah of hosts.”
SPURGEON tells us how he once preached what in his judgment was one of his poorest sermons. He stammered and floundered, and when he got through felt that he had made a complete failure. He was greatly humiliated, and when he got home he fell on his knees, and said: “Lord God, thou canst do something with nothing. Bless that poor sermon.” And all through the week he kept uttering that prayer. He would wake up in the night and pray about it. He determined that the next Sunday he would redeem himself by preaching a great sermon. Sure enough, the next Sunday the sermon went off beautifully. At the close the people crowded about him and covered him with praise. Spurgeon went home pleased with himself, and that night he slept like a baby. But he said to himself, “I will watch the results of those two sermons.” What were they? From the one that had seemed a failure he was able to trace forty-one conversions, and from that magnificent sermon he was unable to discover that a single soul was saved. Spurgeon’s explanation was that the Spirit of God used the one, and did not use the other. We can do nothing without the Spirit, who “helpeth our infirmities.”
There is an old Romish story that a certain famous preacher was to preach on a certain occasion, but he missed his way, and was too late; and the devil, knowing of it, put on the appearance of the minister, took his place, and preached a sermon to the people, who supposed they were listening to the famous divine whom they had expected. The devil preached upon hell, and was very much at home, so that he delivered a marvelous sermon in which he exhorted persons to escape from the wrath to come. As he was finishing his sermon, in came the preacher himself, and the devil was obliged to resume his own form. The holy man then questioned him, “How dare you preach as you have done, warning men to escape from hell?” “O,” said the devil, “it will do no hurt to my kingdom, for I have no unction.” The story is grotesque, but there is truth in it. Only the presence of the Spirit of God in the Christian’s message will give it the desired effect.
IMMORTALITY
1. THE word “immortal” means incorruptible, not subject to death or decay. It occurs but once in the Bible, and is applied only to God. “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever.” 1 Tim. 1: 17.
2. God is the only being who is naturally, essentially, inherently, immortal. He is “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see; to whom be honor and power everlasting.” 1 Tim. 6: 15, 16.
4. Immortality can come only to those who seek for it through the Gospel. In the judgment God will “render to every man according to his deeds; to them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath.” Rom. 2: 6–8.
To BE happy in the world one must learn to let go; to be happy in God one must learn to hold on. —Ivan Panin.
SEA AND WAVES ROARING.
By A. H. Darrow
BY A. H. DARROW.
"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring." Luke 21:25.
AS the timber has been removed from American forests, east, west, north, and south; and since vast herds of cattle and sheep have browsed the herbage most diligently from the sides and tops of mountains and hills; snow on mountain peaks and other places melts more rapidly; rains no longer are held where they fall, to percolate slowly through drifts and sands and soil. Of late years the water rushes down the hillsides in torrents, during the rainy seasons, swelling the streams of the Mississippi, the Ohio, the Hudson, the Missouri, and even the Rio Grande, into flood-like proportions, bursting banks, breaking levees, inundating vast sections of agricultural and stock-raising country, and spreading far and wide death, devastation, and destruction. Houses, cattle, sheep, hogs, shocks of corn, wheat, oats, and barley, frequently go sailing down stream, halting not in their haste till they, with the angry floods which bear them, reach the gulf or ocean, the great receptacles ready to take what the people do not want or can not retain.
What A Cyclone Can Do.
In one instance, here in Prescott, a large house floated down with the raging torrent, with all of its furniture, and the lamp burning on the stand, to be seen no more by those who had known it. This was accomplished, too, by a small stream called Granite Creek, which flows into the Verde River.
All readers are familiar with the Johnstown flood and the "Galveston horror," in which so many lives were lost, so much property destroyed, and so much destitution and distress occasioned.
"In 1876," says a recent journal, "a cyclone rolled the great waves of the sea over three small islands at the mouth of the river Ganges, and 215,000 persons were drowned. In 1896 a cyclone at St. Louis destroyed 200 lives and $50,000,000 worth of property. Less than a month later, a seismic wave washed thirty miles of the Japanese coast line, destroying every dwelling within its scope and 30,000 human lives. In 1903, 200 persons were drowned in the Topeka, Kansas, flood; fifty, as the result of a cloudburst in Clifton, South Carolina, and 500 at Heppner, Oregon."
The Republican of May 6, 1905, speaks of a flood disaster in Apache and Navajo Counties, Arizona, very destructive to property.
The same paper, of June 13, 1905, gives the following dispatch from Hannibal, Mo., June 12: "The flood in the Mississippi River has spread over all the unprotected lowlands, and is from five to ten miles wide between here and Keokuk, Iowa. Near Alexandria, a farmer was drowned, and seven other persons are reported missing. Much live stock has been lost. The flood came so suddenly that farmers had difficulty in saving their families. . . . The loss will run into millions."
A flood at Guan Juato, Mexico, July 4, 1905, destroyed from 600 to 1,000 human lives and $2,000,000 worth of property; and a hurricane and tidal wave on the Marshall Islands, August 17, 1905, killed 100 people. Five hundred people were drowned in the Elizabeth River, near Norfolk, Virginia, as a result of a train plunging into the river.
The roaring of the waves and of the sea is mentioned by Luke in the closest connection with the perplexity of the nations resulting from various causes, among which we can hardly avoid classing the signs in the sun, moon, and stars, going before, and the shaking of the powers of the heavens, mentioned almost immediately after. It is evidently one of the signs of the last days and of the approaching consummation.
It is to be noticed here that there has recently been an increase, not only in the virulence of many diseases, such as pneumonia, consumption, etc., but also in the destructiveness of storms, floods, and cyclones.
One distinguished writer says: "Everything in the world is in agitation. The signs of the times are ominous. Coming events cast their shadows before. The Spirit of God is withdrawing from the earth, and calamity follows calamity by sea and by land. There are tempests, earthquakes, fires, floods, murders of every grade. Who can read the future? Where is security? There is assurance in nothing that is human or earthly. Rapidly men are ranging themselves under the banner they have chosen. Restlessly they are waiting and watching the movements of their leaders. An intensity such as never before was seen is taking possession of the world: In amusements, in money-making, in the contest for power, in the very struggle for existence, there is a terrible force that engrosses body and mind and soul. In the midst of this maddening rush, God is speaking. He bids us come apart and commune with Him. 'Be still and know that I am God.'"
Not only are the powers of heaven being shaken, but men are being shaken as never before, with passion, with lust, and with the contending emotions of good and evil. Not only are the sea and waves roaring, but the waves of sin and strife are raging, and the devil, the prime cause of all this raging strife, goeth about like a roaring lion, with diligence and wrath, knowing that his time is short in which to encompass the ruin of a world.
Let us be up and doing, for the night cometh when no man can work. "This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent."
BERNARD PALISSY'S CHOICE.
THE fame of Palissy the potter cannot outshine the honor of Palissy the Huguenot.
After the long years of labor in which he won the secret of his art, the products of his genius were held in such regard that in the massacre of St. Bartholomew his life was protected; slay the potter and there could be no more of his pottery. His sturdy faith, however, made him many enemies. Once he narrowly escaped imprisonment and death. At last there came a time when the artifices of friends in power could no longer shield him. He was an old man of seventy-six when he was arrested and sent to the Bastile, and the last four years of his life were spent within its walls. King Henry III., "starched, frilled, and curled," used to visit him there. Two fair young girls shared the later period of his imprisonment. "My good man," said the king, "you have been forty-five years in the service of the queen, my mother, or in mine, and we have suffered you to live in your own religion, amidst all the executions and massacres. But now I am so pressed by the Guise party and my own people that I have been compelled, in spite of myself, to imprison these two poor women and you; they are to be burnt to-morrow, and you also, if you will not be converted."
"Sire," answered the old man, "you have said several times that you feel pity for me; but it is I who pity you who have said, 'I am compelled.' That is not speaking like a king. These girls and I, who have part in the kingdom of heaven, we will teach you to talk royally. The Guisarts, all your people, and yourself can not compel a potter to bow down to images of clay." The girls were executed a few months later, and Palissy died in the Bastile.—Selected.
The Best You Have
"THOSE who can not afford to offer up a lamb may offer a dove, but let it be the best you have, and without blemish."
SHE DIED AN HOUR AGO.
ONE day the conversation at dinner, in a family well known to the writer, turned upon a lady who was so unfortunate as to have incurred the dislike of certain members of the household, because of some little peculiarities. After several had expressed their views in no gentle terms, the married sister added: "I can't endure her; and I believe I will not return her call if she comes here again." Her husband, who had hitherto remained silent, replied: "She will not trouble you again, my dear; as she died an hour ago." "You do not mean it? surely you are only teasing us for our uncharitableness?" "She is really dead. I heard it on my way home to dinner." Overwhelmed with shame, the little group realized for the first time the solemnity of such sinful conversation. Let us take warning, and speak of those about us as we shall wish we had done when they are taken from us.—Selected.
TO DIE AND LEAVE IT ALL.
By L. D. Santee
BY L. D. SANTEE.
"For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." James 4:14.
THE breath of spring, the fragrance of the flowers,
The smile of summer with its light and gleam,
The music, in the passing golden hours,
And all that heart could wish, or fancy dream;
The friendship fond, this life's most sacred treasure,
The quick response, when loving voices call,
All things that make existence here a pleasure,
We die, and leave them all.
The speech of autumn, with sweet memories
freighted,
The golden fruits that crown the lusty year,
The "Indian summer" with its haze belated,
And all the memories, the heart holds dear.
And all the joys, that make the life worth living,
The dreams that hold our being in their thrall,
The gifts of love, that find reward in giving,
We die, and leave them all.
But ah! there is a life that lasts forever,
Rich with the glories of eternal years,
Where sorrow never comes, and death is never,
And no more wretchedness, and no more tears.
That life eternal to the saints is given,
Who answered to the Saviour's loving call,
They'll ne'er be called to leave the bliss of heaven,
To die, and leave it all.
Dixon, Ill.
"HOW FOREIGN MISSIONARIES ARE APPOINTED."
By A. Allen John, M.D.
BY A. ALLEN JOHN, M.D.
I HAVE recently been requested by R. G. Willingham, corresponding secretary Southern Baptist Convention Foreign Mission Board, to supply information concerning a person who is an applicant for appointment as a missionary. I was so impressed when answering certain of the ten questions on the "Confidential" blank, as, also, with the leaflet which accompanied it, that I decided to place them before our readers; and especially those who are ready to say, "Send me." Note some of the questions:
Does he work with uncongenial persons and in unfavorable surroundings?
Is he liable to undue discouragement or depression of spirits?
Is he in any respect peculiar or eccentric?
Do you know any reason—social, physical, mental, or moral—why he should not be appointed?
These questions are suggestive, and should be carefully considered by the applicant:
"4." Sin is the enemy of righteousness, and those who seek the lost will often encounter many unpleasant things.
"5." If the missionary is easily depressed he is apt to retreat where he should occupy the field.
"6." Peculiarities after a "godly sort" are commendable, but pronounced personal peculiarities and eccentricities are objectionable, and show a lack of congeniality and adaptability which repel instead of draw, also inviting adverse criticism rather than the encodium, "He has been with Jesus and learned of Him."
"8." Social, physical, mental, and moral conditions require particular consideration. The world is in need of "balanced" men and women. These, alone, are rare. A scriptural marriage usually is a means to that end, supplemented by home and social restraints; but seen only in their greatest perfection in the fellowship of the Christian church, which is the "body," and in which all the gifts are to be displayed, the Holy Spirit working as He will through Christ who is the "head."
Therefore the great importance of organization and Mission Boards, to aid in selecting workers for peculiar fields and those who will be congenial to their fellow-workers also, and "To find out and send all whom God wants to go, . . . and keep from sending those whom the Lord has not called." This is a part of what Mr. Willingham says:
When a person decides that he wishes to be appointed as a missionary of the Foreign Mission Board he makes application through the corresponding secretary, whose duty it is to receive such application and gather information as to the applicant. The secretary sends a blank form, which the applicant fills out, telling the leading facts of his life as to time and place of birth, conversion, educational attainments, religious work done; also, as to whether in debt, married or engaged, field preferred, and other important points. The corresponding secretary writes to intimate friends and acquaintances of the applicant. To a great extent the board has to be guided by the information furnished by others. When brethren and sisters know a person is applying to be sent, it would be a kindness to write to the board and give any information which will help them to decide. When the board writes for information and you remain silent, when you know facts which should be told, you are unfaithful to your brethren and the Master. The board wishes to find out if the party is sound doctrinally, morally, mentally, and physically. Also whether he is earnest and faithful. He must not only be good, but good for hard work in trying circumstances. If the board is thus satisfied as to the applicant, he is requested to come and appear before them and stand an examination. At this examination he is questioned as to his conversion, and his call to the ministry and mission work. These meetings, where applicants come and tell the board of the leading of the Spirit in their call, are among the sweetest and most precious held by the board. If the applicant is approved, his field is assigned and arrangements are made for his departure.
The Famous Volcano Popocatapetl, Near the City of Mexico.
Some one may ask what are some of the qualities most needed in a missionary. Manliness in men and womanliness in women, spirituality, wisdom, good health. The missionary must be a person who feels the burden of souls and recognizes God's call to go and give them the Gospel. Knowing of their need of Christ, his soul must be so on fire to give them the truth that he can love them despite filth, ignorance, and iniquity abounding among them. The true missionary needs, above all things, to be Christlike. He needs to live Christ while he tells of Christ. It is one thing to apply for the work; it is quite another to go to the foreign field and prove that no mistake has been made in the appointment. No one ought to apply who has not fully decided, if appointed, to go and stay and "stick" and do his very best. There are too many good men and women anxious to go for any who are half-hearted to apply. Of course, in some cases, people break down in health and have to return home, but this warns us to send those who, we think, can best stand the different climates and the hard conditions in heathen lands. For any to go and then return in a short while, having taken "only a pleasant trip abroad," is exceedingly hurtful to the work.
We rejoice that we have so many noble men and women who represent us in foreign lands. Some have returned, but let us with these be charitable; the conditions by which they were surrounded were terrible.
The board has constantly to appoint new missionaries. Some die, others sicken and return home. Besides, our work is increasing, and we need new men and women. Pray that wisdom may be given for this most important task. Pray, also, that the dear men and women appointed may realize Christ's power and presence as they go forth in His name.
We close with the words by Norman H. Russell, missionary in India: "God does not count His workers; He weighs them. With Him it is more kind than numbers."
Thus when manly men and womanly women, spiritually minded, wise and physically capable, are sent forth to sow the precious seed, a harvest must follow. And when they are all aglow with the "blessed hope," sickness and death will not terrorize, nor will they be over-anxious to return to loved ones in the home-land, only as they antedate the glad re-union and blessed immortality in our heavenly home.
Mexico City.
EXPERIENCE WITH THE "SIGNS."
By Mrs. R. Martin
BY MRS. R. MARTIN.
ONE Sunday night a short time ago we took some copies of the SIGNS to work among the saloons in Armourdale, Kan. On entering the first saloon all eyes were upon us at once. There were about thirty people present. One young man, altho quite intoxicated, started the song, "Nearer, My God, to Thee." Another man, to whom I was trying to sell13a paper, started another Gospel song, and I was impressed to join him. The greater part of the company joined in also. This seemed to disturb the proprietor, so I suggested that we go into the street. Here the singing was continued until I was led to tell them a story about the Saviour of whom we had been singing.
After telling them of the woman of Samaria, and her interview with Jesus, I asked how many would like to have this living water. Eight raised their hands, and nearly all knelt with us while Mr. Martin and I prayed.
After prayer we shook hands with them all, and, to our surprise, we found that the saloon-keeper and his family had joined in the service. Each one acknowledged having received blessing. Four continued to talk with us; we had the second prayer with them, and still they did not want us to leave them.
Two were satisfied that the Lord had accepted them. The third said, "O come and see me tomorrow; I must have peace." With Mr. Martin's promise, he seemed relieved. One, a Catholic, said, "I thought I was a good man to my family until to-night; but my wife and little girl will no longer have a husband and father who stops at the saloon for his evening drink and game of pool." Then, placing his hand to his heart, he said, "Why, I have a peace that I never thought anything could give."
I am very successful with the SIGNS in street as well as saloon work. At places of business I do best on Saturday nights. I do better when I go to the country towns. I find the work very fascinating; and then to know that such precious truth is going to a sin-cursed people, is great cause for thankfulness that I can have a part in giving the Gospel message.
8 Fountain Place, Kansas City, Mo.
ANOTHER SANITARIUM DEDICATED.
By William S. Sadler
BY W. S. SADLER.
Two years ago, Mr. C. B. Kimbell, a retired business man living in Hinsdale, Illinois, purchased a piece of property near his home, for the erection of a sanitarium. He had been to the Battle Creek Sanitarium and there became attached to the principles for which it stands. The beautiful area he purchased was deeded by him to a corporation which was formed, called the Hinsdale Sanitarium and Benevolent Association. The tract of land was deeded on terms of payment of twenty annual instalments free of interest. Situated on a charming elevation, clad with a virgin forest of oak, elm, maple, and other trees, it is but seventeen miles from Chicago, and thus very easy of access from the city.
By June 1, this year, a building had been erected to accommodate about fifty patients. On September 20 it was ready for dedication, a good number of patients having been received by that time, and many more desiring to come.
Some seven hundred visitors and guests attended the dedication, which was a successful and interesting occasion. Prominent speakers representing the law, the church, medicine, and commercial interests, were present, and gave addresses full of kind interest in the work for which the sanitarium is established. Judge Orrin Carter, of Chicago; Hon. R. A. Childs, ex-congressman from the locality; Dr. Thomas, of Chicago; Representative Wilson, of Wheaton, Ill.; Hastings H. Hart, superintendent of the Chicago Children's Home and Aid Society, gave appreciative addresses, in addition to Dr. J. H. Kellogg, Dr. Paulson, and the writer. Dr. Pearson, the philanthropist, prevented from attending the exercises, sent a sympathetic statement of interest and good-will for the sanitarium. Elder Wm. Covert, president of the Illinois Conference, offered the dedicatory prayer. Citizens of Hinsdale attended in large numbers, and took great interest in the event.
Connected with the Hinsdale Sanitarium is a Missionary Nurses Training School, offering a three-years' course, prominent in which is the Bible study, covering the entire three years, and embracing a very thorough study of the doctrines known as the Third Angel's Message. The management desire and intend that every graduate of the school shall not only be a well-trained nurse, but also an efficient and firmly-grounded Bible-worker.
The outdoor life and fresh-air cure is a strong item of the sanitarium regime, and ample provision will be made for patients to recuperate by engaging in the health-promoting work of tilling the soil.
Already there is such a demand for rooms that it is evident an enlargement of the facilities will be necessary; and plans are under way for the erection of an addition, with twenty rooms, at an early date.
