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Review and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 11.

Rest in the Lord

Review and Herald

Mar 14, 1907

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 14, 1907

Rest in the Lord

God is near thee, Christian cheer thee; Rest in Him, sad soul; He will keep thee, when around thee Billows roll.
Calm thy sadness, look in gladness To thy Friend on high; Faint and weary pilgrim, cheer thee; Help is nigh.
Mark the sea-bird wildly wheeling Through the stormy skies; God defends him, God attends him, When he cries.
Fare thee onward, through the sunshine, Or through wintry blast; Fear forsake thee, God will take thee Home at last.
—Selected.

Our Publishing Work

*The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. Psalm 68:11.*
‘See last paragraph on this page for instructions where to order.
The March number of Life and Health is winning its way into thousands of homes. It comes to the people as a friend,—an entering wedge for greater truths. It makes mutual friends of the workers and customers. It gives liberal remuneration to the workers, and satisfies the people. Life and Health should be made to serve the cause of truth to the full extent of the possibilities of the entire denomination. Price, 50 cents a year; $2.50 per hundred copies.
“Christ in Song” is an acknowledged leader in Sabbath-school song-books. It is also adapted to church services, which renders it valuable to companies that do not feel able to own a hymnal for church services, and an extra song-book for the Sabbath-school. It contains 414 pages, with over 700 hymns set to music, comprising nearly all the old favorite songs and many new ones. It has twice as many hymns and songs as are usually found in the average Sabbath-school song-book. It is bound more securely than any other song-book issued. Bound in several durable styles, ranging in prices from 35 cents to $1 a copy.
“Our Little Folks’ Bible Nature” is an excellent kindergarten book of simple, graded lessons in Bible nature, beginning with the narration of events in the week of creation, and continuing these in the order given in the Scripture. It is a beginner’s graded book, written in the sentence-method order. A new revised edition has just been printed. Many improvements on the old edition have been made. Each subject is thoroughly illustrated with new drawings made especially for the book. It is also illustrated with fifteen beautiful colored plates. It contains 159 pages, bound in board and cloth covers with colored cover designs. The first edition was sold readily, thereby proving the desirability of the book. The new edition with the improvements will much better serve the general public. Prices 25 and 50 cents, post-paid.
The Review readers are beginning to appreciate the value of the 1907 Year-Book. Any Year-Book is usually a good thing to have for general information, but the last Year-Book is especially desirable on account of the improvements over any other issue. It is not only profitable to our members, but it will prove quite effectual when placed with Christians of other denominations. It will reveal to them the thoroughly organized work of the church in all parts of the world. It will bring to them a clear statement of the fundamental principles of the denomination, and in a general way will do more to impress upon them the magnitude of our work than almost any other one book we publish. The first edition was exhausted early after the book was announced, and the second edition was run, but now that is almost out, and the type has been thrown in, so it will not be possible for another edition to be run. From this time forward, therefore, the price of the 1907 Year-Book will be 50 cents.
Kindergarten class-room supplies can be secured of the Review and Herald Publishing Association. These supplies consist of folding tables, little chairs, and three boxes of special kindergarten material. Price of the tables, $3.75, with freight or express extra, chairs from 50 to 60 cents according to size, and three boxes of material, $1.75.
“Bible Object Lessons and Songs for Little Ones” is an excellent kindergarten book, containing 52 lessons with suggestions for teaching them, 39 songs and hymns, written especially for the lessons, 36 full-page half-tones and colored plates, and 52 pen drawings, showing the use of the illustrative material. The whole book contains 160 pages, profusely illustrated, and bound in four styles, ranging in prices from $1.50 to $3.75.
“The New Testament Primer” is a new book for children, composed of simple Bible and nature topics with clean stories. It sparkles with bright two-color illustrations. It is one of the most attractive children’s books ever published. It is arranged in four graded departments, beginning with a Scripture alphabet. The first letter of each Scripture text is printed in two colors and decorated with vines that grow in Palestine. The second department is entirely devoted to trees, flowers, animals, birds, and insects, with a slate exercise in writing, drawing, and stick-laying. The third and fourth departments contain simple, yet thrilling stories of Christ and some of the leading disciples. The entire book is admirably adapted to direct in the teaching of children. It is clean, cultured, and convincing. Beautifully bound in board and cloth covers, 25 and 50 cents.
“The Christian Educator Reading Series” adopted by the General Conference at its Educational Convention held in College View, Neb., in 1906, is now being printed. Nos. 1 and 2 are off the press, and Nos. 3 and 5 will soon be ready. The other numbers of the series will probably not be ready before next summer. This series of readers comes to us as the result of successful experience in teaching. An experimental edition of the books of the series was issued during the year 1904. During the two succeeding years they have been used quite largely in our schools on the Pacific Coast. In many other conferences they have also been used to some extent. Almost without question they have been welcomed by teachers as a blessing in their schools. The price of Nos. 1 and 2 is 75 cents each, post-paid. The books may be ordered through any of the usual channels.
Orders for any publication mentioned on this page may be sent to any conference tract society, or to Review and Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C., or Battle Creek, Mich.
Also Pacific Press Publishing Association, Mountain View, Cal.; Portland, Ore.; Kansas City, Mo.; Southern Publishing Association, Nashville, Tenn., and Fort Worth, Tex.

The Victories of Our Faith

(Concluded)
God’s word is true whether we say so or not. Faith is that which lets that word be true in us.
Let us read the commandments of God in that way. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” I submit to that, let it be true in me, and God makes it true in my life by so revealing his own character, by so holding out before me the matchless charms of a Saviour’s love, that he takes from me the desire for other gods. He becomes to me the one altogether lovely. And this is done simply by my consenting to have him make this the experience of my life.
He says, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” I say, Lord, let this be true in my life, and he so reveals to me his own character in the likeness of Jesus Christ, that I am amazed that the human mind should expect to make an image of God.
He says, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” I submit myself to that, saying, I will not take thy name in vain; Lord, keep me from it. And he reveals to me that I may take his name, but it shall not be in vain. Jesus Christ is the very name of God, and when, submitting myself to God’s purpose that I shall not take his name in vain, I take the name of Jesus Christ and present it before the throne of God with my request, I learn indeed that I do not take the name of God in vain.
He tells me to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy; for he has blessed and sanctified it. I say, Lord, I submit myself to this; carry it out in my life. And while I, on my part, co-operate with him in the part I can do, which is to refrain from labor on that day, he reveals himself then as on no other day as the very rest of the Sabbath. I cease from my own works on that day simply as a sign that I have ceased from the works of sin, that God is working in me; and he fulfils this in me by taking me from my own work, and letting me enjoy his work in me. This is the gospel of the Sabbath; the sign of the power of God in Jesus Christ to accomplish this work; the sign of our confidence that it is he who does this work, and that he will continue it till the day of Jesus Christ.
He says, “Thou shalt not kill,” but he has told me that to hate is to kill. “Thou shalt not steal,” “thou shalt not bear false witness,” “thou shalt not covet.” I say, Lord, I read that word through the life of Jesus Christ and the principle of love, as a statement of thy purpose concerning my life. I find that through the grace of Jesus Christ, I do not hate, because he keeps me in perfect peace. He becomes my keeper, and the principles of God’s holy law are made life unto me by my faith in the power of Jesus Christ.
Faith is simply that submission to God, that yielding to God, by which these principles become life-truth in our character. Faith is taking what God says, and saying, Lord, I submit; make it true in my life. And so God works in us by the power of his own word, by the power of his Holy Spirit, through the life of Jesus Christ, to make us like himself; and when this work is completed, and the image of God is restored in us, and the word, which was made flesh in Jesus Christ, is made flesh in us, then Christ comes to his own, and they receive him, and so shall we be forever with the Lord.
This is the grandest of all grand things in human experience,—the victory of faith, that overcomes the world, establishes the law, reveals Jesus in our life, and prepares us to see him as he is.

Editorial Letter

By William Warren Prescott

Jottings from the Editor’s Note-Book on a Trip Around the World
I FULLY intended to continue these letters more regularly, but I have covered so much ground in so short a time, besides holding a general meeting in Japan, that I have had little time for writing. I will now, however, take up the thread of my narrative where I left it in my last letter and will try to give at least an outline of my experiences until the present time.
Our ship anchored in the harbor of Yokohama early on the morning of December 25 and at the first opportunity Brethren Field, Burden, and Okohira came on board to greet us and to assist us in landing. We were certainly very glad to meet these brethren, and they gave us a hearty welcome to Japan. It took but a short time to get ashore and to pass customs and we were soon on the train en route to Tokyo, about eighteen miles north of Yokohama. Of course we could but be interested in the many novel sights which met our eyes on every side as we were thus introduced to life in the far East, and we found it both pleasant and instructive to have with us those whose acquaintance with the country enabled them to give reliableanswers to our many questions.
At Tokyo I was kindly entertained by Brother and Sister Field, and I greatly enjoyed their whole-hearted hospitality. Sister Scharffenberg found a pleasant home with Brother Burden, and Sister Harriman returned to the ship the same evening to continue her journey to Kobe where she was to connect with the sanitarium.
As one’s movements in this part of the world depend wholly upon the boat service, my first attention was given to finding when I could sail from Japan to North China via Korea, so as to make the necessary appointments and arrange our plan of work in Japan. As the result of our investigations I found that I could have only two weeks in Japan and one week in Korea, as there is no frequent service in the winter, and the next sailing would be too late. We accordingly planned to begin our general meeting for Japan as early as possible the following week, and immediately sent out the notice to that effect. The meeting had already been appointed, and it was only necessary to make the time a little earlier.
The next day after my arrival was spent in looking about in Tokyo. This is the present capital of Japan and a city of more than a million people. In this place the East and the West have met and are mingling, and the result is an interesting and sometimes an almost grotesque mixture of the new and the old. In some places the large modern buildings built in Western style adjoin the one-story Japanese shops with their tile roofs; the electric cars and the jin-rikishas compete with each other for the local traffic, while both foreigners and Japanese ride bicycles, and an occasional motor-cycle and even an automobile chug through the streets. The combinations of dress are equally unique; the most of the Japanese follow the national style of dress with the loose flowing garments and the wooden clogs, but an increasing number are adopting the foreign style, while a few attempt to combine the two. Some of the men dress in excellent taste, and on New-year’s day at Kobe I saw a Japanese in faultless full dress including a tall hat. Sometimes, however, the garments of the East and the West are ridiculously combined, as when a boy, bareheaded and in Japanese costume, adorns his feet with a pair of bright tan shoes, or a man wears his cuffs outside his coat sleeves and his hat on wrong. But these things are the mere accidents of a great transition, the slight incongruities which attend a remarkable awakening and the entrance upon a new national existence.
There are some fine large parks in Tokyo which afford much pleasure to the Japanese who are great lovers of the beautiful in nature.
The Imperial Castle occupies a large area within the city limits, but these grounds are inaccessible to visitors except by permission of the proper authorities. On every hand may be seen the temples and the other external indications of heathenism. I visited some of the temples, and for the first time, saw the devotees of Shintoism and Buddhism bowing before the images and mumbling their useless prayers. Such scenes greatly strengthened my desire to contribute something toward the spread of the gospel message among those in darkness. The one thing which Japan needs more than anything else is the pure gospel of Christ, the coming Saviour.
I took one day to visit Yokohama, the leading coast port of Japan. It contains less than one fourth as many inhabitants as Tokyo, but the proportion of foreigners is much larger and it is a busy center of trade. The general appearance of the city and the street scenes are much the same as at Tokyo.
There are many missionaries of the various denominations located in Tokyo and Yokohama, and a Christian church was no unusual sight. It is still a debatable question, however, just how far genuine Christianity has entered into Japanese life, and to what extent the outward form has been adopted as a part of the advanced civilization of the Western world. There is certainly the greatest danger lest the gospel should be looked upon simply as one of the steps toward national greatness and be received from a desire to be like the so-called Christian nations.
On the Sabbath I spoke to the church at Tokyo with the help of Brother Okohira as interpreter. It was a new experience to hear those rescued from heathenism sing “My faith looks up to thee, thou Lamb of Calvary,” and “From Greenland’s icy mountains,” and it was a privilege to talk to them of the gospel of the true God and the original Sabbath. They manifested the deepest interest as I told them of the progress of this message in all lands and of our desire to hasten the work throughout the world and thus prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. Truly this third angel’s message unites into one body with a common purpose all who truly receive it, of whatever race or nationality. The accidents of color, language, and dress do not prevent the fellowship of believing hearts. As we sang in closing “God be with you till we meet again” I could but indulge the hope that in the great gathering “at Jesus’ feet” we who met together for this once only might unite our voices in a common language, singing the song of Moses and the Lamb.
W. W. P.

The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

By Editor

Editorial

The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

The service of heart and life is the one thing which the Lord desires. The elaborate ritual or the costly gift can not take the place of personal consecration. The Lord’s entreaty is, “Son, give me thine heart.” True service and true worship are inseparable. “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” At the true altar of worship, praise and thanksgiving are offered unto God in the name of Jesus. “Offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High.” “Whoso offereth the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifieth me; and prepareth a way that I may show him the salvation of God.” “Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name.”

The Sabbath, a Test

By C. M. S.

MAN’S whole lifetime is a period of probation—a testing time; for that is what probation means. In that period man’s character is being formed and tested.
God has used his holy law through all human history as a character tester; and by means of that test, it has been developed that all mankind “have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” The fact that the remnant people, at the time when “all the world” have flocked to the banner of God’s enemy, are designated as commandment keepers and possessors of the “faith of Jesus,” shows that the law of God is the test of God right down to the culmination of the controversy.
This fact is further shown by the Revelator when he declares the character of those who will finally be found outside the city of God. Their character is utterly opposed to the law of God, and some of these characteristics are specified thus: “Without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever that loveth and maketh a lie.” They who would do thethings here specified would covet, dishonor father and mother, and trample the Sabbath of the Lord under their feet. “The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Therefore, he who deliberately breaks one of these commands has, in spirit, broken them all.
Among all the commandments of the decalogue, the closest tester, doubtless, is the Sabbath command. God himself has used it designedly as a test. See Ex. 16: 4, 5, 26–29. He said he would prove his people whether they would walk in his law or no. The proof came in the matter of their obeying his directions concerning the observance of the Sabbath. Some of them gave no heed, and used the Sabbath as they chose. Then he asks, “How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?” He had proved them upon the matter of the Sabbath, and found them disobedient. He does not reprove them for the breaking of one command; but in the breaking of that one precept there was indicated the spirit of disobedience to them all—disloyalty to God. Therefore he does not ask them how long they will refuse to keep the Sabbath law or the Sabbath commandment; but he puts it in the plural—“commandments” and “laws.”
The failure to bear that test showed in them a spirit at variance with the purpose of God; and so for forty years he educated them upon that point by supplying a double portion of manna upon the sixth day and none upon the Sabbath. We exclaim, “With what patience he dealt with them!” But with that same patience he is dealing with the world and with us to-day. To this last generation God is saying, “I will prove them whether they will walk in my law or no.” So John says: “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5: 2, 3.
Thus is again brought to view the idea of a test, first whether we love the children of God, and second whether we love God himself. Surely, none will enter the kingdom of the redeemed who do not love the King of that country; and the one test that he has given to show whether we love him is our attitude toward his holy law.
In the very culmination of the conflict there comes a time when a certain power “causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” Rev. 13: 12. In this there is a violation of the first and second commands of the law of God. An image is made for worship; and the people worship—all save those whose names are written in “the Lamb’s book of life.” Disobedience, disloyalty, insurrection against God—all culminate there in that world-wide apostasy.
But at the same time another people, a remnant of the mighty web of humanity, are found limned out against the dark background of disobedience, made conspicuous by two peculiarities. They have stood for the commandments of God in spite of persecutions and threats of death; they have kept “the faith of Jesus” in spite of a world-pervading skepticism. The test has found in them the spirit of obedience and loyalty, and because of their faith in Jesus, his righteousness is imputed to them, and they stand uncondemned before the throne of God, victors over sin and all its consequences. C. M. S.

Godliness not Compulsory

By W. A. S.

THE Millennial Dawn idea of the manner in which the wicked are to be dealt with in that fabled “second probation” is based on a strangely perverted view of what godliness and salvation are.
The wicked are to come forth in the resurrection, we are told, with “the same wicked desires,” yet they are not permitted to do wrong. “The only liberty that will be granted,” is “the liberty to do good.”
This theory proceeds upon the supposition that goodness, or godliness, can be forced upon men; that evil can be made to bring forth good.
This is a denial of Christ’s teaching regarding the nature of goodness: “Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree can not bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” Matt. 7: 17, 18.
It is not merely because he has chosen some other way of salvation that the Lord does not compel men unto godliness. It is because he can not do it; for “he can not deny himself.” 2 Tim. 2: 13. Godliness is God-likeness. The Lord is not good and righteous because he is compelled to be. It is his nature. And no righteousness or godliness can ever come of compulsion. It can never be forced from an evil nature. Salvation is a change of nature. The theory of mechanical and compulsory righteousness subverts the fundamental principle of the gospel.
W. A. S.

Organization—No. 7

By Alonzo G. Daniells

A Brief Account of Its History in the Development of the Cause of the Third Angel’s Message

In an editorial relating to the General Council held in Battle Creek to consider the question of organization, the editor of the REVIEW said:—
We were gratified to see quite a full representation of preachers from different parts. Among these were Brethren M. Hull and M. E. Cornell from Iowa; Wm. S. Ingraham from Wisconsin; Joseph Bates, J. H. Waggoner, James White, J. N. Loughborough, J. B. Frisbie, R. J. Lawrence, and J. L. Edgar, from Michigan; T. J. Butler and G. W. Holt, from Ohio; E. A. Poole, from New York; and also J. N. Andrews and C. W. Sperry from their labors in that State the past summer.
Many brethren met for the first time at this meeting, whose cordial salutations and beaming countenances bespoke their joy at meeting, their union of heart and their love for the truth. As the hour arrived for religious exercises at the commencement of the Sabbath, the house was densely filled with the brethren and sisters who had come up from different States to this happy gathering to wait upon the Lord and receive his promises. —Review and Herald, Vol. XVI, page 156, Oct. 2, 1860.
The official report of the business proceedings of this Council was printed in three consecutive numbers of the REVIEW, and, altogether, fills twenty-five pages of the paper. The first meeting of the Council was held Sept. 29, 1860. Elder Joseph Bates was elected chairman, and Uriah Smith secretary.
After the delegates had expressed their views in a general way regarding organization, Elder T. J. Butler, from Ohio, made the following motion:—
I will propose, Mr. Chairman, through you to this conference, that we organize upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner-stone; and that we call ourselves the Church of God. The foundation is a sure one; it has got God’s seal upon it; and such a building he will inhabit by his Spirit. We propose the organization of Eph. 2 : 20.—Id., page 169.
This is the first definite proposal for organization and the adoption of a church or denominational name ever made in the general councils of our people. Although this resolution was not adopted by the Council, it helped to focus the discussion of the question, and called out some very interesting and pointed statements for and against organization. Elder E. A. Poole, from New York, said:—
I hardly know how to get out what I would like to say upon this subject. It is a subject on which I have felt and thought much. It is a subject in which is involved very important consequences. The way the cause has been managed seems to have been blessed of God; and if it could go on so still, and those who have conducted it felt free to still act as they have acted, it seems to me it would be well to “let well enough alone.” The proposition of Brother Andrews is simply one by which we might hold property, while it leaves the matter of church organization out. It seems to me it is impossible to organize a church without compromising that principle of Christianity that we are called unto liberty. . . . As I understand, a church built upon the foundation of prophets and apostles, Christ being the corner-stone, is such that when a man comes into Christ, he is, by virtue of that relation, a member of that body, and a portion of that church.—Id., pages 169, 170.
Replying to certain objections that were raised, Elder James White made the following remarks with reference tothe importance of adopting a denominational name:—
To be sure we should be obliged to have a name; and I must say, dear brethren, that I hope we shall decide upon what name we shall have; what we wish to be called by. I meet with friends very often who ask me what the name of our people is; and it is quite an embarrassing position to be in, not to be able to give any. We give our children names when they become a few weeks or a few months old. When we commenced to labor in this work, when the cause was young and individuals who had embraced it few, we did not see the necessity of any such steps. But it seems to me that the child is now so grown that it is exceedingly awkward to have no name for it.—Id., page 170.
Elder M. E. Cornell urged that a name be chosen. He said:—
To do this, we must be known by some name. Is there any scripture to show that it is wrong to have a name? Are the churches Babylon because they have names? I doubt it. I can not see the force of the objections that have been brought up against legal organization. I am glad to see the true issue now coming up. When a necessity exists, it should be met if we can do this and not go contrary to Scripture.—Id., page 171.
As the delegates could not agree upon the motion submitted by T. J. Butler, it was withdrawn, and the following resolution was presented by Elder J. N. Loughborough:—
Resolved, That this conference recommend to such churches as already have church buildings, or intend to have them, so to organize as to hold their church property or church buildings legally.—Id., page 171.
This resolution did not receive the approval of the entire Council, but after being discussed at considerable length it was carried by a majority of the votes cast. As soon as this resolution was adopted, a committee, consisting of J. N. Andrews, J. H. Waggoner, and T. J. Butler, was appointed to prepare business for the afternoon meeting. This committee presented the following report:—
Your committee would present as the next business the subject of general organization. By this we mean an organization to hold the publishing property of the church. And as the best means of bringing the matter before the meeting, we present to the Conference the following recommendation:—
“1. We recommend to the conference the organization of a publishing association that may legally hold the Review Office.
“2. That the association shall consist of seven members selected by this conference, who shall apply to the Legislature for an act empowering them to hold the Office property and carry on the business of publication.
“3. That members may be admitted to this association on the payment of one dollar annually, and they may become life members on the payment of twenty-five dollars.
“4. That the officers of the association shall consist of a business agent, a committee on publication, a treasurer who shall also act as secretary, and an auditor, to be elected annually.
“5. The business agent shall be the presiding officer of the association.
“6. This association shall be called the Advent Review Publishing Association.
“7. It shall be located at Battle Creek, Mich.
“8. The whole amount obtained by donations, subscriptions, sales of publications, or otherwise, shall be expended in the publication of periodicals, books, and tracts, and for charitable and benevolent purposes.”—Id., page 171.
These recommendations were given very careful consideration and were unanimously adopted without any change. This being done, the council appointed Brethren Andrews, Waggoner, Butler, Poole, Loughborough, Smith, Ingraham, White, Hull, and Appleton a committee to draft a constitution for the publishing association to be formed.
This committee presented an outline of a constitution, consisting of ten articles, which met the approval of the Council, and the following persons were chosen to act as the incorporators and first trustees: James White, J. H. Waggoner, J. N. Loughborough, G. W. Amadon, U. Smith, Geo. T. Lay, and D. R. Palmer.
This committee subsequently learned that it could not effect the organization in the manner designated by the Council, and at a general meeting held in Battle Creek, April 27, 1861, requested to be discharged. The request was granted, and another committee, composed of James White, J. N. Loughborough, U. Smith, G. W. Amadon, and Moses Hull was appointed to effect an organization according to the Michigan Act. See REVIEW AND HERALD, Vol. XVII, page 189.
On May 3, 1861, this committee incorporated the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, and on May 23 a meeting of this association was held to adopt the by-laws, and to elect the officers. This completed the first step in organization in the history of our cause.
A. G. DANIELLS.

Their Work Closed

By W. A. S.

In a letter from Hamburg, Brother Guy Dail gives some particulars regarding recent losses among the workers in Europe:—
Dr. A. W. George died in Friedensau at 2 A. M., February 13; Sister Rosa Ehlers (the wife of Brother J. Ehlers, who was our first missionary in German East Africa) died at 4:30 that same afternoon; and Brother G. Hantzsch at 5 P. M. the following day. Brother George died in Friedensau; Sister Ehlers at Ellerau, near Hamburg; and Brother Hantzsch here in Hamburg.
Thus the workers fall asleep, and others must take up their work. The mission work especially loses in Dr. George’s death, as he had just got nicely started in Constantinople. The death of Sister Ehlers is the most sad, as she leaves behind her a husband still weak from the effects of the African experiences, and two little children. Brother Hantzsch has done much for the cause in Germany by his means and his devoted service to our two institutions—in Friedensau and in Hamburg.
As the cause spreads out into all the world and the laborers multiply, we have more frequently to record these breaks in the ranks abroad. But whether at home or abroad, as the workers fall, there is the blessed assurance that “their works do follow them.” The laborer may rest, but the influence of the life goes on working. W. A. S.

Note and Comment

WITH murder and suicide so rapidly on the increase, and with so many untenable theories advanced to account for the terrible fact, it is refreshing occasionally to read so true a setting forth of the cause as that which we print below from the Lutheran Witness:—
It is horrifying to read the public prints these days and note the great number of deliberate murders and suicides. Homicides are now a daily occurrence, and suicide is not far behind. Uncivilized peoples could hardly hold human life cheaper than it would seem to be held among us. Now we are well aware that mere moralizing on the subject will not effect a cure, but on the other hand, we are convinced that sentimentality has done a great deal of harm. There is a direct and practical way of dealing with the evil, but our enlightened age will not have it. We do not relish the thunder of God's law and endeavor to avoid it. Thus the deterrent is removed, and men continue to slay each other and themselves.
Every teacher of the abolition of God's law is helping on this terrible work.

Infant Mortality in Germany

A SAD but true testimony to the breaking down of the vitality of the human race is seen in the record of births and deaths, given by the American consul-general at Berlin. He says:—
With all the progress of German medicine and surgery, with all the amelioration that improved midwifery and skilful nutrition have provided, the infant death record is here, as elsewhere, a pathetic and lamentable one. Of the whole 1,234,033 deaths in Germany during 1903, no fewer than 494,529, or 34.5 per cent, were of children under one year of age.

Increase of Insanity in Ireland

The great increase of insanity during recent years in England has received considerable attention in the public press of the world; but a Blue Book recently published by the official inspectors of lunatics in Ireland gives some statistics which are certainly startling. For instance, in 1851, when the population of Ireland was 6,552,385, there were 9,980 lunatics registered; but in 1901, when the population had decreased to 4,458,775, the number of insane had increased to 25,050. In other words, in 1851 there were 15 insane to each 10,000 inhabitants, while in 1901 there were 56 insane to each 10,000. “As to why this should be so,” say the inspectors, “we can offer no reasonable explanation.” Concerning this record and the statement of the inspectors in reference thereto, one of our exchanges says:—
The evil effects of wrong habits practised by parents are not as manifest in them as in their offspring, if the same wrong habits are indulged by them. The third and fourth generations usually suffer the full effects of these transgressions. It is not merely the innutritious food, but the drink, the tobacco, and the tea, that is telling on the Irish race. These sins have been handed down from fathers and mothers to sons and daughters, each succeeding generation naturally reaping the accumulated results of their own, as well as their parents’ indulgences. Tobacco and tea induce nervous diseases and mental disorders.
It might be added that this present generation throughout the world is reaping the accumulated results of their own and their ancestors’ selfish and sinful indulgences. That is why crime and greed of every kind are flourishing to such an extent and counting their victims by thousands on thousands.

One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollar Fund

By I. H. Evans

For Special Work at Home and Abroad

Encouraging Omens

If one could but step into our office and read the numerous letters from brethren and sisters from all parts of the world in regard to the $150,000 fund, he could but believe that the Lord is leading in this work.
Oftentimes in a single mail donations will come from as many as six countries in opposite directions throughout the world. From India, from China, from Japan, from Africa, from the islands of the sea, and from almost every field in the wide world, men and women are sending in contributions to the $150,000 fund.
How encouraging it is that the people everywhere are taking hold so heartily in raising this large sum of money!
Compared to the whole, there are but few who are raising their voices in opposition to the securing of this fund. Of course, a few will object; but the great mass of our people everywhere are working and praying for the speedy accomplishment of the raising of this fund.
Hundreds of letters have been received from all parts of the world heartily endorsing the call for the $150,000 fund. Our people express themselves with gratitude that the call has been made, and manifest faith that the money can be raised.
Individuals, conferences, and union conferences all speak with confidence that the object will be accomplished without embarrassment to any one. Many individuals and some conferences have already done nobly in donating to this fund, while other conferences have had other matters in hand which they could not drop, and are only beginning to apply themselves to this work. Let us not forget that in unity lies our strength. God is our leader.
The enterprises to which this large fund has been appropriated are not enterprises which man has devised, but concerning which the Lord has specifically spoken. Therefore, in the planning of these institutions, we feel that we are following the instruction of the Spirit of God, and in the raising of the funds by which the institutions can be established, we are walking in the light which God has given this people.
The calamities and destructive agencies, visited apparently by the hand of God on the cities and nations in these last days, are encouraging omens that we are near the end of human history. Let us press close together in the bonds of one common brotherhood, and consecrate all we have to the prosecution of the third angel's message.
Already more than one fifth of the fund has been raised, and we are sure it will not be a difficult task for us to continue the effort in securing this fund until the last dollar is in the treasury.
Not only should we give, but we should pray also that God will unite us in this great effort, and in the prosecution of every enterprise that he would have established among his people.
I. H. EVANS.
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