Review and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 24. (6/14/1906)

Review and Herald

Jun 14, 1906

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 14, 1906

The Lord's Prayer

Its Comprehensiveness

Our Father, Who art in heaven; A child and his Father.

Hallowed be Thy Name; A worshiper and his God.

Thy Kingdom come; A subject and his King.

Thy will be done, in earth as it is in Heaven; A servant and his Sovereign.

Give us this day our daily bread; A beggar and his Benefactor.

Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; A sinner and his Saviour.

Lead us not into temptation; A pilgrim and his Guide.

Deliver us from evil; A captive and his Deliverer.

For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever and ever, Amen.

—The Bible Record.

Our Publishing Work

The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. Psalm 68:11.

THE following paragraphs are extracts from a few of the very interesting papers read at the Lake Union Conference Bookmen’s Convention, held at Berrien Springs, Mich., May 5-8:—

“God has an important truth which he wishes man to know, and that he may impart this knowledge speedily and accurately, he has enabled his people to produce literature which is admirably adapted for this purpose. The marvelous facilities now in use by men have been given to us by the Lord, that we may be enabled to perform concisely and well, the vast work which has been given us to do.”

“Probably none of us have yet fully understood the importance of our publications. Indeed, their value is beyond computation. The truth is taught in a clearer and stronger way in our books than it can be found in any other form, because writers can make stronger work with pen than can speakers make with the spoken word. Thus the pen and the press have become the most potent agencies that we can wield.”

“As an illustration of what can be done with one book, let us refer to the record that has been made through the publication and circulation of that excellent work, ‘Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation.’ Exact statistics are not in hand at this moment, but probably two hundred thousand copies of this book have been sold. It contains matter amounting to not less than one hundred most excellent sermons. It is safe to count that as many as five persons on an average study each copy put into circulation. Figuring upon the basis herein set forth, one million persons have read this one book, and each one of these has had the benefit of one hundred sermons on important gospel truth. Therefore, the aggregate amount of work done through the agency of this one publication is equal to presenting one sermon to one hundred million people. Had the writer of this book preached for a period of twenty-five years, averaging two hundred sermons each year, he would have delivered during such a period five thousand sermons. We will suppose that his congregations averaged fifty persons during this entire period. In this way he has presented one sermon to two hundred and fifty thousand persons. According to this ratio of comparative labor, he would have to preach for a period of eight hundred years in order to equal the amount of work done through his book. But the book still lives and works, though the dear brother who wrote it sleeps in Jesus. Is it not therefore true, that though he is dead, he is yet speaking?”

“A far greater effort should be made to extend the circulation of our publications in all parts of the world. The warning must be given in all lands and to all peoples. Our books are to be translated and published in many different languages. We should multiply publications on our faith in English, German, French, Danish-Norwegian, Swedish, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and many other tongues; and people of all nationalities should be enlightened and educated; that they too, may join in the work.”

“Never in my life have I enjoyed more of the presence of God and had more of that perfect peace than I have had since I entered the book work, and all my needs have been supplied according to promise, and we have the assurance that ‘he that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.’ When the prophet Isaiah had that wonderful vision of the Lord’s glory, his heart sank within him, and he exclaimed, ‘I am a man of unclean lips.’ Then flew one of the seraphim and touched his lips with a live coal from off the altar, and his iniquity was taken away, and the Lord said, ‘Whom shall I send?’ and the prophet answered, ‘Here am I; send me.’ May the Lord touch our lips with a live coal from off the altar, and prepare us for this closing work.”

“It is God’s plan that every member of the great body—the church—should become enlisted in the aggressive work of the message. As the Word says, ‘To every man his work,’ so we are taught by the spirit of prophecy, that even the children of this people are now to be prepared to give the message to the world when those of more experience and older in years are forbidden by governments to do so. So that while we are classifying our schools into church-schools, intermediate schools, and training-schools, we must ever remember that all are God’s means for training workers for finishing the work of the third angel’s message.”

“We learn to do by doing, and as the perils of the last days thicken about us, the children will be found doing what they have been educated to do. In general, we busy ourselves in that line of work about which we know most, and that with which our previous experience has made us familiar. It was because Daniel had been trained to worship the true God and to pray daily that the advancing years of his life found him faithful to that God. The life that Elisha lived as a farmer is not so foreign to his preparation for his life work as a prophet. Surely he who can keep his eye on a mark ahead and plow a straight furrow, has solved, in principle, the secret of the Christian’s life—‘looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.’ He who could turn the sod to a line could, under God, make straight paths for the wandering feet of the children of Israel. The child who actually does the thing in his school life that he is expected to do when he leaves the schoolroom, is receiving the only training that will insure a deep love for his work in life.”

“As ordained ministers of the gospel, as taught by Christ and his disciples, and as being in the place of leaders in the denomination, we are set apart as overseers. In order for us to be capable of overseeing we must have a knowledge of the work we are to oversee. The only way to gain a knowledge of how to sell books is to sell books. Hence no man should be ordained to the gospel ministry until he has had a practical experience in selling books. If the principles, reasoning, and logic thus given are correct (and I believe they are) then ‘How Ministers Can Help Build Up the Book Work’ is made clear. They are to be true leaders in that department of their work as ministers, that is, they must be bookmen.”

Editorial

By Editor

God Lives

THE psalmist applied a very ugly word to the one who denies the existence of God. “The fool hath said in his heart; There is no God.” Some of the cultured infidels of the present day would be likely to resent the use of this word to denote the class to which they belong, and we have no disposition to wound their feelings, but for all that it is certainly a curious commentary on human nature that those who do not desire to retain God in their knowledge are generally classed among the intellectual leaders. And yet every blade of grass, every flower, every plant which is now being builded by mysterious processes, every tree that grows with the passing years, every creature that has breath, and every one of the heavenly bodies studding the firmament testifies to the mind ready to listen that there is a living God who upholds all things “by the word of his power.” In addition to this testimony of a world and a universe outside of ourselves, every Christian knows that he has talked with God. The heathen “pray to a god that can not save,” but those who have received the revelation from heaven call upon him who is “glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders.” “Jehovah is their strength, and he is a stronghold of salvation to his anointed.” God lives. In storm or in sunshine, God lives. In the earthquake and in the fire, God lives. In the hour of victory or in the hour of apparent defeat, God lives. On the mount of transfiguration or in the wilderness of temptation, God lives.

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God.”

God Loves

THE living God is the loving God. He lives and loves. He loves and lives. Just so certain as it is that he lives, just so certain is it that he loves. The abundant testimony that he lives proves just as conclusively that he loves. And over and above all, we have in the gospel the wonderful evidence of the love of the living God. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God.” God loves. In storm or in sunshine, God loves. In the earthquake and in the fire, God loves. In the hour of victory or in the hour of apparent defeat, God loves. On the mount of transfiguration or in the wilderness of temptation, God loves.

“He lives and loves, our Saviour King; With joyful lips your tribute bring; Repeat his praise, exalt his name, Whose grace and truth are still the same.”

God Reigns

THAT God who lives and loves is the King of the universe. “Jehovah hath established his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.” Among the rulers of the world the lesson needs to be learned that “the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” Every individual member of the human family who recognizes God’s rightful place will say with the sweet singer of Israel, “I will extol thee, my God, O King.” Although “the prince of this world” may exalt himself and may assert a boastful claim to the kingdom, still God reigns. Although evil men and seducers may wax worse and worse, and evil at times seem to be in the ascendant, still God reigns. Although some who have known the truth may depart from the faith, still God reigns. In storm or in sunshine, God reigns. In the earthquake and in the fire, God reigns. In the hour of victory or in the hour of apparent defeat, God reigns. On the mount of transfiguration or in the wilderness of temptation, God reigns.

“He reigns! the Lord, the Saviour reigns! Sing to his name in lofty strains; Let all the saints in songs rejoice, And in his praise exalt their voice.”

It Will Survive the Shock

THIS advent movement is not a mere system of philosophy, the product of human wisdom and dependent upon human power for its proclamation. This message is of heavenly origin. God started this work through his own agencies, and he has cared for it in the face of ridicule and opposition. After pledging himself to the success of this movement for more than half a century it is unthinkable that God should desert it now, and permit the enemy to triumph over the one effort to prepare the way of the Lord.

It ought to be plain to all, however, that we have come to a crisis in our experience. Strong influences have been in operation for several years which, if allowed to prevail, would destroy the foundations of this message and introduce an entirely different order of things. “The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would be the result? The principles of truth that God in his wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced.” It is because we have believed in the original message as given to this people to give to the world, that we have withstood the efforts to bring in this “great reformation.”

As the latest development in “this reformation” we are now brought face to face with an effort which, if successful, would destroy the confidence of our people in the integrity of this movement and leave them in a state of perfect uncertainty concerning the reliability of the spirit of prophecy. Whether it is so intended or not makes no difference with

the fact. This action must be judged by its fruit, and its fruit is evil.

The stand which has been taken to maintain the original platform of this advent movement as against the effort to bring in a reformation has brought on a conflict. But who is responsible for this conflict? We greatly deplore the present situation, but shall we sacrifice the truth in order to avoid a conflict? We do not like to spend our time and strength in replying to the charges of those who ought to be leading the forces against a common foe, instead of directing an attack upon their former companions in arms, but shall we desert our standard and permit these incorrect representations to unsettle minds without making an effort to place the facts before the people? It seems clear to us that the responsibility for causing a division in our ranks rests with those who have led in an apostasy, rather than with those who have sought to prevent the cause of God from being betrayed into the hands of the enemy. When this matter is fully understood, we are confident that some of the claims and statements circulated among the people will appear in an altogether different light, and the defenders of the truth will not successfully be represented as the offenders.

Because some are now attempting to tear down what they have before built up, there may be more or less apprehension lest this cause may have seen its best days, and lest it may now enter upon a period of decline. In view of our present situation some may even question whether it would not have been better to remain silent than to bring on such a controversy. Did Moses remain silent when apostasy broke out at Sinai? Did he permit the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram to continue unchecked? Was not Phinehas commended for his efforts to stay wickedness in Israel? “They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. Thus they provoked him to anger with their doings; and the plague broke in upon them. Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed. And that was reckoned unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore.” Under the guidance of the spirit of prophecy we have made an honest effort to counteract the evil thing among us, and we believe that the final result will justify this course.

For the encouragement of any who may be inclined to question whether this cause will survive this experience we will quote an extract from an article in “Letters to Physicians and Ministers,” published as “Series B, No. 2.” The title of the article is “The Foundation of Our Faith,” and the whole article is worthy of diligent study. We quote the following paragraphs:—

Shortly before I sent out the Testimonies regarding the efforts of the enemy to undermine the foundation of our faith through the dissemination of seductive theories, I had read an incident about a ship in a fog meeting an iceberg. For several nights I slept but little. I seemed to be bowed down as a cart beneath sheaves. One night a scene was clearly presented before me. A vessel was upon the waters, in a heavy fog. Suddenly the lookout cried, “Iceberg just ahead!” There, towering high above the ship, was a gigantic iceberg. An authoritative voice cried out, “Meet it!” There was not a moment’s hesitation. It was time for instant action. The engineer put on full steam, and the man at the wheel steered the ship straight into the iceberg. With a crash she struck the ice. There was a fearful shock, and the iceberg broke into many pieces, falling with a noise like thunder to the deck. The passengers were violently shaken by the force of the collision, but no lives were lost. The vessel was injured, but not beyond repair. She rebounded from the contact, trembling from stem to stern, like a living creature. Then she moved forward on her way.

Well I knew the meaning of this representation. I had my orders. I had heard the words, like a voice from our Captain, “Meet it!” I knew what my duty was, and that there was not a moment to lose. The time for decided action had come. I must without delay obey the command, “Meet it.” . . .

What influence is it that would lead men at this stage of our history to work in an underhand, powerful way to tear down the foundation of our faith,—the foundation that was laid at the beginning of our work by prayerful study of the Word and by revelation? Upon this foundation we have been building for the past fifty years. Do you wonder that when I see the beginning of a work that would remove some of the pillars of our faith, I have something to say? I must obey the command, “Meet it!”

We believe that the Lord himself has directed in the stand which has been taken to prevent the perversion of the essential principles of the truth for this generation. It has been under his direction that these errors of doctrine and the wrong plans of organization have been squarely met and opposed. We further believe that, like the ship in the scene described, this cause will survive the shock, even though it be injured, and that it will then move forward with even greater power than ever before.

This is God’s truth and it will not be overthrown. This is God’s cause and it will not suffer defeat. God has not commissioned us to make an attack upon any man, but he has set us in defense of the truth, and we believe that he will prosper the effort honestly put forth to preserve this gospel message from being permeated with the subtle sophistries of scientific infidelity. Let our confidence be in the truth and not in men. Let our hope rest in the power of God. Let us have faith that he who has begun this work will carry it safely through. “We have not followed cunningly devised fables.”

“Anoint Thine Eyes”

By L. A. S.

THE counsel of the faithful and true Witness to the church of the Laodiceans, represents them as being defective in spiritual vision. “I counsel thee ‘to . . . anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.’” Rev. 3:18. The people here addressed do not see things clearly. They do not see things in their true proportion. Spiritual things, eternal things, are less real to them than the visible, temporal things. The eternal riches are of less value than the earthly riches. They are counseled to buy “gold tried in the fire,” wealth that will not lose its value when destruction comes upon the things of this world.

In this world sin has so perverted and distorted everything that naturally, we see nothing in its true light. People have to be brought to their real senses, as it were, by a shock. In some unusual and startling way they have to be reminded that there are other and higher interests to be considered than the pursuit of wealth and pleasure. The spell of worldliness must be rudely broken, the veil that is over their spiritual vision rudely torn away, before they will give serious thought to the things of the world to come. When some destroying visitation comes upon them and they are brought, as it were, face to face with God and eternity, then the darkening veil is swept away and they see things in their true proportion, their true value. They see and feel, not fancies, but realities, for at such times all that is unreal sinks out of view.

Such an experience came to the residents of San Francisco on that memorable morning in April last, and one who passed through it, speaks thus of the change wrought in her mind by the visitation:—

I turned to dress myself. What a change in values! I had no thought for the dress I had cherished the day before. I was merely considering what was warmest and most substantial—a coarse wool skirt and a long coat lined with white silk and highly decorated with trimming. Did I choose the latter because it was pretty? No, indeed; but because it was warm and long. . . .

After a half-hour we came up to our flat to take an inventory of the situation. I walked over the remains of my choicest china, porcelain, and cut glass, without a feeling of regret, or a sigh, or a tear. Everything seemed so insignificant, and the world so far away. That is, the world we had lived in. All estimates of value were annihilated. Human life seemed the only thing worth consideration.

How will it be when sudden destruction comes upon all the cities at once,

and the people realize that the day of God has come? For “the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10. How insignificant then will be all the things which now seem of so much account that they eclipse the whole spiritual vision. How valueless then will be things for which everything else is sacrificed now, and how valuable then will be righteous character which stands approved of God, and the “gold tried in the fire,” which can endure the test of the burning day. But the important time to discover the truth is not in the day of God, but now. “Behold, now is the accepted time.” “Anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see,” is counsel for to-day. Now is our day, and the time to know the things which belong unto our peace.

L. A. S.

The Offering for Missions, June 30

By George Ide Butler

THE writer has just read the earnest appeal for missions in the REVIEW of May 31, and wishes to heartily endorse the same, and if possible, add something to it.

The call of the president of the General Conference is certainly worthy of the consideration of all our people. Today the foreign mission work is among the most encouraging and interesting features of the great work in which we are engaged. For certain reasons not necessary to mention here, influences have been at work in this cause to dampen the energies of our people; there has not been that union, and harmony, and brotherly love, and sublime faith in the success of the work that there has been at other times in the past.

But we expect to see a glorious rallying to the truth, the furtherance of missions, and the furtherance of the work in our own lands as never before since the work commenced. We shall be greatly disappointed if we do not see this, and we do most earnestly desire that our people everywhere shall see that we have reached the most interesting point in our work, the most encouraging in many ways. Among these encouraging things, and perhaps above all others, is the progress the work has been making in foreign lands. It has seemed to surpass the increase in our own country. The way seems opening before us most remarkably. What a pity it would be if here, where the work commenced, and where the great body of believers reside, any influences to check and hold back this rapid progress should be seen because of lack of helping in the support of missions. This hindrance already has been startling, and exceedingly unpleasant to contemplate, when our missionaries sometimes have been barely able to live, and when many have offered themselves to go, but there was no means with which to send them.

How can we as a people, located in the United States, where we have so many blessings and privileges, and there is such a large amount of means at the command of our people, feel that this is the proper thing? We ought to place in the hands of the leading brethren who have the management of missions especially under their watchcare, sufficient funds to send every able-bodied man or woman out into the broad harvest-field, who is willing to go, and gives evidence of being fit to go. There is nothing that can be more certain than this, and if our people do not do this, they are standing in the way of the work of God.

When we look around us at the calamities that are occurring, and see hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of property going up in smoke, and the efforts of a lifetime come to naught by the judgments of God which are in the land, how can we feel safe and secure in living mainly to amass money here, when such important opportunities for doing a vast amount of good are clearly open to view? The world is to be warned. Never did things look so hopeful, so far as the coming of our Lord is concerned, nor the progress of our missions and work in foreign lands present such evidences of success. Our men and women of wealth are being tested as to their faithfulness to the cause and work of God. God has given them means. It is through his blessing that they have obtained means. What a terrible mistake it is when we use our means merely for personal gratification, and to lay up treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and thieves break through and steal, while the judgments of God are in the land, and these things are increasing all the time.

Our Saviour, speaking to us as a people in the last days, says these words: ‘Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.’ But how are we to obtain it? ‘Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning, and ye yourselves like unto men who wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you; that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.’

These words are certainly addressed to the last generation, looking and waiting for the Lord to come, believers in the soon coming of Jesus. We are warned especially of our duty to so use our means that we shall have it laid up ‘in bags that wax not old,’ a treasure in the heavens.

An immense company will be brought out into this truth by the efforts of the children of God who thus realize their stewardship. We are to make ourselves friends with the riches God has entrusted to our hands, that we may be already received into everlasting habitations.

Unless we are thus faithful with the unrighteous mammon, we shall never have committed to our trust the true riches.

The cause of missions is crying loudly for help at this important juncture. Our people in this country ought to be doing ten times more than they are doing. We have every reason to believe that the brethren in charge of these means have been trying to use it to the very best advantage, and already thousands have received the truth as the result of our work in different parts of the world; but there are a great many more who need it just as badly. There never was a more favorable opportunity. Things will wax worse and worse. The world is now open for us to press the truth into every dark corner, and let the people know that God has light in the world to benefit them, and that he will save such as will give their hearts to him. Heathen lands that have been shut up for centuries are crying for help. Our missionaries have more encouraging success than those of any other people, though they are young, and are inexperienced in such matters, for God has made the present truth as taught in the Scriptures most plain, and with it they can reach multitudes that can not be reached by any other people. Men of learning, in various parts of the earth, are coming into the truth and using their learning to help advance the cause in these dark fields of heathenism. Catholic countries are being entered; old Russia is opening its gates; everything is encouraging us as a people to work, really work, just at this special juncture.

May the Lord help our people to realize this, and make an effort to fill the treasury of our Mission Board this present year. Plan immediately, dear brethren and sisters, to give a large donation Sabbath, June 30. Go prepared to do this, and expect that the Lord will bless you, and that you will see souls in the kingdom of God as a reward for your interest.

GEO. I. BUTLER.

Good News in a Far Country

By W. A. S.

WE are in Taquary, at the head of Lake Patos, in southern Brazil. Elder Westphal and I have just been devouring the REVIEWS of March 8 and 15. Down in these lands, with irregular and uncertain mail communications, the worker who travels is often cut off from the outside world for weeks at a time. Then the arrival of a copy of the REVIEW is an event. To all those who are out on the frontiers the coming of the REVIEW with its reports from the workers in all the world, and its news of the progress of affairs in the home land of the message, is like the arrival of a friend from a far country, bearing good news.

In Brother Irwin’s report of the Pacific Union Conference we saw that the needs of the mission fields were remembered liberally by the Pacific Coast brethren. It was good news down in this southern corner of dark Brazil. Here is a dark land, but now the Holy Spirit is inclining Catholic hearts to inquire for the truth. We thank God for every word that brings news of increased gifts for missions. These gifts from the Pacific Union and the large personal gift from one of the brethren, reported by Elder Irwin, sent a thrill of gladness and courage through a few hearts down here in Brazil, at any rate.

And so I believe it is in all the needy fields. The workers watch closely for every evidence of a rising missionary spirit, and rejoice to see that the flow of gifts into the mission treasury means that the work may be pushed forward into regions still unentered.

Courage fills the hearts of the workers. They are persuaded that people, and conferences, and union conferences in North America will not rest until the heralds of the coming King are carrying the message in every land. We in these far fields thank God for the true hearts in the home land upon whom the Lord had laid the burden for the regions beyond. W. A. S.

Taquary, Brazil.

The Midsummer Offering

By Allen Moon

THE collection that will be taken June 30, is for foreign mission purposes, and I feel certain that our people will deal liberally with this cause on this occasion, as they have in the past.

Foreign mission work has reached large proportions as compared with what it was a few years ago. As we are living in the last generation,—the generation that will witness the preaching of this gospel of the kingdom “in all the world for a witness unto all nations,” it is important that we do aggressive work. New fields must be entered, and new stations established in the countries already entered; and there is no end in sight, as yet.

In some of the older mission fields the work has reached a stage where it is either wholly or in part self-supporting; and some countries, like Germany, that a few years ago were regarded as mission fields, are now not only self-supporting, but contribute considerable sums annually toward the work in other lands. This, by no means, is calculated to rob us in the home land of the privilege of contributing more and more for the accomplishment of the work of the Master in the dark corners of the earth.

The offering should be a liberal one, in view of the fact that the treasury of the Mission Board is about empty, and the time from midsummer until the annual offering has for years been the most trying, on account of the fact that the offerings are small during that period. It is not a very comfortable position to occupy to be in a strange land, among a people of strange language, being regarded with suspicion by all around you, and then have your support fail, and to receive a letter from the Mission Board saying we have no money, and can not send any this quarter. Yet, just that has occurred in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist mission work. A good brother who sacrificed his life in India wrote to the Mission Board: “Your letter makes the cold chills run down my back, even in this torrid climate.” But, thanks be to God, this was not since our people were made thoroughly acquainted with mission work, and a more thorough system of contributions inaugurated; and by divine help, let us say it shall not be so again. The Lord has not only permitted us to receive a knowledge of his truth, but he has permitted us to live in a land of the greatest prosperity on the face of the earth. Since the power to get wealth is the gift of God, why should we not pray that God would endow us with wisdom and power to acquire some of this vast wealth, and then when he gives it, we could do no less than to place it in the hands of the Foreign Mission Board to extend the mightiest movement ever witnessed among men. But let us remember the words of the Saviour: God can not entrust us with great things, even in answer to prayer, unless we are faithful in small things.

ALLEN MOON.

Note and Comment

That existing conditions to-day are leading up to an era of strife, in which some of the darker experiences of human history will be repeated, is a fact obvious to others besides Seventh-day Adventists. The following view on this subject was expressed by Governor Hanly, of Indiana, in a memorial day address at Purdue University:—

The American people are at the beginning of a great revolution. As yet there is, in a literal sense, no call to arms. There are no drum-beats, no bugle blasts, no serried ranks, no marching columns, no battle-fields strewn with the wounded and the dead; but the revolution is upon us and about us as certainly as though all these were present. Stupendous social, economic, and political changes are involved.

Deeply embedded in the very core and center of this revolution, running like a thread through all its shifting scenes and changing forms, are certain fundamental principles of human right and of human liberty, and unless we in our day, and especially you in your day, possess a willingness to seek for these, the wisdom to find them, and the patriotism and the courage to proclaim them, to stand by them and save them when found, the call to arms, the drum-beats, the bugle calls, the serried ranks, the marching columns, and the battle-fields will come to us and to you as certainly as in the past they came to our fathers.

The criminal aggressions of incorporated and aggregated wealth against the individual must be stayed by legal regulations and wholesome laws courageously enforced, or history will repeat itself in your day as it has in the past.

The Massacre of French Missionaries

RECENTLY the newspapers published a report of the massacre of six French missionaries in the Chinese province of Nan-tchang. It appears from an account written at the scene of the tragedy, by another Catholic missionary, that it was caused by a persistent demand of the Catholics for the punishment of Chinese who had persecuted them. “Bishop Ferrant, vicar apostolic of Kiang-Si,” it is stated, “has been endeavoring for some time to obtain from the Chinese authorities the punishment of the murderers of some of his Christians. The mandarin was willing to grant a pecuniary compensation, but nothing else. The vice-prefect of Nan-tchang was of the same mind, and refused to punish the guilty ones.

“On the twenty-second of February this mandarin called at the mission at meal-time. During the dinner the discussion was resumed, the official insisting that the difficulty could be settled for a cash consideration. Father Lacruche refused, declaring that the bishop as well as himself desired nothing but the punishment of the criminals. The meal over, the mandarin retired to another room and attempted to cut his throat. . . . The Chinese press was soon filled with the most odious calumnies against the fathers. Father Lacruche was denounced as the murderer of the mandarin, and the natives, who do not need such incentives, were exhorted to kill all those ‘savage missionaries.’”

Is it any wonder that a missionary spirit which seeks the blood of heathen persecutors rather than the salvation of their souls, does not make a favorable impression in heathen lands?

An Old Missionary Hymn

THINK on our brethren, Lord, Who preach the gospel word, In spirit free and bold, In hunger, heat, and cold; Thou art their strength and shield, Help them to win the field.

Give them an open door, With wisdom, love, and power To tell what thou hast done For all men to atone, And thus in every place They will show forth thy grace.

O Lord, before them go; To every sinner show What need he hath of thee, And then most mightily Impress upon his heart That thou his Saviour art.

Thou Workman great and wise! Who shall thy work despise? Our weakness well thou know'st; Of nothing can we boast, But that we trust thy Word, And know thou art our Lord.

— Selected.

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