Review and Herald Publishing Assn. · Washington, D.C. · Dec 31, 1903
Awake, Ye Saints
“RING OUT THE OLD, RING IN THE NEW”
“Awake, ye saints, and raise your eyes, and raise your voices high;
Awake, and praise that sovereign love that shows salvation nigh.
Not many years their round shall run, not many mornings rise,
Ere all its glories stand revealed to our admiring eyes.”
Publishers' Page
By Editor
Conducted by the Department of Circulation of the Review and Herald Publishing Company
First Quarter Sabbath-School Lessons for 1904
THE Sabbath-school lessons for the first quarter, January, February, and March, 1904, are a series of thirteen lessons upon the prophecies of Daniel, treated under the following divisions:—
The Prophecy Illustrated by Nebuchadnezzar's Dream; The History of Nations Foretold; The Papacy and Its Work; The Vision of Daniel 8; The 2300 Days; The Sanctuary and Its Cleansing—in Type; The Sanctuary and Its Cleansing—in Antitype; The Judgment; The Eastern Question; The Standing up of Michael; The Battle of Armageddon.
The Quarterlies are now ready. Regular retail price, 5 cents a copy.
Lesson Helps
IN the study of the prophecies of Daniel, outlined in the Sabbath-school lessons for January, February, and March, the following list of books will be suggestive to those who desire to make a thorough study of the subjects treated in the lessons:—
“Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,” “Empires of the Bible,” “Great Empires of Prophecy,” “Ecclesiastical Empire,” “Looking unto Jesus,” “Great Controversy,” “Patriarchs and Prophets,” and “The Eastern Question.”
Daniel and the Revelation
THIS old, standard work is a verse-by-verse commentary upon the prophecies recorded in the books of Daniel and Revelation, and its teachings have been tested and found sound and reliable.
As the prophecies are fulfilled, the more important it is that they are studied and understood; and “Daniel and the Revelation” is the standard in prophetic studies.
It is published in the English, German, Swedish, Danish, and Holland languages, and is bound in—
Paper covers (English), without illustrations, two volumes, each, $2.25.
Plain cloth binding, thin edition, without illustrations, $1.
A CONCISE and reliable history of the empires of the Bible, from the time of the flood to the Babylonian captivity.
In recent years there have been discovered many valuable historical records made by the people living in the time of these empires. These are connected with the Bible history of these empires, and together with the twenty-one special maps revealing their course, render this book invaluable to every student of prophecy.
Bound in plain cloth, $1.50.
The Great Empires of Prophecy
“THE Great Empires of Prophecy” embraces the history that was foretold in the prophecy of the great empires in the book of Daniel—Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome, and the ten divisions of the Roman empire.
More than eighty standard historians and authorities on the history of the respective empires of the prophecy speak in the book in their own language, so that it is fairly a cyclopedia of history in the fulfilments of the prophecies of the book of Daniel.
It contains 712 large pages, 22 full-page maps made especially for the book by the author. Bound in plain cloth; price, $2.
Ecclesiastical Empire
A VOLUME containing an account of all the principal events that have affected the civil government, and tended to the establishment of ecclesiastical authority, from the time of the fall of Rome to the publishing of this book in 1901. It contains a good history of the Reformation; a compendium of the principles of true Christianity; the reason of our national apostasy; and a full treatise upon the union of church and state.
It is a large work, containing 874 pages, bound in plain cloth; price, $2.50.
Looking Unto Jesus
BY URIAH SMITH
THIS book was acknowledged by the author himself to be his best work, and the one into which, he often said, he put the best part of his life.
It is an entirely new, original, and exhaustive concordance of the sanctuary question, showing the present work of Christ and its meaning to those who are now living—Christ in type and antitype, as revealed in prophecy from the beginning.
Neatly and substantially bound in cloth. It contains 300 pages, nicely illustrated. Price, $1, postpaid.
Great Controversy
THIS wonderful book presents the most interesting history that has ever been written of the great conflict between Christianity and the powers of darkness, as illustrated in the lives of Christian martyrs and reformers on the one hand, and wicked men and persecuting powers on the other. Beginning with our Lord's great prophecy while viewing Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, this book outlines the whole history of this dispensation, down to the time when sin and sinners are no more.
It contains 700 pages, beautifully and substantially bound in the popular styles, ranging in price from $2.25 to $4.50.
Published in English, German, Danish, Swedish, and French.
Patriarchs and Prophets
AN excellent, important commentary on the principal Bible subjects from Adam to the death of David, tracing the great conflict between good and evil, from its inception down through the centuries, and revealing God's wonderful love for mankind through his dealings with the holy men of old. It is one of the most practical books published, and is almost indispensable in connection with the study of the prophecies. It contains 700 large pages, and is bound in the popular styles, ranging from $2.25 to $4.50 a copy.
Published in the English, German, Danish, Swedish, and Holland.
The Eastern Question
WHAT is the Eastern question? When will the so-called “sick man” come to his end? What nations are vitally concerned? What is sure to be the outcome of this struggle?
This book answers these and countless other questions bearing upon the Eastern question, with an accuracy and foresight born only of a careful study of history and the prophetic books of the Bible which deal directly with the great issue.
This book contains 276 pages, bound in buckram cloth; price, $1.
“At the Door”
THE new art booklet on prophecy fulfilled. A brief, artistic, forcible, five-minute outline history of the world, foretold by Christ, illustrated by fifty engravings selected and arranged with historical marginal notes and comments by F. E. Belden, showing the fulfilment of every prophecy in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, except the final act.
Christ's own words are in large type above and below the engravings. He foretells; the pictures answer, Fulfilled, from his time to ours; from Vesuvius and Pompeii, A. D. 79, to Mt. Pelee and Saint Pierre of to-day; from the destruction of Jerusalem, A. D. 70, to the latest political, social, and religious disturbances.
The new “Diagram of the Dark Ages, and the Dark Day” is the best summary of the subject ever presented. The booklet is printed in colors, and sells at sight.
The busiest man stops to look. It smiles, leads, teaches, convicts. It “casts up the highway,” and truth rides into the soul. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” Beauty secures attention; brevity encourages it; arrangement controls it; directness adds power to the truth.
The letter of Oct. 8, 1903, to the author, from the celebrated astronomer, Prof. A. C. Young, of Princeton, N. J., will interest you on the subject of meteoric showers. New truth here.
The opinions of General Nelson A. Miles, Bishop Newman, Dr. Lyman Abbott, the New York Christian Advocate, Archdeacon Farrar, Dr. Eyton, Cardinal Gibbons, etc., may surprise you.
The great Bible expositor, Uriah Smith, and other good judges, have declared this to be the briefest, most artistic, and forcible treatise ever published on this subject. It introduces the great themes of truth for to-day.
Price, 15 cents; 25 cents in heavy covers, enameled paper, silk cord. In lots of 100, 40 per cent discount, or 9 and 15 cents, respectively. A valuable present. Better still, sell it. Poor plan to give away. Attractive truth sells. Try it quick. Order of the State Tract Societies.
Order of State Tract Societies; Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich.; Review and Herald, Washington, D. C.; Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.; Kansas City, Mo.; Southern Publishing Assn., Nashville, Tenn.
The World's Peril
By Editor
Editorial
The World's Peril
WE are drawing near to the end. It is evident that the climax of the great controversy between Christ and Satan is just at hand. The forces of evil are even now being marshaled for the final conflict. There is abundant evidence of this in the intensity with which the powers of darkness are now working. The power which has held in check the outbreaking of sin is being more and more cast aside, and unrestrained passion is more fully revealing itself. These are days of violence. A form of godliness is not sufficient to withstand the fierce assaults of temptation, and many nominal professors of religion are betraying their trusts, and joining the ranks of the criminals. Organized capital is growing more unscrupulous in its methods, and organized labor is becoming a law unto itself. The prospect looks forbidding, even to those who are inclined to take the most hopeful view of the world's future. But what is the real truth of the situation? In the light of God's Word it is evident that the world has now been brought to the very verge of ruin as the result of sin. We are just entering upon the time when “the earth shall stagger like a drunken man, and shall sway to and fro like a hammock; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it, and it shall fall, and not rise again.” The real meaning of sin will soon be seen in the downfall of the world. The fall of Babylon of old and of the Roman republic are types of this downfall. This is the world's peril, and the danger is a real one.
The World's Need
IN this dark hour of peril the world needs the light and truth of this closing message. Although there is no salvation for the world as a whole from the fearful results of rebellion and disobedience, yet every individual who will believe the truth and obey the truth may be delivered in the day of the world's downfall; “for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those that escape, as Jehovah hath said.” This message makes clear the picture of these times as given in the prophetic word, so that men may understand where we are in the current of history. This message unmasks the deceptions of the day, that men may see that there is no salvation in the many proposed ways of escape which are mere human inventions. This message discloses the plans of Satan in his supreme effort to deceive the world, and shows how he will seek to sweep the multitude to destruction by working under a false cloak of religion. In this message is found the only hope for a lost world in this the last generation before the ushering in of the great day of the Lord. How great, then, is the responsibility which rests upon those who have a knowledge of this message! How diligent should be our efforts to make known this message of salvation! Let no one make the mistake of trying to save the people by some other means than the giving of this plain message. The message of salvation which the Lord has ordained to meet the peril of the world in this last generation is the only means of salvation, and nothing else can be successfully substituted for it. The world to-day is in perishing need of this third angel's message in its fulness and power. O that every Seventh-day Adventist might realize this, and give himself and his all to the world-wide proclamation of the one and only saving message for this time! Now is the time.
The Coming of the Seed
Righteousness by Faith
THROUGH the renewal and development of the original promise of the Seed, as set forth in the promises to Abraham, we have found that the complete gospel of the resurrection from the dead, and the possession of the new earth as an eternal inheritance, was taught in the first assurance of a Seed who would bruise the head of the serpent. And in this experience of Abraham there was given an object lesson of the faith which takes God at his word and builds upon his promises. “For not through the law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith.” The basis of this experience is found in these words: “Looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Wherefore also it was reckoned unto him for righteousness.” Thus the hope of righteousness by faith rests upon an unwavering confidence in the ability of God to fulfil his promises.
But such faith as this means implicit obedience to the commands of God, that obedience which always appears as the result of a genuine faith. And so we read: “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out into a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, . . . dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.” It was through such obedience of faith that the way was opened for the fulfilment of all that the Lord had promised. This is shown by the Lord’s own statement concerning the course which Abraham would pursue: “Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him. For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Jehovah, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that Jehovah may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”
The Lord promised; Abraham believed the promise. That he really believed the promise is shown by the fact that he acted upon it; his attitude of obedience made such a connection between himself and the Lord’s purpose that he became one with that purpose, and the fulfilment of that purpose consequently was manifested in his experience. This is the genuine experience of righteousness by faith. Faith unites us with God; faith unites us with the purpose of God as revealed in his Word; thus through4the obedience of faith the plan of God is worked out in human experience.
It is plain that the faith of Abraham took hold upon the great truth of the resurrection. This is brought out in the final test of his faith in the promise of the coming of the Seed. “By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; even he to whom it was said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called: accounting that God is able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a figure receive him back.” Of course this faith was based upon the resurrection of Christ from the dead, through which faith alone comes the assurance of the forgiveness of sin. For “if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.”
It is further evident that when our faith takes hold upon the same vital truth upon which Abraham’s faith rested, the resurrection from the dead, we shall share in the same experience of righteousness by faith. “Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it [righteousness] was reckoned unto him; but for our sake also, unto whom it shall be reckoned, who believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification.” Righteousness by faith, whether in Abraham’s day or in our day, rests upon the resurrection of Christ. It is a risen, living Christ who dwells in our hearts by faith. But the risen Saviour is the coming Saviour, and the same faith which accepts the risen Saviour for justification includes the coming of the Saviour, and looks forward to that event as the consummation of all the hope of the inheritance.
We can thus readily see that when the time of the promise draws nigh, that is, when the coming of Christ is near at hand, those who are truly righteous by faith will not be in darkness that that day should overtake them as a thief. The faith which builds upon God’s word gives understanding of God’s word. The true children of Abraham, following the example of Abraham, believe that what God has promised he is able to perform and will perform, and this faith reveals itself in obedience to the commandments of God. It is thus that a people is prepared to receive the reward of the inheritance, prepared to hail with joy the returning Lord.
There is thus an inseparable connection between righteousness by faith and the coming of the Seed. That faith which is reckoned for righteousness lays hold upon the risen Saviour, and accepts in him all that was promised to the Seed, but waits in hope until the coming of the Seed for the full possession of the inheritance of righteousness—the earth made new. And so the message of righteousness by faith will prepare the way for the coming of the Seed, and when the Seed comes “to whom the promise was made,” the righteous by faith of all ages will enter upon the full possession and enjoyment of all that was involved in the original promise of the coming of the Seed.
“A Day of Good Tidings”
By W. A. S.
“THE night is far spent, the day is at hand.” When we accepted this truth, every soul of us took our place in the ranks of the Lord’s morning watch. It is ours to awaken the sleepers in all the world by the warning cry that day is dawning. Prophets and holy men of God since the world began have fallen asleep in the blessed hope of that glad hour when the day should dawn, and the day star arise in our hearts. Now we actually see the gleams of the golden morning. We must herald the solemn and glorious cry to all the ends of the earth.
“This day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, we shall find punishment: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king’s household.” 2 Kings 7:9, margin. So spoke four starving outcasts of Israel “in the twilight” of that morning of deliverance when they found the great spoil outside the walls of Samaria, and remembered the famishing men and women and little ones shut up in the hopeless city. We have committed to us the precious treasure of this third angel’s message. “I rejoice at thy word,” says the psalmist, “as one that findeth great spoil.” Ps. 119:162. This twilight hour of the dawn of eternity is a time of good tidings. The world is famishing. Truly if we tarry till the morning light, if we hold back now from carrying the tidings to our brethren of the King’s household, scattered among all the nations of the earth, we shall have sore punishment, swift and speedy.
“If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; if thou sayest, Behold, we know it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” Prov. 24:11, 12. Thus does God press upon us the burden of answering the cry from the regions beyond. We can not say we know not the need; for in our papers from week to week our workers in the mission fields have told us of it, and have told how the truth wins victories wherever it is preached. And no believer in this message desires to remain ignorant of the need. There is but one thing worth living for now, and that is to respond to the call of heaven to rescue the perishing.
We know that brethren of the King’s household, hungering and thirsting for the truth that we know, are waiting for us in all the lands abroad. The little band of workers is continually finding them. And we know it because John in vision, beholding the close of this sealing message, saw the white-robed throng, washed in the blood of the Lamb, coming from every nation, and tongue, and tribe,—a vast multitude. Our business is to seek them out. Angels can guide the feet of the workers to the praying ones, as Peter was led to Cornelius, even though the heavenly messengers are unseen.
W. A. S.
Worldly Education a Snare
By L. A. S.
THE imperative need, from a Christian standpoint, of cutting loose from the educational system of the world is plainly shown by such statements as the following, which we note in a published tribute to the late Herbert Spencer, by a professor in Columbia University. Speaking of the extent to which the latter-day doctrine of evolution is indebted to Mr. Spencer, this authority on the subject says:—
The whole philosophy of evolution has become so much the very warp and woof of human thought, that we find it difficult to realize that in 1850 not more than half a dozen men in all Europe and America had so much as an inkling of its most fundamental ideas, and that of those only one grasped them in a constructive spirit, and saw that they held the interpretation not merely of organic changes, but even of the unfolding of the universe, from star dust to the highest achievements of socially organized mankind. Within the space of thirty years Mr. Spencer, by his marvelous constructive power, and his not less marvelous gift of intelligible exposition, had made this conception so familiar to all men that since 1880 all men have imagined that mankind has always thought in terms of it, forgetting to whom they owed their enlightenment.
When a doctrine which antagonizes every principle of the gospel has become “the very warp and woof of human thought,” and so universally accepted that no one seems to remember that it was not always taught and believed, what else can the few who still contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints do but cut loose completely from the world’s educational system, and institute one for their children in which the Biblical truth, the highest and most essential of all knowledge, shall be preserved? What we must have is an educational system not built upon human thought, but upon divine thought; not upon human wisdom, but upon the wisdom that cometh down from above; a system which leads the mind not away from the Creator, but to him. Mr. Spencer’s life-work, great as it is from the world’s standpoint, is a monument of the utter failure of the best efforts of the human intellect apart from God.
L. A. S.
Some Aspects of the Labor Question
By L. A. S.
Union labor monopoly in one of its worst aspects was exhibited in the city of Chicago in connection with the recent strike of Chicago livery drivers. The livery drivers’ union, says a press description, “not only prevented livery stable teams and private ambulances from going out, but declined to permit hearses. They tried to assault an undertaker at a funeral and on his way from a funeral. They rioted in the shadow of a church. Policemen with clubs acted as pallbearers. The sick could not be moved to the hospitals. The dead were carried to their graves amid hoots and groans. One man sat, armed, by the driver’s side on the seat of an undertaker’s wagon, and so took his wife’s body to the cemetery. A child’s body was taken to the burying ground in a street car. The pickets of the union were stationed at the house while the funeral was in progress.”
It is known also that in many cases relatives of deceased persons took care to prevent notice of the death from becoming public, because the strikers read the death notices printed in the daily papers, and immediately posted pickets about the premises where dead persons were known to be.
Thus by one act after another these labor trusts are making plain the fact that no respect for grief, no regard for any circumstances which may entitle one to consideration from his fellow beings, or for any rights, however sacred, is to be allowed to stand before the assumed right of these organizations to dictate to all laboring men in all matters pertaining to the right to work, and to deprive the public at any time of services upon which they depend for the comforts and necessities of life. As the New York Sun observes: “The open grave is as forbidden as the open shop, and the indignation which seems to seethe in some illogical persons, probably with ‘capitalistic’ sympathies, at the thoroughness of the Chicago proceedings, is out of place. Those drivers have the courage of their convictions under any circumstances, and at every cost to the inferior, unorganized, and outlawed part of the community.”
While this strike was in progress in Chicago, there was given in New York City a dinner at which prominent representatives of capital and labor were present, in honor of the executive committee of the National Civic Federation. The president of the New York Building Trades Employers’ Association made a speech in which, says the Sun, he created a serious disturbance among the labor leaders present by declaring: “I don’t believe we have any more right to ask a man if he is a member of No. 18,000, A. F. of L., before we give him a job than we have to inquire whether he is a Catholic or a Protestant, a Mason, or a Knight of Columbus.”
And when tests are imposed on individuals, as they now are, which are as contrary to right and justice as it would be to impose religious tests, will it be at all strange if the time soon comes when religious tests are imposed, and individuals are asked whether they are Protestants or Catholics, or whether they are Seventh-day Adventists or not? All these things point to the coming of that final test which will distinguish between the worshipers of the true God and those who worship the “beast” and receive his “mark.” That time can not now be far away.
L. A. S.
Openings in Spain
By W. A. S.
We have only just entered Spain. Brother Frank Bond and Brother and Sister Walter Bond have scarcely begun their work. Some time ago they reported the conversion of a teacher and preacher. Now they write:—
You notice from the heading of this that we have changed our address. Sabadell is a city of about thirty thousand inhabitants, located about fifteen or twenty miles north of Barcelona. A small Protestant company here, without a pastor, gave us an invitation to come and assist them in their meetings. They seemed earnest, so we took it as a favorable opening. The only way a place can be secured to be used for religious purposes is to rent it for school work. For this reason, and also because we thought it would enable us to enter homes, we decided to carry on a little school in connection with the meetings. We had quite a little difficulty in getting the necessary permission from the government. The laws are very rigid with reference to everything that is carried on outside of the Roman Church.
The man we mentioned in our last letter has been a great help to us. At present he is donating all his time to the school work. The school has an enrolment of nineteen boys. We have one large room in our house, which we use for meetings. Six meetings have been held, with an average attendance of about twenty. All have acknowledged the Sabbath, and some have begun to obey, for which we praise God.
Last Friday evening a lady called to see us. A Bible reading on the signs of the times was given. The Sabbath question came up. God blessed the study, and she went away a Sabbath-keeper. She has been here nearly every day since to study. This shows that God has prepared hearts in this land. The great need is workers. God has told the workers in America “to struggle to get into new fields.” A worker in this field does not have that struggle. We have a population of over nineteen million, and probably not a hundred of them have even heard of a Seventh-day Adventist or this great message. We have recently heard from several young ordained ministers, who have some knowledge of the Spanish. They are willing, even anxious, to come to this field if the way opens. According to the papers of this country, the laws are getting more strict all the time. Sunday laws are being enforced, etc. Surely now is the time to work. We are praying the Lord of the harvest to send more laborers to this corner of his harvest field.
What, O, what response shall be given? Nothing can be adequate that stops short of a whole people aroused to instant and constant action, throwing every resource available into God's work to-day. Then, in God, shall we find the sufficiency.
W. A. S.
Development of the Work in Washington
By Arthur G. Daniells
In one of the communications that came from Sister White while we were looking for a location for our headquarters in the East, the statement was made that although there was opposition to moving from Battle Creek, yet confidence would be established as soon as the move was made. This assurance gave us much encouragement when it came, but at that time we were not able to form the faintest conception of its real meaning as it has been unfolded since.
From the letters that have come to our office from nearly all our organized conferences and mission fields throughout the world, we have undoubted evidence that the Spirit of God spoke confidence to the hearts of our people everywhere when the move was made. Presidents of conferences, secretaries and treasurers of various organizations, superintendents of distant mission fields, and many humble believers among the rank and file of our people, have written to us, telling of the gladness that came to their hearts when they read the first announcement of our removal to Washington. Some say that they could scarcely refrain from tears, others say that they immediately knelt down and thanked the Lord, and asked that his special blessing might attend this change.
As letters have come from all parts of the world, and from so many who have had no correspondence whatever with one another, all in the most perfect accord, we can see very plainly that the impression all have received has been from one source—the Spirit of God.
We desire to assure our dear brethren and sisters everywhere, who have felt so deeply interested in this move, and who have written us so kindly, that we greatly appreciate this beautiful harmony that exists. It sustains us wonderfully in our efforts to make the changes indicated by the spirit of prophecy.
It gives us blessed assurance of a new era in this cause. This has surely set in. The signal blessing of God has attended every step in our removal to Washington, and the efforts to develop the work here.
The good hand of the Lord has been with Brethren Washburn and Sheafe since they came to this city, one year and a half ago. At that time there was but one church here; now there are three.6
It was my privilege to be with Elder Sheafe, Sabbath, December 6, when he organized the third church in this city. Up to that Sabbath, Brother Sheafe had been pastor of the church on Eighth Street, Northeast. Many excellent people have accepted the truth under his labors during the year and a half that he has been here. These had united with the Eighth Street church until the building was well filled. As many had to travel some distance at considerable cost to attend the meetings each week, it was thought best to organize another church. A very nice hall was secured at Twelfth and U Streets, Northwest. Fifty-one persons joined on the first Sabbath. Others are being added continually. The Sunday night services are attended by four or five hundred people.
The M Street church, for which Brother Washburn has worked so earnestly, is entirely free from debt, and is now nicely fitted up for the services. The membership of this church is one hundred or more. This building is well filled, and in the near future it will be necessary to organize another church. It is not our plan to build up one large church in Washington. We propose to establish small churches, of about one hundred members, in different parts of the city and District.
We have just begun a series of Sunday evening meetings in the Masonic Temple, in the heart of the city. At this writing two meetings have been held. Although we are just entering the holidays, when religious meetings are not the most popular, we have had an attendance of about four hundred at each meeting. Space will not permit of anything like a statement of the interesting and encouraging features of these meetings.
We announce plainly and openly that they are conducted by the Seventh-day Adventists. Every week we distribute several thousand copies of the synopsis of the address. This opens the way for missionary efforts of various kinds. We are taking up the prophecies of Daniel, and intend to give an exposition of the fundamental truths of our message. The Lord has blessed Brother Prescott in the addresses he has given. Thousands of people in Washington are now having their attention called to this message, and a deep impression is being made upon many minds.
One of the many striking experiences we have had is this: An aged and infirm lady was visited by our city evangelists. She made a very earnest and intelligent request for prayer for healing. She was a stranger to our workers, but her appeal was so earnest that they could do nothing but comply. They followed the instruction of James, and the Lord honored the faith of all by stretching forth his hand to heal. The following Sunday night this aged woman was out to the meeting at the Masonic Temple, with a heart overflowing with joy for what the Lord had done.
Brethren, why should not such experiences attend the ministry? Does not our Lord tell us to preach the gospel and to heal the sick? And does he not tell us these signs shall follow? May the Lord save us from all fanaticism, but give us true faith to do all he has commanded.
Space will not permit of a more extended report this week, but we shall tell our people from time to time of the Lord’s dealings with us.
So far, we have not met with a discouraging feature in the work in this place. We are all pressed hard with much work and many perplexing problems, but our courage is good. We look for certain victory. A. G. DANIELLS.
Africa Feels the Impulse
THE marked evidences of God's guiding hand in the recent experiences through which we have passed have deeply impressed many hearts, and testify emphatically that “there shall be delay no longer.” The sound has gone out to British Central Africa, and has elicited the following response from Brother J. H. Watson, the superintendent of our mission at Cholo:—
We have just read in the REVIEW of August 11 and August 20 the articles describing the circumstances connected with the moving of the offices to Washington, and the hopes expressed by the different writers that in the wake of these circumstances will follow a new experience and increased power. These things are two months in the past, but the thrill of hope and courage has reached even us, who are perhaps as far distant from headquarters as any of our workers.
The conditions here cause us to feel intensely the need of special help from God that we may have good judgment and wisdom to know how to apply ourselves to work in this part of the world, where we do not have the benefit of the experience of other workers for the same class of people. We have courage to believe that as additional power is imparted to the work and workers at the headquarters, those of us who are in distant parts of the earth will feel the impulse, which may perhaps qualify us for being more helpful in doing the work that we desire to see accomplished.
Those in “foreign” fields are usually spoken of as being “at the front,” but however appropriate the simile, I believe all will agree that we look to headquarters as leading in the forward march to victory. As the glad notes of “Homeward bound” come echoing down the line from those who have long stood at the front, we are assured that the land of promise is in view; and while darkness covers this part of the earth, and gross darkness the people, “even a darkness which may be felt,” we hear the command, “Arise, be enlightened; for thy light cometh.” Isa. 60:1, margin. “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place.”
Our hearts are with the workers in the field, and especially with these in the darkest parts of the earth. For them we daily pray. In their victories we rejoice. In their troubles we are troubled. We purpose that only notes of faith and courage shall be sounded out to these, and hope that they will not be disappointed in looking to headquarters for a trumpet call to go forward and finish the work. “Onward, ever onward!”
