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Review and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 23.

Our Publishing Work

Review and Herald

Jun 7, 1906

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 7, 1906

Our Publishing Work

By Editor

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.
Boys and girls are wanted to sell Life and Health. Those who will take an active interest in this health journal can earn a good salary. We have a number of boys and girls who are making from ten to fifteen dollars a week selling this journal. Write to Life and Health, Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C., for particulars.
Our Book Department has secured a line of Bibles, printed in the old country, which contain all the latest up-to-date features in Bible manufacture. These Bibles have the famous large “quart in a pint” type, plain Arabic figures—the kind the old folks like—for chapter headings. Furnished with or without a concordance and thumb index. Supplied to agents at a good discount. Every one wants large type in a small Bible. This line is the nearest approach to such a book that we know of. These Bibles are desirable for young and old. If you need a Bible, or are interested in Bible sales, write for descriptive circular of this very desirable edition. If you will sell five Bibles among your friends, you can get one of the best bindings free.
The following are some of the many good things said about the “Rogers’ Compendium”: “In arrangement, subject-matter, and teaching points it is unequaled.”—D. D. Warne, Syracuse, N. Y. “The best work ever published on shorthand.”—J. W. Draughon, Nelson and Draughon Business College, Fort Worth, Tex. “The best text on the Graham system that has ever come to my notice, and I have nearly every text published.”—Karl K. White, San Antonio, Tex. “The most complete and conscientious book on shorthand that I have ever seen, and I have been a writer for twenty years. . . . I would not take twenty dollars for the book for my personal use.”—Rev. Wm. I. Alexander, Elmira, Ill. “A brilliant star in comparison with most works of this character. One can not but be greatly benefited from a study of the ‘Compendium.’”—Wm. H. Price, Boston, Mass. “I have worked up a speed of two hundred words a minute with much less practise, I know, than would have been required by any other system.”—Ray E. Jones, Public Reporter, La Grande, Oregon.
Do not miss the June number of Life and Health. It is full of good instruction for all. Few realize the good this little health journal is accomplishing. We are constantly receiving through the mail expressions of appreciation for the journal. The following is a fair representation of some of these expressions: “I am much better in health, but am not able to quit the morphin yet. Still pray for me, please. I am thankful for improvement. Any one who wants to live and be happy should not be without Life and Health. Those January numbers were like life to me, for I was feeling very bad, and I just snatched it from my husband’s hand, I was so anxious; it seemed that God was sending me life through it. I still believe that he wishes me to do my part by grasping all the truth and good that comes from him; and he will heal me if he wills it, and I know he desires my recovery from the morphin habit. My heart goes up to God in thanks for Life and Health.”

Second Edition of the Earthquake Special

“Signs of the Times”

We are glad to announce that a second edition of the Special Earthquake number of the Signs of the Times has just been issued, accompanied by a beautiful supplement showing the great fire in San Francisco immediately following the earthquake. The photograph from which this engraving was made was taken on the morning of April 18, just six hours after the great tremblor. It is by far the finest view of the terrible calamity that we have seen, and the engraving itself is well worth the price of the paper. It is printed on heavy-coated book paper 9½ x 12 inches, suitable for framing.
This second edition contains many new and striking illustrations, as well as much new matter, thus bringing it right up to date.
The price, including the supplement, remains the same. In lots of less than one thousand, 3 cents a copy; 1,000 or more, 2½ cents a copy.
We are informed that over half a million copies of this special number have already been printed, and the employees of the Pacific Press are working night and day to fill orders.
Newsboys in several cities are selling them on the streets, and large orders have been sent in direct by news agents.
The editors of leading papers in different parts of the country have written the publishers complimenting them on this splendid issue, and asking permission to copy articles and use some of the illustrations. The editor of the Literary Digest was one of these. Thus the Signs is acknowledged to be the journal giving the best account of the terrible calamity of any paper published.
One encouraging feature about this whole campaign is the fact that no one is losing money by it, as the papers are being sold and not given away. It is self-supporting missionary work, and in addition to this, financial help is being given the Pacific Press, which was a great sufferer from this calamity.
But above and beyond all this is the splendid opportunity it affords us to give to the world the truth for these last days, with the assurance that the people will now read what is placed in their hands. Never before in the history of our work have we had such a grand opportunity as this.
We therefore appeal to our people once more to take hold of this work and give this special edition of the Earthquake Signs a wide circulation. With the changes that have been made in the illustrations and the addition of new reading-matter, accompanied by this beautiful supplement, the territory can be recanvassed and large numbers sold.
Order direct from the publishers, Mountain View, Cal., or from your tract society.
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 Company, Mountain View, Cal.; Portland, Ore.; Kansas City, Mo.; Southern Publishing Association, Nashville, Tenn., and Fort Worth, Tex.

Editorial

By Editor

Righteousness in Zion

“JEHOVAH, who shall sojourn in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, And speaketh truth in his heart; He that slandereth not with his tongue, Nor doeth evil to his friend, Nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor; In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honoreth them that fear Jehovah; He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not; He that putteth not out his money to interest, Nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.”

In Loving Remembrance

EVERY nation delights to honor the memory of those who have given their lives in defense of their country. Their deeds of heroism are recited, enduring memorials are erected, and their resting-places are guarded with a jealous care. A grateful country recognizes its obligations to those who have preserved it. But infinitely greater is the reason which every member of the human family has for holding in affectionate remembrance the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Saviour of the world. “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” When the earthly members of the great family gather at the table of their Lord, rather than at his tomb, they celebrate his wondrous sacrifice for them, according to his own instructions: “The Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.” Our Redeemer and Defender does not rest in the grave, “He is risen.” He now pleads for us in the heavenly sanctuary. Soon he will return to take the purchase of his blood to the heavenly city. In the meantime we do as he has taught us in remembrance of him, while resting upon “that blessed hope.”
“Help me, dear Saviour, thee to own, And ever faithful be; And when thou sittest on thy throne, O Lord, remember me.”

Shocking Revelations

IF any one has thought that the catalogue of the sins which would characterize “the last days” was too long, he needs only to acquaint himself with the true condition of things in the world now to be convinced that the picture is not overdrawn. Whether we go among the rich or among the poor, among the educated or among the ignorant, among those in high life or those in low life, we find the same horrible record of outbreaking sin. Greed for gain leads men who have been held in high esteem to disregard all the claims of justice and humanity in order to pile up riches. The lust for power and the desire for official position override every consideration of truth and righteousness. Envy and jealousy transform men and women into demons who wreak their murderous passions upon helpless victims. In many instances the slightest provocation seems to be sufficient to make men insane with destructive hate, and bullet, knife, and bludgeon become the instruments of their vengeance. The recent official investigations into the conduct of some of the great business interests of the country have laid bare such a record of corruption and commercial depravity as has almost stunned the moral sense of the general public. And all this leads men of good intentions to urge the enactment of reform measures by the lawmakers, and the very men who are commissioned to keep others straight do themselves become partners in crooked dealings. The only explanation of the whole situation is that Satan is making his supreme effort which will bring on the great crisis and result in his everlasting defeat and the eternal overthrow of evil. This means that the personal advent of our Lord is near, and that the time of deliverance draws on apace. The apparent triumph of evil will be but for a short time. “We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” The revelation of sin will be followed by the revelation of righteousness.

Some Interesting Correspondence

AN organized effort has been inaugurated in England to secure the better observance of Sunday. In the interest of this movement a conference was appointed to be held in London, May 9, at which the Archbishop of Canterbury promised to preside. In view of the fact that the promoters of this conference desired that it should represent the convictions shared by “the entire Christian community,” our brethren in London felt it proper that they should express themselves concerning the question at issue, and they accordingly addressed the following letter to the chairman of the conference:—
APRIL 18, 1906.
YOUR GRACE: In view of the conference on Sunday observance, to be held in Caxton Hall on the ninth of May at which Your Grace is to preside, and in view of the proposal that the said conference should “represent all sections of the Christian people of this country,” we beg respectfully to call your attention to the existence of a small, but growing body of Christians in this country, which is unable to reconcile Sunday observance with Bible teaching.
This body of Christians, known as “Seventh-day Adventists,” is profoundly convinced of the sacredness and obligation of the Sabbath and of its moral and physical benefits. These, however, by the rest, the blessing, and the sanctification of God (Gen. 2: 1-3), by the tremendous authority of the law that was spoken with his own voice (Ex. 20: 10-11), as well as by the example and precept of Christ (Matt. 24: 20) and of his apostles (Acts 13: 42-44), are essentially and permanently associated with the seventh day and with the seventh day only.The institution of the seventh-day Sabbath is founded in the facts of creation, and therefore must be as far-reaching and as enduring as the creation itself. This view of the Sabbath is confirmed by the declaration of Christ, that “the Sabbath, was made for man” (Mark 2: 27), and by the words of Isaiah, that as long as the new earth should endure, all flesh should come up to the worship of God, Sabbath by Sabbath. Isa. 66: 22-23.
This very positive and authoritative teaching concerning the Sabbath, demands that an equally positive statement should be as authoritatively proclaimed, if there is to be any break or change in the observance of the Sabbath. Seventh-day Adventists have searched the Bible in vain for any hint of a change. Of the eight texts that refer to the first day of the week, six name it in connection with the resurrection; the one in Acts 20: 7 speaks of a Saturday-night service followed by a Sunday spent in traveling; and 1 Cor. 16: 2 enjoins the laying by of a sum of money in store, according as God had prospered the giver, in which instruction there is no hint of a sacred day, but a possibility of prolonged investigation of accounts. The title “Lord’s day,” used by John, can only, when interpreted Scripturally, be applied to the day definitely claimed by the Lord as his.
Since no command of any kind is to be found in the Bible enjoining any degree of observance of the first day of the week as a day of rest, the observance or non-observance of Sunday must surely be, at best, among the doubtful questions concerning which the Apostle Paul exhorts us not to judge or despise one another. It is far otherwise with the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, which remains unaltered and unalterable. Every time the ten commandments are read in our national church, solemn witness is borne to this fact, and the words of Jehovah accuse his people of a great transgression.
Is it not significant in this era of Bible distribution, of foreign missions, of abounding religious activity, that there should be such a decreasing regard for Sunday as to call for corporate religious protest? May there not be some fundamental weakness in the institution, that it thus demands support? Would it not be well, now that all sections of the religious world have been awakened to the importance of the question, that the forth-coming conference should consider afresh whether the church has been justified or well-advised in turning from the original day of rest on which God’s blessing had been set, and which he himself had sanctified, for a day which, however high its claims in other respects, was never designed by God as a day of rest?
The report of the advisory committee appointed by Your Grace emphasizes the importance of proceeding along lines of spiritual activity. Now that calls are being heard from many quarters for more stringent legislation in behalf of Sunday observance, would it not be fitting that Your Grace should publicly discourage such a spirit? When the church claims for itself liberty to vary the law of God regarding Sabbath observance, it can not consistently join in a movement to impose the day of its selection upon others by legal compulsion. In view of these considerations, and for the fuller representation of Christian thought at the conference, and in the interests of Scriptural Sabbath observance, we beg to ask in good faith, on behalf of the Seventh-day Adventists of this country, that Your Grace will give us permission to state concisely, at the conference, the position which we hold in the matter of Sunday observance.
We are, etc.
To the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Christian spirit manifested in this letter and the forcible appeal to Bible authority ought to make a deep impression upon every candid mind, but, of course, it was plain that Sunday observance could not be promoted by a candid consideration of the teaching of the Scriptures concerning the Sabbath. The Bishop of Croydon therefore replied to the letter thus:—
APRIL 24, 1906.
DEAR SIR: The Archbishop of Canterbury has placed the arrangements of the details of the conference which is to be held on May 9 in the hands of a committee, and has therefore handed to me, as chairman of his advisory committee, your letter of the eighteenth inst., with the request that it should be considered and answered.
May I say that as this conference has been convened for the better observance of Sunday, as a day of rest and worship, it would be impossible to consider the particular question which your letter suggests.
I am, etc.
The Bishop of Croydon was technically correct in his position. A conference committed to the promotion of Sunday observance could not, with safety to its success, discuss the Biblical authority for the change of the Sabbath. To do so would inevitably imperil the issue of the whole movement. Sunday observance and the Bible do not agree well together.
The correspondence closed with the following note to the bishop:—
APRIL 30, 1906.
MY LORD BISHOP: I beg to thank you for your letter of the twenty-fourth inst.
I regret your decision that it would be impossible to consider at the conference the question whether Sunday comes to us with any divine authority to displace the Sabbath as a day of rest. It seems to me that this consideration is all-important in any appeal addressed to the conscience in behalf of a better observance of Sunday.
May I protest that the conference will not be truly representative of Christian thought if a plea, founded solely on the Word of God, is denied expression therein, and if the fact that there are Christians who honestly regard the seventh day of the week as the only divinely authorized rest-day is suppressed at the conference.
I ask, therefore, for the sake of a fuller understanding of the existing situation on the part of those who are present, that, at least, you will read, or cause to be read, at the conference, my letter to the Archbishop.
I am, etc.
Among the many thousand readers of The Present Truth, in which this correspondence was published, will certainly be found some who will be led to investigate the Sabbath truth by reading these letters. It does not require the wisdom of an archbishop, or even of a bishop, to discern that Sunday observance does not rest upon any Bible authority. “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.”

The Church in Advance of the World

By L. A. S.

IN every true reform movement, the Christian church should be the head and not the tail. The Christian church is not to be behind the world in the knowledge of the principles of right living, and wait upon worldly science to lead the way in the discovery of truth pertaining to the salvation of life, either moral or physical. The church is to be in advance of the world, and the world is to obtain from the church the knowledge of those things which pertain to life and godliness. Thus God has appointed it, and if the church does not occupy this position it is because she fails to walk along the highway which God has cast up for her. It is because she lacks faith, and thus fails to obtain the knowledge which is supplied through that important channel.
The ancient “church in the wilderness”—the Hebrew nation—came out of Egyptian bondage, where their opportunities had been less than those of any other people; but God gave them instruction which placed them at the head of all the other nations in the knowledge of all that was essential to human welfare; so that the stranger coming among them would say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” Deut. 4:6. They obtained this knowledge not by investigation and discovery, but by faith. They believed the words which God spoke to them; otherwise they would have remained in their former ignorance.
Seventh-day Adventists have had the opportunity to be the most advanced people in the world in the knowledge of the principles of right living. They were given a message to the world calling for a physical as well as a spiritual reform. They were given light far in advance of the world, even where the world claimed a monopoly of wisdom. If they did not thereby become wiser than the people of the world, it was because they did not believe that which came to them as the testimony of the Lord.
Many years ago, when medical science was far behind the position it has attained to-day, Seventh-day Adventists were called to proclaim and practise a reform in dress. It was the fashion to wear long dresses which trailed in the dust or the mire of the streets. Theywere instructed that the dress worn upon the streets should be sufficiently short to clear the dampness and the filth; that this was essential to the preservation of health. The world laughed; but years later it had progressed far enough so that it began to make some discoveries on this point. Medical writers began to speak about germs, which lived and multiplied in dust and dirt and filth, and about the danger of bringing these germs from the street into the home, to spread disease and death among its inmates. The world finally came to see that the popular style of dress was an unsanitary and dangerous one, just as had been said by the Adventist advocates of dress reform; and soon there arose among its people leaders who introduced a new style of dress conforming to hygienic requirements, and the leading authorities on the subject in the world to-day teach and practise the identical principles which were first proclaimed by this church.
There was also a reform advocated in eating and drinking. Seventh-day Adventists were called to practise and to advocate strict temperance, to abstain from the use of drugs and popular medicines, and to employ other and more natural agencies in the treatment of disease. This likewise was foolishness in the eyes of the world; but what does the world say to-day? Recently the most astounding revelations have been made of the evil which has been done in the land by the sale of alcoholic mixtures and of baneful drugs in the form of patent medicines. This terrible business has gone on for many years, making untold thousands—perhaps even millions—of victims of innocent, well-meaning people who had never a thought of becoming inebriates, or slaves to nerve-destroying drugs. Long years after the temperance message of Seventh-day Adventists was first proclaimed, and after paying a most terrible price, the world has arrived at the truth on this subject, and efforts are being made to suppress the patent medicine traffic in souls for worldly gain. The world is discovering also that but few drugs are of any use in the treatment of disease, by far the greater number being detrimental to health and the cause of death in numberless cases where administered to the sick by the old-school physicians. The world is becoming wise on this subject, but the church had all this wisdom long before.
And just now the whole nation is being shocked by the revelations which are being made in connection with the meat food business. On another page of this paper will be found an account of some of the discoveries which agents of the government have been making at the headquarters of the meat trust. Thereupon is a cry of popular indignation which will force Congress to take speedy and vigorous action in the matter. Was the world foremost in discovering the objectionable character of such food? Oh, no; many years ago these things were plainly set forth in the testimonies which God gave to his church. Seventh-day Adventists have been in possession of them all this time. They have had the light which would enable them to avoid eating food which, if its real nature and condition were known, would be turned from with loathing. Whether this light has benefitted them or not depends simply on whether they have believed it. They know now, if they did not before, that the statements of the spirit of prophecy on this subject are true. But how much better to know such truths by faith than to pass on until they are found out by experience.
The church is the light of the world. It is the head and not the tail of every true reform—every movement for the betterment of mankind. This is the position God would have his people occupy and there is nothing to prevent it but their own lack of faith in his leadership. If Seventh-day Adventists would believe and put in practise the heaven-sent knowledge which they receive so far in advance of the world, the world would take note and would be forced to say, “Surely this . . . is a wise and understanding people;” and many souls would be converted to the truth. L. A. S.

College Degrees

At this season of college commencements it seems to be a fitting time to consider the question of granting degrees. Under the title “The College Degree and an Honest Suggestion” there appears in The World’s Work for June an editorial upon this subject which is worthy of thoughtful consideration. When the editor of the REVIEW was directly connected with our educational work he made the same suggestion, but it seemed too radical to be acted upon at that time. Possibly the same suggestion made in an influential magazine will carry more weight. We quote the following paragraphs from the editorial:—
Nowadays a college graduate has spent from two to five years in an institution where he may have eaten a substantial intellectual meal, or may have tasted instead a vast number of tempting educational dishes—or merely had a good time and hired a coach to do the required thinking. He may have entered college after a thorough training in a good fitting school, or he may have been “accredited” by a perfunctory school-teacher, and have been really unprepared for any higher studies. Under such conditions the conferring of degrees is a piece of scholastic buncombe, endeared by tradition and of some supposed commercial benefit to the recipients.
Any one who is familiar with our colleges knows that the units of instruction, upon the performance of which the getting of degrees depends, are of very various worth and difficulty. There is no human method of estimating properly their respective values in the curriculum. And it is coming more and more to be the case that colleges give their degrees for work performed elsewhere, which they estimate roughly and accredit to the students. So far as the commercial consideration for holding to degrees is concerned, outside of academic circles, nobody cares whether a man has a bachelor’s degree or not, unless he wishes to teach. And to secure any good position in teaching the college graduate must have the doctor’s degree, which is given by respectable institutions only for very real accomplishments.
It is natural enough under these circumstances that young people in college should confound the taking of a degree with the getting of an education. But what is really more lamentable is that American colleges seem unable to put their stamp upon their graduates in some more enduring manner than by giving them little rolls of parchment and the right to add some capital letters to their names.
A remedy for this state of things is not hard to find. Let the university or college issue to every student leaving its doors a document which shall be an exact and concise statement of the term of actual residence, and the amount and nature of work performed by the student under the supervision of that institution. It would require scarcely more parchment than the present degree to provide a record of the student’s work that would mean something. In it should appear a brief description of the subjects pursued, the names of the instructors, the amount of class or laboratory work done, of the grades given by examinations in the respective courses, all countersigned by the proper college officer. Thus it would be a concise summary of the educational history of the student.
There are certain obvious advantages of such a system, besides its honesty. It would permit the student in search of the best instructors in his field to move freely from one college to another. To the young man looking for work such a document would have real commercial value, provided that his studies had had anything to do with the job he was seeking. And it would enable those aiming to enter the professions to begin their professional studies just as soon as they had completed the courses prescribed by the faculties of the professional schools.
Of course there would be a sentimental outcry against doing away with the time-honored degree. Colleges are timid, always fearful of a possible loss of patronage. But a frank recognition of the emptiness of the bachelor degree would appeal to the best sense of the community. It would tend to eliminate the loafers in college, because parents would no longer have the excuse of maintaining their sons in idleness through four years “for the sake of the degree.” College would become more and more a part of the business of life, and a place where something can not be had for nothing.
The course here recommended seems so sensible and so honest that it would doubtless be accepted and acted upon were it not for the fact, as stated in the editorial, that “nowhere else have ancient prejudices such a steady hold as in universities.” The question of granting degrees may not be a burning one in our educational institutions just now, and yet it might be wise to give the subject some study at the coming educational convention.

“Laborers Together With God”

By I. H. Evans

It was Paul who wrote to the church at Corinth, “We are laborers together with God,” and it is for the church militant to cherish this blessed privilege to the end of time.
In this life men are often laborers together. When such is the case, they plan alike, they co-operate, and lend mutual assistance and encouragement to each other. They assist in bearing burdens; they help each other in times of need, they unite their strength to accomplish an end.
But in this text we learn that man and God become “laborers together.” Thus they are united in their plans, and in the object of their labors. Man is united with God in thought and purpose; God unites his wisdom and strength with that of man; thus they become “laborers together.”
The object of this unity is man’s salvation. God is determined that man shall have an opportunity to escape from the wages of sin. Death is man’s enemy, and will finally be destroyed; but till that day, sin and death will destroy all who refuse salvation through Jesus Christ.
God has turned heaven into a hospital for sin, and all the heavenly host are God’s messengers to lead man to Calvary. Angels are his “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” Christ gave himself and all he had for man, and the Holy Spirit “maketh intercession for us with groanings which can not be uttered.”
But heaven is not enough to be enlisted in behalf of man’s salvation. God wants his children to be united with him in this great work. To us he has committed the greatest of all trusts,—the preaching of the gospel. Nor does he send us forth as laborers alone; for, “Lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” “We are laborers together with God.” Thus God unites man with the heavenly host to save sinners.
The one great work to be done is soul-saving. The rejoicing in heaven is over the sinner that repenteth,—the lost that is found. Heaven makes but little count of the cost of a soul’s redemption. Money, effort, self-denial, hardships, and death are all balanced as nothing against the value of a lost soul redeemed.
“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. . . . Giving no offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed: but in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; by pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”
The workman must give all that he holds dear if he would be a “worker together with God.” All can not labor in the same way. Some must be at the battle’s front; some must be God’s reserve; and some must be producers and givers, that others may be sustained in their more public efforts.
The position one occupies in God’s service matters little, as far as being counted a “worker together with God” is concerned. The consecration of one’s best endeavors, the unselfish service we render to God is what counts.
All can have a part in God’s great work who will. Some must go and some must remain at home; but yet all can be “workers.” Those who remain can give of their means and earnings for the soldiers in the field.
Giving is as directly a part of God’s service as any other line of work. He who contributes of his means to support the workers in the field, is partaker with them in their labors.
Besides our regular Sabbath offering, the General Conference has arranged that two annual offerings for foreign missions shall be taken each year. One is the annual offering which we love so much, and which brings into the mission treasury such large returns, and the other is known as the midsummer offering.
This year the midsummer offering for missions is to be taken Sabbath, June 30. This money goes to maintain the workers in the various parts of the wide harvest-field. We hope for a large offering on this occasion.
The sowing time is now; but the reaping will surely come. In that day a harvest of ripened sheaves will be gathered for the Master’s kingdom.
Let us give with a liberal hand, not grudgingly nor sparingly; for “the Lord loveth a cheerful giver.”
“We are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” I. H. EVANS.

The Russian War-Cloud

By L. A. S.

CONDITIONS in Russia to-day are so similar to those in France at the beginning of the French revolution, that press reports are drawing parallels on many points. The Douma has defied the throne, and has become in its view a revolutionary body. The terrorists, encouraged by the bold stand of the Douma, are carrying on their campaign of assassination with renewed activity. “Russia’s parallel of the first stages of the French revolution,” says the Washington Post, “is now complete.”
A St. Petersburg dispatch said of the tense situation created by the Douma’s reply to the throne:—
With breathless anxiety, society awaits the government’s response to the bold action of the Lower House of Parliament Saturday, which, in censuring the ministry and demanding its retirement, was like a deliberate slap in the face and a direct challenge, which the government, though inclined to prefer its usual policy of temporization and compromise, can hardly avoid meeting. Parliament has burned the bridge, and virtually has taken the step which the French States-General did when it transformed itself into a national convention.
By flaunting the fundamental laws and practically declaring that it proposes to exercise full parliamentary rights with a responsible ministry, it has become, in the eyes of the law, a revolutionary body, and from that position there seems no relief. The news of the action of the House came like an electric shock, the people generally being as greatly surprised as the bureaucracy at the promptness with which the whole of the government’s policy was absolutely scorned.
The situation is one from which civil war would be the natural outcome; and any day may see its beginning. The throne shows some disposition to avoid forcing an appeal to arms, perhaps because it has grave fears for its own safety. A member of the Douma is quoted as saying:—
The government, if it dares to fight, can disperse the Parliament; but the victory of the bureaucracy would be only temporary. It would inevitably be followed shortly by a bloody revolution, which would not leave a stick of the present government standing. The emperor must choose between a real constitutional government and the loss, not only of his crown, but probably of his head.
The army, at least the Cossack contingent of it, may be counted on to remain loyal to the czar; vast masses ofthe peasants, on the other hand, are incensed at the government’s refusal to grant expropriation of lands for their use, and would undoubtedly side with the Douma. “The press to-day,” says a dispatch of the twenty-seventh inst., “almost without exception is pessimistic, recognizing the extreme gravity of the situation and the tempest which the denial of the right of forced expropriation of land will provoke among the peasantry.”
The parallel with the early stage of the French revolution is also made the theme of an address to the ministry by Professor Karieff. “He invites the ministry to substitute for the 1906 events those of 1789, and then to consider whether they wish to continue their present course.”
Whatever the outcome, events will be subordinated to the interests of the special work of God in Russia which is now going forward. “The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men,” and the blowing of the winds of strife upon the earth will not be permitted to interfere with the special sealing work which is to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
L. A. S.

Prepared to Meet God

“I MET only one man who did not think that the world was coming to an end after the shock had lasted twenty seconds,” says special correspondent Frederick Palmer of Collier’s Weekly, speaking of the earthquake. The like impression came upon those who witnessed the falling of the stars in November, 1833. The signs and the judgments of God which herald the approach of the final day clear the sin-darkened minds of men while they see or experience them, and they are brought as it were face to face with God; but usually the impression is quickly lost when the experience is past. The day is coming when all men will have to meet God face to face, and men are given frequent reminders that there exists a sovereign Intelligence in the universe whose kingdom ruleth over all, and whose will must some day be done in this sin-ruled earth. God is admonishing the world to be prepared to meet him in peace.
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