To the one who would know his duty in the service of gifts and offerings, there is given very simple instruction in 1 Cor. 16: 2: “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.” As the tithe is required from each individual, so also offerings are required from “every one.” None is excused. As tithing is a systematic regulation, so also our service of offerings is not to partake of a spasmodic or irregular character, but is also to be systematic, and is, like the tithe, to be based upon the degree of prosperity the Lord gives us. If the instruction cited above is followed out, all stand alike before the Lord. Each renders to the Lord in tithes and offerings, according to the prosperity given.
In the parable of the talents, the two servants, one receiving five talents, the other two, each in reality rendered the same return, and received the same commendation; each returned to the Lord the same proportionate gain, and received the same commendation, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” This certainly is just, for each did according107to the full measure of his ability, as the Lord had prospered him.
When this divinely appointed system is followed out, there will be sufficient means for the needs of God’s cause. Were it otherwise, God’s plan and his provision for his work would be incomplete and imperfect. Therefore if at any time the work of the gospel should be retarded for the lack of means, it would be evident that this condition was because of the unfaithfulness of his people.
There is another feature in the Bible plan of financing the work of the gospel, which should not be lost sight of; that is, the manner of bestowing the tithes and the offerings. If Bible methods are followed out, there will be nothing haphazard about it, making it possible that one feature of the work shall be well supplied, and another left to languish from an insufficient support. In the economy of the old dispensation the Lord required his people to bring their tithes and offerings to a place specified by him, and there deliver them into the treasury, over which men from among the priesthood and the Levites that were counted faithful had been appointed treasurers. “But unto the place which the Lord your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: and thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave-offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your free-will offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks.” Deut. 12: 5, 6. “Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the Lord; and they prepared them, and brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.” 2 Chron. 31: 11, 12. The succeeding verses tell how a corps of assistants from among the Levites was furnished Cononiah, the treasurer, through whom a proper distribution of Israel’s tithes and offerings was made to all who should enjoy the benefits of the treasury. These were “to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small: . . . even unto every one that entereth into the house of the Lord, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses.” Verses 15, 16.
We find the same careful system being followed out in apostolic days, thus guarding against an improper distribution of the offerings of God’s people, and assuring a proper care for all his work. “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” Acts 4: 34, 35. This was the prevailing custom in the days immediately following the day of Pentecost. Shortly after, men were selected to take special charge of the offerings and make proper distribution. This resulted in the introduction of the office of deacon in the church.
As near as existing conditions will permit, this Bible custom is being pursued by the denomination, and to it we can attribute the successful financing of a great evangelical work by a comparatively small people,—a work that is being carried forward in upward of fifty countries, this, too, notwithstanding the fact that the existence of the denomination covers less than seventy years, and that among the constituency are to be found but very few men and women of wealth. The credit for this is not due to the men and women who make up the denomination, but to the wisdom of God’s plan for denominational finance, which they have been led to adopt, that is, the tithes and offerings. These are paid into the local church treasury, and, with the exception of those offerings that are designed for local church work, such as church expense, care for the poor, church-school work, and home missionary work, are each month forwarded to the treasurer of the local conference in which the church is located. The local conference, in turn, forwards to the General Conference, through the union conference treasurer, all the offerings, and a certain portion of the tithe, for the support of the world-wide work, and in addition a tithe of the tithe for the support of the union conference work, the remainder of the tithe being retained for the local conference evangelical work.
Before disbursing this remainder to the active conference workers, provision is first made for those who have become permanently inactive by reason of age and infirmities. In planning for this class of workers, it has been found necessary to devise a system that will make their support sure to them, regardless of what conference or mission field they may have worked for, or where at present they may be located. The simple plan by which each conference sets apart five per cent of its entire tithe, and places it in the hands of the General Conference Committee for distribution, accomplishes the object. The funds then remaining in the treasuries of the local and union conferences, are disbursed to the different workers and enterprises in the conferences by appointed committees, through their treasurers.
The funds of the General Conference are, in the main, disbursed by appropriation to the different fields receiving support from the mission treasury. The offerings of the people for the maintenance of the foreign missions, passing through the hands of the local and union conference treasurers, are considered a sacred trust, not to be used for any other purpose, and are required to be promptly forwarded to the general treasury for disbursement to the different mission fields.
By thus working in harmony with the Lord’s appointed plan, and through his organization in a methodical manner, the work has during the past few years greatly expanded, and the hearts of his people have been encouraged by the prosperity attending their efforts to send the gospel of the kingdom to all the world. By the knowledge that their offerings are expeditiously handled and devoted as designed by the givers, the generosity of the people is greatly increased, and they are encouraged to respond liberally to the rapidly increasing demands for help from heathen lands. When appeals for offerings are made by properly accredited persons, and the donations are handled in the regular manner, satisfactory results invariably attend; but when appeals for assistance are made, and money is gathered independent of the organization, there comes at once the possibility of misunderstandings, and too many times of gross imposition by designing men upon a trusting and responsive people.
W. T. KNOX.
Note and Comment
The Soldier at Mass
Some weeks ago a Protestant soldier in the Spanish army refused to kneel when the priest was saying mass. As the army regulations required that the soldiers go through the form of worship on all such occasions, this Protestant soldier was placed under arrest for disobedience, and was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. A despatch from Madrid, dated January 21, speaks as follows in reference to this case:—
The government has canceled the punishment inflicted on a Protestant soldier for refusing to kneel during a mass at Ferrol, and will shortly publish a regulation drawn up in such a manner that a repetition of the incident will be impossible.
The brave stand of this Protestant has thus released many another from participation in a religious act which, performed under compulsion, is only hollow mockery.
Smiling Christians Advertise the Gospel
“SMILING Christians are the best advertisement of the gospel.”
Hongkong, China
By S. A. NAGEL
S. A. NAGEL
Two Sabbaths ago Brother Hill’s father was with us here on his way to Swatow. Last Sabbath Brother and Sister Wood, Brother and Sister Peugh, and Sisters Wilson and Ruoff were here, stopping off on their way to India. We greatly enjoyed the visits of these fellow workers, and I feel sure they will indorse what I say when I tell you they enjoyed their visit and the good meetings we held with Chinese brethren and interested ones.
They all insisted that I should report how God has opened and is opening up the work in this city. Ever since arriving in south China, I have felt that a strong work should be built up in Hongkong. But some said, “It is a commercial center, and we can do nothing there.” A few books were sold here long ago by Brethren La Rue and Caldwell, but aside from that the third angel’s message had never been preached in this city. Nothing had been done for the Chinese.
I have always believed that God has natives here with special talents and good education who would make valuable workers in his cause. By God’s help I am finding some of that kind. Being able to read English, they have books of reference that our other Chinese workers can never have; therefore they are better established in the truth, and can teach it better, than those hearing only the foreign pastor.
I had a little interest here this spring before our general meeting in Shanghai, having come to this city after the revolution broke out, and after my experience with the robbers. I asked the brethren in Shanghai to send some one here, but they did not deem it best.
Coming south again after our meeting, I found the way hedged up so that we could not return to Waichow. Even yet the American consul will not issue us traveling permits to go into the interior. So the South China Committee sent us to this city to labor till after the hot weather, and later asked us to continue until the end of this year.
We have now been here about six months. With Sister Thompson’s help we organized a Sabbath-school. It grew to twenty-five the first quarter, with thirty dollars’ offerings. It now numbers thirty-five, with several regular visitors. The offerings last quarter amounted to forty dollars. Our company is blessed beyond others in China with this world’s goods. A good church here will be a great help to our work throughout south China. One brother plans paying over two hundred dollars’ tithe as soon as the year’s accounts are closed. Sister Thompson has been in Amoy since her sister’s death.
The first work I did on coming here in April was to send out nearly one thousand seven-page typewritten letters to English-speaking people. I wrote concerning Christ’s second coming. I received many answers of various kinds, many requesting further study. In this way I began to get acquainted with the people. A few weeks ago six were baptized. I expect that about ten others will go forward soon. I am now holding ten meetings a week, and studying personally with about fifty. Some are heathen, and some are the very best members of other missions.
I wanted to hold some public meetings this summer, but was unable to secure a hall at the price we could afford. Perhaps cottage meetings as a rule are the most successful. I am now getting well acquainted, and I enjoy my work, though I seldom get home until eleven at night.
In August it occurred to me that it might be well to write a series of articles for some daily newspaper here in the city. I visited one editor who had recently published much on Christian Science, and he said he would print fifteen articles of two thousand words for one hundred fifty dollars. Well, that was too much for me. I then visited the editor of the China Mail, the best family paper in this part of the Far East, and the most widely read. I prayed much over the matter, and to my great surprise he agreed, if the articles were suitable, to print an article of two thousand words every Saturday free. At first he was going to print two each week, but afterward we decided the Saturday paper was the best, as people would have time to read on Sunday.
He has now printed seven articles,—some on the signs of Christ’s coming; two on the judgment; one on the darkening of the sun, connected with Daniel 7, which stirred up many Catholics, and several are now studying. Last week’s article was on the second angel’s message, and to-day I wrote another of twenty-four hundred words on the third angel’s message and the Sabbath. The city is being stirred by these articles, I hope to the glory of God. Next week when the Sabbath is presented, I look for a greater interest. I have gone to some homes by invitation where I found that every article had been cut out and pasted in a book. Last week the editor told me of a ship-captain who called and insisted on having all the back articles.
Last Wednesday I received a letter from a Chinese asking me to go and hold a study. He said that he and others had been reading the articles and wished to know more. He told me where to meet him, and said he would take me to the meeting. To my surprise, he led me to a large Chinese chapel, where eighty persons were waiting to hear. They had secured one of the best interpreters in the city, as I do not speak their dialect. I shall meet with them again. I am studying with some of them in their homes, and some were out last Sabbath to hear Brother Wood tell why he is now a Seventh-day Adventist.
One Chinese recently baptized is manager of the largest firm of Chinese printers, bookbinders, and stationers in the city. He is now superintendent of our Sabbath-school. When I have more meetings than I can handle, I send him, and he can really do about as well as I on the topics he knows best. He likes to talk on the special truth for this time. He knows and appreciates the difference between our work and the work of other churches, something some of our other evangelists do not seem to distinguish. He was formerly of the London Mission, and they were sorry to lose him. He is now studying with others of that mission, and says he will get all the honest ones before he stops. I am thankful for such good help.
One other experience, and then I’ll close. Two weeks ago I received a letter written by a woman in our college13in Australia. She had been for four years a missionary in the Church of England in China. Two years were spent in St. Stephen’s College here in Hongkong. Since returning to Australia she has accepted this blessed truth, and writes asking me to do my best to reach those to whom she ignorantly taught error here. Her letter has helped me in reaching a class of Japanese young men she taught. I had my first study with them last night.
I hope and pray for a rich harvest erelong. It takes just as much moral courage to give up your positions and your friends and loved ones for the truth here as in the home land. Pray that God will abundantly bless the work in this dark land.
“But he could not be hid,” Although he wished it so; No walls nor doors could e’er forbid That they his place should know. The tidings quickly sped To all the country ’round, And many came, and then rejoiced That they the Christ had found.
You can not hope to hide The fragrance of the rose, Its sweetness scatters far and wide, Its presence each one knows. No need is there to tell That such a flower is there, Its subtle perfume permeates And sweetens all the air.
And so where Christ comes in To sup and there abide, To cleanse the heart from gloom and sin, His presence none can hide: ’Twill glorify the life, ’Twill shine through e’en the face, While to the actions ’twill impart A new and added grace.
And lo, the very hour He enters in, to-day, Some longing one will feel his power And can not keep away. Is it your chief desire Some soul for Christ to win? Just open wide your own heart’s door And let the Saviour in.
Hinsdale, Ill.
Photo by R. H. Leech
Karmatar, India
By Della Burroway
DELLA BURROWAY
SINCE we are on our own property—secured by the $300,000 Fund—the attitude of the people has greatly changed toward us. They look upon us as a part of the great Karmatar family. If we neglect going into their homes for a few weeks, they are sure to remind us that we are neighbors and should come often. Of the hundreds of homes about Karmatar only two have been closed to us thus far. The people lay aside their work when we enter their homes, bring out cots for us to sit upon, call their neighbors, and together they listen with the greatest attention. As we tell them of the soon coming of Christ, they invariably want to know when he will come. They can not comprehend how it is the dead who have been burned (all Hindus burn their dead) can be resurrected. The truths of Jesus' soon coming and his power over death as taught in the resurrection, arouse the Hindu as nothing else does. Many confess there is nothing in the Hindu religion to save from sin, but fear of caste prevents them from taking their stand for the Christian religion.
I believe school work is the entering wedge among Hindus and Mohammedans. We have many calls to open schools. Fourteen miles in the jungle such a call has been standing for four years. Three miles out a school building and teachers' house, belonging to the villagers, have been waiting for us to occupy for over a year. The salary of such a teacher does not exceed six dollars a month. For want of means, many calls can not be answered.
At first, for fear of turning away some of our Hindu and Mohammedan schoolboys, we did not introduce the Bible as a text-book in our school, but simply gave a Bible talk. Prejudice has given way to such an extent that we have this week placed in each boy's hand a portion of the Bible, with the instruction that in the future he will be graded on Bible as on other subjects. No objection was raised, but many questions were asked as to what was expected in the manner of study. We are getting hold of some fine young people who will be a power in the work here. One young man can speak four languages, and is an earnest Christian. Another young man and his wife, who have recently come to us, are learning the dispensary work.
First Impressions of Rarotonga
By E. J. GIBLETT
E. J. GIBLETT
Much has been written and spoken about Rarotonga, so there is perhaps nothing new to write, but every one visiting the islands of the Pacific catches a glimpse of their many and varied sights, which gives some new thought or inspiration.
It was a beautiful view that met our gaze as our boat came in sight of Rarotonga on October 1. The mountains of the island, covered with verdure to the very summit, rose high and sharp-pointed against the clear blue sky. After leaving New Zealand and tossing about for six days on the heaving billows, we were glad to see this beautiful sight and to be once more on land.
We were met at the landing-place by Brother H. E. Piper, and drove to the mission house, which is about four miles away. The trees and bushes along the road were very green, and seemed shady and cool. All were different from what we had been used to in Australia, and it afforded us much pleasure to look at and admire them. The plants with variegated leaves, which are seen only in hothouses in the home land, grow here in all their native freshness and beauty, without fear of being nipped by the hoary touch of Jack Frost.
The drive from the road to the mission house, which stands back about two hundred yards from the road, is very pretty, lined on either side by the tall coconut palms, loaded with their large nuts, and by a nice green hedge, made by planting the sticks of the wild coffee-plant, which soon begin to grow, and which, by pruning, can be made into a very neat and tidy hedge. These hedges are used a great deal to fence or subdivide the properties of different persons, though they are being superseded somewhat by barbed- and plain-wire fences, for the reason, we suppose, that it is a much quicker way of fencing.
The first Sabbath we spent on Rarotonga is one long to be remembered, as all was new and strange. We drove to the church, which is in the village of Titikaveka, a distance of eight miles from the mission home. The Sabbath-school meets at ten o'clock, and a church meeting is conducted by Brother Piper directly after. All the services are in about the same order as in Australia, but are conducted in the Rarotongan language, so all was unintelligible to us except the parts Brother and Sister Piper gave to us in English. Several of the hymns were sung in the language of the natives, and in their own style, which sounded strange to us. We sang one or two in the papaa, or foreign language, which the natives seemed to like very much.
In the afternoon we visited some of the church-members in their homes. They seemed glad to see us and gave us a very hearty welcome, but we felt at a great loss because we were not able to speak to them in their own tongue. Pray for us that we may soon acquire a knowledge of the language, and be able to converse with those who are much in need of the saving truths of the third angel's message.
We are staying on Rarotonga until we hear more definitely from Brother Sterling, who is on Aitutaki, about our beginning work on that island. In the meantime we are studying the language, and we hope soon to master it, so that we can speak to the natives of these islands of Jesus' great love to mankind.
Intellectual Standing of the New Hebridean
By C. H. Parker
C. H. PARKER
WHAT is written of the New Hebridean can doubtless be said of many of the other island races. They are all children of nature, and their education is obtained by coming in contact with nature instead of books. Their powers of observation are largely drawn on, and it is wonderful what fine distinctions110they are able to make. Mr. Geddie says, “I dare say, as Britons, we consider ourselves the most intellectual people on earth, but a South Sea islander will often smile at our stupidity about many things, in which we are evidently inferior to them. It should be borne in mind that the Most High ‘hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.’ The condition of these islanders has been unfavorable to the development of their mental energy. Nevertheless, there are indications of a fair amount of intellectual power among them. They have mythology, which though absurd and false, is at least ingenious. They have their historical traditions, which are transmitted from generation to generation. They can express their thoughts in a humorous manner, and often in figures of speech, forcible and appropriate. Their language, too, is copious. Many speak two or more languages.”
“On all the islands the language is found exceedingly rich in all that pertains to the needs and habits of a people situated as they are, but poor in what pertains to civilized and religious life. It has since on trial been found that they can be taught rapidly to read, write, and cipher, and that they readily learn to repeat passages of Scripture.”
“We may add that, like most rude tribes, they show that cultivation of the powers of observation which renders them in their own sphere so superior to civilized men. They recognize every footprint they see, and of every pig or fowl they can name the owner.”
The writer has been with natives of Fiji, hidden away in the bush, when one of our number would call out: “Sa yadra, Tomasi; sa laki evei?” (Good morning, Thomas, where are you going?) The answer invariably would come back, naming the individual who had spoken, and telling where he was going. It was astonishing to me, and I would ask how they knew that some one was going along the path, and how they knew who it was? They would tell me that they could tell by the sound of his footstep. I had heard no footstep, but their keen hearing had detected it, and recognized whose footstep it was.
Mr. Geddie further says: “They have also much quickness in the government of character, in reading the countenances, and penetrating the motives of others.”
“They can not be said to have a history, and scarcely any antiquities are to be found on the islands. There is on Aneityum a very large stone, on which are engraved representations of men, fishes, and the heavenly bodies, which the natives regard as the work of superhuman agents. On Efate there is a dome-shaped cave, round the sides of which are marks supposed to be inscriptions. These, like some remains found on some other Pacific islands, may indicate either that the present races have degenerated or that the islands were previously occupied by people more advanced in art.”
The Problem of Nutrition
By A. B. Olsen
A. B. OLSEN, M. D., D. P. H.
The human body is both a furnace and a machine at the same time, and, like any other machine, it requires fuel for the production of steam to keep it going, and also a small amount of building material with which to keep it in good repair. The fuel and the constructive material required for the support of the human machine are obtained from the daily supply of food and drink.
Unlike other machines, the human body requires a certain degree of warmth for the successful maintenance of life. The normal temperature of a healthy man or woman is 98.5° F., and any slight deviation from this degree of heat, either above or below, indicates interference with health, and usually means the invasion of disease. By far the largest bulk of the fuel taken into the human furnace is burned for the purpose of maintaining this warmth, which is so extremely vital to the welfare of the body. Besides heat, the body also produces from the fuel foods a certain amount of muscular energy, which enables the heart to pump blood, the lungs to breathe air, and the muscles to perform work. Furthermore, the body requires a considerable amount of what, for want of a better name, we may call chemical energy, which enables the glandular organs of the body to manufacture various secretions, such as saliva of the mouth, the gastric juice of the stomach, and the bile of the liver.
Classification of Foods
We may accordingly roughly classify foods under two heads:—
Fuel foods.
Building and repair foods.
Fuel foods consist of carbonaceous matter, and may be conveniently divided into three more or less distinct varieties: (1) Starches and dextrins; (2) sugars, including both grape-sugar and cane-sugar. Starches and sugars are also called carbohydrates; and (3) fats and oils, both animal and vegetable, otherwise known as hydrocarbons.
The repair foods are distinguished from the fuel foods by possessing nitrogen, and are hence called nitrogenous foods. They consist of proteins, albuminoids, and gelatins, and are derived from both the animal and the vegetable kingdom. The largest part of the repair food utilized by the body is derived from proteins of one kind or another; such as the white or albumen of the egg, the fleshy fiber of meat, the curds of milk, the glutinous part of wheat and other cereals, and the legumin of the pulses. All natural foods contain a varying percentage of protein matter, but some, such as nuts and pulses, contain it in a far larger proportion than other varieties.
Fuel Foods
The foods which serve as fuel to the body furnace are literally burned, that is, they unite with oxygen which is obtained from the lungs, and then undergo combustion. The direct result of this combustion, or burning, process is the production of heat, most of which is required111for the maintenance of the normal body temperature; but a very considerable proportion, a much larger amount than in the case of the steam-engine, is also valuable for muscular work of various kinds; so that a strong, healthy man is able to do a hard day's work day after day and at the same time maintain good health, providing he is well nourished.
In a healthy body a certain proportion of the fuel food is stored in various organs, and especially in the deeper structures of the skin, for future use, or for times of emergency. These stores form the fat or adipose tissue of the body, and are derived chiefly from the sugars and the starches in the food. When a man is starving, these resources are called upon, and naturally are used up first before the more vital structures are touched. It is a well-known fact that starch and sugar foods are more useful and successful in forming fat and increasing the weight than fatty foods. The Nebraska farmer fattens his hogs on corn, a food that consists chiefly of starch, having but a small percentage of fat.
Repair Foods
Like other machines, the body also requires a certain amount of repair material to keep it in good running order; and this necessitates a different article of diet, which we may call repair or building food. An ordinary machine is usually overhauled and necessary repairs made at fixed intervals, or according to the requirement of the machine. For the purpose of repair, the machine is brought to a standstill while it is undergoing the necessary changes and improvements. But such treatment is impossible with the body machine, for it can not rest completely without fatal consequences to life. Therefore repairs are constantly taking place day by day. Worn-out parts are renewed, damaged tissues are repaired or replaced, and even a broken bone is reunited and once more made fit for service.
Furthermore, during the developmental period of life a larger proportion of building material is required for the normal growth and enlargement of the entire body. The bones increase in size, the muscles get larger and more powerful, the heart, lungs, liver, and other organs get bigger, and both weight and height increase until complete maturity has been reached. Consequently, during the time of childhood and youth more building food is required proportionally than during adult life.
Appetite
How do we know when the body furnace requires stoking? The normal appetite for food indicates hunger and the necessity of providing food for the further sustenance of the body. When food is available, hunger is a pleasing sensation, and eating the plainest of food is a pleasure. No spicy sauces, no tasty savories, and no stimulants are required to tempt the appetite of a hungry man; all good, nourishing food is welcomed, no matter how simple and plain it may be. When a man is really hungry, his digestive organs are best fitted to take care of the food eaten. The stomach is ready for food, the digestion goes on promptly and efficiently, and assimilation is complete with a minimum of waste. Furthermore, there is little danger of overeating when the diet is a frugal one.
It is undoubtedly true that many persons seldom feel the sensation of natural hunger. Their appetite is perverted and requires more or less constant whipping by use of savories, sweets, cakes, tit-bits, and dainties, not to mention wines and other alcoholics, in order to make the food more tempting. In the vast majority of cases, it would be far better to do without food for several meals, or even for a day or two, until the natural sensation of hunger returns; and then, stimulants, condiments, spices, and rich and savory articles, all of which are inimical to good digestion and good health, would be unnecessary.
The next article of this series will deal with “Fuel Foods; Their Selection, Composition, and Preparation.”
Caterham, England.
Every Day in the Week
THERE is a kind of domestic affection which is like a mountain stream — full to overflowing in the spring, and as dry as dust in the summer. It is in contrast with the steady current of the river, fed from deep-hidden sources and good for all seasons of the year.
Of course there is something to be said in favor of each kind of devotion. “You shall tell me just what you prefer,” said a young husband to his wife. “Shall I bring you a rose every day, or two dozen roses once a month?” The little wife was actually puzzled by the question, and begged for time to consider it. Whatever decision the girl of twenty arrived at, one may guess that a woman of mature age would choose the priceless every-day-in-the-week flower.
The steady temper of mind which remembers little services and regards the small requests and minor tastes of members of the family, makes for joy in the household. By the same token, the generous, heedless man or woman makes large demands on patience and loyalty. “John is the best of husbands,” said his wife, “though it took me five years to get used to his virtues coming always like liquid from a narrow-necked bottle — steady by jerks. But it is a comfort to be sure that his nature is a large bottle, and full to the top.”
A little company of women were sounding the praises of their forebears. The grandfather of one of them had fought bravely in two wars. The great-uncle of another had taken two hundred passengers safely from a sinking vessel. One old lady was proud of her father’s victorious conflict with a pack of wolves on a Russian steppe. But the climax was reached when one young girl said: “My grandmother told me that she lived with my grandfather almost fifty years, and never had to remind him once that her fire-wood basket was empty.”—Youth’s Companion.
