Earlier text: Love DivineAtlantic Union Conference
By I. H. EVANS
Received on the $150,000 Fund up to July 16, 1907
Atlantic Union Conference
Central New England .......... $2,623.61
Chesapeake ................... 424.26
Eastern Pennsylvania ......... 1,412.85
Greater New York ............. 431.85
Maine ........................ 362.22
New Jersey ................... 552.63
New York ..................... 1,103.42
Southern New England ......... 1,138.50
Vermont ...................... 850.70
Virginia ...................... 271.67
West Pennsylvania ............ 932.57
West Virginia ................ 241.67
Western New York ............. 1,301.67
Total ......................... $11,647.62 Canadian Union Conference
Maritime ...................... $316.43
Quebec ........................ 33.78
Ontario ....................... 353.48
Total ......................... $703.69 Colorado ...................... $ 878.19
Iowa .......................... 2,926.09
Kansas ....................... 1,660.40
Missouri ...................... 929.31
Nebraska ...................... 4,805.68
Wyoming ....................... 412.87
Total ......................... $11,612.54 Washington churches ........... $1,316.59 East Michigan ................. $ 1,307.82
Indiana ....................... 4,475.48
North Michigan ................ 131.51
Northern Illinois ............. 1,619.74
Ohio .......................... 2,662.61 Southern Illinois ............. 750.58
West Michigan ................. 3,166.85
Wisconsin ..................... 1,818.22
Total ......................... $15,932.81 North Pacific Union Conference
Conference not specified ...... $ 362.96
British Columbia .............. 112.80
Montana ....................... 292.05
Upper Columbia ................ 1,622.87
Western Washington ............ 1,127.51
Idaho ......................... 844.90
Western Oregon ................ 1,420.47
Total ......................... $5,783.56 Northern Union Conference
Alberta ....................... $ 156.10
Manitoba ...................... 239.70
Saskatchewan Mission Field .... 34.85
Minnesota ..................... 4,787.84
South Dakota .................. 2,614.19
North Dakota .................. 1,767.41
Conference not specified ...... 73.82
Total ......................... $9,673.91 Arizona ....................... $ 177.87
California-Nevada ............. 5,199.87
Southern California ........... 493.84
Utah .......................... 205.46
Total ......................... $6,076.33 Southern Union Conference
South Carolina ................ $ 103.85
Alabama ....................... 200.63
Tennessee River ............... 505.47
Florida ....................... 342.85
North Carolina ................ 255.25
Kentucky ...................... 30.36
Cumberland .................... 560.26
Louisiana ..................... 385.61
Mississippi ................... 192.46
Georgia ....................... 345.86
Total ......................... $2,922.60 Southwestern Union Conference
Not specified ................. $ 20.18
Arkansas ...................... 222.64
Oklahoma ...................... 1,580.27
Texas ......................... 1,062.86
Total ......................... $2,885.95 Unknown ....................... $153.20 Algeria ....................... $ 13.33
Australia ..................... 137.06
Bermuda ....................... 25.00
China ......................... 20.60
South Africa .................. 128.16
Jamaica ....................... 13.41
Yukon Territory ............... 10.00
England ....................... 256.32
West Africa ................... 14.06
Mexico ........................ 2.00
Costa Rica .................... 6.25
India ......................... 12.48
South America ................. 23.35
Switzerland ................... 9.69
Panama ........................ 9.00
Nicaragua ..................... 4.00
Central American Mission ...... 17.00
Trinidad ...................... .34
Norway ........................ 25.00
Japan ......................... 12.50
Hayti ......................... 5.00
Egypt ......................... 51.55
Palestine ..................... 2.00
Tobago, W. I. ................. 1.22
Cuba .......................... 4.00
Total ......................... $803.32 Grand Total ................... $69,512.12 A Cheering Letter
By Dorcas W. Green
ENCLOSED find a draft for one hundred dollars for the $150,000 fund. I am a member of the Erie church, but have attended in Jamestown, N. Y., much of the time for three years, so send this as my offering for both churches, half from the Erie church, and half from the Jamestown church. I wish I could make each dollar of this one hundred dollars, and it would then seem to swell the figures some; but we are praying for God to open hearts and roll upon us all a burden for unsaved souls, then there would be plenty of means forthcoming, and the $150,000 fund would be made up, and one of $250,000 started. May God help us to do all his will, and trust results with him who gave us all things. Have faith in God.
DORCAS W. GREEN. Journey to Southern California
By Ellen G. White
Journey to Southern California
DURING the first few months of the year, I received from our brethren connected with important enterprises in southern California urgent invitations to visit the institutions in that part of the State. And indeed I felt desirous of visiting once more that portion of the field, concerning which the Lord has given me much instruction regarding the establishment of medical missionary and educational institutions. About the middle of April, the Drs. Kress and their family arrived from Australia, and stayed with us for a few days before going on to Washington, D. C., to which place they have been called to connect with the Sanitarium at Takoma Park. As we were anxious for them to visit the sanitariums on the Pacific Coast, we thought this a favorable time to take our southern trip in company with them. We left St. Helena on the afternoon of Thursday, April 18. Our party was made up of Dr. Kress, and his wife, who is also a physician; their daughter Ora, and two smaller children; Miss Stevens, who accompanied them from Australia; Dr. H. F. Rand, physician at the St. Helena Sanitarium; my son, W. C. White; Dores Robinson, one of my copyists; Sara McEnterfer, my attendant; and myself. On our arrival at the Ferry Building in San Francisco, we were taken in a carriage to the station at Third and Townsend Streets. During the past year the sins that called forth the judgments of God on San Francisco have been continued. Violence and crime have greatly increased. A startling record of dishonesty and conniving has been brought to light in the investigation of the actions of men in official positions. We passed through San Francisco on the anniversary of the great earthquake of last year. The day had been declared a holiday, and many were celebrating the occasion with revelry and in pleasure seeking. Plans are being laid to rebuild the city on a grand scale. Several earthquake shocks have been felt, but these warnings are being disregarded by many. “We will have,” they say, “larger and more magnificent buildings than we have ever had before.” Christ says, “When they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, . . . and they shall not escape.” At 8 P. M. we left San Francisco by the Coast Line to Los Angeles. At Burbank, a few miles from Los Angeles, W. C. White, Sara McEnterfer, and I left the train, and after waiting for a few minutes took the cars to San Fernando. Here we were met at the station, and taken to the school. We are thankful that the Lord in his providence opened the way for us to establish an educational work at Fernando. Our brethren purchased this property about five years ago for about one third of the amount originally invested in it. Besides buildings that were in every way adapted to school work, there were about twelve and a half acres of land, suitable for orchard and garden. The large school building is a modern, two-story structure with an attic. On the first floor there are fine recitation rooms, and a chapel that will seat about two hundred. On the second floor there are seven good schoolrooms. The attic has been partitioned off, and provides a number of sleeping-rooms for the boys. Besides this large building there is a two-and-a-half story structure used as a ladies’ dormitory. We were glad to learn that success has attended the Fernando school during the year that has just closed. The attendance has been good, and we rejoice to know that many of the students have offered themselves for service during the summer. A spirit of missionary zeal will surely result from a proper study of the Word of God. In May, 1903, I wrote the following words to those in charge of the Fernando school:— “The light given me is that the educational branch of our work will be of great importance. What is it that will make our schools a power? It is not the size of the buildings. It is not the number of advanced studies taught. It is the faithful work done by teachers and students, as they begin at the lower rounds of the ladder of progress, and climb diligently round by round. “Intermediate schools are highly essential. There are many parents who do not know how to train their children to be workers together with God. They have not in all things outgrown their childishness, and therefore they know not how to care properly for the church in their homes. Fathers and mothers have become indifferent to their obligations to God, and unmindful of their duty to their children. Therefore we must establish schools that will be as the schools of the prophets. “The Word of God is to lie at the foundation of all the work done in these schools. And the students are to be taught the true dignity of labor. They are to be shown that God is a constant worker. Let every teacher take hold heartily with a group of students, working with them, and teaching them how to work. As the teachers do this, they will gain a valuable experience. Their hearts will be bound up with the hearts of the students, and this will open the way for successful teaching. “Thorough work must be done in these schools; for many students will go forth from them directly into the great harvest-field. They will go forth to use what they have learned, as canvassers, and as helpers in various lines of evangelistic work. Many workers, after studying for a time in the field, will feel the need of further study, and with the experience gained in the field will be prepared to value school privileges, and to make rapid advancement. Some will desire an education in the higher branches of study. For these our colleges have been established. “It would be a sad mistake for us to fail to consider thoroughly the purpose for which each of our schools is established. This is a matter that should be faithfully studied by our responsible men in each union conference. All the different educational interests should be given careful consideration.” We have before us a great work, and there is need of many educated laborers who have fitted themselves for positions of trust. In the training for service in the cause of God, the Bible must lie at the foundation. The principles of truth taught in the Word of God will act as a safeguard against the evil influences that are in the world. In the home and in the school the Bible is to be made the great text-book. Efforts to educate children in the fear of the Lord, without making the study of the Word prominent, are sadly misdirected. Unless there is such a training as will lead to a recognition and an abhorrence of sin, moral deformity will result. Our children should be removed from the evil influences of the public schools, and placed where thoroughly converted teachers may educate them in the Holy Scriptures. The students in our schools should take the Word of God as the grand rule of their lives. While at Fernando I spoke twice in the school chapel, and on Sabbath afternoon my son talked to the students. At the Sabbath morning service, the room was well filled, and I was thankful for the9privilege of addressing so many who during the past few months had been receiving instruction in the Word of God. I based my remarks upon the first chapter of First Peter. I dwelt at some length upon the subject of the earthly mission of Christ, who “according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” In view of the great sacrifice of Christ in our behalf, we are to purify our souls in obeying the truth “through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren,” and to “love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” The Light of Life
By Iva A. Clute
“I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12. We may know that He is coming;
We may analyze earth’s strife;
They who follow have not darkness,
But shall have the light of life. Others may grope on in blindness,
Knowing not the Day-star bright
Long since started its ascension,
Shedding o’er the world its light. Ignorance and superstition
Mark this age of unbelief;
And the Saviour, at his coming,
To the world will be a thief; Coming when they least expect him,
While they “Peace and safety” cry,
Piling up their earthly treasures
For the crisis now so nigh. To the faithful few who know Him,
Paul says, “It need not be true
That as to the world surrounding
That bright day should be to you. “Ye walk not in worldly darkness.”
O’er the earth the heralds sing.
We may list to hear the message,
“Christ, no longer Priest, but King.” Talking Peace — Preparing War
By John S. Wightman
TO-DAY the gaze of the world is fixed upon that momentous gathering, the Peace Conference at The Hague. June 15 its deliberations began. The czar’s rescript calling together the first Hague Conference was given only to those twenty-six nations that had diplomatic representatives at St. Petersburg. At the present conference representatives of every one of the forty-five nations of the world are present, and for the first time in history all the people of the earth will be represented to discuss affairs common to all. This congress, beyond doubt, is the greatest political event that has ever taken place. Emanuel Kant says, in his essay on “Eternal Peace,” that war will not cease until the world is organized; and the world can not be safely organized until the nations have representative government. Therefore the greatest international problem before the world is, How can this present Hague Peace Conference take the next great step toward world organization? Already we have The Hague or Supreme Court of the World. The next logical step in this international problem would be an international legislature; and if an international legislature, then an international executive, or world-head, whose work would be to see that the wishes of the international legislature were carried out. The object of this vast confederation force in the Holland capital is, primarily and ostensibly, to ultimately secure the banishment of war from the established program of the nations, and to provide for international peace. Thus far the question is purely within the moral, and relatively, perhaps, within the religious sphere; but the student of political economy is rapidly beginning to perceive the larger question — the political — the merging of the world, the individual nations of the world, into one vast legislative brotherhood, under one universal and supreme world-ruler. And herein lies the danger, the danger of empire instead of republic, kingly rule in place of individual sovereignty. The long, dark history of the past is simply the history of universal dominion — world government. A question anent the subject is: Will an international brotherhood of nations eliminate war and all its possibilities? Disarmament, it becomes apparent, can not possibly precede either one or the other of two events — the conversion of the world, or the political organization of the world. Laying the question of the conversion of the world aside, Mr. Hamilton Holt, of the Independent, says: “Clearly, then, the predominant issue is the proposition that the conference hereafter assemble periodically and automatically, and not at the call of some sovereign or monarch. For even if at first such a periodical and automatic congress can do no more than express pious resolutions, as time goes on, it will be given more and more power, just as in the future The Hague Court will be given more and more jurisdiction. Finally an international executive will be added, and then all questions of an international nature will be discussed, decided, and enforced according to law, and we shall have in very truth the Americanization of the world.” Thus has the dream of empire actually taken possession of the world-peace promoters, and the question becomes infinitely greater; nor is it, nor can it be, quite divorced from the religious question, which will eventually, if world-organization is accomplished, become the paramount question of all others. M. Novikoff, in La Rue, clearly perceives the trend of this universal design. “The peace movement,” he said, “ought to change its name and be called federalist. It aims, in fact, at creating a federation which will in turn embrace all the nations of the world. Because the giant movement is said to be for ‘peace,’ and not for federation, it encounters all kinds of objections on the score of impracticability which it would not encounter if it changed, not its essence, but merely its name. It must plainly be shown that the kingdom of heaven is near at hand; when the peace party succeeds in imbuing the masses with this idea, there will be an immense and immediate reaction. Federation will then become the first popular cry. Very soon it will reach the passionate stage, and then nothing can stop it. Then exit international anarchy, and enter the United States of Europe.” This was July 1, 1901, and now M. Novikoff’s words are all the more significant, for the recent Peace Conference at New York City gave the clearest emphasis to the federation part of the peace movement; in fact, “peace” could alone result from “federation of the world — a parliament of man!” Novikoff was a prophet of his time: to-day all may see. Nor does it mean alone the United States of Europe; it is the United States of the World. It was Mr. Stead who connected “the-kingdom-of-heaven-is-at-hand” theme with that of the subject of the peace movement, and it may not be quite so far to that “passionate stage” as may appear: the history of the “passionate stage” of the Crusades of the early centuries may suffice to cause anxiety and apprehensive dread to the average mind that must enquire, “What do these things mean?” In the plainest language possible, the apostle declares that when “they” — evidently meaning the nations of the earth in congress assembled — “shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh . . . and they shall not escape.” That this sudden destruction, much of it at least, is the destruction resulting from national war and carnage, there can be little doubt. Long ago the prophet Jeremiah cried out: “Destruction upon destruction . . . for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment.” “I can not hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.” War, cruel, devastating war, is the agency for the multiplied destruction — “destruction upon destruction.” Nor could the faithful prophet see any sign of real national or international peace, for of such he must have written, “Saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.” Ezekiel writes: “Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none.” The writer holds that the peace movement is only a “cry,” and no more; according to the Word that is divinely inspired, it is a “cry” of peace where there is no peace. At the very time, the world is burdened with war preparations, as in no other age. The very chiefest question for which the first Hague Conference was called to discuss — the limitation of armament, or its reduction, by mutual consent of the European powers — proved to be a fruitless topic. And at the opening session of the present conference the key-note was sounded by M. Nelidoff, president of the conference, in behalf of Russia, when he said that “ultimate disarmament and the inauguration of universal peace is but an idle dream,” and advocated the widening of the door of arbitration that “conciliation and justice” might obtain. Mr. Stead writes to the London Times “that there will be practical unanimity among the governments as to the impossibility of forbidding the discussion of armaments at the conference, and an absolute unanimity as to the impossibility of arriving at any practical decision as to what should be done.” Avoid diligently those false and deceptive thoughts which say, Wait a little, I will pray an hour hence: I must first perform this or that. For, with such thoughts, a man quits prayer for business, which lays hold of and entangles him, so that he comes not to pray the whole day long.— Martin Luther. Tents and Equipments for Visiting Ministers
By Wm. Covert
In most cases the cause demands, and our people expect, that General Conference ministers and other laborers from without the local conferences render help at our general camp-meetings. Many of these laborers are bearing heavy burdens, and are devoting their lives to the advancement of the Lord’s cause in the earth. They start on these camp-meeting rounds the latter part of May or early in June, and continue this work until perhaps the middle of October: They pass from one meeting to another with but little or no time between in which to rest, and often they travel long distances and travel nights to get to their appointments. In doing this they do without rest, their clothes become soiled, and they arrive in the camp to receive such hospitality and care as their friends have provided for them. If those in charge of the camp have made ample arrangements for their rest and comfort, then all is well as far as this feature of camp-meeting interests is concerned. Some conferences do this part of their work very well. Others do not give it sufficient thought. There is on record in 2 Kings 4:8-10 an account of the hospitality of a great woman who fed the Lord’s prophet without charge every time he came to her city. Finally she had an addition built to her dwelling wholly for the benefit of this prophet. It was furnished with a bed, chair, table, and other essential equipments, and all of this for the purpose of helping this man, Elisha the prophet, in the work which the Lord had assigned for him to do. The Lord was so pleased with the kindness thus shown to his servant by this Gentile woman that he gave room in the Bible for the whole account. The reader will agree with the suggestion that our camp-meeting and conference committees should be as hospitable with our General Conference camp-meeting helpers as was the Shunammite family with the prophet Elisha. If so, then these men will have a good home and free board ready and waiting for them when they arrive on the grounds at our camp-meetings. It is not proposed that a room be built for the ministers who are called to our camp-meetings, but the suggestion is made that a sufficient number of tents be pitched for their accommodation to give ample room without crowding many into one tent. In our dwellings we seldom put more than two persons in one room; and should we not give as much consideration as this to our general camp-meeting workers? Consider that they spend from one third to three fourths of their time going from place to place in this kind of work. Understand that they are God’s appointed messengers sent to us in the name of the Lord, and for the work of the Lord. Their lives and the efficiency of their labors are committed to the care and guardianship of our people. We should most gladly arrange to make their stay among us as pleasant and helpful as possible. The plan and the purpose plainly suggest to us that these men, in attending our general meetings, have become the guests of the whole conference. This being so, we should certainly enjoy the thought of making them feel at home among us. Whatever we would do for them should they become our personal guests, we should certainly feel it to be in good form for us to do for them when they become our camp-meeting helpers. One qualification required of an elder before ordination is that he be a man given to hospitality. Elders may, as a matter of course, expect the brethren and sisters to visit their homes. Elders are expected to be examples to the flock. The manner in which they treat General Conference men will be an example of how they would have the people of their conference treat them. If they insist on charging visiting ministers for their board, then they are teaching their people to do the same thing by them. Now the conference president and the conference committee have become the elders for the whole conference; and if they should refuse hospitality to our General Conference workers sent to our camp-meetings, would they not thereby show their unfitness for the place they occupy? The suggestion is here ventured that an ordinary-sized family tent is the proper thing for two ministers. In some cases two are quite willing to occupy one full bed, while others rest better in a single bed. The majority prefer the single one. Each one prefers a wash-bowl and a towel in a compartment to himself. He likes to have this little home chamber to himself, where he can retire to secretly pray and to go alone with the Lord to study and prepare for the public services when he is required to lead them. The writer sometimes thinks about the blessed seasons of prayer that Elisha enjoyed in that Shunem bedchamber on the wall. It was to that same bedchamber that the Shunammite woman took her dead son to rest when she went to call for the man of God to come and pray that the boy might be raised from the dead. It was there Elisha called upon the Lord to restore life to the deceased child. There he continued his supplications until God heard his prayers and raised the boy to life again. The family who so kindly cared for Elisha’s needs never had reason to regret making the investment in that bedchamber and its furniture. The wonderful sequel shows what great things came to their home in return for the interest they took in housing and feeding the Lord’s servant. Possibly if there could be secured as sweet co-operation between all our people in all things as there was between Elisha and the Shunammite family, we would see more of the mighty power of God manifested in our work. Shall we not labor earnestly to have it so? The Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram
By J. W. Westphal
THIS great rebellion on the borders of the promised land is recorded in the fourteenth chapter of Numbers. The next uprising, that of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, the one which involved more than any other, is described in the sixteenth chapter of Numbers. There was no special circumstance or event to call it forth. It revealed only a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the leadership and with the arrangements in the organization of Israel. In it all they lose sight of Him who had led them all the way; who, like a tender father, had carried them in his bosom; who had protected and delivered them many times; and they see only Moses and Aaron. They say, “Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?” Verse 3. From the standpoint of their confused, darkened understanding they could make out a clear case against Moses. When he led them forth from Egyptian bondage, he had manifested a fatherly leadership, but as time progressed, they considered that he was taking to himself despotic power. Thus, when at Sinai they had made a golden calf, Moses bade the sons of Levi to “slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor. . . . And there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.” Ex. 32:27, 28. When the people were smitten “with a very great plague” for eating greedily of the quails sent them, as recorded in Numbers 11, could not they put the blame upon Moses for not announcing what the result would be? In the sentence that their carcasses would fall in the wilderness, they saw only Moses’ arbitrary will and determination to destroy them because they would not blindly follow his leading. “Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?” Num. 16:13. Did not the fact that they were afterward willing and ready to go up and possess the land prove that if Moses had had more patience with them and love for them, they would have followed him into the inheritance? They evidently reasoned, did not Moses again show his wilful stubbornness in refusing to go up with them when they were ready to go? And thus Moses was really the one who was to blame for their not going into the promised land. They said, “Thou hast not brought us up into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards.” Verse 14. It was thus clear to them that if Moses could not rule absolutely, he would destroy. It was true that the Lord had often revealed himself to Moses, and that he11had given them much instruction through him, but it was also clear to them that what purported to come from the Lord was not all from him. Had not Moses put captains over thousands, and hundreds, and fifties, and tens, simply upon the advice of Jethro, his father-in-law? And did not this clearly prove what an influence his relatives exercised over him? Did not Moses send twelve spies to search the land at their request, and at other times had not he yielded to their demands? and did not this prove how human influences affected him? Under these circumstances they thought it a difficult thing for them to know what was from the Lord and what was not. The tribe of Levi was appointed to the special work of the sanctuary. But, they reasoned, this was the tribe of which Moses was a member. Aaron and his sons were appointed to the sacred work of the priesthood. But was not Aaron the brother of Moses? and were not Aaron’s sons Moses’ nephews? Why should Moses make this difference between the tribes, and even the families of the same tribe? Had not they, because of their intimacy with him and relationship, influenced Moses? and had not Moses shown partiality to his tribe and near relatives? Under these circumstances how could they have any confidence in this arrangement? “Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?” Verse 3. So sure were they that this arrangement was only from Moses, that “two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown,” “took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.” Verses 2, 18. By this it will be seen how much was involved in that rebellion. They would not deny that the Lord had brought them forth from Egypt, and that he had been with them in the wilderness, and that Moses was an instrument in the Lord’s hand in bringing them out. However, the personal opinions and prejudices of Moses and the influences brought to bear by others had become so intermingled with the Lord’s leadings that they felt it devolved upon them to decide what was human and what was divine. Virtually it called in question Moses’ entire leadership. It struck at the organization of “the church in the wilderness.” It refused to recognize the order and authority God had established, and was destined to bring in anarchy among the people of God. These self-appointed leaders in this rebellion professed to appear as the champions of the rights of the people against the encroachments of papal principles. They said, “Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?” They had carefully sown the seeds of sedition among the people, and believing their cause to be just and reasonable, and seeing only Moses and Aaron in the struggle, they gladly accepted the invitation to come to the door of the tabernacle to have it determined who are the Lord’s, and who are holy, believing that they would score an easy victory, and Moses and Aaron would be deposed. To accomplish and witness this “Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.” The three leaders in the rebellion, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, were strong-headed, decided men. Their position in Israel as leaders and princes could only have strengthened these traits. When “Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab,” their temper is shown in their reply: “We will not come up: . . . wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.” Verses 12, 14. If others would go out to be persuaded by Moses, or have their eyes put out by confusing their minds as to the real issue, they would not. This papal yoke had become unbearable. Others might submit further, if they would, but they would be honest and open and assert their Christian manliness and independence. This attitude they maintained to the last. The wives and children of Dathan and Abiram had so fully imbibed their wicked spirit and evil accusation that they, together with Korah, brazenly and daringly stood “in the door of their tents,” mocking and deriding the threatened judgments. “It came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.” Verses 31-33. Moses said, “What is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?” Verse 11. Aaron had not been responsible for his own appointment. He could do only what the Lord had commanded. It was true the Lord had appointed him through Moses as high priest, but the Lord had given Israel every evidence that he was guiding Moses. The Lord had also shown that he accepted the service of Aaron by appearing in glory upon the tabernacle, and burning the sacrifices they brought at its dedication. Why say a word against Aaron when he was only doing as the prophet of the Lord had commanded? How could he do otherwise? Besides accusing him, two hundred and fifty men, “princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown,” stood ready to dispute the place of the Lord’s anointed. In the supposed justice of their cause they were not afraid to come before the Lord to burn incense. “And there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.” Verse 35. In the midst of the judgments hanging over the heads of these men, Moses spoke to “the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.” Verse 26. Although they had drunk in a spirit of dissatisfaction, they still retained some respect for the aged prophet. The power and authority of his words forced them from the “tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side.” Verse 27. But it was not sufficient to separate from their tents; they must also separate from the spirit of rebellion sown in their hearts. However, it had taken too deep root to be quickly destroyed. “On the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord. And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared.” Verses 41, 42. Before they realized it, the plague had begun, and “they that died of the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.” Verse 49. MRS. S. M. HOUSLER
By Mrs. S. M. Housler
“Stand against the wiles of the devil.” Eph. 6:11. “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” Ex. 14:13. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” Gal. 5:1. “Stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you.” 2 Chron. 20:17. “For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.” 1 Thess. 3:8. “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth.” Eph. 6:14. “Stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” Phil. 4:1. “Stand thou still a while, that I may show thee the word of God.” 1 Sam. 9:27. “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths.” Jer. 6:16. “Stand in awe, and sin not.” Ps. 4:4. “Who shall stand when He appeareth?” Mal. 3:2. “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever.” Isa. 40:8. Prayer, the Saints’ Support
“PRAYER is the outlet of the saints’ sorrows, and the inlet of their supports and comforts.” Kiss those little hurt fingers now,
That are held up in tears to you.
And as for the comforting — why, or
how —
O, never the chance eschew!
Because you never, no, never can tell
That wonderful reason, why
A kiss makes little hurt fingers well,
And hushes the baby's cry. Kiss the tears from the baby's eyes,
Those wonderful eyes so blue;
What matter no reason you can surmise
The sorrow therein is true.
And you never can do a more gracious
deed
No matter how hard you try,
For your kiss of love meets the baby's
need
Though you never may know just
why. Little hurt fingers or little hurt hearts
You'll find while the world doth move,
You never may know why the tear-drop
starts,
Nor how it is cured by love.
Yet over and over, and over again,
When baby is hurt and cries,
There's nothing will soften and soothe
the pain
Till mother her kiss applies.
— E. H. Foss.