ALL day the children's busy feet
Had pattered to and fro;
And all the day their little hands
Had been in mischief so,
That oft my patience had been tried;
But tender, loving care
Had kept them through the day from harm,
And safe from every snare.
But when the eventide had come,
The children went upstairs,
And knelt beside their little beds,
To say their wonted prayers.
With folded hands and rev’rent mien,
“Our Father,” first they say,
Then, “Now I lay me down to sleep,”
With childlike faith they pray.
With cheeks upon the pillow pressed,
They give a kiss, and say:
“Good night; we love you, dear mamma,
You’ve been so kind today.”
“Dood night; I love oo, too, mamma,”
And baby’s eyelids close;
And tired feet and restless hands
Enjoy the sweet repose.
The trouble and the weariness
To me indeed seemed light,
Since love had thus my efforts crowned
To guide their steps aright.
And as I picked the playthings up,
And put the books away,
My heart gave grateful thanks to God
For his kind care all day.
— Selected.
The Housewife’s Exchange
Jam Punch
Put a tablespoonful of strawberry jam in a glass, add the juice of half a lemon, and stir until dissolved. Add a little sugar, and fill the tumbler with crushed ice and water.—The Mother’s Magazine.
Grape Nectar
Mix the juice of two lemons, one orange, one pint of grape juice, one cupful of sugar, and one pint and a half of water. Serve with a small float of whipped cream bearing a bit of orange on the surface.—Id.
Divine Guidance
By Anna L. Waring
I would not have the restless will
That hurries to and fro,
Seeking for some great thing to do
Or secret thing to know,
I would be treated as a child,
And guided where I go.
I ask Thee for the daily strength
To none that ask denied,
A mind to blend with outward life
While keeping at thy side,
Content to fill a little space,
If thou be glorified.
— Anna L. Waring.
Courtesy in Married Life
“It is the duty of every married couple to studiously avoid marring the feelings of each other. They should control every look and expression of fretfulness and passion. They should study each other's happiness in small matters as well as in large, manifesting a tender thoughtfulness in acknowledging kind acts and the little courtesies of each other. These small things should not be neglected, for they are just as important to the happiness of man and wife as food is necessary to sustain physical strength.”
Nebraska and Wyoming Camp Meetings
By R. A. UNDERWOOD
THE first two camp meetings in the Central Union Conference are now in the past.
The first of the series of camp meetings for this union was held at Seward, Nebr., June 4-14. The location was ideal for a small attendance, the camp being one and one-half blocks from the center of the town, in a beautiful park belonging to the city. About five hundred of our brethren were present. The regular attendance of those not of our faith was not large; however, during the meeting a goodly number from the city attended the services.
During the meeting, about $2,000 was contributed to the various branches of the work, a large part being for foreign missions. Twenty-two persons were baptized.
Elders I. H. Evans and F. W. Paap and Prof. G. W. Caviness were present, representing the North American Division. The usual laborers from the union were present, and labored along various lines,—Professor Van Kirk for the young people, Brother McEachern in the interests of the book work; while Drs. J. D. and Eva Shively and O. H. Hahn represented the sanitariums.
Elder Evans's talks emphasized the need of living holy lives, and his studies were much appreciated by the people. Those in attendance felt well paid for all the sacrifice they had made in attending the meeting. During the coming year the laborers of this conference are determined to make a better record in soul winning than they have in the past.
But little change was made in the officers, Elder John Christian being re-elected president of the conference.
The second meeting of the union was held at Edgemont, S. Dak., in the Wyoming Conference territory, June 11-21. Elder Evans, Professor Caviness, Dr. H. A. Green (of Boulder, Colo.), Professor Van Kirk, Brother McEachern, and the writer were all present to assist the local laborers in making the meeting a spiritual feast and blessing. Eight were baptized during the meeting, and a number will be baptized on their return home.
The Wyoming Conference stands rather in the lead at the present time on the Twenty-cent-a-week Fund, and the brethren feel confident that they will be able to meet their quota. The Nebraska Conference also feels confident of reaching its quota on this fund, although the records show the conference to be somewhat behind at present. The prospects for a large harvest of wheat in Nebraska and in this Central Union perhaps were never better than at the present time, and in a number of the States the wheat is already being gathered.
Our brethren in Wyoming appreciated very much the presence and assistance of Elder Evans, this being the first year that a General Conference man has attended one of their camp meetings. Elder Hale was reelected president. The brethren in that field much appreciate his labors.
The writer enjoyed the privilege of meeting and becoming acquainted with the laborers and brethren of these two conferences, and noted with pleasure their earnest efforts to make advancement in the various branches of missionary work. Brother McEachern felt that the book work showed signs of progress in both Nebraska and Wyoming.
If the resolutions and solemn vows made at these two meetings are carried out, the coming year will mark great advancement among the believers, as well as show a rapid growth, in the fields represented by the camp meetings already held.
R. A. UNDERWOOD.
New York Camp Meeting
By J. L. McELHANY.
THE annual camp meeting and conference session of the New York Conference were held at Utica, June 18-28. Over sixty tents were pitched to accommodate those in attendance. At the beginning, and also at the close, the weather was somewhat inclement, but on the whole, conditions were very favorable for the meetings.
On the first Sabbath morning a strong spiritual work began, which continued to the very close with increasing power. The Holy Spirit witnessed to the preaching of the word, and a spirit of genuine revival was manifested. Emphasis was laid on the need of repenting of every sin and of putting away the works of the flesh. To every such appeal there was a hearty response. A most encouraging feature in the messages borne by those leading out in the spiritual work was that of a definite victory over sin to every one who, by faith, accepts Jesus Christ as a personal reality in his life. Pentecostal power means a victorious life. Much was said about how to maintain a life of victory amid the fierce trials and temptations of everyday life.
On the last Sabbath there was a splendid forward movement by almost the entire assembly in seeking for a higher plane of Christian experience.
There was a splendid company of young people on the grounds. It was a real inspiration to those in charge of that branch of the work to see the earnestness with which they entered into the spirit of the meetings. Some of the greatest triumphs of grace at this camp meeting were among the young people. We greatly rejoiced to see fifteen of them follow Christ in baptism on the last Sunday of the camp.
Elder W. H. Holden, who has won the love and confidence of the brethren and sisters of this conference, laid down the burdens of office. Elder K. C. Russell was elected president for the ensuing term. But few other changes were made in the officers of the conference.
Elder G. B. Thompson assisted the local and union workers in the spiritual work during a portion of the meetings. Prof. J. L. Shaw and M. E. Kern also rendered valued assistance. Elder F. W. Paap spent several days there in the interests of the home missionary campaign. In addition to these, several other workers were present to aid in the work of their departments.
Brother W. L. Burgan's work with the newspapers was attended with gratifying results. The papers received and published full reports of the meetings. The truth was thus brought prominently before thousands of people.
We join in praying that the blessing of God may rest in great power and measure on the New York Conference, its officers and people.
J. L. McELHANY.
Arizona and California
By A. S. BOOTH.
LOS ANGELES, PHOENIX, AND SACRAMENTO.—“Ask ye of the Lord rain in time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.” We are living in the time of the fulfillment of this prophecy. The Lord is pouring out his Spirit upon the people. Everywhere there are those who are dissatisfied with the popular religion of the day and are anxiously inquiring, “What shall we do to be saved?” How thankful we should be for this last message of salvation, and how willing and anxious to bear the truth to others!
It has been my privilege the past thirteen months to hold four series of meetings,—two in Los Angeles, Cal.; one in Phoenix, Ariz.; and the last, closing May 31, in Sacramento, Cal.,—271 evening services altogether. The congregation ranged from 75 to 650.
The Master came very near in all the services, bringing the message home to the hearts of the people. As a result, 103 were added to the church,—ninety-seven by baptism and six by former baptism,—and fifty or more in these places were keeping the Sabbath, a number of whom have since united with the church as a result of the labors of those who were left to follow up the work. Others no doubt will follow soon.
The expenses of the meetings, aside from the salaries, have amounted to $1,414.28, of which $1,354.84 has been14covered by offerings given. Literature amounting to $140.84 has been given away; $96.35 worth of books have been sold, and a club of 60 to 105 of the Signs of the Times used. The papers have been liberal in publishing accounts of the meetings, as well as printing many sermons.
The following workers have been associated with the writer in these various efforts: in Los Angeles, Elder J. E. Bond, Mrs. Florence Merrill, Miss Elizabeth Carter, Mrs. Dr. Leadsworth, and Miss Olive Adams; in Phoenix, Elders G. W. Reaser, M. A. Hollister, C. D. M. Williams, and Miss Johnson; in Sacramento, Elder A. J. Osborne, Mrs. A. J. Osborne, Mrs. Mina Mann, Mrs. L. E. Corum, and Mrs. R. Jackson.
The blessed spirit of seeking after God for the outpouring of his Spirit has bound the hearts of the workers together, brought blessing to the people and a good harvest for the kingdom. I am thankful for a humble part in the work. My faith is strong in the truth for this time, and I have never been of better courage. Surely God will verify his promises to us, and we shall see the message quickly enlighten the whole world, and the work close in righteousness. Let us be faithful in the work that that better day may soon be ushered in, and many be saved with everlasting salvation.
By request of the Nevada Mission, we shall hold a series of meetings in Reno, Nev. Any of our people having interested relatives or friends in this city, are invited to let us know their names and addresses. Address General Delivery, Reno, Nev. A. S. BOOTH.
My Soul and God
By WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN
WORTHIE HARRIS HOLDEN
WITHIN the judgment hall I sit
For weighing of my soul,
Christ’s righteousness must balance it,—
No rule of earthly scroll.
Is it too late to still complete
God’s image in my heart?
Lord, canst thou yet in mercy meet,
And wondrous grace impart?
“O hasten, soul, to enter in!
The gate still stands ajar.
Let every purpose, purged from sin,
No gift of heaven bar.”
I would be holy, pure, and true,
Thou Lamb of God divine.
Just now my heart and life imbue
That thy light may be mine.
The Dedication of the Cleveland (Ohio) Church
By H. A. WEAVER
AMONG the most happy meetings ever held in the Cleveland (Ohio) church were those forming the dedicatory services conducted June 12-14.
After struggling many years with mortgage and debt, the brethren and sisters cheerfully made the last and successful effort for freedom from every obligation. Amid tears and quiet but earnest “Amens” all joined in dedicating the Hough Avenue church to God and the message.
The Cleveland church building is a structure which gives character to the work in what Clevelanders take pride in calling, since the last census, “the sixth city.”
A number of Testimonies from the servant of the Lord have been borne concerning this large city, one of which is to the effect that this city is yet to be mightily shaken with the message. Another states substantially that Satan will endeavor to make everything in this city appear dark and defeating, but that the Lord has determined to do a great work and make his workers and his people victorious.
The dedicatory sermon was preached by Elder E. K. Slade, president of the Ohio Conference, and the prayer was offered by Elder W. W. Miller, late pastor of the Cincinnati (Ohio) church. Good music by the choir was a feature of all the meetings.
In connection with the dedicatory meetings, Elder R. G. Patterson, who has for the past eight years served the church as pastor, preached his farewell sermon. He will, following a short vacation remove from Cleveland to Akron, Ohio, where he will serve as pastor of the church in that city.
During his labors in Cleveland, aided by the faithful Bible workers,—Sister Cora Gibson, Sister Carrie Askey, and Brother and Sister G. E. Wales,—he has received into membership, by direct conversion to the truth and by letter, 179 persons.
When he began his work in this city eight years ago, there was a mortgage of $4,400 against the church building. This debt has been entirely cleared away.
It is the earnest hope and prayer of all that now, having shaken off all debt, which the Lord has seen fit to liken to “leprosy,” the church may rise as never before to the privileges and powers vouchsafed by Heaven, and fulfill speedily the inspired word concerning its future work. H. A. WEAVER.
Eastern Pennsylvania Camp Meeting
By B. G. WILKINSON
CLEVELAND (OHIO) CHURCH BUILDING
We take pleasure in speaking of the many remarkable incidents in connection with the Eastern Pennsylvania camp meeting which indicate the presence in an unusual manner of the Spirit of God. In connection with the annual conference session, this camp meeting was held at Allentown, Pa., June 18-28. The attendance was about the same as last year, there being in the Sabbath school the last Sabbath of the assembly a total enrollment, adults and children, of 409. We shall not take too much space in telling of the many stirring and interesting things which took place at this camp meeting, but from among them all we shall select three of the main items:—
First, the movement among the young people. In proportion to the size of the camp meeting I think I never witnessed at any such gathering a greater or a deeper forward movement for consecration and education than here on the part of the young people. The last Friday of the camp, the meeting began at 9:30 A. M. and lasted until 12:30. It opened with the presentation by Prof. J. L. Shaw of the plans and purposes of the new college at Washington. Three or four other speakers followed him in the symposium, and a call was made for all the young people in the audience to come forward who felt that God was calling them to higher training for more efficient service, and who would, with the help of God, definitely plan to go to the college. A large number responded, and fifty-two expressed their intention, if God would open the way, to at once make an effort to secure an education for his work.
Then the meeting took a change. Brother I. D. Richardson, general agent of the Columbia Union Conference, and Brother J. A. Ford, of the Review and Herald, had planned to have a symposium on the publishing work at 2:30 P. M.; but the blessing of God was so evidently present in the meeting that they decided to hold the symposium at once. As a result, many of the young people made definite arrangements to go out and earn a scholarship. So deeply moved were the brethren in the audience that between fifteen and twenty of them volunteered to open their homes for the entertainment of these young people should their work bring them to the neighborhood of these brethren.
The Sabbath following was another day of blessing in the deep revival and in the splendid Sabbath school. Dozens of young people, with broken hearts and surrendered spirits, filed up on the platform in many rows deep as they surrendered their young lives to God and to his glorious message. Some in the audience yielded themselves to the truth for the first time; some gave their hearts to God for the first time; and many who had been in the background or trifling with God on some point of duty made definite surrender. The whole audience was deeply moved, and all who surrendered went forward in a definite consecration for 1914.
No less inspiring was the response to the call for foreign missions. The statements of the general treasurer revealed that the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference was, up to June 1, $3,000 in arrears; that is, the total contributions from all sources for the first five months had brought in only $1,975, leaving a deficit of $3,004. So earnest was the response of the congregation to the blessings of God in a foreign mission offering that when the total contributions were counted up, there was found to be on hand in cash and pledges $3,408. Especially is it to be noted that on the last Sabbath morning the Sabbath school determined to surpass all previous records, and laid down a splendid Sabbath school donation of $400.
Practically the same corps of officers was reinstalled for the ensuing term. Elder H. M. J. Richards was reelected president. Owing to the retirement of Brother C. D. Wolff from his position as director of the canvassing work in this conference, Brother C. V. Leach, of Washington, D. C., was called to take the place. Brother Leach arrived on the grounds the latter part of the meeting, and enthusiastically entered upon his work.
During the first three or four days of the meeting we were especially favored with the presence of Elder W. A. Spicer,15who rendered valuable and efficient help. Prof. C. L. Benson and Elder F. W. Paap were present during the meeting to represent the North American Division, and rendered valuable service. Part of the time we also had with us Profs. J. L. Shaw and C. S. Longacre.
B. G. WILKINSON.
Missionary Volunteer Department
By Edw. J. Urquhart
M. E. KERN
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General Secretary
C. L. BENSON
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Assistant Secretary
MATILDA ERICKSON
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N. Am. Div. Secretary
MEADE MACGUIRE
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N. Am. Div. Field Secretary
God Speaks Today
EDW. J. URQUHART
Lo, June has come and gone; but who would say
This morning, chill with winds and dark with clouds,
Were summer day?
What mean the winds, the low-hung clouds, the chill?
Does nature, e'en like boastful man, refuse to know
A sovereign will?
And O, if nature should refuse to yield
To God's decree, then were man's destiny
In sorrow sealed!
Nay, unseen eyes are keeping watch today;
And if the day be dark and winds must blow,
It is God's way.
Yea, he permits old earth to feel the curse;
A lesson thus would speak to puny man
E'er comes the worse.
Such waywardness in things of nature speak
To those who daily through the passing years
True knowledge seek.
They tell of that dread day when God permits
The elements to yield to baser powers,
And judgment sits.
Then, sinner, look upon the signs abroad,
Yield to the wooing of the Spirit now,
And turn to God.
Yea, bid him fold his wings above thy form,
That he may bless thee now and hide thee through
The coming storm.
Yuba City, Cal.
North Dakota Camp Meeting
By FREDERICK GRIGGS
THE North Dakota camp meeting was held at Jamestown, June 22-29. The camp was located in a very pretty park, about six blocks from the center of the city. The citizens were very kind, and helped in many ways to make the gathering a pleasant one. The conference has moved its headquarters from Fargo to Jamestown the past year. The city has given a lot, well located, for the erection of a church and office building. It also gave five hundred dollars in cash toward the building.
The majority of the brethren of this conference are German, and they occupied the large new tent, while the English brethren held services in one of the smaller tents. The conference has purchased another new tent also, which is capable of seating about four hundred persons. The young people held their meetings in this. Many of the family tents were new. All of the tents were pitched in an orderly way, so that the camp presented a very neat appearance. From the opening meeting, an earnest spirit of seeking the Lord prevailed. The people received the straight message of truth gladly. Each day witnessed a growth in interest and spiritual power, and on Sabbath scores consecrated themselves to God. As a result of these meetings, over fifty were baptized on Sunday, the last day of the meeting.
The work of the home missionary campaign elicited much interest. There were practical evidences at this meeting of what may be accomplished in this line of endeavor. One church admitted to the conference had been raised up by the efforts of one of our sisters, without the aid of a preacher. A Scandinavian brother, a layman, brought with him to the meeting six new Sabbath-keepers, who had accepted the truth through his efforts. Another brother, a very busy man, brought with him four new converts to this message, as a result of the home work of himself and his wife. These were inspiring lessons for the conference, and should be an inspiration to our people everywhere. They are evidences that this united soul-winning movement upon which we have entered will bring to a speedy and triumphant finish this glorious message of salvation.
On Sunday, the last day of the meeting, over ten thousand dollars was raised for foreign missions and home work. The Sabbath school offering of the day previous was nearly eight hundred dollars.
Elder S. E. Jackson was again chosen president of the conference, and but few changes were made in department officers. Elders J. H. Schilling and S. Mortenson and the writer were the laborers from outside the union conference. Altogether, the meeting was a great blessing to the conference, and the work of the coming year is being entered upon with a good degree of courage.
FREDERICK GRIGGS.
What the Young People’s Work Means to the Young People
By E. M. James
In many ways we can see that God has blessed this movement, which is leading young men and women into Christian service. First, their associating from week to week in the society meetings is binding them more securely to the cause of God. It gives them some definite place and interest in the Sabbath services. As they take part in the programs, their own characters are strengthened. Perhaps we can best illustrate this by quoting from a letter recently received from a young girl, a member of one of our country societies. She wrote: “I conducted a missionary meeting some time ago, and my subject was ‘Spare Moments.’ So now I have to be careful how I spend my spare moments, or I shall be condemning myself.”16
Not so long ago a mother was telling of her anxiety for her boys, and how hard it was to interest them on Sabbath afternoons and to keep them from the street. In response to this call for assistance, a society was organized for the boys and girls of that church, and now the very boys who were so great an anxiety are busy, and deeply interested in their society and its workings each Sabbath afternoon, even acting as officers of the society. These meetings do much to interest the young people and to hold them in the church until they have made their decisions for God. As the mind and hands are occupied with the young people’s work, the heart is won.
Then there are the doctrinal studies, of which so many have spoken, telling how those studies have helped them in giving a reason for their faith. They enable these prospective church members to become intelligent on the Bible doctrines, and better prepared to stand the tests before us.
It is too early to measure the influence the Reading Course is exerting. But there is abundant evidence that it is fulfilling its intended purpose. One girl, speaking of the book “Christ’s Object Lessons,” says, “I have learned from it to love God more.” Another says: “I used to be an Adventist because my parents were, but since I read ‘Great Controversy’ I am an Adventist because I know it is right.” A young man who is now in a foreign field attributes his choice of his life work to a Reading Course book.
These studies, though on a small scale, have acted their part in stimulating the young people to study further by attending our schools for preparation for service in a wider sphere. Even now many of our young people are asking us to pray that God will open the way for them to go to school.
Giving to missions, praying for missionaries, and working to earn money for mission work, must have some influence on the minds of those who have not yet decided upon their life work. Their missionary activity, too, gives them a taste of the true joy of service, leads them into Christian work, and gives them experience for future efforts. This means much to those growing up in the message, for “the salvation of our youth depends largely upon their own efforts to save others.”
Only last Sabbath those who said farewell to our new missionaries to the Cook Islands, Brother and Sister Hill, saw something of what the young people’s work means to the young people. Mrs. Hill, before her marriage, acted as leader for the young people’s society in her home church. She was so faithful in her work, and so earnest in what she did, that the Lord called her to work in a wider sphere in the conference, and later she was sent to Queensland, and took charge of the young people’s department in that conference; and now, just a little later, we find her sailing to the islands, with her husband, to continue her work for God in the mission field to which he has called her.
One young man who is now a minister, told from the pulpit that had it not been for his experience in speaking in young people’s meetings, he would not have been able to give the message to strangers. His work in the young people’s meetings encouraged him to enter the ministry, and he is proving himself very efficient in bringing others into the truth.
A brother and sister now in a mission field testify that it was while members of a young people’s society that they felt a burden to give their lives to the work of the Lord, and it was through the direct influence of the young people’s work that they are now in the field.
Many show their adaptability to the work right in the home society, so that workers are being developed. During the last few years some of our young people have gone into café work, some into the sanitariums, some into the canvassing work, others into the conference offices.
From our correspondence with the young people in the one hundred and twenty isolated homes of this State, we learn something of what this missionary movement is doing for our young people. Letters telling of the Christian experience, the battles for the right, help us to realize that the Lord is speaking to young people today, and calling them from the world to work and walk with him.
One young girl is keeping the Sabbath alone in her home in the country. She finds it hard to keep the Sabbath while her mother is working, but she cleans the entire house and does everything that can be done on Friday, so that she may be free on the Sabbath. How good it is that some effort is being made to encourage such in their struggle for the right. Even letters from the parents show how this movement is helping. One mother writes: “I received your letter, for which I thank you very much. It has strengthened my resolve. I have made up my mind to keep hold of the Sabbath, and also to help the children to become Seventh-day Adventists.”
What the young people’s work means to the young people is really summed up in the testimony of one young woman who says: “Since I have become a member of the young people’s society, my interest in the cause of truth has grown more intense, and I have been given an inspiration to dedicate my life to the Lord’s work. It is giving me a constant desire to press onward, and a better realization of the importance of the times in which we are living. My view of the necessity of a preparation for the Lord’s work has been broadened and deepened into a desire to have an active part in the giving of the message to a darkened world.” She continues, “What could a society do more?”
E. M. JAMES.
Santa Catharina (Brazil) Conference
By F. W. SPIES
THE ninth session of the Santa Catharina Conference was held at Gaspar Alto, March 25-28, 1914. A goodly number of the brethren of this conference were present, seventy-nine being in attendance at the Sabbath school. During the last few years, the Santa Catharina Conference has lost many members by emigration. Almost the entire membership of one of the best churches moved to Argentina in the year 1913.
The Santa Catharina Conference has had a lack of workers for a long time. But at present, prospects are more favorable. The president's report showed that during the year thirty persons had been received into church fellowship by baptism. On the Sabbath of the conference, ten new believers were buried with their Lord in baptism, this number including two families.
The financial report was encouraging, and we trust the present year will be a good one for Santa Catharina. Elder August Rockel was unanimously elected president, and we trust he may be richly blessed of God in his responsible calling. The Sabbath was a day of renewed consecration, and we verily believe many made a determined start to be more faithful than ever before. Elder Rockel plans to make a definite beginning in Florianapolis, the capital of Santa Catharina, as soon as possible, so as to plant the standard of truth in this important city. May the Lord richly bless the work in this conference, and prepare his people in it for his soon coming.
F. W. SPIES.
Indiana
By O. S. HADLEY
INDIANAPOLIS.—I desire to report some of the blessings upon, and the interest in, our West Side church of Indianapolis, of which I am pastor. We have recently had seven additions (five baptized), and seven other persons are zealous Sabbath keepers. Among these are a very prominent and well-to-do business man, his wife, and three grown children. All the family will soon unite with the church.
They have withdrawn, by letter, from a prominent church here. They are now workers and helpers in our Sabbath school and church work. These are all lovers of the message, and seem to comprehend its import. They were interested sufficiently last year to attend our State camp meeting for several days, and since then have been receiving Bible lessons weekly. And now, as a family, they take from thirty to fifty minutes every morning for Bible study, besides the weekly lesson which I give them. The Lord has wonderfully blessed this family.
My wife and I are busy, well, and happy, and thankful for the leading of the Spirit in our work. Surely the Lord is able to deliver if we are able to believe.
O. S. HADLEY.
Sabbath Keepers in New Smyrna
As a result of the preaching of God's message in New Smyrna, Fla., twenty-one adults have begun keeping the Sabbath, and a Sabbath school has been organized with a membership of fifty.
Religious Liberty Department
By S. B. HORTON
C. S. LONGACRE N. Am. Div. Secretary
A Significant Item of News
The local press of June 29 contained the following statement:—
“President Wilson today accepted honorary chairmanship of the council of the Lord’s Day Congress, offered him by Dr. Henry C. Minton, of Trenton, N. J., and Rev. W. P. Swartz and Rev. H. L. Bowlby, of New York.”
To those who are students of the Sabbath and Sunday law questions this item of news will be significant, and full of food for thought and reflection. The object of the Lord’s Day Congress, like that of the Lord’s Day Alliance, National Reform Association, and kindred Sunday observance bodies, is in behalf of better Sunday observance, to be sure; but the plan for bringing about this result by the organizations named has been open to serious question for many years. Were these plans conducted along lines of strict gospel work, there could be no objection; but the gospel methods, in the minds of these organizations looking to better Sunday observance, evidently do not fill the requirements. The aid of the state seems to be an essential factor in bringing about the desired results.
The fact is, too much reliance has been placed upon state aid in behalf of better Sunday observance from the original Sunday law by Constantine until the present time. In connection with the matter of Sunday observance by civil law it were well for our people to study anew the Testimonies on the subject of religious liberty, especially Volume V, under the headings “The Coming Crisis” and “The Impending Conflict.” A brief reference to these may not be out of place in this article:—
“To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for a Sunday law. Those who fear God cannot accept an institution that violates a precept of the decalogue. On this battlefield comes the last great conflict of the controversy between truth and error. And we are not left in doubt as to the issue. Now, as in the days of Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate his truth and his people. By the decree enforcing the institution of the Papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness.”
“A great crisis awaits the people of God. A crisis awaits the world. The most momentous struggle of all the ages is just before us. Events which for more than forty years [now more than fifty years] we have, upon the authority of the prophetic word, declared to be impending, are now taking place before our eyes. . . .”
“We have been looking many years for a Sunday law to be enacted in our land; and now that the movement is right upon us, we ask, Will our people do their duty in the matter? Can we not assist in lifting the standard, and in calling to the front those who have a regard for their religious rights and privileges? The time is fast approaching when those who choose to obey God rather than man, will be made to feel the hand of oppression.17Shall we then dishonor God by keeping silent while his holy commandments are trodden underfoot?
“While the Protestant world is by her attitude making concessions to Rome, let us arouse to comprehend the situation, and view the contest before us in its true bearings. Let the watchmen now lift up their voice, and give the message which is present truth for this time. Let us show the people where we are in prophetic history, and seek to arouse the spirit of true Protestantism, awakening the world to a sense of the value of the privileges of religious liberty so long enjoyed.”—“The Impending Conflict,” Vol. V.
Of course, the President of the United States has the undoubted right personally to connect himself with any organization he may choose; but when the great office of the presidency is brought to bear upon the propagation of a purely religious doctrine, the matter becomes one of significant importance. S. B. HORTON.
We Reap What We Have Sown
By Whittier
We shape ourselves the joy or fear
Of which the coming life is made,
And fill our future atmosphere
With sunshine or with shade.
The tissue of the life to be,
We weave with colors all our own;
And in the field of destiny
We reap what we have sown.
—Whittier.
The Sound of Stillness
By John R. Mott
His voice was not in the great wind nor in the earthquake, but in the “sound of stillness.” We hear the noise of rumbling, the voice of birds, and other voices of nature, the voices of man and selfish ambition. How hard it is to get down to that point where we hear the voice which the sheep always know! Be not content until you have heard that voice.—John R. Mott.
