p. 15 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 32. (8/15/1911)

Saved to Serve

By Harriet S. Maxson, M.D.

[[FIGURE]] # LETTERS TO A DAUGHTER By Harriet S. Maxson, M.D.

[[FIGURE]] ## Saved to Serve MY DEAR CHILD,—

Your last letter was the dearest of all the budget, all of which have been most sweet to me. This one has brought me greater comfort because I read between the lines a betrayal of your inmost heart's desire, the aim and purpose, unformulated, probably all unknown to yourself. I recognize that these years of training, together with your mother's unceasing prayer, have wrought out in your heart one all-absorbing motive, and that is, service. I have been looking for this. You are just beginning to outline the vision which has so far been concealed in mist. Make now, my dear one, a solemn vow; with Paul say to your Master you will "not be disobedient to the heavenly vision."

You seem to be troubled as to the particular way you will give this service. Leave that to Him. He has promised to lead those who will follow even the Lord of heaven, who pleased not Himself, but whose life was one of ministry. You remember that on the last meeting with His disciples He said, So ought ye to serve one another. All you need to concern yourself about is that your heart's purpose be kept single. You know the promise to those who hunger and thirst after righteousness that "they shall be filled." In this case the right thing at all times will be the only thing in evidence. We will never waver, or fail to discern between right and wrong, when our vision is unclouded and our thirst is for unadulterated righteousness. And so, dear one, it will be with your service,—it will come to you as you walk along the path of duty that lies nearest to you. "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, either this or that." Despise not the little things of life. It is only the few that stand out in bold relief before the eyes of men as having served in larger ways. The moment one begins to be ambitious to that end, he cuts off the source of his power. In our service, self must be left out of sight, else the service will fall flat. Such is the immutable law of the Master. The real work of the world is done by the rank and file of the unknown. Only follow where He leads, and He will give you all that your developing powers can perform.

Is it not sweet to contemplate that there is no limit to the development of the human mind and heart under the leadership of the Master? So again I say, Do not despise the day of small things. Many a life ship has been turned in its course by the obstruction of a smile or a kindly word, and so saved from destruction. Learn to be thoughtful. Do the little things that present themselves. You may not be naturally quick to see the opportunity; but with the heart filled with the service idea, you will find yourself growing more sensitive to the needs, large and small, of those about you. Only never quench an impulse, whatever the personal sacrifice. Do you remember how the Saviour said they that follow after should know the truth?—that they that will to do the will of the Master should know the way? He spoke a universal law—His law. When we listen to the still small voice, the voice grows louder. When we do its bidding it speaks oftener. And thus, my child, you will find your own life unfolding as day after day you are true to your calling. Isn't it a beautiful thought to know that this all reacts on our own character, to make it more beautiful and strong and ourselves more happy? How munificent are our Father's plans for all His children!

The world is made up of two classes of people; the care takers and the care makers. The world's burdens are really carried on the shoulders of the few. It is true that if you have a piece of work to be done, and you ask the very busy man or woman to help you, you will get ready response. The selfish person is engrossed in his own little world, doing what you do on the side before you take up your business. He has no time. The large class who are so busy doing nothing either for themselves or for others, will have neither time nor inclination to help you; or if by chance they should catch the inspiration of helpfulness for a moment, the power will be lacking.

[[FIGURE]] Do you remember how the Master took from the unprofitable servant the one talent he had hid, and gave to him who at first had five, but by their use had gained another five? Thus did the Great Teacher strive to show us the importance of using our gifts of time, means, and talents, lest they be taken from us.

It is a universal law that nature abhors a useless thing, and sets at work to remove it. Therefore, my dear, if you will be numbered among the helpers and not the helpless, if you would carry and not be carried, if you would be a leader and not a trailer, you must learn to make use of your powers. You must learn to plan for yourself. Do not wait for some one else to plan for you. Plan for yourself, and then execute your plans with perseverance and exactness. Press right on until you bring things to pass.

Get something for yourself out of every circumstance of life, no matter how trivial. Even tho it be a hindrance or an obstacle, use it as a stepping-stone. Keep a steady eye, a single purpose. Don't forget, and don't be side-tracked. If you find you are losing hold and weakening, read the lives of those who have had an aim and have achieved results.

This year's work as district nurse has given you an insight into "the other side of life." It is good for you in many ways to have had the experience. This plan of giving to the poor the skill and service of trained nurses is one of the great philanthropies of recent times. In your ministering, my dear, your hands and your time will be filled with things to be done and given; but do not forget that which is most important of all to cultivate,—that power of the heart which feels another's experience.

Ask God to give you skill in comfort's art, That you may consecrated be, and set apart Unto a life of sympathy. For heavy is the weight of ill in every heart, And comforters are needed much Of Christlike touch.

Sympathy of the right sort does not foster weakness or selfishness, but is as bracing as the west wind. Strive for that larger sympathy which is the gift of larger souls, who can embrace the masses, loving those who are not lovable in themselves. Seek that true culture which is as bread and meat to a hungry world. Lowell makes his Christ say: Who gives himself with his alms feeds three, Himself, his hungering neighbor, and Me.

Thus will you better be able to bring the famishing soul to the "fountain of life." For unless you do this, your work will after all be in vain. Some one has said: Be noble, and the nobleness that lies In other men, sleeping, but never dead, Will rise in majesty to meet thine own.

Indeed, it will be a most beautiful revelation to you to witness the transformation that will come to a soul benumbed by discouragement, poverty, and evil association, when you bring to it the contact of your own life full of high and noble thoughts.

May every soul that touches mine, Be it the slightest contact, get therefrom some good, Some little grace, one kindly thought, One aspiration yet unfelt, one bit of courage For the darkening night, one gleam of faith To brave the thickening ills of life, One glimpse of brighter sky beyond the gathering mist, To make life worth while, And heaven a heritage.

Above all things do not permit the contact with suffering to make you careless or indifferent. There is a beautiful prayer which has fallen into my hands, written for the nurses of one of the great hospitals of New York. The framer of it I am sure had learned some of the blessedness of true service. I will send you a copy.

O Great Physician and pitying Father, guard, cherish, and consecrate, we beseech Thee, the gracious seed of a divine compassion, implanted within the hearts of these Thy handmaidens, by Thy tenderness and care. Let no use, no custom, no commonness of suffering, dim the luster of its gracious healing power. Let no haste, no weariness, no thought of gain, no care of self, mar its perfect manifestation. Train Thou, O Lord, Thy children in the sacred gift of sympathy. May its soft footfalls echo ever in the wake of skill of hand and brain. Teach us its myriad and subtile ways of easing pain, its tireless patience, its brooding love and care. Teach us to do Thy work in fear and gladness, and give us daily peace. Amen.

And so, dear child, you will find each day your portion of the world's work awaiting you. Just now that portion lies in the heart of your home, and we anxiously await your coming. Your loving Mother.

At Bedtime

By Byron Woodward Goodsell

Dear Saviour, I ask Thee to let me now pray For Thy gracious presence to cheer my dark way, And for Thy rich blessings to follow me still. Altho undeserving, I bow to Thy will.

To Thee all may come, and with sincerest thought, Give thanks for Thy mercies, so earnestly sought; Thy pardoning power for our weaknesses bear, As truly acknowledged to Thee in this prayer.

I ask Thee to listen with mercy and love, To grant final entrance to mansions above; Tho a creature of circumstance, still do I ask For Thy loving presence to lighten my task,

That daily and hourly increases my needs, And Thy smile and compassion wipe out my misdeeds, That but for forgiveness and love for mankind, My nights would be sleepless, and worried my mind.

Remember my loved ones, so far, far away, And keep them in safety by night and by day. I go to my pillow for slumber and rest, But not without naming Thee, Holiest, Best.

Chicago, Illinois.

A New Help for the Mother and Teacher

THE needs of the little child in the home as well as school are amply provided for in the beautiful Bible stories and easy reading lessons outlined by our Educational Department for use in the church school grades. During the first three years this outline consists of —

1. A series of oral Bible talks with memory verse connected with each, covering the Gospel story from creation to redemption.

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Sample of silhouette scissors cutting made from Poster Patterns. Full size pattern card 5 x 7 inches

In the succeeding grades, or school years 4, 5, and 6, "Bible Lessons", Nos. 1, 2, and 3, by Mrs. Alma E. McKibbin, are introduced, together with "Bible Nature Series" 1, 2, and 3, by Prof. M. E. Cady and Miss Katherine B. Hale. The "Bible Lessons" develop and adapt to the growing comprehension of the child the oral stories of the preceding years, while the "Bible Nature Series" develop the language and science side of these same stories. It will therefore be readily seen how important the oral lessons are, and how necessary it is that they be properly taught.

To assist the parent and teacher in impressing these lessons in the very strongest way, a series of Poster Patterns has been prepared to illustrate the more important memory verses in the series. For example, "I am the good shepherd" is illustrated by the pattern from which the illustration here shown is cut. These pattern outlines have been drawn by Delpha Sheffer Miller, a normal teacher of wide and successful experience, and who for the past two years has taught in the normal department of Walla Walla College. From these patterns the child can trace or cut out on white or colored paper such pictures as those here shown, after which the memory verses may be written upon them. By this means the attention of even the very smallest children can be easily gained and held, and the lesson impressed.

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Resignation to His Will

"PEACE of heart lies in perfect resignation to the will of God. What you need is true simplicity, a certain calmness of spirit which comes from entire surrender to all that God wills, patience and toleration for your neighbor's faults, and a certain candor and childlike docility in acknowledging your own faults. The trouble you feel about so many things comes from your not accepting everything which may happen to you, with sufficient resignation to God. Put all things, then, in His hand, and offer them beforehand to Him in your heart, as a sacrifice. From the moment when you cease to want things to be according to your judgment, and accept unconditionally whatever He sends, you will be free from all your uneasy retrospects and anxieties about your own concern."

China's Need

By I. H. Evans

NOTWITHSTANDING all the greatness China has attained — for she certainly is great in many ways — still those who know and love her most, feel her lack the keenest; and all admit her civilization and her religions have failed to do for China what she needs most, and must have if she ever becomes what her people are capable of becoming, and if she ever takes a first place among the nations of to-day.

That the civilization of China can not do for China what needs to be done and done soon, is self-evident to the most sanguine of her truest friends. Twenty-five centuries of continued national existence should be sufficient to test the merits of any form of government and any mode of education. It is never safe to form an opinion of the merits of any system of administration by studying the benefits to those who administer the same, but by its effects upon those influenced and affected by such an administration. Rulers and those in authority are no true test of the effects of national policy; but the toiler, the peasant, the men who sweat and grind and carry burdens, are the ones who give the true key-note to the effects of administration.

Judged by the ignorance and poverty of the masses of its people, China, with all its boasted civilization, has fallen far short of what may justly and reasonably be expected. No nation in the world has a people who more appreciate knowledge and education than the Chinese people. Yet nowhere is there more universal ignorance, or such wide-spread illiteracy. It is said not one woman in 40,000 in China is able to read intelligently. There are millions of men, as well as women, unable to read more than a few characters. To the Chinese, current events and the history of other peoples are unknown quantities. Some four weeks after the death of the late emperor, the writer was traveling in the province of Honan, and a traveling companion incidentally stated that the late emperor was dead. This statement was made in an eating-house, among a score or more of men. The crowd denied the fact; and when it was reaffirmed, they became excited, and said it was a "foreign lie."

The modern sciences, until recently, were wholly ignored in China's system of education, and the chief aim of the student was to memorize the ancient classics and to prepare for the examination essay. Thus China was ever looking into the far distant past, with her face set backward, and all her efforts and energies spent in trying to produce, not modern improvements to meet the needs of its ever-increasing population, but to bring to life the dead past, and make it meet all the needs of the present.

The vast majority of the people are so poor there is no evident possibility of their being able, unaided, to ever avail themselves of school privileges, were they at their very doors. But China must educate her people, or drop out of the race for national existence and recognition as a nation of power and force. An elaborate school system has been planned, but how to make it effective is an undiscovered power.

Reform in Currency

If China hopes to develop its own resources and to hold its own with the sister nations of to-day, there must come a reform in its national currency. A more extortionate exchange system could hardly be devised than now exists throughout the nation. If progress along commercial lines is expected, there must come a change in the currency of the country, giving a just and uniform valuation to the circulating medium, so that the idea of speculation in the currency of the country shall be entirely eliminated. Till then, China must ever remain the helpless and hopeless victim of its bankers and financiers.

Execution of Justice

Among nations as among individuals, justice must be a portion of the life, or the respect of the people must be lost. In this the boasted civilization of China has signally failed. Her courts are not respected; they are feared, not because of the righteous judgments executed according to law, but they are feared because of the extortion and heartlessness of those who are supposed to defend the innocent. In her courts, justice on the merits of the case, after a fair and impartial trial, is a thing almost unknown. Everywhere it is the man who has the most cash who wins, and justice can not enter. No other people in the world would patiently endure for one year what is hoary with age in China. The people cry for justice, but it "standeth afar off." Until a reform is made in protecting the innocent and in punishing the guilty, there can never come to China that respect which is her due when righteously ruled.

Caring for the Poor and Unfortunate

Probably no other nation in the world has so many poor who are on the point of starvation as can be found in China. Surely there is no other people in the world among whom can be found so many beggars as among this people. Instead of the government's providing food and work for this mighty horde of poor, they are permitted to prey upon the public till the streets, the alleys, the railroad trains at stations, the wharves of port entries, are literally lined with beggars. The other day in the province of Honan I counted twenty-two beggars soliciting alms at one car while the train was stopping at the station. Among these beggars are worthy poor; but in China begging is a profession, and clothes are furnished and conditions defined for this active horde of people who are a prey upon business interests and society. The government takes no steps to check this growing evil, nor does it provide for those who are really in need.

Criminals in the gangue exposed on a public street. The frames are so broad as to prevent the hands from touching the head. Typical everywhere in China.

As with the poor, so with the unfortunates. The whole country is infested with every horrible disease; and the afflicted are neither isolated nor restricted to their own quarters, but are left free to roam in public places at will. Persons rotting with leprosy, persons with smallpox, persons with the bubonic plague, are at full liberty to roam about distributing death and life-misery upon those who are so unfortunate as to become infected, with no provisions for their isolation, or for caring for them in their time of need. With such conditions prevailing, there can not but be a great number of the poor people dying from neglect, and exposing many others to their dread maladies.

The Religions of China

Twenty-five centuries of undisputed sway over the hearts and lives of its people should be sufficiently long for any system of religion to demonstrate its ability to save and uplift a people. The religions of China have had this time-test with none to say them nay, and they have utterly failed to lift the people above the low level in which they found them twenty-five centuries ago. These religions have degraded womanhood till nowhere is she more neglected and despised than in the land of Confucius. Foot-binding has entailed unspeakable suffering among the peasantry for ages. The Chinese women are a race of hobbling cripples, suffering unspeakable misery, disabled from active work, and imposing upon themselves lifelong servitude and dependence by this foolish custom of foot-binding.

The religions of China have failed to build up the home where love and gentleness reigns and where social intercourse on terms of equality between parents and children are established. The religions of China have failed to educate the masses of the people, but have left them in the densest ignorance, imposing on them superstitions and imaginary evils, which the poor people have no means of preventing without recourse to the priesthood for help. China does not have within itself means of saving itself

or of lifting itself above the dead level which it now occupies.

Commerce

Some have suggested that commerce and financial aid were what would help China to a new life. Within her own borders there exist two of the best illustrations of what money and commerce can do for China; yet the Chinese have not learned the lesson, nor received the supposed help that lies within commercial lines. In the port cities where concessions have been made, or where absolute control has been left to the greatest commercial people the world has yet developed,—in the cities of Shanghai and Hongkong,—China has had for many years a living example of what commerce can do in uplifting a people, and surely China has failed to learn its lesson.

The Bible and the Christian Religion

But one thing is left in which we can have faith and hope to uplift the Chinese people, and that is the Christian religion. Can the Word of God and the principles of the Gospel of Christ save and uplift China, that her people may become educated, honest, just, and merciful? We answer, Judging from what has been done by these agencies to other peoples and nations, we believe that in God's Word alone lies the help China needs, and the only means available for her regeneration. That Word will generate new life and a new conscience into the Chinese people, which they greatly need. It will create within the hearts of the Chinese a bond of sympathy and mutual confidence which is now almost entirely lacking. It will teach the responsibility of parenthood, and how to direct and control the family; it will revolutionize the Chinese system of education, delete the dead matter, and invigorate with new life the Chinese youth as they study modern sciences and current events of international interest; it will provide for the education of the girls as well as the boys, and will teach the Chinese language in a rational manner; it will teach the sacredness of the marriage relation, and concubinage will be done away; it will instil into the courts the spirit of justice, and bribery will be banished; it will raise woman from her lowly estate to what her Maker designed her to be, a help meet for her husband; it will lift the home into that place of purity, cleanliness, and domestic harmony which alone will make life worth living; it will provide hospitals for the unfortunate, and homes for the helpless poor; it will uplift the nation as it uplifts the people, and a new spirit of patriotism will be engendered in the hearts of the people. What it has done for other lands, it will do, when it has free course, for the Chinese. In the language of another, Christianity will do for the Chinese what is most needed to be done. "It will make him a new man, with a new insight and a new outlook. It will give back his lost soul and spirit, and pour into all his avenues a new spirit and new life. There is not a human relation in which it will not be felt immediately, profoundly, beneficently. It will sanctify childhood, ennoble motherhood, dignify manhood, and purify every social condition." There is nothing else in all the world will so uplift China and give it the help it needs as will the Word of God and the influence of Christianity. China's greatest need is not money, not international interference, but simply the living Word of God, read, expounded, and received into the heart; and China will be helped in the best way it is possible to help her and her people.

I. H. EVANS.

Our Message

By T. Godfrey

Speed on, thou messenger of truth, With thy message of truth and light! Stay not, lest the aged and youth Are lost in the blackness of night!

Speed on, thou messenger of light! Spread forth thy snowy wings above! Hasten thou ere the coming night Cuts short thy work of love!

Speed on, thou messenger of love! Deliver thy message to all! Speed on as the wings of a dove! The honest are waiting thy call.

O, speed on while the angels hold The winds of war and of strife! Stay not until thou reach the fold With thy message of truth and life!

War! War!

Will there be war in Europe? Many people think so. The nations are preparing for it as rapidly as they can. France and England against Germany contending for positions in Africa, other acute situations too numerous to mention. What will come of it?

China Famine Fund

By Editor

Previously Reported . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $857.73 Miss Lizzie King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.00 Henry Thackray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.00 West Washington Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.25 Upper Columbia Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.50 Samuel M. Portner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.50 J. N. Loughborough . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.00 Marion Hunziker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00 J. E. Snowball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.31 S. F. Dispensary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 C. H. Meredith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.00 $895.09

War can not come now.

By Editor

Read the September number of the Signs of the Times Monthly, and you will see that we need not expect war, for a time, at least. It will be to the interest of our readers in more ways than one, to take a calm, thoughtful view of the situation. Study the question from the viewpoint of the infallible Word. You will find these conditions outlined and explained in the Word of God in a way that will interest you, and you will consider the few moments of your time devoted to the study well spent. We invite you to investigate the subject.

Send 10 cents for the September number to

Signs of the Times

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Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing

Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing.—An exposition of Christ's Sermon on the Mount. It has 218 pages and six chapters: On the Mountainside, The Beatitudes, The Spirituality of the Law, The True Motive in Service, The Lord's Prayer, Not Judging but Doing. A new edition just printed on fine enameled paper, new type, and reillustrated with 27 beautiful half-tone engravings specially prepared for the book by eminent New York artists. It will be found full of comfort and blessing by all fortunate enough to obtain and read it. A beautiful gift book. Fine cloth cover, 75 cents.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

By Editor

PUBLISHED WEEKLY

(Entered Sept. 15, 1904, as second-class matter at the Mountain View, Cal., post-office, under Act of Congress of March 3, 1879.)

Editor...............................Milton C. Wilcox Associate Editors.......................{ A. O. Tait L. A. Reed

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