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Review and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 9.

Publishers' Page

Review and Herald

Mar 2, 1905

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 2, 1905

Publishers' Page

Conducted by the Department of Circulation of the Review and Herald Publishing Association

March Issue of Life and Health

Now Ready

The March issue of Life and Health contains interesting, instructive, and practical information classified as follows:—
General Articles
Colds, General Hygiene, Revolutionary Dietetics, Cattle Feeding, The Prevention of Influenza.
The Medical Missionary at Work
Wahroonga Sanitarium; Leicester, England; Belfast, Ireland; Maritzburg, Natal, South Africa; Kolo, Basutoland; Fiji Islands; Tokyo, Japan; Japanese Surgery; Workers Together with Him; Mission Notes.
Healthful Cookery
The Mistress of a Household, Menu for March.
Questions and Answers
Good answers to questions on Limburger Cheese, Warts, Cause of Wrinkles on Forehead, Rancid Olive-oil, Food Value of Sweet Potatoes, Milk as a Food, Twitching of Leg, Eczema, Whooping-cough, Irregular Heart, Heart Consciousness, Indigestion, etc.
Editorial
Physical Basis for Crime, Extreme Positions, Microbe Maniacs, Ventilation, All Roads Lead to Rome, One Way to Cure a Cold, What Is the Motive? Quotations from Popular Health Books, News Notes, etc.
The March issue is very practical. The article on Colds is worth more than the price of the journal. The instruction on the Prevention of Influenza is especially timely, and will prove very helpful at this season of the year.
Mrs. White's article on General Hygiene contains instruction that ought to reach every home.
March is a hard month; but Life and Health will contain directions that will pilot people safely through the diseases prevalent during this season of the year. It will be the easiest number to sell yet published.

Back Numbers

The demand for Life and Health for the past five months has been so great that the liberal editions printed have been entirely exhausted. The November, January, and February editions are entirely out. Only a few copies of the December and September remain.
Our special offer to give the November and December numbers free with every new subscription for 1905 is, therefore, discontinued. All new subscriptions will begin with the March number until that edition is exhausted.
Life and Health is furnished at the following rates: 25 or more copies, one order, to one address, 2½ cents a copy, post-paid; less than 25 copies, one order, 3 cents each; 10 or more copies one year, to one address, 30 cents a copy. Regular subscription price, 50 cents a year. Forty per cent discount is given to agents. AGENTS MAKE GOOD SALARY HANDLING LIFE AND HEALTH.

An Appeal to Clergy

320,000 Ordered February 22

In one month and three days “An Appeal to Clergy,” in tract form, has reached the 320,000 mark; and still the orders continue to come in from individuals for hundreds and thousands, and from churches, tract societies, and publishing houses for tens of thousands.
When “An Appeal to Clergy” was first printed, the Washington Post circulated 33,000 copies, and the Washington Star, 32,000. The REVIEW printed it, and sent out 16,000 copies. The Religious Liberty Bureau printed and sent out 10,000 copies, making in all, with the 320,000 in tract form, 411,000 copies of this appeal sent out from Washington since the first of the year. In addition to this, many local papers in various parts of the country have copied it, and published it to the extent of their circulation. The million mark will be reached at an early date. The people have a mind to work, and the Lord will add his blessing to this effort.
The best Sabbath sermon ever preached can be given to the people for less than ½ cent each, the cost of the tracts being 40 cents a hundred, or $3.75 a thousand.

The Year-Book for 1905

In Many Respects Superior to Any Heretofore Published

The matter usually published in our Year-books, such as Table of Contents, Introductory Notes, Statistical Tables, Directories of the Denomination by Union and State Conferences, Public Institutions, Constitution and By-laws of various organizations and institutions, is given in better and more complete form; for instance, the addresses of all officers and ministers in each conference are given in the Conference Directory, and all lines of work carried forward in each conference, except sanitariums, educational and publishing institutions, which have special boards and separate directories, are represented in connection with the conference in which the work is done. Cable addresses are given with the directory of each organization instead of one general list of cable addresses.
In addition to these important improvements, the new Year-book will contain the fundamental principles of the belief of the church, and a clear, concise review of the rise and progress of the denomination, with the historical data pertaining to the organizations and the institutions of the same.
These fundamental principles, together with the history of the rise and progress of the denomination, will be of great service in missionary work; for there is a constant demand from honest, inquiring people not of our faith, for “a statement of the belief of Seventh-day Adventists,” which could not heretofore be supplied in a condensed form, but can now be furnished in the form of the statement of the fundamental principles of the denomination, separate and apart from any semblance to a creed.
Those who secure the new Year-book, from which to obtain the belief of the church, will also have with it a history of the rise and progress of the denomination, together with a statement of its present thorough, systematic organization in all parts of the world. These facts will cause them to consider more seriously and favorably the divine origin of the denomination and the importance of its present work.
The new book, therefore, will be a good pamphlet for missionary purposes, and the very best ever issued for our own people. Not only every worker, but every family in the denomination should have a copy for reference and study, and thousands of copies should be placed in the hands of honest, inquiring persons not of our faith.
It will be kept by every State Tract Society.
Price, 25 cents, post-paid.

The March Number of the Sabbath School Worker

is full of mental and spiritual food for Sabbath-school workers. The information imparted in the article “How to Manage the Class,” by Prof. C. C. Lewis, studied and applied in practical work, will be productive of much good in any Sabbath-school. Every teacher should study the suggestions made by the writer, who has devoted an active, consecrated life to teaching.
The articles on Sabbath-school Offerings, Practical Work in the Home Department, Spiritual Food for the Secretary, together with the excellent editorials, and other information contained in the March issue, will render this number of the Worker very helpful to all connected with the Sabbath-school work.
The Sabbath School Worker is devoted exclusively to the interest of the Sabbath-school, and it will be a great help to officers and teachers in their work. It is the denominational Sabbath-school organ, the teacher’s teacher, the officer’s counselor, and the superintendent’s guide.
Single copy, one year, 35 cents; 2 or more copies to one address, each 25 cents.

The Vegetarian Cook Book

THE author of the “Vegetarian Cook Book” has served an apprenticeship in scientific and hygienic cookery, and has for several years conducted one of the most successful hygienic restaurants in the country, and is eminently qualified to impart the needed rational information in hygienic cooking.
In addition to the numerous practical recipes of all kinds of palatable hygienic dishes, the author devotes considerable space to common-sense rules with reference to boiling, steaming, stewing, baking, braizing, and broiling, and the benefit to be derived therefrom when science and reason are combined. This feature of the work is alone worth the price of the book.
The “Vegetarian Cook Book” contains over 225 pages of choice recipes and valuable information. Every home should be in possession of a copy of this excellent work on hygienic cookery.
Bound in cloth; price, 75 cents.

Order Review & Herald

Order of Review & Herald, Washington, D. C.; Battle Creek, Mich.; Pacific Press, Mountain View, Cal.; Kansas City, Mo.; Southern Publishing Assn., Nashville, Tenn.; or your State Tract Society.

Editorial

Tiring the Angels
HEAVENLY messengers are sent from the throne of God to co-operate with those who are engaged in the Lord's work. They harken to God's word, and they delight to carry out his plans. They are grieved by the half-heartedness and the dilly-dallying methods of those professed servants of the Master who are slow to perceive the indications of God's providence, and still slower to make decided and aggressive advances in his work. “Long delays tire the angels. It is even more excusable to make a wrong decision sometimes than to be continually in a wavering position. . . . God requires promptness of action. Delays, doubtings, hesitation, and indecision frequently give the enemy every advantage. . . . The timing of things may tell much in favor of truth. Victories are frequently lost through delays. There will be crises in this cause. Prompt and decisive action at the right time will gain glorious triumphs, while delay and neglect will result in great failures and positive dishonor to God. Rapid movements at the critical moment often disarm the enemy, and he is disappointed and vanquished; for he had expected time to lay plans and work by artifice.” We have now come to one of those crises, and we urge our men who are in positions of responsibility to rise to the occasion with promptness and decision. Let us not tire the angels by long delays. Read “A Stirring Exhortation” in another part of this paper, and follow the definite instruction there given. The Lord is ordering the battle, and the truth forces should keep step with their divine Leader. If we obey the explicit directions now given for the work, we may confidently expect glorious results. The enemy of the truth is setting plans on foot with reference to the final conflict, but we must give him no time “to lay plans and work by artifice.” Let this whole people respond to God's call for action like a well drilled and disciplined army, and the adversary will be taken at a disadvantage and defeated. “Arise, shine; for thy light is come.”

“For Such a Time as This”

It certainly ought to be more and more clear to all this people that the Head of the church, who knows the end from the beginning, and who foresaw what was coming, directed in the removal of the headquarters of this denomination to Washington, the capital of the nation. Before we are fully settled in our new location, issues have arisen and opportunities for presenting the truth have offered themselves which are of more than local significance, and which have demanded a strong representation of our work here in order to deal with them in a way befitting their importance.
In addition to the proposed Sunday laws which have been introduced into Congress, there came first the campaign by the Protestant ministers of this city in behalf of better “Sabbath observance.” This opened the way for the “Open Letter,” and a large amount of other correspondence which has appeared in the daily press, and also created an interest upon the Sabbath question, which warranted the holding of large public meetings to present the plain truths and warnings of this message. As a direct consequence of this movement, there have been circulated already throughout the United States over a quarter of a million copies of the “Open Letter” in tract form, and the campaign is only fairly started. We have heard nothing more of the “Sabbath observance” campaign since the real meaning of “Sabbath observance” has been so fully set before the people, and naturally the local interest in this matter has begun to wane; but just at this time comes another movement of great importance, which calls for the presentation of the principles of the truth, and which must inevitably involve the question of the true and the false sabbath. A full report of this organized effort to introduce religious instruction into the public schools is given in another part of this paper, and it should be distinctly understood that this is more than a local issue. At the first meeting for the consideration of this question the leader of the movement distinctly stated that there was probably as little need for this agitation in Washington as in any other city in the United States, but that it was expected that the influence of this effort would be widely felt. It should also be further stated that the question of the Bible in the public schools is not a part of the issue, except as the principle is involved. The public schools of this city are now opened with reading of the Scriptures, singing of hymns, and the Lord’s prayer, but it is now proposed to introduce specific religious instruction as a part of the course of study. Furthermore, it was especially emphasized in the discussion of this question that moral instruction would not meet the requirements of the situation, but that it must be religious instruction. It will therefore be plain that in opposing this movement we are not opposing the introduction of the Bible into the public schools, neither are we demanding the expulsion of the Bible from the public schools, even though the principle of the entire separation of church and state, when carried to its logical conclusion, might warrant this. This, however, is not the question in the present case, and we do not think it expedient to enter upon a campaign in regard to this matter. We are now trying to let the people see that this present effort is a long step toward the complete union of church and state, and that it is the cloud, much larger than a man’s hand, which foretells the coming storm. There was the very essence of tyranny and persecution in both the manner and the matter of the speech of the leader of the movement when he called the attention of the meeting to the decision of the Supreme Court that this is “a Christian nation,” and declared that adopted citizens must take this country as they find it, and not expect to overthrow Christian principles. Pains and penalties for the violation of religious observances established by law are the logical outcome of this position, and may not be far off.
As plainly indicating what will be involved in this effort to introduce religious teaching into the secular schools, we will refer to one line of argument employed in the discussion. It was urged, and the statement elicited applause, that the state had no right to punish for the violation of laws against stealing unless it first taught the commandment, “Thou shalt not steal.” It logically follows at once that the state has no right to punish for the violation of Sunday laws, even if they were justifiable, unless it first teaches the commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” And then to justify Sunday laws the state must teach that this commandment now applies to the first day of the week instead of to the seventh day of the week distinctly mentioned in the commandment. Thus it will at once become necessary for the state to take sides in a religious controversy, and to decide a question concerning which there is a strong and growing difference of belief. That such a result is the inevitable consequence of this movement ought to convince all who are open to conviction that this effort to make the schools, supported by public taxation, an agency for the conveying of religious instruction is an instance of misdirected zeal in behalf of a good cause. “It is a rule, alike of common sense and Christian morality, that no end, however good in itself, should be sought by unlawful and improper means.”
It is evident, however, that public sentiment is not all on one side of this question. Some have the discernment to perceive that the proposed method of reforming public morals is not a proper one. In the Washington Post of February 19, the day before the meeting of the ministers, there appeared an editorial in which the proposal of the clergymen was discussed at some length. We quote the following paragraph:—
Is it now seriously proposed that the public schools shall take the place of church and Sunday-school? Is it contended that the function of the public school is to be changed, and that it is to become an adjunct of the church? If so, we are approaching dangerous ground. It is difficult to see how the public school can be converted into a more active religious agency, even if the church proposes to abdicate its long-established position.
The situation demands an earnest campaign, both local and general, for the dissemination of the truth. The people at large, and possibly the leaders, do not understand the inspiration which is behind this movement, nor the intent of “the prince of this world” in shaping it. To teach God’s law as having been changed is to belittle the law and to insult the lawgiver. Thus under the ostensible purpose of checking lawlessness the great enemy of God’s law will inculcate the very essence of lawlessness. What ought to be done by those who have light upon this subject, and who revere God’s law? We must labor “with intense earnestness” to enlighten the people and to teach the observance of God’s law just as he gave it. It is now time for one united and determined effort to stir the world with the message for this generation. Awake! Arouse! Arise! Shake off this lethargy! Let us act in harmony with our profession. To the highways and the byways! Sound the warning! Hasten the coming of the King of righteousness!

An Important Line of Work.

RECENT events connected with the progress of the message of present truth in this part of the field, well indicate the importance of the relation sustained to that message by what has been known as the “religious liberty work.”
Among some who have been cognizant of this work the opinion has prevailed that it was not an integral part of the gospel message, but was something separate and different from, though related to, that message, constituting a special line of work by itself; that it was a sort of adjunct to the gospel work, and not really essential to the knowledge and proclamation of the gospel itself. If the religious liberty work was of this nature, if it was not really identified with the gospel message, it would certainly not belong to Seventh-day Adventists as a people, to expend time, energy, and means in its promulgation.
But events have shown in the history of our denominational work, how greatly the advancement of the third angel’s message may be hastened by the means which this line of work provides. For it is the very opposition of other denominations to religious liberty that provides the greatest opportunities that have ever come to us for reaching the people with the message of present truth.
Recently the Protestant clergymen in Washington came together and planned a campaign for securing Sunday observance in the District of Columbia. This gave opportunity to write and publish in the Washington papers the “Open Letter” to the Washington clergy, which, with other communications following, has aroused a wide-spread interest to hear the truth, not only here in Washington, but in many other places. The Sunday bills pending in Congress contributed much to the interest of the situation. In the Review of February 16, in the article “What Has Been Done,” facts are stated showing the vast work already accomplished through the avenue opened up to us by this movement in the field of religious liberty.
How long would it have taken our workers here, under ordinary circumstances, however well provided with facilities, to have aroused the interest which was developed almost in a day by the results of the effort that was planned to restrict religious freedom? And what is true of the work here is true of it elsewhere. Let a movement be made to restrict religious liberty, let the enactment or enforcement of Sunday laws be sought and literature scattered among the people to that end, and how quickly an interest is aroused. Our workers have then only to step in and improve the opportunity which, without any effort or expense to them, has been created.
Connected with this line of work also are many things which should serve to arouse those who know the truth to greater activity and earnestness in seeking to accomplish quickly the task of warning the world. This was illustrated in some of the experiences reported by those circulating the petitions against Congressional Sunday legislation. Note the following from the reports printed in the Review of February 16.
After putting in a whole day with the petition, a brother in Illinois writes:— “I hasten to inform you of my non-success with the petition against the Sunday bills now pending in Congress. It seems to me that the people are ripe for this event, as every one with whom I conversed is now positively in favor of such legislation. Men who in the past have stood squarely opposed to such measures seem to rejoice that that event is about to be realized. I did not obtain even one protest, although I had supposed I would succeed in obtaining the signature of almost every one.”
Another brother in Illinois says:— “I find that some of the people are most ready for the bill to pass.”
A Nebraska brother writes:— “I was astonished to find so many who would not sign the petition. I verily believe that if this question of Sunday enforcement was submitted to a popular vote, it would become a law at once. The time is surely ripe for very decisive movement on the part of God’s people.”
Such testimonies as these ought to startle and arouse all of us, and especially those who have supposed that no particular progress was being made these past few years toward the fulfilment of the prophecy of the latter portion of Revelation 13. It is through the religious liberty work that this very important information reaches us.
Religious liberty is a true part of the gospel proclamation. It can not be left out of the third angel’s message. That message can not be given without warning people against the worship of the “beast” and his “image.” The “beast” is not the Catholic Church, noris the “image” the United States government. The “beast” came into being by a union of church and state, and without that union the persecutions of the Dark Ages would never have been. The “image” to the “beast” is likewise a union of church and state. If we can not speak to the people intelligently on this subject, how are we prepared to give the third angel’s message?
We should be ready to improve the opportunities which are opened up by this department of the work. The design of this department is not to try to prevent the fulfilment of inspired prophecy concerning this nation, nor, primarily, to save Seventh-day Adventists from paying fines or going to jail. Its purpose is, first, to spread the truth, to reach the people with the last warning message; and many will be reached through this channel—judges, lawyers, and professional men—who could not be approached by a presentation of religious doctrines. Secondly, its purpose is to safeguard other departments of the work by pointing out the threatened departure from American principles of government, to statesmen and other men of influence, some of whom will, as the spirit of prophecy has declared, by their opposition hold back for a time the tide of persecution which Satan would bring upon the remnant church, until its mission in the earth can be accomplished.
Let the cause of religious liberty be revived among this people. L. A. S.

Most Encouraging of All

The Progress Beyond Our Sight
No one can intelligently watch the progress of this work in mission fields to-day without seeing that Providence is shaping the line of advance for a sharp and quick work at the close. Bases of operation have been established from which every continent may be quickly evangelized when once the outpouring of the Spirit supplies the means.
Cheering as may be the things we see, the most encouraging thing of all is the knowledge that away beyond the bounds of the Lord’s visible work on earth, his Spirit is preparing the way specifically for this closing message. We have the evidence that the time has come when, in a special manner, the Spirit of God is being poured out on all flesh, according to the prophecy.
Such evidence is supplied by the sudden bursting forth of the light in men’s hearts in Korea, in the Fuhkien province of China, and in other parts. We see it in our work among native Russians. Despite the conditions, in the face of the severest possible restrictions, their numbers have nearly doubled within the year. Where human effort can do the least, there, apparently, the Lord chooses to show us the cheering token that he has indeed set his hand to finish the work.
We know that he is speaking to hearts, and preparing witnesses, in every populous land. In “Object Lessons” this encouraging truth is set forth:—
In the depth of heathenism, men who have had no knowledge of the written law of God, who have never even heard the name of Christ, have been kind to his servants, protecting them at the risk of their own lives. Their acts show the working of a divine power. The Holy Spirit has implanted the grace of Christ in the heart of the savage, quickening his sympathies contrary to his nature, contrary to his education. The “Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world,” is shining in his soul; and this light, if heeded, will guide his feet to the kingdom of God.
Thus it was that the impulse came to a cannibal in the New Hebrides, who had joined his fellows in a fierce attack upon John G. Paton’s life. Suddenly, as spears were lifted for the fatal thrust, the savage leaped to the missionary’s side, and warded off the blows.
Only a few years ago, in the great Boxer uprising in China, an edict ordering the extermination of foreigners was sent from Peking to two statesmen whose official duty it was to pass the edict on to the southern provinces. The southern provinces did not rise against the missionaries. Why?—The two statesmen, in passing on the edict, changed the wording so that it was a command to “strenuously protect” the lives of the foreigners. For this act they were literally “sawn asunder,” but they had saved hundreds of lives by forfeiting their own. Over and over again in our time men have heard the voice of God saying, “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.”
What glorious prospects are afforded by this nearness of God to all men, so that he can speak to every soul that is leaning toward the light. In the forty-second of Isaiah he cites us to the fact that he gives breath to all men on the earth, as evidence of his power to send the light of truth to all who sit in darkness. For a long time he has held his peace, he says, but now he will cry out. There can be delay no longer.
Now as the message rises to go, there will be a rising to meet it. We see the beginning of it here and there, already, among the most populous and difficult fields. The same Spirit that says to the missionary, “Go,” is saying to millions. “Come,” and many will listen and obey. We are seeing stirring things in these days, and by faith in God’s word we may know that what we see is not by any means the compass of God’s cause. He is finishing the work. He is cutting it short in righteousness. “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord.” Ps. 107:43. W. A. S.

A Stirring Exhortation

We give below some extracts from a communication from Mrs. E. G. White, who dated February 15. This instruction ought to be studied by all our readers, and especially by the conference workers. Note the statement, “The Lord calls for action.” It is evident that prompt and decided moves ought to be made to present this message to all the people. Every leader should plan wisely, and then command all his forces for service. Sister White writes:—
Let those who have been trained for service now take their places quickly in the Lord’s work. House-to-house laborers are needed. The Lord calls for decided efforts to be put forth in places where the people know nothing of the truth. Singing and prayer and Bible readings are needed in the homes of the people. Now, just now, is the time to obey the commission, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Those who do this work must have a ready knowledge of the Scriptures. “It is written” is to be their weapon of defense. God has given us light on his Word that we may give it to our fellow men. The truth spoken by Christ will reach hearts. A “Thus saith the Lord” will fall upon the ear with power, and fruit will appear wherever honest service is done.
The Lord calls for action. The Sabbath question is being agitated in Washington, and while minds are stirred, there is an opportunity for our people everywhere to sow the seeds of truth. Should we neglect to take advantage of this time, we should miss a great opportunity for letting light from God’s Word shine forth. The trumpet is to give a certain sound.
Christ’s divinity is to be steadfastly maintained. When the Saviour asked his disciples the question, “Whom say ye that I am?” Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Said Christ, “Upon this rock,” not on Peter, but on the Son of God, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Great is the mystery of godliness. There are mysteries in the life of Christ that are to be believed, even though they can not be explained. The finite mind can not fathom the mystery of godliness.
Christ is to be preached, not controversially, but affirmatively. Take your stand without controversy. Let not your words at any time be uncertain. The Word of the living God is to be the foundation of our faith. Gather up the strongest affirmative statements regarding the atonement made by Christ for the sins of the world. Show the necessity for this atonement, and tell men and women that they may be saved if they will repent and return to their loyalty to God’s law. Gather all the affirmatives and proofs that make the gospel the glad tidings of salvation to all who receive and believe on Christ as a personal Saviour.

Great Opportunities and a Call to Service

THE providence of God is surely opening the way for his message of truth and salvation to be made known to men in all stations of life. Since coming to Washington, unforeseen opportunities have arisen, one after the other, which have opened the way for us to do a very direct and effective work in this city; and from here this work has extended to all parts of the United States.
The first door for effectual service that was opened to us was the hasty passage of that unjust Sunday bill through the House of Representatives. This demanded of us immediate action in Washington. Here, we interviewed business men, lawyers, and congressmen, wrote articles for our city papers, and gave public addresses on the subject of religious liberty and the evils of religious legislation.
Our work did not stop with Washington. It extended to all the States. For months hundreds of petitions against this bill have been coming in from all parts of the country. These have been presented to Congress day after day by the Senators from most of the States. Some of these Senators have written the officers of our Religious Liberty Department that they are pleased to get our petitions and literature, and that, should this bill come before the Senate, they will do all they can to defeat it.
The second special door opened to us for proclaiming the truth was the proposed campaign for better Sunday observance, by the ministers of Washington. The Seventh-day Adventist ministers in this city felt it to be their duty to make known to the people the true Sabbath of Jehovah, and that it can only be enforced by the Spirit of God given to convict of sin, and to impart power for righteousness.
It is safe to say that the Sabbath of the Lord never before came so prominently before the leading men of this nation and the citizens of Washington as it has since this campaign was proposed. Bishops, rectors, preachers, college presidents, lawmakers, business men,—indeed, all classes have had their attention called very forcibly to the requirements of God's law. And this special effort has not been confined to Washington; it has extended to all the States. Public papers have published the Open Letter addressed to the ministers of Washington, and three hundred thousand copies in tract form have been sent out from our office.
And now another door has been opened for splendid service. The proposal by the ministers of Washington to make the public schools of the District of Columbia channels for giving distinctly religious instruction, calls us to again set before the public the light God has given us regarding the relation between church and state.
This proposal bids fair to stir the whole city. Already the Post has taken its stand against the measure. A committee of the leading men in Washington has been appointed to meet and decide upon measures to be recommended to the Board of Education. Our people and work have been shown some degree of courtesy and recognition by the appointment of Professor Prescott as a member of this committee. This will give him an opportunity to meet bishops, college presidents, leading ministers, and prominent laymen of Washington, and to place before them the light which God has given us on such questions. This is surely an opportunity of great importance to us; and we need special help from God to meet the situation as we should.
Just as this great issue opens before us, a stirring communication comes to us from Sister White, concerning the importance of the work in Washington, and directing that it must be extended throughout the whole land. A portion of this letter is given in this number of the REVIEW. It should be read by ministers, church officers, and all our people, with great care.
As will be seen, our young men and young women who have had advantages of education and training in our schools, are called to enthusiastic house-to-house labor. It is declared that God calls for decided efforts to reach those who know nothing of the truth. “Now, just now, is the time to obey the commission” to go into all the world and preach the gospel; and we are told what features are to be emphasized; namely, the divinity of Christ and the Sabbath of Jehovah.
The trumpet, we are told, is to be given a certain sound. While we are not to enter into controversy and debate, yet we are to set forth the truth of God with a clear understanding and positiveness that will carry deep conviction to the hearts of those who hear.
Dear brethren in the ministry, if I rightly understand the meaning of this communication, it is a call to the ministers of Christ to lead his people forth in earnest, united, world-wide missionary effort. It is a call to us to show greater enthusiasm than we have ever shown in this cause. It is an appeal to us to devote our time and energies as far as possible to evangelistic work. Many of us have become so engrossed in the business affairs of our conferences and institutions that we have too largely dropped the progressive, evangelistic work by which the pioneers of this cause rapidly carried this message from State to State, and from country to country.
The shape affairs are taking, and the messages that are coming to us from the servant of the Lord, renew in our hearts the hope that the closing work of the Lord in the earth is soon to be finished. For this let us all earnestly pray and unceasingly labor.
A. G. DANIELLS.
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