In Rev. 8:13 an angel is represented as flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!” The second woe ended Aug. 10, 1844. And we are living under the sounding of the seventh trumpet and the third and last woe.
In Revelation 14 John saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and announcing the coming judgment. This message was given to the churches for the purpose of preparing them for the opening of the holy of holies in the heavenly temple. When133they refused to receive it, the second message, announcing the result of this rejection, was given, just a little before the opening of the second apartment. The third message, being connected directly with the ministration in the most holy place, was yet to be proclaimed to the churches. But as they rejected the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, confusion fell upon them.
In chapter 18 John saw still another angel, represented this time as coming down from heaven, and being clothed with great power and glory. He speaks in clear, plain, pointed language, easy to understand, points out the fatal defects and errors in Babylon, and declares that she is lost beyond all remedy, having neglected her last opportunity. This brings us to the last call. The voice of Christ rings out in startling tones, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”
“Having great power.” It is said that if the electrical furnaces at Niagara Falls were combined into one, they would make a glow bright enough to be distinctly seen from the moon. But more marvelous is the power of this angel who is lighting up the world with his glory. A mighty power is being manifested in the Lord’s remnant people. In spite of the opposition of the churches, they are accomplishing so much that even their enemies applaud and wonder! Still more marvelous is the fact that some among this people seem willing to exchange this power for earthly treasures.
While this remnant people do not own nor control one half the capital of a single “combine,” the books kept by the heavenly scribes will show that they are establishing the everlasting kingdom of God in the world. Apostate churches are well supplied with gold, but when they begin to see that the remnant has the power, they will wage a war of extermination. But God’s true children need not fear; for this angel comes from heaven, where the everlasting God dwells, and has great power, which will be manifested more and more as the work progresses.
“And the earth was lighted with his glory.” Brethren, we need not look to the dim future for this glory. This old earth even now is being lighted with his glory. “Behold, He cometh.” “And His dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.”
The King cometh, appearing in regal splendor as King of kings and Lord of lords. “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.” The heights of the eternal hills sparkle in celestial sunlight; its golden beams are lighting up the world with its glory. The world has been talking about this event for ages. And this remnant people have been chosen to herald this coming King. What reflections crowd the mind when we think of the great responsibility resting upon us, and how soon the work will be finished, and we be clothed with the glorious vesture of immortality. Should anything disturb our joy in the Lord at such a time as this? Rather, let us raise the gospel trumpet to our lips and peal forth such a triumphant sound as shall arouse a slumbering world.
Do we realize that it is through us that this great electrical plant is to lighten the world with its glory? That the grand corner stone of all the ages is the second coming of Christ? Are we ready and anxiously waiting for the return of the King of glory? Are we wondering why His chariots are delayed? Are we living as if we expected Him? Can we lay ourselves down at night with a heart that does not condemn us? Do we realize that it is through the printing press the world is to be warned? Do we understand that the increase of knowledge, the improvement in printing and paper-making, all means for the rapid transmission of intelligence from place place, have been brought about for the glory of God, that the earth may be lighted with the glory of His glorious appearing? Courage, brethren, courage! the night is not forever; the morning cometh! The last call is to us.
“Come out of her, my people.” Babylon and the world are one and the same now, their interests are mutual, and they go down together. “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.”
TRUST, AND BE HAPPY
By H. W. COTTRELL
H. W. COTTRELL
As the hue of the peeling is simply outward beauty to the peach, so only is feeling to Christianity. The tint may be removed with the peeling, but the quality that was first in the seed will remain in the fruit. Thus in one moment may circumstances in the providence of God remove those gilded feelings from your Christian experience, as the peeling is removed from the peach: but, Christian, despair not, be not even discouraged, the quality remains. It is in the seed, not in the hue or the feeling. Trust. Trust the Omnipotent if you feel happy, and trust and be happy if you do not feel so. In His own good time the Lord will again gild the life. We must have the quality. For the quality, trust to the seed—not to the seeds of fancy or fiction; “but as of one,” and to the “seed, which is Christ.” “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
THE BOXERS
By Eliza H. Morton
ELIZA H. MORTON
The great political party in China known as the Boxers does not owe its origin to the work of missions, but rather to the revival and transformation of a secret society that gave the Chinese government much trouble more than a century ago. Although the association was forbidden in 1803, the empress dowager has shown it favor, and given it influence in connection with the recent difficulties in the empire.
The society is based on hypnotism and Spiritualism. Its leaders claim to obtain their power from the unseen world. In other words, they are mediums, and go into trances at will, in which condition they claim to be bullet-proof, and to be endued with supernatural strength.
The prophecies tell us that before the coming of Christ, Satan will work with all power and signs and lying wonders. 2 Thess. 2:9–12. The prophet saw an unclean spirit like a frog coming out of the mouth of the dragon (Rev. 16:12, 13), and we have seen the workings of that spirit in the East. He also saw one coming out of the mouth of the Beast, and another out of the mouth of the false prophet, or two-horned Beast, and we may expect to see their workings in more marked demonstrations than have yet been manifested. “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”
ORGANIZATION
By Ernest A. Raymond
The Early Church
ERNEST A. RAYMOND
WHAT is known as the first general conference of the Christian Church was held at Jerusalem. The church had arrived at a crisis in its history. “Certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren” that except they were circumcised, they could not be saved. It was the vital question of righteousness by faith, of the organization of the body of Christ, of regeneration, the perfect outworking of the indwelling life.
“When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they [the brethren] determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. . . . And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.” Acts 15:2–4.
The special matter concerning which there had been controversy was now brought forward, and “the apostles and elders,” also “the multitude,” the “whole church” (see verses 12 and 22, also 23 and 25. Comparing passages, it will be seen that the whole company is designated by its more prominent individuals), “came together for to consider this matter.”
“And when there had been much disputing [evidently a general discussion; see verse 12], Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”
“Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.” Paul had come to Jerusalem for this very purpose, “with a view to revelation”—an allowable reading from the original of Gal. 2:2, and one harmonizing perfectly with the context and the facts. Having before explained the matter to “them which were of reputation,” he has the co-operation of Peter and James, both “pillars,” men of influence, in obtaining an impartial hearing before the whole church assembled. Without this, the conference must have resulted in failure. The Spirit ever works to enlighten the understanding.
“And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me. Simeon hath declared, . . . and to this agree the words of the prophets. . . . Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, . . . but that we write unto them. . . .
“Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. . . . And they wrote letters by them after this manner: The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting. . . . Forasmuch as we have heard, . . . it seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul. . . . For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things. . . . So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and . . . delivered the epistle: which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.”
Such, in brief, is the account of that conference; and from a careful reading, we find that the whole order of proceedings was in harmony with that of the other occasions mentioned in a previous article. Some additional points, however, may well be noted:—
1. Paul and Barnabas and “certain others” were designated by the brethren.
2. The active part taken by the “whole church,” the “multitude,” the “brethren,” from first to last, in this meeting. By them the delegates were received with the utmost cordiality; they took an active part in the discussion of the question; and they are expressly mentioned as rendering their decision conjointly with that of the apostles and elders. From no passage in the record can we regard them as anything other than the most interested and active participants in all that occurred.
3. The one thing necessary was that the facts be “declared,” the truth be made known. God himself had in reality decided the question before, as He has every knotty problem that may possibly arise. Given the facts, the truth, the needs of the work, and each can decide for himself, as led by the Spirit. Indeed, thus only does the Spirit work, and ever in harmony with himself. Paul went up “with a view to revelation.” Can not every delegate in modern times profit by his example?
4. “To this agree the words of the prophets.” The last and final test is by the Scriptures, the “more sure word of prophecy.” By them let us try every thought, every feeling, every fact of life. Perchance we feel “new power coming into our life.” Is it from above, or from beneath? for God has by His Spirit said that there would be power coming into men's lives from beneath. Paul says: “If any man think himself to be . . . spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.” The power of the Spirit can be enjoyed only by first receiving the Spirit's organization. “Ye must be born again.”
5. A committee was chosen by the whole church, after a decision had been reached, for the carrying out of that which had been decided upon.
6. “It seemed good to the Holy Ghost.” God by His Spirit had signally blessed in the deliberations, and such a message, from such a source, under such circumstances, could not fail in accomplishing its purpose, and the recipients “rejoiced for the consolation.”
WHAT IS LIFE?
By Anna Katherine Green
Ah, what is life?
'Tis but a passing touch upon the world;
A print upon the beaches of the earth
Next flowing wave will wash away; a mark
That something passed; a shadow on a wall,
While looking for the substance, shade departs;
A drop from the vast spirit-cloud of God,
That rounds upon a stock, a stone, a leaf,
A moment, then exhales again to God.
—Anna Katherine Green.
The Business of Life
“THE business of life is to go forward; he who sees evil in prospect meets it in his way; but he who catches it in retrospection turns back to find it.”
TEMPERANCE
By A. M. Winegar, M. D.
A. M. WINEGAR, M. D.
Far less thought is given to the rearing of children than the stock raiser gives to the rearing of his animals. If he wishes to produce a good horse, care is taken to give it the very best food possible, and in such a manner as will tend to nourish and develop it; while mothers, often ignorant of the effects of foods upon the character of the child, permit it to have anything that will quiet it, and thus relieve her of its care. This is often done in order that the mother may devote more of her time to philanthropic work, rescue work, temperance work, etc., while her own family is neglected.
Instead of tracing the downfall of men or women to the time when they took their first drink or their first stimulating drug, let us go back to the time when they were babes in their mothers' arms. Let us watch the mother in the care of her little one. Not satisfied with giving it the natural food which is best adapted to its weak digestive system, she, eager to see it develop, begins to feed it upon articles of food altogether unadapted to the nursing child. Although at first distasteful to the child, by the persistence of the mother the habit is easily formed, and the child is soon allowed to partake of a large variety of foods. Potato is often given to a child that is only two or three months old. The potato is composed largely of starch, which is digested by the saliva, and demands thorough mastication that it may be well mixed with the saliva, and thus digested. The child, having no teeth, is unable to masticate the food; and the starch, not being digested by the gastric juice, remains in the stomach, decomposing and causing gas, and often great distress. Not only this, but the stomach of the child, which at this early age is small and intended only for the mother's milk, becomes dilated. Thus originate many of the stomach disorders of later life. This unnatural condition causes the child to be fretful and irritable, and the mother tries various articles of foods, teas, and drinks, to quiet him.
Passing on, a few months later we find this same child sitting at his mother's table, upon which are condiments, spices, pickles, rich pastries, meats, tea, and coffee, with perhaps vegetables, fruits, and white bread. No restriction is placed upon him as to what his diet shall be, and he is allowed to partake of any or all of these articles as he chooses. A burning thirst is created, and to satisfy this the child drinks large quantities of water, which of itself is not harmful if taken at the proper time, but is most injurious when taken at the meal or immediately after. A few years later he is unable to satisfy this burning thirst with water, and, while yet a mere boy, will, if possible, find his way to the saloon to satisfy this craving with drink, perhaps at first with some of the drinks that are regarded more mild; but day by day this craving increases, the stronger drinks are taken, and these more frequently, until the young man finds himself unable to resist the temptation to drink. And so he goes on until soon we find him in the gutter.
But, some one says, the girls live upon the same diet as do the boys, and how is it that the boys become drunkards and the girls do not, if this be a cause for drink? Do not deceive yourself, my friends, there are to-day hundreds and thousands of girls who are drunkards; and although there are restrictions placed about the young women which prevent their going to the saloon to drink, as do the young men, remember there are other evils which come as a result of a wrong course of training in childhood. From taking cold, one person may have neuralgia, another rheumatism, another pneumonia, still another pleurisy. And so a great variety of diseases result from the one exciting cause. Look at the great number of women to-day who are morphine, opium, and cocaine fiends! Then let us not quiet our consciences with the thought that the lives of the young women are not influenced by the early habits of life, but let us seek for the causes of all these great evils, remembering our text, that we should be "temperate in all things."
(To be concluded.)
REQUESTS FOR PRAYER
“I DESIRE special prayer for my son, who is unconverted, and in poor health. Pray also for my husband, and for me, that I may know my duty and faithfully perform it.”
“I request special prayer for my husband, who has left the truth after having served the Lord faithfully for a short time. He believes the Third Angel’s Message, but discouragement in his work is the cause of his becoming indifferent. He has become very careless in everything, and thinks he can not be saved. Pray for me, that I may do right by him.”
“Please pray for my father, who is very sick. Pray that his mind may be restored, and that he may return to the Saviour again, and find peace. Pray also for an unconverted husband and son. They know the truth, but do not obey. Let earnest prayer be offered in their behalf.”
“I beg you to pray for me, that God will remove the affliction that has settled on me for the past few months, so that I may be relieved, and be a happy Christian mother as before, for the sake of my fatherless children, and my parents, who are wild over my condition. I was cured by prayer once, and my only hope now is in the mighty power of God.”
“I request the sisters of the Woman’s Gospel Work to pray for my little girl, who is very sick, that she may be restored to health and reason, if it is the Lord’s will. My only hope is in the Lord, for I fear she is past the help of man. Also please pray that my husband may join me in the truth, and that we may work together in bringing up our children for the Lord.”
“I wish the prayers of the circle for my husband and my sisters, one of whom is a member of my family. She and my husband are convinced of the truth, but do not see the necessity of obeying. Pray that they may give up the world before it is too late. I greatly desire that we shall be a God-serving family, and I wish to be strong to hold my children from the evil, and to lead them to the Saviour.”
A sister requests prayer for her unconverted husband, and also for a man in her neighborhood who is in a sad state of mind because of having done something which he does not feel free to confess. Pray that he may confess it to the right persons, and come out from under the shadow of condemnation. She also requests prayer for another man and his family, who are quite profane, but kind-hearted, and somewhat interested in the truth.
“I desire special prayer for my husband, who is unconverted, and is now under treatment at Hot Springs, for rheumatism. He has suffered so much from this disease that the doctors have had to inject morphine, and he has formed the habit of using it. The doctor told him that he could cure the rheumatism, but it would be very hard to break up the morphine habit. I am almost heartbroken over his condition, and ask special prayer for him immediately, as he is very weak. He writes me every day to keep on praying for him, and that if God will spare him he will do better. I have told him that I was going to request the prayers of the sisters for him, and he will certainly appreciate your prayers. Pray for me also, that I may be able to bear whatever troubles may come upon me, and that I may reflect the image of my Saviour.”
A CENTURY OF MISSIONS
By Estella Houser
ESTELLA HOUSER
The progress of the gospel during the nineteenth century was marvelous. Even Christians who had no thought of the near coming of the Saviour have called it “the missionary age of the world's history.” Since it began, the gospel has gone farther and farther from the centers of Christendom, until the globe is girded with a network of Christian missions, and, with but few exceptions, every nation of the world is open to the heralds of the cross. The few countries unentered are the subjects of the prayers of many of God's people, and devoted missionaries are studying the languages, waiting on the borders, ready to enter at the slightest suggestion of permission. At the Ecumenical Conference held in New York City in April, 1900, there were present a few aged missionaries who were intimately acquainted with the marvelous changes that have135been effected during the last half-century, and they portrayed such pictures that we were led to exclaim, “What hath God wrought!”
Seventy-five years ago the islands of the Pacific were the abode of pagans, whose “vices were eating their very vitals;” and, as if this process were too slow, they were literally eating one another. To-day there is scarcely an island in the Pacific Ocean that has not been influenced by the gospel message, and in a large majority native churches have been organized, and native workers sent to labor in other fields. In the Indian Archipelago the people are gradually but surely being transformed by the influence of the truths of God's word.
Japan, the island empire, sealed her ports for three hundred years, even to ships of trade. “Our own Commodore Perry sailed into the Bay of Yeddo, more than forty years ago, and with the open Bible, sang, with his crew, the one hundredth Psalm, and without firing a gun or shedding a drop of blood, opened the ports of Japan to the commerce of the world and the gospel of Christ.” Not until 1865 was there any outward indication that the gospel would work its way into the hearts of the Japanese. This year witnessed one conversion; and after seven long years of pioneer labor, the first Japanese church, of eleven members, was organized in Yokohama. Less than thirty years have passed, and to-day we find Christian churches dotting this empire from end to end. Eighty-one per cent of the boys and thirty-three per cent of the girls are in the common schools. Thus the younger generation is growing up with an intelligence that is fitting them to comprehend the blessings of a Christian life; while the older people are becoming irreligious, or, at least, are losing confidence in their old religion. This surely means, if the opportunity is grasped, a preparation for something better.
When China was approached in the early part of the century, in more than one sense it was found to be completely surrounded with an apparently impenetrable wall. The people were inaccessible; and their very language “defied the printing press itself to reduce its complicated characters to simplicity and order.” As late as 1843 there were but six converts. But the wondrous changes wrought by the gospel in the last fifty years have been repeatedly illustrated during the recent troubles in China, when native Christians died the most cruel deaths rather than give up their faith in Christ.
Burma, Siam, and British India have been studded with mission stations. Burma, twenty years ago, stood third in the list of missionary donors to the Baptist Missionary Society. On these shores thousands of missionaries lie buried, but the influence of their work pervades the whole atmosphere of these countries. Even in their death they have done more to quicken a new, inspired life among these peoples than ages of heathenism in the past.
Syria, the cradle of apostolic missions, Turkey, Spain, France, and even Italy, the stronghold of the papacy, are accessible to the ambassadors of Christ and to the open Bible. The prophecy that “Ethiopia shall soon stretch forth her hands unto God,” too, has been wonderfully verified during the last century, and Christian missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Gaboon on the west, in Cape Colony on the south, in Madagascar, Santa Barbara, and the Zulu missions on the east, and in Egypt on the north, are gradually encircling and penetrating the dark continent. Even Mexico and South America, so long under papal rule, are giving away to the message of hope, and here and there on the neglected continent mission stations are becoming centers of light and influence amid the moral darkness.
Another striking factor in the history of missions during the latter part of the last century has been the remarkable development of the missionary spirit among young people, especially in the higher schools of learning. Already over two thousand of the young people of the Student Volunteer Movement alone have gone to the front, and thousands more are in preparation.
Do all these things mean naught to the student of prophecy? Can we not see that the hand of God is guiding this work, and is gathering out a people for His name “from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south,”—a people really fitted to understand His closing message? Our hearts should rejoice that He who has called us to bear a part in this last work has gone before us in such a marvelous manner. In no field, however difficult, must our laborers endure the privations and hardships of the pioneer who entered virgin soil, and, in many cases, found an unwritten language, which must be mastered before he could speak to the people, as well as reduced to writing before literature could be prepared, and even then the people must be taught to read it. Surely all these things have been in the providence of God.
Foreign missions have received a new impetus in even the last decade, and other denominations appreciate that the possibility of evangelizing the world is within the reach of the present generation. Do we not see more? Yea, we know that before this generation shall pass away, a world will be warned, and God's work in the earth closed.
Twenty-six years ago we sent our first laborer abroad, although prior to that date a small company of believers in present truth had developed in Central Europe, and another in South Africa. In 1884 the reports showed about six hundred Sabbath-keepers, scattered throughout England, Switzerland, France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Italy, and Rumania, and in Egypt and South Africa. The same year laborers were sent to the Hawaiian Islands, and others were appointed to begin work in Australia. These sailed the following year. In 1886 Brother J. I. Tay visited several of the Pacific Islands, among them Pitcairn, and early in 1887 our first workers took passage for South Africa. They were preceded a few months by laborers to British Guiana. At the close of the year 1891, besides the countries already mentioned, missionaries had gone into Algeria, Holland, Austria, Ireland, the West Indies, Argentine Republic, and the Bay Islands, and the forces in many of the other fields had been strengthened. The “Pitcairn” also had visited a number of the Pacific Islands, and companies of believers were reported in several of the West Indies, on the Gold Coast of West Africa, and in the Bay Islands.
Thus our work in foreign fields was fairly launched. During the ten years that have just closed, a larger number of laborers have been sent out, indeed more than in all our previous history. To-day our missionary map of the world shows workers or believers in Mexico, Central America, the majority of the countries of South America, except those on the northwest coast; in southeastern Africa, Matabeleland, and the West Coast; in Egypt, Palestine, India, Sumatra, Japan; and in five groups of the South Pacific Islands; with one laborer in China, and a few isolated Sabbath-keepers there and in a few other islands of the Pacific, besides organized Conferences in Europe, South Africa, and Australia. The study of the field from month to month convinces us that the Lord has attended this work with His blessing. The efforts that have been put forth in these places have been marked by His presence, even when circumstances seemed the most discouraging. We can not, however, look upon a single field where sufficient help has been provided. Our work seems only in its infancy in almost every country, while some are yet unentered. But with grateful hearts, we look upon the progress God has permitted us to make in the closing years of this missionary century.
Wherever we turn our eyes, we see the signs of the times portrayed in the openings before us. The proportions God's work will assume in the few remaining years depend to some extent upon the position you and I take. God's work will triumph. The open doors and the fields so lightly touched should arouse us to increased activity. If God is not urging us to-day to a new and complete self-surrender to Him and His work, we do not rightly read the signs. Shall we not arouse to a consecration that will speed this message which has been so gloriously begun in this century of missions? We may answer this question by our efforts to become acquainted with the field, by our prayers in its behalf, and by our endeavors to enlarge its support.
Our Lives Are Woven Together
“Say not, ‘It matters not to me;
My brother’s weal is his behoof;’
For in this wondrous human web,
If your life’s warp, his life is woof.
“Woven together are the threads,
And you and he are in one loom;
For good or ill, for glad or sad,
Your lives must share one common doom.”
RECIPE FOR COOKING WHEAT
I PARCH my wheat in the oven before grinding in the mill; and after being steamed, it makes a delicious dish, much better and more thoroughly done than when cooked without parching. This parched wheat makes a good foundation for soups, puddings, nut relishes, and many other wholesome dishes, and is just as good as the many wheat preparations which are sold for fifteen or twenty cents a package.
Instead of paying a high price for whole-wheat or graham flour, I use the shorts and seconds with the white flour, and thus get the whole of the wheat.
MARCH STUDY OF THE FIELD
Articles for Study in the March Missionary Magazine: The Gospel in the Malay Archipelago: India—Historical Outline: A Visit to Turkey
(March 3-9)
THE GOSPEL IN THE MALAY ARCHIPELAGO
1. How did Portugal come into possession of the East Indies? By what method did Spain gain a foothold?
2. Relate other changes in the government which have finally led to the elimination of Spanish, and, with that, all national Roman Catholic influence.
3. How long have the Dutch occupied Java? What can you say of their earlier missionary efforts?
4. Mention the missionary societies now laboring in this island.
5. What one feature of the missionary efforts of the Dutch East India Company still exists, not only as a noble monument to their memory, but as a constant blessing to the Christians of Java?
6. Why is this island the most prominent of the East Indies? Give its area and population. Describe its physical features.
7. What traces still remain of advanced civilization in the early history of Java? What recent improvements tend to make this island equal in many respects to more civilized countries?
INDIA: HISTORICAL OUTLINE
8. Mention one fact which makes the Indian people especially interesting to other members of the European family.
9. Give some evidence of their common origin. Describe briefly the scattering of the Aryans.
10. Where did those who went east finally settle? Why are they called Hindus, and their country Hindustan? What seems naturally to have led the Hindus to regard their rivers as sacred?
11. What can you say of the aboriginal peoples? Outline the history of India until its final conquest by England.
12. Tell something of the religious conditions. What responsibility rests upon us to whom great light has been given, in our relation to our brothers in this dark land?
13. Map Exercise.—Locate the provinces of Punjab, Gujarat (Guzerat), and Malwa. The cities of Lahore, Bombay, Calcutta, Darjeeling, and Karmatar. The Ganges and Indus rivers.
A VISIT TO TURKEY
14. Relate some of the incidents connected with Elder Conradi's visit to the church at Constantinople. Describe this city.
15. What progress has the message made in Turkey during the last ten years? Mention some of the difficulties that our workers and brethren must encounter here.
16. Describe the visit to the two Armenian churches. What has led to such a marked decrease in the tithe? How did the Lord seem to intervene so that Elder Conradi could hold public services with the churches?
THE KEEPING OF THE COMMANDMENTS
The First Commandment
“I AM the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Ex. 20:2, 3.
We have seen that, for any one to have this world, or anything that is of this world, is to have another god before the Lord. And this other god is “the god of this world,” the “spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience,” which is Satan.
But Christ came to “bring us to God.” And this is the whole work of the preaching of the gospel; for it is written: “Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Acts 26:17, 18.
Now “the world” is divided into three parts—“the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” And under one or all of these three heads is idolatry manifested. We shall study them one by one as they are written.
First: “the lust of the flesh”—appetite, or intemperance. This is specifically defined as a god; for it is written: “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” Phil. 3:18, 19.
Temperance is self-control,—not merely the control of one particular part of the man, self-control in one particular thing,—it is the control of self, the very being, the whole man. But this can never be done by the man himself; for the man himself is already subject to the control of “the god of this world,” the evil one. This control was gained by the evil one, in the garden, and through appetite, this very “lust of the flesh.” Since man is thus the subject of “the god of this world,” a slave, “sold under sin,” it is impossible for him of himself to clear himself of that power to which he surrendered himself.
But there is deliverance by the power of God, the true God, the living God, the rightful God of man. God can set free every man, from all the power of “the god of this world;” and it is only thus that any man can ever gain control of himself. It is only thus that any man can attain to true self-control, to true temperance.
The heart of man is the place of the seat of God in things pertaining to the man; for “the kingdom of God is within you.” The kingdom of the heart and life of man belongs to God: it is alone His dominion. Through the deception of man this kingdom has been usurped by “the god of this world.” This was done at the choice of man. At the choice of man, God, the true God, will return to His kingdom, and will take His place upon His throne in that kingdom, and will there rule and reign in righteousness, “even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.” Rom. 3:22.
Therefore the whole question of having other gods, or the true God alone, turns simply upon the one question: Who has the heart? Therefore it is written: “Keep thy heart above all keeping; for out of it are the issues of life.” Prov. 4:23, margin.
Since, then, it is only by the power of God that any man can ever truly have control of himself, can be truly master of himself, it follows, inevitably, that the use of anything which has a tendency to take control of the man, to deprive the man of the control of himself; anything the use of which creates a habit which must be satisfied, and demands that it shall be served,—that is the having of another god. The man who has thus surrendered himself, and is thus controlled, is of those whom the scripture describes, “whose god is their belly.”
This principle is expressed in the scripture: “All things are lawful unto me, . . . but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1 Cor. 6:12. Anything, therefore, which has a tendency to bring man under its power is the indulgence of idolatry: it is to have another god before the Lord.
Now not only the tendency, but the positive effect of all stimulants and narcotics, is to take control of the man who uses them. The only effect of any of these things is to create an appetite for itself,—an appetite that must be served at whatever cost,—and thus to rob the individual of all control of himself. Also it makes him not only a slave to that particular habit, but so weakens him that in other things he can not control himself. And “from tea to hasheesh we have, through hops, alcohol, tobacco, and opium, a sort of graduated scale of intoxicants, which stimulate in small doses, and narcotize in larger. The physiological action of all these agents gradually shades into each other: all producing, or being capable of producing, consecutive paralysis of the various parts of the nervous system.”—Encyclopedia Britannica, Art., “Drunkenness.”
Thus the First Commandment is the basis of all true temperance; and the keeping of that commandment and the faith of Jesus, is the only way to true temperance.
“I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” “Out of Egypt have I called my Son.”